The Account of the Brahmin Chitrasharma's Establishment of the Linga

Verse 1 (skanda.6.107.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । अष्टषष्टिरियं प्रोक्ता या त्वया सूतनन्दन । क्षेत्राणां देवदेवस्य कथं सा तत्र संस्थिता । एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ aṣṭaṣaṣṭiriyaṁ proktā yā tvayā sūtanandana kṣetrāṇāṁ devadevasya kathaṁ sā tatra saṁsthitā etatsarvaṁ samācakṣva paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

The sages said: "This group of sixty-eight fields of the god of gods, which you have told of, O son of Suta — how did it come to be established there? Tell us all of this — we are filled with the greatest curiosity."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.107.2)

सूत उवाच । प्रश्नभारो महानेष यो भवद्भिः प्रकीर्तितः । तथापि कीर्तयिष्यामि नमस्कृत्वा पिनाकिनम्

sūta uvāca praśnabhāro mahāneṣa yo bhavadbhiḥ prakīrtitaḥ tathāpi kīrtayiṣyāmi namaskṛtvā pinākinam

Suta said: This question you have raised is a heavy burden indeed; nonetheless, having bowed to the wielder of the trident, I shall relate it.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.107.3)

चमत्कारपुरेऽवासीत्पूर्वं ब्राह्मणसत्तमः । वत्सस्यान्वयसंभूतश्चित्रशर्मा महायशाः

camatkārapure'vāsītpūrvaṁ brāhmaṇasattamaḥ vatsasyānvayasaṁbhūtaścitraśarmā mahāyaśāḥ

In the city of Chamatkarapura there formerly dwelt a most excellent brahmin of great renown, born in the Vatsa lineage, named Chitrasharma.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.107.4)

तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता पाताले हाटकेश्वरम् । अत्रानीय ततो भक्त्या पूजयामि दिवानिशम्

tasya buddhiriyaṁ jātā pātāle hāṭakeśvaram atrānīya tato bhaktyā pūjayāmi divāniśam

This thought arose in him: "Bringing Hatakeshvara here from the netherworld, I shall then worship it day and night with devotion."

Verse 5 (skanda.6.107.5)

एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा तपश्चके ततः परम् । नियतो नियताहारः परां निष्ठां समाश्रितः

evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā tapaścake tataḥ param niyato niyatāhāraḥ parāṁ niṣṭhāṁ samāśritaḥ

Having made this resolve, he then performed intense austerities, disciplined, restrained in diet, devoted to the highest steadfastness.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.107.6)

तस्यापि भगवाञ्छंभुः कालेन महता ततः । संतुष्टो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठास्ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

tasyāpi bhagavāñchaṁbhuḥ kālena mahatā tataḥ saṁtuṣṭo brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāstataḥ provāca sādaram

Then, O best of brahmins, after a great span of time, the lord Shambhu became satisfied with him, and spoke to him respectfully:

Verse 7 (skanda.6.107.7)

वरं प्रार्थय विप्रेन्द्र यत्ते मनसि वर्तते । अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यं ते तुष्टो दास्याम्यसंशयम्

varaṁ prārthaya viprendra yatte manasi vartate api trailokyarājyaṁ te tuṣṭo dāsyāmyasaṁśayam

"Ask a boon, best of brahmins, whatever is in your mind; being pleased with you, I shall grant you even the sovereignty of the three worlds, without doubt.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.107.8)

तस्मात्प्रार्थय ते नित्यं यत्र चित्ते व्यवस्थितम् । दुर्लभं सर्वदेवानां मनुष्याणां विशेषतः

tasmātprārthaya te nityaṁ yatra citte vyavasthitam durlabhaṁ sarvadevānāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ

Therefore ask always for what is fixed in your heart, that which is rare even for all the gods, and especially so for men."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.107.9)

चित्रशर्मोवाच । यदि तुष्टोसि मे देव वरं चेन्मे प्रयच्छसि । तदत्रागच्छ पातालाल्लिंगरूपी सुरेश्वर

citraśarmovāca yadi tuṣṭosi me deva varaṁ cenme prayacchasi tadatrāgaccha pātālālliṁgarūpī sureśvara

Chitrasharma said: "If you are pleased with me, my lord, and if you would grant me a boon, then, lord of the gods, come here from the netherworld in the form of a linga.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.107.10)

यत्पाताले स्थितं लिंगं ब्रह्मणा संप्रतिष्ठितम् । हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञं तु तदिहायातु सत्वरम्

yatpātāle sthitaṁ liṁgaṁ brahmaṇā saṁpratiṣṭhitam hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñaṁ tu tadihāyātu satvaram

The linga that stands in the netherworld, established by Brahma himself, known by the name Hatakeshvara — let it come here swiftly."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.107.11)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । अचलं सर्वलिंगं स्यात्सर्वत्रापि द्विजोत्तम । किं पुनः प्रथमं यच्च ब्रह्मणा निर्मितं स्वयम्

śrībhagavānuvāca acalaṁ sarvaliṁgaṁ syātsarvatrāpi dvijottama kiṁ punaḥ prathamaṁ yacca brahmaṇā nirmitaṁ svayam

The Blessed Lord said: "Every linga, O best of the twice-born, is equally immovable everywhere; how much more so this one, the very first, made by Brahma himself?

