The Going to the Liberation Pavilion

Verse 1 (skanda.4.98.1)

।। व्यास उवाच।। ।। शृणु सूत महाभाग यथा स्कंदेन भाषितः।। महामहोत्सवः शंभोः पृच्छते कुंभसंभवे

|| vyāsa uvāca|| || śṛṇu sūta mahābhāga yathā skaṁdena bhāṣitaḥ|| mahāmahotsavaḥ śaṁbhoḥ pṛcchate kuṁbhasaṁbhave

Vyasa said: Listen, O greatly fortunate Suta, as spoken by Skanda — the great festival of Shambhu, asked about by the pot-born one.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.98.2)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। निशामय महाप्राज्ञ शंभु प्रावेशिकीं कथाम् ।। त्रैलोक्यानंदजननीं महापातकतंकिनीम्

|| skaṁda uvāca || || niśāmaya mahāprājña śaṁbhu prāveśikīṁ kathām || trailokyānaṁdajananīṁ mahāpātakataṁkinīm

Skanda said: Listen, O greatly wise one, to the story of Shambhu's entry, the mother of the bliss of the three worlds, the terror of great sins.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.98.3)

मंदरादागतः शंभुश्चैत्रे दमनपर्वणि ।। प्राप्याप्यानंदगहनमितश्चेतश्चचार ह

maṁdarādāgataḥ śaṁbhuścaitre damanaparvaṇi || prāpyāpyānaṁdagahanamitaścetaścacāra ha

Shambhu, having come from Mandara, in Chaitra, at the Damana festival, having reached the dense Anandavana, wandered here and there.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.98.4)

मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासेथ प्रासादे सिद्धिमागते ।। देवो विरजसः पीठादंतर्गेहं विवेश ह

mokṣalakṣmīvilāsetha prāsāde siddhimāgate || devo virajasaḥ pīṭhādaṁtargehaṁ viveśa ha

Then, the palace of Moksha-Lakshmi's play having reached completion, the god entered the inner chamber from the pure seat.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.98.5)

ऊर्जशुक्लप्रतिपदि बुधराधासमायुजि ।। चंद्रे सप्तमराशिस्थे शेषेषूच्चग्रहेषु च

ūrjaśuklapratipadi budharādhāsamāyuji || caṁdre saptamarāśisthe śeṣeṣūccagraheṣu ca

On the first day of the bright fortnight of Urja, with Mercury conjoined with Anuradha, the Moon in the seventh sign, and the remaining planets exalted,

Verse 6 (skanda.4.98.6)

वाद्यमानेषु वाद्येषु प्रसन्नासु हरित्सु च ।। ब्राह्मणानां श्रुतिरव न्यक्कृतान्यरवांतरे

vādyamāneṣu vādyeṣu prasannāsu haritsu ca || brāhmaṇānāṁ śrutirava nyakkṛtānyaravāṁtare

with instruments being played, the directions appearing clear, the sound of the brahmins' Vedic recitation drowned out amid other sounds,

Verse 7 (skanda.4.98.7)

प्रतिशब्दित भूर्लोक भुवर्लोकांतराध्वनि ।। सर्वं प्रमुदितं चासीच्छंभोः प्रावेशिकोत्सवे

pratiśabdita bhūrloka bhuvarlokāṁtarādhvani || sarvaṁ pramuditaṁ cāsīcchaṁbhoḥ prāveśikotsave

echoing along the path between Bhurloka and Bhuvarloka — everything became filled with joy at Shambhu's entry-festival.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.98.8)

जगुर्गंधर्वनिकरा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

jagurgaṁdharvanikarā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

Hosts of Gandharvas sang, and troupes of Apsaras danced.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.98.9)

चारणास्तु स्तुतिं कुर्युर्जर्हृषुर्देवतागणाः

cāraṇāstu stutiṁ kuryurjarhṛṣurdevatāgaṇāḥ

The Charanas offered praise, the hosts of deities rejoiced.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.98.10)

ववुर्गंधवहा वाता ववृषुः कुसुमैर्घनाः ।। सर्वे मंगलनेपथ्याः सर्वे मंगलभाषिणः

vavurgaṁdhavahā vātā vavṛṣuḥ kusumairghanāḥ || sarve maṁgalanepathyāḥ sarve maṁgalabhāṣiṇaḥ

Fragrant breezes blew, dense clouds rained down flowers; everyone was in auspicious attire, everyone spoke auspicious words.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.98.11)

स्थावरा जंगमाः सर्वे जाता आनंदमेदुराः।। सुरासुरेषु सर्वेषु गंधर्वेषूरगेषु च

sthāvarā jaṁgamāḥ sarve jātā ānaṁdamedurāḥ|| surāsureṣu sarveṣu gaṁdharveṣūrageṣu ca

All things, moving and unmoving, became full of bliss; among all gods and demons, Gandharvas and serpents,

Verse 12 (skanda.4.98.12)

विद्याधरेषु साध्येषु किन्नरेषु नरेषु च ।। स्त्रीपुंजातेषु सर्वेषु रेजुश्चत्वार एव च

vidyādhareṣu sādhyeṣu kinnareṣu nareṣu ca || strīpuṁjāteṣu sarveṣu rejuścatvāra eva ca

among Vidyadharas, Sadhyas, Kinnaras, and men, and among all born as women or men, the four aims of life shone forth,

Verse 13 (skanda.4.98.13)

निष्प्रत्यूहं च नितरां पुरुषार्थाः पदेपदे ।। धूपधूमभरैर्व्योम यद्रक्तं तु तदा मुने

niṣpratyūhaṁ ca nitarāṁ puruṣārthāḥ padepade || dhūpadhūmabharairvyoma yadraktaṁ tu tadā mune

utterly unobstructed, at every step. The sky, then reddened with heavy masses of incense-smoke, O sage,

Verse 14 (skanda.4.98.14)

नाद्यापि नीलिमानंतं परित्यजति कर्हिचित् ।। नीराजनाय ये दीपास्तदा सर्वे प्रबोधिताः

nādyāpi nīlimānaṁtaṁ parityajati karhicit || nīrājanāya ye dīpāstadā sarve prabodhitāḥ

even today has never at all abandoned that infinite blue-blackness. The lamps that were lit for the waving of light,

