The Greatness of the Shiva-lingas

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.2.1)

सूत उवाच । गङ्गातीरे सुप्रसिद्धा काशी खलु विमुक्तिदा । सा हि लिङ्गमयी ज्ञेया शिववासस्थली स्मृता ॥ 2.1 ॥

sūta uvāca gaṅgātīre suprasiddhā kāśī khalu vimuktidā sā hi liṅgamayī jñeyā śivavāsasthalī smṛtā

Suta said: On the bank of the Ganga stands the world-famous Kashi, which surely grants liberation; it should be known as consisting wholly of the linga, and is remembered as Shiva's own dwelling place.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.2.2)

लिङ्गं तत्रैव मुख्यं च सम्प्रोक्तमविमुक्तकम् । कृत्तिवासेश्वरः साक्षात्तत्तुल्यो वृद्धकालकः ॥ 2.2 ॥

liṅgaṁ tatraiva mukhyaṁ ca samproktamavimuktakam kṛttivāseśvaraḥ sākṣāttattulyo vṛddhakālakaḥ

There the chief linga is proclaimed to be Avimuktaka; Krittivaseshvara is directly its equal, and so is Vriddhakalaka.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.2.3)

तिलभाण्डेश्वरश्चैव दशाश्वमेध एव च । गङ्गासागरसंयोगे सङ्गमेश इति स्मृतः ॥ 2.3 ॥

tilabhāṇḍeśvaraścaiva daśāśvamedha eva ca gaṅgāsāgarasaṁyoge saṅgameśa iti smṛtaḥ

Also Tilabhandeshvara, and Dashashvamedha; and at the meeting of Ganga and the ocean, one is remembered as Sangamesha.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.2.4)

भूतेश्वरो यः सम्प्रोक्तो भक्तसर्वार्थदः सदा । नारीश्वर इति ख्यातः कौशिक्याः स समीपगः ॥ 2.4 ॥

bhūteśvaro yaḥ samprokto bhaktasarvārthadaḥ sadā nārīśvara iti khyātaḥ kauśikyāḥ sa samīpagaḥ

Bhuteshvara, who is proclaimed to ever grant devotees all their aims; renowned as Narishvara, he stands near the Kaushiki river.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.2.5)

वर्तते गण्डकीतीरे बटुकेश्वर एव सः । पूरेश्वर इति ख्यातः फल्गुतीरे सुखप्रदः ॥ 2.5 ॥

vartate gaṇḍakītīre baṭukeśvara eva saḥ pūreśvara iti khyātaḥ phalgutīre sukhapradaḥ

He exists on the bank of the Gandaki as Batukeshvara; and, renowned as Pureshvara, he bestows happiness on the bank of the Phalgu.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.2.6)

सिद्धनाथेश्वरश्चैव दर्शनात्सिद्धिदो नृणाम् । दूरेश्वर इति ख्यातः पत्तने चोत्तरे तथा ॥ 2.6 ॥

siddhanātheśvaraścaiva darśanātsiddhido nṛṇām dūreśvara iti khyātaḥ pattane cottare tathā

Also Siddhanatheshvara, who grants perfection to men by mere sight; renowned as Dureshvara in the northern city.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.2.7)

शृङ्गेश्वरश्च नाम्ना वै वैद्यनाथस्तथैव च । जप्येश्वरस्तथा ख्यातो यो दधीचिरणस्थले ॥ 2.7 ॥

śṛṅgeśvaraśca nāmnā vai vaidyanāthastathaiva ca japyeśvarastathā khyāto yo dadhīciraṇasthale

By name Shringeshvara, and likewise Vaidyanatha; renowned too as Japyeshvara, at the place where Dadhichi lived.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.2.8)

गोपेश्वरः समाख्यातो रङ्गेश्वर इति स्मृतः । वामेश्वरश्च नागेशः कामेशो विमलेश्वरः ॥ 2.8 ॥

gopeśvaraḥ samākhyāto raṅgeśvara iti smṛtaḥ vāmeśvaraśca nāgeśaḥ kāmeśo vimaleśvaraḥ

He is called Gopeshvara, and remembered as Rangeshvara; also Vameshvara, Nagesha, Kamesha, and Vimaleshvara.

