Prakarana 11

Verse 209 (चौपाई)

पर त्रिय लंपट कपट सयाने। मोह द्रोह ममता लपटाने।। तेइ अभेदबादी ग्यानी नर। देखा में चरित्र कलिजुग कर।। आपु गए अरु तिन्हहू घालहिं। जे कहुँ सत मारग प्रतिपालहिं।। कल्प कल्प भरि एक एक नरका। परहिं जे दूषहिं श्रुति करि तरका।। जे बरनाधम तेलि कुम्हारा। स्वपच किरात कोल कलवारा।। नारि मुई गृह संपति नासी। मूड़ मुड़ाइ होहिं सन्यासी।। ते बिप्रन्ह सन आपु पुजावहिं। उभय लोक निज हाथ नसावहिं।। बिप्र निरच्छर लोलुप कामी। निराचार सठ बृषली स्वामी।। सूद्र करहिं जप तप ब्रत नाना। बैठि बरासन कहहिं पुराना।। सब नर कल्पित करहिं अचारा। जाइ न बरनि अनीति अपारा।।

para triy lampaṭ kapaṭ sayāne | moha droha mamatā lapaṭāne || tei abhedabādī gyānī nara | dekhā meṁ caritra kalijuga kara || āpu gae aru tinhahū ghālahĩ | je kahuṁ sata māraga pratipālahĩ || kalpa kalpa bhari eka eka narakā | parahiṁ je dūṣahiṁ śruti kari tarakā || je baranādhama teli kumhārā | svapaca kirāta kola kalavārā || nāri muī gṛha saṁpati nāsī | mūṛ muṛāi hohiṁ sanyāsī || te bipranha sana āpu pujāvahiṁ | ubhaya loka nija hātha nasāvahiṁ || bipra niracchara lolupa kāmī | nirācāra saṭha bṛṣalī svāmī || sūḍra karahiṁ japa tapa brata nānā | baiṭhi barāsana kahahiṁ purānā || saba nara kalpita karahiṁ acārā | jāi na barani anīti apārā ||

Lewd after another’s wife, clever in deceit, entangled in delusion, malice, and possessiveness—such are the men of the age; and these same people parade as ‘knowers’ and preachers of non-difference. They ruin themselves and drag down even those who still try to keep to the true path. Those who fault the Veda through sophistry fall into hells for age upon age. The low and the unworthy claim offices and marks not their own; fools shave their heads and become renunciants when a wife dies and the household wealth is lost. They get themselves worshiped by Brahmins and thus destroy both worlds. Brahmins become illiterate, lustful, greedy, without conduct; the base become masters. Shudras undertake various japas, tapas, and vows and, seated on high platforms, expound the Purana. Everyone fabricates practices—boundless injustice that cannot be fully described.

Verse 210 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भए बरन संकर कलि भिन्नसेतु सब लोग। करहिं पाप पावहिं दुख भय रुज सोक बियोग।।100(क)।। श्रुति संमत हरि भक्ति पथ संजुत बिरति बिबेक। तेहि न चलहिं नर मोह बस कल्पहिं पंथ अनेक।।100(ख)।।

bhae barana saṅkara kali bhinnasetu saba loga | karahiṁ pāpa pāvahiṁ dukha bhaya ruja soka biyoga ||100(ka)|| śruti saṁmata hari bhakti patha saṁjuta birati bibeka | tehi na calahiṁ nara moha basa kalpahiṁ pantha aneka ||100(kha)||

In Kali, the orders are confounded and the embankments of restraint are broken for all. People commit sin and reap misery—fear, disease, grief, and separation. The Veda-approved path of Hari’s devotion, joined with detachment and discernment—men do not walk it; under delusion they fabricate countless paths.

Verse 211 (छंद)

बहु दाम सँवारहिं धाम जती। बिषया हरि लीन्हि न रहि बिरती।। तपसी धनवंत दरिद्र गृही। कलि कौतुक तात न जात कही।। कुलवंति निकारहिं नारि सती। गृह आनिहिं चेरी निबेरि गती।। सुत मानहिं मातु पिता तब लौं। अबलानन दीख नहीं जब लौं।। ससुरारि पिआरि लगी जब तें। रिपरूप कुटुंब भए तब तें।। नृप पाप परायन धर्म नहीं। करि दंड बिडंब प्रजा नितहीं।। धनवंत कुलीन मलीन अपी। द्विज चिन्ह जनेउ उघार तपी।। नहिं मान पुरान न बेदहि जो। हरि सेवक संत सही कलि सो।। कबि बृंद उदार दुनी न सुनी। गुन दूषक ब्रात न कोपि गुनी।। कलि बारहिं बार दुकाल परै। बिनु अन्न दुखी सब लोग मरै।।

bahu dāma sãvārahiṁ dhāma jatī | biṣayā hari līnhi na rahi biratī || tapasī dhanavaṁta daridra gṛhī | kali kautuka tāta na jāta kahī || kulavaṁti nikārahiṁ nāri satī | gṛha ānihiṁ cerī nibēri gatī || suta mānahiṁ mātu pitā taba laũ | abalānana dīkha nahīṁ jaba laũ || sasurāri piāri lagī jaba teṁ | riparūpa kuṭuṁba bhae taba teṁ || nṛpa pāpa parāyana dharma nahīṁ | kari daṇḍa biḍaṁba prajā nitahīṁ || dhanavaṁta kulīna malīna apī | dvija cinha janeu ughāra tapī || nahiṁ māna purāna na bedahi jo | hari sevaka saṁta sahī kali so || kabi bṛṁda udāra dunī na sunī | guna dūṣaka brāta na kopi gunī || kali bārahiṁ bāra dukāla parai | binu anna dukhī saba loga marai ||

