Shivmahima Stotr (Mahimnapar)

Commentary by: Piyaray Lal Raina

Introduction

Shivmahimna Stotr or Mahimnapar as it is called by Kashmiri Pandits is one of the earliest and one of the most recited Shiva prayer. It is said to have been written by a Gandharva (a demigod or heavenly musician) known as Pushpadanta. He was a great devout of Lord Shiva. One day he could not get flowers to offer during prayers. He cut flowers from a neighbours garden without his permission which he realised later on was a sin; though a small one but to wash off that sin he decided to compose his own hymn to Lord Shiva for His forgiveness. Thus he composed thirty-two hymns and at the end of each hymn he offered his tooth as offering instead of flowers. In this way, he composed thirty-two hymns for his thirty-two teeth.

It is a practice in writing of a Stotr (an appreciation) to conclude with writing of a few stanzas stating the rewards for those who conduct that prayer (e.g. a student will succeed in exams, a poor man will be rewarded with prosperity and so on). Thus at the end of thirty-two hymns, we have eleven stanzas offering rewards for those who recite the original thirty-two hymns. However, it is not a common practice to recite stanzas that are written for those seeking rewards.

In Kashmir, we have a tradition of reciting three hymns at the start which may have been composed by some Kashmiri devout or adopted from some other version. Thus we have 35 hymns instead of thirty-two. Only Kashmiri’s recite hymn number 23 and 30. They may be from the original rendering but their recitation by Hindus outside Kashmir has been dropped They have different hymns for these two in their version, which have been given at the end of Kashmiri version.

It may be stated that the hymns of this stotr are unintelligible to a person who does not have the background knowledge about the contents described in the hymn. It is in this context that a commentary at the end of each hymn has been written.
 

Recitation of this stotr is rather difficult without some guidance. In the sanskrit written language it is common to write several words together and while reading these words pronunciation changes depending at what place the combination of words is broken by the reader e.g. words ending with R or S change to H  .similarly when word is broken at M the next word starts with A It is the grammar of the language and in no way changes the meaning of the word. In addition, there are various methods of reciting this Stotrm. Therefore, it is suggested that one may seek guidance from some knowledgeable person or by reciting along with the recitations rendered by some person on a recorded audio. There are several recordings available in the market The hymns in this write up have been rendered as per the recitation of Pandit Jasraj award winner of Padma Vibhushan.

The first three hymns of Kashmiri version are:

AADHINAAM AGDM DIVYM VYAADINAAM MUULKRNTNM
UPDRAVAANAAM DALNM MHADEVAM UPASMHE

I am worshiping Mahadev –which worship is medicine for mental agonies, destroyer of physical pain, and remover of obstacles.

2

AHM PAAPI PAP KHIPN NIPUNH SHNKR BHVAAN
AHM BHITO BHITA BHY VITRNE TE VYSNITA
AHM DINO DINO DHRN VIDHI SNJS TVM ITRN
N JAANE HM VKTUMZZZ KURU SKL SHAICHE MYI KRPAM

I am a sinner and O Shanker you are quick in destroying sins. I am one who is afraid and you are always there to remove fears of fearful. I am poor and you are always ready to help the poor. I do not know anything more about you that I would like to describe. Please help me to be exact.

3

JNAAS TVT PAADABJ SHRVN MNN DHYAAN NIPUNH
SVYM TE NISTIRNA N KHLU KRUUNA TESHU KRUUNA.
BHVE LEENE DEENE MYI MNN HEENE N KRUUNH
KTHM NAATH KHYAATH TVM ASI KRUUNA SAAGAR ITI

If you are graceful to those who are perfect in praying you at your feet with their mind and speech and get them cross over to bhavsagar(Immortal Bliss) that cannot be called as your grace? If you cannot (will not) help me, who is poor and weak, and deprived of praying at your lotus feet, then how can you be known as Karunasagar (Ocean of Compassion).

MAIN STROTM

1

MHIMNH PAARM TE PRMVIDSHU YDH SDRSHI.
STO TIR BRHMAADINAAM API TD VSNNAM TVYI GIRH.
ATH VACHY SRVH SVMTI PRINAAMAA VIDHI GRNN
MMAA PYESH STOTRE HR NIRP VAADH PRIKRH.

