Chapter 22 - Soma Gets a Boon

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-2. On being thus instructed by Dakṣa, Soma who bewailed his misdemeanour and was utterly grief-stricken, came to Prabhāsa. He went to the southern shore of the sea and saw nearby the mountain well-known as Kṛtasmara.

3-6. The whole region was occupied by Yakṣas, Vidyādharas and Kinnaras. It was beautified by trees such as sandal, agallocham, camphor, Aśoka, splendid Tilaka, Kalhāra and Śatapatra in full bloom. It appeared beautiful with trees laden with fruits such as Āmra, Jaṃbū, Kapittha, Dāḍima, Panasa, Niṃba, Jaṃbīra, Nāga, banana, Kramuka, Nāgavallī etc., Śāla, Tamālaka, Bījapūra, date palm, grape-vines sweet and pinkish in colour. There were Bilva, Campaka, Tinḍu, Kadamba and Kakubha trees.

7. The mountain shone with different kinds of trees—Dhava, Aśoka, Śirīṣa etc. The trees were splendid with pleasant fruits and flowers.

8. The place was resonant with the chirping sounds of various kinds of birds such as Haṃsa, Kāraṇḍava, Cakravāka, cuckoos, and parrots.

9-10. Some birds having power to remember previous births spoke with human voice. The excellent mountain shone with couples of Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Serpents etc. who were playing different kinds of divine sports. Devas and Gandharvas were engaged in dances. The notes of flutes and lutes echoed all round.

11. It was resounded with the chanting of Vedas. It was enveloped with smoke which rose up from the fires of sacrifices and Homas emitting pleasant smell of clarified butter (oblated in them).

12-19. The mountain was graced by the divine sages and excellent Brāhmaṇas, experts in the four lores (or four Vedas). They were: Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhṭgu, Marīci, Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Manu, Yama, Aṅgiras, Viṣṇu, Śātātapa, Parāśara, Āpastamba, Saṃvarta, Kātya (Kāvya? i.e, Śukra), Sage Kātyāyana, Gautama, Śaṅkha, Likhita, Sage Vācaspati, Jāmadagnya, Yājñavalkya, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Vibhāṇḍaka, Gārgya, Śaunaka, Dālbhya, Vyāsa, Uddālaka, Śuka, Nārada, Parvata, the fierce ascetic Durvāsas, Śākalya, Gālava, Jābāli, Mudgala, Viśvāmitra, Kauśika, Jahnu, Viśvāvasu, Dhaumya, Śatānanda, Vaiśaṃpāyana, Jiṣṇu, Śākaṭāyana, Vārdhikya, Agnika, Bādarāyaṇa and the noble-souled Vālakhilyas. In fact all the sages existing on the earth, reside there on Mountain Kṛtasmara. O my beloved, all the righteous sages and the refulgent sons of Brahmā (stayed there).

20. By their penance, all the ascetics were (refulgent like) blazing fire devoid of smoke. Some observed fasts for a month and some for a fortnight.

21. Others took food once in three days. Yet others performed Sāntapana expiatory rite. Some abstained from food. Some had fruits and flowers for food. Some ate only dried and scattered leaves.

22. Some subsisted on cow-dung (Pañca-gavya?) and some on mere water. All were excellent scholars performing Agnihotra rites. They pondered over matters pertaining to salvation.

23. There were other sages with Mārkaṇḍeya as the leader. These and many others were experts in Śruti, Smṛti, Itihāsa, Purāṇa etc.

24. All these sages, O goddess, came and stayed on the Kṛtasmara mountain in the holy spot of Prabhāsa. Thus Kṛtasmara is resorted to by all the Devas. Later in this Manvantara, it will be burnt completely by Vaḍavā fire, O fair lady.

25. On seeing the beautiful mountain and the great ocean, Niśākara (Moon) circumambulated it seven times. After circumambulating the mountain he went to the place where Maheśvara was present.

26. The deity was near the ocean, in the form of a Sparśa Liṅga (felt by touch?). He then propitiated the Lord with a delighted mind.

27-28. He resolved within himself: ‘I seek refuge in Maheśvara for the annihilation of the curse or I shall meet with death or it is better that I meet with death from Śaṅkara’. After resolving thus Soma began to propitiate Śiva by means of penance for a period of a thousand years. He took in only fruits and roots as food.

