The Chandala Woman's Liberation at Gokarna

Verse 1 (skanda.3.95.1)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ किं दृष्टं भवता ब्रह्मन्नाश्चर्यं पथि कुत्र वा ॥ तन्ममाख्याहि येनाहं कृतकृत्यत्वमाप्नुयाम्

rājovāca kiṁ dṛṣṭaṁ bhavatā brahmannāścaryaṁ pathi kutra vā tanmamākhyāhi yenāhaṁ kṛtakṛtyatvamāpnuyām

The king said: What wonder did you see, O brahmin, and where on the way? Tell it to me, so that I too may attain fulfillment.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.95.2)

गौतम उवाच ॥ गोकर्णादहमागच्छन्क्वापि देशे विशांपते ॥ जाते मध्याह्नसमये लब्ध वान्विमलं सरः

gautama uvāca gokarṇādahamāgacchankvāpi deśe viśāṁpate jāte madhyāhnasamaye labdha vānvimalaṁ saraḥ

Gautama said: O lord of the people, as I was coming from Gokarna, in some region, when it became midday, I found a clear lake.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.95.3)

तत्रोपस्पृश्य सलिलं विनीय च पथिश्रमम् ॥ सुस्निग्धशीतलच्छायं न्यग्रोधं समुपाश्रयम्

tatropaspṛśya salilaṁ vinīya ca pathiśramam susnigdhaśītalacchāyaṁ nyagrodhaṁ samupāśrayam

There, having touched its water and having relieved the fatigue of travel, I took shelter under a banyan tree with cool, dense, pleasant shade.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.95.4)

अथाविदूरे चांडालीं वृद्धामंधां कृशाकृतिम् ॥ शुष्यन्मुखीं निराहारां बहुरोगनिपीडिताम्

athāvidūre cāṁḍālīṁ vṛddhāmaṁdhāṁ kṛśākṛtim śuṣyanmukhīṁ nirāhārāṁ bahuroganipīḍitām

Then, not far off, I saw an old, blind, emaciated outcaste (chandala) woman, her face withered, without food, afflicted by many diseases,

Verse 5 (skanda.3.95.5)

कुष्ठव्रणपरीतांगीमुद्यत्कृमिकुलाकुलाम् ॥ पूयशोणितसंसक्तजरत्पटल सत्कटीम्

kuṣṭhavraṇaparītāṁgīmudyatkṛmikulākulām pūyaśoṇitasaṁsaktajaratpaṭala satkaṭīm

her body covered with leprous sores swarming with worms, her tattered rags at the waist soaked with pus and blood,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.95.6)

महायक्ष्मगलस्थेन कंठसंरोधविह्वलाम् ॥ विनष्टदंतामव्यक्तां विलुठंतीं मुहुर्मुहुः

mahāyakṣmagalasthena kaṁṭhasaṁrodhavihvalām vinaṣṭadaṁtāmavyaktāṁ viluṭhaṁtīṁ muhurmuhuḥ

choked and helpless from a severe consumptive disease lodged in her throat, her teeth gone, her speech unclear, writhing again and again,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.95.7)

चंडार्ककिरणस्पृष्टखरोष्णरजसाप्लुताम्॥ विण्मूत्रपूयदिग्धांगीमसृग्गंधदुरासदाम्

caṁḍārkakiraṇaspṛṣṭakharoṣṇarajasāplutām viṇmūtrapūyadigdhāṁgīmasṛggaṁdhadurāsadām

scorched by the harsh, burning rays of the sun and covered in hot dust, her body smeared with excrement, urine, and pus, and impossible to approach because of the stench of blood,

Verse 8 (skanda.3.95.8)

कफरोगबहुश्वासश्लथन्नाडीबहुव्यथाम् ॥ विध्वस्तकेशावयवामपश्यं मरणोन्मुखीम्

kapharogabahuśvāsaślathannāḍībahuvyathām vidhvastakeśāvayavāmapaśyaṁ maraṇonmukhīm

suffering great pain from a phlegm-disease with labored breathing and failing pulse, her hair and limbs ruined -- I saw her, on the verge of death.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.95.9)

तादृग्व्यथां च तां वीक्ष्य कृपयाहं परिप्लुतः ॥ प्रतीक्षन्मरणं तस्याः क्षणं तत्रैव संस्थितः

tādṛgvyathāṁ ca tāṁ vīkṣya kṛpayāhaṁ pariplutaḥ pratīkṣanmaraṇaṁ tasyāḥ kṣaṇaṁ tatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Seeing her in such agony, I was overcome with compassion, and, waiting for her death, remained there for a moment.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.95.10)

अथांतरिक्षपदवीं सिंचंतमिव रश्मिभिः ॥ दिव्यं विमानमानीतमद्राक्षं शिवकिंकरैः

athāṁtarikṣapadavīṁ siṁcaṁtamiva raśmibhiḥ divyaṁ vimānamānītamadrākṣaṁ śivakiṁkaraiḥ

Then I saw a divine celestial chariot, as if bathing the path of the sky with its rays, brought there by Shiva's attendants.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.95.11)

तस्मिन्रवींदुवह्नीनां तेजसामिव पंजरे ॥ विमाने सूर्यसंकाशानपश्यं शिवकिंकरान्

tasminravīṁduvahnīnāṁ tejasāmiva paṁjare vimāne sūryasaṁkāśānapaśyaṁ śivakiṁkarān

In that chariot, which seemed like a cage of the combined splendor of the sun, moon, and fire, I saw Shiva's attendants, radiant like the sun.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.95.12)

ते वै त्रिशूलखट्वांगटंकचर्मासिपाणयः ॥ चंद्रार्धभूषणाः सांद्रचंद्रकुंदोरुवर्चसः

te vai triśūlakhaṭvāṁgaṭaṁkacarmāsipāṇayaḥ caṁdrārdhabhūṣaṇāḥ sāṁdracaṁdrakuṁdoruvarcasaḥ

They held tridents, skull-staffs, chisels, shields, and swords in their hands; they were adorned with the crescent moon, of a splendor as dense and bright as the moon and jasmine flowers.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.95.13)

किरीटकुंडलभ्राजन्महाहिवलयोज्ज्वलाः ॥ शिवानुगा मया दृष्टा श्चत्वारः शुभलक्षणाः

kirīṭakuṁḍalabhrājanmahāhivalayojjvalāḥ śivānugā mayā dṛṣṭā ścatvāraḥ śubhalakṣaṇāḥ

Resplendent with crowns and earrings, brilliant with great serpent-bracelets -- I saw four such followers of Shiva, marked with auspicious signs.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.95.14)

तानापतत आलोक्य विमानस्थान्सुविस्मितः ॥ उपसृत्यांतिके वेगादपृच्छं गगने स्थितान्

tānāpatata ālokya vimānasthānsuvismitaḥ upasṛtyāṁtike vegādapṛcchaṁ gagane sthitān

Beholding them descending, seated in their celestial chariot, I was greatly astonished; approaching them swiftly, I questioned them as they stood in the sky.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.95.15)

नमोनमो वस्त्रिदशोत्तमेभ्यस्त्रिलोचनश्रीचरणानुगेभ्यः ॥ त्रिलोकरक्षाविधिमावहद्भ्यस्त्रिशूलचर्मासिगदाधरेभ्यः

namonamo vastridaśottamebhyastrilocanaśrīcaraṇānugebhyaḥ trilokarakṣāvidhimāvahadbhyastriśūlacarmāsigadādharebhyaḥ

"Salutation, salutation to you, best among the thirty gods, followers of the glorious feet of the Three-Eyed One; who carry out the task of protecting the three worlds, bearers of trident, shield, sword, and mace --"

Verse 16 (skanda.3.95.16)

विदिता हि मया यूयं महेश्वरपदा नुगाः ॥ इयं वो लोकरक्षार्था गतिराहो विनोदजा

viditā hi mayā yūyaṁ maheśvarapadā nugāḥ iyaṁ vo lokarakṣārthā gatirāho vinodajā

"I know indeed that you are followers of Maheshvara's feet; is this journey of yours for the protection of the world, or born of some sport?"

Verse 17 (skanda.3.95.17)

उत सर्वजनाघौघविजयाय कृतोद्यमाः ॥ ब्रूत कारुण्यतो मह्यं यस्माद्यूयमिहागताः

uta sarvajanāghaughavijayāya kṛtodyamāḥ brūta kāruṇyato mahyaṁ yasmādyūyamihāgatāḥ

"Or have you set out to conquer the mass of sins of all people? Tell me, out of compassion, the reason you have come here."

Verse 18 (skanda.3.95.18)

शिवदूता ऊचुः ॥ एषाग्रे दृश्यते वृद्धा चांडाली मरणोन्मुखी ॥ एतामानेतुमायाताः संदिष्टा प्रभुणा वयम्

śivadūtā ūcuḥ eṣāgre dṛśyate vṛddhā cāṁḍālī maraṇonmukhī etāmānetumāyātāḥ saṁdiṣṭā prabhuṇā vayam

The messengers of Shiva said: "This old chandala woman, seen ahead, is on the verge of death. We have come, commanded by our Lord, to bring her to him."

Verse 19 (skanda.3.95.19)

इत्युक्ते शिवदूतैस्तैरपृच्छं पुनरप्यहम् ॥ विस्मयाविष्टचित्तस्तान्कृतांजलिरवस्थितः

ityukte śivadūtaistairapṛcchaṁ punarapyaham vismayāviṣṭacittastānkṛtāṁjaliravasthitaḥ

When Shiva's messengers had said this, my mind filled with astonishment, I, standing with joined palms, questioned them again.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.95.20)

अहो पापीयसी घोरा चांडाली कथमर्हति ॥ दिव्यं विमानमारोढुं शुनीवाध्वरमंडलम्

aho pāpīyasī ghorā cāṁḍālī kathamarhati divyaṁ vimānamāroḍhuṁ śunīvādhvaramaṁḍalam

"Oh, how is it that this most sinful, terrible chandala woman deserves to ascend a divine chariot -- as if a dog were to enter the circle of a sacrifice?"

