The Purification of Ahalya and the Rise of Hatakeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.208.1)

विश्वामित्र उवाच एवं शक्रे दिवं प्राप्ते देवेषु सकलेषु च गौतमः स्वाश्रमं प्रापत्कोपेन महता ज्वलन्

viśvāmitra uvāca evaṁ śakre divaṁ prāpte deveṣu sakaleṣu ca gautamaḥ svāśramaṁ prāpatkopena mahatā jvalan

Vishvamitra said: Thus, when Indra and all the gods had returned to heaven, Gautama too went back to his own hermitage, burning with great anger.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.208.2)

ततः स कथयामास सर्वं देवविचेष्टितम् वरदानं च शक्राय शतानन्दस्य चाग्रतः

tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa sarvaṁ devaviceṣṭitam varadānaṁ ca śakrāya śatānandasya cāgrataḥ

Then, in the presence of his son Shatananda, he related the whole conduct of the gods and the boon that had been granted to Indra.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.208.3)

तच्छ्रुत्वा पितरं प्राह विनयावनतः स्थितः तातांबाया न कस्मात्त्वं प्रसादं प्रकरोषि मे

tacchrutvā pitaraṁ prāha vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ tātāṁbāyā na kasmāttvaṁ prasādaṁ prakaroṣi me

Hearing this, Shatananda, bowing humbly, said to his father: O father, why do you not show grace toward my mother?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.208.4)

उत्थापने न ते किञ्चिदसाध्यं विद्यते विभो तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे यथा स्यान्मम चांबया

utthāpane na te kiñcidasādhyaṁ vidyate vibho tasmātkuru prasādaṁ me yathā syānmama cāṁbayā

O mighty one, raising her up is not beyond your power; so show me this grace, that I may be reunited with my mother.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.208.5)

समागमो मुनिश्रेष्ठ दीनस्योत्कण्ठितस्य च तस्मादुत्थाप्य तां तूर्णं प्रायश्चित्तविधिं ततः तस्मादादिश मे क्षिप्रं येन शुद्धिः प्रजायते

samāgamo muniśreṣṭha dīnasyotkaṇṭhitasya ca tasmādutthāpya tāṁ tūrṇaṁ prāyaścittavidhiṁ tataḥ tasmādādiśa me kṣipraṁ yena śuddhiḥ prajāyate

O best of sages, I am wretched and full of longing; therefore raise her up at once, and quickly instruct me in the rite of atonement by which her purification may be brought about.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.208.6)

गौतम उवाच मद्यावलिप्तभांडस्य यदि शुद्धिः प्रजायते तत्स्त्रीणां जायते शुद्धिर्योनौ शुक्राभिषेचनात्

gautama uvāca madyāvaliptabhāṁḍasya yadi śuddhiḥ prajāyate tatstrīṇāṁ jāyate śuddhiryonau śukrābhiṣecanāt

Gautama said: If a vessel smeared with liquor can indeed be purified, can a woman likewise be purified after her womb has received another man's seed?

Verse 7 (skanda.6.208.7)

ब्राह्मणस्तु सुरां पीत्वा मौंजीहोमेन शुध्यति तिंगिनीं साधयित्वा च न तु नारी विधर्मिता

brāhmaṇastu surāṁ pītvā mauṁjīhomena śudhyati tiṁginīṁ sādhayitvā ca na tu nārī vidharmitā

A brahmin who has drunk liquor may indeed be purified through the munja-grass fire-rite and the tingini penance, but a woman who has fallen from virtue is not so purified.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.208.8)

मद्यभांडमपि प्रायो यथावद्वह्निशोधितम् विशुध्यति तथा नारी वह्निदग्धा विशुध्यति यस्या रेतोऽथ संक्रांतमुदरांतेऽन्यसंभवम्

madyabhāṁḍamapi prāyo yathāvadvahniśodhitam viśudhyati tathā nārī vahnidagdhā viśudhyati yasyā reto'tha saṁkrāṁtamudarāṁte'nyasaṁbhavam

Just as a liquor vessel is duly purified only by fire, so too a woman is purified only by being consumed in fire — especially once another man's seed has entered her womb.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.208.9)

एतस्मात्कारणान्माता मया ते पुत्र सा शिला विहिता न हि तस्याश्च विशुद्धिस्तु कथञ्चन

etasmātkāraṇānmātā mayā te putra sā śilā vihitā na hi tasyāśca viśuddhistu kathañcana

For this very reason, my son, I have turned your mother into stone; there is no way by which her purification can be accomplished.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.208.10)

शतानन्द उवाच यद्येवं साधयिष्यामि तत्कृतेऽहं हुताशनम् विषं वा भक्षयिष्यामि पतिष्यामि जलाशये

śatānanda uvāca yadyevaṁ sādhayiṣyāmi tatkṛte'haṁ hutāśanam viṣaṁ vā bhakṣayiṣyāmi patiṣyāmi jalāśaye

