CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THIRTYFIVE

The Birth of Heretics

Shri Parvati said:

1-2b. O lord, you told me that one should avoid conversation with heretics, and that it is more censurable than (talking to) a candala. (Tell me) of what kind they are said to be, and with what signs they are marked.

Rudra said:

2c-12a. Those who, deluded by ignorance, describe any other deity as being superior to Vishnu, the lord of the world, are said to be heretics. Those who use skulls, apply ash, use bones, have non-Vedic marks, have matted hair and bark-garments though they do not belong to the hermit-stage of life are (said to be) heretics. Those brahmanas who are without such marks dear to Vishnu as conches, discs, iirdhvapundra (upright sectarian marks on the forehead) are said to be heretics. That brahmana who does not follow the practices laid down in the holy texts and codes of laws should be known as a heretic and is condemned among all people. Those that have no devotion for the lord are said to be heretics. He who is free in all acts (i.e. performs all acts as he likes) and offers oblations into fire and gives gifts directed to deities (other than) Vishnu, the enjoyer of the fruit of all sacrifices and the deity of the brahmanas, and who independently does all great acts laid down in the Vedas, should be known as a heretic. He who looks upon god Vishnu as equal to other deities like Brahma, Rudra, would always be (called) a heretic. That brahmana who, in the three conditions, does not recognise Vishnu by means of speech, body and acts, would be a heretic. What is the use of saying much in this regard? Those brahmanas who are not devotees of Vishnu, should never be asked (any question), should never be talked to and should never be seen.

Parratf said:

12b-15a. O lord, O best of gods, I am asking (you) a secret. Through love for me tell it. There is a great doubt. The holy texts have condemned wearing (i.e. using) skulls, (applying) ash and (wearing) hide. You wear (i.e. use) them. (Then), O god, for what purpose is it condemned? O lord of gods, O you highly intelligent one, through fickleness of (i.e. natural to) women I am asking it. It may be that due to your great power what is told ought not to be done by you. (But) you have not formerly told me in detail what ought not to be done. Therefore, O lord, please pardon me my question.

Vasishtha said:

15b-17a. Thus by the goddess Shiva was asked in a lonely place, free from people. He told her the great secret, viz. whatever he did. Shiva said:

17b-21a. O goddess, listen. I shall tell you that secret which is very wonderful. O goddess, you should not speak what I have told you among people. O you of a good vow, I shall tell it to you since your body is not separate from mine. In the age of Svayambhuva (Manu) in olden times there were great demons like Namuci, who were very powerful, very valorous, very strong and great heroes. All of them were devoted to Vishnu, were pure, and free from all sins. They followed the practices (laid down) in the triad of the Vedas. All gods, being frustrated, led by Indra, and overcome by fear, approached Vishnu and sought his shelter. Gods said:

21b-22a. O Kesava, you alone can conquer these great demons who cannot be conquered by all gods, and who have washed off their sins with penance. Mahadeva said:

22b-25. Hearing these frightful words of the gods, Vishnu, Purushottama, consoled those regents of the quarters, and said to me: The lord said: O Rudra, O you of mighty arms, O you best god, for deluding the enemies of gods prepare a course of conduct to be followed by heretics. Narrate to them the dark Puranas (i.e. Puranas that will take them astray). O you very intelligent one, also fashion confusing holy texts. There will be brahmanas and great sages who have given themselves away to me.

26-33. Approaching them through devotion for me, tell the vicious ones: Kanada, Gautama, Sakti, Upamanyu, Jaimini, Kapila, Durvasas, Mrkandu, Brihaspati, Bhargava and Jamadagnya are the ten (? ) vicious sages. Desiring to do the good of the world, approach them with your power of suggestion (bhavasakti? ). By your power increased in viciousness infused into them they will be vicious in a moment. There is no doubt about it. Those brahmanas with greater viciousness caused by you, will narrate the vicious Puranas and doctrines in the three worlds. O god, you yourself, wearing the marks like a skull, hide, ash, bones, fully delude the people in the three worlds. So also you, Shiva, prepare the Pasupata order with its divisions like Kankala, iSaiva, Pasanda and Mahasaiva; so also properly prepare the doctrine having no particular marks and outside the Vedic fold. All the mean men will wear ash, bones etc. and will be insensible. The vicious ones will describe you as the highest (god).

