The Gathering of the Sixty-Eight Abodes

Verse 1 (skanda.4.69.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृण्वगस्त्य तपोराशे काश्यां लिंगानि यानि वै ॥ सेवितानि नृणां मुक्त्यै भवेयुर्भावितात्मनाम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇvagastya taporāśe kāśyāṁ liṁgāni yāni vai || sevitāni nṛṇāṁ muktyai bhaveyurbhāvitātmanām

Skanda said: Listen, O Agastya, treasury of austerity — whatever lingas there are in Kashi become, when served, the means of liberation for men of purified soul.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.69.2)

कृत्तिप्रावरणं यत्र कृतं देवेन लीलया ॥ रुद्रावास इति ख्यातं तत्स्थानं सर्वसिद्धिदम्

kṛttiprāvaraṇaṁ yatra kṛtaṁ devena līlayā || rudrāvāsa iti khyātaṁ tatsthānaṁ sarvasiddhidam

Where the god playfully put on the hide as a garment, that place, known as Rudravasa, grants every accomplishment.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.69.3)

स्थिते तत्रोमया सार्धं स्वेच्छया कृत्तिवाससि ॥ आगत्य नंदी विज्ञप्तिं चक्रे प्रणतिपूर्वकम्

sthite tatromayā sārdhaṁ svecchayā kṛttivāsasi || āgatya naṁdī vijñaptiṁ cakre praṇatipūrvakam

While Krittivasa dwelt there together with Uma, by his own will, Nandi came and made a submission, bowing first.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.69.4)

देवदेवेश विश्वेश प्रासादाः सुमनोहराः ॥ सर्वरत्नमया रम्याः साष्टाषष्टिरभूदिह

devadeveśa viśveśa prāsādāḥ sumanoharāḥ || sarvaratnamayā ramyāḥ sāṣṭāṣaṣṭirabhūdiha

'O god of gods, lord of the universe — sixty-eight lovely temples, made entirely of gems, delightful, have come to be here.'

Verse 5 (skanda.4.69.5)

भूर्भुवःस्वस्तले यानि शुभान्यायतनानि हि ॥ मुक्तिदान्यपि तानीह मयानीतानि सर्वतः

bhūrbhuvaḥsvastale yāni śubhānyāyatanāni hi || muktidānyapi tānīha mayānītāni sarvataḥ

'Whatever auspicious sacred abodes exist in the earth, sky and heaven, granting liberation — all of them have been brought here by me from every quarter.'

Verse 6 (skanda.4.69.6)

यतो यच्च समानीतं यत्र यच्च कृतास्पदम् ॥ कथयिष्याम्यहं नाथ क्षणं तदवधार्यताम्

yato yacca samānītaṁ yatra yacca kṛtāspadam || kathayiṣyāmyahaṁ nātha kṣaṇaṁ tadavadhāryatām

'From where each was brought, and where each has taken its place — I shall tell, my lord; give heed to it for a moment.'

Verse 7 (skanda.4.69.7)

स्थाणुर्नाम महालिंगं देवदेवस्य मोक्षदम् ॥ कुरुक्षेत्रादिहोद्भूतं कलाशेषोस्ति तत्र वै

sthāṇurnāma mahāliṁgaṁ devadevasya mokṣadam || kurukṣetrādihodbhūtaṁ kalāśeṣosti tatra vai

'The great linga named Sthanu, of the god of gods, granting liberation, has arisen here from Kurukshetra; a fraction of it remains there still.'

Verse 8 (skanda.4.69.8)

तदग्रे सन्निहत्याख्या महापुष्करिणी शुभा ॥ लोलार्क पश्चिमे भागे कुरुक्षेत्रस्थली तु सा

tadagre sannihatyākhyā mahāpuṣkariṇī śubhā || lolārka paścime bhāge kurukṣetrasthalī tu sā

'Before it is the great, auspicious pool named Sannihatya, to the west of Lolarka — that is the very site of Kurukshetra.'

Verse 9 (skanda.4.69.9)

तत्र स्नातं हुतं जप्तं तप्तं दत्तं शुभार्थिभिः ॥ कुरुक्षेत्राद्भवेत्सत्यं कोटिकोटिगुणाधिकम्

tatra snātaṁ hutaṁ japtaṁ taptaṁ dattaṁ śubhārthibhiḥ || kurukṣetrādbhavetsatyaṁ koṭikoṭiguṇādhikam

'Bathing, offering, recitation, austerity, and gifts performed there by those seeking good fortune truly become many crores of times more fruitful than the same acts at Kurukshetra.'

Verse 10 (skanda.4.69.10)

नैमिषाद्देवदेवोत्र ब्रह्मावर्तेन संयुतः ॥ तत्रांशमात्रं संस्थाप्य काश्यामाविरभूद्विभो

naimiṣāddevadevotra brahmāvartena saṁyutaḥ || tatrāṁśamātraṁ saṁsthāpya kāśyāmāvirabhūdvibho

'The god of gods, together with Brahmavarta, having established there at Naimisha only a fraction of himself, manifested here in Kashi, O lord.'

Verse 11 (skanda.4.69.11)

ढुंढिराजोत्तरेभागे सिद्धिदं साधकस्य वै ॥ लिंगं वै देवदेवाख्यं तदग्रे कूप उत्तमः

ḍhuṁḍhirājottarebhāge siddhidaṁ sādhakasya vai || liṁgaṁ vai devadevākhyaṁ tadagre kūpa uttamaḥ

'To the north of Dhundhiraja is the linga named Devadeva, granting accomplishment to the seeker; before it is an excellent well.'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.69.12)

ब्रह्मावर्त इति ख्यातः पुनरावृत्तिहृन्नृणाम् ॥ तत्कूपाद्भिः कृतस्नानो देवदेवं समर्च्य च

brahmāvarta iti khyātaḥ punarāvṛttihṛnnṛṇām || tatkūpādbhiḥ kṛtasnāno devadevaṁ samarcya ca

'Known as Brahmavarta, it removes men's return to rebirth; having bathed with the water of that well, and worshipped Devadeva —'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.69.13)

तत्पुण्यं नैमिषारण्यात्कोटिकोटिगुणं स्मृतम् ॥ गोकर्णायतनादत्र स्वयमाविरभून्महत्

tatpuṇyaṁ naimiṣāraṇyātkoṭikoṭiguṇaṁ smṛtam || gokarṇāyatanādatra svayamāvirabhūnmahat

'— that merit is remembered as crores of times greater than at Naimisha forest. A great one has here manifested of itself from Gokarna —'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.69.14)

लिंगं महाबलं नाम सांबादित्यसमीपतः ॥ दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाद्यस्य क्षणादेनो महाबलम्

liṁgaṁ mahābalaṁ nāma sāṁbādityasamīpataḥ || darśanātsparśanādyasya kṣaṇādeno mahābalam

'— the linga named Mahabala, near Sambaditya; by the sight and touch of which even a mighty sin —'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.69.15)

वाताहतस्तूलराशिरिव विद्राति दूरतः ॥ कपालमोचनपुरो दृष्ट्वा लिंगं महाबलम्

vātāhatastūlarāśiriva vidrāti dūrataḥ || kapālamocanapuro dṛṣṭvā liṁgaṁ mahābalam

'— is instantly scattered far away like a heap of cotton struck by the wind. Before Kapalamochana, having beheld the linga Mahabala —'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.69.16)

महाबलमवाप्नोति निवार्णनगरं व्रजेत् ॥ ऋणमोचनतः प्राच्यां प्रभासात्क्षेत्रसत्तमात्

mahābalamavāpnoti nivārṇanagaraṁ vrajet || ṛṇamocanataḥ prācyāṁ prabhāsātkṣetrasattamāt

'— one obtains great strength, and goes to the city of liberation. To the east of Rinamochana, from Prabhasa, the finest of sacred fields —'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.69.17)

शशिभूषणसंज्ञं तु लिंगमत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ तल्लिंगसेवनान्मर्त्यः शाशिभूषणतां व्रजेत्

śaśibhūṣaṇasaṁjñaṁ tu liṁgamatra pratiṣṭhitam || talliṁgasevanānmartyaḥ śāśibhūṣaṇatāṁ vrajet

'— the linga named Shashibhushana has here been established; by service to that linga, a mortal attains the state of being adorned with the moon.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.69.18)

प्रभासक्षेत्रयात्रायाः पुण्यं प्राप्नोति कोटिकृत् ॥ उज्जयिन्या महाकालः स्वयमत्रागतो विभुः

prabhāsakṣetrayātrāyāḥ puṇyaṁ prāpnoti koṭikṛt || ujjayinyā mahākālaḥ svayamatrāgato vibhuḥ

'One obtains a crore times the merit of a pilgrimage to Prabhasa. The mighty Mahakala himself has come here from Ujjain —'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.69.19)

यन्नामस्मरणादेव न भयं कलिकालतः ॥ प्रणवाख्यान्महालिंगात्प्राच्यां कल्मषनाशनम्

yannāmasmaraṇādeva na bhayaṁ kalikālataḥ || praṇavākhyānmahāliṁgātprācyāṁ kalmaṣanāśanam

'— by the mere remembrance of whose name there is no fear from the Kali age. To the east of the great linga named Pranava, destroying sin —'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.69.20)

महाकालाभिधं लिंगं दर्शनान्मोक्षदं परम् ॥ अयोगंधेश्वरं लिंगं पुष्करात्तीर्थसत्तमात्

mahākālābhidhaṁ liṁgaṁ darśanānmokṣadaṁ param || ayogaṁdheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ puṣkarāttīrthasattamāt

'— is the linga named Mahakala, granting supreme liberation by mere sight. The linga Ayogandheshvara has come from Pushkara, the finest of sacred fords —'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.69.21)

आविरासीदिह महत्पुष्करेण सहैव तु ॥ मत्स्योदर्युत्तरेभागे दृष्ट्वा ऽयोगंधमीश्वरम्

āvirāsīdiha mahatpuṣkareṇa sahaiva tu || matsyodaryuttarebhāge dṛṣṭvā 'yogaṁdhamīśvaram

'— manifesting here, together with Pushkara itself. To the north of Matsyodari, having beheld Ayogandheshvara —'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.69.22)

स्नात्वाऽयोगंधकुंडे तु भवात्तारयते पितॄन् ॥ महानादेश्वरं लिंगमट्टहासादिहागतम्

snātvā'yogaṁdhakuṁḍe tu bhavāttārayate pitṝn || mahānādeśvaraṁ liṁgamaṭṭahāsādihāgatam

'— and bathed in the Ayogandha tank, one delivers one's ancestors from worldly existence. The linga Mahanadeshvara has come here from Attahasa —'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.69.23)

त्रिलोचनादुदीच्यां तु तद्दृष्टमुक्तये मतम् ॥ महोत्कटेश्वरं लिंगं मरुत्कोटादिहागतम् ॥ कामेश्वरोत्तरे भागे दृष्टं विमलसिद्धिदम्

trilocanādudīcyāṁ tu taddṛṣṭamuktaye matam || mahotkaṭeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ marutkoṭādihāgatam || kāmeśvarottare bhāge dṛṣṭaṁ vimalasiddhidam

'— to the north of Trilochana; beholding it is held to grant liberation. The linga Mahotkateshvara has come here from Marutkota, to the north of Kameshvara, granting spotless accomplishment.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.69.24)

विश्वस्थानादिहायातं लिंगं वै विमलेश्वरम् ॥ स्वर्लीनात्पश्चिमे भागे दृष्टं विमलसिद्धिदम्

viśvasthānādihāyātaṁ liṁgaṁ vai vimaleśvaram || svarlīnātpaścime bhāge dṛṣṭaṁ vimalasiddhidam

'The linga Vimaleshvara has come here from Vishvasthana, to the west of Svarlina, granting spotless accomplishment.'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.69.25)

महाव्रतं महालिंगं महेंद्रादिह संस्थितम् ॥ स्कंदेश्वर समीपे तु महाव्रतफलप्रदम्

mahāvrataṁ mahāliṁgaṁ maheṁdrādiha saṁsthitam || skaṁdeśvara samīpe tu mahāvrataphalapradam

'The great linga Mahavrata has become established here from Mahendra, near Skandeshvara, granting the fruit of a great vow.'

