71 - Rudragitä II

Agastya said:

1. Said thus by Rudra, all the gods and sages bowed to him; I too did the same.

2. After bowing thus, when I looked at him, I saw in his body Brahma.

3. I also saw in his heart lord Näräyana in an extremely minute form glowing like the Sun.

4. Seeing this all the sacrificing sages were wonder-struck and hailed him uttering the Säma, ‘Ruk and Yajurvedas.

5. Then they asked Paramešhvara (Rudra) in one and the same god all the three gods are seen.

Rudra said:

6. O learned men, whatever is offered in the sacrifice for me, is shared by all the three of us.

3. Vedic rites to be performed in the morning, noon and evening.

7. O great sages, there is no diversity among us, and discerning people do not find any such thing”.

8. Thus said by Rudra, O king, all the sages asked him about the purpose of Mohašhästra (which deludes people).

The sages said:

9. You have produced a separate šhästra to stupefy the world. Be pleased to tell us why you have done this.

Rudra said:

10. There is in Bhäratavarsha a forest called Dandaka. There a Brahmin named Gautama was performing severe penance.

11. Brahmä was very much pleased at this, and he asked the ascetic to seek a boon from him.

12. Thus asked by Brahma, the creator of the worlds, he requested, ‘‘Give me abundance of crops and grain”. And Brahmä granted it.

13-14. Getting this boon, the ascetic built a large hermitage at Shatašhruñga and there he used to reap every morning the ripe grain and cook it at noon and offer sumptuous food to Brahmins.

15. He was doing this for a long time, but once a severe drought occurred which lasted for twelve years.

16. Distressed at this drought and very much famished, all the sages in the forest went to Gautama.

17. Seeing them all in his hermitage, Gautama bowed to them and asked them to stay there.

18. They remained there eating a variety of food till the drought was over.

10. Then those sages felt a desire to undertake a pilgrimage.

20. Knowing this the great sage Märicha spoke to the sage Šhändilya.

Märicha said:

21. “O Shändilya, I say for your good that sage Gautama is like your father. Without telling him we should not leave here for penance”.

22. When told thus, the sages laughed and said, “Have we sold ourselves to him by taking his food”?

23. Again they spoke of leaving the place. They also created a magical cow and left it at the hermitage.

24. Seeing that cow wandering in the hermitage, Gautama took some water in his hand and splashed it on its body (to drive it out).

25. Then that magical cow fell down like a drop of water.

26. Seeing it thus hurt, he turned to the sages starting to leave and asked them with reverence:

27. “O Brahmins, please tell me why you are going leaving me, your devotee”.

The sages said:

28. “O sage, so long as the sin of killing the cow remains in you, we shall not cat your food”.

29. Told thus, Gautama who knew what was righteous, asked them to tell him what was the atonement for the sin of having killed the cow.

The sages said:

30. “This cow is not dead but has only become unconscious. Bathed in the water of Gañgä, it will doubtless rise up.

31. The atonement is only with regard to one that is killed. So penance may be performed. Please don’t be angry”, So saying they all left.

32. When they were gone, Gautama went to the great mount Himälaya to perform severe penance.

33. For one hundred and one years I was worshipped, and, being pleased by that, I asked him to seek a boon.

34, He sought me the river Gañgä in my matted hair to be made to follow him.

35. I then let off the river from one part of my head and Gautama led it to the place where the cow was lying.

36. Washed by that water the cow rose up, and the river became great with holy water and sacred spots.

37. Seeing that great wonder, the seven sages came there in aerial cars saying “Well done, well done. 

38. Blessed you are O Gautama, who is there equal to you in that you have brought this Gañgä to this Dandaka (forest)”.

39. Then Gautama was wondering as to how he became the cause for hurting the animal.

40. He realised then that it was all the result of the magic adopted by the sages (who were living in his hermitage) and cursed them who were sages only in appearance.

41. ‘‘You will all be outside the three Vedas and ineligible to perform Vedic acts”.

42. Hearing the Curse of Gautama thus pronounced on those sages, the Seven Sages told him: “Although your words will have due effect, you should not mean it for all time.

43. In the Kali age let these Brahmins become such as to be ungrateful to those who do them good.

44. But, burnt by the fire of the woods of your curse, let them in the Kali age become devotees.

45. But let them he outside the fold of Vedic rites. Let this river also have the secondary name Godävarï.

46. In Kaliyuga those who come to this river and give gifts of cows and other materials according to their capacity, will delight themselves with the gods. 

47-48. If at the time when Jupiter is in Leo one takes bath there and propitiates the manes according to the rules, they Will go to heaven even if they have fallen in hell, and those who are already in heaven will get final release.

49. You will attain great fame and gain eternal liberation”.

50. Then the seven sages went to Kailaša where I was with Parvati and told me:

51. “In the Kali age many will have your form with crown of matted hair assuming by themselves ghostly forms and wearing liñgas.

52. For their sake, give a šhästra to all these people under the influence of Kali”.

53. Requested by them thus, I produced a Samhitä which contained rules for Vedic rites as well.

54. This Samhitä was named Nišhšhväsa, and Bäbhravya and Shandila were absorbed in it.

55. Deluded by me, people out of selfish motives, will promulgate their own šhästras in Kaliyuga.

56. The Nishshväsasamhitä with a lakh of verses alone is authoritative and that gives the discipline regarding Päšhupata.

57. This follows the path of the Vedas, and whatever is outside its scope should be considered as impure.

 58. The Vedäntins in Kaliyuga resort to Rudra. Fickle-minded people frame their own šhästras, but I don’t remain with them.

59-60. In yore, I assumed the fierce Bhairava form for the sake of the gods and for the annihilation of the wicked demons and laughed terribly.

61. Out of my tears which fell then on the earth, arose innumerable terrific beings.

62. They were fond of flesh and wine and women and were out. to create terror in the world.

63. The Brahmins cursed by Gautama will be born in their clan. Among them those who follow the rules I have laid down and are of good conduct, will attain heaven and get liberation.

64. Those who doubt the doctrine I have laid down, ridicule my followers and go to hell.

65. Formerly burnt by the fire of Gautama and now by my words they go to hell and we need not doubt this.

Rudra continued:

66. Told thus by me, the sons of Brahmä (the seven sages) went away. Gautama too returned to his abode.

67. I have thus told you what Dharma is. He who is averse to this naturally is prone to do only wicked things.