Shiva's Grand Entry into Kashi and the Kapila Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.4.62.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ श्रुत्वा स्कंद न तृप्तोस्मि तव वक्त्रेरितां कथाम् ॥ अत्याश्चर्यकरं प्रोक्तमाख्यानं बैंदुमाधवम्

||agastya uvāca|| śrutvā skaṁda na tṛptosmi tava vaktreritāṁ kathām || atyāścaryakaraṁ proktamākhyānaṁ baiṁdumādhavam

Agastya said: "O Skanda, hearing the tale told from your mouth, I am not satisfied - the account of Bindu-Madhava that you have told is most wondrous."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.62.2)

इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि देवदेवसमागमम् ॥ तार्क्ष्यात्त्र्यक्षः समाकर्ण्य दिवोदासस्य चेष्टितम्

idānīṁ śrotumicchāmi devadevasamāgamam || tārkṣyāttryakṣaḥ samākarṇya divodāsasya ceṣṭitam

"Now I wish to hear of the meeting of the God of Gods - how the Three-Eyed One, having heard from Tarkshya of Divodasa's conduct..."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.62.3)

विष्णुमायाप्रपंचं च किमाह गरुडध्वजम् ॥ के के च शंभुना सार्धं समीयुर्मंदराद्गिरेः

viṣṇumāyāprapaṁcaṁ ca kimāha garuḍadhvajam || ke ke ca śaṁbhunā sārdhaṁ samīyurmaṁdarādgireḥ

"-and of Vishnu's magical display, what did he say to the Garuda-bannered one? And who all came together with Shambhu from Mount Mandara?"

Verse 4 (skanda.4.62.4)

ब्रह्मणेशः कथं दृष्टस्त्रपाकुलित चक्षुषा ॥ किमाह देव ब्रह्माणं किमुक्तं भास्वतापि च

brahmaṇeśaḥ kathaṁ dṛṣṭastrapākulita cakṣuṣā || kimāha deva brahmāṇaṁ kimuktaṁ bhāsvatāpi ca

"How did the Lord look upon Brahma with eyes troubled by shame? What did the god say to Brahma, and what was said by the sun as well?"

Verse 5 (skanda.4.62.5)

योगिनीभिः किमाख्यायि गणाह्रीणाः किमब्रुवन् ॥ एतदाख्याहि मे स्कंद महत्कौतूहलं मयि

yoginībhiḥ kimākhyāyi gaṇāhrīṇāḥ kimabruvan || etadākhyāhi me skaṁda mahatkautūhalaṁ mayi

"What was declared by the Yoginis, and what did the shame-faced ganas say? Tell me all this, O Skanda - I have great curiosity."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.62.6)

इमं प्रश्नं निशम्यैशिर्मुनेः कलशजन्मनः ॥ प्रत्युवाच नमस्कृत्य शिवौ प्रणतसिद्धिदौ

imaṁ praśnaṁ niśamyaiśirmuneḥ kalaśajanmanaḥ || pratyuvāca namaskṛtya śivau praṇatasiddhidau

Hearing this question of the jar-born sage, the son of Ishvara, having bowed to the divine couple, givers of accomplishment to those who bow, replied.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.62.7)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ मुने शृणु कथामेतां सर्वपातकनाशिनीम् ॥ अशेषविघ्नशमनीं महाश्रेयोभिवर्धिनीम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| mune śṛṇu kathāmetāṁ sarvapātakanāśinīm || aśeṣavighnaśamanīṁ mahāśreyobhivardhinīm

Skanda said: "O sage, listen to this tale, destroyer of every sin, queller of all obstacles, increaser of great good fortune."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.62.8)

अथ देवोऽसुररिपुः श्रुत्वा शंभुसमागमम् ॥ द्विजराजाय स मुदा समदात्पारितोषिकम्

atha devo'suraripuḥ śrutvā śaṁbhusamāgamam || dvijarājāya sa mudā samadātpāritoṣikam

Then the god, enemy of the demons, having heard of Shambhu's approach, joyfully gave a reward to the king of Brahmins [the moon].

Verse 9 (skanda.4.62.9)

आयानं शंसते शंभोरुपवाराणसिप्रियम् ॥ ब्रह्माणमग्रतः कृत्वा ततश्चाभ्युद्ययौ हरिः

āyānaṁ śaṁsate śaṁbhorupavārāṇasipriyam || brahmāṇamagrataḥ kṛtvā tataścābhyudyayau hariḥ

-to the moon, who announced the beloved approach of Shambhu toward Varanasi. Then, placing Brahma in front, Hari set out.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.62.10)

विवस्वता समेतश्च तैर्गणैः परितो वृतः ॥ योगिनीभिरनूद्यातो गणेशमुपसंस्थितः

vivasvatā sametaśca tairgaṇaiḥ parito vṛtaḥ || yoginībhiranūdyāto gaṇeśamupasaṁsthitaḥ

Accompanied by the Sun, surrounded on all sides by those hosts, followed by the Yoginis, he approached the Lord of the Ganas.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.62.11)

अथनेत्रातिथीकृत्य देवदेवं वृषध्वजम् ॥ मंक्षु तार्क्ष्यादवारुह्य प्रणनाम श्रियः पतिः

athanetrātithīkṛtya devadevaṁ vṛṣadhvajam || maṁkṣu tārkṣyādavāruhya praṇanāma śriyaḥ patiḥ

Then, having made the Bull-Bannered God of Gods a guest of his eyes, the Lord of Shri quickly descended from Garuda and bowed.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.62.12)

पितामहोपि स्थविरो भृशं नम्रशिरोधरः ॥ प्रणतेन मृडेनैव प्रणमन्विनिवारितः

pitāmahopi sthaviro bhṛśaṁ namraśirodharaḥ || praṇatena mṛḍenaiva praṇamanvinivāritaḥ

The Grandsire too, though elderly, his neck deeply bowed, was about to prostrate himself, but was restrained by Mrida himself, who had already bowed to him first.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.62.13)

स्वस्त्यभ्युदितपाणिश्च रुद्रसूक्तैरमंत्रयत् ॥ अक्षतान्यथ सार्द्राणि दर्शयन्सफलान्यजः

svastyabhyuditapāṇiśca rudrasūktairamaṁtrayat || akṣatānyatha sārdrāṇi darśayansaphalānyajaḥ

And Aja, his hand raised in blessing, recited the Rudra hymns, showing moist, whole grains of rice together with fruits.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.62.14)

मौलिं पादाब्जयोः कृत्वा गणेशः सत्वरो नतः ॥ मूर्ध्न्युपाजिघ्रयांचक्रे हरो हर्षाद्गजाननम्

mauliṁ pādābjayoḥ kṛtvā gaṇeśaḥ satvaro nataḥ || mūrdhnyupājighrayāṁcakre haro harṣādgajānanam

Ganesha, placing his crown at the lotus-feet, bowed swiftly; and Hara, out of joy, smelled the head of the elephant-faced one.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.62.15)

