The Glory of Gokarna

Verse 1 (skanda.3.94.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ अथान्यदपि वक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं त्रिपुरद्विषः ॥ श्रुतमात्रेण येनाशु च्छिद्यंते सर्वसंशयाः

sūta uvāca athānyadapi vakṣyāmi māhātmyaṁ tripuradviṣaḥ śrutamātreṇa yenāśu cchidyaṁte sarvasaṁśayāḥ

Suta said: Now I shall further tell another greatness of the Enemy of Tripura, by merely hearing which all doubts are swiftly severed.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.94.2)

अतः परतरं नास्ति किंचित्पापविशोधनम् ॥ सर्वानंदकरं श्रीमत्सर्वकामार्थसाधम्

ataḥ parataraṁ nāsti kiṁcitpāpaviśodhanam sarvānaṁdakaraṁ śrīmatsarvakāmārthasādham

There is nothing higher than this for the cleansing of sin; it is the bestower of all bliss, glorious, and the accomplisher of all desired ends.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.94.3)

दीर्घायुर्विजयारोग्यभुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम् ॥ यदनन्येन भावेन महे शाराधनं परम्

dīrghāyurvijayārogyabhuktimuktiphalapradam yadananyena bhāvena mahe śārādhanaṁ param

It grants the fruits of long life, victory, health, enjoyment, and liberation -- namely, the supreme worship of Maheshvara with an undivided mind.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.94.4)

आर्द्राणामपि शुष्काणामल्पानां महतामपि ॥ एतदेव विनिर्दिष्टं प्रायश्चितमथोत्तमम्

ārdrāṇāmapi śuṣkāṇāmalpānāṁ mahatāmapi etadeva vinirdiṣṭaṁ prāyaścitamathottamam

For sins fresh or old, small or great, this alone is declared to be the supreme atonement.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.94.5)

सर्वकालेऽप्यभेद्यानामघानां क्षयकारणम् ॥ महामुनिविनिर्दिष्टैः प्रायश्चित्तैरथोत्तमैः

sarvakāle'pyabhedyānāmaghānāṁ kṣayakāraṇam mahāmunivinirdiṣṭaiḥ prāyaścittairathottamaiḥ

It is the cause of destruction, at all times, of even sins otherwise unbreakable -- surpassing even the supreme atonements prescribed by the great sages.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.94.6)

इयमेव परं श्रेयः सर्वशास्त्रविनिश्चितम्॥ यद्भक्त्या परमेशस्य पूजनं परमो दयम्

iyameva paraṁ śreyaḥ sarvaśāstraviniścitam yadbhaktyā parameśasya pūjanaṁ paramo dayam

This alone -- the worship of the Supreme Lord with devotion -- is the highest good, as determined by all the scriptures, the supreme means [of liberation].

Verse 7 (skanda.3.94.7)

जानताऽजानता वापि येन केनापि हेतुना ॥ यत्किंचिपि देवाय कृतं कर्म विमुक्तिदम्

jānatā'jānatā vāpi yena kenāpi hetunā yatkiṁcipi devāya kṛtaṁ karma vimuktidam

Whatever act, done for the sake of the Lord, whether knowingly or unknowingly, for whatever reason -- that act grants liberation.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.94.8)

माघे कृष्णचतुर्द्दश्यामुपवासोऽति दुर्लभः॥ तत्रापि दुर्लभं मन्ये रात्रौ जागरणं नृणाम्

māghe kṛṣṇacaturddaśyāmupavāso'ti durlabhaḥ tatrāpi durlabhaṁ manye rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ nṛṇām

Fasting on the dark fourteenth day [of the waning moon] in the month of Magha is exceedingly rare; and rarer still, I think, is for men to keep vigil through that night.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.94.9)

अतीव दुर्लभं मन्ये शिवलिंगस्य दर्शनम् ॥ सुदुर्लभतरं मन्ये पूजनं परमेशितुः

atīva durlabhaṁ manye śivaliṁgasya darśanam sudurlabhataraṁ manye pūjanaṁ parameśituḥ

I consider the sight of a Shiva-linga to be extremely rare; even more rare, I think, is the worship of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.94.10)

भवकोटिशतोत्पन्नषुण्यराशिविपाकतः॥ लभ्यते वा पुनस्तत्र बिल्वपत्रार्चनं विभोः

bhavakoṭiśatotpannaṣuṇyarāśivipākataḥ labhyate vā punastatra bilvapatrārcanaṁ vibhoḥ

It is only through the ripening of a mass of merit accumulated over hundreds of millions of lifetimes that one obtains, there, the worship of the Lord with a bilva leaf.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.94.11)

वर्षाणामयुतं येन स्नातं गंगासरिज्जले । सकृद्बिल्वार्चनेनैव तत्फलं लभते नरः

varṣāṇāmayutaṁ yena snātaṁ gaṁgāsarijjale sakṛdbilvārcanenaiva tatphalaṁ labhate naraḥ

The fruit that one gains by bathing in the waters of the Ganga for ten thousand years is obtained by a man through the worship of Shiva with a bilva leaf even once.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.94.12)

यानियानि तु पुण्यानि लीनानीह युगेयुगे ॥ माघेऽसितचतुर्दश्यां तानि तिष्ठंति कृत्स्नशः

yāniyāni tu puṇyāni līnānīha yugeyuge māghe'sitacaturdaśyāṁ tāni tiṣṭhaṁti kṛtsnaśaḥ

Whatever merits have accumulated, age after age, all of them come to reside fully in the dark fourteenth of Magha.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.94.13)

एतामेव प्रशंसंति लोके ब्रह्मादयः सुराः ॥ मुनयश्च वशिष्ठाद्या माघेऽसितचतुर्दशीम्

etāmeva praśaṁsaṁti loke brahmādayaḥ surāḥ munayaśca vaśiṣṭhādyā māghe'sitacaturdaśīm

This very dark fourteenth of Magha is praised in the world by the gods beginning with Brahma, and by sages beginning with Vashishtha.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.94.14)

अत्रोपवासः केनापि कृतः क्रतुशताधिकैः ॥ रात्रौ जागरणं पुण्यं कल्पकोटितपोऽधिकम्

atropavāsaḥ kenāpi kṛtaḥ kratuśatādhikaiḥ rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ puṇyaṁ kalpakoṭitapo'dhikam

A fast kept on this day by anyone surpasses hundreds of sacrifices; the meritorious vigil kept through its night surpasses tens of millions of kalpas of austerity.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.94.15)

एकेन बिल्वपत्रेण शिवलिंगार्चनं कृतम् ॥ त्रैलोक्ये तस्य पुण्यस्य को वा सादृश्यमिच्छति

ekena bilvapatreṇa śivaliṁgārcanaṁ kṛtam trailokye tasya puṇyasya ko vā sādṛśyamicchati

Worship of a Shiva-linga performed with even a single bilva leaf -- who in the three worlds could hope to find anything equal to its merit?

Verse 16 (skanda.3.94.16)

अत्रानुवर्ण्यते गाथा पुण्या परमशोभना ॥ गोपनीयापि कारुण्याद्गौतमेन प्रकाशिता

atrānuvarṇyate gāthā puṇyā paramaśobhanā gopanīyāpi kāruṇyādgautamena prakāśitā

Here is related a sacred and most beautiful legend, one that, though meant to be kept secret, was revealed by Gautama out of compassion.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.94.17)

इक्ष्वाकुवंशजः श्रीमान्राजा परम धार्मिकः॥ आसीन्मित्रसहोनाम श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुर्भृताम्

ikṣvākuvaṁśajaḥ śrīmānrājā parama dhārmikaḥ āsīnmitrasahonāma śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanurbhṛtām

There was a glorious king, born in the Ikshvaku lineage, supremely righteous, named Mitrasaha, foremost among all bearers of the bow.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.94.18)

स राजा सकलास्त्रज्ञः शास्त्रज्ञः श्रुतिपारगः ॥ वीरोऽत्यंतबलोत्साहो नित्योद्योगी दयानिधिः

sa rājā sakalāstrajñaḥ śāstrajñaḥ śrutipāragaḥ vīro'tyaṁtabalotsāho nityodyogī dayānidhiḥ

That king knew all weapons, was learned in the scriptures, had mastered the Vedas; he was heroic, of immense strength and vigor, ever industrious, and a treasury of compassion.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.94.19)

पुण्यानामिव संघातस्तेजसामिव पंजरः ॥ आश्चर्याणामिव क्षेत्रं यस्य मूर्तिर्विराजते

puṇyānāmiva saṁghātastejasāmiva paṁjaraḥ āścaryāṇāmiva kṣetraṁ yasya mūrtirvirājate

