Chapter 30 - Manifestation of Siddheśvara (Siddha-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1. By which of Siddhas was Lord Siddheśvara propitiated there? O Sūtanandana, describe all this in detail to us.

Sūta said:

2-5. Formerly there was a Lord of Siddhas by the name Haṃsa. He was without any child for a long time.

Worried on account of this, he went to Bṛhaspati, the great Brāhmaṇa, the priest of Devas and son of Aṅgiras, and asked him: “O holy Sir, I am issue-less and old age has overtaken me. Hence do tell me a means whereby I can have progeny. Be it pilgrimage to a holy place, a holy vow or a Śāntika rite (expiatory observance), O excellent Brāhmaṇa. O Bṛhaspati, with your favour let there be the birth of a child soon.”

6-7. Bṛhaspati meditated for a long time and told the Siddha thereafter. “Go to the holy spot Camatkārapura to perform a penance there. Thereby you will get a good son, splendid and capable of redeeming the race. O Lord of Siddhas, I do not see any other means of. acquisition of a son that will be conducive to auspiciousness.”

8. Then that Siddha endowed with great faith arrived at that

holy spot and worshipped the Liṅga himself in accordance with the prescribed manner.

9. Without any lethargy, he propitiated day and night, offering oblations, adoration and presents, singing songs and playing on musical instruments.

10. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he propitiated Śaṅkara by observing Kṛcchra Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka and monthly fasts.

11. After two thousand years, he (Śiva) manifested himself to him as seated on the bull along with Umā and he spoke:

12. “O Haṃsa, I am now pleased with you. So, request for anything desired by you. Certainly I shall grant you even what is very difficult to acquire.”

Haṃsa said:

13-14. O Lord, O most excellent one among Suras, for a long time this propitiation was undertaken by me for the sake of a child. Hence, do grant me sons capable of redeeming the family. Further, at my request and for the sake of the welfare of all the worlds, you should undoubtedly be present in this Liṅga.

Śrībhagavān (The holy Lord) said:

15-17. As per your request there shall be my presence in this Liṅga from now onwards, O Lord of Siddhas. What has been said by me is true. I will grant every benefit cherished in the heart by a man who devoutly worships me who am present herein. If the devotee sits on the southern side of my Liṅga and repeats the six-syllabled Mantra, I shall grant him longevity besides sons.

18. After saying this Mahādeva vanished from that place. Haṃsa went home and begot sons.

19-20. Hence, O Brāhmaṇas, that Liṅga should be sought after with great effort, touched, worshipped and assidiously bowed down to. It should be glorified by means of the six-syllabled Mantra repeated within one's capacity, by those who wish fulfilment of their cherished desires, very rare even in the case of Devas.