śiva-bhakta vilāsam

As Narrated by Sage Upamanyu
in

Skānda Upapurānam

translated by

Lingeswara Rao

Publisher’s Note

A Tamil devotee said that that visit (Sambandha’s to Aruṇācalam) was not clearly mentioned in Peria Purāṇam to which Bhagavān replied as follows:- “No. It is not in Peria Purāṇam. But it is stated in Upamanyu’s śivabhaktavilāsam in Sanskrit. Sambandha worshipped Śiva in Arakanḍanallūr. . . . and then proceeded on his journey. Out of His affection for Sambandha, who was serving Him with reverence, God Himself, it would appear, invited him to this hill (Aruṇagiri).” So saying, Bhagavān resumed silence, with his heart filled with devotion and his voice trembling with emotion.

– Letters from Śrī Ramaṇāśramam, I:86

...

om namo bhagavate śrī ramaṇāya

Translator’s Note

On the Vikrama Vijaya Daśami (Devī Navarātri, 2000), the President of Śrī Ramaṇāśramam offered me the noble task of rendering the Sanskrit Śivabhaktavilāsam of Upamanyu into English and Telugu. I am ever indebted to him for giving me the opportunity to soar high in the limitless expanse of śivapremarasam pervading the nectarine torrents of devotion, overflowing the pages of this book. This translation was only possible by the unfathomable glory of Bhagavān Śrī Ramaṇa, by whose Grace the mute becomes eloquent (mūkam karoti vācālam) and vice versa. Over a decade ago, Śrī Dennis Hartel of Aruṇācala Āśrama asked me to translate the stories of the Peria Purāṇam into English. It is only now that his kind suggestion has been realised, by the grace of Śrī Bhagavān. I express my deep sense of gratitude to Śrīmati A.A.Devi and Śrī G.S.Murty who typed the manuscript. The latter also helped in typing and editing it on the computer. May Śrī BhagavÅn bless Ravi, who did most of the sketches as his debut service, to improve and flourish. Many others took part in this ennobling service. I pray we all continue to qualify for His grace. Vijaya Daśami, Vṛṣa (2001)

– Lingeswara Rao
Bhimavaram, Āndhra Pradesh

Note: A copy of the original text in Devanāgari which was perused and corrected by Śrī Bhagavān can be found in the Library of Śrī Ramaṇāśramam.