The Glory of Hearing the Purana

Verse 1 (skanda.3.114.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ एवं शिवतमः पंथाः शिवेनैव प्रदर्शितः ॥ नृणां संसृतिबद्धानां सद्योमुक्तिकरः परः

sūta uvāca evaṁ śivatamaḥ paṁthāḥ śivenaiva pradarśitaḥ nṛṇāṁ saṁsṛtibaddhānāṁ sadyomuktikaraḥ paraḥ

Suta said: Thus has the most auspicious path, shown by Shiva himself, been declared, the supreme path that grants instant liberation to men bound by the cycle of rebirth.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.114.2)

अथ दुर्मेधसां पुंसां वेदेष्वनधिकारिणाम् ॥ स्त्रीणां द्विजातिबंधूनां सर्वेषां च शरीरिणाम्

atha durmedhasāṁ puṁsāṁ vedeṣvanadhikāriṇām strīṇāṁ dvijātibaṁdhūnāṁ sarveṣāṁ ca śarīriṇām

Now, for men of poor understanding, unqualified for the Vedas, for women, for the kinsmen of the twice-born, and for all embodied beings,

Verse 3 (skanda.3.114.3)

एष साधारणः पंथाः साक्षात्कैवल्यसाधनः ॥ महामुनिजनैः सेव्यो देवैरपि सुपूजितः

eṣa sādhāraṇaḥ paṁthāḥ sākṣātkaivalyasādhanaḥ mahāmunijanaiḥ sevyo devairapi supūjitaḥ

this is the universal path, the direct means to liberation, to be followed by great sages, and well worshipped even by the gods,

Verse 4 (skanda.3.114.4)

यत्कथाश्रवणं शंभोः संसारभयनाशनम् ॥ सद्योमुक्तिकरं श्लाघ्यं पवित्रं सर्वदेहिनाम्

yatkathāśravaṇaṁ śaṁbhoḥ saṁsārabhayanāśanam sadyomuktikaraṁ ślāghyaṁ pavitraṁ sarvadehinām

namely, the hearing of the story of Shambhu, which destroys the fear of worldly existence, grants instant liberation, is praiseworthy, and purifies all embodied beings.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.114.5)

अज्ञानतिमिरांधानां दीपोऽयं ज्ञानसिद्धिदः ॥ भवरोगनिबद्धानां सुसेव्यं परमौषधम्

ajñānatimirāṁdhānāṁ dīpo'yaṁ jñānasiddhidaḥ bhavaroganibaddhānāṁ susevyaṁ paramauṣadham

For those blinded by the darkness of ignorance, this is a lamp bestowing the attainment of knowledge; for those bound by the disease of worldly existence, it is a supreme, most fitting medicine.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.114.6)

महापातकशैलानां वज्रघातसुदारुणम् ॥ भर्जनं कर्मबीजानां साधनं सर्व संपदाम्

mahāpātakaśailānāṁ vajraghātasudāruṇam bharjanaṁ karmabījānāṁ sādhanaṁ sarva saṁpadām

For the mountains of great sin, it is a most terrible thunderbolt-blow; it is the roasting of the seeds of karma, the means to every fortune.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.114.7)

ये शृण्वंति सदा शम्भोः कथां भुवनपावनीम् ॥ ते वै मनुष्या लोकेस्मिन्रुद्रा एव न संशयः

ye śṛṇvaṁti sadā śambhoḥ kathāṁ bhuvanapāvanīm te vai manuṣyā lokesminrudrā eva na saṁśayaḥ

Those who always hear the world-purifying story of Shambhu, they indeed, without doubt, are Rudras themselves among men in this world.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.114.8)

शृण्वतां शूलिनो गाथां तथा कीर्तयतां सताम् ॥ तेषां पादरजांस्येव तीर्थानि मुनयो जगुः

śṛṇvatāṁ śūlino gāthāṁ tathā kīrtayatāṁ satām teṣāṁ pādarajāṁsyeva tīrthāni munayo jaguḥ

The sages have declared that the very dust of the feet of those who hear, and likewise of the virtuous who recite, the tale of the trident-bearer, are themselves sacred fords.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.114.9)

तस्मान्निश्रेयसं गन्तुं येभिवांछंति देहिनः ॥ ते शृण्वंतु सदा भक्त्या शैवीं पौराणिकीं कथाम्

tasmānniśreyasaṁ gantuṁ yebhivāṁchaṁti dehinaḥ te śṛṇvaṁtu sadā bhaktyā śaivīṁ paurāṇikīṁ kathām

Therefore those embodied beings who wish to attain the highest good should always, with devotion, listen to the Shaiva Puranic tale.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.114.10)

यद्यशक्तः सदा श्रोतुं कथां पौराणिकीं नरः ॥ मुहूर्तं वापि शृणुयान्नियतात्मा दिनेदिने

yadyaśaktaḥ sadā śrotuṁ kathāṁ paurāṇikīṁ naraḥ muhūrtaṁ vāpi śṛṇuyānniyatātmā dinedine

If a man is unable to hear the Puranic story constantly, let him, self-controlled, hear it for at least a moment each day.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.114.11)

अथ प्रतिदिनं श्रोतुमशक्तो यदि मानवः ॥ पुण्यमासेषु वा पुण्ये दिने पुण्यतिथिष्वपि

atha pratidinaṁ śrotumaśakto yadi mānavaḥ puṇyamāseṣu vā puṇye dine puṇyatithiṣvapi

But if a man is unable to hear it every day, then in the sacred months, or on a sacred day, or on sacred lunar dates,

Verse 12 (skanda.3.114.12)

यः शृणोति कथां रम्यां पुराणैः समुदीरिताम् ॥ स निस्तरति संसारं दग्ध्वा कर्ममहाटवीम्

yaḥ śṛṇoti kathāṁ ramyāṁ purāṇaiḥ samudīritām sa nistarati saṁsāraṁ dagdhvā karmamahāṭavīm

whoever hears the lovely story proclaimed by the Puranas crosses over worldly existence, having burned away the great forest of karma.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.114.13)

मुहूर्त्तं वा तदर्द्धं वा क्षणं वा पावनीं कथाम् ॥ ये शृण्वंति सदा भक्त्या न तेषामस्ति दुर्गतिः

muhūrttaṁ vā tadarddhaṁ vā kṣaṇaṁ vā pāvanīṁ kathām ye śṛṇvaṁti sadā bhaktyā na teṣāmasti durgatiḥ

Those who always hear, with devotion, that purifying tale for even a muhurta, or half of that, or even a moment, for them there is no ill fate.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.114.14)

यत्फलं सर्वयज्ञेषु सर्वदानेषु यत्फलम् ॥ सकृत्पुराणश्रवणात्तत्फलं विंदते नरः

yatphalaṁ sarvayajñeṣu sarvadāneṣu yatphalam sakṛtpurāṇaśravaṇāttatphalaṁ viṁdate naraḥ

Whatever is the fruit of all sacrifices, whatever the fruit of all charitable gifts, a man obtains that very fruit by hearing the Purana even once.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.114.15)

कलौ युगे विशेषेण पुराणश्रवणादृते ॥ नास्ति धर्मः परः पुंसां नास्ति मुक्तिपथः परः

kalau yuge viśeṣeṇa purāṇaśravaṇādṛte nāsti dharmaḥ paraḥ puṁsāṁ nāsti muktipathaḥ paraḥ

In the Kali age especially, apart from the hearing of the Purana, there is no supreme dharma for men, no supreme path to liberation.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.114.16)

पुराणश्रवणाच्छंभोर्नास्ति संकीर्तनं परम् ॥ अत एव मनुष्याणां कल्पद्रुममहाफलम्

purāṇaśravaṇācchaṁbhornāsti saṁkīrtanaṁ param ata eva manuṣyāṇāṁ kalpadrumamahāphalam

There is no recitation of Shambhu superior to the hearing of the Purana; therefore it is, for men, the great fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.114.17)

कलौ हीनायुषो मर्त्या दुर्बलाः श्रमपीडिताः ॥ दुर्मेधसो दुःखभाजो धर्माचारविवर्जिताः

kalau hīnāyuṣo martyā durbalāḥ śramapīḍitāḥ durmedhaso duḥkhabhājo dharmācāravivarjitāḥ

In the Kali age, mortals of short life, weak, afflicted by toil, of poor intelligence, prone to suffering, devoid of righteous conduct,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.114.18)

