33 - The greatness of Kapardishvara 

Sūta said: 

1. After addressing the sages, the intelligent sage Vyāsa went to see Kapardīśhvara, that unchanging Linga of the trident bearing lord. 

2. O Brāhmaṇas, he took his bath in the holy centre Piśhāchamochana, performed the. Tarpana rite for the Pitrus in accordance with the injunctions and worshipped Sūlin (the trident-bearing deity). 

3. Those sages saw a wonderful event there in the company of their preceptor, whereby they accepted the greatness of the shrine and bowed down to Hara, Girisha. 

4. A certain tiger of hideous features approached the excellent Kapardiśhvara shrine in order to devour a hind. 

5. The hind was much frightened in her mind. In her agitation, she ran round and round the shrine and ultimately submitted to the tiger. 

6. The tiger of very great strength tore the hind with its sharp claws and on seeing the leading sages, it went away to another isolated forest. 

7. When that hind fell dead in front of Kapardiśhvara a great flame of fire lustrous like the sun was seen in the sky. 

8. (The flame of fire) had three eyes. It was blue necked and the crest was marked by the moon. It was seated on a bull and was surrounded by similar men (i.e. seated on the bulls). 

9. The firmament-dwellers showered flowers on his head. He became the Gaņeśhvara himself and vanished at the same instant. 

10. On seeing this wonderful event, (the disciples) the chief of whom was Jaimini asked the infallible preceptor about the greatness of Kapardiśhvara. 

11. After bowing down to the bull-bannered deity and sitting in front of the lord, the holy sage recounted the greatness of Kapardiśha. 

Verses in Brackets 

11A. By sheer remembrance of the Lord Kapardiśhvara, the entire series of sins and passions, anger and other defects of the residents of Varanasi perish. 

11B. All obstacles are dispelled by worshipping Kapardiśhvara. Hence, the excellent Kapardīśhvara should be visited constantly. 

12. This excellent Linga of Lord Kapardiśhvara should be worshipped assiduously and with care and eulogised by the Vedic hymns. 

13. To the Yogins of quiescent minds, who regularly meditate here, the accomplishment of Yogic Siddhi occurs within six months. There is no doubt about it. 

14. If one takes one's bath in the holy tank of Pishachamochana¹ near this place and worships this lord, the sins like Brāhmaṇa-slaughter and other similar sins perish. 

1. The legend explaining the name Pishācha-mochana (deliverer from the yoni of Piśhāchas or goblins) is given below in VV. 15-35. The legend is repeated in Pd. P.I. 34. 

There are many verscs common to Pd. P.I. 35 and this chapter. 

15. O Brāhmaṇas, formerly a great ascetic of praiseworthy holy rites, well-known as Shankukarņa, worshipped the trident bearing lord. 

16. He performed the Japa of the Pranava (Om) having the form of Rudra. He worshipped Rudra constantly by means of flowers, incense etc. and hymns, obeisances and circumambulations. 

17. Taking up a perpetual initiation and celibacy the Yogic soul stayed there. Once he saw a very hungry ghost who had arrived there. 

18. He was a mere skeleton of bones covered with bare skin and was heaving deep sighs again and again. On seeing him, the leading sage was overwhelmed with great sympathy. 

19. He said "who are you, sir? From which land have you come over to this place?" The ghost who was being afflicted by hunger spoke these words to him. 

20. "I was a Brāhmana in my previous birth. I was endowed with plenty of wealth and foodgrains. I was blessed with sons, grandsons, etc. I was eager to maintain the family. 

21. Neither Devas, nor cows nor guests were worshipped by me. Even a minor meritorious deed, even the slightest of good action was not performed by me.

22. Once Lord Rudra, with the lordly bull for his vehicle, the lord of the universe was seen at Varanasi. He was touched and bowed to by me. 

23. Then, ere long, I passed away. O sage but the terrible face of Yama was not seen. 

24. Having fallen into this ghoulish form of existence, I am so much afflicted by hunger and so much overwhelmed with thirst that I do not know what is beneficial or detrimental to me. 

25. O holy lord, if you see any remedy for uplifting me from this ghostly type of existence please do it. I bow down to you. I seek refuge in you." 

26. Shankukarna who was addressed thus, said to the ghost: “There is none else in this world like you, who is of the greatest meritorious deeds. 

27. Since, formerly, Lord Shiva, the Lord of the universe, was seen, touched and saluted by you, who else can be equal to you in this world? 

