The Glory of Rajasthaleshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.145.1)

श्रीहर उवाच। चतुःसप्ततिकं विद्धि शिवं राजस्थलेश्वरम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते।

śrīhara uvāca| catuḥsaptatikaṁ viddhi śivaṁ rājasthaleśvaram| yasya darśanamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate||

Shri Hara said: Know the seventy-fourth Shiva as Rajasthaleshvara, by the mere sight of whom one is freed from every sin.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.145.2)

विष्णुकल्पे पुरा वृत्ते मन्वंतरमुखप्रिये। अराजके महीपृष्ठे ब्रह्मा चिंतापरोऽभवत्।

viṣṇukalpe purā vṛtte manvaṁtaramukhapriye| arājake mahīpṛṣṭhe brahmā ciṁtāparo'bhavat||

O you dear from the very dawn of the manvantara, long ago in the Vishnu-kalpa, when the surface of the earth had no king, Brahma grew anxious.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.145.3)

न मनुष्यैर्विना देवाः समर्था लोकधारणे। दानेज्याजपतोदेवा भजंते पुष्टिमुत्तमाम्।

na manuṣyairvinā devāḥ samarthā lokadhāraṇe| dānejyājapatodevā bhajaṁte puṣṭimuttamām||

Without human beings the gods are not able to sustain the world; only through gifts, sacrifice, and prayer do the gods gain their finest nourishment.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.145.4)

योग्यो राजा प्रजापालः को भवेज्जनवत्सलः। सोऽपश्यदथ राजर्षिस्तपस्यंतं रिपुंजयम्।

yogyo rājā prajāpālaḥ ko bhavejjanavatsalaḥ| so'paśyadatha rājarṣistapasyaṁtaṁ ripuṁjayam||

"Who might be a fitting king, a protector of subjects, devoted to his people?" Then he beheld the royal seer Ripunjaya engaged in austerity.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.145.5)

पृथ्व्यां सर्वगुणाकीर्णं धर्मनिष्ठं महाव्रतम्। तमुवाचाथ देवेशो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः।

pṛthvyāṁ sarvaguṇākīrṇaṁ dharmaniṣṭhaṁ mahāvratam| tamuvācātha deveśo brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ||

He, endowed on earth with every virtue, steadfast in righteousness, of great vows — to him the lord of gods, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, spoke.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.145.6)

ब्रह्मोवाच। रिपुंजय निबोधेदं वचनं मम पुत्रक। राज्यं च पाल्यतां वत्स एककल्पेन चेतसा।

brahmovāca| ripuṁjaya nibodhedaṁ vacanaṁ mama putraka| rājyaṁ ca pālyatāṁ vatsa ekakalpena cetasā||

Brahma said: "O my child Ripunjaya, hear these words of mine. Rule the kingdom, O son, with a single-minded heart.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.145.7)

अलं ते तपसा तात कष्टेनानेन सांप्रतम्। धर्मेण विजिताः सर्वे त्वया लोका नरोत्तम।

alaṁ te tapasā tāta kaṣṭenānena sāṁpratam| dharmeṇa vijitāḥ sarve tvayā lokā narottama||

Enough now, my child, of this arduous austerity. By righteousness alone, O best of men, you have already conquered all the worlds.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.145.8)

क्रियतामधुना लोकपालनं तु ममाज्ञया। यतः परोपकारो हि फलं देहस्य देहिनः।

kriyatāmadhunā lokapālanaṁ tu mamājñayā| yataḥ paropakāro hi phalaṁ dehasya dehinaḥ||

Now, by my command, undertake the protection of the world; for benefiting others is indeed the very fruit of an embodied being's body.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.145.9)

न धर्मस्तादृशोऽन्योऽस्ति न चान्योऽर्थस्य साधकः। निरयाप्तिरपि श्रेय उपकृत्य परस्य वै।

na dharmastādṛśo'nyo'sti na cānyo'rthasya sādhakaḥ| nirayāptirapi śreya upakṛtya parasya vai||

