The Greatness of Siddheshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.82.1)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच। लिंगमेकादशं विद्धि देवि सिद्धेश्वरं शुभम्। वीरभद्रसमीपे तु सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम्

śrīmahādeva uvāca| liṁgamekādaśaṁ viddhi devi siddheśvaraṁ śubham| vīrabhadrasamīpe tu sarvasiddhipradāyakam

Shri Mahadeva said: "Know the eleventh, auspicious linga, O Devi, as Siddheshvara, near Virabhadra, the bestower of every accomplishment."

Verse 2 (skanda.5.82.2)

देव दारुवने पूर्वं विप्रा योगसमन्विताः। स्पर्द्धया सिद्धिलब्ध्यर्थं तपोऽकुर्वत संयताः

deva dāruvane pūrvaṁ viprā yogasamanvitāḥ| sparddhayā siddhilabdhyarthaṁ tapo'kurvata saṁyatāḥ

Formerly, in the Devadaru forest, brahmins endowed with yoga, self-controlled, performed austerity out of rivalry, in order to attain accomplishment.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.82.3)

शाकाहारा निराहाराः पर्णाहारास्तथापरे। दंतोलूखलिनः केचिदश्मकुट्टास्तथा परे

śākāhārā nirāhārāḥ parṇāhārāstathāpare| daṁtolūkhalinaḥ kecidaśmakuṭṭāstathā pare

Some lived on vegetables, some on nothing at all, others on leaves; some ground their grain with their own teeth, others pounded it with stones.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.82.4)

केचिद्वीरासनरता धूम्रपानरताः परे। पादैरूर्ध्वैरधोवक्त्रैः केचिदभ्रावकाशिकाः

kecidvīrāsanaratā dhūmrapānaratāḥ pare| pādairūrdhvairadhovaktraiḥ kecidabhrāvakāśikāḥ

Some were engaged in the hero's posture, others devoted to inhaling smoke; some, feet upward and face downward, hung suspended in the open air.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.82.5)

कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणादीनि कुर्वन्त्यन्ये समाहिताः। न चापि परमा प्राप्ता सिद्धिर्वर्षशतैरपि

kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇādīni kurvantyanye samāhitāḥ| na cāpi paramā prāptā siddhirvarṣaśatairapi

Others, composed in mind, performed the krichchhra and chandrayana vows and the like; yet even after a hundred years, the supreme accomplishment was not attained.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.82.6)

दुःखार्त्ताश्चिंतयामासुः कथं सिद्धिर्भविष्यति। तपसा दुष्करेणैव सिद्धिर्न वात्र लभ्यते

duḥkhārttāściṁtayāmāsuḥ kathaṁ siddhirbhaviṣyati| tapasā duṣkareṇaiva siddhirna vātra labhyate

Afflicted with sorrow, they thought: "How shall accomplishment come? Even by this difficult austerity, accomplishment is not obtained here."

Verse 7 (skanda.5.82.7)

व्यर्था श्रुतिस्तथा जाता या गीता मुनिभिः पुरा। तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं तपोमूलमिदं जगत्

vyarthā śrutistathā jātā yā gītā munibhiḥ purā| tapasā labhyate sarvaṁ tapomūlamidaṁ jagat

"Vain, then, has proved that scriptural word which the sages once spoke: 'By austerity everything is attained, this world is rooted in austerity.'"

Verse 8 (skanda.5.82.8)

अंजनं गुटिका चैव पादुकागमनं तथा। खड्गसिद्धिर्बिले वासश्चिंतामणिरपेक्षितम्

aṁjanaṁ guṭikā caiva pādukāgamanaṁ tathā| khaḍgasiddhirbile vāsaściṁtāmaṇirapekṣitam

"The magic ointment, the pill, the power of the flying sandals, the sword-accomplishment, dwelling in subterranean caverns, the wish-granting gem — all these we desired."

