The Glory of the Tripundra

Verse 1 (skanda.3.108.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ शृणुध्वं मुनयः श्रेष्ठा वामदेवस्य भाषितम्

sūta uvāca śṛṇudhvaṁ munayaḥ śreṣṭhā vāmadevasya bhāṣitam

Suta said: Hear, O best of sages, the words of Vamadeva.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.108.2)

वामदेव उवाच ॥ पुरा मंदरशैलेंद्रे नानाधातुविचित्रिते ॥ नानासत्वसमाकीर्णे नानाद्रुमलताकुले

vāmadeva uvāca purā maṁdaraśaileṁdre nānādhātuvicitrite nānāsatvasamākīrṇe nānādrumalatākule

Vamadeva said: Long ago, on the great mountain Mandara, adorned with various minerals, filled with various creatures, dense with various trees and creepers,

Verse 3 (skanda.3.108.3)

कालाग्निरुद्रो भगवान्कदाचिद्विश्ववंदितः ॥ समाससाद भूतेशः स्वेच्छया परमेश्वरः

kālāgnirudro bhagavānkadācidviśvavaṁditaḥ samāsasāda bhūteśaḥ svecchayā parameśvaraḥ

the blessed Kalagni Rudra, lord of beings, worshipped by the universe, the Supreme Lord, once came there at his own will.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.108.4)

समंतात्समुपातिष्ठन्रुद्राणां शतकोटयः ॥ तेषां मध्ये समासीनो देवदेवस्त्रिलोचनः

samaṁtātsamupātiṣṭhanrudrāṇāṁ śatakoṭayaḥ teṣāṁ madhye samāsīno devadevastrilocanaḥ

Hundreds of millions of Rudras stood around on every side; in their midst sat the god of gods, three-eyed.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.108.5)

तत्रागच्छत्सुरश्रष्ठो देवैः सह पुरंदरः ॥ तथाग्निर्वरुणो वायुर्यमो वैवस्वतस्तथा

tatrāgacchatsuraśraṣṭho devaiḥ saha puraṁdaraḥ tathāgnirvaruṇo vāyuryamo vaivasvatastathā

There came the best of gods, Purandara, together with the gods; likewise Agni, Varuna, Vayu, and Yama, son of Vivasvat,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.108.6)

गंधर्वाश्चित्रसेनाद्याः खेचराः पन्नगादयः ॥ विद्याधराः किंपुरुषाः सिद्धाः साध्याश्च गुह्यकाः

gaṁdharvāścitrasenādyāḥ khecarāḥ pannagādayaḥ vidyādharāḥ kiṁpuruṣāḥ siddhāḥ sādhyāśca guhyakāḥ

Gandharvas headed by Chitrasena, sky-dwellers, serpents and the like, Vidyadharas, Kimpurushas, Siddhas, Sadhyas, and Guhyakas,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.108.7)

ब्रह्मर्षयो वसिष्ठाद्या नारदाद्याः सुरर्षयः ॥ पितरश्च महात्मानो दक्षाद्याश्च प्रजेश्वराः

brahmarṣayo vasiṣṭhādyā nāradādyāḥ surarṣayaḥ pitaraśca mahātmāno dakṣādyāśca prajeśvarāḥ

brahmarshis headed by Vasishtha, divine sages headed by Narada, the great-souled ancestors, and the lords of creatures headed by Daksha,

Verse 8 (skanda.3.108.8)

उर्वश्याद्याश्चाप्सरसश्चंडिकाद्याश्च मातरः ॥ आदित्या वसवो दस्रौ विश्वेदेवा महौजसः

urvaśyādyāścāpsarasaścaṁḍikādyāśca mātaraḥ ādityā vasavo dasrau viśvedevā mahaujasaḥ

Apsarases headed by Urvashi, the Mothers headed by Chandika, the Adityas, the Vasus, the two Asvins, the mighty Vishvedevas.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.108.9)

अथान्ये भूतपतयो लोकसंहरणे क्षमाः ॥ महाकालश्च नंदी च तथा वै शंखपालकौ

athānye bhūtapatayo lokasaṁharaṇe kṣamāḥ mahākālaśca naṁdī ca tathā vai śaṁkhapālakau

Then other lords of spirits, capable of destroying the worlds, Mahakala and Nandi, and likewise Shankhapala and his companion,

Verse 10 (skanda.3.108.10)

वीरभद्रो महातेजाः शंकुकर्णो महाबलः ॥ घंटाकर्णश्च दुर्धर्षो मणिभद्रो वृकोदरः

vīrabhadro mahātejāḥ śaṁkukarṇo mahābalaḥ ghaṁṭākarṇaśca durdharṣo maṇibhadro vṛkodaraḥ

Virabhadra, of great splendor, Shankukarna, of great strength, Ghantakarna, unassailable, Manibhadra, Vrikodara,

Verse 11 (skanda.3.108.11)

