The Greatness of the Mahi-Sagara Confluence, the Shatarudriya Lingas, and Indradyumneshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.1.48.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ इति तस्य मुनींद्रस्य भूपतिः शुश्रुवान्वचः॥ प्राह नाहं गमिष्यामि त्वां विहाय नरं क्वचित्

nārada uvāca iti tasya munīṁdrasya bhūpatiḥ śuśruvānvacaḥ prāha nāhaṁ gamiṣyāmi tvāṁ vihāya naraṁ kvacit

Narada said: "Hearing this word of that lord of sages, the king said: 'I shall not go anywhere, leaving this man behind.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.48.2)

लिंगमाराधयिष्येऽद्य सर्वसिद्धिप्रदं नृणाम्॥ त्वयैवानुगृहीतोऽद्य यांतु सर्वे यथागतम्

liṁgamārādhayiṣye'dya sarvasiddhipradaṁ nṛṇām tvayaivānugṛhīto'dya yāṁtu sarve yathāgatam

"'Today I shall worship the linga that grants every perfection to men; favored now by you, let all the rest go their own ways.'"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.48.3)

तद्भूपतिवचः श्रुत्वा बको गृध्रोऽथ कच्छपः॥ उलूकश्च तथैवोचुः प्रणता लोमशं मुनिम्

tadbhūpativacaḥ śrutvā bako gṛdhro'tha kacchapaḥ ulūkaśca tathaivocuḥ praṇatā lomaśaṁ munim

Hearing the king's word, the heron, the vulture and the tortoise, and the owl as well, bowing to the sage Lomasha, said —

Verse 4 (skanda.1.48.4)

स च सर्वसुहृद्विप्रस्तथेत्येवाह तांस्तदा॥ प्रणोद्यान्प्रणतान्सर्वाननुजग्राह शिष्यवत्

sa ca sarvasuhṛdviprastathetyevāha tāṁstadā praṇodyānpraṇatānsarvānanujagrāha śiṣyavat

and that Brahmin, friend to all, said to them, "So be it," and received all those bowed, urgeable souls as his own disciples.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.48.5)

शिवदीक्षाविधानेन लिंगपूजां समादिशत्॥ तेषामनुग्रहपरो मुनिः प्रमतवत्सलः॥ तीर्थादप्यधिकं स्थाने सतां साधुसमागमः

śivadīkṣāvidhānena liṁgapūjāṁ samādiśat teṣāmanugrahaparo muniḥ pramatavatsalaḥ tīrthādapyadhikaṁ sthāne satāṁ sādhusamāgamaḥ

Through the rite of Shiva-initiation he taught them the worship of the linga; that sage, devoted to their welfare, tender toward the humble — for the company of the virtuous is greater even than a tirtha.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.48.6)

पचेलिमफलः सद्यो दुरंतकलुपापहः॥ अपूर्वः कोऽपि सद्गोष्ठीसहस्रकिरणोदयः

pacelimaphalaḥ sadyo duraṁtakalupāpahaḥ apūrvaḥ ko'pi sadgoṣṭhīsahasrakiraṇodayaḥ

Its fruit ripens at once, swiftly dispelling endless impurity; it is like some unprecedented rising of a thousand suns of good company.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.48.7)

य एकांततयात्यंतमंतर्गततमोपहः॥ साधुगोष्ठीसमुद्भूतसुखामृतरसोर्मयः

ya ekāṁtatayātyaṁtamaṁtargatatamopahaḥ sādhugoṣṭhīsamudbhūtasukhāmṛtarasormayaḥ

That which, through single-minded devotion, utterly consumes the darkness dwelling within, is a wave of nectar-sweet joy born of the fellowship of the good.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.48.8)

सर्वे वराः सुधाकाराः शर्करामधुषड्रसाः॥ ततस्ते साधुसंसर्गं संप्राप्ताः शिवशासनात्

sarve varāḥ sudhākārāḥ śarkarāmadhuṣaḍrasāḥ tataste sādhusaṁsargaṁ saṁprāptāḥ śivaśāsanāt

Nectar, sugar, honey, the six flavors — every fine thing pales beside it. Then, having gained the company of the good through Shiva's own decree,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.48.9)

आरेभिरे क्रियायोगं मार्कंडनृपपूर्वकाः॥ तेषां तपस्यतामेवं समाजग्मे कदाचन॥ तीर्थयात्रानुषंगेन लोमशालोकनोत्सुकः

ārebhire kriyāyogaṁ mārkaṁḍanṛpapūrvakāḥ teṣāṁ tapasyatāmevaṁ samājagme kadācana tīrthayātrānuṣaṁgena lomaśālokanotsukaḥ

with Markandeya and the king foremost among them, they began the discipline of ritual practice. Once, while they thus practiced austerity, on some occasion, through the course of a pilgrimage, eager to see Lomasha,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.48.10)

मुख्या पुरुषयात्रा हि तीर्थयात्रानुषंगतः॥ सद्भिः समाश्रितो भूप भूमिभागस्तथोच्यते

mukhyā puruṣayātrā hi tīrthayātrānuṣaṁgataḥ sadbhiḥ samāśrito bhūpa bhūmibhāgastathocyate

— for the pilgrimage of persons is itself the chief occasion of any tirtha-yatra — a tract of land resorted to by the good, O king, is thus called a tirtha in just the same way.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.48.11)

कृतार्हणातिथ्यविधिं विश्रांतं मां च फाल्गुन॥ प्रणम्य तेऽथ पप्रच्छुर्नाडीजंघपुरः सराः

kṛtārhaṇātithyavidhiṁ viśrāṁtaṁ māṁ ca phālguna praṇamya te'tha papracchurnāḍījaṁghapuraḥ sarāḥ

...having performed the rites of honor and hospitality, and, O Phalguna, while I rested, they, with Nadijangha at their head, bowed and asked —

Verse 12 (skanda.1.48.12)

॥त उचुः॥ शापभ्रष्टा वयं ब्रह्मंश्चत्वारोऽपि स्वकर्मणा॥ तन्मुक्तिसाधनार्थाय स्थानं किंचित्समादिश

ta ucuḥ śāpabhraṣṭā vayaṁ brahmaṁścatvāro'pi svakarmaṇā tanmuktisādhanārthāya sthānaṁ kiṁcitsamādiśa

They said: "We four, O Brahman, are fallen through curses, each by his own deed; direct us, then, to some place, for the sake of accomplishing our release.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.48.13)

इयं हि निष्फला भूमिः शपलं भारतं मुने

iyaṁ hi niṣphalā bhūmiḥ śapalaṁ bhārataṁ mune

"This land itself is not without fruit — blessed indeed is Bharata, O sage.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.48.14)

तत्रापि क्वचिदेकत्र सर्वतीर्थफलं वद॥ इति पृष्टस्त्वहं तैश्च तानब्रवमिदं तदा

tatrāpi kvacidekatra sarvatīrthaphalaṁ vada iti pṛṣṭastvahaṁ taiśca tānabravamidaṁ tadā

"Yet tell us — is there some one place, even within it, where the fruit of every tirtha may be won?" Thus questioned by them, I then said to them —

Verse 15 (skanda.1.48.15)

संवर्तं परिपृच्छध्वं स वो वक्ष्यति तत्त्वतः॥ सर्वतीर्थफलावाप्तिकारकं भूप्रदेशकम्

saṁvartaṁ paripṛcchadhvaṁ sa vo vakṣyati tattvataḥ sarvatīrthaphalāvāptikārakaṁ bhūpradeśakam

"'Ask Samvarta; he will tell you truly — of that region of land which brings about the fruit of every tirtha.'"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.48.16)

॥त उचुः॥ कुत्रासौ विद्यते योगी नाज्ञासिष्म वयं च तम्॥ संवर्तदर्शनान्मुक्तिरिति चास्मदनुग्रहः

ta ucuḥ kutrāsau vidyate yogī nājñāsiṣma vayaṁ ca tam saṁvartadarśanānmuktiriti cāsmadanugrahaḥ

They said: "Where does that yogi dwell? We do not know him. By the mere sight of Samvarta, so we understand, liberation comes —

Verse 17 (skanda.1.48.17)

यदि जानासि तं ब्रूहि सुहृत्संगो न निष्फलः॥ ततोऽहमब्रवं तांश्च विचार्येदं पुनःपुनः

yadi jānāsi taṁ brūhi suhṛtsaṁgo na niṣphalaḥ tato'hamabravaṁ tāṁśca vicāryedaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

"if you know him, tell us — the company of a true friend is never fruitless." Then, having pondered again and again, I said to them —

Verse 18 (skanda.1.48.18)

वाराणस्यामसावास्ते संवर्तो गुप्तलिंगभृत्॥ मलदिग्धो विवसनो भिक्षाशी कुतपादनु

vārāṇasyāmasāvāste saṁvarto guptaliṁgabhṛt maladigdho vivasano bhikṣāśī kutapādanu

"'In Varanasi dwells that Samvarta, bearing a hidden linga; smeared with filth, unclothed, living on alms, clad in rags —'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.48.19)

करपात्रकृताहारः सर्वथा निष्परिग्रहः॥ भावयन्ब्रह्म परमं प्रणवाभिधमीश्वरम्

karapātrakṛtāhāraḥ sarvathā niṣparigrahaḥ bhāvayanbrahma paramaṁ praṇavābhidhamīśvaram

"'taking his food in his own cupped hands, entirely without possessions, meditating upon the supreme Brahman, the Lord called by the syllable Om —'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.48.20)

भुक्त्वा निर्याति सायाह्ने वनं न ज्ञायते जनैः॥ योगीश्वरोऽसौ तद्रूपाः सन्त्यन्ये लिंगधारिणः

bhuktvā niryāti sāyāhne vanaṁ na jñāyate janaiḥ yogīśvaro'sau tadrūpāḥ santyanye liṁgadhāriṇaḥ

"'having eaten, he goes out at evening into the forest, unknown to the people; he is that lord of yogis — though there are others too who wear such a form.'

Verse 21 (skanda.1.48.21)

वक्ष्यामि लक्षणं तस्य ज्ञास्यथ तं मुनिम्॥ प्रतोल्या राजमार्गे तु निशि भूमौ शवं जनैः

vakṣyāmi lakṣaṇaṁ tasya jñāsyatha taṁ munim pratolyā rājamārge tu niśi bhūmau śavaṁ janaiḥ

"'I shall tell you his mark, by which you shall know that sage: at night, in a lane off the royal road, a corpse should be laid upon the ground by some people —'

Verse 22 (skanda.1.48.22)

अविज्ञातं स्थापनीयं स्थेयं तदविदूरतः॥ यस्तां भूमिमुपागम्य अकस्माद्विनिर्वतते

avijñātaṁ sthāpanīyaṁ stheyaṁ tadavidūrataḥ yastāṁ bhūmimupāgamya akasmādvinirvatate

"'unknown to him, and you should wait not far off from it. Whoever, drawing near that place, suddenly turns back —'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.48.23)

स संवर्तो न चाक्रामत्येष शल्यमसंशयम्॥ प्रष्टव्योऽभिमतं चासावुपाश्रित्य विनीतवत्

sa saṁvarto na cākrāmatyeṣa śalyamasaṁśayam praṣṭavyo'bhimataṁ cāsāvupāśritya vinītavat

"'he is Samvarta, without doubt, for he cannot bring himself to step over a corpse. He should be approached humbly and questioned with respect —'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.48.24)

यदि पृच्छति केनाहमाख्यात इति मां ततः॥ निवेद्य चैतद्वक्तव्यं त्वामाख्यायाग्निमाविशत्

yadi pṛcchati kenāhamākhyāta iti māṁ tataḥ nivedya caitadvaktavyaṁ tvāmākhyāyāgnimāviśat

"'and if he asks, "By whom was I found out?" then, telling him this, say: having named me, he entered the fire.'"

Verse 25 (skanda.1.48.25)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ते तथा चक्रुः सर्वेपि वचनं मम॥ प्राप्य वाराणसीं दृष्ट्वा संवर्तं ते तथा व्यधुः

tacchrutvā te tathā cakruḥ sarvepi vacanaṁ mama prāpya vārāṇasīṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁvartaṁ te tathā vyadhuḥ

Hearing this, they did exactly as I had said; reaching Varanasi, and finding Samvarta, they did just as I had told them.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.48.26)

शवं दृष्ट्वा च तैर्न्यस्तं संवर्तो वै न्यवर्तत॥ क्षुत्परीतोऽपि तं ज्ञात्वा ययुस्तमनु शीघ्रगम्

śavaṁ dṛṣṭvā ca tairnyastaṁ saṁvarto vai nyavartata kṣutparīto'pi taṁ jñātvā yayustamanu śīghragam

Seeing the corpse they had laid down, Samvarta indeed turned back; and though overcome with hunger, knowing this, they hurried swiftly after him.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.48.27)

तिष्ठ ब्रह्मन्क्षणमिति जल्पंतो राजमार्गगम्॥ याति निर्भर्त्सयत्येष निवर्तध्वमिति ब्रुवन्

tiṣṭha brahmankṣaṇamiti jalpaṁto rājamārgagam yāti nirbhartsayatyeṣa nivartadhvamiti bruvan

"'Wait, O Brahman, a moment!' they cried, following him along the royal road; and he, rebuking them, kept crying, 'Turn back!'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.48.28)

समया मामरे भोऽद्य नागंतव्यं न वो हितम्॥ पलायनमसौ कृत्वा गत्वा दूरतरं सरः॥ कुपितः प्राह तान्सर्वान्केनाख्यातोऽहमित्युत

samayā māmare bho'dya nāgaṁtavyaṁ na vo hitam palāyanamasau kṛtvā gatvā dūrataraṁ saraḥ kupitaḥ prāha tānsarvānkenākhyāto'hamityuta

"'Do not come near me today, friends — it is not for your good!' Having fled thus, going far off to a lake, enraged, he demanded of them all: 'Who found me out?'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.48.29)

निवेदयत शीघ्रं मे यथा भस्म करोमि तम्॥ शापाग्निनाथ वा युष्मान्यदि सत्यं न वक्ष्यथ

nivedayata śīghraṁ me yathā bhasma karomi tam śāpāgninātha vā yuṣmānyadi satyaṁ na vakṣyatha

"'Tell me quickly, so that I may reduce him to ashes with the fire of a curse — and you too, if you fail to speak the truth!'"

