The Manifestation of Vishvakarmeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.86.1)

।। पार्वत्युवाच ।। ।। विश्वकर्मेश्वरं लिंगं यत्काश्यां प्रथितं परम् ।। तस्य लिंगस्य कथय देवदेव समुद्भवम्

|| pārvatyuvāca || || viśvakarmeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ yatkāśyāṁ prathitaṁ param || tasya liṁgasya kathaya devadeva samudbhavam

Parvati said: "That supreme linga, Vishvakarmeshvara, renowned at Kashi — tell me, O god of gods, of its origin."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.86.2)

।। देवदेव उवाच ।। ।। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि कथां पातकनाशिनीम् ।। विश्वकर्मेश लिंगस्य प्रादुर्भावं मनोहरम्

|| devadeva uvāca || || śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi kathāṁ pātakanāśinīm || viśvakarmeśa liṁgasya prādurbhāvaṁ manoharam

The god of gods said: "Listen, O goddess, I shall tell the story that destroys sin — the enchanting manifestation of the linga Vishvakarmesha."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.86.3)

विश्वकर्माभवत्पूर्वं ब्रह्मणस्त्वपरा तनुः ।। त्वष्टुः प्रजापतेः पुत्रो निपुणः सर्वकर्मसु

viśvakarmābhavatpūrvaṁ brahmaṇastvaparā tanuḥ || tvaṣṭuḥ prajāpateḥ putro nipuṇaḥ sarvakarmasu

"Long ago, Vishvakarma was a second body of Brahma, the son of the Prajapati Tvashta, skilled in every craft."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.86.4)

कृतोपनयनः सोथ बालो गुरुकुले वसन् ।। चकार गुरुशुश्रूषां भिक्षान्नकृतभोजनः

kṛtopanayanaḥ sotha bālo gurukule vasan || cakāra guruśuśrūṣāṁ bhikṣānnakṛtabhojanaḥ

"Having received the sacred thread, as a boy dwelling in the guru's household, he served his teacher, eating only food obtained by begging."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.86.5)

एकदा तद्गुरुः प्राह प्रावृट्काले समागते ।। कुरूटजं मदर्थं त्वं यथा प्रावृण्न बाधते

ekadā tadguruḥ prāha prāvṛṭkāle samāgate || kurūṭajaṁ madarthaṁ tvaṁ yathā prāvṛṇna bādhate

"Once, when the rainy season had arrived, his guru said: 'Make me a straw rain-cloak, such that the rains cannot penetrate it,'"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.86.6)

यत्कदाचिन्न भज्येत न पुरातनतां व्रजेत्।। गुरुपत्न्यात्वभिहितो रे त्वाष्ट्र कुरु कंचुकम्

yatkadācinna bhajyeta na purātanatāṁ vrajet|| gurupatnyātvabhihito re tvāṣṭra kuru kaṁcukam

"'one that shall never break, and never grow old.' And the guru's wife said to him: 'O son of Tvashta, make me a bodice —'"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.86.7)

ममांगयोग्यं नो गाढं न श्लथं च प्रयत्नतः ।। विनैव वाससा चारु वाल्कलं च सदोज्ज्वलम्

mamāṁgayogyaṁ no gāḍhaṁ na ślathaṁ ca prayatnataḥ || vinaiva vāsasā cāru vālkalaṁ ca sadojjvalam

"'— fitted exactly to my body, neither too tight nor too loose, made with great skill, and, without any cloth at all, a lovely bark-garment, ever bright.'"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.86.8)

गुरुपुत्रेण चाज्ञप्तो ममार्थं पादुके कुरु ।। यदारूढस्य मे पादौ न पंकः संस्पृशेत्क्वचित्

guruputreṇa cājñapto mamārthaṁ pāduke kuru || yadārūḍhasya me pādau na paṁkaḥ saṁspṛśetkvacit

"And commanded by the guru's son: 'Make sandals for me, wearing which my feet shall never at all be touched by mud,'"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.86.9)

चर्मादिबंधनिर्मुक्ते धावतो मे सुखप्रदे ।। याभ्यां च संचरे वारि स्थल भूमाविव द्रुतम्।।

carmādibaṁdhanirmukte dhāvato me sukhaprade || yābhyāṁ ca saṁcare vāri sthala bhūmāviva drutam||

"'free of leather straps and the like, giving comfort as I run, and by which I might move swiftly over water as upon dry ground.'"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.86.10)

गुरुकन्यापि तं प्राह त्वाष्ट्र मे श्रवणोचिते ।। भूषणे स्वेन हस्तेन कुरु कांचननिर्मिते

gurukanyāpi taṁ prāha tvāṣṭra me śravaṇocite || bhūṣaṇe svena hastena kuru kāṁcananirmite

"The guru's daughter too said to him: 'O son of Tvashta, make with your own hand two golden earrings, fitting exactly to my ears,'"

Verse 11 (skanda.4.86.11)

कुमारी क्रीडनीयानि कौतुकानि च देहि मे ।। दंतिदंतमयान्येव स्वहस्तरचितानि च

kumārī krīḍanīyāni kautukāni ca dehi me || daṁtidaṁtamayānyeva svahastaracitāni ca

"'and give me wondrous toys to play with, made of ivory, fashioned with your own hand.'"

Verse 12 (skanda.4.86.12)

गृहोपकरणं द्रव्यं मुसलोलूखलादिकम् ।। तथा घटय मेधाविन्यथा त्रुट्यति न क्वचित्

gṛhopakaraṇaṁ dravyaṁ musalolūkhalādikam || tathā ghaṭaya medhāvinyathā truṭyati na kvacit

"'And fashion household implements — a pestle, a mortar, and the like, O wise one, such that they never break at all.'"

Verse 13 (skanda.4.86.13)

अक्षालितान्यपि यथा नित्यं पीठानि सत्तम ।। उज्ज्वलानि भवंत्येव स्थालिकाश्च तथा कुरु

akṣālitānyapi yathā nityaṁ pīṭhāni sattama || ujjvalāni bhavaṁtyeva sthālikāśca tathā kuru

"'And make, O best one, seats and vessels that remain ever bright and clean, even without being washed daily.'"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.86.14)

सूपकर्मण्यपि च मां प्रशाधि त्वष्ट्रनंदन ।। यथांगुल्यो न दह्यंते पाकः स्याच्च यथा शुभः ।।

sūpakarmaṇyapi ca māṁ praśādhi tvaṣṭranaṁdana || yathāṁgulyo na dahyaṁte pākaḥ syācca yathā śubhaḥ ||

"'And instruct me too in cooking, O son of Tvashta, such that my fingers are never burnt, and the food comes out well-cooked.'"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.86.15)

एकस्तंभमयं गेहमेकदारुविनिर्मितम् ।। तथा कुरु वरं त्वाष्ट्र यत्रेच्छा तत्र धारये

ekastaṁbhamayaṁ gehamekadāruvinirmitam || tathā kuru varaṁ tvāṣṭra yatrecchā tatra dhāraye

"'And build me, O son of Tvashta, an excellent house made of a single pillar, fashioned from a single piece of wood, so that I may set it up wherever I wish.'"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.86.16)

ये सहाध्यायिनोप्यस्य वयोज्येष्ठाश्च तेपि हि ।। सर्वेसर्वे समीहंते कर्म तत्कृतमेव हि

ye sahādhyāyinopyasya vayojyeṣṭhāśca tepi hi || sarvesarve samīhaṁte karma tatkṛtameva hi

"His fellow-students too, and his elders — all of them, every one, made similar demands, that such-and-such work be done for them too."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.86.17)

