The Coming of the Sixty-Four Yoginis

Verse 1 (skanda.4.45.1)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ अथ तद्योगिनीवृंदं दूराद्दृष्टिं प्रसार्य च॥ स्वनेत्रदैर्घ्यनिर्माणं प्रशशंस फलान्वितम्

skaṁda uvāca atha tadyoginīvṛṁdaṁ dūrāddṛṣṭiṁ prasārya ca svanetradairghyanirmāṇaṁ praśaśaṁsa phalānvitam

Skanda said: Then that host of Yoginis, casting their gaze from afar, felt that the very length of their eyes had at last found its true purpose, and praised it.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.45.2)

दिव्यप्रासादमालानां पताकाश्चलपल्लवाः॥ सादरं दूरमार्गस्थान्पांथानाह्वयतीरिव

divyaprāsādamālānāṁ patākāścalapallavāḥ sādaraṁ dūramārgasthānpāṁthānāhvayatīriva

The fluttering banners atop the rows of celestial palaces, like restless young leaves, seemed to be calling out respectfully to travellers still far along the road.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.45.3)

चंचत्प्रासादमाणिक्यैर्विजृंभितमरीचिभिः॥ सुनीलमपि च व्योमवीक्ष्यमाणं सुनिर्मलम्

caṁcatprāsādamāṇikyairvijṛṁbhitamarīcibhiḥ sunīlamapi ca vyomavīkṣyamāṇaṁ sunirmalam

With rays flashing out from the gleaming rubies of the palaces, even the deep-blue sky appeared, to their gaze, wonderfully clear and pure.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.45.4)

देवत्वं माययाच्छाद्य वेषं कार्पटिकोचितम्॥ विधाय काशीमविशद्योगिनीचक्रमक्रमम्

devatvaṁ māyayācchādya veṣaṁ kārpaṭikocitam vidhāya kāśīmaviśadyoginīcakramakramam

Veiling their own divinity by maya, and taking on the guise befitting wandering beggar-women, the circle of Yoginis entered Kashi, one by one, without any fixed order.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.45.5)

काचिच्चयोगिनी भूता काचिज्जाता तपस्विनी॥ काचिद्बभूव सैरंध्री काचिन्मासोपवासिनी

kāciccayoginī bhūtā kācijjātā tapasvinī kācidbabhūva sairaṁdhrī kācinmāsopavāsinī

One Yogini took the form of an ascetic woman, another became a woman devoted to austerities, another a lady's attendant, and another one who fasts for a full month.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.45.6)

मालाकारवधूः काचित्काचिन्नापितसुंदरी॥ सूतिकर्मविचारज्ञा ऽपरा भैषज्यकोविदा

mālākāravadhūḥ kācitkācinnāpitasuṁdarī sūtikarmavicārajñā 'parā bhaiṣajyakovidā

One became a florist's wife, another a lovely barber-woman; one became skilled in the art of midwifery, another an expert in medicine.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.45.7)

वैश्या च काचिदभवत्क्रयविक्रयचंचुरा॥ व्यालग्राहिण्यभूत्काचिद्दासीधात्री च काचन

vaiśyā ca kācidabhavatkrayavikrayacaṁcurā vyālagrāhiṇyabhūtkāciddāsīdhātrī ca kācana

One became a merchant's wife, deft in buying and selling; another became a snake-catcher; and another became a nursemaid.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.45.8)

एका च नृत्यकुशला त्वन्या गानविशारदा॥ अपरा वेणुवादज्ञा परा वीणाधराभवत्

ekā ca nṛtyakuśalā tvanyā gānaviśāradā aparā veṇuvādajñā parā vīṇādharābhavat

One was skilled in dance, another expert in song; one knew how to play the flute, and another became a player of the veena.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.45.9)

मृदंगवादनज्ञान्या काचित्ताल कलावती॥ काचित्कार्मणतत्त्वज्ञा काचिन्मौक्तिकगुंफिका

mṛdaṁgavādanajñānyā kācittāla kalāvatī kācitkārmaṇatattvajñā kācinmauktikaguṁphikā

