The Glory of Mukteshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.96.1)

श्रीहर उवाच। पंचविंशतिकं देवं विद्धि मुक्तीश्वरं प्रिये। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण मुक्तिर्भवति पार्वति

śrīhara uvāca| paṁcaviṁśatikaṁ devaṁ viddhi muktīśvaraṁ priye| yasya darśanamātreṇa muktirbhavati pārvati

Shri Hara said: Know, O beloved, the twenty-fifth deity as Mukteshvara — by whose mere sight, O Parvati, liberation comes to pass.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.96.2)

पुरा राथंतरे कल्पे बभूव द्विजसत्तमः। मुक्तिर्नाम महाभागे संशितात्मा जितेंद्रियः

purā rāthaṁtare kalpe babhūva dvijasattamaḥ| muktirnāma mahābhāge saṁśitātmā jiteṁdriyaḥ

Long ago, O greatly blessed one, in the Rathantara kalpa, there lived an excellent twice-born named Mukti, of controlled soul and mastered senses.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.96.3)

महाकालसमीपे तु मुक्तिलिंगमनुत्तमम्। महाकालवने रम्ये तत्रास्ते योगत त्परः

mahākālasamīpe tu muktiliṁgamanuttamam| mahākālavane ramye tatrāste yogata tparaḥ

Near Mahakala there stands a peerless Mukti-linga; in the lovely forest of Mahakala he dwelt there, devoted to yoga.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.96.4)

ततस्तेपे जिताहारो वत्सराणि त्रयोदश। कदाचित्सोऽभिषेकाय आजगाम महानदीम्

tatastepe jitāhāro vatsarāṇi trayodaśa| kadācitso'bhiṣekāya ājagāma mahānadīm

Then, restraining his food, he practised austerity for thirteen years; once he went to that great river for his ablutions.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.96.5)

शिप्रां विप्रप्रियां पुण्यां महापातकना शिनीम्। तत्र स्नात्वा जपन्विप्रो ददर्शायांतमग्रतः

śiprāṁ viprapriyāṁ puṇyāṁ mahāpātakanā śinīm| tatra snātvā japanvipro dadarśāyāṁtamagrataḥ

The Shipra, dear to Brahmins, sacred, destroyer of great sins — having bathed there and while muttering his prayers, the Brahmin saw someone approaching before him.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.96.6)

व्याधं महाधनुष्पाणिं रक्तनेत्रं सुभीषणम्। वदंतं हन्तुकामं वै वल्कलानां जिघृक्षया

vyādhaṁ mahādhanuṣpāṇiṁ raktanetraṁ subhīṣaṇam| vadaṁtaṁ hantukāmaṁ vai valkalānāṁ jighṛkṣayā

A hunter, bow in hand, red-eyed, most terrible, speaking, eager to kill, desirous of seizing his bark garments.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.96.7)

तं दृष्ट्वा क्षुभितो विप्रो ब्रह्मघ्नस्य भयादिति। ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं तस्थौ तत्रैव स द्विजः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā kṣubhito vipro brahmaghnasya bhayāditi| dhyāyannārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ tasthau tatraiva sa dvijaḥ

Seeing him, the Brahmin grew agitated, fearing the sin of a Brahmin's slaying; meditating upon the god Narayana, that twice-born stood right there.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.96.8)

तं दृष्ट्वांतर्गतहरिर्व्याधो भीत इवाग्रतः। विहाय सशरं चापं ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

taṁ dṛṣṭvāṁtargataharirvyādho bhīta ivāgrataḥ| vihāya saśaraṁ cāpaṁ tato vacanamabravīt

Seeing him — Hari now dwelling within — the hunter, as though afraid before him, cast aside his bow and arrow, and spoke these words.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.96.9)

व्याध उवाच। हंतुमिच्छुरहं ब्रह्मन्भगवन्तमिहागतः। इदानीं स्वगता बुद्धिस्त्वां दृष्ट्वैव महाप्रभम्

vyādha uvāca| haṁtumicchurahaṁ brahmanbhagavantamihāgataḥ| idānīṁ svagatā buddhistvāṁ dṛṣṭvaiva mahāprabham

The hunter said: 'O Brahmin, I came here wishing to kill you, reverend one; but now, having seen you so radiant with splendour, my resolve has changed.'

