Pishachamochana: The Ford of Deliverance from Ghoulhood

Verse 1 (skanda.4.54.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ कुंभसंभव वक्ष्यामि शृणोत्ववहितो भवान् ॥ कपर्दीशस्य लिंगस्य महामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| kuṁbhasaṁbhava vakṣyāmi śṛṇotvavahito bhavān || kapardīśasya liṁgasya mahāmāhātmyamuttamam

Skanda said: O jar-born one, I shall tell it; listen attentively — the supreme, great glory of the linga of Kapardisha.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.54.2)

कपर्दी नाम गणपः शंभोरत्यंतवल्लभः ॥ पित्रीशादुत्तरे भागे लिंगं संस्थाप्य शांभवम्

kapardī nāma gaṇapaḥ śaṁbhoratyaṁtavallabhaḥ || pitrīśāduttare bhāge liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpya śāṁbhavam

Kapardin, lord of a host of attendants, exceedingly dear to Shambhu, established a linga of Shambhu to the north of Pitrisha.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.54.3)

कुंडं चखान तस्याग्रे विमलोदक संज्ञकम् ॥ यस्य तोयस्य संस्पर्शाद्विमलो जायते नरः

kuṁḍaṁ cakhāna tasyāgre vimalodaka saṁjñakam || yasya toyasya saṁsparśādvimalo jāyate naraḥ

Before it he dug a tank named Vimalodaka, by the mere touch of whose water a man becomes spotless.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.54.4)

इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्र त्रेतायुगे पुरा ॥ यथावृत्तं कुंभयोने श्रवणात्पातकापहम्

itihāsaṁ pravakṣyāmi tatra tretāyuge purā || yathāvṛttaṁ kuṁbhayone śravaṇātpātakāpaham

I shall now relate the history of that place, O jar-born one, as it occurred long ago in the Treta age, the mere hearing of which removes sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.54.5)

एकः पाशुपत श्रेष्ठो वाल्मीकिरिति संज्ञितः ॥ तपश्चचार स मुनिः कपर्दीशं समर्चयन्

ekaḥ pāśupata śreṣṭho vālmīkiriti saṁjñitaḥ || tapaścacāra sa muniḥ kapardīśaṁ samarcayan

A foremost Pashupata ascetic named Valmiki practiced austerity, worshipping Kapardisha.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.54.6)

एकदा स हि हेमंते मार्गे मासि तपोधनः ॥ स्नात्वा तत्र महातीर्थे मध्याह्ने विमलोदके

ekadā sa hi hemaṁte mārge māsi tapodhanaḥ || snātvā tatra mahātīrthe madhyāhne vimalodake

Once, in the month of Margashirsha in the winter season, that ascetic, having bathed at midday in that great tirtha of Vimalodaka—

Verse 7 (skanda.4.54.7)

चकार भस्मना स्नानमापादतलमस्तकम् ॥ लिंगस्य दक्षिणेभागे कृतमाध्याह्निकक्रियः

cakāra bhasmanā snānamāpādatalamastakam || liṁgasya dakṣiṇebhāge kṛtamādhyāhnikakriyaḥ

—performed a bath of ash from foot to head, and, having completed the midday rites on the southern side of the linga—

Verse 8 (skanda.4.54.8)

न्यस्तमस्तकपांसुश्च संध्यामाध्यात्मिकीं स्मरन् ॥ जपन्पंचाक्षरीं विद्यां ध्यायन्देवं कपर्दिनम्

nyastamastakapāṁsuśca saṁdhyāmādhyātmikīṁ smaran || japanpaṁcākṣarīṁ vidyāṁ dhyāyandevaṁ kapardinam

—with dust placed upon his head, recollecting the inner twilight rite, reciting the five-syllabled mantra, meditating on the god Kapardin—

Verse 9 (skanda.4.54.9)

कृत्वा संहारमार्गेण सप्रमाणं प्रदक्षिणाम् ॥ हुडुंकृत्य हुडुंकृत्य हुडुंकृत्य त्रिरुच्चकैः

kṛtvā saṁhāramārgeṇa sapramāṇaṁ pradakṣiṇām || huḍuṁkṛtya huḍuṁkṛtya huḍuṁkṛtya triruccakaiḥ

—circumambulating in due measure by the path of dissolution, loudly uttering huḍuṁ, huḍuṁ, huḍuṁ three times—

Verse 10 (skanda.4.54.10)

प्रणवं पुरतः कृत्वा षड्जादिस्वरभेदतः ॥ गीतं विधाय सानंदं सनृत्यं हस्तकान्वितम्

praṇavaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā ṣaḍjādisvarabhedataḥ || gītaṁ vidhāya sānaṁdaṁ sanṛtyaṁ hastakānvitam

—placing the syllable Om at the fore, singing joyfully in the various notes beginning with Shadja, dancing with gestures of the hands—

Verse 11 (skanda.4.54.11)

अंगहारैर्मनोहारि चारी मंडलसंयुतम् ॥ क्षणं तत्र सरस्तीरे उपविष्टो महातपाः

aṁgahārairmanohāri cārī maṁḍalasaṁyutam || kṣaṇaṁ tatra sarastīre upaviṣṭo mahātapāḥ

