Durvasa's Boon: The Manifestation of Kameshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.85.1)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। जगज्जनन्याः पार्वत्याः पुरोगस्ते पुरारिणा ।। यथाख्यायि कथा पुण्या तथा ते कथयाम्यहम्

|| skaṁda uvāca || || jagajjananyāḥ pārvatyāḥ purogaste purāriṇā || yathākhyāyi kathā puṇyā tathā te kathayāmyaham

Skanda said: As, long ago, O Agastya, the holy story was told by Purari to Parvati, mother of the universe, so I shall tell it to you.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.85.2)

पुरा महीमिमां सर्वां ससमुद्राद्रिकाननाम् ।। ससरित्कां सार्णवां च सग्रामपुरपत्तनाम्

purā mahīmimāṁ sarvāṁ sasamudrādrikānanām || sasaritkāṁ sārṇavāṁ ca sagrāmapurapattanām

Long ago, having wandered over this entire earth, with its oceans, mountains, and forests, its rivers and seas, its villages, towns, and cities,

Verse 3 (skanda.4.85.3)

परिभ्रम्य महातेजा महामर्षो महातपाः ।। दुर्वासाः संपरिप्राप्तः शंभोरानंदकाननम्

paribhramya mahātejā mahāmarṣo mahātapāḥ || durvāsāḥ saṁpariprāptaḥ śaṁbhorānaṁdakānanam

that greatly radiant, greatly irascible, greatly austere sage Durvasa arrived at Shambhu's Anandavana.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.85.4)

विलोक्याक्रीडमखिलं बहुप्रासादमंडितम्।। बहुकुंडतडागं च शंभोस्तोषमुपागमत्।।। पदेपदे मुनीनां च जितकाल महाभियाम् ।। दृष्टोटजानि रम्याणि दुर्वासा विस्मितोभवत्।।

vilokyākrīḍamakhilaṁ bahuprāsādamaṁḍitam|| bahukuṁḍataḍāgaṁ ca śaṁbhostoṣamupāgamat||| padepade munīnāṁ ca jitakāla mahābhiyām || dṛṣṭoṭajāni ramyāṇi durvāsā vismitobhavat||

Beholding that entire pleasure-ground, adorned with many temples, with many pools and tanks, he came to feel the very delight of Shambhu; and, seeing at every step the lovely hermitages of sages who had conquered the great terror of time, Durvasa was filled with wonder.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.85.5)

सर्वर्तुकुसुमान्वृक्षान्सुच्छायस्निग्धपल्लवान् ।। सफलान्सुलताश्लिष्टान्दृष्ट्वा प्रीतिमगान्मुनिः

sarvartukusumānvṛkṣānsucchāyasnigdhapallavān || saphalānsulatāśliṣṭāndṛṣṭvā prītimagānmuniḥ

Seeing trees flowering in every season, of lovely shade and glossy leaves, laden with fruit, embraced by lovely creepers, the sage was filled with delight.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.85.6)

दुर्वासाश्चातिहृष्टोभू्द्दृष्ट्वा पाशुपतोत्तमान् ।। भूतिभूषितसर्वांगाञ्जटाजटितमौलिकान्

durvāsāścātihṛṣṭobhūddṛṣṭvā pāśupatottamān || bhūtibhūṣitasarvāṁgāñjaṭājaṭitamaulikān

Durvasa became exceedingly delighted, seeing the finest Pashupatas, their entire bodies adorned with sacred ash, their crowns matted with tangled locks,

Verse 7 (skanda.4.85.7)

कौपीनमात्र वसनान्स्मरारि ध्यान तत्परान् ।। कक्षीकृतमहालाबून्हुडुत्कारजितांबुदान्

kaupīnamātra vasanānsmarāri dhyāna tatparān || kakṣīkṛtamahālābūnhuḍutkārajitāṁbudān

clad only in loincloths, intent on meditation upon the enemy of Kama, carrying great gourds under their arms, whose loud shouts conquered the very thunderclouds,

Verse 8 (skanda.4.85.8)

करंडदंडपानीय पात्रमात्रपरिग्रहान् ।। क्वचित्त्रिदंडिनो दृष्ट्वा निःसंगा निष्परिग्रहान्

karaṁḍadaṁḍapānīya pātramātraparigrahān || kvacittridaṁḍino dṛṣṭvā niḥsaṁgā niṣparigrahān

their only possessions a basket, a staff, and a water-vessel; and, seeing here and there triple-staff-bearing ascetics, unattached, possessing nothing,

Verse 9 (skanda.4.85.9)

कालादपि निरातंकान्विश्वेशशरणं गतान् ।। क्वचिद्वेदरहस्यज्ञानाबाल्यब्रह्मचारिणः

kālādapi nirātaṁkānviśveśaśaraṇaṁ gatān || kvacidvedarahasyajñānābālyabrahmacāriṇaḥ

fearless even of Death, having taken refuge in Vishvesha; and, here and there, celibates from childhood, knowers of the secret meaning of the Vedas,

