The Glory of Devotion to Shiva

Verse 1 (skanda.1.5.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ विष्णौ गते तदा सर्वे देवाश्च ऋषिभिः सह॥ विनिर्जिता गणैः सर्वे ये च यज्ञोपजीविनः

||lomaśa uvāca|| viṣṇau gate tadā sarve devāśca ṛṣibhiḥ saha|| vinirjitā gaṇaiḥ sarve ye ca yajñopajīvinaḥ

Lomasha said: When Vishnu had departed, all the gods, together with the sages, and all those who lived off the sacrifice, were overcome by the ganas.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.5.2)

भृगुं च पातयामास स्मश्रूणां लुंचनं कृतम्॥ द्विजांश्चोत्पाटयामास पूष्णो विकृतविक्रियान्

bhṛguṃ ca pātayāmāsa smaśrūṇāṃ luṃcanaṃ kṛtam|| dvijāṃścotpāṭayāmāsa pūṣṇo vikṛtavikriyān

He felled Bhrigu and had his beard and moustache plucked out; he tore out Pushan's teeth, leaving him hideously disfigured.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.5.3)

विडंबिता स्वधा तत्र ऋषयश्च विडंबिताः॥ ववृषुस्ते पुरीषेण वितानाग्नौ रुपान्विताः

viḍaṃbitā svadhā tatra ṛṣayaśca viḍaṃbitāḥ|| vavṛṣuste purīṣeṇa vitānāgnau rupānvitāḥ

Svadha was mocked there, and the sages too were mocked; they were made to shower excrement into the canopied sacrificial fire.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.5.4)

अनिर्वाच्यं तदा चक्रुर्गणाः क्रोधसमन्विताः॥ अंतर्वेद्यंतरगतो दक्षो वै महतो भयात्

anirvācyaṃ tadā cakrurgaṇāḥ krodhasamanvitāḥ|| aṃtarvedyaṃtaragato dakṣo vai mahato bhayāt

Then the ganas, filled with fury, did things unspeakable. Out of great fear, Daksha hid himself within the sacrificial altar.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.5.5)

तं निलीनं समाज्ञाय आनिनायरुषान्वितः॥ कपोलेषु गृहीत्वा तं खड्गेनोपहतं शिरः

taṃ nilīnaṃ samājñāya ānināyaruṣānvitaḥ|| kapoleṣu gṛhītvā taṃ khaḍgenopahataṃ śiraḥ

Knowing him to be hidden there, Virabhadra, filled with rage, dragged him out; seizing him by the cheeks, he struck off his head with a sword.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.5.6)

अभेद्यं तच्छिरो मत्वा वीरभद्रः प्रतापवान्॥ स्कंधं पद्भ्यां समाक्रम्य कधरेऽपीडयत्तदा

abhedyaṃ tacchiro matvā vīrabhadraḥ pratāpavān|| skaṃdhaṃ padbhyāṃ samākramya kadhare'pīḍayattadā

Thinking that head indestructible, the mighty Virabhadra pressed his feet upon the shoulder and forced the neck down further.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.5.7)

गंधरात्पाट्यमानाच्च शिरश्छिन्नं दुरात्मनः॥ दक्षस्य च तदा तेन वीरभद्रेण धीमता॥ तच्छिरः सुहुतं कुंडे ज्वलिxxxxxxx

gaṃdharātpāṭyamānācca śiraśchinnaṃ durātmanaḥ|| dakṣasya ca tadā tena vīrabhadreṇa dhīmatā|| tacchiraḥ suhutaṃ kuṃḍe jvalixxxxxxx

The head of that evil-souled Daksha was torn from his throat; then the wise Virabhadra offered that head as an oblation, well-burnt, into the blazing pit... [the source text is illegible/damaged from this point in the verse].

Verse 8 (skanda.1.5.8)

ये चान्य ऋषयो देवाः पितरो यक्षराक्षसाः॥ गणैरुपद्रुताः सर्वे पलायनपरा ययुः

ye cānya ṛṣayo devāḥ pitaro yakṣarākṣasāḥ|| gaṇairupadrutāḥ sarve palāyanaparā yayuḥ

The other sages, gods, ancestors, yakshas, and rakshasas — all, harried by the ganas, took to flight.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.5.9)

चंद्रादित्यगणाः सर्वे ग्रहनक्षत्रतारकाः॥ सर्वे विचलिता ह्यासन्गणैस्तेपि ह्युपद्रुताः

caṃdrādityagaṇāḥ sarve grahanakṣatratārakāḥ|| sarve vicalitā hyāsangaṇaistepi hyupadrutāḥ

The hosts of the moon and sun, the planets, constellations, and stars — all were shaken, they too harried by the ganas.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.5.10)

सत्यलोकं गतो ब्रह्मा पुत्रशोकेन पीडितः॥ चिंतयामास चाव्यग्रः किं कार्यं कार्यमद्य वै

satyalokaṃ gato brahmā putraśokena pīḍitaḥ|| ciṃtayāmāsa cāvyagraḥ kiṃ kāryaṃ kāryamadya vai

Brahma, afflicted with grief for his son, went to Satyaloka and, deeply troubled, pondered: "What is to be done now?"

Verse 11 (skanda.1.5.11)

मनसा दूयमानेन शंन लेभे पितामहः॥ ज्ञात्वा सर्वं प्रयत्नेन दुष्कृतं तस्य पापिनः

manasā dūyamānena śaṃna lebhe pitāmahaḥ|| jñātvā sarvaṃ prayatnena duṣkṛtaṃ tasya pāpinaḥ

The grandfather, his mind in anguish, found no peace; having with effort come to know all the misdeeds of that sinful one,

Verse 12 (skanda.1.5.12)

गमनाय मतिं चक्रे कैलासं पर्वतं प्रति॥ हंसारूढो महातेजाः सर्वदेवैः समन्वितः

gamanāya matiṃ cakre kailāsaṃ parvataṃ prati|| haṃsārūḍho mahātejāḥ sarvadevaiḥ samanvitaḥ

he resolved to go to Mount Kailasa; mounted on his swan, of great splendor, accompanied by all the gods.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.5.13)

प्रविष्टः पर्वतश्रेष्ठं स ददर्श सदाशिवम्॥ एकांतवासिनं रुद्रं शैलादेन समन्वितम्

praviṣṭaḥ parvataśreṣṭhaṃ sa dadarśa sadāśivam|| ekāṃtavāsinaṃ rudraṃ śailādena samanvitam

Entering that finest of mountains, he beheld Sadashiva — Rudra dwelling there in solitude, together with Shailada.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.5.14)

कपर्द्दिनं श्रिया युक्तं वेदांगानां च दुर्गमम्॥ तथाविधं समालोक्य ब्रह्म क्षोभपरोऽभवत्

kaparddinaṃ śriyā yuktaṃ vedāṃgānāṃ ca durgamam|| tathāvidhaṃ samālokya brahma kṣobhaparo'bhavat

Beholding him, matted-locked, endowed with glory, unattainable even by the Vedangas, Brahma became greatly agitated.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.5.15)

दंडवत्पतितो भूमौक्षमापयितुमुद्यतः॥ संस्पृशं स्तत्पदाब्जं च चतुर्मुकुटकोटिभिः॥ स्तुतिं कर्तुं समारेभे शिवस्य परमात्मनः

daṃḍavatpatito bhūmaukṣamāpayitumudyataḥ|| saṃspṛśaṃ statpadābjaṃ ca caturmukuṭakoṭibhiḥ|| stutiṃ kartuṃ samārebhe śivasya paramātmanaḥ

He fell prostrate on the ground, eager to beg forgiveness; touching that lotus foot with his four crowned heads, he began to praise Shiva, the Supreme Self.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.5.16)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ नमो रुद्राय शांताय ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने॥ त्वं हि विश्वसृजां स्रष्टा धाता त्वं प्रपितामहः

||brahmovāca|| namo rudrāya śāṃtāya brahmaṇe paramātmane|| tvaṃ hi viśvasṛjāṃ sraṣṭā dhātā tvaṃ prapitāmahaḥ

Brahma said: "Salutation to Rudra, the peaceful one, to Brahman, the Supreme Self; you are the creator of the creators of the universe, the ordainer, and the great-grandfather of all."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.5.17)

नमो रुद्राय महते नीलकंठाय वेधसे॥ विश्वाय विश्वबीजाय जगदानंदहेतवे

namo rudrāya mahate nīlakaṃṭhāya vedhase|| viśvāya viśvabījāya jagadānaṃdahetave

"Salutation to the great Rudra, blue-throated, the ordainer; to the universe itself, the seed of the universe, the cause of the world's joy."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.5.18)

ओंकारस्त्वं वषट्कारः सर्वारंभप्रवर्तकः॥ यज्ञोसि यज्ञकर्मासि यज्ञानां च प्रवर्तकः

oṃkārastvaṃ vaṣaṭkāraḥ sarvāraṃbhapravartakaḥ|| yajñosi yajñakarmāsi yajñānāṃ ca pravartakaḥ

"You are the syllable Om, the exclamation Vashat, the initiator of every undertaking; you are the sacrifice, the very act of sacrifice, and the mover of all sacrifices."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.5.19)

सर्वेषां यज्ञकर्तॄणां त्वमेव प्रतिपालकः॥ शरण्योसि महादेव सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो॥ रक्ष रक्ष महादेव पुत्रशोकेन पीडितम्

sarveṣāṃ yajñakartṝṇāṃ tvameva pratipālakaḥ|| śaraṇyosi mahādeva sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ prabho|| rakṣa rakṣa mahādeva putraśokena pīḍitam

"You alone are the protector of all who perform sacrifice; you are the refuge, O Mahadeva, of all beings, O Lord. Save me, save me, O Mahadeva, afflicted as I am with grief for my son."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.5.20)

॥महादेव उवाच॥ श्रृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा मम वाक्यं पितामह॥ दक्षस्य यज्ञभंगोयं न कृतश्च मया क्वचित्

||mahādeva uvāca|| śrṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā mama vākyaṃ pitāmaha|| dakṣasya yajñabhaṃgoyaṃ na kṛtaśca mayā kvacit

Mahadeva said: "Listen attentively to my words, O grandfather; this destruction of Daksha's sacrifice was never wrought by me."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.5.21)

स्वीयेन कर्मणा दक्षो हतो ब्रह्मन्न संशयः

svīyena karmaṇā dakṣo hato brahmanna saṃśayaḥ

"It is by his own action, O Brahma, that Daksha has been slain, without doubt."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.5.22)

परेषां क्लेशदं कर्म न कार्यं तत्कदाचन॥ परमेष्ठिन्परेषां यदात्मनस्तद्भविष्यति

pareṣāṃ kleśadaṃ karma na kāryaṃ tatkadācana|| parameṣṭhinpareṣāṃ yadātmanastadbhaviṣyati

"One should never perform an action that brings suffering to others; O Supreme One, whatever one does to others returns upon oneself."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.5.23)

एवमुक्त्वा तदा रुद्रो ब्रह्मणा सहितः सुरैः॥ ययौ कनखलं तीर्थं यज्ञवाटं प्रजापतेः

evamuktvā tadā rudro brahmaṇā sahitaḥ suraiḥ|| yayau kanakhalaṃ tīrthaṃ yajñavāṭaṃ prajāpateḥ

Having said this, Rudra, together with Brahma and the gods, then went to the sacred site of Kanakhala, Prajapati's sacrificial ground.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.5.24)

