The Glory of the Rudraksha

Verse 1 (skanda.3.112.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ अथ रुद्राक्षमाहात्म्यं वर्णयामि समासतः ॥ सर्वपापक्षयकरं शृण्वतां पठतामपि

sūta uvāca atha rudrākṣamāhātmyaṁ varṇayāmi samāsataḥ sarvapāpakṣayakaraṁ śṛṇvatāṁ paṭhatāmapi

Suta said: Now I shall describe, in brief, the glory of the rudraksha, which destroys all sin for those who hear or even read it.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.112.2)

अभक्तो वापि भक्तो वा नीचो नीचतरोपि वा ॥ रुद्राक्षान्धारयेद्यस्तु मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

abhakto vāpi bhakto vā nīco nīcataropi vā rudrākṣāndhārayedyastu mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Whether devoted or undevoted, lowly or even lowlier, whoever wears rudraksha beads is freed from all sins.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.112.3)

रुद्राक्षधारणं पुण्यं केन वा सदृशं भवेत् ॥ महाव्रतमिदं प्राहुर्मुनयस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः

rudrākṣadhāraṇaṁ puṇyaṁ kena vā sadṛśaṁ bhavet mahāvratamidaṁ prāhurmunayastattvadarśinaḥ

To what can the merit of wearing rudraksha be compared? The sages, seers of truth, declare this to be a great vow.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.112.4)

सहस्रं धारयेद्यस्तु रुद्राक्षाणां धृतव्रतः ॥ तं नमंति सुराः सर्वे यथा रुद्रस्तथैव सः

sahasraṁ dhārayedyastu rudrākṣāṇāṁ dhṛtavrataḥ taṁ namaṁti surāḥ sarve yathā rudrastathaiva saḥ

Whoever, keeping the vow, wears a thousand rudraksha beads, him all the gods bow to, just as they bow to Rudra himself.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.112.5)

अभावे तु सहस्रस्य बाह्वोः षोडश षोडश ॥ एकं शिखायां करयोर्द्वादश द्वादशैव हि

abhāve tu sahasrasya bāhvoḥ ṣoḍaśa ṣoḍaśa ekaṁ śikhāyāṁ karayordvādaśa dvādaśaiva hi

In the absence of a thousand, sixteen and sixteen on the two arms, one on the crown-lock, twelve and twelve on the two hands,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.112.6)

द्वात्रिंशत्कंठदेशे तु चत्वारिंशत्तु मस्तके ॥ एकैक कर्णयोः षट् षट् वक्षस्यष्टोत्तरं शतम् ॥ यो धारयति रुद्राक्षान्रुद्रवत्सोपि पूज्यते

dvātriṁśatkaṁṭhadeśe tu catvāriṁśattu mastake ekaika karṇayoḥ ṣaṭ ṣaṭ vakṣasyaṣṭottaraṁ śatam yo dhārayati rudrākṣānrudravatsopi pūjyate

thirty-two at the throat, forty upon the head, six and six on each ear, one hundred and eight on the chest, whoever wears rudraksha thus is worshipped like Rudra himself.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.112.7)

मुक्ताप्रवालस्फटिकरौप्यवैदूर्यकांचनैः ॥ समेतान्धारयेद्यस्तु रुद्राक्षान्स शिवो भवेत्

muktāpravālasphaṭikaraupyavaidūryakāṁcanaiḥ sametāndhārayedyastu rudrākṣānsa śivo bhavet

Whoever wears rudraksha beads set together with pearl, coral, crystal, silver, cat's-eye, and gold, becomes Shiva himself.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.112.8)

केवलानपि रुद्राक्षान्यथालाभं बिभर्ति यः ॥ तं न स्पृशंति पापानि तमांसीव विभावसुम्

kevalānapi rudrākṣānyathālābhaṁ bibharti yaḥ taṁ na spṛśaṁti pāpāni tamāṁsīva vibhāvasum

Whoever bears plain rudraksha beads alone, however obtained, sins do not touch him, as darkness cannot touch fire.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.112.9)

रुद्राक्षमालया जप्तो मंत्रोऽनंतफलप्रदः ॥ अरुद्राक्षो जपः पुंसां तावन्मात्रफलप्रदः

rudrākṣamālayā japto maṁtro'naṁtaphalapradaḥ arudrākṣo japaḥ puṁsāṁ tāvanmātraphalapradaḥ

A mantra recited with a rudraksha rosary bestows boundless fruit; japa without rudraksha bestows only that much fruit as its own measure.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.112.10)

यस्यांगे नास्ति रुद्राक्ष एकोपि बहुपुण्यदः ॥ तस्य जन्म निरर्थं स्यात्त्रिपुंड्ररहितं यदि

yasyāṁge nāsti rudrākṣa ekopi bahupuṇyadaḥ tasya janma nirarthaṁ syāttripuṁḍrarahitaṁ yadi

He on whose body there is not even a single rudraksha, bestower of great merit, his birth is meaningless, if he is also without the tripundra.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.112.11)

रुद्राक्षं मस्तके बद्ध्वा शिरःस्नानं करोति यः ॥ गंगास्नानफलं तस्य जायते नात्र संशयः

rudrākṣaṁ mastake baddhvā śiraḥsnānaṁ karoti yaḥ gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ tasya jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever binds a rudraksha on his head and performs the ablution of his head, obtains, without doubt, the fruit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.112.12)

