The Glory of Anarakeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.98.1)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच। सप्तविंशतिमं देव्यनरकेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण स्वप्नेपि नरकः कुतः

śrīmahādeva uvāca| saptaviṁśatimaṁ devyanarakeśvarasaṁjñakam| yasya darśanamātreṇa svapnepi narakaḥ kutaḥ

Shri Mahadeva said: The twenty-seventh, O Devi, is known as Anarakeshvara — by whose mere sight, how could hell come even in a dream?

Verse 2 (skanda.5.98.2)

पुरा कलियुगे देवि कल्पे वाराहसंज्ञके। कलुषं कालमासाद्य सत्ये च प्रलयं गते

purā kaliyuge devi kalpe vārāhasaṁjñake| kaluṣaṁ kālamāsādya satye ca pralayaṁ gate

Long ago, O Devi, in the Kali Yuga of the kalpa called Varaha, when a corrupt age had come and the Satya Yuga had passed into dissolution...

Verse 3 (skanda.5.98.3)

निर्मर्यादा निराधारा निरौका नास्तिका जनाः। वर्णाश्रमाश्च संजाता वंचयंति परस्परम्

nirmaryādā nirādhārā niraukā nāstikā janāḥ| varṇāśramāśca saṁjātā vaṁcayaṁti parasparam

...people became without restraint, without support, without shelter, and godless; and even those established in varna and ashrama began to deceive one another.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.98.4)

नार्चयंति सुरान्विप्राः कर्म कुर्वंति कुत्सितम्। लोभमोहपरा भूत्वा कामासक्ताश्च मानवाः

nārcayaṁti surānviprāḥ karma kurvaṁti kutsitam| lobhamohaparā bhūtvā kāmāsaktāśca mānavāḥ

Brahmins ceased to worship the gods and performed vile deeds; men, given over to greed and delusion, became attached to lust.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.98.5)

वैरबद्धाश्च संजाताः परस्परवधे रताः। निवृत्तयज्ञस्वाध्यायपिंडोदकविवर्जिताः

vairabaddhāśca saṁjātāḥ parasparavadhe ratāḥ| nivṛttayajñasvādhyāyapiṁḍodakavivarjitāḥ

They became bound in enmity, intent upon killing one another, having abandoned sacrifice and Vedic study, and neglecting the offerings of pinda and water to ancestors.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.98.6)

ब्राह्मणाः सर्वभक्ष्याश्च मृषावादपरायणाः। भूयिष्ठं कूटमानैश्च पण्यं विक्रीणते तदा

brāhmaṇāḥ sarvabhakṣyāśca mṛṣāvādaparāyaṇāḥ| bhūyiṣṭhaṁ kūṭamānaiśca paṇyaṁ vikrīṇate tadā

Brahmins ate all manner of food and were devoted to falsehood; they mostly sold their wares using deceitful weights and measures.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.98.7)

दृश्यंते षोडशे वर्षे नराः पलितिनः प्रिये। आयुःक्षयो मनुष्याणां क्षिप्रमेव प्रपद्यते

dṛśyaṁte ṣoḍaśe varṣe narāḥ palitinaḥ priye| āyuḥkṣayo manuṣyāṇāṁ kṣiprameva prapadyate

O beloved, men were seen with grey hair even at sixteen years of age; the lifespan of humans quickly dwindled away.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.98.8)

एवंविधाः समुद्भूता नरा नार्यश्च पातकैः। नरकेषु प्रपद्यंते क्रमात्पापानुसारतः

evaṁvidhāḥ samudbhūtā narā nāryaśca pātakaiḥ| narakeṣu prapadyaṁte kramātpāpānusārataḥ

Men and women of such kind, born amid sin, fall in due course into the various hells, according to their sins.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.98.9)

कुठारैर्भिन्नमूर्द्धानः क्रकचैः पाटिताः परे। अग्निवर्णैश्च संदंशैरुत्पाटितविलोचनाः

kuṭhārairbhinnamūrddhānaḥ krakacaiḥ pāṭitāḥ pare| agnivarṇaiśca saṁdaṁśairutpāṭitavilocanāḥ

Some have their heads split by axes, others are sawn apart; some have their eyes plucked out with fire-red tongs.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.98.10)

भिन्नाश्चायोमयैस्तीक्ष्णैरग्नितप्तैश्च कीलकैः। पीड्यंते शैलशिखरैश्चूर्ण्यंते क्रूरभूधरैः

bhinnāścāyomayaistīkṣṇairagnitaptaiśca kīlakaiḥ| pīḍyaṁte śailaśikharaiścūrṇyaṁte krūrabhūdharaiḥ

Others are pierced through with sharp iron stakes heated in fire; they are crushed under mountain-peaks, pulverized by cruel boulders.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.98.11)

क्षिप्यंते तप्तकुण्डेषु दह्यंते वह्निराशिषु। अमेध्येऽधोमुखाश्चान्ये मर्द्दिता दंडपाणिना

kṣipyaṁte taptakuṇḍeṣu dahyaṁte vahnirāśiṣu| amedhye'dhomukhāścānye mardditā daṁḍapāṇinā

They are cast into burning pits, burned in heaps of fire; others are held face down in filth, trampled by the mace-bearing attendants of Yama.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.98.12)

लौहैश्च शृङ्खलैर्बद्धा ह्यधोवक्त्रैश्च लंबितैः। अंतरिक्षे परिक्षेपात्क्रंदंतोऽतीव दुःखिताः

lauhaiśca śṛṅkhalairbaddhā hyadhovaktraiśca laṁbitaiḥ| aṁtarikṣe parikṣepātkraṁdaṁto'tīva duḥkhitāḥ

Bound in iron chains, hung head-downward, whirled about in the sky, they wail in the utmost distress.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.98.13)

