The Glory of Avimukteshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.149.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अष्टसप्ततिकं विद्धि अविमुक्तेश्वरं प्रिये। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण तीर्थयात्राफलं लभेत्।

īśvara uvāca| aṣṭasaptatikaṁ viddhi avimukteśvaraṁ priye| yasya darśanamātreṇa tīrthayātrāphalaṁ labhet||

Ishvara said: Know, O beloved, the seventy-eighth as Avimukteshvara, by the mere sight of whom one obtains the fruit of every sacred pilgrimage.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.149.2)

शाकले नगरे देवि चित्रसेनो महीपतिः। बभूव भुवि विख्यातो रूपवान्मन्मथाधिकः।

śākale nagare devi citraseno mahīpatiḥ| babhūva bhuvi vikhyāto rūpavānmanmathādhikaḥ||

O goddess, in the city of Shakala there was a king named Chitrasena, renowned upon the earth, handsome, surpassing even the god of love in beauty.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.149.3)

तस्य चन्द्रप्रभा भार्या प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी। पतिव्रता धर्मशीला रूपयौवनशालिनी।

tasya caṁdraprabhā bhāryā prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī| pativratā dharmaśīlā rūpayauvanaśālinī||

His wife, Chandraprabha, dearer to him than his very life, was devoted to her husband, righteous of conduct, and resplendent in beauty and youth.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.149.4)

अपुत्रस्यापि नृपतेः पुत्री जाता मनोरमा। तस्या नाम तदा चक्रे पिता पार्थिवसत्तमः।

aputrasyāpi nṛpateḥ putrī jātā manoramā| tasyā nāma tadā cakre pitā pārthivasattamaḥ||

To that king, though sonless, a lovely daughter was born. That most excellent royal father then gave her a name.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.149.5)

सर्वलक्षणसंपन्ना कन्या लावण्यवत्यपि। सापि जातिस्मरा देवी सस्मार च पुरातनम्।

sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpannā kanyā lāvaṇyavatyapi| sāpi jātismarā devī sasmāra ca purātanam||

That girl was endowed with every auspicious mark and blessed with loveliness. She was also gifted with memory of her past births, and she recalled her former existence.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.149.6)

वैराग्याद्ब्रह्मचर्यं च चचार तनुमध्यमा। कदाचिद्यौवनं प्राप्ता सा च पृष्टा नृपेण वै।

vairāgyādbrahmacaryaṁ ca cacāra tanumadhyamā| kadācidyauvanaṁ prāptā sā ca pṛṣṭā nṛpeṇa vai||

Out of dispassion, that slender-waisted girl practised celibacy. Once, having attained the bloom of youth, she was questioned by the king.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.149.7)

उत्संगे च निजे कृत्वा मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय हर्षितः। पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते कस्मै देया वराय च।

utsaṁge ca nije kṛtvā mūrdhni cāghrāya harṣitaḥ| putri pradānakālaste kasmai deyā varāya ca||

Taking her upon his own lap and kissing her head, he asked with joy: "My daughter, the time for your marriage has come; to which suitor should you be given?

Verse 8 (skanda.5.149.8)

नृपाय नृपपुत्राय संमताय द्विजाय वा। वृद्धाय बहुभार्याय ग्रामीणाय च पुत्रिणे। हर्षेण चावृतो राजा पुनः पप्रच्छ तां सुताम्।

nṛpāya nṛpaputrāya saṁmatāya dvijāya vā| vṛddhāya bahubhāryāya grāmīṇāya ca putriṇe| harṣeṇa cāvṛto rājā punaḥ papraccha tāṁ sutām||

To a king, a prince, a respected brahmin, an elderly man, one with many wives, a villager, or a man with sons already?" Overcome with joy, the king asked his daughter again.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.149.9)

पृष्टा च सा यदा देवी न चोवाच नृपं प्रति। अधोमुखी च संजाता पुनः प्रोक्ता नृपेण तु।

pṛṣṭā ca sā yadā devī na covāca nṛpaṁ prati| adhomukhī ca saṁjātā punaḥ proktā nṛpeṇa tu||

