Shiva Worship and the Rites of the Householder

Verse 1 (skanda.1.76.1)

॥करधम उवाच॥ केचिच्छिवं समाश्रित्य विष्णुमाश्रित्य वेधसम्॥ वर्णयंति परे मोक्षं त्वं तु कस्मात्तु मन्यसे॥

||karadhama uvāca|| kecicchivaṁ samāśritya viṣṇumāśritya vedhasam|| varṇayaṁti pare mokṣaṁ tvaṁ tu kasmāttu manyase||

Karandhama said: "Some declare liberation to come through refuge in Shiva, others through Vishnu, and others through Brahma the Creator. Whom, then, do you hold to be the true source of liberation?"

Verse 2 (skanda.1.76.2)

॥महाकाल उवाच॥ अपारवैभवा देवास्त्रयोऽप्येते नरर्षभ॥ योगींद्राणामपि त्वत्र चेतो मुह्यति किं मम॥

||mahākāla uvāca|| apāravaibhavā devāstrayo'pyete nararṣabha|| yogīṁdrāṇāmapi tvatra ceto muhyati kiṁ mama||

Mahakala said: "O foremost of men, all three of these deities possess boundless glory. On this matter even the greatest masters of yoga find their minds bewildered — what then of me?"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.76.3)

पुरा किलैवं मुनयो नैमिषारण्यवासिनः॥ संदिह्यांतः श्रेष्ठतायां ब्रह्मलोकमुपागमन्॥

purā kilaivaṁ munayo naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ|| saṁdihyāṁtaḥ śreṣṭhatāyāṁ brahmalokamupāgaman||

"Long ago the sages dwelling in the Naimisha forest, likewise beset by this same doubt over supremacy, journeyed to the world of Brahma."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.76.4)

तस्मिन्क्षणे विरिंचोऽपि श्लोकं प्रह्वोऽब्रवीत्किल॥ अनंताय नमस्तस्मै यस्यांतो नोपलभ्यते॥

tasminkṣaṇe viriṁco'pi ślokaṁ prahvo'bravītkila|| anaṁtāya namastasmai yasyāṁto nopalabhyate||

"At that very moment Brahma himself, bowing humbly, recited this verse: 'Salutation to that Infinite One, whose end can never be found,"

Verse 5 (skanda.1.76.5)

महेशाय च भक्ते द्वौ कृपायेतां सदा मयि॥ ततः श्रेष्ठं च तं मत्वा क्षीरोदं मुनयो ययुः॥

maheśāya ca bhakte dvau kṛpāyetāṁ sadā mayi|| tataḥ śreṣṭhaṁ ca taṁ matvā kṣīrodaṁ munayo yayuḥ||

"'— and to Mahesha as well; may both, as devoted ones, ever show me their grace.' Considering him too to be supreme, the sages then journeyed on to the Ocean of Milk."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.76.6)

तत्र योगेश्वरः श्लोकं प्रबुध्यन्नमुमब्रवीत्॥ ब्रह्माणं सर्वभूतेषु परमं ब्रह्मरूपिणम्॥

tatra yogeśvaraḥ ślokaṁ prabudhyannamumabravīt|| brahmāṇaṁ sarvabhūteṣu paramaṁ brahmarūpiṇam||

"There the lord of yoga, Vishnu, waking, likewise recited a verse: 'To Brahma, who dwells in all beings as the very form of the Supreme Absolute,"

Verse 7 (skanda.1.76.7)

सदाशिवं च वंदे तौ भवेतां मंगलाय मे॥ ततस्ते विस्मिता विप्रा अपसृत्य ययुः पुनः॥

sadāśivaṁ ca vaṁde tau bhavetāṁ maṁgalāya me|| tataste vismitā viprā apasṛtya yayuḥ punaḥ||

"'— and to Sadashiva as well, I bow; may both of them bring about my welfare.' The brahmins, astonished by this, then departed once more."

Verse 8 (skanda.1.76.8)

कैलासे ददृशुः स्थाणुं वदंतं गिरिजां प्रति॥ एकादश्यां प्रनृत्यानि जागरे विष्णुसद्मनि॥

kailāse dadṛśuḥ sthāṇuṁ vadaṁtaṁ girijāṁ prati|| ekādaśyāṁ pranṛtyāni jāgare viṣṇusadmani||

"On Kailasa they beheld Sthanu, Shiva, saying to Girija — 'On the day of Ekadashi, dancing through the night-vigil in Vishnu's own temple,"

Verse 9 (skanda.1.76.9)

सदा तपस्यां चरामि प्रीत्यर्थं हरिवेधसोः॥ श्रुत्वेति चापसृत्यैव खिन्नास्ते मुनयोऽब्रुवन्॥

sadā tapasyāṁ carāmi prītyarthaṁ harivedhasoḥ|| śrutveti cāpasṛtyaiva khinnāste munayo'bruvan||

"'— I ever perform penance for the pleasure of Hari and the Creator.' Hearing this and turning away, those sages, now dejected, said to one another —"

Verse 10 (skanda.1.76.10)

यद्वा देवा न संयांति पारं ये च परस्परम्॥ तत्सृष्टसृष्टसृष्टेषु गणना काऽस्मदादिषु॥

yadvā devā na saṁyāṁti pāraṁ ye ca parasparam|| tatsṛṣṭasṛṣṭasṛṣṭeṣu gaṇanā kā'smadādiṣu||

"— 'When these very gods themselves cannot fathom one another's limits, what account, then, can be taken of beings like us, created by the created of the created?'"

Verse 11 (skanda.1.76.11)

उत्तमाधममध्यत्वममीषां वर्णयंति ये॥ असत्यवादिनः पापास्ते यांति निरयं ध्रुवम्॥

uttamādhamamadhyatvamamīṣāṁ varṇayaṁti ye|| asatyavādinaḥ pāpāste yāṁti nirayaṁ dhruvam||

"'Whoever declares one of these three to be highest, another middling, and another lowest, is a speaker of falsehood and a sinner, and shall surely fall into hell.'"

Verse 12 (skanda.1.76.12)

एवं ते निश्चियामासुर्नैमिषेया स्तपस्विनः॥ सत्यमेतच्च राजेंद्र ममापीदं मतं स्फुटम्॥

evaṁ te niściyāmāsurnaimiṣeyā stapasvinaḥ|| satyametacca rājeṁdra mamāpīdaṁ mataṁ sphuṭam||

Thus did the ascetics of Naimisha resolve. O foremost of kings, this is true, and this too, plainly, is my own view.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.76.13)

जापकानां सहस्राणि वैष्णवानां तथैव च॥ शैवानां च विधिं विष्णुं स्थाणुं चाप्यन्वमूमुचन्॥

jāpakānāṁ sahasrāṇi vaiṣṇavānāṁ tathaiva ca|| śaivānāṁ ca vidhiṁ viṣṇuṁ sthāṇuṁ cāpyanvamūmucan||

Thousands of those who chant mantras — Vaishnavas and Shaivas alike — all came to accept, equally, the Creator, Vishnu, and Sthanu together.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.76.14)

तस्माद्यस्य मनोरागो यस्मिन्देवे भवेत्स्फुटम्॥ स तं भजेद्विपापः स्यान्ममेदं मतमुत्तमम्॥

tasmādyasya manorāgo yasmindeve bhavetsphuṭam|| sa taṁ bhajedvipāpaḥ syānmamedaṁ matamuttamam||

Therefore, whichever deity a person's heart is plainly drawn to, that alone should he worship, and he shall become free of sin — this is my highest teaching.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.76.15)

॥करंधम उवाच॥ कानि पापानि विप्रेंद्र यैस्तु संमूढचेतसः॥ न वेदेषु न धर्मेषु रतिमापद्यते मनः॥

||karaṁdhama uvāca|| kāni pāpāni vipreṁdra yaistu saṁmūḍhacetasaḥ|| na vedeṣu na dharmeṣu ratimāpadyate manaḥ||

Karandhama said: "O foremost of brahmins, what are those sins by which a man's mind becomes so utterly deluded that it finds no delight either in the Vedas or in dharma?"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.76.16)

॥महाकाल उवाच॥ अधर्मभेदा विज्ञेयाश्चित्तवृत्तिप्रभेदतः॥ स्थूलाः सूक्ष्मा असूक्ष्माश्च कोटिभेदैरनेकशः॥

||mahākāla uvāca|| adharmabhedā vijñeyāścittavṛttiprabhedataḥ|| sthūlāḥ sūkṣmā asūkṣmāśca koṭibhedairanekaśaḥ||

Mahakala said: "The varieties of unrighteousness are to be understood according to the varying states of the mind — gross, subtle, and semi-subtle — dividing into countless millions of kinds."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.76.17)

तत्र ये पापनिचयाः स्थूला नरकहेतवः॥ ते समासेन कथ्यंते मनोवाक्कायसाधनाः॥

tatra ye pāpanicayāḥ sthūlā narakahetavaḥ|| te samāsena kathyaṁte manovākkāyasādhanāḥ||

"Among these, the gross accumulations of sin that lead to hell are, in brief, said to be committed through the instruments of mind, speech, and body."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.76.18)

परस्त्रीद्रव्यसंकल्पश्चेतसानिष्टचिंतनम्॥ अकार्याभिनिवेशश्च चतुर्द्धा कर्म मानसम्॥

parastrīdravyasaṁkalpaścetasāniṣṭaciṁtanam|| akāryābhiniveśaśca caturddhā karma mānasam||

"Coveting another's wife, coveting another's wealth, dwelling in the mind on harm to others, and stubborn insistence upon wrongful action — mental sin is thus of four kinds."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.76.19)

अनिबद्धप्रलापित्वमसत्यं चाप्रियं च यत्॥ परापवादपैशुन्यं चतुर्धा कर्म वाचिकम्॥

anibaddhapralāpitvamasatyaṁ cāpriyaṁ ca yat|| parāpavādapaiśunyaṁ caturdhā karma vācikam||

"Idle and unrestrained chatter, falsehood, harsh speech, and slander together with backbiting — verbal sin is thus of four kinds."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.76.20)

अभक्ष्यभक्षणं हिंसा मिथ्या कामस्य सेवनम्॥ परस्वानामुपादानं चतुर्धा कर्म कायिकम्॥

abhakṣyabhakṣaṇaṁ hiṁsā mithyā kāmasya sevanam|| parasvānāmupādānaṁ caturdhā karma kāyikam||

"Eating what should not be eaten, violence, illicit indulgence in lust, and taking what belongs to another — bodily sin is thus of four kinds."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.76.21)

इत्येतद्द्वादशविधं कर्म प्रोक्तं त्रिसंभवम्॥ अस्य भेदान्पुनर्वक्ष्ये येषां फलमनंतकम्॥

ityetaddvādaśavidhaṁ karma proktaṁ trisaṁbhavam|| asya bhedānpunarvakṣye yeṣāṁ phalamanaṁtakam||

Thus has this twelvefold sin, arising from these three instruments, been declared. I shall now further describe its varieties, whose consequences are without end.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.76.22)

ये द्विषंति महादेवं संसारार्णवतारकम्॥ सुमहात्पातकोपेतास्ते यांति नरकाग्निषु॥

ye dviṣaṁti mahādevaṁ saṁsārārṇavatārakam|| sumahātpātakopetāste yāṁti narakāgniṣu||

Those who bear hatred toward Mahadeva, the one who ferries beings across the ocean of worldly existence, are burdened with the gravest of sins and fall into the fires of hell.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.76.23)

महांति पातकान्याहुर्निरंतरफलानि षट्॥ नाभिनंदंति ये दृष्ट्वा शंकरं न स्तुवंति ये॥

mahāṁti pātakānyāhurniraṁtaraphalāni ṣaṭ|| nābhinaṁdaṁti ye dṛṣṭvā śaṁkaraṁ na stuvaṁti ye||

Six are declared to be the great sins whose fruit follows without cease — those who feel no joy on beholding Shankara, those who do not praise him,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.76.24)

यथेष्टचेष्टा निःशंकाः संतिष्ठंति रमंति च॥ उपचारविनिर्मुक्ताः शिवस्य गुरुसंनिधौ॥

yatheṣṭaceṣṭā niḥśaṁkāḥ saṁtiṣṭhaṁti ramaṁti ca|| upacāravinirmuktāḥ śivasya gurusaṁnidhau||

those who, in the presence of Shiva's spiritual guide, sit and behave freely, without hesitation and without the courtesy due to him,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.76.25)

शिवाचारं न मन्यंते शिवभक्तान्द्विषंति षट्॥ गुरुमार्त्तमशक्तं वा विदेशप्रस्थितं तथा॥