इति संचिंत्य कृपया भगवान्बादरायणः ॥ हिताय तेषां विदधे पुराणाख्यं सुधारसम्

iti saṁciṁtya kṛpayā bhagavānbādarāyaṇaḥ hitāya teṣāṁ vidadhe purāṇākhyaṁ sudhārasam

thinking thus with compassion, the blessed Badarayana, for their benefit, prepared this nectar-essence called the Purana.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.114.19)

पिबन्नेवामृतं यत्नादेतत्स्यादजरामरः ॥ शम्भोः कथामृतं कुर्यात्कुलमेवाजरामरम्

pibannevāmṛtaṁ yatnādetatsyādajarāmaraḥ śambhoḥ kathāmṛtaṁ kuryātkulamevājarāmaram

Just as, by drinking amrita with effort, one becomes immortal, so the nectar-tale of Shambhu makes one's whole lineage immortal.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.114.20)

बालो युवा दरिद्रो वा वृद्धो वा दुर्बलोऽपि वा ॥ पुराणज्ञः सदा वन्द्यः पूज्यश्च सुकृतार्थिभिः

bālo yuvā daridro vā vṛddho vā durbalo'pi vā purāṇajñaḥ sadā vandyaḥ pūjyaśca sukṛtārthibhiḥ

A child, a youth, a poor man, an old man, or even a weak one, one who knows the Puranas should always be honored and worshipped by those who seek merit.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.114.21)

नीचबुद्धिं न कुर्वीत पुराणज्ञे कदाचन ॥ यस्य वक्त्रांबुजाद्वाणी कामधेनुः शरीरिणाम्

nīcabuddhiṁ na kurvīta purāṇajñe kadācana yasya vaktrāṁbujādvāṇī kāmadhenuḥ śarīriṇām

One should never harbor low thoughts toward a knower of the Puranas, from whose lotus mouth the speech flows like a wish-fulfilling cow for embodied beings.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.114.22)

गुरवः संति लोकेषु जन्मतो गुणतस्तथा ॥ तेषामपि च सर्वेषां पुराणज्ञः परो गुरुः

guravaḥ saṁti lokeṣu janmato guṇatastathā teṣāmapi ca sarveṣāṁ purāṇajñaḥ paro guruḥ

There are gurus in the world by birth and likewise by virtue; but among all of these too, the knower of the Purana is the supreme guru.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.114.23)

भवकोटिसहस्रेषु भूत्वाभूत्वावसीदति ॥ यो ददात्यपुनर्वृत्तिं कोऽन्यस्तस्मात्परो गुरुः

bhavakoṭisahasreṣu bhūtvābhūtvāvasīdati yo dadātyapunarvṛttiṁ ko'nyastasmātparo guruḥ

He who, having been born again and again through thousands of millions of worldly existences, sinks down, whoever grants him freedom from this cycle, who else is a guru greater than that?

Verse 24 (skanda.3.114.24)

पुराणज्ञः शुचिर्दांतः शांतो विजितमत्सरः ॥ साधुः कारुण्यवान्वाग्मी वदेत्पुण्यकथां सुधी

purāṇajñaḥ śucirdāṁtaḥ śāṁto vijitamatsaraḥ sādhuḥ kāruṇyavānvāgmī vadetpuṇyakathāṁ sudhī

The knower of the Purana, pure, self-controlled, tranquil, having conquered envy, virtuous, compassionate, eloquent, and wise, should recite the sacred tale.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.114.25)

व्यासासनं समारूढो यदा पौराणिको द्विजः ॥ असमाप्तप्रसंगश्च नमस्कुर्यान्न कस्य चित्

vyāsāsanaṁ samārūḍho yadā paurāṇiko dvijaḥ asamāptaprasaṁgaśca namaskuryānna kasya cit

When the Puranic reciter, a brahmin, has mounted the Vyasa-seat, and while his discourse is unfinished, he should bow to no one at all.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.114.26)

ये धूर्ता ये च दुर्वृत्ता ये चान्ये विजिगीषवः ॥ तेषां कुटिलवृत्तीनामग्रे नैव वदेत्कथाम्

ye dhūrtā ye ca durvṛttā ye cānye vijigīṣavaḥ teṣāṁ kuṭilavṛttīnāmagre naiva vadetkathām

Before those who are rogues, of evil conduct, or otherwise ambitious for conquest, of crooked ways, one should never recite the tale.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.114.27)

न दुर्जनसमाकीर्णे न शूद्रश्वापदावृते ॥ देशे न द्यूतसदने वदेत्पुण्यकथां सुधीः

na durjanasamākīrṇe na śūdraśvāpadāvṛte deśe na dyūtasadane vadetpuṇyakathāṁ sudhīḥ

The wise one should not recite the sacred tale in a place crowded with wicked people, nor filled with shudras and wild beasts, nor in a gambling house.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.114.28)

सद्ग्रामे सुजनाकीर्णे सुक्षेत्रे देवतालये ॥ पुण्ये नदनदीतीरे वदेत्पुण्यकथां सुधीः

sadgrāme sujanākīrṇe sukṣetre devatālaye puṇye nadanadītīre vadetpuṇyakathāṁ sudhīḥ

The wise one should recite the sacred tale in a good village, crowded with good people, in a fine field, in a temple, or on the sacred bank of a river or stream.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.114.29)

शिवभक्तिसमायुक्ता नान्यकार्येषु लालसा ॥ वाग्यताः सुश्रवोऽव्यग्राः श्रोतारः पुण्यभागिनः

śivabhaktisamāyuktā nānyakāryeṣu lālasā vāgyatāḥ suśravo'vyagrāḥ śrotāraḥ puṇyabhāginaḥ

Listeners endowed with devotion to Shiva, not eager for other tasks, restrained in speech, of good hearing, undistracted, they are the ones who share in the merit.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.114.30)

अभक्ता ये कथां पुण्यां शृण्वंति मनुजाधमाः ॥ तेषां पुण्यफलं नास्ति दुःखं स्याज्जन्मजन्मनि

abhaktā ye kathāṁ puṇyāṁ śṛṇvaṁti manujādhamāḥ teṣāṁ puṇyaphalaṁ nāsti duḥkhaṁ syājjanmajanmani

Base men, undevoted, who hear the sacred tale, for them there is no fruit of merit; there is only sorrow, birth after birth.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.114.31)

पुराणं ये त्वसंपूज्य तांबूलाद्यैरुपायनैः ॥ शृण्वंति च कथां भक्त्या दरिद्राः स्युर्न पापिनः

purāṇaṁ ye tvasaṁpūjya tāṁbūlādyairupāyanaiḥ śṛṇvaṁti ca kathāṁ bhaktyā daridrāḥ syurna pāpinaḥ

Those who, without honoring the Purana with betel and other offerings, hear the tale with devotion, shall become poor, though not sinful.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.114.32)

कथायां कीर्त्यमानायां ये गच्छंत्यन्यतो नराः ॥ भोगांतरे प्रणश्यंति तेषां दाराश्च संपदः

kathāyāṁ kīrtyamānāyāṁ ye gacchaṁtyanyato narāḥ bhogāṁtare praṇaśyaṁti teṣāṁ dārāśca saṁpadaḥ

Men who, while the tale is being recited, go elsewhere, in another life their wives and fortunes perish.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.114.33)

सोष्णीषमस्तका ये च कथां शृण्वंति पावनीम् ॥ ते बलाकाः प्रजायन्ते पापिनो मनुजाधमाः

soṣṇīṣamastakā ye ca kathāṁ śṛṇvaṁti pāvanīm te balākāḥ prajāyante pāpino manujādhamāḥ

Those base, sinful men who hear the purifying tale with their heads still turbaned, are reborn as cranes.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.114.34)

तांबूलं भक्षयन्तो ये कथां शृण्वंति पावनीम् ॥ स्वविष्ठां खादयंत्येतान्नरके यमकिंकराः

tāṁbūlaṁ bhakṣayanto ye kathāṁ śṛṇvaṁti pāvanīm svaviṣṭhāṁ khādayaṁtyetānnarake yamakiṁkarāḥ

Those who, chewing betel, hear the purifying tale, the servants of Yama make them eat their own excrement in hell.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.114.35)

ये च तुंगासनारूढाः कथां शृण्वंति दांभिकाः ॥ अक्षयान्नरकान्भुक्त्वा ते भवंत्येव वायसाः

ye ca tuṁgāsanārūḍhāḥ kathāṁ śṛṇvaṁti dāṁbhikāḥ akṣayānnarakānbhuktvā te bhavaṁtyeva vāyasāḥ

