The Establishment of Kumareshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.1.69.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ततस्तृतीयलिंगस्य चिकीर्षु स्थापनं गुहम्॥ ब्रह्मा प्राहास्य प्रीत्यर्थं स्वयमन्यं प्रकुर्महे

||nārada uvāca|| tatastṛtīyaliṁgasya cikīrṣu sthāpanaṁ guham|| brahmā prāhāsya prītyarthaṁ svayamanyaṁ prakurmahe

Narada said: Then, wishing to establish a third linga for Guha, Brahma said to him, "For your delight I shall myself fashion another one."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.69.2)

यद्यप्येतच्छुभं लिंगं सर्वदोषविवर्जितम्॥ तथाप्यन्यत्करिष्येऽहं सर्वश्रेष्ठतमं हि यत्

yadyapyetacchubhaṁ liṁgaṁ sarvadoṣavivarjitam|| tathāpyanyatkariṣye'haṁ sarvaśreṣṭhatamaṁ hi yat

"Although this auspicious linga is free from every defect, still I shall make another — one that is the very best of all."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.69.3)

ततो ब्रह्मा सर्वदोषविमुक्तं निर्ममे स्वयम्॥ दृष्टिकांतं मनःकांतं फलकांतं सुलिंगकम्

tato brahmā sarvadoṣavimuktaṁ nirmame svayam|| dṛṣṭikāṁtaṁ manaḥkāṁtaṁ phalakāṁtaṁ suliṁgakam

Then Brahma himself fashioned, free from every flaw, a beautiful linga delightful to the eye, delightful to the mind, and delightful in its fruit.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.69.4)

तत्र स्कंदस्य प्रीत्यर्थं सर्वदेवैर्निनिर्मितम्॥ सरः सुरम्यं तीर्थानि तत्र ते निदधुस्तथा

tatra skaṁdasya prītyarthaṁ sarvadevairninirmitam|| saraḥ suramyaṁ tīrthāni tatra te nidadhustathā

There, for Skanda's pleasure, all the gods together fashioned a most charming lake, and they placed the sacred fords there as well.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.69.5)

गंगादिकानि तीर्थानि यानि प्रोचुर्दिवौकसः॥ इदं यावत्सरस्तावत्सर्वैरत्र समुष्यताम्

gaṁgādikāni tīrthāni yāni procurdivaukasaḥ|| idaṁ yāvatsarastāvatsarvairatra samuṣyatām

The Ganga and other tirthas which the dwellers of heaven named — of these they said, "As long as this lake exists, let all of you dwell here."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.69.6)

एवमस्त्विति तान्यूचुः प्रीत्यर्थं शरजन्मनः॥ ततो ब्रह्मा स्वयं तत्र रौद्रैर्मंत्रैर्हुताशनम्॥ गाधिपुत्रादिभिर्विप्रैस्तर्पयामास संयुतः

evamastviti tānyūcuḥ prītyarthaṁ śarajanmanaḥ|| tato brahmā svayaṁ tatra raudrairmaṁtrairhutāśanam|| gādhiputrādibhirvipraistarpayāmāsa saṁyutaḥ

"So be it," they said, for the pleasure of the Reed-born one. Then Brahma himself, there, together with brahmins headed by the son of Gadhi, satisfied the sacrificial fire with Rudra-mantras.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.69.7)

ततो वैशाखमासस्य चतुर्द्दश्यां शुभे दिने॥ प्रतिष्ठां चक्रिरे लिंगे चिरं विप्रमुका द्विजाः

tato vaiśākhamāsasya caturddaśyāṁ śubhe dine|| pratiṣṭhāṁ cakrire liṁge ciraṁ vipramukā dvijāḥ

Then, on the auspicious fourteenth day of the month of Vaishakha, the twice-born, foremost among brahmins, performed for long the consecration of the linga.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.69.8)

जगुर्गंधर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः॥ ततः स्कंदः प्रीतियुक्तः स्नात्वा सरसि शोभने

jagurgaṁdharvapatayo nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ|| tataḥ skaṁdaḥ prītiyuktaḥ snātvā sarasi śobhane

The lords of the Gandharvas sang, and the hosts of Apsaras danced. Then Skanda, filled with delight, bathed in the beautiful lake.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.69.9)

सर्वतीर्थोदकैः स्नाप्य तल्लिंगं भक्तिसंयुतः॥ विविधैः पूजयामास पुष्पैर्मंत्रैश्च पंचभिः

sarvatīrthodakaiḥ snāpya talliṁgaṁ bhaktisaṁyutaḥ|| vividhaiḥ pūjayāmāsa puṣpairmaṁtraiśca paṁcabhiḥ

Then, with devotion, having bathed that linga with the waters of all the tirthas, he worshipped it with various flowers and with the five mantras.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.69.10)

पूजाकाले स्वयं तत्र लिंगमध्येस्थितो हरः॥ जंगमा जंगमैः सार्धं स्वयं जग्राह पूजनम्

pūjākāle svayaṁ tatra liṁgamadhyesthito haraḥ|| jaṁgamā jaṁgamaiḥ sārdhaṁ svayaṁ jagrāha pūjanam

At the time of worship, Hara himself was present within the linga; though unmoving, he himself received the worship together with the moving worshippers.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.69.11)

ततस्तं पूजयन्प्राह स्कंदो भक्तिपरिप्लुतः॥ केन केनोपहारेण त्वयि दत्तेन किं फलम्

tatastaṁ pūjayanprāha skaṁdo bhaktipariplutaḥ|| kena kenopahāreṇa tvayi dattena kiṁ phalam

Then, while worshipping him, Skanda, overflowing with devotion, asked: "By offering which particular gift to you, what fruit is obtained?"

Verse 12 (skanda.1.69.12)

॥श्रीमहादेव उवाच॥ मम यः स्थापयेल्लिंगं शुभं सद्म च कारयेत्॥ मल्लोके वसतेऽसौ च वावच्चंद्रदिवाकरौ

||śrīmahādeva uvāca|| mama yaḥ sthāpayelliṁgaṁ śubhaṁ sadma ca kārayet|| malloke vasate'sau ca vāvaccaṁdradivākarau

Shri Mahadeva said: "Whoever establishes my linga and builds an auspicious shrine for it dwells in my world for as long as the sun and moon endure."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.69.13)

मम सद्म सुधाशुभ्रं यावत्संख्यं करोति यः॥ तावंत्येव च जन्मानि यशसासौ विराजते

mama sadma sudhāśubhraṁ yāvatsaṁkhyaṁ karoti yaḥ|| tāvaṁtyeva ca janmāni yaśasāsau virājate

"Whoever whitens my temple with lime, in whatever number he does so — for that same number of births he shines forth in glory."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.69.14)