कृमिभिर्भ्रमरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दंशैश्च मशकैस्तथा। लोहतुंडैश्च विहगैर्निर्दयैर्भक्षिता नराः

kṛmibhirbhramaraistīkṣṇairdaṁśaiśca maśakaistathā| lohatuṁḍaiśca vihagairnirdayairbhakṣitā narāḥ

Men are devoured by worms, by sharp stinging wasps and gnats, and by merciless birds with beaks of iron.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.98.14)

केचित्कृत्ताः प्रधावंति तोयार्थं च तृषातुराः। स्वमूत्रं पायिताश्चंडैः क्षुभिताश्चापि घातनैः

kecitkṛttāḥ pradhāvaṁti toyārthaṁ ca tṛṣāturāḥ| svamūtraṁ pāyitāścaṁḍaiḥ kṣubhitāścāpi ghātanaiḥ

Some, cut and lacerated, run about tormented by thirst seeking water; fierce beings force them to drink their own urine, and torment them further with blows.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.98.15)

यैश्चांगैः पतितं कर्म क्रियते पुरुषैर्भुवि। तेषां तान्येव चांगानि शोध्यंते यातनागतैः

yaiścāṁgaiḥ patitaṁ karma kriyate puruṣairbhuvi| teṣāṁ tānyeva cāṁgāni śodhyaṁte yātanāgataiḥ

With whatever limbs sinful men commit their fallen deeds on earth, by those very limbs they are made to atone through torment when they arrive there.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.98.16)

ये पश्यंति गुरुं देवान्ब्राह्मणान्क्रुद्धचक्षुषा। दुष्टेन परदारांश्च वीक्षंते लोचनेन ये। तेषां नेत्राणि भिद्यंते कृष्यंते लोहशंकुभिः

ye paśyaṁti guruṁ devānbrāhmaṇānkruddhacakṣuṣā| duṣṭena paradārāṁśca vīkṣaṁte locanena ye| teṣāṁ netrāṇi bhidyaṁte kṛṣyaṁte lohaśaṁkubhiḥ

Those who look upon their guru, the gods, or Brahmins with angry eyes, and those who look upon others' wives with a wicked eye — their eyes are pierced and dragged out with iron spikes.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.98.17)

श्रवणौ च प्रपूर्यंते लौहेन शंकुना ततः। पुनश्च शस्त्रैः कृष्यंते पुनस्तप्तैश्च कीलकैः

śravaṇau ca prapūryaṁte lauhena śaṁkunā tataḥ| punaśca śastraiḥ kṛṣyaṁte punastaptaiśca kīlakaiḥ

Their ears are then filled with iron spikes; and again they are torn with weapons, and again with heated stakes.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.98.18)

लौहैर्वेगान्निखन्यंते यैः श्रुतं गुरुनिंदनम्। मित्राणां देवतानां च साध्वीनामथवा क्वचित्

lauhairvegānnikhanyaṁte yaiḥ śrutaṁ guruniṁdanam| mitrāṇāṁ devatānāṁ ca sādhvīnāmathavā kvacit

Those who have listened, at any time, to slander of their guru, of friends, of the gods, or of virtuous women, are swiftly impaled with iron stakes.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.98.19)

शतशः पाट्यते जिह्वा वह्निवर्णैरयोमुखैः। शंकुभि स्तीक्ष्णसूक्ष्माग्रैः पूर्यंते चानिलैः पुनः

śataśaḥ pāṭyate jihvā vahnivarṇairayomukhaiḥ| śaṁkubhi stīkṣṇasūkṣmāgraiḥ pūryaṁte cānilaiḥ punaḥ

Their tongues are torn a hundred times over with fire-colored, iron-pointed spikes, sharp and fine-tipped; and again they are filled with scorching winds.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.98.20)

तद्वक्त्राणि बहून्वारान्येपवादरता नराः। ये गुरुं मातरं वापि पारुष्येण वदंति वै

tadvaktrāṇi bahūnvārānyepavādaratā narāḥ| ye guruṁ mātaraṁ vāpi pāruṣyeṇa vadaṁti vai

This falls upon the mouths, many times over, of men devoted to slander, and those who speak harshly to their guru or mother.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.98.21)

ये निघ्नंति दुराचाराः सुरार्थायोपकल्पिते। आरामे पुष्पपत्राणि तेषामंगानि कृंतति

ye nighnaṁti durācārāḥ surārthāyopakalpite| ārāme puṣpapatrāṇi teṣāmaṁgāni kṛṁtati

Those wicked ones who pluck flowers and leaves in a garden set apart for the worship of the gods — their limbs are cut off there.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.98.22)

यैरप्यालिंगिता नारी परस्य च दुरात्मभिः। तेषामयोमयी नारी वह्निवर्णा तु वक्षसि

yairapyāliṁgitā nārī parasya ca durātmabhiḥ| teṣāmayomayī nārī vahnivarṇā tu vakṣasi

Those evil-souled men who embrace another man's wife are made to embrace, upon their chest, a woman of red-hot iron, glowing like fire...

