The Manifestation of Bhairava

Verse 1 (skanda.4.31.1)

॥ अगस्त्य उवाच॥ सर्वज्ञ हृदयानंद स्कंदस्कंदित तारक॥ न तृप्तिमधिगच्छामि शृण्वन्वाराणसीकथाम्

agastya uvāca sarvajña hṛdayānaṁda skaṁdaskaṁdita tāraka na tṛptimadhigacchāmi śṛṇvanvārāṇasīkathām

Agastya said: O all-knowing one, delight of the heart, O Skanda who shattered the demon Taraka, I do not attain satisfaction in hearing the tale of Varanasi.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.31.2)

अनुग्रहो यदि मयि योग्योस्मि श्रवणे यदि॥ तदा कथय मे नाथ काश्यां भैरव संकथाम्

anugraho yadi mayi yogyosmi śravaṇe yadi tadā kathaya me nātha kāśyāṁ bhairava saṁkathām

If your grace is upon me, if I am worthy to hear it, then tell me, O Lord, the tale of Bhairava in Kashi.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.31.3)

कोसौ भैरवनामात्र काशिपुर्यां व्यवस्थितः॥ किं रूपमस्य किं कर्म कानि नामानि चास्य वै

kosau bhairavanāmātra kāśipuryāṁ vyavasthitaḥ kiṁ rūpamasya kiṁ karma kāni nāmāni cāsya vai

Who is this one named Bhairava, established here in the city of Kashi? What is his form, what his deeds, and what are his names?

Verse 4 (skanda.4.31.4)

कथमाराधितश्चैव सिद्धिदः साधकस्य वै॥ आराधितः कुत्र काले क्षिप्रं सिद्ध्यति भैरवः

kathamārādhitaścaiva siddhidaḥ sādhakasya vai ārādhitaḥ kutra kāle kṣipraṁ siddhyati bhairavaḥ

How is he worshipped, the giver of accomplishment to the seeker? Worshipped at what time does Bhairava quickly grant success?

Verse 5 (skanda.4.31.5)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ वाराणस्यां महाभाग यथा ते प्रेम वर्तते॥ तथा न कस्यचिन्मन्ये ततो वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः

skaṁda uvāca vārāṇasyāṁ mahābhāga yathā te prema vartate tathā na kasyacinmanye tato vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ

Skanda said: O greatly fortunate one, such love as you bear for Varanasi, I think no one else possesses; therefore I shall tell you everything in full.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.31.6)

प्रादुर्भावं भैरवस्य महापातकनाशनम्॥ यच्छ्रुत्वा काशिवासस्य फलं निर्विघ्रमाप्नुयात्

prādurbhāvaṁ bhairavasya mahāpātakanāśanam yacchrutvā kāśivāsasya phalaṁ nirvighramāpnuyāt

I shall tell the manifestation of Bhairava, the destroyer of the greatest sins, hearing which one obtains the fruit of dwelling in Kashi without any hindrance.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.31.7)

पाणिभ्यां परितः प्रपीड्य सुदृढं निश्चोत्य निश्चोत्य च ब्रह्मांडं सकलं पचेलिमरसालोच्चैः फलाभं मुहुः॥ पायंपायमपायतस्त्रिजगतीमुन्मत्तवत्तै रसैर्नृत्यंस्तांडवडंबरेण विधिनापायान्महाभैरवः

pāṇibhyāṁ paritaḥ prapīḍya sudṛḍhaṁ niścotya niścotya ca brahmāṁḍaṁ sakalaṁ pacelimarasāloccaiḥ phalābhaṁ muhuḥ pāyaṁpāyamapāyatastrijagatīmunmattavattai rasairnṛtyaṁstāṁḍavaḍaṁbareṇa vidhināpāyānmahābhairavaḥ

May Mahabhairava, who presses the whole universe firmly all around with both his hands as though wringing out a ripe fruit again and again, who drinks its very essence in a frenzy of divine intoxication, dancing the three worlds within the pomp of his tandava — may he protect us.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.31.8)

कुंभयोने न वेत्त्येव महिमानं महेशितुः॥ चतुर्भजोपि वैकुंठश्चतुर्वक्त्रोपि विश्वकृत्

kuṁbhayone na vettyeva mahimānaṁ maheśituḥ caturbhajopi vaikuṁṭhaścaturvaktropi viśvakṛt

O Kumbhayoni, even the four-armed Vaikuntha and the four-faced creator of the universe do not know the greatness of the great Lord.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.31.9)

न चित्रमत्र भूदेव भवमाया दुरत्यया॥ तया संमोहिताः सर्वे नावयंत्यपि तं परम्

na citramatra bhūdeva bhavamāyā duratyayā tayā saṁmohitāḥ sarve nāvayaṁtyapi taṁ param

This is no wonder, O god among brahmins, for the maya of Bhava is impossible to overcome; deluded by it, all beings cannot know that Supreme One.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.31.10)

वेदयेद्यदिचात्मानं स एव परमेश्वरः॥ तदा विंदंति ब्रह्माद्याः स्वेच्छयैव न तं विदुः॥ स सर्वगोपि नेक्ष्येत स्वात्मारामो महेश्वरः॥ देववद्बुध्यते मूढैरतीतो यो मनोगिराम्

vedayedyadicātmānaṁ sa eva parameśvaraḥ tadā viṁdaṁti brahmādyāḥ svecchayaiva na taṁ viduḥ sa sarvagopi nekṣyeta svātmārāmo maheśvaraḥ devavadbudhyate mūḍhairatīto yo manogirām

If the Supreme Lord himself chooses to reveal himself, only then do Brahma and the rest come to know him — not through their own will. Though all-pervading, that Maheshvara, delighting in his own Self, cannot be perceived; he who is beyond mind and speech is understood by fools as merely another god.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.31.11)

पुरा पितामहं विप्र मेरुशृंगे महर्षयः॥ प्रोचुः प्रणम्य लोकेशं किमेकं तत्त्वमव्ययम्

purā pitāmahaṁ vipra meruśṛṁge maharṣayaḥ procuḥ praṇamya lokeśaṁ kimekaṁ tattvamavyayam

Of old, O brahmin, upon the peak of Meru, the great sages, bowing to the grandsire Brahma, the lord of the worlds, asked him: 'What is the one imperishable Truth?'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.31.12)

समा यया महेशस्य मोहितो लोकसंभवः॥ अविज्ञाय परं भावमात्मानं प्राह वर्पिणम्

samā yayā maheśasya mohito lokasaṁbhavaḥ avijñāya paraṁ bhāvamātmānaṁ prāha varpiṇam

By that very maya with which even the creator of the world was deluded — without knowing the Supreme Reality, Brahma declared himself, embodied, to be that highest truth.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.31.13)

जगद्योनिरहं धाता स्वयंभूरेक ईश्वरः॥ अनादिमदहं ब्रह्म मामनर्च्य न मु च्यते

jagadyonirahaṁ dhātā svayaṁbhūreka īśvaraḥ anādimadahaṁ brahma māmanarcya na mu cyate

'I am the womb of the universe, the creator, the self-born, the one Lord. I am Brahman, without beginning; without worshipping me, none is liberated.'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.31.14)

प्रवर्तको हि जगतामहमेको निवर्तकः॥ नान्यो मदधिकः सत्यं कश्चित्कोपि सुरोत्तमाः

pravartako hi jagatāmahameko nivartakaḥ nānyo madadhikaḥ satyaṁ kaścitkopi surottamāḥ

'I alone am the initiator of the worlds and their withdrawer. Truly, O best of gods, there is no one at all greater than me.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.31.15)

तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो धातुः क्रतुर्नारायणांशजः॥ प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं रोषताम्रविलोचनः

tasyaivaṁ bruvato dhātuḥ kraturnārāyaṇāṁśajaḥ provāca prahasanvākyaṁ roṣatāmravilocanaḥ

As Brahma spoke thus, Kratu, born of a portion of Narayana, laughing, spoke these words, his eyes red with anger:

Verse 16 (skanda.4.31.16)

अविज्ञाय परं तत्त्वं किमेतत्प्रतिपाद्यते॥ अज्ञानं योगयुक्तस्य न चैतदुचितं तव

avijñāya paraṁ tattvaṁ kimetatpratipādyate ajñānaṁ yogayuktasya na caitaducitaṁ tava

'Without knowing the Supreme Truth, why do you assert this? This ignorance ill becomes one who is supposedly established in yoga — this is not fitting for you.'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.31.17)

अहं कर्ता हि लोकानां यज्ञो नारायणः परः॥ न मामनादृत्य विधे जीवनं जगतामज

ahaṁ kartā hi lokānāṁ yajño nārāyaṇaḥ paraḥ na māmanādṛtya vidhe jīvanaṁ jagatāmaja

'I am the true doer, for I am Yajna, the Supreme Narayana. Without honoring me, O Vidhi, O unborn one, the worlds could not even live.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.31.18)

अहमेव परं ज्योतिरहमेव परा गतिः॥ मत्प्रेरितेन भवता सृष्टिरेषा विधीयते

ahameva paraṁ jyotirahameva parā gatiḥ matpreritena bhavatā sṛṣṭireṣā vidhīyate

'I alone am the supreme light, I alone am the supreme goal. It is only impelled by me that you bring about this creation.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.31.19)

