The Rule for Dwelling in Mahakalavana

Verse 1 (skanda.5.7.1)

व्यास उवाच। भगवन्केन विधिना महाकालवने नरैः। रुद्रलोकमभीप्सद्भिर्वस्तव्यं क्षेत्रवासिभिः

vyāsa uvāca| bhagavankena vidhinā mahākālavane naraiḥ| rudralokamabhīpsadbhirvastavyaṁ kṣetravāsibhiḥ

Vyasa said: O Lord, by what rule should men who desire the world of Rudra dwell as residents of the sacred field in Mahakalavana?

Verse 2 (skanda.5.7.2)

किं मनुष्यैरुत स्त्रीभिः सिद्ध्यर्थं ह्याश्रमान्वितैः। वसद्भिः किमनुष्ठेयमेतत्सर्वं ब्रवीहि नः

kiṁ manuṣyairuta strībhiḥ siddhyarthaṁ hyāśramānvitaiḥ| vasadbhiḥ kimanuṣṭheyametatsarvaṁ bravīhi naḥ

What should be done by men and women, belonging to the different stages of life, who dwell there for the sake of accomplishment? Tell us all of this.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.7.3)

नरैः स्त्रीभिश्च वस्तव्यं वर्णैश्चाश्रमवासिभिः। स्वधर्माचारनिरतैर्दंभमोहविवर्जितैः

naraiḥ strībhiśca vastavyaṁ varṇaiścāśramavāsibhiḥ| svadharmācāraniratairdaṁbhamohavivarjitaiḥ

Men and women of every varna and every stage of life should dwell there devoted to the conduct of their own duty, free from pride and delusion.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.7.4)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा रुद्रभक्तैर्यतेन्द्रियैः। अनुश्रुतिभिरक्षुद्रैः सर्वभूत हिते रतैः। किं कुर्वाणैर्नरैः कर्म रुद्रभक्तिं ब्रवीहि नः

karmaṇā manasā vācā rudrabhaktairyatendriyaiḥ| anuśrutibhirakṣudraiḥ sarvabhūta hite rataiḥ| kiṁ kurvāṇairnaraiḥ karma rudrabhaktiṁ bravīhi naḥ

Devoted to Rudra in deed, mind, and speech, their senses mastered, following sacred tradition, free of pettiness, devoted to the welfare of all beings—what action should such men perform, and what is devotion to Rudra? Tell us this.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.7.5)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। त्रिविधा कथिता ह्यत्र मनोवाक्कायसंभवा। लौकिकी वैदिकी चान्या भवेदाध्यात्मिकी तथा

sanatkumāra uvāca| trividhā kathitā hyatra manovākkāyasaṁbhavā| laukikī vaidikī cānyā bhavedādhyātmikī tathā

Sanatkumara said: Devotion is described here as threefold, arising from mind, speech, and body: the worldly, the Vedic, and the other, which is spiritual.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.7.6)

ध्यानधारणया बुद्ध्या रुद्राणां स्मरणं हि तत्। रुद्रभक्तिकरी चैषा मानसी भक्तिरु च्यते

dhyānadhāraṇayā buddhyā rudrāṇāṁ smaraṇaṁ hi tat| rudrabhaktikarī caiṣā mānasī bhaktiru cyate

The remembrance of the Rudras through meditation, concentration, and understanding—this devotion, which produces devotion to Rudra, is called mental devotion.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.7.7)

व्रतोपवासनियमैर्यतेद्रियनिरोधिभिः। कायिका भक्ती रुद्रस्य ज्ञानध्यानस्य धर्मिणाम्

vratopavāsaniyamairyatedriyanirodhibhiḥ| kāyikā bhaktī rudrasya jñānadhyānasya dharmiṇām

Through vows, fasts, and observances, with the senses restrained—this bodily devotion to Rudra belongs to those devoted to knowledge and meditation.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.7.8)

गोघृतक्षीरदधिभिर्गंधरक्तकुशो दकैः। गन्धमाल्यैश्च विविधैर्धातुभिश्चोपपादिता

goghṛtakṣīradadhibhirgaṁdharaktakuśo dakaiḥ| gandhamālyaiśca vividhairdhātubhiścopapāditā

Furnished with cow's ghee, milk, and curd, with fragrant substances and reddened kusha-water, with varied fragrances, garlands, and metals...

Verse 9 (skanda.5.7.9)

घृतगुग्गुलधूपैश्च कृष्णागरुसुगंधिभिः। भूषणैर्हेमरत्नानां चित्राभिः स्रग्भिरेव च

ghṛtagugguladhūpaiśca kṛṣṇāgarusugaṁdhibhiḥ| bhūṣaṇairhemaratnānāṁ citrābhiḥ sragbhireva ca

...with incense of ghee, guggul, and fragrant black aloewood, with ornaments of gold and jewels, and with many-coloured garlands...