ध्वजभूतो ध्वजं दत्त्वा विपापः स्यात्पताकया॥ विधाय चित्रविन्यास गंधर्वैः सह मोदते

dhvajabhūto dhvajaṁ dattvā vipāpaḥ syātpatākayā|| vidhāya citravinyāsa gaṁdharvaiḥ saha modate

"By offering a banner, one becomes free of sin through that flag and becomes, as it were, the very embodiment of it; having arranged colorful decorations, he rejoices together with the Gandharvas."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.69.15)

रजःसंशोधनं कृत्वा नरो रोगैः प्रमुच्यते॥ प्राप्नोति देहं हार्दं च सुरसद्मानुलेपनात्

rajaḥsaṁśodhanaṁ kṛtvā naro rogaiḥ pramucyate|| prāpnoti dehaṁ hārdaṁ ca surasadmānulepanāt

"By clearing away the dust of the shrine, a man is freed from diseases; by plastering the temple of the gods, he obtains a beautiful, radiant body."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.69.16)

पुष्पक्षीरादि भिर्दत्तैस्तिलाभोऽक्षतदर्भकैः॥ शंभोः शिरसि दत्त्वार्घ्य दिवि वर्षायुतं वसेत्

puṣpakṣīrādi bhirdattaistilābho'kṣatadarbhakaiḥ|| śaṁbhoḥ śirasi dattvārghya divi varṣāyutaṁ vaset

"By offering flowers, milk and the like, sesame, unbroken rice, and darbha grass, and by offering arghya upon Shambhu's head, one dwells in heaven for ten thousand years."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.69.17)

घृतेन हतपापः स्यान्मधुना सुभगो भवेत्॥ विरोगो दधिदुग्धाभ्यां लिंगं संस्नाप्य जायते

ghṛtena hatapāpaḥ syānmadhunā subhago bhavet|| virogo dadhidugdhābhyāṁ liṁgaṁ saṁsnāpya jāyate

"By bathing the linga with ghee, one's sins are destroyed; with honey, one becomes fortunate; by bathing the linga with curd and milk, one becomes free of disease."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.69.18)

पानीयदधिदुग्धाद्यैः क्रमाद्दशगुणं फलम्॥ मासं संस्नाप्य वै भक्त्या पिष्टाद्यैश्च विरूक्षयेत्

pānīyadadhidugdhādyaiḥ kramāddaśaguṇaṁ phalam|| māsaṁ saṁsnāpya vai bhaktyā piṣṭādyaiśca virūkṣayet

"With water, curd, milk, and so on, the fruit increases tenfold in succession; bathing it for a month with devotion, one should also anoint it with a flour-paste to smoothe it."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.69.19)

कपिलापंचगव्येन सुरसिंधुजलेन वा॥ मां च संस्नाप्य चाभ्यच्च मल्लोकमधिगच्छति

kapilāpaṁcagavyena surasiṁdhujalena vā|| māṁ ca saṁsnāpya cābhyacca mallokamadhigacchati

"Whoever bathes and worships me with the pancagavya of a tawny cow, or with the water of the celestial river, attains my world."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.69.20)

कुशोदकाद्गंधजलं तस्मात्तीर्थोदकं वरम्॥ तीर्थेभ्यश्च जलं दर्शे महीसागरसंभवम्

kuśodakādgaṁdhajalaṁ tasmāttīrthodakaṁ varam|| tīrthebhyaśca jalaṁ darśe mahīsāgarasaṁbhavam

"Better than kusha-water is scented water; better than that is the water of a tirtha; and better than ordinary tirthas is the water at the meeting of the Mahi and the ocean, seen on the appointed day."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.69.21)

कपिलां दत्त्वा यदाप्नोति तत्फलं कलशे पृथक्॥ मृत्ताम्ररौप्यसौवर्णैः क्रमाच्छतगुणं फलम्

kapilāṁ dattvā yadāpnoti tatphalaṁ kalaśe pṛthak|| mṛttāmraraupyasauvarṇaiḥ kramācchataguṇaṁ phalam

"The fruit obtained by giving a tawny cow is separately obtained also from bathing with a pitcher; with vessels of clay, copper, silver, and gold, the fruit increases a hundredfold in succession."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.69.22)

श्रीखंडागरुकाश्मीरशशिनः क्रमशोऽधिकाः॥ मां च तैश्च समालभ्य स्याच्छ्रीमान्सुभगः सुखी

śrīkhaṁḍāgarukāśmīraśaśinaḥ kramaśo'dhikāḥ|| māṁ ca taiśca samālabhya syācchrīmānsubhagaḥ sukhī

"Sandalwood, aloe-wood, saffron, and camphor are each successively more potent; anointing me with these, one becomes prosperous, fortunate, and happy."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.69.23)

प्रशस्तो गुग्लुलो धूपस्तस्माच्चंद्रोऽगरुर्वरः॥ धूपानेतान्नरो दत्त्वा सुखं स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात्

praśasto guglulo dhūpastasmāccaṁdro'garurvaraḥ|| dhūpānetānnaro dattvā sukhaṁ svargamavāpnuyāt

"Guggulu incense is excellent; still better than that is fragrant aloe-wood incense. Offering these, a man happily attains heaven."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.69.24)

दीपदः कीर्तिमाप्नोति चक्षुरुत्तममेव च॥ नैवेद्यस्य प्रदानेन नरो मृष्टाशनो भवेत्

dīpadaḥ kīrtimāpnoti cakṣuruttamameva ca|| naivedyasya pradānena naro mṛṣṭāśano bhavet

"Whoever offers a lamp obtains fame and excellent eyesight; by offering food to the deity, a man comes to enjoy delicious fare."

Verse 25 (skanda.1.69.25)

पुष्पेण हेमकर्णस्य प्रबद्धेन द्विसंगुणम्॥ फलमाप्नोति पुरुषः सत्यसंधश्च जायते

puṣpeṇa hemakarṇasya prabaddhena dvisaṁguṇam|| phalamāpnoti puruṣaḥ satyasaṁdhaśca jāyate

"By offering a flower bound with a gold ear-ornament, a man obtains double the fruit and becomes true to his word."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.69.26)

अखंडैर्बिल्वपत्रैश्च पुष्पैर्वा विविधैरपि॥ लिंगं प्रपूरणं कृत्वा लक्ष्मेकं वसेद्दिवि

akhaṁḍairbilvapatraiśca puṣpairvā vividhairapi|| liṁgaṁ prapūraṇaṁ kṛtvā lakṣmekaṁ vaseddivi

"By covering the linga completely with unbroken bilva leaves or various flowers, one dwells in heaven for a hundred thousand years."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.69.27)

यस्तु पुष्पगृहं कुर्यान्नरः शुद्धाशयो भवेत्॥ पुष्पकेण विमानेन दिवि संक्रीडते चिरम्

yastu puṣpagṛhaṁ kuryānnaraḥ śuddhāśayo bhavet|| puṣpakeṇa vimānena divi saṁkrīḍate ciram

