The Glory of the Five-Syllabled Mantra

Verse 1 (skanda.3.93.1)

॥श्रीगणेशाय नमः॥ श्रीगुरुभ्यो नमः ॥ अथ ब्रह्मोत्तरखंडमारंभः ॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥ ज्योतिर्मात्रस्वरूपाय निर्मलज्ञानचक्षुषे ॥ नमः शिवाय शांताय ब्रह्मणे लिंगमूर्त्तये

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ śrīgurubhyo namaḥ atha brahmottarakhaṁḍamāraṁbhaḥ oṁ namaḥ śivāya jyotirmātrasvarūpāya nirmalajñānacakṣuṣe namaḥ śivāya śāṁtāya brahmaṇe liṁgamūrttaye

Salutation to Ganesha. Salutation to the Gurus. Here begins the Brahmottara Khanda. Om, salutation to Shiva. Salutation to Shiva, tranquil, the very form of Brahman as the linga, whose nature is pure light itself, the stainless eye of knowledge.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.93.2)

ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ आख्यातं भवता सूत विष्णोर्माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्॥ समस्ताघहरं पुण्यं समसेन श्रुतं च नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ ākhyātaṁ bhavatā sūta viṣṇormāhātmyamuttamam samastāghaharaṁ puṇyaṁ samasena śrutaṁ ca naḥ

The sages said: O Suta, you have related to us the supreme glory of Vishnu, sacred and destructive of all sins, and we have heard it in brief.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.93.3)

इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामो माहात्म्यं त्रिपुरद्विषः ॥ तद्भक्तानां च माहात्म्यमशेषाघहरं परम्

idānīṁ śrotumicchāmo māhātmyaṁ tripuradviṣaḥ tadbhaktānāṁ ca māhātmyamaśeṣāghaharaṁ param

Now we wish to hear the greatness of the Slayer of Tripura, and also the supreme greatness of his devotees, which utterly destroys every sin.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.93.4)

तन्मंत्राणां च माहात्म्यं तथैव द्विजसत्तम ॥ तत्कथायाश्च तद्भक्तेः प्रभावमनुवर्णय

tanmaṁtrāṇāṁ ca māhātmyaṁ tathaiva dvijasattama tatkathāyāśca tadbhakteḥ prabhāvamanuvarṇaya

And, O best of brahmins, likewise tell us the greatness of his mantras, and describe the power of his story and of devotion to him.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.93.5)

सूत उवाच ॥ एतावदेव मर्त्यानां परं श्रेयः सनातनम्॥ यदीश्वरकथायां वै जाता भक्तिरहैतुकी

sūta uvāca etāvadeva martyānāṁ paraṁ śreyaḥ sanātanam yadīśvarakathāyāṁ vai jātā bhaktirahaitukī

Suta said: This alone is the eternal, supreme good for mortals — that unmotivated devotion should arise for the story of the Lord.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.93.6)

अतस्तद्भक्तिलेशस्य माहात्म्यं वर्ण्यते मया ॥ अपि कल्पायुषा नालं वक्तुं विस्तरतः क्वचित्

atastadbhaktileśasya māhātmyaṁ varṇyate mayā api kalpāyuṣā nālaṁ vaktuṁ vistarataḥ kvacit

Therefore I shall describe the greatness of even a fragment of that devotion; even with the lifespan of an entire kalpa, it could never be told in full.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.93.7)

सर्वेषामपि पुण्यानां सर्वेषां श्रेयसामपि ॥ सर्वेषामपि यज्ञानां जपयज्ञः परः स्मृतः

sarveṣāmapi puṇyānāṁ sarveṣāṁ śreyasāmapi sarveṣāmapi yajñānāṁ japayajñaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ

Among all meritorious acts, among all means of welfare, and among all sacrifices, the sacrifice of japa (recitation) is held to be supreme.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.93.8)

तत्रादौ जपयज्ञस्य फलं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् ॥ शैवं षडक्षरं दिव्यं मंत्रमाहुर्महर्षयः

tatrādau japayajñasya phalaṁ svastyayanaṁ mahat śaivaṁ ṣaḍakṣaraṁ divyaṁ maṁtramāhurmaharṣayaḥ

Among these acts of japa, the great sages declare that the divine six-syllabled Shaiva mantra bestows, first of all, the great fruit of well-being.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.93.9)

देवानां परमो देवो यथा वै त्रिपुरांतकः ॥ मंत्राणां परमो मंत्रस्तथा शैवः षडक्षरः

devānāṁ paramo devo yathā vai tripurāṁtakaḥ maṁtrāṇāṁ paramo maṁtrastathā śaivaḥ ṣaḍakṣaraḥ

