The Attendants of Shiva Sent to Kashi, and the Praise of Varanasi

Verse 1 (skanda.4.53.1)

॥ अगस्तिरुवाच ॥ अपूवेंयं कथा ख्याता ब्रह्मणो ब्रह्मवित्तम ॥ किं चकार पुनः शंभुस्तत्र ब्रह्मण्यपि स्थिते

|| agastiruvāca || apūveṁyaṁ kathā khyātā brahmaṇo brahmavittama || kiṁ cakāra punaḥ śaṁbhustatra brahmaṇyapi sthite

Agastya said: Wondrous is this tale that has been told of Brahma, O foremost knower of Brahman! What then did Shambhu do, when Brahma too remained settled there?

Verse 2 (skanda.4.53.2)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृण्वगस्त्य महाभाग काश्यां ब्रह्मण्यपिस्थिते ॥ गिरिशश्चिंतयामास भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇvagastya mahābhāga kāśyāṁ brahmaṇyapisthite || giriśaściṁtayāmāsa bhṛśamudvignamānasaḥ

Skanda said: Listen, O fortunate Agastya. When Brahma too had settled in Kashi, Girisha, his mind exceedingly troubled, began to reflect.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.53.3)

पुरी सा यादृशी काशी वशीकरणभूमिका ॥ न तादृशीदृशीहासीत्क्वचिन्मे प्रायशो ध्रुवम्

purī sā yādṛśī kāśī vaśīkaraṇabhūmikā || na tādṛśīdṛśīhāsītkvacinme prāyaśo dhruvam

'That city, Kashi, is such a ground of enchantment as exists nowhere else for me — this is certain.'

Verse 4 (skanda.4.53.4)

यो यो याति पुरीं तां तु स स तत्रैव तिष्ठति ॥ अभूवन्ननुयोगिन्योऽयोगिन्यः काशिसंगताः

yo yo yāti purīṁ tāṁ tu sa sa tatraiva tiṣṭhati || abhūvannanuyoginyo'yoginyaḥ kāśisaṁgatāḥ

'Whoever goes to that city remains there forever; even the Yoginis, upon reaching Kashi, became as though no longer Yoginis at all.'

Verse 5 (skanda.4.53.5)

अकिंचित्करतां प्राप्तः स सहस्रकरोप्यरम् ॥ विधिर्विधानदक्षोपि न मे स सविधोभवत्

akiṁcitkaratāṁ prāptaḥ sa sahasrakaropyaram || vidhirvidhānadakṣopi na me sa savidhobhavat

'The thousand-rayed Sun, upon going there, became powerless to do anything; even Vidhi, skilled in ordinance, has not returned to my presence.'

Verse 6 (skanda.4.53.6)

चिंतयन्निति देवेशो गणानारहूय भूरिशः ॥ प्रेषयामास भो यात क्षिप्रं वाराणसीं पुरीम्

ciṁtayanniti deveśo gaṇānārahūya bhūriśaḥ || preṣayāmāsa bho yāta kṣipraṁ vārāṇasīṁ purīm

Thus reflecting, the Lord of gods summoned many of his attendants and said: 'Go swiftly to the city of Varanasi.'

Verse 7 (skanda.4.53.7)

किं कुर्वंति तु योगिन्यः किं करोति स भानुमान् ॥ गत्वा वित्त त्वरायुक्ता विधिश्च विदधाति किम्

kiṁ kurvaṁti tu yoginyaḥ kiṁ karoti sa bhānumān || gatvā vitta tvarāyuktā vidhiśca vidadhāti kim

'What are the Yoginis doing, what is that Sun doing — go and find out quickly, and what is Vidhi doing as well.'

Verse 8 (skanda.4.53.8)

नामग्राहं ततःऽप्रैषीद्बहुमान पुरःसरम्॥ शंकुकर्ण महाकाल घटाकर्ण महोदर

nāmagrāhaṁ tataḥ'praiṣīdbahumāna puraḥsaram|| śaṁkukarṇa mahākāla ghaṭākarṇa mahodara

Then, calling each by name with great honor, he sent them forth: Shankukarna, Mahakala, Ghatakarna, Mahodara,

Verse 9 (skanda.4.53.9)

सोमनंदिन्नंदिषेण काल पिंगल कुक्कुट ॥ कुंडोदर मयूराक्ष बाण गोकर्ण तारक

somanaṁdinnaṁdiṣeṇa kāla piṁgala kukkuṭa || kuṁḍodara mayūrākṣa bāṇa gokarṇa tāraka

Somanandin, Nandishena, Kala, Pingala, Kukkuta, Kundodara, Mayuraksha, Bana, Gokarna, Taraka,

Verse 10 (skanda.4.53.10)

तिलपर्ण स्मृलकर्ण दृमिचंड प्रभामय ॥ सुकेश विंदते छाग कपर्दिन्पिंगलाक्षक

tilaparṇa smṛlakarṇa dṛmicaṁḍa prabhāmaya || sukeśa viṁdate chāga kapardinpiṁgalākṣaka

Tilaparna, Sthulakarna, Drumichanda, Prabhamaya, Sukesha, Vindati-Chhaga, Kapardin, Pingalakshaka,

Verse 11 (skanda.4.53.11)

वीरभद्र किराताख्य चतुर्मुख निकुंभक ॥ पंचाक्षभारभूताख्य त्र्यक्ष क्षेमक लांगलिन्

vīrabhadra kirātākhya caturmukha nikuṁbhaka || paṁcākṣabhārabhūtākhya tryakṣa kṣemaka lāṁgalin

Virabhadra, the one named Kirata, Chaturmukha, Nikumbhaka, Panchaksha, the one named Bharabhuta, Tryaksha, Kshemaka, Langalin,

Verse 12 (skanda.4.53.12)

विराध सुमुखाषाढे भवंतो मम सूनवः ॥ यथेमौ स्कंदहेरंबौ नैगमेयो यथा त्वयम्

virādha sumukhāṣāḍhe bhavaṁto mama sūnavaḥ || yathemau skaṁdaheraṁbau naigameyo yathā tvayam

Viradha, Sumukha, Ashadha — 'you are all as my own sons, just as these two, Skanda and Heramba, are, just as this Naigameya is,'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.53.13)

यथा शाखविशाखौ च यथेमौ नंदिभृंगिणौ ॥ भवत्सु विद्यमानेषु महाविक्रमशालिषु

yathā śākhaviśākhau ca yathemau naṁdibhṛṁgiṇau || bhavatsu vidyamāneṣu mahāvikramaśāliṣu

'just as these, Shakha and Vishakha, and these, Nandi and Bhringi, are — while all of you, endowed with mighty valor, remain here,'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.53.14)

काशीप्रवृत्तिं नो जाने दिवोदासनृपस्य च ॥ योगिन्यर्कविधीनां च तद्द्वौ यातं भवत्स्वमू

kāśīpravṛttiṁ no jāne divodāsanṛpasya ca || yoginyarkavidhīnāṁ ca taddvau yātaṁ bhavatsvamū

'I do not know what is happening in Kashi, nor the state of King Divodasa, nor of the Yoginis, the Sun, and Vidhi — you two go there.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.53.15)

शंकुकर्णमहाकालौ कालस्यापि प्रकंपनौ ॥ ज्ञातुं वाराणसीवार्तामायातं चत्वरान्वितौ

śaṁkukarṇamahākālau kālasyāpi prakaṁpanau || jñātuṁ vārāṇasīvārtāmāyātaṁ catvarānvitau

Shankukarna and Mahakala, capable of making even Time tremble, set out in haste, eager to learn news of Varanasi.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.53.16)

