Description of the Realm of Soma, the Moon

Verse 1 (skanda.4.14.1)

गणावूचतुः। अलकायाः पुरोभागे पूरैशानीमहोदया। अस्यां वसंति सततं रुद्रभक्तास्तपोधनाः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ alakāyāḥ purobhāge pūraiśānīmahodayā asyāṁ vasaṁti satataṁ rudrabhaktāstapodhanāḥ

The two ganas said: In front of Alaka is the city Aishani, of great glory; in it dwell continually those rich in austerity, devotees of Rudra.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.14.2)

शिवस्मरणसंसक्ताः शिवव्रतपरायणाः। शिवसात्कृतकर्माणः शिवपूजारताः सदा

śivasmaraṇasaṁsaktāḥ śivavrataparāyaṇāḥ śivasātkṛtakarmāṇaḥ śivapūjāratāḥ sadā

Devoted to the remembrance of Shiva, intent on vows to Shiva, their every deed dedicated to Shiva, ever engaged in the worship of Shiva.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.14.3)

साभिलाषास्तपस्यंति स्वर्गभोगोस्त्वितीह नः। तेऽत्र रुद्रपुरे रम्ये रुद्ररूपधरा नराः

sābhilāṣāstapasyaṁti svargabhogostvitīha naḥ te'tra rudrapure ramye rudrarūpadharā narāḥ

With this one desire they perform austerities: 'May we have the enjoyment of heaven.' Such men, bearing the very form of Rudra, dwell in this delightful city of Rudra.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.14.4)

अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्य मुख्या एकादशापि वै। रुद्राः परिवृढाश्चात्र त्रिशूलोद्यतपाणयः

ajaikapādahirbudhnya mukhyā ekādaśāpi vai rudrāḥ parivṛḍhāścātra triśūlodyatapāṇayaḥ

Here reside the eleven Rudras, foremost among whom are Ajaikapada and Ahirbudhnya, sovereign lords, tridents raised in their hands.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.14.5)

पुर्यष्टकं च दुष्टेभ्यो देवध्रुग्भ्यो ह्यवंति ते। प्रयच्छंति वरान्नित्यं शिवभक्तजने वराः

puryaṣṭakaṁ ca duṣṭebhyo devadhrugbhyo hyavaṁti te prayacchaṁti varānnityaṁ śivabhaktajane varāḥ

They protect the eight cities from the wicked, from those hostile to the gods; these excellent ones ever grant boons to Shiva's devotees.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.14.6)

एतैरपि तपस्तप्तं प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम्। ईशानेशं महालिंगं परिस्थाप्य शुभप्रदम्

etairapi tapastaptaṁ prāpya vārāṇasīṁ purīm īśāneśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ paristhāpya śubhapradam

These same eleven Rudras too performed austerities, having come to the city of Varanasi, establishing the great, auspicious-granting linga Ishanesha.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.14.7)

ईशानेश प्रसादेन दिश्यैश्यां हि दिगीश्वराः। एकादशाप्येकचरा जटामुकुटमंडिताः

īśāneśa prasādena diśyaiśyāṁ hi digīśvarāḥ ekādaśāpyekacarā jaṭāmukuṭamaṁḍitāḥ

By the grace of Ishanesha, in that Aishani direction, these eleven, guardians of the quarters, roam as one, their heads adorned with matted-hair crowns.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.14.8)

भालनेत्रा नीलगलाः शुद्धांगा वृषभध्वजाः। असंख्याताः सहस्राणि ये रुद्रा अधिभूतलम्

bhālanetrā nīlagalāḥ śuddhāṁgā vṛṣabhadhvajāḥ asaṁkhyātāḥ sahasrāṇi ye rudrā adhibhūtalam

With an eye upon their brow, blue-throated, of pure limbs, bearing the bull as their emblem -- countless thousands of such Rudras exist upon the earth.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.14.9)

तेऽस्यां पुरि वसंत्यैश्यां सर्वभोगसमृद्धयः। ईशानेशं समभ्यर्च्य काश्यां देशांतरेष्वपि

te'syāṁ puri vasaṁtyaiśyāṁ sarvabhogasamṛddhayaḥ īśāneśaṁ samabhyarcya kāśyāṁ deśāṁtareṣvapi

They dwell in this city of Aishani, prosperous with every enjoyment, having worshipped Ishanesha in Kashi, and also those who worship him in other lands.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.14.10)

विपन्नास्तेन पुण्येन जायंते ऽत्रपुरोहिताः। अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यामीशानेशं यजंति ये

vipannāstena puṇyena jāyaṁte 'trapurohitāḥ aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturdaśyāmīśāneśaṁ yajaṁti ye

By that merit, when they die, they are born here as attendant priests. Those who worship Ishanesha on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days...

