The Glory of the Rudradhyaya

Verse 1 (skanda.3.113.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ एवं ब्रह्मर्षिणा प्रोक्तां वाणीं पीयूषसन्निभाम् ॥ आकर्ण्य मुदितो राजा प्रांजलिः पुनरब्रवीत्

sūta uvāca evaṁ brahmarṣiṇā proktāṁ vāṇīṁ pīyūṣasannibhām ākarṇya mudito rājā prāṁjaliḥ punarabravīt

Suta said: Having heard this nectar-like speech spoken by the brahmarshi, the delighted king, with joined palms, spoke again.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.113.2)

राजोवाच ॥ अहो सत्संगमः पुंसामशेषाघप्रशोधनः ॥ कामक्रोधनिहंता च इष्टदोग्धा जनस्य हि

rājovāca aho satsaṁgamaḥ puṁsāmaśeṣāghapraśodhanaḥ kāmakrodhanihaṁtā ca iṣṭadogdhā janasya hi

The king said: "Ah, the company of the good purifies every sin completely for men; it destroys desire and anger, and grants people what they wish.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.113.3)

मम मायातमो नष्टं ज्ञानदृष्टिः प्रकाशिता ॥ तव दर्शनमात्रेण प्रायोहममरोत्तमः

mama māyātamo naṣṭaṁ jñānadṛṣṭiḥ prakāśitā tava darśanamātreṇa prāyohamamarottamaḥ

"The darkness of my illusion is destroyed, the eye of knowledge illumined; by the mere sight of you, I have become, as it were, the best of immortals.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.113.4)

श्रुतं च पूर्वचरितं बालयोः सम्यगेतयोः ॥ भविष्यदपि पृच्छामि मत्पुत्राचरणं मुने

śrutaṁ ca pūrvacaritaṁ bālayoḥ samyagetayoḥ bhaviṣyadapi pṛcchāmi matputrācaraṇaṁ mune

"I have heard fully the former history of these two boys; now, O sage, I ask also of the future conduct of my son.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.113.5)

अस्यायुः कति वर्षाणि भाग्यं वद च कीदृशम् ॥ विद्या कीर्तिश्च शक्तिश्च श्रद्धा भक्तिश्च कीदृशी

asyāyuḥ kati varṣāṇi bhāgyaṁ vada ca kīdṛśam vidyā kīrtiśca śaktiśca śraddhā bhaktiśca kīdṛśī

"How many years is his lifespan, and what is his fortune? What sort of learning, fame, and power, and what sort of faith and devotion shall he have?

Verse 6 (skanda.3.113.6)

एतत्सर्वमशेषेण मुने त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ तव शिष्योस्मि भृत्योस्मि शरणं त्वां गतोस्मयहम्

etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa mune tvaṁ vaktumarhasi tava śiṣyosmi bhṛtyosmi śaraṇaṁ tvāṁ gatosmayaham

"All of this, without remainder, O sage, you should tell me; I am your disciple, I am your servant, I have come to you for refuge."

Verse 7 (skanda.3.113.7)

पराशर उवाच ॥ अत्रावाच्यं हि यत्किंचित्कथं शक्तोस्मि शंसितुम् ॥ यच्छ्रुत्वा धृतिमंतोपि विषादं प्राप्नुयुर्जनाः

parāśara uvāca atrāvācyaṁ hi yatkiṁcitkathaṁ śaktosmi śaṁsitum yacchrutvā dhṛtimaṁtopi viṣādaṁ prāpnuyurjanāḥ

Parashara said: "Whatever here should not be spoken, how am I able to declare it? Hearing it, even the steadfast would fall into despair.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.113.8)

तथापि निर्व्यलीकेन भावेन परिपृच्छतः ॥ अवाच्यमपि वक्ष्यामि तव स्नेहान्महीपते

tathāpi nirvyalīkena bhāvena paripṛcchataḥ avācyamapi vakṣyāmi tava snehānmahīpate

"Nevertheless, since you ask without guile, I shall tell even what should not be told, out of affection for you, O lord of the earth.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.113.9)

अमुष्य त्वत्कुमारस्य वर्षाणि द्वादशात्ययुः ॥ इतः परं प्रपद्येत सप्तमे दिवसे मृतिम्

amuṣya tvatkumārasya varṣāṇi dvādaśātyayuḥ itaḥ paraṁ prapadyeta saptame divase mṛtim

"Twelve years shall pass for this your son; beyond that, he shall meet death on the seventh day."

Verse 10 (skanda.3.113.10)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कालकूटमिवोदितम् ॥ मूर्च्छितः सहसा भूमौ पतितो नृपतिः शुचा

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kālakūṭamivoditam mūrcchitaḥ sahasā bhūmau patito nṛpatiḥ śucā

Hearing his words, as if uttering deadly poison, the king suddenly fainted and fell to the ground, out of grief.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.113.11)

तमुत्थाप्य समाश्वास्य स मुनिः करुणार्द्रधीः ॥ उवाच मा भैर्नृपते पुनर्वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्

tamutthāpya samāśvāsya sa muniḥ karuṇārdradhīḥ uvāca mā bhairnṛpate punarvakṣyāmi te hitam

Raising him up and comforting him, that sage, his intellect melted with compassion, said: "Fear not, O king; I shall speak again of what is good for you.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.113.12)