रुद्राक्षं पूजयेद्यस्तु विना तोयाभिषेचनम् ॥ यत्फलं लिंगपूजायास्तदेवाप्नोति निश्चितम्

rudrākṣaṁ pūjayedyastu vinā toyābhiṣecanam yatphalaṁ liṁgapūjāyāstadevāpnoti niścitam

Whoever worships a rudraksha without the rite of water-libation, obtains, certainly, the very fruit of worshipping the linga.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.112.13)

एकवक्त्राः पंचवक्त्रा एकादशमुखाः परे ॥ चतुर्दशमुखाः केचिद्रुद्राक्षा लोकपूजिताः

ekavaktrāḥ paṁcavaktrā ekādaśamukhāḥ pare caturdaśamukhāḥ kecidrudrākṣā lokapūjitāḥ

Some rudraksha beads have one face, some five faces, others eleven faces, and some fourteen faces; all are worshipped by the world.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.112.14)

भक्त्या संपूजितो नित्यं रुद्राक्षः शंकरात्मकः ॥ दरिद्रं वापि कुरुते राजराजश्रियान्वितम्

bhaktyā saṁpūjito nityaṁ rudrākṣaḥ śaṁkarātmakaḥ daridraṁ vāpi kurute rājarājaśriyānvitam

A rudraksha, embodying Shankara himself, worshipped daily with devotion, makes even a poor man endowed with the glory of a king of kings.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.112.15)

अत्रेदं पुण्यमाख्यानं वर्णयंति मनीषिणः । महापापक्षयकरं श्रवणात्कीर्त्तनादपि

atredaṁ puṇyamākhyānaṁ varṇayaṁti manīṣiṇaḥ mahāpāpakṣayakaraṁ śravaṇātkīrttanādapi

Here the wise recount this sacred tale, which destroys great sin merely by hearing or reciting it.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.112.16)

राजा काश्मीरदेशस्य भद्रसेन इति श्रुतः ॥ तस्य पुत्रो ऽभवद्धीमान्सुधर्मानाम वीर्यवान्

rājā kāśmīradeśasya bhadrasena iti śrutaḥ tasya putro 'bhavaddhīmānsudharmānāma vīryavān

There was a king of the land of Kashmir, known as Bhadrasena; his son was a wise, mighty one named Sudharma.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.112.17)

तस्यामात्यसुतः कश्चित्तारको नाम सद्गुणः ॥ बभूव राजपुत्रस्य सखा परमशोभनः

tasyāmātyasutaḥ kaścittārako nāma sadguṇaḥ babhūva rājaputrasya sakhā paramaśobhanaḥ

His minister had a son, of good qualities, named Taraka, who became the closest and most excellent friend of the prince.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.112.18)

तावुभौ परमस्निग्धौ कुमारौ रूपसुन्दरौ ॥ विद्याभ्यासपरौ बाल्ये सह क्रीडां प्रचक्रतुः

tāvubhau paramasnigdhau kumārau rūpasundarau vidyābhyāsaparau bālye saha krīḍāṁ pracakratuḥ

Those two boys, most affectionately close, handsome in form, devoted to their studies in childhood, played together.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.112.19)

तौ सदा सर्वगात्रेषु रुद्राक्षकृतभूषणौ ॥ विचेरतुरुदारांगौ सततं भस्मधारिणौ

tau sadā sarvagātreṣu rudrākṣakṛtabhūṣaṇau viceraturudārāṁgau satataṁ bhasmadhāriṇau

Those two, ever adorned with ornaments made of rudraksha on all their limbs, of noble form, moved about ever wearing sacred ash.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.112.20)

हारकेयूरकटककुंडलादिविभूषणम् ॥ हेमरत्नमयं त्यक्त्वा रुद्राक्षान्दधतुश्च तौ

hārakeyūrakaṭakakuṁḍalādivibhūṣaṇam hemaratnamayaṁ tyaktvā rudrākṣāndadhatuśca tau

Abandoning ornaments of garlands, armlets, bracelets, earrings and the like made of gold and jewels, the two of them wore only rudraksha.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.112.21)

रुद्राक्षमालितौ नित्यं रुद्राक्षकरकंकणौ ॥ रुद्राक्षकंठाभरणौ सदा रुद्राक्षकुंडलौ

rudrākṣamālitau nityaṁ rudrākṣakarakaṁkaṇau rudrākṣakaṁṭhābharaṇau sadā rudrākṣakuṁḍalau

Ever garlanded with rudraksha, wearing rudraksha bracelets on their hands, rudraksha ornaments at their necks, and always rudraksha earrings,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.112.22)

हेमरत्नाद्यलंकारे लोष्टपाषाणदर्शनौ ॥ बोध्यमानावपि जनैर्न रुद्राक्षान्व्यमुंचताम्

hemaratnādyalaṁkāre loṣṭapāṣāṇadarśanau bodhyamānāvapi janairna rudrākṣānvyamuṁcatām

regarding ornaments of gold and jewels as no better than clods and stones, even when instructed by people, the two never abandoned their rudraksha.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.112.23)

तस्य काश्मीरराजस्य गृहं प्राप्तो यदृच्छया ॥ पराशरो मुनिवरः साक्षादिव पितामहः

tasya kāśmīrarājasya gṛhaṁ prāpto yadṛcchayā parāśaro munivaraḥ sākṣādiva pitāmahaḥ

To that king of Kashmir's house there came, by chance, the excellent sage Parashara, like the grandfather of creation himself, in visible form.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.112.24)