His very form shone forth like a heap of merits, like a cage of splendors, like a field of wonders.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.94.20)

हृदयं दययाक्रांतं श्रियाक्रांतं च तद्वपुः ॥ चरणौ यस्य सामंतचूडामणिमरीचिभिः ॥ एकदा मृगयाकेलिलोलुपः स महीपतिः ॥ विवेश गह्वरं घोरं बलेन महतावृतः

hṛdayaṁ dayayākrāṁtaṁ śriyākrāṁtaṁ ca tadvapuḥ caraṇau yasya sāmaṁtacūḍāmaṇimarīcibhiḥ ekadā mṛgayākelilolupaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ viveśa gahvaraṁ ghoraṁ balena mahatāvṛtaḥ

His heart was overcome with compassion, and his body was overcome with splendor; his feet were touched by the rays from the crest-jewels of vassal kings. Once, eager for the sport of hunting, that king, surrounded by a great army, entered a terrible forest thicket.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.94.21)

तत्र विव्याध विशिखैः शार्दूलान्गवयान्मृगान् ॥ रुरून्वराहान्महिषान्मृगेंद्रानपि भूरिशः

tatra vivyādha viśikhaiḥ śārdūlāngavayānmṛgān rurūnvarāhānmahiṣānmṛgeṁdrānapi bhūriśaḥ

There he pierced with his arrows many tigers, wild oxen, deer, antelope, boars, buffaloes, and even lions.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.94.22)

स रथी मृगयासक्तो गहनं दंशित श्चरन् ॥ कमपि ज्वलनाकारं निजघान निशाचरम्

sa rathī mṛgayāsakto gahanaṁ daṁśita ścaran kamapi jvalanākāraṁ nijaghāna niśācaram

That charioteer, absorbed in the hunt, roaming the thick forest in armor, slew some night-wandering demon that appeared like blazing fire.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.94.23)

तस्यानुजः शुचाविष्टो दृष्ट्वा दूरे तिरोहितः ॥ भ्रातरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा चिंतयामास चेतसा

tasyānujaḥ śucāviṣṭo dṛṣṭvā dūre tirohitaḥ bhrātaraṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā ciṁtayāmāsa cetasā

That demon's younger brother, seeing this from a distance and hidden, was overcome with grief; seeing his brother slain, he pondered in his mind.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.94.24)

नन्वेष राजा दुर्द्धर्षो देवानां रक्षसामपि ॥ छद्मनैव प्रजेतव्यो मम शत्रुर्न चान्यथा

nanveṣa rājā durddharṣo devānāṁ rakṣasāmapi chadmanaiva prajetavyo mama śatrurna cānyathā

"This king is indeed unconquerable, even for gods and demons; my enemy can be conquered only by deceit, not otherwise."

Verse 25 (skanda.3.94.25)

इति व्यवसितः पापो राक्षसो मनुजाकृतिः ॥ आससाद नृपश्रेष्ठमुत्पात इव मूर्तिमान्

iti vyavasitaḥ pāpo rākṣaso manujākṛtiḥ āsasāda nṛpaśreṣṭhamutpāta iva mūrtimān

Having resolved thus, that sinful demon, taking a human form, approached the best of kings, like an embodied portent of calamity.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.94.26)

तं विनम्राकृतिं दृष्ट्वा भृत्यतां कर्तुमागतम् ॥ चक्रे महानसाध्यक्षमज्ञानात्स महीपतिः

taṁ vinamrākṛtiṁ dṛṣṭvā bhṛtyatāṁ kartumāgatam cakre mahānasādhyakṣamajñānātsa mahīpatiḥ

Seeing him appear humble and having come to serve, the king, unaware of his true nature, appointed him, out of ignorance, as the superintendent of his royal kitchen.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.94.27)

अथ तस्मिन्वने राजा किंचित्कालं विहृत्य सः ॥ निवृत्तो मृगयां हित्वा स्वपुरीं पुनराययौ

atha tasminvane rājā kiṁcitkālaṁ vihṛtya saḥ nivṛtto mṛgayāṁ hitvā svapurīṁ punarāyayau

Then, having sported for some time in that forest, the king gave up the hunt and returned again to his own city.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.94.28)

तस्य राजेंद्रमुख्यस्य मदयंतीतिनामतः ॥ दमयन्ती नलस्येव विदिता वल्लभा सती

tasya rājeṁdramukhyasya madayaṁtītināmataḥ damayantī nalasyeva viditā vallabhā satī

That foremost of kings had a virtuous, beloved wife named Madayanti, known and celebrated like Damayanti was to Nala.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.94.29)

एतस्मिन्समये राजा निमंत्र्य मुनिपुंगवम् ॥ वशिष्ठं गृहमानिन्ये संप्राप्ते पितृवासरे

etasminsamaye rājā nimaṁtrya munipuṁgavam vaśiṣṭhaṁ gṛhamāninye saṁprāpte pitṛvāsare

At this time, when the day for the ancestral rites had come, the king invited the great sage Vashishtha, foremost among sages, and brought him to his home.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.94.30)

रक्षसा सूदरूपेण संमिश्रितनरामिषम् ॥ शाकामिषं पुरः क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वा गुरुरथाब्रवीत्

rakṣasā sūdarūpeṇa saṁmiśritanarāmiṣam śākāmiṣaṁ puraḥ kṣiptaṁ dṛṣṭvā gururathābravīt

Seeing that the vegetable dish placed before him had been mixed with human flesh by the demon in the guise of the cook, the guru then spoke.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.94.31)

धिग्धिङ्नरामिषं राजं स्त्वयैतच्छद्मकारिणा ॥ खलेनोपहृतं मेऽद्य अतो रक्षो भविष्यसि

dhigdhiṅnarāmiṣaṁ rājaṁ stvayaitacchadmakāriṇā khalenopahṛtaṁ me'dya ato rakṣo bhaviṣyasi

"Shame, shame! O king, this human flesh has today been served to me by you, a deceitful wretch! Therefore, you shall become a rakshasa!"

Verse 32 (skanda.3.94.32)

रक्षःकृतमविज्ञाय शप्त्वैवं स गुरुस्ततः ॥ पुनर्विमृश्य तं शापं चकार द्वादशाब्दिकम्

rakṣaḥkṛtamavijñāya śaptvaivaṁ sa gurustataḥ punarvimṛśya taṁ śāpaṁ cakāra dvādaśābdikam

Not knowing it was the demon's doing, the guru, having cursed him thus, then reconsidered and limited that curse to twelve years.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.94.33)

राजापि कोपितः प्राह यदिदं मे न चेष्टितम् ॥ न ज्ञातं च वृथा शप्तो गुरुं चैव शपाम्यहम्

rājāpi kopitaḥ prāha yadidaṁ me na ceṣṭitam na jñātaṁ ca vṛthā śapto guruṁ caiva śapāmyaham

The king too, enraged, said: "Since this was not my doing, nor known to me, and I have been cursed in vain, I shall curse the guru in turn!"

Verse 34 (skanda.3.94.34)

इत्यपोंजलिनादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यतः ॥ पतित्वा पादयोस्तस्य मदयन्ती न्यवारयत्

ityapoṁjalinādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ patitvā pādayostasya madayantī nyavārayat

Taking water in his cupped hands, he prepared to curse the guru; but Madayanti, falling at his feet, restrained him.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.94.35)

ततो निवृत्तः शापाच्च तस्या वचनगौरवात् ॥ तत्याज पादयोरंभः पादौ कल्मषतां गतौ

tato nivṛttaḥ śāpācca tasyā vacanagauravāt tatyāja pādayoraṁbhaḥ pādau kalmaṣatāṁ gatau

Then, out of respect for her words, he desisted from the curse and let the water fall at his own feet, which thereby became stained.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.94.36)

कल्मषांघ्रिरिति ख्यातस्ततः प्रभृति पार्थिवः ॥ बभूव गुरुशापेन राक्षसो वनगोचरः

kalmaṣāṁghririti khyātastataḥ prabhṛti pārthivaḥ babhūva guruśāpena rākṣaso vanagocaraḥ

From then on, that king became known as Kalmashapada ("stained-foot"), and by the guru's curse became a rakshasa roaming the forest.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.94.37)

स बिभ्रद्राक्षसं रूपं घोरं कालां तकोपमम् ॥ चखाद विविधाञ्जंतून्मानुषादीन्वनेचरः

sa bibhradrākṣasaṁ rūpaṁ ghoraṁ kālāṁ takopamam cakhāda vividhāñjaṁtūnmānuṣādīnvanecaraḥ

