Chapter 14 - The manifestation of Rudras

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vāyu said:—

I. I shall expain the reasons for the manifestation of Rudra in every Kalpa whereby the broken series of Brahmā’s creation is resumed.

2. After creating the subjects in every Kalpa, Brahmā born of the cosmic egg felt excessively distressed. He was deluded.

3-4. In order to pacify his misery and to multiply his subjects, in the various Kalpas, Rudra, Brahma’s younger brother, becomes the son of Brahmā and blesses him.

5. Ho alone is lord Īśa, a mass of splendour, free from ailment, devoid of beginning and end, the creator and the lord making all living beings shrink.

6. Endowed with lordly qualities, he is purified by Parameśvara. He is presided over by his Śakti and marked by his symbols.

7. He has the same name, the same form; he can perform his task; he has same function as he maintains and abides by his commands.

8. He resembles a thousand suns, he is bedecked in crescent moon. Serpents constitute his necklaces, shoulderlets and bangles.

9. He is brilliant holding the skulls of asura Jalandhara, Brahmā, and Indra, his tawny hair, moustache and beard are drenched in the surging waves of Gaṅgā.

10. His lips shine with the tips being hit by the sharp-pointed curved fangs; his ear-rings make a halo around his left ear.

11. He is seated on a great bull; his voice sounds like thunder. He is lustrous like fire, his strength and exploits are great.

12. He whose features are hideous in this manner and who is born as the son of Brahmā bestows wisdom on him and co-operates with him in the activity of creation.

13. It is due to his grace that the creation in every Kalpa functions as a perpetual series.

14. Once, when requested by Brahmā to create, he mentally created all beings exactly like himself.

15. All of them had matted hair; they were free from fear and distress, had blue necks and three eyes, were free from decaying age and death; they had shining tridents as their excellent weapons.

16. The fourteen worlds of the universe were filled up by them. On seeing these various Rudras, Brahmā spoke to Śiva.

17. “Obeisance to you, O lord of gods, do not create such subjects. Welfare to you. Create other subjects that may be endowed with death.”

18. When told thus, the lord replied to Brahmā, “Such a creation is not my task. You alone create inauspicious beings.

19. The noble beings of great strength created by me mentally will walk about in my company. They will regulate the sacrifices.”

20. After saying thus to the creator, Śiva the lord of living beings desisted from creation and remained in the company of Rudras.

21. From that time onwards the lord does not procreate auspicious beings. He stands in Yogic trance till the dissolution of the universe.