There is no other righteousness like this, nor any other means to true prosperity. Even the attainment of hell, if it comes through benefiting another, is a blessing.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.145.10)

नापकारेण भूतानामपि स्याद्भुवनेशता। सततं लोककार्यार्थं मदाज्ञागौरवेण च। पृथ्वीं समुद्रवसनां प्रजाश्चैव प्रपालय।

nāpakāreṇa bhūtānāmapi syādbhuvaneśatā| satataṁ lokakāryārthaṁ madājñāgauraveṇa ca| pṛthvīṁ samudravasanāṁ prajāścaiva prapālaya||

Sovereignty over the world is never attained by harming living beings. Therefore, always for the sake of the world's welfare, and out of regard for my command, protect this earth, girded by the ocean as by a garment, and her peoples.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.145.11)

इत्युक्तः स तु राजर्षिर्ब्रह्मणा पर्वतात्मजे। प्रोवाच प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा ब्रह्माणं तु रिपुंजयः।

ityuktaḥ sa tu rājarṣirbrahmaṇā parvatātmaje| provāca prāṁjalirbhūtvā brahmāṇaṁ tu ripuṁjayaḥ||

O daughter of the mountain, thus addressed by Brahma, that royal seer Ripunjaya, with folded hands, replied to Brahma.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.145.12)

स्वभावेनाचला पृध्वी त्वया पूर्वं विनिर्मिता। विनैव पालकं ह्येषा कुत्र यास्यति मेदिनी।

svabhāvenācalā pṛdhvī tvayā pūrvaṁ vinirmitā| vinaiva pālakaṁ hyeṣā kutra yāsyati medinī||

"This earth, by its very nature, is immovable, and was fashioned by you long ago. Without a protector, where indeed could this earth possibly go?

Verse 13 (skanda.5.145.13)

यद्यवश्यं मया पृध्वी पालनीया पितामह। देहि मे नगरीं रम्यामवन्तीं सप्तकल्पगाम्।

yadyavaśyaṁ mayā pṛdhvī pālanīyā pitāmaha| dehi me nagarīṁ ramyāmavantīṁ saptakalpagām||

"If I must indeed rule the earth, O grandsire, then grant me the lovely city of Avanti, which has endured through seven kalpas —

Verse 14 (skanda.5.145.14)

मनुष्यलोके विख्याता सकले सामरावती। स्वर्गच्युतानां देवानां निवासार्थं प्रतिष्ठिता।

manuṣyaloke vikhyātā sakale sāmarāvatī| svargacyutānāṁ devānāṁ nivāsārthaṁ pratiṣṭhitā||

renowned throughout the whole world of men as another Amaravati, established as a dwelling place for gods who have fallen from heaven.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.145.15)

मर्यादामनुवत्तेंयुर्यदि मे नाकवासिनः। अदत्ते च मया स्थाने न वासः कस्यचिद्भवेत्। अनेन विधिना पृथ्वीं पालयिष्याम्यहं प्रभो।

maryādāmanuvattenyuryadi me nākavāsinaḥ| adatte ca mayā sthāne na vāsaḥ kasyacidbhavet| anena vidhinā pṛthvīṁ pālayiṣyāmyahaṁ prabho||

If the heaven-dwellers will abide by my boundaries — that none shall dwell in any place I have not granted — then, O lord, by this rule I shall protect the earth."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.145.16)

ब्रह्मोवाच। भविष्यत्येष ते कामो यस्त्वयोक्तो नरोत्तम। ये केचित्त्रिदशाः संति मद्गौरववशेन ते। तवादेशं करिष्यंति सदा त्वद्वशवर्त्तिनः।

brahmovāca| bhaviṣyatyeṣa te kāmo yastvayokto narottama| ye kecittridaśāḥ saṁti madgauravavaśena te| tavādeśaṁ kariṣyaṁti sadā tvadvaśavarttinaḥ||

Brahma said: "This wish which you have expressed, O best of men, shall be fulfilled. Whatever gods there are, out of deference to me, shall abide by your command, ever remaining subject to your rule."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.145.17)

