The Greatness of the Shivaratri Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.1.33.1)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ किन्नामा च किरातोऽभूत्किं तेन व्रतमाहितम्॥ तत्त्वं कथय विप्रेंद्र परं कौतूहलं हि नः

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| kinnāmā ca kirāto'bhūtkiṃ tena vratamāhitam|| tattvaṃ kathaya vipreṃdra paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi naḥ

The sages said: 'What was that hunter's name, and what vow did he observe? Tell us the truth of it, O foremost of brahmins; we are filled with the greatest curiosity.'

Verse 2 (skanda.1.33.2)

तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामो याथातथ्येन कथ्यताम्॥ न ह्यन्यो विद्यते लोके त्वद्विना वदतां वरः॥ तस्मात्कथ भो विप्र सर्वं शुश्रूषतां हि नः

tatsarvaṃ śrotumicchāmo yāthātathyena kathyatām|| na hyanyo vidyate loke tvadvinā vadatāṃ varaḥ|| tasmātkatha bho vipra sarvaṃ śuśrūṣatāṃ hi naḥ

'We wish to hear all of it; tell it to us exactly as it happened. There exists in this world none other, foremost among speakers, besides you; therefore, O brahmin, tell it all to us who are eager to hear.'

Verse 3 (skanda.1.33.3)

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन शौनकेन महात्मना॥ कथयामास तत्सर्वं पुष्कसेन कृतं यत्

evamuktastadā tena śaunakena mahātmanā|| kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṃ puṣkasena kṛtaṃ yat

Thus addressed by the great-souled Shaunaka, he then related all that had been done by the Pushkasa, the outcaste hunter.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.33.4)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ आसीत्पुरा महारौद्रश्चडोनाम दुरात्मवान्॥ क्रूरसंगो निष्कृतिको भूतानां भयवाहकः

||lomaśa uvāca|| āsītpurā mahāraudraścaḍonāma durātmavān|| krūrasaṃgo niṣkṛtiko bhūtānāṃ bhayavāhakaḥ

Lomasha said: Long ago there was a most fearsome and evil-souled hunter named Chanda, of cruel company, without remorse, a bringer of terror to all creatures.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.33.5)

जालेन मत्स्यान्दुष्टात्मा घातयत्यनिशं खलु॥ भल्लैर्मृगाञ्छापदांश्च कृष्णसारांश्च शल्लकान्

jālena matsyānduṣṭātmā ghātayatyaniśaṃ khalu|| bhallairmṛgāñchāpadāṃśca kṛṣṇasārāṃśca śallakān

That evil-souled man used to kill fish with his net day and night, and with his darts deer, wild beasts, black antelope and porcupines.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.33.6)

खड्गांश्चैव च दुष्टात्मा दृष्ट्वा कांश्चिच्च पापवान्॥ पक्षिणोऽघातयत्क्रुद्धो ब्राह्मणांश्च विशेषतः

khaḍgāṃścaiva ca duṣṭātmā dṛṣṭvā kāṃścicca pāpavān|| pakṣiṇo'ghātayatkruddho brāhmaṇāṃśca viśeṣataḥ

That sinful, evil-souled man, upon seeing them, would slay rhinoceroses too, and in his fury would kill birds, and brahmins especially.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.33.7)

लुब्धको हि महापापो दुष्टो दुष्टजनप्रियः॥ भार्या तथाविधआ तस्य पुष्कसस्य महाभया

lubdhako hi mahāpāpo duṣṭo duṣṭajanapriyaḥ|| bhāryā tathāvidhaā tasya puṣkasasya mahābhayā

That hunter was a great sinner, wicked, and fond of wicked company; and the wife of that Pushkasa was of the same kind — a woman of great terror.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.33.8)

एवं विहरतस्तस्य बहुकालोत्यवर्तत॥ गते बहुतिथेकाले पापौघनिरतस्य च

evaṃ viharatastasya bahukālotyavartata|| gate bahutithekāle pāpaughaniratasya ca

Thus, living such a life, a great deal of time passed for him; a long span of time went by for him, immersed as he was in a flood of sin.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.33.9)

निषंगे जलमादाय क्षुत्पिपासार्द्दितो भृशम्॥ एकदा निशि पापीयाच्छ्रीवृक्षोपरि संस्थितः॥ कोलं हंतुं धनुष्पाणिर्जाग्रच्चानिमिषेण हि

niṣaṃge jalamādāya kṣutpipāsārddito bhṛśam|| ekadā niśi pāpīyācchrīvṛkṣopari saṃsthitaḥ|| kolaṃ haṃtuṃ dhanuṣpāṇirjāgraccānimiṣeṇa hi

Carrying water in his quiver, tormented deeply by hunger and thirst, that sinful man one night climbed up into a bilva tree, bow in hand, keeping watch unblinking, to kill a wild boar.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.33.10)

माघमासेऽसितायां वै चतुर्दश्यामथाग्रतः॥ मृगमार्गविलोकार्थी बिल्वपत्राण्यपातयत्

māghamāse'sitāyāṃ vai caturdaśyāmathāgrataḥ|| mṛgamārgavilokārthī bilvapatrāṇyapātayat

It was the month of Magha, on the dark fourteenth day; watching for the path of any deer or beast, he kept dropping the bilva leaves down.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.33.11)

श्रीवृक्षपर्णानि बहूनि तत्र स च्छेदयामास रुषान्वितोपि॥ श्रीवृक्षमूले परिवर्तमाने लिंगं तस्योपरिदृष्टभावः

śrīvṛkṣaparṇāni bahūni tatra sa cchedayāmāsa ruṣānvitopi|| śrīvṛkṣamūle parivartamāne liṃgaṃ tasyoparidṛṣṭabhāvaḥ

Filled with impatience, he cut off many leaves of that sacred bilva tree there; and at the foot of that tree, unnoticed by him, there lay a linga, hidden beneath its spreading roots.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.33.12)

ववर्ष गंडूषजलं दुरात्मा यदृच्छया तानि शिवे पतंति॥ श्रीवृक्षपर्णानि च दैवयोगाज्जातं च सर्वं शिवपूजनं तत्

vavarṣa gaṃḍūṣajalaṃ durātmā yadṛcchayā tāni śive pataṃti|| śrīvṛkṣaparṇāni ca daivayogājjātaṃ ca sarvaṃ śivapūjanaṃ tat

