Gautama's Welcome and Brahma's Deliverance at Arunachala

Verse 1 (skanda.1.106.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अरण्याद्गौतमं शांतमुटजद्वार आगतम् । प्रत्याधातुं प्रववृते शिवभक्तिर्जगन्मयी

brahmovāca araṇyādgautamaṁ śāṁtamuṭajadvāra āgatam pratyādhātuṁ pravavṛte śivabhaktirjaganmayī

Brahma said: As the tranquil Gautama, returning from the forest, arrived at the door of his hut, devotion to Shiva, in the form of the mother of the world, rose to receive him.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.106.2)

आलुलोके समायातं गौतमं शिष्यसेवितम् । लंबमानशिरःश्मश्रुसम्पूर्णमुखमण्डलम्

āluloke samāyātaṁ gautamaṁ śiṣyasevitam laṁbamānaśiraḥśmaśrusampūrṇamukhamaṇḍalam

She beheld Gautama arriving, attended by his disciples — his whole face framed by hanging locks and beard.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.106.3)

जटाभिरतिताम्राभिस्तीर्थस्नानविशुद्धिभिः । न्यस्तरुद्राक्षमणिभिर्ज्वालाभिरिव पावकम्

jaṭābhiratitāmrābhistīrthasnānaviśuddhibhiḥ nyastarudrākṣamaṇibhirjvālābhiriva pāvakam

His matted locks deep copper in hue, purified by bathing in holy waters, set with rudraksha beads, like the very flames of fire.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.106.4)

भस्मत्रिपुण्ड्रकोपेतविशालनिटिलोज्वलम् । शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतेन पूर्णं रुद्राक्षदामभिः

bhasmatripuṇḍrakopetaviśālaniṭilojvalam śuklayajñopavītena pūrṇaṁ rudrākṣadāmabhiḥ

His broad forehead radiant with the ash of the triple stripe, resplendent with a white sacred thread and full of rudraksha garlands.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.106.5)

दधानं वल्कले रक्ते तपः कृशितविग्रहम् । जपंतं वैदिकान्मंत्रान्रुद्रप्रीतिकरान्बहून्

dadhānaṁ valkale rakte tapaḥ kṛśitavigraham japaṁtaṁ vaidikānmaṁtrānrudraprītikarānbahūn

Wearing red bark, his body worn thin by austerity, repeating many Vedic mantras dear to Rudra.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.106.6)

शम्भुनावसितोदात्तसारूप्यमिव भाषितम् । तेजोनिधिं दयापूर्णं प्रत्यक्षमिव भास्करम्

śambhunāvasitodāttasārūpyamiva bhāṣitam tejonidhiṁ dayāpūrṇaṁ pratyakṣamiva bhāskaram

As if he had already attained a lofty sameness of form with Shambhu himself; a very treasury of light, full of compassion, as if the sun made visible.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.106.7)

आलोक्य तं महात्मानं वृद्धं शंभुपदाश्रयम् । कृतांजलिपुटा गौरी प्रणन्तुमुपचक्रमे

ālokya taṁ mahātmānaṁ vṛddhaṁ śaṁbhupadāśrayam kṛtāṁjalipuṭā gaurī praṇantumupacakrame

Beholding that aged great soul, who had taken refuge at Shambhu's feet, Gauri, joining her hands, made ready to bow before him.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.106.8)

कृतांजलिं मुनिर्वीक्ष्य समस्तजगदम्बिकाम् । किमेतदिति साश्चर्यं वारयन्प्रणनाम सः

kṛtāṁjaliṁ munirvīkṣya samastajagadambikām kimetaditi sāścaryaṁ vārayanpraṇanāma saḥ

Beholding Ambika, mother of the whole world, standing with joined hands, the sage, exclaiming in wonder, 'What is this!', stopped her and himself bowed to her instead.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.106.9)

स्वागतं गौरि सुभगे लोकमातर्दयानिधे । व्याजेन भक्तसंरक्षां कर्तुमत्रागतास्यहो

svāgataṁ gauri subhage lokamātardayānidhe vyājena bhaktasaṁrakṣāṁ kartumatrāgatāsyaho

'Welcome, O fair Gauri, O mother of the world, ocean of compassion! Ah, you have come here, if only in seeming disguise, to protect your devotees.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.106.10)

