92 - The Holy Centre Manyu

Brahma said: 

1. The holy centre well known as Manyutīrtha destroys. all sins. It yields all cherished desires unto men. It destroys sins on being remembered.

2. I shall recount its efficacy, O sage. Listen attentively. Formerly, there was a war between Devas and Dänavas. 

3-4. There in Dänavas became victorious. Devas retreated from the battle with dejected minds. They approached me and said, "Grant us freedom from fear." 

I replied to them, "All of you go to Gangā. 

5-6. There on the banks of Gautami eulogize lord Maheshvara who is beautiful and who confers natural bliss without any stress or strain, natural bliss that comes freely. Then you will get the means, O Devas, of victory from Maheśhvara." 

Saying "So be it" Devas eulogized Maheśhvara. 

7-8. Some of them performed penances. Others danced. Some of them bathed (the Linga of the lord) and others worshipped. 

Then the trident-bearing lord Maheśhvara became delighted. Becoming pleased he spoke to Devas-"What is desired may be asked for." 

9-12. Devas spoke to the lord, "For our victory, give unto us a man who is extremely praiseworthy and who will take up command of our army in the battle. May we be happy by resorting to the strength of his arms." 

Lord Maheśhvara said to Devas "So be it." A certain (deity) was crcated by the supreme lord by his own brilliance. He was an extremely terrible fellow named Manyu. He was (to be) the leader of the army of Devas. After obtaining him, Devas bowed to Siva and returned to their abodes accompanied by Manyu. They then stood ready for battle once again. 

13. Standing ready to fight with the extremely powerful Danujas and Daityas the well-prepared Devas stood in front of Manyu and said,

Devas said: 

14. Let us see your efficiency. Afterwards we shall fight with the enemies. Hence, O Manyu, show your inherent strength to us who are desirous of fighting the Asuras.

Brahmä said: 

15-17. On hearing those words of Devas Manyu said smilingly. Manyu said: 

My progenitor is the omniscient lord of Devas. He is the lord who secs everything. He knows everything. He knows the name and abode of everyone and what is in their mind. No one knows him. He knows everyone at everytime. The maker of the universe, identical with the universe knows everything with or without forms. 

18. He is the greatest lord. He passes through heaven and the firmament. Who is he who knows his form. The lord identical with the universe is the maker of the Creator. 

19. I am born of such (a deity). How do you deserve to know me? Or if you are still desirous of sceing, see me.

Brahma said: 

20-23. After saying thus Manyu revealed his form that had been produced from the third eye of Lord Siva. It was that form which had been gathered together by means of brilliance. It was the same as was called Pauruşha (manliness) in men, Ahamkāra (Ego) in all creatures, anger in all which is terrible and which causes annihilation. 

On seeing that representative of Sankara, who was resplendent on account of his own refulgence and who was holding aloft all types of weapons, Devas bowed to him. Daityas and Danujas became afraid. Devas joincd their palms in reverence. 

24-27. Having joined their palms in reverence they said to Manyu -- “O lord, be our commander-in-chief. O Manyu, we shall enjoy kingdom won by you. Hence in every activity you are victorious. You are the person who will increase our victory. 

You are Indra and Varuna. You alone are the guardians of quarters. Enter us, enter for the sake of our victory.” 

Manyu spoke to them all —“There is nothing without me. I entered everyone. I am present in everyone. No one knows me." 

Manyu was the lord himself born from him in separate forms. 

28. He shall be in the form of Rudra, Rudra became Manyu and Siva. Everything, the mobile and immobile is pervaded by Manyu (Anger). 

29. After obtaining him, Devas obtained victory in battle. Victory, anger and heroism all these originated from the splendour of the lord. 

30. After fighting with Daityas and attaining victory on account of Manyu, Devas protected by Manyu went the way they had come. 

31. The place where Devas propitiated Siva on the banks of Gautami, obtained Manyu as well as victory in battle, is called Manyutīrtha 

32-33. The man who remains pure and remembers the origin of Manyu it never harassed by anyone. Victory is his. 

There is no holy centre like Manyutirtha, O great sage. It is the place where Sankara is directly present always in the form of Manyu. 

Taking holy bath, offering of charitable gifts and remembrance (of the lord) fulfil all cherished desires.