एवं विप्र कृतौ मोहात्परस्परजयैषिणौ॥ पप्रच्छतुः प्रमाणज्ञानागमांश्चतुरोपि तौ॥ ॥ विधिक्रतू ऊचतुः॥ वेदाः प्रमाणं सर्वत्र प्रतिष्ठां परमामिताः॥ यूयमेव न संदेहः किं तत्त्वं प्रतितिष्ठत

evaṁ vipra kṛtau mohātparasparajayaiṣiṇau papracchatuḥ pramāṇajñānāgamāṁścaturopi tau vidhikratū ūcatuḥ vedāḥ pramāṇaṁ sarvatra pratiṣṭhāṁ paramāmitāḥ yūyameva na saṁdehaḥ kiṁ tattvaṁ pratitiṣṭhata

Thus, O brahmin, the two, deluded, each desiring victory over the other, questioned the four Vedas as authorities of true knowledge. Vidhi and Kratu said: 'The Vedas are everywhere the final authority, of supreme standing. You alone, without doubt — declare which reality stands as the highest truth.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.31.20)

श्रुतय ऊचुः॥ यदि मान्या वयं देवौ सृष्टिस्थितिकरौ विभू॥ तदा प्रमाणं वक्ष्यामो भवत्संदेहभेदकम्

śrutaya ūcuḥ yadi mānyā vayaṁ devau sṛṣṭisthitikarau vibhū tadā pramāṇaṁ vakṣyāmo bhavatsaṁdehabhedakam

The Shrutis said: 'If we are held in honor by you two mighty gods, creators and sustainers, then we shall declare the authoritative truth that will dispel your doubt.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.31.21)

श्रुत्युक्तमिदमाकर्ण्य प्रोचतुस्तौ श्रुतीः प्रति॥ युष्मदुक्तं प्रमाणं नौ किं तत्त्वं सम्यगुच्यताम्

śrutyuktamidamākarṇya procatustau śrutīḥ prati yuṣmaduktaṁ pramāṇaṁ nau kiṁ tattvaṁ samyagucyatām

Hearing these words of the Vedas, the two said to the Vedas in reply: 'Your word is authority for us both. Tell us truly, what is the ultimate reality?'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.31.22)

ऋगुवाच॥ यदंतःस्थानि भूतानि यतः सर्वं प्रवर्तते॥ यदाहुस्तत्परं तत्त्वं स रुद्रस्त्वेक एव हि

ṛguvāca yadaṁtaḥsthāni bhūtāni yataḥ sarvaṁ pravartate yadāhustatparaṁ tattvaṁ sa rudrastveka eva hi

The Rig Veda said: 'That within which all beings dwell, from which everything proceeds, that which is called the Supreme Truth — he is Rudra, the one alone.'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.31.23)

॥ यजुरुवाच॥ यो यज्ञैरखिलैरीशो योगेन च समिज्यते॥ येन प्रमाणं हि वयं स एकः सर्वदृक्छिवः

yajuruvāca yo yajñairakhilairīśo yogena ca samijyate yena pramāṇaṁ hi vayaṁ sa ekaḥ sarvadṛkchivaḥ

The Yajur Veda said: 'He who is worshipped by all sacrifices and by yoga, he by whom we ourselves are made authoritative — he is the one, the all-seeing Shiva.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.31.24)

॥ सामोवाच॥ येनेदं भ्रश्यते विश्वं योगिभिर्यो विचिंत्यते॥ यद्भासा भासते विश्वं स एकस्त्र्यंबकः परः

sāmovāca yenedaṁ bhraśyate viśvaṁ yogibhiryo viciṁtyate yadbhāsā bhāsate viśvaṁ sa ekastryaṁbakaḥ paraḥ

The Sama Veda said: 'He by whom this universe is dissolved, he upon whom the yogis meditate, by whose light this universe shines — he is the one, the Supreme Tryambaka.'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.31.25)

॥ अथर्वोवाच॥ यं प्रपश्यंति देवेशं भक्त्यानुग्रहिणो जनाः॥ तमाहुरेकं कैवल्यं शंकरं दुःखतस्करम्

atharvovāca yaṁ prapaśyaṁti deveśaṁ bhaktyānugrahiṇo janāḥ tamāhurekaṁ kaivalyaṁ śaṁkaraṁ duḥkhataskaram

The Atharva Veda said: 'Him whom devoted souls, favored by grace, behold as the Lord of gods — him they call the one, absolute Kaivalya, Shankara, the thief who steals away sorrow.'

Verse 26 (skanda.4.31.26)

श्रुतीरितं निशम्येत्थं तावतीव विमोहितौ॥ स्मित्वाहतुः क्रतु विधीमोहाध्येनांकितौ मुने

śrutīritaṁ niśamyetthaṁ tāvatīva vimohitau smitvāhatuḥ kratu vidhīmohādhyenāṁkitau mune

Hearing thus what the Vedas declared, the two, greatly bewildered, smiled and, still marked by delusion, O sage, spoke to each other:

Verse 27 (skanda.4.31.27)

कथं प्रमथनाथोसौ रममाणो निरंतरम्॥ दिगंबरः पितृवने शिवया धूलिधूसरः

kathaṁ pramathanāthosau ramamāṇo niraṁtaram digaṁbaraḥ pitṛvane śivayā dhūlidhūsaraḥ

'How can this Lord of the ghosts, who dwells always sporting in the cremation ground, naked, covered in ash with Shiva his consort,'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.31.28)

विटंकवेशो जटिलो वृषगोव्यालभूषणः॥ परं ब्रह्मत्वमापन्नः क्व च तत्संगवर्जितम्॥ तदुदीरितमाकर्ण्य प्रणवात्मा सनातनः॥ अमूर्तो मूर्तिमान्भूत्वा हसमान उवाच तौ

viṭaṁkaveśo jaṭilo vṛṣagovyālabhūṣaṇaḥ paraṁ brahmatvamāpannaḥ kva ca tatsaṁgavarjitam tadudīritamākarṇya praṇavātmā sanātanaḥ amūrto mūrtimānbhūtvā hasamāna uvāca tau

'— of strange appearance, matted-haired, adorned with a bull, cowhide, and serpent — where is he compared to the state of Supreme Brahman, free from all such attachments?' Hearing what they had thus declared, the eternal one, of the very nature of Om, though formless, took on form, and, laughing, spoke to them both.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.31.29)

प्रणव उवाच॥ न ह्येष भगवाञ्छक्त्या स्वात्मनो व्यतिरिक्तया॥ कदाचिद्रमते रुद्रो लीलारूपधरो हरः

praṇava uvāca na hyeṣa bhagavāñchaktyā svātmano vyatiriktayā kadācidramate rudro līlārūpadharo haraḥ

Pranava said: 'This Lord, Hara, never sports with any power apart from his own very Self; this Rudra wears the form of divine play.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.31.30)

असौ हि भगवानीशः स्वयंज्योतिः सनातनः॥ आनंदरूपा तस्यैषा शक्तिर्नागंतुकी शिवा

asau hi bhagavānīśaḥ svayaṁjyotiḥ sanātanaḥ ānaṁdarūpā tasyaiṣā śaktirnāgaṁtukī śivā

'This Lord Ishvara is himself the eternal self-luminous light; and Shivā, his blissful power, is not something separate that has come to him from outside.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.31.31)

इत्येवमुक्तेपि तदा मखमूर्तेरजस्य हि॥ नाज्ञानमगमन्नाशं श्रीकंठस्यैव मायया

ityevamuktepi tadā makhamūrterajasya hi nājñānamagamannāśaṁ śrīkaṁṭhasyaiva māyayā

Even after being told this, the ignorance of the unborn Brahma, embodied as sacrifice, did not come to an end — by the very maya of Shrikantha himself.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.31.32)

प्रादुरासीत्ततो ज्योतिरुभयोरंतरे महत्॥ पूरयन्निजया भासा द्यावाभूम्योर्यदंतरम्

prādurāsīttato jyotirubhayoraṁtare mahat pūrayannijayā bhāsā dyāvābhūmyoryadaṁtaram

Then, between the two of them, a great light appeared, filling with its own radiance the whole space between heaven and earth.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.31.33)

ज्योतिर्मंडलमध्यस्थो ददृशे पुरुषाकृतिः॥ प्रजज्वालाथ कोपेन ब्रह्मणः पंचमं शिरः

jyotirmaṁḍalamadhyastho dadṛśe puruṣākṛtiḥ prajajvālātha kopena brahmaṇaḥ paṁcamaṁ śiraḥ

In the midst of that orb of light was seen a figure in human form. Then, in anger, Brahma's fifth head blazed forth in speech.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.31.34)

आवयोरंतरं कोसौ बिभृयात्पुरुषाकृतिम्॥ विधिः संभावयेद्यावत्तावत्स हि विलोकितः

āvayoraṁtaraṁ kosau bibhṛyātpuruṣākṛtim vidhiḥ saṁbhāvayedyāvattāvatsa hi vilokitaḥ

'Who is this one, appearing in human form, standing between us both?' — even as Vidhi considered this, that very being was beheld in full.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.31.35)

स्रष्टा क्षणेन च महान्पुरुषो नीललोहितः॥ त्रिशूलपाणिर्भालाक्षो नागोडुपविभूषणः

sraṣṭā kṣaṇena ca mahānpuruṣo nīlalohitaḥ triśūlapāṇirbhālākṣo nāgoḍupavibhūṣaṇaḥ