Verse 10 (skanda.5.96.10)

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणि स्त्रीणामयुतशस्तथा। निहतानि मया ब्रह्मन्वृत्तिहेतोः कुटुंबिना

brāhmaṇānāṁ sahasrāṇi strīṇāmayutaśastathā| nihatāni mayā brahmanvṛttihetoḥ kuṭuṁbinā

'O Brahmin, for the sake of livelihood, to support my family, I have slain thousands of Brahmins and tens of thousands of women.'

Verse 11 (skanda.5.96.11)

न च मे व्यथितं चित्तं कदाचिदपि जायते। इदानीं तप्तुमिच्छामि तपोऽहं त्वत्समीपतः

na ca me vyathitaṁ cittaṁ kadācidapi jāyate| idānīṁ taptumicchāmi tapo'haṁ tvatsamīpataḥ

'Yet my mind is never in the least troubled by it. Now I wish to practise austerity in your presence.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.96.12)

उपदेशप्रदानेन प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि। एवमुक्तो ह्यसौ विप्रो नोत्तरं प्रत्यप द्यत

upadeśapradānena prasādaṁ kartumarhasi| evamukto hyasau vipro nottaraṁ pratyapa dyata

'Be pleased to grant me instruction.' Thus addressed, that Brahmin gave no reply.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.96.13)

ब्रह्महा पापकर्मेति मत्वा ब्राह्मणपुंगवः। अनुक्तोऽपि स धर्मस्तु व्याधस्तत्रैव तस्थिवान्

brahmahā pāpakarmeti matvā brāhmaṇapuṁgavaḥ| anukto'pi sa dharmastu vyādhastatraiva tasthivān

Deeming him a slayer of Brahmins, a doer of sinful deeds, that foremost Brahmin remained silent; and though ungiven any instruction, the hunter, keeping that same restraint, stayed right there.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.96.14)

स्नात्वा सद्यः समायातो मुक्ति लिंगसमीपतः। द्विजेन सहितो देवि दृष्ट्वा देवं सनातनम्

snātvā sadyaḥ samāyāto mukti liṁgasamīpataḥ| dvijena sahito devi dṛṣṭvā devaṁ sanātanam

Having bathed, he came at once near the Mukti-linga; and, O Devi, together with that twice-born, beholding the eternal god —

Verse 15 (skanda.5.96.15)

तत्क्षणाद्दिव्यदेहस्तु तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं गतः। दृष्ट्वा तन्महदाश्चर्यं मुक्तिर्विप्रो निजांतरे। चिंतयामास सहसा मुक्तिः प्राप्ता वरानने

tatkṣaṇāddivyadehastu tasmi~lliṁge layaṁ gataḥ| dṛṣṭvā tanmahadāścaryaṁ muktirvipro nijāṁtare| ciṁtayāmāsa sahasā muktiḥ prāptā varānane

—that very instant, having gained a divine body, he attained dissolution in that linga. Seeing that great wonder, the Brahmin named Mukti thought within himself: 'O fair-faced one, liberation has been attained by him.'

Verse 16 (skanda.5.96.16)

व्याधेन पापयुक्तेन समाधिरहितेन च। मया पुनः समाचीर्णं तपः परम दुष्करम्

vyādhena pāpayuktena samādhirahitena ca| mayā punaḥ samācīrṇaṁ tapaḥ parama duṣkaram

'By this sinful hunter, devoid even of meditation, and by me as well, this most arduous austerity has been practised again and again.'

Verse 17 (skanda.5.96.17)

न प्राप्ता परमा मूर्त्तिर्मुक्तिर्नैव च लभ्यते। एवं सचिंतयित्वाथ वैराग्याद्ब्राह्मणर्षभः। अन्तर्जलगतो भूत्वा चचार विपुलं तपः

na prāptā paramā mūrttirmuktirnaiva ca labhyate| evaṁ saciṁtayitvātha vairāgyādbrāhmaṇarṣabhaḥ| antarjalagato bhūtvā cacāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ

'Yet I have not attained the supreme form, nor have I obtained liberation.' Thinking thus, that foremost Brahmin, out of dispassion, went beneath the water and practised vast austerity.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.96.18)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तां नदीमगमत्किल। व्याघ्रो बुभुक्षितः साध्वि तं विहंतुं समुद्यतः

kasyacittvatha kālasya tāṁ nadīmagamatkila| vyāghro bubhukṣitaḥ sādhvi taṁ vihaṁtuṁ samudyataḥ

After some time, O virtuous lady, a hungry tiger came to that river, ready to devour him.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.96.19)

अंतर्जलचरं विप्रं यावद्व्याघ्रो जिघृक्षति। नमो नारायणायेति तावद्वाक्यं द्विजोऽब्रवीत्

aṁtarjalacaraṁ vipraṁ yāvadvyāghro jighṛkṣati| namo nārāyaṇāyeti tāvadvākyaṁ dvijo'bravīt

As the tiger was about to seize the Brahmin moving within the water, that twice-born spoke: 'Salutation to Narayana!'