Verse 10 (skanda.5.7.10)

वासप्रविसरास्तोत्रैः पताकाव्यजनोच्छ्रितैः। नृत्यवादित्रगीतैश्च सर्वप्रत्युपहारकैः

vāsapravisarāstotraiḥ patākāvyajanocchritaiḥ| nṛtyavāditragītaiśca sarvapratyupahārakaiḥ

...with an abundance of fragrant offerings, with hymns, with raised banners and fans, with dance, instrumental music, and song, and with every kind of offering...

Verse 11 (skanda.5.7.11)

भक्ष्यभोज्यानुपानैश्च यावत्पूजाक्षतैर्नरैः। महेश्वरं पुरस्कृत्य भक्तिः सा लौकिकी मता

bhakṣyabhojyānupānaiśca yāvatpūjākṣatairnaraiḥ| maheśvaraṁ puraskṛtya bhaktiḥ sā laukikī matā

...with food and drink, and whatever else may be offered along with unbroken rice in worship, men honouring Maheshvara thus—this devotion is held to be worldly.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.7.12)

वेदमन्त्रहविर्यागैर्या क्रिया वैदिकी मता

vedamantrahaviryāgairyā kriyā vaidikī matā

That ritual action performed with Vedic mantras, oblations, and sacrifices is held to be Vedic devotion.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.7.13)

दर्शे च पूर्णमास्यां वा कर्तव्यं चाग्निहोत्रकम्। प्राशनं दक्षिणादानं पुरोडाशश्च सत्क्रिया

darśe ca pūrṇamāsyāṁ vā kartavyaṁ cāgnihotrakam| prāśanaṁ dakṣiṇādānaṁ puroḍāśaśca satkriyā

The fire-oblation performed on the new-moon or full-moon day, the ritual eating, the giving of the priest's fee, and the proper rite of the sacrificial cake...

Verse 14 (skanda.5.7.14)

इष्टवृत्तिः सोमपानं याज्ञिकं सर्वकर्म च। ऋग्यजुःसामजाप्यानि संहिताध्ययनानि च

iṣṭavṛttiḥ somapānaṁ yājñikaṁ sarvakarma ca| ṛgyajuḥsāmajāpyāni saṁhitādhyayanāni ca

...the observance of desired sacrifices, the drinking of soma, every sacrificial act, and the recitation and study of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Samhitas...

Verse 15 (skanda.5.7.15)

क्रियते रुद्रमुद्दिश्य सा भक्तिर्वैदिकी स्मृता। अग्निभूम्यनिलाकाशनिशाकरदिवाकरान्

kriyate rudramuddiśya sā bhaktirvaidikī smṛtā| agnibhūmyanilākāśaniśākaradivākarān

...when performed with Rudra as the object, is remembered as Vedic devotion. Action performed with fire, earth, wind, sky, moon, and sun as its object...

Verse 16 (skanda.5.7.16)

समुद्दिश्य कृतं कर्म तत्सर्वं दैविकं भवेत्। आध्यात्मिकी तु द्विविधा रुद्रभक्तिः स्थिता मुने

samuddiśya kṛtaṁ karma tatsarvaṁ daivikaṁ bhavet| ādhyātmikī tu dvividhā rudrabhaktiḥ sthitā mune

...all such action becomes divine. O sage, spiritual devotion to Rudra is of two kinds.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.7.17)

सांख्याख्या यौगिकी चान्या विभागं तत्र मे शृणु। चतुर्विंशतितत्त्वानि प्रधानादीनि संख्यया

sāṁkhyākhyā yaugikī cānyā vibhāgaṁ tatra me śṛṇu| caturviṁśatitattvāni pradhānādīni saṁkhyayā

One called Sankhya, and the other Yogic—hear from me the distinction between them. The twenty-four elements, beginning with Prakriti, in number...

Verse 18 (skanda.5.7.18)

अचेतनानि योज्यानि पुरुषः पञ्चविंशकः। चेतनः पुरुषो भोक्ता न कार्यं तस्य कर्मणः

acetanāni yojyāni puruṣaḥ pañcaviṁśakaḥ| cetanaḥ puruṣo bhoktā na kāryaṁ tasya karmaṇaḥ

...are to be understood as insentient; Purusha is the twenty-fifth. The sentient Purusha is the experiencer; action does not belong to him.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.7.19)

रुद्रः षड्विंशकः कर्ता सर्वज्ञश्चेतनः प्रभुः। अजन्मा नित्यमव्यक्तमधिष्ठाता प्रयोजकः

rudraḥ ṣaḍviṁśakaḥ kartā sarvajñaścetanaḥ prabhuḥ| ajanmā nityamavyaktamadhiṣṭhātā prayojakaḥ

Rudra is the twenty-sixth, the doer, omniscient, sentient, the Lord; unborn, eternal, unmanifest, the presiding ruler and prompter of all.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.7.20)