In an instant, that great Person revealed himself as Nilalohita, the creator, trident in hand, eye upon his brow, adorned with a serpent and the crescent moon.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.31.36)

हिरण्यगर्भस्तं प्राह जाने त्वां चंद्रशेखरम्॥ भालस्थलान्ममपुरा रुद्रः प्रादुरभूद्भवान्

hiraṇyagarbhastaṁ prāha jāne tvāṁ caṁdraśekharam bhālasthalānmamapurā rudraḥ prādurabhūdbhavān

Hiranyagarbha said to him: 'I know you, Chandrashekhara. Long ago you, as Rudra, appeared from my very forehead.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.31.37)

रोदनाद्रुद्रनामापि योजितोसि मया पुरा॥ मामेव शरणं याहि पुत्र रक्षां करोमि ते॥ अथेश्वरः पद्मयोनेः श्रुत्वा गर्ववतीं गिरम्॥ सकोपतः समुत्पाद्य पुरुषं भैरवाकृतिम्

rodanādrudranāmāpi yojitosi mayā purā māmeva śaraṇaṁ yāhi putra rakṣāṁ karomi te atheśvaraḥ padmayoneḥ śrutvā garvavatīṁ giram sakopataḥ samutpādya puruṣaṁ bhairavākṛtim

'And because you wept, I gave you the name Rudra of old. Take refuge in me alone, my son — I shall protect you.' Then Ishvara, hearing the arrogant words of the lotus-born Brahma, in anger produced a being in the form of Bhairava.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.31.38)

प्राह पंकजजन्मासौ शास्यस्ते कालभैरव॥ कालवद्राजसे साक्षात्कालराजस्ततो भवान्

prāha paṁkajajanmāsau śāsyaste kālabhairava kālavadrājase sākṣātkālarājastato bhavān

He said: 'This lotus-born one is to be chastised by you, O Kalabhairava. You shine forth exactly like Time itself — therefore you shall be Kalaraja.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.31.39)

विश्वं भर्तुं समर्थोऽसि भरणाद्भैरवः स्मृतः॥ त्वत्तो भेष्यति कालोपि ततस्त्वं कालभैरवः

viśvaṁ bhartuṁ samartho'si bharaṇādbhairavaḥ smṛtaḥ tvatto bheṣyati kālopi tatastvaṁ kālabhairavaḥ

'You are capable of sustaining the universe; through this sustaining you are called Bhairava. Even Time itself shall fear you — therefore you are Kalabhairava.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.31.40)

आमर्दयिष्यति भवांस्तुष्टो दुष्टात्मनो यतः॥ आमर्दक इति ख्याति ततः सर्वत्र यास्यति

āmardayiṣyati bhavāṁstuṣṭo duṣṭātmano yataḥ āmardaka iti khyāti tataḥ sarvatra yāsyati

'Since, once pleased, you shall crush the very souls of the wicked, you shall become renowned everywhere by the name Amardaka, the Crusher.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.31.41)

यतः पापानि भक्तानां भक्षयिष्यति तत्क्षणात्॥ पापभक्षण इत्येव तव नाम भविष्यति

yataḥ pāpāni bhaktānāṁ bhakṣayiṣyati tatkṣaṇāt pāpabhakṣaṇa ityeva tava nāma bhaviṣyati

'Since you shall instantly devour the sins of your devotees, your name shall be Papabhakshana, Devourer of Sin.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.31.42)

या मे मुक्तिपुरी काशी सर्वाभ्योपि गरीयसी॥ आधिपत्यं च तस्यास्ते कालराज सदैव हि

yā me muktipurī kāśī sarvābhyopi garīyasī ādhipatyaṁ ca tasyāste kālarāja sadaiva hi

'That city of mine, Kashi, the city of liberation, greater than all others — its lordship, O Kalaraja, shall be yours forever.'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.31.43)

तत्र ये पापकर्तारस्तेषां शास्ता त्वमेव हि॥ शुभाशुभं न तत्कर्म चित्रगुप्तो लिखिष्यति

tatra ye pāpakartārasteṣāṁ śāstā tvameva hi śubhāśubhaṁ na tatkarma citragupto likhiṣyati

'Whoever there commits sin — you alone shall be their judge; Chitragupta shall not record their deeds, good or evil, there.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.31.44)

एतान्वरान्प्रगृह्याऽथ तत्क्षणात्कालभैरवः॥ वामांगुलिनखाग्रेण चकर्त च शिरो विधेः

etānvarānpragṛhyā'tha tatkṣaṇātkālabhairavaḥ vāmāṁgulinakhāgreṇa cakarta ca śiro vidheḥ

Having received these boons, that very instant Kalabhairava, with the tip of the nail of his left finger, severed the head of Vidhi.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.31.45)

यदंगमपराध्नोति कार्यं तस्यैव शासनम्॥ अतो येन कृता निंदा तच्छिन्नं पचमं शिरः

yadaṁgamaparādhnoti kāryaṁ tasyaiva śāsanam ato yena kṛtā niṁdā tacchinnaṁ pacamaṁ śiraḥ

It is fitting that whichever limb commits the offense, that very limb should receive its punishment; therefore, since it was that fifth head that had uttered the offending words, it was that head which was severed.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.31.46)

यज्ञमूर्तिधरो विष्णुस्ततस्तुष्टाव शंकरम्॥ भीतो हिरण्यगर्भोपि जजाप शतरुद्रियम्॥ आश्वास्य तौ महादेवः प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः॥ प्राह स्वां मूर्तिमपरां भैरवं तं कपर्दिनम्

yajñamūrtidharo viṣṇustatastuṣṭāva śaṁkaram bhīto hiraṇyagarbhopi jajāpa śatarudriyam āśvāsya tau mahādevaḥ prītaḥ praṇatavatsalaḥ prāha svāṁ mūrtimaparāṁ bhairavaṁ taṁ kapardinam

Then Vishnu, who bears the very form of sacrifice, praised Shankara; and Hiranyagarbha, terrified, recited the Shatarudriya hymn. Mahadeva, ever affectionate to those who bow before him, pleased, comforted them both, and spoke to that other form of his own, Bhairava, the matted-locked one:

Verse 47 (skanda.4.31.47)

मान्योऽध्वरोसौ भवता तथा शतधृतिस्त्वयम्॥ कपालं वैधसं चापि नीललोहित धारय

mānyo'dhvarosau bhavatā tathā śatadhṛtistvayam kapālaṁ vaidhasaṁ cāpi nīlalohita dhāraya

'This one, who is the very embodiment of sacrifice, is to be honored by you, and so too is this Shatadhriti. And O Nilalohita, you must now bear the very skull of Vidhi.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.31.48)

ब्रह्महत्यापनोदाय व्रतं लोकाय दर्शयन्॥ चर त्वं सततं भिक्षां कापालव्रतमास्थितः॥ इत्युक्त्वांऽतर्हितो देवस्तेजोरूपस्तदा शिवः

brahmahatyāpanodāya vrataṁ lokāya darśayan cara tvaṁ satataṁ bhikṣāṁ kāpālavratamāsthitaḥ ityuktvāṁ'tarhito devastejorūpastadā śivaḥ

'In order to remove the sin of killing a Brahmin, and to demonstrate this vow to the world, wander forever begging alms, established in the Kapala vow.' Having said this, Shiva, then of the very form of light, vanished from sight, but not before creating a maiden known by the name Brahmahatya,

Verse 49 (skanda.4.31.49)

उत्पाद्य कन्यामेकां तु ब्रह्महत्येति विश्रुताम्॥ रक्तांबरधरां रक्तां रक्तस्रग्गंधलेपनाम्

utpādya kanyāmekāṁ tu brahmahatyeti viśrutām raktāṁbaradharāṁ raktāṁ raktasraggaṁdhalepanām

clad in red garments, red herself, adorned with red garlands and red unguents,

Verse 50 (skanda.4.31.50)

दंष्टाकरालवदनां ललज्जिह्वातिभीषणाम्॥ अंतरिक्षैकपादाग्रां पिबंतीं रुधिरं बहु

daṁṣṭākarālavadanāṁ lalajjihvātibhīṣaṇām aṁtarikṣaikapādāgrāṁ pibaṁtīṁ rudhiraṁ bahu

her face terrible with fangs, most fearsome with a lolling tongue, standing on the tip of one foot in the sky, drinking great quantities of blood,

Verse 51 (skanda.4.31.51)

कर्त्रीं कर्परहस्ताग्रां स्फुरत्पिंगोग्रतारकाम्॥ गर्जयंतीं महावेगां भैरवस्यापिभीषणाम्

kartrīṁ karparahastāgrāṁ sphuratpiṁgogratārakām garjayaṁtīṁ mahāvegāṁ bhairavasyāpibhīṣaṇām

a knife and a skull-bowl in her hands, her fierce eyes tawny and flashing, roaring, of tremendous speed, terrible even to Bhairava himself.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.31.52)

यावद्वाराणसीं दिव्यां पुरीमेष गमिष्यति॥ तावत्त्वं भीषणे कालमनुगच्छोग्ररूपिणि

yāvadvārāṇasīṁ divyāṁ purīmeṣa gamiṣyati tāvattvaṁ bhīṣaṇe kālamanugacchograrūpiṇi

'O terrible, fierce-formed one, until such time as he reaches the divine city of Varanasi, you shall follow him without ceasing.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.31.53)