कुंडोदरश्च विकटास्तथा कुभोदरो बली ॥ मंदोदरः कर्णधारः केतुर्भृंगीरिटिस्तथा

kuṁḍodaraśca vikaṭāstathā kubhodaro balī maṁdodaraḥ karṇadhāraḥ keturbhṛṁgīriṭistathā

Kundodara, and the fierce ones, and Kubhodara, mighty, Mandodara, Karnadhara, Ketu, and likewise Bhringiriti,

Verse 12 (skanda.3.108.12)

भूतनाथास्तथान्ये च महाकाया महौजसः ॥ कृष्णवर्णास्तथा श्वेताः केचिन्मंडूकसप्रभाः

bhūtanāthāstathānye ca mahākāyā mahaujasaḥ kṛṣṇavarṇāstathā śvetāḥ kecinmaṁḍūkasaprabhāḥ

and other lords of spirits, of huge bodies and great might, some black in hue, some white, some frog-colored,

Verse 13 (skanda.3.108.13)

हरिता धूसरा धूम्राः कर्बुरा पीतलोहिताः॥ चित्रवर्णा विचित्रांगाश्चित्रलीला मदोत्कटाः

haritā dhūsarā dhūmrāḥ karburā pītalohitāḥ citravarṇā vicitrāṁgāścitralīlā madotkaṭāḥ

green, gray, smoke-colored, mottled, yellow-red, of variegated hue, of strange limbs, of strange sport, swollen with pride,

Verse 14 (skanda.3.108.14)

नानायुधोद्यतकरा नानावाहनभूषणाः ॥ केचिद्व्याघ्रमुखाः केचित्सूकरास्या मृगा ननाः

nānāyudhodyatakarā nānāvāhanabhūṣaṇāḥ kecidvyāghramukhāḥ kecitsūkarāsyā mṛgā nanāḥ

their hands raised with various weapons, with various mounts and ornaments, some tiger-faced, some boar-faced, some deer-faced,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.108.15)

केचिच्च नक्रवदनाः सारमेयमुखाः परे ॥ सृगालवदनाश्चान्य उष्ट्राभवदनाः परे

kecicca nakravadanāḥ sārameyamukhāḥ pare sṛgālavadanāścānya uṣṭrābhavadanāḥ pare

some crocodile-faced, others dog-faced, others jackal-faced, and others camel-faced,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.108.16)

केचिच्छरभभेरुंडसिंहाश्वोष्ट्रबकाननाः ॥ एकवक्त्रा द्विवक्त्राश्च त्रिमुखाश्चैव निर्मुखाः

keciccharabhabheruṁḍasiṁhāśvoṣṭrabakānanāḥ ekavaktrā dvivaktrāśca trimukhāścaiva nirmukhāḥ

some with faces of the sharabha, the bherunda-bird, the lion, horse, camel, and crane; one-faced, two-faced, and three-faced, and even faceless,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.108.17)

एकहस्तास्त्रिहस्ताश्च पंचहस्तास्त्वहस्तकाः ॥ अपादा बहुपादाश्च बहुकर्णैककर्णकाः

ekahastāstrihastāśca paṁcahastāstvahastakāḥ apādā bahupādāśca bahukarṇaikakarṇakāḥ

one-armed, three-armed, five-armed, and even armless, footless, and many-footed, many-eared, and one-eared,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.108.18)

एकनेत्राश्चतुर्नेत्रा दीर्घाः केचन वामनाः ॥ समंतात्परिवार्येशं भूतनाथमुपासते

ekanetrāścaturnetrā dīrghāḥ kecana vāmanāḥ samaṁtātparivāryeśaṁ bhūtanāthamupāsate

one-eyed, four-eyed, some tall, some dwarfish, surrounding on every side the Lord, the master of spirits, they served him.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.108.19)

अथागच्छन्महातेजा मुनीनां प्रवरः सुधीः ॥ सनत्कुमारो धर्मात्मा तं द्रष्टुं जगदीश्वरम्

athāgacchanmahātejā munīnāṁ pravaraḥ sudhīḥ sanatkumāro dharmātmā taṁ draṣṭuṁ jagadīśvaram

Then there came the wise Sanatkumara, of great splendor, foremost among sages, righteous of soul, to see that Lord of the universe.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.108.20)

तं देवदेवं विश्वेशं सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम् ॥ महाप्रलयसंक्षुब्धसप्तार्णवघनस्वनम्

taṁ devadevaṁ viśveśaṁ sūryakoṭisamaprabham mahāpralayasaṁkṣubdhasaptārṇavaghanasvanam

That god of gods, lord of the universe, radiant as a myriad suns, whose great, deep roar was like the seven oceans in tumult at the final dissolution,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.108.21)

संवर्त्ताग्निसमाटोपं जटामंडलशोभितम् ॥ अक्षीणभालनयनं ज्वालाम्लानमुखत्विषम्

saṁvarttāgnisamāṭopaṁ jaṭāmaṁḍalaśobhitam akṣīṇabhālanayanaṁ jvālāmlānamukhatviṣam

terrible as the fire of dissolution, adorned with a mass of matted locks, his forehead-eye unclosed, his face's radiance never dimmed by the fire,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.108.22)