पुरुषो नित्यव्यक्तः स्यात्कारणं च महेश्वरः। तत्त्वसर्गं भवेत्सर्गं भूतसर्गं च तत्त्वतः

puruṣo nityavyaktaḥ syātkāraṇaṁ ca maheśvaraḥ| tattvasargaṁ bhavetsargaṁ bhūtasargaṁ ca tattvataḥ

Purusha is ever manifest, and Maheshvara is the cause. The creation of the elements is the true creation, and from it, in truth, comes the creation of beings.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.7.21)

संख्यया परिसर्गाय प्रधानं च गुणात्मकम्। साधर्म्यमात्मनैश्वर्यं प्रधानं वै विधर्मि च

saṁkhyayā parisargāya pradhānaṁ ca guṇātmakam| sādharmyamātmanaiśvaryaṁ pradhānaṁ vai vidharmi ca

By reckoning, for the sake of secondary creation there is Prakriti, of the nature of the gunas; though resembling Purusha through its own inherent power, Prakriti is in truth of a different nature.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.7.22)

कारणं तच्च रुद्रस्य काम्य त्वमिदमुच्यते। सर्वत्र कर्तृता रुद्रे पुरुषे चाप्यकर्तृता

kāraṇaṁ tacca rudrasya kāmya tvamidamucyate| sarvatra kartṛtā rudre puruṣe cāpyakartṛtā

That is the cause, and this is called the will belonging to Rudra. Everywhere, agency belongs to Rudra, and Purusha remains without agency.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.7.23)

अचैतन्यं प्रधाने च तच्च तत्त्वमिदं स्मृतम्। तत्त्वांतरेण मुच्यंते कार्यं कारणमेव च

acaitanyaṁ pradhāne ca tacca tattvamidaṁ smṛtam| tattvāṁtareṇa mucyaṁte kāryaṁ kāraṇameva ca

Insentience belongs to Prakriti—this is held to be one truth; through a further truth, both the effect and the cause are released.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.7.24)

प्रयोजने च वैजात्यं ज्ञात्वा तत्त्वमसंख्यया। संख्यास्तीत्युच्यते प्राज्ञै रुद्रतत्त्वार्थचिंतकैः

prayojane ca vaijātyaṁ jñātvā tattvamasaṁkhyayā| saṁkhyāstītyucyate prājñai rudratattvārthaciṁtakaiḥ

Knowing the difference in purpose, and knowing the truth as beyond number, the wise, the thinkers on the reality of Rudra, still speak of it as susceptible to enumeration.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.7.25)

इति तस्य तत्त्वभावं तत्त्वसंख्या च तत्त्वतः। रुद्रतत्त्वाधिकं चापि ज्ञानतत्त्वं विदुर्बुधाः

iti tasya tattvabhāvaṁ tattvasaṁkhyā ca tattvataḥ| rudratattvādhikaṁ cāpi jñānatattvaṁ vidurbudhāḥ

Thus the wise know that nature of the elements, their true enumeration, and also the reality of knowledge, which surpasses even the reality of Rudra.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.7.26)

सांख्ये कृता भक्तिरेषा सद्भिराध्यात्मिकी मता। योगिनामपि मे भक्त्या शृणु भक्तिं महासुर

sāṁkhye kṛtā bhaktireṣā sadbhirādhyātmikī matā| yogināmapi me bhaktyā śṛṇu bhaktiṁ mahāsura

This devotion practised through Sankhya is held by the virtuous to be spiritual. Now hear from me, O illustrious one, the devotion of the yogis as well.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.7.27)

प्राणायामपरो नित्यं ध्यायते नियतेंद्रियः। धारणां हृदये धृत्वा ध्यायते यो महेश्वरम्

prāṇāyāmaparo nityaṁ dhyāyate niyateṁdriyaḥ| dhāraṇāṁ hṛdaye dhṛtvā dhyāyate yo maheśvaram

One devoted ever to breath-control, his senses restrained, holding his concentration upon Maheshvara fixed in the heart as he meditates...

Verse 28 (skanda.5.7.28)

हृत्कञ्जकर्णिकासीनं पञ्चवक्त्रं त्रिलोचनम्। शशांकज्योतिजठरं व्यालवृत्तकटीतटम्

hṛtkañjakarṇikāsīnaṁ pañcavaktraṁ trilocanam| śaśāṁkajyotijaṭharaṁ vyālavṛttakaṭītaṭam

...seated upon the pericarp of the heart-lotus, five-faced, three-eyed, his belly radiant like moonlight, his waist encircled with a coiled serpent...