śivācāraṁ na manyaṁte śivabhaktāndviṣaṁti ṣaṭ|| gurumārttamaśaktaṁ vā videśaprasthitaṁ tathā||

those who do not respect the observances of Shiva, and those who hate the devotees of Shiva — these are the six. And one who, when his own guru is ill, incapacitated, or away in a distant land —

Verse 26 (skanda.1.76.26)

अरिभिः परिभूतं वा यस्त्यजति स पापकृत्॥ तद्भार्यापुत्रमित्रेषु यश्चावज्ञां करोति वा॥

aribhiḥ paribhūtaṁ vā yastyajati sa pāpakṛt|| tadbhāryāputramitreṣu yaścāvajñāṁ karoti vā||

— or when he is humiliated by enemies, abandons him, is a sinner. And one who shows disrespect even to that guru's wife, sons, and friends —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.76.27)

इत्येतत्पातकं ज्ञेयं गुरुनिंदासमं महत्॥ ब्रह्मघ्नश्च सुरापश्च स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः॥

ityetatpātakaṁ jñeyaṁ guruniṁdāsamaṁ mahat|| brahmaghnaśca surāpaśca steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ||

— this should be understood as a grave sin, equal to reviling the guru himself. A brahmin-slayer, a drinker of liquor, a thief, and one who violates his guru's bed —

Verse 28 (skanda.1.76.28)

महापातकिनस्त्वेते तत्संसर्गी च पंचमः॥ क्रोधाद्द्वेषाद्भयाल्लोभाद्ब्राह्मणस्य वदंति ये॥

mahāpātakinastvete tatsaṁsargī ca paṁcamaḥ|| krodhāddveṣādbhayāllobhādbrāhmaṇasya vadaṁti ye||

— these are the great sinners, and one who keeps their company is the fifth. Those who, out of anger, hatred, fear, or greed, speak against a brahmin —

Verse 29 (skanda.1.76.29)

मर्मांतिकं महादोषं ब्रह्मघ्नः स प्रकीर्तितः॥ ब्राह्मणं यः समाहूय याचमानमकिंचनम्॥

marmāṁtikaṁ mahādoṣaṁ brahmaghnaḥ sa prakīrtitaḥ|| brāhmaṇaṁ yaḥ samāhūya yācamānamakiṁcanam||

— inflicting a grievous wound to the heart, is declared to be equal to a slayer of brahmins. One who summons a poor, destitute, begging brahmin,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.76.30)

पश्चान्नास्तीति यो ब्रूयात्स च वै ब्रह्महा स्मृतः॥ यश्च विद्याभिमानेन निस्तेजयति सद्द्विजम्॥

paścānnāstīti yo brūyātsa ca vai brahmahā smṛtaḥ|| yaśca vidyābhimānena nistejayati saddvijam||

— and then declares, 'I have nothing to give,' is likewise held to be a slayer of brahmins. And one who, out of pride in his own learning, strips a worthy brahmin of his dignity,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.76.31)

उदासीनः सभामध्ये ब्रह्महा स प्रकीर्तितः॥ मिथ्यागुणैः स्वमात्मानं नयत्युत्कर्षतां बलात्॥

udāsīnaḥ sabhāmadhye brahmahā sa prakīrtitaḥ|| mithyāguṇaiḥ svamātmānaṁ nayatyutkarṣatāṁ balāt||

— remaining indifferent to him in the midst of an assembly, is likewise declared to be a slayer of brahmins. One who, through false virtues, forcibly sets himself up as superior,

Verse 32 (skanda.1.76.32)

विरुद्धं गुरुभिः सार्धं ब्रह्मघ्नः स प्रकीर्तितः॥ क्षुत्तृष्णातप्तदेहानां द्विजानां भोक्तुमिच्छताम्॥

viruddhaṁ gurubhiḥ sārdhaṁ brahmaghnaḥ sa prakīrtitaḥ|| kṣuttṛṣṇātaptadehānāṁ dvijānāṁ bhoktumicchatām||

— and behaves in opposition to his elders and teachers, is likewise declared to be a slayer of brahmins. One who, for those brahmins tormented by hunger and thirst and desiring to eat —

Verse 33 (skanda.1.76.33)

यः समाचरते विघ्नं तमाहुर्ब्रह्मगातकम्॥ पिशुनः सर्वलोकानां छिद्रान्वेषणतत्परः॥

yaḥ samācarate vighnaṁ tamāhurbrahmagātakam|| piśunaḥ sarvalokānāṁ chidrānveṣaṇatatparaḥ||

— creates an obstacle, is called a slayer of brahmins. One who is a slanderer, forever intent on hunting out the faults of all people,

Verse 34 (skanda.1.76.34)

उद्वेगजननः क्रूरः स च वै ब्रह्महा स्मृतः॥ गवां तृषाभिभूतानां जलार्थमुपसर्पताम्॥

udvegajananaḥ krūraḥ sa ca vai brahmahā smṛtaḥ|| gavāṁ tṛṣābhibhūtānāṁ jalārthamupasarpatām||

— cruelly stirring distress in others, is likewise held to be a slayer of brahmins. For cows overcome by thirst, approaching in search of water —

Verse 35 (skanda.1.76.35)

यः समाचरते विघ्नं तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातकम्॥ परदोषं परिज्ञाय नृपकर्णे जपेत यः॥

yaḥ samācarate vighnaṁ tamāhurbrahmaghātakam|| paradoṣaṁ parijñāya nṛpakarṇe japeta yaḥ||

— one who places an obstacle in their way is likewise called a slayer of brahmins. One who, learning of another's fault, whispers it into the ear of the king,

Verse 36 (skanda.1.76.36)

पापीयान्पिशुनः क्रूरस्तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातकम्॥ न्यायेनोपार्जितं विप्रैस्तद्द्रव्यहरणं च यत्॥

pāpīyānpiśunaḥ krūrastamāhurbrahmaghātakam|| nyāyenopārjitaṁ vipraistaddravyaharaṇaṁ ca yat||

— that most sinful, slanderous, and cruel man is likewise called a slayer of brahmins. Seizing wealth that brahmins have justly earned,

Verse 37 (skanda.1.76.37)

छद्मना वा बलाद्वापि ब्रह्महत्यासमं मतम्॥ अधीत्य यश्च शास्त्राणि परित्यजति मूढधीः॥

chadmanā vā balādvāpi brahmahatyāsamaṁ matam|| adhītya yaśca śāstrāṇi parityajati mūḍhadhīḥ||

— whether by deceit or by force, is held to be equal to the killing of a brahmin. One who, having studied the scriptures, foolishly abandons them —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.76.38)

सुरापानसमं ज्ञेयं जीवनायैव वा पठेत्॥ अग्निहोत्रपरित्यागः पंचयज्ञोपकर्मणाम्॥

surāpānasamaṁ jñeyaṁ jīvanāyaiva vā paṭhet|| agnihotraparityāgaḥ paṁcayajñopakarmaṇām||

— is to be known as equal to drinking liquor; and so too is one who studies only for the sake of livelihood. Abandoning the fire-oblation, abandoning the rites of the five great sacrifices,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.76.39)

मातृपितृपरित्यागः कूटसाक्षी सुहृद्वधः॥ अभक्ष्यभक्षणं वन्यजंतूनां काम्यया वधः॥

mātṛpitṛparityāgaḥ kūṭasākṣī suhṛdvadhaḥ|| abhakṣyabhakṣaṇaṁ vanyajaṁtūnāṁ kāmyayā vadhaḥ||

— abandoning one's mother and father, bearing false witness, killing a friend, eating forbidden food, and killing wild creatures merely for pleasure —

Verse 40 (skanda.1.76.40)

ग्रामं वनं गवावासं यश्च क्रोधेन दीपयेत्॥ इति घोराणि पापानि सुरापानसमानि च॥

grāmaṁ vanaṁ gavāvāsaṁ yaśca krodhena dīpayet|| iti ghorāṇi pāpāni surāpānasamāni ca||

— and one who, in anger, sets fire to a village, a forest, or a cattle-shelter — all these terrible sins are equal to the drinking of liquor.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.76.41)

दीनसर्वस्वहरणं नरस्त्रीगजवाजिनाम्॥ गोभूरत्नसुवर्णानामौषधीनां रसस्य च॥

dīnasarvasvaharaṇaṁ narastrīgajavājinām|| gobhūratnasuvarṇānāmauṣadhīnāṁ rasasya ca||

Seizing the entire property of a poor and helpless person; of a man, a woman, an elephant, a horse; of a cow, land, jewels, gold, medicinal herbs, and precious extracts —

Verse 42 (skanda.1.76.42)

चंदनागरुकर्पूरकस्तूरीपट्टवाससाम्॥ हस्तन्यासापहरणं स्कमस्तेयसमं स्मृतम्॥

caṁdanāgarukarpūrakastūrīpaṭṭavāsasām|| hastanyāsāpaharaṇaṁ skamasteyasamaṁ smṛtam||

— of sandalwood, agarwood, camphor, musk, and silk garments; and misappropriating whatever has been entrusted to one's keeping — all this is reckoned equal to the theft of gold.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.76.43)

कन्यानां वरयोग्यानामदानं सदृशे वरे॥ पुत्रमित्रकलत्रेषु गमनं भगिनीषु च॥

kanyānāṁ varayogyānāmadānaṁ sadṛśe vare|| putramitrakalatreṣu gamanaṁ bhaginīṣu ca||

Failing to give a marriageable daughter to a suitable husband; and improper relations with the wife of one's son, friend, or brother, or with one's own sister —

Verse 44 (skanda.1.76.44)

कुमारीसाहसं घोरमंत्यजस्त्रीनिषेवणम्॥ सवर्णायाश्च गमनं गुरुतल्पसमं स्मृतम्॥

kumārīsāhasaṁ ghoramaṁtyajastrīniṣevaṇam|| savarṇāyāśca gamanaṁ gurutalpasamaṁ smṛtam||

— terrible violence against a maiden, consorting with a woman of the lowest caste, and illicit relations with a woman of one's own class — all this is reckoned equal to violating the bed of one's guru.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.76.45)

द्विजायार्थं प्रतिश्रुत्य न प्रयच्छति यः पुनः॥ न च चस्मारयते विप्रं तुल्यं तदुपपपातकम्॥

dvijāyārthaṁ pratiśrutya na prayacchati yaḥ punaḥ|| na ca casmārayate vipraṁ tulyaṁ tadupapapātakam||

One who promises wealth to a brahmin and then fails to give it, and does not even remind himself of that promise, commits an offense equal to a secondary sin.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.76.46)

अभिमानोतिकोपश्च दांभिकत्वं कृतघ्नता॥ अत्यंतविषयासक्तिः कार्पण्यं शाठ्यमत्सरम्॥

abhimānotikopaśca dāṁbhikatvaṁ kṛtaghnatā|| atyaṁtaviṣayāsaktiḥ kārpaṇyaṁ śāṭhyamatsaram||

Excessive pride, excessive wrath, hypocrisy, ingratitude, extreme attachment to sensory pleasures, miserliness, deceit, and envy —

Verse 47 (skanda.1.76.47)

भृत्यानां च परित्यागः साधुबंधुतपस्विनाम्॥ गवां क्षत्रियवैश्यानां स्त्रीशूद्राणां च ताडनम्॥

bhṛtyānāṁ ca parityāgaḥ sādhubaṁdhutapasvinām|| gavāṁ kṣatriyavaiśyānāṁ strīśūdrāṇāṁ ca tāḍanam||

— abandoning one's servants, holy men, kinsmen, and ascetics; and beating cows, kshatriyas, vaishyas, women, and shudras —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.76.48)

शिवाश्रमतरूणां च पुष्पारामविनाशनम्॥ अयाज्यानां याजनं चाप्ययाच्यानां च याचनम्॥

śivāśramatarūṇāṁ ca puṣpārāmavināśanam|| ayājyānāṁ yājanaṁ cāpyayācyānāṁ ca yācanam||

— destroying the trees and flower-gardens of Shiva's hermitages; officiating sacrifices for those unfit to receive them, and begging from those who ought never to be asked —

Verse 49 (skanda.1.76.49)

यज्ञारामतडागादिदारापत्यस्य विक्रयः॥ तीर्थयात्रोपवासानां व्रतायतनकर्मणाम्॥

yajñārāmataḍāgādidārāpatyasya vikrayaḥ|| tīrthayātropavāsānāṁ vratāyatanakarmaṇām||

— selling sacrificial grounds, gardens, ponds, and the like, or even one's own wife and children; and, in matters of pilgrimage, fasting, vows, and temple-building —

Verse 50 (skanda.1.76.50)