अभ्युपावेशयच्चापि परिष्वज्य निजासने ॥ सोमनंदि प्रभृतयः प्रणेमुर्दंडवद्गणाः

abhyupāveśayaccāpi pariṣvajya nijāsane || somanaṁdi prabhṛtayaḥ praṇemurdaṁḍavadgaṇāḥ

And, embracing him, he seated him upon his own seat; Somanandi and the other ganas bowed prostrate like staves.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.62.16)

योगिन्योपि प्रणम्येशं चक्रुर्मंगलगायनम् ॥ तरणिः प्रणनामाथ प्रमथाधिपतिं हरम्

yoginyopi praṇamyeśaṁ cakrurmaṁgalagāyanam || taraṇiḥ praṇanāmātha pramathādhipatiṁ haram

The Yoginis too, having bowed to the Lord, sang auspicious songs; then the Sun bowed to Hara, the lord of the Pramathas.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.62.17)

खंडेंदुशेखरश्चाथ उपसिंहासनं हरिम् ॥ समुपावेशयद्वामपार्श्वे मानपुरःसरम्

khaṁḍeṁduśekharaścātha upasiṁhāsanaṁ harim || samupāveśayadvāmapārśve mānapuraḥsaram

Then Khandendushekhara seated Hari, honored greatly, upon a seat beside his lion-throne, on his left side.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.62.18)

ब्रह्माणं दक्षिणे भागे परिविश्राणितासनम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा संभाविताः सर्वे शर्वेण प्रणता गणाः

brahmāṇaṁ dakṣiṇe bhāge pariviśrāṇitāsanam || dṛṣṭvā saṁbhāvitāḥ sarve śarveṇa praṇatā gaṇāḥ

And Brahma, on the right side, was given a seat of honor. Seeing this, all the ganas, thus honored, bowed.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.62.19)

मौलिचालनमात्रेण योगिन्योपि प्रसादिताः ॥ संतोषितो रविश्चापि विशेति करसंज्ञया

maulicālanamātreṇa yoginyopi prasāditāḥ || saṁtoṣito raviścāpi viśeti karasaṁjñayā

The Yoginis too were gratified by the mere motion of his crown; and the Sun too was contented, invited to enter with a gesture of the hand.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.62.20)

अथ शंभुं शतधृतिः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः ॥ परिविज्ञापयांचक्रे प्रसन्नवदनांबुजम्

atha śaṁbhuṁ śatadhṛtiḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ || parivijñāpayāṁcakre prasannavadanāṁbujam

Then Shatadhriti, his palms joined, made his petition to Shambhu, whose lotus-face was gracious.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.62.21)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ भगवन्देवदेवेश क्षंतव्यं गिरिजापते ॥ वाराणसीं समासाद्य यदहं नागतः पुनः

||brahmovāca|| bhagavandevadeveśa kṣaṁtavyaṁ girijāpate || vārāṇasīṁ samāsādya yadahaṁ nāgataḥ punaḥ

Brahma said: "O Lord, Master of the Gods of Gods, Lord of Girija, forgive me that, having once reached Varanasi, I did not come again."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.62.22)

प्रसंगतोपि कः काशीं प्राप्य चंद्रविभूषण ॥ किंचिद्विधातुं शक्तोपि त्यजेत्स्थविरतां दधत्

prasaṁgatopi kaḥ kāśīṁ prāpya caṁdravibhūṣaṇa || kiṁcidvidhātuṁ śaktopi tyajetsthaviratāṁ dadhat

"O Moon-adorned one, who, even by chance reaching Kashi, though capable of accomplishing something there, would abandon it while bearing old age?"

Verse 23 (skanda.4.62.23)

स्वरूपतो ब्राह्मणत्वादपाकर्तुं न शक्यते ॥ अथ शक्तो व्यपाकर्तुं कः पुण्ये संचिकीर्षति

svarūpato brāhmaṇatvādapākartuṁ na śakyate || atha śakto vyapākartuṁ kaḥ puṇye saṁcikīrṣati

"By my very nature as Brahman-hood, duty cannot be shirked; but if one is able to shirk it, who would wish to withdraw from a virtuous act?"

Verse 24 (skanda.4.62.24)

विभोरपि समाज्ञेयं धर्मवर्त्मानुसारिणि ॥ न किंचिदपकर्तव्यं जानता केनचित्क्वचित

vibhorapi samājñeyaṁ dharmavartmānusāriṇi || na kiṁcidapakartavyaṁ jānatā kenacitkvacita

"Even for the mighty, it is to be understood: toward one who follows the path of dharma, nothing at all should be done amiss by anyone who knows this, ever."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.62.25)

कस्तादृशि महीजानौ पुण्यवर्त्मन्यतंद्रिते ॥ काशीपाले दिवोदासे मनागपि विरुद्धधीः

kastādṛśi mahījānau puṇyavartmanyataṁdrite || kāśīpāle divodāse manāgapi viruddhadhīḥ

"Who could hold even the slightest hostile thought toward such a protector of the earth, tireless on the path of virtue, Divodasa, guardian of Kashi?"

Verse 26 (skanda.4.62.26)

निशम्येति वचस्तुष्टः श्रीकंठोति विशुद्धधीः ॥ हसन्प्रोवाच धातारं ब्रह्मन्सर्वमवैम्यहम्

niśamyeti vacastuṣṭaḥ śrīkaṁṭhoti viśuddhadhīḥ || hasanprovāca dhātāraṁ brahmansarvamavaimyaham

Hearing this speech, Shrikantha, satisfied, of utterly pure mind, laughing, said to the Creator: "O Brahma, I know everything."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.62.27)

॥देवदेव उवाच॥ आदौ तावददोषं हि ब्रह्मत्वं ब्राह्मणस्य ते ॥ वाजिमेधाध्वराणां च ततोपि दशकं कृतम्

||devadeva uvāca|| ādau tāvadadoṣaṁ hi brahmatvaṁ brāhmaṇasya te || vājimedhādhvarāṇāṁ ca tatopi daśakaṁ kṛtam

The God of Gods said: "First of all, your Brahmin-hood as a Brahmin is indeed faultless; and beyond that, you performed ten horse-sacrifices."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.62.28)

ततोपि विहितं ब्रह्मन्भवता परमं हितम् ॥ अपराधसहस्राणि यल्लिंगं स्थापितं मम

tatopi vihitaṁ brahmanbhavatā paramaṁ hitam || aparādhasahasrāṇi yalliṁgaṁ sthāpitaṁ mama

"And beyond even that, O Brahma, you performed the supreme benefit - that you established a linga of mine, which alone atones for a thousand offenses."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.62.29)

येनैकमपि मे लिंगं स्थापितं यत्र कुत्रचित् ॥ तस्यापराधलेशोपि नास्ति सर्वापराधिनः

yenaikamapi me liṁgaṁ sthāpitaṁ yatra kutracit || tasyāparādhaleśopi nāsti sarvāparādhinaḥ

"By whomever even a single linga of mine has been established, anywhere at all - for that person, though guilty of every offense, not even the slightest trace of fault remains."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.62.30)

