As Devi Parvati enquired of the origin of Maha Shiva’s  epithet as Nilakantha, the latter narrated that once when Devas and Danavas decided to churn Ksheera Samudra or the Ocean of Milk with the objective  of producing Amrita (Nectar), there burst out a huge column of Poisonous Fire called Halahala that enveloped the whole World threatening to destroy  Creation in totality. The agitated Deva-Daanavas approached Brahma Deva and conveyed to him:

Pradurbhavam Visham Ghoram Samvartaagni samaprabham,

Kaalamrityuravod- bhutam yugaantaadityavarchasam/

Trilokyotsamaad Suryaabham Visphurattat samamtatah,

Visheynottishthamaanena Kalaanala samatvishaa/

Nirdagdho Rakta gouraango krutah Krishno Janardanah,

Tam drushtwaa raktagouraangam krutam krishnam Janardanam/

Tatah sarvey vayam bheetaaswaameva sharanam garaah,

Suraanaamasuraanaam cha shrutwaa vaakyam bhayaavaham/

(Pitamaha Brahma! When the ocean was being churned, terrible fire of poisonous fumes emerged which was like ‘Kaalaagni’ that might destroy the Universe at the terminal time of the Yuga. It has even turned the red physique of Janardana into black colour and on seeing this we got frightened and have come to you for refuge!) Brahma replied that the Kalaagni thus created is not possible of elimination by neither himself nor Vishnu but could only be extinguished by Shankara alone;  so saying Brahma recalled Omkara Mantra and prayed to Parama Shiva as follows:

Namastubhyam Virupaaksha Namastey Divya chakshusey,

Namah Pinaaka hastaaya Vajrahastaaya vainamah/

Namahstrailokya naathaaya Bhutaanaam pataey namah,

Namah Suraari hantrecha Soma Suryaagni chakshusey/

Brahmaney chaiva Rudraaya Vishnavey chaiva tey namah,

Sankhyaaya chaiva Yogaaya Bhutagnaamaaya vai namah/

Manmathaanga vinaashaaya Kaala prushtaaya vainamah,

Suretasetha Rudraaya Devadevaaya ramhasey/

Kapardiney Karaalaaya Shankaraaya Haraaya cha,

Kapaaliney Virupaaya Shivaaya Varadaayacha/

Tripuraghna Makhagnaaya Maatrunaam pataye namah,

Vriddhaaya chaiva Shuddhaaya Muktaayaiva Balaayacha/

Lokatrayaikaveeraaya Chandraaya Varunaayacha,

Agraaya chaiva chograaya Vipraayaaneka chakshusey/

Rajasey chaiva Satvaaya Namasteyvyatayonaye,

Nityaaya chaivaanityaaya nityaanityaayavainamah/

Jagataamaarti –naashaaya Priyai Naaraayanaayacha,

Umaapriyaaya Sharvaaya Nandivaktraankitaayacha/

Pakshamaasarthamaasaaya Ritusamvatraraayacha,

Bahu rupaaya Mundaaya dandinecha Varuthiney/

Namah Kapaala hastaaya Digvaasaaya Shikhandiney,

Dhanviney Rathiney chaiva Yaminey Brahmachaariney/

Rugyajuhssaamavedaaya Purushaayeshwaraayacha,

ityevamaadicharitai stotraih stutya namostutey,

evam stutwaa tato Brahmaa pranipatya varaananey/

(Our prayers to you Virupaksha or of Uneven and of Divine Eyes; Our greetings to you Pinaaka Hasta, Vajra Hasta, Trailokyanaadha, Bhutapati, Suraari; You have Soma-Surya and Agni as your eyes; You are Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu; Samkhya, Yoga and congregation of all Spirits; You are the Destroyer of Manmatha; Kala Prushta or the Backing of Kala Deva or the God of Time; the Sacred Virility; Rudra; Deva Deva; Kapardini, Karaala; Shankara; Hara; Kapalini, Virupa; Shiva; Varada or the Benefactor; the Killer of Tripurasura; the Destroyer of Daksha Yajna; the Chief of Deva Matrikas; Sanatana, Shuddha; Mukta; Bala; Unique Hero of Three Lokas;  Chandra, Varuna, Agra or the Elder; Ugra or the Irate; Vipra, Multi-Visioned; Personification of Rajasa and Satwa Gunas; of Unknown Origin; Nitya or Everlasting; Anitya or Temporary; Both Permanent and  Unstable; Perceivable and Imperceivable; Chintya or Possible of Meditation and Achintya or beyond Contemplation; Shiva! You are the Form of various Time Units like Fortnight, Months, Seasons, and Years; You are Multi-Figured; of Shaven head; wearer of a ‘Danda’ or Staff; Leader or Army called Varudhini; Kapala hasta or the holder of a Skull; Digvastra; Sikhandi or of a tufted head, Dhwani or Sound; Rathi or the Charioteer; Yami or Self-Controlled; the Embodiment of Ruk-Yajur-Sama Vedas; Purusha; Ishwara and Bhagavan who is praised on several ways by devotees!) As Brahma eulogised Shiva as above, the latter enquired of the reason of Brahma and Devas approaching him and Brahma explained the urgency of the situation as Devas and Danavas undertook the deed ofchurning the Ocean of Milk and in the process emerged ‘Kaalaagni’ or the unprecedented and ever-increasing out-break of huge poisonous conflagration enveloping the Skies and there was no other might in the Worlds except himself capable of devouring the ‘Halahal’. Maha Deva readily agreed to consume the poison and as soon as commenced to do so, his throat turned blue and there was a sensation in the throat as though Takshaka the King of Cobras was licking his tongue and the ‘Kaalakuta’or the worst kind of poisonous stream was discharging which Maha Deva controlled instantly lest the flow would  travel down and possibly damage the body parts presumably hurting the Lokas in his stomach; then he retianed the enflamed blue-coloured poison in his throat and thus secured the epithet of Nilakantha; Suraasuraas, Yaksha, Gandharva, Bhuta, Pischacha, Uraga and Raakshasas were bewildered to witness the Scene of Maha Deva’s gulping the Halahala and broke into spontaneous and exclamatory commendation: and exclamatory commendation:

Aho Blam Viryaparaakkramastey twaho Vapuryoga balam tavesha/

Aho Prabhutwam tava Deva Deva Mahaadbhutam Manmadhadeha naashana,

Twameve Vishnuschaturaananatwam twameva Mrityurvaradastameva/

Twameva Suryo Rajanikarascha Vyaktiswameyvaasya charaacharasya/

Twameva Vahnih Pavanastwameva Twameva Bhumih Salilam twameva,

Twamevy Suryasya charaacharasya Dhaataa Vidhhaata Pralayastwameva!

(Ishwara! What an unimaginable and most surprising capacity that you possess! Your valour and intrepidity are unique and awe-inspiring! Manmadha naashaka! Deva Deva! How extraordinary is your Governance! You are Vishnu! You are the Chaturmukha or Four Faced Brahma! You are Mrityu, You are Varada, You are Surya, You are Chandra, You are indeed the Form of ‘Charaachara Jagat’; You are Agni; Vaayu Deva too; You are Prithvi; You are Jala; indeed you are the Supremr Creator, the Preserver and also the Extinguisher!). Bhagavan Shiva asserted: Any of my Bhaktaas would read or hear this incident of Nilakantha would secure benefits galore: Brahmanas would enrich their knowledge of Vedas; Khsatriyas secure plentyof Land; Vaishya would reap immence profits and riches and all others would secure happiness. Those who suffer from ill-health and chronic diseases  would gain excellent health; if under any kind of duress including even imprisonnment would become free; the expectant mothers would be assured of easy and comfortable deliveries; unmarried would secure admirable life-partners; those who lost wealth would recover it in double measure. Such  devotees would also receive the fruits of charity of hundreds of cows; those who read evan a Stanza would be rid of  bad dreams, obstacles, evil spirits and fears of any kind!