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.2.9)

व्यासेश्वरश्च विख्यातः सुकेशश्च तथैव हि । भाण्डेश्वरश्च विख्यातो हुङ्कारेशस्तथैव च ॥ 2.9 ॥

vyāseśvaraśca vikhyātaḥ sukeśaśca tathaiva hi bhāṇḍeśvaraśca vikhyāto huṅkāreśastathaiva ca

Vyaseshvara is renowned, and likewise Sukesha; Bhandeshvara too is renowned, and likewise Hunkaresha.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.2.10)

सुरोचनश्च विख्यातो भूतेश्वर इति स्वयम् । सङ्गमेशस्तथा प्रोक्तो महापातकनाशनः ॥ 2.10 ॥

surocanaśca vikhyāto bhūteśvara iti svayam saṅgameśastathā prokto mahāpātakanāśanaḥ

Surochana is renowned, himself as Bhuteshvara; and Sangamesha likewise is proclaimed the destroyer of great sins.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.2.11)

ततश्च तप्तकातीरे कुमारेश्वर एव च । सिद्धेश्वरश्च विख्यातः सेनेशश्च तथा स्मृतः ॥ 2.11 ॥

tataśca taptakātīre kumāreśvara eva ca siddheśvaraśca vikhyātaḥ seneśaśca tathā smṛtaḥ

Then on the bank of the Taptaka is Kumareshvara; Siddheshvara too is renowned, and Senesha likewise remembered.

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.2.12)

रामेश्वर इति प्रोक्तो कुम्भेशश्च परो मतः । नन्दीश्वरश्च पुञ्जेशः पूर्णायां पूर्णकस्तथा ॥ 2.12 ॥

rāmeśvara iti prokto kumbheśaśca paro mataḥ nandīśvaraśca puñjeśaḥ pūrṇāyāṁ pūrṇakastathā

He is proclaimed as Rameshvara, and Kumbhesha is held as another; Nandishvara and Punjesha, and on the Purna river, likewise Purnaka.

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.2.13)

ब्रह्मेश्वरः प्रयागे च ब्रह्मणा स्थापितः पुरा । दशाश्वमेधतीर्थे हि चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदः ॥ 2.13 ॥

brahmeśvaraḥ prayāge ca brahmaṇā sthāpitaḥ purā daśāśvamedhatīrthe hi caturvargaphalapradaḥ

Brahmeshvara stands at Prayaga, established there by Brahma of old; at the Dashashvamedha sacred ford, it grants the fruit of the four aims of life.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.2.14)

तथा सोमेश्वरस्तत्र सर्वापद्विनिवारकः । भारद्वाजेश्वरश्चैव ब्रह्मवर्चःप्रवर्द्धकः ॥ 2.14 ॥

tathā someśvarastatra sarvāpadvinivārakaḥ bhāradvājeśvaraścaiva brahmavarcaḥpravarddhakaḥ

There likewise is Someshvara, remover of all calamities; and Bharadvajeshvara too, increaser of spiritual radiance.

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.2.15)

शूलटङ्केश्वरः साक्षात्कामनाप्रद ईरितः । माधवेशश्च तत्रैव भक्तरक्षाविधायकः ॥ 2.15 ॥

śūlaṭaṅkeśvaraḥ sākṣātkāmanāprada īritaḥ mādhaveśaśca tatraiva bhaktarakṣāvidhāyakaḥ

Shulatankeshvara is directly declared to grant desires; Madhavesha too is there, the protector of devotees.