Ascetics adorn their dwellings with much wealth; sensuality has seized them and detachment remains no more. The austere become rich, the householder poor—such are Kali’s marvels, too strange to finish telling. A chaste wife is cast out though of good family, and a servant woman is brought into the home. Children honor mother and father only so long as they see a woman’s face (i.e., so long as pleasure is served). The in-laws’ house becomes dear, and one’s own kin turn enemy-like. Kings are devoted to sin and have no dharma; by punishment and harassment they daily torment the people. The wealthy and high-born are inwardly stained; the sacred thread is displayed as mere sign. One who respects neither Purana nor Veda is counted a ‘saint’ in Kali, a servant of Hari. Poets are not heard, and the virtuous do not grow angry at the fault-finders. Again and again famine falls in Kali; without grain, all suffer and die.

Verse 212 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनु खगेस कलि कपट हठ दंभ द्वेष पाषंड। मान मोह मारादि मद ब्यापि रहे ब्रह्मंड।।101(क)।। तामस धर्म करहिं नर जप तप ब्रत मख दान। देव न बरषहिं धरनीं बए न जामहिं धान।।101(ख)।।

sunu khagesa kali kapaṭ haṭha daṁbha dveṣa pāṣaṇḍa | māna moha mārādi mada byāpi rahe brahmaṁḍa ||101(ka)|| tāmasa dharma karahiṁ nara japa tapa brata makha dāna | deva na baraṣahiṁ dharaṇīṁ bae na jāmahiṁ dhāna ||101(kha)||

Hear, O Garuda: in Kali, deceit, obstinacy, hypocrisy, hatred, and imposture—pride, delusion, and the intoxications beginning with lust—pervade the whole world. Men perform rites in a tamasic spirit—japa, austerity, vows, sacrifices, and gifts; yet the gods do not send rain, the earth yields no strength, and grain does not grow.

Verse 213 (छंद)

अबला कच भूषन भूरि छुधा। धनहीन दुखी ममता बहुधा।। सुख चाहहिं मूढ़ न धर्म रता। मति थोरि कठोरि न कोमलता।।1।। नर पीड़ित रोग न भोग कहीं। अभिमान बिरोध अकारनहीं।। लघु जीवन संबतु पंच दसा। कलपांत न नास गुमानु असा।।2।। कलिकाल बिहाल किए मनुजा। नहिं मानत क्वौ अनुजा तनुजा। नहिं तोष बिचार न सीतलता। सब जाति कुजाति भए मगता।।3।। इरिषा परुषाच्छर लोलुपता। भरि पूरि रही समता बिगता।। सब लोग बियोग बिसोक हुए। बरनाश्रम धर्म अचार गए।।4।। दम दान दया नहिं जानपनी। जड़ता परबंचनताति घनी।। तनु पोषक नारि नरा सगरे। परनिंदक जे जग मो बगरे।।5।।

abalā kaca bhūṣana bhūri chudhā | dhanahīna dukhī mamatā bahudhā || sukha cāhahĩ mūṛha na dharma-ratā | mati thori kaṭhori na komalatā ||1|| nara pīṛita roga na bhoga kahĩ | abhimāna birodha akāranahĩ || laghu jīvana saṃbatu pañca dasā | kalapānta na nāsa gumānu asā ||2|| kalikāla bihāla kiē manujā | nahĩ mānata kvau anujā tanujā | nahĩ toṣa bicāra na sītalatā | saba jāti kujāti bhae magatā ||3|| iriṣā paruṣācchara lolupatā | bhari pūri rahī samatā bigatā || saba loga biyoga bisoka huē | baranāśrama dharma acāra gaē ||4|| dama dāna dayā nahĩ jānapanī | jaṛatā parabañcanatāti ghanī || tanu-poṣaka nāri narā sagare | paranindaka je jaga mo bagare ||5||

In this age the helpless count their hair itself as ornament, and hunger is abundant; the poor are wretched, and possessive craving takes many forms. Fools desire happiness yet are not devoted to dharma; their understanding is scant, their hearts hard, and tenderness is absent. (1) Men are afflicted by disease and find no true enjoyment; pride and hostility arise without cause. Life is short—barely fifty years—yet they carry a conceit as though the end of the aeon could never come. (2) Kali has made men miserable: they do not honour even younger brothers or their own children. There is no contentment, no reflection, no coolness of mind; all castes decline into debased conduct and beggarly dependence. (3) Envy, harsh speech, and greed are filled to the brim; equality of vision is lost. People everywhere are separated and sorrowful; the disciplines of varna and ashrama, dharma and right conduct, have departed. (4) Self-restraint, charity, and compassion are not understood; dullness and thick heaps of deception prevail. Women and men alike are absorbed in feeding the body, and slanderers roam scattered through the world. (5)