"Whoever builds a flower-pavilion becomes pure of heart; he sports for long in heaven upon the Pushpaka chariot."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.69.28)

भूषणांबरदानेन नरो भवति भोगभाक्॥ सच्चामरप्रदानेन जायते पार्थिवो नरः

bhūṣaṇāṁbaradānena naro bhavati bhogabhāk|| saccāmarapradānena jāyate pārthivo naraḥ

"By the gift of ornaments and garments, a man becomes rich in enjoyments; by offering a fine chowrie, a man becomes a king."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.69.29)

रम्यं वितानं यो दद्याच्छत्रुभिर्नाभूयते॥ गीतं वाद्यं प्रनृत्यं च कृत्वा शुद्धो व्रजेत्स माम्

ramyaṁ vitānaṁ yo dadyācchatrubhirnābhūyate|| gītaṁ vādyaṁ pranṛtyaṁ ca kṛtvā śuddho vrajetsa mām

"Whoever offers a beautiful canopy is never overcome by enemies; performing song, instrumental music, and dance, he, purified, comes to me."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.69.30)

शंखघंटाप्रदानेन विद्वान्भवति शब्दवान्॥ विधाय रथयात्रां च चिरं शोकैः प्रमुच्यते

śaṁkhaghaṁṭāpradānena vidvānbhavati śabdavān|| vidhāya rathayātrāṁ ca ciraṁ śokaiḥ pramucyate

"By offering a conch and a bell, one becomes learned and renowned in speech; by conducting a chariot-procession, one is freed from sorrows for long."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.69.31)

नमस्कारं प्रणामं च कृत्वा जायेन्महाकुले॥ वाचयंश्चाग्रतः शास्त्रं मम ज्ञानी प्रजायते

namaskāraṁ praṇāmaṁ ca kṛtvā jāyenmahākule|| vācayaṁścāgrataḥ śāstraṁ mama jñānī prajāyate

"By offering salutation and prostration, one is born in a great family; whoever recites scripture before me becomes wise."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.69.32)

विमुच्यते मनोमोहैर्भक्त्या स्तुत्वा च मां नरः॥ गोदानफलमाप्नोति निर्माल्यस्फेटनान्मम

vimucyate manomohairbhaktyā stutvā ca māṁ naraḥ|| godānaphalamāpnoti nirmālyaspheṭanānmama

"By devotedly praising me, a man is freed from delusions of mind; by clearing away my faded offerings, he obtains the fruit of the gift of a cow."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.69.33)

आरार्तिकं भ्रामयित्वा अर्तिहीनः प्रजायते॥ कृत्वा शीतलिकां तापैर्मुच्यते दोष संभवैः

ārārtikaṁ bhrāmayitvā artihīnaḥ prajāyate|| kṛtvā śītalikāṁ tāpairmucyate doṣa saṁbhavaiḥ

"By waving the arati lamp, one becomes free from affliction; by applying a cooling anointment, one is freed from the fevers born of one's own faults."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.69.34)

नत्वा दत्त्वाथ शक्त्या च दानं लिंगस्य संनिधौ॥ फलं शतगुणं प्राप्य इह चामुत्र मोदते

natvā dattvātha śaktyā ca dānaṁ liṁgasya saṁnidhau|| phalaṁ śataguṇaṁ prāpya iha cāmutra modate

"By bowing and then giving according to one's ability in the presence of the linga, one obtains a hundredfold fruit and rejoices both here and hereafter."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.69.35)

प्रणामात्पंचदश च स्नानाद्विंशतिं पूजया॥ शतं यथाप्रोक्तविधेरपराधानहं क्षमे

praṇāmātpaṁcadaśa ca snānādviṁśatiṁ pūjayā|| śataṁ yathāproktavidheraparādhānahaṁ kṣame

"Through prostration one gains fifteenfold, through bathing twenty-fold, through worship a hundredfold — and I forgive the offences made in following the prescribed rite."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.69.36)

एतत्सर्वं यथोद्दिष्टं कुमारात्र भविष्यति॥ ये मां प्रपूजयिष्यंति कुमारेश्वर संस्थितम्

etatsarvaṁ yathoddiṣṭaṁ kumārātra bhaviṣyati|| ye māṁ prapūjayiṣyaṁti kumāreśvara saṁsthitam

"O Kumara, all this that has been declared shall come to pass for those who worship me established here as Kumareshvara."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.69.37)

वाराणस्यां यथा वत्स विश्वनाथोऽस्मि संस्थितः

vārāṇasyāṁ yathā vatsa viśvanātho'smi saṁsthitaḥ

"As in Varanasi, O child, I am established as Vishvanatha,"

Verse 38 (skanda.1.69.38)

गुप्तक्षेत्रे तथा स्थास्ये कुमारेश्वरमध्यतः

guptakṣetre tathā sthāsye kumāreśvaramadhyataḥ

"so too shall I abide here in Guptakshetra, within Kumareshvara."

Verse 39 (skanda.1.69.39)

श्रुत्वेति वचनं रुद्राद्देवानां श्रृण्वतां गुहः॥ विस्मितः प्रणिपत्यैनं तुष्टाव गिरिजापतिम्

śrutveti vacanaṁ rudrāddevānāṁ śrṛṇvatāṁ guhaḥ|| vismitaḥ praṇipatyainaṁ tuṣṭāva girijāpatim

Hearing this speech from Rudra, while the gods listened, Guha, astonished, bowed to him and praised the Lord of Girija.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.69.40)

नमः शिवायास्तु निरामयाय नमः शिवायास्तु मनोमयाय॥ नमः शिवायास्तु सुरार्चिताय तुभ्यं सदा भक्तकृपापराय

namaḥ śivāyāstu nirāmayāya namaḥ śivāyāstu manomayāya|| namaḥ śivāyāstu surārcitāya tubhyaṁ sadā bhaktakṛpāparāya

"Salutation to Shiva, free from every affliction; salutation to Shiva, of the nature of mind; salutation to Shiva, worshipped by the gods, to you who are ever devoted to compassion for your devotees."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.69.41)

नमो भवायास्तु भवोद्भवाय नमोस्तु ते ध्वस्तमनोभवाय॥ नमोऽस्तु ते गूढमहाव्रताय नमोऽस्तु मायगहनाश्रयाय

namo bhavāyāstu bhavodbhavāya namostu te dhvastamanobhavāya|| namo'stu te gūḍhamahāvratāya namo'stu māyagahanāśrayāya

"Salutation to Bhava, source of all existence; salutation to you who destroyed the god of love; salutation to you of the hidden great vow; salutation to you, the refuge dwelling in the depth of maya."