सर्गात्पुरा निरालोकं यदेकं निष्कलं परम् ॥ चिदानंदमयं ज्योतिः स आद्यः केवलः शिवः

sargātpurā nirālokaṁ yadekaṁ niṣkalaṁ param cidānaṁdamayaṁ jyotiḥ sa ādyaḥ kevalaḥ śivaḥ

"Before creation, that one, formless, supreme, without parts, the light full of consciousness and bliss, he was the primal, sole Shiva.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.113.13)

स एवादौ रजोरूपं सृष्ट्वा ब्रह्माणमात्मना ॥ सृष्टिकर्मनियुक्ताय तस्मै वेदांश्च दत्तवान्

sa evādau rajorūpaṁ sṛṣṭvā brahmāṇamātmanā sṛṣṭikarmaniyuktāya tasmai vedāṁśca dattavān

"He alone, at the beginning, having created Brahma in the form of rajas, from himself, gave to him, appointed to the task of creation, the Vedas as well.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.113.14)

पुनश्च दत्तवानीश आत्मतत्त्वैकसंग्रहम् ॥ सर्वोपनिषदां सारं रुद्राध्यायं च दत्तवान्

punaśca dattavānīśa ātmatattvaikasaṁgraham sarvopaniṣadāṁ sāraṁ rudrādhyāyaṁ ca dattavān

"And the Lord gave again the sole compendium of the truth of the self, the essence of all the Upanishads, and gave the Rudradhyaya too.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.113.15)

यदेकमव्ययं साक्षाद्ब्रह्मज्योतिः सनातनम् ॥ शिवात्मकं परं तत्त्वं रुद्राध्याये प्रतिष्ठितम्

yadekamavyayaṁ sākṣādbrahmajyotiḥ sanātanam śivātmakaṁ paraṁ tattvaṁ rudrādhyāye pratiṣṭhitam

"That which is the one, imperishable, directly the eternal light of Brahman, the supreme reality embodying Shiva, is established in the Rudradhyaya.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.113.16)

स आत्मभूः सृजद्विश्वं चतुर्भिर्वदनैर्विराट् ॥ ससर्ज वेदांश्चतुरो लोकानां स्थितिहेतवे

sa ātmabhūḥ sṛjadviśvaṁ caturbhirvadanairvirāṭ sasarja vedāṁścaturo lokānāṁ sthitihetave

"That self-born, universal being, creating the world with his four faces, created the four Vedas for the sake of the maintenance of the worlds.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.113.17)

तत्रायं यजुषां मध्ये ब्रह्मणो दक्षिणान्मुखात् ॥ अशेषोपनिषत्सारो रुद्राध्यायः समुद्गतः

tatrāyaṁ yajuṣāṁ madhye brahmaṇo dakṣiṇānmukhāt aśeṣopaniṣatsāro rudrādhyāyaḥ samudgataḥ

"There, in the midst of the Yajus, from Brahma's southern face, arose the Rudradhyaya, the essence of all the Upanishads without exception.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.113.18)

स एष मुनिभिः सर्वैर्मरीच्यत्रिपुरोगमैः ॥ सह देवैर्धृतस्तेभ्यस्तच्छिष्या जगृहुश्च तम्

sa eṣa munibhiḥ sarvairmarīcyatripurogamaiḥ saha devairdhṛtastebhyastacchiṣyā jagṛhuśca tam

"This was held by all the sages, led by Marichi and Atri, together with the gods; and from them their disciples took it up.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.113.19)

तच्छिष्यशिष्यैस्तत्पुत्रैस्तत्पुत्रैश्च क्रमागतैः ॥ धृतो रुद्रात्मकः सोऽयं वेदसारः प्रसादितः

tacchiṣyaśiṣyaistatputraistatputraiśca kramāgataiḥ dhṛto rudrātmakaḥ so'yaṁ vedasāraḥ prasāditaḥ

"By their disciples' disciples, and by their sons, and by their sons in succession, this Vedic essence, embodying Rudra, has been preserved and made gracious.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.113.20)

एष एव परो मन्त्र एष एव परं तपः ॥ रुद्राध्यायजपः पुंसां परं कैवल्यसाधनम्

eṣa eva paro mantra eṣa eva paraṁ tapaḥ rudrādhyāyajapaḥ puṁsāṁ paraṁ kaivalyasādhanam

"This alone is the supreme mantra, this alone the supreme austerity; the recitation of the Rudradhyaya is, for men, the supreme means to liberation.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.113.21)

महापातकिनः प्रोक्ता उपपातकिनश्च ये ॥ रुद्राध्यायजपात्सद्यस्तेऽपि यांति परां गतिम्

mahāpātakinaḥ proktā upapātakinaśca ye rudrādhyāyajapātsadyaste'pi yāṁti parāṁ gatim

"Those called guilty of great sins, and those guilty of lesser sins, they too, through the recitation of the Rudradhyaya, instantly attain the supreme goal.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.113.22)

भूयोपि ब्रह्मणा सृष्टाः सदसन्मिश्रयोनयः ॥ देवतिर्यङ्मनुष्याद्यास्ततः संपूरितं जगत्

bhūyopi brahmaṇā sṛṣṭāḥ sadasanmiśrayonayaḥ devatiryaṅmanuṣyādyāstataḥ saṁpūritaṁ jagat

