The Tale of King Balahaka

Verse 1 (skanda.3.79.1)

सूत उवाच । तत्र तस्य समीपस्थं मार्कंडेनोपलक्षितम् तीर्थं गोवत्ससंज्ञं तु सर्वत्र भुवि संश्रुतम्

sūta uvāca tatra tasya samīpasthaṁ mārkaṇḍenopalakṣitam tīrthaṁ govatsasaṁjñaṁ tu sarvatra bhuvi saṁśrutam

Suta said: Near that place lies the tirtha marked out by Markandeya, known as Govatsa ("the Calf"), renowned throughout the whole earth.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.79.2)

तत्रावतीर्य गोवत्सस्वरूपेणांबिकापतिः स्वयंभूलिंगरूपेण संस्थितो जगतां पतिः

tatrāvatīrya govatsasvarūpeṇāṁbikāpatiḥ svayaṁbhūliṅgarūpeṇa saṁsthito jagatāṁ patiḥ

There, Ambikā's consort, the Lord of the universe, descended in the form of a calf and became established as a self-manifest linga.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.79.3)

आसीद्बलाहकोनाम रुद्रभक्तो महाबलः आखेटकसमायुक्तो नृपः परपुरंजयः

āsīd balāhako nāma rudrabhakto mahābalaḥ ākheṭakasamāyukto nṛpaḥ parapuraṁjayaḥ

There was a mighty king named Balāhaka, a devoted worshipper of Rudra, fond of hunting, and a conqueror of enemy cities.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.79.4)

मृगयूथे स्थितं दृष्ट्वा गोवत्सं तत्पदातिना उक्तो राजा मया दृष्टं कौतुकं नृपसत्तम

mṛgayūthe sthitaṁ dṛṣṭvā govatsaṁ tatpadātinā ukto rājā mayā dṛṣṭaṁ kautukaṁ nṛpasattama

One day, a foot-soldier of his, seeing a calf standing amid a herd of deer, said to the king: "O best of kings, I have seen a wondrous thing —"

Verse 5 (skanda.3.79.5)

गोवत्सो मृगयूथस्य दृष्टो मध्यस्थितो मया तेषामेवानुरक्तोऽसौ जनन्या रहितस्तथा

govatso mṛgayūthasya dṛṣṭo madhyasthito mayā teṣām evānurakto 'sau jananyā rahitas tathā

"— I have seen a calf standing right in the midst of a herd of deer, devoted to their company, though it is without its own mother."

Verse 6 (skanda.3.79.6)

द्रष्टुं तु कौतुकं राजा तं पदातिं पुरः स्थितम् उवाच दर्शयस्वेति गोवत्सं च समाविशत्

draṣṭuṁ tu kautukaṁ rājā taṁ padātiṁ puraḥ sthitam uvāca darśayasveti govatsaṁ ca samāviśat

Eager to see this wonder, the king said to the foot-soldier standing before him, "Show it to me," and set out toward the calf.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.79.7)

गत्वाटवीं तदा राज्ञो दर्शितः स पदातिना पदातिभिर्मृगानीकं दुद्राव त्रासितं यदा

gatvāṭavīṁ tadā rājño darśitaḥ sa padātinā padātibhir mṛgānīkaṁ dudrāva trāsitaṁ yadā

Going into the forest, the foot-soldier showed the king that calf. When, frightened by the soldiers, the herd of deer bolted away —

Verse 8 (skanda.3.79.8)

पीलुगुल्मं प्रति गतं गोवत्सः प्रस्थितस्तदा राजा तद्धरणाकांक्षो प्राविशद्गुल्ममादरात्

pīlugulmaṁ prati gataṁ govatsaḥ prasthitas tadā rājā taddharaṇākāṅkṣo prāviśad gulmam ādarāt

the calf too fled toward a thicket of pīlu bushes. Wishing to catch it, the king carefully entered that thicket himself.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.79.9)

तत्र स्थितं स गोवत्समपश्यन्नृपतिः स्वयम् यावद्गृह्णाति तं तावल्लिंगं जातं समुज्वलम्

tatra sthitaṁ sa govatsam apaśyan nṛpatiḥ svayam yāvad gṛhṇāti taṁ tāval liṅgaṁ jātaṁ samujvalam

