The Glory of Kanakhaleshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.341.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महीपाल तीर्थं कनखलोत्तमम् । गरुडेन तपस्तप्तं पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् ॥ १ ॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchenmahīpāla tīrthaṁ kanakhalottamam | garuḍena tapastaptaṁ pūjayitvā maheśvaram || 1 ||

Sri Markandeya said: Thereafter, O king, one should go to the excellent tirtha Kanakhala, where Garuda performed austerity, worshipping Maheshvara.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.341.2)

दिव्यं वर्षशतं यावज्जातमात्रेण भारत । तपोजपैः कृशीभूतो दृष्टो देवेन शम्भुना ॥ २ ॥

divyaṁ varṣaśataṁ yāvajjātamātreṇa bhārata | tapojapaiḥ kṛśībhūto dṛṣṭo devena śambhunā || 2 ||

O Bharata, from the very moment of his birth, for a hundred divine years, Garuda, emaciated by austerity and japa, was seen by the god Shambhu.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.341.3)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवो वैनतेयं मनोजवम् । उवाच परमं वाक्यं विनतानन्दवर्धनम् ॥ ३ ॥

tatastuṣṭo mahādevo vainateyaṁ manojavam | uvāca paramaṁ vākyaṁ vinatānandavardhanam || 3 ||

Then Mahadeva, pleased, spoke a supreme word to Vainateya, swift as thought, words that would increase Vinata's joy —

Verse 4 (skanda.5.341.4)

प्रसन्नस्ते महाभाग वरं वरय सुव्रत । दुर्लभं त्रिषु लोकेषु ददामि तव खेचर ॥ ४ ॥

prasannaste mahābhāga varaṁ varaya suvrata | durlabhaṁ triṣu lokeṣu dadāmi tava khecara || 4 ||

'I am pleased with you, O illustrious one; ask a boon, O one of good vows. I shall grant you what is rare in all three worlds, O sky-goer.'

Verse 5 (skanda.5.341.5)

गरुड उवाच। इच्छामि वाहनं विष्णोर्द्विजेन्द्रत्वं सुरेश्वर । प्रसन्ने त्वयि मे सर्वं भवत्विति मतिर्मम ॥ ५ ॥

garuḍa uvāca| icchāmi vāhanaṁ viṣṇordvijendratvaṁ sureśvara | prasanne tvayi me sarvaṁ bhavatviti matirmama || 5 ||

Garuda said: 'O lord of gods, I wish to be Vishnu's vehicle, and lord of birds. With you pleased, let all this be — such is my wish.'

Verse 6 (skanda.5.341.6)

श्रीमहेश उवाच। दुर्लभः प्राणिनां तात यो वरः प्रार्थितोऽनघ । देवदेवस्य वाहनं द्विजेन्द्रत्वं सुदुर्लभम् ॥ ६ ॥

śrīmaheśa uvāca| durlabhaḥ prāṇināṁ tāta yo varaḥ prārthito'nagha | devadevasya vāhanaṁ dvijendratvaṁ sudurlabham || 6 ||

Sri Mahesha said: 'O sinless son, this boon you have asked for is rare for living beings — to be the vehicle of the god of gods, and lordship over birds, is exceedingly rare.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.341.7)

नारायणोदरे सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । त्वया स कथमूह्येत देवदेवो जगद्गुरुः ॥ ७ ॥

nārāyaṇodare sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram | tvayā sa kathamūhyeta devadevo jagadguruḥ || 7 ||

Within Narayana's belly rests the whole triple world with all its moving and unmoving beings — how then could you carry that god of gods, the guru of the world?

Verse 8 (skanda.5.341.8)

तेनैव स्थापितश्चेन्द्रस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । कथमन्यस्य चेन्द्रत्वं भवतीति सुदुर्लभम् ॥ ८ ॥

tenaiva sthāpitaścendrastrailokye sacarācare | kathamanyasya cendratvaṁ bhavatīti sudurlabham || 8 ||

By him alone has Indra been established over the triple world with all its moving and unmoving beings — how then could kingship come to another? This is exceedingly rare.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.341.9)

तथापि मम वाक्येन वाहनं त्वं भविष्यसि । शङ्खचक्रगदापाणेर्वहतोऽपि जगत्त्रयम् ॥ ९ ॥

tathāpi mama vākyena vāhanaṁ tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi | śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇervahato'pi jagattrayam || 9 ||

Yet by my word, you shall become the vehicle of him who bears the conch, discus, and mace — even though he bears the three worlds himself.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.341.10)