Verse 12 (skanda.6.107.12)

तस्मात्स्थापय लिंगं तद्धाटकेन द्विजोत्तम । हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञं तु लोके ख्यातं भविष्यति

tasmātsthāpaya liṁgaṁ taddhāṭakena dvijottama hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñaṁ tu loke khyātaṁ bhaviṣyati

Therefore, best of brahmins, establish that linga through Hataka gold; it shall become renowned in the world under the name Hatakeshvara.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.107.13)

सोमवारे चतुर्दश्यां शुक्लायां श्रद्धयान्वितः । यस्तद्भक्तिसमायुक्तः पूजयिष्यति मानवः

somavāre caturdaśyāṁ śuklāyāṁ śraddhayānvitaḥ yastadbhaktisamāyuktaḥ pūjayiṣyati mānavaḥ

On a Monday, on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, filled with faith, whatever human being, endowed with devotion to it, shall worship it,

Verse 14 (skanda.6.107.14)

आद्यलिंगोद्भवं श्रेयः पूजया लप्स्यते द्विज । एवमुक्त्वाऽथ भगवांस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः

ādyaliṁgodbhavaṁ śreyaḥ pūjayā lapsyate dvija evamuktvā'tha bhagavāṁstataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ

shall obtain, by that worship, the merit arising from the original linga, O twice-born one." Having said this, the lord then vanished from sight.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.107.15)

चित्रशर्माऽपि कृत्वाथ प्रासादं सुमनोहरम् । तत्र हेममयं लिंगं स्थापयामास भक्तितः

citraśarmā'pi kṛtvātha prāsādaṁ sumanoharam tatra hemamayaṁ liṁgaṁ sthāpayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

Chitrasharma too, having built a most beautiful temple, established there a golden linga with devotion.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.107.16)

शास्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन पूजां चक्रे च नित्यशः । ततस्त्रैलोक्यविख्यातं तल्लिंगं तत्र वै द्विजाः

śāstroktena vidhānena pūjāṁ cakre ca nityaśaḥ tatastrailokyavikhyātaṁ talliṁgaṁ tatra vai dvijāḥ

He performed worship constantly according to the rule prescribed by scripture; then that linga became renowned throughout the three worlds, O brahmins.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.107.17)

दूरादभ्येत्य लोकाश्च पूजयंति ततः परम् । अथ तत्र द्विजा येऽन्ये संस्थिता गुणवत्तराः

dūrādabhyetya lokāśca pūjayaṁti tataḥ param atha tatra dvijā ye'nye saṁsthitā guṇavattarāḥ

People, coming from far away, worshipped it thereafter; then the other brahmins, of superior merit, who dwelt there —

Verse 18 (skanda.6.107.18)

तेषां स्पर्धा ततो जाता दृष्ट्वा तस्य विचेष्टितम् । एकस्थानप्रसूतानां सर्वेषां गुणशालिनाम्

teṣāṁ spardhā tato jātā dṛṣṭvā tasya viceṣṭitam ekasthānaprasūtānāṁ sarveṣāṁ guṇaśālinām

rivalry arose among them upon seeing his achievement, even though all of them, born in the same place, were themselves possessed of merit —

Verse 19 (skanda.6.107.19)

अयं गुणविहीनोऽपि प्रख्यातो भुवनत्रये । हराराधनमासाद्य यस्मात्तस्माद्वयं हरम् । तदर्थे तोषयिष्यामः साम्यं येन प्रजायते

ayaṁ guṇavihīno'pi prakhyāto bhuvanatraye harārādhanamāsādya yasmāttasmādvayaṁ haram tadarthe toṣayiṣyāmaḥ sāmyaṁ yena prajāyate

"This man, though devoid of merit, has become renowned throughout the three worlds merely by gaining Hara's worship; so let us too, for that same end, propitiate Hara, that equality may result."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.107.20)

अष्टषष्टिः स्मृता लोके क्षेत्राणां शूलपाणिनः । यत्र सान्निध्यमभ्येति त्रिकालं परमेश्वरः

aṣṭaṣaṣṭiḥ smṛtā loke kṣetrāṇāṁ śūlapāṇinaḥ yatra sānnidhyamabhyeti trikālaṁ parameśvaraḥ