When, thus questioned, that princess gave no answer to the king, but only cast her eyes downward, the king spoke to her once more.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.149.10)

यदि मद्वचनं पुत्रि प्रतिभाति न सांप्रतम्। वरणं स्वेच्छया पुत्रि कुरु तर्हि स्वयंवरम्।

yadi madvacanaṁ putri pratibhāti na sāṁpratam| varaṇaṁ svecchayā putri kuru tarhi svayaṁvaram||

"If, my daughter, my proposal does not appeal to you now, then, my daughter, choose your own husband by your own will, in a svayamvara."

Verse 11 (skanda.5.149.11)

इत्युक्ता सा नृपतिना पित्रा प्रोक्ता पुनःपुनः। रुरोद सा वै करुणं श्रुत्वा तां कुत्सितां गतिम्।

ityuktā sā nṛpatinā pitrā proktā punaḥpunaḥ| ruroda sā vai karuṇaṁ śrutvā tāṁ kutsitāṁ gatim||

Thus repeatedly addressed by her royal father, hearing of that lowly course of life, she wept piteously.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.149.12)

जहास चातिहासेन पुनः श्वासांश्च मुंचति। प्रहर्षं च पुनः क्षिप्रं प्राप्य वाष्पं च मुंचति।

jahāsa cātihāsena punaḥ śvāsāṁśca muṁcati| praharṣaṁ ca punaḥ kṣipraṁ prāpya vāṣpaṁ ca muṁcati||

She burst into wild laughter, then heaved deep sighs; then, just as quickly, filled with sudden joy, she shed tears.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.149.13)

तामवस्थां गतां दृष्ट्वा पुत्री मुन्मत्ततां गताम्। किमेतदिति भूपालो ग्रसिता किं ग्रहेण वै।

tāmavasthāṁ gatāṁ dṛṣṭvā putrī munmattatāṁ gatām| kimetaditi bhūpālo grasitā kiṁ graheṇa vai||

Beholding his daughter in this state, seemingly deranged, the king wondered: "What is this? Has she been seized by some planetary spirit?

Verse 14 (skanda.5.149.14)

भूतेन वा पिशाचेन मत्सुता लक्षणैर्युता। इति चिन्तापरो राजा यदा जातो यशस्विनि।

bhūtena vā piśācena matsutā lakṣaṇairyutā| iti ciṁtāparo rājā yadā jāto yaśasvini||

or by a bhuta or a pishacha — my daughter, who was endowed with every auspicious mark!" O renowned one, when the king had thus fallen into anxious thought,

Verse 15 (skanda.5.149.15)

तदा प्रोक्तस्तया पुत्र्या मा तात विमना भव। नाहं ग्रस्ता ग्रहेणेह न भूतेन न रक्षसा।

tadā proktastayā putryā mā tāta vimanā bhava| nāhaṁ grastā graheṇeha na bhūtena na rakṣasā||

then his daughter said to him: "Father, do not be distressed. I have been seized neither by a planetary spirit, nor a bhuta, nor a rakshasa,

Verse 16 (skanda.5.149.16)

न पिशाचेन यक्षेण तव कन्या महीपते। जातिस्मराहमुत्पन्ना श्रूयतां मम जन्म च।

na piśācena yakṣeṇa tava kanyā mahīpate| jātismarāhamutpannā śrūyatāṁ mama janma ca||

nor by a pishacha, nor a yaksha, O king — I, your daughter, was born with memory of my former life. Hear now my past birth.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.149.17)

प्राग्ज्योतिषे पुरे विप्रो हरस्वामी बभूव ह। भार्याहं दुर्भगा जाता तस्य विप्रस्य पार्थिव।

prāgjyotiṣe pure vipro harasvāmī babhūva ha| bhāryāhaṁ durbhagā jātā tasya viprasya pārthiva||

