Devas Return

Sanatkumara said

Meanwhile the danava Maya saw that Shambhu was pleased. Because of the strength of his compassion he had not been burned. Extremely happy, he drew near, rejoiced, bowed to Hara and the other gods, lowered his shoulders, joined his hands and bowed again to Shiva. Then he got up and looked at Shiva with loving eyes, his voice faltering with joy. His atman full of devotion, Maya, supreme among danavas, praised him.

Maya said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, kind to your devotees, Shankara, your form is like a wish-tree and you favour no particular side. Radiance is your form; I bow to you. The universe is your form; I bow to you. Pure-souled one, purifier, wonderful in forms, eternal and beyond forms, I bow to you. You of divine form, divine one, giver of divinity, destroyer of the afflictions of all who bow, whose atman is welfare, creator, preserver and destroyer of the three worlds, reachable by devotees through devotion, ocean of compassion, assurer of success in the fruits of austerity, beloved of Shivaa, Shivaa's lord, supreme lord, who love to be praised, I do not know how to praise you. Sarvesha, be pleased. I have taken refuge in you; save me.

Sanatkumara said

Best of brahmanas, hearing Maya's words of praise, Parameshvara was pleased and answered Maya affectionately.

Shiva said

I am pleased with you, Maya, supreme among danavas. Ask a boon; I will certainly give you what you wish.

Sanatkumara said

Maya, bull among danavas, heard Shiva Shambhu, lowered his shoulders, joined his hands, bent down and answered the lord.

Maya said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, if you are pleased with me and I am worthy of a boon, grant me eternal devotion to you. Let me always be friendly to your devotees and compassionate to the distressed. Parameshvara, let me ignore other crooked beings. Maheshvara, may I never have an asura's feelings. Protector, let me always be fearless and always immersed in your auspicious chants.

Sanatkumara said

Asked so, Shankara Parameshvara, kind to his devotees, was pleased and replied.

Maheshvara said

Bull among danavas, you are blessed. You are devoted to me and free of aberration. I will give you all the boons you asked. Go to the world called Vitala, as beautiful as heaven. At my command go there with your family. You will live there fearless, always happy and devoted. By my instruction you will never have an asura's feelings.

Sanatkumara said

So addressed, he lowered his head before great-souled Shankara, bowed to the gods and went to Vitala.

Meanwhile the shaven-headed ones arrived. They bowed to Vishnu, Brahma and the other gods and asked where they should go, what task they should take up, and begged to be told quickly, for they would carry out the gods' commands. They had done a wicked deed, they said: the daityas were Shiva's devotees and they had destroyed their devotion to him. They would dwell in hell a crore of kalpas, since they had opposed devotion to Shiva, and there was surely no salvation for them. But they had done it at the gods' wish, so the gods should show compassion and tell them a way of pacification, for they had taken refuge with them. They stood before them with joined hands. Hearing them, Vishnu, Brahma and the other gods answered: "Shaven-headed ones, you must never be afraid. All these wonderful events came about by Shiva's command. You will not have a wicked end that brings misery. You live with Shiva and have done a good deed for gods and rishis. Shambhu acts for the welfare of gods and rishis, and those who bring it are loved by him. Men who ensure the welfare of gods and rishis never have a wicked end. But from now on, once kali yuga has entered, men who follow this view will have a wicked end; we have spoken truly. Shaven-headed, patient ones, follow our command and until kali yuga actually arrives live hidden in the desert regions. Go there. When kali yuga comes you will establish your own views. People deluded by kali yuga, those fools, will accept your views." Lord among sages, so the lords among the gods instructed the shaven-headed ones, who bowed and left for their designated hermitages.

Bhagavan Rudra burned the residents of Tripura and accomplished his aim. The great yogi was worshipped by Brahma and the others. Having done this great deed for the immortals, he vanished from the spot with all his ganas, Devi Shivaa and his sons. When the divinity vanished with Shivaa and his family, the bow, the arrows and the other equipment vanished too. Brahma, Hari, the gods, sages, gandharvas, kinnaras, nagas, sarpas, apsaras and humans were happy. Rejoicing, they left for their own abodes, praising and singing Shankara's fame, and arrived full of joy. So I have told you all of the moon-crested one's conduct, the destruction of Tripura and his supreme pastimes. This blessed account gives fame and long life and increases grain and wealth. It confers pleasures and liberation. What else do you want to hear? A person who constantly reads or hears this supreme account enjoys everything he desires in this world and at the end gains liberation.