Verse 30 (skanda.1.48.30)

अथ प्रकंपिताः प्राहुर्नारदेनेति तं मुनिम्॥ स तानाह पुनर्यातः पिशुनः क्व नु संप्रति

atha prakaṁpitāḥ prāhurnāradeneti taṁ munim sa tānāha punaryātaḥ piśunaḥ kva nu saṁprati

Then, trembling, they told him it was the sage Narada. He said to them again: "That slanderer — where is he now,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.48.31)

लोकानां येन सापाग्नौ भस्मशेषं करोमि तम्॥ ब्रह्मबंधुमहं प्राहुर्भीतास्ते तं पुनर्मुनिम्

lokānāṁ yena sāpāgnau bhasmaśeṣaṁ karomi tam brahmabaṁdhumahaṁ prāhurbhītāste taṁ punarmunim

"so that I may reduce him, by the very curse-fire he uses to trouble people, to ashes?" "A wretched kinsman of Brahmins," they called him — and, afraid, they said again to that sage —

Verse 32 (skanda.1.48.32)

॥त ऊचुः॥ त्वं निवेद्य स चास्माकं प्रविष्टो हव्यवाहनम्॥ तत्कालमेव विप्रेंद्र न विद्मस्तत्र कारणम्

ta ūcuḥ tvaṁ nivedya sa cāsmākaṁ praviṣṭo havyavāhanam tatkālameva vipreṁdra na vidmastatra kāraṇam

They said: "Having told you, he himself entered the fire that very moment, O lord of Brahmins; we do not know the reason for it."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.48.33)

॥संवर्त उवाच॥ अहमप्येवमेवास्य कर्ता तेन स्वयं कृतम्॥ तद्ब्रूत कार्यं नैवात्र चिरं स्थास्यामि वः कृते

saṁvarta uvāca ahamapyevamevāsya kartā tena svayaṁ kṛtam tadbrūta kāryaṁ naivātra ciraṁ sthāsyāmi vaḥ kṛte

Samvarta said: "I too suspect this to be his own doing — so tell me, what business remains here? I shall not stay long for your sake."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.48.34)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ यदि नारद देवर्षे प्रविष्टोऽसि हुताशनम्॥ जीवितस्तत्कथं भूय आश्चर्यमिति मे वद

arjuna uvāca yadi nārada devarṣe praviṣṭo'si hutāśanam jīvitastatkathaṁ bhūya āścaryamiti me vada

Arjuna said: "O celestial sage Narada, if you truly entered the fire, how then did you remain alive? Tell me this wonder."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.48.35)

॥नारद उवाच॥ न हुताशः समुद्रो वा वायुर्वा वृक्षपर्वतः॥ आयुधं वा न मे शक्ता देहपाताय भारत

nārada uvāca na hutāśaḥ samudro vā vāyurvā vṛkṣaparvataḥ āyudhaṁ vā na me śaktā dehapātāya bhārata

Narada said: "Neither fire, nor ocean, nor wind, nor tree, nor mountain, nor any weapon, O Bharata, has power to bring about the fall of my body.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.48.36)

पुनरेतत्कृतं चापि संवर्तो मन्यते यथा॥ अहं सन्मानितश्चेति वह्निं प्राप्याप्यगामहम्

punaretatkṛtaṁ cāpi saṁvarto manyate yathā ahaṁ sanmānitaśceti vahniṁ prāpyāpyagāmaham

"Yet still, so that Samvarta might believe this deed truly done, and myself duly honored, I went and entered that fire.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.48.37)

यथा पुष्पगृहे कश्चित्प्रविशत्यंग फाल्गुन॥ तथाहमग्निं संविश्य यातवानुत्तरं श्रृणु

yathā puṣpagṛhe kaścitpraviśatyaṁga phālguna tathāhamagniṁ saṁviśya yātavānuttaraṁ śrṛṇu

"As one might enter a bower of flowers, O Phalguna, so did I enter the fire — hear what followed.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.48.38)

संवर्तस्तान्पुनः प्राह मार्कंडेयमुखानिति॥ विशल्यः पंथाः क्षुधितोऽहं पुनः पुरीम्॥ भिक्षार्थं पर्यटिष्यामि प्रश्रं प्रब्रूत चैव मे

saṁvartastānpunaḥ prāha mārkaṁḍeyamukhāniti viśalyaḥ paṁthāḥ kṣudhito'haṁ punaḥ purīm bhikṣārthaṁ paryaṭiṣyāmi praśraṁ prabrūta caiva me

"Samvarta then said again to Markandeya and the others: 'The path is clear of its thorn now; I am hungry, and shall go wandering again for alms in the city — tell me your question.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.48.39)

॥त ऊचुः॥ शापभ्रष्टा वयं मोक्षं प्राप्स्यामस्तवदनुग्रहात्॥ प्रतीकारं तदाख्याहि प्रणतानां महामुने

ta ūcuḥ śāpabhraṣṭā vayaṁ mokṣaṁ prāpsyāmastavadanugrahāt pratīkāraṁ tadākhyāhi praṇatānāṁ mahāmune

They said: "We, fallen through curses, shall attain liberation by your grace; tell us that remedy, O great sage, for those bowed before you."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.48.40)

यत्र तीर्थे सर्वतीर्थफलं प्राप्नोति मानवः॥ तत्तीर्थं ब्रूहि संवर्त तिष्ठामो यत्र वै वयम्

yatra tīrthe sarvatīrthaphalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ tattīrthaṁ brūhi saṁvarta tiṣṭhāmo yatra vai vayam

"Tell us, O Samvarta, the tirtha where a man wins the fruit of every tirtha at once — where indeed we should stay."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.48.41)

॥संवर्त उवाच॥ नमस्कृत्य कुमाराय दुर्गाभ्यश्च नरोत्तमाः॥ तीर्थं च संप्रवक्ष्यामि महीसागरसंगमम्

saṁvarta uvāca namaskṛtya kumārāya durgābhyaśca narottamāḥ tīrthaṁ ca saṁpravakṣyāmi mahīsāgarasaṁgamam

Samvarta said: "Bowing to Kumara and to the Durgas, O finest of men, I shall now proclaim that tirtha — the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.48.42)

अमुना राजसिंहेन इंद्रद्युम्नेन धीमता॥ यजनाद्द्व्यंगुलोत्सेधा कृतेयं वसुधायदा

amunā rājasiṁhena iṁdradyumnena dhīmatā yajanāddvyaṁgulotsedhā kṛteyaṁ vasudhāyadā

"When, by this wise lion among kings, Indradyumna, through sacrifice, this earth was made two fingers' depth lower...

Verse 43 (skanda.1.48.43)

तदा संताप्यमानाया भुवः काष्ठस्य वै यथा॥ सुस्राव यो जलौघश्च सर्वदेवनमस्कृतः

tadā saṁtāpyamānāyā bhuvaḥ kāṣṭhasya vai yathā susrāva yo jalaughaśca sarvadevanamaskṛtaḥ

"...then, as the earth, scorched, burned like kindling wood, the flood of water that poured forth from her, honored by all the gods,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.48.44)

महीनाम नदी च पृथिव्यां यानिकानिचित्॥ तीर्थानि तेषां सलिलसंभवं तज्जलं विदुः

mahīnāma nadī ca pṛthivyāṁ yānikānicit tīrthāni teṣāṁ salilasaṁbhavaṁ tajjalaṁ viduḥ

"...came to be called the river Mahi; and whatever tirthas exist upon this earth, their waters are known to have sprung from that very water.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.48.45)

महीनाम समुत्पन्ना देशे मालवकाभिधे॥ दक्षिणं सागरं प्राप्ता पुण्योभयतटाशिवा

mahīnāma samutpannā deśe mālavakābhidhe dakṣiṇaṁ sāgaraṁ prāptā puṇyobhayataṭāśivā

"Named Mahi, she arose in the land called Malava, and, sacred, auspicious upon both banks, reached the southern ocean.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.48.46)

सर्वतीर्थमयी पूर्वं महीनाम महानदी॥ किं पुनर्यः समायोगस्तस्याश्च सरितां पतेः

sarvatīrthamayī pūrvaṁ mahīnāma mahānadī kiṁ punaryaḥ samāyogastasyāśca saritāṁ pateḥ

"Even before her confluence, the great river Mahi already embodies every tirtha; what then need be said of her union with the very lord of rivers, the ocean?

Verse 47 (skanda.1.48.47)

वाराणसी कुरुक्षेत्रं गंगा रेवा सरस्वती

vārāṇasī kurukṣetraṁ gaṁgā revā sarasvatī

"Varanasi, Kurukshetra, the Ganga, the Reva, the Sarasvati,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.48.48)

तापी पयोष्णी निर्विध्या चन्द्रभागा इरावती॥ कावेरी शरयूश्चैव गंडकी नैमिषं तथा

tāpī payoṣṇī nirvidhyā candrabhāgā irāvatī kāverī śarayūścaiva gaṁḍakī naimiṣaṁ tathā

"the Tapi, the Payoshni, the Nirvindhya, the Chandrabhaga, the Iravati,

Verse 49 (skanda.1.48.49)

गया गोदावरी चैव अरुणा वरुणा तथा॥ एताः पुण्याः शतशोन्या याः काश्चित्सरितो भुवि

gayā godāvarī caiva aruṇā varuṇā tathā etāḥ puṇyāḥ śataśonyā yāḥ kāścitsarito bhuvi

"the Kaveri, the Sarayu, the Gandaki, and Naimisha as well, Gaya, the Godavari, the Aruna and the Varuna —

Verse 50 (skanda.1.48.50)

सहस्रविंशतिश्चैव षट्शतानि तथैव च॥ तासां सारसमुद्भुतं महीतोयं प्रकीर्तितम्

sahasraviṁśatiścaiva ṣaṭśatāni tathaiva ca tāsāṁ sārasamudbhutaṁ mahītoyaṁ prakīrtitam

"these, and hundreds of other sacred rivers, whatever ones exist upon the earth, twenty thousand six hundred in all —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.48.51)

पृथिव्यां सर्वतीर्थेषु स्नात्वा यत्फलमाप्यते॥ तन्महीसागरे प्रोक्तं कुमारस्य वचो यथा

pṛthivyāṁ sarvatīrtheṣu snātvā yatphalamāpyate tanmahīsāgare proktaṁ kumārasya vaco yathā

"the water of Mahi is declared to be born of their very essence. Whatever fruit is obtained by bathing in every tirtha upon this earth,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.48.52)

एकत्र सर्वतीर्थानां यदि संयोगमिच्छथ॥ तद्गच्छथ महापुण्यं महीसागरसंगमम्

ekatra sarvatīrthānāṁ yadi saṁyogamicchatha tadgacchatha mahāpuṇyaṁ mahīsāgarasaṁgamam

"that same fruit is declared present at Mahi-sagara — such is Kumara's own word: 'If you desire the union of every tirtha in a single place,'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.48.53)

अहं चापि च तत्रैव बहून्वर्षगणान्पुरा॥ अवसं चागतश्चात्र नारदस्य भयात्तथा

ahaṁ cāpi ca tatraiva bahūnvarṣagaṇānpurā avasaṁ cāgataścātra nāradasya bhayāttathā

"'then go to that supremely sacred confluence of Mahi and the ocean.' I too dwelt there long ago, for many years,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.48.54)

स हि तत्र समीपस्थः पिशुनश्च विशेषतः॥ मरुत्तः कुरुते यत्नं तस्मै ब्रूयादिदं भयम्

sa hi tatra samīpasthaḥ piśunaśca viśeṣataḥ maruttaḥ kurute yatnaṁ tasmai brūyādidaṁ bhayam

"and came away here for fear of Narada. For he dwells nearby there, that slanderer above all,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.48.55)

अत्र दिग्वाससां मध्ये बहूनां तत्समस्त्वहम्॥ निवसाम्यतिप्रच्छन्नो मरुत्तादतिभीतवत्

atra digvāsasāṁ madhye bahūnāṁ tatsamastvaham nivasāmyatipracchanno maruttādatibhītavat

"and King Marutta seeks his aid to spread this very fear. Here, among the many wearers of the bare directions, I too

Verse 56 (skanda.1.48.56)

पुनरत्रापि मां नूनं कथयिष्यति नारदः॥ तथाविधा हि चेष्टास्य पिशुनस्य प्रदृश्यते

punaratrāpi māṁ nūnaṁ kathayiṣyati nāradaḥ tathāvidhā hi ceṣṭāsya piśunasya pradṛśyate

"dwell most concealed, in deep fear of Marutta. Here too, surely, Narada will speak of me again;

Verse 57 (skanda.1.48.57)

भवद्भिश्च न चाप्यत्र वक्तानां कस्यचित्क्वचित्॥ मरुत्तः कुरुते यत्नं भूपालो यज्ञसिद्धये

bhavadbhiśca na cāpyatra vaktānāṁ kasyacitkvacit maruttaḥ kurute yatnaṁ bhūpālo yajñasiddhaye

"for such indeed is the nature seen in that slanderer. And you too must never tell this to anyone, anywhere; King Marutta strives ceaselessly for the success of his own sacrifice.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.48.58)

देवाचार्येण संत्यक्तो भ्रात्रा मे कारणां तरे॥ गुरुपुत्रं च मां ज्ञात्वा यज्ञार्त्विज्यस्य कारणात्

devācāryeṇa saṁtyakto bhrātrā me kāraṇāṁ tare guruputraṁ ca māṁ jñātvā yajñārtvijyasya kāraṇāt

"Cast off by Devacharya, my own brother, for some reason — because, knowing me a teacher's son, he would have made me a priest at that sacrifice...