Shatananda said: If that is so, then for her sake I shall enter fire, or swallow poison, or throw myself into a pool of water.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.208.11)

मातुर्वियोगतस्तात सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् धर्मद्रोणाः स्थिताश्चान्ये मन्वाद्या मुनयस्तथा

māturviyogatastāta satyametanmayoditam dharmadroṇāḥ sthitāścānye manvādyā munayastathā

O father, this I have said in earnest — I cannot bear separation from my mother; there are other authorities on dharma, and sages like Manu too, whom this matter may be put before.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.208.12)

इतिहासपुराणानि वेदांतानि बहूनि च संचिंत्य तात सर्वाणि देहि शुद्धिं ममापि ताम् मम मातुः करिष्यामि नो चेत्प्राणपरिक्षयम्

itihāsapurāṇāni vedāṁtāni bahūni ca saṁciṁtya tāta sarvāṇi dehi śuddhiṁ mamāpi tām mama mātuḥ kariṣyāmi no cetprāṇaparikṣayam

O father, consider well the itihasas, the puranas, and the many vedanta texts, and give me too that means of purification — otherwise I shall give up my very life for my mother's sake.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.208.13)

विश्वामित्र उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा सुचिरं ध्यात्वा गौतमः प्राह तं सुतम् परिष्वज्य स्वबाहुभ्यां मूर्ध्न्याघ्राय ततः परम्

viśvāmitra uvāca tacchrutvā suciraṁ dhyātvā gautamaḥ prāha taṁ sutam pariṣvajya svabāhubhyāṁ mūrdhnyāghrāya tataḥ param

Vishvamitra said: Hearing this, Gautama meditated long, then embraced his son with both arms, kissed his head, and spoke to him.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.208.14)

यद्येवं वत्स मा कार्षीः साहसं पापसंभवम् आत्मदेहविघातेन श्रूयतां वचनं मम

yadyevaṁ vatsa mā kārṣīḥ sāhasaṁ pāpasaṁbhavam ātmadehavighātena śrūyatāṁ vacanaṁ mama

He said: My child, if that is so, do not commit such a sinful, reckless act as destroying your own body; listen to what I have to say.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.208.15)

मेध्यत्वे तव मातुश्च शुद्धिर्ज्ञाता मया पुरा यया सा मम हर्म्यार्हा भविष्यति न संशयः

medhyatve tava mātuśca śuddhirjñātā mayā purā yayā sā mama harmyārhā bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

I already know beforehand the means of purification for your mother's sanctity, by which she shall without doubt again become fit for my household.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.208.16)

उत्पत्स्यते रवेर्वंशे रामरूपी जनार्दनः रावणस्य वधार्थाय मानुषं रूपमास्थितः तस्य पादस्य संस्पर्शाद्भूयः शुद्धा भविष्यति तस्मात्प्रतीक्ष्य तावत्त्वमौत्सुक्यं व्रज पुत्रक एतत्सम्यङ्मया ज्ञातं वत्स दिव्येन चक्षुषा

utpatsyate ravervaṁśe rāmarūpī janārdanaḥ rāvaṇasya vadhārthāya mānuṣaṁ rūpamāsthitaḥ tasya pādasya saṁsparśādbhūyaḥ śuddhā bhaviṣyati tasmātpratīkṣya tāvattvamautsukyaṁ vraja putraka etatsamyaṅmayā jñātaṁ vatsa divyena cakṣuṣā

Janardana Vishnu shall be born in the solar line as Rama, taking on human form for Ravana's destruction; by the touch of his feet alone shall your mother be purified once more. So, my child, set aside your anxiety and wait until then — this I have clearly perceived with my divine eye.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.208.17)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तथेत्युक्त्वा शतानन्दः प्रहर्षितः स्थितः प्रतीक्षमाणस्तु तं कालं मातृवत्सलः

etacchrutvā tathetyuktvā śatānandaḥ praharṣitaḥ sthitaḥ pratīkṣamāṇastu taṁ kālaṁ mātṛvatsalaḥ

Hearing this, Shatananda, devoted to his mother, rejoiced, saying "so be it," and remained there awaiting that time.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.208.18)

ततः कालेन महता रामरूपी जनार्दनः रावणस्य वधार्थाय जातो दशरथालये

tataḥ kālena mahatā rāmarūpī janārdanaḥ rāvaṇasya vadhārthāya jāto daśarathālaye

Then, after a long time had passed, Janardana was born as Rama in the house of Dasharatha, for the slaying of Ravana.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.208.19)

स मया भगवान्विष्णुर्बालभावेन संस्थितः निजयज्ञस्यरक्षार्थं समानीतः स्वमाश्रमम् राक्षसानां विनाशाय यज्ञकर्मविनाशिनाम्

sa mayā bhagavānviṣṇurbālabhāvena saṁsthitaḥ nijayajñasyarakṣārthaṁ samānītaḥ svamāśramam rākṣasānāṁ vināśāya yajñakarmavināśinām