Shiva as a Column of  Fire: When King Bali conquered Swarga by defeating Indra and Devas,Vishnu assumed the Incarnation of Vama Deva and subdued Bali and freed TriLokas from the rule of Daitya-Danavas. The ever grateful Devas were re-instated and approached Bhagawan Vishnu lying  the Milk of Ocean; they accompanied  Siddha-Brahmarshi- Yaksha- Gandharva-Apsara- Naga-and others to convey their gratitude  to Narayana as Dharma was revived and injustice was abolished. Vishnu then replied that he was redeemed by a higher Deity who created the Universe in totality and that he was made to conceive from his belly a lotus on which was materialised another magnificent Being with Four Heads seated on a deer skin and carrying Kamandalu or the Vessel of Sacred Water called Brahma. Even as Vishnu mentioned this, Brahma arrived and asked Vishnu as to who was he! Brahma stated that he was a Swayambhu or Self-Born and Vishnu claimed that he was not only the Creator but the preserver too. While this diologue was going on, there appeared a huge ‘Agni Stambha’ or a Column of Fire. Both Brahma and Vishnu visioned the Column which was unusually resplendent and hot and as they went nearer it looked like a Linga an image of cosmic manhood and a Phallic symbol. It was made neither of Gold nor Silver nor even of a metal nor stone. It was seen or disappeared in flashes and looked as high as Sky and far underneath the Ground. The vision of this fiery column was frightening even to Vishnu and Brahma, let alone Devas and others who approached Vishnu for thanks-giving. Both Brahma and Vishnu realised that their own egoistic seniority inter-se was meaningless as there indeed was another far Superior Entity was visible before them. Brahma suggested that he would like to see the height of the Fiery Linga and requested Vishnu to assess its depth and gave themselves an outer limit of thousand years to accomplish the discovery failing which they could return to the same Place. As both of them failed in their missions they returned and prayed to the Linga as follows:

 Namostu tey Lokasuresha Deva Namostutey Bhutapatey Mahaatman,

Namostutey Shasvata Siddha Yoginey Namostutey Sarva Jagat pratishthita/

Parameshti Param Brahma twaksharam Paramam padam,

Jyesthastwam Vamadevascha Rudrah Skandah Shivah Prabhuh/

Twam Yagnastwam Vashatkaarastwamomkaarah Paratapah,

Swaahaakaaro Namaskaarah Samskaarah Sarvakarmanaam/

Swadhaakaarascha Yagnascha vrataani niyamaastathaa,

Vedaa lokaascha Devaascha Bhagavaaneva Sarvashah/

Aakaashasya cha Shabdastwam bhutaanaam Prabhavaapyayah,

Bhumou Gandho Rasaschaapsu tejorupam Maheshwarah/

Vaayoh sparshascha Devesha Vapushchandra -masastathaa/

Buddhou Jnaanam cha Devesha Prakruterbeejamevacha/

Samhartaa Sarvalokaanaam Kaalo Mrityumayomtakah,

Twam dhaarayasi lokaamstreemstwameva srujasi Prabho/

Purvena Vadanena twamindratwam prakaroshi vai, 

Dakshinena tu vaktrena lokaansamkshipasye punah/

Paschimena vaktrena Varunastho na samshayah,

Uttaarena tu vaktrena Somastwam Devasattamah/

Ekadhaa Bahudhaa Deva Lokaanaam  Prabhavaa- pyayah,

Adityaa Vasavo Rudraa Marutascha Sahaashvinah/

Saadhyaa Vidyaadharaa Naagaaschaaranascha Tapodhanaah/

Vaalakhilyaa Mahaatmaanastapah Siddhaascha Suvrataah/

Tatwatah Prasutaa Devesha yechaanye niyatavrataah,

Umaa Sitaa Sinivaali Kuhurgayatrya evacha/

Lakshmih Kirtirdhrutirmedhaa Lajja Kantirvapuh Swadhaa,

Tushti Pushtih Kriyaachaiva Vaachaam Devi Saraswati,

Twattah Prasutaa Devesha Sandhyaa Raatristathaiva cha/

Suryaayutaanaamayutaprabhaava Namostutey Chandra Sahasragoura,

Namostutey Vajra Pinaakidhaariney Namostutey Saayaka chaapa paanaye/

Namostutey Bhasma vibhushitaanga  Namostutey Kaama Sharira naashana,

Namostutey Deva Hiranya garbha Namostutey Deva  Hiranyavaasasey/

Namostutey Deva Hiranya yoney Namostutey Hiranyanaabha /

Namostutey Deva Hiranya retasey Namostusey  Netrasahasrachitra/

Namostutey Deva Hiranyavarna Namostutey Deva Hiranyakesha,

Namostutey Deva Hiranya Vira Namostutey Deva Hiranya daayiney/

Namostutey Deva Hiranya Naatha Namostutey Deva Hiranya Naada,

Namostutey Deva Pinaakapaaney Namostutey Shankara Nilakantha/  

(Salutations to You the Lord of Lokas, Devas and Sarva Bhutas, Mahatma! You are the One with everlasting yogic powers and the One who established in all over the Lokas; You are the Parameshthi or the Supreme Deity, Param Brahma or the Ultimate Brahma, the Final Destination; You are the Jyeshtha or Senior Most, Vamadeva, Rudra, Skanda, Shiva and Prabhu; You are the Yagna Swarupa; Vashatkara or the All- Pervasive Supreme Controller and the Personification of  Sacrifices; Omkara Swarupa; Swahakara or the Embodiment of all Yagna karmas; Samskaara or the Great Reformer; Sarva Karmanaam or He who directs all the Sacred Deeds; Swadhaakara or the Emblem of all the deeds in connection with worship to Pitru Devatas; the decider of the Regulations in the performance of Yagnas and Vratas; You are the Highest Authority on Vedas, to the Lokas, of Devas and for everything. You are the Akaasha (Sky) and its Shabda (Sound); You are the Origin and Termination of all the Beings; You are the Bhumi and its Gandha or smell; you are the Physique of Chandra; the Feelings of the Heart and the Knowledge of the Mind; You are the Basic Seed to Prakriti or Nature; You are the Samharta or Mrityu or Kaala; you are the Preserver and Sustainer of all the Lokas; the Supreme Creator; you keep Indra on your Eastern side; retain all the Lokas on your Southern side; keep Varuna on your west; keep Soma on your Northern side; Devadi Deva you are the creator and destroyer of the Lokas not once but again and again repeatedly. Maha Deva! You are the manifestation of Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, Aswinis, Sadhyas, Vidyadharas, Naagas, Charanas, Valakhilyas the Tapaswis; Siddhaas; and all the Mahatmas.Parama Shiva! you are the Srashta of Uma, Sita, Sinivali, Kuhu, Gayatri, Lakshmi, Kirti, Dhriti, Medha, Lajja, Kanti, Vasus, Swadha, Tushti, Pushti, Kriya, Sarasvati, Sandhya, and Raatri. You have the brilliance of Ten Thousand Suryas and thousand Chandras; Vajra Pinaka Dhari or the Wearer of Pinaka or Bow and Arrows of Diamond-like radiance, rigor and resistance! Both Brahma and Vishnu continued to extol  Parameshwara further: Bhasma Vibhushita, Mammadha marana kaaraka; Hiranya Garbha, Hiranya Vaktra, Hiranya Yoni, Hiranya Naabha, Hiranya Retasa, Sahasra netra yukta; Hiranya Varna, Hiranya Kesha, Hiranya Veera, Hiranyaprada, Hiranya Natha, Hiranya dhwani kaaraka; Shankara; and Nilakantha!)