That evil-souled man, quite by chance, let fall a mouthful of water from above, which fell upon the linga; and by divine chance those bilva leaves too fell upon it — thus, entirely unknowingly, the whole worship of Shiva was accomplished.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.33.13)

गंडूषवारिणा तेन स्नपनं च कृतं महत्॥ बिल्वपत्रैरसंख्यातैरर्चनं महत्कृतम्

gaṃḍūṣavāriṇā tena snapanaṃ ca kṛtaṃ mahat|| bilvapatrairasaṃkhyātairarcanaṃ mahatkṛtam

By that mouthful of water, a great abhisheka was thus performed; and by those countless bilva leaves, a great worship was accomplished.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.33.14)

अज्ञानेनापि भो विप्राः पुष्कसेन दुरात्मना॥ माघमासेऽसिते पक्षे चतुर्दश्यां विधूदये

ajñānenāpi bho viprāḥ puṣkasena durātmanā|| māghamāse'site pakṣe caturdaśyāṃ vidhūdaye

Even out of ignorance, O brahmins, by that evil-souled Pushkasa, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Magha, at moonrise —

Verse 15 (skanda.1.33.15)

पुष्कसोऽथ दुराचारो वॉक्षादवततार सः॥ आगत्य जलसंकाशं मत्स्यान्हंतुं प्रचक्रमे

puṣkaso'tha durācāro vaॉkṣādavatatāra saḥ|| āgatya jalasaṃkāśaṃ matsyānhaṃtuṃ pracakrame

— that ill-conducted Pushkasa then climbed down from the tree, and, coming to what seemed a pool of water, set about killing fish.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.33.16)

लुब्ध कस्यापि भार्याभून्नाम्ना चैव घनोदरी॥ दुष्टा सा पापनिरता परद्रव्यापहारिणी

lubdha kasyāpi bhāryābhūnnāmnā caiva ghanodarī|| duṣṭā sā pāpaniratā paradravyāpahāriṇī

That hunter's wife was named Ghanodari; she was wicked, immersed in sin, and a thief of others' property.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.33.17)

गृहान्निर्गत्य सायाह्ने पुरद्वारबहिः स्थिता॥ वनमार्गं प्रपश्यंती पत्युरागमनेच्छया

gṛhānnirgatya sāyāhne puradvārabahiḥ sthitā|| vanamārgaṃ prapaśyaṃtī patyurāgamanecchayā

Going out from her house at evening, she stood outside the city gate, gazing at the forest path, longing for her husband's return.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.33.18)

चिराद्भर्तरी नायाते चिन्तयामास लुब्धकी॥ अद्य सायाह्नवेलायामागताः सर्वलुब्धकाः

cirādbhartarī nāyāte cintayāmāsa lubdhakī|| adya sāyāhnavelāyāmāgatāḥ sarvalubdhakāḥ

When her husband did not return for a long while, the hunter's wife grew anxious: 'Today, at this evening hour, all the other hunters have already come back —'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.33.19)

तमः स्तोमेन संछन्नाश्चतस्रो विदिशो दिशः॥ रात्रौ यामद्वयं यातं किं मतंगः समागतः

tamaḥ stomena saṃchannāścatasro vidiśo diśaḥ|| rātrau yāmadvayaṃ yātaṃ kiṃ mataṃgaḥ samāgataḥ

'— all the four quarters lie shrouded in darkness now, and two watches of the night have already passed; has some elephant attacked him?'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.33.20)

किं वा केसरलोभेन सिंहेनैव विदारितः॥ किं भुजंगफणारत्नहारी सर्पविषार्दितः

kiṃ vā kesaralobhena siṃhenaiva vidāritaḥ|| kiṃ bhujaṃgaphaṇāratnahārī sarpaviṣārditaḥ

'Or has he, coveted for his mane, been torn apart by a lion? Or, seeking to steal the jewel from a serpent's hood, has he been struck down by snake-venom?'

Verse 21 (skanda.1.33.21)

किं वा वराहदंष्ट्राग्रघातैः पंचत्वमागतः॥ मधुलोभेन वृक्षाग्रात्स वै प्रपतितो भुवि

kiṃ vā varāhadaṃṣṭrāgraghātaiḥ paṃcatvamāgataḥ|| madhulobhena vṛkṣāgrātsa vai prapatito bhuvi

'Or has he met his death, struck by the sharp tusks of a wild boar? Or, coveting honey, has he fallen from the top of a tree to the ground?'

Verse 22 (skanda.1.33.22)

क्वान्वेषयामि पृच्छामि क्व गच्छामि च कं प्रति॥ एवं विलप्य बहुधा निवृत्ता स्वं गृहं प्रति

kvānveṣayāmi pṛcchāmi kva gacchāmi ca kaṃ prati|| evaṃ vilapya bahudhā nivṛttā svaṃ gṛhaṃ prati

'Where shall I search, whom shall I ask, where shall I go, and to whom?' Lamenting thus in many ways, she turned back toward her own house.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.33.23)

नैवान्नं नो जलं किंचिन्न भुक्तं तद्दिने तया॥ चिंतयंती पतिं चापि लुब्धकी त्वयन्निशाम्

naivānnaṃ no jalaṃ kiṃcinna bhuktaṃ taddine tayā|| ciṃtayaṃtī patiṃ cāpi lubdhakī tvayanniśām

That day she took neither food nor even water; the hunter's wife, thinking constantly of her husband, passed the night thus.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.33.24)

अथ प्रभाते विमले पुष्कसी वनमाययौ॥ अशनार्थं च तस्यान्नमादाय त्वरिता सती

atha prabhāte vimale puṣkasī vanamāyayau|| aśanārthaṃ ca tasyānnamādāya tvaritā satī

Then, at clear dawn, that faithful Pushkasa woman went into the forest, hastily bringing food for him to eat.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.33.25)

भ्रममाणावने तस्मिन्ददर्श महतीं नदीम्॥ तस्यास्तीरे समासीनं स्वपतिं प्रेक्ष्य हर्षिता

bhramamāṇāvane tasmindadarśa mahatīṃ nadīm|| tasyāstīre samāsīnaṃ svapatiṃ prekṣya harṣitā

Wandering about in that forest, she beheld a great river; and seeing her own husband seated upon its bank, she was filled with joy.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.33.26)

तदन्नं कूलनः स्थाप्य नदीं तर्तुं प्रचक्रमे॥ निरीक्ष्य चाथ मत्स्यान्स जालप्रोतान्समानयत्

tadannaṃ kūlanaḥ sthāpya nadīṃ tartuṃ pracakrame|| nirīkṣya cātha matsyānsa jālaprotānsamānayat