If the praise of thee by one who is ignorant of the extent of Thy greatness be unbecoming, then the praise of even Brahma and others are inadequate for Thee, and if all remain unblamable by praising Thee according to their intellectual powers then even an attempt on my part to compose a hymn in praise of your greatness is free from any blemish.

2

ATITH PNTHAANM TV CH MHIMAAH VAN MNSYO
RTD VYAAVRTTYAA YM CHIKTM ABIDHTE SHRUTIR API
S KSYS TO TVYHH KTI VIDH GUNNH KSY VISHYH
PDE TVR VACHEENE PTIT N MNH KSY N VCH

Thy greatness is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Who (no one can) will praise that which even Vedas describe with trepidation by the method of not this, not this, not this? (Because it is impossible to describe what is Absolute) -How many qualities does that possess and can be perceived by whom? Yet to the form taken later* by Thee, whose mind and speech do not turn to Him when He revealed Himself.

* This has reference to the revelation of God in a physical form when He appeared as Sadashiv (Brahamn) for the benefit of His devot

3

MDHUS FEETA VAACH PRMM AMRTM NIRMIT VTH
TV BRMN KIM VAAGPI SURGUROR VISMY PDM
MM TVETAM VAANEEM GUN KTHN PUNYEN BVTH
PUNAAMEE TYR THES MIN PUR MTHN BUDHIR VYVSITAA

O Sadashiv Does the praise of even Brahaspati(the teacher of Gods) cause any wonderment to Thee who art the author of the nectar like sweet Vedas?(Vedas are direct revelation of God) O destroyer of Tripura ( a powerful demon ), the thought that by praising Thy glories I shall purify my speech has prompted me to undertake this work.

4

TVAI SVRYM YT TT JGT UDY RKSHA PRLY KRT
TRYEE VSTU YSTM TRSRSHU. GUNBINAASU TNUSHU
ABVYA NAM ASMIN VRD RMNEE YAAM RMNEEM
VIHNTUM VYAKROSHIM VID DHT IHAI KE JD DHIYH.

O giver of boons in refutation of Thy divinity which is described by the three Vedas(Rig ved Yujer ved, and Sama ved) who creates, preserves and destroys the world, and  who is divided into three bodies (Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh) according to the different qualities( Satvic Rajsic and Tamsic), some thick headed (ignorant) persons offer arguments which are pleasing to the ignorant but (in reality) hateful*

*  This has reference to Mimaska system which is one of the six systems of Vedanta whichdoes not recognize God in form and He is not cause of creation preservation and destruction of the world.

5

KIMEEHAH  KIM KAYH S KHLU KIM UPAAYS TRIBHUVNM
KIM AADHAARO DHAATAA SRJIT  KIM UPAADAANM ITI CH
ATR KYAI SHVRYAI TV YYN VSR DHUSTHO HTIDHYH
KUTR KOYM KANSHCHN MUKHR YTI MOHAY JGTH.

To fulfill what desire, having what body, with what instruments, support and materials does that creator indeed create the three worlds?* This kind of vain argumentation with regard to Thee whose Divine nature is beyond the reach of intellect makes the perverted vociferous to the delusion of mankind**.

* This has reference to a common belief among people that if they do something they have a definite purpose for doing so and that they need a physical body to do so. Not only this, for making any physical object one needs three things ie some instruments, some materials and a support. Ignorant people want to see these conditions fulfilled in Gods act of creation as well. But such expectations are idle for the simple fact that God is God. He can not be judged by human standards

** This has again reference to Mimasa system They cannot perceive the fact that God is above human perception.

6

AJNMAANO LOKAH KIM AVYV VNTOPI JGTAAM
MDHISHTHATARM KIM BV VIDIR ANADRTY BHVTI
ANEESHO VA KURYAAD BHUVAN JNNE KH PRIKRM
YTO MNDAAS TVAAM PRTY MRVR SMSHO RT IME

O Lord of gods can the worlds be without origin though they have parts? Is the creation of the worlds (possible) without a creator? Who else but god can begin the creation of the worlds? Because they are fools, they* raise doubt as regards Thy existence.

* This has again reference to Mimasa System.

