The Manifestation of Vireshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.83.1)

राज्ञ्युवाच ।। ।। अवधेहि धरानाथ कथयामि यथातथम् ।। व्रतस्यास्य विधानं च फलं चाभीष्टदेवताम्

rājñyuvāca || || avadhehi dharānātha kathayāmi yathātatham || vratasyāsya vidhānaṁ ca phalaṁ cābhīṣṭadevatām

The queen said: "Listen, O lord of the earth, I shall tell it exactly as it is — the procedure of this vow, its fruit, and the deity to be worshipped."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.83.2)

पुरा पुरः श्रीदपत्न्याः श्रीमुख्या ब्रह्मसूनुना ।। नारदेन सुतार्थिन्या व्रतमेतदुदीरितम्

purā puraḥ śrīdapatnyāḥ śrīmukhyā brahmasūnunā || nāradena sutārthinyā vratametadudīritam

"Long ago, this very vow was declared by Narada, the son of Brahma, to the foremost wife of Kubera, Shrimukhi, who desired a son."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.83.3)

चीर्णं चाथ तया देव्या पुत्रोभून्नलकूबरः ।। अन्याभिरपि बह्वीभिः पुत्राः प्राप्ता व्रतादितः

cīrṇaṁ cātha tayā devyā putrobhūnnalakūbaraḥ || anyābhirapi bahvībhiḥ putrāḥ prāptā vratāditaḥ

"Performed by that goddess, it bore her the son Nalakubara; and many other women too have obtained sons through this very vow."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.83.4)

विधिनाप्यत्र संपूज्या गौरी सर्वविधानवित् ।। स्तनंधयेन सहिता धयता स्तनमुन्मुखम्

vidhināpyatra saṁpūjyā gaurī sarvavidhānavit || stanaṁdhayena sahitā dhayatā stanamunmukham

"By this rite, Gauri, who knows every procedure, is to be worshipped — together with a nursing infant at her breast, its face turned upward, suckling."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.83.5)

मार्गशीर्ष तृतीयायां शुक्लायां कलशोपरि ।। ताम्रपात्रं निधायैकं तंडुलैः परिपूरितम्

mārgaśīrṣa tṛtīyāyāṁ śuklāyāṁ kalaśopari || tāmrapātraṁ nidhāyaikaṁ taṁḍulaiḥ paripūritam

"On the third day of the bright half of Margashirsha, upon a kalasha, one should place a single copper vessel filled with rice grains,"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.83.6)

अविच्छिन्नं नवीनं च रजनीरागरंजितम् ।। वासः पात्रोपरि न्यस्य सूक्ष्मात्सूक्ष्मतरं परम्

avicchinnaṁ navīnaṁ ca rajanīrāgaraṁjitam || vāsaḥ pātropari nyasya sūkṣmātsūkṣmataraṁ param

"and upon that vessel place an unbroken, new cloth dyed with turmeric-red colour, finer than the finest,"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.83.7)

तस्योपरि शुभं पद्मं रविरश्मिविकासितम् ।। तत्कर्णिकाया उपरि चतुःस्वर्णविनिर्मितम्

tasyopari śubhaṁ padmaṁ raviraśmivikāsitam || tatkarṇikāyā upari catuḥsvarṇavinirmitam

"and upon that an auspicious lotus, opened as if by the rays of the sun; and upon its pericarp, a figure made of four kinds of gold —"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.83.8)

विधिं संपूजयेद्भक्त्या रत्नपट्टाबंरादिभिः ।। पुष्पैर्नानाविधै रम्यैः फलैर्नारंगमुख्यकैः

vidhiṁ saṁpūjayedbhaktyā ratnapaṭṭābaṁrādibhiḥ || puṣpairnānāvidhai ramyaiḥ phalairnāraṁgamukhyakaiḥ

"and one should worship this arrangement with devotion, with jewelled silks and the like, with various lovely flowers, and fruits, chiefly oranges,"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.83.9)

सुगंधैश्चंदनाद्यैश्च कर्पूर मृगनाभिभिः ।। परमान्नादि नैवेद्यैः पक्वान्नैर्बहुभंगिभिः

sugaṁdhaiścaṁdanādyaiśca karpūra mṛganābhibhiḥ || paramānnādi naivedyaiḥ pakvānnairbahubhaṁgibhiḥ

"with fragrances such as sandalwood, camphor, and musk, with offerings of sweet rice and other cooked foods of many kinds,"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.83.10)

धूपैरगुरुमुख्यैश्च रम्ये कुसुममंडपे ।। रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं विनिंद्रैः परमोत्सवैः

dhūpairagurumukhyaiśca ramye kusumamaṁḍape || rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ viniṁdraiḥ paramotsavaiḥ

"with incense chiefly of agaru, in a lovely flower-pavilion; a night-vigil should be kept, sleeplessly, with the greatest of festivities."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.83.11)

हस्तमात्रमिते कुंडे जातवेदस इत्यृचा ।। घृतेन मधुनाप्लुत्य जुहुयान्मंत्रविद्द्विजः

hastamātramite kuṁḍe jātavedasa ityṛcā || ghṛtena madhunāplutya juhuyānmaṁtraviddvijaḥ

"In a fire-pit one cubit in measure, a brahmin who knows the mantra should offer oblations of ghee and honey with the verse 'Jātavedase'."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.83.12)

सहस्रकमलानां च स्मेराणां स्वयमेव हि ।। नवप्रसूतां कपिलां सुशीलां च पयस्विनीम्

sahasrakamalānāṁ ca smerāṇāṁ svayameva hi || navaprasūtāṁ kapilāṁ suśīlāṁ ca payasvinīm

"Then, together with a thousand freshly-blossomed lotuses, a recently-calved, well-behaved, milk-yielding tawny cow —"

Verse 13 (skanda.4.83.13)

दद्यादाचार्यवर्याय सालंकारां सलक्षणाम् ।। उपोष्य दंपती भक्त्या नवांबरविभूषितौ

dadyādācāryavaryāya sālaṁkārāṁ salakṣaṇām || upoṣya daṁpatī bhaktyā navāṁbaravibhūṣitau

"— adorned and auspiciously marked, should be given to the officiating priest; the couple, having fasted, devoutly clothed in new garments,"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.83.14)

प्रातःस्नात्वा चतुर्थ्यां च संपूज्याचार्यमादृतः ।। वस्त्रैराभरणैर्माल्यैर्दक्षिणाभिर्मुदान्वितौ

prātaḥsnātvā caturthyāṁ ca saṁpūjyācāryamādṛtaḥ || vastrairābharaṇairmālyairdakṣiṇābhirmudānvitau

"having bathed at dawn on the fourth day, should reverently worship the priest, joyfully, with garments, ornaments, garlands, and gifts,"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.83.15)

सोपस्करां च तां मृर्तिमाचार्याय निवेदयेत् ।। समुच्चरन्निमं मंत्रं व्रतकृन्मिथुनं मुदा

sopaskarāṁ ca tāṁ mṛrtimācāryāya nivedayet || samuccarannimaṁ maṁtraṁ vratakṛnmithunaṁ mudā

"and offer that image, together with all its accessories, to the priest, the vow-performing couple joyfully reciting this mantra:"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.83.16)

नमो विश्वविधानज्ञे विधे विविधकारिणि ।। सुतं वंशकरं देहि तुष्टामुष्माद्व्रताच्छुभात्

namo viśvavidhānajñe vidhe vividhakāriṇi || sutaṁ vaṁśakaraṁ dehi tuṣṭāmuṣmādvratācchubhāt

"'Salutation to you, O knower of the ordinances of the universe, O ordainer, doer of manifold deeds! Being pleased by this auspicious vow, grant a son who shall continue our line.'"

