Shivasharma's Attainment of Liberation

Verse 1 (skanda.4.24.1)

गणावूचतुः । शिवशर्मन्नुदर्कं ते कथयावो निशामय । त्वमत्र वैष्णवे लोके भुक्त्वा भोगान्सुपुष्कलान्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ śivaśarmannudarkaṁ te kathayāvo niśāmaya tvamatra vaiṣṇave loke bhuktvā bhogānsupuṣkalān

The two ganas said: "O Shivasharma, listen -- we shall now tell you what is to come for you. Here in this Vaishnava world, having enjoyed abundant pleasures..."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.24.2)

ब्रह्मणो वत्सरं पूर्णं रममाणोऽप्सरोगणैः । सुतीर्थमरणोपात्त पुण्यशेषेण वै पुनः

brahmaṇo vatsaraṁ pūrṇaṁ ramamāṇo'psarogaṇaiḥ sutīrthamaraṇopātta puṇyaśeṣeṇa vai punaḥ

"...sporting with the hosts of Apsaras for a full year of Brahma, then, through the remainder of the merit gained by dying at a most holy place..."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.24.3)

भविष्यसि महीपालो नगरे नंदिवर्धने । राज्यं प्राप्यासपत्नं च समृद्धबलवाहनम्

bhaviṣyasi mahīpālo nagare naṁdivardhane rājyaṁ prāpyāsapatnaṁ ca samṛddhabalavāhanam

"...you shall become a king in the city of Nandivardhana, obtaining a kingdom without rivals, rich in strength and mounts..."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.24.4)

कृष्टिभिर्हृष्टपुष्टैश्च रम्यहाटकभूषणैः । संजुष्टमिष्टापूर्तानां धर्माणां नित्यकर्तृभिः

kṛṣṭibhirhṛṣṭapuṣṭaiśca ramyahāṭakabhūṣaṇaiḥ saṁjuṣṭamiṣṭāpūrtānāṁ dharmāṇāṁ nityakartṛbhiḥ

"...peopled by subjects healthy and prosperous, adorned with lovely golden ornaments, ever devoted to the performance of the duties of sacrifice and public works."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.24.5)

सदासंपन्नसस्यं च सूर्वरक्षेत्रसंकुलम्। सुदेशं सुप्रजं सुस्थं सुतृणं बहुगोधनम्

sadāsaṁpannasasyaṁ ca sūrvarakṣetrasaṁkulam sudeśaṁ suprajaṁ susthaṁ sutṛṇaṁ bahugodhanam

"...its crops ever abundant, filled with fertile fields, a fine land, well-peopled, well-settled, rich in grass, and abounding in cattle."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.24.6)

देवतायतनानां च राजिभिः परिराजितम् । सुयूपा यत्र वै ग्रामाः सुवित्तर्द्धि विराजिताः

devatāyatanānāṁ ca rājibhiḥ parirājitam suyūpā yatra vai grāmāḥ suvittarddhi virājitāḥ

"...resplendent with rows of temples, its villages adorned with fine sacrificial posts, and shining with wealth and prosperity."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.24.7)

सुपुष्प कृत्रिमोद्यानाः ससदाफलपादपाः । सपद्मिनीककासारा यत्र राजंति भूमयः

supuṣpa kṛtrimodyānāḥ sasadāphalapādapāḥ sapadminīkakāsārā yatra rājaṁti bhūmayaḥ

"There the lands shall shine with man-made gardens full of flowers, with trees ever laden with fruit, and with lakes covered with lotuses."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.24.8)

सदंभा निम्नगाराजिर्न यत्र जनता क्वचित् । कुलान्येव कुलीनानि न चान्यायधनानि च

sadaṁbhā nimnagārājirna yatra janatā kvacit kulānyeva kulīnāni na cānyāyadhanāni ca

"There, rows of ever-flowing rivers abound, but nowhere among the people is there any ill-repute; only well-born families are found there, and no wealth gained through injustice."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.24.9)

विभ्रमो यत्र नारीषु नविद्वत्सु च कर्हिचित् । नद्यः कुटिलगामिन्यो न यत्र विषये प्रजाः

vibhramo yatra nārīṣu navidvatsu ca karhicit nadyaḥ kuṭilagāminyo na yatra viṣaye prajāḥ

"There, only in women is there charming grace, never any error found among the learned; only the rivers flow in crooked courses, never the people of that realm."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.24.10)

तमोयुक्ताः क्षपा यत्र बहुलेषु न मानवाः । रजोयुजः स्त्रियो यत्र न धर्मबहुला नराः

tamoyuktāḥ kṣapā yatra bahuleṣu na mānavāḥ rajoyujaḥ striyo yatra na dharmabahulā narāḥ

"There only the nights are filled with darkness, not the many people of that realm; only women bear the mark of raja, never the men, who are ever full of dharma."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.24.11)

धनैरनंधो यत्रास्ति मनो नैव च भोजनम् । अनयः स्यंदनं यत्र न च वै राजपूरुषः

dhanairanaṁdho yatrāsti mano naiva ca bhojanam anayaḥ syaṁdanaṁ yatra na ca vai rājapūruṣaḥ

"There, no mind is blinded by wealth, nor deprived of nourishment; only the chariot lacks proper guidance, never any officer of the king."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.24.12)