Verse 26 (skanda.4.69.26)

वृंदारकर्षिवृंदानां स्तुवतां प्रथमे युगे ॥ उत्पन्नं यन्महालिंगं भूमिं भित्त्वा सुदुर्भिदाम्

vṛṁdārakarṣivṛṁdānāṁ stuvatāṁ prathame yuge || utpannaṁ yanmahāliṁgaṁ bhūmiṁ bhittvā sudurbhidām

'That great linga which arose in the first age, while multitudes of gods and sages praised it, splitting through the earth, so hard to split —'

Verse 27 (skanda.4.69.27)

महादेवेति तैरुक्तं यन्मनोरथपूरणात ॥ वाराणस्यां महादेवस्तदारभ्याभवच्च यत्

mahādeveti tairuktaṁ yanmanorathapūraṇāta || vārāṇasyāṁ mahādevastadārabhyābhavacca yat

'— was called by them Mahadeva because it fulfilled their desires; and from then on it became known as Mahadeva in Varanasi.'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.69.28)

मुक्तिक्षेत्रं कृतं येन महालिंगेन काशिका ॥ अविमुक्ते महादेवं यो द्रक्ष्यत्यत्रमानवः

muktikṣetraṁ kṛtaṁ yena mahāliṁgena kāśikā || avimukte mahādevaṁ yo drakṣyatyatramānavaḥ

'By that great linga, Kashi was made into the field of liberation; whatever man shall behold Mahadeva here in Avimukta —'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.69.29)

शंभुलोके गमस्तस्य यत्रतत्र मृतस्य हि ॥ अविमुक्ते प्रयत्नेन तत्संसेव्यं मुमुक्षुभिः

śaṁbhuloke gamastasya yatratatra mṛtasya hi || avimukte prayatnena tatsaṁsevyaṁ mumukṣubhiḥ

'— his passage is to the world of Shambhu, wherever he may die. It is to be diligently served in Avimukta by those seeking liberation.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.69.30)

कल्पांतरेपि न त्यक्तं कदाप्यानंदकाननम् ॥ येन लिंगस्वरूपेण महादेवेन सर्वथा

kalpāṁtarepi na tyaktaṁ kadāpyānaṁdakānanam || yena liṁgasvarūpeṇa mahādevena sarvathā

'The Grove of Bliss has never at any time, even across other kalpas, been abandoned by that Mahadeva, whose very form is the linga.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.69.31)

तत्प्रसादोयमतुलः सर्वरत्नमयः शुभः ॥ हिरण्यगर्भतीर्थाच्च प्रतीच्यां क्षेत्ररक्षकम्

tatprasādoyamatulaḥ sarvaratnamayaḥ śubhaḥ || hiraṇyagarbhatīrthācca pratīcyāṁ kṣetrarakṣakam

'This is his incomparable, auspicious temple, made entirely of gems. To the west of Hiranyagarbha-tirtha, protecting the sacred field —'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.69.32)

वाराणस्यामधिष्ठात्री देवता साभिलाषदा ॥ महादेवेति संज्ञा वै सर्वलिंगस्वरूपिणी

vārāṇasyāmadhiṣṭhātrī devatā sābhilāṣadā || mahādeveti saṁjñā vai sarvaliṁgasvarūpiṇī

'— is the presiding deity of Varanasi, granting desires; named Mahadeva, she is the very embodiment of all lingas.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.69.33)

वाराणस्यां महादेवो दृष्टो यैर्लिंगरूपधृक् ॥ तेन त्रैलोक्यलिंगानि दृष्टानीह न संशयः

vārāṇasyāṁ mahādevo dṛṣṭo yairliṁgarūpadhṛk || tena trailokyaliṁgāni dṛṣṭānīha na saṁśayaḥ

'By whomever Mahadeva, bearing the linga-form, has been seen in Varanasi, by him all the lingas of the three worlds have been seen — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.69.34)

वाराणस्यां महादेवं समभ्यर्च्य सकृन्नरः ॥ आभूतसंप्लवं यावच्छिवलोके वसेन्मुदा

vārāṇasyāṁ mahādevaṁ samabhyarcya sakṛnnaraḥ || ābhūtasaṁplavaṁ yāvacchivaloke vasenmudā

'A man, having worshipped Mahadeva in Varanasi even once, dwells joyfully in the world of Shiva until the dissolution of all beings.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.69.35)

पवित्रपर्वणि सदा श्रावणे मासि यत्नतः ॥ लिंगे पवित्रमारोप्य महादेवे न गर्भभाक्

pavitraparvaṇi sadā śrāvaṇe māsi yatnataḥ || liṁge pavitramāropya mahādeve na garbhabhāk

'On the sacred festival day, always diligently in the month of Shravana, offering the sacred thread to the linga Mahadeva, one no longer partakes of the womb.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.69.36)

पितामहेश्वरं लिंगं गयातीर्थादिहागतम् ॥ फल्ग्रुप्रभृतिभिस्तीर्थैः सार्धकोट्यष्टसंमितैः

pitāmaheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ gayātīrthādihāgatam || phalgruprabhṛtibhistīrthaiḥ sārdhakoṭyaṣṭasaṁmitaiḥ

'The linga Pitamaheshvara has come here from the sacred ford of Gaya, together with eight and a half crores of sacred fords, Phalgu and the rest —'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.69.37)

धर्मेण यत्र वै तप्तं युगानामयुतं शतम् ॥ साक्षीकृत्य महालिंगं श्रीमद्धर्मेश्वराभिधम्

dharmeṇa yatra vai taptaṁ yugānāmayutaṁ śatam || sākṣīkṛtya mahāliṁgaṁ śrīmaddharmeśvarābhidham

'— where Dharma performed austerity for a hundred myriads of ages, taking as witness the great linga named the glorious Dharmeshvara.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.69.38)

पितामहेश्वरं लिंगं तत्राभ्यर्च्य नरो मुदा ॥ त्रिःसप्तकुलसंयुक्तो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

pitāmaheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tatrābhyarcya naro mudā || triḥsaptakulasaṁyukto mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

'A man who joyfully worships the linga Pitamaheshvara there is liberated, together with twenty-one generations of his lineage — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.69.39)

प्रयागात्तीर्थराजाच्च शूलटंको महेश्वरः ॥ तीर्थराजेन सहितः स्थित आगत्य वै स्वयम्

prayāgāttīrtharājācca śūlaṭaṁko maheśvaraḥ || tīrtharājena sahitaḥ sthita āgatya vai svayam

'From Prayaga, the king of sacred fords, Maheshvara Shulatanka has, together with the king of fords himself, come and taken his stand here.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.69.40)

निर्वाणमंडपाद्रम्यादवाच्यामतिनिर्मलः ॥ प्रासादो मेरुणा यस्य स्पर्धते कांचनोज्वलः

nirvāṇamaṁḍapādramyādavācyāmatinirmalaḥ || prāsādo meruṇā yasya spardhate kāṁcanojvalaḥ

'To the west of the lovely Nirvana-mandapa, exceedingly spotless, is his temple, golden and resplendent, which rivals Mount Meru.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.69.41)

देवेनैव वरो दत्तो यत्र पूर्वं युगांतरे ॥ पूज्यो महेश्वरः काश्यां प्रथमं कलुषापहः

devenaiva varo datto yatra pūrvaṁ yugāṁtare || pūjyo maheśvaraḥ kāśyāṁ prathamaṁ kaluṣāpahaḥ

'There, in a former age, a boon was given by the god himself, that Maheshvara shall be worshipped first in Kashi, as remover of sin.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.69.42)

यः प्रयाग इह स्नातो नमस्यति महेश्वरम् ॥ समभ्यर्च्य विधानेन महासंभारविस्तरैः

yaḥ prayāga iha snāto namasyati maheśvaram || samabhyarcya vidhānena mahāsaṁbhāravistaraiḥ

'He who, having bathed at this Prayaga here, bows to Maheshvara, worshipping him duly with a great abundance of offerings —'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.69.43)

प्रयागस्नानजात्पुण्याच्छूलटंक विलोकनात् ॥ स प्राप्नुयान्न संदेहः पुण्यं कोटिगुणोत्तरम्

prayāgasnānajātpuṇyācchūlaṭaṁka vilokanāt || sa prāpnuyānna saṁdehaḥ puṇyaṁ koṭiguṇottaram

'— obtains, from beholding Shulatanka, merit a crore times greater than the merit of bathing at Prayaga — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.69.44)

शंकुकर्णान्महाक्षेत्रान्महातेज इतीरितम् ॥ लिंगमाविरभूदत्र महातेजोविवृद्धिदम्

śaṁkukarṇānmahākṣetrānmahāteja itīritam || liṁgamāvirabhūdatra mahātejovivṛddhidam

'From the great sacred field of Shankukarna, the linga called Mahateja has manifested here, granting the increase of great splendour.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.69.45)

महातेजोनिधिस्तस्य प्रासादोतीवनिर्मलः ॥ ज्वालाजटिलिताकाशो माणिक्यैरेव निर्मितः

mahātejonidhistasya prāsādotīvanirmalaḥ || jvālājaṭilitākāśo māṇikyaireva nirmitaḥ

'His temple, a treasury of great splendour, exceedingly spotless, its flames entangling the very sky, is built entirely of rubies.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.69.46)

तल्लिंगदर्शनात्स्पर्शात्स्तवनाच्च समर्चनात् ॥ प्राप्यते तत्परं धाम यत्र गत्वा न शोचते

talliṁgadarśanātsparśātstavanācca samarcanāt || prāpyate tatparaṁ dhāma yatra gatvā na śocate

'By seeing, touching, praising, and worshipping that linga, that supreme abode is attained, going to which one grieves no more.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.69.47)

विनायकेश्वरात्पूर्वं महातेजः समर्चनात् ॥ तेजोमयेन यानेन याति माहेश्वरं पदम्

vināyakeśvarātpūrvaṁ mahātejaḥ samarcanāt || tejomayena yānena yāti māheśvaraṁ padam

