The Casting Down of the Skull

Verse 1 (skanda.5.6.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। प्रविश्याथ वनं देवाः सर्वपुष्पोपशोभितम्। इह देवो ऽत्र देवोऽत्र विविशुस्ते दिदृक्षवः

sanatkumāra uvāca| praviśyātha vanaṁ devāḥ sarvapuṣpopaśobhitam| iha devo 'tra devo'tra viviśuste didṛkṣavaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having entered that forest, adorned with every flower, the gods, eager for a sight of him, wandered about saying, 'The god is here, the god is there.'

Verse 2 (skanda.5.6.2)

अद्भुतस्य वनस्यांते न ते ददृशिरे सुराः। विचिन्वंतो महादेवं देवैर्बहुविलोकितः

adbhutasya vanasyāṁte na te dadṛśire surāḥ| vicinvaṁto mahādevaṁ devairbahuvilokitaḥ

Searching for Mahadeva to the very edge of that wondrous forest, those gods, though looking on every side, did not see him.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.6.3)

तमुवाच स भद्रं वै द्रक्ष्यध्वं न तपो विना। विचिन्वन्तो विरूपाक्षं नैनं पश्यत शंकरम्

tamuvāca sa bhadraṁ vai drakṣyadhvaṁ na tapo vinā| vicinvanto virūpākṣaṁ nainaṁ paśyata śaṁkaram

Brahma said to them: 'Good fortune to you; without austerity you shall not see him. Though you search for Virupaksha, you do not behold this Shankara.'

Verse 4 (skanda.5.6.4)

स युक्तं हृदये स्मृत्वा ब्रह्मा देवांस्ततोऽब्रवीत्। त्रिविधो दर्शनोपायस्तस्य देवस्य सर्वदा

sa yuktaṁ hṛdaye smṛtvā brahmā devāṁstato'bravīt| trividho darśanopāyastasya devasya sarvadā

Recalling in his heart what was fitting, Brahma then said to the gods: 'The means of seeing that god are ever said to be threefold.'

Verse 5 (skanda.5.6.5)

श्रद्धाज्ञानेन तपसा योगेनैव निगद्यते। सकलं निष्कलं चापि देवाः पश्यंति योगिनः

śraddhājñānena tapasā yogenaiva nigadyate| sakalaṁ niṣkalaṁ cāpi devāḥ paśyaṁti yoginaḥ

'It is declared through faith and knowledge, through austerity, and through yoga alone. The yogis behold him both with form and without form.'

Verse 6 (skanda.5.6.6)

तपस्विनस्तु सकलं ज्ञानिनो निष्कलं परम्। समुत्पन्नेऽपि विज्ञाने मंदश्रद्धो न पश्यति

tapasvinastu sakalaṁ jñānino niṣkalaṁ param| samutpanne'pi vijñāne maṁdaśraddho na paśyati

'The ascetic sees him with form; the man of knowledge, the supreme formless one. Even when true understanding has arisen, one of feeble faith does not see him.'

Verse 7 (skanda.5.6.7)

भक्त्या परमयोपेताः परं पश्यंति योगिनः। द्रष्टव्यो निर्विकारोऽसौ प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः

bhaktyā paramayopetāḥ paraṁ paśyaṁti yoginaḥ| draṣṭavyo nirvikāro'sau pradhānapuruṣeśvaraḥ

'Yogis endowed with the highest devotion behold the Supreme; that changeless Lord of Prakriti and Purusha is to be seen only thus.'

Verse 8 (skanda.5.6.8)

नादीक्षितैरतो देवाः शैवीं दीक्षां प्रपद्यत। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा नित्ययुक्ता महेश्वरे

nādīkṣitairato devāḥ śaivīṁ dīkṣāṁ prapadyata| karmaṇā manasā vācā nityayuktā maheśvare

'Therefore, O gods, since you are uninitiated, undertake the Shaiva initiation; be ever united with Maheshvara in deed, mind, and speech.'

Verse 9 (skanda.5.6.9)

तपश्चरत भद्रं वो रुद्राराध नतत्पराः। शिवदीक्षां प्रपन्नानां भक्तानां च तपस्विनाम्

tapaścarata bhadraṁ vo rudrārādha natatparāḥ| śivadīkṣāṁ prapannānāṁ bhaktānāṁ ca tapasvinām

'Practise austerity—good fortune to you—devoted to the worship of Rudra; for those devotees and ascetics who have undertaken the Shiva-initiation...'

Verse 10 (skanda.5.6.10)

सर्वकालं विजानाति दातव्यं दर्शनं मया। ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा हितमेव यदुक्तवान्

sarvakālaṁ vijānāti dātavyaṁ darśanaṁ mayā| brahmaṇo vacanaṁ śrutvā hitameva yaduktavān

'...he knows at all times that a vision by me is to be granted.' Having heard this beneficial word of Brahma...

Verse 11 (skanda.5.6.11)

शिवेक्षाविष्टमतयो ब्रह्माणमिदमबुवन्। मार्गेण विधिना चैव शिवदीक्षासु तत्पराः। प्रयच्छ ब्रह्मन्सर्वेषां दीक्षां नः शिवतोषदाम्। श्रुत्वेति वचनं ब्रह्मा प्रत्युवाच विचारितम्

śivekṣāviṣṭamatayo brahmāṇamidamabuvan| mārgeṇa vidhinā caiva śivadīkṣāsu tatparāḥ| prayaccha brahmansarveṣāṁ dīkṣāṁ naḥ śivatoṣadām| śrutveti vacanaṁ brahmā pratyuvāca vicāritam

...their minds fixed upon the vision of Shiva, intent upon the path and the rule of Shaiva initiation, the gods said this to Brahma: 'Grant to us all, O Brahman, the initiation that pleases Shiva.' Hearing this word, Brahma, having deliberated, replied.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.6.12)

संदिदीक्षयिषुः क्षिप्रममराञ्छिवदीक्षया। शिवयज्ञार्थसंभारानानयध्वमलं सुराः

saṁdidīkṣayiṣuḥ kṣipramamarāñchivadīkṣayā| śivayajñārthasaṁbhārānānayadhvamalaṁ surāḥ

Desiring to initiate the gods swiftly with the Shiva-initiation, he said: 'O gods, bring without delay the materials required for Shiva's sacrifice.'

Verse 13 (skanda.5.6.13)

वेदी प्रकल्प्यतामत्र यष्टव्योऽष्टतनुः शिवः। पद्मयोनेर्वचः श्रुत्वा चक्रुः सर्वमतः सुराः

vedī prakalpyatāmatra yaṣṭavyo'ṣṭatanuḥ śivaḥ| padmayonervacaḥ śrutvā cakruḥ sarvamataḥ surāḥ

'Let an altar be prepared here; the eight-formed Shiva is to be worshipped through sacrifice.' Hearing the lotus-born Brahma's words, the gods did everything accordingly.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.6.14)

विनीतवेषाः प्रणता अनेन सस्तमन्वगुः। शिवप्रसादसंप्राप्त्यै पुष्करज्ञानमीरितम्

vinītaveṣāḥ praṇatā anena sastamanvaguḥ| śivaprasādasaṁprāptyai puṣkarajñānamīritam

Humbly attired and bowed low, they followed him accordingly; for the attainment of Shiva's grace, the wisdom of Pushkara was proclaimed.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.6.15)

यज्ञं चकार विधिना वेधाश्चन्द्रार्धधारिणः। पद्मयोनिः पुरस्कृत्य तदा दीक्षां प्र योगतः

yajñaṁ cakāra vidhinā vedhāścandrārdhadhāriṇaḥ| padmayoniḥ puraskṛtya tadā dīkṣāṁ pra yogataḥ