"Again, created by Brahma, beings of mixed origin, existent and non-existent, gods, animals, humans and the rest, thus the world was filled.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.113.23)

तेषां कर्माणि सृष्टानि स्वजन्मानुगुणानि च ॥ लोकास्तेषु प्रवर्तंते भुंजते चैव तत्फलम्

teṣāṁ karmāṇi sṛṣṭāni svajanmānuguṇāni ca lokāsteṣu pravartaṁte bhuṁjate caiva tatphalam

"Their deeds were created, in accordance with their respective births; worlds proceed in accordance with them, and they experience the fruit of them.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.113.24)

लोकसृष्टिप्रवाहार्थं स्वयमेव प्रजापतिः॥ धर्माधर्मौ ससर्जाग्रे स्ववक्षःपृष्ठभागतः

lokasṛṣṭipravāhārthaṁ svayameva prajāpatiḥ dharmādharmau sasarjāgre svavakṣaḥpṛṣṭhabhāgataḥ

"For the sake of the flow of the world's creation, Prajapati himself, at the beginning, created Dharma and Adharma from the front and back parts of his chest.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.113.25)

धर्ममेवानुतिष्ठंतः पुण्यं विंदंति तत्फलम् ॥ अधर्ममनुतिष्ठंतस्ते पापफलभोगिनः

dharmamevānutiṣṭhaṁtaḥ puṇyaṁ viṁdaṁti tatphalam adharmamanutiṣṭhaṁtaste pāpaphalabhoginaḥ

"Those who follow dharma alone obtain merit as its fruit; those who follow adharma are the enjoyers of the fruit of sin.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.113.26)

पुण्यकर्मफल स्वर्गो नरकस्तद्विपर्ययः ॥ तयोर्द्वावधिपौ धात्रा कृतौ शतमखांतकौ

puṇyakarmaphala svargo narakastadviparyayaḥ tayordvāvadhipau dhātrā kṛtau śatamakhāṁtakau

"Heaven is the fruit of meritorious deeds, and hell its opposite; the Creator made two overseers of these, Shatamakha (Indra) and Antaka (Yama).

Verse 27 (skanda.3.113.27)

कामः क्रोधश्च लोभश्च मदमानादयः परे ॥ अधर्मस्य सुता आसन्सर्वे नरकनायकाः

kāmaḥ krodhaśca lobhaśca madamānādayaḥ pare adharmasya sutā āsansarve narakanāyakāḥ

"Kama, Krodha, Lobha, and others such as Mada and Mana, were all sons of Adharma, all leaders of hell.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.113.28)

गुरुतल्पः सुरापानं तथान्यः पुल्कसीगमः ॥ कामस्य तनया ह्येते प्रधानाः परिकीर्तिताः

gurutalpaḥ surāpānaṁ tathānyaḥ pulkasīgamaḥ kāmasya tanayā hyete pradhānāḥ parikīrtitāḥ

"Defiling the guru's bed, drinking liquor, and likewise going to an outcaste woman, these are declared to be the chief sons of Kama.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.113.29)

क्रोधात्पितृवधो जातस्तथा मातृवधः परः ॥ ब्रह्महत्या च कन्यैका क्रोधस्य तनया अमी

krodhātpitṛvadho jātastathā mātṛvadhaḥ paraḥ brahmahatyā ca kanyaikā krodhasya tanayā amī

"From Krodha arose the killing of one's father, and likewise the killing of one's mother; the killing of a brahmin, and one daughter, these are the children of Krodha.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.113.30)

देवस्वहरणश्चैव ब्रह्मस्वहरणस्तथा ॥ स्वर्णस्तेय इति त्वेते लोभस्य तनयाः स्मृताः

devasvaharaṇaścaiva brahmasvaharaṇastathā svarṇasteya iti tvete lobhasya tanayāḥ smṛtāḥ

"The theft of a god's property, and likewise the theft of a brahmin's property, and the theft of gold, these are remembered as the sons of Lobha.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.113.31)

एतानाहूय चांडालान्यमः पातकनायकान् ॥ नरकस्य विवृद्ध्यर्थमाधिपत्यं चकार ह

etānāhūya cāṁḍālānyamaḥ pātakanāyakān narakasya vivṛddhyarthamādhipatyaṁ cakāra ha

"Summoning these outcastes, Yama made them the overseers of sinners, for the increase of hell.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.113.32)

ते यमेन समादिष्टा नव पातकनायकाः ॥ ते सर्वे संगता भूयो घोराः पातकनायकाः

te yamena samādiṣṭā nava pātakanāyakāḥ te sarve saṁgatā bhūyo ghorāḥ pātakanāyakāḥ

"Those nine leaders of sin, thus appointed by Yama, all gathered together again, those terrible leaders of sin,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.113.33)

नरकान्पालयामासुः स्वभृत्यैश्चोपपातकैः ॥ रुद्राध्याये भुवि प्राप्ते साक्षात्कैवल्यसाधने

narakānpālayāmāsuḥ svabhṛtyaiścopapātakaiḥ rudrādhyāye bhuvi prāpte sākṣātkaivalyasādhane

"governed the hells, together with their own servants, the lesser sinners. When the Rudradhyaya reached the earth, the direct means to liberation,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.113.34)

