The Glory of Bilveshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.154.1)

श्रीहर उवाच। बिल्वेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु सुन्दरि सादरम्। यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः।

śrīhara uvāca| bilveśvarasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu sundari sādaram| yasya śravaṇamātreṇa mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ||

Shri Hara said: Hear with reverence, O beautiful one, the greatness of Bilveshvara, by the mere hearing of which one is freed from every sin.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.154.2)

आदिकल्पे महादेवि लोकानामनुकम्पया। कल्पवृक्षास्ततो जाता ब्रह्मणो ध्यायतः पुरा।

ādikalpe mahādevi lokānāmanukampayā| kalpavṛkṣāstato jātā brahmaṇo dhyāyataḥ purā||

O great goddess, in the first kalpa, out of compassion for the worlds, wish-fulfilling trees were born long ago from Brahma as he sat in meditation.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.154.3)

तेषां मध्ये बिल्ववृक्षः श्रीवृक्ष इति गीयते। अधस्तात्तस्य वृक्षस्य पुरुषः कांचनप्रभः।

teṣāṁ madhye bilvavṛkṣaḥ śrīvṛkṣa iti gīyate| adhastāttasya vṛkṣasya puruṣaḥ kāṁcanaprabhaḥ||

Among them, the bilva tree is sung of as the Shri tree. Beneath that tree, a man radiant as gold,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.154.4)

उपविष्टस्तदा दृष्टो ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा। फलानि तस्य पत्राणि विविधानि निरन्तरम्।

upaviṣṭastadā dṛṣṭo brahmaṇā lokakartṛṇā| phalāni tasya patrāṇi vividhāni nirantaram||

was seen seated there by Brahma, the creator of the worlds. He was continuously eating the various fruits and leaves of that tree,

Verse 5 (skanda.5.154.5)

भक्षयत्यतिसंहृष्टो हद्यानि च मृदूनि च। बद्धगोधांगुलित्रश्च शरी धन्वी तथैव च।

bhakṣayatyatisaṁhṛṣṭo hṛdyāni ca mṛdūni ca| baddhagodhāṁgulitraśca śarī dhanvī tathaiva ca||

most delighted, delicacies pleasing to the heart and tender. He wore a leather archer's guard on his fingers, and was equipped with arrows and a bow,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.154.6)

खङ्गी किरीटमाली च कुण्डली कवची तथा। महोरस्को महोत्साहः सिंहसंहननो युवा।

khaḍgī kirīṭamālī ca kuṇḍalī kavacī tathā| mahorasko mahotsāhaḥ siṁhasaṁhanano yuvā||

bearing a sword, adorned with a crown and garland, wearing earrings and armour. He was broad-chested, of great vigour, lion-bodied, and youthful.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.154.7)

ब्रह्मणा च कृतं नाम बिल्व इत्यभिविश्रुतम्। तमिन्द्रो वरयामास राजा त्वं भूतले भव।

brahmaṇā ca kṛtaṁ nāma bilva ityabhiviśrutam| tamindro varayāmāsa rājā tvaṁ bhūtale bhava||

Brahma gave him a name, and he became renowned as Bilva. Indra then bestowed a boon upon him: "Become a king upon the earth.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.154.8)

त्रिविष्टपस्य भूमिस्थः सखाभूतो मम प्रियः। ददामि ते वैजयन्तीं मालामम्लानपंकजाम्।

triviṣṭapasya bhūmisthaḥ sakhābhūto mama priyaḥ| dadāmi te vaijayantīṁ mālāmamlānapaṁkajām||

Though placed upon the earth, become the friend of heaven, dear to me. I give you the Vaijayanti garland, woven of lotuses that never wilt;

Verse 9 (skanda.5.154.9)

यस्याः प्रभावतः शस्त्रं रणे न प्रभविष्यति। सोऽब्रवीद्यदि मे वज्रमायुधं त्वं प्रयच्छसि।

yasyāḥ prabhāvataḥ śastraṁ raṇe na prabhaviṣyati| so'bravīdyadi me vajramāyudhaṁ tvaṁ prayacchasi||

by its power, no weapon shall prevail against you in battle." He replied: "If you will grant me the weapon called the vajra,

Verse 10 (skanda.5.154.10)

तत्स्यां पृथिव्यां राजाहं नान्यथा रोचते मम। ततोऽहं पालयिष्यामि सत्येनेमां वसुन्धराम्।

tatsyāṁ pṛthivyāṁ rājāhaṁ nānyathā rocate mama| tato'haṁ pālayiṣyāmi satyenemāṁ vasundharām||

then indeed I shall become king of this earth — otherwise it pleases me not. Only then shall I truly protect this earth."

Verse 11 (skanda.5.154.11)

इंद्र उवाच। एवं भवतु भद्रं ते भव राजा प्रजाहितः। स्मरणादेव वज्रस्ते करे यास्यति नान्यथा।

iṁdra uvāca| evaṁ bhavatu bhadraṁ te bhava rājā prajāhitaḥ| smaraṇādeva vajraste kare yāsyati nānyathā||

Indra said: "So be it — may you fare well. Become a king devoted to your people's welfare. By mere thought alone, the vajra shall come to your hand, and by no other means."

