The Glory of Shiva-tirtha and Bhairava's Release from Brahminicide

Verse 1 (skanda.3.24.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच। चक्रतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा शिवतीर्थं ततो व्रजेत्। यत्र हि स्नानमात्रेण महापातककोटयः

śrīsūta uvāca cakratīrthe naraḥ snātvā śivatīrthaṁ tato vrajet yatra hi snānamātreṇa mahāpātakakoṭayaḥ

Suta said: A man, having bathed at Chakra-tirtha, should then go to Shiva-tirtha, where, by mere bathing, crores of great sins,

Verse 2 (skanda.3.24.2)

तत्संसर्गाश्च नश्यंति तत्क्षणादेव तापसाः। अत्र स्नात्वा ब्रह्महत्यां मुमुचे कालभैरवः

tatsaṁsargāśca naśyaṁti tatkṣaṇādeva tāpasāḥ atra snātvā brahmahatyāṁ mumuce kālabhairavaḥ

and their associations too, are destroyed that very instant, O ascetics. Bathing here, Kalabhairava was freed from brahminicide.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.24.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः। कालभैरवरुद्रस्य ब्रह्महत्या महामुने। किमर्थमभवत्सूत तन्नो वक्तुमिहार्हसि

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kālabhairavarudrasya brahmahatyā mahāmune kimarthamabhavatsūta tanno vaktumihārhasi

The sages said: How did brahminicide come upon Kalabhairava-Rudra, O great sage? Tell us that, O Suta, right here.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.24.4)

श्रीसूत उवाच। वक्ष्यामि मुनयः सर्वे पुरावृत्तं विमुक्तिदम्। यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

śrīsūta uvāca vakṣyāmi munayaḥ sarve purāvṛttaṁ vimuktidam yasya śravaṇamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Suta said: I shall tell you, all you sages, an ancient event, the bestower of liberation, by the mere hearing of which one is freed from all sins.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.24.5)

प्रजापतेश्च विष्णोश्च बभूव कलहः पुरा। किंचित्कारणमुद्दिश्य समस्तजनसन्निधौ

prajāpateśca viṣṇośca babhūva kalahaḥ purā kiṁcitkāraṇamuddiśya samastajanasannidhau

Long ago a quarrel arose between Prajapati (Brahma) and Vishnu, over some cause, in the presence of all people:

Verse 6 (skanda.3.24.6)

अहमेव जगत्कर्ता नान्यः कर्तास्ति कश्चन। अहं सर्वप्रपंचानां निग्रहानुग्रहप्रदः

ahameva jagatkartā nānyaḥ kartāsti kaścana ahaṁ sarvaprapaṁcānāṁ nigrahānugrahapradaḥ

"I alone am the creator of the world; there is no other creator whatsoever. I am the bestower of restraint and grace for all the manifestations (of creation),

Verse 7 (skanda.3.24.7)

मत्तो नास्त्यधिकः कश्चिन्मत्समो वा सुरेष्वपि। एवं स मनुते ब्रह्मा देवानां सन्निधौ पुरा

matto nāstyadhikaḥ kaścinmatsamo vā sureṣvapi evaṁ sa manute brahmā devānāṁ sannidhau purā

there is none greater than me, nor even equal to me, even among the gods." Thus Brahma thought, of old, in the presence of the gods.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.24.8)

तदा नारायणः प्राह प्रहसन्द्विजपुंगवाः। किमर्थमेवं ब्रूषे त्वमहंकारेण सांप्रतम्

tadā nārāyaṇaḥ prāha prahasandvijapuṁgavāḥ kimarthamevaṁ brūṣe tvamahaṁkāreṇa sāṁpratam

Then Narayana said, laughing, O bulls among brahmins: "Why do you speak thus, now, out of egotism?