The king himself saw the calf standing there; but the very moment he tried to seize it, it turned instantly into a blazing radiant liṅga.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.79.10)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो राजा किमेतदित्यचिंतयत् यावच्चिंतयते ह्येवं देहं त्यक्त्वा दिवं गतः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismito rājā kim etad ity acintayat yāvac cintayate hy evaṁ dehaṁ tyaktvā divaṁ gataḥ

Astonished at the sight, the king wondered, "What is this?" — and even as he was still pondering, he cast off his body and departed to heaven.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.79.11)

अत्रांतरे गगनतले समंततः श्रूयते सुरजयकारगर्जितम् पपात पुष्पवृष्टिरंबराद्राजा गतः शिवभुवनं च तत्क्षणात्

atrāntare gaganatale samantataḥ śrūyate surajayakāragarjitam papāta puṣpavṛṣṭir aṁbarād rājā gataḥ śivabhuvanaṁ ca tatkṣaṇāt

At that very moment, cries of victory raised by the gods resounded all across the sky, a shower of flowers fell from heaven, and the king went instantly to Shiva's abode.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.79.12)

तावत्पश्यति तन्नाभ्यं गोवत्सं बालकं स्थितम् नूनमेष महादेवो वत्सरूपी महेश्वरः

tāvat paśyati tannābhyaṁ govatsaṁ bālakaṁ sthitam nūnam eṣa mahādevo vatsarūpī maheśvaraḥ

Meanwhile, they saw a young calf standing right at the middle of that liṅga — "Surely this is Mahādeva himself, Maheśvara in the form of a calf."

Verse 13 (skanda.3.79.13)

तमानेतुं समुद्युक्तो राजा तमुज्जहार च तदा तद्देव लिंगं तु नोत्तिष्ठति कथंचन तदा देवाः सहानेन प्रार्थयामासुरीश्वरम्

tam ānetuṁ samudyukto rājā tam ujjahāra ca tadā tad deva liṅgaṁ tu nottiṣṭhati kathaṁcana tadā devāḥ sahānena prārthayāmāsur īśvaram

Eager to bring it away, the king tried to lift it, but that divine liṅga would not budge in any way. Then the gods, together with him, prayed to the Lord —

Verse 14 (skanda.3.79.14)

देवा ऊचुः । भगवन्सर्वदेवेश स्थातव्यं भवता विभो शुक्लेन लिंगरूपेण सर्वलोकहितैषिणा

devā ūcuḥ bhagavan sarvadeveśa sthātavyaṁ bhavatā vibho śuklena liṅgarūpeṇa sarvalokahitaiṣiṇā

The gods said: "O Lord, O God of all gods, O mighty one, remain here forever in this white liṅga-form, wishing well for all the worlds."

Verse 15 (skanda.3.79.15)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच । स्थास्याम्यहं सदैवात्र लिंगरूपेण देवताः यस्माद्भाद्रपदे मासि कृष्णपक्षे कुहू दिने

śrīmahādeva uvāca sthāsyāmy ahaṁ sadaivātra liṅgarūpeṇa devatāḥ yasmād bhādrapade māsi kṛṣṇapakṣe kuhū dine

Shri Mahadeva said: "O gods, I shall dwell here forever in this liṅga-form. Whoever, on the new-moon day of the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada —"

Verse 16 (skanda.3.79.16)

तथा तद्दिवसे तत्र स्नानं कृत्वा विधानतः लिंगं ये पूजयिष्यंति न तेषां विद्यते भयम्

tathā taddivase tatra snānaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ liṅgaṁ ye pūjayiṣyanti na teṣāṁ vidyate bhayam

"— on that day, bathes here according to rite and worships this liṅga, for them there shall be no fear at all."