Verse 12 (skanda.5.154.12)

स एवमुक्तस्तेजस्वी बिल्वो राजा बभूव ह। कपिलोनाम धर्मात्मा वेदवेदांगपारगः।

sa evamuktastejasvī bilvo rājā babhūva ha| kapilonāma dharmātmā vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ||

Thus addressed, the resplendent Bilva became king. There was a righteous brahmin named Kapila, learned in the Vedas and the Vedangas.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.154.13)

सखा बभूव बिल्वस्य तस्य विप्रर्षिसत्तमः। स तेन सह संगम्य सुखासीनो वरानने।

sakhā babhūva bilvasya tasya viprarṣisattamaḥ| sa tena saha saṁgamya sukhāsīno varānane||

That most eminent brahmin-sage became Bilva's friend. O fair one, sitting together with him at ease,

Verse 14 (skanda.5.154.14)

चक्रे कथा विचित्रार्थाः प्रीयमाणः पुनःपुनः। तथा कथान्तरे वादः परस्परमभूत्तयोः।

cakre kathā vicitrārthāḥ prīyamāṇaḥ punaḥpunaḥ| tathā kathāṁtare vādaḥ parasparamabhūttayoḥ||

he engaged, again and again with delight, in conversations on a variety of matters. In the course of that conversation, a dispute arose between the two of them.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.154.15)

दानं प्रधानं तीर्थं तु बिल्वेनोक्तं पुनःपुनः। ब्रह्म श्रेष्ठं तपः श्रेष्ठमित्युक्तं कपिलेन तु।

dānaṁ pradhānaṁ tīrthaṁ tu bilvenoktaṁ punaḥpunaḥ| brahma śreṣṭhaṁ tapaḥ śreṣṭhamityuktaṁ kapilena tu||

Bilva insisted again and again that giving, and the sacred fords, were foremost; while Kapila maintained that Brahman was supreme, that austerity was supreme.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.154.16)

बिल्व उवाच। दानाद्राज्यं सुखं भोगा ऐश्वर्यं स्वर्गमक्षयम्। प्राप्यते द्विजशार्दूल कथं ब्रह्म प्रशंसससि।

bilva uvāca| dānādrājyaṁ sukhaṁ bhogā aiśvaryaṁ svargamakṣayam| prāpyate dvijaśārdūla kathaṁ brahma praśaṁsasi||

Bilva said: "By giving, one obtains kingship, happiness, enjoyments, majesty, and imperishable heaven. Why then, O tiger among brahmins, do you praise Brahman so?"

Verse 17 (skanda.5.154.17)

कपिल उवाच। वेदाद्यज्ञाः प्रवर्त्तंते वेदादिष्टिश्च कामिका। प्रवर्त्तंते क्रिया वेदाद्वेदमूलमिदं जगत्।

kapila uvāca| vedādyajñāḥ pravarttaṁte vedādiṣṭiśca kāmikā| pravarttaṁte kriyā vedādvedamūlamidaṁ jagat||

Kapila said: "From the Veda, sacrifices proceed; from the Veda, desired rites proceed. From the Veda, all rituals proceed; this whole world is rooted in the Veda.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.154.18)

बिल्व उवाच। संसारे पार्थिवाः श्रेष्ठाः समर्था लोकपालने। लोकपालोपमा लोके कथं ब्रह्म प्रशंससि।

bilva uvāca| saṁsāre pārthivāḥ śreṣṭhāḥ samarthā lokapālane| lokapālopamā loke kathaṁ brahma praśaṁsasi||

Bilva said: "In this world, kings are the most excellent, capable of protecting the world, comparable even to the guardians of the quarters. Why then do you praise Brahman?"

Verse 19 (skanda.5.154.19)

कपिल उवाच। मुख्या वै ब्राह्मणाः प्रोक्ताः शापानुग्रहकारकाः। पितरः पार्थिवानां तु किं त्वं बिल्व न मन्यसे।

kapila uvāca| mukhyā vai brāhmaṇāḥ proktāḥ śāpānugrahakārakāḥ| pitaraḥ pārthivānāṁ tu kiṁ tvaṁ bilva na manyase||

Kapila said: "Brahmins alone are said to be foremost, capable both of cursing and of blessing; they are as fathers to kings. Do you not accept this, O Bilva?"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.154.20)

एवं कौतूहले जाते कपिलो द्विजसत्तमः। बिल्वेन ताडितो मूर्ध्नि वज्रेणानतपर्वणा।

evaṁ kautūhale jāte kapilo dvijasattamaḥ| bilvena tāḍito mūrdhni vajreṇānataparvaṇā||

As the dispute thus heated up, that eminent brahmin Kapila was struck on the head by Bilva with the smooth-jointed vajra.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.154.21)

वज्रेण स द्विधा छिन्नः कपिलो ब्रह्मविद्यया। संधार्य स्वशरीरं तु ममांतिकमुपागतः।

vajreṇa sa dvidhā chinnaḥ kapilo brahmavidyayā| saṁdhārya svaśarīraṁ tu mamāṁtikamupāgataḥ||