(Vishvamitra continues) It was I who brought that same Lord Vishnu, then a mere child, to my own hermitage to protect my sacrifice, for the destruction of the rakshasas who were disrupting the sacrificial rites.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.208.20)

हतैस्तै राक्षसै रौद्रैर्मम पूर्णोऽभवन्मखः अयोध्यायाः समानीतः स मया रघुनंदनः

hataistai rākṣasai raudrairmama pūrṇo'bhavanmakhaḥ ayodhyāyāḥ samānītaḥ sa mayā raghunaṁdanaḥ

With those fierce rakshasas slain, my sacrifice was completed. Thus it was I who had brought that scion of Raghu from Ayodhya.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.208.21)

सीतायाश्च विवाहार्थं लक्ष्मणेन समन्वितः श्रुत्वा स्वयंवरं तस्याः पार्थिवानां समागमम्

sītāyāśca vivāhārthaṁ lakṣmaṇena samanvitaḥ śrutvā svayaṁvaraṁ tasyāḥ pārthivānāṁ samāgamam

Then, on hearing of Sita's svayamvara and the gathering of kings there for it, I set out, taking him along with Lakshmana, for her marriage.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.208.22)

ततो मार्गे मया दृष्टा गौतमस्याश्रमे शुभे अहिल्या सा शिला रूपा प्रमाणेन महत्तमा

tato mārge mayā dṛṣṭā gautamasyāśrame śubhe ahilyā sā śilā rūpā pramāṇena mahattamā

On the way, in Gautama's holy hermitage, I saw that Ahalya lying there in the form of a stone, vast in size.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.208.23)

ततः प्रोक्तो मया रामः स्पृशेमां वत्स पाणिना मानुषत्वं लभेद्येन गौतमस्य प्रिया मुनेः शापदोषेण संजाता शिलेयं तस्य सन्मुनेः

tataḥ prokto mayā rāmaḥ spṛśemāṁ vatsa pāṇinā mānuṣatvaṁ labhedyena gautamasya priyā muneḥ śāpadoṣeṇa saṁjātā śileyaṁ tasya sanmuneḥ

Then I said to Rama: My child, touch this stone with your hand, so that this beloved wife of the sage Gautama, who through the fault of a curse has become stone, may regain her human form.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.208.24)

अविकल्पं ततो रामो मम वाक्येन तां शिलाम् पस्पर्श पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ कौतूहलसमन्वितः

avikalpaṁ tato rāmo mama vākyena tāṁ śilām pasparśa pārthivaśreṣṭha kautūhalasamanvitaḥ

O best of kings, Rama then, without any hesitation, and full of curiosity, touched that stone at my word.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.208.25)

अथ रामेण संस्पृष्टा सहसैवांगना मुनेः शुशुभे मानुषी जाता दिव्यरूपवपुर्धरा

atha rāmeṇa saṁspṛṣṭā sahasaivāṁganā muneḥ śuśubhe mānuṣī jātā divyarūpavapurdharā

The instant Rama touched her, the sage's wife regained her human form and shone radiant, clothed in a divine beauty.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.208.26)

ततः सा लज्जयाऽऽविष्टा प्रणिपत्य च गौतमम् स्मरमाणाऽऽत्मनः कृत्यं यच्छक्रेण समन्वितम्

tataḥ sā lajjayā''viṣṭā praṇipatya ca gautamam smaramāṇā''tmanaḥ kṛtyaṁ yacchakreṇa samanvitam

Then, overcome with shame and remembering what had passed with Indra, she fell prostrate before Gautama.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.208.27)

प्रायश्चित्तं मम स्वामिन्देहि सर्वमशेषतः यन्नरस्य समायोगे परस्याह प्रजापतिः

prāyaścittaṁ mama svāmindehi sarvamaśeṣataḥ yannarasya samāyoge parasyāha prajāpatiḥ

She said: My lord, grant me in full whatever atonement Prajapati has prescribed for union with another man.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.208.28)

अहं दुष्करमप्येतत्करिष्यामि न संशयः येन शुद्धिर्भवेन्मह्यं पुरश्चरणसेवनात्

ahaṁ duṣkaramapyetatkariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ yena śuddhirbhavenmahyaṁ puraścaraṇasevanāt

I shall undertake even this difficult atonement without hesitation, so that through the performance of the purashcharana rite my purification may come about.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.208.29)

ततः संचिंत्य सुचिरं प्रोवाच गौतमस्तदा कुरु चान्द्रायणशतं कृच्छ्राणां च सहस्रकम्

tataḥ saṁciṁtya suciraṁ provāca gautamastadā kuru cāndrāyaṇaśataṁ kṛcchrāṇāṁ ca sahasrakam