Verse 42 (skanda.1.69.42)

नमोस्तु शर्वाय नमः शिवाय नमोस्तु सिद्धाय पुरातनाय॥ नमोस्तु कालाय नमः कलाय नमोऽस्तु ते कालकलातिगाय

namostu śarvāya namaḥ śivāya namostu siddhāya purātanāya|| namostu kālāya namaḥ kalāya namo'stu te kālakalātigāya

"Salutation to Sharva, salutation to Shiva; salutation to the Accomplished One, the Ancient; salutation to Time, salutation to its portion; salutation to you who transcend both time and its portions."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.69.43)

नमो निसर्गात्मकभूतिकाय नमोऽस्त्वमेयोक्षमहर्द्धिकाय॥ नमः शरण्याय नमोऽगुणाय नमोऽस्तु ते भीमगुणानुगाय

namo nisargātmakabhūtikāya namo'stvameyokṣamaharddhikāya|| namaḥ śaraṇyāya namo'guṇāya namo'stu te bhīmaguṇānugāya

"Salutation to you whose nature is spontaneous glory; salutation to you of immeasurable, unshaken great power; salutation to the refuge-giver, salutation to the one beyond qualities; salutation to you who take on terrible qualities."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.69.44)

नमोऽस्तु नानाभुवनाधिकर्त्रे नमोऽस्तु भक्ताभिमतप्रदात्रे॥ नमोऽस्तु कर्मप्रसावाय धात्रे नमः सदा ते भगवन्सुकर्त्रे

namo'stu nānābhuvanādhikartre namo'stu bhaktābhimatapradātre|| namo'stu karmaprasāvāya dhātre namaḥ sadā te bhagavansukartre

"Salutation to the sovereign lord of the manifold worlds; salutation to the giver of what devotees desire; salutation to the creator, the source from which action arises; salutation always to you, O Lord, the good Maker."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.69.45)

अनंतरूपाय सदैव तुभ्यमसह्यकोपाय सदैव तुभ्यम्॥ अमेयमानाय नमोस्तु तुभ्यं वृषेंद्रयानाय नमोऽस्तु तुभ्यम्

anaṁtarūpāya sadaiva tubhyamasahyakopāya sadaiva tubhyam|| ameyamānāya namostu tubhyaṁ vṛṣeṁdrayānāya namo'stu tubhyam

"To you of endless forms, ever salutation; to you of unbearable wrath, ever salutation; salutation to you of immeasurable extent; salutation to you whose vehicle is the lord of bulls."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.69.46)

नमः प्रसिद्धाय महौषधाय नमोऽस्तु ते व्याधिगणापहाय॥ चराचरायाथ विचारदाय कुमारनाथाय नमः शिवाय

namaḥ prasiddhāya mahauṣadhāya namo'stu te vyādhigaṇāpahāya|| carācarāyātha vicāradāya kumāranāthāya namaḥ śivāya

"Salutation to the renowned one, the great medicine; salutation to you, remover of the multitude of diseases; salutation to the one who is both moving and unmoving, the giver of judgment; salutation to Shiva, the lord of Kumara."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.69.47)

ममेश भूतेश महेश्वरोसि कामेश वागीश बलेश धीश॥ क्रोधेश मोहेश परापरेश नमोस्तु मोक्षेश गुहशयेश

mameśa bhūteśa maheśvarosi kāmeśa vāgīśa baleśa dhīśa|| krodheśa moheśa parāpareśa namostu mokṣeśa guhaśayeśa

"O my Lord, Lord of beings, you are Maheshvara; Lord of desire, Lord of speech, Lord of strength, Lord of intellect, Lord of anger, Lord of delusion, Lord of the higher and the lower. Salutation to you, Lord of liberation, Lord who dwells in the cave of the heart."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.69.48)

इति संस्तूय वरदं शूलपाणिमुमापतिम्॥ प्रणिपत्य उमापुत्रो नमोनम उवाच ह

iti saṁstūya varadaṁ śūlapāṇimumāpatim|| praṇipatya umāputro namonama uvāca ha

Thus having praised the boon-giving trident-bearer, the Lord of Uma, the son of Uma bowed down and repeatedly said, "Salutation, salutation."

Verse 49 (skanda.1.69.49)

एवं भक्तिपराक्रांतमात्मयोग्यं स्तवं शिवः॥ अभिनन्द्य चिरं कालमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

evaṁ bhaktiparākrāṁtamātmayogyaṁ stavaṁ śivaḥ|| abhinandya ciraṁ kālamidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Shiva, delighting for long in this hymn overflowing with devotion, worthy of himself, then spoke these words:

Verse 50 (skanda.1.69.50)

त्वया दुःखं न संचिंत्यं मम भक्तवधात्मकम्॥ कर्मणानेन श्लाघ्योऽसि मुनीनामपि पुत्रक

tvayā duḥkhaṁ na saṁciṁtyaṁ mama bhaktavadhātmakam|| karmaṇānena ślāghyo'si munīnāmapi putraka

"You should not grieve over sorrow born from the slaying of my devotees. By this deed you are praiseworthy even among sages, O child."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.69.51)

ये च सायं तथा प्रातस्त्वत्कृतेन स्तवेन माम्॥ स्तोष्यंति परया भक्त्या श्रुणु तेषां च यत्फलम्

ye ca sāyaṁ tathā prātastvatkṛtena stavena mām|| stoṣyaṁti parayā bhaktyā śruṇu teṣāṁ ca yatphalam

"And hear what fruit shall belong to those who, evening and morning, shall praise me with this hymn composed by you, with supreme devotion."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.69.52)

न व्याधिर्न च दारिद्र्यं न चैवेष्टवियोजनम्॥ भुक्त्वा भोगान्दुर्लभांश्च मम यास्यंति सद्म ते

na vyādhirna ca dāridryaṁ na caiveṣṭaviyojanam|| bhuktvā bhogāndurlabhāṁśca mama yāsyaṁti sadma te

"Neither disease, nor poverty, nor separation from loved ones shall be theirs; having enjoyed rare pleasures, they shall go to my abode."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.69.53)

तथान्यानपि दास्यामि वरान्परमदुर्लभान्॥ भक्त्या तवातितुष्टोऽहं प्रीत्यर्थं तव पुत्रक

tathānyānapi dāsyāmi varānparamadurlabhān|| bhaktyā tavātituṣṭo'haṁ prītyarthaṁ tava putraka

"I shall also grant other boons, most rare and hard to obtain; I am exceedingly pleased by your devotion, O child, for your delight."

Verse 54 (skanda.1.69.54)

महीसा गरकूले तु ये मां स्तोष्यंति पूजया॥ तेषां दतक्षयं सर्वं वैशाख्यां दानपूजनम्

mahīsā garakūle tu ye māṁ stoṣyaṁti pūjayā|| teṣāṁ datakṣayaṁ sarvaṁ vaiśākhyāṁ dānapūjanam

"Those who, on the bank of the Mahi-Sagara, praise me with worship — for them all gifts and worship offered in the month of Vaishakha shall be imperishable."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.69.55)

सरस्यत्र च ये स्नानं प्रकरिष्यंति मानवाः॥ सर्वतीर्थफला वाप्तिर्वैशाख्यां प्रभविष्यति

sarasyatra ca ye snānaṁ prakariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ|| sarvatīrthaphalā vāptirvaiśākhyāṁ prabhaviṣyati

"And those who shall bathe in this lake — the fruit of all tirthas shall arise for them in the month of Vaishakha."

