The Glory of the Four Lingas: Pingaleshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.152.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। चतुर्द्वारस्थितं देवि शृणु लिंगचतुष्टयम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण कृतकृत्यो नरो भवेत्।

īśvara uvāca| caturdvārasthitaṁ devi śṛṇu liṁgacatuṣṭayam| yasya darśanamātreṇa kṛtakṛtyo naro bhavet||

Ishvara said: Hear, O goddess, of the group of four lingas stationed at the four gates, by the mere sight of whom a man attains fulfilment.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.152.2)

अहं पृष्टस्त्वया देवि कौतुकाच्च वरानने। अतीव रमणीयं च स्थलं दर्शय मे प्रभो।

ahaṁ pṛṣṭastvayā devi kautukācca varānane| atīva ramaṇīyaṁ ca sthalaṁ darśaya me prabho||

O goddess, out of curiosity you once asked me, O fair one: "O lord, show me some place of the most exquisite loveliness —

Verse 3 (skanda.5.152.3)

सेवितं बहुभिः सिद्धैः पुनरावृत्तिकांक्षिभिः। यद्गुह्यं च पवित्रं च प्रलयेऽप्यविनाशि यत्।

sevitaṁ bahubhiḥ siddhaiḥ punarāvṛttikāṁkṣibhiḥ| yadguhyaṁ ca pavitraṁ ca pralaye'pyavināśi yat||

a place frequented by many siddhas free from any wish to return to rebirth, a place secret and sacred, imperishable even at the dissolution of the world,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.152.4)

अनन्यसदृशं दिव्यं यत्तीर्थं यत्तपोवनम्। असंख्येयगुणोपेतं भुक्तिमुक्तिकरं शुभम्।

ananyasadṛśaṁ divyaṁ yattīrthaṁ yattapovanam| asaṁkhyeyaguṇopetaṁ bhuktimuktikaraṁ śubham||

an incomparable, divine tirtha, a hermitage of austerity, endowed with countless virtues, auspicious, granting both enjoyment and liberation —

Verse 5 (skanda.5.152.5)

सुवर्णशृंगाः प्रासादा हर्म्याणि विविधानि च। उद्यानानि विचित्राणि मार्गाश्च विविधाः शुभाः।

suvarṇaśṛṁgāḥ prāsādā harmyāṇi vividhāni ca| udyānāni vicitrāṇi mārgāśca vividhāḥ śubhāḥ||

a place with golden-spired palaces and mansions of every kind, marvelous gardens, and many auspicious paths,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.152.6)

समीहितफलावाप्तिर्यत्र लभ्या सुखेन वै। सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वकिंनरोद्गीतनादितम्।

samīhitaphalāvāptiryatra labhyā sukhena vai| siddhacāraṇagaṁdharvakiṁnarodgītanāditam||

where the fruit of one's desires may be obtained with ease, and which resounds with the songs of siddhas, charanas, gandharvas, and kinnaras.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.152.7)

पुण्यलोकोपमस्थानं त्रिविष्टपविभूषणम्। एवमभ्यर्थितो देवि मंदरे चारुकन्दरे।

puṇyalokopamasthānaṁ triviṣṭapavibhūṣaṇam| evamabhyarthito devi maṁdare cārukandare||

a place like unto the world of the blessed, the very ornament of heaven." Thus entreated, O goddess, in a lovely cave of Mount Mandara,

Verse 8 (skanda.5.152.8)

मया प्रोक्तं प्रसन्नेन स्थानं शृणु सनातनम्। महाकालवनं रम्यं स्वर्गात्सुखकरं परम्।

mayā proktaṁ prasannena sthānaṁ śṛṇu sanātanam| mahākālavanaṁ ramyaṁ svargātsukhakaraṁ param||

I, being pleased, told you: "Listen — that eternal place is the lovely Mahakalavana, more delightful than heaven itself,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.152.9)

अनौपम्यगुणोपेतं भुक्तिमुक्तिकरं शुभम्। तत्समः कोऽपि धन्योऽन्यो न दृष्टो भुवनत्रये।

anaupamyaguṇopetaṁ bhuktimuktikaraṁ śubham| tatsamaḥ ko'pi dhanyo'nyo na dṛṣṭo bhuvanatraye||

endowed with incomparable qualities, auspicious, granting both enjoyment and liberation. No other place equal to it in blessedness has been seen in the three worlds,

Verse 10 (skanda.5.152.10)

देवगन्धर्व्वसिद्धैश्च सेव्यं वै मुक्तिकांक्षिभिः। विनोदार्थं मया सृष्टं त्वत्प्रियार्थं कुतूहलात्।

devagaṁdharvasiddhaiśca sevyaṁ vai muktikāṁkṣibhiḥ| vinodārthaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ tvatpriyārthaṁ kutūhalāt||

served by gods, gandharvas, and siddhas desiring liberation. I fashioned it for delight, out of curiosity, for your own pleasure.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.152.11)

तिलकं सर्वतीर्थानां जंबूद्वीपे मनोरमे। इच्छाकामफलावाप्तिरनायासेन लभ्यते।

tilakaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ jaṁbūdvīpe manorame| icchākāmaphalāvāptiranāyāsena labhyate||

It is the very forehead-mark of all sacred fords in the lovely Jambudvipa. The fruit of every desired wish is obtained here effortlessly.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.152.12)

जरारोगभयैर्हीनं सर्वव्याधिविवर्जितम्। शक्राग्नियमरक्षोंबुवायुसोमेशसेवितम्। स्वर्गे प्रमुदिता देवास्तेऽपि कांक्षंति सर्वदा।

jarārogabhayairhīnaṁ sarvavyādhivivarjitam| śakrāgniyamarakṣoṁbuvāyusomeśasevitam| svarge pramuditā devāstepi kāṁkṣaṁti sarvadā||

