Description of the Realms of the Nakshatras and Budha

Verse 1 (skanda.4.15.1)

अगस्तिरुवाच। शृणु पत्नि महाभागे लोपामुद्रे सधर्मिणि। कथा विष्णुगणाभ्यां च कथितां शिवशर्मणे

agastiruvāca śṛṇu patni mahābhāge lopāmudre sadharmiṇi kathā viṣṇugaṇābhyāṁ ca kathitāṁ śivaśarmaṇe

Agasti said: Listen, O illustrious wife Lopamudra, my partner in dharma, to the tale told by the two ganas of Vishnu to Shivasharma.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.15.2)

शिवशर्मोवाच। अहो गणौ विचित्रेयं श्रुता चांद्रमसी कथा। उडुलोककथां ख्यातं विष्वगाख्यानकोविदौ

śivaśarmovāca aho gaṇau vicitreyaṁ śrutā cāṁdramasī kathā uḍulokakathāṁ khyātaṁ viṣvagākhyānakovidau

Shivasharma said: Ah, O two ganas, wondrous indeed is this tale of the Moon that I have heard! Now tell the renowned tale of the world of the stars, O you two skilled in narrating all things.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.15.3)

गणावूचतुः। पुरा सिसृक्षतः सृष्टिं स्रष्टुरंगुष्ठपृष्ठतः। दक्षः प्रजाविनिर्माणे दक्षो जातः प्रजापतिः। षष्टिर्दुहितरस्तस्य तपोलावण्यभूषणाः। सर्वलावण्यरोहिण्यो रोहिणीप्रमुखाः शुभाः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ purā sisṛkṣataḥ sṛṣṭiṁ sraṣṭuraṁguṣṭhapṛṣṭhataḥ dakṣaḥ prajāvinirmāṇe dakṣo jātaḥ prajāpatiḥ ṣaṣṭirduhitarastasya tapolāvaṇyabhūṣaṇāḥ sarvalāvaṇyarohiṇyo rohiṇīpramukhāḥ śubhāḥ

The two ganas said: Long ago, from the back of the thumb of the Creator, wishing to create, was born Daksha, skilled in the fashioning of creatures, the Prajapati. He had sixty daughters, adorned with the beauty of austerity; auspicious ones, all lovely as Rohini, with Rohini foremost among them.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.15.4)

ताभिस्तप्त्वा तपस्तीव्रं प्राप्य वैश्वेश्वरीं पुरीम्। आराधितो महादेवः सोमः सोमविभूपणः

tābhistaptvā tapastīvraṁ prāpya vaiśveśvarīṁ purīm ārādhito mahādevaḥ somaḥ somavibhūpaṇaḥ

By them, having come to the city of Vishveshvari, fierce austerity was performed, and Mahadeva was worshipped -- Soma, adorned with the crescent moon.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.15.5)

यदा तुष्टोयमीशानो दातुं वरमथाययौ। उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा याचध्वं वरमुत्तमम्

yadā tuṣṭoyamīśāno dātuṁ varamathāyayau uvāca ca prasannātmā yācadhvaṁ varamuttamam

When Ishana, thus pleased, came to grant a boon, he said, with a pleased soul: 'Ask for an excellent boon.'

Verse 6 (skanda.4.15.6)

शंभोर्वाक्यमथाकर्ण्य ऊचुस्ताश्च कुमारिकाः। यदि देयो वरोऽस्माकं वरयोग्याः स्म शंकर

śaṁbhorvākyamathākarṇya ūcustāśca kumārikāḥ yadi deyo varo'smākaṁ varayogyāḥ sma śaṁkara

Hearing Shambhu's words, those maidens said: 'If a boon is to be given to us, O Shankara, know that we are fit to receive it.'

Verse 7 (skanda.4.15.7)

भवतोपि महादेव भवतापहरो हि यः। रूपेण भवता तुल्यः स नो भर्ता भवत्विति

bhavatopi mahādeva bhavatāpaharo hi yaḥ rūpeṇa bhavatā tulyaḥ sa no bhartā bhavatviti

'O Mahadeva, let one who removes the affliction of worldly existence, one equal to you in form -- let him become our husband.'