अहो मान्ये मान्यमर्थं विज्ञायैव पुरा वयम् । पृथग्भावमिवालंब्य शिष्यादिभिः समागताः

aho mānye mānyamarthaṁ vijñāyaiva purā vayam pṛthagbhāvamivālaṁbya śiṣyādibhiḥ samāgatāḥ

'O revered one, knowing already this revered purpose of yours, and taking recourse, as it were, in seeming otherness, we have come here already with our disciples.'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.106.11)

यद्देवि ते न चेत्किंचिन्मायाविलसितन्निजम् । ततः प्रपंचसंसिद्धिः कथमेव भविष्यति

yaddevi te na cetkiṁcinmāyāvilasitannijam tataḥ prapaṁcasaṁsiddhiḥ kathameva bhaviṣyati

'O goddess, if this play of your maya were not entirely your own, then how indeed would this whole manifold universe ever come to be?'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.106.12)

तिष्ठत्वशेषं मे वक्तुं मायाविलसितं तव । न शक्यते यन्निर्णेतुं त्वदीयैश्च कदाचन

tiṣṭhatvaśeṣaṁ me vaktuṁ māyāvilasitaṁ tava na śakyate yannirṇetuṁ tvadīyaiśca kadācana

'Let alone the attempt to fully describe your maya's play — it cannot ever be determined even by those who are your very own.'

Verse 13 (skanda.1.106.13)

आस्यतां पावने शुद्धं आसने कुशनिर्मिते । गृह्यतां पाद्यमर्घं च दत्तं च विधिवन्मया

āsyatāṁ pāvane śuddhaṁ āsane kuśanirmite gṛhyatāṁ pādyamarghaṁ ca dattaṁ ca vidhivanmayā

'Be seated upon this pure and sacred seat made of kusha grass; accept the water for feet and the offering, duly given by me.'

Verse 14 (skanda.1.106.14)

इति शिष्यैः समानीते दर्भांके परमासने । आसीनामंबिकां वृद्धो मुनिरानर्च भक्तिमान्

iti śiṣyaiḥ samānīte darbhāṁke paramāsane āsīnāmaṁbikāṁ vṛddho munirānarca bhaktimān

Thus, upon the excellent seat of darbha grass brought by his disciples, the devoted, aged sage worshipped Ambika seated there.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.106.15)

निवेद्य सकलां पूजां भक्तिभावसमन्वितः । गौर्या समभ्यनुज्ञातः स्वयमप्यासने स्थितः

nivedya sakalāṁ pūjāṁ bhaktibhāvasamanvitaḥ gauryā samabhyanujñātaḥ svayamapyāsane sthitaḥ

Having, full of devotion, offered her complete worship, and being granted leave by Gauri, he too took his seat.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.106.16)

उवाच दशनज्योत्स्नापरिधौतदिशामुखः । पुलकांचितसर्वांगः सानंदाश्रु सगद्गदम्

uvāca daśanajyotsnāparidhautadiśāmukhaḥ pulakāṁcitasarvāṁgaḥ sānaṁdāśru sagadgadam

His smile washing the very quarters of the sky as with moonlight, his whole body thrilled with joy, his eyes filled with tears of gladness, he spoke in a voice choked with emotion.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.106.17)

अहो देवस्य माहात्म्यं शम्भोरमिततेजसः । सद्भक्त रक्षणाय त्वामादिशद्भक्तवत्सलः

aho devasya māhātmyaṁ śambhoramitatejasaḥ sadbhakta rakṣaṇāya tvāmādiśadbhaktavatsalaḥ

'Ah, what greatness is this of the God Shambhu, boundless in radiance, who, tender to his devotees, has sent you yourself here for the protection of true devotees!'

Verse 18 (skanda.1.106.18)

असिद्धमन्यल्लब्धव्यं किं वान्यत्तव विद्यते । अम्बैतद्भक्तिमाहात्म्यं संदर्शयितुमीश्वरः

asiddhamanyallabdhavyaṁ kiṁ vānyattava vidyate ambaitadbhaktimāhātmyaṁ saṁdarśayitumīśvaraḥ

'What else, indeed, remains unattained or to be gained by you? O Mother, the Lord has done all this merely to display the greatness of devotion itself.'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.106.19)

