The Glory of the Vishveshvara Linga

Verse 1 (skanda.4.99.1)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। शृणु सूत यथा प्रोक्तं कुंभजे शरजन्मना ।। देवदेवस्य चरितं विश्वेशस्य परात्मनः

|| vyāsa uvāca || śṛṇu sūta yathā proktaṁ kuṁbhaje śarajanmanā || devadevasya caritaṁ viśveśasya parātmanaḥ

Vyasa said: Listen, O Suta, as it was told to the pot-born one by the arrow-born one — the story of the god of gods, Vishvesha, the supreme soul.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.99.2)

अगस्त्य उवाच ।। सेनानीः कथय त्वं मे ततो निर्वाणमंडपात् ।। निर्गत्य देवो देवेंद्रैः सहितः किं चकार ह

agastya uvāca || senānīḥ kathaya tvaṁ me tato nirvāṇamaṁḍapāt || nirgatya devo deveṁdraiḥ sahitaḥ kiṁ cakāra ha

Agastya said: O army-commander, tell me, having gone out from the Nirvana-mandapa, together with the lords of gods, what did the god do?

Verse 3 (skanda.4.99.3)

स्कंद उवाच ।। मुक्तिमंडपतः शंभुर्ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरोगमः ।। शृंगारमंडपं प्राप्य यच्चकार वदामि तत्

skaṁda uvāca || muktimaṁḍapataḥ śaṁbhurbrahmaviṣṇupurogamaḥ || śṛṁgāramaṁḍapaṁ prāpya yaccakāra vadāmi tat

Skanda said: From the Mukti-mandapa, Shambhu, led by Brahma and Vishnu, having reached the Shringara-mandapa, did what — I tell that.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.99.4)

प्राङ्मुखस्तूपविश्येशः सहास्माभिः सहेशया ।। ब्रह्मणाधिष्ठितः सव्ये वामपार्श्वेथ शार्ङ्गिणा

prāṅmukhastūpaviśyeśaḥ sahāsmābhiḥ saheśayā || brahmaṇādhiṣṭhitaḥ savye vāmapārśvetha śārṅgiṇā

Facing east, Isha sat down, together with us and with Isha, attended on the right by Brahma, and on the left side by the bow-bearer,

Verse 5 (skanda.4.99.5)

वीज्यमानो महेंद्रेण ऋषिभिः परितो वृतः ।। गणैः पृष्ठप्रदेशस्थैर्जोषं तिष्ठद्भिरादरात्

vījyamāno maheṁdreṇa ṛṣibhiḥ parito vṛtaḥ || gaṇaiḥ pṛṣṭhapradeśasthairjoṣaṁ tiṣṭhadbhirādarāt

fanned by Mahendra, surrounded all around by sages, by ganas standing respectfully in the rear, in silence,

Verse 6 (skanda.4.99.6)

उदायुधैः सेव्यमानश्चावसन्मानभूरिभिः ।। ब्रह्मणे विष्णवे शंभुः पाणिमुत्क्षिप्य दक्षिणम्

udāyudhaiḥ sevyamānaścāvasanmānabhūribhiḥ || brahmaṇe viṣṇave śaṁbhuḥ pāṇimutkṣipya dakṣiṇam

served by those with raised weapons, and by many honoured ones — Shambhu, raising his right hand, to Brahma and Vishnu,

Verse 7 (skanda.4.99.7)

दर्शयामास देवेशो लिंगं पश्यत पश्यत ।। इदमेव परं ज्योतिरिदमेव परात्परम् ।।

darśayāmāsa deveśo liṁgaṁ paśyata paśyata || idameva paraṁ jyotiridameva parātparam ||

the lord of gods showed the linga: "Behold, behold! This alone is the supreme light, this alone is higher than the highest."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.99.8)

इदमेव हि मे रूपं स्थावरं चाति सिद्धिदम् ।। एते पाशुपता सिद्धा आबाल ब्रह्मचारिणः

idameva hi me rūpaṁ sthāvaraṁ cāti siddhidam || ete pāśupatā siddhā ābāla brahmacāriṇaḥ

"This alone is my very form, the unmoving one, exceedingly giver of accomplishment. These are the accomplished Pashupatas, celibate from childhood,"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.99.9)

जितेंद्रियास्तपोनिष्ठाः पंचार्थज्ञाननिर्मलाः ।। भस्मकूटशया दाताः सुशीला ऊर्ध्वरेतसः

jiteṁdriyāstaponiṣṭhāḥ paṁcārthajñānanirmalāḥ || bhasmakūṭaśayā dātāḥ suśīlā ūrdhvaretasaḥ