दंडः परशुकुद्दाल वालव्य जनराजिषु । आतपत्रेषु नान्यत्र क्वचित्क्रोधापराधजः

daṁḍaḥ paraśukuddāla vālavya janarājiṣu ātapatreṣu nānyatra kvacitkrodhāparādhajaḥ

"There, only among axes, spades, and fan-bearing attendants is the staff of punishment found, and only in parasols is a shaft found; nowhere else does punishment arise from anger or wrongdoing."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.24.13)

अन्यत्राक्षिकवृंदेभ्यः क्वचिन्न परिदेवनम् । आक्षिका एव दृश्यंते यत्र पाशकपाणयः

anyatrākṣikavṛṁdebhyaḥ kvacinna paridevanam ākṣikā eva dṛśyaṁte yatra pāśakapāṇayaḥ

"Except among groups of gamblers, there is lamentation nowhere else; only gamblers are seen there, dice held in their hands."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.24.14)

जाड्यवार्ता जलेष्वेव स्त्रीमध्या एव दुर्बलाः । कठोरहृदया यत्र सीमंतिन्यो न मानवाः

jāḍyavārtā jaleṣveva strīmadhyā eva durbalāḥ kaṭhorahṛdayā yatra sīmaṁtinyo na mānavāḥ

"Talk of dullness applies only to waters, and only the waists of women are slender and weak; only women have anything hard-hearted about them -- never the men of that realm."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.24.15)

औषधेष्वेव यत्रास्ति कुष्ठयोगो न मानवे । वेधोप्यंतःसुरत्नेषु शूलं मूर्तिकरेषु वै

auṣadheṣveva yatrāsti kuṣṭhayogo na mānave vedhopyaṁtaḥsuratneṣu śūlaṁ mūrtikareṣu vai

"There, union with the healing herb kushtha exists only among medicines, never in man as leprosy; piercing occurs only within fine jewels, and a spear only in the hands of image-makers."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.24.16)

कंपःसात्त्विकभावोत्थो न भयात्क्वापि कस्यचित् । संज्वरः कामजो यत्र दारिद्र्यं कलुषस्य च

kaṁpaḥsāttvikabhāvottho na bhayātkvāpi kasyacit saṁjvaraḥ kāmajo yatra dāridryaṁ kaluṣasya ca

"Trembling arises there only from sattvic emotion, never from anyone's fear; fever there arises only from love, and poverty belongs only to impurity of mind."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.24.17)

दुर्लभत्वं सदा कस्य सुकृतेन च वस्तुनः । इभा एव प्रमत्ता वै युद्धं वीच्योर्जलाशये

durlabhatvaṁ sadā kasya sukṛtena ca vastunaḥ ibhā eva pramattā vai yuddhaṁ vīcyorjalāśaye

"Nothing there is ever hard to obtain by one of good deeds; only elephants are wild with rut, and battle exists only among the waves within the reservoirs."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.24.18)

दानहानिर्गजेष्वेव द्रुमेष्वेव हि कंटकाः । जनेष्वेव विहारा हि न कस्यचिदुरःस्थली

dānahānirgajeṣveva drumeṣveva hi kaṁṭakāḥ janeṣveva vihārā hi na kasyaciduraḥsthalī

"The failing of the gift-fluid occurs only in elephants; thorns exist only among trees; pleasure-gardens exist only for the people, but no man's chest becomes a battleground of strife."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.24.19)

बाणेषु गुणविश्लेषो बंधोक्तिः पुस्तके दृढा । स्नेहत्यागः सदैवास्ति यत्र पाशुपते जने

bāṇeṣu guṇaviśleṣo baṁdhoktiḥ pustake dṛḍhā snehatyāgaḥ sadaivāsti yatra pāśupate jane

"The parting of the bowstring occurs only in arrows; talk of binding is found only, firmly, in books; the abandonment of oil exists there always only among lamp-wicks."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.24.20)

दंडवार्ता सदा यत्र कृतसंन्यासकर्मणाम् । मार्गणाश्चापकेष्वेव भिक्षुका ब्रह्मचारिणः

daṁḍavārtā sadā yatra kṛtasaṁnyāsakarmaṇām mārgaṇāścāpakeṣveva bhikṣukā brahmacāriṇaḥ

"There, talk of the staff belongs only to those who have taken the vows of renunciation; seekers of arrows belong only to archers, and beggars are only celibate students."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.24.21)

यत्र क्षपणका एव दृश्यंते मलधारिणः । प्रायो मधुव्रता एव यत्र चंचलवृत्तयः

yatra kṣapaṇakā eva dṛśyaṁte maladhāriṇaḥ prāyo madhuvratā eva yatra caṁcalavṛttayaḥ

"There only Jain ascetics are seen wearing dust upon themselves; and, for the most part, only bees have fickle habits there."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.24.22)

इत्यादि गुणवद्देशे त्वयिराज्यं प्रशासति । धर्मेण राजधर्मज्ञ शौंडीर्यगुणशालिनि

ityādi guṇavaddeśe tvayirājyaṁ praśāsati dharmeṇa rājadharmajña śauṁḍīryaguṇaśālini

"In such a virtuous land as this, while you rule the kingdom righteously, O knower of royal duty, endowed with the quality of valor..."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.24.23)