कैलासशैलवृत्तांतः कंपातटतपःस्थितः । अरुणाद्रिसमादेशः सर्वं ज्ञातमिदं मया

kailāsaśailavṛttāṁtaḥ kaṁpātaṭatapaḥsthitaḥ aruṇādrisamādeśaḥ sarvaṁ jñātamidaṁ mayā

'The whole affair of Mount Kailasa, your austerity on the bank of the Kampa, the command of Arunadri — all this I already know.'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.106.20)

आगतासि महाभागे भक्ताश्रममिमं स्वयम् । स्नेहेन करुणामूर्ते कर्त्तव्यमुपदिश्यताम्

āgatāsi mahābhāge bhaktāśramamimaṁ svayam snehena karuṇāmūrte karttavyamupadiśyatām

'O greatly blessed one, you have come yourself to this devotee's hermitage; O embodiment of compassion, tell me with affection what I am to do.'

Verse 21 (skanda.1.106.21)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा महर्षेः सर्ववेदिनः । अंबिका प्राह कुतुकात्स्तुवन्ती तं महामुनिम्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā maharṣeḥ sarvavedinaḥ aṁbikā prāha kutukātstuvantī taṁ mahāmunim

Hearing these words of that all-knowing great sage, Ambika, with curiosity, spoke, praising that great muni.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.106.22)

महावैभवमेतत्ते देवदेवः स्वयं शिवः । मध्ये तपस्विनां त्वं तु द्रष्टव्य इति चादिशत्

mahāvaibhavametatte devadevaḥ svayaṁ śivaḥ madhye tapasvināṁ tvaṁ tu draṣṭavya iti cādiśat

'The God of gods, Shiva himself, has revealed this great majesty of yours, commanding that among the ascetics it is you alone whom I must see.'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.106.23)

आगमानां शिवोक्तानां वेदानामपि पारगः । तपसा शंभुभक्तानां त्वमेव शिवसंमतः

āgamānāṁ śivoktānāṁ vedānāmapi pāragaḥ tapasā śaṁbhubhaktānāṁ tvameva śivasaṁmataḥ

'You have mastered fully the scriptures spoken by Shiva as well as the Vedas; among Shambhu's devotees you alone are honoured by him for your austerity.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.106.24)

अरुणाचल नाम्नाहं तिष्ठामीत्यब्रवीच्छिवः । अस्याचलस्य माहात्म्यं श्रोतव्यं च भवन्मुखात्

aruṇācala nāmnāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmītyabravīcchivaḥ asyācalasya māhātmyaṁ śrotavyaṁ ca bhavanmukhāt

'Shiva said: I dwell here under the name Arunachala; the greatness of this mountain is to be heard from your very mouth.'

Verse 25 (skanda.1.106.25)

प्राप्तास्म्यहं तपः कर्तुमरुणाचलसन्निधौ । भवतां दर्शनादेव स्वयमीशः प्रसीदति

prāptāsmyahaṁ tapaḥ kartumaruṇācalasannidhau bhavatāṁ darśanādeva svayamīśaḥ prasīdati

'I have come to perform austerity in the presence of Arunachala; by the mere sight of you the Lord himself becomes pleased.'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.106.26)

शिवभक्तेन संभाषा शिवसंकीर्त्तनश्रवः । शिवलिंगार्चनं लोके वपुर्ग्रहफलोदयः

śivabhaktena saṁbhāṣā śivasaṁkīrttanaśravaḥ śivaliṁgārcanaṁ loke vapurgrahaphalodayaḥ

'Conversation with a devotee of Shiva, the hearing of Shiva's praise, the worship of the Shiva-linga — these alone are, in this world, the very fruit of having taken a body at all.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.106.27)

तस्मान्ममैतन्माहात्म्यं श्रोतव्यं भवतो मुखात् । सुव्यक्तमुपदेशेन ज्ञानतोऽसि पिता मम

tasmānmamaitanmāhātmyaṁ śrotavyaṁ bhavato mukhāt suvyaktamupadeśena jñānato'si pitā mama

'Therefore I must hear this greatness from your very mouth; through your teaching you are, in respect of knowledge, clearly as a father to me.'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.106.28)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा गौतमस्तपसां निधिः । आचख्यौ गिरिशं ध्यायन्नरुणाचलवैभवम्

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā gautamastapasāṁ nidhiḥ ācakhyau giriśaṁ dhyāyannaruṇācalavaibhavam