Verse 15 (skanda.4.98.15)

तेषां ज्योतींषि खेद्यापि राजंते तारकाच्छलात् ।। प्रतिसौधं पताकाश्च नानाकारा विचित्रिताः

teṣāṁ jyotīṁṣi khedyāpi rājaṁte tārakācchalāt || pratisaudhaṁ patākāśca nānākārā vicitritāḥ

their flames, even from afar, shine as if under the guise of stars. At every mansion, banners of various shapes, beautifully painted,

Verse 16 (skanda.4.98.16)

रम्यध्वजप्रभाधौता रेजुः प्रति शिवालयम् ।। क्वचिद्गायंति गीतज्ञाः क्वचिन्नृत्यंति नर्तकाः

ramyadhvajaprabhādhautā rejuḥ prati śivālayam || kvacidgāyaṁti gītajñāḥ kvacinnṛtyaṁti nartakāḥ

shone, washed in the lovely radiance of the flags, before every Shiva-temple. Somewhere singers sang, somewhere dancers danced.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.98.17)

चतुर्विधानि वाद्यानि वाद्यंते च क्वचित्क्वचित् ।। प्रत्यध्वं चंदनरसच्छटा पिच्छिलभूमयः

caturvidhāni vādyāni vādyaṁte ca kvacitkvacit || pratyadhvaṁ caṁdanarasacchaṭā picchilabhūmayaḥ

Instruments of four kinds were played here and there; along every path, the ground was slick with streaks of sandal-paste,

Verse 18 (skanda.4.98.18)

हरित श्वेत मांजिष्ठ नील पीत बहुप्रभाः ।। प्रत्यंगणं शुभाकारा रंगमालाश्चकाशिरे

harita śveta māṁjiṣṭha nīla pīta bahuprabhāḥ || pratyaṁgaṇaṁ śubhākārā raṁgamālāścakāśire

green, white, madder-red, blue, yellow, of many hues — at every courtyard, beautiful garlands of colour shone.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.98.19)

रत्नकुट्टिमभूभागा गोपुराग्रेषु रेजिरे ।। सुधोज्ज्वला हर्म्यमालाः सौधनामप्रपेदिरे

ratnakuṭṭimabhūbhāgā gopurāgreṣu rejire || sudhojjvalā harmyamālāḥ saudhanāmaprapedire

Ground inlaid with jewels shone at the tops of the gate-towers; rows of mansions, brilliant with plaster, took on the very name of 'saudha.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.98.20)

अचेतनान्यपि तदा चेतनानीव संबभुः ।। यानि कानीह कीर्त्यंते मंगलानि घटोद्भव

acetanānyapi tadā cetanānīva saṁbabhuḥ || yāni kānīha kīrtyaṁte maṁgalāni ghaṭodbhava

Even inanimate things then seemed as if animate. Whatever auspicious things are celebrated here, O pot-born one,

Verse 21 (skanda.4.98.21)

तेषामेव हि सर्वेषां तत्तु जन्मदिवाभवत् ।। आगत्य देवदेवोथ मुक्तिमंडपमाविशत्

teṣāmeva hi sarveṣāṁ tattu janmadivābhavat || āgatya devadevotha muktimaṁḍapamāviśat

of all of them, that was indeed their very birthday. Then the god of gods, having come, entered the Mukti-mandapa.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.98.22)

अथाभिषिक्तश्चतुराननेन महर्षिवृंदैः सह देवदेवः ।। शुभासनस्थः सहितो भवान्या कुमारवृंदैः परितो वृतश्च।।

athābhiṣiktaścaturānanena maharṣivṛṁdaiḥ saha devadevaḥ || śubhāsanasthaḥ sahito bhavānyā kumāravṛṁdaiḥ parito vṛtaśca||

Then, anointed by the four-faced one together with the hosts of great sages, the god of gods, seated on an auspicious seat, together with Bhavani, surrounded all around by throngs of Kumaras —

Verse 23 (skanda.4.98.23)

रत्नैरसंख्यैर्बहुभिर्दुकूलैर्माल्यैर्विचित्रैर्लसदिष्टगंधैः ।। अपूपुजन्देवगणा महेशं तदा मुदाते च महोरग्रेंद्राः

ratnairasaṁkhyairbahubhirdukūlairmālyairvicitrairlasadiṣṭagaṁdhaiḥ || apūpujandevagaṇā maheśaṁ tadā mudāte ca mahoragreṁdrāḥ

with countless jewels, many fine silks, varied garlands, desired fragrances, the hosts of gods, and the great serpent-lords, joyfully worshipped Mahesha.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.98.24)

रत्नाकरैश्चापि गिरींद्रव्यैर्यथा स्वमन्यैरपि पुण्यधीभिः ।। संपूजितः कुंभज तत्र शंभुर्नीराजितो मातृगणैरथेशः

ratnākaraiścāpi girīṁdravyairyathā svamanyairapi puṇyadhībhiḥ || saṁpūjitaḥ kuṁbhaja tatra śaṁbhurnīrājito mātṛgaṇairatheśaḥ

And with jewels, mountain-products, and their own gifts by other pure-minded ones, Shambhu was there worshipped, O pot-born one, and the Lord was waved with lamps by the Mother-goddesses.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.98.25)

संतोष्य सर्वान्प्रथमं मुनींद्रान्स्वैस्वैर्हृदिस्थैश्च चिराभिलाषैः ।। ब्रह्माणमाभाष्य शिवोथ विष्णुं जगाद सर्वामरवृंदवंद्यः

saṁtoṣya sarvānprathamaṁ munīṁdrānsvaisvairhṛdisthaiśca cirābhilāṣaiḥ || brahmāṇamābhāṣya śivotha viṣṇuṁ jagāda sarvāmaravṛṁdavaṁdyaḥ

Having first pleased all the lords of sages, with their own long-cherished desires held in their hearts, Shiva, addressing Brahma, then spoke to Vishnu, saluted by all the hosts of gods —

