The Glory of Pushpadanteshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.148.1)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच। सप्तसप्ततिकं देवि पुष्पदंतेश्वरं शृणु। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण गर्भवासो न जायते।

śrīmahādeva uvāca| saptasaptatikaṁ devi puṣpadaṁteśvaraṁ śṛṇu| yasya darśanamātreṇa garbhavāso na jāyate||

Shri Mahadeva said: Hear, O goddess, of the seventy-seventh, Pushpadanteshvara, by the mere sight of whom one is not subjected to residence in the womb.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.148.2)

शिनिर्नाम द्विजो देवि स चापुत्रोऽभवत्पुरा। पुत्रार्थं चिंतयामास स तपांसि बहूनि ह।

śinirnāma dvijo devi sa cāputro'bhavatpurā| putrārthaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa sa tapāṁsi bahūni ha||

O goddess, there was a brahmin named Shini, who long ago was without a son. Desiring a son, he resolved to undertake many austerities.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.148.3)

वायुभक्षोंऽबुभक्षश्च निराहारोर्ध्वबाहुकः। शाकमूलफलाहारः पर्णाश्येकद्विपर्णभुक्।

vāyubhakṣo'mbubhakṣaśca nirāhāror dhvabāhukaḥ| śākamūlaphalāhāraḥ parṇāśyekadviparṇabhuk||

He subsisted on air, then on water, then on nothing at all, standing with arms upraised; he lived on leafy greens, roots, and fruits, and ate but one or two leaves at a time,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.148.4)

एवमादीनि चान्यानि तपांसि श्रेयसे परम्। एतेषां तपसां मध्ये तप एकं समाश्रये।

evamādīni cānyāni tapāṁsi śreyase param| eteṣāṁ tapasāṁ madhye tapa ekaṁ samāśraye||

and undertook many other such austerities for his highest good. He thought: "Among all these austerities, I shall rely on one alone —

Verse 5 (skanda.5.148.5)

परं विघ्नोपशांत्यर्थं तोषयिष्येऽहमीश्वरम्। एवं संचिंत्य मनसा ऊर्ध्वबाहूर्ध्वपादकः। आभ्यां न स दुरासाद्यो नापराधो भविष्यति।

paraṁ vighnopaśāṁtyarthaṁ toṣayiṣye'hamīśvaram| evaṁ saṁciṁtya manasā ūrdhvabāhūrdhvapādakaḥ| ābhyāṁ na sa durāsādyo nāparādho bhaviṣyati||

to appease the supreme Lord alone, for the removal of every obstacle." Resolving thus in his mind, he stood with arms upraised and feet lifted; by these means the Lord is not hard to reach, nor does any offence arise.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.148.6)

तथा चकार स मुनिर्वर्षाणां द्वादशैव हि। तपस्यंतं च तं दृष्ट्वा नियमे परमे स्थितम्।

tathā cakāra sa munirvarṣāṇāṁ dvādaśaiva hi| tapasyaṁtaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā niyame parame sthitam||

That sage did so for a full twelve years. Beholding him thus performing austerity, established in the highest discipline,

Verse 7 (skanda.5.148.7)

विज्ञप्तोहं त्वया देवि मंदरे चारुकंदरे। करोत्येष तपः क्रूरं पुत्रहेतोर्मुनिर्महान्।

vijñapto'haṁ tvayā devi maṁdare cārukaṁdare| karotyeṣa tapaḥ krūraṁ putrahetormunirmahān||

you, O goddess, informed me of this in a lovely mountain-cave on Mandara: "This great sage is undergoing severe austerity for the sake of a son.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.148.8)

तेजसा दीपयच्छैलं शोषयन्सलिलाशयान्। तपसा दुष्करेणैव क्षुभिता नाकवासिनः।

tejasā dīpayacchailaṁ śoṣayansalilāśayān| tapasā duṣkareṇaiva kṣubhitā nākavāsinaḥ||

With his splendour he sets the mountain aflame and dries up the reservoirs; by this most arduous austerity even the dwellers of heaven have been thrown into turmoil.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.148.9)