Verse 23 (skanda.5.98.23)

स्थाप्यते वध्यते चापि प्रचंडैर्यमकिंकरैः। नार्यश्च पुरुषैस्तप्तैरालिंग्यंते ह्ययोमयैः

sthāpyate vadhyate cāpi pracaṁḍairyamakiṁkaraiḥ| nāryaśca puruṣaistaptairāliṁgyaṁte hyayomayaiḥ

...and they are struck by the fierce servants of Yama; and women likewise are made to embrace red-hot men of iron.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.98.24)

तदा लोहमये गेहे ज्वलितानलसंस्तरे। निक्षिप्यंते नरैः सार्द्धमासाद्य कालसंक्षयम्

tadā lohamaye gehe jvalitānalasaṁstare| nikṣipyaṁte naraiḥ sārddhamāsādya kālasaṁkṣayam

Then, upon reaching their allotted time, they are cast, along with such men, into a house of iron spread with burning fire.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.98.25)

यावती वेदना देहे इह लोके प्रदृश्यते। नराणामंगपीडा वै तस्माच्छतगुणा भवेत्

yāvatī vedanā dehe iha loke pradṛśyate| narāṇāmaṁgapīḍā vai tasmācchataguṇā bhavet

Whatever pain is seen in the body in this world, the torment of the limbs there is a hundred times greater than that.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.98.26)

काकैश्च वृश्चिकैर्गृध्रैर्भक्ष्यंतेऽप्यपरे नराः। दह्यमाना विलपंति भ्रातस्तातेति चाकुलाः। वदंत्यसकृदुद्विग्ना न च शांतिं लभंति वै

kākaiśca vṛścikairgṛdhrairbhakṣyaṁte'pyapare narāḥ| dahyamānā vilapaṁti bhrātastāteti cākulāḥ| vadaṁtyasakṛdudvignā na ca śāṁtiṁ labhaṁti vai

Others are devoured by crows, scorpions and vultures; as they burn, they cry out, 'O brother! O father!' — again and again they cry out in distress, and find no peace at all.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.98.27)

दुःखानि ते प्राप्नुवंति यान्यसह्यानि पार्वति। एवं ते यातनादुःखं प्राप्नुवंति सुनिश्चितम्। निमिर्नाम महाभागो यममार्गं ददर्श ह

duḥkhāni te prāpnuvaṁti yānyasahyāni pārvati| evaṁ te yātanāduḥkhaṁ prāpnuvaṁti suniścitam| nimirnāma mahābhāgo yamamārgaṁ dadarśa ha

They undergo sufferings that are unbearable, O Parvati; thus, most certainly, they undergo the suffering of such torments. It was then that the glorious king named Nimi beheld the path of Yama.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.98.28)

रौद्रं भयानकं दुर्गं पूरितं पापकर्मभिः। तमसा संवृतं चैव केशशैवालशाद्वलम्

raudraṁ bhayānakaṁ durgaṁ pūritaṁ pāpakarmabhiḥ| tamasā saṁvṛtaṁ caiva keśaśaivālaśādvalam

It was terrible, dreadful, impassable, filled with those of sinful deeds, wrapped in darkness, its ground overgrown with hair like moss and weeds.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.98.29)

संपृक्तं पापकृद्गंधैर्मांसशोणितकर्द्दमैः। वह्निज्वालेन दीप्तेन समंतात्परिवारितम्

saṁpṛktaṁ pāpakṛdgaṁdhairmāṁsaśoṇitakarddamaiḥ| vahnijvālena dīptena samaṁtātparivāritam

Pervaded by the stench of sinners, muddy with flesh and blood, and surrounded on all sides by blazing flames of fire.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.98.30)

अधोमुखैश्च कर्कोटैर्गृध्रैश्च समभिद्रुतम्। सूचीमुखैस्तथा प्रेतैविंध्यशैलोपमैर्वृतम्

adhomukhaiśca karkoṭairgṛdhraiśca samabhidrutam| sūcīmukhaistathā pretaiviṁdhyaśailopamairvṛtam

Overrun by inverted crows and vultures, and surrounded by needle-mouthed spirits huge as the Vindhya mountains.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.98.31)

वृक्षै रुधिरमांसैश्च छिन्नबाहूरुपाणिभिः। निकृत्तोदरहस्तैश्च तत्रतत्र प्रचारितैः

vṛkṣai rudhiramāṁsaiśca chinnabāhūrupāṇibhiḥ| nikṛttodarahastaiśca tatratatra pracāritaiḥ

Filled with trees dripping blood and flesh like severed arms, thighs and hands, and with beings, their bellies and hands cut off, wandering here and there.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.98.32)

वृतं कुणपदुर्गंधैरशिवं भोगवर्जितम्। असिपत्र वनं चैव समंतात्परिवारितम्

vṛtaṁ kuṇapadurgaṁdhairaśivaṁ bhogavarjitam| asipatra vanaṁ caiva samaṁtātparivāritam

Enveloped in the foul stench of corpses, inauspicious, devoid of all comfort, and surrounded entirely by the forest of sword-leaved trees.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.98.33)

करंभवालुकाकीर्णमायसीश्च शिलाः पृथक्। ददर्श चापि देहोत्थयातनां पापकर्मणाम्

karaṁbhavālukākīrṇamāyasīśca śilāḥ pṛthak| dadarśa cāpi dehotthayātanāṁ pāpakarmaṇām

There, strewn with sharp sand and various iron rocks, he also saw the bodily torments inflicted upon those of sinful deeds.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.98.34)

स तं दुर्गंधमालक्ष्य पुरुषं तमुवाच ह। कियदध्वानमस्माभिर्गंतव्यमिदमब्रवीत्

sa taṁ durgaṁdhamālakṣya puruṣaṁ tamuvāca ha| kiyadadhvānamasmābhirgaṁtavyamidamabravīt

Perceiving that foul stench, he spoke to that man, Yama's messenger, saying: 'How much further must we still travel?'

Verse 35 (skanda.5.98.35)

देशोऽयं कश्च देवानामेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्। इत्युक्तो यमदूतस्तु दण्डहस्तोऽग्निसप्रभः। पुरतो दर्शयन्मार्गमित एहीत्युवाच ह

deśo'yaṁ kaśca devānāmetadicchāmi veditum| ityukto yamadūtastu daṇḍahasto'gnisaprabhaḥ| purato darśayanmārgamita ehītyuvāca ha

'What region is this, and to which of the gods does it belong? This I wish to know.' Thus addressed, the messenger of Yama, staff in hand and radiant like fire, showing the way ahead, said: 'Come this way.'