In the city of Pragjyotisha there lived a brahmin named Harasvami. O king, I was born as that brahmin's ill-fated wife.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.149.18)

रूपयौवनसंपन्ना तस्य नाहं प्रिया विभो। सदा विद्वेषसंयुक्तो मयि निष्ठुरजल्पकः।

rūpayauvanasaṁpannā tasya nāhaṁ priyā vibho| sadā vidveṣasaṁyukto mayi niṣṭhurajalpakaḥ||

Though endowed with beauty and youth, O lord, I was not dear to him. He was ever filled with hatred toward me, speaking harsh words.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.149.19)

नान्यस्य कस्यचिद्द्वेष्टा मुक्त्वा मां पृथिवीपते। पाणिग्रहणकाले तु ग्रहैः पापैर्विलोकिता।

nānyasya kasyaciddveṣṭā muktvā māṁ pṛthivīpate| pāṇigrahaṇakāle tu grahaiḥ pāpairvilokitā||

O lord of the earth, he hated no one else but me alone. At the time of my marriage, I was under the gaze of malefic planets.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.149.20)

अहमूढां कुलीनेन द्विजेनातिगुणेन च। स चावलोकितो विप्रो ग्रहैः पुण्यैर्नराधिप।

ahamūḍhāṁ kulīnena dvijenātiguṇena ca| sa cāvalokito vipro grahaiḥ puṇyairnarādhipa||

I, thus wedded, married a well-born brahmin of great virtue, O lord of men; but that brahmin himself was under the gaze of benefic planets.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.149.21)

तेन मे वल्लभो राजन्न चाहं तस्य वल्लभा। स सदाचारसंयुक्तो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः।

tena me vallabho rājanna cāhaṁ tasya vallabhā| sa sadācārasaṁyukto vedādhyayanatatparaḥ||

Therefore, O king, he was dear to me, but I was not dear to him. He was devoted to righteous conduct, absorbed in the study of the Vedas,

Verse 22 (skanda.5.149.22)

नान्यत्र कुरुते भावं ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थितः। ततोऽहं क्रोधसंयुक्ता वशीकरणलंपटा। अपृच्छं प्रमदास्तात यास्त्यक्ताः पतिभिः किल।

nānyatra kurute bhāvaṁ brahmacaryavrate sthitaḥ| tato'haṁ krodhasaṁyuktā vaśīkaraṇalaṁpaṭā| apṛcchaṁ pramadāstāta yāstyaktāḥ patibhiḥ kila||

and he set his heart on nothing else, keeping to a vow of celibacy even within marriage. Then, filled with anger and greedy to bring him under my control, father, I sought out women who had been abandoned by their husbands, to ask their counsel.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.149.23)

ताभिरुक्ता ह्यहं भूप वश्यो भर्त्ता भविष्यति। अस्माकं प्रत्ययो जातस्तस्मात्त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि।

tābhiruktā hyahaṁ bhūpa vaśyo bharttā bhaviṣyati| asmākaṁ pratyayo jātastasmāttvaṁ kartumarhasi||

They said to me, O king: "Your husband shall surely come under your control; we are confident of this, so you should indeed do as follows.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.149.24)

भेषजैर्विविधैश्चूर्णैर्मंत्रैर्मोहकरैः परैः। तैस्तैस्तु कृतलेपोऽपि भविता दासवत्पतिः।

bheṣajairvividhaiścūrṇairmaṁtrairmohakaraiḥ paraiḥ| taistaistu kṛtalepo'pi bhavitā dāsavatpatiḥ||

With various medicines, powders, and mesmerizing mantras — anointed with these, your husband will become obedient as a slave."

