The Glory of Vadaleshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.146.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। पञ्चसप्ततिकं देवं वडलेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। विद्धि पापहरं देवि दर्शनात्कामदं नृणाम्।

īśvara uvāca| pañcasaptatikaṁ devaṁ vaḍaleśvarasaṁjñakam| viddhi pāpaharaṁ devi darśanātkāmadaṁ nṛṇām||

Ishvara said: Know, O goddess, the seventy-fifth god by the name Vadaleshvara, remover of sin, granting the wishes of men through his mere sight.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.146.2)

धनदस्य सखा देवि मणिभद्रो बभूव ह। ईर्ष्याप्रभावस्तत्पुत्रो वडलोनाम कोपनः।

dhanadasya sakhā devi maṇibhadro babhūva ha| īrṣyāprabhāvastatputro vaḍalonāma kopanaḥ||

O goddess, there was a friend of Kubera named Manibhadra. His son, prone to jealousy and quick to anger, was named Vadala.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.146.3)

रूपवान्सर्वदा कामी सदा मत्तो बलाधिकः। कदाचित्स गतो रम्यां नलिनीं धनदस्य च।

rūpavānsarvadā kāmī sadā matto balādhikaḥ| kadācitsa gato ramyāṁ nalinīṁ dhanadasya ca||

Handsome, ever lustful, ever intoxicated, and exceedingly strong, he once went to Kubera's lovely lotus-pool,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.146.4)

रत्यर्थं कामसेवार्थं गुप्तां रहसि निर्मिताम्। ददर्श कुसुमैश्छन्नां वज्रवैडूर्यभूषिताम्।

ratyarthaṁ kāmasevārthaṁ guptāṁ rahasi nirmitām| dadarśa kusumaiśchannāṁ vajravaiḍūryabhūṣitām||

a place built secretly in seclusion for love and pleasure. He beheld it covered with flowers, adorned with diamonds and beryls,

Verse 5 (skanda.5.146.5)

तां वै विद्रुमसंछन्नां मुक्तादामविराजिताम्। सुरम्यां विपुलच्छायां स्वर्णपंकजशोभिताम्।

tāṁ vai vidrumasaṁchannāṁ muktādāmavirājitām| suramyāṁ vipulacchāyāṁ svarṇapaṁkajaśobhitām||

strewn with coral, adorned with strings of pearls, most delightful, deeply shaded, and resplendent with golden lotuses.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.146.6)

कुबेरभवनाभ्याशे वल्लभां धनदस्य च। आक्रीडं राजराजस्य कुबेरस्य महात्मनः।

kuberabhavanābhyāśe vallabhāṁ dhanadasya ca| ākrīḍaṁ rājarājasya kuberasya mahātmanaḥ||

It was near Kubera's own palace, a place dear to him — the pleasure-garden of Kubera, the great-souled lord of lords.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.146.7)

राक्षसैः किंनरैश्चैव गुप्तां खङ्गधरैः सदा। तां दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो बभूव वडलस्तदा।

rākṣasaiḥ kiṁnaraiścaiva guptāṁ khaṅgadharaiḥ sadā| tāṁ dṛṣṭvā paramaprīto babhūva vaḍalastadā||

It was ever guarded by rakshasas, kinnaras, and sword-bearing sentinels. Beholding it, Vadala was filled with great delight.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.146.8)

प्रियया सहितो रेमे स्थाने गुप्ते मनोहरे। रेमे रमणकैर्योगैरनंगेन वशीकृतः।

priyayā sahito reme sthāne gupte manohare| reme ramaṇakairyogairanaṁgena vaśīkṛtaḥ||

With his beloved, he began to sport in that secluded, enchanting place. Mastered by the god of love, he indulged in delightful pleasures.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.146.9)

तत्र गुप्ता रणे शूरा राक्षसा रणकोविदाः। रक्षंति शतसाहस्रं सर्वायुधपरिच्छदाः।

tatra guptā raṇe śūrā rākṣasā raṇakovidāḥ| rakṣaṁti śatasāhasraṁ sarvāyudhaparicchadāḥ||