There is remembered in the world a group of sixty-eight fields of the trident-bearer, in which the Supreme Lord's presence dwells three times a day.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.107.21)

अष्टषष्टिश्च गोत्राणामस्माकं चात्र संस्थिता । एतेन मूढमनसा सार्धं सामान्यलक्षणा

aṣṭaṣaṣṭiśca gotrāṇāmasmākaṁ cātra saṁsthitā etena mūḍhamanasā sārdhaṁ sāmānyalakṣaṇā

And there exist, established here, sixty-eight gotras of our own as well; with this deluded fellow, we share a common characteristic —

Verse 22 (skanda.6.107.22)

तस्मादनेन चाराध्य भगवन्तं त्रिलोचनम् । तच्च लिंगं समानीतमत्र पातालसंस्थितम्

tasmādanena cārādhya bhagavantaṁ trilocanam tacca liṁgaṁ samānītamatra pātālasaṁsthitam

Therefore, by means of that same trait, having worshipped the three-eyed lord, that linga was brought here, established as it was in the netherworld —

Verse 23 (skanda.6.107.23)

तथा सर्वैश्च सर्वाणि क्षेत्रलिंगानि कृत्स्नशः । आनेतव्यानि चाराध्य तपःशक्त्या महेश्वरम्

tathā sarvaiśca sarvāṇi kṣetraliṁgāni kṛtsnaśaḥ ānetavyāni cārādhya tapaḥśaktyā maheśvaram

and likewise all of us together should bring here all the field-lingas, having propitiated Maheshvara through the power of austerity.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.107.24)

एतेषां सर्वगोत्राणामानेष्यति च शंकरः । यद्गोत्रं क्षेत्रसंयुक्तं यच्चान्यद्वा भविष्यति

eteṣāṁ sarvagotrāṇāmāneṣyati ca śaṁkaraḥ yadgotraṁ kṣetrasaṁyuktaṁ yaccānyadvā bhaviṣyati

Shankara will bring here everything belonging to all these gotras of ours — whatever gotra is connected to a field, and whatever else there may be.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.107.25)

ततस्ते शर्मसंयुक्ताः सर्व एव द्विजोत्तमाः । चक्रुस्तपःक्रियां सर्वे दुष्करां सर्वजन्तुभिः

tataste śarmasaṁyuktāḥ sarva eva dvijottamāḥ cakrustapaḥkriyāṁ sarve duṣkarāṁ sarvajantubhiḥ

Then all those best of the twice-born, bearing this resolve, all performed austerities difficult for any creature to accomplish,

Verse 26 (skanda.6.107.26)

जपैर्होमोपवासैश्च नियमैश्च पृथग्विधैः । बलिपूजोपहारैश्च स्नानदानादिभिस्तथा

japairhomopavāsaiśca niyamaiśca pṛthagvidhaiḥ balipūjopahāraiśca snānadānādibhistathā

with recitations, fire-offerings, and fasts, and various observances, with offerings, worship, and gifts, and with bathing, charity, and the like.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.107.27)

लिंगं संस्थाप्य देवस्य नाम्ना ख्यातं द्विजेश्वरम् । मनोहरतरे प्रोच्चे प्रासादे पर्वतोपमे

liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpya devasya nāmnā khyātaṁ dvijeśvaram manoharatare procce prāsāde parvatopame

Having established a linga of the god, renowned by that name, lord of the twice-born, in a most delightful, lofty temple resembling a mountain,

Verse 28 (skanda.6.107.28)

त्यक्त्वा गृहक्रियाः सर्वास्तथा यज्ञसमुद्भवाः । अन्याश्च लोकयात्रोत्थास्तोषयंति महेश्वरम्

tyaktvā gṛhakriyāḥ sarvāstathā yajñasamudbhavāḥ anyāśca lokayātrotthāstoṣayaṁti maheśvaram

abandoning all household duties, and those arising from sacrifice, and other worldly occupations too, they sought to please Maheshvara.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.107.29)

एवमाराध्यमानोऽपि सन्तोषं परमेश्वरः । नाभ्यगच्छत्परां तुष्टिं कथंचिदपि स द्विजाः

evamārādhyamāno'pi santoṣaṁ parameśvaraḥ nābhyagacchatparāṁ tuṣṭiṁ kathaṁcidapi sa dvijāḥ

Though thus worshipped, the Supreme Lord, O brahmins, did not, in any way at all, arrive at supreme satisfaction.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.107.30)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते समाराध्य महेश्वरम् । न च किञ्चित्फलं प्राप्ता यावत्क्रुद्धास्ततोऽखिलाः

tato varṣasahasrāṁte samārādhya maheśvaram na ca kiñcitphalaṁ prāptā yāvatkruddhāstato'khilāḥ