Cut in two by the vajra, Kapila, through the power of his brahma-knowledge, reunited his own body, and came into my presence.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.154.22)

स्तुतोऽहं विविधैः स्तोत्रैः सम्यगाराधितो ह्यहम्। मया दत्तमव्ययत्वं कुलिशाद्ब्राह्मणस्य तु।

stuto'haṁ vividhaiḥ stotraiḥ samyagārādhito hyaham| mayā dattamavyayatvaṁ kuliśādbrāhmaṇasya tu||

He praised me with manifold hymns, and worshipped me fully. I then granted that brahmin invulnerability even from the vajra.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.154.23)

द्विजः समागतो बिल्वं पुनः सख्यमभूत्तयोः। पुनस्तु तादृशो वादः संजातः पर्वतात्मजे।

dvijaḥ samāgato bilvaṁ punaḥ sakhyamabhūttayoḥ| punastu tādṛśo vādaḥ saṁjātaḥ parvatātmaje||

That brahmin returned to Bilva, and their friendship was renewed once again. But, O daughter of the mountain, once again a similar dispute arose.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.154.24)

वामपादेन चाप्येनं बिल्वो विप्रमताडयत्। पुनश्च वज्रमादाय जघानैनं तदा दृढम्।

vāmapādena cāpyenaṁ bilvo vipramatāḍayat| punaśca vajramādāya jaghānainaṁ tadā dṛḍham||

This time Bilva kicked that brahmin with his left foot; and, taking up the vajra once more, struck him forcefully.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.154.25)

न मृतिं न व्यथां तस्य तद्वज्रमकरोत्पुनः। अवध्यत्वमथो ज्ञात्वा बिल्वस्तस्य महात्मनः।

na mṛtiṁ na vyathāṁ tasya tadvajramakarotpunaḥ| avadhyatvamatho jñātvā bilvastasya mahātmanaḥ||

But that vajra caused him neither death nor pain. Then, recognizing the invulnerability of that great soul, Bilva,

Verse 26 (skanda.5.154.26)

नारायणमथासाद्य प्रार्थयामास चेप्सितम्। वरदोऽस्मीति तुष्टेन विष्णुना स च मोदितः। प्रोवाच प्रणतो विष्णुमिदं देवि महामनाः।

nārāyaṇamathāsādya prārthayāmāsa cepsitam| varadoasmīti tuṣṭena viṣṇunā sa ca moditaḥ| provāca praṇato viṣṇumidaṁ devi mahāmanāḥ||

went to Narayana and sought to obtain his desired wish. Vishnu, pleased, said: "I am the granter of boons." Gladdened by this, O goddess, that noble-minded king, bowing before Vishnu, spoke as follows.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.154.27)

बिल्व उवाच। कपिलोनाम विप्रर्षिरवध्योऽक्षय एव च। सखा मम हृषीकेश स च मामाह नित्यशः। बिभेम्यहं न देवस्य राक्षसस्यासुरस्य च।

bilva uvāca| kapilonāma viprarṣiravadhyo'kṣaya eva ca| sakhā mama hṛṣīkeśa sa ca māmāha nityaśaḥ| bibhemyahaṁ na devasya rākṣasasyāsurasya ca||

Bilva said: "O Hrishikesha, there is a brahmin-seer named Kapila, my friend, who is invulnerable and imperishable. He ever tells me: 'I fear neither god, nor rakshasa, nor asura,

Verse 28 (skanda.5.154.28)

पिशाचस्यापि यक्षस्य न चैवान्यस्य कस्यचित्। बिभेमीति यथा ब्रूयां तथा त्वं कर्त्तुमर्हसि।

piśācasyāpi yakṣasya na caivānyasya kasyacit| bibhemīti yathā brūyāṁ tathā tvaṁ karttumarhasi||

nor pishacha, nor yaksha, nor anyone else at all.' You should do something such that he says, 'I am afraid.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.5.154.29)

एवमुक्तस्तु बिल्वेन स देवः पुरुषोत्तमः। एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा कपिलस्याश्रमं गतः।

evamuktastu bilvena sa devaḥ puruṣottamaḥ| evaṁ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā kapilasyāśramaṁ gataḥ||

Thus addressed by Bilva, that god, Purushottama, saying, "So be it," went to Kapila's hermitage.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.154.30)

स प्रविश्याश्रमं देवं कपिलेन प्रपूजितः। कपिलं प्रत्युवाचेदं सामपूर्वं जनार्द्दनः।

sa praviśyāśramaṁ devaṁ kapilena prapūjitaḥ| kapilaṁ pratyuvācedaṁ sāmapūrvaṁ janārddanaḥ||

Entering that hermitage, the god was duly worshipped by Kapila. Janardana then spoke to Kapila, first with conciliating words, as follows.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.154.31)

भगवन्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ वेदवेदांगपारग। वरमेकं वृणोम्यद्य विप्रेंद्र दातुमर्हसि।

bhagavanbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭha vedavedāṁgapāraga| varametaṁ vṛṇomyadya vipreṁdra dātumarhasi||

"O venerable one, foremost of brahmins, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, O lord of brahmins, I ask of you one boon today; you should grant it to me."