Verse 10 (skanda.4.85.10)

नित्यं भागीरथीस्नानपरिपिंगलमूर्धजान्

nityaṁ bhāgīrathīsnānaparipiṁgalamūrdhajān

their matted hair ever tawny from constant bathing in the Bhagirathi —

Verse 11 (skanda.4.85.11)

विलोक्य काश्यां दुर्वासा ब्राह्मणान्मुमुदेतराम्

vilokya kāśyāṁ durvāsā brāhmaṇānmumudetarām

seeing such brahmins at Kashi, Durvasa rejoiced exceedingly.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.85.12)

पशुष्वपि च या तुष्टिर्मृगेष्वपि च या द्युतिः ।। तिर्यक्ष्वपि च या हृष्टिः काश्यां नान्यत्र सा स्फुटम्

paśuṣvapi ca yā tuṣṭirmṛgeṣvapi ca yā dyutiḥ || tiryakṣvapi ca yā hṛṣṭiḥ kāśyāṁ nānyatra sā sphuṭam

That contentment found even in the cattle, that very radiance found even in the deer, that very joy found even in the animals of Kashi — clearly, that is found nowhere else.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.85.13)

इदं सुश्रेयसो व्युष्टिः क्वामरेषु त्रिविष्टपे ।। यत्रत्येष्वपि तिर्यक्षु परमानंदवर्धिनी

idaṁ suśreyaso vyuṣṭiḥ kvāmareṣu triviṣṭape || yatratyeṣvapi tiryakṣu paramānaṁdavardhinī

This is the very flowering of supreme blessing — where, even among the gods in heaven, is there such contentment as even the animals here possess, which increases supreme bliss?

Verse 14 (skanda.4.85.14)

वरमेतेपि पशव आनंदवनचारिणः ।। सदानंदाः पुनर्देवाननंदनवनाश्रिताः

varametepi paśava ānaṁdavanacāriṇaḥ || sadānaṁdāḥ punardevānanaṁdanavanāśritāḥ

Better indeed are these animals who roam Anandavana, ever blissful, than the gods who dwell in Nandana, Indra's pleasure-garden.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.85.15)

वरं काशीपुरीवासी म्लेच्छोपि हि शुभायतिः ।। नान्यत्रत्यो दीक्षितोपि स हि मुक्तेरभाजनम्

varaṁ kāśīpurīvāsī mlecchopi hi śubhāyatiḥ || nānyatratyo dīkṣitopi sa hi mukterabhājanam

Better indeed is even an outcaste dwelling in the city of Kashi, of blessed destiny, than one initiated but living elsewhere — for he alone is truly fit for liberation.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.85.16)

वैश्वेश्वरी पुरी चैषा यथा मे चित्तहारिणी ।। सर्वापि न तथा क्षोणी न स्वर्गो नैव नागभूः

vaiśveśvarī purī caiṣā yathā me cittahāriṇī || sarvāpi na tathā kṣoṇī na svargo naiva nāgabhūḥ

This city of Vishveshvara has stolen my heart as no other place has — not the whole earth, not heaven, not even the world of the nagas.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.85.17)

स्थैर्यं बबंध न क्वापि भ्रमतो मे मनोगतिः ।। सर्वस्मिन्नपि भूभागे यथा स्थैर्यमगादिह

sthairyaṁ babaṁdha na kvāpi bhramato me manogatiḥ || sarvasminnapi bhūbhāge yathā sthairyamagādiha

As I wandered, my mind's course found stability nowhere else, in any region of the earth, as it has found stability here.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.85.18)

रम्या पुरी भवेदेषा ब्रह्मांडादखिलादपि ।। परिष्टुत्येति दुर्वासाश्चेतोवृत्तिमवाप ह

ramyā purī bhavedeṣā brahmāṁḍādakhilādapi || pariṣṭutyeti durvāsāścetovṛttimavāpa ha

"This city is more lovely than the entire universe itself" — so praising it, Durvasa attained a settled state of mind.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.85.19)

तप्यमानोपि हि तपः सुचिरं स महातपाः।। यदा नाप फलं किंचिच्चुकोप च तदा भृशम्

tapyamānopi hi tapaḥ suciraṁ sa mahātapāḥ|| yadā nāpa phalaṁ kiṁciccukopa ca tadā bhṛśam

Yet that greatly austere one, though performing austerity there for a very long time, when he obtained no fruit at all from it, then became exceedingly angry.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.85.20)

धिक्च मां तापसं दुष्टं धिक्च मे दुश्चरं तपः ।। धिक्च क्षेत्रमिदं शंभोः सर्वेषां च प्रतारकम्

dhikca māṁ tāpasaṁ duṣṭaṁ dhikca me duścaraṁ tapaḥ || dhikca kṣetramidaṁ śaṁbhoḥ sarveṣāṁ ca pratārakam

"Shame on me, a wicked ascetic! Shame on my hard-won austerity! And shame on this field of Shambhu, deceiver of everyone!"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.85.21)