इन्द्रस्त्वं पक्षिणां मध्ये भविष्यसि न संशयः । इति दत्त्वा वरं तस्मा अन्तर्धानं गतो हरः ॥ १० ॥

indrastvaṁ pakṣiṇāṁ madhye bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ | iti dattvā varaṁ tasmā antardhānaṁ gato haraḥ || 10 ||

And you shall become the Indra among birds, without doubt.' Having thus granted this boon to him, Hara vanished from sight.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.341.11)

ततो गते महादेवे ह्युरुणस्यानुजो नृप । आराधयामास तदा चामुण्डां मुण्डमण्डिताम् ॥ ११ ॥

tato gate mahādeve hyaruṇasyānujo nṛpa | ārādhayāmāsa tadā cāmuṇḍāṁ muṇḍamaṇḍitām || 11 ||

O king, when Mahadeva had gone, then Aruna's younger brother worshipped the goddess Chamunda, adorned with skulls.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.341.12)

श्मशानवासिनीं देवीं बहुभूतसमन्विताम् । योगिनीं योगसंसिद्धां वसामांसासवप्रियाम् ॥ १२ ॥

śmaśānavāsinīṁ devīṁ bahubhūtasamanvitām | yoginīṁ yogasaṁsiddhāṁ vasāmāṁsāsavapriyām || 12 ||

— the goddess who dwells in the cremation ground, attended by many spirits, a Yogini perfected in yoga, fond of marrow, flesh, and spirituous liquor.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.341.13)

ध्यातमात्रा तु तेनैव प्रत्यक्षा ह्यभवत्तदा । जालंधरे च या सिद्धिः कौलीने उड्डिशे परे ॥ १३ ॥

dhyātamātrā tu tenaiva pratyakṣā hyabhavattadā | jālaṁdhare ca yā siddhiḥ kaulīne uḍḍiśe pare || 13 ||

The moment he meditated upon her, she became manifest before him. Whatever accomplishment exists at Jalandhara, at Kaulina, at the great Uddisha —

Verse 14 (skanda.5.341.14)

समग्रा सा भृगुक्षेत्रे सिद्धक्षेत्रे तु संस्थिता । चामुण्डा तत्र सा देवी सिद्धक्षेत्रे व्यवस्थिता ॥ १४ ॥

samagrā sā bhṛgukṣetre siddhakṣetre tu saṁsthitā | cāmuṇḍā tatra sā devī siddhakṣetre vyavasthitā || 14 ||

— that whole accomplishment stands complete in Bhrigukshetra, in this field of accomplishment. There, the goddess Chamunda is established in that Siddhakshetra.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.341.15)

संस्तुता ऋषिभिर्देवैर्योगक्षेमार्थसिद्धये । विनतानन्दजननस्तत्र तां योगिनीं नृप । भक्त्या प्रसादयामास स्तोत्रैर्वैदिकलौकिकैः ॥ १५ ॥

saṁstutā ṛṣibhirdevairyogakṣemārthasiddhaye | vinatānandajananastatra tāṁ yoginīṁ nṛpa | bhaktyā prasādayāmāsa stotrairvaidikalaukikaiḥ || 15 ||

Praised by sages and gods for the attainment of yoga and prosperity, O king, that son who brought joy to Vinata propitiated that Yogini there with devotion, through both Vedic and worldly hymns of praise.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.341.16)

गरुड उवाच। ओं या सा क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठा नवरुधिरमुखा प्रेतपद्मासनस्था भूतानां वृन्दवृन्दैः पितृवननिलया क्रीडते शूलहस्ता । शस्त्रध्वस्तप्रवीरव्रजरुधिरगलन्मुण्डमालोत्तरीया देवी श्रीवीरमाता विमलशशिनिभा पातु वश्चर्ममुण्डा ॥ १६ ॥

garuḍa uvāca| oṁ yā sā kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭhā navarudhiramukhā pretapadmāsanasthā bhūtānāṁ vṛndavṛndaiḥ pitṛvananilayā krīḍate śūlahastā | śastradhvastapravīravrajarudhiragalanmuṇḍamālottarīyā devī śrīvīramātā vimalaśaśinibhā pātu vaścarmamuṇḍā || 16 ||

Garuda said: Om — she whose throat is thin with hunger, whose mouth is fresh with blood, who sits enthroned upon a lotus of corpses, who dwells amid throngs of spirit-hosts in the forest of the ancestors, who sports trident in hand; the goddess draped with a garland of skulls dripping blood from hosts of great heroes felled by weapons, the glorious mother of heroes, radiant as the spotless moon — may Charmamunda protect you all.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.341.17)