Verse 25 (skanda.5.149.25)

ततोऽहं त्वरिता गत्वा तासां वाक्येन भूपते। चूर्णं मन्त्रं गृहीत्वा च प्राप्ता भर्तृगृहं पुनः।

tato'haṁ tvaritā gatvā tāsāṁ vākyena bhūpate| cūrṇaṁ maṁtraṁ gṛhītvā ca prāptā bhartṛgṛhaṁ punaḥ||

Then, O king, hastening at their counsel, I went and obtained the powder and the mantra, and returned again to my husband's house.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.149.26)

प्रदोषे पयसा युक्तश्चूर्णो भर्त्तरि योजितः। ग्रीवायां च मया मन्त्रो न्यस्तः सर्वांगसंधिषु।

pradoṣe payasā yuktaścūrṇo bharttari yojitaḥ| grīvāyāṁ ca mayā maṁtro nyastaḥ sarvāṁgasaṁdhiṣu||

At dusk I gave my husband the powder mixed with milk, and upon his neck and upon every joint of his body I applied the mantra.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.149.27)

यदा पीतश्च चूर्णस्तु मन्त्रेणातीव गुंठितः। वशगस्तत्क्षणाज्जातो मंत्रचूर्णप्रभावतः।

yadā pītaśca cūrṇastu maṁtreṇātīva guṁṭhitaḥ| vaśagastatkṣaṇājjāto maṁtracūrṇaprabhāvataḥ||

When that powder, thoroughly charged with the mantra, was drunk, he came under my control that very instant, through the power of the mantra and the powder.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.149.28)

द्वारदेशे स्थितः क्रंदन्दासोऽस्मि तव शोभने। त्राहि मां शरणं प्राप्तं त्वद्वशोहं च शोभने।

dvāradeśe sthitaḥ kraṁdandāso'smi tava śobhane| trāhi māṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptaṁ tvadvaśohaṁ ca śobhane||

Standing at the doorway, weeping, he cried: "I am your slave, O lovely one! Save me, who have taken refuge with you; O lovely one, I am now in your power."

Verse 29 (skanda.5.149.29)

तत्तस्य रुदितं ज्ञात्वा मंत्रमाहात्म्यतो नृप। स्वस्थीकरणयोगेन तदा स्वस्थः कृतः पतिः।

tattasya ruditaṁ jñātvā maṁtramāhātmyato nṛpa| svasthīkaraṇayogena tadā svasthaḥ kṛtaḥ patiḥ||

Seeing him weeping thus, O king, by the power of the mantra, through a rite to restore his composure, I then brought my husband back to his senses.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.149.30)

ततः प्रभृति कांतो मे वश्योऽभूद्भवने स्थितः। पंचत्वं च गता काले तथा नारकयातनाम्।

tataḥ prabhṛti kāṁto me vaśyo'bhūdbhavane sthitaḥ| paṁcatvaṁ ca gatā kāle tathā nārakayātanām||

From that time on, my beloved husband remained under my control, dwelling in the house. In due course I met my death, and then met the tortures of hell.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.149.31)

ताम्रभ्राष्ट्रे च दग्धाहं युगानि दश पंच च। सूक्ष्माणि तिलमात्राणि कृत्वा खंडान्यनेकशः। छेदिता कालसूत्रेण पीडिता घ्राणयंत्रके।

tāmrabhrāṣṭre ca dagdhāhaṁ yugāni daśa paṁca ca| sūkṣmāṇi tilamātrāṇi kṛtvā khaṁḍānyanekaśaḥ| cheditā kālasūtreṇa pīḍitā ghrāṇayaṁtrake||

I was scorched in a copper cauldron for fifteen ages. I was cut into countless tiny pieces, no larger than sesame seeds; I was sliced apart in the hell of Kalasutra, and tormented in the nose-crushing machine.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.149.32)

क्वाथीभूता तप्ततैलैर्घटे दर्व्याथ लोडिता। पिष्टा चैव शिलापृष्ठे कुट्टिता लोहमुद्गरैः।

kvāthībhūtā taptatailairghaṭe darvyātha loḍitā| piṣṭā caiva śilāpṛṣṭhe kuṭṭitā lohamudgaraiḥ||

