Kandukeshvara and Vyaghreshvara: The Lingas Near Jyeshtheshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.65.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ ज्येष्ठेश्वरस्य परितो यानि लिंगानि कुंभज ॥ तानि पंचसहस्राणि मुनीनां सिद्धिदान्यलम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| jyeṣṭheśvarasya parito yāni liṁgāni kuṁbhaja || tāni paṁcasahasrāṇi munīnāṁ siddhidānyalam

Skanda said: "O jar-born one, the lingas that are all around Jyeshtheshvara number five thousand, fully capable of giving accomplishment to sages."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.65.2)

पराशरेश्वरं लिंगं ज्येष्ठेशादुत्तरे महत् ॥ तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण निर्मलं ज्ञानमाप्यते

parāśareśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ jyeṣṭheśāduttare mahat || tasya darśanamātreṇa nirmalaṁ jñānamāpyate

"The great linga Parashareshvara is north of Jyeshthesha; by the mere sight of it, pure knowledge is obtained."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.65.3)

तत्रैव सिद्धिदं लिंगं मांडव्येश्वरसंज्ञितम् ॥ न तस्य दर्शनाज्जातु दुर्बुद्धिं प्राप्नुयान्नरः

tatraiva siddhidaṁ liṁgaṁ māṁḍavyeśvarasaṁjñitam || na tasya darśanājjātu durbuddhiṁ prāpnuyānnaraḥ

"There too is the accomplishment-giving linga named Mandavyeshvara; by its sight, a man never attains evil-mindedness."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.65.4)

लिंगं च शंकरेशाख्यं तत्रैव शुभदं सदा ॥ भृगुनारायणस्तत्र भक्तानां सर्वसिद्धिदः

liṁgaṁ ca śaṁkareśākhyaṁ tatraiva śubhadaṁ sadā || bhṛgunārāyaṇastatra bhaktānāṁ sarvasiddhidaḥ

"And there too is the ever auspicious linga named Shankaresha; there Bhrigu-Narayana grants every accomplishment to devotees."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.65.5)

जाबालीश्वर संज्ञं च लिंगं तत्रातिसिद्धिदम् ॥ तस्य संदर्शनाज्जातु न जंतुर्दुर्गतिं व्रजेत्

jābālīśvara saṁjñaṁ ca liṁgaṁ tatrātisiddhidam || tasya saṁdarśanājjātu na jaṁturdurgatiṁ vrajet

"And there is the greatly accomplishment-giving linga named Jabalishvara; by its sight, a being never goes to a bad state."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.65.6)

सुमंतु मुनिना श्रेष्ठस्तत्रादित्यः प्रतिष्ठितः ॥ तस्य संदर्शनादेव कुष्ठव्याधिः प्रशाम्यति

sumaṁtu muninā śreṣṭhastatrādityaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ || tasya saṁdarśanādeva kuṣṭhavyādhiḥ praśāmyati

"There, the excellent form of Aditya was established by the sage Sumantu; by its mere sight, the disease of leprosy is cured."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.65.7)

भैरेवी भीषणा नाम तत्र भीषणरूपिणी ॥ क्षेत्रस्य भीषणं सर्वं नाशयेद्भावतोर्चिता

bhairevī bhīṣaṇā nāma tatra bhīṣaṇarūpiṇī || kṣetrasya bhīṣaṇaṁ sarvaṁ nāśayedbhāvatorcitā

"There is Bhairavi, named Bhishana, of terrible form; worshipped with devotion, she destroys every terror of the field."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.65.8)

तत्रोपजंघने लिंगं कर्मबंधविमोक्षणम् ॥ नृभिः संसेवितं भक्त्या षण्मासात्सिद्धिदं परम्

tatropajaṁghane liṁgaṁ karmabaṁdhavimokṣaṇam || nṛbhiḥ saṁsevitaṁ bhaktyā ṣaṇmāsātsiddhidaṁ param

"There, at Upajanghana, is a linga that releases from the bondage of karma; served by men with devotion, it grants supreme accomplishment within six months."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.65.9)

भारद्वाजेश्वरं लिंगं लिंगं माद्रीश्वरं वरम् ॥ एकत्र संस्थिते द्वे तु द्रष्टव्ये सुकृतात्मना

bhāradvājeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ liṁgaṁ mādrīśvaraṁ varam || ekatra saṁsthite dve tu draṣṭavye sukṛtātmanā

"The linga Bharadvajeshvara, and the excellent linga Madrishvara - the two, established in one place, should be beheld by one of virtuous soul."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.65.10)

अरुणि स्थापितं लिंगं तत्रैव कलशोद्भव ॥ तस्य लिंगस्य सेवातः सर्वामृद्धिमवाप्नुयात्

aruṇi sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ tatraiva kalaśodbhava || tasya liṁgasya sevātaḥ sarvāmṛddhimavāpnuyāt

"O jar-born one, there too is a linga established by Aruni; through the service of that linga, one obtains every prosperity."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.65.11)

लिंगं वाजसनेयाख्यं तत्रास्त्यतिमनोहृरम् ॥ तस्य संदर्शनात्पुंसां वाजपेयफलं भवेत्

liṁgaṁ vājasaneyākhyaṁ tatrāstyatimanohṛram || tasya saṁdarśanātpuṁsāṁ vājapeyaphalaṁ bhavet