स्त्रीधनान्युपजीवंति स्त्रीभिरत्यंतनिर्जिताः॥ अरक्षणं च नारीणां मद्यपस्त्रीनिषेवणम्॥

strīdhanānyupajīvaṁti strībhiratyaṁtanirjitāḥ|| arakṣaṇaṁ ca nārīṇāṁ madyapastrīniṣevaṇam||

— living off the wealth of women while being wholly subjugated by them; failing to protect the women in one's care; and consorting with a woman given to drink —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.76.51)

ऋणानामप्रदानं च मिथ्याघृद्ध्युपजीवनम्॥ निंदितानां धनादानं साद्वीकन्योक्तिदूषणम्॥

ṛṇānāmapradānaṁ ca mithyāghṛddhyupajīvanam|| niṁditānāṁ dhanādānaṁ sādvīkanyoktidūṣaṇam||

— failing to repay debts, earning one's living through dishonest professions, accepting wealth from disreputable persons, and slandering the character of a virtuous woman or a maiden —

Verse 52 (skanda.1.76.52)

विषमारणयंत्राणां प्रोयगो मूलकर्मणाम्॥ उच्चाटनाभिचाराश्च रागविद्वेषणक्रिया॥

viṣamāraṇayaṁtrāṇāṁ proyago mūlakarmaṇām|| uccāṭanābhicārāśca rāgavidveṣaṇakriyā||

— the misuse of poison, weapons, and devices; sorcery, black magic, and rites intended to harm; and practices meant to induce attraction or hatred in another —

Verse 53 (skanda.1.76.53)

जिह्वाकामोपभो गार्थं यस्यारंभः स्वकर्मसु॥ मूल्येनाध्यापयेद्यस्तु मूल्येनाधीयते च ये॥

jihvākāmopabho gārthaṁ yasyāraṁbhaḥ svakarmasu|| mūlyenādhyāpayedyastu mūlyenādhīyate ca ye||

— one whose only purpose in performing his prescribed duties is the gratification of taste and desire; one who teaches the Veda for a fee; and one who studies the Veda by paying such a fee —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.76.54)

व्रात्यता व्रतसंत्यागः सर्वाहारनिषेवणम्॥ असच्छास्त्राभिगमनं शुष्कतर्काव लंबनम्॥

vrātyatā vratasaṁtyāgaḥ sarvāhāraniṣevaṇam|| asacchāstrābhigamanaṁ śuṣkatarkāva laṁbanam||

— living without proper sacraments, abandoning one's vows, eating any food indiscriminately without restraint, following corrupt doctrines, and relying on dry, sophistic argument —

Verse 55 (skanda.1.76.55)

देवाग्निगुरुसाधूनां निंदा गोब्राह्मणस्य च॥ प्रत्यक्षं वा परोक्षं वा राज्ञां मंडलिनामपि॥

devāgnigurusādhūnāṁ niṁdā gobrāhmaṇasya ca|| pratyakṣaṁ vā parokṣaṁ vā rājñāṁ maṁḍalināmapi||

— reviling gods, sacred fire, one's guru, holy men, cows, and brahmins, whether openly or in secret; and likewise reviling kings and regional lords —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.76.56)

उत्सन्नपतृदेवेज्याः स्वकर्मत्यागिनश्च ये॥ दुःशीला नास्तिकाः पापा न सदा सत्यवादिनः॥

utsannapatṛdevejyāḥ svakarmatyāginaśca ye|| duḥśīlā nāstikāḥ pāpā na sadā satyavādinaḥ||

— those who have abandoned the worship of the ancestors and the gods; those who forsake their own prescribed duties; those of evil conduct, unbelievers, sinners, and habitual speakers of untruth —

Verse 57 (skanda.1.76.57)

पर्वकाले दिवा चाप्सु वियोनौ पशुयोनिषु॥ रजस्वलास्वयोनौ च मैथुनं यः समाचरेत्॥

parvakāle divā cāpsu viyonau paśuyoniṣu|| rajasvalāsvayonau ca maithunaṁ yaḥ samācaret||

— one who engages in sexual union during sacred festival days, in daylight, in water, through an unnatural orifice, with an animal, with a menstruating woman, or through an improper channel —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.76.58)

स्त्रीपुत्रमित्रसुहृदामाशाच्छेदकराश्च ये॥ जनस्याप्रियवक्तारः क्रूराः समयभेदिनः॥

strīputramitrasuhṛdāmāśācchedakarāśca ye|| janasyāpriyavaktāraḥ krūrāḥ samayabhedinaḥ||

— those who shatter the hopes of wife, sons, friends, and companions; those who speak harshly to others; the cruel; and those who break their given word —

Verse 59 (skanda.1.76.59)

भेत्ता तडागकूपानां संक्रमाणांरसस्य च॥ एकपंक्तिस्थितानां च पाकभेदं करोति यः॥

bhettā taḍāgakūpānāṁ saṁkramāṇāṁrasasya ca|| ekapaṁktisthitānāṁ ca pākabhedaṁ karoti yaḥ||

— one who destroys ponds, wells, bridges, and water channels; and one who makes a distinction in the food served to those seated together in a single row —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.76.60)

इत्येतैश्च नराः पापैरुपपातकिनः स्मृताः॥ युक्तास्तदुनकैः पापैः पापिनस्तान्निबोध मे॥

ityetaiśca narāḥ pāpairupapātakinaḥ smṛtāḥ|| yuktāstadunakaiḥ pāpaiḥ pāpinastānnibodha me||

— through these sins men are reckoned as committers of secondary sins. Now hear from me of those sinners guilty of offenses lighter still than these.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.76.61)

ये गोब्राह्मणकन्यानां स्वामिमित्रतपस्विनाम्॥ अन्तरं यांति कार्येषु ते स्मृताः पापिनो नराः॥

ye gobrāhmaṇakanyānāṁ svāmimitratapasvinām|| antaraṁ yāṁti kāryeṣu te smṛtāḥ pāpino narāḥ||

Those who obstruct the affairs of cows, brahmins, maidens, their masters, friends, and ascetics are reckoned as sinful men.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.76.62)

परश्रियाभितप्यंते हीनां सवंति ये स्त्रियाम्॥ पंक्त्यर्थं ये न कुर्वंति दानयज्ञादिकाः क्रियाः॥

paraśriyābhitapyaṁte hīnāṁ savaṁti ye striyām|| paṁktyarthaṁ ye na kurvaṁti dānayajñādikāḥ kriyāḥ||

Those who are consumed with distress at another's prosperity; those who dwell with a degraded woman; and those who fail to perform acts of giving, sacrifice, and the like for a communal feast —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.76.63)

गोष्ठाग्निजलरथ्यासु तरुच्छायानगेषु च॥ त्यजंति ये पुरीषाद्यमारामायतनेषु च॥

goṣṭhāgnijalarathyāsu tarucchāyānageṣu ca|| tyajaṁti ye purīṣādyamārāmāyataneṣu ca||

those who relieve themselves in a cattle-shed, near a sacred fire, in water, on a roadway, in the shade of a tree, on a hillside, or within a garden or a temple —

Verse 64 (skanda.1.76.64)

गीतवाद्यरता नित्या मत्ताः किलकिलापराः॥ कूटवेषक्रियाचाराः कूटसंव्यवहारिणः॥

gītavādyaratā nityā mattāḥ kilakilāparāḥ|| kūṭaveṣakriyācārāḥ kūṭasaṁvyavahāriṇaḥ||

those forever absorbed in song and music, given to drunken clamor, adopting false disguises and false conduct, and dealing with others deceitfully —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.76.65)

कूटशासनकर्तारः कूटयुद्धकराश्च ये॥ निर्दयोऽतीव भृत्येषु पशूनां दमनश्च यः॥

kūṭaśāsanakartāraḥ kūṭayuddhakarāśca ye|| nirdayo'tīva bhṛtyeṣu paśūnāṁ damanaśca yaḥ||

those who issue fraudulent decrees, wage war through treachery, are exceedingly merciless toward their servants, and subdue animals with cruelty —

Verse 66 (skanda.1.76.66)

मिथ्याप्रसादितो वाक्यमाकर्णयति यः शनैः॥ चपलश्चापि मायावी शठो मिथ्याविनीतकः॥

mithyāprasādito vākyamākarṇayati yaḥ śanaiḥ|| capalaścāpi māyāvī śaṭho mithyāvinītakaḥ||

one who, being falsely flattered, gradually lends an ear to what is said; the fickle; the deceitful; the cunning; and one who feigns humility falsely —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.76.67)

यो भार्यापुत्रमित्राणि बालवृद्धकृशातुरान्॥ भृत्यानतिथिबंधूंश्च त्यक्त्वाश्नाति बुभुक्षितान्॥

yo bhāryāputramitrāṇi bālavṛddhakṛśāturān|| bhṛtyānatithibaṁdhūṁśca tyaktvāśnāti bubhukṣitān||

one who eats while leaving his wife, sons, friends, the young, the old, the frail, the sick, his servants, guests, and kinsmen hungry —

Verse 68 (skanda.1.76.68)

यः स्वयं मृष्टमश्नाति विप्रायान्यत्प्रयच्छति॥ वृथापाकः स विज्ञेयो ब्रह्मवादिविगर्हितः॥

yaḥ svayaṁ mṛṣṭamaśnāti viprāyānyatprayacchati|| vṛthāpākaḥ sa vijñeyo brahmavādivigarhitaḥ||

one who eats fine food himself while giving something inferior to a brahmin is to be known as one whose cooking is in vain, condemned by the knowers of the Veda.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.76.69)

नियमान्स्वयमादाय ये त्यजंत्यजितेंद्रियाः॥ ये ताडयंति गां नित्यं वाहयंति मुहुर्मुहुः॥

niyamānsvayamādāya ye tyajaṁtyajiteṁdriyāḥ|| ye tāḍayaṁti gāṁ nityaṁ vāhayaṁti muhurmuhuḥ||

those who, having undertaken a vow themselves, abandon it for want of self-control; those who beat a cow daily and repeatedly burden her with loads —

Verse 70 (skanda.1.76.70)

दुर्बलान्नैव पुष्णंति प्रणष्टार्था द्विषंति च॥ पीडयन्त्यभिचारेण सक्षतान्वाहयंति च॥

durbalānnaiva puṣṇaṁti praṇaṣṭārthā dviṣaṁti ca|| pīḍayantyabhicāreṇa sakṣatānvāhayaṁti ca||

those who fail to nourish a weakened cow, who come to hate her once she brings them no more profit, who torment her with sorcery, and who force even a wounded cow to bear loads —

Verse 71 (skanda.1.76.71)

तेषा मदत्त्वा चाश्रंति चिकित्संति न रोगिणः॥ अजाविको माहिषिकः समुद्री वृषलीपतिः॥

teṣā madattvā cāśraṁti cikitsaṁti na rogiṇaḥ|| ajāviko māhiṣikaḥ samudrī vṛṣalīpatiḥ||

those who make her work without feeding her, and who fail to treat her when she falls ill; a keeper of goats and sheep, a keeper of buffaloes, one who travels by sea, and the husband of a low-caste woman —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.76.72)

हीनवर्णात्मवृत्तिश्च वैद्यो धर्मध्वजी च यः॥ यश्च शास्त्रमतिक्रम्य स्वेच्छयैवाहरेत्करम्॥

hīnavarṇātmavṛttiśca vaidyo dharmadhvajī ca yaḥ|| yaśca śāstramatikramya svecchayaivāharetkaram||

— one who earns his living by conduct befitting a low caste; a physician; one who merely makes a show of piety; and one who, disregarding the scriptures, levies taxes according to his own whim —

Verse 73 (skanda.1.76.73)

सदा दण्डरुचिर्यश्च यो वा दण्डरुचिर्न हि॥ उत्कोचकैरधिकृतैस्तस्करैस्च प्रपीड्यते॥

sadā daṇḍaruciryaśca yo vā daṇḍarucirna hi|| utkocakairadhikṛtaistaskaraisca prapīḍyate||

— a ruler always eager to punish, or one wholly unwilling to punish at all — through either, the people come to be oppressed by corrupt officials and thieves.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.76.74)

यस्य राज्ञः प्रजा राष्ट्रे पच्यते नरकेषु सः॥ अचौरं चौरवत्पश्येच्चौरं वाऽचौररूपिणम्॥

yasya rājñaḥ prajā rāṣṭre pacyate narakeṣu saḥ|| acauraṁ cauravatpaśyeccauraṁ vā'caurarūpiṇam||

The king in whose realm the people are made to suffer as if roasted in torment shall himself be roasted in hell. One who regards an innocent man as a thief, or sees a thief as innocent,

Verse 75 (skanda.1.76.75)