Verse 32 (skanda.5.154.32)

प्रसादितोऽहं बिल्वेन नृपेंद्रेण पुनःपुनः। वरदोऽस्मीति चाप्युक्तो वरं वव्रे महामुने।

prasādito'haṁ bilvena nṛpeṁdreṇa punaḥpunaḥ| varado'smīti cāpyukto varaṁ vavre mahāmune||

"King Bilva has repeatedly sought to please me, and I too told him, 'I am the giver of boons.' O great sage, he in turn asked a boon of me.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.154.33)

त्वया प्रोक्तं बिभेमीति ब्रूहि तस्मादनुग्रहात्। अभीतस्त्वं तथाप्यद्य मदर्थं तु वद प्रभो।

tvayā proktaṁ bibhemīti brūhi tasmādanugrahāt| abhītastvaṁ tathāpyadya madarthaṁ tu vada prabho||

He said: 'Make him say, "I am afraid."' Therefore, out of that kindness, O lord, though you are truly fearless, say this today, for my sake."

Verse 34 (skanda.5.154.34)

कपिलस्त्वेवमुक्तो वै विष्णुना मधुरं वचः। उवाच न बिभेमीति भूयोभूयो जनार्दन।

kapilastvevamukto vai viṣṇunā madhuraṁ vacaḥ| uvāca na bibhemīti bhūyobhūyo janārdana||

Thus addressed by Vishnu with sweet words, Kapila replied again and again: "I do not fear, O Janardana.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.154.35)

नाहं वक्ष्ये बिभेमीति तेनोक्तं नोच्यते मया। एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य कपिलस्य जनार्द्दनः। उवाच चक्रमुद्यम्य भयं विप्रस्य दर्शयन्।

nāhaṁ vakṣye bibhemīti tenoktaṁ nocyate mayā| etacchrutvā vacastasya kapilasya janārddanaḥ| uvāca cakramudyamya bhayaṁ viprasya darśayan||

I shall not say, 'I am afraid'; what you have proposed, I shall not say." Hearing these words of Kapila, Janardana, raising his discus and threatening the brahmin, spoke thus.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.154.36)

न चेद्वक्ष्यसि भीतोऽहं चक्रं ते प्रहरामि वै।

na cedvakṣyasi bhīto'haṁ cakraṁ te prahar āmi vai||

"If you do not say, 'I am afraid,' I shall strike you with my discus."

Verse 37 (skanda.5.154.37)

कपिल उवाच। किं वृथा प्रियचक्रस्य विष्णो क्लेशमिहेच्छसि। नाहं चक्रस्य ते गम्यः प्रसादात्त्र्यंबकस्य हि।

kapila uvāca| kiṁ vṛthā priyacakrasya viṣṇo kleśamihecchasi| nāhaṁ cakrasya te gamyaḥ prasādāttryaṁbakasya hi||

Kapila said: "Why, O Vishnu, do you wish, in vain, to trouble your beloved discus here? By the grace of Tryambaka, I am beyond the reach of your discus.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.154.38)

ततः स मुष्टिमादाय कुशानां कपिलस्तदा। वासुदेवं समासाद्य तिष्ठतिष्ठेत्यभाषत।

tataḥ sa muṣṭimādāya kuśānāṁ kapilastadā| vāsudevaṁ samāsādya tiṣṭhatiṣṭhetyabhāṣata||

Then Kapila took up a fistful of kusha grass, and confronting Vasudeva, said: "Stand fast! Stand fast!

Verse 39 (skanda.5.154.39)

अद्य गर्वं च दर्पं च बलं यच्च तवाद्भुतम्। तत्सर्वं नाशयिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं जनार्दन।

adya garvaṁ ca darpaṁ ca balaṁ yacca tavādbhutam| tatsarvaṁ nāśayiṣyāmi tiṣṭhedānīṁ janārdana||

Today I shall destroy your pride, your arrogance, and that wondrous strength of yours — all of it. Stand fast now, O Janardana!"

Verse 40 (skanda.5.154.40)

ततो युद्धं समभवत्तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। निमेषांतरमात्रं तु कृष्णस्य कपिलस्य च।

tato yuddhaṁ samabhavattumulaṁ lomaharṣaṇam| nimeṣāṁtaramātraṁ tu kṛṣṇasya kapilasya ca||

Then, in but the blink of an eye, a tumultuous, hair-raising battle broke out between Krishna and Kapila.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.154.41)

दिव्यास्त्राणां कुशानां च युद्धं समभवद्दृढम्। निरालंबेंऽबरे देवि देवानां भयमाविशत्।

divyāstrāṇāṁ kuśānāṁ ca yuddhaṁ samabhavaddṛḍham| nirālaṁbe'ṁbare devi devānāṁ bhayamāviśat||