Verse 20 (skanda.5.96.20)

व्याघ्रेणापि श्रुतो मंत्रोऽजहात्प्राणांश्च तत्क्षणात्। दिव्यांबरधरो देवि दिव्याभरणभूषितः। दिव्यालंकारशोभाढ्यः पुरुषश्चाभवच्छुभः

vyāghreṇāpi śruto maṁtro'jahātprāṇāṁśca tatkṣaṇāt| divyāṁbaradharo devi divyābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ| divyālaṁkāraśobhāḍhyaḥ puruṣaścābhavacchubhaḥ

Hearing that mantra, the tiger too gave up its life at that very instant; and, O Devi, an auspicious person came into being, clad in divine garments, adorned with divine ornaments, and resplendent with divine jewellery.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.96.21)

सोऽब्रवीद्यामि तं देशं यत्र विष्णुः सनातनः। त्वत्प्रसादाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ मुक्त्वा शापान्निरामयः

so'bravīdyāmi taṁ deśaṁ yatra viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ| tvatprasādāddvijaśreṣṭha muktvā śāpānnirāmayaḥ

He said: 'O best of Brahmins, by your grace, freed from the curse and free of affliction, I now go to that place where the eternal Vishnu dwells.'

Verse 22 (skanda.5.96.22)

इत्युक्ते ब्राह्मणः प्राह कोऽसि त्वं पुरुषर्षभ। सोऽब्रवीदस्मि राजेंद्र प्रतापी पूर्वजन्मनि

ityukte brāhmaṇaḥ prāha ko'si tvaṁ puruṣarṣabha| so'bravīdasmi rājeṁdra pratāpī pūrvajanmani

Thus addressed, the Brahmin asked: 'Who are you, O best of men?' He replied: 'O lord of kings, in a former birth I was a mighty king.'

Verse 23 (skanda.5.96.23)

दीर्घबाहुरिति ख्यातः सर्वधर्मविशारदः। अहं जानामि वेदांश्च शास्त्राणि विविधानि च

dīrghabāhuriti khyātaḥ sarvadharmaviśāradaḥ| ahaṁ jānāmi vedāṁśca śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca

'Known by the name Dirghabahu, skilled in every dharma; I knew the Vedas and manifold scriptures.'

Verse 24 (skanda.5.96.24)

शुभाशुभमहं वेद्मि सर्वज्ञोऽहं महीतले। ब्राह्मणैर्नैव मे कार्यं किं वस्तु ब्राह्मणा इति

śubhāśubhamahaṁ vedmi sarvajño'haṁ mahītale| brāhmaṇairnaiva me kāryaṁ kiṁ vastu brāhmaṇā iti

'I knew good and evil, I was all-knowing upon the earth. I had no need of Brahmins — what thing, indeed, were Brahmins to me?'

Verse 25 (skanda.5.96.25)

तस्यैकस्मिन्दिने विप्राः सर्वे क्रोधसमन्विताः। ददुः शापं दुराधर्षं क्रूरो व्याघ्रो भविष्यति

tasyaikasmindine viprāḥ sarve krodhasamanvitāḥ| daduḥ śāpaṁ durādharṣaṁ krūro vyāghro bhaviṣyati

'One day all the Brahmins, filled with wrath, gave me this fearsome, irresistible curse: you shall become a cruel tiger.'

Verse 26 (skanda.5.96.26)

अपमानेन विप्राणां मांसाहारी भयावहः। संजातोऽस्मि द्विजश्रेष्ठ पश्य कालविपर्यये

apamānena viprāṇāṁ māṁsāhārī bhayāvahaḥ| saṁjāto'smi dvijaśreṣṭha paśya kālaviparyaye

'O best of the twice-born, through my disrespect toward Brahmins I became a dreadful flesh-eater — behold this reversal wrought by time!'

Verse 27 (skanda.5.96.27)

इत्युक्तोऽहं पुरा तैस्तु ब्राह्म णैर्वेदपारगैः। दुर्धर्षोऽयं मया प्राप्तो ब्रह्मशापो द्विजर्षभ

ityukto'haṁ purā taistu brāhma ṇairvedapāragaiḥ| durdharṣo'yaṁ mayā prāpto brahmaśāpo dvijarṣabha

'O bull among the twice-born, thus was I addressed by those Brahmins versed in the Veda; I incurred this irresistible curse from Brahmins.'