Verse 21 (skanda.3.95.21)

आजन्मतोऽशुचिप्राया पापां पापा नुगामिनीम् ॥ कथमेनां दुराचारां शिवलोकं निनीषथ

ājanmato'śuciprāyā pāpāṁ pāpā nugāminīm kathamenāṁ durācārāṁ śivalokaṁ ninīṣatha

"Impure from birth, sinful, a follower of sin -- how can you wish to lead this woman of evil conduct to the world of Shiva?"

Verse 22 (skanda.3.95.22)

अस्या नास्ति शिवज्ञानं नास्ति घोरतरं तपः ॥ सत्यं नास्ति दया नास्ति कथमेनां निनीषथ

asyā nāsti śivajñānaṁ nāsti ghorataraṁ tapaḥ satyaṁ nāsti dayā nāsti kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"She has no knowledge of Shiva, no severe austerity; she has no truthfulness, no compassion -- how can you wish to lead her there?"

Verse 23 (skanda.3.95.23)

पशुमांसकृताहारा वारुणीपूरितोदराम् ॥ जीवहिंसारतां नित्यं कथमेनां निनीषथ

paśumāṁsakṛtāhārā vāruṇīpūritodarām jīvahiṁsāratāṁ nityaṁ kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"One who eats animal flesh, whose belly is filled with liquor, who ever delights in violence toward living beings -- how can you wish to lead her there?"

Verse 24 (skanda.3.95.24)

न च पंचाक्षरी जप्ता न कृतं शिवपूजनम्॥ न ध्यातो भगवाञ्छंभुः कथमेनां निनीषथ

na ca paṁcākṣarī japtā na kṛtaṁ śivapūjanam na dhyāto bhagavāñchaṁbhuḥ kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"She has never recited the five-syllabled mantra, never performed worship of Shiva, never meditated upon the Lord Shambhu -- how can you wish to lead her there?"

Verse 25 (skanda.3.95.25)

नोपोषिता शिवतिथिर्न कृतं शिवपूजनम् ॥ भूतसौहृदं न जानाति न च बिल्वशिवार्पणम्॥ नेष्टापूर्तादिकं वापि कथमेनां निनीषथ

nopoṣitā śivatithirna kṛtaṁ śivapūjanam bhūtasauhṛdaṁ na jānāti na ca bilvaśivārpaṇam neṣṭāpūrtādikaṁ vāpi kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"She has never observed the sacred day of Shiva by fasting, never worshipped him, knows nothing of kindness toward living beings, nor of offering bilva to Shiva, nor of sacrifices or charitable works -- how can you wish to lead her there?"

Verse 26 (skanda.3.95.26)

न च स्नातानि तीर्थानि न दानानि कृतानि च ॥ न च व्रतानि चीर्णानि कथमेनां निनीषथ

na ca snātāni tīrthāni na dānāni kṛtāni ca na ca vratāni cīrṇāni kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"She has never bathed at holy fords, given no charity, observed no vows -- how can you wish to lead her there?"

Verse 27 (skanda.3.95.27)

ईक्षणे परिहर्त्तव्या किमु संभाषणादिषु ॥ सत्संगरहितां चंडां कथमेनां निनीषथ

īkṣaṇe pariharttavyā kimu saṁbhāṣaṇādiṣu satsaṁgarahitāṁ caṁḍāṁ kathamenāṁ ninīṣatha

"She is one to be avoided even at the mere sight of her, let alone in conversation; how can you wish to lead this fierce woman, devoid of the company of the virtuous, to Shiva's world?"

Verse 28 (skanda.3.95.28)

जन्मांतरार्जितं किंचिदस्याः सुकृतमस्ति वा ॥ तत्कथं कुष्ठरोगण कृमिभिः परिभूयते

janmāṁtarārjitaṁ kiṁcidasyāḥ sukṛtamasti vā tatkathaṁ kuṣṭharogaṇa kṛmibhiḥ paribhūyate

"Does she perhaps have some merit earned in a former birth? If so, why then is she afflicted with leprosy and consumed by worms?"

Verse 29 (skanda.3.95.29)

अहो ईश्वरचर्येयं दुर्विभाव्या शरीरिणाम् ॥ पापात्मानोऽपि नीयंते कारुण्यात्परमं पदम्

aho īśvaracaryeyaṁ durvibhāvyā śarīriṇām pāpātmāno'pi nīyaṁte kāruṇyātparamaṁ padam

"Ah, this conduct of the Lord is truly incomprehensible to embodied beings -- that even sinful souls are led, out of compassion, to the supreme abode!"

Verse 30 (skanda.3.95.30)

इत्युक्तास्ते मया दूता देवदेवस्य शूलिनः ॥ प्रत्यूचुर्मामथ प्रीत्या सर्वसंशयभेदिनः

ityuktāste mayā dūtā devadevasya śūlinaḥ pratyūcurmāmatha prītyā sarvasaṁśayabhedinaḥ

Thus addressed by me, those messengers of the trident-bearing God of gods, who sever all doubts, then replied to me affectionately.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.95.31)

शिवदूता ऊचुः ॥ ब्रह्मन्सुमहदाश्चर्यं शृणु कौतूहलं यदि ॥ इमामुद्दिश्य चांडालीं यदुक्तं भवताधुना

śivadūtā ūcuḥ brahmansumahadāścaryaṁ śṛṇu kautūhalaṁ yadi imāmuddiśya cāṁḍālīṁ yaduktaṁ bhavatādhunā

Shiva's messengers said: "O brahmin, listen, if you are curious, to a very great wonder concerning what you have just said about this chandala woman."

Verse 32 (skanda.3.95.32)

आसीदियं पूर्वभवे काचिद्ब्राह्मणकन्यका ॥ सुमित्रानाम संपूर्णसोमबिम्बसमानना

āsīdiyaṁ pūrvabhave kācidbrāhmaṇakanyakā sumitrānāma saṁpūrṇasomabimbasamānanā

"In a former birth, she was a certain brahmin's daughter, named Sumitra, her face like the full disc of the moon,"

Verse 33 (skanda.3.95.33)

उत्फुल्लमल्लिकादामसुकुमारांगलक्षणा ॥ कैकेयद्विजमुख्यस्य कस्यचित्तनया सती

utphullamallikādāmasukumārāṁgalakṣaṇā kaikeyadvijamukhyasya kasyacittanayā satī

"her delicate limbs marked like a garland of blooming jasmine, the virtuous daughter of a certain foremost brahmin of the Kaikeya country."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.95.34)

तां सर्वलक्षणोपेतां रतेर्मूर्तिमिवापराम्॥ वर्द्धमानां पितुर्गेहे वीक्ष्यासन्विस्मिता जनाः

tāṁ sarvalakṣaṇopetāṁ ratermūrtimivāparām varddhamānāṁ piturgehe vīkṣyāsanvismitā janāḥ

Seeing her, endowed with every auspicious mark, like a second embodiment of Rati, growing up in her father's house, people were filled with wonder.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.95.35)

दिनेदिने वर्धमाना बंधुभिर्लालिता भृशम् ॥ सा शनैर्यौवनं भेजे स्मरस्येव महाधनुः

dinedine vardhamānā baṁdhubhirlālitā bhṛśam sā śanairyauvanaṁ bheje smarasyeva mahādhanuḥ

Growing day by day, greatly cherished by her relatives, she gradually came into her youth, like the great bow of the god of love coming into its power.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.95.36)

अथ सा बंधुवर्गैश्च समेतेन कुमारिका ॥ पित्रा प्रदत्ता कस्मैचिद्विधिना द्विजसूनवे

atha sā baṁdhuvargaiśca sametena kumārikā pitrā pradattā kasmaicidvidhinā dvijasūnave

Then that maiden was given by her father, in accordance with proper rites and with the consent of her relatives, to a certain brahmin's son.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.95.37)

सा भर्त्तारमनुप्राप्य नवयौवनशालिनी ॥ कंचित्कालं शुभाचारा रेमे बंधुभिरावृता

sā bharttāramanuprāpya navayauvanaśālinī kaṁcitkālaṁ śubhācārā reme baṁdhubhirāvṛtā

Having attained her husband, and being in the full bloom of youth, she, of virtuous conduct, lived happily for a time, surrounded by her relatives.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.95.38)

अथ कालवशात्तस्याः पतिस्तीव्र रुजार्दितः ॥ रूपयौवनकांतोपि पंचत्वमगमन्मुने

atha kālavaśāttasyāḥ patistīvra rujārditaḥ rūpayauvanakāṁtopi paṁcatvamagamanmune

Then, by the force of time, O sage, her husband, though handsome and youthful, afflicted by a severe illness, met his death.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.95.39)

मृते भर्त्तरि दुःखेन विदग्धहदया सती ॥ उवास कतिचिन्मासान्सुशीला विजितें द्रिया

mṛte bharttari duḥkhena vidagdhahadayā satī uvāsa katicinmāsānsuśīlā vijiteṁ driyā

When her husband died, that virtuous woman, her heart consumed by grief, of good character and controlled senses, lived on for some months.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.95.40)

अथ यौवनभारेण जृंभमाणेन नित्यशः ॥ बभूव हृदयं तस्याः कंदपर्परिकंपितम्

atha yauvanabhāreṇa jṛṁbhamāṇena nityaśaḥ babhūva hṛdayaṁ tasyāḥ kaṁdaparparikaṁpitam

But then, under the ever-swelling burden of her youth, her heart came to be shaken by the power of Kandarpa, the god of love.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.95.41)