Verse 29 (skanda.5.7.29)

श्वेतं दशभुजं भद्रं वरदाभयहस्तकम्। योगजा मानसी व्यास रुद्रभक्तिः परा स्मृता

śvetaṁ daśabhujaṁ bhadraṁ varadābhayahastakam| yogajā mānasī vyāsa rudrabhaktiḥ parā smṛtā

...white of hue, ten-armed, gracious, his hands forming the gestures of boon-giving and reassurance—this yoga-born mental devotion to Rudra, O Vyasa, is remembered as supreme.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.7.30)

य एव भक्तिमान्रुद्रे रुद्रभक्तः स उच्यते। विधिं तु शृणु मे व्यास यः स्मृतः क्षेत्रवासिनाम्

ya eva bhaktimānrudre rudrabhaktaḥ sa ucyate| vidhiṁ tu śṛṇu me vyāsa yaḥ smṛtaḥ kṣetravāsinām

Whoever indeed has devotion to Rudra is called a devotee of Rudra. Now, O Vyasa, hear from me the rule that is prescribed for those who dwell in the sacred field.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.7.31)

स्वयं रुद्रेण विहितो ब्रह्मादीनां समागमे। कथितो विस्तरात्पूर्वं सर्वेषां तत्र सन्निधौ

svayaṁ rudreṇa vihito brahmādīnāṁ samāgame| kathito vistarātpūrvaṁ sarveṣāṁ tatra sannidhau

Ordained by Rudra himself at the gathering of Brahma and the others, it was formerly declared in detail, in the presence of all who were there.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.7.32)

निर्ममा निरहंकारा निःसंगा निष्परिग्रहाः। बंधुवर्गेण निःस्नेहाः समलोष्टाश्मकांचनाः

nirmamā nirahaṁkārā niḥsaṁgā niṣparigrahāḥ| baṁdhuvargeṇa niḥsnehāḥ samaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanāḥ

Free from possessiveness, free from ego, unattached, without acquisitions; without affection even for their own kinsmen, regarding a clod of earth, a stone, and gold alike.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.7.33)

भूतानां कर्मभिर्नित्यं त्रिविधैरभयप्रदाः। सांख्ययोगविधिज्ञाश्च धर्मज्ञाश्छिन्नसंशयाः

bhūtānāṁ karmabhirnityaṁ trividhairabhayapradāḥ| sāṁkhyayogavidhijñāśca dharmajñāśchinnasaṁśayāḥ

Ever granting freedom from fear to beings through their threefold conduct of deed, word, and mind; knowing the rule of Sankhya and Yoga, knowers of dharma, their doubts dispelled.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.7.34)

यजंतो विविधैर्यज्ञैर्ये विप्राः क्षेत्रवासिनः। महाकालवने तेषां मृतानां यत्फलं शृणु

yajaṁto vividhairyajñairye viprāḥ kṣetravāsinaḥ| mahākālavane teṣāṁ mṛtānāṁ yatphalaṁ śṛṇu

Hear now what fruit belongs to those Brahmin dwellers of the sacred field, who worship with many kinds of sacrifice, when they die in Mahakalavana.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.7.35)

व्रजंत्येव सुदुष्प्राप्यं ब्रह्मसायुज्यमक्षयम्। संप्राप्य न पुनर्जन्म लभंते मोक्षमव्ययम्

vrajaṁtyeva suduṣprāpyaṁ brahmasāyujyamakṣayam| saṁprāpya na punarjanma labhaṁte mokṣamavyayam

They attain the imperishable union with Brahman, exceedingly hard to reach; and having attained it, they take no further birth, but attain undying liberation.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.7.36)

पुनरावर्तनं हित्वा विधिं माहेश्वरं स्थिताः। पुनरावृत्तिरन्येषां प्रपंचाश्रमवासिनाम्

punarāvartanaṁ hitvā vidhiṁ māheśvaraṁ sthitāḥ| punarāvṛttiranyeṣāṁ prapaṁcāśramavāsinām

Those established in the Maheshvara rite, having relinquished all return, remain free of it; for others, dwellers of the various stages of life, there is return once again.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.7.37)

गार्हस्थ्यं विधिमासाद्य षट्कर्मनिरताः सदा। जुह्वते विधिना सम्यङ्मंत्रस्तोत्रैर्नियंत्रिताः

gārhasthyaṁ vidhimāsādya ṣaṭkarmaniratāḥ sadā| juhvate vidhinā samyaṅmaṁtrastotrairniyaṁtritāḥ

Having taken up the discipline of the householder, ever devoted to the six prescribed duties, restrained by mantra and hymn, they offer oblation properly, according to rule.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.7.38)

अधिकं फलमायांति सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः। सर्व लोकेषु चान्यत्र गतिस्तस्य न हन्यते

adhikaṁ phalamāyāṁti sarvaduḥkhavivarjitāḥ| sarva lokeṣu cānyatra gatistasya na hanyate

Free of every sorrow, they obtain a greater reward; in every world and elsewhere too their course is never destroyed.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.7.39)

दिव्येनैश्वर्ययोगेन स्वारूढः स्वपरिग्रहः। बहुसूर्यप्रकाशेन विमानेन सुवर्चसा

divyenaiśvaryayogena svārūḍhaḥ svaparigrahaḥ| bahusūryaprakāśena vimānena suvarcasā

Mounted, through divine sovereign union, upon a vehicle of his own, in an aerial car blazing with the light of many suns...