कृतप्रतिज्ञौ तो(?) तूर्णं प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम् ॥ शंकुकर्णमहाकालौ विस्मृत्य शांभवीं गिरम्

kṛtapratijñau to(?) tūrṇaṁ prāpya vārāṇasīṁ purīm || śaṁkukarṇamahākālau vismṛtya śāṁbhavīṁ giram

Having thus made their vow, the two, Shankukarna and Mahakala, quickly reached the city of Varanasi and, forgetting the word of Shambhu—

Verse 17 (skanda.4.53.17)

यथैंद्रजालिकीं दृष्ट्वा मायामिह विचक्षणः ॥ क्षणेन मोहमायाति काशीं वीक्ष्य तथैव तौ

yathaiṁdrajālikīṁ dṛṣṭvā māyāmiha vicakṣaṇaḥ || kṣaṇena mohamāyāti kāśīṁ vīkṣya tathaiva tau

—just as a discerning man, beholding a magician's illusion, is bewitched in an instant, so too were they both bewitched upon beholding Kashi.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.53.18)

अहो मोहस्य माहात्म्यमहो भाग्यविपर्ययः ॥ निर्वाणराशिं यत्काशीं प्राप्य यांत्यन्यतोऽबुधाः

aho mohasya māhātmyamaho bhāgyaviparyayaḥ || nirvāṇarāśiṁ yatkāśīṁ prāpya yāṁtyanyato'budhāḥ

Ah, the greatness of delusion! Ah, the perversity of fortune! — that even upon attaining Kashi, that treasury of liberation, the unwise go elsewhere.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.53.19)

तत्यजे यैरियं काशी महाशीर्वादभूभिका ॥ तेषां करतलान्मुक्तिः प्राप्तापि परितो गता

tatyaje yairiyaṁ kāśī mahāśīrvādabhūbhikā || teṣāṁ karatalānmuktiḥ prāptāpi parito gatā

Those who have forsaken this Kashi, the very ground of the great blessing — from the palm of their hand, liberation, even once attained, slipped entirely away.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.53.20)

यत्र सर्वावभृथतः स्नानमात्रं विशिष्यते ॥ अप्युष्णीकृतपानीयैस्तां काशीं कः परित्यजेत्

yatra sarvāvabhṛthataḥ snānamātraṁ viśiṣyate || apyuṣṇīkṛtapānīyaistāṁ kāśīṁ kaḥ parityajet

Where mere bathing is deemed superior to every concluding ritual bath — even with water merely warmed, who would forsake that Kashi?

Verse 21 (skanda.4.53.21)

यत्रैकपुष्पदानेन शिवलिंगस्य मूर्धनि ॥ दशसौवर्णिकं पुण्यं कस्तां काशीं परित्यजेत्

yatraikapuṣpadānena śivaliṁgasya mūrdhani || daśasauvarṇikaṁ puṇyaṁ kastāṁ kāśīṁ parityajet

Where offering even a single flower upon the head of the Shiva-linga yields merit equal to ten gifts of gold, who would forsake that Kashi?

Verse 22 (skanda.4.53.22)

यत्र दंडप्रणामेन अप्येकेन शिवाग्रतः ॥ तुच्छमेंद्रपदंप्राहुस्तां काशीं को विमुंचति

yatra daṁḍapraṇāmena apyekena śivāgrataḥ || tucchameṁdrapadaṁprāhustāṁ kāśīṁ ko vimuṁcati

Where even a single prostration before Shiva makes even the rank of Indra seem trifling, who abandons that Kashi?

Verse 23 (skanda.4.53.23)

यत्रैकद्विजमात्रं तु भोजयित्वा यथेच्छया ॥ वाजपेयाधिकं पुण्यं तां काशीं को विमुंचति

yatraikadvijamātraṁ tu bhojayitvā yathecchayā || vājapeyādhikaṁ puṇyaṁ tāṁ kāśīṁ ko vimuṁcati

Where feeding even a single Brahmin as one wishes yields merit greater than the Vajapeya sacrifice, who abandons that Kashi?

Verse 24 (skanda.4.53.24)

एकां गां यत्र दत्त्वा वै विधिवद्ब्राह्मणाय वै ॥ लभेदयुत गोपुण्यं कस्तां काशीं त्यजेत्सुधीः

ekāṁ gāṁ yatra dattvā vai vidhivadbrāhmaṇāya vai || labhedayuta gopuṇyaṁ kastāṁ kāśīṁ tyajetsudhīḥ

Where the proper gift of even a single cow to a Brahmin yields the merit of the gift of ten thousand cows, what wise man would forsake that Kashi?

Verse 25 (skanda.4.53.25)

एकलिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य यत्र संस्थापितं भवेत् ॥ अपि त्रैलोक्यमखिलं तां काशीं कः समुज्झति

ekaliṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya yatra saṁsthāpitaṁ bhavet || api trailokyamakhilaṁ tāṁ kāśīṁ kaḥ samujjhati

Where establishing even a single linga yields the fruit of establishing the entire three worlds, who forsakes that Kashi?

Verse 26 (skanda.4.53.26)

परिनिश्चित्य तावित्थं लिंगे संस्थाप्य पुण्यदे ॥ तत्रैव संस्थितिं प्राप्तौ काशीं नाद्यापि मुंचतः

pariniścitya tāvitthaṁ liṁge saṁsthāpya puṇyade || tatraiva saṁsthitiṁ prāptau kāśīṁ nādyāpi muṁcataḥ

Having thus fully resolved, and having established that merit-bestowing linga there, the two settled there permanently and to this day have not left Kashi.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.53.27)

शंकुकर्णेश्वरं लिंगं शंकुकर्ण ग णार्चितम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा न जायते जंतुर्जातु मातुर्महोदरे

śaṁkukarṇeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ śaṁkukarṇa ga ṇārcitam || dṛṣṭvā na jāyate jaṁturjātu māturmahodare

Beholding the linga of Shankukarneshvara, worshipped by the host of Shankukarna, a being never again takes birth in a mother's womb.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.53.28)

विश्वेशाद्वायुदिग्भागे शंकुकर्णेश्वरं नरः ॥ संपूज्य न विशेदत्र घोरे संसारसागरे

viśveśādvāyudigbhāge śaṁkukarṇeśvaraṁ naraḥ || saṁpūjya na viśedatra ghore saṁsārasāgare

Worshipping Shankukarneshvara, situated in the northwest of Vishvesha, a man never again enters this dreadful ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.53.29)

महाकालेश्वरं लिंगं महाकालगणार्चितम् ॥ अर्चयित्वा च नत्वा च स्तुत्वा कालभयं कुतः

mahākāleśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ mahākālagaṇārcitam || arcayitvā ca natvā ca stutvā kālabhayaṁ kutaḥ

Having worshipped, bowed to, and praised the linga of Mahakaleshvara, worshipped by the host of Mahakala, where does the fear of Time remain?