Verse 17 (skanda.4.83.17)

सहसं भोजयित्वाथ द्विजानां भक्तिपूर्वकम् ।। भुक्तशेषेण चान्नेन कुर्याद्वै पारणं ततः

sahasaṁ bhojayitvātha dvijānāṁ bhaktipūrvakam || bhuktaśeṣeṇa cānnena kuryādvai pāraṇaṁ tataḥ

"Then, having devotedly fed a thousand brahmins, one should break the fast with the food remaining from their meal."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.83.18)

इत्थमेतद्व्रतं राजंश्चिकीर्षामि त्वया सह ।। कुरु चैतत्प्रियं मह्यमभीष्टफललब्धये

itthametadvrataṁ rājaṁścikīrṣāmi tvayā saha || kuru caitatpriyaṁ mahyamabhīṣṭaphalalabdhaye

"Thus, O king, I wish to perform this vow together with you; do this, dear to me, for the attainment of my heart's desire."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.83.19)

इति भूपालवर्येण श्रुत्वा संहृष्टचेतसा ।। मुनेव तं समाचीर्णं सांतर्वत्नी बभूव ह

iti bhūpālavaryeṇa śrutvā saṁhṛṣṭacetasā || muneva taṁ samācīrṇaṁ sāṁtarvatnī babhūva ha

Having heard this, that excellent king, with a joyful heart, performed it exactly as had been described by the sage; and she became pregnant.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.83.20)

तयाथ प्रार्थिता गौरी गर्भिण्या भक्तितोषिता ।। पुत्रं देहि महामाये साक्षाद्विष्ण्वंशसंभवम्

tayātha prārthitā gaurī garbhiṇyā bhaktitoṣitā || putraṁ dehi mahāmāye sākṣādviṣṇvaṁśasaṁbhavam

Then Gauri, pleased by her devotion, was entreated by that pregnant queen: "Grant me a son, O great Maya, born directly of a portion of Vishnu,"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.83.21)

जातमात्रो व्रजेत्स्वर्गं पुनगयाति चात्र वै ।। भक्तः सदाशिवेऽत्यर्थं प्रसिद्धः सर्वभूतले

jātamātro vrajetsvargaṁ punagayāti cātra vai || bhaktaḥ sadāśive'tyarthaṁ prasiddhaḥ sarvabhūtale

"one who, the very moment he is born, shall have already gone to heaven and returned here; exceedingly devoted to Sadashiva, renowned across the whole earth,"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.83.22)

विनैव स्तन्यपानेन षोडशाब्दाकृतिः क्षणात् ।। एवंभूतः सुतो गौरि यथा मे स्यात्तथाकुरु

vinaiva stanyapānena ṣoḍaśābdākṛtiḥ kṣaṇāt || evaṁbhūtaḥ suto gauri yathā me syāttathākuru

"needing no milk from the breast at all, appearing instantly in the form of a sixteen-year-old — grant me such a son, O Gauri, exactly as I have said."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.83.23)

मृडान्यापि तथेत्युक्ता राज्ञी भक्त्यातितुष्टया ।। अथ कालेन तनयं मूलर्क्षे साप्यजीजनत्

mṛḍānyāpi tathetyuktā rājñī bhaktyātituṣṭayā || atha kālena tanayaṁ mūlarkṣe sāpyajījanat

Mridani, exceedingly pleased by her devotion, said, "So be it," to the queen; and in time, under the constellation Mula, she gave birth to a son.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.83.24)

हितैरमात्यैरथ सा विज्ञप्तारिष्टसंस्थिता ।। देवि राजार्थिनी चेत्त्वं त्यज दुष्टर्क्षजं सुतम् ।।

hitairamātyairatha sā vijñaptāriṣṭasaṁsthitā || devi rājārthinī cettvaṁ tyaja duṣṭarkṣajaṁ sutam ||

Then, the well-wishing ministers, noting the ill-omened star, petitioned her, saying: "O queen, if you wish well for the king, abandon this son born under an inauspicious star."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.83.25)

सा मंत्रिवाक्यमाकर्ण्य केवलं पतिदेवता ।। अत्याक्षीत्तं तथा प्राप्तं तनयं नयकोविदा

sā maṁtrivākyamākarṇya kevalaṁ patidevatā || atyākṣīttaṁ tathā prāptaṁ tanayaṁ nayakovidā

Hearing the ministers' counsel, she, whose only god was her husband, skilled in policy, abandoned the son she had thus obtained.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.83.26)

धात्रेयिकां समाकार्य प्राहेदं सा नृपांगना ।। पंचमुद्रे महापीठे विकटा नाम मातृका

dhātreyikāṁ samākārya prāhedaṁ sā nṛpāṁganā || paṁcamudre mahāpīṭhe vikaṭā nāma mātṛkā

Calling her nursemaid, that royal lady said this to her: "At the great seat of Panchamudra is a Mother-goddess named Vikata —"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.83.27)

तदग्रे स्थापयित्वामुं बालं धात्रेयिके वद ।। गौर्यादत्तः शिशुरसौ तवाग्रे विनिवेदितः

tadagre sthāpayitvāmuṁ bālaṁ dhātreyike vada || gauryādattaḥ śiśurasau tavāgre viniveditaḥ

"— place this infant before her, O nursemaid, and say: 'This child, given by Gauri, is now offered before you.'"

Verse 28 (skanda.4.83.28)

राज्ञ्या पत्युः प्रियेषिण्या मंत्रिविज्ञप्तिनुन्नया ।। सापि राज्ञ्युदितं श्रुत्वा शिशुं लास्य शशिप्रभम्

rājñyā patyuḥ priyeṣiṇyā maṁtrivijñaptinunnayā || sāpi rājñyuditaṁ śrutvā śiśuṁ lāsya śaśiprabham

The queen, desiring the good of her husband, moved by the ministers' petition — and she, having heard the queen's words, took the moon-radiant infant,

Verse 29 (skanda.4.83.29)

विकटायाः पुरः स्थाप्य गृहं धात्रेयिका गता ।। अथ सा विकटा देवी समाहूय च योगिनीः

vikaṭāyāḥ puraḥ sthāpya gṛhaṁ dhātreyikā gatā || atha sā vikaṭā devī samāhūya ca yoginīḥ

placed him before Vikata, and the nursemaid returned home. Then that goddess Vikata, calling together the yoginis,

Verse 30 (skanda.4.83.30)

उवाच नयत क्षिप्रं शिशुं मातृगणाग्रतः ।। तासामाज्ञां च कुरुत रक्षतामुं प्रयत्नतः

uvāca nayata kṣipraṁ śiśuṁ mātṛgaṇāgrataḥ || tāsāmājñāṁ ca kuruta rakṣatāmuṁ prayatnataḥ

said: "Take this child swiftly before the assembly of Mother-goddesses; do their bidding, and let them carefully protect him."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.83.31)

योगिन्यो विकटावाक्यात्खेचर्यस्ताः क्षणेन तम् ।। निन्युर्गगनमार्गेण ब्राह्म्याद्या यत्र मातरः

yoginyo vikaṭāvākyātkhecaryastāḥ kṣaṇena tam || ninyurgaganamārgeṇa brāhmyādyā yatra mātaraḥ

At Vikata's word, those sky-going yoginis in an instant carried him by the path of the sky to where the Mother-goddesses, Brahmi and the rest, dwelt.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.83.32)

प्रणम्य योगिनीवृंदं तं शिशुं सूर्यवर्चसम् ।। पुरो निधाय मातॄणां प्रोवाच विकटोदितम्

praṇamya yoginīvṛṁdaṁ taṁ śiśuṁ sūryavarcasam || puro nidhāya mātṝṇāṁ provāca vikaṭoditam

Bowing to the host of yoginis, they placed that sun-radiant infant before the Mother-goddesses, and repeated what Vikata had said.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.83.33)