Verse 40 (skanda.5.7.40)

वृतः स्त्रीणां सहस्रैश्च स्वच्छंदगमनालयः। विचरत्यविचार्यैव सर्वलोकान्दिवौकसाम्

vṛtaḥ strīṇāṁ sahasraiśca svacchaṁdagamanālayaḥ| vicaratyavicāryaiva sarvalokāndivaukasām

...surrounded by thousands of women, dwelling wherever he pleases, he wanders unrestrained through all the worlds of the celestials.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.7.41)

स्पृहणीयतमः पुंसां सर्ववर्णोत्तमो धनी। स्वर्गाच्च्युतः प्रजायेत कुले महति रूपवान्

spṛhaṇīyatamaḥ puṁsāṁ sarvavarṇottamo dhanī| svargāccyutaḥ prajāyeta kule mahati rūpavān

Most desired among men, foremost of all the varnas, wealthy; when he falls from heaven, he is born handsome, in a great lineage...

Verse 42 (skanda.5.7.42)

धर्मज्ञो रुद्रभक्तश्च सर्वविद्यार्थपारगः। तथैव ब्रह्मचर्येण गुरुशुश्रूषणेन च

dharmajño rudrabhaktaśca sarvavidyārthapāragaḥ| tathaiva brahmacaryeṇa guruśuśrūṣaṇena ca

...knowing dharma, devoted to Rudra, one who has mastered the meaning of every branch of learning, and disciplined by celibate studentship and service to his teacher.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.7.43)

वेदाध्ययनसंयुक्तो च भैक्षवृत्तिर्जितेंद्रियः। नित्यं सत्यव्रते युक्तः स्वधर्मे च प्रमोदवान्

vedādhyayanasaṁyukto ca bhaikṣavṛttirjiteṁdriyaḥ| nityaṁ satyavrate yuktaḥ svadharme ca pramodavān

Devoted to the study of the Veda, living by begging alms, his senses mastered; ever committed to the vow of truth, and delighting in his own duty.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.7.44)

मृतः काले समृद्धेन सर्वभोगावलंबिना। सूर्येणेव द्वितीयेन विमानेन विचारितः

mṛtaḥ kāle samṛddhena sarvabhogāvalaṁbinā| sūryeṇeva dvitīyena vimānena vicāritaḥ

Dying at his proper time, he is borne aloft by a prosperous aerial car furnished with every enjoyment, as though by a second sun...

Verse 45 (skanda.5.7.45)

गुह्यकोनाम रुद्रस्य गणः परमसंमतः। अप्रमेयबलैश्वर्यो देवदानवपूजितः

guhyakonāma rudrasya gaṇaḥ paramasaṁmataḥ| aprameyabalaiśvaryo devadānavapūjitaḥ

...he becomes a Guhyaka, that most highly esteemed troop of Rudra's, endowed with immeasurable strength and majesty, and worshipped by gods and demons.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.7.46)

तेषां च समतां याति तुल्यैश्वर्यसमन्वितः। देवदानवमर्त्येषु स च पूज्यतमो भवेत

teṣāṁ ca samatāṁ yāti tulyaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ| devadānavamartyeṣu sa ca pūjyatamo bhaveta

He attains equality with them, endowed with the same majesty; and among gods, demons, and mortals he becomes the most greatly honoured.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.7.47)

वर्षकोटिसहस्राणि वर्षकोटिशतानि च। ऐवमैश्वर्यसंयुक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते

varṣakoṭisahasrāṇi varṣakoṭiśatāni ca| aivamaiśvaryasaṁyukto rudraloke mahīyate

For thousands of millions of years, and for hundreds of millions of years, thus endowed with sovereignty, he is honoured in the world of Rudra.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.7.48)

वसित्वासौ विभूत्या वै यदा च च्यवते नरः। रुद्रलोकाच्च्युतो भूमौ वसते नात्र संशयः

vasitvāsau vibhūtyā vai yadā ca cyavate naraḥ| rudralokāccyuto bhūmau vasate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Having dwelt there in such splendour, when the man at last falls, fallen from the world of Rudra he dwells, without doubt, upon the earth.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.7.49)

महाकालवने क्षेत्रे ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमे स्थितः। महेश्वरपरो नित्यं वसेद्वाऽथ म्रियेत वा

mahākālavane kṣetre brahmacaryāśrame sthitaḥ| maheśvaraparo nityaṁ vasedvā'tha mriyeta vā

One established in the celibate student's stage within the sacred field of Mahakalavana, ever devoted to Maheshvara, whether he dwells there or comes to die there...

