The Sage Jaigishavya and the Linga of Jyeshtheshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.63.1)

अगस्त्य उवाच ॥ दृष्ट्वा काशीं दृगानंदां तारकारे पुरारिणा ॥ किमकारि समाचक्ष्व प्राप्तां बहुमनोरथैः

agastya uvāca || dṛṣṭvā kāśīṁ dṛgānaṁdāṁ tārakāre purāriṇā || kimakāri samācakṣva prāptāṁ bahumanorathaiḥ

Agastya said: "Tell me what was done by the destroyer of Tripura, the enemy of Taraka, upon beholding Kashi, delight of the eyes, attained through many desires."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.63.2)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ पतिव्रतापते ऽगस्त्य शृणु वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ॥ मृगांकलक्ष्मणोत्कंठं काशी नेत्रातिथीकृता

||skaṁda uvāca|| pativratāpate 'gastya śṛṇu vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ || mṛgāṁkalakṣmaṇotkaṁṭhaṁ kāśī netrātithīkṛtā

Skanda said: "O Agastya, husband of a devoted wife, listen - I shall tell you fully. Kashi, longed-for like the moon's very mark, was made a guest of his eyes."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.63.3)

अथ सर्वज्ञनाथेन भक्तवत्सलचेतसा ॥ जैगीषव्यो मुनिश्रेष्ठो गुहां तस्थो निरीक्षितः

atha sarvajñanāthena bhaktavatsalacetasā || jaigīṣavyo muniśreṣṭho guhāṁ tastho nirīkṣitaḥ

Then, by the all-knowing Lord, whose heart is loving toward his devotees, Jaigishavya, the foremost of sages, dwelling in a cave, was noticed.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.63.4)

यमनेहसमारभ्य मदंराद्रिं विनिर्ययौ ॥ अद्रींद्र सुतया सार्धं रुद्रेणोक्षेंद्रगामिना

yamanehasamārabhya madaṁrādriṁ viniryayau || adrīṁdra sutayā sārdhaṁ rudreṇokṣeṁdragāminā

From the very day when Rudra, mounted on the lord of bulls, had set out from Mount Mandara together with the mountain-king's daughter...

Verse 5 (skanda.4.63.5)

तं वासरं पुरस्कृत्य जग्राह नियमं दृढम् ॥ जैगीषव्यो महामेधाः कुंभयोने महाकृती

taṁ vāsaraṁ puraskṛtya jagrāha niyamaṁ dṛḍham || jaigīṣavyo mahāmedhāḥ kuṁbhayone mahākṛtī

-O jar-born one, from that very day, the greatly wise, greatly accomplished Jaigishavya undertook a firm vow.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.63.6)

विषमेक्षण पादाब्जं समीक्षिष्ये यदा पुनः ॥ तदांबुविप्रुषमपि भक्षयिष्यामि चेत्यहो

viṣamekṣaṇa pādābjaṁ samīkṣiṣye yadā punaḥ || tadāṁbuvipruṣamapi bhakṣayiṣyāmi cetyaho

"When I shall again behold the lotus-feet of the three-eyed one, only then shall I taste even a drop of water" - ah, so he vowed.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.63.7)

कुतश्चिद्धारणायोगादथवा शंभ्वनुग्रहात ॥ अनश्नन्नपिबन्योगी जैगीषव्यः स्थितो मुने

kutaściddhāraṇāyogādathavā śaṁbhvanugrahāta || anaśnannapibanyogī jaigīṣavyaḥ sthito mune

O sage, whether through some power of yogic concentration, or through Shambhu's own grace, the yogi Jaigishavya remained, neither eating nor drinking.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.63.8)

तं शंभुरेव जानाति नान्यो जानाति कश्चन ॥ अतएव ततः प्राप्तः प्रथमं प्रमथाधिपः

taṁ śaṁbhureva jānāti nānyo jānāti kaścana || ataeva tataḥ prāptaḥ prathamaṁ pramathādhipaḥ

Only Shambhu himself knew of him; no one else knew at all. For this very reason, the lord of the Pramathas came there first.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.63.9)

ज्येष्ठशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां सोमवारानुराधयोः ॥ तत्पर्वणि महायात्रा कर्तव्या तत्र मानवैः

jyeṣṭhaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ somavārānurādhayoḥ || tatparvaṇi mahāyātrā kartavyā tatra mānavaiḥ

On the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, on a Monday, under the Anuradha constellation, on that sacred occasion, men should undertake the great pilgrimage there.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.63.10)

ज्येष्ठस्थानं ततः काश्यां तदाभूदपि पुण्यदम् ॥ तत्र लिंगं समभवत्स्वयं ज्येष्ठेश्वराभिधम्

jyeṣṭhasthānaṁ tataḥ kāśyāṁ tadābhūdapi puṇyadam || tatra liṁgaṁ samabhavatsvayaṁ jyeṣṭheśvarābhidham

Then that place in Kashi, called Jyeshtha-sthana, became merit-giving; there a linga arose of itself, named Jyeshtheshvara.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.63.11)

तल्लिंगदर्शनात्पुंसां पापं जन्मशतार्जितम् ॥ तमोर्कोदयमाप्येव तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

talliṁgadarśanātpuṁsāṁ pāpaṁ janmaśatārjitam || tamorkodayamāpyeva tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

By the sight of that linga, men's sins accumulated over a hundred births are destroyed instantly, just as darkness is destroyed the moment the sun rises.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.63.12)

