Chapter 203

Dhritarashtra said When that Atiratha, viz., Drona had been slain by the son of Prisata, O Sanjaya, did my troops and those of the Pandavas do afterwards?

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Sanjaya said When that Atiratha Drona had been slain by the son of Prisata and when the Kaurava ranks broken and routed, Kunti's Dhananjaya.

Beholding a wonderful sight indicative of his victory, questioned, O foremost of the Bharatas, the mighty sage Vyasa who had gone there at his own pleasure.

Arjuna said When slaying my foes in battle with myriads of resplendent darts, I saw a male being of the effulgence of fire proceeding before me.

Raising his blazing trident wherever he turned, my foes in that direction, O mighty sage, he routed and scorched.

People think that I rout my foes whereas they are really routed by him. I only pursue from behind the troops already broken and routed by him.

O illustrious possessor of the six qualities the Bhagas, tell me who is that excellent of all male beings, whom I see armed with the trident and who resembles the Sun himself in effulgence.

He never touches the earth with his feet nor does he hurled his trident; but in consequence of his energy, thousands of arrows issue out of that trident of his.

Vyasa said O son of Pritha, you have seen Sankara, that first of all the creators of the world, that lord of all energies, primary male being, he that is the embodiment of heaven, earth and sky, the divine Lord, the saviour of the universe, the paramount master, the bestower of boons, also called Ishana. O, do you seek the refuge of that boon-giving deity, that lord of the universe.

He was the Paramount Divinity, of illustrious soul, also called Ishana, the wearer of matted locks and the origin of all auspiciousness. He possesses three eyes and mighty arms and fierce energy; and his locks are tied as a crown of his head and he clad in deer skin.

That supreme god, called Hara or Sthanu, is the lord of the universe and the giver of boons. He is the foremost of all beings in the universe and incapable of beings vanquished. He is the afforder of joy to the universe and it its paramount ruler.

The origin, the light and the refuge of the universe, he is ever attended with victory. He is the soul and the creator of the universe; and the universe is his from and he is ever-glorious.

That Lord of the universe and its ruler, that great one is the lord of all action. Known by the name of Shambhu he is self-born, he is the lord of all creatures and the origin of the past, present and future.

He is the Yoga and the lord of Yoga. He is called Sarva and is the lord of the lords of the world. He is superior to everything. He is the most excellent of all things in the universe and the highest of all and is called Paramesthin.

He is the ordainer of the three worlds and the sole refuge of them all. He is pure souled, universe himself, dreadful, holder of moon on head, eternal, the protector of the universe, the forernost of all deities among the gods of speeches, incapable of being vanquished, lord of world and is beyond the reach of birth, decline and death.

The essence of knowledge and incapable of being comprehended by the understanding and the best of all knowledge, he is unknowable. Out of his grace he gives to his worshippers the boons they desire.

That great one has for his companions, celestial beings of various forms, some of whom are dwarfs, some with matted locks, some with bald heads, some with short necks, some with large stomachs.

Some with huge bodies, some endued with great mighty and some with long ears. All of them have, O son of Pritha, distorted faces, mouths and legs and strange dresses.

That great lord Mahadeva, O Partha, is adored by even these kinds of followers. That Siva, O son, possessed of energy, goes in advance of you through kindness only.

In that dreadful battle, O son of Pritha, capable of causing the hair to stand erect, who else, O Arjuna, except the divine Maheshvara, that foremost of all bowmen, could even in his mind, dare defeat that host that was protected by those great smiters and bowmen, viz., Ashvatthaman, Karna and Kripa.

Nobody can venture to withstand the fighter, in whose front walks Mahadeva himself. There is no creature in the triune worlds who is a match for him.

At the very smell of the enraged Mahadeva, the enemy trembles and drops down senseless in large numbers in battle.

For this reason the gods in heaven ever adore and bow down to him. The men of this world as also others that have attained to heaven.

If they devoutly worship the boon-giving, auspicious and divine Rudra, the lord of Uma, obtain happiness here and the highest felicity hereafter.

O son of Kunti, bow down to him who is peace incarnate, to him called Rudra (of the fierce), who is of blue throat, exceedingly subtle and of great effulgence.

To himn known as Kapardin, him that is dreadful, him who possesses twany eyes, him that is boon giving; to that great ordainer or red locks and righteous conduct, to him who is ever-engaged in the performance of auspicious acts. to him who is an object of desire with all beings; to him who is of tawny eyes; him that is called Sthanu; him that is called Purusha; to him of tawny hair; him that is bald and him that is extremely subtle and of great splendour, to him that is the giver of light, him that is the embodiment of all holy waters, him that is the god of gods, him that is possessed of great impetuosity; him that is of various forms; him who is called Sarva and is vested in pleasant garments.