—with charming movements of the limbs, in a circling gait, that great ascetic sat for a moment on the bank of that pool.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.54.12)

अद्राक्षीद्राक्षसं घोरमतीव विकृताकृतिम् ॥ शुष्कशंखकपोलास्यं निमग्ना पिंगलोचनम्

adrākṣīdrākṣasaṁ ghoramatīva vikṛtākṛtim || śuṣkaśaṁkhakapolāsyaṁ nimagnā piṁgalocanam

There he beheld a dreadful, exceedingly distorted-looking demon — his cheeks and face like a dried conch shell, his eyes sunken and yellow,

Verse 13 (skanda.4.54.13)

रूक्षस्फुटितकेशाग्रं महालंब शिरोधरम् ॥ अतीव चिपिट घ्राणं शुष्कौष्ठमतिदंतुरम्

rūkṣasphuṭitakeśāgraṁ mahālaṁba śirodharam || atīva cipiṭa ghrāṇaṁ śuṣkauṣṭhamatidaṁturam

with rough, split hair-ends, a very long neck, an extremely flattened nose, dry lips and exceedingly crooked teeth,

Verse 14 (skanda.4.54.14)

महाविशालमौलिं च प्रोर्ध्वीभूतशिरोरुहम् ॥ प्रलंबकर्णपालीकं पिंगलश्मश्रुभीषणम्

mahāviśālamauliṁ ca prordhvībhūtaśiroruham || pralaṁbakarṇapālīkaṁ piṁgalaśmaśrubhīṣaṇam

with a hugely broad skull, his hair standing straight up, his earlobes hanging low, made fearsome by tawny whiskers,

Verse 15 (skanda.4.54.15)

प्रलंबित ललज्जिह्वमत्युत्कट कृकाटिकम् ॥ स्थूलास्थि जत्रु संस्थानं दीर्घस्कंधद्वयोत्कटम्

pralaṁbita lalajjihvamatyutkaṭa kṛkāṭikam || sthūlāsthi jatru saṁsthānaṁ dīrghaskaṁdhadvayotkaṭam

with a dangling red tongue, an extremely jutting throat-bone, thick-boned shoulder joints, both shoulders long and prominent,

Verse 16 (skanda.4.54.16)

निमग्नकक्षाकुहरं शुष्कह्रस्व भुजद्वयम् ॥ विरलांगुलिहस्ताग्रं नतपीन नखावलिम्

nimagnakakṣākuharaṁ śuṣkahrasva bhujadvayam || viralāṁgulihastāgraṁ natapīna nakhāvalim

with sunken armpit-hollows, both arms dried and short, the fingertips of his hands sparse, with rows of bent, thick nails,

Verse 17 (skanda.4.54.17)

विशुष्क पांसुलोत्क्रोडं पृष्ठलग्नोदरत्वचम् ॥ कटीतटेन विकटं निर्मांसत्रिकबंधनम्

viśuṣka pāṁsulotkroḍaṁ pṛṣṭhalagnodaratvacam || kaṭītaṭena vikaṭaṁ nirmāṁsatrikabaṁdhanam

with an extremely dry, dust-covered flank, his belly-skin clinging to his back, with grotesque hip-edges, his sacral joint stripped of flesh,

Verse 18 (skanda.4.54.18)

प्रलंब स्फिग्युगयुतं शुष्कमुष्काल्पमेहनम् ॥ दीर्घनिर्मांसलोरूकं स्थूलजान्वस्थिपंजरम्

pralaṁba sphigyugayutaṁ śuṣkamuṣkālpamehanam || dīrghanirmāṁsalorūkaṁ sthūlajānvasthipaṁjaram

with both buttocks long and drooping, his organs shriveled small, with long, fleshless thighs, and a rib-cage-like frame with thick knee-bones,

Verse 19 (skanda.4.54.19)

अस्थिचर्मावशेषं च शिराजालितविग्रहम् ॥ शिरालं दीर्घजंघं च स्थूलगुल्फास्थिभीषणम्

asthicarmāvaśeṣaṁ ca śirājālitavigraham || śirālaṁ dīrghajaṁghaṁ ca sthūlagulphāsthibhīṣaṇam

his body reduced to mere bone and skin, his frame woven through with a web of veins, his shins long and vein-ridged, with thick and dreadful ankle-bones,

Verse 20 (skanda.4.54.20)

अतिविस्तृत पादं च दीर्घवक्रकृशांगुलिम् ॥ अस्थिचर्मावशेषेण शिराताडितविग्रहम्

ativistṛta pādaṁ ca dīrghavakrakṛśāṁgulim || asthicarmāvaśeṣeṇa śirātāḍitavigraham

with feet extremely broad, his toes long, crooked, and emaciated, his body reduced to bone and skin alone, racked through by its veins,

Verse 21 (skanda.4.54.21)

विकटं भीषणाकारं क्षुत्क्षाममतिलोमशम् ॥ दावदग्धद्रुमाकारमति चंचललोचनम्

vikaṭaṁ bhīṣaṇākāraṁ kṣutkṣāmamatilomaśam || dāvadagdhadrumākāramati caṁcalalocanam

grotesque and terrifying in form, gaunt with hunger and exceedingly hairy, shaped like a tree scorched by a forest fire, his eyes extremely restless,