There, hidden guardians — brave rakshasas skilled in battle, equipped with every weapon, numbering in the hundreds of thousands — kept watch.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.146.10)

ते तु दृष्ट्वैव वडलं मणिभद्रसुतं प्रिये। भक्ष्यैः संपूरितमुखं दिव्यचन्दनभूषितम्।

te tu dṛṣṭvaiva vaḍalaṁ maṇibhadrasutaṁ priye| bhakṣyaiḥ saṁpūritamukhaṁ divyacaṁdanabhūṣitam||

O beloved, they beheld Vadala, son of Manibhadra — his mouth full with delicacies, adorned with divine sandal-paste,

Verse 11 (skanda.5.146.11)

केतकीगर्भपत्राभैर्दंतैर्दिव्यतराननम्। युद्धार्थे बद्धनिस्त्रिंशं शक्तियुक्तमरिंदमम्।

ketakīgarbhapatrābhairdaṁtairdivyatarānanam| yuddhārthe baddhanistriṁśaṁ śaktiyuktamariṁdamam||

with teeth gleaming like the inner petals of the ketaki flower, his face most divine, his sword girded for battle, mighty and a subduer of foes,

Verse 12 (skanda.5.146.12)

भार्यासहायमुन्मत्तं पर्यंके च स्थितं सदा। रत्यर्थमागतं ज्ञात्वा अन्योन्यमभिचुक्रुशुः।

bhāryāsahāyamunmattaṁ paryaṁke ca sthitaṁ sadā| ratyarthamāgataṁ jñātvā anyonyamabhicukruśuḥ||

intoxicated, ever seated on a couch with his wife by his side. Recognizing that he had come there for love's sport, they cried out to one another.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.146.13)

मा वीरानेन मार्गेण सभार्यो गन्तुमर्हसि। आक्रीडोऽयं कुबेरस्य धनदस्य महात्मनः।

mā vīrānena mārgeṇa sabhāryo gantumarhasi| ākrīḍo'yaṁ kuberasya dhanadasya mahātmanaḥ||

They said: "O hero, you must not go this way with your wife! This is the pleasure-garden of the great-souled Kubera, the lord of wealth.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.146.14)

देवा देवर्षयो यक्षा गन्धर्वाः किंनरास्तथा। आमन्त्र्य यक्षप्रवरं विहरंति रमंति च।

devā devarṣayo yakṣā gandharvāḥ kiṁnarāstathā| āmantrya yakṣapravaraṁ viharaṁti ramaṁti ca||

Gods, divine sages, yakshas, gandharvas, and kinnaras too only sport and take their pleasure here after seeking leave of that foremost of yakshas.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.146.15)

नेह शक्यं विनादेशाद्विहर्तुं क्रीडितुं चिरम्। भ्रात्रामात्येन सुहृदा केनापि च सुतेन च।

neha śakyaṁ vinādeśādvihartuṁ krīḍituṁ ciram| bhrātrāmātyena suhṛdā kenāpi ca sutena ca||

Here, without permission, it is not possible for anyone — be it brother, minister, friend, or even a son — to dwell or sport for long.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.146.16)

येनकेनचिदन्यायादवमन्य धनेश्वरम्। विहारः क्रियते दर्पात्स विनश्येदसंशयम्।

yenakenacidanyāyādavamanya dhaneśvaram| vihāraḥ kriyate darpātsa vinaśyedasaṁśayam||

Whoever, wrongfully and in disregard of the lord of wealth, sports here in his pride shall surely perish."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.146.17)

एवं स राक्षसैर्घोरैर्वडलो विनिवारितः। मा मैवमिति सक्रोधं भर्त्सयद्भिः समंततः।

evaṁ sa rākṣasairghorairvaḍalo vinivāritaḥ| mā maivamiti sakrodhaṁ bhartsayadbhiḥ samaṁtataḥ||

Thus Vadala was forestalled by those terrible rakshasas, who surrounded him on every side, angrily crying, "Do not do this, do not do this!"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.146.18)

कदर्थीकृत्य तु स तान्राक्षसान्भीमविक्रमः। व्यगाहत महातेजास्ते सर्वे तं न्यवारयन्।

kadarthīkṛtya tu sa tānrākṣasānbhīmavikramaḥ| vyagāhata mahātejāste sarve taṁ nyavārayan||