देवनाथेति वै नाम भविष्यति च सुव्रत। इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे ब्रह्मा हंसयानं समास्थितः।

devanātheti vai nāma bhaviṣyati ca suvrata| ityuktvāṁtardadhe brahmā haṁsayānaṁ samāsthitaḥ||

"And your name shall become Devanatha, O one of noble vows." Having said this, Brahma, mounted upon his swan-chariot, vanished from sight.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.145.18)

अथ राजा प्रतिज्ञाय ब्रह्मणा भूमिपालनम्। पृथ्व्यामुद्घोषयामास प्रोवाच त्रिदिवौकसाम्।

atha rājā pratijñāya brahmaṇā bhūmipālanam| pṛthvyāmudghoṣayāmāsa provāca tridivaukasām||

Then the king, having pledged to Brahma his rule over the earth, proclaimed his edict throughout the land and addressed the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.145.19)

भवतां विहितः स्वर्गो मनुजानां च भूतलम्। ये चात्र कंदरे रताः स्थले वा भूधरेषु च।

bhavatāṁ vihitaḥ svargo manujānāṁ ca bhūtalam| ye cātra kaṁdare ratāḥ sthale vā bhūdhareṣu ca||

"Heaven is ordained for you, gods, and the earth's surface for mortal men. Whoever among you dwells here — in caves, on the ground, or upon the mountains —

Verse 20 (skanda.5.145.20)

ये स्थिता यांतु ते देवा मनुजानामियं धरा। तच्छ्रुत्वा घोषितं तस्य राज्ञो भयनिपीडिताः। त्रिदशा ब्रह्मणो वाक्याद्गौरवात्त्रिदिवं गताः।

ye sthitā yāṁtu te devā manujānāmiyaṁ dharā| tacchrutvā ghoṣitaṁ tasya rājño bhayanipīḍitāḥ| tridaśā brahmaṇo vākyādgauravāttridivaṁ gatāḥ||

let those gods depart; this earth belongs to mortal men." Hearing the king's proclamation, the gods, stricken with fear and out of respect for Brahma's word, withdrew to heaven.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.145.21)

अथ प्रजाः स नृपतिर्धर्मेणावर्धयत्तदा। पुत्रवत्सेहयुक्तेन हृदयेनातिनिर्वृताः।

atha prajāḥ sa nṛpatirdharmeṇāvardhayattadā| putravatsehayuktena hṛdayenātinirvṛtāḥ||

Then that king, with a heart full of parental affection, nurtured his subjects through righteousness, and they became exceedingly content.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.145.22)

प्रजास्तत्सुखसंवृद्धा जरामृत्युविवर्जिताः। पुत्रिणो धनधान्याढ्याः सर्वकामसमन्विताः।

prajāstatsukhasaṁvṛddhā jarāmṛtyuvivarjitāḥ| putriṇo dhanadhānyāḍhyāḥ sarvakāmasamanvitāḥ||

His subjects flourished in that happiness, free from old age and untimely death, blessed with children, rich in wealth and grain, and fulfilled in every desire.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.145.23)

यौवनस्थाश्च निर्द्वंद्वाः सततं धर्मसंश्रयाः। नासीत्पृथिव्यां शैलस्तु स्थलो वा द्वीप एव च।

yauvanasthāśca nirdvaṁdvāḥ satataṁ dharmasaṁśrayāḥ| nāsītpṛthivyāṁ śailastu sthalo vā dvīpa eva ca||

They remained ever youthful, free from strife, always devoted to righteousness. There was no mountain, place, or island anywhere on earth

Verse 24 (skanda.5.145.24)

अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी स्वादवद्भिः फलैर्युता। देवलोक इवासीद्भूः सर्वकामगुणोज्ज्वला।

akṛṣṭapacyā pṛthivī svādavadbhiḥ phalairyutā| devaloka ivāsīdbhūḥ sarvakāmaguṇojjvalā||

that they did not reach. The earth yielded her produce without ploughing, laden with sweet fruits; the land was resplendent with every desired quality, like the very realm of the gods.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.145.25)