Verse 8 (skanda.4.15.8)

लिंगं संस्थाप्य सुमहन्नक्षत्रेश्वर संज्ञितम्। वारणायास्तटे रम्ये संगमेश्वरसन्निधौ

liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpya sumahannakṣatreśvara saṁjñitam vāraṇāyāstaṭe ramye saṁgameśvarasannidhau

Having established a great linga named Nakshatreshvara, on the delightful bank of the Varana river, near Sangameshvara...

Verse 9 (skanda.4.15.9)

दिव्यं वर्ष सहस्रं तु पुरुषायितसंज्ञितम्। तपस्तप्तं महत्ताभिः पुरुषैरपि दुष्करम्

divyaṁ varṣa sahasraṁ tu puruṣāyitasaṁjñitam tapastaptaṁ mahattābhiḥ puruṣairapi duṣkaram

...for a thousand divine years, they performed the great austerity called Purushayita, 'acting as men,' difficult even for men to accomplish.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.15.10)

ततस्तुष्टो हि विश्वेशो व्यतरद्वरमुत्तमम्। सर्वासामेकपत्नीनामकत्रे स्थिरचेतसाम्

tatastuṣṭo hi viśveśo vyataradvaramuttamam sarvāsāmekapatnīnāmakatre sthiracetasām

Then Vishvesha, pleased, granted an excellent boon to all of them, of one steadfast mind, devoted as if to a single husband.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.15.11)

श्री विश्वेश्वर उवाच। न क्षांतं हि तपोत्युग्रमेतदन्याभिरीदृशम्। पुराऽबलाभिस्तस्माद्वो नाम नक्षत्रमत्र वै

śrī viśveśvara uvāca na kṣāṁtaṁ hi tapotyugrametadanyābhirīdṛśam purā'balābhistasmādvo nāma nakṣatramatra vai

Shri Vishveshvar said: 'Never before has such fierce austerity been endured by other women. Therefore your name here shall be Nakshatra, the stars.'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.15.12)

पुरुषायितसंज्ञेन तप्तं यत्तपसाधुना। भवतीभिस्ततः पुंस्त्वमिच्छया वो भविष्यति

puruṣāyitasaṁjñena taptaṁ yattapasādhunā bhavatībhistataḥ puṁstvamicchayā vo bhaviṣyati

'Since you have now performed the austerity called Purushayita, therefore masculine nature shall be yours, according to your own will.'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.15.13)

ज्योतिश्चक्रे समस्तेऽस्मिन्नग्रगण्या भविष्यथ। मेषादीनां च राशीनां योनयो यूयमुत्तमाः

jyotiścakre samaste'sminnagragaṇyā bhaviṣyatha meṣādīnāṁ ca rāśīnāṁ yonayo yūyamuttamāḥ

'You shall be foremost in this entire wheel of lights, the zodiac; you shall be the supreme wombs, sources, of the signs beginning with Aries.'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.15.14)

ओषधीनां सुधायाश्च ब्राह्मणानां च यः पतिः। पतिमत्यो भवत्योपि तेन पत्या शुभाननाः

oṣadhīnāṁ sudhāyāśca brāhmaṇānāṁ ca yaḥ patiḥ patimatyo bhavatyopi tena patyā śubhānanāḥ

'He who is the lord of the herbs, of nectar, and of brahmins -- by that husband you too, O auspicious-faced ones, shall have a husband.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.15.15)

भवतीनामिदं लिंगं नक्षत्रेश्वर संज्ञितम्। पूजयित्वा नरो गंता भवतीलोकमुत्तमम्

bhavatīnāmidaṁ liṁgaṁ nakṣatreśvara saṁjñitam pūjayitvā naro gaṁtā bhavatīlokamuttamam

'This linga of yours, named Nakshatreshvara -- a man who worships it shall go to your own supreme world.'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.15.16)

उपरिष्टान्मृगांकस्य लोको वस्तु भविष्यति। सर्वासां तारकाणां च मध्ये मान्या भविष्यथ

upariṣṭānmṛgāṁkasya loko vastu bhaviṣyati sarvāsāṁ tārakāṇāṁ ca madhye mānyā bhaviṣyatha

'This world of yours shall be situated above that of the deer-marked Moon; and you shall be honored among all the stars.'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.15.17)

