214 - Boons to Nandikeshvara 

Brahmā said: 

1. When Shiva, the lord of beings, disappeared, Nandi became the leader of Ganas and divine in form. 

2. With four arms, three eyes, divine demeanour, divine complexion and divine Agaru-like odour, 

3. Having trident, spear, club, the bow pinaka and girdle of Muñja grass and full of lustre like another Shiva. 

4. With his raised foot he seemed to be aiming at pervading the whole universe like Trivikrama. 

5. Seeing him, the gods became afraid and they rushed in great hurry to inform Indra. 

6. Hearing this, Indra and others in his city became perturbed and began to think about what they might do. 

7. “Here is some one who has got a boon from Maheśhvara, and with his great might he is sure to get control over all the worlds. 

8. His enthusiasm, effulgence and strength will enable him to snatch away the place of celestials. 

9. Before he sets foot on this celestial world for the purpose through his power, let us go and propitiate the benign Shiva him self who has given him the boon.” 

10. So saying, they went with me to mount Muñjavān made by the gods. 

11. Myself, Vishnu, Indra and others rushed there in anxiety. 

12. The gods and sages began looking for him. Then Vishnu, along with them, went to the spot where Nandi was remaining like a god. 

Nandi said: 

13. My life has become fruitful as also all my efforts since I see before me Indra, the lord of gods, and Vişhņu, the lord of the worlds. 

14. This is enough for me and I am fully gratified. 

15. The great lord Hara became pleased with me, gave me a place among his attendants and blessed me with boons. 

16. This is a greater blessing for me and I have become extremely purified. 

17. What Brahmä told gods about me is absolutely true. Now the gods and sages have come here and speak sweet words to me. This shows Brahma's affection for me. 

Devas said: 

18. “We wish to see the benevolent god Shiva who appeared before you pleased by your penance”. 

19. They asked him again, “Where can we find lord Shiva?” Nandi said: 

20. “After blessing me, the lord disappeared there itself. I do not know where he is. A search may be made”. 

Sanatkumāra said: 

21. Please tell me what the Lord had told Nandi since he did not disclose where he was. Was there any secret for Shiva in this matter? 

Brahma said: 

22. I shall tell you what Maheśhvara said to Nandi regarding why the gods should not be told as to where he could be seen. Please listen. 

Shiva said: 

23. “Beyond Himalaya there is a nice and holy place with numerous hermitages. There a great serpent by name Sleşhma taka lives. 

24. He has now freed himself of all sins by penance and so I have now to go there urgently to bless him. 

25. The place around him there is very beautiful and strangely) there are no monkeys there. ¹

1. This seems to be an interpolated verse. In the next chaper we find the mention of monkey here. 

26. Due to the long penance he performed there, it has now come to be known as Sleşhmätaka forest and even the rocks there have become sacred. 

27. I will be moving there in the form of a deer and I will see then the gods who finally come there wearied after a long search. 

28. You should not tell this to Devas or Apsarases”. Saying so and blessing him he disappeared from there. 

29-30. Indra reached that table-land in his chariot which moves at will, beautiful like the crescent moon and sprinkled with divine drops, accompanied by the Maruts and followed by the gods, shedding lustre all around. 

31. The benevolent Varuna, the lord of aquatic animals came in an aerial car splendid with crystals and diamonds, together with his followers. 

32. Kubera came there in another beautiful golden car. 

33. In numerous such cars shining like the sun came in crores of Yakşhas and Räkşhasas. 

34. Yama came there along with the good souls. The sun, moon, planets and the entire group of stars arrived there aerial cars shining like fire. 

35. The eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas and Aśhvins came to that great mountain Muñjavān. 

36. The Viśhvedevas, Sadhyas and the ascetic Byhaspati came there covering the milky way. 

37. Skanda and Vinayaka came to the great pcak full of cooings of numerous peacocks. 

38-39. At the command of Indra came there also in aerial cars Gandharva leaders like Viśhvāvasu, Parāvasu, Hāha, and Hūhū and also sages like Närada and Tumburu. 

40. Váyu, Agni, Dharma, Dhruva, the divine sages, Siddhas, Yakşhas, Vidyadharas, Guhyakas all arrived there. 

41-42. Celestial women like Gandhakālī, Ghrutáchī, Buddha, Gauri, Tilottamā, Urvašhī, Menaka and Rambhā flocked there. 