Those hypocrites who, seated upon a raised seat, hear the tale, having endured inexhaustible hells, become nothing but crows.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.114.36)

ये च वीरासनारूढा ये च मंचकसंस्थिताः ॥ शृण्वंति सत्कथां ते वै भवंत्यनृजुपादपाः

ye ca vīrāsanārūḍhā ye ca maṁcakasaṁsthitāḥ śṛṇvaṁti satkathāṁ te vai bhavaṁtyanṛjupādapāḥ

Those who, seated in the hero's posture, or reclining upon a couch, hear the sacred tale, become crooked-footed trees.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.114.37)

असंप्रणम्य शृण्वंतो विषवृक्षा भवंति ते ॥ कथां शयानाः शृण्वन्तो भवंत्यजगरा नराः

asaṁpraṇamya śṛṇvaṁto viṣavṛkṣā bhavaṁti te kathāṁ śayānāḥ śṛṇvanto bhavaṁtyajagarā narāḥ

Those who listen without bowing become poison-trees; men who listen while lying down become pythons.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.114.38)

यः शृणोति कथां वक्तुः समानासनमाश्रितः ॥ गुरुतल्पसमं पापं संप्राप्य नरकं व्रजेत्

yaḥ śṛṇoti kathāṁ vaktuḥ samānāsanamāśritaḥ gurutalpasamaṁ pāpaṁ saṁprāpya narakaṁ vrajet

Whoever hears the tale seated on the same level as the speaker, having incurred a sin equal to defiling the guru's bed, goes to hell.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.114.39)

ये निंदंति पुराणज्ञं कथां वा पापहारिणीम् ॥ ते वै जन्मशतं मर्त्याः शुनका संभवंति च

ye niṁdaṁti purāṇajñaṁ kathāṁ vā pāpahāriṇīm te vai janmaśataṁ martyāḥ śunakā saṁbhavaṁti ca

Those who censure a knower of the Purana, or the sin-removing tale, become dogs among mortals for a hundred births.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.114.40)

कथायां वर्तमानायां ये वदंति नराधमाः ॥ ते गर्दभाः प्रजायन्ते कृकलासास्ततः परम्

kathāyāṁ vartamānāyāṁ ye vadaṁti narādhamāḥ te gardabhāḥ prajāyante kṛkalāsāstataḥ param

Base men who speak while the tale is in progress are reborn as donkeys, and after that as lizards.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.114.41)

कदाचिदपि ये पुण्यां न शृण्वंति कथां नराः ॥ ते भुक्त्वा नरकान्घोरान्भ वंति वनसूकराः

kadācidapi ye puṇyāṁ na śṛṇvaṁti kathāṁ narāḥ te bhuktvā narakānghorānbha vaṁti vanasūkarāḥ

Men who never once hear the sacred tale, having endured terrible hells, become wild boars.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.114.42)

ये कथामनुमोदन्ते कीर्त्यमानां नरोत्तमाः ॥ अशृण्वंतोऽपि ते यांति शाश्वतं परमं पदम्

ye kathāmanumodante kīrtyamānāṁ narottamāḥ aśṛṇvaṁto'pi te yāṁti śāśvataṁ paramaṁ padam

Excellent men who approve of the tale being recited, even without hearing it, attain the eternal, supreme abode.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.114.43)

कथायां कीर्त्यमानायां विघ्नं कुर्वंति ये शठाः ॥ कोट्यब्दान्नरकान्भुक्त्वा भवंति ग्रामसूकराः

kathāyāṁ kīrtyamānāyāṁ vighnaṁ kurvaṁti ye śaṭhāḥ koṭyabdānnarakānbhuktvā bhavaṁti grāmasūkarāḥ

Wicked men who obstruct the tale while it is being recited, having endured hells for millions of years, become village pigs.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.114.44)

ये श्रावयंति मनुजान्पुण्यां पौराणिकीं कथाम् ॥ कल्पकोटिशतं साग्रं तिष्ठंति ब्रह्मणः पदम्

ye śrāvayaṁti manujānpuṇyāṁ paurāṇikīṁ kathām kalpakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ tiṣṭhaṁti brahmaṇaḥ padam

Those who cause men to hear the sacred Puranic tale abide in the abode of Brahma for a full hundred million kalpas.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.114.45)

आसनार्थं प्रयच्छंति पुराणज्ञस्य ये नराः ॥ कम्बलाजिनवासांसि मञ्चं फलकमेव च

āsanārthaṁ prayacchaṁti purāṇajñasya ye narāḥ kambalājinavāsāṁsi mañcaṁ phalakameva ca

Men who provide a seat for a knower of the Purana, a blanket, a hide, garments, a couch, or a plank,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.114.46)

स्वर्गलोकं समासाद्य भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सितान् ॥ स्थित्वा ब्रह्मादिलोकेषु पदं यांति निरामयम्

svargalokaṁ samāsādya bhuktvā bhogānyathepsitān sthitvā brahmādilokeṣu padaṁ yāṁti nirāmayam

having reached the world of heaven and enjoyed the pleasures they desired, having dwelt in the worlds of Brahma and the rest, attain the untroubled abode.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.114.47)

पुराणज्ञस्य यच्छंति ये सूत्रवसनं नवम् ॥ भोगिनो ज्ञानसंपन्नास्ते भवंति भवेभवे

purāṇajñasya yacchaṁti ye sūtravasanaṁ navam bhogino jñānasaṁpannāste bhavaṁti bhavebhave

Those who give new sacred thread and garments to a knower of the Purana become, birth after birth, enjoyers of pleasure, endowed with knowledge.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.114.48)

ये महापातकैर्युक्ता उपपातकिनश्च ये ॥ पुराणश्रवणादेव ते यांति परमं पदम्

ye mahāpātakairyuktā upapātakinaśca ye purāṇaśravaṇādeva te yāṁti paramaṁ padam

Those bound by great sins, and those guilty of lesser sins, through the mere hearing of the Purana, attain the supreme abode.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.114.49)

अत्र वक्ष्ये महापुण्यमितिहासं द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ शृण्वतां सर्वपापघ्नं विचित्रं सुमनोहरम्

atra vakṣye mahāpuṇyamitihāsaṁ dvijottamāḥ śṛṇvatāṁ sarvapāpaghnaṁ vicitraṁ sumanoharam

Here, O best of the twice-born, I shall tell a most sacred tale, destroying every sin, wondrous and most delightful, for those who hear it.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.114.50)

दक्षिणापथमध्ये वै ग्रामो बाष्कलसंज्ञितः ॥ तत्र संति जनाः सर्वे मूढाः कर्मविवर्जिताः

dakṣiṇāpathamadhye vai grāmo bāṣkalasaṁjñitaḥ tatra saṁti janāḥ sarve mūḍhāḥ karmavivarjitāḥ

In the midst of the southern region there is a village called Bashkala; there dwell people, all foolish, devoid of proper conduct,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.114.51)

न तत्र ब्राह्मणाचाराः श्रुतिस्मृतिपराङ्मुखाः ॥ जपस्वाध्यायरहिताः परस्त्री विषयातुराः

na tatra brāhmaṇācārāḥ śrutismṛtiparāṅmukhāḥ japasvādhyāyarahitāḥ parastrī viṣayāturāḥ

lacking brahmin discipline, turned away from the shruti and smriti, without recitation or self-study, tormented by desire for other men's wives,

Verse 52 (skanda.3.114.52)

कृषीवलाः शस्त्रधरा निर्देवा जिह्मवृत्तयः ॥ न जानंति परं धर्मं ज्ञानवैराग्यलक्षणम्

kṛṣīvalāḥ śastradharā nirdevā jihmavṛttayaḥ na jānaṁti paraṁ dharmaṁ jñānavairāgyalakṣaṇam

tillers of the soil, weapon-bearers, godless, of crooked conduct, who do not know the supreme dharma marked by knowledge and dispassion.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.114.53)

स्त्रियश्च पापनिरताः स्वैरि ण्यः कामलालसाः॥ दुर्बुद्धयः कुटिलगाः सद्गताचारवर्जिताः

striyaśca pāpaniratāḥ svairi ṇyaḥ kāmalālasāḥ durbuddhayaḥ kuṭilagāḥ sadgatācāravarjitāḥ

And the women there, devoted to sin, wanton, longing for lust, of evil intellect, of crooked ways, devoid of virtuous conduct.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.114.54)

