36 - Glory of Sacred Places: the death of Kala

Suta said: 

1. There is another large and highly sacred place of the Supreme deity Rudra. It is famous as Rudrakoţi1, in all the three worlds.

1. A sacred place of this name is found under Kurukshetra, Varanasi and the Narmada. It is probably the one at Kurukshetra. That is implied here as Shiva assumed one crore forms for sages. This is mentioned in Mbh. vana. 82. 118-124, Pd. P. I. 25. 25-30. 

2. Formerly, in the holiest of the times, a crore Brahmanical sages of great self-control (desirous of seeing the lord) came to that great land.

3. “I will see the Pinaka-bearing lord Girisha at first" (Thus, they vied with one another). A great dispute arose thus among them who were endowed with devotion. 

4. On seeing their devotion, Rudra, the Lord of mountain, the preceptor of Yogins, assumed a crore forms. Thus, he became Rudrakoți (A crore of Rudras). 

5. All of them saw the consort of Parvati, the great god Hara, resident in the mountain cavity. They became delighted and well-nourished in their minds. 

6. With the devotional feeling: "O I have seen at the outset the Lord, the great god devoid of beginning and end" all of them dedicated their minds unto Rudra with devotion. 

7. Then they saw a mass of brilliance in the firmament. They were desirous of attaining the greatest region. 

8. Where the lord thus revealed himself and stayed, it is considered to be an auspicious and very holy centre. After visiting this and worshipping the Rudra the devotees shall attain the Samipya (nearness) of Rudra. 

9. There is another auspicious and excellent Tirtha by the name of Madhuvana.1 A person who observes rules and regulations after going there, shall attain half the throne of Indra.

1. Near Mathura, so called as it was once the haunt of demon Madhu. It is identified with present Maholi five miles to the south-west of Mathura.

10. There is another city named Padmanagari. The land is auspicious and highly meritorious. After going there and worshipping the Pitrus, one will redeem a hundred members of his family. 

11. Kälañjara2 is a great holy centre in the Rudraloka* Maheshvara is the deity, Hara is fond of the devotees who worship lord Kalanjara.

2. A hill and a fort in Bundelkhand, the capital of Chandellas. If the temple of Kala Bhairava in the fort be related to the story of King Shveta given here, this identification is probable. Kane includes this Tirtha under Varanasi (HD IV. 766) The story of Shveta is narrated in LP. chs. I. 30-34 but he is a sage there, 

*Venkt. text reads: rudra-loke Maheshvarah / If emended as loke rudro Maheshvarah in the world where Rudra is the great god.' 

12. Formerly there was an excellent saintly king named Shveta. He was a devotee of Shiva. He worshipped the trident bearing lord with obeisances unto him and expecting his blessings. 

13. He installed Rudra in accordance with the injunctions, given priority to the path of devotion. With his mind dedicated unto Rudra, he performed the Japa of Rudra always. 

14. Seizing a dazzling terrible trident made of steel, Kala came to that spot where the king was standing, in order to take him away. 

15. On seeing the terrible and ferocious Kala, the destroyer of all, approaching with the trident in his hand, the king was overwhelmed with fear. 

16. With both of his hands the King caught hold of the excellent Linga and bowed down to Rudra with his bent head. He repeated the Shatarudriya Mantra. 

17. Standing in front of the King, Krutānta (God of Death) laughingly said to the king who was bowing down and performing the Japa of Bhava mentally "Come away, come away." 

18. The king who was terribly afraid but was devoted to Rudra requested him, "Kill others after leaving off one who is engaged in the worship of Isha." 

19. The lord (i.e., Kala here) said to him who was frightened and spoke as mentioned above-"Who is there who does not stand under my control whether he is engaged in worshipping Rudra or not? 

20. After saying thus, Kala, the destroyer of the worlds. bound that king by means of nooses. The king on his part continued the Japa of Shatarudriya. 

21. Then he saw in the Firmament the enormous and brillant ancient mass of splendour of the lord of goblins. It was surrounded with clusters of flames and pervaded the universe. 

22. In the middle thereof he saw a brilliant form a Purusha of golden colour. The lord was accompanied by the goddess. His body shone with the digit of the moon. He became much delighted. He thought that the Lord was coming to him. 

23. On seeing Rudra, the great Lord, the lord of everything, coming at not a great distance, accompanied by the goddess, the royal sage became free from fear. Kala rushed at the saintly king to take him away. 

24. (Defective verse) On seeing him, Lord Rudra, the ancient leader of the goblins, of fierce activities said to Kala "Give unto me my devotee quickly, the devotee who remembers me, O Kala. He remembers my form (?)" 

25. On hearing the statement of Shiva (lord of the Bull). the Atman of Kala of the form of Rudra* (?) considered (his nature (himself) too high. He bound the devotee again by means of nooses. Then Rudra** rushed at him with great velocity.

*v. l. ugra-bhavah of terrible intention.'

**If emended as Rudram Kala rushed at Rudra', it will suit the next verse and obviate the contradiction therewith.

26. On seeing him (Kala) coming towards (himself to attack), the Lord then glanced at Uma, the daughter of the mountain (Himalaya). The knower of the procedure of all Mayas (Shiva) contemptuously struck Kala with his left foot, while he (King Shveta) was looking on. 

27. That extremely terrible fellow died on being struck by the foot of Mahesha. The Pinaka-bearing great God stood shining along with Uma. 

28. On seeing the Lord Ishvara, Hara, the imperishable deity, the prominent saintly king became delighted in his mind then and bowed unto him. Eulogy of Shiva 

29. "Obeisance to Bhava, the cause of the universe) to Hara, who wishes for the welfare of the whole universe. Salutation to Shiva, the intelligent one. Obeisance to the bestower of Salvation. 

30. Obeisance again and again (innumerable times) to the great superhuman power and prosperity. Obeisance to you, the overlord of men, of the form that is devoid of division. 

31. O lord of Ganas, obeisance be to you. Hail to you, O deity that dispel the misery of those who resort to you, salutation to you of eternal (primordial) beginningless prosperity, to one that holds the horn of a boar.

32. Obeisance to you the bull-bannered Lord, bow to one that has a wreath of skulls. Salutation to you of great mountain (v.l. great actor); obeisance to you auspicious Shankara." 

33. Shankara then blessed the king engaged in obeisance; then he bestowed on him the chieftain-ship of his own Ganas and then (finally) his own form (identity with him). 

34. Instantaneously Hara who was saluted by the leading ascetics and the Siddhas became invisible along with Uma, his attendants and the leading king. 

35. When Kala was killed by Mahesha, god Brahma the lord of the worlds, begged of Rudra the boon—"May he (Kala) come back to life. 

36. O bull-bannered Ishana, it is not the slightest fault of Krutānta the god of Death. He was appointed on that job (of taking away the lives of beings) by you." 

37. At the instance of the lord of Devas, Hara, the lord of the chief of Devas, the Ātman of the universe said— “So be it.” He (Kala) too became like that (i.e., revived). 

38. Thus is the holy centre well known as Kalanjara. Ongoing there and worshipping Mahadeva one attains the chief-tain-ship of the Ganas.