Adhyaya 33: The Origin of Rudra, the Disruption of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice, and the Establishment of Paśupati

Verse 1

श्रीवराह उवाच । अथापरां रुद्रसम्भूतिमाद्यां शृणुष्व राजन्निति सोऽभ्युवाच । महातपाः प्रीतितो धर्म्मदक्षः क्षमास्त्रधारी ऋषिरुग्रतेजाः ॥ ३३.१ ॥

Śrī Varāha said: “Now, O king, listen to the primeval account of Rudra’s origin,”—so he spoke. (There was) a great ascetic, pleased in disposition, skilled in dharma, bearing the ‘weapon’ of forbearance, a sage of fierce radiance.

Verse 2

जातः प्रजानां पतिरुग्रतेजा ज्ञानं परं तत्त्वभावं विदित्वा । सृष्टिं सिसृक्षुः क्षुभितोऽतिकोपाद् वृद्धिकाले जगतः प्रकामम् ॥ ३३.२ ॥

Born as the lord of creatures, possessed of formidable radiance, and having understood the supreme knowledge—the true nature of reality—he, wishing to bring forth creation, became stirred; and through intense wrath, at the time of the world’s expansion, creation proceeded in full measure.

Verse 3

तपस्यतोऽतः स्थिरकीर्तिः पुराणो रजस्तमोद्ध्वस्तगतिर्बभूव । वरो वरेण्यो वरदः प्रतापी कृष्णारुणः पुरुषः पिङ्गनेत्रः ॥ ३३.३ ॥

Therefore, for the one engaged in austerity, the Ancient One—of steadfast renown—became the course wherein rajas and tamas are dispelled: a boon, the most excellent, the giver of boons, radiant in power; a Person of dark-reddish hue, with tawny eyes.

Verse 4

रुदन्नुक्तो ब्रह्मणा मा रुद त्वं रुद्रस्ततोऽसावभवत् पुराणः । नयस्र्व सृष्टिं विततस्वरूपां भवान् समर्थोऽसि महानुभाव ॥ ३३.४ ॥

When addressed by Brahmā—“Do not weep”—he then became known as the ancient Rudra. O great-souled one, proceed to guide the creation in its fully expanded forms; you are capable of doing so.

Verse 5

इत्युक्तमात्रः सलिले ममज्जमग्ने ससर्जात्मभवाय दक्षः । कस्थे तदा देववरे वितेनुः सृष्टिं तु ते मानसाः ब्रह्मजाताः ॥ ३३.५ ॥

As soon as this was spoken, Dakṣa—having sunk into the waters and being immersed—generated beings for Ātmabhava (Brahmā). Then, upon the excellent deity’s command, those mind-born, Brahmā-born beings extended the process of creation.

Verse 6

तस्यां तटायां तु सुराधिपे तु पैतामहं यज्ञवरं प्रकामम् । मग्नः पुरा यत्सलिले स रुद्रः उत्सृज्य विश्वं तु सुरान् सिसृक्षुः ॥ ३३.६ ॥

At that reservoir (taṭāka), in the presence of the lord of the gods, the excellent ancestral sacrifice (paitāmaha) was performed in full abundance. In its waters, long ago, Rudra is said to have been immersed—having cast forth the world and desiring to bring forth the gods.

Verse 7

सुस्राव यज्ञं सुरसिद्धयक्षानुपागतान् क्रोधवशं जगाम । मन्युं प्रदीप्तं परिभाव्य केन सृष्टं जगन्मां व्यतिरिच्य मोहात् ॥ ३३.७ ॥

The yajña poured forth; devas, siddhas, and yakṣas drew near. Yet (he/it) came under the sway of anger. Reflecting on that blazing wrath, one asks: “By whom was this world created, excluding me—through delusion?”

Verse 8

हा हेति शोक्ते ज्वलनार्चिषस्तु तत्राभवन् क्षुद्रपिशाचसङ्घा । वेतालभूतानि च योगिसङ्घाः ॥ ३३.८ ॥

When the blazing tongues of fire cried out “hā! he!”, there arose there bands of petty piśācas, along with vetālas and bhūtas, and also assemblies of yogins.

Verse 9

घनं यदा तैर् विततं वियच्च भूमिश्च सर्वाश्च दिशश्च लोकाः । तदा स सर्वज्ञतया चकार धनुश्चतुर्विंशतिहस्तमात्रम् ॥ ३३.९ ॥

When the sky had been densely spread out by them, and the earth, all the directions, and the worlds stood manifested, then he—by virtue of omniscient knowledge—fashioned a bow measuring twenty-four hands in length.

Verse 10

गुणं त्रिवृत्तं च चकार रोषादादत्त दिव्ये च धनुर्गुणं च । ततश्च पूष्णो दशनानविध्यद्भगस्य नेत्रे वृषणौ क्रतोश्च ॥ ३३.१० ॥

In anger, he fashioned a triple-twisted bowstring and then took up the divine bowstring as well. Thereafter he struck out Pūṣan’s teeth, pierced Bhaga’s eyes, and injured Kratu’s testicles.

