Adhyaya 41

Verse 1

इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायामुपरिविभागे चत्वारिंशो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच इदं त्रैलोक्यविख्यातं तीर्थं नैमिशमुत्तमम् / महादेवप्रियकरं महापातकनाशनम्

Thus, in the Śrī Kūrma Purāṇa—within the Ṣaṭsāhasrī Saṃhitā, in the latter division—begins the forty-first chapter. Sūta said: “This supremely excellent tīrtha, Naimiṣa, is renowned throughout the three worlds; it is dear to Mahādeva and it destroys even the gravest sins (mahāpātaka).”

Verse 2

महादेवं दिदृक्षूणामृषीणणां परमेष्ठिनाम् / ब्रहामणा निर्मितं स्थानं तपस्तप्तुं द्विजोत्तमाः

For the highest ṛṣis who yearned to behold Mahādeva, the foremost twice-born Brāhmaṇas fashioned a sacred place where tapas—austerities—might be performed.

Verse 3

मरीचयो ऽत्रयो विप्रा वसिष्ठाः क्रतवस्तथा / भृगवो ऽङ्गिरसः पूर्वा ब्रह्माणं कमलोद्भवम्

The venerable sages—Marīci, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, and Kratu, as well as the ancient Bhṛgus and Aṅgirases—came forth from the beginning in relation to Brahmā, the Lotus-born.

Verse 4

समेत्य सर्ववरदं चतुर्मूर्ति चतुर्मुखम् / पृच्छन्ति प्रणिपत्यैनं विश्वकर्माणमच्युतम्

Gathering together, they approached Viśvakarmā—the grantor of every boon—four-formed and four-faced. Bowing down to him, the unfailing one, they questioned the divine architect with reverence.

Verse 5

षट्कुलीया ऊचुः भगवन् देवमीशानं भर्गमेकं कपर्दिनम् / केनोपायेन पश्यामो ब्रूहि देवनमस्कृतम्

The Ṣaṭkulīya sages said: “O Bhagavān, tell us—by what means may we behold the divine Īśāna, the one radiant Bharga, Kapardin the matted-haired Lord, whom even the gods revere?”

Verse 6

ब्रह्मोवाच सत्रं सहस्रमासध्वं वाङ्मनोदोषवर्जिताः / देशं च वः प्रवक्ष्यामि यस्मिन् देशे चरिष्यथ

Brahmā said: “Perform a sattra-sacrifice for a thousand months, free from faults of speech and mind. And I shall also tell you the region—the land in which you are to dwell and carry out your observance.”

Verse 7

उक्त्वा मनोमयं चक्रं स सृष्ट्वा तानुवाच ह / क्षिप्तमेतन्मया चक्रमनुव्रजत मा चिरम् / यत्रास्य नेमिः शीर्येत स देशः पुरुषर्षभाः

Having spoken thus, he fashioned a mind-born (manomaya) discus and addressed them: “I have cast this cakra—follow it without delay. Wherever its rim (nemi) breaks or is worn away, that place shall be the land to be sought, O best of men.”

Verse 8

ततो मुमोच तच्चक्रं ते च तत्समनुव्रजन् / तस्य वै व्रजतः क्षिप्रं यत्र नेमिरशीर्यत / नैमिसं तत्स्मृतं नाम्ना पुण्यं सर्वत्र पूजितम्

Then he released that cakra, and they followed after it. As it swiftly moved, the place where its rim (nemi) was worn away came to be remembered by the name Naimiṣa—an auspicious sacred spot, revered everywhere.

Verse 9

सिद्धचारणसंकीर्णं यक्षगन्धर्वसेवितम् / स्थानं भगवतः शंभोरेतन्नैमिशमुत्तमम्

Crowded with Siddhas and Cāraṇas, and attended by Yakṣas and Gandharvas—this supremely excellent Naimiṣa is the sacred abode of the Blessed Lord Śaṃbhu (Śiva).

Verse 10

अत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सयक्षोरगराक्षसाः / तपस्तप्त्वा पुरा देवा लेभिरे प्रवरान् वरान्

Here, in former times, the Devas—together with the Gandharvas, the Yakṣas, the Nāgas, and the Rākṣasas—performed austerities (tapas); and by that tapas the gods obtained excellent boons.

Verse 11

इमं देशं समाश्रित्य षट्कुलीयाः समाहिताः / सत्रेणाराध्य देवेशं दृष्टवन्तो महेश्वरम्

Taking refuge in this very region, the sages of the six lineages, gathered in deep concentration, worshipped Devesa, the Lord of the gods, through a satra (sacrificial session)—and thereby beheld Mahādeva (Śiva).

Verse 12

अत्र दानं तपस्तप्तं स्नानं जप्यादिकं च यत् / एकैकं पावयेत् पापं सप्तजन्मकृतं द्विजाः

Here, O twice-born ones, each single act—charitable giving, austerity rightly undertaken, bathing, and practices such as japa—purifies the sin accumulated across seven births.