नक्षत्रपूजका ये च नक्षत्रव्रतचारिणः। ते वो लोके वसिष्यंति नक्षत्र सदृशप्रभाः

nakṣatrapūjakā ye ca nakṣatravratacāriṇaḥ te vo loke vasiṣyaṁti nakṣatra sadṛśaprabhāḥ

'Those who worship the Nakshatras and observe the Nakshatra vows shall dwell in your world, radiant like the stars themselves.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.15.18)

नक्षत्रग्रहराशीनां बाधास्तेषां कदाचन। न भविष्यंति ये काश्यां नक्षत्रेश्वरवीक्षकाः

nakṣatragraharāśīnāṁ bādhāsteṣāṁ kadācana na bhaviṣyaṁti ye kāśyāṁ nakṣatreśvaravīkṣakāḥ

'Never shall there be any affliction from the stars, planets, or signs, for those who behold Nakshatreshvara in Kashi.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.15.19)

अगस्त्य उवाच। अतिथित्वमवाप नेत्रयोर्बुधलोकः शिवशर्मणस्त्वथ। गणयोर्भगणस्य संकथां कथयित्रो रिति विष्णुचेतसोः

agastya uvāca atithitvamavāpa netrayorbudhalokaḥ śivaśarmaṇastvatha gaṇayorbhagaṇasya saṁkathāṁ kathayitro riti viṣṇucetasoḥ

Agastya said: Then the world of Budha became a guest before the eyes of Shivasharma, as the two ganas -- their minds fixed on Vishnu -- began to tell the tale of that host of stars.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.15.20)

शिवशर्मोवाच। कस्य लोकोयमतुलो ब्रूतं श्रीभगवद्गणौ। पीयूषभानोरिव मे मनः प्रीणयतेतराम्

śivaśarmovāca kasya lokoyamatulo brūtaṁ śrībhagavadgaṇau pīyūṣabhānoriva me manaḥ prīṇayatetarām

Shivasharma said: Whose is this incomparable world? Tell me, O glorious attendants of the Lord. My mind is delighted exceedingly, as if by the nectar-rayed moon itself.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.15.21)

गणावूचतुः। शिवशर्मञ्छृणु कथामेतां पापापहारिणीम्। स्वर्गमार्गविनोदाय तापत्रयविनाशिनीम्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ śivaśarmañchṛṇu kathāmetāṁ pāpāpahāriṇīm svargamārgavinodāya tāpatrayavināśinīm

The two ganas said: O Shivasharma, listen to this tale, which removes sin, which destroys the threefold affliction, for the delight of the path to heaven.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.15.22)

योसौ पूर्वं महाकांतिरावाभ्यां परिवर्णितः। साम्राज्यपदमापन्नो द्विजराजस्तवाग्रतः

yosau pūrvaṁ mahākāṁtirāvābhyāṁ parivarṇitaḥ sāmrājyapadamāpanno dvijarājastavāgrataḥ

He who was earlier described by the two of us to you, of great splendor, who attained the station of sovereign rule -- the king of the twice-born, the Moon...

Verse 23 (skanda.4.15.23)

दक्षिणा राजसूयस्य येन त्रिभुवनं कृता। तपस्तताप योत्युग्रं पद्मानां दशतीर्दश

dakṣiṇā rājasūyasya yena tribhuvanaṁ kṛtā tapastatāpa yotyugraṁ padmānāṁ daśatīrdaśa

...by whom the three worlds themselves were made the sacrificial fee of the Rajasuya, who performed extremely fierce austerity for ten times ten padmas of years...

Verse 24 (skanda.4.15.24)

अत्रिनेत्रसमुद्भूतः पौत्रो वै द्रुहिणस्य यः। नाथः सर्वौषधीनां च ज्योतिषां पतिरेव च

atrinetrasamudbhūtaḥ pautro vai druhiṇasya yaḥ nāthaḥ sarvauṣadhīnāṁ ca jyotiṣāṁ patireva ca

...who was born from Atri's eye, who is the grandson of Brahma, the lord of all herbs, and truly the lord of the luminaries...

Verse 25 (skanda.4.15.25)

निर्मलानां कलानां च शेवधिर्यश्च गीयते। उद्यन्परोपतापं यः स्वकरैर्गलहस्तयेत्

nirmalānāṁ kalānāṁ ca śevadhiryaśca gīyate udyanparopatāpaṁ yaḥ svakarairgalahastayet

...who is celebrated as the treasury of the pure lunar digits, who, rising, seizes and drives away others' torment with his own rays...