रुद्रस्तदा ददर्शाय वीरभद्रेण यत्कृतम्॥ स्वाहा स्वधा तथा पूषा भृगुर्मतिमतां वरः

rudrastadā dadarśāya vīrabhadreṇa yatkṛtam|| svāhā svadhā tathā pūṣā bhṛgurmatimatāṃ varaḥ

Rudra then beheld all that had been done there by Virabhadra; Svaha, Svadha, Pusha, and Bhrigu, best among the wise —

Verse 25 (skanda.1.5.25)

तदान्य ऋषयः सर्वे पितरश्च तथाविधाः॥ येऽन्ये च बहवस्तत्र यक्षगंधर्वकिन्नराः

tadānya ṛṣayaḥ sarve pitaraśca tathāvidhāḥ|| ye'nye ca bahavastatra yakṣagaṃdharvakinnarāḥ

and all the other sages and ancestors present there, and the many other yakshas, gandharvas, and kinnaras as well —

Verse 26 (skanda.1.5.26)

त्रोटिता लुंचिताश्चैव मृताः केचिद्रणाजिरे

troṭitā luṃcitāścaiva mṛtāḥ kecidraṇājire

some had had their limbs broken, some had had their hair plucked out, and some lay dead upon that battlefield.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.5.27)

शंभुं समागतं दृष्ट्वा वीरभद्रो गणैः सह॥ दंडप्रणामसंयुक्तस्तस्थावग्रे सदाशिवम्

śaṃbhuṃ samāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā vīrabhadro gaṇaiḥ saha|| daṃḍapraṇāmasaṃyuktastasthāvagre sadāśivam

Seeing Shambhu arrive, Virabhadra, together with his ganas, prostrated and stood before Sadashiva.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.5.28)

दृष्ट्वा पुरः स्थितं रुद्रो वीरभद्रं महाबलम्॥ उपाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं किं कृतं वीर नन्विदम्

dṛṣṭvā puraḥ sthitaṃ rudro vīrabhadraṃ mahābalam|| upāca prahasanvākyaṃ kiṃ kṛtaṃ vīra nanvidam

Seeing the mighty Virabhadra standing before him, Rudra, laughing, said: "Well, hero, what have you done here?"

Verse 29 (skanda.1.5.29)

दक्षमानय शीघ्रं भो येनेदं कृतमीदृशम्॥ यज्ञे विलक्षणं तात यस्येदं फलमीदृशम्

dakṣamānaya śīghraṃ bho yenedaṃ kṛtamīdṛśam|| yajñe vilakṣaṇaṃ tāta yasyedaṃ phalamīdṛśam

"Bring Daksha here quickly, by whom this strange thing has occurred; O son, this is an extraordinary outcome for a sacrifice — such a fruit as this."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.5.30)

एवमुक्तः शंकरेण वीरभद्रस्त्वरान्वितः॥ कबंधमानयित्वाथ शंभोरग्रे तदाक्षिपत्

evamuktaḥ śaṃkareṇa vīrabhadrastvarānvitaḥ|| kabaṃdhamānayitvātha śaṃbhoragre tadākṣipat

Thus addressed by Shankara, Virabhadra swiftly brought the headless trunk and cast it down before Shambhu.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.5.31)

तदोक्तः शंकरेणैव वीरभद्रो महामनाः॥ शिरः केना पनीतं च दक्षस्यास्य दुरात्मनः

tadoktaḥ śaṃkareṇaiva vīrabhadro mahāmanāḥ|| śiraḥ kenā panītaṃ ca dakṣasyāsya durātmanaḥ

Then Shankara asked the great-minded Virabhadra: "Who has taken away this evil-souled Daksha's head?"

Verse 32 (skanda.1.5.32)

दास्यामि जीवनं वीर कुटिलस्यापि चाधुना॥ एवमुक्तः शंकरेण वीरभद्रोऽब्रवीत्पुनः

dāsyāmi jīvanaṃ vīra kuṭilasyāpi cādhunā|| evamuktaḥ śaṃkareṇa vīrabhadro'bravītpunaḥ

"O hero, now I shall grant life even to this wicked one." Thus addressed by Shankara, Virabhadra spoke again —

Verse 33 (skanda.1.5.33)

मया शिरो हुतं चाग्नौ तदानीमेव शंकर॥ अवशिष्टं शिरःशंभो पशोश्च विकृताननम्

mayā śiro hutaṃ cāgnau tadānīmeva śaṃkara|| avaśiṣṭaṃ śiraḥśaṃbho paśośca vikṛtānanam

"O Shankara, at that very moment I offered that head into the fire; O Shambhu, only the disfigured face of a sacrificial goat now remains."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.5.34)

इति ज्ञात्वा ततो रुद्रः कबंधोपरि चाक्षिपत्॥ शिरः पशोश्च विकृतं कूर्चयुक्तं भयावहम्

iti jñātvā tato rudraḥ kabaṃdhopari cākṣipat|| śiraḥ paśośca vikṛtaṃ kūrcayuktaṃ bhayāvaham

Knowing this, Rudra then placed upon that trunk the goat's disfigured, bearded, and fearsome head.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.5.35)

स दक्षो जीवितं लेभे प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च॥ स दृष्ट्वाग्रे तदा रुद्रं दक्षो लज्जासमन्वितः॥ तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा शंकरं लोकशंकरम्

sa dakṣo jīvitaṃ lebhe prasādācchaṃkarasya ca|| sa dṛṣṭvāgre tadā rudraṃ dakṣo lajjāsamanvitaḥ|| tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā śaṃkaraṃ lokaśaṃkaram

Thus, by Shankara's grace, Daksha regained life; beholding Rudra before him, filled with shame, Daksha bowed and praised Shankara, benefactor of the worlds.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.5.36)

॥दक्ष उवाच॥ नमामि देवं वरदं वरेण्यं नमामि देवेश्वरं सनातनम्॥ नमामि देवाधिपमीश्वरं हरं नमामि शंभुं जगदेकबंधुम्

||dakṣa uvāca|| namāmi devaṃ varadaṃ vareṇyaṃ namāmi deveśvaraṃ sanātanam|| namāmi devādhipamīśvaraṃ haraṃ namāmi śaṃbhuṃ jagadekabaṃdhum

Daksha said: "I bow to the boon-granting, most excellent God; I bow to the eternal Lord of gods. I bow to the Lord of gods, Hara, the sovereign; I bow to Shambhu, the sole kinsman of the universe."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.5.37)

नमामि विश्वेश्वरविश्वरूपं सनातनं ब्रह्म निजात्मरूपम्॥ नमामि सर्वं निजभावभावं वरं वरेण्यं नतोऽस्मि

namāmi viśveśvaraviśvarūpaṃ sanātanaṃ brahma nijātmarūpam|| namāmi sarvaṃ nijabhāvabhāvaṃ varaṃ vareṇyaṃ nato'smi

"I bow to the Lord of the universe, whose form is the universe, the eternal Brahman, whose very nature is his own self; I bow to all, to that most excellent and choice being who is one's own inner nature."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.5.38)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ दक्षेण संस्तुतो रुद्रो बभाषे प्रहसन्रहः

||lomaśa uvāca|| dakṣeṇa saṃstuto rudro babhāṣe prahasanrahaḥ

Lomasha said: Thus praised by Daksha, Rudra, smiling, spoke in seclusion.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.5.39)

॥हर उवाच॥ चतुर्विधा भजंते मां जनाः सुकृतिनः सदा॥ आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च द्विजसत्तम

||hara uvāca|| caturvidhā bhajaṃte māṃ janāḥ sukṛtinaḥ sadā|| ārto jijñāsurarthārthī jñānī ca dvijasattama

Hara said: "O best of the twice-born, four kinds of righteous people ever worship me: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise one."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.5.40)

तस्मान्मे ज्ञानिनः सर्वे प्रियाः स्युर्नात्र संशयः॥ विना ज्ञानेन मां प्राप्तुं यतंते ते हि बालिशः

tasmānme jñāninaḥ sarve priyāḥ syurnātra saṃśayaḥ|| vinā jñānena māṃ prāptuṃ yataṃte te hi bāliśaḥ

"Therefore the wise are most dear to me, without doubt; those who strive to attain me without knowledge are truly but fools."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.5.41)

केवलं कर्मणा त्वं हि संसारात्तर्तुमिच्छसि

kevalaṃ karmaṇā tvaṃ hi saṃsārāttartumicchasi

"By action alone you wish to cross beyond this worldly existence —"

Verse 42 (skanda.1.5.42)

न वेदैश्च न दानैश्च न यज्ञैस्तपसा क्वचित्॥ न शक्नुवंति मां प्राप्तुं मूढाः कर्म्मवशानराः

na vedaiśca na dānaiśca na yajñaistapasā kvacit|| na śaknuvaṃti māṃ prāptuṃ mūḍhāḥ karmmavaśānarāḥ

"— not by the Vedas, not by charity, not by sacrifices, nor ever by austerity; fools bound solely to action cannot attain me."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.5.43)

तस्माज्ज्ञानपरो भूत्वा कुरु कर्म्म समाहितः॥ सुखदुःखसमो भूत्वा सुखी भव निरंतरम्

tasmājjñānaparo bhūtvā kuru karmma samāhitaḥ|| sukhaduḥkhasamo bhūtvā sukhī bhava niraṃtaram

"Therefore, being devoted to knowledge, perform action with a composed mind; being equal to pleasure and pain, remain forever happy."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.5.44)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ उपदिष्टस्तदा तेन शंभुना परमेष्ठिना॥ दक्षं तत्रैव संस्थापाय ययो रुद्रः स्वपर्वतम्

||lomaśa uvāca|| upadiṣṭastadā tena śaṃbhunā parameṣṭhinā|| dakṣaṃ tatraiva saṃsthāpāya yayo rudraḥ svaparvatam

Lomasha said: Thus instructed by that Supreme Shambhu, Rudra, having reestablished Daksha there, went to his own mountain.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.5.45)

ब्रह्मणापि तथा सर्वे भृग्वाद्याश्च महर्षयः॥ आश्वासिता बोधिताश्च ज्ञानिनश्चाभवन्क्षणात्

brahmaṇāpi tathā sarve bhṛgvādyāśca maharṣayaḥ|| āśvāsitā bodhitāśca jñāninaścābhavankṣaṇāt

By Brahma too, all the great sages, Bhrigu and the rest, were comforted and instructed, and in an instant became possessed of true knowledge.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.5.46)

गतः पितामहो ब्रह्मा ततश्च सदनं स्वकम्

gataḥ pitāmaho brahmā tataśca sadanaṃ svakam

Thereafter grandfather Brahma departed to his own abode.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.5.47)

दक्षोपि च स्वयं वाक्यात्परं बोधमुपागतः। शिवध्यानपरो भूत्वा तपस्तेपे महामनाः

dakṣopi ca svayaṃ vākyātparaṃ bodhamupāgataḥ| śivadhyānaparo bhūtvā tapastepe mahāmanāḥ

Daksha too, through those very words, attained supreme understanding on his own account; that great-minded one, devoted to meditation on Shiva, took to austerities.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.5.48)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन संक्षेव्यो भगवाञ्छिवः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena saṃkṣevyo bhagavāñchivaḥ

Therefore, with every effort, the Lord Shiva is to be served.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.5.49)

संमार्जनं च कुर्वंति नरा ये च शिवांगणे॥ ते वै शिवपुरं प्राप्य जगद्वंद्या भग्सि च

saṃmārjanaṃ ca kurvaṃti narā ye ca śivāṃgaṇe|| te vai śivapuraṃ prāpya jagadvaṃdyā bhagsi ca

Men who sweep Shiva's courtyard, upon reaching Shiva's city, become worthy of worship by the whole world.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.5.50)

