Shiva Purana (Books 1 & 7)

उत्तरे तस्य सरसस्तीरे कल्पतरोरधः वेद्यां वज्रशिलामय्यां मृदुले मृगचर्मणि

On the northern shore of that lake, beneath a wish-fulfilling tree, on a platform of diamond stone, upon a soft deerskin—

सनत्कुमारमासीनं शश्वद्बालवपुर्धरम् तत्कालमात्रोपरतं समाधेरचलात्मनः

Sanatkumara was seated, always appearing as a youth, just then having risen from meditation, his mind unwavering.

उपास्यमानं मुनिभिर्योगींद्रैरपि पूजितम् ददृशुर्नैमिषेयास्ते प्रणताश्चोपतस्थिरे

Worshipped by sages and honored even by the greatest yogis, the sages of Naimisha saw him and, bowing, approached.

यावत्पृष्टवते तस्मै प्रोचुः स्वागतकारणम् तुमुलः शुश्रुवे तावद्दिवि दुंदुभिनिस्वनः

While they were asking him the reason for his arrival, a tumultuous sound of celestial drums was heard in the sky.

ददृशे तत्क्षणे तस्मिन्विमानं भानुसन्निभम् गणेश्वरैरसंख्येयैः संवृतं च समंततः

At that very moment, a radiant aerial chariot appeared, shining like the sun, surrounded on all sides by countless leaders of Shiva's attendants.

अप्सरोगणसंकीर्णं रुद्रकन्याभिरावृतम् मृदंगमुरजोद्घुष्टं वेणुवीणारवान्वितम्

It was crowded with hosts of celestial nymphs, encircled by the daughters of Rudra, resounding with the beats of drums and murajas, accompanied by the melodies of flutes and lutes.

चित्ररत्नवितानाढ्यं मुक्तादामविराजितम् मुनिभिस्सिद्धगंधर्वैर्यक्षचारणकिन्नरैः

Richly adorned with canopies of various jewels, splendid with strings of pearls, it was attended by sages, perfected beings, celestial musicians, yakshas, charanas, and kinnaras.

नृत्यद्भिश्चैव गायद्भिर्वादयद्भिश्च संवृतम् वीरगोवृषचिह्नेन विद्रमद्रुमयष्टिना

It was surrounded by those who danced, sang, and played instruments, marked with the emblem of the heroic bull, and with a staff made of vidrama wood.

कृतगोपुरसत्कारं केतुना मान्यहेतुना तस्य मध्ये विमानस्य चामरद्वितयांतरे

It was honored with a grand gateway and a banner, worthy of reverence, and in the center of that aerial chariot, between two fly-whisks,

छत्त्रस्य मणिदंडस्य चंद्रस्येव शुचेरधः दिव्यसिंहासनारूढं देव्या सुयशया सह

Beneath a jeweled staff and a pure white parasol, like the moon, seated upon a divine lion-throne with his illustrious consort,

श्रिया च वपुषा चैव त्रिभिश्चापि विलोचनैः प्राकारैरभिकृत्यानां प्रत्यभिज्ञापकं प्रभोः

Resplendent in glory and form, with three eyes, surrounded by ramparts signifying the Lord's recognition.

अविलंघ्य जगत्कर्तुराज्ञापनमिवागतम् सर्वानुग्रहणं शंभोः साक्षादिव पुरःस्थितम्

It appeared as if the unbreakable command of the Creator of the universe had arrived, as if Shiva's universal grace stood manifest before their eyes.

शिलादतनयं साक्षाच्छ्रीमच्छूलवरायुधम् विश्वेश्वरगणाध्यक्षं विश्वेश्वरमिवापरम्

There was the son of Shilada himself, bearing the blessed trident and boar-weapon, chief of Shiva's hosts, like another Lord of the universe.

विश्वस्यापि विधात्ःणां निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमम् चतुर्बाहुमुदारांगं चन्द्ररेखाविभूषितम्

Capable of both restraint and favor even towards the creators of the world, four-armed, noble-bodied, adorned with the crescent moon.

कंठे नागेन मौलौ च शशांकेनाप्यलंकृतम् सविग्रहमिवैश्वर्यं सामर्थ्यमिव सक्रियम्

With a serpent on his neck and the moon on his head as ornaments, possessing sovereignty as if embodied, and power as if active.

समाप्तमिव निर्वाणं सर्वज्ञमिव संगतम् दृष्ट्वा प्रहृष्टवदनो ब्रह्मपुत्रः सहर्षिभिः

As if liberation itself was complete, as if omniscience had taken form—seeing him, the son of Brahma, with the sages, became joyful in countenance.

तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरुत्थाय तस्यात्मानमिवार्पयन् अथ तत्रांतरे तस्मिन्विमाने चावनिं गते

He stood up with joined palms, offering himself as if to his very self. Then, as the chariot descended to the earth,

प्रणम्य दण्डवद्देवं स्तुत्वा व्यज्ञापयन्मुनीम् षट्कुलीया इमे दीर्घं नैमिषे सत्रमास्थिताः आगता ब्रह्मणादिष्टाः पूर्वमेवाभिकांक्षया

Bowing down like a staff to the god, praising him, he addressed the sages: 'These six families have long been engaged in the Naimisha sacrifice, having come here by Brahma's command, desiring this from the beginning.'

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ब्रह्मपुत्रस्य नंदीछित्त्वा पाशान्दृष्टिपातेन सद्यः शैवं धर्मं चैश्वरं ज्ञानयोगं दत्त्वा भूयो देवपार्श्वं जगाम

Hearing the words of the son of Brahma, Nandi, by a mere glance, instantly cut their bonds, granting them Shaiva law, divine knowledge, and yoga, and then returned to the side of the gods.

सनत्कुमारेण च तत्समस्तं व्यासाय साक्षाद्गुरवे ममोक्तम् व्यासेन चोक्तं महितेन मह्यं मया च तद्वः कथितं समासात्

All this was directly spoken by Sanatkumara to Vyasa, the revered teacher, and by the illustrious Vyasa to me, and now I have told it to you in summary.

नावेदविद्भ्यः कथनीयमेतत्पुराणरत्नं पुरशासनस्य नाभक्तशिष्याय च नास्तिकेभ्यो दत्तं हि मोहान्निरयं ददाति

This jewel of a Purana, the ordinance of the ancient Lord, is not to be told to those ignorant of the Veda, nor to unfaithful disciples or unbelievers; for, if given out of delusion, it leads to hell.

मार्गेण सेवानुगतेन यैस्तद्दत्तं गृहीतं पठितं श्रुतं वा तेभ्यः सुखं धर्ममुखं त्रिवर्गं निर्वाणमंते नियतं ददाति

To those who, with devotion and proper conduct, have received, studied, or listened to what has been given on this path, he certainly grants happiness, the gateway to righteousness, the three aims of life, and liberation in the end.

परस्परस्योपकृतं भवद्भिर्मया च पौराणिकमार्गयोगात् अतो गमिष्ये ऽहमवाप्तकामः समस्तमेवास्तु शिवं सदा नः

Through the path of the Purāṇas, you and I have mutually benefited each other; now, my desires fulfilled, I shall depart. May auspiciousness always be with us all.

सूते कृताशिषि गते मुनयः सुवृत्ता यागे च पर्यवसिते महति प्रयोगे काले कलौ च विषयैः कलुषायमाणे वाराणसीपरिसरे वसतिं विनेतुः

When the sacrifice was completed, the sages, having fulfilled their vows, and at the end of the great rite, in the age of Kali, when people are tainted by sense objects, they established their residence near Vārāṇasī.

अथ च ते पशुपाशमुमुक्षयाखिलतया कृतपाशुपतव्रताः अधिकृताखिलबोधसमाधयः परमनिर्वृतिमापुरनिंदिताः

Then, with the desire to be freed entirely from the bonds of worldly existence, having observed the vow of devotion to Paśupati, and possessing complete knowledge and concentration, they attained supreme bliss, beyond reproach.

एतच्छिवपुराणं हि समाप्तं हितमादरात् पठितव्यं प्रयत्नेन श्रोतव्यं च तथैव हि

This Śiva Purāṇa is now completed; it is beneficial and should be recited with care and listened to with equal diligence.

नास्तिकाय न वक्तव्यमश्रद्धाय शठाय च अभक्ताय महेशस्य तथा धर्मध्वजाय च

It should not be spoken to an atheist, one without faith, a deceitful person, one who is not devoted to Maheśa, or one who is only outwardly righteous.

एतच्छ्रुत्या ह्येकवारं भवेत्पापं हि भस्मसात् अभक्तो भक्तिमाप्नोति भक्तो भक्तिसमृद्धिभाक्

By hearing this even once, sin is reduced to ashes; the non-devotee gains devotion, and the devotee attains the fullness of devotion.

पुनः श्रुते च सद्भक्तिर्मुक्तिस्स्याच्च श्रुतेः पुनः तस्मात्पुनःपुनश्चैव श्रोतव्यं हि मुमुक्षुभिः

By hearing it again, true devotion arises, and by further hearing, liberation is attained; therefore, those who seek liberation should listen to it repeatedly.