Verse 9 (skanda.3.24.9)

वाक्यमेवंविधं भूयो वक्तुं नार्हसि वै विधे। अहमेव जगत्कर्ता यज्ञो नारायणो विभुः

vākyamevaṁvidhaṁ bhūyo vaktuṁ nārhasi vai vidhe ahameva jagatkartā yajño nārāyaṇo vibhuḥ

You ought not, O Vidhi, speak such words again. I alone am the creator of the world - the sacrifice, Narayana, the all-pervading Lord.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.24.10)

मां विनास्य प्रपञ्चस्य जीवनं दुर्लभं भवेत्। मत्प्रसादाज्जगत्सृष्टं त्वया स्थावरजंगमम्

māṁ vināsya prapañcasya jīvanaṁ durlabhaṁ bhavet matprasādājjagatsṛṣṭaṁ tvayā sthāvarajaṁgamam

Without me, life for the manifestation would be hard to obtain. By my grace, the world, moving and unmoving, was created by you.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.24.11)

विवादं कुर्वतोरेवं ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोर्जयैषिणोः। देवानां पुरतस्तत्र वेदाश्चत्वार आगताः। प्रोचुर्वाक्यमिदं तथ्यं परमार्थप्रकाशकम्

vivādaṁ kurvatorevaṁ brahmaviṣṇvorjayaiṣiṇoḥ devānāṁ puratastatra vedāścatvāra āgatāḥ procurvākyamidaṁ tathyaṁ paramārthaprakāśakam

As Brahma and Vishnu were thus disputing, each desiring victory, there, before the gods, the four Vedas came, and spoke this true word, revealing the supreme truth.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.24.12)

वेदा ऊचुः। त्वं विष्णो न जगत्कर्ता न त्वं ब्रह्मन्प्रजापते

vedā ūcuḥ tvaṁ viṣṇo na jagatkartā na tvaṁ brahmanprajāpate

The Vedas said: "You, Vishnu, are not the creator of the world; nor are you, O Brahman, O Prajapati.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.24.13)

किं त्वीश्वरो जगत्कर्ता परात्परतरो विभुः। तन्मायाशक्तिसंक्लृप्तमिदं स्थावरजंगमम्

kiṁ tvīśvaro jagatkartā parātparataro vibhuḥ tanmāyāśaktisaṁklṛptamidaṁ sthāvarajaṁgamam

Rather, Ishvara is the creator of the world, the Lord beyond even the supreme; by his power of maya this world, moving and unmoving, has been fashioned.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.24.14)

सर्वदेवाभिवंद्यो हि सांबः सत्यादिलक्षणः। स्रष्टा च पालको हर्ता स एव जगतां प्रभुः

sarvadevābhivaṁdyo hi sāṁbaḥ satyādilakṣaṇaḥ sraṣṭā ca pālako hartā sa eva jagatāṁ prabhuḥ

He is worshipped by all the gods, Sambha, characterised by truth and the rest; he alone is the creator, the sustainer, the destroyer, the lord of the worlds.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.24.15)

एवं समीरितं वेदैः श्रुत्वा वाक्यं शुभाक्षरम्। ब्रह्मा विष्णुस्तदा तत्र प्रोचतुर्द्विजपुंगवाः

evaṁ samīritaṁ vedaiḥ śrutvā vākyaṁ śubhākṣaram brahmā viṣṇustadā tatra procaturdvijapuṁgavāḥ

Having heard this word, of auspicious syllables, thus declared by the Vedas, Brahma and Vishnu then spoke there, O bulls among brahmins.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.24.16)

ब्रह्मविष्णू ऊचतुः। पार्वत्यालिंगितः शंभुर्मूर्तिमान्प्रमथाधिपः। कथं भवेत्परं ब्रह्म सर्वसंगविवर्जितम्

brahmaviṣṇū ūcatuḥ pārvatyāliṁgitaḥ śaṁbhurmūrtimānpramathādhipaḥ kathaṁ bhavetparaṁ brahma sarvasaṁgavivarjitam

Brahma and Vishnu said: "Shambhu, embraced by Parvati, embodied, lord of the ghosts (pramathas) - how can he be the supreme Brahman, devoid of all attachment?"