It is free from old age, disease, and fear, devoid of every ailment, served by Indra, Agni, Yama, the guardian of the rakshasas, Varuna, Vayu, and Soma. Even the joyous gods in heaven ever long for it.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.152.13)

असंख्येयफलं त्वत्र अक्षया च गतिः सदा। यैर्न संसेवितं स्थानं वंचितास्ते नरा भुवि।

asaṁkhyeyaphalaṁ tvatra akṣayā ca gatiḥ sadā| yairna saṁsevitaṁ sthānaṁ vaṁcitāste narā bhuvi||

Here countless fruits and an ever imperishable state are found. Those men who have not resorted to this place have been cheated indeed upon this earth.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.152.14)

क्षेत्रस्य च गुणान्वक्तुं देवदानवमानवैः। न शक्यते प्रयत्नाच्च स्वयं यत्र स्थितो ह्यहम्।

kṣetrasya ca guṇānvaktuṁ devadānavamānavaiḥ| na śakyate prayatnācca svayaṁ yatra sthito hyaham||

The virtues of this sacred region cannot be told even with the utmost effort by gods, danavas, or men, for I myself abide there in person.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.152.15)

यत्किंचिदशुभं कर्म कृतं मानुषकर्मणा। महाकालवनं प्राप्य तत्सर्वं भस्मसाद्भवेत्।

yatkiṁcidaśubhaṁ karma kṛtaṁ mānuṣakarmaṇā| mahākālavanaṁ prāpya tatsarvaṁ bhasmasādbhavet||

Whatever inauspicious deed has been committed by a human agent, upon reaching Mahakalavana, is entirely reduced to ashes.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.152.16)

न सा गतिः कुरुक्षेत्रे गंगाद्वारे त्रिपुष्करे। या गतिर्विहिता पुंसां महाकालवने सदा।

na sā gatiḥ kurukṣetre gaṁgādvāre tripuṣkare| yā gatirvihitā puṁsāṁ mahākālavane sadā||

That state which men ever attain in Mahakalavana is not attained at Kurukshetra, at Gangadvara, or at Tripushkara.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.152.17)

तिर्यग्योनिगता गत्वा महाकालवने स्थिताः। तत्रैव निधनं प्राप्तास्ते यांति परमां गतिम्।

tiryagyonigatā gatvā mahākālavane sthitāḥ| tatraiva nidhanaṁ prāptāste yāṁti paramāṁ gatim||

Even those beings who have fallen into animal births, should they go and remain in Mahakalavana and meet their death there, attain the supreme state.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.152.18)

मेरुमंदरमात्रोपि राशिः पापस्य कर्मणः। महाकालवनं प्राप्य सर्वोपि व्रजति क्षयम्।

merumaṁdaramātro'pi rāśiḥ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ| mahākālavanaṁ prāpya sarvo'pi vrajati kṣayam||

Even a mass of sinful deeds as vast as Mount Meru or Mandara, upon reaching Mahakalavana, is entirely brought to ruin.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.152.19)

श्मशानमिति चाख्यातं महाकालवनं प्रिये। तत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा नारायणपुरोगमाः।

śmaśānamiti cākhyātaṁ mahākālavanaṁ priye| tatra brahmādayo devā nārāyaṇapurogamāḥ||

O beloved, Mahakalavana is also spoken of as a cremation ground. There Brahma and the other gods, led by Narayana,

Verse 20 (skanda.5.152.20)

योगिनश्च तथा सांख्याः सिद्धाश्च सनकादयः। उपासते च मां भक्त्या मद्भक्त्या मत्परायणाः।

yoginaśca tathā sāṁkhyāḥ siddhāśca sanakādayaḥ| upāsate ca māṁ bhaktyā madbhaktyā matparāyaṇāḥ||

the yogis, the followers of Sankhya, and the siddhas beginning with Sanaka, all worship me there with devotion, given entirely to devotion toward me, wholly absorbed in me.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.152.21)

या गतिर्योगतपसां या गतिर्यज्ञयाजिनाम्। महाकालवने क्षेत्रे सा गतिर्विहिता मया।

yā gatiryogatapasāṁ yā gatiryajñayājinām| mahākālavane kṣetre sā gatirvihitā mayā||

Whatever state is attained through the austerities of yoga, whatever state is attained by performers of sacrifice — that same state have I established in the sacred region of Mahakalavana.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.152.22)

संहरामि च तत्रस्थस्त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। अतो देवि समाख्यातं महाकालवनं शुभम्।

saṁharāmi ca tatrasthastrailokyaṁ sacarācaram| ato devi samākhyātaṁ mahākālavanaṁ śubham||

Abiding there, I bring about the dissolution of the three worlds, both moving and unmoving. Therefore, O goddess, it is called the auspicious Mahakalavana.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.152.23)

एवं बहुविधाञ्छुत्वा गुणान्बहुविधांस्तथा। देवि त्वं विस्मिता जाता गमनाय मनो दधे।

evaṁ bahuvidhāñchutvā guṇānbahuvidhāṁstathā| devi tvaṁ vismitā jātā gamanāya mano dadhe||

Having heard of these many manifold virtues, O goddess, you became astonished, and your mind resolved to go there.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.152.24)

क्षेत्रस्यालोकने चित्तं जातमुत्कंठितं तव। त्वया सार्द्धं समागत्य महाकालवने शुभे।

kṣetrasyālokane cittaṁ jātamutkaṁṭhitaṁ tava| tvayā sārddhaṁ samāgatya mahākālavane śubhe||

Your heart became eager to behold that sacred region. Together with you I then went to that auspicious Mahakalavana.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.152.25)

पश्य देवि विचित्राख्यं यन्मया कथितं तव। अमरेशपुरस्पर्द्धि वर्द्धितानंदसुंदरम्। वर्णितं यन्मया देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिकरं परम्।

paśya devi vicitrākhyaṁ yanmayā kathitaṁ tava| amareśapuraspardddhi vardddhitānaṁdasuṁdaram| varṇitaṁ yanmayā devi bhuktimuktikaraṁ param||