Verse 22 (skanda.4.54.22)

मूर्तं भयानकमिव सर्वप्राणिभयप्रदम् ॥ हृदयाकंपनं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रेतं वृद्धतापसः ॥ अतिदीनाननं कस्त्वमिति धैर्येण पृष्टवान्

mūrtaṁ bhayānakamiva sarvaprāṇibhayapradam || hṛdayākaṁpanaṁ dṛṣṭvā taṁ pretaṁ vṛddhatāpasaḥ || atidīnānanaṁ kastvamiti dhairyeṇa pṛṣṭavān

—as though fear itself made flesh, striking terror into every living being — beholding that heart-shaking, most wretched-faced ghoul, the aged ascetic, with courage, asked: 'Who are you?'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.54.23)

कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः कस्मात्ते गतिरीदृशी ॥ अनुक्रोशधियारक्षः पृच्छामि वद निर्भयम्

kutastvamiha saṁprāptaḥ kasmātte gatirīdṛśī || anukrośadhiyārakṣaḥ pṛcchāmi vada nirbhayam

'From where have you come here, and for what reason has such a fate befallen you? O demon, I ask out of compassion; speak without fear.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.54.24)

अस्माकं तापसानां च न भयं त्वद्विधान्मनाक् ॥ शिवनामसहस्राणां विभूतिकृतवर्मणाम्

asmākaṁ tāpasānāṁ ca na bhayaṁ tvadvidhānmanāk || śivanāmasahasrāṇāṁ vibhūtikṛtavarmaṇām

'We ascetics, who have taken the thousand names of Shiva as our very armor, have not the slightest fear of one such as you.'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.54.25)

तापसोदीरितमिति तद्रक्षः प्रीतिपूवर्कम् ॥ निशम्य प्रांजलिः प्राह तं कृपालुं तपोधनम्

tāpasodīritamiti tadrakṣaḥ prītipūvarkam || niśamya prāṁjaliḥ prāha taṁ kṛpāluṁ tapodhanam

When the ascetic had thus spoken, that demon too, with joined palms and affection, said to the compassionate ascetic—

Verse 26 (skanda.4.54.26)

॥राक्षस उवाच॥ अनुक्रोशोस्ति यदि ते भगवंस्तापसोत्तम ॥ स्ववृत्तांतं तदा वच्मि शृणुष्वावहितः क्षणम्

||rākṣasa uvāca|| anukrośosti yadi te bhagavaṁstāpasottama || svavṛttāṁtaṁ tadā vacmi śṛṇuṣvāvahitaḥ kṣaṇam

The demon said: 'O Lord, O best of ascetics, if you have compassion for me, then I shall tell my own story; listen attentively for a moment.'

Verse 27 (skanda.4.54.27)

प्रतिष्ठानाभिधानोस्ति देशो गोदावरी तटे ॥ तीर्थप्रतिग्रहरुचिस्तत्रासं ब्राह्मणस्त्वहम्

pratiṣṭhānābhidhānosti deśo godāvarī taṭe || tīrthapratigraharucistatrāsaṁ brāhmaṇastvaham

'On the bank of the Godavari there is a land named Pratishthana; there I was a Brahmin, greedy for gifts received at sacred fords.'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.54.28)

तेन कर्मविपाकेन प्राप्तोस्मि गतिमीदृशीम् ॥ मरुस्थले महाघोरे तरुतोयविवर्जिते

tena karmavipākena prāptosmi gatimīdṛśīm || marusthale mahāghore tarutoyavivarjite

'By the ripening of that very deed I attained this fate — dwelling in a most dreadful desert, bereft of trees and water.'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.54.29)

गतो बहुतरः कालस्तत्र मे वसतो मुने ॥ क्षुधितस्य तृषार्तस्य शीततापसहस्य च

gato bahutaraḥ kālastatra me vasato mune || kṣudhitasya tṛṣārtasya śītatāpasahasya ca

'O sage, a very long time passed as I dwelt there, tormented by hunger, distressed by thirst, afflicted by cold and heat.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.54.30)

वर्षत्यपि महामेघे धारासारैर्दिवानिशम् ॥ प्रावृट्कालेऽनिले वाति किंचित्प्रावरणं न मे

varṣatyapi mahāmeghe dhārāsārairdivāniśam || prāvṛṭkāle'nile vāti kiṁcitprāvaraṇaṁ na me

'Even when the great clouds pour down in torrents day and night, even when the wind blows in the rainy season, I have nothing whatsoever to cover myself.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.54.31)

पर्वण्यदत्तदाना ये कृततीर्थप्रतिग्रहाः ॥ त इमां योनिमृच्छंति महादुःख निबंधनीम्

parvaṇyadattadānā ye kṛtatīrthapratigrahāḥ || ta imāṁ yonimṛcchaṁti mahāduḥkha nibaṁdhanīm

'Those who fail to give gifts on sacred days, who have accepted gifts at holy fords — they attain this state of great sorrow.'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.54.32)