ज्येष्ठवाप्यां नरः स्नात्वा तर्पयित्वा पितामहान् ॥ ज्येष्ठेश्वरं समालोक्य न भूयो जायते भुवि

jyeṣṭhavāpyāṁ naraḥ snātvā tarpayitvā pitāmahān || jyeṣṭheśvaraṁ samālokya na bhūyo jāyate bhuvi

A man, bathing in Jyeshtha-vapi, offering libations to the forefathers, and beholding Jyeshtheshvara, is not born again on earth.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.63.13)

आविरासीत्स्वयं तत्र ज्येष्ठेश्वर समीपतः ॥ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदा गौरी ज्येष्ठाश्रेष्ठा समंततः

āvirāsītsvayaṁ tatra jyeṣṭheśvara samīpataḥ || sarvasiddhipradā gaurī jyeṣṭhāśreṣṭhā samaṁtataḥ

There, near Jyeshtheshvara, Gauri herself appeared, bestower of every accomplishment, named Jyeshtha, the foremost among all around.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.63.14)

ज्येष्ठे मासि सिताष्टम्यां तत्र कार्यो महोत्सवः ॥ रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं सर्वसंपत्समृद्धये

jyeṣṭhe māsi sitāṣṭamyāṁ tatra kāryo mahotsavaḥ || rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ sarvasaṁpatsamṛddhaye

In the month of Jyeshtha, on the eighth of the bright fortnight, a great festival should be held there; a night-vigil should be kept for the abundance of every prosperity.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.63.15)

ज्येष्ठां गौरीं नमस्कृत्य ज्येष्ठवापी परिप्लुता ॥ सौभाग्यभाजनं भूयाद्योषा सौभाग्यभागपि

jyeṣṭhāṁ gaurīṁ namaskṛtya jyeṣṭhavāpī pariplutā || saubhāgyabhājanaṁ bhūyādyoṣā saubhāgyabhāgapi

A woman who bows to Jyeshtha Gauri and bathes fully in Jyeshtha-vapi becomes a vessel of good fortune, sharing in auspiciousness.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.63.16)

निवासं कृतवाञ्शंभुस्तस्मिन्स्थाने यतः स्वयम् ॥ निवासेश इति ख्यातं लिंगं तत्र परं ततः

nivāsaṁ kṛtavāñśaṁbhustasminsthāne yataḥ svayam || nivāseśa iti khyātaṁ liṁgaṁ tatra paraṁ tataḥ

Since Shambhu himself made his dwelling in that place, a supreme linga there became known by the name Nivasesha.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.63.17)

निवासेश्वरलिंगस्य सेवनात्सर्वसंपदः ॥ निवसंति गृहे नित्यं नित्यं प्रतिपदं पुनः

nivāseśvaraliṁgasya sevanātsarvasaṁpadaḥ || nivasaṁti gṛhe nityaṁ nityaṁ pratipadaṁ punaḥ

Through the service of the Nivasheshvara linga, every prosperity dwells constantly in the home, ever renewed, step by step.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.63.18)

कृत्वा श्राद्धं विधानेन ज्येष्ठस्थाने नरोत्तमः ॥ ज्येष्ठां तृप्तिं ददात्येव पितृभ्यो मधुसर्पिषा

kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ vidhānena jyeṣṭhasthāne narottamaḥ || jyeṣṭhāṁ tṛptiṁ dadātyeva pitṛbhyo madhusarpiṣā

The best of men, having performed the ancestral rite according to rule at Jyeshthasthana, indeed gives supreme satisfaction to his ancestors with honey and ghee.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.63.19)

ज्येष्ठतीर्थे नरः काश्यां दत्त्वा दानानि शक्तितः ॥ ज्येष्ठान्स्वर्गानवाप्नोति नरो मोक्षं च गच्छति

jyeṣṭhatīrthe naraḥ kāśyāṁ dattvā dānāni śaktitaḥ || jyeṣṭhānsvargānavāpnoti naro mokṣaṁ ca gacchati

A man, giving gifts according to his ability at the Jyeshtha tirtha in Kashi, obtains the highest heavens and goes to liberation.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.63.20)

ज्येष्ठेश्वरो र्च्यः प्रथमं काश्यां श्रेयोर्थिभिर्नरैः ॥ ज्येष्ठागौरी ततोभ्यर्च्या सर्वज्येष्ठमभीप्सुभिः

jyeṣṭheśvaro rcyaḥ prathamaṁ kāśyāṁ śreyorthibhirnaraiḥ || jyeṣṭhāgaurī tatobhyarcyā sarvajyeṣṭhamabhīpsubhiḥ

Jyeshtheshvara should first be worshipped in Kashi by men seeking good fortune; then Jyeshtha Gauri should be worshipped by those desiring supremacy in all things.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.63.21)

अथ नंदिनमाहूय धूर्जटिः स कृपानिधिः ॥ शृण्वतां सर्वदेवानामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

atha naṁdinamāhūya dhūrjaṭiḥ sa kṛpānidhiḥ || śṛṇvatāṁ sarvadevānāmidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Then Dhurjati, that treasury of compassion, having summoned Nandin, spoke this word while all the gods listened.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.63.22)

॥ईश्वर उवाच॥ शैलादे प्रविशाशु त्वं गुहास्त्यत्र मनोहरा ॥ तदंतरेस्ति मे भक्तो जैगीषव्यस्तपोधनः

||īśvara uvāca|| śailāde praviśāśu tvaṁ guhāstyatra manoharā || tadaṁtaresti me bhakto jaigīṣavyastapodhanaḥ