एवं व्रजति काले वै राज्ञि राज्यं प्रकुर्वति। महामर्षपरा देवा विप्रकार्यार्थमुद्यताः।

evaṁ vrajati kāle vai rājñi rājyaṁ prakurvati| mahāmarṣaparā devā viprakāryārthamudyatāḥ||

Thus, as time passed and the king continued to rule, the gods, filled with great resentment, grew intent on causing him harm.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.145.26)

प्रजानां बहुदुःखानि मुहुः कुर्वंत्यनेकशः। अथानावृष्टिमकरोत्सुदीर्घां पाकशासनः।

prajānāṁ bahuduḥkhāni muhuḥ kurvaṁtyanekaśaḥ| athānāvṛṣṭimakarotsudīrghāṁ pākaśāsanaḥ||

Repeatedly, in various ways, they caused great suffering to the people. Then Indra brought about a most prolonged drought.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.145.27)

तथा संह्रियमाणेषु लोकेषु नृपसत्तमः। मेघो भूत्वा दिवं प्राप्य सुवृष्टिमकरोन्नृपः।

tathā saṁhriyamāṇeṣu lokeṣu nṛpasattamaḥ| megho bhūtvā divaṁ prāpya suvṛṣṭimakaronnṛpaḥ||

As the worlds were thus being afflicted, that excellent king himself became a cloud, ascended to the sky, and brought down a good rain.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.145.28)

तेनैवाप्यायितो लोकः सुखी जातो यशस्विनि। ततः काले तु कस्मिंश्चिद्वर्षत्पाकशासनः। संवर्त्तो वारिदो भूत्वा मेघान्वै विन्यपातयत्।

tenaivāpyāyito lokaḥ sukhī jāto yaśasvini| tataḥ kāle tu kasmiṁścidvarṣatpākaśāsanaḥ| saṁvartto vārido bhūtvā meghānvai vinyapātayat||

Nourished thereby, the world became happy, O renowned one. Then at some time, when Indra sent rain, he became the destroying deluge-cloud Samvarta and cast down the king's own clouds.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.145.29)

ततस्तु मारुतो भूत्वा नृपतिस्तामधारयत्। ततोनलः प्रनष्टोऽभूत्सर्वतः पृथिवीतलात्।

tatastu māruto bhūtvā nṛpatistāmadhārayat| tatonalaḥ pranaṣṭo'bhūtsarvataḥ pṛthivītalāt||

Then the king, becoming the wind, held that deluge back. After that, fire vanished entirely from the surface of the earth.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.145.30)

न यज्ञा न जपो होमो न च पक्तिरवर्त्तत। लोकश्च व्याधिसंक्षुब्धस्तदाभूद्विषमे स्थितः।

na yajñā na japo homo na ca paktiravarttata| lokaśca vyādhisaṁkṣubdhastadābhūdviṣame sthitaḥ||

No sacrifices, no prayers, no oblations could be performed, nor could food even be cooked. The world then fell into distress, afflicted with disease.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.145.31)

ततः स राजा तं दृष्ट्वा त्वभवद्धव्यवाहनः। सोऽधारयत्प्रजाः सर्वा यज्ञांश्च त्रिदिवौकसः।

tataḥ sa rājā taṁ dṛṣṭvā tvabhavaddhavyavāhanaḥ| so'dhārayatprajāḥ sarvā yajñāṁśca tridivaukasaḥ||

Then, seeing this, that king himself became the fire-bearer, and he sustained all the people, the sacrifices, and the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.145.32)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि त्वया सार्द्धं समागतः। दर्शनार्थं स्वनगरीमहं भूतगणैर्वृतः।

etasminnaṁtare devi tvayā sārddhaṁ samāgataḥ| darśanārthaṁ svanagarīmahaṁ bhūtagaṇairvṛtaḥ||

Meanwhile, O goddess, together with you, surrounded by my hosts of ghostly attendants, I too came to behold his city.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.145.33)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे सकिंनरमहोरगाः। सयक्षरक्षोगन्धर्वाः सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः।