The Creator performed the sacrifice according to rule for him who bears the half-moon; the lotus-born, placing that rite foremost, then bestowed initiation through due practice.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.6.16)

अनुग्रहेण देवांस्तानकारयत भावतः। ततो व्रतानां प्रवरं व्रतं दिव्यं महाप्रभुः

anugraheṇa devāṁstānakārayata bhāvataḥ| tato vratānāṁ pravaraṁ vrataṁ divyaṁ mahāprabhuḥ

By his grace he had those gods perform it with devotion; and thereafter the great Lord bestowed the foremost and most divine of vows.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.6.17)

तेभ्यो ददौ देवताभ्यः स तदप्यविरोधवित्। पठ्यते शिवशालायां महापाशुपतं व्रतम्

tebhyo dadau devatābhyaḥ sa tadapyavirodhavit| paṭhyate śivaśālāyāṁ mahāpāśupataṁ vratam

Knowing what was fitting, he gave that vow to those deities; the great Pashupata vow is recited in the hall of Shiva.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.6.18)

शैवं यथोदितं यच्च आगमाचारचेष्टितम्। शिवाराधनमुख्यानां मुनीनां तीव्रतेजसाम्

śaivaṁ yathoditaṁ yacca āgamācāraceṣṭitam| śivārādhanamukhyānāṁ munīnāṁ tīvratejasām

That Shaiva doctrine as it is proclaimed, comprising the conduct and practice of the Agamas, belonging to the foremost sages of intense splendour devoted to the worship of Shiva...

Verse 19 (skanda.5.6.19)

सर्वानुग्राहकः शंभुः सर्वदेवैः प्रकल्पितम्। तदेवं प्रार्थितं बुद्ध्या व्रतं रौद्रं शिवं समम्

sarvānugrāhakaḥ śaṁbhuḥ sarvadevaiḥ prakalpitam| tadevaṁ prārthitaṁ buddhyā vrataṁ raudraṁ śivaṁ samam

...Shambhu, gracious protector of all, having received this deliberate request from all the gods for a vow equally fierce and auspicious...

Verse 20 (skanda.5.6.20)

तत्तेभ्यो विस्मयं त्यक्त्वा प्रायच्छत्कनकांडजः। कामिकं भस्मनामाढ्यं सर्वदा कीर्तितं शुभम्

tattebhyo vismayaṁ tyaktvā prāyacchatkanakāṁḍajaḥ| kāmikaṁ bhasmanāmāḍhyaṁ sarvadā kīrtitaṁ śubham

...set aside his amazement at it, and the golden-egg-born Brahma granted them the auspicious rite called Kamika, rich in ash and ever glorious.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.6.21)

पापघ्रं दुःखशमनं पुष्टिश्रीबलवर्धनम्। सिद्धिदं कीर्तिकृत्कांतं कलिकल्मषमोक्षणम्

pāpaghraṁ duḥkhaśamanaṁ puṣṭiśrībalavardhanam| siddhidaṁ kīrtikṛtkāṁtaṁ kalikalmaṣamokṣaṇam

It destroys sin, appeases sorrow, and increases nourishment, glory, and strength; it bestows accomplishment, brings fame and beauty, and frees one from the impurity of the Kali age.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.6.22)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन भस्मस्नानं समाहिताः। कुर्वंतो मानवा दांता दीक्षिताः संयतेंद्रियाः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena bhasmasnānaṁ samāhitāḥ| kurvaṁto mānavā dāṁtā dīkṣitāḥ saṁyateṁdriyāḥ

Therefore composed, self-controlled, initiated men, their senses restrained, should perform the ash-bathing with every effort.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.6.23)

सर्वे कमंडलुधराः सर्वे रुद्राक्षधारिणः। अनिष्टदर्शनालाप संगत्या परिवर्जिताः

sarve kamaṁḍaludharāḥ sarve rudrākṣadhāriṇaḥ| aniṣṭadarśanālāpa saṁgatyā parivarjitāḥ

All bore the water-pot, all wore rudraksha beads, avoiding inauspicious sights, conversation, and company.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.6.24)

एवं व्रतधराः सर्वे वने तस्मिन्महेश्वरम्। आराधयंस्तमीशानं व्रतेनैव उमाधवम्

evaṁ vratadharāḥ sarve vane tasminmaheśvaram| ārādhayaṁstamīśānaṁ vratenaiva umādhavam

Thus all the gods, bearing that vow, worshipped in that forest, through that very vow, Maheshvara, the Lord Ishana, the consort of Uma.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.6.25)

भक्त्या परमया युक्ता विधिना परमेण च। कालेन महता ध्यानादेवं ज्ञात्वा मनोगतम्

bhaktyā paramayā yuktā vidhinā parameṇa ca| kālena mahatā dhyānādevaṁ jñātvā manogatam

Endowed with supreme devotion and the highest ritual practice, through meditation over a great length of time—thus knowing what was in their hearts...

Verse 26 (skanda.5.6.26)

रुद्रध्यानाग्निनिर्दग्धकल्मषाश्च श्रियान्विताः। तदा हत्वाऽसुरं शंभुः प्रत्यक्षो भगवानभूत्

rudradhyānāgninirdagdhakalmaṣāśca śriyānvitāḥ| tadā hatvā'suraṁ śaṁbhuḥ pratyakṣo bhagavānabhūt

...their impurities burnt away by the fire of meditation on Rudra, they became endowed with glory; then, having slain the demon, the blessed Shambhu became visible before them.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.6.27)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ब्रह्मदत्तं वरं देवाः सर्वे शर्वानुभाविताः। समचीकरन्प्रत्युक्ता ब्रह्मापीशानभावितः

sanatkumāra uvāca| brahmadattaṁ varaṁ devāḥ sarve śarvānubhāvitāḥ| samacīkaranpratyuktā brahmāpīśānabhāvitaḥ

Sanatkumara said: All the gods, filled with awareness of Sharva, having received their answer, fulfilled the boon Brahma had given; Brahma too became filled with the presence of Ishana.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.6.28)

गते वर्षसहस्रे स दिव्ये देवेश्वरेश्वरः। जातानुकंपो देवानां दीपो दर्शनमेयिवान्

gate varṣasahasre sa divye deveśvareśvaraḥ| jātānukaṁpo devānāṁ dīpo darśanameyivān

When a thousand divine years had passed, that Lord of the lords of gods, compassion for the gods now arisen in him, resplendent, came to grant them his sight.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.6.29)

गणैर्नानाविधैः सार्धं नानाभूषणभूषितैः। सुदर्पोद्भूतदर्पघ्रैघोरैर्घोरविघातिभिः

gaṇairnānāvidhaiḥ sārdhaṁ nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitaiḥ| sudarpodbhūtadarpaghraighorairghoravighātibhiḥ

...together with ganas of many kinds, adorned with varied ornaments, destroyers of the pride born of great arrogance, dread ones who destroy dread...

Verse 30 (skanda.5.6.30)

कामरूपैरकामैश्च सर्वकामसमन्वितैः। करींद्रकरटाटोपपाटनैः सिंहदेहिभिः

kāmarūpairakāmaiśca sarvakāmasamanvitaiḥ| karīṁdrakaraṭāṭopapāṭanaiḥ siṁhadehibhiḥ

...able to take any form or none, at will, endowed with every desire fulfilled; tearing apart the trunks of pride-swollen elephants, some with the bodies of lions...