Verse 30 (skanda.4.53.30)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शंकुकर्णे महाकाले चिरंतन विलंबिते ॥ ज्ञात्वा सर्वज्ञनाथोथ प्राहैपीदपरौ गणौ

||skaṁda uvāca|| śaṁkukarṇe mahākāle ciraṁtana vilaṁbite || jñātvā sarvajñanāthotha prāhaipīdaparau gaṇau

Skanda said: When Shankukarna and Mahakala delayed long, the all-knowing Lord, understanding this, then spoke to two other attendants:

Verse 31 (skanda.4.53.31)

घंटाकर्ण त्वमागच्छ महोदर महामते ॥ काशीं यातं युवां तूर्णं ज्ञातुं तत्रत्य चेष्टितम्

ghaṁṭākarṇa tvamāgaccha mahodara mahāmate || kāśīṁ yātaṁ yuvāṁ tūrṇaṁ jñātuṁ tatratya ceṣṭitam

'O Ghantakarna, O wise Mahodara, come — go you both quickly to Kashi and learn what transpires there.'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.53.32)

इत्यगस्ते गणौ तौ तु गत्वा काशीं महापुरीम्॥ व्यावृत्याद्यापि नो यातौ क्वापि तत्रैव संस्थितौ

ityagaste gaṇau tau tu gatvā kāśīṁ mahāpurīm|| vyāvṛtyādyāpi no yātau kvāpi tatraiva saṁsthitau

Thus, O Agastya, those two attendants went to the great city of Kashi and, to this day, have never returned, remaining there still.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.53.33)

घंटाकर्णेश्वरं लिंगं घंटाकर्ण गणोत्तमः ॥ काश्यां संस्थाप्य विधिवत्स्वयं तत्रैव निर्वृतः

ghaṁṭākarṇeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ ghaṁṭākarṇa gaṇottamaḥ || kāśyāṁ saṁsthāpya vidhivatsvayaṁ tatraiva nirvṛtaḥ

Having duly established the linga of Ghantakarneshvara in Kashi, Ghantakarna, foremost of the ganas, himself remained blissfully absorbed there.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.53.34)

कुंडं तत्रैव संस्थाप्य लिंगस्नपनकर्मणे ॥ नाद्यापि स त्यजेत्काशीं ध्यायँल्लिंगं तथैव हि

kuṁḍaṁ tatraiva saṁsthāpya liṁgasnapanakarmaṇe || nādyāpi sa tyajetkāśīṁ dhyāya~lliṁgaṁ tathaiva hi

Having established a sacred tank there for the ritual bathing of the linga, and meditating upon it still, he does not forsake Kashi even today.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.53.35)

महोदरोपि तत्प्राच्यां शिवध्यानपरायणः ॥ महोदरेश्वरं लिंगं ध्यायेदद्यापि कुंभज

mahodaropi tatprācyāṁ śivadhyānaparāyaṇaḥ || mahodareśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dhyāyedadyāpi kuṁbhaja

Mahodara too, to its east, devoted to meditation on Shiva, O jar-born one, meditates on the linga of Mahodareshvara even today.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.53.36)

महोदरेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा वाराणस्यां द्विजोत्तम ॥ कदाचिदपि वै मातुः प्रविशेन्नौदरीं दरीम्

mahodareśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā vārāṇasyāṁ dvijottama || kadācidapi vai mātuḥ praviśennaudarīṁ darīm

O best of the twice-born, having beheld Mahodareshvara in Varanasi, a man never again enters the cave that is a mother's womb.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.53.37)

घंटाकर्ण ह्रदे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा व्यासेश्वरं विभुम् ॥ यत्र कुत्र विपन्नोपि वाराणस्यां मृतो भवेत्

ghaṁṭākarṇa hrade snātvā dṛṣṭvā vyāseśvaraṁ vibhum || yatra kutra vipannopi vārāṇasyāṁ mṛto bhavet

Bathing in the Ghantakarna pool and beholding the mighty Vyaseshvara, wherever a man may afterward die, he is reckoned to have died in Varanasi.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.53.38)

घंटाकर्णे महातीर्थे श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः ॥ अपि दुर्गतिमापन्नानुद्धरेत्सप्तपूर्वजान्

ghaṁṭākarṇe mahātīrthe śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ || api durgatimāpannānuddharetsaptapūrvajān

Performing shraddha duly at the great tirtha of Ghantakarna, a man can even redeem his seven forefathers who have fallen into misfortune.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.53.39)

निमज्ज्याद्यापि तत्कुंडे क्षण योवहितो भवेत् ॥ विश्वेश्वरमहापूजा घंटारावाञ्शृणोति सः

nimajjyādyāpi tatkuṁḍe kṣaṇa yovahito bhavet || viśveśvaramahāpūjā ghaṁṭārāvāñśṛṇoti saḥ

Whoever, even now, attentively immerses himself in that pool even for a moment, hears the ringing of the bell during the great worship of Vishveshvara.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.53.40)

वदंति पितरः काश्यां घंटाकर्णेमलेजले॥ दाता तिलोदकस्यापि वंशे नः कोपि जायते

vadaṁti pitaraḥ kāśyāṁ ghaṁṭākarṇemalejale|| dātā tilodakasyāpi vaṁśe naḥ kopi jāyate

The ancestors, regarding the pure waters of Ghantakarna in Kashi, say: 'Will there ever be born in our lineage even one who offers us water with sesame?'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.53.41)

यद्वंश्या मुनयः काश्यां घंटाकर्णे महाह्रदे॥ कृतोदकक्रियाः प्राप्ताः परां सिद्धिं घटोद्भव

yadvaṁśyā munayaḥ kāśyāṁ ghaṁṭākarṇe mahāhrade|| kṛtodakakriyāḥ prāptāḥ parāṁ siddhiṁ ghaṭodbhava

O jar-born one, those sages in whose lineage the water-rites were performed at the great pool of Ghantakarna in Kashi have attained the highest perfection.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.53.42)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ घंटाकर्णे गणे याते प्रयाते च महोदरे ॥ विसिस्माय स्मरद्वेष्टा मौलिमांदोलयन्मुहुः

||skaṁda uvāca|| ghaṁṭākarṇe gaṇe yāte prayāte ca mahodare || visismāya smaradveṣṭā maulimāṁdolayanmuhuḥ

Skanda said: When Ghantakarna had gone, and Mahodara too had departed, the foe of Kama, shaking his head again and again, expressed his astonishment.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.53.43)

उवाच च मनस्येव हरः स्मित्वा पुनःपुनः ॥ महामोहनविद्यासि काशि त्वां पर्यवैम्यहम्

uvāca ca manasyeva haraḥ smitvā punaḥpunaḥ || mahāmohanavidyāsi kāśi tvāṁ paryavaimyaham

Smiling, Hara said again and again within his own mind: 'O Kashi, you are a great enchanting power — now indeed I have come to know you well.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.53.44)

पुराविदः प्रशंसंति त्वां महामोहहारिणीम् ॥ काशींत्विति न जानंति महामोहनभूरियम्

purāvidaḥ praśaṁsaṁti tvāṁ mahāmohahāriṇīm || kāśīṁtviti na jānaṁti mahāmohanabhūriyam

'Those learned in the Puranas praise you as the destroyer of great delusion; but they do not truly know Kashi — she is herself the very ground of great delusion.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.53.45)

प्रेषयिष्याम्यहं सर्वान्भवती मोहयिष्यति ॥ इति सम्यग्विजानामि काशि त्वां मोहनोषधिम्

preṣayiṣyāmyahaṁ sarvānbhavatī mohayiṣyati || iti samyagvijānāmi kāśi tvāṁ mohanoṣadhim

'I shall send everyone, and you shall bewitch them all — this I know full well, O Kashi, that you are a very drug of enchantment.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.53.46)

तथापि प्रेषयिष्यामि यावान्मेस्ति परिच्छदः ॥ नोद्यमाद्विरमंतीह ज्ञानिनः साध्यकर्मणि

tathāpi preṣayiṣyāmi yāvānmesti paricchadaḥ || nodyamādviramaṁtīha jñāninaḥ sādhyakarmaṇi

'Yet still, as long as I have followers left, I shall keep sending them; for the wise never cease their effort in a task that is to be accomplished.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.53.47)

नोद्यमाद्विरतिः कार्या क्वापि कार्ये विचक्षणैः ॥ प्रतिकूलोपि खिद्येत विधिस्तत्सततोद्यमात्

nodyamādviratiḥ kāryā kvāpi kārye vicakṣaṇaiḥ || pratikūlopi khidyeta vidhistatsatatodyamāt

'The discerning should never cease their effort in any endeavor whatsoever; even an unfavorable fate grows weary before ceaseless effort.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.53.48)