"Behold, O goddess, this wondrous place of which I spoke to you — rivaling Indra's own city, ever more beautiful with growing bliss. That which I described to you, O goddess, is the supreme bestower of both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 26 (skanda.5.152.26)

त्वया प्रोक्तं विशालाक्षि दृष्ट्वा क्षेत्रमनुत्तमम्। अस्य स्थानस्य रक्षार्थं भक्तं गणचतुष्टयम्। नियुज्यतां महादेव संतोषाय मम प्रभो।

tvayā proktaṁ viśālākṣi dṛṣṭvā kṣetramanuttamam| asya sthānasya rakṣārthaṁ bhaktaṁ gaṇacatuṣṭayam| niyujyatāṁ mahādeva saṁtoṣāya mama prabho||

O wide-eyed one, beholding that peerless region, you said: "O Mahadeva, appoint four devoted ganas for the protection of this place, O lord, for my satisfaction.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.152.27)

द्वाराणि तत्र चत्वारि क्रियतां परमेश्वर। चत्वारः कलशाश्चैव हैमाः कार्या दृढाः शुभाः।

dvārāṇi tatra catvāri kriyatāṁ parameśvara| catvāraḥ kalaśāścaiva haimāḥ kāryā dṛḍhāḥ śubhāḥ||

Let four gates be made there, O supreme lord, and let four sturdy, auspicious golden pitchers be fashioned.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.152.28)

पूर्वादिक्रमयोगेन चतुर्वर्गो नियोज्यताम्। धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च मोक्षश्चैव महेश्वर।

pūrvādikramayogena caturvargo niyojyatām| dharmaścārthaśca kāmaśca mokṣaścaiva maheśvara||

In order beginning from the east, let the four aims of life be assigned — righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation, O great lord."

Verse 29 (skanda.5.152.29)

त्वदीयं वचनं श्रुत्वा मया देवि प्रयत्नतः। अस्य क्षेत्रस्य रक्षार्थं स्मृतं गणचतुष्टयम्।

tvadīyaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā mayā devi prayatnataḥ| asya kṣetrasya rakṣārthaṁ smṛtaṁ gaṇacatuṣṭayam||

Hearing your words, O goddess, I diligently called to mind four ganas for the protection of this region.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.152.30)

चत्वार ईश्वरास्तेऽपि स्थापितास्तदनंतरम्। पिंगलेशो धनाध्यक्षस्तथा कायावरोहणः।

catvāra īśvarāsteapi sthāpitāstadanaṁtaram| piṁgaleśo dhanādhyakṣastathā kāyāvarohaṇaḥ||

Thereafter, those four lords were established there: Pingalesha, Dhanadhyaksha, and Kayavarohana,

Verse 31 (skanda.5.152.31)

बिल्वेश्वरो गणश्रेष्ठो दुर्दर्शो गणनायकः। एते मया नियुक्ता वै समर्थाः क्षेत्ररक्षणे।

bilveśvaro gaṇaśreṣṭho durdarśo gaṇanāyakaḥ| ete mayā niyuktā vai samarthāḥ kṣetrarakṣaṇe||

and Bilveshvara, foremost of the ganas, and Durdarsha, chief of the ganas. I appointed them, being competent for the protection of this region.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.152.32)

पूर्वादिक्रमयोगेन त्वत्प्रियार्थं वरानने। नियुक्तास्त्वन्मतेनैव पूर्वस्यां दिशि पिंगलः।

pūrvādikramayogena tvatpriyārthaṁ varānane| niyuktāstvanmatenaiva pūrvasyāṁ diśi piṁgalaḥ||

For your delight, O fair one, precisely as you had suggested, they were appointed in order beginning from the east: Pingala in the eastern quarter,

Verse 33 (skanda.5.152.33)

दक्षिणस्यां दिशि तथा प्रिये कायावरोहणः। बिल्वेश्वरः प्रतीच्यां तु दुर्द्दर्शश्चोत्तरे तथा।

dakṣiṇasyāṁ diśi tathā priye kāyāvarohaṇaḥ| bilveśvaraḥ pratīcyāṁ tu durddarśaścottare tathā||

and, O beloved, Kayavarohana in the south, Bilveshvara in the west, and Durdarsha in the north.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.152.34)

मानवा ये म्रियंतेऽत्र क्षेत्रमध्ये गणोत्तमाः। तेषां रक्षा परा कार्या भवद्भिर्मम शासनात्।

mānavā ye mriyaṁte'tra kṣetramadhye gaṇottamāḥ| teṣāṁ rakṣā parā kāryā bhavadbhirmama śāsanāt||

"O foremost of the ganas, whatever men die within this sacred region, you must, by my command, grant them the highest protection."

Verse 35 (skanda.5.152.35)

कथां शृणु प्रयत्नेन पिंगलेश्वरसंभवाम्। यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण कृतकृत्यो नरो भवेत्।

kathāṁ śṛṇu prayatnena piṁgaleśvarasaṁbhavām| yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa kṛtakṛtyo naro bhavet||

Now listen attentively to the story of the origin of Pingaleshvara, by merely hearing which a man attains fulfilment.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.152.36)

पिंगला कन्यका देवि कान्यकुब्जे बभूव ह। सुशीला च सुवेषा च सौंदर्येणातिनिर्मिता।

piṁgalā kanyakā devi kānyakubje babhūva ha| suśīlā ca suveṣā ca saundaryeṇātinirmitā||

O goddess, in Kanyakubja there was a maiden named Pingala, of good conduct, well-adorned, and fashioned with the utmost beauty.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.152.37)

पिता तस्या महाप्राज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित्। ज्ञानध्यानरतश्चैव स्वाध्यायपरिनिष्ठितः।

pitā tasyā mahāprājñaḥ sarvaśāstrārthatattvavit| jñānadhyānarataścaiva svādhyāyapariniṣṭhitaḥ||

