the twelve Jyotee Lings, with the history of the first, called
Somentathe. Chapter 40--Of sundry Lings; and of Atree, the Reshee, and
his wife Anesoomya, procuring the access of the Ganges in a most
extraordinary drought. Chapter 41--Sheev's appearance in Mertye Lok to
the Reeshees' wives, with a Ling in his hand, while the husbands were
absent. Their curses on returning, in consequence of which Sheev's
Ling fell off; and moving along on the ground, burnt wherever it
touched. The Deivetas, in despair, applied to Brahma, who advised them
to sacrifice to Parvetee, and importune her to assume the
correspondent form. She did so, and the two Lings becoming united,
have ever since been worshipped under that shape by Brahma, Vishnu,
etc. Chapter 67--Krishna worships a Ling for seven months, covering it
every day with leaves and flowers, all of which were afterwards thrown
into a heap: at the end of that time Sheev appears in the midst of a
heap, and his august name was Beleishwer. Chapter 72--More particular
account of the Mahatmye of the Sheeve Ratree. The history of a hunter
who was converted to religion by the accidental falling of the leaves
of a tree, where he had placed himself to shoot deer on a Ling, which
had been turned up by the deer's foot: the deer and his whole family
had engaged themselves by strong oaths to return and offer themselves
as food for the hunter's children, and all kept their promise.
Another.--The attendants of Sheev and Dherma Raj dispute about the
property in the soul of a thief, who was slain in stealing the
victuals belonging to a sacrifice; but having lighted a lamp on the
Vrete Sheeve Ratree, for the mere purpose of distinguishing his prey,
the holy act of lighting the lamp was held sufficient to secure his
salvation.
Fourth Adhyaye.
Brehma is ordered to create the World.
On the Smerene of these five Mentres which were taught to Vishnu, Shree
Meha Deiv, who is the compilation of all perfections, came himself and
taught Vishnu other Mentres, and Vishnu taught those Mentres, and the
mode of Gyan for them, to Brehma. Brehma, with deep foresight and
capacious understanding, having practised the Smerene of all these
Mentres in purity of heart, thus addressed his prayers to the majesty of
Shree Meha Deiv.
A distich.
'O thou who knowest both what is present and what is concealed, O thou,
who art the understanding of the sinner and the saint, O teach thy
devotees the several works which it will please thee to perform, and by
what means we may imprint on our obsequious hearts the reflection of thy
majestic essence.' Shree Bhegewan, out of the loving-kindness which he
exerts towards his devotees, turning himself that way, said,
'Attentively listen: having imprinted the Dhyan of this Ling firmly in
your heart, be diligent in the Pooja thereof. From piety and devotion to
this Ling shall innumerable benefits redound upon you.' Then addressing
himself to Vishnu, he proceeded: 'Perform worship to me with perfect
fidelity.' Vishnu, submissively signifying assent with his eyes, and
performing Nemeskar, returned for answer:--
'Thou art our Lord and we thy slaves, we live one by one in thy power.'
After this, Shree Meha Deiv said: 'Having thoroughly impressed your
minds with the image of my form, compose all your doubts and
perplexities; and since your origin is from Prekreetee, ye are strong
and mighty: and I have divided my person into three parts: I have fixed
Brehma on my right hand, Vishnu on my left, and myself in the place of
the breast. And, whereas your faithful attachment is beyond all bounds;
whatever desire ye shall have in your minds, it shall be
fulfilled.'--'After that,' said Brehma, 'I and Vishnu, performing
Nemeskar, humbly observed, that, having bound ourselves with complete
attachment to his munificent service, we were hopeful that we should,
under no circumstance or place, ever let slip from our hearts the
recollection of his Majesty.'
Distich.
In terms of gracious import he answered: 'Since your creation is for the
purpose of producing the world, your request hath obtained its
accomplishment; and your Bekt, _i.e._, adoration, shall ever be firm and
orthodox towards me. You must make a Preteema, _i.e._, my image, of
clay, and perform Pooja to it: in which ye shall both consult your own
advantage and my contentment. Moreover, another figure in this same form
of mine, shall appear from a wrinkle of Bremha's forehead, and be named
Roodre, and shall apply to compose the perplexities of the creatures;
and he shall possess power not inferior to my own. Between him and me
there is no distinction. Thou, too, and Bremha, and Roodre, we are in
fact all one form, and in no manner whatsoever is there any difference
between us four to be be admitted: except only that there is this one
distinction between us, that your origin is from Prekreete and mine is
not. Wherefore, keeping this in your minds, be diligent in Dyan to me.