व्यालेंद्रा व्याकुलीभूता लुलिताश्चाचलेश्वराः। मुनयो विस्मृतिं प्राप्ताः कंपेते चापि रोदसी।

vyāleṁdrā vyākulībhūtā lulitāścāceleśvarāḥ| munayo vismṛtiṁ prāptāḥ kaṁpete cāpi rodasī||

The lords of serpents are thrown into agitation, the lords of mountains are shaken, the sages have fallen into forgetfulness, and even heaven and earth are trembling.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.148.10)

अयोनिजः शिनिर्विप्रः पुत्रमिच्छत्ययोनिजम्। त्वं योनिर्गुणसंघानां त्वं योनिस्तपसामपि।

ayonijaḥ śinirvipraḥ putramicchatyayonijam| tvaṁ yoniryguṇasaṁghānāṁ tvaṁ yonistapasāmapi||

That brahmin Shini, himself not born of a womb, desires a son likewise not born of a womb. You are the source of every host of virtues; you are the very source of austerity itself.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.148.11)

त्वं तपस्त्वं परं धाम शिखिचंद्रार्कलोचन। सर्वेश्वर सुतोऽभीष्टः किं न विप्राय दीयते।

tvaṁ tapastvaṁ paraṁ dhāma śikhicaṁdrārkalocana| sarveśvara suto'bhīṣṭaḥ kiṁ na viprāya dīyate||

You are austerity itself; you are the supreme abode, O you whose eyes are fire, moon, and sun. O lord of all, why is the desired son not granted to this brahmin?

Verse 12 (skanda.5.148.12)

सुरासुरगुरो किं न पुत्रमस्मै प्रयच्छसि। तपसा क्षीणदोषस्य ब्रह्मत्वे भावितात्मनः।

surāsuraguro kiṁ na putramasmai prayacchasi| tapasā kṣīṇadoṣasya brahmatve bhāvitātmanaḥ||

O guru of gods and asuras, why do you not give a son to this man, whose faults have been worn away by austerity, whose soul is absorbed in the state of brahminhood?

Verse 13 (skanda.5.148.13)

शिनेः पुत्रप्रदानं त्वं कुरु मद्वचनाच्छिव। तपसा दुष्करेणैव गाढं क्लिष्टो महामुनिः।

śineḥ putrapradānaṁ tvaṁ kuru madvacanācchiva| tapasā duṣkareṇaiva gāḍhaṁ kliṣṭo mahāmuniḥ||

O Shiva, at my word, grant Shini a son. This great sage is grievously afflicted by his most arduous austerity.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.148.14)

तेजांसि ज्योतिषामेव महतां च विधिस्थितः। अहरत्तेजसा स्वेन तमांसीव दिवाकरः।

tejāṁsi jyotiṣāmeva mahatāṁ ca vidhisthitaḥ| aharattejasā svena tamāṁsīva divākaraḥ||

Established in his rule, he has drawn away even the splendour of the great luminaries by his own radiance, as the sun draws away darkness.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.148.15)

त्वद्भक्तस्य च देवेश व्यर्थः कस्मात्परिश्रमः। उदितेऽर्के तमांसीह न भवंति कदाचन।

tvadbhaktasya ca deveśa vyarthaḥ kasmātpariśramaḥ| udite'rke tamāṁsīha na bhavaṁti kadācana||

O lord of gods, why should the effort of your devotee go in vain? When the sun rises, darkness never remains.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.148.16)

त्वत्परस्य न देवेश युक्ता दुःखविभीषिका। इत्यहं प्रार्थितो देवि त्वया पर्वतपुत्रिके।

tvatparasya na deveśa yuktā duḥkhavibhīṣikā| ityahaṁ prārthito devi tvayā parvataputrike||

O lord of gods, it is not fitting that one devoted to you alone should be threatened by such suffering." Thus, O daughter of the mountain, you entreated me.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.148.17)

विप्रार्थमनुकंपार्थं पुत्रार्थं च विशेषतः। आकारिता मया देवि गणास्त्वद्गौरवेण तु।

viprārthamanukaṁpārthaṁ putrārthaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ| ākāritā mayā devi gaṇāstvadgauraveṇa tu||

