Chapter 246 - Pārvatī’s Curse on Devas

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Gālava said:

1. Śakra and other Lords of Devas became grief-stricken and mentally distressed. Their minds and organs of action became utterly confused because the Lord did not manifest himself.

2. They did not attain (visualize) the Lord. They made an image of the Lord of the worlds though he was present in the hearts of all living beings. They propitiated by means of penance.

3. The ten-handed Lord with matted hairs with a crown wielded in his hands a trident, the Pināka bow, a skull, and a Khaṭvāṅga.

4. The mighty-armed Īśāna of five faces, having a body with the lustrous complexion white like camphor and adorned with white ash, was accompanied by Umā.

5. He had serpents as Yajñopavīta and elephant’s hide as garment. The Lord had covered himself with the skin of a black antelope.

6. Resorting to trees there as shelter, the Suras performed their meditation. Doing the strict observance of Vratas, they performed an excellent penance.

7-8. The Suras performed Japa with the six-syllabled Mantra of Śiva.

Śūdra said:

How does one do the observance of that Vrata just now referred to by you? O holy Brāhmaṇa, do narrate it in detail. I am not fully satiated by your nectar-like words.

Gālava said:

9-10. A devotee performs Japa of Śiva characterised with the Bhasma, Khaṭvāṅga, skull, crystal, garland of headless trunks, five faces, crescent moon on the head, garment of variegated colours made of hide, pair of earrings, loin cloth, two bells, trident and sacred thread.

11-13. O Śūdraja (one born of a Śūdra), what has been mentioned by me should be marked with these characteristics. In accordance with this procedure, the Devas with Fire-god as their leader made use of all the means and propitiated the bestower of boons. When Cāturmāsya was over and the clear Kārttīka month was complete, Maheśvara saw that the Suras had fulfilled their vows and become pure. The Lord, the immanent soul, the witness of all living beings, having become pleased granted them excellent intellect.

14. He became delighted by their Japa of the Śatarudriya methodically done, their meditation and the gift of lamps during Cāturmāsya.

15-19. He understood that the Devas had come to his place after duly performing devotional activities in regard to Hara as in the case of Viṣṇu. Lord Rudra was pleased thereby and granted them excellent intellect.

Then the Devas took counsel together and eulogized Vahni (Fire-god) properly and made him eager to perform the task with a delighted face.

The highly refulgent Karmasākṣin (Witness of all activities, the Fire-god) assumed the form of a pigeon and entered the centre (of the apartment) in order to see Lord Maheśvara. He exhibited diverse kinds of movements crawling and rolling by. The Fire-god of beautiful form moved ahead. He concealed his body and veiled his face. On seeing him there, the Lord understood the reason.

20. The Lord of upflowing semen deposited it in the mouth of Vahni and he flew out of the house.

21. When the bird went away, Pārvatī, the great goddess, realized her endeavour as fruitless and cursed all the Devas in great anger:

22-24. “Since my desire has been frustrated by you all of wicked intellect (I curse you). May all the Heaven-dwellers attain immediately the state of rocks. All the Devas shall be ruthless and devoid of progeny.”

Curbed thus, they bowed down and endeavoured to please her. Being excessively grieved they spoke thus repeatedly:

The Devas said:

25. You are the mother of all the Devas. You are the witness of all. You are the eternal one. You are always the cause of origin, maintenance and annihilation of all the worlds.

26. You are in the form of Prakṛti (Ultimate Cause) of all living beings. You are resorted to by all the great elements. You are Aparṇā, the foster mother of all austerities, the mother of living beings, the Vasundharā (Holder of wealth, Earth).

27. You can be propitiated through Mantras. You are the seed of the Mantras. You are the seed (cause of origin), maintenance and destruction of the universe. You are the bestower of the fruits of Yajña etc., in the form of Svāhā always.

28. You are the goddess equally endowed with Mantras and Yantras (mystic diagrams etc.) in Brahma, Viṣṇu, Śiva and others. You are eternal in form, great in size, omni-formed and unsullied.

29. You are the bestower of Naiśśreyasa (ultimate welfare, salvation) unto the people afflicted by the three kinds of defects. You are Mahalakṣmī, Mahākālī, Mahādevī and Maheśvarī.

30. You are the goddess of the universe, the great Māyā, the bestower of the boon of the seed of Māyā. You are excellent in form, worthy of being considered excellent, the bestower of boons and the excellent daughter.

31. If men worship you always with splendid and auspicious Bilva leaves you grant them all their desires; you bestow on them kingdom and all Siddhis.

32. You have yourself become the Kāmadughā (the wish-yielding divine cow) for the purpose of fulfilling their desires in the case of those who worship you in Cāturmāsya especially with Bilva leaves.

33. Misery and sin will never befall them who, out of great devotion in this world, always worship you along with Meheśvara by means of Bilva leaves.

34-35. Especially during Cāturmāsya, worship unto you grants great fruit. Ever since now if you are worshipped by the people by means of Bilva leaves, O Maheśānī, you will grant them excellent knowledge. O lady of excellent countenance, Bilva leaf yields more benefit during Cāturmāsya.

36. What is given for the delight and satisfaction of Umā and Maheśvara duly is of everlasting benefit. Just as Śrī resides in the Tulasī plant so Pārvatī resides in the Bilva plant.

37. You appear as the universe by means of your form. You are the bestower of all desires. During Cāturmāsya in particular if both of you are served you two grant great benefit.