ये शिवस्य प्रयच्छति दर्प्पणं सुमहाप्रभम्॥ भविष्यंति शिवस्याग्रे पार्षदत्वेन ते नराः

ye śivasya prayacchati darppaṇaṃ sumahāprabham|| bhaviṣyaṃti śivasyāgre pārṣadatvena te narāḥ

Those who offer Shiva a most resplendent mirror become, in his very presence, his own attendants.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.5.51)

चामराणि प्रयच्छंति देवदेवस्य शूलिनः॥ चामरैर्वीज्यपानास्ते भविष्यंति जगत्त्रय

cāmarāṇi prayacchaṃti devadevasya śūlinaḥ|| cāmarairvījyapānāste bhaviṣyaṃti jagattraya

Those who offer chowries to the trident-bearing God of gods themselves become, in the three worlds, ones fanned with chowries and served.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.5.52)

दीपदानं प्रयच्छंति महादेवालये नराः॥ तेजस्विनो भविष्यंति ते त्रैलोक्यप्रदीपका

dīpadānaṃ prayacchaṃti mahādevālaye narāḥ|| tejasvino bhaviṣyaṃti te trailokyapradīpakā

Men who offer the gift of a lamp in Mahadeva's temple become radiant, themselves lamps of the three worlds.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.5.53)

धूपं ये वै प्रयच्छन्ति शिवाय परमात्मने॥ यशस्विनो भविष्यंति उद्धरन्ति कुलद्वयम्

dhūpaṃ ye vai prayacchanti śivāya paramātmane|| yaśasvino bhaviṣyaṃti uddharanti kuladvayam

Those who offer incense to Shiva, the Supreme Self, become renowned and redeem both their paternal and maternal lineages.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.5.54)

नैवेद्यं ये प्रयच्छंति भकया हरिहराग्रतः॥ सिक्थेसिक्थे क्रतुफलं प्राप्नुवंति हि ते नराः

naivedyaṃ ye prayacchaṃti bhakayā hariharāgrataḥ|| sikthesikthe kratuphalaṃ prāpnuvaṃti hi te narāḥ

Those who devotedly offer naivedya before Hari-Hara obtain, for every single grain offered, the full fruit of a sacrifice.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.5.55)

भग्नं शिवालयं ये च प्रकुर्वंति नरोत्तमाः॥ प्राप्नुवति फल ते वै द्विगुणं नात्र संशयः

bhagnaṃ śivālayaṃ ye ca prakurvaṃti narottamāḥ|| prāpnuvati phala te vai dviguṇaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ

Those excellent men who repair a broken temple of Shiva obtain, without doubt, a double fruit.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.5.56)

नूतनं ये प्रकृर्वंति इष्टकैरश्मनापि वा॥ स्वर्गे हि ते प्रमोदंते यावत्तिष्ठति निर्मलम्॥ यशो भूमौ द्विजश्रेष्ठा कार्या विचारणा

nūtanaṃ ye prakṛrvaṃti iṣṭakairaśmanāpi vā|| svarge hi te pramodaṃte yāvattiṣṭhati nirmalam|| yaśo bhūmau dvijaśreṣṭhā kāryā vicāraṇā

Those who build a new temple, whether of brick or stone, rejoice in heaven for as long as that pure fame endures upon the earth, O best of the twice-born; there is nothing more to deliberate here.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.5.57)

कारयंति च ये विप्राः प्रासादं बहुभूमिकम्॥ शिवस्याथ महाप्राज्ञाः प्राप्नुवंति परां गतिम्

kārayaṃti ca ye viprāḥ prāsādaṃ bahubhūmikam|| śivasyātha mahāprājñāḥ prāpnuvaṃti parāṃ gatim

Those wise brahmins who cause a many-storeyed temple to be built for Shiva attain the supreme goal.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.5.58)

शुद्धं धवलितं ये च कुर्वन्ति हरमंदिरम्॥ स्वीयं परकृतं चापि तेऽपि यांति परां गतिम्

śuddhaṃ dhavalitaṃ ye ca kurvanti haramaṃdiram|| svīyaṃ parakṛtaṃ cāpi te'pi yāṃti parāṃ gatim

Those who make Hara's temple pure and whitewashed — whether their own or another's — they too attain the supreme goal.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.5.59)

वितानं ये प्रयच्छति नराः सुकृतिनोपि हि॥ तारयति कुलं कृत्स्नं शिवलोकं गताः पुनः

vitānaṃ ye prayacchati narāḥ sukṛtinopi hi|| tārayati kulaṃ kṛtsnaṃ śivalokaṃ gatāḥ punaḥ

Men of merit who offer a canopy redeem their whole lineage, and, having gone to Shiva's world, return no more.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.5.60)

ये च नादमयीं घंटां निबध्नंति शिवालये॥ तेजस्विनः कीर्तिमंतो भविष्यंति जगत्त्रये

ye ca nādamayīṃ ghaṃṭāṃ nibadhnaṃti śivālaye|| tejasvinaḥ kīrtimaṃto bhaviṣyaṃti jagattraye

Those who install a resonant bell in Shiva's temple become radiant and renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.5.61)

एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं चानुपश्यति॥ आढ्यो वापि दरिद्रो वा सुखं दुःखात्प्रचुच्यते

ekakālaṃ dvikālaṃ vā trikālaṃ cānupaśyati|| āḍhyo vāpi daridro vā sukhaṃ duḥkhātpracucyate

Whoever beholds him once, twice, or thrice daily, whether rich or poor, is freed from sorrow into joy.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.5.62)

श्रद्धावान्भजते यो वा शिवाय परमात्मने॥ कुलकोटिं समुद्धृत्य शिवेन सह मोदते

śraddhāvānbhajate yo vā śivāya paramātmane|| kulakoṭiṃ samuddhṛtya śivena saha modate

Whoever, full of faith, worships Shiva the Supreme Self, redeems ten million ancestors of his lineage and rejoices together with Shiva.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.5.63)

अत्रैवोदाहरंतीम मितिहासं पुरातनम्॥ ऐंद्रद्युम्नेश्च संवादं यमस्य च महात्मनः

atraivodāharaṃtīma mitihāsaṃ purātanam|| aiṃdradyumneśca saṃvādaṃ yamasya ca mahātmanaḥ

On this very point, an ancient legend is told — the dialogue between Aindradyumni and the great Yama.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.5.64)

पुरा कृतयुगे ह्यसीदिन्द्रसेनो नराधिपः॥ प्रतिष्ठानाधिपो वीरो मृगयारसिकः सदा

purā kṛtayuge hyasīdindraseno narādhipaḥ|| pratiṣṭhānādhipo vīro mṛgayārasikaḥ sadā

Long ago, in the Krita Yuga, there was a king named Indrasena, lord of Pratishthana, a hero ever fond of the hunt.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.5.65)

अब्रह्मण्यः सदा क्रूरः केवलासुतृपः सदा॥ परप्राणौर्निजप्राणान्पुष्णाति स खलः सदा

abrahmaṇyaḥ sadā krūraḥ kevalāsutṛpaḥ sadā|| paraprāṇaurnijaprāṇānpuṣṇāti sa khalaḥ sadā

Ever hostile to brahmins, ever cruel, satisfying only his own appetite — that wicked man ever nourished his own life at the cost of others' lives.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.5.66)

परस्त्रीलं पटोऽत्यंतं परद्रव्येषु लोलुपः॥ ब्राह्मणा घातितास्तेन सुरापश्च निरंतरम्

parastrīlaṃ paṭo'tyaṃtaṃ paradravyeṣu lolupaḥ|| brāhmaṇā ghātitāstena surāpaśca niraṃtaram

Utterly given to other men's wives, greedy for others' wealth — brahmins were slain by him, and he drank liquor without cease.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.5.67)

गुरुलत्पगतोत्यर्थं सदा सौवर्णतस्करः॥ तथाभूतानुगाः सर्वे राज्ञस्तस्य दुरात्मनः

gurulatpagatotyarthaṃ sadā sauvarṇataskaraḥ|| tathābhūtānugāḥ sarve rājñastasya durātmanaḥ

Utterly transgressing against his elders, he was ever a thief of gold as well; and all the followers of that evil-souled king were of a nature just as wicked as his own.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.5.68)

एवं बहुविधं राज्यं चकार स दुरात्मवान्॥ ततः कालेन महता पंचत्वं प्राप दुर्मतिः

evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ rājyaṃ cakāra sa durātmavān|| tataḥ kālena mahatā paṃcatvaṃ prāpa durmatiḥ

Thus that evil-souled one ruled his kingdom in many wicked ways; then, after a long time, that man of evil mind met his death.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.5.69)

तदा याम्यैश्च नीतोऽसाविंद्रसेनो दुरात्मवान्॥ यमान्तिकमनुप्राप्तस्तदा राजा सकल्मषः

tadā yāmyaiśca nīto'sāviṃdraseno durātmavān|| yamāntikamanuprāptastadā rājā sakalmaṣaḥ

Then that evil-souled Indrasena was led away by Yama's messengers, and that sinful king came into Yama's presence.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.5.70)

यमेन दृष्टस्तत्रासाविंद्रसेनोग्रतः स्थितः॥ अभ्युत्थानपरो भूत्वा ननाम शिरसा शिवम्

yamena dṛṣṭastatrāsāviṃdrasenogrataḥ sthitaḥ|| abhyutthānaparo bhūtvā nanāma śirasā śivam

Seen by Yama there, Indrasena stood before him; and rising respectfully, he bowed his head to Shiva.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.5.71)

दूतान्संभर्त्सयामास यमो धर्मभृतां वरः॥ पाशैर्बद्धं चंद्रसेनं मुक्त्वा प्रोवाच धर्मराट्

dūtānsaṃbhartsayāmāsa yamo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ|| pāśairbaddhaṃ caṃdrasenaṃ muktvā provāca dharmarāṭ

Yama, best among the upholders of dharma, rebuked his messengers; and, releasing Chandrasena, who was bound with cords, the King of Dharma said —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.5.72)

गच्छ पुण्यतमाँल्लोकान्भुंक्ष्व राजन्यसत्तम॥ यावदिंद्रश्च नाकेऽस्ति यावत्सूर्यो नभस्तले

gaccha puṇyatamā~llokānbhuṃkṣva rājanyasattama|| yāvadiṃdraśca nāke'sti yāvatsūryo nabhastale

"Go, O best of kings, and enjoy the most blessed worlds — for as long as Indra remains in heaven, for as long as the sun remains in the sky,"

Verse 73 (skanda.1.5.73)

पंचभूतानि यावच्च तावत्त्वं च सुखी भव॥ सुकृती त्वं महाराज शिवभक्तोऽसि नित्यदा

paṃcabhūtāni yāvacca tāvattvaṃ ca sukhī bhava|| sukṛtī tvaṃ mahārāja śivabhakto'si nityadā

"— and for as long as the five elements endure, so long may you remain happy. O great king, you are a man of merit, you have ever been a devotee of Shiva."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.5.74)

यमस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा इंद्रसेनोभ्यभाषत॥ अहं शिवं न जानामि मृगयारसिको ह्यहम्

yamasya vacanaṃ śrutvā iṃdrasenobhyabhāṣata|| ahaṃ śivaṃ na jānāmi mṛgayārasiko hyaham

Hearing Yama's words, Indrasena replied: "I do not know Shiva; I am only one devoted to the pleasures of the hunt."