प्रदीप्तचूडामणिना शशिखंडेन शोभितम् ॥ तक्षकं वामकर्णेन दक्षिणेन च वासुकिम्

pradīptacūḍāmaṇinā śaśikhaṁḍena śobhitam takṣakaṁ vāmakarṇena dakṣiṇena ca vāsukim

resplendent with a blazing crest-jewel and a crescent of the moon, bearing Takshaka in his left ear and Vasuki in his right,

Verse 23 (skanda.3.108.23)

बिभ्राणं कुंडलयुगं नीलरत्नमहाहनुम् ॥ नीलग्रीवं महाबाहुं नागहारविराजितम्

bibhrāṇaṁ kuṁḍalayugaṁ nīlaratnamahāhanum nīlagrīvaṁ mahābāhuṁ nāgahāravirājitam

wearing a pair of earrings, his great jaw set with a dark-blue gem, dark-throated, mighty-armed, adorned with a garland of serpents,

Verse 24 (skanda.3.108.24)

फणिराजपरिभ्राजत्कंक णांगदमुद्रिकम् ॥ अनंतगुणसाहस्रमणिरंजितमेखलम्

phaṇirājaparibhrājatkaṁka ṇāṁgadamudrikam anaṁtaguṇasāhasramaṇiraṁjitamekhalam

his bracelets, armlets and rings gleaming with the serpent-king, his girdle set with countless jewels of endless virtue,

Verse 25 (skanda.3.108.25)

व्याघ्रचर्मपरीधानं घंटादर्पणभूषितम् ॥ कर्कोटकमहापद्मधृतराष्ट्रधनंजयैः

vyāghracarmaparīdhānaṁ ghaṁṭādarpaṇabhūṣitam karkoṭakamahāpadmadhṛtarāṣṭradhanaṁjayaiḥ

clad in a tiger-skin, adorned with bell and mirror, attended by Karkotaka, Mahapadma, Dhritarashtra and Dhananjaya,

Verse 26 (skanda.3.108.26)

कूजन्नूपुरसंघुष्टपादपद्मविराजितम् ॥ प्रासतोमरखट्वाङ्गशूलटंकधनुर्धरम्

kūjannūpurasaṁghuṣṭapādapadmavirājitam prāsatomarakhaṭvāṅgaśūlaṭaṁkadhanurdharam

his lotus feet resplendent, resounding with tinkling anklets, holding a lance, a javelin, a skull-staff, a trident, a chisel, and a bow,

Verse 27 (skanda.3.108.27)

अप्रधृष्यमनिर्देश्यमचिंत्याकारमीश्वरम् ॥ रत्नसिंहासनारूढं प्रण नाम महामुनिः

apradhṛṣyamanirdeśyamaciṁtyākāramīśvaram ratnasiṁhāsanārūḍhaṁ praṇa nāma mahāmuniḥ

unassailable, indescribable, of inconceivable form, the Lord, seated upon a jeweled throne, that great sage bowed down before him.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.108.28)

तं भक्तिभारोच्छ्वसितांतरात्मा संस्तूय वाग्भिः श्रुतिसंमिताभिः ॥ कृतांजलिः प्रश्रयनम्रकंधरः पप्रच्छ धर्मानखिलाञ्छु भप्रदान्

taṁ bhaktibhārocchvasitāṁtarātmā saṁstūya vāgbhiḥ śrutisaṁmitābhiḥ kṛtāṁjaliḥ praśrayanamrakaṁdharaḥ papraccha dharmānakhilāñchu bhapradān

His inner self swelling with the weight of devotion, praising him with words drawn from the shruti, with joined palms, his neck bowed in humility, he asked him about all the auspicious dharmas.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.108.29)

यान्यानपृच्छत मुनिस्तांस्तान्धर्मानशेषतः ॥ प्रोवाच भगवान्रुद्रो भूयो मुनिरपृच्छत

yānyānapṛcchata munistāṁstāndharmānaśeṣataḥ provāca bhagavānrudro bhūyo munirapṛcchata

Whatever dharmas the sage asked about, all of them, without remainder, the blessed Rudra declared; the sage asked again.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.108.30)

सनत्कुमार उवाच ॥ श्रुतास्ते भगवन्धर्मास्त्वन्मुखान्मुक्तिहेतवः ॥ यैर्मुक्तपापा मनुजास्तरिष्यंति भवार्णवम्

sanatkumāra uvāca śrutāste bhagavandharmāstvanmukhānmuktihetavaḥ yairmuktapāpā manujāstariṣyaṁti bhavārṇavam

Sanatkumara said: "I have heard from your own mouth, O Lord, these dharmas, causes of liberation, by which men, freed from sin, shall cross the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.108.31)