Verse 17 (skanda.3.79.17)

ऋते च पिंडदानेन पूर्वजाः शाश्वतीः समाः रौरवे नरके घोरे कुंभीपाके च ये गताः

ṛte ca piṇḍadānena pūrvajāḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ raurave narake ghore kuṁbhīpāke ca ye gatāḥ

Even without any pinda-offering, ancestors who have fallen into the terrible hells of Raurava and Kumbhīpāka for endless years —

Verse 18 (skanda.3.79.18)

अनेकनरकस्थाश्च तिर्यग्योनिगताश्च ये सकृत्पिंडप्रदानेन स्यात्ते षामक्षया गतिः

anekanarakasthāś ca tiryagyonigatāś ca ye sakṛt piṇḍapradānena syāt teṣām akṣayā gatiḥ

— and those in many other hells, or those born in animal wombs — for all of them, a single pinda-offering here shall secure an imperishable destiny.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.79.19)

ततो बलाहको राजा सर्वदेवसमन्वितः स्थापयामास तल्लिंगं सर्वदेवसमीपतः

tato balāhako rājā sarvadevasamanvitaḥ sthāpayāmāsa tal liṅgaṁ sarvadevasamīpataḥ

Then King Balāhaka, together with all the gods, established that liṅga in the presence of all the divinities.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.79.20)

चकार बहुदानानि लोकानां हितकाम्यया यावदर्चयते ह्येवं रुद्रोऽपि स्वयमागतः

cakāra bahudānāni lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā yāvad arcayate hy evaṁ rudro 'pi svayam āgataḥ

He performed many acts of charity for the welfare of all beings; and even as he thus worshipped, Rudra himself appeared there in person.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.79.21)

रुद्र उवाच । अस्यां रात्रौ तु मनुजाः श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्विताः येर्चयिष्यंति देवेशं तेषां पुण्यमनंतकम्

rudra uvāca asyāṁ rātrau tu manujāḥ śraddhābhaktisamanvitāḥ ye 'rcayiṣyanti deveśaṁ teṣāṁ puṇyam anantakam

Rudra said: On this very night, whatever men worship the Lord of gods with faith and devotion, their merit shall be boundless.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.79.22)

जागरं ये करिष्यंति गीतशास्त्रपुरःसरम् उद्धरिष्यंति ते मर्त्याः कुलमेकोत्तरं शतम्

jāgaraṁ ye kariṣyanti gītaśāstrapuraḥsaram uddhariṣyanti te martyāḥ kulam ekottaraṁ śatam

Those mortals who keep the night-vigil, accompanied by songs and sacred recitation, shall thereby redeem one hundred and one generations of their lineage.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.79.23)

तावद्गर्ज्जंति तीर्थानि नैमिषं पुष्करं गया प्रयागं च प्रभासं च द्वारका मथुराऽर्बुदः

tāvad garjanti tīrthāni naimiṣaṁ puṣkaraṁ gayā prayāgaṁ ca prabhāsaṁ ca dvārakā mathurārbudaḥ

So too do the tirthas of Naimisha, Pushkara, Gaya, Prayaga, Prabhasa, Dvaraka, Mathura, and Arbuda thunder forth (in proclamation of their own glory) —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.79.24)

यावन्न दृश्यते लिंगं गोवत्सं परमाद्भुतम्। यदा हि कुरुते भावं गोवत्सगमनं प्रति

yāvan na dṛśyate liṅgaṁ govatsaṁ paramādbhutam yadā hi kurute bhāvaṁ govatsagamanaṁ prati

— only until one has beheld this most wondrous Govatsa liṅga. But the moment one forms the resolve to journey to this Govatsa tirtha —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.79.25)

स्ववंशजास्तदा सर्वे नृत्यंति हर्षिता ध्रुवम्

svavaṁśajās tadā sarve nṛtyanti harṣitā dhruvam

then all his ancestors, born in his own lineage, most certainly break into joyful dance at once.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.79.26)

सूत उवाच । यच्चान्यदद्भुतं तत्र वृत्तांतं शृणु त द्विजाः येन वै श्रुतमात्रेण सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

sūta uvāca yac cānyad adbhutaṁ tatra vṛttāntaṁ śṛṇu tad dvijāḥ yena vai śrutamātreṇa sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

Suta said: Hear now, O brahmins, another wondrous episode from there, merely hearing which destroys all one's sins.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.79.27)

यदा वै स्थापितं लिंगं सर्वदेवैः पुरातनम् विष्णोः प्रतिष्ठानगुणात्सर्वेषां च दिवौक साम्

yadā vai sthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ sarvadevaiḥ purātanam viṣṇoḥ pratiṣṭhānaguṇāt sarveṣāṁ ca divaukasām

When this ancient liṅga had been established by all the gods — by virtue of Vishnu's power of consecration, and that of all the celestials —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.79.28)

