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MAHIMNASTOTRA.
A HYMN TO SIVA.
Of the many hymns to Siva, this is perhaps the best known and the favourite. The pious Saivaite repeats it, or has it chanted to him every day and even the less devout read it during a certain fortnight in the year. The hymns in Sivas honour are familiar even to the Sudras, unlike the other prayers and mantras, which may not be repeated except by the Twice-born.
If even the greatest of the gods, in offering praise, The hope of comprehending Thee, in full, resign, So may I not be blamed, if, in my humble ways, I laud Thy name pardon these stumbling words of mine. Although Thy glory indescribable must be Even by the Vedas, though no human tongue may find Words to set forth Thy praise; may I be blessed to see Hints, shadows, symbols of Thee, in my longing mind. Thou canst not wonder at the gracious words of gold, The great god uttered naming thee. Thy soul flowed in, To inspire the words themselves, but may een I be bold To tell Thy glory, and so purify my tongue from sin. Thou Brahma art the good, the all-creating one; And Vishnu, thou preserver, active power; And Siva dark, who, when the destined day is done, Transformest, though the blind scoff in their evil hour. Vain questioners to the blind world in its darkness say, Who is this Lord? What form and feature doth he wear? Of what stuff, and in what unfathomable way, Made be the Universe. So they the world with words ensnare. Can this embodied Universe be uncreae? From who but the Creator, could this world proceed? Who else but Thee would dare an enterprise so great? And yet the unseeing ones mock Thee in word and deed. Though many are the ways by which mans questioning soul Wanders, in Vedas, Systems, Sastras, seeking Thee, Thou art the goal of all for een as rivers roll Many and divers paths, yet all meet in the sea. Though, snared in pleasures toils, the other gods may dwell, Those empty idle joys, thou couldst call forth at will, Touch not Thy calm. Yogi-like, meditating well, Ash-besmeared, snake-encircled, sitst Thou rapt and still.