7

TRYEE SAANKHYM YOGH PSHUPTI MTM VAISHNVM ITI
PRBHINNE PRSTHAANE PRM IDM ADH PTHYM ITI CH
RUUCHINAAM VAICHITRYAD RJU KUTIL NANA PTH JUSHAAM NRNAAMEKO GMYH TVM ASI PYSAM ARNV IV

There are different paths (of realization) as enjoined by the three Vedas(Rig veda ,Sama veda, and Yajur veda),such as, Samkhya ,Yoga, Pasupata and Vaishnava* .Persons following different paths- straight or crooked according as they consider that this path is best or that one is proper due to the difference in temperament, reach Thee alone just as rivers enter the Ocean.

* This has reference to six orthodox philosophical schools of thoughts that accepted authority of Vedas. These are regarded as complimentary views of the one truth seen from different angles These are:

Samkhya This is developed by saint Kapila It accepts two eternal realities Purusha (spirit or non matter)and Prakrati( subtle nature of matter)which consists of three gunas(elements) Rajas, Tamas and Sattwa which combine to produce all existence.

Yoga. The author of this school is Patanjali. He defines yoga as means to control fluctuations of mind which can be done in four ways .By knowledge (gyan yoga),meditation (Dhyan yoga),Prayers (Bhakti Yoga)and with the control development unfolding of pertinent laws relating to mind (Raja yoga)

Vedanta The author of this school of thought is Badarayana The main belief is that there is Supreme Consciousness or Infinite Reality called Imperishable Brahman and the main object of life is to identify with this Supreme Consciousness through the Atman, the eternal sprit in every individual. This changeless infinite reality is veiled by its own creative power called Maya which projects the infinite changes brought on this world through names forms and activities.

Mimamsa The author of this school is Jaimini.He does not recognise god in form and that god is responsible for changes brought about in the world. They believe Vedas are eternal and unchanging

Vaiesika The author of this school of thought is Kanada. They believe that every thing in this world is composed of atoms in varying combinations which are un-created, invisible, eternal entities and realise their potentialities when the soul and manas (mind) unite to activate its faculties, whereupon these combine and become visibly manifest as substances.

Nyaya The author of this school of thought is Gautama (Not to be confused with Gautam Budha)It maintains that true knowledge can be attained by an analysis and understanding of the nature of knowledge, its source, the validity of its arguments and its methodologies for distinguishing true from false knowledge.

 
8

MHOKHSH KHTVANGM PRSHUR AJINM BSM FNINH
KPAALM CHETI YT TV VRD TNTROP KRNAAM
SURAASTAAM TAAM RDHIM DDHTI TU BVD BRUU PRNIHITAAM
NHI SVATMA RAMM VISHY MRG TRSHNAA BHRM YTIH

O Giver of boons, a great bull, a wooden club, an axe, a tiger skin, ashes, a human skull and the like - these are Thy sole possessions, though by the mere casting of eye Thou gave to gods great treasures which they enjoy*. Indeed the mirage of sense objects cannot delude one whose delight is in the self.

* Sadashiv is the master of all and giver of boons and all treasures and yet for Himself He enjoys a simple life. To save Gods from asuras He participated in Sagar Manthn(Churning of oceans).For Himself He kept poison which was one of the objects that came out of  ocean to save His creation but gave away all the whealth that came out of it to Gods. He held all the poison in His throat which made his throat blue, the colour of poison and hence He is refered to Neelkanth (blue throat)as well.

9

DHRUVM KSHCHIT SRV SKLM APRS TV DHRVM IDM
PRO DHROUYA DHRDUYE JGTI GDTI VYST VISHYE
SMSTE PYE TASMIN PURMTHN TAIRVIS MIT IVH
STUVN JIRHEMI TVAAM N KHULU NNU DHSTAV MUKHRTAA

O Destroyer of Pura,* some say that the whole universe is eternal, while others say that all is transitory. Yet others maintain that all these are eternal and non eternal having different characteristics**. Bewildered, as it were by them I do not feel ashamed to praise Thee. Indeed this garrulity indicates my audacity.

* This has reference to the destruction of Tripura sur A demon who was very power full and was destroyed by lord Shiva.

