Devanagari
तमाह चाङ्गालमलं वृणीष्व मे
यथाभिकामं वितरामि ते वरम् ।
प्रीयेय तोयेन नृणां प्रपद्यता-
महो त्वयात्मा भृशमर्द्यते वृथा ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
tam āha cāṅgālam alaṁ vṛṇīṣva me
yathābhikāmaṁ vitarāmi te varam
prīyeya toyena nṛṇāṁ prapadyatām
aho tvayātmā bhṛśam ardyate vṛthā
Synonyms
tam
—
to him
;
āha
—
he (Lord Śiva) said
;
ca
—
and
;
aṅga
—
my dear
;
alam alam
—
enough, enough
;
vṛṇīṣva
—
please choose a benediction
;
me
—
from me
;
yathā
—
howsoever
;
abhikāmam
—
you desire
;
vitarāmi
—
I will bestow
;
te
—
to you
;
varam
—
your chosen boon
;
prīyeya
—
I become pleased
;
toyena
—
with water
;
nṛṇām
—
from persons
;
prapadyatām
—
who approach me for shelter
;
aho
—
ah
;
tvayā
—
by you
;
ātmā
—
your body
;
bhṛśam
—
excessively
;
ardyate
—
tormented
;
vṛthā
—
in vain .
Translation
Lord Śiva said to him: My friend, please stop, stop! Ask from me whatever you want, and I will bestow that boon upon you. Alas, you have subjected your body to great torment for no reason, since I am pleased with a simple offering of water from those who approach me for shelter.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Lord Śiva said to him: My friend, please stop, stop! Ask from me whatever you want, and I will bestow that boon upon you. Alas, you have subjected your body to great torment for no reason, since I am pleased with a simple offering of water from those who approach me for shelter.
KB 10.88.20
Then Lord Śiva told the demon, “My dear Vṛkāsura, you do not need to cut off your head. You may ask from me any benediction you like, and I shall fulfill your desire. I do not know why you wanted to cut off your head to satisfy me. I become satisfied even by an offering of a little water.” Actually, according to the Vedic process, the śiva-liṅga in the temple or the form of Lord Śiva in the temple is worshiped simply by offering Ganges water, because it is said that Lord Śiva is greatly satisfied when Ganges water is poured upon his head. Generally, devotees offer Ganges water and the leaves of the bilva tree, which are especially meant for offering to Lord Śiva and Goddess Durgā. The fruit of this tree is also offered to Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva assured Vṛkāsura that he is satisfied by a very simple process of worship. Why then was he so eager to cut off his head, and why was he taking so much pain by cutting his body to pieces and offering it in the fire? There was no need of such severe penances. Anyway, out of compassion and sympathy, Lord Śiva prepared to give him any benediction he liked.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
It is not necessary to cut off your head (alam alam).
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Aṅga indicates affection. There is no purpose in cutting off your head (alam). He repeats alam to show his pain. Instead of yathābhikāmam sometimes yathā nikāmma is seen. Ask from me a benediction, anything you desire. I will give you that benediction. Aho indicates lamentation.
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
none
Aṅga indicates affection. There is no purpose in cutting off your head (alam). He repeats alam to show his pain. Instead of yathābhikāmam sometimes yathā nikāma is seen. Ask from me a benediction, anything you desire. I will give you that benediction. Aho indicates lamentation.