Verse 9 (skanda.5.82.9)

एवं तेऽचिंतयसिद्धाः परमामर्षपूरिताः। उत्सार्य तत्तपोधर्मं नास्तिक्यं भावमागताः

evaṁ te'ciṁtayasiddhāḥ paramāmarṣapūritāḥ| utsārya tattapodharmaṁ nāstikyaṁ bhāvamāgatāḥ

Thus, unaccomplished, they were filled with utmost resentment, and, abandoning their austere discipline, fell into an attitude of unbelief.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.82.10)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी। आश्वासयंती तान्सिद्धान्माता पुत्रमिवौरसम्

etasminneva kāle tu vāguvācāśarīriṇī| āśvāsayaṁtī tānsiddhānmātā putramivaurasam

At that very moment a bodiless voice spoke, comforting those seekers as a mother comforts her own son —

Verse 11 (skanda.5.82.11)

माऽवमन्यध्वमार्या हि श्रुतिर्व्यर्था महीतले। तपो न निंद्यं धर्मो वा श्रूयतामत्र कारणम्

mā'vamanyadhvamāryā hi śrutirvyarthā mahītale| tapo na niṁdyaṁ dharmo vā śrūyatāmatra kāraṇam

"— 'Do not scorn her; the noble scripture is not in vain upon the earth. Austerity is not to be blamed, nor righteousness; hear the reason for this.'"

Verse 12 (skanda.5.82.12)

भविता भवतां सिद्धिरत्र नैव तपोधनाः। स्पर्द्धया सिद्धिकामैश्च तपस्तद्धि कृतं वृथा

bhavitā bhavatāṁ siddhiratra naiva tapodhanāḥ| sparddhayā siddhikāmaiśca tapastaddhi kṛtaṁ vṛthā

"'Your accomplishment shall not come about this way, O men rich in austerity; for austerity performed out of rivalry, and out of a craving for accomplishment, is performed in vain.'"

Verse 13 (skanda.5.82.13)

कामाच्च तपसो हानिरहंकाराच्च विस्मयः। क्रोधाल्लोभात्तथा मोहाज्जायते नात्र संशयः

kāmācca tapaso hānirahaṁkārācca vismayaḥ| krodhāllobhāttathā mohājjāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"'From desire comes the ruin of austerity, from egotism arises pride; from anger, from greed, and likewise from delusion the same follows — of this there is no doubt.'"

Verse 14 (skanda.5.82.14)

स्पर्द्धया रहितो यस्तु कामक्रोधविवर्जितः। करोति कर्म भावेन स तपःफलमश्नुते

sparddhayā rahito yastu kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ| karoti karma bhāvena sa tapaḥphalamaśnute

"'He who, free of rivalry, rid of desire and anger, performs his acts with true devotion — he alone reaps the fruit of austerity.'"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.82.15)

वासनावासितो यस्तु एकचित्तः समाहितः। आस्तिकः श्रद्दधानश्च स तपःफलमश्नुते

vāsanāvāsito yastu ekacittaḥ samāhitaḥ| āstikaḥ śraddadhānaśca sa tapaḥphalamaśnute

"'He who is free of latent craving, single-minded, composed, faithful and full of trust — he reaps the fruit of austerity.'"

Verse 16 (skanda.5.82.16)

मातृवत्परदाराणि परद्रव्याणि लोष्टवत्। यः पश्यति नरो नित्यं स तपः फलमश्नुते

mātṛvatparadārāṇi paradravyāṇi loṣṭavat| yaḥ paśyati naro nityaṁ sa tapaḥ phalamaśnute

"'The man who ever regards the wives of others as his own mother, and the wealth of others as a mere clod of earth — he reaps the fruit of austerity.'"

