The Glory of Jateshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.99.1)

श्रीदेवदेव उवाच। अष्टाविंशतिकं विद्धि विख्यातं च जटेश्वरम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण मुक्तो भवति मानवः

śrīdevadeva uvāca| aṣṭāviṁśatikaṁ viddhi vikhyātaṁ ca jaṭeśvaram| yasya darśanamātreṇa mukto bhavati mānavaḥ

Shri Devadeva said: Know the twenty-eighth as the renowned Jateshvara — by whose mere sight a man becomes liberated.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.99.2)

पुरा राथंतरे कल्पे वीरधन्वा महीपतिः। धर्मात्मा च यशस्वी च बभूव भुवि विश्रुतः

purā rāthaṁtare kalpe vīradhanvā mahīpatiḥ| dharmātmā ca yaśasvī ca babhūva bhuvi viśrutaḥ

Long ago, in the kalpa called Rathantara, there was a king named Viradhanva, righteous and glorious, renowned upon the earth.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.99.3)

स कदाचिद्वनं गत्वा मृगहेतोर्वरानने। व्यापादयन्मृगगणान्धनुषा क्रोधविह्वलः

sa kadācidvanaṁ gatvā mṛgahetorvarānane| vyāpādayanmṛgagaṇāndhanuṣā krodhavihvalaḥ

Once, O fair-faced one, having gone to the forest for the sake of deer, he, overcome with fury, began slaying herds of deer with his bow.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.99.4)

जगाम तत्र यत्रासन्भ्रातरः पंच सुव्रताः। संवर्तस्य सुता देवि मृगरूपेण संस्थिताः

jagāma tatra yatrāsanbhrātaraḥ paṁca suvratāḥ| saṁvartasya sutā devi mṛgarūpeṇa saṁsthitāḥ

He came to a place where dwelt five brothers of noble vows — the sons of Samvarta, O Devi, then living in the form of deer.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.99.5)

ते कदाचिद्वने पंच दृष्ट्वा हरिणपोतकान्। श्वसतो जातमात्रांश्च कौतूहलसमन्विताः

te kadācidvane paṁca dṛṣṭvā hariṇapotakān| śvasato jātamātrāṁśca kautūhalasamanvitāḥ

These five, once, seeing newborn fawns in the forest, still breathing, just born, out of curiosity...

Verse 6 (skanda.5.99.6)

एकैकं जगृहुस्तत्र मृतास्ते त्वतिदुःखिताः। ततः सर्वे च ते पंच ययुर्वै पितुरंतिकम्

ekaikaṁ jagṛhustatra mṛtāste tvatiduḥkhitāḥ| tataḥ sarve ca te paṁca yayurvai pituraṁtikam

...each took up one; but the fawns died, and the brothers were struck with deep sorrow. Then all five went to their father.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.99.7)

प्रायश्चित्तं समीहंतः संवर्त्तं सांसदैर्वृतम्। ऊचुस्ते वचनं चेदं मृगहिंसाश्रितं तदा

prāyaścittaṁ samīhaṁtaḥ saṁvarttaṁ sāṁsadairvṛtam| ūcuste vacanaṁ cedaṁ mṛgahiṁsāśritaṁ tadā

Seeking expiation, they went to Samvarta, who was surrounded by an assembly, and spoke to him these words concerning the killing of the deer.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.99.8)

जातमात्रा मृगाः पंच अस्माभिर्निहताः प्रभो। अकामतस्ततोऽस्माकं प्रायश्चित्तं विधीयताम्

jātamātrā mṛgāḥ paṁca asmābhirnihatāḥ prabho| akāmatastato'smākaṁ prāyaścittaṁ vidhīyatām

'O lord, five newborn fawns have been killed by us, unintentionally; therefore prescribe for us an expiation.'

Verse 9 (skanda.5.99.9)

ऊचे स शुद्धिमाप्नोति प्रायश्चित्ते कृते सति। अनधीत्य धर्मशास्त्रं प्रायश्चित्तं ददाति यः। प्रायश्चित्ती भवेत्पूतः किल्विषं दातरि व्रजेत्

ūce sa śuddhimāpnoti prāyaścitte kṛte sati| anadhītya dharmaśāstraṁ prāyaścittaṁ dadāti yaḥ| prāyaścittī bhavetpūtaḥ kilviṣaṁ dātari vrajet

Samvarta said: 'One attains purity when expiation is performed. But if one prescribes expiation without having studied the dharmashastras, then the one performing the penance is purified, while the sin passes to the one who prescribed it.'

Verse 10 (skanda.5.99.10)

धर्म शास्त्रसमारूढा वेदखड्गधरा द्विजाः। क्रीडार्थमपि यद्ब्रूयुः स धर्मः परमः स्मृतः

dharma śāstrasamārūḍhā vedakhaḍgadharā dvijāḥ| krīḍārthamapi yadbrūyuḥ sa dharmaḥ paramaḥ smṛtaḥ

'Whatever Brahmins, established in the dharmashastras and bearing the Veda as their sword, declare — even if spoken in jest — that is remembered as the highest dharma.'