Bearing that terrible demon-form resembling Death himself, he, now roaming the forest, devoured various creatures, humans among them.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.94.38)

स कदाचिद्वने क्वापि रममाणौ किशोरकौ ॥ अपश्यदंतकाकारो नवोढौ मुनिदंपती

sa kadācidvane kvāpi ramamāṇau kiśorakau apaśyadaṁtakākāro navoḍhau munidaṁpatī

Once, in that terrible form of Death, he saw somewhere in the forest a young sage-couple, newly wed, sporting there.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.94.39)

राक्षसो मानुषाहारः किशोरमुनिनंदनम् ॥ जग्धुं जग्राह शापार्तो व्याघ्रो मृगशिशुं यथा

rākṣaso mānuṣāhāraḥ kiśoramuninaṁdanam jagdhuṁ jagrāha śāpārto vyāghro mṛgaśiśuṁ yathā

That rakshasa, afflicted by the curse and feeding on human flesh, seized the young sage's son to devour him, as a tiger seizes a fawn.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.94.40)

रक्षोगृहीतं भर्तारं दृष्ट्वा भीताथ तत्प्रिया ॥ उवाच करुणं बाला क्रंदंती भृशवेपिता

rakṣogṛhītaṁ bhartāraṁ dṛṣṭvā bhītātha tatpriyā uvāca karuṇaṁ bālā kraṁdaṁtī bhṛśavepitā

Seeing her husband seized by the demon, that young wife, terrified and trembling greatly, wept and spoke piteously.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.94.41)

भोभो मामा कृथाः पापं सूर्यवंशयशोधर ॥ मदयंतीपतिस्त्वं हि राजेंद्रो न तु राक्षसः

bhobho māmā kṛthāḥ pāpaṁ sūryavaṁśayaśodhara madayaṁtīpatistvaṁ hi rājeṁdro na tu rākṣasaḥ

"O, O, do not commit this sin, O upholder of the solar dynasty's glory! You are indeed the king, husband of Madayanti -- not a demon!"

Verse 42 (skanda.3.94.42)

न खाद मम भर्त्तारं प्राणात्प्रियतमं प्रभो ॥ आर्त्तानां शरणार्त्तानां त्वमेव हि यतो गतिः

na khāda mama bharttāraṁ prāṇātpriyatamaṁ prabho ārttānāṁ śaraṇārttānāṁ tvameva hi yato gatiḥ

"Do not devour my husband, dearer to me than life itself, O Lord! For you alone are the refuge of the afflicted who seek shelter."

Verse 43 (skanda.3.94.43)

पापानामिव संघातैः किं मे दुष्टैर्जडासुभिः ॥ देहेन चातिभारेण विना भर्त्रा महात्मना

pāpānāmiva saṁghātaiḥ kiṁ me duṣṭairjaḍāsubhiḥ dehena cātibhāreṇa vinā bhartrā mahātmanā

"What use to me is this collection of sins, this vile, senseless life, this body that is now merely a burden, without my noble husband?"

Verse 44 (skanda.3.94.44)

मलीमसेन पापेन पांचभौतेन किं सुखम् ॥ बालोयं वेदविच्छांतस्तपस्वी बहुशास्त्रवित्

malīmasena pāpena pāṁcabhautena kiṁ sukham bāloyaṁ vedavicchāṁtastapasvī bahuśāstravit

"What happiness can there be in this defiled, sinful body of the five elements? This youth knows the Vedas, is tranquil, an ascetic, learned in many scriptures."

Verse 45 (skanda.3.94.45)

अतोऽस्य प्राणदानेन जगद्रक्षा त्वया कृता। कृपां कुरु महाराज बालायां ब्राह्मणस्त्रियाम्

ato'sya prāṇadānena jagadrakṣā tvayā kṛtā kṛpāṁ kuru mahārāja bālāyāṁ brāhmaṇastriyām

"Therefore, by granting this life, you would be protecting the whole world; show mercy, O great king, upon this young brahmin girl."

Verse 46 (skanda.3.94.46)

अनाथकृपणार्तेषु सघृणाः खलु साधवः ॥ || इत्थमभ्यर्थितः सोऽपि पुरुषादः स निर्घृणः

anāthakṛpaṇārteṣu saghṛṇāḥ khalu sādhavaḥ || itthamabhyarthitaḥ so'pi puruṣādaḥ sa nirghṛṇaḥ

"The virtuous are indeed compassionate toward the helpless, the wretched, and the afflicted." Though thus entreated, that man-eating, merciless demon did not relent.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.94.47)

चखाद शिर उत्कृत्य विप्रपुत्रं दुराशयः॥ अथ साध्वी कृशा दीना विलप्य भृशदुःखिता

cakhāda śira utkṛtya vipraputraṁ durāśayaḥ atha sādhvī kṛśā dīnā vilapya bhṛśaduḥkhitā

That evil-minded one cut off the brahmin youth's head and devoured him. Then that virtuous woman, emaciated, wretched, and grief-stricken, lamented bitterly.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.94.48)

आहृत्य भर्तुरस्थीनि चितां चक्रे तथोल्बणाम् ॥ भर्तारमनुगच्छंती संविशंती हुताशनम्

āhṛtya bharturasthīni citāṁ cakre tatholbaṇām bhartāramanugacchaṁtī saṁviśaṁtī hutāśanam

Gathering her husband's bones, she built a great funeral pyre; following her husband in death, she entered the fire.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.94.49)

राजानं राक्षसाकारं शापास्त्रेण जघान तम् ॥ रेरे पार्थिव पापात्मंस्त्वया मे भक्षितः पतिः

rājānaṁ rākṣasākāraṁ śāpāstreṇa jaghāna tam rere pārthiva pāpātmaṁstvayā me bhakṣitaḥ patiḥ

She struck that king, who had taken a demon's form, with the weapon of a curse: "O sinful king! You have devoured my husband!"

Verse 50 (skanda.3.94.50)

अतः पतिव्रतायास्त्वं शापं भुंक्ष्व यथोल्बणम्॥ अद्यप्रभृति नारीषु यदा त्वमपि संगतः । तदा मृतिस्तवेत्युक्त्वा विवेश ज्वलनं सती

ataḥ pativratāyāstvaṁ śāpaṁ bhuṁkṣva yatholbaṇam adyaprabhṛti nārīṣu yadā tvamapi saṁgataḥ tadā mṛtistavetyuktvā viveśa jvalanaṁ satī

"Therefore, receive from me, a faithful wife, this severe curse: from this day forward, whenever you unite with a woman, that shall be your death!" Having said this, that virtuous woman entered the fire.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.94.51)

सोऽपि राजा गुरोः शापमुपभुज्य कृतावधिम् ॥ पुनः स्वरूपमादाय स्वगृहं मुदितो ययौ

so'pi rājā guroḥ śāpamupabhujya kṛtāvadhim punaḥ svarūpamādāya svagṛhaṁ mudito yayau

That king too, having endured the guru's curse to its appointed end, regained his own form and went joyfully to his own home.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.94.52)

ज्ञात्वा विप्रसतीशापं तत्पत्नी रतिलालसम् ॥ पतिं निवारयामास वैधव्यातिबिभ्यती

jñātvā viprasatīśāpaṁ tatpatnī ratilālasam patiṁ nivārayāmāsa vaidhavyātibibhyatī

Learning of the brahmin woman's curse, his wife, greatly fearing widowhood, restrained her husband when he desired union with her.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.94.53)

अनपत्यः स निर्विण्णो राज्यभोगेषु पार्थिवः ॥ विसृज्य सकलं लक्ष्मीं ययौ भूयोऽपि काननम्

anapatyaḥ sa nirviṇṇo rājyabhogeṣu pārthivaḥ visṛjya sakalaṁ lakṣmīṁ yayau bhūyo'pi kānanam

Being childless, that king, disillusioned with the pleasures of his kingdom, renounced all his royal fortune and went once more into the forest.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.94.54)

सूर्यवंशप्रतिष्ठित्यै वशिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः ॥ तस्यामुत्पादयामास मदयंत्यां सुतोत्तमम्

sūryavaṁśapratiṣṭhityai vaśiṣṭho munisattamaḥ tasyāmutpādayāmāsa madayaṁtyāṁ sutottamam

For the continuation of the solar dynasty, Vashishtha, the best of sages, then begot an excellent son upon Madayanti.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.94.55)