सा गुप्ता बन्धुवर्गेण शासितापि महोत्तमैः ॥ न शशाक मनो रोद्धं मदनाकृष्टमंगना

sā guptā bandhuvargeṇa śāsitāpi mahottamaiḥ na śaśāka mano roddhaṁ madanākṛṣṭamaṁganā

Though guarded by her family and admonished by the most eminent among them, that woman, her mind drawn by desire, could not restrain it.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.95.42)

सा तीव्रमन्मथाविष्टा रूपयौवनशालिनी ॥ विधवापि विशेषेण जारमार्गरताभवत्

sā tīvramanmathāviṣṭā rūpayauvanaśālinī vidhavāpi viśeṣeṇa jāramārgaratābhavat

Overcome by intense passion, endowed with beauty and youth, though a widow, she became especially devoted to the path of secret liaisons.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.95.43)

न ज्ञाता केनचिदपि जारिणीति विचक्षणा ॥ जुगूहात्मदुराचारं कंचित्कालमसत्तमा

na jñātā kenacidapi jāriṇīti vicakṣaṇā jugūhātmadurācāraṁ kaṁcitkālamasattamā

Being clever, she was not recognized by anyone as an adulteress; that most wicked woman concealed her own misconduct for some time.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.95.44)

तां दोहदसमाक्रांतां घननीलमुखस्तनीम् ॥ कालेन बंधुवर्गोपि बुबोध विटदूषिताम्

tāṁ dohadasamākrāṁtāṁ ghananīlamukhastanīm kālena baṁdhuvargopi bubodha viṭadūṣitām

But in time, her family came to know that she, overcome with pregnancy-cravings, her face and breasts darkened, had been ruined by a paramour.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.95.45)

इति भीतो महाक्लेशाच्चिंता लेभे दुरत्ययाम् ॥ स्त्रियः कामेन नश्यंति ब्राह्मणा हीनसेवया

iti bhīto mahākleśācciṁtā lebhe duratyayām striyaḥ kāmena naśyaṁti brāhmaṇā hīnasevayā

Her family, terrified by this great disgrace, fell into inescapable anxiety, thinking: "Women perish through desire, and brahmins through service to the base."

Verse 46 (skanda.3.95.46)

राजानो ब्रह्मदंडेन यतयो भोगसंग्रहात्॥ लीढं शुना तथैवान्नं सुरया वार्पितं पयः

rājāno brahmadaṁḍena yatayo bhogasaṁgrahāt līḍhaṁ śunā tathaivānnaṁ surayā vārpitaṁ payaḥ

"Kings perish through punishing a brahmin, ascetics through accumulating enjoyments -- just as food licked by a dog, or milk mixed with liquor, becomes ruined,"

Verse 47 (skanda.3.95.47)

रूपं कुष्ठरुजाविष्टं कुलं नश्यति कुस्त्रिया॥ इति सर्वे समालोच्य समेताः पतिसोदराः

rūpaṁ kuṣṭharujāviṣṭaṁ kulaṁ naśyati kustriyā iti sarve samālocya sametāḥ patisodarāḥ

"-- so does beauty perish through leprosy, and a family through a wicked woman." Having thus deliberated together, all her husband's brothers assembled,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.95.48)

तत्यजुर्गोत्रतो दूरं गृहीत्वा सकचग्रहम् ॥ सघटोत्सर्गमुत्सृष्टा सा नारी सर्वबन्धुभिः

tatyajurgotrato dūraṁ gṛhītvā sakacagraham saghaṭotsargamutsṛṣṭā sā nārī sarvabandhubhiḥ

and, seizing her by the hair, abandoned her far from the family lineage; cast out with just a water-pot by all her relatives,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.95.49)

विचरंती च शूद्रेण रममाणा रतिप्रिया ॥ सा ययौ स्त्री बहिर्यामा दृष्टा शूद्रेण केनचित्

vicaraṁtī ca śūdreṇa ramamāṇā ratipriyā sā yayau strī bahiryāmā dṛṣṭā śūdreṇa kenacit

that woman, fond of pleasure, wandered outside the village at night, sporting with a shudra man, and was seen there by a certain shudra.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.95.50)

स तां दृष्ट्वा वरारोहाँ पीनोन्नतपयोधराम् ॥ गृहं निनाय साम्ना च विधवां शूद्रनायकः ॥ सा नारी तस्य महिषी भूत्वा तेन दिवानिशम्

sa tāṁ dṛṣṭvā varārohām̐ pīnonnatapayodharām gṛhaṁ nināya sāmnā ca vidhavāṁ śūdranāyakaḥ sā nārī tasya mahiṣī bhūtvā tena divāniśam

Seeing her, beautiful of form, with full, high breasts, that shudra headman gently led that widow to his home; that woman, becoming his consort, day and night lived with him,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.95.51)

रममाणा क्वचिद्देशे न्यवसद्गृहवल्लभा ॥ तत्र सा पिशिताहारा नित्यमापीतवारुणी

ramamāṇā kvaciddeśe nyavasadgṛhavallabhā tatra sā piśitāhārā nityamāpītavāruṇī

delighting in his company, and lived in some region as his beloved wife; there she ate meat and constantly drank liquor.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.95.52)

लेभे सुतं च शूद्रेण रममाणा रतिप्रिया ॥ कदाचिद्भर्त्तरि क्वापि याते पीतसुरा तु सा

lebhe sutaṁ ca śūdreṇa ramamāṇā ratipriyā kadācidbharttari kvāpi yāte pītasurā tu sā

That woman, fond of pleasure, sporting with the shudra, bore him a son. Once, when her husband had gone somewhere, having drunk liquor, she --

Verse 53 (skanda.3.95.53)

इयेष पिशिताहारं मदिरामदविह्वला ॥ अथ मेषेषु बद्धेषु गोभिः सह बहिर्व्रजे

iyeṣa piśitāhāraṁ madirāmadavihvalā atha meṣeṣu baddheṣu gobhiḥ saha bahirvraje

-- intoxicated with liquor, desired to eat meat; then, while the sheep were tied up along with the cattle outside in the pen at nightfall,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.95.54)

ययौ कृपाणमादाय सा तमींधे निशामुखे ॥ अविमृश्य मदावेशान्मेषबुद्ध्यामिषप्रिया

yayau kṛpāṇamādāya sā tamīṁdhe niśāmukhe avimṛśya madāveśānmeṣabuddhyāmiṣapriyā

she went out, taking a sword, at the onset of night; without thinking, overcome by intoxication, that woman fond of meat, mistaking it for a sheep,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.95.55)

एकं जघानं गोवत्सं क्रोशंतं निशि दुर्भगा ॥ निहतं गृहमानीय ज्ञात्वा गोवत्समंगना

ekaṁ jaghānaṁ govatsaṁ krośaṁtaṁ niśi durbhagā nihataṁ gṛhamānīya jñātvā govatsamaṁganā

that unfortunate woman killed a calf that was crying out at night; having brought the slain animal home and recognizing it was a calf,

Verse 56 (skanda.3.95.56)

भीता शिवशिवेत्याह केनचित्पुण्यकर्मणा ॥ सा मुहूर्तमिति ध्यात्वा पिशितासवलालसा

bhītā śivaśivetyāha kenacitpuṇyakarmaṇā sā muhūrtamiti dhyātvā piśitāsavalālasā

that woman, terrified, cried out "Shiva, Shiva!" -- by the force of some past meritorious deed. Having reflected thus for a moment, still craving meat and liquor,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.95.57)

छित्त्वा तमेव गोवत्सं चकाराहारमीप्सितम् ॥ गोवत्सार्धशरीरेण कृताहाराथ सा पुनः

chittvā tameva govatsaṁ cakārāhāramīpsitam govatsārdhaśarīreṇa kṛtāhārātha sā punaḥ

she cut up that very calf and made it into the meal she desired; having eaten half the calf's body, she then --

Verse 58 (skanda.3.95.58)

तदर्धदेहं निक्षिप्य बहिश्चुक्रोश कैतवात् ॥ अहो व्याघ्रेण भग्नोऽयं जग्धो गोवत्सको व्रजे

tadardhadehaṁ nikṣipya bahiścukrośa kaitavāt aho vyāghreṇa bhagno'yaṁ jagdho govatsako vraje

threw away the other half and, out of deceit, cried out loudly: "Oh! This calf in the pen has been mauled and eaten by a tiger!"

Verse 59 (skanda.3.95.59)

इति तस्याः समाक्रंदः सर्वगेहेषु शुश्रुवे । अथ सर्वे शूद्रजनाः समागम्यांतिके स्थिताः

iti tasyāḥ samākraṁdaḥ sarvageheṣu śuśruve atha sarve śūdrajanāḥ samāgamyāṁtike sthitāḥ

Her outcry was heard in every house; then all the shudra folk gathered together and stood nearby,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.95.60)

हतं गोवत्समालोक्य व्याघ्रेणेति शुचं ययुः ॥ गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु व्युष्टायां च ततो निशि

hataṁ govatsamālokya vyāghreṇeti śucaṁ yayuḥ gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu vyuṣṭāyāṁ ca tato niśi

and, seeing the calf slain, believed it was by a tiger and grieved. When all of them had departed and that night had passed,

Verse 61 (skanda.3.95.61)

तद्भर्ता गृहमागत्य दृष्टवान्गृहविड्वरम् । एवं बहुतिथे काले गते सा शूद्ववल्लभा

tadbhartā gṛhamāgatya dṛṣṭavāngṛhaviḍvaram evaṁ bahutithe kāle gate sā śūdvavallabhā

her husband, returning home, saw the excrement of the household. Thus, after a long span of time had passed, that beloved of the shudra --

Verse 62 (skanda.3.95.62)

कालस्य वशमापन्ना जगाम यममंदिरम् । यमोपि धर्ममालोक्य तस्याः कर्म च पौर्विकम्

kālasya vaśamāpannā jagāma yamamaṁdiram yamopi dharmamālokya tasyāḥ karma ca paurvikam