शीतोष्णभानू स्वर्भानु ग्रस्तावपि नभोंगणे ॥ गतिं न त्यजतोद्यापि प्रक्रांतव्य कृतोद्यमौ

śītoṣṇabhānū svarbhānu grastāvapi nabhoṁgaṇe || gatiṁ na tyajatodyāpi prakrāṁtavya kṛtodyamau

'The cool-rayed moon and the warm-rayed sun, though seized by Rahu in the vault of the sky, have to this day never abandoned their motion, for they remain ever engaged in effort.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.53.49)

एकत्र हंति कार्याणि प्रातिकूल्याद्विधिर्मुहुः ॥ एकत्रकरणीयानि सेत्स्यंत्यत्र भृशोद्यमात्

ekatra haṁti kāryāṇi prātikūlyādvidhirmuhuḥ || ekatrakaraṇīyāni setsyaṁtyatra bhṛśodyamāt

'In one place fate again and again destroys endeavors through adversity; in another, tasks undertaken with intense effort do indeed succeed.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.53.50)

दैवं पूर्वकृतं कर्म कथ्यते नेतरत्पुनः ॥ तन्निराकरणे यत्नः स्वयं कार्यो विपश्चिता

daivaṁ pūrvakṛtaṁ karma kathyate netaratpunaḥ || tannirākaraṇe yatnaḥ svayaṁ kāryo vipaścitā

'Fate is spoken of only as deeds performed in a previous life, nothing more; the wise man must himself make the effort to overcome it.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.53.51)

भाजनोपस्थितं दैवाद्भोज्यं नास्यं स्वयं विशेत् ॥ हस्तवक्त्रोद्यमात्तच्च प्रविशेदौदरीं दरीम्

bhājanopasthitaṁ daivādbhojyaṁ nāsyaṁ svayaṁ viśet || hastavaktrodyamāttacca praviśedaudarīṁ darīm

'Food, though placed by fate in a vessel before one, does not enter the mouth of its own accord; only through the effort of hand and mouth does it enter the cave that is the belly.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.53.52)

इत्युद्यमं समर्थ्येशो निश्चितं दैवजित्वरम् ॥ पुनश्च प्रेषयांचक्रे गणान्पंचमहारयान्

ityudyamaṁ samarthyeśo niścitaṁ daivajitvaram || punaśca preṣayāṁcakre gaṇānpaṁcamahārayān

Thus, having resolved upon effort as capable of conquering fate, the Lord once again sent forth five mighty attendants —

Verse 53 (skanda.4.53.53)

सोमनंदी नंदिषेणः कालपिंगलकुक्कुटाः ॥ तेद्यापि न निवर्तंते काश्यां जीवामृता यथा

somanaṁdī naṁdiṣeṇaḥ kālapiṁgalakukkuṭāḥ || tedyāpi na nivartaṁte kāśyāṁ jīvāmṛtā yathā

Somanandin, Nandishena, Kala, Pingala, and Kukkuta — they too have not returned to this day, as though they had found living nectar there.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.53.54)

तेपि स्वनाम्ना लिंगानि शंभुसंतुष्टि काम्यया॥ प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिताः काश्यां विश्वनिर्वाणजन्मनि

tepi svanāmnā liṁgāni śaṁbhusaṁtuṣṭi kāmyayā|| pratiṣṭhāpya sthitāḥ kāśyāṁ viśvanirvāṇajanmani

They too, desiring to please Shambhu, established lingas each in his own name and settled there in that Kashi, the birthplace of liberation for the whole world.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.53.55)

सोमनंदीश्वरं दृष्ट्वा लिंगं नंदवने परम् ॥ सोमलोके परानंदं प्राप्नुयाद्भक्तिमान्नरः

somanaṁdīśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā liṁgaṁ naṁdavane param || somaloke parānaṁdaṁ prāpnuyādbhaktimānnaraḥ

Beholding that supreme linga named Somanandishvara in the Nandana grove, a devoted man attains supreme bliss in the world of the Moon.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.53.56)

तदुत्तरे विलोक्याथ नंदिषेणेश्वरं नरः ॥ आनंदसेनां संप्राप्य जयेन्मृत्युमपि क्षणात्

taduttare vilokyātha naṁdiṣeṇeśvaraṁ naraḥ || ānaṁdasenāṁ saṁprāpya jayenmṛtyumapi kṣaṇāt

Then, beholding Nandishaneshvara to its north, a man attains an army of bliss and conquers even death in an instant.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.53.57)

कालेश्वरं महालिंगं गंगायाः पश्चिमोत्तरे ॥ प्रणम्य कालपाशेन नो बध्येत कदाचन

kāleśvaraṁ mahāliṁgaṁ gaṁgāyāḥ paścimottare || praṇamya kālapāśena no badhyeta kadācana

Bowing to the great linga of Kaleshvara, situated to the northwest of the Ganga, a man is never bound by the noose of Time.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.53.58)

पिंगलेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य कालेशात्किंचिदुत्तरे ॥ लभते पिंगलज्ञानं येन तन्मयतां व्रजेत्

piṁgaleśvaramabhyarcya kāleśātkiṁciduttare || labhate piṁgalajñānaṁ yena tanmayatāṁ vrajet

Worshipping Pingaleshvara, situated a little north of Kaleshvara, a man obtains the knowledge of Pingala, by which he becomes wholly absorbed in it.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.53.59)

कुक्कुटेश्वर लिंगस्य येत्र भक्तिं वितन्वते ॥ कुक्कुटांडाकृतेस्तस्य न ते गर्भमवाप्नुयुः

kukkuṭeśvara liṁgasya yetra bhaktiṁ vitanvate || kukkuṭāṁḍākṛtestasya na te garbhamavāpnuyuḥ

Those who extend devotion to the linga of Kukkuteshvara, whose form resembles a hen's egg, never again enter a womb.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.53.60)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ सोमनंदि प्रभृतिषु मुने पंचगणेष्वपि ॥ आनंदकाननं प्राप्य स्थितेषु स्थाणुरब्रवीत्

||skaṁda uvāca|| somanaṁdi prabhṛtiṣu mune paṁcagaṇeṣvapi || ānaṁdakānanaṁ prāpya sthiteṣu sthāṇurabravīt

Skanda said: O sage, when Somanandin and the other four attendants too had reached the Anandakanana and settled there, Sthanu said:

Verse 61 (skanda.4.53.61)

कार्यमस्माकमेवैतद्यदि सम्यग्विमृश्यते ॥ अनेनोपाधिनाप्येते तत्र तिष्ठंतु मामकाः

kāryamasmākamevaitadyadi samyagvimṛśyate || anenopādhināpyete tatra tiṣṭhaṁtu māmakāḥ

'If it be well considered, this is our own doing after all — under this very pretext, let these, my own, remain there.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.53.62)

प्रमथेषु प्रविष्टेषु मायावीर्यमहत्स्वपि ॥ अहमेव प्रविष्टोस्मि वाराणस्यां न संशयः

pramatheṣu praviṣṭeṣu māyāvīryamahatsvapi || ahameva praviṣṭosmi vārāṇasyāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'Now that these attendants, mighty in the power of maya, have entered there, it is as though I myself have entered Varanasi — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.53.63)

क्रमेण प्रेषयिष्यामि योस्ति मे स्वपरिच्छदः ॥ तत्र सर्वेषु यातेषु ततो यास्याम्यहं पुनः

krameṇa preṣayiṣyāmi yosti me svaparicchadaḥ || tatra sarveṣu yāteṣu tato yāsyāmyahaṁ punaḥ

'Now, in due course, I shall send whatever retinue remains to me; and when all have gone there, then I too shall go.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.53.64)