विसृष्टराज्यो राजापि विचरन्सकलां महीम् ॥ आयांतीं पृष्ठतोऽपश्यत्पिशाचीं घोररूपिणीम्

visṛṣṭarājyo rājāpi vicaransakalāṁ mahīm āyāṁtīṁ pṛṣṭhato'paśyatpiśācīṁ ghorarūpiṇīm

That king, having renounced his kingdom, while wandering the whole earth, saw a terrible-formed female demon (pishachi) coming toward him from behind.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.94.56)

सा हि मूर्तिमती घोरा ब्रह्महत्या दुरत्यया ॥ यदासौ शापविभ्रष्टो मुनिपुत्रमभक्षयत्

sā hi mūrtimatī ghorā brahmahatyā duratyayā yadāsau śāpavibhraṣṭo muniputramabhakṣayat

She was none other than the embodied, terrible, insurmountable sin of Brahmahatya (killing a brahmin), which arose when, deranged by the curse, he had devoured the sage's son.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.94.57)

तेनात्मकर्मणा. यांतीं ब्रह्महत्यां स पृष्ठतः ॥ बुबुधे मुनिवर्याणामुपदेशेन भूपतिः

tenātmakarmaṇā. yāṁtīṁ brahmahatyāṁ sa pṛṣṭhataḥ bubudhe munivaryāṇāmupadeśena bhūpatiḥ

By that very deed of his own, the king came to recognize, through the instruction of great sages, that it was Brahmahatya herself following behind him.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.94.58)

तस्या निर्वेशमन्विच्छन्राजा निर्विण्णमानसः ॥ नानाक्षेत्राणि तीर्थानि चचार बहुवत्सरम्

tasyā nirveśamanvicchanrājā nirviṇṇamānasaḥ nānākṣetrāṇi tīrthāni cacāra bahuvatsaram

Seeking release from her, the king, his mind full of despair, wandered through many sacred places and holy fords for many years.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.94.59)

यदा सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्नात्वापि च मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ न निवृत्ता ब्रह्महत्या मिथिलामाययौ तदा ॥ बाह्योद्यानगतस्तस्याश्चिंतया परयार्दितः

yadā sarveṣu tīrtheṣu snātvāpi ca muhurmuhuḥ na nivṛttā brahmahatyā mithilāmāyayau tadā bāhyodyānagatastasyāściṁtayā parayārditaḥ

When, even after bathing in all the holy fords again and again, the sin of Brahmahatya still did not leave him, he then came to Mithila; going to a garden outside the city, tormented by great anxiety over her,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.94.60)

ददर्श मुनिमायांतं गौतमं विमलाशयम्॥ हुताशनमिवाशेषतपस्विजनसेवितम्

dadarśa munimāyāṁtaṁ gautamaṁ vimalāśayam hutāśanamivāśeṣatapasvijanasevitam

he saw the sage Gautama approaching, pure of heart, served by all ascetics like sacrificial fire itself.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.94.61)

विवस्वंतमिवात्यंतं घनदोषतमोनुदम् ॥ शशांकमिव निःशंकमवदातगुणोदयम्

vivasvaṁtamivātyaṁtaṁ ghanadoṣatamonudam śaśāṁkamiva niḥśaṁkamavadātaguṇodayam

He appeared like the sun itself, dispelling the dense darkness of faults; like the moon, free of doubt, the rising source of pure virtues.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.94.62)

महेश्वरमिव श्रीमद्द्विजराजकलाधरम् ॥ शांतं शिष्यगणोपेतं तपसामेकभाजनम्

maheśvaramiva śrīmaddvijarājakalādharam śāṁtaṁ śiṣyagaṇopetaṁ tapasāmekabhājanam

Glorious like Maheshvara who bears the crescent moon, tranquil, surrounded by his disciples, the sole vessel of austerity.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.94.63)

उपसृत्य स राजेंद्रः प्रणनाम मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ गौतमोऽपि मुनिश्रेष्ठो राजानं रविवंशजम्

upasṛtya sa rājeṁdraḥ praṇanāma muhurmuhuḥ gautamo'pi muniśreṣṭho rājānaṁ ravivaṁśajam

Approaching him, that king of kings bowed again and again; and Gautama too, the best of sages, greeted the king born of the solar race,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.94.64)

अभिनंद्य मुनिः प्रीत्या संस्मितं समभाषत

abhinaṁdya muniḥ prītyā saṁsmitaṁ samabhāṣata

welcoming him affectionately, and spoke to him with a smile.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.94.65)

॥ गौतम उवाच ॥ कच्चित्ते कुशलं राजन्कच्चित्ते पदमव्ययम्

gautama uvāca kaccitte kuśalaṁ rājankaccitte padamavyayam

Gautama said: "I trust all is well with you, O king; I trust your position remains unshaken."

Verse 66 (skanda.3.94.66)

कुशलिन्यः प्रजाः कच्चिदवरोधजनोपि वा ॥ किमर्थमिह संप्राप्तो विसृज्य सकलां श्रियम्

kuśalinyaḥ prajāḥ kaccidavarodhajanopi vā kimarthamiha saṁprāpto visṛjya sakalāṁ śriyam

"Are your subjects well, and the women of your household too? Why have you come here, having renounced all your royal fortune?"

Verse 67 (skanda.3.94.67)

किं च ध्यायसि भो राजन्दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वसन्

kiṁ ca dhyāyasi bho rājandīrghamuṣṇaṁ ca niḥśvasan

"And why do you brood, O king, sighing so long and so hot?"

Verse 68 (skanda.3.94.68)

राजोवाच ॥ सर्वे कुशलिनो ब्रह्मन्वयं त्वदनुकंपया॥ राज्ञामुत्तमवंश्यानां ब्रह्मायत्ता हि संपदः ॥ किं नु मां बाधते त्वेषा पिशाची घोररूपिणी

rājovāca sarve kuśalino brahmanvayaṁ tvadanukaṁpayā rājñāmuttamavaṁśyānāṁ brahmāyattā hi saṁpadaḥ kiṁ nu māṁ bādhate tveṣā piśācī ghorarūpiṇī

The king said: "By your grace, O brahmin, we are all well; for the prosperity of kings of noble lineage depends indeed on brahmins. But what torments me is this terrible-formed female demon."

Verse 69 (skanda.3.94.69)

अलक्षिता मदपरैर्भर्त्सयंती पदेपदे ॥ यन्मया शापदग्धेन कृतमहो दुरत्ययम् ॥ न शांतिर्जायते तस्य प्रायश्चित्तसहस्रकैः

alakṣitā madaparairbhartsayaṁtī padepade yanmayā śāpadagdhena kṛtamaho duratyayam na śāṁtirjāyate tasya prāyaścittasahasrakaiḥ

"Unseen by others but not by me, she torments me at every step, on account of that terrible deed I committed while deranged by the curse; no peace comes from it, even through a thousand acts of atonement."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.94.70)

इष्टाश्च विविधा यज्ञाः कोशसर्वस्वदक्षिणाः ॥ सरित्सरांसि स्नातानि यानि पूज्यानि भूतले ॥ निषेवितानि सर्वाणि क्षेत्राणि भ्रमता मया

iṣṭāśca vividhā yajñāḥ kośasarvasvadakṣiṇāḥ saritsarāṁsi snātāni yāni pūjyāni bhūtale niṣevitāni sarvāṇi kṣetrāṇi bhramatā mayā

"I have performed various sacrifices with my entire treasury as offerings; I have bathed in every river and lake that is held sacred on earth; wandering about, I have visited every holy place."

Verse 71 (skanda.3.94.71)

जप्तान्यखिलमंत्राणि ध्याताः सकलदेवताः ॥ महाव्रतानि चीर्णानि पर्णमूलफलाशिना

japtānyakhilamaṁtrāṇi dhyātāḥ sakaladevatāḥ mahāvratāni cīrṇāni parṇamūlaphalāśinā

"I have recited every mantra, meditated upon all deities, and, living on leaves, roots, and fruits, have observed great vows."

Verse 72 (skanda.3.94.72)

तानि सर्वाणि कुर्वंति स्वस्थं मां न कदाचन ॥ अद्य मे जन्मसाफल्यं संप्राप्तमिव लक्ष्यते

tāni sarvāṇi kurvaṁti svasthaṁ māṁ na kadācana adya me janmasāphalyaṁ saṁprāptamiva lakṣyate

"None of these have ever restored me to peace. Today, however, it seems as if my birth has attained its fulfillment,"

Verse 73 (skanda.3.94.73)

यतस्त्वद्दर्शनादेव ममात्मानंदभागभूत् ॥ अन्विच्छँल्लभते क्वापि वर्षपूगैर्मनोरथम्

yatastvaddarśanādeva mamātmānaṁdabhāgabhūt anviccham̐llabhate kvāpi varṣapūgairmanoratham

"for by the very sight of you my soul has become filled with bliss; what one seeks, one may find, after years of longing, somewhere at last."

