The Origin of the Linga at Hatakeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.1.1)

ॐ नमः पुरुषोत्तमाय॥ अथ स्कान्दे महापुराणे षष्ठं नागरखण्डप्रारम्भः॥ व्यास उवाच॥ स धूर्जटिजटाजूटो जायतां विजयाय वः। यत्रैकपलितभ्रांतिं करोत्यद्यापि जाह्नवी

oṁ namaḥ puruṣottamāya|| atha skānde mahāpurāṇe ṣaṣṭhaṁ nāgarakhaṇḍaprārambhaḥ|| vyāsa uvāca|| sa dhūrjaṭijaṭājūṭo jāyatāṁ vijayāya vaḥ| yatraikapalitabhrāṁtiṁ karotyadyāpi jāhnavī

Om, salutation to Purushottama. Here begins the sixth, the Nagara Khanda, of the glorious Skanda Mahapurana. Vyasa said: May the matted locks of Dhurjati bring you victory — locks in which the Ganga, even now, seems but a single strand of grey.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.1.2)

ऋषय ऊचुः। हरस्य पूज्यते लिंगं कस्मादतन्महामते विशेषात्संपरित्यज्य शेषांगानि सुरासुरैः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| harasya pūjyate liṁgaṁ kasmādatanmahāmate viśeṣātsaṁparityajya śeṣāṁgāni surāsuraiḥ

The sages said: O greatly wise one, why is it that gods and demons alike worship specifically the Linga of Hara, setting aside all his other limbs?

Verse 3 (skanda.6.1.3)

तस्मादेतन्महाबाहो यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि। सांप्रतं सूत कार्त्स्न्येन परं कौतूहलं हि नः

tasmādetanmahābāho yathāvadvaktumarhasi| sāṁprataṁ sūta kārtsnyena paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

Therefore, O mighty-armed Suta, tell us this fully and truly right now — for we are consumed with great curiosity about it.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.1.4)

सूत उवाच। प्रश्नभारो महानेष यो भवद्भिरुदाहृतः। कीर्तयिष्ये तथाप्येनं नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे

sūta uvāca| praśnabhāro mahāneṣa yo bhavadbhirudāhṛtaḥ| kīrtayiṣye tathāpyenaṁ namaskṛtya svayaṁbhuve

Suta said: The question you have posed is indeed a weighty one. Yet, having bowed to the Self-born Brahma, I shall now relate it.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.1.5)

आनर्तविषये चास्ति वनं मुनिजनाश्रयम्। मनोज्ञं सर्वसत्त्वानां सर्वर्तुफलितद्रुमम्

ānartaviṣaye cāsti vanaṁ munijanāśrayam| manojñaṁ sarvasattvānāṁ sarvartuphalitadrumam

In the land of Anarta there lies a forest, a refuge for sages, delightful to every creature, its trees bearing fruit in all seasons.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.1.6)

तत्राश्रमपदं रम्यं सौम्यसत्त्वनिषेवितम्। अस्ति तापससंकीर्णं वेदध्वनिविराजितम्

tatrāśramapadaṁ ramyaṁ saumyasattvaniṣevitam| asti tāpasasaṁkīrṇaṁ vedadhvanivirājitam

There lies a beautiful hermitage, frequented by gentle beings, crowded with ascetics, and resplendent with the sound of Vedic recitation.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.1.7)

अब्भक्षैर्वायुभक्षैश्च शीर्णपर्णाशिभिस्तथा। दन्तोलूखलिभिर्विप्रैः सेवितं चाश्मकुट्टकैः

abbhakṣairvāyubhakṣaiśca śīrṇaparṇāśibhistathā| dantolūkhalibhirvipraiḥ sevitaṁ cāśmakuṭṭakaiḥ

It was frequented by those who lived on water alone, on air alone, and on fallen leaves; by brahmins who used their own teeth as a pestle, and by those who pounded their grain between stones.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.1.8)

स्नानहोमपरैश्चैव जपस्वाध्यायतत्परैः। वानप्रस्थैस्त्रिदण्डैश्च हंसैश्चापि कुटीचरैः

snānahomaparaiścaiva japasvādhyāyatatparaiḥ| vānaprasthaistridaṇḍaiśca haṁsaiścāpi kuṭīcaraiḥ