I was boiled in a cauldron of scalding oil, stirred with a ladle; I was ground upon a stone slab, and pounded with iron mallets.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.149.33)

दलिता दंतदलने दग्धाहं रौरवे भृशम्। अधोमुखी विनिक्षिप्ता त्वमेध्ये पूयशोणिते।

dalitā daṁtadalane dagdhāhaṁ raurave bhṛśam| adhomukhī viniṣiptā tvamedhye pūyaśoṇite||

I was crushed in a tooth-grinding machine, and scorched severely in the hell of Raurava; head-downward, I was cast into a foul mire of pus and blood.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.149.34)

यान्यापि युवती तात भर्तुर्वश्यं समाचरेत्। वृथा धर्मादुराचारा पच्यते नरके भृशम्।

yānyāpi yuvatī tāta bharturvaśyaṁ samācaret| vṛthā dharmādurācārā pacyate narake bhṛśam||

Father, whatever young woman resorts to this same means to bring her husband under her control — straying from righteousness into misconduct — is cooked severely in hell just as I was.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.149.35)

भर्त्ता नाथो गुरुर्भर्ता भर्त्ता वै दैवतं परम्। भर्त्ता स्वामी सुहृद्भर्त्ता भर्ता च परमं पदम्।

bharttā nātho gururbhartā bharttā vai daivataṁ param| bharttā svāmī suhṛdbhartā bhartā ca paramaṁ padam||

The husband is the protector; the husband is the teacher; the husband is indeed the supreme deity. The husband is the master; the husband is the friend; the husband is the supreme state itself.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.149.36)

तुष्टे भर्त्तरि नारीणां तुष्टाः स्युः सर्वदेवताः। विमुखे विमुखाः सर्वे तस्मात्सेव्यः सदा पतिः। भस्मीभवति सा नारी यया भर्त्ता न तोषितः।

tuṣṭe bharttari nārīṇāṁ tuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ| vimukhe vimukhāḥ sarve tasmātsevyaḥ sadā patiḥ| bhasmībhavati sā nārī yayā bhartā na toṣitaḥ||

When a woman's husband is content, all the gods are content; when he is displeased, all are displeased. Therefore the husband must always be served. That woman who has not pleased her husband turns to ashes.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.149.37)

यस्य प्रसादात्प्राप्यंते भोगाश्च विविधाः सदा। तं वश्यं कुरुते या च सा कथं सुखमाप्नुयात्।

yasya prasādātprāpyaṁte bhogāśca vividhāḥ sadā| taṁ vaśyaṁ kurute yā ca sā kathaṁ sukhamāpnuyāt||

How could a woman who tries to subdue by force the very one whose favour grants her all manner of enjoyment ever attain happiness?

Verse 38 (skanda.5.149.38)

तिर्यग्योनिशतं याति कृमिपक्षिशतानि च। तस्मात्तत्तत्सदा कार्यं स्त्रीभिर्भर्तृवचः किल।

tiryagyoniśataṁ yāti kṛmipakṣiśatāni ca| tasmāttattatsadā kāryaṁ strībhirbhartṛvacaḥ kila||

She passes through a hundred animal births, and a hundred births as worms and birds. Therefore women must always, in every matter, carry out their husband's word alone.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.149.39)

एवं पुनर्मया भुक्ता नरका भृशदारुणाः। तिर्यग्योनिसहस्रं तु कर्मणा कुत्सितेन च।

evaṁ punarmayā bhuktā narakā bhṛśadāruṇāḥ| tiryagyonisahasraṁ tu karmaṇā kutsitena ca||

Thus I again endured most terrible hells, and, on account of that reprehensible deed, a thousand animal births as well.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.149.40)

किंचित्पातकशुद्ध्यर्थं चंडालस्य च वेश्मनि। जाताहमतिरूपेण पीडिता विविधैर्व्रणैः।

kiṁcitpātakaśuddhyarthaṁ caṁḍālasya ca veśmani| jātāhamatirūpeṇa pīḍitā vividhairvraṇaiḥ||