A fierce battle raged between divine weapons and kusha grass. In the unsupported sky, O goddess, fear seized the gods.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.154.42)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा सुरैः परिवृतस्तदा। आजगामातिसंतप्तः कृष्णं वचनमब्रवीत्।

etasminnaṁtare brahmā suraiḥ parivṛtastadā| ājagāmātisaṁtaptaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ vacanamabravīt||

Meanwhile Brahma, surrounded by the gods, arrived there, greatly distressed, and spoke these words to Krishna.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.154.43)

भगवन्भूतभव्येश भवबंधभयापह। हृषीकेश हृषीकेश सूष्टिसंहारकारक।

bhagavanbhūtabhavyeśa bhavabaṁdhabhayāpaha| hṛṣīkeśa hṛṣīkeśa sṛṣṭisaṁhārakāraka||

"O venerable one, lord of what has been and what is to be, remover of the fear of worldly bondage; O Hrishikesha, Hrishikesha, doer of creation and dissolution!

Verse 44 (skanda.5.154.44)

समाराध्य जगन्नाथ शक्राद्यास्त्रिदिवौकसः। वसंति मुदिताः सर्वे सर्वकामसमन्विताः।

samārādhya jagannātha śakrādyāstridivaukasaḥ| vasaṁti muditāḥ sarve sarvakāmasamanvitāḥ||

O lord of the world, worshipping you, Indra and the other dwellers of heaven all abide in joy, fulfilled in every desire.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.154.45)

आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्यंतं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। उत्पादितं धृतं व्याप्तं विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना।

ābrahmastaṁbaparyaṁtaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram| utpāditaṁ dhṛtaṁ vyāptaṁ viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā||

From Brahma down to a blade of grass, the three worlds, moving and unmoving, have all been produced, sustained, and pervaded by the almighty Vishnu.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.154.46)

तेनैकेन विशुद्धेन सर्वगेन महात्मना। इति स्म मुनयः सर्वे उदिता मुनिसत्तमाः।

tenaikena viśuddhena sarvagena mahātmanā| iti sma munayaḥ sarve uditā munisattamāḥ||

by that one pure, all-pervading great soul — thus do all the most eminent sages proclaim.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.154.47)

वदंति कारणं चास्य त्रैलोक्यस्य जनार्द्दनः। देवदानवदैत्यैश्च मुनिचारणपन्नगैः।

vadaṁti kāraṇaṁ cāsya trailokyasya janārddanaḥ| devadānavadaityaiśca municāraṇapannagaiḥ||

They say Janardana is the cause of these three worlds. By gods, danavas, daityas, sages, charanas, and serpents,

Verse 48 (skanda.5.154.48)

वरार्थिभिश्च प्रवरैः पूज्यसे गरुडध्वज। किं भवानेव गोविंद वृथा युध्यसि स द्विजैः।

varārthibhiśca pravaraiḥ pūjyase garuḍadhvaja| kiṁ bhavāneva govinda vṛthā yudhyasi sa dvijaiḥ||

O bearer of the Garuda banner, you are worshipped even by the greatest, those who seek boons. Why, O Govinda, do you yourself fight in vain against brahmins?

Verse 49 (skanda.5.154.49)

कपिलस्य च विप्रस्य हराल्लब्धवरस्य च। किं न वेत्सि यथा ह्येष प्रसादात्पारमेश्वरात्।

kapilasya ca viprasya harāllabdhavarasya ca| kiṁ na vetsi yathā hyeṣa prasādātpārameśvarāt||

Do you not know that this brahmin Kapila has already obtained a boon from Hara? Do you not know how, by the grace of the supreme lord, he

Verse 50 (skanda.5.154.50)

अवध्यत्वमनुप्राप्तो ह्यजेयत्वं च संयुगे। न चैवं त्वद्विधा देव ब्राह्मणेषु विकुर्वते।

avadhyatvamanuprāpto hyajeyatvaṁ ca saṁyuge| na caivaṁ tvadvidhā deva brāhmaṇeṣu vikurvate||

has attained invulnerability and invincibility in battle? O god, those such as yourself do not behave thus toward brahmins.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.154.51)

ब्रह्म च ब्रह्मणो मूलं त्वयैव प्राक्प्रतिश्रुतम्। तस्मादाशु निवर्तस्व मत्वैनं ब्राह्मणं विभो।

brahma ca brāhmaṇo mūlaṁ tvayaiva prākpratiśrutam| tasmādāśu nivartasva matvainaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ vibho||

You yourself have earlier declared that the brahmin is the very root of Brahman. Therefore, O sovereign lord, recognizing him as a brahmin, desist at once."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.154.52)

इत्थं निशम्य देवेशो वाक्यं ब्रह्ममुखाच्च्युतम्। योगेन तद्बलं ज्ञात्वा कपिलस्य तु शंकरम्।

itthaṁ niśamya deveśo vākyaṁ brahmamukhāccyutam| yogena tadbalaṁ jñātvā kapilasya tu śaṁkaram||

Hearing these words fall from Brahma's own mouth, and understanding through yogic insight that Kapila's strength came from Shankara,

Verse 53 (skanda.5.154.53)