As Nilakantha was glorified by Brahma and Vishnu as above, he replied with the thunderous voice of clouds and a reverberating voice that filled up the Universe stating that he was indeed pleased with their  commendation and asked them to visualise his Maha Yoga Shakti as they could not ascertain his beginning or end of his Linga Swarupa. He confirmed that both of them were born to him and were of his own ‘Amsha’or his Alternate Shakti. Brahma was born of Maha Deva’s right hand and Vishnu from his left hand and was invincible in any Loka! He blessed both of them and directed them to discharge their duties viz. Brahma to create and Vishnu to Preserve Dharma (Virtue) and Nyaaya (Justice).

Shiva Lingodbhava: Maha Muni then narrated the origin of Shiva Linga and its Universe

Worship to the Rishis at the Naimisha Forest: In the days of yore on Himalayas, there was Daruvana famed for rigorous Tapasya by Maharshis along with their wives; the Maharshis were performing several Sacred deeds like Yagnas, Vratas, Agni Karyas, Swadyaayana of Vedas and Scriptures and fastings: their life’s motto was Nitya Karma, penance and strict adherence of whatever Scriptures prescribed. The women folk of the Munis too followed the prescribed discipline, food restrictions and living regimen of austerity and devotion. Into this Society of Self Restraint,  unfailing virtue and orderliness arrived a semi-lunatic, nude and weird stranger who had compelling and  magnetic personality of strong and attractive physical limbs. His body was full of Bhasma (Ash); his hair was dishevelled; his teeth were crooked and his eyes were blood red. Some times, he laughs boisterously; some time he shouts; some times he cries loudly; suddenly he brays like a donkey;  and some other times he breaks into dances amourously. He makes sheepish advances to women irrespective of their age. The Maharshis in Daruvana suffered the Stranger for enough of time and finally confronted him in a group. Among the Rishis, somebody said that after all Rishis would not get angry normally but when they did, no force on Earth could be withstood! Bhrigu Maharshi cursed Vishnu himself and the latter had to take human births ten times! Gautama Rishi cursed Indra for his sin of cheating the Rishi’s wife into bed by Indra and the latter had to drop his male organ on Earth as a result. Agastya Muni cursed King Nahusha who became a temporary Indra and desired to visit Sachi Devi’s abode by the palanquin borne by Maharshis and as he got impatient kicked the short statured Agastya Muni saying ‘Sapra Sarpa’ or ‘Quick Quick’ but the angry Agastya purposively mis-understood and cursed Nhusha to become a serpent!  Thus arguing among themseslves the Rishis told the Stranger that it was highly improper for householders to behave irresponsibly as him and that he should atleast wear a piece of cloth when he could be respected; otherwise the alternative would be to drop his Linga (Male Organ). Maha Deva then replied that even Brahma would not be able to drop  his Linga by force, let alone Maharshis; yet, he himself would drop it on his own; having said so Maheshwara disappeared and assumed the Linga Swarupa. As this incident took place, there was all round havoc in the Universe:

Trailokye Sarvabhutaanaam praadurbhaavo na jaayatey,

Vyaakulam cha tadaa Sarvam na prakaashet kinshana/

Tapatey chaiva Naadityo nishprabhavah Paavakastathaa,

Nakshatraani Grahaschaiva Vipareetaa vijanjirey/

(In all the Tri Lokas, the process of Srishti got badly affected; there was Universal agitation and nothing was shining; Sun became pale, Agni lost its heat and the Stars ceased to twinkle; and the Planets lost their moorings). The Maharshis immediately realised that the dropping of the Linga brought in terrible consequences and ran up to Brahma and conveyed the entire incident but Brahma too was agitated as to what happened and confirmed that the so called Stranger was none else but Maha Deva himself; that it would take ages to realise him; that he was the Supreme Lord of Devas, Rishis and Pitru Devas; that after thousand Yugas he would assume the Form of Kaala Deva at the time of Pralaya; that he was the unique creator with his own radiance; that he was Vishnu with Lakshmi as his consort and Srivatsa as his invaluable ornament; that he was called as Maha Yogi during Krita Yuga; that he was the ‘Kratu Rupa’ or Yagna Swarupa in Treta Yuga; that in Dwapara Yuga, he was ‘Kaalaagni’ and in Kali Yuga he is Dharma ketu or the Insigna of Virtue; that Panditas ought to realise all these Forms; that he was the combined Shakti of Agni’s amoguna, Brahma’s Rajo Rupa and Vishnu’s Satvika Rupa; that he was ‘Digvasana’ and was named Shiva; and that hence the Maharshis should worship Shiva with singular ernestness as he was Ishana, Avyaya and that Maha Linga who would surely dispel the fund of ignorance which they never had as he desired to counsel you but you made in the incorrigible mistake of your life time!

As Brahma chided the Maharshis thus, the latter bent to him on their knees and commence worship to Maha Deva in his Linga Swarupa and after a year’s puja, the latter re-entered Daru Vana once again and all the Munis made a collective Prayer to him as follows:

Karmanaa Manasaa Vaachaa tatsarvam Kshanthumarhasi,

Charitaani Vichitraani Guhyaani Gahanaanicha/

Brahmaadeenaam cha Devaanaam Durvijnaani Shankara

Swaagatam  tey na jaaneemo gatim nava cha naiva cha/

Vishweshwara Mahadeva yosi sosi Namostutey,

Stuvanti twaam Mahatmaano Deva Devam Maheshwaram/

Namo Bhavaaya Bhavyaaya Bhaavanodbhavaayacha,

Ananta Bala Viryaya Bhutaanaam Pataye Namah/

Samhatraye Kapishaangaaya Avyayaaya Vyayaaya cha,

Gangaasalila dhaaraaya chaadhaaraaya Gunaatmaney/

Tryaimba –kaya Trinetraaya Trishula vara dhaariney,

Kandarpaaya Namastubhyam Namostu Paramatmaney/

Shankaraaya Vrishankaaya Ganaanaam Pataye Namah,

Danda- hastaaya Kaalaaya Pashahastaaya vai Namah/

Vedamantra pradhaanaaya Shata jihvaaya tey Namah,

Bhutam Bhavyam Bhavishyascha Sthaavaram Jangamam cha yat/

Tawa Dehaatsamutpannam Deva sarva midam Jagat,

Shambho paahi cha bhadram tey praseeda Bhagavamstatah/

Ajnaanaadyaadi vaa Jnaanadyantikachit kurutey Narah,

Tatsarvam Bhagavaaneva kurutey Yoga maayayaa/

(Maha Deva! As we were completely ignorant of our mistakes that were committed by our speech, thought and deed, do kindly pardon us.  Shankara! Your actions are indeed strange, secretive and incomprehensible not only to us but to Devas and to Brahma too.  We welcome you back to Daruvana as we are unable to find our ways and means as to how and what to do in the context of our unpardonable acts. Vishweshwara! We do not know as to who are you! Mahatma, Maheswara, Bhava, Bhavya (the marvellous one), Bhavana (The Purifier), Udbhava (The Originator), Ananta Bala Virya or the Symbol of Eternal Strength and Virility; Our salutations to you the Creator and the Destroyer; Bhuta Naatha; Samhaara; Kapishanga Rupa or of the ochre complexioned body; Avyaya; Gangaadhara; Savaadhaara; Gunaatma; Traiyambika; Trinetra; Trishula dhaara; Sundara Vigraha; Vrishankana or Bull-bannered; Pramthagana Pati; Paasha Hasta or the Carrier of Paasha in hands; Kaala Swarupa; Veda Mantra Pradhana; Sahasra Jihva or Thousand Tongued; the Knower of the Past, Present and Future; Sthavara Jangama Deva or the Lord of Immobile and Moving Beings; your body  creates the Universe in totality! Do save us Shambhu, Bhadra, Bhagavan! Kindly be pleased to human indiscretions like what we did  under the cover of Yoga Maya of Parameshwara; may you be restored in the Linga as earlier!).