सौभाग्यभाजि रूपाढ्ये शौर्यौदार्यगुणान्विते । सीमंतिनीनां रम्याणां लावण्यवर्जित सुश्रियाम्

saubhāgyabhāji rūpāḍhye śauryaudāryaguṇānvite sīmaṁtinīnāṁ ramyāṇāṁ lāvaṇyavarjita suśriyām

"...blessed with good fortune, rich in beauty, endowed with the virtues of valor and generosity, among a thousand fair women, lovely, all endowed with charm and grace, in the company of your queens..."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.24.24)

राज्ञीनामयुतंभावि कुमाराणां शतत्रयम् । वृद्धकाल इति ख्यात उग्रः परपुरंजयः

rājñīnāmayutaṁbhāvi kumārāṇāṁ śatatrayam vṛddhakāla iti khyāta ugraḥ parapuraṁjayaḥ

"...you shall have ten thousand queens and three hundred sons; you shall be known by the name Vridhakala, formidable, a conqueror of the cities of your foes."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.24.25)

विजितानेकसमरः श्रीसंतर्पितमार्गणः । अनेकगुणसंपूर्णः पूर्णचंद्रनिभद्युतिः

vijitānekasamaraḥ śrīsaṁtarpitamārgaṇaḥ anekaguṇasaṁpūrṇaḥ pūrṇacaṁdranibhadyutiḥ

"Victorious in countless battles, satisfying all who came seeking your bounty, replete with many virtues, your splendor like the full moon..."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.24.26)

संततावभृथक्लिन्न मूर्धजः क्षितिषर्षभः । प्रजापालनसंपन्नः कोशप्रीणितभूसुरः

saṁtatāvabhṛthaklinna mūrdhajaḥ kṣitiṣarṣabhaḥ prajāpālanasaṁpannaḥ kośaprīṇitabhūsuraḥ

"...your hair ever moist from the constant concluding baths of sacrifices, a bull among kings, devoted to the protection of your subjects, delighting the brahmins with your treasury..."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.24.27)

पदारविंदं गौविंदं हृदि ध्यायन्नतंद्रितः । वासुदेवकथालापपरिक्षिप्त दिनक्षपः

padāraviṁdaṁ gauviṁdaṁ hṛdi dhyāyannataṁdritaḥ vāsudevakathālāpaparikṣipta dinakṣapaḥ

"...ever tirelessly meditating in your heart upon the lotus feet of Govinda, your days and nights entirely surrounded by discourse on the tales of Vasudeva."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.24.28)

कदाचिदुपविष्टःसन्मध्ये राजसभं द्विज । दूरात्कार्पटिकैर्दृष्टो वाराणस्याः समागतैः

kadācidupaviṣṭaḥsanmadhye rājasabhaṁ dvija dūrātkārpaṭikairdṛṣṭo vārāṇasyāḥ samāgataiḥ

"One day, O brahmin, while sitting in the midst of your royal court, you shall be seen from afar by wandering pilgrims who have come from Varanasi."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.24.29)

तत्कर्मभाविसदृशैस्तदात्वमभिनंदितः । तैः सर्वै राजशार्दूलस्याशीर्वादैरनेकशः

tatkarmabhāvisadṛśaistadātvamabhinaṁditaḥ taiḥ sarvai rājaśārdūlasyāśīrvādairanekaśaḥ

"And then, O tiger among kings, you shall be greeted by all of them, with countless blessings suited to what is to come from that very meeting."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.24.30)

श्रीमद्विश्वेश्वरो देवो विश्वेषां जगतां गुरुः । काशीनाथस्तुते कुर्यात्कुमतेरपवर्जनम्

śrīmadviśveśvaro devo viśveṣāṁ jagatāṁ guruḥ kāśīnāthastute kuryātkumaterapavarjanam

"[They shall bless you:] 'May the glorious god Vishveshvara, teacher of all the worlds, the Lord of Kashi, grant you release from all evil thought.'"

Verse 31 (skanda.4.24.31)

नैःश्रेयसीं च संपत्तिं यो देयात्स्मरणादपि । काशीनाथः स ते दिश्याज्ज्ञानं मलविवर्जितम्

naiḥśreyasīṁ ca saṁpattiṁ yo deyātsmaraṇādapi kāśīnāthaḥ sa te diśyājjñānaṁ malavivarjitam

"'May the Lord of Kashi, who bestows the highest good even by mere remembrance of him, grant to you knowledge free of all impurity.'"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.24.32)

येन पुण्येन ते प्राप्तं राज्यं प्राज्यमकंटकम् । तत्पुण्यशेषतोभूयाद्विश्वनाथे मतिस्तव

yena puṇyena te prāptaṁ rājyaṁ prājyamakaṁṭakam tatpuṇyaśeṣatobhūyādviśvanāthe matistava

"'By whatever merit you have obtained this vast and thornless kingdom, may the remainder of that very merit turn your mind toward Vishvanatha.'"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.24.33)

यस्य प्रसादात्सुलभमायुः पुत्रांबरागनाः । समृद्धयः स्वर्गमोक्षौ स विश्वेशः प्रसीदतु

yasya prasādātsulabhamāyuḥ putrāṁbarāganāḥ samṛddhayaḥ svargamokṣau sa viśveśaḥ prasīdatu