"senses conquered, devoted to austerity, purified by knowledge of the five categories, sleeping on heaps of ash, generous, of good conduct, celibate,"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.99.10)

लिंगार्चनरता नित्यमनन्येंद्रियमानसाः ।। सदैव वारुणाग्नेय स्नानद्वय सुनिर्मलाः

liṁgārcanaratā nityamananyeṁdriyamānasāḥ || sadaiva vāruṇāgneya snānadvaya sunirmalāḥ

"ever devoted to linga-worship, their senses and mind fixed on nothing else, ever pure through the twin baths of water and fire,"

Verse 11 (skanda.4.99.11)

कंदमूलफलाहाराः परतत्त्वार्पितेक्षणाः ।। सत्यवंतो जितक्रोधा निर्मोहा निष्परिग्रहाः

kaṁdamūlaphalāhārāḥ paratattvārpitekṣaṇāḥ || satyavaṁto jitakrodhā nirmohā niṣparigrahāḥ

"living on roots, bulbs, and fruits, their gaze fixed on the supreme reality, truthful, having conquered anger, free of delusion, accepting no gifts,"

Verse 12 (skanda.4.99.12)

निरीहा निष्प्रपंचाश्च निरातंका निरामयाः ।। निर्भगा निरुपायाश्च निःसंगा निर्मलाशयाः

nirīhā niṣprapaṁcāśca nirātaṁkā nirāmayāḥ || nirbhagā nirupāyāśca niḥsaṁgā nirmalāśayāḥ

"desireless, free of worldly multiplicity, free of terror, free of illness, without misfortune, without artifice, unattached, of pure disposition,"

Verse 13 (skanda.4.99.13)

निस्तीर्णोदग्रसंसारा निर्विकल्पा निरेनसः ।। निर्द्वंद्वा निश्चितार्थाश्च निरहंकारवृत्तयः

nistīrṇodagrasaṁsārā nirvikalpā nirenasaḥ || nirdvaṁdvā niścitārthāśca nirahaṁkāravṛttayaḥ

"having crossed the towering ocean of samsara, free of doubt, sinless, free of duality, resolved in purpose, free of the sense of ego —"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.99.14)

सदैव मे महाप्रीता मत्पुत्रा मत्स्वरूपिणः ।। एते पूज्या नमस्याश्च मद्बुद्ध्यामत्परायणैः

sadaiva me mahāprītā matputrā matsvarūpiṇaḥ || ete pūjyā namasyāśca madbuddhyāmatparāyaṇaiḥ

"these are ever exceedingly dear to me, my sons, of my very own form. These are to be worshipped and saluted by those devoted to my thought, absorbed in me."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.99.15)

अर्चितेष्वेष्वहं प्रीतो भविष्यामि न संशयः ।। अस्मिन्वैश्वेश्वरे क्षेत्रे संभोज्याः शिवयोगिनः

arciteṣveṣvahaṁ prīto bhaviṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ || asminvaiśveśvare kṣetre saṁbhojyāḥ śivayoginaḥ

"When these are worshipped, I shall be pleased, without doubt. In this field of Vishveshvara, Shiva-yogis are to be fed;"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.99.16)

कोटिभोज्यफलं सम्यगेकैक परिसंख्यया ।। अयं विश्वेश्वरः साक्षात्स्थावरात्मा जगत्प्रभुः

koṭibhojyaphalaṁ samyagekaika parisaṁkhyayā || ayaṁ viśveśvaraḥ sākṣātsthāvarātmā jagatprabhuḥ

"the merit of feeding a crore is obtained fully, by counting each one. This Vishveshvara himself, in his unmoving form, is the lord of the world,"

Verse 17 (skanda.4.99.17)

सर्वेषां सर्वसिद्धीनां कर्ता भक्तिजुषामिह ।। अहं कदाचिद्दृश्यः स्यामदृश्यः स्यां कदाचन

sarveṣāṁ sarvasiddhīnāṁ kartā bhaktijuṣāmiha || ahaṁ kadāciddṛśyaḥ syāmadṛśyaḥ syāṁ kadācana

"the doer of all accomplishments for all who are devoted here. I may sometimes be visible, sometimes I may be invisible."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.99.18)

आनंदकानने चात्र स्वैरं तिष्ठामि देवताः ।। अनुग्रहाय सर्वेषां भक्तानामिह सर्वदा

ānaṁdakānane cātra svairaṁ tiṣṭhāmi devatāḥ || anugrahāya sarveṣāṁ bhaktānāmiha sarvadā

"In this Anandakanana, O gods, I dwell freely, for the favour of all devotees, always here."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.99.19)