या सा क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठा विकृतभयकरी त्रासिनी दुष्कृतानां मुञ्चज्ज्वालाकलापैर्दशनकसमसैः खादति प्रेतमांसम् । या सा दोर्दण्डचण्डैर्डमरुरणरणाटोपटंकारघण्टैः कल्पान्तोत्पातवाताहतपटुपटहैर्वल्गते भूतमाता । क्षुत्क्षामा शुष्ककुक्षिः खवरतरनरवरैः क्षोदति प्रेतमांसं मुञ्चन्ती चाट्टहासं घुरघुरितरवा पातु वश्चर्ममुण्डा ॥ १७ ॥

yā sā kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭhā vikṛtabhayakarī trāsinī duṣkṛtānāṁ muñcajjvālākalāpairdaśanakasamasaiḥ khādati pretamāṁsam | yā sā dordaṇḍacaṇḍairḍamarurananāṭopaṭaṅkāraghaṇṭaiḥ kalpāntotpātavātāhatapaṭupaṭahairvalgate bhūtamātā | kṣutkṣāmā śuṣkakukṣiḥ khavarataranaravaraiḥ kṣodati pretamāṁsaṁ muñcantī cāṭṭahāsaṁ ghuraghuritaravā pātu vaścarmamuṇḍā || 17 ||

She whose throat is thin with hunger, deformed and terrifying, a source of fear to evildoers, devours the flesh of corpses with teeth that flash like bursts of flame; she, the mother of spirits, dances to the fierce clashing of drums held in her mighty arms, to clanging bells, and to loud kettledrums beaten as if by the winds of cosmic dissolution; hungry and hollow-bellied, she grinds the flesh of corpses with excellent teeth like blades, letting out great peals of laughter with a rumbling roar — may Charmamunda protect you all.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.341.18)

या सा निम्नोदराभा विकृतभवभयत्रासिनी शूलहस्ता चामुण्डा मुण्डघाता रणरणितरणझल्लरीनादरम्या । त्रैलोक्यं त्रासयन्ति ककहकहकहैर्घोररावैरनेकैर्नृत्यन्ती मातृमध्ये पितृवननिलया पातु वश्चर्ममुण्डा ॥ १८ ॥

yā sā nimnodarābhā vikṛtabhavabhayatrāsinī śūlahastā cāmuṇḍā muṇḍaghātā raṇaraṇitaraṇajhallarīnādaramyā | trailokyaṁ trāsayanti kakahakahakahairghorarāvairanekairnṛtyantī mātṛmadhye pitṛvananilayā pātu vaścarmamuṇḍā || 18 ||

She of sunken belly, terrifying with the deformed fear of worldly existence, trident in hand, Chamunda, slayer of Munda, delighting in the clanging ring of war-cymbals; she who terrifies the three worlds with many fearsome cackling cries, dancing amid the Mothers, dwelling in the forest of the ancestors — may Charmamunda protect you all.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.341.19)

या धत्ते विश्वमखिलं निजांशेन महोज्ज्वला । कनकप्रसवे लीना पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ १९ ॥

yā dhatte viśvamakhilaṁ nijāṁśena mahojjvalā | kanakaprasave līnā pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 19 ||

She who, greatly radiant, sustains the entire universe by her own portion, absorbed in the golden birthplace — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.341.20)

हिमाद्रिसम्भवा देवी दयादर्शितविग्रहा । शिवप्रिया शिवे सक्ता पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २० ॥

himādrisambhavā devī dayādarśitavigrahā | śivapriyā śive saktā pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 20 ||

The goddess born of the Himalaya, whose very form manifests compassion, beloved of Shiva, ever devoted to Shiva — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.341.21)

अनादिजगदादिर्या रत्नगर्भा वसुप्रिया । रथाङ्गपाणिना पद्मा पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २१ ॥

anādijagadādiryā ratnagarbhā vasupriyā | rathāṅgapāṇinā padmā pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 21 ||

She who is the origin of the beginningless world, bearing jewels in her womb, beloved of wealth, the lotus-goddess of the discus-bearer — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.341.22)

सावित्री या च गायत्री मृडानी वागथेन्दिरा । स्मर्तॄणां या सुखं दत्ते पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २२ ॥

sāvitrī yā ca gāyatrī mṛḍānī vāgathendirā | smartṝṇāṁ yā sukhaṁ datte pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 22 ||

She who is Savitri, and Gayatri, Mridani, Vak, and Indira, who grants happiness to those who remember her — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.341.23)