"There is the exceedingly enchanting linga named Vajasaneya; by the sight of it, men obtain the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.65.12)

कण्वेश्वरं शुभं लिंगं लिंगं कात्यायनेश्वरम् ॥ वामदेवेश्वरं लिंगमौतथ्येश्वरमेव च

kaṇveśvaraṁ śubhaṁ liṁgaṁ liṁgaṁ kātyāyaneśvaram || vāmadeveśvaraṁ liṁgamautathyeśvarameva ca

"The auspicious linga Kanveshvara, the linga Katyayaneshvara, the linga Vamadeveshvara, and Autathyeshvara as well."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.65.13)

हारीतेश्वरसंज्ञं च लिंगं वै गालवेश्वरम् ॥ कुंभेर्लिंगं महापुण्यं तथा वै कौसुमेश्वरम्

hārīteśvarasaṁjñaṁ ca liṁgaṁ vai gālaveśvaram || kuṁbherliṁgaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ tathā vai kausumeśvaram

"And the linga named Haritesvara, and Galaveshvara indeed; the greatly sacred linga of Kumbha, and likewise Kausumeshvara."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.65.14)

अग्निवर्णेश्वरं चैव नैध्रुवेश्वरमेव च ॥ वत्सेश्वरं महालिंगं पर्णादेश्वरमेव च

agnivarṇeśvaraṁ caiva naidhruveśvarameva ca || vatseśvaraṁ mahāliṁgaṁ parṇādeśvarameva ca

"Agnivarneshvara, and likewise Naidhruveshvara; the great linga Vatseshvara, and Parnadeshvara as well."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.65.15)

सक्तुप्रस्थेश्वरं लिंगं कणादेशं तथैव च ॥ अन्यत्तत्र महालिंगं मांडूकाय निरूपितम्

saktuprastheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kaṇādeśaṁ tathaiva ca || anyattatra mahāliṁgaṁ māṁḍūkāya nirūpitam

"The linga Saktuprastheshvara, and likewise Kanadesha; another great linga there was set forth for Manduka."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.65.16)

वाभ्रवेयेश्वरं लिंगं शिलावृत्तीश्वरं तथा ॥ च्यवनेश्वर लिंगं च शालंकायनकेश्वरम्

vābhraveyeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ śilāvṛttīśvaraṁ tathā || cyavaneśvara liṁgaṁ ca śālaṁkāyanakeśvaram

"The linga Vabhraveyeshvara, and likewise Shilavrittishvara; the linga Chyavaneshvara, and Shalankayanakeshvara."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.65.17)

कलिंदमेश्वरं लिंगं लिंगमक्रोधनेश्वरम् ॥ लिंगं कपोतवृत्तीशं कंकेशं कुंतलेश्वरम

kaliṁdameśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ liṁgamakrodhaneśvaram || liṁgaṁ kapotavṛttīśaṁ kaṁkeśaṁ kuṁtaleśvarama

"The linga Kalindameshvara, the linga Akrodhaneshvara; the linga Kapotavrittisha, Kankesha, and Kuntaleshvara."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.65.18)

कंठेश्वरं कहोलेशं लिंगं तुंबुरुपूजितम् ॥ मतगेशं मरुत्तेशं मगधेयेश्वरं तथा

kaṁṭheśvaraṁ kaholeśaṁ liṁgaṁ tuṁburupūjitam || matageśaṁ marutteśaṁ magadheyeśvaraṁ tathā

"Kantheshvara, Kaholesha, the linga worshipped by Tumburu; Matagesha, Maruttesha, and likewise Magadheyeshvara."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.65.19)

जातूकर्णेश्वरं लिंगं जंबूकेश्वरमेव च ॥ जारुधीशं जलेशं च जाल्मेशं जालकेश्वरम्

jātūkarṇeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ jaṁbūkeśvarameva ca || jārudhīśaṁ jaleśaṁ ca jālmeśaṁ jālakeśvaram

"The linga Jatukarneshvara, and likewise Jambukeshvara; Jarudhisha and Jalesha, Jalmesha, and Jalakeshvara."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.65.20)

एवमादीनि लिंगानि अयुतार्धानि कुंभज ॥ स्मरणाद्दर्शनात्स्पर्शादर्चनान्नमनात्स्तुतेः

evamādīni liṁgāni ayutārdhāni kuṁbhaja || smaraṇāddarśanātsparśādarcanānnamanātstuteḥ

"O jar-born one, such lingas, five thousand in number - through their remembrance, sight, touch, worship, bowing, or praise -"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.65.21)

न जातु जायते जंतोः कलुषस्य समुद्भवः ॥ एतेषां शुभलिंगानां ज्येष्ठस्थानेति पावने

na jātu jāyate jaṁtoḥ kaluṣasya samudbhavaḥ || eteṣāṁ śubhaliṁgānāṁ jyeṣṭhasthāneti pāvane

"-the arising of impurity never occurs for a being. Such is the power of these auspicious lingas, in the purifying place named Jyeshthasthana."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.65.22)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ एकदा तत्र यद्वृत्तं ज्येष्ठस्थाने महामुने ॥ तदहं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वाघविनाशनम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| ekadā tatra yadvṛttaṁ jyeṣṭhasthāne mahāmune || tadahaṁ te pravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvāghavināśanam

Skanda said: "O great sage, I shall now tell you what once occurred there at Jyeshthasthana; listen to this destroyer of sin."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.65.23)

स्वैरं विहरतस्तत्र ज्येष्ठस्थाने महेशितुः ॥ कौतुकेनैव चिक्रीड शिवा कंदुकलीलया

svairaṁ viharatastatra jyeṣṭhasthāne maheśituḥ || kautukenaiva cikrīḍa śivā kaṁdukalīlayā

While Mahesha was freely wandering there at Jyeshthasthana, Shiva sported with a ball, out of mere delight.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.65.24)

उदंच न्न्यंचदंगानां लाघवं परितन्वती ॥ निःश्वासामोदमुदित भ्रमराकुलितेक्षणा

udaṁca nnyaṁcadaṁgānāṁ lāghavaṁ paritanvatī || niḥśvāsāmodamudita bhramarākulitekṣaṇā

...displaying the grace of her limbs rising and falling, her glancing eyes clouded by bees drawn by the fragrance of her sighs,

Verse 25 (skanda.4.65.25)

भ्रश्यद्ध म्मिल्लसन्माल्य स्थपुटीकृत भूमिका ॥ स्विद्यत्कपोलपत्राली स्रवदंबुकणोज्ज्वला

bhraśyaddha mmillasanmālya sthapuṭīkṛta bhūmikā || svidyatkapolapatrālī sravadaṁbukaṇojjvalā

...her hair-knot loosening, its lovely garland scattering, marking the ground; the rows of painted designs on her sweating cheeks glistening with trickling drops,

Verse 26 (skanda.4.65.26)

स्फुटच्चोलांशुकपथनिर्यदंगप्रभावृता ॥ उल्लसत्कंदुकास्फालातिशोणितकरांबुजा

sphuṭaccolāṁśukapathaniryadaṁgaprabhāvṛtā || ullasatkaṁdukāsphālātiśoṇitakarāṁbujā

...enveloped in the radiance of her limbs showing through her loosening bodice, her lotus-hand reddened by the repeated striking of the bouncing ball,

Verse 27 (skanda.4.65.27)

कंदुकानुग सदृष्टि नर्तित भ्रूचलतांचला ॥ मृडानी किल खेलंती ददृशे जगदंबिका

kaṁdukānuga sadṛṣṭi nartita bhrūcalatāṁcalā || mṛḍānī kila khelaṁtī dadṛśe jagadaṁbikā

...her eyebrows dancing as her gaze followed the ball, ever restless - Mridani, the Mother of the Universe, was thus seen at play.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.65.28)

अंतरिक्षचराभ्यां च दितिजाभ्यां मनोहरा ॥ कटाक्षिताभ्यामिव वै समुपस्थितमृत्युना

aṁtarikṣacarābhyāṁ ca ditijābhyāṁ manoharā || kaṭākṣitābhyāmiva vai samupasthitamṛtyunā

By two sky-roaming sons of Diti, who beheld her enchanting form, as if death itself had drawn near through their very glance -

Verse 29 (skanda.4.65.29)

विदलोत्पल संज्ञाभ्यां दृप्ताभ्यां वरतो विधेः ॥ तृणीकृतत्रिजगती पुरुषाभ्यां स्वदोर्बलात्

vidalotpala saṁjñābhyāṁ dṛptābhyāṁ varato vidheḥ || tṛṇīkṛtatrijagatī puruṣābhyāṁ svadorbalāt

-by those two, named Vidalotpala and companion, arrogant through a boon from Brahma, who by the strength of their own arms had reduced the three worlds to mere straw -

Verse 30 (skanda.4.65.30)

देवीं परिजिहीर्षू तौ विषमेषु प्रपीडितौ ॥ दिवोवतेरतुः क्षिप्रं मायां स्वीकृत्य शांबरीम्

devīṁ parijihīrṣū tau viṣameṣu prapīḍitau || divovateratuḥ kṣipraṁ māyāṁ svīkṛtya śāṁbarīm

-those two, desiring to abduct the Goddess, tormented by Kama's arrows, quickly descended from the sky, having assumed the magic of Shambara.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.65.31)

धृत्वा पारषदीं मूर्तिमायातावंबिकांतिकम् ॥ तावत्यंतं सुदुर्वृत्तावतिचंचलमानसा

dhṛtvā pāraṣadīṁ mūrtimāyātāvaṁbikāṁtikam || tāvatyaṁtaṁ sudurvṛttāvaticaṁcalamānasā

Assuming the form of Shiva's own attendants, they came near Ambika - those two, exceedingly wicked, of most restless mind.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.65.32)

सर्वज्ञेन परिज्ञातौ चांचल्याल्लोचनोद्भवात् ॥ कटाक्षिताथ देवेन दुर्गादुर्गारिघातिनी

sarvajñena parijñātau cāṁcalyāllocanodbhavāt || kaṭākṣitātha devena durgādurgārighātinī

Recognized by the All-Knowing One through the very restlessness that arose in her eyes, they were then marked by the god's glance - and Devi, destroyer of the enemy Durga...