Verse 36 (skanda.5.98.36)

भूयः स राजा तं प्राह किंकरं विनयान्वितः। भो याम्यपुरुषाचक्ष्व किं मया दुष्कृतं कृतम्

bhūyaḥ sa rājā taṁ prāha kiṁkaraṁ vinayānvitaḥ| bho yāmyapuruṣācakṣva kiṁ mayā duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam

Once again the king, with humility, said to that servant: 'O messenger of Yama, tell me — what evil have I done...'

Verse 37 (skanda.5.98.37)

येनेदं व्यसनं प्राप्तं मया च धार्मिकेण हि। निमिर्नामाहं विख्यातो जनकानामहं कुले

yenedaṁ vyasanaṁ prāptaṁ mayā ca dhārmikeṇa hi| nimirnāmāhaṁ vikhyāto janakānāmahaṁ kule

'...that I, though righteous, should meet with this misfortune? I am known by the name Nimi, renowned in the lineage of the Janakas.'

Verse 38 (skanda.5.98.38)

जातो विदेहविषये सम्यग्मनुजपालकः। चातुर्वर्ण्यं च धर्मस्थं कृत्वा संरक्षितं मया

jāto videhaviṣaye samyagmanujapālakaḥ| cāturvarṇyaṁ ca dharmasthaṁ kṛtvā saṁrakṣitaṁ mayā

'Born in the land of Videha, I ruled my people rightly; I established the four varnas firmly in dharma and protected them.'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.98.39)

धर्मप्रधानकल्पेन मनुनात्र यथा पुरा। यज्ञैर्मयेष्टं बहुभिर्धर्मतः पालिता मही

dharmapradhānakalpena manunātra yathā purā| yajñairmayeṣṭaṁ bahubhirdharmataḥ pālitā mahī

'As Manu of old did, with dharma as the foremost rule, I too, by many sacrifices, worshipped the gods, and protected the earth righteously.'

Verse 40 (skanda.5.98.40)

नोत्सृष्टश्चैव संग्रामो नातिथिर्विमुखोऽभवत्। कृता स्पृहा च न मया परस्त्रीविभवादिषु

notsṛṣṭaścaiva saṁgrāmo nātithirvimukho'bhavat| kṛtā spṛhā ca na mayā parastrīvibhavādiṣu

'Never did I flee from battle, nor did any guest ever turn away disappointed from me; nor did I ever covet another's wife or wealth.'

Verse 41 (skanda.5.98.41)

सोऽहं कथमिमं प्राप्तो नरकं भृशदारुणम्। इति पृष्टस्तदा तेन निमिना यमकिंकरः। उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा क्रूरोऽपि प्रश्रितं वचः

so'haṁ kathamimaṁ prāpto narakaṁ bhṛśadāruṇam| iti pṛṣṭastadā tena niminā yamakiṁkaraḥ| uvāca praṇato bhūtvā krūro'pi praśritaṁ vacaḥ

'How then have I, being such, come to this most dreadful hell?' Thus questioned by Nimi, the servant of Yama, though cruel by nature, bowed and spoke these humble words.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.98.42)

पुरुष उवाच। महाराज यथात्थ त्वं तथैतन्नात्र संशयः। किन्तु स्वल्पं कृतं पापं भवंतं स्मारयामि तत्

puruṣa uvāca| mahārāja yathāttha tvaṁ tathaitannātra saṁśayaḥ| kintu svalpaṁ kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ bhavaṁtaṁ smārayāmi tat

The man said: 'O great king, all that you say is indeed true, without doubt. But there is a small sin you committed, which I shall remind you of.'

Verse 43 (skanda.5.98.43)

उक्ता या दक्षिणा श्राद्धे न दत्ता सा त्वया नृप। प्रमादाद्विस्मृता चैव तस्येदं कर्मणः फलम्

uktā yā dakṣiṇā śrāddhe na dattā sā tvayā nṛpa| pramādādvismṛtā caiva tasyedaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam

'The sacrificial fee that was promised at a shraddha rite, O king, was not given by you; forgotten through carelessness — this is the fruit of that deed.'

Verse 44 (skanda.5.98.44)

एतावदेव ते पापं नान्य त्किंचन विद्यते। वैदेहागच्छ पुण्यानामुपभोगाय पार्थिव

etāvadeva te pāpaṁ nānya tkiṁcana vidyate| vaidehāgaccha puṇyānāmupabhogāya pārthiva

'This alone is your sin; there is nothing else at all. Come now, O king of Videha, to enjoy the fruits of your merits.'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.98.45)

एवं श्रुत्वा तु राजर्षिर्निमिर्दूतमथाब्रवीत्। यास्यामि देवानुचर यत्र मां त्वं हि नेष्यसि

evaṁ śrutvā tu rājarṣirnimirdūtamathābravīt| yāsyāmi devānucara yatra māṁ tvaṁ hi neṣyasi

Hearing this, the royal sage Nimi said to the messenger: 'O attendant of the gods, I shall go wherever you lead me.'

Verse 46 (skanda.5.98.46)

किंचित्पृच्छामि ते तत्त्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि। वज्रतुंडास्त्वमी काकाः पुंसां नयनहारिणः

kiṁcitpṛcchāmi te tattvaṁ yathāvadvaktumarhasi| vajratuṁḍāstvamī kākāḥ puṁsāṁ nayanahāriṇaḥ

'But I wish to ask you something truly; you should tell me rightly. These crows with beaks like thunderbolts that snatch away men's eyes...'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.98.47)

पुनः पुनश्च नेत्राणि तद्वत्तेषां भवंति हि। किं कृतं कर्म दूतेंद्र कथयैतज्जुगुप्सितम्

punaḥ punaśca netrāṇi tadvatteṣāṁ bhavaṁti hi| kiṁ kṛtaṁ karma dūteṁdra kathayaitajjugupsitam

'...and whose eyes regrow again and again just the same — what deed, O chief of messengers, has caused this loathsome fate? Tell me.'