तमर्चयित्वा विधिवद्राजा धर्मभृतां वरः ॥ प्रपच्छ सुखमासीनं त्रिकालज्ञं महामुनिम्

tamarcayitvā vidhivadrājā dharmabhṛtāṁ varaḥ prapaccha sukhamāsīnaṁ trikālajñaṁ mahāmunim

Having worshipped him duly, that king, best of upholders of dharma, questioned that great sage, knower of past, present and future, as he sat comfortably.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.112.25)

राजोवाच ॥ भगवन्नेष पुत्रो मे सोपि मंत्रिसुतश्च मे ॥ रुद्राक्षधारिणौ नित्यं रत्नाभरणनिःस्पृहौ

rājovāca bhagavanneṣa putro me sopi maṁtrisutaśca me rudrākṣadhāriṇau nityaṁ ratnābharaṇaniḥspṛhau

The king said: "O Lord, this is my son, and this the son of my minister; both constantly wear rudraksha, and are indifferent to jeweled ornaments.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.112.26)

शास्यमानावपि सदा रत्नाकल्पपरिग्रहे ॥ विलंघितास्मद्वचनौ रुद्राक्षेष्वेव तत्परौ

śāsyamānāvapi sadā ratnākalpaparigrahe vilaṁghitāsmadvacanau rudrākṣeṣveva tatparau

"Though ever instructed, even in the acceptance of jeweled ornaments, transgressing our own words, they remain devoted only to rudraksha.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.112.27)

नोपदिष्टाविमौ बालौ कदाचिदपि केनचित् ॥ एषा स्वाभाविकी वृत्तिः कथमासीत्कुमारयोः

nopadiṣṭāvimau bālau kadācidapi kenacit eṣā svābhāvikī vṛttiḥ kathamāsītkumārayoḥ

"These boys were never taught this by anyone, at any time; how has this become the natural disposition of these two princes?"

Verse 28 (skanda.3.112.28)

पराशर उवाच ॥ शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि तव पुत्रस्य धीमतः ॥ यथा त्वं मंत्रिपुत्रस्य प्राग्वृत्तं विस्मयावहम्

parāśara uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi tava putrasya dhīmataḥ yathā tvaṁ maṁtriputrasya prāgvṛttaṁ vismayāvaham

Parashara said: "Listen, O king, I shall tell you the most wondrous past account of your wise son, and likewise of the minister's son.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.112.29)

नंदिग्रामे पुरा काचिन्महानंदेति विश्रुता॥ बभूव वारवनिता शृंगारललिताकृतिः

naṁdigrāme purā kācinmahānaṁdeti viśrutā babhūva vāravanitā śṛṁgāralalitākṛtiḥ

"Formerly, in the village of Nandi, there was a courtesan renowned as Mahananda, of charming and graceful form.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.112.30)

छत्रं पूर्णेंदुसंकाशं यानं स्वर्णविराजितम् ॥ चामराणि सुदंडानि पादुके च हिरण्मये

chatraṁ pūrṇeṁdusaṁkāśaṁ yānaṁ svarṇavirājitam cāmarāṇi sudaṁḍāni pāduke ca hiraṇmaye

"An umbrella like the full moon, a vehicle resplendent with gold, fine-handled chowries, and golden sandals,

Verse 31 (skanda.3.112.31)

अंबराणि विचित्राणि महार्हाणि द्युमंति च ॥ चंद्ररश्मिनिभाः शय्या पर्यंकाश्च हिरण्मयाः

aṁbarāṇi vicitrāṇi mahārhāṇi dyumaṁti ca caṁdraraśminibhāḥ śayyā paryaṁkāśca hiraṇmayāḥ

"many-colored, most precious, and lustrous garments; a bed like moon-rays, and couches of gold,

Verse 32 (skanda.3.112.32)

गावो महिष्यः शतशो दासाश्च शतशस्तथा

gāvo mahiṣyaḥ śataśo dāsāśca śataśastathā

"cattle and buffaloes by the hundreds, and servants by the hundreds likewise,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.112.33)

सर्वाभरणदीप्तांग्यो दास्यश्च नवयौवना ॥ भूषणानि परार्ध्याणि नवरत्नोज्ज्वलानि च

sarvābharaṇadīptāṁgyo dāsyaśca navayauvanā bhūṣaṇāni parārdhyāṇi navaratnojjvalāni ca

"maidservants radiant with every ornament, of fresh youth, and ornaments most precious, blazing with nine kinds of jewels,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.112.34)

गन्धकुंकुमकस्तूरीकर्पूरागुरुलेपनम् ॥ चित्रमाल्यावतंसश्च यथेष्टं मृष्टभोजनम्

gandhakuṁkumakastūrīkarpūrāgurulepanam citramālyāvataṁsaśca yatheṣṭaṁ mṛṣṭabhojanam

"unguents of fragrance, saffron, musk, camphor and aloewood, colorful garlands as crest-ornaments, and food as delicious as desired,

Verse 35 (skanda.3.112.35)

नानाचित्रवितानाढ्यं नानाधान्यमयं गृहम् ॥ बहुरत्नसहस्राढ्यं कोटिसंख्याधिकं धनम्

nānācitravitānāḍhyaṁ nānādhānyamayaṁ gṛham bahuratnasahasrāḍhyaṁ koṭisaṁkhyādhikaṁ dhanam

"a house rich with many-colored canopies, filled with various grains, rich with many thousands of jewels, and wealth exceeding millions,

Verse 36 (skanda.3.112.36)