भीताः प्रदुद्रुवुः सर्वे तेऽमी पातकनायकाः ॥ यमं विज्ञापयामासुः सहान्यैरुपपातकैः

bhītāḥ pradudruvuḥ sarve te'mī pātakanāyakāḥ yamaṁ vijñāpayāmāsuḥ sahānyairupapātakaiḥ

"all those leaders of sin fled in terror; they, together with the other minor sinners, petitioned Yama:

Verse 35 (skanda.3.113.35)

जय देव महाराज वयं हि तव किंकराः ॥ नरकस्य विवृद्ध्यर्थं साधिकाराः कृतास्त्वया

jaya deva mahārāja vayaṁ hi tava kiṁkarāḥ narakasya vivṛddhyarthaṁ sādhikārāḥ kṛtāstvayā

"'Victory, O god, great king! We indeed are your servants, appointed by you with authority for the increase of hell.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.113.36)

अधुना वर्तितुं लोके न शक्ताः स्मो वयं प्रभो ॥ रुद्राध्यायानुभावेन निर्दग्धाश्चैव विद्रुताः

adhunā vartituṁ loke na śaktāḥ smo vayaṁ prabho rudrādhyāyānubhāvena nirdagdhāścaiva vidrutāḥ

"'Now we are unable to remain in the world, O Lord; by the power of the Rudradhyaya we have been burned up and scattered.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.113.37)

ग्रामेग्रामे नदीकूले पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च ॥ रुद्रजाप्ये तु पर्याप्ते कथं लोके चरेमहि

grāmegrāme nadīkūle puṇyeṣvāyataneṣu ca rudrajāpye tu paryāpte kathaṁ loke caremahi

"'In every village, on every riverbank, in sacred shrines, with the recitation of Rudra now widespread, how shall we move about in the world?

Verse 38 (skanda.3.113.38)

प्रायश्चित्तसहस्रं वै गणयामो न किंचन ॥ रुद्रजाप्याक्षराण्येव सोढुं बत न शक्नुमः

prāyaścittasahasraṁ vai gaṇayāmo na kiṁcana rudrajāpyākṣarāṇyeva soḍhuṁ bata na śaknumaḥ

"'We do not count even a thousand expiations as anything at all; alas, we cannot even bear the very syllables of the Rudra-recitation.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.113.39)

महापातकमुख्यानामस्माकं लोकघातिनाम् ॥ रुद्रजाप्यं भयं घोरं रुद्रजाप्यं महद्विषम्

mahāpātakamukhyānāmasmākaṁ lokaghātinām rudrajāpyaṁ bhayaṁ ghoraṁ rudrajāpyaṁ mahadviṣam

"'For us, chief among great sinners, destroyers of the world, the Rudra-recitation is a terrible fear, the Rudra-recitation is a great poison.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.113.40)

अतो दुर्विषहं घोरमस्माक व्यसनं महत् ॥ रुद्रजाप्येन संप्राप्तमपनेतुं त्वमर्हसि

ato durviṣahaṁ ghoramasmāka vyasanaṁ mahat rudrajāpyena saṁprāptamapanetuṁ tvamarhasi

"'Therefore this great, unbearable, terrible calamity that has befallen us through the Rudra-recitation, you should remove.'

Verse 41 (skanda.3.113.41)

इति विज्ञापितः साक्षाद्यमः पातकनायकैः ॥ ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकमासाद्य तस्मै सर्वं न्यवेदयत्

iti vijñāpitaḥ sākṣādyamaḥ pātakanāyakaiḥ brahmaṇoṁ'tikamāsādya tasmai sarvaṁ nyavedayat

"Thus petitioned directly by the leaders of sin, Yama went to the presence of Brahma and related all of this to him.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.113.42)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ त्वामेव शरणं गतः ॥ त्वया नियुक्तो मर्त्यानां निग्रहे पापकारिणाम्

devadeva jagannātha tvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gataḥ tvayā niyukto martyānāṁ nigrahe pāpakāriṇām

"'O god of gods, lord of the universe, I have come to you alone for refuge; appointed by you to the restraint of sinful mortals,

Verse 43 (skanda.3.113.43)

अधुना पापिनो मर्त्या न संति पृथिवीतले ॥ रुद्राध्यायेन निहतं पातकानां महत्कुलम्

adhunā pāpino martyā na saṁti pṛthivītale rudrādhyāyena nihataṁ pātakānāṁ mahatkulam

"'now there are no sinful mortals left on the face of the earth; the great host of sins has been struck down by the Rudradhyaya.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.113.44)

पातकानां कुले नष्टे नरकाः शून्यतां गताः ॥ नरके शून्यतां याते मम राज्यं हि निष्फलम्

pātakānāṁ kule naṣṭe narakāḥ śūnyatāṁ gatāḥ narake śūnyatāṁ yāte mama rājyaṁ hi niṣphalam

"'With the host of sins destroyed, the hells have become empty; with hell rendered empty, my kingdom is indeed fruitless.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.113.45)

तस्मात्त्वयैव भगवन्नुपायः परिचिन्त्यताम् ॥ यथा मे न विहन्येत स्वामित्वं मर्त्यदेहिनाम्

tasmāttvayaiva bhagavannupāyaḥ paricintyatām yathā me na vihanyeta svāmitvaṁ martyadehinām

"'Therefore, O Lord, you alone should devise a remedy, so that my sovereignty over mortal beings may not be destroyed.'