Then, at the end of a thousand years, having propitiated Maheshvara, and having gained no fruit at all, all of them grew angry —

Verse 31 (skanda.6.107.31)

अस्य मूर्खतमस्याऽपि त्वं शूलिंश्चित्रशर्मणः । सुस्तोकेनाऽपि कालेन सन्तोषं परमं गतः

asya mūrkhatamasyā'pi tvaṁ śūliṁścitraśarmaṇaḥ sustokenā'pi kālena santoṣaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

"Toward this most foolish Chitrasharma, O trident-bearer, you arrived at supreme satisfaction in but a very short time;

Verse 32 (skanda.6.107.32)

वयं वार्धक्यमापन्ना बाल्यात्प्रभृति शंकरम् । पूजयन्तोऽपि नो दृष्टस्तथाऽपि परमेश्वर

vayaṁ vārdhakyamāpannā bālyātprabhṛti śaṁkaram pūjayanto'pi no dṛṣṭastathā'pi parameśvara

while we, having reached old age, worshipping Shankara from our very childhood, have still not been looked upon with favor by you, O Supreme Lord.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.107.33)

तस्मात्सर्वे प्रकर्तव्यं हव्यवाहप्रवेशनम् । अस्माभिर्निश्चयो ह्येष तवाग्रे सांप्रतं कृतः

tasmātsarve prakartavyaṁ havyavāhapraveśanam asmābhirniścayo hyeṣa tavāgre sāṁprataṁ kṛtaḥ

Therefore we must all now enter the sacrificial fire; this is the resolve we have now made before you."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.107.34)

ततश्चाहृत्य काष्ठानि सर्वे ते द्विजसत्तमाः । ईश्वरं मनसि ध्यात्वा चिताश्चक्रुः पृथग्विधाः

tataścāhṛtya kāṣṭhāni sarve te dvijasattamāḥ īśvaraṁ manasi dhyātvā citāścakruḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ

Then, having gathered wood, all those best of the twice-born, meditating on the Lord in their minds, made various pyres.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.107.35)

तथा सर्वं क्रियाकल्पं स्नानदानादिकं च यत् । कृत्वा ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे सुसमिद्धहुताशनम्

tathā sarvaṁ kriyākalpaṁ snānadānādikaṁ ca yat kṛtvā te brāhmaṇāḥ sarve susamiddhahutāśanam

And, having performed all the ritual acts — bathing, charity, and the rest — those brahmins all kindled a blazing sacrificial fire.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.107.36)

यावत्कृत्वा सुतैः सार्धं प्रविशंति समाहिताः । तावत्स भगवांस्तुष्टस्तेषां संदर्शनं ययौ

yāvatkṛtvā sutaiḥ sārdhaṁ praviśaṁti samāhitāḥ tāvatsa bhagavāṁstuṣṭasteṣāṁ saṁdarśanaṁ yayau

Just as, having done so, they were entering it together with their sons, composed in mind, the Lord, now satisfied, came into their sight.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.107.37)

अब्रवीच्च विहस्योच्चैर्मेघगम्भीरया गिरा । सर्वांस्तान्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठान्मृतान्संजीवयन्निव

abravīcca vihasyoccairmeghagambhīrayā girā sarvāṁstānbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭhānmṛtānsaṁjīvayanniva

And, laughing loudly, in a voice deep as a thundercloud, he spoke to all those best of brahmins, as though reviving the dead:

Verse 38 (skanda.6.107.38)

भो भो ब्राह्मणशार्दूला मा मैवं साहसं महत् । यूयं कुरुत मद्वाक्यात्संतुष्टस्य विशेषतः

bho bho brāhmaṇaśārdūlā mā maivaṁ sāhasaṁ mahat yūyaṁ kuruta madvākyātsaṁtuṣṭasya viśeṣataḥ

"O tigers among brahmins, do not, do not commit this great act of rashness; act instead, especially, on the word of one who is now satisfied.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.107.39)

तस्माद्वदत यच्चित्ते युष्माकं चैव संस्थितम् । येन दत्त्वा प्रगच्छामि स्वमेव भुवनं पुनः

tasmādvadata yaccitte yuṣmākaṁ caiva saṁsthitam yena dattvā pragacchāmi svameva bhuvanaṁ punaḥ

Therefore tell me what is fixed in your hearts, so that, having granted it, I may go back again to my own world."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.107.40)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे सुरश्रेष्ठ पुरस्यास्य च संनिधौ । क्षेत्राणामष्टषष्टिर्या धन्या संकीर्त्यते जनैः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ asminkṣetre suraśreṣṭha purasyāsya ca saṁnidhau kṣetrāṇāmaṣṭaṣaṣṭiryā dhanyā saṁkīrtyate janaiḥ