To him that possesses an excellent turban, a handsome face and a thousand eyes; him that is the giver of rain, him that has the mountains for his habitation; him that is peace, him that is the protector, him that has the barks of trees for his cloth.

To him whose arms are adorned with ornaments of gold, him who is furious; him who is the lord of all the different quarters; him who is the master of clouds and of all created beings.

To hiin who is the lord of all trees and of kine; him that has his body covered with trees; him who is the general of the celestial armies; him who is the inspirer of all thoughts.

To him who has the sacrificial ladle in his hands; him who is effulgent, him who wields the bow; him who is Rama himself, him who has numerous semblance's; him who is the lord of the universe; him who has the Munja grass for his attire;

To him who has a thousand heads; him who has a thousand eyes; and him who has a thousand arms and a thousand legs.

O son of Kunti, seek the refuge of at lord of the universe, who bestows boons, who is the lord of Uma, who possesses three-eyes and who is the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice;

Who is the protector of all created beings; who is ever-cheerful; who is the faviour of all; who is undeteriorating in his glory; who is called Kaparddin and those gait is like that of the bull; whose lavel is like that of the bull and whose emblem is the bull.

Who is proud like the bull, who is the lord of the bull, who is known by the horns of the bull and who is the bull of bulls, whose bannerdevise is the bull; who is generous like the bull; who has eyes like those of the bull;

Whose weapons are all of superior make; whose arrows is the Vrisha (Krishna) and who is righteousness incarnate; who is called the Great Lord, whose seat is the leopard's skin.

Who is the lord of the words, who is the giver of boons, who is bald, who is devoted to the Brahmanas and who behoves the Brahmanas, who is armed with the trident, who is boon-giving; who wields the sword and the buckles; and who is the lightly auspicious one:

Who use the bow Pinaka, who is shorn of his battle-axe and who is the sovereign and the saviour of the universe. I totally consign myself to the care of that divine lord, that giver of protection, that god versed in deer's skin; salutation to that lord of the gods who has Vaisravana for his friend, salutation to him of illustrious vows, to him whose companions are all best bow-men.

To him who himself wields the bow, to that great Divinity with whom the bow is a favourite weapon; who is himself the arrow hurled by the bow; who is the bow-string and the bow and the preceptor instructing others in the use of the bow.

Salutations to that deity whose weapons are terrible and who himself is the foremost of all gods, salutations to him whose semblances are various and who has got diverse bowmen as his attendants.

Salutations to Sthanu, to that best of all wielders of bow, salutations even to the destroyer of 'Tripura,' and the slayer of Bhaga.

Salutations to the lord of the Vanaspatis (Trees & c) and to the lord of men; salutations to the lord of the celestial mothers and to the lord of the Ganas.

Salutations ever to him who is the lord of kine and the master of all sacrifices. Salutations to the lord of waters and of the celestials;

Salutations to him who is the destroyer of Surya's teeth, who is of three eyes, who is the giver of boons, who is called Hara, who is blue-throated and who is of golden locks.

I shall now relate to you, according to my knowledge and as I have heard them related, all the divine deeds of the supremely wise Mahadeva.

If Mahadeva is worked up with rage, neither the gods, nor the Asuras, neither the Gandharvas, nor the Rakshasas, even if they conceal themselves in deep caves, can enjoy any peace.

In days of yore when Daksha had collected all the necessary objects for the celebration of his sacrifice, Mahadeva excited with rage destroyed them all; indeed then he became unusually stern.

Shooting an arrow with his bow then, he uttered a tremendous roar. The celestials, who always perform acts beneficial to the world, the were filled with anxiety.

When the sacrifice was destroyed and when Maheshvara was enraged, the gods were greatly frightened at the sound produced by his twanging bow and his palm-strokes.

The gods and the Asuras all succumbed and fell down and O son of Pritha, the waters were agitated and the earth trembled with everything on it.

The mountains split and the quarters of heaven and the Nagas became stupefied. Enveloped in a pall of gloom the universe was lost to view.

The splendour of the luminaries as also of the Sun was destroyed. The Rishis filled with fear became agitated and desirous of their own good and that of all other creatures, performed propitiatory rites. Then Sankara, smilingly rushed upon Pushana.