Ishvara said: "O Shailadi, enter quickly - there is a lovely cave here; within it is my devotee Jaigishavya, treasury of austerity."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.63.23)

महानियमवान्नंदिस्त्वगस्थिस्नायु शेषितः ॥ तमिहानय मद्भक्तं मद्दर्शन दृढव्रतम्

mahāniyamavānnaṁdistvagasthisnāyu śeṣitaḥ || tamihānaya madbhaktaṁ maddarśana dṛḍhavratam

"O Nandi, of the great vow, he remains reduced to just skin, bone, and sinew; bring here that devotee of mine, firm in his vow to see me."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.63.24)

यदाप्रभृत्यगां काश्या मंदरं सर्वसुंदरम् ॥ महानियमवानेष तदारभ्योज्झिताशनः

yadāprabhṛtyagāṁ kāśyā maṁdaraṁ sarvasuṁdaram || mahāniyamavāneṣa tadārabhyojjhitāśanaḥ

"Ever since I went from Kashi to the all-beautiful Mandara, this one, of great vow, has from that time abandoned food."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.63.25)

गृहाण लीलाकमलमिदं पीयूषपोषणम् ॥ अनेन तस्य गात्राणि स्पृश सद्यः सुबृंहिणा

gṛhāṇa līlākamalamidaṁ pīyūṣapoṣaṇam || anena tasya gātrāṇi spṛśa sadyaḥ subṛṁhiṇā

"Take this playful lotus, nourished with nectar; with it, touch his limbs, so that they may swiftly be restored to fullness."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.63.26)

ततो नंदी समादाय तल्लीलाकमलं विभोः ॥ प्रणम्य देवदेवेशमाविशद्गह्वरां गुहाम्

tato naṁdī samādāya tallīlākamalaṁ vibhoḥ || praṇamya devadeveśamāviśadgahvarāṁ guhām

Then Nandi, taking that playful lotus of the Lord, bowing to the God of Gods, entered the deep cave.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.63.27)

नंदी दृष्ट्वाथ तं तत्र धारणादृढमानसम् ॥ तपोग्नि परिशुष्कांगं कमलेन समस्पृशत्

naṁdī dṛṣṭvātha taṁ tatra dhāraṇādṛḍhamānasam || tapogni pariśuṣkāṁgaṁ kamalena samaspṛśat

Nandi, beholding him there, his mind fixed firm in concentration, his limbs withered by the fire of austerity, touched him with the lotus.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.63.28)

तपांते वृष्टिसंयोगाच्छालूर इव कोटरे ॥ उल्ललास स योगींद्रः स्पर्शमात्रात्तदब्जजात्

tapāṁte vṛṣṭisaṁyogācchālūra iva koṭare || ullalāsa sa yogīṁdraḥ sparśamātrāttadabjajāt

Like a frog in a tree-hollow at the end of a drought, upon contact with rain, that lord of yogis leapt up at the mere touch of that lotus-born flower.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.63.29)

अथ नंदी समादाय सत्वरं मुनिपुंगवम् ॥ देवदेवस्य पादाग्रे नमस्कृत्य न्यपातयत्

atha naṁdī samādāya satvaraṁ munipuṁgavam || devadevasya pādāgre namaskṛtya nyapātayat

Then Nandi, quickly taking hold of that foremost of sages, bowing, set him down before the feet of the God of Gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.63.30)

जैगीषव्योथ संभ्रांतः पुरतो वीक्ष्य शंकरम् ॥ वामांगसन्निविष्टाद्रितनयं प्रणनाम ह

jaigīṣavyotha saṁbhrāṁtaḥ purato vīkṣya śaṁkaram || vāmāṁgasanniviṣṭādritanayaṁ praṇanāma ha

Jaigishavya then, bewildered, beholding before him Shankara, with the mountain-king's daughter seated on his left side, bowed low.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.63.31)

प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ परिलुठ्य समंततः ॥ तुष्टाव परया भक्त्या स मुनिश्चंद्रशेखरम्

praṇamya daṁḍavadbhūmau pariluṭhya samaṁtataḥ || tuṣṭāva parayā bhaktyā sa muniścaṁdraśekharam

Having bowed prostrate upon the ground, rolling about on every side, that sage praised Chandrashekhara with supreme devotion.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.63.32)

॥जैगीषव्य उवाच॥ नमः शिवाय शांताय सर्वज्ञाय शुभात्मने ॥ जगदानंदकंदाय परमानंदहेतवे

||jaigīṣavya uvāca|| namaḥ śivāya śāṁtāya sarvajñāya śubhātmane || jagadānaṁdakaṁdāya paramānaṁdahetave

Jaigishavya said: "Salutation to Shiva, the peaceful, the all-knowing, of auspicious soul, the root of the world's joy, the cause of supreme bliss."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.63.33)

अरूपाय सरूपाय नानारूपधराय च ॥ विरूपाक्षाय विधये विधिविष्णुस्तुताय च

arūpāya sarūpāya nānārūpadharāya ca || virūpākṣāya vidhaye vidhiviṣṇustutāya ca

"To the formless, to the formed, to the bearer of manifold forms; to Virupaksha, to the ordainer, to him praised by Brahma and Vishnu."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.63.34)