Verse 11

स विद्धबीजो व्यपयात्क्रतुश्च मार्गं वायुर्धारधन् यज्ञवाटात् । देवाश्च सर्वे पशुपतिमुपेयुर्जग्मुश्च सर्वे प्रणतिं भवस्य ॥ ३३.११ ॥

With his seed (power/source) struck, he withdrew, and the sacrificial rite came to an end. The wind, bearing it away, departed from the sacrificial enclosure. Then all the gods approached Paśupati, and all went forth to bow in reverence to Bhava (Śiva).

Verse 12

आगम्य तत्रैव पितामहस्तु भवम् प्रतीतः सम्परिष्वज्य देवान् । भक्त्योपेतान् वीक्षयद् देवदेवान् विज्ञानमन्तः कुरु वीरबाहो ॥ ३३.१२ ॥

Having arrived there, the Grandfather (Brahmā)—recognizing Bhava (Śiva)—embraced the gods. Seeing the Lord of the gods together with those endowed with devotion, he said: “O mighty-armed one, establish inner discernment (true knowledge) within yourself.”

Verse 13

रुद्र उवाच । सृष्टः पूर्वं भवताऽहं न चेमे कस्मान्न भागं परिकल्पयन्ति । यज्ञोद्भवं तेन रुषा मयेमे हृतज्ञानाः विकृताः देवदेव ॥ ३३.१३ ॥

Rudra said: “I was created by you first; why then do these (deities) not assign me a share? Because of that—arising from the sacrifice—I have become wrathful; these, deprived of understanding, have been distorted in conduct, O God of gods.”

Verse 14

ब्रह्मा उवाच । देवाḥ शम्भुं स्तुतिभिर्ज्ञानहेतोः यजध्वमुच्चैरसुराश्च सर्वे । येन रुद्रो भगवांस्तोṣमेति सर्वज्ञता तोṣमात्रस्य च स्यात् ॥ ३३.१४ ॥

Brahmā said: “O gods—and all the asuras as well—worship Śambhu with lofty hymns, for the sake of knowledge; by this the blessed Rudra becomes satisfied, and from that satisfaction alone there arises omniscience.”

Verse 15

इत्युक्तास्तेन ते देवाः स्तुतिं चक्रुर्महात्मनः ॥ ३३.१५ ॥

Thus addressed by him, those gods composed a hymn of praise to that great-souled one.

Verse 16

देवा ऊचुः । नमो देवातिदेवाय त्रिनेत्राय महात्मने । रक्तपिङ्गलनेत्राय जटामुकुटधारिणे ॥ ३३.१६ ॥

The gods said: “Homage to the God beyond all gods—to the three-eyed, great-souled One; to Him whose eyes are reddish-tawny, and who wears a crown of matted locks.”

Verse 17

भूतवेतालजुष्टाय महाभोगोपवीतिने । भीमाट्टहासवक्त्राय कपर्दिन् स्थाणवे नमः ॥ ३३.१७ ॥

Homage to Sthāṇu (Śiva): to Him who is attended by bhūtas and vetālas; who bears the great serpent as His sacred thread; whose face is marked by a formidable, resounding laughter; to Kapardin, the wearer of matted locks.

Verse 18

पूष्णो दन्तविनाशाय भगनेत्रहने नमः । भविष्यवृषचिह्नाय महाभूतपते नमः ॥ ३३.१८ ॥

Homage to Him who destroyed Pūṣan’s teeth; homage to the slayer of Bhaga’s eye. Homage to Him whose emblem is the bull, and homage to the Lord of the great elements.

Verse 19

भविष्यत्रिपुरान्ताय तथान्धकविनाशिने । कैलासवरवासाय करिकृत्तिनिवासिने ॥ ३३.१९ ॥

Salutation to Him who will be the slayer of Tripura, and likewise the destroyer of Andhaka; to Him whose excellent abode is Kailāsa; to Him who dwells clad in an elephant-hide.

Verse 20

विकरालोर्ध्वकेशाय भैरवाय नमो नमः । अग्निज्वालाकरालाय शशिमौलिकृते नमः ॥ ३३.२० ॥

Homage, homage to Bhairava—fierce in form, with hair raised upward. Homage to Him, terrible with flames of fire, and homage to Him whose crest is adorned with the moon.

Verse 21

भविष्यकृतकापालिव्रताय परमेष्ठिने । तथा दारुवनध्वंसकारिणे तिग्मशूलिने ॥ ३३.२१ ॥

Salutation to the Supreme Lord, who in the future will undertake the Kāpālika vow; and likewise to the destroyer of Dāruvana, the bearer of the sharp trident.