Verse 11 (skanda.5.99.11)

ब्रह्मच्छिद्रं जपच्छिद्रं यच्छिद्रं यज्ञकर्मणि। अच्छिद्रं जायते सर्वं ब्राह्मणैरुपपादितम्

brahmacchidraṁ japacchidraṁ yacchidraṁ yajñakarmaṇi| acchidraṁ jāyate sarvaṁ brāhmaṇairupapāditam

'Whatever flaw exists in the recitation of Brahman, in japa, or in the performance of sacrifice — all becomes flawless when validated by Brahmins.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.99.12)

अच्छिद्रमिति यद्वाक्यं वदंति क्षितिदेवताः। प्रणश्यत्यखिलं पापमग्निष्टोमफलं भवेत्

acchidramiti yadvākyaṁ vadaṁti kṣitidevatāḥ| praṇaśyatyakhilaṁ pāpamagniṣṭomaphalaṁ bhavet

'When the gods of the earth declare a rite flawless, all sin is destroyed, and the fruit becomes equal to that of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.'

Verse 13 (skanda.5.99.13)

इत्येवं वदति श्रेष्ठे संवर्ते द्विजसत्तमे। समागताश्च मुनयो भृग्वत्र्यंगिरसादयः

ityevaṁ vadati śreṣṭhe saṁvarte dvijasattame| samāgatāśca munayo bhṛgvatryaṁgirasādayaḥ

While the excellent Samvarta, best among the twice-born, was thus speaking, sages such as Bhrigu, Atri, Angiras and others gathered there.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.99.14)

तेषामर्थे यथावृत्तं कथयामासुरेव ते। संवर्तस्य सुता दीना भक्तिनम्राः पुनःपुनः

teṣāmarthe yathāvṛttaṁ kathayāmāsureva te| saṁvartasya sutā dīnā bhaktinamrāḥ punaḥpunaḥ

For their sake, the sorrowful sons of Samvarta, bowed low in devotion, related to them, again and again, exactly what had happened.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.99.15)

तेऽप्यूचुर्धर्मशास्त्राणि विहितानि यथार्थतः। प्रायश्चित्तं यथोद्दिष्टं देशकालविभागतः

te'pyūcurdharmaśāstrāṇi vihitāni yathārthataḥ| prāyaścittaṁ yathoddiṣṭaṁ deśakālavibhāgataḥ

They too then declared, in accordance with the dharmashastras as truly prescribed, the expiation appropriate according to place and time.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.99.16)

अशीतिर्यस्य वर्षाणि बालो वाप्यूनषोडशः। प्रायश्चित्तार्द्धमर्हंति स्त्रियो वै व्याधितस्य च

aśītiryasya varṣāṇi bālo vāpyūnaṣoḍaśaḥ| prāyaścittārddhamarhaṁti striyo vai vyādhitasya ca

'One who is eighty years old, or a child under sixteen, or women, or one who is ill, deserve only half the prescribed expiation.'

Verse 17 (skanda.5.99.17)

देशं कालं वयः शक्तिं पापं चावेक्ष्य यत्नतः। प्रायश्चित्तं प्रकल्प्यं स्यादिति धर्मो व्यवस्थितः

deśaṁ kālaṁ vayaḥ śaktiṁ pāpaṁ cāvekṣya yatnataḥ| prāyaścittaṁ prakalpyaṁ syāditi dharmo vyavasthitaḥ

'Having carefully considered place, time, age, capacity, and the nature of the sin, the expiation should be determined — thus is dharma established.'

Verse 18 (skanda.5.99.18)

इदानीं मृगचर्माणि परिधाय धृतव्रताः। चरध्वं पंच वर्षाणि ततः शुद्धा भविष्यथ ।

idānīṁ mṛgacarmāṇi paridhāya dhṛtavratāḥ| caradhvaṁ paṁca varṣāṇi tataḥ śuddhā bhaviṣyatha |

'Now, wearing deerskins and keeping strict vows, wander for five years; thereafter you shall become pure.'

Verse 19 (skanda.5.99.19)

एवमुक्तास्तु ते बाला मृगधर्मोपजीविनः। वनं विविशुरव्यग्रा ध्यायंतो ब्रह्म शाश्वतम्

evamuktāstu te bālā mṛgadharmopajīvinaḥ| vanaṁ viviśuravyagrā dhyāyaṁto brahma śāśvatam

Thus instructed, those young men, living by the way of deer, entered the forest, undisturbed, meditating upon the eternal Brahman.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.99.20)

ततो वर्षे ह्यतिक्रांते वीरधन्वा महीपतिः। तत्राजगाम यस्मिंस्ते चरंति मृगरूपिणः

tato varṣe hyatikrāṁte vīradhanvā mahīpatiḥ| tatrājagāma yasmiṁste caraṁti mṛgarūpiṇaḥ

Then, after a year had passed, King Viradhanva came to that very place where they, in the form of deer, were wandering.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.99.21)