स्थावराय नमस्तुभ्यं जंगमाय नमोस्तुते ॥ सर्वात्मने नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते परमात्मने

sthāvarāya namastubhyaṁ jaṁgamāya namostute || sarvātmane namastubhyaṁ namaste paramātmane

"Salutation to you as the unmoving, salutation to you as the moving; salutation to you, the Self of all, salutation to you, the Supreme Self."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.63.35)

नमस्त्रैलोक्यकाम्याय कामांगदहनाय च ॥ नमो शेषविशेषाय नमः शेषांगदाय ते

namastrailokyakāmyāya kāmāṁgadahanāya ca || namo śeṣaviśeṣāya namaḥ śeṣāṁgadāya te

"Salutation to the one desired by the three worlds, and to the burner of Kama's body; salutation to the essence beyond all remainder, salutation to you whose body is Shesha's ornament."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.63.36)

श्रीकंठाय नमस्तुभ्यं विषकंठाय ते नमः ॥ वैकुंठवंद्यपादाय नमोऽकुंठितशक्तये

śrīkaṁṭhāya namastubhyaṁ viṣakaṁṭhāya te namaḥ || vaikuṁṭhavaṁdyapādāya namo'kuṁṭhitaśaktaye

"Salutation to you, Shrikantha; salutation to you, whose throat holds poison; to him whose feet Vaikuntha venerates; salutation to the one of unblunted power."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.63.37)

नमः शक्त्यर्धदेहाय विदेहाय सुदेहिने ॥ सकृत्प्रणाममात्रेण देहिदेहनिवारिणे

namaḥ śaktyardhadehāya videhāya sudehine || sakṛtpraṇāmamātreṇa dehidehanivāriṇe

"Salutation to him whose body is half Shakti, to the bodiless, to the well-embodied; to him who, by a mere single bow, wards off further embodiment for embodied beings."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.63.38)

कालाय कालकालाय कालकूट विषादिने ॥ व्यालयज्ञोपवीताय व्यालभूषणधारिणे

kālāya kālakālāya kālakūṭa viṣādine || vyālayajñopavītāya vyālabhūṣaṇadhāriṇe

"To Time, to the Time of Time, to the eater of the Kalakuta poison; to him whose sacred thread is a serpent, who bears serpents as ornaments."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.63.39)

नमस्ते खंडपरशो नमः खंडें दुधारिणे ॥ खंडिताशेष दुःखाय खड्गखेटकधारिणे

namaste khaṁḍaparaśo namaḥ khaṁḍeṁ dudhāriṇe || khaṁḍitāśeṣa duḥkhāya khaḍgakheṭakadhāriṇe

"Salutation to you, bearer of the broken axe; salutation to the bearer of the crescent moon; to him who shatters every sorrow, bearer of sword and shield."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.63.40)

गीर्वाणगीतनाथाय गंगाकल्लोलमालिने ॥ गौरीशाय गिरीशाय गिरिशाय गुहारणे

gīrvāṇagītanāthāya gaṁgākallolamāline || gaurīśāya girīśāya giriśāya guhāraṇe

"To the Lord sung by the gods, garlanded with the waves of the Ganga; to the Lord of Gauri, the Lord of the Mountain, dweller of the mountain, delighter in caves."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.63.41)

चंद्रार्धशुद्धभूषाय चंद्रसूर्याग्निचक्षुषे ॥ नमस्ते चर्मवसन नमो दिग्वसनायते

caṁdrārdhaśuddhabhūṣāya caṁdrasūryāgnicakṣuṣe || namaste carmavasana namo digvasanāyate

"To him adorned with the pure crescent moon, whose eyes are the sun, moon, and fire; salutation to you, clad in an animal-hide; salutation to you, clad in the directions."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.63.42)

जगदीशाय जीर्णाय जराजन्महराय ते ॥ जीवायते नमस्तुभ्यं जंजपूकादिहारिणे

jagadīśāya jīrṇāya jarājanmaharāya te || jīvāyate namastubhyaṁ jaṁjapūkādihāriṇe

"To the Lord of the world, to the ancient one, to him who removes old age and birth; salutation to you as Life itself, remover of murmuring gossips and the like."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.63.43)

नमो डमरुहस्ताय धनुर्हस्ताय ते नमः ॥ त्रिनेत्राय नमस्तुभ्यं जगन्नेत्राय ते नमः

namo ḍamaruhastāya dhanurhastāya te namaḥ || trinetrāya namastubhyaṁ jagannetrāya te namaḥ

"Salutation to the one with a drum in hand, salutation to you with a bow in hand; salutation to the three-eyed one, salutation to you, the eye of the world."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.63.44)

त्रिशूलव्यग्रहस्ताय नमस्त्रिपथगाधर ॥ त्रिविष्टपाधिनाथाय त्रिवेदीपठिताय च

triśūlavyagrahastāya namastripathagādhara || triviṣṭapādhināthāya trivedīpaṭhitāya ca

"To him whose hand is busy with the trident, salutation, O bearer of the triple-pathed Ganga; to the Lord of the triple heaven, and to him recited in the three Vedic schools."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.63.45)

त्रयीमयाय तुष्टाय भक्ततुष्टिप्रदाय च ॥ दीक्षिताय नमस्तुभ्यं देवदेवाय ते नमः

trayīmayāya tuṣṭāya bhaktatuṣṭipradāya ca || dīkṣitāya namastubhyaṁ devadevāya te namaḥ

"To him who is made of the three Vedas, the satisfied one, giver of satisfaction to devotees; salutation to the consecrated one, salutation to you, God of Gods."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.63.46)

