Upamanyu's Conduct

Vayu said

Their limbs were burning, so they all fled quickly to Vaikuntha. All those excellent gods told Hari everything. Bhagavan Purushottama heard them. "What is this?" he wondered, and thinking it over, he learned the reason. Wishing to see Maheshvara, he went quickly to Mandara. He saw the divinity, bowed, joined his hands and spoke.

Vishnu said

Bhagavan, there is a brahmana named Upamanyu. For the sake of milk he is burning everything with his austerities. Please put a stop to it.

Vayu continued

Hearing Vishnu's words, the divinity Maheshvara answered, "I will truly restrain the child. Go back to your abode." Hearing Shambhu, Vishnu, beloved of the gods, comforted the immortals and the rest and returned to his own world.

Meanwhile the divinity Parameshvara, wielder of the trident, resolved to go there himself in the form of Shakra. Riding an excellent white elephant, Sadashiva went to the forest where the sage was performing austerity, accompanied by all the gods, asuras, siddhas and great serpents, in the form of the king of the immortals. The beautiful elephant fanned the lord with a divine fan of hair, and with its trunk held a white umbrella over the head of the Indra of the gods, who was with Shachi. In Shakra's form Bhagavan Sadashiva shone like the moon, and the umbrella looked like Mandara with moonlight on it. Parameshvara had taken Shakra's own form, and wishing to favour Upamanyu he came to his hermitage. The supreme great sage saw Paramesha Shiva in Shakra's form, bowed his head and spoke.

Upamanyu said

Protector of the universe, illustrious one, best of the gods, lord of the gods, since you have come yourself, my hermitage is sanctified.

Vayu continued

Hara, in Shakra's form, looked at the brahmana standing with joined hands and spoke in a deep voice.

Shakra said

Excellent in vows, I am pleased with your austerities. Ask for a boon. Great sage, Dhoumya's elder brother, I will grant what you wish.

Vayu continued

Addressed so by Shakra, the bull among sages joined his hands and answered, "I want devotion to Shiva." Hearing this, Hari said:

Shakra said

You do not know me. I am Lekhapa. I am Shakra, lord of the three worlds. All the gods bow to me. Brahmana rishi, become my devotee. Worship me always, fortunate one. I will give you everything. Give up Rudra who has no qualities. What can be accomplished through such a Rudra? He has been expelled from the company of the gods and become a pishacha.

Vayu continued

Hearing this, the sage did japa of the panchakshara. Thinking that Indra had come to put obstacles in the way of dharma, he answered.

Upamanyu said

You have said all this to criticize Bhava, saying the great-souled divinity has no qualities. You do not know Rudra Ishvara. He is lord of all the gods, father of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha, above Prakriti, being and non-being, manifest and unmanifest, as those who know the brahman say. So I want only one boon, and I want it from him. He is beyond debate and argument, the supreme meaning of samkhya and yoga, whom those who know the truth worship. I want a boon from him. There is no truth higher than Shambhu. He is the cause of all causes, the maker of Brahma, Vishnu and all other gods. The lord is beyond the gunas. Why say more? Since I have heard Bhava criticized, I conclude that in a former life I must have committed a grave sin. As soon as one hears Bhava criticized, one should kill the speaker or give up one's own body, and one will then go quickly to Shiva's world. Worst of the gods, I did want milk, but never mind. I will use Shiva's weapon to kill you and then give up this body.

Vayu continued

Saying this, Upamanyu resolved to die. He gave up his wish for milk and prepared to kill Shakra. He gathered some ash and consecrated it with the terrible mantra of Aghora's weapon. The sage roared and hurled it at Shakra. Remembering Shambhu's feet, he prepared to burn his own body. Upamanyu stood holding a blazing torch, having made the Aghora weapon. Bhagavan urged Nandishvara, who tore out Bhaga's eyes, to gently restrain the yogi who held it. As it was hurled, Nandi, dear to Shankara, caught it midway.

Bhagavan Parameshvara returned to his own form. With the crescent moon on his head, he showed himself to the brahmana. He showed the child a thousand oceans, each of milk, nectar, curd, ghee, fruits and food, and a mountain of cakes. Then Deva appeared to him with Devi, riding the bull, surrounded by ganeshvaras holding tridents and divine weapons. Drums sounded in heaven and flowers rained down. The chief gods, led by Vishnu, Brahma and Indra, filled the ten directions. It was as if Upamanyu were drowned in waves from an ocean of bliss. Full of devotion and humility in his heart, he lay on the ground like a rod. Then, smiling, Bhagavan Bhava called him, "Come." He breathed in the scent of his head and gave him boons.

Shiva said

Always enjoy whatever food you wish with your relatives. Be always happy, free of misery, and remain my devotee. Upamanyu, fortunate one, Parvati is your mother. I have now accepted you as a son, and this ocean of milk is for you. These oceans of honey and curd are yours too, and the ocean of ghee and the ocean of fruit. The mountain of cakes is for you and the ocean of food. I have given all of these to you. Great sage, accept them. Mahadeva is your father and Jagadamba your mother. I have given you immortality and the eternal state of a ganapati. Ask happily for any other boon you have in mind. I am pleased with you and will grant it. There is no need to think about it.

Vayu continued

Saying this, Mahadeva clasped him in his arms, breathed in the scent of his head and presented him to Devi: "This is your son." Devi happily set her lotus hand on his head as if he were Guha and gave him the eternal state of Kumara. The ocean of milk took a bodily form and came holding tasty milk in its hands. Presenting itself, it gave him an eternal supply of milk in the form of lumps. Pleased, Ishvara gave him the prosperity of yoga, constant contentment, imperishable learning of the brahman and supreme prosperity. Shambhu, pleased, looked on his wonderful austerities and gave sage Upamanyu more divine boons: knowledge of the Pashupata vrata, the truth of vrata and yoga, and the supreme state of an eternal expounder. He gained the divine boon of always being established as Kumara. Having received these from Shiva and Shivaa, he was delighted. Glad in mind, he joined his hands and bowed. The brahmana asked Maheshvara, lord of the gods, for a boon.

Upamanyu said

Divinity, lord of the gods, be pleased. Parameshvara, show me favour. Grant me supreme, divine and unwavering devotion to you. Mahadeva, grant me devotion to those who are connected with you. Grant me the rank of your servant. May I always be near you and have your affection. Kind to those who take refuge, ocean of compassion, Shankara, always be pleased with Amba.

Vayu continued

Glad in mind, he said this with words faltering from joy, and Upamanyu, best of brahmanas, praised Mahadeva. Addressed so, Mahadeva granted him all these boons and, pleased, spoke to Upamanyu, best of sages.

Shiva said

Child Upamanyu, I am pleased. I have given you everything. Brahmana rishi, your devotion to me is firm; I was testing you. You will not suffer old age or death. You will be free of misery, famous and energetic, full of divine knowledge. Your relatives, line and gotra will never perish. Best of brahmanas, your devotion to me will be eternal. I will always be near your hermitage, and near me you will always be full of bliss.

Vayu concluded

With a splendour like ten million suns, Bhagavan said this. Hara Ishana gave these boons and vanished from the spot. Having won the best of boons, Upamanyu was glad in mind. He went to his mother's place and found supreme happiness.