The Glory of Kukkuteshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.92.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। एकविंशतिकं विद्धि कुक्कुटेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण तिर्यग्योनिर्न लभ्यते

īśvara uvāca| ekaviṁśatikaṁ viddhi kukkuṭeśvarasaṁjñakam| yasya darśanamātreṇa tiryagyonirna labhyate

Ishvara said: Know the twenty-first deity by the name Kukkuteshvara — by whose mere sight one does not obtain birth in an animal womb.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.92.2)

कौशिकोनाम राजाभूत्कुक्कुटो जायते सदा। दृश्यते वासरे भागे सर्वाभरणभूषितः

kauśikonāma rājābhūtkukkuṭo jāyate sadā| dṛśyate vāsare bhāge sarvābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ

There was a king named Kaushika, who was ever fated to become a rooster; by day he was seen adorned with every ornament.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.92.3)

व्याप्ता च पृथिवी तेन सशैलवनकानना। पूर्वकर्मप्रभावेन प्राप्तं राज्यमकण्टकम्

vyāptā ca pṛthivī tena saśailavanakānanā| pūrvakarmaprabhāvena prāptaṁ rājyamakaṇṭakam

By him the whole earth, with its mountains, forests and woodlands, was pervaded; by the power of former deeds he had obtained a kingdom free of thorns.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.92.4)

विशालानाम विख्याता भार्या तस्य महीपतेः। रूपलावण्यसंयुक्ता चतुःषष्टिकलान्विता

viśālānāma vikhyātā bhāryā tasya mahīpateḥ| rūpalāvaṇyasaṁyuktā catuḥṣaṣṭikalānvitā

That king's renowned wife was named Vishala, endowed with beauty and grace, and accomplished in the sixty-four arts.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.92.5)

तया चकार सहितः स राज्यं राजसत्तमः। सा वल्लभापि नृपतेः प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी

tayā cakāra sahitaḥ sa rājyaṁ rājasattamaḥ| sā vallabhāpi nṛpateḥ prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī

That best of kings ruled the realm together with her; and she, too, was dearer to the king than his own life.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.92.6)

तया सार्द्धं कदाचिच्च सुरतं नास्ति पार्वति। संतप्ता सर्वदा सा च रत्यभावाद्बभूव ह

tayā sārddhaṁ kadācicca surataṁ nāsti pārvati| saṁtaptā sarvadā sā ca ratyabhāvādbabhūva ha

Yet, O Parvati, union with her never took place; she remained ever consumed with anguish from the want of love's pleasure.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.92.7)

एवं गच्छति काले तु सह राज्ञा स्मरातुरा। सर्वसत्त्वरुतज्ञा सा विशाला विपुलेक्षणा। ददर्श कीटमिथुनमनंगकलहातुरम्

evaṁ gacchati kāle tu saha rājñā smarāturā| sarvasattvarutajñā sā viśālā vipulekṣaṇā| dadarśa kīṭamithunamanaṁgakalahāturam

So, as time passed, Vishala, tormented by desire, who understood the cries of every creature and had wide, lovely eyes, while dwelling with the king, beheld a pair of insects tormented by a lovers' quarrel born of Kama.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.92.8)

प्रसादयंस्तथा कीटः स्वां प्रियां च मुहुर्मुहुः। दासोऽस्मि तव कांतेऽहं रूपसौभाग्य सुन्दरि

prasādayaṁstathā kīṭaḥ svāṁ priyāṁ ca muhurmuhuḥ| dāso'smi tava kāṁte'haṁ rūpasaubhāgya sundari

That male insect, propitiating his beloved again and again, said: 'I am your servant, O fair one blessed with beauty and fortune.'

Verse 9 (skanda.5.92.9)

भजस्व मां यथाकाममनंगशरपीडितम्। शिरसा प्रणतेनैव रचितस्ते मयांजलिः

bhajasva māṁ yathākāmamanaṁgaśarapīḍitam| śirasā praṇatenaiva racitaste mayāṁjaliḥ

'Accept me, tormented by Kama's arrow, as you please; with bowed head I, prostrate, offer you this folded-hands salutation.'