Her father was most wise, versed in the essential truths of every scripture, devoted to knowledge and meditation, and firmly established in the study of sacred texts.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.152.38)

पिंगलोनाम विप्रेंद्रो भार्या तस्य पतिव्रता। पिंगाक्षी विश्रुता लोके सा च पंचत्वमागता।

piṁgalonāma vipreṁdro bhāryā tasya pativratā| piṁgākṣī viśrutā loke sā ca paṁcatvamāgatā||

He was an eminent brahmin named Pingala. His wife, faithful to her husband, known throughout the world as Pingakshi, had already met her death.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.152.39)

ततस्तेन स दुःखेन गृहस्थाश्रमनिःस्पृहः। तपोवनं जगामाथ गृहीत्वा तनयां स्वकाम्।

tatastena sa duḥkhena gṛhasthāśramaniḥspṛhaḥ| tapovanaṁ jagāmātha gṛhītvā tanayāṁ svakām||

Grief-stricken and now indifferent to the householder's life, he went, taking his own daughter, to a hermitage of penance.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.152.40)

ऋषिभिः सेवितं पुण्यं शाकमूलफलाशनैः। स तत्र मुनिभिः सार्द्धं ध्यानयोगपरायणः।

ṛṣibhiḥ sevitaṁ puṇyaṁ śākamūlaphalāśanaiḥ| sa tatra munibhiḥ sārddhaṁ dhyānayogaparāyaṇaḥ||

That sacred hermitage was frequented by sages who ate only leafy greens, roots, and fruits. There, together with those sages, devoted to meditation and yoga,

Verse 41 (skanda.5.152.41)

निवासं कृतवान्देवि पिंगलायाश्च रक्षणम्। पालयामास धर्मात्मा पुत्रिकां हृदयोपमाम्।

nivāsaṁ kṛtavāndevi piṁgalāyāśca rakṣaṇam| pālayāmāsa dharmātmā putrikāṁ hṛdayopamām||

he dwelt, O goddess, and watched over Pingala. That righteous man nurtured his daughter, dear to him as his own heart.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.152.42)

तामेव सततं साध्वी मन्यमानो महातपाः। न पाणिं ग्राहयामास मातृहीनेति चिंतयन्।

tāmeva satataṁ sādhvī manyamāno mahātapāḥ| na pāṇiṁ grāhayāmāsa mātṛhīneti ciṁtayan||

That great ascetic, ever regarding her as pure and virtuous, and reflecting that she was motherless, did not arrange her marriage.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.152.43)

विरक्तोऽपि महाभाग संसारात्सर्वधर्म्मवित्। पुत्रिकां प्रेक्षयन्सम्यक्संन्यासं नाकरोद्वशी।

virakto'pi mahābhāga saṁsārātsarvadharmavit| putrikāṁ prekṣayansamyaksaṁnyāsaṁ nākarodvaśī||

Though most fortunate, versed in every righteous duty, and detached from worldly life, he, master of his senses, out of concern for his daughter, did not fully take up the ascetic renunciation.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.152.44)

अथ संरक्षयन्बालां मातृहीनां तपस्विनीम्। संयुक्तः कालधर्मेण स विप्रः स्वर्जगाम ह।

atha saṁrakṣayanbālāṁ mātṛhīnāṁ tapasvinīm| saṁyuktaḥ kāladharmeṇa sa vipraḥ svarjagāma ha||

Thus, while still protecting his motherless, austere daughter, that brahmin met the course of time and departed for heaven.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.152.45)

ततः सा पिंगला दीना हीना पित्रा सुदुःखिता। विललापातुरा देवि पतिता शोकसागरे।

tataḥ sā piṁgalā dīnā hīnā pitrā suduḥkhitā| vilalāpāturā devi patitā śokasāgare||

Then that wretched Pingala, bereft of her father, was overcome with grief; plunged, O goddess, into an ocean of sorrow, she wept in distress.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.152.46)

पिंगलोवाच। अद्य मे च पिता दैवात्कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्। मां त्यक्त्वा गतवानेको दयालुर्निःस्पृहो यथा।

piṁgalovāca| adya me ca pitā daivātkāladharmamupeyivān| māṁ tyaktvā gatavāneko dayāluḥ niḥspṛho yathā||

Pingala said: "Today, by fate, my father has met the course of time. He has gone, leaving me alone, as if a compassionate, desireless soul had no more care.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.152.47)

स समः सर्वभूतेषु ममात्यंतं हिते रतः। मामेकां संपरित्यज्य परलोकमितो गतः।

sa samaḥ sarvabhūteṣu mamātyaṁtaṁ hite rataḥ| māmekāṁ saṁparityajya paralokamito gataḥ||

He was ever equal-minded toward all creatures, ever most intent upon my welfare. Yet, leaving me alone, he has departed to the world beyond.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.152.48)

साऽहं परमदुःखार्ता पितृशोकेन विह्वला। शरीरं धारयामीदं कृपणं व्यर्थजीवितम्।

sā'haṁ paramaduḥkhārtā pitṛśokena vihvalā| śarīraṁ dhārayāmīdaṁ kṛpaṇaṁ vyarthajīvitam||

I, sorely afflicted, distraught with grief for my father, sustain this pitiable body in a life now made worthless.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.152.49)

ब्रह्मज्ञोपि हि तातो मे शांतो दांतो जितेंद्रियः। मामेव पालयामास मातृहीनेति चिंतयन्।

brahmajño'pi hi tāto me śāṁto dāṁto jitendriyaḥ| māmeva pālayāmāsa mātṛhīneti ciṁtayan||

My father, though a knower of Brahman, tranquil, self-controlled, master of his senses, considering me motherless, ever devoted himself to my care alone.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.152.50)