Verse 11 (skanda.4.14.11)

त एव रुद्रा विज्ञेया इहामुत्राप्यसंशयम्। कृत्वा जागरणं रात्रावीशानेश्वर संनिधौ

ta eva rudrā vijñeyā ihāmutrāpyasaṁśayam kṛtvā jāgaraṇaṁ rātrāvīśāneśvara saṁnidhau

...are, without doubt, to be known as Rudras themselves, both here and hereafter -- especially those who keep a night-vigil in the presence of Ishaneshvara.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.14.12)

उपोष्यभूतांयांकांचिन्न नरो गर्भभाक्पुनः। स्वर्गमार्गे कथामित्थं शृण्वन्विष्णुगणोदिताम्

upoṣyabhūtāṁyāṁkāṁcinna naro garbhabhākpunaḥ svargamārge kathāmitthaṁ śṛṇvanviṣṇugaṇoditām

Having fasted on any such occasion, a man is never again subject to rebirth in a womb. Hearing this tale, thus told by the ganas of Vishnu, on the path to heaven...

Verse 13 (skanda.4.14.13)

शिवशर्मा दिवाप्युच्चैरपश्यच्चंद्रचंद्रिकाम्। आह्लादयंतीं बहुशः समं सर्वेंद्रियैर्मनः

śivaśarmā divāpyuccairapaśyaccaṁdracaṁdrikām āhlādayaṁtīṁ bahuśaḥ samaṁ sarveṁdriyairmanaḥ

...Shivasharma, even though it was day, saw far above him the moon's own moonlight, again and again delighting his mind together with all his senses.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.14.14)

चमत्कृत्य चमत्कृत्य कोयं लोको हरेर्गणौ। पप्रच्छ शिवशर्मा तौ प्रोचतुस्तं च तौ द्विजम्

camatkṛtya camatkṛtya koyaṁ loko harergaṇau papraccha śivaśarmā tau procatustaṁ ca tau dvijam

Marveling and marveling again, wondering, 'What world is this?', Shivasharma asked the two ganas of Hara, and the two of them spoke to that brahmin:

Verse 15 (skanda.4.14.15)

गणावूचतुः। शिवशर्मन्महाभाग लोक एष कलानिधेः। पीयूषवर्षिभिर्यस्य करैराप्याय्यते जगत्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ śivaśarmanmahābhāga loka eṣa kalānidheḥ pīyūṣavarṣibhiryasya karairāpyāyyate jagat

The two ganas said: O greatly fortunate Shivasharma, this is the realm of the treasury of the lunar digits, Soma, the Moon, by whose nectar-raining rays the world is nourished.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.14.16)

पिता सोमस्य भो विप्र जज्ञेऽत्रिर्भगवानृषिः। ब्रह्मणो मानसात्पूर्वं प्रजासर्गं विधित्सतः

pitā somasya bho vipra jajñe'trirbhagavānṛṣiḥ brahmaṇo mānasātpūrvaṁ prajāsargaṁ vidhitsataḥ

O brahmin, the father of Soma was the illustrious sage Atri, born long ago from the mind of Brahma, who wished to bring forth creation.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.14.17)

अनुत्तरं नाम तपो येन तप्तं हि तत्पुरा। त्रीणिवर्षसहस्राणि दिव्यानीतीह नौ श्रुतम्

anuttaraṁ nāma tapo yena taptaṁ hi tatpurā trīṇivarṣasahasrāṇi divyānītīha nau śrutam

By him was performed the austerity called Anuttara, unsurpassed, for three thousand divine years -- thus have we heard it here.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.14.18)

ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे तस्य रेतः सोमत्वमीयिवत्। नेत्राभ्यां तच्च सुस्राव दशधा द्योतयद्दिशः

ūrdhvamācakrame tasya retaḥ somatvamīyivat netrābhyāṁ tacca susrāva daśadhā dyotayaddiśaḥ

His seed rose upward and took on the nature of Soma; it flowed forth from his two eyes, in ten streams, illuminating the ten directions.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.14.19)

तं गर्भं विधिना दिष्टा दश देव्यो दधुस्ततः। समेत्य धारयामासुर्नैव ताः समशक्नुवन्

taṁ garbhaṁ vidhinā diṣṭā daśa devyo dadhustataḥ sametya dhārayāmāsurnaiva tāḥ samaśaknuvan

That embryo, by Brahma's command, was then borne by the ten goddesses, the Dishas, directions; coming together, they tried to bear it, but they were not able to.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.14.20)

यदा न धारणे शक्तास्तस्य गर्भस्य ता दिशः। ततस्ताभिः सजूः सोमो निपपात वसुंधराम्

yadā na dhāraṇe śaktāstasya garbhasya tā diśaḥ tatastābhiḥ sajūḥ somo nipapāta vasuṁdharām