It was frequented by those devoted to bathing and fire-rites, absorbed in prayer and recitation, by forest hermits, by triple-staff-bearing renunciants, and by wandering ascetics of the hansa and kutichara orders.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.1.9)

स्नातकैर्यतिभिर्दान्तैस्तथा पंचाग्निसाधकैः। कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भगवांस्त्रिपुरांतकः

snātakairyatibhirdāntaistathā paṁcāgnisādhakaiḥ| kasyacittvatha kālasya bhagavāṁstripurāṁtakaḥ

by graduate brahmins, by self-controlled ascetics, and by practitioners of the five-fire austerity. Now, at a certain time, the Lord, the Destroyer of Tripura —

Verse 10 (skanda.6.1.10)

सतीवियोगसंतप्तो भ्रममाण इतस्ततः। तस्मिन्वने समायातः सौम्यसत्त्वनिषेविते

satīviyogasaṁtapto bhramamāṇa itastataḥ| tasminvane samāyātaḥ saumyasattvaniṣevite

— tormented by grief at his separation from Sati, wandering aimlessly from place to place, arrived at that forest frequented by gentle beings.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.1.11)

क्रीडंति नकुला यत्र सार्धं सर्पैः प्रहर्षिताः। पञ्चाननाश्च मातंगैर्वृषदंशास्तथाखुभिः। काकाः कौशिकसंघैश्च वैरभावविवर्जिताः

krīḍaṁti nakulā yatra sārdhaṁ sarpaiḥ praharṣitāḥ| pañcānanāśca mātaṁgairvṛṣadaṁśāstathākhubhiḥ| kākāḥ kauśikasaṁghaiśca vairabhāvavivarjitāḥ

There, mongooses play joyfully with serpents, lions with elephants, cats with mice, and crows with flocks of owls — all natural enmity between them set aside.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.1.12)

ततश्च भगवान्रुद्रो दृष्ट्वाश्रमपदं तदा। नग्नः कपालमादाय भिक्षार्थं प्रविवेश सः

tataśca bhagavānrudro dṛṣṭvāśramapadaṁ tadā| nagnaḥ kapālamādāya bhikṣārthaṁ praviveśa saḥ

Then Lord Rudra, upon seeing that hermitage, entered it naked, bearing a skull in his hand, seeking alms.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.1.13)

अथ तस्य समालोक्य रूपं गात्रसमुद्भवम्। अदृष्टपूर्वं तापस्यः सर्वाः कामवशं गताः

atha tasya samālokya rūpaṁ gātrasamudbhavam| adṛṣṭapūrvaṁ tāpasyaḥ sarvāḥ kāmavaśaṁ gatāḥ

Then, seeing that unprecedented form arising from his very body, all the female ascetics there fell under the sway of desire.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.1.14)

गृहकर्म परित्यज्य गुरुशुश्रूषणानि च। मिथः संभाषणं चक्रुः स्थानेस्थाने च ताः स्थिताः

gṛhakarma parityajya guruśuśrūṣaṇāni ca| mithaḥ saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ cakruḥ sthānesthāne ca tāḥ sthitāḥ

Abandoning their household chores and their service to their elders, they fell to talking among themselves, standing about here and there.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.1.15)

एका सा कापि धन्या या चक्रे तस्यावगूहनम्। विश्रब्धा सर्वगात्रेषु तापसस्य महात्मनः

ekā sā kāpi dhanyā yā cakre tasyāvagūhanam| viśrabdhā sarvagātreṣu tāpasasya mahātmanaḥ

One fortunate woman among them boldly embraced that great ascetic, without restraint, clasping his whole body.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.1.16)

तथान्याः कौतुकाविष्टा धावंत्यः सर्वतोदिशम्। दृश्यंते तं समुद्दिश्य विस्तारितविलोचनाः

tathānyāḥ kautukāviṣṭā dhāvaṁtyaḥ sarvatodiśam| dṛśyaṁte taṁ samuddiśya vistāritavilocanāḥ

Others, overcome with curiosity, were seen running toward him from every direction, their eyes wide with wonder.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.1.17)

काश्चिदर्द्धानुलिप्तांग्यः काश्चिदेकांजितेक्षणाः। अर्धसंयमितैः कैशैस्तथान्यास्त्यक्तबालकाः

kāścidarddhānuliptāṁgyaḥ kāścidekāṁjitekṣaṇāḥ| ardhasaṁyamitaiḥ kaiśaistathānyāstyaktabālakāḥ

Some had anointed only half their bodies, some had lined only one eye with collyrium, others had bound their hair only halfway, and still others abandoned their own infants.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.1.18)

एवमालोक्यमानः स कामिनीभिर्महेश्वरः। बभ्राम राजमार्गेण भिक्षां देहीति कीर्तयन्

evamālokyamānaḥ sa kāminībhirmaheśvaraḥ| babhrāma rājamārgeṇa bhikṣāṁ dehīti kīrtayan

Thus gazed upon by those love-struck women, Maheshvara wandered along the royal road, calling out, "Give alms!"