Verse 214 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनु ब्यालारि काल कलि मल अवगुन आगार। गुनउँ बहुत कलिजुग कर बिनु प्रयास निस्तार।।102(क)।।

sunu byālārī kāla kali mala avaguna āgāra | gunaü̃ bahuta kalijuga kara binu prayāsa nistāra ||102(ka)||

Listen, O Garuḍa, foe of the serpent: the age of Kali is a heap of impurity, a very storehouse of faults. Yet I shall recount many excellences of Kali-yuga—for in it deliverance is gained without strenuous effort.

Verse 215 (चौपाई)

कृतजुग त्रेता द्वापर पूजा मख अरु जोग। जो गति होइ सो कलि हरि नाम ते पावहिं लोग।।102(ख)।।

kṛtajuga tretā dvāpara pūjā makha aru joga | jo gati hoi so kali hari nāma te pāvahĩ loga ||102(kha)||

In Krita, Treta, and Dvapara the means were worship, sacrifice, and yoga. That very same supreme attainment, people gain in Kali through the Name of Hari.

Verse 216 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कृतजुग सब जोगी बिग्यानी। करि हरि ध्यान तरहिं भव प्रानी।। त्रेताँ बिबिध जग्य नर करहीं। प्रभुहि समर्पि कर्म भव तरहीं।। द्वापर करि रघुपति पद पूजा। नर भव तरहिं उपाय न दूजा।। कलिजुग केवल हरि गुन गाहा। गावत नर पावहिं भव थाहा।। कलिजुग जोग न जग्य न ग्याना। एक अधार राम गुन गाना।। सब भरोस तजि जो भज रामहि। प्रेम समेत गाव गुन ग्रामहि।। सोइ भव तर कछु संसय नाहीं। नाम प्रताप प्रगट कलि माहीं।। कलि कर एक पुनीत प्रतापा। मानस पुन्य होहिं नहिं पापा।।

kṛtajuga saba jogī bigyānī | kari hari dhyāna tarahĩ bhava prānī || tretā̃ bibidha jagya nara karahĩ | prabhuhĩ samarpi karma bhava tarahĩ || dvāpara kari raghupati pada pūjā | nara bhava tarahĩ upāya na dūjā || kalijuga kevala hari guna gāhā | gāvata nara pāvahĩ bhava thāhā || kalijuga joga na jagya na gyānā | eka adhāra rāma guna gānā || saba bharosa taji jo bhaja rāmahi | prema sameta gāva guna grāmahi || soi bhava tara kachu saṃsaya nāhĩ | nāma pratāpa pragaṭa kali māhĩ || kali kara eka punīta pratāpā | mānasa punya hohĩ nahĩ pāpā ||

In Krita-yuga all were yogis and discerning; by meditating on Hari, living beings crossed the ocean of becoming. In Treta men performed diverse sacrifices; dedicating their actions to the Lord, they crossed the world. In Dvapara, by worshipping the feet of Raghupati, men crossed—there was no other means. In Kali-yuga, only the singing of Hari’s virtues remains: by chanting, people find the far shore of existence. In Kali there is no yoga, no sacrifice, no abstruse knowledge; the single support is the singing of Rama’s qualities. He who abandons all other reliance and worships Rama—who with love sings the clustered virtues— he surely crosses; there is no doubt: the glory of the Name is manifest in Kali. Kali has one holy, mighty power: the mind becomes meritorious and sins do not endure.

Verse 217 (चौपाई)

कलिजुग सम जुग आन नहिं जौं नर कर बिस्वास। गाइ राम गुन गन बिमलँ भव तर बिनहिं प्रयास।।103(क)।।

kalijuga sama juga āna nahĩ jau nara kara bisvāsa | gāi rāma guna gana bimalã bhava tara binahĩ prayāsa ||103(ka)||

No age equals Kali-yuga—if a person but has faith. Singing Rama’s pure multitude of virtues, one crosses the world without strain.

Verse 218 (दोहा/सोरठा)

हरि माया कृत दोष गुन बिनु हरि भजन न जाहिं। भजिअ राम तजि काम सब अस बिचारि मन माहिं।।104(क)।। तेहि कलिकाल बरष बहु बसेउँ अवध बिहगेस। परेउ दुकाल बिपति बस तब मैं गयउँ बिदेस।।104(ख)।।

hari māyā kṛta doṣa guna binu hari bhajana na jāhiṃ | bhaji-a rāma taji kāma saba asa bicāri mana māhiṃ ||104(ka)|| tahi kali-kāla baraṣ bahu baseuṁ avadha bihageśa | pareu dukāla bipati basa taba maiṃ gayauṁ bidesa ||104(kha)||

Without the blemishes and qualities wrought by Hari’s Māyā, devotion to Hari does not arise. Therefore, ponder this within the mind: worship Rāma, abandoning every craving. In that Kali age, O Lord of birds, I dwelt many years in Ayodhyā. When famine came and misfortune pressed hard, then I went to a foreign land.