Verse 33 (skanda.4.65.33)

विज्ञाय नेत्रसंज्ञां तु सर्वज्ञार्ध शरीरिणी ॥ तेनैव कंदुकेनाथ युगपन्निजघान तौ

vijñāya netrasaṁjñāṁ tu sarvajñārdha śarīriṇī || tenaiva kaṁdukenātha yugapannijaghāna tau

...she, being half the body of the All-Knowing One, understanding the signal of his eye, then struck down both of them at once with that very ball.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.65.34)

महाबलौ महादेव्या कंदुकेन समाहतौ ॥ परिभ्रम्य परिभ्रम्य तौ दुष्टौ विनिपेततुः

mahābalau mahādevyā kaṁdukena samāhatau || paribhramya paribhramya tau duṣṭau vinipetatuḥ

Those two mighty ones, struck by the Great Goddess's ball, whirling round and round, those two wicked ones fell down.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.65.35)

वृंतादिव फले पक्वे तालादनिललोलिते ॥ दंभोलिना परिहते शृंगेइव महागिरेः

vṛṁtādiva phale pakve tālādanilalolite || daṁbholinā parihate śṛṁgeiva mahāgireḥ

Like a ripe fruit falling from its stalk, or a palm-fruit shaken loose by the wind, or like the peak of a great mountain struck down by the thunderbolt -

Verse 36 (skanda.4.65.36)

तौ निपात्य महादैत्यावकार्यकरणोद्यतौ ॥ ततः परिणतिं यातो लिंगरूपेण कंदुकः

tau nipātya mahādaityāvakāryakaraṇodyatau || tataḥ pariṇatiṁ yāto liṁgarūpeṇa kaṁdukaḥ

Having felled those two great demons, intent on committing an unworthy act, the ball then transformed itself into the form of a linga.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.65.37)

कंदुकेश्वरसंज्ञं च तल्लिंगमभवत्तदा ॥ ज्येष्ठेश्वर समीपे तु सर्वदुष्टनिवारणम्

kaṁdukeśvarasaṁjñaṁ ca talliṁgamabhavattadā || jyeṣṭheśvara samīpe tu sarvaduṣṭanivāraṇam

That linga then became known by the name Kandukeshvara, near Jyeshtheshvara, a preventer of every evil.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.65.38)

कंदुकेश समुत्पत्तिं यः श्रोष्यति मुदान्वितः ॥ पूजयिष्यति यो भक्तस्तस्य दुःखभयं कुतः

kaṁdukeśa samutpattiṁ yaḥ śroṣyati mudānvitaḥ || pūjayiṣyati yo bhaktastasya duḥkhabhayaṁ kutaḥ

Whoever shall joyfully hear the origin of Kandukesha, and whoever, as a devotee, shall worship him - whence for him the fear of suffering?

Verse 39 (skanda.4.65.39)

कंदुकेश्वर भक्तानां मानवानां निरेनसाम् ॥ योगक्षेमं सदा कुर्याद्भवानी भयनाशिनी

kaṁdukeśvara bhaktānāṁ mānavānāṁ nirenasām || yogakṣemaṁ sadā kuryādbhavānī bhayanāśinī

For sinless human devotees of Kandukeshvara, Bhavani, destroyer of fear, ever secures their welfare and prosperity.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.65.40)

मृडानी तस्य लिंगस्य पूजां कुर्यात्सदैव हि ॥ तत्रैव देव्या सान्निध्यं पार्वत्या भक्तसिद्धिदम्

mṛḍānī tasya liṁgasya pūjāṁ kuryātsadaiva hi || tatraiva devyā sānnidhyaṁ pārvatyā bhaktasiddhidam

Mridani herself ever performs the worship of that linga; there itself is the presence of the Goddess Parvati, giver of accomplishment to devotees.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.65.41)

कंदुकेशं महालिंगं काश्यां यैर्न समर्चितम् ॥ कथं तेषां भवनीशौ स्यातां सर्वेप्सितप्रदौ

kaṁdukeśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ kāśyāṁ yairna samarcitam || kathaṁ teṣāṁ bhavanīśau syātāṁ sarvepsitapradau

By whom the great linga Kandukesha in Kashi has not been worshipped - how could Bhavani and Isha thus become granters of their every desire?

Verse 42 (skanda.4.65.42)

द्रष्टव्यं च प्रयत्नेन तल्लिंगं कंदुकेश्वरम् ॥ सर्वोपसर्गसंघातविघातकरणं परम्

draṣṭavyaṁ ca prayatnena talliṁgaṁ kaṁdukeśvaram || sarvopasargasaṁghātavighātakaraṇaṁ param

That linga Kandukeshvara, supreme destroyer of every mass of affliction, should be beheld with effort.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.65.43)

कंदुकेश्वर नामापि श्रुत्वा वृजिनसंततिः ॥ क्षिप्रं क्षयमवाप्नोति तमः प्राप्योष्णगुं यथा

kaṁdukeśvara nāmāpi śrutvā vṛjinasaṁtatiḥ || kṣipraṁ kṣayamavāpnoti tamaḥ prāpyoṣṇaguṁ yathā

Merely hearing the name Kandukeshvara, the succession of one's sins swiftly meets destruction, as darkness does upon meeting the sun.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.65.44)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ संशृणुष्व महाभाग ज्येष्ठेश्वर समीपतः ॥ यद्वृत्तांतमभूद्विप्र परमाश्चर्यकृद्ध्रुवम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| saṁśṛṇuṣva mahābhāga jyeṣṭheśvara samīpataḥ || yadvṛttāṁtamabhūdvipra paramāścaryakṛddhruvam

Skanda said: "Listen well, O greatly fortunate one - what event occurred near Jyeshtheshvara, O Brahmin, certainly most wondrous."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.65.45)

दंडखाते महातीर्थे देवर्षिपितृतृप्तिदे ॥ तप्यमानेषु विप्रेषु निष्कामं परमं तपः

daṁḍakhāte mahātīrthe devarṣipitṛtṛptide || tapyamāneṣu vipreṣu niṣkāmaṁ paramaṁ tapaḥ

At the great tirtha of Dandakhata, giver of satisfaction to gods, sages, and ancestors, while the Brahmins were performing supreme, desireless austerity...