Verse 19 (skanda.6.1.19)

अथ ते मुनयो दृष्ट्वा तं तथा विगतांबरम्। कामोद्भवकरंस्त्रीणां प्रोचुः कोपारुणेक्षणाः

atha te munayo dṛṣṭvā taṁ tathā vigatāṁbaram| kāmodbhavakaraṁstrīṇāṁ procuḥ kopāruṇekṣaṇāḥ

Then those sages, seeing him unclothed and thus arousing passion in their women, spoke out, their eyes red with fury.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.1.20)

यस्मात्पाप त्वयास्माकमाश्रमोऽयं विडंबितः। तस्माल्लिंगं पतत्वाशु तवैव वसुधातले

yasmātpāpa tvayāsmākamāśramo'yaṁ viḍaṁbitaḥ| tasmālliṁgaṁ patatvāśu tavaiva vasudhātale

Since you, O sinner, have thus disgraced our hermitage, let your very Linga fall at once upon the earth!

Verse 21 (skanda.6.1.21)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे भूमौ लिंगं तस्य पपात तत्। भित्त्वाथ धरणीपृष्ठं पातालं प्रविवेश ह

etasminnaṁtare bhūmau liṁgaṁ tasya papāta tat| bhittvātha dharaṇīpṛṣṭhaṁ pātālaṁ praviveśa ha

At that very instant his Linga fell to the ground and, splitting the earth's surface, sank down into the netherworld.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.1.22)

सोऽपि लिंगपरित्यक्तो लज्जायुक्तो महेश्वरः। गर्तां गुर्वीं समाश्रित्य भ्रूणरूपः समाविशत्

so'pi liṁgaparityakto lajjāyukto maheśvaraḥ| gartāṁ gurvīṁ samāśritya bhrūṇarūpaḥ samāviśat

Maheshvara too, now bereft of his Linga and overwhelmed with shame, took refuge in a deep pit, entering it in the form of an embryo.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.1.23)

अथ लिंगस्य पातेन त्रैलोक्यभयशंसिनः। उत्पाता दारुणास्तस्थुः सर्वत्र द्विजसत्तमाः

atha liṁgasya pātena trailokyabhayaśaṁsinaḥ| utpātā dāruṇāstasthuḥ sarvatra dvijasattamāḥ

Then, because of the Linga's fall, dreadful omens portending danger to the three worlds arose everywhere, O best of brahmins.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.1.24)

शीर्यते गिरिशृङ्गाणि पतंत्युल्का दिवापि च। त्यजंति सागराः सर्वे मर्यादां च शनैः शनैः

śīryate giriśṛṅgāṇi pataṁtyulkā divāpi ca| tyajaṁti sāgarāḥ sarve maryādāṁ ca śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

Mountain peaks crumbled, meteors fell even in broad daylight, and all the oceans slowly began to overstep their boundaries.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.1.25)

अथ देवगणाः सर्वे भयसंत्रस्तमानसाः। शक्रविष्णुमुखा जग्मुर्यत्र देवः पितामहः

atha devagaṇāḥ sarve bhayasaṁtrastamānasāḥ| śakraviṣṇumukhā jagmuryatra devaḥ pitāmahaḥ

Then all the hosts of gods, their minds seized with terror, led by Indra and Vishnu, went to where the god Brahma, the Grandsire, resided.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.1.26)

प्रोचुश्च प्रणताः स्तुत्वा स्तोत्रैः सुश्रुतिसंभवैः। त्रैलोक्ये सृष्टिरूपं यत्कमलासनसंस्थितम्

procuśca praṇatāḥ stutvā stotraiḥ suśrutisaṁbhavaiḥ| trailokye sṛṣṭirūpaṁ yatkamalāsanasaṁsthitam

Bowing down, praising him with hymns drawn from the scriptures — him who, seated on the lotus throne, is the very form of creation in the three worlds — they said:

Verse 27 (skanda.6.1.27)

किमिदं किमिदं देव वर्तते ह्यधरोत्तरम्। त्रैलोक्यं सकलं येन व्याकुलत्वमुपागतम्

kimidaṁ kimidaṁ deva vartate hyadharottaram| trailokyaṁ sakalaṁ yena vyākulatvamupāgatam

What is this, O god, what is happening, that everything is turned upside down and the whole of the three worlds has fallen into turmoil?