When those directions were unable to bear that embryo, then Soma, together with them, fell down upon the earth.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.14.21)

पतितं सोममालोक्य ब्रह्मा लो कपितामहः। रथमारोपयामास लोकानां हितकाम्यया

patitaṁ somamālokya brahmā lo kapitāmahaḥ rathamāropayāmāsa lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Beholding Soma fallen, Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, placed him upon a chariot, out of a desire for the welfare of all the worlds.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.14.22)

स तेन रथमुख्येन सागरांतां वसुंधराम्। त्रिःसप्तकृत्वो द्रुहिणश्चकारामुं प्रदक्षिणम्

sa tena rathamukhyena sāgarāṁtāṁ vasuṁdharām triḥsaptakṛtvo druhiṇaścakārāmuṁ pradakṣiṇam

With that finest of chariots, Brahma circumambulated the earth, bounded by the ocean, twenty-one times, thrice-seven times.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.14.23)

तस्य यत्प्लवितं तेजः पृथिवीमन्वपद्यत। तथौषध्यः समुद्भूता याभिः संधार्यते जगत्

tasya yatplavitaṁ tejaḥ pṛthivīmanvapadyata tathauṣadhyaḥ samudbhūtā yābhiḥ saṁdhāryate jagat

That splendor of his which streamed forth settled upon the earth; from it arose the medicinal herbs, by which the world is sustained.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.14.24)

सलब्धतेजा भगवान्ब्रह्मणा वर्धितः स्वयम्। तपस्तेपे महाभाग पद्मानां दशतीर्दश

salabdhatejā bhagavānbrahmaṇā vardhitaḥ svayam tapastepe mahābhāga padmānāṁ daśatīrdaśa

Having thus regained his splendor, and himself nurtured by Brahma, that illustrious lord performed austerities for ten times ten padmas -- an immense number of years.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.14.25)

अविमुक्तं समासाद्य क्षेत्रं परमपावनम्। संस्थाप्य लिंगममृतं चंद्रेशाख्यं स्वनामतः

avimuktaṁ samāsādya kṣetraṁ paramapāvanam saṁsthāpya liṁgamamṛtaṁ caṁdreśākhyaṁ svanāmataḥ

Having come to Avimukta, the supremely purifying field, Kashi, he established the immortal linga named, after his own name, Chandreshvara.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.14.26)

बीजौषधीनां तोयानां राजाभूदग्रजन्मनाम्। प्रसादाद्देवदेवस्य विश्वेशस्य पिनाकिनः

bījauṣadhīnāṁ toyānāṁ rājābhūdagrajanmanām prasādāddevadevasya viśveśasya pinākinaḥ

By the grace of the God of gods, Vishvesha, wielder of the Pinaka bow, he became the king of seeds, of medicinal herbs, of waters, and of the twice-born, brahmins.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.14.27)

तत्र कूपं विधायैकममृतोदमिति स्मृतम्। यस्यांबुपानस्नानाभ्यां नरोऽज्ञातात्प्रमुच्यते

tatra kūpaṁ vidhāyaikamamṛtodamiti smṛtam yasyāṁbupānasnānābhyāṁ naro'jñātātpramucyate

There he made a single well, known as Amritoda, of nectar-waters, by drinking and bathing in whose water a man is freed even from unwitting sins.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.14.28)

तुष्टेनदेवदेवेन स्वमौलौ यो धृतः स्वयम्। आदाय तां कलामेकां जगत्संजविनीं पराम्

tuṣṭenadevadevena svamaulau yo dhṛtaḥ svayam ādāya tāṁ kalāmekāṁ jagatsaṁjavinīṁ parām

He whom the pleased God of gods himself bore upon his own crown, having taken up that one supreme digit that quickens the world...

Verse 29 (skanda.4.14.29)

पश्चाद्दक्षेण शप्तोपि मासोने क्षयमाप्य च। आप्याय्यतेसौ कलया पुनरेव तया शशी

paścāddakṣeṇa śaptopi māsone kṣayamāpya ca āpyāyyatesau kalayā punareva tayā śaśī

...though afterward cursed by Daksha and, month by month, reduced to waning, that moon is nourished again and again by that very digit.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.14.30)

स तत्प्राप्य महाराज्यं सोमः सोमवतां वरः। राजसूयं समाजह्रे सहस्रशतदक्षिणम्

sa tatprāpya mahārājyaṁ somaḥ somavatāṁ varaḥ rājasūyaṁ samājahre sahasraśatadakṣiṇam