Verse 17 (skanda.3.24.17)

ताभ्यामितीरिते तत्र प्रणवः प्राह तौ तदा। अरूपो रूपमादाय महता ध्वनिना द्विजाः

tābhyāmitīrite tatra praṇavaḥ prāha tau tadā arūpo rūpamādāya mahatā dhvaninā dvijāḥ

When those two had spoken thus, O brahmins, then the syllable Pranava (Om) spoke to them, having taken form though formless, with a great sound.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.24.18)

प्रणव उवाच। असौ शंभुर्महादेवः पार्वत्या स्वातिरिक्तया। संक्रीडते कदाचिन्नो किं तु स्वात्मस्वरूपया

praṇava uvāca asau śaṁbhurmahādevaḥ pārvatyā svātiriktayā saṁkrīḍate kadācinno kiṁ tu svātmasvarūpayā

Pranava said: "This Shambhu, the Great God, sports at times, not with Parvati as separate from himself, but rather with her as his own very Self.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.24.19)

असौ शंभुरनीशानः स्वप्रकाशो निरंजनः। विश्वाधिको महादेवो विश्वाधिक इति श्रुतः

asau śaṁbhuranīśānaḥ svaprakāśo niraṁjanaḥ viśvādhiko mahādevo viśvādhika iti śrutaḥ

This Shambhu is without any ruler over him, self-luminous, spotless, superior to the universe; the Great God is known as 'superior to the universe.'

Verse 20 (skanda.3.24.20)

सर्वात्मा सर्वकर्तासौ स्वतन्त्रः सर्वभावनः। ब्रह्मन्नयं सृष्टिकाले त्वां नियुंक्ते रजोगुणैः

sarvātmā sarvakartāsau svatantraḥ sarvabhāvanaḥ brahmannayaṁ sṛṣṭikāle tvāṁ niyuṁkte rajoguṇaiḥ

He is the Self of all, the doer of all, independent, the cause of all existence. O Brahma, he it is who, at the time of creation, engages you through the guna of rajas;

Verse 21 (skanda.3.24.21)

सत्त्वेन रक्षणे शंभुस्त्वां प्रेषयति केशव। तमसा कालरुद्राख्यं संप्रेरयति संहृतौ

sattvena rakṣaṇe śaṁbhustvāṁ preṣayati keśava tamasā kālarudrākhyaṁ saṁprerayati saṁhṛtau

through sattva, Shambhu employs you, O Keshava, in preservation; through tamas, he employs the one called Kala-Rudra in dissolution.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.24.22)

अतः स्वतन्त्रता विष्णो युवयोर्न कदाचन। नापि प्रजापतेरस्ति किं तु शंभोः स्वतन्त्रता

ataḥ svatantratā viṣṇo yuvayorna kadācana nāpi prajāpaterasti kiṁ tu śaṁbhoḥ svatantratā

Therefore, O Vishnu, neither of you two has independence at any time; nor does Prajapati; rather, independence belongs to Shambhu alone.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.24.23)

ब्रह्मन्विष्णो युवाभ्यां तु किमर्थं न महेश्वरः। ज्ञायते सर्वलोकानां कर्ता विश्वाधिकस्तथा

brahmanviṣṇo yuvābhyāṁ tu kimarthaṁ na maheśvaraḥ jñāyate sarvalokānāṁ kartā viśvādhikastathā

O Brahma, O Vishnu, why is it not known by you two that Maheshvara alone is the creator of all worlds, and likewise superior to the universe?

Verse 24 (skanda.3.24.24)

सापि शक्तिरुमा देवी न पृथक्छंकरात्सदा। शंभोरानंदभूता सा देवी नागंतुकी स्मृता।

sāpi śaktirumā devī na pṛthakchaṁkarātsadā śaṁbhorānaṁdabhūtā sā devī nāgaṁtukī smṛtā

That Shakti too, the goddess Uma, is never separate from Shankara; she, born of Shambhu's own bliss, that goddess, is remembered as never an outsider (to him).

Verse 25 (skanda.3.24.25)

अतो विश्वाधिको रुद्रः स्वतंत्रो निर्विकल्पकः। सर्वदेवैरयं वन्द्यो युवाभ्यामपि शंकरः

ato viśvādhiko rudraḥ svataṁtro nirvikalpakaḥ sarvadevairayaṁ vandyo yuvābhyāmapi śaṁkaraḥ

Therefore Rudra, superior to the universe, is independent, beyond all alternatives; this Shankara is worshipped by all the gods, and by you two as well.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.24.26)

कर्ता नास्यास्ति रुद्रस्य नाधिकोऽस्माच्च विद्यते। न तत्समोऽपि लोकेषु विद्यते शतशस्तथा

kartā nāsyāsti rudrasya nādhiko'smācca vidyate na tatsamo'pi lokeṣu vidyate śataśastathā

There is no creator of this Rudra, nor is there any greater than him; nor is there anyone equal to him in the worlds, even among hundreds.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.24.27)