** This refers to various schools of thoughts as stated above (See Hymn7)
10

TVAI SHRVYM YT NAD YDUPRI VIRMCHIR HRI RDH. PRICHCHETUM YATA VNLMN ANLSKNDH VPUSHH
TTO BHKTI SRDHA BHR GURUU GRND BYAM GIRISH YT
SVYM TSTHE TABYAM TV KIM ANUVRTIR N FLTI

O Grisha,(One who lives on the mountain Kailash –ie Lord Shiva), Brahma trying above and Vishnu trying below failed to measure Thee who took the form of a pillar of fire. After wards when they praised Thee with great devotion and faith Thou revealed Thyself to them of Thy own accord, indicating Thy worship can not go without bearing result.*

* This has reference to a Puranic story. Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an argument as to who among them is senior. Just then a huge column of fire appeared in the sky. They stopped their arguments and decided to find about this column of fire and the one who came back first to the spot after probing this column would be declared senior. Bhrhma went in the upper region while Vishnu went in the lower region. .After travelling for thousands of years they returned back to original spot without finding the upper or lower end of this column. Right at that time Sadashiv appeared on the scene and told them that He has decided to manifest Himself for the benefit of His devotees and it is in this context that He manifest a part of Himself as Brahma (for creation of universe and as Vishnu (for its preservation) and as Mahesh (for its cyclic destruction).This is called as Trinity of Gods in Hindu belief.

 11

AYT NAADAA PADHY TRIBHUVNM AVAIR VYTI KRM
DSHAASYO YD BHAHUN ABRT RNKNDU PRVSHAAN
SHRH PDM SHRENE RCHIT CHRNAM BHORUH BLE
SITH RAA YAAHS TVD BHKTE TRIPUR HR VISFUUR JITM IDM

O Destroyer of Tripura, that the ten headed Ravana after ridding the three worlds of any trace of enemies remained with arms eager for (fresh) war is due to the fact of his having great devotion to Thee-, devotion which prompted him to offer his heads as lotuses to Thy feet.*

* This has reference to Ravana who was a great devout of Shiva. He fought a war with Lord Rama.

12

AMUSHY TVT SEVA SM ADHI GT SARM BHUJVNM
BHLAT KAILASE PI TVT ADHI VSTOU VIKRM YTH.
ALBYAA  PAATALE PYLS  CHLITAN GUSHTH SHIRSI
PRTISHTHA TVYYA SEED HRUVM UPCHITO MUHYTI KHLH.

When Ravana extended the valour of his arms whose strength was obtained by worshipping Thee to Kailasa, Thy abode, Thou moved the tip of Thy Toe and he did not get a resting place even in the nether world. Verily when affluent, the wicked becomes deluded.*

* Ravana got drunk with power and decided to move the abode of Lord Shiv to his own kingdom in Lanka so that he could worship Him there without taking the trouble of going to Kailash mountain. At this Shiv got very angry and by just moving little finger of His foot Ravana tumbled over and could not get resting place any where, not even in Patal (nether world)He got deluded by his affluence.

13

YDRDHIM SUTRAAMNO VRD PRMO CHAIR API STEEM
ADHSH CHKRE VANH PARIJN VIDHEY TRIBUVNH
N TCHITRM TSMIN VRI VSI TRI TVT CHRNYOH
N KSYAH UNNTYAI BHVTI SHR SSTV YV NTIH.

O giver of boons, that Bana, who had the Three worlds at his Command put to shade the wealth of Indra, is not to be wondered at ,he being the worshipper of Thy feet. What prosperity does not result from bowing down the head to Thee?*

*  Banasur was an assur devotee of Shiv.He was son of Bali and grand son of Prahlada.Lord shiva worship had made him very prosperous so much so that even the wealth of Indra, the  Lord of heaven was no match to him.

14

AKAAND BHRHMAAND  KHIY CHKIT DEVA SUR KRPA
VIDE YSYAA SEED YS TRNYN VISHM SM HRT VTH
S KLMASH KNTHE TV N KURUUTE N SHRIYM AHO
VIKAROPI SHLAAGYO BHUVN BHY BHNG VYSNINH.

O, Three eyed one, (Lord Shiva)* it is not that the dark stain on the Throat of Thee who drank poison as an act of favor to gods and demons at their being panicky at the threatened destruction, does not beautify Thee. Even deformity is admirable in One who is given to freeing the world of fear.**

* Shiva is called Triyambkum i.e. Three-eyed One. The third eye refers to His mental vision with which He reaches everywhere.