येन संरक्षिता बाल्ये येनास्मि परिवर्धिता। तेन पित्रा वियुक्ताहं न जीविष्ये कदाचन।

yena saṁrakṣitā bālye yenāsmi parivardhitā| tena pitrā viyuktāhaṁ na jīviṣye kadācana||

That father who protected me in childhood, who raised me — separated from him, I shall never continue to live.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.152.51)

नद्यां वा निपतिष्यामि समिद्धे वा हुताशने। पर्वताद्वा पतिष्यामि पितृहीना निराश्रया।

nadyāṁ vā nipatiṣyāmi samiddhe vā hutāśane| parvatādvā patiṣyāmi pitṛhīnā nirāśrayā||

I shall throw myself into a river, or into a blazing fire; or I shall fall from a mountain, for I, without father, am now without any refuge."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.152.52)

इति शोकातुरा बाला विलपंती पुनःपुनः। बोध्यमाना महाभागैः सदारैर्ऋषिसत्तमैः।

iti śokāturā bālā vilapaṁtī punaḥpunaḥ| bodhyamānā mahābhāgaiḥ sadārairṛṣisattamaiḥ||

Thus that grief-stricken girl wept again and again, while the most eminent sages, together with their wives, tried to console her,

Verse 53 (skanda.5.152.53)

कन्यकाभी रुदंतीभिर्वयस्याभिः समंततः। आलिंग्यालिंग्य बहुशः पीड्यमाना सुदुःखिता। आगत्य करुणाविष्टो धर्मः परहिते रतः।

kanyakābhī rudaṁtībhirvayasyābhiḥ samaṁtataḥ| āliṁgyāliṁgya bahuśaḥ pīḍyamānā suduḥkhitā| āgatya karuṇāviṣṭo dharmaḥ parahite rataḥ||

and her weeping girl companions all around embraced her again and again. Beholding her thus greatly distressed and grieving, Dharma, filled with compassion, devoted to the welfare of others, arrived there.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.152.54)

स्थविरो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा प्रोवाचेदं वचस्तदा। अलं बाले विशालाक्षि रोदनैरतिदारुणैः। न भूयः प्राप्यते तातस्तस्मान्नार्हसि शोचितुम्।

sthaviro brāhmaṇo bhūtvā provācedaṁ vacastadā| alaṁ bāle viśālākṣi rodanairatidāruṇaiḥ| na bhūyaḥ prāpyate tātastasmānnārhasi śocitum||

Taking the form of an aged brahmin, he then spoke these words: "Enough, my child, O wide-eyed one, of this most terrible weeping! Your father shall not be obtained again; therefore you ought not to grieve.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.152.55)

अनित्यं यौवनं रूपं जीवितं द्रव्यसंचयः। प्रियैः सह च संवासस्तन्न शोचन्ति पंडिताः।

anityaṁ yauvanaṁ rūpaṁ jīvitaṁ dravyasaṁcayaḥ| priyaiḥ saha ca saṁvāsastanna śocaṁti paṁḍitāḥ||

Youth, beauty, life, accumulated wealth, and dwelling together with loved ones are all impermanent; the wise do not grieve over such things.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.152.56)

त्वया वै तत्कृतं कर्म पूर्वजन्मनि शोभने। येन पित्रा वियोगः स्यादरण्ये मुनिसेविते।

tvayā vai tatkṛtaṁ karma pūrvajanmani śobhane| yena pitrā viyogaḥ syādaraṇye munisevite||

O gracious one, it was some deed of yours in a former birth that has now, in this forest frequented by sages, brought about your separation from your father.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.152.57)

त्वां विहाय गतः क्वापि पश्य बाले विधेर्बलम्। इदं कृतमिदं कार्यमिदमन्यत्कृताकृतम्।

tvāṁ vihāya gataḥ kvāpi paśya bāle vidherbalam| idaṁ kṛtamidaṁ kāryamidamanyatkṛtākṛtam||

He has gone somewhere, leaving you behind — behold, my child, the power of fate! "This is done, this is yet to be done, this other thing remains done or undone" —

Verse 58 (skanda.5.152.58)

एवमीहा समासक्तं मृत्युः प्रकुरुते वशे। तस्माद्दुःखं समुत्सृज्य श्रोतुमर्हसि शोभने।

evamīhā samāsaktaṁ mṛtyuḥ prakurute vaśe| tasmādduḥkhaṁ samutsṛjya śrotumarhasi śobhane||

thus does death bring under its sway one who is thus engrossed in worldly striving. Therefore, O gracious one, set aside your sorrow and listen well.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.152.59)

पितृभ्यां च वियोगश्च येनाभूत्तव कर्मणा। पुरा त्वं सुन्दरी नाम वेश्यारूपेण सुन्दरी।

pitṛbhyāṁ ca viyogaśca yenābhūttava karmaṇā| purā tvaṁ sundarī nāma veśyārūpeṇa sundarī||

The deed by which your separation from both your father and mother came about was this: long ago, you were a courtesan named Sundari, beautiful in form,

Verse 60 (skanda.5.152.60)

नृत्यगेयादि निपुणा वीणावेणुविचक्षणा। आदिश्च पण्यनारीणां भूषणाच्छादनादिभिः।

nṛtyageyādi nipuṇā vīṇāveṇuvicakṣaṇā| ādiśca paṇyanārīṇāṁ bhūṣaṇācchādanādibhiḥ||

skilled in dance, song, and the like, expert with the veena and the flute, foremost among women of that profession in ornament, apparel, and every allure.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.152.61)

तां दृष्ट्वा रूपसंपन्नां सुवेषां सुविभूषिताम्। ब्राह्मणो गुणवान्कश्चिद्बभूव मदनातुरः।

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā rūpasaṁpannāṁ suveṣāṁ suvibhūṣitām| brāhmaṇo guṇavānkaścidbabhūva madanāturaḥ||