Who was eating the sacrificial oblations and the tore out his teeth. The gods then, bowing down to him, fled away trembling.

Once more Mahadeva aimed ai the gods a shower of burning and sharp resembling tongues of fire mixed with smoke or clouds with lightning.

Beholding that arrowy shower, all the gods, bowing down to Maheshvara, assigned to Rudra a substantial share in sacrifices.

Afraid, the gods sought his protection, O prince. His anger having subsided the great god re-established the sacrifice. arrows

The gods that had fled away returned. Indeed they are afraid of Maheshvara even to this day. Formerly the puissant Asuras had three cities in heaven.

One was made of gold, another of silver and the third of iron; each of them was excellent and large. The golden city belonged to Kamalaksha, the silver city to Taraksksha.

The third, made of iron, belonged to Vidyutmalin. Using all his weapons, failed to capture those cities.

Thereupon all the celestials, afflicted as they were, sought the refuge of Rudra. The gods then, with Vasava at their head, said these words to that high-souled one.

The denizens of the three cities, having obtained boons from Brahma and proud in consequence of those boons, are excessively oppressing the worlds.

O Lord of the gods, O supreme Divinity, save yourself, there is none capable of slaying the Daityas. Do you slay those injurers of the gods.

O Rudra, then creatures immolated in every sacrifice will be yours. Do you therefore, O lord of the universe, over-throw those Asuras.

Thus addressed by the gods and moved by the desire for benefiting them, Mahadeva said 'yea' to their proposals. Then he made the two mountains, viz., Gandhamadan and Vindhya the two bamboo poles of his car.

And the earth with all the oceans and the forests his chariot and the snake Sesa the Aksha of his chariot.

The Sun and the Moon then became the wheels of the car of that god of gods, that wielder of the Pinaka bow. The three eyed Divinity then made Elapatra and Puspadanta the pins of his car.

The puissant Mahadeva then made the Malaya mountains the yoke and the great Takshaka the chord for fastening the yoke to the poles and the other creatures about him the bounds of his steeds.

The mighty god then made the four Vedas the four steeds of his chariot; the lord of the three worlds made the auxiliaries of the Vedas the bridle-bits of his steeds.

Mahadeva then made Gayatri and Savitri the reins, the mystic monosyllable in the whip and Brahmana the driver.

Then making the Mandar mountains the bow, Vasuki its string, Vishnu its excellent arrows, Fire the arrow-head.

And Vayu the two wings of that arrows, Yama the feathers in its tail lightning the whetstone and Meru his standard.

The god Siva, riding on that wonderful car composed of all the excellent celestial forces proceeded for the destruction of the tripple city. Indeed Sthanu, that foremost of Smiters, that destroyer of Asuras, that most beautifullooking warrior of infinite energy, adored by the gods and Rishis, possessed of the wealth of asceticism, O Partha.

Created an excellent and unequaled array called after his own name and then stood firm for a thousand years.

Then when the three cities came together on the firmameni, he pierced them with that shaft of his having three knots.

The denizens of those cities, the Danavas, then could not look at that arrow composed of the Fire of Dissolution and of Vishnu and Soma.

When the tripple city began to burn, the goddess Durga went to see the sight, with a child on her lap having only five clumps of hair on its head.

Uma then asked the gods who that child was. The malevolent Indra then tried to strike him with the thunder bolt.

Thereupon the all-powerful Lord of all the worlds, possessed of the six excellent qualities the Bhagas, smilingly paralysed the arm of the enraged Indra wielding the thunder bolt.

Then with his arm paralysed Shakra, surrounded by the celestials, quickly proceeded to the undeteriorating Brahma.

Then the gods bowing their heads down to Brahma addressed him, with folded arms, thus-"O Brahma, what wonderful creature is now lying on the lap of Parvati?

As he appeared to be a mere boy we did not offer salutations to him. But we have been defeated totally by him. It is therefore that we want to ask you about him.

With Purandra to head us, we were easily defeated by that boy though he did not at all fight with us." Hearing those words of theirs, that foremost of all conversant with Brahma's viz., Brahma.

Reflected for a while and then decided that boy of infinite prowess to be a manifestation of Shambhu himself, that possessor of the six illustrious qualities, the Bhagas. The almighty Brahman addressing Shakra and other foremost

He is the almighty lord Hara, the Masterruler of the mobile and immobile creation. There is nothing superior to that foremost of gods known by the name of Maheshvara.

That boy of immeasurable effulgence whom you have seen with the goddess, is Siva himself, assuming the boy-like appearance for gratifying Parvati.