Verse 26 (skanda.4.98.26)

इतो निषीदेति समानपूर्वं त्वं मे समस्तप्रभुतैकहेतुः ।। दूरेपि तिष्ठन्निकटस्त्वमेव त्वत्तो न कश्चिन्मम कार्यकर्ता

ito niṣīdeti samānapūrvaṁ tvaṁ me samastaprabhutaikahetuḥ || dūrepi tiṣṭhannikaṭastvameva tvatto na kaścinmama kāryakartā

"Sit here beside me, as before — you are the sole cause of all my lordship. Even while standing far away, you alone are near to me; none but you accomplishes my work."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.98.27)

त्वया दिवोदास नरेंद्रवर्यः सदूपदेशैश्च तथोपदिष्टः ।। यथा स सिद्धिं परमामवाप समीहितं मे निखिलं च सिद्धम्

tvayā divodāsa nareṁdravaryaḥ sadūpadeśaiśca tathopadiṣṭaḥ || yathā sa siddhiṁ paramāmavāpa samīhitaṁ me nikhilaṁ ca siddham

"By you, Divodasa, the excellent king of men, was instructed with good counsel, such that he attained supreme accomplishment, and all that I desired was accomplished."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.98.28)

विष्णो वरं ब्रूहि य ईप्सितस्ते नादेयमत्रास्ति किमप्यहो ते।। इदं मयाऽऽनंदवनं यदाप्तं हेतुस्तु तत्रत्वमसौ गणेशः

viṣṇo varaṁ brūhi ya īpsitaste nādeyamatrāsti kimapyaho te|| idaṁ mayā''naṁdavanaṁ yadāptaṁ hetustu tatratvamasau gaṇeśaḥ

"O Vishnu, speak your desired boon; ah, is there anything at all that could not be given to you? This Anandavana that I have obtained — the reason for it is you, the very guide there."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.98.29)

न मे प्रियं किंचन विष्टपत्रये तथा यथेयं परसौख्यभूमिः ।। वाराणसी ब्रह्मरसायनस्य खनिर्जनिर्यत्र न दीर्घशायिनाम्

na me priyaṁ kiṁcana viṣṭapatraye tathā yatheyaṁ parasaukhyabhūmiḥ || vārāṇasī brahmarasāyanasya khanirjaniryatra na dīrghaśāyinām

"Nothing is dear to me in the three worlds as this ground of supreme happiness; Varanasi, the mine of the elixir of Brahman, where there is no birth for those who lie long [in bondage]."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.98.30)

श्रुत्वेति वाक्यं जगदीशितुश्च प्रोवाच विष्णुर्वरदं महेशम् ।। यदि प्रसन्नोसि पिनाकपाणे तदा पदाद्दूरमहं न ते स्याम्

śrutveti vākyaṁ jagadīśituśca provāca viṣṇurvaradaṁ maheśam || yadi prasannosi pinākapāṇe tadā padāddūramahaṁ na te syām

Having heard this word of the lord of the universe, Vishnu spoke to boon-giving Mahesha: "If you are pleased, O bow-bearer, then I shall never be far from your feet."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.98.31)

श्रुत्वेति वाक्यं मधुसूदनस्य जगाद तुष्टो नितरां पुरारिः ।। सदा मुरारे मम सन्निधौ त्वं तिष्ठस्व निर्वाणरमाश्रयेत्र

śrutveti vākyaṁ madhusūdanasya jagāda tuṣṭo nitarāṁ purāriḥ || sadā murāre mama sannidhau tvaṁ tiṣṭhasva nirvāṇaramāśrayetra

Having heard this word of Madhusudana, Purari, exceedingly pleased, said: "O Murari, ever dwell in my presence here, in the abode of the goddess of liberation."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.98.32)

आदावनाराध्य भवंतमत्र यो मां भजिष्यत्यपि भक्तियुक्तः ।। समीहितं तस्य न सेत्स्यति ध्रुवं परात्परान्मेंबुज चक्रपाणे

ādāvanārādhya bhavaṁtamatra yo māṁ bhajiṣyatyapi bhaktiyuktaḥ || samīhitaṁ tasya na setsyati dhruvaṁ parātparānmeṁbuja cakrapāṇe

"Whoever, without first worshipping you here, shall worship even me, though devoted — his desire shall certainly not be accomplished, O one higher than the highest, lotus-eyed, discus-bearer."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.98.33)

सर्वत्र सौख्यं मम मुक्तिमंडपे संतिष्ठमानस्य भवेदिहाच्युत ।। न तत्तु कैलासगिरौ सुनिर्मले न भक्तचेतस्यपि निश्चलश्रियि

sarvatra saukhyaṁ mama muktimaṁḍape saṁtiṣṭhamānasya bhavedihācyuta || na tattu kailāsagirau sunirmale na bhaktacetasyapi niścalaśriyi

"Everywhere there is happiness for one who dwells in my Mukti-mandapa here, O Achyuta; that is not so even on the pure Mount Kailasa, nor even in a devotee's steadfast, fortunate heart."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.98.34)

निमेषमात्रं स्थिरचित्तवृत्तयस्तिष्ठंति ये दक्षिणमंडपेत्र मे ।। अनन्यभावा अपि गाढमानसा न ते पुनर्गर्भदशामुपासते

nimeṣamātraṁ sthiracittavṛttayastiṣṭhaṁti ye dakṣiṇamaṁḍapetra me || ananyabhāvā api gāḍhamānasā na te punargarbhadaśāmupāsate

"Even those who stand for a mere instant with a steadfast mental disposition in my southern pavilion here, though not exclusively devoted, with a firm mind, do not again dwell in the state of the womb."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.98.35)

संस्नाय ये चक्रसरस्यगाधे समस्ततीर्थैक शिरोविभूषणे ।। क्षणं विशंतीह निरीहमानसा निरेनसस्ते मम पार्षदा हि

saṁsnāya ye cakrasarasyagādhe samastatīrthaika śirovibhūṣaṇe || kṣaṇaṁ viśaṁtīha nirīhamānasā nirenasaste mama pārṣadā hi