Verse 28 (skanda.6.1.28)

प्रलयस्येव चिह्नानि दृश्यंते पद्मसंभव। किं सांप्रतमकालेऽपि भविष्यति परिक्षयः

pralayasyeva cihnāni dṛśyaṁte padmasaṁbhava| kiṁ sāṁpratamakāle'pi bhaviṣyati parikṣayaḥ

Signs resembling those of the great dissolution are appearing, O Lotus-born one. Will utter destruction now come to pass, even though its time has not arrived?

Verse 29 (skanda.6.1.29)

सर्वेषां सुरमर्त्यानां दैत्यानां मन्त्रकोविदः। गतिर्भयार्तदेहानां सर्वलोकपितामहः

sarveṣāṁ suramartyānāṁ daityānāṁ mantrakovidaḥ| gatirbhayārtadehānāṁ sarvalokapitāmahaḥ

You, wise in counsel, are the refuge of all gods, men, and demons, and of every being whose body is stricken with fear — you are the Grandsire of all the worlds.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.1.30)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवानां चतुराननः। उवाच सुचिरं ध्यात्वा ज्ञात्वा दिव्येन चक्षुषा

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā devānāṁ caturānanaḥ| uvāca suciraṁ dhyātvā jñātvā divyena cakṣuṣā

Having heard these words of the gods, the four-faced Brahma, after meditating deeply for a long while and perceiving the truth with his divine eye, spoke.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.1.31)

प्रलयस्य न कालोऽयं सांप्रतं सुरसत्तमाः। शृणुध्वं यन्निमित्तोत्था महोत्पाता भवन्त्यमी

pralayasya na kālo'yaṁ sāṁprataṁ surasattamāḥ| śṛṇudhvaṁ yannimittotthā mahotpātā bhavantyamī

This is not the time of dissolution, O best of gods. Listen now to the cause from which these great portents have arisen.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.1.32)

ऋषिभिः पातितं लिंगं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः। शापेनानर्तके देशे कलत्रार्थे महात्मभिः

ṛṣibhiḥ pātitaṁ liṁgaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ| śāpenānartake deśe kalatrārthe mahātmabhiḥ

Great sages in the land of Anarta, on account of what happened with their wives, have pronounced a curse that has made the Linga of the trident-bearing God of gods fall to earth.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.1.33)

तेनैतद्व्याकुलीभूतं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। तस्माद्गच्छामहे तत्र यत्र देवो महेश्वरः

tenaitadvyākulībhūtaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram| tasmādgacchāmahe tatra yatra devo maheśvaraḥ

Because of this, the entire three worlds, with all that moves and does not move, have been thrown into disorder. Let us therefore go to where the god Maheshvara is.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.1.34)

येनास्मद्वचनाच्छीघ्रं तल्लिंगं निदधाति सः। नो चेद्भविष्यति व्यक्तमकाले चापि संक्षयः। त्रैलोक्यस्यापि कृत्स्नस्य सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

yenāsmadvacanācchīghraṁ talliṁgaṁ nidadhāti saḥ| no cedbhaviṣyati vyaktamakāle cāpi saṁkṣayaḥ| trailokyasyāpi kṛtsnasya satyametanmayoditam

So that, at our request, he may quickly take up that Linga again. Otherwise the utter destruction of all three worlds will surely come, even before its time — this I speak in truth.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.1.35)

अथ देवगणाः सर्वे ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरःसराः। आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा विश्वेदेवास्तथाश्विनौ

atha devagaṇāḥ sarve brahmaviṣṇupuraḥsarāḥ| ādityā vasavo rudrā viśvedevāstathāśvinau

Then all the hosts of gods, led by Brahma and Vishnu — the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Vishvedevas, and the twin Ashvins —