As the Destroyer of Tripura is the supreme deity among gods, so the six-syllabled Shaiva mantra is the supreme mantra among all mantras.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.93.10)

एष पंचाक्षरो मंत्रो जप्तॄणां मुक्तिदायकः॥ संसेव्यते मुनिश्रेष्ठैरशेषैः सिद्धिकांक्षिभिः

eṣa paṁcākṣaro maṁtro japtṝṇāṁ muktidāyakaḥ saṁsevyate muniśreṣṭhairaśeṣaiḥ siddhikāṁkṣibhiḥ

This five-syllabled mantra bestows liberation on those who recite it; it is devotedly served by all the finest sages who desire spiritual perfection.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.93.11)

अस्यैवाक्षरमाहात्म्यं नालं वक्तुं चतुर्मुखः॥ श्रुतयो यत्र सिद्धांतं गताः परमनिर्वृताः

asyaivākṣaramāhātmyaṁ nālaṁ vaktuṁ caturmukhaḥ śrutayo yatra siddhāṁtaṁ gatāḥ paramanirvṛtāḥ

Even four-faced Brahma is unable to describe the greatness of its very syllables — the point at which the Vedas themselves, attaining supreme bliss, reached their final conclusion.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.93.12)

सर्वज्ञः परिपूर्णश्च सच्चिदानंदलक्षणः ॥ स शिवो यत्र रमते शैवे पंचाक्षरे शुभे

sarvajñaḥ paripūrṇaśca saccidānaṁdalakṣaṇaḥ sa śivo yatra ramate śaive paṁcākṣare śubhe

That Shiva — omniscient, ever-complete, of the nature of being, consciousness, and bliss — delights in this very auspicious five-syllabled Shaiva mantra.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.93.13)

एतेन मंत्रराजेन सर्वोपनिषदात्मना ॥ लेभिरे मुनयः सर्वे परं ब्रह्म निरामयम्

etena maṁtrarājena sarvopaniṣadātmanā lebhire munayaḥ sarve paraṁ brahma nirāmayam

By this king of mantras, which is the very essence of all the Upanishads, all the sages attained that supreme, flawless Brahman.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.93.14)

नमस्कारेण जीवत्वं शिवेऽत्र परमात्मनि ॥ ऐक्यं गतमतो मंत्रः परब्रह्ममयो ह्यसौ

namaskāreṇa jīvatvaṁ śive'tra paramātmani aikyaṁ gatamato maṁtraḥ parabrahmamayo hyasau

Through its word of salutation ("namaḥ"), individual selfhood here attains oneness with Shiva, the Supreme Self; therefore this mantra is itself of the very nature of the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.93.15)

भवपाशनिबद्धानां देहिनां हितकाम्यया ॥ आहोंनमः शिवायेति मंत्रमाद्यं शिवः स्वयम्

bhavapāśanibaddhānāṁ dehināṁ hitakāmyayā āhoṁnamaḥ śivāyeti maṁtramādyaṁ śivaḥ svayam

Out of desire for the welfare of embodied beings bound by the noose of worldly existence, Shiva himself has proclaimed "Om Namah Shivaya" as this primordial mantra.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.93.16)

किं तस्य बहुभिर्मंत्रैः किं तीर्थैः किं तपोऽध्वरैः ॥ यस्योंनमः शिवायेति मंत्रो हृदयगोचरः

kiṁ tasya bahubhirmaṁtraiḥ kiṁ tīrthaiḥ kiṁ tapo'dhvaraiḥ yasyoṁnamaḥ śivāyeti maṁtro hṛdayagocaraḥ

What need has anyone for many mantras, for holy places, for austerities or sacrifices, when the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" already resides within his heart?

Verse 17 (skanda.3.93.17)

तावद्भ्रमंति संसारे दारुणे दुःखसंकुले ॥ यावन्नोच्चारयंतीमं मंत्रं देहभृतः सकृत्

tāvadbhramaṁti saṁsāre dāruṇe duḥkhasaṁkule yāvannoccārayaṁtīmaṁ maṁtraṁ dehabhṛtaḥ sakṛt

Embodied beings wander through this terrible, sorrow-laden existence only for as long as they fail to utter this mantra even a single time.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.93.18)

मंत्राधिराजराजोऽयं सर्ववेदांतशेखरः ॥ सर्वज्ञाननिधानं च सोऽयं चैव षडक्षरः

maṁtrādhirājarājo'yaṁ sarvavedāṁtaśekharaḥ sarvajñānanidhānaṁ ca so'yaṁ caiva ṣaḍakṣaraḥ