तत्रैको विदुरो नाम दुरात्मा ब्राह्मणाधमः ॥ आसीद्वेश्यापतिर्योऽसौ सदारोऽपि कुमार्गगः

tatraiko viduro nāma durātmā brāhmaṇādhamaḥ āsīdveśyāpatiryo'sau sadāro'pi kumārgagaḥ

There was a certain wicked, lowest of brahmins named Vidura, who, though possessing a wife himself, was a patron of a courtesan and of evil ways.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.114.55)

स्वपत्नीं बंदुलां नाम हित्वा प्रतिनिशं तथा ॥ वेश्याभवनमासाद्य रमते स्मरपीडितः

svapatnīṁ baṁdulāṁ nāma hitvā pratiniśaṁ tathā veśyābhavanamāsādya ramate smarapīḍitaḥ

Having abandoned his own wife named Bandula every single night, he would go to the courtesan's house and take his pleasure, tormented by desire.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.114.56)

सापि तस्यांगना रात्रौ वियुक्ता नवयौवना ॥ असहंती स्मरावेशं रेमे जारेण संगता

sāpi tasyāṁganā rātrau viyuktā navayauvanā asahaṁtī smarāveśaṁ reme jāreṇa saṁgatā

She too, that woman of his, deprived at night, of fresh youth, unable to bear the onset of desire, took pleasure, united with a paramour.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.114.57)

तां कदाचिद्दुराचारां जारेण सह संगताम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा तस्याः पतिः क्रोधादभि दुद्राव सत्वरः

tāṁ kadāciddurācārāṁ jāreṇa saha saṁgatām dṛṣṭvā tasyāḥ patiḥ krodhādabhi dudrāva satvaraḥ

Once, seeing that wicked woman united with her paramour, her husband, in anger, swiftly rushed at her.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.114.58)

जारे पलायिते पत्नीं गृहीत्वा स दुराशयः ॥ संताड्य मुष्टिबंधेन मुहुर्मुहुरताडयत्

jāre palāyite patnīṁ gṛhītvā sa durāśayaḥ saṁtāḍya muṣṭibaṁdhena muhurmuhuratāḍayat

With the paramour having fled, that ill-intentioned man, seizing his wife, struck her repeatedly with clenched fists, beating her again and again.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.114.59)

सा नारी पीडिता भर्त्रा कुपिता प्राह निर्भया ॥ भवान्प्रतिनिशं वेश्यां रमते का गतिर्मम

sā nārī pīḍitā bhartrā kupitā prāha nirbhayā bhavānpratiniśaṁ veśyāṁ ramate kā gatirmama

That woman, afflicted by her husband, angered, spoke fearlessly: "You go every night to enjoy a courtesan; what recourse do I have?

Verse 60 (skanda.3.114.60)

अहं रूपवती योषा नवयौवनशालिनी ॥ कथं सहिष्ये कामार्ता तव संगतिवर्जिता

ahaṁ rūpavatī yoṣā navayauvanaśālinī kathaṁ sahiṣye kāmārtā tava saṁgativarjitā

"I am a beautiful woman, endowed with fresh youth; tormented by desire, deprived of your company, how shall I endure it?"

Verse 61 (skanda.3.114.61)

इत्युक्तः स तया तन्व्या प्रोवाच ब्राह्मणाधमः ॥ युक्तमेव त्वयोक्तं हि तस्माद्वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्

ityuktaḥ sa tayā tanvyā provāca brāhmaṇādhamaḥ yuktameva tvayoktaṁ hi tasmādvakṣyāmi te hitam

Thus addressed by that slender woman, that lowest of brahmins said: "What you have said is indeed reasonable; therefore I shall tell you what is good for you.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.114.62)

जारेभ्यो धनमाकृष्य तेभ्यो देहि परां रतिम् ॥ तद्धनं देहि मे सर्वं पण्यस्त्रीणां ददामि तत्

jārebhyo dhanamākṛṣya tebhyo dehi parāṁ ratim taddhanaṁ dehi me sarvaṁ paṇyastrīṇāṁ dadāmi tat

"Drawing wealth from your paramours, grant them the highest pleasure; give me all that wealth, and I shall give it to the market-women.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.114.63)

एवं संपूर्यते कामो ममापि च वरानने ॥ तथेति भर्तृवचनं प्रतिजग्राह सा वधूः

evaṁ saṁpūryate kāmo mamāpi ca varānane tatheti bhartṛvacanaṁ pratijagrāha sā vadhūḥ

"Thus my desire too, O fair one, shall be fulfilled." That bride accepted her husband's words, saying "So be it."

Verse 64 (skanda.3.114.64)

एवं तयोस्तु दंपत्योर्दुराचारप्रवृत्तयोः ॥ कालेन निधनंप्राप्तः स विप्रो वृषलीपतिः

evaṁ tayostu daṁpatyordurācārapravṛttayoḥ kālena nidhanaṁprāptaḥ sa vipro vṛṣalīpatiḥ

Thus, as that husband and wife were engaged in evil conduct, in time that brahmin, patron of a courtesan, met his death.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.114.65)

मृते भर्तरि सा नारी पुत्रैः सह निजालये ॥ उवास सुचिरं कालं किंचिदुत्क्रांतयौवना

mṛte bhartari sā nārī putraiḥ saha nijālaye uvāsa suciraṁ kālaṁ kiṁcidutkrāṁtayauvanā

With her husband dead, that woman, together with her sons, dwelt in her own house for a very long time, her youth somewhat passed.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.114.66)

एकदा दैवयोगेन संप्राप्ते पुण्यपर्वणि ॥ सा नारी बंधुभिः सार्धं गोकर्णं क्षेत्र माययौ

ekadā daivayogena saṁprāpte puṇyaparvaṇi sā nārī baṁdhubhiḥ sārdhaṁ gokarṇaṁ kṣetra māyayau

Once, by the working of fate, when a sacred festival came, that woman, together with her kinsmen, went to the sacred field of Gokarna.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.114.67)

तत्र तीर्थजले स्नात्वा कस्मिंश्चिद्देवतालये ॥ शुश्राव देवमुख्यानां पुण्यां पौराणिकीं कथाम्

tatra tīrthajale snātvā kasmiṁściddevatālaye śuśrāva devamukhyānāṁ puṇyāṁ paurāṇikīṁ kathām

There, having bathed in the sacred waters, in a certain temple, she heard the sacred Puranic tale spoken by the chief of the gods (the reciter),

Verse 68 (skanda.3.114.68)

योषितां जारसक्तानां नरके यमकिंकराः ॥ संतप्तलोहपरिघं क्षिपंति स्मरमंदिरे

yoṣitāṁ jārasaktānāṁ narake yamakiṁkarāḥ saṁtaptalohaparighaṁ kṣipaṁti smaramaṁdire

how the servants of Yama, in hell, thrust a burning iron bar into the private parts of women attached to paramours.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.114.69)

इति पौराणिकेनोक्तां सा श्रुत्वा धर्मसंहिताम् ॥ तमुवाच रहस्येषा भीता ब्राह्मणपुंगवम्

iti paurāṇikenoktāṁ sā śrutvā dharmasaṁhitām tamuvāca rahasyeṣā bhītā brāhmaṇapuṁgavam

Hearing this compendium of dharma spoken by the reciter, she, frightened, spoke privately to that excellent brahmin:

Verse 70 (skanda.3.114.70)

ब्रह्मन्पापमजानंत्या मयाचरितमुल्बणम् ॥ यौवने कामचारेण कौटिल्येन प्रवर्तितम्

brahmanpāpamajānaṁtyā mayācaritamulbaṇam yauvane kāmacāreṇa kauṭilyena pravartitam

"O brahmin, not knowing it was sin, I committed a terrible act, driven in my youth by the desire of lust, through deceit.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.114.71)

इदं त्वद्वचनं श्रुत्वापुराणार्थविजृंभि तम् ॥ भीतिर्मे महती जाता शरीरं वेपते मुहुः

idaṁ tvadvacanaṁ śrutvāpurāṇārthavijṛṁbhi tam bhītirme mahatī jātā śarīraṁ vepate muhuḥ

"Having heard these your words, expounding the meaning of the Purana, a great fear has arisen in me; my body trembles again and again.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.114.72)

धिङ्मां दुरिंद्रियासक्तां पापां स्मरविमोहिताम् ॥ अल्पस्य यत्सुखस्यार्थे घोरां यास्यामि दुर्गतिम्

dhiṅmāṁ duriṁdriyāsaktāṁ pāpāṁ smaravimohitām alpasya yatsukhasyārthe ghorāṁ yāsyāmi durgatim

"Shame on me, attached to evil senses, sinful, deluded by desire; for the sake of a little pleasure, I shall go to a terrible fate.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.114.73)

कथं पश्यामि मरणे यमदूतान्भयंकरान् ॥ कथं पाशैर्बलात्कंठे बध्यमाना धृतिं लभे

kathaṁ paśyāmi maraṇe yamadūtānbhayaṁkarān kathaṁ pāśairbalātkaṁṭhe badhyamānā dhṛtiṁ labhe

"How shall I bear, at death, the sight of the terrifying messengers of Yama? How shall I find courage, bound forcibly by nooses at the neck?