ते चाप्येकतरोर्मूले मृगधर्मोपजीविनः। जपंतः संस्थितास्ते हि राज्ञा दृष्टा मृगा इति

te cāpyekatarormūle mṛgadharmopajīvinaḥ| japaṁtaḥ saṁsthitāste hi rājñā dṛṣṭā mṛgā iti

They, living by the way of deer, were seated beneath a tree, engaged in japa; the king saw them and took them for ordinary deer.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.99.22)

मत्वा विद्धास्तु नाःराचैर्मृतास्ते ब्रह्मवादिनः। तान्दृष्ट्वा च मृतान्राजा ब्राह्मणान्संशितव्रतान्। भयेन वेपमानस्तु देवराताश्रमं ययौ

matvā viddhāstu nāḥrācairmṛtāste brahmavādinaḥ| tāndṛṣṭvā ca mṛtānrājā brāhmaṇānsaṁśitavratān| bhayena vepamānastu devarātāśramaṁ yayau

Thinking them so, he pierced them with arrows, and those knowers of Brahman died. Seeing those Brahmins of rigorous vows thus dead, the king, trembling with fear, went to the hermitage of Devarata.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.99.23)

तत्रापृच्छद्ब्रह्मवध्या मम जाता महामुने। आमूलांतं वधांतस्य कथयित्वा नराधिपः

tatrāpṛcchadbrahmavadhyā mama jātā mahāmune| āmūlāṁtaṁ vadhāṁtasya kathayitvā narādhipaḥ

There he said: 'O great sage, the sin of Brahmin-slaying has befallen me.' Having told the whole matter of the slaying from beginning to end, the king...

Verse 24 (skanda.5.99.24)

भृशं शोकपरीतात्मा रुरोद भृशदुःखितः। स ऋषिर्देवकल्पस्तु रुदंतं नृपसत्तमम्

bhṛśaṁ śokaparītātmā ruroda bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ| sa ṛṣirdevakalpastu rudaṁtaṁ nṛpasattamam

...overwhelmed with grief, wept most sorrowfully. That sage, godlike in nature, seeing the best of kings weeping...

Verse 25 (skanda.5.99.25)

उवाच मा भैर्नृपते अपनेष्यामि पातकम्। पाताले सुतलाख्ये तु निमज्जंती यथा धरा

uvāca mā bhairnṛpate apaneṣyāmi pātakam| pātāle sutalākhye tu nimajjaṁtī yathā dharā

...said: 'Fear not, O king, I shall remove your sin. Just as the earth, sinking into the netherworld called Sutala...'

Verse 26 (skanda.5.99.26)

उद्धृता देवदेवेन विष्णुना क्रोडमूर्त्तिना। तद्वद्भवंतं राजेंद्र ब्रह्महत्यापरिप्लुतम्। उद्धरिष्यति देवोऽसौ स्वयमेव जनार्दनः

uddhṛtā devadevena viṣṇunā kroḍamūrttinā| tadvadbhavaṁtaṁ rājeṁdra brahmahatyāpariplutam| uddhariṣyati devo'sau svayameva janārdanaḥ

'...was raised up by the god of gods, Vishnu, in his boar-form — even so, O king of kings, that same god Janardana shall himself deliver you, submerged as you are in the sin of Brahmin-slaying.'

Verse 27 (skanda.5.99.27)

एवमुक्तस्ततो राजा दुरितो वाक्यमब्रवीत

evamuktastato rājā durito vākyamabravīta

[Translator's note: this verse is incomplete in the source text — only a single line survives; the king's actual reply is not preserved in the original.] Thus addressed, the king, troubled by his sin, spoke these words — the remainder is missing from the source.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.99.28)

किमनेन द्विजेनैव निष्प्रभेण दुरात्मना। उद्धर्तुं नैव शक्नोति स्वयमेव द्विजाधमः

kimanena dvijenaiva niṣprabheṇa durātmanā| uddhartuṁ naiva śaknoti svayameva dvijādhamaḥ

'What use is this powerless, evil-minded Brahmin? This lowest of the twice-born cannot even save himself!'

Verse 29 (skanda.5.99.29)

इत्युक्त्वा '? खङ्गेनैव जघान तम्। मृतं दृष्ट्वा द्विजं राजा क्रोधेन कलुषीकृतः

ityuktvā '? khaṅgenaiva jaghāna tam| mṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā dvijaṁ rājā krodhena kaluṣīkṛtaḥ

[Translator's note: the source text itself marks a corrupt or illegible fragment here with a '?'.] So saying — a fragment of the source is missing or illegible here — he slew him with his sword. Seeing the Brahmin dead, the king, his mind clouded with wrath...