Then Gautama, after long reflection, said: Perform a hundred chandrayana fasts and a thousand krichchhra penances.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.208.30)

प्राजापत्यायुतं चापि तीर्थयात्रापरायणा अष्टषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु यानि तीर्थानि भूतले तेषां संदर्शनात्सम्यक्ततः शुद्धिमवाप्स्यसि

prājāpatyāyutaṁ cāpi tīrthayātrāparāyaṇā aṣṭaṣaṣṭiṣu tīrtheṣu yāni tīrthāni bhūtale teṣāṁ saṁdarśanātsamyaktataḥ śuddhimavāpsyasi

Also perform ten thousand prajapatya vows, and, devoted to pilgrimage, duly visit the sixty-eight sacred fords existing on this earth — only then shall you attain full purification.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.208.31)

सा तथैति प्रतिज्ञाय नित्यं व्रतपरायणा अष्टषष्टिसु तीर्थेषु वाराणस्यादिषु क्रमात्

sā tathaiti pratijñāya nityaṁ vrataparāyaṇā aṣṭaṣaṣṭisu tīrtheṣu vārāṇasyādiṣu kramāt

She vowed "so be it," and, ever devoted to her vows, began journeying in order to the sixty-eight sacred fords, beginning with Varanasi.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.208.32)

बभ्राम तानि लिंगानि पूजयन्ती प्रभक्तितः क्रमेणैव तु संप्राप्ता हाटकेश्वरसंभवम्

babhrāma tāni liṁgāni pūjayantī prabhaktitaḥ krameṇaiva tu saṁprāptā hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhavam

She wandered from one to another, worshipping each linga with devotion, and in due course arrived at the region of Hatakeshvara.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.208.33)

यावत्पश्यति सा साध्वी तावन्नागबिलो महान् पूरितो नागरेणैव मार्गः पातालसंभवः

yāvatpaśyati sā sādhvī tāvannāgabilo mahān pūrito nāgareṇaiva mārgaḥ pātālasaṁbhavaḥ

There that virtuous woman saw that the great serpent-hole leading down to the netherworld — the path to the nether regions — had become choked with sand.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.208.34)

गच्छंति येन पूर्वं तु तीर्थयात्रापरायणाः हाटकेश्वरदेवस्य दर्शनार्थं मुनीश्वराः

gacchaṁti yena pūrvaṁ tu tīrthayātrāparāyaṇāḥ hāṭakeśvaradevasya darśanārthaṁ munīśvarāḥ

It was by this very path that great sages devoted to pilgrimage used formerly to go for the darshan of Lord Hatakeshvara.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.208.35)

अथ सा चिन्तयामास न दृष्टे तु सुरेश्वरे हाटकेश्वरदेवे च न हि यात्राफलं लभेत्

atha sā cintayāmāsa na dṛṣṭe tu sureśvare hāṭakeśvaradeve ca na hi yātrāphalaṁ labhet

Then she reflected that without beholding Lord Hatakeshvara, she would not obtain the fruit of her pilgrimage.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.208.36)

तस्मात्तपः करिष्यामि स्थित्वा चैव सुदुष्करम् येनाहं तत्प्रभावेन तं पश्यामि सुरेश्वरम्

tasmāttapaḥ kariṣyāmi sthitvā caiva suduṣkaram yenāhaṁ tatprabhāvena taṁ paśyāmi sureśvaram

Therefore I shall remain here and perform severe austerity, so that by its power I may behold that lord of gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.208.37)

एवं सा निश्चयं कृत्वा तपस्तेपे सुदुष्करम् दर्शनार्थं हि देवस्य पातालनिलयस्य च

evaṁ sā niścayaṁ kṛtvā tapastepe suduṣkaram darśanārthaṁ hi devasya pātālanilayasya ca

Having thus resolved, she undertook severe austerity for the sake of beholding that god who dwelt in the netherworld.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.208.38)

पंचाग्निसाधका ग्रीष्मे हेमन्ते सलिलाश्रया वर्षास्वाकाशशयना सा बभूव तपस्विनी

paṁcāgnisādhakā grīṣme hemante salilāśrayā varṣāsvākāśaśayanā sā babhūva tapasvinī

That ascetic woman practiced the five-fire penance in summer, took to the water in winter, and slept out under the open sky through the rains.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.208.39)

हरलिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्वनाम्ना चांतिके तदा त्रिकालं पूजयामास गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः

haraliṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya svanāmnā cāṁtike tadā trikālaṁ pūjayāmāsa gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ

There she established a linga of Shiva under her own name, and worshipped it three times a day with fragrances, flowers, and unguents.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.208.40)

एवं तपसि संस्थायास्तस्याः कालो महान्गतः न च संदर्शनं जातं हाटकेश्वरसंभवम्

evaṁ tapasi saṁsthāyāstasyāḥ kālo mahāngataḥ na ca saṁdarśanaṁ jātaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhavam

Thus, remaining in austerity, a great length of time passed for her, yet the darshan of Hatakeshvara did not occur.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.208.41)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य शतानन्दश्च तत्सुतः स तामन्वेषमाणस्तु तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे समागतः मातृस्नेहपरीतात्मा तीर्थान्वेषणतत्परः

kasyacittvatha kālasya śatānandaśca tatsutaḥ sa tāmanveṣamāṇastu tasminkṣetre samāgataḥ mātṛsnehaparītātmā tīrthānveṣaṇatatparaḥ

After some time, Shatananda, her son, his heart full of filial love, searching for her from ford to ford, arrived at that very region.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.208.42)

अथ तां तत्र संवीक्ष्य दारुणे तपसि स्थिताम् प्रणिपत्य स्थितो दीनः सदुःखो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

atha tāṁ tatra saṁvīkṣya dāruṇe tapasi sthitām praṇipatya sthito dīnaḥ saduḥkho vākyamabravīt

Seeing her there engaged in such severe austerity, he, wretched and grieving, bowed before her and spoke.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.208.43)

किमत्र क्लिश्यते कायस्तपः कृत्वा सुदारुणम् सप्तषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु यानि लिंगानि तेषु च

kimatra kliśyate kāyastapaḥ kṛtvā sudāruṇam saptaṣaṣṭiṣu tīrtheṣu yāni liṁgāni teṣu ca

He said: Why do you torment your body here with such severe austerity? Among the sixty-seven fords, whatever lingas—

Verse 44 (skanda.6.208.44)

माहेश्वराणि लिंगानि तानि दृष्टानि च त्वया एतत्पातालसंस्थं च हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

māheśvarāṇi liṁgāni tāni dṛṣṭāni ca tvayā etatpātālasaṁsthaṁ ca hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam

—those Maheshvara lingas you have already seen; only this one situated in the netherworld, named Hatakeshvara, remains.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.208.45)

न पश्यति नरः कश्चिद्दृष्टं क्षेत्रे न केनचित् तेन शुद्धिश्च संजाता स्वभर्त्रा विहिता तु या

na paśyati naraḥ kaściddṛṣṭaṁ kṣetre na kenacit tena śuddhiśca saṁjātā svabhartrā vihitā tu yā

No man is able to see it, nor has anyone ever beheld it in this region; and so the purification your own husband prescribed remains incomplete.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.208.46)

तस्मादागच्छ गच्छामस्ताताश्रामपदे शुभे त्वन्मार्गं वीक्षते तातः कर्षुको वर्षणं यथा

tasmādāgaccha gacchāmastātāśrāmapade śubhe tvanmārgaṁ vīkṣate tātaḥ karṣuko varṣaṇaṁ yathā

So come, let us go to father's holy hermitage; father watches the road for your return just as a farmer watches for the rain.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.208.47)

अहिल्या उवाच यावत्पश्यामि नो देवं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम् तावद्गच्छामि नो गेहं यदा पश्यामि तं हरम्

ahilyā uvāca yāvatpaśyāmi no devaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam tāvadgacchāmi no gehaṁ yadā paśyāmi taṁ haram

Ahalya said: Until I have beheld that god named Hatakeshvara, I shall not go home; only when I have seen that Hara—

Verse 48 (skanda.6.208.48)

तदा यास्ये गृहं पुत्र निश्चयोऽयं मया कृतः

tadā yāsye gṛhaṁ putra niścayo'yaṁ mayā kṛtaḥ

—only then, my son, shall I go home; this resolve I have firmly made.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.208.49)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सोऽपि तां प्राह ह्येष चेन्निश्चयस्तव मयाऽपि तातपार्श्वे तु प्रगन्तव्यं त्वया

tacchrutvā so'pi tāṁ prāha hyeṣa cenniścayastava mayā'pi tātapārśve tu pragantavyaṁ tvayā

Hearing this, he too said to her: If this is your resolve, then I too shall remain here with you, rather than go alone to father.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.208.50)

एवमुक्त्वा ततः सोपि स्थापयामास शांभवम् लिंगं च पूजयामास त्रिकालं तपसि स्थितः

evamuktvā tataḥ sopi sthāpayāmāsa śāṁbhavam liṁgaṁ ca pūjayāmāsa trikālaṁ tapasi sthitaḥ

Having said this, he too set up a linga of Shambhu there, and, remaining in austerity, worshipped it three times a day.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.208.51)

शतानन्दस्तु राजर्षिः गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः नैवेद्यैर्विविधैः सूक्तैर्वेदोक्तैः पर्यतोषयत्

śatānandastu rājarṣiḥ gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ naivedyairvividhaiḥ sūktairvedoktaiḥ paryatoṣayat

Shatananda, that royal seer, sought to please the god with fragrances, flowers, unguents, varied offerings, and Vedic hymns.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.208.52)