Verse 74 (skanda.3.94.74)

इत्येवं जनवादोऽपि संप्राप्तो मयि सत्यताम् ॥ आजन्मसंचितानां तु पुण्यानामुदयोदये

ityevaṁ janavādo'pi saṁprāpto mayi satyatām ājanmasaṁcitānāṁ tu puṇyānāmudayodaye

"Thus that common saying has proven true in my case; for when the merits accumulated since birth come into full bloom,"

Verse 75 (skanda.3.94.75)

यद्भवान्भवभीतानां त्राता नयनगोचरः ॥ कस्माद्देशादिहायातो भवान्भवभयापहः

yadbhavānbhavabhītānāṁ trātā nayanagocaraḥ kasmāddeśādihāyāto bhavānbhavabhayāpahaḥ

"-- then you, the savior of those who fear worldly existence, become visible to their eyes. From what land have you come here, you who remove the fear of worldly existence?"

Verse 76 (skanda.3.94.76)

दूरभ्रमणविश्रांतं शंके त्वामिह चागतम् ॥ दृष्ट्वाश्चर्यमिवात्यर्थं मुदितोसि मुखश्रिया

dūrabhramaṇaviśrāṁtaṁ śaṁke tvāmiha cāgatam dṛṣṭvāścaryamivātyarthaṁ muditosi mukhaśriyā

"I suspect you have come here resting from a distant journey; yet seeing something wondrous, you seem exceedingly joyful, glowing in your face."

Verse 77 (skanda.3.94.77)

आनंदयसि मे चेतः प्रेम्णा संभाषणादिव ॥ अद्य मे तव पादाब्जशरणस्य कृतैनसः ॥ शांतिं कुरु महाभाग येनाहं सुखमाप्नुयाम्

ānaṁdayasi me cetaḥ premṇā saṁbhāṣaṇādiva adya me tava pādābjaśaraṇasya kṛtainasaḥ śāṁtiṁ kuru mahābhāga yenāhaṁ sukhamāpnuyām

"You delight my heart, as though by loving conversation. Today, grant peace to me, a sinner who has taken refuge at your lotus feet, O most fortunate one, so that I may attain happiness."

Verse 78 (skanda.3.94.78)

इति तेन समादिष्टो गौतमः करुणानिधिः ॥ समादिदेश घोराणामघानां साधु निष्कृतिम्

iti tena samādiṣṭo gautamaḥ karuṇānidhiḥ samādideśa ghorāṇāmaghānāṁ sādhu niṣkṛtim

Thus addressed by him, Gautama, that treasury of compassion, then prescribed the proper expiation for his terrible sins.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.94.79)

गौतम उवाच ॥ साधु राजेंद्र धन्योऽसि महा घेभ्यो भयं त्यज

gautama uvāca sādhu rājeṁdra dhanyo'si mahā ghebhyo bhayaṁ tyaja

Gautama said: "Well spoken, O king of kings! You are blessed. Abandon your fear of these great sins."

Verse 80 (skanda.3.94.80)

शिवे त्रातरि भक्तानां क्व भयं शरणैषिणाम् ॥ शृणु राजन्महाभाग क्षेत्रमन्यत्प्रतिष्ठितम्

śive trātari bhaktānāṁ kva bhayaṁ śaraṇaiṣiṇām śṛṇu rājanmahābhāga kṣetramanyatpratiṣṭhitam

"When Shiva is the protector of his devotees, what fear can there be for those who seek his refuge? Listen, O great and fortunate king, to the greatness of another renowned sacred place."

Verse 81 (skanda.3.94.81)

महापातकसंहारि गोकर्णाख्यं मनोरमम्॥ यत्र स्थितिर्न पापानां महद्भ्यो महतामपि

mahāpātakasaṁhāri gokarṇākhyaṁ manoramam yatra sthitirna pāpānāṁ mahadbhyo mahatāmapi

"-- the destroyer of the greatest sins, the delightful place called Gokarna, where sins, even the greatest among the great, cannot abide."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.94.82)

स्मृतो ह्यशेषपापघ्नो यत्र संनिहितः शिवः ॥ यथा कैलासशिखरे यथा मंदारमूर्द्धनि

smṛto hyaśeṣapāpaghno yatra saṁnihitaḥ śivaḥ yathā kailāsaśikhare yathā maṁdāramūrddhani

"Merely remembered, it destroys every sin, for Shiva himself is present there, just as he dwells on the peak of Kailasa, and on the summit of Mount Mandara."

Verse 83 (skanda.3.94.83)

निवासो निश्चितः शंभोस्तथा गोकर्णमण्डले ॥ नाग्निना न शशांकेन न ताराग्रहनायकैः

nivāso niścitaḥ śaṁbhostathā gokarṇamaṇḍale nāgninā na śaśāṁkena na tārāgrahanāyakaiḥ

"Shiva's dwelling is likewise established in the region of Gokarna. Not by fire, nor by the moon, nor by the lords of the stars and planets,"

Verse 84 (skanda.3.94.84)

तमो निस्तीर्यते सम्य ग्यथा सवितृदर्शनात् ॥ तथैव नेतरैस्तीर्थैर्न च क्षेत्रैर्मनोरमैः

tamo nistīryate samya gyathā savitṛdarśanāt tathaiva netaraistīrthairna ca kṣetrairmanoramaiḥ

"is darkness dispelled as fully as by the sight of the sun; so too, no other holy fords or delightful sacred places can cleanse sin as Gokarna does."

Verse 85 (skanda.3.94.85)

सद्यः पापविशुद्धिः स्याद्यथा गोकर्णदर्शनात् ॥ अपि पापशतं कृत्वा ब्रह्म हत्यादि मानवः

sadyaḥ pāpaviśuddhiḥ syādyathā gokarṇadarśanāt api pāpaśataṁ kṛtvā brahma hatyādi mānavaḥ

"Instant purification from sin comes only through the sight of Gokarna. Even a man who has committed a hundred sins, beginning with the killing of a brahmin,"

Verse 86 (skanda.3.94.86)

सकृत्प्रविश्य गोकर्णं न बिभेति ह्यघात्क्वचित् ॥ तत्र सर्वे महात्मानस्तपसा शांतिमागताः

sakṛtpraviśya gokarṇaṁ na bibheti hyaghātkvacit tatra sarve mahātmānastapasā śāṁtimāgatāḥ

"need not fear any sin at all once he enters Gokarna even a single time. There, all great souls have attained peace through austerity."

Verse 87 (skanda.3.94.87)

इन्द्रोपेंद्रविरिंच्याद्यैः सेव्यते सिद्धिकांक्षिभिः ॥ तत्रैकेन दिनेनापि यत्कृतं व्रतमुत्तमम्

indropeṁdraviriṁcyādyaiḥ sevyate siddhikāṁkṣibhiḥ tatraikena dinenāpi yatkṛtaṁ vratamuttamam

"It is served by Indra, Vishnu, Brahma, and others who desire spiritual perfection. Whatever excellent vow is performed there even for a single day --"

Verse 88 (skanda.3.94.88)

तदन्यत्राब्दलक्षेण कृतं भवति तत्समम् ॥ यत्रेंद्रब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेवानां हितकाम्यया

tadanyatrābdalakṣeṇa kṛtaṁ bhavati tatsamam yatreṁdrabrahmaviṣṇvādidevānāṁ hitakāmyayā

"-- becomes equal to the same vow performed for a hundred thousand years elsewhere. There, out of desire for the welfare of Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, and the other gods,"

Verse 89 (skanda.3.94.89)

महाबलाभिधानेन देवः संनिहितः स्वयम् ॥ घोरेण तपसा लब्धं रावणाख्येन रक्षसा

mahābalābhidhānena devaḥ saṁnihitaḥ svayam ghoreṇa tapasā labdhaṁ rāvaṇākhyena rakṣasā

"the deity known as Mahabala is himself present. That linga, obtained through terrible austerity by the demon named Ravana --"

Verse 90 (skanda.3.94.90)

तल्लिंगं स्थापयामास गोकर्णे गणनायकः ॥ इन्द्रो ब्रह्मा मुकुन्दश्च विश्वेदेवा मरुद्गणाः

talliṁgaṁ sthāpayāmāsa gokarṇe gaṇanāyakaḥ indro brahmā mukundaśca viśvedevā marudgaṇāḥ