अथापरं विभो धर्ममल्पायासं महाफलम् ॥ ब्रूहि कारुण्यतो मह्यं सद्यो मुक्तिप्रदं नृणाम्

athāparaṁ vibho dharmamalpāyāsaṁ mahāphalam brūhi kāruṇyato mahyaṁ sadyo muktipradaṁ nṛṇām

"Now tell me, O Lord, out of compassion, another dharma, of little effort but great fruit, that grants instant liberation to men.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.108.32)

अभ्यासबहुला धर्माः शास्त्रदृष्टाः सहस्रशः ॥ सम्यक्संसेविताः कालात्सिद्धिं यच्छंति वा न वा

abhyāsabahulā dharmāḥ śāstradṛṣṭāḥ sahasraśaḥ samyaksaṁsevitāḥ kālātsiddhiṁ yacchaṁti vā na vā

"There are dharmas requiring much practice, seen in the scriptures, in their thousands; duly observed, they may or may not bring perfection in time.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.108.33)

अतो लोकहितं गुह्यं भुक्तिमुक्त्योश्च साधनम् ॥ धर्मं विज्ञातुमिच्छामि त्वत्प्रसादान्महेश्वर

ato lokahitaṁ guhyaṁ bhuktimuktyośca sādhanam dharmaṁ vijñātumicchāmi tvatprasādānmaheśvara

"Therefore I wish to know, by your grace, O Maheshvara, the secret dharma, beneficial to the world, the means to both worldly enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.108.34)

श्रीरुद्र उवाच ॥ सर्वेषामपि धर्माणामुत्तमं श्रुतिचोदितम् ॥ रहस्यं सर्वजंतूनां यत्त्रिपुंड्रस्य धारणम्

śrīrudra uvāca sarveṣāmapi dharmāṇāmuttamaṁ śruticoditam rahasyaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ yattripuṁḍrasya dhāraṇam

Shri Rudra said: "Of all dharmas, the supreme, declared by the shruti, the secret of all beings, is the wearing of the tripundra."

Verse 35 (skanda.3.108.35)

सनत्कुमार उवाच॥ त्रिपुंड्रस्य विधिं ब्रूहि भगवञ्जगतां पते ॥ तत्त्वतो ज्ञातुमिच्छामि त्वत्प्रसादान्महेश्वर

sanatkumāra uvāca tripuṁḍrasya vidhiṁ brūhi bhagavañjagatāṁ pate tattvato jñātumicchāmi tvatprasādānmaheśvara

Sanatkumara said: "Tell me the procedure of the tripundra, O Lord, master of the worlds; I wish to know it truly, by your grace, O Maheshvara.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.108.36)

कति स्थानानि किं द्रव्यं का शक्तिः का च देवता ॥ किं प्रमाणं च कः कर्त्ता के मंत्रास्तस्य किं फलम्

kati sthānāni kiṁ dravyaṁ kā śaktiḥ kā ca devatā kiṁ pramāṇaṁ ca kaḥ karttā ke maṁtrāstasya kiṁ phalam

"How many places, what substance, what power, and what deity? What is the measure, who is the doer, what are the mantras, and what is its fruit?

Verse 37 (skanda.3.108.37)

एतत्सर्वमशेषेण त्रिपुंड्रस्य च लक्षणम् ॥ ब्रूहि मे जगतां नाथ लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया

etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa tripuṁḍrasya ca lakṣaṇam brūhi me jagatāṁ nātha lokānugrahakāmyayā

"Tell me all of this without remainder, the characteristics of the tripundra, O Lord of the worlds, out of your desire to bless the world."

Verse 38 (skanda.3.108.38)

श्रीरुद्र उवाच ॥ आग्नेयमुच्यते भस्म दग्धगोमयसंभवम् ॥ तदेव द्रव्यमित्युक्तं त्रिपुंड्रस्य महामुने

śrīrudra uvāca āgneyamucyate bhasma dagdhagomayasaṁbhavam tadeva dravyamityuktaṁ tripuṁḍrasya mahāmune

Shri Rudra said: "The ash produced by burning cow-dung is called agneya; that alone is declared to be the substance for the tripundra, O great sage.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.108.39)

सद्योजातादिभिर्ब्रह्ममयैर्मंत्रैश्च पंचभिः॥ परिगृह्याग्निरित्यादिमंत्रैर्भस्माभिमंत्रयेत्

sadyojātādibhirbrahmamayairmaṁtraiśca paṁcabhiḥ parigṛhyāgnirityādimaṁtrairbhasmābhimaṁtrayet

"Having taken it up with the five Brahma-mantras beginning with Sadyojata, one should consecrate the ash with mantras beginning with 'Agnir iti.'