यथा न मुक्तिरत्र स्यात्कस्यापि करवै तथा ।। इति शप्तुं यदोद्युक्तः संजहास तदा शिवः

yathā na muktiratra syātkasyāpi karavai tathā || iti śaptuṁ yadodyuktaḥ saṁjahāsa tadā śivaḥ

"I shall so act that liberation shall never be possible here for anyone" — as he was about to utter this curse, Shiva then laughed.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.85.22)

तत्र लिंगमभूदेकं ख्यातं प्रहसितेश्वरम् ।। तल्लिंगदर्शनात्पुंसामानंदः स्यात्पदेपदे

tatra liṁgamabhūdekaṁ khyātaṁ prahasiteśvaram || talliṁgadarśanātpuṁsāmānaṁdaḥ syātpadepade

There a single linga came into being, renowned as Prahasiteshvara; by the sight of that linga, men experience bliss at every step.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.85.23)

उवाच विस्मयाविष्टो मनस्येव महेशिता ।। ईदृशेभ्यस्तपस्विभ्यो नमोस्त्विति पुनःपुनः

uvāca vismayāviṣṭo manasyeva maheśitā || īdṛśebhyastapasvibhyo namostviti punaḥpunaḥ

Filled with astonishment, the great Lord said within his own mind, again and again: "Salutation to ascetics such as this one!"

Verse 24 (skanda.4.85.24)

यत्रैव हि तपस्यंति यत्रैव विहिताश्रमाः ।। लब्धप्रतिष्ठा यत्रैव तत्रैवामर्षिणो द्विजाः

yatraiva hi tapasyaṁti yatraiva vihitāśramāḥ || labdhapratiṣṭhā yatraiva tatraivāmarṣiṇo dvijāḥ

"Wherever they perform austerity, wherever their hermitages are established, wherever they have gained their standing — right there, such brahmins are quick to anger."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.85.25)

मनाक्चिंतितमात्रं तु चेल्लभंते न तापसाः ।। क्रुधा तदैव जीयंते हारिण्या तपसां श्रियः

manākciṁtitamātraṁ tu cellabhaṁte na tāpasāḥ || krudhā tadaiva jīyaṁte hāriṇyā tapasāṁ śriyaḥ

"If ascetics fail to obtain even the slightest thing they had in mind, then at once they are overcome by an anger that steals away the very glory of their austerity."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.85.26)

तथापि तापसा मान्याः स्वश्रेयोवृद्धिकांक्षिभिः ।। अक्रोधनाः क्रोधना वा का चिंता हि तपस्विनाम्

tathāpi tāpasā mānyāḥ svaśreyovṛddhikāṁkṣibhiḥ || akrodhanāḥ krodhanā vā kā ciṁtā hi tapasvinām

"Even so, ascetics are to be honoured by those who desire the growth of their own welfare — whether free of anger or prone to anger, what does it matter regarding ascetics?"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.85.27)

इति यावन्महेशानो मनस्येव विचिंतयेत् ।। तावत्तत्क्रोधजो वह्निर्व्यानशे व्योममंडलम्

iti yāvanmaheśāno manasyeva viciṁtayet || tāvattatkrodhajo vahnirvyānaśe vyomamaṁḍalam

While the great Lord was thus reflecting within his own mind, the fire born of that anger pervaded the very expanse of the sky.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.85.28)

तत्कोधानलधूमोघैर्व्यापितं यन्नभोंगणम् ।। तद्दधाति नभोद्यापि नीलिमानं महत्तरम्

tatkodhānaladhūmoghairvyāpitaṁ yannabhoṁgaṇam || taddadhāti nabhodyāpi nīlimānaṁ mahattaram

That expanse of the sky, pervaded by the billowing smoke of that fire of anger, bears even to this day a deeper blue colour because of it.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.85.29)

ततो गणाः परिक्षुब्धाः प्रलयार्णव नीरवत् ।। आः किमेतत्किमेतद्वै भाषमाणाः परस्परम्

tato gaṇāḥ parikṣubdhāḥ pralayārṇava nīravat || āḥ kimetatkimetadvai bhāṣamāṇāḥ parasparam

Then Shiva's attendants, agitated like the waters of the ocean at doomsday, cried out to one another: "Ah! What is this? What is this?"

Verse 30 (skanda.4.85.30)

गर्जंतस्तर्जयंतश्च प्रोद्यता युधपाणयः ।। प्रमथाः परितस्थुस्ते परितो धाम शांभवम्

garjaṁtastarjayaṁtaśca prodyatā yudhapāṇayaḥ || pramathāḥ paritasthuste parito dhāma śāṁbhavam

Roaring and threatening, weapons raised in their hands, those Pramathas surrounded the very abode of Shambhu.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.85.31)

को यमः कोथवा कालः को मृत्युः कस्तथांतकः।। को वा विधाता के लेखाः कुद्धेष्वस्मासु कः परः

ko yamaḥ kothavā kālaḥ ko mṛtyuḥ kastathāṁtakaḥ|| ko vā vidhātā ke lekhāḥ kuddheṣvasmāsu kaḥ paraḥ