"Those who, having bathed in the unfathomable Chakra-lake, the sole crown-ornament of all tirthas, enter here for even a moment with a desireless mind, are without sin — they are my very attendants."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.98.36)

स्मरंति ये मामपवर्गमंडपे किंचिद्यथाशक्ति ददत्यपि स्वम् ।। शृण्वंति पुण्याश्च कथाः क्षणं स्थिरास्ते कोटिगोदानफलं भजंति

smaraṁti ye māmapavargamaṁḍape kiṁcidyathāśakti dadatyapi svam || śṛṇvaṁti puṇyāśca kathāḥ kṣaṇaṁ sthirāste koṭigodānaphalaṁ bhajaṁti

"Those who remember me in the liberation-pavilion, who give even a little according to their ability, who hear holy stories for even a moment, steadfast — they partake of the fruit of a crore cow-gifts."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.98.37)

उपेंद्रतप्तानि तपांसि तैश्चिरं स्नाता हि ते चाखिलतीर्थसार्थकैः ।। स्नात्वेह ये वै मणिकर्णिका ह्रदे समासते मुक्तिजनाश्रयेक्षणम्

upeṁdrataptāni tapāṁsi taiściraṁ snātā hi te cākhilatīrthasārthakaiḥ || snātveha ye vai maṇikarṇikā hrade samāsate muktijanāśrayekṣaṇam

"As if bathed for a long time in austerities performed even by Upendra himself, through those that are the very essence of all tirthas — those who bathe here in Manikarnika's pool sit awaiting the sight of the abode of liberated people."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.98.38)

तीर्थानि संतीह पदेपदे हरे तुला क्व तेषां मणिकर्णिकायाः ।। कतीहनो संति शुभाश्च मंडपाः परंपरोमुक्तिरमाश्रयोयम्

tīrthāni saṁtīha padepade hare tulā kva teṣāṁ maṇikarṇikāyāḥ || katīhano saṁti śubhāśca maṁḍapāḥ paraṁparomuktiramāśrayoyam

"Tirthas exist here at every step, O Hari — but what comparison is there for them with Manikarnika? How many auspicious pavilions are there here? This alone is the supreme refuge of the goddess of liberation."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.98.39)

कैवल्यमंडपस्यास्य भविष्ये द्वापरे हरे ।। लोके ख्यातिर्भवित्रीयमेष कुक्कुटमंडपः

kaivalyamaṁḍapasyāsya bhaviṣye dvāpare hare || loke khyātirbhavitrīyameṣa kukkuṭamaṁḍapaḥ

"Of this pavilion of absolute liberation, in the future Dvapara age, O Hari, this fame shall arise in the world — it shall become the 'Kukkuta-mandapa.'"

Verse 40 (skanda.4.98.40)

।। हरिरुवाच ।। ।। भालनेत्रसमाख्याहि कथं निर्वाणमंडपः ।। तथा ख्यातिमसौ गंता यथा देवेन भाषितम्

|| hariruvāca || || bhālanetrasamākhyāhi kathaṁ nirvāṇamaṁḍapaḥ || tathā khyātimasau gaṁtā yathā devena bhāṣitam

Hari said: O three-eyed one, tell how the Nirvana-mandapa will come to have such fame, as has been spoken by the god.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.98.41)

।। देवदेव उवाच ।। ।। महानंदो द्विजो नाम भविष्योत्र चतुर्भुज ।। अग्रवेदीसमाचारस्त्यक्ततीर्थप्रतिग्रहः

|| devadeva uvāca || || mahānaṁdo dvijo nāma bhaviṣyotra caturbhuja || agravedīsamācārastyaktatīrthapratigrahaḥ

The God of gods said: There will be here a brahmin named Mahananda, O four-armed one, of front-altar conduct, who has abandoned accepting gifts at a tirtha,

Verse 42 (skanda.4.98.42)

अदांभिकोऽक्रूरमनाः सदैवातिथिवल्लभः ।। अथ यौवनमासाद्य पितर्युपरते स हि

adāṁbhiko'krūramanāḥ sadaivātithivallabhaḥ || atha yauvanamāsādya pitaryuparate sa hi

free from hypocrisy, gentle-minded, ever fond of guests. Then, having attained youth, when his father passed away,

Verse 43 (skanda.4.98.43)

विषमेषु शरैस्तीव्रैः कारितस्त्वपदे पदम् ।। जहार कस्यचिद्भार्या मैत्रीं कृत्वा तु तेन वै

viṣameṣu śaraistīvraiḥ kāritastvapade padam || jahāra kasyacidbhāryā maitrīṁ kṛtvā tu tena vai

he was, at every unfortunate step, driven by fierce arrows of desire; having formed a friendship with someone, he will steal that man's wife.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.98.44)

तया च प्रेरितोऽपेयं पपौ चापि विमोहितः ।। अभक्ष्यभक्षणरुचिरभून्मदनमोहितः

tayā ca prerito'peyaṁ papau cāpi vimohitaḥ || abhakṣyabhakṣaṇarucirabhūnmadanamohitaḥ

And, incited by her, deluded, he will drink what should not be drunk; infatuated by lust, he will develop a taste for eating what should not be eaten.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.98.45)

वैष्णवान्धनिनो दृष्ट्वा क्षणं वैष्णववेषभृत् ।। शैवान्निंदति मूढात्मा नरकत्राणकारणम्

vaiṣṇavāndhanino dṛṣṭvā kṣaṇaṁ vaiṣṇavaveṣabhṛt || śaivānniṁdati mūḍhātmā narakatrāṇakāraṇam

Seeing wealthy Vaishnavas, briefly wearing the garb of a Vaishnava himself, that fool-souled one will revile Shaivas, the very cause of salvation from hell.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.98.46)

शिवभक्तान्समालोक्य किंचिच्च परिदित्सुकान् ।। गर्हयेद्वैष्णवान्सर्वाञ्शैवलिंगोपजीवकः

śivabhaktānsamālokya kiṁcicca pariditsukān || garhayedvaiṣṇavānsarvāñśaivaliṁgopajīvakaḥ

Seeing Shiva's devotees inclined to give something, that one who lives off the Shaiva linga will criticize all Vaishnavas.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.98.47)

इति पाखंडधर्मज्ञः संध्यास्नानपराङ्मुखः ।। विशालतिलकः स्रग्वी शुद्धधौतांबरोज्वलः ।। ४६.

iti pākhaṁḍadharmajñaḥ saṁdhyāsnānaparāṅmukhaḥ || viśālatilakaḥ sragvī śuddhadhautāṁbarojvalaḥ || 46.