ब्रह्माणी वैष्णवी रौद्री वाराही नारसिंहिका ।। कौमारी चापि माहेंद्री चामुंडा चैव चंडिका

brahmāṇī vaiṣṇavī raudrī vārāhī nārasiṁhikā || kaumārī cāpi māheṁdrī cāmuṁḍā caiva caṁḍikā

Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Raudri, Varahi, Narasimhi, Kaumari, Mahendri, Chamunda, and Chandika —

Verse 34 (skanda.4.83.34)

दृष्ट्वा तं बालकं रम्यं विकटाप्रेषितं ततः ।। पप्रच्छुर्युगपड्डिंभं कस्ते तातः प्रसूश्च कः

dṛṣṭvā taṁ bālakaṁ ramyaṁ vikaṭāpreṣitaṁ tataḥ || papracchuryugapaḍḍiṁbhaṁ kaste tātaḥ prasūśca kaḥ

seeing that lovely child sent by Vikata, all at once asked the infant: "Who is your father, and who your mother?"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.83.35)

मातृभिश्चेति पुष्टः स यदा किंचिन्न वक्ति च ।। तदा तद्योगिनीचक्रं प्राह मातृगणस्त्विति

mātṛbhiśceti puṣṭaḥ sa yadā kiṁcinna vakti ca || tadā tadyoginīcakraṁ prāha mātṛgaṇastviti

When, thus questioned by the Mother-goddesses, he said nothing at all, that circle of yoginis, the assembly of Mothers, then declared:

Verse 36 (skanda.4.83.36)

राज्ययोग्यो भवत्येष महालक्षणलक्षितः ।। पुनस्तत्रैव नेतव्यो योगिन्यस्त्वविलंबितम्

rājyayogyo bhavatyeṣa mahālakṣaṇalakṣitaḥ || punastatraiva netavyo yoginyastvavilaṁbitam

"This one, marked with great auspicious signs, is fit for kingship. He must be taken back there without delay, O yoginis —"

Verse 37 (skanda.4.83.37)

पंचमुद्रा महादेवी तिष्ठते यत्र काम्यदा । यस्याः संसेवनान्नृणां निर्वाणश्रीरदूरतः

paṁcamudrā mahādevī tiṣṭhate yatra kāmyadā | yasyāḥ saṁsevanānnṛṇāṁ nirvāṇaśrīradūrataḥ

"— to where the great goddess Panchamudra, granter of desires, dwells; by whose service liberation is not far from men."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.83.38)

सर्वत्रशुभजन्मिन्यां काश्यां मुक्तिः पदेपदे ।। तथापि सविशेषं हि तत्पीठं सर्वसिद्धिकृत्

sarvatraśubhajanminyāṁ kāśyāṁ muktiḥ padepade || tathāpi saviśeṣaṁ hi tatpīṭhaṁ sarvasiddhikṛt

"In Kashi, birth itself is auspicious everywhere, and liberation lies at every step; yet that seat in particular grants every accomplishment."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.83.39)

तत्पीठसेवनादस्य षोडशाब्दाकृतेः शिशोः ।। सिद्धिर्भवित्री परमा विश्वेशानुग्रहात्परात् ।।

tatpīṭhasevanādasya ṣoḍaśābdākṛteḥ śiśoḥ || siddhirbhavitrī paramā viśveśānugrahātparāt ||

"By service at that seat, supreme perfection shall come to this infant, who has the form of a sixteen-year-old, through the supreme grace of Vishvesha."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.83.40)

एवं मातृगणाशीर्भिर्योगिनीभिः क्षणेन हि ।। प्रापितो मातृवाक्येन पंचमुद्रांकितं पुनः

evaṁ mātṛgaṇāśīrbhiryoginībhiḥ kṣaṇena hi || prāpito mātṛvākyena paṁcamudrāṁkitaṁ punaḥ

Thus, with the blessings of the Mother-goddesses, he was in an instant carried by the yoginis, at the Mothers' word, back to the place marked by Panchamudra,

Verse 41 (skanda.4.83.41)

संप्राप्य तन्महापीठं स्वर्गलोकादिहागतः ।। आनंदकानने दिव्यं तताप विपुलं तपः

saṁprāpya tanmahāpīṭhaṁ svargalokādihāgataḥ || ānaṁdakānane divyaṁ tatāpa vipulaṁ tapaḥ

having come there from the world of the gods; reaching that great seat, he performed vast, divine austerity in Anandavana.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.83.42)

तपसातीव तीव्रेण निश्चलेंद्रियचेतसः ।। तस्य राजकुमारस्य प्रसन्नोभूदुमाधवः।

tapasātīva tīvreṇa niścaleṁdriyacetasaḥ || tasya rājakumārasya prasannobhūdumādhavaḥ|

By his exceedingly fierce austerity, his senses and mind unmoving, the husband of Uma became pleased with that prince.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.83.43)

आविर्बभूव पुरतो लिंगरूपेण शंकरः ।। प्रोवाच च प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं ब्रूहि नृपांगज

āvirbabhūva purato liṁgarūpeṇa śaṁkaraḥ || provāca ca prasannosmi varaṁ brūhi nṛpāṁgaja

Shankara manifested before him in the form of a linga, and said: "I am pleased; ask your boon, O royal son."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.83.44)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। सर्वज्योतिर्मयं लिंगं पुरतो वीक्ष्य वाङ्मयम् ।। सप्तपातालमुद्भिद्य स्थितं बृहदनुग्रहात

|| skaṁda uvāca || || sarvajyotirmayaṁ liṁgaṁ purato vīkṣya vāṅmayam || saptapātālamudbhidya sthitaṁ bṛhadanugrahāta

Skanda said: Beholding before him that all-luminous linga, described in the very words of scripture, piercing through the seven nether worlds, standing there by great grace,

Verse 45 (skanda.4.83.45)

प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ परितुष्टाव धूर्जटिम् ।। सूक्तैर्जन्मांतराभ्यस्तैः सुहृष्टो रुद्रदेवतैः

praṇamya daṁḍavadbhūmau parituṣṭāva dhūrjaṭim || sūktairjanmāṁtarābhyastaiḥ suhṛṣṭo rudradevataiḥ

he, prostrating himself flat upon the ground, praised Dhurjati with the Rudra-hymns he had practised in a former birth, filled with joy.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.83.46)

ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान्देवदेवो महेश्वरः ।। संतुष्टस्तपसा तस्य प्रोवाच वृषभध्वजः

tataḥ prasanno bhagavāndevadevo maheśvaraḥ || saṁtuṣṭastapasā tasya provāca vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

Then the pleased and gracious lord, the god of gods, Maheshvara, satisfied by his austerity, the bull-bannered one, said:

Verse 47 (skanda.4.83.47)

।। देवदेव उवाच ।। ।। वरं वरय संतप्त तपसा क्लेशितं वपुः ।। त्वयेदं बालवपुषा वशीकृतं मनो मम

|| devadeva uvāca || || varaṁ varaya saṁtapta tapasā kleśitaṁ vapuḥ || tvayedaṁ bālavapuṣā vaśīkṛtaṁ mano mama

The god of gods said: "Ask your boon, O one whose body is worn from austerity; my mind has been won over by you, though still in the body of a child."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.83.48)

शिवोक्तं च समाकर्ण्य वरदानं पुनःपुनः ।। वरं च प्रार्थयांचक्रे परिहृष्टतनूरुहः

śivoktaṁ ca samākarṇya varadānaṁ punaḥpunaḥ || varaṁ ca prārthayāṁcakre parihṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ

Hearing Shiva's repeated offer of a boon, he, his body thrilled with joy, made this request:

Verse 49 (skanda.4.83.49)

