drinking repeatedly and effortlessly the three worlds with those juices like an intoxicated one, dancing with the ostentation of the tāṇḍava according to rule—may Mahābhairava protect [you]!

4.31.17

O pitcher-born one, neither four-armed Vaikuṇṭha

4.31.18

nor the four-faced creator of the universe truly knows the greatness of the Great Lord.

4.31.19

There is no wonder here, O brahmin; the māyā of Bhava is difficult to overcome.

4.31.20

Deluded by it, they all do not understand even that Supreme Being.

4.31.21

If that Supreme Lord himself reveals himself,

4.31.22

then Brahmā and the others know [him]; by their own will alone they do not know him.

4.31.23

That Great Lord, though omnipresent, is not seen, delighting in his own self.

4.31.24

He who is beyond mind and speech is perceived like an ordinary deity by the foolish.

4.31.25

Formerly, O brahmin, on the peak of Meru, the great seers bowed down to the grandfather,

4.31.26

the lord of the world, and said: "What is the one imperishable reality?"

4.31.27

Deluded by the māyā of the Great Lord, the creator of the world,

4.31.28

not knowing the supreme reality, spoke of himself as having supreme form:

4.31.29

"I am the womb of the universe, the creator, the self-manifest, the sole Īśvara.

4.31.30

I am Brahman having no beginning; without worshipping me, one is not liberated.

4.31.31

I alone indeed am the originator of the worlds, and their dissolver.

4.31.32

Truly no one else is greater than me, whoever [he may be], O best of gods."

4.31.33

As the creator was speaking thus, Kratu, born of a portion of Nārāyaṇa,

4.31.34

laughed and spoke these words, his eyes red with anger:

4.31.35

"Without knowing the supreme reality, why is this being asserted?

4.31.36

Ignorance is not suitable for you who are joined with yoga.

4.31.37

I indeed am the maker of the worlds, the sacrifice, Nārāyaṇa, the supreme.

4.31.38

Without revering me, O creator, there is no life for the worlds, O unborn one.

4.31.39

I alone am the supreme light; I alone am the supreme path.

4.31.40

Impelled by me, this creation is performed by you."

4.31.41

Thus, O brahmin, acting out of delusion, desiring victory over one another,

4.31.42

the two questioned even the four Āgamas, the knowers of authority.

4.31.43

The Creator and Kratu said:

4.31.44

"The Vedas are the authority everywhere, having attained the highest standing.

4.31.45

You indeed [are so], there is no doubt; establish what is the reality."

4.31.46

The Śrutis said:

4.31.47

"If we are respected by the two gods who are the all-pervading agents of creation and maintenance,

4.31.48

then we will declare the authoritative word that destroys your doubt."

4.31.49

Hearing this statement spoken by the Śruti, the two replied to the Śrutis:

4.31.50

"What is said by you is our authority; let the reality be accurately spoken."

4.31.51

The Ṛgveda said:

4.31.52

"In whom all beings reside, from whom everything originates,

4.31.53

whom they call that supreme reality—he is indeed Rudra alone.

4.31.54

The Yajurveda said:

4.31.55

"The Īśa who is worshipped with all sacrifices and through yoga,

4.31.56

by whom indeed we are authoritative—he is the one all-seeing Śiva."

4.31.57

The Sāmaveda said:

4.31.58

"By whom this universe revolves, who is contemplated by yogins,

4.31.59

by whose light the universe shines—he is the one supreme Tryambaka."

4.31.60

The Atharvaveda said:

4.31.61

"The lord of the gods whom people who receive grace behold with devotion,

4.31.62

him they call the sole absolute reality, Śaṃkara, who steals away sorrow."

4.31.63

Having heard thus what was uttered by the Śrutis, both deeply deluded,

4.31.64

Kratu and the Creator smiled and spoke, marked with the eye of delusion, O sage:

4.31.65

"How could this lord of the Pramathas, constantly sporting

4.31.66

naked in the cremation ground with Śivā, gray with dust,

4.31.67

with a bizarre appearance, matted hair, riding a bull, adorned with serpents,

4.31.68

have attained the state of the supreme Brahman, and where is that which is devoid of attachment?"

4.31.69

Hearing what was uttered by the two, the eternal self of the Praṇava,

4.31.70

though formless, assumed a form and, laughing, said to them:

4.31.71

The Praṇava said:

4.31.72

"This Lord certainly does not [sport] with a power distinct from his own self.

4.31.73

"Sometimes Rudra, Hara, assumes a playful form and sports;

4.31.74

for he is the Lord, Īśa, self-luminous and eternal.

4.31.75

This auspicious Śakti of his consists of bliss and is not accidental." // 32–33

4.31.76

Even when this was said, the ignorance of the unborn [Brahmā], the personification of sacrifice,

4.31.77

did not perish, due to the māyā of Śrīkaṇṭha alone. // 34

4.31.78

Then between the two of them a great light appeared,

4.31.79

filling with its radiance the intermediate space between heaven and earth. // 35

4.31.80

Standing in the middle of the orb of light, a human form was seen;

4.31.81

and then the fifth head of Brahmā blazed with wrath: // 36

4.31.82

"Who is this that assumes a human form between the two of us?"

