The Greatness of Hamseshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.376.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेत्तु राजेन्द्र रेवाया दक्षिणे तटे। क्रोशद्वयान्तरे तीर्थं मातृतीर्थादनुत्तमम्।

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchettu rājendra revāyā dakṣiṇe taṭe| krośadvayāntare tīrthaṁ mātṛtīrthādanuttamam|||

Shri Markandeya said: O best of kings, thereafter one should go to the southern bank of the Reva, where, at a distance of two krosas from Matritirtha, lies an incomparable tirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.376.2)

नाम्ना हंसेश्वरं पुण्यं वैमनस्यविनाशनम्। कश्यपस्य कुले जातो हंसो दाक्षायणीसुतः।

nāmnā haṁseśvaraṁ puṇyaṁ vaimanasyavināśanam| kaśyapasya kule jāto haṁso dākṣāyaṇīsutaḥ|||

That sacred tirtha is known by the name Hamseshvara, the destroyer of mental anguish. Hamsa, born in the lineage of Kashyapa, the son of Dakshayani (Aditi),

Verse 3 (skanda.5.376.3)

ब्रह्मणो वाहनं जातः पुरा तप्त्वा तपो महत्। सैकदा विधिनिर्देशं विना वैयग्र्यमास्थितः।

brahmaṇo vāhanaṁ jātaḥ purā taptvā tapo mahat| saikadā vidhinirdeśaṁ vinā vaiyagryamāsthitaḥ|||

having once performed great austerities, became the vehicle of Brahma. Once, without any command from Brahma, he fell into distress.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.376.4)

अभिभूतः शिवगणैः प्रणनाश युधिष्ठिर। दक्षयज्ञप्रमथने कांदिशीको विधिं विना।

abhibhūtaḥ śivagaṇaiḥ praṇanāśa yudhiṣṭhira| dakṣayajñapramathane kāndiśīko vidhiṁ vinā|||

O Yudhishthira, at the time of the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, overwhelmed by Shiva's attendants, he fled in terror and vanished, abandoning Brahma without leave.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.376.5)

ब्रह्मणा संसृतोऽप्याशु नायाति स यदा खगः। तदा तं शप्तवान्ब्रह्मा पातयामास वै पदात्।

brahmaṇā saṁsṛto'pyāśu nāyāti sa yadā khagaḥ| tadā taṁ śaptavānbrahmā pātayāmāsa vai padāt|||

Though quickly summoned by Brahma, when that bird did not come, Brahma then cursed him and cast him down from his position.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.376.6)

ततः स शप्तमात्मानं मत्वा हंसस्त्वरान्वितः। पितामहमुपागम्य प्रणिपत्येदमब्रवीत्।

tataḥ sa śaptamātmānaṁ matvā haṁsastvarānvitaḥ| pitāmahamupāgamya praṇipatyedamabravīt|||

Thereafter, knowing himself to be cursed, that Hamsa hastened to the Grandsire, and, having bowed before him, spoke these words.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.376.7)

हंस उवाच। तिर्यग्योनिसमुत्पन्नं भवाञ्छप्तुं न चार्हति। स्वभाव एव तिर्यक्षु विवेकविकलं मनः।

haṁsa uvāca| tiryagyonisamutpannaṁ bhavāñchaptuṁ na cārhati| svabhāva eva tiryakṣu vivekavikalaṁ manaḥ|||

Hamsa said: It is not fitting for you to curse one born in an animal womb, for it is the very nature of animals that their minds are devoid of discernment.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.376.8)

तथापि देव पापोऽस्मि यदहं स्वामिनं त्यजे। किं तु धावद्भिरत्युग्रैर्गणैः शार्वैः पितामह। सहसाहं भयाक्रान्तस्त्रस्तस्त्यक्त्वा पलायितः।

tathāpi deva pāpo'smi yadahaṁ svāminaṁ tyaje| kiṁ tu dhāvadbhiratyugrairgaṇaiḥ śārvaiḥ pitāmaha| sahasāhaṁ bhayākrāntastrastastyaktvā palāyitaḥ|||

Even so, O god, I am a sinner in that I abandoned my master. But, O Grandsire, as Shiva's attendants came rushing with fierce intent, I, suddenly overwhelmed by fear, terrified, fled.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.376.9)

अद्यापि भयमेवाहं पश्यन्नस्मि विभो पुरः। तेन स्मृतोऽपि भवता नाव्रजं भवदन्तिके।

adyāpi bhayamevāhaṁ paśyannasmi vibho puraḥ| tena smṛto'pi bhavatā nāvrajaṁ bhavadantike|||

O mighty one, even today I see that very fear before me. It was for this reason that, though summoned by you, I could not come into your presence.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.376.10)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। इति ब्रुवन्नेव हि धातुरग्रे हंसः श्वसत्यक्षिपूज्यः सुदीनः। तिर्यञ्चं मां पापिनं मूढबुद्धिं प्रभो पुरः पतितं पाहि पाहि।

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| iti bruvanneva hi dhāturagre haṁsaḥ śvasatyakṣipūjyaḥ sudīnaḥ| tiryañcaṁ māṁ pāpinaṁ mūḍhabuddhiṁ prabho puraḥ patitaṁ pāhi pāhi|||

Shri Markandeya said: Even as he spoke thus before the Creator, that Hamsa, most wretched, began to sob - "O lord, protect me, protect me - fallen before you, an animal, a sinner, of deluded mind."