Verse 75 (skanda.1.5.75)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य यमो भाष्यमभाषत॥ आहर प्रहरस्वेति उक्तं चेदं सदा त्वया

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya yamo bhāṣyamabhāṣata|| āhara praharasveti uktaṃ cedaṃ sadā tvayā

Hearing his words, Yama replied: "'Āhara! Praharasva!' (Fetch it! Strike!) — these are the words you have always spoken."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.5.76)

तेन कर्मविपाकेन सदा पूतोसि मानद॥ तस्मात्त्वं गच्छ कैलासं पर्वतं शंकरं प्रति

tena karmavipākena sadā pūtosi mānada|| tasmāttvaṃ gaccha kailāsaṃ parvataṃ śaṃkaraṃ prati

"By the ripening of that very action you have ever been made pure, O giver of honor — for both 'āhara' and 'prahara' carry hidden within them the name 'Hara'; therefore go now to Mount Kailasa, toward Shankara."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.5.77)

एवं संभाषमाणस्य यमस्य च महात्मनः॥ आगताः शिवद्वतास्ते वृषारूढा महाप्रभाः

evaṃ saṃbhāṣamāṇasya yamasya ca mahātmanaḥ|| āgatāḥ śivadvatāste vṛṣārūḍhā mahāprabhāḥ

While the great soul Yama was thus speaking, there arrived Shiva's messengers, bull-mounted and of great splendor.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.5.78)

नीलकंठा दशभुजाः पंचवक्त्रास्त्रिलोचनाः॥ कपर्द्दिनः कुंडलिनः शशंकांकितमौलयः

nīlakaṃṭhā daśabhujāḥ paṃcavaktrāstrilocanāḥ|| kaparddinaḥ kuṃḍalinaḥ śaśaṃkāṃkitamaulayaḥ

Blue-throated, ten-armed, five-faced, three-eyed, matted-locked, earringed, their crowns marked with the crescent moon.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.5.79)

तान्दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय यमो धर्मभृतां वरः॥ पूजयामास तान्सर्वान्महेंद्रप्रतिमांस्तदा

tāndṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya yamo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ|| pūjayāmāsa tānsarvānmaheṃdrapratimāṃstadā

Seeing them, Yama, best among the upholders of dharma, rose up at once and worshipped them all, as if they were great Indra himself.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.5.80)

त्वरीरेनैव ते सर्वे ऊचुर्वैवस्वतं यमम्॥ अत्रागतो महाभाग इंद्रसेनोऽमितद्युतिः॥ नाम्नाः प्रवर्त्तको नित्यं रुद्रस्य च महात्मनः

tvarīrenaiva te sarve ūcurvaivasvataṃ yamam|| atrāgato mahābhāga iṃdraseno'mitadyutiḥ|| nāmnāḥ pravarttako nityaṃ rudrasya ca mahātmanaḥ

They all swiftly said to Vaivasvata Yama: "Here has come the most fortunate Indrasena, of measureless splendor, who has ever, through his very name, been an instrument of great Rudra's glory."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.5.81)

श्रुत्वा च वचनं तेषां यमेन च पुरस्कृतः॥ इंद्रसेनो विमानस्थः प्रेषितो हि शिवालयम्

śrutvā ca vacanaṃ teṣāṃ yamena ca puraskṛtaḥ|| iṃdraseno vimānasthaḥ preṣito hi śivālayam

Hearing their words, honored by Yama, Indrasena, seated in a celestial chariot, was sent to Shiva's abode.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.5.82)

आनीतोयं तदा तैश्च पार्षदप्रवरोत्तमैः॥ शंभुना हि तदा दृष्ट इंद्रसेनोऽमितद्युतिः

ānītoyaṃ tadā taiśca pārṣadapravarottamaiḥ|| śaṃbhunā hi tadā dṛṣṭa iṃdraseno'mitadyutiḥ

Brought there by those foremost attendants, Indrasena of measureless splendor was then beheld by Shambhu.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.5.83)

अभ्युत्थायागतो रुद्रः परिष्वज्य तदा नृपम्॥ अर्द्धासनगतं कृत्वा इंद्रसेनं ततोऽब्रवीत्

abhyutthāyāgato rudraḥ pariṣvajya tadā nṛpam|| arddhāsanagataṃ kṛtvā iṃdrasenaṃ tato'bravīt

Rudra rose and came forward, embraced the king, and, seating Indrasena beside him on half his own seat, said to him —

Verse 84 (skanda.1.5.84)

किं दातव्यं नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रयच्छामि तवेप्सितम्॥ इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य महेशस्य तदा नृपः॥ आनंदाश्रुकणान्मुंचन्प्रेम्णा नोवाच किंचन

kiṃ dātavyaṃ nṛpaśreṣṭha prayacchāmi tavepsitam|| iti śrutvā vacastasya maheśasya tadā nṛpaḥ|| ānaṃdāśrukaṇānmuṃcanpremṇā novāca kiṃcana

"What is to be given, O best of kings? I shall grant your desire." Hearing Mahesha's words, the king, shedding tears of joy from sheer love, said nothing at all.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.5.85)

तदा कृतो महेशेन पार्षदो हि महात्मना॥ चंडो नाम्नाच विख्यातोमुण्डस्य च सखा प्रियः

tadā kṛto maheśena pārṣado hi mahātmanā|| caṃḍo nāmnāca vikhyātomuṇḍasya ca sakhā priyaḥ

Then the great-souled Mahesha made him one of his own attendants, who became renowned by the name Chanda, the dear companion of Munda.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.5.86)

नामोच्चारणमात्रेण रुद्रस्य परमात्मनः॥ सिद्धिं प्राप्तो हि पापिष्ठ इद्रसेनो नराधिपः

nāmoccāraṇamātreṇa rudrasya paramātmanaḥ|| siddhiṃ prāpto hi pāpiṣṭha idraseno narādhipaḥ

By the mere utterance of the name of Rudra, the Supreme Self, that most sinful King Indrasena attained perfection.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.5.87)

रहेहरेति वै नाम्ना शंभोश्चक्रधरस्य च॥ रक्षिता बहवो मर्त्याः शिवेन परमात्मना

rahehareti vai nāmnā śaṃbhoścakradharasya ca|| rakṣitā bahavo martyāḥ śivena paramātmanā

By the very name "Hara, Hara" of Shambhu the wheel-bearer, many mortals have been saved by Shiva, the Supreme Self.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.5.88)

महेशान्नापरो देवो दृश्यतेभुवनत्रये॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूजनीयः सदाशिवः

maheśānnāparo devo dṛśyatebhuvanatraye|| tasmātsarvaprayatnena pūjanīyaḥ sadāśivaḥ

No god greater than Mahesha is seen in the three worlds; therefore, with every effort, Sadashiva is to be worshipped.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.5.89)

पत्रैःपुष्पैः फलैर्वापि जलैर्वा विमलैः सदा॥ करवीरैः पूज्यमानः शंकरो वरदो भवेत्

patraiḥpuṣpaiḥ phalairvāpi jalairvā vimalaiḥ sadā|| karavīraiḥ pūjyamānaḥ śaṃkaro varado bhavet

Worshipped with leaves, flowers, or fruits, or ever with pure water, or with oleander flowers, Shankara becomes the granter of boons.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.5.90)

करवीराद्दशगुणमर्कपुष्पं विशिष्यते॥ विभूत्यादिकृतं सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्

karavīrāddaśaguṇamarkapuṣpaṃ viśiṣyate|| vibhūtyādikṛtaṃ sarvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram

Ten times more excellent than the oleander is the flower of the arka plant; and this entire moving and unmoving universe is itself made of holy ash and the like.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.5.91)

शिवस्यांगणलग्ना या तस्मात्तां धारयेत्सदा॥ ततस्त्रिपुंड्रे यत्पुम्यं तच्छृणुध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः

śivasyāṃgaṇalagnā yā tasmāttāṃ dhārayetsadā|| tatastripuṃḍre yatpumyaṃ tacchṛṇudhvaṃ dvijottamāḥ

That ash which clings to Shiva's own courtyard should therefore always be worn. Now hear the merit of the tripundra, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.5.92)

सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं तच्छृणुध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ स्तेनः कोऽपि महापापो घातितो राजदूतकैः

sarvapāpaharaṃ puṇyaṃ tacchṛṇudhvaṃ dvijottamāḥ|| stenaḥ ko'pi mahāpāpo ghātito rājadūtakaiḥ

Hear that merit which removes all sins, O best of the twice-born: a great sinner, a thief, was slain by the king's men.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.5.93)

तं खादितुं समायातः श्वाशिरस्युपरिस्थितः॥ नखांतरालसंलग्ना रक्षा तस्यैव पापिनः

taṃ khādituṃ samāyātaḥ śvāśirasyuparisthitaḥ|| nakhāṃtarālasaṃlagnā rakṣā tasyaiva pāpinaḥ

A dog came to devour him and stood over his head; clinging between its claws was that very sinner's protection —

Verse 94 (skanda.1.5.94)

ललाटे पतिता तस्य त्रिपुंड्रांकिंतमुद्रया॥ चैतन्येन विना तस्य देहमात्रैकलग्नया

lalāṭe patitā tasya tripuṃḍrāṃkiṃtamudrayā|| caitanyena vinā tasya dehamātraikalagnayā

— the mark of the tripundra that had fallen upon his forehead, clinging only to that lifeless body, by the strength of that sign alone.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.5.95)

कैलासं तस्करो नीतो रुद्रदूतैस्ततस्तदा॥ विभूतेर्महिमानं तु को विशेषितुर्महति

kailāsaṃ taskaro nīto rudradūtaistatastadā|| vibhūtermahimānaṃ tu ko viśeṣiturmahati

That thief was carried to Kailasa by Rudra's own messengers — for who indeed can fully describe the greatness of holy ash?

Verse 96 (skanda.1.5.96)

विभूत्वा मंडितांगानां नराणां पुण्यकर्मणाम्॥ मुखे पंचाक्षरो येषां रुद्रास्ते नात्र संशयः

vibhūtvā maṃḍitāṃgānāṃ narāṇāṃ puṇyakarmaṇām|| mukhe paṃcākṣaro yeṣāṃ rudrāste nātra saṃśayaḥ

Those whose limbs are adorned with holy ash, whose deeds are meritorious, and upon whose lips is the five-syllabled mantra — they are Rudra himself, without doubt.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.5.97)

जटाकलापिनो ये च ये रुद्राक्षविभूषणाः॥ ते वै मनुष्यरूपेण रुद्रा नास्त्यत्र संशयः

jaṭākalāpino ye ca ye rudrākṣavibhūṣaṇāḥ|| te vai manuṣyarūpeṇa rudrā nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ

Those who wear matted locks, and those adorned with rudraksha beads, are indeed Rudra himself in human form; there is no doubt of this.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.5.98)

तस्मात्सदाशिवः पुंभिः पूजनीयो हि नित्यशः॥ प्रातर्मध्याह्नकाले च सायं संध्या विशिष्यते

tasmātsadāśivaḥ puṃbhiḥ pūjanīyo hi nityaśaḥ|| prātarmadhyāhnakāle ca sāyaṃ saṃdhyā viśiṣyate

Therefore men should worship Sadashiva daily; the morning, midday, and evening twilight are each especially significant times for this.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.5.99)

प्रातस्तु दर्शनाच्छंभोर्नैशमेनो व्यपोहति॥ मध्याह्ने दर्शनाच्छंभोः सप्तजन्मार्जितं नृणाम्॥ पापं प्रणाशमायाति निशायां नैव गण्यते

prātastu darśanācchaṃbhornaiśameno vyapohati|| madhyāhne darśanācchaṃbhoḥ saptajanmārjitaṃ nṛṇām|| pāpaṃ praṇāśamāyāti niśāyāṃ naiva gaṇyate