"'May that Vishvesha, by whose grace long life, sons, fine garments, women, prosperity, heaven, and even liberation are easily obtained, be gracious unto you.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.24.34)

नामश्रवणमात्रेण यस्य विश्वेशितुर्विभोः । महापातकविच्छेदः स विश्वेशोऽस्तु ते हृदि

nāmaśravaṇamātreṇa yasya viśveśiturvibhoḥ mahāpātakavicchedaḥ sa viśveśo'stu te hṛdi

"'He, the all-pervading Lord of the universe, whose very name, merely heard, severs the greatest of sins -- may that Vishvesha dwell in your heart.'"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.24.35)

त्वं वृद्धकालो भूपालः श्रुत्वेत्याशीः परंपराम् । स्मरिष्यसीदं वृत्तांतं पुलकांकवपुस्तदा

tvaṁ vṛddhakālo bhūpālaḥ śrutvetyāśīḥ paraṁparām smariṣyasīdaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ pulakāṁkavapustadā

You, King Vridhakala, having heard this succession of blessings, shall then, your body thrilling with the horripilation of joy, remember this very account.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.24.36)

आकारगोपनं कृत्वा तेभ्यो दत्त्वा धनं बहु । सुमुहूर्तमनुप्राप्य सुते राज्यं विधाय च

ākāragopanaṁ kṛtvā tebhyo dattvā dhanaṁ bahu sumuhūrtamanuprāpya sute rājyaṁ vidhāya ca

Concealing your true feeling, having given them abundant wealth, and, at a favorable hour, having bestowed the kingdom upon your son...

Verse 37 (skanda.4.24.37)

अनंगलेखया राज्ञ्या ततः काशीं गमिष्यसि । दत्त्वा दानानि भूरीणि प्रीणयित्वाऽर्थिनो जनान्

anaṁgalekhayā rājñyā tataḥ kāśīṁ gamiṣyasi dattvā dānāni bhūrīṇi prīṇayitvā'rthino janān

...you shall then go to Kashi together with Queen Anangalekha, giving abundant gifts and satisfying all who come seeking.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.24.38)

स्वनाम्ना तत्र संस्थाप्य लिंगं निर्वाणकारणम् । प्रासादं तत्र कृत्वोच्चैस्तदग्रे कूपमुत्तमम्

svanāmnā tatra saṁsthāpya liṁgaṁ nirvāṇakāraṇam prāsādaṁ tatra kṛtvoccaistadagre kūpamuttamam

There you shall install, in your own name, a Linga -- the cause of liberation -- and build there a lofty temple, and before it, an excellent well.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.24.39)

विधाय विधिवत्तत्र कलशारोपणादिकम् । मणिमाणिक्य चांपेय दुकूलेभाश्वगोधनम्

vidhāya vidhivattatra kalaśāropaṇādikam maṇimāṇikya cāṁpeya dukūlebhāśvagodhanam

Having duly performed there the raising of the kalasha and the rest, you shall give away jewels, rubies, gold, fine silk garments, elephants, horses, and cattle...

Verse 40 (skanda.4.24.40)

महाध्वजपताकाश्च च्छत्रचामरदर्पणम् । देवोपकरणं भूरि विश्राण्य श्रमवर्जितः

mahādhvajapatākāśca cchatracāmaradarpaṇam devopakaraṇaṁ bhūri viśrāṇya śramavarjitaḥ

...great banners and flags, umbrellas, chowries, mirrors, and abundant articles for divine worship, giving all these away tirelessly, without fatigue.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.24.41)

व्रतोपवासनियमैः परिक्षीणकलेवरः । मध्याह्ने निर्जने तत्र द्रक्ष्यस्येकं तपोधनम्

vratopavāsaniyamaiḥ parikṣīṇakalevaraḥ madhyāhne nirjane tatra drakṣyasyekaṁ tapodhanam

Your body worn thin by vows, fasts, and observances, you shall, at noon, in that solitary place, behold a certain ascetic rich in penance.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.24.42)

अतीवजीर्णवपुषं परिपिंगजटान्वितम् । मूर्तिमंतंमिव प्रांशुं धर्मं जनमनोहरम्

atīvajīrṇavapuṣaṁ paripiṁgajaṭānvitam mūrtimaṁtaṁmiva prāṁśuṁ dharmaṁ janamanoharam

His body extremely aged, his matted locks tawny, tall as though Dharma himself had taken bodily form, delightful to all who beheld him...

Verse 43 (skanda.4.24.43)

भारं शरीरयष्टेश्च दृढयष्ट्यां समर्प्य च । गर्भागाराद्विनिष्क्रम्याभ्यायांतंरंगमंडपे

bhāraṁ śarīrayaṣṭeśca dṛḍhayaṣṭyāṁ samarpya ca garbhāgārādviniṣkramyābhyāyāṁtaṁraṁgamaṁḍape

...leaning the weight of his slender body upon a sturdy staff, coming out from the inner sanctum, approaching the assembly hall in front of the shrine...

Verse 44 (skanda.4.24.44)

उपविश्य समीपे ते प्रक्ष्यत्येवमनुक्रमात् । कोसि त्वं किमिहासि त्वं द्वितीय इव कस्त्वयम्

upaviśya samīpe te prakṣyatyevamanukramāt kosi tvaṁ kimihāsi tvaṁ dvitīya iva kastvayam

...he shall sit down near you and, in due order, ask you thus: "Who are you? Why are you here? And who is this second person with you?"