आलस्योपहतो राजा व्यसनी नरकं व्रजेत्॥ एवमादीनि चान्यानि पापान्याहुः पुराविदः॥

ālasyopahato rājā vyasanī narakaṁ vrajet|| evamādīni cānyāni pāpānyāhuḥ purāvidaḥ||

A king overcome by indolence, given to vice, goes to hell. These and other sins besides have been declared by those versed in ancient lore.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.76.76)

यद्वातद्वा परद्रव्यमपि सर्षपमात्रकम्॥ अपहृत्य नरः पापो नारकी नात्र संशयः॥

yadvātadvā paradravyamapi sarṣapamātrakam|| apahṛtya naraḥ pāpo nārakī nātra saṁśayaḥ||

Whatever it may be, a man who steals even a mustard seed's worth of another's property becomes sinful and bound for hell — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.76.77)

एवमाद्यैर्नरः पापैरुत्क्रान्तैः समनंतरम्॥ शरीरं यातनार्थाय पूर्वाकारमवाप्नुयात्॥

evamādyairnaraḥ pāpairutkrāntaiḥ samanaṁtaram|| śarīraṁ yātanārthāya pūrvākāramavāpnuyāt||

A man burdened with these and other such sins, immediately upon death, receives a body resembling his former one, so that he may undergo torment in it.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.76.78)

तस्मात्त्रिविधमप्येतन्नारकीयं विवर्जयेत्॥ सदाशिवं च शरणं व्रजेत्सच्छ्रद्धया युतः॥

tasmāttrividhamapyetannārakīyaṁ vivarjayet|| sadāśivaṁ ca śaraṇaṁ vrajetsacchraddhayā yutaḥ||

Therefore one should abandon this threefold hell-causing conduct entirely, and, filled with true faith, take refuge in Sadashiva.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.76.79)

नमस्कारः स्तुतिः पूजा नामसंकीर्तनं तथा॥ संपर्कात्कौतुकाल्लोभान्न तस्य विफलं भवेत्॥

namaskāraḥ stutiḥ pūjā nāmasaṁkīrtanaṁ tathā|| saṁparkātkautukāllobhānna tasya viphalaṁ bhavet||

Salutation, praise, worship, and the chanting of the divine name — whether performed through mere contact, curiosity, or even greed — never go without fruit.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.76.80)

॥करंधम उवाच॥ संक्षेपाच्छिवपूजाया विधानं वक्तुमर्हसि॥ कृतेन येन मनुजः शिवपूजाफलं लभेत्॥

||karaṁdhama uvāca|| saṁkṣepācchivapūjāyā vidhānaṁ vaktumarhasi|| kṛtena yena manujaḥ śivapūjāphalaṁ labhet||

Karandhama said: "Be so kind as to describe, in brief, the proper manner of worshipping Shiva, by performing which a man may obtain the fruit of that worship."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.76.81)

॥महाकाल उवाच॥ प्रातर्मध्याह्नसायाह्ने शंकरं सर्वदा भजेत्॥ दर्शनात्स्पर्शनान्मर्त्यः कृततृत्यो भवेत्स्फुटम्॥

||mahākāla uvāca|| prātarmadhyāhnasāyāhne śaṁkaraṁ sarvadā bhajet|| darśanātsparśanānmartyaḥ kṛtatṛtyo bhavetsphuṭam||

Mahakala said: "One should worship Shankara always — in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. Merely by seeing and touching him, a mortal plainly becomes fulfilled in all his purposes."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.76.82)

आदौ स्नानं प्रकुर्वित भस्मस्नानमथापि वा॥ आपद्गतः कण्ठस्नानं मन्त्रस्नानमथापि वा॥

ādau snānaṁ prakurvita bhasmasnānamathāpi vā|| āpadgataḥ kaṇṭhasnānaṁ mantrasnānamathāpi vā||

First one should bathe, or perform a bath of sacred ash. If in difficulty, one may bathe only up to the neck, or even perform a bath through mantra alone.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.76.83)

आविकं परिदध्याच्च ततो वासः सितं च वा॥ धातुरक्तमथो नव्यं मलिनं संधितं न च॥

āvikaṁ paridadhyācca tato vāsaḥ sitaṁ ca vā|| dhāturaktamatho navyaṁ malinaṁ saṁdhitaṁ na ca||

Then one should put on a woolen garment or a white one, either dyed with ochre or freshly new — never a soiled or mended garment.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.76.84)

उत्तरीयं च संदध्याद्विना तन्निष्फलार्चनम्॥ भस्मत्रिपुण्ड्रधारी च ललाटे हृति चांसयोः॥

uttarīyaṁ ca saṁdadhyādvinā tanniṣphalārcanam|| bhasmatripuṇḍradhārī ca lalāṭe hṛti cāṁsayoḥ||

One should also wear an upper cloth — without it, worship becomes fruitless. Wearing the triple mark of sacred ash upon the forehead, the chest, and both shoulders,

Verse 85 (skanda.1.76.85)

पूजयेद्यो महादेवं प्रीतः पश्यति तं मुहुः॥ सर्वदोषान्बहिः क्षिप्य शिवायतनमाविशेत्॥

pūjayedyo mahādevaṁ prītaḥ paśyati taṁ muhuḥ|| sarvadoṣānbahiḥ kṣipya śivāyatanamāviśet||

— one who worships Mahadeva thus is looked upon by him again and again with favor. Casting aside every fault outside, one should then enter the temple of Shiva.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.76.86)

प्रविश्य च प्रणम्येशं ततो गर्भगृहं विशेत्॥ पाणी प्रक्षाल्य तच्चित्तो निर्माल्यमवरोपयेत्॥

praviśya ca praṇamyeśaṁ tato garbhagṛhaṁ viśet|| pāṇī prakṣālya taccitto nirmālyamavaropayet||

After entering and bowing to the Lord, one should proceed into the inner sanctum. Having washed the hands and steadied the mind, one should remove the withered offerings left from before.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.76.87)

येन रुद्रायते भक्त्या कुरुते मार्जनक्रियाम्॥ तस्मान्मार्जयते त्वेवं स्थाणुनैतत्परस्परम्॥

yena rudrāyate bhaktyā kurute mārjanakriyām|| tasmānmārjayate tvevaṁ sthāṇunaitatparasparam||

Whoever performs this act of cleansing for Rudra with devotion is, in this very act, purified in mutual exchange with Sthanu himself.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.76.88)

रुद्रभक्त्या च संतिष्ठेनमालिन्यं मार्जयेत्ततः॥ भक्तिर्देवस्य तिष्ठेन्न मालिन्यं मार्जतः सदा॥

rudrabhaktyā ca saṁtiṣṭhenamālinyaṁ mārjayettataḥ|| bhaktirdevasya tiṣṭhenna mālinyaṁ mārjataḥ sadā||

One should remove impurity only while remaining steadfast in devotion to Rudra. If devotion to the Lord does not remain present while one is forever wiping away impurity, the act is in vain.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.76.89)

गडुकान्पूरयेत्पश्चान्निर्मलेन जलेन वै॥ गडुकास्तु समाः सर्वे सर्वे च शुभदर्शनाः॥

gaḍukānpūrayetpaścānnirmalena jalena vai|| gaḍukāstu samāḥ sarve sarve ca śubhadarśanāḥ||

Then one should fill all the water-vessels with clear, pure water. These vessels should all be uniform and pleasing to behold.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.76.90)

निर्व्रणाः सौम्यरूपाश्च सर्वे चोदकपूरिताः॥ वस्त्रपूतजलैः पूर्णागन्धधूपैश्च वासिताः॥

nirvraṇāḥ saumyarūpāśca sarve codakapūritāḥ|| vastrapūtajalaiḥ pūrṇāgandhadhūpaiśca vāsitāḥ||

All should be flawless, gentle in appearance, and filled to the brim with water. Filled with water strained through cloth, and perfumed with fragrance and incense —

Verse 91 (skanda.1.76.91)

क्षालिताः पूरिता नीताः षडक्षरजपेन च॥ गडुकाष्चशतं कुर्यादथवाप्यष्टविंशतिः॥

kṣālitāḥ pūritā nītāḥ ṣaḍakṣarajapena ca|| gaḍukāṣcaśataṁ kuryādathavāpyaṣṭaviṁśatiḥ||

— washed, filled, and brought while reciting the six-syllabled mantra. One should prepare a hundred such vessels, or at the very least twenty-eight,

Verse 92 (skanda.1.76.92)

अष्टादशापि चतुरस्ततोन्यूनं न कारयेत्॥ पयो दधि घृतं चैव क्षौद्रमिक्षुरसं तथा॥

aṣṭādaśāpi caturastatonyūnaṁ na kārayet|| payo dadhi ghṛtaṁ caiva kṣaudramikṣurasaṁ tathā||

— or eighteen, or, at the very least, no fewer than four. Milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugarcane juice —

Verse 93 (skanda.1.76.93)

एवं सर्वं च तद्द्रव्यं वामतः संन्यसेद्भवात्॥ ततो बहिर्विनिष्क्रम्य पूजयेत्प्रतिहारकान्॥

evaṁ sarvaṁ ca taddravyaṁ vāmataḥ saṁnyasedbhavāt|| tato bahirviniṣkramya pūjayetpratihārakān||

— all these substances should thus be placed to Shiva's left. After this, one should go back outside and worship the gatekeeper deities.

Verse 94 (skanda.1.76.94)

सर्वेषां वाचका मन्त्राः कथ्यंतेऽतः परं क्रमात्॥

sarveṣāṁ vācakā mantrāḥ kathyaṁte'taḥ paraṁ kramāt||

Now, following this, the mantras invoking each of them are given in due order.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.76.95)

ॐगं गणपतये नमः॥ ॐक्षां क्षेत्रपालाय नमः॥ ॐगं गुरुभ्यो नमः॥ इति आकाशे॥ ॐकौं कुलदेव्यै नमः॥ ॐ नंदिने नमः॥ ॐमहाकालाय नमः॥ ॐधात्रे विधात्रै नमः॥ ततः प्रविस्य लिंगाच्च किञ्चिद्दक्षिणतः शुचिः॥ उदङ्मुखः क्षणं ध्यायेत्समकायासनस्थितः॥

oṁgaṁ gaṇapataye namaḥ|| oṁkṣāṁ kṣetrapālāya namaḥ|| oṁgaṁ gurubhyo namaḥ|| iti ākāśe|| oṁkauṁ kuladevyai namaḥ|| oṁ naṁdine namaḥ|| oṁmahākālāya namaḥ|| oṁdhātre vidhātrai namaḥ|| tataḥ pravisya liṁgācca kiñciddakṣiṇataḥ śuciḥ|| udaṅmukhaḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyāyetsamakāyāsanasthitaḥ||

"Om, salutation to Ganapati"; "Om, salutation to the guardian of the field"; "Om, salutation to the teachers" — these are said facing the sky. Then: "Om, salutation to the family goddess"; "salutation to Nandi"; "salutation to Mahakala"; "salutation to the Creator and the Ordainer." Then, entering near the linga, standing purely a little to its right, facing north, body and seat held steady, one should meditate for a moment.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.76.96)

दर्भादिभिः परिवृतं मध्यपद्मार्कमंडलम्॥ सोममण्डलमध्यस्थं ध्यायेद्वै वह्निमंडलम्॥

darbhādibhiḥ parivṛtaṁ madhyapadmārkamaṁḍalam|| somamaṇḍalamadhyasthaṁ dhyāyedvai vahnimaṁḍalam||

One should meditate on a fire-mandala, situated within a moon-mandala, which in turn lies within a lotus and sun-mandala, all encircled by kusha grass.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.76.97)

तन्मध्ये विश्वरूपं च वामाद्यष्टादिशक्तिकम्॥ पंचवक्त्रं दशभुजं त्रिनेत्रं चंद्रभूषितम्॥

tanmadhye viśvarūpaṁ ca vāmādyaṣṭādiśaktikam|| paṁcavaktraṁ daśabhujaṁ trinetraṁ caṁdrabhūṣitam||

In its center is the universal form, attended by the eight powers beginning with Vama, possessed of five faces, ten arms, three eyes, and adorned with the crescent moon —

Verse 98 (skanda.1.76.98)

वामांकगिरिजं देवं ध्यायेत्सिद्धैः स्तुतं मुहुः॥ ततः पूर्वं प्रदद्याच्च पाद्यार्घं शंभवे नृप॥

vāmāṁkagirijaṁ devaṁ dhyāyetsiddhaiḥ stutaṁ muhuḥ|| tataḥ pūrvaṁ pradadyācca pādyārghaṁ śaṁbhave nṛpa||

— with Girija seated upon his left knee, ceaselessly praised by the perfected sages. O king, after this, one should first offer to Shambhu the ceremonial water for the feet and the arghya.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.76.99)