Thus, a knower of heretical dharma, averse to the twilight bathing rites, with a broad tilaka, garlanded, bright with pure washed white clothes,

Verse 48 (skanda.4.98.48)

शिखी चोपग्रहकरः सर्वेभ्योऽसत्प्रतिग्रही।। तस्यापत्यद्वयं जातमुन्मत्तपथवर्तिनः

śikhī copagrahakaraḥ sarvebhyo'satpratigrahī|| tasyāpatyadvayaṁ jātamunmattapathavartinaḥ

with a topknot, a taker of bad gifts from everyone — to him will be born two children, who will follow a mad path.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.98.49)

एवं तस्य प्रवृत्तस्य कश्चित्पर्वतदेशतः ।। समागमिष्यति धनी तीर्थयात्रार्थसिद्धये

evaṁ tasya pravṛttasya kaścitparvatadeśataḥ || samāgamiṣyati dhanī tīrthayātrārthasiddhaye

Thus, as he continues in this way, a certain wealthy man will come from a mountain region, for the purpose of a pilgrimage.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.98.50)

स्नात्वा स चक्रसरसि कथयिष्यति चेति वै ।। अहमस्ति धनोदित्सुर्जात्या चांडालसत्तमः

snātvā sa cakrasarasi kathayiṣyati ceti vai || ahamasti dhanoditsurjātyā cāṁḍālasattamaḥ

Having bathed in the Chakra lake, he will say this: "I am, by birth, the very best of Chandalas, and wish to give away wealth."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.98.51)

अस्ति कश्चित्प्रतिग्राही यस्मै दद्यामहं धनम् ।। इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कैश्चिच्चांगुलिसंज्ञया

asti kaścitpratigrāhī yasmai dadyāmahaṁ dhanam || iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kaiściccāṁgulisaṁjñayā

"Is there someone who will accept it, to whom I might give this wealth?" Hearing his words, some, by a gesture of the finger,

Verse 52 (skanda.4.98.52)

उद्दिष्ट उपविष्टोसौ यो जपेद्ध्यानमुद्रया ।। एष प्रतिग्रहं त्वत्तो ग्रहीष्यति न चेतरः

uddiṣṭa upaviṣṭosau yo japeddhyānamudrayā || eṣa pratigrahaṁ tvatto grahīṣyati na cetaraḥ

pointed toward that one seated there, muttering in meditation-posture: "This one will accept a gift from you, not another."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.98.53)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा स गत्वा तत्समीपतः ।। दंडवत्प्रणिपत्याथ तं बभाषे तदांत्यजः

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā sa gatvā tatsamīpataḥ || daṁḍavatpraṇipatyātha taṁ babhāṣe tadāṁtyajaḥ

Hearing their words, he went near to him, and, bowing down flat like a rod, that outcaste then said to him —

Verse 54 (skanda.4.98.54)

मामुद्धर महाविप्र तीर्थं मे सफलीकुरु ।। किंचिद्वस्त्वस्ति मे तत्त्वं गृहाणानुग्रहं कुरु

māmuddhara mahāvipra tīrthaṁ me saphalīkuru || kiṁcidvastvasti me tattvaṁ gṛhāṇānugrahaṁ kuru

"Deliver me, O great brahmin, make my pilgrimage fruitful. I have a certain sum; take it as truth, show me grace."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.98.55)

अथाक्षमालिकां कर्णे कृत्वा ध्यानं विसृज्य च ।। कियद्धनं तवास्तीह पप्रच्छ करसंज्ञया

athākṣamālikāṁ karṇe kṛtvā dhyānaṁ visṛjya ca || kiyaddhanaṁ tavāstīha papraccha karasaṁjñayā

Then, placing his rosary at his ear, and abandoning his meditation, he asked, with a hand gesture: "How much wealth do you have here?"

Verse 56 (skanda.4.98.56)

तस्य संज्ञां स वै बुद्ध्वा प्रोवाचाति प्रहृष्टवत् ।। संतृप्तिर्यावता ते स्यात्तावद्दास्यामि नान्यथा

tasya saṁjñāṁ sa vai buddhvā provācāti prahṛṣṭavat || saṁtṛptiryāvatā te syāttāvaddāsyāmi nānyathā

Understanding his gesture, he replied, exceedingly delighted: "As much as would satisfy you, that much I shall give, not otherwise."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.98.57)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा त्यक्त्वा मौनमुवाच ह ।। सानंदः स महानंदो निःस्पृहोस्मि प्रतिग्रहे

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tyaktvā maunamuvāca ha || sānaṁdaḥ sa mahānaṁdo niḥspṛhosmi pratigrahe

Hearing this word, abandoning his silence, that joyous Mahananda spoke: "I have no desire for gifts."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.98.58)

परं तेऽनुग्रहार्थं तु करिष्यामि प्रतिग्रहम् ।। किंच मे वचनं त्वं चेत्करिष्यस्युत्तमोत्तम

paraṁ te'nugrahārthaṁ tu kariṣyāmi pratigraham || kiṁca me vacanaṁ tvaṁ cetkariṣyasyuttamottama

"But for the sake of showing you grace, I shall accept a gift. But if you will do as I say, O best of the best —"

Verse 59 (skanda.4.98.59)

यावदस्त्यखिलं वित्तं तन्मध्ये न्यस्य कस्यचित् ।। न स्तोकमपि दातव्यं तदाऽऽदास्यामि नान्यथा

yāvadastyakhilaṁ vittaṁ tanmadhye nyasya kasyacit || na stokamapi dātavyaṁ tadā''dāsyāmi nānyathā