By the sight of Shambhu in the morning, one's nightly sins are dispelled; by his sight at midday, sins accumulated over seven births are destroyed; the merit of a nighttime darshan cannot even be reckoned.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.5.100)

शिवेति द्व्यक्षरं नाम महा पापप्रणाशनम्॥ येषां मुखोद्गतं नॄणां तैरिदं धार्यते जगत्

śiveti dvyakṣaraṃ nāma mahā pāpapraṇāśanam|| yeṣāṃ mukhodgataṃ nṝṇāṃ tairidaṃ dhāryate jagat

The two-syllabled name "Shiva," destroyer of great sin — by those men in whose mouth it arises, this world itself is upheld.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.5.101)

शिवांगणे तु या भेरी स्थापिता पुण्यकर्मभिः॥ तस्या नादेन पूता वै ये च पापरता जनाः॥ पाषंडिनोऽप्यसद्वादास्तेऽपि यांति परां गतिम्

śivāṃgaṇe tu yā bherī sthāpitā puṇyakarmabhiḥ|| tasyā nādena pūtā vai ye ca pāparatā janāḥ|| pāṣaṃḍino'pyasadvādāste'pi yāṃti parāṃ gatim

As for the drum installed in Shiva's courtyard by the meritorious — by its very sound, sinful men and even heretics devoted to false doctrines are purified and attain the supreme goal.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.5.102)

पशोर्यस्य च संबद्धा चर्मणा च शिवालये॥ नृभिर्या स्थापिता भेरी मृदंगमुरजादि च॥ स पशुः शिवसान्निध्यमाप्नोत्यत्र न संशयः

paśoryasya ca saṃbaddhā carmaṇā ca śivālaye|| nṛbhiryā sthāpitā bherī mṛdaṃgamurajādi ca|| sa paśuḥ śivasānnidhyamāpnotyatra na saṃśayaḥ

Whatever animal's hide is used by men to make the drum, mridanga, muraja, or the like in Shiva's temple — that very animal too attains nearness to Shiva, there is no doubt.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.5.103)

तस्मात्ततं च विततं घनं सुषिरमेव च॥ चामराणि महार्हाणि मंचकाः शयनानि च

tasmāttataṃ ca vitataṃ ghanaṃ suṣirameva ca|| cāmarāṇi mahārhāṇi maṃcakāḥ śayanāni ca

Therefore stringed, wind, struck, and hollow instruments; costly chowries, platforms, and beds —

Verse 104 (skanda.1.5.104)

गाथाश्च इतिहासाश्च गायनं च यथाविधि॥ बहुरूपादिकं शंभोः प्रियान्येतानि कल्पयेत्

gāthāśca itihāsāśca gāyanaṃ ca yathāvidhi|| bahurūpādikaṃ śaṃbhoḥ priyānyetāni kalpayet

ballads, legends, singing performed according to rule, and the various dramatic impersonations — all these should be arranged as things dear to Shambhu.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.5.105)

कल्पयित्वा च गच्छंति शिवलोकं हि पापिनः॥ सुधर्माणो महात्मानः शिवपूजाविशारदाः

kalpayitvā ca gacchaṃti śivalokaṃ hi pāpinaḥ|| sudharmāṇo mahātmānaḥ śivapūjāviśāradāḥ

Having arranged these, even sinners go to Shiva's world — how much more so the truly righteous, great souls skilled in the worship of Shiva!

Verse 106 (skanda.1.5.106)

गुरोर्मुखाच्च संप्राप्तशिवपूजारताश्च ये॥ शिवरूपेण ये विश्वं पश्यंति कृतनिश्चयाः

gurormukhācca saṃprāptaśivapūjāratāśca ye|| śivarūpeṇa ye viśvaṃ paśyaṃti kṛtaniścayāḥ

Those who, receiving it from a guru's own mouth, are devoted to Shiva's worship, and who, with firm resolve, see the whole universe in the very form of Shiva —

Verse 107 (skanda.1.5.107)

सम्यग्बुद्ध्या समाचारा वर्णाश्रमयुता नराः॥ ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्वयाः शूद्राश्चान्ये तथा नराः

samyagbuddhyā samācārā varṇāśramayutā narāḥ|| brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśvayāḥ śūdrāścānye tathā narāḥ

men of right understanding and right conduct, belonging to the varnas and ashramas — brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, and other men besides —

Verse 108 (skanda.1.5.108)

श्वपचोऽपि वरिष्ठः स शंभोः प्रियतरो भवेत्॥ शंभुनाधिष्ठितं सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्

śvapaco'pi variṣṭhaḥ sa śaṃbhoḥ priyataro bhavet|| śaṃbhunādhiṣṭhitaṃ sarvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram

even a dog-cooking outcaste, if such, becomes yet dearer still to Shambhu; this entire moving and unmoving universe is presided over by Shambhu.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.5.109)

तस्मात्सर्वं शिवमयं ज्ञातव्यं सुविशेषतः॥ वेदैः पुराणैः शास्त्रैश्च तथौपनिपदैरपि

tasmātsarvaṃ śivamayaṃ jñātavyaṃ suviśeṣataḥ|| vedaiḥ purāṇaiḥ śāstraiśca tathaupanipadairapi

Therefore all this is to be known, in every particular, as consisting wholly of Shiva — through the Vedas, the Puranas, the Shastras, and the Upanishads as well.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.5.110)

आगमैर्विविधैः शंभुर्ज्ञातव्यो नात्र संशयः॥ निष्कामैश्च सकामैश्च पूजनीयः सदा शिवः

āgamairvividhaiḥ śaṃbhurjñātavyo nātra saṃśayaḥ|| niṣkāmaiśca sakāmaiśca pūjanīyaḥ sadā śivaḥ

Through the manifold Agamas, Shambhu is to be known, without doubt; whether by the desireless or the desirous, Shiva is ever to be worshipped.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.5.111)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ कथयामि पुरावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम्॥ नंदी नाम पुरा वैश्यो ह्यवंतीपुरमावसत्

||lomaśa uvāca|| kathayāmi purāvṛttamitihāsaṃ purātanam|| naṃdī nāma purā vaiśyo hyavaṃtīpuramāvasat

Lomasha said: I shall now tell an ancient legend — once, in the city of Avanti, there lived a merchant named Nandi.

Verse 112 (skanda.1.5.112)

शिवध्यानपरो भूत्वा शिवपूजां चकार सः॥ नित्यं तपोवनस्थं हि लिंगमेकं समर्चयत्

śivadhyānaparo bhūtvā śivapūjāṃ cakāra saḥ|| nityaṃ tapovanasthaṃ hi liṃgamekaṃ samarcayat

Devoted to meditation on Shiva, he performed Shiva's worship; daily he worshipped a single linga standing in a grove of austerity.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.5.113)

उषस्युषसि चोत्थाय प्रत्यहं शिववल्लभः॥ नंदीलिंगार्च्चनरतो बभूवातिशयेन हि

uṣasyuṣasi cotthāya pratyahaṃ śivavallabhaḥ|| naṃdīliṃgārccanarato babhūvātiśayena hi

Rising each dawn, Nandi, that beloved devotee of Shiva, became exceedingly devoted to the worship of the linga.

Verse 114 (skanda.1.5.114)

लिंगं पंचामृतेनैव यथोक्तेनाभ्यषेचयत्॥ विप्रैः समावृतो नित्यं वेदवेदांगपारगैः

liṃgaṃ paṃcāmṛtenaiva yathoktenābhyaṣecayat|| vipraiḥ samāvṛto nityaṃ vedavedāṃgapāragaiḥ

He anointed the linga, as prescribed, with the five nectars, ever surrounded by brahmins learned in the Veda and its ancillary sciences.

Verse 115 (skanda.1.5.115)

यथाशास्त्रेण विधिना लिंगार्चनपरोऽभवत्॥ स्नापयित्वा ततः पुष्पैर्नानश्चर्यसमन्वितैः

yathāśāstreṇa vidhinā liṃgārcanaparo'bhavat|| snāpayitvā tataḥ puṣpairnānaścaryasamanvitaiḥ

According to the rule laid down in scripture, he was devoted to the worship of the linga; having bathed it, then with manifold wondrous flowers,

Verse 116 (skanda.1.5.116)

मुक्ताफलैरिंद्रनीलैर्गोमेदैश्च निरंतरम्॥ वैडूर्यैश्चैव नीलैश्च माणिक्यैश्च तथार्चयत्

muktāphalairiṃdranīlairgomedaiśca niraṃtaram|| vaiḍūryaiścaiva nīlaiśca māṇikyaiśca tathārcayat

with pearls, sapphires, and gomeda gems continually, and with cat's-eye, blue sapphires, and rubies too, he worshipped it.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.5.117)

एवं नंदी महाभागो बहून्यब्दानि चार्च्चयत्॥ विजनस्थं तदा लिंगं नानाभोगसमन्वितम्

evaṃ naṃdī mahābhāgo bahūnyabdāni cārccayat|| vijanasthaṃ tadā liṃgaṃ nānābhogasamanvitam

Thus that most fortunate Nandi worshipped for many years that linga, standing in a solitary place, endowed with every kind of offering.

Verse 118 (skanda.1.5.118)

एकदा मृगयासक्तः किरातो भूतहिंसकः॥ अविवेकपरो भूत्वा मृगयारसिकः सदा

ekadā mṛgayāsaktaḥ kirāto bhūtahiṃsakaḥ|| avivekaparo bhūtvā mṛgayārasikaḥ sadā

Once, a hunter, devoted to the hunt and a slayer of creatures, ever unmindful and ever fond of the chase,

Verse 119 (skanda.1.5.119)

पापी पापसमाचारो विचरन्गिरिकंदरे॥ अनेकश्वापदाकीर्णे हन्यमान इतस्ततः

pāpī pāpasamācāro vicarangirikaṃdare|| anekaśvāpadākīrṇe hanyamāna itastataḥ

sinful and of sinful conduct, driven hither and thither in a mountain glen teeming with many fierce beasts,

Verse 120 (skanda.1.5.120)

एवं विचरमाणोऽसौ किरातो भूतहिंसकः॥ यदृच्छयागतस्तत्र यत्र लिंगं सुपूजितम्

evaṃ vicaramāṇo'sau kirāto bhūtahiṃsakaḥ|| yadṛcchayāgatastatra yatra liṃgaṃ supūjitam

wandering thus, that creature-slaying hunter came by chance to that very place where the well-worshipped linga stood.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.5.121)

उदकं वीक्षमाणोऽसौ तृषया पीडितो भृशम्॥ ततो वने सरः शीघ्रं दृष्ट्वा तोये समाविशत्

udakaṃ vīkṣamāṇo'sau tṛṣayā pīḍito bhṛśam|| tato vane saraḥ śīghraṃ dṛṣṭvā toye samāviśat

Sorely afflicted by thirst and searching for water, he quickly saw a lake in the forest and entered its waters.