For the sake of that brahmin, out of compassion, and especially for the granting of a son, O goddess, out of regard for you, I summoned my ganas.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.148.18)

रुद्राश्च हरभक्ताश्च कूष्मांडा गगनेचराः। रोमरौद्रा महानीलाः शिखावंतः सकोकिलाः।

rudrāśca harabhaktāśca kūṣmāṁḍā gaganecarāḥ| romaraudrā mahānīlāḥ śikhāvaṁtaḥ sakokilāḥ||

Rudras, devotees of Hara, the Kushmandas, sky-wanderers, the fierce hair-bristling ones, the great blue-hued ones, those with topknots, those with the forms of cuckoos,

Verse 19 (skanda.5.148.19)

अन्ये च विविधाकाराः कालास्या हरिपिंगलाः। जटाजूटधराश्चित्रा वीथिनक्षत्रचारिणः।

anye ca vividhākārāḥ kālāsyā haripiṁgalāḥ| jaṭājūṭadharāścitrā vīthinakṣatracāriṇaḥ||

and others of manifold forms — dark-faced, tawny-hued, matted-locked, of striking appearance, wandering through the pathways of the constellations,

Verse 20 (skanda.5.148.20)

नीलग्रीवा कृष्णमुखाः पिंगधौतजटासटाः। ज्वरो डिंडिर्महाकालो लांगुलिश्च महेश्वरः।

nīlagrīvā kṛṣṇamukhāḥ piṁgadhautajaṭāsaṭāḥ| jvaro ḍiṁḍirmahākālo lāṁguliśca maheśvaraḥ||

blue-necked, dark-faced, with tawny cleansed matted hair — Jvara, Dindi, Mahakala, Languli, and Maheshvara,

Verse 21 (skanda.5.148.21)

घंटाकर्णो विशाखश्च परिशेषा गणाश्च ये। वृषारूढाः कामतुल्याः कामरूपबलास्तथा।

ghaṁṭākarṇo viśākhaśca pariśeṣā gaṇāśca ye| vṛṣārūḍhāḥ kāmatulyāḥ kāmarūpabalāstathā||

Ghantakarna, Vishakha, and the remaining ganas as well — mounted upon bulls, equal to the god of love in beauty, able to assume any form and strength at will,

Verse 22 (skanda.5.148.22)

शूलचंद्रधराः सर्वे सर्वे तुल्यपराक्रमाः। ममादेशात्समायाताः कृतांजलिपुटाः स्थिताः।

śūlacaṁdradharāḥ sarve sarve tulyaparākramāḥ| mamādeśātsamāyātāḥ kṛtāṁjaliputāḥ sthitāḥ||

all bearing the trident and crescent moon, all equal in valour — at my command they came and stood there with hands folded in reverence.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.148.23)

स्तुवंतो विविधैः स्तोत्रैरूचुरेवं समाहिताः। किं कर्त्तव्यमिहास्माभिरादेशो दीयतां प्रभो।

stuvaṁto vividhaiḥ stotrairūcurevaṁ samāhitāḥ| kiṁ karttavyamihāsmābhirādeśo dīyatāṁ prabho||

Praising me with manifold hymns, they said with composed minds: "What is to be done by us here? Give us your command, O lord."

Verse 24 (skanda.5.148.24)

गणानां वचनं श्रुत्वा ज्ञात्वा भक्तिं च तादृशीम्। महातपःप्रभावोऽयं शिनिविप्रस्य कीर्त्तितः।

gaṇānāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā jñātvā bhaktiṁ ca tādṛśīm| mahātapaḥprabhāvo'yaṁ śiniviprasya kīrttitaḥ||

Hearing the words of the ganas and recognizing such devotion in them, I declared to them this great power of the brahmin Shini's austerity.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.148.25)

पुत्रार्थं तप्यति तपः शिनिर्ब्राह्मणसत्तमः। मद्वाक्यात्को नु विप्रस्य पुत्रत्वं संप्रदास्यति।

putrārthaṁ tapyati tapaḥ śinirbrāhmaṇasattamaḥ| madvākyātko nu viprasya putratvaṁ saṁpradāsyati||

"Shini, foremost of brahmins, performs austerity for the sake of a son. At my word, who among you shall offer himself to become that brahmin's son?