Setting the food down upon the bank, she began to cross the river; then, seeing the fish caught in his net, she brought them to him.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.33.27)

तावत्तयोक्तश्चण्डोऽसावेहि शीघ्रं च भक्षय॥ अन्नं त्वदर्थमानीतमुपोष्य दिवसं मया

tāvattayoktaścaṇḍo'sāvehi śīghraṃ ca bhakṣaya|| annaṃ tvadarthamānītamupoṣya divasaṃ mayā

She then said to Chanda: 'Come quickly and eat; I have fasted the whole day and brought this food for you.'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.33.28)

कृतं किमद्य रे मंद गतेऽहनि च किं कृतम्॥ नाऽशितं च त्वया मूढ लंघितेनाद्य पापिना

kṛtaṃ kimadya re maṃda gate'hani ca kiṃ kṛtam|| nā'śitaṃ ca tvayā mūḍha laṃghitenādya pāpinā

'What have you been doing today, you slow fool, all through the day that has now passed? And you, O foolish sinner, have not eaten anything, having fasted this whole day.'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.33.29)

नद्यां स्नातौ तथा तौ च दम्पती च शुचि व्रतौ॥ यावद्गतश्च भोक्तुं स तावच्छ्वा स्वयमागतः

nadyāṃ snātau tathā tau ca dampatī ca śuci vratau|| yāvadgataśca bhoktuṃ sa tāvacchvā svayamāgataḥ

Then that couple, both now purified by bathing in the river, made ready to eat; but even as he went to eat, a dog came there of its own accord.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.33.30)

तेन सर्वं भक्षितं च तदन्नं स्वयमेव हि॥ चंडी प्रकुपिता चैव श्वानं हंतुमुपस्थिता

tena sarvaṃ bhakṣitaṃ ca tadannaṃ svayameva hi|| caṃḍī prakupitā caiva śvānaṃ haṃtumupasthitā

That dog devoured the entire food by itself; and Chandi, his wife, enraged, made ready to kill the dog.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.33.31)

आवयोर्भक्षितं चान्नमनेनैव च पापिना॥ किं च भक्षयसे मूढ भविताद्य वुभुक्षितः

āvayorbhakṣitaṃ cānnamanenaiva ca pāpinā|| kiṃ ca bhakṣayase mūḍha bhavitādya vubhukṣitaḥ

'This sinful creature has eaten our very food; what, then, will you eat, you fool — you will now go hungry today.'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.33.32)

एवं तयोक्तश्चण्डोऽसौ बभाषे तां शिवप्रियः॥ यच्छुना भक्षितं चान्नं तेनाहं परितोषितः

evaṃ tayoktaścaṇḍo'sau babhāṣe tāṃ śivapriyaḥ|| yacchunā bhakṣitaṃ cānnaṃ tenāhaṃ paritoṣitaḥ

Thus addressed by her, Chanda, dear to Shiva though he knew it not, said to her: 'By the very fact that the dog has eaten our food, I am content.'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.33.33)

किमनेन शरीरेण नश्वरेण गतायुषा॥ शरीरं दुर्लभं लोके पूज्यते क्षणभंगुरम्

kimanena śarīreṇa naśvareṇa gatāyuṣā|| śarīraṃ durlabhaṃ loke pūjyate kṣaṇabhaṃguram

'What use is this perishable body, whose life-span will pass away? Though the body is rare and precious in this world, it is honoured, and yet it endures but a moment.'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.33.34)

ये पुष्णंति निजं देहं सर्वभावेन चाहताः॥ मूढास्ते पापिनो ज्ञेया लोकद्वयबहिष्कृताः

ye puṣṇaṃti nijaṃ dehaṃ sarvabhāvena cāhatāḥ|| mūḍhāste pāpino jñeyā lokadvayabahiṣkṛtāḥ

'Those who, wounded as they are, nourish their own body with all their heart — such fools are to be known as sinners, cast out from both worlds.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.33.35)

तस्मान्मानं परित्यज्य क्रोधं च दुरवग्रहम्॥ स्वस्था भव विमर्शेन तत्त्वबुद्ध्या स्थिरा भव

tasmānmānaṃ parityajya krodhaṃ ca duravagraham|| svasthā bhava vimarśena tattvabuddhyā sthirā bhava

'Therefore, giving up pride and this stubborn anger, be at peace within yourself; through reflection, and through knowledge of the truth, become steady.'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.33.36)

बोधिता तेन चंडी सा पुष्कसेन तदा भृशम्॥ जागरादि च संप्राप्तः पुष्कसोऽपि चतुर्दशीम्

bodhitā tena caṃḍī sā puṣkasena tadā bhṛśam|| jāgarādi ca saṃprāptaḥ puṣkaso'pi caturdaśīm

Thus enlightened deeply by the Pushkasa, that Chandi grew calm; and that Pushkasa himself, on the fourteenth day, thus came to keep his night-vigil.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.33.37)

शिवरात्रिप्रसंगाच्च जायते यद्ध्यसंशयम्॥ तज्ज्ञानं परमं प्राप्तः शिवरात्रिप्रसंगतः

śivarātriprasaṃgācca jāyate yaddhyasaṃśayam|| tajjñānaṃ paramaṃ prāptaḥ śivarātriprasaṃgataḥ

That knowledge which arises, without doubt, merely through connection with the Shivaratri — that supreme knowledge he attained, simply through his connection with Shivaratri.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.33.38)

यामद्वयं च संजातममावास्यां तु तत्र वै॥ आगताश्च गणास्तत्र बहवः शिवनोदिताः

yāmadvayaṃ ca saṃjātamamāvāsyāṃ tu tatra vai|| āgatāśca gaṇāstatra bahavaḥ śivanoditāḥ

Two watches of the night had passed there, on that new-moon night, when many ganas, sent by Shiva, came to that place.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.33.39)

विमानानि बहून्यत्र आगतानि तदंतिकम्॥ दृष्टानि तेन तान्येव विमानानि गणास्तथा

vimānāni bahūnyatra āgatāni tadaṃtikam|| dṛṣṭāni tena tānyeva vimānāni gaṇāstathā

Many chariots came near to that place, and by him those very chariots, and the ganas too, were seen.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.33.40)