पानीयमक्षता दर्भा गंधपूष्पं ससर्पिषम्॥ क्षीरं दधि मधु पुनर्नवांगोऽर्घः प्रकीर्तितः॥

pānīyamakṣatā darbhā gaṁdhapūṣpaṁ sasarpiṣam|| kṣīraṁ dadhi madhu punarnavāṁgo'rghaḥ prakīrtitaḥ||

Water, unbroken rice, kusha grass, fragrance, flowers, together with ghee, milk, curd, and honey — the arghya offering is declared complete only when it comprises these nine components.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.76.100)

ततः श्रद्धार्द्रचित्तस्य स्नानं लिंगस्य चाचरेत्॥ गृहीत्वा गडुकं पूर्वं मलस्नानं समाचरेत्॥

tataḥ śraddhārdracittasya snānaṁ liṁgasya cācaret|| gṛhītvā gaḍukaṁ pūrvaṁ malasnānaṁ samācaret||

Then, with a heart moistened by faith, one should perform the bathing of the linga. Taking first a single vessel of water, one should perform a cleansing bath to remove any impurity.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.76.101)

अर्द्धेन स्नापयेत्पूर्वं कुर्याच्च मलघर्षणम्॥ सर्वेण स्नापयेत्पश्चात्पूजयेत्स्नापयेत्ततः॥

arddhena snāpayetpūrvaṁ kuryācca malagharṣaṇam|| sarveṇa snāpayetpaścātpūjayetsnāpayettataḥ||

First one should bathe it with half the water and rub away any impurity. Then one should bathe it with the remaining water, and thereafter worship it and bathe it once more.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.76.102)

प्रणम्य च ततो भक्त्या स्नापयेन्मूलमंत्रतः॥ ॐहूं विश्वमूर्तये शिवाय नम॥ इति द्वादशाक्षरो मूलमंत्रः॥

praṇamya ca tato bhaktyā snāpayenmūlamaṁtrataḥ|| oṁhūṁ viśvamūrtaye śivāya nama|| iti dvādaśākṣaro mūlamaṁtraḥ||

Then, bowing with devotion, one should bathe it while reciting the root mantra. "Om hum, salutation to Shiva, whose form is the universe" — this is the twelve-syllabled root mantra.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.76.103)

वारिक्षरदधिक्षौद्रघृतेनेक्षुरसेन च॥ स्नापयेन्मूलमन्त्रेण जलधूपार्चनात्पृथक्॥

vārikṣaradadhikṣaudraghṛtenekṣurasena ca|| snāpayenmūlamantreṇa jaladhūpārcanātpṛthak||

One should bathe it with water, curd, honey, ghee, and sugarcane juice, reciting the root mantra, and worship separately with water and incense.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.76.104)

गडुकैः स्नापयेत्सर्वैः स्नातं गन्धैर्विरूक्षयेत्॥

gaḍukaiḥ snāpayetsarvaiḥ snātaṁ gandhairvirūkṣayet||

Then, having bathed it with the water of all the vessels, the bathed linga should be wiped and dried with fragrant substances.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.76.105)

विरूक्षितं ततः स्नाप्य श्रीखण्डेन विलेपयेत्॥ पूजयेद्विविधैः पुष्पैर्विधिना येन तच्छृणु॥

virūkṣitaṁ tataḥ snāpya śrīkhaṇḍena vilepayet|| pūjayedvividhaiḥ puṣpairvidhinā yena tacchṛṇu||

After drying, one should bathe it once more and anoint it with sandalwood paste. Hear now the manner in which it should be worshipped with various flowers.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.76.106)

आग्नेयपादे॥ ॐधर्माय नमः॥ नैर्ऋतके॥ ॐज्ञानाय नमः॥ वायव्ये॥ ॐवैराग्याय नमः॥ ईशानपादे॥ ॐऐश्वर्याय नमः॥ पूर्वपादे॥ ॐअधर्माय नमः॥ दक्षिणे॥ ॐअज्ञानाय नमः॥ पश्चिमे॥ ॐअवैराग्याय नमः॥ उत्तरे ॐअनैश्वर्याय नमः॥ ॐअनन्ताय नमः॥ ॐपद्माय नमः ॐअर्कमण्डला नमः॥ ॐसोममण्डलाय नमः॥ ॐवह्निमण्डला नमः॥ ॐवामाज्येष्ठादिपंचमन्त्रशक्तिभ्यो नमः॥ ॐपरमप्रकृत्यै देव्यै नमः॥ ॐईशानतत्पुरुषाघोरवामदेवसद्योजातपञ्चवक्त्राय रुद्रसाध्यवस्वादित्यविश्वेदेवादिदेवविश्वरूपाय अण्डजस्वेदजोद्भिज्जजरायुजरूपस्थावरजङ्गममूर्तये परमेश्वराय ॐहूं विश्वमूर्तये शिवाय नमस्त्रिशूलधनुःखड्गकपालदण्डकुठारेभ्यः॥

āgneyapāde|| oṁdharmāya namaḥ|| nairṛtake|| oṁjñānāya namaḥ|| vāyavye|| oṁvairāgyāya namaḥ|| īśānapāde|| oṁaiśvaryāya namaḥ|| pūrvapāde|| oṁadharmāya namaḥ|| dakṣiṇe|| oṁajñānāya namaḥ|| paścime|| oṁavairāgyāya namaḥ|| uttare oṁanaiśvaryāya namaḥ|| oṁanantāya namaḥ|| oṁpadmāya namaḥ oṁarkamaṇḍalā namaḥ|| oṁsomamaṇḍalāya namaḥ|| oṁvahnimaṇḍalā namaḥ|| oṁvāmājyeṣṭhādipaṁcamantraśaktibhyo namaḥ|| oṁparamaprakṛtyai devyai namaḥ|| oṁīśānatatpuruṣāghoravāmadevasadyojātapañcavaktrāya rudrasādhyavasvādityaviśvedevādidevaviśvarūpāya aṇḍajasvedajodbhijjajarāyujarūpasthāvarajaṅgamamūrtaye parameśvarāya oṁhūṁ viśvamūrtaye śivāya namastriśūladhanuḥkhaḍgakapāladaṇḍakuṭhārebhyaḥ||

In the southeast, "Om, salutation to Dharma"; in the southwest, "salutation to Jnana"; in the northwest, "salutation to Vairagya"; in the northeast, "salutation to Aishvarya." In the east, "salutation to Adharma"; in the south, "to Ajnana"; in the west, "to Avairagya"; in the north, "to Anaishvarya." Then: "salutation to the Infinite," "to the Lotus," "to the sun-mandala," "to the moon-mandala," "to the fire-mandala," "to the five mantra-powers beginning with Vama and Jyeshtha," and "to the Supreme Goddess, Prakriti herself." Finally, one should worship with this great mantra: "Om hum, salutation to Shiva, whose form is the universe — bearing the five faces of Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sadyojata; who is the very form of the Rudras, Sadhyas, Vasus, Adityas, and all the gods; who is the universal form itself, embodied in beings born of egg, of sweat, of the earth, and of the womb, whether fixed or moving; salutation to that Supreme Lord, who bears the trident, the bow, the sword, the skull-bowl, the staff, and the axe."

Verse 107 (skanda.1.76.107)

ततो जलाधारमुखे चण्डीश्वराय नमः॥ एवं संपूज्य विधिवत्ततोऽर्घं संनिवेशयेत्॥

tato jalādhāramukhe caṇḍīśvarāya namaḥ|| evaṁ saṁpūjya vidhivattato'rghaṁ saṁniveśayet||

Then, at the mouth of the water-outlet of the linga's base, one should worship saying, "salutation to Chandishvara." Having thus worshipped according to proper rite, one should then set the arghya offering in place.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.76.108)

पानीयमक्षताः पुष्पमेतैर्युक्तं फलोत्तमैः॥ गृहाणार्घ्यं महादेव पूजासंपूर्तिहेतवे॥

pānīyamakṣatāḥ puṣpametairyuktaṁ phalottamaiḥ|| gṛhāṇārghyaṁ mahādeva pūjāsaṁpūrtihetave||

"O Mahadeva, accept this offering of water, unbroken rice, flowers, and the finest fruits, that this worship may be brought to its completion."

Verse 109 (skanda.1.76.109)

अर्घादनंतरं शक्तः पूजयेद्वसुपूजया॥ धूपं दीपं च नैवेद्यं क्रमात्पश्चान्निवेदयेत्॥

arghādanaṁtaraṁ śaktaḥ pūjayedvasupūjayā|| dhūpaṁ dīpaṁ ca naivedyaṁ kramātpaścānnivedayet||

After the arghya, if able, one should worship with the offering of the eight sacred substances. Thereafter, in due order, one should present incense, a lamp, and food offerings.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.76.110)

घण्टां च वादयेत्तत्र ततो नीराजनं चरेत्॥ भ्रामयेद्देवदेवस्य शंखवादित्रनिःस्वनैः॥

ghaṇṭāṁ ca vādayettatra tato nīrājanaṁ caret|| bhrāmayeddevadevasya śaṁkhavāditraniḥsvanaiḥ||

There a bell should be rung, and then the waving of lights, the arati, should be performed. The lamp should be waved before the god of gods to the sound of conch-shells and instruments.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.76.111)

नीराजनं च यः पश्ये द्देवदेवस्य शूलिनः॥ स मुच्येत्पातकैः सर्वैः किं पुनर्यः करिष्यति॥

nīrājanaṁ ca yaḥ paśye ddevadevasya śūlinaḥ|| sa mucyetpātakaiḥ sarvaiḥ kiṁ punaryaḥ kariṣyati||

Whoever merely beholds the arati offered to the trident-bearing god of gods becomes freed from all his sins — how much more, then, one who performs it himself!

Verse 112 (skanda.1.76.112)

नृत्यं गीतं च वाद्यं च अलीकमपि यश्चरेत्॥ तस्य तुष्येदनंतंहि गीतवाद्यफलं यतः॥

nṛtyaṁ gītaṁ ca vādyaṁ ca alīkamapi yaścaret|| tasya tuṣyedanaṁtaṁhi gītavādyaphalaṁ yataḥ||

Whoever offers dance, song, and music, even if performed clumsily, pleases the Lord immeasurably, for the merit of song and music is without end.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.76.113)

स्तोत्रैस्ततश्च संस्तूय दण्डवत्प्रणमेद्भुवि॥ क्षमापयेच्च देवेशं सुकृतं कुकृतं क्षम॥

stotraistataśca saṁstūya daṇḍavatpraṇamedbhuvi|| kṣamāpayecca deveśaṁ sukṛtaṁ kukṛtaṁ kṣama||

After this, having duly praised him with hymns, one should prostrate flat upon the ground. One should then beg forgiveness of the Lord of gods, saying: "Forgive me for both my good deeds and my ill."

Verse 114 (skanda.1.76.114)

य एवं यजते रुद्रमस्मिँल्लिंगे विशेषतः॥ पितरं पितामहं चैव तथैव प्रपितामहम्॥

ya evaṁ yajate rudramasmi~lliṁge viśeṣataḥ|| pitaraṁ pitāmahaṁ caiva tathaiva prapitāmaham||

Whoever thus worships Rudra with particular devotion in this linga rescues from every sin, and enables to dwell long in Rudra's world, not only himself but also —

Verse 115 (skanda.1.76.115)

सर्वात्पापात्समुत्तार्य रुद्रलोके वसेच्चिरम्॥ एवं माहेश्वरो भूत्वा सदाचारव्रतस्थितः॥

sarvātpāpātsamuttārya rudraloke vasecciram|| evaṁ māheśvaro bhūtvā sadācāravratasthitaḥ||

— his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Becoming thus a devotee of Maheshvara, established in the vow of righteous conduct,

Verse 116 (skanda.1.76.116)

पशुपाशविमोक्षार्थं पूजयेत्तन्मना यदि॥ य एवं यजते रुद्रं तेनैतत्तर्पितं जगत्॥

paśupāśavimokṣārthaṁ pūjayettanmanā yadi|| ya evaṁ yajate rudraṁ tenaitattarpitaṁ jagat||

— if, with a mind wholly focused, he worships for release from the bonds of worldly existence, then, by his worship of Rudra in this manner, the whole universe becomes satisfied.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.76.117)

किं त्वेतत्सफलं राजन्नाचारयो न लंघयेत्॥ आचारात्फलते धर्मो ह्याचारात्स्वर्गमश्नुते॥

kiṁ tvetatsaphalaṁ rājannācārayo na laṁghayet|| ācārātphalate dharmo hyācārātsvargamaśnute||

Yet, O king, all this bears fruit only when one does not transgress proper conduct. It is through right conduct that dharma bears fruit, and through right conduct that one attains heaven.