"-- was established at Gokarna by the lord of the ganas. Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, the Vishvedevas, and the hosts of the Maruts,"

Verse 91 (skanda.3.94.91)

आदित्या वसवो दस्रौ शशांकश्च दिवाकरः ॥ एते विमानगतयो देवास्ते सह पार्षदैः

ādityā vasavo dasrau śaśāṁkaśca divākaraḥ ete vimānagatayo devāste saha pārṣadaiḥ

"the Adityas, the Vasus, the two Ashvins, the Moon and the Sun -- all these deities, traveling in celestial cars, together with their attendants,"

Verse 92 (skanda.3.94.92)

पूर्वद्वारं निषेवन्ते देवदेवस्य शूलिनः ॥ योन्यो मृत्युः स्वयं साक्षाच्चित्रगुप्तश्च पावकः

pūrvadvāraṁ niṣevante devadevasya śūlinaḥ yonyo mṛtyuḥ svayaṁ sākṣāccitraguptaśca pāvakaḥ

"attend upon the eastern gate of the trident-bearing God of gods. Others -- Death himself in person, Chitragupta, and Fire --"

Verse 93 (skanda.3.94.93)

पितृभिः सह रुद्रैश्च दक्षिणद्वारमाश्रितः ॥ वरुणः सरितां नाथो गंगादिसरितां गणैः

pitṛbhiḥ saha rudraiśca dakṣiṇadvāramāśritaḥ varuṇaḥ saritāṁ nātho gaṁgādisaritāṁ gaṇaiḥ

"-- together with the ancestral spirits and the Rudras, occupy the southern gate. Varuna, lord of rivers, together with the hosts of rivers beginning with the Ganga,"

Verse 94 (skanda.3.94.94)

आसेवते महादेवं पश्चिमद्वारमाश्रितः ॥ तथा वायुः कुबेरश्च देवेशी भद्रकर्णिका

āsevate mahādevaṁ paścimadvāramāśritaḥ tathā vāyuḥ kuberaśca deveśī bhadrakarṇikā

"attends upon Mahadeva at the western gate; likewise Vayu, Kubera, and the goddess Bhadrakarnika,"

Verse 95 (skanda.3.94.95)

मातृभिश्चंडिकाद्याभिरुत्तरद्वारमाश्रिता ॥ विश्वावसुश्चित्ररथश्चित्रसेनो महाबलः

mātṛbhiścaṁḍikādyābhiruttaradvāramāśritā viśvāvasuścitrarathaścitraseno mahābalaḥ

"together with the Mother Goddesses beginning with Chandika, occupy the northern gate. Vishvavasu, Chitraratha, and the mighty Chitrasena,"

Verse 96 (skanda.3.94.96)

सह गन्धर्ववर्गैश्च पूजयंति महाबलम् ॥ रंभा घृताची मेना च पूर्वचित्तिस्तिलोत्तमा

saha gandharvavargaiśca pūjayaṁti mahābalam raṁbhā ghṛtācī menā ca pūrvacittistilottamā

"together with the hosts of Gandharvas, worship Mahabala; Rambha, Ghritachi, Mena, Purvachitti, and Tilottama,"

Verse 97 (skanda.3.94.97)

नृत्यंति पुरतः शम्भोरुर्वश्याद्याः सुरस्त्रियः ॥ वशिष्ठः कश्यपः कण्वो विश्वामित्रो महा तपाः

nṛtyaṁti purataḥ śambhorurvaśyādyāḥ surastriyaḥ vaśiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapaḥ kaṇvo viśvāmitro mahā tapāḥ

"dance before Shambhu, together with celestial women beginning with Urvashi. Vashishtha, Kashyapa, Kanva, and Vishvamitra, of great austerity,"

Verse 98 (skanda.3.94.98)

जैमिनिश्च भरद्वाजो जाबालिः क्रतुरंगिराः ॥ एते वयं च राजेंद्र सर्वे ब्रह्मर्षयोऽमलाः

jaiminiśca bharadvājo jābāliḥ kraturaṁgirāḥ ete vayaṁ ca rājeṁdra sarve brahmarṣayo'malāḥ

"Jaimini, Bharadvaja, Jabali, Kratu, Angiras -- these, O king of kings, and we too, all pure brahmarshis,"

Verse 99 (skanda.3.94.99)

देवं महाबलं भक्त्या समंतात्पर्यु पास्महे ॥ मरीचिना सहात्रिश्च दक्षाद्याश्च मुनीश्वराः

devaṁ mahābalaṁ bhaktyā samaṁtātparyu pāsmahe marīcinā sahātriśca dakṣādyāśca munīśvarāḥ

"worship the god Mahabala with devotion from all around. Atri together with Marichi, and the great sages beginning with Daksha,"

Verse 100 (skanda.3.94.100)

सनकाद्या महात्मान उपविष्टा उपासते ॥ तथैव मुनयः साध्या अजिनांबर धारिणः

sanakādyā mahātmāna upaviṣṭā upāsate tathaiva munayaḥ sādhyā ajināṁbara dhāriṇaḥ

"and the great souls beginning with Sanaka, being seated, worship him; likewise sages and Sadhyas, clad in deer-skin garments,"

Verse 101 (skanda.3.94.101)

दंडिनो व्रतमुण्डाश्च स्नातका ब्रह्मचारिणः ॥ त्वगस्थिमात्रावयवास्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषाः

daṁḍino vratamuṇḍāśca snātakā brahmacāriṇaḥ tvagasthimātrāvayavāstapasā dagdhakilbiṣāḥ

"staff-bearing ascetics, those shaven-headed by vow, graduate students and celibate students, their limbs reduced to mere skin and bone, their sins burnt away by austerity,"

Verse 102 (skanda.3.94.102)

सेवन्ते परया भक्त्या देवदेवं पिनाकिनम् ॥ तथा देवाः सगन्धर्वाः पितरः सिद्धचारणाः

sevante parayā bhaktyā devadevaṁ pinākinam tathā devāḥ sagandharvāḥ pitaraḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ

"serve the God of gods, the wielder of the Pinaka bow, with supreme devotion; likewise the gods with the Gandharvas, the ancestors, the Siddhas and Charanas,"

Verse 103 (skanda.3.94.103)

विद्याधराः किंपुरुषाः किन्नरा गुह्यकाः खगाः ॥ नागाः पिशाचा वेताला दैतेयाश्च महाबलाः

vidyādharāḥ kiṁpuruṣāḥ kinnarā guhyakāḥ khagāḥ nāgāḥ piśācā vetālā daiteyāśca mahābalāḥ

"the Vidyadharas, Kimpurushas, Kinnaras, Guhyakas, birds, serpents, pishachas, vetalas, and the mighty Daityas --"

Verse 104 (skanda.3.94.104)

नानाविभवसंपन्ना नानाभूषणवाहनाः ॥ विमानैः सूर्यसंकाशैरग्निवर्णैः शशिप्रभैः

nānāvibhavasaṁpannā nānābhūṣaṇavāhanāḥ vimānaiḥ sūryasaṁkāśairagnivarṇaiḥ śaśiprabhaiḥ

"endowed with various kinds of splendor, with various ornaments and vehicles, in celestial cars resembling the sun, colored like fire, or radiant like the moon,"

Verse 105 (skanda.3.94.105)

विद्युत्पुंजनिभैरन्यैः समं तात्परिवारितम् ॥ प्रस्तुवंति प्रगायंति पठंति प्रणमंति च

vidyutpuṁjanibhairanyaiḥ samaṁ tātparivāritam prastuvaṁti pragāyaṁti paṭhaṁti praṇamaṁti ca

"and others resembling masses of lightning -- all these surrounding him on every side, praise him, sing to him, recite his glories, and bow to him."

Verse 106 (skanda.3.94.106)

प्रनृत्यंति प्रहृष्यंति गोकर्णे पृथिवीपते ॥ लभंतेऽभीप्सितान्कामान्रमंते च यथा सुखम्

pranṛtyaṁti prahṛṣyaṁti gokarṇe pṛthivīpate labhaṁte'bhīpsitānkāmānramaṁte ca yathā sukham

"They dance, they rejoice, O lord of the earth, at Gokarna; they attain their desired wishes and take their pleasure as they please."