उवाच परया भक्त्या पुष्कसोऽपि च तान्प्रति॥ कस्मात्समागता यूयं सर्वे रुद्राक्षधारिणः

uvāca parayā bhaktyā puṣkaso'pi ca tānprati|| kasmātsamāgatā yūyaṃ sarve rudrākṣadhāriṇaḥ

With utmost devotion the Pushkasa said to them: 'For what reason have all of you, bearers of rudraksha beads, come here?'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.33.41)

विमानस्थाश्च केचिच्च वृषारूढाश्च केचन॥ सर्वे स्फटिकसंकाशाः सर्वे चंद्रार्द्धशेखराः

vimānasthāśca kecicca vṛṣārūḍhāśca kecana|| sarve sphaṭikasaṃkāśāḥ sarve caṃdrārddhaśekharāḥ

Some stood upon chariots, and some were mounted on bulls; all were radiant as crystal, and all bore the crescent moon upon their heads.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.33.42)

कपर्द्दिनश्चर्मपरीतवाससो भुजंगभोगैः कृतहारभूषणाः॥ श्रियान्विता रुद्रसमानवीर्या यथातथं भो वदतात्मनोचितम्

kaparddinaścarmaparītavāsaso bhujaṃgabhogaiḥ kṛtahārabhūṣaṇāḥ|| śriyānvitā rudrasamānavīryā yathātathaṃ bho vadatātmanocitam

'Matted-haired, clad in garments of hide, adorned with necklaces made of serpent-coils, endowed with splendour, equal to Rudra in valour — tell me truly, O sirs, whatever befits you to say.'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.33.43)

पुष्कसेन तदा पृष्टा ऊचुः सर्वे च पार्पदाः॥ रुद्रस्य देवदेवस्य संनम्राः कमलेक्षणाः

puṣkasena tadā pṛṣṭā ūcuḥ sarve ca pārpadāḥ|| rudrasya devadevasya saṃnamrāḥ kamalekṣaṇāḥ

Thus questioned by the Pushkasa, all those attendants of Rudra, the god of gods, lotus-eyed and deeply reverent, replied:

Verse 44 (skanda.1.33.44)

॥गणा ऊचुः॥ प्रेषिताः स्मो वयं चंड शिवेन परमेष्ठिना॥ आगच्छ त्वरितो भुत्वा सस्त्रीको या नमारुह

||gaṇā ūcuḥ|| preṣitāḥ smo vayaṃ caṃḍa śivena parameṣṭhinā|| āgaccha tvarito bhutvā sastrīko yā namāruha

The ganas said: 'We have been sent, O Chanda, by the supreme lord Shiva; come quickly, and together with your wife, mount this vehicle.'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.33.45)

लिंगार्च्चनं कृतं यच्च त्वया रात्रौ शिवस्य च॥ तेन कर्मविपाकेन प्राप्तोऽसि शिवसन्निधिम्

liṃgārccanaṃ kṛtaṃ yacca tvayā rātrau śivasya ca|| tena karmavipākena prāpto'si śivasannidhim

'By that worship of Shiva's linga which you performed at night, by the fruit of that deed, you have now attained the very presence of Shiva.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.33.46)

तथोक्तो वीरभद्रेण उवाच प्रहसन्निव॥ पुष्कसोऽपि स्वया बुद्ध्या प्रस्तावसदृशं वचः

tathokto vīrabhadreṇa uvāca prahasanniva|| puṣkaso'pi svayā buddhyā prastāvasadṛśaṃ vacaḥ

Thus addressed by Virabhadra, the Pushkasa too, smiling as it were, spoke, according to his own understanding, words fitting to the occasion:

Verse 47 (skanda.1.33.47)

॥पुष्कस उवाच॥ किं मया कृतमद्यैव पापिना हिंसकेन च॥ मृगयारसिकेनैव पुष्कसेन दुरात्मना

||puṣkasa uvāca|| kiṃ mayā kṛtamadyaiva pāpinā hiṃsakena ca|| mṛgayārasikenaiva puṣkasena durātmanā

The Pushkasa said: 'What have I, a sinner, a slayer of creatures, an evil-souled Pushkasa devoted to the pleasure of hunting, done this very day?'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.33.48)

पापाचारो ह्यहं नित्यं कथं स्वर्गं व्रजाम्यहम्॥ कथं लिंगार्चनमिदं कृतमस्ति तदुच्यताम्

pāpācāro hyahaṃ nityaṃ kathaṃ svargaṃ vrajāmyaham|| kathaṃ liṃgārcanamidaṃ kṛtamasti taducyatām

'I am ever engaged in sinful conduct — how then shall I go to heaven? How has this worship of the linga been performed by me? Tell me this.'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.33.49)

परं कौतुकमापन्नः पृच्छामि त्वां यथातथम्॥ कथयस्व महाभाग सर्वं चैव यथाविधि

paraṃ kautukamāpannaḥ pṛcchāmi tvāṃ yathātatham|| kathayasva mahābhāga sarvaṃ caiva yathāvidhi

'Overcome with great curiosity, I ask you exactly how this is; tell me all of it, O blessed one, just as it truly happened.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.33.50)

इत्येवं पृच्छतस्तस्य पुष्कसस्य यथाविधि॥ कथयामास तत्सर्वं शिवधर्म मुदान्वितः

ityevaṃ pṛcchatastasya puṣkasasya yathāvidhi|| kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṃ śivadharma mudānvitaḥ

To the Pushkasa thus asking, he, filled with joy, then related in full that whole duty pertaining to Shiva.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.33.51)

॥वीरभद्र उवाच॥ देवदेवो महादेवो देवानां पतिरीश्वरः॥ परितुष्टोऽद्य हे चंड स महेश उमापतिः

||vīrabhadra uvāca|| devadevo mahādevo devānāṃ patirīśvaraḥ|| parituṣṭo'dya he caṃḍa sa maheśa umāpatiḥ

Virabhadra said: 'The god of gods, Mahadeva, the lord and master of the gods — this very day, O Chanda, that Mahesha, the husband of Uma, has become well pleased with you.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.33.52)

प्रासंगिकतया माघे कृतं लिंगार्चनं त्वया॥ शिवतुष्टिकरं चाद्य पूतोऽसि त्वं न संशयः॥ शिवरात्र्यां प्रसंगेन कृतमर्चनमेव च

prāsaṃgikatayā māghe kṛtaṃ liṃgārcanaṃ tvayā|| śivatuṣṭikaraṃ cādya pūto'si tvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ|| śivarātryāṃ prasaṃgena kṛtamarcanameva ca

