The Greatness of Omkara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.74.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृणु वातापि संहर्तः काश्यां पातकतंकिनी ॥ पद्मकल्पे तु या वृत्ता दमनस्य द्विजन्मनः

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇu vātāpi saṁhartaḥ kāśyāṁ pātakataṁkinī || padmakalpe tu yā vṛttā damanasya dvijanmanaḥ

Skanda said: Listen, O destroyer of Vatapi, to the tale that destroys sin, of what happened in Kashi in the Padma-kalpa, concerning Damana, twice-born.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.74.2)

भारद्वाजस्य तनयो दमनो नाम नामतः ॥ कृतमौंजीविधिः सोथ विद्याजातं प्रगृह्य च

bhāradvājasya tanayo damano nāma nāmataḥ || kṛtamauṁjīvidhiḥ sotha vidyājātaṁ pragṛhya ca

The son of Bharadvaja, named Damana, having undergone the sacred-thread ceremony, and having mastered a full range of learning —

Verse 3 (skanda.4.74.3)

संसारदुःखबहुलं जीवितं चापि चंचलम् ॥ विज्ञाय दमनो विद्वान्निर्जगाम गृहान्निजात्

saṁsāraduḥkhabahulaṁ jīvitaṁ cāpi caṁcalam || vijñāya damano vidvānnirjagāma gṛhānnijāt

— and knowing life to be full of worldly sorrow, and fleeting, the learned Damana went forth from his own home.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.74.4)

कांचिद्दिशं समालंब्य निर्वेदं परमं गतः ॥ प्रत्याश्रमं प्रतिनगं प्रत्यब्धि प्रतिकाननम्

kāṁciddiśaṁ samālaṁbya nirvedaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ || pratyāśramaṁ pratinagaṁ pratyabdhi pratikānanam

Taking to some direction, having attained supreme detachment, he wandered from hermitage to hermitage, from city to city, from ocean to ocean, from forest to forest —

Verse 5 (skanda.4.74.5)

प्रतितीर्थं प्रतिनदि स बभ्राम तपोयुतः ॥ यावंत्यायतनानीह तिष्ठंति परितो भुवम्

pratitīrthaṁ pratinadi sa babhrāma tapoyutaḥ || yāvaṁtyāyatanānīha tiṣṭhaṁti parito bhuvam

— from sacred ford to sacred ford, from river to river, engaged in austerity; whatever sacred abodes exist all around the earth —

Verse 6 (skanda.4.74.6)

अध्युवास स तावंति संयतेंद्रियमानसः ॥ परं न मनसः स्थैर्यं क्वापि प्रापि च तेन वै

adhyuvāsa sa tāvaṁti saṁyateṁdriyamānasaḥ || paraṁ na manasaḥ sthairyaṁ kvāpi prāpi ca tena vai

— he dwelt in all of them, his senses and mind restrained. But steadiness of mind he did not attain anywhere at all.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.74.7)

मनोरथोपदेष्टा च कुत्रचित्क्वापि नेक्षितः ॥ कदाचिद्दैवयोगात्स दमनो नाम तापसः

manorathopadeṣṭā ca kutracitkvāpi nekṣitaḥ || kadāciddaivayogātsa damano nāma tāpasaḥ

Nor did he anywhere find a guide to instruct his heart's desire. Then once, by a chance of fate, that ascetic named Damana —

Verse 8 (skanda.4.74.8)

रेवातटे निरैक्षिष्ट तीर्थं चामरकंटकम् ॥ महदायतनं पुण्यमोंकारस्यापि तत्र वै

revātaṭe niraikṣiṣṭa tīrthaṁ cāmarakaṁṭakam || mahadāyatanaṁ puṇyamoṁkārasyāpi tatra vai

— on the bank of the Reva river, beheld the sacred ford Amarakantaka, and there too the great, holy abode of Omkara.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.74.9)

दृष्ट्वा हृष्टमना आसीच्चेतः स्थैर्यमवाप ह ॥ अथ पाशुपतांस्तत्र स निरीक्ष्य तपोधनान्

dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭamanā āsīccetaḥ sthairyamavāpa ha || atha pāśupatāṁstatra sa nirīkṣya tapodhanān

Seeing it, he became joyful in mind, and his heart attained steadiness. Then, beholding there the Pashupata ascetics, treasuries of austerity —

Verse 10 (skanda.4.74.10)

विभूतिभूषिततनून्कृतलिंगसमर्चनान् ॥ विहितप्राणयात्रांश्च कृतागमविचारणान्

vibhūtibhūṣitatanūnkṛtaliṁgasamarcanān || vihitaprāṇayātrāṁśca kṛtāgamavicāraṇān

— their bodies adorned with ash, engaged in the worship of the linga, having performed the rites for sustaining life, engaged in the study of scripture —

Verse 11 (skanda.4.74.11)

स्वस्थोपविष्टान्स्वपुरोरग्रतोऽचलमानसान् ॥ प्रणम्योपाविशत्तत्र तदाचार्यस्य सन्निधौ

svasthopaviṣṭānsvapuroragrato'calamānasān || praṇamyopāviśattatra tadācāryasya sannidhau

— seated composedly before their teacher, their minds unwavering — he bowed and sat down there, in the presence of their teacher.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.74.12)

प्रबद्धहस्तयुगलः प्रणमतरकंधरः ॥ अथ पाशुपताचार्यो गर्गो नाम महामुनिः

prabaddhahastayugalaḥ praṇamatarakaṁdharaḥ || atha pāśupatācāryo gargo nāma mahāmuniḥ

With his two hands joined together, his neck bent low in reverence — then the Pashupata teacher, the great sage named Garga —

Verse 13 (skanda.4.74.13)

वार्धकेन समाक्रांतस्तपसा कृशविग्रहः ॥ शंभोराराधनेनिष्ठः श्रेष्ठः सर्वतपस्विषु

vārdhakena samākrāṁtastapasā kṛśavigrahaḥ || śaṁbhorārādhaneniṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvatapasviṣu

— overcome by old age, his body thin from austerity, devoted to the worship of Shambhu, foremost among all ascetics —

Verse 14 (skanda.4.74.14)

पप्रच्छ दमनं चेति कस्त्वं कस्मादिहागतः ॥ तरुणोपि विरक्तोसि कुतस्तद्वद सत्तम

papraccha damanaṁ ceti kastvaṁ kasmādihāgataḥ || taruṇopi viraktosi kutastadvada sattama

— asked Damana thus: 'Who are you, and whence have you come here? Though young, you are dispassionate — why, tell me, O excellent one?'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.74.15)

इति प्रणयपूर्वं स निशम्य दमनोऽब्रवीत् ॥ भगोः पाशुपताचार्य सर्वज्ञाराधनप्रिय

iti praṇayapūrvaṁ sa niśamya damano'bravīt || bhagoḥ pāśupatācārya sarvajñārādhanapriya

Hearing this said with affection, Damana replied: 'O reverend Pashupata teacher, dear to the omniscient one through your worship —'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.74.16)

कथयामि यथार्थं ते निजचेतोविचेष्टितम् ॥ अहं ब्राह्मणदायादो वेदशास्त्रकृतश्रमः

kathayāmi yathārthaṁ te nijacetoviceṣṭitam || ahaṁ brāhmaṇadāyādo vedaśāstrakṛtaśramaḥ

'— I shall tell you truly the workings of my own heart. I am the offspring of a brahmin, one who has laboured over the Vedas and scriptures.'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.74.17)

संसारासारतां ज्ञात्वा वानप्रस्थमशिश्रियम् ॥ अनेनैव शरीरेण महासिद्धिमभीप्सता

saṁsārāsāratāṁ jñātvā vānaprasthamaśiśriyam || anenaiva śarīreṇa mahāsiddhimabhīpsatā

'Having known the worthlessness of worldly existence, I took to the life of a forest-dweller, desiring great accomplishment in this very body.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.74.18)

स्नातं बहुषु तीर्थेषु मंत्रा जप्तास्तु कोटिशः ॥ देवताः सेविता बह्व्यो हवनं च कृतं बहु

snātaṁ bahuṣu tīrtheṣu maṁtrā japtāstu koṭiśaḥ || devatāḥ sevitā bahvyo havanaṁ ca kṛtaṁ bahu

'I have bathed in many sacred fords, recited mantras crores of times, served many deities, and performed much fire-offering.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.74.19)

शुश्रूषिताश्च गुरवो बहवो बह्वनेहसम् ॥ महाश्मशानेषु निशा भूयस्योप्यतिवाहिताः

śuśrūṣitāśca guravo bahavo bahvanehasam || mahāśmaśāneṣu niśā bhūyasyopyativāhitāḥ

'I have served many teachers over a long time; many nights I have spent in great cremation-grounds.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.74.20)

शिखराणि गिरींद्राणां मया चाध्युषितान्यहो ॥ दिव्यौषधि सहस्राणि मया संसाधितान्यपि

śikharāṇi girīṁdrāṇāṁ mayā cādhyuṣitānyaho || divyauṣadhi sahasrāṇi mayā saṁsādhitānyapi

'I have dwelt, ah, upon the peaks of the greatest mountains; I have also successfully prepared thousands of divine herbs.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.74.21)

रसायनानि बहुशः सेवितानि मया पुनः ॥ महासाहसमालंब्य सिद्धाध्युषितकंदराः

rasāyanāni bahuśaḥ sevitāni mayā punaḥ || mahāsāhasamālaṁbya siddhādhyuṣitakaṁdarāḥ

'I have again partaken of many elixirs; taking on great daring, caverns inhabited by Siddhas —'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.74.22)

मया प्रविष्टा बहुशः कृतांतवदनोपमाः ॥ तपश्चापि महत्तप्तं बहुभिर्नियमैर्यमैः

mayā praviṣṭā bahuśaḥ kṛtāṁtavadanopamāḥ || tapaścāpi mahattaptaṁ bahubhirniyamairyamaiḥ

'— resembling the very mouth of death, have I entered many times; and I have performed great austerity, with many observances and restraints.'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.74.23)

परं किंचित्क्वचिन्नैक्षि सिद्ध्यंकुरमपि प्रभो ॥ इदानीं त्वामनुप्राप्य महीं पर्यटता मया

paraṁ kiṁcitkvacinnaikṣi siddhyaṁkuramapi prabho || idānīṁ tvāmanuprāpya mahīṁ paryaṭatā mayā

'Yet, O lord, I have nowhere at all seen even a sprout of accomplishment. Now, having reached you, in the course of my wandering the earth —'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.74.24)

मनसः स्थैर्यमापन्नमिव संप्राप्तसिद्धिना ॥ अवश्यं त्वन्मुखांभोजाद्यद्वचो निःसरिष्यति

manasaḥ sthairyamāpannamiva saṁprāptasiddhinā || avaśyaṁ tvanmukhāṁbhojādyadvaco niḥsariṣyati

'— my mind has attained steadiness, as if I had already obtained accomplishment. Surely, whatever word shall issue forth from your lotus-mouth —'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.74.25)

तेनैव महती सिद्धिर्भवित्री मम नान्यथा ॥ तद्ब्रूहि सूपदेशं च कथं सिद्धिर्भवेन्मम

tenaiva mahatī siddhirbhavitrī mama nānyathā || tadbrūhi sūpadeśaṁ ca kathaṁ siddhirbhavenmama

'— by that alone shall my great accomplishment come to be, and not otherwise. So tell me a good teaching — how may I attain accomplishment?'

Verse 26 (skanda.4.74.26)

अनेनैव शरीरेण पार्थिवेन प्रथीयसी ॥ दमनस्य निशम्येति गर्गाचार्यो वचस्तदा

anenaiva śarīreṇa pārthivena prathīyasī || damanasya niśamyeti gargācāryo vacastadā

'— even in this very earthly body, may I attain the most exalted state.' Hearing this speech of Damana, the teacher Garga then —

Verse 27 (skanda.4.74.27)

प्रत्यक्षदृष्टं प्रोवाच महदाश्चर्यमुत्तमम् ॥ सर्वेषां शृण्वतां तत्र शिष्याणां स्थिरचेतसाम् ॥ मुमुक्षूणां धृतवतां महापाशुपतं व्रतम्

pratyakṣadṛṣṭaṁ provāca mahadāścaryamuttamam || sarveṣāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ tatra śiṣyāṇāṁ sthiracetasām || mumukṣūṇāṁ dhṛtavatāṁ mahāpāśupataṁ vratam

— told a great, excellent wonder that he had directly witnessed, while all his steady-minded disciples there listened, those seekers of liberation who kept the great Pashupata vow.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.74.28)

॥गर्ग उवाच॥ अनेनैवेह देहेन यदि त्वं सिद्धिकामुकः ॥ शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा तदा ते कथयाम्यहम्

||garga uvāca|| anenaiveha dehena yadi tvaṁ siddhikāmukaḥ || śṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā tadā te kathayāmyaham

Garga said: 'If you desire accomplishment in this very body, then listen attentively — I shall tell you.'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.74.29)

अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे सर्वसिद्धिप्रदे सताम् ॥ धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्य रत्नानां परमाकरे

avimukte mahākṣetre sarvasiddhiprade satām || dharmārthakāmamokṣākhya ratnānāṁ paramākare

'In the great field of Avimukta, which grants every accomplishment to the virtuous, the supreme mine of the jewels called dharma, artha, kama, and moksha —'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.74.30)

समाश्रितानां जंतूनां सर्वेषां सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥ शलभानां प्रदीपाभे तमःस्तोम महाद्विपि

samāśritānāṁ jaṁtūnāṁ sarveṣāṁ sarvakarmaṇām || śalabhānāṁ pradīpābhe tamaḥstoma mahādvipi

'— a field that is like a lamp to the moths that are all creatures who have taken refuge there; a great controller of the elephant that is the multitude of darkness —'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.74.31)

कर्मभूरुह दावाग्नौ संसाराब्ध्यौर्वशोचिपि ॥ निर्वाणलक्ष्मी क्षीराब्धौ सुखसंकेतसद्मनि

karmabhūruha dāvāgnau saṁsārābdhyaurvaśocipi || nirvāṇalakṣmī kṣīrābdhau sukhasaṁketasadmani

'— a forest-fire to the tree of karma, a submarine-fire to the ocean of worldly existence, an ocean of milk for the goddess of liberation, an abode marked out for happiness —'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.74.32)

दीर्घनिद्रा प्रसुप्तानां परमोद्बोधदायिनि ॥ यातायातश्रमापन्नप्राणिमार्गमहीरुहि

dīrghanidrā prasuptānāṁ paramodbodhadāyini || yātāyātaśramāpannaprāṇimārgamahīruhi

'— the supreme awakener of those asleep in a long slumber, a wayside tree for creatures wearied by the toil of coming and going —'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.74.33)

अनेकजन्मजनित महापापाद्रिवज्रिणि ॥ नामोच्चारकृतां पुंसां महाश्रेयो विधायिनि

anekajanmajanita mahāpāpādrivajriṇi || nāmoccārakṛtāṁ puṁsāṁ mahāśreyo vidhāyini

'— a thunderbolt to the mountain of great sin born of many births, the bestower of great blessing upon men who merely utter its name —'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.74.34)

विश्वेशितुः परेधाम्नि सीम्नि स्वर्गापवर्गयोः ॥ स्वर्धुनी लोलकल्लोला नित्यक्षालित भूतले

viśveśituḥ paredhāmni sīmni svargāpavargayoḥ || svardhunī lolakallolā nityakṣālita bhūtale

'— in the supreme abode of the lord of the universe, at the very boundary between heaven and liberation, its ground ever washed by the rippling waves of the celestial river —'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.74.35)

एवंविधे महाक्षेत्रे सर्वदुःखौघहारिणि ॥ प्रत्यक्षं मम यद्वृत्तं तद्ब्रवीमि महामते

evaṁvidhe mahākṣetre sarvaduḥkhaughahāriṇi || pratyakṣaṁ mama yadvṛttaṁ tadbravīmi mahāmate

'— in such a great field, which removes every flood of sorrow — O wise one, I shall tell what happened before my own eyes.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.74.36)

यत्र कालभयं नास्ति यत्र नास्त्येनसो भयम् ॥ तत्क्षेत्रमहिमानं कः सम्यग्वर्णयितुं क्षमः

yatra kālabhayaṁ nāsti yatra nāstyenaso bhayam || tatkṣetramahimānaṁ kaḥ samyagvarṇayituṁ kṣamaḥ

'Where there is no fear of death, where there is no fear of sin — who is capable of fully describing the greatness of that field?'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.74.37)

तीर्थानि यानि लोकेस्मिञ्जंतूनामघहान्यहो ॥ तानि सर्वाणि शुद्ध्यर्थं काशीमायांति नित्यशः

tīrthāni yāni lokesmiñjaṁtūnāmaghahānyaho || tāni sarvāṇi śuddhyarthaṁ kāśīmāyāṁti nityaśaḥ

'Ah, whatever sacred fords in this world remove the sin of creatures — all of them come, for the sake of their own purification, to Kashi, ever and again.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.74.38)

अपि काश्यां वसेद्यस्तु सर्वाशी सर्वविक्रयी ॥ स यां गतिं लभेन्मर्त्यो यज्ञैर्दानैर्न सान्यतः

api kāśyāṁ vasedyastu sarvāśī sarvavikrayī || sa yāṁ gatiṁ labhenmartyo yajñairdānairna sānyataḥ

'Even one who dwells in Kashi, though he eats anything and sells anything — the destiny that such a mortal obtains is not obtained elsewhere even by sacrifices and gifts.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.74.39)

रागबीजसमुद्भूतः संसारविटपो महान् ॥ दीर्घस्वाप कुठारेण च्छिन्नः काश्यां न वर्धते

rāgabījasamudbhūtaḥ saṁsāraviṭapo mahān || dīrghasvāpa kuṭhāreṇa cchinnaḥ kāśyāṁ na vardhate

'The great tree of worldly existence, sprung from the seed of passion, once cut by the axe of the long sleep of death, does not grow again in Kashi.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.74.40)

सर्वेषामूषराणां तु काशी परम ऊषरः ॥ वप्तुर्बीजमिदं तस्मिन्नुप्तं नैव प्ररोहति

sarveṣāmūṣarāṇāṁ tu kāśī parama ūṣaraḥ || vapturbījamidaṁ tasminnuptaṁ naiva prarohati

'Of all barren lands, Kashi is the supreme barren land — the seed sown there by the sower of karma does not sprout again.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.74.41)

स्मरिष्यंतीह ये काशीमवश्यं तेपि साधवः ॥ तेप्यघौघ विनिर्मुक्ता यास्यंति गतिमुत्तमाम्

smariṣyaṁtīha ye kāśīmavaśyaṁ tepi sādhavaḥ || tepyaghaugha vinirmuktā yāsyaṁti gatimuttamām

'Whoever shall remember Kashi here shall surely become virtuous; they too, freed from the flood of sin, shall go to the supreme destiny.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.74.42)

विभूतिः सर्वलोकानां सत्यादीनां सुभंगुरा ॥ अभंगुरा विमुक्तस्य सा तु लभ्या शिवाज्ञया

vibhūtiḥ sarvalokānāṁ satyādīnāṁ subhaṁgurā || abhaṁgurā vimuktasya sā tu labhyā śivājñayā

'The glory of all worlds, from Satyaloka downward, is easily destructible; but the unbreakable glory of the liberated is obtained only by Shiva's command.'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.74.43)

कृमिकीटपतंगानामविमुक्ते तनुत्यजाम् ॥ विभूतिर्दृश्यते या सा क्वास्ति ब्रह्मांडमंडले

kṛmikīṭapataṁgānāmavimukte tanutyajām || vibhūtirdṛśyate yā sā kvāsti brahmāṁḍamaṁḍale

'The glory that is seen attained by worms, insects, and moths who cast off their bodies in Avimukta — where else in the whole circle of the universe does that exist?'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.74.44)

वाराणसी यदा प्राप्ता कदाचित्कालपर्ययात् ॥ स उपायो विधातव्यो येन नो निष्क्रमो बहिः

vārāṇasī yadā prāptā kadācitkālaparyayāt || sa upāyo vidhātavyo yena no niṣkramo bahiḥ

'Once Varanasi has somehow been reached, through the passage of time, that means should be adopted by which there is no going forth from it again.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.74.45)

पूर्वतो मणिकर्णीशो ब्रह्मेशो दक्षिणे स्थितः ॥ पश्चिमे चैव गोकर्णो भारभूतस्तथोत्तरे

pūrvato maṇikarṇīśo brahmeśo dakṣiṇe sthitaḥ || paścime caiva gokarṇo bhārabhūtastathottare

'To the east is Manikarnisha, to the south stands Brahmesha, to the west is Gokarna, and likewise to the north, Bharabhuta.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.74.46)

इत्येतदुत्तमं क्षेत्रमविमुक्ते महाफलम् ॥ मणिकर्णी ह्रदे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा विश्वेश्वरंविभुम्

ityetaduttamaṁ kṣetramavimukte mahāphalam || maṇikarṇī hrade snātvā dṛṣṭvā viśveśvaraṁvibhum

'Thus, this supreme field within Avimukta grants great fruit; bathing in the Manikarnika lake, and beholding the mighty Vishveshvara —'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.74.47)

क्षेत्रं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य राजसूयफलं लभेत् ॥ तत्र श्राद्धप्रदातुश्च मुच्यंते प्रपितामहाः

kṣetraṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya rājasūyaphalaṁ labhet || tatra śrāddhapradātuśca mucyaṁte prapitāmahāḥ

'— and circumambulating the sacred field, one obtains the fruit of a Rajasuya sacrifice. There, for one who offers the shraddha rite, even great-grandfathers are liberated.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.74.48)

अविमुक्त समं क्षेत्रमपि ब्रह्मांडगोलके ॥ न विद्यते क्वचित्सत्यं सत्यं साधकसिद्धिदम्

avimukta samaṁ kṣetramapi brahmāṁḍagolake || na vidyate kvacitsatyaṁ satyaṁ sādhakasiddhidam

'A field equal to Avimukta does not exist anywhere in the whole sphere of the universe — this is the truth, the truth, it grants accomplishment to the seeker.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.74.49)

रक्षंति सततं क्षेत्रं यत्र पाशासिपाणयः ॥ महापारिषदा उग्राः क्रूरेभ्योऽक्रूरबुद्धयः

rakṣaṁti satataṁ kṣetraṁ yatra pāśāsipāṇayaḥ || mahāpāriṣadā ugrāḥ krūrebhyo'krūrabuddhayaḥ

'There, mighty attendants, fierce toward the cruel yet not cruel-minded, noose and sword in hand, ever protect the sacred field.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.74.50)

प्राग्द्वारमट्टहासश्च गणकोटिपरीवृतः ॥ रक्षेदहर्निशं क्षेत्रं दुर्वृत्तेभ्यो विभीषणः

prāgdvāramaṭṭahāsaśca gaṇakoṭiparīvṛtaḥ || rakṣedaharniśaṁ kṣetraṁ durvṛttebhyo vibhīṣaṇaḥ

'At the eastern gate, Attahasa, surrounded by a crore of attendants, most fearsome, guards the sacred field day and night from the wicked.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.74.51)

तथैव भूतधात्रीशः क्षेत्रदक्षिणरक्षकः ॥ गोकर्णः पश्चिमद्वारं पाति कोटिगणावृतः

tathaiva bhūtadhātrīśaḥ kṣetradakṣiṇarakṣakaḥ || gokarṇaḥ paścimadvāraṁ pāti koṭigaṇāvṛtaḥ

'Likewise Bhutadhatrisha guards the southern part of the field; Gokarna guards the western gate, surrounded by a crore of attendants.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.74.52)

उदग्द्वारं तथा रक्षेद्घंटाकर्णो महागणः ॥ ऐशंकोणं छागवक्त्रो भीषणो वह्निदिग्दलम्

udagdvāraṁ tathā rakṣedghaṁṭākarṇo mahāgaṇaḥ || aiśaṁkoṇaṁ chāgavaktro bhīṣaṇo vahnidigdalam

'The great attendant Ghantakarna likewise guards the northern gate; Chagavaktra guards the northeast corner, and the fearsome one guards the southeast quarter.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.74.53)

रक्षः काष्ठां शंकुकर्णो दृमिचंडो मरुद्दिशम् ॥ इत्थं क्षेत्रं सदा पांति गणा एतेऽति भास्वराः

rakṣaḥ kāṣṭhāṁ śaṁkukarṇo dṛmicaṁḍo maruddiśam || itthaṁ kṣetraṁ sadā pāṁti gaṇā ete'ti bhāsvarāḥ

'Shankukarna guards the southwest quarter, and Drimichanda the northwest direction. Thus these most brilliant attendants ever protect the sacred field.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.74.54)

कालाक्षोरण भद्रस्तु कौलेयः कालकंपनः ॥ एते पूर्वेण रक्षंति गंगापारे स्थिता गणाः

kālākṣoraṇa bhadrastu kauleyaḥ kālakaṁpanaḥ || ete pūrveṇa rakṣaṁti gaṁgāpāre sthitā gaṇāḥ

'Kalaksha, Arana, Bhadra, Kauleya, and Kalakampana — these attendants, stationed on the far bank of the Ganga, protect the east.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.74.55)

वीरभद्रो नभश्चैव कर्दमालिप्तविग्रहः ॥ स्थूलकर्णो महाबाहुरसिपारे व्यवस्थिताः

vīrabhadro nabhaścaiva kardamāliptavigrahaḥ || sthūlakarṇo mahābāhurasipāre vyavasthitāḥ

'Virabhadra, and Nabhas, his body smeared with mud, Sthulakarna, and Mahabahu are stationed beyond the Asi river.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.74.56)

विशालाक्षो महाभीमः कुंडोदरमहोदरौ ॥ रक्षंति पश्चिमद्वारं देहलीदेशसंस्थिताः

viśālākṣo mahābhīmaḥ kuṁḍodaramahodarau || rakṣaṁti paścimadvāraṁ dehalīdeśasaṁsthitāḥ

'Vishalaksha, Mahabhima, and Kundodara and Mahodara, stationed at the threshold region, protect the western gate.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.74.57)

नंदिसेनश्च पंचालः खरपादकरंटकः ॥ आनंदोगोपको बभ्रू रक्षंति वरणातटे

naṁdisenaśca paṁcālaḥ kharapādakaraṁṭakaḥ || ānaṁdogopako babhrū rakṣaṁti varaṇātaṭe

'Nandisena, and Panchala, Kharapada, Karantaka, Ananda, Gopaka, and Babhru protect the bank of the Varana.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.74.58)

तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे महापुण्ये लिंगमोंकारसंज्ञकम् ॥ तत्र सिद्धिं परां प्राप्ता देहेनानेन साधकाः

tasminkṣetre mahāpuṇye liṁgamoṁkārasaṁjñakam || tatra siddhiṁ parāṁ prāptā dehenānena sādhakāḥ

'In that most holy field is the linga named Omkara; there, seekers have attained supreme accomplishment even in this very body.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.74.59)

कपिलश्चैव सावर्णिः श्रीकंठः पिगलोंशुमान् ॥ एते पाशुपताः सिद्धास्तल्लिंगाराधनेन हि

kapilaścaiva sāvarṇiḥ śrīkaṁṭhaḥ pigaloṁśumān || ete pāśupatāḥ siddhāstalliṁgārādhanena hi

'Kapila, and Savarni, Shrikantha, Pingala, and Amshuman — these Pashupatas attained accomplishment indeed through the worship of that linga.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.74.60)

एकदा तस्य लिंगस्य कृत्वा पंचापिपूजनम् ॥ नृत्यतः सहुडुत्कारं तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं ययुः

ekadā tasya liṁgasya kṛtvā paṁcāpipūjanam || nṛtyataḥ sahuḍutkāraṁ tasmi~lliṁge layaṁ yayuḥ

'Once, having performed the fivefold worship of that linga, all five, dancing with the cry Hudut!, merged into that very linga.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.74.61)

अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्र यद्वृत्तमद्भुतम् ॥ निशामय महाबुद्धे दमन द्विजसत्तम

anyacca te pravakṣyāmi tatra yadvṛttamadbhutam || niśāmaya mahābuddhe damana dvijasattama

'And I shall tell you another wondrous thing that happened there; listen, O wise Damana, best of the twice-born.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.74.62)

एका भेकी मुने तत्र चरंती लिंग सन्निधौ ॥ प्रदक्षिणं सदा कुर्यान्निर्माल्याक्षतभक्षिणी

ekā bhekī mune tatra caraṁtī liṁga sannidhau || pradakṣiṇaṁ sadā kuryānnirmālyākṣatabhakṣiṇī

'O sage, there was a female frog there, wandering near the linga, who would always circumambulate it, eating its leftover offerings and rice-grains.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.74.63)

सा तत्र मृत्युं न प्राप शिवनिर्माल्यभक्षणात् ॥ क्षेत्रादन्यत्र मरणं जातं तस्यास्तदेनसः

sā tatra mṛtyuṁ na prāpa śivanirmālyabhakṣaṇāt || kṣetrādanyatra maraṇaṁ jātaṁ tasyāstadenasaḥ

'By eating the leftover offerings of Shiva, she did not attain death there in the sacred field; her death, because of that sin, occurred elsewhere, outside the field.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.74.64)

वरं विषमपिप्राश्यं शिवस्वं नैव भक्षयेत् ॥ विषमेकाकिनं हंति थिवस्वं पुत्रपौवकम्

varaṁ viṣamapiprāśyaṁ śivasvaṁ naiva bhakṣayet || viṣamekākinaṁ haṁti thivasvaṁ putrapauvakam

'It is better to eat even poison than to eat what belongs to Shiva; poison kills only the one who eats it, but what belongs to Shiva destroys sons and grandsons too.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.74.65)

शिवस्य परिपुष्टांगाः स्पर्शनीया न साधुभिः ॥ तेन कर्मविपाकेन ततस्ते रौरवौकसः

śivasya paripuṣṭāṁgāḥ sparśanīyā na sādhubhiḥ || tena karmavipākena tataste rauravaukasaḥ

'Those creatures whose bodies have grown fat on what belongs to Shiva should not even be touched by the virtuous; by the ripening of that deed, they become dwellers of the hell Raurava.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.74.66)

कश्चित्काकः समालोक्य मंडूकीं तामितस्ततः ॥ पोप्लूयमानामादाय चंच्वा क्षेत्राद्बहिर्गतः

kaścitkākaḥ samālokya maṁḍūkīṁ tāmitastataḥ || poplūyamānāmādāya caṁcvā kṣetrādbahirgataḥ

'A certain crow, seeing that frog leaping about here and there, seized her in his beak and went outside the sacred field.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.74.67)

वर्षाभ्वी तेन सा क्षिप्ता काकेन क्षेत्रबाह्यतः ॥ अथ सा कालतो भेकी तत्रैव क्षेत्रसत्तमे

varṣābhvī tena sā kṣiptā kākena kṣetrabāhyataḥ || atha sā kālato bhekī tatraiva kṣetrasattame

'The rain-born frog was dropped by that crow outside the field. Then, that frog, in due time, right there in that most excellent sacred field —'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.74.68)

प्रदक्षिणीकरणतो लिंगस्यस्पर्शनादपि ॥ पुण्यापुण्यवतीजाता कन्यापुष्पबटोर्गृहे

pradakṣiṇīkaraṇato liṁgasyasparśanādapi || puṇyāpuṇyavatījātā kanyāpuṣpabaṭorgṛhe

'— through her circumambulation and through touching the linga, was reborn, endowed with both merit and demerit, as a girl in the house of Pushpabata.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.74.69)

शुभावयवसंस्थाना शुभलक्षणलक्षिता ॥ परं गृध्रमुखी जाता निर्माल्याक्षतभक्षणात्

śubhāvayavasaṁsthānā śubhalakṣaṇalakṣitā || paraṁ gṛdhramukhī jātā nirmālyākṣatabhakṣaṇāt

'She had auspicious limbs and auspicious marks, but, because of having eaten the leftover offerings, she was born with a vulture's face.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.74.70)

सम्यग्गीतरहस्यज्ञा नितरां मधुरस्वरा ॥ सप्तस्वरास्त्रयो ग्रामा मूर्च्छनास्त्वैकविंशतिः

samyaggītarahasyajñā nitarāṁ madhurasvarā || saptasvarāstrayo grāmā mūrcchanāstvaikaviṁśatiḥ

'She knew fully the secrets of music, and was exceedingly sweet of voice — the seven notes, the three scales, and the twenty-one melodic modes —'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.74.71)

ताना एकोनपंचाश ताला एकोत्तरंशतम् ॥ रागाः षडेव तेषां तु पंचपंचापि चांगनाः

tānā ekonapaṁcāśa tālā ekottaraṁśatam || rāgāḥ ṣaḍeva teṣāṁ tu paṁcapaṁcāpi cāṁganāḥ

'— the forty-nine tone-patterns, the one hundred and one rhythms, the six ragas, and the thirty ragini wives of each —'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.74.72)

षड्विंशद्रागरागिण्य इति रागि मुदावहाः ॥ देशकाल विभेदेन पंचषष्टिस्तथा पराः

ṣaḍviṁśadrāgarāgiṇya iti rāgi mudāvahāḥ || deśakāla vibhedena paṁcaṣaṣṭistathā parāḥ

'— twenty-six raga-raginis, bringing joy, and, according to differences of region and time, another sixty-five besides —'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.74.73)

यावंत एव तालाः स्यु रागास्तावंत एव हि ॥ इति गीतोपनिषदा प्रत्यहं सा शुभव्रता

yāvaṁta eva tālāḥ syu rāgāstāvaṁta eva hi || iti gītopaniṣadā pratyahaṁ sā śubhavratā

'— however many rhythms there were, so many ragas there were too — thus, learned in the very secret of music, she, of pure vows —'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.74.74)

माधवी मधुरालापा सदोंकारं समर्चयेत् ॥ प्राप्याप्यनर्घ्यतारुण्यं सा तु पुष्पबटोः सुता

mādhavī madhurālāpā sadoṁkāraṁ samarcayet || prāpyāpyanarghyatāruṇyaṁ sā tu puṣpabaṭoḥ sutā

'— Madhavi, sweet of speech, would ever worship Omkara. She, the daughter of Pushpabata, having attained her invaluable youth —'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.74.75)

प्राग्जन्मवासनायोगादोंकारं बह्वमंस्त वै ॥ स्वभाव चंचलं चेतस्तस्यास्तल्लिंग सेवनात्

prāgjanmavāsanāyogādoṁkāraṁ bahvamaṁsta vai || svabhāva caṁcalaṁ cetastasyāstalliṁga sevanāt

'— through the impression of her former birth, held Omkara in the highest regard indeed. Her mind, restless by nature, through service to that linga —'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.74.76)

दमनस्थैर्यमगमद्योगेनेव महात्मनः ॥ न दिवा बाधयांचक्रे क्षुत्तृण्निद्रा क्षपा सुताम्

damanasthairyamagamadyogeneva mahātmanaḥ || na divā bādhayāṁcakre kṣuttṛṇnidrā kṣapā sutām

'— attained steadiness, O Damana, as if through the yoga of a great soul. Neither by day nor by night did hunger, thirst, or sleep afflict that daughter.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.74.77)

अतंद्रितमना आसीत्सा तल्लिंग निरीक्षणे ॥ अक्ष्णोर्निमेषा यावंतस्तस्या आसन्दिवानिशम्

ataṁdritamanā āsītsā talliṁga nirīkṣaṇe || akṣṇornimeṣā yāvaṁtastasyā āsandivāniśam

'Her mind was ever alert, untiring, in the constant sight of that linga. As many blinks of the eye as she had, day and night —'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.74.78)

तावत्कालस्तया साध्व्या महान्विघ्नोऽनुमीयते ॥ निमेषांतरितः कालो यो यो व्यथोंगतो मम ॥ लिंगानवेक्षणात्तत्र प्रायश्चित्तं कथं भवेत

tāvatkālastayā sādhvyā mahānvighno'numīyate || nimeṣāṁtaritaḥ kālo yo yo vyathoṁgato mama || liṁgānavekṣaṇāttatra prāyaścittaṁ kathaṁ bhaveta

'— that virtuous one considered that very interval of time as a great obstacle, thinking: whatever moment has passed unseeing of the linga, between blinks, what atonement is there for that?'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.74.79)

इति संचितयंत्येव सेवां तत्याज नोंकृतेः ॥ जलाभिलाषिणी सा तु लिंगनामामृतं पिबेत्

iti saṁcitayaṁtyeva sevāṁ tatyāja noṁkṛteḥ || jalābhilāṣiṇī sā tu liṁganāmāmṛtaṁ pibet

Thinking thus, she never abandoned her service to Omkara; even when longing for water, she would instead drink the nectar of the linga's name.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.74.80)

नान्य द्दिदृक्षिणी तस्या अक्षिणी श्रुतिगे अपि ॥ विहाय लिंगमोंकारं हृद्विहायः स्थितं सताम्

nānya ddidṛkṣiṇī tasyā akṣiṇī śrutige api || vihāya liṁgamoṁkāraṁ hṛdvihāyaḥ sthitaṁ satām

Her eyes had no desire to see anything else, nor her ears anything else to hear, apart from the linga Omkara, present in the very sky of the heart of the virtuous.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.74.81)

तस्याः शब्दग्रहौ नान्य शब्दग्रहणतत्परौ ॥ अतीव निपुणौ जातौ तत्सन्माल्यकरौकरौ

tasyāḥ śabdagrahau nānya śabdagrahaṇatatparau || atīva nipuṇau jātau tatsanmālyakaraukarau

Her two ears, though skilled in grasping other sounds, no longer inclined to grasp any but that name; her hands became exceedingly skilled in preparing garlands for that linga.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.74.82)

नान्यत्र चरणौ तस्याश्चरतः सुखवांछया ॥ त्यक्त्वोंकाराजिरक्षोणीं क्षुण्णां निर्वाणपद्मया

nānyatra caraṇau tasyāścarataḥ sukhavāṁchayā || tyaktvoṁkārājirakṣoṇīṁ kṣuṇṇāṁ nirvāṇapadmayā

Her feet did not walk anywhere else out of desire for pleasure, having abandoned all other ground except the courtyard of Omkara, trodden by the very goddess of liberation.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.74.83)

ओंकारं प्रणवं सारं परब्रह्मप्रकाशकम् ॥ शब्दब्रह्मत्रयीरूपं नादबिंदुकलालयम्

oṁkāraṁ praṇavaṁ sāraṁ parabrahmaprakāśakam || śabdabrahmatrayīrūpaṁ nādabiṁdukalālayam

She meditated on Omkara — Pranava, the essence, the revealer of the supreme Brahman, of the form of Word-Brahman and the triple Veda, the abode of Nada, Bindu and Kala —

Verse 84 (skanda.4.74.84)

सदक्षरं चादिरूपं विश्वरूपं परावरम् ॥ वरं वरेण्यं वरदं शाश्वतं शांतमीश्वरम्

sadakṣaraṁ cādirūpaṁ viśvarūpaṁ parāvaram || varaṁ vareṇyaṁ varadaṁ śāśvataṁ śāṁtamīśvaram

— the eternal syllable, of primordial form, of universal form, both transcendent and immanent, the excellent, the most excellent, the boon-giver, the everlasting, the tranquil ruler —

Verse 85 (skanda.4.74.85)

सर्वलोकैकजनकं सर्वलोकैकरक्षकम् ॥ सर्वलोकैकसंहर्तृ सर्वलोकैकवंदितम्

sarvalokaikajanakaṁ sarvalokaikarakṣakam || sarvalokaikasaṁhartṛ sarvalokaikavaṁditam

— the sole father of all worlds, the sole protector of all worlds, the sole destroyer of all worlds, the one worshipped by all worlds alone —

Verse 86 (skanda.4.74.86)

आद्यंतरहितं नित्यं र्शिवं शंकरमव्ययम् ॥ एकगुणत्रयातीतं भक्तस्वांतकृतास्पदम्

ādyaṁtarahitaṁ nityaṁ rśivaṁ śaṁkaramavyayam || ekaguṇatrayātītaṁ bhaktasvāṁtakṛtāspadam

— without beginning or end, eternal, auspicious, benevolent, imperishable, the one beyond the three qualities, who has made his abode in the hearts of his devotees —

Verse 87 (skanda.4.74.87)

निरुपाधिं निराकारं निर्विकारं निरंजनम् ॥ निर्मलं निरहंकारं निष्प्रपंचं निजोदयम्

nirupādhiṁ nirākāraṁ nirvikāraṁ niraṁjanam || nirmalaṁ nirahaṁkāraṁ niṣprapaṁcaṁ nijodayam

— without limiting attribute, formless, changeless, spotless, pure, without ego, beyond the manifest world, self-arisen —

Verse 88 (skanda.4.74.88)

स्वात्माराममनंतं च सर्वगं सर्वदर्शिनम् ॥ सर्वदं सर्वभोक्तारं सर्वं सर्वसुखास्पदम्

svātmārāmamanaṁtaṁ ca sarvagaṁ sarvadarśinam || sarvadaṁ sarvabhoktāraṁ sarvaṁ sarvasukhāspadam

— delighting in his own Self, endless, all-pervading, all-seeing, the giver of all, the enjoyer of all, the all, the very abode of all happiness.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.74.89)

वागिंद्रियं तदीयं च प्रोच्चरत्तदहर्निशम् ॥ नामांतरं न गृह्णाति क्वचिदन्यस्यकस्यचित्

vāgiṁdriyaṁ tadīyaṁ ca proccarattadaharniśam || nāmāṁtaraṁ na gṛhṇāti kvacidanyasyakasyacit

Her organ of speech uttered that name alone, day and night; it took hold of no other name of anyone else at all.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.74.90)

एतन्नामाक्षररसं रसयंती दिवानिशम् ॥ रसना नैव जानाति तस्या अन्यद्रसांतरम्

etannāmākṣararasaṁ rasayaṁtī divāniśam || rasanā naiva jānāti tasyā anyadrasāṁtaram

Tasting day and night the very savour of the syllables of this name, her tongue knew no other savour whatsoever.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.74.91)

संमार्जनं रंगमालाः प्रासादं परितः सदा ॥ विदध्यान्माधवी तत्र तथार्चा पात्रशोधनम्

saṁmārjanaṁ raṁgamālāḥ prāsādaṁ paritaḥ sadā || vidadhyānmādhavī tatra tathārcā pātraśodhanam

Madhavi would there ever perform the sweeping, the drawing of coloured floor-designs all around the temple, and likewise the worship and the cleaning of the vessels.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.74.92)

तत्र पाशुपता ये वै प्रणवेशार्चने रताः ॥ तांश्च शुश्रूषयेन्नित्यं पितृबुद्ध्याति भक्तितः

tatra pāśupatā ye vai praṇaveśārcane ratāḥ || tāṁśca śuśrūṣayennityaṁ pitṛbuddhyāti bhaktitaḥ

Whatever Pashupatas there were, devoted to the worship of Pranavesha, she would serve them daily, with the utmost devotion, regarding them as her own father.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.74.93)

वैशाखस्य चतुर्दश्यामेकदा सा तु माधवी ॥ रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा दिवोपवसान्विता

vaiśākhasya caturdaśyāmekadā sā tu mādhavī || rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā divopavasānvitā

Once, on the fourteenth of Vaishakha, that Madhavi, having kept vigil through the night, and observing a fast through the day —

Verse 94 (skanda.4.74.94)

यात्रामिलितभक्तेषु प्रातर्यातेषु सर्वतः ॥ संमार्जनादिकं कृत्वा लिंगमभ्यर्च्य हर्षतः

yātrāmilitabhakteṣu prātaryāteṣu sarvataḥ || saṁmārjanādikaṁ kṛtvā liṁgamabhyarcya harṣataḥ

— when the devotees who had gathered for the pilgrimage had all departed in the morning, having performed the sweeping and the rest, and having joyfully worshipped the linga —

Verse 95 (skanda.4.74.95)

गायंती मधुरं गीतं नृत्यंती निजलीलया ॥ ध्यायंती लिंगमोंकारं तत्र लिंगे लयं ययौ

gāyaṁtī madhuraṁ gītaṁ nṛtyaṁtī nijalīlayā || dhyāyaṁtī liṁgamoṁkāraṁ tatra liṁge layaṁ yayau

— singing a sweet song, dancing with her own natural grace, meditating on the linga Omkara, she there merged into that very linga.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.74.96)

अनेनैव शरीरेण पार्थिवेन महामतिः ॥ अस्मदाचार्यमुख्यानां पश्यतां च तपस्विनाम्

anenaiva śarīreṇa pārthivena mahāmatiḥ || asmadācāryamukhyānāṁ paśyatāṁ ca tapasvinām

In this very earthly body, O great-minded one, before the very eyes of our chief teachers and ascetics who were watching —

Verse 97 (skanda.4.74.97)

प्रादुर्बभूव यल्लिंगाज्ज्योतिर्जटिलितांबरम् ॥ तत्र ज्योतिषि सा बाला ज्योतिर्मय्यपि साप्यभूत्

prādurbabhūva yalliṁgājjyotirjaṭilitāṁbaram || tatra jyotiṣi sā bālā jyotirmayyapi sāpyabhūt

— a light, entangling the very sky, manifested from that linga; and in that light, that maiden too became one of light herself.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.74.98)

राधशुक्लचतुर्दश्यामद्यापि क्षेत्रवासिनः ॥ तत्र यात्रां प्रकुर्वंति महोत्सवपुरःसराः

rādhaśuklacaturdaśyāmadyāpi kṣetravāsinaḥ || tatra yātrāṁ prakurvaṁti mahotsavapuraḥsarāḥ

To this day, on the bright fourteenth of Vaishakha, the dwellers of the sacred field make a pilgrimage there, preceded by a great festival.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.74.99)

तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा चतुर्दश्यामुपोषिताः ॥ प्राप्नुवंति परं ज्ञानं यत्रकुत्रापि वै मृताः

tatra jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā caturdaśyāmupoṣitāḥ || prāpnuvaṁti paraṁ jñānaṁ yatrakutrāpi vai mṛtāḥ

Having kept vigil there and fasted on the fourteenth, they obtain supreme knowledge, wherever they may die.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.74.100)

ब्रह्मांडोदर मध्ये तु यानि तीर्थानि सर्वतः ॥ तानि वैशाखभूतायामायांत्योंकृति दर्शने

brahmāṁḍodara madhye tu yāni tīrthāni sarvataḥ || tāni vaiśākhabhūtāyāmāyāṁtyoṁkṛti darśane

Whatever sacred fords exist everywhere within the belly of the universe, all of them come, on that day of Vaishakha, to behold Omkara.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.74.101)

लिंगाग्रे श्रीमुखी नाम्नी गुहास्ति परमोत्तमा ॥ पातालस्य च तद्द्वारं तत्र सिद्धा वसंति हि

liṁgāgre śrīmukhī nāmnī guhāsti paramottamā || pātālasya ca taddvāraṁ tatra siddhā vasaṁti hi

Before the linga is a most excellent cave named Shrimukhi; it is the very gateway to the netherworld, and Siddhas indeed dwell there.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.74.102)

तिष्ठेयुः पंचरात्रं ये गुहायां तत्र सुव्रताः ॥ ते नागकन्याः पश्यंति ब्रूयुस्ताश्च शुभाशुभम्

tiṣṭheyuḥ paṁcarātraṁ ye guhāyāṁ tatra suvratāḥ || te nāgakanyāḥ paśyaṁti brūyustāśca śubhāśubham

Those of good vows who dwell in that cave for five nights behold the serpent-maidens there, and those maidens tell them what is auspicious and inauspicious.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.74.103)

कंदरोत्तरदिग्भागे तत्र कूपो रसोदकः ॥ आषण्मासं च तत्पीत्वा पिबेद्ब्रह्मरसायनम्

kaṁdarottaradigbhāge tatra kūpo rasodakaḥ || āṣaṇmāsaṁ ca tatpītvā pibedbrahmarasāyanam

To the north of that cavern is a well of alchemical water; drinking it for up to six months, one drinks the very elixir of Brahman.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.74.104)

तत्र नादेश्वरं लिंगं दृष्ट्वा नादनिदानभूः ॥ सर्वनादात्मकं विश्वं तच्छ्रवो गोचरी भवेत्

tatra nādeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvā nādanidānabhūḥ || sarvanādātmakaṁ viśvaṁ tacchravo gocarī bhavet

Having beheld there the linga Nadeshvara, the very source of Sound, the whole universe, which is made of every sound, becomes accessible to that person's hearing.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.74.105)

तत्र मत्स्योदरीं स्नात्वा स्वर्धुनीं वरुणाप्लुताम् ॥ कृतकृत्यो भवेज्जंतुर्नैव शोचति कुत्रचित्

tatra matsyodarīṁ snātvā svardhunīṁ varuṇāplutām || kṛtakṛtyo bhavejjaṁturnaiva śocati kutracit

Bathing there in Matsyodari, the celestial river pervaded by Varuna, a creature becomes fulfilled, and never again grieves anywhere.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.74.106)

असंख्याता गताः सिद्धिमोंकारेश्वरसेवकाः ॥ पार्थिवेनैव देहेन दिव्यभूतेन तत्क्षणात्

asaṁkhyātā gatāḥ siddhimoṁkāreśvarasevakāḥ || pārthivenaiva dehena divyabhūtena tatkṣaṇāt

Countless servants of Omkareshvara have attained accomplishment in this very earthly body, which becomes divine in that very instant.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.74.107)

अविमुक्तं परं क्षेत्रं ब्रह्मांडादपि सर्वतः ॥ ततोपि पर ओंकार उक्तो मत्स्योदरी तटे

avimuktaṁ paraṁ kṣetraṁ brahmāṁḍādapi sarvataḥ || tatopi para oṁkāra ukto matsyodarī taṭe

Avimukta is the supreme field, above all else, even the universe itself; and even more supreme than that is Omkara, declared to be, on the bank of Matsyodari.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.74.108)

प्रणवेशोंऽग यैः काश्यां न नतो नापि चार्चितः ॥ किमर्थं ते समुत्पन्ना मातृतारुण्यहारिणः

praṇaveśoṁ'ga yaiḥ kāśyāṁ na nato nāpi cārcitaḥ || kimarthaṁ te samutpannā mātṛtāruṇyahāriṇaḥ

'Dear one, those by whom Pranavesha in Kashi has neither been bowed to nor worshipped — for what purpose were they born, mere stealers of their mother's youth?'

Verse 109 (skanda.4.74.109)

यदा प्रभृति विश्वेशो मंदरादागतोऽभवत् ॥ तस्मिन्नानंद गहने तदाप्रभृति सत्तम

yadā prabhṛti viśveśo maṁdarādāgato'bhavat || tasminnānaṁda gahane tadāprabhṛti sattama

'From the time that Vishvesha came here from Mandara into that dense Grove of Bliss, O excellent one, from that time onward —'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.74.110)

सर्वाण्यायतनान्याशु साब्धीनि स गिरीण्यपि ॥ स नदीनि स तीर्थानि स द्वीपानि ययुस्ततः

sarvāṇyāyatanānyāśu sābdhīni sa girīṇyapi || sa nadīni sa tīrthāni sa dvīpāni yayustataḥ

'— all the sacred abodes swiftly came here, together with the oceans, the mountains too, the rivers, the sacred fords, and the islands.'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.74.111)

इदानीं मम भाग्येन स्मारितोहं त्वया मुने ॥ अहमप्यागमिष्यामि यामः काशीं शनैः शनैः

idānīṁ mama bhāgyena smāritohaṁ tvayā mune || ahamapyāgamiṣyāmi yāmaḥ kāśīṁ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

'Now, by my good fortune, I have been reminded of it by you, O sage; I too shall come — let us go slowly, gradually, to Kashi.'

Verse 112 (skanda.4.74.112)

एतेपि मम शिष्या ये महापाशुपतव्रताः ॥ काशीं यियासवस्तेपि यतः सर्वे मुमुक्षवः

etepi mama śiṣyā ye mahāpāśupatavratāḥ || kāśīṁ yiyāsavastepi yataḥ sarve mumukṣavaḥ

'These disciples of mine too, who keep the great Pashupata vow, they too wish to go to Kashi, since all of them desire liberation.'

Verse 113 (skanda.4.74.113)

अपि वार्धकमासाद्य यैः काशी नैव शीलिता ॥ मानुषे दुर्लभे नष्टे कुतस्तेषां महासुखम्

api vārdhakamāsādya yaiḥ kāśī naiva śīlitā || mānuṣe durlabhe naṣṭe kutasteṣāṁ mahāsukham

'Those who, even having reached old age, have never made a habit of visiting Kashi — once their rare human life is lost, whence for them comes great happiness?'

Verse 114 (skanda.4.74.114)

यावन्नेंद्रिय वैकल्यं यावन्नैवायुषः क्षयः ॥ तावत्सेव्यं प्रयत्नेन शंभोरानंदकाननम्

yāvanneṁdriya vaikalyaṁ yāvannaivāyuṣaḥ kṣayaḥ || tāvatsevyaṁ prayatnena śaṁbhorānaṁdakānanam

'As long as the senses are not yet impaired, as long as the span of life is not yet exhausted, the Grove of Bliss of Shambhu should be diligently served.'

Verse 115 (skanda.4.74.115)

य आनंदवनं शंभोः शिश्रियुः श्रीनिकेतनम् ॥ अचलाश्रीर्न मुंचेत्तान्महासौख्यैकशेवधीन्

ya ānaṁdavanaṁ śaṁbhoḥ śiśriyuḥ śrīniketanam || acalāśrīrna muṁcettānmahāsaukhyaikaśevadhīn

'Those who have taken refuge in the Grove of Bliss of Shambhu, the very abode of glory — unwavering prosperity does not abandon them, the sole treasuries of great happiness.'

Verse 116 (skanda.4.74.116)

इत्याख्याय कथां रम्यां गर्गः पाशुपतोत्तमः ॥ भारद्वाजेन सहितः प्राप वाराणसीं पुरीम्

ityākhyāya kathāṁ ramyāṁ gargaḥ pāśupatottamaḥ || bhāradvājena sahitaḥ prāpa vārāṇasīṁ purīm

Having thus told this delightful tale, Garga, the foremost of the Pashupatas, together with the son of Bharadvaja, reached the city of Varanasi.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.74.117)

दमनोपि हि धर्मात्मा गर्गाचार्येण संयुतः ॥ आराध्य श्रीमदोंकारं तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं गतः

damanopi hi dharmātmā gargācāryeṇa saṁyutaḥ || ārādhya śrīmadoṁkāraṁ tasmi~lliṁge layaṁ gataḥ

And Damana too, the righteous soul, together with the teacher Garga, having worshipped the glorious Omkara, merged into that very linga.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.74.118)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ इल्वलारे परं स्थानमोंकारमविमुक्तके ॥ तत्र सिद्धिपरां जग्मुः साधका बहुशो मुने

||skaṁda uvāca|| ilvalāre paraṁ sthānamoṁkāramavimuktake || tatra siddhiparāṁ jagmuḥ sādhakā bahuśo mune

Skanda said: O foe of Ilvala, Omkara is the supreme place in Avimukta; there, O sage, many seekers have attained supreme accomplishment.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.74.119)

कलौ कलुषचित्तानां पुरो नाख्येयमेव हि ॥ प्रणवेश्वरमाहात्म्यं नास्तिकानां विशेषतः

kalau kaluṣacittānāṁ puro nākhyeyameva hi || praṇaveśvaramāhātmyaṁ nāstikānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

In the Kali age, this greatness of Pranaveshvara should never at all be revealed before those of impure mind, especially before atheists.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.74.120)

ये निंदंति महादेवं क्षेत्रं निंदंति येऽधियः ॥ पुराणं ये च निंदंति ते संभाष्या न कुत्रचित्

ye niṁdaṁti mahādevaṁ kṣetraṁ niṁdaṁti ye'dhiyaḥ || purāṇaṁ ye ca niṁdaṁti te saṁbhāṣyā na kutracit

Those who revile Mahadeva, those foolish ones who revile the sacred field, and those who revile the Puranas — they are not to be conversed with, anywhere.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.74.121)

ओंकारसदृशं लिंगं न क्वचिज्जगतीतले ॥ इति गौर्यै समाख्यातं देवदेवेन निश्चितम्

oṁkārasadṛśaṁ liṁgaṁ na kvacijjagatītale || iti gauryai samākhyātaṁ devadevena niścitam

There is no linga equal to Omkara anywhere on this earth — this was certainly declared to Gauri by the god of gods.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.74.122)

इममध्यायमाकर्ण्य नरस्तद्गतमानसः ॥ विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शिवलोकमवाप्नुयात्

imamadhyāyamākarṇya narastadgatamānasaḥ || vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śivalokamavāpnuyāt

A man who hears this chapter, his mind fixed upon it, freed from all sins, attains the world of Shiva.