Verse 46 (skanda.3.113.46)

इति विज्ञापितो धाता यमेन परिखिद्यता ॥ रुद्रजाप्यविघातार्थमुपायं पर्यकल्पयत्

iti vijñāpito dhātā yamena parikhidyatā rudrajāpyavighātārthamupāyaṁ paryakalpayat

"Thus petitioned by the troubled Yama, the Creator devised a remedy for the obstruction of the Rudra-recitation.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.113.47)

अश्रद्धां चैव दुर्मेधामविद्यायाः सुते उभे ॥ श्रद्धामेधाविघातिन्यौ मर्त्येषु पर्यचोदयत्

aśraddhāṁ caiva durmedhāmavidyāyāḥ sute ubhe śraddhāmedhāvighātinyau martyeṣu paryacodayat

"He set loose among mortals faithlessness and dullness of intellect, the two daughters of ignorance, destroyers of faith and of intelligence.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.113.48)

ताभ्यां विमोहिते लोके रुद्राध्यायपराङ्मुखे ॥ यमः स्वस्थानमासाद्य कृतार्थ इव सोऽभवत्

tābhyāṁ vimohite loke rudrādhyāyaparāṅmukhe yamaḥ svasthānamāsādya kṛtārtha iva so'bhavat

"Deluded by these two, the world turned away from the Rudradhyaya; Yama, reaching his own abode, became as if his purpose were fulfilled.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.113.49)

पूर्वजन्मकृतैः पापैर्जायंतेऽल्पायुषो जनाः ॥ तानि पापानि नश्यंति रुद्रं जप्तवतां नृणाम्

pūrvajanmakṛtaiḥ pāpairjāyaṁte'lpāyuṣo janāḥ tāni pāpāni naśyaṁti rudraṁ japtavatāṁ nṛṇām

"Men are born short-lived through sins committed in former births; those sins are destroyed for men who recite the Rudra.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.113.50)

क्षीणेषु सर्वपापेषु दीर्घमायुर्बलं धृतिः ॥ आरोग्यं ज्ञानमैश्वर्यं वर्धते सर्वदेहिनाम्

kṣīṇeṣu sarvapāpeṣu dīrghamāyurbalaṁ dhṛtiḥ ārogyaṁ jñānamaiśvaryaṁ vardhate sarvadehinām

"When all sins are exhausted, long life, strength, fortitude, health, knowledge and lordship increase for all embodied beings.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.113.51)

रुद्राध्यायेन ये देवं स्नापयंति महेश्वरम् ॥ तज्जलैः कुर्वतः स्नानं ते मृत्युं संतरंति च

rudrādhyāyena ye devaṁ snāpayaṁti maheśvaram tajjalaiḥ kurvataḥ snānaṁ te mṛtyuṁ saṁtaraṁti ca

"Those who bathe the great Lord, Maheshvara, with the Rudradhyaya, and bathe themselves with those very waters, cross over death.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.113.52)

रुद्राध्यायाभिजप्तेन स्नानं कुर्वंति येंऽभसा ॥ तेषां मृत्युभयं नास्ति शिवलो के महीयते

rudrādhyāyābhijaptena snānaṁ kurvaṁti yeṁ'bhasā teṣāṁ mṛtyubhayaṁ nāsti śivalo ke mahīyate

"Those who bathe with water consecrated by the recitation of the Rudradhyaya have no fear of death; they are honored in the world of Shiva.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.113.53)

शतरुद्राभिषेकेण शतायुर्जायते नरः ॥ अशेषपापनिर्मुक्तः शिवस्य दयितो भवेत्

śatarudrābhiṣekeṇa śatāyurjāyate naraḥ aśeṣapāpanirmuktaḥ śivasya dayito bhavet

"By the Shatarudra-abhisheka a man attains a hundred years of life; freed from all sin, he becomes beloved of Shiva.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.113.54)

एष रुद्रायुतस्नानं करोतु तव पुत्रकः ॥ दशवर्षसहस्राणि मोदते भुवि शक्रवत्

eṣa rudrāyutasnānaṁ karotu tava putrakaḥ daśavarṣasahasrāṇi modate bhuvi śakravat

"Let this your son perform the bathing with ten thousand recitations of Rudra; he shall rejoice on earth like Indra, for ten thousand years,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.113.55)

अव्याहतबलैश्वर्यो हतशत्रुर्निरामयः ॥ निर्धूताखिलपापौघः शास्ता राज्यमकंटकम्

avyāhatabalaiśvaryo hataśatrurnirāmayaḥ nirdhūtākhilapāpaughaḥ śāstā rājyamakaṁṭakam

"his strength and lordship unopposed, his enemies slain, free of illness, every mass of sin shaken off, ruling a kingdom free of any thorn.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.113.56)

विप्रा वेदविदः शांताः कृतिनः शंसितव्रताः ॥ ज्ञानयज्ञतपोनिष्ठाः शिवभक्तिपरायणाः

viprā vedavidaḥ śāṁtāḥ kṛtinaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ jñānayajñataponiṣṭhāḥ śivabhaktiparāyaṇāḥ

"Let brahmins, knowers of the Veda, tranquil, accomplished, of praised vows, devoted to knowledge, sacrifice, and austerity, intent on devotion to Shiva,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.113.57)

रुद्राध्याय जपं सम्यक्कुर्वंतु विमलाशयाः ॥ तेषां जपानुभावेन सद्यः श्रेयो भविष्यति

rudrādhyāya japaṁ samyakkurvaṁtu vimalāśayāḥ teṣāṁ japānubhāvena sadyaḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati

"of pure intent, duly perform the recitation of the Rudradhyaya; by the power of their recitation, well-being shall come to him at once."