Verse 45 (skanda.4.24.45)

प्रासादः कारितः केन जानास्येष ततो वद । अस्य लिंगस्य किं नाम प्रायो जाने न वार्धकात्

prāsādaḥ kāritaḥ kena jānāsyeṣa tato vada asya liṁgasya kiṁ nāma prāyo jāne na vārdhakāt

"By whom was this temple built? Do you know? Then tell me. And what is the name of this Linga? Being so old, I mostly do not know."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.24.46)

पृष्टस्त्वमिति ते नाथ तदा वृद्ध तपस्विना । कथयिष्यस्यहं राजा वृद्धकाल इति श्रुतः

pṛṣṭastvamiti te nātha tadā vṛddha tapasvinā kathayiṣyasyahaṁ rājā vṛddhakāla iti śrutaḥ

Thus questioned by that aged ascetic, O lord, you shall then answer: "I am a king known by the name Vridhakala."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.24.47)

दाक्षिणात्य इह प्राप्तस्त्वेतया सह कांतया । ध्यायामि लिंगमेतच्च प्रार्थयामि न किंचन

dākṣiṇātya iha prāptastvetayā saha kāṁtayā dhyāyāmi liṁgametacca prārthayāmi na kiṁcana

"A southerner, I have come here together with this my beloved wife; I meditate upon this Linga, and ask for nothing at all."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.24.48)

प्रासादस्यास्य जटिल स्वयंकारयिता शिवः । विशेषतोऽस्यलिंगस्य नाम नो वेद्मि निश्चितम्

prāsādasyāsya jaṭila svayaṁkārayitā śivaḥ viśeṣato'syaliṁgasya nāma no vedmi niścitam

"O matted-locked one, Shiva himself, of his own accord, is the true builder of this temple; but the specific name of this Linga, I do not know for certain."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.24.49)

इति श्रुत्वा नरपतेर्वाक्यंप्राह जटाधरः । सत्यमुक्तं त्वयैकं हि लिंगनाम न वेत्सि यत्

iti śrutvā narapatervākyaṁprāha jaṭādharaḥ satyamuktaṁ tvayaikaṁ hi liṁganāma na vetsi yat

Hearing the king's words, the matted-locked one said: "Truly have you spoken in one matter -- that you do not know the Linga's name."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.24.50)

पश्येयं त्वामहं नित्यमुपविष्टं सुनिश्चलम् । श्रुतो भविष्यति तव प्रासादो येन कारितः

paśyeyaṁ tvāmahaṁ nityamupaviṣṭaṁ suniścalam śruto bhaviṣyati tava prāsādo yena kāritaḥ

"I see you here every day, sitting perfectly motionless; but I have heard by whom this temple of yours was truly built."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.24.51)

ममाग्रे तत्समाचक्ष्व यदि जानासि तत्त्वतः । आकर्ण्येति वचस्तस्य पुनः प्राह भवानिति

mamāgre tatsamācakṣva yadi jānāsi tattvataḥ ākarṇyeti vacastasya punaḥ prāha bhavāniti

"Tell that to me now, if you truly know it." Hearing these words of his, you shall again say:

Verse 52 (skanda.4.24.52)

कर्ता कारयिता शंभुः किमतथ्यं ब्रवीम्यहम् । अथवा चिंतया किं मे तपस्विन्ननया विभो

kartā kārayitā śaṁbhuḥ kimatathyaṁ bravīmyaham athavā ciṁtayā kiṁ me tapasvinnanayā vibho

"The maker and the causer of it is Shambhu himself; what untruth could I speak? Or, O powerful ascetic, what use is this concern of mine?"

Verse 53 (skanda.4.24.53)

इति त्वयि स्थिते जोषं स पुनर्वृद्धतापसः । पिपासुरस्मि पानीयमानीयाशु प्रयच्छ मे

iti tvayi sthite joṣaṁ sa punarvṛddhatāpasaḥ pipāsurasmi pānīyamānīyāśu prayaccha me

While you remain silent at this, that aged ascetic shall again say: "I am thirsty; bring water quickly and give it to me."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.24.54)

इति तेन च नुन्नस्त्वं वार्यानीय च कूपतः । पाययिष्यसि तं वृद्धं तापसं तत्क्षणाच्च सः

iti tena ca nunnastvaṁ vāryānīya ca kūpataḥ pāyayiṣyasi taṁ vṛddhaṁ tāpasaṁ tatkṣaṇācca saḥ

Thus urged by him, you shall bring water from the well and give it to that aged ascetic to drink; and at that very moment, he...