एवं विभवसंपन्ना वेश्या कामविहारिणी ॥ शिवपूजारता नित्यं सत्यधर्मपरायणा

evaṁ vibhavasaṁpannā veśyā kāmavihāriṇī śivapūjāratā nityaṁ satyadharmaparāyaṇā

"thus endowed with such splendor, that courtesan, given to the pleasures of love, was nonetheless ever devoted to the worship of Shiva, intent upon truth and dharma.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.112.37)

सदाशिवकथासक्ता शिवनामकथोत्सुका ॥ शिवभक्तांघ्र्यवनता शिवभक्तिरतानिशम्

sadāśivakathāsaktā śivanāmakathotsukā śivabhaktāṁghryavanatā śivabhaktiratāniśam

"Attached ever to the story of Sadashiva, eager for tales of Shiva's name, bowed at the feet of Shiva's devotees, devoted always to devotion to Shiva.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.112.38)

विनोदहेतोः सा वेश्या नाट्यमण्डपमध्यतः॥ रुद्राक्षैभूषयित्वैकं मर्कटं चैव कुक्कुटम्

vinodahetoḥ sā veśyā nāṭyamaṇḍapamadhyataḥ rudrākṣaibhūṣayitvaikaṁ markaṭaṁ caiva kukkuṭam

"For the sake of amusement, that courtesan, in the middle of her dance-pavilion, having adorned a monkey and a rooster with rudraksha beads,

Verse 39 (skanda.3.112.39)

करतालैश्च गीतैश्च सदा नर्तयति स्वयम् ॥ पुनश्च विहसंत्युच्चैः सखीभिः परिवारिता

karatālaiśca gītaiśca sadā nartayati svayam punaśca vihasaṁtyuccaiḥ sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

"would herself always make them dance to hand-clapping and songs, and then, surrounded by her companions, would laugh loudly.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.112.40)

युग्मम् ॥ रुद्राक्षैः कृतकेयूरकर्णाभरणभूषणः ॥ मर्कटः शिक्षया तस्याः सदा नृत्यति बालवत्

yugmam rudrākṣaiḥ kṛtakeyūrakarṇābharaṇabhūṣaṇaḥ markaṭaḥ śikṣayā tasyāḥ sadā nṛtyati bālavat

"Adorned with rudraksha armlets and ear-ornaments, that monkey, trained by her, would always dance like a child.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.112.41)

शिखायां बद्धरुद्राक्षः कुक्कुटः कपिना सह ॥ चिरं नृत्यति नृत्यज्ञः पश्यतां चित्रमावहन्

śikhāyāṁ baddharudrākṣaḥ kukkuṭaḥ kapinā saha ciraṁ nṛtyati nṛtyajñaḥ paśyatāṁ citramāvahan

"The rooster, with rudraksha bound at its crest, together with that monkey, well versed in dance, would dance for a long time, bringing wonder to those who watched.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.112.42)

एकदा भवनं तस्याः कश्चिद्वैश्यः शिवव्रती॥ आजगाम सरुद्राक्षस्त्रिपुंड्री निर्ममः कृती

ekadā bhavanaṁ tasyāḥ kaścidvaiśyaḥ śivavratī ājagāma sarudrākṣastripuṁḍrī nirmamaḥ kṛtī

"Once, a certain merchant, devoted to Shiva, came to her house, wearing rudraksha, marked with the tripundra, free of possessiveness, of accomplished conduct.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.112.43)

स बिभ्रद्भस्म विशदे प्रकोष्ठे वरकंकणम् ॥ महारत्नपरिस्तीर्णं ज्वलंतं तरुणार्कवत्

sa bibhradbhasma viśade prakoṣṭhe varakaṁkaṇam mahāratnaparistīrṇaṁ jvalaṁtaṁ taruṇārkavat

"He wore ash, and on his fair forearm an excellent bracelet, spread with great jewels, blazing like the youthful sun.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.112.44)

तमागतं सा गणिका संपूज्य परया मुदा। तत्प्रकोष्ठगतं वीक्ष्य कंकणं प्राह विस्मिता

tamāgataṁ sā gaṇikā saṁpūjya parayā mudā tatprakoṣṭhagataṁ vīkṣya kaṁkaṇaṁ prāha vismitā

"That courtesan, having worshipped him as he arrived with the greatest joy, seeing that bracelet on his forearm, astonished, said:

Verse 45 (skanda.3.112.45)

महारत्नमयः सोऽयं कंकणस्त्वत्करे स्थितः ॥ मनो हरति मे साधौ दिव्यस्त्रीभूषणोचितः

mahāratnamayaḥ so'yaṁ kaṁkaṇastvatkare sthitaḥ mano harati me sādhau divyastrībhūṣaṇocitaḥ

"'This bracelet, made of great jewels, resting on your arm, delights my mind, O sadhu, fit as an ornament for a celestial woman.'

Verse 46 (skanda.3.112.46)

इति तां वररत्नाढ्य सस्पृहां करभूषणे ॥ वाक्ष्योदारमतिर्वैश्यः सस्मितं समभाषत

iti tāṁ vararatnāḍhya saspṛhāṁ karabhūṣaṇe vākṣyodāramatirvaiśyaḥ sasmitaṁ samabhāṣata

"Thus addressed by her, longing for that excellent jewel as an ornament for her arm, the merchant, of noble intellect, replied with a smile.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.112.47)

वैश्य उवाच ॥ अस्मिन्रत्नवरे दिव्ये यदि ते सस्पृहं मनः ॥ तमेवादत्स्व सुप्रीता मौल्यमस्य ददासि किम्

vaiśya uvāca asminratnavare divye yadi te saspṛhaṁ manaḥ tamevādatsva suprītā maulyamasya dadāsi kim

"The merchant said: 'If your heart longs for this divine, excellent jewel, take it well pleased; what price will you give for it?'