-- came under the sway of death and went to the abode of Yama. Yama too, considering Dharma and her past deeds,

Verse 63 (skanda.3.95.63)

निर्वत्र्य निरयावासाञ्चक्रे चंडालजातिकाम् ॥ सापि भ्रष्टा यमपुराच्चांडालीगर्भमाश्रिता

nirvatrya nirayāvāsāñcakre caṁḍālajātikām sāpi bhraṣṭā yamapurāccāṁḍālīgarbhamāśritā

after making her undergo the various hells, caused her to be born into the chandala caste; and she, departing from Yama's city, entered the womb of a chandala woman.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.95.64)

ततो बभूव जात्यंधा प्रशांतांगारमेचका ॥ तत्पिता कोपि चांडालो देशे कुत्रचिदास्थितः

tato babhūva jātyaṁdhā praśāṁtāṁgāramecakā tatpitā kopi cāṁḍālo deśe kutracidāsthitaḥ

There she was born blind from birth, dark as an extinguished coal; her father was some chandala man settled in a certain region,

Verse 65 (skanda.3.95.65)

तां तादृशीमपि सुतां कृपया पर्यपोषयत् ॥ अभोज्येन कदन्नेन शुना लीढेन पूतिना

tāṁ tādṛśīmapi sutāṁ kṛpayā paryapoṣayat abhojyena kadannena śunā līḍhena pūtinā

who, though she was such a daughter, out of pity reared her, with inedible, wretched food, putrid and licked over by dogs,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.95.66)

अपेयैश्च रसैर्मात्रा पोषिता सा दिनेदिने ॥ जात्यंधा सापि कालेन बाल्ये कुष्ठरुजार्दिता

apeyaiśca rasairmātrā poṣitā sā dinedine jātyaṁdhā sāpi kālena bālye kuṣṭharujārditā

and with undrinkable liquids; nourished day by day by her mother, that blind-born girl, in time, in her childhood, became afflicted with leprosy,

Verse 67 (skanda.3.95.67)

ऊढा न केनचिद्वापि चांडालेनातिदुर्भगा ॥ अतीतबाल्ये सा काले विध्वस्तपितृमातृका

ūḍhā na kenacidvāpi cāṁḍālenātidurbhagā atītabālye sā kāle vidhvastapitṛmātṛkā

and, most unfortunate, was married by no chandala man at all. As her childhood passed, and in the course of time, having lost both father and mother,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.95.68)

दुर्भगेति परित्यक्ता बंधुभिश्च सहोदरैः ॥ ततः क्षुधार्दिता दीना शोचन्ती विगतेक्षणा

durbhageti parityaktā baṁdhubhiśca sahodaraiḥ tataḥ kṣudhārditā dīnā śocantī vigatekṣaṇā

she was abandoned as ill-fated by her relatives and siblings; then, tormented by hunger, wretched, grieving, and sightless,

Verse 69 (skanda.3.95.69)

गृहीतयष्टिः कृच्छ्रेण संचचाल सलोष्टिका ॥ पत्तनेष्वपि सर्वेषु याचमाना दिनेदिने

gṛhītayaṣṭiḥ kṛcchreṇa saṁcacāla saloṣṭikā pattaneṣvapi sarveṣu yācamānā dinedine

taking hold of a staff, she moved about with great difficulty, carrying a begging-bowl of clay, begging day after day in every town,

Verse 70 (skanda.3.95.70)

चांडालोच्छिष्टपिंडेन जठराग्निमतर्पयत्॥ एवं कृच्छ्रेण महता नीत्वा सुबहुलं वयः

cāṁḍālocchiṣṭapiṁḍena jaṭharāgnimatarpayat evaṁ kṛcchreṇa mahatā nītvā subahulaṁ vayaḥ

satisfying the fire of her hunger with leftover morsels from other chandalas. Thus, having spent a great many years in such extreme hardship,

Verse 71 (skanda.3.95.71)

जरया ग्रस्तसर्वांगी दुःखमाप दुरत्ययम् ॥ निरन्नपानवसना सा कदाचिन्महाजनान्

jarayā grastasarvāṁgī duḥkhamāpa duratyayam nirannapānavasanā sā kadācinmahājanān

her whole body now seized by old age, she experienced unbearable suffering; without food, drink, or clothing, she once noticed great crowds of people

Verse 72 (skanda.3.95.72)

आयास्यंत्यां शिवतिथौ गच्छतो बुबुधेऽध्वगान्॥ तस्यां तु देवयात्रायां देशदेशांतयायिनाम्

āyāsyaṁtyāṁ śivatithau gacchato bubudhe'dhvagān tasyāṁ tu devayātrāyāṁ deśadeśāṁtayāyinām

setting off, as the sacred day of Shiva was approaching, and became aware of travelers on that pilgrimage of the gods, coming from various lands --

Verse 73 (skanda.3.95.73)

विप्राणां साग्निहोत्राणां सस्त्रीकाणां महात्मनाम्॥ राज्ञां च सावरोधानां सहस्तिरथवाजिनाम्

viprāṇāṁ sāgnihotrāṇāṁ sastrīkāṇāṁ mahātmanām rājñāṁ ca sāvarodhānāṁ sahastirathavājinām

-- brahmins performing the fire sacrifice, together with their wives, great souls; kings with their retinues, accompanied by elephants, chariots, and horses;

Verse 74 (skanda.3.95.74)

सपरीवारघोषाणां यानच्छत्रादिशोभिनाम् ॥ तथान्येषां च विट्शूद्रसंकीर्णानां सहस्रशः

saparīvāraghoṣāṇāṁ yānacchatrādiśobhinām tathānyeṣāṁ ca viṭśūdrasaṁkīrṇānāṁ sahasraśaḥ

their entourages resounding, adorned with vehicles and parasols; and likewise thousands of others, a mixed multitude of vaishyas and shudras --

Verse 75 (skanda.3.95.75)

हसतां गायतां क्वापि नृत्यतामथ धावताम् ॥ जिघ्रतां पिबतां कामाद्गच्छतां प्रतिगर्जताम्

hasatāṁ gāyatāṁ kvāpi nṛtyatāmatha dhāvatām jighratāṁ pibatāṁ kāmādgacchatāṁ pratigarjatām

-- laughing, singing, some dancing, some running, some smelling flowers, some drinking, going as they wished, some roaring with excitement.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.95.76)

संप्रयाणे मनुष्याणां संभ्रमः सुमहानभूत् ॥ इति सर्वेषु गच्छत्सु गोकर्णं शिवमंदिरम्

saṁprayāṇe manuṣyāṇāṁ saṁbhramaḥ sumahānabhūt iti sarveṣu gacchatsu gokarṇaṁ śivamaṁdiram

There was tremendous commotion as this multitude of people set forth. So, as everyone was going to Gokarna, the temple of Shiva,

Verse 77 (skanda.3.95.77)

पश्यंति दिविजाः सर्वे विमानस्थाः सकौतुकाः ॥ अथेयमपि चांडाली वसनाशनतृष्णया

paśyaṁti divijāḥ sarve vimānasthāḥ sakautukāḥ atheyamapi cāṁḍālī vasanāśanatṛṣṇayā

all the gods, seated in their celestial cars, watched with curiosity. Then this chandala woman too, driven by longing for clothing and food,

Verse 78 (skanda.3.95.78)

महाजनान्याचयितुं चचाल च शनैःशनैः ॥ करावलंबेनान्यस्याः प्राग्जन्मार्जितकर्मणा ॥ दिनैः कतिपयैर्याती गोकर्णं क्षेत्रमाययौ

mahājanānyācayituṁ cacāla ca śanaiḥśanaiḥ karāvalaṁbenānyasyāḥ prāgjanmārjitakarmaṇā dinaiḥ katipayairyātī gokarṇaṁ kṣetramāyayau

set out slowly, little by little, to beg from the great crowds, holding onto another's hand for support; and, by the force of merit earned in a former birth, after a few days of travel, she reached the sacred place of Gokarna.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.95.79)

ततो विदूरे मार्गस्य निषण्णा विवृतांजलिः ॥ याचमाना मुहुः पांथान्बभाषे कृपणं वचः

tato vidūre mārgasya niṣaṇṇā vivṛtāṁjaliḥ yācamānā muhuḥ pāṁthānbabhāṣe kṛpaṇaṁ vacaḥ

There, seated a little way off the road, with palms outstretched, begging repeatedly from travelers, she spoke pitiable words.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.95.80)

प्राग्जन्मार्जितपापौघैः पीडितायाश्चिरं मम ॥ आहारमात्रदानेन दयां कुरुत भो जनाः

prāgjanmārjitapāpaughaiḥ pīḍitāyāściraṁ mama āhāramātradānena dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ

"Oh people, show mercy upon me, long tormented by masses of sin earned in a former birth, merely by giving me some food."

Verse 81 (skanda.3.95.81)

त्रातारः परमार्तानां दातारः परमाशिषाम् ॥ कर्तारो बहुपुण्यानां दयां कुरुत भो जनाः ॥ र१ ॥ वसनाशनहीनायां स्वपितायां महीतले ॥ महापांसुनिमग्नायां दयां कुरुत भो जनाः

trātāraḥ paramārtānāṁ dātāraḥ paramāśiṣām kartāro bahupuṇyānāṁ dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ ra1 vasanāśanahīnāyāṁ svapitāyāṁ mahītale mahāpāṁsunimagnāyāṁ dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ

"You who are the saviors of the most afflicted, the givers of supreme blessings, the doers of great merit -- oh people, show mercy! On me, lying on the bare earth without clothes or food, sunk deep in dust, show mercy, oh people!"

