Chapter 3:
1,2: Suta:
Ribhu thus became enlightened by Siva's teaching in the form of aphorisms. Saluting Mahadeva in submission,
he praised the Lord of Kailasa in extemporaneous hymns of devotion. Later, he shared this knowledge
obtained from Siva Mahadeva, with other sages.
Kumara, the son of Girija, narrated Ribhu's hymn to Siva, to Jaigishavaya the great one who conquered
the six foes.
3. Skanda:
Ribhu hymned Isana, who is with Amba the universal mother and obtained knowledge of the Self.
That great Sivayogi then praised Hara who revels in the octonary form (the five elements, the sun,
the moon and the Self.
4. Ribhu:
I salute the Lord -
who vanquished the demon element Gajasura and wrapped the shining hide over His shoulders
covering also the matted locks resembling groups of honey bees flocking onto a rutting elephant's
cheeks wetted by the odrorous secretions, who resembles the fierce lion tearing open the crowns
of elephants with its sharp claws while slaughtering evil forces, the blood trickling from whose nails
(that resemble incisive knives) is indeed marvelous sight,
whose effulgence envelopes the Vindhya range of hills and who is a great purifier and the embodiment
of purity,
who penetrates the entire universe which is but an emanation from Him,
who is revealed by the Vedas and whose feet are extolled in devotional verses of diverse meters, and who
is the best doctor for the disease called the world arising from the heart. Protect me, O Sambhu!
5. Thou has arisen with Thy powerful arms resembling the trunks of ferocious elephants, and lifted
the Mount Meru as bow and punished the invincible Tripurasuras. In that campaign Thou hast
expanded Thy form to fulfill the great expanse when the moon and stars appeared as ornaments on
Your crown. When thou hast administered the great bow ambidextrously, it reflected the dazzling
luster of Thy cheeks.
Protect me, Sambhu, who chastised Yama, the death god, with Thy feet.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.
