Passage 1
श्रीशुक उवाच— ततो वसिष्ठो योगीन्द्रस्तपश्चक्रे पुरा महत्। तपसा तेन सन्तुष्टा सरयूरागता महीम्॥१॥
Śrī Śuka said: “Long ago Vasiṣṭha, lord of yogins, performed great austerity. Pleased by that tapas, Sarayū came to earth.
Passage 2
जनक उवाच— कथं मुनिस्तपश्चक्रे वसिष्ठः सरयूकृते। एतन्मे वद योगीन्द्र रामगङ्गा यथापता॥२॥
Janaka said: “How did the sage Vasiṣṭha perform austerity for Sarayū? Lord of yogins, tell me how Rāma-Gaṅgā descended.”
Passage 3
श्रीशुक उवाच— शृणु राजन् प्रवक्ष्यामि सरयूत्पत्तिमुत्तमाम्। अयोध्यायाश्च निर्माणं पूर्वं वैवस्वतान्मनोः॥३॥
Śrī Śuka said: “Listen, king. I shall tell the supreme origin of Sarayū and the earlier construction of Ayodhyā by Vaivasvata Manu.
Passage 4
वक्ष्ये प्रसङ्गतः प्राप्तां वैवस्वतमनोः कथाम्। पावनीं श्रवणादेव चित्तशुद्धिविधायिनीम्॥४॥
In due course I shall narrate Vaivasvata Manu's purifying story, which cleanses the mind merely by being heard.
Passage 5
वैवस्वतो मनुरभूद्भगवान् सर्वदर्शनः। मनीषी चैव सर्वज्ञः प्रजाकर्मण्यतन्द्रितः॥५॥
Vaivasvata Manu was a divine, all-seeing sovereign, wise, all-knowing, and tireless in ordering the work of his subjects.
Passage 6
पारगः सर्ववेदानां सर्वदेवतपूजितः। आज्ञया ब्रह्मणो नित्यं भुवमेतां शशास सः॥६॥
Master of all the Vedas and honored by every deity, he governed this earth continuously at Brahmā's command.
Passage 7
स इदं प्रथमं चक्रे ब्रह्मक्षत्रमनारतम्। ततश्चैव तु विट्शूद्रं स्वे स्वे कर्मणि संस्थितम्॥७॥
He first established the Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya orders without interruption, and then placed Vaiśyas and Śūdras in their respective work.
Passage 8
वृत्तीश्च प्रथमं चक्रे लोकयात्राविधायिकाः। कालं कर्म स्वभावं च समाश्रित्य सनातनम्॥८॥
He established the livelihoods that sustain the world's course, resting them upon eternal time, action, and inherent nature.
Passage 9
भगवान् सर्वहेतुत्वात्स्वयं तद्वशगः स्थितः। दिव्येन चक्षुषा सर्वमपश्यद्भगवान् स्वयम्॥९॥
Because the Lord is the cause of all, Manu himself remained subject to that order and beheld everything with divine vision.
Passage 10
भूतं भवच्च भव्यं च स्थावरं चैव जङ्गमम्। सरहस्यां साङ्गगणां सोत्तरां सपदक्रमाम्॥१०॥
He saw past, present, and future and all that moves or stands still; he knew sacred revelation with its mysteries, limbs, supplements, and ordered words.
Passage 11
सशाखाभाविविस्तारां बीजरूपां व्यवस्थिताम्। त्रयीं सोऽधिजगे देवः सेतिहासपुराणकाम्॥११॥
The divine Manu mastered the threefold Veda, established in seed form yet expanding through branches, together with Itihāsa and Purāṇa.
Passage 12
ससंहितां सतन्त्रां च सकाण्डाध्यायविस्तराम्। विवस्वतो भगवतश्चिकीर्षत इदं जगत्॥१२॥
He knew it with its Saṃhitās and Tantras and its divisions into books and chapters, as the divine son of Vivasvān prepared to fashion this world.
Passage 13
सर्वं विज्ञातवान् विश्वं शब्दरूपेण संस्थितम्। शब्दो नाम परं ब्रह्म परमे व्योम्नि संस्थितम्॥१३॥
He understood the entire universe as established in the form of sound. That eternal sound is Parabrahman dwelling in the supreme ether.