Verse 56 (skanda.1.69.56)

कुमारेशं तु मां भक्त्या महीसागरसंगमे॥ स्नात्वा संपूजयेन्नित्यं तस्य जातिस्मृतिर्भवेत्

kumāreśaṁ tu māṁ bhaktyā mahīsāgarasaṁgame|| snātvā saṁpūjayennityaṁ tasya jātismṛtirbhavet

"Whoever, having bathed at the confluence of Mahi and Sagara, daily worships me devotedly as Kumaresha shall obtain the memory of his past births."

Verse 57 (skanda.1.69.57)

जातिस्मृतिरियं पुत्र यस्यां जातौ प्रजायते॥ स्मरतेऽस्याः प्रकर्तव्यं श्रेयोरूपं सुदुर्लभम्

jātismṛtiriyaṁ putra yasyāṁ jātau prajāyate|| smarate'syāḥ prakartavyaṁ śreyorūpaṁ sudurlabham

"This memory of past births, O child, is such that, born into whatever life, he remembers the good deeds he ought to perform — a boon most rare and hard to obtain."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.69.58)

यस्मिन्काले ह्यनावृष्टिर्जायते कृत्तिकासुत॥ स्नापयेद्विधिवन्मां च कलशैर्विविधैः शुभैः

yasminkāle hyanāvṛṣṭirjāyate kṛttikāsuta|| snāpayedvidhivanmāṁ ca kalaśairvividhaiḥ śubhaiḥ

"At whatever time drought occurs, O son of Krittika, one should duly bathe me with various auspicious pitchers."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.69.59)

एकरात्रं त्रिरात्रं वा पञ्चरात्रं च सप्त वा॥ स्नापयेद्गंधतोयेन कुंकुमेन विलेपयेत्

ekarātraṁ trirātraṁ vā pañcarātraṁ ca sapta vā|| snāpayedgaṁdhatoyena kuṁkumena vilepayet

"For one night, or three, five, or seven nights, one should bathe the linga with scented water and anoint it with kumkum."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.69.60)

करवीरै रक्तपुष्पैर्जपापुष्पैस्तथैव च॥ अर्चयेत्पुष्पमालाभिः परिधायारुणवाससी

karavīrai raktapuṣpairjapāpuṣpaistathaiva ca|| arcayetpuṣpamālābhiḥ paridhāyāruṇavāsasī

"With oleander, red flowers, and hibiscus, wearing a pair of red garments, one should worship with garlands of flowers."

Verse 61 (skanda.1.69.61)

भोजयेद्ब्रह्णांश्चैव तापसाञ्छंसिवव्रतान्॥ लक्षहोमं प्रकुर्वीत शिवहोमं ग्रहादिकम्

bhojayedbrahṇāṁścaiva tāpasāñchaṁsivavratān|| lakṣahomaṁ prakurvīta śivahomaṁ grahādikam

"One should feed brahmins as well as ascetics of praiseworthy vows, and perform a hundred-thousand-oblation homa — the fire-rite of Shiva together with that for the planets."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.69.62)

भूमिदानं ततः कुर्यात्तत्तो दद्याद्गवाह्निकम्॥ आघोषयेच्छिवां शांतिं रुद्रजाप्यं हि कारयेत्

bhūmidānaṁ tataḥ kuryāttatto dadyādgavāhnikam|| āghoṣayecchivāṁ śāṁtiṁ rudrajāpyaṁ hi kārayet

"Then one should give a gift of land, and then give a cow for the god's daily worship; one should proclaim an auspicious peace-rite and have the Rudra-mantra recited."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.69.63)

अनेनैव विधानेन कृतेन तु द्विजोत्तमैः॥ आगर्भितास्तदा मेघा वर्षते नात्र संशयः

anenaiva vidhānena kṛtena tu dvijottamaiḥ|| āgarbhitāstadā meghā varṣate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"When this very rite is performed by the best of the twice-born, the clouds become laden and pour down rain — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.69.64)

विविधैः पूर्यते धान्यः शाद्वलैश्च वसुन्धरा॥ आरोग्यं हि भवेच्चैव जने गोपकुले तथा

vividhaiḥ pūryate dhānyaḥ śādvalaiśca vasundharā|| ārogyaṁ hi bhaveccaiva jane gopakule tathā

"The earth becomes filled with various grains and with green pastures, and health prevails among the people and among the community of cowherds."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.69.65)

धर्मयुक्तो भवेद्राजा परचक्रैर्न पीड्यते॥ गृतेन स्नापयेन्मां च अर्कक्रांतौ नरोऽत्र यः

dharmayukto bhavedrājā paracakrairna pīḍyate|| gṛtena snāpayenmāṁ ca arkakrāṁtau naro'tra yaḥ

"The king becomes righteous and is not troubled by enemy forces. Whoever here bathes me with ghee during the sun's transit,"

Verse 66 (skanda.1.69.66)

कन्यादान फलं तस्य नात्र कार्या विचारणा॥ क्षीरेण स्नापयेद्देवं तथा पंचामृतेन यः

kanyādāna phalaṁ tasya nātra kāryā vicāraṇā|| kṣīreṇa snāpayeddevaṁ tathā paṁcāmṛtena yaḥ

"— for him, without doubt, is the fruit of the gift of a maiden in marriage. And whoever bathes the deity with milk or with panchamrita,"

Verse 67 (skanda.1.69.67)

अग्निष्टोमस्य यज्ञस्य फलं तस्योपजायते॥ कुमारेश्वरतीर्थेयः प्राणत्यागं करोति हि

agniṣṭomasya yajñasya phalaṁ tasyopajāyate|| kumāreśvaratīrtheyaḥ prāṇatyāgaṁ karoti hi

"— for him arises the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. And whoever gives up his life at the Kumareshvara tirtha,"

Verse 68 (skanda.1.69.68)

रुद्रलोके वसेत्तावद्यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्॥ अयने विषुवे चैव ग्रहणे चंद्रसूर्ययोः

rudraloke vasettāvadyāvadābhūtasaṁplavam|| ayane viṣuve caiva grahaṇe caṁdrasūryayoḥ

"— he dwells in Rudraloka until the dissolution of all beings. At the solstice, at the equinox, and at an eclipse of the moon or sun,"

Verse 69 (skanda.1.69.69)

पौर्णमास्याममावास्यां संक्रांतौ वैधृते तथा॥ कुमारेशं नरः स्नात्वा महीसागरसंगमे

paurṇamāsyāmamāvāsyāṁ saṁkrāṁtau vaidhṛte tathā|| kumāreśaṁ naraḥ snātvā mahīsāgarasaṁgame