।। कुमार उवाच ।। ।। देवदेवमहादेव यदि देयो वरो मम ।। तदत्र भवता स्थेयं भवतापहृता सदा

|| kumāra uvāca || || devadevamahādeva yadi deyo varo mama || tadatra bhavatā stheyaṁ bhavatāpahṛtā sadā

The prince said: "O god of gods, Mahadeva, if a boon is to be given to me, then let you, remover of worldly torment, remain here always,"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.83.50)

अस्मिँल्लिंगे स्थितः शंभो कुरु भक्तसमीहितम् ।। विना मुद्रादिकरणं मंत्रेणापि विना विभो

asmi~lliṁge sthitaḥ śaṁbho kuru bhaktasamīhitam || vinā mudrādikaraṇaṁ maṁtreṇāpi vinā vibho

"abiding in this very linga, O Shambhu, and fulfil the wishes of your devotees — without their needing to perform mudras and the like, and even without a mantra, O all-pervading one."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.83.51)

दिश सिद्धिं परामत्र दर्शनात्स्पर्शनान्नतेः ।। अस्य लिंगस्य ये भक्ता मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः

diśa siddhiṁ parāmatra darśanātsparśanānnateḥ || asya liṁgasya ye bhaktā manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ

"Grant supreme perfection here through mere sight, touch, and bowing; whoever are devotees of this linga in mind, speech, and body's deeds —"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.83.52)

सदैवानुग्रहस्तेषु कर्तव्यो वर एष मे ।। इति तद्व्रतमाकर्ण्य लिंगरूपोवदत्प्रभुः

sadaivānugrahasteṣu kartavyo vara eṣa me || iti tadvratamākarṇya liṁgarūpovadatprabhuḥ

"— your grace should always be upon them; this alone is my boon." Hearing this resolve, the Lord, in the form of the linga, said:

Verse 53 (skanda.4.83.53)

एवमस्तु यदुक्तं ते वीरवैष्णव सूनुना ।। जनेतुर्विष्णुभक्ताच्च राज्ञोऽमित्रज्जितो भवान्

evamastu yaduktaṁ te vīravaiṣṇava sūnunā || janeturviṣṇubhaktācca rājño'mitrajjito bhavān

"So be it, as spoken by you, O heroic son of a Vaishnava — you who are the son of that Vishnu-devoted King Amitrajit."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.83.54)

विष्ण्वंश एवमुत्पन्नो मम भक्तिपरांगज ।। वीरवीरेश्वरं नाम लिंगमेतत्त्वदाख्यया

viṣṇvaṁśa evamutpanno mama bhaktiparāṁgaja || vīravīreśvaraṁ nāma liṁgametattvadākhyayā

"Thus born of a portion of Vishnu, O offspring devoted to me — this linga shall bear your very name, 'Vira-Vireshvara'."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.83.55)

काश्यां दास्यत्यभीष्टानि भक्तानां चिंतितान्यहो ।। अस्मिँल्लिंगे सदा वीर स्थास्याम्यद्यदिनावधि

kāśyāṁ dāsyatyabhīṣṭāni bhaktānāṁ ciṁtitānyaho || asmi~lliṁge sadā vīra sthāsyāmyadyadināvadhi

"It shall grant, here at Kashi, the very wishes cherished by devotees; O hero, in this linga I shall abide always, from this day forward."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.83.56)

दास्यामि च परां सिद्धिमाश्रितेभ्यो न संशयः ।। परं न महिमानं मे कलौ कश्चिच्च वेत्स्यति

dāsyāmi ca parāṁ siddhimāśritebhyo na saṁśayaḥ || paraṁ na mahimānaṁ me kalau kaścicca vetsyati

"I shall grant supreme perfection to those who take refuge here, without doubt; yet in the Kali age, hardly anyone shall know my greatness."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.83.57)

यस्तु वेत्स्यति भाग्येन स परां सिद्धिमाप्स्यति ।। अत्र जप्तं हुतं दत्तं स्तुतमर्चितमेव वा

yastu vetsyati bhāgyena sa parāṁ siddhimāpsyati || atra japtaṁ hutaṁ dattaṁ stutamarcitameva vā

"But whoever, by good fortune, does come to know it shall attain supreme perfection. Whatever is recited, offered, given, praised, or worshipped here —"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.83.58)

जीर्णोद्धारादिकरणमक्षय्यफलहेतुकम् ।। त्वं तु राज्यं परं प्राप्य सर्वभूपालदुर्लभम्

jīrṇoddhārādikaraṇamakṣayyaphalahetukam || tvaṁ tu rājyaṁ paraṁ prāpya sarvabhūpāladurlabham

"— and the restoration of what has fallen into ruin, and the like — brings imperishable fruit. As for you, having attained a supreme kingdom, rare even for kings,"

Verse 59 (skanda.4.83.59)

भुक्त्वा भोगांश्च विपुलानंते सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ।। पुरी वाराणसी रम्या सर्वस्मिञ्जगतीतले

bhuktvā bhogāṁśca vipulānaṁte siddhimavāpsyasi || purī vārāṇasī ramyā sarvasmiñjagatītale

"and having enjoyed abundant pleasures, you shall attain perfection at the end. Of all the cities on this whole earth, the city of Varanasi is loveliest;"

Verse 60 (skanda.4.83.60)

पुण्यस्तत्रापि संभेदः सरितोरसि गंगयोः ।। ततोऽपि च हयग्रीवं तीर्थं चैवाति पुण्यदम्

puṇyastatrāpi saṁbhedaḥ saritorasi gaṁgayoḥ || tato'pi ca hayagrīvaṁ tīrthaṁ caivāti puṇyadam

"and holy within it is the confluence upon the breast of the Ganga; and beyond that, the still more meritorious tirtha of Hayagriva,"

Verse 61 (skanda.4.83.61)

यत्र विष्णुर्हयग्रीवो भक्तचिंतितमर्पयेत् ।। हयग्रीवाच्च वै तीर्थाद्गजतीर्थं विशिष्यते

yatra viṣṇurhayagrīvo bhaktaciṁtitamarpayet || hayagrīvācca vai tīrthādgajatīrthaṁ viśiṣyate

"where Vishnu, as Hayagriva, grants whatever his devotees have in mind; and superior even to the Hayagriva tirtha is the Elephant-tirtha,"

Verse 62 (skanda.4.83.62)

यत्र वै स्नानमात्रेण गजदानफलं लभेत् ।। कोकावराहतीर्थं च पुण्यदं गजतीर्थतः

yatra vai snānamātreṇa gajadānaphalaṁ labhet || kokāvarāhatīrthaṁ ca puṇyadaṁ gajatīrthataḥ

"where by mere bathing one obtains the fruit of the gift of an elephant; and more meritorious than the Elephant-tirtha is Kokavaraha-tirtha,"

Verse 63 (skanda.4.83.63)

कोकावराहमभ्यर्च्य तत्र नो जन्मभाग्जनः ।। अपि कोकावराहाच्च दिलीपेश्वरसन्निधौ

kokāvarāhamabhyarcya tatra no janmabhāgjanaḥ || api kokāvarāhācca dilīpeśvarasannidhau

"worshipping Kokavaraha there, a man is never again subject to birth; and near Dilipeshvara, beyond even Kokavaraha,"

Verse 64 (skanda.4.83.64)

दिलीपतीर्थं सुश्रेष्ठं सद्यः पापहरं परम् ।। ततः सगरतीर्थं च सगरेश समीपतः

dilīpatīrthaṁ suśreṣṭhaṁ sadyaḥ pāpaharaṁ param || tataḥ sagaratīrthaṁ ca sagareśa samīpataḥ

"is the most excellent Dilipa-tirtha, which instantly removes sin; then the tirtha of Sagara, near Sagareshvara,"

Verse 65 (skanda.4.83.65)