Verse 26 (skanda.4.15.26)

मुदंकुमुदिनीनांयस्तनोति जगता सह। दिग्वधू चारु शृंगारदर्शनादर्शमंडलः

mudaṁkumudinīnāṁyastanoti jagatā saha digvadhū cāru śṛṁgāradarśanādarśamaṁḍalaḥ

...who extends joy to the lotus-clusters together with the world, whose orb is a mirror for the directions' brides to behold their own lovely adornment...

Verse 27 (skanda.4.15.27)

किमन्यैर्गुणसंभारैरतोपि न समं विधोः। निजोत्तमांगे सर्वज्ञः कलां यस्यावतंसयेत्

kimanyairguṇasaṁbhārairatopi na samaṁ vidhoḥ nijottamāṁge sarvajñaḥ kalāṁ yasyāvataṁsayet

...what need to speak of his other host of virtues? Nothing else equals the Moon, a single digit of whom the all-knowing Shiva wears as an ornament upon his own crowning head.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.15.28)

बृहस्पतेस्स वै भार्यामैश्वर्यमदमोहितः। पुरोहितस्यापिगुरोर्भ्रातुरांगिरसस्य वै

bṛhaspatessa vai bhāryāmaiśvaryamadamohitaḥ purohitasyāpigurorbhrāturāṁgirasasya vai

Yet he, deluded by the intoxication of his sovereignty, carried off the very wife of Brihaspati -- the priest, the guru, the brother of Angiras...

Verse 29 (skanda.4.15.29)

जहार तरसा तारां रूपवान्रूपशालिनीम्। वार्यमाणोपि गीर्वाणैर्बहुदेवर्षिभिः पुनः

jahāra tarasā tārāṁ rūpavānrūpaśālinīm vāryamāṇopi gīrvāṇairbahudevarṣibhiḥ punaḥ

...he, handsome, forcibly carried off Tara, herself resplendent in beauty, though warned again and again by the gods and many divine sages.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.15.30)

नायं कलानिधेर्दोषो द्विजराजस्य तस्य वै। हित्वा त्रिनेत्रं कामेन कस्य नो खडितं मनः

nāyaṁ kalānidherdoṣo dvijarājasya tasya vai hitvā trinetraṁ kāmena kasya no khaḍitaṁ manaḥ

This is truly no fault of that treasury of the digits, the king of the twice-born; for whose mind, save the three-eyed Lord's, has not been shattered by desire?

Verse 31 (skanda.4.15.31)

ध्वांतमेतदभितः प्रसारियत्तच्छमाय विधिनाविनिर्मितम्। दीपभास्करकरामहौषधं नाधिपत्य तमसस्तुकिंचन

dhvāṁtametadabhitaḥ prasāriyattacchamāya vidhināvinirmitam dīpabhāskarakarāmahauṣadhaṁ nādhipatya tamasastukiṁcana

This darkness that spreads on every side was met, for its pacification, by fashioning lamps, the sun's rays, and great herbs -- but against the sovereignty of that darkness of delusion, no remedy at all was made.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.15.32)

आधिपत्यमदमोहितं हितं शंसितं स्पृशति नो हरेर्हितम्। दुर्जनविहिततीर्थमज्जनैः शुद्धधीरिव विरुद्धमानसम्

ādhipatyamadamohitaṁ hitaṁ śaṁsitaṁ spṛśati no harerhitam durjanavihitatīrthamajjanaiḥ śuddhadhīriva viruddhamānasam

A mind deluded by the intoxication of sovereignty does not touch upon what is truly beneficial and proclaimed as good by Hari; it becomes averse to purity, as though even a pure mind were fouled by bathing in a ford defiled by the wicked.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.15.33)

धिग्धिगेतदधिकर्द्धि चेष्टितं चंक्रमेक्षणविलक्षितं यतः। वीक्षते क्षणमचारुचक्षुषा घातितेन विपदःपदेन च

dhigdhigetadadhikarddhi ceṣṭitaṁ caṁkramekṣaṇavilakṣitaṁ yataḥ vīkṣate kṣaṇamacārucakṣuṣā ghātitena vipadaḥpadena ca