सर्वत्र ते प्रवेशोस्ति त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्॥ नियोज्यतामिति शिवोप्यंतर्धानं गतस्ततः

sarvatra te praveśosti tyaktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm niyojyatāmiti śivopyaṁtardhānaṁ gatastataḥ

'You have entry everywhere, except into the city of Varanasi — thus you are appointed.' Having spoken thus, Shiva too then vanished from sight.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.31.54)

तत्सान्निध्याद्भैरवोपि कालोभूत्कालकालतः॥ स देवदेववाक्येन बिभ्रत्कापालिकं व्रतम्

tatsānnidhyādbhairavopi kālobhūtkālakālataḥ sa devadevavākyena bibhratkāpālikaṁ vratam

By her constant presence, Bhairava too, though himself the very Master of Time, became as though subject to Time. Bearing, at the word of the God of gods, the Kapalika vow,

Verse 55 (skanda.4.31.55)

कपालपाणिर्विश्वात्मा चचार भुवनत्रयम्॥ नात्याक्षीच्चापि तं देवं ब्रह्महत्या सुदारुणा॥ सत्यलोकेपि वैकुंठे महेंद्रादि पुरीष्वपि॥ त्रिजगत्पतिरुग्रोपि व्रती त्रिजगतीश्वरः

kapālapāṇirviśvātmā cacāra bhuvanatrayam nātyākṣīccāpi taṁ devaṁ brahmahatyā sudāruṇā satyalokepi vaikuṁṭhe maheṁdrādi purīṣvapi trijagatpatirugropi vratī trijagatīśvaraḥ

the skull in his hand, the very Self of the universe, he wandered through the three worlds. And that terrible Brahmahatya did not leave that god's side, not in Satyaloka, not in Vaikuntha, nor in the cities of Mahendra and the rest. Though himself the lord of the three worlds, though fierce, he remained bound to his vow —

Verse 56 (skanda.4.31.56)

प्रतितीर्थं भ्रमन्नापि विमुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यया

pratitīrthaṁ bhramannāpi vimukto brahmahatyayā

wandering from tirtha to tirtha, yet he was still not freed from the sin of Brahmahatya.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.31.57)

अनेनैवानुमानेन महिमा त्ववगम्यताम्॥ ब्रह्महत्यापनोदिन्याः काश्याः कलशसंभव

anenaivānumānena mahimā tvavagamyatām brahmahatyāpanodinyāḥ kāśyāḥ kalaśasaṁbhava

By this very reasoning, O Kalashasambhava, understand the greatness of Kashi, the remover even of the sin of killing a Brahmin.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.31.58)

संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि बहून्यायतनानि च॥ अधि त्रिलोकिनो काश्याः कलामर्हंति षोडशीम्

saṁti tīrthānyanekāni bahūnyāyatanāni ca adhi trilokino kāśyāḥ kalāmarhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

There are many tirthas, and many holy shrines, throughout the three worlds — yet not one of them is worth even a sixteenth part of Kashi.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.31.59)

तावद्गर्जंति पापानि ब्रहत्यादिकान्यलम्॥ यावन्नाम न शृण्वंति काश्याः पापाचलाशनेः

tāvadgarjaṁti pāpāni brahatyādikānyalam yāvannāma na śṛṇvaṁti kāśyāḥ pāpācalāśaneḥ

Sins, even the sin of killing a Brahmin, roar with such force only so long as they have not heard the very name of Kashi, that thunderbolt against the mountain of sin.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.31.60)

प्रमथैः सेव्यमानोऽयं त्रिलोकीं विचरन्हरः॥ कापालिको ययौ देवो नारायणनिकेतनम्

pramathaiḥ sevyamāno'yaṁ trilokīṁ vicaranharaḥ kāpāliko yayau devo nārāyaṇaniketanam

This Hara, attended by the Pramathas, wandering through the three worlds as a Kapalika ascetic, at last went to the abode of Narayana.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.31.61)

अथायांतं महाकालं त्रिनेत्रं सर्पकुंडलम्॥ महादेवांशसंभूतं भैरवं भीषणाकृतिम्

athāyāṁtaṁ mahākālaṁ trinetraṁ sarpakuṁḍalam mahādevāṁśasaṁbhūtaṁ bhairavaṁ bhīṣaṇākṛtim

Then, seeing him approaching — the great Kala, three-eyed, with serpents as earrings, born of a portion of Mahadeva, Bhairava of a terrible form —

Verse 62 (skanda.4.31.62)

पपात दंडवद्भूमौ दृष्ट्वा तं गरुडध्वजः॥ देवाश्च मुनयश्चैव देवनार्यः समंततः

papāta daṁḍavadbhūmau dṛṣṭvā taṁ garuḍadhvajaḥ devāśca munayaścaiva devanāryaḥ samaṁtataḥ

Garudadhvaja fell flat like a rod upon the ground; and the gods, the sages, and the celestial women all around,

Verse 63 (skanda.4.31.63)

निपेतुः प्रणिपत्यैनं प्रणतः कमलापतिः॥ शिरस्यंजलिमारोप्य स्तुत्वा बहुविधैः स्तवैः

nipetuḥ praṇipatyainaṁ praṇataḥ kamalāpatiḥ śirasyaṁjalimāropya stutvā bahuvidhaiḥ stavaiḥ

prostrating before him. The Lord of Lakshmi, bowing low, raising his joined palms to his head, praised him with hymns of many kinds.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.31.64)

क्षीरोदमथनो तां प्राह पद्मालयां हरिः॥ प्रिये पश्याऽब्जनयने धन्याऽसि सुभगेनघे॥ धन्योऽहं देवि सुश्रोणि यत्पश्यावो जगत्पतिम्॥ अयं धाता विधाता च लोकानां प्रभुरीश्वरः

kṣīrodamathano tāṁ prāha padmālayāṁ hariḥ priye paśyā'bjanayane dhanyā'si subhagenaghe dhanyo'haṁ devi suśroṇi yatpaśyāvo jagatpatim ayaṁ dhātā vidhātā ca lokānāṁ prabhurīśvaraḥ

Hari, the churner of the ocean of milk, said to Padma: 'Behold, my beloved lotus-eyed one — you are blessed, fair and sinless one! And I too am blessed, O goddess of lovely form, that we now behold the Lord of the universe. This is the Sustainer and the Ordainer of the worlds, the Sovereign Lord —'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.31.65)

अनादिः शरणः शांतः परः षड्विंशसंमितः॥ सर्वज्ञः सर्वयोगीशः सर्वभूतैकनायकः

anādiḥ śaraṇaḥ śāṁtaḥ paraḥ ṣaḍviṁśasaṁmitaḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvayogīśaḥ sarvabhūtaikanāyakaḥ

'— without beginning, a refuge, tranquil, supreme, known as the twenty-sixth principle, all-knowing, the lord of all yogis, the one leader of all beings,'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.31.66)

सर्वभूतांतरात्माऽयं सर्वेषां सर्वदः सदा॥ यं विनिद्रा विनिःश्वासाः शांता ध्यानपरायणाः

sarvabhūtāṁtarātmā'yaṁ sarveṣāṁ sarvadaḥ sadā yaṁ vinidrā viniḥśvāsāḥ śāṁtā dhyānaparāyaṇāḥ

'— the inner Self of all beings, ever the giver of all things to all. He whom the sleepless, the breath-controlled, the tranquil, those devoted to meditation,'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.31.67)

धिया पश्यंति हृदये सोयमद्य समीक्ष्यताम्॥ यं विदुर्वेदतत्त्वज्ञा योगिनो यतमानसाः

dhiyā paśyaṁti hṛdaye soyamadya samīkṣyatām yaṁ vidurvedatattvajñā yogino yatamānasāḥ

'— behold with the eye of wisdom within their own hearts — that very one is now to be seen before us! He whom those who know the truth of the Veda, whom yogis of disciplined mind, know —'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.31.68)

अरूपो रूपवान्भूत्वा सोयमायाति सर्वगः॥ अहो विचित्रं देवस्य चेष्टितं परमेष्ठिनः

arūpo rūpavānbhūtvā soyamāyāti sarvagaḥ aho vicitraṁ devasya ceṣṭitaṁ parameṣṭhinaḥ

'— formless, yet now having taken on form, that all-pervading one comes toward us. Ah, how wondrous is the play of the Supreme Lord!'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.31.69)

यस्याख्यां ब्रुवतां नित्यं न देहः सोपि देहधृक्॥ यं दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्जन्म लभ्यते मानवैर्भुवि

yasyākhyāṁ bruvatāṁ nityaṁ na dehaḥ sopi dehadhṛk yaṁ dṛṣṭvā na punarjanma labhyate mānavairbhuvi

'He whose very name, when constantly uttered, frees one even from having a body — he himself has now taken on a body! Having seen whom, men on this earth do not obtain rebirth again —'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.31.70)

सोयमायाति भगवांस्त्र्यंबकः शशिभूषणः॥ पुंडरीकदलायामे धन्येमेऽद्य विलोचने

soyamāyāti bhagavāṁstryaṁbakaḥ śaśibhūṣaṇaḥ puṁḍarīkadalāyāme dhanyeme'dya vilocane

'— that very Lord, Tryambaka, adorned with the moon, comes toward us! Blessed indeed today are these lotus-petal eyes of mine —'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.31.71)