'To the east of Vinayakeshvara, by the worship of Mahateja, one goes, in a vehicle made of splendour, to the state of Maheshvara.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.69.48)

रुद्रकोटिसमाख्यातात्तीर्थात्परमपावनात् ॥ महायोगीश्वरं लिंगमाविश्चक्रे स्वयं परम्

rudrakoṭisamākhyātāttīrthātparamapāvanāt || mahāyogīśvaraṁ liṁgamāviścakre svayaṁ param

'From the sacred ford famed as Rudrakoti, supremely purifying, the supreme linga Mahayogishvara has itself manifested.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.69.49)

पार्वतीश्वर लिंगस्य समीपे सर्वसिद्धिकृत् ॥ तल्लिंगदर्शनात्पुंसां कोटिलिंग फलं भवेत्

pārvatīśvara liṁgasya samīpe sarvasiddhikṛt || talliṁgadarśanātpuṁsāṁ koṭiliṁga phalaṁ bhavet

'Near the linga Parvatishvara, granting every accomplishment; by the sight of that linga, men obtain the fruit of worshipping a crore lingas.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.69.50)

तत्प्रासादस्य परितो रुद्राणां कोटिसंमिताः ॥ प्रासादारम्यसंस्थाना निर्मिता रुद्रमूर्तिभिः

tatprāsādasya parito rudrāṇāṁ koṭisaṁmitāḥ || prāsādāramyasaṁsthānā nirmitā rudramūrtibhiḥ

'Around that temple, a crore of Rudras, forms delightfully arranged, have made images of Rudra's own form.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.69.51)

काश्यां रुद्रस्थली सा तु पठ्यते वेदवादिभिः ॥ रुद्रस्थल्यां मृता ये वै कृमिकीटपतंगकाः

kāśyāṁ rudrasthalī sā tu paṭhyate vedavādibhiḥ || rudrasthalyāṁ mṛtā ye vai kṛmikīṭapataṁgakāḥ

'That is called Rudrasthali in Kashi, recited of by the exponents of the Vedas; whatever worms, insects, and moths die at Rudrasthali —'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.69.52)

पशुपक्षिमृगा मर्त्या म्लेच्छा वाप्यथ दीक्षिताः ॥ तेषां तु रुद्रीभूतानां पुनरावृत्तिरत्र न

paśupakṣimṛgā martyā mlecchā vāpyatha dīkṣitāḥ || teṣāṁ tu rudrībhūtānāṁ punarāvṛttiratra na

'— beasts, birds, deer, mortals, outcastes or initiates — all of them, having become of Rudra's own nature, do not return here again.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.69.53)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यत्पापं समुपार्जितम् ॥ रुद्रस्थलीं प्रविष्टस्य तत्सर्वं व्रजति क्षयम्

janmāṁtarasahasreṣu yatpāpaṁ samupārjitam || rudrasthalīṁ praviṣṭasya tatsarvaṁ vrajati kṣayam

'Whatever sin has been accumulated over a thousand other births — for one who has entered Rudrasthali, all of it comes to destruction.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.69.54)

अकामो वा सकामो वा तिर्यग्योनिगतोपि वा ॥ रुद्रस्थल्यां त्यजन्प्राणान्परं निर्वाणमाप्नुयात्

akāmo vā sakāmo vā tiryagyonigatopi vā || rudrasthalyāṁ tyajanprāṇānparaṁ nirvāṇamāpnuyāt

'Whether desireless or desiring, or even born in an animal womb — one who casts off life at Rudrasthali attains supreme liberation.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.69.55)

स्वयमेकांबरात्क्षेत्रात्कृत्तिवासा इहागतः ॥ कृत्तिवाससि लिंगेत्र स्वयमेव व्यवस्थितः

svayamekāṁbarātkṣetrātkṛttivāsā ihāgataḥ || kṛttivāsasi liṁgetra svayameva vyavasthitaḥ

'Krittivasa himself has come here from the sacred field of Ekambara, and here has of himself taken his place in this linga of Krittivasa.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.69.56)

अस्मिन्स्थाने स्वभक्तानां सांबः सर्षिगणो विभुः ॥ स्वयं चोपदिशेद्ब्रह्म श्रुतौ श्रुतिभिरीडितम्

asminsthāne svabhaktānāṁ sāṁbaḥ sarṣigaṇo vibhuḥ || svayaṁ copadiśedbrahma śrutau śrutibhirīḍitam

'In this place, the mighty one, together with Uma and multitudes of sages, himself teaches Brahman, extolled in the Shruti, to his devotees.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.69.57)

क्षेत्रेत्र सिद्धिदे प्राप्तश्चंडीशो मरुजांगलात् ॥ प्रचंडपापसंघातं खंडयेच्छतधेक्षणात्

kṣetretra siddhide prāptaścaṁḍīśo marujāṁgalāt || pracaṁḍapāpasaṁghātaṁ khaṁḍayecchatadhekṣaṇāt

'Chandisha, having arrived in this accomplishment-granting field from Marujangala, shatters the mass of fierce sins a hundredfold by mere sight.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.69.58)

पाशपाणिगणाध्यक्ष समीपे यः प्रपश्यति ॥ चंडीश्वरं महालिंगं स याति परमां गतिम्

pāśapāṇigaṇādhyakṣa samīpe yaḥ prapaśyati || caṁḍīśvaraṁ mahāliṁgaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

'He who beholds the great linga Chandishvara, near the noose-bearing lord of the ganas, attains the supreme goal.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.69.59)

कालंजरान्नीलकंठस्तिष्ठेदत्र स्वयं विभुः ॥ गणेशाद्दंतकूटाख्यात्समीपे भवनाशनः

kālaṁjarānnīlakaṁṭhastiṣṭhedatra svayaṁ vibhuḥ || gaṇeśāddaṁtakūṭākhyātsamīpe bhavanāśanaḥ

'From Kalanjara, the mighty Nilakantha himself abides here, near the elephant-tusked Ganesha, destroyer of worldly existence.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.69.60)

नीलकंठेश्वरं लिंगं काश्यां यैः परिपूजितम् ॥ नीलकंठास्त एव स्युस्तएव शशिभूषणाः

nīlakaṁṭheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kāśyāṁ yaiḥ paripūjitam || nīlakaṁṭhāsta eva syustaeva śaśibhūṣaṇāḥ

'Those by whom the linga Nilakantheshvara has been worshipped in Kashi become themselves blue-throated, adorned with the moon.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.69.61)

काश्मीरादिह संप्राप्तं लिंगं विजयसंज्ञितम् ॥ सदा विजयदं पुंसां प्राच्यां शालकटंकटात्

kāśmīrādiha saṁprāptaṁ liṁgaṁ vijayasaṁjñitam || sadā vijayadaṁ puṁsāṁ prācyāṁ śālakaṭaṁkaṭāt

'The linga named Vijaya has come here from Kashmir, ever granting victory to men, to the east of Shalakatankata.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.69.62)

रणे राजकुले द्यूते विवादे सर्वदैव हि ॥ विजयो जायते पुंसां विजयेश समर्चनात्

raṇe rājakule dyūte vivāde sarvadaiva hi || vijayo jāyate puṁsāṁ vijayeśa samarcanāt

'In battle, in royal court, in dice, in disputation, always victory arises for men through worship of Vijayesha.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.69.63)

ऊर्ध्वरेतास्त्रिदंडायाः संप्राप्तोत्र स्वयं विभुः ॥ कूश्मांडकं गणाध्यक्षं पुरस्कृत्य व्यवस्थितः

ūrdhvaretāstridaṁḍāyāḥ saṁprāptotra svayaṁ vibhuḥ || kūśmāṁḍakaṁ gaṇādhyakṣaṁ puraskṛtya vyavasthitaḥ

'The mighty Urdhvaretas has himself arrived here from Tridandi, taking his stand with the attendant-lord Kushmandaka set before him.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.69.64)

ऊर्ध्वां गतिमवाप्नोति वीक्षणादूर्ध्वरेतसः ॥ ऊर्ध्वरेतसि ये भक्ता न हि तेषामधोगतिः

ūrdhvāṁ gatimavāpnoti vīkṣaṇādūrdhvaretasaḥ || ūrdhvaretasi ye bhaktā na hi teṣāmadhogatiḥ

'One obtains the upward path by the sight of Urdhvaretas; for those who are devotees of Urdhvaretas, there is no downward path.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.69.65)

मंडलेश्वरतः क्षेत्राल्लिंगं श्रीकंठसंज्ञितम् ॥ विनायकान्मंडसंज्ञादुत्तरस्यां व्यवस्थितम्

maṁḍaleśvarataḥ kṣetrālliṁgaṁ śrīkaṁṭhasaṁjñitam || vināyakānmaṁḍasaṁjñāduttarasyāṁ vyavasthitam

'From the sacred field of Mandaleshvara, the linga named Shrikantha stands to the north of the Vinayaka named Manda.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.69.66)

श्रीकंठस्य च ये भक्ताः श्रीकंठा एव ते नराः ॥ नेह श्रिया वियुज्यंते न परत्र कदाचन

śrīkaṁṭhasya ca ye bhaktāḥ śrīkaṁṭhā eva te narāḥ || neha śriyā viyujyaṁte na paratra kadācana

'Those men who are devotees of Shrikantha become themselves possessed of a blue-throat's glory; neither here nor beyond are they ever parted from prosperity.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.69.67)

छागलांडान्महातीर्थात्कपर्दीश्ववरसंज्ञितः ॥ पिशाचमोचने तीर्थे स्वयमाविरभूद्विभुः

chāgalāṁḍānmahātīrthātkapardīśvavarasaṁjñitaḥ || piśācamocane tīrthe svayamāvirabhūdvibhuḥ

'From the great sacred ford Chagalanda, the mighty one named Kapardishvara has himself manifested at the ford Pishachamochana.'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.69.68)

कपर्दीशं समभ्यर्च्य न नरो निरयं व्रजेत् ॥ न पिशाचत्वमाप्नोति कृत्वात्राप्यघमुत्तमम्

kapardīśaṁ samabhyarcya na naro nirayaṁ vrajet || na piśācatvamāpnoti kṛtvātrāpyaghamuttamam

'Having worshipped Kapardisha, a man does not go to hell; he does not attain the state of a demon, even having committed great sin here.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.69.69)

आम्रातकेश्वरात्क्षेत्राल्लिंगं सूक्ष्मेश संज्ञितम् ॥ स्वयमभ्यागतं चात्र क्षेत्रे वै श्रेयसांपदे

āmrātakeśvarātkṣetrālliṁgaṁ sūkṣmeśa saṁjñitam || svayamabhyāgataṁ cātra kṣetre vai śreyasāṁpade

'From the sacred field of Amratakeshvara, the linga named Sukshmesha has itself come here to this field, abode of blessings.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.69.70)

विकट द्विजसंज्ञस्य गणेशस्य समीपतः ॥ दृष्ट्वा सूक्ष्मेश्वरं लिंगं गतिं सूक्ष्मामवाप्नुयात्

vikaṭa dvijasaṁjñasya gaṇeśasya samīpataḥ || dṛṣṭvā sūkṣmeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ gatiṁ sūkṣmāmavāpnuyāt