Beholding her, endowed with beauty, well-attired, richly adorned, a certain virtuous brahmin became consumed with desire.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.152.62)

तं विदित्वा तथाभूतं ब्राह्मणं मदनातुरम्। समाश्चतस्रस्तेन त्वं रमिता कामिना ततः।

taṁ viditvā tathābhūtaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ madanāturam| samāścatasrastena tvaṁ ramitā kāminā tataḥ||

Recognizing that brahmin, thus consumed with desire, you, in turn, dallied with that passionate man for four whole watches.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.152.63)

सोऽथ पापरतिर्मूढो ब्राह्मणो विषयात्मकः। हतः शूद्रेण केनापि कामिना तव वेश्मनि।

so'tha pāparatirmūḍho brāhmaṇo viṣayātmakaḥ| hataḥ śūdreṇa kenāpi kāminā tava veśmani||

That brahmin, thus deluded, given over to sinful pleasure and sensual attachment, was slain in your very house by some lust-crazed shudra.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.152.64)

विहाय भार्यामप्रौढां शुभां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्। प्रयातो नरकं घोरं शूद्रासंपर्कदूषितः।

vihāya bhāryāmaprauḍhāṁ śubhāṁ dvādaśavārṣikīm| prayāto narakaṁ ghoraṁ śūdrāsaṁparkadūṣitaḥ||

Abandoning his young, auspicious, twelve-year-old wife, and defiled by his contact with that low-born woman, he went to a terrible hell.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.152.65)

ततस्तस्य पिता विद्वान्मातातीव च दुःखिता। आर्त्ता पुत्रवियोगेन शापो दत्तो भयावहः।

tatastasya pitā vidvānmātātīva ca duḥkhitā| ārttā putraviyogena śāpo datto bhayāvahaḥ||

Then his learned father and his mother, sorely grieved, distressed by their son's loss, uttered a fearsome curse.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.152.66)

मातोवाच। औषधादि प्रयुक्तं च वशीकर्तुं ममात्मजम्। यदस्माकं वियोगाय वंचितो दुष्टचारिणि।

mātovāca| auṣadhādi prayuktaṁ ca vaśīkartuṁ mamātmajam| yadasmākaṁ viyogāya vaṁcito duṣṭacāriṇi||

The mother said: "O evil-conducted woman, you employed medicines and the like to bewitch my son, by which he was deceived into separation from us.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.152.67)

यस्माच्च मम पुत्रेण सा वियोगमकारयत्। तेन जन्मांतरे दीना पतिहीना भवत्वसौ।

yasmācca mama putreṇa sā viyogamakārayat| tena janmāntare dīnā patihīnā bhavatvasau||

Since it is through her that my son was separated from us, let her, in another birth, become wretched and husbandless."

Verse 68 (skanda.5.152.68)

पितोवाच। बाल्ये वयसि वर्त्तंती मातृहीना सुदुःखिता। बहिष्कृता विवाहेन पितृहीना भविष्यसि।

pitovāca| bālye vayasi varttaṁtī mātṛhīnā suduḥkhitā| bahiṣkṛtā vivāhena pitṛhīnā bhaviṣyasi||

The father said: "While still a child, you shall become motherless and greatly afflicted; excluded from marriage, you shall also become fatherless."

Verse 69 (skanda.5.152.69)

धर्म्म उवाच। तस्मात्पूर्वकृतेनैव कर्मणा वरवर्णिनि। इदं दुःखमनुप्राप्ता कन्यका भवती सती।

dharma uvāca| tasmātpūrvakṛtenaiva karmaṇā varavarṇini| idaṁ duḥkhamanuprāptā kanyakā bhavatī satī||

Dharma said: "Therefore, O fair one, on account of that very deed done in a former life, you, being now a virtuous girl, have come to experience this sorrow.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.152.70)

पिंगलोवाच। त्वया जन्मांतरे वृत्तं मम प्रोक्तं द्विजोत्तम। तस्माद्ब्रूहि भवन्प्रश्नं पृच्छंत्या निश्चयं स्वकम्।

piṁgalovāca| tvayā janmāṁtare vṛttaṁ mama proktaṁ dvijottama| tasmādbrūhi bhavanpraśnaṁ pṛcchaṁtyā niścayaṁ svakam||

Pingala said: "O best of brahmins, you have related to me what happened in my former birth. Therefore answer my question with certainty, as I now ask it of you.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.152.71)

इत्थं सुघोरपापाहं पापाचारा तथाऽधमा। कथं तु ब्राह्मणेनाहमुत्पन्ना ब्रह्मवादिना।

itthaṁ sughorapāpāhaṁ pāpācārā tathā'dhamā| kathaṁ tu brāhmaṇenāhamutpannā brahmavādinā||

Thus, being so utterly sinful, of wicked conduct, and lowly, how then was I born to a brahmin, a proclaimer of Brahman?

Verse 72 (skanda.5.152.72)

दशसूनासमश्चक्री दशचक्रिसमो ध्वजः। दशध्वजसमा वेश्या दशवेश्यासमो नृपः।

daśasūnāsamaścakrī daśacakrisamo dhvajaḥ| daśadhvajasamā veśyā daśaveśyāsamo nṛpaḥ||

A potter's wheel is equal in sin to ten slaughterhouses; a brothel's banner is equal to ten such wheels; a courtesan is equal to ten such banners; and an unrighteous king is equal to ten such courtesans.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.152.73)

एवं वदंति धर्मज्ञा ब्राह्मणाः संशितव्रताः। तस्माद्द्विजोत्तमादस्मात्कथं जन्माभवन्मम।

evaṁ vadaṁti dharmajñā brāhmaṇāḥ saṁśitavratāḥ| tasmāddvijottamādasmātkathaṁ janmābhavanmama||

Thus say brahmins learned in righteousness, of steadfast vows. How then did I come to be born from that most excellent brahmin?"

