Chapter 253 - Śaṅkara Consoles Pārvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śūdra said:

1-2. Goddess Pārvatī had got infuriated. How was she pacified by the Trident-bearing Lord after being cursed? How did it happen that Lord Rudra whose fury makes the universe agitated, got the curse from his wife? How did he get the hideous form and how did he regain the divine form?

Gālava said:

3. Due to their excess of fear of the goddess, Devas took invisible forms and stationed themselves in statues all over the mortal world.

4. The highly esteemed mother of the universe, the destroyer of sins, was eulogized by Viṣṇu. She became pleased and she blessed all the Devas:

5. Due to their strength, but restrained by the weight of Pārvatī’s curse, the Lord tried to pacify her always. She said to Śaṅkara:

6. “With my favour these Devas worthy of being adored by all and devoutly propitiated by men will be the bestowers of boons on all.

7-11. (Corrupt text) This act censured by good people has been committed by you against me and no one other than you will do this. At the time of the marriage, on the altar, obviously witnessed by all, you have done this, namely taking of seven steps, grasping the hand etc. in the assembly of the people in front of these viz. Vahni, Varuṇa, Kṛṣṇa and the Devas and their wives. When the Devas and Brāhmaṇas were present in all the quarters you have done this. Due to mistake, how have you strayed away? If even the elders behave like the common people, they are to be restrained by the people enlightened in all the worlds. This is heard in a Śruti. A father should be chastized by even a son. A preceptor himself can be chastized by a disciple

12-13. A Brāhmaṇa should be admonished by a Kṣatriya and a husband by a wife. A most excellent one may be a master of the Vedānta but if he traverses wrong path, he has to be chastized even by a. baser one. So says the eternal Śruti. Everywhere it is the path of the good that is respected everywhere but nowhere is the wrong path honoured.

14. He by whom the traditional practice of his family is abandoned, shall be a fallen man. On death, he falls into hell and is overwhelmed by the weight of misery.

15. If anyone abandons his righteous duty due to atheistic inclinations and gets involved in dissensions among kinsmen, he should be restrained by all the people devoted to the code of ethics laid down by Manu.

16. O Maheśvara, those people who forsake family duties, class duties and national duties are certainly fallen people.

17. One should not renounce the holy fire, abandon holy vows, break promise or forsake piety. If anyone does so, he is fallen.

18. You have neither father, nor mother. You have no brother or relative. No one takes note of your activities. A swallower of poison, you are an untouchable.

19. Wearing the garland of bones, ashes of the cremation ground, dirty rags and matted hairs, you are fickle and unbound by decorum. You don’t deserve to stand before me.

20. You are perpetrator of disgraceful deeds. You don’t observe vows and rites. You are a beggar of alms, always deceitful and wicked. O Īśvara, you are not fit even to talk with me.”

21. Saying thus, the goddess cried with her eyes agitated with tears. Although the Lord of Devas consoled and appeased her, she continued to be excessively miserable.

22-24. Becoming furious once again the fair lady said: “I know that you are not frank and straightforward. Your heart is hard for ever.

What has been said by Brāhmaṇas and Asuras appears to be false to me, because in regard to me, only wicked intention has been entertained by you. As Brāhmaṇas have been deceived by you, you will be punished (?) by Brāhmaṇas.”

After saying this the goddess did not say anything again.

25. Lord Maheśvara made her appear pleased in the face slowly by means of courteous behavior and consoling words of persuasion based on sound reasoning.

26-27. Realizing that the goddess was pleased as evidenced by her eyes, Hara said casually: “O fair lady, your countenance has the lustre of full moon. Why do you make it foul and perverted through anger? Your words are not proper. Indeed, with a desire for the welfare of all living beings, mercy for all beings should be shown.

28. One may have a special craving for something. Yet others should not be troubled (for realizing it). O lady of excellent complexion, the entire universe is almost like your own progeny.

29. You alone are worthy of being worshipped by the universe, O sinless lady. You assume all forms. It is possible that a censurable thing has been committed by me and it was for the benefit of Devas.

30-31. Still, your son shall undoubtedly be born thus. Or, I shall do what you wish. You are indeed greater than even my very vital breathes. I shall carry out what you wish. O lady of excellent countenance, do tell me with a face beaming with pleasure.”

32-35a. On being told thus the goddess said again to Maheśvara; “If you do these I shall bless you and revoke your curse. You shall adopt great Vratas during Cāturmāsya. You shall perform the Tāṇḍava dance even as the Devas watch it. O Maheśvāra, after fulfilling the Vrata observance you must maintain celibacy. To please me you should give unto me the Vaiṣṇava half of your body. I shall then become pleased and revoke your curse. Otherwise, my mind will never have trust in you.”

35b. On hearing it, Maheśvara became pleased and said to her in reply, “Yes; as you say.”

36. The goddess became pleased and became agreeable to revoke the curse and bless him.

37. A man should listen to this Purāṇa (old legend) with perfect faith. He shall have the awareness of non-difference and steadfastness. Surely, his life shall be entirely fulfilled with objectives achieved. Men shall truthfully seek refuge in her.