तथेति स प्रतिज्ञाय सर्वेषां पुरतोद्रिजे ।। मध्ये वनं प्राविशच्च महाचिंताभयार्दितः

tatheti sa pratijñāya sarveṣāṁ puratodrije || madhye vanaṁ prāviśacca mahāciṁtābhayārditaḥ

"Having promised 'So be it' before all of them, O mountain-daughter, he then went into the depths of the forest, tormented by great worry and fear —"

Verse 18 (skanda.4.86.18)

किंचित्कर्तुं न जानाति प्रतिज्ञातं च तेन वै।। सर्वेषां पुरतः सर्वं करिष्यामीति निश्चितम्

kiṁcitkartuṁ na jānāti pratijñātaṁ ca tena vai|| sarveṣāṁ purataḥ sarvaṁ kariṣyāmīti niścitam

"— for he knew not how to accomplish any of it, though he had firmly promised, before them all, that he would do everything."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.86.19)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि को मे साहाय्यमर्पयेत् ।। बुद्धेरपि वनस्थस्य शरणं कं व्रजामि च

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi ko me sāhāyyamarpayet || buddherapi vanasthasya śaraṇaṁ kaṁ vrajāmi ca

"'What shall I do, where shall I go, who will help me? I, dwelling in the forest, to what refuge of wisdom shall I turn?'"

Verse 20 (skanda.4.86.20)

अंगीकृत्य गुरोर्वाक्यं गुरुपत्न्या गुरोः शिशोः ।। यो न निष्पादयेन्मूढः स भवेन्निरयी नरः

aṁgīkṛtya gurorvākyaṁ gurupatnyā guroḥ śiśoḥ || yo na niṣpādayenmūḍhaḥ sa bhavennirayī naraḥ

"'A fool who agrees to a task set by his guru, or by his guru's wife, or by his guru's child, and then fails to accomplish it, becomes a man destined for hell.'"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.86.21)

गुरुशुश्रूषणं धर्म एको हि ब्रह्मचारिणाम् ।। अनिष्पाद्य तु तद्वाक्यं कथं मे निष्कृतिर्भवेत्

guruśuśrūṣaṇaṁ dharma eko hi brahmacāriṇām || aniṣpādya tu tadvākyaṁ kathaṁ me niṣkṛtirbhavet

"'Service to the guru is the one dharma of celibate students; without fulfilling their word, how shall I ever be free of blame?'"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.86.22)

गुरूणां वाक्यकरणात्सर्व एव मनोरथाः ।। सिद्ध्यंतीतरथा नैव तस्मात्कार्यं हि तद्वचः

gurūṇāṁ vākyakaraṇātsarva eva manorathāḥ || siddhyaṁtītarathā naiva tasmātkāryaṁ hi tadvacaḥ

"'By fulfilling the guru's word, all one's own desires are fulfilled; otherwise, never. Therefore his word must indeed be carried out.'"

Verse 23 (skanda.4.86.23)

कथं तद्वचसः सिद्धिं प्राप्स्याम्यत्र वने स्थितः ।। कश्च मेत्र सहायी स्याद्धिषणादुर्बलस्य वै

kathaṁ tadvacasaḥ siddhiṁ prāpsyāmyatra vane sthitaḥ || kaśca metra sahāyī syāddhiṣaṇādurbalasya vai

"'How, dwelling here in the forest, shall I ever accomplish that word? And who here shall be my helper, weak of intelligence as I am?'"

Verse 24 (skanda.4.86.24)

आस्तां गुरुकथा दूरं योऽन्यस्यापि लघोरपि ।। ओमित्युक्त्वा न कुरुते कार्यं सोथ व्रजत्यधः

āstāṁ gurukathā dūraṁ yo'nyasyāpi laghorapi || omityuktvā na kurute kāryaṁ sotha vrajatyadhaḥ

"'Let alone the guru — whoever, having said "yes" to even a lesser person, fails to do what was asked, he goes downward.'"

Verse 25 (skanda.4.86.25)

कथमेतानि कर्माणि करिष्येऽज्ञोऽसहायवान् ।। अंगीकृतानि तद्भीत्या नमस्ते भवितव्यते

kathametāni karmāṇi kariṣye'jño'sahāyavān || aṁgīkṛtāni tadbhītyā namaste bhavitavyate

"'How shall I, ignorant and without help, accomplish these tasks I have agreed to, out of that very fear? Salutation to you, O Destiny, whatever is to be!'"

Verse 26 (skanda.4.86.26)

यावदित्थं चिंतयति स त्वाष्ट्रो वनमध्यगः ।। तावत्तदेव संप्राप्तस्तेनैकोऽदर्शि तापसः

yāvaditthaṁ ciṁtayati sa tvāṣṭro vanamadhyagaḥ || tāvattadeva saṁprāptastenaiko'darśi tāpasaḥ

While that son of Tvashta, deep in the forest, was thus lamenting, just then a certain ascetic was seen by him, having arrived there.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.86.27)

अथ नत्वा स तं प्राह वने दृष्टं तपस्विनम् ।। को भवान्मानसं मे यो नितरां सुखयत्यहो

atha natvā sa taṁ prāha vane dṛṣṭaṁ tapasvinam || ko bhavānmānasaṁ me yo nitarāṁ sukhayatyaho

Then, bowing, he said to that ascetic seen in the forest: "Who are you, who has so thoroughly delighted my mind?"

Verse 28 (skanda.4.86.28)

त्वद्दर्शनेन मे गात्रं चिंतासंतापतापितम् ।। हिमानी गाहनेनेव शीतलं भवति क्षणम्

tvaddarśanena me gātraṁ ciṁtāsaṁtāpatāpitam || himānī gāhaneneva śītalaṁ bhavati kṣaṇam

"By the sight of you, my body, scorched by the torment of worry, has become cool in an instant, as if plunged into snow."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.86.29)

किं त्वं मे प्राक्तनं कर्म प्राप्तं तापसरूपधृक् ।। अथवा करुणावार्धिराविर्भूतः शिवो भवान्

kiṁ tvaṁ me prāktanaṁ karma prāptaṁ tāpasarūpadhṛk || athavā karuṇāvārdhirāvirbhūtaḥ śivo bhavān

"Are you my own past merit, come to me in the form of an ascetic? Or are you Shiva himself, that ocean of compassion, manifest before me?"

Verse 30 (skanda.4.86.30)

योसि सोसि नमस्तुभ्यमुपदेशेन युंक्ष्व माम् ।। गुरूक्तं गुरुपत्न्युक्तं गुर्वपत्योक्तमेव च

yosi sosi namastubhyamupadeśena yuṁkṣva mām || gurūktaṁ gurupatnyuktaṁ gurvapatyoktameva ca

"Whoever you are, salutation to you — instruct me. What my guru has said, what my guru's wife has said, and what my guru's children have said —"

Verse 31 (skanda.4.86.31)

कथं कर्तुमहं शक्तः कर्म तत्र दिशाद्भुतम् ।। कुरु मे बुद्धिसाहाय्यं निर्जने बंधुतां गतः ।।

kathaṁ kartumahaṁ śaktaḥ karma tatra diśādbhutam || kuru me buddhisāhāyyaṁ nirjane baṁdhutāṁ gataḥ ||

"— how can I possibly accomplish that wondrous task? Grant me the help of your wisdom, having become my kinsman here in this desolate place."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.86.32)

इत्युक्तस्तेन स वने तापसो ब्रह्मचारिणा ।। कारुण्यपूर्णहृदयो यथोक्तमुपदिष्टवान्

ityuktastena sa vane tāpaso brahmacāriṇā || kāruṇyapūrṇahṛdayo yathoktamupadiṣṭavān