जगाम परमं लोकं पूज्यमानस्त्रिविष्टपैः। गते जनार्दने बिल्वो विललाप पुनः पुनः।

jagāma paramaṁ lokaṁ pūjyamānastriviṣṭapaiḥ| gate janārdane bilvo vilalāpa punaḥ punaḥ||

the lord of gods departed for that supreme abode, honoured by the dwellers of heaven. When Janardana had gone, Bilva began to lament again and again.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.154.54)

युद्धं सुदारुणं श्रुत्वा कृष्णस्य कपिलस्य च। कथं जेष्यामि कपिलं कथं मे निर्वृतिर्भवेत्। कस्याहं शरणं यामि को मे त्राता भविष्यति।

yuddhaṁ sudāruṇaṁ śrutvā kṛṣṇasya kapilasya ca| kathaṁ jeṣyāmi kapilaṁ kathaṁ me nirvṛtirbhavet| kasyāhaṁ śaraṇaṁ yāmi ko me trātā bhaviṣyati||

Hearing of that most terrible battle between Krishna and Kapila, he thought: "How shall I ever defeat Kapila? How shall peace come to me? To whom shall I go for refuge? Who shall be my protector?

Verse 55 (skanda.5.154.55)

न जितः कपिलो युद्धे विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना। मया संस्पर्द्धते नित्यं कथं जेयो भविष्यति।

na jitaḥ kapilo yuddhe viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā| mayā saṁspardddhate nityaṁ kathaṁ jeyo bhaviṣyati||

If even the all-powerful Vishnu could not defeat Kapila in battle, and he ever contends with me, how then shall he be conquered?

Verse 56 (skanda.5.154.56)

अजेया ब्राह्मणा युद्धे शापानुग्रहकारकाः। भस्म कुर्युर्जगत्सर्वं सदेवा सुरमानुषम्।

ajeyā brāhmaṇā yuddhe śāpānugrahakārakāḥ| bhasma kuryurjagatsarvaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam||

Brahmins are invincible in battle, capable both of cursing and blessing; they could reduce the entire world, along with gods, asuras, and men, to ashes.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.154.57)

ब्राह्मं हि परमं तेजो देवैरपि दुरासदम्। एवं विलपतस्तस्य वासवः समुपागतः।

brāhmaṁ hi paramaṁ tejo devairapi durāsadam| evaṁ vilapatastasya vāsavaḥ samupāgataḥ||

The splendour of Brahman is indeed the supreme splendour, unattainable even by the gods." As he thus lamented, Indra came to him.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.154.58)

विलपंतं कृशं बिल्वं वज्रहस्तमवेक्ष्य सः। ममत्वाकृष्टहृदयः प्रत्युवाच पुरंदरः।

vilapaṁtaṁ kṛśaṁ bilvaṁ vajrahastamavekṣya saḥ| mamatvākṛṣṭahṛdayaḥ pratyuvāca puraṁdaraḥ||

Beholding Bilva, weeping, emaciated, the vajra still in his hand, Indra, his heart drawn by affection, spoke to him.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.154.59)

अलं शोकेन भूपाल शृणु मे वचनं परम्। यदाहं पीडितो युद्धे शंबरेण दुरात्मना। बलिष्ठेन सगर्वेण तदा पृष्टो मया गुरुः।

alaṁ śokena bhūpāla śṛṇu me vacanaṁ param| yadāhaṁ pīḍito yuddhe śaṁbareṇa durātmanā| baliṣṭhena sagarveṇa tadā pṛṣṭo mayā guruḥ||

"Enough of grief, O king; listen to my excellent counsel. When I was once distressed in battle by the evil-souled, mighty, arrogant Shambara, I then asked my preceptor for guidance.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.154.60)

बृहस्पतिर्महातेजास्तेनोक्तं तु तदा नृप। गच्छ शक्र ममादेशान्महाकालवनं शुभम्।

bṛhaspatirmahātejāstenoktaṁ tu tadā nṛpa| gaccha śakra mamādeśānmahākālavanaṁ śubham||

That most brilliant Brihaspati then said, O king: 'Go, O Shakra, by my command, to the auspicious Mahakalavana.'

Verse 61 (skanda.5.154.61)

यत्र संति सुदिव्यानि लिंगानि विविधानि च। भुक्तिमुक्तिकराण्येव वांछितार्थप्रदानि च।

yatra saṁti sudivyāni liṁgāni vividhāni ca| bhuktimuktikarāṇyeva vāṁchitārthapradāni ca||

'where there exist many most divine lingas, granting both enjoyment and liberation, and bestowing whatever is desired.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.154.62)

तेषां मध्ये लिंगमेकमाराधय शचीपते। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण रणे धृष्टो भविष्यसि। तस्य तद्वचनाद्बिल्व सम्यगाराधना कृता।

teṣāṁ madhye liṁgamekamārādhaya śacīpate| yasya darśanamātreṇa raṇe dhṛṣṭo bhaviṣyasi| tasya tadvacanādbilva samyagārādhanā kṛtā||