Verse 28 (skanda.5.96.28)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे प्रणिपत्य मया मुने। प्रसादिता भृशं विप्र तदा गद्गद या गिरा

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve praṇipatya mayā mune| prasāditā bhṛśaṁ vipra tadā gadgada yā girā

'Then, O sage, when I bowed down before them, all those Brahmins were greatly appeased, and spoke to me with voices choked with emotion.'

Verse 29 (skanda.5.96.29)

जानामि तेजो विप्राणां महाभाग्यं च धीमताम्। अपेयः सागरः क्रोधात्कृतो यैर्लवणोदकः

jānāmi tejo viprāṇāṁ mahābhāgyaṁ ca dhīmatām| apeyaḥ sāgaraḥ krodhātkṛto yairlavaṇodakaḥ

'I know the splendour of Brahmins and the great fortune of the wise — by whose wrath even the ocean was made undrinkable, turned to salt water.'

Verse 30 (skanda.5.96.30)

तथैव दीप्ततपसां मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्। येषां क्रोधाग्निरद्यापि कण्डके नोपशाम्यति

tathaiva dīptatapasāṁ munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām| yeṣāṁ krodhāgniradyāpi kaṇḍake nopaśāmyati

'So too the wrath-fire of those sages, blazing in austerity, their souls made pure — whose fire of anger has not, even now, been quenched at its root.'

Verse 31 (skanda.5.96.31)

ब्राह्मणानां परीभावाद्वातापिश्च दुरात्मवान्। अगस्तिमृषिमासाद्य जीर्णः क्रूरो महासुरः

brāhmaṇānāṁ parībhāvādvātāpiśca durātmavān| agastimṛṣimāsādya jīrṇaḥ krūro mahāsuraḥ

'Through contempt for Brahmins, the evil-souled Vatapi, that cruel great demon, approaching the sage Agastya, was digested by him.'

Verse 32 (skanda.5.96.32)

सर्वभक्षः कृतो वह्निर्भृगुणा कारणांतरे। गौतमेन पुरा शक्रः स सहस्रभगः कृतः

sarvabhakṣaḥ kṛto vahnirbhṛguṇā kāraṇāṁtare| gautamena purā śakraḥ sa sahasrabhagaḥ kṛtaḥ

'Bhrigu, for another cause, made Agni the devourer of all things; and, long ago, Gautama made Shakra bear a thousand marks.'

Verse 33 (skanda.5.96.33)

दशधा केशवो जज्ञे ब्रह्मशा पात्सुदुस्तरात्। प्रसन्नैर्वालखिल्यैश्च पक्षींद्रो गरुडः कृतः

daśadhā keśavo jajñe brahmaśā pātsudustarāt| prasannairvālakhilyaiśca pakṣīṁdro garuḍaḥ kṛtaḥ

'Through an insurmountable curse of the Brahmins, Keshava took birth tenfold; and, propitiated, the Valakhilyas made Garuda king of birds.'

Verse 34 (skanda.5.96.34)

अश्विनौ देवभिषजौ च्यवनेन महात्मना। विष्टंभयित्वा कुलिशं कृतौ तौ सोमपायिनौ

aśvinau devabhiṣajau cyavanena mahātmanā| viṣṭaṁbhayitvā kuliśaṁ kṛtau tau somapāyinau

'The great soul Chyavana, having paralysed the thunderbolt, made the two Ashvins, physicians of the gods, drinkers of the soma.'

Verse 35 (skanda.5.96.35)

कार्त्तवीर्यार्जुनेनैव बाहूनां च सहस्रकम्। दत्तात्रेयप्रसादेन प्राप्तं परमदुर्लभम्

kārttavīryārjunenaiva bāhūnāṁ ca sahasrakam| dattātreyaprasādena prāptaṁ paramadurlabham

'By Kartavirya Arjuna, through the grace of Dattatreya, a thousand arms — most rare to attain — were obtained.'

Verse 36 (skanda.5.96.36)

पुरा सेंद्रा वशिष्ठेन रक्षितास्त्रि दिवौकसः। ब्राह्मणप्रभवं सौख्यं कीर्तिरायुर्यशो वलम्

purā seṁdrā vaśiṣṭhena rakṣitāstri divaukasaḥ| brāhmaṇaprabhavaṁ saukhyaṁ kīrtirāyuryaśo valam

'Formerly, together with Indra, the dwellers of the three heavens were protected by Vashishtha; happiness, fame, longevity, glory and strength — all these spring from Brahmins.'