धिग्धिक्पदं तु देवानां परं दृष्ट्वाऽत्र शंकरम्॥ लभ्यते यन्न निर्वाणं सर्वदुःखांतकृत्तु यत्

dhigdhikpadaṁ tu devānāṁ paraṁ dṛṣṭvā'tra śaṁkaram labhyate yanna nirvāṇaṁ sarvaduḥkhāṁtakṛttu yat

'— fie, fie upon the very rank of the gods, since even after beholding here the Supreme Shankara, they still fail to attain that liberation which brings an end to every sorrow!'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.31.72)

देवत्वादशुभं किंचिद्देवलोके न विद्यते॥ दृष्ट्वापि सर्वदेवेशं यन्मुक्तिं न लभामहे

devatvādaśubhaṁ kiṁciddevaloke na vidyate dṛṣṭvāpi sarvadeveśaṁ yanmuktiṁ na labhāmahe

'There is truly nothing inauspicious in godhood itself, in the world of the gods — except this: that even after beholding the Lord of all the gods, we do not attain liberation.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.31.73)

एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः॥ प्रणिपत्य महादेवमिदमाह वृषध्वजम्॥ किमिदं देवदेवेन सर्वज्ञेन त्वया विभो॥ क्रियते जगतां धात्रा सर्वपापहराऽव्यय

evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ praṇipatya mahādevamidamāha vṛṣadhvajam kimidaṁ devadevena sarvajñena tvayā vibho kriyate jagatāṁ dhātrā sarvapāpaharā'vyaya

Having spoken thus, Hrishikesha, the very hairs of his body standing on end with joy, bowed low before Mahadeva, and said this to the Bull-bannered one: 'What is this, O Lord, that you, the God of gods, all-knowing, the sustainer of the worlds, the remover of all sin, the imperishable — that you should be doing?'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.31.74)

क्रीडेयं तव देवेश त्रिलोचन महामते॥ किं कारणं विरूपाक्ष चेष्टितं ते स्मरार्दन

krīḍeyaṁ tava deveśa trilocana mahāmate kiṁ kāraṇaṁ virūpākṣa ceṣṭitaṁ te smarārdana

'Is this some sport of yours, O Lord of gods, O three-eyed, great-minded one? What is the reason, O Virupaksha, for this deed of yours, O tormentor of Kama?'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.31.75)

किमर्थं भगवत्र्छंभो भिक्षां चरसि शक्तिप॥ संशयो मे जगन्नाथ नतत्रैलोक्यराज्यद

kimarthaṁ bhagavatrchaṁbho bhikṣāṁ carasi śaktipa saṁśayo me jagannātha natatrailokyarājyada

'For what purpose, O blessed Shambhu, do you wander begging alms, you who bestow power upon others? I am filled with doubt, O Lord of the universe, you who grant sovereignty over the three worlds itself!'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.31.76)

एवमुक्तस्ततः शंभुर्विष्णुमेतदुदाहरत्॥ ब्रह्मणस्तु शिरश्छिन्नमंगु्ल्यग्रनखेन ह

evamuktastataḥ śaṁbhurviṣṇumetadudāharat brahmaṇastu śiraśchinnamaṁgulyagranakhena ha

Thus addressed, Shambhu then said this to Vishnu: 'One of Brahma's heads was severed by the tip of my fingernail —'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.31.77)

तदघप्रतिघं विष्णो चराम्येतद्व्रतं शुभम्॥ एवमुक्तो महेशेन पुंडरीकविलोचनः

tadaghapratighaṁ viṣṇo carāmyetadvrataṁ śubham evamukto maheśena puṁḍarīkavilocanaḥ

'— and, O Vishnu, as atonement for that offense, I observe this auspicious vow.' Thus addressed by Mahesha, the lotus-eyed one,

Verse 78 (skanda.4.31.78)

स्मित्वा किंचिन्नतशिराः पुनरेवं व्यजिज्ञपत्॥ यथेच्छसि तथा क्रीड सर्वविष्टपनायक

smitvā kiṁcinnataśirāḥ punarevaṁ vyajijñapat yathecchasi tathā krīḍa sarvaviṣṭapanāyaka

smiling, his head bowed a little, again submitted this: 'Play as you please, O Lord of all the worlds —'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.31.79)

मायया मां महादेव नच्छादयितुमर्हसि॥ नाभीकमलकोशात्तु कोटिशः कमलासनान्

māyayā māṁ mahādeva nacchādayitumarhasi nābhīkamalakośāttu koṭiśaḥ kamalāsanān

'— but, O Mahadeva, you ought not to conceal the truth from me by your maya. For from the very whorl of my own navel-lotus —'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.31.80)

कल्पे कल्पे सृजामीश त्वन्नियोगबलाद्विभो॥ त्यज मायामिमां देव दुस्तरामकृतात्मभिः

kalpe kalpe sṛjāmīśa tvanniyogabalādvibho tyaja māyāmimāṁ deva dustarāmakṛtātmabhiḥ

'— in every age, O Lord, I create them, by the power of your own command alone. Set aside this maya, O God, so hard to cross for the unrefined —'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.31.81)

मदाद्यो महादेव मायया तव मोहिताः॥ यथावदवगच्छामि चेष्टितं ते शिवापते

madādyo mahādeva māyayā tava mohitāḥ yathāvadavagacchāmi ceṣṭitaṁ te śivāpate

'— for I, along with the others, O Mahadeva, though deluded by your maya, do truly understand, as it really is, this deed of yours, O Lord of Shiva.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.31.82)

संहारकाले संप्राप्ते सदेवानखिलान्मुनीन्॥ लोकान्वर्णाश्रमवतो हरिष्यसि यदा हर॥ तदा क्व ते महादेव पाप ब्रह्मवधादिकम्॥ पारतंत्र्यं न ते शंभो स्वैरं क्रीडेत्ततो भवान्

saṁhārakāle saṁprāpte sadevānakhilānmunīn lokānvarṇāśramavato hariṣyasi yadā hara tadā kva te mahādeva pāpa brahmavadhādikam pārataṁtryaṁ na te śaṁbho svairaṁ krīḍettato bhavān

'When the time of universal dissolution arrives, O Hara, and you withdraw all the worlds together with their gods, sages, and the people bound by caste and stage of life — then where, O Mahadeva, is any sin of killing a Brahmin for you? You are subject to no one, O Shambhu; therefore you sport entirely as you please.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.31.83)

अतीतब्रह्मणामस्थ्नां स्रक्कंठे तव भासते॥ तदातदा क्वानुगता ब्रह्महत्या तवानघ

atītabrahmaṇāmasthnāṁ srakkaṁṭhe tava bhāsate tadātadā kvānugatā brahmahatyā tavānagha

'The garland of the bones of countless past Brahmas shines upon your neck — where, then, at any of those times, has the sin of killing a Brahmin ever clung to you, O sinless one?'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.31.84)

कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं त्वां यः स्मरति भावतः॥ आधारं जगतामीशं तस्य पापं विलीयते

kṛtvāpi sumahatpāpaṁ tvāṁ yaḥ smarati bhāvataḥ ādhāraṁ jagatāmīśaṁ tasya pāpaṁ vilīyate

'Whoever, having even committed a very great sin, remembers you with true feeling, you who are the very support of the worlds, O Lord — that person's sin dissolves away.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.31.85)

यथा तमो न तिष्ठेत संनिधावंशुमालिनः॥ तथा न भवभक्तस्य पापं तस्य व्रजेत्क्षयम्

yathā tamo na tiṣṭheta saṁnidhāvaṁśumālinaḥ tathā na bhavabhaktasya pāpaṁ tasya vrajetkṣayam

'Just as darkness cannot remain in the presence of the sun, so too the sin of one devoted to Bhava does not merely diminish — it vanishes altogether.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.31.86)

यश्चिंतयति पुण्यात्मा तव पादांबुजद्वयम्॥ ब्रह्महत्यादिकमपि पापं तस्य व्रजेत्क्षयम्

yaściṁtayati puṇyātmā tava pādāṁbujadvayam brahmahatyādikamapi pāpaṁ tasya vrajetkṣayam

'Whatever virtuous soul meditates upon your two lotus feet — even the sin of killing a Brahmin passes away from him.'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.31.87)

तव नामानुरक्ता वाग्यस्य पुंसो जगत्पते॥ अप्यद्रिकूटतुलितं नैनस्तमनुबाधते

tava nāmānuraktā vāgyasya puṁso jagatpate apyadrikūṭatulitaṁ nainastamanubādhate

'That man, O Lord of the universe, whose speech is devoted to your name — even a sin as heavy as a mountain peak does not touch him.'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.31.88)

रजसा तमसा विवर्धितं क्व नु पापं परितापदायकम्॥ क्व च ते शिव नाम मंगलं जनजीवातु जगद्रुजापहम्

rajasā tamasā vivardhitaṁ kva nu pāpaṁ paritāpadāyakam kva ca te śiva nāma maṁgalaṁ janajīvātu jagadrujāpaham

'Where indeed is sin, grown great through rajas and tamas, bringing anguish — and where is your auspicious name, O Shiva, the very life-breath of people, the remover of the world's affliction?'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.31.89)

यदि जातुचिदंधकद्विषस्तवनामौष्ठपुटाद्विनिःसृतम्॥ शिवशंकर चंद्रशेखरेत्यसकृत्तस्य न संसृतिः पुनः

yadi jātucidaṁdhakadviṣastavanāmauṣṭhapuṭādviniḥsṛtam śivaśaṁkara caṁdraśekharetyasakṛttasya na saṁsṛtiḥ punaḥ