One knew the art of playing the mridanga drum, another was skilled in rhythm; one knew the secrets of magic charms, another was a stringer of pearls.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.45.10)

गंधभागविधिज्ञान्या काचिदक्षकलालया॥ आलापोल्लासकुशला काचिच्चत्वरचारिणी॥ वंशाधिरोहणे दक्षा रज्जुमार्गेण चेतरा॥ काचिद्वातुलचेष्टाऽभूत्पथि चीवरवेष्टना

gaṁdhabhāgavidhijñānyā kācidakṣakalālayā ālāpollāsakuśalā kāciccatvaracāriṇī vaṁśādhirohaṇe dakṣā rajjumārgeṇa cetarā kācidvātulaceṣṭā'bhūtpathi cīvaraveṣṭanā

One knew the art of blending fragrances, another was devoted to dice-play; one was skilled at lively talk, another roamed the crossroads; one was expert at climbing the bamboo pole, another at walking the tightrope; and one, wrapped in rags, wandered the road feigning madness.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.45.11)

अपत्यदाऽनपत्यानां परा तत्रपुरेऽवसत्॥ काचित्करांघ्रिरेखाणां लक्षणानि चिकेति च

apatyadā'napatyānāṁ parā tatrapure'vasat kācitkarāṁghrirekhāṇāṁ lakṣaṇāni ciketi ca

One dwelt in that city as a giver of children to the childless; another became one skilled in reading the lines and marks of hands and feet.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.45.12)

चित्रलेखन नैपुण्यात्काचिज्जनमनोहरा॥ वशीकरणमंत्रज्ञा काचित्तत्र चचार ह

citralekhana naipuṇyātkācijjanamanoharā vaśīkaraṇamaṁtrajñā kācittatra cacāra ha

One, through her skill at painting, charmed the hearts of the people; another moved about there, versed in mantras of enchantment.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.45.13)

गुटिकासिद्धिदा काचित्काचिदंजनसिद्धिदा॥ धातुवादविदग्धान्या पादुकासिद्धिदा परा

guṭikāsiddhidā kācitkācidaṁjanasiddhidā dhātuvādavidagdhānyā pādukāsiddhidā parā

One granted the power of the magic pill, another the power of magic collyrium; one was skilled in alchemy, another granted the boon of the magic sandals.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.45.14)

अग्निस्तंभ जलस्तंभ वाक्स्तंभं चाप्यशिक्षयत्॥ खेचरीत्वं ददौ काचिददृश्यत्वं परा ददौ

agnistaṁbha jalastaṁbha vākstaṁbhaṁ cāpyaśikṣayat khecarītvaṁ dadau kācidadṛśyatvaṁ parā dadau

One taught the arts of arresting fire, arresting water, and stilling speech; one granted the power of flight through the sky, and another the power of invisibility.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.45.15)

काचिदाकर्पणीं सिद्धिं ददावुच्चाटनं परा॥ काचिन्निजांगसौंदर्य युवचित्तविमोहिनी

kācidākarpaṇīṁ siddhiṁ dadāvuccāṭanaṁ parā kācinnijāṁgasauṁdarya yuvacittavimohinī

One bestowed the power of attraction, another the power to drive an enemy away; and one, by the beauty of her own form, bewitched the hearts of young men.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.45.16)

चिंतितार्थप्रदा काचित्काचिज्ज्योतिः कलावती॥ इत्यादि वेषभाषाभिरनुकृत्य समंततः

ciṁtitārthapradā kācitkācijjyotiḥ kalāvatī ityādi veṣabhāṣābhiranukṛtya samaṁtataḥ

One granted whatever was wished for in the mind, another was skilled in the art of astrology. In these and other such guises and tongues, imitating human ways on every side —

Verse 17 (skanda.4.45.17)