Verse 26 (skanda.5.148.26)

तस्याहं संप्रदास्यामि सर्वान्कामान्यथेप्सितान्। अमरं चाजरं पुत्रं मुनिर्वांछति सांप्रतम्।

tasyāhaṁ saṁpradāsyāmi sarvānkāmānyathepsitān| amaraṁ cājaraṁ putraṁ munirvāṁchati sāṁpratam||

To whoever goes, I shall grant all his desired wishes. This sage now longs for a son who is deathless and unaging.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.148.27)

मद्वाक्यं क्रियतां सद्यो विप्रः क्लेशाद्विमुच्यताम्। मद्भक्तस्य न संकल्पो मिथ्या भवितुमर्हति।

madvākyaṁ kriyatāṁ sadyo vipraḥ kleśādvimucyatām| madbhaktasya na saṁkalpo mithyā bhavitumarhati||

Let my command be carried out at once; let the brahmin be freed from his affliction. The resolve of my devotee must never prove false."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.148.28)

मदीयं वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे कंपितकंधराः। सर्वे चावाङ्मुखा जाताः सर्वे ध्यानपरायणाः।

madīyaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā sarve kaṁpitakaṁdharāḥ| sarve cāvāṅmukhā jātāḥ sarve dhyānaparāyaṇāḥ||

Hearing my words, all of them bowed their heads, their shoulders trembling; all became downcast, and all sank into deep contemplation.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.148.29)

न कश्चिद्भाषते किंचिन्न कश्चिद्वीक्षते तदा। अथोक्तं पुष्पदंतेन रभसान्मानितेन तु।

na kaścidbhāṣate kiṁcinna kaścidvīkṣate tadā| athoktaṁ puṣpadaṁtena rabhasānmānitena tu||

None of them spoke a word; none of them looked up. Then Pushpadanta, filled with impetuous pride, spoke thus.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.148.30)

मम चित्तमविज्ञाय गणानामनुकंपया। न यास्यंति गणा देव त्वां विहाय महीतलम्।

mama cittamavijñāya gaṇānāmanukaṁpayā| na yāsyaṁti gaṇā deva tvāṁ vihāya mahītalam||

"Without understanding my mind, out of compassion for the ganas — O god, these ganas shall not go to the earth's surface, forsaking you.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.148.31)

इह स्थास्यंति सततं त्वत्समीपे न संशयः। कथं योनिं प्रयास्यंति संप्राप्य मुदमुत्तमाम्।

iha sthāsyaṁti satataṁ tvatsamīpe na saṁśayaḥ| kathaṁ yoniṁ prayāsyaṁti saṁprāpya mudamuttamām||

They shall remain here forever, close by your side, without doubt. Having attained such supreme bliss, how would they ever go to be born in a womb?

Verse 32 (skanda.5.148.32)

हीनां रजोऽधिकां दीनां तमोबहुलधारिणीम्। कथं स्वर्गं परित्यज्य यास्यामो नरकं परम्।

hīnāṁ rajo'dhikāṁ dīnāṁ tamobahuladhāriṇīm| kathaṁ svargaṁ parityajya yāsyāmo narakaṁ param||

How shall we abandon heaven and go to that lowly state, laden with rajas, wretched, dominated mostly by tamas — a very hell?

Verse 33 (skanda.5.148.33)

ब्रुवन्नेवं भ्रमेणैव भाव्यर्थेन प्रणोदितः। उक्तो मया विशालाक्षि पुष्पदंतो गणाग्रणीः।

bruvannevaṁ bhrameṇaiva bhāvyarthena praṇoditaḥ| ukto mayā viśālākṣi puṣpadaṁto gaṇāgraṇīḥ||

O wide-eyed one, as he spoke thus out of mere confusion, driven onward by what was destined to occur, I addressed Pushpadanta, foremost among the ganas, as follows.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.148.34)

पत त्वं मानुषे लोके यस्मान्मे विप्रियं कृतम्। शप्त्वा तं पुष्पदंतं तु वीरकः प्रेरितो मया।

pata tvaṁ mānuṣe loke yasmānme vipriyaṁ kṛtam| śaptvā taṁ puṣpadaṁtaṁ tu vīrakaḥ preritomayā||