Verse 107 (skanda.3.94.107)

गोकर्णसदृशं क्षेत्रं नास्ति ब्रह्मांडगोलके ॥ तत्र घोरं तपस्तप्तमगस्त्येन महात्मना

gokarṇasadṛśaṁ kṣetraṁ nāsti brahmāṁḍagolake tatra ghoraṁ tapastaptamagastyena mahātmanā

"There is no sacred place equal to Gokarna in the whole sphere of the universe. There, terrible austerity was performed by the great soul Agastya,"

Verse 108 (skanda.3.94.108)

तथा सनत्कुमारेण प्रियव्रतसुतैरपि ॥ अग्निना देववर्येण कन्दर्पेण च पार्थिव

tathā sanatkumāreṇa priyavratasutairapi agninā devavaryeṇa kandarpeṇa ca pārthiva

"likewise by Sanatkumara, and also by the sons of Priyavrata, by Agni, foremost of gods, and by Kandarpa, the god of love, O king,"

Verse 109 (skanda.3.94.109)

तथा देव्या भद्रकाल्या शिशुमारेण धीमता ॥ दुर्मुखेन फणींद्रेण मणिनागाह्वयेन च

tathā devyā bhadrakālyā śiśumāreṇa dhīmatā durmukhena phaṇīṁdreṇa maṇināgāhvayena ca

"likewise by the goddess Bhadrakali, by the wise Shishumara, by the serpent-king Durmukha, and by the one named Maninaga,"

Verse 110 (skanda.3.94.110)

इलावर्तादिभिर्नागैर्गरुडेन बलीयसा ॥ रक्षसा रावणेनापि कुम्भकर्णाह्वयेन तु

ilāvartādibhirnāgairgaruḍena balīyasā rakṣasā rāvaṇenāpi kumbhakarṇāhvayena tu

"by the Nagas beginning with Ilavarta, by the mighty Garuda, by the demon Ravana himself, and also by the one named Kumbhakarna,"

Verse 111 (skanda.3.94.111)

विभीषणेन पुण्येन तपस्तप्तं महात्मना ॥ एते चान्ये च गीर्वाणाः सिद्धदानवमानवाः

vibhīṣaṇena puṇyena tapastaptaṁ mahātmanā ete cānye ca gīrvāṇāḥ siddhadānavamānavāḥ

"and austerity was performed by the virtuous, great-souled Vibhishana. These and other gods, Siddhas, demons, and men --"

Verse 112 (skanda.3.94.112)

गोकर्णे देवदेवेशं शिवमाराध्य भक्तितः ॥ स्वनामांकानि लिंगानि स्थापयित्वा सहस्रशः

gokarṇe devadeveśaṁ śivamārādhya bhaktitaḥ svanāmāṁkāni liṁgāni sthāpayitvā sahasraśaḥ

"-- having worshipped Shiva, the Lord of the gods of gods, with devotion at Gokarna, and having established, by the thousands, lingas marked with their own names,"

Verse 113 (skanda.3.94.113)

लेभिरे परमां सिद्धिं तथा तीर्थानि चक्रिरे ॥ अत्र स्थानानि सर्वेषां देवानां संति पार्थिव

lebhire paramāṁ siddhiṁ tathā tīrthāni cakrire atra sthānāni sarveṣāṁ devānāṁ saṁti pārthiva

"attained supreme spiritual perfection, and also created holy fords there. Here, O king, are the sacred sites of all the gods --"

Verse 114 (skanda.3.94.114)

विष्णोश्च देवदेवस्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः ॥ कार्त्तिकेयस्य वीरस्य गजवक्त्रस्य चानघ

viṣṇośca devadevasya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ kārttikeyasya vīrasya gajavaktrasya cānagha

"-- of Vishnu, of the God of gods, of Brahma the supreme lord, of the heroic Kartikeya, and of the elephant-faced Ganesha, O sinless one,"

Verse 115 (skanda.3.94.115)

धर्मस्य क्षेत्रपालस्य दुर्गायाश्च महामते ॥ गोकर्णे शिवलिंगानि विद्यंते कोटिकोटिशः

dharmasya kṣetrapālasya durgāyāśca mahāmate gokarṇe śivaliṁgāni vidyaṁte koṭikoṭiśaḥ

"of Dharma, of Kshetrapala, and of Durga, O wise one. At Gokarna there exist Shiva-lingas in tens of millions upon tens of millions."

Verse 116 (skanda.3.94.116)

असंख्यातानि तीर्थानि तिष्ठंति च पदेपदे ॥ बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन गोकर्णस्थानि पार्थिव

asaṁkhyātāni tīrthāni tiṣṭhaṁti ca padepade bahunātra kimuktena gokarṇasthāni pārthiva

"Countless holy fords stand at every step. What more need be said, O king -- everything sacred exists at Gokarna."

Verse 117 (skanda.3.94.117)

सर्वाण्यश्मानि लिंगानि तीर्थान्यंभांसि सर्वशः ॥ गोकर्णे शिवलिंगानां तीर्थानामपि भूरिशः

sarvāṇyaśmāni liṁgāni tīrthānyaṁbhāṁsi sarvaśaḥ gokarṇe śivaliṁgānāṁ tīrthānāmapi bhūriśaḥ

"Every stone there is a linga, every water is a holy ford, in every way. At Gokarna, the Shiva-lingas and the holy fords alike are exceedingly numerous."

Verse 118 (skanda.3.94.118)

गीयते महिमा राजन्पुराणेषु महर्षिभिः ॥ गोकर्णे कोटितीर्थं च तीर्थानां मुख्यतां गतम्

gīyate mahimā rājanpurāṇeṣu maharṣibhiḥ gokarṇe koṭitīrthaṁ ca tīrthānāṁ mukhyatāṁ gatam

"Its greatness is sung, O king, by the great sages in the Puranas. At Gokarna, the ford called Koti-tirtha has attained foremost rank among all holy fords."

Verse 119 (skanda.3.94.119)

सर्वेषां शिवलिंगानां सार्वभौमो महाबलः ॥ कृते महाबलः श्वेतस्त्रेतायामतिलोहितः

sarveṣāṁ śivaliṁgānāṁ sārvabhaumo mahābalaḥ kṛte mahābalaḥ śvetastretāyāmatilohitaḥ

"Among all Shiva-lingas, Mahabala is the sovereign lord of them all. In the Krita age Mahabala was white; in the Treta age, deep red;"

Verse 120 (skanda.3.94.120)

द्वापरे पीत वर्णश्च कलौ श्यामो भविष्यति ॥ आक्रांतं सप्तपातालं कुर्वन्नपि महाबलः

dvāpare pīta varṇaśca kalau śyāmo bhaviṣyati ākrāṁtaṁ saptapātālaṁ kurvannapi mahābalaḥ

"in the Dvapara age, yellow; and in the Kali age, he shall become dark. Even while pervading all seven nether worlds, that mighty Mahabala,"

Verse 121 (skanda.3.94.121)

प्राप्ते कलियुगे घोरे मृदुतामुपयास्यति ॥ पश्चिमांबुधितीरस्थं गोकर्णक्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

prāpte kaliyuge ghore mṛdutāmupayāsyati paścimāṁbudhitīrasthaṁ gokarṇakṣetramuttamam

"when the terrible Kali age arrives, will assume a gentler nature. The excellent sacred place of Gokarna, situated on the shore of the western ocean,"

Verse 122 (skanda.3.94.122)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि दहतीति किमद्भुतम् ॥ ये चात्र ब्रह्महंतारो ये च भूतद्रुहः शठाः

brahmahatyādipāpāni dahatīti kimadbhutam ye cātra brahmahaṁtāro ye ca bhūtadruhaḥ śaṭhāḥ

"burns away sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin -- is this any wonder? Even those who have killed brahmins here, and deceitful men who have harmed living beings,"

Verse 123 (skanda.3.94.123)

ये सर्वगुणहीनाश्च परदाररताश्च ये ॥ ये दुर्वृत्ता दुराचारा दुःशीलाः कृपणाश्च ये

ye sarvaguṇahīnāśca paradāraratāśca ye ye durvṛttā durācārā duḥśīlāḥ kṛpaṇāśca ye

"those devoid of all virtue, those attached to others' wives, those of evil conduct, bad character, wicked disposition, and those who are miserly --"

Verse 124 (skanda.3.94.124)

लुब्धाः क्रूराः खला मूढाः स्ते नाश्चैवातिकामिनः ॥ ते सर्वे प्राप्य गोकर्णं स्नात्वा तीर्थजलेषु च

lubdhāḥ krūrāḥ khalā mūḍhāḥ ste nāścaivātikāminaḥ te sarve prāpya gokarṇaṁ snātvā tīrthajaleṣu ca