अपराधसहस्रेपि ब्राह्मणं योपराध्नुयात् ॥ दिनैः कतिपयैरेव तस्यैश्वर्यं विनश्यति

aparādhasahasrepi brāhmaṇaṁ yoparādhnuyāt || dinaiḥ katipayaireva tasyaiśvaryaṁ vinaśyati

"But whoever offends a Brahmin, even amid a thousand other virtues - within just a few days, his prosperity is destroyed."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.62.31)

इति ब्रुवति देवेशेप्यंतरुच्छ्वसितं गणैः ॥ समातृभिः समंताच्च विलोक्यास्यं परस्परम्

iti bruvati deveśepyaṁtarucchvasitaṁ gaṇaiḥ || samātṛbhiḥ samaṁtācca vilokyāsyaṁ parasparam

As the Lord of the Gods spoke thus, the ganas, together with the Mother-goddesses, breathed an inward sigh of relief on all sides, glancing at each other's faces.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.62.32)

अर्कोप्यवसरं ज्ञात्वा नत्वा शंभुं व्यजिज्ञपत् ॥ प्रसन्नास्यमुमाकांतं दृष्ट्वा दृष्टचराचरः

arkopyavasaraṁ jñātvā natvā śaṁbhuṁ vyajijñapat || prasannāsyamumākāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭacarācaraḥ

The Sun too, knowing the occasion, having seen the gracious face of Shambhu, he who beholds all that moves and moves not, bowed and made his petition.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.62.33)

॥अर्क उवाच॥ नाथ काशीमितो गत्वा यथाशक्ति कृतोपधिः ॥ अकिंचित्करतां प्राप्तः सहस्रकरवानपि

||arka uvāca|| nātha kāśīmito gatvā yathāśakti kṛtopadhiḥ || akiṁcitkaratāṁ prāptaḥ sahasrakaravānapi

The Sun said: "O Lord, having gone from here to Kashi, having offered worship according to my ability, I, though possessing a thousand rays, became one of no capacity there."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.62.34)

स्वधर्मपालके तस्मिन्दिवोदासे धरापतौ ॥ निश्चितागमनं ज्ञात्वा देवस्याहमिह स्थितः

svadharmapālake tasmindivodāse dharāpatau || niścitāgamanaṁ jñātvā devasyāhamiha sthitaḥ

"Knowing of your certain arrival, O God, while that upholder of his own dharma, Divodasa, lord of the earth, ruled there - I have remained here."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.62.35)

प्रतीक्षमाणो देवेश त्वदामनमुत्तमम् ॥ विभज्य बहुधात्मानं त्वदाराधनतत्परः

pratīkṣamāṇo deveśa tvadāmanamuttamam || vibhajya bahudhātmānaṁ tvadārādhanatatparaḥ

"O Lord of Gods, awaiting your supreme arrival, having divided myself into many forms, devoted to your worship..."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.62.36)

मनोरथद्रुमश्चाद्य फलितः श्रीमदीक्षशात् ॥ किंचिद्भक्तिलवांभोभिः सिक्तो ध्यानेन पुष्पितः

manorathadrumaścādya phalitaḥ śrīmadīkṣaśāt || kiṁcidbhaktilavāṁbhobhiḥ sikto dhyānena puṣpitaḥ

"...today the tree of my desire has borne fruit through your glorious glance; watered by a little devotion, and blossomed through meditation."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.62.37)

इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य रवेर्वैरविलोचनः ॥ प्रोवाच देवदेवेशो नापराध्यसि भास्कर

ityudīritamākarṇya ravervairavilocanaḥ || provāca devadeveśo nāparādhyasi bhāskara

Having heard this spoken by the Sun, the Enemy-Eyed One, Lord of the Gods of Gods, said: "You are not at fault, O Bhaskara."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.62.38)

ममैव कार्यं विह्तिं त्वं यदत्र व्यवस्थितः ॥ यस्यां सुरप्रवेशो न तस्मिन्राजनि शासति

mamaiva kāryaṁ vihtiṁ tvaṁ yadatra vyavasthitaḥ || yasyāṁ surapraveśo na tasminrājani śāsati

"You accomplished my own purpose, in that you remained here, while gods could not enter the city under that king's rule."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.62.39)

इति सूरं समाश्वास्य देवदेव कृपानिधिः ॥ गणानाश्वासयामास व्रीडा नम्रशिरोधरान्

iti sūraṁ samāśvāsya devadeva kṛpānidhiḥ || gaṇānāśvāsayāmāsa vrīḍā namraśirodharān

Having thus consoled the Sun, the God of Gods, treasury of compassion, then consoled the ganas, whose necks were bowed in shame.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.62.40)

योगिन्योपि सुदृष्ट्वाथ शंभुना संप्रसादिताः ॥ त्रपाभरसमाक्रांत कंधरा इव सं गताः

yoginyopi sudṛṣṭvātha śaṁbhunā saṁprasāditāḥ || trapābharasamākrāṁta kaṁdharā iva saṁ gatāḥ

The Yoginis too, well regarded and thus gratified by Shambhu, their necks bowed under the weight of embarrassment, drew near together.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.62.41)

ततो व्यापारयांचक्रे त्र्यक्षो नेत्राणि चक्रिणि ॥ हरिर्न किंचिदप्यूचे सर्वज्ञाग्रे महामनाः

tato vyāpārayāṁcakre tryakṣo netrāṇi cakriṇi || harirna kiṁcidapyūce sarvajñāgre mahāmanāḥ

Then the Three-Eyed One turned his eyes upon the discus-bearer; and Hari, of great mind, said nothing at all before the all-knowing one.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.62.42)

ईशोपि श्रुतवृत्तांतस्तार्क्ष्याद्गणप शार्ङ्गिणोः ॥ मनसैव प्रसन्नोभून्न किंचित्पर्यभाषत

īśopi śrutavṛttāṁtastārkṣyādgaṇapa śārṅgiṇoḥ || manasaiva prasannobhūnna kiṁcitparyabhāṣata

And the Lord, having already heard the account from Tarkshya of the deeds of Ganesha and the bow-wielder, was pleased in his mind alone and said nothing further.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.62.43)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ता गोलोकात्पंच धेनवः ॥ सुनंदा सुमनाश्चापि सुशीला सुरभिस्तथा

etasminnaṁtare prāptā golokātpaṁca dhenavaḥ || sunaṁdā sumanāścāpi suśīlā surabhistathā

Meanwhile, five cows arrived from Goloka - Sunanda, Sumana, and also Sushila, and Surabhi as well...