Thus addressed by that celibate student in the forest, that ascetic, his heart full of compassion, instructed him just as had been asked.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.86.33)

य आप्तत्वेन संपृष्टो दुर्बुद्धिं संप्रयच्छति ।। स याति नरकं घोरं यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

ya āptatvena saṁpṛṣṭo durbuddhiṁ saṁprayacchati || sa yāti narakaṁ ghoraṁ yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

[As the ascetic thought:] "Whoever, being trusted and asked, gives bad counsel, goes to a terrible hell that lasts until the dissolution of the world."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.86.34)

तापस उवाच ।। ।। ब्रह्मचारिञ्शृणु ब्रूयां किमद्भुततरं त्विदम्।। विश्वेशानुग्रहाद्ब्रह्माप्यभवत्सृष्टिकोविदः

tāpasa uvāca || || brahmacāriñśṛṇu brūyāṁ kimadbhutataraṁ tvidam|| viśveśānugrahādbrahmāpyabhavatsṛṣṭikovidaḥ

The ascetic said: "O celibate student, listen, I shall tell you — what could be more wondrous than this: even Brahma became skilled in creation only through the grace of Vishvesha."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.86.35)

यदि त्वं त्वाष्ट्र सर्वज्ञं काश्यामाराधयिष्यसि ।। ततस्ते विश्वकर्मेति नाम सत्यं भविष्यति

yadi tvaṁ tvāṣṭra sarvajñaṁ kāśyāmārādhayiṣyasi || tataste viśvakarmeti nāma satyaṁ bhaviṣyati

"If you, O son of Tvashta, worship the omniscient one at Kashi, then your very name, 'Vishvakarma,' shall become true."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.86.36)

विश्वेशानुग्रहात्काश्यामभिलाषा न दुर्लभाः ।। सुलभो दुर्लभो वै यद्यत्र मोक्षस्तनुत्यजाम्

viśveśānugrahātkāśyāmabhilāṣā na durlabhāḥ || sulabho durlabho vai yadyatra mokṣastanutyajām

"Through the grace of Vishvesha at Kashi, no desire is unattainable; even liberation, elsewhere so hard to attain, is easily attained here by those who die there."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.86.37)

सृष्टेःकरण सामर्थ्यं सृष्टिरक्षाप्रवीणता ।। विधिना विष्णुना प्रापि विश्वेशानुग्रहात्परात्

sṛṣṭeḥkaraṇa sāmarthyaṁ sṛṣṭirakṣāpravīṇatā || vidhinā viṣṇunā prāpi viśveśānugrahātparāt

"The very power to create, and skill in protecting creation, were obtained by Brahma and by Vishnu through the supreme grace of Vishvesha."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.86.38)

याहि वैश्वेश्वरं सद्म पद्मया समधिष्ठितम् ।। निर्वाणसंज्ञया बाला यदीच्छेः स्वान्मनोरथान्

yāhi vaiśveśvaraṁ sadma padmayā samadhiṣṭhitam || nirvāṇasaṁjñayā bālā yadīccheḥ svānmanorathān

"Go to the abode of Vishveshvara, presided over by Padma under the name of Nirvana, O youth, if you wish for your desires to be fulfilled."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.86.39)

स हि सर्वप्रदः शंभुर्याचितश्चोपमन्युना ।। पयोमात्रं ददौ तस्मै सर्वं क्षीराब्धिमेव च

sa hi sarvapradaḥ śaṁbhuryācitaścopamanyunā || payomātraṁ dadau tasmai sarvaṁ kṣīrābdhimeva ca

"For that Shambhu, giver of everything, when asked by Upamanyu merely for milk, gave him the entire ocean of milk itself."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.86.40)

आनंदकानने शंभोः किं किं केन न लभ्यते ।। यत्र वासकृतां पुंसां धर्मराशिः पदेपदे

ānaṁdakānane śaṁbhoḥ kiṁ kiṁ kena na labhyate || yatra vāsakṛtāṁ puṁsāṁ dharmarāśiḥ padepade

"In Shambhu's Anandavana, what indeed is not obtained, by whom, and how? There, for men who dwell there, a heap of merit lies at every step."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.86.41)

स्वर्धुनी स्पर्शमात्रेण महापातकसंततिः ।। यत्र संक्षयति क्षिप्रं तां काशीं को न संश्रयेत्

svardhunī sparśamātreṇa mahāpātakasaṁtatiḥ || yatra saṁkṣayati kṣipraṁ tāṁ kāśīṁ ko na saṁśrayet

"Who would not take refuge in that Kashi, where by the mere touch of the heavenly river the entire lineage of great sins is swiftly destroyed?"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.86.42)

न तादृग्धर्मसंभारो लभ्यते क्रतुकोटिभिः ।। यादृग्वाराणसी वीथी संचारेण पदेपदे

na tādṛgdharmasaṁbhāro labhyate kratukoṭibhiḥ || yādṛgvārāṇasī vīthī saṁcāreṇa padepade

"Such a wealth of merit as is obtained merely by walking, step by step, along the streets of Varanasi, is not obtained even by ten million sacrifices."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.86.43)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यद्यत्रास्ति मनोरथः ।। तदा वाराणसीं याहि याहि त्रैलोक्यपावनीम्

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ yadyatrāsti manorathaḥ || tadā vārāṇasīṁ yāhi yāhi trailokyapāvanīm

"If you have a desire for dharma, artha, kama, or moksha, then go to Varanasi, go to that purifier of the three worlds."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.86.44)

सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिस्तदैव स्याद्ध्रुवं नृणाम् ।। यदैव सर्वदः सर्वः काश्यां विश्वेश्वरः श्रितः

sarvakāmaphalaprāptistadaiva syāddhruvaṁ nṛṇām || yadaiva sarvadaḥ sarvaḥ kāśyāṁ viśveśvaraḥ śritaḥ

"The attainment of the fruit of every desire is certain for men the moment they take refuge in Vishveshvara, the giver of all things, at Kashi."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.86.45)

स तापसोक्तमाकर्ण्य त्वाष्ट्र इत्थं सुहृष्टवान् ।। काशीसंप्रात्युपायं च तमेव समपृच्छत

sa tāpasoktamākarṇya tvāṣṭra itthaṁ suhṛṣṭavān || kāśīsaṁprātyupāyaṁ ca tameva samapṛcchata

Hearing the ascetic's words, that son of Tvashta became greatly delighted, and asked him the very means of reaching Kashi.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.86.46)

।। त्वाष्ट्र उवाच ।। ।। तदानंदवनं शंभोः क्वास्ति तापससत्तम ।। यत्र नो दुर्लभं किंचित्साधकानां त्रयीस्थितम्

|| tvāṣṭra uvāca || || tadānaṁdavanaṁ śaṁbhoḥ kvāsti tāpasasattama || yatra no durlabhaṁ kiṁcitsādhakānāṁ trayīsthitam

The son of Tvashta said: "Where indeed is that Anandavana of Shambhu, O best of ascetics — where nothing at all is unattainable for aspirants established in the threefold Veda?"

Verse 47 (skanda.4.86.47)

स्वर्गे वा मर्त्यलोके वा बलिसद्मनि वा मुने ।। क्व तदानंदगहनं यत्रानंदपयोब्धिजा

svarge vā martyaloke vā balisadmani vā mune || kva tadānaṁdagahanaṁ yatrānaṁdapayobdhijā

"Is it in heaven, or in the world of mortals, or in the abode of Bali, O sage? Where is that dense forest of bliss, where the one born of the ocean of bliss dwells?"