Having attained that great sovereignty, Soma, best of the possessors of Soma, performed the Rajasuya sacrifice, with fees of a hundred thousand given to the priests.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.14.31)

दक्षिणामददत्सोमस्त्रींल्लोकानिति नौ श्रुतम्। तेभ्यो ब्रह्मर्षिमुख्येभ्यः सदस्येभ्यश्च भो द्विज

dakṣiṇāmadadatsomastrīṁllokāniti nau śrutam tebhyo brahmarṣimukhyebhyaḥ sadasyebhyaśca bho dvija

Soma gave as sacrificial fee the three worlds themselves -- thus have we heard -- to those chief brahmin sages and to the assembly-members, O brahmin.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.14.32)

हिरण्यगर्भो ब्रह्माऽत्रिर्भृगुर्यत्रर्त्विजोभवन्। सदस्योभूद्धरिस्तत्र मुनिभिर्बहुभिर्युतः

hiraṇyagarbho brahmā'trirbhṛguryatrartvijobhavan sadasyobhūddharistatra munibhirbahubhiryutaḥ

There Hiranyagarbha, Brahma, Atri, and Bhrigu served as officiating priests; Hari, Vishnu, there was an assembly-member, accompanied by many sages.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.14.33)

तंसिनी च कुहूश्चैव द्युतिः पुष्टिः प्रभावसुः। कीर्तिर्धृतिश्च लक्ष्मीश्च नवदेव्यः सिषेविरे

taṁsinī ca kuhūścaiva dyutiḥ puṣṭiḥ prabhāvasuḥ kīrtirdhṛtiśca lakṣmīśca navadevyaḥ siṣevire

Tamsini, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabhavasu, Kirti, Dhriti, and Lakshmi -- these nine goddesses attended the sacrifice.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.14.34)

उमया सहितं रुद्रं संतर्प्याध्वरकर्मणा। प्राप सोम इति ख्यातिं दत्तां सोमेन शंभुना

umayā sahitaṁ rudraṁ saṁtarpyādhvarakarmaṇā prāpa soma iti khyātiṁ dattāṁ somena śaṁbhunā

Having satisfied Rudra, together with Uma, through the sacrificial rite, he obtained the name 'Soma' -- the one with Uma -- granted to him by Shambhu himself.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.14.35)

तत्रैव तप्तवान्सोमस्तपः परमदुष्करम्। तत्रैव राजसूयं च चक्रे चंद्रेश्वराग्रतः

tatraiva taptavānsomastapaḥ paramaduṣkaram tatraiva rājasūyaṁ ca cakre caṁdreśvarāgrataḥ

There Soma performed austerity of the utmost difficulty; there too he performed the Rajasuya, before Chandreshvara.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.14.36)

तत्रैव ब्राह्मणैः प्रीतैरित्युक्तोसौ कलानिधिः। सोमोस्माकं ब्राह्मणानां राजा त्रैलोक्यदक्षिणः

tatraiva brāhmaṇaiḥ prītairityuktosau kalānidhiḥ somosmākaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ rājā trailokyadakṣiṇaḥ

There, pleased, the brahmins said of that treasury of the lunar digits: 'Soma is our king, of brahmins, whose sacrificial fee equalled the three worlds.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.14.37)

तत्रैव देवदेवस्य विलोचनपदं गतः। देवेन प्रीतमनसा त्रैलोक्याह्लादहेतवे

tatraiva devadevasya vilocanapadaṁ gataḥ devena prītamanasā trailokyāhlādahetave

There he attained the rank of an eye of the God of gods, becoming identified with Shiva's crescent-moon crest, by that pleased-hearted god, for the delight of the three worlds.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.14.38)

त्वं ममास्य परामूर्तिरित्युक्तस्तत्तपोबलात्। जगत्तवोदयं प्राप्य भविष्यति सुखोदयम्

tvaṁ mamāsya parāmūrtirityuktastattapobalāt jagattavodayaṁ prāpya bhaviṣyati sukhodayam

'You are my supreme form' -- thus he was addressed, by the power of that austerity. 'The world, upon your rising, shall find the rise of happiness.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.14.39)

त्वत्पीयूषमयैर्हस्तैः स्पृष्टमेतच्चराचरम्। भानुतापपरीतं च परा ग्लानिं विहास्यति

tvatpīyūṣamayairhastaiḥ spṛṣṭametaccarācaram bhānutāpaparītaṁ ca parā glāniṁ vihāsyati

'This entire moving and unmoving world, touched by your nectar-filled rays, and afflicted by the sun's heat, shall cast off its utmost weariness.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.14.40)

एतदुक्त्वा महेशानो वरानन्यानदान्मुदा। द्विजराजतपस्तप्तं यदत्युग्रं त्वयात्र वै

etaduktvā maheśāno varānanyānadānmudā dvijarājatapastaptaṁ yadatyugraṁ tvayātra vai