29. O lady of excellent complexion, when the fourth round of a thousand years concluded Lord Rudra became pleased and spoke these words:

30. “O Candra of good holy rites, I am pleased with you. Do choose your boon. Do tell me what wish of yours shall I fulfill even if it be very difficult to acquire.”

31. On seeing that Bull-emblemed Lord has come within the ken of his vision, Niśākara (Candra) devoutly bowed down and eulogized.

Candra said:

32. Om, obeisance to Śiva, the Lord of Devas, the supreme soul, the Lord whose form and features cannot be comprehended. Obeisance to the Lord whose form is both manifest and unmanifest.

33. Supreme God! You are the Lord of Yogins. Everything is well-established in you. You are Yajña. You are Vaṣaṭkāra. You are Oṃkāra and Prajāpati (patriarch).

34. There are two hundred twenty-four Bhuvanas (worlds). Above them the supreme refulgence of yours solely shines and keeps vigil.

35. Obeisance to thy refulgent Liṅga that became the pillar of support to the Cosmic Egg when, at the conclusion of the Kalpa, the primordial Varāha deserted it.

36. Obeisance to you having the name Anāmaya. Obeisance to Kṛttivāsas. Obeisance to Bhairavanātha. Obeisance to you, Someśvara.

37. You Amṛteśvara are eulogized by excellent Suras of the past, present and future, through these names worthy of being eulogized.

38. When there was the first Brahmā, the grandfather of the worlds called by the name Virañci, O Consort of Pārvatī, your name was Mṛtyuñjaya.

39. When the second Brahmā became well-known as Padmabhū, your name had been glorified as Kālāgnirudra.

40. When the third Brahmā became well-known as Svayaṃbhū, your name was glorified as Amṛteśa, a name causing enhancement of glory.

41. When the fourth Brahmā became well-known as Parameṣṭhin, O Lord of Devas, your name had been remembered as Anāmaya.

42. When the fifth Brahmā became known as Surajyeṣṭha, O destroyer of Tripura, your name was Kṛttivāsas.

43. When the sixth Brahmā was remembered as Hemagarbha, your name was glorified as Bhairavanātha.

44-45. Now the Brahmā who is present is known as Śatānanda. The Ādisoma (primordial Soma) who originated from your left eye brought that Brahmā when he was eight years old, in order to install your Liṅga. He was in the form of a boy. Hence your name is glorified as Somanātha.

46. Since then two Lakh two thousand one hundred six Somas have come and gone.

47. O Mahādeva, I am the seventh and am well-known as Ātreya. Being cursed by Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, I seek refuge in you. O Lord of the chiefs of Devas, protect me suffering from the fell disease Phthysis.

48. As Candra eulogized thus, the compassionate Lord Rudra became pleased and spoke these words:

49. “O Candra of good holy rites, I am pleased with you. Choose you boon. What wish of yours shall I fulfill? Tell me, even if it be very difficult to acquire.

50. These secret names of mine are dear to me. I will grant everything mentally cherished by those men who recite these.

51. In the 'case of Candras of the past and future, this Liṅga shall be worthy of being adored till another Brahmā of eight years arrives.

52. Henceforth, the four-faced Brahmā will be born; the name of the God will be Prāṇanātha then.

53. Winds are called by the name Prāṇa. The name for the sake of propitiation is called Prāṇanātha. That will be my name now.

54-56. Thereafter, these names will be used: Agnīśa, Kālarudra, Tāraka, Mṛtyuñjaya, Tryaṃbakeśa, Īśa, Bhuvaneśa, Bhūtanātha, Ghora, Brahmeśa, Pṛthvīśa and Ādinātha.

57. Then the Lord will have the names Kalpeśvara and Candranātha. The future names of the Lord have now been revealed.

58. These and other names have been self-reckoned as sixteen. Those that have gone by will be revived, since infiniteness is the nature of Time.

59. Each of the names continues to exist till the dissolution of Brahmā. Then another name crops up befittingly.

60. Of what avail is much talk? The secret has been revealed to you. O dear one, tell me entirely the purpose for which all this penance has been undertaken by you. I am pleased with you. I shall grant you the boon.”

Candra said:

61. I have been cursed by Dakṣa for some reason. I have been reduced in size through Phthysis. It behoves you to save me therefrom.

Śaṃbhu said:

62. Now, do look upon all the daughters of Dakṣa impartially. Reduction in your size is inevitable per fortnight. There will be waxing in the next fortnight.