But that being of terrible prowess and great splendour, disdaining those rakshasas, plunged in anyway; all of them tried in vain to hold him back.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.146.19)

गृह्णीत बध्नीत निकृन्ततैनं पिबाम खादाम च वृत्तहीनम्। क्रुद्धा ब्रुवंतो ह्यपतन्द्रुतं ते शस्त्राणि चोद्यम्य विवृत्तनेत्राः।

gṛhṇīta baddhnīta nikṛntataitaṁ pibāma khādāma ca vṛttahīnam| kruddhā bruvaṁto hyapatandrutaṁ te śastrāṇi codyamya vivṛttanetrāḥ||

"Seize him, bind him, cut this shameless one to pieces — let us drink his blood and devour him!" — thus crying in fury, their eyes rolling wildly, brandishing their weapons, they rushed upon him.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.146.20)

ततः स गुर्वीं यमदण्डकल्पां महागदां कांचनपट्टनद्धाम्। प्रगृह्य तामभ्यपतत्तरस्वी ततोऽब्रवीत्तिष्ठत तिष्ठतेति।

tataḥ sa gurvīṁ yamadaṇḍakalpāṁ mahāgadāṁ kāṁcanapaṭṭanaddhām| pragṛhya tāmabhyapatattarasvī tato'bravīttiṣṭhata tiṣṭhateti||

Then he seized a mighty mace, heavy as the very rod of Yama, bound with plates of gold; wielding it, he swiftly charged, crying, "Stand back! Stand back!"

Verse 21 (skanda.5.146.21)

ते तस्य वीर्यं च वलं च दृष्ट्वा विद्याबलं बाहुबलं तथैव। न शक्नुवंतः सहितुं समेता हताः प्रवीराः सहसा निवृत्ताः।

te tasya vīryaṁ ca valaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā vidyābalaṁ bāhubalaṁ tathaiva| na śaknuvaṁtaḥ sahituṁ sametā hatāḥ pravīrāḥ sahasā nivṛttāḥ||

Beholding his valour and strength, his mastery of magic and the might of his arms, they, though gathered together, could not withstand him; those slain warriors abruptly fell back.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.146.22)

विदार्यमाणास्तत एव तूर्णमाकाशमास्थाय विमूढसंज्ञाः। कैलासशृंगाण्यभि दुद्रुवुस्ते यक्षार्दिता रक्षपालाः प्रभग्नाः।

vidāryamāṇāstata eva tūrṇamākāśamāsthāya vimūḍhasaṁjñāḥ| kailāsaśṛṅgāṇyabhi dudruvuste yakṣārditā rakṣapālāḥ prabhagnāḥ||

Torn and wounded, they rose swiftly into the sky, their senses dazed; those guardians, routed and afflicted by the yaksha, fled toward the peaks of Kailasha.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.146.23)

स शक्रवद्दानवदैत्यसंघान्विक्रम्य जित्वा मदनाभितप्तः। विगाह्य तां पुष्करिणीं समर्थः कामं स चिक्रीडति यक्षपुत्रः।

sa śakravaddānavadaityasaṁghānvikramya jitvā madanābhitaptaḥ| vigāhya tāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ samarthaḥ kāmaṁ sa cikrīḍati yakṣaputraḥ||

Having, like Indra, conquered that host of danavas and daityas, that son of a yaksha, burning with desire, plunged into the pool and, being able to do as he pleased, sported there at will.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.146.24)

ततस्तु ते रक्षपालाः समेत्य धनेश्वरं वै वडलेन नुन्नाः। यक्षस्य धैर्यं सुबलं च संख्ये यथावदाचख्युरतीव भीताः।

tatastu te rakṣapālāḥ sametya dhaneśvaraṁ vai vaḍalena nunnāḥ| yakṣasya dhairyaṁ subalaṁ ca saṁkhye yathāvadācakhyuratīva bhītāḥ||

Then those guardians, worsted by Vadala, gathered together before Kubera, the lord of wealth, and, greatly frightened, related in due order that yaksha's fortitude and mighty strength in battle.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.146.25)

तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा मणिभद्रो महायशाः। शशाप पुत्रं दयितं वडलं प्रभुकारणात्।

teṣāṁ tu vacanaṁ śrutvā maṇibhadro mahāyaśāḥ| śaśāpa putraṁ dayitaṁ vaḍalaṁ prabhukāraṇāt||

Hearing their account, the greatly renowned Manibhadra cursed his own beloved son Vadala, on account of the offence against his lord.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.146.26)

यस्मात्सा नलिनी रम्या सेविता वडलेन तु। दयिता धनदस्यापि यथा माता तथैव सा।

yasmātsā nalinī ramyā sevitā vaḍalena tu| dayitā dhanadasyāpi yathā mātā tathaiva sā||

"Since that lovely lotus-pool, dear to Kubera as a mother, has been trespassed upon by Vadala,

Verse 27 (skanda.5.146.27)

तस्मात्पुत्रो मदीयस्तु सर्वभागविवर्जितः। पंग्वन्धो बधिरो दीनः क्षयरोगमवाप्स्यति।

tasmātputro madīyastu sarvabhāgavivarjitaḥ| paṁgvandho badhiro dīnaḥ kṣayarogamavāpsyati||

therefore my son, deprived of every fortune, shall become lame, blind, deaf, wretched, and afflicted with a wasting disease."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.146.28)

इति शप्तस्तदा जातो वडलो भोगवर्जितः। पतितो भूतले चैव तस्मिन्स्थाने गतोऽपि सन्।

iti śaptastadā jāto vaḍalo bhogavarjitaḥ| patito bhūtale caiva tasminsthāne gato'pi san||

Thus cursed, Vadala at once became bereft of every pleasure, and, even as he still stood in that place, he fell to the ground.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.146.29)

पीडितः क्षयरोगेण न शशाक विचेष्टितुम्। अन्धोऽथ बधिरो जातो गुरुशापहतस्तदा।

pīḍitaḥ kṣayarogeṇa na śaśāka viceṣṭitum| andho'tha badhiro jāto guruśāpahatastadā||

Afflicted with the wasting disease, he became unable even to move; struck by his elder's curse, he became blind and deaf.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.146.30)

चिंतयामास सहसा शापमत्यद्भुतं महत्। शप्तोऽहं केन सहसा जीवन्योन्यंतरं गतः।

ciṁtayāmāsa sahasā śāpamatyadbhutaṁ mahat| śapto'haṁ kena sahasā jīvanyonyaṁtaraṁ gataḥ||

He began suddenly to reflect upon that most wondrous, great curse: "By whom have I been so suddenly cursed? While yet living, I have fallen into another state of existence.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.146.31)

कथं शप्तोऽस्मि तातेन मणिभद्रेण वल्लभः। पुत्रो युवा च शूरश्च शत्रुपक्षक्षयंकरः।

kathaṁ śapto'smi tātena maṇibhadreṇa vallabhaḥ| putro yuvā ca śūraśca śatrupakṣakṣayaṁkaraḥ||

How is it that I, a beloved son — young, valiant, destroyer of the ranks of enemies — have been cursed by my own father Manibhadra?

Verse 32 (skanda.5.146.32)

धन्योऽसौ मणिभद्रोऽपि मत्तातो येन भूतले। प्रभुभक्त्या निजः पुत्रः शप्तस्त्यक्तश्च तत्क्षणात्।

dhanyo'sau maṇibhadro'pi mattāto yena bhūtale| prabhubhaktyā nijaḥ putraḥ śaptastyaktaśca tatkṣaṇāt||

Blessed indeed is my father Manibhadra, who, out of devotion to his master, has here on earth cursed and cast off his own son in that very instant.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.146.33)

वडलेन पुनः प्रोक्तं धन्योऽहं प्रभुकारणात्। उत्सवो निधनंनाम भर्तृपिण्डोपजीविनाम्।

vaḍalena punaḥ proktaṁ dhanyo'haṁ prabhukāraṇāt| utsavo nidhanaṁnāma bhartṛpiṇḍopajīvinām||

Vadala said further: "I too am blessed, for this has come upon me on my lord's account. For those who live upon their master's bounty, even death in his cause is like a festival.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.146.34)

अन्यायेन यथाकामं प्रारब्धः संचितश्चिरम्। तेनाहं शापतां प्राप्तो यास्यामि नरकं ध्रुवम्।

anyāyena yathākāmaṁ prārabdhaḥ saṁcitaściram| tenāhaṁ śāpatāṁ prāpto yāsyāmi narakaṁ dhruvam||

By the sin I willfully accumulated over long enjoyment, wrongfully indulged at will, I have come to this curse, and shall surely go to hell."