Verse 50 (skanda.5.7.50)

मृतोऽसौ याति दिव्ये वै विमाने सूर्यवर्चसि। पूर्णचंद्रप्रकाशो वै शशिवत्प्रियदर्शनः

mṛto'sau yāti divye vai vimāne sūryavarcasi| pūrṇacaṁdraprakāśo vai śaśivatpriyadarśanaḥ

...if he dies, he departs by a divine aerial car radiant as the sun; bright as the full moon, and lovely to behold like the moon itself.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.7.51)

रुद्रलोकं समासाद्य गुह्यकैः सह मोदते। ऐश्वर्यं च महद्भुंक्ते सर्वस्य जगतः प्रभुः

rudralokaṁ samāsādya guhyakaiḥ saha modate| aiśvaryaṁ ca mahadbhuṁkte sarvasya jagataḥ prabhuḥ

Reaching the world of Rudra, he rejoices together with the Guhyakas; he enjoys great sovereignty, as though he were lord of the entire world.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.7.52)

भुक्त्वा युगसहस्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते। प्रच्युतस्तु पुनस्तस्माद्रुद्रलोकात्क्रमेण तु

bhuktvā yugasahasrāṇi rudraloke mahīyate| pracyutastu punastasmādrudralokātkrameṇa tu

Having enjoyed pleasures for a thousand ages, he is honoured in the world of Rudra; and thereafter, fallen once more from that world, by degrees...

Verse 53 (skanda.5.7.53)

नित्यं प्रमुदितस्तत्र भुक्त्वा लोकमनामयम्। द्विजानां साधने नित्यं कुले महति जायते

nityaṁ pramuditastatra bhuktvā lokamanāmayam| dvijānāṁ sādhane nityaṁ kule mahati jāyate

...ever rejoicing there, having enjoyed a world free of affliction, he is born again in a great and accomplished Brahmin lineage.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.7.54)

मानवेषु च धर्मेषु वसेद्भूयांश्च रूपवान्। स्पृहणीयवपुः स्त्रीणां महाभोगपतिर्भवेत्

mānaveṣu ca dharmeṣu vasedbhūyāṁśca rūpavān| spṛhaṇīyavapuḥ strīṇāṁ mahābhogapatirbhavet

He dwells among righteous men, growing yet more handsome; his form desired by women, he becomes lord of great enjoyment.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.7.55)

वानप्रस्थसमाचारो वनौषधिविवर्जितः। शीर्णपर्णसमाहारः फलपुष्पांबुभोजनः

vānaprasthasamācāro vanauṣadhivivarjitaḥ| śīrṇaparṇasamāhāraḥ phalapuṣpāṁbubhojanaḥ

One who follows the conduct of the forest-dweller, foregoes forest herbs, gathers only fallen leaves, and subsists on fruit, flowers, and water...

Verse 56 (skanda.5.7.56)

कणाशनोऽश्मकुट्टो वा दंतोलूखलकोऽथ वा। येन केनाप्युपायेन जीर्णवल्कलधारकः

kaṇāśano'śmakuṭṭo vā daṁtolūkhalako'tha vā| yena kenāpyupāyena jīrṇavalkaladhārakaḥ

...eating only husks of grain, or grinding his food with a stone, or using his own teeth as a mortar; wearing worn bark-garments by whatever means available...

Verse 57 (skanda.5.7.57)

जटी त्रिषवणस्नायी मुक्तकेशः सुदंडवान्। जलशायी पंचतपा वर्षास्वभ्रावकाशकः

jaṭī triṣavaṇasnāyī muktakeśaḥ sudaṁḍavān| jalaśāyī paṁcatapā varṣāsvabhrāvakāśakaḥ

...wearing matted locks, bathing at all three twilights, hair loose, bearing his proper staff; sleeping in water, practising the austerity of the five fires, exposed beneath the open sky through the rains...

Verse 58 (skanda.5.7.58)

कीटकंटकपाषाणभूम्यां तु शयनं तथा। स्थानं वीरासनरतः संविभागी दृढबतः

kīṭakaṁṭakapāṣāṇabhūmyāṁ tu śayanaṁ tathā| sthānaṁ vīrāsanarataḥ saṁvibhāgī dṛḍhabataḥ

...sleeping likewise on ground strewn with insects, thorns, and stones; devoted to the heroic posture, sharing what he has, firm in his vow.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.7.59)

अरण्यौषधिभोक्ता च सर्वभूताभयप्रदः। नित्यं धर्मपरो मौनी जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः

araṇyauṣadhibhoktā ca sarvabhūtābhayapradaḥ| nityaṁ dharmaparo maunī jitakrodho jiteṁdriyaḥ

Living upon forest herbs, granting freedom from fear to every being; ever devoted to dharma, silent, master of anger, master of his senses...