The brahmins said: "O best of the gods, in this field, and near this city, that group of sixty-eight fields which is proclaimed blessed by the people —

Verse 41 (skanda.6.107.41)

सदाभ्यैतु समं लिंगैस्तैराद्यैः सुरसत्तम । येनामर्षप्रशांतिर्नः सर्वेषामिह जायते

sadābhyaitu samaṁ liṁgaistairādyaiḥ surasattama yenāmarṣapraśāṁtirnaḥ sarveṣāmiha jāyate

may it, together with its original lingas, always come to be matched here, best of gods, so that this indignation of us all may be entirely appeased.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.107.42)

एष संस्पर्धतेऽस्माभिः सर्वैर्गुणविवर्जितः । त्वल्लिंगस्य प्रभावेन तस्मादेतत्समाचर

eṣa saṁspardhate'smābhiḥ sarvairguṇavivarjitaḥ tvalliṁgasya prabhāvena tasmādetatsamācara

This man, devoid of all merit, rivals us all only by the power of your linga; so grant us this."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.107.43)

सूत उवाच । एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो ज्ञात्वा तं वरदं हरम् । उवाच स्पर्धया युक्तश्चित्रशर्मा महेश्वरम्

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare vipro jñātvā taṁ varadaṁ haram uvāca spardhayā yuktaścitraśarmā maheśvaram

Suta said: Meanwhile, the brahmin Chitrasharma, learning of that boon-granting Hara, spoke to Maheshvara, filled with rivalry:

Verse 44 (skanda.6.107.44)

चित्रशर्मोवाच । एतैः प्राणपरित्यागमारभ्य तदनन्तरम् । तुष्टिं नीतोऽसि देवेश कृत्वा च सुमहत्तपः

citraśarmovāca etaiḥ prāṇaparityāgamārabhya tadanantaram tuṣṭiṁ nīto'si deveśa kṛtvā ca sumahattapaḥ

Chitrasharma said: "By these men, beginning with the surrender of their lives, and thereafter, my lord, you were brought to satisfaction — through their great austerity —

Verse 45 (skanda.6.107.45)

मया स्पर्द्धमानैश्च केवलं गुणगर्वितैः । तस्मादेषो न दातव्यस्त्वया किंचित्सुरेश्वर

mayā sparddhamānaiśca kevalaṁ guṇagarvitaiḥ tasmādeṣo na dātavyastvayā kiṁcitsureśvara

while they merely rivaled me, out of pride in their own merit; therefore, lord of the gods, you should give them nothing at all.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.107.46)

यदि त्वं मामतिक्रम्य संप्रदास्यसि वांछितम् । एतैः पुत्रकलत्रैश्च सार्धं प्रत्यक्षतस्तव । पावकं साधयिष्यामि तस्माद्युक्तं समाचर

yadi tvaṁ māmatikramya saṁpradāsyasi vāṁchitam etaiḥ putrakalatraiśca sārdhaṁ pratyakṣatastava pāvakaṁ sādhayiṣyāmi tasmādyuktaṁ samācara

If, passing over me, you grant them their desire, then, right before your eyes, together with these sons and this wife of mine, I shall achieve my end through fire; so do what is fitting."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.107.47)

सूत उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भगवाञ्छशिशेखरः । चिन्तयामास चित्तेन किमत्र सुकृतं भवेत्

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhagavāñchaśiśekharaḥ cintayāmāsa cittena kimatra sukṛtaṁ bhavet

Suta said: Hearing his words, the lord whose crest bears the crescent moon pondered in his mind what good course might be found here.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.107.48)

एते ब्राह्मणशार्दूला विनाशं यांति मत्कृते । एषोऽपि सर्वसंसिद्धो गणतुल्यो द्विजोत्तमः

ete brāhmaṇaśārdūlā vināśaṁ yāṁti matkṛte eṣo'pi sarvasaṁsiddho gaṇatulyo dvijottamaḥ

"These tigers among brahmins are going to their destruction for my sake; and this one too, best of the twice-born, is fully accomplished, equal to my own attendants.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.107.49)

तस्माद्द्वाभ्यां मया कार्यं क्षेत्रे सौख्यं यथा भवेत् । ब्राह्मणानां विशेषेण तथा चात्र निवासिनाम्

tasmāddvābhyāṁ mayā kāryaṁ kṣetre saukhyaṁ yathā bhavet brāhmaṇānāṁ viśeṣeṇa tathā cātra nivāsinām

Therefore I must act for both, so that happiness may arise in this field — especially for the brahmins, and likewise for those who dwell here.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.107.50)