अतो मोहं न कुरुतं ब्रह्मविष्णो युवां वृथा। इत्युक्तं प्रणवेनाथ श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मा च केशवः

ato mohaṁ na kurutaṁ brahmaviṣṇo yuvāṁ vṛthā ityuktaṁ praṇavenātha śrutvā brahmā ca keśavaḥ

Therefore, O Brahma and Vishnu, do not, in vain, become deluded." Having thus heard this word spoken by the Pranava, Brahma and Keshava,

Verse 28 (skanda.3.24.28)

मायया मोहितौ शंभोर्नैवाज्ञानममुंचताम्। एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा प्रददर्श महाद्भुतम्

māyayā mohitau śaṁbhornaivājñānamamuṁcatām etasminnaṁtare brahmā pradadarśa mahādbhutam

deluded by Shambhu's maya, still did not give up their ignorance. Meanwhile, Brahma beheld a great wonder:

Verse 29 (skanda.3.24.29)

व्याप्नुवद्गगनं सर्वमनंतादित्य सन्निभम्। तेजोमण्डलमाकाशमध्यगं विश्वतोमुखम्

vyāpnuvadgaganaṁ sarvamanaṁtāditya sannibham tejomaṇḍalamākāśamadhyagaṁ viśvatomukham

pervading the whole sky, resembling countless suns, a sphere of splendour standing in the midst of the sky, facing every direction.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.24.30)

तन्निरूपयितुं ब्रह्मा ससर्जोर्ध्वगतं मुखम्। तपोबलविसृष्टेन पंचमेन मुखेन सः।

tannirūpayituṁ brahmā sasarjordhvagataṁ mukham tapobalavisṛṣṭena paṁcamena mukhena saḥ

To examine it, Brahma created an upward-facing mouth; with a fifth mouth, produced by the power of his austerity, he,

Verse 31 (skanda.3.24.31)

निरूपयामास विभुस्तत्तेजोमण्डलं मुहुः। तत्प्रजज्वाल कोपेन मुखं तेजोविलोकनात्

nirūpayāmāsa vibhustattejomaṇḍalaṁ muhuḥ tatprajajvāla kopena mukhaṁ tejovilokanāt

the Lord, repeatedly examined that sphere of splendour. That mouth blazed with anger at the sight of that splendour;

Verse 32 (skanda.3.24.32)

अनंतादित्यसंकाशं ज्वलत्तत्पंचमं शिरः। दिधक्षुः प्रलये लोकान्वडवाग्निरिवाबभौ

anaṁtādityasaṁkāśaṁ jvalattatpaṁcamaṁ śiraḥ didhakṣuḥ pralaye lokānvaḍavāgnirivābabhau

that fifth head, blazing, resembling countless suns, desiring to consume the worlds, as if at dissolution, shone like the submarine fire.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.24.33)

व्यदृश्यत च तत्तेजः पुरुषो नीललोहितः। दृष्ट्वा स्रष्टा तदा ब्रह्मा बभाषे परमेश्वरम्

vyadṛśyata ca tattejaḥ puruṣo nīlalohitaḥ dṛṣṭvā sraṣṭā tadā brahmā babhāṣe parameśvaram

And within that splendour was seen a Purusha, of blue-red hue. Seeing him, Brahma the creator then spoke to that Supreme Lord:

Verse 34 (skanda.3.24.34)

वेदाहं त्वां महादेव ललाटान्मे पुरा भवान्। विनिर्गतोऽसि शंभो त्वं रुद्रनामा ममात्मजः

vedāhaṁ tvāṁ mahādeva lalāṭānme purā bhavān vinirgato'si śaṁbho tvaṁ rudranāmā mamātmajaḥ

"I know you, O Mahadeva; long ago you emerged from my forehead, O Shambhu - you are my own son, named Rudra."