दारिताशेषपापाय नमस्ते दीर्घदर्शिने ॥ दूराय दुरवाप्याय दोषनिर्दलनाय च

dāritāśeṣapāpāya namaste dīrghadarśine || dūrāya duravāpyāya doṣanirdalanāya ca

"To him who rends apart every sin, salutation to you of far-reaching vision; to the distant one, hard to attain, destroyer of faults."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.63.47)

दोषाकर कलाधार त्यक्तदोषागमाय च ॥ नमो धूर्जटये तुभ्यं धत्तूरकुसुमप्रिय

doṣākara kalādhāra tyaktadoṣāgamāya ca || namo dhūrjaṭaye tubhyaṁ dhattūrakusumapriya

"O bearer of the digit of the night-making moon, to him who has abandoned the scriptures of fault; salutation to you, Dhurjati, lover of the dhattura flower."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.63.48)

नमो धीराय धर्माय धर्मपालाय ते नमः ॥ नीलग्रीव नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते नीललोहित

namo dhīrāya dharmāya dharmapālāya te namaḥ || nīlagrīva namastubhyaṁ namaste nīlalohita

"Salutation to the resolute one, to Dharma itself, salutation to you, protector of dharma; salutation to you, Blue-Necked One; salutation to you, Blue-Red One."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.63.49)

नाममात्रस्मृतिकृतां त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यपूरक ॥ नमः प्रमथनाथाय पिनाकोद्यतपाणये

nāmamātrasmṛtikṛtāṁ trailokyaiśvaryapūraka || namaḥ pramathanāthāya pinākodyatapāṇaye

"O fulfiller of the sovereignty of the three worlds for those who merely remember your name; salutation to the Lord of the Pramathas, his hand raised with the Pinaka."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.63.50)

पशुपाशविमोक्षाय पशूनां पतये नमः ॥ नामोच्चारणमात्रेण महापातकहारिणे

paśupāśavimokṣāya paśūnāṁ pataye namaḥ || nāmoccāraṇamātreṇa mahāpātakahāriṇe

"To the releaser of souls from bondage, salutation to the Lord of souls; to him who removes the greatest sins by the mere utterance of his name."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.63.51)

परात्पराय पाराय परापरपराय च ॥ नमोऽपारचरित्राय सुपवित्रकथाय च

parātparāya pārāya parāparaparāya ca || namo'pāracaritrāya supavitrakathāya ca

"To the one beyond the beyond, to the far shore itself, and to the one beyond both far and near; salutation to him of boundless deeds, and of most purifying story."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.63.52)

वामदेवाय वामार्धधारिणे वृषगामिने ॥ नमो भर्गाय भीमाय नतभीतिहराय च

vāmadevāya vāmārdhadhāriṇe vṛṣagāmine || namo bhargāya bhīmāya natabhītiharāya ca

"To Vamadeva, to him who bears his left half, who rides the bull; salutation to Bharga, the terrible, remover of fear for those who bow."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.63.53)

भवाय भवनाशाय भूतानांपतये नमः ॥ महादेव नमस्तुभ्यं महेश महसांपते

bhavāya bhavanāśāya bhūtānāṁpataye namaḥ || mahādeva namastubhyaṁ maheśa mahasāṁpate

"To Bhava, to the destroyer of worldly existence, salutation to the Lord of beings; O Mahadeva, salutation to you, O Mahesha, Lord of splendors."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.63.54)

नमो मृडानीपतये नमो मृत्युंजयाय ते ॥ यज्ञारये नमस्तुभ्यं यक्षराजप्रियाय च

namo mṛḍānīpataye namo mṛtyuṁjayāya te || yajñāraye namastubhyaṁ yakṣarājapriyāya ca

"Salutation to the Lord of Mridani, salutation to you, Conqueror of Death; salutation to you, foe of the sacrifice, and dear friend of the king of the Yakshas."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.63.55)

यायजूकाय यज्ञाय यज्ञानां फलदायिने ॥ रुद्राय रुद्रपतये कद्रुद्राय रमाय च

yāyajūkāya yajñāya yajñānāṁ phaladāyine || rudrāya rudrapataye kadrudrāya ramāya ca

"To him who performs sacrifice for others, to Sacrifice itself, giver of the fruit of sacrifices; to Rudra, Lord of the Rudras, to the mild Rudra, and to delight itself."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.63.56)

शूलिने शाश्वतेशाय श्मशानावनिचारिणे ॥ शिवाप्रियाय शर्वाय सर्वज्ञाय नमोस्तु ते

śūline śāśvateśāya śmaśānāvanicāriṇe || śivāpriyāya śarvāya sarvajñāya namostu te

"To the trident-bearer, the eternal Lord, wanderer of the cremation-ground; dear to Shiva, to Sharva, the all-knowing - salutation be to you."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.63.57)

हराय क्षांतिरूपाय क्षेत्रज्ञाय क्षमाकर ॥ क्षमाय क्षितिहर्त्रे च क्षीरगौराय ते नमः

harāya kṣāṁtirūpāya kṣetrajñāya kṣamākara || kṣamāya kṣitihartre ca kṣīragaurāya te namaḥ

"To Hara, of the form of patience, knower of the field, O source of forgiveness; to the earth itself, remover of the earth's burdens, and milk-white in hue - salutation to you."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.63.58)