'By mere chance, in the month of Magha, you performed the worship of the linga; and this very day, by an act that pleases Shiva, you have become purified — of this there is no doubt. On the night of Shivaratri, by circumstance alone, this worship was accomplished.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.33.53)

कोलं निरीक्षमाणेन बिल्वपत्राणि चैव हि॥ च्छेदितानि त्वया चंड पतितानि तदैव हि॥ लिंगस्य मस्तके तानि तेन त्वं सुकृती प्रभो

kolaṃ nirīkṣamāṇena bilvapatrāṇi caiva hi|| ccheditāni tvayā caṃḍa patitāni tadaiva hi|| liṃgasya mastake tāni tena tvaṃ sukṛtī prabho

'While watching for the boar, O Chanda, you cut off those bilva leaves, and they fell at that very moment upon the head of the linga; by that alone, O sir, you have become a man of merit.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.33.54)

ततश्च जागरो जातो महान्वृक्षोपरि ध्रुवम्॥ तेनैव जागरेणैव तुतोष जगदीश्वरः

tataśca jāgaro jāto mahānvṛkṣopari dhruvam|| tenaiva jāgareṇaiva tutoṣa jagadīśvaraḥ

'And then, upon the tree, your great night-vigil surely came to pass; by that very vigil alone the lord of the universe was pleased.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.33.55)

छलेनैव महाभाग कोलसंदर्शनेन हि॥ शिवरात्रिदिने चात्र स्वप्नस्ते न च योषितः

chalenaiva mahābhāga kolasaṃdarśanena hi|| śivarātridine cātra svapnaste na ca yoṣitaḥ

'Purely by chance, O blessed one, through your watching for the boar, on this day of Shivaratri, no sleep came to you, nor even a thought of your wife.'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.33.56)

तेनोपवासेन च जागरेण तुष्टो ह्यसौ देववरो महात्मा॥ तव प्रसादाय महानुभावो ददाति सर्वान्वरदो महांश्च

tenopavāsena ca jāgareṇa tuṣṭo hyasau devavaro mahātmā|| tava prasādāya mahānubhāvo dadāti sarvānvarado mahāṃśca

'By that fasting and that vigil, that great-souled and supreme god has been pleased; that being of great glory, granter of all boons, bestows his grace upon you.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.33.57)

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन वीरभद्रेण धीमता॥ पुष्कसोऽपि विमानाग्र्यमारुहोह च पश्यताम्

evamuktastadā tena vīrabhadreṇa dhīmatā|| puṣkaso'pi vimānāgryamāruhoha ca paśyatām

Thus addressed by the wise Virabhadra, the Pushkasa mounted that finest of chariots, while all looked on.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.33.58)

गणानां देवतानां च सर्वेषां प्राणिनामपि॥ तदा दुंदुभयो नेदुर्भेर्यस्तूर्याण्यनेकशः

gaṇānāṃ devatānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ prāṇināmapi|| tadā duṃdubhayo nedurbheryastūryāṇyanekaśaḥ

For the ganas, for the gods, and for all beings there, dundubhis then resounded, and countless bheris and trumpets.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.33.59)

वीणावेणुमृदंगानि तस्य चाग्रे गतानि च॥ जगुर्गंधर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

vīṇāveṇumṛdaṃgāni tasya cāgre gatāni ca|| jagurgaṃdharvapatayo nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

Vinas, flutes and mridangas sounded before him as he went; the lords of the gandharvas sang, and the hosts of apsaras danced.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.33.60)

विद्याधरगणाः सर्वे तुष्टुवुः सिद्धचारणाः॥ चामरैवर्वीज्यमानो हि च्छत्रैश्च विविधैरपि॥ महोत्सवेन महता आनीतो गंधमादनम्

vidyādharagaṇāḥ sarve tuṣṭuvuḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ|| cāmaraivarvījyamāno hi cchatraiśca vividhairapi|| mahotsavena mahatā ānīto gaṃdhamādanam

All the hosts of vidyadharas, siddhas and charanas praised him; fanned by chowries and shaded by various parasols, he was brought, amid a great festival, to Gandhamadana.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.33.61)

शिवसान्निध्यमागच्चंडोसौ तेन कर्मणा॥ शिवरात्र्युपवासेन परं स्थानं समागमत्

śivasānnidhyamāgaccaṃḍosau tena karmaṇā|| śivarātryupavāsena paraṃ sthānaṃ samāgamat

By that very deed, that Chanda attained the presence of Shiva; through the fast of Shivaratri, he reached the supreme abode.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.33.62)

पुष्कसोऽपि तथा प्राप्तः प्रसंगेन सदाशिवम्॥ किं पुनः श्रद्धया युक्ताः शिवाय परमात्मने

puṣkaso'pi tathā prāptaḥ prasaṃgena sadāśivam|| kiṃ punaḥ śraddhayā yuktāḥ śivāya paramātmane

Thus even the Pushkasa attained Sadashiva purely by chance — how much more, then, shall those attain him who are filled with faith and devotion to Shiva, the Supreme Self.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.33.63)

पुष्पादिकं फलं गंधं तांबूलं भक्ष्यमृद्धिमत्॥ ये प्रयच्छंति लोकेऽस्मिन्रुद्रास्ते नात्र संशयः

puṣpādikaṃ phalaṃ gaṃdhaṃ tāṃbūlaṃ bhakṣyamṛddhimat|| ye prayacchaṃti loke'sminrudrāste nātra saṃśayaḥ

Those who offer flowers, fruit, scent, betel-leaf, and rich food in this world — they themselves are Rudras, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.33.64)

चंडेन वै पुष्कसेन सफलं तस्य चाभवत्॥ प्रसंगेनापि तेनैव कृतं तच्चाल्पबुद्धिना

caṃḍena vai puṣkasena saphalaṃ tasya cābhavat|| prasaṃgenāpi tenaiva kṛtaṃ taccālpabuddhinā

By that Chanda, the Pushkasa, this became fruitful; though performed by chance, and though he was a man of little understanding, it bore its fruit through that alone.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.33.65)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ किं फलं तस्य चोद्देशः केन चैव पुना कृतम्॥ कस्माद्व्रतमिदं जातं कृतं केन पुरा विभो

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| kiṃ phalaṃ tasya coddeśaḥ kena caiva punā kṛtam|| kasmādvratamidaṃ jātaṃ kṛtaṃ kena purā vibho