ममापि सर्वदा चित्ते कृत्यमेतद्धि वर्तते । एकस्थाने करोम्येव सर्वक्षेत्राणि यानि मे

mamāpi sarvadā citte kṛtyametaddhi vartate ekasthāne karomyeva sarvakṣetrāṇi yāni me

And this task, too, has always been present in my own mind — that I should bring all my fields together into one place.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.107.51)

भविष्यति तथा कालो रौद्रः कलिसमुद्भवः । तत्र क्षेत्राणि तीर्थानि नाशं यास्यंति भूतले

bhaviṣyati tathā kālo raudraḥ kalisamudbhavaḥ tatra kṣetrāṇi tīrthāni nāśaṁ yāsyaṁti bhūtale

For a terrible age shall come, born of Kali, in which the fields and tirthas upon the earth shall go to their destruction.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.107.52)

सत्तीर्थैस्तद्भयात्सर्वैः क्षेत्रमेतत्समाश्रितम् । आनयिष्याम्यहमपि स्वानि क्षेत्राणि कृत्स्नशः

sattīrthaistadbhayātsarvaiḥ kṣetrametatsamāśritam ānayiṣyāmyahamapi svāni kṣetrāṇi kṛtsnaśaḥ

Out of fear of that, this field, with all its true tirthas, shall be taken as a refuge; I too shall bring here all my fields, entirely."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.107.53)

ततस्तं चित्रशर्माणं प्राह चेदं महेश्वरः । शृणु मद्वचनं कृत्स्नं कुरुष्व तदनंतरम्

tatastaṁ citraśarmāṇaṁ prāha cedaṁ maheśvaraḥ śṛṇu madvacanaṁ kṛtsnaṁ kuruṣva tadanaṁtaram

Then Maheshvara spoke to Chitrasharma thus: "Listen to my entire word, and act accordingly thereafter.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.107.54)

अत्र क्षेत्राणि सर्वाणि मदीयानि द्विजोत्तम । समागच्छंतु विप्राश्च प्रभवंतु प्रहर्षिताः

atra kṣetrāṇi sarvāṇi madīyāni dvijottama samāgacchaṁtu viprāśca prabhavaṁtu praharṣitāḥ

All my fields shall be here, best of the twice-born; let the brahmins come, and let them flourish, filled with joy.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.107.55)

तवापि योग्यतां श्रेष्ठां करिष्यामि महामते । यदि मे वर्तसे वाक्ये मुक्त्वा स्पर्द्धां द्विजोद्भवाम्

tavāpi yogyatāṁ śreṣṭhāṁ kariṣyāmi mahāmate yadi me vartase vākye muktvā sparddhāṁ dvijodbhavām

I shall grant you too the highest standing, O great-minded one, if you abide by my word and give up this rivalry born among the twice-born.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.107.56)

तुरीयमपि ते गोत्रं वेदोक्तेन क्रमेण च । आद्यतां चापि ते सर्वे कीर्तयिष्यंति ते द्विजाः

turīyamapi te gotraṁ vedoktena krameṇa ca ādyatāṁ cāpi te sarve kīrtayiṣyaṁti te dvijāḥ

According to the order declared in the Veda, your gotra too shall be the fourth; and all these brahmins shall proclaim you first.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.107.57)

तथान्यदपि सन्मानं तव यच्छामि च द्विज । आचन्द्रार्कमसंदिग्धं पुत्रपौत्रादिकं च यत्

tathānyadapi sanmānaṁ tava yacchāmi ca dvija ācandrārkamasaṁdigdhaṁ putrapautrādikaṁ ca yat

And I shall grant you another honor too, O twice-born one: without doubt, for as long as sun and moon endure, regarding your sons and descendants —

Verse 58 (skanda.6.107.58)

त्वदन्वये भविष्यंति पुत्रपौत्रास्तथा परे । कृत्ये श्राद्धे तर्पणे वा क्रियमाणे विधानतः

tvadanvaye bhaviṣyaṁti putrapautrāstathā pare kṛtye śrāddhe tarpaṇe vā kriyamāṇe vidhānataḥ

In your lineage, sons, grandsons, and others shall exist, and when the shraddha or tarpana rite is duly performed according to rule —

Verse 59 (skanda.6.107.59)

आद्यस्य वत्ससंज्ञस्य नाम उच्चार्य गोत्रजम् । ततो नामानि चाप्येवं कीर्तयिष्यंति भक्तितः

ādyasya vatsasaṁjñasya nāma uccārya gotrajam tato nāmāni cāpyevaṁ kīrtayiṣyaṁti bhaktitaḥ

having uttered the name of that first one, named Vatsa, born of the gotra, they shall then, with devotion, proclaim the other names as well.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.107.60)

