Greatness of Shiva : Mahimnastava of Pushpadanta with commentary

MAHIMNASTAVA. 15

Zit

Oh Thou Who art the refuge of all?

Daksa? was diligent and expert of action

Lord of sacrifices and creatures.

The priests of his sacrifice were Rzshis*

And Devas were the masters of the rites? Nathless Thou, Who givest fruit to all sacrifices, Didst destroy his?®

For the sacrifice of one, who lacks faith in Thee, Bears fruit of evil only.

give of itself fruit. It arises, exists and is gone (utpattinasha dharmmayogat anitya) : that is, it is not permanent on account of its being connected with coming into existence and dissolution. Moreover the action (Karma) is here and now but the fruit follows at another time, place and region. It is

therefore Shiva and not the Karma which produces the fruit (J. C.)

In this way also the Mimangsakas are refuted though they seek to meet the difficulty by saying that ritual Karma _produces Apurva which exists up to the time of giving and is the giver of fruit. See ante p. 3 n. 1.

_ 1 Here the Hymnist points out that without prayer (Aradhana) to the supreme Purus&a all ritual action is futile.

2 Daksha—father-in-law of Shiva who prepared the great sacrifice known as Dakshayajva to which however out of slight to Shiva he did not invite Him. Shiva’s spouse Parvati hearing Her husband abused by Her father yielded up Her life on which Shiva came and destroyed the sacrifice.

3 Seers such as Bhrzgu and others.

4 Sadasya : that is the Vidhidarshina or inspector of rites ; generally a Brahmana, who overlooks the carrying out of the rite by the other priests and sees that everything is faultlessly done. In the present case so magnificient was the sacrifice that in lieu of the ordinary Brahmawas, Ashis and Devas were the priests and masters of ceremonies respectively.

5 For Daksha carried out his sacrifices in slight of Shiva,

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