Verse 36 (skanda.6.1.36)

प्रजग्मुस्त्वरितास्तत्र यत्र देवो महेश्वरः। गर्तामध्यगतः सुप्तो लज्जया परया वृतः

prajagmustvaritāstatra yatra devo maheśvaraḥ| gartāmadhyagataḥ supto lajjayā parayā vṛtaḥ

— hurried to that place where the god Maheshvara lay, as if asleep, inside the pit, overwhelmed with utter shame.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.1.37)

देवा ऊचुः। नमस्ते देवदेवेश भक्तानामभयप्रद। नमस्ते जगदाधार शशिराजितशेखर

devā ūcuḥ| namaste devadeveśa bhaktānāmabhayaprada| namaste jagadādhāra śaśirājitaśekhara

The gods said: Salutation to you, O Lord of gods, granter of fearlessness to your devotees! Salutation to you, sustainer of the universe, your crown adorned with the moon!

Verse 38 (skanda.6.1.38)

त्वं यज्ञस्त्वं वषट्कारस्त्वमापस्त्वं मही विभो। त्वया सृष्टमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

tvaṁ yajñastvaṁ vaṣaṭkārastvamāpastvaṁ mahī vibho| tvayā sṛṣṭamidaṁ sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

You are the sacrifice, you are the sacred exclamation Vashat, you are the waters, you are the earth, O mighty Lord. By you this entire universe, with all that moves and does not move, has been created.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.1.39)

त्वं पासि च सुरश्रेष्ठ तथा नाशं नयिष्यसि। त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं चतुर्वक्त्रस्त्वं चंद्रस्त्वं दिवाकरः

tvaṁ pāsi ca suraśreṣṭha tathā nāśaṁ nayiṣyasi| tvaṁ viṣṇustvaṁ caturvaktrastvaṁ caṁdrastvaṁ divākaraḥ

You protect it, O best of gods, and it is you who will bring it to its end. You are Vishnu, you are four-faced Brahma, you are the moon, you are the sun.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.1.40)

त्वया विना महादेव न किंचिदिह विद्यते। अपि कृत्वा महत्पापं नरो देव धरातले

tvayā vinā mahādeva na kiṁcidiha vidyate| api kṛtvā mahatpāpaṁ naro deva dharātale

Without you, O Mahadeva, nothing here exists at all. Even if a man on this earth has committed the gravest sin, O god —

Verse 41 (skanda.6.1.41)

तव नामापि संकीर्त्य प्रयाति त्रिदिवालयम्। महादेव महादेव महादेवेति कीर्तनात्

tava nāmāpi saṁkīrtya prayāti tridivālayam| mahādeva mahādeva mahādeveti kīrtanāt

— merely by uttering your name he attains the abode of heaven; simply by chanting "Mahadeva, Mahadeva, Mahadeva" —

Verse 42 (skanda.6.1.42)

कोटयो ब्रह्महत्यानामगम्यागमकोटयः। सद्यः प्रलयमायांति महादेवेति कीर्तनात्

koṭayo brahmahatyānāmagamyāgamakoṭayaḥ| sadyaḥ pralayamāyāṁti mahādeveti kīrtanāt

— crores of the sin of brahmin-slaying, and crores of the sin of forbidden union, are instantly destroyed simply by chanting "Mahadeva."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.1.43)

विप्रो यथा मनुष्याणां नदीनां वा महार्णवः। तथा त्वं सर्वदेवानामाधिपत्ये व्यवस्थितः

vipro yathā manuṣyāṇāṁ nadīnāṁ vā mahārṇavaḥ| tathā tvaṁ sarvadevānāmādhipatye vyavasthitaḥ

As the brahmin is foremost among men, or the great ocean is foremost among rivers, so are you established in sovereignty over all the gods.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.1.44)

नक्षत्राणां यथा चंद्रः प्रदीप्तानां दिवाकरः। तथा त्वं सर्वदेवानामाधिपत्ये व्यवस्थितः

nakṣatrāṇāṁ yathā caṁdraḥ pradīptānāṁ divākaraḥ| tathā tvaṁ sarvadevānāmādhipatye vyavasthitaḥ

As the moon is foremost among the stars, or the sun among all radiant things, so are you established in sovereignty over all the gods.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.1.45)