Verse 58 (skanda.3.113.58)

इत्युक्तवंतं नृपतिर्महामुनिं तमेव वव्रे प्रथमं क्रियागुरुम् ॥ अथापरांस्त्यक्तधनाशयान्मुनीनावाहयामास सहस्रशः क्षणात्

ityuktavaṁtaṁ nṛpatirmahāmuniṁ tameva vavre prathamaṁ kriyāgurum athāparāṁstyaktadhanāśayānmunīnāvāhayāmāsa sahasraśaḥ kṣaṇāt

Thus addressed, the king chose that very great sage as his first officiating priest for the rite; then he invoked other sages too, who had abandoned all desire for wealth, by the thousands, in an instant.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.113.59)

ते विप्राः शांतमनसः सहस्रपरिसंमिताः ॥ कलशानां शतं स्थाप्य पुण्य वृक्षरसैर्युतम्

te viprāḥ śāṁtamanasaḥ sahasraparisaṁmitāḥ kalaśānāṁ śataṁ sthāpya puṇya vṛkṣarasairyutam

Those brahmins, tranquil in mind, numbering a thousand, having set up a hundred vessels filled with the sap of sacred trees,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.113.60)

रुद्राध्यायेन संस्नाप्य तमुर्वीपतिपुत्रकम् ॥ विधिवत्स्नापयामासुः संप्राप्ते सप्तमे दिने

rudrādhyāyena saṁsnāpya tamurvīpatiputrakam vidhivatsnāpayāmāsuḥ saṁprāpte saptame dine

having bathed that prince with the Rudradhyaya, duly performed the bathing rite, when the seventh day arrived.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.113.61)

स्नाप्यमानो मुनिजनैः स राजन्यकुमारकः ॥ अकस्मादेव संत्रस्तः क्षणं मूर्च्छामवाप ह

snāpyamāno munijanaiḥ sa rājanyakumārakaḥ akasmādeva saṁtrastaḥ kṣaṇaṁ mūrcchāmavāpa ha

As that prince was being bathed by the sages, suddenly terrified, he fell into a swoon for a moment.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.113.62)

सहसैव प्रबुद्धोऽसौ मुनिभिः कृतरक्षणः ॥ प्रोवाच कश्चित्पुरुषो दंडहस्तः समागतः

sahasaiva prabuddho'sau munibhiḥ kṛtarakṣaṇaḥ provāca kaścitpuruṣo daṁḍahastaḥ samāgataḥ

Instantly awakened, protected by the sages, he said: "A certain man, a rod in his hand, approached,

Verse 63 (skanda.3.113.63)

मां प्रहर्तुं कृतमतिर्भीमदण्डो भयानकः ॥ सोऽपि चान्यैर्महावीरै पुरुषैरभिताडितः

māṁ prahartuṁ kṛtamatirbhīmadaṇḍo bhayānakaḥ so'pi cānyairmahāvīrai puruṣairabhitāḍitaḥ

"his mind set on striking me, his rod terrible, frightening; but he too was struck on all sides by other great heroes, mighty men,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.113.64)

बद्ध्वा पाशेन महता दूरं नीत इवाभवत् ॥ एतावदहमद्राक्षं भवद्भिः कृतरक्षणः

baddhvā pāśena mahatā dūraṁ nīta ivābhavat etāvadahamadrākṣaṁ bhavadbhiḥ kṛtarakṣaṇaḥ

"and, bound with a great noose, seemed to be led far away. This much I saw, protected as I was by you."

Verse 65 (skanda.3.113.65)

इत्युक्तवंतं नृपतेस्तनूजं द्विजसत्तमाः ॥ आशीर्भिः पूजयामासुर्भयं राज्ञे न्यवेदयन्

ityuktavaṁtaṁ nṛpatestanūjaṁ dvijasattamāḥ āśīrbhiḥ pūjayāmāsurbhayaṁ rājñe nyavedayan

Hearing the prince say this, the excellent brahmins honored him with blessings, and reported the danger to the king.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.113.66)

अथ सर्वानृषीञ्छ्रेष्ठान्दक्षिणाभिर्नृपोत्तमः ॥ पूजयित्वा वरान्नेन भोजयित्वा च भक्तितः

atha sarvānṛṣīñchreṣṭhāndakṣiṇābhirnṛpottamaḥ pūjayitvā varānnena bhojayitvā ca bhaktitaḥ

Then, having honored all the excellent sages with dakshina, and having fed them excellent food with devotion, that best of kings,

Verse 67 (skanda.3.113.67)

प्रतिगृह्याशिषस्तेषां मुनीनां ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ भक्त्या बंधुजनैः सार्धं सभायां समुपाविशत्

pratigṛhyāśiṣasteṣāṁ munīnāṁ brahmavādinām bhaktyā baṁdhujanaiḥ sārdhaṁ sabhāyāṁ samupāviśat

having received their blessings, those brahmins, upholders of the Veda, sat down in the assembly with devotion, together with his kinsmen.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.113.68)