Verse 60 (skanda.5.7.60)

रुद्रभक्तः क्षेत्रवासी महाकालवने मुनिः। सर्वसंगपरित्यागी स्वारामो विगतस्पृहः

rudrabhaktaḥ kṣetravāsī mahākālavane muniḥ| sarvasaṁgaparityāgī svārāmo vigataspṛhaḥ

...devoted to Rudra, a resident of the sacred field, a sage in Mahakalavana; having renounced all attachment, delighting in himself, free of craving.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.7.61)

यश्चात्र वसते व्यास शृणु तस्य हि या गतिः। तरुणार्कप्रदीप्तेन वेदिकास्तंभशोभिना

yaścātra vasate vyāsa śṛṇu tasya hi yā gatiḥ| taruṇārkapradīptena vedikāstaṁbhaśobhinā

And O Vyasa, hear now the destiny of one who dwells here: by an aerial car blazing like the rising sun, adorned with pillars like the sacred altar...

Verse 62 (skanda.5.7.62)

रुद्रभक्तो विमानेन याति कामप्रचारिणा। विराजमानो नभसि द्वितीय इव चंद्रमाः

rudrabhakto vimānena yāti kāmapracāriṇā| virājamāno nabhasi dvitīya iva caṁdramāḥ

...the devotee of Rudra departs upon that car, moving wherever he wills, shining in the sky like a second moon.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.7.63)

गीतवादित्रशब्देन संवृतोऽप्सरसां गणै। वर्षकोटिशतं साग्रं रुद्रलोके महीयते

gītavāditraśabdena saṁvṛto'psarasāṁ gaṇai| varṣakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ rudraloke mahīyate

Amid the sound of song and instrumental music, surrounded by throngs of Apsarases, he is honoured in the world of Rudra for a full hundred million years.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.7.64)

रुद्रलोकाच्च्युतश्चापि विष्णुलोके महीयते। विष्णुलोकात्परिभ्रष्टो ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति

rudralokāccyutaścāpi viṣṇuloke mahīyate| viṣṇulokātparibhraṣṭo brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati

Fallen even from the world of Rudra, he is honoured in the world of Vishnu; and fallen from the world of Vishnu, he goes to the world of Brahma.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.7.65)

तस्मादपि च्युतः स्थानाद्द्वीपेषु स हि जायते। स्वर्गषु च तथान्येषु भोगान्भुंक्ते यथेच्छया

tasmādapi cyutaḥ sthānāddvīpeṣu sa hi jāyate| svargaṣu ca tathānyeṣu bhogānbhuṁkte yathecchayā

Fallen even from that place, he is born among the continents; and in the heavens and elsewhere he enjoys pleasures as he wishes.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.7.66)

भुक्तैश्वर्यो नरस्तेषु मर्त्यामर्त्येषु जायते। राजा वा राजतुल्यो वा जायते धनवान्सुखी। सुरूपः सुभगः कांतः कीर्तिमान्रुद्रभावितः

bhuktaiśvaryo narasteṣu martyāmartyeṣu jāyate| rājā vā rājatulyo vā jāyate dhanavānsukhī| surūpaḥ subhagaḥ kāṁtaḥ kīrtimānrudrabhāvitaḥ

Having enjoyed sovereignty in those realms, that man is born among mortals or immortals; he becomes a king or one equal to a king, wealthy, happy, of fine form, fortunate, handsome, renowned, and filled with the presence of Rudra.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.7.67)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा वा क्षेत्रवासिनः। स्वधर्मनिरता व्यास स्वभृत्या चारजीविनः

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā vā kṣetravāsinaḥ| svadharmaniratā vyāsa svabhṛtyā cārajīvinaḥ

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, or Shudras, O Vyasa, dwellers of the sacred field devoted to their own duty, whether servants of their own household or those living by messenger-service...

Verse 68 (skanda.5.7.68)

सर्वात्मना रुद्रभक्ता भूतानुग्रहकारिणः। महाकालवने क्षेत्रे ये वसंति मुमुक्षवः

sarvātmanā rudrabhaktā bhūtānugrahakāriṇaḥ| mahākālavane kṣetre ye vasaṁti mumukṣavaḥ

...devotees of Rudra with their whole being, doers of grace toward all beings, who, seeking liberation, dwell in the sacred field of Mahakalavana...