Verse 74 (skanda.3.114.74)

कथं सहिष्ये नरके खंडशो देहकृंतनम ॥ पुनः कथं पतिष्यामि संतप्ता क्षारकर्दमे

kathaṁ sahiṣye narake khaṁḍaśo dehakṛṁtanama punaḥ kathaṁ patiṣyāmi saṁtaptā kṣārakardame

"How shall I endure, in hell, my body being cut to pieces? How again shall I fall, scorched, into the caustic mud?

Verse 75 (skanda.3.114.75)

कथं च योनिलक्षेषु क्रिमिकीटखगादिषु ॥ परिभ्रमामि दुःखौघात्पीड्यमाना निरंतरम्

kathaṁ ca yonilakṣeṣu krimikīṭakhagādiṣu paribhramāmi duḥkhaughātpīḍyamānā niraṁtaram

"And how shall I wander through the hundred thousand wombs of worms, insects, birds and the like, tormented ceaselessly by floods of suffering?

Verse 76 (skanda.3.114.76)

कथं च रोचते मह्यमद्यप्रभृति भोजनम् ॥ रात्रौ कथं च सेविष्ये निद्रां दुःखपरिप्लुता

kathaṁ ca rocate mahyamadyaprabhṛti bhojanam rātrau kathaṁ ca seviṣye nidrāṁ duḥkhapariplutā

"How shall food please me from today onward? And at night, how shall I indulge in sleep, overwhelmed by sorrow?

Verse 77 (skanda.3.114.77)

हाहा हतास्मि दग्धास्मि विदीर्णहृदयास्मि च ॥ हा विधे मां महापापे दत्त्वा बुद्धिमपातयः

hāhā hatāsmi dagdhāsmi vidīrṇahṛdayāsmi ca hā vidhe māṁ mahāpāpe dattvā buddhimapātayaḥ

"Alas, alas, I am slain, I am burned, my heart is torn asunder; alas, O fate, having given me this intelligence, why did you let me fall into such great sin?

Verse 78 (skanda.3.114.78)

पततस्तुंगशैलाग्राच्छूलाक्रांतस्य देहिनः ॥ यद्दुःखं जायते घोरं तस्मात्कोटिगुणं मम

patatastuṁgaśailāgrācchūlākrāṁtasya dehinaḥ yadduḥkhaṁ jāyate ghoraṁ tasmātkoṭiguṇaṁ mama

"The terrible suffering that arises for an embodied being falling from the peak of a lofty mountain onto a spike, mine is a million times worse than that.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.114.79)

अश्वमेधायुतं कृत्वा गंगां स्नात्वा शतं समाः ॥ न शुद्धिर्जायते प्रायो मत्पापस्य गरीयसः

aśvamedhāyutaṁ kṛtvā gaṁgāṁ snātvā śataṁ samāḥ na śuddhirjāyate prāyo matpāpasya garīyasaḥ

"Even having performed ten thousand horse-sacrifices, and bathed in the Ganga for a hundred years, purification would probably not come for a sin of mine so grave.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.114.80)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कं वा शरणमाश्रये ॥ को वा मां त्रायते लोके पतंती नरकार्णवे

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kaṁ vā śaraṇamāśraye ko vā māṁ trāyate loke pataṁtī narakārṇave

"What shall I do, where shall I go, in whom shall I take refuge? Who in this world will save me, falling into the ocean of hell?

Verse 81 (skanda.3.114.81)

त्वमेव मे गुरुर्ब्रह्मंस्त्वं माता त्वं पितासि च ॥ उद्धरोद्धर मां दीनां त्वामेव शरणं गताम्

tvameva me gururbrahmaṁstvaṁ mātā tvaṁ pitāsi ca uddharoddhara māṁ dīnāṁ tvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gatām

"You alone are my guru, O brahmin; you are my mother, and you are my father; deliver me, deliver this wretched woman who has come to you alone for refuge."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.114.82)

इति तां जातनिर्वेदां पतितां चरणद्वये ॥ उत्थाप्य कृपया धीमान्बभाषे द्विजपुंगवः

iti tāṁ jātanirvedāṁ patitāṁ caraṇadvaye utthāpya kṛpayā dhīmānbabhāṣe dvijapuṁgavaḥ

Thus, seeing her filled with dispassion, fallen at his two feet, that wise, foremost of brahmins, raised her up with compassion and spoke.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.114.83)

ब्राह्मण उवाच ॥ दिष्ट्या काले प्रबुद्धासि श्रुत्वेमां महतीं कथाम् ॥ मा भैषीस्तव वक्ष्यामि गतिं चैव सुखावहाम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca diṣṭyā kāle prabuddhāsi śrutvemāṁ mahatīṁ kathām mā bhaiṣīstava vakṣyāmi gatiṁ caiva sukhāvahām

The brahmin said: "By good fortune you have been awakened in time, having heard this great tale; fear not, I shall tell you the path that brings happiness as well.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.114.84)

सत्कथाश्रवणादेव जाता ते मतिरीदृशी ॥ इंद्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यं पश्चात्तापो महानभूत्

satkathāśravaṇādeva jātā te matirīdṛśī iṁdriyārtheṣu vairāgyaṁ paścāttāpo mahānabhūt

"Merely from hearing this sacred tale, such a disposition as this has arisen in you, dispassion toward sensory objects, and great remorse afterward.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.114.85)

पश्चात्तापो हि सर्वेषामघानां निष्कृतिः परा ॥ तेनैव कुरुते सद्यः प्रायश्चित्तं सुधीर्नरः

paścāttāpo hi sarveṣāmaghānāṁ niṣkṛtiḥ parā tenaiva kurute sadyaḥ prāyaścittaṁ sudhīrnaraḥ

"Remorse afterward is indeed the supreme atonement for all sins; by that very thing, a wise man performs instant expiation.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.114.86)

प्रायश्चित्तानि सर्वाणि कृत्वा च विधिवत्पुनः ॥ अपश्चात्तापिनो नार्या न यांति गतिमुत्तमाम्

prāyaścittāni sarvāṇi kṛtvā ca vidhivatpunaḥ apaścāttāpino nāryā na yāṁti gatimuttamām

"Even having performed all expiations duly, a woman without such remorse afterward does not attain the highest goal.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.114.87)

सत्कथाश्रवणान्नित्यं संयाति परमां गतिम् ॥ पुण्यक्षेत्रनिवासाच्च चित्तशुद्धिः प्रजायते

satkathāśravaṇānnityaṁ saṁyāti paramāṁ gatim puṇyakṣetranivāsācca cittaśuddhiḥ prajāyate

"Through the hearing of the sacred tale one goes always to the supreme goal; and from dwelling in sacred places, purity of mind arises.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.114.88)

यथा सत्कथया नित्यं संयाति परमां गतिम् ॥ तथान्यैः सद्व्रतैर्जंतोर्नभवेन्मतिरुत्तमा

yathā satkathayā nityaṁ saṁyāti paramāṁ gatim tathānyaiḥ sadvratairjaṁtornabhavenmatiruttamā

"Just as, through the sacred tale, one constantly attains the supreme goal, so, through other good vows, a creature's mind might not attain such excellence.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.114.89)

यथा मुहुः शोध्यमानो दर्पणो निर्मलो भवेत् ॥ तथा सत्कथया चेतो विशुद्धिं परमां व्रजेत्

yathā muhuḥ śodhyamāno darpaṇo nirmalo bhavet tathā satkathayā ceto viśuddhiṁ paramāṁ vrajet

"Just as a mirror, polished again and again, becomes spotless, so, through the sacred tale, the mind attains supreme purity.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.114.90)

