The Skull Sutra

THERE IS MORE than one kapalamochana tirtha. There is one in Varanasi. But there is one in Puri too. Kapala means skull, while mochana means the act of freeing. Kapalamochana means the place where the skull was freed. Most people know that this story is about Brahma’s head (skull) being stuck to Shiva’s hand. Versions of the story differ. Here is the version from Kurma Purana.

On the summit of Meru, the maharshis prostrated themselves and asked Brahma. “What is the single imperishable truth?” Brahma was deluded by Mahesha’s maya. Not knowing Shiva’s nature, he was arrogant enough to say that it was he himself. “I am Dhatri, the origin of the universe. I am Svayambhu, the single Ishvara. I am the supreme Brahman, without a beginning. By worshipping me, one is liberated. I am the one who makes all the devas function and withdraw. In the worlds, there is no one else who is superior to me.”

While he thought of himself in this way, a portion was born from Narayana. He laughed and said, “The three-eyed Shiva is angry. O Brahma! Why have you acted like this? You have been overwhelmed by ignorance. The truth does not exist in you. I am the primordial creator. I am the lord Narayana and the worlds originate in me. Without me, there can never be any life in the universe. I am the supreme resplendence. I am the supreme destination. Urged by me, you have created the world.” In this way, they were deluded and debated, each wishing to be victorious over the other.

The four Vedas arrived at the place where the two divinities were. They saw Brahma and Vishnu. Anxious in their hearts, they spoke about Shiva’s truth. Rig Veda said, “All beings are inside him. Everything flows from him. He is spoken of as supreme. He is the divinity Maheshvara.” Yajur Veda said, “Isha is worshipped through yoga and all sacrifices. The divinity is spoken of as Ishvara. That divinity is the wielder of Pinaka.” Sama Veda said, “He is the one who makes the universe revolve. He is Shiva, inside the firmament. The yogis know the truth about Shankara Mahadeva.” Atharva Veda said, “Mendicants see and worship the supreme lord of devas. He is Mahesha Purusha Rudra. He is the divinity, Bhagavan Bhava.” Brahma heard the auspicious words spoken by the Vedas. Deluded, he replied. “The supreme Brahman is devoid of all attachment. Extremely insolent, he amuses himself with his wife, along with the pramathas.” When this was said, the eternal Bhagavan, whose atman is Pranava and who does not have a form, manifested himself in a form and addressed the grandfather. Pranava said, “Bhagavan Isha does not sport with anyone other than himself. Rudra Maheshvara sports with the one who is no different from him. Bhagavan Isha is eternal and self-luminous. The one who is described as Devi is his own bliss. Shivaa is not someone who has come from outside.” However, because of Ishvara’s maya, understanding did not dawn on Brahma.

At that time, Brahma saw a great radiance. This divine and wonderful sight manifested itself, filling up the space in the firmament. There was a luminous circle in the centre, blazing in energy. This divine splendour appeared in the centre of the firmament. Brahma saw this divine face over his head. There was a terrible circle of radiance, without blemish. Brahma’s fifth head blazed in great rage. In an instant, the great Purusha, Nilalohita, could be seen. The tawny divinity held a trident and a serpent was his sacred thread. Brahma spoke to Shankara Nilalohita. “O Shankara! Earlier, for the sake of jnana, you emerged from my forehead. You appeared in the form of Mahesha. Seek refuge with me.” Ishvara heard the proud words uttered by Brahma. He sent Kalabhairava, who burns up the worlds. Kalabhairava fought an extremely great battle with Brahma. He severed Virinchi’s (Brahma’s) fifth head.

Brahma lost his life. However, Isha’s yoga made him come back to life again. He then saw Ishana, established inside the circle. The eternal Mahadeva was seated with Mahadevi. His bracelet was a king of serpents. The body of the moon was his ornament. He resembled one crore suns. His matted hair was radiant. He wore a garment made out of the hide of a tiger. He wore a divine garland. With a trident in his hand, he was impossible to behold. He was a yogi, with ashes as his ornaments. Those who are devoted to yoga see Ishvara inside their hearts. They see the one and only primordial Mahadeva, the Brahman. The supreme Devi, known as the firmament, is his Shakti. He possesses infinite prosperity and yoga in his atman. Mahesha could thus be seen. He is the seed of everything in the universe. If one sees Rudra even for a single instant, all delusion dissolves away. Brahma and the other devas and rishis who speak about the Brahman constantly worship his lingam. Ishvara’s body is made out of vijnana and the entire universe originates from him. Because of his presence, the eternal Kala controls everything. That Mahadeva was seen. Though he is detached, yogis who know the truth about yoga meditate about union with him. The yogi was seen, along with Devi.