Verse 10 (skanda.5.92.10)

न त्वया सदृशी लोके कामिनी विद्यते क्वचित्। सुवर्णवर्णसदृशी मद्भक्ता चारुहासिनी

na tvayā sadṛśī loke kāminī vidyate kvacit| suvarṇavarṇasadṛśī madbhaktā cāruhāsinī

'O sweet-smiling one, there is no woman like you anywhere in the world — you, golden of hue, are devoted to me.'

Verse 11 (skanda.5.92.11)

कुतो वा मयि दीने त्वं क्रुद्धेव प्रियवादिनि। किमर्थं वद कल्याणि सरोषव दना स्थिता

kuto vā mayi dīne tvaṁ kruddheva priyavādini| kimarthaṁ vada kalyāṇi saroṣava danā sthitā

'Why then, O sweet-speaking one, are you angry with wretched me? Tell me, O gracious one, why you sit there with an angry face.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.92.12)

सा तमाह प्रकोपाच्च किमालपसि मां वृथा। त्वया मोदकचूर्णं तु मां विहाय मनोरमाम्। प्रदत्तं कामलुब्धेन अन्यस्य कीटकाधम

sā tamāha prakopācca kimālapasi māṁ vṛthā| tvayā modakacūrṇaṁ tu māṁ vihāya manoramām| pradattaṁ kāmalubdhena anyasya kīṭakādhama

She said to him in anger: 'Why do you speak to me in vain? O vilest of insects, lustful, you gave the sweetmeat-powder to another, forsaking me, the lovely one.'

Verse 13 (skanda.5.92.13)

नाहमेवं करिष्यामि कीटः प्राह पुनःपुनः। स्पृशामि पादौ सत्येन प्रणतस्य प्रसीद मे

nāhamevaṁ kariṣyāmi kīṭaḥ prāha punaḥpunaḥ| spṛśāmi pādau satyena praṇatasya prasīda me

'I will not do so' — the insect said again and again — 'in truth I touch your feet; be gracious to me, who am bowed before you.'

Verse 14 (skanda.5.92.14)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सा प्रसन्नाभवत्तदा। आत्मानमर्पयामास कामनाय पिपीलिका

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sā prasannābhavattadā| ātmānamarpayāmāsa kāmanāya pipīlikā

Hearing his words, she then became pleased, and the female ant gave herself over to him in desire.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.92.15)

दृष्ट्वा तन्महदाश्चर्यं सा राज्ञी विललाप ह। धिग्राज्यं धिक्च मे रूपं धिक्च यौवनमद्य मे। न कामिताहं कांतेन मरिष्यामि न संशयः

dṛṣṭvā tanmahadāścaryaṁ sā rājñī vilalāpa ha| dhigrājyaṁ dhikca me rūpaṁ dhikca yauvanamadya me| na kāmitāhaṁ kāṁtena mariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

Seeing that great wonder, the queen lamented: 'Fie on my kingdom! Fie on my beauty! Fie today on my youth! I have not been desired by my husband — surely I shall die.'

Verse 16 (skanda.5.92.16)

एवं विलप्य बहुधा विनिःश्वस्य पुनःपुनः। उन्मत्तेव विशालाक्षी गालवस्याश्रमं गता

evaṁ vilapya bahudhā viniḥśvasya punaḥpunaḥ| unmatteva viśālākṣī gālavasyāśramaṁ gatā

Having lamented thus in many ways, sighing again and again, the wide-eyed queen, as though maddened, went to the hermitage of the sage Galava.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.92.17)

दृष्ट्वा तमृषिमासीनं तपोयोनिं दृढव्रतम्। उवाच प्रणतांगी सा शोकसंतप्तमानसा

dṛṣṭvā tamṛṣimāsīnaṁ tapoyoniṁ dṛḍhavratam| uvāca praṇatāṁgī sā śokasaṁtaptamānasā

Seeing that sage seated there, born of austerity, firm in his vow, she, her mind consumed with grief, bowed low and spoke.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.92.18)