सौम्यासौम्यैः सदा रूपैः सृजत्यवति या जगत् । परा शक्तिः परा बुद्धिः पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २३ ॥

saumyāsaumyaiḥ sadā rūpaiḥ sṛjatyavati yā jagat | parā śaktiḥ parā buddhiḥ pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 23 ||

She who, through her ever gentle and fierce forms, creates and protects the universe, the supreme power, the supreme wisdom — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.341.24)

ब्रह्मणः सर्गसमये सृज्यशक्तिः परा तु या । जगन्माया जगद्धात्री पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २४ ॥

brahmaṇaḥ sargasamaye sṛjyaśaktiḥ parā tu yā | jaganmāyā jagaddhātrī pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 24 ||

She who, at the time of Brahma's creation, is his supreme creative power, the Maya of the world, the sustainer of the world — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.341.25)

विश्वस्य पालने विष्णोर्या शक्तिः परिपालिका । मदनोन्मादिनी मुख्या पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २५ ॥

viśvasya pālane viṣṇoryā śaktiḥ paripālikā | madanonmādinī mukhyā pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 25 ||

She who, in Vishnu's preservation of the universe, is his sustaining power, the foremost enchantress who maddens with desire — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.341.26)

विश्वसंलयने मुख्या या रुद्रेण समाश्रिता । रौद्री शक्तिः शिवानन्ता पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २६ ॥

viśvasaṁlayane mukhyā yā rudreṇa samāśritā | raudrī śaktiḥ śivānantā pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 26 ||

She who is foremost in the dissolution of the universe, resorted to by Rudra, the fierce power of Shiva, boundless — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.341.27)

कैलाससानुसंरूढ कनकप्रसवेशया । भस्मकाभिहृता पूर्वं पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २७ ॥

kailāsasānusaṁrūḍha kanakaprasaveśayā | bhasmakābhihṛtā pūrvaṁ pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 27 ||

Ascended upon the peak of Kailasa, lady of the golden birthplace, she who was once carried off amid ashes — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.341.28)

पतिप्रभावमिच्छन्ती त्रस्यन्ती या विना पतिम् । अबला त्वेकभावा च पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २८ ॥

patiprabhāvamicchantī trasyantī yā vinā patim | abalā tvekabhāvā ca pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 28 ||

She who desires her husband's glory, who trembles when apart from her husband, though seeming weak, of a single unwavering devotion — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.341.29)

विश्वसंरक्षणे सक्ता रक्षिता कनकेन या । आ ब्रह्मस्तम्बजननी पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ २९ ॥

viśvasaṁrakṣaṇe saktā rakṣitā kanakena yā | ā brahmastambajananī pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 29 ||

She who is devoted to the protection of the universe, herself protected by gold, the mother of all beings from Brahma down to the blade of grass — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.341.30)

ब्रह्मविष्ण्वीश्वराः शक्त्या शरीरग्रहणं यया । प्रापिताः प्रथमा शक्तिः पातु मां कनकेश्वरी ॥ ३० ॥

brahmaviṣṇvīśvarāḥ śaktyā śarīragrahaṇaṁ yayā | prāpitāḥ prathamā śaktiḥ pātu māṁ kanakeśvarī || 30 ||

By whose power Brahma, Vishnu, and Ishvara were caused to take on bodily form — she, the primal power — may Kanakeshvari protect me.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.341.31)

श्रुत्वा तु गरुडेनोक्तं देवीवृत्तचतुष्टयम् । प्रसन्ना संमुखी भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ॥ ३१ ॥

śrutvā tu garuḍenoktaṁ devīvṛttacatuṣṭayam | prasannā saṁmukhī bhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha || 31 ||

Hearing this fourfold hymn spoken by Garuda about the goddess, she, pleased, appeared before him and spoke these words:

Verse 32 (skanda.5.341.32)

श्रीचामुण्डोवाच। प्रसन्ना ते महासत्त्व वरं वरय वाञ्छितम् । ददामि ते द्विजश्रेष्ठ यत्ते मनसि रोचते ॥ ३२ ॥

śrīcāmuṇḍovāca| prasannā te mahāsattva varaṁ varaya vāñchitam | dadāmi te dvijaśreṣṭha yatte manasi rocate || 32 ||

Sri Chamunda said: 'O great being, I am pleased with you; ask the boon you desire. O best of birds, I shall grant you whatever pleases your mind.'