Verse 31 (skanda.5.6.31)

अणिमादि गुणैर्दिव्यैर्योगैश्वर्यादिनामभिः। व्यालोलकेशरशनादंष्ट्राकटकटोद्भवैः

aṇimādi guṇairdivyairyogaiśvaryādināmabhiḥ| vyālolakeśaraśanādaṁṣṭrākaṭakaṭodbhavaiḥ

...endowed with the divine powers beginning with Anima, known by such names as mastery in yoga; with tossing manes, girdles, and fangs, gnashing with a terrible sound...

Verse 32 (skanda.5.6.32)

व्याघ्रव्यालाननै रौद्रैः काककंकवटैस्तथा

vyāghravyālānanai raudraiḥ kākakaṁkavaṭaistathā

...with the terrible faces of tigers and serpents, and likewise with the faces of crows, herons, and vultures.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.6.33)

अरूपैः समरूपैश्च सुरूपैर्बहुरूपकैः। एकद्वित्रिशिरोभिश्च बहुशीर्षैरशीर्षकैः

arūpaiḥ samarūpaiśca surūpairbahurūpakaiḥ| ekadvitriśirobhiśca bahuśīrṣairaśīrṣakaiḥ

Formless and uniform, beautiful and many-formed; with one, two, or three heads, with many heads, and even headless.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.6.34)

एकद्वित्रिशिखैश्चैव नानारूपविराजितैः। बहुनेत्रैरनेत्रैश्च एकद्वित्रिविलो चनैः

ekadvitriśikhaiścaiva nānārūpavirājitaiḥ| bahunetrairanetraiśca ekadvitrivilo canaiḥ

With one, two, or three crests, resplendent in many forms; many-eyed and eyeless, with one, two, or three eyes as well.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.6.35)

एककर्णैर्द्विकर्णैश्च बहुकर्णैर्विकर्णकैः। एकद्वित्रिसुनासैश्च बहुनासैरनासिकैः

ekakarṇairdvikarṇaiśca bahukarṇairvikarṇakaiḥ| ekadvitrisunāsaiśca bahunāsairanāsikaiḥ

With one ear, two ears, many ears, or misshapen ears; with one, two, or three fine noses, with many noses, or noseless.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.6.36)

एकजंघैर्द्विजंघैश्च बहुजंघैरजंघकैः। एक पादैर्द्विपादैश्च बहुपादैरपादकैः

ekajaṁghairdvijaṁghaiśca bahujaṁghairajaṁghakaiḥ| eka pādairdvipādaiśca bahupādairapādakaiḥ

With one leg, two legs, many legs, or legless; with one foot, two feet, many feet, or footless.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.6.37)

गौरश्यामैः श्यामगौरैरसितैः कर्बुरैस्तथा। भुजंगहारवलयैः कृतयज्ञोपवीतकैः

gauraśyāmaiḥ śyāmagaurairasitaiḥ karburaistathā| bhujaṁgahāravalayaiḥ kṛtayajñopavītakaiḥ

Fair and dark, dark and fair, black and dappled alike; wearing serpents as garlands and bracelets, having made serpents their very sacred thread.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.6.38)

शूलासिपट्टिश धरैर्भुशुंडीपीरघायुधैः। चक्रक्रकचकोदंडकांडदंडास्त्रपाणिभिः

śūlāsipaṭṭiśa dharairbhuśuṁḍīpīraghāyudhaiḥ| cakrakrakacakodaṁḍakāṁḍadaṁḍāstrapāṇibhiḥ

Bearing trident, sword, and spear, wielding maces and lances; carrying discus, saw, bow with arrows, and staff-weapons in hand.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.6.39)

गदामुद्गरपाषाणमुशलायुधहस्तकैः। वज्रशक्त्यशनिप्रासकुंतकर्तृक धारिभिः

gadāmudgarapāṣāṇamuśalāyudhahastakaiḥ| vajraśaktyaśaniprāsakuṁtakartṛka dhāribhiḥ

Holding mace, hammer, stone, and pestle-weapons in hand; bearing thunderbolt, spear, javelin, lance, and knife.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.6.40)

भंभाभेरीर्वादयद्भिर्वीणापणववेणुकान्। मृदंगविमलाढक्काकाहलानकदुंदुभीन्

bhaṁbhābherīrvādayadbhirvīṇāpaṇavaveṇukān| mṛdaṁgavimalāḍhakkākāhalānakaduṁdubhīn

Some sounding drums and kettledrums, playing lutes, tabors, and flutes; others sounding mridangas, spotless dhakkas, kahalas, anakas, and dundubhis.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.6.41)

हुडंकाशृंगिकाद्यानि नानावाद्यानि वादकैः। एवं नानाविधै रौद्रैर्भीमैर्भीमपराक्रमैः

huḍaṁkāśṛṁgikādyāni nānāvādyāni vādakaiḥ| evaṁ nānāvidhai raudrairbhīmairbhīmaparākramaiḥ

...playing various instruments such as hudankas and shringikas—thus, with these many kinds of terrible, dreadful ganas of fearsome prowess...

Verse 42 (skanda.5.6.42)

गणेश्वरैः सुदुर्द्धर्षैर्वृतः सूर्यो ग्रहैरिव। आविर्भूतो महादेवः स्वगणैः परिवारितः। तं पश्य तां तदा व्यास ब्रह्मादीनां दिवौकसाम्

gaṇeśvaraiḥ sudurddharṣairvṛtaḥ sūryo grahairiva| āvirbhūto mahādevaḥ svagaṇaiḥ parivāritaḥ| taṁ paśya tāṁ tadā vyāsa brahmādīnāṁ divaukasām

...surrounded by unassailable lords of the ganas, like the sun encircled by planets, Mahadeva appeared, ringed by his own hosts—behold, O Vyasa, the state of Brahma and the other celestials at that moment.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.6.43)

अथ ब्रह्मादयो देवा दृष्ट्वाग्रे गणनायकम्। तेजसाध्यासितास्तस्य बभूवुर्भ्रांतचेतसः

atha brahmādayo devā dṛṣṭvāgre gaṇanāyakam| tejasādhyāsitāstasya babhūvurbhrāṁtacetasaḥ

Then Brahma and the other gods, first beholding the leader of the ganas, were overwhelmed by his splendour and their minds grew bewildered.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.6.44)

ततोऽवलंब्य ते धैर्यं दृष्ट्वा देवं यथाविधि। षडंगवेदयोगेन हृष्टचित्तवपुर्धराः

tato'valaṁbya te dhairyaṁ dṛṣṭvā devaṁ yathāvidhi| ṣaḍaṁgavedayogena hṛṣṭacittavapurdharāḥ

Then, taking courage, and beholding that god duly, through their union with the six-limbed Veda their minds and bodies grew joyful.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.6.45)

शिरोगतैरंजलिभिः पादेभ्यश्च महीं गतैः। तुष्टुवुः सृष्टिसंहार स्थितिकर्तारमीश्वरम्

śirogatairaṁjalibhiḥ pādebhyaśca mahīṁ gataiḥ| tuṣṭuvuḥ sṛṣṭisaṁhāra sthitikartāramīśvaram

With palms joined above their heads and their feet touching the ground, they praised the Lord, the maker of creation, destruction, and preservation.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.6.46)

देवा ऊचुः। नमः शिवाय शांताय सगणाय सनंदिने। वृषासनाय सौम्याय शूलशक्तिधराय ते

devā ūcuḥ| namaḥ śivāya śāṁtāya sagaṇāya sanaṁdine| vṛṣāsanāya saumyāya śūlaśaktidharāya te

