30 -The Story of Sage Shveta 

Nandin said: 

1. On being thus urged by Brahmã, the leading brahmins, the great sages asked him about the sacred story of Shveta.

Brahmā said: 

2-6. O brahmins, there was a certain sage named Shveta in the cave of a mountain. His span of life was nearing its end. Hence he worshipped and eulogised the great lord with devation. He repeated the Mantras of the holy hymn Rudrādhyaya beginning with “Namaste" (Obeisance so Thee).²⁰⁷ Then the god of Death, of great splendour thought that the unit os death had arrived²⁰⁸ for the excellent brahmin. O leading brahmins, thinking of taking him away he approached the sage. Shveta saw Kāla and though the time of his death was imminent he meditated upon the three-eyed lord Rudra and worshipped him: 

207. Namaste rudra manyave. Ts. 4.5.1.1

208. Kulaprāptam---gatäyusam i.e. dead. 

“I worship the three-eyed lord²⁰⁹ of great fragrance', who increases prosperity. What will god of Death do for me? Since I am Death of Death."²¹⁰ 

209. Cf. tryambakam yajāmahe Ts. 1.8.6.2. 

210. mayor mrutyuḥ- destroyer of death. Cf. 

Having fed on death that fields on men

Death being dead there is no dyingthen. 

Looking at Shveta, the god of death terrifying to the worlds said smilingly: 

7-11. "Come, O Shveta. What truth do you gain by this means? O excellent brahmin who can do one caught in my clutches even if he be Rudra, or Vişhnu Brahmå the lord of the universe? O brahmin, how does this procedure pertaining to Rudra affect me. I am bent upon taking you to my world O sage, since your span of life has come to an end." 

On hearing these terrible words though mingled with virtuous thoughts, the leading sage cried out “Há Rudra, Rudra, Rudra." Glancing at Kala he spoke with eyes full of tears, excitedly, in dejected mood 

Shveta said: 

12. O Kāla, what can he done by you it our bull-emblemed lord, Rudra, the source of origin of all Devas, is present in this Linga? 

13. O lord of great arms, of what avail is this chest (of yours) to persons like me who are extremely devoted to Rudra? I ask you to go away, the way you have come. 

14-15. On hearing this Kāla of sharp fangs and terrible to look at, became infuriated. The terrible god with the noiseless hands roared like a lion and clapped his hands again and again. He then bouni the sage whose time of death had arrived and addressed him thus: 

16. “O brahmin sage, Shveta, you have bound by me for being taken winy abode. What has been done now by your Rudra the lord of Devas" 

17. Where is Rudra and where your devotion? Where is your worship and where the fruit thereof? Where am i and whence have I to fear? Shveta, you have been bound by me. 

18. O Shveta, is your Rudra stationed in this Ling.? If so, he is utterly inactive. How can he be worshipped?

19-20. Then Rudras, the destroyer of Kama and sacrifce, the three-eyed lord came hurriedly with a laugh, accompanied by Uma, Nandin and the leading ganas in order to slay Yama who had come to kill the brahmana. 

21. O brahmins, then on seeing Rudra, the sighty Yamah²¹¹ abandoned the brahmin, out of fear and fell down near the sage. 

211. bali--valorous (Yama). 

22-23 On looking at lord Rudra, the destroyer of death, as also at Yama who fell instantaneously at the sight of the lord, Shveta roared loudly.²¹² O leading brahmins, the gods too cried loudly, and bowed to the lord as well as Umã. The leading sages were delighted much. 

212. ucchadhiḥ-ucchâ dhir yasya ST..the intelligent (Shveta).

24. Over the heads of the sage and Rudra, the sky-roving gods showered cool and splendid flowers from the firmament. 

25-26. On seeing Yama dead, Nandin bowed to lord Rudra. He the leader of the ganas and the follower of lord Rudra, spoke to the lord in great astonishment. "This Yama of puerile intelligence²¹³ is dead. Now, be favourable to the sage." 

213. Baladhih--the stupid (Yama). 

27. On seeing Yama destroyed in a trice, the lord blessed the excellent brahmin and disappeared. ²¹⁴ 

214. Gūdha-shariram--the invisible form. Construe: kşhanäd gūdhashariram vivesha. 

28. Hence, O brahmins, One should devoutly worship the lord, the conqueror of the god of Death. He is the bestower of liberation as well as of worldly pleasures. He is the benefactor of all. 

29. Of what avail is much talk? After renouncing and wor- shipping Rudra with great devotion you will all become free from grief. 

Nandin said: 

30-31. On being addressed thus by Brahmã, the sages, the expounders of Brahman said once again: - lord, be pleased. By what penance or sacrifice or holy rites can devotion to Rudra, the Pināka-bearing lord, be acquired? How will the twiceborn become the devotee of Rudra? 

Brahma said: 

32-34. Neither by charitable gifts, nor by learning, can, O excellent sages devotion to Shiva, the great cause (of the universe) be acquired. It cannot be acquired by long or sessional sacrifice, holy rites, vedic texts, yogic treatises or by restraints. It is acquired only by God's grace. 

On hearing these words, the anxious sages bowed to Brahma along with their wives and sons. Hence, devotion to lord Rudra bestows virtue, love and wealth. It yields victory to the sage. It grants him victory over death. 

35-37. Formerly, by means of devotion, Dadhicha conquered lord Vişhņu and his associate Devas. He killed Kşhupa with the tip of his foot. He acquired adamantine bones. By glorifying the lord, I too conquered death. Even by the great sage Shveta who had fallen into the jaws of death, death was conquered by the grace of the lord, in the manner it was conquered by me.