'Near the Ganesha named Vikatadvija, having beheld the linga Sukshmeshvara, one attains a subtle, effortless passage to liberation.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.69.71)

संप्राप्तमिह देवेशं जयंतं मधुकेश्वरात् ॥ लंबोदराद्गणपतेः पुरस्तात्तदवस्थितम्

saṁprāptamiha deveśaṁ jayaṁtaṁ madhukeśvarāt || laṁbodarādgaṇapateḥ purastāttadavasthitam

'The lord of gods, Jayanta, has arrived here from Madhukeshvara; he stands before the pot-bellied lord of attendants, Lambodara.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.69.72)

जयंतेश्वरमालोक्य स्नात्वा गंगाजले शुभे ॥ प्राप्नुयाद्वांछितां सिद्धिं सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्

jayaṁteśvaramālokya snātvā gaṁgājale śubhe || prāpnuyādvāṁchitāṁ siddhiṁ sarvatra vijayī bhavet

'Beholding Jayanteshvara and bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganga, one obtains the desired accomplishment and becomes victorious everywhere.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.69.73)

प्रादुश्चकार देवेशः श्रीशैलात्त्रिपुरांतकः ॥ श्रीशैलशिखरं दृष्ट्वा यत्फलं समुदीरितम्

prāduścakāra deveśaḥ śrīśailāttripurāṁtakaḥ || śrīśailaśikharaṁ dṛṣṭvā yatphalaṁ samudīritam

'The lord of gods, Tripurantaka, manifested here from Shrishaila. The fruit that is declared for beholding the peak of Shrishaila —'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.69.74)

त्रिपुरांतकमालोक्य तत्फलं हेलयाप्यते ॥ विश्वेरात्पश्चिमे भागे त्रिपुरांतकमीश्वरम्

tripurāṁtakamālokya tatphalaṁ helayāpyate || viśverātpaścime bhāge tripurāṁtakamīśvaram

'— that same fruit is easily obtained by beholding Tripurantaka. To the west of Vishveshvara stands Tripurantakeshvara —'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.69.75)

संपूज्य परया भक्त्या न नरो गर्भमाविशेत् ॥ सौम्यस्थानादिहायातो भगवान्कुक्कुटेश्वरः

saṁpūjya parayā bhaktyā na naro garbhamāviśet || saumyasthānādihāyāto bhagavānkukkuṭeśvaraḥ

'— having worshipped him with supreme devotion, a man does not enter the womb again. The blessed Kukkuteshvara has come here from Saumyasthana —'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.69.76)

वक्रतुंड गणाध्यक्ष समीपे सोपतिष्ठते ॥ तद्दर्शनादर्चनाच्च करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः

vakratuṁḍa gaṇādhyakṣa samīpe sopatiṣṭhate || taddarśanādarcanācca karasthāḥ sarvasiddhayaḥ

'— and abide near the curve-trunked lord of attendants; by beholding and worshipping it, all accomplishments come as if into one's own hand.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.69.77)

जालेश्वरात्त्रिशूली च स्वयमीशः समागतः ॥ कूटदंताद्गणपतेः पुरस्तात्सर्वसिद्धिदः

jāleśvarāttriśūlī ca svayamīśaḥ samāgataḥ || kūṭadaṁtādgaṇapateḥ purastātsarvasiddhidaḥ

'The trident-bearing lord himself has come from Jaleshvara, granting every accomplishment, standing before the tusk-crested lord of attendants, Kutadanta.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.69.78)

रामेश्वरान्महाक्षेत्राज्जटीदेवः समागतः ॥ एकदंतोत्तरे भागे सोर्चितः सर्वकामदः

rāmeśvarānmahākṣetrājjaṭīdevaḥ samāgataḥ || ekadaṁtottare bhāge sorcitaḥ sarvakāmadaḥ

'The matted-locked god has come from the great sacred field of Rameshvara; worshipped to the north of Ekadanta, he grants every desire.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.69.79)

त्रिसंध्यात्क्षेत्रतो देवस्त्र्यंबकोस्ति समागतः ॥ त्रिमुखात्पूर्वदिग्भागे पूजितस्त्र्यंबकत्वकृत्

trisaṁdhyātkṣetrato devastryaṁbakosti samāgataḥ || trimukhātpūrvadigbhāge pūjitastryaṁbakatvakṛt

'The god Tryambaka has come from the sacred field of Trisandhya; worshipped to the east of Trimukha, he confers the very nature of the three-eyed one.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.69.80)

हरेश्वरो हरिश्चंद्रात्क्षेत्रादत्र समागतः ॥ हरिश्चंद्रेश्वरपुरः पूजितो जयदः सदा

hareśvaro hariścaṁdrātkṣetrādatra samāgataḥ || hariścaṁdreśvarapuraḥ pūjito jayadaḥ sadā

'Hareshvara has come here from the sacred field of Harishchandra; worshipped before Harishchandreshvara, he ever grants victory.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.69.81)

इह शर्वः समायातः स्थानान्मध्यमकेश्वरात् ॥ चतुर्वेदेश्वरं लिंगं पुरोधाय व्यवस्थितम्

iha śarvaḥ samāyātaḥ sthānānmadhyamakeśvarāt || caturvedeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ purodhāya vyavasthitam

'Sharva has come here from the place named Madhyamakeshvara, taking his stand with the linga Chaturvedeshvara set before him.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.69.82)

शर्वं लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य काश्यां परमसिद्धिकृत् ॥ न जातु जंतुपदवीं प्राप्नुयात्क्वापि मानवः

śarvaṁ liṁgaṁ samabhyarcya kāśyāṁ paramasiddhikṛt || na jātu jaṁtupadavīṁ prāpnuyātkvāpi mānavaḥ

'Having worshipped the linga Sharva, granting supreme accomplishment in Kashi, a man never attains the condition of a lower creature anywhere.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.69.83)

स्थलेश्वरान्महालिंगं प्रादुर्भूतं परंत्विह ॥ यत्र यज्ञेश्वरं लिंगं सर्वलिंगफलप्रदम्

sthaleśvarānmahāliṁgaṁ prādurbhūtaṁ paraṁtviha || yatra yajñeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ sarvaliṁgaphalapradam

'The great linga has manifested here from Sthaleshvara, where the linga Yajneshvara grants the fruit of worshipping all lingas.'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.69.84)

महालिंगं समभ्यर्च्य महाश्रद्धासमन्वितः ॥ महतीं श्रियमाप्नोति लोकेत्र च परत्र च

mahāliṁgaṁ samabhyarcya mahāśraddhāsamanvitaḥ || mahatīṁ śriyamāpnoti loketra ca paratra ca

'One filled with great faith, having worshipped that great linga, obtains great prosperity, both in this world and beyond.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.69.85)

इह लिंगं सहस्राक्षं सुवर्णाख्यात्समागतम् ॥ यस्य संदर्शनात्पुंसां ज्ञानचक्षुः प्रजायते

iha liṁgaṁ sahasrākṣaṁ suvarṇākhyātsamāgatam || yasya saṁdarśanātpuṁsāṁ jñānacakṣuḥ prajāyate

'Here has come the linga Sahasraksha, from the place named Suvarna, by the sight of which the eye of knowledge is born in men.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.69.86)

शैलेश्वरादवाच्यां तु सहस्राक्षेश्वरं विभुम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा जन्मसहस्राणां शतानां पातकं त्यजेत्

śaileśvarādavācyāṁ tu sahasrākṣeśvaraṁ vibhum || dṛṣṭvā janmasahasrāṇāṁ śatānāṁ pātakaṁ tyajet

'To the west of Shaileshvara, having beheld the mighty Sahasrakshesvara, one is freed of the sin of a hundred thousand births.'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.69.87)

हर्षिताद्धर्षितं चात्र प्रादुरासीत्तमोहरम् ॥ लिंगंहर्षप्रदं पुंसां दर्शनात्स्पर्शनादपि

harṣitāddharṣitaṁ cātra prādurāsīttamoharam || liṁgaṁharṣapradaṁ puṁsāṁ darśanātsparśanādapi

'From Harshita, the linga Harshita has manifested here, remover of darkness, granting joy to men by mere sight and touch.'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.69.88)

मंत्रेश्वर समीपे तु प्रासादो हर्षितेशितुः ॥ तद्विलोकनतः पुंसां नित्यं हर्ष परंपरा

maṁtreśvara samīpe tu prāsādo harṣiteśituḥ || tadvilokanataḥ puṁsāṁ nityaṁ harṣa paraṁparā

'Near Mantreshvara is the temple of the Lord Harshita; by beholding it, men gain an unending succession of joy.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.69.89)

इह स्वयं समायातो रुद्रो रुद्रमहालयात् ॥ यस्य दर्शनतो यांति रुद्रलोके नराः स्फुटम्

iha svayaṁ samāyāto rudro rudramahālayāt || yasya darśanato yāṁti rudraloke narāḥ sphuṭam

'Here has come Rudra of himself, from the great abode of Rudra; by his sight, men clearly go to the world of Rudra.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.69.90)

यैस्तु रुद्रेश्वरं लिंगं काश्यामत्र समर्चितम् ॥ ते रुद्ररूपिणो मर्त्या विज्ञेया नात्र संशयः

yaistu rudreśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kāśyāmatra samarcitam || te rudrarūpiṇo martyā vijñeyā nātra saṁśayaḥ

'Those by whom the linga Rudreshvara here in Kashi has been worshipped are to be known as mortals of Rudra's very form — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.69.91)

त्रिपुरेश समीपे तु दृष्ट्वा रुद्रेश्वरं विभुम् ॥ रुद्रास्त इव विज्ञेया जीवंतोपि मृता अपि

tripureśa samīpe tu dṛṣṭvā rudreśvaraṁ vibhum || rudrāsta iva vijñeyā jīvaṁtopi mṛtā api

'Near Tripuresha, having beheld the mighty Rudreshvara, they are to be known as very Rudras, whether living or already dead.'

Verse 92 (skanda.4.69.92)

आगादिह महादेवो वृषेशो वृषभध्वजात् ॥ बाणेश्वरस्य लिंगस्य समीपे वृषदः सदा

āgādiha mahādevo vṛṣeśo vṛṣabhadhvajāt || bāṇeśvarasya liṁgasya samīpe vṛṣadaḥ sadā

'Mahadeva Vrisesha has come here from Vrishabhadhvaja, ever granting righteousness, near the linga Baneshvara.'

