38 - The description of Dāruvana

This chapter traces low worship of Shiva's Phallus (Linga) came to be established. The story of falling of Shiva's Phallus in Daruvana is found in Shiva P. IV. 12. 4. 54 and Brahmanda P. ch. 27. 

The sages said: 

1. O Suta, how did the bull-bannered lord reach Daruvana and how did he fascinate the leading Brahmanas? It behoves you to narrate it. 

Suta said: 

2. Formerly, in the beautiful Daruvana resorted to by Devas and Siddhas, thousands of sages performed penance and lived along with their wives, sons, and other kinsmen. 

3. They were engaged in doing various religious rites in accordance with the scriptural injunctions. The great sages performed various sacrifices and penances there. 

4. Desirous of pointing out their defects as they were attracted to the path of action, the trident-bearing Hara went to Daruvana. 

5. In order to establish Nivruttivijñāna (the perfect knowledge of renunciation), lord, the great god Shankara, went there keeping Vishnu, the preceptor of the universe, at his side.

6-8. The Lord of the Universe disguised himsel as a man of twenty years with a majestic (respectable) personality (v.l. mysterious disguise), sportive languidness), big arms, stout (muscular) limbs, beautiful eyes, golden complexion, glory and face like the full moon. His gait was like an intoxicated elephant. The naked Lord of the world was wearing gold necklace embellished with all kinds of precious stones. Lord Isha (Shiva) arrived there smilingly. 

9. Hari, the infinite Purusha, the unchanging source of origin of the worlds, Vishnu, assumed the guise of a lady and followed the trident-bearing lord. 

10-12. The female form (disguise) had the face resembling the full moon, the breasts plump and elevated, face lit up with bright smiles. The two anklets produced tinkling sound. It was clothed in Divine yellow garment. It was dark complexioned and beautiful-eyed; the gait resembled that of the elegant swan. It was very charming and coquettish. Thus, the lord Hara, Isha roamed about the forest of Devadārus along with Hari fascinating the universe by means of his Maya. 

13. On seeing the Pinaka-bearing lord of the universe walking here and there, the women were deluded by his Maya. They followed the lord of Devas. 

14. All those chaste ladies being afflicted with passion, abandoned their sense of bashfulness and with their ornaments slipping down, those coquettish women began to go with him. 

15. The sons of sages, the youngsters who had not yet subdued their minds, followed Hrushikeśha (who was dressed like a woman), afflicted by passionate love. 

16. On seeing the sole hero Isha, very comely and loveable, accompanied by his wife, the groups of women began to sing and dance in their sportive dalliance. They embraced him too. 

17. The sons of sages too coming in groups began to sing songs smilingly; on observing the consort of Padma, of auspicious limbs, the primordial God, others in a group began to walk around with him. 

18. Vishnu (the slayer of Mura), the son of Vasudeva, the master of Maya (illusive potency) entered their minds, whetted their inclination to enjoyment. They seemed to experience Maya as if it was real. 

19. The lord of the universe and all the immortal beings, accompanied by Madhava and seated in the midst of the group of women appeared to be accompanied by all Shaktis, although the lord of Devas (is usually) accompanied by only one Shakti (Uma). 

20. Then again mounting back, he created the permanent great principle Pradhana. * Lord Vishnu also re-assumed his original nature (followed?) such (dancing) primordial Deity. **

*v.l. nrutyan parama-prabhāvam is better. It means "Again re-gaining his original great nature, he began to dance." 

**v.l. tadishavruttamrutamadidevah “followed the act of dancing of that Lord Shiva."

21. On seeing the groups of women, Rudra, their sons and Keshava who fascinated them, the excellent sages became excessively angry. 

22. Deluded by his Maya, they spoke extremely harsh words to lord Kapardin (Shiva), they swore at and cursed him with various words. 

23. Just as the stars in the sky remain invisible in the presence of the sun, so also when Shankara came there their penances were repelled. 

24. After reproaching him, the Brahmana ascetics approached the bull-bannered deity. Deluded by him they asked the lord of Devas-- “Who are you, Sir?" 

25. The lord replied -"O sages of holy rites, I have now come here to your land to perform penance along with my wife.” 

26. On hearing his statement Bhrugu and other leading sages said: "Perform penance after putting on a garment and after abandoning your wife.” 