तस्मिन्समागते वीरे मुनिभिः सह पार्थिवे ॥ आजगाम महायोगी देवर्षिर्नारदः स्वयम्

tasminsamāgate vīre munibhiḥ saha pārthive ājagāma mahāyogī devarṣirnāradaḥ svayam

As that hero sat there, together with the sages, the great yogi, the divine sage Narada himself, arrived.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.113.69)

तमागतं प्रेक्ष्य गुरुं मुनीनां सार्धं सदस्यैरखिलैर्मुनींद्रैः ॥ प्रणम्य भक्त्या विनिवेश्य पीठे कृतोपचारं नृपतिर्बभाषे

tamāgataṁ prekṣya guruṁ munīnāṁ sārdhaṁ sadasyairakhilairmunīṁdraiḥ praṇamya bhaktyā viniveśya pīṭhe kṛtopacāraṁ nṛpatirbabhāṣe

Seeing that guru of the sages arrive, together with all the assembled lords of sages, the king, bowing with devotion, having seated him upon a seat and performed his hospitality, spoke.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.113.70)

राजोवाच ॥ दृष्टं किमस्ति ते ब्रह्मस्त्रिलोक्यां किंचिदद्भुतम् ॥ तन्नो ब्रूहि वयं सर्वे त्वद्वाक्यामृतलालसाः

rājovāca dṛṣṭaṁ kimasti te brahmastrilokyāṁ kiṁcidadbhutam tanno brūhi vayaṁ sarve tvadvākyāmṛtalālasāḥ

The king said: "Have you seen, O Brahman, anything wondrous in the three worlds? Tell us that; we are all eager for the nectar of your words."

Verse 71 (skanda.3.113.71)

नारद उवाच ॥ अद्य चित्रं महद्दृष्टं व्योम्नोवतरता मया ॥ तच्छृणुष्व महाराज सहैभिर्मुनिपुंगवैः

nārada uvāca adya citraṁ mahaddṛṣṭaṁ vyomnovataratā mayā tacchṛṇuṣva mahārāja sahaibhirmunipuṁgavaiḥ

Narada said: "Today, descending from the sky, I saw a great wonder; hear it, great king, together with these excellent sages.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.113.72)

अद्य मृत्युरिहायातो निहंतुं तव पुत्रकम्॥ दंडहस्तो दुराधर्षो लोकमुद्बाधयन्सदा

adya mṛtyurihāyāto nihaṁtuṁ tava putrakam daṁḍahasto durādharṣo lokamudbādhayansadā

"Today Death came here to slay your son, rod in hand, unassailable, ever afflicting the world.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.113.73)

ईश्वरोपि विदित्वैनं त्वत्पुत्रं हंतुमागतम् ॥ सहैव पार्षदैः कंचिद्वीरभद्रमचोदयत्

īśvaropi viditvainaṁ tvatputraṁ haṁtumāgatam sahaiva pārṣadaiḥ kaṁcidvīrabhadramacodayat

"Ishvara too, learning that he had come to slay your son, together with his attendants, dispatched a certain Virabhadra.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.113.74)

स आगत्य हठान्मृत्युं त्वत्पुत्रं हंतुमागतम् ॥ गृहीत्वा सुदृढं बद्ध्वा दंडेनाभ्यहनद्रुषा

sa āgatya haṭhānmṛtyuṁ tvatputraṁ haṁtumāgatam gṛhītvā sudṛḍhaṁ baddhvā daṁḍenābhyahanadruṣā

"He, coming forcibly, seized Death, who had come to slay your son, bound him fast, and struck him with a rod in fury.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.113.75)

तं नीयमानं जगदीशसन्निधिं शीघ्रं विदित्वा भगवान्यमः स्वयम् ॥ कृतांजलिर्देव जयेत्युदीरयन्प्रणम्य मूर्ध्ना निजगाद शूलिनम्

taṁ nīyamānaṁ jagadīśasannidhiṁ śīghraṁ viditvā bhagavānyamaḥ svayam kṛtāṁjalirdeva jayetyudīrayanpraṇamya mūrdhnā nijagāda śūlinam

"As he was being led away, quickly recognizing the presence of the Lord of the universe, the blessed Yama himself, with joined palms, crying 'Victory, O god!', bowing with his head, spoke to the trident-bearer.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.113.76)

यम उवाच ॥ देवदेव महारुद्र वीरभद्र नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ निरागसि कथं मृत्यौ कोपस्तव समुत्थितः

yama uvāca devadeva mahārudra vīrabhadra namo'stu te nirāgasi kathaṁ mṛtyau kopastava samutthitaḥ

"Yama said: 'O god of gods, great Rudra, Virabhadra, salutation to you; how has your anger arisen against Death, who was blameless?

Verse 77 (skanda.3.113.77)

निजकर्मानुबंधेन राजपुत्रं गतायुषम्॥ प्रहर्तुमुद्यते मृत्यौ कोपराधो वद प्रभो

nijakarmānubaṁdhena rājaputraṁ gatāyuṣam prahartumudyate mṛtyau koparādho vada prabho

"'By the bond of his own past deeds, Death, moved to strike a prince whose life had ended, O Lord, tell me, what is the fault deserving your wrath?'

