Chapter 25 - Pippalāda incarnation of Śiva (2)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nandīśvara said:—

1. After arranging and establishing Dharma with a desire for its good foundation, lord Śiva performed great sports. O good sage, listen to that.

2. Once while going to the river Puṣpabhadrā^[1] for his ablution, the great sage saw the beautiful youthful maiden Padmā, a part of Śivā herself.

3. Desirous of getting her, the sage traversing the world and an expert in following the established conventions went to the abode of king Anaraṇya, her father.

4. On seeing him, the awe-struck king of men bowed to him. Offering him Madhuparka^[2] he worshipped him devotedly.

5. The sage accepted everything with regard and requested for the hand of his daughter. Thereupon the king was unable to say anything. He was silent.

6. The sage repeated the request, saying “Give me your daughter devoutly. Otherwise I will reduce everything to ashes along with you.”

7. O great sage, then all the people of the king were enveloped by the brilliance of Pippalāda, son of Dadhīci.

8. Then the king was much frightened and he lamented again and again. He gave his daughter Padmā, fully bedecked in ornaments to the old sage.

9. After marrying Padmā, the daughter of the king and a part of Śivā, the sage Pippalāda joyously took her to his hermitage.

10. After going to the hermitage the aged excellent sage stayed there with that woman. The sage was not too indulgent.

11. Then the daughter of Anaraṇya served the sage with devotion, in mind, word and deed, like Lakṣmī serving Viṣṇu.

12. Then the excellent sage Pippalāda, a part of Śiva, became a young man by means of his divine sport and sported with that young lady.

13. Ten noble sons, all of them great sons, were born to the sage. They were equal to their father and increased the pleasure of Padmā.

14. This is the sportive incarnation of Śiva the great lord. The excellent sage Pippalāda was the lord indulgent in different kinds of divine sports.

15. On seeing the harassment by the planet Saturn of every one irremediably, the sympathetic lord lovingly granted a boon to all the world.

16. “For sixteen years from birth no man will have that affliction. Similarly to the devotees of Śiva too. This word of mine is true.

17. If Saturn were to disregard my instruction and harass men, he will undoubtedly be reduced to ashes.”

18. O dear, thus, afraid of him the excellent planet Saturn, though in aberration, does not afflict men at anytime.

19. Thus I have narrated to you the good story of the great sage Pippalāda who bad assumed the form of a human being in the course of his divine sports. The story yields the fruit of all desires.

20. These three—Gādhi, Kauśika and the great sage Pippalāda quell the affliction of Śani on being remembered.

21-22. For the dissolution of the affliction of Saturn, the man who reads or listens devoutly to the story of Pippalāda along with that of Padmā attains all desires in this world.

23. Blessed indeed is the great sage, who was wise and a great devotee of Śiva. He was a favourite of good men. Lord Śiva named Pippalāda was his noble son.

24. This pious narrative is conducive to the attainment of heaven. It quells the adverse effects of the evil planets. O dear, it yields all desires and enhances devotion to Śiva.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Not identified.

[2]:

See P. 600 note.