यत्र मज्जन्नरो मज्जेन्न भूयो दुःखसागरे ।। सप्तसागरतीर्थं च शुभं सगरतीर्थतः

yatra majjannaro majjenna bhūyo duḥkhasāgare || saptasāgaratīrthaṁ ca śubhaṁ sagaratīrthataḥ

"bathing in which a man never again sinks into the ocean of sorrow; and the auspicious Saptasagara-tirtha, beyond the Sagara-tirtha,"

Verse 66 (skanda.4.83.66)

सप्ताब्धिस्नानजं पुण्यं यत्र स्नात्वा नरो लभेत् ।। महोदधीति विख्यातं तीर्थं सप्ताब्धितीर्थतः

saptābdhisnānajaṁ puṇyaṁ yatra snātvā naro labhet || mahodadhīti vikhyātaṁ tīrthaṁ saptābdhitīrthataḥ

"bathing in which a man obtains the merit born of bathing in all seven seas; and, beyond the Saptasagara-tirtha, the tirtha renowned as Mahodadhi,"

Verse 67 (skanda.4.83.67)

सकृद्यत्राप्लुतो धीमान्दहेदघमहोदधिम् ।। चौरतीर्थं ततः पुण्यं कपिलेश्वर सन्निधौ

sakṛdyatrāpluto dhīmāndahedaghamahodadhim || cauratīrthaṁ tataḥ puṇyaṁ kapileśvara sannidhau

"bathing in which but once, the wise man burns away a very ocean of sin; then the meritorious Chaura-tirtha, near Kapileshvara,"

Verse 68 (skanda.4.83.68)

पापं सुवर्णचौर्यादि यत्र स्नात्वा क्षयं व्रजेत् ।। हंसतीर्थ ततोपीड्यं केदारेश्वर सन्निधौ

pāpaṁ suvarṇacauryādi yatra snātvā kṣayaṁ vrajet || haṁsatīrtha tatopīḍyaṁ kedāreśvara sannidhau

"bathing in which, sins such as the theft of gold are destroyed; and, near Kedareshvara, the venerable Hansa-tirtha,"

Verse 69 (skanda.4.83.69)

हंस स्वरूपी यत्राहं नयामि ब्रह्मदेहिनः

haṁsa svarūpī yatrāhaṁ nayāmi brahmadehinaḥ

where I, in the very form of a swan, lead those devoted to the pursuit of Brahman —

Verse 70 (skanda.4.83.70)

ततस्त्रिभुवनाख्यस्य केशवस्याति पुण्यदम् ।। तीर्थं यत्राप्लुता मर्त्या मर्त्यलोकं विशंति न

tatastribhuvanākhyasya keśavasyāti puṇyadam || tīrthaṁ yatrāplutā martyā martyalokaṁ viśaṁti na

then the most meritorious tirtha of Keshava, called Tribhuvana, bathing in which mortals never again enter the mortal world;

Verse 71 (skanda.4.83.71)

गोव्याघ्रे श्वर तीर्थं च ततोप्यधिकमेव हि ।। स्वभाववैरमुत्सृज्य यत्रोभौ सिद्धिमापतुः

govyāghre śvara tīrthaṁ ca tatopyadhikameva hi || svabhāvavairamutsṛjya yatrobhau siddhimāpatuḥ

and, still greater, Govyaghreshvara-tirtha, where a cow and a tiger, giving up their natural enmity, both attained perfection;

Verse 72 (skanda.4.83.72)

ततोपि हि वरं वीर तीर्थं मांधातुसंज्ञितम् ।। चक्रवर्तिपदं यत्र प्राप्तं तेन महीभुजा

tatopi hi varaṁ vīra tīrthaṁ māṁdhātusaṁjñitam || cakravartipadaṁ yatra prāptaṁ tena mahībhujā

and, more excellent still, O hero, the tirtha called Mandhatu, where that king attained the very rank of universal emperor;

Verse 73 (skanda.4.83.73)

ततोपि मुचुकुंदाख्यं तीर्थं चातीव पुण्यदम् ।। यत्र स्नातो नरो जातु रिपुभिर्नाभिभूयते

tatopi mucukuṁdākhyaṁ tīrthaṁ cātīva puṇyadam || yatra snāto naro jātu ripubhirnābhibhūyate

and, beyond that, the exceedingly meritorious tirtha called Muchukunda, bathing in which a man is never overcome by enemies;

Verse 74 (skanda.4.83.74)

पृथु तीर्थं ततोप्युच्चैः श्रेयसां साधनं परम् ।। पृथ्वीश्वरं यत्र दृष्ट्वा नरः पृथ्वीपतिर्भवेत्

pṛthu tīrthaṁ tatopyuccaiḥ śreyasāṁ sādhanaṁ param || pṛthvīśvaraṁ yatra dṛṣṭvā naraḥ pṛthvīpatirbhavet

and Prithu-tirtha, higher still, the supreme means of every blessing, beholding Prithvishvara at which a man becomes a lord of the earth;

Verse 75 (skanda.4.83.75)

ततः परशुरामस्य तीर्थं चातीव सिद्धिदम् ।। यत्र क्षत्रवधात्पापाज्जामदग्न्यो विमुक्तवान् ।

tataḥ paraśurāmasya tīrthaṁ cātīva siddhidam || yatra kṣatravadhātpāpājjāmadagnyo vimuktavān |

then the exceedingly perfection-granting tirtha of Parashurama, where the son of Jamadagni was freed from the sin of slaying the kshatriyas —

Verse 76 (skanda.4.83.76)

अद्यापि क्षत्रवधजं पापं तत्र प्रणश्यति ।। एकेन स्नानमात्रेण ज्ञानाज्ञानकृतेन च

adyāpi kṣatravadhajaṁ pāpaṁ tatra praṇaśyati || ekena snānamātreṇa jñānājñānakṛtena ca

even today, the sin born of killing kshatriyas is destroyed there by a single bath, whether performed knowingly or unknowingly;

Verse 77 (skanda.4.83.77)

ततोपि श्रेयसां कर्तृ तीर्थं कृष्णाग्रजस्य हि ।। यत्र सूतवधात्पापाद्बलदेवो विमुक्तवान्

tatopi śreyasāṁ kartṛ tīrthaṁ kṛṣṇāgrajasya hi || yatra sūtavadhātpāpādbaladevo vimuktavān

then the blessing-bestowing tirtha of Krishna's elder brother, where Baladeva was freed from the sin of killing a charioteer's son;

Verse 78 (skanda.4.83.78)

दिवोदासस्य वै तीर्थं तत्र राज्ञोऽतिमेधसः ।। तत्र स्नातो नरो जातु न ज्ञानाच्च्यवतेंऽततः

divodāsasya vai tīrthaṁ tatra rājño'timedhasaḥ || tatra snāto naro jātu na jñānāccyavateṁ'tataḥ

the tirtha there of King Divodasa, of exceeding wisdom, bathing in which a man never at all falls away from knowledge;

Verse 79 (skanda.4.83.79)

ततोपि हि महातीर्थं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।। यत्र भागीरथी साक्षान्मूर्तिरूपेण तिष्ठति

tatopi hi mahātīrthaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam || yatra bhāgīrathī sākṣānmūrtirūpeṇa tiṣṭhati

and, beyond that, the great tirtha that destroys all sin, where the Bhagirathi herself abides directly in embodied form;

Verse 80 (skanda.4.83.80)

स्नात्वा भागीरथी तीर्थे कृत्वा श्राद्धं विधानवित् ।। दत्त्वा दानं च पात्रेभ्यो न भूयो गर्भभाग्भवेत्

snātvā bhāgīrathī tīrthe kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ vidhānavit || dattvā dānaṁ ca pātrebhyo na bhūyo garbhabhāgbhavet

one versed in the rites who bathes at that tirtha of the Bhagirathi, performs shraddha, and gives gifts to worthy recipients, never again enters a womb;