स्थास्यामि लिंगरूपेण चिंतितार्थफलप्रदः ।। स्वयंभून्यस्वयंभूनि यानि लिंगानि सर्वतः ।। तानि सर्वाणि चायांति द्रष्टुं लिंगमिदं सदा

sthāsyāmi liṁgarūpeṇa ciṁtitārthaphalapradaḥ || svayaṁbhūnyasvayaṁbhūni yāni liṁgāni sarvataḥ || tāni sarvāṇi cāyāṁti draṣṭuṁ liṁgamidaṁ sadā

"I shall abide in the form of the linga, giver of the fruit of desired aims. Whatever lingas exist everywhere, self-manifest or not, all of them come here, always, to see this very linga."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.99.20)

अहं सर्वेषु लिंगेषु तिष्ठा्म्येव न संशयः ।। परं त्वियं परामूर्तिर्मम लिंगस्वरूपिणी

ahaṁ sarveṣu liṁgeṣu tiṣṭhāmyeva na saṁśayaḥ || paraṁ tviyaṁ parāmūrtirmama liṁgasvarūpiṇī

"I dwell indeed in all lingas, without doubt; but this is my supreme form, my very own linga-embodiment."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.99.21)

येन लिंगमिदं दृष्टं श्रद्धया शुद्धचक्षुषा ।। साक्षात्कारेण तेनाहं दृष्ट एव दिवौकसः

yena liṁgamidaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ śraddhayā śuddhacakṣuṣā || sākṣātkāreṇa tenāhaṁ dṛṣṭa eva divaukasaḥ

"By whom this linga has been seen with faith, with a pure eye, by him I have been seen face to face, O celestials."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.99.22)

श्रवणादस्य लिंगस्य पातकं जन्मसंचितम् ।। क्षणात्क्षयति शृण्वंतु देवा ऋषिगणैः सह

śravaṇādasya liṁgasya pātakaṁ janmasaṁcitam || kṣaṇātkṣayati śṛṇvaṁtu devā ṛṣigaṇaiḥ saha

"By hearing of this linga, sin accumulated over births is destroyed in an instant — let the gods, together with the hosts of seers, hear this."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.99.23)

स्मरणादस्य लिंगस्य पापं जन्मद्वयार्जितम् ।। अवश्यं नश्यति क्षिप्रं मम वाक्यान्न संशयः

smaraṇādasya liṁgasya pāpaṁ janmadvayārjitam || avaśyaṁ naśyati kṣipraṁ mama vākyānna saṁśayaḥ

"By remembering this linga, sin earned over two births certainly and swiftly perishes — by my very word, there is no doubt."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.99.24)

एतल्लिंगं समुद्दिश्य गृहान्निष्क्रमणक्षणात् ।। विलीयते महापापमपि जन्मत्रयार्जितम्

etalliṁgaṁ samuddiśya gṛhānniṣkramaṇakṣaṇāt || vilīyate mahāpāpamapi janmatrayārjitam

"Aiming toward this linga, the moment one steps out of one's house, even great sin earned over three births dissolves."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.99.25)

दर्शनादस्य लिंगस्य हयमेधशतोद्भवम् ।। पुण्यं लभेत नियतं ममानुग्रहतोमराः

darśanādasya liṁgasya hayamedhaśatodbhavam || puṇyaṁ labheta niyataṁ mamānugrahatomarāḥ

"By the sight of this linga, one certainly obtains the merit born of a hundred horse-sacrifices, by my grace, O immortals."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.99.26)

स्वयंभुवोस्य लिंगस्य मम विश्वेशितुः सुराः ।। राजसूयसहस्रस्य फलं स्यात्स्पर्शमात्रतः

svayaṁbhuvosya liṁgasya mama viśveśituḥ surāḥ || rājasūyasahasrasya phalaṁ syātsparśamātrataḥ

"Of this self-manifest linga of mine, Vishvesha, O gods, the fruit of a thousand Rajasuya sacrifices comes from mere touch."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.99.27)

पुष्पमात्र प्रदानाच्च चुलुकोदकपूवर्कम् ।। शतसौवर्णिकं पुण्यं लभते भक्तियोगतः

puṣpamātra pradānācca culukodakapūvarkam || śatasauvarṇikaṁ puṇyaṁ labhate bhaktiyogataḥ

"By offering merely a flower, or a handful of water, or a puva-cake, one obtains, through devotion, the merit of a hundred golden gifts."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.99.28)

पूजामात्रं विधायास्य लिंगराजस्य भक्तितः ।। सहस्रहेमकमलपूजाफलमवाप्यते

pūjāmātraṁ vidhāyāsya liṁgarājasya bhaktitaḥ || sahasrahemakamalapūjāphalamavāpyate