षष्ठान्नकालभोज्यस्य व्रतचर्यारतस्य च एवं तस्याऽपि संस्थस्य गतः कालो महान्मुने न च तुष्यति देवेश स्ताभ्यां द्वाभ्यां कथञ्चन

ṣaṣṭhānnakālabhojyasya vratacaryāratasya ca evaṁ tasyā'pi saṁsthasya gataḥ kālo mahānmune na ca tuṣyati deveśa stābhyāṁ dvābhyāṁ kathañcana

Observing the vow of eating only every sixth meal-time, thus engaged, a great length of time passed for him too, O sage; yet the lord of gods was in no way pleased by either of them.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.208.53)

ततः कालेन महता गौतमोऽपि महामुनिः आजगाम स्वयं तत्र पुत्रदर्शनलालसः

tataḥ kālena mahatā gautamo'pi mahāmuniḥ ājagāma svayaṁ tatra putradarśanalālasaḥ

Then, after a long time, the great sage Gautama himself, longing to see his son, came there in person.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.208.54)

स दृष्ट्वा भार्यया सार्धं पुत्रं तपसि संस्थितम् तुतोष प्रथमं तावत्पश्चादुःखसमन्वितः

sa dṛṣṭvā bhāryayā sārdhaṁ putraṁ tapasi saṁsthitam tutoṣa prathamaṁ tāvatpaścāduḥkhasamanvitaḥ

Seeing his son engaged in austerity together with his wife, he was at first pleased, but afterward became filled with sorrow.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.208.55)

अहो बत महत्कष्टं पुत्रो मे कृशतां गतः तपसः संप्रभावेन नयामि स्वगृहं कथम् भार्येयं च तथा मह्यं विवर्णा तु कृशा स्थिता

aho bata mahatkaṣṭaṁ putro me kṛśatāṁ gataḥ tapasaḥ saṁprabhāvena nayāmi svagṛhaṁ katham bhāryeyaṁ ca tathā mahyaṁ vivarṇā tu kṛśā sthitā

(He thought) Alas, what great suffering — my son has grown emaciated from the rigor of his austerity; how shall I bring him home? And this wife of mine too has become pale and wasted.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.208.56)

एवं संचिंत्य मनसा तावुभौ प्रत्यभाषत गम्यतां स्वगृहं कृत्वा तपसः संनिवर्तनम्

evaṁ saṁciṁtya manasā tāvubhau pratyabhāṣata gamyatāṁ svagṛhaṁ kṛtvā tapasaḥ saṁnivartanam

Thinking thus in his mind, he said to both of them: Bring this austerity to an end now, and come home.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.208.57)

शतानन्द उवाच तातांबा बहुधा प्रोक्ता तपसः संनिवर्तने नो गच्छति तथा हर्म्यमदृष्टे हाटकेश्वरे

śatānanda uvāca tātāṁbā bahudhā proktā tapasaḥ saṁnivartane no gacchati tathā harmyamadṛṣṭe hāṭakeśvare

Shatananda said: O father, I have repeatedly urged mother to end her austerity, but she will not go home until she has beheld Hatakeshvara.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.208.58)

अहं तया विहीनस्तु नैव यास्यामि निश्चितम् एवं ज्ञात्वा महाभाग यद्युक्तं तत्समाचर

ahaṁ tayā vihīnastu naiva yāsyāmi niścitam evaṁ jñātvā mahābhāga yadyuktaṁ tatsamācara

And I too will certainly not go without her. Knowing this, O illustrious one, do whatever seems fit.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.208.59)

गौतम उवाच यद्येवं निश्चयो वत्स तव मातुश्च संस्थितः अहं ते दर्शयिष्यामि तपसा हाटकेश्वरम्

gautama uvāca yadyevaṁ niścayo vatsa tava mātuśca saṁsthitaḥ ahaṁ te darśayiṣyāmi tapasā hāṭakeśvaram

Gautama said: My child, if this is the firm resolve of both you and your mother, then I myself, through my own austerity, shall grant you the darshan of Hatakeshvara.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.208.60)

एवमुक्त्वा ततः सोऽपि तपश्चक्रे महामुनिः एकांतरोपवासस्तु स्थितो वर्षशतं मुनिः षष्ठान्नकालभोजी च तावत्काले ततोऽभवत्

evamuktvā tataḥ so'pi tapaścakre mahāmuniḥ ekāṁtaropavāsastu sthito varṣaśataṁ muniḥ ṣaṣṭhānnakālabhojī ca tāvatkāle tato'bhavat

Having said this, that great sage too undertook austerity; for a hundred years he fasted on alternate days, and for an equal span thereafter ate only at every sixth meal-time.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.208.61)