For the partial purification of my sins, I was then born in the house of a chandala, most hideous of form, afflicted with sores of every kind.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.149.41)

सारमेयैर्वृता दीना भक्ष्यमाणा पुनःपुनः। दुष्टाहं भक्ष्यमाणापि मार्गे रुद्धा वृकैरहम्। तैरहं तुद्यमानापि महाकालवनं गता।

sāramayairvṛtā dīnā bhakṣyamāṇā punaḥpunaḥ| duṣṭāhaṁ bhakṣyamāṇāpi mārge ruddhā vṛkairaham| tairahaṁ tudyamānāpi mahākālavanaṁ gatā||

Wretched, surrounded by dogs, I was gnawed at again and again. Even as I, sinner that I was, was being devoured by dogs, wolves blocked my path on the road; tormented by them as well, I made my way to Mahakalavana.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.149.42)

दृष्टो मया महादेवो दैवतो मृगमाणया। समीपे देवदेवस्य पिप्पलादेश्वरस्य च।

dṛṣṭo mayā mahādevo daivato mṛgamāṇayā| samīpe devadevasya pippalādeśvarasya ca||

By fate, as I fled, I beheld Mahadeva, near to the god of gods, Pippaladeshvara.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.149.43)

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण गता शक्रपुरं प्रति। विमानेन सुदीप्तेन किंकिणीजालमालिना। दिव्यांबरधरा दिव्या दिव्यमालाविभूषणा।

tasya darśanamātreṇa gatā śakrapuraṁ prati| vimānena sudīptena kiṁkiṇījālamālinā| divyāṁbaradharā divyā divyamālāvibhūṣaṇā||

By the mere sight of him, I journeyed toward Indra's city, upon a most resplendent celestial chariot, garlanded with a net of tinkling bells; I was clad in celestial garments, become divine myself, adorned with divine garlands.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.149.44)

तत्राहं पूजिता देवैः स्तुताहं चारणैस्तथा। दर्शनात्तस्य लिंगस्य जाताहं तव वेश्मनि।

tatrāhaṁ pūjitā devaiḥ stutāhaṁ cāraṇaistathā| darśanāttasya liṁgasya jātāhaṁ tava veśmani||

There I was honoured by the gods and praised likewise by the charanas. By the sight of that linga, I was born here in your own household,

Verse 45 (skanda.5.149.45)

वल्लभा रूपसंपन्ना शाकले नगरे शुभे। स्मृत्वा तु कुत्सितां योनिं विलापश्च कृतो मया।

vallabhā rūpasaṁpannā śākale nagare śubhe| smṛtvā tu kutsitāṁ yoniṁ vilāpaśca kṛto mayā||

here in the auspicious city of Shakala, beloved and endowed with beauty. Remembering that lowly existence, I wept —

Verse 46 (skanda.5.149.46)

स्मृत्वा लिंगस्य माहात्म्यं हर्षो जातस्तु तत्क्षणात्। तन्मे नैव च वातूल्यं गृहीता न ग्रहेण च।

smṛtvā liṁgasya māhātmyaṁ harṣo jātastu tatkṣaṇāt| tanme naiva ca vātūlyaṁ gṛhītā na graheṇa ca||

and then, remembering the greatness of the linga, joy at once arose in me. This was no madness of mine, nor was I seized by any planetary spirit.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.149.47)

जाता जातिस्मरा तात ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थिता। अतो यास्यामि तं देवं दर्शनार्थं पुनः प्रभो। यथा न भूयो मे जन्म स्याच्च संसारसागरे।

jātā jātismarā tāta brahmacaryavrate sthitā| ato yāsyāmi taṁ devaṁ darśanārthaṁ punaḥ prabho| yathā na bhūyo me janma syācca saṁsārasāgare||

Father, I was born gifted with memory of my past life, and I remain established in the vow of celibacy. Therefore, O lord, I shall go once more to behold that god, so that I need not be born again in this ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.149.48)