Having said this, Maheshana joyfully granted other boons too: 'For the extremely fierce austerity you have performed here, O king of the twice-born...'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.14.41)

यच्च क्रतु क्रियोत्सर्गस्त्वया मह्यं निवेदितः। स्थापितं यत्त्विदं लिंगं मम चंद्रेश्वराभिधम्

yacca kratu kriyotsargastvayā mahyaṁ niveditaḥ sthāpitaṁ yattvidaṁ liṁgaṁ mama caṁdreśvarābhidham

'...and for the sacrificial rite you dedicated to me, and for this linga you established, named Chandreshvara after me...'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.14.42)

ततोत्र लिंगे त्वन्नाम्नि सोमसोमार्धरूपधृक्। प्रतिमासं पंचदश्यां शुक्लायां सर्वगोप्यहम्

tatotra liṁge tvannāmni somasomārdharūpadhṛk pratimāsaṁ paṁcadaśyāṁ śuklāyāṁ sarvagopyaham

'...therefore, in this linga bearing your name, taking the form of Soma joined with half of my own crescent, hidden from all, I shall, every month on the full fifteenth day of the bright fortnight...'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.14.43)

अहोरात्रं वसिष्यामि त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यसंयुतः। ततोत्र पूर्णिमायां तु कृता स्वल्पापि सत्क्रिया

ahorātraṁ vasiṣyāmi trailokyaiśvaryasaṁyutaḥ tatotra pūrṇimāyāṁ tu kṛtā svalpāpi satkriyā

'...dwell here a full day and night, endowed with sovereignty over the three worlds. Therefore, whatever good deed, even a small one, is done here on the full-moon day...'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.14.44)

जपहोमार्चनध्यानदानब्राह्मणभोजनम्। महापूजा च सा नूनं मम प्रीत्यै भविष्यति

japahomārcanadhyānadānabrāhmaṇabhojanam mahāpūjā ca sā nūnaṁ mama prītyai bhaviṣyati

'...whether japa, homa, worship, meditation, charity, or feeding brahmins -- and especially great worship -- shall surely bring about my pleasure.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.14.45)

जीर्णोद्धारादिकरणं नृत्यवाद्यादिकार्पणम्। ध्वजारोपणकर्मादि तपस्वियतितपर्णम्

jīrṇoddhārādikaraṇaṁ nṛtyavādyādikārpaṇam dhvajāropaṇakarmādi tapasviyatitaparṇam

'The repair of dilapidated shrines and the like, the offering of dance, music, and the like, the raising of a banner and other such acts, the satisfaction of ascetics and renunciants...'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.14.46)

चंद्रेश्वरे कृतं सर्वं तदानंत्याय जायते। अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु गुह्यं कलानिधे

caṁdreśvare kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ tadānaṁtyāya jāyate anyacca te pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu guhyaṁ kalānidhe

'...whatever is done at Chandreshvara becomes a cause for infinite merit. I shall tell you something else too -- listen, O treasury of the digits, to this secret.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.14.47)

अभक्ताय च नाख्येयं नास्तिकाय श्रुतिद्रुहे। अमावास्या यदा सोम जायते सोमवासरे

abhaktāya ca nākhyeyaṁ nāstikāya śrutidruhe amāvāsyā yadā soma jāyate somavāsare

'This is not to be told to one without devotion, nor to an unbeliever hostile to the Veda. When, O Soma, the new-moon day falls upon a Monday...'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.14.48)

तदोपवासः कर्तव्यो भूतायां सद्भिरादरात्। कृतनित्यक्रियः सोम त्रयोदश्यां निशामय

tadopavāsaḥ kartavyo bhūtāyāṁ sadbhirādarāt kṛtanityakriyaḥ soma trayodaśyāṁ niśāmaya

'...then a fast must be kept by the virtuous, with reverence, on that occasion. O Soma, listen now regarding the thirteenth day, having performed one's daily rites.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.14.49)

शनिप्रदोषे संपूज्य लिंगं चंद्रेश्वराह्वयम्। नक्तं कृत्वा त्रयोदश्यां नियमं परिगृह्य च

śanipradoṣe saṁpūjya liṁgaṁ caṁdreśvarāhvayam naktaṁ kṛtvā trayodaśyāṁ niyamaṁ parigṛhya ca

'Having worshipped the linga called Chandreshvara at the twilight of a Saturday, and having eaten only at night on the thirteenth, having undertaken the vow...'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.14.50)