The gods said: Salutation to Shiva, the peaceful one, with his ganas, with Nandin; seated upon the bull, gentle, bearing trident and spear.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.6.47)

नमो दिक्चर्मवस्त्राय शुचये तीव्रतेजसे। ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मदेहाय ब्रह्मणा योजिताय च

namo dikcarmavastrāya śucaye tīvratejase| brahmaṇe brahmadehāya brahmaṇā yojitāya ca

Salutation to him whose garments are the directions and a hide, pure and of intense splendour; to Brahman, of Brahman's body, and joined with Brahman.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.6.48)

नमोंधकविनाशाय परेशाय नमोनमः। रुद्राय पंच वक्त्राय सर्वरोगापहारिणे

namoṁdhakavināśāya pareśāya namonamaḥ| rudrāya paṁca vaktrāya sarvarogāpahāriṇe

Salutation, salutation again, to the destroyer of Andhaka, the Supreme Lord; salutation to Rudra, five-faced, remover of every disease.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.6.49)

गिरिशाय सुरेशाय ईशानाय नमोनमः। भीमोग्रादिस्वरूपाय विजयाय नमोनमः

giriśāya sureśāya īśānāya namonamaḥ| bhīmogrādisvarūpāya vijayāya namonamaḥ

Salutation, salutation again, to Girisha, Lord of gods, Ishana; salutation, salutation again, to him of the fierce and terrible forms, the victorious one.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.6.50)

सुरासुराधिपतये यतीनां पतये नमः। चंडाय चंडदंडाय वरखट्वांगदंडिने

surāsurādhipataye yatīnāṁ pataye namaḥ| caṁḍāya caṁḍadaṁḍāya varakhaṭvāṁgadaṁḍine

Salutation to the Lord of gods and demons, Lord of ascetics; salutation to the fierce one of fierce staff, bearer of the excellent skull-staff.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.6.51)

विरूपाक्षशुभाख्याय विश्वरूपाय वै नमः। शांताय च मनोज्ञाय त्रिनेत्राय नमोनमः

virūpākṣaśubhākhyāya viśvarūpāya vai namaḥ| śāṁtāya ca manojñāya trinetrāya namonamaḥ

Salutation to him of the auspicious name Virupaksha, of universal form; salutation, salutation again, to the peaceful, lovely, three-eyed one.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.6.52)

वेधसे विश्वरूपाय दैत्यसंहारिणे नमः। भक्तानुकंपिनेऽत्यर्थं रुद्रज्ञानपराय च

vedhase viśvarūpāya daityasaṁhāriṇe namaḥ| bhaktānukaṁpine'tyarthaṁ rudrajñānaparāya ca

Salutation to the Ordainer, of universal form, destroyer of demons; salutation to him exceedingly compassionate to his devotees, devoted to the knowledge of Rudra.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.6.53)

विरूपाय सुरूपाय रूपाणां शतधारिणे। पंचास्याय शुभास्याय चन्द्रास्याय नमोनमः

virūpāya surūpāya rūpāṇāṁ śatadhāriṇe| paṁcāsyāya śubhāsyāya candrāsyāya namonamaḥ

Salutation to him of misshapen and beautiful form, bearer of a hundred forms; salutation, salutation again, to the five-faced, auspicious-faced, moon-faced one.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.6.54)

वरदाय वराहाय सुकूर्माय नमोनमः

varadāya varāhāya sukūrmāya namonamaḥ

Salutation, salutation again, to the boon-giver, the boar, the beautiful tortoise.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.6.55)

त्रिनेत्र त्राणमस्माकं त्रिपुरघ्न विधीयताम्। वाङ्मनःकायभावैस्त्वां प्रपन्नानां महेश्वर

trinetra trāṇamasmākaṁ tripuraghna vidhīyatām| vāṅmanaḥkāyabhāvaistvāṁ prapannānāṁ maheśvara

'O three-eyed one, O destroyer of the Tripuras, grant us protection; O Maheshvara, we who are surrendered to you in speech, mind, and body.'

Verse 56 (skanda.5.6.56)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं स्तुतस्तदा देवैर्विरिंच्याद्यैस्तथा हरः। शरीराणि विलोक्येशः कृशान्यथ दिवौकसाम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ stutastadā devairviriṁcyādyaistathā haraḥ| śarīrāṇi vilokyeśaḥ kṛśānyatha divaukasām

Sanatkumara said: Thus praised by the gods headed by Brahma, Hara then, beholding the emaciated bodies of the celestials...

Verse 57 (skanda.5.6.57)

दिव्यप्रतापधारेण त्रिवेधेनांतरात्मना

divyapratāpadhāreṇa trivedhenāṁtarātmanā

...with an inner self sustained by threefold divine radiance...

Verse 58 (skanda.5.6.58)

आराधनं समीक्ष्याह ब्रह्मादीनां सुरेश्वरः। साधुसाधु महाभागाः शश्वद्व्रतमुपासितम्

ārādhanaṁ samīkṣyāha brahmādīnāṁ sureśvaraḥ| sādhusādhu mahābhāgāḥ śaśvadvratamupāsitam

...beholding the worship offered by Brahma and the others, the Lord of gods said: 'Well done, well done, O most fortunate ones; you have kept a vow unceasingly.'

Verse 59 (skanda.5.6.59)

दिव्येनानेन विधिना भृशमाराधितो ह्यहम्। भवद्भिः श्रद्धयात्यर्थं मम दर्शनकांक्षया

divyenānena vidhinā bhṛśamārādhito hyaham| bhavadbhiḥ śraddhayātyarthaṁ mama darśanakāṁkṣayā

'By this divine rite I have been thoroughly worshipped by all of you, with the utmost faith, out of a desire to see me.'

Verse 60 (skanda.5.6.60)

व्रतस्था मां हि पश्यंति मानुषा देवता अपि। यदि यच्च प्रयच्छामि कांश्चिद्वो हि वराञ्छुभान्

vratasthā māṁ hi paśyaṁti mānuṣā devatā api| yadi yacca prayacchāmi kāṁścidvo hi varāñchubhān

'Men and gods established in this vow behold me in just this way; therefore whatever auspicious boons I may grant to some among you...'

Verse 61 (skanda.5.6.61)

एकैकशो द्वित्रिशो वा समस्तेभ्यः समेन वः। सर्वकामप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं दास्याम्येनं वरं हि वः

ekaikaśo dvitriśo vā samastebhyaḥ samena vaḥ| sarvakāmaprasiddhyarthaṁ dāsyāmyenaṁ varaṁ hi vaḥ

'...one by one, or two or three at a time, or equally to all together, I shall grant this boon to you for the fulfilment of all your desires.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.6.62)

हिताय भवतां चाहमागामुज्जयिनीं प्रति। क्षिप्तं कपालं च मया किं पुनर्भद्रमस्तु वः

hitāya bhavatāṁ cāhamāgāmujjayinīṁ prati| kṣiptaṁ kapālaṁ ca mayā kiṁ punarbhadramastu vaḥ

'And for your own good I have come here toward Ujjayini; and the skull too was cast down by me—may there be still further blessing for you.'

Verse 63 (skanda.5.6.63)

देवा ऊचुः। किं कृतं हितमस्माकं कपालं क्षिपता त्वया

devā ūcuḥ| kiṁ kṛtaṁ hitamasmākaṁ kapālaṁ kṣipatā tvayā

The gods said: 'What good was done for us by your casting down the skull?'