"Merely performing worship of this king of lingas, out of devotion, one obtains the fruit of worshipping a thousand golden lotuses."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.99.29)

विधाय महती पूजां पंचामृतपुरःसराम् ।। अस्य लिंगस्य लभते पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्

vidhāya mahatī pūjāṁ paṁcāmṛtapuraḥsarām || asya liṁgasya labhate puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam

"Performing great worship, preceded by the five nectars, of this linga, one obtains the fourfold aims of human life."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.99.30)

वस्त्रपूतजलैर्लिंगं स्नापयित्वा ममामराः ।। लक्षाश्वमेधजनितं पुण्यमाप्नोति सत्तमः

vastrapūtajalairliṁgaṁ snāpayitvā mamāmarāḥ || lakṣāśvamedhajanitaṁ puṇyamāpnoti sattamaḥ

"Having bathed the linga with water purified through cloth, O immortals, the best of men obtains the merit born of a hundred thousand horse-sacrifices."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.99.31)

सुगंधचंदनरसैर्लिंगमालिप्य भक्तितः ।। आलिप्यते सुरस्त्रीभिः सुगंधैर्यक्षकर्दमैः

sugaṁdhacaṁdanarasairliṁgamālipya bhaktitaḥ || ālipyate surastrībhiḥ sugaṁdhairyakṣakardamaiḥ

"Having anointed the linga with fragrant sandal-paste out of devotion, one is anointed by celestial women with fragrant substances of the Yakshas."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.99.32)

सामोद धूपदानैश्च दिव्यगंधाश्रयो भवेत् ।। घृतदीपप्रबोधैश्च ज्योतीरूप विमानगः

sāmoda dhūpadānaiśca divyagaṁdhāśrayo bhavet || ghṛtadīpaprabodhaiśca jyotīrūpa vimānagaḥ

"By offerings of fragrant incense, one becomes possessed of divine fragrance; by kindling ghee-lamps, one rides a chariot of the form of light."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.99.33)

कर्पूरवर्तिदीपेन सकृद्दत्तेन भक्तितः।। कर्पूरदेहगौरश्रीर्भवेद्भालविलोचनः

karpūravartidīpena sakṛddattena bhaktitaḥ|| karpūradehagauraśrīrbhavedbhālavilocanaḥ

"By offering even once, with devotion, a lamp with a camphor-wick, one becomes camphor-bodied, radiant, three-eyed."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.99.34)

दत्त्वा नैवेद्यमात्रं तु सिक्थेसिक्थे युगंयुगम् ।। कैलासाद्रौ वसेद्धीमान्महाभोगसमन्वितः

dattvā naivedyamātraṁ tu sikthesikthe yugaṁyugam || kailāsādrau vaseddhīmānmahābhogasamanvitaḥ

"Having offered even a mere food-offering, morsel by morsel, age after age, the wise one dwells on Mount Kailasa, endowed with great enjoyment."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.99.35)

विश्वेशे परमान्नं यो दद्यात्साज्य सशर्करम् ।। त्रैलोक्यं तर्पितं तेन सदेवपितृमानवम्

viśveśe paramānnaṁ yo dadyātsājya saśarkaram || trailokyaṁ tarpitaṁ tena sadevapitṛmānavam

"Whoever offers excellent food with ghee and sugar to Vishvesha, by him the three worlds, together with gods, ancestors, and men, are satisfied."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.99.36)

मुखवासं तु यो दद्याद्दर्पणं चारुचामरम् ।। उल्लोचं सुखपर्यंकं तस्य पुण्यफलं महत्

mukhavāsaṁ tu yo dadyāddarpaṇaṁ cārucāmaram || ullocaṁ sukhaparyaṁkaṁ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ mahat

"Whoever offers mouth-fragrance, a mirror, a fine chowrie, a canopy, a comfortable couch — his merit-fruit is great."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.99.37)

संख्या सागररत्नानां कथंचित्कर्तुमिष्यते ।। मुखवासादिदानस्य कः संख्यामत्र कारयेत्

saṁkhyā sāgararatnānāṁ kathaṁcitkartumiṣyate || mukhavāsādidānasya kaḥ saṁkhyāmatra kārayet

"It might somehow be possible to count the jewels of the ocean; but who could count the merit of offering mouth-fragrance and the like here?"