Verse 93 (skanda.4.69.93)

इहागतं तु केदारादीशानेश्वर संज्ञितम् ॥ तद्द्रष्टव्यं प्रतीच्यां च लिंगं प्रह्लादकेशवात्

ihāgataṁ tu kedārādīśāneśvara saṁjñitam || taddraṣṭavyaṁ pratīcyāṁ ca liṁgaṁ prahlādakeśavāt

'The one named Ishaneshvara has come here from Kedara; it is to be seen to the west of the linga Prahladakeshava.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.69.94)

ईशानेशं समभ्यर्च्य स्नात्वोत्तरवहांभसि ॥ वसेदीशाननगरे ईशानसदृशप्रभः

īśāneśaṁ samabhyarcya snātvottaravahāṁbhasi || vasedīśānanagare īśānasadṛśaprabhaḥ

'Having worshipped Ishanesha, and bathed in the northward-flowing waters, one dwells in the city of Ishana, radiant like Ishana himself.'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.69.95)

भैरवाद्भैरवी मूर्तिरत्रायाता मनोहरा ॥ संहारभैरवो नाम द्रष्टव्यः स प्रयत्नतः

bhairavādbhairavī mūrtiratrāyātā manoharā || saṁhārabhairavo nāma draṣṭavyaḥ sa prayatnataḥ

'From Bhairava, a lovely Bhairava-form has come here, named Samharabhairava, to be diligently sought out and seen.'

Verse 96 (skanda.4.69.96)

पूजनात्सर्वसिद्ध्यै स प्राच्यां खर्वविनायकात् ॥ संहारभैरवः काश्यां संहरेदघसंततिम्

pūjanātsarvasiddhyai sa prācyāṁ kharvavināyakāt || saṁhārabhairavaḥ kāśyāṁ saṁharedaghasaṁtatim

'By worship, for the attainment of every accomplishment, to the east of Kharva-vinayaka — Samharabhairava in Kashi destroys the succession of sin.'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.69.97)

उग्रः कनखलात्तीर्थादाविरासेह सिद्धिदः ॥ तद्विलोकनतो नृणामुग्रं पापं प्रणश्यति

ugraḥ kanakhalāttīrthādāvirāseha siddhidaḥ || tadvilokanato nṛṇāmugraṁ pāpaṁ praṇaśyati

'Ugra, granting accomplishment, has manifested here from the sacred ford of Kanakhala; by beholding him, even fierce sin is destroyed for men.'

Verse 98 (skanda.4.69.98)

उग्रं लिंगं सदा सेव्यं प्राच्यामर्कविनायकात् ॥ अत्युग्रा अपि नश्येयुरुपसर्गास्तदर्चनात्

ugraṁ liṁgaṁ sadā sevyaṁ prācyāmarkavināyakāt || atyugrā api naśyeyurupasargāstadarcanāt

'The linga Ugra is ever to be served, to the east of Arka-vinayaka; even the most fierce calamities are destroyed by its worship.'

Verse 99 (skanda.4.69.99)

वस्त्रापथान्महाक्षेत्राद्भवो नाम स्वयं विभुः ॥ भीमचंडी समीपे तु प्रादुरासीदिह प्रभो

vastrāpathānmahākṣetrādbhavo nāma svayaṁ vibhuḥ || bhīmacaṁḍī samīpe tu prādurāsīdiha prabho

'The mighty one named Bhava has manifested here himself from the great sacred field of Vastrapatha, O lord, near Bhimachandi.'

Verse 100 (skanda.4.69.100)

भवेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य भवेनाविर्भवेन्नरः ॥ प्रभुर्भवति सर्वेषां राज्ञामाज्ञाकृतामिह

bhaveśvaraṁ samabhyarcya bhavenāvirbhavennaraḥ || prabhurbhavati sarveṣāṁ rājñāmājñākṛtāmiha

'Having worshipped Bhaveshvara, a man rises through good rebirth, becoming lord over all kings who obey his command here.'

Verse 101 (skanda.4.69.101)

देवदारुवनाद्दंडी दंडयन्पातकावलीः ॥ वाराणस्यां समागत्य स्थितो लिंगाकृतिर्विभुः

devadāruvanāddaṁḍī daṁḍayanpātakāvalīḥ || vārāṇasyāṁ samāgatya sthito liṁgākṛtirvibhuḥ

'The mighty one, Dandi, chastiser of the succession of sins, has come from the Deodar forest and taken his place in Varanasi in the form of a linga.'

Verse 102 (skanda.4.69.102)

प्राच्यां दंडीश्वरः पूज्यः स देहलिविनायकात् ॥ तस्यार्चनेन मर्त्त्यानां न पुनर्भव ईक्ष्यते

prācyāṁ daṁḍīśvaraḥ pūjyaḥ sa dehalivināyakāt || tasyārcanena marttyānāṁ na punarbhava īkṣyate

'Dandishvara is to be worshipped to the east of Dehali-vinayaka; by his worship, rebirth is never again seen for mortals.'

Verse 103 (skanda.4.69.103)

भद्रकर्णह्रदादत्र भद्रकर्णह्रदान्वितः ॥ शिवः साक्षादिहायातः सर्वेषां शिवदोर्चितः

bhadrakarṇahradādatra bhadrakarṇahradānvitaḥ || śivaḥ sākṣādihāyātaḥ sarveṣāṁ śivadorcitaḥ

'From the lake Bhadrakarna, Shiva himself, together with the lake Bhadrakarna, has come here, worshipped as the bestower of well-being on all.'

Verse 104 (skanda.4.69.104)

उद्दंडाख्याद्गणपतेः प्राच्यां तत्तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ भद्रकर्णह्रदे स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य लिंगं शिवाह्वयम्

uddaṁḍākhyādgaṇapateḥ prācyāṁ tattīrthamuttamam || bhadrakarṇahrade snātvābhyarcya liṁgaṁ śivāhvayam

'That excellent sacred ford is to the east of the lord of attendants named Uddanda. Bathing in the lake Bhadrakarna, and worshipping the linga named Shiva —'

Verse 105 (skanda.4.69.105)

सर्वत्र शिवमाप्नोति भद्रकर्णेश पूजनात् ॥ शृणुयात्सर्वभूतानां भद्रं पश्यति चाक्षिभिः

sarvatra śivamāpnoti bhadrakarṇeśa pūjanāt || śṛṇuyātsarvabhūtānāṁ bhadraṁ paśyati cākṣibhiḥ

'— one attains well-being everywhere, by the worship of Bhadrakarnesha; one hears well of all beings, and sees good with one's own eyes.'

Verse 106 (skanda.4.69.106)

शंकरश्च हरिश्चंद्रात्त्वत्पुरः प्रतिभासते ॥ तत्पूजनाज्जनानां न जननीजठरे जनिः

śaṁkaraśca hariścaṁdrāttvatpuraḥ pratibhāsate || tatpūjanājjanānāṁ na jananījaṭhare janiḥ

'Shankara, from Harishchandra, shines forth before you; by worshipping him, people have no birth in a mother's womb again.'

Verse 107 (skanda.4.69.107)

यमलिंगान्महातीर्थात्काललिंगमिह स्थितम् ॥ कलशेश इति ख्यातं चंद्रेशात्पश्चिमेन च

yamaliṁgānmahātīrthātkālaliṁgamiha sthitam || kalaśeśa iti khyātaṁ caṁdreśātpaścimena ca

'From Yamalinga, the great sacred ford, the linga Kalalinga stands here, known as Kalashesha, to the west of Chandresha.'

Verse 108 (skanda.4.69.108)

यमतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा मित्रावरुणदक्षिणे ॥ काललिंगं समालोक्य कलिकाल भयं कुतः

yamatīrthe naraḥ snātvā mitrāvaruṇadakṣiṇe || kālaliṁgaṁ samālokya kalikāla bhayaṁ kutaḥ

'A man, having bathed at Yamatirtha, to the south of Mitravaruna, and having beheld Kalalinga — whence then is fear of the Kali age?'

Verse 109 (skanda.4.69.109)

तत्र भौमचतुर्दश्यां यस्तु यात्रां करिष्यति ॥ अपि पातक युक्तः स यमयात्रां न यास्यति

tatra bhaumacaturdaśyāṁ yastu yātrāṁ kariṣyati || api pātaka yuktaḥ sa yamayātrāṁ na yāsyati

'He who shall make a pilgrimage there on the fourteenth day falling on Tuesday, even if burdened with sin, shall not undertake the journey to Yama.'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.69.110)

नैपालाच्च महाक्षेत्रादायात्पशुपतिस्त्विह ॥ यत्र पाशुपतो योग उपदिष्टः पिनाकिना

naipālācca mahākṣetrādāyātpaśupatistviha || yatra pāśupato yoga upadiṣṭaḥ pinākinā

'Pashupati has come here from the great sacred field of Nepal, where the Pashupata yoga was taught by the bearer of the Pinaka bow —'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.69.111)

भवता देवदेवेन ब्रह्मादिभ्यो विमुक्तये ॥ तस्य संदर्शनादेव पशुपाशैर्वियुज्यते

bhavatā devadevena brahmādibhyo vimuktaye || tasya saṁdarśanādeva paśupāśairviyujyate

'— by you, the god of gods, to Brahma and the others, for their liberation. By the mere sight of him, one is severed from the fetters of worldliness.'

Verse 112 (skanda.4.69.112)

करवीरकतीर्थाच्च कपालीश इहागतः ॥ कपालमोचने तीर्थे द्रष्टव्यः स प्रयत्नतः

karavīrakatīrthācca kapālīśa ihāgataḥ || kapālamocane tīrthe draṣṭavyaḥ sa prayatnataḥ

'From the sacred ford of Karavira, Kapalisha has come here; at the ford Kapalamochana he is to be diligently sought and seen.'

Verse 113 (skanda.4.69.113)

तद्विलोकनमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या विलीयते ॥ उमापतिर्देविकाया इहागत्य व्यवस्थितः

tadvilokanamātreṇa brahmahatyā vilīyate || umāpatirdevikāyā ihāgatya vyavasthitaḥ

'By the mere sight of him, the sin of killing a brahmin dissolves. The husband of Uma has come here from Devika and taken his stand —'

Verse 114 (skanda.4.69.114)

दृष्टः पशुपतिः प्राच्यां हरेत्पापं चिरार्जितम् ॥ लिंगं महेश्वरक्षेत्रादिह दीप्तेश संज्ञितम्

dṛṣṭaḥ paśupatiḥ prācyāṁ haretpāpaṁ cirārjitam || liṁgaṁ maheśvarakṣetrādiha dīpteśa saṁjñitam

'— beheld to the east as Pashupati, he removes sin accumulated over a long time. The linga named Diptesha has come here from the sacred field of Maheshvara —'

Verse 115 (skanda.4.69.115)

उपोमापति तिष्ठेत दीप्त्यै चेह परत्र च ॥ भुक्तिमुक्ति प्र दं लिंगं दीप्तेशं काशिमध्गम्

upomāpati tiṣṭheta dīptyai ceha paratra ca || bhuktimukti pra daṁ liṁgaṁ dīpteśaṁ kāśimadhgam

'— and abides near the Lord of Uma, granting splendour both here and beyond; the linga Diptesha, dwelling in Kashi, grants both worldly enjoyment and liberation.'