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.2.16)

नागेशाख्यः प्रसिद्धो हि साकेतनगरे द्विजाः । सूर्यवंशोद्भवानां च विशेषेण सुखप्रदः ॥ 2.16 ॥

nāgeśākhyaḥ prasiddho hi sāketanagare dvijāḥ sūryavaṁśodbhavānāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa sukhapradaḥ

O brahmins, one named Nagesha is renowned in the city of Saketa, especially the bestower of happiness on those born of the solar dynasty.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.2.17)

पुरुषोत्तमपुर्यां तु भुवनेशः सुसिद्धिदः । लोकेशश्च महालिङ्गः सर्वानन्दप्रदायकः ॥ 2.17 ॥

puruṣottamapuryāṁ tu bhuvaneśaḥ susiddhidaḥ lokeśaśca mahāliṅgaḥ sarvānandapradāyakaḥ

In the city of Purushottama is Bhuvanesha, granter of great accomplishment; and Lokesha, the great linga, bestower of all bliss.

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.2.18)

कामेश्वरः शम्भुलिङ्गो गङ्गेशः परशुद्धिकृत् । शुक्रेश्वरः शुक्रसिद्धो लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥ 2.18 ॥

kāmeśvaraḥ śambhuliṅgo gaṅgeśaḥ paraśuddhikṛt śukreśvaraḥ śukrasiddho lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Kameshvara is the linga of Shambhu, Gangesha the worker of highest purity; Shukreshvara grants success in Shukra's rite, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.2.19)

तथा वटेश्वरः ख्यातः सर्वकामफलप्रदः । सिन्धुतीरे कपालेशो वक्त्रेशः सर्वपापहा ॥ 2.19 ॥

tathā vaṭeśvaraḥ khyātaḥ sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ sindhutīre kapāleśo vaktreśaḥ sarvapāpahā

Likewise Vateshvara is renowned, bestower of the fruit of all desires; on the bank of the Sindhu are Kapalesha and Vaktresha, removers of all sins.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.2.20)

धौतपापेश्वरः साक्षादंशेन परमेश्वरः । भीमेश्वर इति प्रोक्तः सूर्येश्वर इति स्मृतः ॥ 2.20 ॥

dhautapāpeśvaraḥ sākṣādaṁśena parameśvaraḥ bhīmeśvara iti proktaḥ sūryeśvara iti smṛtaḥ

Dhautapapeshvara is directly Parameshvara in a partial form; he is proclaimed as Bhimeshvara, and remembered too as Suryeshvara.

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.2.21)

नन्दीश्वरश्च विज्ञेयो ज्ञानदो लोकपूजितः । नाकेश्वरो महापुण्यस्तथा रामेश्वरः स्मृतः ॥ 2.21 ॥

nandīśvaraśca vijñeyo jñānado lokapūjitaḥ nākeśvaro mahāpuṇyastathā rāmeśvaraḥ smṛtaḥ

Nandishvara should be known as the giver of knowledge, worshipped by the world; Nakeshvara, of great merit, and likewise Rameshvara are remembered.

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.2.22)

विमलेश्वरनामा वै कण्टकेश्वर एव च । पूर्वसागरसंयोगे धर्तुकेशस्तथैव च ॥ 2.22 ॥

vimaleśvaranāmā vai kaṇṭakeśvara eva ca pūrvasāgarasaṁyoge dhartukeśastathaiva ca

By the name Vimaleshvara, and likewise Kantakeshvara; and at the meeting-place with the eastern ocean, likewise Dhartukesha.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.2.23)

चन्द्रेश्वरश्च विज्ञेयश्चन्द्रकान्तिफलप्रदः । सर्वकामप्रदश्चैव सिद्धेश्वर इति स्मृतः ॥ 2.23 ॥

candreśvaraśca vijñeyaścandrakāntiphalapradaḥ sarvakāmapradaścaiva siddheśvara iti smṛtaḥ

Chandreshvara should be known as bestower of the fruit of moon-like radiance; and the one granting all desires is remembered as Siddheshvara.