एकोऽयं संशयो ब्रह्मन्हृदये परिवर्त्तते। वश्योऽपि हि च मे भर्त्ता रूपलावण्यवानपि। न जाने कारणं किं तु संगमो नोपजायते

eko'yaṁ saṁśayo brahmanhṛdaye parivarttate| vaśyo'pi hi ca me bharttā rūpalāvaṇyavānapi| na jāne kāraṇaṁ kiṁ tu saṁgamo nopajāyate

'O Brahmin, one doubt alone turns over in my heart — my husband, though obedient to me and endowed with beauty and grace, I know not why union with him never comes to pass.'

Verse 19 (skanda.5.92.19)

यो गत्वा प्रमदाराज्यं जित्वा सर्वाः पुरा रणे। आजहार शुभास्तासां मध्यादष्टौ वरांगनाः। नैव कामयते तासु किमेतदिति सुव्रत

yo gatvā pramadārājyaṁ jitvā sarvāḥ purā raṇe| ājahāra śubhāstāsāṁ madhyādaṣṭau varāṁganāḥ| naiva kāmayate tāsu kimetaditi suvrata

'He who once, in battle, conquered the whole realm of women and carried off from among them eight beautiful, excellent maidens — he desires them not either. What is this, O firm-vowed one?'

Verse 20 (skanda.5.92.20)

वाजिनो वारणाश्चैव धनधान्यमनंतकम्। वर्त्तते हि जनः सर्वो ममाज्ञां पालयन्क्षितौ

vājino vāraṇāścaiva dhanadhānyamanaṁtakam| varttate hi janaḥ sarvo mamājñāṁ pālayankṣitau

'Horses and elephants, and boundless wealth and grain — all the people upon the earth abide by my command.'

Verse 21 (skanda.5.92.21)

केन कर्मविपाकेन ममेदं यौवनं दृढम्। व्यर्थं जातं द्विजश्रेष्ठ रतिं न कुरुते नृपः

kena karmavipākena mamedaṁ yauvanaṁ dṛḍham| vyarthaṁ jātaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha ratiṁ na kurute nṛpaḥ

'By what ripening of what deed, O best of the twice-born, has this firm youth of mine become fruitless? The king does not make love to me.'

Verse 22 (skanda.5.92.22)

दृश्यते वासरे भागे रात्रौ चैव न दृश्यते। इहजन्मकृतं चैतदाहोस्वित्पारलौकिकम्

dṛśyate vāsare bhāge rātrau caiva na dṛśyate| ihajanmakṛtaṁ caitadāhosvitpāralaukikam

'He is seen by day, and never seen at night — is this the doing of this very birth, or of another world?'

Verse 23 (skanda.5.92.23)

दुष्कृतावर्जनं ब्रह्मन्ममेदं वक्तुमर्हसि। तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा गालवो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

duṣkṛtāvarjanaṁ brahmanmamedaṁ vaktumarhasi| tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā gālavo vākyamabravīt

'O Brahmin, you are fit to tell me what wrong of mine this is that must be atoned for.' Hearing her words, Galava spoke.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.92.24)

शृणु पुत्रि पुरावृत्तं बालभावेन यत्कृतम्। अनेन राज्ञा धर्मज्ञे रात्रौ येन न दृश्यते

śṛṇu putri purāvṛttaṁ bālabhāvena yatkṛtam| anena rājñā dharmajñe rātrau yena na dṛśyate

'Listen, O daughter, knower of dharma, to what happened long ago, done by this king in his childhood, on account of which he is not seen at night.'

Verse 25 (skanda.5.92.25)

विदूरथस्य तनयस्तव भर्ता स निश्चितम्। मांसाहारी दोषरतिर्विषयासक्तमानसः

vidūrathasya tanayastava bhartā sa niścitam| māṁsāhārī doṣaratirviṣayāsaktamānasaḥ

'Your husband is surely the son of Viduratha; he was a meat-eater, given to wrongdoing, his mind attached to sensual pleasures.'