Verse 17 (skanda.5.82.17)

ईदृशे पुरुषे विप्रास्तपःसिद्धिश्च दृश्यते। भवंतः स्पर्द्धया चैव कृतवंतश्च दुष्करम्

īdṛśe puruṣe viprāstapaḥsiddhiśca dṛśyate| bhavaṁtaḥ sparddhayā caiva kṛtavaṁtaśca duṣkaram

"'It is in such a man, O brahmins, that the accomplishment of austerity is seen; but you have performed a difficult austerity out of mere rivalry.'"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.82.18)

तस्माद्वर्षसहस्रेण नैव सिद्धिर्भविष्यति। यदि मद्वचनं कार्यं निर्विकल्पेन चेतसा

tasmādvarṣasahasreṇa naiva siddhirbhaviṣyati| yadi madvacanaṁ kāryaṁ nirvikalpena cetasā

"'Therefore, not even in a thousand years shall accomplishment come. If my word is to be heeded, then with a mind free of doubt —'"

Verse 19 (skanda.5.82.19)

महाकालवनं गत्वा यूयं सर्वे समाहिताः। आराधयध्वं देवेशं सदा सिद्धिप्रदायकम्

mahākālavanaṁ gatvā yūyaṁ sarve samāhitāḥ| ārādhayadhvaṁ deveśaṁ sadā siddhipradāyakam

"'— go to the Mahakala forest, and all of you, with composed minds, worship the lord of gods, who ever bestows accomplishment.'"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.82.20)

दर्शनात्तस्य देवस्य लभ्यते सिद्धिरुत्तमा। सनकादयोऽपि ये देवमासाद्य योगतत्पराः। पूजयित्वापि भावेन संसिद्धिं परमां गताः

darśanāttasya devasya labhyate siddhiruttamā| sanakādayo'pi ye devamāsādya yogatatparāḥ| pūjayitvāpi bhāvena saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

"'By the sight of that god, supreme accomplishment is obtained. Even Sanaka and the others, devoted to yoga, having attained that god and worshipped him with true devotion, reached the highest accomplishment.'"

Verse 21 (skanda.5.82.21)

राज्ञा वसुमता पूर्वं खङ्गसिद्धिः सुदुर्लभा। प्राप्ता दर्शनमात्रेण लिंगस्यास्य प्रभावतः

rājñā vasumatā pūrvaṁ khaṅgasiddhiḥ sudurlabhā| prāptā darśanamātreṇa liṁgasyāsya prabhāvataḥ

"'King Vasumat formerly attained the rare sword-accomplishment merely by the sight of this linga, through its power.'"

Verse 22 (skanda.5.82.22)

पादुकागमनं लब्धं हैहयेन महात्मना। कृतवीरात्मजेनैव वाहानां च सहस्रकम्

pādukāgamanaṁ labdhaṁ haihayena mahātmanā| kṛtavīrātmajenaiva vāhānāṁ ca sahasrakam

"'The great-souled Haihaya, son of Kritavirya, obtained the power of the flying sandals, and a thousand mounts besides.'"

Verse 23 (skanda.5.82.23)

अदृश्यकरणं चैव प्राप्तं चानूरुणा पुरा। स्वर्णसिद्धिश्च सिद्धेन पादलेपो रसायनम्। अंजनं च तथा लब्धं लिंगस्यास्य च दर्शनात्

adṛśyakaraṇaṁ caiva prāptaṁ cānūruṇā purā| svarṇasiddhiśca siddhena pādalepo rasāyanam| aṁjanaṁ ca tathā labdhaṁ liṁgasyāsya ca darśanāt

"'Anuru formerly obtained the power of invisibility; a certain siddha obtained gold-making accomplishment, the ointment for the feet, the elixir, and the magic collyrium — all these through the sight of this very linga.'"

Verse 24 (skanda.5.82.24)

आकाशवचनं श्रुत्वा ते सिद्धा विस्मयान्विताः। समायाता मुदा युक्ता महाकालवनोत्तमे

ākāśavacanaṁ śrutvā te siddhā vismayānvitāḥ| samāyātā mudā yuktā mahākālavanottame

Having heard that voice from the sky, filled with wonder, those seekers came joyfully to the excellent Mahakala forest.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.82.25)

सर्वसिद्धिप्रदं चैव ददृशुर्लिंगमुत्तमम्। दर्शनात्तस्य लिंगस्य संसिद्धिं परमां गताः

sarvasiddhipradaṁ caiva dadṛśurliṁgamuttamam| darśanāttasya liṁgasya saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