Verse 40 (skanda.3.108.40)

मानस्तोकेति संमृंज्य शिरो लिंपेच्च त्र्यंबकम् ॥ त्रियायुषादिभिर्मंत्रैर्ललाटे च भुजद्वये ॥ स्कंधे च लेपयेद्भस्म सजलं मंत्रभावितम्

mānastoketi saṁmṛṁjya śiro liṁpecca tryaṁbakam triyāyuṣādibhirmaṁtrairlalāṭe ca bhujadvaye skaṁdhe ca lepayedbhasma sajalaṁ maṁtrabhāvitam

"Having wiped it with the mantra 'Manastoke,' one should anoint the head with 'Tryambaka'; with the mantras beginning 'Triayusha,' one should apply the ash, mixed with water and consecrated with mantra, to the forehead, the two arms, and the shoulder.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.108.41)

तिस्रो रेखा भवंत्येषु स्थानेषु मुनिपुंगव ॥ भ्रुवोर्मध्यं समारभ्य यावदंतो भ्रुवोर्भवेत्

tisro rekhā bhavaṁtyeṣu sthāneṣu munipuṁgava bhruvormadhyaṁ samārabhya yāvadaṁto bhruvorbhavet

"Three lines are made in these places, O foremost of sages, beginning from between the eyebrows and extending to the end of the eyebrows.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.108.42)

मध्यमानामिकांगुल्योर्मध्ये तु प्रतिलोमतः ॥ अंगुष्ठेन कृता रेखा त्रिपुंड्रस्याभिधीयते

madhyamānāmikāṁgulyormadhye tu pratilomataḥ aṁguṣṭhena kṛtā rekhā tripuṁḍrasyābhidhīyate

"Drawn with the thumb, moving in reverse between the middle and ring fingers, the line is called the tripundra.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.108.43)

तिसृणामपि रेखाणां प्रत्येकं नव देवताः ॥ अकारो गार्हपत्यश्च ऋग्भूर्लोको रजस्तथा

tisṛṇāmapi rekhāṇāṁ pratyekaṁ nava devatāḥ akāro gārhapatyaśca ṛgbhūrloko rajastathā

"For each of the three lines, there are nine deities respectively: the syllable A, the Garhapatya fire, the Rig Veda, the earth-world, and rajas,

Verse 44 (skanda.3.108.44)

आत्मा चैव क्रियाशक्तिः प्रातः सवनमेव च ॥ महादेवस्तु रेखायाः प्रथमायास्तु देवता

ātmā caiva kriyāśaktiḥ prātaḥ savanameva ca mahādevastu rekhāyāḥ prathamāyāstu devatā

"the self, the power of action, and the morning pressing of soma, Mahadeva is the deity of the first line.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.108.45)

उकारो दक्षिणाग्निश्च नभः सत्त्वं यजुस्तथा ॥ मध्यंदिनं च सवनमिच्छाशक्त्यंतरात्मकौ

ukāro dakṣiṇāgniśca nabhaḥ sattvaṁ yajustathā madhyaṁdinaṁ ca savanamicchāśaktyaṁtarātmakau

"The syllable U, the Dakshina fire, the sky, sattva, and the Yajur Veda, the midday pressing, and the desire-power and the inner self,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.108.46)

महेश्वरश्च रेखाया द्वितीयायाश्च देवता ॥ मकाराहवनीयौ च परमात्मा तमो दिवः

maheśvaraśca rekhāyā dvitīyāyāśca devatā makārāhavanīyau ca paramātmā tamo divaḥ

"Maheshvara is the deity of the second line. The syllable M, the two Ahavaniya fires, the supreme self, tamas, and heaven,

Verse 47 (skanda.3.108.47)

ज्ञानशक्तिः सामवेदस्तृतीयसवनं तथा ॥ शिवश्चेति तृतीयाया रेखायाश्चाधिदेवता

jñānaśaktiḥ sāmavedastṛtīyasavanaṁ tathā śivaśceti tṛtīyāyā rekhāyāścādhidevatā

"the power of knowledge, the Sama Veda, and likewise the third pressing, Shiva is the presiding deity of the third line.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.108.48)

एता नित्यं नमस्कृत्य त्रिपुंड्रं धारयेत्सुधीः ॥ महेश्वरव्रतमिदं सर्ववेदेषु कीर्तितम्

etā nityaṁ namaskṛtya tripuṁḍraṁ dhārayetsudhīḥ maheśvaravratamidaṁ sarvavedeṣu kīrtitam

"Having bowed to these constantly, the wise one should wear the tripundra; this vow of Maheshvara is proclaimed in all the Vedas.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.108.49)

मुक्तिकामैर्नरैः सेव्यं पुनस्तेषां न संभवः ॥ त्रिपुंड्रं कुरुते यस्तु भस्मना विधिपूर्वकम्

muktikāmairnaraiḥ sevyaṁ punasteṣāṁ na saṁbhavaḥ tripuṁḍraṁ kurute yastu bhasmanā vidhipūrvakam

"It should be observed by men desiring liberation; for them there is no further rebirth. Whoever performs the tripundra with ash, according to due rite,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.108.50)

ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा वनस्थो यतिरेव वा॥ महापातकसंघातैर्मुच्यते चोपपातकैः

brahmacārī gṛhastho vā vanastho yatireva vā mahāpātakasaṁghātairmucyate copapātakaiḥ