Verse 74 (skanda.5.152.74)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। पापाचारपरापि त्वं ब्राह्मणानां कुले शुभे। उत्पन्ना तत्र वक्ष्यामि कारणं शृणु पिंगले।

brāhmaṇa uvāca| pāpācāraparāpi tvaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ kule śubhe| utpannā tatra vakṣyāmi kāraṇaṁ śṛṇu piṁgale||

The brahmin said: "Though you were given over to sinful conduct, O Pingala, you were yet born into an auspicious brahmin lineage; I shall tell you the reason for this — listen.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.152.75)

ब्राह्मणो विषयासक्तः कश्चिद्बद्धो नृपाज्ञया। चौर्यं कर्म कृतं तेन वेश्यालुब्धेन सुन्दरि।

brāhmaṇo viṣayāsaktaḥ kaścidbaddho nṛpājñayā| cauryaṁ karma kṛtaṁ tena veśyālubdhena sundari||

O beauty, a certain brahmin, given over to sensual pleasure and greedy for a courtesan, committed the act of theft and was seized by the king's order.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.152.76)

मुच्यतां च त्वयाप्युक्तं न चौरो नैव पातकम्। यद्यनेन कृतं चौर्यं तन्मयैव कृतं भवेत्।

mucyatāṁ ca tvayāpyuktaṁ na cauro naiva pātakam| yadyanena kṛtaṁ cauryaṁ tanmayaiva kṛtaṁ bhavet||

And you too said: "Release him — he is no thief, he has committed no crime. If he did commit that theft, let it be accounted as done by me alone.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.152.77)

ददामि वित्तमधिकं मुच्यतां द्विजसत्तमः। इत्युक्त्वा गृहमानीय तेनैव सहिता पुनः।

dadāmi vittamadhikaṁ mucyatāṁ dvijasattamaḥ| ityuktvā gṛhamānīya tenaiva sahitā punaḥ||

I shall give abundant wealth — let this eminent brahmin be freed." Having said this, you brought him to your house, and once more, together with him,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.152.78)

गृहं च कल्पितं शुभ्रं पुष्पधृपादिवासितम्। रमितश्च त्वया विप्रो यथासुखमनुत्तमम्।

gṛhaṁ ca kalpitaṁ śubhraṁ puṣpadhūpādivāsitam| ramitaśca tvayā vipro yathāsukhamanuttamam||

in a house adorned in white, made fragrant with flowers and incense, you delighted that brahmin with the utmost pleasure.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.152.79)

तस्य पुण्यस्य माहात्म्याद्गता स्वर्गमनुत्तमम्। समुत्पन्ना कुले पुत्री ब्राह्मणस्य विशेषतः।

tasya puṇyasya māhātmyādgatā svargamanuttamam| samutpannā kule putrī brāhmaṇasya viśeṣataḥ||

By the greatness of that meritorious deed you went to the highest heaven, and were subsequently born specifically as a daughter in a brahmin lineage.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.152.80)

शापाच्चैव वियोगं त्वं प्राप्ता पुत्र्यधुना परम्।

śāpāccaiva viyogaṁ tvaṁ prāptā putryadhunā param||

But now, my daughter, you have come, on account of that curse, to this present separation.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.152.81)

पिंगलोवाच। पूर्वजन्मनि वेश्याहं जाता दुष्कृतकारिणी। परद्रव्यपरा दुष्टा शौचाचारविवर्जिता। इदानीं दुःखिता जाता पितृमातृवियोगतः।

piṁgalovāca| pūrvajanmani veśyāhaṁ jātā duṣkṛtakāriṇī| paradravyaparā duṣṭā śaucācāravivarjitā| idānīṁ duḥkhitā jātā pitṛmātṛviyogataḥ||

Pingala said: "In my former birth I was born a courtesan given to wicked deeds, covetous of others' wealth, wicked, devoid of purity of conduct. Now I have become distressed through separation from both my father and my mother.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.152.82)

पाणिग्रहणधर्मेण वर्जिता शापतः प्रभो। प्रसादं कुरु मे विप्र को भवान्कथयस्व मे।

pāṇigrahaṇadharmeṇa varjitā śāpataḥ prabho| prasādaṁ kuru me vipra ko bhavānkathayasva me||

By the curse, O lord, I am also excluded from the rite of marriage. Be gracious to me, O brahmin; tell me who you are.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.152.83)

कथं जन्म न मे भूयात्कथं मुक्तिर्भवेन्मम। भवबन्धविनिर्मुक्ता कथं यास्यामि सद्गतिम्।

kathaṁ janma na me bhūyātkathaṁ muktirbhavenmama| bhavabandhavinirmuktā kathaṁ yāsyāmi sadgatim||

How may I never be born again? How may liberation come to me? Freed from the bondage of worldly existence, how shall I attain a good state?"

Verse 84 (skanda.5.152.84)

विप्र उवाच। धर्मोहं द्विजरूपेण त्वां जिज्ञासुरिहागतः। ममोपदेशात्तन्वंगि लिंगस्यैकस्य दर्शनात्। क्षेत्रस्य च प्रसादात्त्वं परां मुक्तिमवाप्स्यसि।

vipra uvāca| dharmohaṁ dvijarūpeṇa tvāṁ jijñāsurihāgataḥ| mamopadeśāttanvaṁgi liṁgasyaikasya darśanāt| kṣetrasya ca prasādāttvaṁ parāṁ muktimavāpsyasi||

The brahmin said: "I am Dharma; I came here in the form of a brahmin to test you. O slender one, by my instruction, through the sight of a single linga, and by the grace of that sacred region, you shall attain supreme liberation.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.152.85)

पिंगलोवाच। कस्मिन्क्षेत्रे परा मुक्तिः कस्य लिंगस्य दर्शनात्। लभ्यते सहसा धर्म एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्।

piṁgalovāca| kasminkṣetre parā muktiḥ kasya liṁgasya darśanāt| labhyate sahasā dharma etadicchāmi veditum||

Pingala said: "In what sacred region, O Dharma, and through the sight of what linga, is supreme liberation instantly obtained? This I wish to know."