Verse 44 (skanda.4.62.44)

पंचमी कपिला चापि सर्वाघौघविघट्टिनी ॥ वात्सल्यदृष्ट्या भर्गस्य तासामूधांसि सुस्रुवुः

paṁcamī kapilā cāpi sarvāghaughavighaṭṭinī || vātsalyadṛṣṭyā bhargasya tāsāmūdhāṁsi susruvuḥ

...and the fifth, Kapila too, destroyer of every mass of sin; out of maternal affection for Bhargas, their udders began to flow.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.62.45)

ववर्षुः पयसां पूरैस्तदूधांसि पयोधराः ॥ धारासारैरविच्छिन्नैस्तावद्यावद्ध्रदोऽभवत्

vavarṣuḥ payasāṁ pūraistadūdhāṁsi payodharāḥ || dhārāsārairavicchinnaistāvadyāvaddhrado'bhavat

Those milk-bearing udders rained down floods of milk in unbroken streams, until a lake was formed.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.62.46)

पयःपयोधिरिव स द्वितीयः प्रैक्षि पार्षदैः ॥ देवेश समधिष्ठानात्तत्तीर्थमभवत्परम्

payaḥpayodhiriva sa dvitīyaḥ praikṣi pārṣadaiḥ || deveśa samadhiṣṭhānāttattīrthamabhavatparam

That lake was seen by the attendants like a second Ocean of Milk; and through the Lord of Gods dwelling there, that tirtha became supreme.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.62.47)

कपिला ह्रद इत्याख्यां चक्रे तस्य महेश्वरः ॥ ततो देवाज्ञया सर्वे स्नातास्तत्र दिवौकसः

kapilā hrada ityākhyāṁ cakre tasya maheśvaraḥ || tato devājñayā sarve snātāstatra divaukasaḥ

Maheshvara gave it the name Kapila-hrada; then, by the god's command, all the dwellers of heaven bathed there.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.62.48)

आविरासुस्ततस्तीर्थादथ दिव्यपितामहाः ॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा ते सुराः सर्वे तर्पयांचक्रिरे मुदा

āvirāsustatastīrthādatha divyapitāmahāḥ || tāndṛṣṭvā te surāḥ sarve tarpayāṁcakrire mudā

Then, from that tirtha, the divine forefathers appeared; seeing them, all those gods joyfully offered them libations.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.62.49)

अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषद आज्यपाः सोमपास्तथा ॥ इत्याद्या दिव्यपितरस्तृप्ताः शंभुं व्यजिज्ञपन्

agniṣvāttā barhiṣada ājyapāḥ somapāstathā || ityādyā divyapitarastṛptāḥ śaṁbhuṁ vyajijñapan

The Agnishvattas, Barhishads, Ajyapas, and Somapas - these divine ancestors, now satisfied, made their petition to Shambhu.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.62.50)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ भक्तानामभयप्रद ॥ अस्मिंस्तीर्थे त्वदभ्याशाज्जाता नस्तृप्तिरक्षया

devadeva jagannātha bhaktānāmabhayaprada || asmiṁstīrthe tvadabhyāśājjātā nastṛptirakṣayā

"O God of Gods, Lord of the World, giver of fearlessness to devotees - at this tirtha, through your nearness, our imperishable satisfaction has arisen."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.62.51)

तस्माच्छंभो वरं देहि प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना ॥ इति दिव्यपितॄणां स श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वृषध्वजः

tasmācchaṁbho varaṁ dehi prasannenāṁtarātmanā || iti divyapitṝṇāṁ sa śrutvā vākyaṁ vṛṣadhvajaḥ

"Therefore, O Shambhu, with a gracious inner soul, grant us a boon." Having heard these words of the divine ancestors, the Bull-Bannered One...

Verse 52 (skanda.4.62.52)

शृण्वतां सर्वदेवानामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ शर्वः सर्वपितॄणां वै परतृप्तिकरं परम्

śṛṇvatāṁ sarvadevānāmidaṁ vacanamabravīt || śarvaḥ sarvapitṝṇāṁ vai paratṛptikaraṁ param

...spoke this word, while all the gods listened: Sharva, the supreme bringer of the highest satisfaction for all the ancestors.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.62.53)

॥श्रीदेवदेव उवाच॥ शृणु विष्णो महाबाहो शृणु त्वं च पि तामह ॥ एतस्मिन्कापिले तीर्थे कापिलेय पयोभृते

||śrīdevadeva uvāca|| śṛṇu viṣṇo mahābāho śṛṇu tvaṁ ca pi tāmaha || etasminkāpile tīrthe kāpileya payobhṛte

Shri Devadeva said: "Listen, O Vishnu, mighty-armed one; listen, O Grandsire, too. At this Kapila tirtha, filled with the milk of Kapila's line..."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.62.54)

ये पिंडान्निर्वपिष्यंति श्रद्धया श्राद्धदानतः ॥ तेषां पितॄणां संतृप्तिर्भविष्यति ममाज्ञया

ye piṁḍānnirvapiṣyaṁti śraddhayā śrāddhadānataḥ || teṣāṁ pitṝṇāṁ saṁtṛptirbhaviṣyati mamājñayā

"...those who shall offer rice-balls there with faith, through the gift of the ancestral rite - their ancestors' satisfaction shall come about, by my command."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.62.55)

अन्यं विशेषं वक्ष्यामि महातृप्तिकरं परम् ॥ कुहूसोमसमायोगे दत्तं श्राद्धमिहाक्षयम्

anyaṁ viśeṣaṁ vakṣyāmi mahātṛptikaraṁ param || kuhūsomasamāyoge dattaṁ śrāddhamihākṣayam

"I shall tell another special thing, a supreme bringer of great satisfaction: the ancestral rite given here, at the conjunction of the new moon and the moon's presence, is imperishable."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.62.56)

संवर्तकाले संप्राप्ते जलराशिर्जलान्यपि ॥ क्षीयंते न क्षयत्यत्र श्राद्धं सोमकुहू कृतम्

saṁvartakāle saṁprāpte jalarāśirjalānyapi || kṣīyaṁte na kṣayatyatra śrāddhaṁ somakuhū kṛtam

"Even when the time of universal dissolution arrives, and the mass of waters itself diminishes - the ancestral rite performed here at the new-moon-with-moon conjunction does not diminish."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.62.57)

अमासोमसमायोगे श्राद्धं यद्यत्र लभ्यते ॥ तीर्थे कापिलधारेस्मिन्गयया पुष्करेण किम्

amāsomasamāyoge śrāddhaṁ yadyatra labhyate || tīrthe kāpiladhāresmingayayā puṣkareṇa kim

"Whatever merit is obtained from the ancestral rite performed here at the new-moon conjunction, at this tirtha of the Kapila-stream - what need is there of Gaya or Pushkara?"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.62.58)

गदाधरभवान्यत्र यत्र त्वं च पितामह ॥ वृषध्वजोस्म्यहं यत्र फल्गुस्तत्र न संशयः

gadādharabhavānyatra yatra tvaṁ ca pitāmaha || vṛṣadhvajosmyahaṁ yatra phalgustatra na saṁśayaḥ

"Where Gadadhara and Bhavani are, where you too, O Grandsire, are, and where I, the Bull-Bannered One, am - there, without doubt, is the Phalgu itself."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.62.59)

दिव्यांतरिक्षभौमानि यानि तीर्थानि सर्वतः ॥ तान्यत्र निवसिष्यंति दर्शे सोमदिनान्विते

divyāṁtarikṣabhaumāni yāni tīrthāni sarvataḥ || tānyatra nivasiṣyaṁti darśe somadinānvite