63-64. O Soma, with my favour, you will regain the lustre as it was previously. It is impossible to alter the utterance of Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, the Brāhmaṇa whose sins have been destroyed by penance. No one else, not even Suras can alter his utterance. If infuriated Brāhmaṇas may kill, may reduce one to ashes by the power of their own refulgence.

65. They can reduce Devas to the position of non-Devas. They can destroy this universe. Brāhmaṇas and Devas constitute one mass of refulgence split into two.

66. Brāhmaṇas are Devas, the perceptible (ones) in the world. Devas are invisible and are present in heaven. Without Devas Brāhmaṇas are non-entities; without Brāhmaṇas Devas are non-entities.

67. Mantras are present on one side. Refulgence is present on the other. Brāhmaṇas are deities in the world. Brāhmaṇas are Devatās in heaven. Brāhmaṇas are the most excellent ones in all the three worlds. Brāhmaṇas alone are the cause (of wefare [welfare?]).

68. Excellent Brāhmaṇas employed in the holy rites of Pitṛs, become Pitṛs and if they are engaged in the rites of Devas, they become Devas. With the water sprinkled with their palms, the excellent Brāhmaṇas become Devas.

69. The great fear and danger arising from Pretas (ghosts) do not assail Brāhmaṇas interested in the Vedic themes and engaged in the Ṣaṭkarmas (six duties of a Brāhmaṇa) due to their devotion to them.

70. Devas translate into real actions what highly praise worthy, Brāhmaṇas speak. When the perceptible (visible) Devas (Brāhmaṇas) are pleased the invisible Devas too always become pleased.

71. The excellent Brāhmaṇas in the world are on a par with Rudras, Devas, Maruts, Vasus, Aśvins, Brahmā, Soma and Sūrya.

72. All the subjects (people) are dependent on Devas; all the Devas are dependent on Yajñas. Those Yajñas are dependent on Brāhmaṇas. Hence the excellent Brāhmaṇas are Devas.

73. One should always adore Brāhmaṇas. One should propitiate Brāhmaṇas always. Brāhmaṇas are the redeemers in the world. One enjoys heavenly pleasures through Brāhmaṇas.

74. Brāhmaṇas guard and protect the ancient religious tradition that cannot be broken or cut off, that is beginningless and endless. A highly sensible man adores Brāhmaṇas and becomes invincible like the king of Devas in heaven.

75. An armour can be pierced through by a Nārāca (an iron dart or an arrow). But the Brāhmaṇical benediction cannot be split even by a thousand Vajras (thunderbolts).

76. A sin is quelled by Homa. Food subdues Homa. Food is subdued by the gift of gold and gold is subdued by the blessings of Brāhmaṇas.

77. If one wishes to go to hell along with his sons, cattle and kinsmen, one should assert undue authority over Devas, Brāhmaṇas and cows.

78. If due to delusion, a wicked-hearted person cherishes hatred for Brāhmaṇas, Devas, cows and Yajñas, he shall never attain the other worlds or even this world.

79. Brāhmaṇas, cows, gold, water, women and the earth do not deserve to be censured. He who reviles these, is a sinner.

80. Kings are the top of righteousness (Dharma) and Brāhmaṇas are the roots thereof. Hence one shall not injure the root. The top stands on the root.

81. Kings are the fruit of Dharma and Brāhmaṇas are the flowers thereof. Hence one should not harm the flower. It is from flower that fruit grows.

82. King is a tree of which Brāhmaṇas are the roots. Citizens are the leaves. Ministers are its branches. Hence Brāhmaṇas should be protected by king. If root is protected tree is not destroyed.

83. Indeed fire bums when it is in close contact, but Brāhmaṇas burn from afar (by curse). What is burned by fire may grow again but what is burnt by Brāhmaṇas never grows.

84. Hutāśana (Fire-god) became Sarvabhakṣa (omnivorous) due to the curse of Brāhmaṇas, so also the ocean became Apeya (water of which was not worthy of being drunk) and Purandara became Viphala (impotent).

85. O Candra, you became afflicted with Phthysis. Unfertile arid lands abound on the earth. There occurred fall of sun and moon again and there is redemption (for them).