**  See footnote of  Hymn 8 .The blue colour of His throat does not make Him look ugly . It rather enhances His looks.

15

ASIDDHAARTHA NAIV KAUCHID API SDEVA SURNRE
NIVRTNTE NITYM JGTI JYNO YSY VISHIKHAH
S PSHYNNISH TVAM ITR SUR SAADAARNM ABUUT
SMRH SMR TVYAATMAA N HI VSHISHU PTHYH PRIBHVH.

O, Lord, the god of love, Kamdev, whose arrows(advances) do not fail any where in the world of gods, demons and men but are always successful, became simply an object of memory by looking upon Thee as an ordinary god. For an insult to the self-controlled (ie Lord Shiv) does not conduce to good (was not a good act)*

* This has reference to a puranic story .The great Lord Shiva was in deep meditation without any break. But gods wanted that a son should be born to Him to lead them in the battle against the demon Taraka, as it was professed that only Shivas son could kill him. Gods sought the help of Kamadev the god of love. Kamadev threw an arrow of passion over Shiva .Shiva was distracted in His meditation and as a punishment burnt Kamadev to ashes with the fire of His third eye.

16

MHEE PAADAA GHAATAAD VRJTI SHSA SMSHY  PDM
PDM VISHNOHR BRAAMYD BUJ PRI GHRUUGN GRH GNM
MUHR DYOUR DOUSTHYM YAT YNI BHRT JTI TDIT TTA
JGT RKHIIIAAYAAI TVM NTSI NNU NAAMAIV VIBHUTA

In order to save the world when Thou danced*, the earth wondered at the striking of Thy feet, whether it would not come to a sudden end; so felt the spatial region along with the planets oppressed by the movement of Thy iron club like arms; and the heaven became then miserable -its side being stuck by Thy waving matted hair. Ah, Thy** very mightiness is the cause of the trouble

* This has a puranic reference. Once a demon prayed for long to Brahma for a boon to destroy the world. .Brahma promised to give the boon at a specfic date. This alerted gods who approached Lord Shiva for protection. Shiva at this began to dance so that the time for granting of the boon might pass un noticed. It was such a mighty dance that the three worlds were terror-stricken.

** Shiva danced for the protection of the world but because of His mightiness unknowingly caused trouble to many.

17

VIYD VYAAPEE TARA GN GUNIT FENOD GM RUUCHI
PRVAAHO VARAM YH PRSHT LGU DRSHTH SHIRSI TE
JGT DVEEPAKARM JLDHI VLYM TEN KRTMI
TYNE NAIVONNEYM DHRTI MHIM DIVYM TV VPUH.

The river which pervades the sky and whose foams look all the more beautiful because of the stars and planets, seems no more than a drop of water when on Thy head *.That again has turned the world in to island surrounded by waters .And by this should be inferred how vast is the divine body

*  This has reference to a puranic story. King Bhagirth prayed to Brahma for a long time to allow Ganga river flow on Earth to purify ashes of his ancestors. His wish was granted by Brahma and Lord shiva held it in His matted hair to reduce its impact of falling from such height.The volume of water flowing from Ganges filled the oceans and create land masses of continents within it.

18

RTHH KHIONEE YNTA STDHHHRTIR AGENDRO DHNURTHO
RTHANGE CHNDRAR KOU RTH CHRNPANIH SHR ITI
DIDHKHIOSTE KOYM TRIPUR TRNM AADMBR VIDHI   VIDHEYAIH. KRIDNTYO N KHULU PRTNTRA PRBHU DHYH

When Thou wanted to burn the three cities* which were but a piece of straw (to Thee) the Earth was Thy chariot, Brahma Thy charioter, the great mountain Meru Thy bow, the Sun and Moon the wheels of thy chariot, Vishnu thy arrow. Why this paraphernalia** ? The lord is not dependent on others, He was playing with things at his command

*  See hymn 9.Tripurasur.He had three sons who had received three cities in boon from Brahma. To show their power they teased devas who prayed to lord Shiva who decided to destroy all the three cities along with their masters.