Verse 48 (skanda.4.86.48)

यत्र विश्वेश्वरो देवो विश्वेषां कर्णधारकः ।। व्याचष्टे तारकं ज्ञानं येन तन्मयतां ययुः

yatra viśveśvaro devo viśveṣāṁ karṇadhārakaḥ || vyācaṣṭe tārakaṁ jñānaṁ yena tanmayatāṁ yayuḥ

"— where the god Vishveshvara, the very helmsman of all beings, expounds the liberating Taraka knowledge, by which they attain oneness with him?"

Verse 49 (skanda.4.86.49)

सुलभा यत्र नियतमानंदवनचारिणः ।। अपि नैःश्रेयसी लक्ष्मीः किमन्येल्प मनोरथाः

sulabhā yatra niyatamānaṁdavanacāriṇaḥ || api naiḥśreyasī lakṣmīḥ kimanyelpa manorathāḥ

"Where even the very fortune of final beatitude is certainly easily obtained by those who roam Anandavana — what then of other, lesser desires?"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.86.50)

कस्तां मां प्रापयेच्छंभोः कथं यामि तथा वद ।। स तपस्वीति तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य श्रद्धयान्वितम्

kastāṁ māṁ prāpayecchaṁbhoḥ kathaṁ yāmi tathā vada || sa tapasvīti tadvākyamākarṇya śraddhayānvitam

"Who will lead me to that place of Shambhu — tell me how I may go there." Hearing these words of his, full of faith, that ascetic —

Verse 51 (skanda.4.86.51)

प्राहागच्छ नयामि त्वां यियासुरहमप्यहो।। दुर्लभं प्राप्य मानुष्यं यदि काशी न सेविता

prāhāgaccha nayāmi tvāṁ yiyāsurahamapyaho|| durlabhaṁ prāpya mānuṣyaṁ yadi kāśī na sevitā

— said: "Come, I shall lead you, for I myself also wish to go there. Ah, if, having obtained the rare gift of a human birth, Kashi is not served,"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.86.52)

पुनःक्व नृत्वं श्रेयोभूः क्व काशीकर्मबंधहृत् ।। वृथागते हि मानुष्ये काशीप्राप्तिविवर्जनात्

punaḥkva nṛtvaṁ śreyobhūḥ kva kāśīkarmabaṁdhahṛt || vṛthāgate hi mānuṣye kāśīprāptivivarjanāt

"— then where again shall one find human birth, the very ground of blessing? Where else is there Kashi, the remover of the bonds of karma? For if human birth passes without the attainment of Kashi, it has passed in vain."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.86.53)

आयुष्यं च भविष्यं च सर्वमेव वृथागतम्।। अतोहं सफलीकर्तुं मानुष्यं चातिचंचलम्

āyuṣyaṁ ca bhaviṣyaṁ ca sarvameva vṛthāgatam|| atohaṁ saphalīkartuṁ mānuṣyaṁ cāticaṁcalam

"One's lifespan, and one's future, all pass in vain. Therefore, to make fruitful this exceedingly fickle human birth —"

Verse 54 (skanda.4.86.54)

यास्यामि काशीमायाहि मायां हित्वा त्वमप्यहो ।। इति तेन सह त्वाष्ट्रो मुनिनातिकृपालुना

yāsyāmi kāśīmāyāhi māyāṁ hitvā tvamapyaho || iti tena saha tvāṣṭro muninātikṛpālunā

"— I shall go to Kashi; come, you too, casting aside all illusion." Thus, together with that exceedingly compassionate sage, the son of Tvashta —

Verse 55 (skanda.4.86.55)

पुरीं वैश्वेश्वरीं प्राप्तो मनःस्वास्थ्यमवाप च ।। ततः प्रापय्य तां काशीं तापसः क्वाप्यतर्कितम्

purīṁ vaiśveśvarīṁ prāpto manaḥsvāsthyamavāpa ca || tataḥ prāpayya tāṁ kāśīṁ tāpasaḥ kvāpyatarkitam

— reached the city of Vishveshvara, and there attained peace of mind. Then, having brought him to that Kashi, the ascetic, unforeseen, went off —

Verse 56 (skanda.4.86.56)

जगाम कुंभसंभूत स त्वाष्ट्रोपीत्यमन्यत ।। अवश्यं स हि विश्वेशः सर्वेषां चिंतितप्रदः

jagāma kuṁbhasaṁbhūta sa tvāṣṭropītyamanyata || avaśyaṁ sa hi viśveśaḥ sarveṣāṁ ciṁtitapradaḥ

— somewhere. O jar-born one, that son of Tvashta too then reflected: "Surely, that Vishvesha is truly the granter of everyone's desires —"

Verse 57 (skanda.4.86.57)

सत्पथस्थिरवृतीनां दूरस्थोपि समीपगः ।। यस्मिन्प्रसन्नदृक्त्र्यक्षस्तं दविष्ठमपि ध्रुवम्

satpathasthiravṛtīnāṁ dūrasthopi samīpagaḥ || yasminprasannadṛktryakṣastaṁ daviṣṭhamapi dhruvam

"— for those steadfastly established on the true path, he draws near even from afar; and one upon whom the three-eyed one casts a gracious gaze, he certainly brings, even from the farthest distance,"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.86.58)

सुनेदिष्ठं करोत्येव स्वयंवर्त्मोपदेशयन् ।। क्वाहं तत्र वने बालश्चिंताकुलितमानसः ।। क्व तापसः स यो मां वै सूदिश्येह चानयत्

sunediṣṭhaṁ karotyeva svayaṁvartmopadeśayan || kvāhaṁ tatra vane bālaściṁtākulitamānasaḥ || kva tāpasaḥ sa yo māṁ vai sūdiśyeha cānayat

"— close indeed, showing them the path himself. Where was I then, a mere boy lost in that forest, my mind troubled by worry? And where was that ascetic, who so precisely guided and brought me here?"

Verse 59 (skanda.4.86.59)

खेलोयमस्य त्र्यक्षस्य यस्य भक्तस्य कुत्रचित् ।। न दुर्लभतरं किंचिदहो क्वाहं क्व काशिका

kheloyamasya tryakṣasya yasya bhaktasya kutracit || na durlabhataraṁ kiṁcidaho kvāhaṁ kva kāśikā

"This is but a sport of that three-eyed one; for his devotee, nothing anywhere is too difficult to obtain. Ah, who was I, and what was Kashi to me before!"

Verse 60 (skanda.4.86.60)

नाराधितो मया शंभुः प्राक्तने जन्मनि क्वचित् ।। शरीरित्वानुमानेन ज्ञातमेतदसंशयम्

nārādhito mayā śaṁbhuḥ prāktane janmani kvacit || śarīritvānumānena jñātametadasaṁśayam

"I never worshipped Shambhu in any former birth — this I know without doubt, by the very inference of my having a body."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.86.61)

अस्मिञ्जन्मनि बालत्वान्न चैवाराधितः स्फुटम् ।। प्रत्यक्षमेव मे वैतत्कुतोनुग्रहधीर्मयि

asmiñjanmani bālatvānna caivārādhitaḥ sphuṭam || pratyakṣameva me vaitatkutonugrahadhīrmayi

"And in this present birth, being still a child, I clearly have not worshipped him either — this is directly evident to me. So from where does his gracious thought toward me come?"