Verse 26 (skanda.5.92.26)

बहवः कुक्कुटास्तेन भक्षिता राजसूनुना

bahavaḥ kukkuṭāstena bhakṣitā rājasūnunā

'Many roosters were devoured by that prince.'

Verse 27 (skanda.5.92.27)

एवं भक्षयतस्तस्य बहुशो वत्सरा गताः। कालेन महता राज्ञा ताम्रचूडेन मंत्रिणः। पृष्टाः किं कारणं नात्र समायांति हि कुक्कुटाः

evaṁ bhakṣayatastasya bahuśo vatsarā gatāḥ| kālena mahatā rājñā tāmracūḍena maṁtriṇaḥ| pṛṣṭāḥ kiṁ kāraṇaṁ nātra samāyāṁti hi kukkuṭāḥ

As he thus went on devouring them, many years passed; after a long while, the king Tamrachuda asked his ministers what was the reason no roosters came there any more.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.92.28)

अथ केनापि कथितं कुक्कुटानां च भक्षणम्। विदूरथस्य पुत्रेण कौशिकेन दुरात्मना। भक्षिताः कुक्कुटाः सर्वे विना कारणतो नृप

atha kenāpi kathitaṁ kukkuṭānāṁ ca bhakṣaṇam| vidūrathasya putreṇa kauśikena durātmanā| bhakṣitāḥ kukkuṭāḥ sarve vinā kāraṇato nṛpa

Then someone told him that all the roosters, O king, had been devoured without cause by the evil-minded Kaushika, son of Viduratha.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.92.29)

ताम्रचूडोऽथ संक्रुद्धो ददौ शापं दुरात्मने। कौशिकाय क्षयो रोगो भविष्यति भयावहः

tāmracūḍo'tha saṁkruddho dadau śāpaṁ durātmane| kauśikāya kṣayo rogo bhaviṣyati bhayāvahaḥ

Then Tamrachuda, greatly enraged, cursed that evil one: 'A dreadful wasting disease shall befall Kaushika.'

Verse 30 (skanda.5.92.30)

तदाप्रभृत्यभूत्क्षीणो राजपुत्रो दिनेदिने। औषधैरधिकोऽभ्येति व्याधिना पीडितो भृशम्

tadāprabhṛtyabhūtkṣīṇo rājaputro dinedine| auṣadhairadhiko'bhyeti vyādhinā pīḍito bhṛśam

From that time the prince grew ever more emaciated, day after day; despite many medicines he remained sorely afflicted by that disease.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.92.31)

अथ केनापि कामेन वामदेवाश्रमं गतः। क्षयरोगाभिभूतोऽसौ मरणोत्सुकमानसः। पप्रच्छ वामदेवं स नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः

atha kenāpi kāmena vāmadevāśramaṁ gataḥ| kṣayarogābhibhūto'sau maraṇotsukamānasaḥ| papraccha vāmadevaṁ sa namaskṛtya punaḥpunaḥ

Then, moved by some longing, overcome by consumption and his mind eager for death, he went to the hermitage of Vamadeva, and, bowing again and again, questioned him.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.92.32)

भगवन्केन पापेन क्षीयतेऽहर्निशं वपुः। मदीयं पोष्यमाणं हि मांसेन विविधेन च

bhagavankena pāpena kṣīyate'harniśaṁ vapuḥ| madīyaṁ poṣyamāṇaṁ hi māṁsena vividhena ca

'O Lord, by what sin does my body waste away day and night, though nourished with meat of many kinds?'

Verse 33 (skanda.5.92.33)

वामदेवोऽथ तं प्राह कुक्कुटा भक्षितास्त्वया। ताम्रचूडेन शप्तोऽसि कुक्कुटानां नृपेण हि

vāmadevo'tha taṁ prāha kukkuṭā bhakṣitāstvayā| tāmracūḍena śapto'si kukkuṭānāṁ nṛpeṇa hi

Vamadeva then told him: 'You have devoured roosters; Tamrachuda, king of roosters, has cursed you.'