उपोष्य च चतुर्दश्यां कृत्वा जागरणं निशि। प्रातः सोमकुहूयोगे स्नात्वा चंद्रोदवारिभिः

upoṣya ca caturdaśyāṁ kṛtvā jāgaraṇaṁ niśi prātaḥ somakuhūyoge snātvā caṁdrodavāribhiḥ

'...and having fasted on the fourteenth, keeping a night-vigil, then in the morning, when the conjunction of Soma and the new moon occurs, having bathed in the waters of Chandroda...'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.14.51)

उपास्य संध्यां विधिवत्कृतसर्वोदक क्रियः। उपचंद्रोदतीर्थेषु श्राद्धं विधिवदाचरेत्

upāsya saṁdhyāṁ vidhivatkṛtasarvodaka kriyaḥ upacaṁdrodatīrtheṣu śrāddhaṁ vidhivadācaret

'...having performed the twilight worship according to rule, and completed all the water-rites, one should duly perform the shraddha at the fords near Chandroda.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.14.52)

आवाहनार्घ्यरहितं पिंडान्दद्यात्प्रयत्नतः। वसुरुद्रादितिसुतस्वरूपपुरुषत्रयम्

āvāhanārghyarahitaṁ piṁḍāndadyātprayatnataḥ vasurudrāditisutasvarūpapuruṣatrayam

'One should carefully offer the pinda-balls, without the ordinary invocation and arghya offering, to the three forms of ancestors, in the nature of the Vasus, Rudras, and the sons of Aditi...'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.14.53)

मातामहांस्तथोद्दिश्य तथान्यानपि गोत्रजान्। गुरुश्वशुरबंधूनां नामान्युच्चार्य पिंडदः

mātāmahāṁstathoddiśya tathānyānapi gotrajān guruśvaśurabaṁdhūnāṁ nāmānyuccārya piṁḍadaḥ

'...and also with reference to the maternal grandfathers, as well as other kinsmen of one's own gotra, uttering the names of one's teacher, father-in-law, and other relatives, offering the pinda...'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.14.54)

कुर्वञ्छ्राद्धं च तीर्थेस्मिञ्छ्रद्धयोद्धरतेखिलान्। गयायां पिंडदानेन यथा तुप्यंति पूर्वजाः

kurvañchrāddhaṁ ca tīrthesmiñchraddhayoddharatekhilān gayāyāṁ piṁḍadānena yathā tupyaṁti pūrvajāḥ

'...performing the shraddha at this ford, one delivers all one's ancestors with faith. Just as ancestors are satisfied by the offering of pindas at Gaya...'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.14.55)

तथा चंद्रोदकुंडेऽत्र श्राद्धैस्तृप्यंति पूर्वजाः। गयायां च यथा मुच्येत्सर्वर्णात्पितृजान्नरः

tathā caṁdrodakuṁḍe'tra śrāddhaistṛpyaṁti pūrvajāḥ gayāyāṁ ca yathā mucyetsarvarṇātpitṛjānnaraḥ

'...so too are ancestors satisfied by shraddhas at this Chandroda-kunda. And just as, at Gaya, a man is freed from every ancestral debt...'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.14.56)

तथा प्रमुच्यते चर्णाच्चंद्रोदे पिण्डदानतः। यदा चंद्रेश्वरं द्रष्टुं यायात्कोपि नरोत्तमः

tathā pramucyate carṇāccaṁdrode piṇḍadānataḥ yadā caṁdreśvaraṁ draṣṭuṁ yāyātkopi narottamaḥ

'...so too is he freed from that debt by the offering of pindas at Chandroda. When any excellent man goes to behold Chandreshvara...'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.14.57)

तदा नृत्यंति मुदितास्तत्पूर्वप्रपितामहाः। अयं चंद्रोदतीर्थेस्मिंस्तर्पणं नः करिष्यति

tadā nṛtyaṁti muditāstatpūrvaprapitāmahāḥ ayaṁ caṁdrodatīrthesmiṁstarpaṇaṁ naḥ kariṣyati

'...then his ancestors, going back generations, dance with joy, thinking: this one will offer us libation at this ford of Chandroda.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.14.58)

अस्माकं मंदभाग्यत्वाद्यदि नैव करिष्यति। तदातत्तीर्थ संस्पर्शादस्मत्तृप्तिर्भविष्यति

asmākaṁ maṁdabhāgyatvādyadi naiva kariṣyati tadātattīrtha saṁsparśādasmattṛptirbhaviṣyati

'And if, through our misfortune, he does not do so, then even by his mere touching of that ford, our satisfaction shall come about.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.14.59)