Verse 38 (skanda.4.99.38)

पूजोपकरणद्रव्यं यो घंटा गडुकादिकम् ।। भक्त्या मे भवने दद्यात्स वसेदत्र मेंतिके

pūjopakaraṇadravyaṁ yo ghaṁṭā gaḍukādikam || bhaktyā me bhavane dadyātsa vasedatra meṁtike

"Whoever devotedly offers worship-implements, a bell, a water-vessel and the like, in my abode, he shall dwell here near me."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.99.39)

यो गीतवाद्यनृत्यानामेकं मत्प्रीतये व्यधात् ।। तस्याग्रतो दिवारात्रं भवेत्तौर्यत्रिकं महत्

yo gītavādyanṛtyānāmekaṁ matprītaye vyadhāt || tasyāgrato divārātraṁ bhavettauryatrikaṁ mahat

"Whoever performs even one of song, instrumental music, or dance, for my pleasure, before him, day and night, there shall be the great triad of arts."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.99.40)

चित्रलेखनकर्मादि प्रासादे मेऽत्र कारयेत् ।। यः सचित्रान्महाभोगान्भुंक्ते मत्पुरतः स्थितः

citralekhanakarmādi prāsāde me'tra kārayet || yaḥ sacitrānmahābhogānbhuṁkte matpurataḥ sthitaḥ

"Whoever causes painting and similar work to be done in my temple here, he, seated before me, enjoys great pleasures accompanied by painted images."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.99.41)

सकृद्विश्वेश्वरं नत्वा मध्ये जन्मसुधीर्नरः ।। त्रैलोक्यवंदितपदो जायते वसुधापतिः।।

sakṛdviśveśvaraṁ natvā madhye janmasudhīrnaraḥ || trailokyavaṁditapado jāyate vasudhāpatiḥ||

"A wise man, having once bowed to Vishveshvara in the midst of his life, becomes a lord of the earth, his feet saluted by the three worlds."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.99.42)

यस्तु विश्वेवरं दृष्ट्वा ह्यन्यत्रापि विपद्यते ।। तस्य जन्मांतरे मोक्षो भवत्येव न संशयः

yastu viśvevaraṁ dṛṣṭvā hyanyatrāpi vipadyate || tasya janmāṁtare mokṣo bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

"Whoever, having seen Vishvesha, dies even elsewhere — for him, in another birth, liberation certainly comes, without doubt."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.99.43)

विश्वेशाख्या तु जिह्वाग्रे विश्वनाथकथाश्रुतौ ।। विश्वेशशीलनं चित्ते यस्य तस्य जनिः कुतः

viśveśākhyā tu jihvāgre viśvanāthakathāśrutau || viśveśaśīlanaṁ citte yasya tasya janiḥ kutaḥ

"Whoever has the name Vishvesha at the tip of his tongue, the hearing of Vishvanatha's stories, and the practice of Vishvesha in his mind — for such a one, what further birth?"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.99.44)

लिंगं मे विश्वनाथस्य दृष्ट्वा यश्चानुमोदते ।। स मे गणेषु गण्येत महापुण्यबलाश्रितः

liṁgaṁ me viśvanāthasya dṛṣṭvā yaścānumodate || sa me gaṇeṣu gaṇyeta mahāpuṇyabalāśritaḥ

"Whoever, having seen my linga of Vishvanatha, rejoices in it, he is to be counted among my own ganas, sustained by the power of great merit."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.99.45)

नित्यं विश्वेश विश्वेश विश्वनाथेति यो जपेत् ।। त्रिसंध्यं तं सुकृतिनं जपाम्यहमपि ध्रुवम्

nityaṁ viśveśa viśveśa viśvanātheti yo japet || trisaṁdhyaṁ taṁ sukṛtinaṁ japāmyahamapi dhruvam

"Whoever recites daily 'Vishvesha, Vishvesha, Vishvanatha,' that meritorious one I myself recite, certainly, at the three daily junctures."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.99.46)

ममापीदं महालिंगं सदा पूज्यतमं सुराः .।। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूज्यं देवर्षि मानवैः

mamāpīdaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ sadā pūjyatamaṁ surāḥ .|| tasmātsarvaprayatnena pūjyaṁ devarṣi mānavaiḥ

"This great linga of mine, O gods, is ever most worshipful; therefore it should be worshipped with all effort by gods, sages, and men."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.99.47)

यैर्न विश्वेश्वरो दृष्टो यैर्न विश्वेश्वरः स्मृतः ।। कृतांतदूतैस्ते दृष्टास्तैः स्मृता गर्भवेदना

yairna viśveśvaro dṛṣṭo yairna viśveśvaraḥ smṛtaḥ || kṛtāṁtadūtaiste dṛṣṭāstaiḥ smṛtā garbhavedanā

"Those by whom Vishveshvara has not been seen, by whom Vishveshvara has not been remembered — they have been seen by the messengers of Death, they have remembered the pain of the womb."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.99.48)