Verse 82 (skanda.3.95.82)

महाशीतातपार्त्तायां पीडितायां महारुजा ॥ अन्धायां मयि वृद्धायां दयां कुरुत भो जनाः

mahāśītātapārttāyāṁ pīḍitāyāṁ mahārujā andhāyāṁ mayi vṛddhāyāṁ dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ

"On me, tormented by great cold and heat, afflicted with terrible disease, blind, and old -- show mercy, oh people!"

Verse 83 (skanda.3.95.83)

चिरोपवासदीप्तायां जठराग्निविवर्धनैः ॥ संदह्यमानसर्वांग्यां दयां कुरुत भो जनाः

ciropavāsadīptāyāṁ jaṭharāgnivivardhanaiḥ saṁdahyamānasarvāṁgyāṁ dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ

"On me, ablaze with prolonged fasting, my whole body burning from the ever-growing fire of hunger -- show mercy, oh people!"

Verse 84 (skanda.3.95.84)

अनुपार्जितपुण्यायां जन्मांतरशतेष्वपि ॥ पापायां मंदभाग्यायां दयां कुरुत भो जनाः

anupārjitapuṇyāyāṁ janmāṁtaraśateṣvapi pāpāyāṁ maṁdabhāgyāyāṁ dayāṁ kuruta bho janāḥ

"On me, who has earned no merit even across a hundred other births, sinful, ill-fated -- show mercy, oh people!"

Verse 85 (skanda.3.95.85)

एवमभ्यर्थयंत्यास्तु चांडाल्याः प्रसृतेंऽजलौ ॥ एकः पुण्यतमः पांथः प्राक्षिपद्बिल्वमंजरीम्

evamabhyarthayaṁtyāstu cāṁḍālyāḥ prasṛteṁ'jalau ekaḥ puṇyatamaḥ pāṁthaḥ prākṣipadbilvamaṁjarīm

While that chandala woman was thus pleading, into her outstretched hands one most virtuous traveler dropped a spray of bilva leaves.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.95.86)

तामंचलौ निपतितां सा विमृश्य पुनः पुनः ॥ अभक्ष्येत्येव मत्वाथ दूरे प्राक्षिपदातुरा

tāmaṁcalau nipatitāṁ sā vimṛśya punaḥ punaḥ abhakṣyetyeva matvātha dūre prākṣipadāturā

Examining it again and again as it lay in the fold of her garment, and deciding it was inedible, she, in her distress, threw it far away.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.95.87)

तस्याः करेण निर्मुक्ता रात्रौ सा बिल्वमंजरी ॥ पपात कस्यचिद्दिष्ट्या शिवलिंगस्य मस्तके

tasyāḥ kareṇa nirmuktā rātrau sā bilvamaṁjarī papāta kasyaciddiṣṭyā śivaliṁgasya mastake

Released from her hand at night, that spray of bilva leaves fell, by good fortune, upon the head of some Shiva-linga.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.95.88)

सैवं शिवचतुर्दश्यां रात्रौ पांथजनान्मुहुः ॥ याचमानापि यत्किंचिन्न लेभे दैवयोगतः

saivaṁ śivacaturdaśyāṁ rātrau pāṁthajanānmuhuḥ yācamānāpi yatkiṁcinna lebhe daivayogataḥ

Thus, on the night of Shiva-chaturdashi, though she repeatedly begged travelers for whatever she could, she obtained nothing at all, by fate's decree.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.95.89)

तत्रोषितानया रात्रिर्भद्रकाल्यास्तु पृष्ठतः ॥ किंचिदुत्तरतः स्थानं तदर्धेनातिदूरतः

tatroṣitānayā rātrirbhadrakālyāstu pṛṣṭhataḥ kiṁciduttarataḥ sthānaṁ tadardhenātidūrataḥ

She spent that night there, behind the shrine of Bhadrakali, at a spot a little to the north, quite far off from it --

Verse 90 (skanda.3.95.90)

ततः प्रभाते भ्रष्टाशा शोकेन महताप्लुता ॥ शनैर्निववृते दीना स्वदेशायैव केवला

tataḥ prabhāte bhraṣṭāśā śokena mahatāplutā śanairnivavṛte dīnā svadeśāyaiva kevalā

-- then, at dawn, her hopes dashed, overwhelmed with great grief, she, wretched and alone, turned back slowly toward her own country.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.95.91)

श्रांता चिरोपवासेन निपतन्ती पदेपदे ॥ क्रंदंती वहुरोगार्ता वेपमाना भृशातुरा

śrāṁtā ciropavāsena nipatantī padepade kraṁdaṁtī vahurogārtā vepamānā bhṛśāturā

Exhausted by prolonged fasting, stumbling at every step, weeping, afflicted with many ailments, trembling, greatly distressed,

Verse 92 (skanda.3.95.92)

दह्यमानार्कतापेन नग्नदेहा सयष्टिका॥ अतीत्यैतावतीं भूमिं निपपात विचेतना

dahyamānārkatāpena nagnadehā sayaṣṭikā atītyaitāvatīṁ bhūmiṁ nipapāta vicetanā

scorched by the heat of the sun, her body bare, leaning on her staff, having crossed only a short distance of ground, she collapsed, senseless.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.95.93)

अथ विश्वेश्वरः शंभुः करुणामृतवारिधिः॥ एनामानयतेत्त्यस्मान्युयुजे सविमानकान्

atha viśveśvaraḥ śaṁbhuḥ karuṇāmṛtavāridhiḥ enāmānayatettyasmānyuyuje savimānakān

Then Shambhu, Lord of the universe, that ocean of the nectar of compassion, commanded us, along with our celestial chariot, saying "Bring her here."

Verse 94 (skanda.3.95.94)

एषा प्रवृत्तिश्चांडाल्यास्तवेह परिकीर्त्तिता॥ तथा संदर्शिता शंभोः कृपणेषु कृपालुता॥ कर्मणः परिपाकोत्थां गतिं पश्य महामते ॥ अधमापि परं स्थानमारोहति निरामयम्

eṣā pravṛttiścāṁḍālyāstaveha parikīrttitā tathā saṁdarśitā śaṁbhoḥ kṛpaṇeṣu kṛpālutā karmaṇaḥ paripākotthāṁ gatiṁ paśya mahāmate adhamāpi paraṁ sthānamārohati nirāmayam

This is the whole account of the chandala woman that has been told to you here, and thereby Shambhu's compassion toward the wretched has been shown. Behold, O wise one, the course of destiny that arises from the ripening of karma -- even the lowest of beings ascends to the supreme, flawless abode.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.95.95)

यदेतया पूर्वभवे नान्नदानादिकं कृतम् ॥ क्षुत्पिपासादिभिः क्लेशैस्तस्मादिह निपीड्यते

yadetayā pūrvabhave nānnadānādikaṁ kṛtam kṣutpipāsādibhiḥ kleśaistasmādiha nipīḍyate

Because she gave no food or other charity in her former birth, she was tormented here by the sufferings of hunger, thirst, and the like.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.95.96)

यदेषा मदवेगांधा चक्रे पापं महोल्बणम्॥ कर्मणा तेन जात्यंधा बभूवात्रैव जन्मनि

yadeṣā madavegāṁdhā cakre pāpaṁ maholbaṇam karmaṇā tena jātyaṁdhā babhūvātraiva janmani

Because, blinded by the force of intoxication, she committed that grave sin, by that deed she was born blind in this very life.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.95.97)

अपि विज्ञाय गोवत्सं यदेषाऽभक्षयत्पुरा ॥ कर्मणा तेन चांडाली बभूवेह विगर्हिता

api vijñāya govatsaṁ yadeṣā'bhakṣayatpurā karmaṇā tena cāṁḍālī babhūveha vigarhitā

Because, even after recognizing it was a calf, she ate it before, by that deed she became this despised chandala woman here.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.95.98)

यदेषार्यपथं हित्वा जारमार्गरता पुरा ॥ तेन पापेन केनापि दुर्वृत्ता दुर्भगापि वा

yadeṣāryapathaṁ hitvā jāramārgaratā purā tena pāpena kenāpi durvṛttā durbhagāpi vā

Because she abandoned the path of the virtuous and became devoted to the way of secret liaisons, by that particular sin she became evil-natured and ill-fated as well.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.95.99)

यदाश्लिष्य मदाविष्टा जारेण विधवा पुरा ॥ तेन पापेन महता बहुकुष्ठव्रणान्विता

yadāśliṣya madāviṣṭā jāreṇa vidhavā purā tena pāpena mahatā bahukuṣṭhavraṇānvitā

Because, as a widow overcome with passion, she once embraced a paramour, by that great sin she became covered with many leprous sores.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.95.100)

कामार्त्ता यदियं स्वैरं शूद्रेण रमिता पुरा ॥ महासृक्पूयकृमिभिः पीड्यते तेन पाप्मना

kāmārttā yadiyaṁ svairaṁ śūdreṇa ramitā purā mahāsṛkpūyakṛmibhiḥ pīḍyate tena pāpmanā

Because, tormented by desire, she once freely took pleasure with a shudra, by that sin she is afflicted with great quantities of blood, pus, and worms.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.95.101)

सुव्रतानि न चीर्णानि नेष्टापूतार्दिकं कृतम् ॥ सर्वभोगविहीनेयं दूयते तेन पाप्मना

suvratāni na cīrṇāni neṣṭāpūtārdikaṁ kṛtam sarvabhogavihīneyaṁ dūyate tena pāpmanā

Because she observed no good vows, performed no sacrifices or charitable acts, she suffers, deprived of all enjoyments, by that sin.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.95.102)

यदेतया पूर्वभवे सुरा पीता विमूढया ॥ महायक्ष्मार्तिहृच्छूलैः पीड्यते तेन पाप्मना

yadetayā pūrvabhave surā pītā vimūḍhayā mahāyakṣmārtihṛcchūlaiḥ pīḍyate tena pāpmanā