**  Lord Shiva did not need the help of all these but He wanted to test the faithfulness of all of them towards Him.

19

HRISTE SAAHASTRM KML BLIM AADHAAY PD YOH
YD EKANE TSMIN NIJM UDHRN NETR KMLM
GTO BKTY UDREKH PRINTM ASOU CHKR VPUSHAA
TRYANAM RKHIYAI TRIPUR HR JAGRTI JGTAAM.

To worship Destroyer of Tripura( Lord Shiva), Lord Vishnu (Hari) rooted out his lotus eye to make up the deficiency when one flower was missing in his offerings to Shiva of thousand flowers (lotuses )at Thy feet, this great devotion transformed into a discus* which was given as boon to him by Lord Shiva for protecting the three worlds.

* The story goes that Vishnu would worship Shiva daily with a thousand lotuses. One day Shiva in order to test the devotion of Vishnu stole away one lotus from His offering of thousand lotuses. At this Vishnu plucked one of His eyes and offered that for the missing flower. Shiva was moved by this action and as a reward gave Him the discus, Sudarshana with which the latter protected the three worlds.
20

KRTOU SUPTE JAAGRT TYM ASI FLYOGE KRT MTAAM
KV KRM PRDVSTM FLTI PURSHAA DHNM RTE
ATS TVAAM SMPRKHIY KRTSHU FLDAN PRTI BHUVM
SHRTOU SHRDHAAM BDVAA DRDHPRIKRH KRMSU JNH

The sacrifice being destroyed. Thou ever remained the connecting link between the sacrifice and the fruit of the sacrifice. When does the destroyed sacrifice bear fruit if not accompanied by the worship of the Lord? Therefore knowing thee to be the giver of the fruits and putting faith in the Vedas people became resolute about the performance of sacrificial rites*

* This has reference to Mimasa school which believe that the fruits of sacrifice are stored for some future date without any divine intervention. That is being refuted in this hymn.
21

KRIYADKIO DKIOH KRUTUPTIR DHISHS TNUBHRTAAM
RSHINAAM AARTVIJYM SHRND SDSYAH SURGNH
KRTUBRMSHS TVTH  KRTUFL VIDHAN VYSNINO
DHRUVM KURTUH SHRDHAA VIDHURM ABHICHAARAAY HI -MKHAAH

Thou, giver of refuge (even) the sacrifice where Daksha the lord of creation, expert in the sacrifice, was the sacrificer, Rishes were priests, gods were supervisors, was destroyed by Thee *, (though Thou art ) bent upon giving fruits of the sacrifices. Surely the sacrifices cause injury to the sacrificers in the absence of devotion.**

* There is a puranic story that Daksha Prjapati, Lord Shivs father in law by first wife Sati, organised a big sacrificial yagnya in which all gods participated except Lord Shiva as He was not invited, because He had insulted His father in law by not respecting him on some previous occasion. Lord Shiva destroyed this sacrificial fire through His ganas as a revenge for the insult.

** Though Lord is giver of fruits of sacrifices but in the absence of devotion there is no fruit.
22

PRJANAATHM  NATH  PRSBHM ABHIKM SVAM DUHITRM
GTM ROHID BHUTAAM RIR MYISHUM RSHYSU VPUSHAAM
DHNUSH PAANER YTIM DIVM  API SPTRA KRTMMUM
TRSNTM TEYDYAPI TYJTI N MRGVYAADH RBSH

O Lord, the fury of Thee, Who became a hunter with a bow in hand has not as yet left Brahma though, keenly pierced by Thy arrow and terror stricken, he has fled to the sky.*

* The puranic story goes like this that Brahma had a beautiful daughter (Sandya in human form). Brahma was overcome by lust and wanted to have sex with her. She escaped by taking the form of a deer. Brahma also adopted the same form to chase her into submission. Lord Shiva saved situation by firing an arrow at Brahma, which hurt Him and ever since He became a combination of deer shaped stars in the sky with an arrow of Shiva chasing Him that is visible to naked eye even today.
23

APURVM LAVNM VIVSN TNOSTE VIMRSHTAM
MUNANAM DARANAM SHJNI S KOAPI VYTIKRH.
YTO BHGNE GUHY SKRD API SPRYAM VIDDHTAAM
DHUVM MOKHIOSHLILM KIM API PURUUSAARTH PRSVITE.