'O foe of Andhaka, if ever your name should issue forth from the lips — Shiva! Shankara! Chandrashekhara! — spoken again and again — for that person there is no more worldly rebirth.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.31.90)

परमात्मन्परंधाम स्वेच्छा विधृत विग्रह॥ कुतूहलं तवेशेदं क्व पराधीनतेश्वरे

paramātmanparaṁdhāma svecchā vidhṛta vigraha kutūhalaṁ taveśedaṁ kva parādhīnateśvare

'O Supreme Self, supreme abode, you who assume form by your own free will — this curiosity of mine about your play — for where indeed could there be any subjection for the Lord?'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.31.91)

अद्य धन्योस्मि देवेश यं न पश्यति योगिनः॥ पश्यामि तं जगन्मूलं परमेश्वरमक्षयम्॥ अद्य मे परमो लाभस्त्वद्य मे मंगलं परम्॥ त्वद्दृष्ट्यमृततृप्तस्य तृणं स्वर्गापवर्गदम्

adya dhanyosmi deveśa yaṁ na paśyati yoginaḥ paśyāmi taṁ jaganmūlaṁ parameśvaramakṣayam adya me paramo lābhastvadya me maṁgalaṁ param tvaddṛṣṭyamṛtatṛptasya tṛṇaṁ svargāpavargadam

'Today I am blessed, O Lord of gods — for I now behold that very root of the universe, the imperishable Supreme Lord, whom even the yogis cannot see. Today is my highest gain, today my highest blessing; to one who is satisfied with the nectar of the sight of you, even heaven and liberation itself become as trifling as a blade of grass.'

Verse 92 (skanda.4.31.92)

इत्थं वदति गोविंदे विमला पद्मया तया॥ मनोरथवती नाम भिक्षापात्रे समर्पिता

itthaṁ vadati goviṁde vimalā padmayā tayā manorathavatī nāma bhikṣāpātre samarpitā

As Govinda spoke thus, that stainless Padma, her heart's desire fulfilled, presented an offering into his begging-bowl.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.31.93)

भिक्षाटनाय देवोपि निरगात्परया मुदा॥ दृष्ट्वाऽनुयायिनीं तां तु समाहूय जनार्दनः॥ संप्रार्थयद्ब्रह्महत्यां विमुंच त्वं त्रिशूलिनम्

bhikṣāṭanāya devopi niragātparayā mudā dṛṣṭvā'nuyāyinīṁ tāṁ tu samāhūya janārdanaḥ saṁprārthayadbrahmahatyāṁ vimuṁca tvaṁ triśūlinam

The god too then set out for further alms-begging with great joy. But Janardana, seeing that Brahmahatya still following him, called her over and entreated her: 'Release the trident-bearer!'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.31.94)

॥ ब्रह्महत्योवाच॥ अनेनापि मिषेणाऽहं संसेव्यामुं वृषध्वजम्॥ आत्मानं पावयिष्यामि क्व पुनर्भवदर्शनम्

brahmahatyovāca anenāpi miṣeṇā'haṁ saṁsevyāmuṁ vṛṣadhvajam ātmānaṁ pāvayiṣyāmi kva punarbhavadarśanam

Brahmahatya said: 'By this very pretext of service, I shall myself purify myself by attending upon the Bull-bannered one — where else would I again find the sight of him?'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.31.95)

सा तत्याज न तत्पार्श्वं व्याहृतापि मुरारिणा॥ तमूचेऽथ हरिं शंभुः स्मेरास्यो वचनं शुभम्

sā tatyāja na tatpārśvaṁ vyāhṛtāpi murāriṇā tamūce'tha hariṁ śaṁbhuḥ smerāsyo vacanaṁ śubham

She did not leave his side, even though addressed by Murari. Shambhu then spoke a gracious word to Hari, his face smiling:

Verse 96 (skanda.4.31.96)

त्वद्वाक्पीयूषपानेन तृप्तोस्मि बहुमानद॥ वरं वृणीष्व गोविंद वरदोऽस्मि तवानघ

tvadvākpīyūṣapānena tṛptosmi bahumānada varaṁ vṛṇīṣva goviṁda varado'smi tavānagha

'I am satisfied by drinking the nectar of your words, O bestower of great honor. Choose a boon, O Govinda; I am the giver of boons to you, O sinless one.'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.31.97)

न माद्यंति यथा भैक्षैर्भिक्षवोप्यतिसंस्कृतैः॥ यथामानसुधापानैर्नुन्न भिक्षाटनज्वराः

na mādyaṁti yathā bhaikṣairbhikṣavopyatisaṁskṛtaiḥ yathāmānasudhāpānairnunna bhikṣāṭanajvarāḥ

'Just as beggars are not intoxicated even by the most well-prepared alms-food — just as the fever of begging is driven away only by drinking the nectar of true regard —'

Verse 98 (skanda.4.31.98)

महाविष्णुरुवाच॥ एष एव वरः श्लाघ्यो यदहं देवताधिपम्॥ पश्यामि त्वां देवदेवं मनोरथपथातिगम्

mahāviṣṇuruvāca eṣa eva varaḥ ślāghyo yadahaṁ devatādhipam paśyāmi tvāṁ devadevaṁ manorathapathātigam

Maha-Vishnu said: 'This alone is the boon worthy of praise — that I behold you, O ruler of the gods, the God of gods, you who transcend even the path of desire.'

Verse 99 (skanda.4.31.99)

अनभ्रेयं सुधावृष्टिरनायासो महोत्सवः॥ अयत्नो निधिलाभो यद्वीक्षणं हरते सताम्

anabhreyaṁ sudhāvṛṣṭiranāyāso mahotsavaḥ ayatno nidhilābho yadvīkṣaṇaṁ harate satām

'This is a rain of nectar from a cloudless sky, an effortless great festival, the finding of a treasure without any labor — the very sight of you, which steals away all sorrow for the virtuous.'

Verse 100 (skanda.4.31.100)

अवियोगोऽस्तु मे देव त्वदंघ्रियुगलेन वै॥ एष एव वरः शंभो नान्यं कंचिद्वरं वृणे॥ ईश्वर उवाच॥ एवं भवतु तेऽनंत यत्त्वयोक्तं महामते॥ सर्वेषामपि देवानां वरदस्त्वं भविष्यसि

aviyogo'stu me deva tvadaṁghriyugalena vai eṣa eva varaḥ śaṁbho nānyaṁ kaṁcidvaraṁ vṛṇe īśvara uvāca evaṁ bhavatu te'naṁta yattvayoktaṁ mahāmate sarveṣāmapi devānāṁ varadastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

'Let there be no separation, O God, between me and your two feet — this alone is the boon I ask, O Shambhu; I choose no other boon.' Ishvara said: 'So be it, O Ananta, as you, of great wisdom, have asked. You yourself shall become the bestower of boons to all the gods as well.'

Verse 101 (skanda.4.31.101)

अनुगृह्येति दैत्यारिं केंद्रादि भुवने चरन्॥ भेजे विमुक्तिजननीं नाम्ना वाराणसीं पुरीम्

anugṛhyeti daityāriṁ keṁdrādi bhuvane caran bheje vimuktijananīṁ nāmnā vārāṇasīṁ purīm

Having thus blessed the foe of the demons, and wandering through the world with Indra and the other gods, he finally reached the city called Varanasi, the mother of liberation.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.31.102)

यत्र स्थितानां जंतूनां कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्॥ अपि ब्रह्मादि देवानां पदानि विपदां पदम्

yatra sthitānāṁ jaṁtūnāṁ kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm api brahmādi devānāṁ padāni vipadāṁ padam

Compared to whose beings, even the exalted ranks of Brahma and the other gods, themselves still the very seat of calamity, do not attain even a sixteenth part.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.31.103)

वरं वाराणसी वासी जटी मुंडी दिगंबरः॥ नान्यत्रच्छत्रसंछन्न वसुधामंडलेश्वरः

varaṁ vārāṇasī vāsī jaṭī muṁḍī digaṁbaraḥ nānyatracchatrasaṁchanna vasudhāmaṁḍaleśvaraḥ

Better to dwell in Varanasi with matted hair, or shaven-headed, or clad only in the directions, than to be, elsewhere, a sovereign of the whole earth sheltered beneath a royal umbrella.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.31.104)

वरं वाराणसी भिक्षा न लक्षाधिपतान्यतः॥ लक्षाधीशो विशेद्गर्भं तद्भिक्षाशी न गर्भभाक्

varaṁ vārāṇasī bhikṣā na lakṣādhipatānyataḥ lakṣādhīśo viśedgarbhaṁ tadbhikṣāśī na garbhabhāk

Better the alms of Varanasi than the wealth of a lord of a hundred thousand elsewhere; for the lord of a hundred thousand must still enter the womb again, while he who lives on that alms does not partake of the womb again.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.31.105)

भिक्षापि यत्र भिक्षुभ्यो दत्तामलकसंमिता॥ सुमेरुणापि तुलिता वाराणस्यां गुरुर्भवेत्

bhikṣāpi yatra bhikṣubhyo dattāmalakasaṁmitā sumeruṇāpi tulitā vārāṇasyāṁ gururbhavet

Even alms no bigger than an amalaka fruit, given there to a beggar in Varanasi, when weighed even against Mount Sumeru, would prove the heavier.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.31.106)