इति पुत्रीवचः श्रुत्वा चित्रसेनो महीपतिः। सभृत्यमंत्रिसहितो महाकालवनं गतः।

iti putrīvacaḥ śrutvā citraseno mahīpatiḥ| sabhṛtyamaṁtrisahito mahākālavanaṁ gataḥ||

Hearing his daughter's words, King Chitrasena, together with his servants and ministers, went to Mahakalavana.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.149.49)

ददर्श तत्र तल्लिंगं पूजयामास भक्तितः। सापि दृष्ट्वैव तल्लिंगं तस्मिंल्लिंगे लयं गता।

dadarśa tatra talliṁgaṁ pūjayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ| sāpi dṛṣṭvaiva talliṁgaṁ tasmilliṁge layaṁ gatā||

There he beheld that linga and worshipped it with devotion. And the princess, the very moment she beheld that linga, merged into it and disappeared.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.149.50)

राजा च पुत्रवाञ्जातो लिंगदर्शनतः प्रिये। बभूव चक्रवर्ती स यथा स्वायंभुवो मनुः।

rājā ca putravāñjāto liṁgadarśanataḥ priye| babhūva cakravartī sa yathā svāyaṁbhuvo manuḥ||

By the sight of that linga, O beloved, the king was blessed with sons, and became a universal emperor, like Svayambhuva Manu himself.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.149.51)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि दृष्ट्वा देवे लयं गताम्। राजपुत्रीं महादेवि कृतं नाम मुदान्वितैः।

etasminnaṁtare devi dṛṣṭvā deve layaṁ gatām| rājaputrīṁ mahādevi kṛtaṁ nāma mudānvitaiḥ||

Meanwhile, O great goddess, beholding the princess who had merged into the god, the gods, filled with delight, gave the linga its name.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.149.52)

अविमुक्तस्य लिंगस्य दर्शनादेव तत्क्षणात्। अविमुक्तेश्वरो देव इति ख्यातो भवत्विति।

avimuktasya liṁgasya darśanādeva tatkṣaṇāt| avimukteśvaro deva iti khyāto bhavatviti||

"Since this occurred at that very instant by the mere sight of this ever-present, never-forsaken (avimukta) linga, let this god become renowned by the name Avimukteshvara," they said.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.149.53)

योऽसौ काश्यां प्रसिद्धोऽस्ति देवो विश्वेश्वरः शिवः। स चैवात्र सुविख्यातोऽविमुक्तेश्वरसंज्ञया।

yo'sau kāśyāṁ prasiddho'sti devo viśveśvaraḥ śivaḥ| sa caivātra suvikhyāto'vimukteśvarasaṁjñayā||

That god who is renowned in Kashi as Vishveshvara Shiva is well known here too, under the name Avimukteshvara.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.149.54)

वाराणसी यथा पुण्या तथावंती च मुक्तिदा। तस्या दशगुणं पुण्यं श्रूयतेऽत्र विशेषतः।

vārāṇasī yathā puṇyā tathāvaṁtī ca muktidā| tasyā daśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ śrūyate'tra viśeṣataḥ||

As Varanasi is meritorious, so is Avanti a bestower of liberation; here, in particular, tenfold merit is said to accrue.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.149.55)

तस्माद्विश्वेश्वरो देवः समायातः कुशस्थलीम्। यत्रागत्य सुविद्वांसो मानवाः शंसितव्रताः।

tasmādviśveśvaro devaḥ samāyātaḥ kuśasthalīm| yatrāgatya suvidvāṁso mānavāḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ||

Therefore the god Vishveshvara has come to reside at Kushasthali. Men of great learning, firm in their vows, who come here,

Verse 56 (skanda.5.149.56)