Verse 34 (skanda.5.92.34)

तमेव शरणं गच्छ स उपायं वदिष्यति। ततः स ताम्रचूडस्याभ्यर्णमागानृपात्मजः

tameva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sa upāyaṁ vadiṣyati| tataḥ sa tāmracūḍasyābhyarṇamāgānṛpātmajaḥ

'Go for refuge to him alone; he will tell you the remedy.' Then the prince went near to Tamrachuda.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.92.35)

दृष्ट्वा च ताम्रचूडं तं महाभक्त्या कृतांजलिः। प्रोवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा पाहि मां शरणागतम्

dṛṣṭvā ca tāmracūḍaṁ taṁ mahābhaktyā kṛtāṁjaliḥ| provāca praṇato bhūtvā pāhi māṁ śaraṇāgatam

Seeing Tamrachuda, with hands folded in great devotion, bowing low, he said: 'Protect me, who have come to you for refuge.'

Verse 36 (skanda.5.92.36)

अज्ञानाद्भक्षिता देव कुक्कुटाः पुष्टिकारणात्। क्षंतुमर्हसि देवेश ममागः कृपणस्य च

ajñānādbhakṣitā deva kukkuṭāḥ puṣṭikāraṇāt| kṣaṁtumarhasi deveśa mamāgaḥ kṛpaṇasya ca

'O god, unknowingly, for the sake of nourishment, I devoured roosters; O lord of gods, be pleased to forgive this transgression of a wretched one.'

Verse 37 (skanda.5.92.37)

प्रोवाच ताम्रचूडोऽथ यस्मात्प्रार्थयसे नृप। तस्मात्ते वासरे प्राप्ते पुरुषत्वं भविष्यति

provāca tāmracūḍo'tha yasmātprārthayase nṛpa| tasmātte vāsare prāpte puruṣatvaṁ bhaviṣyati

Tamrachuda then said: 'Since, O king, you entreat me thus, therefore, when the day comes, you shall have the state of a man.'

Verse 38 (skanda.5.92.38)

शास्ता गोप्ता च लोकानां राजा दंडधरः प्रभुः। कुक्कुटो भविता रात्रौ सर्वभोगविवर्जितः

śāstā goptā ca lokānāṁ rājā daṁḍadharaḥ prabhuḥ| kukkuṭo bhavitā rātrau sarvabhogavivarjitaḥ

'You shall be the ruler and protector of the people, king, wielder of the rod; but at night you shall become a rooster, deprived of every enjoyment.'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.92.39)

अतो न दृश्यते पुत्रि तिर्यग्भावं समाश्रितः

ato na dṛśyate putri tiryagbhāvaṁ samāśritaḥ

'Therefore, O daughter, having taken on animal form, he is not seen.'

Verse 40 (skanda.5.92.40)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा गालवस्य महात्मनः। सा संपूज्य विशालाक्षी गालवं मुनिसत्तमम्। पप्रच्छ परया भक्त्या शापांतो हि कथं भवेत्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā gālavasya mahātmanaḥ| sā saṁpūjya viśālākṣī gālavaṁ munisattamam| papraccha parayā bhaktyā śāpāṁto hi kathaṁ bhavet

Hearing these words of the great-souled Galava, the wide-eyed queen, having honoured Galava, best of sages, asked with utmost devotion how the curse might come to an end.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.92.41)

गालवः कथयामास ध्यानेनालोक्य यत्नतः

gālavaḥ kathayāmāsa dhyānenālokya yatnataḥ

Galava, having looked with meditation and diligent care, spoke thus.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.92.42)

महाकाल वने लिंगं पक्षियोनिविमोचनम्। ज्वालेश्वरस्य देवस्य पूर्वभागे व्यवस्थितम्। तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण शापस्यांतो भविष्यति

mahākāla vane liṁgaṁ pakṣiyonivimocanam| jvāleśvarasya devasya pūrvabhāge vyavasthitam| tasya darśanamātreṇa śāpasyāṁto bhaviṣyati

'In the forest of Mahakala there is a linga that releases from the womb of a bird, standing to the east of the god Jvaleshvara; by mere sight of it the curse shall come to its end.'