त्रिरात्रभोजी पश्चाच्च स बभूव मुनीश्वरः तावत्कालं फलैर्निन्ये तावत्कालं जलाशनः वायुभक्षस्ततो भूयस्तावत्कालमभून्मुनिः

trirātrabhojī paścācca sa babhūva munīśvaraḥ tāvatkālaṁ phalairninye tāvatkālaṁ jalāśanaḥ vāyubhakṣastato bhūyastāvatkālamabhūnmuniḥ

Then that lord of sages ate only once in three nights, and for an equal length of time lived on fruits alone, then for an equal time on water alone, and then again for an equal time subsisted on air alone.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.208.62)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते परमे संव्यवस्थिते प्रभिद्य मेदिनीपृष्ठं निष्क्रांतं लिंगमुत्तमम्

tato varṣasahasrāṁte parame saṁvyavasthite prabhidya medinīpṛṣṭhaṁ niṣkrāṁtaṁ liṁgamuttamam

Then, at the completion of a thousand years, that supreme linga burst forth, splitting open the surface of the earth.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.208.63)

द्वादशार्कप्रतीकाशं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवः शंभुः प्रत्यक्षतां गतः

dvādaśārkapratīkāśaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitama etasminnaṁtare devaḥ śaṁbhuḥ pratyakṣatāṁ gataḥ

It blazed like twelve suns and bore every auspicious mark. At that very moment, Lord Shambhu became manifest before them.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.208.64)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भगवाञ्छशिशेखरः तस्य दृष्टिपथं गत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

etasminneva kāle tu bhagavāñchaśiśekharaḥ tasya dṛṣṭipathaṁ gatvā vākyametaduvāca ha

At that very moment, the moon-crested Lord came within the range of his sight and spoke these words.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.208.65)

गौतमाऽहं प्रतुष्टस्ते तपसाऽनेन सुव्रत

gautamā'haṁ pratuṣṭaste tapasā'nena suvrata

O Gautama, keeper of noble vows, I am well pleased by this austerity of yours.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.208.66)

एतच्च मामकं लिंगं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम् पातालाच्च विनिष्क्रांतं तव भक्त्या महामुने

etacca māmakaṁ liṁgaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam pātālācca viniṣkrāṁtaṁ tava bhaktyā mahāmune

O great sage, it is by virtue of your devotion that this linga of mine, named Hatakeshvara, has emerged from the netherworld.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.208.67)

एतदर्थं तपस्तप्तं सभार्येण त्वया हि तत् सपुत्रेणाखिलं जातं फलं तस्य यथेप्सितम्

etadarthaṁ tapastaptaṁ sabhāryeṇa tvayā hi tat saputreṇākhilaṁ jātaṁ phalaṁ tasya yathepsitam

It was for this very purpose that you, together with your wife and son, undertook this austerity, and its full fruit has now been obtained exactly as you desired.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.208.68)

एतत्पश्यतु ते भार्या अहिल्या दिव्यरूपिणी अष्टषष्ट्युद्भवं येन यात्राफलमवाप्नुयात्

etatpaśyatu te bhāryā ahilyā divyarūpiṇī aṣṭaṣaṣṭyudbhavaṁ yena yātrāphalamavāpnuyāt

Let your divinely radiant wife Ahalya behold this, so that she may obtain the full fruit of her pilgrimage to all sixty-eight sacred fords.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.208.69)

त्वं चापि प्रार्थय वरं येन सर्वं ददामि ते

tvaṁ cāpi prārthaya varaṁ yena sarvaṁ dadāmi te

And you too may ask for a boon, so that I may grant you all that you wish.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.208.70)

गौतम उवाच हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञे तु सकृद्दृष्टे च यत्फलम् पातालस्थे च यत्पुण्यं नराणां जायते फलम् दृष्टेनानेन तत्पुण्यं पूजितेन विशेषतः

gautama uvāca hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñe tu sakṛddṛṣṭe ca yatphalam pātālasthe ca yatpuṇyaṁ narāṇāṁ jāyate phalam dṛṣṭenānena tatpuṇyaṁ pūjitena viśeṣataḥ

Gautama said: Whatever merit and reward mankind gains from a single glimpse of Hatakeshvara in the netherworld, let that same merit be gained from beholding this linga here, and especially from worshipping it.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.208.71)

अन्येऽपि ये जनास्तच्च पूजयंति प्रभक्तितः चैत्रशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां ते प्रयांतु त्रिविष्टपम्

anye'pi ye janāstacca pūjayaṁti prabhaktitaḥ caitraśuklacaturdaśyāṁ te prayāṁtu triviṣṭapam

And let other people too, who worship it with devotion on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, attain heaven.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.208.72)

एतल्लिंगं न जानंति नराः सिद्ध्यभिकांक्षिणः विशंति विवरं तेन हाटकेश्वरकांक्षया

etalliṁgaṁ na jānaṁti narāḥ siddhyabhikāṁkṣiṇaḥ viśaṁti vivaraṁ tena hāṭakeśvarakāṁkṣayā