संप्रधार्येति हृदये देवदेवेन शूलिना ॥ प्रैषिष्ट प्रमथानां तु ततो गणचतुष्टयम्

saṁpradhāryeti hṛdaye devadevena śūlinā || praiṣiṣṭa pramathānāṁ tu tato gaṇacatuṣṭayam

Thus resolving in his heart, the God of gods, the trident-bearer, then sent forth four more attendants from among the Pramathas —

Verse 65 (skanda.4.53.65)

कुंडोदरो मयूराख्यो बाणो गोकर्ण एव च ॥ मायाबलं समाश्रित्य काशीं प्रविविशुर्गणाः

kuṁḍodaro mayūrākhyo bāṇo gokarṇa eva ca || māyābalaṁ samāśritya kāśīṁ praviviśurgaṇāḥ

Kundodara, the one named Mayura, Bana, and Gokarna — relying on the power of maya, these attendants entered Kashi.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.53.66)

कृत्वोपायशतं तैस्तु दिवोदासस्य संभ्रमे यदैकोपि समर्थो न तदा तत्रैव संस्थितम्

kṛtvopāyaśataṁ taistu divodāsasya saṁbhrame yadaikopi samartho na tadā tatraiva saṁsthitam

They employed a hundred devices to disturb Divodasa; but when not even one proved effective, they simply settled there themselves.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.53.67)

अपराधशतेष्वीशः केन तुष्यति कर्मणा ॥ संप्रधार्येति ते चक्रुर्लिंगाराधनमुत्तमम्

aparādhaśateṣvīśaḥ kena tuṣyati karmaṇā || saṁpradhāryeti te cakrurliṁgārādhanamuttamam

'By what single deed is the Lord pleased despite our hundred offenses?' — considering this well, they concluded that the worship of the linga was the supreme path.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.53.68)

एकस्मिञ्शांभवे लिंगे विधिनात्र समर्चिते ॥ क्षमेत्त्र्यक्षोपराधानां शतं मोक्षं च यच्छति

ekasmiñśāṁbhave liṁge vidhinātra samarcite || kṣamettryakṣoparādhānāṁ śataṁ mokṣaṁ ca yacchati

By duly worshipping even a single linga of Shambhu, the three-eyed Lord forgives a hundred offenses and grants liberation besides.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.53.69)

न तुष्यति तथा शंभुर्यज्ञदानतपोव्रतैः ॥ यथा तुष्येत्सकृल्लिंगे विधिनाभ्यर्चिते सति

na tuṣyati tathā śaṁbhuryajñadānatapovrataiḥ || yathā tuṣyetsakṛlliṁge vidhinābhyarcite sati

Shambhu is not so pleased by sacrifice, charity, austerity, and vows as he is pleased at once by a linga duly worshipped even a single time.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.53.70)

लिंगार्चनविधानज्ञो लिंगार्चनरतः सदा ॥ त्र्यक्ष एव स विज्ञेयः साक्षाद्द्व्यक्षोपि मानवः

liṁgārcanavidhānajño liṁgārcanarataḥ sadā || tryakṣa eva sa vijñeyaḥ sākṣāddvyakṣopi mānavaḥ

The man who knows the rite of linga-worship and is ever devoted to it should be known as verily three-eyed, though visibly possessed of only two eyes.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.53.71)

न गोशतप्रदानेन न स्वर्णशतदानतः ॥ तत्फलं लभ्यते पुंभिर्यत्सकृल्लिंगपूजनात्

na gośatapradānena na svarṇaśatadānataḥ || tatphalaṁ labhyate puṁbhiryatsakṛlliṁgapūjanāt

Neither by the gift of a hundred cows nor by a hundred gifts of gold do men obtain the fruit that is obtained by worshipping the linga even once.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.53.72)

अश्वमेधादिभिर्यागैर्न तत्फलमवाप्यते ॥ यत्फलं लभ्यते मर्त्यैर्नित्यं लिंगप्रपूजनात्

aśvamedhādibhiryāgairna tatphalamavāpyate || yatphalaṁ labhyate martyairnityaṁ liṁgaprapūjanāt

Not even through sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha is that fruit obtained, which mortals obtain through the daily worship of the linga.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.53.73)

स्नापयित्वा विधानेन यो लिंगस्नपनोदकम् ॥ त्रिः पिबेत्त्रिविधं पापं तस्येहाशु प्रणश्यति

snāpayitvā vidhānena yo liṁgasnapanodakam || triḥ pibettrividhaṁ pāpaṁ tasyehāśu praṇaśyati

He who, having duly bathed the linga, drinks three times of that water, sees his threefold sin destroyed here at once.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.53.74)

लिंग स्नपनवार्भिर्यः कुर्यान्मूर्ध्न्यभिषेचनम् ॥ गंगास्नानफलं तस्य जायतेत्र विपाप्मनः

liṁga snapanavārbhiryaḥ kuryānmūrdhnyabhiṣecanam || gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ tasya jāyatetra vipāpmanaḥ

He who anoints his head with the water used for bathing the linga obtains here, freed of sin, the fruit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.53.75)

लिंगं समर्चितं दृष्ट्वा यः कुर्यात्प्रणतिं सकृत् ॥ संदेहो जायते तस्य पुनर्देहनिबंधने

liṁgaṁ samarcitaṁ dṛṣṭvā yaḥ kuryātpraṇatiṁ sakṛt || saṁdeho jāyate tasya punardehanibaṁdhane

He who, beholding a worshipped linga, offers even a single bow of respect — for him, taking birth in a body again becomes doubtful.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.53.76)

लिंगं यः स्थापयेद्भक्त्या सप्तजन्मकृतादघात् ॥ मुच्यते नात्र संदेहो विशुद्धः स्वर्गभाग्भवेत्

liṁgaṁ yaḥ sthāpayedbhaktyā saptajanmakṛtādaghāt || mucyate nātra saṁdeho viśuddhaḥ svargabhāgbhavet

He who establishes a linga with devotion is freed from the sin committed over seven births — of this there is no doubt; purified, he becomes a partaker of heaven.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.53.77)

विचार्येति गणैः काश्यां स्वामिद्रोहोपशांतये ॥ प्रतिष्ठितानि लिंगानि महापातकभिंद्यपि

vicāryeti gaṇaiḥ kāśyāṁ svāmidrohopaśāṁtaye || pratiṣṭhitāni liṁgāni mahāpātakabhiṁdyapi

Thus reflecting, in order to allay their offense against their Lord, the attendants established in Kashi lingas capable of destroying even the gravest sins.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.53.78)

कुंडोदरेश्वरं लिंगं दृष्ट्वा लोलार्कसन्निधौ ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते

kuṁḍodareśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvā lolārkasannidhau || sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śivaloke mahīyate

Beholding the linga of Kundodareshvara near Lolarka, a man, freed from all sins, is exalted in the world of Shiva.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.53.79)

कुंडोदरेश्वराल्लिंगात्प्रतीच्यामसिरोधसि ॥ मयूरेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य न गर्भं प्रतिपद्यते

kuṁḍodareśvarālliṁgātpratīcyāmasirodhasi || mayūreśvaramabhyarcya na garbhaṁ pratipadyate

Worshipping Mayureshvara, on the bank of the Asi river to the west of the linga of Kundodareshvara, a man never again enters a womb.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.53.80)

मयूरेशप्रतीच्यां च लिंगं बाणेश्वरं महत् ॥ तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वैः पापैः प्रमुच्यते

mayūreśapratīcyāṁ ca liṁgaṁ bāṇeśvaraṁ mahat || tasya darśanamātreṇa sarvaiḥ pāpaiḥ pramucyate

West of Mayureshvara stands the great linga of Baneshvara; by the mere sight of it, a man is freed from all sins.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.53.81)