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.2.24)

बिल्वेश्वरश्च विख्यातश्चान्धकेशस्तथैव च । यत्र वा ह्यन्धको दैत्यः शङ्करेण हतः पुरा ॥ 2.24 ॥

bilveśvaraśca vikhyātaścāndhakeśastathaiva ca yatra vā hyandhako daityaḥ śaṅkareṇa hataḥ purā

Bilveshvara is renowned, and likewise Andhakesha, at the very place where the demon Andhaka was slain of old by Shankara.

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.2.25)

अयं स्वरूपमंशेन धृत्वा शम्भुः पुनः स्थितः । शरणेश्वरविख्यातो लोकानां सुखदः सदा ॥ 2.25 ॥

ayaṁ svarūpamaṁśena dhṛtvā śambhuḥ punaḥ sthitaḥ śaraṇeśvaravikhyāto lokānāṁ sukhadaḥ sadā

There, having assumed this form in a partial manifestation, Shambhu remained established once more; renowned as Sharaneshvara, ever the bestower of happiness to the worlds.

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.2.26)

कर्दमेशः परः प्रोक्तः कोटीशश्चार्बुदाचले । अचलेशश्च विख्यातो लोकानां सुखदः सदा ॥ 2.26 ॥

kardameśaḥ paraḥ proktaḥ koṭīśaścārbudācale acaleśaśca vikhyāto lokānāṁ sukhadaḥ sadā

Kardamesha is proclaimed as another, and Kotisha on Mount Arbuda; Achalesha too is renowned, ever the bestower of happiness to the worlds.

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.2.27)

नागेश्वरस्तु कौशिक्यास्तीरे तिष्ठति नित्यशः । अनन्तेश्वरसंज्ञश्च कल्याणशुभभाजनः ॥ 2.27 ॥

nāgeśvarastu kauśikyāstīre tiṣṭhati nityaśaḥ ananteśvarasaṁjñaśca kalyāṇaśubhabhājanaḥ

Nageshvara ever abides on the bank of the Kaushiki; and by the name Ananteshvara, he is the vessel of auspicious welfare.

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.2.28)

योगेश्वरश्च विख्यातो वैद्यनाथेश्वरस्तथा । कोटीश्वरश्च विज्ञेयः सप्तेश्वर इति स्मृतः ॥ 2.28 ॥

yogeśvaraśca vikhyāto vaidyanātheśvarastathā koṭīśvaraśca vijñeyaḥ sapteśvara iti smṛtaḥ

Yogeshvara is renowned, and likewise Vaidyanatheshvara; Kotishvara should be known, remembered too as Sapteshvara.

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.2.29)

भद्रेश्वरश्च विख्यातो भद्रनामा हरः स्वयम् । चण्डीश्वरस्तथा प्रोक्तः सङ्गमेश्वर एव च ॥ 2.29 ॥

bhadreśvaraśca vikhyāto bhadranāmā haraḥ svayam caṇḍīśvarastathā proktaḥ saṅgameśvara eva ca

Bhadreshvara is renowned, Hara himself under the name Bhadra; and likewise Chandishvara is proclaimed, and also Sangameshvara.

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.2.30)

पूर्वस्यां दिशि जातानि शिवलिङ्गानि यानि च । सामान्यान्यपि चान्यानि तानीह कथितानि ते ॥ 2.30 ॥

pūrvasyāṁ diśi jātāni śivaliṅgāni yāni ca sāmānyānyapi cānyāni tānīha kathitāni te

Whatever Shiva-lingas arose in the eastern direction, together with the other, lesser ones as well — these have here been told to you.

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.2.31)

दक्षिणस्यां दिशि तथा शिवलिङ्गानि यानि च । सञ्जातानि मुनिश्रेष्ठ तानि ते कथयाम्यहम् ॥ 2.31 ॥

dakṣiṇasyāṁ diśi tathā śivaliṅgāni yāni ca sañjātāni muniśreṣṭha tāni te kathayāmyaham

O best of sages, now the Shiva-lingas that likewise arose in the southern direction — those I shall relate to you.