"— whatever wealth you have in total, place it all in a heap; nothing at all, not even a trifle, should be given [held back] — then I shall accept it, not otherwise."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.98.60)

।। चांडाल उवाच ।। ।। यावदस्ति मयानीतं विश्वेशप्रीतये वसु।। तावत्तुभ्यं प्रदास्यामि विश्वेशस्त्वं यतो मम

|| cāṁḍāla uvāca || || yāvadasti mayānītaṁ viśveśaprītaye vasu|| tāvattubhyaṁ pradāsyāmi viśveśastvaṁ yato mama

The Chandala said: "As much wealth as I have brought for the pleasure of Vishvesha, that much I shall give to you, since you are Vishvesha to me."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.98.61)

ये वसंतीह विश्वेश राजधान्यां द्विजोत्तम ।। क्षुद्राक्षुद्रा जंतुमात्रा विश्वेशां शास्त एव हि

ye vasaṁtīha viśveśa rājadhānyāṁ dvijottama || kṣudrākṣudrā jaṁtumātrā viśveśāṁ śāsta eva hi

"O best of brahmins, those who dwell here in this capital of Vishvesha, whatever creatures, small or great, they truly rule as Vishvesha."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.98.62)

परोद्धरणशीला ये ये परेच्छाप्रपूरकाः ।। परोपकृतिशीला ये विश्वेशां शास्त एव हि

paroddharaṇaśīlā ye ye parecchāprapūrakāḥ || paropakṛtiśīlā ye viśveśāṁ śāsta eva hi

"Whoever are inclined to deliver others, whoever fulfil the desires of others, whoever are of a nature to help others — they truly rule as Vishvesha."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.98.63)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टेंद्रियमानसः ।। उवाच पार्वतीयं तं सोऽग्रजन्मांत्यजं तदा

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā prahṛṣṭeṁdriyamānasaḥ || uvāca pārvatīyaṁ taṁ so'grajanmāṁtyajaṁ tadā

Hearing this word, his senses and mind delighted, that mountain-dweller then said to that firstborn outcaste —

Verse 64 (skanda.4.98.64)

आयाहि दर्भानादेहि कुरूत्सर्गं त्वरान्वितः ।। तथेति स चकाराशु पार्वतीयो महामनाः

āyāhi darbhānādehi kurūtsargaṁ tvarānvitaḥ || tatheti sa cakārāśu pārvatīyo mahāmanāḥ

"Come, take kusha grass, perform the ceremony quickly." "So be it," said that great-minded mountain-dweller, and did so at once.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.98.65)

विश्वेशः प्रीयतां चेति प्रोच्य यातो यथागतः ।। स च द्विजो द्विजैरन्यैर्धिक्कृतोपि वसन्निह

viśveśaḥ prīyatāṁ ceti procya yāto yathāgataḥ || sa ca dvijo dvijairanyairdhikkṛtopi vasanniha

"May Vishvesha be pleased," saying this, he went as he had come. And that brahmin, though living here, though reviled by other brahmins,

Verse 66 (skanda.4.98.66)

बहिर्निर्गतमात्रस्तु बहुभिः परिभूयते ।। चांडालब्राह्मणश्चैष चांडालात्त धनस्त्वसौ

bahirnirgatamātrastu bahubhiḥ paribhūyate || cāṁḍālabrāhmaṇaścaiṣa cāṁḍālātta dhanastvasau

as soon as he stepped outside, was insulted by many: "This is a Chandala-brahmin, who has taken wealth from a Chandala!"

Verse 67 (skanda.4.98.67)

असावेव हि चांडालः सर्वलोकबहिष्कृतः ।। इत्थं तमनुधावंति थूत्कुर्वंतः परितो हरे

asāveva hi cāṁḍālaḥ sarvalokabahiṣkṛtaḥ || itthaṁ tamanudhāvaṁti thūtkurvaṁtaḥ parito hare

"He himself is a very Chandala, cast out by all people!" Thus, O Hari, they pursued him, spitting all around.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.98.68)

स च तद्भयतो गेहात्काकभीतदिवांधवत् ।। न निःसरेत्क्वचिदपि लज्जाकृति नतास्यकः

sa ca tadbhayato gehātkākabhītadivāṁdhavat || na niḥsaretkvacidapi lajjākṛti natāsyakaḥ

And, out of that fear, he would never go out of his house at all, like an owl fearing crows by day, his face bent down in shame.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.98.69)

स एकदा संप्रधार्य गृहिण्या लोकदूषितः ।। जगाम कीकटान्देशांस्त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्

sa ekadā saṁpradhārya gṛhiṇyā lokadūṣitaḥ || jagāma kīkaṭāndeśāṁstyaktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm

Once, having deliberated, defiled in the world's eyes together with his household, he went toward the lands of Kikata, abandoning the city of Varanasi.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.98.70)

मध्ये मार्गं स गच्छन्वै लक्षितस्तु सकांचनः ।। अपि कार्पटिकांतस्थः स रुद्धो मार्गरोधिभिः

madhye mārgaṁ sa gacchanvai lakṣitastu sakāṁcanaḥ || api kārpaṭikāṁtasthaḥ sa ruddho mārgarodhibhiḥ

Going along the road, though disguised among beggars, being noticed as one carrying gold, he was stopped by highway robbers.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.98.71)

नीत्वा ते तमरण्यानीं तस्कराः सपरिच्छदम्।। उल्लुंठ्य धनमादाय समालोच्य परस्परम्

nītvā te tamaraṇyānīṁ taskarāḥ saparicchadam|| ulluṁṭhya dhanamādāya samālocya parasparam

Those thieves took him into the wilderness, together with his belongings; having plundered his wealth, deliberating among themselves,

Verse 72 (skanda.4.98.72)

प्रोचुर्भूरिधनं चैतज्जीर्यत्यस्मिन्न जीवति ।। असौ धनी प्रयत्नेन वध्यः सपरिचारकः

procurbhūridhanaṁ caitajjīryatyasminna jīvati || asau dhanī prayatnena vadhyaḥ saparicārakaḥ

they said: "This great wealth will perish if he lives. This wealthy man should, with effort, be killed, along with his attendant."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.98.73)

