The Greatness of the Mahabala Shiva-linga

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.10.1)

सूत उवाच । श्रीमतीक्ष्वाकुवंशे हि राजा परमधार्मिकः । आसीन्मित्रसहो नाम श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम् ॥ 10.1 ॥

sūta uvāca śrīmatīkṣvākuvaṁśe hi rājā paramadhārmikaḥ āsīnmitrasaho nāma śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām

Suta said: In the illustrious Ikshvaku dynasty there was a most righteous king named Mitrasaha, foremost among all wielders of the bow.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.10.2)

तस्य राज्ञः सुधर्मिष्ठा मदयन्ती प्रिया शुभा । दमयन्ती नलस्येव बभूव विदिता सती ॥ 10.2 ॥

tasya rājñaḥ sudharmiṣṭhā madayantī priyā śubhā damayantī nalasyeva babhūva viditā satī

That king's most righteous, auspicious, and beloved queen was Madayanti, renowned as a devoted wife, like Damayanti to Nala.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.10.3)

स एकदा हि मृगयास्नेही मित्रसहो नृपः । महद्बलेन संयुक्तो जगाम गहनं वनम् ॥ 10.3 ॥

sa ekadā hi mṛgayāsnehī mitrasaho nṛpaḥ mahadbalena saṁyukto jagāma gahanaṁ vanam

Once, King Mitrasaha, fond of hunting, accompanied by a great army, went into a dense forest.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.10.4)

विहरंस्तत्र स नृपः कमठाह्वं निशाचरम् । निजघान महादुष्टं साधुपीडाकरं खलम् ॥ 10.4 ॥

viharaṁstatra sa nṛpaḥ kamaṭhāhvaṁ niśācaram nijaghāna mahāduṣṭaṁ sādhupīḍākaraṁ khalam

Roaming there, that king slew a night-wanderer named Kamatha, a most wicked and cruel demon who tormented the virtuous.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.10.5)

अथ तस्यानुजः पापी जयेयं छद्मनैव तम् । मत्वा जगाम नृपतेरन्तिकं छद्मकारकः ॥ 10.5 ॥

atha tasyānujaḥ pāpī jayeyaṁ chadmanaiva tam matvā jagāma nṛpaterantikaṁ chadmakārakaḥ

Then that demon's sinful younger brother, thinking, "I shall conquer him by deceit alone," went, a deceiver, into the king's presence.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.10.6)

तं विनम्राकृतिं दृष्ट्वा भृत्यतां कर्तुमागतम् । चक्रे महानसाध्यक्षमज्ञानात्स महीपतिः ॥ 10.6 ॥

taṁ vinamrākṛtiṁ dṛṣṭvā bhṛtyatāṁ kartumāgatam cakre mahānasādhyakṣamajñānātsa mahīpatiḥ

Seeing him of humble appearance, come to serve, the king unknowingly appointed him superintendent of the royal kitchen.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.10.7)

अथ तस्मिन्वने राजा कियत्कालं विहृत्य सः । निवृत्तो मृगयां हित्वा स्वपुरीमाययौ मुदा ॥ 10.7 ॥

atha tasminvane rājā kiyatkālaṁ vihṛtya saḥ nivṛtto mṛgayāṁ hitvā svapurīmāyayau mudā

Then, having sported in that forest for some time, the king, giving up the hunt, returned joyfully to his own city.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.10.8)

पितुः क्षयाहे सम्प्राप्ते निमन्त्र्य स्वगुरुं नृपः । वसिष्ठं गृहमानिन्ये भोजयामास भक्तितः ॥ 10.8 ॥

pituḥ kṣayāhe samprāpte nimantrya svaguruṁ nṛpaḥ vasiṣṭhaṁ gṛhamāninye bhojayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

When his father's death-anniversary rite arrived, the king invited his own guru Vasishtha, brought him to his house, and fed him with devotion.