Verse 37 (skanda.5.96.37)

लोकालोकेश्वराश्चैव सर्वे ब्राह्मणपूर्वकाः। एते हि सोमराजान ईश्वराः सुखदुःखयोः

lokālokeśvarāścaiva sarve brāhmaṇapūrvakāḥ| ete hi somarājāna īśvarāḥ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ

'The lords of this world and the next, all of them, hold Brahmins foremost — even the kings of the moon-lineage are but rulers over happiness and sorrow.'

Verse 38 (skanda.5.96.38)

भस्मीकुर्युर्जगदिदं कुद्धाः प्रत्यक्षदर्शनाः। प्रभावा बहवश्चापि श्रूयते ब्रह्मवदिनाम्

bhasmīkuryurjagadidaṁ kuddhāḥ pratyakṣadarśanāḥ| prabhāvā bahavaścāpi śrūyate brahmavadinām

'When enraged, they can reduce this world to ashes by their very glance; many such powers are heard of, belonging to those versed in Brahman.'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.96.39)

क्रोधश्च विपुलः सद्यः सद्यः प्रत्य यकारकः। अहं कोपाद्द्विजेंद्राणां गतो निरययातनाम्

krodhaśca vipulaḥ sadyaḥ sadyaḥ pratya yakārakaḥ| ahaṁ kopāddvijeṁdrāṇāṁ gato nirayayātanām

'Wrath is exceedingly vast and swift to bring its fruit; through the anger of the foremost of the twice-born, I went to the torment of hell.'

Verse 40 (skanda.5.96.40)

नित्यं क्रोधाच्छ्रियं रक्षेद्धनं रक्षेत्समत्सरात्। विद्यां मानापमानाभ्यामात्मानं तु प्रमादतः

nityaṁ krodhācchriyaṁ rakṣeddhanaṁ rakṣetsamatsarāt| vidyāṁ mānāpamānābhyāmātmānaṁ tu pramādataḥ

'One should ever guard one's fortune from wrath, one's wealth from envy, one's learning through both honour and dishonour, and one's own self from negligence.'

Verse 41 (skanda.5.96.41)

मयाऽज्ञानात्कृतं पापं राजगर्वेण दैवतः। क्षंतुमर्हथ विप्रेंद्रा भवतः शरणागतम्

mayā'jñānātkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ rājagarveṇa daivataḥ| kṣaṁtumarhatha vipreṁdrā bhavataḥ śaraṇāgatam

'O lords among Brahmins, unknowingly, through the pride of kingship, I committed sin against the gods; be pleased to forgive me, who have come for refuge.'

Verse 42 (skanda.5.96.42)

अथ तुष्टा द्विजाः सर्वे त ऊचुर्मामिदं मुदा। षष्ठान्नकालिकस्तेऽग्रे यदा स्थास्यति कश्चन

atha tuṣṭā dvijāḥ sarve ta ūcurmāmidaṁ mudā| ṣaṣṭhānnakālikaste'gre yadā sthāsyati kaścana

Then all the Brahmins, pleased, joyfully said this to me: 'When, before you, at some future sixth meal-time, someone...'

Verse 43 (skanda.5.96.43)

मांसभोक्ता च भविता कञ्चित्कालं नराधिप। यदा शिप्रांतरे पुण्ये स्नातस्तु द्विजसत्तमः

māṁsabhoktā ca bhavitā kañcitkālaṁ narādhipa| yadā śiprāṁtare puṇye snātastu dvijasattamaḥ

'...you shall, O ruler of men, become a meat-eater for some time. When some excellent twice-born, having bathed in the sacred Shipra...'

Verse 44 (skanda.5.96.44)

अंतर्जलगतेनोक्तो नमो नारायणेति च। जिघृक्षुर्व्याघ्ररूपेण तदा मुक्तो भविष्यसि

aṁtarjalagatenokto namo nārāyaṇeti ca| jighṛkṣurvyāghrarūpeṇa tadā mukto bhaviṣyasi

'...while moving within the water, addresses you — knowing you as a tiger eager to seize him — with "Salutation to Narayana," then you shall be freed from the curse.'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.96.45)

एवं स भवता प्रोक्तो नमो नारायणेति च। मंत्रः श्रुतो मया त्वत्तस्तस्येयं व्युष्टिरागता

evaṁ sa bhavatā prokto namo nārāyaṇeti ca| maṁtraḥ śruto mayā tvattastasyeyaṁ vyuṣṭirāgatā

'Thus, addressed by you with "Salutation to Narayana" — I heard that mantra from you, and by it this auspicious fruition has now come to me.'