संप्रधार्येति तेप्राहुः स्मर्तव्यं स्मर पांथिक ।। त्वां वयं घातयिष्यामो निश्चितं सपरिच्छदम्

saṁpradhāryeti teprāhuḥ smartavyaṁ smara pāṁthika || tvāṁ vayaṁ ghātayiṣyāmo niścitaṁ saparicchadam

Having deliberated thus, they said to him: "Remember whatever is to be remembered, O traveler; we shall certainly kill you, together with your belongings."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.98.74)

निशम्येति मनस्येव कथयामास स द्विजः ।। अहो प्रतिगृहीतं मे यदर्थं वसु भूरिशः

niśamyeti manasyeva kathayāmāsa sa dvijaḥ || aho pratigṛhītaṁ me yadarthaṁ vasu bhūriśaḥ

Hearing this, that brahmin said within his own mind: "Ah, the wealth for which I accepted a gift so abundantly,"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.98.75)

कुटुंबमपि तन्नष्टं नष्टश्चापि प्रतिग्रहः ।। जीवितं चापि मे नष्टं नष्टा काशीपुरीस्थितिः

kuṭuṁbamapi tannaṣṭaṁ naṣṭaścāpi pratigrahaḥ || jīvitaṁ cāpi me naṣṭaṁ naṣṭā kāśīpurīsthitiḥ

"— my family too has been ruined by it, and my gift-taking too is ruined. My very life is ruined, and my standing in the city of Kashi is ruined."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.98.76)

युगपत्सर्वमेवाशु नष्टं दुर्बुद्धिचेष्टया ।। न काश्यां मरणं प्राप्तं तस्माद्दुष्टप्रतिग्रहात्

yugapatsarvamevāśu naṣṭaṁ durbuddhiceṣṭayā || na kāśyāṁ maraṇaṁ prāptaṁ tasmādduṣṭapratigrahāt

"All at once, everything has swiftly perished, through the working of ill intellect. Because of that evil gift, death has not come to me in Kashi."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.98.77)

प्रांते कुटुंबस्मरणात्तथाकाशीस्मृतेरपि ।। चोरैर्हतोपि स तदा कीकटे कुक्कुटोऽभवत्

prāṁte kuṭuṁbasmaraṇāttathākāśīsmṛterapi || corairhatopi sa tadā kīkaṭe kukkuṭo'bhavat

At the very end, remembering his family, and remembering Kashi too, though killed by the robbers, he then became a rooster in Kikata.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.98.78)

सा कुक्कुटी सुतौ तौ तु ताम्रचूडत्वमापतुः ।। प्रांते काशीस्मरणतो जाता जातिस्मृतिः परा

sā kukkuṭī sutau tau tu tāmracūḍatvamāpatuḥ || prāṁte kāśīsmaraṇato jātā jātismṛtiḥ parā

That hen and their two sons attained the state of copper-crested roosters. At the end, from remembering Kashi, supreme memory of their past birth arose.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.98.79)

इत्थं बहुतिथेकाले गते कार्पटिकोत्तमाः ।। तस्मिन्नेवाध्वनि प्राप्ताश्चत्वारो यत्र कुक्कुटाः

itthaṁ bahutithekāle gate kārpaṭikottamāḥ || tasminnevādhvani prāptāścatvāro yatra kukkuṭāḥ

Thus, when a good deal of time had passed, some excellent pilgrims arrived on that very road, where the four roosters were,

Verse 80 (skanda.4.98.80)

वाराणस्याः कथां प्रोच्चैः कुर्वंतोऽन्योन्यमेव हि ।। काशीकथां समाकर्ण्य तदा ते चरणायुधाः

vārāṇasyāḥ kathāṁ proccaiḥ kurvaṁto'nyonyameva hi || kāśīkathāṁ samākarṇya tadā te caraṇāyudhāḥ

loudly telling each other the story of Varanasi. Hearing the story of Kashi, those armed with talons,

Verse 81 (skanda.4.98.81)

जातिस्मृतिप्रभावेण तत्संगेन तु निर्गताः ।। तैश्च कार्पटिकश्रेष्ठेः पथि दृष्ट्वा कृपालुभिः

jātismṛtiprabhāveṇa tatsaṁgena tu nirgatāḥ || taiśca kārpaṭikaśreṣṭheḥ pathi dṛṣṭvā kṛpālubhiḥ

by the power of their memory of past birth, set out in their company. And those best of compassionate pilgrims, seeing them on the road,

Verse 82 (skanda.4.98.82)

तंदुलादिपरिक्षेपैः प्रापिताः क्षेत्रमुत्तमम् ।। ते तु क्षेत्रं समासाद्य चत्वारश्चरणायुधाः

taṁdulādiparikṣepaiḥ prāpitāḥ kṣetramuttamam || te tu kṣetraṁ samāsādya catvāraścaraṇāyudhāḥ

brought them to the excellent sacred field by scattering rice and other grain. Those four, armed with talons, having reached the sacred field,

Verse 83 (skanda.4.98.83)

चरिष्यंतोऽत्र परितो मुक्तिमंडपमुत्तमम् ।। जिताहारान्सनियमान्कामक्रोधपराङ्मुखान्

cariṣyaṁto'tra parito muktimaṁḍapamuttamam || jitāhārānsaniyamānkāmakrodhaparāṅmukhān

began to wander around the excellent Mukti-mandapa — having conquered food, self-disciplined, averse to desire and anger,

Verse 84 (skanda.4.98.84)

प्रहासान्मत्कथालापाँल्लाभमोहविवर्जितान् ।। स्वर्धुनीस्नानसंक्लिन्न सुनिर्मलशिरोरुहान्

prahāsānmatkathālāpā~llābhamohavivarjitān || svardhunīsnānasaṁklinna sunirmalaśiroruhān

of cheerful disposition, engaged in my stories, free from the delusion of gain; their heads utterly pure from bathing in the celestial river,

Verse 85 (skanda.4.98.85)