"Since you have displeased me, fall into the world of men." Having thus cursed that Pushpadanta, I then impelled Viraka.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.148.35)

विप्रस्य पुत्रतां तूर्णं पुत्र गच्छ ममाज्ञया। ततस्ते संप्रदास्यामि सर्वान्कामान्यथेप्सितान्।

viprasya putratāṁ tūrṇaṁ putra gaccha mamājñayā| tataste saṁpradāsyāmi sarvānkāmānyathepsitān||

"O son, go quickly, by my command, to become that brahmin's son; then I shall grant you all your desired wishes."

Verse 36 (skanda.5.148.36)

इत्युक्तो वीरको देवि गतो विप्रस्य पुत्रताम्। पुष्पदंतोऽपि करुणं विललाप सुदुःखितः।

ityukto vīrako devi gato viprasya putratām| puṣpadaṁto'pi karuṇaṁ vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ||

Thus told, O goddess, Viraka went to become the brahmin's son; and Pushpadanta too, sorely grieved, wept most piteously.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.148.37)

पश्चात्तापेन संयुक्तो निश्वस्य च पुनःपुनः। अहो तत्सफलं जन्म यदाज्ञा क्रियते नरैः।

paścāttāpena saṁyukto niśvasya ca punaḥpunaḥ| aho tatsaphalaṁ janma yadājñā kriyate naraiḥ||

Overcome with remorse, sighing again and again, he lamented: "Ah, truly fruitful is that birth in which men carry out their master's command.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.148.38)

प्रभूणामेकचित्तेन ते भृत्या दुर्लभाः स्मृताः। तेषामर्थश्च धर्मश्च कुलं चैव च तारितम्।

prabhūṇāmekacittena te bhṛtyā durlabhāḥ smṛtāḥ| teṣāmarthaśca dharmaśca kulaṁ caiva ca tāritam||

Rare, it is said, are those servants who serve their masters with a single-pointed mind; their wealth, their righteousness, and their whole lineage are thereby delivered.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.148.39)

प्रसन्नास्त्रिदशास्तेषां प्रभुभक्ताश्च ये नराः। सेवाधर्मो हि गहनो योगिनामपि दुष्करः।

prasannāstridaśāsteṣāṁ prabhubhaktāśca ye narāḥ| sevādharmo hi gahano yogināmapi duṣkaraḥ||

The gods are pleased with those men who remain devoted to their masters. The duty of service is indeed profound, difficult even for yogis to fulfil.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.148.40)

न ज्ञेयः केन तत्त्वेन दुराराध्यः प्रभुर्भवेत्। एकेनाप्यपराधेन प्रकोपं कुरुते प्रभुः।

na jñeyaḥ kena tattvena durārādhyaḥ prabhurbhavet| ekenāpyaparādhena prakopaṁ kurute prabhuḥ||

By what particular fault a master may become displeased cannot be known; a master is hard to satisfy. Even by a single offence, a master grows enraged.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.148.41)

विनश्यंत्युपकाराणि तस्मात्सेवा सुदुष्करा। स्वामी सर्पश्च वह्निश्च तप्तभावं व्रजंति हि।

vinaśyaṁtyupakārāṇi tasmātsevā suduṣkarā| svāmī sarpaśca vahniśca taptabhāvaṁ vrajaṁti hi||

and all one's past service is destroyed thereby; hence service is exceedingly hard. A master, a serpent, and fire — all three quickly turn hostile.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.148.42)

तस्माद्यत्नेन संसेव्या आत्मरक्षणतत्परैः। सोऽहं भूमौ निपतितः प्रभोरादेशभंजकः।

tasmādyatnena saṁsevyā ātmarakṣaṇatatparaiḥ| so'haṁ bhūmau nipatitaḥ prabhorādeśabhaṁjakaḥ||

Therefore those intent on their own protection must serve with the greatest care. I am that very one who, by transgressing my lord's command, has fallen to the earth.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.148.43)