प्रत्यंगणं प्रतिगृहं प्राविशद्योगिनीगणः॥ इत्थमब्दंचरंत्यस्ता योगिन्योऽहर्निशं पुरि

pratyaṁgaṇaṁ pratigṛhaṁ prāviśadyoginīgaṇaḥ itthamabdaṁcaraṁtyastā yoginyo'harniśaṁ puri

that host of Yoginis entered every courtyard and every house of the city. Thus, roaming day and night through the city for a whole year —

Verse 18 (skanda.4.45.18)

न च्छिद्रं लेभिरे क्वापि नृपविघ्नचिकीर्षवः॥ ततः समेत्य ताः सर्वा योगिन्यो वंध्यवांछिताः॥ तस्थुः संमंत्र्य तत्रैव न गता मंदरं पुनः

na cchidraṁ lebhire kvāpi nṛpavighnacikīrṣavaḥ tataḥ sametya tāḥ sarvā yoginyo vaṁdhyavāṁchitāḥ tasthuḥ saṁmaṁtrya tatraiva na gatā maṁdaraṁ punaḥ

Those Yoginis, eager as they were to bring some obstacle upon the king, could find no flaw anywhere at all. Then all those Yoginis, their purpose thwarted, gathered together, took counsel among themselves, and remained there itself — they did not go back to Mandara.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.45.19)

प्रभुकार्यमनिष्पाद्य सदः संभावनैधितः॥ कः पुरः शक्नुयात्स्थातुं स्वामिनो क्षतविग्रहः॥ अन्यच्च चिंतितं ताभिर्योगिनीभिरिदं मुने॥ प्रभुं विनापि जीवामो न तु काशीं विना पुनः

prabhukāryamaniṣpādya sadaḥ saṁbhāvanaidhitaḥ kaḥ puraḥ śaknuyātsthātuṁ svāmino kṣatavigrahaḥ anyacca ciṁtitaṁ tābhiryoginībhiridaṁ mune prabhuṁ vināpi jīvāmo na tu kāśīṁ vinā punaḥ

[They thought:] "Having failed to accomplish our lord's task, our honour now diminished — who could stand unashamed before their master?" And, O sage, those Yoginis thought this besides: "We could live on even without our Lord, but never again without Kashi."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.45.20)

प्रभूरुष्टोपि सद्भृत्ये जीविकामात्रहारकः॥ काशीहरेत्कराद्भ्रष्टा पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्

prabhūruṣṭopi sadbhṛtye jīvikāmātrahārakaḥ kāśīharetkarādbhraṣṭā puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam

"Even an angered master, at worst, takes away only a good servant's livelihood; but should Kashi slip from our grasp, we shall lose all four aims of human life together."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.45.21)

नाद्यापि काशीं संत्यज्य तदारभ्य महामुने॥ योगिन्योन्यत्र तिष्ठंति चरंत्योपि जगत्त्रयम्

nādyāpi kāśīṁ saṁtyajya tadārabhya mahāmune yoginyonyatra tiṣṭhaṁti caraṁtyopi jagattrayam

O great sage, from that time to this very day, the Yoginis, though they roam through all three worlds, have never abandoned Kashi to dwell anywhere else.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.45.22)

प्राप्यापि श्रीमतीं काशीं यस्तितिक्षति दुर्मतिः॥ स एव प्रत्युत त्यक्तो धर्मकामार्थमुक्तिभिः

prāpyāpi śrīmatīṁ kāśīṁ yastitikṣati durmatiḥ sa eva pratyuta tyakto dharmakāmārthamuktibhiḥ

Whatever fool, having attained glorious Kashi, still remains indifferent to her — he, on the contrary, is himself forsaken by dharma, artha, kama, and moksha alike.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.45.23)

कः काशीं प्राप्य दुर्बुद्धिरपरत्र यियासति॥ मोक्षनिक्षेप कलशीं तुच्छश्रीकृतमानसः

kaḥ kāśīṁ prāpya durbuddhiraparatra yiyāsati mokṣanikṣepa kalaśīṁ tucchaśrīkṛtamānasaḥ

Having attained Kashi — the very vessel in which liberation itself is stored — what fool, his mind set on some paltry fortune, would still wish to go anywhere else?