The sages said: 'What is the fruit of this observance, and its purpose, and by whom was it first established? Whence did this vow arise, O lord, and by whom was it performed in ancient times?'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.33.66)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ यदा सृष्टं जगत्सर्वं ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना॥ कालचक्रं तदा जातं पुरा राशिमन्विताम्

||lomaśa uvāca|| yadā sṛṣṭaṃ jagatsarvaṃ brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā|| kālacakraṃ tadā jātaṃ purā rāśimanvitām

Lomasha said: When the entire universe was created by Brahma, the supreme lord, then the wheel of Time came into being, in ancient days, together with the zodiac signs.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.33.67)

द्वादश राशयस्तत्र नक्षत्राणि तथैव च॥ सप्तविंशतिसंख्यानि मुख्यानि xxxxxx सिद्धये

dvādaśa rāśayastatra nakṣatrāṇi tathaiva ca|| saptaviṃśatisaṃkhyāni mukhyāni xxxxxx siddhaye

There, the twelve zodiac signs, and the constellations likewise, twenty-seven in number, the principal ones, arose for the accomplishment of time-reckoning.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.33.68)

एभिः सर्वं प्रचंडं च राशिभिरुडुभिस्तथा॥ कालचक्रान्वितः कालः क्रीडयन्सृजते जगत्

ebhiḥ sarvaṃ pracaṃḍaṃ ca rāśibhiruḍubhistathā|| kālacakrānvitaḥ kālaḥ krīḍayansṛjate jagat

By all these signs and constellations, of tremendous power, Time, joined with the wheel of Time, creates the universe as though in play.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.33.69)

आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्यंतं सृजत्य वति हंति च॥ निबद्धमस्ति तेनैव कालेनैकेन भो द्विजाः

ābrahmastaṃbaparyaṃtaṃ sṛjatya vati haṃti ca|| nibaddhamasti tenaiva kālenaikena bho dvijāḥ

From Brahma down to the smallest blade of grass, it creates, sustains and destroys; all this, O brahmins, is bound by that one Time alone.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.33.70)

कालो हि बलवाँल्लोके एक एव न चापरः॥ तस्मात्कालात्मकं सर्वमिदं नास्त्यत्र संशयः

kālo hi balavā~lloke eka eva na cāparaḥ|| tasmātkālātmakaṃ sarvamidaṃ nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ

Time alone is mighty in this world, one alone, and none other; therefore all this is, in its very nature, made of Time — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.33.71)

आदौ कालः कालनाच्च लोकनायकनायकः॥ ततो लोका हि संजाताः सृष्टिश्च तदनंतरम्

ādau kālaḥ kālanācca lokanāyakanāyakaḥ|| tato lokā hi saṃjātāḥ sṛṣṭiśca tadanaṃtaram

In the beginning was Time, and from its power of measuring came the leader even of the leaders of the worlds; then the worlds came into being, and creation followed thereafter.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.33.72)

सृष्टेर्लवो हि संजातो लवाच्च क्षणमेव च॥ क्षणाच्च निमिषं जातं प्राणिनां हि निरंतरम्

sṛṣṭerlavo hi saṃjāto lavācca kṣaṇameva ca|| kṣaṇācca nimiṣaṃ jātaṃ prāṇināṃ hi niraṃtaram

From creation the 'lava' unit of time arose, and from the lava, the 'kshana'; and from the kshana arose the 'nimesha,' the blink of an eye, ceaselessly measuring the life of beings.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.33.73)

निमिषाणां च षष्ट्या वै फल इत्यभिधीयते॥ पंचदश्या अहोरात्रैः पक्षइत्यभिधीयते

nimiṣāṇāṃ ca ṣaṣṭyā vai phala ityabhidhīyate|| paṃcadaśyā ahorātraiḥ pakṣaityabhidhīyate

Sixty nimeshas are called a 'phala'; and fifteen day-and-nights together are called a 'paksha,' a fortnight.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.33.74)

पक्षाभ्यां मास एव स्यान्मासा द्वादश वत्सरः॥ तं कालं ज्ञातुकामेन कार्यं ज्ञानं विचक्षणैः

pakṣābhyāṃ māsa eva syānmāsā dvādaśa vatsaraḥ|| taṃ kālaṃ jñātukāmena kāryaṃ jñānaṃ vicakṣaṇaiḥ

Two fortnights make a month, and twelve months a year; those who wish to understand this measure of Time should, if wise, attain this knowledge.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.33.75)

प्रतिपद्दिनमारभ्य पौर्णमास्यंतमेव च॥ पक्षं पूर्णो हि यस्माच्च पूर्णिमेत्यभिधीयते

pratipaddinamārabhya paurṇamāsyaṃtameva ca|| pakṣaṃ pūrṇo hi yasmācca pūrṇimetyabhidhīyate

Beginning from the first day, pratipada, and ending with the full moon, this is a fortnight; and because it comes to fullness, it is called 'purnima,' the full moon.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.33.76)

पूर्णचंद्रमसी या तु सा पूर्णा देवताप्रिया॥ नष्टस्तु चंद्रो यस्यां वा अमा सा कथिता बुधैः

pūrṇacaṃdramasī yā tu sā pūrṇā devatāpriyā|| naṣṭastu caṃdro yasyāṃ vā amā sā kathitā budhaiḥ

That night on which the moon is full is called 'purna,' dear to the gods; and that on which the moon has vanished is called 'ama,' the new moon, by the wise.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.33.77)

अग्निष्वात्तादिपितॄणां प्रियातीव बभूव ह॥ त्रिंशद्दिनानि ह्येतानि पुण्यकालयुतानि च॥ तेषां मध्ये विशेषो यस्तं श्रृणुध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः

agniṣvāttādipitṝṇāṃ priyātīva babhūva ha|| triṃśaddināni hyetāni puṇyakālayutāni ca|| teṣāṃ madhye viśeṣo yastaṃ śrṛṇudhvaṃ dvijottamāḥ

That new-moon night became exceedingly dear to the Agnishvatta and other classes of ancestors; these thirty days are all joined with auspicious times; hear now, O best of brahmins, what distinction there is among them.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.33.78)

योगानां वा व्यतीपात ऊडूनां श्रवणस्तथा॥ अमावास्या तिथीनां च पूर्णिमा वै तथैव च

yogānāṃ vā vyatīpāta ūḍūnāṃ śravaṇastathā|| amāvāsyā tithīnāṃ ca pūrṇimā vai tathaiva ca

