108 - Glory of the Pashupata-Vrata

The sages said:

1. This elder brother of Dhaumya was seen by Krishna, son of Vasudeva, of unafflicted activities. From him he acquired the divine holy rite of Pashupata.

2. O Suta, how was the knowledge acquired from him by the intelligent Krishna? It behoves you to recount this story that destroys all sins.

Suta said:

3. Although the eternal lord had incarnated of his own accord as the son of Vasudeva, yet he despised human form and so performed purificatory rites for the body.

4. For obtaining sons the lord wanted to perform penance. He went to the hermitage of Upamanyu and saw that sage there.

5. O brahmins, on seeing Upamanyu, the elder brother of Dhaumya, Krishna circumambulated him three times and bowed to him respectfully.

6. By the mere sight of that intelligent sage all the impurities of Krishna originating from the body as well as physical activities perished.

7-8. O leading brahmins, repeating the mantras beginning with “Agnih” and “Vayuh” in due order, Upamanyu of great lustre dusted him with Bhasman. With a delighted mind the sage gave him the perfect divine knowledge pertaining to Pashupati. O brahmins, it was due to the favour of the sage that Krishna became initiated honourably in the divine rite of Pashupati.

9. By means of penance he saw lord Maheshvara at the end of a year. On seeing the lord accompanied by Amba 976 and the Ganas he obtained a son known as Samba who was unbewildered.

976. Sambam — ambaya saha; parvati-sahitam ST. accompanied by the mother goddess Parvati.

10. Ever since then, all the divine sages of unimpeded holy rites and all the devotees of Pashupati surrounded Krishna and stood by him.

11-14. I shall recount another holy rite that bestows perpetual salvation upon all living beings. The devotee shall make a gold girdle, a shaft-receptacle or support, a gold block spherical in shape and a fan with a handle. Then the man or woman shall make an ink-pot and a pen. He shall gather a knife or scissors and a vessel. The devotee shall dust his body with Bhasman and give these articles to a devotee of Pashupati. He shall dedicate a golden, silver or copper vessel in accordance with his capacity. He shall then worship the yogins.

15. All these persons shall be liberated from their sins along with the members of their families. They will go to the divine region of Rudra. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

16. Hence, by means of charitable gifts a householder is liberated from the bondage of worldly existence. If one makes charitable gifts to yogins, Shiva becomes pleased quickly.

17. If a person desires salvation, he shall make charitable gifts of kingdom, son, riches, horse, a vehicle or all his possession.

18. One shall strenuously attempt to achieve the fixed goal through his physical body that is uncertain and un- fixed. The excellent and eternal Pashupata vrata is the cause of redemption from the ocean of worldly existence.

19. Thus everything has been succinctly mentioned to you. He who reads this or listens to this undoubtedly goes to the World of Shiva.