Verse 46 (skanda.4.65.46)

दैत्यो दुंदुभिनिर्ह्रादो दुष्टः प्रह्लादमातुलः ॥ देवाः कथं सुजेयाः स्युरित्युपायमचिंतयत्

daityo duṁdubhinirhrādo duṣṭaḥ prahlādamātulaḥ || devāḥ kathaṁ sujeyāḥ syurityupāyamaciṁtayat

...the demon Dundubhinirhrada, wicked, maternal uncle of Prahlada, pondered a means by which the gods might easily be conquered.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.65.47)

किं बलाश्च किमाहाराः किमाधारा हि देवताः ॥ विचार्य बहुशो दैत्यस्तत्त्वं विज्ञाय निश्चितम्

kiṁ balāśca kimāhārāḥ kimādhārā hi devatāḥ || vicārya bahuśo daityastattvaṁ vijñāya niścitam

"What is the source of the gods' strength, what is their food, what is their support?" - having pondered this extensively, the demon, having ascertained the truth with certainty -

Verse 48 (skanda.4.65.48)

अवश्यमग्रजन्मानो हेतवोत्र विचारतः ॥ ब्राह्मणान्हंतुमसकृत्कृतवानुद्यमं ततः

avaśyamagrajanmāno hetavotra vicārataḥ || brāhmaṇānhaṁtumasakṛtkṛtavānudyamaṁ tataḥ

-concluded that the twice-born were certainly the cause of this, upon reflection; he then made repeated efforts to slay Brahmins.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.65.49)

यतः क्रतुभुजो देवाः क्रतवो वेदसंभवाः ॥ ते वेदा ब्राह्मणाधीनास्ततो देवबलं द्विजाः

yataḥ kratubhujo devāḥ kratavo vedasaṁbhavāḥ || te vedā brāhmaṇādhīnāstato devabalaṁ dvijāḥ

For the gods are sustained by sacrifices, sacrifices arise from the Vedas, and the Vedas depend upon Brahmins - therefore Brahmins are the very strength of the gods.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.65.50)

निश्चितं ब्राह्मणाधाराः सर्वे वेदाः सवासवाः ॥ गीर्वाणा ब्राह्मणबला नात्र कार्या विचारणा

niścitaṁ brāhmaṇādhārāḥ sarve vedāḥ savāsavāḥ || gīrvāṇā brāhmaṇabalā nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

It is certain that all the Vedas, together with Indra himself, rest upon Brahmins; the gods' strength is the Brahmins' strength - no doubt need be entertained about this.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.65.51)

ब्राह्मणा यदि नष्टाः स्युर्वेदा नष्टास्ततः स्वयम् ॥ आम्नायेषु प्रणष्टेषु विनष्टाः शततंतवः

brāhmaṇā yadi naṣṭāḥ syurvedā naṣṭāstataḥ svayam || āmnāyeṣu praṇaṣṭeṣu vinaṣṭāḥ śatataṁtavaḥ

If the Brahmins were destroyed, the Vedas would themselves be destroyed thereby; and with the sacred traditions destroyed, the hundred threads of the sacrifice would be destroyed.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.65.52)

यज्ञेषु नाशं गच्छत्सु हृताहारास्ततः सुराः ॥ निर्बलाः सुखजेयाः स्युर्जितेषु त्रिदशेष्वथ

yajñeṣu nāśaṁ gacchatsu hṛtāhārāstataḥ surāḥ || nirbalāḥ sukhajeyāḥ syurjiteṣu tridaśeṣvatha

With sacrifices going to ruin, the gods, thus deprived of their food, would become powerless and easily conquered; and once the thirty gods were conquered...

Verse 53 (skanda.4.65.53)

अहमेव भविष्यामि मान्यस्त्रिजगतीपतिः ॥ आहरिष्यामि देवानामक्षयाः सर्वसंपदः

ahameva bhaviṣyāmi mānyastrijagatīpatiḥ || āhariṣyāmi devānāmakṣayāḥ sarvasaṁpadaḥ

"...I myself shall become the honored lord of the three worlds; I shall seize the imperishable, entire wealth of the gods."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.65.54)

निर्वेक्ष्यामि सुखान्येव राज्ये निहतकंटके ॥ इति निश्चित्य दुर्बुद्धिः पुनश्चिंतितवान्मुने

nirvekṣyāmi sukhānyeva rājye nihatakaṁṭake || iti niścitya durbuddhiḥ punaściṁtitavānmune

"I shall enjoy nothing but pleasures, my kingdom's thorns destroyed." O sage, having resolved thus, that evil-minded one thought further -

Verse 55 (skanda.4.65.55)

द्विजाः क्व संति भूयांसो ब्रह्मतेजोतिबृंहिताः ॥ श्रुत्यध्ययन संपन्नास्तपोबल समन्विताः

dvijāḥ kva saṁti bhūyāṁso brahmatejotibṛṁhitāḥ || śrutyadhyayana saṁpannāstapobala samanvitāḥ

"Where are the most numerous Brahmins, exceedingly swelled with Brahmanical splendor, endowed with study of the scriptures, joined with the power of austerity?"

