The Glory of Siva

I shall recount the greatness of the God of the gods from whom everything is produced (or functions). Ye, expounders of the Brahman, listen with concentration of the mind.

I cannot be realised by men, by means of the various kinds of penances or by means of charitable gifts or by means of sacrifices. Without ardent and excellent devotion it is impossible to know me.

Indeed I abide within all living beings, all round. But the leading sages, people do not know me, the cosmic witness.

I am the Dhatr (creator) and Vidhatr (the dispenser of destiny), Kala (Time), the Fire-god with faces all round. All this universe exists in me and I am the transcendental annihilator of all (v.l. and I, the supreme deity inherent in all).

The sages, the Pitrs and the heaven-dwellers do not see me. Nor do the others of well-known prowess such as Brahma, the Manus, and Sakra (the king of gods) know me.

The Vedas perpetually eulogise me as the only Supreme Lord (Paramesvara). The Brahmanas worship me with various kinds of Yajnas and Vedic Makhas (sacrifices).

All the worlds, god Brahma, the grand-sire of the world, do not perceive me. The Yogins (however) meditate on me, the luminous God, the lord of all creatures.

As everything gets submerged in me and as I am the Atman of all, I assume the bodies of all the gods and become the enjoyer (recepient) of all Havis (sacrificial offerings) and the dispenser of the fruits thereof.

Pious scholars, the expounders of the Vedas see me here itself. I am always present near them who always worship me devoutly.

Virtuous Brahmanas, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas worship me. On them I bestow that supreme abode that is the bliss of Atman itself.

(Even the others such as) Sudras, other persons of low birth, who observe duties and are endowed with devotion are liberated even though they are united with Kala (v.l. liberated in due course and become one with me).

My devotees do not perish. My devotees are devoid of sins. It has been promised by me at the very outset that my devotees do not perish.

The fool who censures my devotee actually censures me the lord of Devas. He who worships him with devotion, perpetually worships me.

Whether it be a leaf, a flower or a fruit or mere water, if any devotee of mine regularly offers it by way of propitiating me, is beloved of me.

At the beginning of universe, I created Brahma, Paramesthin and handed over to him the Vedas that came out of myself.

I alone am the unchanging (eternal) preceptor of all Yogins; I am the protector of the virtuous and the slayer of those who hate the Vedas.

I am the liberator of Yogins here from all worldly bondage. I am the cause as well of worldly existence though I am bereft of all worldly ties.

I alone am the annihilator, the creator and the protector of the universe. Maya, the enchantress of the worlds, is my own potency.

What is called as Vidya (knowledge) is my own transcendental power. Stationed in the hearts of Yogins, I annihilate that Maya.

I am the originator and restrainer of all powers. I am the support of all potencies. I am the storehouse of nectar (or immortality).

(Presided over by me,) one of my powers which inheres in all and is identical with me assumes the form of god Brahma and creates this world which is full of variety and diversity - O Brahmanas who have resorted to the supreme Yoga, I am not the prime mover or propeller (of the universe).

Another immense power of mine becomes Narayana, the infinite, the Lord of and the pervader of the world, and sustains (with stability) the universe.

The third great Sakti annihilates the entire universe. It is mine and is called Tamasi as well as Kala. It is in the form of Rudra.

Some perceive me through meditation, others through the path of spiritual knowledge; others through the path of devotion and still others through the path of action.

Among the devotees, he who always propitiates me through spiritual knowledge and not otherwise, is my most beloved devotee.

Others who are the devotees of Hari but who (thereby) propitiate me also, attain to me. They do not return again to Samsara.

This entire universe constituted of Prakrti and Purusa is pervaded by me. The Citta or mind (v.l. Visva or the universe) is stationed in me alone. The universe is impelled on (or directed) by me.

O Brahmanas! I am not the (direct) impeller but by adopting the highest Yoga, I urge on the entire universe. He who realizes this is immortal (i.e. is liberated from Samsara).

I (hereby) observe this entire universe as if existing of itself (naturally). It is Lord Kala, the master of great Yogins who creates, maintains and destroys it.

It is I who am mentioned as Yogin and Mayin (Master of Maya) in the scriptures by wise sages; (I am) He, the master of Yogins, Lord Isvara of the great Yoga himself.

The greatness of paramesthin is due to his being the most excellent of all Sattvas (living beings). Lord Brahma is mentioned as identical with the great Brahman. He is free from blemish.

There is no doubt in this that he who knows me like this as the overlord of all the masters of Yoga is united with me through the sure path of Yoga (or by nirvikalpa meditation).

Such am I the impelling God. Resorting to the supreme bliss, I, the Yogin, dance on for ever. He who knows it is the knower of Yoga (v.l. I impel the entire universe. He who knows it, is the knower of the Vedas).

This secret-most knowledge is the decision enshrined in the Vedas. This should be imparted to one of pure mind, to one who is virtuous, and to one who maintains the sacrificial fires (as an Ahitagni).