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve sakiṁnaramahoragāḥ| sayakṣarakṣogandharvāḥ siddhavidyādharoragāḥ||

Then all the hosts of gods, together with kinnaras and great serpents, with yakshas, rakshasas, and gandharvas, with siddhas, vidyadharas, and nagas —

Verse 34 (skanda.5.145.34)

भूताः प्रेताः पिशाचाश्च ये चान्ये गगनेचराः। चत्वारः सागराश्चैव क्षारक्षीरादिसिंधवः।

bhūtāḥ pretāḥ piśācāśca ye cānye gaganecarāḥ| catvāraḥ sāgarāścaiva kṣārakṣīrādisiṁdhavaḥ||

bhutas, pretas, pishachas, and other sky-wanderers; the four oceans — of salt water, of milk, and the rest —

Verse 35 (skanda.5.145.35)

गंगा च यमुना सिंधुश्चंद्रभागा सरस्वती। चर्मण्वती भीमरथी पुण्या गोदावरी नदी।

gaṁgā ca yamunā siṁdhuścaṁdrabhāgā sarasvatī| carmaṇvatī bhīmarathī puṇyā godāvarī nadī||

the Ganga, the Yamuna, the Sindhu, the Chandrabhaga, the Sarasvati, the Charmanvati, the Bhimarathi, and the sacred river Godavari,

Verse 36 (skanda.5.145.36)

विपाशा देविका पुण्या शरयूः कौशिकी तथा। गोमती धूतपापा च बाहुदा च दृषद्वती।

vipāśā devikā puṇyā śarayūḥ kauśikī tathā| gomatī dhūtapāpā ca bāhudā ca dṛṣadvatī||

the Vipasha, the sacred Devika, the Sarayu, the Kaushiki, the Gomati, the Dhutapapa, the Bahuda, and the Drishadvati,

Verse 37 (skanda.5.145.37)

पारा वेद स्मृतिश्चैव वेत्रघ्नी नर्मदा शिवा। तापी पयोष्णी निर्विन्ध्या सर्वास्तत्र समागताः।

pārā veda smṛtiścaiva vetraghnī narmadā śivā| tāpī payoṣṇī nirviṁdhyā sarvāstatra samāgatāḥ||

the Para, the Vedasmriti, the Vetraghni, the auspicious Narmada, the Tapi, the Payoshni, and the Nirvindhya — all these rivers gathered there.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.145.38)

पुष्करश्च प्रयागश्च प्रभासो नैमिषस्तथा। पृथुतीर्थोदकश्चैव तथैवामरकंटकः।

puṣkaraśca prayāgaśca prabhāso naimiṣastathā| pṛthutīrthodakaścaiva tathaivāmarakaṁṭakaḥ||

Pushkara, Prayaga, Prabhasa, Naimisha, the waters of Prithu-tirtha, and likewise Amarakantaka,

Verse 39 (skanda.5.145.39)

गंगाद्वारः कुशावर्त्तो बिल्वको नीलपर्वतः। वाराहपर्वतश्चैव तीर्थं कनखलं तथा।

gaṁgādvāraḥ kuśāvartto bilvako nīlaparvataḥ| vārāhaparvataścaiva tīrthaṁ kanakhalaṁ tathā||

Gangadvara, Kushavarta, Bilvaka, Nilaparvata, Varahaparvata, and the sacred site of Kanakhala,

Verse 40 (skanda.5.145.40)

भृगुतुंगः सुकुक्षश्चाप्यजगंधश्च पार्वति। कालिंजरः सकेदारो रुद्रकोटिर्महालयः।

bhṛgutuṁgaḥ sukukṣaścāpyajagaṁdhaśca pārvati| kāliṁjaraḥ sakedāro rudrakoṭirmahālayaḥ||

Bhrigutunga, Sukuksha, Ajagandha, O Parvati, Kalinjara together with Kedara, Rudrakoti, and Mahalaya —

Verse 41 (skanda.5.145.41)