Oh !Lord the worship of the most private part of your body when it was cut off due to the curse of Rishis has liberated its worshippers, then how much exalted it would be to worship your body.*

As per puranic story Rishis wives were driven to have sex with Lord Shiva when they saw His naked body. This angered Rishis and they cursed Him that resulted in the detachment of Shivas sex organ that later on became the object of His worship for the mortal

· (This hymn is not included in non-Kashmiri version)

24

SVLAVNYAA SHMSAA DHRT DHNUSHM AHNAAY TRNVT
PURH PLUSHTM DRSHTVA PURMTHN PUSHPA YUDHM API
UDI STRAINM DEVI YM NIRT DEHARDH GTNAD
AIVETI TVAM ADDHA VT VRD MUGDHA YUVTYH.

O Destroyer of Tripura* ,O Giver of booms ,even on seeing in front ,the god of love, bow in hand, burnt like piece of straw in a trice by Thee**. If Parvati proud of her beauty, thinks that Thou art under her fascination because she was allowed to occupy half of Thy body on account of her austerities ,ah, surely the young women are under delusion.***

 *  See hymn 11

 **   See hymn 15

***  Parvati performed much austerity to get love of Shiva. Taking pity on her suffering Shiv allowed her to become part of His body. If Parvati or other young women think that Shiv accepted her for her beauty then they are wrong.

25

SHMSHANESHVA KRIDA SMRHR PISHACAH SHCHRAH
CHITA BHSMA LEPH SRGPI NRKROTEE PRIKRH
AMNGLYM SHILM TV BHVTU NAMAIVM AKHILM
TTHAAPI SMRTRNAM VRD PRMM MNGLM ASI

O destroyer of god of love, O giver of boons, Thy play is in the cremation ground, Thy companions are ghosts, Thou besmear Thy body with the ashes of burnt bodies and human skulls are Thy garland -all Thy conduct indeed is thus full of evil. But Thou conducts to the great good of those who remember Thee.

26

MNH PRTYK CHITE SVIDHM AVIDHAAYAAT MRUUTH.
PRHSHY DROMANH PRMD SLILOT SNJT DRSHH.
YDAA LOKYAA HLADM HRD IV NIMJJYAA MRTMYE
DDH TYNTS TTVM KIM API YAMINS TTKIL BHVAAN

Thou art indeed that unspeakable truth which the Yogis realized through meditation on thy self, on controlling the breath according the scriptures directions and realizing which they shed tears of thrilling joy and swimming as it were, in a pool of nectar, enjoying inner bliss.

27

TVM ARKS TVM SOMS TVM ASI PVNS TVM HUTVHH.
TVM AAPS TVM VYOM TVM UDHRNIR AATMA TVM ITI CH
PRICHCHNAAM EVM TVYI PRINTAA VIBHRTU GIRM
N VID MS TT TT TVM VYMHI HU YTTVM N BHVSI

The wise hold this limiting opinion about Thee Thou art the Sun, Thou art the Moon,Thou art the Fire, Thou art the Air, Thou art the Water. Thou art the Space; Thou art the Earth and Thou art the Self. We don not know that thing which Thou art not.

28

TRYEEM TIS TRO VRTIS TRIBHVNM ATHO TRIN API SURAN
AKAARAADYAI VRNAIS TRIBHIR ABHI DDHTTIRN VIKRTI
TUREEYM TE DHAAM DVNIBHIR AVRUUN DHANM ANUBHIH
SMST VYSTM TVAM SHRND GRNA TYOM ITI PDM

O giver of refuge, with the three letters -A, U, M, indicating the three Vedas*,the three states**, the three worlds*** and the three Gods****, the word OM mentions Thee separately. United by the scuttle sound the world OM collectively***** mentions Thee - Thy Absolute Transcendent State.