Verse 62 (skanda.4.86.62)

आज्ञातं गुरुभक्तिर्मे हेतुः शंभुप्रसादने ।। ययेहानुगृहीतोस्मि विश्वेशेन कृपालुना

ājñātaṁ gurubhaktirme hetuḥ śaṁbhuprasādane || yayehānugṛhītosmi viśveśena kṛpālunā

"Now I understand: my devotion to my guru is the cause of Shambhu's favour toward me, by which I have been graced here by the compassionate Vishvesha."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.86.63)

अथवा कारणापेक्षस्त्र्यक्षस्त्वितरदेववत् ।। रंकमप्यनुगृह्णाति केवलं कारणं कृपा

athavā kāraṇāpekṣastryakṣastvitaradevavat || raṁkamapyanugṛhṇāti kevalaṁ kāraṇaṁ kṛpā

"Or rather, does the three-eyed one, like other gods, even need a cause at all? He graces even the most wretched — his grace alone is its own cause."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.86.64)

यदि नो मय्यनुक्रोशः कथं तापससंगतिः ।। तद्रूपेण स्वयं शंभुरानिनायेह मां ध्रुवम्

yadi no mayyanukrośaḥ kathaṁ tāpasasaṁgatiḥ || tadrūpeṇa svayaṁ śaṁbhurānināyeha māṁ dhruvam

"If he had no compassion for me, how would that meeting with the ascetic have come about? Surely Shambhu himself, in that very form, brought me here."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.86.65)

न दानानि न वै यज्ञा न तपांसि व्रतानि च ।।। शंभोः प्रसादहेतूनि कारणं तत्कृपैव हि ।।

na dānāni na vai yajñā na tapāṁsi vratāni ca ||| śaṁbhoḥ prasādahetūni kāraṇaṁ tatkṛpaiva hi ||

"Neither gifts, nor sacrifices, nor austerities, nor vows are the cause of Shambhu's favour; his grace alone is the true cause."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.86.66)

दयामपि तदा कुर्यादसौ विश्वेश्वरः पराम् ।। यदाश्रुत्युक्तमध्वानं सद्भिः क्षुण्णं न संत्यजेत्

dayāmapi tadā kuryādasau viśveśvaraḥ parām || yadāśrutyuktamadhvānaṁ sadbhiḥ kṣuṇṇaṁ na saṁtyajet

"Yet that Vishveshvara bestows his supreme mercy more readily upon one who does not abandon the path declared in scripture and well-trodden by the virtuous."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.86.67)

अनुक्रोशं समर्थ्येति स त्वाष्ट्रः र्शाभवं शुचिः।। संस्थाप्य लिंगमीशस्याराधयत्स्वस्थमानसः

anukrośaṁ samarthyeti sa tvāṣṭraḥ rśābhavaṁ śuciḥ|| saṁsthāpya liṁgamīśasyārādhayatsvasthamānasaḥ

Reflecting thus, affirming that grace, that son of Tvashta, purified, established a linga of Shiva there, and worshipped it with a settled mind.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.86.68)

आनीय पुष्पसंभारमार्तवं काननाद्बहु ।। स्नात्वाभ्यर्चयतीशानं कंदमूलफलाशनः

ānīya puṣpasaṁbhāramārtavaṁ kānanādbahu || snātvābhyarcayatīśānaṁ kaṁdamūlaphalāśanaḥ

Bringing abundant seasonal flowers from the forest, having bathed, he worshipped Ishana, living on roots and fruits.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.86.69)

इत्थं त्वष्टृतनूजस्य लिंगाराधनचेतसः ।। त्रिहायनात्प्रसन्नोभूत्तस्येशः करुणानिधिः

itthaṁ tvaṣṭṛtanūjasya liṁgārādhanacetasaḥ || trihāyanātprasannobhūttasyeśaḥ karuṇānidhiḥ

Thus, after three years of the son of Tvashta's mind devoted to worshipping the linga, the Lord, that treasure of compassion, became pleased with him.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.86.70)

तस्मादेव हि लिंगाच्च प्रादुर्भूय भवोऽब्रवीत् ।। वरं वरय रे त्वाष्ट्र दृढभक्त्यानया तव ।।

tasmādeva hi liṁgācca prādurbhūya bhavo'bravīt || varaṁ varaya re tvāṣṭra dṛḍhabhaktyānayā tava ||

Manifesting from that very linga, Bhava said: "Ask your boon, O son of Tvashta, moved by this steadfast devotion of yours."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.86.71)

प्रसन्नोस्मि भृशं बाल गुर्वर्थकृतचेतसः ।। गुरुणा गुरुपत्न्या च गुर्वपत्यद्वयेन च

prasannosmi bhṛśaṁ bāla gurvarthakṛtacetasaḥ || guruṇā gurupatnyā ca gurvapatyadvayena ca

"I am exceedingly pleased, O child, with you whose mind was set upon fulfilling the tasks given by the guru, the guru's wife, and the guru's two children —"

Verse 72 (skanda.4.86.72)

यथार्थितं तथा कर्तुं ते सामर्थ्यं भविष्यति

yathārthitaṁ tathā kartuṁ te sāmarthyaṁ bhaviṣyati

"— you shall have the ability to accomplish exactly what was asked of you."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.86.73)

अन्यान्वरांश्च ते दद्यां त्वाष्ट्र तुष्टस्त्वदर्चया ।। ताञ्शृणुष्व महाभाग लिंगस्यास्याद्भुतश्रियः

anyānvarāṁśca te dadyāṁ tvāṣṭra tuṣṭastvadarcayā || tāñśṛṇuṣva mahābhāga liṁgasyāsyādbhutaśriyaḥ

"And I shall grant you other boons too, O son of Tvashta, pleased by your worship; hear them, O fortunate one, boons of this linga's wondrous glory."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.86.74)

त्वं सुवर्णादिधातूनां दारूणां दृषदामपि ।। मणीनामपिरत्नानां पुष्पाणामपि वाससाम्

tvaṁ suvarṇādidhātūnāṁ dārūṇāṁ dṛṣadāmapi || maṇīnāmapiratnānāṁ puṣpāṇāmapi vāsasām

"You shall gain mastery over the working of gold and other metals, of wood, of stones, of gems and jewels, of flowers, of garments,"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.86.75)

कर्पूरादिसुगंधीनां द्रव्याणामप्यपामपि ।। कंदमूलफलानां च द्रव्याणामपि च त्वचाम्।।

karpūrādisugaṁdhīnāṁ dravyāṇāmapyapāmapi || kaṁdamūlaphalānāṁ ca dravyāṇāmapi ca tvacām||

"— of fragrant substances such as camphor, of water, of roots, tubers, and fruits, and of barks —"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.86.76)

सर्वेषां वस्तुजातानां कर्तुं कर्म प्रवेत्स्यसि ।। यस्य यस्य रुचिर्यत्र सद्म देवालयादिषु

sarveṣāṁ vastujātānāṁ kartuṁ karma pravetsyasi || yasya yasya ruciryatra sadma devālayādiṣu

"— you shall be able to work with every kind of material there is. Whatever taste anyone has, in any dwelling, temple, or the like,"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.86.77)

तस्य तस्येह तुष्ट्यै त्वं तथा कर्तुं प्रवेत्स्यसि ।। सर्वनेपथ्यरचनाः सर्वाः सूपस्य संस्कृतीः

tasya tasyeha tuṣṭyai tvaṁ tathā kartuṁ pravetsyasi || sarvanepathyaracanāḥ sarvāḥ sūpasya saṁskṛtīḥ

"— for the satisfaction of each and every one, you shall be able to fashion it accordingly. Every kind of costuming and adornment, every art of cooking,"

Verse 78 (skanda.4.86.78)

सर्वाणि शिल्पकार्याणि तौर्यत्रिकमथापि च ।। सर्वं ज्ञास्यसि कर्तुं त्वं द्वितीय इव पद्मभूः

sarvāṇi śilpakāryāṇi tauryatrikamathāpi ca || sarvaṁ jñāsyasi kartuṁ tvaṁ dvitīya iva padmabhūḥ