यैरिदं प्रणतं लिंगं प्रणतास्ते सुरासुरैः ।। यस्यै केन प्रणामेन दिक्पालपदमल्पकम् ।। दिक्पालपदतः पातः पातः शिवनतेर्नहि

yairidaṁ praṇataṁ liṁgaṁ praṇatāste surāsuraiḥ || yasyai kena praṇāmena dikpālapadamalpakam || dikpālapadataḥ pātaḥ pātaḥ śivanaternahi

"By whom this linga has been bowed to, they have been bowed to by gods and demons. By mere bow to this one, even the position of a dikpala is a small thing! From the position of a dikpala there is a fall — but there is no fall from a bow to Shiva."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.99.49)

शृण्वंतु देवर्षिगणाः समस्तास्तथ्यं ब्रुवे तच्च परोपकृत्यै ।। न भूर्भुवः स्वर्गमहर्जनांतर्विश्वेशतुल्यं क्वचिदस्ति लिंगम्

śṛṇvaṁtu devarṣigaṇāḥ samastāstathyaṁ bruve tacca paropakṛtyai || na bhūrbhuvaḥ svargamaharjanāṁtarviśveśatulyaṁ kvacidasti liṁgam

"Let the hosts of gods and sages hear — I speak the truth, for the sake of helping others: in Bhu, Bhuvah, Svar, Mahar, and Jana, there is nowhere a linga equal to Vishvesha."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.99.50)

न सत्यलोके न तपस्यहो सुरा वैकुंठकैलासरसातलेषु ।। तीर्थं क्वचिद्वै मणिकर्णिकासमं लिंगं च विश्वेश्वरतुल्यमन्यतः

na satyaloke na tapasyaho surā vaikuṁṭhakailāsarasātaleṣu || tīrthaṁ kvacidvai maṇikarṇikāsamaṁ liṁgaṁ ca viśveśvaratulyamanyataḥ

"Not in Satyaloka, not in the abode of austerity, ah, O gods, not in Vaikuntha, Kailasa, or Rasatala — is there anywhere a tirtha equal to Manikarnika, or a linga equal to Vishveshvara elsewhere."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.99.51)

न विश्वनाथस्य समं हि लिंगं न तीर्थमन्यन्मणिकर्णिकातः ।। तपोवनं कुत्रचिदस्ति नान्यच्छुभं ममानंदवनेन तुल्यम्

na viśvanāthasya samaṁ hi liṁgaṁ na tīrthamanyanmaṇikarṇikātaḥ || tapovanaṁ kutracidasti nānyacchubhaṁ mamānaṁdavanena tulyam

"There is no linga equal to Vishvanatha, no other tirtha equal to Manikarnika; nowhere is there a penance-forest, nor anything else auspicious, equal to my own Anandavana."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.99.52)

वाराणसी तीर्थमयी समस्ता यस्यास्तुनामापि हि तीर्थतीर्थम् ।। तत्रापि काचिन्मम सौख्यभूमिर्महापवित्रा मणिकर्णिकासौ

vārāṇasī tīrthamayī samastā yasyāstunāmāpi hi tīrthatīrtham || tatrāpi kācinmama saukhyabhūmirmahāpavitrā maṇikarṇikāsau

"Varanasi is entirely made of tirthas; even her name alone is the very tirtha of tirthas. And even within her, there is one particular ground of my happiness — that greatly sacred Manikarnika."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.99.53)

स्थानादमुष्मान्ममराजसौधात्प्राच्यां मनागीशसमाश्रितायाम् ।। सव्येपसव्ये च कराः क्रमेण शतत्रयी यापि शतद्वयी च

sthānādamuṣmānmamarājasaudhātprācyāṁ manāgīśasamāśritāyām || savyepasavye ca karāḥ krameṇa śatatrayī yāpi śatadvayī ca

"From that place — my own royal palace — a little to the east, resting upon the Lord, on the right and left hands respectively, there are three hundred, and also two hundred,"

Verse 54 (skanda.4.99.54)

हस्ताः शतं पंच सुरापगायामुदीच्यवाच्योर्मणिकर्णिकेयम् ।। सारस्त्रिलोक्याः परकोशभूमिर्यैः सेविता ते मम हृच्छया हि

hastāḥ śataṁ paṁca surāpagāyāmudīcyavācyormaṇikarṇikeyam || sārastrilokyāḥ parakośabhūmiryaiḥ sevitā te mama hṛcchayā hi

"five hundred hands, along the river of the gods, in the north-west direction, is this Manikarnika. The essence of the three worlds, the supreme treasure-ground — those who have served it are dear to my very heart."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.99.55)