Let therefore yourselves with me seek his refuge, that god who is the ruler of all the worlds and the possessor of the six illustrious qualities, the Bhagas.

O gods, you could not recognise that lord of the worlds. Thereafter the celestials with the Prajapati approached that boy of the radiance of the rising Sun. Then Brahma behclding the mighty lord and the grandsire knowing him to be the paramount master, began to adore him

Brahma said You are the sacrifice, you are the refuge of this world and you are its sole stay. You are Bhava, you are Mahadeva, you are the abode of all things and you are the most supreme of all things.

Yourself pervade the whole universe with its mobile and immobile creatures. O lord of the past and the future, O lord of the Lokas, O master of the universe, be propitious on Shakra afflicted as he is with your wrath.

Vyasa said Hearing the words of the lotus-sprung Divinity, Maheswara then became propitiated and desirous of showering his grace, he then laughed aloud.

Then the celestials gratified both Uma and Maheswara with eulogies. Then the arm of the wielder of the thunderbolt once more regained its natural state.

Then that illustrious Divinity whose emblem is the bull and who had destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha, together with his batter half, became gracious on the gods.

He is Rudra, he is Siva, he is Agni, he is all and the knower of all. He is Indra, he is Vayu, he is the twin Asvins and he is lightning.

He is Bhava, he is Parjanya, he is Mahadeva and he is sinless. He is the Moon, he is Ishana, he is the Sun and he is Varuna.

He is Time, he is Destroyer, he is death, he is Yama and day and night; He is a month, a fortnight, as well as the seasons, the twilight's and the complete year.

He is Dhata and Vidhata, the soul of the universe and the doer of all acts of the universe. Himself formless, he is thousand and he is hundreds of thousands.

He is eulogised by all the gods. He is one and many. He is hundred, he is thousand and he is hundreds of thousands.

Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, say that he two forms, one is dreadful and the other peaceful-These two again are divided in numerous portions.

His terrible forms are Fire, Vishnu and Bhaskara (the Sun); and his peaceful forms are, water, the luminaries and the moon.

Whatever there is highly mysterious in the Vedas, their auxiliaries, in the Upanishads, in the Puranas and in Metaphysics, is identical with the god Maheshvara.

Such is the Lord Mahadeva, that Divinity without birth and that possessor of the six illustrious qualities the Bhagas. It is beyond my power to enumerate all the qualities of that lord.

Even, if, O son of Pandu, I were to recount them for a thousand years. On those who are under the malicious influence of evil stars, on those who are stained with every sin.

That great protector is pleased and grants them salvation, if indeed they seek refuge in him. He grants and takes away, life, health, prosperity, wealth and all other kinds of desirable objects. The prosperity seen in Indra and other gods is really his.

He is present in both the evils and good that exercise influence over the human kind. He gets by a flat of his will whatever prosperity he desired. Therefore, is he called the Lord Paramount.

He is called Maheshvara and he is the supreme lord superior creatures. In multifarious forms of many kinds, he pervades the universe.

What is known as the mouth of that god is the ocean; and it is well-known that assuming the form of the sea-fire it drinks the libations in the shape of water.

This Divinity ever dwells in the places of cremation. Men worship this god there where only the braves can go.

The effulgent forms of this lord are many and marvellous; those forms are worshipped in the worlds and are praised and spoken of by men.

Many also are the names of truthful import of the this Divinity. Known in the worlds. Those. names are all founded upon his supremacy, omnipotence and his acts.

In the Vedas, the excellent hymn called Shatarudriya has been sung in his praise, he who is the great Lord called the infinite Rudra.

That divinity is the Lord of all wishes both human and heavenly. He is the Lord Paramount and the supreme ruler and pervades this extensive universe.

The Brahmanas and the sages call him the most ancient of beings. He is the first-born of all the gods and fire came out from his mouth.

As he always and by every means protects the creature of the universe and always find pleasure in their company and as he is the lord of them all, he is truly called Pasupati.

As his Phallic form is ever present in the observance of the Brahmacharya vow and as it adds to the glory of the world, he is called Maheshvara.

The Rishis, the celestials, the Gandharvas and the Apsaras, worship the Phallic emblem of this god, that ever remains erect.

When his Phallic unblem is worshipped Maheshvara becomes glad and is pleased and delighted and transported with joy.

As in the past, the present and the future, the god has many forms, both mobile and immobile, he is truly called Vahurupa.