Because, deluded, she drank liquor in her former birth, by that sin she is tormented by consumption and piercing chest pain.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.95.103)

अत्रैव सर्वमर्त्येषु पापचिह्नानि कृत्स्नशः ॥ लक्ष्यते मुनिशार्दूल सविवेकैर्महात्मभिः

atraiva sarvamartyeṣu pāpacihnāni kṛtsnaśaḥ lakṣyate muniśārdūla savivekairmahātmabhiḥ

It is precisely here, in this very life, O tiger among sages, that discerning great souls can observe, in full, the marks of all sins among mortals.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.95.104)

अत्र ये बहुरोगार्त्ता ये पुत्रधनवर्जिताः

atra ye bahurogārttā ye putradhanavarjitāḥ

Here, those who are afflicted with many diseases, those bereft of sons and wealth,

Verse 105 (skanda.3.95.105)

ये च दुर्लक्षणक्लिष्टा याचका विगतह्रियः ॥ वासोन्नपानशयनभूषणाभ्यंजनादिभिः

ye ca durlakṣaṇakliṣṭā yācakā vigatahriyaḥ vāsonnapānaśayanabhūṣaṇābhyaṁjanādibhiḥ

those distressed by ill-omened marks, beggars devoid of shame, and those bereft of clothing, food, drink, bedding, ornaments, unguents, and the like,

Verse 106 (skanda.3.95.106)

हीना विरूपा निर्विद्या विकलांगाः कुभोजनाः ॥ ये दुर्भाग्या निंदिताश्च ये चान्ये परसेवकाः

hīnā virūpā nirvidyā vikalāṁgāḥ kubhojanāḥ ye durbhāgyā niṁditāśca ye cānye parasevakāḥ

those deformed, uneducated, crippled in limb, ill-fed, ill-fated and despised, and others who are mere servants of others --

Verse 107 (skanda.3.95.107)

एते पूर्वभवे सर्वे सुमहत्पापकारिणः ॥ एवं विमृश्य यत्नेन दृष्ट्वा लोकजनस्थितिम्

ete pūrvabhave sarve sumahatpāpakāriṇaḥ evaṁ vimṛśya yatnena dṛṣṭvā lokajanasthitim

all of these were, in their former births, doers of very great sins. Having thus reflected carefully, and having observed the condition of people in the world,

Verse 108 (skanda.3.95.108)

बुधो न कुरुते पापं यदि कुर्यात्स आत्महा ॥ देहोऽयं मानुषो जंतोर्बहुकर्मैकभाजनम्

budho na kurute pāpaṁ yadi kuryātsa ātmahā deho'yaṁ mānuṣo jaṁtorbahukarmaikabhājanam

a wise man does not commit sin; if he does, he is a slayer of his own self. This human body of a living being is the sole vessel for the fruits of its many deeds.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.95.109)

सदा सत्कर्म सेवेत दुष्कर्म सततं त्यजेत् ॥ पुण्यं सुखार्थी कुर्वीत दुःखार्थी पापमाचरेत्

sadā satkarma seveta duṣkarma satataṁ tyajet puṇyaṁ sukhārthī kurvīta duḥkhārthī pāpamācaret

One should always cultivate good deeds and constantly abandon evil ones; one who desires happiness should perform meritorious acts, one who desires suffering should commit sin.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.95.110)

द्वयोरेकतरे लोके गृहीते कुशलो जनः ॥ इमं मानुषमाश्रित्य देहं परमदुर्लभम्

dvayorekatare loke gṛhīte kuśalo janaḥ imaṁ mānuṣamāśritya dehaṁ paramadurlabham

A wise person, having taken hold of one of these two paths, having relied on this human body, which is exceedingly rare to obtain --

Verse 111 (skanda.3.95.111)

य आत्महितवान्कश्चिद्देवमेकं समाश्रयेत् ॥ अथ पापानि सर्वाणि कुर्वन्नपि सदा नरः

ya ātmahitavānkaściddevamekaṁ samāśrayet atha pāpāni sarvāṇi kurvannapi sadā naraḥ

whoever cares for his own good should take refuge in the one God alone. And even a man who is constantly committing all manner of sins --

Verse 112 (skanda.3.95.112)

शिवमेकमतिर्ध्यायेत्स संतरति पातकम् ॥ मृता पूर्वभवे त्वेषा यदा प्राप्ता यमालये

śivamekamatirdhyāyetsa saṁtarati pātakam mṛtā pūrvabhave tveṣā yadā prāptā yamālaye

should he meditate on Shiva alone with single-minded devotion, he crosses beyond sin. When, having died in her former birth, this woman arrived at Yama's abode,

Verse 113 (skanda.3.95.113)

तदा वितर्कः सुमहानासीद्यमसभासदाम् ॥ यद्यपि ब्राह्मणी त्वेषा सत्कुलाचारदूषिता

tadā vitarkaḥ sumahānāsīdyamasabhāsadām yadyapi brāhmaṇī tveṣā satkulācāradūṣitā

there was then great debate among the members of Yama's court: "Although she was indeed a brahmin woman, she has corrupted the conduct of her noble family;"

Verse 114 (skanda.3.95.114)

अतोऽस्माभिरिहानीता निरयं यातु वा न वा ॥ अनया साधितो बाल्ये पुण्यलेशोऽस्ति वा न वा

ato'smābhirihānītā nirayaṁ yātu vā na vā anayā sādhito bālye puṇyaleśo'sti vā na vā

"therefore, having been brought here by us, should she go to hell or not? Did she, in her childhood, perform even a trace of merit, or not?"

Verse 115 (skanda.3.95.115)

अथापि सुविमृश्यैवं धार्यो दंडोऽत्र नान्यथा ॥ बहुजन्मसहस्रेषु कृतपुण्यविपाकतः

athāpi suvimṛśyaivaṁ dhāryo daṁḍo'tra nānyathā bahujanmasahasreṣu kṛtapuṇyavipākataḥ

"Even so, having deliberated well, punishment must be imposed here, and not otherwise -- for it is only through the ripening of merit accumulated across many thousands of births"

Verse 116 (skanda.3.95.116)

नृणां ब्रह्मकुले जन्म लभ्यते हि कथंचन ॥ अतोस्याः पूर्वपूर्वेषु कृताघं नास्ति जन्मसु

nṛṇāṁ brahmakule janma labhyate hi kathaṁcana atosyāḥ pūrvapūrveṣu kṛtāghaṁ nāsti janmasu

"that a human being somehow attains birth in a brahmin family; therefore she must have committed no sin in her earlier, previous births."

Verse 117 (skanda.3.95.117)

अन्यथा सत्कुले जन्म कथमेषा प्रपद्यते॥ अत्रैव जन्मन्यनया कृतमंहो दुरत्ययम्

anyathā satkule janma kathameṣā prapadyate atraiva janmanyanayā kṛtamaṁho duratyayam

"Otherwise, how could she have attained birth in a noble family? It is in this very birth that she has committed an unpardonable sin."

Verse 118 (skanda.3.95.118)

अथापि नरकावासं प्रायशो नेयमर्हति ॥ किंतु गोवत्सकं हत्वा विमृश्यागतसाध्वसा

athāpi narakāvāsaṁ prāyaśo neyamarhati kiṁtu govatsakaṁ hatvā vimṛśyāgatasādhvasā

"Even so, she does not, on the whole, deserve to dwell in hell; however, having killed the calf, and then, coming to her senses, overcome with fear,"

Verse 119 (skanda.3.95.119)

एषा शिवशिवेत्याह प्राग्जन्मार्जितकर्मणा ॥ यदेषा पापविच्छित्त्यै सकृदप्युरुमंगलम्

eṣā śivaśivetyāha prāgjanmārjitakarmaṇā yadeṣā pāpavicchittyai sakṛdapyurumaṁgalam

"she cried out 'Shiva, Shiva!' -- through the power of merit earned in an even earlier birth. Since, for the destruction of sin, uttering even once this greatly auspicious"

Verse 120 (skanda.3.95.120)

शिवनाम वदेद्भक्त्या तर्हि गच्छेत्परं पदम् ॥ एकजन्मकृतस्यास्य दारुणस्यापि यत्फलम्

śivanāma vadedbhaktyā tarhi gacchetparaṁ padam ekajanmakṛtasyāsya dāruṇasyāpi yatphalam

"name of Shiva with devotion leads one to the supreme abode -- therefore, whatever the fruit of this terrible deed committed in a single lifetime,"

Verse 121 (skanda.3.95.121)

क्रमेणानुभवत्वेषा भूत्वा चांडालजातिका ॥ अस्मादन्यतमः को वा नरकोऽस्ति नृणा मिह

krameṇānubhavatveṣā bhūtvā cāṁḍālajātikā asmādanyatamaḥ ko vā narako'sti nṛṇā miha

"let her experience it gradually, by being born into the chandala caste; for what other hell exists for human beings here besides this?"