27. Thereafter, the Pinaka-bearing lord Shiva (Nilalohita) smiled. Then looking at Janardana who was sitting by his side and who was the source of origin of the worlds, he said: 

28. "How is it that you knowers of religion, quiescent minded sages, are eager to maintain your wives, while you advise me that I should abandon my wife?”

The sages said: 

29. "This has been stated by us that wives who lead a lecherous life should be abandoned by the husbands. Loyal wives of good features and behaviour like these (our women) do not deserve abandonment." 

Mahadeva said: 

30. "O Brahmanas, this lady never even mentally wishes for anyone else. Nor do I leave her off at any time." 

The sages said: 

31. “O base man, she was seen by us, behaving in an unchaste manner. You have told a lie. Go away quickly." 

32. When addressed thus, Mahadeva replied: "Only truth has been spoken by me. It is your imagination that she appears to you." Leaving them, he moved away. 

33. In the company of Hari, Parameshvara (Shiva) who sought for alms, went to the holy hermitage of Vasishtha, the great souled leading sage. 

34. On seeing the lord arrived begging for alms, Arundhati, the beloved wife of Vasishtha, respectfully welcomed him and bowed to him. 

35. She washed his feet and offered him excellent seat. On seeing his body languid and enfeebled as a result of the thrashing indulged in by the Brahmanas, the chaste lady, with countenance cast down (due to dejection) in her face, applied medicines and healed his wounds. 

36. She worshipped him richly and imploringly asked him, -"Who are you, Sir? Where did you come from, in the company of your wife? What are your customs and manners? May these things be mentioned." The Lord replied: 'I am the most excellent among the siddhas. 

37. You see yonder, the pure shining sphere of the Brahman. This is my deity. I owe to this always." 

38. After saying this and blessing the chaste lady, the glorious lord to whom the Brahmanas beat with sticks and their own fists and lumps of clay, went away. 

39. On seeing Girisha walking about in the nude and characterised by hideousness, they said-- "O wicked minded fellow, uproot this your Linga (phallus)." 

40. Shankara, the great Yogin, said to them—"I will do so if you have hatred towards my Linga (phallus)." 

41. After saying so, the lord who had gouged the eyes of Bhaga, uprooted the Linga. Instantaneously they could see neither the lord nor Keshava nor the Linga. 

42. Evil omens occurred indicating danger and fear to the worlds. The thousand-rayed sun did not shine. The earth quaked again and again. The planets became lustreless. The great ocean was agitated. 

43. Anasuya, the chaste wife of Atri, saw a dream. Highly agitated in all her senses, she narrated it to the Brahmanas. 

44. "Illuminating everything with his lustre, indeed it was Shiva who was seen in our abodes begging for alms, accompanied by Narayana." 

45. On hearing her words the sages who became terrified, went upto Brahma of great Yogic power, the creator of the universe. 

46. The lord was being worshipped by pure Yogins who were the most excellent among the knowers of Brahman. He was accompanied by the four Vedas in their embodied form as by Savitri. 

47. He was seated on a beautiful seat full of miracles: it shed forth myriads of rays and it was associated with Jnana (perfect knowledge), Aishvarya (prowess and glory) and other qualities. 

48-49. He was shining in his body, with gentle smiles and brilliant eyes. On seeing the four-faced, mighty-armed, great Aja (unborn) identical with the Vedic metre, possessing divine body with delighted face, they knelt on the ground, touching the Earth with their heads and propitiated the Lord. 

50. With delighted mind the four-faced deity of four forms spoke to them-"O excellent sages, what is the reason for your visit?" 

51. With palms joined in reverence above their heads, all intimated to the Supreme-souled Brahma of what happened. 

The sages said: 

52. A certain highly brilliant person has entered the holy Daruvana along with his wife, who was very beautiful in all her limbs. But he was naked. 

53. The Lordly person fascinated our entire women and daughters, with his charming personality. While his beloved * defiled our sons.

* Priyo in the Text should be Priya in this context.

54. We heaped various imprecations and curses on him but they were defied and set at nought. He was beaten soundly by us. His Linga was struck down. 

55. That lord vanished along with his wife and the Linga. Terrible omens ensued, terrifying all the living beings. 

56. O excellent among men, who is this lordly person? We are all frightened. O Unerring being, we have sought refuge in you. 