Verse 118 (skanda.1.76.118)

आचाराल्लभते ह्यायुराचारो हंत्यलक्षणम्॥ यज्ञदानतपांसीह पुरुषस्य न भूतये॥

ācārāllabhate hyāyurācāro haṁtyalakṣaṇam|| yajñadānatapāṁsīha puruṣasya na bhūtaye||

Through right conduct one obtains long life, and right conduct destroys inauspicious signs. In this world, sacrifice, giving, and penance do not lead to a man's true welfare,

Verse 119 (skanda.1.76.119)

भवन्ति यः सदाचारं समुल्लंघ्य प्रवर्तते॥ तस्य किञ्चित्समुद्देशं वक्ष्ये तं श्रृणु पार्थिव॥

bhavanti yaḥ sadācāraṁ samullaṁghya pravartate|| tasya kiñcitsamuddeśaṁ vakṣye taṁ śrṛṇu pārthiva||

— if performed in transgression of proper conduct. O king, I shall now describe something of that right conduct in brief; hear it.

Verse 120 (skanda.1.76.120)

त्रिवर्गसाधने यत्नः कर्तव्यो गृहमेधिना॥ तत्संसिद्धौ गृहस्थस्य सिद्धिरत्र परत्र च॥

trivargasādhane yatnaḥ kartavyo gṛhamedhinā|| tatsaṁsiddhau gṛhasthasya siddhiratra paratra ca||

A householder should strive for the accomplishment of the threefold aim — dharma, artha, and kama. Only when these are accomplished does the householder attain success, both in this world and the next.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.76.121)

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते बुध्येन धर्मार्थौ चापि चिन्तयेत्॥ समुत्थाय तथाचम्य दंतधावनपूर्वकम्॥

brāhme muhūrte budhyena dharmārthau cāpi cintayet|| samutthāya tathācamya daṁtadhāvanapūrvakam||

One should awaken in the Brahma-muhurta, the auspicious hour before dawn, and reflect upon dharma and artha. Having risen, one should sip water in ritual purification, and, after cleaning the teeth,

Verse 122 (skanda.1.76.122)

सन्ध्यामुपासीत बुधः संशांतः प्रयतः शुचिः॥ पूर्वां सन्ध्यां सनक्षत्रां पश्चिमां सदिवाकराम्॥

sandhyāmupāsīta budhaḥ saṁśāṁtaḥ prayataḥ śuciḥ|| pūrvāṁ sandhyāṁ sanakṣatrāṁ paścimāṁ sadivākarām||

— a wise man, calm, disciplined, and pure, should perform the sandhya ritual. The morning sandhya should be performed while the stars are still visible, and the evening one while the sun is still up.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.76.123)

उपासीत यथान्यायं नैनां जह्यादनापदि॥ वर्जयेदनृतं चासत्प्रलापं परुषं तथा॥

upāsīta yathānyāyaṁ naināṁ jahyādanāpadi|| varjayedanṛtaṁ cāsatpralāpaṁ paruṣaṁ tathā||

It should be performed exactly according to rule, and never abandoned except in genuine emergency. One should avoid falsehood, idle chatter, and harsh speech.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.76.124)

असत्सेवां ह्यसद्वादं ह्यसच्छास्त्रं च पार्थिव॥ आदर्शदर्शनं दंतधावनं केशसाधनम्॥

asatsevāṁ hyasadvādaṁ hyasacchāstraṁ ca pārthiva|| ādarśadarśanaṁ daṁtadhāvanaṁ keśasādhanam||

O king, one should avoid serving evil men, evil talk, and corrupt teachings. Looking into a mirror, cleaning the teeth, and grooming the hair —

Verse 125 (skanda.1.76.125)

देवार्चनं च पूर्वाह्णे कार्याण्याहुर्महर्षयः॥ पालाशमासनं चैव पादुके दंतधावनम्॥ वर्जयेदासनं चैव पदा नाकर्षयेद्बुधः॥

devārcanaṁ ca pūrvāhṇe kāryāṇyāhurmaharṣayaḥ|| pālāśamāsanaṁ caiva pāduke daṁtadhāvanam|| varjayedāsanaṁ caiva padā nākarṣayedbudhaḥ||

— and the worship of the gods — all these, the great sages declare, should be performed in the forenoon. A seat made of palasha leaves, one's sandals, and the twig used for cleaning teeth should never be dragged with the foot — nor, indeed, should a wise man drag even his own seat with his foot.

Verse 126 (skanda.1.76.126)

जलमग्निं च निनयेद्यगपन्न विचक्षणः॥

jalamagniṁ ca ninayedyagapanna vicakṣaṇaḥ||

A discerning man should never carry water and fire together at the same time.

Verse 127 (skanda.1.76.127)

पादौ प्रसारयेन्नैव गुरुदेवाग्निसंमुखौ॥ चतुष्पथं चैत्यतरुं देवागारं तथा यतिम्॥

pādau prasārayennaiva gurudevāgnisaṁmukhau|| catuṣpathaṁ caityataruṁ devāgāraṁ tathā yatim||

One should never stretch out one's feet before one's guru, a deity, or the sacred fire. A crossroads, a sacred tree, a temple, and a wandering ascetic —

Verse 128 (skanda.1.76.128)

विद्याधिकं गुरुं वृद्धं कुर्यादेतान्प्रदक्षिणान्॥

vidyādhikaṁ guruṁ vṛddhaṁ kuryādetānpradakṣiṇān||

— a man superior in learning, one's guru, and an elder — of all these one should walk around, keeping them to one's right.

Verse 129 (skanda.1.76.129)

आहारनीहारविहारयोगाः सुसंवृता धर्मविदानुकार्याः॥ वाग्बुद्धिवीर्याणि तपस्तथैव वार्तायुषी गुप्ततमे च कार्ये॥

āhāranīhāravihārayogāḥ susaṁvṛtā dharmavidānukāryāḥ|| vāgbuddhivīryāṇi tapastathaiva vārtāyuṣī guptatame ca kārye||

One's eating, excretion, and recreation should be conducted discreetly, following the example of those who know dharma. Likewise, one's speech, intellect, strength, penance, livelihood, and lifespan should be kept in the strictest confidence.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.76.130)

उभे मूत्रपुरीषे तु दिवा कुर्यादुदङ्मुखः॥ दक्षिणाभिमुखो रात्रौ ह्येवमायुर्न रिष्यते॥

ubhe mūtrapurīṣe tu divā kuryādudaṅmukhaḥ|| dakṣiṇābhimukho rātrau hyevamāyurna riṣyate||

When passing urine or stool during the day, one should face north; at night, one should face south — following this practice, one's lifespan does not suffer harm.

Verse 131 (skanda.1.76.131)

प्रत्यग्निं प्रति सूर्यं च प्रति गां व्रतिनं प्रति॥ प्रति सोमोदकं सन्ध्यां प्रज्ञा नश्यति मेहतः॥

pratyagniṁ prati sūryaṁ ca prati gāṁ vratinaṁ prati|| prati somodakaṁ sandhyāṁ prajñā naśyati mehataḥ||

Urinating facing a fire, the sun, a cow, one observing a vow, the moon, water, or during the sandhya hours — all these destroy one's wisdom.

Verse 132 (skanda.1.76.132)

भोजने शयने स्थाने उत्सर्गे मलमूत्रयोः॥ रथ्याचंक्रमणे चार्द्रपञ्चकश्चाचमेत्सदा॥

bhojane śayane sthāne utsarge malamūtrayoḥ|| rathyācaṁkramaṇe cārdrapañcakaścācametsadā||

At mealtime, before sleeping, when rising, after relieving oneself, and after walking upon the road — on these five occasions one should always perform the sipping rite of purification with water.

Verse 133 (skanda.1.76.133)

न नद्यां मेहनं कुर्यान्न श्मशाने नभस्मनि॥ न गोमये न कृष्टे च नैवालूने न शाड्वले॥

na nadyāṁ mehanaṁ kuryānna śmaśāne nabhasmani|| na gomaye na kṛṣṭe ca naivālūne na śāḍvale||

One should never urinate in a river, in a cremation ground, upon sacred ash, upon cow-dung, upon a plowed field, upon a harvested field, or upon green grass.

Verse 134 (skanda.1.76.134)

उद्धृत्ताभिस्तथाद्भिस्तु शौचं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः॥ अंतर्जलाद्देवकुलाद्वल्मीकान्मूषकस्थलात्॥

uddhṛttābhistathādbhistu śaucaṁ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ|| aṁtarjalāddevakulādvalmīkānmūṣakasthalāt||

A discerning man should perform purification only with water that has been drawn out beforehand. From within a body of water, from a temple, from an anthill, or from a rat's burrow —

Verse 135 (skanda.1.76.135)

अपविद्धापशौचाश्च वर्जयेत्पंच मृत्तिकाः॥ गन्धलेपापहरणं शौचं कुर्यात्तथा बुधः॥

apaviddhāpaśaucāśca varjayetpaṁca mṛttikāḥ|| gandhalepāpaharaṇaṁ śaucaṁ kuryāttathā budhaḥ||

— one should avoid the earth from these five places, since it is discarded and impure. A wise man should carry out his purification only after removing all fragrance and unguent from the body.

Verse 136 (skanda.1.76.136)

नात्मानं ताडयेन्नैव दद्याद्दुः खेभ्य एव च॥ उभाभ्यामपि पाणिभ्यां कण्डूयेन्नात्मनः शिरः॥

nātmānaṁ tāḍayennaiva dadyādduḥ khebhya eva ca|| ubhābhyāmapi pāṇibhyāṁ kaṇḍūyennātmanaḥ śiraḥ||

One should never strike oneself, nor deliver oneself over to suffering. Nor should one scratch one's own head with both hands at once.

Verse 137 (skanda.1.76.137)

रक्षेद्दारांस्त्यजेदीष्यां तासु निष्कारणं बुधः॥ सूर्यास्तं न विनाकाश्चित्क्रिया नैवाचरेत्तथा॥

rakṣeddārāṁstyajedīṣyāṁ tāsu niṣkāraṇaṁ budhaḥ|| sūryāstaṁ na vinākāścitkriyā naivācarettathā||

One should protect one's wife, yet a wise man should abandon groundless jealousy toward her. No evening rite should be performed before the sun has actually set.

Verse 138 (skanda.1.76.138)

अद्रोहेणैव भूतानामल्पद्रोहेण वा पुनः॥ शिवचित्तोर्जयोद्वित्तं न चातिकृपणो भवेत्॥

adroheṇaiva bhūtānāmalpadroheṇa vā punaḥ|| śivacittorjayodvittaṁ na cātikṛpaṇo bhavet||

One should earn wealth without harming any creature — or, at the very least, with the least possible harm — with a benevolent mind, yet without ever becoming excessively miserly.

Verse 139 (skanda.1.76.139)

नेर्ष्युः स्यान्न कृतघ्नः स्यान्न परद्रोहकर्मधीः॥ न पाणिपादचपलो न नेत्रचपलोऽनृजुः॥

nerṣyuḥ syānna kṛtaghnaḥ syānna paradrohakarmadhīḥ|| na pāṇipādacapalo na netracapalo'nṛjuḥ||

One should not be envious, nor ungrateful, nor harbor thoughts of harming others. One should not be restless of hand and foot, nor restless of eye, nor crooked in nature.

Verse 140 (skanda.1.76.140)

न च वागङ्गचपलो न चाशिष्टस्य गोचरः॥ न शुष्कवादं कुर्वीत शुष्क्रवैरं तथैव च॥

na ca vāgaṅgacapalo na cāśiṣṭasya gocaraḥ|| na śuṣkavādaṁ kurvīta śuṣkravairaṁ tathaiva ca||

One should not be restless in speech or gesture, nor keep company with the ill-mannered. One should not engage in fruitless argument, nor in fruitless enmity.

Verse 141 (skanda.1.76.141)

उपायैः साधयेदर्थान्दण्डस्त्वगतिका गतिः॥ भिन्नाशनं भिन्नशय्यां वर्जयेद्भिन्नभाजनम्॥

upāyaiḥ sādhayedarthāndaṇḍastvagatikā gatiḥ|| bhinnāśanaṁ bhinnaśayyāṁ varjayedbhinnabhājanam||

One should accomplish one's aims through proper means; force is only the last resort, when no other course remains. One should avoid eating from a cracked vessel, sleeping on a broken bed, or using any broken utensil.