गते बहुतिथे काले मरुभूमौ मुने मया ॥ दृष्टो ब्राह्मणदायाद एकदा कश्चिदागतः

gate bahutithe kāle marubhūmau mune mayā || dṛṣṭo brāhmaṇadāyāda ekadā kaścidāgataḥ

'O sage, after a long time had passed, I once saw, in that desert land, a certain wandering Brahmin's descendant who had arrived there.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.54.33)

सूर्योदयमनुप्राप्य संध्याविधिविवर्जितः ॥ कृत्वा मूत्रपुरीषे तु शौचाचमनवर्जितः

sūryodayamanuprāpya saṁdhyāvidhivivarjitaḥ || kṛtvā mūtrapurīṣe tu śaucācamanavarjitaḥ

'Arriving at sunrise, devoid of the twilight rite, having relieved himself without purification or the sipping of water—'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.54.34)

मुक्तकच्छमशौचं च संध्याकर्मविवर्जितम् ॥ तं दृष्ट्वा तच्छरीरेहं संक्रांतो भोगलिप्सया

muktakacchamaśaucaṁ ca saṁdhyākarmavivarjitam || taṁ dṛṣṭvā taccharīrehaṁ saṁkrāṁto bhogalipsayā

'—his garment ungirded, impure, and devoid of the twilight observance — seeing that Brahmin, I, out of a craving for enjoyment, entered into his body.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.54.35)

स द्विजो मंदभाग्यान्मे केनचिद्वणिजा सह ॥ अर्थलोभेन संप्राप्तः पुरीं पुण्यामिमां मुने

sa dvijo maṁdabhāgyānme kenacidvaṇijā saha || arthalobhena saṁprāptaḥ purīṁ puṇyāmimāṁ mune

'O sage, by my own ill fortune, that Brahmin, together with some merchant, came out of greed for wealth to this sacred city.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.54.36)

अंतःपुरि प्रविष्टोभूत्स द्विजो मुनिसत्तम ॥ तच्छरीराद्बहिर्भूतस्त्वहं पापैः समं क्षणात्

aṁtaḥpuri praviṣṭobhūtsa dvijo munisattama || taccharīrādbahirbhūtastvahaṁ pāpaiḥ samaṁ kṣaṇāt

'O best of sages, that Brahmin entered the inner city; and I, together with my sins, was at once expelled from his body.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.54.37)

प्रवेशो नास्ति चास्माकं प्रेतानां तपसां निधे ॥ महतां पातकानां च वाराणस्यां शिवाज्ञया

praveśo nāsti cāsmākaṁ pretānāṁ tapasāṁ nidhe || mahatāṁ pātakānāṁ ca vārāṇasyāṁ śivājñayā

'O treasury of austerity, by the command of Shiva, not even the gravest sins — nor we ghouls — are permitted to enter Varanasi.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.54.38)

अद्यापि तानि पापानि तद्बहिर्निर्गमेच्छया ॥ बहिरेव हि तिष्ठंति सीम्नि प्रमथसाध्वसात्

adyāpi tāni pāpāni tadbahirnirgamecchayā || bahireva hi tiṣṭhaṁti sīmni pramathasādhvasāt

'Even today those sins, desiring to exit from there, remain fixed just outside its boundary, kept there by fear of the attendants.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.54.39)

अद्य श्वो वा परश्वो वा स बहिर्निर्गमिष्यति ॥ इत्याशया स्थिताः स्मो वै यावदद्य तपोधन

adya śvo vā paraśvo vā sa bahirnirgamiṣyati || ityāśayā sthitāḥ smo vai yāvadadya tapodhana

'O ascetic, telling ourselves he will come out today, tomorrow, or the day after — in this very hope we have remained waiting to this day.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.54.40)

नाद्यापि स बहिर्गच्छेन्नाद्याप्याशा प्रयाति नः ॥ इत्यास्महे निराधारा आशापाश नियंत्रिताः

nādyāpi sa bahirgacchennādyāpyāśā prayāti naḥ || ityāsmahe nirādhārā āśāpāśa niyaṁtritāḥ

'To this day he has not come out, and to this day our hope has not ended; thus, without support, we remain bound by the noose of expectation.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.54.41)

चित्रमद्यतनं वच्मि तपस्विंस्तन्निशामय ॥ अतीव भावि कल्याणमिति मन्येऽधुनैव हि

citramadyatanaṁ vacmi tapasviṁstanniśāmaya || atīva bhāvi kalyāṇamiti manye'dhunaiva hi

'O ascetic, I shall now tell of a strange thing that happened today; listen to it — even now I sense that some great good fortune is about to come.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.54.42)

आप्रयागं प्रतिदिनं प्रयामः क्षुधिता वयम्॥ आहारकाम्यया क्वापि परं नो किंचिदाप्नुमः

āprayāgaṁ pratidinaṁ prayāmaḥ kṣudhitā vayam|| āhārakāmyayā kvāpi paraṁ no kiṁcidāpnumaḥ

'Hungry, we go each day even as far as Prayaga in search of food, but nowhere do we obtain anything at all.'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.54.43)