"whether a celibate student, a householder, a forest-dweller, or a renunciant, is freed from the accumulation of great sins and lesser sins,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.108.51)

तथान्यैः क्षत्रविट्शूद्रस्त्रीगोहत्या दिपातकैः॥ वीरहत्याश्वहत्याभ्यां मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

tathānyaiḥ kṣatraviṭśūdrastrīgohatyā dipātakaiḥ vīrahatyāśvahatyābhyāṁ mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"and likewise from other sins such as the killing of a kshatriya, a vaishya, a shudra, a woman, or a cow; he is freed, without doubt, from the killing of a hero or of a horse.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.108.52)

अमंत्रेणापि यः कुर्यादज्ञात्वा महिमोन्नतिम्॥ त्रिपुंड्रं भालपटले मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

amaṁtreṇāpi yaḥ kuryādajñātvā mahimonnatim tripuṁḍraṁ bhālapaṭale mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

"Even one who applies it without mantra, not knowing the greatness of its glory, wearing the tripundra on the forehead, is freed from all sins.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.108.53)

परद्रव्यापहरणं परदाराभिमर्शनम्॥ परनिंदा परक्षेत्रहरणं परपीडनम्

paradravyāpaharaṇaṁ paradārābhimarśanam paraniṁdā parakṣetraharaṇaṁ parapīḍanam

"Theft of another's wealth, violation of another's wife, slander of another, seizure of another's field, oppression of another,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.108.54)

सस्यारामादिहरणं गृहदाहादिकर्म च ॥ असत्यवादं पैशुन्यं पारुष्यं वेदविक्र यः॥ कूटसाक्ष्यं व्रतत्यागः कैतवं नीचसेवनम्

sasyārāmādiharaṇaṁ gṛhadāhādikarma ca asatyavādaṁ paiśunyaṁ pāruṣyaṁ vedavikra yaḥ kūṭasākṣyaṁ vratatyāgaḥ kaitavaṁ nīcasevanam

"seizure of crops, gardens and the like, the burning of houses and similar deeds, false speech, malicious talk, harshness, the selling of the Vedas,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.108.55)

गोभूहिरण्यमहिषी तिलकंबलवाससाम्॥ अन्नधान्यजलादीनां नीचेभ्यश्च परिग्रहः

gobhūhiraṇyamahiṣī tilakaṁbalavāsasām annadhānyajalādīnāṁ nīcebhyaśca parigrahaḥ

"false witness, abandonment of vows, deceit, service to the base, the acceptance from the base of a cow, land, gold, a she-buffalo, sesame, a blanket, garments,

Verse 56 (skanda.3.108.56)

दासी वेश्याभुजंगेषु वृषलीषु नटीषु च ॥ रजस्वलासु कन्यासु विधवासु च संगमः

dāsī veśyābhujaṁgeṣu vṛṣalīṣu naṭīṣu ca rajasvalāsu kanyāsu vidhavāsu ca saṁgamaḥ

"grain, food, water, and the like, union with a maidservant, a courtesan, a snake-charmer, an outcaste woman, an actress,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.108.57)

मांसचर्मरसादीनां लवणस्य च विक्रयः ॥ एवमादीन्य संख्यानि पापानि विविधानि च

māṁsacarmarasādīnāṁ lavaṇasya ca vikrayaḥ evamādīnya saṁkhyāni pāpāni vividhāni ca

"a menstruating woman, a maiden, or a widow, the selling of meat, hides, liquids and the like, and of salt,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.108.58)

सद्य एव विनश्यंति त्रिपुंड्रस्य च धारणात् ॥ शिवद्रव्यापहरणं शिवनिंदा च कुत्रचित्

sadya eva vinaśyaṁti tripuṁḍrasya ca dhāraṇāt śivadravyāpaharaṇaṁ śivaniṁdā ca kutracit

"all such sins, innumerable and of various kinds, are instantly destroyed by the wearing of the tripundra, except the theft of Shiva's property, and slander of Shiva anywhere at all,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.108.59)

निंदा च शिवभक्तानां प्रायश्चितैर्न शुद्ध्यति ॥ रुद्राक्षा यस्य गात्रेषु ललाटे च त्रिपुंड्रकम्

niṁdā ca śivabhaktānāṁ prāyaścitairna śuddhyati rudrākṣā yasya gātreṣu lalāṭe ca tripuṁḍrakam

"and slander of Shiva's devotees, which are not purified even by expiations. He on whose limbs are rudraksha beads, and the tripundra on his forehead,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.108.60)

स चांडालोऽपि संपूज्यः सर्ववर्णोत्तमो भवेत् ॥ यानि तीर्थानि लोकेऽस्मिन्गंगायाः सरितश्च याः

sa cāṁḍālo'pi saṁpūjyaḥ sarvavarṇottamo bhavet yāni tīrthāni loke'smingaṁgāyāḥ saritaśca yāḥ