स्थानानि च समस्तानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च। मेरुर्महेंद्रो मलयो मंदरो गंधमादनः।

sthānāni ca samastāni puṇyānyāyatanāni ca| merurmaheṁdro malayo maṁdaro gaṁdhamādanaḥ||

all these sacred places and holy abodes, along with Mount Meru, Mahendra, Malaya, Mandara, and Gandhamadana,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.145.42)

मुनयो वालखिल्याश्च वेदाश्चत्वार एव च। एते चान्ये च बहवः समायाता मया सह।

munayo vālakhilyāśca vedāścatvāra eva ca| ete cānye ca bahavaḥ samāyātā mayā saha||

the sages, the Valakhilyas, and the four Vedas themselves — these and many others came there along with me.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.145.43)

अनंतरं मया मेरुः स्थलाकारः कृतस्ततः। तस्मिन्स्थले स्थितो देवि उपविष्टः सुरैर्वृतः। नियुक्ताः सागराः पार्श्वे चत्वारो लवणादयः।

anaṁtaraṁ mayā meruḥ sthalākāraḥ kṛtastataḥ| tasminsthale sthito devi upaviṣṭaḥ suraivṛtaḥ| niyuktāḥ sāgarāḥ pārśve catvāro lavaṇādayaḥ||

After that, I fashioned Mount Meru into the form of a mound. There, O goddess, seated amid the surrounding gods, I stationed the four oceans — of salt water and the rest — at my sides.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.145.44)

अथ व्याकुलतां प्राप्तः स च राजा रिपुंजयः। स्वस्थलस्थं मां दृष्ट्वा समायातस्तु मां प्रति।

atha vyākulatāṁ prāptaḥ sa ca rājā ripuṁjayaḥ| svasthalasthaṁ māṁ dṛṣṭvā samāyātastu māṁ prati||

Then that king Ripunjaya, growing agitated, seeing me stationed there upon his own ground, approached me.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.145.45)

तेजसा दह्यमानोऽपि मदीयेन वरानने। भीतोऽपि तोषयामास कोऽसि देव नमोऽस्तु ते।

tejasā dahyamāno'pi madīyena varānane| bhīto'pi toṣayāmāsa ko'si deva namo'stu te||

Though scorched by my radiance, O fair one, and though afraid, he sought to appease me: "Who are you, O god? Salutation to you!"

Verse 46 (skanda.5.145.46)

स्थलेस्मिन्नृप राजाहं मयाप्युक्तं विनोदतः। चतुर्वर्गश्चतुर्मूर्त्तिश्चतुर्द्धा संस्थितो नृपः।

sthale'sminnṛpa rājāhaṁ mayāpyuktaṁ vinodataḥ| caturvargaścaturmūrttiścaturddhā saṁsthito nṛpaḥ||

I too spoke playfully: "O king, I am the king of this ground." I am the four aims of life, the fourfold form, the sovereign established in four ways.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.145.47)

तेनाहं सर्वतो दृष्टो वाङ्मये सचराचरे। अनंतरं स्तुतस्तेन भक्त्या परमया प्रिये।

tenāhaṁ sarvato dṛṣṭo vāṅmaye sacarācare| anaṁtaraṁ stutastena bhaktyā paramayā priye||

Thus he came to perceive me everywhere, in every animate and inanimate thing embodied in speech. Thereafter, O beloved, he praised me with the deepest devotion.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.145.48)

प्रभावमतुलं दृष्ट्वा मदीयं व्यापकं परम्। भक्त्या परमया देवि स च मां शरणं गतः। भूयःस्तुतोऽपि तेनाहं तुष्टो वै तस्य भूपतेः। तेनोक्तं यदि मे देव तुष्टस्त्वं परमेश्वर।

prabhāvamatulaṁ dṛṣṭvā madīyaṁ vyāpakaṁ param| bhaktyā paramayā devi sa ca māṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ| bhūyaḥstuto'pi tenāhaṁ tuṣṭo vai tasya bhūpateḥ| tenoktaṁ yadi me deva tuṣṭastvaṁ parameśvara||