Verse 64 (skanda.5.6.64)

किमर्थं कंपिता भूमिस्त्रैलोक्यं व्याकुलीकृतम्। नैतन्निरर्थकं देव कथ्यतामत्र कारणम्

kimarthaṁ kaṁpitā bhūmistrailokyaṁ vyākulīkṛtam| naitannirarthakaṁ deva kathyatāmatra kāraṇam

'Why was the earth shaken and the triple world thrown into turmoil? O god, this cannot be without purpose; tell us the reason for it.'

Verse 65 (skanda.5.6.65)

महादेव उवाच। युष्मद्धितार्थमेतद्वै भयं विनिहितं कृतम्। देवतानां तु रक्षार्थं श्रूयतामत्र कारणम्

mahādeva uvāca| yuṣmaddhitārthametadvai bhayaṁ vinihitaṁ kṛtam| devatānāṁ tu rakṣārthaṁ śrūyatāmatra kāraṇam

Mahadeva said: 'This fear was instilled for your own benefit; it was done for the protection of the gods—hear the reason for it.'

Verse 66 (skanda.5.6.66)

असुरो द्रोहणोनाम बलवान्योगमायिकः। अवस्थितस्त्ववष्टभ्य रसातलतला श्रयम्

asuro drohaṇonāma balavānyogamāyikaḥ| avasthitastvavaṣṭabhya rasātalatalā śrayam

'A demon named Drohana, mighty and skilled in magical illusion, had taken hold of a stronghold in the netherworld and abided there.'

Verse 67 (skanda.5.6.67)

तस्य दैत्यस्य बलिनो दैत्याः परपुरंजयाः। युष्माञ्ज्ञात्वा तपस्थांश्चाप्यभ्यगुर्बहवो हि ते

tasya daityasya balino daityāḥ parapuraṁjayāḥ| yuṣmāñjñātvā tapasthāṁścāpyabhyagurbahavo hi te

'Many mighty demons of that powerful demon, conquerors of enemy cities, knowing you were engaged in austerity, came there.'

Verse 68 (skanda.5.6.68)

सेंद्रान्निहंतुमिच्छंतो माया प्रच्छन्नचारकाः। पुरीं कनकशृंगाढ्यामेनामधि कुशस्थलीम्। समुद्ययुः सुरान्हंतुमुद्यता उद्यतायुधाः

seṁdrānnihaṁtumicchaṁto māyā pracchannacārakāḥ| purīṁ kanakaśṛṁgāḍhyāmenāmadhi kuśasthalīm| samudyayuḥ surānhaṁtumudyatā udyatāyudhāḥ

'Desiring to slay you all, along with Indra, disguised through their illusion, weapons raised and bent on killing the gods, they advanced upon this golden-peaked city of Kushasthali.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.6.69)

तेषां कपालपातेन भूमिनिष्कंपनेन च। शब्देन चातिघोरेण देहात्प्राणा विनिर्ययुः

teṣāṁ kapālapātena bhūminiṣkaṁpanena ca| śabdena cātighoreṇa dehātprāṇā viniryayuḥ

'By the fall of the skull, by the violent trembling of the earth, and by that most terrible sound, the life-breath left their bodies.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.6.70)

लोकस्थितिविनाशाथ तेषामासीत्समुद्यमः। राज्यैश्वर्येण दर्पिष्ठास्तेन ते निहता मया

lokasthitivināśātha teṣāmāsītsamudyamaḥ| rājyaiśvaryeṇa darpiṣṭhāstena te nihatā mayā

'They had set out to destroy the order of the world; puffed up with pride from their royal power, I slew them thus.'

Verse 71 (skanda.5.6.71)

देवा ऊचुः। विश्वस्तानां पुनश्चैवमेव चानुग्रहः कृतः। देवानुग्रहकर्ता त्वं गुणस्मृतिनिषेवितः

devā ūcuḥ| viśvastānāṁ punaścaivameva cānugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ| devānugrahakartā tvaṁ guṇasmṛtiniṣevitaḥ

The gods said: 'Thus once again you have shown grace to those who trusted in you; you are the doer of grace toward the gods, honoured by the mere remembrance of your qualities.'

Verse 72 (skanda.5.6.72)

दिव्यदृष्टिभिरत्यर्थं यशोऽर्थं भीम नंदिताः। इत्युक्त्वा प्रणतान्देवानुत्थाप्योचे पुनर्भवः

divyadṛṣṭibhiratyarthaṁ yaśo'rthaṁ bhīma naṁditāḥ| ityuktvā praṇatāndevānutthāpyoce punarbhavaḥ

'...made exceedingly joyful, O terrible one, by your divine glances, for the sake of glory...'—having said this, Bhava, raising up the bowing gods, spoke again.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.6.73)

शिव उवाच। परिचर्याभिसंयुक्तं नित्यमुग्रनिषेवितम्। ध्यानसाधननिष्पन्नं यदन्येषां न विद्यते

śiva uvāca| paricaryābhisaṁyuktaṁ nityamugraniṣevitam| dhyānasādhananiṣpannaṁ yadanyeṣāṁ na vidyate

Shiva said: 'That which is joined with service, ever practised by fierce ascetics, accomplished through the discipline of meditation, which is not to be had by others...'

Verse 74 (skanda.5.6.74)

मनोवाक्कायभावेन दुष्करं दुश्चरं तपः। अनेन तपसा युक्ताः कष्टेन दुःसहेन च

manovākkāyabhāvena duṣkaraṁ duścaraṁ tapaḥ| anena tapasā yuktāḥ kaṣṭena duḥsahena ca

'...austerity, most difficult to perform and to practise, through mind, speech, and body; endowed with this austerity, through hardship difficult and hard to bear...'

Verse 75 (skanda.5.6.75)

महता तनुसाध्येन बहुकालार्जितेन वः। समंतादभिवर्धेतां युष्मत्तेजस्तपोऽपि च

mahatā tanusādhyena bahukālārjitena vaḥ| samaṁtādabhivardhetāṁ yuṣmattejastapo'pi ca

'...great austerity, accomplished through the body, acquired by you over a long time—may your splendour and your austerity flourish on every side.'

Verse 76 (skanda.5.6.76)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। इत्युक्ता देवदेवेन देवा ब्रह्मपुरोगमाः। ऊचुरुन्नाम्य वक्त्राणि स्थिता जानुभिरीश्वरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| ityuktā devadevena devā brahmapurogamāḥ| ūcurunnāmya vaktrāṇi sthitā jānubhirīśvaram

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by the God of gods, the gods headed by Brahma, raising their faces and standing upon their knees, spoke to the Lord.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.6.77)

देवा ऊचुः। प्राणदस्त्वं कारणस्त्वं तपसां देव दृश्यसे। तदस्माकं प्रवृत्तानां मानुषाणां वरप्रद

devā ūcuḥ| prāṇadastvaṁ kāraṇastvaṁ tapasāṁ deva dṛśyase| tadasmākaṁ pravṛttānāṁ mānuṣāṇāṁ varaprada

The gods said: 'You are the giver of life, you are the cause, O god, visible to those who practise austerity; grant a boon then to us, who have striven like men.'

Verse 78 (skanda.5.6.78)

रक्षां कुरुष्व देवेश भक्तानामभयंकर

rakṣāṁ kuruṣva deveśa bhaktānāmabhayaṁkara

'O Lord of gods, dispeller of fear for your devotees, grant us protection.'