Verse 142 (skanda.1.76.142)

अंतरेण न गच्छेन द्वयोर्ज्वलनलिंगयोः॥ नाग्न्योर्न विप्रयोश्चैव न दंपत्योर्नृपोत्तम॥

aṁtareṇa na gacchena dvayorjvalanaliṁgayoḥ|| nāgnyorna viprayoścaiva na daṁpatyornṛpottama||

O best of kings, one should never walk between a burning fire and a linga, nor between two fires, nor between two brahmins, nor between a husband and wife.

Verse 143 (skanda.1.76.143)

न सूर्यव्योमयोर्नैव हरस्य वृषभस्य च॥ एतेषामंतरं कुर्वन्यतः पापमवाप्नुयात्॥

na sūryavyomayornaiva harasya vṛṣabhasya ca|| eteṣāmaṁtaraṁ kurvanyataḥ pāpamavāpnuyāt||

Nor should one pass between the sun and the sky, nor between Hara and his bull. Whoever comes between any of these incurs sin.

Verse 144 (skanda.1.76.144)

नैकवस्त्रश्च भुंजीत नाग्नौ होममथाचरेत्॥ न चार्चयेद्द्विजान्नैव कुर्याद्देवार्चनं बुधः॥

naikavastraśca bhuṁjīta nāgnau homamathācaret|| na cārcayeddvijānnaiva kuryāddevārcanaṁ budhaḥ||

One should not eat while wearing only a single garment, nor perform a fire-oblation in that state. A wise man should neither honor brahmins nor worship the gods while so dressed.

Verse 145 (skanda.1.76.145)

खंडनं पेषणं मार्ष्टिं जलसंशोधनं तथा॥ रंधनं भोजनं स्वाप उत्थानं गमनं क्षुतम्॥

khaṁḍanaṁ peṣaṇaṁ mārṣṭiṁ jalasaṁśodhanaṁ tathā|| raṁdhanaṁ bhojanaṁ svāpa utthānaṁ gamanaṁ kṣutam||

Chopping, grinding, scouring, straining water, cooking, eating, sleeping, rising, walking, sneezing —

Verse 146 (skanda.1.76.146)

कार्यारंभं समाप्तिं च वचः प्रोच्य तथा प्रियम्॥ पिबञ्जिघ्रन्स्पृशञ्छृण्वन्विवक्षुर्मैथुनं तथा॥

kāryāraṁbhaṁ samāptiṁ ca vacaḥ procya tathā priyam|| pibañjighranspṛśañchṛṇvanvivakṣurmaithunaṁ tathā||

— beginning and completing any undertaking, speaking, and uttering kind words; drinking, smelling, touching, listening, wishing to speak, and sexual union —

Verse 147 (skanda.1.76.147)

शुचित्वं च जपं स्थाणुं यः कुर्याद्विंशतिं तथा॥ माहेश्वरः स विज्ञेयः शेषोन्यो नामधारकः॥

śucitvaṁ ca japaṁ sthāṇuṁ yaḥ kuryādviṁśatiṁ tathā|| māheśvaraḥ sa vijñeyaḥ śeṣonyo nāmadhārakaḥ||

— one who, on all twenty of these occasions, maintains purity and the repetition of Sthanu's name is to be known as a true devotee of Maheshvara; all others are Maheshvaras in name alone.

Verse 148 (skanda.1.76.148)

स वै रुद्रमयो भूत्वा ततश्चांते शिवं व्रजेत्॥ परस्त्रियं नाभिभाषेत्तथा संभाषयेद्यदि॥

sa vai rudramayo bhūtvā tataścāṁte śivaṁ vrajet|| parastriyaṁ nābhibhāṣettathā saṁbhāṣayedyadi||

Such a one, becoming truly one with Rudra, attains Shiva in the end. One should not converse with another's wife; but if one must speak with her —

Verse 149 (skanda.1.76.149)

मातः स्वसरथो पुत्रि आर्येति च वदेद्बुधः॥ उचछिष्टो नालभेत्किंचिन्न च सूर्यं विलोकयेत्॥

mātaḥ svasaratho putri āryeti ca vadedbudhaḥ|| ucachiṣṭo nālabhetkiṁcinna ca sūryaṁ vilokayet||

A wise man should address a woman only by such terms as "mother," "sister," "daughter," or "noble lady." One should touch nothing while one's mouth still bears the remnants of a meal, nor should one gaze directly at the sun in that state.

Verse 150 (skanda.1.76.150)

नेन्दुं न तारकाश्चैव नादयेन्नात्मनः शिरः॥ स्वस्रा दिहित्रा मात्रा वा नैकांतासन माचरेत्॥

nenduṁ na tārakāścaiva nādayennātmanaḥ śiraḥ|| svasrā dihitrā mātrā vā naikāṁtāsana mācaret||

Nor should one gaze at the moon or the stars in that state, nor shake one's own head. One should never sit alone in a secluded place even with one's own sister, daughter, or mother.

Verse 151 (skanda.1.76.151)

दुर्जयो हींद्रियग्रामो मुह्यते पंडितोऽपि सन्॥ गुरुमभ्यागतं गेहे स्वयमुत्थाय यत्नतः॥

durjayo hīṁdriyagrāmo muhyate paṁḍito'pi san|| gurumabhyāgataṁ gehe svayamutthāya yatnataḥ||

The senses, as a whole, are exceedingly difficult to conquer — even a learned man may be led astray by them. When one's guru arrives at one's home, one should rise at once and with due effort,

Verse 152 (skanda.1.76.152)

आसनं कल्पयेत्तस्य कुर्यात्पादाभिवंदनम्॥ नोदक्छिराः स्वपेज्जातु न च प्रत्यक्छिरा बुधः॥

āsanaṁ kalpayettasya kuryātpādābhivaṁdanam|| nodakchirāḥ svapejjātu na ca pratyakchirā budhaḥ||

prepare a seat for him and bow at his feet. A wise man should never sleep with his head toward the north, nor with his head toward the west.

Verse 153 (skanda.1.76.153)

शिरस्यगस्त्यमाधाय तथैव च पुरंदरम्॥ उदक्यादर्शनं स्पर्शं वर्ज्यं संभाषणं तथा॥

śirasyagastyamādhāya tathaiva ca puraṁdaram|| udakyādarśanaṁ sparśaṁ varjyaṁ saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ tathā||

One should sleep with the head turned toward the south, the direction of the star Agastya, or toward the east, the direction of Indra. Looking upon, touching, or conversing with a menstruating woman is forbidden.

Verse 154 (skanda.1.76.154)

नाप्सु मूत्रं पुरीषं वा मैथुनं वा समाचरेत्॥ कृत्वा विभवतो देवमनुष्यर्षिसमर्चनाम्॥

nāpsu mūtraṁ purīṣaṁ vā maithunaṁ vā samācaret|| kṛtvā vibhavato devamanuṣyarṣisamarcanām||

One should never urinate, defecate, or engage in sexual union in water. Having, according to one's means, duly honored the gods, human guests, and the sages,

Verse 155 (skanda.1.76.155)

पितॄणां च ततः शेषं भोक्तुं माहेश्वरोऽर्हति॥ वाग्यतः शुचिराचांतः प्राङ्मुखोदङ्मुखोऽपि वा॥

pitṝṇāṁ ca tataḥ śeṣaṁ bhoktuṁ māheśvaro'rhati|| vāgyataḥ śucirācāṁtaḥ prāṅmukhodaṅmukho'pi vā||

— and the ancestors as well, a devotee of Maheshvara may then partake of what remains. Remaining silent, pure, having sipped water in purification, and facing east or north,

Verse 156 (skanda.1.76.156)

अन्तर्जानुश्च तच्चित्तो भुञ्जीतान्नमकुत्सयन्॥ नोपघातं विना दोषान्न तस्योदाहरेद्बुधः॥

antarjānuśca taccitto bhuñjītānnamakutsayan|| nopaghātaṁ vinā doṣānna tasyodāharedbudhaḥ||

— one should eat, knees drawn in, mind wholly absorbed, and never disparaging the food. A wise man should never speak ill of another without genuine cause for offense.

Verse 157 (skanda.1.76.157)

नग्नस्नानं न कुर्वीत न शयीत व्रजेत वा॥ दुष्कृतं न गुरोर्ब्रूयात्क्रुद्धं चैनं प्रसादयेत्॥

nagnasnānaṁ na kurvīta na śayīta vrajeta vā|| duṣkṛtaṁ na gurorbrūyātkruddhaṁ cainaṁ prasādayet||

One should never bathe, sleep, or walk about naked. One should not speak of any fault in one's guru, and should placate him whenever he is angered.

Verse 158 (skanda.1.76.158)

परिवादं न श्रृमुयादन्येषामपि जल्पताम्॥ सदा चा कर्णयेद्धमास्त्यक्त्वा कृत्यशतान्यपि॥

parivādaṁ na śrṛmuyādanyeṣāmapi jalpatām|| sadā cā karṇayeddhamāstyaktvā kṛtyaśatānyapi||

One should never listen even when others speak in slander. One should always make time to listen to matters of dharma, setting aside even a hundred other duties to do so.

Verse 159 (skanda.1.76.159)

नित्यं नित्यं हि संमार्ष्टि गेहदर्पणयोरिव॥ शुक्लायां च चतुर्दश्यां नक्तभोजी सदा भवेत्॥

nityaṁ nityaṁ hi saṁmārṣṭi gehadarpaṇayoriva|| śuklāyāṁ ca caturdaśyāṁ naktabhojī sadā bhavet||

Just as a house and a mirror are cleaned again and again, day after day, so too should the mind be cleansed through the hearing of dharma. On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, one should always eat only at night.

Verse 160 (skanda.1.76.160)

तिस्रो रात्रीर्न शक्तश्चेदेवं माहेश्वरो भवेत्॥ संयावकृशरामांसं नात्मानमुपसाधयेत्॥

tisro rātrīrna śaktaścedevaṁ māheśvaro bhavet|| saṁyāvakṛśarāmāṁsaṁ nātmānamupasādhayet||

Even if unable to observe this for three full nights, one should nonetheless strive in this same way to be a true devotee of Maheshvara. One should not indulge the body with sweets, rich khichari, or meat.

Verse 161 (skanda.1.76.161)

सायंप्रातश्च भोक्तव्यं कृत्वा ह्यतिथि भोजनम्॥ स्वप्नाध्ययनभोज्यानि संध्ययोश्च विवर्जयेत्॥

sāyaṁprātaśca bhoktavyaṁ kṛtvā hyatithi bhojanam|| svapnādhyayanabhojyāni saṁdhyayośca vivarjayet||

One should eat, morning and evening, only after having first fed one's guests. Sleeping, studying, and eating should all be avoided during both twilight hours.

Verse 162 (skanda.1.76.162)

भुंजानः संध्ययोर्मोहादसुरावसथो भवेत्॥ स्नातो न धूनयेत्केशान्क्षुते निष्ठीवितेऽध्वनि॥

bhuṁjānaḥ saṁdhyayormohādasurāvasatho bhavet|| snāto na dhūnayetkeśānkṣute niṣṭhīvite'dhvani||

One who, through delusion, eats during either twilight hour, comes to dwell in the abode of the asuras. After bathing, one should not shake out one's hair. When sneezing, spitting, or walking upon a road —

Verse 163 (skanda.1.76.163)

आलभेद्दक्षिणं कर्णं सर्वभूतानि क्षामयेत्॥ न चापि नीलीवासाः स्यान्न विपर्यस्तवस्त्रधृक्॥

ālabheddakṣiṇaṁ karṇaṁ sarvabhūtāni kṣāmayet|| na cāpi nīlīvāsāḥ syānna viparyastavastradhṛk||

— one should touch one's right ear, and ask forgiveness of all beings. One should not wear indigo-dyed garments, nor wear one's clothes inside out.

Verse 164 (skanda.1.76.164)

वर्ज्यं च मलिनं वस्त्रं दशाभिश्च विवर्जितम्॥ प्रक्षाल्य मुखहस्तौ च पादौ चाप्युपविश्य च॥

varjyaṁ ca malinaṁ vastraṁ daśābhiśca vivarjitam|| prakṣālya mukhahastau ca pādau cāpyupaviśya ca||

One should avoid soiled garments and garments without a hem or border. Having washed the mouth, hands, and feet, and then seated,

Verse 165 (skanda.1.76.165)

अंतजानुस्त्रिराचामेद्दिर्मुखं परिमार्जयेत्॥ तोयेन स्पर्शयेत्खानि स्वमूर्धानं तथैव च॥

aṁtajānustrirācāmeddirmukhaṁ parimārjayet|| toyena sparśayetkhāni svamūrdhānaṁ tathaiva ca||

— one should sip water three times with the hands drawn between the knees, and wipe the mouth twice. One should touch, with water, the openings of the senses, and likewise one's own head.