Verse 46 (skanda.5.96.46)

जातोऽहं दिव्यदेहस्तु प्रसादात्तव सुव्रत। स कृतार्थोऽस्मि संजातो भगवन्दर्शना त्तव

jāto'haṁ divyadehastu prasādāttava suvrata| sa kṛtārtho'smi saṁjāto bhagavandarśanā ttava

'By your grace, O firm-vowed one, I have obtained a divine body; by your sight, O reverend one, I have become fulfilled.'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.96.47)

वरं च गृह्यतां मत्तो यश्च ते संशयो हृदि। तं च ब्रूहि द्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वं संपादयामि ते

varaṁ ca gṛhyatāṁ matto yaśca te saṁśayo hṛdi| taṁ ca brūhi dvijaśreṣṭha sarvaṁ saṁpādayāmi te

'Accept a boon from me, and whatever doubt lies in your heart, tell it, O best of Brahmins — I shall grant you all of it.'

Verse 48 (skanda.5.96.48)

तवोपदेशदानेन आनृण्यं गंतु मुत्सहे

tavopadeśadānena ānṛṇyaṁ gaṁtu mutsahe

'Through the gift of your teaching I wish to be able to discharge my debt to you.'

Verse 49 (skanda.5.96.49)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दिव्यदेहस्य स द्विजः। प्रोवाच परया तुष्ट्या प्रफुल्लमुखपंकजः

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā divyadehasya sa dvijaḥ| provāca parayā tuṣṭyā praphullamukhapaṁkajaḥ

Hearing these words of that one of divine body, the Brahmin, with utmost contentment and a face blossoming like a lotus, spoke.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.96.50)

अद्य मे सफलं ज्ञानमद्य मे सफलं तपः। अद्य मे सफला जिह्वा सफलं चक्षुरद्य मे

adya me saphalaṁ jñānamadya me saphalaṁ tapaḥ| adya me saphalā jihvā saphalaṁ cakṣuradya me

'Today my knowledge is fruitful, today my austerity is fruitful; today my tongue is fruitful, and today my eyes too are fruitful.'

Verse 51 (skanda.5.96.51)

श्रुतं देवेन संप्रोक्तं स्नात्वा पश्यंति देहिनः। प्राक्छरीरगतं तेऽद्य व्याघ्ररूपं तपोत्तम

śrutaṁ devena saṁproktaṁ snātvā paśyaṁti dehinaḥ| prākcharīragataṁ te'dya vyāghrarūpaṁ tapottama

'It is heard, as declared by the god, that embodied beings, having bathed, behold — O best of ascetics, that which was formerly, in your body, the form of a tiger...'

Verse 52 (skanda.5.96.52)

तेजोमयं शरीरं तु ब्रह्मरूपं सनातनम्। यदि त्वहमनुग्राह्यो यद्येवं कर्तुमर्हसि

tejomayaṁ śarīraṁ tu brahmarūpaṁ sanātanam| yadi tvahamanugrāhyo yadyevaṁ kartumarhasi

'...that is a body made of light, the eternal form of Brahman. If I am worthy of your grace, if you are able to do this...'

Verse 53 (skanda.5.96.53)

कारणं श्रोतुमिच्छामि हृदि मे वर्त्तते चिरम्। कथं मुक्तिर्महाभाग मुक्तिकामेन यत्नतः

kāraṇaṁ śrotumicchāmi hṛdi me varttate ciram| kathaṁ muktirmahābhāga muktikāmena yatnataḥ

'...then I wish to hear the reason, which has long dwelt in my heart — O greatly fortunate one, how does liberation come, through effort, to one who desires liberation?'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.96.54)

योगाभ्यासरतेनापि वत्सरांश्च त्रयोदश। न लब्धा परमाश्चर्यं तपसा दुष्करेण तु

yogābhyāsaratenāpi vatsarāṁśca trayodaśa| na labdhā paramāścaryaṁ tapasā duṣkareṇa tu

'Even though devoted to the practice of yoga for thirteen years, I have not, despite the most arduous austerity, attained that supreme wonder.'