Verse 122 (skanda.3.95.122)

अनेकक्लेशसंघातैर्यन्मुहुः परिपीडनम् ॥ दुष्कुले जन्म दारिद्र्यं महाव्याधिर्विमूढता

anekakleśasaṁghātairyanmuhuḥ paripīḍanam duṣkule janma dāridryaṁ mahāvyādhirvimūḍhatā

"-- this repeated torment through masses of countless afflictions, birth in a base family, poverty, grave illness, and delusion --"

Verse 123 (skanda.3.95.123)

एकैक एव नरकः सर्वे वा चाथ किं पुनः ॥ प्राग्जन्मपुण्यभारेण यन्नाम विवशाऽब्रवीत्

ekaika eva narakaḥ sarve vā cātha kiṁ punaḥ prāgjanmapuṇyabhāreṇa yannāma vivaśā'bravīt

"each single one of these is itself a hell, let alone all of them together! But since, by the weight of merit from a former birth, she uttered the divine name even helplessly --"

Verse 124 (skanda.3.95.124)

तेनैषान्यभवे भूरि पुण्यमंते करिष्यति ॥ तेन पुण्येन महता निस्तीर्याघौघया तनाः

tenaiṣānyabhave bhūri puṇyamaṁte kariṣyati tena puṇyena mahatā nistīryāghaughayā tanāḥ

"-- by that, she shall in the end perform abundant merit in another birth; and by that great merit, having crossed over her mass of sins,"

Verse 125 (skanda.3.95.125)

नीता तत्पुरुषैरंते प्रयास्यति परं पदम् ॥ एतादृशानां मर्त्यानां शास्तारो न वयं क्वचित् ॥ विचार्य स्वयमेवेशो यद्युक्तं तत्करोतु सः

nītā tatpuruṣairaṁte prayāsyati paraṁ padam etādṛśānāṁ martyānāṁ śāstāro na vayaṁ kvacit vicārya svayameveśo yadyuktaṁ tatkarotu saḥ

"-- led at the end by the Lord's own attendants, she shall attain the supreme abode. We are in no way the judges of such mortals; let the Lord himself decide and do whatever he deems fitting."

Verse 126 (skanda.3.95.126)

एवं वैवस्वतपुरे सर्वैर्यमपुरोगमैः ॥ विमृश्य चित्रगुप्ताद्यैरियं मुक्ताऽपतद्भुवि

evaṁ vaivasvatapure sarvairyamapurogamaiḥ vimṛśya citraguptādyairiyaṁ muktā'patadbhuvi

Thus, in the city of Yama, son of Vivasvat, after such deliberation by all led by Yama, including Chitragupta and the others, she was released and fell back to earth, into her chandala birth.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.95.127)

आदौ यदेषा शिवनाम नारी प्रमादतो वाप्य सती जगाद ॥ तेनेह भूयः सुकृतेन शंभोर्बिल्वांकुराराधनपुण्यमाप

ādau yadeṣā śivanāma nārī pramādato vāpya satī jagāda teneha bhūyaḥ sukṛtena śaṁbhorbilvāṁkurārādhanapuṇyamāpa

Because, at the very outset, this woman, even inadvertently, though virtuous, uttered the name of Shiva, by that very merit she has now, once again, obtained here the meritorious worship of Shambhu with a bilva-sprout.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.95.128)

श्रीगोकर्णे शिवतिथावुपोष्य शिवमस्तके ॥ कृत्वा जागरणं ह्येषा चक्रे बिल्वार्पणं निशि

śrīgokarṇe śivatithāvupoṣya śivamastake kṛtvā jāgaraṇaṁ hyeṣā cakre bilvārpaṇaṁ niśi

At glorious Gokarna, having fasted on the sacred day of Shiva, and having kept vigil through the night, she made an offering of bilva upon Shiva's head.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.95.129)

अकामतः कृतस्यास्य पुण्यस्यैव च यत्फलम् ॥ अद्यैव भोक्ष्यते सेयं पश्यतस्तव नो मृषा

akāmataḥ kṛtasyāsya puṇyasyaiva ca yatphalam adyaiva bhokṣyate seyaṁ paśyatastava no mṛṣā

The fruit of this merit, performed though without desire for it, she shall experience this very day, before your very eyes -- this is no falsehood.

Verse 130 (skanda.3.95.130)

गौतम उवाच ॥ इत्युक्त्वा शिवदूतास्ते तस्याश्चांडालयोनितः ॥ जीवलेशं समाकृष्य युयुजुर्दिव्यतेजसा

gautama uvāca ityuktvā śivadūtāste tasyāścāṁḍālayonitaḥ jīvaleśaṁ samākṛṣya yuyujurdivyatejasā

Gautama said: Having said this, those messengers of Shiva drew forth the last remnant of life from her chandala body and united it with divine radiance.

Verse 131 (skanda.3.95.131)

तां दिव्यदेहसंक्रांतां तेजोराशिसमुज्ज्वलाम्॥ विमाने स्थापयामासुः प्रीतास्ते शिवकिंकराः

tāṁ divyadehasaṁkrāṁtāṁ tejorāśisamujjvalām vimāne sthāpayāmāsuḥ prītāste śivakiṁkarāḥ

Those attendants of Shiva, delighted, placed her, now transformed into a divine body, blazing with a mass of radiance, upon their celestial chariot.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.95.132)

अथ सा परमोदाररूपलावण्यशालिनी ॥ दिव्यभूषणदीप्तांगी दिव्यांबरविधारिणी

atha sā paramodārarūpalāvaṇyaśālinī divyabhūṣaṇadīptāṁgī divyāṁbaravidhāriṇī

Then she, endowed with the most exquisite, gracious beauty, her body ablaze with divine ornaments, wearing divine garments,

Verse 133 (skanda.3.95.133)

देहेन दिव्यगंधेन दिव्यतेजोविकाशिना ॥ दिव्यमाल्यावतंसेन विरराज विमानगा

dehena divyagaṁdhena divyatejovikāśinā divyamālyāvataṁsena virarāja vimānagā

her body radiant with divine fragrance and divine splendor, adorned with a crown of divine garlands, shone forth, seated in the celestial chariot.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.95.134)

रत्नच्छत्रपताकाद्यैर्गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः ॥ मध्ये सा शिवदूतानां मोदमाना वरानना

ratnacchatrapatākādyairgītavāditranisvanaiḥ madhye sā śivadūtānāṁ modamānā varānanā

With jeweled parasols, banners, and the sounds of song and music, that fair-faced woman rejoiced there, in the midst of Shiva's attendants.

Verse 135 (skanda.3.95.135)

अनुभूतानि जन्मानि स्मृत्वास्मृत्वा पुनःपुनः ॥ भीता त्रस्ता दृढा श्चर्यं दृष्ट्वा स्वप्नमिवोत्थिता

anubhūtāni janmāni smṛtvāsmṛtvā punaḥpunaḥ bhītā trastā dṛḍhā ścaryaṁ dṛṣṭvā svapnamivotthitā

Recalling, again and again, all the births she had experienced, she was frightened and trembling, greatly astonished, as if she had just awakened from a dream.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.95.136)

काहं केऽमी महासिद्धाः कोयं लोको मनोरमः ॥ क्व गतं मे वपुः कष्टं चंडचांडालगोत्रजम्

kāhaṁ ke'mī mahāsiddhāḥ koyaṁ loko manoramaḥ kva gataṁ me vapuḥ kaṣṭaṁ caṁḍacāṁḍālagotrajam

[She thought:] "Who am I? Who are these great Siddhas? What is this beautiful realm? Where has my wretched body, born of a fierce chandala lineage, gone?"

Verse 137 (skanda.3.95.137)

अहो सुमहदाश्चर्यं दृष्टं मायाविलासजम् ॥ यन्मे भवसहस्रेषु भ्रातंभ्रांतं पुनःपुनः

aho sumahadāścaryaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ māyāvilāsajam yanme bhavasahasreṣu bhrātaṁbhrāṁtaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

"Ah, what a great wonder I have witnessed, born of the play of maya -- that I wandered again and again through thousands of lifetimes,"

Verse 138 (skanda.3.95.138)

अहो ईश्वरपूजाया माहात्म्यं विस्मयावहम् ॥ पत्रमात्रेण संतुष्टो यो ददाति निजं पदम्

aho īśvarapūjāyā māhātmyaṁ vismayāvaham patramātreṇa saṁtuṣṭo yo dadāti nijaṁ padam

"-- oh, how wondrous is the greatness of worshipping the Lord! Satisfied with merely a leaf, he grants his own abode!"

Verse 139 (skanda.3.95.139)

इति तां जातनिर्वेदां स्मरन्तीं भगवत्पदम् ॥ दिव्यं विमानमारोप्य ते महेश्वरकिंकराः

iti tāṁ jātanirvedāṁ smarantīṁ bhagavatpadam divyaṁ vimānamāropya te maheśvarakiṁkarāḥ

Thus, as she, now filled with detachment, was recalling the abode of the Lord, those servants of Maheshvara, having seated her upon the divine chariot,

Verse 140 (skanda.3.95.140)

आलोकयत्सु सर्वेषु लोकेशेषु सविस्मयम् ॥ आमंत्र्य तामथानिन्युः परमेश्वरसन्निधिम्

ālokayatsu sarveṣu lokeśeṣu savismayam āmaṁtrya tāmathāninyuḥ parameśvarasannidhim

while all the lords of the worlds looked on in astonishment, then, having taken leave, brought her into the presence of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 141 (skanda.3.95.141)

राजन्सुमहदाश्चर्यमाख्यातं गिरिजा पतेः ॥ माहात्म्यं भक्तिलेशस्य सर्वाघौघविनाशनम्

rājansumahadāścaryamākhyātaṁ girijā pateḥ māhātmyaṁ bhaktileśasya sarvāghaughavināśanam

O king, thus has this very great wonder been related to you -- the greatness of the Lord of Girija (Parvati), and of even a fragment of devotion, which destroys entire masses of sin.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.95.142)

राजोवाच ॥ भगवन्परमेशस्य कीदृशो लोक उत्तमः ॥ तस्य मे लक्षणं ब्रूहि यद्यस्ति मयि ते दया

rājovāca bhagavanparameśasya kīdṛśo loka uttamaḥ tasya me lakṣaṇaṁ brūhi yadyasti mayi te dayā

The king said: O Lord, what is that excellent world of the Supreme Lord like? Tell me its characteristics, if you have compassion for me.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.95.143)

गौतम उवाच ॥ ब्रह्मादिसुरनाथानां लोकेष्वपि सुदुर्लभः ॥ य आनंदः सदा यत्र स लोकः पारमेश्वरः

gautama uvāca brahmādisuranāthānāṁ lokeṣvapi sudurlabhaḥ ya ānaṁdaḥ sadā yatra sa lokaḥ pārameśvaraḥ

Gautama said: That world is the Supreme Lord's own, where there is that bliss, ever present, which is exceedingly rare to find even in the worlds of the gods, led by Brahma.