Passage 14
वेदो नारायणः साक्षात्स्वयम्भूर्ब्रह्मकारणम्। तस्याज्ञया पितुश्चैव नियोगाच्छ्रीविवस्वतः॥१४॥
The Veda is Nārāyaṇa himself, self-existent and the source of Brahmā. At his command and the direction of his father, glorious Vivasvān,
Passage 15
पृथक्तन्त्रां वेदमयीं वाचं विज्ञातवान् स्वयम्। सोऽलासीद् प्रथमं सर्गे प्रजाकर्मण्युपारतः। रुद्रस्यैवोपदेशेन प्रजासंहारकारिणः॥१५॥
Manu personally understood Veda-formed speech in its distinct systems. At first he did not grow weary in creation's work, until instructed by Rudra, destroyer of beings.
Passage 16
जनक उवाच— भगवानीश्वरो रुद्रः कथं तमुपदिष्टवान्। येन ग्लानोऽभवद्देवः प्रजासर्गे मनुः स्वयम्॥१६॥
Janaka said: “How did the divine Lord Rudra instruct him, so that godly Manu himself became weary of creating beings?”
Passage 17
श्रीशुक उवाच— एतत्तेऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु राजर्षिसत्तम। वैवस्वतो मनुः पूर्वं पित्रा युक्तः प्रजाकृतौ॥१७॥
Śrī Śuka said: “I shall tell you, foremost royal sage. Long ago Vaivasvata Manu was appointed by his father to create beings.
Passage 18
अकरोदखिलं विश्वं सङ्क्षेपेण यथोदितम्। चातुर्वर्ण्यं गुणांश्चैव कर्माणि च विभागशः॥१८॥
He fashioned the whole universe concisely as prescribed, dividing the four social orders, qualities, and actions.
Passage 19
पृथक् पृथक् प्रवृत्तीश्च यज्ञं पर्जन्यकारणम्। संस्थाश्चापि पृथक् चक्रे यज्ञस्य ब्रह्मकर्मणः॥१९॥
He separately established ways of life and sacrifice as the cause of rain, and distinguished the forms of sacrifice, which is Brahman's sacred work.
Passage 20
पशूंश्चापि पृथक् चक्रे वायव्यानग्निदेवतान्। वारुणानिन्द्रदेवत्यान् तथाग्नीषोमदेवतान्॥२०॥
He distinguished sacrificial animals dedicated to Vāyu and Agni, to Varuṇa and Indra, and to Agni and Soma.
Passage 21
मैत्रावरुणदेवत्यान् सर्वदेवत्यकांस्तथा। प्राजापत्यांश्च बहुशो यैर्यज्ञः सम्प्रवर्तते॥२१॥
He assigned others to Mitra and Varuṇa, to all the gods, and many to Prajāpati, by which sacrifice proceeds.
Passage 22
देशं कालं तथा द्रव्यं मन्त्रं कर्तॄंश्च भेदशः। अङ्गानि चापि भूरीणि क्रियाश्चापि विधिक्षमाः॥२२॥
He differentiated place, time, substance, mantra, and officiants, as well as the many limbs and properly ordered acts of ritual.
Passage 23
आवापं च तथोद्वापं तन्त्राणि च पृथक् पृथक्। जुह्वादीनि च पात्राणि तथावभृथ्यमुत्तमम्॥२३॥
He distinguished insertion and omission, separate ritual systems, vessels such as the juhū ladle, and the culminating avabhṛtha bath.
Passage 24
अपूर्वाणि च भिन्नानि साङ्गोपाङ्गस्य कर्मणः। ततः प्रववृते लोको यज्ञात्संवत्सरादिकात्॥२४॥
He distinguished the unseen results of acts together with their limbs and subsidiaries. The world then advanced through sacrifice and the cycle beginning with the year.
Passage 25
इष्टवान् भगवान् देवो भगवन्तं महेश्वरम्। ईशः पर्जन्यरूपेण महीमाप्लावयद्रसैः॥२५॥
The divine Manu worshiped the blessed Maheśvara, and the Lord, assuming the form of rain, flooded the earth with nourishing waters.
