Munis’ Stotra to Parameśvara
This is the stotra that the ṛshis and munis sang to Parameśvara at Badrikāśrama, at the end of his teaching of the Īśvara Gītā. It is found in the Kūrma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarārdha, chapter 5. It comes after Parameśvara showed his cosmic dance (nṛtta) in the sky. The ṛshis who sang it included Sanatkumāra, Sanaka, Bhṛgu, Sanātana, Sanandana, Rudra, Āṅgirasa, Vāmadeva, Śukra, Atri, Kapila and Marīci.
The setting
Parameśvara had taught the Īśvara Gītā to Sanatkumāra and the other assembled brahmarshis. He had spoken of the nature of the ātmā, the three tattvas, the greatness of jñāna-yoga over karma-yoga, and the path of bhakti. Then he showed his cosmic nṛtta in the ākāśa (sky).
The viśvarūpa, his universal form, appeared. It had a thousand arms, a thousand heads, a thousand eyes and a thousand feet. It had a fearsome face with great teeth (daṃshṭrākarāla-vadana). It was ringed with garlands of flame and blazed with the light of koṭi (ten million) sūryas. The three Vedas were his three eyes. The mark of the crescent moon shone on his matted crown.
Śrī Nārāyaṇa, who was present, merged for a moment into the left side of Parameśvara as if he were absorbed in him, and then stood apart again. The ṛshis saw the supreme oneness of Śiva and Nārāyaṇa. With this sight before them, the ṛshis bowed with their heads to the ground, joined their palms, spoke Oṃkāra and offered the stotra.
The stotra
The ṛshis spoke to Parameśvara, who lives in their hearts, and whose nṛtta they saw in the paramākāśa (the highest sky).
We bow to Rudra, who is the ātmarūpa, the inner and outer form of all beings. He is pariśuddha (perfectly pure), jñānarūpa (of the form of knowledge) and śānta (peaceful). He is Parameśvara, who fills all.
The whole creation rose from you. You are the ātmā of all. You are paramāṇurūpa (of the form of the finest atom). The wise say you are greater than the greatest and smaller than the smallest.
Hiraṇyagarbha, the Purusha of the universe, was born from you. The one Brahmā, whom you brought forth, then made all the jagat (world) according to vidhi (rule). All the Vedas came out of you alone. At pralaya they rest in you alone. We see you in our hearts. You dance before us now, you who are the jagatkāraṇabhūta, the cause of the world.
You alone rise above the whole brahmacakra. You are the paramāyāvī. You are the one and only adhināyaka, the leader, of the whole prapañca. We take refuge in you and bow.
You are yogarūpa and citpati. We see you dancing in the middle of the paramākāśa. We think on your mahimā (greatness). You are sarvasvarūpa, you who live in many forms (aneka rūpas). We know you again and again.
The bīja (seed) of mukti that speaks of you is Oṃkāra. You live in prakṛti as the secret (rahasyam). You are naśarahita (without destruction). Your prakāśa (light) came out by itself. The sajjanāḥ (the good) say that you are the svarūpa of satya (truth). All the Vedas praise you. Ṛshis free of fault bow to you. The śāntas (the peaceful), the satyasandhas (those true to their word) and the brahma-vishṇu-yatis who are the shreshṭhatamas (the very best) enter into you.
The endless Veda of endless branches (ananta-śākhā) teaches that you are one, of one form (eka rūpa). Those who take refuge in you and ask to know you have śāśvata śānti, lasting peace, and no one else has it.
You are Īśvara. You are the Purusha who has no equal. You are the light with no beginning. You are Brahma. You are Viśvarūpa. You are Parameshṭhī. You are Shreshṭhatama. You rest in ātmānandānubhava, the joy of knowing the self. You are svayam-prakāśa (self-shining), niścala (unmoving) and nityamukta (ever free). You alone are Rudra. You make the viśva (universe). As Viśvarūpa you hold up the viśva. At pralaya the whole prapañca rests in you alone. We who take refuge in you bow to you.
You are called advaita, kavi, Advaita-Rudra, sarvabhūta-prāṇabhūta, Brahma, Hara, Agni, Īśvara, Indra, Mṛtyu, Vāyu, sarvavyāpaka, sarvadharāṇa, Sūrya and bahurūpa. You are naśarahita. You are Paramātman. You are the highest refuge of the whole prapañca. You guard the anādi-sanātana-dharma. You are Sanātana. You are Purushottama. You are Vishṇu. You are Brahmā. You are Rudra. You are Adhīśvara. You are the mūla, the root, of the viśva. You are Prakṛti. You are Parameśvara.
You are the one Purāṇapurusha, with a colour like the sun. Ajñāna (ignorance) cannot reach you. You are jñānapuñja, a heap of knowledge. You cannot be known, and you cannot be thought of in a form. You are ākāśa, Brahma, śūnya, prakṛtirūpa and nirguṇa. This whole jagat shines within you. You are avyaya (without decay), pariśuddha and ekarūpa, one form, unchanging. Your form does not come within the reach of our buddhi (understanding). In you alone this whole tattva shines.
You are Yogeśvara, Rudra, anantaśakti, paramādhārabhūta and brahmarūpa, and you are pariśuddha. All of us who seek refuge in you bow to you. Bhūtapati, Maheśa, be pleased with us. When we remember your lotus feet (pādapadma), all the seeds of saṃsāra are destroyed. With minds held in check and bodies conquered, we are making you, the one and only Īśa, pleased with us.
Namaskāra to the one who is the form of saṃsāra and its maker. Namaskāra to the one who is the form of kāla (time) and the form of all. Namaskāra to Rudra, to him who wears a crown of matted locks (jaṭājūṭadhārin), to Agni, to Śiva.
Parameśvara’s answer
The ṛshis and munis had finished their stotra. Mahādeva wears his hair in matted locks, rides the bull Vṛshabha, and is armed with jñāna and vairāgya (knowledge and detachment). He drew back his viśvarūpa and stood in his own natural form. Bhava, the bhūtabhavyeśvara, the nārāyaṇa-form, appeared before them as he always is.
The ṛshis asked him in wonder to reveal his māhātmya, the nature of his eternal rule. The teaching of the Īśvara Gītā then went on into its later chapters.
Sources
- Kūrma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarārdha, Chapter 5