Verse 35 (skanda.5.146.35)

एवं विलपतस्तस्य वडलस्य वरानने। आजगाम तमुद्देशं मणिभद्रो महाबलः। ददर्श पुत्रं पंग्वंधं क्षयरोगप्रपीडितम्।

evaṁ vilapatastasya vaḍalasya varānane| ājagāma tamuddeśaṁ maṇibhadro mahābalaḥ| dadarśa putraṁ paṁgvaṁdhaṁ kṣayarogaprapīḍitam||

O fair-faced one, while Vadala thus lamented, the mighty Manibhadra arrived at that spot, and beheld his son lame, blind, and afflicted with the wasting disease.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.146.36)

निःश्वसंतं सुदुःखार्त्तं विलपंतं पुनःपुनः। प्रत्युवाच सुतं यक्षो मणिभद्रोऽतिदुःखितः। मया कुपित्रा हा वत्स शप्तस्त्वं प्रभुकारणात्।

niḥśvasaṁtaṁ suduḥkhārttaṁ vilapaṁtaṁ punaḥpunaḥ| pratyuvāca sutaṁ yakṣo maṇibhadro'tiduḥkhitaḥ| mayā kupitrā hā vatsa śaptastvaṁ prabhukāraṇāt||

To that son, sighing deeply, sorely afflicted, weeping again and again, the greatly grieved yaksha Manibhadra replied: "Alas, my child, you have been cursed by me, your angered father, on account of our lord.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.146.37)

त्वयेयं नलिनी रम्या धनदस्यातिवल्लभा। सेविता कामतप्तेन प्रवरा राक्षसा हताः।

tvayeyaṁ nalinī ramyā dhanadasyātivallabhā| sevitā kāmataptena pravarā rākṣasā hatāḥ||

Consumed by desire, you trespassed upon this lovely lotus-pool, most dear to Kubera, and struck down his choicest rakshasa guardians.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.146.38)

तस्मात्पुत्र मया शप्तो न मिथ्या स भविष्यति। प्रभुर्देवः प्रभुः स्वामी प्रभुर्माता प्रभुः पिता।

tasmātputra mayā śapto na mithyā sa bhaviṣyati| prabhurdevaḥ prabhuḥ svāmī prabhurmātā prabhuḥ pitā||

Therefore, my son, the curse I have pronounced shall not prove false. The master is god; the master is lord; the master is mother; the master is father.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.146.39)

स्वाम्यर्थे यः प्रियान्प्राणान्परित्यजति संगरे। स याति परमं स्थानं ब्रह्मलोकं सनातनम्।

svāmyarthe yaḥ priyānprāṇānparityajati saṁgare| sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ brahmalokaṁ sanātanam||

Whoever, for his master's sake, gives up his precious life in battle attains the supreme abode, the eternal world of Brahma.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.146.40)

न मन्त्रसाध्यः शापोयं नौषधेन व्रतेन च। नियमेन च दानेन तस्मान्मद्वचनं कुरु।

na mantrasādhyaḥ śāpoyaṁ naauṣadhena vratena ca| niyamena ca dānena tasmānmadvacanaṁ kuru||

This curse cannot be undone by any mantra, medicine, vow, observance, or gift. Therefore heed my word.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.146.41)

मया श्रुतं शक्रलोके पुराणं स्कंदकीर्त्तितम्। ब्रुवतो नारदस्यैव देवानां संनिधौ पुरा।

mayā śrutaṁ śakraloke purāṇaṁ skaṁdakīrttitam| bruvato nāradasyaiva devānāṁ saṁnidhau purā||