"every craft, and the threefold art of music and dance as well — you shall know how to do all of it, as if a second Brahma."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.86.79)

नानाविधानि यंत्राणि नानायुधविधानकम् ।। जलाशयानां रचनाः सुदुर्गरचनास्तथा

nānāvidhāni yaṁtrāṇi nānāyudhavidhānakam || jalāśayānāṁ racanāḥ sudurgaracanāstathā

"Various kinds of machines, the making of various weapons, the construction of reservoirs, and likewise the building of impregnable fortresses —"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.86.80)

तादृक्कर्तुं पुरा वेत्सि यादृङ्नान्योऽधियास्यति ।। कलाजातं हि सर्वं त्वमवयास्यसि मे वरात्

tādṛkkartuṁ purā vetsi yādṛṅnānyo'dhiyāsyati || kalājātaṁ hi sarvaṁ tvamavayāsyasi me varāt

"— you shall know how to make these as no one else shall ever surpass. Every art there is, you shall come to know, through my boon."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.86.81)

सर्वेंद्रजालिकी विद्या त्वदधीना भविष्यति ।। सर्वकर्मसु कौशल्यं सर्वबुद्धिवरिष्ठताम्

sarveṁdrajālikī vidyā tvadadhīnā bhaviṣyati || sarvakarmasu kauśalyaṁ sarvabuddhivariṣṭhatām

"All the arts of illusion and magic shall be within your control; skill in every task, and the very highest of all intelligence,"

Verse 82 (skanda.4.86.82)

सर्वेषां च मनोवृत्तिं त्वं ज्ञास्यसि वरान्मम ।। किं बहूक्तेन यत्स्वर्गे यत्पाताले यदत्र च

sarveṣāṁ ca manovṛttiṁ tvaṁ jñāsyasi varānmama || kiṁ bahūktena yatsvarge yatpātāle yadatra ca

"and the very inclination of everyone's mind — you shall know all these, through my boon. What need to say more? Whatever exists in heaven, in the netherworld, or here —"

Verse 83 (skanda.4.86.83)

अतिलोकोत्तरं कर्म तत्सर्वं वेत्स्यसि स्वयम्

atilokottaraṁ karma tatsarvaṁ vetsyasi svayam

"— every task beyond the ordinary, all of it you shall know how to perform yourself."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.86.84)

विश्वेषां विश्वकर्माणि विश्वेषु भुवनेषु च ।। यतो ज्ञास्यसि तन्नाम विश्वकर्मेति तेऽनघ

viśveṣāṁ viśvakarmāṇi viśveṣu bhuvaneṣu ca || yato jñāsyasi tannāma viśvakarmeti te'nagha

"Since you shall know how to do the works of all beings, in all the worlds, therefore your very name, O sinless one, shall be 'Vishvakarma'."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.86.85)

अपरः को वरो देयस्तव तं प्रार्थयाश्वहो ।। तवादेयं न मे किंचिल्लिंगार्चनरतस्य हि

aparaḥ ko varo deyastava taṁ prārthayāśvaho || tavādeyaṁ na me kiṁcilliṁgārcanaratasya hi

"What other boon is there to give you — ask it quickly. For you, devoted to the worship of this linga, there is nothing at all I would refuse to give."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.86.86)

अन्यत्रापि हि यो लिंगं समर्चयति सन्मतिः ।। तस्यापि वांछितं देयं किंपुनर्योविकाशिकम्

anyatrāpi hi yo liṁgaṁ samarcayati sanmatiḥ || tasyāpi vāṁchitaṁ deyaṁ kiṁpunaryovikāśikam

"Even one of virtuous mind who worships a linga elsewhere is granted his desire — how much more, then, one who worships in Kashi itself?"

Verse 87 (skanda.4.86.87)

येन काश्यां समभ्यर्चि येन काश्यां प्रतिष्ठितम् ।। येन काश्यां स्तुतं लिंगं स मे रूपाय दर्पणः

yena kāśyāṁ samabhyarci yena kāśyāṁ pratiṣṭhitam || yena kāśyāṁ stutaṁ liṁgaṁ sa me rūpāya darpaṇaḥ

"Whoever has worshipped in Kashi, whoever has established a linga in Kashi, whoever has praised a linga in Kashi — he becomes as it were a mirror reflecting my own form."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.86.88)

तत्त्वं स्वच्छोसि मुकुरो मम नेत्रत्रयस्य हि ।। काश्यां लिंगार्चनात्त्वाष्ट्र वरं वरय सुव्रत

tattvaṁ svacchosi mukuro mama netratrayasya hi || kāśyāṁ liṁgārcanāttvāṣṭra varaṁ varaya suvrata

"So you too, through the worship of a linga at Kashi, become a clear mirror for my three eyes. Ask your boon, O son of Tvashta, O one of good vows."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.86.89)

काश्यां यो राजधान्यां मे हित्वा मामन्यमर्चयेत् ।। स वराकोल्पधीर्मुष्टोऽल्पतुष्टिर्मुक्तिवर्जितः

kāśyāṁ yo rājadhānyāṁ me hitvā māmanyamarcayet || sa varākolpadhīrmuṣṭo'lpatuṣṭirmuktivarjitaḥ

"Whoever abandons me in Kashi, my own capital, to worship another god instead — that wretched, small-minded fool, deceived, of little contentment, is deprived of liberation."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.86.90)

तदानंदवनेह्यत्र समर्च्योहं मुमुक्षुभिः ।। द्रुहिणोपेंद्रचंद्रेंद्रैरिहान्यो न समर्च्यते

tadānaṁdavanehyatra samarcyohaṁ mumukṣubhiḥ || druhiṇopeṁdracaṁdreṁdrairihānyo na samarcyate

"Here in this very Anandavana, I alone am to be worshipped by those who seek liberation — not Brahma, Vishnu, the moon, Indra, or any other, here."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.86.91)

यथानंदवनं प्राप्य त्वं मामर्चितवानसि ।। तथान्ये पुण्यकर्माणो मामभ्यर्च्यैव मामिताः

yathānaṁdavanaṁ prāpya tvaṁ māmarcitavānasi || tathānye puṇyakarmāṇo māmabhyarcyaiva māmitāḥ

"Just as you, having reached Anandavana, have worshipped me, so too do other men of virtuous deeds, having worshipped me alone, come to me."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.86.92)

अनुग्राह्योऽसि नितरां ततो वरय दुर्लभम् ।। श्राणितं तदवैहि त्वं वद मा चिरयस्व भोः

anugrāhyo'si nitarāṁ tato varaya durlabham || śrāṇitaṁ tadavaihi tvaṁ vada mā cirayasva bhoḥ

"You are exceedingly worthy of my grace; ask therefore for something rarely obtained. Know that it is already granted — speak, do not delay."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.86.93)

।। विश्वकर्मोवाच ।। ।। इदं यत्स्थापितं लिंगं मयाज्ञेनापि शंकर ।। तल्लिंगमन्येप्याराध्य संतु समृद्धिभाजनम्

|| viśvakarmovāca || || idaṁ yatsthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ mayājñenāpi śaṁkara || talliṁgamanyepyārādhya saṁtu samṛddhibhājanam

Vishvakarma said: "O Shankara, this linga which I, though ignorant, have established — let others too, by worshipping that linga, become vessels of prosperity."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.86.94)

अन्यच्च नाथ प्रार्थ्योसि तच्च विश्राणयिष्यसि ।। मया विनिर्मापयिता स्वं प्रासादं कदा भवान्

anyacca nātha prārthyosi tacca viśrāṇayiṣyasi || mayā vinirmāpayitā svaṁ prāsādaṁ kadā bhavān

"And this too, my lord, I ask, and which you shall surely grant: when shall you have your own temple built by me?"