Verse 35 (skanda.3.24.35)

इति गर्वेण संयुक्तं वचः श्रुत्वा महेश्वरः। कालभैरवनामानं पुरुषं प्राहिणोत्तदा

iti garveṇa saṁyuktaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā maheśvaraḥ kālabhairavanāmānaṁ puruṣaṁ prāhiṇottadā

Having heard this arrogance-laden speech, Maheshvara then dispatched a person named Kalabhairava.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.24.36)

अयुद्ध्यत चिरं कालं ब्रह्मणा कालभैरवः। महादेवांशसंभूतः शूलटंकगदाधरः।

ayuddhyata ciraṁ kālaṁ brahmaṇā kālabhairavaḥ mahādevāṁśasaṁbhūtaḥ śūlaṭaṁkagadādharaḥ

Kalabhairava, born of a portion of Mahadeva, bearing trident, axe, and mace, fought with Brahma for a long time.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.24.37)

युद्ध्वा तु सुचिरं कालं ब्रह्मणा कालभैरवः। वदनं ब्रह्मणः शुभ्रं व्यलोकयत पंचमम्

yuddhvā tu suciraṁ kālaṁ brahmaṇā kālabhairavaḥ vadanaṁ brahmaṇaḥ śubhraṁ vyalokayata paṁcamam

Having fought with Brahma for a very long time, Kalabhairava beheld Brahma's bright fifth face.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.24.38)

विलोक्योर्ध्वगतं वक्त्रं पञ्चमं भारतीपतेः। गर्वेण महता युक्तं प्रजज्वालातिकोपितः

vilokyordhvagataṁ vaktraṁ pañcamaṁ bhāratīpateḥ garveṇa mahatā yuktaṁ prajajvālātikopitaḥ

Beholding that fifth, upward-facing face of the lord of Bharati, laden with great arrogance, he blazed with extreme anger;

Verse 39 (skanda.3.24.39)

ततस्तत्पंचमं वक्त्रं भैरवः प्राच्छिनद्रुषा। ततो ममार ब्रह्माऽसौ कालभैरवहिंसितः।

tatastatpaṁcamaṁ vaktraṁ bhairavaḥ prācchinadruṣā tato mamāra brahmā'sau kālabhairavahiṁsitaḥ

then Bhairava, in fury, severed that fifth face. Thereupon that Brahma died, struck down by Kalabhairava.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.24.40)

ईश्वरस्य प्रसादेन प्रपेदे जीवितं पुनः। ततो विलोकयामास शंकरं शशिभूषणम्

īśvarasya prasādena prapede jīvitaṁ punaḥ tato vilokayāmāsa śaṁkaraṁ śaśibhūṣaṇam

By Ishvara's grace, he obtained his life again. Then he beheld Shankara, adorned with the moon,

Verse 41 (skanda.3.24.41)

वासुक्याद्यष्टभोगींद्रविभूषणविभूषितम्। दृष्ट्वा वेधा महादेवं पार्वत्या सह शंकरम्

vāsukyādyaṣṭabhogīṁdravibhūṣaṇavibhūṣitam dṛṣṭvā vedhā mahādevaṁ pārvatyā saha śaṁkaram

adorned with the ornaments of Vasuki and the other eight serpent-kings. Having beheld Mahadeva, Shankara, together with Parvati, that Vedha (Brahma)

Verse 42 (skanda.3.24.42)

लेभे माहेश्वरं ज्ञानं महादेवप्रसादतः। ततस्तुष्टाव गिरिशं वरेण्यं वरदं शिवम्

lebhe māheśvaraṁ jñānaṁ mahādevaprasādataḥ tatastuṣṭāva giriśaṁ vareṇyaṁ varadaṁ śivam

obtained Maheshvara knowledge, by Mahadeva's grace. Then he praised Girisha, the excellent, the boon-giver, Shiva.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.24.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच। मह्यं प्रसीद गिरिश शशांककृतशेखर। यन्मयापकृतं शंभो तत्क्षमस्व दयानिधे

brahmovāca mahyaṁ prasīda giriśa śaśāṁkakṛtaśekhara yanmayāpakṛtaṁ śaṁbho tatkṣamasva dayānidhe

Brahma said: "Be gracious to me, O Girisha, whose crest is adorned with the crescent moon; whatever wrong I have done, O Shambhu, forgive it, O ocean of compassion.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.24.44)

क्षमस्व मम गर्वं त्वं शंकरेति पुनःपुनः। नमश्चकार सोमं तं सोमार्धकृतशेखरम्

kṣamasva mama garvaṁ tvaṁ śaṁkareti punaḥpunaḥ namaścakāra somaṁ taṁ somārdhakṛtaśekharam

