The Glory of Lunkeshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.222.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। तस्यैवानन्तरं तात जलमध्ये व्यवस्थितम्। लुङ्केश्वरमिति ख्यातं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम्॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tasyaivānantaraṁ tāta jalamadhye vyavasthitam| luṅkeśvaramiti khyātaṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam||

Shri Markandeya said: "Dear one, immediately next to that, situated in the midst of the water, is a tirtha known as Lunkeshvara, saluted by gods and asuras.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.222.2)

इदं तीर्थं महापुण्यं नानाश्चर्यं महीतले। अस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यमुत्पत्तिं शृणु भारत॥

idaṁ tīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ nānāścaryaṁ mahītale| asya tīrthasya māhātmyamutpattiṁ śṛṇu bhārata||

This tirtha is greatly sacred, of manifold wonder upon the earth. O Bharata, hear the greatness and origin of this tirtha.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.222.3)

आसीत्पुरा महावीर्यो दानवो बलदर्पितः। कालपृष्ठ इति ख्यातः सुतो ब्रह्मसुतस्य च॥

āsītpurā mahāvīryo dānavo baladarpitaḥ| kālapṛṣṭha iti khyātaḥ suto brahmasutasya ca||

There once was, of old, a Danava of great valour, puffed up with strength, known as Kalapristha, son of a son of Brahma.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.222.4)

गङ्गातटं समाश्रित्य चचार विपुलं तपः। अधोमुखोऽपि संस्थित्वापिबद्धूममहर्निशम्॥

gaṅgātaṭaṁ samāśritya cacāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ| adhomukho'pi saṁsthitvāpibaddhūmamaharniśam||

Taking refuge on the bank of the Ganga, he practised vast austerity; standing even head-downward, he inhaled smoke day and night.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.222.5)

ततश्चानन्तरं देवस्तिष्ठते ह्युमया सह। दृष्ट्वा तं पार्वती सा तु तपस्युग्रे व्यवस्थितम्॥

tataścānantaraṁ devastiṣṭhate hyumayā saha| dṛṣṭvā taṁ pārvatī sā tu tapasyugre vyavasthitam||

Then, at that time, the God was dwelling together with Uma. Parvati, seeing him established in that fierce austerity, said—

Verse 6 (skanda.5.222.6)

पश्य पश्य महादेव धूमाशी तिष्ठते नरः। प्रसीद तं कुरुष्वाद्य देहि शीघ्रं वरं विभो॥

paśya paśya mahādeva dhūmāśī tiṣṭhate naraḥ| prasīda taṁ kuruṣvādya dehi śīghraṁ varaṁ vibho||

"Look, look, Mahadeva! A man stands there inhaling smoke. Be gracious; grant him swiftly a boon today, O Lord!"

Verse 7 (skanda.5.222.7)

ईश्वर उवाच। यदुक्तं वचनं देवि न तन्मे रोचते प्रिये। स्वकार्यं च सदा चिन्त्यं परकार्यं विसर्जयेत्॥

īśvara uvāca| yaduktaṁ vacanaṁ devi na tanme rocate priye| svakāryaṁ ca sadā cintyaṁ parakāryaṁ visarjayet||

Ishvara said: "O Goddess, what you have said does not please me, my dear. One's own business should always be attended to; another's business should be set aside.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.222.8)

मूर्खस्त्रीबालशत्रूणां यश्छन्देनानुवर्तते। व्यसने पतते घोरे सत्यमेतदुदीरितम्॥

mūrkhastrībālaśatrūṇāṁ yaśchandenānuvartate| vyasane patate ghore satyametadudīritam||

Whoever follows the whims of a fool, a woman, a child, or an enemy falls into terrible calamity — this is truly said."

Verse 9 (skanda.5.222.9)

देव्युवाच। भार्ययाभ्यर्थितो भर्ता कारणं बहु भाषते। लघुत्वं याति सा नारी एवं शास्त्रेषु पठ्यते॥

devyuvāca| bhāryayābhyarthito bhartā kāraṇaṁ bahu bhāṣate| laghutvaṁ yāti sā nārī evaṁ śāstreṣu paṭhyate||

The Goddess said: "A husband entreated by his wife who makes many excuses — such a woman, it is read in the scriptures, becomes lightly regarded.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.222.10)

प्राणत्यागं करिष्यामि यदि मां त्वं न मन्यसे। पार्वत्या प्रेरितो देवो गतोऽसौ दानवं प्रति॥

prāṇatyāgaṁ kariṣyāmi yadi māṁ tvaṁ na manyase| pārvatyā prerito devo gato'sau dānavaṁ prati||

If you do not heed my word, I shall give up my life." Urged on by Parvati, the God went toward the Danava.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.222.11)

ईश्वर उवाच। किमर्थं पिबसे धूमं किमर्थं तप्यसे तपः। किं दुःखं किं नु सन्तापो वद कार्यमभीप्सितम्॥

īśvara uvāca| kimarthaṁ pibase dhūmaṁ kimarthaṁ tapyase tapaḥ| kiṁ duḥkhaṁ kiṁ nu santāpo vada kāryamabhīpsitam||

Ishvara said: "For what purpose do you inhale smoke, for what purpose do you practise austerity? What sorrow, what torment is there? Tell me the task you desire.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.222.12)

युवा त्वं दृश्यसेऽद्यापि वर्षविंशतिरेव च। तदाचक्ष्व हि मे सर्वं तपसः कारणं महत्॥

yuvā tvaṁ dṛśyase'dyāpi varṣaviṁśatireva ca| tadācakṣva hi me sarvaṁ tapasaḥ kāraṇaṁ mahat||

You still appear young, seeming no more than twenty years old; tell me the whole great reason for your austerity."

Verse 13 (skanda.5.222.13)

दानव उवाच। अचला दीयतां भक्तिर्मम स्थैर्यं तवोपरि। अपरं वर्षसाहस्रं निर्विघ्नं मे गतं विभो॥

dānava uvāca| acalā dīyatāṁ bhaktirmama sthairyaṁ tavopari| aparaṁ varṣasāhasraṁ nirvighnaṁ me gataṁ vibho||

The Danava said: "Let unwavering devotion be granted to me, and steadfastness toward you. O Lord, a further thousand years have passed for me without hindrance;

Verse 14 (skanda.5.222.14)

दिवसानां सहस्रे द्वे पूर्णे त्वत्तपसा मम॥

divasānāṁ sahasre dve pūrṇe tvattapasā mama||

two thousand days of my austerity toward you have now been completed."

