97th Brahma

 49. Formerly ninety-six Brahmās had come up and passed away. Then a Brahmā came out of the navel of Viṣṇu and created the worlds.

50. Once that Brahmā was requested by Indra who was desirous of causing obstacles to the penance of Yogins. (So) he created a lovely and graceful woman.

51. On seeing that lotus-eyed lady full of graceful charms and other good qualities, Brahmā was pierced in his heart by the arrows of Kandarpa (i.e. god of Love). He became deluded.

52. On observing the lotus-seated Brahmā desirous of touching her, the excellent celestial damsel bowed to him and under the pretext of circumambulating him, she wished to go away.

53. While she was devoutly circumambulating, there sprang up four faces of Brahmā in the four directions instantaneously.

54-57. That maiden then assumed the form of a bird and flew into the sky. On seeing him approaching in the form of a bird, she resorted to Aruṇācala seeking refuge.

‘You are the Lord whose foot and head have not been seen by Brahmā and Viṣṇu. O Lord of Aruṇācala, protect me. O Lord worthy of giving refuge, I have sought refuge in you.’

While she was lamenting with excess of agony and fright, a certain hunter wielding a bow rose up from the immobile Linga Aruṇācala. He had the lustre of the sky overcast with clouds and he had fixed aṇ arrow to his bow. When the hunter was seen in front (of him) his (Brahmā’s) delusion was dispelled.

58-63a. Then the Lotus-born Lord became extremely humble and delighted in his heart. Then he bowed down to the 'Lord of Śoṇādri who is worthy of being resorted to:

‘Obeisance to you, the cause of the destruction of all sins, to the Lord wielding the Pināka bow. Obeisance to Śaṃbhu who has assumed the form of Aruṇācala and who is under the control of his devotees. Who, other than you, is competent to make his ignorant devotees refrain from misdeeds? This is impossible for (ordinary) persons to do. Destroy my physical body with your splendour because it has become sinful by (bad) intention. O Lord, the immanent soul of the universe, create another Brahmā for the purpose of the creation of the worlds.’

On hearing these words of Brahmā who was in a wretched condition, Śiva, the moon-crested Lord, the embodiment of mercy said:

63b-67a. ‘The period that has been formerly allotted to you cannot be changed or taken back. Which person in a position of power, defects such as Rāga (attachment) and others do not affect? Hence even if you are far way, worship this fiery Liṅga named Aruṇācala for dispelling all defects. All sins whether they are mental, verbal or physical perish quickly by visiting Aruṇācala. This Aruṇācala is destructive of all the sins of men through circumambulations, prostrations, recollections, worships and eulogies.

67b-71. I can rarely be seen in Kailāsa, peak of Meru or in my abodes on the various Kula mountains. I myself am Aruṇācala, on seeing the peak of which people will not only have the benefit of having their eyes but also the destruction of all sins and the acquisition of the vision born of knowledge.

Brahmā, born of a part of mine, formerly took his bath in Brahma Puṣkara named after him. Thereby the delusion of that Lord of the universe vanished. You too take your bath in this Brahma Tīrtha, worship me, keep your palms joined in reverence, keep silent and circumambulate me. O soul of the universe, you will become free from ailments.’

72. Maheśa, the Lord of the universe, remained in the form of Aruṇācala after uttering these words. The Lotus-born Lord had a plunge in the lake. He duly worshipped the Lord, the destroyer of sins.

73. With his mind purified by means of the Yogic exercises of Yama, Niyama etc., the Creator duly worshipped the Lord of Aruṇācala clearly and with all requisite offerings and services. Thereby his sins being dispelled, he regained the lordship (of the universe).”

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