Verse 56 (skanda.4.65.56)

भूयसां ब्राह्मणानां तु स्थानं वाराणसी भवेत् ॥ तानादावुपसंहृत्य यामि तीर्थांतरं ततः

bhūyasāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ tu sthānaṁ vārāṇasī bhavet || tānādāvupasaṁhṛtya yāmi tīrthāṁtaraṁ tataḥ

"Varanasi is indeed the abode of the greatest number of Brahmins - having first destroyed them there, I shall then go to other tirthas."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.65.57)

यत्रयत्र हि तीर्थेषु यत्रयत्राश्रमेषु च ॥ संति सर्वेऽग्रजन्मानस्ते मयाद्याः समंततः

yatrayatra hi tīrtheṣu yatrayatrāśrameṣu ca || saṁti sarve'grajanmānaste mayādyāḥ samaṁtataḥ

"Wherever, indeed, in whatever tirthas or hermitages there are, all the twice-born there - I shall first, from all sides, destroy them."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.65.58)

इति दुंदुभिनिर्ह्रादो मतिं कृत्वा कुलोचिताम् ॥ प्राप्यापि काशीं दुर्वृत्तो मायावी न्यवधीद्द्विजान्

iti duṁdubhinirhrādo matiṁ kṛtvā kulocitām || prāpyāpi kāśīṁ durvṛtto māyāvī nyavadhīddvijān

Thus Dundubhinirhrada, having formed a resolve fitting his lineage, even upon reaching Kashi, that wicked, magic-wielding one began slaying the Brahmins.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.65.59)

समित्कुशान्समादातुं यत्र यांति द्धिजोत्तमाः ॥ अरण्ये तत्र तान्सर्वान्स भक्षयति दुर्मतिः

samitkuśānsamādātuṁ yatra yāṁti ddhijottamāḥ || araṇye tatra tānsarvānsa bhakṣayati durmatiḥ

Wherever the best of Brahmins went into the forest to gather sacrificial twigs and kusha grass, there that evil-minded one would devour all of them.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.65.60)

यथा कोपि न वेत्त्येव तथाच्छन्नोऽभवत्पुनः ॥ वने वनेचरो भूत्वा यादोरूपी जलाशये

yathā kopi na vettyeva tathācchanno'bhavatpunaḥ || vane vanecaro bhūtvā yādorūpī jalāśaye

So that no one at all would know, he remained hidden, becoming a forest-dweller in the woods, and taking an aquatic form in the water.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.65.61)

अदृश्यरूपी मायावी देवानामप्यगोचरः ॥ दिवाध्यानपरस्तिष्ठेन्मुनिवन्मुनिमध्यगः

adṛśyarūpī māyāvī devānāmapyagocaraḥ || divādhyānaparastiṣṭhenmunivanmunimadhyagaḥ

Invisible in form, magic-wielding, beyond even the gods' perception, he would stand by day absorbed in meditation like a sage, mingling among the sages themselves.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.65.62)

प्रवेशमुटजानां च निर्गमं च विलोकयन् ॥ यामिन्यां व्याघ्ररूपेण ब्राह्मणान्भक्षयेद्बहून्

praveśamuṭajānāṁ ca nirgamaṁ ca vilokayan || yāminyāṁ vyāghrarūpeṇa brāhmaṇānbhakṣayedbahūn

Watching the entry and exit from the hermits' huts, at night, in tiger form, he would devour many Brahmins.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.65.63)

निःशब्दमेव नयति नत्यजेदपि कीकसम् ॥ इत्थं निपातिता विप्रास्तेन दुष्टेन भूरिशः

niḥśabdameva nayati natyajedapi kīkasam || itthaṁ nipātitā viprāstena duṣṭena bhūriśaḥ

He would carry them off without a sound, leaving not even a bone behind. Thus, by that wicked one, many Brahmins were struck down.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.65.64)

एकदा शिवरात्रौ तु भक्तस्त्वेको निजोटजे ॥ सपर्यां देवदेवस्य कृत्वा ध्यानस्थितोभवत्

ekadā śivarātrau tu bhaktastveko nijoṭaje || saparyāṁ devadevasya kṛtvā dhyānasthitobhavat

Once, on the night of Shivaratri, a certain devotee, in his own hut, having performed the worship of the God of Gods, sat absorbed in meditation.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.65.65)

स च दुंदुभिनिर्ह्राद दैत्येंद्रो बलदर्पितः ॥ व्याघ्र रूपं समास्थाय तमादातुं मतिं दधे

sa ca duṁdubhinirhrāda daityeṁdro baladarpitaḥ || vyāghra rūpaṁ samāsthāya tamādātuṁ matiṁ dadhe