This six-syllabled mantra is the sovereign king among mantras, the very crest of all Vedanta, and the treasury of all knowledge.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.93.19)

कैवल्यमार्गदीपोऽयमविद्यासिंधुवाडवः ॥ महापातकदावाग्निः सोऽयं मंत्रः षडक्षरः

kaivalyamārgadīpo'yamavidyāsiṁdhuvāḍavaḥ mahāpātakadāvāgniḥ so'yaṁ maṁtraḥ ṣaḍakṣaraḥ

This mantra is a lamp lighting the path to liberation, the submarine fire that dries up the ocean of ignorance; this six-syllabled mantra is a wildfire that consumes the greatest of sins.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.93.20)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रदो मंत्रः सोऽयं पञ्चाक्षरः स्मृतः ॥ स्त्रीभिः शूद्रैश्च संकीर्णैर्धार्यते मुक्तिकांक्षिभिः

tasmātsarvaprado maṁtraḥ so'yaṁ pañcākṣaraḥ smṛtaḥ strībhiḥ śūdraiśca saṁkīrṇairdhāryate muktikāṁkṣibhiḥ

Therefore this five-syllabled mantra is remembered as one that grants everything; even women, shudras, and people of mixed lineage who desire liberation may hold and recite it.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.93.21)

नास्य दीक्षा न होमश्च न संस्कारो न तर्पणम् ॥ न कालो नोपदेशश्च सदा शुचिरयं मनुः

nāsya dīkṣā na homaśca na saṁskāro na tarpaṇam na kālo nopadeśaśca sadā śucirayaṁ manuḥ

For this mantra there is no need of initiation, fire-offering, purificatory rite, or libation; no fixed time and no instruction are required — this sacred formula is ever pure in itself.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.93.22)

महापातकविच्छित्त्यै शिव इत्यक्षरद्वयम् ॥ अलं नमस्कियायुक्तो मुक्तये परिकल्पते

mahāpātakavicchittyai śiva ityakṣaradvayam alaṁ namaskiyāyukto muktaye parikalpate

The two syllables "Shi-va" alone are enough to sever great sins; joined with the act of salutation, it is considered fully capable of granting liberation.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.93.23)

उपदिष्टः सद्गुरुणा जप्तः क्षेत्रे च पावने ॥ सद्यो यथेप्सितां सिद्धिं ददातीति किमद्भुतम्

upadiṣṭaḥ sadguruṇā japtaḥ kṣetre ca pāvane sadyo yathepsitāṁ siddhiṁ dadātīti kimadbhutam

When taught by a true guru and recited in a sacred place, is it any wonder that it instantly grants whatever perfection is desired?

Verse 24 (skanda.3.93.24)

अतः सद्गुरुमाश्रित्य ग्राह्योऽयं मंत्रनायकः॥ पुण्यक्षेत्रेषु जप्तव्यः सद्यः सिद्धिं प्रयच्छति

ataḥ sadgurumāśritya grāhyo'yaṁ maṁtranāyakaḥ puṇyakṣetreṣu japtavyaḥ sadyaḥ siddhiṁ prayacchati

Therefore, one should take refuge in a true guru and receive this prince among mantras; it should be recited in sacred places, where it grants perfection instantly.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.93.25)

गुरवो निर्मलाः शांताः साधवो मितभाषिणः ॥ कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ताः सदाचारा जितेंद्रियाः

guravo nirmalāḥ śāṁtāḥ sādhavo mitabhāṣiṇaḥ kāmakrodhavinirmuktāḥ sadācārā jiteṁdriyāḥ

Such gurus are pure, tranquil, virtuous, sparing of speech, free from desire and anger, of good conduct, and masters of their own senses.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.93.26)

एतैः कारुण्यतो दत्तो मंत्रः क्षिप्रं प्रसिद्ध्यति ॥ क्षेत्राणि जपयोग्यानि समासात्कथयाम्यहम्

etaiḥ kāruṇyato datto maṁtraḥ kṣipraṁ prasiddhyati kṣetrāṇi japayogyāni samāsātkathayāmyaham

A mantra given out of compassion by such gurus quickly comes to fruition; I shall now briefly name the places fit for its recitation.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.93.27)