Verse 15 (skanda.5.222.15)

ईश्वर उवाच। याचयाभीप्सितं कार्यं तुष्टोऽहं तव सुव्रत। देवस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा चिन्तयामास दानवः॥

īśvara uvāca| yācayābhīpsitaṁ kāryaṁ tuṣṭo'haṁ tava suvrata| devasya vacanaṁ śrutvā cintayāmāsa dānavaḥ||

Ishvara said: "O one of good vows, ask for the boon you desire; I am pleased with you." Hearing the God's words, the Danava fell to thinking—

Verse 16 (skanda.5.222.16)

किं नाकं याचयाम्यद्य किमद्य सकलां महीम्। एवं संचिन्तयामास कामबाणेन पीडितः॥

kiṁ nākaṁ yācayāmyadya kimadya sakalāṁ mahīm| evaṁ saṁcintayāmāsa kāmabāṇena pīḍitaḥ||

"Shall I ask for heaven today, or shall I ask for the whole earth?" Thus he pondered, tormented by the arrow of desire.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.222.17)

दानव उवाच। यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव वरं दास्यसि मे प्रभो। सङ्ग्रामैस्तु न तुष्टोऽहं बलं नास्तीति किंचन॥

dānava uvāca| yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva varaṁ dāsyasi me prabho| saṅgrāmaistu na tuṣṭo'haṁ balaṁ nāstīti kiṁcana||

The Danava said: "God, if you are pleased with me, O Lord, grant me a boon. I am not satisfied with mere battles — my strength there amounts to nothing.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.222.18)

यस्य मूर्धन्यहं देव पाणिना समुपस्पृशे। देवदानवगन्धर्वो भस्मसाद्यातु तत्क्षणात्॥

yasya mūrdhanyahaṁ deva pāṇinā samupaspṛśe| devadānavagandharvo bhasmasādyātu tatkṣaṇāt||

God, let it be that whatever being — a god, a demon, or a gandharva — I touch upon the head with my hand, is reduced to ashes that very instant."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.222.19)

ईश्वर उवाच। यत्त्वया चिन्तितं किंचित्तत्सर्वं सफलं तव। उत्तिष्ठ गच्छ शीघ्रं त्वं भवनं प्रति दानव॥

īśvara uvāca| yattvayā cintitaṁ kiṁcittatsarvaṁ saphalaṁ tava| uttiṣṭha gaccha śīghraṁ tvaṁ bhavanaṁ prati dānava||

Ishvara said: "Whatever you have thought — all of it is granted, fruitful for you. Rise, O Danava, and go quickly toward your dwelling."

Verse 20 (skanda.5.222.20)

दानव उवाच। स्थीयतां देवदेवेश यावज्ज्ञास्यामि ते वरम्। युष्मन्मूर्ध्नि न्यसे पाणिं प्रत्ययो मे भवेद्यथा॥

dānava uvāca| sthīyatāṁ devadeveśa yāvajjñāsyāmi te varam| yuṣmanmūrdhni nyase pāṇiṁ pratyayo me bhavedyathā||

The Danava said: "O Lord of the gods of gods, remain until I confirm your boon — let me place my hand upon your head, so that confidence may come to me."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.222.21)

ततश्चानन्तरं देवश्चिन्तयानो महेश्वरः। न स्कन्दो न हरिर्ब्रह्मा यः कार्येषु क्षमोऽधुना॥

tataścānantaraṁ devaścintayāno maheśvaraḥ| na skando na harirbrahmā yaḥ kāryeṣu kṣamo'dhunā||

Then, immediately after, the God Maheshvara fell to thinking — neither Skanda, nor Hari, nor Brahma was capable now in this matter.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.222.22)

ज्ञात्वा चैवापदं प्राप्तां देवः प्रार्थयते वृषम्। अनेन सह पापेन युध्यस्व साम्प्रतं क्षणम्॥

jñātvā caivāpadaṁ prāptāṁ devaḥ prārthayate vṛṣam| anena saha pāpena yudhyasva sāmprataṁ kṣaṇam||

And, knowing that danger had come upon him, the God besought his bull: "Fight this instant against this sinner."

Verse 23 (skanda.5.222.23)

करं प्रासारयद्दैत्यो देवं मूर्ध्नि किल स्पृशेत्। लाङ्गूलेनाहतो दैत्यो विषण्णः पतितो भुवि॥

karaṁ prāsārayaddaityo devaṁ mūrdhni kila spṛśet| lāṅgūlenāhato daityo viṣaṇṇaḥ patito bhuvi||

The Daitya stretched forth his hand to touch the God's head; struck at once by the blow of the bull's tail, the Daitya, dejected, fell to the ground.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.222.24)

देवस्तु दक्षिणामाशां गतश्चैवोमया सह। भयभीतो निरीक्षेत ग्रीवां भज्य पुनःपुनः॥

devastu dakṣiṇāmāśāṁ gataścaivomayā saha| bhayabhīto nirīkṣeta grīvāṁ bhajya punaḥpunaḥ||

The God then went in the southern direction, together with Uma; frightened, he kept looking back again and again, his neck turned.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.222.25)

गते चादर्शनं देवे युयुधे वृषभेण सः। द्वावेतौ बलिनां श्रेष्ठौ युयुधाते महाबलौ॥

gate cādarśanaṁ deve yuyudhe vṛṣabheṇa saḥ| dvāvetau balināṁ śreṣṭhau yuyudhāte mahābalau||

When the God had gone out of sight, he fought with the bull; those two, foremost among the mighty, of great strength, fought,

Verse 26 (skanda.5.222.26)

प्रहारैर्वज्रसदृशैः कोपेन घटिकात्रयम्। पाणिभ्यां न स्पृशेद्यो वै वृषभस्य शिरस्तथा॥

prahārairvajrasadṛśaiḥ kopena ghaṭikātrayam| pāṇibhyāṁ na spṛśedyo vai vṛṣabhasya śirastathā||

with blows like thunderbolts, in anger, for three ghatikas. He who could not be touched even by the bull's hooves or head —

Verse 27 (skanda.5.222.27)

हत्वा लाङ्गूलपातेन आगतो वृषभस्तदा। उत्थितश्चाप्यसौ दैत्यो व्रजते वृषपृष्ठतः॥

hatvā lāṅgūlapātena āgato vṛṣabhastadā| utthitaścāpyasau daityo vrajate vṛṣapṛṣṭhataḥ||

he was struck down by the blow of the tail; then the bull came away, and that Daitya too, rising up, went pursuing behind the bull.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.222.28)

वायुवेगेन सम्प्राप्तो यत्र देवो महेश्वरः। आगतं दानवं दृष्ट्वा वृषो वचनमब्रवीत्॥

vāyuvegena samprāpto yatra devo maheśvaraḥ| āgataṁ dānavaṁ dṛṣṭvā vṛṣo vacanamabravīt||