संति सर्वत्र फलिनः पादपाः प्रतिकाननम् ॥ जलाशयाश्च स्वच्छापाः संति भूम्यां पदेपदे

saṁti sarvatra phalinaḥ pādapāḥ pratikānanam || jalāśayāśca svacchāpāḥ saṁti bhūmyāṁ padepade

'Fruit-bearing trees stand everywhere in every forest, and clean reservoirs of water exist at every step upon the earth.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.54.44)

अन्यान्यपि च भक्ष्याणि सर्वेषां सुलभान्यहो ॥ पानान्यपि विचित्राणि संति भूयांसि सर्वतः

anyānyapi ca bhakṣyāṇi sarveṣāṁ sulabhānyaho || pānānyapi vicitrāṇi saṁti bhūyāṁsi sarvataḥ

'Ah, other foods too, of many kinds, lie easily within everyone's reach; even various drinks are found in abundance on every side.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.54.45)

परं नो दृग्गतान्येव दूरे दूरे व्रजंत्यहो ॥ दैवादद्यैकमायांतं दृष्ट्वा कार्पटिकं मुने

paraṁ no dṛggatānyeva dūre dūre vrajaṁtyaho || daivādadyaikamāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā kārpaṭikaṁ mune

'But all of it stays only within our sight, ever receding far, far away. Ah, but today, by chance, upon seeing a wandering beggar approach, O sage—'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.54.46)

तस्यांतिकमहं प्राप्तः क्षुधया परिपीडितः ॥ प्रसह्य भक्षयाम्येनमिति मत्वा त्वरान्वितः

tasyāṁtikamahaṁ prāptaḥ kṣudhayā paripīḍitaḥ || prasahya bhakṣayāmyenamiti matvā tvarānvitaḥ

'—I approached him, tormented exceedingly by hunger, and hastened toward him, thinking that I would seize and devour him by force.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.54.47)

यावत्तं तु जिघृक्षामि तावत्तद्वदनांबुजात् ॥ शिवनामपवित्रा वाङ्निरगाद्विघ्नहारिणी

yāvattaṁ tu jighṛkṣāmi tāvattadvadanāṁbujāt || śivanāmapavitrā vāṅniragādvighnahāriṇī

'Just as I was about to seize him, from his lotus mouth issued forth speech, made sacred by the name of Shiva, dispeller of obstacles.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.54.48)

शिवनामस्मरणतो मदीयमपि पातकम् ॥ मंदीभूतं ततस्तेन प्रवेशं लब्धवानहम्

śivanāmasmaraṇato madīyamapi pātakam || maṁdībhūtaṁ tatastena praveśaṁ labdhavānaham

'At the remembrance of Shiva's name, even my own sin grew faint, and thereafter I obtained entry.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.54.49)

सीमस्थैः प्रमथैर्नाहं सद्यो दृग्गोचरीकृतः ॥ शिवनामश्रुतौ येषां तान्न पश्येद्यमोपि यत्

sīmasthaiḥ pramathairnāhaṁ sadyo dṛggocarīkṛtaḥ || śivanāmaśrutau yeṣāṁ tānna paśyedyamopi yat

'The attendants stationed at the boundary did not at once catch sight of me — for those whose ears have heard the name of Shiva, even Yama cannot see.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.54.50)

अंतर्गेहस्य सीमानं प्राप्तस्तेन सहाधुना ॥ स तु कार्पटिको मध्यं प्रविष्टोहमिहस्थितः

aṁtargehasya sīmānaṁ prāptastena sahādhunā || sa tu kārpaṭiko madhyaṁ praviṣṭohamihasthitaḥ

'Thus, along with him, I have now reached the boundary of the inner precinct; that beggar went on within, while I have remained here.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.54.51)

आत्मानं बहुमन्येहं त्वां विलोक्याधुना मुने ॥ मामुद्धर कृपालो त्वं योनेरस्मात्सदारुणात्

ātmānaṁ bahumanyehaṁ tvāṁ vilokyādhunā mune || māmuddhara kṛpālo tvaṁ yonerasmātsadāruṇāt

'O sage, seeing you now, I consider myself blessed; O compassionate one, deliver me from this most dreadful state of existence.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.54.52)

इति प्रेतवचः श्रुत्वा स कृपालुस्तपोधनः ॥ मनसा चिंतयामास धिङ्निजार्थोद्यमान्नरान्

iti pretavacaḥ śrutvā sa kṛpālustapodhanaḥ || manasā ciṁtayāmāsa dhiṅnijārthodyamānnarān

Hearing these words of the ghoul, that compassionate ascetic began to reflect in his mind: 'Shame upon those men who strive only to fill their own bellies.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.54.53)

स्वोदरं भर यः सर्वे पशुपक्षिमृगादयः ॥ स एव धन्यः संसारे यः परार्थोद्यतः सदा

svodaraṁ bhara yaḥ sarve paśupakṣimṛgādayaḥ || sa eva dhanyaḥ saṁsāre yaḥ parārthodyataḥ sadā

'All animals, birds, and beasts merely fill their own bellies; truly blessed in this world is he alone who is ever intent on the good of others.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.54.54)

