The Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes Vasishtha’s hymn to lord Shiva which is chapter 217 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.
Chapter 217 - Vasiṣṭha’s hymn to lord Śiva
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Fire-god said:
1. After having propitiated lord Śiva of the form of the liṅga with Gāyatrī, Vasiṣṭha obtained yoga. Moreover he got the exalted brahman and emancipation from lord Śaṅkara (Śiva).
2. Obeisance to the golden liṅga and the liṅga in the form of scriptures. Obeisance to the supreme liṅga and the liṅga in the form of the sky.
3. Obeisance to the thousand liṅgas and the liṅga in the form of the fire. Obeisance to the liṅga of the forms of the Purāṇa and the scriptures.
4. Obeisance to the liṅga in the form of the nether worlds and the brahman. Obeisance to the mysterious liṅga and the liṅga above the seven continents.
5. Obeisance to the liṅga as the soul of all beings and to the liṅga that is the limb of all people. Obeisance to the unmanifest liṅga and the liṅga of the form of the intellect.
6. Obeisance to the liṅga representing the ego and to the liṅga denoting the beings. Obeisance to the liṅga of the form of senses and the subtle principles.
7. Obeisance to the liṅga denoting the Supreme spirit and the sentiments. Obeisance to the liṅga above the (principle of) rajas and to the (principle) of sattva.
8. Obeisance to the liṅga of the form of becoming and of the form of the three qualities. Obeisance to the liṅga denoting future and the form of lustre.
9. Obeisance to the liṅga beyond the wind and of the form of the scriptures. Obeisance to the liṅga in the form of the (hymns of) Atharva (veda) and the Sāma (veda).
10. Obeisance to the liṅga that is the limb of the sacrifice and of the form of the sacrifice. Obeisance to the liṅga of the form of principles and to the liṅga of the form of the companion of the lord.
11. You impart me the excellent yoga. (Bless me) with a son equal to me. O Lord! May I attain the imperishable brahman. O Lord (you also confer) tranquillity. May the progeny be without break and let them have an undiminishing interest in righteousness.
Fire-god said:
12. Once after having been propitiated by Vasiṣṭha on the Śrīparvata (mountain) thus, Śambhu (Śiva) granted the boon to Vasiṣṭha and disappeared there itself.