Verse 81 (skanda.4.83.81)

हरपापं च भो वीर तीर्थं भागीरथीतटे ।। तत्र स्नात्वा क्षयं यांति महापापकुलान्यपि

harapāpaṁ ca bho vīra tīrthaṁ bhāgīrathītaṭe || tatra snātvā kṣayaṁ yāṁti mahāpāpakulānyapi

and, O hero, the tirtha Harapapa on the bank of the Bhagirathi, bathing in which even entire lineages of great sinners are destroyed;

Verse 82 (skanda.4.83.82)

यो निष्पापेश्वरं लिंगं तत्र पश्यति मानवः ।। निष्पापो जायते वीर स तल्लिंगेक्षणात्क्षणात्

yo niṣpāpeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tatra paśyati mānavaḥ || niṣpāpo jāyate vīra sa talliṁgekṣaṇātkṣaṇāt

whatever man beholds there the linga of Nishpapeshvara becomes, O hero, sinless in that very instant of beholding that linga;

Verse 83 (skanda.4.83.83)

दशाश्वमेधतीर्थं च ततोपि प्रवरं मतम् ।। दशानामश्वमेधानां यत्र स्नात्वा फलं लभेत्

daśāśvamedhatīrthaṁ ca tatopi pravaraṁ matam || daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ yatra snātvā phalaṁ labhet

and, held to be still more excellent, Dashashvamedha-tirtha, bathing in which one obtains the fruit of ten horse-sacrifices;

Verse 84 (skanda.4.83.84)

ततोपि शुभदं वीर बंदीतीर्थं प्रचक्षते ।। यत्र स्नातो नरो मुच्येदपि संसारबंधनात्

tatopi śubhadaṁ vīra baṁdītīrthaṁ pracakṣate || yatra snāto naro mucyedapi saṁsārabaṁdhanāt

and, still more auspicious, O hero, is what is called Bandi-tirtha, bathing in which a man is freed even from the bondage of worldly existence.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.83.85)

हिरण्याक्षेण दैत्येन बहुशो देवताः पुरा ।। बंदीकृता निगडिता स्तुष्टुवुर्जगदंबिकाम्

hiraṇyākṣeṇa daityena bahuśo devatāḥ purā || baṁdīkṛtā nigaḍitā stuṣṭuvurjagadaṁbikām

Long ago, the gods, taken captive and shackled many times over by the demon Hiranyaksha, praised the mother of the universe;

Verse 86 (skanda.4.83.86)

ततो विशृंखलीभूतैर्वंदिता यज्जगज्जनिः ।। तदा प्रभृति बंदीति गीयतेद्यापि मानवैः

tato viśṛṁkhalībhūtairvaṁditā yajjagajjaniḥ || tadā prabhṛti baṁdīti gīyatedyāpi mānavaiḥ

freed of their fetters, they praised the mother of the world — and from that time on, it has been sung by men, even to this day, as "Bandi".

Verse 87 (skanda.4.83.87)

बंदीतीर्थस्तु तत्रैव महानिगडखंडनम् ।। तत्र स्नातो विमुच्येत सर्वस्मात्कर्मपाशतः

baṁdītīrthastu tatraiva mahānigaḍakhaṁḍanam || tatra snāto vimucyeta sarvasmātkarmapāśataḥ

Bandi-tirtha, right there, breaks even the greatest of shackles; bathing there, one is released from every noose of karma.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.83.88)

बंदीतीर्थं महाश्रेष्ठं काशिपुर्यां विशांपते ।। तत्र स्नातो नरो यायाद्विमुक्तिं देव्यनुग्रहात्

baṁdītīrthaṁ mahāśreṣṭhaṁ kāśipuryāṁ viśāṁpate || tatra snāto naro yāyādvimuktiṁ devyanugrahāt

Bandi-tirtha is the very greatest in the city of Kashi, O lord of the people; a man who bathes there attains liberation through the goddess's grace.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.83.89)

ततोपि हि श्रेष्ठतरं प्रयागमिति विश्रुतम् ।। प्रयागमाधवो यत्र सर्वयागफलप्रदः

tatopi hi śreṣṭhataraṁ prayāgamiti viśrutam || prayāgamādhavo yatra sarvayāgaphalapradaḥ

And still more excellent is what is renowned as Prayaga, where Prayaga-Madhava grants the fruit of every sacrifice;

Verse 90 (skanda.4.83.90)

क्षोणीवराहतीर्थं च ततोपि शुभदं परम् ।। तत्र स्नातो नरो जातु तिर्यग्योनिं न गच्छति

kṣoṇīvarāhatīrthaṁ ca tatopi śubhadaṁ param || tatra snāto naro jātu tiryagyoniṁ na gacchati

and, more auspicious still, Kshonivaraha-tirtha, bathing in which a man never falls into an animal birth;

Verse 91 (skanda.4.83.91)

ततः कालेश्वरं तीर्थं वीरश्रेष्ठतरं परम् ।। कलिकालौ न बाधेते यत्र स्नातं नरोत्तमम्

tataḥ kāleśvaraṁ tīrthaṁ vīraśreṣṭhataraṁ param || kalikālau na bādhete yatra snātaṁ narottamam

then, O hero, the still more excellent tirtha of Kaleshvara, whose bathers, O best of men, are untroubled by both Kali and Time itself;

Verse 92 (skanda.4.83.92)

अशोकतीर्थं तत्रैव ततोप्यतितरां शुभम् ।। यत्र स्नातो नरो जातु नापतेच्छोकसागरे

aśokatīrthaṁ tatraiva tatopyatitarāṁ śubham || yatra snāto naro jātu nāpatecchokasāgare

and, more auspicious still, right there, Ashoka-tirtha, bathing in which a man never falls into the ocean of sorrow;

Verse 93 (skanda.4.83.93)

ततोति निर्मलतरं शुक्रतीर्थं नृपांगज ।। शुक्रद्वारा न जायेत यत्र स्नातो नरोत्तमः

tatoti nirmalataraṁ śukratīrthaṁ nṛpāṁgaja || śukradvārā na jāyeta yatra snāto narottamaḥ

still more pure, O prince, is Shukra-tirtha, bathing in which the best of men is never again born through the seed-gate;

Verse 94 (skanda.4.83.94)

ततोऽपि पुण्यदं राजन्भवानीतीर्थमुत्तमम् ।। यत्र स्नात्वा भवानीशौ दृष्ट्वा नैव पुनर्भवेत्

tato'pi puṇyadaṁ rājanbhavānītīrthamuttamam || yatra snātvā bhavānīśau dṛṣṭvā naiva punarbhavet

and, more meritorious still, O king, the excellent Bhavani-tirtha, bathing at which and beholding Bhavani and her Lord, one never undergoes rebirth again;

Verse 95 (skanda.4.83.95)

प्रभासतीर्थं विख्यातं ततोपि शुभदं नृणाम् ।। सोमेश्वरस्य पुरतस्तत्र स्नातो न गर्भभाक्

prabhāsatīrthaṁ vikhyātaṁ tatopi śubhadaṁ nṛṇām || someśvarasya puratastatra snāto na garbhabhāk

and the renowned Prabhasa-tirtha, more auspicious still for men, before Someshvara, bathing at which one is never bound to a womb again;

Verse 96 (skanda.4.83.96)

ततो गरुडतीर्थं च संसारविषनाशनम् ।। गरुडेशं समभ्यर्च्य तत्र स्नात्वा न शोचति

tato garuḍatīrthaṁ ca saṁsāraviṣanāśanam || garuḍeśaṁ samabhyarcya tatra snātvā na śocati

then Garuda-tirtha, which destroys the very poison of worldly existence — worshipping Garudesha and bathing there, one grieves no more;

Verse 97 (skanda.4.83.97)