"Who is Yama, or who is Time? Who is Death, and who is the Ender? Who is even the Creator, and what are his decrees, once we are enraged — who else matters?"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.85.32)

अग्निं पिबामो जलवच्चूर्णीकुर्मोखिलान्गिरीन् ।। सप्तापि चार्णवांस्तूर्णं करवाम मरुस्थलीम्

agniṁ pibāmo jalavaccūrṇīkurmokhilāngirīn || saptāpi cārṇavāṁstūrṇaṁ karavāma marusthalīm

"Let us drink fire as if it were water! Let us pulverize all the mountains! Let us swiftly turn even the seven oceans into a desert!"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.85.33)

पातालं चानयामोर्ध्वमधो दध्मोथवा दिवम् ।। एकमेव हि वा ग्रासं गगनं करवामहे

pātālaṁ cānayāmordhvamadho dadhmothavā divam || ekameva hi vā grāsaṁ gaganaṁ karavāmahe

"Let us bring Patala up above, and cast heaven down below! Or let us make the whole sky a single mouthful!"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.85.34)

ब्रह्मांडभांडमथवा स्फोटयामः क्षणेन हि ।। आस्फालयामो वान्योन्यं कालं मृत्युं च तालवत्

brahmāṁḍabhāṁḍamathavā sphoṭayāmaḥ kṣaṇena hi || āsphālayāmo vānyonyaṁ kālaṁ mṛtyuṁ ca tālavat

"Or let us shatter the very vessel of the universe in an instant! Let us clash Time and Death against each other like cymbals!"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.85.35)

ग्रसामो वाथ भुवनं मुक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् ।। यत्र मुक्ता भवंत्येव मृतमात्रेण जंतवः

grasāmo vātha bhuvanaṁ muktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm || yatra muktā bhavaṁtyeva mṛtamātreṇa jaṁtavaḥ

"Or let us devour the whole world — except the city of Varanasi, where creatures are liberated by the mere fact of dying!"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.85.36)

कुतोऽयं धूमसंभारो ज्वालावल्यः कुतस्त्वमूः ।। को वा मृत्युंजयं रुद्रं नो विद्यान्मदमोहितः

kuto'yaṁ dhūmasaṁbhāro jvālāvalyaḥ kutastvamūḥ || ko vā mṛtyuṁjayaṁ rudraṁ no vidyānmadamohitaḥ

"Where does this great mass of smoke come from, and where these rows of flames? Who indeed, deluded by pride, does not know Rudra, the conqueror of death?"

Verse 37 (skanda.4.85.37)

इति पारिषदाः शंभोर्महाभय भयप्रदाः ।। जल्पंतः कल्पयामासुः प्राकारं गगनस्पृशम्

iti pāriṣadāḥ śaṁbhormahābhaya bhayapradāḥ || jalpaṁtaḥ kalpayāmāsuḥ prākāraṁ gaganaspṛśam

Thus Shambhu's attendants, striking terror even into great terror itself, ranting so, formed a rampart that touched the very sky.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.85.38)

शकलीकृत्य बहुशः शिलावत्प्रलयानलम् ।। नंदी च नंदिषेणश्च सोमनंदी महोदरः ।।

śakalīkṛtya bahuśaḥ śilāvatpralayānalam || naṁdī ca naṁdiṣeṇaśca somanaṁdī mahodaraḥ ||

Shattering that doomsday-fire again and again as if it were rock — Nandi, Nandishena, Somanandi, Mahodara,

Verse 39 (skanda.4.85.39)

महाहनुर्महाग्रीवो महाकालो जितांतकः ।। मृत्युप्रकंपनो भीमो घंटाकर्णो महाबलः

mahāhanurmahāgrīvo mahākālo jitāṁtakaḥ || mṛtyuprakaṁpano bhīmo ghaṁṭākarṇo mahābalaḥ

Mahahanu, Mahagriva, Mahakala, Jitantaka, Mrityuprakampana, Bhima, Ghantakarna, Mahabala,

Verse 40 (skanda.4.85.40)

क्षोभणो द्रावणो जृंभी पचास्यः पंचलोचनः ।। द्विशिरास्त्रिशिराः सोमः पंचहस्तो दशाननः

kṣobhaṇo drāvaṇo jṛṁbhī pacāsyaḥ paṁcalocanaḥ || dviśirāstriśirāḥ somaḥ paṁcahasto daśānanaḥ

Kshobhana, Dravana, Jrimbhi, Pachasya, Panchalochana, Dvishiras, Trishiras, Soma, Panchahasta, Dashanana,

Verse 41 (skanda.4.85.41)

चंडो भृंगिरिटिस्तुंडी प्रचंडस्तांडवप्रियः ।। पिचिंडिलः स्थूलशिराः स्थूलकेशो गभस्तिमान्

caṁḍo bhṛṁgiriṭistuṁḍī pracaṁḍastāṁḍavapriyaḥ || piciṁḍilaḥ sthūlaśirāḥ sthūlakeśo gabhastimān