Verse 48 (skanda.5.98.48)

हरंत्येषां तथा जिह्वां जायमानां पुनर्नवाम्। करपत्रेण पाट्यंते कस्मादेते सुदुःखिताः

haraṁtyeṣāṁ tathā jihvāṁ jāyamānāṁ punarnavām| karapatreṇa pāṭyaṁte kasmādete suduḥkhitāḥ

'And they take their tongue too, which grows anew again; it is sawn with a saw — why are these beings so greatly afflicted?'

Verse 49 (skanda.5.98.49)

किमेते नष्टचित्ताश्च तुद्यंतेऽहर्निशं नराः। एताश्चान्याश्च दृश्यंते यातनाः पापकर्मिणाम्। कियत्कालं भविष्यंति तन्ममोद्दे शतो वद

kimete naṣṭacittāśca tudyaṁte'harniśaṁ narāḥ| etāścānyāśca dṛśyaṁte yātanāḥ pāpakarmiṇām| kiyatkālaṁ bhaviṣyaṁti tanmamodde śato vada

'Why are these people, out of their minds, pierced day and night? These and other torments are seen inflicted on the sinful — how long will they endure? Tell me this in brief.'

Verse 50 (skanda.5.98.50)

पुरुष उवाच। यन्मां पृच्छसि भूपाल पापकर्मफलोदयम्। तत्तेहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि संक्षेपेण यथातथम्

puruṣa uvāca| yanmāṁ pṛcchasi bhūpāla pāpakarmaphalodayam| tattehaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi saṁkṣepeṇa yathātatham

The man said: 'O king, what you ask me — the arising of the fruit of sinful deeds — I shall tell you truly, in brief.'

Verse 51 (skanda.5.98.51)

पुण्या पुण्ये हि पुरुषः पर्यायेण समश्नुते। भुंजतश्च क्षयं याति पुण्यं पापमथापि वा

puṇyā puṇye hi puruṣaḥ paryāyeṇa samaśnute| bhuṁjataśca kṣayaṁ yāti puṇyaṁ pāpamathāpi vā

'A man experiences merit and demerit in turn; and as he enjoys their fruits, whether merit or sin, it diminishes.'

Verse 52 (skanda.5.98.52)

न तु भोगादृते पुण्यं पापं कर्म च मानवः। परित्यजति राजेन्द्र सत्यमेतदुदाहृतम्

na tu bhogādṛte puṇyaṁ pāpaṁ karma ca mānavaḥ| parityajati rājendra satyametadudāhṛtam

'But without such experiencing, O king of kings, a man cannot cast off either his merit or his sinful deeds — this is truly declared.'

Verse 53 (skanda.5.98.53)

एवमेते महापापा यातनाभिरहर्निशम्। क्षपयंति महाघोरं नरकांतरवर्त्तिनः

evamete mahāpāpā yātanābhiraharniśam| kṣapayaṁti mahāghoraṁ narakāṁtaravarttinaḥ

Thus these great sinners, dwelling within this most terrible hell, exhaust their sins through torments day and night.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.98.54)

देवत्वेऽथ मनुष्यत्वे तिर्यक्त्वेऽथ शुभाशुभम्। पुण्यपापोद्भवं भुंक्ते सुखदुःखं न संशयः

devatve'tha manuṣyatve tiryaktve'tha śubhāśubham| puṇyapāpodbhavaṁ bhuṁkte sukhaduḥkhaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Whether as a god, a human, or an animal, one undergoes, without doubt, the pleasure and pain born of merit and sin, whether good or bad.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.98.55)

एतदुद्देशतो राजन्भवता कथितं मया। स्वकर्मफलमोक्षाणां पुण्यानां पापिनां तथा

etaduddeśato rājanbhavatā kathitaṁ mayā| svakarmaphalamokṣāṇāṁ puṇyānāṁ pāpināṁ tathā

This, O king, I have told you in brief — of how the fruits of one's own deeds are exhausted, for both the meritorious and the sinful.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.98.56)

तदेह्यन्यत्र गच्छावि यथा दृष्टं त्वयाधुना। ततस्तमग्रतः कृत्वा स राजा गंतुमुद्यतः

tadehyanyatra gacchāvi yathā dṛṣṭaṁ tvayādhunā| tatastamagrataḥ kṛtvā sa rājā gaṁtumudyataḥ

'Now come, let us go elsewhere, since you have now seen this.' Then, placing the messenger ahead of him, the king made ready to go.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.98.57)

तदा हि सर्वैरुद्घुष्टं यातना स्थायिभिर्नृभिः। प्रसादं कुरु भूपेति तिष्ठ तावन्मुहूर्त्तकम्। त्वदंगसंगी पवनो देहान्ह्लादयते हि नः

tadā hi sarvairudghuṣṭaṁ yātanā sthāyibhirnṛbhiḥ| prasādaṁ kuru bhūpeti tiṣṭha tāvanmuhūrttakam| tvadaṁgasaṁgī pavano dehānhlādayate hi naḥ

Then all the men enduring torment there cried out: 'O king, show us grace — stay here just a moment more; the breeze that touches your body brings coolness to our bodies.'

Verse 58 (skanda.5.98.58)

परितापं च गात्रेभ्यः पीडा बाधाश्च कृत्स्नशः। अपहंति नरव्याघ्र कृपां कुरु महीपते

paritāpaṁ ca gātrebhyaḥ pīḍā bādhāśca kṛtsnaśaḥ| apahaṁti naravyāghra kṛpāṁ kuru mahīpate

'It removes entirely the burning, the pain and every affliction from our limbs, O tiger among men; show us your compassion, O king.'