Among the yogas, Vyatipata; among the constellations, Shravana; among the tithis, the new moon; and likewise the full moon —

Verse 79 (skanda.1.33.79)

संक्रांतयस्तथाज्ञेयाः पवित्रा दानकर्मणि॥ तथाष्टमी प्रिया शंभोर्गणेशस्य चतुर्थिका

saṃkrāṃtayastathājñeyāḥ pavitrā dānakarmaṇi|| tathāṣṭamī priyā śaṃbhorgaṇeśasya caturthikā

— the solar transits too are to be known as sacred for the performance of charity; the eighth day is dear to Shambhu, and the fourth to Ganesha.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.33.80)

पञ्चमी नागराजस्य कुमारस्य च षष्ठिका॥ भानोश्च सप्तमी ज्ञेया नवमी चण्डिकाप्रिया

pañcamī nāgarājasya kumārasya ca ṣaṣṭhikā|| bhānośca saptamī jñeyā navamī caṇḍikāpriyā

The fifth belongs to the king of serpents, and the sixth to Kumara; the seventh is known as the Sun's, and the ninth is dear to Chandika.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.33.81)

ब्रह्मणो दशमी ज्ञेया रुद्रस्यैकादशी तथा॥ विष्णुप्रिया द्वादशी च अंतकस्य त्रयोदशी

brahmaṇo daśamī jñeyā rudrasyaikādaśī tathā|| viṣṇupriyā dvādaśī ca aṃtakasya trayodaśī

The tenth is known as Brahma's, and the eleventh Rudra's; the twelfth is dear to Vishnu, and the thirteenth belongs to Yama, the ender of life.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.33.82)

चतुर्द्दशी तथा शंभोः प्रिया नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥ निशीथसंयुता या तु कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्द्दशी॥ उपोष्या सा तिथिः श्रेष्ठा शिवसायुज्यकारिणी

caturddaśī tathā śaṃbhoḥ priyā nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ|| niśīthasaṃyutā yā tu kṛṣṇapakṣe caturddaśī|| upoṣyā sā tithiḥ śreṣṭhā śivasāyujyakāriṇī

The fourteenth likewise is dear to Shambhu — of this there is no doubt; and that fourteenth day of the dark fortnight which falls joined with midnight is the most excellent tithi to be observed by fasting, granting union with Shiva.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.33.83)

शिवरात्रितिथिः ख्याता सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी॥ अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्

śivarātritithiḥ khyātā sarvapāpapraṇāśinī|| atraivodāharaṃtīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam

This is renowned as the tithi of Shivaratri, the destroyer of all sins; here too, in this connection, they cite this ancient legend.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.33.84)

ब्राह्मणी विधवा काचित्पुरा ह्यासीच्च चंचला॥ श्वपचाभिरता सा च कामुकी कामहेतुतः

brāhmaṇī vidhavā kācitpurā hyāsīcca caṃcalā|| śvapacābhiratā sā ca kāmukī kāmahetutaḥ

Long ago there once lived a certain restless brahmin widow, who was intimately involved with an outcaste dog-eater, driven by lustful desire.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.33.85)

तस्यां तस्य सुतो जातः श्वपचस्य दुरात्मनः॥ दुः सहो दुष्टनामात्मा सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः

tasyāṃ tasya suto jātaḥ śvapacasya durātmanaḥ|| duḥ saho duṣṭanāmātmā sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ

From her was born a son of that evil-souled outcaste — a boy hard to bear, of wicked nature, cast out from all righteous conduct.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.33.86)

महापापप्रयोगाच्च पापमारभते सदा॥ कितवश्च सुरापायी स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः

mahāpāpaprayogācca pāpamārabhate sadā|| kitavaśca surāpāyī steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ

Steeped in the practice of great sins, he was ever bent on wickedness; a gambler, a drinker of liquor, a thief, and a violator of his teacher's bed.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.33.87)

मृगयुश्च दुरात्मासौ कर्मचण्डाल एव सः॥ अधर्मिष्ठो ह्यसद्वृत्तः कदाचिच्च शिवालयम्॥ शिवरात्र्यां च संप्राप्तो ह्युषितः शिवसन्निधौ

mṛgayuśca durātmāsau karmacaṇḍāla eva saḥ|| adharmiṣṭho hyasadvṛttaḥ kadācicca śivālayam|| śivarātryāṃ ca saṃprāpto hyuṣitaḥ śivasannidhau

That evil-souled man was a hunter, a chandala in his very conduct; unrighteous and of evil ways, he once by chance came to a temple of Shiva, arriving there on the night of Shivaratri, and stayed close by Shiva.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.33.88)

श्रवणं शैवशास्त्रस्य यदृच्छाजातमंतिके॥ शिवस्य लिंगरूपस्य स्वयंभुवो यदा तदा

śravaṇaṃ śaivaśāstrasya yadṛcchājātamaṃtike|| śivasya liṃgarūpasya svayaṃbhuvo yadā tadā

There, quite by chance, he happened to hear the recitation of the Shaiva scriptures, near to Shiva in his self-manifest linga-form —

Verse 89 (skanda.1.33.89)

स एकत्रोषितो दुष्टः शिवरात्र्यां तु जागरात्॥ तेन कर्मविपाकेन पुण्यां योनिमवाप्तवान्

sa ekatroṣito duṣṭaḥ śivarātryāṃ tu jāgarāt|| tena karmavipākena puṇyāṃ yonimavāptavān

— that wicked man, staying in one place through the vigil of Shivaratri, by the fruit of that deed attained a virtuous birth.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.33.90)

भुक्त्वा पुण्यतामाँल्लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः॥ चित्रांगदस्य पुत्रोभूद्भूपालेश्वरलक्षणः

bhuktvā puṇyatāmā~llokānuṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ|| citrāṃgadasya putrobhūdbhūpāleśvaralakṣaṇaḥ

Having enjoyed the merit-born worlds, dwelling there for endless years, he then became the son of Chitrangada, marked with all the signs of a supreme king.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.33.91)

नाम्ना विचित्रवीर्योऽसौ सुभगः संदुरी प्रियः॥ राज्यं महत्तरं प्राप्य निःस्तंभो हि महानभूत्

nāmnā vicitravīryo'sau subhagaḥ saṃdurī priyaḥ|| rājyaṃ mahattaraṃ prāpya niḥstaṃbho hi mahānabhūt