"the greedy, the cruel, the wicked, the foolish, thieves, and the excessively lustful -- all of these, upon reaching Gokarna and bathing in the waters of its holy fords,"

Verse 125 (skanda.3.94.125)

देवं महाबलं दृष्ट्वा प्रयाताः शांकरं पदम् ॥ तत्र पुण्यासु तिथिषु पुण्य र्क्षे पुण्यवासरे

devaṁ mahābalaṁ dṛṣṭvā prayātāḥ śāṁkaraṁ padam tatra puṇyāsu tithiṣu puṇya rkṣe puṇyavāsare

"and beholding the god Mahabala, have attained the abode of Shankara. There, on sacred lunar days, under sacred constellations, on sacred weekdays,"

Verse 126 (skanda.3.94.126)

येऽर्चयंति महेशानं ते रुद्राः स्युर्न संशयः ॥ यदा कदाचिद्गोकर्णं यो वा को वापि मानवः

ye'rcayaṁti maheśānaṁ te rudrāḥ syurna saṁśayaḥ yadā kadācidgokarṇaṁ yo vā ko vāpi mānavaḥ

"those who worship Maheshana there undoubtedly become Rudras themselves. Whenever, at any time, any man whatsoever comes to Gokarna,"

Verse 127 (skanda.3.94.127)

प्रविश्य पूजयेदीशं स गच्छेद्ब्रह्मणः पदम् ॥ रवींदुसौम्यवारेषु यदा दर्शो भविष्यति

praviśya pūjayedīśaṁ sa gacchedbrahmaṇaḥ padam ravīṁdusaumyavāreṣu yadā darśo bhaviṣyati

"enters and worships the Lord, he attains the realm of Brahma. When the new moon falls on Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday,"

Verse 128 (skanda.3.94.128)

तदा जलनिधौ स्नानं दानं च पितृतर्पणम् ॥ शिवपूजा जपो होमो व्रतचर्या द्विजार्चनम्

tadā jalanidhau snānaṁ dānaṁ ca pitṛtarpaṇam śivapūjā japo homo vratacaryā dvijārcanam

"then bathing in the ocean, charity, and offerings to the ancestors, worship of Shiva, recitation of mantras, fire-offering, observance of vows, and worship of brahmins --"

Verse 129 (skanda.3.94.129)

यत्किंचिद्वा कृतं कर्म तदनंतफलप्रदम् ॥ व्यतीपातादियोगेषु रविसंक्रमणेषु च

yatkiṁcidvā kṛtaṁ karma tadanaṁtaphalapradam vyatīpātādiyogeṣu ravisaṁkramaṇeṣu ca

"whatever act is performed at that time bestows infinite fruit. Likewise during conjunctions such as Vyatipata, and at the sun's transitions into a new zodiac sign,"

Verse 130 (skanda.3.94.130)

महाप्रदोषवेलासु शिव पूजा विमुक्तिदा ॥ अथैकां ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तिथिं पार्थिव मुक्तिदाम्

mahāpradoṣavelāsu śiva pūjā vimuktidā athaikāṁ te pravakṣyāmi tithiṁ pārthiva muktidām

"and during the great twilight hours of Pradosha, worship of Shiva grants liberation. Now, O king, I shall tell you of one particular tithi that grants liberation --"

Verse 131 (skanda.3.94.131)

यस्यां किल महाव्याधो लेभे शंभोः परं पदम् ॥ माघमासे महापुण्या या सा कृष्णचतुर्दशी

yasyāṁ kila mahāvyādho lebhe śaṁbhoḥ paraṁ padam māghamāse mahāpuṇyā yā sā kṛṣṇacaturdaśī

"-- on which, indeed, a great hunter attained the supreme abode of Shambhu -- that highly meritorious dark fourteenth day in the month of Magha."

Verse 132 (skanda.3.94.132)

शिवलिंगं बिल्वपत्रं दुर्लभं हि चतुष्टयम् ॥ अहो बलवती माया यया शैवी महातिथिः

śivaliṁgaṁ bilvapatraṁ durlabhaṁ hi catuṣṭayam aho balavatī māyā yayā śaivī mahātithiḥ

"A Shiva-linga, a bilva leaf -- indeed this fourfold combination is rare to obtain. Ah, how powerful is illusion, by which this great Shaiva tithi,"

Verse 133 (skanda.3.94.133)

नोपोष्यते जनैर्मूढैर्महामूकैरिव त्रयी ॥ उपवासो जागरणं सन्निधिः परमेशितुः

nopoṣyate janairmūḍhairmahāmūkairiva trayī upavāso jāgaraṇaṁ sannidhiḥ parameśituḥ

"is not observed with fasting by foolish people, as though the sacred triple Veda itself had fallen mute for them! Fasting, keeping vigil, and dwelling in the presence of the Supreme Lord --"

Verse 134 (skanda.3.94.134)

गोकर्णं शिवलोकस्य नृणां सोपानपद्धतिः ॥ शृणु राजन्नहमपि गोकर्णा दधुनागतः

gokarṇaṁ śivalokasya nṛṇāṁ sopānapaddhatiḥ śṛṇu rājannahamapi gokarṇā dadhunāgataḥ

"Gokarna is the very stairway by which men ascend to the world of Shiva. Listen, O king -- I myself have just now come from Gokarna,"

Verse 135 (skanda.3.94.135)

उपास्यैनां शिवतिथिं विलोक्य च महोत्सवम् ॥ अस्यां शिवतिथौ सर्वे महोत्सवदिदृक्षवः

upāsyaināṁ śivatithiṁ vilokya ca mahotsavam asyāṁ śivatithau sarve mahotsavadidṛkṣavaḥ

"having worshipped on this sacred Shiva-tithi and having witnessed the great festival there. On this sacred day of Shiva, all who wished to see the great festival --"

Verse 136 (skanda.3.94.136)

आगताः सर्वदेशेभ्यश्चातुर्वर्णा महाजनाः ॥ स्त्रियो वृद्धाश्च बालाश्च चतुराश्रमवासिनः

āgatāḥ sarvadeśebhyaścāturvarṇā mahājanāḥ striyo vṛddhāśca bālāśca caturāśramavāsinaḥ

"-- great multitudes of all four varnas came from every land; women, the elderly, and children, and dwellers of all four life-stages --"

Verse 137 (skanda.3.94.137)

आगत्य दृष्ट्वा देवेशं लेभिरे कृतकृत्यताम् ॥ अथाहमप्यमी शिष्या ऋषयश्च तथाऽपरे

āgatya dṛṣṭvā deveśaṁ lebhire kṛtakṛtyatām athāhamapyamī śiṣyā ṛṣayaśca tathā'pare

"-- having come and beheld the Lord of the gods, all attained the fulfillment of their purpose. Then I too, along with these my disciples, other sages, and others besides,"

Verse 138 (skanda.3.94.138)

राजर्षयश्च राजेंद्र सनकाद्याः सुरर्षयः ॥ स्नात्वा सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु समुपास्य महाबलम्

rājarṣayaśca rājeṁdra sanakādyāḥ surarṣayaḥ snātvā sarveṣu tīrtheṣu samupāsya mahābalam

"royal sages, O king of kings, and celestial sages beginning with Sanaka -- having bathed in all the holy fords and having duly worshipped Mahabala,"

Verse 139 (skanda.3.94.139)

लब्ध्वा च जन्मसाफल्यं प्रयाताः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥ अमुनाद्य नरेंद्रेण जनकेन यियक्षुणा

labdhvā ca janmasāphalyaṁ prayātāḥ sarvatodiśam amunādya nareṁdreṇa janakena yiyakṣuṇā

"and having attained the fulfillment of our births, we all set out in every direction. Today, by this king Janaka, who desires to perform a sacrifice,"

Verse 140 (skanda.3.94.140)

निमंत्रितोऽहं संप्राप्तो गोकर्णाच्छिवमंदिरात् ॥ प्रत्यागमं किमप्यंग दृष्ट्वाश्चर्यमहं पथि ॥ महानंदेन मनसा कृतार्थोऽस्मि महीपते

nimaṁtrito'haṁ saṁprāpto gokarṇācchivamaṁdirāt pratyāgamaṁ kimapyaṁga dṛṣṭvāścaryamahaṁ pathi mahānaṁdena manasā kṛtārtho'smi mahīpate

"I, having been invited, have arrived here from Gokarna, the very temple of Shiva. On my return journey, having witnessed something wondrous, O friend, I feel, with a mind full of great joy, that my purpose has been fulfilled, O lord of the earth."