*   Rig, Yajur and Sam Ved
**  Namely waking ,dreaming and sleeping states
***  Earth, Patal and Swarg Lok
****  Three gods –Namely, Bhrama Vishnu and Rudra
***** The mantra OM when uttered as one word indicates the absolute Bhrahman

29

BHVH SHRVO RUDRH PSHUPTI RTHOGRH SH MHAAN
TTHA BHIMESHANOV ITI YD ABHDHAANAASH TKM IDM
AMUSHMIN PRTYEKM PRVICHRIT DEV SHRTIR API
PRIYAAYAASMAI DHAMNE PRNIHIT NMSYOSMI BHVTE

O Lord, Bhava, Sarva, Rudra, Pasupati, Ugra, Mahadeva, Bhima, and Isana- those eight names* are mentioned even** by the Vedas. To Thee who art beloved and effulgent, I bow down

* Out of thousand names of Lord Shiva the following eight are very common-

1. Bhava- One who is creator
2. Shrva- One who is destroyer
3. Rudra- One who is terrible
4. Pashuoati- One who takes care of all beings
5. Ugr- One who removes ignorance
6. Maha- One who is above all
7. Bhima- One who is very powerful
8. Ishan- One who is a great governor

**  even here refers to the fact that these names are refered in Vedas which are the earliest reference books.
 

30

VPSH PRAADUR BHAAVAAD ANUMITIM IDM JNMNI PURA
PURARE NAIVAHM KVCHD API BHVNTM PRNTVAN
NMN MUKTH SMPR TYTNUR AHM AGRE API PYNTIMAAN
MHESH KHINTVYM TD IDM APRAADH DVYM API

O Lord! I feel my present birth is due to the reason that I did not pray to you in my previous life. Now that I prayed and hope to be liberated but then I cannot pray you any more. I beg to be excused for this double fault of mine.

(This hymn is not included in the non-Kashmiri versions)

31

NMO NEDISTHAAY PRIYDV DVISTHAAY CH NMO
NMH KHIODISTHAAY SMRHR MHISHTHAAY CH NMH.
NMO VRSHISHTHAAY TRINYN YVISHTHAAY CH NMO
NMH SRVSMAI TE TD IDM ITI SHRVAAY CH NMH

O lover of solitude my salutations to Thee who art very near* as also very far & far away**. O Destroyer of the God of love, my salutation to Thee who art the minutest as also the largest. O three eyed one my salutation to Thee who art the oldest*** as also the youngest. Thus my salutation to Thee who art all as also transcending all.

* Because He is indwelling Spirit of all
**  Because He is beyond mind and speech
*** He was existing even before creation of universe

32

BHUL RJSE VISHVOT PTTOU BHVAY NMO NMH
PRBL TMSE TT SMHARE HRAY NMO NMH
JNSUKHKRTE STVO DRIKTOU MRDHAY. NMO NMH.
PRMHSI PDE NISTRAIGUNYE SHIVAAY NMO NMH.

Salutations to Brahma in whom rajas preponderates for the creation of the universe, Salutations to Rudra in whom tams predominates for the destruction of the same,Salutations to Vishnu in whom satva predominates for giving happiness to the people, Salutations to Shiva who is effulgent and beyond the three attributes.

To make up the total to 32 the following two hymn are recited by Hindus outside Kashmir as 31 and 32 hymn:

KRSHPRINTI CHETH KLESH VSHYM KV CHEDM
KVCH TV GUNSEEM ULLNGNEE SHSHVDRDHIH
ITI CHKITM AMNID KRTY MAAM BHKTI RADHAD
VRD CHRNYOSTE VAKY PUSHP UPAHARM

O giver of boons, where is my ill developed mind subject to misery* and where in Thy Divinity - eternal and possessing infinite virtues? Though terror stricken because of this, I am forced by my devotion to offer this hymn at Thy feet.

* According to Patanjali there are five kinds of misery –namely, Ignorance, Egoism, Attachment, Aversion and Clinging to life

ASITGRISMM SYAT KJLM SINDHU PATRE
SUR TRUU VR SHAKHA LEKHNI PTRMURVI
LIKHTI YDI GRHITVA SHARDAA SRVKALM
TDPI TV GUNANAMISH PARM N YATI

O Lord, if the blue mountains be ink, the ocean the ink pot, the branch of the heavenly Tree* be pen, the earth the writing leaf, and by making these if the goddess of leaning writes for eternity, even then the limit of Thy virtues will not be reached.

* Refers to mythological tree Parijata

 

References

Swami Pavitrananda of Advaita Ashrama of Calcutta has made the above translation of hymns. The translation of hymns 23 and 30 and those of three hymns recited by Kashmiri’s at the start is based on Hindi translation made by Pandit Prem Nath Sadoo in his book Mahimnastotrm. The commentary has been written from references in Shiv puran and other sources.