अणुमात्रप्रमाणेन प्रत्यहं समवर्द्धत ततस्ते मनुजा देवा भीतास्तं शरणं ययुः

aṇumātrapramāṇena pratyahaṁ samavardhata tataste manujā devā bhītās taṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ

— it began growing a little each day, minute portion by portion. Terrified by this, those men and gods went for refuge to that very liṅga.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.79.29)

देवा ऊचुः । वृद्धिं संहर देवेश लोका नां स्वस्ति तद्भवेत् एवमुक्ते ततो लिंगाद्वागुवाचाशरीरिणी

devā ūcuḥ vṛddhiṁ saṁhara deveśa lokānāṁ svasti tad bhavet evam ukte tato liṅgād vāg uvācāśarīriṇī

The gods said: "O Lord of gods, halt your growth — in that alone lies the welfare of the worlds." When this was said, a bodiless voice spoke forth from the liṅga —

Verse 30 (skanda.3.79.30)

शिववाण्युवाच । हे लोका मा भयं वोऽस्तु उपायः श्रूयतामयम् कश्चिच्चंडालमानीय मत्पुरः स्थाप्यतां धुवम्

śivavāṇy uvāca he lokā mā bhayaṁ vo 'stu upāyaḥ śrūyatām ayam kaścic caṇḍālam ānīya matpuraḥ sthāpyatāṁ dhruvam

The Voice of Shiva said: "O people, do not be afraid — hear this remedy: let someone bring a chāṇḍāla and stand him firmly before me."

Verse 31 (skanda.3.79.31)

चंडालांश्च समानीय दधुर्देवस्य ते पुरः। तथापि तस्य वृद्धिस्तु नैव निर्वर्तते पुनः

caṇḍālāṁś ca samānīya dadhur devasya te puraḥ tathāpi tasya vṛddhis tu naiva nirvartate punaḥ

They brought chāṇḍālas and set them before the god, yet even so his growth would not cease.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.79.32)

वागुवाच । कर्म्मणा यस्तु चंडालः सोऽग्रे मे स्थाप्यतां जनाः तच्छ्रुत्वा महदाश्चर्यं मतिं चकुर्विलोचने

vāg uvāca karmaṇā yas tu caṇḍālaḥ so 'gre me sthāpyatāṁ janāḥ tac chrutvā mahad āścaryaṁ matiṁ cakur vilocane

The Voice spoke again: "O people, let him who is a chāṇḍāla by his deeds be set before me." Hearing this, they pondered with eyes wide in great astonishment —

Verse 33 (skanda.3.79.33)

मार्गमाणास्तदा ते तु ग्रामाणि च पुराणि च कञ्चित्कर्मरतं पापं ददृशुर्ब्राह्मणब्रुवम्

mārgamāṇās tadā te tu grāmāṇi ca purāṇi ca kañcit karmarataṁ pāpaṁ dadṛśur brāhmaṇabruvam

Then, searching through villages and towns, they came upon a certain sinful man who called himself a brahmin, but was engaged in wicked deeds.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.79.34)

वृषभान्भारसंयुक्तान्मध्याह्नेवाहयत्तु सः क्षुत्तृट्श्रमपरीतांश्च दुर्बलान्क्रूरमानसः

vṛṣabhān bhārasaṁyuktān madhyāhne 'vāhayat tu saḥ kṣuttṛṭśramaparītāṁś ca durbalān krūramānasaḥ

That man, cruel of heart, would drive laden bullocks in the heat of midday, though they were weak and exhausted from hunger, thirst, and toil.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.79.35)

अस्नात्वापि पर्युषितं भक्षयंतीह वै द्विजाः तं समादाय देवेशं जग्मुर्यत्र जगद्गुरुः

asnātvāpi paryuṣitaṁ bhakṣayantīha vai dvijāḥ taṁ samādāya deveśaṁ jagmur yatra jagadguruḥ

Without even bathing, he would eat stale food — thus falling far short of proper brahmin conduct. Taking him along, they went to where the Lord of the universe, the world's teacher, stood.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.79.36)

देवालयाग्रभूमौ तं स्थापयासुरादृताः भस्मी बभूव सहसा गोवत्साग्रे निरूपितः

devālayāgrabhūmau taṁ sthāpayāsur ādṛtāḥ bhasmī babhūva sahasā govatsāgre nirūpitaḥ