Verse 122 (skanda.1.5.122)

तीरे संस्थाप्य दुष्टात्मा तत्सर्वं मृगयादिकम्॥ गंडूषोत्सर्जनं कृत्वा पीत्वा तोयं च निर्गतः

tīre saṃsthāpya duṣṭātmā tatsarvaṃ mṛgayādikam|| gaṃḍūṣotsarjanaṃ kṛtvā pītvā toyaṃ ca nirgataḥ

That wicked-souled man, having set all his hunting gear on the bank, rinsed his mouth, drank the water, and came out.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.5.123)

शिवालयं ददर्शाग्रे अनेकाश्चर्यमंडितम्॥ दृष्टं सुपूजितं लिंगं नानारत्नैः पृथक्पृथक्

śivālayaṃ dadarśāgre anekāścaryamaṃḍitam|| dṛṣṭaṃ supūjitaṃ liṃgaṃ nānāratnaiḥ pṛthakpṛthak

Ahead he saw a temple of Shiva, adorned with many wonders; he beheld the linga, well-worshipped with manifold gems set apart.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.5.124)

तथा लिंगं समालक्ष्य यदा पूजां समाहरत्॥ रत्नानि सर्वभूतानि विधूतानि इतस्ततः

tathā liṃgaṃ samālakṣya yadā pūjāṃ samāharat|| ratnāni sarvabhūtāni vidhūtāni itastataḥ

As he gazed upon the linga, wishing to make his own offering, all those gems and adornments scattered here and there.

Verse 125 (skanda.1.5.125)

स्नपनं तस्य लिंगस्य कृतं गंडूषवारिणा॥ करेणैकेन पूजार्थं बिल्वपत्राणि सोऽर्पयत्

snapanaṃ tasya liṃgasya kṛtaṃ gaṃḍūṣavāriṇā|| kareṇaikena pūjārthaṃ bilvapatrāṇi so'rpayat

He bathed that linga with water from his own mouth, and with one hand offered bilva leaves for worship,

Verse 126 (skanda.1.5.126)

द्वितीयेन करेँणैव मृगमांसं समर्पयत्॥ दण्डप्रणामसंयुक्तः संकल्पं मनसाऽकरोत्

dvitīyena kare~ṇaiva mṛgamāṃsaṃ samarpayat|| daṇḍapraṇāmasaṃyuktaḥ saṃkalpaṃ manasā'karot

and with the other hand offered deer meat; then, falling prostrate on the ground, he made this resolve in his mind —

Verse 127 (skanda.1.5.127)

अद्यप्रभृति पूजां वै करिष्यामि प्रयत्नतः॥ त्वं मे स्वामी च भक्तोहमद्यप्रभृति शंकर

adyaprabhṛti pūjāṃ vai kariṣyāmi prayatnataḥ|| tvaṃ me svāmī ca bhaktohamadyaprabhṛti śaṃkara

"From this day forward I shall perform worship with all my effort; you are my Lord, and I, from today, am your devotee, O Shankara."

Verse 128 (skanda.1.5.128)

एवं नैयमिको भूत्वा किरातो गृहमागतः॥ नन्दी ददर्श तत्सर्वं किरातेन इतस्ततः

evaṃ naiyamiko bhūtvā kirāto gṛhamāgataḥ|| nandī dadarśa tatsarvaṃ kirātena itastataḥ

Having thus become bound to this observance, the hunter returned home. Nandi saw all that the hunter had done, scattered here and there.

Verse 129 (skanda.1.5.129)

चिंतायुक्तोऽभवन्नंदी जातं किं छिद्रमद्य मे॥ कथितानि च विघ्नानि शिवपूजारतस्य च॥ उपस्थितानि तान्येव मम भाग्यविपर्ययात्

ciṃtāyukto'bhavannaṃdī jātaṃ kiṃ chidramadya me|| kathitāni ca vighnāni śivapūjāratasya ca|| upasthitāni tānyeva mama bhāgyaviparyayāt

Nandi became filled with anxious thought: "What flaw has befallen me today?" — he took these obstacles that had come upon him, devoted as he was to Shiva's worship, to be the result of his own ill fortune.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.5.130)

एवं विमृश्य सुचिरं प्रक्षाल्य शिवमंदिरम्॥ यथागतेन मार्गेण नंदी स्वगृहमागतः

evaṃ vimṛśya suciraṃ prakṣālya śivamaṃdiram|| yathāgatena mārgeṇa naṃdī svagṛhamāgataḥ

Having pondered thus for a long while, and cleansed the temple of Shiva, Nandi returned home by the way he had come.

Verse 131 (skanda.1.5.131)

ततो नंदिनमागत्य पुरोधा गतमानसम्॥ अब्रवोद्वचनं तं तु कस्मात्त्वं गतमानसः

tato naṃdinamāgatya purodhā gatamānasam|| abravodvacanaṃ taṃ tu kasmāttvaṃ gatamānasaḥ

Then the family priest, coming to Nandi whose mind was troubled, said: "Why is your mind so distracted?"

Verse 132 (skanda.1.5.132)

पुरोहितं प्रति तदा नन्दी वचनमब्रवीत्

purohitaṃ prati tadā nandī vacanamabravīt

Nandi then spoke these words to the priest.

Verse 133 (skanda.1.5.133)

अद्य दृष्टं मया विप्र अमेध्यं शिवसंनिधौ॥ केनेदं कारितं तत्र न जानामि कथंचन

adya dṛṣṭaṃ mayā vipra amedhyaṃ śivasaṃnidhau|| kenedaṃ kāritaṃ tatra na jānāmi kathaṃcana

"Today, O brahmin, I saw something unfit near Shiva; I do not know at all by whom this was done."

Verse 134 (skanda.1.5.134)

ततः पुरोधा वचनं नन्दिनं चाब्रवीत्तदा॥ येन विस्खलितं तत्र रत्नादीनां प्रपूजनम्॥ सोऽपि मूढो न संदेहः कार्याकार्येषु मंदधीः

tataḥ purodhā vacanaṃ nandinaṃ cābravīttadā|| yena viskhalitaṃ tatra ratnādīnāṃ prapūjanam|| so'pi mūḍho na saṃdehaḥ kāryākāryeṣu maṃdadhīḥ

Then the priest said to Nandi: "Whoever disturbed that well-arranged worship of gems there must indeed, without doubt, be a fool, dull-minded as to what should and should not be done."

Verse 135 (skanda.1.5.135)

तस्माच्चिंता न कर्तव्या त्वया अणुरपि प्रभो॥ प्रभाते च मया सार्द्धं गम्यतां तच्छिवालयम्

tasmācciṃtā na kartavyā tvayā aṇurapi prabho|| prabhāte ca mayā sārddhaṃ gamyatāṃ tacchivālayam

"Therefore, O lord, you need not worry even in the least; tomorrow morning, come with me to that temple of Shiva."

Verse 136 (skanda.1.5.136)

निरीक्षणार्थं दुष्टस्य तत्कार्यं विदधाम्यहम्॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं नन्दी तस्य पुरोधसः

nirīkṣaṇārthaṃ duṣṭasya tatkāryaṃ vidadhāmyaham|| etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ nandī tasya purodhasaḥ

"I shall arrange to watch for that wicked one there." Hearing these words of the priest, Nandi —

Verse 137 (skanda.1.5.137)

आस्थितः स्वगृहे नक्तं दूयमानेन चेतसा॥ तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामाहूय च पुरोधसम्

āsthitaḥ svagṛhe naktaṃ dūyamānena cetasā|| tasyāṃ rātryāṃ vyatītāyāmāhūya ca purodhasam

remained at home that night, his heart troubled; and when that night had passed, having summoned the priest,

Verse 138 (skanda.1.5.138)

गतः शिवालयं नन्दी समं तेन महात्मना॥ ततो दृष्टं पूर्वदिने कृतंतेन दुरात्मना

gataḥ śivālayaṃ nandī samaṃ tena mahātmanā|| tato dṛṣṭaṃ pūrvadine kṛtaṃtena durātmanā

Nandi went to the temple of Shiva together with that great soul; there they saw what that wicked man had done the previous day —

Verse 139 (skanda.1.5.139)

सम्यक्प्रपूजनं कृत्वा नानारत्नपरिच्छदम्॥ पञ्चोपचारसंयुक्तं चैकादस्यन्वितं तथा

samyakprapūjanaṃ kṛtvā nānāratnaparicchadam|| pañcopacārasaṃyuktaṃ caikādasyanvitaṃ tathā

proper worship performed with a covering of various gems, together with the five offerings and the eleven further offerings.

Verse 140 (skanda.1.5.140)

अनेकस्तुतिभिः स्तुत्वा गिरीशं ब्राह्मणैः सह॥ तदा यामद्वयं जातं स्तूयमानस्य नंदिनः

anekastutibhiḥ stutvā girīśaṃ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha|| tadā yāmadvayaṃ jātaṃ stūyamānasya naṃdinaḥ

Praising Girisha with many hymns, together with the brahmins, two watches of the night passed as Nandi thus offered praise.

Verse 141 (skanda.1.5.141)

आयातो हि महाकालस्तथारूपो महाबलः॥ कालरूपो महारौद्रो धनुष्पाणिः प्रतापवान्

āyāto hi mahākālastathārūpo mahābalaḥ|| kālarūpo mahāraudro dhanuṣpāṇiḥ pratāpavān

Then there arrived one in the very form of Mahakala — mighty, terrible in form, dreadful, bow in hand, of great valor.

Verse 142 (skanda.1.5.142)

तं दृष्ट्वा भयवित्रस्तो नन्दी स विललाप ह॥ पुरोधाश्चैव सहसा भयभीतस्तदाभवत्

taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhayavitrasto nandī sa vilalāpa ha|| purodhāścaiva sahasā bhayabhītastadābhavat

Seeing him, Nandi, terrified, began to wail; the priest too suddenly became struck with fear.

Verse 143 (skanda.1.5.143)

किरातेन कृतं तत्र यथापूर्वमविस्खलम्॥ तां पूजां प्रपदाहत्य बिल्वपत्रं समर्पयत्

kirātena kṛtaṃ tatra yathāpūrvamaviskhalam|| tāṃ pūjāṃ prapadāhatya bilvapatraṃ samarpayat

There, exactly as before, without any deviation, the hunter again performed his worship — coming with haste, he offered a bilva leaf.

Verse 144 (skanda.1.5.144)

स्नपनं तस्य कृत्वा च ततो गंडूषवारिणा॥ नैवेद्यं तत्पलं चैव किरातः शिवमर्पयत्

snapanaṃ tasya kṛtvā ca tato gaṃḍūṣavāriṇā|| naivedyaṃ tatpalaṃ caiva kirātaḥ śivamarpayat

Having bathed the linga with mouth-water, the hunter offered a piece of meat to Shiva as naivedya.

Verse 145 (skanda.1.5.145)

दण्डवत्पतितो भूमावुत्थाय स्वगृहं गतः॥ तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं चिंतयामास वै चिरम्

daṇḍavatpatito bhūmāvutthāya svagṛhaṃ gataḥ|| taddṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryaṃ ciṃtayāmāsa vai ciram

Falling prostrate on the ground, he rose and went home; seeing this, Nandi reflected in great wonder for a long time.

Verse 146 (skanda.1.5.146)

पुरोधसा सह तदा नंदीव्याकुलचेतसा॥ तेन चाकारिता विप्रा बहवो वेदवादिनः

purodhasā saha tadā naṃdīvyākulacetasā|| tena cākāritā viprā bahavo vedavādinaḥ

Then, his mind troubled, Nandi, together with the priest, summoned many learned Vedic brahmins.

Verse 147 (skanda.1.5.147)

निवेद्य तेषु तत्सर्वं किरातेन च यत्कृतम्॥ किं कार्यमथ भो विप्राः कथ्यतां च यथातथम्

nivedya teṣu tatsarvaṃ kirātena ca yatkṛtam|| kiṃ kāryamatha bho viprāḥ kathyatāṃ ca yathātatham

Having related to them all that the hunter had done, he asked: "What is to be done now, O brahmins? Tell me truly, as it is."