Verse 55 (skanda.4.24.55)

तदंबुपानतो भूयात्सुपार्वण शशिप्रभः । तरुणो रूपसंपन्नः कोशोन्मुक्तोरगो यथा

tadaṁbupānato bhūyātsupārvaṇa śaśiprabhaḥ taruṇo rūpasaṁpannaḥ kośonmuktorago yathā

...upon drinking that water, shall become radiant as the full moon, youthful, endowed with beauty, like a serpent freshly emerged from its old skin.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.24.56)

जाताश्चर्येण भवता पुनरेवाभ्यभाषि सः । कः प्रभावो हि भगवन्नेष येन भवान्पुनः

jātāścaryeṇa bhavatā punarevābhyabhāṣi saḥ kaḥ prabhāvo hi bhagavanneṣa yena bhavānpunaḥ

Filled with wonder, you shall again address him: "O lord, what power is this, by which you have again..."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.24.57)

परित्यज्यात्र जरसं न वो भ्राजसि सांप्रतम् । अस्ति चेदवकाशस्ते ततो ब्रूहि तपोधन

parityajyātra jarasaṁ na vo bhrājasi sāṁpratam asti cedavakāśaste tato brūhi tapodhana

"...cast off old age here, and now shine forth so radiantly? If it is proper for you to tell, then speak, O rich in penance."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.24.58)

तपोधन उवाच । वृद्धकालक्षितिपते जाने त्वां सुमहामते । इमामपि च जानेऽहं तव पत्नीं पतिव्रताम्

tapodhana uvāca vṛddhakālakṣitipate jāne tvāṁ sumahāmate imāmapi ca jāne'haṁ tava patnīṁ pativratām

The ascetic said: "O King Vridhakala, of exceedingly great wisdom, I know you; and I know also this devoted wife of yours."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.24.59)

जन्मनोऽस्मादियं राजन्नासीद्विप्रस्य कन्यका । तुर्वसोर्वेदवपुषः शुभाचारा शुभानना

janmano'smādiyaṁ rājannāsīdviprasya kanyakā turvasorvedavapuṣaḥ śubhācārā śubhānanā

"Before this present birth, O king, she was the daughter of a brahmin named Turvasu, one whose very body embodied the Vedas, a woman of virtuous conduct and lovely face."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.24.60)

तेन दत्ता विवाहार्थं नैध्रुवाय महात्मने । स च कालवशं प्राप्तो नैध्रुवोऽप्राप्तयौवनः

tena dattā vivāhārthaṁ naidhruvāya mahātmane sa ca kālavaśaṁ prāpto naidhruvo'prāptayauvanaḥ

"By him she was given in marriage to the great soul Naidhruva; but that Naidhruva fell under the power of death before even attaining youth."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.24.61)

वैधव्यं पालयंत्येषा मृताऽवंत्यां शुभव्रता । तेन पुण्येन संजाता पांड्यस्य नृपतेः सुता

vaidhavyaṁ pālayaṁtyeṣā mṛtā'vaṁtyāṁ śubhavratā tena puṇyena saṁjātā pāṁḍyasya nṛpateḥ sutā

"Observing her widowhood, she of virtuous vows died in Avanti; and by that merit, she was born as the daughter of the Pandya king."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.24.62)

परिणीता त्वया राजन्पतिव्रतरता सदा । त्वया सहेह संप्राप्ता मुक्तिं प्राप्स्यत्यनुत्तमाम्

pariṇītā tvayā rājanpativrataratā sadā tvayā saheha saṁprāptā muktiṁ prāpsyatyanuttamām

"She was married by you, O king, and has remained ever devoted to her husband; having come here together with you, she shall attain unsurpassed liberation."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.24.63)

अयोध्यायामथावंत्यां मथुरायामथापि वा । द्वारवत्यां च कांच्यां वा मायापुर्यामथो नृप

ayodhyāyāmathāvaṁtyāṁ mathurāyāmathāpi vā dvāravatyāṁ ca kāṁcyāṁ vā māyāpuryāmatho nṛpa

"O king, in Ayodhya, or in Avanti, in Mathura, or in Dvaravati, or in Kanchi, or in Mayapuri..."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.24.64)

अपि पातकिनो ये च कालेन निधनं गताः । ते हि स्वर्गादिहागत्य काश्यां मोक्षमवाप्नुयुः

api pātakino ye ca kālena nidhanaṁ gatāḥ te hi svargādihāgatya kāśyāṁ mokṣamavāpnuyuḥ

"...even sinners who happen to die in the course of time -- they too, coming here from heaven, obtain liberation in Kashi."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.24.65)

अवैमि त्वामपि नृपद्विजोऽभूः पूर्वजन्मनि । माथुरः शिवशर्माख्यो मायापुर्यां भवान्मृतः

avaimi tvāmapi nṛpadvijo'bhūḥ pūrvajanmani māthuraḥ śivaśarmākhyo māyāpuryāṁ bhavānmṛtaḥ

"I know you too, O king: in a former birth you were a brahmin of Mathura named Shivasharma, and you died in Mayapuri."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.24.66)

तत्पुण्यात्प्राप्य वैकुंठं भुक्त्वा भोगान्मनोरमान् । तत्पुण्यशेषात्क्षितिपो जातस्त्वं नंदिवर्धने

tatpuṇyātprāpya vaikuṁṭhaṁ bhuktvā bhogānmanoramān tatpuṇyaśeṣātkṣitipo jātastvaṁ naṁdivardhane

"By that merit, having attained Vaikuntha and enjoyed delightful pleasures, through the remainder of that merit you were born a king in Nandivardhana."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.24.67)

वृद्धकालावनीपाल तेनैव सुकृतेन च । मोक्षक्षेत्रमिदं प्राप्तो मुक्तिं प्राप्स्यस्यनुत्तमाम्

vṛddhakālāvanīpāla tenaiva sukṛtena ca mokṣakṣetramidaṁ prāpto muktiṁ prāpsyasyanuttamām