ब्रह्मतीर्थं ततः पुण्यं वीरब्रह्मेश्वरात्पुरः ।। ब्रह्मविद्यामवाप्नोति तत्र स्नानेन मानवः

brahmatīrthaṁ tataḥ puṇyaṁ vīrabrahmeśvarātpuraḥ || brahmavidyāmavāpnoti tatra snānena mānavaḥ

then the meritorious Brahma-tirtha, before Vira-Brahmeshvara, bathing at which a man obtains the very knowledge of Brahman;

Verse 98 (skanda.4.83.98)

ततो वृद्धार्कतीर्थं च विधितीर्थं ततः परम् ।। तत्राप्लुतो नरो याति रविलोकं सुनिर्मलम्

tato vṛddhārkatīrthaṁ ca vidhitīrthaṁ tataḥ param || tatrāpluto naro yāti ravilokaṁ sunirmalam

then Vriddharka-tirtha, and, beyond it, Vidhi-tirtha, bathing at which a man goes to the most pure world of the Sun;

Verse 99 (skanda.4.83.99)

ततो नृसिंहतीर्थं च महाभयनिवारणम् ।। कालादपि कुतस्तत्र स्नात्वा परिबिभेति च

tato nṛsiṁhatīrthaṁ ca mahābhayanivāraṇam || kālādapi kutastatra snātvā paribibheti ca

then Nrisimha-tirtha, which removes even great fear — bathing there, how could one fear even Time itself?

Verse 100 (skanda.4.83.100)

ततोपि पुण्यदं नृणां तीर्थं चित्ररथेश्वरम् ।। यत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च चित्रगुप्तं न पश्यति ।।4.2.83.१ ० ०।। धर्मतीर्थं ततः पुण्यं धर्मेश पुरतः स्थितम् ।। तत्र श्राद्धदिकं कृत्वा पितॄणामनृणो भवेत्

tatopi puṇyadaṁ nṛṇāṁ tīrthaṁ citraratheśvaram || yatra snātvā ca dattvā ca citraguptaṁ na paśyati ||4.2.83.1 0 0|| dharmatīrthaṁ tataḥ puṇyaṁ dharmeśa purataḥ sthitam || tatra śrāddhadikaṁ kṛtvā pitṝṇāmanṛṇo bhavet

and, more meritorious still for men, the tirtha of Chitrarathesvara, bathing and giving gifts at which, one never has to face Chitragupta; then the meritorious Dharma-tirtha, standing before Dharmesha, performing shraddha and the like there, one becomes free of the debt owed to one's ancestors;

Verse 101 (skanda.4.83.101)

विशालतीर्थं विमलं विशालफलदं ततः ।। तत्र स्नात्वा विशालाक्षी दृष्ट्वा गर्भेन जायते

viśālatīrthaṁ vimalaṁ viśālaphaladaṁ tataḥ || tatra snātvā viśālākṣī dṛṣṭvā garbhena jāyate

the pure Vishala-tirtha, granter of abundant fruit — bathing there and beholding Vishalakshi, a woman conceives an auspicious child;

Verse 102 (skanda.4.83.102)

जरासंधेश तीर्थं च जरासंधेशसन्निधौ ।। संसारज्वरपीडाभिस्तत्र स्नातो न मुह्यति

jarāsaṁdheśa tīrthaṁ ca jarāsaṁdheśasannidhau || saṁsārajvarapīḍābhistatra snāto na muhyati

and Jarasandhesha-tirtha, near Jarasandhesha, bathing at which one is never afflicted by the fevered pains of worldly existence;

Verse 103 (skanda.4.83.103)

ततोऽपि ललितातीर्थं महासौभाग्यवर्धनम् ।। स्नात्वार्चयित्वा ललितां न दरिद्रो न दुःखभाक्

tato'pi lalitātīrthaṁ mahāsaubhāgyavardhanam || snātvārcayitvā lalitāṁ na daridro na duḥkhabhāk

and, more still, Lalita-tirtha, which greatly increases good fortune — bathing and worshipping Lalita there, one is never poor, never afflicted by sorrow;

Verse 104 (skanda.4.83.104)

ततो गौतमतीर्थं च सर्वपापविशोधनम् ।। स्नात्वा पिंडान्विनिर्वाप्य यत्र शोचति न क्वचित्

tato gautamatīrthaṁ ca sarvapāpaviśodhanam || snātvā piṁḍānvinirvāpya yatra śocati na kvacit

then Gautama-tirtha, which purifies every sin — bathing and offering pindas there, one grieves nowhere at all;

Verse 105 (skanda.4.83.105)

गंगाकेशवतीर्थं च तीर्थं चागस्त्य संज्ञकम् ।। ततस्तु योगिनीतीर्थं त्रिसंध्याख्यं ततः परम्

gaṁgākeśavatīrthaṁ ca tīrthaṁ cāgastya saṁjñakam || tatastu yoginītīrthaṁ trisaṁdhyākhyaṁ tataḥ param

then Ganga-Keshava-tirtha, and the tirtha called Agastya; then Yogini-tirtha, and, beyond it, the one called Trisandhya;

Verse 106 (skanda.4.83.106)

ततस्तु नार्मदं तीर्थं तत आरुंधतेयकम् ।। वासिष्ठं च ततस्तीर्थं मार्कंण्डेयमनुत्तमम्

tatastu nārmadaṁ tīrthaṁ tata āruṁdhateyakam || vāsiṣṭhaṁ ca tatastīrthaṁ mārkaṁṇḍeyamanuttamam

then Narmada-tirtha, then Arundhateya-tirtha, then Vasishtha-tirtha, and the unsurpassed Markandeya-tirtha —

Verse 107 (skanda.4.83.107)

ज्ञेयान्येतानि तीर्थानि पुण्यदान्युत्तरोत्तरम ।। खुरकर्तरि संज्ञं च ततस्तीर्थमनुत्तमम्

jñeyānyetāni tīrthāni puṇyadānyuttarottarama || khurakartari saṁjñaṁ ca tatastīrthamanuttamam

all these tirthas should be known, each granting more merit than the last; then the unsurpassed tirtha called Khurakartari,

Verse 108 (skanda.4.83.108)

तत्र श्राद्धादिकरणान्नरोमुच्येत किल्बिषैः ।। ततो भगीरथं तीर्थं राजर्षेरतिपुण्यदम्

tatra śrāddhādikaraṇānnaromucyeta kilbiṣaiḥ || tato bhagīrathaṁ tīrthaṁ rājarṣeratipuṇyadam

by performing shraddha and the like there, a man is freed of his sins; then the exceedingly meritorious Bhagiratha-tirtha, of that royal sage,

Verse 109 (skanda.4.83.109)

तत्राल्पमपि यच्छेद्यत्कल्पांतेप्यक्षयं हि तत् ।। एतेभ्योपि हि तीर्थेभ्यो लिंगकोटित्रयादपि

tatrālpamapi yacchedyatkalpāṁtepyakṣayaṁ hi tat || etebhyopi hi tīrthebhyo liṁgakoṭitrayādapi

whatever, however small, is given there remains imperishable even until the end of the world-cycle. And more excellent than all these tirthas, and more than thirty million lingas,

Verse 110 (skanda.4.83.110)

वीरवीरेश्वरं लिंगं महाश्रेष्ठं भविष्यति ।। वीरतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा वीरेशं परिपूज्य च

vīravīreśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ mahāśreṣṭhaṁ bhaviṣyati || vīratīrthe naraḥ snātvā vīreśaṁ paripūjya ca

this linga of Vira-Vireshvara shall be the very greatest. A man who bathes at Vira-tirtha and duly worships Vireshvara —

Verse 111 (skanda.4.83.111)