प्रयागं पुष्करं रम्यं केदारं सेतुबंधनम् ॥ गोकर्णं नैमिषारण्यं सद्यः सिद्धिकरं नृणाम्

prayāgaṁ puṣkaraṁ ramyaṁ kedāraṁ setubaṁdhanam gokarṇaṁ naimiṣāraṇyaṁ sadyaḥ siddhikaraṁ nṛṇām

Prayaga, lovely Pushkara, Kedara, Setubandha, Gokarna, and Naimisharanya — these places grant instant perfection to human beings.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.93.28)

अत्रानुवर्ण्यते सद्भिरितिहासः पुरातनः॥ असकृद्वा सकृद्वापि शृण्वतां मंगलप्रदः

atrānuvarṇyate sadbhiritihāsaḥ purātanaḥ asakṛdvā sakṛdvāpi śṛṇvatāṁ maṁgalapradaḥ

Here an ancient legend, told by the virtuous, is related — one that brings good fortune to those who hear it, whether many times or even just once.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.93.29)

मथुरायां यदुश्रेष्ठो दाशार्ह इति विश्रुतः ॥ बभूव राजा मतिमान्महोत्साहो महाबलः

mathurāyāṁ yaduśreṣṭho dāśārha iti viśrutaḥ babhūva rājā matimānmahotsāho mahābalaḥ

In Mathura there lived a king, foremost among the Yadus, renowned by the name Dasharha — wise, full of great vigor, and mighty in strength.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.93.30)

शास्त्रज्ञो नयवाक्छूरो धैर्यवानमितद्युतिः ॥ अप्रधृष्यः सुगंभीरः संग्रामेष्वनिवर्त्तितः

śāstrajño nayavākchūro dhairyavānamitadyutiḥ apradhṛṣyaḥ sugaṁbhīraḥ saṁgrāmeṣvanivarttitaḥ

He was learned in scripture, skilled in policy and speech, valiant, steadfast, of boundless splendor, unassailable, profoundly grave, and one who never retreated in battle.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.93.31)

महारथो महेष्वासो नानाशास्त्रार्थकोविदः॥ वदान्यो रूपसंपन्नो युवा लक्ष णसंयुतः

mahāratho maheṣvāso nānāśāstrārthakovidaḥ vadānyo rūpasaṁpanno yuvā lakṣa ṇasaṁyutaḥ

He was a great charioteer and mighty archer, versed in the meaning of many scriptures, generous, endowed with beauty, youthful, and marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.93.32)

स काशिराजतनयामुपयेमे वराननाम् ॥ कांतां कलावतीं नाम रूपशीलगुणान्विताम्

sa kāśirājatanayāmupayeme varānanām kāṁtāṁ kalāvatīṁ nāma rūpaśīlaguṇānvitām

He married the fair-faced daughter of the King of Kashi, a lovely woman named Kalavati, endowed with beauty, virtuous character, and every good quality.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.93.33)

कृतोद्वाहः स राजेंद्रः संप्राप्य निजमंदिरम्॥ रात्रौ तां शयनारूढां संगमाय समाह्वयत्

kṛtodvāhaḥ sa rājeṁdraḥ saṁprāpya nijamaṁdiram rātrau tāṁ śayanārūḍhāṁ saṁgamāya samāhvayat

Having completed the marriage, that lord of kings, upon reaching his own chamber, called out at night to her as she lay upon the bed, inviting her to union.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.93.34)

सा स्वभर्त्रा समाहूता बहुशः प्रार्थिता सती ॥ न बबंध मनस्तस्मिन्न चागच्छ तदंतिकम्

sā svabhartrā samāhūtā bahuśaḥ prārthitā satī na babaṁdha manastasminna cāgaccha tadaṁtikam

Though summoned by her own husband and entreated repeatedly, that virtuous woman did not bring her mind to him, nor did she approach him.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.93.35)

संगमाय यदाहूता नागता निजवल्लभा ॥ बलादाहर्तुकामस्तामुदतिष्ठन्महीपतिः

saṁgamāya yadāhūtā nāgatā nijavallabhā balādāhartukāmastāmudatiṣṭhanmahīpatiḥ

When his beloved wife, summoned for union, still did not come, the king rose, intending to take her by force.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.93.36)

॥ राज्ञ्युवाच ॥ मा मां स्पृश महाराज कारणज्ञां व्रते स्थिताम् ॥ धर्माधर्मौ विजानासि मा कार्षीः साहसं मयि

rājñyuvāca mā māṁ spṛśa mahārāja kāraṇajñāṁ vrate sthitām dharmādharmau vijānāsi mā kārṣīḥ sāhasaṁ mayi