तपसाद्य निजेनाहं प्रेतमेतमघातुरम्॥ मामेव शरणं प्राप्तमुद्धरिष्याम्यसंशयम्

tapasādya nijenāhaṁ pretametamaghāturam|| māmeva śaraṇaṁ prāptamuddhariṣyāmyasaṁśayam

'Today, by my own austerity, I shall, without doubt, deliver this sin-diseased ghoul, who has come to me for refuge.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.54.55)

विमृश्येति स वै चित्ते पिशाचं प्राह सत्तमः ॥ विमलोदे सरस्यस्मिन्स्नाहि रे पापनुत्तये

vimṛśyeti sa vai citte piśācaṁ prāha sattamaḥ || vimalode sarasyasminsnāhi re pāpanuttaye

Thus reflecting in his mind, that best of ascetics said to the piśāca: 'For the removal of your sin, bathe in this Vimalodaka pool.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.54.56)

पिशाच ते पिशाचत्वं तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः ॥ कपर्दीशेक्षणादद्य क्षणात्क्षीणं विनंक्ष्यति

piśāca te piśācatvaṁ tīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ || kapardīśekṣaṇādadya kṣaṇātkṣīṇaṁ vinaṁkṣyati

'O piśāca, by the power of this tirtha, and by the sight of Kapardisha, this very ghoul-nature of yours shall this day, in an instant, waste away and be destroyed.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.54.57)

श्रुत्वेति स मुनेर्वाक्यं प्रेतः प्राह प्रणम्य तम्॥ प्रीतात्मा प्रीतमनसं प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः

śrutveti sa munervākyaṁ pretaḥ prāha praṇamya tam|| prītātmā prītamanasaṁ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ

Hearing these words of the sage, that ghoul, bowing to him, his heart glad, with joined palms, said to that glad-minded sage—

Verse 58 (skanda.4.54.58)

पानीयं पातुमपि नो लभेयं मुनिसत्तम । स्नानस्य का कथा नाथ रक्षेयुर्जलदेवताः

pānīyaṁ pātumapi no labheyaṁ munisattama | snānasya kā kathā nātha rakṣeyurjaladevatāḥ

'—O best of sages, we cannot even obtain water to drink, let alone speak of bathing; O Lord, will not the water-deities themselves keep us away?'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.54.59)

पानस्याप्यत्र का वार्ता जलस्पर्शोपि दुर्लभः ॥ इति प्रेतोक्तमाकर्ण्य स भृशं प्रीतिमानभूत्

pānasyāpyatra kā vārtā jalasparśopi durlabhaḥ || iti pretoktamākarṇya sa bhṛśaṁ prītimānabhūt

'What then of drinking here, when even the touch of water is hard to obtain?' — hearing this speech of the ghoul, he became exceedingly pleased.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.54.60)

उवाच च तपस्वी तं जगदुद्धरणक्षमः ॥ गृहाणेमां विभूतिं त्वं ललाटफलके कुरु

uvāca ca tapasvī taṁ jagaduddharaṇakṣamaḥ || gṛhāṇemāṁ vibhūtiṁ tvaṁ lalāṭaphalake kuru

That ascetic, capable of delivering the whole world, said: 'Take this sacred ash and place it upon the surface of your forehead.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.54.61)

अस्माद्विभूतिमाहात्म्यात्प्रेत कोपि न कुत्रचित् ॥ बाधा करोति कस्यापि महापातकिनोप्यहो

asmādvibhūtimāhātmyātpreta kopi na kutracit || bādhā karoti kasyāpi mahāpātakinopyaho

'By the greatness of this ash, O ghoul, ah, not even one who has committed the gravest sin can bring harm to anyone anywhere.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.54.62)

भालं विभूतिधवलं विलोक्य यमकिंकराः ॥ पापिनोपि पलायंते भीताः पाशुपतास्त्रतः

bhālaṁ vibhūtidhavalaṁ vilokya yamakiṁkarāḥ || pāpinopi palāyaṁte bhītāḥ pāśupatāstrataḥ

Beholding a forehead white with sacred ash, even Yama's messengers, terrified as though by the Pashupata weapon, flee far even from sinners.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.54.63)

अस्थिध्वजांकितं दृष्ट्वा यथा पांथा जलाशयम् ॥ दूरं यंति तथा भस्म भालांकं यमकिंकराः

asthidhvajāṁkitaṁ dṛṣṭvā yathā pāṁthā jalāśayam || dūraṁ yaṁti tathā bhasma bhālāṁkaṁ yamakiṁkarāḥ

Just as travelers keep far from a reservoir marked by a flag of bones, so too do Yama's messengers keep far from a forehead marked by sacred ash.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.54.64)

कृतभूति तनुत्राणं शिवमंत्रैर्नरोत्तमम् ॥ नोपसर्पंति नियतमपि हिंस्राः समंततः

kṛtabhūti tanutrāṇaṁ śivamaṁtrairnarottamam || nopasarpaṁti niyatamapi hiṁsrāḥ samaṁtataḥ

The best of men, who wears sacred ash sanctified by the Shiva mantras as his very armor, is never approached by ravenous creatures from any side.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.54.65)