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.10.9)

रक्षसा सूदरूपेण सम्मिश्रितनरामिषम् । शाकामिषं पुरः क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वा गुरुरथाब्रवीत् ॥ 10.9 ॥

rakṣasā sūdarūpeṇa sammiśritanarāmiṣam śākāmiṣaṁ puraḥ kṣiptaṁ dṛṣṭvā gururathābravīt

Seeing the dish placed before him, mixed with human flesh by the demon disguised as a cook, the guru then spoke.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.10.10)

गुरुरुवाच । धिक् त्वां नरामिषं राजंस्त्वयैतच्छद्मकारिणा । खलेनोपहृतं मह्यं ततो रक्षो भविष्यसि ॥ 10.10 ॥

gururuvāca dhik tvāṁ narāmiṣaṁ rājaṁstvayaitacchadmakāriṇā khalenopahṛtaṁ mahyaṁ tato rakṣo bhaviṣyasi

The guru said: Shame on you, O king! You, a deceiver, have wickedly offered me this human flesh; therefore you shall become a demon.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.10.11)

रक्षःकृतं च विज्ञाय तदैवं स गुरुस्तदा । पुनर्विमृश्य तं शापं चकार द्वादशाब्दिकम् ॥ 10.11 ॥

rakṣaḥkṛtaṁ ca vijñāya tadaivaṁ sa gurustadā punarvimṛśya taṁ śāpaṁ cakāra dvādaśābdikam

Then, on realizing that it had been done by the demon, that guru reconsidered and limited the curse to a term of twelve years.

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.10.12)

स राजानुचितं शापं विज्ञाय क्रोधमूर्छितः । जलाञ्जलिं समादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यतः ॥ 10.12 ॥

sa rājānucitaṁ śāpaṁ vijñāya krodhamūrchitaḥ jalāñjaliṁ samādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ

That king, learning of the unjust curse, overcome with rage, took water in his cupped hands, ready to curse the guru in return.

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.10.13)

तदा च तत्प्रिया साध्वी मदयन्ती सुधर्मिणी । पतित्वा पादयोस्तस्य शापं तं हि न्यवारयत् ॥ 10.13 ॥

tadā ca tatpriyā sādhvī madayantī sudharmiṇī patitvā pādayostasya śāpaṁ taṁ hi nyavārayat

Then his devoted, most righteous wife Madayanti, falling at his feet, restrained him from that curse.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.10.14)

ततो निवृत्तशापस्तु तस्या वचनगौरवात् । तत्याज पादयोरम्भः पादौ कल्मषतां गतौ ॥ 10.14 ॥

tato nivṛttaśāpastu tasyā vacanagauravāt tatyāja pādayorambhaḥ pādau kalmaṣatāṁ gatau

Then, the curse withheld out of respect for her words, he let fall the water from his hands — and his own two feet turned discoloured.

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.10.15)

ततःप्रभृति राजा भूत्स लोकेऽस्मिन्मुनीश्वराः । कल्मषाङ्घ्रिरिति ख्यातः प्रभावात्तज्जलस्य हि ॥ 10.15 ॥

tataḥprabhṛti rājā bhūtsa loke’sminmunīśvarāḥ kalmaṣāṅghririti khyātaḥ prabhāvāttajjalasya hi

O great sages, from then on that king became known in this world as "Kalmashapada" (Spotted-Foot), by the power of that water.

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.10.16)

राजा मित्रसहः शापाद् गुरोरॄषिवरस्य हि । बभूव राक्षसो घोरो हिंसको वनगोचरः ॥ 10.16 ॥

rājā mitrasahaḥ śāpād gurorṝṣivarasya hi babhūva rākṣaso ghoro hiṁsako vanagocaraḥ

By the curse of his guru, the excellent sage, King Mitrasaha became a terrible, violent demon roaming the forest.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.10.17)

स बिभ्रद्राक्षसं रूपं कालान्तकयमोपमम् । चखाद विविधाञ्जन्तून् मानुषादीन्वनेचरः ॥ 10.17 ॥

sa bibhradrākṣasaṁ rūpaṁ kālāntakayamopamam cakhāda vividhāñjantūn mānuṣādīnvanecaraḥ

Bearing a demonic form like Yama, the destroyer at time's end, he, roaming the forest, devoured various creatures, humans among them.