"even if he be a chandala, he should be honored, and becomes the best of all castes. Whatever sacred fords there are in this world, and whatever rivers of the Ganga,

Verse 61 (skanda.3.108.61)

स्नातो भवति सर्वत्र ललाटे यस्त्रिपुंड्रधृक् ॥ सप्तकोटिमहामंत्राः पंचाक्षरपुरःसराः

snāto bhavati sarvatra lalāṭe yastripuṁḍradhṛk saptakoṭimahāmaṁtrāḥ paṁcākṣarapuraḥsarāḥ

"one who wears the tripundra on his forehead is as if bathed in all of them everywhere. The seventy million great mantras, headed by the five-syllabled mantra,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.108.62)

तथान्ये कोटिशो मंत्राः शैवाः कैवल्यहेतवः ॥ ते सर्वे येन जप्ताः स्युर्यो बिभर्ति त्रिपुंड्रकम्

tathānye koṭiśo maṁtrāḥ śaivāḥ kaivalyahetavaḥ te sarve yena japtāḥ syuryo bibharti tripuṁḍrakam

"and other Shaiva mantras by the millions, causes of liberation, all of these are as if recited by whoever wears the tripundra.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.108.63)

सहस्रं पूर्वजातानां सहस्रं च जनिष्यताम् ॥ स्ववंशजानां मर्त्यानामुद्धरेद्यस्त्रिपुंड्रधृक्

sahasraṁ pūrvajātānāṁ sahasraṁ ca janiṣyatām svavaṁśajānāṁ martyānāmuddharedyastripuṁḍradhṛk

"One who wears the tripundra saves a thousand of his ancestors already born, and a thousand of his descendants yet to be born, of his own lineage.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.108.64)

इह भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगान्दीर्घायुर्व्याधिवर्जितः ॥ जीवितांते च मरणं सुखनैवं प्रपद्यते

iha bhuktvākhilānbhogāndīrghāyurvyādhivarjitaḥ jīvitāṁte ca maraṇaṁ sukhanaivaṁ prapadyate

"Having enjoyed here all pleasures, long-lived and free of disease, at the end of life he attains a death that is pleasant, just as this.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.108.65)

अष्टैश्वर्यगुणोपेतं प्राप्य दिव्यं वपुः शुभम् ॥ दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य दिव्यस्त्रीशतसेवितः

aṣṭaiśvaryaguṇopetaṁ prāpya divyaṁ vapuḥ śubham divyaṁ vimānamāruhya divyastrīśatasevitaḥ

"Having obtained a divine, auspicious body, endowed with the eight lordly qualities, mounted on a divine chariot, served by a hundred divine women,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.108.66)

विद्याधराणां सिद्धानां गंधर्वाणां महौजसाम् ॥ इंद्रादिलोकपालानां लोकेषु च यथाक्रमम्

vidyādharāṇāṁ siddhānāṁ gaṁdharvāṇāṁ mahaujasām iṁdrādilokapālānāṁ lokeṣu ca yathākramam

"in the worlds, in due order, of the Vidyadharas, the Siddhas, the mighty Gandharvas, and Indra and the other guardians of the worlds,

Verse 67 (skanda.3.108.67)

भुक्त्वा भोगान्सुविपुलान्प्रजेशानां पुरेषु च ॥ ब्रह्मणः पदमासाद्य तत्र कल्पशतं रमेत्

bhuktvā bhogānsuvipulānprajeśānāṁ pureṣu ca brahmaṇaḥ padamāsādya tatra kalpaśataṁ ramet

"having enjoyed vast pleasures in the cities of the lords of creatures, having attained the abode of Brahma, he sports there for a hundred kalpas.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.108.68)

विष्णोर्लोके च रमते यावद्ब्रह्मशतत्रयम्

viṣṇorloke ca ramate yāvadbrahmaśatatrayam

"He sports in the world of Vishnu for as long as three hundred lifetimes of Brahma.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.108.69)

शिवलोकं ततः प्राप्य रमते कालमक्षयम् ॥ शिवसायुज्यमाप्नोति न स भूयोऽभिजायते

śivalokaṁ tataḥ prāpya ramate kālamakṣayam śivasāyujyamāpnoti na sa bhūyo'bhijāyate

"Then, having attained the world of Shiva, he sports for an imperishable span of time; he attains union with Shiva, and is not born again.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.108.70)

सर्वोपनिषदां सारं समालोच्य मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ इदमेव हि निर्णीतं परं श्रेयस्त्रिपुंड्रकम्

sarvopaniṣadāṁ sāraṁ samālocya muhurmuhuḥ idameva hi nirṇītaṁ paraṁ śreyastripuṁḍrakam

"Having pondered again and again the essence of all the Upanishads, this alone has been determined: the supreme good is the tripundra.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.108.71)

एतत्त्रिपुंड्रमाहात्म्यं समासात्कथितं मया ॥ रहस्यं सर्वभूतानां गोपनीयमिदं त्वया

etattripuṁḍramāhātmyaṁ samāsātkathitaṁ mayā rahasyaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ gopanīyamidaṁ tvayā

"This glory of the tripundra I have told you in brief; this is the secret of all beings, and it should be kept hidden by you."