Shame, shame on this conduct born of excessive prosperity, marked by a wandering, restless glance -- by which, in a single moment, with an unlovely eye, one is struck down, brought to the very threshold of ruin.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.15.34)

कः कामेन न निर्जितस्त्रिजगतां पुष्पायुधेनाप्यहो कः क्रोधस्यवशंगतो ननच को लोभेन संमोहितः। योषिल्लोचनभल्लभिन्नहृदयः को नाप्तवानापदं को राज्यश्रियमाप्यनांधपदवीं यातोपि सल्लोचनः

kaḥ kāmena na nirjitastrijagatāṁ puṣpāyudhenāpyaho kaḥ krodhasyavaśaṁgato nanaca ko lobhena saṁmohitaḥ yoṣillocanabhallabhinnahṛdayaḥ ko nāptavānāpadaṁ ko rājyaśriyamāpyanāṁdhapadavīṁ yātopi sallocanaḥ

Who among the three worlds has not been conquered by Kama, the flower-armed one? Ah, who has not fallen under the sway of anger, and who has not been bewildered by greed? Whose heart, pierced by the barbed glance of a woman's eye, has not met with calamity? And who, even having attained the glory of a kingdom, and possessed of sound eyes, has not walked the path of the blind?

Verse 35 (skanda.4.15.35)

आधिपत्यकमलातिचंचला प्राप्यतां च यदिहार्जितं किल। निश्चलं सदसदुच्चकैर्हितं कार्यमार्यचरितैः सदैव तत्

ādhipatyakamalāticaṁcalā prāpyatāṁ ca yadihārjitaṁ kila niścalaṁ sadasaduccakairhitaṁ kāryamāryacaritaiḥ sadaiva tat

The lotus-goddess of sovereignty is exceedingly fickle, and whatever is gained here by such power is fleeting; therefore that alone which is steadfast, truly beneficial, and highest, should ever be pursued by those of noble conduct.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.15.36)

न यदांगिरसे तारां स व्यसर्जयदुल्बणः। रुद्रोथ पार्ष्णिं जग्राह गृहीत्वाजगवं धनुः

na yadāṁgirase tārāṁ sa vyasarjayadulbaṇaḥ rudrotha pārṣṇiṁ jagrāha gṛhītvājagavaṁ dhanuḥ

When that fierce Soma would not release Tara to the descendant of Angiras, Rudra then took up the cause, seizing the Ajagava bow.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.15.37)

तेन ब्रह्मशिरोनाम परमास्त्रं महात्मना। उत्सृष्टं देवदेवायतेन तन्नाशितं ततः

tena brahmaśironāma paramāstraṁ mahātmanā utsṛṣṭaṁ devadevāyatena tannāśitaṁ tataḥ

By that great-souled Soma, the supreme weapon called Brahmashira was then released against the God of gods; but it was destroyed by him.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.15.38)

तयोस्तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरं वै तारकामयम्। ततस्त्वकांड ब्रह्मांड भंगाद्भीतोभवद्विधिः

tayostadyuddhamabhavadghoraṁ vai tārakāmayam tatastvakāṁḍa brahmāṁḍa bhaṁgādbhītobhavadvidhiḥ

A terrible war then broke out between the two of them, over Tara; and then Brahma became afraid of the sudden shattering of the cosmic egg.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.15.39)

निवार्य रुद्रं समरात्संवर्तानलवर्चसम्। ददावांगिरसे तारां स्वयमेव पितामहः

nivārya rudraṁ samarātsaṁvartānalavarcasam dadāvāṁgirase tārāṁ svayameva pitāmahaḥ

Having stopped Rudra, whose splendor blazed like the fire of universal dissolution, from the battle, the Grandfather himself gave Tara back to the descendant of Angiras.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.15.40)

अथांतर्गर्भमालोक्य तारां प्राह बृहस्पतिः। मदीयायां न ते योनौ गर्भो धार्यः कथंचन

athāṁtargarbhamālokya tārāṁ prāha bṛhaspatiḥ madīyāyāṁ na te yonau garbho dhāryaḥ kathaṁcana

But then Brihaspati, perceiving that Tara carried a child within her, said to her: 'This child is by no means to be borne within my own lineage.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.15.41)