Forgive my pride" - thus he made obeisance again and again to that Soma (moon-crested) Shankara, whose crest is adorned with half the moon.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.24.45)

अथ देवः प्रसन्नोऽस्मै ब्रह्मणे स्वांशजाय तु। मा भैरित्यब्रवीच्छंभुर्भैरवं चाभ्यभाषत

atha devaḥ prasanno'smai brahmaṇe svāṁśajāya tu mā bhairityabravīcchaṁbhurbhairavaṁ cābhyabhāṣata

Then the god, pleased with this Brahma, born of his own portion, Shambhu said "Fear not" and spoke also to Bhairava.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.24.46)

ईश्वर उवाच। एष सर्वस्य जगतः पूज्यो ब्रह्मा सनातनः। हतस्यास्य विरिंचस्य धारय त्वं शिरोऽधुना

īśvara uvāca eṣa sarvasya jagataḥ pūjyo brahmā sanātanaḥ hatasyāsya viriṁcasya dhāraya tvaṁ śiro'dhunā

Ishvara said: "This Brahma is the eternal one, worshipped by the whole world; hold now the head of this slain Virinchi (Brahma).

Verse 47 (skanda.3.24.47)

ब्रह्महत्याविशुद्ध्यर्थं लोकसंग्रहकाम्यया। भिक्षामट कपालेन भैरव त्वं ममाज्ञया

brahmahatyāviśuddhyarthaṁ lokasaṁgrahakāmyayā bhikṣāmaṭa kapālena bhairava tvaṁ mamājñayā

For the purification from brahminicide, out of desire to guide the world, wander begging with the skull, O Bhairava, by my command.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.24.48)

उक्त्वैवं शंकरो विप्रास्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। नीलकण्ठो महादेवो गिरिजार्द्धतनुस्ततः

uktvaivaṁ śaṁkaro viprāstatraivāṁtaradhīyata nīlakaṇṭho mahādevo girijārddhatanustataḥ

Having said this, O brahmins, Shankara vanished right there. Nilakantha, the Great God, half of whose body is Girija's,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.24.49)

भैरवं ग्राहयामास वदनं वेधसो द्विजाः। चरस्व पापशुद्ध्यर्थं लोकसंग्रहणाय वै

bhairavaṁ grāhayāmāsa vadanaṁ vedhaso dvijāḥ carasva pāpaśuddhyarthaṁ lokasaṁgrahaṇāya vai

caused Bhairava to take the head of Vedhas (Brahma), O brahmins. "Wander for the purification of sin, for the guidance of the world;

Verse 50 (skanda.3.24.50)

कपालधारी हस्तेन भिक्षां गृह्णातु भैरवः। इतीरयित्वा गिरिशः कन्यां कांचिद्भयंकरीम्

kapāladhārī hastena bhikṣāṁ gṛhṇātu bhairavaḥ itīrayitvā giriśaḥ kanyāṁ kāṁcidbhayaṁkarīm

bearing that skull in hand, let Bhairava receive alms." Having said this, Girisha, having sent forth a certain terrifying maiden,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.24.51)

ब्रह्महत्याभिधां क्रूरां वडवानलसन्निभाम्। तां प्रेरयित्वा गिरिशो भैरवं पुनरब्रवीत्

brahmahatyābhidhāṁ krūrāṁ vaḍavānalasannibhām tāṁ prerayitvā giriśo bhairavaṁ punarabravīt

named Brahmahatya, cruel, resembling the submarine fire, Girisha then spoke again to Bhairava:

Verse 52 (skanda.3.24.52)

ईश्वर उवाच। भैरवैतद्व्रतं त्वब्दं ब्रह्महत्याविशुद्धये। चर त्वं सर्वतीर्थेषु स्नाहि शुद्ध्यर्थमात्मनः

īśvara uvāca bhairavaitadvrataṁ tvabdaṁ brahmahatyāviśuddhaye cara tvaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu snāhi śuddhyarthamātmanaḥ

Ishvara said: "O Bhairava, observe this vow for a year, for purification from brahminicide; wander in all the tirthas, bathe in them for your own purification.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.24.53)

ततो वाराणसीं गच्छ ब्रह्महत्याप्रशांतये। वाराणसीप्रवेशेन ब्रह्महत्या तवाधमा

tato vārāṇasīṁ gaccha brahmahatyāpraśāṁtaye vārāṇasīpraveśena brahmahatyā tavādhamā