Verse 30 (skanda.5.99.30)

तस्मिन्नेव वने देवि पापसंघेन मोहितः। जघान कपिलां दोग्ध्रीं सवत्सां गालवस्य च

tasminneva vane devi pāpasaṁghena mohitaḥ| jaghāna kapilāṁ dogdhrīṁ savatsāṁ gālavasya ca

...in that same forest, O Devi, deluded by the weight of sin, killed a milking tawny cow together with her calf, belonging to the sage Galava.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.99.31)

क्षुधार्त्तश्च तृषार्त्तश्च बाल्यान्मोहाच्च साहसात्। क्रूरा बुद्धिः समभवज्जटीभूतं च पातकम्

kṣudhārttaśca tṛṣārttaśca bālyānmohācca sāhasāt| krūrā buddhiḥ samabhavajjaṭībhūtaṁ ca pātakam

Tormented by hunger and thirst, and out of youthful folly and recklessness, his mind grew cruel, and his sin became matted and tangled, like locks of hair.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.99.32)

जटीभूतेन पापेन बभ्राम गहने वने। स कदाचित्तुरंगेण हृतो दूरं महद्वनम्

jaṭībhūtena pāpena babhrāma gahane vane| sa kadācitturaṁgeṇa hṛto dūraṁ mahadvanam

Burdened by that matted sin, he wandered in the dense forest; once, carried far away by his horse, he came into a great forest.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.99.33)

व्याघ्रसिंहगजाकीर्णं मृगशंबरसेवितम्। एकाकी तत्र राजासावश्वं मुक्त्वा तरोरधः

vyāghrasiṁhagajākīrṇaṁ mṛgaśaṁbarasevitam| ekākī tatra rājāsāvaśvaṁ muktvā taroradhaḥ

It was filled with tigers, lions and elephants, frequented by deer and sambar. There, alone, the king released his horse and lay beneath a tree...

Verse 34 (skanda.5.99.34)

कुशोपरि तदा तत्र सुष्वाप च स निर्भयम्। तत्र व्याधाः समचरन्दृष्ट्वा सुप्तं च निर्भयम्

kuśopari tadā tatra suṣvāpa ca sa nirbhayam| tatra vyādhāḥ samacarandṛṣṭvā suptaṁ ca nirbhayam

...upon a bed of kusha grass, fearlessly. Hunters passing by saw him sleeping fearlessly there.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.99.35)

ते गतास्त्वरिता व्याधाः स्वभर्तुः कथनाय वै। स्वामिना तेन निर्दिष्टा निग्रहीतुं प्रचक्रमुः

te gatāstvaritā vyādhāḥ svabhartuḥ kathanāya vai| svāminā tena nirdiṣṭā nigrahītuṁ pracakramuḥ

Those hunters hurried away to report to their chief; and, directed by their master, they set out to seize him.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.99.36)

तावद्राज्ञः शरीरात्तु श्वेताऽऽभरणभूषिता। उत्थाय चक्रमादाय तया म्लेच्छाश्च पातिताः

tāvadrājñaḥ śarīrāttu śvetā''bharaṇabhūṣitā| utthāya cakramādāya tayā mlecchāśca pātitāḥ

But then, from the king's own body, a goddess adorned with white ornaments arose, and, taking up a discus, she struck down those barbarians.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.99.37)

दस्यून्निहत्य सा देवी तत्रैवादर्शनं गता

dasyūnnihatya sā devī tatraivādarśanaṁ gatā

Having slain the robbers, that goddess vanished then and there.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.99.38)

अथ राजा तया मुक्तः प्रतिबुद्धोऽथ तत्क्षणात्। म्लेच्छांश्च निहतान्दृष्ट्वा चिंतयामास पार्थिवः

atha rājā tayā muktaḥ pratibuddho'tha tatkṣaṇāt| mlecchāṁśca nihatāndṛṣṭvā ciṁtayāmāsa pārthivaḥ

Then the king, freed by her, awoke that very instant, and, seeing the slain barbarians, fell to thinking.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.99.39)

गोवध्या ब्रह्मवध्या च वने ह्यस्मिन्सुदारुणा। कथं मया नृशंसेन प्राप्ता पापपरंपरा

govadhyā brahmavadhyā ca vane hyasminsudāruṇā| kathaṁ mayā nṛśaṁsena prāptā pāpaparaṁparā

'How have I, so cruel, come to acquire this terrible succession of sins — the killing of a cow and the killing of a Brahmin — in this very forest?'

Verse 40 (skanda.5.99.40)

एवं स चिंतयित्वाथ निःश्वस्य च पुनःपुनः। तमेवाश्वं समारुह्य वामदेवाश्रमं ययौ

evaṁ sa ciṁtayitvātha niḥśvasya ca punaḥpunaḥ| tamevāśvaṁ samāruhya vāmadevāśramaṁ yayau

Thus reflecting, and sighing again and again, he mounted that same horse and went to the hermitage of Vamadeva.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.99.41)

मुनिना वामदेवेन दृष्टो राजा तथाविधः। जटीभूतेन पापेन पीडितो दुःखितस्तदा

muninā vāmadevena dṛṣṭo rājā tathāvidhaḥ| jaṭībhūtena pāpena pīḍito duḥkhitastadā

The sage Vamadeva beheld the king in that condition, afflicted and sorrowful, burdened with his matted sin.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.99.42)

वामदेव उवाच। अयं स पुरुषव्याघ्रो वीरधन्वा महीपतिः। सोमवंशसमुत्पन्नो दशां कष्टां समागतः

vāmadeva uvāca| ayaṁ sa puruṣavyāghro vīradhanvā mahīpatiḥ| somavaṁśasamutpanno daśāṁ kaṣṭāṁ samāgataḥ

Vamadeva said to himself: 'This is that tiger among men, King Viradhanva, born of the lunar dynasty, who has now come to a wretched state.'