भक्त्या बिभर्ति यो भस्म शिवमंत्रपवित्रितम् ॥ भाले वक्षसि दोर्मूले न तं हिंसंति हिंसकाः ॥ सर्वेभ्यो दुष्टसत्त्वेभ्यो यतो रक्षेदहर्निशम् ॥ रक्षत्येषा ततः प्रोक्ता विभूतिर्भूतिकृद्यतः

bhaktyā bibharti yo bhasma śivamaṁtrapavitritam || bhāle vakṣasi dormūle na taṁ hiṁsaṁti hiṁsakāḥ || sarvebhyo duṣṭasattvebhyo yato rakṣedaharniśam || rakṣatyeṣā tataḥ proktā vibhūtirbhūtikṛdyataḥ

He who bears with devotion, upon his forehead, chest, and the root of his arms, ash sanctified by the Shiva mantra — him no ravenous creature ever harms; because it protects, day and night, from all evil creatures, it is therefore called vibhuti, since it is that which brings about protection.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.54.66)

भासनाद्भर्त्सनाद्भस्म पांसुः पांसुत्वदायतः ॥ पापानां क्षारणात्क्षारो बुधेरेवं निरुच्यते

bhāsanādbhartsanādbhasma pāṁsuḥ pāṁsutvadāyataḥ || pāpānāṁ kṣāraṇātkṣāro budherevaṁ nirucyate

By illuminating and by rebuking [evil] it is called bhasma; and because it destroys sins, the wise have also termed it kshara.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.54.67)

गृहीत्वा धारमध्यात्स भस्म प्रेतकरेऽर्पयत् ॥ सोप्यादरात्समादाय भालदेशे न्यवेशयत्

gṛhītvā dhāramadhyātsa bhasma pretakare'rpayat || sopyādarātsamādāya bhāladeśe nyaveśayat

Taking ash from the middle of the stream, he placed it in the ghoul's hand; he too, taking it reverently, applied it to the region of his forehead.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.54.68)

विभूतिधारिणं वीक्ष्य पिशाचं जलदेवताः ॥ जलावगाहनपरं वारयांचक्रिरे न तम्

vibhūtidhāriṇaṁ vīkṣya piśācaṁ jaladevatāḥ || jalāvagāhanaparaṁ vārayāṁcakrire na tam

Beholding that piśāca now bearing the sacred ash, the water-deities did not prevent him from immersing himself in the water.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.54.69)

स्नात्वा पीत्वा स निर्गच्छेद्यावत्तस्माज्जलाशयात् ॥ तावत्पैशाच्यमगमद्दिव्यदेहमवाप च ॥ दिव्यमालांबरधरो दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः ॥ दिव्ययानं समारुह्य वर्त्म प्राप्तोथ पावनम्

snātvā pītvā sa nirgacchedyāvattasmājjalāśayāt || tāvatpaiśācyamagamaddivyadehamavāpa ca || divyamālāṁbaradharo divyagaṁdhānulepanaḥ || divyayānaṁ samāruhya vartma prāptotha pāvanam

Having bathed and drunk, by the time he had emerged from that pool, his ghoulish state had vanished and he had obtained a divine body; wearing divine garlands and raiment, anointed with divine fragrance, mounted upon a divine chariot, he attained the sacred path.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.54.70)

गच्छता तेन गगने स तपस्वी नमस्कृतः ॥ प्रोच्चैः प्रोवाच भगवन्मोचितोस्मि त्वयानघ

gacchatā tena gagane sa tapasvī namaskṛtaḥ || proccaiḥ provāca bhagavanmocitosmi tvayānagha

As he went through the sky, that celestial being bowed to the ascetic and cried aloud: 'O sinless Lord, by you have I been set free!'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.54.71)

तस्मात्कदर्ययोनित्वादतीव परिनिंदितात् ॥ अस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्याद्दिव्यदेहमवाप्तवान्

tasmātkadaryayonitvādatīva pariniṁditāt || asya tīrthasya māhātmyāddivyadehamavāptavān

'From that most despised, base state of existence, by the greatness of this very tirtha alone have I obtained this divine body.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.54.72)

पिशाचमोचनं तीर्थमद्यारभ्य समाख्यया ॥ अन्येषामपि पैशाच्यमिदं स्नानाद्धरिष्यति

piśācamocanaṁ tīrthamadyārabhya samākhyayā || anyeṣāmapi paiśācyamidaṁ snānāddhariṣyati

From this day forth this tirtha shall be named Pishachamochana; it shall remove the ghoul-nature of others too through mere bathing.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.54.73)

अस्मिंस्तीर्थे महापुण्ये ये स्नास्यंतीह मानवाः ॥ पिंडांश्च निर्वपिष्यंति संध्यातर्पणपूर्वकम्

asmiṁstīrthe mahāpuṇye ye snāsyaṁtīha mānavāḥ || piṁḍāṁśca nirvapiṣyaṁti saṁdhyātarpaṇapūrvakam

Whatever men shall bathe here at this most meritorious tirtha, and, preceded by the twilight rite and water-offering, perform the offering of pindas—

Verse 74 (skanda.4.54.74)

दैवात्पैशाच्यमापन्नास्तेषां पितृपितामहाः ॥ तेपि पैशाच्यमुत्सृज्य यास्यंति परमां गतिम्

daivātpaiśācyamāpannāsteṣāṁ pitṛpitāmahāḥ || tepi paiśācyamutsṛjya yāsyaṁti paramāṁ gatim

