Auspiciousness!

The Rise of the Breath of Shiva

With the Vernacular Commentary

Having bowed to the Great Lord original: "Maheshvara," a title for Shiva, to the Daughter of the Mountain original: "Shailaja," referring to Parvati, and to the Leader of the Ganas original: "Gananayaka," referring to Ganesha; I worship the Guru and the Supreme Soul, who deliver one from the cycle of worldly existence. || 1 ||

Meaning: I worship—that is, I serve through prostration and other means—the Great God Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, the Guru, and the Supreme Soul who enables one to cross the ocean of worldly existence. || 1 ||

The Goddess said: O God of Gods, Great God, having shown mercy upon me, O Lord, tell me that knowledge which grants all perfections original: "Siddhis," or supernatural powers. || 2 ||

Meaning: Parvati says: O God of the Gods, O Lord, by showing grace to me, speak to me of that knowledge which accomplishes all perfections. || 2 ||

How was the universe original: "Brahmanda," literally the Egg of Brahma created? How does it change and persist? And how, O God, is it dissolved? Tell me the definitive truth of the universe. || 3 ||

Meaning: O God, how is this universe produced, in what manner is it maintained, and how does its dissolution original: "Pralaya" occur? Tell me the decision regarding this universe. || 3 ||

The Lord said: From the Elements term: "Tattvas" — the fundamental principles or building blocks of reality the universe is created; by the Elements it persists; and into the Elements, O Goddess, it is dissolved. This is the definitive truth of the universe. || 4 ||