गोकर्णेशं महालिंगमंतर्गेहस्य पश्चिमे ॥ द्वारे समर्च्य वै काश्यां न विघ्नैरभिभूयते

gokarṇeśaṁ mahāliṁgamaṁtargehasya paścime || dvāre samarcya vai kāśyāṁ na vighnairabhibhūyate

Worshipping the great linga of Gokarneshvara, situated at the western gate of the inner sanctum, in Kashi, a man is never overcome by obstacles.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.53.82)

गोकर्णेश्वर भक्तस्य पंचत्व समये सति ॥ ज्ञानभ्रंशो न जायेत क्वचिदप्यंतमृच्छतः

gokarṇeśvara bhaktasya paṁcatva samaye sati || jñānabhraṁśo na jāyeta kvacidapyaṁtamṛcchataḥ

The devotee of Gokarneshvara suffers no loss of awareness even at the hour of death, wherever he may draw his last breath.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.53.83)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ चिरयत्सुगणेष्वेषु चतुर्ष्वपिगणेश्वरः ॥ महिमानं महत्त्वं तु तत्काश्याः पर्यवर्णयत्

||skaṁda uvāca|| cirayatsugaṇeṣveṣu caturṣvapigaṇeśvaraḥ || mahimānaṁ mahattvaṁ tu tatkāśyāḥ paryavarṇayat

Skanda said: When these four attendants too had long remained there, the Lord of the ganas himself gave a full account of Kashi's greatness and glory:

Verse 84 (skanda.4.53.84)

वैष्णव्या मायया विश्वं भ्राम्येतात्र ययाखिलम्॥ ध्रुवं मूर्तिमती सैषा काशी विश्वैकमोहिनी

vaiṣṇavyā māyayā viśvaṁ bhrāmyetātra yayākhilam|| dhruvaṁ mūrtimatī saiṣā kāśī viśvaikamohinī

'By Vaishnavi maya this entire world is deluded; but this Kashi is surely the very embodiment of that maya, the sole enchantress of the universe.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.53.85)

अपास्य सोदरान्दारान्पुत्रं क्षेत्रं गृहं वसु ॥ अप्यंगीकृत्य निधनं सर्वे काशीमुपासते

apāsya sodarāndārānputraṁ kṣetraṁ gṛhaṁ vasu || apyaṁgīkṛtya nidhanaṁ sarve kāśīmupāsate

'Forsaking brothers, wives, sons, fields, home, and wealth, and even accepting death itself, all worship Kashi alone.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.53.86)

मरणादपि नो काश्यां भयं यत्र मनागपि ॥ गणास्तत्र तु तिष्ठंतः कुतो मत्तोपि बिभ्यति

maraṇādapi no kāśyāṁ bhayaṁ yatra manāgapi || gaṇāstatra tu tiṣṭhaṁtaḥ kuto mattopi bibhyati

'Where there is not the least fear even of death, why should the attendants dwelling there fear even me?'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.53.87)

मरणं मंगलं यत्र विभूतिर्यत्र भूषणम् ॥ कौपीनं यत्र कौशेयं काशी कुत्रोपमीयते

maraṇaṁ maṁgalaṁ yatra vibhūtiryatra bhūṣaṇam || kaupīnaṁ yatra kauśeyaṁ kāśī kutropamīyate

'Where even death is auspicious, where misfortune itself is an ornament, where even a loincloth is as fine silk — with what can Kashi be compared?'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.53.88)

निर्वाणरमणी यत्र रंकं वाऽरंकमेव वा ॥ ब्राह्मणं वा श्वपाकं वा वृणीते प्रांत्यभूषणम्

nirvāṇaramaṇī yatra raṁkaṁ vā'raṁkameva vā || brāhmaṇaṁ vā śvapākaṁ vā vṛṇīte prāṁtyabhūṣaṇam

'Where the bride that is liberation chooses, as her final ornament, the pauper or the wealthy, the Brahmin or the outcaste alike.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.53.89)

मृतानां यत्र जंतूनां निर्वाणपदमृच्छताम् ॥ कोट्यंशेनापि न समा अपि शक्रादयः सुराः

mṛtānāṁ yatra jaṁtūnāṁ nirvāṇapadamṛcchatām || koṭyaṁśenāpi na samā api śakrādayaḥ surāḥ

'Not even a fraction of a fraction can Indra and the other gods equal the state of those creatures who die there and attain the state of liberation.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.53.90)

यत्र काश्यां मृतो जंतुर्ब्रह्मनारायणादिभिः ॥ प्रबद्ध मूर्धांजलिभिर्नमस्येतातियत्नतः

yatra kāśyāṁ mṛto jaṁturbrahmanārāyaṇādibhiḥ || prabaddha mūrdhāṁjalibhirnamasyetātiyatnataḥ

'A being who has died in Kashi is bowed to with joined palms and bent head, with the utmost effort, even by Brahma and Narayana.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.53.91)

यत्र काश्यां शवत्वेपि जंतुर्नाशुचितां व्रजेत् ॥ अतस्तत्कर्णसंस्पर्शं करोम्यहमपि स्वयम्

yatra kāśyāṁ śavatvepi jaṁturnāśucitāṁ vrajet || atastatkarṇasaṁsparśaṁ karomyahamapi svayam

'Where, even as a corpse in Kashi, a being never becomes impure — therefore I myself touch his ear with my own hand.'

Verse 92 (skanda.4.53.92)

यस्तु काशीति काशीति द्विस्त्रिर्जपति पुण्यवान् ॥ अपि सर्वपवित्रेभ्यः स पवित्रतरो महान्

yastu kāśīti kāśīti dvistrirjapati puṇyavān || api sarvapavitrebhyaḥ sa pavitrataro mahān

'That fortunate one who murmurs Kashi, Kashi even two or three times is greater and more sacred than all sacred things.'

Verse 93 (skanda.4.53.93)

येन काशी हृदि ध्याता येन काशीह सेविता ॥ तेनाहं हृदि संध्यातस्तेनाहं सेवितः सदा

yena kāśī hṛdi dhyātā yena kāśīha sevitā || tenāhaṁ hṛdi saṁdhyātastenāhaṁ sevitaḥ sadā

'By whomever Kashi has been meditated upon in the heart, by whomever Kashi has been served here — by that same one, I too have been meditated upon in the heart, by that same one I have ever been served.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.53.94)

काशीं यः सेवते जंतुर्निर्विकल्पेन चेतसा ॥ तमहं हृदये नित्यं धारयामि प्रयत्नतः

kāśīṁ yaḥ sevate jaṁturnirvikalpena cetasā || tamahaṁ hṛdaye nityaṁ dhārayāmi prayatnataḥ

'The being who serves Kashi with an undivided mind — him I hold ever, with utmost care, within my own heart.'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.53.95)

स्वयं वस्तुमशक्तोपि वासयेत्तीर्थवासिनम् ॥ अप्येकमपि मूल्येन स वस्तुःफलभाग्ध्रुवम्

svayaṁ vastumaśaktopi vāsayettīrthavāsinam || apyekamapi mūlyena sa vastuḥphalabhāgdhruvam

'Even one unable himself to give a thing — if he but helps a resident of the sacred place settle there, even for a single coin's worth, he surely shares in the fruit of that gift.'