Verse 24 (skanda.4.45.24)

विमुखोपीश्वरोस्माकं काशीसेवनपुण्यतः॥ संमुखो भविता पुण्यं कृतकृत्याः स्म तद्वयम्

vimukhopīśvarosmākaṁ kāśīsevanapuṇyataḥ saṁmukho bhavitā puṇyaṁ kṛtakṛtyāḥ sma tadvayam

"Even though our Lord is displeased with us now, through the merit of serving Kashi he will surely turn towards us again before long; and by that very merit, we too shall have accomplished our purpose."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.45.25)

दिनैः कतिपयैरेव सर्वज्ञोपि समेष्यति॥ विना काशीं न रमते यतोऽन्यत्र त्रिलोचनः

dinaiḥ katipayaireva sarvajñopi sameṣyati vinā kāśīṁ na ramate yato'nyatra trilocanaḥ

"In just a few days, even the all-knowing Lord himself will come here, for the three-eyed one finds delight nowhere else but in Kashi."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.45.26)

शंभोः शक्तिरियं काशी काचित्सर्वैरगोचरा॥ शंभुरेव हि जानीयादेतस्याः परमं सुखम्

śaṁbhoḥ śaktiriyaṁ kāśī kācitsarvairagocarā śaṁbhureva hi jānīyādetasyāḥ paramaṁ sukham

This Kashi is indeed some power of Shambhu's own, utterly beyond the grasp of all understanding; only Shambhu himself can truly know her supreme bliss.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.45.27)

इति निश्चित्य मनसि शंभोरानंदकानने॥ अतिष्ठद्योगिनीवृंदं कयाचिन्माययावृतम्

iti niścitya manasi śaṁbhorānaṁdakānane atiṣṭhadyoginīvṛṁdaṁ kayācinmāyayāvṛtam

Having thus resolved in their minds, that host of Yoginis, veiled by some form of maya, remained settled there, in Shambhu's own Anandakanana.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.45.28)

व्यास उवाच॥ इत्थं समाकर्ण्य मुनिः पुनः पप्रच्छ षण्मुखम्॥ कानि कानि च नामानि तासां तानि वदेश्वर॥ भजनाद्योगिनीनां च काश्यां किं जायते फलम्॥ कस्मिन्पर्वणि ताः पूज्याः कथं पूज्याश्च तद्वद

vyāsa uvāca itthaṁ samākarṇya muniḥ punaḥ papraccha ṣaṇmukham kāni kāni ca nāmāni tāsāṁ tāni vadeśvara bhajanādyoginīnāṁ ca kāśyāṁ kiṁ jāyate phalam kasminparvaṇi tāḥ pūjyāḥ kathaṁ pūjyāśca tadvada

Vyasa said: Hearing this, the sage again asked Shanmukha: "O Lord, tell me their names, one by one. What fruit is gained in Kashi by worshipping the Yoginis? On what occasion are they to be worshipped, and how — tell me this too."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.45.29)

श्रुत्वेतिप्रश्नमौमेयो योगिनीसंश्रयं ततः॥ प्रत्युवाच मुने वच्मि शृणोत्ववहितो भवान्

śrutvetipraśnamaumeyo yoginīsaṁśrayaṁ tataḥ pratyuvāca mune vacmi śṛṇotvavahito bhavān

Hearing this question about the Yoginis, the son of Uma replied: "O sage, I shall tell you; listen closely."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.45.30)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ नामधेयानि वक्ष्यामि योगिनीनां घटोद्भव॥ आकर्ण्य यानि पापानि क्षयंति भविनां क्षणात्

skaṁda uvāca nāmadheyāni vakṣyāmi yoginīnāṁ ghaṭodbhava ākarṇya yāni pāpāni kṣayaṁti bhavināṁ kṣaṇāt