Hearing these words of hers, Gautama, treasury of austerities, meditating on Girisha, began to relate the majesty of Arunachala.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.106.29)

अज्ञातमिव यत्किंचित्पृच्छ्यते च पुनस्त्वया । अवैमि सर्वविद्यानां माया शैवी त्वमेव सा

ajñātamiva yatkiṁcitpṛcchyate ca punastvayā avaimi sarvavidyānāṁ māyā śaivī tvameva sā

'Whatever it is that you ask again, as if unknowing, I know it well — for you yourself are that very Shaiva Maya of all learning.'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.106.30)

अथवा भक्तवक्त्रेण शिववैभवसंश्रवः । शिक्षणं शांभवं तेषां तव तुष्टेश्च कारणम्

athavā bhaktavaktreṇa śivavaibhavasaṁśravaḥ śikṣaṇaṁ śāṁbhavaṁ teṣāṁ tava tuṣṭeśca kāraṇam

'Or else, the hearing of Shiva's majesty from a devotee's mouth is itself an instruction in Shambhu given to those devotees, and the very cause of your own delight.'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.106.31)

पठितानां च वेदानां यदावृत्तफलावहम् । वदतां शृण्वतां लोके शिवसंकीर्त्तनं तथा

paṭhitānāṁ ca vedānāṁ yadāvṛttaphalāvaham vadatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ loke śivasaṁkīrttanaṁ tathā

'Just as the repeated recitation of the Vedas already learned bears its own fruit, so too, in this world, does the utterance and hearing of Shiva's praise for both speaker and listener.'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.106.32)

सफलान्यद्य सर्वाणि तपांसि चरितानि मे । यदहं शंभुनादिष्टं माहात्म्यं कीर्त्तये श्रुतम्

saphalānyadya sarvāṇi tapāṁsi caritāni me yadahaṁ śaṁbhunādiṣṭaṁ māhātmyaṁ kīrttaye śrutam

'Today all the austerities I have performed have borne fruit, for I am now about to proclaim this greatness, ordained by Shambhu and heard by me.'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.106.33)

शिवाशिवप्रसादेन माहात्म्यमिदमद्भुतम्

śivāśivaprasādena māhātmyamidamadbhutam

'By the grace of Shiva and Shiva together, this wondrous greatness —'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.106.34)

अरुणाचलमाहात्म्यं दुरितक्षयकारणम् । श्रूयतामनवद्यांगि पुरावृत्तमिदं महत्

aruṇācalamāhātmyaṁ duritakṣayakāraṇam śrūyatāmanavadyāṁgi purāvṛttamidaṁ mahat

'— the greatness of Arunachala, the very cause of the destruction of sin. Listen, O one of flawless form, to this great ancient tale.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.106.35)

अरुणाद्रिमयं लिंगमाविर्भूतं यथा पुरा । न शक्यते पुनर्वक्तुमशेषं वक्त्रकोटिभिः

aruṇādrimayaṁ liṁgamāvirbhūtaṁ yathā purā na śakyate punarvaktumaśeṣaṁ vaktrakoṭibhiḥ

'The manner in which this linga, in the form of Arunadri, manifested of old, cannot be told in its entirety even by a million mouths.'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.106.36)

अरुणाचलमाहात्म्यं ब्रह्मणामपि कोटिभिः । ब्रह्मणा विष्णुना पूर्वं सोमभास्करवह्निभिः

aruṇācalamāhātmyaṁ brahmaṇāmapi koṭibhiḥ brahmaṇā viṣṇunā pūrvaṁ somabhāskaravahnibhiḥ

'The greatness of Arunachala has been proclaimed by millions of Brahmas, and, of old, by Brahma and Vishnu, by moon, sun, and fire,'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.106.37)

इन्द्रादिभिश्च दिक्पालैः पूजितश्चाष्टसिद्धये । सिद्धचारणगंधर्व यक्षविद्याधरोरगैः

indrādibhiśca dikpālaiḥ pūjitaścāṣṭasiddhaye siddhacāraṇagaṁdharva yakṣavidyādharoragaiḥ

'— and worshipped by Indra and the other guardians of the directions for the attainment of the eight powers, and by siddhas, charanas, gandharvas, yakshas, vidyadharas, and serpents,'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.106.38)