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.10.18)

स कदाचिद्वने क्वापि रममाणौ किशोरकौ । अपश्यदन्तकाकारो नवोढौ मुनिदम्पती ॥ 10.18 ॥

sa kadācidvane kvāpi ramamāṇau kiśorakau apaśyadantakākāro navoḍhau munidampatī

Once, that being of Yama-like form saw, somewhere in the forest, a young, newly-wed sage-couple at play together.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.10.19)

राक्षसः स नराहारः किशोरं मुनिनन्दनम् । जग्धुं जग्राह शापार्त्तो व्याघ्रो मृगशिशुं यथा ॥ 10.19 ॥

rākṣasaḥ sa narāhāraḥ kiśoraṁ muninandanam jagdhuṁ jagrāha śāpārtto vyāghro mṛgaśiśuṁ yathā

That flesh-eating demon, tormented by the curse, seized the young sage's son to devour him, as a tiger seizes a fawn.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.10.20)

कक्षे गृहीतं भर्तारं दृष्ट्वा भीता च तत्प्रिया । सा चक्रे प्रार्थनां तस्मै वदती करुणं वचः ॥ 10.20 ॥

kakṣe gṛhītaṁ bhartāraṁ dṛṣṭvā bhītā ca tatpriyā sā cakre prārthanāṁ tasmai vadatī karuṇaṁ vacaḥ

Seeing her husband seized under his arm, his frightened wife made entreaty to him, speaking piteous words.

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.10.21)

प्रार्थ्यमानोऽपि बहुशः पुरुषादः स निर्घृणः । चखाद शिर उत्कृत्य विप्रसूनोर्दुराशयः ॥ 10.21 ॥

prārthyamāno’pi bahuśaḥ puruṣādaḥ sa nirghṛṇaḥ cakhāda śira utkṛtya viprasūnordurāśayaḥ

Though entreated repeatedly, that pitiless man-eater, of evil intent, tore off the brahmin youth's head and devoured it.

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.10.22)

अथ साध्वी च सा दीना विलप्य भृशदुःखिता । आहृत्य भर्तुरस्थीनि चितां चक्रे किलोल्बणाम् ॥ 10.22 ॥

atha sādhvī ca sā dīnā vilapya bhṛśaduḥkhitā āhṛtya bharturasthīni citāṁ cakre kilolbaṇām

Then that devoted, wretched woman, weeping and utterly grief-stricken, gathered her husband's bones and built a great funeral pyre.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.10.23)

भर्तारमनुगच्छन्ती संविशन्ती हुताशनम् । राजानं राक्षसाकारं सा शशाप द्विजाङ्गना ॥ 10.23 ॥

bhartāramanugacchantī saṁviśantī hutāśanam rājānaṁ rākṣasākāraṁ sā śaśāpa dvijāṅganā

Following her husband, entering the fire herself, that brahmin woman cursed the king in his demon form.

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.10.24)

अद्यप्रभृति नारीषु यदा त्वं सङ्गतो भवेः । तदा मृतिस्तवेत्युक्त्वा विवेश ज्वलनं सती ॥ 10.24 ॥

adyaprabhṛti nārīṣu yadā tvaṁ saṅgato bhaveḥ tadā mṛtistavetyuktvā viveśa jvalanaṁ satī

"From this day forth, the moment you unite with a woman, that shall be your death" — saying this, the chaste woman entered the flames.

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.10.25)

सोऽपि राजा गुरोः शापमनुभूय कृतावधिम् । पुनः स्वरूपमास्थाय स्वगृहं मुदितो ययौ ॥ 10.25 ॥

so’pi rājā guroḥ śāpamanubhūya kṛtāvadhim punaḥ svarūpamāsthāya svagṛhaṁ mudito yayau

That king too, having undergone the guru's curse for its fixed term, resumed his own form and went joyfully to his own home.

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.10.26)

ज्ञात्वा विप्रसतीशापं मदयन्ती रतिप्रियम् । पतिं निवारयामास वैधव्यादतिबिभ्यती ॥ 10.26 ॥

jñātvā viprasatīśāpaṁ madayantī ratipriyam patiṁ nivārayāmāsa vaidhavyādatibibhyatī

Learning of the brahmin-wife's curse, Madayanti, greatly fearing widowhood, restrained her husband, who was inclined to intimacy.