Verse 11 (skanda.5.376.11)

एको देवस्त्वं हि सर्गस्य कर्ता नानाविधं सृष्टमेतत्त्वयैव। अहं सृष्टस्त्वीदृशो यत्त्वया वै सोऽयं दोषो धातरद्धा तवैव।

eko devastvaṁ hi sargasya kartā nānāvidhaṁ sṛṣṭametattvayaiva| ahaṁ sṛṣṭastvīdṛśo yattvayā vai so'yaṁ doṣo dhātaraddhā tavaiva|||

"You alone are the one god, the creator of the universe. This manifold creation has been fashioned by you alone. I too have been created by you in this very form. O Creator, this fault is truly your own."

Verse 12 (skanda.5.376.12)

शापस्य वानुग्रहस्यापि शक्तस्त्वत्तो नान्यः शरणं कं व्रजामि। सेवाधर्माद्विच्युतं दासभूतं चपेटैर्हन्तव्यं वै तात मां त्राहि भक्तम्।

śāpasya vānugrahasyāpi śaktastvatto nānyaḥ śaraṇaṁ kaṁ vrajāmi| sevādharmādvicyutaṁ dāsabhūtaṁ capeṭairhantavyaṁ vai tāta māṁ trāhi bhaktam|||

"There is none other than you capable both of cursing and of blessing - to whom else shall I turn for refuge? O father, I, your servant fallen from the duty of service, deserve to be struck with blows, yet save me, your devotee."

Verse 13 (skanda.5.376.13)

विद्याविद्ये त्वत्त एवाविरास्तां धर्माधर्मौ सदसद्द्युर्निशे च। नानाभावाञ्जगतस्त्वं विधत्सेस्तं त्वामेकं शरणं वै प्रपद्ये।

vidyāvidye tvatta evāvirāstāṁ dharmādharmau sadasaddyurniśe ca| nānābhāvāñjagatastvaṁ vidhattestaṁ tvāmekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vai prapadye|||

"Knowledge and ignorance, righteousness and unrighteousness, being and non-being, day and night - all these arose from you alone. You alone ordain the manifold states of the world. I take refuge in you, the one."

Verse 14 (skanda.5.376.14)

एकोऽसि बहुरूपोऽसि नानाचित्रैककर्मतः। निष्कर्माखिलकर्मासि त्वामतः शरणं व्रजे।

eko'si bahurūpo'si nānācitraikakarmataḥ| niṣkarmākhilakarmāsi tvāmataḥ śaraṇaṁ vraje|||

"You are one, yet through a single wondrous, manifold activity you are of many forms. Though actionless, you are the doer of all actions. Therefore I go for refuge to you."

Verse 15 (skanda.5.376.15)

नमोनमो वरेण्याय वरदाय नमोनमः। नमो धात्रे विधात्रे च शरण्याय नमोनमः।

namonamo vareṇyāya varadāya namonamaḥ| namo dhātre vidhātre ca śaraṇyāya namonamaḥ|||

"Salutations again and again to the most adorable one, salutations again and again to the giver of boons. Salutations to the Supporter and the Ordainer, salutations again and again to the giver of refuge."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.376.16)

शिक्षाक्षरवियुक्तेयं वाणी मे स्तौति किं विभो। का शक्तिः किं परिज्ञानमिदमुक्तं क्षमस्व मे।

śikṣākṣaraviyukteyaṁ vāṇī me stauti kiṁ vibho| kā śaktiḥ kiṁ parijñānamidamuktaṁ kṣamasva me|||

"O mighty one, what praise can this speech of mine, devoid of learning and proper letters, truly offer? What power have I, what knowledge? Forgive whatever I have spoken."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.376.17)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। एवं वदति हंसे वै ब्रह्मा प्राह प्रसन्नधीः। शिक्षा दत्ता तवैवेयं मा विषादं कृथाः खग।

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| evaṁ vadati haṁse vai brahmā prāha prasannadhīḥ| śikṣā dattā tavaiveyaṁ mā viṣādaṁ kṛthāḥ khaga|||

Shri Markandeya said: When Hamsa had spoken thus, Brahma, his mind now pleased, said: "This lesson has been given to you alone. O bird, do not grieve."