कांस्तु लोकान्गमिष्यामि कलुषी भूणहा इव। एवं विलप्य बहुशो मामेव शरणं गतः। उवाच दीनया वाचा प्रणिपत्य पुनःपुनः।

kāṁstu lokāngamiṣyāmi kaluṣī bhūṇahā iva| evaṁ vilapya bahuśo māmeva śaraṇaṁ gataḥ| uvāca dīnayā vācā praṇipatya punaḥpunaḥ||

"To what worlds shall I now go, sullied like a slayer of the unborn?" Lamenting thus repeatedly, he took refuge in me alone, and, bowing again and again, spoke in a piteous voice.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.148.44)

दीनोऽस्मि ज्ञानहीनोऽस्मि प्रणतोऽस्मि च शंकर। कुरु प्रसादं देवेश अपराधं क्षमस्व मे।

dīno'smi jñānahīno'smi praṇato'smi ca śaṁkara| kuru prasādaṁ deveśa aparādhaṁ kṣamasva me||

"I am wretched, O Shankara, devoid of wisdom, and I bow before you. O lord of gods, show me favour; forgive my offence.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.148.45)

न हि निर्वहणं यांति प्रभूणामाश्रिता रुषः। प्रसीद देवदेवेश दीनस्य कृपणस्य च।

na hi nirvahaṇaṁ yāṁti prabhūṇāmāśritā ruṣaḥ| prasīda devadeveśa dīnasya kṛpaṇasya ca||

The wrath directed at those who depend upon their masters does not endure long. Be gracious, O god of gods, to this wretched, pitiable one.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.148.46)

अपि कीटपतंगत्वं गच्छेयं तव शासनात्। भक्तोहं सर्वदा देव पुत्रत्वे हि प्रतिष्ठितः।

api kīṭapataṁgatvaṁ gaccheyaṁ tava śāsanāt| bhaktohaṁ sarvadā deva putratve hi pratiṣṭhitaḥ||

Even to become a lowly insect or moth I am willing, at your command. O god, I am ever your devotee, now established in the role of a son."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.148.47)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पुष्पदंतस्य पार्वति। ममत्वेन तदा देवि प्रोक्तमित्थं त्वया वचः।

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā puṣpadaṁtasya pārvati| mamatvena tadā devi proktamitthaṁ tvayā vacaḥ||

Hearing these words of Pushpadanta, O Parvati, then, O goddess, out of affection you spoke these words to him:

Verse 48 (skanda.5.148.48)

गच्छ पुत्र ममादेशान्महाकालवनं शुभम्। लिंगमाराधय क्षिप्रं तत्त्वन्नाम्ना भविष्यति।

gaccha putra mamādeśānmahākālavanaṁ śubham| liṁgamārādhaya kṣipraṁ tattvannāmnā bhaviṣyati||

"Go, my son, by my command, to the auspicious Mahakalavana; swiftly worship the linga there — it shall become known by your very name.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.148.49)

कीर्त्तिस्ते भविता पुत्र यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्। इत्युक्ते तु त्वया देवि मयाप्युक्तं वरानने।

kīrttiste bhavitā putra yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam| ityukte tu tvayā devi mayāpyuktaṁ varānane||

Your fame, my son, shall endure until the great dissolution." When you had spoken thus, O goddess, I too, O fair one, said this:

Verse 50 (skanda.5.148.50)

न मे मिथ्या वचः पुत्र भविष्यति कथंचन। दर्शनादेव लिंगस्य ममाभीष्टो भविष्यसि।

na me mithyā vacaḥ putra bhaviṣyati kathaṁcana| darśanādeva liṁgasya mamābhīṣṭo bhaviṣyasi||

"My word, my son, shall never prove false in any way. By the mere sight of the linga you shall become dear to me.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.148.51)

विमाने पुष्पपादे तु समारूढो भविष्यसि। पुष्पैः संपूज्यमानस्तु पदं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम्।

vimāne puṣpapāde tu samārūḍho bhaviṣyasi| puṣpaiḥ saṁpūjyamānastu padaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam||

You shall mount the celestial chariot called Pushpapada, and, honoured with flowers, you shall attain an eternal station.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.148.52)