Long ago I heard, in Indra's realm, in the presence of the gods, the Purana proclaimed by Skanda, as it was recited by Narada himself.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.146.42)

प्रभावो वर्णितस्तेन महाकालवनस्य च। क्षेत्रे ह्यस्मिन्महालिंगं स्वर्गद्वारस्य दक्षिणे।

prabhāvo varṇitastena mahākālavanasya ca| kṣetre hyasminmahāliṁgaṁ svargadvārasya dakṣiṇe||

He described the greatness of Mahakalavana. In this very sacred region, south of the Svargadvara, there stands a great linga,

Verse 43 (skanda.5.146.43)

विद्यते व्याधिशमनं रूपसौभाग्यदायकम्। तत्राहं त्वां च नेष्यामि विमानेनाशुगामिना।

vidyate vyādhiśamanaṁ rūpasaubhāgyadāyakam| tatrāhaṁ tvāṁ ca neṣyāmi vimānenāśugāminā||

a bestower of relief from disease, and of beauty and good fortune. I shall carry you there upon a swift celestial chariot.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.146.44)

इत्युक्त्वा मणिभद्रेण समानीतः सुतस्तदा। यत्र देवाधिदेवोऽसौ स्वर्गद्वारस्य दक्षिणे।

ityuktvā maṇibhadreṇa samānītaḥ sutastadā| yatra devādhidevo'sau svargadvārasya dakṣiṇe||

Having said this, Manibhadra brought his son there, to where that god of gods dwelt, south of the Svargadvara.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.146.45)

स्पर्शनात्तस्य लिंगस्य चक्षुष्मान्रूपवान्बली। सुपादः श्रुतिसंयुक्तस्तत्क्षणादभवत्तदा।

sparśanāttasya liṁgasya cakṣuṣmānrūpavānbalī| supādaḥ śrutisaṁyuktastatkṣaṇādabhavattadā||

By the mere touch of that linga, he became at that very instant sighted, handsome, strong, sound of foot, and endowed with hearing.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.146.46)

दृष्ट्वा सुमहदाश्चर्यं मणिभद्रेण पार्वति। कृतं नाम सुहृष्टेन स्वीयपुत्रस्य नामतः। चक्षुष्मान्वडलो जातो लिंगस्यास्य प्रभावतः।

dṛṣṭvā sumahadāścaryaṁ maṇibhadreṇa pārvati| kṛtaṁ nāma suhṛṣṭena svīyaputrasya nāmataḥ| cakṣuṣmānvaḍalo jāto liṁgasyāsya prabhāvataḥ||

Beholding this great wonder, O Parvati, Manibhadra, filled with joy, named the linga after his own son — for it was by the power of this linga that Vadala regained his sight.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.146.47)

अद्यप्रभृति देवोऽयं वडलेश्वरसंज्ञकः। भविष्यति त्रिलोकेषु विख्यातो नेत्रदायकः।

adyaprabhṛti devo'yaṁ vaḍaleśvarasaṁjñakaḥ| bhaviṣyati triloke ṣu vikhyāto netradāyakaḥ||

"From this day, this god shall be known by the name Vadaleshvara, celebrated in all three worlds as the giver of sight."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.146.48)

पूजयिष्यंति ये देवं वडलेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। लिंगं लोकेषु विख्यातं ते प्राप्स्यंति मनोरथम्।

pūjayiṣyaṁti ye devaṁ vaḍaleśvarasaṁjñakam| liṁgaṁ lokeṣu vikhyātaṁ te prāpsyaṁti manoratham||

Those who worship this god called Vadaleshvara, this linga renowned throughout the worlds, shall attain their heart's desire.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.146.49)

दृष्टो हरति पापानि स्पृष्टो राज्यं प्रयच्छति। अर्चितो भक्तिभावेन मोक्षं दद्यान्न संशयः।

dṛṣṭo harati pāpāni spṛṣṭo rājyaṁ prayacchati| arcito bhaktibhāvena mokṣaṁ dadyānna saṁśayaḥ||

When merely seen, it takes away sins; when touched, it bestows kingship; when worshipped with devotion, it grants liberation, without doubt.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.146.50)