Passage 26
रसाप्लुता मही चापि बीजानि सुषुवे पृथक्। सञ्जात ओषधीभारः प्रजावृत्तिप्रकल्पकः॥२६॥
Saturated with moisture, the earth brought forth seeds of every kind, and an abundance of plants arose to sustain living beings.
Passage 27
अन्नं ब्रह्म स्वयं भूत्वा पालयामास वै जगत्। ततः प्रववृधे लोकश्चातुर्वर्ण्यसमाह्वयः॥२७॥
Becoming food, Brahman itself nourished the world; then society known by the four orders grew and flourished.
Passage 28
पूर्वपूर्वक्रमात्सर्व उत्तरोत्तरतोऽधिकः। प्रजापतेः कश्यपस्य द्वे अभूतां वरस्त्रियौ॥२८॥
Everything arose in succession, each later development exceeding the former. Prajāpati Kaśyapa had two excellent wives,
Passage 29
दितिश्चैवादितिश्चैव तयोर्देवासुरोऽभवत्। स्वरसान्मानुषः सर्गः सर्व एव व्यवर्धत॥२९॥
Diti and Aditi; from them came gods and Asuras. Through the natural generative current, human creation too expanded in every way.
Passage 30
एवं प्रवृद्धे सकले प्रपञ्चे लोकसंज्ञिनि। लोकैरुद्वेजितो रुद्रो भगवान् तपसि स्थितः॥३०॥
When the entire manifested cosmos called the world had grown in this way, the divine Rudra, disturbed by its inhabitants, entered austerity.
Passage 31
प्रजासंहारनिरतो वरदो वरलब्धये। ततो रोषं स्वयं चक्रे संजातो भैरवः स्वयम्॥३१॥
Intent on destroying beings yet granting boons to those who sought them, he produced wrath itself, from which Bhairava arose.
Passage 32
रुद्ररोषसमुद्भूतो भैरवो भीषणः प्रभुः। विध्वंसयन् जगत्सर्वं व्यचरत्पावको यथा॥३२॥
Fierce Lord Bhairava, born from Rudra's wrath, roamed like fire while destroying the whole world.
Passage 33
ततो वैवस्वतमनोर्जनकेन विवस्वता। प्रार्थितो भैरवो देवः स्तवेनानेन संस्तुतः॥३३॥
Then Vivasvān, father of Vaivasvata Manu, petitioned the god Bhairava and praised him with the following hymn. Vivasvān's Hymn to Krodha-Bhairava
Passage 34
विवस्वानुवाच— नमस्ते भगवन् रुद्ररोषतेजःसमुद्भव। लोकसंहारनिपुण नीलपिङ्गलवर्चसे॥३४॥
Vivasvān said: “Salutations, blessed one born from the fiery wrath of Rudra, expert in dissolving worlds, whose radiance is dark and tawny.
Passage 35
नमस्ते धूमधूम्राय नीलजीमूतरोचिषे। जटापिङ्गलरूपाय विरूपाक्षाय भीष्णवे॥३५॥
Salutations to the smoke-dark one who shines like a blue-black cloud, tawny with matted locks, three-eyed and terrible.
Passage 36
क्रोधाय क्रोधरक्ताय क्रोधरक्तेक्षणाय च। क्रोधसंहाररूपाय भैरवाय नमो नमः॥३६॥
Repeated salutations to wrath itself, red with wrath and red-eyed from anger, to Bhairava whose form is wrathful destruction.
Passage 37
क्रोधभैरवभूतेश सम्पूर्णजगदन्तक। तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राम्रभ्रूप्रेक्ष महाकाल नमोऽस्तु ते॥३७॥
Krodha-Bhairava, Lord of beings and ender of the entire world, sharp-fanged, copper-browed and fierce-gazing Mahākāla, salutations to you.
Passage 38
तडित्पिशङ्गप्रोत्त्रासिकपर्दकविभूषण। शूलभ्रमणवित्रासिन् भैरवाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥३८॥
Your terrifying matted crest flashes tawny like lightning, and the whirling of your trident strikes terror; salutations to Bhairava.
Passage 39
खड्गशूलधरायोर्ध्ववरदाभयपाणये। चतुर्भुजाय भीमाय भैरवाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥३९॥
You bear sword and trident while your raised hands grant boons and fearlessness; salutations to four-armed, formidable Bhairava.