Verse 22

क्रीतकङ्कणभोगेन्द्र नीलकण्ठ त्रिशूलिने । प्रचण्डदण्डहस्ताय वडवाग्निमुखाय च ॥ ३३.२२ ॥

Obeisance to the One adorned with acquired bracelets; to the One who wears the lordly serpent as an ornament; to the blue-throated One; to the bearer of the trident; to the One holding a fierce staff; and to the One whose mouth is like the submarine fire (vaḍavāgni).

Verse 23

वेदान्तवेद्याय नमो यज्ञमूर्ते नमो नमः । दक्षयज्ञविनाशाय जगद्भयकराय च ॥ ३३.२३ ॥

Homage to the One knowable through Vedānta; homage—again and again—to the One whose very form is yajña, the sacrificial rite. Homage to the One who brought about the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, and also to the One who inspires awe in the worlds.

Verse 24

विश्वेश्वराय देवाय शिवशम्भुभवाय च । कपर्दिने करालाय महादेवाय ते नमः ॥ ३३.२४ ॥

Homage to You—the divine Lord of the universe; to Śiva, to Śambhu, to Bhava; to the matted-haired One; to the awe-inspiring One; to Mahādeva.

Verse 25

एवं देवैः स्तुतः शम्भुरुग्रधन्वा सनातनः । उवाच देवदेवोऽहं यत्करोमि तदुच्यताम् ॥ ३३.२५ ॥

Thus praised by the gods, Śambhu—the eternal One, bearing the fierce bow—spoke: “I am the god of gods; whatever I do, let that be proclaimed and made known.”

Verse 26

देवा ऊचुः । वेदशास्त्राणि विज्ञानं देहि नो भव माचिरम् । यज्ञं सरहस्यं नो यदि तुष्टोऽसि नः प्रभो ॥ ३३.२६ ॥

The gods said: “Grant us, without delay, the discriminative knowledge of the Vedic treatises and the śāstras; and if you are pleased with us, O Lord, teach us the sacrifice (yajña) together with its inner rationale, its ‘secret’ meaning.”

Verse 27

महादेव उवाच । भवन्तः पशवः सर्वे भवन्तु सहिताः इति । अहं पतिर् वो भवतां ततो मोक्षम् अवाप्स्यथ । तथेति देवास् तं प्राहुस् ततः पशुपतिर् भवत ॥ ३३.२७ ॥

Mahādeva said: “May all of you be ‘paśus’ (bound beings), united together. I shall be your lord; then you will attain mokṣa, liberation.” The gods replied, “So be it”; from that time he became known as Paśupati.

Verse 28

ब्रह्मा पशुपतिं प्राह प्रसन्नेनान्तरात्मना । चतुर्दशी ते देवेश तिथिरस्तु न संशयः ॥ ३३.२८ ॥

Brahmā addressed Paśupati with an inwardly serene mind: “O Lord of the gods, let the fourteenth lunar day (caturdaśī) be your tithi—there is no doubt of it.”

Verse 29

तस्यां तिथौ भवन्तं ये यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । उपोष्य पश्चाद्भुञ्जीयाद्गोधूमान्नेन वै द्विजान् ॥ तस्य त्वं तुष्टिमापन्नो नय स्थानमनुत्तमम् ॥ ३३.२९ ॥

On that tithi, those who worship you with faith should first observe a fast; afterwards they should feed the dvijas (brāhmaṇas) with food prepared from wheat. Being satisfied thereby, lead him to the unsurpassed abode.

Verse 30

एवमुक्तस्तदा रुद्रो ब्रह्मणाऽव्यक्तजन्मना । दन्तान् नेत्रे फले प्रादाद्भगपूष्णोः क्रतोरपि । परिज्ञानं च सकलं स प्रादाच्च सुरेष्वपि ॥ ३३.३० ॥

Thus addressed at that time by Brahmā—whose birth is described as unmanifest (avyakta)—Rudra bestowed teeth, eyes, and the fruit (phala) of the rite upon Bhaga, Pūṣan, and also Kratu; and he further granted complete recognition and understanding among the gods as well.

Verse 31

एवं रुद्रस्य सम्भूतिः सम्भूता ब्रह्मणः पुरा । अनेनैव प्रयोगेन देवानां पतिरुच्यते ॥ ३३.३१ ॥

Thus, in former times, Rudra’s manifestation arose from Brahmā; by this very formulation, he is spoken of as the “lord of the gods.”

Verse 32

यश्चैनं शृणुयान्नित्यं प्रातरुत्थाय मानवः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ३३.३२ ॥

And whoever, rising in the morning, regularly listens to this, is freed from all sins and attains Rudra’s realm.

Verse 33

॥ इति श्रीवराहपुराणे भगवच्छास्त्रे त्रयस्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ३३ ॥

Thus ends the thirty-third chapter of the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa, within the revered treatise (bhagavac-śāstra).

Verse 34

|| Thus, in the sacred Varaha Purana, in the śāstra of the Bhagavan, ends the thirty-third chapter ||