Verse 48 (skanda.3.112.48)

वेश्यो वाच ॥ वयं तु स्वैरचारिण्यो वेश्यास्तु न पतिव्रताः ॥ अस्मत्कुलोचितो धर्मो व्यभिचारो न संशयः

veśyo vāca vayaṁ tu svairacāriṇyo veśyāstu na pativratāḥ asmatkulocito dharmo vyabhicāro na saṁśayaḥ

"The courtesan said: 'We indeed are independent women; courtesans are not faithful wives; adultery is, without doubt, the dharma proper to our caste.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.112.49)

यद्येतद्रत्नखचितं ददासि करभूषणम्॥ दिनत्रयमहोरात्रं तव पत्नी भवाम्यहम्

yadyetadratnakhacitaṁ dadāsi karabhūṣaṇam dinatrayamahorātraṁ tava patnī bhavāmyaham

"'If you give me this jeweled arm-ornament, I shall become your wife for a period of three days and nights.'

Verse 50 (skanda.3.112.50)

वैश्य उवाच ॥ तथास्तु यदि ते सत्यं वचनं वारवल्लभे ॥ ददामि रत्नवलयं त्रिरात्रं भव मद्वधूः

vaiśya uvāca tathāstu yadi te satyaṁ vacanaṁ vāravallabhe dadāmi ratnavalayaṁ trirātraṁ bhava madvadhūḥ

"The merchant said: 'So be it, if your word is true, O beloved of the marketplace; I give you this jeweled bracelet; be my bride for three nights.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.112.51)

एतस्मिन्व्यवहारे तु प्रमाणं शशिभास्करौ ॥ त्रिवारं सत्यमित्युक्त्वा हृदयं मे स्पृश प्रिये

etasminvyavahāre tu pramāṇaṁ śaśibhāskarau trivāraṁ satyamityuktvā hṛdayaṁ me spṛśa priye

"'In this transaction let the moon and sun be witnesses; having said "true" three times, touch my heart, beloved.'

Verse 52 (skanda.3.112.52)

वेश्योवाच ॥ दिनत्रयमहोरात्रं पत्नी भूत्वा तव प्रभो ॥ सहधर्मं चरामीति सा तद्धृदयमस्पृशत्

veśyovāca dinatrayamahorātraṁ patnī bhūtvā tava prabho sahadharmaṁ carāmīti sā taddhṛdayamaspṛśat

"The courtesan said: 'Having become your wife for three days and nights, I shall follow the same dharma as you' — thus saying, she touched his heart.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.112.53)

अथ तस्यै स वैश्यस्तु प्रददौ रत्नकङ्कणम् ॥ लिंगं रत्नमयं चास्या हस्ते दत्त्वेदमब्रवीत्

atha tasyai sa vaiśyastu pradadau ratnakaṅkaṇam liṁgaṁ ratnamayaṁ cāsyā haste dattvedamabravīt

"Then that merchant gave her the jeweled bracelet, and, placing in her hand his jewel-made Shiva-linga, said this:

Verse 54 (skanda.3.112.54)

इदं रत्नमयं शैवं लिंगं मत्प्राणसंनिभम् ॥ रक्षणीयं त्वया कांते तस्य हानिर्मृतिर्मम

idaṁ ratnamayaṁ śaivaṁ liṁgaṁ matprāṇasaṁnibham rakṣaṇīyaṁ tvayā kāṁte tasya hānirmṛtirmama

"'This jeweled Shaiva linga is as dear to me as my own life; it must be protected by you, beloved; its loss would mean my death.'

Verse 55 (skanda.3.112.55)

एवमस्त्विति सा कांता लिंगमादाय रत्नजम् ॥ नाट्यमण्डपिकास्तंभे निधाय प्राविशद्गृहम्

evamastviti sā kāṁtā liṁgamādāya ratnajam nāṭyamaṇḍapikāstaṁbhe nidhāya prāviśadgṛham

"'So be it,' said that beloved woman, and, taking that jewel-made linga, placed it upon a pillar of the dance-pavilion and entered the house.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.112.56)

सा तेन संगता रात्रौ वैश्येन विटधर्मिणा ॥ सुखं सुष्वाप पर्यंके मृदुतल्पोपशोभिते

sā tena saṁgatā rātrau vaiśyena viṭadharmiṇā sukhaṁ suṣvāpa paryaṁke mṛdutalpopaśobhite

"United that night with that merchant, behaving as a lover, she slept happily on the couch, adorned with a soft bed.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.112.57)

ततो निशीथसमये नाट्यमण्डपिकांतरे ॥ अकस्मादुत्थितो वह्निस्तमेव सहसावृणोत्

tato niśīthasamaye nāṭyamaṇḍapikāṁtare akasmādutthito vahnistameva sahasāvṛṇot

"Then, at midnight, in the midst of the dance-pavilion, a fire suddenly arose and swiftly enveloped that very place.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.112.58)

मण्डपे दह्यमाने तु सहसोत्थाय संभ्रमात् ॥ सा वेश्या मर्कटं तत्र मोचयामास बंधनात्

maṇḍape dahyamāne tu sahasotthāya saṁbhramāt sā veśyā markaṭaṁ tatra mocayāmāsa baṁdhanāt

