The Greatness of Trilochana

Verse 1 (skanda.4.75.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ श्रुत्वोंकारकथामेतां महापातकनाशिनीम् ॥ न तृप्तोस्मि विशाखाथ ब्रूहि त्रैविष्टपीं कथाम्

||agastya uvāca|| śrutvoṁkārakathāmetāṁ mahāpātakanāśinīm || na tṛptosmi viśākhātha brūhi traiviṣṭapīṁ kathām

Agastya said: Having heard this tale of Omkara, destroyer of great sin, I am not yet satisfied, O son of Vishakha; tell me now the tale of Trivishtapa.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.75.2)

कथं च कथिता देव्यै देवदेवेन षण्मुख ॥ आविर्भूतिर्महाबुद्धे पुण्या त्रैलोचनी परा

kathaṁ ca kathitā devyai devadevena ṣaṇmukha || āvirbhūtirmahābuddhe puṇyā trailocanī parā

How was it told to the goddess by the god of gods, O six-faced one, O wise one — the holy, supreme manifestation of Trailochani?

Verse 3 (skanda.4.75.3)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ आकर्णय मुने वच्मि कथां श्रमनिवारिणीम् ॥ यथा देवेन कथितां त्रिविष्टपसमुद्भवाम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| ākarṇaya mune vacmi kathāṁ śramanivāriṇīm || yathā devena kathitāṁ triviṣṭapasamudbhavām

Skanda said: Listen, O sage, I shall tell the tale that removes weariness, just as it was told by the god, concerning the origin of Trivishtapa.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.75.4)

विरजाख्यं हि तत्पीठं तत्र लिंगं त्रिविष्टपम् ॥ तत्पीठदर्शनादेव विरजा जायते नरः

virajākhyaṁ hi tatpīṭhaṁ tatra liṁgaṁ triviṣṭapam || tatpīṭhadarśanādeva virajā jāyate naraḥ

That seat is named Virajas, and there is the linga Trivishtapa; by the mere sight of that seat, a man becomes free of impurity.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.75.5)

तिस्रस्तु संगतास्तत्र स्रोतस्विन्यो घटोद्भव ॥ तिस्रः कल्मषहारिण्यो दक्षिणे हि त्रिलोचनात्

tisrastu saṁgatāstatra srotasvinyo ghaṭodbhava || tisraḥ kalmaṣahāriṇyo dakṣiṇe hi trilocanāt

O jar-born one, three rivers meet there, to the south of Trilochana — three rivers, removers of sin.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.75.6)

स्रोतोमूर्तिधराः साक्षाल्लिंगस्नपनहेतवे ॥ सरस्वत्यथ कालिंदी नर्मदा चातिशर्मदा

srotomūrtidharāḥ sākṣālliṁgasnapanahetave || sarasvatyatha kāliṁdī narmadā cātiśarmadā

Bearing the very form of flowing streams, for the sake of bathing the linga: Sarasvati, then Kalindi, and Narmada, most beneficial.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.75.7)

तिस्रोपि हि त्रिसंध्यं ताः सरितः कुंभपाणयः ॥ स्नपयंति महाधाम लिंगं त्रैविष्टपं महत्

tisropi hi trisaṁdhyaṁ tāḥ saritaḥ kuṁbhapāṇayaḥ || snapayaṁti mahādhāma liṁgaṁ traiviṣṭapaṁ mahat

All three of these rivers, jars in hand, bathe the great abode, the mighty linga Trivishtapa, three times a day.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.75.8)

लिंगानि परितस्ताभिः स्वनाम्नास्थापि तान्यपि ॥ तेषां संदर्शनात्पुंसां तासां स्नानफलं भवेत्

liṁgāni paritastābhiḥ svanāmnāsthāpi tānyapi || teṣāṁ saṁdarśanātpuṁsāṁ tāsāṁ snānaphalaṁ bhavet

By them, lingas were established all around, each in her own name; by the sight of these, men obtain the fruit of bathing in those rivers.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.75.9)

सरस्वतीश्वरं लिंगं दक्षिणेन त्रिविष्टपात् ॥ सारस्वतं पदं दद्याद्दृष्टं स्पृष्टं च जाड्यहृत्

sarasvatīśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dakṣiṇena triviṣṭapāt || sārasvataṁ padaṁ dadyāddṛṣṭaṁ spṛṣṭaṁ ca jāḍyahṛt

The linga Sarasvatishvara, to the south of Trivishtapa, grants the state of Sarasvati; seen and touched, it removes dullness of mind.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.75.10)

यमुनेशं प्रतीच्यां च नरैर्भक्त्या समर्चितम् ॥ अपि किल्बिषवद्भिश्च यमलोकनिवारणम्

yamuneśaṁ pratīcyāṁ ca narairbhaktyā samarcitam || api kilbiṣavadbhiśca yamalokanivāraṇam

Yamunesha, to the west, worshipped by men with devotion — even by the sinful — wards off the world of Yama.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.75.11)

दृष्टं त्रिलोचनात्प्राच्यां नर्मदेशं सुशर्मदम् ॥ तल्लिंगार्चनतो नृणां गर्भवासो निषिध्यते

dṛṣṭaṁ trilocanātprācyāṁ narmadeśaṁ suśarmadam || talliṁgārcanato nṛṇāṁ garbhavāso niṣidhyate

Narmadesha, seen to the east of Trilochana, grants great well-being; by worship of that linga, dwelling in the womb is forbidden to men.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.75.12)

स्नात्वा पिलिपिला तीर्थे त्रिविष्टपसमीपतः ॥ दृष्ट्वा त्रिलोचनं लिंगं किं भूयः परिशोचति

snātvā pilipilā tīrthe triviṣṭapasamīpataḥ || dṛṣṭvā trilocanaṁ liṁgaṁ kiṁ bhūyaḥ pariśocati

Having bathed at the sacred ford Pilipila, near Trivishtapa, and having beheld the linga Trilochana, what does one grieve over any more?

Verse 13 (skanda.4.75.13)

त्रिविष्टपस्य लिंगस्य स्मरणादपि मानवः ॥ त्रिविष्टप पतिर्भूयान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

triviṣṭapasya liṁgasya smaraṇādapi mānavaḥ || triviṣṭapa patirbhūyānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

By the mere remembrance of the linga Trivishtapa, a man becomes lord of heaven itself — no doubt need be entertained here.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.75.14)

त्रिविष्टपस्य द्रष्टारः स्रष्टारः स्युर्न संशयः ॥ कृतकृत्यास्त एवात्र त एवात्र महाधियः

triviṣṭapasya draṣṭāraḥ sraṣṭāraḥ syurna saṁśayaḥ || kṛtakṛtyāsta evātra ta evātra mahādhiyaḥ

Those who behold Trivishtapa become, without doubt, creators themselves; they alone here are fulfilled, they alone here are of great wisdom.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.75.15)

आनंदकानने लिंगं प्रणतं यैस्त्रिविष्टपम् ॥ त्रिलोचनस्य नामापि यैः श्रुतं शुद्धबुद्धिभिः

ānaṁdakānane liṁgaṁ praṇataṁ yaistriviṣṭapam || trilocanasya nāmāpi yaiḥ śrutaṁ śuddhabuddhibhiḥ

Those pure-minded ones by whom the linga Trivishtapa in the Grove of Bliss has been bowed to, and by whom even the name of Trilochana has been heard —

Verse 16 (skanda.4.75.16)

सप्तजन्मार्जितात्पापात्ते पूता नात्र संशयः ॥ पृथिव्यां यानि लिंगानि तेषु दृष्टेषु यत्फलम्

saptajanmārjitātpāpātte pūtā nātra saṁśayaḥ || pṛthivyāṁ yāni liṁgāni teṣu dṛṣṭeṣu yatphalam

— they are purified of sin accumulated over seven births, without doubt. Whatever fruit comes from beholding all the lingas that exist on earth —

Verse 17 (skanda.4.75.17)

तत्स्यात्रिविष्टपे दृष्टे काश्यां मन्ये ततोधिकम् ॥ काश्यां त्रिविष्टपे दृष्टे दृष्टं सर्वं त्रिविष्टपम्

tatsyātriviṣṭape dṛṣṭe kāśyāṁ manye tatodhikam || kāśyāṁ triviṣṭape dṛṣṭe dṛṣṭaṁ sarvaṁ triviṣṭapam

— that same fruit comes from beholding Trivishtapa in Kashi — I consider it even greater. Having beheld Trivishtapa in Kashi, all of heaven itself is as if beheld.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.75.18)

क्षणान्निर्धूत पापोसौ न पुनर्गर्भभाग्भवेत ॥ स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु सर्वावभृथवान्स च

kṣaṇānnirdhūta pāposau na punargarbhabhāgbhaveta || sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu sarvāvabhṛthavānsa ca

In an instant that person's sin is shaken off, and he does not again partake of the womb; he is as one bathed in all sacred fords, and as one who has performed every concluding ablution.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.75.19)

यो वै पिलिपिला तीर्थे स्नात्वोत्तरवहांभसि ॥ सरित्त्रयं महापुण्यं यत्र साक्षाद्वसेत्सदा

yo vai pilipilā tīrthe snātvottaravahāṁbhasi || sarittrayaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ yatra sākṣādvasetsadā

He who has bathed at the sacred ford Pilipila, in its northward-flowing waters, where the greatly sacred triple river dwells directly, ever —

Verse 20 (skanda.4.75.20)

तत्र श्राद्धादिकं कृत्वा गयायां किं करिष्यति ॥ स्नात्वा पिलिपिला तीर्थे कृत्वा वै पिंडपातनम्

tatra śrāddhādikaṁ kṛtvā gayāyāṁ kiṁ kariṣyati || snātvā pilipilā tīrthe kṛtvā vai piṁḍapātanam

— having performed the shraddha rite and the like there, what need has he of Gaya? Having bathed at the sacred ford Pilipila and offered the rice-balls —

Verse 21 (skanda.4.75.21)

दृष्ट्वा त्रिविष्टपं लिंगं कोटितीर्थफलं लभेत् ॥ यदन्यत्रार्जितं पापं तत्काशी दर्शनाद्व्रजेत्

dṛṣṭvā triviṣṭapaṁ liṁgaṁ koṭitīrthaphalaṁ labhet || yadanyatrārjitaṁ pāpaṁ tatkāśī darśanādvrajet

— and beheld the linga Trivishtapa, one obtains the fruit of a crore sacred fords. Whatever sin has been accumulated elsewhere departs by the sight of Kashi.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.75.22)

काश्यां तु यत्कृतं पापं तत्पैशाचपदप्रदम् ॥ प्रमादात्पातकं कृत्वा शंभोरानंदकानने

kāśyāṁ tu yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tatpaiśācapadapradam || pramādātpātakaṁ kṛtvā śaṁbhorānaṁdakānane

But whatever sin is committed in Kashi leads to the state of a demon. Having committed sin through negligence in the Grove of Bliss of Shambhu —

Verse 23 (skanda.4.75.23)

दृष्ट्वा त्रिविष्टपं लिंगं तत्पापमपि हास्यति ॥ सर्वस्मिन्नपि भूपृष्ठे श्रेष्ठमानंदकाननम्

dṛṣṭvā triviṣṭapaṁ liṁgaṁ tatpāpamapi hāsyati || sarvasminnapi bhūpṛṣṭhe śreṣṭhamānaṁdakānanam

— one destroys even that sin by beholding the linga Trivishtapa. Of all the earth's surface, the Grove of Bliss is the most excellent.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.75.24)

तत्रापि सर्वतीर्थानि ततोप्योंकारभूमिका ॥ ओंकारादपि सल्लिंगान्मोक्षवर्त्म प्रकाशकात्

tatrāpi sarvatīrthāni tatopyoṁkārabhūmikā || oṁkārādapi salliṁgānmokṣavartma prakāśakāt

There too are all the sacred fords; and beyond that, the very ground of Omkara. And beyond even Omkara, the true linga that reveals the path to liberation —

Verse 25 (skanda.4.75.25)

अतिश्रेष्ठतरं लिंगं श्रेयोरूपं त्रिलोचनम्

atiśreṣṭhataraṁ liṁgaṁ śreyorūpaṁ trilocanam

— more excellent still is the linga Trilochana, the very form of blessing.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.75.26)

तेजस्विषु यथा भानुर्दृश्येषु च यथा शशी ॥ तथा लिंगेषु सर्वेषु परं लिंगं त्रिलोचनम्

tejasviṣu yathā bhānurdṛśyeṣu ca yathā śaśī || tathā liṁgeṣu sarveṣu paraṁ liṁgaṁ trilocanam

As the sun is among luminaries, and as the moon is among visible things, so is the supreme linga Trilochana among all lingas.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.75.27)

त्रिलोचनार्चकानां सा पदवी न दवीयसी ॥ परं निर्वाणपद्माया महासौख्यैकशेवधेः

trilocanārcakānāṁ sā padavī na davīyasī || paraṁ nirvāṇapadmāyā mahāsaukhyaikaśevadheḥ

For the worshippers of Trilochana, that state is not far off — the state that is the sole treasury of great happiness, the very glory of the liberation-lotus.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.75.28)

सकृत्त्रिलोचनार्चातो यच्छ्रेयः समुपार्ज्यते ॥ न तदा जन्मसंपूंज्य लिंगान्यन्यानि लभ्यते

sakṛttrilocanārcāto yacchreyaḥ samupārjyate || na tadā janmasaṁpūṁjya liṁgānyanyāni labhyate

The blessing that is obtained from worshipping Trilochana even once is not obtained even by worshipping all other lingas over many births.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.75.29)

काश्यां त्रिलोचनं लिंगं येर्चयंति महाधियः ॥ तेर्च्यास्त्रिभुवनौकोभिर्ममप्रीतिमभीप्सुभिः

kāśyāṁ trilocanaṁ liṁgaṁ yercayaṁti mahādhiyaḥ || tercyāstribhuvanaukobhirmamaprītimabhīpsubhiḥ

Those of great wisdom who worship the linga Trilochana in Kashi are to be worshipped in turn by the dwellers of the three worlds who desire my favour.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.75.30)

कृत्वापि सर्वसंन्यासं कृत्वा पाशुपतव्रतम् ॥ नियमेभ्यः स्खलित्वापि कुतो बिभ्यति मानवाः

kṛtvāpi sarvasaṁnyāsaṁ kṛtvā pāśupatavratam || niyamebhyaḥ skhalitvāpi kuto bibhyati mānavāḥ

Even having renounced everything, even having taken the Pashupata vow, even having fallen short of their observances — why should men then still fear?

Verse 31 (skanda.4.75.31)

विद्यमाने महालिंगे महापापौघहारिणि ॥ त्रिविष्टपे पुण्यराशौ मोक्षनिक्षेपसद्मनि

vidyamāne mahāliṁge mahāpāpaughahāriṇi || triviṣṭape puṇyarāśau mokṣanikṣepasadmani

When the great linga is present, remover of the flood of great sin, Trivishtapa, a treasury of merit, the storehouse where liberation is deposited —

Verse 32 (skanda.4.75.32)

समभ्यर्च्य महालिंगं सकृदेव त्रिलोचनम् ।।ऽ ॥ मुच्यते कलुषैः सर्वैरपिजन्मशतार्जितैः

samabhyarcya mahāliṁgaṁ sakṛdeva trilocanam ||' || mucyate kaluṣaiḥ sarvairapijanmaśatārjitaiḥ

— having worshipped the great linga Trilochana even once, one is freed from all sins, even those accumulated over a hundred births.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.75.33)

ब्रह्महापि सुरापो वा स्तेयी वा गुरुतल्पगः ॥ तत्संयोग्यपि वा वर्षं महापापी प्रकीर्तितः

brahmahāpi surāpo vā steyī vā gurutalpagaḥ || tatsaṁyogyapi vā varṣaṁ mahāpāpī prakīrtitaḥ

One who has killed a brahmin, or drunk liquor, or committed theft, or violated a guru's bed, or even one who has associated for a year with such — is declared a great sinner.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.75.34)

परदाररतश्चापि परहिंसा रतोपि वा ॥ परापवादशीलोपि तथा विस्रंभघातकः

paradārarataścāpi parahiṁsā ratopi vā || parāpavādaśīlopi tathā visraṁbhaghātakaḥ

One devoted to another's wife, or devoted to harming others, one habitually slandering others, and likewise one who betrays a trust —

Verse 35 (skanda.4.75.35)

कृतघ्नोपि भ्रूणहापि वृषलीपतिरेव वा ॥ मातापितृगुरुत्यागी वह्निदो गरदोपि वा

kṛtaghnopi bhrūṇahāpi vṛṣalīpatireva vā || mātāpitṛgurutyāgī vahnido garadopi vā

— the ungrateful, the one who has killed an embryo, the husband of a low-caste woman, one who abandons mother, father or guru, one who sets fire to a house, or gives poison —

Verse 36 (skanda.4.75.36)

गोघ्नः स्त्रीघ्नोपि शूद्रघ्नः कन्यादूषयितापि च ॥ क्रूरो वा पिशुनो वापि निजधर्मपराङ्मुखः

goghnaḥ strīghnopi śūdraghnaḥ kanyādūṣayitāpi ca || krūro vā piśuno vāpi nijadharmaparāṅmukhaḥ

— one who has killed a cow, killed a woman, killed a shudra, or violated a maiden, the cruel, or the slanderous, or one turned away from his own dharma —

Verse 37 (skanda.4.75.37)

निंदको नास्तिको वापि कूटसाक्ष्यप्रवादकः ॥ अभक्ष्यभक्षको वापि तथाऽविक्रेय विक्रयी

niṁdako nāstiko vāpi kūṭasākṣyapravādakaḥ || abhakṣyabhakṣako vāpi tathā'vikreya vikrayī

— the slanderer, the atheist, the one who gives false witness, the one who eats forbidden food, and likewise the one who sells what should not be sold —

Verse 38 (skanda.4.75.38)

इत्यादि पापशीलोपि मुक्त्वैकं शिवनिंदकम ॥ पापान्निष्कृतिमाप्नोति नत्वा लिंगं त्रिलोचनम्

ityādi pāpaśīlopi muktvaikaṁ śivaniṁdakama || pāpānniṣkṛtimāpnoti natvā liṁgaṁ trilocanam

— one of such sinful conduct too, all except the reviler of Shiva alone, attains release from sin by bowing to the linga Trilochana.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.75.39)

शिवनिंदारतो मूढः शिवशास्त्रविनिंदकः ॥ तस्य नो निष्कृतिर्दृष्टा क्वापि शास्त्रेपि केनचित्

śivaniṁdārato mūḍhaḥ śivaśāstraviniṁdakaḥ || tasya no niṣkṛtirdṛṣṭā kvāpi śāstrepi kenacit

For the fool devoted to reviling Shiva, or reviling the Shaiva scriptures, no release has been seen anywhere in any scripture by anyone.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.75.40)

आत्मघाती स विज्ञेयः सदा त्रैलोक्यघातकः ॥ शिवनिंदां विधत्ते यः स नाभाष्योऽधमाधमः

ātmaghātī sa vijñeyaḥ sadā trailokyaghātakaḥ || śivaniṁdāṁ vidhatte yaḥ sa nābhāṣyo'dhamādhamaḥ

He is to be known as a self-destroyer, ever a destroyer of the three worlds; he who reviles Shiva is not to be spoken to, being the lowest of the low.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.75.41)

शिवनिंदारता ये च शिवभक्तजनेष्वपि ॥ ते यांति नरके घोरे यावच्चंद्रदिवाकरौ

śivaniṁdāratā ye ca śivabhaktajaneṣvapi || te yāṁti narake ghore yāvaccaṁdradivākarau

Those who are devoted to reviling Shiva, even among people who are Shiva's own devotees, go to a terrible hell for as long as the sun and moon endure.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.75.42)

शैवाः पूज्याः प्रयत्नेन काश्या मोक्षमभीप्सुभिः ॥ तेष्वर्चितेष्वपि शिवः प्रीतो भवत्यसंशयः

śaivāḥ pūjyāḥ prayatnena kāśyā mokṣamabhīpsubhiḥ || teṣvarciteṣvapi śivaḥ prīto bhavatyasaṁśayaḥ

Devotees of Shiva are to be worshipped diligently, in Kashi, by those who desire liberation; when they are worshipped, Shiva too, without doubt, becomes pleased.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.75.43)

सर्वेषामिह पापानां प्रायश्चित्तचिकीर्षया ॥ निःशंकैरेव वक्तव्यं प्रमाणज्ञैरिदं वचः

sarveṣāmiha pāpānāṁ prāyaścittacikīrṣayā || niḥśaṁkaireva vaktavyaṁ pramāṇajñairidaṁ vacaḥ

For all sins, with the desire to perform atonement, this word should be spoken without doubt by those who know the authoritative texts.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.75.44)

पुरश्चरणकामश्चेद्भीतोसि यदि पापतः ॥ मन्यसे यदि नः सत्यं वाक्यशास्त्रप्रमाणतः

puraścaraṇakāmaścedbhītosi yadi pāpataḥ || manyase yadi naḥ satyaṁ vākyaśāstrapramāṇataḥ

'If you desire preliminary rites of atonement, if you are afraid because of sin, if you consider our word true, on the authority of scripture —'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.75.45)

ततः सर्वं परित्यज्य कृत्वा मनसि निश्चयम् ॥ आनंदकाननं याहि यत्र विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम्

tataḥ sarvaṁ parityajya kṛtvā manasi niścayam || ānaṁdakānanaṁ yāhi yatra viśveśvaraḥ svayam

'— then, abandoning everything, having made up your mind, go to the Grove of Bliss, where Vishveshvara himself dwells.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.75.46)

यत्र क्षेत्रप्रविष्टानां नराणां निश्चितात्मनाम् ॥ न बाधतेऽघनिचयः प्राप्येत च परोवृषः

yatra kṣetrapraviṣṭānāṁ narāṇāṁ niścitātmanām || na bādhate'ghanicayaḥ prāpyeta ca parovṛṣaḥ

'There, for men of resolved mind who have entered the sacred field, the mass of their sin does not afflict them, and supreme righteousness is attained.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.75.47)

तत्राद्यापि महातीर्थं त्रिस्रोतस्यतिनिर्मले ॥ पुण्ये पिलिपिलानाम्नि त्रिसरित्परिसेविते

tatrādyāpi mahātīrthaṁ trisrotasyatinirmale || puṇye pilipilānāmni trisaritparisevite

'There, even today, is the great sacred ford, in the exceedingly pure triple stream, the holy one named Pilipila, attended by the three rivers.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.75.48)

त्रिलोचनाक्षिविक्षेप परिक्षिप्त महैनसि ॥ स्नात्वा गृह्योक्तविधिना तर्पणीयान्प्रतर्प्य च

trilocanākṣivikṣepa parikṣipta mahainasi || snātvā gṛhyoktavidhinā tarpaṇīyānpratarpya ca

'There, where great sin is scattered away by the mere glance of Trilochana's eyes — bathing there according to the rite prescribed in the domestic sutras, and having satisfied those to be satisfied with libations —'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.75.49)

दत्त्वा देयं यथाशक्ति वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः ॥ दृष्ट्वा त्रिविष्टपं लिंगं समभ्यर्च्यातिभक्तितः

dattvā deyaṁ yathāśakti vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ || dṛṣṭvā triviṣṭapaṁ liṁgaṁ samabhyarcyātibhaktitaḥ

'— having given what is to be given according to one's means, free from stinginess with wealth, and having beheld and worshipped the linga Trivishtapa with the utmost devotion —'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.75.50)

गंधाद्यैर्विविधैर्माल्यैः पंचामृतपुरःसरैः ॥ धूपैर्दीपैः सनैवेद्यैर्वासोभिर्बहुभूषणैः

gaṁdhādyairvividhairmālyaiḥ paṁcāmṛtapuraḥsaraiḥ || dhūpairdīpaiḥ sanaivedyairvāsobhirbahubhūṣaṇaiḥ

'— with sandal-paste and other offerings, with various garlands, preceded by the five nectars, with incense, lamps, food-offerings, garments, and many ornaments —'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.75.51)

पूजोपकरणैर्द्रव्यैर्घंटादर्पणचामरैः ॥ चित्रध्वजपताकाभिर्नृत्यवाद्यसुगायनैः

pūjopakaraṇairdravyairghaṁṭādarpaṇacāmaraiḥ || citradhvajapatākābhirnṛtyavādyasugāyanaiḥ

'— with the implements and materials for worship, with bells, mirrors, and whisks, with colourful banners and flags, with dance, music, and fine singing —'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.75.52)

जपैः प्रदक्षिणाभिश्च नमस्कारैर्मुदायुतैः ॥ परिचारकसंतोषैः कृत्वेति परिपूजनम्

japaiḥ pradakṣiṇābhiśca namaskārairmudāyutaiḥ || paricārakasaṁtoṣaiḥ kṛtveti paripūjanam

'— with recitations, circumambulations, and joyful prostrations, and by satisfying the attendants — having performed such complete worship —'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.75.53)

ब्राह्मणान्वाचयेत्पश्चान्निष्पापोहमिति ब्रुवन् ॥ एवं कुर्वन्नरः प्राज्ञो निरेना जायते क्षणात्

brāhmaṇānvācayetpaścānniṣpāpohamiti bruvan || evaṁ kurvannaraḥ prājño nirenā jāyate kṣaṇāt

'— one should then have the brahmins recite blessings, declaring, I am free of sin. A wise man who acts thus becomes free of sin in an instant.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.75.54)

ततः पंचनदे स्नात्वा मणिकर्णी ह्रदे ततः ॥ ततो विश्वेशमभ्यर्च्य प्राप्नोति सुकृतं महत्

tataḥ paṁcanade snātvā maṇikarṇī hrade tataḥ || tato viśveśamabhyarcya prāpnoti sukṛtaṁ mahat

'Then, having bathed in the Panchanada, and then in the Manikarnika lake, and then having worshipped Vishvesha, one obtains great merit.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.75.55)

प्रायश्चित्तमिदं प्रोक्तं महापापविशोधनम् ॥ नास्तिके न प्रवक्तव्यं काशीमाहात्म्य निंदके

prāyaścittamidaṁ proktaṁ mahāpāpaviśodhanam || nāstike na pravaktavyaṁ kāśīmāhātmya niṁdake

'This atonement has been declared, purifying great sin; it should not be told to an atheist, or to one who reviles the greatness of Kashi.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.75.56)

ददच्च द्रव्यलोभेन प्रायश्चित्तमिदं शुभम् ॥ दाता नरकमाप्नोति सत्यंसत्यं घटोद्भव

dadacca dravyalobhena prāyaścittamidaṁ śubham || dātā narakamāpnoti satyaṁsatyaṁ ghaṭodbhava

'O jar-born one, one who administers this auspicious atonement out of greed for wealth himself attains hell — this is the truth, the truth.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.75.57)

क्षमां प्रदक्षिणीकृन्य यत्फलं सम्यगाप्यते ॥ प्रदोषे तत्फलं काश्यां सप्तकृत्वस्त्रिलोचने

kṣamāṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛnya yatphalaṁ samyagāpyate || pradoṣe tatphalaṁ kāśyāṁ saptakṛtvastrilocane

'Whatever fruit is fully obtained by circumambulating the earth — that same fruit is obtained by circumambulating Trilochana seven times at dusk in Kashi.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.75.58)

भुजंगमेखलं लिंगं काश्यां दृष्ट्वा त्रिविष्टपम् ॥ जन्मांतरेपि मुक्तः स्यादन्यत्र मरणे सति

bhujaṁgamekhalaṁ liṁgaṁ kāśyāṁ dṛṣṭvā triviṣṭapam || janmāṁtarepi muktaḥ syādanyatra maraṇe sati

'Having beheld in Kashi the linga Trivishtapa, girdled with serpents, one becomes liberated even at the time of death in another birth, elsewhere.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.75.59)

अन्यत्र सर्वलिंगेषु पुण्यकालो विशिष्यते ॥ त्रिविष्टपे पुण्यकालः सदा रात्रिदिवं नृणाम्

anyatra sarvaliṁgeṣu puṇyakālo viśiṣyate || triviṣṭape puṇyakālaḥ sadā rātridivaṁ nṛṇām

'For all other lingas elsewhere, the sacred time is specific; but for Trivishtapa, the sacred time for men is always, day and night.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.75.60)

लिंगान्योंकारमुख्यानि सर्वपापप्रकृंत्यलम् ॥ परं त्रैलोचनी शक्तिः काचिदन्यैव पार्वति

liṁgānyoṁkāramukhyāni sarvapāpaprakṛṁtyalam || paraṁ trailocanī śaktiḥ kācidanyaiva pārvati

'Other lingas, beginning with Omkara, are indeed sufficient to cut away all sin; but, O Parvati, the power of Trilochana is something else entirely.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.75.61)

यतः सर्वेषु लिंगेषु लिंगमेतदनुत्तमम् ॥ तत्कारणं शृण्व पर्णे कर्णे कुरु वदाम्यहम्

yataḥ sarveṣu liṁgeṣu liṁgametadanuttamam || tatkāraṇaṁ śṛṇva parṇe karṇe kuru vadāmyaham

'Since, among all lingas, this linga is unsurpassed — hear the reason for that, O Aparna; lend your ear, I shall tell you.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.75.62)

पुरा मे योगयुक्तस्य लिंगमेतद्भुवस्तलात् ॥ उद्भिद्य सप्तपातालं निरगात्पुरतो महत्

purā me yogayuktasya liṁgametadbhuvastalāt || udbhidya saptapātālaṁ niragātpurato mahat

'Formerly, while I was engaged in yoga, this great linga, splitting through the surface of the earth and the seven netherworlds, emerged before me.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.75.63)

अस्मिँल्लिगे पुरा गौरि सुगुप्तं तिष्ठता मया ॥ तुभ्यं नेत्रत्रयं दत्तं निरैक्षिष्ठास्तथोत्तमम्

asmi~llige purā gauri suguptaṁ tiṣṭhatā mayā || tubhyaṁ netratrayaṁ dattaṁ niraikṣiṣṭhāstathottamam

'O Gauri, formerly, while I dwelt well-hidden within this linga, I gave you a third eye, by which you beheld that supreme linga.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.75.64)

तदा प्रभृति देवेशि लिंगमेतत्त्रिलोचनम ॥ विष्टपत्रितयांतस्थैर्गीयते ज्ञानदृष्टिदम्

tadā prabhṛti deveśi liṁgametattrilocanama || viṣṭapatritayāṁtasthairgīyate jñānadṛṣṭidam

'From then, O queen of gods, this linga has been called Trilochana, celebrated by the dwellers of the three worlds, as the giver of the sight of knowledge.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.75.65)

त्रिलोचनस्य ये भक्तास्तेपि सर्वे त्रिलोचनाः ॥ मम पारिषदास्ते तु जीवन्मुक्ताऽस्त एव हि

trilocanasya ye bhaktāstepi sarve trilocanāḥ || mama pāriṣadāste tu jīvanmuktā'sta eva hi

'Whoever are devotees of Trilochana, all of them too become three-eyed themselves; they indeed are my own attendants, and they are liberated even while living.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.75.66)

त्रिलोचनस्य लिंगस्य महिमानं न कश्चन ॥ सम्यग्वेत्ति महेशानि मयैव परिगोपितम्

trilocanasya liṁgasya mahimānaṁ na kaścana || samyagvetti maheśāni mayaiva parigopitam

'No one at all, O great queen, fully knows the greatness of the linga Trilochana; it is guarded closely by me alone.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.75.67)

शुक्लराधतृतीयायां स्नात्वा पैलिपिले ह्रदे ॥ उपोषणपरा भक्त्या रात्रौ जागरणान्विताः

śuklarādhatṛtīyāyāṁ snātvā pailipile hrade || upoṣaṇaparā bhaktyā rātrau jāgaraṇānvitāḥ

On the bright third day of the month Radha, having bathed in the lake Pailipila, devoted to fasting, with faith, keeping vigil through the night —

Verse 68 (skanda.4.75.68)

त्रिलोचनं पूजयित्वा प्रातः स्नात्वापि तत्र वै ॥ पुनर्लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य दत्त्वा धर्मघटानपि

trilocanaṁ pūjayitvā prātaḥ snātvāpi tatra vai || punarliṁgaṁ samabhyarcya dattvā dharmaghaṭānapi

— having worshipped Trilochana, and bathed there again in the morning, having again worshipped the linga, and having given water-pots for religious merit —

Verse 69 (skanda.4.75.69)

सान्नान्सदक्षिणान्देवि पितॄनुद्दिश्य हर्षिताः ॥ विधाय पारणं पश्चाच्छिवभक्तजनैः सह

sānnānsadakṣiṇāndevi pitṝnuddiśya harṣitāḥ || vidhāya pāraṇaṁ paścācchivabhaktajanaiḥ saha

— O goddess, along with food and sacrificial fees, joyfully, dedicated to the ancestors, and then, having broken the fast together with devotees of Shiva —

Verse 70 (skanda.4.75.70)

विसृज्य पार्थिवं देहं तेन पुण्येन नोदिताः ॥ भवंति देवि नियतं गणा मम पुरोगमाः

visṛjya pārthivaṁ dehaṁ tena puṇyena noditāḥ || bhavaṁti devi niyataṁ gaṇā mama purogamāḥ

— and having cast off the earthly body, driven by that merit, they become, O goddess, without fail, my own foremost attendants.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.75.71)

तावद्धमंति संसारे देवा मर्त्या महोरगाः ॥ गौरि यावन्न पश्यंति काश्यां लिंगं त्रिलोचनम्

tāvaddhamaṁti saṁsāre devā martyā mahoragāḥ || gauri yāvanna paśyaṁti kāśyāṁ liṁgaṁ trilocanam

Gods, mortals, and great serpents wander in worldly existence only as long as, O Gauri, they do not behold the linga Trilochana in Kashi.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.75.72)

सकृत्त्रिविष्टपं दृष्ट्वा स्नात्वा पैलिपिले ह्रदे ॥ न जातुः मातुस्तनपो जायते जंतुरत्र हि

sakṛttriviṣṭapaṁ dṛṣṭvā snātvā pailipile hrade || na jātuḥ mātustanapo jāyate jaṁturatra hi

Having beheld Trivishtapa even once, and bathed in the lake Pailipila, a creature never again becomes a suckler at a mother's breast here.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.75.73)

प्रतिमासं सदाष्टम्यां चतुर्दश्यां च भामिनि ॥ आयांति सर्वतीर्थानि द्रष्टुं देवं त्रिविष्टपम्

pratimāsaṁ sadāṣṭamyāṁ caturdaśyāṁ ca bhāmini || āyāṁti sarvatīrthāni draṣṭuṁ devaṁ triviṣṭapam

O radiant one, every month, on the eighth and the fourteenth, all the sacred fords come to behold the god Trivishtapa.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.75.74)

त्रिविष्टपाद्दक्षिणतः स्नातः पैलिपिलेंऽभसि ॥ तत्र संध्यामुपास्यैकां राजसूयफलं लभेत्

triviṣṭapāddakṣiṇataḥ snātaḥ pailipileṁ'bhasi || tatra saṁdhyāmupāsyaikāṁ rājasūyaphalaṁ labhet

Having bathed to the south of Trivishtapa in the waters of Pailipila, and having worshipped there at a single twilight, one obtains the fruit of a Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.75.75)

पादोदकाख्यस्तत्रैव कूपः पापविनाशकः ॥ प्राश्य तस्योदकं मर्त्यो न मर्त्यो जायते पुनः

pādodakākhyastatraiva kūpaḥ pāpavināśakaḥ || prāśya tasyodakaṁ martyo na martyo jāyate punaḥ

There too is the well named Padodaka, destroyer of sin; a mortal who partakes of its water is never again born a mortal.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.75.76)

तस्य लिंगस्य पार्श्वे तु संति लिंगान्यनेकशः ॥ कैवल्यदानि तान्यत्र दर्शनात्स्पर्शनादपि

tasya liṁgasya pārśve tu saṁti liṁgānyanekaśaḥ || kaivalyadāni tānyatra darśanātsparśanādapi

Beside that linga are many other lingas, granting supreme liberation, there, by mere sight and touch.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.75.77)

तत्र शांतनवं लिंगं गंगातीरे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ तद्दृष्ट्वा शांतिमाप्नोति नरः संसारतापितः

tatra śāṁtanavaṁ liṁgaṁ gaṁgātīre pratiṣṭhitam || taddṛṣṭvā śāṁtimāpnoti naraḥ saṁsāratāpitaḥ

There, the linga Shantanava is established on the bank of the Ganga; beholding it, a man tormented by worldly existence attains peace.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.75.78)

तद्दक्षिणे महालिंगं मुने भीष्मेश संज्ञितम् ॥ कलिः कालश्च कामश्च बाधंते न तदीक्षणात्

taddakṣiṇe mahāliṁgaṁ mune bhīṣmeśa saṁjñitam || kaliḥ kālaśca kāmaśca bādhaṁte na tadīkṣaṇāt

O sage, to its south is the great linga named Bhishmesha; by beholding it, neither the Kali age, nor death, nor desire afflicts one.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.75.79)

तत्प्रतीच्यां महालिंगं द्रोणेश इति कीर्तितम् ॥ यल्लिंगपूजनाद्द्रोणो ज्योतीरूपं पुनर्दधौ

tatpratīcyāṁ mahāliṁgaṁ droṇeśa iti kīrtitam || yalliṁgapūjanāddroṇo jyotīrūpaṁ punardadhau

To its west is the great linga called Droneshvara, by the worship of which Drona regained his form of light.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.75.80)

अश्वत्थामेश्वरं लिंगं तदग्रे चातिपुण्यदम् ॥ यदर्चनवशाद्द्रौणिर्न बिभेत्यपि कालतः

aśvatthāmeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tadagre cātipuṇyadam || yadarcanavaśāddrauṇirna bibhetyapi kālataḥ

Before it is the linga Ashvatthameshvara, granting great merit, by the worship of which the son of Drona does not fear even death.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.75.81)

द्रोणेशाद्वायु दिग्भागे वालखिल्येश्वरं परम् ॥ तल्लिंगं श्रद्धया दृष्ट्वा सर्वक्रतुफलं लभेत्

droṇeśādvāyu digbhāge vālakhilyeśvaraṁ param || talliṁgaṁ śraddhayā dṛṣṭvā sarvakratuphalaṁ labhet

To the northwest of Droneshvara is the supreme linga Valakhilyeshvara; beholding that linga with faith, one obtains the fruit of every sacrifice.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.75.82)

तद्वामे लिंगमालोक्य वाल्मीकेश्वरसंज्ञितम् ॥ तस्य संदर्शनादेव विशोको जायते नरः

tadvāme liṁgamālokya vālmīkeśvarasaṁjñitam || tasya saṁdarśanādeva viśoko jāyate naraḥ

Beholding the linga to its left, named Valmikeshvara, a man becomes free of sorrow by the mere sight of it.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.75.83)

अन्यच्चात्रैव यद्वृत्तं तद्ब्रवीमि घटोद्भव ॥ त्रिविष्टपस्य माहात्म्यं देव्यै देवेन भाषितम्

anyaccātraiva yadvṛttaṁ tadbravīmi ghaṭodbhava || triviṣṭapasya māhātmyaṁ devyai devena bhāṣitam

O jar-born one, I shall tell another thing that happened here — the greatness of Trivishtapa as spoken by the god to the goddess.