The Narrative of Dharmeshvara, Continued

Verse 1 (skanda.4.79.1)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। आनंदबाष्पसलिलरुद्धकंठं विलोक्य तम्।। मृडः पस्पर्श पाणिभ्यां सौधाभ्यां तु सुधांबुधिः

|| skaṁda uvāca || ānaṁdabāṣpasalilaruddhakaṁṭhaṁ vilokya tam|| mṛḍaḥ pasparśa pāṇibhyāṁ saudhābhyāṁ tu sudhāṁbudhiḥ

Skanda said: Beholding him, his throat choked with tears of joy, Mrida, that very ocean of nectar, touched him with both his moon-cool hands.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.79.2)

अथ तत्स्पर्शसौख्येन धर्मराजो महातपाः ।। पुनरंकुरयामास तपोग्नि ज्वलितां तनुम्

atha tatsparśasaukhyena dharmarājo mahātapāḥ || punaraṁkurayāmāsa tapogni jvalitāṁ tanum

Then, by the bliss of that touch, Dharmaraja, of great austerity, caused his body — scorched by the fire of his own tapas — to sprout anew.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.79.3)

ततः प्रोवाच स ब्राध्निर्देव देवमुमापतिम् ।। प्रसन्नवदनं शांतं शांतपारिषदावृतम्

tataḥ provāca sa brādhnirdeva devamumāpatim || prasannavadanaṁ śāṁtaṁ śāṁtapāriṣadāvṛtam

Then that son of the Sun spoke to the god of gods, the lord of Uma, whose face was gracious and serene, surrounded by his tranquil attendants:

Verse 4 (skanda.4.79.4)

प्रसन्नोसि यदीशान सर्वज्ञ करुणानिधे ।। किमन्येन वरेणात्र यत्त्वं साक्षात्कृतो मया

prasannosi yadīśāna sarvajña karuṇānidhe || kimanyena vareṇātra yattvaṁ sākṣātkṛto mayā

"If you are pleased, O lord, omniscient one, treasure of compassion — what need have I of any other boon, now that I have beheld you directly?"

Verse 5 (skanda.4.79.5)

यं न वेदा विदुः सम्यङ्न च तौ वेदपूरुषौ ।। ततोपि वरयोग्योस्मि तन्नाथ प्रार्थयाम्यहम्

yaṁ na vedā viduḥ samyaṅna ca tau vedapūruṣau || tatopi varayogyosmi tannātha prārthayāmyaham

"Yet, since even the Vedas do not fully know you, nor those two Purushas of the Vedas — even so, since I am now fit to ask a boon, I make this request, my lord:"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.79.6)

श्रीकंठांडज डिंभानाममीषां मधुरब्रुवाम् ।। मत्तपश्चिरसाक्षीणां मत्पुरः प्राप्तजन्मनाम्

śrīkaṁṭhāṁḍaja ḍiṁbhānāmamīṣāṁ madhurabruvām || mattapaścirasākṣīṇāṁ matpuraḥ prāptajanmanām

"For these sweet-voiced fledgling birds, long witnesses of my austerity, born here before me,"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.79.7)

पितृभ्यां परिहीनानामितिहास कथाविदाम् ।। त्यक्ताहारविहाराणां कीराणां वरदो भव

pitṛbhyāṁ parihīnānāmitihāsa kathāvidām || tyaktāhāravihārāṇāṁ kīrāṇāṁ varado bhava

"— bereft of both their parents, versed in ancient legends and tales, who have given up food and play in devotion — be the boon-giver to these parrots."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.79.8)

एतत्प्रसूतिसमये आमयेन प्रपीडिता ।। शुकी पंचत्वमापन्ना शुकः श्येनेन भक्षितः

etatprasūtisamaye āmayena prapīḍitā || śukī paṁcatvamāpannā śukaḥ śyenena bhakṣitaḥ

"At the time of their birth, the mother parrot, afflicted by illness, met her death; and the father parrot was devoured by a hawk."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.79.9)

रक्षितानामनाथानां सदा मन्मुखदर्शिनाम् ।। अनाथनाथ भवता ह्यायुःशेषस्वरूपिणा

rakṣitānāmanāthānāṁ sadā manmukhadarśinām || anāthanātha bhavatā hyāyuḥśeṣasvarūpiṇā

"Protected by me, orphaned, ever gazing upon my face — be their refuge, O protector of the helpless, you who shape the very span of life remaining to each being."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.79.10)

इति धर्मवचः श्रुत्वा परोपकृतिनिर्मलम् ।। तानाहूय मुने शंभुर्विनयावनताननान् ।।4.2.79.१ ०।। उवाच धर्मेति प्रीतः शुकशावानिदं वचः ।। अयि पत्त्ररथा ब्रूत साधवो धर्मसंगताः

iti dharmavacaḥ śrutvā paropakṛtinirmalam || tānāhūya mune śaṁbhurvinayāvanatānanān ||4.2.79.1 0|| uvāca dharmeti prītaḥ śukaśāvānidaṁ vacaḥ || ayi pattrarathā brūta sādhavo dharmasaṁgatāḥ

Hearing this speech of Dharma, pure with concern for others, O sage, Shambhu called those young parrots, their faces bowed in humility, and said, pleased: "O birds, tell me — you good ones, attached to dharma —"

Verse 11 (skanda.4.79.11)

को वरो भवता देयो धर्मेश परिचारिणाम् ।। साधुसंसर्गसंक्षीण जन्मांतरमहैनसाम्

ko varo bhavatā deyo dharmeśa paricāriṇām || sādhusaṁsargasaṁkṣīṇa janmāṁtaramahainasām

"— what boon should be given to you, attendants of Dharmaraja, whose great sin from other births has been diminished through the company of the virtuous?"

Verse 12 (skanda.4.79.12)

इति श्रुत्वा महेशस्य वचनं ते पतत्त्रिणः ।। प्रोचुः प्रणम्य देवेशं नमस्ते भवनाशन

iti śrutvā maheśasya vacanaṁ te patattriṇaḥ || procuḥ praṇamya deveśaṁ namaste bhavanāśana

Hearing these words of Mahesha, those birds, bowing to the god of gods, said: "Salutations to you, destroyer of worldly existence!"

Verse 13 (skanda.4.79.13)

।। पक्षिण ऊचुः ।। ।। अनाथनाथ सर्वज्ञ को वरो नः समीहितः ।। इतोपि त्र्यक्ष यत्साक्षात्तिर्यक्त्वेपि समीक्षिताः

|| pakṣiṇa ūcuḥ || || anāthanātha sarvajña ko varo naḥ samīhitaḥ || itopi tryakṣa yatsākṣāttiryaktvepi samīkṣitāḥ

The birds said: "O protector of the orphaned, omniscient one, what boon could we desire beyond this — that we, O three-eyed one, though mere animals, have beheld you directly?"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.79.14)

लाभाः संतूद्यमवतां गिरीशेह परः शताः ।। परं परोयं लाभोत्र यत्त्वं दृग्गोचरी भवेः

lābhāḥ saṁtūdyamavatāṁ girīśeha paraḥ śatāḥ || paraṁ paroyaṁ lābhotra yattvaṁ dṛggocarī bhaveḥ

"There are, O lord of the mountain, hundreds of gains for those who strive here; but this is the supreme gain of all — that you should come within the range of our sight."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.79.15)

यदेतद्दृश्यते नाथ तत्सर्वं क्षणभंगुरम् ।। अभंगुरो भवानेकस्त्वत्सपर्याप्यभंगुरा

yadetaddṛśyate nātha tatsarvaṁ kṣaṇabhaṁguram || abhaṁguro bhavānekastvatsaparyāpyabhaṁgurā

"Whatever is seen here, my lord, all of it is fragile, momentary; you alone are unbreakable, and so is the worship offered to you."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.79.16)

विचित्रजन्मकोटीनां स्मृतिर्नोत्र परिस्फुरेत् ।। एतत्तपस्विरचितलिंगपूजा विलोकनात्

vicitrajanmakoṭīnāṁ smṛtirnotra parisphuret || etattapasviracitaliṁgapūjā vilokanāt

"Let no memory arise here of the countless strange births we have passed through — since we have witnessed this worship of the linga performed by that ascetic."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.79.17)

देवयोनिरपि प्राप्ता चिरमस्माभिरीशितः ।। दिव्यांगना सहस्राणि तत्र भुक्त्वा स्वलीलया

devayonirapi prāptā ciramasmābhirīśitaḥ || divyāṁganā sahasrāṇi tatra bhuktvā svalīlayā

"We have obtained even the birth of gods, O lord, for long ages, and there enjoyed thousands of celestial women at our own pleasure."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.79.18)

आसुरी दानवी नागी नैर्ऋती चापि कैन्नरी ।। विद्याधरी च गांधर्वी योनिरस्माभिरर्जिता ।।

āsurī dānavī nāgī nairṛtī cāpi kainnarī || vidyādharī ca gāṁdharvī yonirasmābhirarjitā ||

"Births as asuras, danavas, nagas, rakshasas, kinnaras, vidyadharas, and gandharvas — all these we have gained."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.79.19)

नरत्वे भूपतित्वं च परिप्राप्तमनेकशः ।। जले जलचरत्वं च स्थले च स्थलचारिता

naratve bhūpatitvaṁ ca pariprāptamanekaśaḥ || jale jalacaratvaṁ ca sthale ca sthalacāritā

"Among humans, we have many times attained even kingship; in water, the state of water-creatures; on land, the state of land-dwellers."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.79.20)

वने वनौकसो जाता ग्रामेषु ग्रामवासिनः ।। दातारो याचितारश्च रक्षितारश्च घातुकाः

vane vanaukaso jātā grāmeṣu grāmavāsinaḥ || dātāro yācitāraśca rakṣitāraśca ghātukāḥ

"In forests we were born as forest-dwellers, in villages as villagers; we have been givers and beggars, protectors and killers."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.79.21)

सुखिनोपि वयं जाता दुःखिनो वयमास्म च ।। जेतारश्च वयं जाताः पराजेतार एव च

sukhinopi vayaṁ jātā duḥkhino vayamāsma ca || jetāraśca vayaṁ jātāḥ parājetāra eva ca

"We have been born happy, and we have been sorrowful; we have been victors, and we have also been the vanquished."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.79.22)

अधीतिनोपि मूर्खाश्च स्वामिनः सेवका अपि ।। चतुर्षु भूतग्रामेषु उत्तमाधममध्यमाः

adhītinopi mūrkhāśca svāminaḥ sevakā api || caturṣu bhūtagrāmeṣu uttamādhamamadhyamāḥ

"We have been learned and foolish, masters and servants — high, low, and middling, among all four classes of beings."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.79.23)

अभूम भूरिशः शंभो न क्वापि स्थैर्यमागताः ।। इतोयोनेस्ततो योनौ ततो योनेस्ततोन्यतः

abhūma bhūriśaḥ śaṁbho na kvāpi sthairyamāgatāḥ || itoyonestato yonau tato yonestatonyataḥ

"We have been all this again and again, O Shambhu, never attaining any stability — from this womb to that, and from that to yet another."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.79.24)

पिनाकिन्क्वापि न प्रापि सुखलेशो मनागपि ।। इदानीं पुण्यसंभारैर्धर्मेश्वरविलोकनात्

pinākinkvāpi na prāpi sukhaleśo manāgapi || idānīṁ puṇyasaṁbhārairdharmeśvaravilokanāt

"O wielder of the Pinaka, nowhere did we obtain even a shred of happiness. But now, through the accumulation of merit, and by the sight of Dharmeshvara —"

Verse 25 (skanda.4.79.25)

तापनेःसुतपो वह्निज्वालाप्रज्वलितैनसः ।। संवीक्ष्य त्र्यक्ष साक्षात्त्वां कृतकृत्या बभूविम

tāpaneḥsutapo vahnijvālāprajvalitainasaḥ || saṁvīkṣya tryakṣa sākṣāttvāṁ kṛtakṛtyā babhūvima

"— the son of the Sun, whose sin was burned away in the blazing flame of his great austerity — through him, having directly beheld you, O three-eyed one, we have become fulfilled."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.79.26)

तथापि चेद्वरो देयस्तिर्यक्ष्वस्मासु धूर्जटे ।। कृपणेष्वपि शोच्येषु ज्ञानं सर्वज्ञ देहि तत्

tathāpi cedvaro deyastiryakṣvasmāsu dhūrjaṭe || kṛpaṇeṣvapi śocyeṣu jñānaṁ sarvajña dehi tat

"Even so, if a boon is to be given to us mere animals, O matted-locked one, wretched and pitiable as we are — grant us that knowledge, O omniscient one —"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.79.27)

येन ज्ञानेन मुक्ताः स्मोऽमुष्मात्संसारबंधनात् ।। यंत्रिताः प्राकृतैः पाशैरदुर्भेद्यैश्च मादृशैः

yena jñānena muktāḥ smo'muṣmātsaṁsārabaṁdhanāt || yaṁtritāḥ prākṛtaiḥ pāśairadurbhedyaiśca mādṛśaiḥ

"— by which knowledge we, bound as we are by natural fetters hard to break for ones such as us, may be freed from this bondage of worldly existence."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.79.28)

ऐंद्रं पदं न वांछामो न चांद्रं नान्यदेव हि ।। वाञ्छामः केवलं मृत्युं काश्यां शंभोऽपुनर्भवम्

aiṁdraṁ padaṁ na vāṁchāmo na cāṁdraṁ nānyadeva hi || vāñchāmaḥ kevalaṁ mṛtyuṁ kāśyāṁ śaṁbho'punarbhavam

"We do not desire Indra's position, nor the moon's, nor any other; we desire, O Shambhu, only death at Kashi, and freedom from further rebirth."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.79.29)

त्वत्सान्निध्याद्विजानीमः सर्वज्ञ सकलं वयम् ।। यथा चंदनसंसर्गात्सर्वे सुरभयो द्रुमाः

tvatsānnidhyādvijānīmaḥ sarvajña sakalaṁ vayam || yathā caṁdanasaṁsargātsarve surabhayo drumāḥ

"By your very nearness, O omniscient one, we already know everything — just as, through contact with sandalwood, all nearby trees become fragrant."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.79.30)

एतदेव परं ज्ञानं संसारोच्छित्तिकारणम् ।। वपुर्विसर्जनं काले यत्तवानंदकानने

etadeva paraṁ jñānaṁ saṁsārocchittikāraṇam || vapurvisarjanaṁ kāle yattavānaṁdakānane

"This alone is the supreme knowledge, the cause of the destruction of worldly existence — that one's body should be relinquished, when its time comes, in your Anandavana."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.79.31)

निर्मथ्य विष्वग्वाग्जालं सारभूतमिदं परम् ।। ब्रह्मणोदीरितं पूर्वं काश्यां मुक्तिस्तनुत्यजाम्

nirmathya viṣvagvāgjālaṁ sārabhūtamidaṁ param || brahmaṇodīritaṁ pūrvaṁ kāśyāṁ muktistanutyajām

"Churning out the net of words spread in every direction, this alone is the supreme essence, declared of old even by Brahma: liberation for those who give up the body at Kashi."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.79.32)

यद्वाच्यं बहुभिर्ग्रंथैस्तदष्टाभिरिहाक्षरैः ।। हरिणोक्तं रविपुरः कैवल्यं काशिसंस्थितौ

yadvācyaṁ bahubhirgraṁthaistadaṣṭābhirihākṣaraiḥ || hariṇoktaṁ ravipuraḥ kaivalyaṁ kāśisaṁsthitau

"What would need many scriptures to say, was spoken by Hari in just eight syllables here before the Sun: 'Kaivalya lies in dwelling at Kashi.'"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.79.33)

याज्ञवल्क्यो मुनिवरः प्रोक्तवान्मुनिसंसदि ।। रवेरधीत्य निगमान्काश्यामंते परं पदम्

yājñavalkyo munivaraḥ proktavānmunisaṁsadi || raveradhītya nigamānkāśyāmaṁte paraṁ padam

"The great sage Yajnavalkya, having studied the Vedas from the Sun, declared in an assembly of sages: 'The supreme state is reached by dying at Kashi.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.79.34)

स्वामिनापि जगद्धात्री पुरतो मंदराचले ।। इदमेव पुरा प्रोक्तं काशीनिर्वाणजन्मभूः

svāmināpi jagaddhātrī purato maṁdarācale || idameva purā proktaṁ kāśīnirvāṇajanmabhūḥ

"The Lord himself declared this very thing of old, before the mother of the world, on Mount Mandara: 'Kashi is the very birthplace of liberation.'"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.79.35)

कृष्णद्वैपायनोप्येवं शंभो वक्ष्यति नान्यथा।। यत्रविश्वेश्वरः साक्षान्मुक्तिस्तत्र पदेपदे

kṛṣṇadvaipāyanopyevaṁ śaṁbho vakṣyati nānyathā|| yatraviśveśvaraḥ sākṣānmuktistatra padepade

"Krishna Dvaipayana too, O Shambhu, will declare it in just the same way, no different: 'Where Vishveshvara himself dwells, there is liberation at every single step.'"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.79.36)

वदंत्यन्येपि मुनयस्तीर्थसंन्यासकारिणः।। चिरंतना लोमशाद्याः काशिका मुक्तिकाशिका

vadaṁtyanyepi munayastīrthasaṁnyāsakāriṇaḥ|| ciraṁtanā lomaśādyāḥ kāśikā muktikāśikā

"Other ancient sages too, who renounce the world at holy tirthas, Lomasha and the rest, say the same: Kashi alone shines forth as the giver of liberation."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.79.37)

वयमप्येवं जानीमो यत्र स्वर्गतरंगिणी।। आनंदकानने शंर्भोमोक्षस्तत्रैव निश्चितम्

vayamapyevaṁ jānīmo yatra svargataraṁgiṇī|| ānaṁdakānane śaṁrbhomokṣastatraiva niścitam

"We too know this in the same way: where the heavenly river flows, O Shambhu, in Anandavana — liberation is certain there, and there alone."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.79.38)

भूतं भावि भविष्यं यत्स्वर्गे मर्त्ये रसातले ।। तत्सर्वमेव जानीमो धर्मेशानुग्रहात्परात्

bhūtaṁ bhāvi bhaviṣyaṁ yatsvarge martye rasātale || tatsarvameva jānīmo dharmeśānugrahātparāt

"Whatever has been, is, or shall be — in heaven, on earth, or in the netherworld — all of that we now know, through the supreme grace of Dharmesha."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.79.39)

अतो हिरण्यगर्भोक्तं हरिप्रोक्तं मुनीरितम् ।। भवतोक्तं च निखिलं शंभो जानीमहे वयम्

ato hiraṇyagarbhoktaṁ hariproktaṁ munīritam || bhavatoktaṁ ca nikhilaṁ śaṁbho jānīmahe vayam

"Therefore, whatever was spoken by Brahma, by Hari, by the sages, and by you yourself, O Shambhu — all of it we now know."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.79.40)

करामलकवत्सर्वमेतद्ब्रह्मांडगोलकम् ।। अस्मद्वाग्गोचरेऽस्त्येव धर्मपीठनिषेवणात्

karāmalakavatsarvametadbrahmāṁḍagolakam || asmadvāggocare'styeva dharmapīṭhaniṣevaṇāt

"This entire globe of the universe is now as clear to our speech as an amalaka fruit held in the palm — through our service at the seat of Dharma."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.79.41)

धर्मराजस्य तपसा तिर्यञ्चोपि वयं विभो ।। जाताः स्म निर्विकल्पं हि सर्वज्ञानस्य भाजनम्

dharmarājasya tapasā tiryañcopi vayaṁ vibho || jātāḥ sma nirvikalpaṁ hi sarvajñānasya bhājanam

"By the austerity of Dharmaraja, O lord, even we, mere animals, have become, without doubt, vessels of all knowledge."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.79.42)

मधुरं मृदुलं सत्यं स्वप्रमाणं सुसंस्कृतम् ।। हितं मितं सदृष्टांतं श्रुत्वा पक्षिसुभाषितम्

madhuraṁ mṛdulaṁ satyaṁ svapramāṇaṁ susaṁskṛtam || hitaṁ mitaṁ sadṛṣṭāṁtaṁ śrutvā pakṣisubhāṣitam

Having heard this sweet, gentle, truthful, self-evident, well-formed, beneficial, measured, and well-illustrated eloquence of the birds,

Verse 43 (skanda.4.79.43)

देवोतिविस्मयापन्नो ऽवर्णयत्पीठगौरवम् ।। त्रैलोक्यनगरे चात्र काशीराजगृहं मम

devotivismayāpanno 'varṇayatpīṭhagauravam || trailokyanagare cātra kāśīrājagṛhaṁ mama

the god, filled with great astonishment, described the greatness of that seat: "In this city of the three worlds, this is Kashi, my very royal palace —"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.79.44)

तत्रापि भोगभवनमनर्घ्यमणिनिर्मितम् ।। मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासाख्यः प्रासादो मेति शर्मभूः

tatrāpi bhogabhavanamanarghyamaṇinirmitam || mokṣalakṣmīvilāsākhyaḥ prāsādo meti śarmabhūḥ

"— and within it is my hall of pleasure, built of priceless jewels, the temple called 'the Sporting-Place of the Goddess of Liberation,' the very ground of my joy."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.79.45)

पतत्त्रिणो पिमुच्यंते यं कुर्वाणाः प्रदक्षिणम् ।। स्वेच्छया विचरंतः खे खेचरा अपि देवताः

patattriṇo pimucyaṁte yaṁ kurvāṇāḥ pradakṣiṇam || svecchayā vicaraṁtaḥ khe khecarā api devatāḥ

"Even birds circling it in their own free flight through the sky, and celestial beings roaming there at will, are liberated by that very circumambulation."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.79.46)

मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासाख्य प्रासादस्य विलोकनात् ।। शरीराद्दूरतो याति ब्रह्महत्यापि नान्यथा

mokṣalakṣmīvilāsākhya prāsādasya vilokanāt || śarīrāddūrato yāti brahmahatyāpi nānyathā

"By merely beholding the temple called the Sporting-Place of the Goddess of Liberation, even the sin of killing a brahmin departs far from one's body — this and no other is the outcome."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.79.47)

मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासस्य कलशो यैर्निरीक्षतः ।। निधानकलशास्तांस्तु न मुंचंति पदेपदे

mokṣalakṣmīvilāsasya kalaśo yairnirīkṣataḥ || nidhānakalaśāstāṁstu na muṁcaṁti padepade

"Those who behold the pinnacle-vessel of that Sporting-Place of the Goddess of Liberation — the treasure-vessels never leave them, at every step of their lives."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.79.48)

दूरतोपि पताकापि मम प्रासादमूर्धगा ।। नेत्रातिथी कृता यैस्तु नित्यं तेऽतिथयो मम

dūratopi patākāpi mama prāsādamūrdhagā || netrātithī kṛtā yaistu nityaṁ te'tithayo mama

"Whoever, even from afar, has made even the banner atop my temple a guest of their eyes — they become my own perpetual guests."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.79.49)

भूमिं भित्त्वा स्वयं जातस्तत्प्रासादमिषेण हि ।। आनंदाख्यस्य कंदस्य कोप्येष परमोंकुरः

bhūmiṁ bhittvā svayaṁ jātastatprāsādamiṣeṇa hi || ānaṁdākhyasya kaṁdasya kopyeṣa paramoṁkuraḥ

"Piercing through the earth, self-arisen, under the guise of that very temple, this is, as it were, the supreme sprout of the root called Bliss."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.79.50)

ब्रह्मादिस्थावरांतानि यत्र रूपण्यनेकशः ।। मामेवोपासते नित्यं चित्रं चित्रगतान्यपि

brahmādisthāvarāṁtāni yatra rūpaṇyanekaśaḥ || māmevopāsate nityaṁ citraṁ citragatānyapi

"There, in countless forms, from Brahma down to the unmoving things, all wondrously — even those depicted in paintings — worship me alone, eternally."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.79.51)

ससौधो मेखिले लोके स्थानं परमनिर्वृतेः ।। रतिशाला स मे रम्या स मे विश्वासभूमिका

sasaudho mekhile loke sthānaṁ paramanirvṛteḥ || ratiśālā sa me ramyā sa me viśvāsabhūmikā

"That mansion, in this girdled world, is the very abode of supreme bliss; it is my delightful pleasure-hall, the very ground of my trust."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.79.52)

मम सर्वगतस्यापि प्रासादोयं परास्पदम् ।। परं ब्रह्म यदाम्नातं परमोपनिषद्गिरा ।। अमूर्तं तदहं मूर्तो भूयां भक्तकृपावशात्

mama sarvagatasyāpi prāsādoyaṁ parāspadam || paraṁ brahma yadāmnātaṁ paramopaniṣadgirā || amūrtaṁ tadahaṁ mūrto bhūyāṁ bhaktakṛpāvaśāt

"Though I am all-pervading, this temple is my supreme abode; that which is proclaimed by the words of the highest Upanishads as the formless supreme Brahman — that very formless one, I become embodied here, out of compassion for my devotees."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.79.53)

नैःश्रेयस्याः श्रियो धाम तद्याम्यां मंडपोस्ति मे ।। तत्राहं सततं तिष्ठे तत्सदोमंडपं मम

naiḥśreyasyāḥ śriyo dhāma tadyāmyāṁ maṁḍaposti me || tatrāhaṁ satataṁ tiṣṭhe tatsadomaṁḍapaṁ mama

"To its south is the pavilion that is the abode of the fortune of final beatitude; there I dwell forever — that is my very assembly-hall."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.79.54)

निमेषार्धप्रमाणं च कालं तिष्ठति निश्चलः ।। तत्र यस्तेन वै योगः समभ्यस्तः समाः शतम्

nimeṣārdhapramāṇaṁ ca kālaṁ tiṣṭhati niścalaḥ || tatra yastena vai yogaḥ samabhyastaḥ samāḥ śatam

"Whoever stands motionless there even for half the blink of an eye — by him yoga has been practised for a full hundred years."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.79.55)

निर्वाणमंडपं नाम तत्स्थानं जगतीतले ।। तत्रर्चं संजपन्नेकां लभेत्सर्वश्रुतेः फलम् ।।

nirvāṇamaṁḍapaṁ nāma tatsthānaṁ jagatītale || tatrarcaṁ saṁjapannekāṁ labhetsarvaśruteḥ phalam ||

"That place is called the Nirvana-mandapa upon this earth; whoever recites there even a single verse obtains the fruit of hearing the entire scripture."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.79.56)

प्राणायामं तु यः कुर्यादप्येकं मुक्तिमंडपे ।। तेनाष्टांगः समभ्यस्तो योगोऽन्यत्रायुतं समाः

prāṇāyāmaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādapyekaṁ muktimaṁḍape || tenāṣṭāṁgaḥ samabhyasto yogo'nyatrāyutaṁ samāḥ

"Whoever performs even a single pranayama in the Mukti-mandapa — by him the eightfold yoga has been practised, as if for ten thousand years elsewhere."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.79.57)

निर्वाणमंडपे यस्तु जपेदेकं षडक्षरम् ।। कोटिरुद्रेण जप्तेन यत्फलं तस्य तद्भवेत्

nirvāṇamaṁḍape yastu japedekaṁ ṣaḍakṣaram || koṭirudreṇa japtena yatphalaṁ tasya tadbhavet

"Whoever recites even once the six-syllabled mantra in the Nirvana-mandapa — the fruit that comes from a hundred million recitations of the Rudra-mantra becomes his."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.79.58)

शुचिर्गंगांभसि स्नातो यो जपेच्छतरुद्रियम् ।। निर्वाणमंडपे ज्ञेयः स रुद्रो द्विजवेषभृत्

śucirgaṁgāṁbhasi snāto yo japecchatarudriyam || nirvāṇamaṁḍape jñeyaḥ sa rudro dvijaveṣabhṛt

"One who, purified and bathed in the waters of the Ganga, recites the Shatarudriya in the Nirvana-mandapa should be known as Rudra himself, wearing the guise of a brahmin."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.79.59)

ब्रह्मयज्ञसकृत्कृत्वा मम दक्षिणमंडपे ।। ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्याथ परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

brahmayajñasakṛtkṛtvā mama dakṣiṇamaṁḍape || brahmalokamavāpyātha paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

"Having performed the Brahma-yajna even once in my southern pavilion, one attains the world of Brahma, and thereafter reaches the supreme Brahman."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.79.60)

धर्मशास्त्रं पुराणानि सेतिहासानि तत्र यः ।। पठेन्निरभिलाषुः सन्स वसेन्मम वेश्मनि

dharmaśāstraṁ purāṇāni setihāsāni tatra yaḥ || paṭhennirabhilāṣuḥ sansa vasenmama veśmani

"Whoever, free of all worldly desire, recites there the Dharmashastras, the Puranas, and the Itihasas, dwells in my own abode."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.79.61)

तिष्ठेदिंद्रियचापल्यं यो निवार्य क्षणं कृती ।। निर्वाणमंडपेन्यत्र तेन तप्तं महत्तपः

tiṣṭhediṁdriyacāpalyaṁ yo nivārya kṣaṇaṁ kṛtī || nirvāṇamaṁḍapenyatra tena taptaṁ mahattapaḥ

"Whoever, having restrained the fickleness of his senses, stands still even for a moment in the Nirvana-mandapa — by him great austerity has been performed."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.79.62)

वायुभक्षणतोन्यत्र यत्पुण्यं शरदां शतम् ।। तत्पुण्यं घटिकार्धेन मौनं दक्षिणमंडपे

vāyubhakṣaṇatonyatra yatpuṇyaṁ śaradāṁ śatam || tatpuṇyaṁ ghaṭikārdhena maunaṁ dakṣiṇamaṁḍape

"Whatever merit is gained elsewhere by living on air alone for a hundred years, that same merit is gained by half a ghatika of silence in the southern pavilion."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.79.63)

मितं कृष्णलकेनापि योदद्यान्मुक्तिमंडपे ।। स्वर्णं सौवर्णयानेन स तु संचरते दिवि

mitaṁ kṛṣṇalakenāpi yodadyānmuktimaṁḍape || svarṇaṁ sauvarṇayānena sa tu saṁcarate divi

"Whoever gives even a small measure of gold, the weight of a single gunja seed, in the Mukti-mandapa, travels through the heavens in a chariot of gold."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.79.64)

तत्रैकं जागरं कुर्याद्यस्मिन्कस्मिन्दिनेपि यः ।। उपोषितोर्चयेल्लिंगं स सर्वव्रतपुण्यभाक्

tatraikaṁ jāgaraṁ kuryādyasminkasmindinepi yaḥ || upoṣitorcayelliṁgaṁ sa sarvavratapuṇyabhāk

"Whoever keeps even a single night-vigil there, on any day whatsoever, and, fasting, worships the linga, obtains the merit of every vow."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.79.65)

तत्र दत्त्वा महादानं तत्र कृत्वा महाव्रतम् ।। तत्राधीत्याखिलं वेदं च्यवते न नरो दिवः

tatra dattvā mahādānaṁ tatra kṛtvā mahāvratam || tatrādhītyākhilaṁ vedaṁ cyavate na naro divaḥ

"Having given a great gift there, having performed a great vow there, having there studied the entire Veda — such a man never falls from heaven."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.79.66)

प्रयाणं कुर्वते यस्य प्राणा मे मुक्तिमंडपे ।। समामनुप्रविष्टोत्र तिष्ठेद्यावदहं खलु

prayāṇaṁ kurvate yasya prāṇā me muktimaṁḍape || samāmanupraviṣṭotra tiṣṭhedyāvadahaṁ khalu

"Whoever's life-breath departs in my Mukti-mandapa — he remains, having entered there, for as long as I myself endure."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.79.67)

जलक्रीडां सदा कुर्यां ज्ञानवाप्यां सहोमया ।। यदंबुपानमात्रेण ज्ञानं जायेत निमर्लम्

jalakrīḍāṁ sadā kuryāṁ jñānavāpyāṁ sahomayā || yadaṁbupānamātreṇa jñānaṁ jāyeta nimarlam

"I always sport in the water together with Uma, in the Jnana-vapi, the well of knowledge; by mere drinking of its water, pure knowledge is born."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.79.68)

तज्जलक्रीडनस्थानं मम प्रीतिकरं महत् ।। अमुष्मिन्राजसदने जाड्यहृज्जलपूरितम्

tajjalakrīḍanasthānaṁ mama prītikaraṁ mahat || amuṣminrājasadane jāḍyahṛjjalapūritam

"That water-sport place is exceedingly dear to me, in that royal hall, filled with water that dispels dullness of understanding."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.79.69)

तत्प्रासादपुरोभागे मम शृंगारमंडपः ।। श्री पीठं तद्धि विज्ञेयं निःश्रीकश्रीसमर्पणम्

tatprāsādapurobhāge mama śṛṁgāramaṁḍapaḥ || śrī pīṭhaṁ taddhi vijñeyaṁ niḥśrīkaśrīsamarpaṇam

"In front of that temple is my Shringara-mandapa, the pavilion of adornment; it should be known as the Shri-pitha, which bestows fortune upon the fortuneless."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.79.70)

मदर्थं तत्र यो दद्याद्दुकूलानि शुचीन्यहो ।। माल्यानि सुविचित्राणि यक्षकर्दमवंति च

madarthaṁ tatra yo dadyāddukūlāni śucīnyaho || mālyāni suvicitrāṇi yakṣakardamavaṁti ca

"Whoever offers there for my sake pure fine silks, wondrous garlands, and fragrant sandal-paste and musk,"

Verse 71 (skanda.4.79.71)

नाना नेपथ्यवस्तूनि पूजोपकरणाऽन्यपि ।। स श्रियालंकृतस्तिष्ठेद्यत्र कुत्रापि सत्तमः

nānā nepathyavastūni pūjopakaraṇā'nyapi || sa śriyālaṁkṛtastiṣṭhedyatra kutrāpi sattamaḥ

"— along with various ornaments and other articles of worship — that most excellent one dwells adorned with fortune, wherever he may be."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.79.72)

निर्वाणलक्ष्मीर्वृणुते तं निर्वाणपदाप्तये ।। यत्र कुत्रापि निधनं प्राप्नुयादपि स ध्रुवम्

nirvāṇalakṣmīrvṛṇute taṁ nirvāṇapadāptaye || yatra kutrāpi nidhanaṁ prāpnuyādapi sa dhruvam

"The Goddess of Liberation herself chooses him for the attainment of the state of liberation — even should he meet his death anywhere else, that is certain."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.79.73)

मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासाख्य प्रासादस्योत्तरे मम ।। ऐश्वर्यमडपं रम्यं तत्रैश्वर्यं ददाम्यहम्

mokṣalakṣmīvilāsākhya prāsādasyottare mama || aiśvaryamaḍapaṁ ramyaṁ tatraiśvaryaṁ dadāmyaham

"To the north of my temple called the Sporting-Place of the Goddess of Liberation is the lovely Aishvarya-mandapa, the pavilion of sovereignty; there I bestow sovereignty."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.79.74)

मत्प्रासादैंद्रदिग्भागे ज्ञानमंडपमस्ति यत् ।। ज्ञानं दिशामि सततं तत्र मां ध्यायतां सताम्

matprāsādaiṁdradigbhāge jñānamaṁḍapamasti yat || jñānaṁ diśāmi satataṁ tatra māṁ dhyāyatāṁ satām

"To the east of my temple is the Jnana-mandapa, the pavilion of knowledge; there I forever grant knowledge to the virtuous who meditate on me."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.79.75)

भवानि राजसदने ममास्ति हि महानसम् ।। यत्तत्रोपहृतं पुण्यं निर्विशामि मुदैव तत्

bhavāni rājasadane mamāsti hi mahānasam || yattatropahṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ nirviśāmi mudaiva tat

"O Bhavani, in my royal hall there is also a kitchen; whatever meritorious offering is made there, I partake of it with joy."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.79.76)

विशालाक्ष्या महासौधे मम विश्रामभूमिका ।। तत्र संसृतिखिन्नानां विश्रामं श्राणयाम्यहम् ।।

viśālākṣyā mahāsaudhe mama viśrāmabhūmikā || tatra saṁsṛtikhinnānāṁ viśrāmaṁ śrāṇayāmyaham ||

"In the great mansion of Vishalakshi is my resting-place; there I grant rest to those wearied by worldly existence."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.79.77)

नियमस्नानतीर्थं च चक्रपुष्करिणी मम ।। तत्र स्नानवतां पुंसां तन्नैर्मल्यं दिशाम्यहम्

niyamasnānatīrthaṁ ca cakrapuṣkariṇī mama || tatra snānavatāṁ puṁsāṁ tannairmalyaṁ diśāmyaham

"My tirtha for regulated bathing is Chakrapushkarini; to men who bathe there, I grant that very purity."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.79.78)

यदाहुः परमं तत्त्वं यदाहुर्ब्रह्मसत्तमम् ।। स्वसंवेद्यं यदाहुश्च तत्तत्रांते दिशाम्यहम्

yadāhuḥ paramaṁ tattvaṁ yadāhurbrahmasattamam || svasaṁvedyaṁ yadāhuśca tattatrāṁte diśāmyaham

"That which they call the supreme reality, that which they call the highest Brahman, that which they call self-knowable — that very thing I grant there, at the end of life."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.79.79)

यदाहुस्तारकं ज्ञानं यदाहुरतिनिर्मलम् ।। स्वात्मारामं यदाहुश्च तत्तत्रांते दिशाम्यहम्

yadāhustārakaṁ jñānaṁ yadāhuratinirmalam || svātmārāmaṁ yadāhuśca tattatrāṁte diśāmyaham

"That which they call the liberating knowledge, that which they call utterly pure, that which they call delight in one's own self — that very thing I grant there, at the end."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.79.80)

जगन्मंगलभूर्यात्र परमा मणिकर्णिका ।। विपाशयामि तत्राहं कर्मभिः पाशितान्पशून्

jaganmaṁgalabhūryātra paramā maṇikarṇikā || vipāśayāmi tatrāhaṁ karmabhiḥ pāśitānpaśūn

"There is that supreme place of universal auspiciousness, Manikarnika; there I release from bondage the creatures bound by their own deeds."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.79.81)

निर्वाणश्राणने यत्र पात्रापात्रं न चिंतये ।। आनंदकानने तन्मे दानस्थानं दिवानिशम्

nirvāṇaśrāṇane yatra pātrāpātraṁ na ciṁtaye || ānaṁdakānane tanme dānasthānaṁ divāniśam

"There, in bestowing liberation, I consider no distinction of worthy or unworthy recipient; that, in my Anandavana, is my place of giving, day and night."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.79.82)

भवांबुधौ महागाधे प्राणिनः परिमज्जतः ।। भूत्वैव कर्णधारोंते यत्र संतारयाम्यहम्

bhavāṁbudhau mahāgādhe prāṇinaḥ parimajjataḥ || bhūtvaiva karṇadhāroṁte yatra saṁtārayāmyaham

"There, becoming the very helmsman at the end, I ferry across creatures who are drowning in the vast, fathomless ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.79.83)

सौभाग्यभाग्यभूर्या वै विख्याता मणिकर्णिका ।। ददामि तस्यां सर्वस्वमग्रजायांत्यजाय वा

saubhāgyabhāgyabhūryā vai vikhyātā maṇikarṇikā || dadāmi tasyāṁ sarvasvamagrajāyāṁtyajāya vā

"Manikarnika is renowned as the very ground of fortune and good luck; there I give my all, whether to the highest-born or to the outcaste."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.79.84)

महासमाधिसंपन्नैर्वेदांतार्थ निषेविभिः ।। दुष्प्रापोन्यत्र यो मोक्षः शोच्यैरपि स लभ्यते

mahāsamādhisaṁpannairvedāṁtārtha niṣevibhiḥ || duṣprāponyatra yo mokṣaḥ śocyairapi sa labhyate

"That liberation which is hard to attain elsewhere even by those endowed with the deepest meditation, devoted to the meaning of the Vedanta — that same liberation is attained here even by the most pitiable."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.79.85)

दीक्षितो वा दिवाकीर्तिः पंडितो वाप्यपंडितः ।। तुल्यो मे मोक्षदीक्षायां संप्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम्

dīkṣito vā divākīrtiḥ paṁḍito vāpyapaṁḍitaḥ || tulyo me mokṣadīkṣāyāṁ saṁprāpya maṇikarṇikām

"Whether initiated or of solar renown, whether learned or unlearned — all are equal to me in the initiation of liberation, once they reach Manikarnika."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.79.86)

यत्त्यागेन्यत्र कृपणस्तत्प्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम् ।। ददामि जंतुमात्राय सर्वस्वं चिरसंचितम्

yattyāgenyatra kṛpaṇastatprāpya maṇikarṇikām || dadāmi jaṁtumātrāya sarvasvaṁ cirasaṁcitam

"That which, given up elsewhere, would make one poor and pitiable — having reached Manikarnika, I give that very wealth, long accumulated, to any mere creature at all."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.79.87)

यदि दैवादिह प्राप्तस्त्रिसंयोगोऽतिदुर्घटः ।। अविचारं तदा देयं सर्वस्वं चिरसंचितम्

yadi daivādiha prāptastrisaṁyogo'tidurghaṭaḥ || avicāraṁ tadā deyaṁ sarvasvaṁ cirasaṁcitam

"If by fate one attains here this most difficult threefold conjunction, then, without hesitation, all one's long-accumulated possessions should be given away."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.79.88)

शरीरमथ संपत्तिरथ सा मणिकर्णिका ।। त्रिसंयोगोयमप्राप्यो देवैरिंद्रादिकैरपि

śarīramatha saṁpattiratha sā maṇikarṇikā || trisaṁyogoyamaprāpyo devairiṁdrādikairapi

"The body, one's wealth, and Manikarnika itself — this threefold union is unattainable even by the gods, by Indra and the rest."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.79.89)

पुनः पुनर्विचार्येति जंतुमात्रेभ्य एव च ।। निर्वाणलक्ष्मीं यच्छामि सदोपमणिकर्णिकम्

punaḥ punarvicāryeti jaṁtumātrebhya eva ca || nirvāṇalakṣmīṁ yacchāmi sadopamaṇikarṇikam

"Considering this again and again, to mere creatures alone I grant the Goddess of Liberation, always, at the ghat near Manikarnika."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.79.90)

मुक्तिदा न मही सा मे वाराणस्यां महीयसी ।। तन्मही रजसा साम्यं त्रिलोक्यपि न चोद्वहेत्

muktidā na mahī sā me vārāṇasyāṁ mahīyasī || tanmahī rajasā sāmyaṁ trilokyapi na codvahet

"There is no other ground of mine in Varanasi so great in granting liberation; not even the three worlds together could bear comparison, dust for dust, with that ground."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.79.91)

परं लिंगार्चनस्थानमविमुक्तेश्वरेश्वरम् ।। तत्र पूजां सकृत्कृत्वा कृतकृत्यो नरो भवेत्

paraṁ liṁgārcanasthānamavimukteśvareśvaram || tatra pūjāṁ sakṛtkṛtvā kṛtakṛtyo naro bhavet

"The supreme place for worshipping the linga is Avimukteshvara, lord of Avimukta; having worshipped there even once, a man becomes fulfilled."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.79.92)

सायं पाशुपतीं संध्यां कुर्यां पशुपतीश्वरे ।। विभूतिधारणात्तत्र पशुपाशैर्न बध्यते

sāyaṁ pāśupatīṁ saṁdhyāṁ kuryāṁ paśupatīśvare || vibhūtidhāraṇāttatra paśupāśairna badhyate

"In the evening I perform the Pashupata twilight-rite at Pashupatishvara; by bearing the sacred ash there, one is never bound by the fetters of worldly bondage."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.79.93)

प्रातःसध्याकरोम्येव सदोंकारनिकेतने ।। तत्रैकापि कृता संध्या सर्वपातककृंतनी

prātaḥsadhyākaromyeva sadoṁkāraniketane || tatraikāpi kṛtā saṁdhyā sarvapātakakṛṁtanī

"In the morning I always perform the twilight-rite at the abode of Omkara; even a single such rite performed there cuts away all sins."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.79.94)

वसामि कृत्तिवासेहं सदा प्रति चतुर्दशि ।। अत्र जागरणं कृत्वा चतुर्दश्यां न गर्भभाक्

vasāmi kṛttivāsehaṁ sadā prati caturdaśi || atra jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā caturdaśyāṁ na garbhabhāk

"I dwell in Krittivasa always on every fourteenth lunar day; whoever keeps a night-vigil there on the fourteenth never again enters a womb."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.79.95)

रत्नेश्वरोर्चितो दद्यान्महारत्नानि भक्तितः ।। रत्नैः समर्च्य तल्लिंगं स्त्रीरत्नादि लभेन्नरः

ratneśvarorcito dadyānmahāratnāni bhaktitaḥ || ratnaiḥ samarcya talliṁgaṁ strīratnādi labhennaraḥ

"Ratneshvara, when worshipped, should be offered great jewels with devotion; by worshipping that linga with gems, a man obtains a jewel among wives and the like."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.79.96)

विष्टपत्रितयांतःस्थोप्यहं लिंगे त्रिविष्टपे ।। तिष्ठामि सततं भक्तमनोरथसमृद्धये

viṣṭapatritayāṁtaḥsthopyahaṁ liṁge triviṣṭape || tiṣṭhāmi satataṁ bhaktamanorathasamṛddhaye

"Though I dwell within all three worlds, I remain forever in the linga of Trivishtapa, for the fulfilment of my devotees' desires."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.79.97)

विरजस्कं महापीठं तत्र संसेव्य मानवः ।। विरजा जायते नूनं चतुर्नद कृतोदकः

virajaskaṁ mahāpīṭhaṁ tatra saṁsevya mānavaḥ || virajā jāyate nūnaṁ caturnada kṛtodakaḥ

"By duly serving the great seat of Virajaska there, and making the water-offering at Chaturnada, a man surely becomes free of all stain."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.79.98)

महादेवे महापीठं मम साधकसिद्धिदम् ।। तत्पीठदर्शनादेव महापापैः प्रमुच्यते

mahādeve mahāpīṭhaṁ mama sādhakasiddhidam || tatpīṭhadarśanādeva mahāpāpaiḥ pramucyate

"At Mahadeva is my great seat that grants perfection to aspirants; by the mere sight of that seat, one is freed from great sins."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.79.99)

पितृप्रीतिप्रदं पीठं वृषभध्वजसंज्ञकम् ।। पितृतर्पणकृत्तत्र पितॄंस्तारयति क्षणात्

pitṛprītipradaṁ pīṭhaṁ vṛṣabhadhvajasaṁjñakam || pitṛtarpaṇakṛttatra pitṝṁstārayati kṣaṇāt

"The seat named Vrishabhadhvaja grants delight to the ancestors; one who performs the ancestral tarpana there delivers his forefathers in an instant."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.79.100)

आदिकेशवपीठेहमादिकेशवरूपधृक् ।। श्वेतद्वीपं नये भक्तान्वैष्णवानतिवल्लभान्

ādikeśavapīṭhehamādikeśavarūpadhṛk || śvetadvīpaṁ naye bhaktānvaiṣṇavānativallabhān

"At the seat of Adikeshava, I myself take the form of Adikeshava, and lead my most beloved Vaishnava devotees to Shvetadvipa."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.79.101)

तत्रैव मंगलापीठे सर्वमंगलदायिनि ।। उप पंचनदे तीर्थे भक्तान्संतारयाम्यहम्

tatraiva maṁgalāpīṭhe sarvamaṁgaladāyini || upa paṁcanade tīrthe bhaktānsaṁtārayāmyaham

"There, at the seat of Mangala, which grants every auspiciousness, near the Panchanada tirtha, I ferry my devotees across."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.79.102)

बिंदुमाधवरूपेण यत्राहं वैष्णवाञ्जनान् ।। नये पंचनदस्नातांस्तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

biṁdumādhavarūpeṇa yatrāhaṁ vaiṣṇavāñjanān || naye paṁcanadasnātāṁstadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

"There, in the form of Bindumadhava, I lead the Vaishnava people, once bathed at Panchanada, to the supreme abode of Vishnu."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.79.103)

पंचमुद्रे महापीठे ये वीरेश्वरसेवकाः ।। तेषां परमनिर्वाणं कालेनाल्पेन जायते ।

paṁcamudre mahāpīṭhe ye vīreśvarasevakāḥ || teṣāṁ paramanirvāṇaṁ kālenālpena jāyate |

"Whoever serves Vireshvara at the great seat of Panchamudra attains supreme liberation in but a short time."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.79.104)

तत्र सिद्धेश्वरीपीठे चंद्रेश्वर समीपतः ।। तत्र संनिधिकर्तॄणां सिद्धिः षण्मासतो भवेत्

tatra siddheśvarīpīṭhe caṁdreśvara samīpataḥ || tatra saṁnidhikartṝṇāṁ siddhiḥ ṣaṇmāsato bhavet

"There, at the seat of Siddheshvari, near Chandreshvara, for those who dwell near it, perfection comes within six months."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.79.105)

काश्यां च योगिनीपीठे योगसिद्धिविधायिनि ।। सिद्धीरुच्चाटनाद्याश्च कैर्न लब्धाः सुसाधकैः

kāśyāṁ ca yoginīpīṭhe yogasiddhividhāyini || siddhīruccāṭanādyāśca kairna labdhāḥ susādhakaiḥ

"And at Kashi, at the seat of the Yoginis, which bestows the perfection of yoga — what accomplished aspirant has not obtained the siddhis, uchchatana and the rest, there?"

Verse 106 (skanda.4.79.106)

अनेकानीह पीठानि संति काश्यां पदेपदे ।। परं धर्मेशपीठस्य काचिच्छक्तिरनुत्तमा

anekānīha pīṭhāni saṁti kāśyāṁ padepade || paraṁ dharmeśapīṭhasya kācicchaktiranuttamā

"There are countless such seats here at Kashi, at every step; but the seat of Dharmesha holds some unsurpassed power of its own."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.79.107)

यत्रामी बालकीराश्च निर्मलज्ञानभाजनम् ।। आसुः सदुपदेशान्मे त्रातत्रातेति भाषिणः

yatrāmī bālakīrāśca nirmalajñānabhājanam || āsuḥ sadupadeśānme trātatrāteti bhāṣiṇaḥ

"There, these very young parrots became vessels of pure knowledge, through my true teaching, crying out 'Protect us, protect us!'"

Verse 108 (skanda.4.79.108)

एतद्धर्मेश्वरं पीठं त्यजाम्यद्यदिनावधि ।। न कदाचित्तरणिजत्वत्तपोवनमुत्तमम्

etaddharmeśvaraṁ pīṭhaṁ tyajāmyadyadināvadhi || na kadācittaraṇijatvattapovanamuttamam

"I shall never abandon this seat of Dharmeshvara, from this day forward — nor, O son of the Sun, this excellent grove of your austerity."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.79.109)

ममानुग्रहतः कीरानेतान्पश्य रवेः सुत ।। दिव्यविमानमारुह्य गंतारो मत्पुरं महत्

mamānugrahataḥ kīrānetānpaśya raveḥ suta || divyavimānamāruhya gaṁtāro matpuraṁ mahat

"By my grace, O son of the Sun, behold — these very parrots shall, mounting a celestial chariot, go to my great city."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.79.110)

तत्र भुक्त्वा चिरं भोगाञ्ज्ञानं प्राप्य मयेरितम् ।। इह मुक्तिमवाप्स्यंति त्वत्संसर्गातिनिर्मलाः

tatra bhuktvā ciraṁ bhogāñjñānaṁ prāpya mayeritam || iha muktimavāpsyaṁti tvatsaṁsargātinirmalāḥ

"There, having long enjoyed heavenly pleasures, and having attained the knowledge taught by me, they, purified by their association with you, shall attain liberation here."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.79.111)

इत्युक्तवति देवेशे कैलासशिखरोपमम् ।। दिव्यं विमानमापन्नं रुद्रकन्यापरिष्कृतम्

ityuktavati deveśe kailāsaśikharopamam || divyaṁ vimānamāpannaṁ rudrakanyāpariṣkṛtam

As the Lord of gods spoke thus, a celestial chariot, resembling the very peak of Kailasa, adorned by the daughters of Rudra, appeared.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.79.112)

आरुह्यते न यानेन दिव्यरूपवराः खगाः ।। कैलासमभिसंजग्मुर्धर्ममापृच्छ्यतेऽमलाः

āruhyate na yānena divyarūpavarāḥ khagāḥ || kailāsamabhisaṁjagmurdharmamāpṛcchyate'malāḥ

Mounting that chariot, those birds, now of excellent divine form, taking leave of Dharma, went pure and radiant to Kailasa.