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.10.27)

अनपत्यो विनिर्विण्णो राज्यभोगेषु पार्थिवः । विसृज्य सकलां लक्ष्मीं वनमेव जगाम ह ॥ 10.27 ॥

anapatyo vinirviṇṇo rājyabhogeṣu pārthivaḥ visṛjya sakalāṁ lakṣmīṁ vanameva jagāma ha

Childless and disillusioned with the enjoyments of kingship, the king renounced all his royal fortune and went indeed to the forest.

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.10.28)

स्वपृष्ठतः समायान्तीं ब्रह्महत्यां सुदुःखदाम् । ददर्श विकटाकारां तर्जयन्तीं मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 10.28 ॥

svapṛṣṭhataḥ samāyāntīṁ brahmahatyāṁ suduḥkhadām dadarśa vikaṭākārāṁ tarjayantīṁ muhurmuhuḥ

He saw, coming behind him, the personified sin of brahmin-slaying, most grievous, of a hideous form, threatening him again and again.

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.10.29)

तस्या निर्भद्रमन्विच्छन् राजा निर्विण्णमानसः । चकार नानोपायान्स जपव्रतमखादिकान् ॥ 10.29 ॥

tasyā nirbhadramanvicchan rājā nirviṇṇamānasaḥ cakāra nānopāyānsa japavratamakhādikān

Seeking its removal, that king, dejected in mind, performed many remedies — japa, vows, sacrifices, and the like.

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.10.30)

नानोपायैर्यदा राज्ञस्तीर्थस्नानादिभिर्द्विजाः । न निवृत्ता ब्रह्महत्या मिथिलां स ययौ तदा ॥ 10.30 ॥

nānopāyairyadā rājñastīrthasnānādibhirdvijāḥ na nivṛttā brahmahatyā mithilāṁ sa yayau tadā

O brahmins, when by many such means — bathing at sacred fords and the rest — the king's brahmin-slaying sin did not depart, he then went to Mithila.

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.10.31)

बाह्योद्यानगतस्तस्याश्चिन्तया परयार्दितः । ददर्श मुनिमायान्तं गौतमं पार्थिवश्च सः ॥ 10.31 ॥

bāhyodyānagatastasyāścintayā parayārditaḥ dadarśa munimāyāntaṁ gautamaṁ pārthivaśca saḥ

Having gone to a garden outside the city, tormented by that supreme anxiety, that king saw the sage Gautama approaching.

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.10.32)

अभिसृत्य स राजेन्द्रो गौतमं विमलाशयम् । तद्दर्शनाप्तकिञ्चित्कः प्रणनाम मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 10.32 ॥

abhisṛtya sa rājendro gautamaṁ vimalāśayam taddarśanāptakiñcitkaḥ praṇanāma muhurmuhuḥ

Approaching the pure-minded Gautama, that lord of kings, having gained some small relief merely by seeing him, bowed to him again and again.

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.10.33)

अथ तत्पृष्टकुशलो दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वसन् । तत्कृपादृष्टिसम्प्राप्तसुखः प्रोवाच तं नृपः ॥ 10.33 ॥

atha tatpṛṣṭakuśalo dīrghamuṣṇaṁ ca niḥśvasan tatkṛpādṛṣṭisamprāptasukhaḥ provāca taṁ nṛpaḥ

Then, having been asked after his welfare, sighing long and hot, and having gained some happiness from Gautama's compassionate glance, the king spoke to him.

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.10.34)

राजोवाच । मुने मां बाधते ह्येषा ब्रह्महत्या दुरत्यया । अलक्षिता परैस्तात तर्जयन्ती पदे पदे ॥ 10.34 ॥

rājovāca mune māṁ bādhate hyeṣā brahmahatyā duratyayā alakṣitā paraistāta tarjayantī pade pade

The king said: O sage, this brahmin-slaying sin, hard to overcome, torments me — unseen by others, O father, yet threatening me at every step.