Beholding my incomparable, all-pervading, supreme power, O goddess, he came to me for refuge with the deepest devotion. Praised by him again and again, I became pleased with that king. He then said: "O lord, if you are pleased with me, O supreme sovereign,

Verse 49 (skanda.5.145.49)

भक्तिर्मे सुदृढा भूयात्त्वयि सर्वॆश शाश्वती। तुष्टोहं तेन वाक्येन पुनः प्रोक्तो मया नृप।

bhaktirme sudṛḍhā bhūyāttvayi sarveśa śāśvatī| tuṣṭohaṁ tena vākyena punaḥ prokto mayā nṛpa||

then may my devotion to you, O lord of all, remain ever firm and eternal." Pleased by these words, I spoke again to the king, O king,

Verse 50 (skanda.5.145.50)

एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा पुनर्मां ब्रूहि पार्थिव। हृदि स्थितश्च ते कामः सर्वकालं भविष्यति।

evaṁ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā punarmāṁ brūhi pārthiva| hṛdi sthitaśca te kāmaḥ sarvakālaṁ bhaviṣyati||

"So be it," and added: "Speak to me once more, O king; the desire abiding in your heart shall be fulfilled for all time."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.145.51)

अधृष्यः सर्वेदेवानां सर्वदा संभविष्यसि। तेनाहं प्रार्थितो देवि भूयो वरमनुत्तमम्।

adhṛṣyaḥ sarvedevānāṁ sarvadā saṁbhaviṣyasi| tenāhaṁ prārthito devi bhūyo varamanuttamam||

"You shall ever remain unassailable even by all the gods." Then, O goddess, he asked me once more for a most excellent boon.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.145.52)

अतीव राजते देव स्थलोऽयं तव सन्निधौ। मेरुरेष न संदेहो वृल्लभः सर्वदा तव।

atīva rājate deva sthalo'yaṁ tava sannidhau| merureṣa na saṁdeho vallabhaḥ sarvadā tava||

He said: "O lord, this ground shines exceedingly in your presence. This Meru, without doubt, shall ever be dear to you.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.145.53)

राजस्थलेश्वरोऽसि त्वं विख्यातो भुवनत्रये। भविष्यसि यथा देव तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि।

rājasthaleśvaro'si tvaṁ vikhyāto bhuvanatraye| bhaviṣyasi yathā deva tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi||

You shall become Rajasthaleshvara, renowned in the three worlds. As you wish to become, O god, so may you do.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.145.54)

अत्रागत्य च यो देव भक्त्या परमया युतः। यात्रां करोति भावेन पुराणोक्तविधानतः।

atrāgatya ca yo deva bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ| yātrāṁ karoti bhāvena purāṇoktavidhānataḥ||

O god, whoever comes here filled with the deepest devotion and undertakes the pilgrimage with sincerity, according to the rite declared in the Puranas —

Verse 55 (skanda.5.145.55)

तस्य त्वया प्रदातव्यं सर्वं मनसि चिंतितम्। अणिमादिगुणाः सर्वे गुटिकासिद्धिरंजनम्।

tasya tvayā pradātavyaṁ sarvaṁ manasi ciṁtitam| aṇimādiguṇāḥ sarve guṭikāsiddhirañjanam||

to him you must grant everything he holds in mind — all the powers beginning with animā, the accomplishment of the wonder-pill, and the magic ointment."

Verse 56 (skanda.5.145.56)

खड्गं च पादुकां चैव जलवासं रसायनम्। राजस्थलेश्वरं यस्तु भक्त्या पश्यति मानवः।

khaḍgaṁ ca pādukāṁ caiva jalavāsaṁ rasāyanam| rājasthaleśvaraṁ yastu bhaktyā paśyati mānavaḥ||

Whatever man beholds Rajasthaleshvara with devotion attains the sword, the sandals, the water-dwelling power, and the elixir of the alchemists.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.145.57)

दशम्यां तु विशेषेण कृत्वा नियमपूर्वकम्। देवानामपि देवत्वं संप्राप्नोति महेश्वरः।

daśamyāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa kṛtvā niyamapūrvakam| devānāmapi devatvaṁ saṁprāpnoti maheśvaraḥ||