57. Indeed, you know whatever happens in this universe. Protect and save us with your blessing." 

58. Thus informed by the groups of sages, the lotus-born deity, the Ātman of the universe meditated on the trident-bearing lord with palms joined in reverence and said: 

Brahma said: 

59. Alas! Woe unto you! What happend today is destructive of everything of yours. Fie upon your strength and power. Fie upon your penance. It has become useless and false in regard to you in this matter. 

60. After obtaining greatest of all treasures, thanks to the favourable impressions (results) of all (previous) merits it has been neglected by you all who are deluded and whose practice of good conduct has become useless. 

61. It is for this treasure that all yogins seek and desire and all the ascetics aspire. Alas! after obtaining that very same treasure, you have neglected and lost it.

62. A great treasure, to acquire which, the propounders of the Vedas worship by means of various Yajnas, has been neglected and lost by you, after attaining it. 

63. I have acquired this lordship of the universe after continuously worshipping the lord. But after seeing that lord you have missed him like those who are devoid of good luck (who may see) a treasure (but lose it instantaneously.) 

64. You had come across that treasure-Brahman in whom divine Supremacy has been vested and who is the imperishable deity; but alas you have rendered it futile after attaining it. 

65. This god Mahadeva is the great deity who should be known and realised. There is no other greater region than his that can be attained. 

66-67. He is the most eternal of all deities, sages and the Pitrus. At the end of a thousand Yugas, at the time of the final dissolution, Maheshvara, assuming the form of Kala, destroys all embodied beings. It is he alone who creates the subjects by means of his splendour. 

68. He is Chakrin (one armed with the discus); he is the Supreme Ruler. He is characterised by the Shrivatsa mark. This god is a Yogin in Kruta-yuga, Yajna (sacrifice) in Treta, the Lord Kala in Dvapara and in the Kaliyuga, he is the banner of virtue (Dharmaketu). 

69. Rudra has three Murtis (forms) by whom the universe is pervaded. The Smruti says: "Agni (The fire god) is the Tamas form, Brahma is the Rajas form and Vishnu is the Sattva form. 

70. It is stated in Smruti that he has another eternal auspicious form having the quarters for garments (i.e., nude), where abides Brahman endowed with Yoga. 

71. The lady, his wife, who was seen by you near his side, and who was conversed with (v.1. seen) by you is lord Narayana, the eternal Supreme Ātman. 

72. All this is born of him. It shall get dissolved only in him. He (alone) can liberate all. He alone is the great goal. 

73. The Shruti says that Narayana is the thousand- (i.e., innumerable) headed Purusha, with thousand eyes and thousand feet. He has one horn and is the great Atman. 

74. The semen virile* becomes the foetus in him. The lord is of illusory aquatic body (?). He is being eulogised by means of various kinds of Mantras by Brahmanas who seek salvation.

*better v.l.: rutasya Then the line means "in the womb of Ruta."

75. At the end of the Kalpa, the Supreme Person withdraws the entire universe in him and after drinking the Yogic nectar, he lies down to sleep in the greatest region of Vishnu. 

76. Vishvadruk (the seer of the universe) is neither born nor dies nor increases in size. The unborn deity is sung about as the unmanifest original Prakruti, by the followers of the Vedas.

77. When the night passes on, Maheshvara becomes desirous of creating the entire universe and then sows the seed in the umbilical region of the unborn. 

78. Know me to be the Supreme Ātman, Brahma with faces on all sides, the great Purusha, Universe, the excellent foetus of water. 

79. You had been deluded by his Maya, so you do not realise that progenitor, Mahadeva, the lord of Devas, Hara, the lord of all living beings. 

80. This lord Mahadeva is the beginningless Lord Hara. In association with Vishnu, he creates and dissolves the Universe. 

81. Actually he has no task to be performed; there is no greater being than he. He, of illusory Yogic body, gave the Vedas unto me, formerly. 

82. He is the wielder (master) of Maya and through Maya, he makes and dissolves everything. Seek refuge in that Shiva alone; after realising that he alone is conducive to salvation." 

83. On being advised thus by the lord, the sages, the chief of whom was Marichi, bowed down to lord Brahma and asked him with great concentration.