Verse 148 (skanda.1.5.148)

संप्रधार्य ततः सर्वे मिलित्वा धर्मशास्त्रतः॥ ऊचुः सर्वे तदा विप्रा नंदिनं चातिशंकिनम्

saṃpradhārya tataḥ sarve militvā dharmaśāstrataḥ|| ūcuḥ sarve tadā viprā naṃdinaṃ cātiśaṃkinam

Then all those brahmins, deliberating together according to the scriptures of dharma, said to Nandi, who was full of doubt —

Verse 149 (skanda.1.5.149)

इदं विघ्नं समुत्पन्नं दुर्निवार्यं सुरैरपि॥ तस्मादानय लिंगं त्वं स्वगृहं वैश्यसत्तम

idaṃ vighnaṃ samutpannaṃ durnivāryaṃ surairapi|| tasmādānaya liṃgaṃ tvaṃ svagṛhaṃ vaiśyasattama

"This is an obstacle that has arisen, one that even the gods could not remove; therefore, O best of merchants, take this linga to your own house."

Verse 150 (skanda.1.5.150)

तथेति मत्वासौ नंदी शिवस्योत्पाटनं तदा॥ कृत्वा स्वगृहमानीय प्रतिष्ठाप्य यताविधि

tatheti matvāsau naṃdī śivasyotpāṭanaṃ tadā|| kṛtvā svagṛhamānīya pratiṣṭhāpya yatāvidhi

Thinking this fitting, Nandi uprooted Shiva's linga, brought it to his own house, and installed it there according to rule,

Verse 151 (skanda.1.5.151)

सुवर्णपीठिकां कृत्वा नवरत्नसुशोभिताम्॥ उपचारैरनेकैश्च पूजयामास वै तदा

suvarṇapīṭhikāṃ kṛtvā navaratnasuśobhitām|| upacārairanekaiśca pūjayāmāsa vai tadā

having made for it a golden pedestal adorned with nine gems, and worshipped it then with many rites of service.

Verse 152 (skanda.1.5.152)

अथापरे द्युरायातः किरातः शिवमंदिरम्॥ यावद्विलोक्यामास लिंगमैशं न दृष्टवान्

athāpare dyurāyātaḥ kirātaḥ śivamaṃdiram|| yāvadvilokyāmāsa liṃgamaiśaṃ na dṛṣṭavān

Then, on another day, the hunter came to the temple of Shiva; but when he looked, he could not see Shiva's linga there at all.

Verse 153 (skanda.1.5.153)

मौनं विहाय सहसा ह्याक्रोशन्निदमब्रवीत्॥ हे शंभो क्व गतोसि त्वं दर्शयात्मानमद्य वै

maunaṃ vihāya sahasā hyākrośannidamabravīt|| he śaṃbho kva gatosi tvaṃ darśayātmānamadya vai

Abandoning his silence, he suddenly cried out: "O Shambhu, where have you gone? Show yourself to me today!"

Verse 154 (skanda.1.5.154)

न दृष्टोसि मया त्वं हि त्यजाम्यद्य कलेवरम्॥ हे शंभो हे जगन्नाथ त्रिपुरांतकर प्रभो

na dṛṣṭosi mayā tvaṃ hi tyajāmyadya kalevaram|| he śaṃbho he jagannātha tripurāṃtakara prabho

"I have not seen you — therefore I shall now give up my body! O Shambhu, O Lord of the universe, O destroyer of the three cities, O Lord —"

Verse 155 (skanda.1.5.155)

हे रुद्र हे महादेव दर्शयात्मानमात्मना

he rudra he mahādeva darśayātmānamātmanā

"O Rudra, O Mahadeva, show me your very self!"

Verse 156 (skanda.1.5.156)

एवं साक्षेपमधुरैर्वाक्यैः क्षिप्तः सदाशिवः॥ किरातेन ततो रंगैर्वीरोसौ जठरं स्वकम्

evaṃ sākṣepamadhurairvākyaiḥ kṣiptaḥ sadāśivaḥ|| kirātena tato raṃgairvīrosau jaṭharaṃ svakam

Provoked by such sweet and reproachful words, that hero, the hunter, in a frenzy, began to tear open his own belly with his hands.

Verse 157 (skanda.1.5.157)

विभेदाशु ततो बाहूनास्फोट्यैव रुषाब्रवीत्॥ हे शंभो दर्शयात्मानं कुतो मां त्यज्य यास्यसि

vibhedāśu tato bāhūnāsphoṭyaiva ruṣābravīt|| he śaṃbho darśayātmānaṃ kuto māṃ tyajya yāsyasi

He at once split open his arms, and, striking them together, cried out in fury: "O Shambhu, show your form! Why do you leave me and go?"

Verse 158 (skanda.1.5.158)

इति क्षिप्त्वा ततोंत्राणि मांसमुत्कृत्य सर्वतः॥ तस्मिन्गर्ते करेणैव किरातः सहसाक्षिपत्

iti kṣiptvā tatoṃtrāṇi māṃsamutkṛtya sarvataḥ|| tasmingarte kareṇaiva kirātaḥ sahasākṣipat

Having said this, he cut out his own entrails and flesh entirely, and with his own hand suddenly cast them into that very pit.

Verse 159 (skanda.1.5.159)

स्वस्थं च हृदयं कृत्वा सस्नौ तत्सरसि ध्रुवम्॥ तथैव जलमानीय बिल्वपत्त्रं त्वरान्वितः

svasthaṃ ca hṛdayaṃ kṛtvā sasnau tatsarasi dhruvam|| tathaiva jalamānīya bilvapattraṃ tvarānvitaḥ

Making his heart steady, he then bathed most assuredly in that lake; and likewise, swiftly bringing water and a bilva leaf,

Verse 160 (skanda.1.5.160)

पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं दंडवत्पतितो भुवि

pūjayitvā yathānyāyaṃ daṃḍavatpatito bhuvi

having worshipped duly, he fell prostrate upon the ground.

Verse 161 (skanda.1.5.161)

ध्यानस्थितस्ततस्तत्र किरातः शिवसंनिधौ॥ प्रादुर्भूतस्तदा रुद्रः प्रमथैः परिवारितः

dhyānasthitastatastatra kirātaḥ śivasaṃnidhau|| prādurbhūtastadā rudraḥ pramathaiḥ parivāritaḥ

As the hunter remained absorbed in meditation there, in Shiva's presence, Rudra manifested himself, surrounded by his hosts of Pramathas —

Verse 162 (skanda.1.5.162)

कर्पूरगौरो द्युतिमान्कपर्दी चंद्रशेखरः॥ तं गृहीत्वा करे रुद्र उवाच परिसांत्वयन्

karpūragauro dyutimānkapardī caṃdraśekharaḥ|| taṃ gṛhītvā kare rudra uvāca parisāṃtvayan

camphor-white, radiant, matted-locked, moon-crested; taking him by the hand, Rudra spoke to him, comforting him —

Verse 163 (skanda.1.5.163)

भोभो वीर महाप्राज्ञ मद्भक्तोसि महामते॥ वरं वृणीष्वात्महितं यत्तेऽभिलषितं महत्

bhobho vīra mahāprājña madbhaktosi mahāmate|| varaṃ vṛṇīṣvātmahitaṃ yatte'bhilaṣitaṃ mahat

"O hero, O greatly wise one, O great-minded one, you are my devotee; ask whatever great boon you desire for your own good."

Verse 164 (skanda.1.5.164)

एवमुक्तः स रुद्रेण महाकालो मुदान्वितः॥ पपात दंडवद्भूमौ भक्त्या परमया युतः

evamuktaḥ sa rudreṇa mahākālo mudānvitaḥ|| papāta daṃḍavadbhūmau bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ

Thus addressed by Rudra, that hunter, now like Mahakala, filled with joy, fell prostrate on the ground with supreme devotion.

Verse 165 (skanda.1.5.165)

ततो रुद्रं बभाषे स वरं सम्प्रार्थयाम्यहम्॥ अहं दासोस्मि ते रुद्र त्वं मे स्वामी न संशयः

tato rudraṃ babhāṣe sa varaṃ samprārthayāmyaham|| ahaṃ dāsosmi te rudra tvaṃ me svāmī na saṃśayaḥ

Then he said to Rudra: "This is the boon I ask: I am your servant, O Rudra; you are my Lord, without doubt."

Verse 166 (skanda.1.5.166)

एतद्बुद्धात्मनो भक्तिं देहि जन्मनिजन्मनि॥ त्वं माता च पिता त्वं च त्वं बंधुश्च सखा हि मे

etadbuddhātmano bhaktiṃ dehi janmanijanmani|| tvaṃ mātā ca pitā tvaṃ ca tvaṃ baṃdhuśca sakhā hi me

"Grant devotion to this awakened soul, birth after birth; you are my mother, you are my father, you are my kinsman and my friend."

Verse 167 (skanda.1.5.167)

त्वं गुरुस्त्वं महामंत्रो मंत्रवेद्योऽसि सर्वदा॥ तस्मात्त्वदपरं नान्यत्त्रिषु लोकेषु किंचन

tvaṃ gurustvaṃ mahāmaṃtro maṃtravedyo'si sarvadā|| tasmāttvadaparaṃ nānyattriṣu lokeṣu kiṃcana

"You are my guru, you are the great mantra, you alone are ever to be known through mantra; therefore, in the three worlds, there is nothing else apart from you."

Verse 168 (skanda.1.5.168)

निष्कामं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य किरातस्य तदा भवः॥ ददौ पार्षदमुख्यत्वं द्वारपालत्वमेव च

niṣkāmaṃ vākyamākarṇya kirātasya tadā bhavaḥ|| dadau pārṣadamukhyatvaṃ dvārapālatvameva ca

Hearing the hunter's desireless words, Bhava then granted him the foremost rank among his attendants, and the office of doorkeeper as well.

Verse 169 (skanda.1.5.169)

तदा डमरुनादेन नादितं भुवनत्रयम्॥ भेरीभांकारशब्देन शंखानां निनदेन च

tadā ḍamarunādena nāditaṃ bhuvanatrayam|| bherībhāṃkāraśabdena śaṃkhānāṃ ninadena ca

Then, with the sound of the damaru, the three worlds resounded; with the booming of kettledrums and the blare of conches,

Verse 170 (skanda.1.5.170)

तदा दुंदुभयो नेदुः पटहाश्च सहस्रशः॥ नंदी तं नादमाकर्ण्य विस्मयात्त्वरितो ययौ

tadā duṃdubhayo neduḥ paṭahāśca sahasraśaḥ|| naṃdī taṃ nādamākarṇya vismayāttvarito yayau

and thousands of war-drums, all resounding. Hearing that sound, Nandi went there swiftly, filled with astonishment —

Verse 171 (skanda.1.5.171)

तपोवनं यत्र शिवः स्थितः प्रमथसंवृतः॥ किरातो हि तथा दृष्टो नंदिना च तदा भृशम्

tapovanaṃ yatra śivaḥ sthitaḥ pramathasaṃvṛtaḥ|| kirāto hi tathā dṛṣṭo naṃdinā ca tadā bhṛśam

to that grove of austerity where Shiva stood, surrounded by his Pramathas; and there Nandi saw the hunter as well.