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.10.35)

यन्मया शापदग्धेन विप्रपुत्रश्च भक्षितः । तत्पापस्य न शान्तिर्हि प्रायश्चित्तसहस्रकैः ॥ 10.35 ॥

yanmayā śāpadagdhena vipraputraśca bhakṣitaḥ tatpāpasya na śāntirhi prāyaścittasahasrakaiḥ

Because I, consumed by the curse, devoured a brahmin's son — that sin finds no peace even through thousands of atonements.

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.10.36)

नानोपायाः कृता मे हि तच्छान्त्यै भ्रमता मुने । न निवृत्ता ब्रह्महत्या मम पापात्मनः किमु ॥ 10.36 ॥

nānopāyāḥ kṛtā me hi tacchāntyai bhramatā mune na nivṛttā brahmahatyā mama pāpātmanaḥ kimu

O sage, wandering about for its pacification, I have tried many remedies, yet the brahmin-slaying sin of my sinful self has not departed — what more can I do?

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.10.37)

अद्य मे जन्मसाफल्यं सम्प्राप्तमिव लक्षये । यतस्त्वद्दर्शनादेव ममानन्दभरोऽभवत् ॥ 10.37 ॥

adya me janmasāphalyaṁ samprāptamiva lakṣaye yatastvaddarśanādeva mamānandabharo’bhavat

Today I feel as though my birth has been fulfilled, since your very sight alone has filled me with a wealth of joy.

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.10.38)

अद्य मे तव पादाब्जशरणस्य कृतैनसः । शान्तिं कुरु महाभाग येनाहं सुखमाप्नुयाम् ॥ 10.38 ॥

adya me tava pādābjaśaraṇasya kṛtainasaḥ śāntiṁ kuru mahābhāga yenāhaṁ sukhamāpnuyām

Today, of me, a sinner who has taken refuge at your lotus feet, grant peace, O most fortunate one, so that I may attain happiness.

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.10.39)

सूत उवाच । इति राज्ञा समादिष्टो गौतमः करुणार्द्रधीः । समादिदेश घोराणामघानां साधु निष्कृतिम् ॥ 10.39 ॥

sūta uvāca iti rājñā samādiṣṭo gautamaḥ karuṇārdradhīḥ samādideśa ghorāṇāmaghānāṁ sādhu niṣkṛtim

Suta said: Thus addressed by the king, Gautama, his mind melted with compassion, prescribed the proper expiation for such terrible sins.

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.10.40)

गौतम उवाच । साधु राजेन्द्र धन्योऽसि महाघेभ्यो भयं त्यज । शिवे शास्तरि भक्तानां क्व भयं शरणैषिणाम् ॥ 10.40 ॥

gautama uvāca sādhu rājendra dhanyo’si mahāghebhyo bhayaṁ tyaja śive śāstari bhaktānāṁ kva bhayaṁ śaraṇaiṣiṇām

Gautama said: Well done, O lord of kings, blessed are you! Give up your fear of these great sins. When Shiva himself is the ruler, what fear can there be for devotees who seek refuge?

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.10.41)

शृणु राजन्महाभाग क्षेत्रमन्यत्प्रतिष्ठितम् । महापातकसंहारि गोकर्णाख्यं शिवालयम् ॥ 10.41 ॥

śṛṇu rājanmahābhāga kṣetramanyatpratiṣṭhitam mahāpātakasaṁhāri gokarṇākhyaṁ śivālayam

Listen, O most fortunate king: there is another established holy place, destroyer of the greatest sins, the abode of Shiva called Gokarna.

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.10.42)

तत्र स्थितिर्न पापानां महद्भ्यो महतामपि । महाबलाभिधानेन शिवः सन्निहितः स्वयम् ॥ 10.42 ॥

tatra sthitirna pāpānāṁ mahadbhyo mahatāmapi mahābalābhidhānena śivaḥ sannihitaḥ svayam

There, sins have no lasting place, however great; for Shiva himself dwells there present, under the name Mahabala.

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.10.43)

सर्वेषां शिवलिङ्गानां सार्वभौमो महाबलः । चतुर्युगे चतुर्वर्णः सर्वपापापहारकः ॥ 10.43 ॥

sarveṣāṁ śivaliṅgānāṁ sārvabhaumo mahābalaḥ caturyuge caturvarṇaḥ sarvapāpāpahārakaḥ

Mahabala is the sovereign lord of all Shiva-lingas, present through the four ages in four forms, remover of all sins.