स्पृशेन्नापि यदा मंदस्तदा द्रक्ष्यति तृप्तये। एवं श्राद्धं विधायाथ स्पृष्ट्वा चंद्रेश्वरं व्रती। संतर्प्य विप्रांश्च यतीन्कुर्याद्वै पारणं ततः

spṛśennāpi yadā maṁdastadā drakṣyati tṛptaye evaṁ śrāddhaṁ vidhāyātha spṛṣṭvā caṁdreśvaraṁ vratī saṁtarpya viprāṁśca yatīnkuryādvai pāraṇaṁ tataḥ

'And if even that unfortunate one fails to touch it, then his mere sight of it shall suffice for our satisfaction.' Having thus performed the shraddha, and having touched Chandreshvara, the observer of the vow should satisfy brahmins and ascetics, and then break the fast.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.14.60)

एवं व्रते कृते काश्यां सदर्शे सोमवासरे। भवेदृणत्रयान्मुक्तो मृगांकमदनुग्रहात्

evaṁ vrate kṛte kāśyāṁ sadarśe somavāsare bhavedṛṇatrayānmukto mṛgāṁkamadanugrahāt

When this vow is thus performed in Kashi, on a Monday when the moon is visible, one is freed from the three debts, by the gracious favor of the deer-marked Moon.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.14.61)

अत्र यात्रा महाचैत्र्यां कार्या क्षेत्रनिवासिभिः। तारकज्ञानलाभाय क्षेत्रविघ्ननिवर्तिनी

atra yātrā mahācaitryāṁ kāryā kṣetranivāsibhiḥ tārakajñānalābhāya kṣetravighnanivartinī

A pilgrimage should be made here by the residents of the sacred field on the great Chaitri, the full moon of Chaitra, for the attainment of the liberating taraka-knowledge, which removes all obstacles within the sacred field.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.14.62)

चंद्रेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य यद्यन्यत्रापि संस्थितः। अघौघपटलीं भित्त्वा सोमलोकमवाप्स्यति

caṁdreśvaraṁ samabhyarcya yadyanyatrāpi saṁsthitaḥ aghaughapaṭalīṁ bhittvā somalokamavāpsyati

Having worshipped Chandreshvara, even if one dwells elsewhere thereafter, one shall, by piercing through the mass of accumulated sins, attain the world of Soma.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.14.63)

कलौ चंद्रेशमहिमा नाभाग्यैरवगम्यते। अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि परं गुह्यं निशापते

kalau caṁdreśamahimā nābhāgyairavagamyate anyacca te pravakṣyāmi paraṁ guhyaṁ niśāpate

In the Kali age, the glory of Chandreshvara is not understood by the unfortunate. I shall tell you something else too -- a further secret, O lord of the night.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.14.64)

सिद्धयोगीश्वरं पीठमेतत्साधकसिद्धिदम्। सुरासुरेषु गंधर्व नागविद्याधरेष्वपि

siddhayogīśvaraṁ pīṭhametatsādhakasiddhidam surāsureṣu gaṁdharva nāgavidyādhareṣvapi

This is the seat of Siddhayogeshvara, granting accomplishment to spiritual seekers; among gods and demons, gandharvas, nagas, and vidyadharas alike...

Verse 65 (skanda.4.14.65)

रक्षोगुह्यकयक्षेषु किंनरेषु नरेषु च। सप्तकोट्यस्तु सिद्धानामत्र सिद्धा ममाग्रतः

rakṣoguhyakayakṣeṣu kiṁnareṣu nareṣu ca saptakoṭyastu siddhānāmatra siddhā mamāgrataḥ

...among rakshasas, guhyakas, yakshas, kinnaras, and men -- seventy million siddhas here have attained perfection before me, in my very presence.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.14.66)

षण्मासं नियताहारो ध्यायन्विश्वेश्वरीमिह। चंद्रेश्वरार्चनायातान्सिद्धान्पश्यति सोऽग्रगान्

ṣaṇmāsaṁ niyatāhāro dhyāyanviśveśvarīmiha caṁdreśvarārcanāyātānsiddhānpaśyati so'gragān

One who, with regulated diet, meditates here for six months upon Vishveshvari, beholds those foremost siddhas who have come to worship Chandreshvara.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.14.67)

सिद्धयोगीश्वरी साक्षाद्वरदा तस्य जायते। तवापि महती सिद्धिः सिद्धयोगीश्वरीक्षणात्

siddhayogīśvarī sākṣādvaradā tasya jāyate tavāpi mahatī siddhiḥ siddhayogīśvarīkṣaṇāt

Siddhayogeshvari herself, the giver of boons, becomes manifest to him; you too shall gain a great accomplishment through a single glance of Siddhayogeshvari.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.14.68)

संति पाठान्यनेकानि क्षितौ साधकसिद्धये। परं योगीश्वरी पीठाद्भूपृष्ठेनाशु सिद्धिदम्

saṁti pāṭhānyanekāni kṣitau sādhakasiddhaye paraṁ yogīśvarī pīṭhādbhūpṛṣṭhenāśu siddhidam