Verse 33 (skanda.5.341.33)

गरुड उवाच। अजरश्चामरश्चैव अधृष्यश्च सुरासुरैः । तव प्रसादाच्चैवान्यैरजेयश्च भवाम्यहम् ॥ ३३ ॥

garuḍa uvāca| ajaraścāmaraścaiva adhṛṣyaśca surāsuraiḥ | tava prasādāccaivānyairajeyaśca bhavāmyaham || 33 ||

Garuda said: 'By your grace, may I become ageless, immortal, unassailable by gods and demons, and unconquerable by any others.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.341.34)

त्वया चात्र सदा देवि स्थातव्यं तीर्थसन्निधौ । मार्कण्डेय उवाच। एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा देवी देवैरभिष्टुता ॥ ३४ ॥

tvayā cātra sadā devi sthātavyaṁ tīrthasannidhau | mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| evaṁ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā devī devairabhiṣṭutā || 34 ||

And, O goddess, you must always remain here, in the presence of this tirtha.' Markandeya said: Saying 'So shall it be,' the goddess, praised by the gods,

Verse 35 (skanda.5.341.35)

जगामाकाशमाविश्य भूतसङ्घसमन्विता । यदा लक्ष्म्या नृपश्रेष्ठ स्थापितं पुरमुत्तमम् ॥ ३५ ॥

jagāmākāśamāviśya bhūtasaṅghasamanvitā | yadā lakṣmyā nṛpaśreṣṭha sthāpitaṁ puramuttamam || 35 ||

— entered the sky and departed, accompanied by her hosts of spirits. O best of kings, when the excellent city had been established by Lakshmi,

Verse 36 (skanda.5.341.36)

अनुमान्य तदा देवीं कृतं तस्यां समर्पितम् । लक्ष्मीरुवाच। रक्षणाय मया देवि योगक्षेमार्थसिद्धये ॥ ३६ ॥

anumānya tadā devīṁ kṛtaṁ tasyāṁ samarpitam | lakṣmīruvāca| rakṣaṇāya mayā devi yogakṣemārthasiddhaye || 36 ||

Then, having gained the goddess's consent, it was entrusted to her. Lakshmi said: 'O goddess, for its protection, and for the accomplishment of its welfare and prosperity —

Verse 37 (skanda.5.341.37)

मातृवत्प्रतिपाल्यं ते सदा देवि पुरं मम । गरुडोऽपि ततः स्नात्वा सम्पूज्य कनकेश्वरीम् ॥ ३७ ॥

mātṛvatpratipālyaṁ te sadā devi puraṁ mama | garuḍo'pi tataḥ snātvā sampūjya kanakeśvarīm || 37 ||

— you must ever protect my city like a mother, O goddess.' Garuda, too, then bathed there and worshipped Kanakeshvari,

Verse 38 (skanda.5.341.38)

तीर्थं तत्रैव संस्थाप्य जगामाकाशमुत्तमम् । तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा पूजयेत्पितृदेवताः ॥ ३८ ॥

tīrthaṁ tatraiva saṁsthāpya jagāmākāśamuttamam | tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā pūjayetpitṛdevatāḥ || 38 ||

and, having established the tirtha there, departed into the excellent sky. Whoever bathes at that tirtha and worships the ancestor-deities,

Verse 39 (skanda.5.341.39)

सर्वकामसमृद्धस्य यज्ञस्य फलमश्नुते । गन्धपुष्पादिभिर्यस्तु पूजयेत्कनकेश्वरम् ॥ ३९ ॥

sarvakāmasamṛddhasya yajñasya phalamaśnute | gandhapuṣpādibhiryastu pūjayetkanakeśvaram || 39 ||

obtains the fruit of a sacrifice enriched with the fulfillment of all desires. Whoever, with sandal-paste, flowers, and the like, worships Kanakeshvara,

Verse 40 (skanda.5.341.40)

तस्य योगैश्वर्यसिद्धिर्योगपीठेषु जायते । मृतो योगेश्वरं लोकं जयशब्दादिमङ्गलैः । स गच्छेन्नात्र सन्देहो योगिनीगणसंयुतः ॥ ४० ॥

tasya yogaiśvaryasiddhiryogapīṭheṣu jāyate | mṛto yogeśvaraṁ lokaṁ jayaśabdādimaṅgalaiḥ | sa gacchennātra sandeho yoginīgaṇasaṁyutaḥ || 40 ||

he attains the accomplishment of yogic mastery at the seats of yoga. After death, he goes to the world of Yogeshvara, amid cries of victory and other auspicious sounds, accompanied by hosts of Yoginis — of this there is no doubt.