"on the full moon, the new moon, at Sankranti, and at the Vaidhriti conjunction — whoever, having bathed at the Mahi-Sagara confluence,"

Verse 70 (skanda.1.69.70)

भक्त्या योभ्यर्चयेन्मां च तस्य पुण्यफलं श्रृणु॥ यन्महीतलतीर्थेषु स्नाने स्यात्तु महत्फलम्

bhaktyā yobhyarcayenmāṁ ca tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śrṛṇu|| yanmahītalatīrtheṣu snāne syāttu mahatphalam

"devotedly worships me thus — hear the meritorious fruit that is his: whatever great fruit there is in bathing at the tirthas of the earth,"

Verse 71 (skanda.1.69.71)

यच्चर्चितेषु लिंगेषु सर्वेषु स्यात्फलं च तत्॥ आरोग्यं पुत्रलाभं च धनलाभं सुखंसुतम्

yaccarciteṣu liṁgeṣu sarveṣu syātphalaṁ ca tat|| ārogyaṁ putralābhaṁ ca dhanalābhaṁ sukhaṁsutam

"and whatever fruit there is in worshipping all other lingas — that same fruit is his, together with health, the gain of sons, the gain of wealth, and lasting happiness."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.69.72)

निश्चितं लभते मर्त्यः कुमारेश्वरसेवया॥ ब्रह्मचारी शुचिर्भूत्वा यस्तिष्ठेदत्र तापसः

niścitaṁ labhate martyaḥ kumāreśvarasevayā|| brahmacārī śucirbhūtvā yastiṣṭhedatra tāpasaḥ

"A mortal certainly obtains all this through the service of Kumareshvara. Whatever ascetic dwells here, pure and observing celibacy,"

Verse 73 (skanda.1.69.73)

परं पाशुपतं योगं प्राप्य याति लयं मयि॥ पापात्मनां च मर्त्यानां सद्योऽस्मि फलदर्शकः

paraṁ pāśupataṁ yogaṁ prāpya yāti layaṁ mayi|| pāpātmanāṁ ca martyānāṁ sadyo'smi phaladarśakaḥ

"— he, attaining the supreme Pashupata yoga, merges into me. And to sinful mortals also I am the one who instantly shows the fruit of their deeds."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.69.74)

दिव्येनाष्टविधेनात्र कोशः साधारणोऽत्र च॥ अघोराद्यैः पंचमंत्रैः स्नाप्य लिंगं महोज्जवलम्

divyenāṣṭavidhenātra kośaḥ sādhāraṇo'tra ca|| aghorādyaiḥ paṁcamaṁtraiḥ snāpya liṁgaṁ mahojjavalam

"Here there is the divine eightfold ordeal, and also the ordinary one. Having bathed the great, radiant linga with the five mantras beginning with Aghora,"

Verse 75 (skanda.1.69.75)

अघोरेणैव तत्तोयं दद्याद्दिव्यस्य कारणे॥ पिबेदेतदुदीर्या प्रसृतित्रयमेव च

aghoreṇaiva tattoyaṁ dadyāddivyasya kāraṇe|| pibedetadudīryā prasṛtitrayameva ca

"— with the Aghora mantra alone should that water be given for the purpose of the divine ordeal. Reciting the mantra, one should drink three handfuls of it."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.69.76)

यदि धर्मस्तथा सत्यमीश्वरोऽत्र जगत्त्रये॥ कोशपानात्फलं सद्यो द्रक्ष्याम्यस्मि शुभा शुभम्

yadi dharmastathā satyamīśvaro'tra jagattraye|| kośapānātphalaṁ sadyo drakṣyāmyasmi śubhā śubham

"'If dharma exists, and truth, and if the Lord exists in these three worlds, then from drinking this ordeal-water I shall instantly see the fruit, whether good or evil' —"

Verse 77 (skanda.1.69.77)

यास्ये चेति कुलं हन्याद्गमने च कुटुम्बकम्॥ दर्शने च शुभं पाने हन्याद्देहं च मिथ्यया

yāsye ceti kulaṁ hanyādgamane ca kuṭumbakam|| darśane ca śubhaṁ pāne hanyāddehaṁ ca mithyayā

"— thus one drinks it; if the oath is false, it destroys his family even as he goes; it destroys good fortune at the seeing of it, and destroys the body at the drinking, if the oath is untrue."

Verse 78 (skanda.1.69.78)

त्रिभिर्दिनैस्त्रिभिः पक्षैस्त्रिभिर्मासैस्त्रिभिः समैः॥ अत्युग्रपुण्यपापानां मानेन फलमश्नुते

tribhirdinaistribhiḥ pakṣaistribhirmāsaistribhiḥ samaiḥ|| atyugrapuṇyapāpānāṁ mānena phalamaśnute

"Within three days, three fortnights, three months, or three years, according to the measure of extremely intense merit or sin, one experiences the fruit."

Verse 79 (skanda.1.69.79)

एते वरामया लिंगे दत्तात्रं स्थापिते त्वया॥ तव प्रीत्यभिवृद्ध्यर्थं ब्रूहि भूयोऽप्युमात्मज

ete varāmayā liṁge dattātraṁ sthāpite tvayā|| tava prītyabhivṛddhyarthaṁ brūhi bhūyo'pyumātmaja

"O son of Uma, these boons, free from affliction, have been granted concerning the linga established here by you; speak further, for the increase of your delight."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.69.80)

॥स्कन्द उवाच॥ कृतकृत्यो वरैर्दत्तैस्त्वया चैतैर्महेश्वर॥ नमोनमो नमस्तेस्तु नात्र त्याज्यं त्वया विभो

||skanda uvāca|| kṛtakṛtyo varairdattaistvayā caitairmaheśvara|| namonamo namastestu nātra tyājyaṁ tvayā vibho

Skanda said: "O Maheshvara, by these boons granted by you I am fulfilled. Salutation, salutation, salutation to you! O Lord, nothing further is to be left undone by you here."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.69.81)

एवं प्रणम्य देवं स मातरं प्रणतोऽब्रवीत्॥ त्वयापि मातर्नैवात्र त्याज्यं मम प्रियेप्सया

evaṁ praṇamya devaṁ sa mātaraṁ praṇato'bravīt|| tvayāpi mātarnaivātra tyājyaṁ mama priyepsayā

Having thus bowed to the god, he, bowing, said to his mother: "O mother, out of desire for my delight, you too should leave nothing undone here."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.69.82)

त्वामप्यत्र स्थापयिष्ये वरदा भव पर्वति

tvāmapyatra sthāpayiṣye varadā bhava parvati

"I shall establish you also here — be the boon-giver, O Parvati."