'Among them, worship one linga, O lord of Shachi, by the mere sight of which you shall become bold in battle.' O Bilva, at his word, I duly performed that worship.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.154.63)

मया लिंगस्य हर्षेण जितो वै शंबरस्तदा। प्रसिद्धिं तु गता देवः स चेंद्रेश्वरसंज्ञकः।

mayā liṁgasya harṣeṇa jito vai śaṁbarastadā| prasiddhiṁ tu gatā devaḥ sa ceṁdreśvarasaṁjñakaḥ||

By the favour of that linga, I indeed conquered Shambara. That god has since become renowned by the name Indreshvara.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.154.64)

तस्मात्त्वं पश्चिमामाशां गत्वा क्षेत्रस्य तस्य वै। समाराधय यत्नेन लिंगं वरुणपूजितम्।

tasmāttvaṁ paścimāmāśāṁ gatvā kṣetrasya tasya vai| samārādhaya yatnena liṁgaṁ varuṇapūjitam||

Therefore you too should go to the western quarter of that sacred region, and with diligence worship that linga, worshipped by Varuna.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.154.65)

तल्लिंगं त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वन्नाम्ना ख्यातिमेष्यति। कपिलस्त्वत्सखा विप्रो जितोऽस्मीति वदिष्यति। तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्यान्मित्रभावं गमिष्यति।

talliṁgaṁ triṣu lokeṣu tvannāmnā khyātimeṣyati| kapilastvatsakhā vipro jito'smīti vadiṣyati| tasya liṁgasya māhātmyānmitrabhāvaṁ gamiṣyati||

That linga shall become renowned in the three worlds by your very name. Your friend, the brahmin Kapila, shall himself say, 'I am defeated,' and, through the greatness of that linga, shall come once more to friendship with you."

Verse 66 (skanda.5.154.66)

इत्युक्त्वा तु गते शक्रे देवलोकं यशस्विनि। पूजयामास भावेन पुष्पैर्दिव्यैः सुगंधिभिः।

ityuktvā tu gate śakre devalokaṁ yaśasvini| pūjayāmāsa bhāvena puṣpairdivyaiḥ sugaṁdhibhiḥ||

Having said this, Indra departed for the world of the gods, O renowned one; and Bilva, with heartfelt devotion, with divine, fragrant flowers,

Verse 67 (skanda.5.154.67)

जगाम बिल्वो भूपालो महाकालवनं शुभम्। ददर्श पश्चिमे भागे लिंगं त्रिदशपूजितम्।

jagāma bilvo bhūpālo mahākālavanaṁ śubham| dadarśa paścime bhāge liṁgaṁ tridaśapūjitam||

King Bilva went to the auspicious Mahakalavana, and in the western part beheld the linga worshipped by the gods.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.154.68)

मुक्ताफलैश्च रत्नैश्च वासोभिर्भूषणैस्तथा। एतस्मिन्नंतरे चैव कपिलोऽपि समागतः।

muktāphalaiśca ratnaiśca vāsobhirbhūṣaṇaistathā| etasminnaṁtare caiva kapilo'pi samāgataḥ||

He worshipped it, with pearls, jewels, garments, and ornaments. Meanwhile, Kapila too arrived there.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.154.69)

ददर्श बिल्वं भूपालं पूजयंतं पुनःपुनः। शरीरे तस्य बिल्वस्य मदीयं रूपमुत्तमम्। दृष्ट्वा मत्वा महादेवं जितोऽस्मीति द्विजोऽब्रवीत्।

dadarśa bilvaṁ bhūpālaṁ pūjayaṁtaṁ punaḥpunaḥ| śarīre tasya bilvasya madīyaṁ rūpamuttamam| dṛṣṭvā matvā mahādevaṁ jito'smīti dvijo'bravīt||

He saw King Bilva worshipping again and again. Beholding, in Bilva's body, my own excellent form, and taking him for Mahadeva himself, that brahmin exclaimed, "I am defeated!"

Verse 70 (skanda.5.154.70)

प्रार्थयामि त्वया सख्यमनंतं शिवसंनिधौ। एवमुक्तस्तदा बिल्वः कपिलेन महात्मना।

prārthayāmi tvayā sakhyamanaṁtaṁ śivasaṁnidhau| evamuktastadā bilvaḥ kapilena mahātmanā||

"In the very presence of Shiva, I seek eternal friendship with you." Thus addressed by the great-souled Kapila, Bilva,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.154.71)

प्रसन्नः प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा कपिलं द्विजसत्तमम्। एवं भवतु भद्रं ते कृतार्थोऽहं महात्मना।

prasannaḥ prāṁjalirbhūtvā kapilaṁ dvijasattamam| evaṁ bhavatu bhadraṁ te kṛtārtho'haṁ mahātmanā||

delighted, with folded hands, said to that eminent brahmin Kapila: "So be it; may you fare well. I am fulfilled through you, O great soul.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.154.72)

सख्यं तदेव भवतु शश्वद्वदसि मन्यसे। एवमन्योन्यमुक्त्वा तौ कृत्वा सख्यमनुत्तमम्।

sakhyaṁ tadeva bhavatu śaśvadvadasi manyase| evamanyonyamuktvā tau kṛtvā sakhyamanuttamam||