Verse 18 (skanda.5.376.18)

तपसा शोधयात्मानं यथा शापान्तमाप्नुयाः। रेवासेवां कुरु स्नात्वा स्थापयित्वा महेश्वरम्। अचिरेणैव कालेन ततः संस्थानमाप्स्यसि।

tapasā śodhayātmānaṁ yathā śāpāntamāpnuyāḥ| revāsevāṁ kuru snātvā sthāpayitvā maheśvaram| acireṇaiva kālena tataḥ saṁsthānamāpsyasi|||

"Purify yourself through austerity, so that you may attain the end of the curse. Bathe in the Narmada, establish Maheshvara there, and render service to the Reva. Thereby, in a short time, you shall regain your rightful place."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.376.19)

यच्चेष्ट्वा बहुभिर्यज्ञैः समाप्तवरदक्षिणैः। गोस्वर्णकोटिदानैश्च तत्फलं स्थापिते शिवे।

yacceṣṭvā bahubhiryajñaiḥ samāptavaradakṣiṇaiḥ| gosvarṇakoṭidānaiśca tatphalaṁ sthāpite śive|||

"Whatever fruit is obtained by performing many sacrifices completed with excellent gifts of dakshina, and by giving millions of cows and gold in charity - that very fruit is obtained by installing Shiva there."

Verse 20 (skanda.5.376.20)

ब्रह्मघ्नो वा सुरापो वा स्वर्णहृद्गुरुतल्पगः। रेवातीरे शिवं स्थाप्य मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः।

brahmaghno vā surāpo vā svarṇahṛdgurutalpagaḥ| revātīre śivaṁ sthāpya mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ|||

"The killer of a brahmin, the drinker of liquor, the thief of gold, or the violator of the teacher's wife - all these, by installing Shiva on the bank of the Reva, become freed from all their sins."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.376.21)

तस्माद्भर्गसरित्तीरे स्थापयित्वा त्रियम्बकम्। वियुक्तः सर्वदोषैस्त्वं यास्यसे पदमुत्तमम्।

tasmādbhargasarittīre sthāpayitvā triyambakam| viyuktaḥ sarvadoṣaistvaṁ yāsyase padamuttamam|||

"Therefore, having installed Triyambaka (Shiva) on the bank of the river of Bharga (the Narmada), freed from all faults, you shall attain the supreme state."

Verse 22 (skanda.5.376.22)

एवमुक्तः स विधिना हृष्टतुष्टः खगोत्तमः। तथेत्युक्त्वा जगामाशु नर्मदातीरमुत्तमम्।

evamuktaḥ sa vidhinā hṛṣṭatuṣṭaḥ khagottamaḥ| tathetyuktvā jagāmāśu narmadātīramuttamam|||

Thus addressed by the Creator, that foremost of birds became joyful and content. Saying "So be it," he swiftly went to the excellent bank of the Narmada.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.376.23)

तपस्तप्त्वा कियत्कालं स्थापयामास शङ्करम्।

tapastaptvā kiyatkālaṁ sthāpayāmāsa śaṅkaram|||

Having performed austerities for some time, he established Shankara there.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.376.24)

स्वनाम्ना भरतश्रेष्ठ हंसेश्वरमनुत्तमम्। पूजयित्वा परं स्थानं प्राप्तवान्खगसत्तमः।

svanāmnā bharataśreṣṭha haṁseśvaramanuttamam| pūjayitvā paraṁ sthānaṁ prāptavānkhagasattamaḥ|||

O best of the Bharatas, having established that incomparable Hamseshvara in his own name and worshipped it, that foremost of birds attained the supreme state.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.376.25)

तत्र हंसेश्वरे तीर्थे गत्वा स्नात्वा युधिष्ठिर। पूजयेत्परमेशानं स पापैः परिमुच्यते।

tatra haṁseśvare tīrthe gatvā snātvā yudhiṣṭhira| pūjayetparameśānaṁ sa pāpaiḥ parimucyate|||

O Yudhishthira, whoever goes to that tirtha of Hamseshvara, bathes there, and worships the supreme Lord, becomes freed from all sins.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.376.26)

स्तुवन्नेकमना देवं न दैन्यं प्राप्नुयात्क्वचित्। श्राद्धं दीपप्रदानं च ब्राह्मणानां च भोजनम्। दत्त्वा शक्त्या नृपश्रेष्ठ स्वर्गलोके महीयते।

stuvannekamanā devaṁ na dainyaṁ prāpnuyātkvacit| śrāddhaṁ dīpapradānaṁ ca brāhmaṇānāṁ ca bhojanam| dattvā śaktyā nṛpaśreṣṭha svargaloke mahīyate|||

One who praises the god with a single-pointed mind never falls into wretchedness. O best of kings, having performed the shraddha rite, given the gift of a lamp, and fed brahmins according to his capacity, he is honored in the world of heaven.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.376.27)

त्रिकालमेककालं वा यो भक्त्या पूजयेच्छिवम्। नवप्रसूतां धेनुं च दत्त्वा पार्थ द्विजोत्तमे। षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि शिवलोके महीयते।

trikālamekakālaṁ vā yo bhaktyā pūjayecchivam| navaprasūtāṁ dhenuṁ ca dattvā pārtha dvijottame| ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi śivaloke mahīyate|||

O Partha, whoever worships Shiva with devotion three times a day, or even once, and gives a newly-calved cow to an excellent brahmin, is honored in the world of Shiva for sixty thousand years.