Verse 86 (skanda.5.152.86)

धर्म उवाच। अस्ति गुप्ततमं क्षेत्रं महाकालवनं शुभम्। सर्वेषामेव जंतूनां हेतुर्मोक्षस्य सर्वदा।

dharma uvāca| asti guptatamaṁ kṣetraṁ mahākālavanaṁ śubham| sarveṣāmeva jaṁtūnāṁ heturmokṣasya sarvadā||

Dharma said: "There exists a most secret sacred region, the auspicious Mahakalavana, ever the cause of liberation for all beings.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.152.87)

तस्मिन्क्षेत्रवरे पुण्ये स्थाने योजनविस्तृते। लिंगं मोक्षप्रदं पुत्रि पूर्वस्यां दिशि संस्थितम्। तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण मुक्तिमाप्स्यसि पिंगले।

tasminkṣetravare puṇye sthāne yojanavistṛte| liṁgaṁ mokṣapradaṁ putri pūrvasyāṁ diśi saṁsthitam| tasya darśanamātreṇa muktimāpsyasi piṁgale||

In that excellent, sacred region, extending one league, there stands, my daughter, in the eastern quarter, a liberation-granting linga. By its mere sight, O Pingala, you shall attain liberation.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.152.88)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मस्य च यशस्विनि। जगाम पिंगला तूर्णं यत्र तल्लिंगमुत्तमम्। ददर्श परया भक्त्या पस्पर्श च पुनःपुनः।

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dharmasya ca yaśasvini| jagāma piṁgalā tūrṇaṁ yatra talliṁgamuttamam| dadarśa parayā bhaktyā pasparśa ca punaḥpunaḥ||

O renowned one, hearing these words of Dharma, Pingala swiftly went to where that excellent linga stood. With the deepest devotion she beheld it and touched it again and again.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.152.89)

दर्शनात्तस्य लिंगस्य तस्मिल्लिंगे लयं गता। अत्र चावसरे देवाः प्रोचुस्तत्रैव संस्थिताः।

darśanāttasya liṁgasya tasmilliṁge layaṁ gatā| atra cāvasare devāḥ procustatraiva saṁsthitāḥ||

By the mere sight of that linga, she merged into it entirely. At this moment, the gods, present there, spoke.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.152.90)

अन्यजन्मनि पापिष्ठा मुक्ता त्वं पिंगलेक्षणा।

anyajanmani pāpiṣṭhā muktā tvaṁ piṁgalekṣaṇā||

"O tawny-eyed one, most sinful in another birth, you are now liberated!"

Verse 91 (skanda.5.152.91)

अतो लोकेषु विख्यातः पिंगलेश्वरसंज्ञकः। भविष्यति न संदेहो महापातकनाशनः।

ato lokeṣu vikhyātaḥ piṁgaleśvarasaṁjñakaḥ| bhaviṣyati na saṁdeho mahāpātakanāśanaḥ||

"Therefore this linga shall become renowned throughout the worlds under the name Pingaleshvara, and shall, without doubt, become the destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.152.92)

दिशि पश्यंति ये गत्वा पूर्वस्यां पिंगलेश्वरम्। तेषां शतक्रतुस्तुष्टः पूजां सम्यग्विधास्यति।

diśi paśyaṁti ye gatvā pūrvasyāṁ piṁgaleśvaram| teṣāṁ śatakratustuṣṭaḥ pūjāṁ samyagvidhāsyati||

Those who go to the eastern quarter and behold Pingaleshvara — for them, Indra, well pleased, shall duly render worship.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.152.93)

देवा वश्या भविष्यंति स्वर्गस्तेषां न संशयः। भविष्यति च वशगा नगरी चामरावती।

devā vaśyā bhaviṣyaṁti svargasteṣāṁ na saṁśayaḥ| bhaviṣyati ca vaśagā nagarī cāmarāvatī||

The gods shall become subject to them, and heaven shall be theirs without doubt; and the city of Amaravati too shall come under their sway.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.152.94)

धर्मो धनेन सहितः कुले तेषां न नश्यति। लोको धर्मेण चरतां वशगः संभविष्यति। पितॄणामक्षया तृप्तिर्भविष्यति न संशयः।

dharmo dhanena sahitaḥ kule teṣāṁ na naśyati| loko dharmeṇa carataṁ vaśagaḥ saṁbhaviṣyati| pitṝṇāmakṣayā tṛptirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ||

Righteousness and wealth together shall never perish in their lineage; the world itself shall come under the sway of those who conduct themselves righteously; their ancestors shall attain imperishable satisfaction, without doubt.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.152.95)

अश्वमेधसहस्रेण यत्पुण्यं समुदाहृतम्। तत्सर्वं भविता सम्यक्पिंगलेश्वरदर्शनात्।

aśvamedhasahasreṇa yatpuṇyaṁ samudāhṛtam| tatsarvaṁ bhavitā samyakpiṁgaleśvaradarśanāt||

Whatever merit is declared to accrue from a thousand ashvamedha sacrifices, all of that is fully obtained through the sight of Pingaleshvara.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.152.96)

यानि लिंगानि क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्गोप्यानि प्रकटानि च। पूजितानि भवंतीह पिंगलेश्वरदर्शनात्।

yāni liṁgāni kṣetre'sminguptyāni prakaṭāni ca| pūjitāni bhavaṁtīha piṁgaleśvaradarśanāt||

Whatever lingas exist in this sacred region, hidden or manifest, all of them become, as it were, worshipped through the sight of Pingaleshvara alone.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.152.97)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। पिंगलेश्वरदेवस्य शृणु कायावरोहणम्।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| piṁgaleśvaradevasya śṛṇu kāyāvarohaṇam||

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