Verse 79 (skanda.5.6.79)

ईश्वर उवाच। यत्नेन विधिना दत्तं सुव्यक्तं दर्शनं हि वः। सुदुर्लभान्यपि पुनर्दास्यामि वो वरान्बहून्

īśvara uvāca| yatnena vidhinā dattaṁ suvyaktaṁ darśanaṁ hi vaḥ| sudurlabhānyapi punardāsyāmi vo varānbahūn

Ishvara said: 'A clear vision has indeed already been granted to you, with effort and according to rule; I shall grant you many further boons, even those exceedingly hard to attain.'

Verse 80 (skanda.5.6.80)

एवमुक्ते भगवता ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। देवानामग्रतः स्थित्वा श्रुतशब्दोद्भवं भवम्

evamukte bhagavatā brahmā vacanamabravīt| devānāmagrataḥ sthitvā śrutaśabdodbhavaṁ bhavam

When the blessed one had spoken thus, Brahma, standing before the gods, spoke this word to Bhava, who had appeared at the sound of their praise.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.6.81)

प्राप्ता वयं च भगवन्सुपर्याप्तो महावरः। जायतां नः सदैश्वर्यं वासस्थानमथाक्षयम्

prāptā vayaṁ ca bhagavansuparyāpto mahāvaraḥ| jāyatāṁ naḥ sadaiśvaryaṁ vāsasthānamathākṣayam

'O Lord, we have obtained this sufficient and great boon; let everlasting sovereignty be ours, and an imperishable dwelling-place.'

Verse 82 (skanda.5.6.82)

शिव उवाच। लोकेऽस्मिन्मम ये भक्ता मया विनिहताश्च ये। नैवं ते दुर्गतिं यांति लभंते सुमतिं पराम्

śiva uvāca| loke'sminmama ye bhaktā mayā vinihatāśca ye| naivaṁ te durgatiṁ yāṁti labhaṁte sumatiṁ parām

Shiva said: 'Those who are my devotees in this world, and those who have been slain by me—they do not thereby come to a bad state, but attain the highest wisdom.'

Verse 83 (skanda.5.6.83)

सार्धं तत्र जटाजूटैः शिरोभिः शूलपाणयः। भांति मद्वामपार्श्वस्था इमे ते दारुणा गणाः

sārdhaṁ tatra jaṭājūṭaiḥ śirobhiḥ śūlapāṇayaḥ| bhāṁti madvāmapārśvasthā ime te dāruṇā gaṇāḥ

'There, together, their heads crowned with matted locks, trident in hand, they shine, stationed at my left side—these are those fierce ganas.'

Verse 84 (skanda.5.6.84)

येषां विनिग्रहार्थाय युष्मत्संबोधनाय च। सविकारं मया क्षिप्तं कपालं धरणीतले

yeṣāṁ vinigrahārthāya yuṣmatsaṁbodhanāya ca| savikāraṁ mayā kṣiptaṁ kapālaṁ dharaṇītale

'For the sake of subduing them, and for the sake of making you aware, I cast that skull, with all its consequence, down upon the surface of the earth.'

Verse 85 (skanda.5.6.85)

कृतो मेऽनुग्रहस्तेषां भक्तानां भक्तिमिच्छताम्। वनेऽस्मिन्नित्यवासो मे वृक्षैरभ्यर्थितस्य च

kṛto me'nugrahasteṣāṁ bhaktānāṁ bhaktimicchatām| vane'sminnityavāso me vṛkṣairabhyarthitasya ca

'I have shown grace to those devotees who desired devotion, and also to the trees who requested my eternal dwelling in this forest.'

Verse 86 (skanda.5.6.86)

महाकालवने देवा आगतस्य ममानघाः। तपस्यतां च भवतां महाकालवनं ततः

mahākālavane devā āgatasya mamānaghāḥ| tapasyatāṁ ca bhavatāṁ mahākālavanaṁ tataḥ

'O sinless gods, because of my having come to Mahakala-vana, and because of your practising austerity here—hereafter this shall be Mahakalavana.'

Verse 87 (skanda.5.6.87)

नामद्वययुतं गुह्यं लोके ख्यातं भविष्यति। गुह्यं वनं श्मशानं च क्षेत्राणां प्रवरं महत्

nāmadvayayutaṁ guhyaṁ loke khyātaṁ bhaviṣyati| guhyaṁ vanaṁ śmaśānaṁ ca kṣetrāṇāṁ pravaraṁ mahat

'Bearing two names, this secret place shall become renowned in the world: the secret forest, and the great cremation-ground—foremost and greatest among sacred fields.'

Verse 88 (skanda.5.6.88)

कपालव्रतचर्या च मया ह्येषा प्रकीर्तिता। कपालपात्रे भुंजानः कपालव्रतभूषणः

kapālavratacaryā ca mayā hyeṣā prakīrtitā| kapālapātre bhuṁjānaḥ kapālavratabhūṣaṇaḥ

'And this observance of the skull-vow has also been proclaimed by me: eating from the skull-bowl, adorned with the ornaments of the skull-vow...'

Verse 89 (skanda.5.6.89)

कपालपाणिः संतुष्टो भिक्षा व्रतसमन्वितः। श्मशाननिलयो रौद्रो व्रतोन्मत्तविमूढधीः

kapālapāṇiḥ saṁtuṣṭo bhikṣā vratasamanvitaḥ| śmaśānanilayo raudro vratonmattavimūḍhadhīḥ

'...skull in hand, content, devoted to the vow of begging alms; dwelling in the cremation-ground, terrible, his understanding rapt as though intoxicated by the vow.'

Verse 90 (skanda.5.6.90)

नंदितः सर्वभूतेषु प्रियाप्रियसमः सदा। भस्मभूषितसर्वांगो ज्ञानी चैव विशेषतः

naṁditaḥ sarvabhūteṣu priyāpriyasamaḥ sadā| bhasmabhūṣitasarvāṁgo jñānī caiva viśeṣataḥ

'Delighting in all beings, ever equal toward the dear and the unloved alike; his whole body adorned with ash, and above all, a man of true knowledge.'

Verse 91 (skanda.5.6.91)

जितेंद्रियोऽसर्वसंगो मृद्भस्मोदकसंग्रही। नित्ययुक्तः सदाव्यापी जापी जितवरासनः

jiteṁdriyo'sarvasaṁgo mṛdbhasmodakasaṁgrahī| nityayuktaḥ sadāvyāpī jāpī jitavarāsanaḥ

'Master of his senses, unattached to all, gathering clay, ash, and water for himself; ever disciplined, ever pervading, engaged in recitation, seated in the finest posture.'

Verse 92 (skanda.5.6.92)

पुण्यतीर्थाश्रमोपेतः स्वरे देवे समाहितः। लोकातीतं परं ज्ञानं महापाशुपतं व्रतम्

puṇyatīrthāśramopetaḥ svare deve samāhitaḥ| lokātītaṁ paraṁ jñānaṁ mahāpāśupataṁ vratam

'Frequenting sacred tirthas and hermitages, absorbed in the god through his own recitation; this Mahapashupata vow is the supreme knowledge that transcends the world.'

Verse 93 (skanda.5.6.93)

कपालव्रतमास्थाय पुरा चीर्णं मया स्वयम्। कपालं परमं गुह्यं पवित्रं पापनाशनम्

kapālavratamāsthāya purā cīrṇaṁ mayā svayam| kapālaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ pavitraṁ pāpanāśanam

'Taking up this skull-vow, once practised by myself—the skull is supremely secret, sacred, and the destroyer of sin.'