Passage 40
उल्कासहस्रविस्रस्तजगत्त्रयभयालय। ज्वालामालाकरालाय भैरवाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४०॥
Thousands of meteors stream from you, making the three worlds a dwelling of fear; salutations to Bhairava, fearsome with a garland of flames.
Passage 41
दीप्ताय दीप्तनेत्राय विद्युद्दीधितिदीप्तये। प्रदीप्तवह्निज्वालाय जटिलाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४१॥
Salutations to the blazing, matted-haired one, whose eyes burn, whose splendor flashes like lightning, and whose flames are fiercely kindled fire.
Passage 42
व्यालमालापरीताय धूलिधूसरवर्ष्मणे। गिरीन्द्रशिखरोच्चाय महोग्राय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४२॥
Salutations to the exceedingly fierce one, wreathed in serpents, body gray with dust, and towering like the summit of the king of mountains.
Passage 43
पादप्रहारविध्वस्तसप्तपातालभूमये। किरीटोल्लिखिताभ्राय विशालाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४३॥
Your foot-strike shatters the ground of the seven netherworlds and your crown scrapes the clouds; salutations to the vast one.
Passage 44
दिगम्बराय वीराय श्मशानामिषभोजिने। शोणितारक्ततुण्डाय प्रचण्डाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४४॥
Salutations to the sky-clad hero who consumes flesh in the cremation ground, whose mouth is red with blood, and who is violently fierce.
Passage 45
चण्डाय चण्डवीर्याय चण्डविक्रमकारिणे। भूतान्तकरणोग्राय त्र्यम्बकाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४५॥
Salutations to the fierce, three-eyed one of fierce strength and assault, terrible in bringing beings to their end.
Passage 46
वेतालौघपरीताय डाकिनीतृप्तिहेतवे। चण्डिकागुणयुक्ताय भीषणाय नमोऽस्तु ते॥४६॥
Salutations to the terrifying one surrounded by hosts of Vetālas, who satisfies the Ḍākinīs and bears Caṇḍikā's qualities.
Passage 47
अत्युद्दण्डजटाटोपक्षोभिताम्बुदमण्डल। विकराल महाकाल चन्द्रभाल नमोऽस्तु ते॥४७॥
Your wildly raised mass of matted hair shakes the cloud-hosts; monstrous Mahākāla with the moon upon your brow, salutations to you.
Passage 48
एतत्तव जगत्सर्वं कृपादृष्ट्याभिवीक्ष्यताम्। न त्वस्य ध्वंसनं युक्तं विनैवावसरं प्रभो॥४८॥
Regard this entire world of yours with a compassionate gaze. Lord, it is not right to destroy it before its appointed time.
Passage 49
अन्य एव स कालोऽस्ति यत्र संहरसे जगत्। सृष्टिकालोऽयमधुना कृपां विस्तारय प्रभो॥४९॥
There is another appointed time when you dissolve the world; now is the time of creation, so extend your mercy, Lord.
Passage 50
विष्णोराज्ञा भगवतो महापुरुषसंज्ञिनः। काले काले यतोऽस्याभिः क्रियते विश्वमीदृशम्॥५०॥
At the command of blessed Viṣṇu, known as the Mahāpuruṣa, this universe is fashioned by us again at each appointed time.
Passage 51
तस्य नाभिस्थलोद्भूतपद्मभूर्भगवान् विधिः। अरीरचज्जगत्सर्वं नियुज्यास्मांश्चतुर्दश॥५१॥
Divine Brahmā arose in the lotus from his navel and created the whole universe, appointing us fourteen Manus.
Passage 52
तस्मै त्वं कृपयास्मासु मा द्रुह क्रोधभैरव। त्वया विध्वंस्यमानं तन्नङ्क्ष्यते नष्टमेव च॥५२॥
Therefore, Krodha-Bhairava, show compassion and do not injure us. What you are destroying will perish utterly.
Passage 53
करोषि ताण्डवं यर्हि भुजौ सम्भ्रामयन् मुहुः। पातालं पादन्यासेन स्वर्गो मूर्ध्ना च भज्यते॥५३॥
Whenever you perform the tāṇḍava, repeatedly swinging your arms, your footfall crushes the netherworld and your head breaks heaven.
Passage 54
इदं ते ताण्डवं भीमं विश्वसंहरणक्षमम्। संवर्तावसरे योग्यं न सर्गावसरे क्वचित्॥५४॥
This terrible dance of yours can dissolve the universe. It is proper at the final destruction, never during creation.”
Passage 55
इत्थं विवस्वता भूयः संस्तुतः क्रोधभैरवः। प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः॥५५॥
Thus repeatedly praised by Vivasvān and honored with offerings, incense, and lamps, Krodha-Bhairava became gracious and replied.
Passage 56
क्रोधभैरव उवाच— स्तवेनानेन तेऽत्यर्थं प्रसन्नोऽस्मि ततो भृशम्। वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते विवस्वन् देवतोत्तम॥५६॥
Krodha-Bhairava said: “This hymn has pleased me exceedingly. Excellent god Vivasvān, choose a boon; may all be well with you.”
Passage 57
विवस्वानुवाच— विश्वसंहरणाद्देव विरमस्वाधुना प्रभो। एष एव वरो देयः क्रोधं संहर भैरव॥५७॥
Vivasvān said: “Lord, now cease from destroying the universe. Grant me only this boon: withdraw your wrath, Bhairava.
Passage 58
स्तवेनानेन ये नित्यं स्तोष्यन्ति त्वां भवे जनाः। तेषां त्वं सुखदो भूया एष चापि वरोऽस्ति मे॥५८॥
And may you give happiness to those in the world who praise you daily with this hymn; this too is my boon.”
Passage 59
श्रीशुक उवाच— तथास्त्विति वरं दत्त्वा प्रणताय विवस्वते। प्रजगाम प्रशान्तात्मा कैलासाख्यं निजास्पदम्॥५९॥
Śrī Śuka said: “Granting the bowed Vivasvān the boon with ‘So be it,’ Bhairava's heart became peaceful and he returned to his abode called Kailāsa.
Passage 60
तमागतं अभिप्रेक्ष्य भगवान् रुद्र ईश्वरः। आज्ञाविघातदोषेण चुक्रोध हृदये भृशम्॥६०॥
Seeing him return, the divine Lord Rudra became profoundly angry at heart because his command had been disobeyed. Śiva Assigns Bhairava's Tāmasic Domain
Passage 61
श्रीमहादेव उवाच— कस्मान्न ध्वंसितं विश्वं मदाज्ञा विहता कुतः। अव्यवस्थितचित्ताय तुभ्यं कुप्यामि भैरव॥६१॥
Śrī Mahādeva said: “Why did you not destroy the universe? Why was my command obstructed? Bhairava, I am angry with you for your unsteady mind.
Passage 62
मत्तोऽसि क्षणतुष्टोऽसि विहितं न वचो मम। तस्मात्सर्वेषु देवेषु कुत्सितस्त्वं भविष्यसि॥६२॥
You are intoxicated and pleased in an instant; you did not carry out my word. Therefore you will become disreputable among all the gods.
Passage 63
सुरामांसप्रियो लोके भविष्यसि विशेषतः। पुरुषाणां बलीन् खादन् पुरुषादो भविष्यसि॥६३॥
In the world you will especially love liquor and meat. Eating human offerings, you will be known as a consumer of men.
Passage 64
न खलु त्वां भजिष्यन्ति सात्त्विका अपि राजसाः। तामसाः क्रूरकर्माणः सततं त्वामुपासते॥६४॥
Neither sāttvic nor even rājasic people will worship you; tāmasic people of cruel deeds will continually serve you.
Passage 65
ततो निर्गच्छ मत्पार्श्वात्सात्त्विकं पदमीदृशम्। गच्छ त्वं तामसान् लोकान् यत्र मांससुराबलिः॥६५॥
Therefore leave my side and this sāttvic abode. Go to the tāmasic worlds where meat and liquor are offered.
Passage 66
इत्थं निर्भर्त्सितस्तेन देवदेवेन भैरवः। जगाम रक्षसां लोकान् महातामसरूपिणः॥६६॥
Thus rebuked by the God of gods, Bhairava went to the realms of the Rākṣasas, whose nature is profoundly tāmasic.