The queen said: Do not touch me, O great king — I know the reason [for my refusal] and stand firm in my vow. You know both righteousness and unrighteousness; do not act rashly toward me.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.93.37)

क्वचित्प्रियेण भुक्तं यद्रोचते तु मनीषिणाम् ॥ दंपत्योः प्रीतियोगेन संगमः प्रीतिवर्द्धनः

kvacitpriyeṇa bhuktaṁ yadrocate tu manīṣiṇām daṁpatyoḥ prītiyogena saṁgamaḥ prītivarddhanaḥ

What is shared with a beloved sometimes pleases the wise; union between husband and wife, born of mutual affection, is what increases love.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.93.38)

प्रियं यदा मे जायेत तदा संगस्तु ते मयि ॥ का प्रीतिः किं सुखं पुंसां बलाद्भोगेन योषिताम्

priyaṁ yadā me jāyeta tadā saṁgastu te mayi kā prītiḥ kiṁ sukhaṁ puṁsāṁ balādbhogena yoṣitām

When love arises within me, only then will union with you follow; what love, what pleasure can men truly gain from enjoying women by force?

Verse 39 (skanda.3.93.39)

अप्रीतां रोगिणीं नारीमंतर्वत्नीं धृतव्रताम् ॥ रजस्वलामकामां च न कामेत बलात्पुमान्

aprītāṁ rogiṇīṁ nārīmaṁtarvatnīṁ dhṛtavratām rajasvalāmakāmāṁ ca na kāmeta balātpumān

A man should not forcibly desire a woman who is unwilling, ill, pregnant, observing a vow, menstruating, or devoid of desire.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.93.40)

प्रीणनं लालनं पोषं रंजनं मार्दवं दयाम्॥ कृत्वा वधूमुपगमेद्युवतीं प्रेमवान्पतिः ॥ युवतौ कुसुमे चैव विधेयं सुखमिच्छता

prīṇanaṁ lālanaṁ poṣaṁ raṁjanaṁ mārdavaṁ dayām kṛtvā vadhūmupagamedyuvatīṁ premavānpatiḥ yuvatau kusume caiva vidheyaṁ sukhamicchatā

A loving husband should approach his young wife only after showing her affection, tenderness, care, delight, gentleness, and compassion; one who desires happiness must treat a young woman with the same gentleness one would show a flower.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.93.41)

इत्युक्तोऽपि तया साध्व्या स राजा स्मरविह्वलः ॥ बलादाकृष्य तां हस्ते परिरेभे रिरंसया

ityukto'pi tayā sādhvyā sa rājā smaravihvalaḥ balādākṛṣya tāṁ haste parirebhe riraṁsayā

Though thus addressed by that virtuous woman, the king, overcome with passion, seized her hand by force and embraced her, desiring union.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.93.42)

तां स्पृष्टमात्रां सहसा तप्तायःपिंडसन्निभाम् ॥ निर्दहंतीमिवात्मानं तत्याज भयविह्वलः

tāṁ spṛṣṭamātrāṁ sahasā taptāyaḥpiṁḍasannibhām nirdahaṁtīmivātmānaṁ tatyāja bhayavihvalaḥ

The very moment he touched her, she suddenly felt like a mass of red-hot iron, as though burning him through; overwhelmed with fear, he let go of her.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.93.43)

राजोवाच ॥ अहो सुमहदाश्चर्यमिदं दृष्टं तव प्रिये ॥ कथमग्निसमं जातं वपुः पल्लवकोमलम्

rājovāca aho sumahadāścaryamidaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ tava priye kathamagnisamaṁ jātaṁ vapuḥ pallavakomalam

The king said: Oh, my dear, what a great wonder I have witnessed in you! How has your body, tender as a young leaf-shoot, become like fire?

Verse 44 (skanda.3.93.44)

इत्थं सुविस्मितो राजा भीतः सा राजवल्लभा ॥ प्रत्युवाच विहस्यैनं विनयेन शुचिस्मिता

itthaṁ suvismito rājā bhītaḥ sā rājavallabhā pratyuvāca vihasyainaṁ vinayena śucismitā

The king, thus deeply astonished and afraid — that beloved queen, smiling gently, replied to him with modesty.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.93.45)

राज्ञ्युवाच ॥ राजन्मम पुरा बाल्ये दुर्वासा मुनिपुंगवः॥ शैवीं पंचाक्षरीं विद्यां कारुण्येनोपदिष्टवान्

rājñyuvāca rājanmama purā bālye durvāsā munipuṁgavaḥ śaivīṁ paṁcākṣarīṁ vidyāṁ kāruṇyenopadiṣṭavān