इषीकास्तंबमासाद्य गर्भं सा चोत्ससर्ज ह। जातमात्रः स भगवान्देवानामाक्षिपद्वपुः

iṣīkāstaṁbamāsādya garbhaṁ sā cotsasarja ha jātamātraḥ sa bhagavāndevānāmākṣipadvapuḥ

Coming to a clump of reeds, she then cast forth the embryo. That illustrious one, the very moment he was born, dazzled the very bodies of the gods with his splendor.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.15.42)

ततः संशयमापन्नास्तारामूचुः सुरोत्तमाः। सत्यं बूहि सुतः कस्य सोमस्याथ बृहस्पतेः

tataḥ saṁśayamāpannāstārāmūcuḥ surottamāḥ satyaṁ būhi sutaḥ kasya somasyātha bṛhaspateḥ

Then, seized with doubt, the best of the gods said to Tara: 'Tell us the truth -- whose son is this? Soma's, or Brihaspati's?'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.15.43)

पृच्छमाना यदा देवै र्नाह ताराऽतिसत्रपा। तदा सा शप्तुमारब्धा कुमारेणातितेजसा

pṛcchamānā yadā devai rnāha tārā'tisatrapā tadā sā śaptumārabdhā kumāreṇātitejasā

When, though questioned by the gods, Tara, overcome with shame, did not speak, she was then about to be cursed by that boy of surpassing splendor.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.15.44)

तं निवार्य तदा ब्रह्मा तारां पप्रच्छ संशयम्। प्रोवाच प्रांजलिः सा तं सोमस्येति पितामहम्

taṁ nivārya tadā brahmā tārāṁ papraccha saṁśayam provāca prāṁjaliḥ sā taṁ somasyeti pitāmaham

Restraining him, Brahma then questioned Tara about the doubt; with hands folded, she told the Grandfather that the child was Soma's.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.15.45)

तदा स मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय राजा गर्भं प्रजापतिः। बुध इत्यकरोन्नाम तस्य बालस्य धीमतः

tadā sa mūrdhnyupāghrāya rājā garbhaṁ prajāpatiḥ budha ityakaronnāma tasya bālasya dhīmataḥ

Then Prajapati, the king, having smelled the child's head, gave to that wise boy the name Budha.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.15.46)

ततश्च सर्वदेवेभ्यस्तेजोरूपबलाधिकः। बुधः सोमं समापृच्छय तपसे कृतनिश्चयः

tataśca sarvadevebhyastejorūpabalādhikaḥ budhaḥ somaṁ samāpṛcchaya tapase kṛtaniścayaḥ

And Budha, surpassing all the gods in splendor, form, and strength, having taken leave of Soma, resolved upon austerity...

Verse 47 (skanda.4.15.47)

जगाम काशीं निर्वाणराशिं विश्वेशपालिताम्। तत्र लिगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य स स्वनाम्ना बुधेश्वरम्

jagāma kāśīṁ nirvāṇarāśiṁ viśveśapālitām tatra ligaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya sa svanāmnā budheśvaram

...went to Kashi, the very treasury of liberation, protected by Vishvesha; there he established a linga, named after his own name, Budheshvara.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.15.48)

तपश्चचार चात्युग्रमुग्रं संशीलयन्हृदि। वर्षाणामयुतं बालो बालेंदुतिलकं शिवम्

tapaścacāra cātyugramugraṁ saṁśīlayanhṛdi varṣāṇāmayutaṁ bālo bāleṁdutilakaṁ śivam

He performed extremely fierce austerity for ten thousand years, though but a child, cultivating in his heart the image of Shiva, crested with the young moon.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.15.49)

ततो विश्वपतिः श्रीमान्विश्वेशो विश्वभावनः। बुधेश्वरान्महालिंगादाविरासीन्महोदयः

tato viśvapatiḥ śrīmānviśveśo viśvabhāvanaḥ budheśvarānmahāliṁgādāvirāsīnmahodayaḥ

Then the glorious lord of the universe, Vishvesha, the creator of the universe, of great splendor, appeared from the great linga Budheshvara.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.15.50)

उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा ज्योतीरूपो महेश्वरः। वरं ब्रूहि महाबुद्धे बुधान्य विबुधोत्तमः

uvāca ca prasannātmā jyotīrūpo maheśvaraḥ varaṁ brūhi mahābuddhe budhānya vibudhottamaḥ

