The Greatness of Ashadhi Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.371.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। अषाढीतीर्थमागच्छेत्ततो भूपालनन्दन। कामिकं रूपमास्थाय स्थितो यत्र महेश्वरः।

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| aṣāḍhītīrthamāgacchettato bhūpālanandana| kāmikaṁ rūpamāsthāya sthito yatra maheśvaraḥ|||

Shri Markandeya said: O delight of kings, thereafter one should come to Ashadhi tirtha, where Maheshvara resides, having assumed a beautiful, desirable form.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.371.2)

चातुर्युगमिदं तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थेष्वनुत्तमम्। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन् रुद्रस्यानुचरो भवेत्।

cāturyugamidaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvatīrtheṣvanuttamam| tatra snātvā naro rājan rudrasyānucaro bhavet|||

This tirtha has existed through all four ages, and is unsurpassed among all tirthas. O king, bathing there, a man becomes an attendant of Rudra.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.371.3)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः कश्चित्कुरुते प्राणमोक्षणम्। अनिवर्तिका गतिस्तस्य रुद्रलोकादसंशयम्।

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ kaścitkurute prāṇamokṣaṇam| anivartikā gatistasya rudralokādasaṁśayam|||

Whoever gives up his life at that tirtha attains, without doubt, a state of non-return from the world of Rudra.