Verse 59 (skanda.1.48.59)

अविद्यांतर्गतैर्यज्ञकर्मभिर्न प्रयोजनम्॥ मम हिंसात्मकैरस्ति निगमोक्तैरचेतनैः

avidyāṁtargatairyajñakarmabhirna prayojanam mama hiṁsātmakairasti nigamoktairacetanaiḥ

"...I want nothing to do with sacrificial rites steeped in ignorance, violent in nature, mindless things merely prescribed by scripture —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.48.60)

समित्पुष्पकुशप्रायैः साधनैर्यद्यचेतनैः॥ क्रियते तत्तथा भावि कार्यं कारणवन्नृणाम्

samitpuṣpakuśaprāyaiḥ sādhanairyadyacetanaiḥ kriyate tattathā bhāvi kāryaṁ kāraṇavannṛṇām

"performed with lifeless instruments like firewood, flowers, and kusha grass. Whatever is done this way becomes, for men, an effect that only mirrors so lifeless a cause.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.48.61)

तद्यूयं तत्र गच्छध्वं शीघ्रमेव नृपानुगाः॥ अस्ति विप्रः स्वयं ब्रह्मा याज्ञवल्क्यश्च तत्र वै

tadyūyaṁ tatra gacchadhvaṁ śīghrameva nṛpānugāḥ asti vipraḥ svayaṁ brahmā yājñavalkyaśca tatra vai

"Therefore go there swiftly, followers of the king; there dwells a Brahmin, Brahma himself in person, named Yajnavalkya —

Verse 62 (skanda.1.48.62)

स हि पूर्वं मिथेः पुर्यां वसन्नाश्रममुत्तमम्॥ आगच्छमानं नकुलं दृष्ट्वा गार्गीं वचोऽब्रवीत्

sa hi pūrvaṁ mitheḥ puryāṁ vasannāśramamuttamam āgacchamānaṁ nakulaṁ dṛṣṭvā gārgīṁ vaco'bravīt

"for he, once dwelling in an excellent hermitage in the city of Mithi, seeing a mongoose approach, spoke this word to Gargi —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.48.63)

गार्गि रक्ष पयो भद्रे नकुलोऽयमुपेति च॥ पयः पातुं कृतिमतिं नकुलं तं निराकुरु

gārgi rakṣa payo bhadre nakulo'yamupeti ca payaḥ pātuṁ kṛtimatiṁ nakulaṁ taṁ nirākuru

"'Gargi, dear one, protect the milk — this mongoose is coming; drive off this mongoose intent on drinking it.'

Verse 64 (skanda.1.48.64)

इत्युक्तो नकुलः क्रुद्धः स हि क्रुद्धः पुराऽभवत्॥ जमदग्नेः पूर्वजैश्च शप्तः प्रोवाच तं मुनिम्

ityukto nakulaḥ kruddhaḥ sa hi kruddhaḥ purā'bhavat jamadagneḥ pūrvajaiśca śaptaḥ provāca taṁ munim

"Thus addressed, the mongoose grew enraged — for once before, in anger, he had been cursed by Jamadagni's ancestors — and he spoke to that sage —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.48.65)

अहो वा धिग्धिगित्येव भूयो धिगिति चैव हि॥ निर्लज्जता मनुष्याणां दृश्यते पापकारिणाम्

aho vā dhigdhigityeva bhūyo dhigiti caiva hi nirlajjatā manuṣyāṇāṁ dṛśyate pāpakāriṇām

"'Ah, shame, shame, and shame again — such is the shamelessness seen among sinful men.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.48.66)

कथं ते नाम पापानि प्रकुर्वंति नराधमाः॥ मरणांतरिता येषां नरके तीव्रवेदना

kathaṁ te nāma pāpāni prakurvaṁti narādhamāḥ maraṇāṁtaritā yeṣāṁ narake tīvravedanā

"'How can such basest of men commit sin, for whom, after death, sharp torment waits in hell?

Verse 67 (skanda.1.48.67)

निमेषोऽपि न शक्येत जीविते यस्य निश्चितम्॥ तन्मात्रपरमायुर्यः पापं कुर्यात्कथं स च

nimeṣo'pi na śakyeta jīvite yasya niścitam tanmātraparamāyuryaḥ pāpaṁ kuryātkathaṁ sa ca

"'When not even a single moment of life is certain — how could one whose life may end that instant still commit sin?

Verse 68 (skanda.1.48.68)

त्वं मुने मन्यसे चेदं कुलीनोऽस्मीति बुद्धिमान्॥ ततः क्षिपसि मां मूढ नकुलोऽयमिति स्मयन्

tvaṁ mune manyase cedaṁ kulīno'smīti buddhimān tataḥ kṣipasi māṁ mūḍha nakulo'yamiti smayan

"'Do you, O sage, think yourself wise for your good birth? Then why do you cast me off as a fool, smiling, calling me "this mongoose" —

Verse 69 (skanda.1.48.69)

किमधीतं याज्ञवल्क्य का योगेश्वरता तव॥ निरपराधं क्षिपसि धिगधीतं हि तत्तव

kimadhītaṁ yājñavalkya kā yogeśvaratā tava niraparādhaṁ kṣipasi dhigadhītaṁ hi tattava

"'What have you studied, Yajnavalkya? What mastery of yoga is yours? You insult the innocent — shame on such learning!

Verse 70 (skanda.1.48.70)

कस्मिन्वेदं स्मृतौ कस्यां प्रोक्तमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे॥ परुषैरिति वाक्यैर्मां नकुलेति ब्रवीषि यत्

kasminvedaṁ smṛtau kasyāṁ proktametadbravīhi me paruṣairiti vākyairmāṁ nakuleti bravīṣi yat

"'In which Veda, in which Smriti, is it written that you should call me "mongoose" with such a harsh word — tell me —

Verse 71 (skanda.1.48.71)

किमिदं नैव जानासि यावत्यः परुषा गिरः॥ परः संश्राव्यते तावच्छंकवः श्रोत्रतः पुनरा

kimidaṁ naiva jānāsi yāvatyaḥ paruṣā giraḥ paraḥ saṁśrāvyate tāvacchaṁkavaḥ śrotrataḥ punarā

"'do you not know that for every harsh word that reaches another's ear, so many spikes...

Verse 72 (skanda.1.48.72)

कंठे यमानुगाः पादं कृत्वा तस्य सुदुर्मतेः॥ अतीव रुदतो लोहशंकून्क्षेप्स्यंति कर्णयोः

kaṁṭhe yamānugāḥ pādaṁ kṛtvā tasya sudurmateḥ atīva rudato lohaśaṁkūnkṣepsyaṁti karṇayoḥ

"'...Yama's servants shall place their foot upon that ill-minded man's throat and drive iron nails into his ears, while he weeps without end.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.48.73)

वावदूकाश्च ध्वजिनो मुष्णंति कृपणाञ्जनान्॥ स्वयं हस्तसहस्रेण धर्मस्यैवं भवद्विधाः

vāvadūkāśca dhvajino muṣṇaṁti kṛpaṇāñjanān svayaṁ hastasahasreṇa dharmasyaivaṁ bhavadvidhāḥ

"'Loud, boastful men rob even the wretched and the humble, with a thousand hands of dharma itself, in just this way — such are men like you.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.48.74)

वज्रस्य दिग्धशस्त्रस्य कालकूटस्य चाप्युत॥ समेन वचसा तुल्यं मृत्योरिति ममाभवत्

vajrasya digdhaśastrasya kālakūṭasya cāpyuta samena vacasā tulyaṁ mṛtyoriti mamābhavat

"'Equal to the thunderbolt, to a poisoned blade, and to virulent poison itself — a harsh word seems to me the very equal of death.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.48.75)

कर्णनासिकनाराचान्निर्हरंति शरीरतः॥ वाक्छल्यस्तु न निर्हर्तुं शक्यो हृदिशयो हि सः

karṇanāsikanārācānnirharaṁti śarīrataḥ vākchalyastu na nirhartuṁ śakyo hṛdiśayo hi saḥ

"'An arrow may be drawn from the body through ear or nose; but the thorn of a word cannot be drawn out, for it lodges deep in the heart.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.48.76)

यंत्रपीडैः समाक्रम्य वरमेष हतो नरः॥ न तु तं परुषैर्वाक्यैर्जिघांसेत कथंचन

yaṁtrapīḍaiḥ samākramya varameṣa hato naraḥ na tu taṁ paruṣairvākyairjighāṁseta kathaṁcana

"'Better that a man be struck down, overwhelmed by every torturer's device, than that one should ever wish to slay him with cruel words.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.48.77)

त्वया त्वहं याज्ञवल्क्य नित्यं पंडितमानिना॥ नकुलोसीति तीव्रेण वचसा ताडितः कुतः

tvayā tvahaṁ yājñavalkya nityaṁ paṁḍitamāninā nakulosīti tīvreṇa vacasā tāḍitaḥ kutaḥ

"'You, Yajnavalkya, ever thinking yourself a scholar, have struck me with the harsh word "mongoose" — where does such a thing come from?'"

Verse 78 (skanda.1.48.78)

॥संवर्त उवाच॥ इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य भृशं विस्मितमानसः॥ याज्ञवल्क्योऽब्रवीदेतत्प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः

saṁvarta uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya bhṛśaṁ vismitamānasaḥ yājñavalkyo'bravīdetatprabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ

Samvarta said: "Hearing this word, deeply astonished in mind, Yajnavalkya, hands folded, spoke thus —

Verse 79 (skanda.1.48.79)

नमोऽधर्माय महते न विद्मो यस्य वै भवम्॥ परमाणुमपि व्यक्तं कोत्र विद्यामदः सताम्

namo'dharmāya mahate na vidmo yasya vai bhavam paramāṇumapi vyaktaṁ kotra vidyāmadaḥ satām

"'Homage to great Adharma, whose true nature none can know! Who among the virtuous here even grasps the smallest fraction of it?

Verse 80 (skanda.1.48.80)

विरंचिविष्णुप्रसमुखाः सोमेंद्रप्रमुखास्तथा॥ सर्वज्ञास्तेऽपि मुह्यति गणनास्मादृशं च का

viraṁciviṣṇuprasamukhāḥ someṁdrapramukhāstathā sarvajñāste'pi muhyati gaṇanāsmādṛśaṁ ca kā

"'Virinchi, Vishnu, and the rest, and Soma, Indra, and their kind — all-knowing as they are, even they are bewildered by it. What reckoning, then, is there of one such as me?

Verse 81 (skanda.1.48.81)

धर्मज्ञोऽस्मीति यो मोहादात्मानं प्रतिपद्यते॥ स वायुं मुष्टिना बद्धुमीहते कृपणो नरः

dharmajño'smīti yo mohādātmānaṁ pratipadyate sa vāyuṁ muṣṭinā baddhumīhate kṛpaṇo naraḥ

"'He who, out of delusion, takes himself for a knower of dharma — that wretched man is as one who tries to bind the very wind within his fist.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.48.82)

केचिदज्ञानतो नष्टाः केचिज्ज्ञानमदादपि॥ ज्ञानं प्राप्यापि नष्टाश्च केचिदालस्यतोऽधमाः

kecidajñānato naṣṭāḥ kecijjñānamadādapi jñānaṁ prāpyāpi naṣṭāśca kecidālasyato'dhamāḥ

"'Some are ruined by ignorance, some even by the pride of their own knowledge; some, though they gain knowledge, are ruined all the same, the basest of them, through mere idleness.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.48.83)

वेदस्मृतीतिहासेषु पुराणेषु प्रकल्पितम्॥ चतुःपादं तथा धर्मं नाचरत्यधमः पशुः

vedasmṛtītihāseṣu purāṇeṣu prakalpitam catuḥpādaṁ tathā dharmaṁ nācaratyadhamaḥ paśuḥ

"'The fourfold dharma set down in the Vedas, the Smritis, the Itihasas, and the Puranas — this the basest of men, a mere beast, does not practice,

Verse 84 (skanda.1.48.84)

स पुरा शोचते व्यक्तं प्राप्य तच्चांतकं गृहम्॥ तथाहि गृह्यकारेण श्रुतौ प्रोक्तमिदं वचः

sa purā śocate vyaktaṁ prāpya taccāṁtakaṁ gṛham tathāhi gṛhyakāreṇa śrutau proktamidaṁ vacaḥ

"'and he grieves for it plainly, and long, once he has reached the house of death. For this word is said in scripture, by the teachers of household rites —

Verse 85 (skanda.1.48.85)

नकुलं सकुलं ब्रूयान्न कंचिन्मर्मणि स्पृशेत्॥ प्रपठन्नपि चैवाहमिदं सर्वं तथा शुकः

nakulaṁ sakulaṁ brūyānna kaṁcinmarmaṇi spṛśet prapaṭhannapi caivāhamidaṁ sarvaṁ tathā śukaḥ

"'A mongoose should be called by its clan-name; no one should ever be struck at their tender spot.' I too, though I recite this constantly, like a parrot,

Verse 86 (skanda.1.48.86)

आलस्येनाप्यनाचाराद्वृथाकार्येकमंग तत्

ālasyenāpyanācārādvṛthākāryekamaṁga tat

"'have, through idleness and want of practice, dear one, let this one duty go for nothing.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.48.87)

केवलं पाठ मात्रेण यश्च संतुष्यते नरः॥ तथा पंडितमानी च कोन्यस्तस्मात्पशुर्मतः

kevalaṁ pāṭha mātreṇa yaśca saṁtuṣyate naraḥ tathā paṁḍitamānī ca konyastasmātpaśurmataḥ

"'He who is content with mere recitation alone, and thinks himself learned — who else, but he, should be counted a mere beast?