Then go to Varanasi, for the pacification of brahminicide. By entering Varanasi, your inferior brahminicide,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.24.54)

पादशेषा विनष्टा स्याच्चतुर्थांशो न नश्यति। तस्य नाशं प्रवक्ष्यामि तव भैरव तच्छुणु

pādaśeṣā vinaṣṭā syāccaturthāṁśo na naśyati tasya nāśaṁ pravakṣyāmi tava bhairava tacchuṇu

three-quarters of it, shall be destroyed; a fourth part shall not be destroyed. I shall tell you the destruction of that, O Bhairava - listen to it.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.24.55)

दक्षिणांभोनिधेस्तीरे गन्धमादनपर्वते। सर्वप्राण्युपकाराय कृतं तीर्थं मया शुभम्

dakṣiṇāṁbhonidhestīre gandhamādanaparvate sarvaprāṇyupakārāya kṛtaṁ tīrthaṁ mayā śubham

On the bank of the southern ocean, on Mount Gandhamadana, for the benefit of all creatures, an auspicious tirtha has been made by me,

Verse 56 (skanda.3.24.56)

शिवसंज्ञं महापुण्यं तत्र याहि त्वमादरात्। तत्प्रवेशनमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या तवाशुभा

śivasaṁjñaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ tatra yāhi tvamādarāt tatpraveśanamātreṇa brahmahatyā tavāśubhā

called Shiva, greatly holy; go there, O Bhairava, with reverence. By the mere entering of it, your inauspicious brahminicide

Verse 57 (skanda.3.24.57)

शिवतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यान्निःशेषं नश्यति ध्रुवम्। उक्त्वैवं भैरवं रुद्रः कैलासं प्रययौ क्षणात्

śivatīrthasya māhātmyānniḥśeṣaṁ naśyati dhruvam uktvaivaṁ bhairavaṁ rudraḥ kailāsaṁ prayayau kṣaṇāt

shall, by the greatness of Shiva-tirtha, certainly be destroyed entirely." Having said this to Bhairava, Rudra went at once to Kailasa.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.24.58)

ततः कपालपाणिस्तु भैरवः शिवचोदितः। देवदानवयक्षादिलोकेषु विचचार सः

tataḥ kapālapāṇistu bhairavaḥ śivacoditaḥ devadānavayakṣādilokeṣu vicacāra saḥ

Then Bhairava, skull in hand, urged by Shiva, wandered through the worlds of gods, danavas, yakshas, and the like.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.24.59)

तं यांतमनुयाति स्म ब्रह्महत्यातिभीषणा। भैरवः सर्वतीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च

taṁ yāṁtamanuyāti sma brahmahatyātibhīṣaṇā bhairavaḥ sarvatīrthāni puṇyānyāyatanāni ca

As he went, the exceedingly fearsome Brahmahatya followed him. Bhairava, wandering at will through all the holy tirthas and shrines,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.24.60)

चरित्वा लीलया देवस्ततो वाराणसीं ययौ। वाराणसीं प्रविष्टे तु भैरवे शंकरांशजे

caritvā līlayā devastato vārāṇasīṁ yayau vārāṇasīṁ praviṣṭe tu bhairave śaṁkarāṁśaje

then went to Varanasi. When Bhairava, born of a portion of Shankara, entered Varanasi,

Verse 61 (skanda.3.24.61)

चतुर्थांशं विना नष्टा ब्रह्महत्यातिकुत्सिता। चतुर्थांशेन दुद्राव भैरवं शंकरांशजम्

caturthāṁśaṁ vinā naṣṭā brahmahatyātikutsitā caturthāṁśena dudrāva bhairavaṁ śaṁkarāṁśajam

that exceedingly abominable brahminicide was destroyed, save for a fourth part; with that fourth part remaining, it pursued Bhairava, son of a portion of Shankara.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.24.62)

ततः स भैरवो देवः शूलपाणिः कपालधृक्। शिवाज्ञया ययौ पश्चाद्गंधमादनपर्वतम्

tataḥ sa bhairavo devaḥ śūlapāṇiḥ kapāladhṛk śivājñayā yayau paścādgaṁdhamādanaparvatam

