21 - The Origin of Gauri

Prajäþäla said:

1. O wise sage, how was Gauri extolled on account of the boon, and how did she become part of the body of the great god (Rudra)?

Mahätapas said:

2. Formerly, the virtuous god Brahma, in order to create different beings, entered into deep thought, but could not gain the end.

3. He then became angry, and from the anger arose the valiant Rudra (lit. ‘roarer’), so-called because he was crying loudly at birth.

4. To him Brahma gave as wife the auspicious virgin his daughter, the goddess of speech, named Gaurï.

5-7. He was extremely happy at getting this beautiful damsel, but when Brahma persuaded him repeatedly to create, he found himself incapable of it and entered into water (to perform penance) feeling that what could be done through penance alone could not be accomplished without it.

8-9. When he thus remained within water, Brahmä lodged the beautiful Gauri within his own body, and then, desirous of creation, produced seven beings¹ from his mind and also Daksha, and progeny was thus increased.

1. These are the seven sages Marichi, Atri and others.

10. The children of (lit. daughter²) are the gods and (their king) Indra, eight Vasus, Rudras, ³ Adityas and Maruts.

2. Presumably identical with Aditi.

3. This group of gods should be taken as different from the Rudra created by Brahma earlier.

11-12. The beautiful Gaurï, formerly married by the great Rudra was then given by Brahma as daughter to Daksha. She thus became Däkshäyani.

13. Daksha was pleased with his daughter’s children and in order to make them prosperous, he started a sacrifice to propitiate Brahma.

14. In that the functions of the priests were taken upon themselves by the sons of Brahma, namely Marichi and others, in a specific manner.

15-17. Marichi became Brahman (priest), Atri the supervisor, Añgiras the Ägnidhra (priest to kindle fire), Pulastya the Hota (to recite Rugvedic hymns), Pulaha the Udgätä (to recite Saman hymns), Kratu the Prastotä (to assist the Udgätä), Prachetas the Pratihartä (also to assist the Udgätä) and Väsishtha the Subrahmanya (priest). The Sabhä (assembly) was constituted of Sanaka and others.

18. The person to be propitiated by sacrifice was Brahmä himself and the sacrifice was for the world. The persons to be honoured were the sons of Daksha’s daughter, Rudras, Ädityas, Añgiras and others because they are the visible Pitris, and once they are pleased, the whole world is pleased.

19-20. The sacrificial offerings were meant for the Devas, Adityas, Vasus, Višhvedevas, Pitris, Gandharvas and Maruts, and they received fully all that was offered in the sacrificial fire.

21. At that time, suddenly arose Rudra, the anger-born son of Brahma, from the water into which he had formerly entered.

22. He came out of the water completely pure, full of knowledge and resplendant like a thousand Suns.

23. He shone with his penance which enabled him to visualise the whole universe. Then took place the creation of five things, the celestials and the four kinds of mortals.

24. The creation by Rudra occurred quickly. O great king, now listen to the account of that creation.

25-26. When Rudra came out after performing penance in the water for ten thousand years, he saw the earth full of fine vegetation and big forests and peopled by human beings and beasts.

27. He then heard the recitations of the priests in house and the words of praise in the hermitage.

28. At that the omniscient and resplendent god (Rudra) became extremely angry and said:

29. “Formerly I was created by Brahma to be fully potent to create beings and I was asked to start the process. Who has done that action now”.

30-31. So saying he roared aloud in high rage and from his ears issued forth huge flames and from them came out with weapons ghosts and goblins in crores.

32. After creating such an army equipped with numerous weapons he produced a chariot of Veda and Vidyä (knowledge).

33-34. In it two deer were the drawing horses, the triple principle ¹ was the central pole, the three sandhyäs (morning, noon and evening) the three shafts (wheels), dharma the axle, air the sound, day and night the two flags, merit and demerit the flagstaffs all the Vidyäs together with Kaläs the seat and Brahma the charioteer.

1. Signifies God, Soul and matter.

35. Gäyatrï was the bow, the syllable Om the bowstring, the seven notes of music the arrows for that great god.

36. With all this array and equipment the valiant god flew to Daksha’s sacrifice.

37. As Rudra was descending from the sky, there was a loud noise at which the mantras of the priests were lost.

38. Seeing this portent the priests said in fear; “A great danger has befallen us; let the gods get ready for battle”.

39. A big demon created by Brahma is coming here to partake of the special offering in this sacrifice”.

40. Then the gods addressed their maternal grand-father Daksha: “O Sire, please tell us what you think we should do”.

Daksha said:

41. “Take up your weapons immediately and wage a war”.