Skanda said: O jar-born Agastya, I shall now tell you the names of the Yoginis, merely hearing which the sins of mortal beings are destroyed in an instant.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.45.31)

गजानना सिंहमुखी गृध्रास्या काकतुंडिका॥ उष्ट्रग्रीवा हयग्रीवा वाराही शरभानना

gajānanā siṁhamukhī gṛdhrāsyā kākatuṁḍikā uṣṭragrīvā hayagrīvā vārāhī śarabhānanā

Gajanana (elephant-faced), Simhamukhi (lion-faced), Gridhrasya (vulture-faced), Kakatundika (crow-beaked), Ushtragriva (camel-necked), Hayagriva (horse-necked), Varahi (boar-faced), and Sharabhanana (sharabha-faced) —

Verse 32 (skanda.4.45.32)

उलूकिका शिवारावा मयूरी विकटानना॥ अष्टवक्त्रा कोटराक्षी कुब्जा विकटलोचना

ulūkikā śivārāvā mayūrī vikaṭānanā aṣṭavaktrā koṭarākṣī kubjā vikaṭalocanā

Ulukika (owl-faced), Shivarava (jackal-voiced), Mayuri (peacock-faced), Vikatanana (dread-faced), Ashtavaktra (eight-mouthed), Kotaraksi (hollow-eyed), Kubja (the hunchback), and Vikatalochana (dread-eyed) —

Verse 33 (skanda.4.45.33)

शुष्कोदरी ललज्जिह्वा श्वदंष्ट्रा वानरानना॥ ऋक्षाक्षी केकराक्षी च बृहत्तुंडा सुराप्रिया

śuṣkodarī lalajjihvā śvadaṁṣṭrā vānarānanā ṛkṣākṣī kekarākṣī ca bṛhattuṁḍā surāpriyā

Shushkodari (dry-bellied), Lalajjihva (with lolling tongue), Shvadamshtra (dog-fanged), Vanaranana (monkey-faced), Rikshakshi (bear-eyed), Kekaraksi (squint-eyed), Brihattunda (large-mouthed), and Surapriya (fond of wine) —

Verse 34 (skanda.4.45.34)

कपालहस्ता रक्ताक्षी शुकी श्येनी कपोतिका॥ पाशहस्ता दंडहस्ता प्रचंडा चंडविक्रमा

kapālahastā raktākṣī śukī śyenī kapotikā pāśahastā daṁḍahastā pracaṁḍā caṁḍavikramā

Kapalahasta (skull-bearer), Raktakshi (red-eyed), Shuki (parrot-faced), Shyeni (hawk-faced), Kapotika (dove-faced), Pashahasta (noose-bearer), Dandahasta (staff-bearer), Prachanda (the fierce one), and Chandavikrama (of terrible might) —

Verse 35 (skanda.4.45.35)

शिशुघ्नी पापहंत्री च काली रुधिरपायिनी॥ वसाधया गर्भभक्षा शवहस्तांत्रमालिनी

śiśughnī pāpahaṁtrī ca kālī rudhirapāyinī vasādhayā garbhabhakṣā śavahastāṁtramālinī

Shishughni (destroyer of harm to infants), Papahantri (destroyer of sin), Kali (the dark one), Rudhirapayini (drinker of blood), Vasadhaya (devourer of fat), Garbhabhaksha (devourer of the womb's foes), Shavahasta (corpse-bearer), and Antramalini (garlanded with entrails) —

Verse 36 (skanda.4.45.36)

स्थूलकेशी बृहत्कुक्षिः सर्पास्या प्रेतवाहना॥ दंदशूककरा क्रौंची मृगशीर्षा वृषानना

sthūlakeśī bṛhatkukṣiḥ sarpāsyā pretavāhanā daṁdaśūkakarā krauṁcī mṛgaśīrṣā vṛṣānanā