Verse 43 (skanda.5.99.43)

उद्धरिष्यामि राजानमेनं पुरुषसत्तमम्। इत्यालोच्य तदा विप्रो वामदेवो महातपाः। प्रत्युवाच महीपालं वीरधन्वानमातुरम्

uddhariṣyāmi rājānamenaṁ puruṣasattamam| ityālocya tadā vipro vāmadevo mahātapāḥ| pratyuvāca mahīpālaṁ vīradhanvānamāturam

'I shall deliver this excellent king.' Having thus resolved, the Brahmin Vamadeva, of great austerity, spoke in reply to the afflicted King Viradhanva.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.99.44)

भोभो राजन्महीपाल वीरधन्वेति विश्रुतः। विदूरथस्य तनयो विख्यातो भुवनत्रये

bhobho rājanmahīpāla vīradhanveti viśrutaḥ| vidūrathasya tanayo vikhyāto bhuvanatraye

'O king, O protector of the earth, renowned as Viradhanva, son of Vidooratha, famed throughout the three worlds!'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.99.45)

प्राग्भवे व्याधरूपेण निहिथा विपिने मृगान्। दृढं जागरणं रात्रावामलक्यास्तरोरधः

prāgbhave vyādharūpeṇa nihithā vipine mṛgān| dṛḍhaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ rātrāvāmalakyāstaroradhaḥ

'In a former birth, in the guise of a hunter, you killed deer in the forest; yet you kept a firm night-vigil beneath an amalaka tree...'

Verse 46 (skanda.5.99.46)

फाल्गुनामलपक्षे त्वामलक्येकादशी शुभा। पुष्यर्क्षयोगिनी तस्यां जामदग्न्यप्रदक्षिणा

phālgunāmalapakṣe tvāmalakyekādaśī śubhā| puṣyarkṣayoginī tasyāṁ jāmadagnyapradakṣiṇā

'...on the auspicious Amalaka Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Phalguna, joined with the Pushya constellation, you circumambulated the tree of Jamadagni's son.'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.99.47)

पूजा लोकैः कृता दृष्टा विस्मयेन त्वया पुरा। अकामादुपवासोऽभूत्तस्यां जागरणं पुनः

pūjā lokaiḥ kṛtā dṛṣṭā vismayena tvayā purā| akāmādupavāso'bhūttasyāṁ jāgaraṇaṁ punaḥ

'You once beheld, with wonder, the worship performed there by the people; and, though unintentionally, you fasted and kept vigil that night as well.'

Verse 48 (skanda.5.99.48)

तत्प्रभावादभू राजा महाबलपराक्रमः। तया संरक्षितो राजन्म्लेच्छवर्गाद्वनेऽधुना

tatprabhāvādabhū rājā mahābalaparākramaḥ| tayā saṁrakṣito rājanmlecchavargādvane'dhunā

'By the power of that, O king, you became a man of great strength and valor; and by that same power you were, just now, protected in the forest from the band of barbarians.'

Verse 49 (skanda.5.99.49)

निहताः शत्रवः सर्वे तयैव शुभमाप्स्यसि। पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन ब्रह्महत्या समागता

nihatāḥ śatravaḥ sarve tayaiva śubhamāpsyasi| pūrvakarmavipākena brahmahatyā samāgatā

'All your enemies were slain by her; through her alone you shall attain good fortune. It is through the ripening of past deeds that the sin of Brahmin-slaying has come upon you.'

Verse 50 (skanda.5.99.50)

ज्ञाता तपःप्रभावेन मया योगबलेन च। जटीभूतं शरीरं ते पापसंघेन पार्थिव

jñātā tapaḥprabhāvena mayā yogabalena ca| jaṭībhūtaṁ śarīraṁ te pāpasaṁghena pārthiva

'By the power of my austerity and by the strength of yoga, I have come to know, O king, that your body has become matted through the accumulation of sin.'

Verse 51 (skanda.5.99.51)

इदानीं पालयिष्यामि शृणु मे वचनं परम्

idānīṁ pālayiṣyāmi śṛṇu me vacanaṁ param

'Now I shall protect you — listen to my supreme counsel.'

Verse 52 (skanda.5.99.52)

इत्युक्तो वामदेवेन् मुनिना स महीपतिः। प्रणम्य प्रयतो भूत्वा पप्रच्छ च पुनःपुनः

ityukto vāmadeven muninā sa mahīpatiḥ| praṇamya prayato bhūtvā papraccha ca punaḥpunaḥ

Thus addressed by the sage Vamadeva, the king, bowing and composing himself, asked him again and again.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.99.53)

कथं यास्यंति मे हत्या गोब्राह्मणसमुद्भवाः। उपदेशप्रदानेन प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि

kathaṁ yāsyaṁti me hatyā gobrāhmaṇasamudbhavāḥ| upadeśapradānena prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