Swift as the wind, he arrived where the God Maheshvara was; seeing the Danava approach, the bull spoke these words—

Verse 29 (skanda.5.222.29)

आरुह्य पृष्ठे मे देव शीघ्रमेव हि गम्यताम्। आरुह्य वृषभं देवो जगाम चोमया सह॥

āruhya pṛṣṭhe me deva śīghrameva hi gamyatām| āruhya vṛṣabhaṁ devo jagāma comayā saha||

"God, mount upon my back, and let us go quickly." Mounting the bull, the God went on, together with Uma.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.222.30)

नाकं प्राप्तस्ततो देवो गतः शक्रस्य मन्दिरम्। नात्यजद्देवपृष्ठं तु दानवो बलदर्पितः॥

nākaṁ prāptastato devo gataḥ śakrasya mandiram| nātyajaddevapṛṣṭhaṁ tu dānavo baladarpitaḥ||

The God then reached heaven, going to Shakra's palace; but the Danava, puffed up with strength, would not give up pursuing the God's back.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.222.31)

इन्द्रलोकं परित्यज्य ब्रह्मलोकं गतस्तदा। यत्रयत्र व्रजेद्देवो भयात्सह दिवौकसैः॥

indralokaṁ parityajya brahmalokaṁ gatastadā| yatrayatra vrajeddevo bhayātsaha divaukasaiḥ||

Abandoning Indra's world, he then went to Brahma's world; wherever the God went, out of fear, together with the dwellers of heaven,

Verse 32 (skanda.5.222.32)

अपश्यत्तत्र तत्रैव पृष्ठे लग्नं तु दानवम्। सर्वांल्लोकान् भ्रमित्वा तु देवो विस्मयमागतः॥

apaśyattatra tatraiva pṛṣṭhe lagnaṁ tu dānavam| sarvāṁllokān bhramitvā tu devo vismayamāgataḥ||

there, in every place, that Danava was seen still clinging to his back. Having wandered through all the worlds, the God fell into astonishment.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.222.33)

न स्थानं विद्यते किंचिद्यत्र विश्रम्यते क्षणम्। देवदानवयोस्तत्र युद्धं ज्ञात्वा सुदारुणम्॥

na sthānaṁ vidyate kiṁcidyatra viśramyate kṣaṇam| devadānavayostatra yuddhaṁ jñātvā sudāruṇam||

There was no place at all where even a moment's rest could be found. Learning of that terrible battle there between the God and the Danava,

Verse 34 (skanda.5.222.34)

हर्षितात्मा मुनिस्तत्र चिरं नृत्यति नारदः। धन्योऽहमद्य मे जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्॥

harṣitātmā munistatra ciraṁ nṛtyati nāradaḥ| dhanyo'hamadya me janma jīvitaṁ ca sujīvitam||

the sage Narada, his heart delighted, danced there for a long while: "Blessed am I today — my birth and my life are indeed well-lived!

Verse 35 (skanda.5.222.35)

महान्तं च कलिं दृष्ट्वा संतोषः परमोऽभवत्। देवदानवयोस्तत्र युद्धं त्यक्त्वा च नारदः॥

mahāntaṁ ca kaliṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁtoṣaḥ paramo'bhavat| devadānavayostatra yuddhaṁ tyaktvā ca nāradaḥ||

Seeing this great strife, supreme contentment has come to me." Having said this, Narada, leaving that battle between God and Danava,

Verse 36 (skanda.5.222.36)

आजगाम ततो विप्रो यत्र देवो महेश्वरः। दृष्ट्वा देवोऽथ तं विप्रं प्रतिपूज्याब्रवीदिदम्॥

ājagāma tato vipro yatra devo maheśvaraḥ| dṛṣṭvā devo'tha taṁ vipraṁ pratipūjyābravīdidam||

went, that brahmin, to where the God Maheshvara was. Seeing that brahmin, the God, having duly honoured him, said this:

Verse 37 (skanda.5.222.37)

भो नारद मुनिश्रेष्ठ जानीषे केशवं क्वचित्। गत्वा तत्र च शीघ्रं त्वं केशवाय निवेदय॥

bho nārada muniśreṣṭha jānīṣe keśavaṁ kvacit| gatvā tatra ca śīghraṁ tvaṁ keśavāya nivedaya||

"O Narada, best of sages, do you know where Keshava is anywhere? Go there quickly and inform Keshava of this."

Verse 38 (skanda.5.222.38)

नारद उवाच। देवदानवसिद्धानां गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम्। सर्वेषामेव देवेशो हरते ध्रुवमापदम्॥

nārada uvāca| devadānavasiddhānāṁ gandharvoragarakṣasām| sarveṣāmeva deveśo harate dhruvamāpadam||

Narada said: "The Lord of gods surely removes danger from all — gods, demons, siddhas, gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.222.39)

असंभाव्यं न वक्तव्यं मनसापि न चिन्तयेत्। ईदृशीं नैव बुध्यामि आपदं च विभो तव॥

asaṁbhāvyaṁ na vaktavyaṁ manasāpi na cintayet| īdṛśīṁ naiva budhyāmi āpadaṁ ca vibho tava||

What is inconceivable should not be spoken, should not even be thought of in the mind. O Lord, I have never before known such a danger as yours."

Verse 40 (skanda.5.222.40)

ईश्वर उवाच। गच्छ नारद शीघ्रं त्वं यत्र देवो जनार्दनः। विदितं च त्वया सर्वं यत्कृतं दानवेन तु॥

īśvara uvāca| gaccha nārada śīghraṁ tvaṁ yatra devo janārdanaḥ| viditaṁ ca tvayā sarvaṁ yatkṛtaṁ dānavena tu||

Ishvara said: "Narada, go quickly to where the God Janardana is. All that has been done by the Danava is known to you.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.222.41)

अवध्यो दानवो ह्येष सेन्द्रैरपि मरुद्गणैः। गत्वा तु केशवं देवं निवेदय महामुने॥

avadhyo dānavo hyeṣa sendrairapi marudgaṇaiḥ| gatvā tu keśavaṁ devaṁ nivedaya mahāmune||

This Danava is unslayable even by the hosts of Maruts together with Indra. Go, great sage, and inform the God Keshava."