Chanda, Bhringiriti, Tundi, Prachanda, the tandava-loving one, Pichindila, Sthulashiras, Sthulakesha, Gabhastiman,

Verse 42 (skanda.4.85.42)

क्षेमकः क्षेमधन्वा च वीरभद्रो रणप्रियः ।। चंडपाणिः शूलपाणिः पाशपाणिः करोदरः

kṣemakaḥ kṣemadhanvā ca vīrabhadro raṇapriyaḥ || caṁḍapāṇiḥ śūlapāṇiḥ pāśapāṇiḥ karodaraḥ

Kshemaka, Kshemadhanva, Virabhadra, the battle-loving one, Chandapani, Shulapani, Pashapani, Karodara,

Verse 43 (skanda.4.85.43)

दीर्घग्रीवोथ पिंगाक्षः पिंगलः पिंगमूर्धजः ।। बहुनेत्रो लंबकर्णः खर्वः पर्वतविग्रहः

dīrghagrīvotha piṁgākṣaḥ piṁgalaḥ piṁgamūrdhajaḥ || bahunetro laṁbakarṇaḥ kharvaḥ parvatavigrahaḥ

Dirghagriva, Pingaksha, Pingala, Pingamurdhaja, Bahunetra, Lambakarna, Kharva, Parvatavigraha,

Verse 44 (skanda.4.85.44)

गोकर्णो गजकर्णश्च कोकिलाख्यो गजाननः ।। अहं वै नैगमेयश्च विकटास्योट्टहासकः

gokarṇo gajakarṇaśca kokilākhyo gajānanaḥ || ahaṁ vai naigameyaśca vikaṭāsyoṭṭahāsakaḥ

Gokarna, Gajakarna, Kokila, Gajanana, and I myself, Naigameya, and the wide-mouthed, loud-laughing Vikatasya,

Verse 45 (skanda.4.85.45)

सीरपाणिः शिवारावो वैणिको वेणुवादनः ।। दुराधर्षो दुःसहश्च गर्जनो रिपुतर्जनः

sīrapāṇiḥ śivārāvo vaiṇiko veṇuvādanaḥ || durādharṣo duḥsahaśca garjano riputarjanaḥ

Sirapani, Shivarava, Vainika, Venuvadana, Duradharsha, Duhsaha, Garjana, Riputarjana —

Verse 46 (skanda.4.85.46)

इत्यादयो गणेशानाः शतकोटि दुरासदाः ।। काश्यां निवारयामासुरपि प्राभंजनीं गतिम्

ityādayo gaṇeśānāḥ śatakoṭi durāsadāḥ || kāśyāṁ nivārayāmāsurapi prābhaṁjanīṁ gatim

these and other lords of the ganas, a hundred million strong, unassailable, restrained even the very force of the wind there at Kashi.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.85.47)

क्षुब्धेषु तेषु वीरेषु चकंपे भुवनत्रयम् ।। दुर्वाससश्च कोपाग्नि ज्वालाभिर्व्याकुलीकृतम्

kṣubdheṣu teṣu vīreṣu cakaṁpe bhuvanatrayam || durvāsasaśca kopāgni jvālābhirvyākulīkṛtam

With those heroes agitated, the three worlds trembled, thrown into turmoil by the flames of Durvasa's fire of wrath.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.85.48)

तदा विविशतुः काश्यां सूर्याचंद्रमसावपि ।। न गणैरकृतानुज्ञौ तत्तेजः शमितप्रभौ

tadā viviśatuḥ kāśyāṁ sūryācaṁdramasāvapi || na gaṇairakṛtānujñau tattejaḥ śamitaprabhau

Then even the Sun and Moon entered Kashi, their radiance dimmed by that fire's splendour, though not given leave to do so by the ganas.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.85.49)

निवार्य प्रमथानीकमतिक्षुब्धमुमाधवः ।। मदंश एव हि मुनीरानसूये य एष वै

nivārya pramathānīkamatikṣubdhamumādhavaḥ || madaṁśa eva hi munīrānasūye ya eṣa vai

Restraining the exceedingly agitated army of Pramathas, the husband of Uma said: "This sage is truly a portion of myself, O son of Anasuya —"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.85.50)

अथो दुर्वाससे लिंगादाविरासीत्कृपानिधिः ।। महातेजोमयः शंभुर्मुनिशापात्पुरीमवन्

atho durvāsase liṁgādāvirāsītkṛpānidhiḥ || mahātejomayaḥ śaṁbhurmuniśāpātpurīmavan

Then, before Durvasa, that treasure of compassion, that supremely radiant Shambhu, manifested from the linga, protecting the city from the sage's curse.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.85.51)

माभूच्छापो मुनेः काश्यां निर्वाणप्रतिबंधकः ।। इत्यनुक्रोशतो देवस्तस्य प्रत्यक्षतां गतः

mābhūcchāpo muneḥ kāśyāṁ nirvāṇapratibaṁdhakaḥ || ityanukrośato devastasya pratyakṣatāṁ gataḥ

"Let there be no curse of this sage upon Kashi, obstructing its liberation" — thinking thus in compassion, the god became directly visible to him.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.85.52)

उवाच च प्रसन्नोस्मि महाक्रोधन तापस ।। वरयस्व वरः कस्ते मया देयो विशंकितः

uvāca ca prasannosmi mahākrodhana tāpasa || varayasva varaḥ kaste mayā deyo viśaṁkitaḥ

And he said: "I am pleased, O greatly wrathful ascetic. Ask your boon — what boon, unhesitatingly, shall I grant you?"