'How shall the sins of killing a cow and a Brahmin depart from me? Please show me grace by giving me instruction.'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.99.54)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वाम देवो महामुनिः। कथयामास माहात्म्यं लिंगस्यास्य यशस्विनि

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vāma devo mahāmuniḥ| kathayāmāsa māhātmyaṁ liṁgasyāsya yaśasvini

Hearing his words, the great sage Vamadeva, O renowned one, told him of the greatness of this linga.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.99.55)

महाकालवनं गच्छ महाराज ममाज्ञया। तत्रास्ते देवदेवोऽपि जगद्व्यापी जटेश्वरः

mahākālavanaṁ gaccha mahārāja mamājñayā| tatrāste devadevo'pi jagadvyāpī jaṭeśvaraḥ

'Go, O great king, at my command, to the Mahakala forest; there dwells the god of gods, all-pervading Jateshvara.'

Verse 56 (skanda.5.99.56)

पापसंघप्रहर्त्ता च सर्ववेदेषु पठ्यते। देवस्यानरकेशस्य उत्तरे स व्यवस्थितः

pāpasaṁghapraharttā ca sarvavedeṣu paṭhyate| devasyānarakeśasya uttare sa vyavasthitaḥ

'He is proclaimed in all the Vedas as the destroyer of the mass of sin; he stands to the north of the god Anarakeshvara.'

Verse 57 (skanda.5.99.57)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वामदेवस्य पार्थिवः। आजगाम त्वरायुक्तो महाकालवनोत्तमे

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vāmadevasya pārthivaḥ| ājagāma tvarāyukto mahākālavanottame

Hearing these words of Vamadeva, the king went in haste to the excellent Mahakala forest.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.99.58)

तत्र दृष्ट्वा जगद्वंद्यं देवदेवं जटेश्वरम्। स्तुतिं चकार राजेंद्रो भक्त्या परमया पुनः

tatra dṛṣṭvā jagadvaṁdyaṁ devadevaṁ jaṭeśvaram| stutiṁ cakāra rājeṁdro bhaktyā paramayā punaḥ

There, beholding Jateshvara, the god of gods, worshipped by the whole world, the king offered praise once more, with the deepest devotion.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.99.59)

शिवाय ते नमो नित्यं विश्वकाय नमोनमः। नमो दिव्याय गुह्याय गूढव्रतशरीरिणे

śivāya te namo nityaṁ viśvakāya namonamaḥ| namo divyāya guhyāya gūḍhavrataśarīriṇe

'Eternal salutations to you, O Shiva; salutations again and again to you, maker of the universe. Salutations to the divine, the mysterious one, whose very body is a hidden vow.'

Verse 60 (skanda.5.99.60)

नमो जटाय रामाय माययाक्रांतकारिणे। नमोस्तु बहुरूपाय नमो नीलाभरूपिणे

namo jaṭāya rāmāya māyayākrāṁtakāriṇe| namostu bahurūpāya namo nīlābharūpiṇe

'Salutations to the matted-locked, the ever-delightful one, who acts through maya; salutations to the many-formed one, salutations to him of dark-blue radiant form.'

Verse 61 (skanda.5.99.61)

नमो भोगाय धूम्राय नमोऽस्तु गगनात्मने। नमो वह्निसमूहाय नमस्ते निर्मलाकर

namo bhogāya dhūmrāya namo'stu gaganātmane| namo vahnisamūhāya namaste nirmalākara

'Salutations to the enjoyer, the smoke-hued one; salutations to him whose self is the sky; salutations to the mass of fire; salutations to you, O source of purity.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.99.62)

नमो महांधकारार्क नमस्ते शत्रुघातिने। नमः संसारपाराय दिव्यरूपशरीरिणे। नमः कनकवर्णाय नमो मोहितमोहिने

namo mahāṁdhakārārka namaste śatrughātine| namaḥ saṁsārapārāya divyarūpaśarīriṇe| namaḥ kanakavarṇāya namo mohitamohine

'Salutations, O sun amid the great darkness; salutations to you, slayer of enemies; salutations to the one who carries all beyond the ocean of worldly existence, whose body is of divine form; salutations to the golden-hued one, who deludes even delusion itself.'

Verse 63 (skanda.5.99.63)

नमः सुरूपाय सुरार्चिताय नमो विरूपाय प्रकृतेः पराय। नमोनमो रूपनिराश्रयाय श्यामासुरूपाय नमोनमस्ते

namaḥ surūpāya surārcitāya namo virūpāya prakṛteḥ parāya| namonamo rūpanirāśrayāya śyāmāsurūpāya namonamaste

'Salutations to the beautiful one, worshipped by the gods; salutations to the formless one, beyond Prakriti. Salutations again and again to the one who rests on no form, of dark, mighty form — salutations, salutations to you.'