Verse 219 (चौपाई)

गयउँ उजेनी सुनु उरगारी। दीन मलीन दरिद्र दुखारी।। गएँ काल कछु संपति पाई। तहँ पुनि करउँ संभु सेवकाई।। बिप्र एक बैदिक सिव पूजा। करइ सदा तेहि काजु न दूजा।। परम साधु परमारथ बिंदक। संभु उपासक नहिं हरि निंदक।। तेहि सेवउँ मैं कपट समेता। द्विज दयाल अति नीति निकेता।। बाहिज नम्र देखि मोहि साईं। बिप्र पढ़ाव पुत्र की नाईं।। संभु मंत्र मोहि द्विजबर दीन्हा। सुभ उपदेस बिबिध बिधि कीन्हा।। जपउँ मंत्र सिव मंदिर जाई। हृदयँ दंभ अहमिति अधिकाई।।

gayauṁ ujenī sunu uragārī | dīna malīna daridra dukhārī || gaeṁ kāla kachu sampati pāī | tahaṁ puni karauṁ sambhu sevakāī || bipra eka baidika siva pūjā | karai sadā tehi kāju na dūjā || param sādhū paramāratha bindaka | sambhu upāsaka nahiṃ hari nindaka || tehi sevauṁ maiṃ kapaṭa sametā | dvija dayāla ati nīti niketā || bāhija namra dekhi mohi sāīṃ | bipra paṛhāva putra kī nāīṃ || sambhu mantra mohi dvijabara dīnhā | subha upadesa bibidha bidhi kīnhā || japauṁ mantra siva mandira jāī | hṛdayaṁ dambha ahamiti adhikāī ||

I went to Ujjayinī—listen, O Garuḍa—wretched, begrimed, poor, and afflicted. In time I gained a little wealth there, and again I took to serving Śambhu. A certain Brahmin, Veda-trained, worshipped Śiva; ever he did that work and no other. A supremely holy man, intent on the highest good—Śiva’s devotee, yet no reviler of Hari. I served him, though I carried hypocrisy within. The Brahmin was compassionate, a very abode of propriety. Seeing me outwardly humble, he taught me as though I were his own son. That excellent Brahmin gave me a Śiva-mantra and instructed me well in many ways; yet when I went to the Śiva-temple to repeat the mantra, my heart only grew in pretence and ego.

Verse 220 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मैं खल मल संकुल मति नीच जाति बस मोह। हरि जन द्विज देखें जरउँ करउँ बिष्नु कर द्रोह।।105(क)।। गुर नित मोहि प्रबोध दुखित देखि आचरन मम। मोहि उपजइ अति क्रोध दंभिहि नीति कि भावई।।105(ख)।।

maiṃ khala mala saṅkula mati nīca jāti basa moha | hari jana dvija dekheṃ jarauṁ karauṁ biṣṇu kara droha ||105(ka)|| gura nita mohi prabodha dukhita dekhi ācarana mama | mohi upajai ati krodha dambhihi nīti ki bhāvaī ||105(kha)||

I was a villain, my mind choked with filth; low-born, mastered by delusion. When I saw Hari’s devotees and Brahmins, I burned, and I bore malice toward Viṣṇu. The guru daily instructed me, grieved at my conduct; yet in me arose fierce anger—for to a hypocrite, what love can there be for right counsel?

Verse 221 (चौपाई)

एक बार गुर लीन्ह बोलाई। मोहि नीति बहु भाँति सिखाई।। सिव सेवा कर फल सुत सोई। अबिरल भगति राम पद होई।। रामहि भजहिं तात सिव धाता। नर पावँर कै केतिक बाता।। जासु चरन अज सिव अनुरागी। तातु द्रोहँ सुख चहसि अभागी।। हर कहुँ हरि सेवक गुर कहेऊ। सुनि खगनाथ हृदय मम दहेऊ।। अधम जाति मैं बिद्या पाएँ। भयउँ जथा अहि दूध पिआएँ।। मानी कुटिल कुभाग्य कुजाती। गुर कर द्रोह करउँ दिनु राती।। अति दयाल गुर स्वल्प न क्रोधा। पुनि पुनि मोहि सिखाव सुबोधा।। जेहि ते नीच बड़ाई पावा। सो प्रथमहिं हति ताहि नसावा।। धूम अनल संभव सुनु भाई। तेहि बुझाव घन पदवी पाई।। रज मग परी निरादर रहई। सब कर पद प्रहार नित सहई।। मरुत उड़ाव प्रथम तेहि भरई। पुनि नृप नयन किरीटन्हि परई।। सुनु खगपति अस समुझि प्रसंगा। बुध नहिं करहिं अधम कर संगा।। कबि कोबिद गावहिं असि नीती। खल सन कलह न भल नहिं प्रीती।। उदासीन नित रहिअ गोसाईं। खल परिहरिअ स्वान की नाईं।। मैं खल हृदयँ कपट कुटिलाई। गुर हित कहइ न मोहि सोहाई।।