As the famed Munis including Gautami, Atri, Angirasa, Bhrigu, Vasishtha, Vishwamitra, Sukesha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Marichi, Kashyapa and  Samvarta sought Maha Deva’s un-qualified pardon and prostrated before him, Bhagavan was extremely pleased. Then the Munis requested Parama Shiva himself to provide clarifications on certain issues that remained unaswered to them so far:

Bhasma snaanam cha nagnatwam Vaamatwam pratilomataa,

Sevyaa sevyatvam tu Vibho etadicchaama veditum/

(The clarifications required are Bhasma Snaana or the bath of ash, nakedness, left-handed rituals, contrary actions, and the distinction of worthiness of Service to Deities or its unworthiness).

Bhagavan gave the clarifications:

Etaddaha sampravakshyami kathaa Sarvaswamadya vai,

Agniham Somayutah  Somaschaagna- mupaashritah/

Krutaakrutam Vandatyaagnim bhuyo lokaah samaashritaah,

Asakru cchaagninaadagdham Jagasthaavara jangamam/

Bhasmasaadhyam hi tatsarvam pavitramidamutthamam,

Bhasmanaa veeryamaasthaaya Bhutaani parishinchati/

Agni kaaryam cha yatkrutwaa karishyati cha trayaausham,

Bhasmanaa mama viryena muchyatey Sarva kilbishaih/

Bhaasayatyeva yadbhasma shubham vaasayatey cha yat,

Takshanaatsarva paapaanaam bhasmeti parikeertatey/

Ushmapaah Pitaro Jneyaa Devaavai Somasambhavaah,

Agnishomaatmakam sarvam Jagatsthaavara jangamam/

Ahamagnirmahaatejaah Somaschayaishaa mamaambikaa,

Ahamagnischa Somascha Prakrutyaa Purushahswayam/

Tasmaadbhasma Mahaa Bhaagaa mad-viryamiti chochyatey,

Swaviryam Vapushaachaiva dhaarayaameeti vai sthitah/

Tadaa Prabhruti Lokesh Rakshaarthamashubheshu cha,

Bhasmana kriyatey rakshaa sutikaanaam griheshucha/

Bhasmasnaana vishuddhaatmaa Jita krodho Jitendriyah/

Massmeepa mupaagamyana bhuyovinivartatey/

VratamPaashupatamyogamKapaayoganirmitam,

PurvamPashupatamhyetirnnirmitamtadanuttamam/

Sheshaaschaashra-minah Sarvey Panchaatsurashtaah Swayambhuva,

Srishtirshaa mayaa Srashtaa Lajja moha bhayaatmikaa/

Nagnaa eva hi jaayantey Devataa Munanyastathaa,

Ye chaanye Maanavaa Lokaey Sarvey jaayantyavaasasah/

Indriyairajiair nagnaa dukulenaapi samvrutaah,

Taireva samvruto gupto na vastram kaaranam smrutam/

Kshamaadhruti rahimsaacha vairaagyam chaiva Sarvashah,

Tulyomaanaapamaanow cha tat praa –varanamuttamam/

Bhasma paanduradigdhaango dhayatey manasaa bhavam,

Yadya kaarya sahasraani krutwaa snaayanti bhasmanaa/

Tadsarvam dahatey bhasmayathy- agnistejasaavanam/

Tasmaadyatnaparobhutwaa Trikaalamapi yah sadaa/

Bhasmanaa kurutey snaanam Ganapatyam sagacchati/

Samhyatya cha Kratun sarvaan gruhitwa –mamrutamuttamam/

Dhyaaanti ye Maha Devam leenaasttad bhaava bhaavitaah,

Uttareynaatha pradhaanam teymrutatwamavaapnyuh/

Dakshiney Naathapanthaanam ye smashaanani bhejirey/

Animaa Mahimaa chaiva Laghimaa praaptirevacha,

Garima Panchami chaiva shashtham praakaamyamevacha/

Ishitwam cha Vashitwam cha hyamaratvam cha tey gataah/ 

Indraadayastathaa Devaah kaamikam vratamaas-thitaah,

Aishvaryam Paramam praapya sarvy prathita tejasah/

Vyapagata mada mohamukta raagaastamairajadosha vivarjitaswabhaavaah/

Paribhavimidamuttamam viditwaa Pashupatidayitamidam vratey charadhwam/

Yah pathedvai shuchirbhutwaa shraddhaadhaano jitendriyah,