Verse 144 (skanda.3.95.144)

सर्वातिगमनं यत्र ज्योतिर्यत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ क्वापि नास्ति तमोयोगः स लोकः पारमेश्वरः

sarvātigamanaṁ yatra jyotiryatra pratiṣṭhitam kvāpi nāsti tamoyogaḥ sa lokaḥ pārameśvaraḥ

That world is the Supreme Lord's own, where all things are transcended, where light alone stands established, and where the touch of darkness exists nowhere at all.

Verse 145 (skanda.3.95.145)

गुणवृत्ति विनिस्तीर्य संप्राप्ता यत्र योगिनः ॥ न पतेयुः पुनः सर्वे स लोकः पारमेश्वरः

guṇavṛtti vinistīrya saṁprāptā yatra yoginaḥ na pateyuḥ punaḥ sarve sa lokaḥ pārameśvaraḥ

That world is the Supreme Lord's own, where yogis, having transcended the functioning of the three gunas and attained it, never fall away from it again.

Verse 146 (skanda.3.95.146)

यत्र वासं न कुर्वंति क्रोधलोभमदादयः ॥ यत्रावस्था न जन्माद्याः स लोकः पारमेश्वरः

yatra vāsaṁ na kurvaṁti krodhalobhamadādayaḥ yatrāvasthā na janmādyāḥ sa lokaḥ pārameśvaraḥ

That world is the Supreme Lord's own, where anger, greed, pride, and the like find no dwelling place, and where the states of birth and so on do not exist.

Verse 147 (skanda.3.95.147)

सर्वेषां निगमानां च यदेकं क्षेत्रमुच्यते ॥ यस्मान्नास्ति परं वित्तं तत्पदं पारमेश्वरम्

sarveṣāṁ nigamānāṁ ca yadekaṁ kṣetramucyate yasmānnāsti paraṁ vittaṁ tatpadaṁ pārameśvaram

That supreme abode of the Lord is called the one field of all the Vedas, beyond which there exists no higher attainment.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.95.148)

प्रत्याहारासन ध्यानप्राणसंयमनादिभिः ॥ यत्र योगपथैः प्राप्तुं यतते योगिनः सदा

pratyāhārāsana dhyānaprāṇasaṁyamanādibhiḥ yatra yogapathaiḥ prāptuṁ yatate yoginaḥ sadā

That is the place which yogis constantly strive to attain through the paths of yoga -- through withdrawal of the senses, posture, meditation, control of the breath, and the like.

Verse 149 (skanda.3.95.149)

यत्र देवः सदानंदनिर्मलज्ञानरूपया ॥ अस्ति देव्या सह क्रीडञ्स लोकः पारमेश्वरः

yatra devaḥ sadānaṁdanirmalajñānarūpayā asti devyā saha krīḍañsa lokaḥ pārameśvaraḥ

That world is the Supreme Lord's own, where the God ever sports together with the Goddess, who is of the very form of eternal bliss and stainless knowledge.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.95.150)

जन्मानेकसहस्रेषु संभृतैः पुण्यराशिभिः ॥ आरूढाः पुरुषा नार्यः क्रीडन्ते यत्र संगताः

janmānekasahasreṣu saṁbhṛtaiḥ puṇyarāśibhiḥ ārūḍhāḥ puruṣā nāryaḥ krīḍante yatra saṁgatāḥ

There, men and women who have ascended through masses of merit accumulated across many thousands of births sport together in union.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.95.151)

तेजो राशौ समालीना दुर्विभाव्ये मनोरमे ॥ अहोरात्रादिसंस्थानं न विंदंति कदाचन

tejo rāśau samālīnā durvibhāvye manorame ahorātrādisaṁsthānaṁ na viṁdaṁti kadācana

Merged into that mass of splendor, inconceivable and enchanting, they never experience the divisions of day and night and the like.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.95.152)

स लोकः परमेशस्य दुर्लभो हि कुयोगिनः ॥ एतद्भक्ति सुपूर्णा ये तैरेव प्रतिपद्यते

sa lokaḥ parameśasya durlabho hi kuyoginaḥ etadbhakti supūrṇā ye taireva pratipadyate

That world of the Supreme Lord is indeed unattainable for a false yogi; it is reached only by those who are fully replete with devotion to him.

Verse 153 (skanda.3.95.153)

ये तत्कथाश्रवणकीर्तनजातहर्षा ये सर्वभूतसुहृदः प्रशमैकनिष्ठाः ॥ संसारचक्रमतिवाह्य निरस्तमोहास्ते शांकरं पदमवाप्य सुखं रमन्ते

ye tatkathāśravaṇakīrtanajātaharṣā ye sarvabhūtasuhṛdaḥ praśamaikaniṣṭhāḥ saṁsāracakramativāhya nirastamohāste śāṁkaraṁ padamavāpya sukhaṁ ramante

Those whose joy arises from hearing and singing his story, who are friends to all beings, wholly devoted to tranquility -- having crossed beyond the wheel of worldly existence, their delusion cast away, they attain the abode of Shankara and dwell there in happiness.

Verse 154 (skanda.3.95.154)

तथा त्वमपि राजेंद्र गोकर्णं गिरिशालयम् ॥ गत्वा प्रशमिताघौघः कृतकृत्यत्वमाप्नुहि

tathā tvamapi rājeṁdra gokarṇaṁ giriśālayam gatvā praśamitāghaughaḥ kṛtakṛtyatvamāpnuhi

So you too, O king of kings, go to Gokarna, the abode of Girisha, Shiva; there, your mass of sins pacified, attain the fulfillment of your purpose.

Verse 155 (skanda.3.95.155)

तत्र सर्वेषु कालेषु स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य महाबलम् ॥ कृत्वा शिवचतुर्दश्यामुपवासं समाहितः

tatra sarveṣu kāleṣu snātvābhyarcya mahābalam kṛtvā śivacaturdaśyāmupavāsaṁ samāhitaḥ

There, at all times, having bathed and worshipped Mahabala, and having observed the fast on Shiva-chaturdashi with a composed mind,

Verse 156 (skanda.3.95.156)

कृत्वा जागरणं रात्रौ बिल्वैरभ्यर्च्य शंकरम् ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोकमवाप्स्यसि

kṛtvā jāgaraṇaṁ rātrau bilvairabhyarcya śaṁkaram sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śivalokamavāpsyasi

having kept vigil through the night and worshipped Shankara with bilva leaves, freed from all sin, you shall attain the world of Shiva.

Verse 157 (skanda.3.95.157)

एष ते विमलो राजन्नुपदेशो मया कृतः ॥ स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि मिथिलाधिपतेः पुरीम्

eṣa te vimalo rājannupadeśo mayā kṛtaḥ svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi mithilādhipateḥ purīm

This is the pure instruction I have given you, O king. May well-being be yours; I shall now go to the city of the lord of Mithila.

Verse 158 (skanda.3.95.158)

इत्यामन्त्र्य मुनिः प्रीत्या गौतमो मिथिलां ययौ ॥ सोऽपि हृष्टमना राजा गोकर्णं प्रत्यपद्यत

ityāmantrya muniḥ prītyā gautamo mithilāṁ yayau so'pi hṛṣṭamanā rājā gokarṇaṁ pratyapadyata

Having thus taken leave affectionately, the sage Gautama went on to Mithila; and that king too, his mind rejoicing, set out for Gokarna.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.95.159)

तत्र दृष्ट्वा महादेवं स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य महाबलम् ॥ निर्धूताशेषपापौघो लेभे शम्भोः परं पदम्

tatra dṛṣṭvā mahādevaṁ snātvābhyarcya mahābalam nirdhūtāśeṣapāpaugho lebhe śambhoḥ paraṁ padam

There, having beheld Mahadeva, having bathed and worshipped Mahabala, his entire mass of sins washed away, he attained the supreme abode of Shambhu.

Verse 160 (skanda.3.95.160)

य इमां शृणुयान्नित्यं कथां शैवीं मनोहराम् ॥ श्रावयेद्वा जनो भक्त्या स याति परमां गतिम्

ya imāṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ kathāṁ śaivīṁ manoharām śrāvayedvā jano bhaktyā sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever constantly hears this enchanting story of Shiva, or recites it to others with devotion, attains the supreme destination.

Verse 161 (skanda.3.95.161)

श्रद्दधानः सकृद्वापि य इमां शृणुयात्कथाम् ॥ त्रिःसप्तकुलजैः सार्धं शिवलोकमवाप्नुयात्

śraddadhānaḥ sakṛdvāpi ya imāṁ śṛṇuyātkathām triḥsaptakulajaiḥ sārdhaṁ śivalokamavāpnuyāt

Whoever, with faith, hears this story even a single time, attains the world of Shiva together with twenty-one generations of his lineage.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.95.162)

इति कथितमशेषं श्रेयसामादिबीजं भवशतदुरितघ्नं ध्वस्तमोहांधकारम् ॥ चरितममरगेयं मन्मथारेरुदारं सततमपि निषेव्यं स्वस्तिमद्भिश्च लोकैः

iti kathitamaśeṣaṁ śreyasāmādibījaṁ bhavaśataduritaghnaṁ dhvastamohāṁdhakāram caritamamarageyaṁ manmathārerudāraṁ satatamapi niṣevyaṁ svastimadbhiśca lokaiḥ

Thus has been related in full this primal seed of all blessings, destroyer of the sins of a hundred lifetimes, dispeller of the darkness of delusion -- this noble legend of the Enemy of the god of love, sung even by the immortals, ever to be cherished by all worlds seeking well-being.