"As the pavilion burned, rising suddenly in confusion, that courtesan freed the monkey there from its bonds.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.112.59)

स मर्कटो मुक्तबंधः कुक्कुटेन सहामुना ॥ भीतो दूरं प्रदुद्राव विधूयाग्निकणान्बहून्

sa markaṭo muktabaṁdhaḥ kukkuṭena sahāmunā bhīto dūraṁ pradudrāva vidhūyāgnikaṇānbahūn

"That monkey, its bonds loosed, together with that rooster, terrified, fled far away, shaking off many sparks of fire.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.112.60)

स्तंभेन सह निर्दग्धं तल्लिंगं शकलीकृतम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा वेश्या च वैश्यश्च दुरंतं दुःखमापतुः

staṁbhena saha nirdagdhaṁ talliṁgaṁ śakalīkṛtam dṛṣṭvā veśyā ca vaiśyaśca duraṁtaṁ duḥkhamāpatuḥ

"Seeing that linga, burned together with the pillar, shattered into fragments, the courtesan and the merchant fell into unbearable sorrow.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.112.61)

दृष्ट्वा प्राणसमं लिंगं दग्धं वैश्यपतिस्तथा ॥ स्वयमप्याप्तनिर्वेदो मरणाय मतिं दधौ

dṛṣṭvā prāṇasamaṁ liṁgaṁ dagdhaṁ vaiśyapatistathā svayamapyāptanirvedo maraṇāya matiṁ dadhau

"Seeing the linga, dear as his own life, burned, that lord of merchants himself, overcome with dispassion, resolved upon death.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.112.62)

निर्वेददान्नितरां खेदाद्वैश्यस्तामाह दुःखिताम् ॥ शिवलिंगे तु निर्भिन्ने नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे

nirvedadānnitarāṁ khedādvaiśyastāmāha duḥkhitām śivaliṁge tu nirbhinne nāhaṁ jīvitumutsahe

"Out of the greatest dejection and grief, the merchant said to her, sorrowful: 'With the Shiva-linga destroyed, I cannot bear to live.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.112.63)

चितां कारय मे भद्रे तव भृत्यैर्बलाधिकैः ॥ शिवे मनः समावेश्य प्रविशामि हुताशनम्

citāṁ kāraya me bhadre tava bhṛtyairbalādhikaiḥ śive manaḥ samāveśya praviśāmi hutāśanam

"'Have a funeral pyre made for me, blessed one, by your mighty servants; fixing my mind on Shiva, I shall enter the fire.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.112.64)

यदि ब्रह्मेंद्रविष्ण्वाद्या वारयेयुः समेत्य माम् ॥ तथाप्यस्मिन्क्षणे धीरः प्रविश्याग्निं त्यजाम्यसून्

yadi brahmeṁdraviṣṇvādyā vārayeyuḥ sametya mām tathāpyasminkṣaṇe dhīraḥ praviśyāgniṁ tyajāmyasūn

"'Even if Brahma, Indra, Vishnu and the rest should come together to restrain me, still, at this very moment, steadfast, I shall enter the fire and give up my life.'

Verse 65 (skanda.3.112.65)

तमेवं दृढबंधं सा विज्ञाय बहुदुःखिता ॥ स्वभृत्यैः कारयामास चितां स्वनगराद्बहिः

tamevaṁ dṛḍhabaṁdhaṁ sā vijñāya bahuduḥkhitā svabhṛtyaiḥ kārayāmāsa citāṁ svanagarādbahiḥ

"Knowing his resolve thus firm, she, greatly grieved, had her own servants build a funeral pyre outside her city.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.112.66)

ततः स वैश्यः शिवभक्तिपूतः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य समिद्धमग्निम् ॥ विवेश पश्यत्सु जनेषु धीरः सा चानुतापं युवती प्रपेदे

tataḥ sa vaiśyaḥ śivabhaktipūtaḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya samiddhamagnim viveśa paśyatsu janeṣu dhīraḥ sā cānutāpaṁ yuvatī prapede

"Then that merchant, purified by devotion to Shiva, having circumambulated the kindled fire, entered it steadfastly, in the sight of the people; and that young woman was overcome with remorse.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.112.67)

अथ सा दुःखिता नारी स्मृत्वा धर्मं सुनिर्मलम् ॥ सर्वान्बन्धून्समीक्ष्यैव बभाषे करुणं वचः

atha sā duḥkhitā nārī smṛtvā dharmaṁ sunirmalam sarvānbandhūnsamīkṣyaiva babhāṣe karuṇaṁ vacaḥ

"Then that grieving woman, recalling the most pure dharma, looking upon all her kinsfolk, spoke these pitiful words:

Verse 68 (skanda.3.112.68)

रत्नकंकणमादाय मया सत्यमुदाहृतम् ॥ दिनत्रयमहं पत्नी वैश्यस्यामुष्य संमता

ratnakaṁkaṇamādāya mayā satyamudāhṛtam dinatrayamahaṁ patnī vaiśyasyāmuṣya saṁmatā

"'Having accepted the jeweled bracelet, I spoke the truth: for three days I was accepted as this merchant's wife.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.112.69)