With a pleased soul, Maheshvara, in the form of light, said: 'Speak your boon, O greatly wise one, best among the wise.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.15.51)

तवानेनाति तपसा लिंगसंशीलनेन च। प्रसन्नोस्मि महासौम्य नादेयं त्वयि विद्यते

tavānenāti tapasā liṁgasaṁśīlanena ca prasannosmi mahāsaumya nādeyaṁ tvayi vidyate

'By this great austerity of yours, and by your devoted cultivation of the linga, I am pleased, O most gentle one; there is nothing that cannot be given to you.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.15.52)

इति श्रुत्वा वचः सोथ मेघगंभीर निःस्वनम्। अवग्रहपरिम्लान सस्यसंजीवनोपमम्

iti śrutvā vacaḥ sotha meghagaṁbhīra niḥsvanam avagrahaparimlāna sasyasaṁjīvanopamam

Hearing these words, deep-sounding as the thunder of clouds, like the revival of crops withered by drought...

Verse 53 (skanda.4.15.53)

उन्मील्यलोचने यावत्पुरः पश्यति बालकः। तावल्लिंगे ददर्शाथ त्र्यंबकं शशिशेखरम्

unmīlyalocane yāvatpuraḥ paśyati bālakaḥ tāvalliṁge dadarśātha tryaṁbakaṁ śaśiśekharam

...as soon as that boy opened his eyes and looked before him, he beheld, within the linga, the three-eyed Lord, crested with the crescent moon.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.15.54)

बुध उवाच। नमः पूतात्मने तुभ्यं ज्योतीरूप नमोस्तु ते। विश्वरूप नमस्तुभ्यं रूपातीताय ते नमः

budha uvāca namaḥ pūtātmane tubhyaṁ jyotīrūpa namostu te viśvarūpa namastubhyaṁ rūpātītāya te namaḥ

Budha said: Salutations to you, of purest soul; salutations to you, of the form of light; salutations to you, of the form of the universe; salutations to you, who transcend all form.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.15.55)

नमः सर्वार्ति नाशाय प्रणतानां शिवात्मने। सर्वज्ञाय नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वकर्त्रे नमोस्तु ते

namaḥ sarvārti nāśāya praṇatānāṁ śivātmane sarvajñāya namastubhyaṁ sarvakartre namostu te

Salutations to you, destroyer of every affliction of those who bow before you, whose very self is auspiciousness; salutations to you, the omniscient; salutations to you, the maker of all.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.15.56)

कृपालवे नमस्तुभ्यं भक्तिगम्याय ते नमः। फलदात्रे च तपसां तपोरूपाय ते नमः

kṛpālave namastubhyaṁ bhaktigamyāya te namaḥ phaladātre ca tapasāṁ taporūpāya te namaḥ

Salutations to you, most compassionate; salutations to you, attainable only through devotion; salutations to you, the giver of the fruit of austerities, whose very form is austerity.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.15.57)

शंभो शिवशिवाकांत शांतश्री कंठशूलभृत्। शशिशेखरशर्वेश शंकरेश्वर धूर्जटे

śaṁbho śivaśivākāṁta śāṁtaśrī kaṁṭhaśūlabhṛt śaśiśekharaśarveśa śaṁkareśvara dhūrjaṭe

O Shambhu, O Shiva, beloved of Shiva, Parvati, of peaceful glory, bearer of the trident at your throat, moon-crested, lord of Sharva, O Shankareshvara, O Dhurjati!

Verse 58 (skanda.4.15.58)

पिनाकपाणे गिरिश शितिकंठ सदाशिव। महादेव नमस्तुभ्यं देवदेव नमोस्तु ते

pinākapāṇe giriśa śitikaṁṭha sadāśiva mahādeva namastubhyaṁ devadeva namostu te

O wielder of the Pinaka bow, O lord of the mountain, O dark-throated one, O Sadashiva, O Mahadeva, salutations to you; O God of gods, salutations to you.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.15.59)

स्तुतिकर्तुं न जानामि स्तुतिप्रिय महेश्वर। तव पादांबुजद्वंद्वे निर्द्वंद्वा भक्तिरस्तु मे

stutikartuṁ na jānāmi stutipriya maheśvara tava pādāṁbujadvaṁdve nirdvaṁdvā bhaktirastu me