कार्त्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य तिथिर्वै द्वादशी भवेत्। तस्यां ये पूजयिष्यंति वडलेश्वरसंज्ञकम्।

kārttike śuklapakṣasya tithirvai dvādaśī bhavet| tasyāṁ ye pūjayiṣyaṁti vaḍaleśvarasaṁjñakam||

On the twelfth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, those who worship this god called Vadaleshvara —

Verse 51 (skanda.5.146.51)

दानं तैः सततं दत्तं ते यांति परमं पदम्। प्रयागे च प्रभासे च गंगासागरसंगमे।

dānaṁ taiḥ satataṁ dattaṁ te yāṁti paramaṁ padam| prayāge ca prabhāse ca gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame||

are deemed to have made unceasing charitable gifts, and they attain the supreme state. Whatever austerity is performed at Prayaga, at Prabhasa, and at the confluence of the Ganga with the sea —

Verse 52 (skanda.5.146.52)

तपस्तप्तं भवेत्तैस्तु ते मुक्ता नात्र संशयः। गर्भवासे न जायंते सर्वसौख्यसमन्विताः।

tapastaptaṁ bhavettaistu te muktā nātra saṁśayaḥ| garbhavāse na jāyaṁte sarvasaukhyasamanvitāḥ||

is accounted as done by them; they are freed, without doubt. They are no longer subject to residence in the womb, and remain endowed with every happiness.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.146.53)

गाणपत्या भविष्यंति शंकरस्य सदा प्रियाः। सौभाग्यरूपसंपन्नाः पुत्रपौत्रैश्च संयुताः। जायंते मानवा लोके वडलेश्वरदर्शनात्।

gāṇapatyā bhaviṣyaṁti śaṁkarasya sadā priyāḥ| saubhāgyarūpasaṁpannāḥ putrapautraiśca saṁyutāḥ| jāyaṁte mānavā loke vaḍaleśvaradarśanāt||

They become followers of Ganapati, ever dear to Shankara. By the sight of Vadaleshvara, men are born in this world endowed with good fortune and beauty, blessed with sons and grandsons.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.146.54)

गर्भवासे महाकष्टे यस्य वासो न रोचते। सोऽभ्यर्चयतु भावेन वडलेश्वरमीश्वरम्।

garbhavāse mahākaṣṭe yasya vāso na rocate| so'bhyarcayatu bhāvena vaḍaleśvaramīśvaram||

Whoever does not wish to dwell in the great suffering of the womb should worship the lord Vadaleshvara with devotion.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.146.55)

न लिंगेन विना सिद्धिर्दुर्लभं परमं पदम्। गतिर्न जायते स्वर्गे यावल्लिंगं तु नार्चयेत्।

na liṁgena vinā siddhirdurlabhaṁ paramaṁ padam| gatirna jāyate svarge yāvalliṁgaṁ tu nārcayet||

Without the linga, accomplishment is elusive; the supreme state is hard to attain. As long as one does not worship the linga, no passage to heaven arises.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.146.56)

लिंगार्चनविहीनानां सिद्धिश्चापि सुदुर्लभा। मम पुत्रेण संप्राप्तमीप्सितं लिंगतो यतः।

liṁgārcanavihīnānāṁ siddhiścāpi sudurlabhā| mama putreṇa saṁprāptamīpsitaṁ liṁgato yataḥ||

For those devoid of linga-worship, accomplishment too is exceedingly hard to attain; for it was through this very linga that my own son obtained what he desired.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.146.57)

इत्युक्त्वा मणिभद्रोऽपि सुतेन सहितो ययौ। यत्र देवो धनाध्यक्षः स्थानं स्वं परमं गतः।

ityuktvā maṇibhadro'pi sutena sahito yayau| yatra devo dhanādhyakṣaḥ sthānaṁ svaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ||

Having said this, Manibhadra, together with his son, went to the place where the god, the lord of wealth, had gone, to his own supreme abode.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.146.58)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। वडलेश्वरदेवस्य श्रूयतामरुणेश्वरम्।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| vaḍaleśvaradevasya śrūyatāmaruṇeśvaram||

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