गणैः सार्द्धं मया चैव मुदितो विचरिष्यसि। ममापि न रतिर्वत्स भविष्यति त्वया विना।

gaṇaiḥ sārddhaṁ mayā caiva muditovicariṣyasi| mamāpi na ratirvatsa bhaviṣyati tvayā vinā||

You shall wander joyfully together with me and with the ganas. Even I, my child, shall find no contentment without you.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.148.53)

अहं तत्रागमिष्यामि महाकालवने शुभे। तुष्टोऽहं सर्वदा वत्स गणानामग्रणीः कृतः।

ahaṁ tatrāgamiṣyāmi mahākālavane śubhe| tuṣṭo'haṁ sarvadā vatsa gaṇānāmagraṇīḥ kṛtaḥ||

I myself shall come there, to that auspicious Mahakalavana. I am ever pleased with you, my child; I have made you the foremost of the ganas.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.148.54)

अनया शुद्धया भक्त्या लोकानामुपकारकः। भविष्यसि न संदेहस्तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे गतो ध्रुवम्।

anayā śuddhayā bhaktyā lokānāmupakārakaḥ| bhaviṣyasi na saṁdehastasminkṣetre gato dhruvam||

By this pure devotion, when you go, without doubt, to that sacred region, you shall surely become a benefactor to all the worlds."

Verse 55 (skanda.5.148.55)

इत्युक्तो हि मया देवि पुष्पदंतो गणाग्रणीः। मानी ममाज्ञया मौनी महाकालवने शुभम्।

ityukto hi mayā devi puṣpadaṁto gaṇāgraṇīḥ| mānī mamājñayā maunī mahākālavane śubham||

Thus told by me, O goddess, Pushpadanta, foremost of the ganas, proud yet now silenced, went, by my command, to the auspicious Mahakalavana.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.148.56)

लिंगमाराधयामास दुर्वासेशादथोत्तरे। लिंगेनोक्तस्तु सहसा तुष्टोऽहं गणसत्तम। त्वन्नाम्ना ख्यातिमेष्यामि प्रसादस्ते कृतोऽधुना।

liṁgamārādhayāmāsa durvāseśādathottare| liṁgenoktastu sahasā tuṣṭo'haṁ gaṇasattama| tvannāmnā khyātimeṣyāmi prasādaste kṛto'dhunā||

He worshipped the linga north of Durvasesha. The linga at once spoke to him: "I am pleased, O foremost of the ganas; I shall become renowned by your very name — this grace is now bestowed upon you."

Verse 57 (skanda.5.148.57)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवि त्वया सार्द्धमहं गतः। शक्राद्यैस्त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं गणैर्नानाविधैस्तथा।

etasminnantare devi tvayā sārddhamahaṁ gataḥ| śakrādyaistridaśaiḥ sārddhaṁ gaṇairnānāvidhaistathā||

Meanwhile, O goddess, I too went there together with you, along with Indra and the other gods, and with ganas of every kind.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.148.58)

हृष्टस्तु पुष्पदंतोऽपि पुष्पपट्टासने शुभे। पुष्पैः प्रकीर्यमाणोऽपि पुनः प्राप्तो ममांतिकम्।

hṛṣṭastu puṣpadaṁto'pi puṣpapaṭṭāsane śubhe| puṣpaiḥ prakīryamāṇo'pi punaḥ prāpto mamāṁtikam||

Delighted, Pushpadanta, seated upon an auspicious flower-throne, showered with flowers, came once more into my presence.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.148.59)

मया संश्लेषितः स्नेहादुत्संगेऽप्यधिरोपितः। स्थानं दत्तं विशालाक्षि इदमुक्तं मया तदा।

mayā saṁśleṣitaḥ snehādutsaṁge'pyadhiropitaḥ| sthānaṁ dattaṁ viśālākṣi idamuktaṁ mayā tadā||

I embraced him with affection and set him upon my own lap. O wide-eyed one, I granted him a station there, and then spoke as follows.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.148.60)