Verse 116 (skanda.4.69.116)

कायारोहणतः क्षेत्रादाचार्यो नकुलीश्वरः ॥ शिष्यैः परिवृतस्तिष्ठेन्महापाशुपतव्रतैः

kāyārohaṇataḥ kṣetrādācāryo nakulīśvaraḥ || śiṣyaiḥ parivṛtastiṣṭhenmahāpāśupatavrataiḥ

'The teacher Nakulishvara has come from the sacred field of Kayarohana, and abides surrounded by disciples of the great Pashupata vow —'

Verse 117 (skanda.4.69.117)

दक्षिणे हि महादेवादृष्टो ज्ञानं प्रयच्छति ॥ अज्ञानं नाशयेत्क्षिप्रं गर्भसंसृतिहेतुकम्

dakṣiṇe hi mahādevādṛṣṭo jñānaṁ prayacchati || ajñānaṁ nāśayetkṣipraṁ garbhasaṁsṛtihetukam

'— to the south of Mahadeva; seen there, he bestows knowledge, and swiftly destroys the ignorance that is the cause of transmigration through the womb.'

Verse 118 (skanda.4.69.118)

गंगासागरतश्चायादमरेश इतीरितम् ॥ लिंगं यद्दर्शनादेव नामरत्वं हि दुर्लभम्

gaṁgāsāgarataścāyādamareśa itīritam || liṁgaṁ yaddarśanādeva nāmaratvaṁ hi durlabham

'From Gangasagara has come the linga called Amaresha, by the mere sight of which even immortality is no longer hard to attain.'

Verse 119 (skanda.4.69.119)

सप्तगोदावरीतीर्थाद्देवो भीमेश्वरः प्रभुः ॥ प्रकाशते लिंगरूपी भुक्त्यै मुक्त्यै नृणामिह

saptagodāvarītīrthāddevo bhīmeśvaraḥ prabhuḥ || prakāśate liṁgarūpī bhuktyai muktyai nṛṇāmiha

'From the sacred ford of Sapta-Godavari, the mighty god Bhimeshvara shines forth here in linga-form, for the enjoyment and liberation of men.'

Verse 120 (skanda.4.69.120)

नकुलीशात्पुरोभागे दृष्टा भीमेश्वरं प्रभुम् ॥ महाभीमानि पापानि प्रणश्यंति हि तत्क्षणात्

nakulīśātpurobhāge dṛṣṭā bhīmeśvaraṁ prabhum || mahābhīmāni pāpāni praṇaśyaṁti hi tatkṣaṇāt

'Before Nakulisha, having beheld the mighty Bhimeshvara, even the most terrible sins are destroyed that very instant.'

Verse 121 (skanda.4.69.121)

भूतेश्वराद्भस्मगात्रं प्रादुरासीदिह स्वयम् ॥ भीमेशाद्दक्षिणे भागे तदभ्यर्च्य प्रयत्नतः

bhūteśvarādbhasmagātraṁ prādurāsīdiha svayam || bhīmeśāddakṣiṇe bhāge tadabhyarcya prayatnataḥ

'Bhasmagatra has manifested here of himself from Bhuteshvara, to the south of Bhimesha; worshipping him with diligence —'

Verse 122 (skanda.4.69.122)

सम्यक्पाशुपताद्यो गादभ्यस्ताच्च समाः शतम् ॥ यत्प्राप्यते फलं तत्स्याद्भस्मगात्रविलोकनात्

samyakpāśupatādyo gādabhyastācca samāḥ śatam || yatprāpyate phalaṁ tatsyādbhasmagātravilokanāt

'— whatever fruit is obtained from a hundred years of properly practising the Pashupata yoga, that same fruit comes from beholding Bhasmagatra.'

Verse 123 (skanda.4.69.123)

नकुलीश्वरतो देवः स्वयंभूरिति विश्रुतः ॥ आत्मनाप्रकटीभूतः काश्यां लिंगाकृतिर्हरः

nakulīśvarato devaḥ svayaṁbhūriti viśrutaḥ || ātmanāprakaṭībhūtaḥ kāśyāṁ liṁgākṛtirharaḥ

'From Nakulishvara, the god renowned as Svayambhu, Hara himself has become manifest in Kashi in the form of a linga.'

Verse 124 (skanda.4.69.124)

स्वयंभु लिंगं संपूज्य स्नात्वा सिद्धिह्रदे नरः ॥ महालक्ष्मीश्वर पुरो न भूयो जन्मभाग्भवेत्

svayaṁbhu liṁgaṁ saṁpūjya snātvā siddhihrade naraḥ || mahālakṣmīśvara puro na bhūyo janmabhāgbhavet

'A man who worships the linga Svayambhu, and bathes in the Siddhi lake, before Mahalakshmishvara, no longer partakes of birth.'

Verse 125 (skanda.4.69.125)

प्रयागतीर्थनिकषा प्रासादो विद्रुमप्रभः ॥ वाराहस्य महानेष धरणीनाम्न एव हि

prayāgatīrthanikaṣā prāsādo vidrumaprabhaḥ || vārāhasya mahāneṣa dharaṇīnāmna eva hi

'Near the sacred ford of Prayaga is this great temple, of coral hue, of Varaha, named Dharani himself.'

Verse 126 (skanda.4.69.126)

विंध्यपर्वततः प्राप्तो देवं श्रुत्वा समागतम् ॥ सगणं सर्षिदेवं च मंदरादत्र कंदरात्

viṁdhyaparvatataḥ prāpto devaṁ śrutvā samāgatam || sagaṇaṁ sarṣidevaṁ ca maṁdarādatra kaṁdarāt

'Having heard of the god's arrival, he came from the Vindhya mountain here, from the cave of Mandara, together with his attendants, sages, and gods.'

Verse 127 (skanda.4.69.127)

काश्यां धरणिवाराहो द्रष्टव्यः स प्रयत्नतः ॥ आपत्समुद्रसंमग्नमुद्धरेच्छरणागतम्

kāśyāṁ dharaṇivārāho draṣṭavyaḥ sa prayatnataḥ || āpatsamudrasaṁmagnamuddhareccharaṇāgatam

'Dharani-Varaha in Kashi is to be diligently sought and seen; he lifts up from the ocean of calamity whoever comes to him for refuge.'

Verse 128 (skanda.4.69.128)

कर्णिकाराद्गणाध्यक्षः कर्णिकारप्रसूनरुक् ॥ समर्च्योयं गदाहस्त उपसर्गसहस्रहृत्

karṇikārādgaṇādhyakṣaḥ karṇikāraprasūnaruk || samarcyoyaṁ gadāhasta upasargasahasrahṛt

'The lord of attendants, from Karnikara, radiant as a Karnikara blossom, mace in hand, to be worshipped, removes a thousand calamities.'

Verse 129 (skanda.4.69.129)

तस्माद्धरणिवाराहात्प्रतीच्यां दिशि संस्थितम् ॥ पूजयित्वा गणाध्यक्षं गाणपत्यपदं लभेत्

tasmāddharaṇivārāhātpratīcyāṁ diśi saṁsthitam || pūjayitvā gaṇādhyakṣaṁ gāṇapatyapadaṁ labhet

'He stands to the west of that Dharani-Varaha; having worshipped that lord of attendants, one obtains the rank of a lord of Ganas.'

Verse 130 (skanda.4.69.130)

हेमकूटाद्विरूपाक्षं लिंगमत्राविरास ह ॥ महेश्वरादवाच्यां च दृष्टं संसारतारकम्

hemakūṭādvirūpākṣaṁ liṁgamatrāvirāsa ha || maheśvarādavācyāṁ ca dṛṣṭaṁ saṁsāratārakam

'From Hemakuta, the linga Virupaksha has here manifested, seen to the west of Maheshvara, ferrying one across worldly existence.'

Verse 131 (skanda.4.69.131)

गंगाद्वाराद्धिमस्थेशं लिंगं हिमसमप्रभम् ॥ ब्रह्मनालात्प्रतीच्यां च द्रष्टव्यमिह सिद्धिदम्

gaṁgādvārāddhimastheśaṁ liṁgaṁ himasamaprabham || brahmanālātpratīcyāṁ ca draṣṭavyamiha siddhidam

'From Gangadwara, the linga Himastesha, radiant as snow, is to be seen here, granting accomplishment, to the west of Brahmanala.'

Verse 132 (skanda.4.69.132)

गणाधिपश्च कैलासाद्गणा अन्ये महाबलाः ॥ कैलासाद्रेः समायाताः सप्तकोटिमिताः प्रभो

gaṇādhipaśca kailāsādgaṇā anye mahābalāḥ || kailāsādreḥ samāyātāḥ saptakoṭimitāḥ prabho

'The lord of the ganas, and other mighty attendants, seven crores in number, O lord, have come here from Mount Kailasa.'

Verse 133 (skanda.4.69.133)

दुर्गाणि तैः कृतानीह सप्तस्वर्गसमानि च ॥ सद्वाराणि सयंत्राणि कपाटविकटानि च

durgāṇi taiḥ kṛtānīha saptasvargasamāni ca || sadvārāṇi sayaṁtrāṇi kapāṭavikaṭāni ca

'By them, fortresses were made here, resembling the seven heavens, with proper gates, mechanisms, and formidable doors.'

Verse 134 (skanda.4.69.134)

कोटिकोटिभटाढ्यानि सर्वर्द्धिसहितान्यपि ॥ सुवर्णरूप्यताम्रैश्च कांस्यरीतिकसीसकैः

koṭikoṭibhaṭāḍhyāni sarvarddhisahitānyapi || suvarṇarūpyatāmraiśca kāṁsyarītikasīsakaiḥ

'Rich with crores upon crores of soldiers, endowed with every kind of prosperity, built of gold, silver, copper, bronze, brass and lead —'

Verse 135 (skanda.4.69.135)

अयस्कांतेन कांतानि दृढान्यभ्रंलिहान्यपि ॥ ततः शैलं महादुर्गं तैः काशीपरितः कृतम्

ayaskāṁtena kāṁtāni dṛḍhānyabhraṁlihānyapi || tataḥ śailaṁ mahādurgaṁ taiḥ kāśīparitaḥ kṛtam

'— and lovely with lodestone, firm and reaching the clouds; then a great mountain-fortress was made by them all around Kashi.'

Verse 136 (skanda.4.69.136)

परिखापि कृता निम्ना मत्स्योदर्याजलाविला ॥ मत्स्योदरी द्विधा जाता बहिरंतश्चरा पुनः

parikhāpi kṛtā nimnā matsyodaryājalāvilā || matsyodarī dvidhā jātā bahiraṁtaścarā punaḥ

'A deep moat too was made, roiled with the waters of Matsyodari; Matsyodari became twofold, flowing both without and within.'

Verse 137 (skanda.4.69.137)

तच्च तीर्थं महत्ख्यातं मिलितं गांगवारिभिः ॥ यदा संहारमार्गेण गंगाभः प्रसरेदिह

tacca tīrthaṁ mahatkhyātaṁ militaṁ gāṁgavāribhiḥ || yadā saṁhāramārgeṇa gaṁgābhaḥ prasarediha

'And that great, famed sacred ford is joined with the waters of the Ganga; when, by the path of destruction, the Ganga's waters spread out here —'

Verse 138 (skanda.4.69.138)

तदा मत्स्योदरी तीर्थं लभ्यते पुण्यगौरवात् ॥ सूर्याचंद्रमसोः पर्वतदाकोटिगुणं शतम्

tadā matsyodarī tīrthaṁ labhyate puṇyagauravāt || sūryācaṁdramasoḥ parvatadākoṭiguṇaṁ śatam

'— then the sacred ford Matsyodari is obtained, by the weight of its merit, a hundred crore times that of a solar or lunar eclipse.'