Verse 88 (skanda.1.48.88)

न च्छंदांसि वृजिनात्तारयंति मायाविनं माययाऽऽवर्तमानम्॥ नीडं शकुंता इव जातपक्षाश्छंदास्येनं प्रजहत्यंतकाले

na cchaṁdāṁsi vṛjināttārayaṁti māyāvinaṁ māyayā''vartamānam nīḍaṁ śakuṁtā iva jātapakṣāśchaṁdāsyenaṁ prajahatyaṁtakāle

"'The scriptures never carry across sin the man who, deceitful, keeps circling back through his own deceit; as fledglings, once feathered, abandon the nest, so do the scriptures abandon him at the hour of death.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.48.89)

स्वार्गाय बद्धकक्षो यः पाठमात्रेण ब्राह्मणः॥ स बालो मातुरंकस्थो ग्रहीतुं सोममिच्छति

svārgāya baddhakakṣo yaḥ pāṭhamātreṇa brāhmaṇaḥ sa bālo māturaṁkastho grahītuṁ somamicchati

"'A Brahmin girded for heaven by mere recitation alone is like a child in his mother's lap, reaching to seize the moon.'"

Verse 90 (skanda.1.48.90)

तद्भवान्सर्वथा मह्यमनयं सोढुमर्हसि॥ सर्वः कोऽपि वदत्येवं तन्मयैवमुदाहृतम्

tadbhavānsarvathā mahyamanayaṁ soḍhumarhasi sarvaḥ ko'pi vadatyevaṁ tanmayaivamudāhṛtam

"'Therefore you should forgive this fault of mine in every way. Everyone says the same thing — that is why I too spoke so.'"

Verse 91 (skanda.1.48.91)

॥नकुल उवाच॥ वृथेदं भाषितं तुभ्यं सर्वलोकेन यत्समम्॥ आत्मानं मन्यसे नैतद्वक्तुं योग्यं महात्मनाम्

nakula uvāca vṛthedaṁ bhāṣitaṁ tubhyaṁ sarvalokena yatsamam ātmānaṁ manyase naitadvaktuṁ yogyaṁ mahātmanām

Nakula said: "This excuse of yours, that 'everyone says it,' is worthless; it is not fitting for a great soul to speak so of himself.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.48.92)

वाजिवारणलोहानां काष्ठपाषाणवाससाम्॥ नारीपुरुषतोयानामंतरं महदंतरम्

vājivāraṇalohānāṁ kāṣṭhapāṣāṇavāsasām nārīpuruṣatoyānāmaṁtaraṁ mahadaṁtaram

"Between horses, elephants, and metals; between wood, stone, and cloth; between women, men, and water — there is a great difference, a very great difference.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.48.93)

अन्ये चेत्प्राकृता लोका बहुपापानि कुर्वते॥ प्रधानपुरुषेणापि कार्यं तत्पृष्ठतोनु किम्

anye cetprākṛtā lokā bahupāpāni kurvate pradhānapuruṣeṇāpi kāryaṁ tatpṛṣṭhatonu kim

"If other common people commit many sins, what then should the foremost of men do — merely follow after them?

Verse 94 (skanda.1.48.94)

सर्वार्थं निर्मितं शास्त्रं मनोबुद्धी तथैव च॥ दत्ते विधात्रा सर्वेषां तथापि यदि पापिनः

sarvārthaṁ nirmitaṁ śāstraṁ manobuddhī tathaiva ca datte vidhātrā sarveṣāṁ tathāpi yadi pāpinaḥ

"Scripture was made for the good of all, and mind and intellect too were given by the Creator to everyone alike; and yet if they are sinners even so,

Verse 95 (skanda.1.48.95)

ततो विधातुः को दोषस्त एव खलु दुर्भगाः॥ ब्राह्मणेन विशेषेण किं भाव्यं लोकवद्यतः

tato vidhātuḥ ko doṣasta eva khalu durbhagāḥ brāhmaṇena viśeṣeṇa kiṁ bhāvyaṁ lokavadyataḥ

"what fault is that of the Creator? They alone are unfortunate. A Brahmin, above all, should never behave as common people do —

Verse 96 (skanda.1.48.96)

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः॥ स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते

yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ sa yatpramāṇaṁ kurute lokastadanuvartate

"for whatever the finest of men does, the rest of the world follows; whatever standard he sets, the world follows in its wake.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.48.97)

तस्मात्सदा महद्भिश्च आत्मार्थं च परार्थतः॥ सतां धर्मो न संत्याज्यो न्याय्यं तच्छिक्षणं तव

tasmātsadā mahadbhiśca ātmārthaṁ ca parārthataḥ satāṁ dharmo na saṁtyājyo nyāyyaṁ tacchikṣaṇaṁ tava

"Therefore the great should never abandon the dharma of the virtuous, whether for their own sake or another's; this teaching of yours to me is just.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.48.98)

यस्मात्त्वया पीडितोऽहं घोरेण वचसा मुने॥ तस्माच्छीघ्रं त्वां शप्स्यामि शापयोग्यो हि मे मतः

yasmāttvayā pīḍito'haṁ ghoreṇa vacasā mune tasmācchīghraṁ tvāṁ śapsyāmi śāpayogyo hi me mataḥ

"Since you, sage, have wounded me with a terrible word, therefore I shall now curse you swiftly — for I hold you fit for a curse.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.48.99)

नकुलोऽसीति मामाह भवांस्तस्मात्कुलाधमः॥ शीघ्रमुत्पत्स्यसे मोहात्त्वमेव नकुलो मुने

nakulo'sīti māmāha bhavāṁstasmātkulādhamaḥ śīghramutpatsyase mohāttvameva nakulo mune

"You called me 'mongoose' — therefore, disgrace of your own family, out of your very delusion you shall soon be born a mongoose yourself, O sage."

Verse 100 (skanda.1.48.100)

॥संवर्त उवाच॥ इति वाचं समाकर्ण्य भाव्यर्थकृतनिश्चयः॥ याज्ञवल्क्यो मरौ देशे विप्रस्याजायतात्मजः

saṁvarta uvāca iti vācaṁ samākarṇya bhāvyarthakṛtaniścayaḥ yājñavalkyo marau deśe viprasyājāyatātmajaḥ

Samvarta said: "Hearing this word, his fate now fixed, Yajnavalkya was born as the son of a Brahmin in a desert land.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.48.101)

दुराचारस्य पापस्य निघृणस्यातिवादिनः॥ दुष्कुलीनस्य जातोऽसौ तदा जातिस्मरः सुतः

durācārasya pāpasya nighṛṇasyātivādinaḥ duṣkulīnasya jāto'sau tadā jātismaraḥ sutaḥ

"That son, remembering his past births, was born to a Brahmin of ill conduct, sinful, pitiless, harsh of speech, and of low family.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.48.102)

सोऽथ ज्ञानात्समालोक्य भर्तृयज्ञ इति द्विजः॥ गुप्तक्षेत्रं समापन्नो महीसागरसंगमम्

so'tha jñānātsamālokya bhartṛyajña iti dvijaḥ guptakṣetraṁ samāpanno mahīsāgarasaṁgamam

"Then that twice-born, seeing clearly through his own knowledge, taking the name Bhartriyajna, went to that hidden field, the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.48.103)

तत्र पाशुपतो भूत्वा शिवाराधनतत्परः॥ स्वायंभुवं महाकालं पूजयन्वर्ततेऽधुना

tatra pāśupato bhūtvā śivārādhanatatparaḥ svāyaṁbhuvaṁ mahākālaṁ pūjayanvartate'dhunā

"There, becoming a follower of Pashupata, devoted to the worship of Shiva, he continues even now, worshipping the self-born Mahakala.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.48.104)

यो हि नित्यं महाकालं श्रद्धया पूजयेत्पुमान्॥ स दौष्कुलीनदोषेभ्यो मुच्यतेऽहिरिव त्वचः

yo hi nityaṁ mahākālaṁ śraddhayā pūjayetpumān sa dauṣkulīnadoṣebhyo mucyate'hiriva tvacaḥ

"For whoever worships Mahakala constantly with faith is freed from the faults of low birth, just as a serpent is freed from its own skin.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.48.105)

यथायथा श्रद्धयासौ तल्लिंगं परिपश्यति॥ तथातथा विमुच्येत दोषैर्जन्मशतोद्भवैः

yathāyathā śraddhayāsau talliṁgaṁ paripaśyati tathātathā vimucyeta doṣairjanmaśatodbhavaiḥ

"To the very degree that he beholds that linga with faith, to that same degree is he freed from the faults born of a hundred lifetimes.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.48.106)

भर्तृयज्ञस्तु तत्रैव लिंगस्याराधनात्क्रमात्॥ बीजदोषाद्विनिर्मुक्तस्तल्लिंगमहिमा त्वसौ

bhartṛyajñastu tatraiva liṁgasyārādhanātkramāt bījadoṣādvinirmuktastalliṁgamahimā tvasau

"Bhartriyajna, through the worship of that very linga, was gradually freed from the fault of his own birth; such is the greatness of that linga.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.48.107)

बभ्रुं च नकुलं प्राह विमुक्तो दुष्टजन्मतः॥ यस्मात्तस्मादिदं तीर्थं ख्यातं वै बभ्रु पावनम्

babhruṁ ca nakulaṁ prāha vimukto duṣṭajanmataḥ yasmāttasmādidaṁ tīrthaṁ khyātaṁ vai babhru pāvanam

"And, freed from his wicked birth, he told Babhru the mongoose: 'For this very reason this tirtha is renowned by the name Babhru-Pavana, Babhru's Purifier.'

Verse 108 (skanda.1.48.108)

तस्माद्व्रजध्वं तत्रैव महीसागरसंगमम्॥ पंच तीर्थानि सेवन्तो मुक्तिमाप्स्यथ निश्चितम्

tasmādvrajadhvaṁ tatraiva mahīsāgarasaṁgamam paṁca tīrthāni sevanto muktimāpsyatha niścitam

"'Therefore you too go there, to that very confluence of Mahi and the ocean; serving those five tirthas, you shall surely attain liberation.'"

Verse 109 (skanda.1.48.109)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा संवर्तो ययावभिमतं द्विजः॥ भर्तृयज्ञं मुनिं प्राप्य ते च तत्र स्थिताभवन्

ityevamuktvā saṁvarto yayāvabhimataṁ dvijaḥ bhartṛyajñaṁ muniṁ prāpya te ca tatra sthitābhavan

Having said this, Samvarta, that twice-born, went his own way; and they, reaching the sage Bhartriyajna, settled there.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.48.110)

ततस्तानाह स ज्ञात्वा गणाञ्ज्ञानेन शांभवान्॥ महद्वो विमलं पुण्यं गुप्तक्षेत्रे यदत्र वै

tatastānāha sa jñātvā gaṇāñjñānena śāṁbhavān mahadvo vimalaṁ puṇyaṁ guptakṣetre yadatra vai

Then he, knowing them through his own knowledge to be Ganas of Shiva, said to them: "Great and spotless is the merit found here, in this hidden field,

Verse 111 (skanda.1.48.111)

भवन्तोऽभ्यागता यत्र महीसागरसंगमः॥ स्नानं दानं जपो होमः पिंडदानं विशेषतः

bhavanto'bhyāgatā yatra mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ piṁḍadānaṁ viśeṣataḥ

"where you have come, where lies the confluence of Mahi and the ocean. Bathing, giving, recitation, oblation, and above all the offering to ancestors —

Verse 112 (skanda.1.48.112)

अक्षयं जायते सर्वं महीसागर संगमे॥ कृतं तथाऽक्षयं सर्वं स्नानदानक्रियादिकम्

akṣayaṁ jāyate sarvaṁ mahīsāgara saṁgame kṛtaṁ tathā'kṣayaṁ sarvaṁ snānadānakriyādikam

"all become imperishable at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean. Bathing, giving, and every such rite performed here become, in this way, imperishable.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.48.113)

यदात्र स्तानकं चक्रे देवर्षिर्नारदः पुरा॥ तदा ग्रहैर्वरा दत्ताः शनिना च वरस्त्वसौ

yadātra stānakaṁ cakre devarṣirnāradaḥ purā tadā grahairvarā dattāḥ śaninā ca varastvasau

"When the celestial sage Narada first made his own place here, the planets granted their boons, and Shani too gave a boon —

Verse 114 (skanda.1.48.114)

शनैश्चरेण संयुक्ता त्वमावास्या यदा भवेत्॥ श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत स्नानदानपुरः सरम्

śanaiścareṇa saṁyuktā tvamāvāsyā yadā bhavet śrāddhaṁ prakurvīta snānadānapuraḥ saram

"that when the new moon should fall upon a Saturday, one should perform the shraddha, preceded by bathing and giving.