"Whatever tirthas there are in the heavens, the sky, and the earth, everywhere - they shall dwell here, on the new-moon day joined with a Monday."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.62.60)

कुरुक्षेत्रे नैमिषे च गंगासागरसंगमे ॥ ग्रहणे श्राद्धतो यत्स्यात्तत्तीर्थे वार्षभध्वजे

kurukṣetre naimiṣe ca gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame || grahaṇe śrāddhato yatsyāttattīrthe vārṣabhadhvaje

"Whatever fruit comes from the ancestral rite performed at Kurukshetra, at Naimisha, at the confluence of Ganga and the ocean, during an eclipse - that same fruit belongs to this tirtha of the Bull-Bannered One."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.62.61)

अस्य तीर्थस्य नामानि यानि दिव्य पितामहाः ॥ तान्यहं कथयिष्यामि भवतां तृप्तिदान्यलम्

asya tīrthasya nāmāni yāni divya pitāmahāḥ || tānyahaṁ kathayiṣyāmi bhavatāṁ tṛptidānyalam

"O divine forefathers, I shall now tell the names of this tirtha, fully capable of giving you satisfaction."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.62.62)

मधुस्रवेति प्रथममेषा पुष्करिणी स्मृता ॥ कृतकृत्या ततो ज्ञेया ततोऽसौ क्षीरनीरधिः

madhusraveti prathamameṣā puṣkariṇī smṛtā || kṛtakṛtyā tato jñeyā tato'sau kṣīranīradhiḥ

"First this pond is remembered as Madhusrava; then it is to be known as Kritakritya; then it is the Ocean of Milk."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.62.63)

वृषभध्वजतीर्थं च तीर्थं पैतामहं ततः ॥ ततो गदाधराख्यं च पितृतीर्थं ततः परम्

vṛṣabhadhvajatīrthaṁ ca tīrthaṁ paitāmahaṁ tataḥ || tato gadādharākhyaṁ ca pitṛtīrthaṁ tataḥ param

"Then it is the Vrishabhadhvaja tirtha; then the Paitamaha tirtha; then it is called the Gadadhara; and beyond that, the Pitri tirtha."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.62.64)

ततः कापिलधारं वै सुधाखनिरियं पुनः ॥ ततः शिवगयाख्यं च ज्ञेयं तीर्थमिदं शुभम्

tataḥ kāpiladhāraṁ vai sudhākhaniriyaṁ punaḥ || tataḥ śivagayākhyaṁ ca jñeyaṁ tīrthamidaṁ śubham

"Then it is the Kapiladhara; again it is this 'Mine of Nectar'; and then this auspicious tirtha is to be known as Shiva-Gaya."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.62.65)

एतानि दश नामानि तीर्थस्यास्य पितामहाः ॥ भवतां तृप्तिकारीणि विनापि श्राद्धतर्पणैः

etāni daśa nāmāni tīrthasyāsya pitāmahāḥ || bhavatāṁ tṛptikārīṇi vināpi śrāddhatarpaṇaiḥ

"O forefathers, these ten names of this tirtha are, for you, bringers of satisfaction even without ancestral rites and libations."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.62.66)

सूर्येंदु संगमे येत्र पितॄणां तृप्तिकामुकाः ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयिष्यंति तेषां श्राद्धमनंतकम्

sūryeṁdu saṁgame yetra pitṝṇāṁ tṛptikāmukāḥ || brāhmaṇānbhojayiṣyaṁti teṣāṁ śrāddhamanaṁtakam

"Those who, desiring the satisfaction of their ancestors, feed Brahmins here at the conjunction of the sun and moon - their ancestral rite becomes without end."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.62.67)

श्राद्धे पितॄणां संतृप्त्यै दास्यंति कपिलां शुभाम् ॥ येत्र तेषां पितृगणो वसेत्क्षीरोदरोधसि

śrāddhe pitṝṇāṁ saṁtṛptyai dāsyaṁti kapilāṁ śubhām || yetra teṣāṁ pitṛgaṇo vasetkṣīrodarodhasi

"Those who, for the satisfaction of their ancestors, give an auspicious Kapila cow at the ancestral rite here - their host of ancestors shall dwell on the shore of the Ocean of Milk."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.62.68)

वृषोत्सर्गः कृतो यैस्तु तीर्थेस्मिन्वार्षभध्वजे ॥ अश्वमेधपुरोडाशैः पितरस्तेन तर्पिताः

vṛṣotsargaḥ kṛto yaistu tīrthesminvārṣabhadhvaje || aśvamedhapuroḍāśaiḥ pitarastena tarpitāḥ

"Those by whom the bull-releasing rite was performed at this tirtha of the Bull-Bannered One - by that, their ancestors are satisfied as if by the sacrificial cakes of an Ashvamedha."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.62.69)

गयातोष्टगुणं पुण्यमस्मिंस्तीर्थे पितामहाः ॥ अमायां सोमयुक्तायां श्राद्धैः कापिलधारिके

gayātoṣṭaguṇaṁ puṇyamasmiṁstīrthe pitāmahāḥ || amāyāṁ somayuktāyāṁ śrāddhaiḥ kāpiladhārike

"O forefathers, at this Kapiladharika tirtha, on the new moon joined with Monday, the merit of ancestral rites is eight times that of Gaya."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.62.70)

येषां गर्भेऽभवत्स्रावो येऽ दंतजननामृताः ॥ तेषां तृप्तिर्भवेन्नूनं तीर्थे कापिलधारिके

yeṣāṁ garbhe'bhavatsrāvo ye' daṁtajananāmṛtāḥ || teṣāṁ tṛptirbhavennūnaṁ tīrthe kāpiladhārike

"Those who died by miscarriage in the womb, or died as infants before teething - their satisfaction certainly comes about at the Kapiladharika tirtha."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.62.71)

अदत्तमौंजीदाना ये ये चादारपरिग्रहाः ॥ तेभ्यो निर्वापितं पिंडमिह ह्यक्षयतां व्रजेत्

adattamauṁjīdānā ye ye cādāraparigrahāḥ || tebhyo nirvāpitaṁ piṁḍamiha hyakṣayatāṁ vrajet

"Those who died without the sacred-thread rite having been given, and those who died before marriage - the rice-ball offered here for them becomes imperishable."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.62.72)

अग्निदाहमृता ये वै नाग्निदाहश्च येषु वै ॥ ते सर्वे तृप्तिमायांति तीर्थे कापिलधारिके

agnidāhamṛtā ye vai nāgnidāhaśca yeṣu vai || te sarve tṛptimāyāṁti tīrthe kāpiladhārike

"Those who died by fire, and those for whom there was no cremation-fire at all - all of them attain satisfaction at the Kapiladharika tirtha."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.62.73)

और्द्ध्वदैहिकहीना ये षोडश श्राद्धवर्जिताः ॥ ते तृप्तिमधिगच्छंति घृतकुल्यां निवापतः

aurddhvadaihikahīnā ye ṣoḍaśa śrāddhavarjitāḥ || te tṛptimadhigacchaṁti ghṛtakulyāṁ nivāpataḥ

"Those lacking the after-death rites, deprived of the sixteen ancestral offerings - they attain satisfaction through an offering made here at what is called the 'Stream of Ghee.'"