Verse 139 (skanda.4.69.139)

सर्वपर्वाणि तत्रैव सर्वतीर्थानि तत्र वै ॥ तत्रैव सर्वलिंगानि गंगामत्स्योदरीयतः

sarvaparvāṇi tatraiva sarvatīrthāni tatra vai || tatraiva sarvaliṁgāni gaṁgāmatsyodarīyataḥ

'All sacred festivals are there, all sacred fords are there, and all lingas are there, since it is the Ganga itself, flowing as Matsyodari.'

Verse 140 (skanda.4.69.140)

मत्स्योदर्यां हि ये स्नाता यत्रकुत्रापि मानवाः ॥ कृतपिंडप्रदानास्ते न मातुरुदरेशयाः

matsyodaryāṁ hi ye snātā yatrakutrāpi mānavāḥ || kṛtapiṁḍapradānāste na māturudareśayāḥ

'Whatever men, wherever they may be, have bathed in Matsyodari and offered the ritual rice-balls, do not lie again in a mother's womb.'

Verse 141 (skanda.4.69.141)

अविमुक्तमिदं क्षेत्रं मत्स्याकारत्वमाप्नुयात् ॥ परितः स्वर्धुनीवारि संसारि परिवीक्ष्यते

avimuktamidaṁ kṣetraṁ matsyākāratvamāpnuyāt || paritaḥ svardhunīvāri saṁsāri parivīkṣyate

'This field of Avimukta takes on the form of a fish; all around, the water of the celestial river is seen encircling the world.'

Verse 142 (skanda.4.69.142)

मत्स्योदर्यां कृतस्नाना ये नरास्ते नरोत्तमाः ॥ कृत्वापि बहुपापानि नेक्षंते भास्करेः पुरीम्

matsyodaryāṁ kṛtasnānā ye narāste narottamāḥ || kṛtvāpi bahupāpāni nekṣaṁte bhāskareḥ purīm

'Those men who have bathed in Matsyodari are the best of men; even having committed many sins, they do not behold the city of Yama.'

Verse 143 (skanda.4.69.143)

किं स्नात्वा बहुतीर्थेषु किं तप्त्वा दुष्करं तपः ॥ यदि मत्स्योदरी स्नाता कुतो गर्भभयं ततः

kiṁ snātvā bahutīrtheṣu kiṁ taptvā duṣkaraṁ tapaḥ || yadi matsyodarī snātā kuto garbhabhayaṁ tataḥ

'What use is bathing in many sacred fords, what use is performing severe austerity — if one has bathed in Matsyodari, whence then is fear of the womb?'

Verse 144 (skanda.4.69.144)

यत्रयत्र हि लिंगानि नृदेवर्षिकृतान्यपि ॥ तत्र मत्स्योदरीं प्राप्य सुस्नातो मोक्षभाजनम्

yatrayatra hi liṁgāni nṛdevarṣikṛtānyapi || tatra matsyodarīṁ prāpya susnāto mokṣabhājanam

'Wherever there are lingas, even those established by men, gods or sages — having reached Matsyodari there and bathed well, one becomes fit for liberation.'

Verse 145 (skanda.4.69.145)

संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि भूर्भुवःस्वर्गतान्यपि ॥ न समानि परं तानि कोट्यंशेनापि निश्चितम्

saṁti tīrthānyanekāni bhūrbhuvaḥsvargatānyapi || na samāni paraṁ tāni koṭyaṁśenāpi niścitam

'There are many sacred fords, even in the earth, sky and heaven — but they are certainly not equal even to a fraction of this one.'

Verse 146 (skanda.4.69.146)

इत्थं तीर्थं कृतं तेन विभो कैलासवासिना ॥ गणाधिपेन सुमहत्सुमहोदारकर्मणा

itthaṁ tīrthaṁ kṛtaṁ tena vibho kailāsavāsinā || gaṇādhipena sumahatsumahodārakarmaṇā

'Thus was this great sacred ford made, O lord, by the dweller of Kailasa, the lord of attendants of exceedingly grand and generous deeds.'

Verse 147 (skanda.4.69.147)

भूर्भुवःसंज्ञकं लिंगं पर्वताद्गंधमादनात् ॥ स्वयमाविरभूदत्र तस्मात्प्राच्यां गणाधिपात्

bhūrbhuvaḥsaṁjñakaṁ liṁgaṁ parvatādgaṁdhamādanāt || svayamāvirabhūdatra tasmātprācyāṁ gaṇādhipāt

'The linga named Bhurbhuvas has itself manifested here from the mountain Gandhamadana, to the east of that lord of attendants.'

Verse 148 (skanda.4.69.148)

विलोक्य भूर्भुवं लिंगं भूर्भुवःस्वर्महः परे ॥ निवसंति जनाः पुण्याः सुचिरं दिव्यभोगिनः

vilokya bhūrbhuvaṁ liṁgaṁ bhūrbhuvaḥsvarmahaḥ pare || nivasaṁti janāḥ puṇyāḥ suciraṁ divyabhoginaḥ

'Having beheld the linga Bhurbhuvas, virtuous people dwell for a very long time in the higher worlds — Bhur, Bhuvas, Svar, Mahar — enjoying celestial pleasures.'

Verse 149 (skanda.4.69.149)

हाटकेशं महालिंगं भोगवत्या समायुतम् ॥ सप्तपातालतलत इहायातं स्वयं विभो

hāṭakeśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ bhogavatyā samāyutam || saptapātālatalata ihāyātaṁ svayaṁ vibho

'The great linga Hatakesha, together with Bhogavati, has itself come here from the depths of the seven netherworlds, O lord.'

Verse 150 (skanda.4.69.150)

शेषवासुकिमुख्यैश्च तत्प्रासादो महानिह ॥ मणिमाणिक्यरत्नौघैर्निरमायि प्रयत्नतः

śeṣavāsukimukhyaiśca tatprāsādo mahāniha || maṇimāṇikyaratnaughairniramāyi prayatnataḥ

'By Shesha, Vasuki and the chief serpents, his great temple here was diligently built, with floods of gems, rubies and jewels.'

Verse 151 (skanda.4.69.151)

तल्लिंगं हाटकमयं रत्नमालाभिरर्चितम् ॥ ईशानेश्वरतः प्राच्यां पूजनीय प्रयत्नतः

talliṁgaṁ hāṭakamayaṁ ratnamālābhirarcitam || īśāneśvarataḥ prācyāṁ pūjanīya prayatnataḥ

'That linga, made of gold, adorned with garlands of gems, is to be diligently worshipped, to the east of Ishaneshvara.'

Verse 152 (skanda.4.69.152)

भक्तितोऽभ्यर्च्य तल्लिंगं नरः सर्वसमृद्धिमान् ॥ भुक्त्वा भोगानसंख्यातानंते निवार्णमृच्छति

bhaktito'bhyarcya talliṁgaṁ naraḥ sarvasamṛddhimān || bhuktvā bhogānasaṁkhyātānaṁte nivārṇamṛcchati

'A man, having worshipped that linga with devotion, endowed with every prosperity, having enjoyed countless pleasures, attains liberation at the end.'

Verse 153 (skanda.4.69.153)

आकाशात्तारकाल्लिगं ज्योतीरूपमिहागतम् ॥ ज्ञानवाप्याः पुरोभागे तल्लिंगं तारकेश्वरम्

ākāśāttārakālligaṁ jyotīrūpamihāgatam || jñānavāpyāḥ purobhāge talliṁgaṁ tārakeśvaram

'From the sky, from the stars, the linga has come here in luminous form; before the well of knowledge is that linga, Tarakeshvara.'

Verse 154 (skanda.4.69.154)

तारकं ज्ञानमाप्येत तल्लिंगस्य समर्चनात् ॥ ज्ञानवाप्यां नरः स्नात्वा तारकेशं विलोक्य च

tārakaṁ jñānamāpyeta talliṁgasya samarcanāt || jñānavāpyāṁ naraḥ snātvā tārakeśaṁ vilokya ca

'Liberating knowledge is obtained through the worship of that linga; a man, having bathed in the Well of Knowledge and beheld Tarakesha —'

Verse 155 (skanda.4.69.155)

कृतसंध्यादि नियमः परितर्प्य पितामहान् ॥ धृतमौनव्रतो धीमान्यावल्लिंग विलोकनम्

kṛtasaṁdhyādi niyamaḥ paritarpya pitāmahān || dhṛtamaunavrato dhīmānyāvalliṁga vilokanam

'— having performed the twilight rites and the like, having satisfied the ancestors, the wise one, keeping a vow of silence during the sight of the linga —'

Verse 156 (skanda.4.69.156)

मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यः पुण्यं प्राप्नोति शाश्वतम् ॥ प्रांते च तारकं ज्ञानं यस्माज्ज्ञानाद्विमुच्यते

mucyate sarvapāpebhyaḥ puṇyaṁ prāpnoti śāśvatam || prāṁte ca tārakaṁ jñānaṁ yasmājjñānādvimucyate

'— is freed from all sins, and obtains eternal merit; and at the end, the liberating knowledge, by which one is set free through knowledge itself.'

Verse 157 (skanda.4.69.157)

किराताच्च किरातेश इहचाविर्बभूव ह ॥ किरातरूपो भगवान्यत्र देवोऽभवत्पुरा

kirātācca kirāteśa ihacāvirbabhūva ha || kirātarūpo bhagavānyatra devo'bhavatpurā

'From Kirata, Kirateshvara has manifested here, where the blessed god formerly took the form of a hunter, Kirata.'

Verse 158 (skanda.4.69.158)

तत्किरातेश्वरं लिंगं भारभूतेश्वरादनु ॥ नमस्कृत्य नरो जातु न मातुरुदरेशयः

tatkirāteśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ bhārabhūteśvarādanu || namaskṛtya naro jātu na māturudareśayaḥ

'Bowing to that linga Kirateshvara, near Bharabhuteshvara, a man never again lies in a mother's womb.'

Verse 159 (skanda.4.69.159)

लंकापुर्याः समागच्छन्मरुकेश्वरसंज्ञकम् ॥ लिंगं यदर्चनात्पुंसां न भयं रक्षसां भवेत्

laṁkāpuryāḥ samāgacchanmarukeśvarasaṁjñakam || liṁgaṁ yadarcanātpuṁsāṁ na bhayaṁ rakṣasāṁ bhavet

'From the city of Lanka has come the linga named Marukeshvara, by whose worship men have no fear of rakshasas.'

Verse 160 (skanda.4.69.160)

नैर्कत्यां दिशि तल्लिंगं निर्ऋतेश्वरसंज्ञकम् ॥ पौलस्त्यराघवात्पश्चात्पूजितं सर्वदुष्टहृत्

nairkatyāṁ diśi talliṁgaṁ nirṛteśvarasaṁjñakam || paulastyarāghavātpaścātpūjitaṁ sarvaduṣṭahṛt

'To the southwest is that linga named Nirritesvara, worshipped after Ravana and Rama, remover of every evil.'