Verse 115 (skanda.1.48.115)

यदि श्रावणमासस्य शनैश्चरदिने शुभा॥ कुहूर्भवति तस्यां तु संक्रांतिं कुरुते रविः

yadi śrāvaṇamāsasya śanaiścaradine śubhā kuhūrbhavati tasyāṁ tu saṁkrāṁtiṁ kurute raviḥ

"If, on a Saturday in the month of Shravana, an auspicious new moon falls, and the sun makes his solstice-transit upon that very day —

Verse 116 (skanda.1.48.116)

तस्यामेव तिथौ योगो व्यतीपातो भवेद्यदि॥ पुष्करंनाम तत्पर्व सूर्यपर्वशताधिकम्

tasyāmeva tithau yogo vyatīpāto bhavedyadi puṣkaraṁnāma tatparva sūryaparvaśatādhikam

"and if, on that same date, the conjunction called Vyatipata should occur — that festival is called Pushkara, worth more than a hundred solar festivals combined.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.48.117)

सर्वयोगसमावापः सथंचिदपि लभ्यते॥ तस्मिन्दिने शनिं लोहं कांचनं भास्करं तथा

sarvayogasamāvāpaḥ sathaṁcidapi labhyate tasmindine śaniṁ lohaṁ kāṁcanaṁ bhāskaraṁ tathā

"On that day, somehow, every auspicious conjunction converges; on it one should honor Shani with iron and the sun with gold —

Verse 118 (skanda.1.48.118)

महीसागरसंसर्गे पूजयीत यथाविधि॥ शनिमंत्रैः शनिं ध्यात्वा सूर्यमंत्रैर्दिवाकरम्

mahīsāgarasaṁsarge pūjayīta yathāvidhi śanimaṁtraiḥ śaniṁ dhyātvā sūryamaṁtrairdivākaram

"and worship as prescribed at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean; meditating on Shani with Shani's mantras, and on the sun with the sun's own mantras,

Verse 119 (skanda.1.48.119)

अर्घ्यं दद्याद्भाकरस्य सर्वपापप्रशांतये॥ प्रयागादिधिकं स्नानं दानं क्षेत्रात्कुरोरपि

arghyaṁ dadyādbhākarasya sarvapāpapraśāṁtaye prayāgādidhikaṁ snānaṁ dānaṁ kṣetrātkurorapi

"one should offer arghya to the sun, for the pacifying of every sin. Bathing here surpasses even Prayaga, giving surpasses even Kurukshetra —

Verse 120 (skanda.1.48.120)

पिंडदानं गयाक्षेत्रादधिकं पांडुनंदन॥ इदं संप्राप्यते पर्व महद्भिः पुण्यराशिभिः

piṁḍadānaṁ gayākṣetrādadhikaṁ pāṁḍunaṁdana idaṁ saṁprāpyate parva mahadbhiḥ puṇyarāśibhiḥ

"and the offering to ancestors surpasses even the field of Gaya, O joy of the Pandus. Only those rich in the greatest merit attain this great festival,

Verse 121 (skanda.1.48.121)

पितॄणामक्षया तृप्तिर्जायते दिवि निश्चितम्॥ यथा गयाशिरः पुण्यं पितॄणां तृप्तिदं परम्

pitṝṇāmakṣayā tṛptirjāyate divi niścitam yathā gayāśiraḥ puṇyaṁ pitṝṇāṁ tṛptidaṁ param

"and the imperishable satisfaction of the ancestors in heaven is thereby assured. As the head of Gaya is sacred, granting the ancestors' supreme satisfaction,

Verse 122 (skanda.1.48.122)

तथा समधिकः पुण्यो महीसागरसंगमः

tathā samadhikaḥ puṇyo mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

"so, and even more so, is the confluence of Mahi and the ocean sacred."

Verse 123 (skanda.1.48.123)

अग्निश्च रेतो मृडया च देहे रेतोधा विष्णुरमृतस्य नाभिः॥ एवं ब्रुवञ्छ्रद्धया सत्यवाक्यं ततोऽवगाहेत महीसमुद्रम्

agniśca reto mṛḍayā ca dehe retodhā viṣṇuramṛtasya nābhiḥ evaṁ bruvañchraddhayā satyavākyaṁ tato'vagāheta mahīsamudram

Fire is the seed, Mridani is present, and within the body Vishnu, giver of that seed, is the very navel of immortality — speaking this word of faith and truth, a man should then plunge into the sea of Mahi.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.48.124)

मुखं च यः सर्वनदीषु पुण्यः पाथोधिरंबा प्रवरा मही च॥ समस्ततीर्थाकृतिरेतयोश्च ददामि चार्घ्यं प्रणमामि नौमि

mukhaṁ ca yaḥ sarvanadīṣu puṇyaḥ pāthodhiraṁbā pravarā mahī ca samastatīrthākṛtiretayośca dadāmi cārghyaṁ praṇamāmi naumi

"And she who is the mouth among all rivers, most sacred; the ocean, mother most excellent, and Mahi — to these two, the embodiment of every tirtha, I offer arghya, I bow, and I sing their praise."

Verse 125 (skanda.1.48.125)

ताम्रा रस्याः पयोवाहाः पितृप्रीतिप्रदाः शभाः॥ सस्यमाला महासिन्धुर्दातुर्दात्री पृथुस्तुता॥ इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य कन्या च क्षितिजन्मा रावती

tāmrā rasyāḥ payovāhāḥ pitṛprītipradāḥ śabhāḥ sasyamālā mahāsindhurdāturdātrī pṛthustutā indradyumnasya kanyā ca kṣitijanmā rāvatī

Coppery-hued, of sweet waters, bearer of many streams, granting delight to the ancestors, auspicious; garlanded with crops, the great flood, giver to the very giver, praised by Prithu; daughter of Indradyumna, born of the earth, Ravati —

Verse 126 (skanda.1.48.126)

महीपर्णा महीशृंगा गंगा पश्चिमवाहिनी॥ नदी राजनदी चेति नामाष्टाशमालिकाम्

mahīparṇā mahīśṛṁgā gaṁgā paścimavāhinī nadī rājanadī ceti nāmāṣṭāśamālikām

Mahiparna, Mahishringa, the Ganga that flows westward, the River, the Royal River — thus a garland of eight names.

Verse 127 (skanda.1.48.127)

स्नानकाले च सर्वत्र श्राद्धकाले पठेन्नरः॥ पृथुनोक्तानि नामानि यज्ञमूर्तिपदं व्रजेत्

snānakāle ca sarvatra śrāddhakāle paṭhennaraḥ pṛthunoktāni nāmāni yajñamūrtipadaṁ vrajet

At the time of bathing anywhere, and at the time of shraddha, a man should recite these names declared by Prithu; he attains the very state of sacrifice made flesh.

Verse 128 (skanda.1.48.128)

महीदोहे महानंदसंदोहे विश्वमोहिनि॥ जातासि सरितां राज्ञि पापं हर महीद्रवे॥ ॥इत्यर्घ्यमंत्रः

mahīdohe mahānaṁdasaṁdohe viśvamohini jātāsi saritāṁ rājñi pāpaṁ hara mahīdrave ityarghyamaṁtraḥ

[Arghya mantra:] "O yield of the earth, gathering of great joy, enchantress of the universe, born as queen of rivers — flowing earth, take away sin!"

Verse 129 (skanda.1.48.129)

कंकणं रजतस्यापि योऽत्र निक्षिपते नरः॥ स जायते महीपृष्ठे धनधान्ययुते कुले

kaṁkaṇaṁ rajatasyāpi yo'tra nikṣipate naraḥ sa jāyate mahīpṛṣṭhe dhanadhānyayute kule

Whoever casts a bracelet of silver here is born, upon this earth, into a family rich in wealth and grain.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.48.130)

महीं च सागरं चैव रौप्यकंकण पूजया॥ पूजयामि भवेन्मा मे द्रव्यानाशो दरिद्रता

mahīṁ ca sāgaraṁ caiva raupyakaṁkaṇa pūjayā pūjayāmi bhavenmā me dravyānāśo daridratā

"I worship Mahi and the ocean with the offering of a silver bracelet — may loss of wealth and poverty never come to me."

Verse 131 (skanda.1.48.131)

॥कंकणक्षेपणम्॥ यत्फलं सर्वतीर्थेषु सर्वयज्ञैश्च यत्फलम्॥ तत्फलं स्नानदानेन महीसागरसंगमे

kaṁkaṇakṣepaṇam yatphalaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu sarvayajñaiśca yatphalam tatphalaṁ snānadānena mahīsāgarasaṁgame

[The casting of the bracelet:] Whatever fruit is found in every tirtha, and whatever fruit is found in every sacrifice — that same fruit is won through bathing and giving at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.

Verse 132 (skanda.1.48.132)

विवादे च समुत्पन्ने अपराधी च यो मतः॥ जलहस्तः सदा वाच्यो महीसागरसंगमे

vivāde ca samutpanne aparādhī ca yo mataḥ jalahastaḥ sadā vācyo mahīsāgarasaṁgame

When a dispute arises, and someone is held to be the wrongdoer, he should always be made to speak, water in hand, at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.

Verse 133 (skanda.1.48.133)

संस्नाप्याघोरमंत्रेण स्थाप्य नाभिप्रमाणके॥ जले करं समुद्धृत्य दक्षिणं वाचयेद्द्रुतम्

saṁsnāpyāghoramaṁtreṇa sthāpya nābhipramāṇake jale karaṁ samuddhṛtya dakṣiṇaṁ vācayeddrutam

Having bathed him with the Aghora mantra, and set him standing in water to the navel, and raised his right hand from the water, one should have him speak this at once —

Verse 134 (skanda.1.48.134)

यदि धर्मोऽत्र सत्योऽस्ति सत्यश्चेत्संगमस्त्वसौ॥ सत्याश्चेत्क्रतुद्रष्टारः सत्यं स्यान्मे शुभाशुभम्

yadi dharmo'tra satyo'sti satyaścetsaṁgamastvasau satyāścetkratudraṣṭāraḥ satyaṁ syānme śubhāśubham

"If dharma is true here, if this confluence is true, if the witnesses of my deeds are true, then let the truth of my good or evil be revealed."

Verse 135 (skanda.1.48.135)

एवमुक्त्वा करं क्षिप्य दक्षिणं सकलं ततः॥ निःसृतः पापकारी चेज्ज्वरेणापीड्यते क्षणात्

evamuktvā karaṁ kṣipya dakṣiṇaṁ sakalaṁ tataḥ niḥsṛtaḥ pāpakārī cejjvareṇāpīḍyate kṣaṇāt

Having said this, and lifted his right hand fully, if the wrongdoer then comes out of the water, he is at once seized with fever.

Verse 136 (skanda.1.48.136)

सप्ताहाद्दृश्यते चापि तावन्निर्दोषवान्मतः॥ अत्र स्नात्वा च जप्त्वा च तपस्तप्त्वा तथैव च

saptāhāddṛśyate cāpi tāvannirdoṣavānmataḥ atra snātvā ca japtvā ca tapastaptvā tathaiva ca

and within seven days that guilt becomes plain; until then he is held blameless. Bathing here, and reciting mantras, and likewise practicing austerity...

Verse 137 (skanda.1.48.137)

रुद्रलोकं सुबहवो गताः पुण्येन कर्मणा॥ सोमवारे विशेषेण स्नात्वा योत्र सुभक्तितः

rudralokaṁ subahavo gatāḥ puṇyena karmaṇā somavāre viśeṣeṇa snātvā yotra subhaktitaḥ

...many have gone by this meritorious act to the world of Rudra. On Monday especially, whoever bathes here with true devotion,

Verse 138 (skanda.1.48.138)

पंच तीर्थानि कुरुते मुच्यते पंचपातकैः॥ इत्याद्युक्तं बहुविधं तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

paṁca tīrthāni kurute mucyate paṁcapātakaiḥ ityādyuktaṁ bahuvidhaṁ tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam

and performs the rites of the five tirthas, is freed from the five great sins. Thus has this varied and supreme greatness of the tirtha been proclaimed,

Verse 139 (skanda.1.48.139)

भर्तृयज्ञः शिवस्यो च तेषामाराधने क्रमम्॥ शिवागमोक्तमादिश्य पूजायोगं यथाविधि

bhartṛyajñaḥ śivasyo ca teṣāmārādhane kramam śivāgamoktamādiśya pūjāyogaṁ yathāvidhi

and Bhartriyajna, devoted to Shiva, taught them the order of their worship, laying out the mode of worship prescribed by the Shaiva scriptures, as is proper.