Verse 42 (skanda.5.222.42)

नारद उवाच। न तु गच्छाम्यहं देव सुप्तः क्षीरोदधौ सुखी। केशवः प्रेरणे ह्येषामादेशो दीयतां प्रभो॥

nārada uvāca| na tu gacchāmyahaṁ deva suptaḥ kṣīrodadhau sukhī| keśavaḥ preraṇe hyeṣāmādeśo dīyatāṁ prabho||

Narada said: "God, I shall not go — he sleeps happily upon the Ocean of Milk. O Lord, let the order for rousing Keshava be given elsewhere.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.222.43)

मात्रा स्वस्रा दुहित्रा वा राजानं च तथा प्रभुम्। गुरुं चैवादितः कृत्वा शयानं न प्रबोधयेत्॥

mātrā svasrā duhitrā vā rājānaṁ ca tathā prabhum| guruṁ caivāditaḥ kṛtvā śayānaṁ na prabodhayet||

One should not wake one who sleeps, be it a mother, a sister, a daughter, or a king and one's master, and first of all one's guru."

Verse 44 (skanda.5.222.44)

ईश्वर उवाच। यदि क्वचिदगारेषु वह्निरुत्पद्यते महान्। निधनं यान्ति तत्रस्था यद्बुध्येरन्नसूरयः॥

īśvara uvāca| yadi kvacidagāreṣu vahnirutpadyate mahān| nidhanaṁ yānti tatrasthā yadbudhyerannasūrayaḥ||

Ishvara said: "If a great fire should break out somewhere in a house, those dwelling within come to their death, if the wise there fail to wake in time."

Verse 45 (skanda.5.222.45)

नारद उवाच। शीघ्रं गच्छ महादेव आत्मानं रक्ष सुप्रभो। गच्छाम्यहं न सन्देहो यत्र देवो जनार्दनः॥

nārada uvāca| śīghraṁ gaccha mahādeva ātmānaṁ rakṣa suprabho| gacchāmyahaṁ na sandeho yatra devo janārdanaḥ||

Narada said: "Go quickly, Mahadeva, protect yourself, O most radiant one. I shall go, without doubt, to where the God Janardana is."

Verse 46 (skanda.5.222.46)

ततो नन्दिमहाकालौ स्तम्भहस्तौ भयानकौ। जघ्नतुर्दानवं तत्र मुद्गरादिभिरायुधैः॥

tato nandimahākālau stambhahastau bhayānakau| jaghnaturdānavaṁ tatra mudgarādibhirāyudhaiḥ||

Then Nandi and Mahakala, clubs in hand, terrifying to behold, struck the Danava there with maces and other weapons.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.222.47)

त्रयोऽपि च महाकायाः सप्ततालप्रमाणकाः। न शमो जायते तेषां युध्यतां च परस्परम्॥

trayo'pi ca mahākāyāḥ saptatālapramāṇakāḥ| na śamo jāyate teṣāṁ yudhyatāṁ ca parasparam||

All three were of huge body, seven talas in height; fighting with one another, no cessation came to them.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.222.48)

ततश्चानन्तरं विप्रोऽगच्छत्तं केशवं प्रति। सुप्तं क्षीरार्णवेऽपश्यच्छेषपर्यङ्कसंस्थितम्॥

tataścānantaraṁ vipro'gacchattaṁ keśavaṁ prati| suptaṁ kṣīrārṇave'paśyaccheṣaparyaṅkasaṁsthitam||

Then, immediately after, that brahmin went toward Keshava; he saw him asleep upon the Ocean of Milk, resting on the couch of Shesha,

Verse 49 (skanda.5.222.49)

लक्ष्म्या पादयुगं गृह्य ऊरूपरि निवेशितम्। अप्सरोगीयमानं तु भक्त्यानम्य च केशवम्॥

lakṣmyā pādayugaṁ gṛhya ūrūpari niveśitam| apsarogīyamānaṁ tu bhaktyānamya ca keśavam||

his two feet held by Lakshmi and placed upon her thighs, and apsarases singing to him. Bowing to Keshava with devotion, Narada said—

Verse 50 (skanda.5.222.50)

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्। उत्थापयस्व देवेशं लक्ष्मि त्वमविशङ्किता॥

adya me saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ ca sujīvitam| utthāpayasva deveśaṁ lakṣmi tvamaviśaṅkitā||

"Today my birth is fruitful, my life is well-lived. O Lakshmi, without hesitation, wake the Lord of gods."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.222.51)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पदाङ्गुष्ठं व्यमर्दयत्। नारदस्तिष्ठते द्वारि उत्तिष्ठ मधुसूदन॥

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā padāṅguṣṭhaṁ vyamardayat| nāradastiṣṭhate dvāri uttiṣṭha madhusūdana||

Hearing Narada's words, she pressed his big toe: "Narada stands at the door — arise, O Madhusudana!"

Verse 52 (skanda.5.222.52)

देवोऽपि नारदं दृष्ट्वा परं हर्षमुपागतः। स्वागतं तु मुनिश्रेष्ठ सुप्रभाताद्य शर्वरी॥

devo'pi nāradaṁ dṛṣṭvā paraṁ harṣamupāgataḥ| svāgataṁ tu muniśreṣṭha suprabhātādya śarvarī||

The God too, seeing Narada, was filled with the greatest joy: "Welcome, best of sages! Today the night has dawned well indeed."

Verse 53 (skanda.5.222.53)

नारद उवाच। अद्य मे सफलं देव प्रभातं तव दर्शनात्। कुशलं च न देवानां शीघ्रमुत्तिष्ठ गम्यताम्॥

nārada uvāca| adya me saphalaṁ deva prabhātaṁ tava darśanāt| kuśalaṁ ca na devānāṁ śīghramuttiṣṭha gamyatām||

Narada said: "God, today my dawn is made fruitful by the sight of you. But things are not well with the gods — arise quickly, let us go."

Verse 54 (skanda.5.222.54)

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच। ब्रह्मा चेन्द्रश्च रुद्रश्च ये चान्ये तु मरुद्गणाः। आपदः कारणं यच्च तत्समाख्यातुमर्हसि॥

śrīviṣṇuruvāca| brahmā cendraśca rudraśca ye cānye tu marudgaṇāḥ| āpadaḥ kāraṇaṁ yacca tatsamākhyātumarhasi||

Shri Vishnu said: "Whatever is the cause of this danger to Brahma, Indra, Rudra, and the other hosts of Maruts, you should tell me."

Verse 55 (skanda.5.222.55)

नारद उवाच। दानवेन महातीव्रं तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम्। रुद्रेण च वरो दत्तो भस्मत्वं मनसेप्सितम्॥

nārada uvāca| dānavena mahātīvraṁ tapastaptaṁ sudāruṇam| rudreṇa ca varo datto bhasmatvaṁ manasepsitam||

Narada said: "A most severe and terrible austerity was performed by a Danava, and Rudra granted him the boon he desired in his heart — the power to reduce to ashes.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.222.56)

वरदानबलेनैव स देवं हन्तुमर्हति। ईदृशं चेष्टितं ज्ञात्वा नीतो देवोऽमरैः सह॥

varadānabalenaiva sa devaṁ hantumarhati| īdṛśaṁ ceṣṭitaṁ jñātvā nīto devo'maraiḥ saha||

By the very power of that boon, he now seeks to slay the God. Learning of such conduct, the God was taken away, together with the immortals."