Sarva paapa vishuddhaatmaa Rudralokasa gacchati/      

( Maha Deva agreed to give a detailed reply to the Maharshis on the specific queries: ‘ I am  Agni;  Soma depends on me for every thing.  All the Lokas and their Beings are dependent on Agni. The Universe consisting of ‘Sthavara Jangamas’ or the Moving and Immobile Beings was burnt by Agni on countless occasions. The resultant Bhasma was sacred and acts like a perfect Purifier; for one thing Bhasma is the bye-Product of anything burnt in Prakriti and thus the cleanser and the steriliser but far more significantly since it was mixed with my own potency. All the hallowed deeds related to Agni thus enjoy the double benefit of Agni’s purification and my own virility. In fact Bhasma empowers as a ‘Trausha’ too or the trebler of the span of  life of  whosoever applies it on  his body. Bhasma’s accurate meaning is that it destroys sins. It provides radiance and fragrance of body and is a symbol of Auspiciousness. Pitras call it ‘Ushmava’ or the provider of coolneess. Devas enjoy longevity due their constant drinking of Soma Rasa; indeed Soma and Agni are myself. If I am Agni, my Ambika is Soma; I am the Purusha and she is Prakriti. And that indeed is the reason why Bhasma is my virility. That is why, Bhasma is used on occasions of inauspiciousness also, or to ward off Evil Spirits and at the Places of baby-births. Once a person has a ‘Bhasma-Snaana’ or ash-bath he gets his soul purified and overcomes anger and thus named Jitendriya or the One who controls his limbs. Bhasma is a constituent of Pashupata Yoga and Vrata and the impact of the Vrata is far-reaching as a sincere practitioner of the Vrata ceases to have a rebirth!

Again about the aspect of ‘Nagnatwa’; indeed none entered into the world with clothes; Devas and Maha Yogis are without clothes. Those who conquer their Physique have least significance or relevance for ‘Vastra’ and those who could not do so are as bad as  having the show of Vastras. Vastra is indeed not a protection for character or a sense of shame; on the other hand, it is more shameful to perform disapproved deeds even while covering the body with expensive clothes! Thus Vastra’s significance should be replaced by Kshama or Patience, Dhriti or Courage and determination, Ahimsa or Non-Violence, Equanimity, Non-Interference, Resistence to Material Attraction and Vairagya or an Outlook of Other-Worldi –ness. A person who applies bhasma constantly would  gradually develop noble traits till   purification of his conscience is attained. Invariably such an ash-prone person seldom does wrong; if by mischance he does indisretions then his latent virtue burns off the impact of such wrong-doings. Thus one must make it a point to apply the auspicious Bhasma regularly. Those who practise Yoga could attain Siddhis like Anima (Infinitesimal), Laghima (weightlessness), Mahima (Enormity), Prapti (Attainment), Garima (Heaviness), Prakyama (Independence of Thought), Isatwa (Superiority),Vasitwa (Capacity to control), and Amaratwa ( Immortality). Indra and Devas had attained Siddhis through the means of Kamaya Vratas; like wise Humans too could have access to the Mysique World.