Verse 140 (skanda.1.48.140)

शिवभक्तिसमुद्रैकपूरितः प्राह तान्मुनिः॥ न शिवात्परमो देवः सत्यमेतच्छिवव्रताः

śivabhaktisamudraikapūritaḥ prāha tānmuniḥ na śivātparamo devaḥ satyametacchivavratāḥ

That sage, filled to overflowing with nothing but an ocean of devotion to Shiva, said to them: "There is no god higher than Shiva — this alone is the truth, O votaries of Shiva.

Verse 141 (skanda.1.48.141)

शिवं विहाय यो ह्यान्यदसत्किंचिदुपासते॥ करस्थं सोऽमृतं त्यक्त्वा मृगतृष्णां प्रधावति

śivaṁ vihāya yo hyānyadasatkiṁcidupāsate karasthaṁ so'mṛtaṁ tyaktvā mṛgatṛṣṇāṁ pradhāvati

"Whoever, forsaking Shiva, worships some other worthless thing, abandons the very nectar in his own hand to chase a mirage.

Verse 142 (skanda.1.48.142)

शिवशक्तिमयं ह्येतत्प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते जगत्॥ लिंगांकं च भगांकं च नान्यदेवांकितं क्वचित्

śivaśaktimayaṁ hyetatpratyakṣaṁ dṛśyate jagat liṁgāṁkaṁ ca bhagāṁkaṁ ca nānyadevāṁkitaṁ kvacit

"This visible universe is made wholly of Shiva and his Shakti; the mark of the linga and the mark of the yoni — no other god anywhere bears such a mark.

Verse 143 (skanda.1.48.143)

यश्च तं पितरं रुद्रं त्यक्त्वा मातरमं बिकाम्॥ वर्ततेऽसौ स्वपितरं त्यक्तोदपितृपिंडकः॥ यस्य रुद्रस्य माहात्म्यं शतरुद्रीयमुत्तमम्

yaśca taṁ pitaraṁ rudraṁ tyaktvā mātaramaṁ bikām vartate'sau svapitaraṁ tyaktodapitṛpiṁḍakaḥ yasya rudrasya māhātmyaṁ śatarudrīyamuttamam

"And whoever lives on having forsaken that father Rudra and that mother Ambika, lives having abandoned his own father, deprived of his own funeral offering. Now hear the greatness of that Rudra, the excellent Shatarudriya —

Verse 144 (skanda.1.48.144)

श्रृणुध्वं यदि पापानामिच्छध्वं क्षालनं परम्॥ ब्रह्मा हाटकलिंगं च समाराध्य कपर्दिनः

śrṛṇudhvaṁ yadi pāpānāmicchadhvaṁ kṣālanaṁ param brahmā hāṭakaliṁgaṁ ca samārādhya kapardinaḥ

"listen, if you desire the supreme cleansing of your sins. Brahma, worshipping a golden linga of the matted-locked Lord,

Verse 145 (skanda.1.48.145)

जगत्प्रधानमिति च नाम जप्त्वा विराजते॥ कृष्णमूले कृष्णलिंगं नाम चार्जितमेव च

jagatpradhānamiti ca nāma japtvā virājate kṛṣṇamūle kṛṣṇaliṁgaṁ nāma cārjitameva ca

"reciting the name 'Chief of the Universe,' shines forth. At the root of Krishna, a linga of black stone, by a name well-earned,

Verse 146 (skanda.1.48.146)

सनकाद्यैश्च तल्लिंगं पूज्याजयुर्जगद्गतिम्॥ दर्भांकुरमयं सप्त मुनयो विश्वयोनिकम्

sanakādyaiśca talliṁgaṁ pūjyājayurjagadgatim darbhāṁkuramayaṁ sapta munayo viśvayonikam

"Sanaka and the other seven sages worship a linga made of kusha-shoots, calling it 'Womb of the Universe,' the very source of the world's motion —

Verse 147 (skanda.1.48.147)

नारदस्त्वंतरिक्षे च जदद्बीजमिदं गृणन्॥ वज्रमिद्रो लिंगमेवं विश्वात्मानं च नाम च

nāradastvaṁtarikṣe ca jadadbījamidaṁ gṛṇan vajramidro liṁgamevaṁ viśvātmānaṁ ca nāma ca

"Narada, in the sky, reciting the name 'Seed of the World'; Indra worships a linga of thunderbolt, by the name 'Soul of the Universe,'

Verse 148 (skanda.1.48.148)

सूर्यस्ताम्रं तथा लिंगं नाम विश्वसृजं जपन्॥ चंद्रश्च मौक्तिकं लिंगं जपन्नाम जगत्पतिम्

sūryastāmraṁ tathā liṁgaṁ nāma viśvasṛjaṁ japan caṁdraśca mauktikaṁ liṁgaṁ japannāma jagatpatim

"the sun a linga of copper, reciting the name 'Creator of All'; the moon a linga of pearl, reciting the name 'Lord of the World,'

Verse 149 (skanda.1.48.149)

इंद्रनीलमयं वह्निर्नाम विश्वेश्वरं जपन्॥ पुष्परागं गुरुलिंगं विश्वयोनिं जपन्हरम्

iṁdranīlamayaṁ vahnirnāma viśveśvaraṁ japan puṣparāgaṁ guruliṁgaṁ viśvayoniṁ japanharam

"fire a linga of sapphire, reciting the name 'Lord of the Universe'; Jupiter a linga of topaz, reciting the name 'Womb of the Universe' — Hara —

Verse 150 (skanda.1.48.150)

पद्मरागमयं शुक्रो विश्वकर्मेति नाम च॥ हेमलिंगं च धनदो जपन्नाम्ना तथेश्वरम्

padmarāgamayaṁ śukro viśvakarmeti nāma ca hemaliṁgaṁ ca dhanado japannāmnā tatheśvaram

"Venus a linga of ruby, by the name 'Vishvakarma'; Kubera a golden linga, reciting the very name of Ishvara,

Verse 151 (skanda.1.48.151)

रौप्यजं विश्वदेवाश्च नामापि जगतांपतिम्॥ वायवो रीतिजं लिंगं शंभुमित्येव नाम च

raupyajaṁ viśvadevāśca nāmāpi jagatāṁpatim vāyavo rītijaṁ liṁgaṁ śaṁbhumityeva nāma ca

"the Vishvedevas a linga of silver, also by the name 'Lord of the World'; the winds a linga of bell-metal, by the name 'Shambhu,'

Verse 152 (skanda.1.48.152)

काशजं वसवो लिंगं स्वयंभुमिति नाम च॥ त्रिलोहं मातरो लिंगं नाम भूतेशमेव च

kāśajaṁ vasavo liṁgaṁ svayaṁbhumiti nāma ca trilohaṁ mātaro liṁgaṁ nāma bhūteśameva ca

"the Vasus a linga of khasa-grass stone, by the name 'Self-Born'; the Mother Goddesses a linga of three metals, by the name 'Lord of Beings,'

Verse 153 (skanda.1.48.153)

लौहं च रक्षसां नाम भूतभव्यभवोद्भवम्॥ गुह्यकाः सीसजं लिंगं नाम योगं जपंति च

lauhaṁ ca rakṣasāṁ nāma bhūtabhavyabhavodbhavam guhyakāḥ sīsajaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma yogaṁ japaṁti ca

"the Rakshasas an iron linga, by the name 'Source of Past, Future, and Present'; the Guhyakas a lead linga, reciting the name 'Yoga,'

Verse 154 (skanda.1.48.154)

जैगीषव्यो ब्रह्मरन्ध्रं नाम योगेश्वरं जपन्॥ निमिर्नयनयोर्लिंगे जपञ्शर्वेति नाम च

jaigīṣavyo brahmarandhraṁ nāma yogeśvaraṁ japan nimirnayanayorliṁge japañśarveti nāma ca

"Jaigishavya a linga at the crown of the head, reciting the name 'Lord of Yoga'; Nimi a linga in the eyes, reciting the name 'Sharva,'

Verse 155 (skanda.1.48.155)

धन्वंतरिर्गोमयं च सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वरम्॥ गंधर्वा दारुजं लिंगं सर्वश्रेष्ठेति नाम च

dhanvaṁtarirgomayaṁ ca sarvalokeśvareśvaram gaṁdharvā dārujaṁ liṁgaṁ sarvaśreṣṭheti nāma ca

"Dhanvantari a linga of cow-dung, by the name 'Lord over Every Lord of the World'; the Gandharvas a linga of wood, by the name 'Finest of All,'

Verse 156 (skanda.1.48.156)

वैडूर्यं राघवो लिंगं जगज्ज्येष्ठेति नाम च॥ बाणो मारकतं लिंगं वसिष्ठमिति नाम च

vaiḍūryaṁ rāghavo liṁgaṁ jagajjyeṣṭheti nāma ca bāṇo mārakataṁ liṁgaṁ vasiṣṭhamiti nāma ca

"Raghava a linga of cat's-eye stone, by the name 'Eldest of the World'; Bana a linga of emerald, by the name 'Vasishtha,'

Verse 157 (skanda.1.48.157)

वरुणः स्फाटिकं लिंगं नाम्ना च परमेश्वरम्॥ नागा विद्रुमलिंगं च नाम लोकत्रयंकरम्

varuṇaḥ sphāṭikaṁ liṁgaṁ nāmnā ca parameśvaram nāgā vidrumaliṁgaṁ ca nāma lokatrayaṁkaram

"Varuna a linga of crystal, by the very name 'Parameshvara'; the serpent-folk a linga of coral, by the name 'Maker of the Three Worlds,'

Verse 158 (skanda.1.48.158)

भारती तारलिंगं च नाम लोकत्रयाश्रितम्॥ शनिश्च संगमावर्ते जगन्नाथेति नाम च

bhāratī tāraliṁgaṁ ca nāma lokatrayāśritam śaniśca saṁgamāvarte jagannātheti nāma ca

"Bharati a linga of pearl-string, by the name 'Refuge of the Three Worlds'; Shani, at the eddy of the confluence, by the name 'Lord of the World,'

Verse 159 (skanda.1.48.159)

शनिदेशे मध्यरात्रौ महीसागरसंगमे॥ जातीजं रावणो लिंगं जपन्नाम सुदुर्जयम्

śanideśe madhyarātrau mahīsāgarasaṁgame jātījaṁ rāvaṇo liṁgaṁ japannāma sudurjayam

"in Shani's own quarter, at midnight, at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean; Ravana a linga of jasmine-wood, reciting the name 'Hard to Conquer,'

Verse 160 (skanda.1.48.160)

सिद्धाश्च मानसं नाम काममृत्युजरातिगम्॥ उंछजं च बलिर्लिंगं ज्ञानात्मेत्यस्य नाम च

siddhāśca mānasaṁ nāma kāmamṛtyujarātigam uṁchajaṁ ca balirliṁgaṁ jñānātmetyasya nāma ca

"the Siddhas a mind-made linga, by the name 'Beyond Desire, Death, and Old Age'; Bali a linga of gleaned grain, by the name 'Self of Knowledge,'

Verse 161 (skanda.1.48.161)

मरीचिपाः पुष्पजं च ज्ञानगम्येति नाम च॥ शकृताः शकृतं लिंगं ज्ञानज्ञेयेति नाम च

marīcipāḥ puṣpajaṁ ca jñānagamyeti nāma ca śakṛtāḥ śakṛtaṁ liṁgaṁ jñānajñeyeti nāma ca

"the moonlight-drinkers a linga of flowers, by the name 'Attained through Knowledge'; the dung-eaters a linga of dung, by the name 'Knowledge and the Known,'

Verse 162 (skanda.1.48.162)

फेनपाः फेनजं लिंगं नाम चापि सुदुर्विदम्॥ कपिलो वालुकालिंगं वरदं च जपन्हरम्

phenapāḥ phenajaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma cāpi sudurvidam kapilo vālukāliṁgaṁ varadaṁ ca japanharam

"the foam-drinkers a linga of foam, by a name most hard to know; Kapila a linga of sand, reciting the name 'Boon-giving Hara,'

Verse 163 (skanda.1.48.163)

सारस्वतो वाचिलिंगं नाम वागीश्वरेति च॥ गणा मूर्तिमयं लिंगं नाम रुद्रेति चाब्रुवन्

sārasvato vāciliṁgaṁ nāma vāgīśvareti ca gaṇā mūrtimayaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma rudreti cābruvan

"Sarasvata a linga of speech, by the name 'Lord of Speech'; the Ganas an image-formed linga, by the name 'Rudra,'

Verse 164 (skanda.1.48.164)

जांबूनदमयं देवाः शितिकण्ठेति नाम च॥ शंखलिंगं बुधो नाम कनिष्ठमिति संजपन्

jāṁbūnadamayaṁ devāḥ śitikaṇṭheti nāma ca śaṁkhaliṁgaṁ budho nāma kaniṣṭhamiti saṁjapan

"the gods a linga of Jambu-river gold, by the name 'Shitikantha'; Budha a conch-linga, reciting the name 'The Youngest,'

Verse 165 (skanda.1.48.165)

अश्विनौ मृन्मयं लिंगं नाम्ना चैव सुवेधसम्॥ विनायकः पिष्टलिंगं नाम्ना चापि कपर्दिनम्

aśvinau mṛnmayaṁ liṁgaṁ nāmnā caiva suvedhasam vināyakaḥ piṣṭaliṁgaṁ nāmnā cāpi kapardinam