वर्षाशनं हि यो दद्यात्काश्यां सीदत्कुटुंबिने॥ यावंत्यब्दानि तावंति युगानि स दिवीज्यते

varṣāśanaṁ hi yo dadyātkāśyāṁ sīdatkuṭuṁbine yāvaṁtyabdāni tāvaṁti yugāni sa divījyate

Whoever gives a year's food in Kashi to a struggling householder is honored in heaven for as many ages as the years of that gift.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.31.107)

वाराणस्यां वर्षभोज्यं यो दद्यान्निरुपायिने॥ स कदाचित्तृट्क्षुधा नो दुःखं भुंक्ते नरर्षभः

vārāṇasyāṁ varṣabhojyaṁ yo dadyānnirupāyine sa kadācittṛṭkṣudhā no duḥkhaṁ bhuṁkte nararṣabhaḥ

That best of men who gives a year's food in Varanasi to one without means never experiences the suffering of thirst or hunger.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.31.108)

वाराणस्यां निवसतां यत्पुण्यमुपजायते॥ तदेव संवासयितुः फलं त्वविकलं भवेत्

vārāṇasyāṁ nivasatāṁ yatpuṇyamupajāyate tadeva saṁvāsayituḥ phalaṁ tvavikalaṁ bhavet

Whatever merit arises for those who dwell in Varanasi — that same fruit, entire and undiminished, belongs also to one who provides them lodging.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.31.109)

ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानि यस्या नाम्नोपि कीर्तनात्॥ त्यजंति पापिनं काशी सा केनेहोपमीयते॥ क्षेत्रे प्रविष्टमात्रेऽथ भैरवे भीषणाकृतौ॥ हाहेत्युक्त्वा ब्रह्महत्या पातालतलमाविशत्

brahmahatyādi pāpāni yasyā nāmnopi kīrtanāt tyajaṁti pāpinaṁ kāśī sā kenehopamīyate kṣetre praviṣṭamātre'tha bhairave bhīṣaṇākṛtau hāhetyuktvā brahmahatyā pātālatalamāviśat

That Kashi, by whose very name being uttered, sins even as great as killing a Brahmin abandon the sinner — with what can she here be compared? The very moment that Bhairava, of terrible form, entered the sacred field, Brahmahatya, crying out 'Alas!', sank down into the depths of the netherworld.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.31.110)

कपालब्रह्मणो रुद्रः सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम्॥ हस्तात्पतितमालोक्य ननर्त परया मुदा

kapālabrahmaṇo rudraḥ sarveṣāmeva paśyatām hastātpatitamālokya nanarta parayā mudā

Rudra, seeing, before the eyes of all, the skull of Brahma fall away from his own hand, danced with the greatest joy.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.31.111)

विधेः कपालं नामुंचत्करमत्यंतदुःसहम्॥ हरस्य भ्रमतः क्वापि तत्काश्यां क्षणतोऽपतत्

vidheḥ kapālaṁ nāmuṁcatkaramatyaṁtaduḥsaham harasya bhramataḥ kvāpi tatkāśyāṁ kṣaṇato'patat

That skull of Vidhi, exceedingly unbearable, had not left the hand of Hara anywhere in all his wandering — until in Kashi it fell away in an instant.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.31.112)

शूलिनो ब्रह्मणो हत्या नापैति स्म च या क्वचित्॥ सा काश्यां क्षणतो नष्टा कथं काशी न दुर्लभा

śūlino brahmaṇo hatyā nāpaiti sma ca yā kvacit sā kāśyāṁ kṣaṇato naṣṭā kathaṁ kāśī na durlabhā

That sin of killing a Brahmin, which had never left the Trident-bearer anywhere at all — that very sin was destroyed in Kashi in an instant. How, then, could Kashi not be beyond all price?

Verse 113 (skanda.4.31.113)

अतः प्रदक्षिणीकार्या पूजनीया पुरी त्वियम्

ataḥ pradakṣiṇīkāryā pūjanīyā purī tviyam

Therefore this city is worthy of circumambulation, worthy of worship.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.31.114)

वाराणसीति काशीति महामंत्रमिमं जपम्॥ यावज्जीवं त्रिसंध्यं तु जंतुर्जातु न जायते

vārāṇasīti kāśīti mahāmaṁtramimaṁ japam yāvajjīvaṁ trisaṁdhyaṁ tu jaṁturjātu na jāyate

Whatever creature recites, three times daily throughout life, this great mantra — 'Varanasi', 'Kashi' — is never born again.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.31.115)

अविमुक्तं महाक्षेत्रं स्मरन्प्राणांस्तु यस्त्वजेत्॥ दूरदेशांतरस्थोपि सोपि जातु न जायते

avimuktaṁ mahākṣetraṁ smaranprāṇāṁstu yastvajet dūradeśāṁtarasthopi sopi jātu na jāyate

Whoever gives up his life while remembering the great field Avimukta — even though he dies in some far distant land — even he is never born again.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.31.116)

आनंदकानने यस्य चित्तं संस्मरते सदा॥ तत्क्षेत्रनामश्रवणान्न स भूयोऽभिजायते

ānaṁdakānane yasya cittaṁ saṁsmarate sadā tatkṣetranāmaśravaṇānna sa bhūyo'bhijāyate

Whoever's mind is ever fixed in remembrance of the Ananda-forest — merely by hearing the name of that field, he is not born again.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.31.117)

रुद्रावासे वसेन्नित्यं नरो नियतमानसः॥ एनसामपि संभारं कृत्वा कालाद्विमुच्यते

rudrāvāse vasennityaṁ naro niyatamānasaḥ enasāmapi saṁbhāraṁ kṛtvā kālādvimucyate

A man of disciplined mind who dwells always in the Abode of Rudra is freed from the bonds of time, even though he has accumulated a great mass of sin.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.31.118)

महाश्मशानमासाद्य यदि देवाद्विपद्यते॥ पुनः श्मशानशयनं न क्वापि लभते पुमान्॥ कपालमोचनं काश्यां ये स्मरिष्यंति मानवाः॥ तेषां विनंक्ष्यति क्षिप्रमिहान्यत्रापि पातकम्

mahāśmaśānamāsādya yadi devādvipadyate punaḥ śmaśānaśayanaṁ na kvāpi labhate pumān kapālamocanaṁ kāśyāṁ ye smariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ teṣāṁ vinaṁkṣyati kṣipramihānyatrāpi pātakam

If, having attained the Great Cremation Ground, one dies there by fate's design, that man never again finds himself lying upon any cremation ground. Whatever people remember Kapalamochana in Kashi — for them, sin, whether committed here or elsewhere, is swiftly destroyed.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.31.119)

आगत्य तीर्थप्रवरे स्नानं कृत्वा विधानतः॥ तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्देवान्मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

āgatya tīrthapravare snānaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ tarpayitvā pitṝndevānmucyate brahmahatyayā

Whoever comes to this foremost of tirthas, bathes there according to prescribed rite, and offers tarpana to the ancestors and the gods, is freed even from the sin of killing a Brahmin.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.31.120)

अशाश्वतमिदं ज्ञात्वा वाराणस्यां वसंति ये॥ देहांते तत्परं ज्ञानं तेषां दास्यति शंकरः

aśāśvatamidaṁ jñātvā vārāṇasyāṁ vasaṁti ye dehāṁte tatparaṁ jñānaṁ teṣāṁ dāsyati śaṁkaraḥ

To those who, knowing this world to be impermanent, dwell in Varanasi, Shankara himself grants that supreme knowledge at the end of the body.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.31.121)

इयं काशीपुरी विप्र साक्षाद्रुद्रतनुः परा॥ अनिर्वाच्या परानंदा दुष्प्राप्येशविरोधिभिः

iyaṁ kāśīpurī vipra sākṣādrudratanuḥ parā anirvācyā parānaṁdā duṣprāpyeśavirodhibhiḥ

O brahmin, this city of Kashi is, in truth, the very supreme body of Rudra himself — ineffable, of supreme bliss, hard indeed to attain for those hostile to the Lord.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.31.122)

अस्यास्तत्त्वमहं जाने शिवभक्तिपरोपि वा॥ मुच्यंते जंतवोऽत्रैव यथा योगेन योगिनः

asyāstattvamahaṁ jāne śivabhaktiparopi vā mucyaṁte jaṁtavo'traiva yathā yogena yoginaḥ

I know this truth of hers — that creatures here, whether devoted to Shiva-bhakti or not, are liberated here, just as yogis are liberated through yoga.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.31.123)

परंपदमियं काशी परानंद इयं पुरी॥ इयमेव परं ज्ञानं सेव्याऽसौ मोक्षकांक्षिभिः

paraṁpadamiyaṁ kāśī parānaṁda iyaṁ purī iyameva paraṁ jñānaṁ sevyā'sau mokṣakāṁkṣibhiḥ

This Kashi is the supreme abode; this city is supreme bliss itself; this alone is supreme knowledge — she is to be served by all who seek liberation.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.31.124)

अत्रोषित्वापीशभक्तान्विरुणद्धि तु यः कुधीः॥ पुर्यैद्रुह्यति वा मूढस्तस्यान्यत्रात्र नो गतिः

atroṣitvāpīśabhaktānviruṇaddhi tu yaḥ kudhīḥ puryaidruhyati vā mūḍhastasyānyatrātra no gatiḥ

Whatever evil-minded person, even while dwelling here, hinders the devotees of the Lord, or, deluded, does harm to this city — for him there is no refuge, neither here nor anywhere else.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.31.125)

कपालमोचनं तीर्थं पुरस्कृत्वा तु भैरवः॥ तत्रैव तस्थौ भक्तानां भक्षयन्नघसंततिम्

kapālamocanaṁ tīrthaṁ puraskṛtvā tu bhairavaḥ tatraiva tasthau bhaktānāṁ bhakṣayannaghasaṁtatim

Bhairava, taking his place before the tirtha of Kapalamochana, remains there still, devouring the succession of sins of his devotees.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.31.126)

पापभक्षणमासाद्य कृत्वापापशतान्यपि॥ कुतो बिभेति पापेभ्यः कालभैरवसेवकः

pāpabhakṣaṇamāsādya kṛtvāpāpaśatānyapi kuto bibheti pāpebhyaḥ kālabhairavasevakaḥ

Having attained Papabhakshana, even one who has committed a hundred sins — how should a servant of Kalabhairava fear sins any longer?