अंधकारे नमस्तुभ्यमाद्यंतरहिताय च ॥ इडाधाराय ईशाय उपेद्रेंद्रस्तुताय च

aṁdhakāre namastubhyamādyaṁtarahitāya ca || iḍādhārāya īśāya upedreṁdrastutāya ca

"Salutation to you as Andhaka's slayer, and to him free of beginning and end; to the support of Ida, to the Lord, praised by Upendra and Indra."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.63.59)

उमाकांताय उग्राय नमस्ते ऊर्ध्वरेतसे ॥ एकरूपाय चैकाय महदैश्वर्यरूपिणे

umākāṁtāya ugrāya namaste ūrdhvaretase || ekarūpāya caikāya mahadaiśvaryarūpiṇe

"To the beloved of Uma, to the terrible one, salutation to you of upward-drawn seed; to the one of single form, the sole one, of the form of great sovereignty."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.63.60)

अनंतकारिणे तुभ्यमंबिकापतये नमः ॥ त्वमोंकारो वषट्कारो भूर्भुवःस्वस्त्वमेव हि

anaṁtakāriṇe tubhyamaṁbikāpataye namaḥ || tvamoṁkāro vaṣaṭkāro bhūrbhuvaḥsvastvameva hi

"To you, the doer of infinite deeds, salutation to the husband of Ambika; you are the syllable Om, the ritual exclamation Vashat, you alone are Bhu, Bhuvah, and Svah."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.63.61)

दृश्यादृश्य यदत्रास्ति तत्सर्वं त्वमु माधव ॥ स्तुतिं कर्तुं न जानामि स्तुतिकर्ता त्वमेव हि

dṛśyādṛśya yadatrāsti tatsarvaṁ tvamu mādhava || stutiṁ kartuṁ na jānāmi stutikartā tvameva hi

"Whatever exists here, visible or invisible, all of that, O Uma's Lord, is you. I do not know how to praise you - you yourself are the very maker of praise."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.63.62)

वाच्यस्त्वं वाचकस्त्वं हि वाक्च त्वं प्रणतोस्मि ते ॥ नान्यं वेद्मि महादेव नान्यं स्तौमि महेश्वर

vācyastvaṁ vācakastvaṁ hi vākca tvaṁ praṇatosmi te || nānyaṁ vedmi mahādeva nānyaṁ staumi maheśvara

"You are what is to be spoken, you are the speaker, you are speech itself - I bow to you. O Mahadeva, I know no other; O Maheshvara, I praise no other."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.63.63)

नान्यं नमामि गौरीश नान्याख्यामाददे शिव ॥ मूकोन्यनामग्रहणे बधिरोन्यकथाश्रुतौ

nānyaṁ namāmi gaurīśa nānyākhyāmādade śiva || mūkonyanāmagrahaṇe badhironyakathāśrutau

"O Lord of Gauri, I bow to no other; O Shiva, I take up no other name. I am mute in uttering any other name; I am deaf in hearing any other tale."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.63.64)

पंगुरन्याभिगमनेऽस्म्यंधोऽन्यपरिवीक्षणे ॥ एक एव भवानीश एककर्ता त्वमेव हि

paṁguranyābhigamane'smyaṁdho'nyaparivīkṣaṇe || eka eva bhavānīśa ekakartā tvameva hi

"I am lame in approaching anything else; I am blind in beholding anything else. O Lord of Bhavani, you alone are the one, the sole doer indeed."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.63.65)

पाता हर्ता त्वमेवैको नानात्वं मूढकल्पना ॥ अतस्त्वमेव शरणं भूयोभूयः पुनःपुनः

pātā hartā tvamevaiko nānātvaṁ mūḍhakalpanā || atastvameva śaraṇaṁ bhūyobhūyaḥ punaḥpunaḥ

"You alone are the protector, you alone the destroyer; multiplicity is but a foolish conception. Therefore you alone are my refuge, again and again, over and over."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.63.66)

संसारसागरे मग्नं मामुद्धर महेश्वर ॥ इति स्तुत्वा महेशानं जैगीषव्यो महामुनिः

saṁsārasāgare magnaṁ māmuddhara maheśvara || iti stutvā maheśānaṁ jaigīṣavyo mahāmuniḥ

"O Maheshvara, raise me up, sunk in the ocean of samsara." Having thus praised Mahesha, the great sage Jaigishavya -

Verse 67 (skanda.4.63.67)

वाचंयमो भवत्स्थाणोः पुरतः स्थाणुसन्निभः ॥ इति स्तुतिं समाकर्ण्य मुनेश्चंद्रविभूषणः ॥ उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा वरं ब्रूहीति तं मुनिम्

vācaṁyamo bhavatsthāṇoḥ purataḥ sthāṇusannibhaḥ || iti stutiṁ samākarṇya muneścaṁdravibhūṣaṇaḥ || uvāca ca prasannātmā varaṁ brūhīti taṁ munim

-fell silent before the motionless Sthanu, himself become as motionless as a pillar. Having heard this hymn, the Moon-adorned one, his mind gracious, said to that sage: "Ask for a boon."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.63.68)

॥जैगीषव्य उवाच॥ यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश ततस्तव पदांबुजात् ॥ मा भवानि भवानीश दूरं दूरपदप्रद

||jaigīṣavya uvāca|| yadi prasanno deveśa tatastava padāṁbujāt || mā bhavāni bhavānīśa dūraṁ dūrapadaprada

Jaigishavya said: "If you are pleased, O Lord of Gods, then, O Lord of Bhavani, giver of the far-off supreme abode, may I never be far from your lotus feet."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.63.69)