ततः संतर्पयिष्यंति पितॄनथ पितामहान् । तथान्यानपि बंधूंश्च सुहृत्संबंधिबांधवान्

tataḥ saṁtarpayiṣyaṁti pitṝnatha pitāmahān tathānyānapi baṁdhūṁśca suhṛtsaṁbaṁdhibāṁdhavān

Then they shall satisfy their fathers and forefathers, and likewise other kinsmen, friends, and relatives too.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.107.61)

त्वदन्वये विना नाम्ना त्वदीयेन विमोहिताः । ये पितॄंस्तर्पयिष्यंति तेषां व्यर्थं भविष्यति

tvadanvaye vinā nāmnā tvadīyena vimohitāḥ ye pitṝṁstarpayiṣyaṁti teṣāṁ vyarthaṁ bhaviṣyati

Those in your lineage who, deluded, offer libations to their ancestors without your own name — for them it shall be in vain.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.107.62)

श्राद्धं वा यदि वा दानं तर्पणं वा त्वदुद्भवम् । तस्मादहंकृतिं मुक्त्वा मामाराधय केवलम्

śrāddhaṁ vā yadi vā dānaṁ tarpaṇaṁ vā tvadudbhavam tasmādahaṁkṛtiṁ muktvā māmārādhaya kevalam

whether it be shraddha, or charity, or the tarpana that stems from you — therefore, giving up all pride, worship me alone,

Verse 63 (skanda.6.107.63)

येन सिद्धोऽपि संसिद्धिं परामाप्नोषि शाश्वतीम् । एवं संबोध्य तं विप्रं कृत्वाद्यमपि पश्चिमम्

yena siddho'pi saṁsiddhiṁ parāmāpnoṣi śāśvatīm evaṁ saṁbodhya taṁ vipraṁ kṛtvādyamapi paścimam

by which, though already accomplished, you shall attain the highest, eternal accomplishment." Having thus instructed that brahmin, making him both the first and the last,

Verse 64 (skanda.6.107.64)

ततस्तान्ब्राह्मणानाह प्रासादः क्रियतामिति । गोत्रंगोत्रं पुरस्कृत्य स्थाप्यं लिंगमनुत्तमम् । येन संक्रमणं तेषु मम संजायतेद्विजाः

tatastānbrāhmaṇānāha prāsādaḥ kriyatāmiti gotraṁgotraṁ puraskṛtya sthāpyaṁ liṁgamanuttamam yena saṁkramaṇaṁ teṣu mama saṁjāyatedvijāḥ

then he said to those brahmins: "Let temples be built; with each gotra placed foremost in turn, let an unrivaled linga be established in each, by which my own transference into them may take place, O brahmins."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.107.65)

अथ ते ब्राह्मणास्तत्र भूमिभागान्मनोहरान् । दृष्ट्वादृष्ट्वा प्रचक्रुश्च प्रासादान्हर्षसंयुताः

atha te brāhmaṇāstatra bhūmibhāgānmanoharān dṛṣṭvādṛṣṭvā pracakruśca prāsādānharṣasaṁyutāḥ

Then those brahmins, having seen there one delightful plot of land after another, filled with joy, built temples,

Verse 66 (skanda.6.107.66)

अष्टषष्टिमितान्दिव्यान्कैलासशिखरोपमान् । तेषु संस्थापयामासु लिङ्गानि विविधानि च । क्षेत्रेक्षेत्रे च यन्नाम तत्तत्संज्ञां प्रचक्रिरे

aṣṭaṣaṣṭimitāndivyānkailāsaśikharopamān teṣu saṁsthāpayāmāsu liṅgāni vividhāni ca kṣetrekṣetre ca yannāma tattatsaṁjñāṁ pracakrire

sixty-eight in number, divine, resembling the peak of Kailasa; in them they established various lingas, and gave each its own field's name.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.107.67)

अथ तेषां पुनर्दृष्टिं गत्वा देवस्त्रिलोचनः । प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं कस्मिंश्चित्कालपर्यये । आराधितस्तपःशक्त्या लिंगसंस्थापनादनु

atha teṣāṁ punardṛṣṭiṁ gatvā devastrilocanaḥ provāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ kasmiṁścitkālaparyaye ārādhitastapaḥśaktyā liṁgasaṁsthāpanādanu

Then, having looked upon them once more, at a certain turning of time, the three-eyed god, propitiated by the power of austerity following the establishment of the lingas, spoke sweet words:

Verse 68 (skanda.6.107.68)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । परितुष्टोऽस्मि विप्रेंद्रा युष्माकमहमद्य वै । एतन्मम कृतं कृत्यं भवद्भिरखिलं ततः