Verse 53 (skanda.4.85.53)

ततो विलज्जितोगस्त्य शापोद्यतकरो मुनिः ।। अपराद्धं बहु मया क्रोधांधेनेति दुर्धिया

tato vilajjitogastya śāpodyatakaro muniḥ || aparāddhaṁ bahu mayā krodhāṁdheneti durdhiyā

Then, O Agastya, that sage, his hand already raised to curse, felt deep shame: "Blinded by anger, in my folly, I have gravely erred —"

Verse 54 (skanda.4.85.54)

उवाच चेति बहुशो धिङ्मां क्रोधवशंगतम् ।। त्रैलोक्याभयदां काशीं शप्तुमुद्यतचेतसम्

uvāca ceti bahuśo dhiṅmāṁ krodhavaśaṁgatam || trailokyābhayadāṁ kāśīṁ śaptumudyatacetasam

"Shame on me, overcome by anger, my mind ready to curse Kashi, the very giver of fearlessness to all three worlds —"

Verse 55 (skanda.4.85.55)

दुःखार्णव निमग्नानां यातायातेति खेदिनाम् ।। कर्मपाशितकंठानां काश्येका मुक्तिसाधनम्

duḥkhārṇava nimagnānāṁ yātāyāteti khedinām || karmapāśitakaṁṭhānāṁ kāśyekā muktisādhanam

"— for those sunk in the ocean of sorrow, wearied by the constant coming and going of rebirth, their necks bound by the noose of karma, Kashi alone is the means of liberation."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.85.56)

सर्वेषां जंतुजातानां जनन्येकैक्काशिका। महामृतस्तन्यदात्री नेत्री च परमं पदम्

sarveṣāṁ jaṁtujātānāṁ jananyekaikkāśikā| mahāmṛtastanyadātrī netrī ca paramaṁ padam

"Kashi alone is the mother of all creatures born, the giver of the very breast-milk of immortality, the guide to the supreme state."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.85.57)

जनन्या सह नो काशी लभेदुपमितिं क्वचित्।। धारयेज्जननी गर्भे काशी गर्भाद्विमोचयेत्

jananyā saha no kāśī labhedupamitiṁ kvacit|| dhārayejjananī garbhe kāśī garbhādvimocayet

"Kashi can never be compared even to one's own mother; a mother only bears one in the womb, but Kashi releases one from the womb forever."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.85.58)

एवंभूतां तु यः काशीमन्योपि हि शपिष्यति ।। तस्यैव शापो भविता न तु काश्याः कथंचन

evaṁbhūtāṁ tu yaḥ kāśīmanyopi hi śapiṣyati || tasyaiva śāpo bhavitā na tu kāśyāḥ kathaṁcana

"Whoever else, being of such wicked mind, should curse Kashi — that curse shall fall upon himself alone, and never in any way upon Kashi."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.85.59)

इति दुर्वाससो वाक्यं श्रुत्वा देवस्त्रिलोचनः ।। अतीव तुषितो जातः काशीस्तवन लब्धमुत्

iti durvāsaso vākyaṁ śrutvā devastrilocanaḥ || atīva tuṣito jātaḥ kāśīstavana labdhamut

Hearing these words of Durvasa, the three-eyed god became exceedingly delighted, his joy won through this very praise of Kashi.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.85.60)

यः काशीं स्तौति मेधावी यः काशीं हृदि धारयेत् ।। तेन तप्तं तपस्तीव्रं तेनेष्टं क्रतुकोटिभिः

yaḥ kāśīṁ stauti medhāvī yaḥ kāśīṁ hṛdi dhārayet || tena taptaṁ tapastīvraṁ teneṣṭaṁ kratukoṭibhiḥ

"Whatever wise man praises Kashi, whoever holds Kashi in his heart — by him fierce austerity has been performed, by him sacrifice has been offered with ten million rites."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.85.61)

जिह्वाग्रे वर्तते यस्य काशीत्यक्षरयुग्मकम् ।। न तस्य गर्भवासः स्यात्क्वचिदेव सुमेधसः

jihvāgre vartate yasya kāśītyakṣarayugmakam || na tasya garbhavāsaḥ syātkvacideva sumedhasaḥ

"He upon whose tongue-tip rests the twin syllable 'Kā-shī' — that wise man never at all dwells again in the womb."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.85.62)