42. Told thus, a big battle was then fought by the gods with the army of Rudra, carrying various weapons.

43. The vampires, goblins and imps holding different weapons fought with the guardian deities.

44. The Bhütaganas came out of heaven and entering Yama’s abode showered arrows, fierce swords and axes.

45. They attacked Devas with firebrands and bows and arrows in fury before Rudra.

46. Then in that fierce battle Rudra pierced with an arrow both the eyes of Bhaga.

47. Seeing Bhaga thus made eyeless, Püshä got angry and engaged Rudra in fight.

48. Seeing Pusha aiming an array of arrows, Rudra caught him and pulled out his teeth.

49. At the sight of these fallen teeth the army of gods took to their heels.

50. Seeing the army scattering away Vishnu, the younger brother of Äditya, addressed it.

51. “Where do you run away giving up your valour, pride and position. Why don’t you remember your calling, family and responsibility?

52. Since you get your life from Brahma, you prostrate before that great god.”

53. Saying thus, Vishnu wearing yellow garment and bearing conch, disc and mace, seated himself on Garuda.

54. Then occurred the thrilling battle between Vishnu and Rudra.  

55. Rudra hit Hari with the Påšhupata weapon. Infuriated at this Hari hit Rudra with the Näräyana weapon.

56. These two weapons fought each other in the sky intensively, each to gain victory over the other. The fight continued for a thousand divine years.

57. One was having a crown on his head, and the other tresses of matted hair. One blew the conch, the other sounded the drum.

58. One was holding a sword and the other a staff. One was glowing with the Kaustubha gem, the other was shining with ashes all over the body.

59. One was whirling the mace, the other the pole. One shone with gems round the neck and the other with a string of skulls.

60. One was wearing the yellow garment, the other a girdle of serpents. Thus were the two opposing weapons; one Vishnu’s and the other Shiva’s in essence.

61. Seeing them combating each other, Brahmä appealed to them to calm down.

62. They did so and Brahmä told Vishnu and Rudra.

63. “Both Vishnu and Rudra will attain prominence in the world. This sacrifice which was smashed, also will be completed.

64. Daksha will attain fame in the world because of the progeny”.

65. Telling thus to Vishnu and Rudra, Brahma, the grandfather of the world, asked the people to give Rudra a share in the sacrifice.

66. (He said): “The portion to Rudra is declared to be the foremost in the Vedas. So you Devas, praise this great god Rudra the destroyer of the eye of Bhaga and the teeth of Pusha.

67. Quickly sing his praise with all his names, and he will be pleased to grant you boons.

68. Thus asked, Devas bowed to Šhambhu and sang his praise in great reverence.

The gods said:

69-70. “Bow to the uneven-eyed, bow to the three-eyed, bow to the hundred-eyed, bow to the bearer of trident, bow to the bearer of Khatväñga, ¹ bow to the holder of staff.

1. A mace with a skull at the head.

71. You are resplendent like the shooting flame as well as like a crore of suns. We were foolish before seeing you, we are enlightened now at your sight.

72. Bow to the three-eyed Shambhu, the remover of all distress, holder of the trident, with mouth fierce, lord of all gods, the essence of purity, immanent, omnipresent, O Rudra, be pleased.

73. O lord of the worlds pervading the universe, O fierce destroyer of the teeth of Pushä, with neck full of hanging serpents with expansive body and bluish neck, be pleased.

74. O great lord endowed with all virtues, the crusher of Bhaga’s eye, be pleased to receive the main share of the sacrificial offering and save us all.

75. O lord that arose from Brahmä, O lord of Umä, O destroyer of Tripura, O holder of the bowl, with ash smeared in body, save us from all fear.

76. We find in your person, O Lord of gods, the entire creation, the Vedas with their Pada, Krama etc.,¹ and the Vedäñgas and all branches of knowledge.

1. Pada, Krama, Jagä, Ratha and Ghana are methods of rendering the Veda, each word being differently combined with the preceding and following words.

77. “O Bhava, O Sarva, O Mahädeva, O Pinäkin, O Rudra, O Hara, we all bow to you, protect us all”.

78. Praised by the gods in this way, Mahešhvara was much pleased, and he spoke thus to them all:

Rudra said:

79. “Let Bhaga get back his eye and his teeth. Let the sacrifice of Daksha also attain completion.

80. At my sight, O Devas, you have all become animals to me and I take you all to me. I thus become your master.

81-82. I am also the prime master of all knowledge. Being thus the master of all you animals, I will attain the name Pašhupati (lord of all beasts) in the world.

83. Those who sacrifice for me will have the observance called ‘Pašhupati’”.

84. When Rudra spoke thus, Brahma told him affectionately with a smile:

“Certainly you will be hailed as ‘Pašhupati’ in the world, and the world will gain renown by your name.

85. The entire world will surely worship you.

86. The clever Brahma then spoke to Daksha: “As already decided, give Gauri in marriage to Rudra”.

87. Saying so he gave the highly auspicious Gauri to Rudra in the presence of Daksha, thus showing him a great favour.

88. When Daksha’s daughter was thus married, Brahma gave to Rudra an abode on mount Kailäsa before all gods.

89. Rudra with his attendant Bhütas then went to Kailäsa.

90. Devas in great joy returned to their places and Brahmä with Daksha went to his abode.