"the Ashvin twins a linga of clay, by the very name 'True Creator'; Vinayaka a linga of flour, by the very name 'Bearer of Matted Locks,'

Verse 166 (skanda.1.48.166)

नावनीतं कुजो लिंगं नाम चापि करालकम्॥ तार्क्ष्य ओदनलिंगं च हर्यक्षेति हि नाम च

nāvanītaṁ kujo liṁgaṁ nāma cāpi karālakam tārkṣya odanaliṁgaṁ ca haryakṣeti hi nāma ca

"Mars a linga of fresh butter, by the name 'Fearsome'; Garuda a linga of cooked rice, by the name 'Lion-eyed,'

Verse 167 (skanda.1.48.167)

गौडं कामस्तथा लिंगं रतिदं चेति नाम च॥ शची लवणलिंगं तु बभ्रुकेशेति नाम च

gauḍaṁ kāmastathā liṁgaṁ ratidaṁ ceti nāma ca śacī lavaṇaliṁgaṁ tu babhrukeśeti nāma ca

"Kama a linga of jaggery, by the name 'Giver of Delight'; Shachi a linga of salt, by the name 'Tawny-haired,'

Verse 168 (skanda.1.48.168)

विश्वकर्मा च प्रासादलिंगं याम्येति नाम च॥ विभीषणश्च पांसूत्थं सुहृत्तमेति नाम च॥ वंशांकुरोत्थं सगरो नाम संगतमेव च

viśvakarmā ca prāsādaliṁgaṁ yāmyeti nāma ca vibhīṣaṇaśca pāṁsūtthaṁ suhṛttameti nāma ca vaṁśāṁkurotthaṁ sagaro nāma saṁgatameva ca

"Vishvakarma a linga in the shape of a temple, by the name 'Belonging to Yama'; Vibhishana a linga of dust, by the name 'Truest Friend'; Sagara a linga sprung from a bamboo-shoot, by the name 'Fitting,'

Verse 169 (skanda.1.48.169)

राहुश्च रामठं लिंगं नाम गम्येति कीर्तयन्॥ लेप्यलिंगं तथा लक्ष्मीर्हरिनेत्रेति नाम च

rāhuśca rāmaṭhaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma gamyeti kīrtayan lepyaliṁgaṁ tathā lakṣmīrharinetreti nāma ca

"Rahu a linga of asafoetida-plant, proclaiming the name 'Attainable'; Lakshmi a modeled clay linga, by the name 'Eye of Hari,'

Verse 170 (skanda.1.48.170)

योगिनः सर्वभूतस्थं स्थाणुरित्येव नाम च॥ नानाविधं मनुष्याश्च पुरुषंनाम नाम च

yoginaḥ sarvabhūtasthaṁ sthāṇurityeva nāma ca nānāvidhaṁ manuṣyāśca puruṣaṁnāma nāma ca

"yogis a linga dwelling in every being, by the very name 'Sthanu'; men, in various forms, by the very name 'Purusha,'

Verse 171 (skanda.1.48.171)

तेजोमयं च ऋक्षाणि भगं नाम च भास्वरम्॥ किंनरा धातुलिंगं च सुदीप्तमिति नाम च

tejomayaṁ ca ṛkṣāṇi bhagaṁ nāma ca bhāsvaram kiṁnarā dhātuliṁgaṁ ca sudīptamiti nāma ca

"the constellations a linga of fire, by the shining name 'Bhaga'; the Kinnaras a linga of metal, by the name 'Most Radiant,'

Verse 172 (skanda.1.48.172)

देवदेवेति नामास्ति लिंगं च ब्रह्मराक्षसाः॥ दंतजं वारणा लिंगं नाम रंहसमेव च

devadeveti nāmāsti liṁgaṁ ca brahmarākṣasāḥ daṁtajaṁ vāraṇā liṁgaṁ nāma raṁhasameva ca

"the Brahmarakshasas worship a linga by the name 'God of Gods'; wild elephants a linga of ivory, by the very name 'The Swift One,'

Verse 173 (skanda.1.48.173)

सप्तलोकमयं साध्या बहूरूपेति नाम च॥ दूर्वांकुरमयं लिंगमृतवः सर्वनाम च

saptalokamayaṁ sādhyā bahūrūpeti nāma ca dūrvāṁkuramayaṁ liṁgamṛtavaḥ sarvanāma ca

"the Sadhyas a linga formed of the seven worlds, by the name 'Many-formed'; the seasons a linga of durva-shoots, by the name 'Bearer of Every Name,'

Verse 174 (skanda.1.48.174)

कौंकुममप्सरसो लिंगं नाम शंभोः प्रियेति च॥ सिंदूरजं चोर्वशी च नाम च प्रियवासनम्

kauṁkumamapsaraso liṁgaṁ nāma śaṁbhoḥ priyeti ca siṁdūrajaṁ corvaśī ca nāma ca priyavāsanam

"the Apsaras a linga of saffron, by the name 'Beloved of Shambhu'; Urvashi a linga of vermilion, by the name 'Fragrant Robe,'

Verse 175 (skanda.1.48.175)

ब्रह्मचारि गुरुर्लिंगं नाम चोष्णीषिणं विदुः॥ अलक्तकं च योगिन्यो नाम चास्य सुबभ्रुकम्

brahmacāri gururliṁgaṁ nāma coṣṇīṣiṇaṁ viduḥ alaktakaṁ ca yoginyo nāma cāsya subabhrukam

"Brihaspati, the teacher, a linga by the name 'Turbaned One'; the Yoginis a linga of red lac, by the name 'The Tawny One,'

Verse 176 (skanda.1.48.176)

श्रीखंडं सिद्धयोगिन्यः सहस्राक्षेति नाम च॥ डाकिन्यो मांस लिंगं च नाम चास्य च मीढुषम्

śrīkhaṁḍaṁ siddhayoginyaḥ sahasrākṣeti nāma ca ḍākinyo māṁsa liṁgaṁ ca nāma cāsya ca mīḍhuṣam

"the perfected Yoginis a sandalwood linga, by the name 'Thousand-eyed'; the Dakinis a flesh-linga, by the name 'Mighty Bull,'

Verse 177 (skanda.1.48.177)

अप्यन्नजं च मनवो गिरिशेति च नाम च॥ अगस्त्यो व्रीहिजं वापि सुशांतमिति नाम च

apyannajaṁ ca manavo giriśeti ca nāma ca agastyo vrīhijaṁ vāpi suśāṁtamiti nāma ca

"the Manus a linga of curds and grain, by the name 'Lord of the Mountain'; Agastya a linga of rice, by the name 'Most Tranquil,'

Verse 178 (skanda.1.48.178)

यवजं देवलो लिंगं पतिमित्येव नाम च॥ वल्मीकजं च वाल्मीकिश्चिरवासीति नाम च

yavajaṁ devalo liṁgaṁ patimityeva nāma ca valmīkajaṁ ca vālmīkiściravāsīti nāma ca

"Devala a linga of barley, by the very name 'Lord'; Valmiki a linga sprung from an anthill, by the name 'The Long-Dwelling One,'

Verse 179 (skanda.1.48.179)

प्रतर्दनो बाणलिंगं हिरण्यभुजनाम च॥ राजिकं च तथा दैत्या नाम उग्रेति कीर्तितम्

pratardano bāṇaliṁgaṁ hiraṇyabhujanāma ca rājikaṁ ca tathā daityā nāma ugreti kīrtitam

"Pratardana a linga of arrow-reed, by the name 'Golden-armed'; the Daityas a linga of mustard, by the name 'The Fierce One,'

Verse 180 (skanda.1.48.180)

निष्पावजं दानवाश्च लिंगनाम च दिक्पतिम्॥ मेघा नीरमयं लिंगं पर्जन्यपतिनाम च

niṣpāvajaṁ dānavāśca liṁganāma ca dikpatim meghā nīramayaṁ liṁgaṁ parjanyapatināma ca

"the Danavas a linga of white beans, by the name 'Lord of the Directions'; the clouds a linga of water, by the name 'Lord of Rain,'

Verse 181 (skanda.1.48.181)

राजमाषमयं यक्षा नाम भूतपतिं स्मृतम्॥ तिलान्नजं च पितरो नाम वृषपतिस्तथा

rājamāṣamayaṁ yakṣā nāma bhūtapatiṁ smṛtam tilānnajaṁ ca pitaro nāma vṛṣapatistathā

"the Yakshas a linga of black gram, remembered by the name 'Lord of Spirits'; the ancestors a linga of sesame and rice, by the name 'Lord of the Bull,'

Verse 182 (skanda.1.48.182)

गौतमो गोरजमयं नाम गोपतिरेव च॥ वानप्रस्थाः फलमयं नाम वृक्षावृतेति च

gautamo gorajamayaṁ nāma gopatireva ca vānaprasthāḥ phalamayaṁ nāma vṛkṣāvṛteti ca

"Gautama a linga of cow-dust, by the name 'Lord of Cows'; the forest-dwellers a linga of fruit, by the name 'Robed in Trees,'

Verse 183 (skanda.1.48.183)

स्कंदः पाषाणलिंगं च नाम सेनान्य एव च॥ नागश्चाश्वतरो धान्यं मध्यमेत्यस्य नाम च

skaṁdaḥ pāṣāṇaliṁgaṁ ca nāma senānya eva ca nāgaścāśvataro dhānyaṁ madhyametyasya nāma ca

"Skanda a stone linga, by the very name 'Commander of the Army'; the serpent Ashvatara a linga of grain, by the name 'The Middle One,'

Verse 184 (skanda.1.48.184)

पुरोडाशमयं यज्वा स्रुवहस्तेति नाम च॥ यमः कालायसमयं नाम प्राह च धन्विनम्

puroḍāśamayaṁ yajvā sruvahasteti nāma ca yamaḥ kālāyasamayaṁ nāma prāha ca dhanvinam

"the sacrificer a linga of sacrificial cake, by the name 'Ladle in Hand'; Yama a linga of black iron, calling him by the name 'Bow-bearer,'

Verse 185 (skanda.1.48.185)

यवांकुरं जामदग्न्यो भर्गदैत्येति नाम च॥ पुरूरवाश्चाश्चान्नमयं बहुरूपेति नाम च

yavāṁkuraṁ jāmadagnyo bhargadaityeti nāma ca purūravāścāścānnamayaṁ bahurūpeti nāma ca

"Jamadagni's son a linga of barley-shoots, by the name 'Foe of the Demon Bhrigu-line'; Pururavas a linga of grain, by the name 'Many-formed,'

Verse 186 (skanda.1.48.186)

मांधाता शर्करालिंगं नाम बाहुयुगेति च॥ गावः पयोमयं लिंगं नाम नेत्रसहस्रकम्

māṁdhātā śarkarāliṁgaṁ nāma bāhuyugeti ca gāvaḥ payomayaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma netrasahasrakam

"Mandhata a linga of sugar-crystal, by the name 'Two-armed'; cows a linga of milk, by the name 'Thousand-eyed,'

Verse 187 (skanda.1.48.187)

साध्या भर्तृमयं लिंगं नाम विश्वपतिः स्मृतम्॥ नारायणो नरो मौंजं सहस्रशिरनाम च

sādhyā bhartṛmayaṁ liṁgaṁ nāma viśvapatiḥ smṛtam nārāyaṇo naro mauṁjaṁ sahasraśiranāma ca

"the Sadhyas a linga in husband's form, by the remembered name 'Lord of the Universe'; Narayana and Nara a linga of munja-grass, by the name 'Thousand-headed,'

Verse 188 (skanda.1.48.188)

तार्क्ष्यं पृथुस्तथा लिंगं सहस्रचरणाभिधम्॥ पक्षिणो व्योमलिंगं च नाम सर्वात्मकेति च

tārkṣyaṁ pṛthustathā liṁgaṁ sahasracaraṇābhidham pakṣiṇo vyomaliṁgaṁ ca nāma sarvātmaketi ca

"Garuda a linga by the name 'Thousand-footed'; the birds a linga of the sky, by the name 'Soul of All,'

Verse 189 (skanda.1.48.189)

पृथिवी मेरुलिंगं च द्वितनुश्चास्य नाम च॥ भस्मलिंगं पशुपतिर्नाम चास्य महेश्वरः

pṛthivī meruliṁgaṁ ca dvitanuścāsya nāma ca bhasmaliṁgaṁ paśupatirnāma cāsya maheśvaraḥ

"the earth a Meru-linga, by the name 'Two-bodied'; Pashupati a linga of ash, by the name 'Maheshvara,'

Verse 190 (skanda.1.48.190)

ऋषयो ज्ञानलिंगं च चिरस्थानेति नाम च॥ ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मलिंगं च नाम ज्येष्ठेति तं विदुः

ṛṣayo jñānaliṁgaṁ ca cirasthāneti nāma ca brāhmaṇā brahmaliṁgaṁ ca nāma jyeṣṭheti taṁ viduḥ

"the sages a linga of knowledge, by the name 'The Long-Abiding One'; Brahmins a linga of Brahman, known by the name 'The Eldest,'

Verse 191 (skanda.1.48.191)

गोरोचनमयं शेषो नाम पशुपतिः स्मृतम्॥ वासुकिर्विषलिंगं च नाम वै शंकरेति च

gorocanamayaṁ śeṣo nāma paśupatiḥ smṛtam vāsukirviṣaliṁgaṁ ca nāma vai śaṁkareti ca

"Shesha a linga of cow-bezoar, by the remembered name 'Pashupati'; Vasuki a linga of poison, by the very name 'Shankara,'

Verse 192 (skanda.1.48.192)

तक्षकः कालकूटाख्यं बहुरूपेति नाम च॥ हालाहलं च कर्कोट एकाक्ष इति नाम च

takṣakaḥ kālakūṭākhyaṁ bahurūpeti nāma ca hālāhalaṁ ca karkoṭa ekākṣa iti nāma ca

"Takshaka a linga called Kalakuta, by the name 'Many-formed'; Karkota a Halahala-poison linga, by the name 'One-eyed,'

Verse 193 (skanda.1.48.193)

श्रृंगी विषमयं पद्मो नाम धूर्जटिरेव च॥ पुत्रः पितृमयं लिंगं विश्वरूपेति नाम च

śrṛṁgī viṣamayaṁ padmo nāma dhūrjaṭireva ca putraḥ pitṛmayaṁ liṁgaṁ viśvarūpeti nāma ca

"Shringi a linga of Padma-poison, by the name 'Bearer of Matted Locks'; a son a linga of his father's ashes, by the name 'Universal Form,'

Verse 194 (skanda.1.48.194)

पारदं च शिवा देवी नाम त्र्यम्बक एव च॥ मत्स्याद्याः शास्त्रलिंगं च नाम चापि वृषाकपिः

pāradaṁ ca śivā devī nāma tryambaka eva ca matsyādyāḥ śāstraliṁgaṁ ca nāma cāpi vṛṣākapiḥ

"the goddess Shiva a mercury-linga, by the very name 'Tryambaka'; fish and other creatures a linga of scripture, by the very name 'Vrishakapi.'