—their fathers and grandfathers, who by fate have attained the state of ghouls, shall also, forsaking that ghoulish state, attain the supreme goal.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.54.75)

अद्यशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां मार्गेमासि तपोनिधे ॥ अत्र स्नानादिकं कार्यं पैशाच्यपरिमोचनम

adyaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ mārgemāsi taponidhe || atra snānādikaṁ kāryaṁ paiśācyaparimocanama

O treasury of austerity, this bathing and the like performed here today, on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, is that which delivers from the state of ghoulhood.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.54.76)

इमां सांवत्सरीं यात्रां ये करिष्यंति मानवाः ॥ तीर्थप्रतिग्रहात्पापान्निःसरिष्यंति ते नराः

imāṁ sāṁvatsarīṁ yātrāṁ ye kariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || tīrthapratigrahātpāpānniḥsariṣyaṁti te narāḥ

Those men who shall undertake this annual pilgrimage-observance shall be freed even from the sin of gifts wrongly received at sacred fords.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.54.77)

पिशाचमोचने स्नात्वा कपर्दीशं समर्च्य च ॥ कृत्वा तत्रान्नदानं च नरोन्यत्रापि निर्भयाः

piśācamocane snātvā kapardīśaṁ samarcya ca || kṛtvā tatrānnadānaṁ ca naronyatrāpi nirbhayāḥ

Bathing at Pishachamochana, worshipping Kapardisha, and giving food there, men become fearless even elsewhere.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.54.78)

मार्गशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां कपर्दीश्वर संनिधौ ॥ स्नात्वान्यत्रापि मरणान्न पैशाच्यमवाप्नुयुः

mārgaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ kapardīśvara saṁnidhau || snātvānyatrāpi maraṇānna paiśācyamavāpnuyuḥ

Those who bathe near Kapardishvara on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha never attain the state of ghoulhood, even should they die elsewhere.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.54.79)

इत्युक्त्वा दिव्यपुरुषो भूयोभूयो नमस्य तम् ॥ तपोधनं महाभागो दिव्यां गतिमवाप्तवान्

ityuktvā divyapuruṣo bhūyobhūyo namasya tam || tapodhanaṁ mahābhāgo divyāṁ gatimavāptavān

Having said this, that celestial being, bowing again and again to the most blessed ascetic, attained the divine state.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.54.80)

तपोधनोपि तं दृष्ट्वा महाश्चर्यं घटोद्भव ॥ कपर्दीश्वरमाराध्य कालान्निर्वाणमाप्तवान्

tapodhanopi taṁ dṛṣṭvā mahāścaryaṁ ghaṭodbhava || kapardīśvaramārādhya kālānnirvāṇamāptavān

That ascetic too, O jar-born one, beholding this great wonder, worshipping Kapardishvara, in the course of time attained liberation.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.54.81)

पिशाचमोचनं तीर्थं तदारभ्य महामुने ॥ वाराणस्यां परां ख्यातिमगमत्सर्वपापहृत्

piśācamocanaṁ tīrthaṁ tadārabhya mahāmune || vārāṇasyāṁ parāṁ khyātimagamatsarvapāpahṛt

From that time onward, O great sage, that tirtha named Pishachamochana, destroyer of all sin, attained supreme renown in Varanasi.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.54.82)

पैशाचमोचने तीर्थे संभोज्य शिवयोगिनम् ॥ कोटिभोज्यफलं सम्यगेकैक परिसंख्यया ॥ श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं नरो नियतमानसः ॥ भूतैः प्रेतैः पिशाचैश्च कदाचिन्नाभिभूयते

paiśācamocane tīrthe saṁbhojya śivayoginam || koṭibhojyaphalaṁ samyagekaika parisaṁkhyayā || śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ naro niyatamānasaḥ || bhūtaiḥ pretaiḥ piśācaiśca kadācinnābhibhūyate

Feeding a single Shiva-yogi at the tirtha of Pishachamochana yields, so it is reckoned, a hundredfold-millionfold fruit for each such feeding. The self-controlled man who hears this meritorious chapter is never overcome by ghosts, ghouls, or spirits.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.54.83)

बालग्रहाभिभूतानां बालानां शांतिकारकम् ॥ पठनीयं प्रयत्नेन महाख्यानमिदं परम्

bālagrahābhibhūtānāṁ bālānāṁ śāṁtikārakam || paṭhanīyaṁ prayatnena mahākhyānamidaṁ param

For the pacification of children afflicted by childhood-seizing spirits, this supreme great tale should be recited with diligence.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.54.84)

इदमाख्यानमाकर्ण्य गच्छन्देशांतरं नरः ॥ चोरव्याघ्रपिशाचाद्यैर्नाभिभूयेत कुत्रचित्

idamākhyānamākarṇya gacchandeśāṁtaraṁ naraḥ || coravyāghrapiśācādyairnābhibhūyeta kutracit

A man who, having heard this tale, journeys to another land is never anywhere overcome by thieves, tigers, ghouls, and the like.