खगैश्च मुनिभिर्दिव्यैः सिद्धयोगिभिरर्चितः । तत्तत्पापनिवृत्त्यर्थं तत्तदीप्सितसिद्धये

khagaiśca munibhirdivyaiḥ siddhayogibhirarcitaḥ tattatpāpanivṛttyarthaṁ tattadīpsitasiddhaye

'— and by birds and divine sages, and by accomplished yogis, worshipped each for the removal of their own particular sin and each for their own desired accomplishment.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.106.39)

आराधितोऽयं भगवानरुणाद्रिपतिः शिवः । दृष्टो हरति पापानि सेवितो वांछितप्रदः

ārādhito'yaṁ bhagavānaruṇādripatiḥ śivaḥ dṛṣṭo harati pāpāni sevito vāṁchitapradaḥ

'Thus worshipped, this blessed Shiva, Lord of the red mountain, when merely beheld, carries away sin, and when served, grants every desire.'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.106.40)

कीर्तितोपि जनैर्दूरैः शोणाद्रिरिति मुक्तिदः । तेजःस्तंभमयं रूपमरुणाद्रिरिति श्रुतम्

kīrtitopi janairdūraiḥ śoṇādririti muktidaḥ tejaḥstaṁbhamayaṁ rūpamaruṇādririti śrutam

'Even when merely praised from afar as Shonadri, it grants liberation — this form of a pillar of light is known by the name Arunadri.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.106.41)

ध्यायन्तो योगिनश्चित्ते शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयुः । दत्तं हुतं च यत्किंचिज्जप्तं चान्यत्तपः कृतम्

dhyāyanto yoginaścitte śivasāyujyamāpnuyuḥ dattaṁ hutaṁ ca yatkiṁcijjaptaṁ cānyattapaḥ kṛtam

'Yogis who meditate upon it in their minds attain union with Shiva; whatever gift, offering, recitation, or other austerity is performed in the presence of Arunachala,'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.106.42)

अक्षय्यं भवति प्राप्तमरुणाचलसंनिधौ । पुरा ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवतेजोंशसंभवौ

akṣayyaṁ bhavati prāptamaruṇācalasaṁnidhau purā brahmā ca viṣṇuśca śivatejoṁśasaṁbhavau

'— that, once obtained, becomes imperishable. Of old, Brahma and Vishnu, born of a portion of Shiva's own radiance,'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.106.43)

साहंकारौ युयुधतुः परस्परजिगीषया । तथा तयोर्गर्वशांत्यै योगिध्येयः सदाशिवः

sāhaṁkārau yuyudhatuḥ parasparajigīṣayā tathā tayorgarvaśāṁtyai yogidhyeyaḥ sadāśivaḥ

'— filled with pride, fought each other, each desiring to conquer the other; then, to quell the pride of both, Sadashiva, the very object of the yogis' meditation,'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.106.44)

अग्नितेजोमयं रूपमादिमध्यांतवर्जितम् । संप्राप्य तस्थौ तन्मध्ये दिशो दश विभासयन्

agnitejomayaṁ rūpamādimadhyāṁtavarjitam saṁprāpya tasthau tanmadhye diśo daśa vibhāsayan

'— assumed a form of fiery radiance without beginning, middle, or end, and stood between them, illumining all the ten directions.'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.106.45)

तेजःस्तंभस्य तस्याथ द्रष्टुमाद्यंतभागयोः । हंसक्रोडतनू कृत्वा जग्मतुर्द्यां रसातलम्

tejaḥstaṁbhasya tasyātha draṣṭumādyaṁtabhāgayoḥ haṁsakroḍatanū kṛtvā jagmaturdyāṁ rasātalam

'To see the beginning and the end of that pillar of light, they took the bodies of a swan and a boar and went, the one to heaven, the other to the netherworld.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.106.46)

तौ विषण्णमुखौ दृष्ट्वा भगवान्करुणानिधिः । आविर्बभूव च तयोर्वरं प्रादादभीप्सितम्

tau viṣaṇṇamukhau dṛṣṭvā bhagavānkaruṇānidhiḥ āvirbabhūva ca tayorvaraṁ prādādabhīpsitam

'Beholding both of them with despondent faces, the Lord, ocean of compassion, made himself manifest, and granted to them both the boon they desired.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.106.47)

तत्प्रार्थितश्च देवेशो यातः स्थावरलिंगताम् । अरुणाद्रिरिति ख्यातः प्रशांतः संप्रकाशते

tatprārthitaśca deveśo yātaḥ sthāvaraliṁgatām aruṇādririti khyātaḥ praśāṁtaḥ saṁprakāśate