अपरश्च वरो नाथ देयोयमविचारतः ॥ यन्मया स्थापितं लिंगं तत्र सान्निध्यमस्तु ते

aparaśca varo nātha deyoyamavicārataḥ || yanmayā sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ tatra sānnidhyamastu te

"And, O Lord, another boon should be given without hesitation: may your presence be at the linga that I have established."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.63.70)

॥ईश्वर उवाच॥ जैगीषव्य महाभाग यदुक्तं भवतानघ ॥ तदस्तु सर्वं तेभीष्टं वरमन्यं ददामि च

||īśvara uvāca|| jaigīṣavya mahābhāga yaduktaṁ bhavatānagha || tadastu sarvaṁ tebhīṣṭaṁ varamanyaṁ dadāmi ca

Ishvara said: "O greatly fortunate Jaigishavya, O sinless one, whatever you have said - let all of that be so. And I shall give you another boon as well."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.63.71)

योगशास्त्रं मया दत्तं तव निर्वाणसाधकम् ॥ सर्वेषां योगिनां मध्ये योगाचार्योऽस्तु वै भवान्

yogaśāstraṁ mayā dattaṁ tava nirvāṇasādhakam || sarveṣāṁ yogināṁ madhye yogācāryo'stu vai bhavān

"The science of yoga, accomplisher of liberation, is given by me to you; among all yogis, you shall indeed be the teacher of yoga."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.63.72)

रहस्यं योगविद्याया यथावत्त्वं तपोधन ॥ संवेत्स्यसे प्रसादान्मे येन निर्वाणमाप्स्यसि

rahasyaṁ yogavidyāyā yathāvattvaṁ tapodhana || saṁvetsyase prasādānme yena nirvāṇamāpsyasi

"O treasury of austerity, you shall, through my grace, come to know fully the secret of the science of yoga, by which you shall attain liberation."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.63.73)

यथा नदी यथा भृंगी सोमनंदी यथा तथा ॥ त्वं भविष्यसि भक्तो मे जरामरणवर्जितः

yathā nadī yathā bhṛṁgī somanaṁdī yathā tathā || tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi bhakto me jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ

"As is Nandi, as is Bhringi, as is Somanandi - so shall you become, my devotee, free from old age and death."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.63.74)

संति व्रतानि भूयांसि नियमाः संत्यनेकधा ॥ तपांसि नाना संत्यत्र संति दानान्यनेकशः

saṁti vratāni bhūyāṁsi niyamāḥ saṁtyanekadhā || tapāṁsi nānā saṁtyatra saṁti dānānyanekaśaḥ

"There are many kinds of vows, many kinds of observances; there are various austerities here, and manifold gifts."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.63.75)

श्रेयसां साधनान्यत्र पापघ्नान्यपि सर्वथा ॥ परं हि परमश्चैष नियमो यस्त्वया कृतः

śreyasāṁ sādhanānyatra pāpaghnānyapi sarvathā || paraṁ hi paramaścaiṣa niyamo yastvayā kṛtaḥ

"There are, here, means of virtue that thoroughly destroy sin - but supreme, indeed the most supreme, is this very observance that you have undertaken."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.63.76)

परो हि नियमश्चैष मां विलोक्य यदश्यते ॥ मामनालोक्य यद्भुक्तं तद्भुक्तं केवलत्वघम्

paro hi niyamaścaiṣa māṁ vilokya yadaśyate || māmanālokya yadbhuktaṁ tadbhuktaṁ kevalatvagham

"This is indeed the supreme observance: that one eats only after beholding me. Whatever is eaten without having beheld me - that eating is merely sin, and nothing else."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.63.77)

असमर्च्य च यो भुङ्क्ते पत्रपुष्पफलैरपि ॥ रेतोभक्षी भवेन्मूढः स जन्मान्येकविंशतिम्

asamarcya ca yo bhuṅkte patrapuṣpaphalairapi || retobhakṣī bhavenmūḍhaḥ sa janmānyekaviṁśatim

"Whoever eats without having worshipped me, even with mere leaves, flowers, or fruits, becomes, that fool, an eater of semen for twenty-one births."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.63.78)

महतो नियमस्यास्य भवतानुष्ठितस्य वै ॥ नार्हंति षोडशी मात्रामप्यन्ये नियमा यमाः

mahato niyamasyāsya bhavatānuṣṭhitasya vai || nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśī mātrāmapyanye niyamā yamāḥ

"Of this great observance which you have undertaken, other observances and restraints do not equal even a sixteenth part."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.63.79)

अतो मच्चरणाभ्याशे त्वं निवत्स्यसि सर्वथा ॥ अतो नैःश्रेयसीं लक्ष्मीं तत्रैव प्राप्स्यसि ध्रुवम्

ato maccaraṇābhyāśe tvaṁ nivatsyasi sarvathā || ato naiḥśreyasīṁ lakṣmīṁ tatraiva prāpsyasi dhruvam

"Therefore you shall dwell forever near my feet; and there itself you shall certainly attain the highest, supreme prosperity."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.63.80)

जैगीषव्येश्वरं नाम लिंगं काश्यां सुदुर्लभम् ॥ त्रीणि वर्षाणि संसेव्य लभेद्योगं न संशयः

jaigīṣavyeśvaraṁ nāma liṁgaṁ kāśyāṁ sudurlabham || trīṇi varṣāṇi saṁsevya labhedyogaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"The linga in Kashi named Jaigishavyeshvara is exceedingly rare; serving it for three years, one attains yoga without doubt."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.63.81)