मन्नामोच्चारणपरान्मत्कथार्पितसुश्रुतीन् ।। मद्दत्तचित्तसद्वृत्तीन्दृष्ट्वा क्षेत्रनिवासिनः

mannāmoccāraṇaparānmatkathārpitasuśrutīn || maddattacittasadvṛttīndṛṣṭvā kṣetranivāsinaḥ

devoted to uttering my name, their ears devoted to my stories, their minds and good conduct given over to me — seeing them, the residents of the sacred field,

Verse 86 (skanda.4.98.86)

मानयामासुरथ तान्कुक्कुटान्साधुवर्त्मनः ।। प्राक्तनां वासनायोगात्संप्रधार्य परस्परम् ।। क्रमेणाहारमाकुंच्य प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यंति चात्र वै

mānayāmāsuratha tānkukkuṭānsādhuvartmanaḥ || prāktanāṁ vāsanāyogātsaṁpradhārya parasparam || krameṇāhāramākuṁcya prāṇāṁstyakṣyaṁti cātra vai

honoured those roosters as being on the path of the good. Then, through the power of their former impressions, deliberating among themselves, gradually restricting their food, they will give up their lives there —

Verse 87 (skanda.4.98.87)

पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां विष्णो ते मदनुग्रहात् ।। विमानमधिरुह्याशु कैलासं प्राप्य मत्पदम्

paśyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ viṣṇo te madanugrahāt || vimānamadhiruhyāśu kailāsaṁ prāpya matpadam

before the eyes of all the worlds, O Vishnu, by my grace, mounting a heavenly chariot, swiftly reaching Kailasa, attaining my own abode,

Verse 88 (skanda.4.98.88)

निर्विश्य सुचिरं कालं दिव्यान्भोगाननुत्तमान् ।। ततोऽत्र ज्ञानिनो भूत्वा मुक्तिं प्राप्स्यंति शाश्वतीम्

nirviśya suciraṁ kālaṁ divyānbhogānanuttamān || tato'tra jñānino bhūtvā muktiṁ prāpsyaṁti śāśvatīm

having enjoyed unsurpassed divine pleasures for a very long time, they shall then become possessed of knowledge here and attain eternal liberation.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.98.89)

ततो लोकास्तददारभ्य कथयिष्यंति सर्वतः ।। मुक्तिमंडपनामैतदेष कुक्कुटमंडपः

tato lokāstadadārabhya kathayiṣyaṁti sarvataḥ || muktimaṁḍapanāmaitadeṣa kukkuṭamaṁḍapaḥ

From then on, people everywhere shall speak of it; this shall bear the name 'Mukti-mandapa' — this very 'Kukkuta-mandapa.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.98.90)

चरित्रमपि वै तेषां ये स्मरिष्यंति मानवाः ।। मुक्तिमंडपमासाद्य श्रेयः प्राप्स्यंति तेपि हि

caritramapi vai teṣāṁ ye smariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || muktimaṁḍapamāsādya śreyaḥ prāpsyaṁti tepi hi

Whatever men shall remember their story too, having reached the Mukti-mandapa, shall also attain welfare.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.98.91)

इति यावत्कथां शंभुर्भविष्यामग्रतो हरेः ।। अकरोत्तुमुलो नादो घंटानां तावदुद्गतः

iti yāvatkathāṁ śaṁbhurbhaviṣyāmagrato hareḥ || akarottumulo nādo ghaṁṭānāṁ tāvadudgataḥ

While Shambhu was thus telling this future story before Hari, then a tumultuous sound of bells arose.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.98.92)

अथनंदिनमाहूय देवदेव उमाधवः ।। प्रोवाच नंदिन्विज्ञायागत्य ब्रूहि कुतो रवः

athanaṁdinamāhūya devadeva umādhavaḥ || provāca naṁdinvijñāyāgatya brūhi kuto ravaḥ

Then, calling Nandi, the god of gods, husband of Uma, said: "O Nandi, find out and come tell me — whence is this sound?"

Verse 93 (skanda.4.98.93)

अथ नंदी समागत्य प्रोवाच वृषभध्वजम्।। नमस्कृत्य प्रहृष्टास्यः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः

atha naṁdī samāgatya provāca vṛṣabhadhvajam|| namaskṛtya prahṛṣṭāsyaḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ

Then Nandi, having come, bowing to the bull-bannered one, his face delighted, his hands joined, said —

Verse 94 (skanda.4.98.94)

।। नंद्युवाच ।। ।। देवदेव त्रिनयन किमपूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते ।। मोक्षलक्ष्मीविलासोऽत्र कैश्चित्कैश्चित्समर्च्यते

|| naṁdyuvāca || || devadeva trinayana kimapūrvaṁ bravīmi te || mokṣalakṣmīvilāso'tra kaiścitkaiścitsamarcyate

Nandi said: "O god of gods, three-eyed one, what unprecedented thing shall I tell you? The play of Moksha-Lakshmi here is being worshipped by various people."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.98.95)

अथ स्मित्वाब्रवीच्छंभुः सिद्धं नस्तु समीहितम् ।। उत्थाय देवदेवेशः सह देव्या सुमंगलः

atha smitvābravīcchaṁbhuḥ siddhaṁ nastu samīhitam || utthāya devadeveśaḥ saha devyā sumaṁgalaḥ

Then, smiling, Shambhu said: "Our wish is accomplished." Rising, the auspicious lord of gods, together with the goddess,

Verse 96 (skanda.4.98.96)

ब्रह्मणा हरिणा सार्धं ततोऽगाद्रंगमंडपम् ।। ।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं परमानंदकारणम् ।। नरः परां मुदं प्राप्य कैलासं प्राप्स्यति ध्रुवम्

brahmaṇā hariṇā sārdhaṁ tato'gādraṁgamaṁḍapam || || skaṁda uvāca || || śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ paramānaṁdakāraṇam || naraḥ parāṁ mudaṁ prāpya kailāsaṁ prāpsyati dhruvam

together with Brahma and Hari, then went to the Ranga-mandapa. Skanda said: Having heard this holy chapter, the cause of supreme bliss, a man, having attained the highest joy, shall certainly attain Kailasa.