Verse 64 (skanda.5.99.64)

इति स्तुतस्तदा देवि महादेवो महेश्वरः। जटावेष्टितसर्वांगो लिंगमध्याच्च निस्सृतः

iti stutastadā devi mahādevo maheśvaraḥ| jaṭāveṣṭitasarvāṁgo liṁgamadhyācca nissṛtaḥ

Thus praised, O Devi, the great god Maheshvara, his whole form wrapped in matted locks, came forth from the midst of the linga.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.99.65)

भस्मचर्चितसर्वांगो भोगिभोगांगदोज्वलः। हिमराशिनिभाकारो राजताचलनिर्मलः

bhasmacarcitasarvāṁgo bhogibhogāṁgadojvalaḥ| himarāśinibhākāro rājatācalanirmalaḥ

His whole body was smeared with ash, radiant with serpent-hoods as armlets, in form like a mass of snow, pure and spotless like the silver mountain, Kailasa.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.99.66)

मुक्तालतानिभाभिस्तु जटाभिर्भूषितो विभुः। कपिलाभिः करालाभिर्विकटाभिश्च वेष्टितः

muktālatānibhābhistu jaṭābhirbhūṣito vibhuḥ| kapilābhiḥ karālābhirvikaṭābhiśca veṣṭitaḥ

The mighty lord was adorned with matted locks resembling strings of pearls, tawny, terrible and wild, in which he was enveloped.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.99.67)

भोगींद्रफणबद्धाभिः सितपीतादिभिस्तथा। नदीरूपाभिरूताभिः शोभितोऽसौ जटेश्वरः

bhogīṁdraphaṇabaddhābhiḥ sitapītādibhistathā| nadīrūpābhirūtābhiḥ śobhito'sau jaṭeśvaraḥ

He, Jateshvara, shone forth with locks bound with the hoods of the serpent-king, white, yellow and of other hues, flowing like rivers, resplendent.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.99.68)

राजानं प्रत्युवाचेदं वचनं पर्वतात्मजे। स्तोत्रेणानेन राजेंद्र तुष्टोऽहं तोषितस्त्वया

rājānaṁ pratyuvācedaṁ vacanaṁ parvatātmaje| stotreṇānena rājeṁdra tuṣṭo'haṁ toṣitastvayā

He spoke these words to the king, O daughter of the mountain: 'By this hymn, O king of kings, I am pleased; you have gratified me.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.99.69)

जटीभूतं च ते पापं गतं मद्दर्शनेन वै। तस्मात्स्थानं परं गच्छ मदीयं शाश्वतं मुदा

jaṭībhūtaṁ ca te pāpaṁ gataṁ maddarśanena vai| tasmātsthānaṁ paraṁ gaccha madīyaṁ śāśvataṁ mudā

'And your matted sin has departed through the sight of me. Therefore go, joyfully, to my supreme and eternal abode.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.99.70)

इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन वीरधन्वा महीपतिः। जगाम परमं स्थानं दाहप्रलयवर्जितम्

ityukto devadevena vīradhanvā mahīpatiḥ| jagāma paramaṁ sthānaṁ dāhapralayavarjitam

Thus addressed by the god of gods, King Viradhanva went to that supreme abode, free from burning and dissolution.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.99.71)

कामगेन विमानेन स्तूयमानो गणैः प्रिये। पापसंघेन मुक्तोऽसौ जटीभूतेशदर्शनात्

kāmagena vimānena stūyamāno gaṇaiḥ priye| pāpasaṁghena mukto'sau jaṭībhūteśadarśanāt

O beloved, upon a chariot that moved at will, praised by the Shiva-ganas, he, freed from his mass of sin through the sight of the lord who removes matted sin, ascended to that world.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.99.72)

लिंगश्चातः समाख्यातो नाम्ना देवो जटेश्वरः। जटेश्वरं वरारोहे ये पश्यंति सुभक्तितः। तेषां पापं जटीभूतं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

liṁgaścātaḥ samākhyāto nāmnā devo jaṭeśvaraḥ| jaṭeśvaraṁ varārohe ye paśyaṁti subhaktitaḥ| teṣāṁ pāpaṁ jaṭībhūtaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

Hence this linga-deity is named Jateshvara. O fair-hipped one, those who behold Jateshvara with true devotion — their matted sin is destroyed at that very instant.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.99.73)

येऽर्चयंति सदा देवि देवदेवं जटेश्वरम्। तेषां बलं प्रभावश्च सौभाग्यं च भविष्यति

ye'rcayaṁti sadā devi devadevaṁ jaṭeśvaram| teṣāṁ balaṁ prabhāvaśca saubhāgyaṁ ca bhaviṣyati

Those who ever worship, O Devi, the god of gods Jateshvara, will gain strength, glory and good fortune.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.99.74)

येप्यन्ये देवगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षस मानवाः। लिंगं च पूजयिष्यंतिं विधिवद्भक्तिभावतः

yepyanye devagandharvā yakṣarākṣasa mānavāḥ| liṁgaṁ ca pūjayiṣyaṁtiṁ vidhivadbhaktibhāvataḥ

And whoever else — gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas or men — worship this linga duly, with devotion...

Verse 75 (skanda.5.99.75)

तेऽपि कामानवाप्स्यन्ति यांश्च कांश्च सुदुर्लभान्। ऐश्वर्यं धर्ममतुलं दीर्घमायुररो गताम्

te'pi kāmānavāpsyanti yāṁśca kāṁśca sudurlabhān| aiśvaryaṁ dharmamatulaṁ dīrghamāyuraro gatām

...they too shall obtain whatever desires, however rare, they seek — sovereignty, incomparable dharma, long life free from illness...