I do not know how to compose your praise, O Maheshvara, who love praise; may my devotion to the pair of your lotus feet be free from all duality.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.15.60)

अयमेव वरो नाथ प्रसन्नोसि यदीश्वर। नान्यं वरं वृणे त्वत्तः करुणामृतवारिधे

ayameva varo nātha prasannosi yadīśvara nānyaṁ varaṁ vṛṇe tvattaḥ karuṇāmṛtavāridhe

O Lord, this alone is the boon I ask, if you are pleased with me, O Ishvara; I seek no other boon from you, O ocean of the nectar of compassion.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.15.61)

ततः प्राह महेशानस्तत्स्तुत्या परितोषितः। रौहिणेय महाभाग सौम्यसौम्यवचोनिधे

tataḥ prāha maheśānastatstutyā paritoṣitaḥ rauhiṇeya mahābhāga saumyasaumyavaconidhe

Then Maheshana, gladdened by that hymn of praise, said: 'O son of Rohini, illustrious one, most gentle, treasury of gentle speech...'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.15.62)

नक्षत्रलोकादुपरि तव लोको भविष्यति। मध्ये सर्वग्रहाणां च सपर्यां लप्स्यसे पराम्

nakṣatralokādupari tava loko bhaviṣyati madhye sarvagrahāṇāṁ ca saparyāṁ lapsyase parām

'...your world shall be situated above the world of the Nakshatras; and among all the planets you shall receive the highest worship.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.15.63)

त्वयेदं स्थापितं लिंगं सर्वेषां बुद्धिदायकम्। दुर्बुद्धिहरणं सौम्य त्वल्लोकवसतिप्रदम्

tvayedaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ sarveṣāṁ buddhidāyakam durbuddhiharaṇaṁ saumya tvallokavasatipradam

'This linga established by you shall be the giver of intelligence to all, O gentle one, the remover of ill intelligence, and the granter of dwelling in your own world.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.15.64)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छंभुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। बुधः स्वर्लोकमगमद्देवदेवप्रसादतः

ityuktvā bhagavāñchaṁbhustatraivāṁtaradhīyata budhaḥ svarlokamagamaddevadevaprasādataḥ

Having said this, the illustrious Shambhu vanished there itself; and Budha went to his heavenly world, by the grace of the God of gods.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.15.65)

गणावूचतुः। काश्यां बुधेश्वरसमर्चनलब्धबुद्धिः संसारसिंधुमधिगम्य नरो ह्यगाधम्। मज्जेन्न सज्जनविलोचन चंद्रकांतिः कांताननस्त्वधिवसेच्च बुधेऽत्र लोके

gaṇāvūcatuḥ kāśyāṁ budheśvarasamarcanalabdhabuddhiḥ saṁsārasiṁdhumadhigamya naro hyagādham majjenna sajjanavilocana caṁdrakāṁtiḥ kāṁtānanastvadhivasecca budhe'tra loke

The two ganas said: A man who has gained wisdom through the worship of Budheshvara in Kashi, upon reaching the fathomless ocean of samsara, does not drown; delightful to the eyes of the virtuous like the beauty of the moon, he shall dwell, his face aglow, in this very world of Budha.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.15.66)

चंद्रेश्वरात्पूर्वभागे दृष्ट्वा लिंगं बुधेश्वरम्। न बुद्ध्या हीयते जंतुरंतकालेपि जातुचित्

caṁdreśvarātpūrvabhāge dṛṣṭvā liṁgaṁ budheśvaram na buddhyā hīyate jaṁturaṁtakālepi jātucit

Having beheld the linga Budheshvara, situated to the east of Chandreshvara, a being is never bereft of intelligence, even at the time of death.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.15.67)

गणौ यावत्कथामित्थं चक्राते बुधलोकगाम्। तावद्विमानं संप्राप्तं शुक्रलोकमनुत्तमम्

gaṇau yāvatkathāmitthaṁ cakrāte budhalokagām tāvadvimānaṁ saṁprāptaṁ śukralokamanuttamam

As long as the two ganas were telling this tale relating to the world of Budha, so long their chariot arrived at the unsurpassed world of Shukra.