जैगीषव्यगुहां प्राप्य योगाभ्यसनतत्परः ॥ षण्मासेन लभेत्सिद्धिं वाञ्छितां मदनुग्रहात्

jaigīṣavyaguhāṁ prāpya yogābhyasanatatparaḥ || ṣaṇmāsena labhetsiddhiṁ vāñchitāṁ madanugrahāt

"Whoever, reaching the Jaigishavya cave, devotes himself to the practice of yoga, obtains, within six months, his desired accomplishment, through my grace."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.63.82)

तव लिंगमिदं भक्तैः पूजनीयं प्रयत्नतः ॥ विलोक्या च गुहा रम्या परासिद्धिमभीप्सुभिः

tava liṁgamidaṁ bhaktaiḥ pūjanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ || vilokyā ca guhā ramyā parāsiddhimabhīpsubhiḥ

"This linga of yours should be worshipped by devotees with effort; and this lovely cave should be visited by those who desire the supreme accomplishment."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.63.83)

अत्र ज्येष्ठेश्वरक्षेत्रे त्वल्लिंगं सर्वसिद्धिदम् ॥ नाशयेदघसंघानि दृष्टं स्पृष्टं समर्चितम्

atra jyeṣṭheśvarakṣetre tvalliṁgaṁ sarvasiddhidam || nāśayedaghasaṁghāni dṛṣṭaṁ spṛṣṭaṁ samarcitam

"Here in the Jyeshtheshvara field, your linga, giver of every accomplishment, when seen, touched, and worshipped, destroys hosts of sins."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.63.84)

अस्मिञ्ज्येष्ठेश्वरक्षेत्रे संभोज्य शिवयोगिनः ॥ कोटिभोज्यफलं सम्यगेकैकपरिसंख्यया

asmiñjyeṣṭheśvarakṣetre saṁbhojya śivayoginaḥ || koṭibhojyaphalaṁ samyagekaikaparisaṁkhyayā

"In this Jyeshtheshvara field, feeding Shiva-yogis - for each and every one, one obtains the full fruit of feeding ten million."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.63.85)

जैगीषव्येश्वरं लिंगं गोपनीयं प्रयत्नतः ॥ कलौ कलुषबुद्धीनां पुरतश्च विशेषतः

jaigīṣavyeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ gopanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ || kalau kaluṣabuddhīnāṁ purataśca viśeṣataḥ

"The linga Jaigishavyeshvara should be kept concealed with effort - especially, in the Kali age, from those of impure mind."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.63.86)

करिष्याम्यत्र सांनिध्यमस्मिँल्लिंगे तपोधन ॥ योगसिद्धिप्रदानाय साधकेभ्यः सदैव हि

kariṣyāmyatra sāṁnidhyamasmi~lliṁge tapodhana || yogasiddhipradānāya sādhakebhyaḥ sadaiva hi

"O treasury of austerity, I shall establish my presence in this very linga, for the granting of the accomplishment of yoga to seekers, ever indeed."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.63.87)

ददे शृणु महाभाग जैगीषव्यापरं वरम् ॥ त्वयेदं यत्कृतं स्तोत्रं योगसिद्धिकरं परम्

dade śṛṇu mahābhāga jaigīṣavyāparaṁ varam || tvayedaṁ yatkṛtaṁ stotraṁ yogasiddhikaraṁ param

"Listen, O greatly fortunate Jaigishavya - I grant another boon: this very hymn that you have composed shall bring the supreme accomplishment of yoga."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.63.88)

महापापौघशमनं महापुण्यप्रवर्धनम् ॥ महाभीतिप्रशमनं महाभक्तिविवर्धनम्

mahāpāpaughaśamanaṁ mahāpuṇyapravardhanam || mahābhītipraśamanaṁ mahābhaktivivardhanam

"It shall be a queller of great masses of sin, an increaser of great merit, a queller of great fear, and an increaser of great devotion."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.63.89)

एतत्स्तोत्रजपात्पुंसामसाध्यं नैव किंचन ॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन जपनीयं सुसाधकैः

etatstotrajapātpuṁsāmasādhyaṁ naiva kiṁcana || tasmātsarvaprayatnena japanīyaṁ susādhakaiḥ

"By the recitation of this hymn, nothing at all is unattainable for men; therefore it should be recited with every effort by true seekers."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.63.90)

इति दत्त्वा वरं तस्मै स्मरारिः स्मेरलोचनः ॥ ददर्श ब्राह्मणां स्तत्र समेतान्क्षेत्रवासिनः

iti dattvā varaṁ tasmai smarāriḥ smeralocanaḥ || dadarśa brāhmaṇāṁ statra sametānkṣetravāsinaḥ

Having thus given him this boon, the enemy of Kama, his eyes smiling, then beheld the Brahmins, residents of the sacred field, gathered there.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.63.91)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ निशम्याख्यानमतुलमेतत्प्राज्ञः प्रयत्नतः ॥ निष्पापो जायते मर्त्यो नोपसर्गैः प्रबाध्यते

||skaṁda uvāca|| niśamyākhyānamatulametatprājñaḥ prayatnataḥ || niṣpāpo jāyate martyo nopasargaiḥ prabādhyate

Skanda said: "The wise man who, with effort, hears this incomparable narrative becomes sinless, and is never afflicted by torments."