Then that god Bhairava, trident-bearer, skull-holder, by Shiva's command, went afterward to Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.24.63)

शिवतीर्थं ततो गत्वा भैरवः स्नातवान्द्विजाः। स्नानमात्रेण तत्रास्य शिवतीर्थे महत्तरे

śivatīrthaṁ tato gatvā bhairavaḥ snātavāndvijāḥ snānamātreṇa tatrāsya śivatīrthe mahattare

Having gone then to Shiva-tirtha, Bhairava bathed, O brahmins. By mere bathing there, at that greater Shiva-tirtha,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.24.64)

निःशेषं विलयं याता ब्रह्महत्यातिभीषणा। अस्मिन्नवसरे शंभुः प्रादुरासीत्तदग्रतः। प्रादुर्भूतो महादेवो भैरवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

niḥśeṣaṁ vilayaṁ yātā brahmahatyātibhīṣaṇā asminnavasare śaṁbhuḥ prādurāsīttadagrataḥ prādurbhūto mahādevo bhairavaṁ vākyamabravīt

the exceedingly terrible brahminicide went to complete dissolution. At that moment, Shambhu appeared before him; having appeared, the Great God spoke this word to Bhairava.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.24.65)

ईश्वर उवाच। निःशेषं ब्रह्महत्या ते शिवतीर्थे निमज्जनात्

īśvara uvāca niḥśeṣaṁ brahmahatyā te śivatīrthe nimajjanāt

Ishvara said: "Your brahminicide has been destroyed entirely by immersion at Shiva-tirtha,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.24.66)

नष्टा भैरव नास्त्यत्र संदेहस्तव सुव्रत। इदं कपालं काश्यां त्वं स्थापयस्व क्वचित्स्थले

naṣṭā bhairava nāstyatra saṁdehastava suvrata idaṁ kapālaṁ kāśyāṁ tvaṁ sthāpayasva kvacitsthale

O Bhairava - there is no doubt of this, O you of good vows. Establish this skull, O you, at some place in Kashi."

Verse 67 (skanda.3.24.67)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छंभुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। भैरवोऽपि तदा विप्रा ब्रह्महत्याविमोचितः

ityuktvā bhagavāñchaṁbhustatraivāṁtaradhīyata bhairavo'pi tadā viprā brahmahatyāvimocitaḥ

Having said this, the illustrious Shambhu vanished right there. Bhairava too then, O brahmins, released from brahminicide,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.24.68)

शिवतीर्थस्य माहात्म्याद्ययौ वाराणसीं पुरीम्। कपालं स्थापयामास प्रदेशे कुत्रचिद्द्विजाः। कपालतीर्थमित्याख्यामलभत्तत्स्थलं तदा

śivatīrthasya māhātmyādyayau vārāṇasīṁ purīm kapālaṁ sthāpayāmāsa pradeśe kutraciddvijāḥ kapālatīrthamityākhyāmalabhattatsthalaṁ tadā

by the greatness of Shiva-tirtha, went to the city of Varanasi. He established the skull at a certain spot, O brahmins; that place then obtained the name Kapala-tirtha.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.24.69)

श्रीसूत उवाच। एवं प्रभावं तत्पुण्यं शिवतीर्थं विमुक्तिदम्

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ prabhāvaṁ tatpuṇyaṁ śivatīrthaṁ vimuktidam

Suta said: Such is the power of that holy Shiva-tirtha, the bestower of liberation,

Verse 70 (skanda.3.24.70)

महादुःखप्रशमनं महापातकनाशनम्। नरकक्लेशशमनं स्वर्गदं मोक्षदं तथा।

mahāduḥkhapraśamanaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam narakakleśaśamanaṁ svargadaṁ mokṣadaṁ tathā

the pacifier of great sorrow, the destroyer of great sin, the pacifier of the suffering of hell, and likewise the bestower of heaven and liberation.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.24.71)

शिवतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं मया प्रोक्तं विमुक्तिदम्। इदं पठन्सदा मर्त्यो दुःखग्रामाद्विमुच्यते

śivatīrthasya māhātmyaṁ mayā proktaṁ vimuktidam idaṁ paṭhansadā martyo duḥkhagrāmādvimucyate

I have told the greatness of Shiva-tirtha, the bestower of liberation. Whoever reads this always, that mortal is released from a host of sorrows.