Verse 69 (skanda.5.7.69)

मृतास्ते रुद्रभवने विमानैर्यांति शोभनैः। अप्सरोगणसंयुक्तैः कामगैः कामरूपिभिः

mṛtāste rudrabhavane vimānairyāṁti śobhanaiḥ| apsarogaṇasaṁyuktaiḥ kāmagaiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ

...when they die, they go to the abode of Rudra by splendid aerial cars, filled with troops of Apsarases, moving and taking form at will.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.7.70)

अथवा संविदग्नौ च शरीरं विजुहोति यः। रुद्रध्यायी महासत्त्वः स रुद्र भवने वसेत्

athavā saṁvidagnau ca śarīraṁ vijuhoti yaḥ| rudradhyāyī mahāsattvaḥ sa rudra bhavane vaset

Or whoever offers up his own body in the fire of true awareness—that great-souled meditator upon Rudra dwells in the abode of Rudra.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.7.71)

रुद्रलोकोऽक्षयस्तेषां शाश्वतो गुह्यकैः सह। सर्वलोकोत्तमो रम्यो भवतीष्टार्थसाधकः

rudraloko'kṣayasteṣāṁ śāśvato guhyakaiḥ saha| sarvalokottamo ramyo bhavatīṣṭārthasādhakaḥ

Their world of Rudra, shared with the Guhyakas, is imperishable and eternal; supreme and delightful above every world, it accomplishes every desired end.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.7.72)

ये त्यजंति महाकाले प्राणान नशनैर्नराः। तेषामप्यक्षयो व्यास रुद्रलोको महात्मनाम्

ye tyajaṁti mahākāle prāṇāna naśanairnarāḥ| teṣāmapyakṣayo vyāsa rudraloko mahātmanām

Those men who give up their lives in Mahakala through fasting—their world of Rudra too, O Vyasa, is imperishable, since they are great-souled.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.7.73)

सांख्याः स्तुवंति ते रुद्रं सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः। सर्वामरयुतं देवं नंदिदेवगणैर्युतम्। अनाशकमृताः शूद्रा महाकालवने नराः

sāṁkhyāḥ stuvaṁti te rudraṁ sarvaduḥkhavivarjitāḥ| sarvāmarayutaṁ devaṁ naṁdidevagaṇairyutam| anāśakamṛtāḥ śūdrā mahākālavane narāḥ

Followers of Sankhya praise that Rudra, free of all sorrow, accompanied by all the immortals and joined with the troops of Nandin and the other gods; and Shudras too, who die by fasting in Mahakalavana...

Verse 74 (skanda.5.7.74)

सिंहयुक्तैस्तु ते यांति विमानैरर्कसन्निभैः

siṁhayuktaistu te yāṁti vimānairarkasannibhaiḥ

...depart by aerial cars yoked with lions, radiant as the sun.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.7.75)

नानावर्णसुवर्णाढ्यैर्हृष्टगंधाधिवा सितैः। अनौपम्यगुणै रम्यैरप्सरोगीतवादिभिः

nānāvarṇasuvarṇāḍhyairhṛṣṭagaṁdhādhivā sitaiḥ| anaupamyaguṇai ramyairapsarogītavādibhiḥ

Rich with many colours and gold, filled with delightful fragrance, of incomparable and lovely qualities, adorned with the song and music of the Apsarases...

Verse 76 (skanda.5.7.76)

पताकाध्वजविन्यस्तैर्नानाघंटानिनादितैः। सुप्रभैर्गुणसंपन्नैर्मयूरवरचारिभिः

patākādhvajavinyastairnānāghaṁṭānināditaiḥ| suprabhairguṇasaṁpannairmayūravaracāribhiḥ

...set with banners and flags, resounding with many bells, of fine radiance, endowed with excellence, and moving with the grace of peacocks.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.7.77)

रुद्रलोके नरा धीराः सर्वे चानशनैर्मृताः। तत्रोषित्वा चिरं कालं भोगान्भुक्त्वा यथेप्सितान्। धनी विप्रकुले भोगी जायते मर्त्यमागतः

rudraloke narā dhīrāḥ sarve cānaśanairmṛtāḥ| tatroṣitvā ciraṁ kālaṁ bhogānbhuktvā yathepsitān| dhanī viprakule bhogī jāyate martyamāgataḥ

All those steadfast men who died by fasting, having dwelt long in the world of Rudra and enjoyed pleasures as they wished, when they return to the world of mortals are born wealthy and prosperous, in a Brahmin family.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.7.78)

करीषं साधयेद्यस्तु महाकालवने नरः। सर्वभोगविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

karīṣaṁ sādhayedyastu mahākālavane naraḥ| sarvabhogavinirmukto rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

A man who gathers cow-dung fuel for the sacred fire in Mahakalavana, freed from every worldly enjoyment, goes to the world of Rudra.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.7.79)

रुद्रलोके वसेत्तावद्यावत्कल्पक्षयो भवेत्

rudraloke vasettāvadyāvatkalpakṣayo bhavet

He dwells in the world of Rudra for so long as it takes until the dissolution of the aeon.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.7.80)

तत्र भुक्त्वा महाभोगानिह जातो महीपतिः। पृथिव्याः सकलायाश्च रूपवान्सुभगो भवेत्

tatra bhuktvā mahābhogāniha jāto mahīpatiḥ| pṛthivyāḥ sakalāyāśca rūpavānsubhago bhavet

Having enjoyed great pleasures there, when he is born again here he becomes a lord of the earth; handsome and fortunate throughout the whole world.