Ishvara heard the proud words uttered by Brahma. He sent Kalabhairava, who burns up the worlds. Kalabhairava fought a great battle with Brahma. He severed Brahma’s fifth head

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Brahma saw the eternal Mahadeva, along with Mahadevi, seated on the supreme seat and got back his memory. He placated the one who grants boons. Brahma said, “I prostrate myself before the great divinity. I prostrate myself before Mahadevi. I prostrate myself before the tranquil Shiva. I always prostrate myself before Shivaa. OUM. I prostrate myself before the Brahman. You are Vidyaa. I prostrate myself before you. O Mahesha! I prostrate myself before you. O primordial Prakriti! I prostrate myself before you. I prostrate myself before the one whose body is vijnana. I prostrate myself before Chintaa. I prostrate myself before Rudra. I bow down. I prostrate myself before Rudrani. I bow down. I prostrate myself before Kala. I bow down. I prostrate myself before Mayaa. I bow down. I prostrate myself before the one who controls all action. I prostrate myself before Prakriti. I prostrate myself before Narayana. I prostrate myself before the one who bestows yoga. I prostrate myself before the guru of yogis. I prostrate myself before the one who resides in samsara. I prostrate myself before the origin of samsara. You are the lord who is constant happiness. I prostrate myself before the one whose form is bliss. I prostrate myself before the one who is devoid of action. I prostrate myself before the Prakriti behind the universe. Your form is OUMKARA and you are established inside it. I prostrate myself before the one who is established in the firmament. I prostrate myself before the Shakti of the firmament. I bow down.” In this way, the grandfather prostrated himself and recited eight verses to Isha and Umaa. Like a rod, he prostrated himself on the ground and chanted Shatarudriya.

Mahadeva Hara is one who removes the afflictions of those who prostrate themselves. He raised Brahma with his two hands and said, “I am pleased with you now.” He gave him the unmatched and great prosperity of supreme yoga. He spoke to Ishvara Rudra Nilalohita, who was standing in front of him. “This Brahma will be established as the first one who will be worshipped in the universe. You should protect him. He is your father and superior in qualities. He is the ancient Purusha. O unblemished one! He should not be killed by you. Because of the great power of his yoga, he has sought refuge with me alone. He is proud that he is the sacrifice. O unblemished one! You should chasten him and carry Virinchi’s pride, his head. To dispel the sin of killing a Brahmana, follow this vrata and display it to the world. Roam around, seeking alms.”

Bhagavan Isha Kapardi Nilalohita made Kalabhairava accept Brahma’s head. “To destroy the sin and to bring welfare to the worlds, roam around, observing the vrata. With the skull in your hand, accept alms everywhere.” Saying this, he sent his daughter, famous as Brahmahatyaa (the personified form of the sin of killing a Brahmana). Her mouth possessed cruel teeth. She was adorned in garlands of flames. She was told, “Until he goes to the divine city of Varanasi, in this terrible form, follow the wielder of the trident.” After this, Maheshvara, the lord of the worlds, spoke to Kalabhairava. “Instructed by me, roam around the entire world, seeking alms. When you see Narayana, the lord of devas who is without ailments, he will clearly tell you the means of cleansing this sin.”

This is what Kalabhairava did. He went to Vishnu. Vishnu told him to go to Varanasi. As soon as Kalabhairava entered the city, Brahmahatyaa lamented loudly. Extremely miserable, she went to Patala. Having entered, Hara Shankara, placed Brahma’s skull in front of the ganas. Mahadeva laid it down and handed over the body to Vishnu. He said, “May this come back to life. If one comes to this excellent tirtha, bathes according to the rules and satisfies the ancestors and devas, one will be freed from the sin of killing a Brahmana.”

This is the story of kapalamochana tirtha in Varanasi, according to Kurma Purana.

About The Author

Bibek Debroy

Bibek Debroy has translated the Mahabharata and the Valmiki Ramayana into English. He is the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

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