अस्मिन्ममानंदवने यदेतल्लिंगं सुधाधाम सुधामधाम ।। आसप्त पातालतलात्स्वयंभु समुत्थितं भक्तकृपावशेन

asminmamānaṁdavane yadetalliṁgaṁ sudhādhāma sudhāmadhāma || āsapta pātālatalātsvayaṁbhu samutthitaṁ bhaktakṛpāvaśena

"In this Anandavana of mine, this linga, the abode of nectar, the very home of ambrosia, arose self-manifest from the seventh nether region below, through the power of compassion for devotees."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.99.56)

येस्मिञ्जनाः कृत्रिमभावबुद्ध्या लिंगं भजिष्यंति च हेतुवादैः ।। तेषां हि दंडः पर एष एव नगर्भवासाद्विरमंति ते ध्रुवम्

yesmiñjanāḥ kṛtrimabhāvabuddhyā liṁgaṁ bhajiṣyaṁti ca hetuvādaiḥ || teṣāṁ hi daṁḍaḥ para eṣa eva nagarbhavāsādviramaṁti te dhruvam

"Those persons who shall worship the linga with a sense of it being merely artificial, with logical arguments — for them, this alone is the highest punishment: they certainly do not cease from residence in the womb."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.99.57)

यद्यद्धितं स्वस्य सदैव तत्तल्लिंगेत्र देयं मम भक्तिमद्भिः ।। इहाप्यमुत्रापि न तस्य संक्षयो यथेह पापस्य कृतस्य पापिभिः

yadyaddhitaṁ svasya sadaiva tattalliṁgetra deyaṁ mama bhaktimadbhiḥ || ihāpyamutrāpi na tasya saṁkṣayo yatheha pāpasya kṛtasya pāpibhiḥ

"Whatever is beneficial for oneself should always be given here at this linga by my devotees; neither here nor hereafter is there any destruction of that merit, just as sin committed here by sinners is never lost without expiation."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.99.58)

दूरस्थितैरप्यधिबुद्धिभिर्यैर्लिंगं समाराधि ममेदमत्र ।। मयैव दत्तैः शुभवस्तुजातैर्निःश्रेयसः श्रीर्वसं(?)येत्सतस्तान्

dūrasthitairapyadhibuddhibhiryairliṁgaṁ samārādhi mamedamatra || mayaiva dattaiḥ śubhavastujātairniḥśreyasaḥ śrīrvasaṁ(?)yetsatastān

"By those of higher intellect who, even while dwelling far away, have worshipped this linga of mine here, with auspicious things given by me myself, the glory of the highest good shall dwell with those truthful ones."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.99.59)

शृणुष्व विष्णो शृणु सृष्टिकर्तः शृण्वंतु देवर्षिगणाः समस्ताः ।। इदं हि लिंगं परसिद्धिदं सतां भेदो मनागत्र न मत्सकाशतः

śṛṇuṣva viṣṇo śṛṇu sṛṣṭikartaḥ śṛṇvaṁtu devarṣigaṇāḥ samastāḥ || idaṁ hi liṁgaṁ parasiddhidaṁ satāṁ bhedo manāgatra na matsakāśataḥ

"Listen, O Vishnu, listen, O creator, let all the hosts of gods and sages hear: this linga is indeed the giver of supreme accomplishment to the virtuous; there is not the slightest difference here from my very presence."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.99.60)

अस्मिन्हि लिंगेऽखिलसिद्धिसाधने समर्पितं यैः सुकृतार्जितं वसु ।। तेभ्योतिमात्राखिलसौख्यसाधनं ददामि निर्वाणपदं सुनिर्भयम्

asminhi liṁge'khilasiddhisādhane samarpitaṁ yaiḥ sukṛtārjitaṁ vasu || tebhyotimātrākhilasaukhyasādhanaṁ dadāmi nirvāṇapadaṁ sunirbhayam

"To those by whom, in this linga, the accomplisher of all siddhis, wealth earned through merit has been offered, I give to them a means of all happiness beyond measure, the fearless state of Nirvana."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.99.61)

उत्क्षिप्य बाहुं त्वसकृद्ब्रवीमि त्रयीमयेऽस्मिंस्त्रयमेव सारम् ।। विश्वेश लिंगं मणिकर्णिकांबु काशीपुरी सत्यमिदं त्रिसत्यम्

utkṣipya bāhuṁ tvasakṛdbravīmi trayīmaye'smiṁstrayameva sāram || viśveśa liṁgaṁ maṇikarṇikāṁbu kāśīpurī satyamidaṁ trisatyam

"Raising my arm, I declare again and again: in this triad-embodied place, these three alone are the essence — the linga of Vishvesha, the water of Manikarnika, the city of Kashi. This is true, thrice true."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.99.62)