Performing this with a vow especially on the tenth lunar day, one attains even the godhood of the gods, becoming as it were a great lord himself.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.145.58)

पूजनीयस्तु त्रिदिवैर्यथा देवः पुरंदरः। दृष्ट्वा राजस्थले देवं योऽत्र यात्रां करिष्यति।

pūjanīyastu tridivairyathā devaḥ puraṁdaraḥ| dṛṣṭvā rājasthale devaṁ yo'tra yātrāṁ kariṣyati||

He becomes worshipped by the denizens of heaven as though he were the god Purandara himself. Whoever beholds the god at Rajasthala and undertakes the pilgrimage there —

Verse 59 (skanda.5.145.59)

तस्य श्रीर्विजयश्चैव भवत्येव वरो मम। शत्रवः संक्षयं यांतु संपद्यतां मनोरथाः।

tasya śrīrvijayaścaiva bhavatyeva varo mama| śatravaḥ saṁkṣayaṁ yāṁtu saṁpadyatāṁ manorathāḥ||

prosperity and victory shall indeed be his — this is my boon. May his enemies come to ruin, and may his heart's desires be fulfilled.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.145.60)

वृद्धिर्भवतु वंशे च दर्शनात्तव शंकर। सर्वेऽत्र देवास्तिष्ठंतु मेरुरत्रैव तिष्ठतु। तिष्ठंतु सागराः सर्वे तव देव समीपतः।

vṛddhirbhavatu vaṁśe ca darśanāttava śaṁkara| sarve'tra devāstiṣṭhaṁtu meruratraiva tiṣṭhatu| tiṣṭhaṁtu sāgarāḥ sarve tava deva samīpataḥ||

May his lineage flourish through your sight, O Shankara. May all the gods dwell here; may Meru remain here itself; may all the oceans remain here, close beside you, O god."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.145.61)

इत्युक्तोऽहं तदा तेन मया चोक्तं वरानने। सुद्युम्नोनाम भूपालो यदात्रैवागमिष्यति।

ityukto'haṁ tadā tena mayā coktaṁ varānane| sudyumno nāma bhūpālo yadātraivāgamiṣyati||

Thus addressed by him, O fair one, I then said: "When a king named Sudyumna shall come here,

Verse 62 (skanda.5.145.62)

पुत्रार्थं भार्यया सार्द्धं तदा दास्यामि वांछितम्। तदा समुद्राश्चत्वारः स्थास्यन्ति सफलाः स्वयम्।

putrārthaṁ bhāryayā sārddhaṁ tadā dāsyāmi vāṁchitam| tadā samudrāścatvāraḥ sthāsyaṁti saphalāḥ svayam||

together with his wife, seeking a son, I shall grant his desire. Then the four oceans shall of themselves remain there, fruitful.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.145.63)

तस्याराधनतो भूप पुत्रं दास्यामि शोभनम्। ये चात्र मानवा राजन्यात्रां कुर्वंति भक्तितः। तेषां मनोरथावाप्तिर्भविष्यति न संशयः।

tasyārādhanato bhūpa putraṁ dāsyāmi śobhanam| ye cātra mānavā rājanyātrāṁ kurvaṁti bhaktitaḥ| teṣāṁ manorathāvāptirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ||

By his worship, O king, I shall grant him a fine son. And whatever men undertake the pilgrimage here with devotion, O king, the fulfilment of their desires shall surely come to pass."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.145.64)

राजा रिपुंजयो भक्त्या गणाधीशः कृतो मया।

rājā ripuṁjayo bhaktyā gaṇādhīśaḥ kṛto mayā||

Out of regard for his devotion, I made King Ripunjaya a lord of my ganas.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.145.65)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। राजस्थलेश्वरेशस्य श्रूयतां वडलेश्वरम्।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| rājasthaleśvareśasya śrūyatāṁ vaḍaleśvaram||

Thus, O goddess, I have told you the sin-destroying greatness of the lord Rajasthaleshvara; now hear of Vadaleshvara.