Verse 96 (skanda.4.53.96)

काश्यां वसंति ये धीरा आपंचत्व विनिश्चयाः ॥ जीवन्मुक्तास्तु ते ज्ञेया वंद्याः पूज्यास्त एव हि

kāśyāṁ vasaṁti ye dhīrā āpaṁcatva viniścayāḥ || jīvanmuktāstu te jñeyā vaṁdyāḥ pūjyāsta eva hi

'Those steadfast ones who dwell in Kashi, having fully resolved to die there, should be known as liberated even while living; they alone are worthy of reverence and worship.'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.53.97)

इत्थं विमृश्य बहुशः स्थाणुर्वाराणसीगुणान् ॥ गणानन्यान्समाहूय प्राहिणोत्प्रीतिपूर्वकम्

itthaṁ vimṛśya bahuśaḥ sthāṇurvārāṇasīguṇān || gaṇānanyānsamāhūya prāhiṇotprītipūrvakam

Thus, having repeatedly reflected on the virtues of Varanasi, Sthanu summoned yet other attendants and sent them forth with affection:

Verse 98 (skanda.4.53.98)

तारकत्वं समागच्छ गच्छाति स्वच्छमानस ॥ दिवोदासो वृषावासो यामधीष्टे वरां पुरीम्

tārakatvaṁ samāgaccha gacchāti svacchamānasa || divodāso vṛṣāvāso yāmadhīṣṭe varāṁ purīm

'O clear-minded Taraka, go and attain the state of a Taraka in that excellent city where Divodasa, whose mount is the bull, dwells and rules.'

Verse 99 (skanda.4.53.99)

तिलपर्ण स्धूलकर्ण दृमिचंड प्रभामय ॥ सुकेश विंदते छाग कपर्दिन्पिंगलाक्षक

tilaparṇa sdhūlakarṇa dṛmicaṁḍa prabhāmaya || sukeśa viṁdate chāga kapardinpiṁgalākṣaka

Tilaparna, Sthulakarna, Drumichanda, Prabhamaya, Sukesha, Vindati-Chhaga, Kapardin, Pingalakshaka,

Verse 100 (skanda.4.53.100)

वीरभद्र किराताख्य चतुर्मुख निकुंभक ॥ पंचाक्ष भारभूताख्य त्र्यक्ष क्षेमकलांगलिन्

vīrabhadra kirātākhya caturmukha nikuṁbhaka || paṁcākṣa bhārabhūtākhya tryakṣa kṣemakalāṁgalin

Virabhadra, the one named Kirata, Chaturmukha, Nikumbhaka, Panchaksha, the one named Bharabhuta, Tryaksha, Kshemaka, Langalin,

Verse 101 (skanda.4.53.101)

विराध सुमुखाषाढे यांतु सर्वे पृथक्पृथक् ॥ एते गणा महाभागाः स्वामिभक्ता दृढव्रताः

virādha sumukhāṣāḍhe yāṁtu sarve pṛthakpṛthak || ete gaṇā mahābhāgāḥ svāmibhaktā dṛḍhavratāḥ

Viradha, Sumukha, Ashadha — 'go, all of you, each by his own path'; these greatly fortunate attendants were devoted to their Lord and firm in their vows.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.53.102)

कृत्वा माया बहुविधा बहुरूपा विचक्षणाः॥ अनिमेषेक्षणास्तस्थुः क्षोणीशच्छिद्रकांक्षिणः

kṛtvā māyā bahuvidhā bahurūpā vicakṣaṇāḥ|| animeṣekṣaṇāstasthuḥ kṣoṇīśacchidrakāṁkṣiṇaḥ

Having wrought manifold and many-formed illusions, they sat there, skillful and unblinking, watchfully seeking out some flaw in the king.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.53.103)

अपरुज्ञात तच्छिद्रा विद्रावितयशोधनाः॥ आः किमेतदहोजातं निनिंदुः स्वमितीह ते

aparujñāta tacchidrā vidrāvitayaśodhanāḥ|| āḥ kimetadahojātaṁ niniṁduḥ svamitīha te

Failing to find his flaw, their pride, their gathered store of glory, lay shattered; vexed, they said to themselves: 'Ah, what has become of us!'

Verse 104 (skanda.4.53.104)

॥गणा ऊचुः॥ धिगस्मान्स्वामिना नित्यं कृतसंभावनान्मुहुः ॥ मनुष्यमात्रमप्यत्र यैरेकं न वशीकृतम्

||gaṇā ūcuḥ|| dhigasmānsvāminā nityaṁ kṛtasaṁbhāvanānmuhuḥ || manuṣyamātramapyatra yairekaṁ na vaśīkṛtam

The attendants said: 'Shame upon us, whom our Lord has ever and again so greatly honored, that we could not even subdue this one mere mortal.'

Verse 105 (skanda.4.53.105)

बहुमानेन दानेन सौहार्देन महीयसा ॥ कृतप्रसादांस्त्र्यक्षेण धिङ्नस्तत्कार्यवंचकान्

bahumānena dānena sauhārdena mahīyasā || kṛtaprasādāṁstryakṣeṇa dhiṅnastatkāryavaṁcakān

'With great honor, with gifts, with vast affection has the three-eyed one favored us — shame upon us who have failed him in this task.'

Verse 106 (skanda.4.53.106)

का गतिर्नो भवित्रीह स्वामिकृत्यप्रमादिनाम् ॥ अंधं तमोमये लोके ध्रुवं वासो भविष्यति

kā gatirno bhavitrīha svāmikṛtyapramādinām || aṁdhaṁ tamomaye loke dhruvaṁ vāso bhaviṣyati

'What fate shall befall us, who have been negligent in our Lord's task? Surely our dwelling shall be in a world of blind darkness.'

Verse 107 (skanda.4.53.107)

अकृतस्वामिकार्याणामहो जीवितधारिणाम्॥ अक्षतेंद्रियवृत्तीनां दुर्गतिश्च पदे पदे

akṛtasvāmikāryāṇāmaho jīvitadhāriṇām|| akṣateṁdriyavṛttīnāṁ durgatiśca pade pade

'Ah, alas — those who, though possessed of life and unimpaired senses, have not accomplished their master's task meet with misfortune at every step.'

Verse 108 (skanda.4.53.108)

लब्धसंभावनानां च न्यक्कृतस्वामिकर्मणाम् ॥ भृत्यानां भूरिभाजां च भंगुराः स्युर्मनोरथाः

labdhasaṁbhāvanānāṁ ca nyakkṛtasvāmikarmaṇām || bhṛtyānāṁ bhūribhājāṁ ca bhaṁgurāḥ syurmanorathāḥ

'For servants who, though richly favored, have scornfully abandoned their master's task, even their many good fortunes come to ruin.'

Verse 109 (skanda.4.53.109)

अनिष्पादितकार्यार्था ये मुखं प्रेक्षयंत्यहो ॥ अपत्रपाः पुरो भर्तुस्तैर्भूर्भारवतीत्वियम्

aniṣpāditakāryārthā ye mukhaṁ prekṣayaṁtyaho || apatrapāḥ puro bhartustairbhūrbhāravatītviyam

'Those who, their task unaccomplished, dare show their face before their master — because of them this very earth grows heavy with shame.'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.53.110)

नाद्रीणां न समुद्राणां न द्रुमाणां महीयसाम् ॥ भूतधात्र्यास्तथा भारो यथा स्वामिद्रुहां महान्

nādrīṇāṁ na samudrāṇāṁ na drumāṇāṁ mahīyasām || bhūtadhātryāstathā bhāro yathā svāmidruhāṁ mahān

'Not the weight of mountains, nor of oceans, nor of towering trees so burdens the earth as the weight of those who betray their master.'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.53.111)

अहो पौराणिकी गाथा स्मृतास्माभिरनिंदिता ॥ तदर्थमवलंब्येह स्थास्यामः कृतनिश्चयाः

aho paurāṇikī gāthā smṛtāsmābhiraniṁditā || tadarthamavalaṁbyeha sthāsyāmaḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ

'Ah, we recall now a certain blameless tale from the Puranas; relying upon it, we have resolved to remain here.'