Verse 13

अत्र पूर्वं स भगवानृषीणां सत्रमासताम् / प्रोवाच वायुर्ब्रह्माण्डं पुराणं ब्रह्मभाषितम्

Here, in earlier times, while the sages were seated in a sacrificial session (sattra), the venerable Vāyu expounded to them the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa—spoken originally by Brahmā.

Verse 14

अत्र देवो महादेवो रुद्राण्या किल विश्वकृत् / रमते ऽध्यापि भगवान् प्रमथैः परिवारितः

Here indeed the god Mahādeva—the world-maker—still delights in the company of Rudrāṇī; the Blessed Lord even now abides, surrounded by the Pramathas.

Verse 15

अत्र प्राणान् परित्यज्य नियमेन द्विजातयः / ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यन्ति यत्र गत्वा न जायते

Here, the twice-born, relinquishing their life-breath in accordance with prescribed discipline (niyama), will go to Brahmaloka—having gone there, one is not born again.

Verse 16

अन्यच्च तीर्थप्रवरं जाप्येश्वरमितिश्रुतम् / जजाप रुद्रमनिशं यत्र नन्दी महागणः

And there is yet another foremost sacred ford, renowned by tradition as Jāpyeśvara. There, Nandī—the great attendant of Śiva—unceasingly chanted (the name/mantra of) Rudra.

Verse 17

प्रीतस्तस्य महादेवो देव्या सह पिनाकधृक् / ददावात्मसमानत्वं मृत्युवञ्चनमेव च

Pleased with him, Mahādeva—the bearer of the Pināka—together with the Goddess, bestowed a state equal to His own divine nature, and also the power to outwit death.

Verse 18

अभूदृषिः स धर्मात्मा शिलादो नाम धर्मवित् / आराधयन्महादेवं पुत्रार्थं वृषभध्वजम्

There was a sage, righteous-souled, named Śilāda, a knower of dharma, who worshipped Mahādeva, the Bull-bannered Lord, desiring a son.

Verse 19

तस्य वर्षसहस्रान्ते तप्यमानस्य विश्वकृत् / शर्वः सोमो गणवृतो वरदो ऽस्मीत्यभाषत

When a thousand years of his austerities had come to an end, as he remained engaged in tapas, Śarva—Soma, the maker of the world, surrounded by His gaṇas, spoke: “I am the bestower of boons.”

Verse 20

स वव्रे वरमीशानं वरेण्यं गिरिजापतिम् / अयोनिजं मृत्युहीनं देहि पुत्रं त्वया समम्

He chose as his boon the Lord Īśāna—most excellent and worthy, the consort of Girijā—praying: “Grant me a son, not born from a womb, free from death, and equal to You.”

Verse 21

तथास्त्वित्याह भगवान् देव्या सह महेश्वरः / पश्यतस्तस्य विप्रर्षेरन्तर्धानं गतो हरः

“So be it,” said the Blessed Lord Maheśvara, together with the Goddess. And as that brahmin-sage looked on, Hara vanished from sight.

Verse 22

ततो यियक्षुः स्वां भूमिं शिलादो धर्मवित्तमः / चकर्ष लाङ्गलेनोर्वों भित्त्वादृश्यत शोभनः

Then Śilāda—foremost among the knowers of dharma—wishing to consecrate his own land for sacrifice, ploughed the earth with a ploughshare; and when the ground was split open, a splendid divine being became visible.

Verse 23

संवर्तकानलप्रख्यः कुमारः प्रहसन्निव / रूपलावण्यसंपन्नस्तेजसा भासयन् दिशः

That divine Youth appeared like the cosmic fire of dissolution, yet as if gently smiling; endowed with perfect beauty and charm, he illumined the quarters with his radiance.

Verse 24

कुमारतुल्यो ऽप्रतिमो मेघगम्भीरया गिरा / शिलादं तात तातेति प्राह नन्दी पुनः पुनः

Nandī—peerless and like a radiant young boy—spoke in a voice deep as thunderclouds, repeatedly addressing Śilāda again and again: “Father, dear father!”

Verse 25

तं दृष्ट्वा नन्दनं जातं शिलादः परिषस्वजे / मुनिभ्यो दर्शयामास ये तदाश्रमवासिनः

Seeing that his beloved son Nandana had been born, Śilāda embraced him. He then presented the child to the sages who were dwelling in that hermitage.

Verse 26

जातकर्मादिकाः सर्वाः क्रियास्तस्य चकार ह / उपनीय यथाशास्त्रं वेदमध्यापयत् सुतम्

He performed for him all the prescribed rites, beginning with the birth-ceremony (jātakarma). Then, having conducted his son’s upanayana in accordance with the śāstras, he had him instructed in the Veda.

Verse 27

अधीतवेदो भगवान् नन्दी मतिमनुत्तमाम् / चक्रे महेश्वरं द्रष्टुं जेष्ये मृत्युमिति प्रभुम्

The blessed Nandī, learned in the Vedas, formed an unsurpassed resolve: “I shall behold Lord Mahēśvara; I shall conquer Death,” fixing his mind upon the Supreme Master.