Verse 59 (skanda.5.98.59)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां तं याम्यपुरुषं नृपः। पप्रच्छ कथमेतेषामाह्लादो मयि तिष्ठति

etacchrutvā vacasteṣāṁ taṁ yāmyapuruṣaṁ nṛpaḥ| papraccha kathameteṣāmāhlādo mayi tiṣṭhati

Hearing these words of theirs, the king asked the messenger of Yama: 'How is it that my presence brings them relief?'

Verse 60 (skanda.5.98.60)

किं मया कर्म तत्पुण्यं मर्त्यलोके महत्कृतम्। प्रह्लादजननी दृष्टिर्यस्येयं तदुदीर्यताम्

kiṁ mayā karma tatpuṇyaṁ martyaloke mahatkṛtam| prahlādajananī dṛṣṭiryasyeyaṁ tadudīryatām

'What great and meritorious deed have I done in the mortal world, whose sight gives rise to such relief? Tell me this.'

Verse 61 (skanda.5.98.61)

पुरुष उवाच। त्वया दृष्टो महाकाले विख्यातोऽनरकेश्वरः। आश्विनस्य चतुर्दश्यां तस्येदं फलमीदृशम्

puruṣa uvāca| tvayā dṛṣṭo mahākāle vikhyāto'narakeśvaraḥ| āśvinasya caturdaśyāṁ tasyedaṁ phalamīdṛśam

The man said: 'You once beheld, at Mahakala, the renowned Anarakeshvara, on the fourteenth day of the month of Ashvin — this is the fruit of that deed.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.98.62)

ततस्तद्गात्रसंसर्गी पवनो ह्लाददायकः। पापकर्मकृतां राजन्यातना न प्रबाधते

tatastadgātrasaṁsargī pavano hlādadāyakaḥ| pāpakarmakṛtāṁ rājanyātanā na prabādhate

'Therefore the breeze that has touched your body gives relief; and so, O king, at that moment the torment of these sinners is not felt.'

Verse 63 (skanda.5.98.63)

।। राजोवाच ।।। यदि मत्संनिधाने सा यातना न प्रबाधते। ततो भद्रमुखात्राहं स्थास्ये स्थाणुरिवाचलः

|| rājovāca ||| yadi matsaṁnidhāne sā yātanā na prabādhate| tato bhadramukhātrāhaṁ sthāsye sthāṇurivācalaḥ

The king said: 'If, in my presence, that torment is not felt, then, O gentle one, I shall stay right here, unmoving as a post.'

Verse 64 (skanda.5.98.64)

पुरुष उवाच। एहि राजेंद्र गच्छावो निजपुण्यसमार्जितान्। भुंक्ष्व भोगान्न यास्येतां यातनां पापकर्मणाम्

puruṣa uvāca| ehi rājeṁdra gacchāvo nijapuṇyasamārjitān| bhuṁkṣva bhogānna yāsyetāṁ yātanāṁ pāpakarmaṇām

The man said: 'Come, O king of kings, let us go; enjoy the pleasures earned by your own merit — you need not undergo the torment meant for sinners.'

Verse 65 (skanda.5.98.65)

।। राजोवाच ।।। न स्वर्गे ब्रह्मलोके वा तत्सुखं प्राप्यते नरैः। यदार्त्तजंतुं निर्वाणमानेतुमिति मे मतिः

|| rājovāca ||| na svarge brahmaloke vā tatsukhaṁ prāpyate naraiḥ| yadārttajaṁtuṁ nirvāṇamānetumiti me matiḥ

The king said: 'That happiness which comes from bringing peace to a suffering creature is not obtained by men even in heaven or in the world of Brahma — this is my conviction.'

Verse 66 (skanda.5.98.66)

तस्मान्न तावद्यास्यामि यावदेते सुदुःखिताः। मत्संनिधानात्सुखिनो भवंतु नरकौकसः

tasmānna tāvadyāsyāmi yāvadete suduḥkhitāḥ| matsaṁnidhānātsukhino bhavaṁtu narakaukasaḥ

'Therefore I shall not go so long as these greatly suffering ones remain; let the dwellers of hell find comfort through my presence.'

Verse 67 (skanda.5.98.67)

प्राप्स्यंते ते यदि सुखं बहवो दुःखिते मयि। किं तु प्राप्तं मया सर्वं तस्मात्त्वं व्रज मा चिरम्

prāpsyaṁte te yadi sukhaṁ bahavo duḥkhite mayi| kiṁ tu prāptaṁ mayā sarvaṁ tasmāttvaṁ vraja mā ciram

'If, though I remain in distress, these many will attain comfort, then I have gained everything already. Therefore you go; do not delay.'

Verse 68 (skanda.5.98.68)

पुरुष उवाच। एष धर्मश्च शक्रश्च त्वां नेतुं समुपागतौ। अवश्यमस्माद्गंतव्यं तस्मात्पार्थिव गम्यताम्

puruṣa uvāca| eṣa dharmaśca śakraśca tvāṁ netuṁ samupāgatau| avaśyamasmādgaṁtavyaṁ tasmātpārthiva gamyatām

The man said: 'Here have come Dharma and Indra themselves, to lead you away; from this place you must certainly depart — therefore, O king, come.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.98.69)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे धर्मः शक्रेण सहितोब्रवीत्। निमे परमधर्मज्ञ प्रीता देवगणास्तव

etasminnaṁtare dharmaḥ śakreṇa sahitobravīt| nime paramadharmajña prītā devagaṇāstava

At that moment, Dharma, together with Indra, said: 'O Nimi, knower of the highest dharma, the hosts of gods are well pleased with you.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.98.70)

एह्येहि पुरुषव्याघ्र कृतमेतावता प्रभो। सिद्धिः प्राप्ता त्वया राजँल्लोकाश्चाप्यक्षयान्विताः

ehyehi puruṣavyāghra kṛtametāvatā prabho| siddhiḥ prāptā tvayā rāja~llokāścāpyakṣayānvitāḥ

'Come, come, O tiger among men; enough has been accomplished, O lord. You have attained perfection, O king, and imperishable worlds besides.'