पश्यंति परया भक्त्या ह्यविमुक्तेश्वरं शिवम्। तेषां मुक्तिर्न संदेहो भविष्यति सुनिश्चला।

paśyaṁti parayā bhaktyā hyavimukteśvaraṁ śivam| teṣāṁ muktirna saṁdeho bhaviṣyati suniścalā||

and behold Shiva Avimukteshvara with supreme devotion — their liberation shall become firm and certain, without doubt.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.149.57)

अमुक्ता नैव पश्यंति मुक्ताः पश्यंति सर्वदा। ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतैः सम्यगिष्टैः सर्वमखैर्भवेत्।

amuktā naiva paśyaṁti muktāḥ paśyaṁti sarvadā| brahmacaryavrataiḥ samyagiṣṭaiḥ sarvamakhairbhavet||

Those not yet liberated do not truly behold it; only the liberated behold it always. Whatever fruit is obtained through vows of celibacy, through duly performed sacrifices as desired, and through every kind of sacred rite —

Verse 58 (skanda.5.149.58)

तत्फलं प्राप्यते सम्यगविमुक्तेशदर्शनात्। नैःश्रेयसी गतिः पुण्या दर्शनादेव जायते।

tatphalaṁ prāpyate samyagavimukteśadarśanāt| naiḥśreyasī gatiḥ puṇyā darśanādeva jāyate||

that fruit is fully obtained merely through the sight of Avimuktesha. The supreme, meritorious state of highest good arises from the mere sight of him.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.149.59)

या गतिः प्राप्यते सांख्यैयोगैर्वा या गतिर्भवेत्। सा गतिर्नाप्यते सम्यगविमुक्तेशदर्शनात्।

yā gatiḥ prāpyate sāṁkhyairyogairvā yā gatirbhavet| sā gatirnāpyate samyagavimukteśadarśanāt||

Whatever state is attained through Sankhya philosophy, or whatever state is attained through Yoga — that same state is fully obtained through the sight of Avimuktesha.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.149.60)

जन्ममृत्युभयं हित्वा स याति परमां गतिम्। यः पूजयति भावेन ह्यविमुक्तेश्वरं शिवम्।

janmamṛtyubhayaṁ hitvā sa yāti paramāṁ gatim| yaḥ pūjayati bhāvena hyavimukteśvaraṁ śivam||

Whoever worships Shiva Avimukteshvara with heartfelt devotion casts off the fear of birth and death and attains the supreme state.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.149.61)

ब्रह्महापि च यो गच्छेदविमुक्तेश्वरं यजेत्। तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्यात्सर्व्वपापान्निवर्त्तते।

brahmahāpi ca yo gacchedavimukteśvaraṁ yajet| tasya liṁgasya māhātmyātsarvapāpānnivarttate||

Even a slayer of a brahmin, should he come here and worship Avimukteshvara, is turned back from all his sins by the greatness of this linga.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.149.62)

शाठ्येनापि च यः पश्येदविमुक्तेश्वरं शिवम्। स मुंचति जरां मृत्युं जन्म चैतदशाश्वतम्।

śāṭhyenāpi ca yaḥ paśyedavimukteśvaraṁ śivam| sa muṁcati jarāṁ mṛtyuṁ janma caitadaśāśvatam||

Even one who beholds Shiva Avimukteshvara out of mere pretence is freed from old age, from death, and from this impermanent state of birth.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.149.63)

स्मृतः संपूजितो भक्त्या स्तुतो वा विविधैः स्तवैः। मुक्तिं ददाति देवेशो ह्यविमुक्तेश्वरः शिवः।

smṛtaḥ saṁpūjito bhaktyā stuto vā vividhaiḥ stavaiḥ| muktiṁ dadāti deveśo hyavimukteśvaraḥ śivaḥ||

Whether merely remembered, worshipped with devotion, or praised with manifold hymns, the lord of gods, Shiva Avimukteshvara, grants liberation.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.149.64)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। अविमुक्तेश्वरेशस्य हनुमत्केश्वरं शृणु।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| avimukteśvareśasya hanumatkeśvaraṁ śṛṇu||

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