Sthulakeshi (thick-haired), Brihatkukshi (large-bellied), Sarpasya (serpent-faced), Pretavahana (riding a preta), Dandashukakara (serpent-handed), Kraunchi (krauncha-bird-faced), Mrigashirsha (deer-headed), and Vrishanana (bull-faced) —

Verse 37 (skanda.4.45.37)

व्यात्तास्या धूमनिःश्वासा व्योमैकचरणोर्ध्वदृक्॥ तापनी शोषणीदृष्टिः कोटरी स्थूलनासिका॥ विद्युत्प्रभा बलाकास्या मार्जारी कटपूतना॥ अट्टाट्टहासा कामाक्षी मृगाक्षी मृगलोचना

vyāttāsyā dhūmaniḥśvāsā vyomaikacaraṇordhvadṛk tāpanī śoṣaṇīdṛṣṭiḥ koṭarī sthūlanāsikā vidyutprabhā balākāsyā mārjārī kaṭapūtanā aṭṭāṭṭahāsā kāmākṣī mṛgākṣī mṛgalocanā

Vyattasya (gaping-mouthed), Dhumanihshvasa (breathing smoke), she who stands on one foot in the sky with an upward gaze, Tapani (the scorcher), Shoshanidrishti (whose look withers), Kotari, Sthulanasika (broad-nosed), Vidyutprabha (radiant as lightning), Balakasya (crane-faced), Marjari (cat-faced), Katputana, Attattahasa (of thunderous laughter), and Kamakshi, Mrigakshi, Mrigalochana (all deer-eyed) — these are the sixty-four Yoginis.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.45.38)

नामानीमानि यो मर्त्यश्चतुःषष्टिं दिनेदिने॥ जपेत्त्रिसंध्यं तस्येह दुष्टबाधा प्रशाम्यति

nāmānīmāni yo martyaścatuḥṣaṣṭiṁ dinedine japettrisaṁdhyaṁ tasyeha duṣṭabādhā praśāmyati

Whatever mortal recites these sixty-four names day after day, at the three daily junctures of worship, finds every evil affliction quelled.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.45.39)

न डाकिन्यो न शाकिन्यो न कूष्मांडा न राक्षसाः॥ तस्य पीडां प्रकुर्वंति नामानीमानि यः पठेत्

na ḍākinyo na śākinyo na kūṣmāṁḍā na rākṣasāḥ tasya pīḍāṁ prakurvaṁti nāmānīmāni yaḥ paṭhet

Neither Dakinis, nor Shakinis, nor Kushmandas, nor Rakshasas can ever cause harm to one who recites these names.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.45.40)

शिशूनां शांतिकारीणि गर्भशांतिकराणि च॥ रणे राजकुले वापि विवादे जयदान्यपि

śiśūnāṁ śāṁtikārīṇi garbhaśāṁtikarāṇi ca raṇe rājakule vāpi vivāde jayadānyapi

These names bring peace and protection to infants and to the unborn child in the womb; and they grant victory besides — whether in battle, in the court of kings, or in dispute.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.45.41)

लभेदभीप्सितां सिद्धिं योगिनीपीठसेवकः॥ मंत्रांतराण्यपि जपंस्तत्पीठे सिद्धिभाग्भवेत्

labhedabhīpsitāṁ siddhiṁ yoginīpīṭhasevakaḥ maṁtrāṁtarāṇyapi japaṁstatpīṭhe siddhibhāgbhavet

One who serves at the seat of the Yoginis attains whatever perfection he desires; and even one who recites other mantras there, at that very seat, comes to share in that accomplishment.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.45.42)

बलिपूजोपहारैश्च धूपदीपसमर्पणैः॥ क्षिप्रं प्रसन्ना योगिन्यः प्रयच्छेयुर्मनोरथान्

balipūjopahāraiśca dhūpadīpasamarpaṇaiḥ kṣipraṁ prasannā yoginyaḥ prayaccheyurmanorathān