43-45. At my bidding and also at the bidding of Vişhnu and Indra, came the sages Pulastya, Atri, Marichi, Vasishtha, Bhrugu, Kaśhyapa, Pulaha, Viśhvamitra, Gautama, Bharadvāja, Agniveśhya, Parāśhara, Märkandeya, Angiras, Garga, Samvarta, Kratu, Jamadagni, Bhargava and Chyavana. 

46-49. Also came there great rivers like Sindhu, Purusha, Sarayū, Tamrā, Aruņā, Charubhāgā, Vitasthā, Kaushikī, Sarasvati, Koka, Narmada, Bähuda, Shatadrú, Vipäśha, Gandakī, Godāvarī, Veņi, Tapī, Karatoya, Sītā, Chiravati, Nanda, Parananda, Charmaņvatī, Parņāśhā, and Daivikā. 

50-52. At Indra's instance came there in large numbers tīrthas like Gangā, Prabhāsa; Puruşha. Soma and Lohita and even the ocean, all in their own forms. 

53-55. All the mountains also presented themselves, Meru, Kailasa, Gandhamadana, Himavan, Hemakuta, Nişhadha, Vindhya, Mahendra, Sahya, Malaya, Dardura, Mālyavān, Chitrakūta, Drona, Shriparvata, Pariyatra and others. 

56. So too all sacrifices, all kinds of knowledge, all the Vedas, Righteousness, Truth, Forbearance, Heaven and the great sage Kapila. 

57-63. There came the great Vasuki, the serpent (Rāhu) who drank nectat, Ananta, the holder of earth with his thousand hoods, Dhrutaràstra, Kirmiranga, Ambodhara, the mighty Arbuda, Vidyujjihva, Shankhavarcas, Nahuşha known in the three worlds, Satya, the son of Virochana with numerous brilliant spots, Rūpi like a mountain having numerous peaks, Arimejaya, Vinata, Kambala, Aśhvatara, Eläpatra, Karkoțaka, Dhananjaya and several other lords of serpents. 

64. Arrived there Day and Night, Fortnight, Month, Year, Hcaven, Earth, Quarters and Subquarters. 

65. Thus swelled the mountain peak with Devas, Yakshas, Siddhas and others everywhere like the ocean in high tide. 

66. Wafted by the wind, the trees showered flowers over the gods assembled in the peak. 

67. The Gandharvas sang, Apsarases danced and the birds warbled in delight. 

68. The wind was blowing gently and fragrant and pleasant. 

69. When all the gods flockcd there led by Vishnu, they saw the resplendent Nandi in front of them. 

70. Seeing the Gandharvas, Apsarases and other celestials there with Indra, he prostrated before them. 

71. After saluting all of them, he spoke to them words of welcome, offered arghya and padya and requested them to be seated. 

72. Watching all this carefully, the gods began to return him the honour. 

73. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, Aśhvins, Sadhyas, Viśhvedevas, Gandharvas and Guhyakas honoured him. 

74. All Gandharvas like Vishvävasu, Häha, Hūhū, Chitrasena and others and Närada and Tumburu honoured him. 

75. All the chiefs of serpents liko Väsuki honoured Nandi. 

76. Siddhas, Charañas, Vidyā (dharas) and Apsarases honoured him who was already honoured by the great lord. 

77. The Siddhas, sages and rivers like Gangă blessed him in great joy. The gods said: 

78. “O sage, let the great god Śhiva be always pleased with you. Let there be unhindered supremacy for you. 

79. You are now greater than gods. 

80. You will be moving about in all the seven worlds together with Shiva without disease or death.” 

81. Thus said by the gods, Nandi spoke again. 

Nandikeshvara said: 

82. “Now that I am blessed by you all with your benedictions, I have become one worthy of commands from you. Please tell me what I may do for you. 

83. O great gods, let me know your command”. Hearing this, Indra said: 

Indra said: 

84. “Where is the great lord Shiva gone? Where can we see him? 

85. If you know where he is, please tell us soon, O sage”, 

86. Hearing these words of Indra, Nandi replied contemplating on Shiva for a while.

Nandikeśhvara said: 

87. O lord of gods, you deserve to know this. 

88. In this mountain Muñjavăn, I worshipped lord ŞHthāņu. He was pleased with me and gave me several boons. 

89. Then he left this place and I am afraid to find out where he has gone. 

90. But if you so desire, O Indra, we shall make a search for him.”