Verse 94 (skanda.5.6.94)

कपालव्रतमेतद्धि दुर्धरं परमाद्भुतम्। अत्यंतमुत्कटं रौद्रमघोरं लोमहर्षणम्

kapālavratametaddhi durdharaṁ paramādbhutam| atyaṁtamutkaṭaṁ raudramaghoraṁ lomaharṣaṇam

'This skull-vow is indeed hard to bear, supremely wondrous, exceedingly formidable, fierce, terrible, and hair-raising.'

Verse 95 (skanda.5.6.95)

महाव्रतं द्विषन्मोहात्पापेनैव स्थितो नरः। न मुच्यते स पापेन जन्मकोटिशतैरपि

mahāvrataṁ dviṣanmohātpāpenaiva sthito naraḥ| na mucyate sa pāpena janmakoṭiśatairapi

'A man who, out of delusion, holds this great vow in contempt and remains fixed in sin is not freed from that sin even in a hundred million births.'

Verse 96 (skanda.5.6.96)

महापाशुपतं तस्मान्न हन्यान्न च दूषयेत्। एतस्मिन्निहते तस्मात्कोटिर्भवति घातिता

mahāpāśupataṁ tasmānna hanyānna ca dūṣayet| etasminnihate tasmātkoṭirbhavati ghātitā

'Therefore one should neither harm nor defile the Mahapashupata; for when it is violated, it is as though a hundred million were slain.'

Verse 97 (skanda.5.6.97)

एवं महाव्रतं यस्तु भोजयेच्छ्रद्धयान्वितः। तस्य भुक्ता भवेत्कोटिर्विप्राणां वेदपाठिनाम्

evaṁ mahāvrataṁ yastu bhojayecchraddhayānvitaḥ| tasya bhuktā bhavetkoṭirviprāṇāṁ vedapāṭhinām

'And whoever, filled with faith, feeds one who observes this great vow, obtains the merit of feeding a hundred million Veda-reciting Brahmins.'

Verse 98 (skanda.5.6.98)

कपालपूरणीं भिक्षां यतीनां यः प्रयच्छति। विमुक्तः सर्व पापेभ्यो नासौ दुर्गतिमाप्नुयात्

kapālapūraṇīṁ bhikṣāṁ yatīnāṁ yaḥ prayacchati| vimuktaḥ sarva pāpebhyo nāsau durgatimāpnuyāt

'Whoever gives alms enough to fill the skull-bowl of ascetics is freed from all sins and does not come to a bad state.'

Verse 99 (skanda.5.6.99)

कपाले भोजनं श्रेष्ठं मार्गोऽयं ब्रह्मसंभवः। वदंति लोके वेदेषु पूजितं देवदानवैः

kapāle bhojanaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ mārgo'yaṁ brahmasaṁbhavaḥ| vadaṁti loke vedeṣu pūjitaṁ devadānavaiḥ

'Eating from the skull is declared the finest practice; this path is born of Brahman itself; it is spoken of in the world and in the Vedas, and honoured by gods and demons.'

Verse 100 (skanda.5.6.100)

धारयिष्यंति ये विप्राः कपालं भूतमोहनम्। मम तुल्यास्तु ते ब्रह्मन्विचरंति महीतले

dhārayiṣyaṁti ye viprāḥ kapālaṁ bhūtamohanam| mama tulyāstu te brahmanvicaraṁti mahītale

'O Brahman, those Brahmins who shall bear that skull which bewilders even spirits shall wander upon this earth, equal to me.'

Verse 101 (skanda.5.6.101)

जपैकनिरता धीराः कपालकृतभूषणाः। महापाशुपता लोके रुद्राः संसारतारकाः

japaikaniratā dhīrāḥ kapālakṛtabhūṣaṇāḥ| mahāpāśupatā loke rudrāḥ saṁsāratārakāḥ

'Steadfast, devoted solely to recitation, adorned with ornaments made from the skull; the Mahapashupatas of this world are forms of Rudra, ferrying beings across the ocean of transmigration.'

Verse 102 (skanda.5.6.102)

धर्माधर्मविमुक्ताश्च कृत्याकृत्यविवर्जिताः। दीक्षया ज्ञानयोगेन प्राणिनस्तारयंति ते

dharmādharmavimuktāśca kṛtyākṛtyavivarjitāḥ| dīkṣayā jñānayogena prāṇinastārayaṁti te

'Freed from both righteousness and unrighteousness, beyond duty and non-duty, they ferry living beings across through initiation and the discipline of knowledge.'

Verse 103 (skanda.5.6.103)

यानि तीर्थानि लोकेऽस्मिन्यज्ञकोटिशतानि च। विशुद्धस्य विज्ञानस्य कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्

yāni tīrthāni loke'sminyajñakoṭiśatāni ca| viśuddhasya vijñānasya kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

'Whatever tirthas there are in this world, and the hundreds of millions of sacrifices—they are not worth even a sixteenth part of pure knowledge.'

Verse 104 (skanda.5.6.104)

यथाहं सर्वदेवानां संपूज्यो वै पितामह। तथैव सर्वयोगेभ्यः संपूज्योऽयं महाव्रती

yathāhaṁ sarvadevānāṁ saṁpūjyo vai pitāmaha| tathaiva sarvayogebhyaḥ saṁpūjyo'yaṁ mahāvratī

'O Grandsire, just as I am worshipped by all the gods, so too is this great votary to be worshipped by all who practise yoga.'

Verse 105 (skanda.5.6.105)

संसारबन्धमोक्षार्थं शिवगुह्यमिदं व्रतम्। यदेतत्सर्वधर्मेण अपुनर्भवकारणम्

saṁsārabandhamokṣārthaṁ śivaguhyamidaṁ vratam| yadetatsarvadharmeṇa apunarbhavakāraṇam

'For the sake of release from the bondage of transmigration, this is Shiva's secret vow; being altogether righteous, it is the cause of freedom from rebirth.'

Verse 106 (skanda.5.6.106)

कपालव्रतमादाय यस्त्यजेदजिते न्द्रियः। रौरवं स प्रयात्याशु प्रणीतो यमकिंकरैः

kapālavratamādāya yastyajedajite ndriyaḥ| rauravaṁ sa prayātyāśu praṇīto yamakiṁkaraiḥ

'One who takes up the skull-vow and abandons it while his senses remain unconquered swiftly goes to the hell called Raurava, led there by the servants of Yama.'

Verse 107 (skanda.5.6.107)

आलापयति भावेन न तु कर्म करोति यः। सरागचित्तः शृंगारी न च धर्मप्रियंकरः

ālāpayati bhāvena na tu karma karoti yaḥ| sarāgacittaḥ śṛṁgārī na ca dharmapriyaṁkaraḥ

'One who speaks only out of sentiment but does not act accordingly, whose mind is attached to passion, given to romance, and no lover of righteousness...'

Verse 108 (skanda.5.6.108)

एकत्र भोजी मिष्टाशी कैतवेन प्रियस्तथा। कुग्रामनगरे वासी कृषिवाणिज्यसेवकः

ekatra bhojī miṣṭāśī kaitavena priyastathā| kugrāmanagare vāsī kṛṣivāṇijyasevakaḥ

'...who eats alone, is fond of sweets, ingratiates himself through deceit, dwells in a wretched village or town, and is occupied with farming, trade, or service...'

Verse 109 (skanda.5.6.109)

इत्यादिदुष्टदोषश्च तस्य संभाषणादपि। नरो नरकगामी स्याद्यतो मद्व्रतदूषकः

ityādiduṣṭadoṣaśca tasya saṁbhāṣaṇādapi| naro narakagāmī syādyato madvratadūṣakaḥ

'...such faults, and others like them—even mere conversation with such a person—send a man to hell, since he corrupts my vow.'