धातूनां कांचनं यद्वद्गंधर्वाणां च नारदः। तथा त्वं सर्वदेवानामाधिपत्ये व्यवस्थितः

dhātūnāṁ kāṁcanaṁ yadvadgaṁdharvāṇāṁ ca nāradaḥ| tathā tvaṁ sarvadevānāmādhipatye vyavasthitaḥ

As gold is foremost among metals, or Narada among the Gandharvas, so are you established in sovereignty over all the gods.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.1.46)

ओषधीनां यथा सस्यं नगानां हेमपर्वतः। तथा त्वं सर्वदेवानामाधिपत्ये व्यवस्थितः

oṣadhīnāṁ yathā sasyaṁ nagānāṁ hemaparvataḥ| tathā tvaṁ sarvadevānāmādhipatye vyavasthitaḥ

As grain is foremost among herbs, or the golden mountain, Meru, among all mountains, so are you established in sovereignty over all the gods.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.1.47)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं नः सर्वेषां च नृणां विभो। संधारय पुनर्लिंगं स्वकीयं सुरसत्तम

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ naḥ sarveṣāṁ ca nṛṇāṁ vibho| saṁdhāraya punarliṁgaṁ svakīyaṁ surasattama

Therefore, O mighty Lord, show grace to us and to all humankind. Take up once more your own Linga, O best of gods.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.1.48)

नोचेज्जगत्त्रयं देव नूनं नाशममुपेष्यति। यद्येतद्भूतले लिङ्गं पतति स्थास्यति प्रभो

nocejjagattrayaṁ deva nūnaṁ nāśamamupeṣyati| yadyetadbhūtale liṅgaṁ patati sthāsyati prabho

Otherwise, O god, the three worlds will surely be destroyed. If this Linga, having fallen, remains lying on the earth, O Lord —

Verse 49 (skanda.6.1.49)

सूत उवाच। तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भगवान्बृषभध्वजः। प्रोवाच प्रणतान्सर्वांस्तान्देवान्व्रीडयान्वितः

sūta uvāca| teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhagavānbṛṣabhadhvajaḥ| provāca praṇatānsarvāṁstāndevānvrīḍayānvitaḥ

Suta said: Having heard these words, the Lord who bears the bull on his banner, overwhelmed with shame, addressed all those gods bowed before him.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.1.50)

मया सतीवियोगार्तियुक्तेन सुरसत्तम। लिंगमेतत्परित्यक्तं शापव्याजाद्द्विजन्मनाम्

mayā satīviyogārtiyuktena surasattama| liṁgametatparityaktaṁ śāpavyājāddvijanmanām

O best of gods, tormented by grief over my separation from Sati, I abandoned this Linga, using the curse of the twice-born merely as a pretext.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.1.51)

कोऽलं पातयितुं लिंगं ममैतद्भुवनत्रये। देवो वा ब्राह्मणो वापि वेत्थ यूयमपि स्फुटम्

ko'laṁ pātayituṁ liṁgaṁ mamaitadbhuvanatraye| devo vā brāhmaṇo vāpi vettha yūyamapi sphuṭam

Who indeed in the three worlds — be it a god or a brahmin — has the power to make this Linga of mine fall? You yourselves know this well.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.1.52)

तस्मान्नैव धरिष्यामि लिंगमेतद्धरातलात्। किमनेन करिष्यामि भार्यया परिवर्जितः

tasmānnaiva dhariṣyāmi liṁgametaddharātalāt| kimanena kariṣyāmi bhāryayā parivarjitaḥ

Therefore I shall not take up this Linga from the earth's surface. Bereft of my wife, what use is it to me?

Verse 53 (skanda.6.1.53)

देवा ऊचुः। तव कांता सती नाम या मृता प्राक्सुरोत्तम। सा जाता मेनकागर्भे गौरी नाम हिमाचलात्

devā ūcuḥ| tava kāṁtā satī nāma yā mṛtā prāksurottama| sā jātā menakāgarbhe gaurī nāma himācalāt

The gods said: O best of gods, your beloved Sati, who died before, has now been born again — from the womb of Menaka, by Himachala — under the name Gauri.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.1.54)

भविष्यति पुनर्भार्या तवैव त्रिपुरांतक। तस्माल्लिंगं समादाय कुरु क्षेमं दिवौकसाम्

bhaviṣyati punarbhāryā tavaiva tripurāṁtaka| tasmālliṁgaṁ samādāya kuru kṣemaṁ divaukasām

