The Shiva Purana

by J. L. Shastri | 1950 | 616,585 words

This page relates “shiva and himavat meet together” as found in the Shiva-purana, which, in Hinduism, represents one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. This work eulogizes Lord Shiva as the supreme deity, besides topics such as cosmology and philosophy. It is written in Sanskrit and claims to be a redaction of an original text consisting of 100,000 metrical verses.

Disclaimer: These are translations of Sanskrit texts and are not necessarily approved by everyone associated with the traditions connected to these texts. Consult the source and original scripture in case of doubt.

Chapter 11 - Śiva and Himavat meet together

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:—

1-2. O Nārada, the daughter of the mountain, honoured in the three worlds, was brought up in the palace of Himācala. When she was eight years old, Śiva distressed by Śatī’s separation came to know of her birth. Keeping her wonderful memory within his heart He rejoiced much.

3. In the meantime, following the conventions of the world, Śiva wished to perform penance in order to concentrate his mind properly.

4-5. Taking some important Gaṇas of quiet nature, Nandin and others, with Him, He went to the excellent Himālayan ridge—Gaṅgāvatāra, O sage, where the great holy river Gaṅgā flowed from Brahmapura[1] formerly, in order to quell sins.

6-7. Staying there, Śiva of full self-control, started His activities of penance. With full concentration and alertness He thought on His own Self, the cause of mental knowledge, the eternal, the luminous, free from affliction, identical with the universe, consciousness and Bliss, without a second and having no support.

8-9. When Śiva began His meditation, the Pramathas also began their meditation as well as some Gaṇas, Nandin, Bhṛṅgi etc. Some of the Gaṇas rendered service to Śiva, the Supreme Self. Some of them became His gatekeepers. They observed silence and did not shout.

10. In the meantime on hearing that Śiva had come to Auṣadhiprastha[2], the mountain Himavat too went there.

11. Accompanied by his attendants, the lord of the mountains bowed to the lord Śiva, worshipped Him with pleasure and eulogised Him with palms joined in reverence.

Lord Himavat said:—

12. O great god, lord of the gods, O lord Śiva, the three worlds are sustained by you alone who are lord of the worlds.

13. Obeisance to Thee, O lord of gods, obeisance to the one who has assumed the form of a Yogin, obeisance to Thee that art possessed and devoid of attributes and obeisance to Thee who art sportive.

14. O Śiva, obeisance to the resident of Kailāsa, obeisance to one who wanders all over the worlds, obeisance to thee the great lord, to the one indulging in divine sports, obeisance to the trident-holder.

15. O lord, of complete and perfect qualities, obeisance to Thee, devoid of aberrations. Obeisance to Thee without aspirations. Obeisance to Thee without desires. Obeisance to the bold one, to the great soul.

16. O overlord of the three attributes, O lord of delusion, favourably disposed towards the people, obeisance unto you, who grant inner pleasures of the soul. Obeisance to Brahman, the great soul.

17. Obeisance to Thee, worthy of being served by Viṣṇu Brahmā and others; obeisance to Thee of the form of Viṣṇu and Brahmā; obeisance to Thee, the creator of Viṣṇu and Brahmā, obeisance to Thee O one favourably disposed to the devotees.

18. O one engaged in penance, O one the venue of penance; obeisance to Thee the bestower of fruits of penance; obeisance to Thee who lovest penance; obeisance to Thee of the form of Brahman and quiescent.

19. Obeisance to Thee who lay down the principles of dealings and worldly conventions; obeisance to the great Śiva full of attributes; obeisance to Thee the great soul.

20. O great lord, your divine sports are incomprehensible. They bestow happiness on saintly men. Your nature is subservient to the devotees and you are under their control. You are the performer of all activities.

21. O lord, you have come here because my fortune is in its ascendancy. You have been described as a bestower of favours to the distressed. You have put me under your patronage and protection.

22. Today my life has borne fruit, in fact everything connected with me has become fruitful since you have come here.

23. Knowing me to be your slave of great composure, O great lord, you can freely command me. With my mind not fascinated by other things I shall serve you with great pleasure.

Brahmā said:—

24. On hearing these words of the lord of mountains, lord Śiva slightly opened his eyes and cast a glance on the lord of mountains who was accompanied by his attendants.

25. On seeing the lord of mountains with his followers, the bull-bannered god Śiva, the lord of the universe permanently engaged in meditation and Yogic practice said smilingly.

Lord Śiva said:—

26. I have come to perform penance in secret on your top. Make arrangements so that none should be able to come near me.

27. You are a noble soul, the abode of penance and permanent residence of sages, gods, demons and other great men.

28. You are the permanent residence of brahmins and others; you are always sanctified by Gaṅgā; you render help to others and you are the lord and king of all mountains.

29. O king of mountains, delighted in resorting to you and controlling my senses and mind I am going to perform penance here at Gaṅgāvataraṇa.[3]

30. O lord of mountains, O best of mountains, now put forth all endeavour whereby my penance can be conducted without obstacles.

31. O excellent Mountain, this alone is the greatest service that you can render. Please arrange for it with due effort. Please return to your abode with your mind full of pleasure.

Brahmā said:—

32. After saying this, the lord of the worlds, the cause of protection and enjoyment kept silent. The lord of the mountains then spoke to Śiva with affection.

Himicala said:—

33. O great lord of the universe, I have come myself and worshipped you. What shall I ask you who stay in my own kingdom?

34. O great lord, you cannot be attained by great penance even by the gods who put forth great efforts. But you yourself have come here.

35. There is none more fortunate than me; there is none more meritorious than me, since you have come to perform penance on my summit.

36. O great lord, I consider myself greater than the god of gods. You have come here with your Gaṇas and made me blessed.

37. O lord of gods, independently and without any obstacles perform your great penance. O lord, I am your slave always. I shall do all service to you.

Brahmā said:—

38. After saying this, the lord of the mountains returned at once to his abode and enthusiastically narrated everything to his beloved wife.

39. O Nārada, calling together all his attendants with the members of their families, the lord of the mountains said emphatically.

Himācala said:—

40. From now onwards, none of you shall go to the ridge of mine, called Gaṅgāvataraṇa. This is my command. I am telling you the truth.

41. If anyone of you goes there I shall punish that rogue particularly. This is the truth I am speaking.

42. O sage, after thus checking all of his attendants, the mountain made other arrangements also. I now tell you all about the same.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Cunningham (A. G. P. 299) identifies Brahmapura (the Po-lo-ki-mo-pu-lo of Hwen Thsang: Waters, I. P. 329) with the capital city Vairāṭapaṭṭana of the hilly country lying between the Alakanaṇdā and the Karnali rivers. The territory covered the districts of Garhwal and Kumaon (Cf. Brahma-purāṇa S. ch. 14 and G.D. P. 40) and was stretched within 667 miles in circuit.

[2]:

See Note No. 10.

[3]:

It is a sacred place celebrated in the Matsya and Vāyu Purāṇas where the river Gaṅgā emerges from the Vindu Sarovara through visible outlets and subterranean channels.

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