Verse 57 (skanda.5.222.57)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा जगाम समुनिर्हरिः। दृष्ट्वा देवस्तमीशानं गच्छन्तं दिशमुत्तराम्॥

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā jagāma samunirhariḥ| dṛṣṭvā devastamīśānaṁ gacchantaṁ diśamuttarām||

Hearing Narada's words, Hari set out along with the sage; the God saw that Ishana (Shiva) going toward the northern direction.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.222.58)

दृष्ट्वा देवं च रुद्रोऽथ परिष्वज्य पुनःपुनः। नमस्कृत्य जगन्नाथं देवं च मधुसूदनः॥

dṛṣṭvā devaṁ ca rudro'tha pariṣvajya punaḥpunaḥ| namaskṛtya jagannāthaṁ devaṁ ca madhusūdanaḥ||

Seeing the God, Rudra then embraced him again and again; and Madhusudana bowed to that God, Lord of the universe.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.222.59)

विष्णुरुवाच। भयस्य कारणं देव कथ्यतां च महेश्वर। देवदानवयक्षाणां प्रेषयेयं यमालयम्॥

viṣṇuruvāca| bhayasya kāraṇaṁ deva kathyatāṁ ca maheśvara| devadānavayakṣāṇāṁ preṣayeyaṁ yamālayam||

Vishnu said: "God Maheshvara, tell me the cause of this fear; I shall send this troubler of gods, demons and yakshas to the abode of Yama."

Verse 60 (skanda.5.222.60)

ललाटे च कृतो धर्मो युष्माकं च महेश्वर। छित्त्वा शिरस्तथाङ्गानि इन्द्रियाणि न संशयः॥

lalāṭe ca kṛto dharmo yuṣmākaṁ ca maheśvara| chittvā śirastathāṅgāni indriyāṇi na saṁśayaḥ||

[It was said—] "O Maheshvara, righteousness has been placed upon the foreheads of you all; his head and his limbs and organs must be severed — there is no doubt of it."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.222.61)

ईश्वर उवाच। नास्ति सौख्यं च मूर्खेषु नास्ति सौख्यं च रोगिषु। पराधीनेन सौख्यं तु स्त्रीजिते च विशेषतः॥

īśvara uvāca| nāsti saukhyaṁ ca mūrkheṣu nāsti saukhyaṁ ca rogiṣu| parādhīnena saukhyaṁ tu strījite ca viśeṣataḥ||

Ishvara said: "There is no happiness among fools, nor is there happiness among the sick; there is no happiness for one dependent on another, and especially for one conquered by a woman.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.222.62)

स्त्रीजितेन मया विष्णो वरो दत्तस्तु दानवे। यस्य मूर्ध्नि न्यसेत्पाणिं स भवेद्भस्मपुंजवत्॥

strījitena mayā viṣṇo varo dattastu dānave| yasya mūrdhni nyasetpāṇiṁ sa bhavedbhasmapuṁjavat||

O Vishnu, being conquered by a woman, I granted that Danava a boon — whoever's head he touches with his hand becomes like a heap of ashes.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.222.63)

अजेयश्चामरश्चैव मया ह्युक्तः स केशव। हन्तुमिच्छति मां पाप उपायस्तव विद्यते॥

ajeyaścāmaraścaiva mayā hyuktaḥ sa keśava| hantumicchati māṁ pāpa upāyastava vidyate||

O Keshava, I myself declared him unconquerable and immortal. That sinner now wishes to slay me — the remedy for this lies with you."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.222.64)

विष्णुरुवाच। गच्छन्तु अमराः सर्वे युष्माभिः सह शङ्कर। उपायं सर्जयाम्यद्य वधार्थं दानवस्य च॥

viṣṇuruvāca| gacchantu amarāḥ sarve yuṣmābhiḥ saha śaṅkara| upāyaṁ sarjayāmyadya vadhārthaṁ dānavasya ca||

Vishnu said: "O Shankara, let all the immortals go together with you. I shall this very day devise a means for the slaying of the Danava.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.222.65)

रेवायाश्च तटे तिष्ठ देव त्वममरैः सह। कालक्षेपो न कर्तव्यो गम्यतां त्वरितं प्रभो॥

revāyāśca taṭe tiṣṭha deva tvamamaraiḥ saha| kālakṣepo na kartavyo gamyatāṁ tvaritaṁ prabho||

God, remain, together with the immortals, on the bank of the Reva; no time should be wasted — go quickly, O Lord.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.222.66)

दक्षिणा यत्र गङ्गा च रेवा चैव महानदी। यत्रयत्र च दृश्येत प्राची चैव सरस्वती॥

dakṣiṇā yatra gaṅgā ca revā caiva mahānadī| yatrayatra ca dṛśyeta prācī caiva sarasvatī||

Wherever the southern Ganga is, and the great river Reva, and wherever the eastward-flowing Sarasvati may be seen —

Verse 67 (skanda.5.222.67)

तत्समं च महातीर्थं न मर्त्ये चैव दृश्यते। स्नानं ये तत्र कुर्वन्ति दानं चैव तु भक्तितः॥

tatsamaṁ ca mahātīrthaṁ na martye caiva dṛśyate| snānaṁ ye tatra kurvanti dānaṁ caiva tu bhaktitaḥ||

no great tirtha equal to that is seen anywhere else among mortals. Those who bathe there, and who give gifts with devotion,

Verse 68 (skanda.5.222.68)

सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं नश्यते नात्र संशयः। एतत्तीर्थं महापुण्यं सर्वपातकनाशनम्॥

saptajanmakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ naśyate nātra saṁśayaḥ| etattīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam||

their sin committed over seven births is destroyed — there is no doubt of it. This tirtha is most sacred, destroyer of all sin.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.222.69)

गम्यतां तत्र देवेश लुङ्केशं त्वं सहामरैः। विष्णोस्तु वचनादेव प्रविष्टो ह्रदमुत्तमम्॥

gamyatāṁ tatra deveśa luṅkeśaṁ tvaṁ sahāmaraiḥ| viṣṇostu vacanādeva praviṣṭo hradamuttamam||

O Lord of gods, go there, together with the immortals, to Lunkesha." At Vishnu's very word, he entered that excellent pool,

Verse 70 (skanda.5.222.70)