eka bāra gura līnha bolāī | mohi nīti bahu bhā̃ti sikhāī || siva sevā kara phala suta soī | abirala bhagati rāma pada hoī || rāmahi bhajahiṃ tāta siva dhātā | nara pāvãra kai ketika bātā || jāsu carana aja siva anurāgī | tātu drohã sukha cahasi abhāgī || hara kahũ hari sevaka gura kaheū | suni khaganātha hṛdaya mama daheū || adhama jāti maiṃ bidyā pāẽ | bhayau jathā ahi dūdha piāẽ || mānī kuṭila kubhāgya kujātī | gura kara droha karaũ dinu rātī || ati dayāla gura swalpa na krodhā | puni puni mohi sikhāva subodhā || jehi te nīca baṛāī pāvā | so prathamahiṃ hati tāhi nasāvā || dhūma anala sambhava sunu bhāī | tehi bujhāva ghana padavī pāī || raja maga parī nirādara rahī | saba kara pada prahāra nita sahī || maruta uḍāva prathama tehi bharī | puni nṛpa nayana kirīṭanha parī || sunu khagapati asa samujhi prasaṅgā | budha nahiṃ karahiṃ adhama kara saṅgā || kabi kobida gāvahiṃ asi nītī | khala sana kalah na bhala nahiṃ prītī || udāsīna nita rahia gosāīṃ | khala pariharia swāna kī nāīṃ || maiṃ khala hṛdayaṁ kapaṭa kuṭilāī | gura hita kahai na mohi sohāī ||

Once the गुरु called me and taught me right conduct in many ways: ‘The fruit of serving Śiva, dear son, is this—unbroken devotion at the feet of Rāma. Śiva the ordainer himself worships Rāma; what then to say of base men? He whose feet even Brahmā and Śiva love—wretched one, you seek happiness while bearing him malice! “In every way,” the guru said, “Śiva is Hari’s servant.” Hearing this, O lord of birds, my heart burned. I, of low estate, having gained learning, became like a snake fed on milk. Proud, crooked, ill-fated, of ignoble nature—I betrayed the guru day and night. The guru was exceedingly compassionate, little given to anger; again and again he instructed me wisely. He through whom a low man gains greatness—first of all, he destroys him. Smoke is born of fire, brother, yet it quenches it and attains the rank of cloud. Dust that falls upon the road is despised, bearing everyone’s kicks; yet the wind first fills itself with that dust, and later it falls upon kings’ eyes and crowns. So understand this, O king of birds: the wise do not keep company with the wicked. Poets and the learned sing this policy: with the vile, quarrel is not good, nor friendship. Remain ever detached, O sir; avoid the wicked as one avoids a dog. But I, wicked at heart, steeped in deceit and crookedness—the guru’s wholesome words did not please me.

Verse 222 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एक बार हर मंदिर जपत रहेउँ सिव नाम। गुर आयउ अभिमान तें उठि नहिं कीन्ह प्रनाम।।106(क)।। सो दयाल नहिं कहेउ कछु उर न रोष लवलेस। अति अघ गुर अपमानता सहि नहिं सके महेस।।106(ख)।।

eka bāra hara mandira japata raheuṁ siva nāma | gura āyu abhimāna teṃ uṭhi nahiṃ kīnha pranāma ||106(ka)|| so dayāla nahiṃ kaheu kachu ura na roṣa lavalesa | ati agha gura apamānatā sahi nahiṃ sake mahesa ||106(kha)||

Once, in Śiva’s temple, I remained repeating Śiva’s Name. The गुरु arrived; from pride I did not rise, nor did I bow. That compassionate one said nothing—within him there was not the slightest anger. But the grievous sin of dishonoring the guru even Mahesha could not endure.

Verse 223 (चौपाई)

मंदिर माझ भई नभ बानी। रे हतभाग्य अग्य अभिमानी।। जद्यपि तव गुर कें नहिं क्रोधा। अति कृपाल चित सम्यक बोधा।। तदपि साप सठ दैहउँ तोही। नीति बिरोध सोहाइ न मोही।। जौं नहिं दंड करौं खल तोरा। भ्रष्ट होइ श्रुतिमारग मोरा।। जे सठ गुर सन इरिषा करहीं। रौरव नरक कोटि जुग परहीं।। त्रिजग जोनि पुनि धरहिं सरीरा। अयुत जन्म भरि पावहिं पीरा।। बैठ रहेसि अजगर इव पापी। सर्प होहि खल मल मति ब्यापी।। महा बिटप कोटर महुँ जाई।।रहु अधमाधम अधगति पाई।।