Verse 55 (skanda.5.96.55)

व्याधेनापि भृशं तेन प्राप्ता मुक्तिः क्षणेन तु। अत्र मे संशयो जातः को हेतुः कथ्यतां भृशम्

vyādhenāpi bhṛśaṁ tena prāptā muktiḥ kṣaṇena tu| atra me saṁśayo jātaḥ ko hetuḥ kathyatāṁ bhṛśam

'Yet that hunter, too, obtained liberation with the greatest ease, in but an instant. A doubt has arisen in me here — please tell me plainly, what is the reason?'

Verse 56 (skanda.5.96.56)

तस्य तद्वचन श्रुत्वा ततो वचनमब्रवीत्। कथयामि परं गुह्यं रहस्यं मुक्तिलक्षणम्

tasya tadvacana śrutvā tato vacanamabravīt| kathayāmi paraṁ guhyaṁ rahasyaṁ muktilakṣaṇam

Hearing his words, he (the divine being) then spoke: 'I shall tell you the supreme secret, the mystery, the mark of liberation.'

Verse 57 (skanda.5.96.57)

महादेवमुपास्याशु मुने मुक्तिः सुदुर्लभा। पुरातनैस्तु विद्वद्भिरिदमुक्तं महात्मभिः

mahādevamupāsyāśu mune muktiḥ sudurlabhā| purātanaistu vidvadbhiridamuktaṁ mahātmabhiḥ

'O sage, by worshipping Mahadeva at once, liberation — otherwise exceedingly rare — is attained; thus have the ancient, learned, great souls declared.'

Verse 58 (skanda.5.96.58)

शृणुष्वैकमना विप्र कुरु यत्नं यथार्थतः। मन्नियोगाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ ततो मुक्तिमवाप्स्यसि

śṛṇuṣvaikamanā vipra kuru yatnaṁ yathārthataḥ| manniyogāddvijaśreṣṭha tato muktimavāpsyasi

'Listen, O Brahmin, with a single mind, and make effort truly, as it should be done; by my direction, O best of Brahmins, you shall then obtain liberation.'

Verse 59 (skanda.5.96.59)

शप्तोऽहं तैर्यदा विप्रैस्तदा मे तोषिता भृशम्। ममानुकंपया प्रोक्तं मुक्तिस्ते भविता नृप

śapto'haṁ tairyadā vipraistadā me toṣitā bhṛśam| mamānukaṁpayā proktaṁ muktiste bhavitā nṛpa

'When I was cursed by those Brahmins, they were then greatly appeased by me; out of their compassion it was declared: O king, liberation shall be yours.'

Verse 60 (skanda.5.96.60)

मुक्तिकामो महाकाले मुक्तिर्ब्राह्मणसत्तमः। विद्यते तपसा युक्तः स ते प्रश्नं करिष्यति

muktikāmo mahākāle muktirbrāhmaṇasattamaḥ| vidyate tapasā yuktaḥ sa te praśnaṁ kariṣyati

'At Mahakala there dwells, desirous of liberation and endowed with austerity, an excellent Brahmin named Mukti — he will put a question to you.'

Verse 61 (skanda.5.96.61)

मुक्तीश्वरं तदा लिंगं तस्याग्रे कथयिष्यसि। तवापि तस्य मुक्तेश्च मुक्तिरेवं भविष्यति

muktīśvaraṁ tadā liṁgaṁ tasyāgre kathayiṣyasi| tavāpi tasya mukteśca muktirevaṁ bhaviṣyati

'Then you shall tell him, before him, of the Mukteshvara linga; thus shall liberation come to pass, both for you and for that Mukti.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.96.62)

पूर्वं हि चिह्नितं कर्म देहिनो न विमुंचति। धात्रा विधिरयं दृष्टो बहुधा कर्मभिश्च यः

pūrvaṁ hi cihnitaṁ karma dehino na vimuṁcati| dhātrā vidhirayaṁ dṛṣṭo bahudhā karmabhiśca yaḥ

'A deed marked out beforehand does not release the embodied soul; this ordinance of the Creator has been seen, working through deeds of many kinds.'

Verse 63 (skanda.5.96.63)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स विप्रो ब्रह्मवित्तमः। अंतर्जलात्समुत्थाय ततो वचनमब्र वीत्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sa vipro brahmavittamaḥ| aṁtarjalātsamutthāya tato vacanamabra vīt

Having heard his words, that Brahmin, foremost among knowers of Brahman, then rose up from within the water and spoke these words —

Verse 64 (skanda.5.96.64)

दिष्ट्या त्वमागतो भूप दिष्ट्या ते संगतं मया। ईदृशा दुर्लभा लोके नरा मुक्तिप्रदर्शकाः

diṣṭyā tvamāgato bhūpa diṣṭyā te saṁgataṁ mayā| īdṛśā durlabhā loke narā muktipradarśakāḥ

'Fortunate it is, O king, that you have come; fortunate it is that you have met with me. Such men, revealers of liberation, are indeed rare in this world.'