Verse 110 (skanda.5.6.110)

दृष्ट्वा च शिष्टमथ महाव्रतधरो नरः। न स्पृशेदंगमंगेन स्पृष्ट्वा स्नायात्तु चांबुभिः

dṛṣṭvā ca śiṣṭamatha mahāvratadharo naraḥ| na spṛśedaṁgamaṁgena spṛṣṭvā snāyāttu cāṁbubhiḥ

Even upon seeing a person of good conduct, a man bearing the great vow should not touch limb to limb; and should such touch occur, he should bathe with water.

Verse 111 (skanda.5.6.111)

एवं च सर्वमाख्यातं कपालस्य च मोक्षणम्। यथा मयात्र निक्षिप्तमज्ञानेन हतं स्वयम्

evaṁ ca sarvamākhyātaṁ kapālasya ca mokṣaṇam| yathā mayātra nikṣiptamajñānena hataṁ svayam

Thus everything has been told, and also the account of the setting-down of the skull—how it was cast here by me, and how, through ignorance, the earth itself was struck by it.

Verse 112 (skanda.5.6.112)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्ब्रह्माद्यैरमरैः सह। क्षेत्रं निवासयामास यथावत्कथयामि ते

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamuktvā sa bhagavānbrahmādyairamaraiḥ saha| kṣetraṁ nivāsayāmāsa yathāvatkathayāmi te

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus, that blessed one, together with Brahma and the other immortals, caused the field to become inhabited; I shall relate it to you just as it happened.

Verse 113 (skanda.5.6.113)

आद्यमेततत्स्मशानं च पठ्यते मुनिसत्तमैः। महाकालवनं व्यास यत्र सन्निहितो हरः

ādyametatatsmaśānaṁ ca paṭhyate munisattamaiḥ| mahākālavanaṁ vyāsa yatra sannihito haraḥ

This primordial cremation-ground is recited by the greatest sages as Mahakalavana, O Vyasa, the place where Hara is ever present.

Verse 114 (skanda.5.6.114)

अनुग्रहस्य भुवनं भूमिभागो न संशयः। अनुग्रहार्थं भूतानां क्षेत्रांतर्मृत्युधर्मिणाम्

anugrahasya bhuvanaṁ bhūmibhāgo na saṁśayaḥ| anugrahārthaṁ bhūtānāṁ kṣetrāṁtarmṛtyudharmiṇām

It is, without doubt, a region of the earth wholly devoted to grace, for the sake of grace toward the mortal beings within that field.

Verse 115 (skanda.5.6.115)

सुवर्णवज्रपर्यंकवेदिका च महीकृता। विचित्रकुसुमारत्नैः कारिता सर्वशोभना

suvarṇavajraparyaṁkavedikā ca mahīkṛtā| vicitrakusumāratnaiḥ kāritā sarvaśobhanā

A platform-altar of gold and diamond was raised upon the earth; it was adorned with rare flowers and jewels and made beautiful in every way.

Verse 116 (skanda.5.6.116)

स्वर्णवज्रांकिततला श्रेष्ठा हरितशाद्वला। त्रिंशच्चत्वारिंशपूर्णाः कलशाः कोणसंस्थिताः

svarṇavajrāṁkitatalā śreṣṭhā haritaśādvalā| triṁśaccatvāriṁśapūrṇāḥ kalaśāḥ koṇasaṁsthitāḥ

That excellent altar, its surface marked with gold and diamond, was covered with green turf; thirty and forty brimming vessels stood at its corners.

Verse 117 (skanda.5.6.117)

द्वाराणि तत्र चत्वारि प्रवर्णानि तपंति च। कुम्भाः शोभंति तत्रस्थाः उदिता भास्करा इव

dvārāṇi tatra catvāri pravarṇāni tapaṁti ca| kumbhāḥ śobhaṁti tatrasthāḥ uditā bhāskarā iva

There, four gateways blazed with many colours; the water-pots standing there shone like risen suns.

Verse 118 (skanda.5.6.118)

रमते तत्र भगवान्वनानामुत्तमे वने। सनंदिदेवगणपः कालदंडादिसंयुतः

ramate tatra bhagavānvanānāmuttame vane| sanaṁdidevagaṇapaḥ kāladaṁḍādisaṁyutaḥ

There the blessed one delights, in that forest most excellent among all forests, together with Nandin, the leaders of the ganas, and his staff of time and other attributes.

Verse 119 (skanda.5.6.119)

एतत्कृतयुगे सर्वं प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते वने। त्रेतायां धर्मनिरतास्तापसा ब्रह्मचारिणः

etatkṛtayuge sarvaṁ pratyakṣaṁ dṛśyate vane| tretāyāṁ dharmaniratāstāpasā brahmacāriṇaḥ

All this is directly visible in that forest in the Krita age; in the Treta age, ascetics devoted to righteousness, celibate students...

Verse 120 (skanda.5.6.120)

द्वापरे धर्मशीला ये श्रुतविज्ञानशालिनः। कलौ तु शुद्धविज्ञानशालिनः शंकरं हरम्

dvāpare dharmaśīlā ye śrutavijñānaśālinaḥ| kalau tu śuddhavijñānaśālinaḥ śaṁkaraṁ haram

...in the Dvapara age, those of righteous conduct endowed with learning and knowledge; but in the Kali age, only those endowed with pure understanding...

Verse 121 (skanda.5.6.121)

तपोधिकाः प्रपश्यंति देवदेवं महेश्वरम्। महाकालवने नित्यं शूलपट्टिशधारिणम्

tapodhikāḥ prapaśyaṁti devadevaṁ maheśvaram| mahākālavane nityaṁ śūlapaṭṭiśadhāriṇam

...through surpassing austerity, behold the God of gods, Maheshvara, ever in Mahakalavana, bearing trident and spear.

Verse 122 (skanda.5.6.122)

एतत्ते तथ्यमाख्यातं लोकानुग्रहकारकम्। सहितानुक्रमेणात्र मन्त्रैश्च विधिपूर्वकम्

etatte tathyamākhyātaṁ lokānugrahakārakam| sahitānukrameṇātra mantraiśca vidhipūrvakam

This truth has been told to you, which brings grace upon the world; it has been recounted here in due order, together with its mantras, according to rule.

Verse 123 (skanda.5.6.123)

समर्चयंति ये विप्रा भक्त्या शंभुमहापदम्। वसंतीह समीपं ते महाकालानुभाविताः

samarcayaṁti ye viprā bhaktyā śaṁbhumahāpadam| vasaṁtīha samīpaṁ te mahākālānubhāvitāḥ

Those Brahmins who, with devotion and in proper order, worship this supreme station of Shambhu dwell close by, blessed by Mahakala.

Verse 124 (skanda.5.6.124)

पठति य इह लोके तस्य संस्थानमेतत्प्रथितगुणगणौघैरर्चितं दोषहं तत्। शुभमतिरभिषिक्तः सोऽमरैरर्च्यमानो व्रजति हरपुरं यः संशृणोत्येकचित्तः

paṭhati ya iha loke tasya saṁsthānametatprathitaguṇagaṇaughairarcitaṁ doṣahaṁ tat| śubhamatirabhiṣiktaḥ so'marairarcyamāno vrajati harapuraṁ yaḥ saṁśṛṇotyekacittaḥ

Whoever in this world recites this account, honoured by throngs of renowned virtues and destructive of faults—that man of pure mind, consecrated, is honoured by the immortals; and whoever listens to it with a single, undistracted mind attains the city of Hara.