"O King Vridhakala, by that same good deed, having reached this field of liberation, you shall attain unsurpassed liberation."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.24.68)

अन्यच्च शृणु राजेंद्र त्वया यत्समुदीरितम् । कर्ता कारयिता शंभुः प्रासादस्येति तत्स्फुटम्

anyacca śṛṇu rājeṁdra tvayā yatsamudīritam kartā kārayitā śaṁbhuḥ prāsādasyeti tatsphuṭam

"And hear this too, O king of kings: what you said, that Shambhu himself is the maker and causer of this temple -- that is indeed clearly true."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.24.69)

सुकृतं नैव सततमाख्यातव्यं कदाचन । कृतं मयेति कथनात्पुण्यं क्षयति तत्क्षणात्

sukṛtaṁ naiva satatamākhyātavyaṁ kadācana kṛtaṁ mayeti kathanātpuṇyaṁ kṣayati tatkṣaṇāt

"A good deed should never at any time be constantly proclaimed; by saying 'I have done this,' the merit is destroyed at that very instant."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.24.70)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन गोपनीयं निधानवत् । सुकृतं कीर्तनाद्व्यर्थं भवेद्भस्महुतं तथा

tasmātsarvaprayatnena gopanīyaṁ nidhānavat sukṛtaṁ kīrtanādvyarthaṁ bhavedbhasmahutaṁ tathā

"Therefore, with every effort, it should be kept hidden like a buried treasure; a good deed, once boasted of, becomes as useless as an oblation offered into ashes."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.24.71)

निश्चितं विश्वनाथेन प्रेरितेन त्वयाऽनघ । कृतं हि कृतकृत्येन प्रासादादिह वेद्म्यहम्

niścitaṁ viśvanāthena preritena tvayā'nagha kṛtaṁ hi kṛtakṛtyena prāsādādiha vedmyaham

"It is certain, O sinless one, that you, impelled by Vishvanatha himself, have accomplished your purpose here through the building of this temple and the rest -- this I know."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.24.72)

वृद्धकालेश्वरं नाम लिंगमेतन्महीपते । जानीह्यनादिसंसिद्धं निमित्तं किंतु वै भवान्

vṛddhakāleśvaraṁ nāma liṁgametanmahīpate jānīhyanādisaṁsiddhaṁ nimittaṁ kiṁtu vai bhavān

"O king, know that this Linga is named Vridhakaleshvara, established from time without beginning; but you have merely been the occasion for it."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.24.73)

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनात्तस्य पूजनाच्छ्रवणान्नतेः । वृद्धकालेशलिंगस्य सर्वं प्राप्नोति वांछितम्

darśanātsparśanāttasya pūjanācchravaṇānnateḥ vṛddhakāleśaliṁgasya sarvaṁ prāpnoti vāṁchitam

"By seeing, by touching, by worshipping, by hearing of, and by bowing before this Linga of Vridhakaleshvara, one obtains everything that one desires."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.24.74)

कूपः कालोदको नाम जराव्याधिविघातकृत् । यदीय जलपानेन मातुःस्तन्यमपानवान्

kūpaḥ kālodako nāma jarāvyādhivighātakṛt yadīya jalapānena mātuḥstanyamapānavān

"This well is named Kalodaka, the destroyer of old age and disease; by drinking its water, one who has not even tasted his mother's milk again..."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.24.75)

कृतकूपोदकस्नानः कृतैतल्लिंगपूजनः । वर्षेण सिद्धिमाप्नोति मनोभिलषितां नरः

kṛtakūpodakasnānaḥ kṛtaitalliṁgapūjanaḥ varṣeṇa siddhimāpnoti manobhilaṣitāṁ naraḥ

"...a man who bathes in the water of this well and worships this Linga obtains, within a year, the accomplishment he desires in his heart."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.24.76)

न कुष्ठं न च विस्फोटा नरंघा न विचर्चिका । पीतात्स्पृष्टात्प्रतिष्ठंति कफः कालतमोदकात्

na kuṣṭhaṁ na ca visphoṭā naraṁghā na vicarcikā pītātspṛṣṭātpratiṣṭhaṁti kaphaḥ kālatamodakāt

"Neither leprosy, nor pustules, nor other afflictions, nor ringworm, nor phlegm-disorders remain, once this dark water of Kala has been drunk or touched."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.24.77)

नाग्निमांद्यं नैव शूलं न मेहो न प्रवाहिका । न मूत्रकृच्छ्रं ना पामा पानायस्यास्य सेवनात्

nāgnimāṁdyaṁ naiva śūlaṁ na meho na pravāhikā na mūtrakṛcchraṁ nā pāmā pānāyasyāsya sevanāt

"Neither indigestion, nor colic, nor diabetes, nor dysentery, nor painful urination, nor skin-itch remain, through drinking and using this water."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.24.78)

भूतज्वराश्च ये केचिद्ये केचिद्विषमज्वराः । ते क्षिप्रमुपशाम्यंति ह्येतत्कूपोदसेवनात्

bhūtajvarāśca ye kecidye kecidviṣamajvarāḥ te kṣipramupaśāmyaṁti hyetatkūpodasevanāt

"Whatever fevers are caused by evil spirits, and whatever irregular fevers there may be, they are quickly quelled through the use of this well's water."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.24.79)