Through offerings, worship and gifts, and through the presentation of incense and lamps, the Yoginis, swiftly pleased, grant every wish of the heart.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.45.43)

शरत्काले महापूजां तत्र कृत्वा विधानतः॥ हवींषि हुत्वा मंत्रज्ञो महतीं सिद्धिमाप्नुयात्

śaratkāle mahāpūjāṁ tatra kṛtvā vidhānataḥ havīṁṣi hutvā maṁtrajño mahatīṁ siddhimāpnuyāt

One versed in mantras, performing a great worship there in due form during the autumn season, and offering oblations, attains great accomplishment.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.45.44)

आरभ्याश्वयुजःशुक्लां तिथिं प्रतिपदं शुभाम्॥ पूजयेन्नवमीयावन्नरश्चिंतितमाप्नुयात्

ārabhyāśvayujaḥśuklāṁ tithiṁ pratipadaṁ śubhām pūjayennavamīyāvannaraściṁtitamāpnuyāt

Beginning from the auspicious first day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina and continuing worship until the ninth day, a man attains whatever he desires.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.45.45)

कृष्णपक्षस्य भूतायामुपवासी नरोत्तमः॥ तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा महतीं सिद्धिमाप्नुयात्

kṛṣṇapakṣasya bhūtāyāmupavāsī narottamaḥ tatra jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā mahatīṁ siddhimāpnuyāt

The best of men, fasting on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, and keeping vigil there through the night, attains great accomplishment.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.45.46)

प्रणवादिचतुर्थ्यन्तैर्नामभिर्भक्तिमान्नरः॥ प्रत्येकं हवनं कृत्वा शतमष्टोत्तरं निशि॥ ससर्पिषा गुग्गुलुना लघुकोलि प्रमाणतः॥ यां यां सिद्धिमभीप्सेत तांतां प्राप्नोति मानवः

praṇavādicaturthyantairnāmabhirbhaktimānnaraḥ pratyekaṁ havanaṁ kṛtvā śatamaṣṭottaraṁ niśi sasarpiṣā guggulunā laghukoli pramāṇataḥ yāṁ yāṁ siddhimabhīpseta tāṁtāṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

A devoted man, prefacing each name with Om and reciting it in the dative form, offering one hundred and eight oblations at night for each — of ghee and guggulu resin, each the size of a small berry — attains whatever accomplishment he desires.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.45.47)

चैत्रकृष्णप्रतिपदि तत्र यात्रा प्रयत्नतः॥ क्षेत्रविघ्नशांत्यर्थं कर्तव्या पुण्यकृज्जनैः

caitrakṛṣṇapratipadi tatra yātrā prayatnataḥ kṣetravighnaśāṁtyarthaṁ kartavyā puṇyakṛjjanaiḥ

On the first day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra, virtuous people should undertake a diligent pilgrimage there, for the quelling of every obstacle in that sacred field.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.45.48)

यात्रा च सांवत्सरिकीं यो न कुर्यादवज्ञया॥ तस्य विघ्नं प्रयच्छंति योगिन्यः काशिवासिनः

yātrā ca sāṁvatsarikīṁ yo na kuryādavajñayā tasya vighnaṁ prayacchaṁti yoginyaḥ kāśivāsinaḥ

Whoever, out of neglect, fails to perform this yearly pilgrimage — upon him the Yoginis who dwell in Kashi bring down obstacles.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.45.49)

अग्रे कृत्वा स्थिताः सर्वास्ताः काश्यां मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ तन्नमस्कारमात्रेण नरो विघ्नैर्न बाध्यते

agre kṛtvā sthitāḥ sarvāstāḥ kāśyāṁ maṇikarṇikām tannamaskāramātreṇa naro vighnairna bādhyate

All those Yoginis stand in Kashi with Manikarnika set foremost before them; merely by bowing to that place, a man is never troubled by any obstacle.