Verse 74 (skanda.4.62.74)

अपुत्राश्च मृता ये वै येषां नास्त्युकप्रदः ॥ तेपि तृप्तिं परां यांति मधुस्रवसि तर्पिताः

aputrāśca mṛtā ye vai yeṣāṁ nāstyukapradaḥ || tepi tṛptiṁ parāṁ yāṁti madhusravasi tarpitāḥ

"And those who died sonless, for whom there is none to offer libation - they too attain supreme satisfaction, gratified at Madhusrava."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.62.75)

अपमृत्युमृता ये वै चोरविद्युज्जलादिभिः ॥ तेषामिह कृतं श्राद्धं जायते सुगतिप्रदम्

apamṛtyumṛtā ye vai coravidyujjalādibhiḥ || teṣāmiha kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ jāyate sugatipradam

"Those who died an untimely death - by thieves, lightning, water, and the like - for them, the ancestral rite performed here becomes a bestower of good destiny."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.62.76)

आत्मघातेन निधनं यैषामिहविकमर्णाम् ॥ तेपि तृप्तिं लभंतेत्र पिंडैः शिवगयाकृतैः

ātmaghātena nidhanaṁ yaiṣāmihavikamarṇām || tepi tṛptiṁ labhaṁtetra piṁḍaiḥ śivagayākṛtaiḥ

"Those whose death here came by self-slaughter - they too obtain satisfaction here through rice-balls offered at Shiva-Gaya."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.62.77)

पितृगोत्रे मृता ये वै मातृपक्षे च ये मृताः ॥ तेषामत्र कृतः पिंडो भवेदक्षयतृप्तिदः

pitṛgotre mṛtā ye vai mātṛpakṣe ca ye mṛtāḥ || teṣāmatra kṛtaḥ piṁḍo bhavedakṣayatṛptidaḥ

"Those who died in the paternal lineage, and those who died on the maternal side - the rice-ball offered here for them becomes a giver of imperishable satisfaction."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.62.78)

पत्नीवर्गे मृता ये वै मित्रवर्गे च ये मृताः ॥ ते सर्वे तृप्तिमायांति तर्पिता वार्षभध्वजे

patnīvarge mṛtā ye vai mitravarge ca ye mṛtāḥ || te sarve tṛptimāyāṁti tarpitā vārṣabhadhvaje

"Those who died among one's wife's kin, and those who died among one's friends - all of them attain satisfaction, gratified at the tirtha of the Bull-Bannered One."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.62.79)

ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशां वंशे शूद्रवंशेंऽत्यजेषु च ॥ येषां नामगृहीत्वात्र दीयते ते समुद्धृताः

brahmakṣatraviśāṁ vaṁśe śūdravaṁśeṁ'tyajeṣu ca || yeṣāṁ nāmagṛhītvātra dīyate te samuddhṛtāḥ

"Whoever in the lineage of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, in the lineage of Shudras, or among the outcaste, has an offering given here, their name having been uttered - they are all delivered."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.62.80)

तिर्यग्योनि मृता ये वै ये पिशाचत्वमागताः ॥ तेप्यूर्ध्वगतिमायांति तृप्ताः कापिलधारिके

tiryagyoni mṛtā ye vai ye piśācatvamāgatāḥ || tepyūrdhvagatimāyāṁti tṛptāḥ kāpiladhārike

"Those who died in an animal womb, and those who came to the state of ghouls - they too, satisfied at Kapiladharika, attain an upward course."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.62.81)

ये तु मानुषलोकेस्मिन्पितरो मर्त्ययोनयः ॥ ते दिव्ययोनयः स्युर्वै मधुस्रवसि तर्पिताः

ye tu mānuṣalokesminpitaro martyayonayaḥ || te divyayonayaḥ syurvai madhusravasi tarpitāḥ

"Those ancestors who are of mortal birth in this world of men - gratified at Madhusrava, they become of divine birth indeed."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.62.82)

ये दिव्यलोके पितरः पुण्यैर्देवत्वमागताः ॥ ते ब्रह्मलोके गच्छंति तृप्तास्तीर्थे वृषध्वजे

ye divyaloke pitaraḥ puṇyairdevatvamāgatāḥ || te brahmaloke gacchaṁti tṛptāstīrthe vṛṣadhvaje

"Those ancestors in the divine world who have attained godhood through merit - satisfied at the tirtha of the Bull-Bannered One, they go to the world of Brahma."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.62.83)

कृते क्षीरमयं तीर्थं त्रेतायां मधुमत्पुनः ॥ द्वापरे सर्पिषा पूर्णं कलौ जलमयं भवेत्

kṛte kṣīramayaṁ tīrthaṁ tretāyāṁ madhumatpunaḥ || dvāpare sarpiṣā pūrṇaṁ kalau jalamayaṁ bhavet

"In the Krita age, the tirtha is made of milk; in Treta, again, of honey; in Dvapara, full of ghee; in Kali, it becomes made of water."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.62.84)

सीमाबहिर्गतमपि ज्ञेयं तीर्थमिदं शुभम् ॥ मध्ये वाराणसि श्रेष्ठं मम सान्निध्यतो नरैः

sīmābahirgatamapi jñeyaṁ tīrthamidaṁ śubham || madhye vārāṇasi śreṣṭhaṁ mama sānnidhyato naraiḥ

"Though situated beyond the usual boundary, this auspicious tirtha is to be known by men, through my presence, as supreme, right in the midst of Varanasi."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.62.85)

काशीस्थितैर्यतो दर्शि ध्वजो मेषवृषलांछनः ॥ वृषध्वजेन नाम्नातः स्थास्याम्यत्र पितामहाः

kāśīsthitairyato darśi dhvajo meṣavṛṣalāṁchanaḥ || vṛṣadhvajena nāmnātaḥ sthāsyāmyatra pitāmahāḥ

"Since, by those established in Kashi, my banner marked with the ram and the bull is seen here, O forefathers, I shall remain here under the name Vrishabhadhvaja."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.62.86)

पितामहेन सहितो गदाधरसमन्वितः ॥ रविणा पार्षदैः सार्धं तुष्टये वः पितामहाः

pitāmahena sahito gadādharasamanvitaḥ || raviṇā pārṣadaiḥ sārdhaṁ tuṣṭaye vaḥ pitāmahāḥ

"O forefathers, together with the Grandsire, joined with Gadadhara, together with the Sun and my attendants, I shall remain here for your satisfaction."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.62.87)

इति यावद्वरं दत्ते पितृभ्यो वृषभध्वजः ॥ तावन्नदी समागत्य प्रणम्येशं व्यजिज्ञपत्

iti yāvadvaraṁ datte pitṛbhyo vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ || tāvannadī samāgatya praṇamyeśaṁ vyajijñapat

While the Bull-Bannered One was thus granting a boon to the ancestors, a river came and, bowing to the Lord, made her own petition.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.62.88)