Verse 71 (skanda.5.98.71)

न च मन्युस्त्वया कार्यः शृणु मे वचनं विभो। अवश्यं नरकस्तावद्द्रष्टव्यः सर्वराजभिः

na ca manyustvayā kāryaḥ śṛṇu me vacanaṁ vibho| avaśyaṁ narakastāvaddraṣṭavyaḥ sarvarājabhiḥ

'You need feel no distress; hear my words, O mighty one. It is inevitable that every king must, at some point, behold hell.'

Verse 72 (skanda.5.98.72)

नयामि त्वामहं स्वर्गं त्वया सम्यगुपासितः। विमानवरमारुह्य विमलं चाद्य गम्यताम्

nayāmi tvāmahaṁ svargaṁ tvayā samyagupāsitaḥ| vimānavaramāruhya vimalaṁ cādya gamyatām

'Rightly worshipped by you, I shall now lead you to heaven; mount this excellent, spotless celestial chariot and come today.'

Verse 73 (skanda.5.98.73)

।। निमिरुवाच ।।। नरके मानवा धर्म पीड्यंतेऽत्र सहस्रशः। त्राहीति वार्त्तां क्रंदंतो मामतो न व्रजाम्यहम्

|| nimiruvāca ||| narake mānavā dharma pīḍyaṁte'tra sahasraśaḥ| trāhīti vārttāṁ kraṁdaṁto māmato na vrajāmyaham

Nimi said: 'O Dharma, thousands of men are suffering torment here in hell, crying out to me for rescue — therefore I shall not go.'

Verse 74 (skanda.5.98.74)

इन्द्र उवाच। कर्मणा नरके प्राप्तिरेषां च पापकर्मणाम्। स्वर्गे त्वयापि गंतव्यं नृप पुण्येन कर्मणा

indra uvāca| karmaṇā narake prāptireṣāṁ ca pāpakarmaṇām| svarge tvayāpi gaṁtavyaṁ nṛpa puṇyena karmaṇā

Indra said: 'It is by their own deeds that these sinners have come to hell; and it is by your own meritorious deeds, O king, that you must go to heaven.'

Verse 75 (skanda.5.98.75)

।। राजोवाच ।।। परिजानासि धर्मज्ञ त्वं वा शक्र शचीपते। विशिष्टं मम किं पुण्यं शुभं तद्वक्तुमर्हसि

|| rājovāca ||| parijānāsi dharmajña tvaṁ vā śakra śacīpate| viśiṣṭaṁ mama kiṁ puṇyaṁ śubhaṁ tadvaktumarhasi

The king said: 'Do you, O knower of dharma, or you, O Shakra, lord of Shachi, know what special merit of mine, so auspicious, has brought this about? Please tell me.'

Verse 76 (skanda.5.98.76)

धर्म उवाच। आश्विनस्य तु मासस्य कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी। तस्यां त्वया महाबाहो महाकालवनोत्तमे। दृष्टो देवः सुविख्यातः स्वर्गदोऽनरकेश्वरः

dharma uvāca| āśvinasya tu māsasya kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśī| tasyāṁ tvayā mahābāho mahākālavanottame| dṛṣṭo devaḥ suvikhyātaḥ svargado'narakeśvaraḥ

Dharma said: 'On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvin, O mighty-armed one, you beheld, in the excellent Mahakala forest, the renowned god Anarakeshvara, bestower of heaven.'

Verse 77 (skanda.5.98.77)

तद्विशिष्टं च ते पुण्यं तस्य संख्या न विद्यते। स्वकर्मोपार्जितं पुण्यं भुंक्ष्व राजन्यथासुखम्। एते नारकिकाः सर्वे क्षपयंतु स्वकर्मजाम्

tadviśiṣṭaṁ ca te puṇyaṁ tasya saṁkhyā na vidyate| svakarmopārjitaṁ puṇyaṁ bhuṁkṣva rājanyathāsukham| ete nārakikāḥ sarve kṣapayaṁtu svakarmajām

'That is your special merit, whose measure cannot even be reckoned. Enjoy, O king, at your pleasure, the merit earned by your own deeds; let these dwellers of hell exhaust what is born of their own deeds.'

Verse 78 (skanda.5.98.78)

।। राजोवाच ।।। कथं स्पृहां करिष्यंति सत्संगेषु च मानवाः। यदि मत्संनिधावेषामुत्कर्षो नोपजायते

|| rājovāca ||| kathaṁ spṛhāṁ kariṣyaṁti satsaṁgeṣu ca mānavāḥ| yadi matsaṁnidhāveṣāmutkarṣo nopajāyate

The king said: 'How will men ever come to desire the company of the virtuous, if even in my presence these here gain no relief?'

Verse 79 (skanda.5.98.79)

तस्माद्यत्सुकृतं किंचिद्विशिष्टतरमस्ति वै। तेन मुच्यंतु नरकात्पापिनो यातनागताः

tasmādyatsukṛtaṁ kiṁcidviśiṣṭataramasti vai| tena mucyaṁtu narakātpāpino yātanāgatāḥ

'Therefore, whatever exceptional merit I possess, by that let these sinners, undergoing torment, be freed from hell.'

Verse 80 (skanda.5.98.80)

धर्म उवाच। राजंस्त्वया कृतं पूर्वेऽनरकेश्वरदर्शनम्। तदुत्पन्नस्य पुण्यस्य कलामेभ्यः प्रयच्छ वै

dharma uvāca| rājaṁstvayā kṛtaṁ pūrve'narakeśvaradarśanam| tadutpannasya puṇyasya kalāmebhyaḥ prayaccha vai

Dharma said: 'O king, of the merit born of your earlier darshan of Anarakeshvara — grant a fraction of that merit to these sinners.'