The queen said: O king, long ago in my childhood, the great sage Durvasa, out of compassion, taught me the five-syllabled Shaiva mantra-knowledge.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.93.46)

तेन मंत्रानुभावेन ममांगं कलुषोज्झितम् ॥ स्प्रष्टुं न शक्यते पुंभिः सपापैर्देवैवर्जितैः

tena maṁtrānubhāvena mamāṁgaṁ kaluṣojjhitam spraṣṭuṁ na śakyate puṁbhiḥ sapāpairdevaivarjitaiḥ

By the power of that mantra, my body has become free of all impurity; it cannot be touched by sinful men who have been forsaken by the gods.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.93.47)

त्वया राजन्प्रकृतिना कुलटागणिकादयः ॥ मदिरास्वादनिरता निषेव्यंते सदा स्त्रियः

tvayā rājanprakṛtinā kulaṭāgaṇikādayaḥ madirāsvādaniratā niṣevyaṁte sadā striyaḥ

O king, by your very nature you have always kept company with unchaste women, courtesans, and others devoted to the taste of wine.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.93.48)

न स्नानं क्रियते नित्यं न मंत्रो जप्यते शुचिः ॥ नाराध्यते त्वयेशानः कथं मां स्प्रष्टुमर्हसि

na snānaṁ kriyate nityaṁ na maṁtro japyate śuciḥ nārādhyate tvayeśānaḥ kathaṁ māṁ spraṣṭumarhasi

You do not perform daily ablutions, you do not recite the pure mantra, and you do not worship the Lord Ishana — how then are you fit to touch me?

Verse 49 (skanda.3.93.49)

राजोवाच॥ तां समाख्याहि सुश्रोणि शैवीं पंचाक्षरीं शुभाम् ॥ विद्याविध्वस्तपापोऽहं त्वयीच्छामि रतिं प्रिये

rājovāca tāṁ samākhyāhi suśroṇi śaivīṁ paṁcākṣarīṁ śubhām vidyāvidhvastapāpo'haṁ tvayīcchāmi ratiṁ priye

The king said: O fair one, teach me that auspicious five-syllabled Shaiva knowledge; let my sins be destroyed by it, for, my dear, I desire union with you.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.93.50)

राज्ञ्युवाच ॥ नाहं तवोपदेशं वै कुर्यां मम गुरुर्भवान् ॥ उपातिष्ठ गुरुं राजन्गर्गं मंत्र विदांवरम्

rājñyuvāca nāhaṁ tavopadeśaṁ vai kuryāṁ mama gururbhavān upātiṣṭha guruṁ rājangargaṁ maṁtra vidāṁvaram

The queen said: I cannot instruct you myself, for you are, in a sense, my guru; O king, go instead to the guru Garga, foremost among the knowers of mantras.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.93.51)

सूत उवाच ॥ इति संभाषमाणौ तौ दंपती गर्गसन्निधिम् ॥ प्राप्य तच्चरणौ मूर्ध्ना ववंदाते कृताञ्जली

sūta uvāca iti saṁbhāṣamāṇau tau daṁpatī gargasannidhim prāpya taccaraṇau mūrdhnā vavaṁdāte kṛtāñjalī

Suta said: Conversing thus, the royal couple came into the presence of Garga, and with joined palms bowed their heads at his feet.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.93.52)

अथ राजा गुरुं प्रीतमभिपूज्य पुनःपुनः ॥ समाचष्ट विनीतात्मा रहस्यात्ममनोरथम्

atha rājā guruṁ prītamabhipūjya punaḥpunaḥ samācaṣṭa vinītātmā rahasyātmamanoratham

Then the king, having reverently honored the pleased guru again and again, humbly related to him the secret wish of his heart.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.93.53)

राजोवाच ॥ कृतार्थं मां कुरु गुरो संप्राप्तं करुणार्द्रधीः ॥ शैवीं पंचाक्षरीं विद्यामुपदेष्टुं त्वमर्हसि

rājovāca kṛtārthaṁ māṁ kuru guro saṁprāptaṁ karuṇārdradhīḥ śaivīṁ paṁcākṣarīṁ vidyāmupadeṣṭuṁ tvamarhasi

The king said: O Guru, make me, who have come to you, fulfilled; with your heart softened by compassion, you alone are fit to teach me the five-syllabled Shaiva knowledge.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.93.54)