Verse 166 (skanda.1.76.166)

आचम्य पुनराचम्य क्रियाः कुर्वीत सर्वशः॥ क्षुते निष्ठीविते चैव दंतलग्ने तथैव च॥

ācamya punarācamya kriyāḥ kurvīta sarvaśaḥ|| kṣute niṣṭhīvite caiva daṁtalagne tathaiva ca||

One should perform all rites only after sipping water in purification, again and again. After sneezing, after spitting, and after food has caught between the teeth,

Verse 167 (skanda.1.76.167)

पतितानां च संभाषे कुर्यादाचमनिक्रियाम्॥ अध्येतव्या त्रयी नित्यं भवितव्यं विपश्चिता॥

patitānāṁ ca saṁbhāṣe kuryādācamanikriyām|| adhyetavyā trayī nityaṁ bhavitavyaṁ vipaścitā||

— and after conversing with an outcaste, one should likewise sip water in purification. A learned man should ever continue his study of the threefold Veda.

Verse 168 (skanda.1.76.168)

धर्मतो धनमाहार्य यष्टव्यं चापि यत्नतः॥ हीनेभ्योपि न युंजीत त्वंकारं कर्हिचिद्बधः॥ त्वंकारो वा वधो वापि गुरूणामुभयं समम्॥

dharmato dhanamāhārya yaṣṭavyaṁ cāpi yatnataḥ|| hīnebhyopi na yuṁjīta tvaṁkāraṁ karhicidbadhaḥ|| tvaṁkāro vā vadho vāpi gurūṇāmubhayaṁ samam||

One should earn wealth righteously and diligently perform sacrifice as well. A wise man should never address even the lowly with contemptuous familiarity. For one's elders and teachers, such disrespectful address and outright killing are held to be equal.

Verse 169 (skanda.1.76.169)

सत्यं वाच्यं नित्यमैत्रेण भाव्यं कार्यं त्याज्यं नित्यमायासकारि॥ लोकेऽमुष्मिन्यद्दिनं स्यात्तथास्मिन्नात्मा योगे येजनीयो गभीरैः॥

satyaṁ vācyaṁ nityamaitreṇa bhāvyaṁ kāryaṁ tyājyaṁ nityamāyāsakāri|| loke'muṣminyaddinaṁ syāttathāsminnātmā yoge yejanīyo gabhīraiḥ||

One should always speak truth, always cultivate friendliness, and abandon whatever undertaking brings constant hardship. Just as one should act for what benefits the world beyond, so too in this world — the profound should ever engage their own self in the discipline of yoga.

Verse 170 (skanda.1.76.170)

तीर्थस्नानैः सोपवासैर्व्रतैश्च पात्रे दानैर्होमजप्यैश्चयज्ञैः॥ भवार्चनैर्देवपूजाविशेषैरात्मा नित्यं शोधनीयो मलाक्तः॥

tīrthasnānaiḥ sopavāsairvrataiśca pātre dānairhomajapyaiścayajñaiḥ|| bhavārcanairdevapūjāviśeṣairātmā nityaṁ śodhanīyo malāktaḥ||

Through bathing at sacred tirthas, vows accompanied by fasting, gifts given to the worthy, fire-oblation and mantra-repetition, sacrifice, the worship of Shiva, and special reverence of the gods — the self, stained by impurity, should be continually purified.

Verse 171 (skanda.1.76.171)

यत्रापि कुर्वतो नात्मा जुगुप्सामेति पार्थिव॥ तत्कर्तव्यसमसंगेन यन्नगोप्यं महाजने॥

yatrāpi kurvato nātmā jugupsāmeti pārthiva|| tatkartavyasamasaṁgena yannagopyaṁ mahājane||

O king, one should undertake only that action which, even in the doing of it, brings the self no shame, and which need not be concealed even among the great and noble.

Verse 172 (skanda.1.76.172)

इति ते वै समुद्देशः कीर्तितः किंचिदेव च॥ शेषः स्मृतिपुराणेभ्यस्त्वया श्रोतव्य एव च॥

iti te vai samuddeśaḥ kīrtitaḥ kiṁcideva ca|| śeṣaḥ smṛtipurāṇebhyastvayā śrotavya eva ca||

Thus have I recounted to you this brief description. The rest you must learn for yourself from the Smritis and the Puranas.

Verse 173 (skanda.1.76.173)

एवमाचरतो धर्मं महेशस्य गृहे सतः॥ धर्मार्थकामसंप्राप्तौ परत्रेह च शोभनम्॥

evamācarato dharmaṁ maheśasya gṛhe sataḥ|| dharmārthakāmasaṁprāptau paratreha ca śobhanam||

For one who thus practices dharma while dwelling in the household of Mahesha, dharma, artha, and kama are all attained, and good fortune follows both in this world and the next.

Verse 174 (skanda.1.76.174)

एवं नानाविधान्धर्मान्महाकालस्य फाल्गुन॥ वदतो ध्वनिराकाशे सुमहानभ्यजायत॥

evaṁ nānāvidhāndharmānmahākālasya phālguna|| vadato dhvanirākāśe sumahānabhyajāyata||

O Phalguna, as Mahakala thus spoke of these manifold forms of dharma, a mighty sound arose in the sky.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.76.175)

यावत्पश्यंति ये तत्र समाजग्मुः श्रृणुष्व तान्॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णुः स्वयं रुद्रो दे वी रुद्रगणास्तथा॥

yāvatpaśyaṁti ye tatra samājagmuḥ śrṛṇuṣva tān|| brahmā viṣṇuḥ svayaṁ rudro de vī rudragaṇāstathā||

Even as they looked on, a great assembly gathered there — hear who came: Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra himself, the Goddess, and the hosts of Rudra's attendants,

Verse 176 (skanda.1.76.176)

इंद्रादयस्तथा देवा वसिष्ठाद्या मुनीश्वराः॥ तुंबरुप्रवराश्चापि गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः॥

iṁdrādayastathā devā vasiṣṭhādyā munīśvarāḥ|| tuṁbarupravarāścāpi gaṁdharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ||

— the gods led by Indra, the great sages headed by Vasishtha, the foremost gandharvas led by Tumburu, and troops of celestial nymphs.

Verse 177 (skanda.1.76.177)

तान्महेशमुखान्सर्वान्महाकालो महामतिः॥ अर्चयामास बहुधा भक्त्युद्रेकातिपूरितः॥

tānmaheśamukhānsarvānmahākālo mahāmatiḥ|| arcayāmāsa bahudhā bhaktyudrekātipūritaḥ||

The great-minded Mahakala, overflowing with the fullness of his devotion, worshipped in many ways all of them, Mahesha foremost among them.

Verse 178 (skanda.1.76.178)

ततो ब्रह्मादिभिर्देवैर्वरे रत्नमयासने॥ उपविष्टोऽभिषिक्तश्च महीसागरसंगमे॥

tato brahmādibhirdevairvare ratnamayāsane|| upaviṣṭo'bhiṣiktaśca mahīsāgarasaṁgame||

Then, by Brahma and the other gods, he was seated upon a splendid jewel-studded throne at the confluence of the Mahi and the sea, and there was anointed.

Verse 179 (skanda.1.76.179)

ततो देव्या समालिंग्य नीत्वोत्संगं स्वकं मुदा॥ पुत्रत्वे कल्पितः पार्थ महाकालो महामतिः॥

tato devyā samāliṁgya nītvotsaṁgaṁ svakaṁ mudā|| putratve kalpitaḥ pārtha mahākālo mahāmatiḥ||

Then, O Partha, the Goddess joyfully embraced him and took him upon her own lap, and the great-minded Mahakala was thus accepted as her own son.

Verse 180 (skanda.1.76.180)

उक्तञ्च यावद्ब्रह्माण्डमिदमास्ते शिवव्रत॥ तावत्तिष्ठ शिवस्थाने शिववच्छिवभक्तितः॥

uktañca yāvadbrahmāṇḍamidamāste śivavrata|| tāvattiṣṭha śivasthāne śivavacchivabhaktitaḥ||

And it was declared to him: "O devotee of the Shiva-vow, for as long as this universe endures, remain here in this seat of Shiva, like Shiva himself, filled with devotion to him."

Verse 181 (skanda.1.76.181)

देवेन च वरो दत्तस्त्वल्लिंगं योऽर्चयिष्यति॥ जितेन्द्रियः शुचिर्भूत्वा ऊर्ध्वं मल्लोकमेष्यति॥

devena ca varo dattastvalliṁgaṁ yo'rcayiṣyati|| jitendriyaḥ śucirbhūtvā ūrdhvaṁ mallokameṣyati||

And the Lord granted this boon: "Whoever, with senses mastered and mind made pure, worships this linga of yours, shall ascend at last to the world above — to my own world."

Verse 182 (skanda.1.76.182)

दर्शनं स्तवनं पूजा प्रणामश्च ततो जपः॥ दानं चात्र कृतं लिंगे ममातितृप्तिकारणम्॥

darśanaṁ stavanaṁ pūjā praṇāmaśca tato japaḥ|| dānaṁ cātra kṛtaṁ liṁge mamātitṛptikāraṇam||

"Seeing this linga, praising it, worshipping it, bowing before it, chanting before it, and giving gifts here — all these bring me the deepest satisfaction."

Verse 183 (skanda.1.76.183)

इत्युक्ते विस्मिता देवाः साधु साध्विति ते जगुः॥ ब्रह्मविष्णुमुखाश्चैव महाकालं प्रतुष्टुवुः॥

ityukte vismitā devāḥ sādhu sādhviti te jaguḥ|| brahmaviṣṇumukhāścaiva mahākālaṁ pratuṣṭuvuḥ||

Hearing this, the astonished gods exclaimed, "Well done, well done!" Brahma, Vishnu, and all the rest praised Mahakala warmly.

Verse 184 (skanda.1.76.184)

ततः सुरैःस्तूयमानो वंद्यमानश्च चारणैः॥ नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोभिश्च कीतैर्गंधर्वजैः शुभैः॥

tataḥ suraiḥstūyamāno vaṁdyamānaśca cāraṇaiḥ|| nṛtyadbhirapsarobhiśca kītairgaṁdharvajaiḥ śubhaiḥ||

Then, praised by the gods, extolled by the celestial bards, surrounded by dancing apsaras and sweetly singing gandharvas,

Verse 185 (skanda.1.76.185)

कोटिकोटिगणैश्चैव स्तुवद्भिः सर्वतो वृतः॥

koṭikoṭigaṇaiścaiva stuvadbhiḥ sarvato vṛtaḥ||

and encircled on every side by countless millions of divine hosts, all singing his praise,

Verse 186 (skanda.1.76.186)

महाकालो रुद्रभवनं गतो भवपुरस्सरः॥ एवमेतन्महालिंगमुत्पन्नं कुरुनंदन॥

mahākālo rudrabhavanaṁ gato bhavapurassaraḥ|| evametanmahāliṁgamutpannaṁ kurunaṁdana||

Mahakala, with Lord Shiva leading the way, went to the abode of Rudra. O scion of Kuru, thus did this great linga come into being.

Verse 187 (skanda.1.76.187)

कूपश्चापि सरः पुण्यं महाकालस्य सिद्धिदम्॥ अत्र ये मनुजाः पार्थ लिंगस्याराधने रताः॥

kūpaścāpi saraḥ puṇyaṁ mahākālasya siddhidam|| atra ye manujāḥ pārtha liṁgasyārādhane ratāḥ||

Mahakala's well and this sacred lake bestow accomplishment. O Partha, whatever men here devote themselves to the worship of this linga,

Verse 188 (skanda.1.76.188)

महाकालः समालिंग्य ताञ्छिवाय निवेदयेत्॥ एतदत्यद्भुतं लिंगं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्॥

mahākālaḥ samāliṁgya tāñchivāya nivedayet|| etadatyadbhutaṁ liṁgaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam||

Mahakala himself embraces them and presents them before Shiva. This most wondrous linga is renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 189 (skanda.1.76.189)

दृष्टं स्पृष्टं पूजितं च गतास्ते भवसद्म तत् एवमेतानि लिंगानि सप्त जातानि फाल्गुन॥

dṛṣṭaṁ spṛṣṭaṁ pūjitaṁ ca gatāste bhavasadma tat evametāni liṁgāni sapta jātāni phālguna||

Those who have seen it, touched it, and worshipped it have gone to the abode of Shiva. O Phalguna, thus have these seven lingas come into being.

Verse 190 (skanda.1.76.190)

ये श्रृण्वंति गृणंत्येतत्तेपि धन्या नरोत्तमाः॥

ye śrṛṇvaṁti gṛṇaṁtyetattepi dhanyā narottamāḥ||

Those foremost of men who hear and recount this story are likewise blessed.