The four castes also, which are the Brehmen, the Khshtree, the Vishye,
and the Soodre; and the four Ashreme, _i.e._, the Brehmecharee, the
Grehest, trye, the Waneprest, and the Sanyassee; together with all other
creatures, shall thou introduce into the field of existence, that they
may become capable of Gyan and Aghyan.' And to Vishnu he said: 'Be thou
the granter and bestower of Mooktee in this world, and that, which in my
sight is good, shall appear the same in thine; and whosoever shall admit
any doubts herein is no Gyanee (_i.e._, learned in the truths of
divinity). And, of the Lings which have been already mentioned, having
made one of pearl, another of the dung of a milch cow, a third of gold,
and a fourth of clay, and joined them together, be diligent in
worshipping them.' After giving these orders he vanished; and the Ling
of the Pooja of Shree Meha Deiv made its appearance from that same day.
He, who in presence of Ling shall open his mouth in praise of Shree Meha
Deiv, is for six months in the form of Shree Meha Deiv. There is no
doubt of it.
Fifth Adhyaye.
The Reeshes again mentioned to Soote that, by the particulars of the
production of the Ling, their greatest crimes were entirely done away,
and they became liberated and redeemed. But the Mahatemye, _i.e._, the
mightiness of Sheev and the production of all creatures, was what they
wished more expressly to hear specified. Soot Pouraneeke said: 'A mercy
on your understanding, for ye have well demanded. The Ling of Seda
Sheev, which is Anente and Neergoone, announced to Vishnu, 'All
creatures shall employ themselves in worshipping thee, and whosoever
shall be in straights and difficulties shall obtain release thence by
thy favour. Thou must therefore assume a variety of appearances in the
world, and obtain fame and glory by the Avetars, and conduct the
inhabitants of the world to the degree of liberation. I, also, becoming
Roodre, in this very form of mine, will closely attend to the different
necessities of those who shall be created and sooth their griefs and
calamities. As there is no difference between thee and me, and Dhyan,
_i.e._, thought of me, dwells constantly in thy heart, I, too, will
never be forgetful of thy Dhyan: and, whosoever shall be a faithful
devotee of mine, and hath at the same time evil thoughts towards thee, I
will set aside, all his merits and deserts towards me, and precipitate
him to the lowest abyss!' Vishnu also answered,'O! Meha Raja, whosoever
shall be devoted to my Bhekt, and who, shall in the least instance be
deficient of respect to thee, I will hold him guilty of the blackest
offence, and dispatch him to hell, nor will release him thence until the
universal dissolution of all things.' After that, Vishnu said to Brehma,
'Whenever any difficulty shall shew itself to me, be thou my protector;
and since thou art the most exalted and chief of all the Deivetas, pay
attention to all matters both in gross and detail. He who shall
acknowledge thee, acknowledgeth me also; and he, who between us two
shall start the least distinction, takes the securest method to fix
himself in hell. For the space of one hundred grand years, no obscurity,
nor diminuition shall be obtruded on the light of thy being; and one of
thy days, which is composed of four thousand Yoogs, and is called
Kelpe;--for that time, be thou rigorous and absolute.'
Thirty-eighth Adhyaye.
Of the particular Lings of Seda Sheev.
The Reesheeshwers demanded of Soote an account of the Lings of Seda
Sheev, that are known upon this part of the earth, and are worthy to be
worshipped, and where they are stationed.
Soote answered: The Lings of Seda Sheev are innumerable. The whole earth
is replete with them; and whatsoever is visible is a form or species of
Ling. Besides which, no place whatsoever is void of them; both Paradise
and Patal are stocked with them; and all the Deivetas and Reeshes are
occupied in their worship. And those who with complete devotion and
entire faith have worshipped them, Bhegewan, for the gratification of
such devotees, hath appeared and established himself there, at the
desire of his votaries, with a Ling for each particular case of demand.
The Lings which are thus extant over the land, are not to be counted:
but of such as are now more especially in repute I shall immediately
state to you the twelve Jyotee Lings.