86-87 The exudation of juice (sap) from vegetation, defeat of Dānavas, subjugation of elephants, the extermination of Kṣattriyas, origin and death of Devas and upheavel of the world: These and other things constitute the refulgence of the noble-souled Brāhmaṇas. Hence a king should always bow down to Brāhmaṇas.

88. (A king) may be in the greatest of adversities. Yet he should not infuriate Brāhmaṇas. If infuriated they may kill him along with his army and vehicles.

89. Fire may or may not be consecrated with prayers. Yet it is a great deity. So also whether learned or not, a Brāhmaṇa is a great deity.

90. Refulgent fire is not defiled even in cremation ground. Fire in which Homa is performed blazes all the more in the course of Yajñas.

91. In the same manner, a Brāhmaṇa may be engaged in all undesirable activities. Yet he is worthy of being adored by all. He is a great deity.

92. A Kṣatriya greatly flourishes through the power of Brāhmaṇas. The Brāhmaṇical power is extremely adorable. Indeed the Kṣatriya’s valour arises from that of Brāhmaṇa (power).

93. Fire originates from water; Kṣetra from Brahmā; steel from rock. The refulgence of these, which spreads everywhere gets dissolved in their respective sources.

94. What person desirous of remaining alive can dare to assail (Brāhmaṇas) on whose support Devas and the worlds stand up and whose words are the Vedas?

95. A king shall not levy and exact tax from a Brāhmaṇa even when he is faced by death. A Brāhmaṇa residing in his realm should not (be allowed to) languish due to hunger.

96. If in the realm of any king, a Brāhmaṇa languishes due to hunger, ere long his entire kingdom splits into a hundred parts and faces annihilation.

97. Brāhmaṇas well-versed in the Vedas staying in the realm of a king, suppress the sin a king commits due to inadvertence or delusion.

98. If holy rites (of Agnihotra etc.) are duly performed by Brāhmaṇas in the beginning of a day or at the close thereof, that king flourishes along with the entire kingdom, as a result of the Brāhmaṇical splendour.

99. Everyday a king should get up early in the morning and adore Brāhmaṇas. It is by the favour of Brāhmaṇas that Devas shine in heaven.

100. Of what avail is much talk? Brāhmaṇas constitute my person. The form of the Lord of Devas, Śiva the supreme soul, is glorified on the earth girdled by the ocean, as Brāhmaṇas.

101. The foolish ones who hate these Brāhmaṇas of praiseworthy holy rites indeed hate me. Through worshipping them, they adore me.

102. Hence no sensible man should dare to hate Brāhmaṇas. Men struck down by the curse of Brāhmaṇas perish instantly by hating them.

103. Thus, O Candra, the ocean-like expanse of the good qualities of Brāhmaṇas has been expounded to you. Carry out the subsequent work I am going to tell you.

104. O Niśākara (creator of night), I give you protection from the curse. The utterance of those Brāhmaṇas cannot be altered.

105. All Devas including Vāsava may be able to curse or bless but they cannot alter the words of Brāhmaṇas. Hence, O Candra, you are sensible enough not to grieve over this.

106. Your waning is inevitable during a fortnight but during the other fortnight you will wax. Listen, O Candra, to another task to be carried out by you.

107. This excellent Liṅga that is present near the ocean is in the centre of the earth. It is not in the range of the vision of Devas.

108. It has the size of a hen’s egg. It is adorned by serpentine girdle. It has the refulgence similar to that of hen’s egg. It is my primordial refulgence. No one else knows it.

109. But away from this side, in the centre of the ocean, within a distance of three hundred Dhanus, there stands (another) Liṅga endowed with all characteristics and well-guarded.

110. In the first Kalpa, due to the curse of the great sages, my Liṅga (Penis) fell into the ocean. Do bring it quickly.

111-112. O Lord, summon Brahmā along with the leading sages. Make him perform great Makhas after placing it on my Liṅga called Sparśa (Touch) with effort in the company of Viśvakarman and cause the installation.

113. After saying thus, the Lord vanished there itself. Then, O lady of excellent countenance, the Lord of night regained his refulgence.

114. Thereafter that holy spot became well- known as Prabhāsa. Refulgence was given to one (who was) without lustre. Hence it is called Prabhāsa.

115. Nor was the curse of Dakṣa in vain. There is the stigma. Soma illuminates the worlds after receiving the boon from Maheśvara. That Lord of Devas became manifest only to Soma, the noble-souled one.