34-36a. Taking to their doctrine all the ancient demons will be averse to me in a moment. There is no doubt (about it). O very powerful Rudra, in my incarnations I too shall worship you in every age to delude the vicious ones. Having upheld this doctrine, they will undoubtedly fall. Mahadeva said:

36b-37. O you beautiful one, having heard what Vishnu had said, I, though having a very large mouth (i.e. though a good speaker) became helpless then. Then having saluted the highest god, I said:

38-43. " O god, if I do what you have said on the earth, it will certainly lead to my destruction. O Vishnu, it is possible for me to carry out this mission. Your command is not to be disobeyed. This is very painful." O goddess, when I spoke like this, Vishnu, having again cheered me up, said: " Let this not lead to your destruction. Do as I order you for the good of the deities. O best god, I shall also tell you about the means for your livelihood." Then with compassion he gave me his thousand names (i.e. the hymn called Vishnusahasranama): " Installing me in your heart, mutter my indestructible formula. The very great, sixsyllabled formula is said to be Brahman, the emancipating one. Those who worship me with devotion obtain salvation. There is no doubt about this.

44-46. (Salutation to) him dark like the petal of a blue lotus, having eyes like lotus-petals, holding a conch, a disc, and the Sarriga bow, and adorned with all ornaments. (To him) having put Oil a yellow garment, having four arms, the dear lord of Janaki. 'Salutation to shri Rama': this excellent formula should be muttered. It removes all sins, and gives salvation even to sinners. Muttering this formula everyday you will be free from blemishes.

47-51a. All that sin produced in you due to having (applied) ash and having bones, has all become auspicious due to the auspicious utterance of my formula. O best god, being gratified I shall destroy all sin. O you of a good vow, devotion to other god than me will not come up. Worship me, the lord, the Supreme Being, mentally in your heart. Obey my order. Due to my love, all this will be auspicious for you." Having thus ordered me, O goddess, he dismissed the hosts of gods. The gods, dismissed by him went to their own abodes. Then gods, led by Indra, requested me. Indra and others said:

51b. O god, quickly do that beneficial act as told by Vishnu now. Mahadeva said:

52-56. O auspicious one, for the good of the gods, I took to the way of the heretics, and had skulls, hides, ash and bones. O auspicious one, as told by Vishnu, I prepared the vicious Puranas and the heretic Saiva doctrines. O sinless one, having entered through my power, Gautama and other brahmanas I proclaimed the texts outside the Vedic fold. Resorting to this doctrine, all the wicked demons became averse to the lord (i.e. Vishnu), and were enveloped in vioiousness. Applying ash to their bodies, covered with (i.e. having) very severe penance, they worshipped me only with flesh, blood and sandal.

57-64. On receiving from me grants of boons, they were haughty with pride and power. They were very much attached to objects of senses, and were full of lust and anger. They, void of goodness and powerless, were then defeated by the hosts of gods. Fallen from all righteous paths, they will go to a mean position in (due) time. Those who, bereft of righteous paths, move on the earth by resorting to this doctrine of mine, always see (i.e. go to) hell. O goddess, (this) my course, that is censured, is thus (followed by me) (only) for the good of the gods. Following Vishnu's order I have (applied) ash and (use) bones. O goddess, this is an external mark intended for deluding the foes. In the heart however, I, always meditating upon god Vishnu, just mutter that emancipating formula, telling about Brahman. It is like the (hymn) Sahasranama of Vishriu, Narayana. O auspicious one, constantly muttering the great six-syllabled formula which increased the Raghu-race, we constantly obtain that Brahman which is filled with the nectar of constant joy, which is permanent happiness. O you of an auspicious face, I have told you all this that you had asked. What else do you desire to hear? Ask me that with affection.

 

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