'Entreated by them, the Lord of gods attained the state of a fixed linga; known by the name Arunadri, it shines forth utterly at peace.'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.106.48)

दिव्यदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैरप्सरोगीतनर्त्तनैः । पूज्यते तैजसं लिंगं पुष्पवृष्टिशतैः सदा

divyadundubhinirghoṣairapsarogītanarttanaiḥ pūjyate taijasaṁ liṁgaṁ puṣpavṛṣṭiśataiḥ sadā

'With the sounds of divine kettle-drums, with the song and dance of celestial nymphs, with hundreds of showers of flowers, this linga of light is ever worshipped.'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.106.49)

ब्रह्मणामप्यतीतानां पुरा षण्णवतेः प्रभुः । विष्णुनाभिसमुद्भूतो ब्रह्मा लोकान्ससर्ज हि

brahmaṇāmapyatītānāṁ purā ṣaṇṇavateḥ prabhuḥ viṣṇunābhisamudbhūto brahmā lokānsasarja hi

'Even before ninety-six past Brahmas, a certain Brahma, born from the navel of Vishnu, had once created the worlds.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.106.50)

स कदाचित्तपोविघ्नं कर्तुकामेन योगिनाम् । इंद्रेण प्रार्थितो ब्रह्मा ससर्ज ललितां स्त्रियम्

sa kadācittapovighnaṁ kartukāmena yoginām iṁdreṇa prārthito brahmā sasarja lalitāṁ striyam

'At the request of Indra, who wished to create an obstacle to the austerity of the yogis, that Brahma created a beautiful woman.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.106.51)

लावण्यगुणसंपूर्णामालोक्य कमलेक्षणाम् । मुमोह कंदर्पशरैः स विद्धहृदयो विधिः

lāvaṇyaguṇasaṁpūrṇāmālokya kamalekṣaṇām mumoha kaṁdarpaśaraiḥ sa viddhahṛdayo vidhiḥ

'Beholding her, full of grace and beauty, her eyes like lotuses, the Creator's own heart was pierced by the arrows of the god of love, and he fell into infatuation.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.106.52)

स्प्रष्टुकामं तमालोक्य ब्रह्माणं कमलासनम् । नत्वा प्रदक्षिणव्याजाद्गंतुमैच्छद्वराप्सराः

spraṣṭukāmaṁ tamālokya brahmāṇaṁ kamalāsanam natvā pradakṣiṇavyājādgaṁtumaicchadvarāpsarāḥ

'Seeing lotus-seated Brahma desirous to touch her, that lovely nymph, bowing to him, sought to escape under the pretext of circumambulating him.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.106.53)

अस्यां प्रदक्षिणां भक्त्या कुर्वाणायां प्रजापतेः । चतसृभ्योऽपि दिग्भ्योऽस्य मुखान्युदभवन्क्षणात्

asyāṁ pradakṣiṇāṁ bhaktyā kurvāṇāyāṁ prajāpateḥ catasṛbhyo'pi digbhyo'sya mukhānyudabhavankṣaṇāt

'As she performed this circumambulation of the Lord of creatures, as if in devotion, four faces of his sprang up instantly from the four directions.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.106.54)

सा बाला पक्षिणी भूत्वा गगनं समगाहत । पुनश्च खगरूपेण समायांतं समीक्ष्य सा

sā bālā pakṣiṇī bhūtvā gaganaṁ samagāhata punaśca khagarūpeṇa samāyāṁtaṁ samīkṣya sā

'That maiden, becoming a bird, took to the sky; and, seeing him too coming after her in the form of a bird once more,'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.106.55)

शरणं याचमाना सा शोणाद्रिमिममाश्रयत् । ब्रह्मणा विष्णुना च त्वमदृष्टपदशेखरः

śaraṇaṁ yācamānā sā śoṇādrimimamāśrayat brahmaṇā viṣṇunā ca tvamadṛṣṭapadaśekharaḥ

'— seeking refuge, she took shelter in this very Shonadri: "O you whose crowning summit even Brahma and Vishnu have never seen!" '

Verse 56 (skanda.1.106.56)