अनाज्ञातं यदाज्ञातं यत्कृतं राजकर्मणा ॥ तत्पापं येन शुद्ध्येत तन्मंत्रं देहि मे गुरो

anājñātaṁ yadājñātaṁ yatkṛtaṁ rājakarmaṇā tatpāpaṁ yena śuddhyeta tanmaṁtraṁ dehi me guro

Whatever sin I have committed, knowingly or unknowingly, in the course of my royal duties — grant me, O Guru, that mantra by which it may be purified.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.93.55)

एवमभ्यर्थितो राज्ञा गर्गो ब्राह्मणपुंगवः ॥ तौ निनाय महापुण्यं कालिंद्यास्तटमुत्तमम्

evamabhyarthito rājñā gargo brāhmaṇapuṁgavaḥ tau nināya mahāpuṇyaṁ kāliṁdyāstaṭamuttamam

Thus entreated by the king, Garga, foremost of brahmins, led the couple to the supremely sacred and excellent bank of the river Kalindi (Yamuna).

Verse 56 (skanda.3.93.56)

तत्र पुण्यतरोर्मूले निषण्णोऽथ गुरुः स्वयम् ॥ पुण्यतीर्थजले स्नातं राजानं समुपोषितम्

tatra puṇyatarormūle niṣaṇṇo'tha guruḥ svayam puṇyatīrthajale snātaṁ rājānaṁ samupoṣitam

There, having seated himself at the foot of a sacred tree, the guru received the king, who had bathed in the sacred ford's water and had observed a fast.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.93.57)

प्राङ्मुखं चोपवेश्याथ नत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् ॥ तन्मस्तके करं न्यस्य ददौ मंत्रं शिवात्मकम्

prāṅmukhaṁ copaveśyātha natvā śivapadāmbujam tanmastake karaṁ nyasya dadau maṁtraṁ śivātmakam

Seating the king facing east, and having bowed to the lotus feet of Shiva, the guru placed his hand upon the king's head and bestowed upon him the mantra that is Shiva's own essence.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.93.58)

तन्मंत्रधारणादेव तद्गुरोर्हस्तसंगमात्॥ निर्ययुस्तस्य वपुषो वायसाः शतकोटयः

tanmaṁtradhāraṇādeva tadgurorhastasaṁgamāt niryayustasya vapuṣo vāyasāḥ śatakoṭayaḥ

The instant he received that mantra, through the touch of the guru's hand, hundreds of millions of crows burst forth from the king's body.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.93.59)

ते दग्धपक्षाः क्रोशंतो निपतंतो महीतले ॥ भस्मीभूतास्ततः सर्वे दृश्यंते स्म सहस्रशः

te dagdhapakṣāḥ krośaṁto nipataṁto mahītale bhasmībhūtāstataḥ sarve dṛśyaṁte sma sahasraśaḥ

Those crows, their wings scorched, shrieking and falling to the earth, were then all seen turning to ash by the thousand.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.93.60)

दृष्ट्वा तद्वायसकुलं दह्यमानं सुविस्मितौ ॥ राजा च राजमहिषी तं गुरुं पर्यपृच्छताम्

dṛṣṭvā tadvāyasakulaṁ dahyamānaṁ suvismitau rājā ca rājamahiṣī taṁ guruṁ paryapṛcchatām

Seeing that flock of crows being consumed by fire, the king and queen, greatly astonished, questioned the guru about it.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.93.61)

भगवन्निदमाश्चर्यं कथं जातं शरीरतः ॥ वायसानां कुलं दृष्टं किमेतत्साधु भण्यताम्

bhagavannidamāścaryaṁ kathaṁ jātaṁ śarīrataḥ vāyasānāṁ kulaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ kimetatsādhu bhaṇyatām

[They asked:] O Lord, how has this wonder arisen from my body? This flock of crows has appeared before us — please explain properly what this means.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.93.62)

श्रीगुरुरुवाच ॥ राजन्भवसहस्रेषु भवता परिधावता ॥ संचितानि दुरन्तानि संति पापान्यनेकशः

śrīgururuvāca rājanbhavasahasreṣu bhavatā paridhāvatā saṁcitāni durantāni saṁti pāpānyanekaśaḥ

The venerable guru said: O king, wandering through thousands of past lives, you have accumulated countless, boundless sins of many kinds.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.93.63)

तेषु जन्मसहस्रेषु यानि पुण्यानि संति ते ॥ तेषामाधिक्यतः क्वापि जायते पुण्ययोनिषु

teṣu janmasahasreṣu yāni puṇyāni saṁti te teṣāmādhikyataḥ kvāpi jāyate puṇyayoniṣu