रतिं सुमहतीं चक्रे सह तत्र मरुद्गणैः। ततश्चानन्तरं देवो मायां कृत्वा ह्यनेकधा॥

ratiṁ sumahatīṁ cakre saha tatra marudgaṇaiḥ| tataścānantaraṁ devo māyāṁ kṛtvā hyanekadhā||

and there, together with the hosts of Maruts, took great delight. Then, immediately after, the God, having created illusion in many forms,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.222.71)

वसन्तमासं संसृज्य उद्यानवनशोभितम्। अशोकैर्बकुलैश्चैव ब्रह्मवृक्षैः सुशोभनैः॥

vasantamāsaṁ saṁsṛjya udyānavanaśobhitam| aśokairbakulaiścaiva brahmavṛkṣaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ||

conjured up the season of spring, adorned with gardens and groves, with ashoka and bakula trees, and beautiful Brahma-trees,

Verse 72 (skanda.5.222.72)

श्रीवृक्षैश्च कपित्थैश्च शिरीषैर्राजचम्पकैः। श्रीफलैश्च तथा तालैः कदम्बोदुम्बरैस्तथा॥

śrīvṛkṣaiśca kapitthaiśca śirīṣairrājacampakaiḥ| śrīphalaiśca tathā tālaiḥ kadambodumbaraistathā||

with bilva and kapittha trees, with shirisha and royal champaka, and likewise with fruit trees, palmyras, kadamba and udumbara trees,

Verse 73 (skanda.5.222.73)

अश्वत्थादिद्रुमैश्चैव नानावृक्षैरनेकशः। नानापुष्पैः सुगन्धाढ्यैर्भ्रमरैश्च निनादितम्॥

aśvatthādidrumaiścaiva nānāvṛkṣairanekaśaḥ| nānāpuṣpaiḥ sugandhāḍhyairbhramaraiśca nināditam||

with ashvattha and other trees, and with various trees of many kinds, thronged with manifold fragrant flowers, resounding with bees.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.222.74)

तस्मिन्मध्ये महावृक्षो न्यग्रोधश्च सुशोभनः। बहुपक्षिसमायुक्तः कोकिलारावनादितः॥

tasminmadhye mahāvṛkṣo nyagrodhaśca suśobhanaḥ| bahupakṣisamāyuktaḥ kokilārāvanāditaḥ||

In the midst of it was a great and most beautiful banyan tree, filled with many birds, resounding with the calls of cuckoos.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.222.75)

कृष्णेन च कृतं तस्मिन्कन्यारूपं च तत्क्षणात्। न तस्याः सदृशी कन्या त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे॥

kṛṣṇena ca kṛtaṁ tasminkanyārūpaṁ ca tatkṣaṇāt| na tasyāḥ sadṛśī kanyā trailokye sacarācare||

And there Krishna instantly fashioned the form of a maiden; there was no maiden equal to her in all the three worlds, with all that moves and is still.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.222.76)

अन्याश्च कन्यकाः सप्त सुरूपाः शुभलोचनाः। दिव्यरूपधराः सर्वा दिव्याभरणभूषिताः॥

anyāśca kanyakāḥ sapta surūpāḥ śubhalocanāḥ| divyarūpadharāḥ sarvā divyābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ||

And there were seven other maidens too, beautiful, of lovely eyes, all bearing divine forms, adorned with divine ornaments,

Verse 77 (skanda.5.222.77)

पुमांसमभिकाङ्क्षन्त्यो यद्येकः कामयेत्स्त्रियः। मौक्तिकैर्रत्नमाणिक्यैर्वैडूर्यैश्च सुशोभनैः॥

pumāṁsamabhikāṅkṣantyo yadyekaḥ kāmayetstriyaḥ| mauktikairratnamāṇikyairvaiḍūryaiśca suśobhanaiḥ||

longing for a man, as though each woman desired him alone. With pearls, gems, rubies, and beautiful cat's-eye stones,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.222.78)

कामहारैश्च वंशैश्च बद्धो हिन्दोलकः कृतः। आरूढाश्च महाकन्या गायन्ते सुस्वरं तदा॥

kāmahāraiśca vaṁśaiśca baddho hindolakaḥ kṛtaḥ| ārūḍhāśca mahākanyā gāyante susvaraṁ tadā||

and with lovely garlands and bamboo poles, a swing was fashioned and hung; and, mounted upon it, those great maidens sang there sweetly.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.222.79)

मारुतः शीतलो वाति वनं स्पृष्ट्वा सुशोभनम्। वातेन प्रेरितो गन्धो दानवो घ्राणपीडितः॥

mārutaḥ śītalo vāti vanaṁ spṛṣṭvā suśobhanam| vātena prerito gandho dānavo ghrāṇapīḍitaḥ||

A cool breeze began to blow, touching that beautiful forest; the fragrance, carried on the wind, overwhelmed the Danava's sense of smell,

Verse 80 (skanda.5.222.80)

ततः कुसुमगन्धेन विस्मयं परमं गतः। आघ्राय चेदृशं पुण्यं न दृष्टं न श्रुतं मया॥

tataḥ kusumagandhena vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ| āghrāya cedṛśaṁ puṇyaṁ na dṛṣṭaṁ na śrutaṁ mayā||

and he was filled with the greatest wonder at the fragrance of the flowers: "Having smelled such sacredness, I have never seen nor heard the like."

Verse 81 (skanda.5.222.81)

वने चिन्तयतः किंचिद्ध्वनिगीतं सुशोभनम्। गीतस्य च ध्वनिं श्रुत्वा मोहितो मायया हरेः॥

vane cintayataḥ kiṁciddhvanigītaṁ suśobhanam| gītasya ca dhvaniṁ śrutvā mohito māyayā hareḥ||

As he pondered something in the forest, a beautiful sound of song reached him; hearing the sound of that song, deluded by Hari's maya,

Verse 82 (skanda.5.222.82)

व्याधस्यैव महाकूटे पतन्ति च यथा मृगाः। कालस्पृष्टस्तथा कृष्णे पतितश्च नराधिप॥

vyādhasyaiva mahākūṭe patanti ca yathā mṛgāḥ| kālaspṛṣṭastathā kṛṣṇe patitaśca narādhipa||

just as deer fall into the great snare set by a hunter, so, O lord of men, touched by fate, he fell into Krishna's illusion.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.222.83)

दृष्ट्वा कन्यां च तां दैत्यो मूर्च्छया पतितो भुवि। पतितेन तु दृष्टैका कन्या वटतले स्थिता॥

dṛṣṭvā kanyāṁ ca tāṁ daityo mūrcchayā patito bhuvi| patitena tu dṛṣṭaikā kanyā vaṭatale sthitā||