They respectfully set him upon the ground before the temple. The very moment he stood before the Govatsa liṅga, he was instantly reduced to ash.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.79.37)

चंडालस्थल इत्येष प्रसिद्धोसौऽभवत्क्षितौ तत्र स्थितैर्न चाद्यापि प्रासादो दश्यते हि सः

caṇḍālasthala ity eṣa prasiddho 'sāv abhavat kṣitau tatra sthitair na cādyāpi prāsādo dṛśyate hi saḥ

That spot thereby became renowned on earth as Caṇḍālasthala. Even to this day, those who stand there cannot see the temple (of the Govatsa) from that spot.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.79.38)

तदाप्रभृति तल्लिंगं साम्यभावमुपागतम् धौतपाप्मा गतस्तीर्थं द्विजो लिंगनिरीक्षिणात्

tadāprabhṛti tal liṅgaṁ sāmyabhāvam upāgatam dhautapāpmā gatas tīrthaṁ dvijo liṅganirīkṣiṇāt

From that time onward, the liṅga attained a settled, unchanging state (its growth ceased). Any twice-born who goes to this tirtha and beholds the liṅga has his sins washed away.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.79.39)

प्रत्यहं पूजयामास गोवत्सं गत किल्बिषः विशेषात्कृष्णपक्षस्य चतुर्द्दश्यां समागतः

pratyahaṁ pūjayāmāsa govatsaṁ gatakilbiṣaḥ viśeṣāt kṛṣṇapakṣasya caturddaśyāṁ samāgataḥ

Whoever worships the Govatsa daily becomes free of sin, especially one who comes here on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.79.40)

एतत्तदद्भुतं तस्य देवस्य च त्रिशूलिनः शृणुयाद्यो नरो भक्त्या सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

etat tad adbhutaṁ tasya devasya ca triśūlinaḥ śṛṇuyād yo naro bhaktyā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

This is the wondrous deed of that trident-bearing god; whatever man hears it with devotion is freed from all sins.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.79.41)

भूत उवाच । गोवत्समिति विख्यातं नराणां पुण्यदं परम् अनेकजन्मपापघ्नं मार्कंडेयेन भाषितम्

bhūta uvāca govatsam iti vikhyātaṁ narāṇāṁ puṇyadaṁ param anekajanmapāpaghnaṁ mārkaṇḍeyena bhāṣitam

The gaṇa (attendant) said: This tirtha, renowned as Govatsa, bestows supreme merit upon men and destroys the sins of many births — so it was declared by Markandeya.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.79.42)

तत्र तीर्थे सकृत्स्नानं रुद्रलोकप्रदं नृणाम् पापदेहविशुद्धयर्थं पापेनोपहतात्मनाम्

tatra tīrthe sakṛt snānaṁ rudralokapradaṁ nṛṇām pāpadehaviśuddhyarthaṁ pāpenopahatātmanām

A single bath at that tirtha grants men the world of Rudra — it especially purifies the sin-laden bodies of those whose souls have been struck down by sin.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.79.43)

कूपे तर्पणतश्चैव श्राद्धतश्चैव तृप्तता भाद्रपदे विशे षेण पक्षस्यांते भवेत्कलौ

kūpe tarpaṇataś caiva śrāddhataś caiva tṛptatā bhādrapade viśeṣeṇa pakṣasyānte bhavet kalau

By offering tarpaṇa and shraddha at the well here, the ancestors become satisfied, especially — in the Kali Yuga — at the end of the fortnight of Bhādrapada.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.79.44)

एकविंशतिवारांस्तु गयायां तर्पणे कृते पितॄणां परमा तृप्तिः सकृद्वै गंगकूपके

ekaviṁśativārāṁs tu gayāyāṁ tarpaṇe kṛte pitṝṇāṁ paramā tṛptiḥ sakṛd vai gaṅgakūpake

The supreme satisfaction that ancestors receive from tarpaṇa performed twenty-one times at Gaya is obtained here by a single tarpaṇa at the Gangakūpa (Ganga-well).