Verse 65 (skanda.5.96.65)

इत्युक्त्वा नृपविप्रौ तौ मुक्तिलिंगं समा गतौ। दर्शनार्थं विशालाक्षि दृष्ट्वा देवं सनातनम्

ityuktvā nṛpaviprau tau muktiliṁgaṁ samā gatau| darśanārthaṁ viśālākṣi dṛṣṭvā devaṁ sanātanam

Having said this, both of them, the king and the Brahmin, went together to the Mukti-linga for its sight; and, O wide-eyed one, beholding that eternal god —

Verse 66 (skanda.5.96.66)

तत्क्षणात्सशरीरौ तौ तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं गतौ। ईदृशोऽयं मया देवि महिमा कथितस्तव

tatkṣaṇātsaśarīrau tau tasmi~lliṁge layaṁ gatau| īdṛśo'yaṁ mayā devi mahimā kathitastava

—both of them, that very instant, together with their bodies, attained dissolution in that linga. Such, O Devi, is this greatness that I have told you.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.96.67)

अस्य लिंगस्य संस्पर्शान्मुक्तिर्भवति नान्यथा। येऽर्चयंति सदा भक्त्या मुक्तिलिंगं सनातनम्। अपि पापसमायुक्तः स याति परमां गतिम्

asya liṁgasya saṁsparśānmuktirbhavati nānyathā| ye'rcayaṁti sadā bhaktyā muktiliṁgaṁ sanātanam| api pāpasamāyuktaḥ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

By mere touch of this linga liberation comes, and not otherwise. Those who ever worship this eternal Mukti-linga with devotion, even though bound up with sin, attain the supreme state.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.96.68)

रे मूढाः किं तपोभिश्च किं दानैर्नियमैश्च किम्। कुरुध्वं मुक्तिलिंगस्य दर्शनं मुक्तिदायकम्

re mūḍhāḥ kiṁ tapobhiśca kiṁ dānairniyamaiśca kim| kurudhvaṁ muktiliṁgasya darśanaṁ muktidāyakam

'O you fools, what use are austerities? What use gifts and vows? Practise instead this liberation-giving sight of the Mukti-linga.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.96.69)

न मां विदुर्देवगणा नासुरा न महर्षयः। परं रूपं विशालाक्षि यदश्मद्युति निर्मलम्

na māṁ vidurdevagaṇā nāsurā na maharṣayaḥ| paraṁ rūpaṁ viśālākṣi yadaśmadyuti nirmalam

'O wide-eyed one, my supreme form — pure as the radiance of stone — neither the hosts of gods, nor asuras, nor great sages know.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.96.70)

न मे वेत्ति परं रूपं स्वयं साक्षात्प्रजापतिः। न विष्णुस्त्रिदशश्रेष्ठाः कुतोन्ये मुनयः प्रिये

na me vetti paraṁ rūpaṁ svayaṁ sākṣātprajāpatiḥ| na viṣṇustridaśaśreṣṭhāḥ kutonye munayaḥ priye

'Not even Prajapati himself, in person, knows my supreme form; not Vishnu, not the foremost of the thirty gods — how then, O beloved, could other sages know it?'

Verse 71 (skanda.5.96.71)

यदेतद्दृश्यते तेजो लिंगरूपं यशस्विनि। एतदेव शुकाद्या हि ध्यायंति त्रिदशा अमी

yadetaddṛśyate tejo liṁgarūpaṁ yaśasvini| etadeva śukādyā hi dhyāyaṁti tridaśā amī

'O glorious one, this very radiance that is seen in the form of the linga — this alone do Shuka and the other sages, these very gods, meditate upon.'

Verse 72 (skanda.5.96.72)

अनेकजन्मसंशुद्धा योगिनोऽनुग्रहान्मम। प्रविशंतु तनुं देवि मदीयां मुक्तिदायिकाम्

anekajanmasaṁśuddhā yogino'nugrahānmama| praviśaṁtu tanuṁ devi madīyāṁ muktidāyikām

'O Devi, may yogis, purified through many births, by my grace, enter into this liberation-giving body of mine.'