Seeing that maiden, the Daitya fell fainting to the ground; and even as he fell, he saw a maiden standing beneath the banyan tree.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.222.84)

आस्यं दृष्ट्वा तु नारीणां पुनः कामेन पीडितः। गृहीत्वा हेमदण्डं तु तां पातयितुमिच्छति॥

āsyaṁ dṛṣṭvā tu nārīṇāṁ punaḥ kāmena pīḍitaḥ| gṛhītvā hemadaṇḍaṁ tu tāṁ pātayitumicchati||

Seeing the faces of the women, tormented once more by desire, he took up a golden staff and sought to bring her down.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.222.85)

कन्योवाच। मा मानुस्पर्शयत्वं हि कुमार्यहं कुलोत्तम। भो मुञ्च मुञ्च मां शीघ्रं यावद्गच्छाम्यहं गृहम्॥

kanyovāca| mā mānusparśayatvaṁ hi kumāryahaṁ kulottama| bho muñca muñca māṁ śīghraṁ yāvadgacchāmyahaṁ gṛham||

The maiden said: "O best of your lineage, do not touch me — I am a maiden! Release me, release me quickly, so that I may go to my home."

Verse 86 (skanda.5.222.86)

दानव उवाच। अहं विवाहमिच्छामि त्वया सह सुशोभने। भूपृष्ठे सकले राज्ञी भवस्येवं न संशयः॥

dānava uvāca| ahaṁ vivāhamicchāmi tvayā saha suśobhane| bhūpṛṣṭhe sakale rājñī bhavasyevaṁ na saṁśayaḥ||

The Danava said: "O beautiful one, I wish to marry you. You shall become queen of the entire surface of the earth — there is no doubt of this."

Verse 87 (skanda.5.222.87)

कन्योवाच। पिता रक्षति कौमार्ये भर्ता रक्षति यौवने। पुत्रो रक्षति वृद्धत्वे न स्त्री स्वातन्त्र्यमर्हति॥

kanyovāca| pitā rakṣati kaumārye bhartā rakṣati yauvane| putro rakṣati vṛddhatve na strī svātantryamarhati||

The maiden said: "A father protects in maidenhood, a husband protects in youth, a son protects in old age — a woman is not entitled to independence.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.222.88)

न स्वातन्त्र्यं ममैवास्ति उत्पन्नाहं महत्कुले। याच्यस्तु मत्पिता भ्राता मातापि हि तथैव च॥

na svātantryaṁ mamaivāsti utpannāhaṁ mahatkule| yācyastu matpitā bhrātā mātāpi hi tathaiva ca||

I have no independence of my own; I was born into a great family. My father, my brother, and my mother too must be asked about this."

Verse 89 (skanda.5.222.89)

दानव उवाच। यदि मां नेच्छसे त्वद्य स्वातन्त्र्यं नावलम्बसे। ममापि च तदा हत्या सत्यं च शुभलोचने॥

dānava uvāca| yadi māṁ necchase tvadya svātantryaṁ nāvalambase| mamāpi ca tadā hatyā satyaṁ ca śubhalocane||

The Danava said: "O fair-eyed one, if you do not desire me today, and do not rely on your independence, then my own death, too, is certain."

Verse 90 (skanda.5.222.90)

कन्योवाच। विश्वासो नैव कर्तव्यो यादृशे तादृशे नरे। नराः स्त्रीषु विचित्राश्च लम्पटाः काममोहिताः॥

kanyovāca| viśvāso naiva kartavyo yādṛśe tādṛśe nare| narāḥ strīṣu vicitrāśca lampaṭāḥ kāmamohitāḥ||

The maiden said: "Whatever kind of man he may be, one should never place trust in him. Men are fickle toward women, lecherous, and deluded by desire.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.222.91)

परिणीय तु मां त्वं हि भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्मया सह। जन्मनाशो भवेत्पश्चान्न त्वं नान्यो भवेन्मम॥

pariṇīya tu māṁ tvaṁ hi bhuṅkṣva bhogānmayā saha| janmanāśo bhavetpaścānna tvaṁ nānyo bhavenmama||

Only having married me should you enjoy pleasures with me; whatever befalls afterward, you shall have no one but me, nor I anyone but you.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.222.92)

ब्राह्मणी क्षत्रिणी वैशी शूद्री यावत्तथैव च। द्वितीयो न भवेद्भर्ता एकाकी चेह जन्मनि॥

brāhmaṇī kṣatriṇī vaiśī śūdrī yāvattathaiva ca| dvitīyo na bhavedbhartā ekākī ceha janmani||

Whether a brahmin woman, a kshatriya woman, a vaishya woman, or a shudra woman, there should not be a second husband; in this life a woman should remain true to one alone."

Verse 93 (skanda.5.222.93)

दानव उवाच। यत्त्वया गदितं वाक्यं तन्मया धारितं हृदि। प्रत्ययं मे कुरुष्वाद्य यत्ते मनसि रोचते॥

dānava uvāca| yattvayā gaditaṁ vākyaṁ tanmayā dhāritaṁ hṛdi| pratyayaṁ me kuruṣvādya yatte manasi rocate||

The Danava said: "What you have spoken, I have held fast in my heart. Give me now the assurance that pleases your own mind."

Verse 94 (skanda.5.222.94)

कन्योवाच। जानीष्व गोपकन्यां मां क्रीडामि सखिभिः सह। अस्मत्कुलेषु यद्दिव्यं तत्कुरुष्व यथाविधि॥

kanyovāca| jānīṣva gopakanyāṁ māṁ krīḍāmi sakhibhiḥ saha| asmatkuleṣu yaddivyaṁ tatkuruṣva yathāvidhi||

The maiden said: "Know me as a cowherd's daughter; I play with my friends. Whatever sacred custom belongs to our lineage, perform it duly."