विशुद्धे चेतसि नृणां ध्यानं सिध्यत्युमापतेः ॥ ध्यानेन सर्वं मलिनं मनोवाक्कायसंभृतम्

viśuddhe cetasi nṛṇāṁ dhyānaṁ sidhyatyumāpateḥ dhyānena sarvaṁ malinaṁ manovākkāyasaṁbhṛtam

"When the mind of men is purified, meditation upon the husband of Uma succeeds; through meditation, all impurity accumulated in mind, speech and body,

Verse 91 (skanda.3.114.91)

सद्यो विधूय कृतिनो यांति शम्भोः परं पदम् ॥ अतः संन्यस्तपुण्यानां सत्कथा साधनं परम्

sadyo vidhūya kṛtino yāṁti śambhoḥ paraṁ padam ataḥ saṁnyastapuṇyānāṁ satkathā sādhanaṁ param

"is instantly shaken off, and the accomplished attain the supreme abode of Shambhu; therefore, for those who have renounced merit itself, the sacred tale is the supreme means.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.114.92)

कथया सिध्यति ध्यानं ध्यानात्कैवल्यमुत्तमम् ॥ असिद्धपरमध्यानः कथामेतां शृणोति यः ॥ सोऽन्यजन्मनि संप्राप्य ध्यानं याति परां गतिम्

kathayā sidhyati dhyānaṁ dhyānātkaivalyamuttamam asiddhaparamadhyānaḥ kathāmetāṁ śṛṇoti yaḥ so'nyajanmani saṁprāpya dhyānaṁ yāti parāṁ gatim

"Through the tale, meditation succeeds; through meditation, the supreme kaivalya; whoever, not having accomplished supreme meditation, hears this tale, he, having obtained meditation in another birth, attains the supreme goal.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.114.93)

नामोच्चारणमात्रेण जप्त्वा मंत्रमजामिलः ॥ पश्चात्तापसमायुक्तस्त्ववाप परमां गतिम्

nāmoccāraṇamātreṇa japtvā maṁtramajāmilaḥ paścāttāpasamāyuktastvavāpa paramāṁ gatim

"By the mere utterance of the name, having recited the mantra, Ajamila, filled with remorse afterward, attained the supreme goal.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.114.94)

सर्वेषां श्रेयसां बीजं सत्कथाश्रवणं नृणाम् ॥ यस्तद्विहीनः स पशुः कथं मुच्येत बन्धनात्

sarveṣāṁ śreyasāṁ bījaṁ satkathāśravaṇaṁ nṛṇām yastadvihīnaḥ sa paśuḥ kathaṁ mucyeta bandhanāt

"The seed of all welfare, for men, is the hearing of the sacred tale; whoever is devoid of it is a mere beast, how could he be freed from bondage?

Verse 95 (skanda.3.114.95)

अतस्त्वमपि सर्वेभ्यो विषयेभ्यो निवृत्तधीः ॥ भक्तिं परां समाधाय सत्कथां शृणु सर्वदा ॥ शृण्वंत्याः सत्कथां नित्यं चेतस्ते शुद्धिमेष्यति

atastvamapi sarvebhyo viṣayebhyo nivṛttadhīḥ bhaktiṁ parāṁ samādhāya satkathāṁ śṛṇu sarvadā śṛṇvaṁtyāḥ satkathāṁ nityaṁ cetaste śuddhimeṣyati

"Therefore you too, your mind turned back from all sensory objects, having applied supreme devotion, should always hear the sacred tale; as you hear the sacred tale constantly, your mind shall attain purity.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.114.96)

तेन ध्यायसि विश्वेशं ततो मुक्तिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ ध्यायतः शिवपादाब्जं मुक्तिरेकेन जन्मना

tena dhyāyasi viśveśaṁ tato muktimavāpsyasi dhyāyataḥ śivapādābjaṁ muktirekena janmanā

"By that you shall meditate on the Lord of the universe, and thence you shall attain liberation; for one who meditates on Shiva's lotus feet, liberation comes within a single birth.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.114.97)

भविष्यति न सन्देहः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ॥ इत्युक्ता तेन विप्रेण सा नारी बाष्पसंकुला

bhaviṣyati na sandehaḥ satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham ityuktā tena vipreṇa sā nārī bāṣpasaṁkulā

"This shall come to pass, no doubt; I speak the truth, the truth." Thus addressed by that brahmin, that woman, overwhelmed with tears,

Verse 98 (skanda.3.114.98)

पतित्वा पादयोस्तस्य कृतार्थास्मीत्यभाषत ॥ तस्मिन्नेव महाक्षेत्रे तस्मादेव द्विजोत्तमात्

patitvā pādayostasya kṛtārthāsmītyabhāṣata tasminneva mahākṣetre tasmādeva dvijottamāt

falling at his feet, said "I am fulfilled." In that very great sacred field, from that very excellent brahmin,

Verse 99 (skanda.3.114.99)

शुश्राव सत्कथां साध्वीं कैवल्यफल दायिनी॥ स उवाच द्विजस्तस्यै कथां वैराग्यबृंहिताम्

śuśrāva satkathāṁ sādhvīṁ kaivalyaphala dāyinī sa uvāca dvijastasyai kathāṁ vairāgyabṛṁhitām

she heard the virtuous, sacred tale, bestower of the fruit of liberation; that brahmin spoke to her a tale filled with dispassion,

Verse 100 (skanda.3.114.100)

यां श्रुत्वा मनुजः सद्यस्त्यजेद्विषयवासनाम् ॥ तस्याश्चित्तं यथा शुद्धं वैराग्यरसगं यथा

yāṁ śrutvā manujaḥ sadyastyajedviṣayavāsanām tasyāścittaṁ yathā śuddhaṁ vairāgyarasagaṁ yathā

hearing which a man would instantly abandon his craving for sensory objects; so that her mind might become pure, and steeped in the essence of dispassion,

Verse 101 (skanda.3.114.101)

तथोवाच द्विजः शैवीं कथां भक्तिसमन्विताम् ॥ यथायथा मनस्तस्याः प्रसादमभिगच्छति ॥ तथातथा शनैः शंभोर्ध्यानयोगमुपादिशत्

tathovāca dvijaḥ śaivīṁ kathāṁ bhaktisamanvitām yathāyathā manastasyāḥ prasādamabhigacchati tathātathā śanaiḥ śaṁbhordhyānayogamupādiśat

thus that brahmin recited the Shaiva tale, imbued with devotion; and as her mind, more and more, approached grace, so, more and more, gradually, he taught her the discipline of meditation upon Shambhu.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.114.102)

शनैः शनैर्ध्वस्तरजस्तमोमलं विमुक्तसर्वेन्द्रियभोगविग्रहम् ॥ विशुद्धतत्त्वं हृदयं द्विजस्त्रिया विवेश विश्वेश्वर रूपचिंतनम्

śanaiḥ śanairdhvastarajastamomalaṁ vimuktasarvendriyabhogavigraham viśuddhatattvaṁ hṛdayaṁ dvijastriyā viveśa viśveśvara rūpaciṁtanam

Gradually, gradually, her rajas and tamas impurities destroyed, her body freed of all sensory enjoyment, her heart purified in essence, that brahmin's wife entered into contemplation of the form of the Lord of the universe.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.114.103)

इत्थं सद्गुरुमाश्रित्य सा नारी प्राप्तसन्मतिः ॥ दध्यौ मुहुर्मुहुः शंभोश्चिदानंदमयं वपुः

itthaṁ sadgurumāśritya sā nārī prāptasanmatiḥ dadhyau muhurmuhuḥ śaṁbhościdānaṁdamayaṁ vapuḥ

Thus, having taken refuge in a true guru, that woman, having attained right understanding, meditated again and again upon the consciousness-and-bliss-filled form of Shambhu.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.114.104)

नित्यं तीर्थजले स्नात्वा जटावल्कलधारिणी ॥ भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वांगी रुद्राक्षकृतभूषणा

nityaṁ tīrthajale snātvā jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇī bhasmoddhūlitasarvāṁgī rudrākṣakṛtabhūṣaṇā

Bathing daily in sacred waters, wearing matted locks and bark garments, her whole body smeared with ash, adorned with ornaments of rudraksha,

Verse 105 (skanda.3.114.105)