Verse 112 (skanda.4.53.112)

अनाकलितपुण्यानां परिक्षीणधनायुषाम् ॥ सर्वोपायविहीनानां गतिर्वाराणसीपुरी

anākalitapuṇyānāṁ parikṣīṇadhanāyuṣām || sarvopāyavihīnānāṁ gatirvārāṇasīpurī

'For those devoid of merit, whose wealth and lifespan are exhausted, who are bereft of every means — their refuge is the city of Varanasi.'

Verse 113 (skanda.4.53.113)

अपुण्यभारखिन्नानां पश्चात्तापमुपेयुषाम्॥ विष्वगूर्ध्वगतीनां च गतिर्वाराणसीपुरी

apuṇyabhārakhinnānāṁ paścāttāpamupeyuṣām|| viṣvagūrdhvagatīnāṁ ca gatirvārāṇasīpurī

'For those wearied by the weight of sin, overtaken by remorse, for beings destined both upward and downward alike — their refuge too is the city of Varanasi.'

Verse 114 (skanda.4.53.114)

स्वामिद्रुहः कृतघ्नाश्च ये च विश्रंभघातकाः ॥ तेषां क्वापि गतिर्नास्ति मुक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्

svāmidruhaḥ kṛtaghnāśca ye ca viśraṁbhaghātakāḥ || teṣāṁ kvāpi gatirnāsti muktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm

'For those who betray their master, who are ungrateful and treacherous — for them there is no refuge anywhere except the city of Varanasi.'

Verse 115 (skanda.4.53.115)

इत्थं निश्चित्य गाथार्थं प्रमथा अवतस्थिरे ॥ अविज्ञातस्वरूपाश्च दिवोदासेन भूभुजा

itthaṁ niścitya gāthārthaṁ pramathā avatasthire || avijñātasvarūpāśca divodāsena bhūbhujā

Thus resolving upon the meaning of that tale, those attendants, their true nature unrecognized, remained there unknown to King Divodasa.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.53.116)

न बुबोध स भूपालो नितरां बुद्धिमानपि ॥ विबुधान्विविधाकारैः स्थितानीशप्रभावतः

na bubodha sa bhūpālo nitarāṁ buddhimānapi || vibudhānvividhākāraiḥ sthitānīśaprabhāvataḥ

That king, wise though he was in every way, could never recognize those gods, present there in manifold forms through the power of the Lord.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.53.117)

चित्रं न चित्रगुप्तोपि वेत्ति वाराणसीस्थितान्॥ जंतून्का गणनान्येषां मर्त्यलोकनिवासिनाम्

citraṁ na citraguptopi vetti vārāṇasīsthitān|| jaṁtūnkā gaṇanānyeṣāṁ martyalokanivāsinām

It is no wonder, then, that even Chitragupta cannot number the beings, dwellers of the mortal world, established in Varanasi.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.53.118)

अविच्छिन्न प्रभावाणामपरिच्छिन्न तेजसाम् ॥ कृतलिंगप्रतिष्ठानां नांतं प्राप्नोति धर्मराट्

avicchinna prabhāvāṇāmaparicchinna tejasām || kṛtaliṁgapratiṣṭhānāṁ nāṁtaṁ prāpnoti dharmarāṭ

Even Dharmaraja cannot reach the end of the count of those beings of unbroken power and boundless splendor, who have established lingas there.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.53.119)

इति ते प्रमथाः सर्वे घटोद्भव महामुने ॥ कृतलिंगार्चनाः काशीं नाद्याप्युज्झंति शर्मदाम्

iti te pramathāḥ sarve ghaṭodbhava mahāmune || kṛtaliṁgārcanāḥ kāśīṁ nādyāpyujjhaṁti śarmadām

Thus, O great sage, jar-born one, all those attendants, having worshipped their lingas, have to this day never forsaken that Kashi, giver of joy.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.53.120)

तारकेशं महालिंगं तारकाख्यो गणोत्तमः ॥ तारकज्ञानदं पुंसां मुनेऽद्यापि समर्चयेत्

tārakeśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ tārakākhyo gaṇottamaḥ || tārakajñānadaṁ puṁsāṁ mune'dyāpi samarcayet

Taraka, foremost among the attendants, O sage, worships even today the great linga named Tarakeshvara, which grants men the knowledge of the Taraka mantra.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.53.121)

तारकेश्वरलिंगस्य कृत्वा भक्तिसुनिश्चलाम् ॥ सुखेन तारकज्ञानं लभ्यते तैर्नरोत्तमैः

tārakeśvaraliṁgasya kṛtvā bhaktisuniścalām || sukhena tārakajñānaṁ labhyate tairnarottamaiḥ

By unwavering devotion to the linga of Tarakeshvara, the best of men easily obtain the knowledge of the Taraka mantra.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.53.122)

तिलपर्णेश्वरं लिंगं तिलपर्ण प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ तिलप्रमाणमप्यत्र दृष्ट्वा पापं न संभवेत्

tilaparṇeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tilaparṇa pratiṣṭhitam || tilapramāṇamapyatra dṛṣṭvā pāpaṁ na saṁbhavet

Beholding the linga of Tilaparneshvara, established by Tilaparna, even for the space of a sesame seed, leaves no possibility of sin.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.53.123)

स्थूलकर्णेश्वरं लिंगं परिपूज्य नरोत्तमः ॥ न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति पुण्यमाप्नोति चोत्तमम्

sthūlakarṇeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ paripūjya narottamaḥ || na durgatimavāpnoti puṇyamāpnoti cottamam

Worshipping the linga of Sthulakarneshvara well, the best of men does not meet misfortune but obtains the highest merit.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.53.124)

दृमिचंडेश्वरं लिंगं तथा लिंगं प्रभामयम् ॥ आराध्य तत्प्रतीच्यां च न पापैरभिभूयते

dṛmicaṁḍeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tathā liṁgaṁ prabhāmayam || ārādhya tatpratīcyāṁ ca na pāpairabhibhūyate

Worshipping the linga of Drumichandeshvara, and the linga named Prabhamaya to its west, a man is never overcome by sins.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.53.125)

प्रभामयेश्वरं लिंगं दृष्ट्वान्यत्रापि संस्थितः ॥ प्रभामयेन यानेन शिवलोके व्रजेत्सुधीः

prabhāmayeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvānyatrāpi saṁsthitaḥ || prabhāmayena yānena śivaloke vrajetsudhīḥ

Beholding the linga of Prabhamayeshvara, even while situated elsewhere, the wise man attains the world of Shiva by a chariot of radiance.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.53.126)

सुकेशेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य हरिकेशवने नरः ॥ षाट्कौशिकमयं देहं धारयेन्न पुनःपुनः

sukeśeśvaramabhyarcya harikeśavane naraḥ || ṣāṭkauśikamayaṁ dehaṁ dhārayenna punaḥpunaḥ

Worshipping Sukesheshvara in Harikeshavana, a man does not repeatedly take on this body composed of the six sheaths.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.53.127)

विंदतीशं नरोभ्यर्च्य भीमचंडी समीपतः ॥ त्यक्त्वा प्रचंडमप्येनो मोक्षं विंदति शाश्वतम्

viṁdatīśaṁ narobhyarcya bhīmacaṁḍī samīpataḥ || tyaktvā pracaṁḍamapyeno mokṣaṁ viṁdati śāśvatam

Worshipping Vindatisha near Bhimachandi, a man casts off even the most violent sin and attains eternal liberation.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.53.128)

छागलेशं महालिंगं पित्रीश्वरसमीपगम् ॥ विलोक्य पशुवत्कोपि न पापं प्राकृतं स्पृशेत्

chāgaleśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ pitrīśvarasamīpagam || vilokya paśuvatkopi na pāpaṁ prākṛtaṁ spṛśet

Beholding the great linga of Chhagalesha, situated near Pitrishvara, no one is ever touched by the base sin of the beast.