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.10.44)

पश्चिमाम्बुधितीरस्थं गोकर्णं तीर्थमुत्तमम् । तत्रास्ति शिवलिङ्गं तन्महापातकनाशकम् ॥ 10.44 ॥

paścimāmbudhitīrasthaṁ gokarṇaṁ tīrthamuttamam tatrāsti śivaliṅgaṁ tanmahāpātakanāśakam

Situated on the shore of the western ocean is the excellent holy place, Gokarna; there stands that Shiva-linga, destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.10.45)

तत्र गत्वा महापापाः स्नात्वा तीर्थेषु भूरिशः । महाबलं च सम्पूज्य प्रयाताः शाङ्करं पदम् ॥ 10.45 ॥

tatra gatvā mahāpāpāḥ snātvā tīrtheṣu bhūriśaḥ mahābalaṁ ca sampūjya prayātāḥ śāṅkaraṁ padam

Going there, even great sinners, having bathed abundantly at the holy fords and worshipped Mahabala, have attained the abode of Shankara.

Verse 46 (shiva.kotirudra.10.46)

तथा त्वमपि राजेन्द्र गोकर्णं गिरिशालयम् । गत्वा सम्पूज्य तल्लिङ्गं कृतकृत्यत्वमाप्नुयाः ॥ 10.46 ॥

tathā tvamapi rājendra gokarṇaṁ giriśālayam gatvā sampūjya talliṅgaṁ kṛtakṛtyatvamāpnuyāḥ

So you too, O lord of kings, going to Gokarna, the abode of the Mountain-Lord, and worshipping that linga, may attain fulfilment.

Verse 47 (shiva.kotirudra.10.47)

तत्र सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य महाबलम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोकं त्वमाप्नुयाः ॥ 10.47 ॥

tatra sarveṣu tīrtheṣu snātvābhyarcya mahābalam sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śivalokaṁ tvamāpnuyāḥ

There, having bathed in all the holy fords and worshipped Mahabala, freed from all sin, you shall attain the world of Shiva.

Verse 48 (shiva.kotirudra.10.48)

सूत उवाच । इत्यादिष्टः स मुनिना गौतमेन महात्मना । महाहृष्टमना राजा गोकर्णं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ 10.48 ॥

sūta uvāca ityādiṣṭaḥ sa muninā gautamena mahātmanā mahāhṛṣṭamanā rājā gokarṇaṁ pratyapadyata

Suta said: Thus instructed by the great-souled sage Gautama, the king, his mind filled with great joy, set out for Gokarna.

Verse 49 (shiva.kotirudra.10.49)

तत्र तीर्थेषु सुस्नात्वा समभ्यर्च्य महाबलम् । निर्धूताशेषपापौघोऽलभच्छम्भोः परं पदम् ॥ 10.49 ॥

tatra tīrtheṣu susnātvā samabhyarcya mahābalam nirdhūtāśeṣapāpaugho’labhacchambhoḥ paraṁ padam

Having bathed well there in the holy fords and duly worshipped Mahabala, his entire flood of sin washed away, he obtained the supreme abode of Shambhu.

Verse 50 (shiva.kotirudra.10.50)

य इमां शृणुयान्नित्यं महाबलकथां प्रियाम् । त्रिसप्तकुलजैः सार्धं शिवलोके व्रजत्यसौ ॥ 10.50 ॥

ya imāṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ mahābalakathāṁ priyām trisaptakulajaiḥ sārdhaṁ śivaloke vrajatyasau

Whoever regularly listens to this dear story of Mahabala goes to the world of Shiva together with twenty-one generations of his family.

Verse 51 (shiva.kotirudra.10.51)

इति वश्च समाख्यातं माहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम् । महाबलस्य गिरिशलिङ्गस्य निखिलाघहृत् ॥ 10.51 ॥

iti vaśca samākhyātaṁ māhātmyaṁ paramādbhutam mahābalasya giriśaliṅgasya nikhilāghahṛt

Thus have I told you the supremely wondrous greatness of Mahabala, the linga of the Mountain-Lord, destroyer of all sin.