Let that very friendship endure forever, as you say and intend." Thus speaking to each other, having established the most excellent friendship,

Verse 73 (skanda.5.154.73)

चिकीडतुश्चिरं कालं परं हर्षमुपागतौ। तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्याद्भूयो राज्यं चकार सः।

cikīḍatuściraṁ kālaṁ paraṁ harṣamupāgatau| tasya liṁgasya māhātmyādbhūyo rājyaṁ cakāra saḥ||

those two played together for a long time, filled with the greatest joy. By the greatness of that linga, Bilva once more ruled his kingdom.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.154.74)

स हि मित्रेण भूपालो बिल्वो देवि मुदान्वितः। तदाप्रभृति विख्यातो देवो बिल्वेश्वरः क्षितौ। बिल्वेनाराधितो लोके वांछितार्थफलप्रदः।

sa hi mitreṇa bhūpālo bilvo devi mudānvitaḥ| tadāprabhṛti vikhyāto devo bilveśvaraḥ kṣitau| bilvenārādhito loke vāṁchitārthaphalapradaḥ||

O goddess, King Bilva, together with his friend, remained filled with joy. From that time this god became renowned on earth as Bilveshvara, worshipped by Bilva, and became, throughout the world, the granter of desired fruits.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.154.75)

ये पश्यंति विशालाक्षि देवं बिल्वेश्वरं परम्। ते कृतार्था भविष्यंति सर्वपातकवर्जिताः।

ye paśyaṁti viśālākṣi devaṁ bilveśvaraṁ param| te kṛtārthā bhaviṣyaṁti sarvapātakavarjitāḥ||

O wide-eyed one, those who behold the supreme god Bilveshvara become fulfilled, freed from every sin.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.154.76)

येऽनुमोदंति देवस्य दर्शनं पर्वतात्मजे। तेऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्ताः प्रयांति मम मंदिरे।

ye'numodaṁti devasya darśanaṁ parvatātmaje| te'pi pāpavinirmuktāḥ prayāṁti mama maṁdire||

O daughter of the mountain, those who merely approve of the sight of this god are also freed from sin and attain my own abode.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.154.77)

समतीतं भविष्यं च कुलानामयुतं नरः। मम लोकं नयत्याशु तस्य लिंगस्य दर्शनात्।

samatītaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ ca kulānāmayutaṁ naraḥ| mama lokaṁ nayatyāśu tasya liṁgasya darśanāt||

A man, through the sight of that linga, swiftly leads ten thousand of his lineages — those past and those yet to come — to my own realm.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.154.78)

प्रयांति पितरो हृष्टा मम लोके ह्यतंद्रिताः। विमुक्ताः पातकैर्घोरैः कृत्वा लिंगस्य दर्शनम्।

prayāṁti pitaro hṛṣṭā mama loke hyataṁdritāḥ| vimuktāḥ pātakairghoraiḥ kṛtvā liṁgasya darśanam||

His ancestors too, having beheld this linga, freed from terrible sins, joyfully and undistracted, attain my own realm.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.154.79)

कृत्वापि पातकं घोरं ब्रह्महत्यादिकं नरः। तत्पापं विलयं याति श्रीबिल्वेश्वरदर्शनात्।

kṛtvāpi pātakaṁ ghoraṁ brahmahatyādikaṁ naraḥ| tatpāpaṁ vilayaṁ yāti śrībilveśvaradarśanāt||

Even a man who has committed a terrible sin such as brahmin-slaying has that sin destroyed through the sight of glorious Bilveshvara.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.154.80)

या तिथिः श्रूयते देवि कृष्णपक्षे त्रयोदशी। सा प्रोक्ता वल्लभा तस्य सर्वपातकनाशिनी।

yā tithiḥ śrūyate devi kṛṣṇapakṣe trayodaśī| sā proktā vallabhā tasya sarvapātakanāśinī||

O goddess, the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight, as it is spoken of, is declared to be especially dear to him, and destructive of every sin.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.154.81)

येऽर्चयंति नरास्तस्यां देवं बिल्वेश्वरं प्रिये। न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिर्घोरसंसारगह्वरे।

ye'rcayaṁti narāstasyāṁ devaṁ bilveśvaraṁ priye| na teṣāṁ punarāvṛttirghorasaṁsāragahvare||

O beloved, those men who worship the god Bilveshvara on that day never return to this terrible abyss of worldly existence.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.154.82)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यत्पापं समुपार्जितम्। तत्क्षालयति देवोऽसौ तिथौ तस्यां समर्चितः।

karmaṇā manasā vācā yatpāpaṁ samupārjitam| tatkṣālayati devo'sau tithau tasyāṁ samarcitaḥ||

Whatever sin has been accumulated in deed, thought, or word, that god, duly worshipped on that lunar day, washes entirely away.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.154.83)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। बिल्वेश्वरस्य देवस्य श्रूयतामुत्तरेश्वरम्।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| bilveśvarasya devasya śrūyatāmuttareśvaram||

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