कर्मणा मत्कृतेनायं मृतो वैश्यः शिवव्रती। तस्मादहं प्रवेक्ष्यामि सहानेन हुताशनम् ॥ सधर्मचारिणीत्युक्तं सत्यमेतद्धि पश्यथ

karmaṇā matkṛtenāyaṁ mṛto vaiśyaḥ śivavratī tasmādahaṁ pravekṣyāmi sahānena hutāśanam sadharmacāriṇītyuktaṁ satyametaddhi paśyatha

"'By my own deed, this Shiva-devoted merchant has died; therefore I too shall enter the fire together with him; "I shall follow the same dharma" was spoken by me, see, this is true.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.112.70)

सत्येन प्रीतिमायांति देवास्त्रिभुवनेश्वराः ॥ सत्यासक्तिः परो धर्मः सत्ये सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्

satyena prītimāyāṁti devāstribhuvaneśvarāḥ satyāsaktiḥ paro dharmaḥ satye sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

"'By truth the gods, lords of the three worlds, become pleased; devotion to truth is the highest dharma; on truth everything is established.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.112.71)

सत्येन स्वर्गमोक्षौ च नासत्येन परा गतिः ॥ तस्मासत्यं समाश्रित्य प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्

satyena svargamokṣau ca nāsatyena parā gatiḥ tasmāsatyaṁ samāśritya pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam

"'By truth alone are heaven and liberation attained; there is no supreme goal through untruth; therefore, having taken refuge in truth, I shall enter the fire.'

Verse 72 (skanda.3.112.72)

इति सा दृढनिर्बंधा वार्यमाणापि बंधुभिः ॥ सत्यलोपभयान्नारी प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं मनो दधे

iti sā dṛḍhanirbaṁdhā vāryamāṇāpi baṁdhubhiḥ satyalopabhayānnārī prāṇāṁstyaktuṁ mano dadhe

"Thus she, of firm resolve, though restrained by her kinsmen, out of fear of violating truth, made up her mind to give up her life.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.112.73)

सर्वस्वं शिवभक्तेभ्यो दत्त्वा ध्यात्वा सदाशिवम् ॥ तमग्निं त्रिः परिक्रम्य प्रदेशाभिमुखी स्थिता

sarvasvaṁ śivabhaktebhyo dattvā dhyātvā sadāśivam tamagniṁ triḥ parikramya pradeśābhimukhī sthitā

"Having given all her possessions to devotees of Shiva, having meditated on Sadashiva, having circumambulated that fire three times, she stood facing it.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.112.74)

तां पतंतीं समिद्धेऽग्नौ स्वपदार्पितमानसाम् ॥ वारयामास विश्वात्मा प्रादुर्भूतः शिवः स्वयम्

tāṁ pataṁtīṁ samiddhe'gnau svapadārpitamānasām vārayāmāsa viśvātmā prādurbhūtaḥ śivaḥ svayam

"As she fell into the kindled fire, her mind set upon his feet, the soul of the universe, Shiva himself, appeared and restrained her.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.112.75)

सा तं विलोक्याखिलदेव देवं त्रिलोचनं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् ॥ शशांकसूर्यानलकोटिभासं स्तब्धेव भीतेव तथैव तस्थौ

sā taṁ vilokyākhiladeva devaṁ trilocanaṁ candrakalāvataṁsam śaśāṁkasūryānalakoṭibhāsaṁ stabdheva bhīteva tathaiva tasthau

"Seeing him, the god of all gods, three-eyed, crowned with the crescent moon, radiant as a myriad moons, suns, and fires, she stood as if stunned, as if terrified, motionless.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.112.76)

तां विह्वलां परित्रस्तां वेपमानां जडी कृताम् ॥ समाश्वास्य गलद्बाष्पां करे गृह्याब्रवीद्वचः

tāṁ vihvalāṁ paritrastāṁ vepamānāṁ jaḍī kṛtām samāśvāsya galadbāṣpāṁ kare gṛhyābravīdvacaḥ

"Comforting her, distraught, terrified, trembling, and paralyzed, her tears flowing, taking her by the hand, he spoke these words:

Verse 77 (skanda.3.112.77)

शिव उवाच ॥ सत्यं धर्मं च ते धैर्यं भक्तिं च मयि निश्चलाम् ॥ निरीक्षितुं त्वत्सकाशं वैश्यो भूत्वाहमागतः

śiva uvāca satyaṁ dharmaṁ ca te dhairyaṁ bhaktiṁ ca mayi niścalām nirīkṣituṁ tvatsakāśaṁ vaiśyo bhūtvāhamāgataḥ

"Shiva said: 'To behold your truthfulness, your dharma, your fortitude, and your unwavering devotion to me, I came, having become a merchant.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.112.78)

माययाग्निं समुत्थाप्य दग्धवान्नाट्यमंडपम् ॥ दग्धं कृत्वा रत्नलिंगं प्रवृष्टोस्मि हुताशनम्

māyayāgniṁ samutthāpya dagdhavānnāṭyamaṁḍapam dagdhaṁ kṛtvā ratnaliṁgaṁ pravṛṣṭosmi hutāśanam

"'Having raised a fire by illusion, I burned the dance-pavilion; having caused the jeweled linga to burn, I entered the fire.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.112.79)

वेश्याः कैतवकारिण्यः स्वैरिण्यो जनवंचकाः ॥ सा त्वं सत्यमनुस्मृत्य प्रविष्टाग्निं मया सह

veśyāḥ kaitavakāriṇyaḥ svairiṇyo janavaṁcakāḥ sā tvaṁ satyamanusmṛtya praviṣṭāgniṁ mayā saha

"'Courtesans are deceitful, wanton, deceivers of people; but you, remembering truth, entered the fire together with me.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.112.80)

अतस्ते संप्रदास्यामि भोगांस्त्रिदशदुर्लभान् ॥ आयुश्च परमं दीर्घमारोग्यं च प्रजोन्नतिम् ॥ यद्यदिच्छसि सुश्रोणि तत्तदेव ददामि ते

ataste saṁpradāsyāmi bhogāṁstridaśadurlabhān āyuśca paramaṁ dīrghamārogyaṁ ca prajonnatim yadyadicchasi suśroṇi tattadeva dadāmi te

"'Therefore I shall grant you pleasures hard to obtain even for the gods; and supreme long life, and health, and the prosperity of your offspring; whatever you desire, O fair-hipped one, that very thing I shall give you.'"