śrībhagavānuvāca parituṣṭo'smi vipreṁdrā yuṣmākamahamadya vai etanmama kṛtaṁ kṛtyaṁ bhavadbhirakhilaṁ tataḥ

The Blessed Lord said: "I am fully satisfied with all of you today, best of brahmins; this task of mine has been entirely accomplished through you.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.107.69)

अस्मदीयानि लिंगानि क्षेत्राणि च कलेर्भयात् । ततो मान्याश्च मे यूयं नान्यैरेतद्भविष्यति

asmadīyāni liṁgāni kṣetrāṇi ca kalerbhayāt tato mānyāśca me yūyaṁ nānyairetadbhaviṣyati

These lingas of mine, and these fields, have been gathered here out of fear of the age of Kali; therefore you shall be honored by me — this could not have come about through others.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.107.70)

तस्माच्चित्तस्थितं शीघ्रं प्रार्थयंतु द्विजोत्तमाः । संप्रयच्छामि येनाशु यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

tasmāccittasthitaṁ śīghraṁ prārthayaṁtu dvijottamāḥ saṁprayacchāmi yenāśu yadyapi syātsudurlabham

Therefore, best of the twice-born, ask quickly for whatever is fixed in your minds; I shall grant it swiftly, however hard to obtain it may be."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.107.71)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । यदि देव प्रसन्नस्त्वमस्माकं च सुरेश्वर । पश्चिमश्चित्रशर्मा च यथाद्यो भवता कृतः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadi deva prasannastvamasmākaṁ ca sureśvara paścimaścitraśarmā ca yathādyo bhavatā kṛtaḥ

The brahmins said: "If you are pleased with us, lord of the gods, then, just as Chitrasharma was made first by you, let him now be made last instead —

Verse 72 (skanda.6.107.72)

अस्मदीयं सदा नाम कीर्तनीयमसंशयम् । श्राद्धकृत्येषु सर्वेषु यथा तेन समा वयम् । भवामस्त्वत्प्रसादेन सांप्रतं चित्रशर्मणा

asmadīyaṁ sadā nāma kīrtanīyamasaṁśayam śrāddhakṛtyeṣu sarveṣu yathā tena samā vayam bhavāmastvatprasādena sāṁprataṁ citraśarmaṇā

and let our own name too always be recited, without doubt, in all shraddha rites, so that, by your grace, we may now become equal to Chitrasharma."

Verse 73 (skanda.6.107.73)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । युष्माकमपि ये केचिद्वशं यास्यंति मानवाः । युवानः शास्त्रसंयुक्ता वेदविद्याविशारदाः

śrībhagavānuvāca yuṣmākamapi ye kecidvaśaṁ yāsyaṁti mānavāḥ yuvānaḥ śāstrasaṁyuktā vedavidyāviśāradāḥ

The Blessed Lord said: "Whatever men, born in your own lineage, come under your influence — young men, versed in scripture, skilled in Vedic learning —

Verse 74 (skanda.6.107.74)

आनयिष्यथ तान्यूयमामुष्यायणसंज्ञितान् । नित्यं स्थिताश्च ते क्षेत्रे श्राद्धस्याक्षय्यकारकाः

ānayiṣyatha tānyūyamāmuṣyāyaṇasaṁjñitān nityaṁ sthitāśca te kṣetre śrāddhasyākṣayyakārakāḥ

you shall bring them here, called by the designation 'amushyayana'; and, established forever in this field, they shall be makers of imperishable shraddha."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.107.75)

एवमुक्त्वाथ देवेशस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः । तेऽपि विप्राः सुसंतुष्टास्तत्र स्थाने व्यवस्थिताः

evamuktvātha deveśastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ te'pi viprāḥ susaṁtuṣṭāstatra sthāne vyavasthitāḥ

Having said this, the lord of the gods then vanished from sight; those brahmins too, greatly satisfied, remained established in that place.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.107.76)

एवं तत्र समस्तानि क्षेत्राण्यायतनानि च । कलिभीतानि विप्रेंद्रा निवसंति सदैव हि

evaṁ tatra samastāni kṣetrāṇyāyatanāni ca kalibhītāni vipreṁdrā nivasaṁti sadaiva hi

Thus all those fields and shrines there, O best of brahmins, being wary of Kali, continue to dwell there forever.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.107.77)

एवं ते ब्राह्मणाः प्राप्य सिद्धिं चेश्वरपूजनात् । ख्याताः सर्वत्र भुवने श्राद्धस्याक्षय्यकारकाः

evaṁ te brāhmaṇāḥ prāpya siddhiṁ ceśvarapūjanāt khyātāḥ sarvatra bhuvane śrāddhasyākṣayyakārakāḥ

Thus these brahmins, having attained accomplishment through the worship of the Lord, became renowned everywhere in the world as makers of imperishable shraddha.