Verse 95 (skanda.5.222.95)

न तद्दिव्यं कुलेऽस्माकं विषं कोशं न तत्तुला। गोपान्वयेषु सर्वेषु हस्तः शिरसि दीयते॥

na taddivyaṁ kule'smākaṁ viṣaṁ kośaṁ na tattulā| gopānvayeṣu sarveṣu hastaḥ śirasi dīyate||

Whatever is not the sacred custom of our lineage is like poison, is no treasure, and no fair balance; in all cowherd lineages, the hand is placed upon the head as the pledge.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.222.96)

कामान्धेनैव राजेन्द्र निक्षिप्तो मस्तके करः। तत्क्षणाद्भस्मसाद्भूतो दग्धस्तृणचयो यथा॥

kāmāndhenaiva rājendra nikṣipto mastake karaḥ| tatkṣaṇādbhasmasādbhūto dagdhastṛṇacayo yathā||

O lord of kings, blinded by desire, he placed his own hand upon his own head; that very instant he was reduced to ashes, as a heap of straw is consumed by fire.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.222.97)

केशवोपरि देवैस्तु पुष्पवृष्टिः शुभा कृता। हृष्टाः सर्वेऽगमन्देवाः स्वस्थानं विगतज्वराः॥

keśavopari devaistu puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ śubhā kṛtā| hṛṣṭāḥ sarve'gamandevāḥ svasthānaṁ vigatajvarāḥ||

The gods rained down an auspicious shower of flowers upon Keshava; all the gods, delighted and freed of their affliction, went to their own abodes.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.222.98)

क्षीरोदं केशवो गच्छत्कालपृष्ठे निपातिते। य इदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या चरितं दानवस्य च॥

kṣīrodaṁ keśavo gacchatkālapṛṣṭhe nipātite| ya idaṁ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā caritaṁ dānavasya ca||

Once Kalapristha had fallen, Keshava went to the Ocean of Milk. Whoever hears with devotion this account of the Danava

Verse 99 (skanda.5.222.99)

स जयी जायते नित्यं शङ्करस्य वचो यथा। एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजंल्लिङ्गेश्वरमिति श्रुतम्॥

sa jayī jāyate nityaṁ śaṅkarasya vaco yathā| etasmātkāraṇādrājaṁlliṅgeśvaramiti śrutam||

ever becomes victorious, as is the very word of Shankara. O king, for this reason this became renowned by the name Lingeshvara (Lunkeshvara),

Verse 100 (skanda.5.222.100)

लीनं च पातकं यस्मात्स्नानमात्रेण नश्यति। त्वगस्थि शोणितं मांसं मेदःस्नायुस्तथैव च॥

līnaṁ ca pātakaṁ yasmātsnānamātreṇa naśyati| tvagasthi śoṇitaṁ māṁsaṁ medaḥsnāyustathaiva ca||

for by mere bathing there, accumulated sin is destroyed — even sin residing in the skin, bones, blood, flesh, fat, and sinews.

Verse 101 (skanda.5.222.101)

मज्जाशुक्रगतं पापं नश्यते जन्मकोटिजम्। लुङ्केश्वरे महाराज तोयं पिबति भक्तितः॥

majjāśukragataṁ pāpaṁ naśyate janmakoṭijam| luṅkeśvare mahārāja toyaṁ pibati bhaktitaḥ||

Sin residing in the marrow and seed, accumulated over a crore of births, is destroyed as well. O great king, whoever drinks the water at Lunkeshvara with devotion,

Verse 102 (skanda.5.222.102)

त्रिभिः प्रसृतिमात्राभिः पापं याति सहस्रधा। विशेषेण चतुर्दश्यामुभौ पक्षौ तु चाष्टमी॥

tribhiḥ prasṛtimātrābhiḥ pāpaṁ yāti sahasradhā| viśeṣeṇa caturdaśyāmubhau pakṣau tu cāṣṭamī||

with just three handfuls of water, his sin is destroyed a thousandfold; especially on the fourteenth of both fortnights, and on the eighth,

Verse 103 (skanda.5.222.103)

उपोष्य यो नरो भक्त्या पितॄणां पाण्डुनन्दन। उद्धृतास्तेन ते सर्वे नारकीयाः पितामहाः॥

upoṣya yo naro bhaktyā pitḥṇāṁ pāṇḍunandana| uddhṛtāstena te sarve nārakīyāḥ pitāmahāḥ||

O joy of Pandu, whatever man fasts with devotion for his ancestors — by him all those forefathers fallen into hell are delivered.

Verse 104 (skanda.5.222.104)

काकिणीं चैव यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे। तेन दानफलं सर्वं कुरुक्षेत्रादिकं च यत्॥

kākiṇīṁ caiva yo dadyādbrāhmaṇe vedapārage| tena dānaphalaṁ sarvaṁ kurukṣetrādikaṁ ca yat||

Whoever gives even a kakini coin to a brahmin learned in the Vedas obtains thereby the entire fruit of giving, such as that of Kurukshetra and the like,

Verse 105 (skanda.5.222.105)

प्राप्तं तु नान्यथा राजञ्छङ्करो वदते त्विदम्। स्पर्शलिङ्गमिदं राजञ्छङ्करेण तु निर्मितम्॥

prāptaṁ tu nānyathā rājañchaṅkaro vadate tvidam| sparśaliṅgamidaṁ rājañchaṅkareṇa tu nirmitam||

and it is obtained in no other way, O king — so speaks Shankara himself. O king, this linga, fruitful by mere touch, was fashioned by Shankara himself.

Verse 106 (skanda.5.222.106)

स्पर्शमात्रे मनुष्याणां रुद्रवासोऽभिजायते। तेन दानफलं सर्वं कुरुक्षेत्रादिकं च यत्॥

sparśamātre manuṣyāṇāṁ rudravāso'bhijāyate| tena dānaphalaṁ sarvaṁ kurukṣetrādikaṁ ca yat||

By mere touch alone, men attain residence in the world of Rudra; through it, the entire fruit of giving, such as that of Kurukshetra and the like, is also obtained.

Verse 107 (skanda.5.222.107)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजंल्लोकपालाश्च रक्षकाः। दुर्गा च रक्षणे सृष्टा चतुर्हस्तधरा शुभा॥

etasmātkāraṇādrājaṁllokapālāśca rakṣakāḥ| durgā ca rakṣaṇe sṛṣṭā caturhastadharā śubhā||

O king, for this reason the guardians of the world are its protectors, and the auspicious four-armed Durga too was created for its protection.

Verse 108 (skanda.5.222.108)

धनदो लोकपालेशो रक्षकश्चेश्वरस्य च। रक्षति च सदा कालं ग्रहव्यापाररूपतः॥

dhanado lokapāleśo rakṣakaśceśvarasya ca| rakṣati ca sadā kālaṁ grahavyāpārarūpataḥ||

Dhanada, lord of the guardians of the world, is also a protector of Ishvara, and he ever guards time in the form of the working of the planets,

Verse 109 (skanda.5.222.109)

पुत्रभ्रातृसमारूपैः स्वामिसम्बन्धरूपिभिः। लङ्केश्वरं च राजेन्द्र देवैर्नाद्यापि मुच्यते॥

putrabhrātṛsamārūpaiḥ svāmisambandharūpibhiḥ| laṅkeśvaraṁ ca rājendra devairnādyāpi mucyate||

in forms resembling sons and brothers, and in forms of kinship to their lord. O lord of kings, even to this day Lankeshvara has not been abandoned by the gods."