She will once again become your wife, O Destroyer of Tripura. Therefore take up your Linga, and grant well-being to the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.1.55)

देवदेव उवाच। अद्यप्रभृति मे लिंगं यदि देवा द्विजातयः। पूजयंति प्रयत्नेन तर्हीदं धारयाम्यहम्

devadeva uvāca| adyaprabhṛti me liṁgaṁ yadi devā dvijātayaḥ| pūjayaṁti prayatnena tarhīdaṁ dhārayāmyaham

The God of gods said: If, from this day on, the gods and the twice-born worship this Linga of mine with diligence, then I shall take it up.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.1.56)

ब्रह्मोवाच। अहं तव स्वयं लिंगं पूजयिष्यामि शंकर। तथान्ये विबुधाः सर्वे किं पुनर्भुवि मानवाः

brahmovāca| ahaṁ tava svayaṁ liṁgaṁ pūjayiṣyāmi śaṁkara| tathānye vibudhāḥ sarve kiṁ punarbhuvi mānavāḥ

Brahma said: I myself, O Shankara, shall worship your Linga, as will all the other gods — how much more, then, will men on this earth do so?

Verse 57 (skanda.6.1.57)

ततः प्रविश्य पातालं देवैः सार्धं पितामहः। स्वयमेवाकरोत्पूजां तस्य लिंगस्य भक्तितः

tataḥ praviśya pātālaṁ devaiḥ sārdhaṁ pitāmahaḥ| svayamevākarotpūjāṁ tasya liṁgasya bhaktitaḥ

Then the Grandsire, entering the netherworld together with the gods, himself performed worship of that Linga with devotion.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.1.58)

तस्मादनंतरं विष्णुः श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा। तथान्ये विबुधाः सर्वे शक्राद्याः श्रद्धयान्विताः

tasmādanaṁtaraṁ viṣṇuḥ śraddhāpūtena cetasā| tathānye vibudhāḥ sarve śakrādyāḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ

After him Vishnu too, his heart purified by faith, worshipped it, and so did all the other gods headed by Indra, filled with devotion.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.1.59)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवः पितामहमिदं वचः। प्रोवाच वासुदेवं च विनयावनतं स्थितम्

tatastuṣṭo mahādevaḥ pitāmahamidaṁ vacaḥ| provāca vāsudevaṁ ca vinayāvanataṁ sthitam

Then Mahadeva, well pleased, spoke these words to the Grandsire and to Vasudeva, who stood there bowed in humility.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.1.60)

भवद्भ्यां परितुष्टोऽस्मि तस्मान्मत्तः प्रगृह्यताम्। वरमिष्टं महाभागौ यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

bhavadbhyāṁ parituṣṭo'smi tasmānmattaḥ pragṛhyatām| varamiṣṭaṁ mahābhāgau yadyapi syātsudurlabham

I am well pleased with you both; therefore, O most fortunate ones, receive from me whatever boon you desire, however hard it may be to obtain.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.1.61)

तावूचतुः। यदि तुष्टोसि देवेश त्रिभागेन समाश्रयम्। आवाभ्यां देहि लिंगेन येनैकत्राश्रयो भवेत्

tāvūcatuḥ| yadi tuṣṭosi deveśa tribhāgena samāśrayam| āvābhyāṁ dehi liṁgena yenaikatrāśrayo bhavet

Both of them said: If you are pleased, O Lord of gods, grant us both a share, one-third each, in the Linga, so that we may dwell together in one place.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.1.62)

सूत उवाच। स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय लिंगमादाय च प्रभुः। स्थाने नियोजयामास सर्वदेवाधिपूजितम्

sūta uvāca| sa tatheti pratijñāya liṁgamādāya ca prabhuḥ| sthāne niyojayāmāsa sarvadevādhipūjitam

Suta said: The Lord, saying "So be it," took up the Linga and established it in that very place, to be worshipped by all the gods.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.1.63)

ततो हाटकमादाय तदाकारं पितामहः। कृत्वा लिंगं स्वयं तत्र स्थापयामास हर्षितः

tato hāṭakamādāya tadākāraṁ pitāmahaḥ| kṛtvā liṁgaṁ svayaṁ tatra sthāpayāmāsa harṣitaḥ