Verse 127 (skanda.4.31.127)

आमर्दयति पापानि दुष्टानां च मनोरथान्॥ आमर्दक इति ख्यातस्ततोऽसौ कालभैरवः॥ कलिकालं कलयति सदा काशी निवासिनाम्॥ अतः ख्यातिं परां प्राप्तः कालभैरवसंज्ञिताम्

āmardayati pāpāni duṣṭānāṁ ca manorathān āmardaka iti khyātastato'sau kālabhairavaḥ kalikālaṁ kalayati sadā kāśī nivāsinām ataḥ khyātiṁ parāṁ prāptaḥ kālabhairavasaṁjñitām

He crushes sins, and the very desires of the wicked; therefore that Kalabhairava is renowned as Amardaka, the Crusher. He forever holds back the Kali age from those who dwell in Kashi; therefore he has attained the supreme renown known by the name Kalabhairava.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.31.128)

सदैव यस्य भक्तेभ्यो यमदूताः सुदारुणाः॥ परमां भीरुतां प्राप्तास्ततोसौ भैरवः स्मृतः

sadaiva yasya bhaktebhyo yamadūtāḥ sudāruṇāḥ paramāṁ bhīrutāṁ prāptāstatosau bhairavaḥ smṛtaḥ

Because the most terrible messengers of Yama are ever struck with the utmost fear before his devotees, he is remembered by the name Bhairava, the Terrifying One.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.31.129)

मार्गशीर्षासिताष्टम्यां कालभैरवसंनिधौ॥ उपोष्य जागरं कुर्वन्महापापैः प्रमुच्यते

mārgaśīrṣāsitāṣṭamyāṁ kālabhairavasaṁnidhau upoṣya jāgaraṁ kurvanmahāpāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever fasts and keeps vigil in the presence of Kalabhairava on the dark eighth day of the month of Margashirsha is released from the greatest sins.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.31.130)

यत्किंचिदशुभं कर्म कृतं मानुषबुद्धितः॥ तत्सर्वं विलयं याति कालभैरव दर्शनात्

yatkiṁcidaśubhaṁ karma kṛtaṁ mānuṣabuddhitaḥ tatsarvaṁ vilayaṁ yāti kālabhairava darśanāt

Whatever inauspicious deed a person has done through merely human understanding — all of it is dissolved through the sight of Kalabhairava.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.31.131)

अनेकजन्मनियुतैर्यत्कृतं जंतुभिस्त्वघम्॥ तत्सर्वं विलयत्याशु कालभैरव दर्शनात्

anekajanmaniyutairyatkṛtaṁ jaṁtubhistvagham tatsarvaṁ vilayatyāśu kālabhairava darśanāt

Whatever sin creatures have committed through countless millions of births — all of it is swiftly dissolved through the sight of Kalabhairava.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.31.132)

कृत्वा च विविधां पूजां महासंभारविस्तरैः॥ नरो मार्गासिताष्टम्यां वार्षिकं विघ्नमुत्सृजेत्

kṛtvā ca vividhāṁ pūjāṁ mahāsaṁbhāravistaraiḥ naro mārgāsitāṣṭamyāṁ vārṣikaṁ vighnamutsṛjet

A man who performs manifold worship with an abundance of great offerings on the dark eighth of Margashirsha casts off the obstacles that would befall him for the whole year.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.31.133)

अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां रविभूमिजवासरे॥ यात्रां च भैरवीं कृत्वा कृतैः पापैः प्रमुच्यते

aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturdaśyāṁ ravibhūmijavāsare yātrāṁ ca bhairavīṁ kṛtvā kṛtaiḥ pāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever undertakes the pilgrimage to Bhairava on the eighth or fourteenth lunar day, on a Sunday or a Tuesday, is released from the sins he has committed.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.31.134)

कालभैरव भक्तानां सदा काशीनिवासिनाम्॥ विघ्नं यः कुरुते मूढः स दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात्

kālabhairava bhaktānāṁ sadā kāśīnivāsinām vighnaṁ yaḥ kurute mūḍhaḥ sa durgatimavāpnuyāt

Whatever fool causes obstruction to the devotees of Kalabhairava, who ever dwell in Kashi, attains an evil destiny.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.31.135)

विश्वेश्वरेपि ये भक्ता नो भक्ताः कालभैरवे॥ काश्यां ते विघ्नसंघातं लभंते तु पदे पदे

viśveśvarepi ye bhaktā no bhaktāḥ kālabhairave kāśyāṁ te vighnasaṁghātaṁ labhaṁte tu pade pade

Even those who are devoted to Vishveshvara but not devoted to Kalabhairava encounter a host of obstacles at every step in Kashi.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.31.136)

तीर्थे कालोदके स्नात्वा कृत्वा तर्पणमत्वरः॥ विलोक्य कालराजं च निरयादुद्धरेत्पितॄन्॥ अष्टौ प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य प्रत्यहं पापभक्षणम्॥ नरो न पापैर्लिप्येत मनोवाक्कायसंभवैः

tīrthe kālodake snātvā kṛtvā tarpaṇamatvaraḥ vilokya kālarājaṁ ca nirayāduddharetpitṝn aṣṭau pradakṣiṇīkṛtya pratyahaṁ pāpabhakṣaṇam naro na pāpairlipyeta manovākkāyasaṁbhavaiḥ

Bathing in the tirtha of Kalodaka, and, without delay, performing tarpana, and beholding Kalaraja, one delivers one's ancestors from hell. A man who daily circumambulates Papabhakshana eight times is never tainted by sins born of mind, speech, or body.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.31.137)

तस्मिन्नामर्दके पीठे जप्त्वास्वाभीष्टदेवताम्॥ षण्मासं सिद्धिमाप्नोति साधको भैरवाज्ञया

tasminnāmardake pīṭhe japtvāsvābhīṣṭadevatām ṣaṇmāsaṁ siddhimāpnoti sādhako bhairavājñayā

A seeker who, at that seat of Amardaka, recites the mantra of his own chosen deity for six months, attains accomplishment by the command of Bhairava.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.31.138)

वाराणस्यामुषित्वा यो भैरवं न भजेन्नरः॥ तस्य पापानि वर्धंते शुक्लपक्षे यथा शशी

vārāṇasyāmuṣitvā yo bhairavaṁ na bhajennaraḥ tasya pāpāni vardhaṁte śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī

A man who dwells in Varanasi and does not worship Bhairava — his sins increase, as the moon waxes in the bright fortnight.

Verse 139 (skanda.4.31.139)

यं यं संचितयेत्कामं पापभक्षणसेवया॥ बलिपूजोपहारैश्च तं तं स समवाप्नुयात्

yaṁ yaṁ saṁcitayetkāmaṁ pāpabhakṣaṇasevayā balipūjopahāraiśca taṁ taṁ sa samavāpnuyāt

Whatever desire one contemplates while serving Papabhakshana with offerings, worship, and gifts — that very desire he obtains.

Verse 140 (skanda.4.31.140)

कालराजं न यः काश्यां प्रतिभूताष्टमीकुजम्॥ भजेत्तस्यक्षयेत्पुण्यं कृष्णपक्षे यथा शशी

kālarājaṁ na yaḥ kāśyāṁ pratibhūtāṣṭamīkujam bhajettasyakṣayetpuṇyaṁ kṛṣṇapakṣe yathā śaśī

Whoever does not worship Kalaraja in Kashi, present especially on the eighth lunar day and on Tuesday — his merit wanes, as the moon wanes in the dark fortnight.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.31.141)

श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं ब्रह्महत्यापनोदकम्॥ भैरवोत्पत्तिसंज्ञं च सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ brahmahatyāpanodakam bhairavotpattisaṁjñaṁ ca sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever hears this holy chapter, the remover of the sin of killing a Brahmin, known as the Birth of Bhairava, is released from all sins.

Verse 142 (skanda.4.31.142)

बंधनागारसंस्थोपि प्राप्तोपि विपदं पराम्॥ प्रादुर्भावं भैरवस्य श्रुत्वा मुच्येत संकटात्

baṁdhanāgārasaṁsthopi prāptopi vipadaṁ parām prādurbhāvaṁ bhairavasya śrutvā mucyeta saṁkaṭāt

Even one confined in a prison, even one who has fallen into the direst calamity, upon hearing of the manifestation of Bhairava, is freed from his distress.