4.31.83

As soon as the Creator conceived this thought, he was seen— // 37

4.31.84

and in an instant the Creator [beheld] a great person, dark blue and red (Nīlalohita),

4.31.85

with a trident in hand, an eye on his forehead, and serpents and the crescent moon as ornaments. // 38

4.31.86

Hiraṇyagarbha said to him: "I know you to be Candraśekhara.

4.31.87

Formerly, you appeared as Rudra from my forehead. // 39

4.31.88

Because of your crying (rodana), the name Rudra was given to you by me long ago.

4.31.89

Take refuge in me alone, my son; I shall protect you." // 40

4.31.90

Then Īśvara, having heard the arrogant words of the lotus-born [Brahmā],

4.31.91

wrathfully produced a man bearing the form of Bhairava. // 41

4.31.92

[Īśvara] said: "This lotus-born one must be chastised by you, O Kālabhairava!

4.31.93

You shine forth manifestly like Kāla (Time/Death); therefore you are Kālarāja. // 42

4.31.94

You are capable of sustaining (bhartum) the universe; because of sustaining (bharaṇa), you are remembered as Bhairava.

4.31.95

Even Kāla shall fear (bheṣyati) you; therefore you are Kālabhairava. // 43

4.31.96

Since, being pleased, you will crush (āmardayiṣyati) the evil-minded,

4.31.97

you shall therefore become known everywhere by the name Āmardaka. // 44

4.31.98

Because you will instantly devour the sins (pāpāni) of your devotees,

4.31.99

your name will indeed be Pāpabhakṣaṇa. // 45

4.31.100

That city of liberation of mine, Kāśī, is greater than all others;

4.31.101

sovereignty over it shall forever be yours, O Kālarāja! // 46

4.31.102

You alone shall be the chastiser of those who commit sin there;

4.31.103

Citragupta will not record their auspicious or inauspicious deeds." // 47

4.31.104

Having received these boons, Kālabhairava, at that very moment,

4.31.105

severed the head of the Creator with the tip of the nail of his left finger. // 48

4.31.106

That limb which commits an offense must be punished:

4.31.107

therefore that fifth head, by which the insult was made, was cut off. // 49

4.31.108

Then Viṣṇu, who bore the form of sacrifice, praised Śaṃkara;

4.31.109

and terrified Hiraṇyagarbha also chanted the Śatarudriya. // 50

4.31.110

Consoling the two of them, Mahādeva, pleased and fond of those who bow to him,

4.31.111

said to his own other form, that Bhairava who wore matted hair: // 51

4.31.112

"This sacrifice (Viṣṇu) is to be honored by you, and likewise this Śatadhṛti (Brahmā).

4.31.113

Carry this skull of Brahmā, O Nīlalohita! // 52

4.31.114

In order to expiate the murder of a brahmin (brahmahatyā), showing the observance to the world,

4.31.115

undertake the Kāpāla observance and wander constantly for alms."

4.31.116

Having said this, Lord Śiva, whose form is light, disappeared. // 53

4.31.117

Then, having produced a maiden renowned as Brahmahatyā,

4.31.118

clad in red garments, red-hued, anointed with red garlands and pastes, // 54

4.31.119

with a face terrible with fangs, extremely terrifying with a lolling tongue,

4.31.120

with one tip of her foot in the intermediate space, drinking much blood, // 55

4.31.121

holding a scissors and a skull-bowl in the tip of her hands, with blazing reddish and fierce pupils,

4.31.122

roaring, moving with immense speed, fearsome even to Bhairava— // 56

4.31.123

[Śiva said:] "Until he reaches the divine city of Vārāṇasī,

4.31.124

so long, O terrifying one of fierce form, follow Kāla! // 57

4.31.125

You have entry everywhere, except for the city of Vārāṇasī."

4.31.126

Having commanded her thus: "Let it be done," Śiva disappeared from there. // 58

4.31.127

Because of that presence, Bhairava also became Kāla, since he was the death of Kāla.

4.31.128

At the command of the God of gods, he observed the Kāpālika vow; // 59

4.31.129

with the skull in hand, the Self of the universe wandered through the three worlds,

4.31.130

and that dreadful Brahmahatyā did not abandon the god. // 60

4.31.131

Even in Satyaloka, in Vaikuṇṭha, and in the cities of Mahendra and the others,

4.31.132

the Lord of the three worlds, though fierce, remained a vow-observer, the Ruler of the triple world. // 61

4.31.133

wandering through sacred ford after sacred ford, he was still not released from the sin of killing a brahmin.

4.31.134

By this inference alone let the greatness be understood,

4.31.135

O pot-born [Agastya], of Kāśī, which dispels the sin of killing a brahmin.

4.31.136

There are manifold sacred fords and many shrines

4.31.137

throughout the three worlds, [yet] they are not worth a sixteenth part of Kāśī.

4.31.138

Sins like killing a brahmin roar mightily only so long

4.31.139

as they do not hear the name of Kāśī, the thunderbolt to the mountains of sins.