Verse 28

स गत्वा सरितं पुण्यामेकाग्रश्रद्धयान्वितः / जजाप रुद्रमनिशं महेशासक्तमानसः

Having gone to a holy river with one-pointed faith, he continually recited the Rudra-mantra, his mind intensely absorbed in Maheśa (Śiva).

Verse 29

तस्य कोट्यां तु पूर्णायां शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः / आगत्य साम्बः सगणो वरदो ऽस्मीत्युवाच ह

When that koṭi was completed, Śaṅkara—ever affectionate to his devotees—came there as Sāmba, together with his attendant hosts, and said: “I am the giver of boons.”

Verse 30

स वव्रे पुनरेवाहं जपेयं कोटिमीश्वरम् / तावदायुर्महादेव देहीति वरमीश्वर

Then I again chose this boon: “May I repeat the Lord’s Name in japa a koṭi times. O Mahādeva, grant me life for just so long as is needed for that japa,”—thus I asked, O Lord.

Verse 31

एवमस्त्विति संप्रोच्य देवो ऽप्यन्तरधीयत / जजाप कोटिं भगवान् भूयस्तद्गतमानसः

Saying, “So be it,” the Deity vanished from sight. Thereafter, the blessed one again repeated the mantra a koṭi times, his mind wholly absorbed in that very Lord.

Verse 32

द्वितीयायां च कोट्यां वै संपूर्णायां वृषध्वजः / आगत्य वरदो ऽस्मीति प्राह भूतगणैर्वृतः

When the second koṭi was fully completed, Vṛṣadhvaja—Śiva, whose banner bears the bull—arrived surrounded by hosts of bhūtas and declared: “I have come—ask, for I am the giver of boons.”

Verse 33

तृतीयां जप्तुमिच्छामि कोटिं भूयो ऽपि शङ्कर / तथास्त्वित्याह विश्वात्मा देवो ऽप्यन्तरधीयत

“O Śaṅkara, I wish to repeat the third count once again—another koṭi.” The Lord, the Self of the universe, replied, “So be it,” and then the Deity vanished from sight.

Verse 34

कोटित्रये ऽथ संपूर्णे देवः प्रीतमना भृशम् / आगत्य वरदो ऽस्मीति प्राह भूतगणैर्वृतः

When three koṭis had been fully completed, the Deity—greatly delighted at heart—came surrounded by hosts of beings and declared, “I am the giver of boons.”

Verse 35

जपेयं कोटिमन्यां वै भूयो ऽपि तव तेजसा / इत्युक्ते भगवानाह न जप्तव्यं त्वया पुनः

“By the power of your spiritual radiance, I could repeat the japa for yet another koṭi as well.” When this was said, the Blessed Lord replied: “You should not perform japa again.”

Verse 36

अमरो जरया त्यक्तो मम पार्श्वगतः सदा / महागणपतिर्देव्याः पुत्रो भव महेश्वरः

“An immortal being, cast off by old age, ever stands at my side. O Maheśvara, let him become the great Gaṇapati—the son of the Goddess (Devī).”

Verse 37

योगीश्वरो योगनेता गणानामीश्वरेश्वरः / सर्वलोकाधिपः श्रीमान् सर्वज्ञो मद्बलान्वितः

He is the Lord of yogins, the guide of Yoga, the Sovereign of the gaṇas, the Supreme among rulers; the blessed Lord of all worlds—omniscient, and endowed with power that, in the final truth, is Mine.

Verse 38

ज्ञानं तन्मामकं दिव्यं हस्तामलकवत् तव / आभूतसंप्लवस्थायी ततो यास्यसि मत्पदम्

That divine knowledge which is Mine will become as clear to you as a fruit held in the palm. Abiding with you until the dissolution of beings, it will lead you thereafter to My state, the supreme abode.

Verse 39

एतदुक्त्वा महादेवो गणानाहूय शङ्करः / अभिषेकेण युक्तेन नन्दीश्वरमयोजयत्

Having said this, Mahādeva—Śaṅkara—summoned the gaṇas and duly installed Nandīśvara through the proper rite of consecration (abhiṣeka).

Verse 40

उद्वाहयामास च तं स्वयमेव पिनाकधृक् / मरुतां च शुभां कन्यां सुयशेति च विश्रुताम्

Pinākadhṛk (Śiva, bearer of the bow Pināka) himself solemnized his marriage, giving him the Maruts’ auspicious daughter, renowned by the name Suyāśā, as his bride.

Verse 41

एतज्जप्येश्वरं स्थानं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः / यत्र तत्र मृतो मर्त्यो रुद्रलोके महीयते

This is the holy seat of Jāpyeśvara—Śūlin, the God of gods. Wherever a mortal dies here, that person is honored and exalted in Rudra’s world.