Verse 172 (skanda.1.5.172)

उवाच प्रश्रितो वाक्यं स नंदी विस्मयान्वितः॥ किरातं स्तोतुकामऽसौ परमेण समाधिना

uvāca praśrito vākyaṃ sa naṃdī vismayānvitaḥ|| kirātaṃ stotukāma'sau parameṇa samādhinā

Nandi, filled with wonder, spoke humbly, wishing to praise the hunter with the deepest concentration —

Verse 173 (skanda.1.5.173)

इहानीतस्त्वया शंभुस्त्वं भक्तोसि परंतप॥ त्वं भक्तोऽहमिह प्राप्तो मां निवेदय शंकरे

ihānītastvayā śaṃbhustvaṃ bhaktosi paraṃtapa|| tvaṃ bhakto'hamiha prāpto māṃ nivedaya śaṃkare

"O scorcher of foes, you have brought Shambhu here, you are his devotee; I too am a devotee who has come here — present me to Shankara."

Verse 174 (skanda.1.5.174)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य किरातस्त्वरयान्वितः॥ नंदिनं च करे गृह्य शंकरं समुपागतः

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya kirātastvarayānvitaḥ|| naṃdinaṃ ca kare gṛhya śaṃkaraṃ samupāgataḥ

Hearing his words, the hunter swiftly took Nandi by the hand and brought him before Shankara.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.5.175)

प्रहस्य भगवान्रुद्रः किरातं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ कोऽयं त्वया समानीतो गणानामिह सन्निधौ

prahasya bhagavānrudraḥ kirātaṃ vākyamabravīt|| ko'yaṃ tvayā samānīto gaṇānāmiha sannidhau

The Lord Rudra, smiling, said to the hunter: "Who is this you have brought here, into the presence of my ganas?"

Verse 176 (skanda.1.5.176)

॥किरात उवाच॥ विज्ञप्तोऽसौ किरातेन शंकरो लोकशंकरः॥ तव भक्तः सदा देव तव पूजारतो ह्यसौ

||kirāta uvāca|| vijñapto'sau kirātena śaṃkaro lokaśaṃkaraḥ|| tava bhaktaḥ sadā deva tava pūjārato hyasau

The hunter said: "This is Shankara, benefactor of the worlds, whom I, the hunter, now petition — he is ever your devotee, O God, ever devoted to your worship."

Verse 177 (skanda.1.5.177)

प्रत्यहं रत्नमाणिक्यैः पुष्पैश्चोच्चावचैरपि॥ जीवितेन धनेनापि पूजितोऽसि न संशयः

pratyahaṃ ratnamāṇikyaiḥ puṣpaiścoccāvacairapi|| jīvitena dhanenāpi pūjito'si na saṃśayaḥ

"Daily, with jewels and rubies, with flowers great and small, with his very life and wealth, he has worshipped you — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 178 (skanda.1.5.178)

तस्माज्जानीहि मन्मित्रं नंदिनं भक्तवत्सल

tasmājjānīhi manmitraṃ naṃdinaṃ bhaktavatsala

"Therefore, O you so tender to your devotees, know Nandi to be my friend."

Verse 179 (skanda.1.5.179)

॥महादेव उवाच॥ न जानामि महाभाग नंदिनं वैश्यचर्चितम्॥ त्वं मे भक्तः सखा चेति महाकाल महामते

||mahādeva uvāca|| na jānāmi mahābhāga naṃdinaṃ vaiśyacarcitam|| tvaṃ me bhaktaḥ sakhā ceti mahākāla mahāmate

Mahadeva said: "O most fortunate one, I know no merchant named Nandi; you alone are my devotee and friend, O Mahakala, O wise one."

Verse 180 (skanda.1.5.180)

उपाधिरहिता ये च येऽपि चैव मनस्विनः॥ तेऽतीव मे प्रिया भक्तास्ते विशिष्टा नरोत्तमाः

upādhirahitā ye ca ye'pi caiva manasvinaḥ|| te'tīva me priyā bhaktāste viśiṣṭā narottamāḥ

"Those who are without pretension, and who are truly wise-minded, are exceedingly dear to me as devotees; they are the most distinguished among men."

Verse 181 (skanda.1.5.181)

तव भक्तो ह्यहं तात स च मे प्रियकृत्तरः॥ तावुभौ स्वीकृतौ तेन पार्षदत्वेन शंभुना

tava bhakto hyahaṃ tāta sa ca me priyakṛttaraḥ|| tāvubhau svīkṛtau tena pārṣadatvena śaṃbhunā

"O son, you are my devotee, and this one too is a doer of what is even more pleasing to me." Both of them were then accepted by Shambhu into the rank of his attendants.

Verse 182 (skanda.1.5.182)

ततो विमानानि बहूनि तत्र समागतान्येव महाप्रभाणि॥ किरातवर्येण स वैश्यवर्य उद्धारितस्तेन महाप्रभेण

tato vimānāni bahūni tatra samāgatānyeva mahāprabhāṇi|| kirātavaryeṇa sa vaiśyavarya uddhāritastena mahāprabheṇa

Then many splendid celestial chariots arrived there; and by that most excellent hunter, that excellent merchant too was delivered, through that great and glorious Shiva.

Verse 183 (skanda.1.5.183)

कैलासं पर्वतं प्राप्तौ विमानैर्वेगवत्तरैः॥ सारूप्यमेव संप्राप्तावीश्वरेण महात्मना

kailāsaṃ parvataṃ prāptau vimānairvegavattaraiḥ|| sārūpyameva saṃprāptāvīśvareṇa mahātmanā

The two of them reached Mount Kailasa by chariots of the greatest speed and attained sameness of form with the great-souled Lord.

Verse 184 (skanda.1.5.184)

नीराजितौ गिरिजया शिवेन सहितौ तदा॥ उवाचेदं ततो देवी प्रहस्य गजगामिनी

nīrājitau girijayā śivena sahitau tadā|| uvācedaṃ tato devī prahasya gajagāminī

Waved with lamps of adoration by Girija, and dwelling there together with Shiva, the elephant-gaited Goddess, smiling, said —

Verse 185 (skanda.1.5.185)

यथा त्वं हि महादेव तथा चैतौ न संशयः॥ स्वरूपेण च गत्या च हास्यभावैः सुपूजितौ

yathā tvaṃ hi mahādeva tathā caitau na saṃśayaḥ|| svarūpeṇa ca gatyā ca hāsyabhāvaiḥ supūjitau

"O Mahadeva, as you are, so are these two, without doubt; in form, in gait, and in their manner of laughter, they too are well worthy of worship."

Verse 186 (skanda.1.5.186)

मया त्वमेक एवासीः सेवितो वै न संशयः॥ देव्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा किरातो वैश्य एव च

mayā tvameka evāsīḥ sevito vai na saṃśayaḥ|| devyāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā kirāto vaiśya eva ca

"By me, it is you alone who have ever been served, without doubt." Hearing the Goddess's words, both the hunter and the merchant —

Verse 187 (skanda.1.5.187)

सद्यः पराङ्मुखौ भूत्वा शंकरस्य च पश्यतः॥ भवावस्त्वनुकंप्यौ च भवता हि त्रिलोचन

sadyaḥ parāṅmukhau bhūtvā śaṃkarasya ca paśyataḥ|| bhavāvastvanukaṃpyau ca bhavatā hi trilocana

at once, in Shankara's very sight, turned away in humility and said: "We two are indeed objects only of your compassion, O three-eyed one."

Verse 188 (skanda.1.5.188)

तव द्वारि स्थितौ नित्यं भाववस्ते नमोनमः

tava dvāri sthitau nityaṃ bhāvavaste namonamaḥ

"Ever standing at your door, we bow again and again to you."

Verse 189 (skanda.1.5.189)

तयोर्भावं स भगवान्विदित्वा प्रहसन्भवः॥ उवाच परया भक्त्या भवतोरस्तु वांछितम्

tayorbhāvaṃ sa bhagavānviditvā prahasanbhavaḥ|| uvāca parayā bhaktyā bhavatorastu vāṃchitam

Knowing their inner feeling, the Lord Bhava, smiling, moved by their supreme devotion, said: "Let what you both desire come to pass."

Verse 190 (skanda.1.5.190)

तदा प्रभृति तावेतौ द्वारपालौ बभूवतुः॥ शिवद्वारि स्थितौ विप्रा मध्याह्ने शिवदर्शिनौ

tadā prabhṛti tāvetau dvārapālau babhūvatuḥ|| śivadvāri sthitau viprā madhyāhne śivadarśinau

From that time onward the two became doorkeepers; O brahmins, standing at Shiva's door, they behold Shiva at midday.

Verse 191 (skanda.1.5.191)

एको नंदी महाकालो द्वावेतौ शिववल्लभौ॥ ऊचतुस्तौ मुदायुक्तावेक एव सदाशिवः

eko naṃdī mahākālo dvāvetau śivavallabhau|| ūcatustau mudāyuktāveka eva sadāśivaḥ

One was Nandi, the other Mahakala — these two beloved companions of Shiva joyfully declare that Sadashiva is but one.

Verse 192 (skanda.1.5.192)

एकांगुलिं समुद्धृत्य महादेवोभ्यभाषत॥ तथा नंदी उवाचेदमुद्धृत्य स्वांगुलिद्वयम्

ekāṃguliṃ samuddhṛtya mahādevobhyabhāṣata|| tathā naṃdī uvācedamuddhṛtya svāṃgulidvayam

Mahadeva, raising a single finger, spoke to them; and Nandi likewise, raising his own two fingers, spoke in reply.

Verse 193 (skanda.1.5.193)

एवं संज्ञान्वितौ द्वारि तिष्ठतस्तौ महात्मनः॥ शंकरस्य महाभागाः श्रृण्वंतु ऋषयो ह्यमी

evaṃ saṃjñānvitau dvāri tiṣṭhatastau mahātmanaḥ|| śaṃkarasya mahābhāgāḥ śrṛṇvaṃtu ṛṣayo hyamī

Thus, marked by these very signs, those two great souls stand at the door; let the fortunate sages hear this account of Shankara.

Verse 194 (skanda.1.5.194)

शैलादेन पुरा प्रोक्तं शिवधर्ममनंतकम्॥ प्राणिनां कृपया विप्राः सर्वेषां दुष्कृतात्मनाम्

śailādena purā proktaṃ śivadharmamanaṃtakam|| prāṇināṃ kṛpayā viprāḥ sarveṣāṃ duṣkṛtātmanām

Long ago this boundless dharma of Shiva was declared by Shailada, O brahmins, out of compassion for all beings, even for all those of wicked deeds.

Verse 195 (skanda.1.5.195)

ये पापिनोऽप्यधर्मिष्ठा अंधा मूकाश्च पंगवः॥ कुलहीना दुरात्मानः श्वपचा अपि मानवाः

ye pāpino'pyadharmiṣṭhā aṃdhā mūkāśca paṃgavaḥ|| kulahīnā durātmānaḥ śvapacā api mānavāḥ

Whatever sinners there be, unrighteous, blind, mute, or lame, of low birth, evil-souled, even outcaste dog-cookers among men —

Verse 196 (skanda.1.5.196)

यादृशास्तादृशाश्चान्ये शिवभक्तिपुरस्कृताः॥ तेऽपि गच्छंति सांनिध्यं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

yādṛśāstādṛśāścānye śivabhaktipuraskṛtāḥ|| te'pi gacchaṃti sāṃnidhyaṃ devadevasya śūlinaḥ

whoever they may be, if they hold devotion to Shiva foremost, they too attain the very presence of the trident-bearing God of gods.

Verse 197 (skanda.1.5.197)

लिंगं सिकतामयं ये पूजयंति विपश्चितः॥ ते रुद्रलोकं गच्छंति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

liṃgaṃ sikatāmayaṃ ye pūjayaṃti vipaścitaḥ|| te rudralokaṃ gacchaṃti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Those wise ones who worship even a linga made merely of sand attain the world of Rudra — there is no need for further deliberation on this.