Among those thousands of births, whatever merits you have accumulated — by their preponderance, one is at times born into a meritorious womb.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.93.64)

तथा पापीयसीं योनिं क्वचित्पापेन गच्छति ॥ साम्ये पुण्यान्ययोश्चैव मानुषीं योनिमाप्तवान्

tathā pāpīyasīṁ yoniṁ kvacitpāpena gacchati sāmye puṇyānyayoścaiva mānuṣīṁ yonimāptavān

Likewise, through sin one sometimes falls into a most sinful womb; but when merit and sin become equally balanced, one attains birth as a human being.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.93.65)

शैवी पंचाक्षरी विद्या यदा ते हृदयं गता। अघानां कोटयस्त्वत्तः काकरूपेण निर्गताः

śaivī paṁcākṣarī vidyā yadā te hṛdayaṁ gatā aghānāṁ koṭayastvattaḥ kākarūpeṇa nirgatāḥ

When the five-syllabled Shaiva knowledge entered your heart, tens of millions of your sins departed from you in the form of crows.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.93.66)

कोटयो ब्रह्महत्यानामगम्यागम्यकोटयः॥ स्वर्णस्तेयसुरापानभ्रूणहत्या दिकोटयः ॥ भवकोटिसहस्रेषु येऽन्ये पातकराशयः

koṭayo brahmahatyānāmagamyāgamyakoṭayaḥ svarṇasteyasurāpānabhrūṇahatyā dikoṭayaḥ bhavakoṭisahasreṣu ye'nye pātakarāśayaḥ

Tens of millions of sins of killing a brahmin, tens of millions of unions with forbidden as well as permitted women, tens of millions of sins beginning with the theft of gold, the drinking of liquor, and the killing of an unborn child — and whatever other heaps of sin existed across thousands of millions of past lives —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.93.67)

क्षणाद्भस्मीभवंत्येव शैवे पंचाक्षरे धृते ॥ आसंस्तवाद्य राजेंद्र दग्धाः पातककोटयः

kṣaṇādbhasmībhavaṁtyeva śaive paṁcākṣare dhṛte āsaṁstavādya rājeṁdra dagdhāḥ pātakakoṭayaḥ

— all of these turn to ash in an instant the moment the five-syllabled Shaiva mantra is held; today, O king of kings, tens of millions of your sins have been consumed by fire.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.93.68)

अनया सह पूतात्मा विहरस्व यथासुखम् ॥ इत्याभाष्य मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तं मंत्रमुपदिश्य च

anayā saha pūtātmā viharasva yathāsukham ityābhāṣya muniśreṣṭhastaṁ maṁtramupadiśya ca

Now, your soul purified, live happily together with her. Having spoken thus, and having taught him that mantra, the best of sages [then departed].

Verse 69 (skanda.3.93.69)

ताभ्यां विस्मितचित्ताभ्यां सहितः स्वगृहे ययौ ॥ गुरुवर्यमनुज्ञाप्य मुदितौ तौ च दंपती

tābhyāṁ vismitacittābhyāṁ sahitaḥ svagṛhe yayau guruvaryamanujñāpya muditau tau ca daṁpatī

Taking leave of the venerable guru, that astonished couple, filled with joy, set out together for their own home.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.93.70)

ततः स्वभवनं प्राप्य रेजतुःस्म महाद्युती॥ राजा दृढं समाश्लिष्य पत्नीं चन्दनशीतलाम्॥ संतोषं परमं लेभे निःस्वः प्राप्य यथा धनम्

tataḥ svabhavanaṁ prāpya rejatuḥsma mahādyutī rājā dṛḍhaṁ samāśliṣya patnīṁ candanaśītalām saṁtoṣaṁ paramaṁ lebhe niḥsvaḥ prāpya yathā dhanam

Then, having reached their own palace, that radiant pair shone brightly; the king, firmly embracing his wife, cool as sandalwood, attained supreme contentment, as a destitute man might feel upon suddenly gaining wealth.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.93.71)

अशेषवेदोपनिषत्पुराणशास्त्रावतंसोऽयमघांतकारी ॥ पंचाक्षरस्यैव महाप्रभावो मया समासात्कथितो वरिष्ठः

aśeṣavedopaniṣatpurāṇaśāstrāvataṁso'yamaghāṁtakārī paṁcākṣarasyaiva mahāprabhāvo mayā samāsātkathito variṣṭhaḥ

Thus I have briefly related this most excellent, great power of the five-syllabled mantra — the crowning ornament of all the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and scriptures, and the destroyer of sin.