शिवनामजपासक्ता वाग्यता मितभोजना ॥ बद्धपद्मासनाऽव्यग्रा सत्कथा श्रवणोत्सुका

śivanāmajapāsaktā vāgyatā mitabhojanā baddhapadmāsanā'vyagrā satkathā śravaṇotsukā

devoted to the recitation of Shiva's name, restrained in speech, moderate in eating, seated in the bound lotus posture, undistracted, eager to hear the sacred tale,

Verse 106 (skanda.3.114.106)

गुरुशुश्रूषणरता त्यक्तापत्यसुहृजना ॥ गुरूपदिष्टयोगेन शिवमेवमतोषयत्

guruśuśrūṣaṇaratā tyaktāpatyasuhṛjanā gurūpadiṣṭayogena śivamevamatoṣayat

devoted to the service of her guru, having abandoned children and friends, through the yoga taught by her guru, she pleased Shiva himself.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.114.107)

विश्वेश विश्वविलयस्थितिजन्महेतो विश्वैकवंद्य शिव शाश्वत विश्वरूप ॥ विध्वस्तकालविपरीतगुणावभास श्रीमन्महेश मयि धेहि कृपाकटाक्षम्

viśveśa viśvavilayasthitijanmaheto viśvaikavaṁdya śiva śāśvata viśvarūpa vidhvastakālaviparītaguṇāvabhāsa śrīmanmaheśa mayi dhehi kṛpākaṭākṣam

"O lord of the universe, cause of the dissolution, preservation, and creation of the universe, sole object of worship of the universe, O Shiva, eternal, of universal form, whose radiance dispels the reversed qualities of time, O glorious Mahesha, bestow upon me your compassionate glance.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.114.108)

शंभो शशांककृतशेखर शांतमूर्ते गंगाधरामरवरार्चितपादपद्म ॥ नागेंद्रभूषण नगेंद्रनिकेतनेश भक्तार्तिहन्मयि निधेहि कृपाकटाक्षम्

śaṁbho śaśāṁkakṛtaśekhara śāṁtamūrte gaṁgādharāmaravarārcitapādapadma nāgeṁdrabhūṣaṇa nageṁdraniketaneśa bhaktārtihanmayi nidhehi kṛpākaṭākṣam

"O Shambhu, crowned with the crescent moon, of tranquil form, whose lotus feet are worshipped by Gangadhara and the best of the immortals, adorned with the serpent-king, lord of the abode on the mountain-king, destroyer of the sufferings of devotees, bestow upon me your compassionate glance.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.114.109)

श्रीविश्वनाथ करुणाकर शूलपाणे भूतेश भर्ग भुवनत्रयगीतकीर्ते ॥ श्रीनीलकण्ठ मदनान्तक विश्वमूर्ते गौरीपते मयि निधेहि कृपाकटाक्षम्

śrīviśvanātha karuṇākara śūlapāṇe bhūteśa bharga bhuvanatrayagītakīrte śrīnīlakaṇṭha madanāntaka viśvamūrte gaurīpate mayi nidhehi kṛpākaṭākṣam

"O glorious Vishvanatha, ocean of compassion, trident-bearer, lord of beings, Bharga, of fame sung in all three worlds, O glorious blue-throated one, destroyer of Kama, of universal form, lord of Gauri, bestow upon me your compassionate glance."

Verse 110 (skanda.3.114.110)

इत्थं प्रतिदिनं भक्त्या प्रार्थयंती महेश्वरम्॥ शृण्वंती सत्कथां सम्यक्कर्मबंधं समाच्छिनत्

itthaṁ pratidinaṁ bhaktyā prārthayaṁtī maheśvaram śṛṇvaṁtī satkathāṁ samyakkarmabaṁdhaṁ samācchinat

Thus, praying every day with devotion to Maheshvara, and hearing the sacred tale duly, she completely severed the bonds of karma.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.114.111)

अथ कालेन सा नारी समुत्सृज्य कलेवरम् ॥ महेशानुचरैर्नीता संप्राप्ता शिव मंदिरम्

atha kālena sā nārī samutsṛjya kalevaram maheśānucarairnītā saṁprāptā śiva maṁdiram

Then, in time, that woman, having cast off her body, was led by the attendants of Mahesha and reached the temple of Shiva.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.114.112)

तत्र देवैर्महादेवं सेव्यमानं सहोमया ॥ गणेशनंदिभृंग्याद्यैर्वीरभद्रेश्वरादिभिः

tatra devairmahādevaṁ sevyamānaṁ sahomayā gaṇeśanaṁdibhṛṁgyādyairvīrabhadreśvarādibhiḥ

There, the gods, together with Uma, serve Mahadeva; served by Ganesha, Nandi, Bhringi and the rest, and by Virabhadreshvara and others,

Verse 113 (skanda.3.114.113)

उपास्यमानं गौरीशं कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभम् ॥ त्रिलोचनं पंचमुखं नीलग्रीवं सदाशिवम्

upāsyamānaṁ gaurīśaṁ koṭisūryasamaprabham trilocanaṁ paṁcamukhaṁ nīlagrīvaṁ sadāśivam

attended by Gaurisha, radiant as ten million suns, three-eyed, five-faced, blue-throated, Sadashiva,

Verse 114 (skanda.3.114.114)

वामांके बिभ्रतं गौरीं विद्युच्चंद्रसमप्रभाम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा ससंभ्रमं नारी सा प्रणम्य पुनःपुनः

vāmāṁke bibhrataṁ gaurīṁ vidyuccaṁdrasamaprabhām dṛṣṭvā sasaṁbhramaṁ nārī sā praṇamya punaḥpunaḥ

bearing on his left side Gauri, radiant as lightning and moon, seeing him, that woman, overwhelmed, bowed again and again.

Verse 115 (skanda.3.114.115)

आनन्दाश्रुजलोत्सिक्ता रोमहर्षसमाकुला ॥ संमानिता करुणया पार्वत्या शंकरेण च

ānandāśrujalotsiktā romaharṣasamākulā saṁmānitā karuṇayā pārvatyā śaṁkareṇa ca

Filled with tears of bliss, her hair standing on end, she was honored with compassion by Parvati and Shankara.

Verse 116 (skanda.3.114.116)

तस्मिँल्लोके परानन्दघनज्योतिषि शाश्वते ॥ लब्ध्वा निवासमचलं लेभे सुखमनाहतम्

tasmim̐lloke parānandaghanajyotiṣi śāśvate labdhvā nivāsamacalaṁ lebhe sukhamanāhatam

In that world, of eternal, dense light of supreme bliss, having obtained an unshakable abode, she attained unbroken happiness.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.114.117)

सा कदाचिदुमां देवीमुपसृत्य प्रणम्य च ॥ पर्यपृच्छत मे भर्त्ता कां गतिं गतवानिति

sā kadācidumāṁ devīmupasṛtya praṇamya ca paryapṛcchata me bharttā kāṁ gatiṁ gatavāniti

Once, she approached the goddess Uma, and, bowing, asked: "What fate has my husband gone to?"

Verse 118 (skanda.3.114.118)

तामुवाच महादेवी स ते भर्त्ता दुराशयः ॥ भुक्त्वा नरकदुःखानि विंध्ये जातः पिशाचकः

tāmuvāca mahādevī sa te bharttā durāśayaḥ bhuktvā narakaduḥkhāni viṁdhye jātaḥ piśācakaḥ

The great goddess said to her: "That evil-minded husband of yours, having endured the sufferings of hell, has been born a pishacha in the Vindhya mountains."

Verse 119 (skanda.3.114.119)

पुनः प्रपच्छ सा नारी देवीं त्रिभुवनेश्वरीम् ॥ केनोपायेन मे भर्त्ता सद्गतिं प्राप्नुयादिति

punaḥ prapaccha sā nārī devīṁ tribhuvaneśvarīm kenopāyena me bharttā sadgatiṁ prāpnuyāditi

Again that woman asked the goddess, mistress of the three worlds: "By what means might my husband attain a good destiny?"

Verse 120 (skanda.3.114.120)

देव्युवाच ॥ सोऽस्मत्कथां महापुण्यां कदाचिच्छृणुयाद्यदि ॥ निस्तीर्य दुर्गतिं सर्वामिमं लोकं प्रयास्यति

devyuvāca so'smatkathāṁ mahāpuṇyāṁ kadācicchṛṇuyādyadi nistīrya durgatiṁ sarvāmimaṁ lokaṁ prayāsyati

The goddess said: "If he should ever hear this most sacred story of ours, having crossed over every evil destiny, he shall come to this world."