Then the Grandsire, taking gold and shaping it in that same form, himself joyfully set up a Linga there.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.1.64)

प्रोवाच चाथ भो विप्राः साधुनादेन नादयन्। लोकत्रयं समस्तानां शृण्वतां त्रिदिवौकसाम्

provāca cātha bho viprāḥ sādhunādena nādayan| lokatrayaṁ samastānāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ tridivaukasām

Then, his proclamation resounding auspiciously through the three worlds, in the hearing of all the assembled gods, he declared: "O brahmins!"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.1.65)

मया ह्याद्यं त्विदं लिंगं हाटकेन विनिर्मितम्। ख्यातिं यास्यति सर्वत्र पाताले हाटकेश्वरम्

mayā hyādyaṁ tvidaṁ liṁgaṁ hāṭakena vinirmitam| khyātiṁ yāsyati sarvatra pātāle hāṭakeśvaram

"This very first Linga, fashioned by me from gold, will become famous everywhere in the netherworld as Hatakeshvara."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.1.66)

तथान्ये मनुजा ये च हाटकादीनि भक्तितः। मणिमुक्तासुरत्नैश्च कृत्वा लिंगानि कृत्स्नशः

tathānye manujā ye ca hāṭakādīni bhaktitaḥ| maṇimuktāsuratnaiśca kṛtvā liṁgāni kṛtsnaśaḥ

"And likewise, whatever other men devotedly fashion Lingas wholly out of gold, or out of jewels, pearls, and fine gems —"

Verse 67 (skanda.6.1.67)

त्रिकालं पूजयिष्यंति ते यास्यंति परां गतिम्। मृन्मयं संपरित्यज्य नीचधातुमयं तथा

trikālaṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti te yāsyaṁti parāṁ gatim| mṛnmayaṁ saṁparityajya nīcadhātumayaṁ tathā

"— and worship them three times each day shall attain the supreme goal — provided they set aside Lingas made of clay or of base metal."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.1.68)

एवमुक्त्वा चतुर्वक्त्रः सह सर्वैर्दिवालयैः। जगाम त्रिदिवं सोऽपि कैलासं शशिशेखरः

evamuktvā caturvaktraḥ saha sarvairdivālayaiḥ| jagāma tridivaṁ so'pi kailāsaṁ śaśiśekharaḥ

Having spoken thus, four-faced Brahma, together with all the dwellers of heaven, departed for the celestial realm, and the moon-crested Shiva too withdrew to Kailasa.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.1.69)

एतस्मात्कारणाल्लिंगं पूज्यतेऽत्र सुरासुरैः। हरस्य चोत्तमांगानि परित्यज्य विशेषतः

etasmātkāraṇālliṁgaṁ pūjyate'tra surāsuraiḥ| harasya cottamāṁgāni parityajya viśeṣataḥ

For this reason the Linga is worshipped here by gods and demons alike, all of Hara's other, higher limbs being specifically set aside.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.1.70)

ततः प्रभृति तल्लिंगं स्वयं ब्रह्मा व्यवस्थितः। भगवान्वासुदेवश्च तेन पूज्यं शिवं हि तत्

tataḥ prabhṛti talliṁgaṁ svayaṁ brahmā vyavasthitaḥ| bhagavānvāsudevaśca tena pūjyaṁ śivaṁ hi tat

From that time on, Brahma himself abides within that Linga, and so does the Lord Vasudeva; therefore that Linga is to be worshipped as Shiva himself.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.1.71)

यस्तु पूजयते नित्यं श्रद्धायुक्तेन चेतसा। त्र्यंबकाच्युतब्रह्माद्यास्तेन स्युः पूजितास्त्रयः

yastu pūjayate nityaṁ śraddhāyuktena cetasā| tryaṁbakācyutabrahmādyāstena syuḥ pūjitāstrayaḥ

Whoever worships it daily with a faithful heart thereby worships all three together — Tryambaka, Achyuta, and Brahma.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.1.72)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन शिवलिंगं प्रपूजयेत्। स्पर्शयेदीक्षयेन्नित्यं कीर्तयेच्च द्विजोत्तमाः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena śivaliṁgaṁ prapūjayet| sparśayedīkṣayennityaṁ kīrtayecca dvijottamāḥ

Therefore, O best of brahmins, one should worship the Shiva-linga with utmost effort — touching it, beholding it, and glorifying it constantly.