mandira mājha bhaī nabha-bānī | re hatabhāgya agya abhimānī || yadyapi tava gura keṁ nahiṁ krodhā | ati kṛpāla cita samyaka bodhā || tadapi sāpa saṭha daihauṁ tohī | nīti birodha sohāi na mohī || jauṁ nahiṁ daṇḍa karauṁ khala torā | bhraṣṭa hoi śruti-māraga morā || je saṭha gura sana iriṣā karahīṁ | raurava naraka koṭi juga parahīṁ || tri-jaga joni puni dharahīṁ sarīrā | ayuta janma bhari pāvahīṁ pīrā || baiṭha rahesi ajagara iva pāpī | sarpa hohi khala mala mati byāpī || mahā biṭapa koṭara mahuṁ jāī | rahu adhamādham adha-gati pāī ||

Within the temple a voice resounded from the sky: “O ill-fated, ignorant, and arrogant one! Though your Guru is not wrathful—his heart is exceedingly compassionate and rightly illumined— still, you obstinate fool, I must lay a curse upon you; to act otherwise would not befit propriety. If I do not punish your villainy, my very ‘path of the Veda’ would be brought into ruin. Those wretches who bear envy toward their Guru fall into Raurava hell for countless ages; then, taking bodies again through the three worlds, they suffer pain through myriads of births. You shall sit like a sinful python; you shall become a serpent, your foul mind pervaded with baseness. Enter the hollow of some great tree and remain there—lowest of the low—having attained a degraded state.”

Verse 224 (दोहा/सोरठा)

हाहाकार कीन्ह गुर दारुन सुनि सिव साप।। कंपित मोहि बिलोकि अति उर उपजा परिताप।।107(क)।। करि दंडवत सप्रेम द्विज सिव सन्मुख कर जोरि। बिनय करत गदगद स्वर समुझि घोर गति मोरि।।107(ख)।।

hāhākāra kīnha gura dāruna suni siva sāpa | kaṁpita mohi biloki ati ura upajā paritāpa ||107(ka)|| kari daṇḍavata saprema dvija siva sanmukha kara jori | binaya karata gadagada svara samujhi ghora gati mori ||107(kha)||

Hearing Shiva’s dreadful curse, the Guru raised a cry of anguish; seeing me, he trembled greatly, and a burning grief arose in his heart. Then the Brahmin, with love, prostrated himself before Shiva with folded hands; in a voice choked with emotion he pleaded, understanding my terrible destiny.

Verse 225 (छंद)

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं। विंभुं ब्यापकं ब्रह्म वेदस्वरूपं। निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरींह। चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहं।। निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं। गिरा ग्यान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशं।। करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं। गुणागार संसारपारं नतोऽहं।। तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरं। मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरं।। स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारु गंगा। लसद्भालबालेन्दु कंठे भुजंगा।। चलत्कुंडलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं। प्रसन्नाननं नीलकंठं दयालं।। मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं। प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि।। प्रचंडं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं। अखंडं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशं।। त्रयःशूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं। भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यं।। कलातीत कल्याण कल्पान्तकारी। सदा सज्जनान्ददाता पुरारी।। चिदानंदसंदोह मोहापहारी। प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी।। न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविन्दं। भजंतीह लोके परे वा नराणां।। न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं। प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं।। न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां। नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शंभु तुभ्यं।। जरा जन्म दुःखौघ तातप्यमानं। प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो।।

namāmīśam īśāna nirvāṇarūpaṁ | vibhuṁ vyāpakaṁ brahma veda-svarūpaṁ | nijaṁ nirguṇaṁ nirvikalpaṁ nirīhaṁ | cidākāśam ākāśavāsaṁ bhaje’ham || nirākāram oṁkāramūlaṁ turīyaṁ | girā jñāna gotītam īśaṁ girīśaṁ || karālaṁ mahākāla kālaṁ kṛpālaṁ | guṇāgāra saṁsārapāraṁ nato’ham || tuṣārādri saṅkāśa gauraṁ gabhīraṁ | manobhūta koṭi prabhā śrīśarīraṁ || sphuranmauli kallolinī cāru gaṅgā | lasadbhāla bālendu kaṇṭhe bhujaṅgā || calatkuṇḍalaṁ bhrū sunetraṁ viśālaṁ | prasannānanaṁ nīlakaṇṭhaṁ dayālaṁ || mṛgādhīśacarmāmbaraṁ muṇḍamālaṁ | priyaṁ śaṅkaraṁ sarvanāthaṁ bhajāmi || pracaṇḍaṁ prakṛṣṭaṁ pragalbhaṁ pareśaṁ | akhaṇḍaṁ ajaṁ bhānukoṭiprakāśaṁ || trayaḥśūla nirmūlanaṁ śūlapāṇiṁ | bhaje’haṁ bhavānīpatiṁ bhāvagamyaṁ || kalātīta kalyāṇa kalpāntakārī | sadā sajjanānandadātā purārī || cidānandasaṁdoha mohāpahārī | prasīda prasīda prabho manmathārī || na yāvad umānātha pādāravindaṁ | bhajantīha loke pare vā narāṇāṁ || na tāvatsukhaṁ śānti santāpanāśaṁ | prasīda prabho sarvabhūtādhivāsaṁ || na jānāmi yogaṁ japaṁ naiva pūjāṁ | nato’haṁ sadā sarvadā śambhu tubhyaṁ || jarā janma duḥkhaugha tātapyamānaṁ | prabho pāhi āpannam āmīśa śambho ||

