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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 24: Verses 16-31
The hymn sung by Lord Siva (and taught to the Pracetas)
Vidura said : Pray, tell me, O holy sage, how came about the meeting of the Pracetas with Lord Siva on the way, and what significant precept Lord Hara (the Destroyer of the universe) was pleased to impart to them. It is indeed difficult for mortals, O Brahmana sage, to get an opportunity to meet Lord Siva, on whom (even) sages have only been able to contemplate as the cherished object of their desire by shaking off all attachment. Though revelling in the Self, Lord Bhava (the Source of all creation) goes about the world
associated with His terrible (destructive) energy (in the person of Goddess Siva) for the maintenance of the world order. Maitreya went on : Having received their father's command with bowed heads, the pious Pracetas set out in a westerly direction with their mind earnestly set on austerities. (At some distance) they saw a very large lake almost as extensive as a sea and pellucid as the mind of an exalted soul, with the creatures inhabiting it (ever) cheerful. A home of blue and red lilies, lotuses, Kahlaras (lilies blossoming at dusk) and blue lotuses, the lake resounded with the notes of swans, cranes, Cakravakas (ruddy geese) and Karandavas (a species of ducks). Hemmed in by creepers and trees which were thrilled with joy (as it were) to hear the sweet humming of drunken bees, it presented a gala appearance due to the breeze scattering in all directions the pollen from the seed-vessel of (full-blown) lotuses. The princes were wonder-struck to hear music which ravished the mind by its weird style and was preceded by the sound of clay and wooden tomtoms. That very moment they were filled with curiosity to behold the dark-necked and three-eyed Lord Siva (the foremost of gods), refulgent like a mass of red-hot gold and inclined to shower His grace (on His votaries), issuing from the lake with His retinue, His glories being sung by Gandharvas and Kinnaras (attendants of the gods); and the princes bowed to Him. The Lord, who relieves the agony of His suppliants and is a lover of righteousness, gladly spoke to the princes, who were not only well-versed in the moral code but (also) possessed a noble character and felt (much) delighted (at His sight). Sri Rudra said : You are the sons of king Vedisad (Barhisad); your intention (too) is known to Me. It is only to shower My grace on you, may all be well with you, that I have thus blessed you with My sight. He is indeed (supremely) dear to Me, who has directly taken refuge in Lord Vasudeva, who is beyond both the Unmanifest, consisting of the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), and the Spirit, known by the name of Jiva. A man devoted to his own duty (prescribed in the Sastras) attains to the position of Brahma (the creator) after a hundred lives and realizes Me (only) if he has acquired still higher merit. A devotee of the Lord, on the other hand, ascends immediately after death to the (supreme) Abode of Bhagavan Visnu, which lies entirely beyond the realm of Matter and which Myself (as Rudra) and the (other) gods (holding some cffice in the cosmic order) shall reach (only) after the dissolution of our subtle body (at the expiry of our term of office). Now you are (all) devotees of the Lord and as such are dear to Me as the Lord (Himself). And to the votaries of the Lord either, no one else is ever dearer than Myself. (Now) distinctly hear this holy and supremely auspicious hymn, which is also conducive to final beatitude; I (hereby) impart it to you.
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