Verse 195 (skanda.1.48.195)

एवं किं बहुनोक्तेन यद्यत्सत्त्वं विभूतिमत्॥ जगत्यामस्ति तज्जातं शिवाराधनयोगतः

evaṁ kiṁ bahunoktena yadyatsattvaṁ vibhūtimat jagatyāmasti tajjātaṁ śivārādhanayogataḥ

"What use, then, in saying more? Whatever being in this world is endowed with glory has come to be so only through the practice of Shiva-worship.

Verse 196 (skanda.1.48.196)

भस्मनो यदि वृक्षत्वं ज्ञायते नीरसेवनात्॥ शिवभक्तिविहीनस्य ततोऽस्य फलमुच्यते

bhasmano yadi vṛkṣatvaṁ jñāyate nīrasevanāt śivabhaktivihīnasya tato'sya phalamucyate

"If even ash, watered, might be thought to take on the nature of a tree, imagine then what fruit is spoken of for a man devoid of devotion to Shiva.

Verse 197 (skanda.1.48.197)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यदि प्राप्तौ भवेन्मतिः॥ ततो हरः समाराध्यस्त्रिजगत्याः प्रदो मतः

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ yadi prāptau bhavenmatiḥ tato haraḥ samārādhyastrijagatyāḥ prado mataḥ

"If the mind is set on attaining dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation, then Hara alone should be worshipped, held to be the giver of these in all three worlds.

Verse 198 (skanda.1.48.198)

य इदं शतरुद्रीयं प्रातःप्रातः पठिष्यति॥ तस्य प्रीतः शिवो देवः प्रदास्यत्यखिलान्वरान्

ya idaṁ śatarudrīyaṁ prātaḥprātaḥ paṭhiṣyati tasya prītaḥ śivo devaḥ pradāsyatyakhilānvarān

"Whoever recites this Shatarudriya every morning — with him, the blessed Shiva, well pleased, shall grant every boon.

Verse 199 (skanda.1.48.199)

नातः परं पुण्यतमं किंचिदस्ति महाफलम्॥ सर्ववेदरहस्यं च सूर्येणोक्तमिदं मम

nātaḥ paraṁ puṇyatamaṁ kiṁcidasti mahāphalam sarvavedarahasyaṁ ca sūryeṇoktamidaṁ mama

"Nothing more sacred than this exists, nothing of greater fruit; this is the very secret of all the Vedas, spoken to me by the sun himself.

Verse 200 (skanda.1.48.200)

वाचा च यत्कृतं पापं मनसा वाप्युपार्जितम्॥ पापं तन्नाशमायाति कीर्तिते शतरुद्रिये

vācā ca yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ manasā vāpyupārjitam pāpaṁ tannāśamāyāti kīrtite śatarudriye

"Whatever sin has been done through speech, or gathered even in the mind, that sin is destroyed when this Shatarudriya is recited.

Verse 201 (skanda.1.48.201)

रोगार्तो मुच्यते रोगाद्बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात्॥ भयान्मुच्येत भीतश्च जपेद्यः शतरुद्रियम्

rogārto mucyate rogādbaddho mucyeta bandhanāt bhayānmucyeta bhītaśca japedyaḥ śatarudriyam

"The sick man is freed of sickness, the bound man freed of his bonds; the fearful man freed of fear — whoever recites this Shatarudriya.

Verse 202 (skanda.1.48.202)

नाम्नां शतेन यः कुम्भैः पुष्पैस्तावद्भिरीश्वरम्॥ प्रणामानां शतेनापि मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

nāmnāṁ śatena yaḥ kumbhaiḥ puṣpaistāvadbhirīśvaram praṇāmānāṁ śatenāpi mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

"Whoever worships Ishvara with a hundred pots, with as many flowers, with a hundred names, and with a hundred prostrations too, is freed of every sin.

Verse 203 (skanda.1.48.203)

लिंगानां शतमेतच्च शतमाराधकास्तथा॥ नामानि च शतं सर्वदोषसंनाशकं स्मृतम्

liṁgānāṁ śatametacca śatamārādhakāstathā nāmāni ca śataṁ sarvadoṣasaṁnāśakaṁ smṛtam

"These hundred lingas, and these hundred worshippers, and these hundred names, are remembered as destroying every fault.

Verse 204 (skanda.1.48.204)

विशेषादेषु लिंगेषु यः पठिष्यति पंचसु॥ पंचभिर्विषयोद्भूतैः स दोषैः परिमुच्यते

viśeṣādeṣu liṁgeṣu yaḥ paṭhiṣyati paṁcasu paṁcabhirviṣayodbhūtaiḥ sa doṣaiḥ parimucyate

"Above all, whoever recites this among these five lingas is freed from the five faults born of the senses' objects."

Verse 205 (skanda.1.48.205)

॥नारद उवाच॥ निशम्यैवं प्रार्थ्यतेऽपि गुप्तक्षेत्रे मुदान्विताः॥ पंचलिंगानयर्चयंतः शिवध्यानपराभवन्

nārada uvāca niśamyaivaṁ prārthyate'pi guptakṣetre mudānvitāḥ paṁcaliṁgānayarcayaṁtaḥ śivadhyānaparābhavan

Narada said: "Thus entreated, delighted, worshipping the five lingas there in that hidden field, they became devoted to meditation on Shiva.

Verse 206 (skanda.1.48.206)

ततो बहुतिथे काले प्रत्यक्षीभूय शंकरः॥ प्राहतान्मुदितो देवस्तेषां भक्तिविशेषतः

tato bahutithe kāle pratyakṣībhūya śaṁkaraḥ prāhatānmudito devasteṣāṁ bhaktiviśeṣataḥ

"Then, after a long time had passed, Shankara, becoming manifest, pleased by their special devotion, spoke to them.

Verse 207 (skanda.1.48.207)

॥शिव उवाच॥ बकोलूकगृध्रकूर्मा इन्द्रद्युम्न च पार्थिव॥ सारूप्यां मुक्तिमापन्ना मल्लोके निवसिष्यथ

śiva uvāca bakolūkagṛdhrakūrmā indradyumna ca pārthiva sārūpyāṁ muktimāpannā malloke nivasiṣyatha

Shiva said: "The heron, the owl, the vulture, the tortoise, and Indradyumna, O king, having attained liberation in my own form, shall dwell in my world.

Verse 208 (skanda.1.48.208)

लोमशश्चापि मार्कंडो जीवन्मुक्तौ भविष्यतः॥ इत्युक्ते देवदेवेन लिंगं स्थापितवान्नृपः

lomaśaścāpi mārkaṁḍo jīvanmuktau bhaviṣyataḥ ityukte devadevena liṁgaṁ sthāpitavānnṛpaḥ

"And Lomasha and Markanda too shall attain liberation while yet living." When the god of gods had spoken thus, the king established a linga —

Verse 209 (skanda.1.48.209)

इन्द्रद्युम्नेश्वरं नाम महाकालाख्यमित्युत॥ ज्ञात्वा तीर्थगुणान्राजा कीर्तिमिच्छंश्चिरंतनीम्

indradyumneśvaraṁ nāma mahākālākhyamityuta jñātvā tīrthaguṇānrājā kīrtimicchaṁściraṁtanīm

named Indradyumneshvara, also called Mahakala. Knowing the qualities of that tirtha, and desiring lasting fame, the king,

Verse 210 (skanda.1.48.210)

त्रिरम्यमतुलं लिंगं संस्थाप्येदमुवाच ह॥ यावच्चंद्रश्च सूर्यश्च यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी

triramyamatulaṁ liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpyedamuvāca ha yāvaccaṁdraśca sūryaśca yāvattiṣṭhati medinī

having established that most delightful, unequaled linga, said this: "As long as the moon and the sun exist, as long as the earth endures,

Verse 211 (skanda.1.48.211)

इन्द्रद्युम्नेश्वरं लिंगं नंदताच्छाश्वतीः समाः॥ ततस्तथेति भगवाच्छिवः प्रोच्याब्रवीत्पुनः

indradyumneśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ naṁdatācchāśvatīḥ samāḥ tatastatheti bhagavācchivaḥ procyābravītpunaḥ

so long may the linga Indradyumneshvara flourish and rejoice, through eternal years." Then the blessed Shiva said, "So be it," and spoke again —

Verse 212 (skanda.1.48.212)

अत्र यो नियतं लिंगमैंद्रद्युम्नं प्रपूजयेत्॥ स गणो जायते नूनं मम लोके निवत्स्यति

atra yo niyataṁ liṁgamaiṁdradyumnaṁ prapūjayet sa gaṇo jāyate nūnaṁ mama loke nivatsyati

"Whoever regularly worships this very Aindradyumna linga here shall surely become a Gana, and shall dwell in my own world."

Verse 213 (skanda.1.48.213)

इत्युक्त्वा सह तैश्चैव पंचभिः शशिशेखरः॥ रुद्रलोकम गाद्देवस्तेऽपि जाता गणाः पुनः

ityuktvā saha taiścaiva paṁcabhiḥ śaśiśekharaḥ rudralokama gāddevaste'pi jātā gaṇāḥ punaḥ

Having said this, that moon-crested god went, together with those five, to the world of Rudra; and they too once more became Ganas.

Verse 214 (skanda.1.48.214)

एवं प्रभावो राजाभूदिंद्रद्युम्नो महीपतिः॥ यजता येन वीरेण निर्मितेयं महीनदी

evaṁ prabhāvo rājābhūdiṁdradyumno mahīpatiḥ yajatā yena vīreṇa nirmiteyaṁ mahīnadī

Such was the power of that King Indradyumna, lord of the earth, by whose sacrifice, that hero, this river Mahi came to be.

Verse 215 (skanda.1.48.215)

एवंविधःस पुण्योऽयं महीसागरसंगमः॥ अभूत्ततोऽपि संक्षेपात्तव पार्थ प्रकीर्तितः

evaṁvidhaḥsa puṇyo'yaṁ mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ abhūttato'pi saṁkṣepāttava pārtha prakīrtitaḥ

Such indeed, in this way, came to be that sacred confluence of Mahi and the ocean; and from that time, this has now been told to you too, O Partha, in brief.

Verse 216 (skanda.1.48.216)

स्नात्वात्र संगमे यश्च इन्द्रद्युम्नेश्वरं नरः॥ पूजयेत्तस्य वासः स्याद्यत्रेशः पार्वतीपतिः

snātvātra saṁgame yaśca indradyumneśvaraṁ naraḥ pūjayettasya vāsaḥ syādyatreśaḥ pārvatīpatiḥ

And whoever bathes here at this confluence and worships Indradyumneshvara comes to dwell in that very place where the Lord, husband of Parvati, himself dwells.

Verse 217 (skanda.1.48.217)

सर्वबन्धहरं लिंगं गाणपत्यप्रदं त्विदम्॥ यतो बन्धान्विहायैव स्थापितं तेन फालल्गुन

sarvabandhaharaṁ liṁgaṁ gāṇapatyapradaṁ tvidam yato bandhānvihāyaiva sthāpitaṁ tena phālalguna

This linga takes away every bondage, and grants the state of a Gana; for, O Phalguna, it was established by that very king, after he himself had cast off every bondage.

Verse 218 (skanda.1.48.218)

इतीदमुक्तं तव पुण्यकारि माहात्म्यमस्योत्तमसंगमस्य॥ माहात्म्यमत्यद्बुतपुण्यमिन्द्रद्युम्नेश्वरस्यापि च पुण्यकारि

itīdamuktaṁ tava puṇyakāri māhātmyamasyottamasaṁgamasya māhātmyamatyadbutapuṇyamindradyumneśvarasyāpi ca puṇyakāri

Thus has this merit-bringing greatness of that most excellent confluence been told to you; and thus too, this most wondrous, sacred, merit-bringing greatness of Indradyumneshvara himself.