Verse 95 (skanda.4.86.95)

देवदेव उवाच ।। ।। एवमस्तु यदुक्तं ते तव लिंगसमर्चकाः ।। समृद्धिभाजनं वै स्युः स्युश्च निर्वाणदीक्षिताः

devadeva uvāca || || evamastu yaduktaṁ te tava liṁgasamarcakāḥ || samṛddhibhājanaṁ vai syuḥ syuśca nirvāṇadīkṣitāḥ

The god of gods said: "So be it, as you have said — those who worship your linga shall indeed become vessels of prosperity, and shall be initiated into liberation."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.86.96)

यदा च राजा भविता दिवोदासो विधेर्वरात्।। तदा मे वचनात्तात प्रासादं मे विधास्यति

yadā ca rājā bhavitā divodāso vidhervarāt|| tadā me vacanāttāta prāsādaṁ me vidhāsyati

"And when King Divodasa comes to be, by Brahma's boon, then, my son, at my word, he shall have my temple built."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.86.97)

नवीकृत्य पुनः काशी निर्विष्टा तेन भूभुजा ।। गणेशमायया राज्यात्परिनिर्विण्णचेतसा

navīkṛtya punaḥ kāśī nirviṣṭā tena bhūbhujā || gaṇeśamāyayā rājyātparinirviṇṇacetasā

"That king, having renewed Kashi, and having, through the illusion wrought by Ganesha, become utterly disillusioned with his kingdom, shall settle here,"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.86.98)

विष्णोः सदुपदेशाच्च मामेव शरणं गतः ।। निर्वाणलक्ष्मीः प्राप्तेह हित्वा राज्यश्रियं चलाम्

viṣṇoḥ sadupadeśācca māmeva śaraṇaṁ gataḥ || nirvāṇalakṣmīḥ prāpteha hitvā rājyaśriyaṁ calām

"and, by Vishnu's true counsel, shall take refuge in me alone, and shall attain here the very fortune of liberation, having abandoned the fickle fortune of his kingdom."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.86.99)

विश्वकर्मन्व्रज गुरोः शासनाय यतस्व च ।। गुरुभक्तिकृतो यस्मान्मद्भक्ता नात्र संशयः

viśvakarmanvraja guroḥ śāsanāya yatasva ca || gurubhaktikṛto yasmānmadbhaktā nātra saṁśayaḥ

"O Vishvakarma, go now, and strive to fulfil your guru's commands; for those who show devotion to their guru are, without doubt, my very devotees."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.86.100)

ये गुरुं चावमन्यंते तेवमान्या मयाप्यहो ।। तस्माद्गुरूपदिष्टं हि कुरु शिष्यसमीहितम्

ye guruṁ cāvamanyaṁte tevamānyā mayāpyaho || tasmādgurūpadiṣṭaṁ hi kuru śiṣyasamīhitam

"Ah, those who show contempt for their guru are held in contempt by me too. Therefore, whatever the guru instructs, a disciple should faithfully carry out."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.86.101)

तत आगत्य मे पार्श्वं यावन्निर्वाणमेष्यसि ।। तावत्स्थास्यसि शुद्धात्मा देवानां हितमाचरन्

tata āgatya me pārśvaṁ yāvannirvāṇameṣyasi || tāvatsthāsyasi śuddhātmā devānāṁ hitamācaran

"Then, having returned to my side, you shall remain, pure of soul, working for the welfare of the gods, until you attain final liberation."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.86.102)

तवात्र लिंगे सततं स्थास्याम्यहमभीष्टदः ।। अस्य लिंगस्य भक्तानां निर्वाणश्रीरदूरतः

tavātra liṁge satataṁ sthāsyāmyahamabhīṣṭadaḥ || asya liṁgasya bhaktānāṁ nirvāṇaśrīradūrataḥ

"I shall abide here forever in your linga, granting every wish; for the devotees of this linga, the very fortune of liberation is not far off."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.86.103)

अंगारेशादुदीच्यां ये त्वल्लिंगस्यसमर्चकाः ।। तेषां मनोरथावाप्तिर्भविष्यति पदेपदे

aṁgāreśādudīcyāṁ ye tvalliṁgasyasamarcakāḥ || teṣāṁ manorathāvāptirbhaviṣyati padepade

"Those who worship your linga, to the north of Angaresha, shall attain their heart's desire at every step."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.86.104)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवस्त्वाष्ट्रोपि गुरुमाप्तवान् ।। गुरोः समीहितं भूरि विधाय स गृहान्ययौ

ityuktvāṁtardadhe devastvāṣṭropi gurumāptavān || guroḥ samīhitaṁ bhūri vidhāya sa gṛhānyayau

Having said this, the god vanished; and the son of Tvashta returned to his guru, and, having accomplished all that his guru had desired, went home.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.86.105)

गृहेपि मातापितरौ संतोष्य निजकर्मणा ।। तदुक्ताज्ञां समाधाय पुनः काशीं समाययौ

gṛhepi mātāpitarau saṁtoṣya nijakarmaṇā || taduktājñāṁ samādhāya punaḥ kāśīṁ samāyayau

Having also satisfied his parents at home through his own craft, and having heeded that command, he returned once more to Kashi.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.86.106)

स्वलिंगाराधनासक्तो नाद्यापि त्वष्टृनंदनः ।। काशीं त्यजति मेधावी सर्वदेव प्रियं चरन्

svaliṁgārādhanāsakto nādyāpi tvaṣṭṛnaṁdanaḥ || kāśīṁ tyajati medhāvī sarvadeva priyaṁ caran

Devoted to the worship of his own linga, that wise son of Tvashta has never even to this day left Kashi, ever acting for the pleasure of all the gods.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.86.107)

।। ईश्वर उवाच ।। ।। पृष्टानि यानि र्लिगानि त्वया देवि गिरींद्रजे ।। काशी मुक्तौ समर्थानि तान्युक्तानि मया तव

|| īśvara uvāca || || pṛṣṭāni yāni rligāni tvayā devi girīṁdraje || kāśī muktau samarthāni tānyuktāni mayā tava

Ishvara said: "O goddess, daughter of the mountain-king, the lingas which you asked about, capable of granting liberation at Kashi, have now been told to you by me."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.86.108)

लिंगमोंकारसंज्ञं च तथा देवं त्रिविष्टपम् ।। महादेवः कृत्तिवासा रत्नेशश्चंद्रसंज्ञकः

liṁgamoṁkārasaṁjñaṁ ca tathā devaṁ triviṣṭapam || mahādevaḥ kṛttivāsā ratneśaścaṁdrasaṁjñakaḥ

"The linga called Omkara, and likewise the god Trivishtapa; Mahadeva, Krittivasa, Ratnesha, the one called Chandra —"

Verse 109 (skanda.4.86.109)

केदारश्चापि धर्मेशस्तथा वीरेश्वराभिधः ।। कामेशविश्वकर्मेशौ मणिकर्णीश्वरस्तथा

kedāraścāpi dharmeśastathā vīreśvarābhidhaḥ || kāmeśaviśvakarmeśau maṇikarṇīśvarastathā

"— Kedara, and Dharmesha, and the one named Vireshvara; Kamesha and Vishvakarmesha, and likewise Manikarnishvara —"

Verse 110 (skanda.4.86.110)

ममार्च्यमविमुक्ताख्यं ततो देवि ममा ख्यकम् ।। विश्वनाथेति विश्वस्मिन्प्रथितं विश्वसौख्यदम्

mamārcyamavimuktākhyaṁ tato devi mamā khyakam || viśvanātheti viśvasminprathitaṁ viśvasaukhyadam