I bow to the Lord, the Supreme Ruler, whose very nature is liberation— all-powerful, all-pervading Brahman, the living form of the Veda. I worship that One who is truly beyond the guṇas, free of mental constructions, desireless— the sky of consciousness, dwelling in the boundless ether. Formless, rooted in Om, the Fourth beyond the three states; beyond speech and knowledge, the Lord of mountains. Terrible and yet compassionate—Great Time, the Time of time; treasury of virtues, who ferries beings beyond the world—I bow to Him. White as the snowy peak, profound; whose auspicious body outshines millions of Love-gods; on whose radiant crown the lovely Ganga surges; on whose brow the crescent moon shines; a serpent on his neck; moving earrings, broad and beautiful eyes; serene face; blue-throated, merciful; wearing the tiger’s hide, garlanded with skulls—dear Shankara, Lord of all, I adore. Fierce, excellent, bold, Supreme; indivisible, unborn, shining like ten million suns; wielding the trident, uprooting the threefold affliction—I worship the Lord of Bhavani, reached by devotion. Beyond all measures, auspicious; who ends the aeon; ever the giver of joy to the righteous, slayer of Tripura; a mass of consciousness-bliss, remover of delusion—be gracious, be gracious, O foe of desire! So long as men do not worship, here or beyond, the lotus-feet of Uma’s Lord, till then they find no happiness, no peace, no relief from burning sorrow—be gracious, O indwelling Lord of all beings! I know not Yoga, nor Japa, nor even worship; I bow to you always, forever, O Shambhu. Afflicted by old age, birth, and a flood of suffering—O Lord, protect me, I have sought refuge, O Shiva!

Verse 226 (श्लोक)

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये। ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति।।9।।

rudrāṣṭakam idaṁ proktaṁ vipreṇa haratoṣaye | ye paṭhanti narā bhaktyā teṣāṁ śambhuḥ prasīdati ||9||

This Rudrāṣṭaka was spoken by the Brahmin to please Hara. Those men who recite it with devotion—Shambhu is gracious to them.

Verse 227 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि बिनती सर्बग्य सिव देखि ब्रिप्र अनुरागु। पुनि मंदिर नभबानी भइ द्विजबर बर मागु।।108(क)।। जौं प्रसन्न प्रभु मो पर नाथ दीन पर नेहु। निज पद भगति देइ प्रभु पुनि दूसर बर देहु।।108(ख)।। तव माया बस जीव जड़ संतत फिरइ भुलान। तेहि पर क्रोध न करिअ प्रभु कृपा सिंधु भगवान।।108(ग)।। संकर दीनदयाल अब एहि पर होहु कृपाल। साप अनुग्रह होइ जेहिं नाथ थोरेहीं काल।।108(घ)।।

suni binatī sarabagya siva dekhi bripra anurāgu | phuni mandira nabha-bānī bhaī dvijabara bara māgu ||108(ka)|| jauṁ prasanna prabhu mo para nātha dīna para nehu | nija pada bhagati dei prabhu phuni dūsara bara dehu ||108(kha)|| tava māyā basa jīva jaṛa santata phirai bhulāna | tehi para krodha na kari-a prabhu kṛpā siṁdhu bhagavāna ||108(ga)|| saṅkara dīnadayāla aba ehi para hohu kṛpāla | sāpa anugraha hoi jehiṁ nātha thorehīṁ kāla ||108(gha)||

Hearing the petition, omniscient Shiva, seeing the Brahmin’s loving devotion, again a voice arose within the temple, telling the best of Brahmins to ask a boon. “If the Lord is pleased with me, O Master, out of love for the lowly, grant me devotion to Your feet, O Lord—and then grant me a second boon as well. Under the sway of Your māyā the dull soul wanders ever deluded; be not wrathful toward him, O Lord, ocean of mercy, O God. O Shankara, compassionate to the poor, now be gracious to this one: let the curse become a favor, O Master, and that in but a short time.”

Verse 228 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-बारंबार सकोप मुनि करइ निरुपन ग्यान। मैं अपनें मन बैठ तब करउँ बिबिध अनुमान।।111(क)।। क्रोध कि द्वेतबुद्धि बिनु द्वैत कि बिनु अग्यान। मायाबस परिछिन्न जड़ जीव कि ईस समान।।111(ख)।।

bāraṃbāra sakopa muni karai nirūpana gyāna | maiṁ apaneṁ mana baiṭha taba karauṁ bibidha anumāna ||111(ka)|| krodha ki dvaita-buddhi binu dvaita ki binu agyāna | māyābasa parichinna jaṛa jīva ki īsa samāna ||111(kha)||

Again and again the sage, in anger, set forth teachings on knowledge; yet I, sitting within my own mind, kept forming various conjectures. Can there be anger without a dualistic mind? Can duality exist without ignorance? A soul, bound by maya—limited and dulled—how could it be equal to the Lord?