रक्ष मामरुणाद्रीश शरण्य शरणागताम् । इति तस्यां भयार्त्तायां क्रोशंत्यामरुणाचलात्

rakṣa māmaruṇādrīśa śaraṇya śaraṇāgatām iti tasyāṁ bhayārttāyāṁ krośaṁtyāmaruṇācalāt

'"O Lord of the red mountain, giver of refuge, protect me, who have come to you for shelter!" — thus, tormented with fear, she cried out toward Arunachala.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.106.57)

उदभूत्स्थावराल्लिंगाद्व्याधः कश्चिद्धनुर्द्धरः । संधाय सायकं चापे समेघगगनद्युतिः

udabhūtsthāvarālliṁgādvyādhaḥ kaściddhanurddharaḥ saṁdhāya sāyakaṁ cāpe sameghagaganadyutiḥ

'From that fixed linga there arose a certain hunter bearing a bow, his hue like the sky filled with rain-clouds, an arrow fitted to his bow.'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.106.58)

निषादे पुरतो दृष्टे मोहस्तस्य ननाश हि । ततः प्रसन्नहृदयोतिनम्रः कमलोद्भवः

niṣāde purato dṛṣṭe mohastasya nanāśa hi tataḥ prasannahṛdayotinamraḥ kamalodbhavaḥ

'The very moment that hunter appeared before him, Brahma's delusion vanished; then, his heart made glad, utterly humbled, lotus-born Brahma,'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.106.59)

नमश्चक्रे शरण्याय शोणाद्रिपतये तदा । सर्वपापक्षयकृते नमस्तुभ्यं पिनाकिने

namaścakre śaraṇyāya śoṇādripataye tadā sarvapāpakṣayakṛte namastubhyaṁ pinākine

'— bowed at that moment to the refuge-giving Lord of Shonadri: "Salutation to you, O bearer of the Pinaka, destroyer of every sin,'

Verse 60 (skanda.1.106.60)

अरुणाचलरूपाय भक्ववश्याय शंभवे । अजानतां स्वभक्तानामकर्मविनिवर्त्तने

aruṇācalarūpāya bhakvavaśyāya śaṁbhave ajānatāṁ svabhaktānāmakarmavinivarttane

'in the form of Arunachala, O Shambhu who art subject to your devotees' will, who remove even the misdeeds of your own devotees though committed unknowingly.'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.106.61)

त्वदन्यः कः प्रभुः कर्तुमशक्यं चापि देहिनाम् । उपसंहर मे देहं तेजसा पापनिश्चयम्

tvadanyaḥ kaḥ prabhuḥ kartumaśakyaṁ cāpi dehinām upasaṁhara me dehaṁ tejasā pāpaniścayam

'Who but you, O Lord, is able to do what is impossible for embodied beings? Consume with your radiance this body of mine, resolved upon sin —'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.106.62)

अन्यं वा सृज विश्वात्मन्ब्रह्माणं लोकसृष्टये । अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शिवो दीनस्य वेधसः

anyaṁ vā sṛja viśvātmanbrahmāṇaṁ lokasṛṣṭaye atha tasya vacaḥ śrutvā śivo dīnasya vedhasaḥ

'— or else, O soul of the universe, create some other Brahma for the creation of the worlds!" Then, hearing these words of the pitiable Creator, Shiva,'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.106.63)

उवाच करुणामूर्तिर्भूत्वा चंद्रार्द्धशेखरः । दत्तः कालस्तव मया पुरैव न निवर्त्यते

uvāca karuṇāmūrtirbhūtvā caṁdrārddhaśekharaḥ dattaḥ kālastava mayā puraiva na nivartyate

'the embodiment of compassion, becoming the bearer of the crescent moon, said: "The span allotted to you by me was fixed long ago; it cannot now be recalled.'

Verse 64 (skanda.1.106.64)

कं वा रागादयो दोषा न बाधेरन्प्रभुस्थितम् । तस्माद्दूरस्थितोऽप्येतदरुणाचलसंज्ञितम्

kaṁ vā rāgādayo doṣā na bādheranprabhusthitam tasmāddūrasthito'pyetadaruṇācalasaṁjñitam

'Whom do passion and the other faults not trouble, even one established in a position of lordship? Therefore, even while remaining afar, worship this one called Arunachala,'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.106.65)