तवाग्रतो मम जरा पलितं च यथाविधि । एतत्कूपोदपानेन क्षणान्नष्टं नवोऽभवम्

tavāgrato mama jarā palitaṁ ca yathāvidhi etatkūpodapānena kṣaṇānnaṣṭaṁ navo'bhavam

"Before your very eyes, my old age and my grey hair, as they truly were, vanished in an instant through drinking this well's water, and I became young again."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.24.80)

वृद्धकालेश्वरे लिंगे सेवितेन दरिद्रता । नोपसर्गा न वा रोगा न पापं नाघजं फलम्

vṛddhakāleśvare liṁge sevitena daridratā nopasargā na vā rogā na pāpaṁ nāghajaṁ phalam

"For one who worships the Linga of Vridhakaleshvara, there is no poverty, no calamity, no disease, no sin, nor any fruit born of wrongdoing."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.24.81)

उत्तरे कृत्तिवासस्य वाराणस्यां प्रयत्नतः । वृद्धकालेश्वरं लिंगं द्रष्टव्यं सिद्धिकामुकैः

uttare kṛttivāsasya vārāṇasyāṁ prayatnataḥ vṛddhakāleśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ draṣṭavyaṁ siddhikāmukaiḥ

"To the north of Kritivasa's shrine in Varanasi, this Linga of Vridhakaleshvara should be diligently visited by those who desire spiritual accomplishment."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.24.82)

इत्युक्त्वा तं महीपालं हस्ते धृत्वा तपोधनः । सानंगलेखा राज्ञीकं तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं ययौ

ityuktvā taṁ mahīpālaṁ haste dhṛtvā tapodhanaḥ sānaṁgalekhā rājñīkaṁ tasmi~lliṁge layaṁ yayau

Having said this, that ascetic, taking the king by the hand, together with Queen Anangalekha, merged into that very Linga.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.24.83)

महाकाल महाकाल महाकालेति कीर्तनात् । शतधा मुच्यते पापैर्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

mahākāla mahākāla mahākāleti kīrtanāt śatadhā mucyate pāpairnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Through the mere chanting of 'Mahakala, Mahakala, Mahakala,' one is released a hundredfold from sin -- there is no need for doubt in this matter."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.24.84)

इत्थं भवित्री ते मुक्तिः कैटभारातिदर्शनात् । भोगान्भुक्त्वा बहुविधान्वैकुंठ नगरे शुभे

itthaṁ bhavitrī te muktiḥ kaiṭabhārātidarśanāt bhogānbhuktvā bahuvidhānvaikuṁṭha nagare śubhe

"Thus, after enjoying manifold pleasures in the auspicious city of Vaikuntha, your own liberation shall come to pass, through beholding the foe of Kaitabha."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.24.85)

इति संहृष्टतनूरुहः स विप्रो भगवत्तद्गणवक्त्रतो निशम्य । स्वमुदर्कमथार्ककोटिरम्यं हरिलोकं परिलोकयांचकार

iti saṁhṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ sa vipro bhagavattadgaṇavaktrato niśamya svamudarkamathārkakoṭiramyaṁ harilokaṁ parilokayāṁcakāra

Thus, his bodily hairs standing on end with delight, that brahmin, having heard his own future from the mouths of the Lord's own attendants, then gazed upon the world of Hari, resplendent as a myriad suns.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.24.86)

मैत्रावरुणिरुवाच । लोपामुद्रे स विप्रेंद्रो भोगान्भुक्त्वा मनोरमान् । मायापुर्यां कृतप्राणत्याग पुण्यबलेन च

maitrāvaruṇiruvāca lopāmudre sa vipreṁdro bhogānbhuktvā manoramān māyāpuryāṁ kṛtaprāṇatyāga puṇyabalena ca

Maitravaruni said: "O Lopamudra, that foremost of brahmins, having enjoyed delightful pleasures, and by the power of the merit gained from giving up his life at Mayapuri..."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.24.87)

वैकुंठलोकादागत्य पत्तने नंदिवर्धने । भौमानि भुक्त्वा सौख्यानि पुत्रानुत्पाद्य सुंदरान्

vaikuṁṭhalokādāgatya pattane naṁdivardhane bhaumāni bhuktvā saukhyāni putrānutpādya suṁdarān

"...coming from the world of Vaikuntha to the city of Nandivardhana, and having enjoyed earthly pleasures there, and having begotten beautiful sons..."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.24.88)

तेषु राज्यं विनिक्षिप्य प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम् । विश्वेश्वरं समाराध्य निर्वाणपदमीयिवान्

teṣu rājyaṁ vinikṣipya prāpya vārāṇasīṁ purīm viśveśvaraṁ samārādhya nirvāṇapadamīyivān

"...having bestowed the kingdom upon them, and having reached the city of Varanasi, and worshipped Vishveshvara, he attained the state of liberation."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.24.89)

एतत्पुण्यतमाख्यानं विप्रस्य शिवशर्मणः । श्रुत्वा पापविनिर्मुक्तो ज्ञानं परममृच्छति

etatpuṇyatamākhyānaṁ viprasya śivaśarmaṇaḥ śrutvā pāpavinirmukto jñānaṁ paramamṛcchati

"Whoever hears this most meritorious narrative of the brahmin Shivasharma is freed from all sin, and attains supreme knowledge."