Verse 121 (skanda.3.114.121)

इति गौर्या वचः श्रुत्वा सा नारी विहितांजलिः ॥ प्रार्थयामास तां देवीं भर्तुः पापविशोधने

iti gauryā vacaḥ śrutvā sā nārī vihitāṁjaliḥ prārthayāmāsa tāṁ devīṁ bhartuḥ pāpaviśodhane

Hearing Gauri's words, that woman, with joined palms, entreated the goddess for the purification of her husband's sin.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.114.122)

तया मुहुः प्रार्थ्यमाना पार्वतीकरुणायुता ॥ तुंबुरुं नाम गंधर्वमाहूयेदमथाब्रवीत्

tayā muhuḥ prārthyamānā pārvatīkaruṇāyutā tuṁburuṁ nāma gaṁdharvamāhūyedamathābravīt

Being repeatedly entreated by her, Parvati, filled with compassion, summoned a gandharva named Tumburu and said this:

Verse 123 (skanda.3.114.123)

तुंबुरो गच्छ भद्रं ते विंध्यशैलं सहानया ॥ आस्ते पिशाचकस्तत्र योऽस्याः पतिरसन्मतिः

tuṁburo gaccha bhadraṁ te viṁdhyaśailaṁ sahānayā āste piśācakastatra yo'syāḥ patirasanmatiḥ

"Tumburu, go, blessings upon you, to the Vindhya mountain, together with her; there dwells the pishacha who is her ill-minded husband.

Verse 124 (skanda.3.114.124)

तस्याग्रे परमां पुण्यां कथामस्मद्गुणैर्युताम् ॥ आख्याय दुर्गतेर्मुक्तं तमानय शिवांतिकम्

tasyāgre paramāṁ puṇyāṁ kathāmasmadguṇairyutām ākhyāya durgatermuktaṁ tamānaya śivāṁtikam

"Having recited before him the most sacred tale, filled with our virtues, bring him, freed from his evil destiny, to Shiva's presence."

Verse 125 (skanda.3.114.125)

इति देव्या समादिष्टस्तुंबुरुस्तां प्रणम्य च ॥ तया सह विमानेन विंध्याद्रिं सहसा ययौ

iti devyā samādiṣṭastuṁburustāṁ praṇamya ca tayā saha vimānena viṁdhyādriṁ sahasā yayau

Thus commanded by the goddess, Tumburu, bowing to her, together with her, swiftly went by celestial chariot to the Vindhya mountain.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.114.126)

तत्रापश्यन्महाकायं रक्तनेत्रं महाहनुम् ॥ प्रहसंतं रुदंतं च वल्गंतं च पिशाचकम्

tatrāpaśyanmahākāyaṁ raktanetraṁ mahāhanum prahasaṁtaṁ rudaṁtaṁ ca valgaṁtaṁ ca piśācakam

There they saw a huge-bodied, red-eyed, great-jawed pishacha, sometimes laughing, sometimes weeping, and leaping about.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.114.127)

बलाद्गृहीत्वा तं पाशैर्बद्ध्वा वै संनिवेश्य च ॥ तुंबुरुर्वल्लकीहस्तो जगौ गौरीपतेः कथाम्

balādgṛhītvā taṁ pāśairbaddhvā vai saṁniveśya ca tuṁbururvallakīhasto jagau gaurīpateḥ kathām

Having seized him forcibly, bound him with nooses, and made him sit down, Tumburu, lute in hand, sang the tale of the Lord of Gauri.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.114.128)

स पिशाचो महापुण्यां कथां श्रुत्वा पुरद्विषः ॥ विधूय कलुषं सर्वं सप्ताहात्प्राप संस्मृतिम्

sa piśāco mahāpuṇyāṁ kathāṁ śrutvā puradviṣaḥ vidhūya kaluṣaṁ sarvaṁ saptāhātprāpa saṁsmṛtim

That pishacha, having heard the most sacred tale of the enemy of Tripura, having shaken off all his impurity, regained his memory within seven days.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.114.129)

स पैशाचं वपुस्त्यक्त्वा स्वरूपं दिव्यमाप्य च ॥ जगौ स्वयमपि श्रीमच्चरितं पार्वतीपतेः

sa paiśācaṁ vapustyaktvā svarūpaṁ divyamāpya ca jagau svayamapi śrīmaccaritaṁ pārvatīpateḥ

Having abandoned his pishacha body and obtained his own divine form, he too himself sang the glorious deeds of the husband of Parvati.

Verse 130 (skanda.3.114.130)

विमानमारुह्य स दिव्यरूपधृक्स तुंबुरुः पार्श्वगतः स्वकांतया ॥ गायन्महेशस्य गुणान्मनोरमाञ्जगाम कैवल्यपदं सनातनम्

vimānamāruhya sa divyarūpadhṛksa tuṁburuḥ pārśvagataḥ svakāṁtayā gāyanmaheśasya guṇānmanoramāñjagāma kaivalyapadaṁ sanātanam

Mounting the celestial chariot, having assumed a divine form, that Tumburu, at her side, together with his own beloved, singing the lovely virtues of Mahesha, went to the eternal abode of liberation.

Verse 131 (skanda.3.114.131)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्येतत्कथितं पुण्यमाख्यानं दुरितापहम् ॥ महेश्वरप्रीतिकरं निर्मलज्ञानसाधनम्

sūta uvāca ityetatkathitaṁ puṇyamākhyānaṁ duritāpaham maheśvaraprītikaraṁ nirmalajñānasādhanam

Suta said: Thus has this sacred tale been told, removing every evil, pleasing to Maheshvara, the means to pure knowledge.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.114.132)

य इदं शृणुयान्मर्त्यः कीर्तयेद्वा समाहितः ॥ शंभोर्गुणानुकथनं विचित्रं पापनाशनम्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyaḥ kīrtayedvā samāhitaḥ śaṁbhorguṇānukathanaṁ vicitraṁ pāpanāśanam

Whoever, mortal, hears this, or recites it composedly, this wondrous, sin-destroying recounting of Shambhu's virtues,

Verse 133 (skanda.3.114.133)

परमानन्दजनकं भवरोगमहौषधम् ॥ भुक्त्वेह विविधान्भोगान्मुक्तो याति परां गतिम्

paramānandajanakaṁ bhavarogamahauṣadham bhuktveha vividhānbhogānmukto yāti parāṁ gatim

the generator of supreme bliss, the great medicine for the disease of worldly existence, having enjoyed here various pleasures, liberated, attains the supreme goal.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.114.134)

सूत उवाच ॥ यूयं खलु महाभागाः कृतार्था मुनिसत्तमाः ॥ ये सेवंते सदा शंभोः कथामृतरसं नवम्

sūta uvāca yūyaṁ khalu mahābhāgāḥ kṛtārthā munisattamāḥ ye sevaṁte sadā śaṁbhoḥ kathāmṛtarasaṁ navam

Suta said: You indeed are most fortunate, fulfilled, best of sages, who ever partake of the fresh nectar-essence of Shambhu's tale.

Verse 135 (skanda.3.114.135)

ते जन्मभाजः खलु जीवलोके येषां मनो ध्यायति विश्वनाथम् ॥ वाणी गुणान्स्तौति कथां शृणोति श्रोत्रद्वयं ते भवमुत्तरंति

te janmabhājaḥ khalu jīvaloke yeṣāṁ mano dhyāyati viśvanātham vāṇī guṇānstauti kathāṁ śṛṇoti śrotradvayaṁ te bhavamuttaraṁti

Truly blessed with a fruitful birth in this world of the living are those whose mind meditates on the Lord of the universe, whose speech praises his virtues, whose ears hear his story; they cross beyond worldly existence.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.114.136)

विविधगुणविभेदैर्नित्यमस्पृष्टरूपं जगति च बहिरंतर्वा समानं महिम्ना ॥ स्वमहसि विहरंतं वाङ्मनोवृत्तिदूरं परमशिवमनंतानंदसांद्रं प्रपद्ये

vividhaguṇavibhedairnityamaspṛṣṭarūpaṁ jagati ca bahiraṁtarvā samānaṁ mahimnā svamahasi viharaṁtaṁ vāṅmanovṛttidūraṁ paramaśivamanaṁtānaṁdasāṁdraṁ prapadye

I take refuge in the Supreme Shiva, whose form is never touched by the various divisions of the qualities, who is present equally, in his greatness, both without and within the universe, who sports in his own splendor, who is beyond the reach of the workings of speech and mind, who is dense with endless bliss.