"— my own worship-image called Avimukta, and then, O goddess, my own supreme form, renowned throughout the universe as Vishvanatha, giver of universal happiness."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.86.111)

अविमुक्तं समासाद्य येन विश्वेश्वरोर्चितः ।। न तस्यास्ति पुनर्जन्म कल्पकोटिशतेष्वपि

avimuktaṁ samāsādya yena viśveśvarorcitaḥ || na tasyāsti punarjanma kalpakoṭiśateṣvapi

"Whoever, having reached Avimukta, has worshipped Vishveshvara, for him there is no rebirth again, even across hundreds of millions of kalpas."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.86.112)

अष्टौ मासान्विहारः स्याद्यतीनां संयतात्मनाम् ।। एकत्र चतुरोमासानब्दं नावास इष्यते

aṣṭau māsānvihāraḥ syādyatīnāṁ saṁyatātmanām || ekatra caturomāsānabdaṁ nāvāsa iṣyate

"For self-controlled ascetics, wandering is prescribed for eight months of the year, and dwelling in one place for the four months of the rainy season; a full year's residence in one place is not enjoined —"

Verse 113 (skanda.4.86.113)

अविमुक्ते प्रविष्टानां विहारो नैव युज्यते ।। मोक्षोप्यसंशयश्चात्र तस्मात्त्याज्या न काशिका

avimukte praviṣṭānāṁ vihāro naiva yujyate || mokṣopyasaṁśayaścātra tasmāttyājyā na kāśikā

"— except for those who have entered Avimukta, for whom further wandering is simply not fitting. Liberation here is beyond doubt; therefore Kashi should never be abandoned."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.86.114)

आनंदकाननं हित्वा नान्यद्गच्छेत्तपोवनम् ।। तपोयोगश्च मोक्षश्च यतोत्रैव मदाश्रयात्

ānaṁdakānanaṁ hitvā nānyadgacchettapovanam || tapoyogaśca mokṣaśca yatotraiva madāśrayāt

"One should not leave Anandavana to go to any other forest of austerity; for both the practice of austerity and yoga, and liberation itself, come from taking refuge in me right here."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.86.115)

कृपया सर्वजंतूनां क्षेत्रमेतन्मया कृतम् ।। अवश्यमेव सिद्ध्यंति क्षेत्रेस्मिन्सिद्धिकांक्षिणः

kṛpayā sarvajaṁtūnāṁ kṣetrametanmayā kṛtam || avaśyameva siddhyaṁti kṣetresminsiddhikāṁkṣiṇaḥ

"Out of compassion for all creatures, this sacred field has been made by me; those who seek perfection in this field certainly attain it."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.86.116)

अतीतं वर्तमानं च जानतोऽज्ञानतः कृतम् ।। यदेनस्तल्लयं यायादानंदवनवीक्षणात्

atītaṁ vartamānaṁ ca jānato'jñānataḥ kṛtam || yadenastallayaṁ yāyādānaṁdavanavīkṣaṇāt

"Whatever sin has been committed, in the past or the present, whether knowingly or unknowingly, dissolves away by the mere sight of Anandavana."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.86.117)

अत्युग्रैश्च तपोभिर्यन्महादानैर्महाव्रतैः ।। नियमैश्च यमैः सम्यक्त्वयोगेन महामखैः

atyugraiśca tapobhiryanmahādānairmahāvrataiḥ || niyamaiśca yamaiḥ samyaktvayogena mahāmakhaiḥ

"Whatever is obtained through the most severe austerities, through great gifts, through great vows, through niyamas and yamas, through true yoga, through great sacrifices —"

Verse 118 (skanda.4.86.118)

वेदांतशास्त्राभ्यसनैः सर्वोपनिषदाश्रयात् ।। एभिर्वै यदवाप्येत तत्काश्यां हेलयाप्यते

vedāṁtaśāstrābhyasanaiḥ sarvopaniṣadāśrayāt || ebhirvai yadavāpyeta tatkāśyāṁ helayāpyate

"— through the study of Vedanta scriptures, through refuge in all the Upanishads — whatever is thereby obtained, that same is obtained at Kashi with mere ease."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.86.119)

कर्मसूत्रेण बद्धा वै भ्राम्यंते तावदेव हि ।। यावद्वैश्वेश्वरे धाम्नि मम नैव तनुत्यजः

karmasūtreṇa baddhā vai bhrāmyaṁte tāvadeva hi || yāvadvaiśveśvare dhāmni mama naiva tanutyajaḥ

"Beings bound by the thread of karma wander only for so long as they do not shed their bodies in my very abode of Vishveshvara."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.86.120)

काश्यां स्वलीलया देवि तिर्यग्योनिजुषामपि।। ददामि चांते तत्स्थानं यत्र यांति न याज्ञिकाः

kāśyāṁ svalīlayā devi tiryagyonijuṣāmapi|| dadāmi cāṁte tatsthānaṁ yatra yāṁti na yājñikāḥ

"At Kashi, by my own sport, O goddess, I grant, at their end, even to those born in animal wombs, that very state which even performers of sacrifice do not reach."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.86.121)

भूतग्रामोऽखिलोप्यत्र मुक्तिक्षेत्रे कृतालयः ।। कालेन निधनं यातो यात्येव परमां गतिम्

bhūtagrāmo'khilopyatra muktikṣetre kṛtālayaḥ || kālena nidhanaṁ yāto yātyeva paramāṁ gatim

"Every mass of beings whatsoever, having made its dwelling in this field of liberation, upon meeting death in due time, attains the supreme state."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.86.122)

विषयासक्तचित्तोपि त्यक्तधर्मरतिस्त्वपि ।। कालेनोज्झितदेहोऽत्र न संसारं पुनर्विशेत्

viṣayāsaktacittopi tyaktadharmaratistvapi || kālenojjhitadeho'tra na saṁsāraṁ punarviśet

"Even one whose mind is attached to sense-objects, even one who has abandoned the delight in dharma, having shed his body here in due time, never enters worldly existence again."

Verse 123 (skanda.4.86.123)

प्रयागे यत्फलं देवि माघे चोपनिमज्जनात् ।। तत्फलं कोटिगुणितं वाराणस्यां क्षणेक्षणे

prayāge yatphalaṁ devi māghe copanimajjanāt || tatphalaṁ koṭiguṇitaṁ vārāṇasyāṁ kṣaṇekṣaṇe

"Whatever fruit, O goddess, comes from immersion at Prayaga in the month of Magha, that same fruit, multiplied ten million times, comes at Varanasi at every single moment."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.86.124)

अस्य क्षेत्रस्य महिमा कोपि वाचामगोचरः ।। उद्देशमात्रमाख्यायि मया ते प्रीतिकाम्यया

asya kṣetrasya mahimā kopi vācāmagocaraḥ || uddeśamātramākhyāyi mayā te prītikāmyayā

"The greatness of this sacred field is beyond the reach of words in any way; only a bare outline of it have I told you, out of my love for you."

Verse 125 (skanda.4.86.125)

चतुर्दशानां लिंगानां श्रुत्वाख्यानानि सत्तमः ।। चतुर्दश सुलोकेषु पूजां प्राप्स्यत्यनुत्तमाम्

caturdaśānāṁ liṁgānāṁ śrutvākhyānāni sattamaḥ || caturdaśa sulokeṣu pūjāṁ prāpsyatyanuttamām

"Whatever excellent person hears the narratives of these fourteen lingas shall obtain unsurpassed worship in all the fourteen worlds."