यो मंत्रं जपति प्रातः काशी वर्णद्वयात्मकम्।। स तु लोकद्वयं जित्वा लोकातीतं व्रजेत्पदम्

yo maṁtraṁ japati prātaḥ kāśī varṇadvayātmakam|| sa tu lokadvayaṁ jitvā lokātītaṁ vrajetpadam

"Whoever recites at dawn the two-syllabled mantra 'Kashi' conquers both worlds and goes to the state that transcends all worlds."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.85.63)

आनुसूयेय ते ज्ञानं काशीस्तवन पुण्यतः ।। यथेदानीं समुत्पन्नं तथा न तपसः पुरा

ānusūyeya te jñānaṁ kāśīstavana puṇyataḥ || yathedānīṁ samutpannaṁ tathā na tapasaḥ purā

"O son of Anasuya, the knowledge that has now arisen in you through the merit of praising Kashi did not arise in you before, through all your austerity."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.85.64)

मुने न मे प्रियस्तद्वद्दीक्षितो मम पूजकः ।। यादृक्प्रियतरः सत्यं काशीस्तवन लालसः

mune na me priyastadvaddīkṣito mama pūjakaḥ || yādṛkpriyataraḥ satyaṁ kāśīstavana lālasaḥ

"O sage, not even my own initiated worshipper is so dear to me as one truly devoted to the praise of Kashi."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.85.65)

तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे दानैस्तादृक्तुष्टिर्न मे मखैः ।। न तुष्टिस्तपसा तादृग्यादृशी काशिसंस्तवैः

tādṛktuṣṭirna me dānaistādṛktuṣṭirna me makhaiḥ || na tuṣṭistapasā tādṛgyādṛśī kāśisaṁstavaiḥ

"I am not so pleased by gifts, nor so pleased by sacrifices, nor is my satisfaction from austerity as great as that which comes from praises of Kashi."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.85.66)

आनंदकाननं येन स्तुतमेतत्सुचेतसा ।। तेनाहं संस्तुतः सम्यक्सर्वैः सूक्तैः श्रुतीरितैः

ānaṁdakānanaṁ yena stutametatsucetasā || tenāhaṁ saṁstutaḥ samyaksarvaiḥ sūktaiḥ śrutīritaiḥ

"By whoever, with a pure mind, has praised this Anandavana, I have in effect been fully praised, by all the hymns declared in the scriptures."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.85.67)

तव कामाः समृद्धाः स्युरानुसूयेय तापस ।। ज्ञानं ते परमं भावि महामोहविनाशनम्

tava kāmāḥ samṛddhāḥ syurānusūyeya tāpasa || jñānaṁ te paramaṁ bhāvi mahāmohavināśanam

"O ascetic, son of Anasuya, may your desires be fulfilled; supreme knowledge shall arise in you, destroying the great delusion."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.85.68)

अपरं च वरं ब्रूहि किं दातव्यं तवानघ ।। त्वादृशा एव मुनयः श्लाघनीया यतः सताम्

aparaṁ ca varaṁ brūhi kiṁ dātavyaṁ tavānagha || tvādṛśā eva munayaḥ ślāghanīyā yataḥ satām

"And ask a further boon — what else is there to give you, O sinless one? For sages such as you alone are praised by the virtuous."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.85.69)

यस्यास्त्वेव हि सामर्थ्यं तपसः क्रुद्ध्यतीहसः ।। कुपितोप्यसमर्थस्तु किं कर्ता क्षीणवृत्तिवत्

yasyāstveva hi sāmarthyaṁ tapasaḥ kruddhyatīhasaḥ || kupitopyasamarthastu kiṁ kartā kṣīṇavṛttivat

"For only one who truly has the power that comes from austerity can afford to grow angry here; one who is incapable, even if enraged, can do nothing, like one whose vigour has been exhausted."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.85.70)

इति श्रुत्वा परिष्टुत्य दुर्वासाः कृत्तिवाससम् ।। वरं च प्रार्थयामास परिहृष्ट तनूरुहः

iti śrutvā pariṣṭutya durvāsāḥ kṛttivāsasam || varaṁ ca prārthayāmāsa parihṛṣṭa tanūruhaḥ

Hearing this, and praising Krittivasa, Durvasa, his body thrilled with joy, asked for a boon:

Verse 71 (skanda.4.85.71)

।।दुर्वासा उवाच ।। ।। देवदेव जगन्नाथ करुणाकर शंकर ।। महापराधविध्वंसिन्नंधकारे स्मरांतक

||durvāsā uvāca || || devadeva jagannātha karuṇākara śaṁkara || mahāparādhavidhvaṁsinnaṁdhakāre smarāṁtaka

Durvasa said: "O god of gods, lord of the universe, ocean of compassion, Shankara! Destroyer of great offences, foe of Andhaka, ender of Kama!"