Verse 83 (skanda.1.69.83)

॥श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ यत्र शर्वः स्वभावेन तत्र तिष्ठाम्यहं सुत

||śrīdevyuvāca|| yatra śarvaḥ svabhāvena tatra tiṣṭhāmyahaṁ suta

Shri Devi said: "Wherever Sharva naturally dwells, there I too abide, O son."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.69.84)

तव भक्त्या विशेषेण स्थास्ये स्त्रीणां वरप्रदा॥ युद्धेषु तवकर्माणि रुद्रभक्तेषु ते कृपाम्

tava bhaktyā viśeṣeṇa sthāsye strīṇāṁ varapradā|| yuddheṣu tavakarmāṇi rudrabhakteṣu te kṛpām

"But out of devotion to you, especially, I shall abide here as the boon-giver of women. Your deeds in battle, and your compassion toward the devotees of Rudra —"

Verse 85 (skanda.1.69.85)

पश्यंति पुत्रिणां मुख्या प्रीणिता च भृशं त्वया॥ गर्भक्लेशः स्त्रियो मन्ये साफल्यं भजते तदा

paśyaṁti putriṇāṁ mukhyā prīṇitā ca bhṛśaṁ tvayā|| garbhakleśaḥ striyo manye sāphalyaṁ bhajate tadā

"— the foremost among mothers behold, and, greatly pleased with you, I think that the pain of women's pregnancy then attains its true reward."

Verse 86 (skanda.1.69.86)

सुतो यदा रुद्रभक्तः सानंदं सद्भिरीर्यते॥ भव तस्मात्प्रियार्थाय तिष्ठाम्यत्र षडानन

suto yadā rudrabhaktaḥ sānaṁdaṁ sadbhirīryate|| bhava tasmātpriyārthāya tiṣṭhāmyatra ṣaḍānana

"When a son, a devotee of Rudra, is joyfully praised by the good — for that reason, O six-faced one, I shall abide here for your delight."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.69.87)

स्त्रीभिराराधिता दास्ये सौभाग्यं सुपतिं सुतान्॥ चैत्रे चापि तृतीयायां स्नात्वा शीतेन वारिणा

strībhirārādhitā dāsye saubhāgyaṁ supatiṁ sutān|| caitre cāpi tṛtīyāyāṁ snātvā śītena vāriṇā

"Worshipped by women, I shall grant good fortune, a good husband, and sons. And on the third day of Chaitra, having bathed with cool water,"

Verse 88 (skanda.1.69.88)

अर्चयिष्यंति मां याश्च पुष्पैर्धूपैर्विलेपनैः॥ दास्यामि चाष्टसौभाग्यं या नारी भक्तितत्परा

arcayiṣyaṁti māṁ yāśca puṣpairdhūpairvilepanaiḥ|| dāsyāmi cāṣṭasaubhāgyaṁ yā nārī bhaktitatparā

"— those women who shall worship me with flowers, incense, and unguents, and whoever is devoted to me, I shall grant her the eightfold good fortune."

Verse 89 (skanda.1.69.89)

पितरौ श्वशुरौ पुत्रान्पतिं सौभाग्यसंपदः॥ कुंकुमं पुष्पश्रीखंडं तांबूलांजनमिक्षवः

pitarau śvaśurau putrānpatiṁ saubhāgyasaṁpadaḥ|| kuṁkumaṁ puṣpaśrīkhaṁḍaṁ tāṁbūlāṁjanamikṣavaḥ

"Good fortune regarding parents, parents-in-law, sons, husband, and prosperity. Kumkum, flowers, sandalwood, betel, collyrium, sugarcane —"

Verse 90 (skanda.1.69.90)

सप्तमं लवणं प्रोक्तमष्टमं च सुजीरकम्॥ तोलयेत्तुलया वापि सांघ्रिश्च तुलिता भवेत्

saptamaṁ lavaṇaṁ proktamaṣṭamaṁ ca sujīrakam|| tolayettulayā vāpi sāṁghriśca tulitā bhavet

"— salt is declared the seventh, and cumin the eighth of these offerings. One should weigh them on a scale, or offer them equal to one's own bodily weight."

Verse 91 (skanda.1.69.91)

सुवर्मेनाथ सौगन्ध्यद्रव्यैः शुभफलैरपि॥ भुंक्ते वा लवणं पश्चान्नासौ वै विधवा भवेत्

suvarmenātha saugandhyadravyaiḥ śubhaphalairapi|| bhuṁkte vā lavaṇaṁ paścānnāsau vai vidhavā bhavet

"With gold, and with fragrant substances of auspicious effect, or by later partaking of the salt so offered — that woman never becomes a widow."

Verse 92 (skanda.1.69.92)

माघे वा कार्तिके वापि चैत्रे स्नात्वार्चयेत् माम्॥ दौर्भाग्यदुःखदारिद्र्यैर्न सा संयोगमाप्नुयात्

māghe vā kārtike vāpi caitre snātvārcayet mām|| daurbhāgyaduḥkhadāridryairna sā saṁyogamāpnuyāt

"Whether in Magha, or Kartika, or Chaitra, whoever bathes and worships me shall never come into contact with misfortune, sorrow, or poverty."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.69.93)

श्रुत्वेति गिरिजावाचं सानंदः पार्वतीसुतः॥ स्थापयित्वा गिरिसुतां कपर्दिनमथाब्रवीत्

śrutveti girijāvācaṁ sānaṁdaḥ pārvatīsutaḥ|| sthāpayitvā girisutāṁ kapardinamathābravīt

Hearing this speech of Girija, the son of Parvati, filled with joy, having established the Mountain's Daughter, then spoke to Kapardin:

Verse 94 (skanda.1.69.94)

पुष्पैर्धूपैर्मोदकैश्च पूर्वमभ्यर्च्य त्वां प्रभो॥ पुजयंति कुमारेशं तेषां विघ्नहरो भव

puṣpairdhūpairmodakaiśca pūrvamabhyarcya tvāṁ prabho|| pujayaṁti kumāreśaṁ teṣāṁ vighnaharo bhava

"O Lord, for those who first worship you with flowers, incense, and sweet modakas, and then worship Kumaresha, become the remover of obstacles."

Verse 95 (skanda.1.69.95)

॥कपर्द्युवाच॥ भ्रातस्त्वया स्थापितेऽस्मिँल्लिंगे भक्ताश्च ये नराः॥ न तेषां मम विघ्नानि मम वागनुगामिनी

||kapardyuvāca|| bhrātastvayā sthāpite'smi~lliṁge bhaktāśca ye narāḥ|| na teṣāṁ mama vighnāni mama vāganugāminī

Kapardin said: "O brother, whatever devotees there are of this linga established by you — for them there shall be no obstacles from me; my word stands behind this promise."