And that demon-lord Dundubhinirhrada, proud of his strength, having assumed the form of a tiger, resolved to seize him.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.65.66)

तं भक्तं ध्यानमापन्नं दृढचित्तं शिवेक्षणे ॥ कृतास्त्रमंत्रविन्यासं तं क्रांतुमशकन्न सः

taṁ bhaktaṁ dhyānamāpannaṁ dṛḍhacittaṁ śivekṣaṇe || kṛtāstramaṁtravinyāsaṁ taṁ krāṁtumaśakanna saḥ

But that devotee, absorbed in meditation, his mind firm in the vision of Shiva, having laid out the protective weapon-mantras - him he was unable to approach.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.65.67)

अथ सर्वगतः शंभुर्ज्ञात्वा तस्याशयं हरः ॥ दैत्यस्य दुष्टरूपस्य वधाय विदधे धियम्

atha sarvagataḥ śaṁbhurjñātvā tasyāśayaṁ haraḥ || daityasya duṣṭarūpasya vadhāya vidadhe dhiyam

Then Shambhu, all-pervading, Hara, knowing his intent, resolved in his mind upon the slaying of the wicked-formed demon.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.65.68)

यावदादित्सति व्याघ्रस्तावदाविरभूद्धरः ॥ जगद्रक्षामणिस्त्र्यक्षो भक्तरक्षण दक्षधीः

yāvadāditsati vyāghrastāvadāvirabhūddharaḥ || jagadrakṣāmaṇistryakṣo bhaktarakṣaṇa dakṣadhīḥ

Just as the tiger was about to seize him, Hara, the jewel-protector of the world, the Three-Eyed One, skilled in mind at protecting his devotee, appeared manifest.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.65.69)

रुद्रमायांतमालोक्य तद्भक्तार्चित लिंगतः ॥ दैत्यस्तेनैव रूपेण ववृधे भूधरोपमः

rudramāyāṁtamālokya tadbhaktārcita liṁgataḥ || daityastenaiva rūpeṇa vavṛdhe bhūdharopamaḥ

Beholding Rudra coming, arisen from the linga worshipped by that devotee, the demon, in that very tiger form, swelled up to the size of a mountain.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.65.70)

सावज्ञमथसर्वज्ञं यावत्पश्यति दानवः ॥ तावदायांतमादाय कक्षायंत्रे न्यपीडयत्

sāvajñamathasarvajñaṁ yāvatpaśyati dānavaḥ || tāvadāyāṁtamādāya kakṣāyaṁtre nyapīḍayat

Even as the demon looked with contempt upon the All-Knowing One, that same instant, Shiva, approaching him, seized and pressed him tightly in the vice of his armpit.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.65.71)

पंचास्यस्त्वथ पंचास्यं मुष्ट्या मूर्धन्यताडयत् ॥ स च तेनैव रूपेण कक्षानिष्पेषणेन च

paṁcāsyastvatha paṁcāsyaṁ muṣṭyā mūrdhanyatāḍayat || sa ca tenaiva rūpeṇa kakṣāniṣpeṣaṇena ca

Then the five-faced demon struck the five-faced Shiva on the head with his fist; but he, in that very form, through the crushing grip of the armpit...

Verse 72 (skanda.4.65.72)

अत्यार्तमरटद्व्याघ्रो रोदसी परिपूरयन् ॥ तेन नादेन सहसा सं प्रवेपितमानसाः

atyārtamaraṭadvyāghro rodasī paripūrayan || tena nādena sahasā saṁ pravepitamānasāḥ

The tiger, in extreme agony, roared, filling heaven and earth; by that sound, their minds suddenly trembling all together...

Verse 73 (skanda.4.65.73)

तपोधनाः समाजग्मुर्निशि शब्दानुसारतः ॥ तत्रेश्वरं समालोक्य कक्षीकृत मृगेश्वरम्

tapodhanāḥ samājagmurniśi śabdānusārataḥ || tatreśvaraṁ samālokya kakṣīkṛta mṛgeśvaram

...the treasuries of austerity came together in the night, following the sound; there, beholding the Lord, with the beast-lord held in his armpit...

Verse 74 (skanda.4.65.74)

तुष्टुवुः प्रणता सर्वे शर्वं जयजयाक्षरैः ॥ परित्राता जगत्त्रातः प्रत्यूहाद्दारुणादितः

tuṣṭuvuḥ praṇatā sarve śarvaṁ jayajayākṣaraiḥ || paritrātā jagattrātaḥ pratyūhāddāruṇāditaḥ

...all of them, bowing, praised Sharva with cries of "Victory! Victory!": "O protector, savior of the world, from this most terrible obstacle -"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.65.75)

अनुग्रहं कुरुध्वेश तिष्ठात्रैव जगद्गुरो ॥ अनेनैव हि रूपेण व्याघ्रेश इति नामतः

anugrahaṁ kurudhveśa tiṣṭhātraiva jagadguro || anenaiva hi rūpeṇa vyāghreśa iti nāmataḥ

"'-show us your grace, O Lord; remain right here, O Guru of the World, in this very form, under the name Vyaghresha!'"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.65.76)

कुरु रक्षां महादेव ज्येष्ठस्थानस्य सर्वदा ॥ अन्येभ्योप्युपसर्गेभ्यो रक्ष नस्तीर्थवासिनः

kuru rakṣāṁ mahādeva jyeṣṭhasthānasya sarvadā || anyebhyopyupasargebhyo rakṣa nastīrthavāsinaḥ