There are many other seats on this earth for the accomplishment of spiritual seekers; but none on the face of the earth grants accomplishment as swiftly as the seat of Yogeshvari.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.14.69)

यत्र चंद्रेश्वरं लिंगं त्वयेदं स्थापितं शशिन्। इदमेव हि तत्पीठमदृश्यमकृतात्मभिः

yatra caṁdreśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tvayedaṁ sthāpitaṁ śaśin idameva hi tatpīṭhamadṛśyamakṛtātmabhiḥ

O Moon, where you have established this linga of Chandreshvara -- this is that very seat, invisible to those whose souls are unrefined.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.14.70)

जितकामा जितक्रोधा जितलोभस्पृहास्मिताः। योगीश्वरीं प्रपश्यंति मम शक्तिपरां हिताम्

jitakāmā jitakrodhā jitalobhaspṛhāsmitāḥ yogīśvarīṁ prapaśyaṁti mama śaktiparāṁ hitām

Only those who have conquered desire, anger, greed, craving, and pride behold Yogeshvari, my supreme and benevolent Shakti.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.14.71)

ये तु प्रत्यष्टमि जनास्तथा प्रति चतुर्दशि। सिद्धयोगीश्वरीपीठे पूजयिष्यंति भाविताः

ye tu pratyaṣṭami janāstathā prati caturdaśi siddhayogīśvarīpīṭhe pūjayiṣyaṁti bhāvitāḥ

But those people who, on every eighth and every fourteenth lunar day, with devoted minds, shall worship at the seat of Siddhayogeshvari...

Verse 72 (skanda.4.14.72)

अदृष्टरूपां सुभगां पिंगलां सर्वसिद्धिदाम्। धूपनैवेद्यदीपाद्यैस्तेषामाविर्भविष्यति

adṛṣṭarūpāṁ subhagāṁ piṁgalāṁ sarvasiddhidām dhūpanaivedyadīpādyaisteṣāmāvirbhaviṣyati

...to them, through incense, food-offerings, lamps, and the like, she -- of invisible form, gracious, tawny-golden, granting every accomplishment -- shall become manifest.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.14.73)

इति दत्त्वा वराञ्छंभुस्तस्मै चंद्रमसे द्विज। अंतर्हितो महेशानस्तत्र वैश्वेश्वरे पुरे

iti dattvā varāñchaṁbhustasmai caṁdramase dvija aṁtarhito maheśānastatra vaiśveśvare pure

Having granted these boons to the Moon, O brahmin, Shambhu, the great Lord, vanished there, in the city of Vishveshvara.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.14.74)

तदारभ्य च लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विजराजोधिपोभवत्। दिशोवितिमिराः कुर्वन्निजैः प्रसृमरैः करैः

tadārabhya ca loke'smindvijarājodhipobhavat diśovitimirāḥ kurvannijaiḥ prasṛmaraiḥ karaiḥ

From that time on, he became the sovereign lord of this world, the king of the twice-born, of the stars, dispelling the darkness of the directions with his own spreading rays.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.14.75)

सोमवारव्रतकृतः सोमपानरता नराः। सोमप्रभेणयानेन सोमलोकं व्रजंति हि

somavāravratakṛtaḥ somapānaratā narāḥ somaprabheṇayānena somalokaṁ vrajaṁti hi

Men who observe the Monday vow, and those devoted to the drinking of soma, go indeed to the world of Soma, in a chariot made of Soma's own radiance.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.14.76)

चंद्रेश्वरसमुत्पत्तिं तथा चांद्रमसं तपः। यः श्रोष्यति नरो भक्त्या चंद्रलोके स इज्यते

caṁdreśvarasamutpattiṁ tathā cāṁdramasaṁ tapaḥ yaḥ śroṣyati naro bhaktyā caṁdraloke sa ijyate

Whatever man shall hear, with devotion, of the origin of Chandreshvara and of the Moon's own austerity, is honored in the world of the Moon.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.14.77)

अगस्तिरुवाच। शिवशर्मणि शर्मकारिणीं पथि दिव्ये श्रमहारिणीं गणौ। कथयंतौ तु कथामिमां शुभामुडुलोकं परिजग्मतुस्ततः

agastiruvāca śivaśarmaṇi śarmakāriṇīṁ pathi divye śramahāriṇīṁ gaṇau kathayaṁtau tu kathāmimāṁ śubhāmuḍulokaṁ parijagmatustataḥ

Agasti said: The two ganas, telling to Shivasharma, on that divine path, this auspicious tale that brought comfort and dispelled weariness, then went on together to the world of the stars.