Verse 81 (skanda.3.112.81)

सूत उवाच ॥ इति ब्रुवति गौरीशे सा वेश्या प्रत्यभाषत

sūta uvāca iti bruvati gaurīśe sā veśyā pratyabhāṣata

Suta said: As the Lord of Gauri spoke thus, that courtesan replied:

Verse 82 (skanda.3.112.82)

वेश्योवाच ॥ न मे वांछास्ति भोगेषु भूमौ स्वर्गे रसातले ॥ तव पादांबुजस्पर्शादन्यत्किंचिन्न वै वृणे

veśyovāca na me vāṁchāsti bhogeṣu bhūmau svarge rasātale tava pādāṁbujasparśādanyatkiṁcinna vai vṛṇe

The courtesan said: "I have no desire for pleasures, on earth, in heaven, or in the netherworld; other than the touch of your lotus feet, I choose nothing else at all.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.112.83)

एते भृत्याश्च दास्यश्च ये चान्ये मम बांधवाः ॥ सर्वे त्वदर्चनपरास्त्वयि संन्यस्तवृत्तयः

ete bhṛtyāśca dāsyaśca ye cānye mama bāṁdhavāḥ sarve tvadarcanaparāstvayi saṁnyastavṛttayaḥ

"These servants and maidservants, and whatever other kinsfolk of mine there are, all are devoted to your worship, their lives dedicated to you.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.112.84)

सर्वानेतान्मया सार्धं नीत्वा तव परं पदम् ॥ पुनर्जन्मभयं घोरं विमोचय नमोस्तु ते

sarvānetānmayā sārdhaṁ nītvā tava paraṁ padam punarjanmabhayaṁ ghoraṁ vimocaya namostu te

"Taking all of them together with me to your supreme abode, deliver me from the terrible fear of rebirth; salutation to you."

Verse 85 (skanda.3.112.85)

तथेति तस्या वचनं प्रतिनंद्य महेश्वरः ॥ तान्सर्वांश्च तया सार्धं निनाय परमं पदम्

tatheti tasyā vacanaṁ pratinaṁdya maheśvaraḥ tānsarvāṁśca tayā sārdhaṁ nināya paramaṁ padam

Maheshvara, welcoming her words, said "So be it," and led all of them, together with her, to his supreme abode.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.112.86)

पराशर उवाच ॥ नाट्यमंडपिकादाहे यौ दूरं विद्रुतौ पुरा ॥ तत्रावशिष्टौ तावेव कुक्कुटो मर्कटस्तथा

parāśara uvāca nāṭyamaṁḍapikādāhe yau dūraṁ vidrutau purā tatrāvaśiṣṭau tāveva kukkuṭo markaṭastathā

Parashara said: "At the burning of the dance-pavilion, the two that fled far away then, the rooster and the monkey, alone remained there.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.112.87)

कालेन निधनं यातो यस्तस्या नाट्यमर्कटः ॥ सोभूत्तव कुमारोऽसौ कुवकुटो मंत्रिणः सुतः

kālena nidhanaṁ yāto yastasyā nāṭyamarkaṭaḥ sobhūttava kumāro'sau kuvakuṭo maṁtriṇaḥ sutaḥ

"In time, that monkey of her dance-troupe died; he became this your son; and the rooster became the minister's son.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.112.88)

रुद्राक्षधारणोद्भूतात्पुण्यात्पूर्वभवार्जितात् ॥ कुले महति संजातौ वर्तेते बालकाविमौ

rudrākṣadhāraṇodbhūtātpuṇyātpūrvabhavārjitāt kule mahati saṁjātau vartete bālakāvimau

"Through the merit arisen from wearing rudraksha, earned in a former birth, these two boys have been born into a great family.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.112.89)

पूर्वाभ्यासेन रुद्राक्षान्दधाते शुद्धमानसौ ॥ अस्मिञ्जन्मनि तं लोकं शिवं संपूज्य यास्य तः

pūrvābhyāsena rudrākṣāndadhāte śuddhamānasau asmiñjanmani taṁ lokaṁ śivaṁ saṁpūjya yāsya taḥ

"By their former practice, they wear rudraksha, their minds pure; in this birth, having duly worshipped Shiva, they shall go to that world of his.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.112.90)

एषा प्रवृत्तिस्त्वनयोर्बालयोः समुदाहृता ॥ कथा च शिवभक्ताया किमन्यत्प्रष्टुमिच्छसि

eṣā pravṛttistvanayorbālayoḥ samudāhṛtā kathā ca śivabhaktāyā kimanyatpraṣṭumicchasi

"This is the account related concerning these two boys, and the story of the devotee of Shiva; what else do you wish to ask?"