Named Vichitravirya, fortunate and beloved of the fair, having obtained a most great kingdom, he became a great king, free of arrogance.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.33.92)

शिवे भक्तिं प्रकुर्वाणः शिवकर्मपरोऽभवत्॥ शैवशास्त्रं पुरस्कृत्य शिवपूजनतत्परः॥ रात्रौ जागरणं यत्नात्करोति शिवसन्निधौ

śive bhaktiṃ prakurvāṇaḥ śivakarmaparo'bhavat|| śaivaśāstraṃ puraskṛtya śivapūjanatatparaḥ|| rātrau jāgaraṇaṃ yatnātkaroti śivasannidhau

Practising devotion to Shiva, he became devoted to the deeds of Shiva; honouring the Shaiva scriptures, intent upon the worship of Shiva, he would carefully keep his night-vigil close by Shiva.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.33.93)

शिवस्य गाथा गायंस्तु आनंदाश्रुकणान्मुहुः॥ प्रमुंचंश्चैव नेत्राभ्यां रोमांचपुलकावृतः

śivasya gāthā gāyaṃstu ānaṃdāśrukaṇānmuhuḥ|| pramuṃcaṃścaiva netrābhyāṃ romāṃcapulakāvṛtaḥ

Singing the tales of Shiva, again and again shedding tears of joy from his eyes, his body covered all over with the thrill of horripilation,

Verse 94 (skanda.1.33.94)

आयुष्यं च गतं तस्य शिवध्यानपरस्य च॥ शिवो हि सुलभो लोके पशूनां ज्ञाननिनामपि

āyuṣyaṃ ca gataṃ tasya śivadhyānaparasya ca|| śivo hi sulabho loke paśūnāṃ jñānanināmapi

— thus his life passed, wholly devoted to meditation upon Shiva; for Shiva is easily attained in this world, even by the ignorant among creatures, no less than by the wise.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.33.95)

संसेवितुं सुखप्राप्त्यै ह्येक एव सदाशिवः॥ शिवरात्र्युपवासेन प्राप्तो ज्ञानमनुत्तमम्

saṃsevituṃ sukhaprāptyai hyeka eva sadāśivaḥ|| śivarātryupavāsena prāpto jñānamanuttamam

Sadashiva alone is to be served for the attainment of happiness; through the fast of Shivaratri he attained supreme and unsurpassed knowledge.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.33.96)

ज्ञानात्सर्वमनुप्राप्तं भूतसाम्यं निरंतरम्॥ सर्वभूतात्मकं ज्ञात्वा केवलं च सदा शिवम्॥ विना शिवेन यत्किंचिन्नास्ति वस्त्वत्र न क्वचित्

jñānātsarvamanuprāptaṃ bhūtasāmyaṃ niraṃtaram|| sarvabhūtātmakaṃ jñātvā kevalaṃ ca sadā śivam|| vinā śivena yatkiṃcinnāsti vastvatra na kvacit

From that knowledge, everything was attained by him — a ceaseless equanimity toward all beings; knowing that everything is, in truth, of the nature of Shiva alone, always — for apart from Shiva there exists nothing whatsoever, anywhere, at all.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.33.97)

एवं पूर्णं निष्प्रपंचं ज्ञानं प्राप्नोति दुर्लभम्॥ प्राप्तज्ञानस्तदा राजा जातो हि शिववल्लभः

evaṃ pūrṇaṃ niṣprapaṃcaṃ jñānaṃ prāpnoti durlabham|| prāptajñānastadā rājā jāto hi śivavallabhaḥ

Thus he attained that complete, world-transcending knowledge so hard to obtain; and having attained that knowledge, the king became truly beloved of Shiva.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.33.98)

मुक्तिं सायुज्यतां प्राप्तः शिवरात्रेरुपोषणात्॥ तेन लब्धं शिवाज्जन्म पुरा यत्कथितं मया

muktiṃ sāyujyatāṃ prāptaḥ śivarātrerupoṣaṇāt|| tena labdhaṃ śivājjanma purā yatkathitaṃ mayā

He attained liberation, union with Shiva, through the fasting of Shivaratri; by that means he obtained the birth from Shiva of which I have earlier spoken.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.33.99)

दाक्षायणीवीयो गाच्च जटाजूटेन विस्तरात्॥ य उत्पन्नो मस्तकाच्च शिवस्य परमात्मनः॥ वीरभद्रेति विख्यातो दक्षयज्ञविनाशनः

dākṣāyaṇīvīyo gācca jaṭājūṭena vistarāt|| ya utpanno mastakācca śivasya paramātmanaḥ|| vīrabhadreti vikhyāto dakṣayajñavināśanaḥ

He who was born, springing forth in full from the matted locks upon the head of Shiva, the Supreme Self, out of his fury at Dakshayani's dishonour — he is renowned as Virabhadra, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.33.100)

शिवरात्रिव्रतेनैव तारिता बहवः पुरा॥ प्राप्ताः सिद्धिं पुरा विप्रा भरताद्याश्च देहिनः

śivarātrivratenaiva tāritā bahavaḥ purā|| prāptāḥ siddhiṃ purā viprā bharatādyāśca dehinaḥ

By the vow of Shivaratri alone, many were delivered in ancient times; brahmins, and embodied beings like Bharata and others, attained perfection long ago.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.33.101)

मांधाता धुन्धुमारिश्च हरिश्चन्द्रादयो नृपाः॥ प्राप्ताः सिद्धिमनेनेव व्रतेन परमेण हि

māṃdhātā dhundhumāriśca hariścandrādayo nṛpāḥ|| prāptāḥ siddhimaneneva vratena parameṇa hi

Mandhata, Dhundhumara, Harishchandra and other kings attained perfection through this very supreme vow.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.33.102)

ततो गिरीशो गिरिजासमेतः क्रीडान्वितोऽसौ गिरिराजमस्तके॥ द्यूतं तथैवाक्षयुतं परेशो युक्तो भवान्या स भृशं चकार

tato girīśo girijāsametaḥ krīḍānvito'sau girirājamastake|| dyūtaṃ tathaivākṣayutaṃ pareśo yukto bhavānyā sa bhṛśaṃ cakāra

Then the lord of the mountain, Shiva, together with Girija, sporting joyfully upon the summit of the king of mountains, the supreme lord, joined with Bhavani, engaged eagerly in a game of dice with cowrie shells.