Verse 72 (skanda.3.108.72)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्रुद्रस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत ॥ सनत्कुमारोऽपि मुनिर्जगाम ब्रह्मणः पदम्

ityuktvā bhagavānrudrastatraivāṁtaradhīyata sanatkumāro'pi munirjagāma brahmaṇaḥ padam

Having said this, the blessed Rudra vanished then and there; and the sage Sanatkumara too went to the abode of Brahma.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.108.73)

तवापि भस्मसंपर्कात्संजाता विमला मतिः ॥ त्वमपि श्रद्धया पुण्यं धारयस्व त्रिपुंड्रकम्

tavāpi bhasmasaṁparkātsaṁjātā vimalā matiḥ tvamapi śraddhayā puṇyaṁ dhārayasva tripuṁḍrakam

By contact with this very ash, a pure understanding has arisen in you too; you too should, with faith, wear this sacred tripundra."

Verse 74 (skanda.3.108.74)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्युक्त्वा वामदेवस्तु शिवयोगी महातपाः ॥ अभिमंत्र्य ददौ भस्म घोराय ब्रह्मरक्षसे

sūta uvāca ityuktvā vāmadevastu śivayogī mahātapāḥ abhimaṁtrya dadau bhasma ghorāya brahmarakṣase

Suta said: Having said this, Vamadeva, that great-austerity Shiva-yogi, consecrated the ash with mantra and gave it to the terrible brahma-rakshasa.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.108.75)

तेनासौ भालपटले चक्रे तिर्य क्त्रिपुंड्रकम् ॥ ब्रह्मराक्षसतां सद्यो जहौ तस्यानुभावतः

tenāsau bhālapaṭale cakre tirya ktripuṁḍrakam brahmarākṣasatāṁ sadyo jahau tasyānubhāvataḥ

With that he made the tripundra, crosswise, on the surface of his forehead; instantly, by its power, he cast off his condition as a brahma-rakshasa.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.108.76)

स बभौ सूर्यसंकाशस्तेजोमण्डलमंडितः ॥ दिव्यावयरूपैश्च दिव्यमाल्यांबरो ज्ज्वलः

sa babhau sūryasaṁkāśastejomaṇḍalamaṁḍitaḥ divyāvayarūpaiśca divyamālyāṁbaro jjvalaḥ

He shone forth like the sun, adorned with a halo of splendor, of divine form and limbs, radiant in divine garlands and garments.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.108.77)

भक्त्या प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य तं गुरुं शिवयोगिनम् ॥ दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य पुण्यलोकाञ्जगाम सः

bhaktyā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya taṁ guruṁ śivayoginam divyaṁ vimānamāruhya puṇyalokāñjagāma saḥ

Having circumambulated with devotion that guru, the Shiva-yogi, he mounted a divine chariot and went to the sacred worlds.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.108.78)

वामदेवो महायोगी दत्त्वा तस्मै परां गतिम् ॥ चचार लोके मूढात्मा साक्षादिव शिवः स्वयम्

vāmadevo mahāyogī dattvā tasmai parāṁ gatim cacāra loke mūḍhātmā sākṣādiva śivaḥ svayam

Vamadeva, the great yogi, having granted him the supreme goal, wandered the world, that great soul, as if Shiva himself, in visible form.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.108.79)

य एतद्भस्ममाहात्म्यं त्रिपुंड्रं शृणुयान्नरः ॥ श्रावयेद्वा पठेद्वापि स हि याति परां गतिम्

ya etadbhasmamāhātmyaṁ tripuṁḍraṁ śṛṇuyānnaraḥ śrāvayedvā paṭhedvāpi sa hi yāti parāṁ gatim

Whatever man hears this glory of ash and the tripundra, or causes it to be heard, or reads it himself, he indeed attains the supreme goal.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.108.80)

कथयति शिवकीर्तिं संसृतेर्मुक्तिहेतुं प्रणमति शिवयोगिध्येयमीशांघ्रिपद्मम् ॥ रचयति शिवभक्तोद्भासि भाले त्रिपुंड्रं न पुनरिह जनन्या गर्भवासं भजेत्सः

kathayati śivakīrtiṁ saṁsṛtermuktihetuṁ praṇamati śivayogidhyeyamīśāṁghripadmam racayati śivabhaktodbhāsi bhāle tripuṁḍraṁ na punariha jananyā garbhavāsaṁ bhajetsaḥ

He who recounts the fame of Shiva, the cause of liberation from the cycle of rebirth, who bows to the Lord's lotus feet meditated upon by Shiva-yogis, who makes the tripundra shine on his forehead, radiant with Shiva's devotion, he shall never again dwell in the womb of a mother in this world.