Verse 96 (skanda.1.69.96)

एवमुक्ते विघ्नराज्ञा प्रतीतेऽस्थापयच्च तम्॥ तस्मादसौ सदाभ्यर्च्यश्चतुर्थ्यां च विशेषतः

evamukte vighnarājñā pratīte'sthāpayacca tam|| tasmādasau sadābhyarcyaścaturthyāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

When the Lord of Obstacles had thus spoken, being pleased, Skanda established him there also. Therefore he is to be worshipped always, and especially on the fourth day of the lunar fortnight.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.69.97)

एवं स्थाप्य कुमारेशं लब्ध्वा चैतान्वराञ्छिवात्॥ मनसा कृतकृत्यं चात्मानं मेने षडाननः

evaṁ sthāpya kumāreśaṁ labdhvā caitānvarāñchivāt|| manasā kṛtakṛtyaṁ cātmānaṁ mene ṣaḍānanaḥ

Having thus established Kumaresha and obtained these boons from Shiva, the six-faced one considered himself, in his mind, fulfilled.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.69.98)

तस्थावंशेन तत्रैव कुमारेश्वरसंनिधौ॥ अत्र स्थितं कुमारं ये पश्यन्ति स्वामियात्रिमः

tasthāvaṁśena tatraiva kumāreśvarasaṁnidhau|| atra sthitaṁ kumāraṁ ye paśyanti svāmiyātrimaḥ

He himself remained there, in part, in the very presence of Kumareshvara. Those pilgrims of the Swami-yatra who behold Kumara established here —

Verse 99 (skanda.1.69.99)

सफला स्वामियात्रा च तेषां भवति भारत॥ कार्तिक्यां च विशेषेण कार्तिकेयं समर्चयेत्

saphalā svāmiyātrā ca teṣāṁ bhavati bhārata|| kārtikyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa kārtikeyaṁ samarcayet

— for them, O Bharata, the Swami-yatra becomes fruitful. And especially at the full moon of Kartika one should worship Kartikeya.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.69.100)

यत्फलं स्वामियात्रायां तत्फलं समावाप्नुयात्॥ एवंविधमिदं पार्थ महीसागरसंगमम्

yatphalaṁ svāmiyātrāyāṁ tatphalaṁ samāvāpnuyāt|| evaṁvidhamidaṁ pārtha mahīsāgarasaṁgamam

Whatever fruit there is in the Swami-yatra, that fruit he shall fully obtain. Such, O Partha, is this confluence of Mahi and Sagara.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.69.101)

निमित्तीकृत्य चात्मानं साध्वर्थे लिंगमर्चितम्॥ रोगाभिभूतो रोगैर्वा नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं शतम्

nimittīkṛtya cātmānaṁ sādhvarthe liṁgamarcitam|| rogābhibhūto rogairvā nāmnāmaṣṭottaraṁ śatam

Making oneself the instrument for a righteous purpose, one should worship the linga; whoever is afflicted by illness should recite the hundred and eight names —

Verse 102 (skanda.1.69.102)

जप्त्वा शुचिर्ब्रह्मचारी मासं मुच्येत पातकात्॥ एतदाराध्य संजाता रजिरामादयः पुरा

japtvā śucirbrahmacārī māsaṁ mucyeta pātakāt|| etadārādhya saṁjātā rajirāmādayaḥ purā

— reciting them, pure and celibate, for a month, he is freed from sin. By worshipping this linga, Raji, Rama, and others of old prospered —

Verse 103 (skanda.1.69.103)

शतसंख्याबलं राज्यं रुद्रलोक च भेजिरे॥ जामदग्न्यस्त्विदं लिंगमाराध्य च समायुतम्

śatasaṁkhyābalaṁ rājyaṁ rudraloka ca bhejire|| jāmadagnyastvidaṁ liṁgamārādhya ca samāyutam

— they attained hundredfold strength, kingship, and the world of Rudra. And Jamadagnya, having duly worshipped this linga,

Verse 104 (skanda.1.69.104)

लेभे कुठारमुज्जह्ने येनार्जुनभुजान्युधि॥ अग्रतो देवदेवस्य ज्ञात्वा तीर्थे महागुणान्

lebhe kuṭhāramujjahne yenārjunabhujānyudhi|| agrato devadevasya jñātvā tīrthe mahāguṇān

— obtained the axe with which he cut off the arms of Arjuna Kartavirya in battle. Recognizing, before the god of gods, the great virtues of this tirtha,

Verse 105 (skanda.1.69.105)

रामेश्वरमिति ख्यातं स्थापितं लिंगमुत्तमम्॥ तच्च योऽभ्यर्चयेद्भक्त्या रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

rāmeśvaramiti khyātaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgamuttamam|| tacca yo'bhyarcayedbhaktyā rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

— he established an excellent linga known as Rameshvara. And whoever worships it with devotion goes to Rudraloka.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.69.106)

प्रीतः स्यात्तस्य रामश्च कुमारेशश्च फाल्गुन॥ इति संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं कुमारेशस्य वर्णनम्

prītaḥ syāttasya rāmaśca kumāreśaśca phālguna|| iti saṁkṣepataḥ proktaṁ kumāreśasya varṇanam

Both Rama and Kumaresha become pleased with him, O Phalguna. Thus, in brief, has been declared the account of Kumaresha.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.69.107)

कुमारेशस्य माहात्म्यं कीर्तयेद्यस्तदग्रतः॥ ये च श्रृण्वंत्यनुदिनं रुद्रलोके वसंति ते

kumāreśasya māhātmyaṁ kīrtayedyastadagrataḥ|| ye ca śrṛṇvaṁtyanudinaṁ rudraloke vasaṁti te

Whoever recites the glory of Kumaresha before him, and those who hear it daily, dwell in Rudraloka.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.69.108)

अस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्यं श्राद्धकाले तु यः पठेत्॥ पितॄणामक्षयं जायते नात्र संशयः

asya liṁgasya māhātmyaṁ śrāddhakāle tu yaḥ paṭhet|| pitṝṇāmakṣayaṁ jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever recites the glory of this linga at the time of shraddha rites — imperishable merit accrues to the ancestors through it; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.69.109)

अस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्यं गुर्विणीं श्रावयेद्यदि॥ गुणवाञ्जायते पुत्रः कन्या चापि पतिव्रता

asya liṁgasya māhātmyaṁ gurviṇīṁ śrāvayedyadi|| guṇavāñjāyate putraḥ kanyā cāpi pativratā

If one causes a pregnant woman to hear the glory of this linga, a virtuous son is born, or a daughter devoted to her husband.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.69.110)

एतत्पुण्यं पापहरं धर्म्यं चाह्लादकारकम्॥ पठतां चापि सर्वाभीष्टफल प्रदम्

etatpuṇyaṁ pāpaharaṁ dharmyaṁ cāhlādakārakam|| paṭhatāṁ cāpi sarvābhīṣṭaphala pradam

This is meritorious, destroys sin, is righteous and delight-bestowing; and to those who recite it, it grants the fruit of all desires.