"'O Mahadeva, ever protect this Jyeshthasthana; protect us, dwellers of this tirtha, from every other affliction too.'"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.65.77)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां देवश्चंद्रविभूषणः ॥ तथेत्युक्त्वा पुनः प्राह शृणुध्वं द्विजपुंगवाः

iti śrutvā vacasteṣāṁ devaścaṁdravibhūṣaṇaḥ || tathetyuktvā punaḥ prāha śṛṇudhvaṁ dvijapuṁgavāḥ

Having heard their words, the Moon-adorned god, saying "So be it," spoke again: "Listen, O foremost of Brahmins."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.65.78)

यो मामनेन रूपेण द्रक्ष्यति श्रद्धयात्र वै ॥ तस्योपसर्गसंघातं घातयिष्याम्यसंशयम्

yo māmanena rūpeṇa drakṣyati śraddhayātra vai || tasyopasargasaṁghātaṁ ghātayiṣyāmyasaṁśayam

"'Whoever shall behold me in this very form here, with faith, indeed - I shall certainly destroy his every mass of affliction, without doubt.'"

Verse 79 (skanda.4.65.79)

एतल्लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य यो याति पथि मानवः ॥ चौरव्याघ्रादिसंभूत भयं तस्य कुतो भवेत्

etalliṁgaṁ samabhyarcya yo yāti pathi mānavaḥ || cauravyāghrādisaṁbhūta bhayaṁ tasya kuto bhavet

"'A man who, having worshipped this linga, sets out upon a journey - whence for him would arise fear born of thieves, tigers, and the like?'"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.65.80)

मच्चरित्रमिदं श्रुत्वा स्मृत्वा लिंगमिदं हृदि ॥ संग्रामे प्रविशन्मर्त्यो जयमाप्नोति नान्यथा

maccaritramidaṁ śrutvā smṛtvā liṁgamidaṁ hṛdi || saṁgrāme praviśanmartyo jayamāpnoti nānyathā

"'A mortal who, having heard this deed of mine, and remembering this linga in his heart, enters battle, obtains victory - not otherwise.'"

Verse 81 (skanda.4.65.81)

इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवशस्तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं ययौ ॥ सविस्मयास्ततो विप्राः प्रातर्याता यथागतम्

ityuktvā devadevaśastasmi~lliṁge layaṁ yayau || savismayāstato viprāḥ prātaryātā yathāgatam

Having said this, the Lord of Gods dissolved into that very linga; then the Brahmins, filled with wonder, departed the next morning, each as he had come.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.65.82)

॥स्कन्द उवाच॥ तदा प्रभृति कुंभोत्थ लिंगं व्याघ्रेश्वराभिधम् ॥ ज्येष्ठेशादुत्तरेभागे दृष्टं स्पृष्टं भयापहम्

||skanda uvāca|| tadā prabhṛti kuṁbhottha liṁgaṁ vyāghreśvarābhidham || jyeṣṭheśāduttarebhāge dṛṣṭaṁ spṛṣṭaṁ bhayāpaham

Skanda said: "From that time onward, O jar-born one, the linga named Vyaghreshvara, in the northern part from Jyeshthesha, when seen or touched, removes fear."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.65.83)

व्याघ्रेश्वरस्य ये भक्तास्तेभ्यो बिभ्यति किंकराः ॥ यामा अपि महाक्रूरा जयजीवेति वादिनः

vyāghreśvarasya ye bhaktāstebhyo bibhyati kiṁkarāḥ || yāmā api mahākrūrā jayajīveti vādinaḥ

Those who are devotees of Vyaghreshvara - of them even Yama's servants are afraid, even the greatly cruel Yamas, who instead cry out to them, "Victory, long life!"

Verse 84 (skanda.4.65.84)

पराशरेश्वरादीनां लिंगानामिह संभवम् ॥ श्रुत्वा नरो न लिप्येत महापातककर्दमैः

parāśareśvarādīnāṁ liṁgānāmiha saṁbhavam || śrutvā naro na lipyeta mahāpātakakardamaiḥ

Having heard the origin of the lingas beginning with Parashareshvara, here, a man is never tainted by the mire of the greatest sins.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.65.85)

कंदुकेश समुत्पत्तिं व्याघ्रे शाविर्भवं तथा ॥ समाकर्ण्य नरो जातु नोपसर्गैः प्रदूयते

kaṁdukeśa samutpattiṁ vyāghre śāvirbhavaṁ tathā || samākarṇya naro jātu nopasargaiḥ pradūyate

Having heard the origin of Kandukesha, and likewise the manifestation of Vyaghresha, a man is never at all afflicted by torments.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.65.86)

उटजेश्वर लिंगं तु व्याघ्रेशात्पश्चिमे स्थितम् ॥ भक्तरक्षार्थमुद्भूतं स्यात्समभ्यर्च्य निर्भयः

uṭajeśvara liṁgaṁ tu vyāghreśātpaścime sthitam || bhaktarakṣārthamudbhūtaṁ syātsamabhyarcya nirbhayaḥ

The linga Utajeshvara, situated west of Vyaghresha, arose for the protection of devotees; worshipping it, one becomes fearless.