Verse 43 (skanda.5.92.43)

सा प्रणम्य मुनिश्रेष्ठमाजगाम त्वरान्विता। यत्रास्ते नृपशार्दूलो विध्यन्बहुविधान्मृगान्

sā praṇamya muniśreṣṭhamājagāma tvarānvitā| yatrāste nṛpaśārdūlo vidhyanbahuvidhānmṛgān

Bowing to that best of sages, she went in haste to where the tiger among kings was piercing many kinds of deer with his arrows.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.92.44)

प्रफुल्लनयनाभ्यां सा दृष्टा लोलेक्षणा प्रिया। आह्लादिता बहुविधैः कोमलैर्वचनामृतैः

praphullanayanābhyāṁ sā dṛṣṭā lolekṣaṇā priyā| āhlāditā bahuvidhaiḥ komalairvacanāmṛtaiḥ

Beholding that beloved with her restless eyes, he looked upon her with delighted eyes, and she was gladdened with many gentle, nectar-like words.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.92.45)

ततस्तेन तदा राज्ञा प्रोक्ता सा मृगलोचना। इदानीं कि मया कांते कार्यं भवति कथ्यताम्

tatastena tadā rājñā proktā sā mṛgalocanā| idānīṁ ki mayā kāṁte kāryaṁ bhavati kathyatām

Then that king said to her, the doe-eyed one: 'What now must I do, O beloved? Tell me.'

Verse 46 (skanda.5.92.46)

तया प्रोक्तं महाराज गम्यतेऽद्य मया सह। महाकालवने पुण्ये सर्वदुष्कृतनाशने

tayā proktaṁ mahārāja gamyate'dya mayā saha| mahākālavane puṇye sarvaduṣkṛtanāśane

She said: 'O great king, let us both go today to the sacred forest of Mahakala, destroyer of every sin.'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.92.47)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा त्वरमाणो मुदान्वितः। तया नीतोऽथ नृपतिर्लिंगस्यास्य समीपतः

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā tvaramāṇo mudānvitaḥ| tayā nīto'tha nṛpatirliṁgasyāsya samīpataḥ

Hearing her words, the king, hastening in joy, was led by her near to this linga.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.92.48)

पूजयित्वाथ तल्लिंगं पक्षियोनिविमोचनम्। तत्रैव च स्थितो राजा प्रियया सह पार्वति

pūjayitvātha talliṁgaṁ pakṣiyonivimocanam| tatraiva ca sthito rājā priyayā saha pārvati

Having worshipped that linga, releaser from birth as a bird, the king, O Parvati, remained there together with his beloved.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.92.49)

तस्यां रात्रौ न संजातः कुक्कुटो यादृशः सदा। शिवप्रसादादभवद्दिव्यरूपी मनोहरः

tasyāṁ rātrau na saṁjātaḥ kukkuṭo yādṛśaḥ sadā| śivaprasādādabhavaddivyarūpī manoharaḥ

On that night no rooster arose as always before; by Shiva's grace he became of a lovely, divine form.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.92.50)

रूपेण निर्जितः कामस्तेनाप्रतिमतेजसा। ततो विस्मयमापन्नश्चिंतयामास पार्थिवः। कोऽयं प्रभावो येनाहं शापान्मुक्तः सुदुस्तरात्

rūpeṇa nirjitaḥ kāmastenāpratimatejasā| tato vismayamāpannaściṁtayāmāsa pārthivaḥ| ko'yaṁ prabhāvo yenāhaṁ śāpānmuktaḥ sudustarāt

By that form of matchless splendour, even Kama himself was surpassed. Then, filled with wonder, the king pondered: 'What power is this, by which I am freed from so insurmountable a curse?'

Verse 51 (skanda.5.92.51)

प्रियां पप्रच्छ नृपतिः पूर्णेन्दुवदनां भृशम्। कथं शापाद्विमुक्तोऽहं केन पुण्येन कर्मणा

priyāṁ papraccha nṛpatiḥ pūrṇenduvadanāṁ bhṛśam| kathaṁ śāpādvimukto'haṁ kena puṇyena karmaṇā

The king questioned his beloved, whose face was like the full moon, again and again: 'By what meritorious deed have I been freed from the curse?'