They beheld that supreme linga, granter of every accomplishment; and by the sight of that linga they attained the highest accomplishment.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.82.26)

ततःप्रभृति विख्यातो देवैः सिद्धेश्वरः परः। ये पश्यंति नरा देवि देवं सिद्धेश्वरं परम्। न तेषां दुर्लभा सिद्धिर्भविष्यति महीतले

tataḥprabhṛti vikhyāto devaiḥ siddheśvaraḥ paraḥ| ye paśyaṁti narā devi devaṁ siddheśvaraṁ param| na teṣāṁ durlabhā siddhirbhaviṣyati mahītale

From then on, that supreme god became renowned among the gods as Siddheshvara; O Devi, for those men who behold the supreme god Siddheshvara, accomplishment on this earth never remains hard to attain.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.82.27)

सिद्धेश्वरं गमिष्यंति भावहीनाः प्रसंगतः। संसिद्धास्ते भविष्यंति नियता नात्र संशयः

siddheśvaraṁ gamiṣyaṁti bhāvahīnāḥ prasaṁgataḥ| saṁsiddhāste bhaviṣyaṁti niyatā nātra saṁśayaḥ

Even those devoid of devotion, who go to Siddheshvara only incidentally, shall certainly become accomplished, without doubt.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.82.28)

महापातकसंयुक्तो यस्तु सिद्धेश्वरं स्मरेत्। संसिद्धस्तु भवेन्नूनं ज्ञानैश्वर्यसमन्वितः

mahāpātakasaṁyukto yastu siddheśvaraṁ smaret| saṁsiddhastu bhavennūnaṁ jñānaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ

Even one burdened with great sins, if he but remembers Siddheshvara, shall surely become accomplished, endowed with knowledge and prosperity.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.82.29)

नियमेन तु यः पश्येद्देवं सिद्धेश्वरं परम्। षण्मासाज्जायते सिद्धिर्वांछिता या भवेद्धृदि

niyamena tu yaḥ paśyeddevaṁ siddheśvaraṁ param| ṣaṇmāsājjāyate siddhirvāṁchitā yā bhaveddhṛdi

Whoever regularly beholds the supreme god Siddheshvara — whatever accomplishment is desired in his heart is granted within six months.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.82.30)

अष्टम्यां च चतुर्द्दश्यां कृष्णपक्षे विशेषतः। सिद्धेश्वरं तु यः पश्येत्स पश्येन्मम मंदिरम्

aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturddaśyāṁ kṛṣṇapakṣe viśeṣataḥ| siddheśvaraṁ tu yaḥ paśyetsa paśyenmama maṁdiram

On the eighth, or the fourteenth, especially in the dark fortnight, whoever beholds Siddheshvara shall behold my own abode.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.82.31)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं निर्धनस्तु धनं लभेत्। विद्यार्थी लभते विद्यां भार्यार्थी लभते स्त्रियम्

aputro labhate putraṁ nirdhanastu dhanaṁ labhet| vidyārthī labhate vidyāṁ bhāryārthī labhate striyam

The childless obtains a son, the poor obtains wealth; the seeker of learning obtains learning, the seeker of a wife obtains a wife.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.82.32)

संक्रांतौ सोमवारे च ग्रहणे चैव योऽर्चयेत्। कुलानां शतमुद्धृत्य पैतृकं स्वाधिकं प्रिये। मोदते मम लोके च यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश

saṁkrāṁtau somavāre ca grahaṇe caiva yo'rcayet| kulānāṁ śatamuddhṛtya paitṛkaṁ svādhikaṁ priye| modate mama loke ca yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa

Whoever worships on sankranti, on Monday, or during an eclipse, delivers a hundred generations of his own and his paternal lineage, O beloved, and rejoices in my world for the duration of fourteen Indras.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.82.33)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। सिद्धेश्वरस्य देवस्य लोकपालेश्वरं शृणु

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| siddheśvarasya devasya lokapāleśvaraṁ śṛṇu

This, O Devi, is the sin-destroying glory of the god Siddheshvara that I have told you; now hear of Lokapaleshvara.