भजस्व तैजसं लिंगं सर्वदोषनिवृत्तये । वाचिकं मानसं पापं कायिकं वा च यद्भवेत्

bhajasva taijasaṁ liṁgaṁ sarvadoṣanivṛttaye vācikaṁ mānasaṁ pāpaṁ kāyikaṁ vā ca yadbhavet

'for the removal of every fault; whatever sin there may be, of speech, of mind, or of body —'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.106.66)

विनश्यति क्षणात्सर्वमरुणाचलदर्शनात् । प्रदक्षिणा नमस्कारैः स्मरणैरर्चनैः स्तवैः

vinaśyati kṣaṇātsarvamaruṇācaladarśanāt pradakṣiṇā namaskāraiḥ smaraṇairarcanaiḥ stavaiḥ

'— it is destroyed in an instant by the mere sight of Arunachala, and by circumambulation, prostration, remembrance, worship, and hymns of praise.'

Verse 67 (skanda.1.106.67)

अरुणाद्रिरयं नृणां सर्वकल्मषनाशनः । कैलासे मेरुशृंगे वा स्वस्थानेषु कलाद्रिषु

aruṇādrirayaṁ nṛṇāṁ sarvakalmaṣanāśanaḥ kailāse meruśṛṁge vā svasthāneṣu kalādriṣu

'This Arunadri destroys every impurity of men, whether they dwell on Kailasa, on the peak of Meru, or in their own places upon other mountains.'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.106.68)

संदृश्यः कश्चिदेवाहमरुणाद्रिरयं स्वयम् । यच्छृंगदर्शनान्नॄणां चक्षुर्लाभेन केवलम्

saṁdṛśyaḥ kaścidevāhamaruṇādrirayaṁ svayam yacchṛṁgadarśanānnṝṇāṁ cakṣurlābhena kevalam

'This Arunadri is none other than I myself, visible thus; by the mere sight of its very peak alone, through the sheer gain of vision,'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.106.69)

भवेत्सर्वाघनाशश्च लाभश्च ज्ञानचक्षुषः । मदंशसंभवो ब्रह्मा स्वनाम्ना ब्रह्मपुष्करे

bhavetsarvāghanāśaśca lābhaśca jñānacakṣuṣaḥ madaṁśasaṁbhavo brahmā svanāmnā brahmapuṣkare

'— men obtain the destruction of every sin and the gain of the eye of knowledge. Brahma, born of a portion of me, at Brahma-Pushkara, called after his own name —'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.106.70)

अत्र स्नातः पुरा ब्रह्मन्मोहोऽगाज्जगतीपतेः । स्नात्वा त्वं ब्रह्मतीर्थे मां समभ्यर्च्य कृतांजलिः

atra snātaḥ purā brahmanmoho'gājjagatīpateḥ snātvā tvaṁ brahmatīrthe māṁ samabhyarcya kṛtāṁjaliḥ

'— once bathed here, and thereby the delusion of the lord of the world departed. Bathe you too in the Brahma-tirtha, and, with joined palms, worship me well;'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.106.71)

मौनी प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा विश्वात्मन्भव विज्वरः

maunī pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā viśvātmanbhava vijvaraḥ

'— maintaining silence, perform the circumambulation, and, O soul of the universe, become free of your fevered anguish.'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.106.72)

इति वचनमुदीर्य विश्वनाथं स्थितमरुणाचलरूपतो महेशम् । अथ सरसि निमज्य पद्मजन्मा दुरितहरं समपूजयत्क्रमेण

iti vacanamudīrya viśvanāthaṁ sthitamaruṇācalarūpato maheśam atha sarasi nimajya padmajanmā duritaharaṁ samapūjayatkrameṇa

Having spoken thus, Vishvanatha, Mahesha established in the form of Arunachala — lotus-born Brahma, immersing himself in that lake, then worshipped in due order that sin-removing God.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.106.73)

इममरुणगिरीशमेष वेधा यमनियमादिविशुद्धचित्तयोगः । स्फुटतरमभिपूज्य सोपचारं गतदुरितोऽथ जगाम चाधिपत्यम्

imamaruṇagirīśameṣa vedhā yamaniyamādiviśuddhacittayogaḥ sphuṭataramabhipūjya sopacāraṁ gatadurito'tha jagāma cādhipatyam

That Creator, his mind purified through yama, niyama and the rest, and joined in yoga, having worshipped this Lord of the red mountain most fully with due rites, freed of his sin, then returned once more to his own sovereign rule.