॥नंदिकेश्वर उवाच॥ विहितः स्यदनः सज्जस्ततोस्तु विजयोदयः ॥ अष्टौ कंठीरवा यत्र यत्रोक्ष्णामष्टकं शुभम्

||naṁdikeśvara uvāca|| vihitaḥ syadanaḥ sajjastatostu vijayodayaḥ || aṣṭau kaṁṭhīravā yatra yatrokṣṇāmaṣṭakaṁ śubham

Nandikeshvara said: "The chariot has been made ready - may victory now arise! In it are eight lions, and eight auspicious bulls..."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.62.89)

यत्रेभाः परिभांत्यष्टौ यत्राष्टौ जविनो हयाः ॥ मनः संयमनं यत्र कशापाणि व्यवस्थितम्

yatrebhāḥ paribhāṁtyaṣṭau yatrāṣṭau javino hayāḥ || manaḥ saṁyamanaṁ yatra kaśāpāṇi vyavasthitam

"...where eight elephants shine round about, where eight swift horses are; where the mind's own restraint stands as the whip in hand..."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.62.90)

गंगायमुनयोरीषे चक्रे पवनदेवता ॥ सायंप्रातर्मये चक्रे छत्रं द्यौर्मंडलं शुचि

gaṁgāyamunayorīṣe cakre pavanadevatā || sāyaṁprātarmaye cakre chatraṁ dyaurmaṁḍalaṁ śuci

"...Ganga and Yamuna are the two axle-poles; the wind-god is made the wheel; morning and evening together form the parasol; the pure vault of heaven is the wheel-disc..."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.62.91)

तारावलीमयाः कीला आहेया उपनायकाः ॥ श्रुतयो मार्गदर्शिन्यः स्मृतयो रथगुप्तयः

tārāvalīmayāḥ kīlā āheyā upanāyakāḥ || śrutayo mārgadarśinyaḥ smṛtayo rathaguptayaḥ

"...the pins are made of the rows of stars, the serpent-cords are the leading-cords; the Vedas are the path-guides, the Smritis are the guardians of the chariot..."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.62.92)

दक्षिणाधूर्दृढा यत्र मखा यत्राभिरक्षकाः ॥ आसनं प्रणवो यत्र गायत्रीपादपीठभूः

dakṣiṇādhūrdṛḍhā yatra makhā yatrābhirakṣakāḥ || āsanaṁ praṇavo yatra gāyatrīpādapīṭhabhūḥ

"...the sacrifices are the firm right shaft; they are also its protectors; Pranava is the seat, Gayatri is the ground of the footstool..."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.62.93)

सांगा व्याहृतयो यत्र शुभा सोपानवीथिकाः ॥ सूर्याचंद्रमसौ यत्र सततं द्वाररक्षकौ

sāṁgā vyāhṛtayo yatra śubhā sopānavīthikāḥ || sūryācaṁdramasau yatra satataṁ dvārarakṣakau

"...the Vyahritis with their limbs are the auspicious rows of steps; the sun and moon are the ever-present gatekeepers..."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.62.94)

अग्निर्मकरतुंडश्च रथभूः कौमुदीमयी ॥ ध्वजदंडो महामेरुः पताका हस्करप्रभा

agnirmakaratuṁḍaśca rathabhūḥ kaumudīmayī || dhvajadaṁḍo mahāmeruḥ patākā haskaraprabhā

"...Agni, in the form of a crocodile-mouth ornament, the chariot-floor is made of moonlight; the flagstaff is Mahameru, the banner has the splendor of sunlight..."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.62.95)

स्वयं वाग्देवता यत्र चंचच्चामरधारिणी ॥ ॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शैलादिनेति विज्ञप्तो देवदेव उमापतिः

svayaṁ vāgdevatā yatra caṁcaccāmaradhāriṇī || ||skaṁda uvāca|| śailādineti vijñapto devadeva umāpatiḥ

"...and the goddess of speech herself waves the fluttering chowrie." Skanda said: Thus informed by Shailadi, the God of Gods, Lord of Uma...

Verse 96 (skanda.4.62.96)

कृतनीराजनविधिरष्टभिर्देवमातृभिः ॥ पिनाकपाणिरुत्तस्थौ दत्तहस्तोथ शार्ङ्गिणा

kṛtanīrājanavidhiraṣṭabhirdevamātṛbhiḥ || pinākapāṇiruttasthau dattahastotha śārṅgiṇā

...having had the lamp-waving rite performed by the eight Mother-goddesses, the wielder of the Pinaka rose, his hand taken by the bow-wielder.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.62.97)

निनादो दिव्यवाद्यानां रोदसी पर्यपूरयत् ॥ गीतमंगलगीर्भिश्च चारणैरनुवर्धितः

ninādo divyavādyānāṁ rodasī paryapūrayat || gītamaṁgalagīrbhiśca cāraṇairanuvardhitaḥ

The resounding of divine instruments filled heaven and earth, further swelled by the Charanas' auspicious songs.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.62.98)

तेन दिव्यनिनादेन बधिरीकृतदिङ्मुखाः ॥ आहूता इव आजग्मुर्विष्वग्भुवनवासिनः

tena divyaninādena badhirīkṛtadiṅmukhāḥ || āhūtā iva ājagmurviṣvagbhuvanavāsinaḥ

By that divine resounding, the very quarters were deafened; and the dwellers of every world came, as if summoned.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.62.99)

देवाकोट्यस्त्रयस्त्रिंशद्गणाः कोट्ययुतद्वयम् ॥ नवकोट्यस्तु चामुंडा भैरव्यः कोटिसंमिताः

devākoṭyastrayastriṁśadgaṇāḥ koṭyayutadvayam || navakoṭyastu cāmuṁḍā bhairavyaḥ koṭisaṁmitāḥ

Thirty-three crores of gods; twenty lakh twenty thousand ganas; nine crores of Chamundas; a full crore of Bhairavis...

Verse 100 (skanda.4.62.100)

षडाननाः कुमाराश्च मयूरवरवाहनाः ॥ ममानुगाः समायाताः कोटयोष्टौ महाबलाः

ṣaḍānanāḥ kumārāśca mayūravaravāhanāḥ || mamānugāḥ samāyātāḥ koṭayoṣṭau mahābalāḥ

...Six-Faced Kumaras, mounted on their splendid peacock vehicles, my own followers, eight crores of them, mighty and strong...

Verse 101 (skanda.4.62.101)

आययुः कोटयः सप्त स्फुरत्परशुपाणयः ॥ पिचंडिला महावेगा विघ्नविघ्ना गजाननाः

āyayuḥ koṭayaḥ sapta sphuratparaśupāṇayaḥ || picaṁḍilā mahāvegā vighnavighnā gajānanāḥ

...seven crores came, their axes gleaming in their hands, swift-moving Pichandilas, Vighnavighnas, elephant-faced ones...