Verse 52 (skanda.5.92.52)

अथ सा कथयामास वृत्तांतं विस्तरान्मुदा। गालवेन हि यत्प्रोक्तं यत्किंचिच्छापमोक्षणम्

atha sā kathayāmāsa vṛttāṁtaṁ vistarānmudā| gālavena hi yatproktaṁ yatkiṁcicchāpamokṣaṇam

Then she told him the whole account at length and with joy — all that Galava had said, whatever the means of release from the curse had been.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.92.53)

राजञ्छापाद्विमुक्तोऽसि लिंगस्यास्य प्रभावतः। पुनः प्रसाद्य तल्लिंगं भुक्त्वा भोगांश्चिरं भुवि

rājañchāpādvimukto'si liṁgasyāsya prabhāvataḥ| punaḥ prasādya talliṁgaṁ bhuktvā bhogāṁściraṁ bhuvi

'O king, by the power of this very linga you are freed from the curse; propitiate this linga once more and enjoy pleasures upon this earth for long.'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.92.54)

तया सार्द्धं ययौ राजा स्वर्गं सुरगणैः स्तुतः। तदाप्रभृति तल्लिंगं कुक्कुटेश्वरसंज्ञकम्

tayā sārddhaṁ yayau rājā svargaṁ suragaṇaiḥ stutaḥ| tadāprabhṛti talliṁgaṁ kukkuṭeśvarasaṁjñakam

Together with her the king, praised by the hosts of gods, went to heaven; from that time that linga became known by the name Kukkuteshvara.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.92.55)

विख्यातं देवि लोकेऽस्मिन्सर्वकामफलप्रदम्। तच्च ये पूजयिष्यंति कुक्कुटेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। तिर्यग्योनिं न यास्यंति न वियोगो भविष्यति

vikhyātaṁ devi loke'sminsarvakāmaphalapradam| tacca ye pūjayiṣyaṁti kukkuṭeśvarasaṁjñakam| tiryagyoniṁ na yāsyaṁti na viyogo bhaviṣyati

It became renowned in this world, O Devi, granting the fruit of every desire; those who worship this linga named Kukkuteshvara shall not attain an animal womb, nor shall separation befall them.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.92.56)

न चापि नरकावाप्तिर्न दुःखं न जरा भयम्। नाकाले मरणं नॄणां न च कष्टं भवि ष्यति

na cāpi narakāvāptirna duḥkhaṁ na jarā bhayam| nākāle maraṇaṁ nṝṇāṁ na ca kaṣṭaṁ bhavi ṣyati

Neither shall they attain hell, nor sorrow, nor fear of old age; men shall not die out of season, nor shall any misfortune befall them.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.92.57)

रूपसौभाग्यसंपन्ना भविष्यंति युगेयुगे। चतुर्द्दश्यां प्रपश्यति लिंगं ये कुक्कुटेश्वरम्। तेषां कुले च ये केचित्पितरो निरयस्थिताः

rūpasaubhāgyasaṁpannā bhaviṣyaṁti yugeyuge| caturddaśyāṁ prapaśyati liṁgaṁ ye kukkuṭeśvaram| teṣāṁ kule ca ye kecitpitaro nirayasthitāḥ

Age after age they shall be endowed with beauty and good fortune. As for those who behold the linga Kukkuteshvara on the fourteenth lunar day — whatever ancestors of their lineage are dwelling in hell...

Verse 58 (skanda.5.92.58)

तिर्यग्योनिगता ये च पशुयोनिं तु ये गताः। वृक्षत्वमथवा प्राप्तास्तेषां मोक्षो भविष्यति

tiryagyonigatā ye ca paśuyoniṁ tu ye gatāḥ| vṛkṣatvamathavā prāptāsteṣāṁ mokṣo bhaviṣyati

...or have gone to an animal womb, or to the womb of a beast, or have attained the state of a tree — for all of them liberation shall come to pass.