ये पश्यंति नरा लिंगं त्वया संपूजितं भुवि। ते यास्यंति पुष्पकेण क्रीडन्तो वै त्रिविष्टपम्।

ye paśyaṁti narā liṁgaṁ tvayā saṁpūjitaṁ bhuvi| te yāsyaṁti puṣpakeṇa krīḍaṁto vai triviṣṭapam||

"Those men who behold this linga, worshipped by you on earth, shall go, sporting joyously, to heaven upon the Pushpaka chariot.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.148.61)

गणाध्यक्षा भविष्यंति सर्वकामैरलंकृताः। मम लोके गणाध्यक्षा यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश।

gaṇādhyakṣā bhaviṣyaṁti sarvakāmairalaṁkṛtāḥ| mama loke gaṇādhyakṣā yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa||

They shall become lords of my ganas, adorned with every fulfilled desire; they shall remain lords of my ganas in my abode for the duration of fourteen Indras.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.148.62)

दर्शनात्क्षीयते पापमैहिकं पूर्वकं तथा। ततः प्रसादान्मे सर्वं ज्ञानं सम्यग्भविष्यति।

darśanātkṣīyate pāpamaihikaṁ pūrvakaṁ tathā| tataḥ prasādānme sarvaṁ jñānaṁ samyagbhaviṣyati||

By this sight, sins of this life and of former births are worn away; and then, by my grace, complete knowledge shall arise fully within him.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.148.63)

यः पूजयेच्चतुर्द्दश्यामष्टम्यां सोमवासरे। अमरैः सह संहृष्टो मोदते दिवि सर्वदा।

yaḥ pūjayecchaturddaśyāmaṣṭamyāṁ somavāsare| amaraiḥ saha saṁhṛṣṭo modate divi sarvadā||

Whoever worships on the fourteenth, on the eighth, or on a Monday rejoices ever after in heaven, delighted, together with the immortals.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.148.64)

पैतृकैर्मातृकैः सार्द्धं कुलैस्तु सप्तभिर्युतः। न वदेत्केनचित्सार्द्धं नरो यः प्रातरुत्थितः।

paitṛkairmātṛkaiḥ sārddhaṁ kulaistu saptabhiryutaḥ| na vadetkenacitsārddhaṁ naro yaḥ prātarutthitaḥ||

He attains this together with seven generations of both his paternal and maternal lineages. Whatever man, rising at dawn, without speaking to anyone,

Verse 65 (skanda.5.148.65)

पुष्पदंतेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा सोऽश्वमेधफलंलभेत्। मुच्यते पातकाद्यैश्च यः शाठ्येनापि पश्यति।

puṣpadaṁteśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet| mucyate pātakādyaiśca yaḥ śāṭhyenāpi paśyati||

beholds Pushpadanteshvara, obtains the fruit of an ashvamedha sacrifice. Even one who beholds it out of mere pretence is freed from sins.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.148.66)

मृतो गांधर्वलोके तु याति विद्याधरैर्वृतः। न तस्य संततिच्छेदो यः पश्यति दिनेदिने। नियमेन गणाध्यक्ष जायते ब्रह्मणो दिनम्।

mṛto gāṁdharvaloke tu yāti vidyādharairvṛtaḥ| na tasya saṁtaticchedo yaḥ paśyati dinedine| niyamena gaṇādhyakṣa jāyate brahmaṇo dinam||

Upon death he goes to the world of the Gandharvas, surrounded by Vidyadharas. He who beholds it daily, with discipline, suffers no severance of his line, O lord of the ganas, and attains a lifespan equal to a day of Brahma.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.148.67)

ऐश्वर्यं सप्तलोकेषु भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथाक्रमम्। पृथिव्यामेकराड्भूत्वा ममांगे संभविष्यति।

aiśvaryaṁ saptalokeṣu bhuktvā bhogānyathākramam| pṛthivyāmekarāḍbhūtvā mamāṁge saṁbhaviṣyati||

Having enjoyed sovereignty and pleasures in due succession through the seven worlds, and having become a sole emperor upon the earth, he shall in the end become one with my own being.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.148.68)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। पुष्पदन्तेश्वरेशस्य अविमुक्तेश्वरं शृणु।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| puṣpadaṁteśvareśasya avimukteśvaraṁ śṛṇu||

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