तीर्थेष्वेतेषु सर्वेषु स्नातो भवति नान्यथा ।। यस्तु वीरेश्वरं लिंगं नक्तमभ्यर्चयिप्यति ।। तेन त्रिकोटिसंख्यानि लिंगानीहार्चितानि वै

tīrtheṣveteṣu sarveṣu snāto bhavati nānyathā || yastu vīreśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ naktamabhyarcayipyati || tena trikoṭisaṁkhyāni liṁgānīhārcitāni vai

— becomes, thereby, as one who has bathed in all these tirthas, and in no other way. Whoever shall worship the linga of Vireshvara at night, by him thirty million lingas are truly worshipped here.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.83.112)

यस्तु कामयते लक्ष्मीं मुक्तिदां भुक्तिदामपि ।। तेन वीरेश्वरं लिंगं संसेव्यमतियत्नतः

yastu kāmayate lakṣmīṁ muktidāṁ bhuktidāmapi || tena vīreśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ saṁsevyamatiyatnataḥ

Whoever desires that Lakshmi which grants both liberation and enjoyment should serve the linga of Vireshvara with the utmost effort.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.83.113)

विधायैकं जागरणं नरो वीरेशमर्चयन् ।। भूतायां नैव गृह्णाति शरीरं पांचभौतिकम्

vidhāyaikaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ naro vīreśamarcayan || bhūtāyāṁ naiva gṛhṇāti śarīraṁ pāṁcabhautikam

A man who keeps even a single night-vigil worshipping Vireshvara never again takes on a body made of the five elements.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.83.114)

इदं लिंगं सदाभ्यर्च्यं सिद्धैः संसिद्धिकामुकैः ।। ऐहिकामुष्मिकान्यस्मात्सर्वान्कामान्समर्थयेत्

idaṁ liṁgaṁ sadābhyarcyaṁ siddhaiḥ saṁsiddhikāmukaiḥ || aihikāmuṣmikānyasmātsarvānkāmānsamarthayet

This linga is ever to be worshipped by siddhas desiring perfection, for from it one obtains fulfilment of every desire, both of this world and the next.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.83.115)

पंचामृतेन स्नपनं यः करिष्यति मानवः ।। पलेपले फलं तस्य वीरेशे घटकोटिजम्

paṁcāmṛtena snapanaṁ yaḥ kariṣyati mānavaḥ || palepale phalaṁ tasya vīreśe ghaṭakoṭijam

Whatever man bathes it with the five nectars, for every ounce he pours, at Vireshvara, obtains the fruit born of ten million potfuls elsewhere.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.83.116)

यदन्यत्र फलं लिंगे कोटिपुष्प प्रदानतः ।। तदेकेनैव पुष्पेण वीरेशे नात्र संशयः

yadanyatra phalaṁ liṁge koṭipuṣpa pradānataḥ || tadekenaiva puṣpeṇa vīreśe nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whatever fruit is gained elsewhere at a linga by offering ten million flowers, that same fruit is gained at Vireshvara with a single flower — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.83.117)

एकामप्याहुतिं दत्त्वा वीरेश्वरसमीपतः ।। कोटिहोमफलं सम्यङ्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

ekāmapyāhutiṁ dattvā vīreśvarasamīpataḥ || koṭihomaphalaṁ samyaṅnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Offering even a single oblation near Vireshvara truly grants the fruit of ten million fire-offerings — no doubt need be entertained about this.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.83.118)

सिक्थेसिक्थे च नैवैद्यै कोटिसिक्थफलं भवेत् ।। अत्यल्पमपि वीरेशे कृतमक्षयतां व्रजेत्

sikthesikthe ca naivaidyai koṭisikthaphalaṁ bhavet || atyalpamapi vīreśe kṛtamakṣayatāṁ vrajet

For every single grain offered as naivedya, the fruit of ten million grains results; whatever, however small, is done at Vireshvara becomes imperishable.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.83.119)

अप्येकं यो महारुद्रं जपेद्वीरेश सन्निधौ ।। जापयेद्वा भवेत्तस्य कोटिरुद्रफलं ध्रुवम्

apyekaṁ yo mahārudraṁ japedvīreśa sannidhau || jāpayedvā bhavettasya koṭirudraphalaṁ dhruvam

Whoever recites even a single Mahārudra near Vireshvara, or has it recited, certainly obtains the fruit of ten million Rudra-recitations.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.83.120)

व्रतोत्सर्गादि वीरेशे यत्कृतं व्रतिभिर्नृभिः ।। तत्कोटिगुणसंख्याकं भवत्येव न संशयः

vratotsargādi vīreśe yatkṛtaṁ vratibhirnṛbhiḥ || tatkoṭiguṇasaṁkhyākaṁ bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

Whatever vow, its concluding rite, and the like is performed at Vireshvara by vow-observing men, that becomes multiplied ten million times over, without doubt.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.83.121)

कृता अष्टौ नमस्कारा येन वीरेश्वराग्रतः ।। अष्टकोटि नमस्कारफलं तस्य न संशयः

kṛtā aṣṭau namaskārā yena vīreśvarāgrataḥ || aṣṭakoṭi namaskāraphalaṁ tasya na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever offers eight prostrations before Vireshvara obtains, without doubt, the fruit of eighty million prostrations.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.83.122)

सर्वासां संपदां स्थानमिदं लिंगं भविष्यति ।। वीरश्वेरं न संदेहो वीर मे वरदानतः

sarvāsāṁ saṁpadāṁ sthānamidaṁ liṁgaṁ bhaviṣyati || vīraśveraṁ na saṁdeho vīra me varadānataḥ

This linga, Vireshvara, shall become, by my very boon, O hero, the abode of every kind of fortune — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.83.123)

ज्ञानमुत्पत्स्यते पुंसां तारकाख्यं ममाज्ञया ।। जीवतामेव तत्सेव्यमेतल्लिंगं शुभार्थिभिः

jñānamutpatsyate puṁsāṁ tārakākhyaṁ mamājñayā || jīvatāmeva tatsevyametalliṁgaṁ śubhārthibhiḥ

By my very command, the liberating knowledge called Taraka shall arise in men; this linga is to be served, by those who seek their welfare, while they still live.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.83.124)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा पुनः प्राह वीरो मित्रजितः सुतः ।। प्रणम्य देवदेवेशं परिपूर्णमनोरथः

etacchrutvā punaḥ prāha vīro mitrajitaḥ sutaḥ || praṇamya devadeveśaṁ paripūrṇamanorathaḥ

Hearing this, that heroic son of Mitrajit, his heart's desire now fully satisfied, bowed to the god of gods and spoke again:

Verse 125 (skanda.4.83.125)

तीर्थान्येतानि देवेश यान्युक्तानि ममाग्रतः ।। कृपया पुनरप्येव तदन्यानि वद प्रभो

tīrthānyetāni deveśa yānyuktāni mamāgrataḥ || kṛpayā punarapyeva tadanyāni vada prabho

"O lord of gods, these tirthas which have been told before me — out of grace, tell me, once more, of the others too, O Lord."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.83.126)

आदिकेशवमारभ्य तत्तीर्थाच्च भगीरथात् ।। येषां श्रवणमात्रेण निष्पापो जायते नरः

ādikeśavamārabhya tattīrthācca bhagīrathāt || yeṣāṁ śravaṇamātreṇa niṣpāpo jāyate naraḥ

"— beginning from Adikeshava up to the tirtha of Bhagiratha — those, by mere hearing of which, a man becomes sinless."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.83.127)

इति श्रुत्वा महेशानो महीप तनयोदितम् ।। पुनस्तीर्थानि गंगायां वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे

iti śrutvā maheśāno mahīpa tanayoditam || punastīrthāni gaṁgāyāṁ vaktuṁ samupacakrame

Hearing this request of the king's son, the great Lord began once again to speak of the tirthas along the Ganga.