Verse 102 (skanda.4.62.102)

षडशीतिसहस्राणि मुनयो ब्रह्मवादिनः ॥ तावतोपि समाजग्मुस्तत्रत्ये गृहमेधिनः

ṣaḍaśītisahasrāṇi munayo brahmavādinaḥ || tāvatopi samājagmustatratye gṛhamedhinaḥ

...eighty-six thousand sages, expounders of Brahman; and just as many householders of that place also gathered.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.62.103)

नागानां कोटयस्तिस्रः पातालतलवासिनाम् ॥ दानवानां च दैत्यानां द्वे द्वे कोटी शिवात्मनाम्

nāgānāṁ koṭayastisraḥ pātālatalavāsinām || dānavānāṁ ca daityānāṁ dve dve koṭī śivātmanām

Three crores of serpents, dwellers of the nether world; two crores each of Danavas and Daityas, now of Shiva-devoted souls...

Verse 104 (skanda.4.62.104)

गंधर्वा नियुतान्यष्टौ कोट्यर्धं यक्षरक्षसाम् ॥ विद्याधराणामयुतं नियुतद्वयसंयुतम्

gaṁdharvā niyutānyaṣṭau koṭyardhaṁ yakṣarakṣasām || vidyādharāṇāmayutaṁ niyutadvayasaṁyutam

...eight hundred thousand Gandharvas, half a crore of Yakshas and Rakshasas, twelve thousand Vidyadharas...

Verse 105 (skanda.4.62.105)

तथा षष्टिसहस्राणि दिव्याश्चाप्सरसः शुभाः ॥ गोमातरोऽष्टौ लक्षाणि सुपर्णान्ययुतानि षट्

tathā ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi divyāścāpsarasaḥ śubhāḥ || gomātaro'ṣṭau lakṣāṇi suparṇānyayutāni ṣaṭ

...and sixty thousand auspicious divine Apsaras; eight hundred thousand cow-mothers; sixty thousand Garuda-birds...

Verse 106 (skanda.4.62.106)

सागराः सप्त संप्राप्ता नानारत्नोपदप्रदाः ॥ सरितां च सहस्राणि त्रीणि पंचायुतानि च

sāgarāḥ sapta saṁprāptā nānāratnopadapradāḥ || saritāṁ ca sahasrāṇi trīṇi paṁcāyutāni ca

...the seven oceans arrived, bestowers of manifold jewels; and three million fifty thousand rivers...

Verse 107 (skanda.4.62.107)

गिरयोऽष्टौ सहस्राणि वनस्पतिशतत्रयम् ॥ आजग्मुर्दिग्गजा अष्टौ यत्र देवः पिनाकधृक्

girayo'ṣṭau sahasrāṇi vanaspatiśatatrayam || ājagmurdiggajā aṣṭau yatra devaḥ pinākadhṛk

...eight thousand mountains, three hundred forest-trees, and the eight elephants of the directions arrived, where the god, bearer of the Pinaka, went.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.62.108)

एतैः समेतः संतुष्टः परिष्टुत इतस्ततः ॥ श्रीकंठो रथमारुह्य काशीं प्राविशदुत्तमाम्

etaiḥ sametaḥ saṁtuṣṭaḥ pariṣṭuta itastataḥ || śrīkaṁṭho rathamāruhya kāśīṁ prāviśaduttamām

Together with these, well satisfied, praised on every side, Shrikantha, mounting his chariot, entered the supreme city of Kashi.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.62.109)

स गिरींद्रसुतस्त्र्यक्षो मुदां धाम मुदां खनिः ॥ काशीं प्रैक्षिष्ट संहृष्टस्त्रिविष्टप समुत्कटाम्

sa girīṁdrasutastryakṣo mudāṁ dhāma mudāṁ khaniḥ || kāśīṁ praikṣiṣṭa saṁhṛṣṭastriviṣṭapa samutkaṭām

That Three-Eyed One, the mountain-king's daughter's husband, an abode of joy, a very mine of joy, joyfully beheld Kashi, surpassing heaven itself.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.62.110)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं कोटिजन्माघनाशनम् ॥ पठित्वा पाठयित्वा च शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्

||skaṁda uvāca|| śrutvākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ koṭijanmāghanāśanam || paṭhitvā pāṭhayitvā ca śivasāyujyamāpnuyāt

Skanda said: "Whoever hears this sacred narrative, destroyer of the sins of ten million births, having read it or had it read, attains union with Shiva."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.62.111)

श्राद्धकाले विशेषेण पठनीयं प्रयत्नतः ॥ अक्षयं तद्भवेच्छ्राद्धं पितृतुष्टिकरं परम्

śrāddhakāle viśeṣeṇa paṭhanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ || akṣayaṁ tadbhavecchrāddhaṁ pitṛtuṣṭikaraṁ param

"It should especially be recited with effort at the time of the ancestral rite; that rite then becomes imperishable, supremely satisfying to the ancestors."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.62.112)

वृषभध्वज माहात्म्यं पठित्वा शिवसन्निधौ ॥ प्रत्यहं वर्षमात्रं तु ह्यपुत्रः पुत्रवान्भवेत्

vṛṣabhadhvaja māhātmyaṁ paṭhitvā śivasannidhau || pratyahaṁ varṣamātraṁ tu hyaputraḥ putravānbhavet

"Reciting the glory of Vrishabhadhvaja daily, for a full year, in the presence of Shiva, even a sonless man becomes possessed of a son."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.62.113)

विश्वेशितुः संप्रवेशो यः काश्यां समुदाहृतः ॥ परमानंदकंदस्य बीजमेतत्सुनिश्चितम्

viśveśituḥ saṁpraveśo yaḥ kāśyāṁ samudāhṛtaḥ || paramānaṁdakaṁdasya bījametatsuniścitam

"This entry of Vishveshvara that has been declared in Kashi is certainly the very seed of the root of supreme bliss."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.62.114)

पठित्वैतन्मुदाख्यानं प्रविशेद्यो नवं गृहम् ॥ स सर्वसौख्यनिलयो भवेदेव न संशयः

paṭhitvaitanmudākhyānaṁ praviśedyo navaṁ gṛham || sa sarvasaukhyanilayo bhavedeva na saṁśayaḥ

"Whoever, having read this joyful narrative, enters a new house, certainly becomes the abode of every happiness - there is no doubt of this."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.62.115)

त्रैलोक्यानंदजनकमेतदाख्यानमुत्तमम् ॥ अस्य श्रवणमात्रेण विश्वेशः संप्रसीदति

trailokyānaṁdajanakametadākhyānamuttamam || asya śravaṇamātreṇa viśveśaḥ saṁprasīdati

"This excellent narrative, begetter of joy for the three worlds - by merely hearing it, Vishveshvara becomes well pleased."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.62.116)

अलभ्यलाभो देवस्य जातोत्र हि यतः परः ॥ ततः काशी प्रवेशाख्यं जप्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम्

alabhyalābho devasya jātotra hi yataḥ paraḥ || tataḥ kāśī praveśākhyaṁ japyamākhyānamuttamam

"Since here the god's unattainable attainment of Kashi came to pass, this supreme narrative, called 'The Entry into Kashi,' is to be recited."