Verse 76 (skanda.5.99.76)

निःसपत्नत्वमतुलं यच्चान्यत्तदवाप्नुयात्। पापिनः क्रूरकर्माणो येऽपि लिंगं समाश्रिताः। तेपि पापविनिर्मुक्ता भविष्यंति गत ज्वराः

niḥsapatnatvamatulaṁ yaccānyattadavāpnuyāt| pāpinaḥ krūrakarmāṇo ye'pi liṁgaṁ samāśritāḥ| tepi pāpavinirmuktā bhaviṣyaṁti gata jvarāḥ

...matchless freedom from rivals, and whatever else they desire. Even sinners of cruel deeds, if they take refuge in this linga, shall become freed of sin, their afflictions gone.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.99.77)

जटेश्वरं प्रपश्यंति भक्त्या ये च दिनेदिने। ते धर्मधनसौभाग्यैर्भविष्यंति समन्विताः

jaṭeśvaraṁ prapaśyaṁti bhaktyā ye ca dinedine| te dharmadhanasaubhāgyairbhaviṣyaṁti samanvitāḥ

Those who behold Jateshvara with devotion day after day shall be endowed with dharma, wealth and good fortune.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.99.78)

व्याधितो व्याधिना मुक्तो दुःखी दुःखात्प्रमुच्यते। दर्शनात्तु भवेत्सद्यः सर्वपातकवर्जितः

vyādhito vyādhinā mukto duḥkhī duḥkhātpramucyate| darśanāttu bhavetsadyaḥ sarvapātakavarjitaḥ

The diseased is freed of disease, the sorrowful is freed of sorrow; through his sight, one at once becomes free of all sin.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.99.79)

जटेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं ये पठिष्यंति पार्वति। श्रोष्यंति येऽपि मद्भक्त्या प्रयताः श्रद्धयान्विताः

jaṭeśvarasya māhātmyaṁ ye paṭhiṣyaṁti pārvati| śroṣyaṁti ye'pi madbhaktyā prayatāḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ

O Parvati, those who shall recite the greatness of Jateshvara, and those too who, disciplined and full of faith, shall hear it with devotion to me...

Verse 80 (skanda.5.99.80)

ते सर्वकामानाप्स्यंति गतिमंते च मत्पुरे। या नारी दुर्भगा सापि सौभाग्यं लभते सदा

te sarvakāmānāpsyaṁti gatimaṁte ca matpure| yā nārī durbhagā sāpi saubhāgyaṁ labhate sadā

...shall obtain all their desires, and in the end attain my city. Even an unfortunate woman shall always obtain good fortune through this.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.99.81)

गुर्विणी लभते पुत्रमरोगं श्रुतिभूषणम्। शिशुग्रहाश्च नश्यंति नापमृत्युभयं भवेत्

gurviṇī labhate putramarogaṁ śrutibhūṣaṇam| śiśugrahāśca naśyaṁti nāpamṛtyubhayaṁ bhavet

A pregnant woman obtains a healthy son, adorned with learning; the evil planetary influences upon infants are destroyed, and there is no fear of untimely death.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.99.82)

मांगल्यमिदमायुष्यं धर्मकामाश्रयं महत्। दुःस्वप्नजं भयं घोरं पापजं याति संक्षयम्

māṁgalyamidamāyuṣyaṁ dharmakāmāśrayaṁ mahat| duḥsvapnajaṁ bhayaṁ ghoraṁ pāpajaṁ yāti saṁkṣayam

This is auspicious, life-giving, a great refuge of dharma and desire; the terrible fear born of bad dreams, and that born of sin, is utterly destroyed.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.99.83)

दुर्भुक्तं दुर्जनस्पर्शं यच्चाल्पायुःकरं भवेत्। लिंगाख्यानकथां श्रुत्वा विनश्यति न संशयः

durbhuktaṁ durjanasparśaṁ yaccālpāyuḥkaraṁ bhavet| liṁgākhyānakathāṁ śrutvā vinaśyati na saṁśayaḥ

Whatever ill effect comes from improper food, or contact with wicked persons, or that which shortens life — upon hearing this narrative of the linga, it is destroyed, without doubt.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.99.84)

श्राद्धेषु यः पठेदेतां जटेश्वरकथां शुभाम्। तदक्षयं भवेच्छ्राद्धं पितॄणां प्रीतिवर्द्धनम्

śrāddheṣu yaḥ paṭhedetāṁ jaṭeśvarakathāṁ śubhām| tadakṣayaṁ bhavecchrāddhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ prītivarddhanam

Whoever recites this auspicious tale of Jateshvara during shraddha rites, that shraddha becomes imperishable, increasing the satisfaction of the ancestors.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.99.85)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। जटेश्वरस्य देवस्य शृणु रामेश्वरं शिवम्

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| jaṭeśvarasya devasya śṛṇu rāmeśvaraṁ śivam

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