Verse 81 (skanda.5.98.81)

तत्पुण्यस्य प्रभावेण मोक्ष्यंते नरकादिमे। तथा कृते ततस्तेन विमुक्ता नरकाच्च ते

tatpuṇyasya prabhāveṇa mokṣyaṁte narakādime| tathā kṛte tatastena vimuktā narakācca te

By the power of that merit, these will be freed from hell. When this was done, by that merit they were released from hell.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.98.82)

ततोऽब्रवीद्धर्मराजो निमिं शक्रसमन्वितः। एवं श्रेष्ठतरं स्थानं त्वया प्राप्तं महीपते

tato'bravīddharmarājo nimiṁ śakrasamanvitaḥ| evaṁ śreṣṭhataraṁ sthānaṁ tvayā prāptaṁ mahīpate

Then Dharmaraja, together with Indra, said to Nimi: 'Thus, O king, you have attained a still more excellent station.'

Verse 83 (skanda.5.98.83)

एतांश्च नारकान्पश्य विमुक्तान्पापकर्मणः। ततोऽपतत्पुष्पवृष्टिस्तस्योपरि महीपतेः

etāṁśca nārakānpaśya vimuktānpāpakarmaṇaḥ| tato'patatpuṣpavṛṣṭistasyopari mahīpateḥ

'Behold these dwellers of hell, now freed from their sinful deeds.' Then a shower of flowers fell down upon that king.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.98.84)

विमानं चाधिरोप्यैनं स्वर्लोकमनयद्धरिः। येये तत्राभवन्पापा यातनाभ्यः परिच्युताः

vimānaṁ cādhiropyainaṁ svarlokamanayaddhariḥ| yeye tatrābhavanpāpā yātanābhyaḥ paricyutāḥ

Hari, having set him upon a celestial chariot, led him to the world of heaven; and all those sinners who had been there, freed from their torments...

Verse 85 (skanda.5.98.85)

प्रभावात्तस्य देवस्य स्वर्गलोकं गताः प्रिये। अतो देवः सुविख्यातः सदेवोऽनरकेश्वरः

prabhāvāttasya devasya svargalokaṁ gatāḥ priye| ato devaḥ suvikhyātaḥ sadevo'narakeśvaraḥ

...by the power of that god, O beloved, went to the world of heaven. Hence this god is truly renowned as Anarakeshvara.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.98.86)

स्तुतो देवगणैः सर्वैर्नरकादवतारकः। जातः स एव सुकृती कुलं तेनैव पावितम्

stuto devagaṇaiḥ sarvairnarakādavatārakaḥ| jātaḥ sa eva sukṛtī kulaṁ tenaiva pāvitam

Praised by all the hosts of gods as the deliverer from hell — he alone is truly meritorious, and by him alone is his lineage purified.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.98.87)

यः पश्यति नरो नित्यं देवं चानरकेश्वरम्। तेषां विलीयते पापं पूर्वजन्मशतोद्भवम्

yaḥ paśyati naro nityaṁ devaṁ cānarakeśvaram| teṣāṁ vilīyate pāpaṁ pūrvajanmaśatodbhavam

Whoever ever beholds the god Anarakeshvara — his sins, born of a hundred former births, are dissolved.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.98.88)

येनुमोदंति देवस्य दर्शनं पर्वतात्मजे। तेऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्ताः प्रयांति मम मंदिरे

yenumodaṁti devasya darśanaṁ parvatātmaje| te'pi pāpavinirmuktāḥ prayāṁti mama maṁdire

Even those, O daughter of the mountain, who rejoice in another's darshan of the god, are likewise freed from sin and come to dwell in my abode.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.98.89)

समतीतं भविष्यच्च कुलानामयुतं नरः। मम लोकं नयत्याशु तस्य लिंगस्य दर्शनात्

samatītaṁ bhaviṣyacca kulānāmayutaṁ naraḥ| mama lokaṁ nayatyāśu tasya liṁgasya darśanāt

A man, by the sight of this linga, swiftly leads ten thousand generations of his lineage — past and future — to my world.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.98.90)

शिवयोगसमायुक्ता कृष्णा या च चतुर्दशी। सा प्रोक्ता वल्लभा तस्य सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी

śivayogasamāyuktā kṛṣṇā yā ca caturdaśī| sā proktā vallabhā tasya sarvapāpapraṇāśinī

The fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, joined with the yoga of Shiva, is declared to be his most beloved day, destroyer of all sins.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.98.91)

ये चायान्ति नरास्तस्यां देवं चानरकेश्वरम्। उपोष्य पापैर्मुच्यंते ते नराः शतजन्मजैः

ye cāyānti narāstasyāṁ devaṁ cānarakeśvaram| upoṣya pāpairmucyaṁte te narāḥ śatajanmajaiḥ

Those men who come on that day and, having fasted, behold the god Anarakeshvara, are freed from the sins accumulated over a hundred births.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.98.92)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यत्पापं समुपार्जितम्। तत्क्षालयति देवोसौ तिथौ तस्यां समर्चितः

karmaṇā manasā vācā yatpāpaṁ samupārjitam| tatkṣālayati devosau tithau tasyāṁ samarcitaḥ

Whatever sin has been accumulated by deed, mind or word, this god washes it away when worshipped on that day.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.98.93)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। जटेश्वरस्य देवस्य शृणु माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| jaṭeśvarasya devasya śṛṇu māhātmyamuttamam

This sin-destroying glory has thus been told to you, O Devi; now hear the supreme greatness of the god Jateshvara.