Verse 45 (skanda.3.79.45)

तस्मिन्गोवत्ससामीप्ये तिष्ठते गंगकूपकः तस्मिंस्तिलोदकेनापि सद्गतिं यांति तर्पिताः

tasmin govatsasāmīpye tiṣṭhate gaṅgakūpakaḥ tasmiṁs tilodakenāpi sadgatiṁ yānti tarpitāḥ

Close by the Govatsa liṅga stands the Gangakūpa; ancestors satisfied there even with mere sesame-water attain a good destiny.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.79.46)

पितरो नरकाद्वापि सुपुण्येन सुमेधसा गोप्रदानं प्रशंसंति तस्मिंस्तीर्थे मुनीश्वराः

pitaro narakād vāpi supuṇyena sumedhasā gopradānaṁ praśaṁsanti tasmin tīrthe munīśvarāḥ

Ancestors are delivered even from hell by such abundant merit and wisdom; the great sages especially praise the gift of a cow at that tirtha.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.79.47)

विप्राय स्वर्णदानं तु रुद्रलोके नयेन्नरम् सरस्वतीशिवक्षेत्रे गंगा च गंगकूपके

viprāya svarṇadānaṁ tu rudraloke nayen naram sarasvatīśivakṣetre gaṅgā ca gaṅgakūpake

Giving gold to a brahmin leads a man to Rudra's world; in this Shiva-field dwells the Saraswati, and in the Gangakūpa dwells the Ganga herself.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.79.48)

एकस्थमेतत्त्रितयं स्वर्गापवर्गकारणम् सेवितं चर्षिभिः सिद्धैस्तीर्थं सर्वत्र विश्रुतम्

ekasthametat tritayaṁ svargāpavargakāraṇam sevitaṁ carṣibhiḥ siddhais tīrthaṁ sarvatra viśrutam

This triad, gathered in one single place, is the cause of both heaven and liberation; this tirtha, frequented by sages and siddhas, is renowned everywhere.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.79.49)

पीलुयुग्मं स्थितं तत्र तत्तीर्थं मुनिसेवितम् स्नानात्स्वर्गप्रदं चैव पानात्पापविशुद्धिदम्

pīluyugmaṁ sthitaṁ tatra tattīrthaṁ muniseivitam snānāt svargapradaṁ caiva pānāt pāpaviśuddhidam

There too stands a pair of pīlu trees; that tirtha, frequented by sages, grants heaven to those who bathe and purifies from sin those who drink its water.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.79.50)

कीर्त्तनात्पुण्यजननं सेवनान्मुक्तिदं परम् तद्वै पश्यंति ये भक्त्या ब्रह्महा यदि मातृहा

kīrtanāt puṇyajananaṁ sevanān muktidaṁ param tad vai paśyanti ye bhaktyā brahmahā yadi mātṛhā

Chanting of it generates merit; devotion to it grants supreme liberation. Whoever beholds it with devotion — even a slayer of a brahmin, or of his own mother —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.79.51)

बालघाती च गोघ्नश्च ये च स्त्रीशूद्रघातकाः गरदाश्चाग्निदाश्चैव गुरुद्रोहरताश्च ये

bālaghātī ca goghnaś ca ye ca strīśūdraghātakāḥ garadāś cāgnidāś caiva gurudroharatāś ca ye

— be he a killer of children, a killer of cows, a killer of women or shudras, a poisoner, an arsonist, or one devoted to betraying his own guru —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.79.52)

तपस्विनिन्दकाश्चैव कूटसाक्ष्यं करोति यः वक्ता च परदोषस्य परस्य गुणलोपकः

tapasvinindakāś caiva kūṭasākṣyaṁ karoti yaḥ vaktā ca paradoṣasya parasya guṇalopakaḥ

— or a slanderer of ascetics, a bearer of false witness, one who broadcasts others' faults and conceals others' virtues —

Verse 53 (skanda.3.79.53)

सर्वपापमयोऽप्यत्र मुच्यते लिंगदर्शनात् इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये बलाहकोपाख्यानवर्णनं नाम सप्तविंशोऽध्यायः

sarvapāpamayo 'py atra mucyate liṅgadarśanāt iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe dharmāraṇyamāhātmye balāhakopākhyānavarṇanaṁ nāma saptaviṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

— even one wholly steeped in sin is freed here by the mere sight of this liṅga. Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter, called "The Tale of King Balahaka," within the Glory of Dharmaranya, in the third Brahma Khanda, in the Skanda Mahapurana's Samhita of eighty-one thousand verses.