उत्थाय देवोथ स शक्तिरीशस्तस्मिन्हि लिंगे कृतचारुपूजः ।। ययौ लयं ते च सुरा जयेति जयेति चोक्त्वा नुनुवुस्तमीशम्

utthāya devotha sa śaktirīśastasminhi liṁge kṛtacārupūjaḥ || yayau layaṁ te ca surā jayeti jayeti coktvā nunuvustamīśam

Then, rising, the god, and that Shakti, the Ishvari, having performed beautiful worship of that linga, merged into it; and those gods, saying "Victory, victory!" praised that Isha.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.99.63)

स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। क्षेत्रस्य मैत्रावरुणे विमुक्तस्य महामते ।। प्रभावस्यैकदेशोयं कथितः कल्मषापहः

skaṁda uvāca || || kṣetrasya maitrāvaruṇe vimuktasya mahāmate || prabhāvasyaikadeśoyaṁ kathitaḥ kalmaṣāpahaḥ

Skanda said: O son of Mitra-Varuna, of great wisdom, this has been told as one portion of the sin-removing power of this liberated sacred field.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.99.64)

तवाग्रे तु यथाबुद्धि काशीविश्लेषतापि नः ।। अचिरेणैव कालेन काशीं प्राप्स्यस्यनुत्तमाम्

tavāgre tu yathābuddhi kāśīviśleṣatāpi naḥ || acireṇaiva kālena kāśīṁ prāpsyasyanuttamām

Before you, according to my understanding, even our own separation from Kashi is imminent; in a short time, you shall attain this supreme Kashi again.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.99.65)

अस्ताचलस्य शिखरं प्राप्तवानेष भानुमान् ।। तवापि हि ममाप्येष मौनस्य समयोऽभवत्

astācalasya śikharaṁ prāptavāneṣa bhānumān || tavāpi hi mamāpyeṣa maunasya samayo'bhavat

This sun has reached the peak of the western mountain; for you as well as for me, this has become the time for silence.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.99.66)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। श्रुत्वेति स मुनिः सूत संध्योपास्त्यै विनिर्गतः।। प्रणम्यौ मेयमसकृल्लोपामुद्रा समन्वितः

|| vyāsa uvāca || || śrutveti sa muniḥ sūta saṁdhyopāstyai vinirgataḥ|| praṇamyau meyamasakṛllopāmudrā samanvitaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing this, O Suta, that sage went out for the evening worship, having bowed repeatedly to me, together with Lopamudra.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.99.67)

रहस्यं परिविज्ञाय क्षेत्रस्य शशिमौलिनः ।। अगस्त्यो निश्चितमनाः शिवध्यानपरोभवत्

rahasyaṁ parivijñāya kṣetrasya śaśimaulinaḥ || agastyo niścitamanāḥ śivadhyānaparobhavat

Having fully understood the secret of the sacred field of the moon-crested one, Agastya, his mind made resolute, became devoted to meditation on Shiva.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.99.68)

आनंदकाननस्येह महिमानं महत्तरम् ।। कोत्र वर्णयितुं शक्तः सूत वर्षशतैरपि

ānaṁdakānanasyeha mahimānaṁ mahattaram || kotra varṇayituṁ śaktaḥ sūta varṣaśatairapi

Who here is capable of describing, even over a hundred years, O Suta, the ever-greater glory of this Anandakanana?

Verse 69 (skanda.4.99.69)

यथा देव्यै समाख्यायि शिवेन परमात्मना ।। तथा स्कंदेन कथितं माहात्म्यं कुंभसंभवे

yathā devyai samākhyāyi śivena paramātmanā || tathā skaṁdena kathitaṁ māhātmyaṁ kuṁbhasaṁbhave

As it was told to the goddess by Shiva, the supreme soul, so was the glory told by Skanda to the pot-born one.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.99.70)

तवाग्रे च समाख्यातं शुकादीनां च सत्तम ।। इदानीं प्रष्टुकामोसि किं तत्पृच्छ वदामि ते

tavāgre ca samākhyātaṁ śukādīnāṁ ca sattama || idānīṁ praṣṭukāmosi kiṁ tatpṛccha vadāmi te

And it has been told before you as well, O best of sages, along with what was told to Shuka and others. Now, whatever you wish to ask, ask it — I shall tell you.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.99.71)

श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं सर्वकल्मषनाशनम् ।। समस्तचिंतितफलप्रदं मर्त्यो भवेत्कृती

śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ sarvakalmaṣanāśanam || samastaciṁtitaphalapradaṁ martyo bhavetkṛtī

Having heard this holy chapter, destroyer of all sin, giver of the fruit of every wish, a mortal becomes accomplished.