28-29. As a result of that holy action, you have come to this place. Take your bath in this holy pond quickly and with mental purity, so that you will be able to cast off this despicable form instantaneously." 

30. That Pishācha (ghost) who had been thus advised by the merciful sage, remembered the three-eyed excellent lord Kapardīśhvara, the ruler of the universe, concentrated his mind and took his ablution into the holy pond. 

31. As a result of the plunge, he died in the vicinity of the sage. He was then seen in an aerial chariot that resembled the sun himself, bedecked with divine ornaments with his beauti ful crest marked by the moon. 

32. Rising up and surrounded by Rudras stationed in heaven and by incomprehensible Yogins, he shone like the rising sun, the lord of all, surrounded by Válakhilya sages and others. 

33. In heaven, Siddhas and Devas began to eulogise; the charming celestial Apsaras danced; the Gandharvas, Vidyadharas, Kinnaras and others showered flowers with bees hovering round them. *

*v.l. with water mixed with them. 

34. After attaining spiritual enlightenment through the grace of divine Lord, he, being eulogised by groups of eminent sages, entered the foremost sphere of the sun consisting of three Vedas where Rudra himself shines. 

35. On seeing the goblin-like ghost liberated, the sage was delighted. He mentally thought of Mahesha, Rudra, the foremost of the wise. He bowed down to and eulogised Kapardin.

Shankukarņa said: 

36. "I bow down to the eternal ancient Puruşha, the sole protector, greater than the greatest. I go unto the master of Yoga, the ruler, the sun, the fire, mounted on the large mass. (a better v.l. beyond Kapila). 

37. I seek refuge in you, the Brahman, (i.e. Vedas), the golden one, abiding in the hearts of Yogins, devoid of beginning. I seek refuge in you stationed in heaven, the holy great sage, composed of Brahman. 

38. I bow unto you, beyond Brahman, Shambhu endowed with a thousand feet, eyes and heads, having a thousand arms. the lord of Hiranyagarbha (god Brahma), the three-eyed deity beyond darkness. 

39. For ever I bow down to and seek refuge in Shiva, Lord Isha, the other shore of Brahman, from whom the universe originnates and by whom the auspicious one, the universe is dissolved and all these have been brought up. 

40. I bow down to you, the sole Rudra, beyond all symbols, of unmanifest form, self-luminous, the Lord of consciousness, the Supreme Lord who is beyond Brahman and beyond whom nothing exists. 

41. I bow unto your form which is beyond Brahman (Brahmapära), the lord whom the Yogins visualize after attaining Samadhi (the trance) wherein the Sabija form is eschewed (i.e. in the nirvikalpa samādhi) when the Yogins become one with the Supreme Atman. 

42. I bow forever to you who are the ultimate form of Brahman (Brahma-para) which transcends names and which has no special gratifications and whose form is beyond the ken of sight. I take eternal refuge in you, the self-born god. 

43. I pay obeisance for ever to that ultimate shore of Brahman whom those who are absorbed in Vedic discussion realise to be formless, the very embodiment of knowl edge about Brahman, undifferentiated, one without a second yet they perceive it in multifarious form. 

44. I bow for ever to your huge form called Käla from which the Pradhāna and Ancient Puruşha have come out as a Vivarta (illusion), to whom Devas pay respects, which is en veloped in brilliance. 

45. Forever, I seek refuge in Maheśha, I resort to Sthāņu, Girisha, the ancient deity. I resort to Shiva, the moon-crested Hara, the wielder of the Pināka bow." 

46. After eulogising Lord Kapardin thus, Shankukarna fell on the ground like a staff, repeating the auspicious Pranava Mantra (Om). 

47. At the same instant the greatest Linga of the nature of Shiva manifested itself there; it was of the nature of knowledge and bliss; it was non-dualistic and equal to a crore of fires annihilating the universe. 

48. That pure spotless sage Shankukarna, of the nature of the soul of all, became merged in the stainless Linga; It was something miraculous. 

49. This great secret, the greatness of Kapardin has been narrated. Due to Tamas Guņa no one understands it, even a scholar becomes deluded in this regard. 

50. The devotee who listens to this sin-destroying episode will be absolved of all sins and shall attain forever the proximity to Rudra. 

51. The pure-hearted person who always reads the great hymn called Brahmapāra both in the morning and at midday shall attain Yoga. 

52-53. "We shall permanently stay here and see Kapardin, the lord of Devas for ever. We shall constantly worship the three-eyed deity.” Saying thus, the highly refulgent holy sage Vyasa stayed there along with his disciples, worshipping Kapardin with concentrated mind.