Verse 161 (skanda.4.69.161)

पुण्यजलप्रियं लिंगं जललिंगस्थलादपि ॥ आयातं तच्च गङ्गाया जलमध्ये व्यवस्थितम्

puṇyajalapriyaṁ liṁgaṁ jalaliṁgasthalādapi || āyātaṁ tacca gaṅgāyā jalamadhye vyavasthitam

'The linga fond of sacred water has come also from the place Jalalinga, and stands in the very midst of the waters of the Ganga.'

Verse 162 (skanda.4.69.162)

तत्प्रासादोऽद्भुततरो मध्ये गंगं निरीक्ष्यते ॥ सर्वधातुमयः श्रेष्ठः सर्वरत्नमयः शुभः

tatprāsādo'dbhutataro madhye gaṁgaṁ nirīkṣyate || sarvadhātumayaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvaratnamayaḥ śubhaḥ

'Its exceedingly wondrous temple is seen in the middle of the Ganga, excellent, made of every metal, auspicious, made of every gem.'

Verse 163 (skanda.4.69.163)

अद्यापि दृश्यते कैश्चित्पुण्यसंभारगौरवात् ॥ श्रेष्ठं लिंगमिहायातं तीर्थात्कोटीश्वरादपि

adyāpi dṛśyate kaiścitpuṇyasaṁbhāragauravāt || śreṣṭhaṁ liṁgamihāyātaṁ tīrthātkoṭīśvarādapi

'It is still seen even today by some, through the weight of a great store of merit. The excellent linga has come here also from the sacred ford Kotishvara.'

Verse 164 (skanda.4.69.164)

कोटिलिंगे क्षणे पुण्यं तल्लिंगस्य निरीक्षणात् ॥ श्रेष्ठं ज्येष्ठेश्वरात्पश्चाच्छ्रेष्ठ सिद्धिप्रदायकम्

koṭiliṁge kṣaṇe puṇyaṁ talliṁgasya nirīkṣaṇāt || śreṣṭhaṁ jyeṣṭheśvarātpaścācchreṣṭha siddhipradāyakam

'The merit of a crore lingas is obtained in an instant by beholding that linga, excellent, to the west of Jyeshtheshvara, granting excellent accomplishment.'

Verse 165 (skanda.4.69.165)

वडवास्यात्समुद्भूतं लिंगमत्रानलेश्वरम् ॥ नलेश्वर पुरोभागे पूजितं सर्वसिद्धिदम्

vaḍavāsyātsamudbhūtaṁ liṁgamatrānaleśvaram || naleśvara purobhāge pūjitaṁ sarvasiddhidam

'The linga Analeshvara has arisen here from the submarine fire, worshipped before Naleshvara, granting every accomplishment.'

Verse 166 (skanda.4.69.166)

आगत्य विरजस्तीर्थाद्देवदेवस्त्रिलोचनः ॥ लिंगे त्वनादिसंसिद्धे ह्यवतस्थे त्रिविष्टपे

āgatya virajastīrthāddevadevastrilocanaḥ || liṁge tvanādisaṁsiddhe hyavatasthe triviṣṭape

'The three-eyed god of gods, having come from the sacred ford Virajas, took up his abode in this beginninglessly self-established linga, in this heaven-like place.'

Verse 167 (skanda.4.69.167)

पुण्ये पिलिपिला तीर्थे सर्वेषां तारकप्रदे ॥ आविश्चक्रे स्वयदेव ओंकारोमरकंटकात्

puṇye pilipilā tīrthe sarveṣāṁ tārakaprade || āviścakre svayadeva oṁkāromarakaṁṭakāt

'At the sacred, liberating ford Pilipila, granting salvation to all, the god Omkara has himself manifested from Amarakantaka.'

Verse 168 (skanda.4.69.168)

तदाद्यं तारकक्षेत्रं यदा गंगा न चागता ॥ यदैवाविरभूत्काशी त्रैलोक्योद्धणाय वै

tadādyaṁ tārakakṣetraṁ yadā gaṁgā na cāgatā || yadaivāvirabhūtkāśī trailokyoddhaṇāya vai

'That was the primal field of liberation, even before the Ganga had come; it was even then that Kashi manifested, for the deliverance of the three worlds.'

Verse 169 (skanda.4.69.169)

तदाकृतिमहल्लिंगं स्वयमाविरभूत्ततः ॥ महिमानं न तस्यान्यः परिवेत्ति विभोर्ऋते

tadākṛtimahalliṁgaṁ svayamāvirabhūttataḥ || mahimānaṁ na tasyānyaḥ parivetti vibhorṛte

'Then that great linga in its primal form itself manifested; none other than the Lord himself fully knows its greatness.'

Verse 170 (skanda.4.69.170)

एतान्यायतनानीश आनिनाय महांति च ॥ शेषयित्वांशमात्रं च तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे निजे निजे

etānyāyatanānīśa ānināya mahāṁti ca || śeṣayitvāṁśamātraṁ ca tasminkṣetre nije nije

'The Lord brought all these great abodes here, leaving behind only a fraction of each in its own respective field.'

Verse 171 (skanda.4.69.171)

इहायातानि पुण्यानि सर्वभावेन नान्यथा ॥ प्रासादाः सर्वतश्चैषां रम्या अभ्रंलिहा विभो

ihāyātāni puṇyāni sarvabhāvena nānyathā || prāsādāḥ sarvataścaiṣāṁ ramyā abhraṁlihā vibho

'These sacred places have come here in their entirety, and not otherwise; and all around them, O lord, are lovely temples reaching the clouds.'

Verse 172 (skanda.4.69.172)

बहुधातुमयाश्चित्राः सर्वरत्नसमु्ज्ज्वलाः ॥ येषां कलशमात्रस्य दर्शनान्मुक्तिराप्यते

bahudhātumayāścitrāḥ sarvaratnasamujjvalāḥ || yeṣāṁ kalaśamātrasya darśanānmuktirāpyate

'Wondrous, made of many metals, resplendent with every gem — by the mere sight of even their pinnacle-vessels, liberation is obtained.'

Verse 173 (skanda.4.69.173)

श्रुत्वापि नाम चैतेषां लिंगानां सुरसत्तम ॥ अपि जन्मसहस्रोत्थाः क्षीयंते पापराशयः

śrutvāpi nāma caiteṣāṁ liṁgānāṁ surasattama || api janmasahasrotthāḥ kṣīyaṁte pāparāśayaḥ

'O best of gods, even by hearing the names of these lingas, heaps of sin accumulated over a thousand births are destroyed.'

Verse 174 (skanda.4.69.174)

इदानीं को निदेशोत्र मयानुष्ठेय ईशितः ॥ प्रसादी क्रियतांसो पि सिद्धो मंतव्य एव हि

idānīṁ ko nideśotra mayānuṣṭheya īśitaḥ || prasādī kriyatāṁso pi siddho maṁtavya eva hi

'Now what command, O ruler, is to be carried out here by me? Let it be given with your grace, and it must be considered as good as accomplished.'

Verse 175 (skanda.4.69.175)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ श्रुत्वेति नंदिनो वाक्यं देवदेवेश्वरो हरः ॥ श्रद्धा प्रसाद्य शैलादिमिदं प्रोवाच कुंभज

||skaṁda uvāca|| śrutveti naṁdino vākyaṁ devadeveśvaro haraḥ || śraddhā prasādya śailādimidaṁ provāca kuṁbhaja

Skanda said: Hearing these words of Nandi, Hara, the lord of gods, well pleased by his devotion, spoke thus, O jar-born one.

Verse 176 (skanda.4.69.176)

॥श्रीदेवदेव उवाच॥ साधूकृतं त्वया नंदिन्सदानंद विधायक ॥ विधेहि मे निदेशं च चंडीर्व्यापारयाधुना

||śrīdevadeva uvāca|| sādhūkṛtaṁ tvayā naṁdinsadānaṁda vidhāyaka || vidhehi me nideśaṁ ca caṁḍīrvyāpārayādhunā

The glorious god of gods said: 'Well done, O Nandin, ever the giver of joy; carry out my command now, and set the Chandis to work.'

Verse 177 (skanda.4.69.177)

नवकोट्यस्तु चामुंडायायत्र निवसंति हि ॥ स्वदेवताभिः सहिता भूतवेताल भैरवैः

navakoṭyastu cāmuṁḍāyāyatra nivasaṁti hi || svadevatābhiḥ sahitā bhūtavetāla bhairavaiḥ

'Nine crore Chamundas dwell here, together with their own attendant deities, with spirits, vetalas, and Bhairavas.'

Verse 178 (skanda.4.69.178)

ताः पुरी रक्षणार्थाय सवाहनबलायुधाः ॥ प्रतिदुर्गं दुर्गरूपाः परितः परिवासय

tāḥ purī rakṣaṇārthāya savāhanabalāyudhāḥ || pratidurgaṁ durgarūpāḥ paritaḥ parivāsaya

'Station them, with their mounts, forces and weapons, in the fierce forms of Durga, in each fortress all around, for the protection of the city.'

Verse 179 (skanda.4.69.179)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ नंदिनं संनिदेश्येति मृडान्या सहितो मृडः ॥ ययौ त्रैविष्टपं क्षेत्रं मुक्तिबीजप्ररोहणम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| naṁdinaṁ saṁnideśyeti mṛḍānyā sahito mṛḍaḥ || yayau traiviṣṭapaṁ kṣetraṁ muktibījaprarohaṇam

Skanda said: Having thus commanded Nandin, Mrida, together with Mridani, went to the heavenly field, the very sprouting-ground of the seed of liberation.

Verse 180 (skanda.4.69.180)

शिलादतनयोप्यैशीं मूर्द्धन्याज्ञां विधाय च ॥ आहूय सर्वतो दुर्गाः प्रतिदुर्गं न्यवेशयत्

śilādatanayopyaiśīṁ mūrddhanyājñāṁ vidhāya ca || āhūya sarvato durgāḥ pratidurgaṁ nyaveśayat

The son of Shilada, too, having placed the Lord's command upon his head, summoned the Durgas from every quarter and stationed them in each fortress.

Verse 181 (skanda.4.69.181)

निशम्याध्यायमेतं च पुण्यायतन गर्भिणम् ॥ नरः स्वर्गापवर्गौ च प्राप्नुयाच्छ्रद्धया क्रमात्

niśamyādhyāyametaṁ ca puṇyāyatana garbhiṇam || naraḥ svargāpavargau ca prāpnuyācchraddhayā kramāt

A man who hears this chapter, filled with sacred abodes, obtains, through faith, both heaven and final liberation in due course.

Verse 182 (skanda.4.69.182)

श्रुत्वाष्टषष्टिमेतां वै महायतन संश्रयाम् ॥ न जातु प्रविशेन्मर्त्यो जनन्या जाठरीं दरीम्

śrutvāṣṭaṣaṣṭimetāṁ vai mahāyatana saṁśrayām || na jātu praviśenmartyo jananyā jāṭharīṁ darīm

Having heard this account of the sixty-eight great abodes gathered here, a mortal never again enters the cave-like womb of a mother.