Verse 78 (skanda.3.113.78)

वीरभद्र उवाच॥ दशवर्षसहस्रायुः स राजतनयः कथम्॥ विपत्तिमंतरायाति रुद्रस्नानहताशुभः

vīrabhadra uvāca daśavarṣasahasrāyuḥ sa rājatanayaḥ katham vipattimaṁtarāyāti rudrasnānahatāśubhaḥ

"Virabhadra said: 'How is it that this prince, of ten thousand years' lifespan, whose inauspiciousness has been struck down by the Rudra-bathing, should meet with calamity?

Verse 79 (skanda.3.113.79)

अस्ति चेत्तव संदेहो मद्वाक्येऽप्यनिवारिते ॥ चित्रगुप्तं समाहूय प्रष्टव्योऽद्यैव मा चिरम्

asti cettava saṁdeho madvākye'pyanivārite citraguptaṁ samāhūya praṣṭavyo'dyaiva mā ciram

"'If you have any doubt, even at my word, which is unstoppable, summon Chitragupta and ask him this very day, without delay.'

Verse 80 (skanda.3.113.80)

नारद उवाच ॥ अथाहूतश्चित्रगुप्तो यमेन सहसागतः ॥ आयुःप्रमाण त्वत्सूनोः परिपृष्टः स चाब्रवीत्

nārada uvāca athāhūtaścitragupto yamena sahasāgataḥ āyuḥpramāṇa tvatsūnoḥ paripṛṣṭaḥ sa cābravīt

"Narada said: 'Then Chitragupta, summoned, came swiftly with Yama; asked about the measure of your son's lifespan, he said,

Verse 81 (skanda.3.113.81)

द्वादशाब्दं च तस्यायुरित्युक्त्वाथ विमृश्य च ॥ पुनर्लेख्यगतं प्राह स वर्षायुतजीवितम्

dvādaśābdaṁ ca tasyāyurityuktvātha vimṛśya ca punarlekhyagataṁ prāha sa varṣāyutajīvitam

"'"Twelve years is his lifespan," thus he first said, but then, reconsidering, and looking again at what was written in his record, he declared his life to be ten thousand years.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.113.82)

अथ भीतो यमो राजा वीरभद्रं प्रणम्य च ॥ कथंचिन्मोचयामास मृत्युं दुर्वारबंधनात्

atha bhīto yamo rājā vīrabhadraṁ praṇamya ca kathaṁcinmocayāmāsa mṛtyuṁ durvārabaṁdhanāt

"'Then Yama, frightened, bowing to Virabhadra, somehow had Death released from that unbreakable bondage.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.113.83)

वीरभद्रेण मुक्तोऽथ यमोऽगान्निजमंदिरम् ॥ वीरभद्रश्च कैलासमहं प्राप्तस्तवांतिकम्

vīrabhadreṇa mukto'tha yamo'gānnijamaṁdiram vīrabhadraśca kailāsamahaṁ prāptastavāṁtikam

"'Released by Virabhadra, Yama then went to his own abode; and Virabhadra went to Kailasa, and I have come here to your presence.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.113.84)

अतस्तव कुमारोऽयं रुद्रजाप्यानुभावतः ॥ मृत्योर्भयं समुत्तीर्य सुखी जातोऽयुतं समाः

atastava kumāro'yaṁ rudrajāpyānubhāvataḥ mṛtyorbhayaṁ samuttīrya sukhī jāto'yutaṁ samāḥ

"'Therefore this your son, by the power of the Rudra-recitation, having crossed over the fear of death, has become happy, for ten thousand years.'"

Verse 85 (skanda.3.113.85)

इत्युक्त्वा नृपमामंत्र्य नारदे त्रिदिवं गते ॥ विप्राः सर्वे प्रमुदिताः स्वस्वजग्मुरथाश्रमम्

ityuktvā nṛpamāmaṁtrya nārade tridivaṁ gate viprāḥ sarve pramuditāḥ svasvajagmurathāśramam

Having said this, and taken leave of the king, when Narada had gone to heaven, all the brahmins, greatly delighted, went each to his own hermitage.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.113.86)

इत्थं काश्मीरनृपती रुद्राध्यायप्रभावतः ॥ निस्तीर्याशेषदुः खानि कृतार्थोभूत्सपुत्रकः

itthaṁ kāśmīranṛpatī rudrādhyāyaprabhāvataḥ nistīryāśeṣaduḥ khāni kṛtārthobhūtsaputrakaḥ

Thus the king of Kashmir, by the power of the Rudradhyaya, having crossed over every sorrow, together with his son, became fulfilled.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.113.87)

ये कीर्तयंति मनुजाः परमेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यमेतदथ कर्णपुटैः पिबंति ॥ ते जन्मकोटिकृतपापगणैर्विमुक्ताः शांताः प्रयांति परमं पदमिंदुमौलेः

ye kīrtayaṁti manujāḥ parameśvarasya māhātmyametadatha karṇapuṭaiḥ pibaṁti te janmakoṭikṛtapāpagaṇairvimuktāḥ śāṁtāḥ prayāṁti paramaṁ padamiṁdumauleḥ

Those men who proclaim this glory of the Supreme Lord, and who drink it in through the cups of their ears, are freed from the accumulated sins of a million births, and, at peace, attain the supreme abode of the moon-crested Lord.