4.31.140

Attended by the Pramathas, this Hara, wandering through the three worlds,

4.31.141

the god carrying a skull, arrived at the dwelling of Nārāyaṇa.

4.31.142

Seeing him then arriving—Mahākāla, three-eyed, with snake-earrings,

4.31.143

Bhairava, sprung as a portion of Mahādeva, of terrifying form—

4.31.144

he whose banner is Garuḍa fell to the ground like a stick;

4.31.145

and the gods, the sages, and the divine women all around

4.31.146

fell down, bowing low before him. Bowed in reverence, the lord of Kamalā,

4.31.147

placing his folded hands upon his head, having praised him with many kinds of hymns,

4.31.148

Hari, the churner of the Ocean of Milk, said to her who dwells in the lotus:

4.31.149

"Look, my beloved lotus-eyed one! Blessed are you, fortunate and sinless one!

4.31.150

Blessed am I, O goddess of fair hips, in that we behold the Lord of the universe.

4.31.151

This is the creator and ordainer, the master and lord of the worlds.

4.31.152

Beginningless, the refuge, tranquil, supreme, revered as the twenty-sixth [principle],

4.31.153

omniscient, lord of all yogins, sole master of all beings,

4.31.154

this is the inner Self of all beings, ever the giver of all things to all.

4.31.155

He whom those devoid of sleep and suspended in breath, tranquil and dedicated to meditation,

4.31.156

perceive with intellect in the heart—let that very one be beheld today!

4.31.157

He whom the knowers of the reality of the Veda and yogins of restrained mind know,

4.31.158

that omnipresent one, having assumed a form though formless, arrives here.

4.31.159

Ah, wondrous is the conduct of the Parameṣṭhin god!

4.31.160

Even he, at the speaking of whose name men are freed forever from embodiment, has taken on a body!

4.31.161

Seeing whom mortals on earth do not suffer rebirth,

4.31.162

that very blessed Tryambaka, adorned with the moon, arrives.

4.31.163

O lotus-petal-eyed one, blessed today are these eyes of mine!

4.31.164

Fie, fie upon the station of the gods, even seeing the supreme Śaṃkara here,

4.31.165

since liberation, which brings an end to all sorrow, is not attained!

4.31.166

There is nothing more inauspicious in the world of the gods than godhood itself,

4.31.167

since even having seen the lord of all gods we do not attain liberation."

4.31.168

Having spoken thus, Hṛṣīkeśa, his body hair bristling with joy,

4.31.169

prostrated himself and spoke thus to Mahādeva, whose banner bears the bull:

4.31.170

"What is this that is being done by you, O omnipresent God of gods, omniscient

4.31.171

creator of the worlds, dispeller of all sins, immutable one?

4.31.172

This is your sport, O lord of gods, three-eyed one of great wisdom!

4.31.173

What is the reason, O Virūpākṣa, tormentor of the god of love, for your conduct?

4.31.174

For what reason, O blessed Śambhu, wielder of the trident, do you wander begging alms?

4.31.175

I have a doubt, O Lord of the universe, giver of sovereignty over the three worlds to those who bow."

4.31.176

Addressed thus, Śambhu then said this to Viṣṇu:

4.31.177

"Brahmā's head was severed indeed by the tip of my fingernail;

4.31.178

to ward off that sin, O Viṣṇu, I undertake this auspicious vow."

4.31.179

Addressed thus by Maheśa, the lotus-eyed one

4.31.180

smiled slightly, bowed his head, and petitioned again thus:

4.31.181

"Sport as you please, O ruler of all the worlds!

4.31.182

You ought not to veil me, O Mahādeva, with your illusion.

4.31.183

From the hollow of my navel-lotus, by millions,

4.31.184

I create Brahmās in every cycle of creation, O Lord, by the power of your command, O omnipresent one!

4.31.185

Cast aside this illusion, O God, impassable to those who are undisciplined in self!

4.31.186

[Others] beginning with me, O Mahādeva, are deluded by your illusion;

4.31.187

yet I understand your conduct as it truly is, O consort of Śivā!

4.31.188

When the time of dissolution arrives, along with the gods and all the sages,

4.31.189

when you destroy the worlds with their classes and stages of life, O Hara,

4.31.190

where then, O Mahādeva, is sin for you, such as the killing of a brahmin?

4.31.191

There is no dependence for you, O Śambhu; therefore may you play freely as you will.

4.31.192

A garland of the bones of past Brahmās shines upon your neck!

4.31.193

Where then has the murder of a brahmin followed you, O sinless one? / 92

4.31.194

Even having committed a very great sin, whoever remembers you with devotion,

4.31.195

the foundation of the worlds, the Lord—his sin dissolves. / 93

4.31.196

Just as darkness cannot remain in the presence of the sun,

4.31.197

so sin cannot fail to reach destruction for a devotee of Śiva. / 94

4.31.198

The meritorious soul who meditates on your two lotus feet—

4.31.199

even sins such as the murder of a brahmin go to destruction for him. / 95

4.31.200

The man whose speech is attached to your name, O Lord of the universe,

First 200 of 328 passages. Read on

Linked texts (1)

Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit