The Narrative of Dharmeshvara: Indra and King Durdama

Verse 1 (skanda.4.81.1)

।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। धर्मतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं कीदृग्देवेन शंभुना ।। स्कंद देव्यै समाख्यातं तदाख्याहि कृपां कुरु

|| agastya uvāca || || dharmatīrthasya māhātmyaṁ kīdṛgdevena śaṁbhunā || skaṁda devyai samākhyātaṁ tadākhyāhi kṛpāṁ kuru

Agastya said: What is the greatness of the Dharma-tirtha, as told by the god Shambhu to the goddess, O Skanda? Tell it, show me grace.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.81.2)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। विंध्योन्नतिहृदाख्यामि धर्मतीर्थसमुद्भवम् ।। आकर्णय महाप्राज्ञ यथा देवेन भाषितम्

|| skaṁda uvāca || || viṁdhyonnatihṛdākhyāmi dharmatīrthasamudbhavam || ākarṇaya mahāprājña yathā devena bhāṣitam

Skanda said: I shall tell, O you who humbled the pride of the Vindhya, of the origin of the Dharma-tirtha; listen, O greatly wise one, as it was spoken by the god.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.81.3)

वृत्रं निहत्य वृत्रारिर्ब्रह्महत्यामवाप्तवान् ।। अनुतप्तोथ पप्रच्छ प्रायश्चित्तं पुरोहितम्

vṛtraṁ nihatya vṛtrārirbrahmahatyāmavāptavān || anutaptotha papraccha prāyaścittaṁ purohitam

Having slain Vritra, the enemy of Vritra incurred the sin of killing a brahmin; remorseful, he asked his priest for a means of atonement.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.81.4)

।। बृहस्पतिरुवाच ।। ।। यदि त्वं देवराजेमां ब्रह्महत्यां सुदुस्त्यजाम् ।। अपानुनुत्सुस्तद्याहि काशीं विश्वेशपालिताम्

|| bṛhaspatiruvāca || || yadi tvaṁ devarājemāṁ brahmahatyāṁ sudustyajām || apānunutsustadyāhi kāśīṁ viśveśapālitām

Brihaspati said: "O king of the gods, if you wish to remove this brahmin-slaying sin, so hard to shed, then go to Kashi, protected by Vishvesha."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.81.5)

नान्यत्किंचित्क्वचिद्दृष्टं ब्रह्महत्यामहौषधम् ।। राजधानीं परित्यज्य शक्र विश्वेशितुः पराम्

nānyatkiṁcitkvaciddṛṣṭaṁ brahmahatyāmahauṣadham || rājadhānīṁ parityajya śakra viśveśituḥ parām

"No other remedy at all has ever been found for the sin of killing a brahmin, except leaving all else and going to the supreme capital of Vishveshvara, O Shakra."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.81.6)

भैरवस्यापिहस्ताग्रादपतद्वैधसं शिरः ।। यत्रानंदवने तत्र वृत्रशत्रो व्रज द्रुतम्

bhairavasyāpihastāgrādapatadvaidhasaṁ śiraḥ || yatrānaṁdavane tatra vṛtraśatro vraja drutam

"There, in Anandavana, even the head of Brahma fell from the very fingertips of Bhairava — go swiftly there, O enemy of Vritra."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.81.7)

सीमानमपि संप्राप्य शक्रानंदवनस्य हि ।। ब्रह्महत्या पलायेत वेपमाना निराश्रया

sīmānamapi saṁprāpya śakrānaṁdavanasya hi || brahmahatyā palāyeta vepamānā nirāśrayā

"The moment one merely reaches the boundary of Anandavana, O Shakra, the sin of killing a brahmin flees trembling, finding no refuge."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.81.8)

अन्येषामपि पापानां महापापजुषामपि ।। नाशयित्री परा काशी विश्वेश समधिष्ठिता

anyeṣāmapi pāpānāṁ mahāpāpajuṣāmapi || nāśayitrī parā kāśī viśveśa samadhiṣṭhitā

"Supreme Kashi, presided over by Vishvesha, is the destroyer of all other sins too, even of those steeped in the greatest sins."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.81.9)

महापातकतो मुक्तिः काश्यामे व शतक्रतो ।। महासंसारतो मुक्तिः काश्यामेव न चान्यतः

mahāpātakato muktiḥ kāśyāme va śatakrato || mahāsaṁsārato muktiḥ kāśyāmeva na cānyataḥ

"Freedom from the greatest sins, O hundred-sacrifice performer, comes only at Kashi; freedom from the great cycle of rebirth comes only at Kashi, nowhere else."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.81.10)

निर्वाणनगरी काशी काशी सर्वाघसंघहृत् ।। विश्वेशितुः प्रिया काशी द्यौः काशी सदृशी नहि ।।

nirvāṇanagarī kāśī kāśī sarvāghasaṁghahṛt || viśveśituḥ priyā kāśī dyauḥ kāśī sadṛśī nahi ||

"Kashi is the city of liberation; Kashi removes the entire host of sins; Kashi is dear to Vishveshvara; not even heaven can be compared to Kashi."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.81.11)

ब्रह्महत्याभयं यस्य यस्य संसारतो भयम्।। जातुचित्तेन न त्याज्या काशिका मुक्तिकाशिका

brahmahatyābhayaṁ yasya yasya saṁsārato bhayam|| jātucittena na tyājyā kāśikā muktikāśikā

"Whoever fears the sin of killing a brahmin, whoever fears worldly existence, should never, with any part of his mind, abandon Kashi, which shines as the giver of liberation."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.81.12)

जंतूनां कर्मबीजानां यत्र देहविसर्जने ।। न जातुचित्प्ररोहोस्ति हरदृष्ट्याप्तशुष्मणाम्

jaṁtūnāṁ karmabījānāṁ yatra dehavisarjane || na jātucitprarohosti haradṛṣṭyāptaśuṣmaṇām

"There, at the shedding of the body, the seed of the deeds of creatures whose vigour has been touched by Hara's very gaze never sprouts again at all."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.81.13)

तां काशीं प्राप्य वृत्रारे वृत्रहत्यापनुत्तये ।। समाराधय विश्वेशं विश्वमुक्तिप्रदायकम्

tāṁ kāśīṁ prāpya vṛtrāre vṛtrahatyāpanuttaye || samārādhaya viśveśaṁ viśvamuktipradāyakam

"Having reached that Kashi, O enemy of Vritra, worship Vishvesha, the giver of universal liberation, for the removal of the sin of slaying Vritra."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.81.14)

बृहस्पतेरिति वचो निशम्य स सहस्रदृक् ।। आयाद्द्रुततरं काशीं महापातकघातुकाम्

bṛhaspateriti vaco niśamya sa sahasradṛk || āyāddrutataraṁ kāśīṁ mahāpātakaghātukām

Hearing these words of Brihaspati, that thousand-eyed one came most swiftly to Kashi, the slayer of the greatest sins.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.81.15)

स्नात्वोत्तरवहायां च धर्मेशं परितः स्थितः ।। आराधयन्महादेवं ब्रह्मद्वत्याप नुत्तये

snātvottaravahāyāṁ ca dharmeśaṁ paritaḥ sthitaḥ || ārādhayanmahādevaṁ brahmadvatyāpa nuttaye

Having bathed in the northward-flowing Ganga, he stood near Dharmesha, worshipping the great god for the removal of the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.81.16)

महारुद्रजपासक्तः सुत्रामाथ त्रिलोचनम् ।। ददर्श लिंगमध्यस्थं स्वभासा दीपितांबरम्

mahārudrajapāsaktaḥ sutrāmātha trilocanam || dadarśa liṁgamadhyasthaṁ svabhāsā dīpitāṁbaram

Devoted to the recitation of the Mahārudra, Sutrama then beheld the three-eyed one standing within the linga, illumining the sky with his own radiance.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.81.17)

पुनस्तुष्टाव वेदोक्तै रुद्रसूक्तैरनेकधा ।। विनिष्क्रम्य ततो लिंगादाविर्भूय भवोवदत्

punastuṣṭāva vedoktai rudrasūktairanekadhā || viniṣkramya tato liṁgādāvirbhūya bhavovadat

Again he praised him in many ways with the Rudra-hymns declared in the Veda; then Bhava, emerging from that very linga, manifesting himself, spoke:

Verse 18 (skanda.4.81.18)

शचीपते प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं वरय सुव्रत ।। किं देयं द्रुतमाख्याहि धर्मपीठकृतास्पद

śacīpate prasannosmi varaṁ varaya suvrata || kiṁ deyaṁ drutamākhyāhi dharmapīṭhakṛtāspada

"O husband of Shachi, I am pleased; ask your boon, O one of good vows. Tell me quickly what is to be given, O you who have taken refuge at the seat of Dharma."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.81.19)

श्रुत्वेति देवदेवस्य स प्रेमवचनं हरिः ।। सर्वज्ञ किंतेऽविदितं तमुवाचेति वृत्रहा

śrutveti devadevasya sa premavacanaṁ hariḥ || sarvajña kiṁte'viditaṁ tamuvāceti vṛtrahā

Hearing this loving speech of the god of gods, Hari, the slayer of Vritra, said to him: "O omniscient one, what is there unknown to you?"

Verse 20 (skanda.4.81.20)

ततस्तत्कृपयानुन्नो धर्मपीठनिषेवणात् ।। निष्पाद्य तीर्थं तत्रेशोऽत्र स्नाहींद्रेति चाब्रवीत्

tatastatkṛpayānunno dharmapīṭhaniṣevaṇāt || niṣpādya tīrthaṁ tatreśo'tra snāhīṁdreti cābravīt

Then, moved by his grace, on account of Indra's service at the seat of Dharma, the Lord caused a tirtha to arise there, and said: "Bathe here, O Indra."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.81.21)

तत्रेंद्रः स्नानमात्रेण दिव्यगंधोऽभवत्क्षणात् ।। अवाप च रुचिं चारुं प्राक्तनीं शातयाज्ञिकीम्

tatreṁdraḥ snānamātreṇa divyagaṁdho'bhavatkṣaṇāt || avāpa ca ruciṁ cāruṁ prāktanīṁ śātayājñikīm

There Indra, by mere bathing, instantly became fragrant with divine scent, and regained his former lovely radiance, undiminished by the hundred sacrifices.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.81.22)

तदाश्चर्यमथो दृष्ट्वा मुनयो नारदादयः ।। परिसस्नुर्मुदायुक्ता धर्मतीर्थेऽघहारिणि

tadāścaryamatho dṛṣṭvā munayo nāradādayaḥ || parisasnurmudāyuktā dharmatīrthe'ghahāriṇi

Seeing that wonder, the sages, Narada and the rest, filled with joy, bathed all around in the Dharma-tirtha, the destroyer of sin.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.81.23)

अतर्पयन्पितॄन्दिव्यान्व्यधुः श्राद्धानि श्रद्धया ।। धर्मेशं स्नापयामासुस्तत्तीर्थाम्बुभृतैर्घटैः

atarpayanpitṝndivyānvyadhuḥ śrāddhāni śraddhayā || dharmeśaṁ snāpayāmāsustattīrthāmbubhṛtairghaṭaiḥ

They offered water to their divine ancestors, performed shraddha rites with faith, and bathed Dharmesha with pitchers filled with the water of that tirtha.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.81.24)

तदा प्रभृति तत्तीर्थं धर्मांधुरिति विश्रुतम् ।। ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानामक्लेशं क्षालनं परम्

tadā prabhṛti tattīrthaṁ dharmāṁdhuriti viśrutam || brahmahatyādi pāpānāmakleśaṁ kṣālanaṁ param

From that time on, that tirtha became renowned as Dharmandhu, the Well of Dharma, the supreme, effortless cleanser of sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.81.25)

यत्फलं तीर्थराजस्य स्नानेन परिकीर्त्यते ।। सहस्रगुणितं तत्स्याद्धर्मांधु स्नानमात्रतः

yatphalaṁ tīrtharājasya snānena parikīrtyate || sahasraguṇitaṁ tatsyāddharmāṁdhu snānamātrataḥ

Whatever fruit is declared to come from bathing at the king of tirthas, that same fruit, multiplied a thousandfold, comes from mere bathing at Dharmandhu.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.81.26)

गंगाद्वारे कुरुक्षेत्रे गंगासागरसंगमे ।। यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो धर्मतीर्थे तदाप्नुयात्

gaṁgādvāre kurukṣetre gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame || yatphalaṁ labhate martyo dharmatīrthe tadāpnuyāt

Whatever fruit a mortal obtains at Gangadvara, at Kurukshetra, at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea — that same fruit he obtains at the Dharma-tirtha.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.81.27)

नर्मदायां सरस्वत्यां गौतम्यां सिंहगे गुरौ ।। स्नात्वा यत्फलमाप्येत धर्मकूपे तदाप्नुयात्

narmadāyāṁ sarasvatyāṁ gautamyāṁ siṁhage gurau || snātvā yatphalamāpyeta dharmakūpe tadāpnuyāt

Whatever fruit is obtained by bathing in the Narmada, the Sarasvati, the Godavari, or when Jupiter is in Leo — that same is obtained at the Dharma-well.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.81.28)

मानसे पुष्करे चैव द्वारिके सागरे तथा ।। तीर्थे स्नात्वा फलं यत्स्यात्तत्स्याद्धर्मजलाशये

mānase puṣkare caiva dvārike sāgare tathā || tīrthe snātvā phalaṁ yatsyāttatsyāddharmajalāśaye

Whatever fruit comes from bathing at Manasa, at Pushkara, at Dvarika, and at the ocean-tirthas — the same comes at the Dharma-reservoir.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.81.29)

कार्तिक्यां सूकरक्षेत्रे चैत्र्यां गौरीमहाह्रदे ।। शंखोद्धारे हरिदिने यत्फलं तत्फलं त्विह

kārtikyāṁ sūkarakṣetre caitryāṁ gaurīmahāhrade || śaṁkhoddhāre haridine yatphalaṁ tatphalaṁ tviha

Whatever fruit is gained at Sukara-kshetra on the Kartika full moon, at the great lake of Gauri on the Chaitra full moon, at Shankhoddhara on the day sacred to Hari — that same fruit is gained here.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.81.30)

तीर्थद्वयं प्रतीक्षंते सिस्नासून्पितरो नरान् ।। गंगायां धर्मकूपे च पिंडनिर्वपणाशया

tīrthadvayaṁ pratīkṣaṁte sisnāsūnpitaro narān || gaṁgāyāṁ dharmakūpe ca piṁḍanirvapaṇāśayā

The ancestors await, at these two tirthas — the Ganga and the Dharma-well — men who wish to bathe, hoping for the offering of pinda-rice-balls.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.81.31)

पितामहसमीपे वा धर्मेशस्याग्रतोथ वा ।। फल्गौ च धर्मकूपे च माद्यंति प्रपितामहाः

pitāmahasamīpe vā dharmeśasyāgratotha vā || phalgau ca dharmakūpe ca mādyaṁti prapitāmahāḥ

Whether near Pitamaha, or before Dharmesha himself, or at the Phalgu, or at the Dharma-well — the great-grandfathers rejoice in equal measure.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.81.32)

धर्मकूपे नरः स्नात्वा परितर्प्य पितामहान् ।। गयां गत्वा किमधिकं कर्ता पितृमुदावहम्

dharmakūpe naraḥ snātvā paritarpya pitāmahān || gayāṁ gatvā kimadhikaṁ kartā pitṛmudāvaham

A man who bathes at the Dharma-well and duly satisfies his grandfathers — what more, by going to Gaya, could he do that would bring the ancestors greater joy?

Verse 33 (skanda.4.81.33)

यथा गयायां तृप्ताः स्युः पिंडदाने पितामहाः ।। धर्मतीर्थे तथैव स्युर्न न्यूनं नैव चाधिकम्

yathā gayāyāṁ tṛptāḥ syuḥ piṁḍadāne pitāmahāḥ || dharmatīrthe tathaiva syurna nyūnaṁ naiva cādhikam

Just as the grandfathers are satisfied by pinda-offerings at Gaya, so too are they satisfied at the Dharma-tirtha — neither less, nor more.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.81.34)

ते धन्याः पितृभक्तास्ते प्रीणितास्तैः पितामहाः।। पैत्रादृणाद्धर्मतीर्थे निष्कृतिर्यैः कृता सुतैः ।।

te dhanyāḥ pitṛbhaktāste prīṇitāstaiḥ pitāmahāḥ|| paitrādṛṇāddharmatīrthe niṣkṛtiryaiḥ kṛtā sutaiḥ ||

Blessed are those devoted sons by whom the debt owed to the fathers has been discharged at the Dharma-tirtha; by them the grandfathers are truly gladdened.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.81.35)

तत्तीर्थस्य प्रभावेण निष्पापोभूत्क्षणेन च ।। प्रणम्य देवदेवेशमिंद्रोऽगादमरावतीम्

tattīrthasya prabhāveṇa niṣpāpobhūtkṣaṇena ca || praṇamya devadeveśamiṁdro'gādamarāvatīm

By the power of that tirtha, having become sinless in an instant, and having bowed to the god of gods, Indra returned to Amaravati.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.81.36)

अपारो महिमा तस्य धर्मतीर्थस्य कुंभज ।। तत्कूपे स्वं निरीक्ष्यापि श्राद्धदानफलं लभेत्

apāro mahimā tasya dharmatīrthasya kuṁbhaja || tatkūpe svaṁ nirīkṣyāpi śrāddhadānaphalaṁ labhet

Boundless is the glory of that Dharma-tirtha, O jar-born one; merely seeing one's own reflection in that well grants the fruit of a shraddha-offering.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.81.37)

तत्रापि काकिणी मात्रं यच्छेत्पितृमुदे नरः ।। अक्षयं फलमाप्नोति धर्मपीठप्रभावतः

tatrāpi kākiṇī mātraṁ yacchetpitṛmude naraḥ || akṣayaṁ phalamāpnoti dharmapīṭhaprabhāvataḥ

If a man gives there even a single small coin for the joy of his ancestors, he obtains an imperishable fruit, through the power of the seat of Dharma.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.81.38)

तत्र यो भोजयेद्विप्रान्यतिनोथ तपस्विनः ।। सिक्थे सिक्थे लभेत्सोथ वाजपेयफलं स्फुटम्

tatra yo bhojayedviprānyatinotha tapasvinaḥ || sikthe sikthe labhetsotha vājapeyaphalaṁ sphuṭam

Whoever feeds brahmins, ascetics, or those performing austerity there obtains, for every single grain of rice offered, clearly the fruit of a Vajapeya sacrifice.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.81.39)

प्राप्यामरावतीं शक्रस्ततो दिविषदां पुरः ।। धर्मपीठस्य माहात्म्यं महत्काश्यामवर्णयत्

prāpyāmarāvatīṁ śakrastato diviṣadāṁ puraḥ || dharmapīṭhasya māhātmyaṁ mahatkāśyāmavarṇayat

Having reached Amaravati, Shakra then, before the assembled gods, described the great greatness of the seat of Dharma at Kashi.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.81.40)

आगत्य पुनरप्यत्र शंभोरानंदकानने ।। मुनिवृंदारकैः सार्धं लिंगमस्थापयद्धरिः

āgatya punarapyatra śaṁbhorānaṁdakānane || munivṛṁdārakaiḥ sārdhaṁ liṁgamasthāpayaddhariḥ

Coming here again, together with the great sages, Hari established a linga in Shambhu's Anandavana.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.81.41)

तारकेशात्पश्चिमत इंद्रेश्वरमितीरितम् ।। तस्य संदर्शनात्पुंसामैंद्रलोको न दूरतः

tārakeśātpaścimata iṁdreśvaramitīritam || tasya saṁdarśanātpuṁsāmaiṁdraloko na dūrataḥ

To the west of Tarakeshvara, it is called Indreshvara; by beholding it, the world of Indra is not far from men.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.81.42)

तद्दक्षिणे शचीशश्च स्वयं शच्या प्रतिष्ठितः ।। शचीशार्चनतः स्त्रीणां सौभाग्यमतुलं भवेत्

taddakṣiṇe śacīśaśca svayaṁ śacyā pratiṣṭhitaḥ || śacīśārcanataḥ strīṇāṁ saubhāgyamatulaṁ bhavet

To its south is Shachisha, established by Shachi herself; by worshipping Shachisha, women obtain unmatched good fortune.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.81.43)

तत्समीपेस्ति रंभेशो बहुसौख्यसमृद्धिदः ।। इंद्रेश्वरस्य परितो लोकपालेश्वरो परः

tatsamīpesti raṁbheśo bahusaukhyasamṛddhidaḥ || iṁdreśvarasya parito lokapāleśvaro paraḥ

Nearby is Rambhesha, giver of abundant happiness and prosperity; and around Indreshvara are the other seats of the guardians of the world.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.81.44)

तदर्चनात्प्रसीदंति लोकपालाः समृद्धिदाः ।। धर्मेशात्पश्चिमाशायां धरणीशः प्रकीर्तितः ।। तद्दर्शनेन धैर्यं स्याद्राज्ये राजकुलादिषु

tadarcanātprasīdaṁti lokapālāḥ samṛddhidāḥ || dharmeśātpaścimāśāyāṁ dharaṇīśaḥ prakīrtitaḥ || taddarśanena dhairyaṁ syādrājye rājakulādiṣu

By worshipping these, the world-guardians, givers of prosperity, become pleased; to the west of Dharmesha is Dharanisha, renowned; by beholding it, steadfastness is obtained in kingship and in royal lineage.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.81.45)

धर्मेशाद्दक्षिणे पूज्यं तत्त्वेशाख्यं परं नरैः ।। तत्त्वज्ञानं प्रवर्तेत तल्लिंगस्य समर्चनात्

dharmeśāddakṣiṇe pūjyaṁ tattveśākhyaṁ paraṁ naraiḥ || tattvajñānaṁ pravarteta talliṁgasya samarcanāt

To the south of Dharmesha is the supreme one worshipped by men, called Tattvesha; true knowledge of reality arises from the worship of that linga.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.81.46)

धर्मेशात्पूर्वदिग्भागे वैराग्येशं समर्चयेत् ।। निवृत्तिश्चेतसस्तस्य लिंगस्य स्पर्शनादपि

dharmeśātpūrvadigbhāge vairāgyeśaṁ samarcayet || nivṛttiścetasastasya liṁgasya sparśanādapi

To the east of Dharmesha, one should worship Vairagyesha; even by touching that linga, one's mind turns away from worldly attachment.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.81.47)

ज्ञानेश्वरं तथैशान्यां ज्ञानदं सर्वदेहिनाम् ।। ऐश्वर्येशमुदीच्यां च लिंगाद्धर्मेश्वराच्छुभात्

jñāneśvaraṁ tathaiśānyāṁ jñānadaṁ sarvadehinām || aiśvaryeśamudīcyāṁ ca liṁgāddharmeśvarācchubhāt

Likewise, to the northeast of the auspicious linga of Dharmeshvara is Jnaneshvara, giver of knowledge to all embodied beings; and to the north is Aishvaryesha.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.81.48)

तद्दर्शनाद्भवेन्नृणामैश्वर्यं मनसेप्सितम् ।। पंचवक्त्रस्य रूपाणि लिंगान्येतानि कुंभज

taddarśanādbhavennṛṇāmaiśvaryaṁ manasepsitam || paṁcavaktrasya rūpāṇi liṁgānyetāni kuṁbhaja

By beholding it, men obtain whatever sovereignty their mind desires. These lingas, O jar-born one, are the very forms of the five-faced Shiva.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.81.49)

एतान्यवश्यं संसेव्य नरः प्राप्नोति शाश्वतम् ।। अन्यत्तत्रैव यद्वृत्तं तदाख्यामि मुने शृणु

etānyavaśyaṁ saṁsevya naraḥ prāpnoti śāśvatam || anyattatraiva yadvṛttaṁ tadākhyāmi mune śṛṇu

By duly serving all these, a man attains the eternal state. Listen, O sage, to another event that took place there, which I shall now tell.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.81.50)

यच्छ्रुत्वापि नरो घोरे संसाराब्धौ न मज्जति ।। कदंबशिखरो नाम विंध्यपादो महानिह

yacchrutvāpi naro ghore saṁsārābdhau na majjati || kadaṁbaśikharo nāma viṁdhyapādo mahāniha

By merely hearing which, a man does not sink into the terrible ocean of worldly existence. There is here a great foothill of the Vindhya, named Kadambashikhara.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.81.51)

दमस्य पुत्रस्तत्रासीद्दुर्दमो नाम पार्थिवः ।। पितर्युपरते राज्यं संप्राप्याविजितेंद्रियः

damasya putrastatrāsīddurdamo nāma pārthivaḥ || pitaryuparate rājyaṁ saṁprāpyāvijiteṁdriyaḥ

There lived a king, the son of Dama, named Durdama; when his father died, he obtained the kingdom, though his senses remained unconquered.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.81.52)

हरेत्पुरंध्रीः प्रसभं पौराणां काममोहितः ।। असाधवः प्रियास्तस्य साधवोऽप्रियतां ययुः

haretpuraṁdhrīḥ prasabhaṁ paurāṇāṁ kāmamohitaḥ || asādhavaḥ priyāstasya sādhavo'priyatāṁ yayuḥ

Deluded by lust, he would forcibly seize the wives of his citizens; the wicked were dear to him, while the virtuous fell into disfavour.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.81.53)

अदंड्यान्दंडयांचक्रे दंड्येष्वासीत्पराङमुखः ।। सदैव मृगयाशीलः सोऽभून्मृगयु संगतः ।।

adaṁḍyāndaṁḍayāṁcakre daṁḍyeṣvāsītparāṅamukhaḥ || sadaiva mṛgayāśīlaḥ so'bhūnmṛgayu saṁgataḥ ||

He punished those who did not deserve punishment, and turned away from punishing those who did; ever fond of hunting, he kept company with hunters.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.81.54)

विवासिताः स्वविषयात्तेन सन्मतिदायिनः ।। धर्माधिकारिणः शूद्रा ब्राह्मणाः करदीकृताः

vivāsitāḥ svaviṣayāttena sanmatidāyinaḥ || dharmādhikāriṇaḥ śūdrā brāhmaṇāḥ karadīkṛtāḥ

By him, those who gave good counsel were banished from his realm; men of low birth were placed in charge of dharma, while brahmins were reduced to tax-payers.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.81.55)

परदारेषुसंतुष्टः स्वदारेषु पराङ्मुखः ।। आनर्च जातुचिन्नैव देवौ दुःखांतकारिणौ

paradāreṣusaṁtuṣṭaḥ svadāreṣu parāṅmukhaḥ || ānarca jātucinnaiva devau duḥkhāṁtakāriṇau

Content with the wives of others, turned away from his own; he never once worshipped that divine pair who put an end to sorrow —

Verse 56 (skanda.4.81.56)

हारिणौ सर्वपापानां सर्ववांछितदायिनौ ।। सर्वेषां जगतीसारौ श्रीकंठश्रीपतीपती

hāriṇau sarvapāpānāṁ sarvavāṁchitadāyinau || sarveṣāṁ jagatīsārau śrīkaṁṭhaśrīpatīpatī

"— those two who take away every sin, who grant every desire, the very essence of the world for all — Shrikantha and the husband of Shri."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.81.57)

स्वप्रजास्वेक उदितो धूमकेतुरिवापरः ।। दुर्दमो नाम भूपालः क्षयाया कांड एव हि

svaprajāsveka udito dhūmaketurivāparaḥ || durdamo nāma bhūpālaḥ kṣayāyā kāṁḍa eva hi

Among his own subjects, this King Durdama arose as if a second, unequalled comet, an arrow of destruction incarnate.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.81.58)

स कदाचिन्मृगयुभिः पापर्धि व्यसनातुरः ।। सार्धं विवेशारण्यानि गृष्टिपृष्ठानुगो हयी ।।

sa kadācinmṛgayubhiḥ pāpardhi vyasanāturaḥ || sārdhaṁ viveśāraṇyāni gṛṣṭipṛṣṭhānugo hayī ||

Once, tormented by his sinful, evil passion, he, mounted on his horse, entered the forests together with his hunters, following the track of a young doe.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.81.59)

एकाकी दैवयोगेन दुर्दमः सोऽवनीपतिः । धन्वी तुरंगमारुढोऽविशदानंदकाननम्

ekākī daivayogena durdamaḥ so'vanīpatiḥ | dhanvī turaṁgamāruḍho'viśadānaṁdakānanam

By the working of fate, that king Durdama, alone now, bow in hand, mounted on his horse, entered Anandavana.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.81.60)

स विलोक्याथ सर्वत्र पादपा नवकेशिनः ।। सुच्छायांश्च सुविस्तारान्गतश्रम इवाभवत्

sa vilokyātha sarvatra pādapā navakeśinaḥ || succhāyāṁśca suvistārāngataśrama ivābhavat

Beholding on every side trees freshly leaved, of lovely shade and wide-spreading branches, he seemed to lose all his weariness.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.81.61)

सुगंधेन सुशीतेन सुमदेन सुवायुना ।। क्षणं संवीजितो राजा पल्लवव्यजनैः कुजैः

sugaṁdhena suśītena sumadena suvāyunā || kṣaṇaṁ saṁvījito rājā pallavavyajanaiḥ kujaiḥ

For a moment the king was fanned by a sweetly fragrant, cool, intoxicating breeze, and by the leaf-fans of the trees themselves.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.81.62)

केवलं मृगया जातस्तत्खेदो न व्यपाव्रजत् ।। आजन्मजनितः खेदो निरगात्तद्वनेक्षणात्

kevalaṁ mṛgayā jātastatkhedo na vyapāvrajat || ājanmajanitaḥ khedo niragāttadvanekṣaṇāt

Not only did the weariness of the hunt depart, but even the weariness born with him since birth departed at the mere sight of that forest.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.81.63)

मध्ये वनं स चापश्यत्प्रासादं चुंबितांबरम् ।। महारत्नशलाकानां रम्यमेकमिवाकरम्

madhye vanaṁ sa cāpaśyatprāsādaṁ cuṁbitāṁbaram || mahāratnaśalākānāṁ ramyamekamivākaram

In the midst of the forest he beheld a temple that seemed to kiss the sky, lovely as a very mine of great jewelled pillars.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.81.64)

अथावरुह्य तुरगात्स भूपालोतिविस्मितः ।। धर्मेशमंडपं प्राप्य स्वात्मानं प्रशशंस ह

athāvaruhya turagātsa bhūpālotivismitaḥ || dharmeśamaṁḍapaṁ prāpya svātmānaṁ praśaśaṁsa ha

Dismounting from his horse, that greatly astonished king, having reached the pavilion of Dharmesha, then praised himself, saying:

Verse 65 (skanda.4.81.65)

धन्योस्म्यहं प्रसन्नोस्मि धन्ये मेद्य विलोचने ।। धन्यमद्यतनं चाहर्यदपश्यमिमां भुवम्

dhanyosmyahaṁ prasannosmi dhanye medya vilocane || dhanyamadyatanaṁ cāharyadapaśyamimāṁ bhuvam

"Blessed am I, I am content; blessed indeed are my eyes today; blessed too is this very day, on which I have beheld this ground."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.81.66)

पुनर्निनिंद चात्मानं धर्मपीठ प्रभावतः ।। धिङ्मां दुर्जनसंसर्गं त्यक्तसज्जनसंगमम्

punarniniṁda cātmānaṁ dharmapīṭha prabhāvataḥ || dhiṅmāṁ durjanasaṁsargaṁ tyaktasajjanasaṁgamam

Then, by the very power of the seat of Dharma, he reproached himself: "Shame on me, who keeps the company of the wicked, and has abandoned the company of the good —"

Verse 67 (skanda.4.81.67)

जंतूद्वेगकरं मूढं प्रजापीडनपंडितम् ।। परदारपरद्रव्यापहृत्यासुखमानिनम्

jaṁtūdvegakaraṁ mūḍhaṁ prajāpīḍanapaṁḍitam || paradāraparadravyāpahṛtyāsukhamāninam

"— a fool who terrorizes creatures, an expert in oppressing his own subjects, one who finds pleasure in seizing others' wives and others' wealth."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.81.68)

अद्ययावन्मम गतं वृथाजन्माल्पमेधस ।। धर्मस्थानानीदृशानि यद्दृष्टानि न कुत्रचित्

adyayāvanmama gataṁ vṛthājanmālpamedhasa || dharmasthānānīdṛśāni yaddṛṣṭāni na kutracit

"Until today, my birth, feeble-minded as I am, has passed in vain, for I have never before beheld such sacred places of dharma anywhere."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.81.69)

एवं बहु विनिंद्य स्वं नत्वा धर्मेश्वरं विभुम् ।। आरुह्याश्वं ययौ राजा दुर्दमो विषयं स्वकम्

evaṁ bahu viniṁdya svaṁ natvā dharmeśvaraṁ vibhum || āruhyāśvaṁ yayau rājā durdamo viṣayaṁ svakam

Having thus reproached himself at length, and having bowed to the mighty lord Dharmeshvara, King Durdama mounted his horse and went to his own kingdom.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.81.70)

ततोमात्यान्समाहूय क्रमायातांश्चिरंतनान् ।। नवीनान्परिनिर्वास्य पौरांश्चापि समाह्वयत्

tatomātyānsamāhūya kramāyātāṁściraṁtanān || navīnānparinirvāsya paurāṁścāpi samāhvayat

Then, summoning his old, traditionally appointed ministers, banishing the newly appointed ones, he also called together his citizens.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.81.71)

ब्राह्मणांश्चनमस्कृत्य तेभ्यो वृत्तीः प्रदाय च ।। पुत्रे राज्यं समारोप्य प्रजाधर्मे निवेश्य च

brāhmaṇāṁścanamaskṛtya tebhyo vṛttīḥ pradāya ca || putre rājyaṁ samāropya prajādharme niveśya ca

Having bowed to the brahmins and granted them livelihoods, and having installed his son upon the throne and established him in the righteous governance of his subjects,

Verse 72 (skanda.4.81.72)

परिदंड्य च दंडार्हान्साधूंश्च परितोष्य च ।। दारानपि परित्यज्य विषयेषु पराङ्मुखः

paridaṁḍya ca daṁḍārhānsādhūṁśca paritoṣya ca || dārānapi parityajya viṣayeṣu parāṅmukhaḥ

having duly punished those who deserved punishment and gratified the virtuous, and having renounced even his own wives, turning his face away from all sense-pleasures,

Verse 73 (skanda.4.81.73)

समागच्छदथैकाकी काशीं श्रेयोविकासिनीम् ।। धर्मेश्वरं समाराध्य कालान्निर्वाणमाप्तवान्

samāgacchadathaikākī kāśīṁ śreyovikāsinīm || dharmeśvaraṁ samārādhya kālānnirvāṇamāptavān

he came alone to Kashi, the very flowering-ground of all welfare, and, having worshipped Dharmeshvara, in time attained liberation.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.81.74)

धर्मेशदर्शनान्नित्यं तथाभूतः स दुर्दमः ।। बभूव दमिनां श्रेष्ठः प्रांते मोक्षं च लब्धवान्

dharmeśadarśanānnityaṁ tathābhūtaḥ sa durdamaḥ || babhūva damināṁ śreṣṭhaḥ prāṁte mokṣaṁ ca labdhavān

By constantly beholding Dharmesha, that Durdama thus became the very foremost of the self-controlled, and at his end obtained liberation.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.81.75)

इत्थं धर्मेश माहात्म्यं मया स्वल्पं निरूपितम् ।। धर्मपीठस्य माहात्म्यं सम्यक्को वेद कुंभज

itthaṁ dharmeśa māhātmyaṁ mayā svalpaṁ nirūpitam || dharmapīṭhasya māhātmyaṁ samyakko veda kuṁbhaja

Thus have I described, however briefly, the greatness of Dharmesha. Who indeed, O jar-born one, could ever know the full greatness of the seat of Dharma?

Verse 76 (skanda.4.81.76)

इदं धर्मेश्वराख्यानं यः श्रोष्यति नरोत्तमः ।। आजन्मसंचितात्पापात्स मुक्तो भवति क्षणात्

idaṁ dharmeśvarākhyānaṁ yaḥ śroṣyati narottamaḥ || ājanmasaṁcitātpāpātsa mukto bhavati kṣaṇāt

Whatever excellent man hears this narrative of Dharmeshvara becomes, in an instant, freed from the sin accumulated since his birth.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.81.77)

श्राद्धकाले विशेषेण धर्मेशाख्यानमुत्तमम्।। श्रावयेद्ब्राह्मणान्धीमान्पितॄणां तृप्तिकारणम्

śrāddhakāle viśeṣeṇa dharmeśākhyānamuttamam|| śrāvayedbrāhmaṇāndhīmānpitṝṇāṁ tṛptikāraṇam

Especially at the time of shraddha, the wise should have this excellent narrative of Dharmesha recited to brahmins, for it brings about the satisfaction of the ancestors.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.81.78)

धर्माख्यानमिदं शृण्वन्नपि दूरस्थितः सुधीः ।। सर्वपापर्विनिर्मुक्तो गंतांते शिवमंदिरम्

dharmākhyānamidaṁ śṛṇvannapi dūrasthitaḥ sudhīḥ || sarvapāparvinirmukto gaṁtāṁte śivamaṁdiram

Even the wise one who merely hears this narrative of Dharma from afar becomes freed of every sin, and at his end goes to the very abode of Shiva.