With one of his eyes blazing forth, he appears to have eyes on all sides of his body; and as in his wrath, he possesses the worlds, he is called Sarva.

As his form is like that of smoke he is called Dhurjati; and as the Devas in the world are present in him he is called Vishvarupa.

As three goddesses viz., the sky, the firmament and the water, ever worship that lord of the worlds, therefore he is truly calied Tryambaka.

As he ever helps in the accomplishment of all acts and increased the wealth of men and is engaged in doing good to them, therefore he is called Siva.

Possessed of thousand or ten thousand eyes or eyes on all sides of his body, as he ever protects the universe, he is called Mahadeva.

As he is Great and Ancient and is the fountain of life and the cause of its continuance and as his Phallic from is eternal, he is called Sthanu.

They rays of light that proceeding from the Sun and Moon, are seen in the worlds, are said to be the hair of his head and therefore is he called Vyomakesa.

Since he is the Past, the Future and the Present and in fact, everything in the universe and since he is the origin of the past, the future and the present, he is for that reason called Bhava.

The word Kapi is said to mean supreme and Vrisha to mean righteousness; therefore that god of gods, the possessor of the illustrious qualities the Bhagas, is called Vrisha Kapi.

As he destroys Brahma, Indra, Varuna, Kubera and Yama, after having afflicted them greatly, therefore he is called Hara.

Shutting his two, eyes, that Potent Lord created a third on his forehead by sheer force; and therefore is he called the Three-eyed.

Whatever of soundness or unsoundness there is in the bodies of men, is said to be his manifestation. He is the Pana and Apana breaths in embodied creatures.

He that ever worships the Phallic emblem of that illustrious god, attains great prosperity even by such worship of his.

Below his two thighs the forms are fiery, the other half of his soul is fire and half the moon.

His auspicious form surcharged with energy is more blazing than all the forms of the other gods. Amongst men his blazing and dreadful form is called Fire.

With his auspicious form he practices the vow Brahmacharya, whereas with the dreadful form he has, he devours everything.

As he burns, as he is keen and fierce and endued with the great prowess and as he devours flesh, blood and marrow, he is called Rudra.

It is this god of gods, the paramount lord, the wielder of the Pinaka bow, O Partha, whom you have seen go before you slaying your enemies.

After you had vowed to slay the ruler of the Sindhus, O sinless one, Krishna showed your this god, in your deam, seated on the top of that best of mountains.

He is that illustrious god, who comes first in the battle field, who provided all weapons by which the Danavas were slain by you.

O Partha, thus the hymn approved of Vedas and called Sata-rudriya in honour of that god of gods has been explained to thee which is excellent glorious, life-enhancing and sacred.

The hymn of four divisions capable of accomplishing all desired object, destructive of all sins, sacred and able to drive away all stains and to undo all sorrow and all fears. He who listen to this hymn always is succeeds in defeating all his enemies and is highly respected in the region of Rudra.

A man who always attentively reads or heard the recitation of this account (Satarudriya) belonging to war of this great deity and who worships devotionally that illustrious lord of universe (Vishveshvara) obtaineth all excellency objects of desire, in consequence of the three-eyed God being gratified with him.

O son of Kunti, Go and fight, defeat is not for thee that hast Janardana on your side for thy adviser and protector.

Sanjaya said 0 best of Bharata! 0 chastiser of foes! Having addressed Arjuna in these words, the son of Parasara (Vyasa) went away to the place he had come from.

O king, having warred savagely for five days, the Brahmana (Drona) endued with great strength, fell and repaired to the region of Brahma.

The fruits that arise from a study of the Vedas, arise from the reading of this Parvan also. The great achievements of brave Kshatriyas have bee described here.

He, who reads or hears the recitation of this Parvan everyday is released from a great sins and the most wicked acts of his life.

By reading it a Brahmana reaps the fruits of sacrifice, a Kshatriya obtains victory in fierce battle. The other orders (Vaishyas and Sudras) attain desirable sons and grandsons and all wishful objects. O king, having warred savagely for five days, the Brahmana (Drona) endued with great strength, fell and repaired to the region of Brahma.

The fruits that arise from a study of the Vedas, arise from the reading of this Parvan also. The great achievements of brave Kshatriyas have bee described here.

He, who reads or hears the recitation of this Parvan everyday is released from a great sins and the most wicked acts of his life.

By reading it a Brahmana reaps the fruits of sacrifice, a Kshatriya obtains victory in fierce battle. The other orders (Vaishyas and Sudras) attain desirable sons and grandsons and all wishful objects.