Chapter 18 - The Birth of Moon-God

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1. O leading Brāhmaṇas, on being told thus by Śaṅkara, the goddess of great renown further asked him about the details of the greatness of the Kṣetra.

The Devī said:

2. O my Lord, today my birth has become fruitful. My penance too has borne fruit. O Śaṅkara, with your favour, divinity has been attained.

3. Today I have become one who has done an auspicious act. Wisdom-eye has been granted by you. Today my ears have become adorned with the ear-ornaments in the form of the greatness of the Kṣetra.

4. Today my brilliance has become a solid entity as knowledge has been fixed in the heart. Today my decorum and nobility, beauty and characteristics have become well-defined.

5. Today my delusion about the pilgrimage to holy places has become dispelled. O most excellent one among honoured ones, my mind has become steady in regard to Prabhāsa.

6-7. The Lord of Suras was propitiated by me earlier. Today the Lord has become pleased. I was surrounded by fire (in Pañcāgni penance). I have been standing on a single foot. That penance has become fruitful today. O Lord to whom devotees are favourites, the greatness of Prabhāsa Kṣetra has been revealed to me today.

8. I am asking you again, O Lord of Devas. O Lord, do tell me the exact facts.

9. Still, O Lord, I entertain doubts regarding the greatness of the Kṣetra and the Tīrtha. O Lord Maheśvara, do tell me if there is any other interesting thing.

10. Here this Candra (Moon) is on your head. Of whom is he born and how? At what time? Do tell me, O Lord!

Īśvara said:

11-12. This is the period (Kalpa) well-known as Vārāha. The second Parārdha of Brahmā is current now. At the beginning of the second month, this is the Pratipad (first lunar day). Lord Varāha (the divine Boar, Viṣṇu) redeemed and lifted up Dharā (the Earth) on this day, O my beloved. Therefore, this Kalpa came to be known by the name Vārāha Kalpa on the Earth.

13-14. In that Kalpa, O great goddess, O my beloved, the Sandhyāṃśa (twilight period i.e. interregnum of two Kalpas) has passed. The first Manu Svāyaṃbhuva was reigning, O goddess. The Ocean of Milk was being churned by Devas and Dānavas. Gems, fourteen in number, were born (recovered) therefrom.

15. Among them the highly refulgent Candra is one born of the Tattva (eternal entities, principles). O goddess, O my beloved, he was held and kept on the head by me where he still continues to be.

16. O great goddess, when the poison (Halāhala) was swallowed by me while I was stationed in Prabhāsa, Candra was formerly made my ornament for the relief (from the effects of poison).

17. Since I have been adorned with the Moon (Śaśī), I came to be known as Śaśibhūṣaṇa (Moon-ornamented). Even today I am stationed in that holy spot in the form of Svayambhūliṅga.

18. I am the bestower of all Siddhis, O my beloved. I continue to stay through the duration of the Kalpa. Thus it has been narrated, O goddess; what else do you wish to ask?