Verse 229 (चौपाई)

कबहुँ कि दुख सब कर हित ताकें। तेहि कि दरिद्र परस मनि जाकें।। परद्रोही की होहिं निसंका। कामी पुनि कि रहहिं अकलंका।। बंस कि रह द्विज अनहित कीन्हें। कर्म कि होहिं स्वरूपहि चीन्हें।। काहू सुमति कि खल सँग जामी। सुभ गति पाव कि परत्रिय गामी।। भव कि परहिं परमात्मा बिंदक। सुखी कि होहिं कबहुँ हरिनिंदक।। राजु कि रहइ नीति बिनु जानें। अघ कि रहहिं हरिचरित बखानें।। पावन जस कि पुन्य बिनु होई। बिनु अघ अजस कि पावइ कोई।। लाभु कि किछु हरि भगति समाना। जेहि गावहिं श्रुति संत पुराना।। हानि कि जग एहि सम किछु भाई। भजिअ न रामहि नर तनु पाई।। अघ कि पिसुनता सम कछु आना। धर्म कि दया सरिस हरिजाना।। एहि बिधि अमिति जुगुति मन गुनऊँ। मुनि उपदेस न सादर सुनऊँ।। पुनि पुनि सगुन पच्छ मैं रोपा। तब मुनि बोलेउ बचन सकोपा।। मूढ़ परम सिख देउँ न मानसि। उत्तर प्रतिउत्तर बहु आनसि।। सत्य बचन बिस्वास न करही। बायस इव सबही ते डरही।। सठ स्वपच्छ तब हृदयँ बिसाला। सपदि होहि पच्छी चंडाला।। लीन्ह श्राप मैं सीस चढ़ाई। नहिं कछु भय न दीनता आई।।

kabahuṁ ki dukha saba kara hita tākeṁ | tehi ki daridra parasa mani jākeṁ || paradrohī kī hohiṁ nisaṅkā | kāmī puni ki rahahiṁ akalaṅkā || baṃsa ki raha dvija anahita kīnhẽ | karma ki hohiṁ svarūpahi cīnhẽ || kāhū sumati ki khala saṅga jāmī | subha gati pāva ki paratriya gāmī || bhava ki parahiṁ paramātmā biṃdaka | sukhī ki hohiṁ kabahuṁ hariniṃdaka || rāju ki rahai nīti binu jānẽ | agha ki rahahiṁ haricarita bakhānẽ || pāvana jasa ki puṇya binu hoī | binu agha ajasa ki pāvai koī || lābhu ki kichu hari bhagati samānā | jehi gāvahiṁ śruti santa purānā || hāni ki jaga ehi sama kichu bhāī | bhaji-a na rāmahi nara tanu pāī || agha ki pisunatā sama kachu ānā | dharma ki dayā sarisa harijānā || ehi bidhi amiti juguti mana gunūṁ | muni upadesa na sādara sunūṁ || puni puni saguna pachcha maiṁ ropā | taba muni boleu bacana sakopā || mūṛha parama sikha deuṁ na mānasī | uttara pratiuttara bahu ānasī || satya bacana bisvāsa na karahī | bāyasa iva sabahī te ḍarahī || saṭha svapachcha taba hṛdayaṁ bisālā | sapadi hohi pachchī caṇḍālā || līnh śrāpa maiṁ sīsa caṛhāī | nahiṁ kachu bhaya na dīnatā āī ||

Can sorrow ever be for everyone’s good? Can the one who possesses a touchstone be poor? Can a traitor to others be without fear? Can the lustful remain stainless? Can a lineage endure when a priest has done harm? Can deeds remain unrecognized in their true form? Can good sense arise in one who keeps company with the wicked? Can an adulterer attain a blessed end? Can the world endure one who reviles the Supreme Self? Can a slanderer of Hari ever be happy? Can rule stand without knowing policy and right conduct? Can sin remain where Hari’s deeds are sung? Can holy fame exist without merit? Can ill-fame be gained without wrongdoing? Is there any gain like Hari-bhakti, praised by the Vedas, saints, and Purāṇas? Is there any loss in the world like this—that having obtained a human body one does not worship Rama? Is there any sin like backbiting? Is any dharma like compassion, as those who know Hari affirm? Thus I kept counting endless arguments in my mind and did not listen to the sage’s counsel with reverence. Again and again I planted factional insistence on ‘my side’ of saguna; then the sage spoke in anger: ‘Utter fool! I do not teach one who only manufactures replies upon replies. You do not trust true words; like a crow you are feared by all. Wretch—your heart is swollen with self-partisanship; at once you shall become a polluted bird.’ I took the curse upon my head; no fear arose in me, nor any humility.