Verse 72 (skanda.4.85.72)

मृत्युंजयोग्रभूतेश मृडानीश त्रिलोचन ।। यदि प्रसन्नो मे नाथ यदि देयो वरो मम

mṛtyuṁjayograbhūteśa mṛḍānīśa trilocana || yadi prasanno me nātha yadi deyo varo mama

"Conqueror of death, fierce lord of beings, lord of Mridani, three-eyed one! If you are pleased with me, my lord, if a boon is to be given to me —"

Verse 73 (skanda.4.85.73)

तदिदं कामदं नाम लिगमस्त्विह धूर्जटे ।। इदं च पल्वलं मेत्र कामकुंडाख्यमस्तु वै

tadidaṁ kāmadaṁ nāma ligamastviha dhūrjaṭe || idaṁ ca palvalaṁ metra kāmakuṁḍākhyamastu vai

"— then let this linga here be named 'Kamada,' O Dhurjati; and let this pool of mine here be called 'Kamakunda'."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.85.74)

।। देवदेव उवाच ।। ।। एवमस्तु महातेजो मुने परमकोपन ।। यत्त्वया स्थापितं लिंगं दुर्वासेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

|| devadeva uvāca || || evamastu mahātejo mune paramakopana || yattvayā sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ durvāseśvarasaṁjñitam

The god of gods said: "So be it, O greatly radiant, exceedingly wrathful sage. This linga established by you, named Durvaseshvara —"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.85.75)

तदेव कामकृन्नृणां कामेश्वरमिहास्त्विति ।। यः प्रदोषे त्रयोदश्यां शनिवासरसंयुजि

tadeva kāmakṛnnṛṇāṁ kāmeśvaramihāstviti || yaḥ pradoṣe trayodaśyāṁ śanivāsarasaṁyuji

"— shall indeed become known here as Kameshvara, fulfiller of the desires of men. Whoever, at dusk on the thirteenth lunar day when it falls on a Saturday,"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.85.76)

संस्नास्यति नरो धीमान्कामकुंडे त्वदास्पदे ।। त्वत्स्थापितं च कामेशं लिंगं द्रक्ष्यति मानवः

saṁsnāsyati naro dhīmānkāmakuṁḍe tvadāspade || tvatsthāpitaṁ ca kāmeśaṁ liṁgaṁ drakṣyati mānavaḥ

"a wise man bathes at Kamakunda, your very own place, and beholds the linga Kamesha established by you,"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.85.77)

स वै कामकृताद्दोषाद्यामीं नाप्स्यति यातनाम् ।। बहवोपि हि पाप्मानो बहुभिर्जन्मभिः कृताः

sa vai kāmakṛtāddoṣādyāmīṁ nāpsyati yātanām || bahavopi hi pāpmāno bahubhirjanmabhiḥ kṛtāḥ

"he shall never suffer the torments of Yama's realm for any fault arising from desire. However many sins have been committed across many births,"

Verse 78 (skanda.4.85.78)

कामतीर्थांबु संस्नानाद्यास्यंति विलयं क्षणात् ।। कामाः समृद्धिमाप्स्यंति कामेश्वर निषेवणात्

kāmatīrthāṁbu saṁsnānādyāsyaṁti vilayaṁ kṣaṇāt || kāmāḥ samṛddhimāpsyaṁti kāmeśvara niṣevaṇāt

"they shall be dissolved in an instant by bathing in the water of Kama-tirtha; and desires shall attain fulfilment through service of Kameshvara."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.85.79)

इति दत्त्वा वराञ्शंभुस्तल्लिंगे लयमाययौ।। ।। स्कंद उवाच ।। तल्लिंगाराधनात्कामाः प्राप्ता दुर्वाससा भृशम्

iti dattvā varāñśaṁbhustalliṁge layamāyayau|| || skaṁda uvāca || talliṁgārādhanātkāmāḥ prāptā durvāsasā bhṛśam

Having thus granted these boons, Shambhu merged into that very linga. Skanda said: By worship of that linga, Durvasa's desires were abundantly fulfilled.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.85.80)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन काश्यां कामेश्वरः सदा ।। पूजनीयः प्रयत्नेन महाकामाभिलाषुकैः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāśyāṁ kāmeśvaraḥ sadā || pūjanīyaḥ prayatnena mahākāmābhilāṣukaiḥ

Therefore, at Kashi, Kameshvara should always be worshipped with every effort, especially by those who long for the fulfilment of great desires.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.85.81)

कामकुंडकृतस्नानैर्महापातकशांतये ।। इदं कामेश्वराख्यानं यः पठिष्यति पुण्यवान् ।। यः श्रोष्यति च मेधावी तौ निष्पापौ भविष्यतः

kāmakuṁḍakṛtasnānairmahāpātakaśāṁtaye || idaṁ kāmeśvarākhyānaṁ yaḥ paṭhiṣyati puṇyavān || yaḥ śroṣyati ca medhāvī tau niṣpāpau bhaviṣyataḥ

By bathing performed at Kamakunda, the greatest sins are pacified. Whatever meritorious man recites this narrative of Kameshvara, and whatever wise man hears it — both of them shall become free of sin.