Those seeking spiritual attainment who do not know of this linga still enter that (nether) opening, longing for Hatakeshvara.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.208.73)

अपि पापसमोपेता लिंगस्यास्य प्रभावतः परदारोद्भवात्पापादहिल्येश्वरदर्शनात्

api pāpasamopetā liṁgasyāsya prabhāvataḥ paradārodbhavātpāpādahilyeśvaradarśanāt

By the power of this linga, even sinful men may, merely by beholding Ahalyeshvara, be freed from the sin arising from adultery.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.208.74)

मुच्यंते मानवास्तद्वच्छतानंदेश्वरादपि तस्मिन्दिने विहितया ताभ्यां चैव प्रपूजया

mucyaṁte mānavāstadvacchatānaṁdeśvarādapi tasmindine vihitayā tābhyāṁ caiva prapūjayā

Likewise, may men be freed from sin also through the duly performed worship of Shatanandeshvara on that same day.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.208.75)

विश्वामित्र उवाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु व्याप्तः स्वर्गोऽखिलो नृप मानुषैरपि पापाढ्यैः सर्वधर्मविवर्जितैः

viśvāmitra uvāca etasminneva kāle tu vyāptaḥ svargo'khilo nṛpa mānuṣairapi pāpāḍhyaiḥ sarvadharmavivarjitaiḥ

Vishvamitra said: O king, at that very time the whole of heaven became overrun by sinful men, utterly devoid of all righteousness.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.208.76)

न कश्चित्कुरुते यज्ञं तीर्थयात्रामथापरम् न व्रतं नियमं चैव दानस्यापि कथामपि

na kaścitkurute yajñaṁ tīrthayātrāmathāparam na vrataṁ niyamaṁ caiva dānasyāpi kathāmapi

No one performed sacrifices, nor undertook pilgrimages; none observed vows or discipline, nor even spoke of charity.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.208.77)

तच्च लिंगत्रयं दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वा संपूज्य भक्तितः

tacca liṁgatrayaṁ dṛṣṭvā spṛṣṭvā saṁpūjya bhaktitaḥ

(For) merely by beholding, touching, and worshipping those three lingas with devotion, they obtained every such merit.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.208.78)

ततो भीताः सुराः सर्वे सस्पर्धैर्मानुषैर्वृताः प्रोचुः पुरंदरं गत्वा व्यथया प्रयायुताः

tato bhītāḥ surāḥ sarve saspardhairmānuṣairvṛtāḥ procuḥ puraṁdaraṁ gatvā vyathayā prayāyutāḥ

Then all the gods, alarmed and beset by the rivalry of men, went to Indra in great distress and said.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.208.79)

मर्त्यलोके सहस्राक्ष सर्वे धर्माः क्षयं गताः अपि पापसमाचारा अभ्येत्य पुरुषा इह

martyaloke sahasrākṣa sarve dharmāḥ kṣayaṁ gatāḥ api pāpasamācārā abhyetya puruṣā iha

O thousand-eyed one, all righteousness on earth has withered away; even men of sinful conduct now come here.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.208.80)

अस्माभिः सह गर्वाढ्याः स्पर्धां कुर्वंति सर्वदा हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे लिंगत्रयमनुत्तमम्

asmābhiḥ saha garvāḍhyāḥ spardhāṁ kurvaṁti sarvadā hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre liṁgatrayamanuttamam

Filled with pride, they constantly vie with us. In the Hatakeshvara region, that unsurpassed trio of lingas—

Verse 81 (skanda.6.208.81)

यत्स्थितं स्थापितं तत्र गौतमेन महात्मना सपुत्रेण सदारेण तस्य पूजाप्रभावतः

yatsthitaṁ sthāpitaṁ tatra gautamena mahātmanā saputreṇa sadāreṇa tasya pūjāprabhāvataḥ

—which the great sage Gautama, together with his wife and son, established there — through the power of worshipping it—

Verse 82 (skanda.6.208.82)

अपि पापसमाचारा इहागच्छंति तेऽखिलाः यमस्य नरकाः सर्वे सांप्रतं शून्यतां गताः

api pāpasamācārā ihāgacchaṁti te'khilāḥ yamasya narakāḥ sarve sāṁprataṁ śūnyatāṁ gatāḥ

—even all those men of sinful conduct now come here to heaven, so that all of Yama's hells have now become empty.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.208.83)

गौतमेन समानीतः पातालाद्धाटकेश्वरः तपसा तोषयित्वा तु तत्र स्थाने सुरेश्वरः

gautamena samānītaḥ pātālāddhāṭakeśvaraḥ tapasā toṣayitvā tu tatra sthāne sureśvaraḥ

Gautama, by pleasing that lord of gods through his austerity, has brought Hatakeshvara up from the netherworld to that very spot.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.208.84)

तत्प्रभावादयं जातो व्यवहारो धरातले

tatprabhāvādayaṁ jāto vyavahāro dharātale

It is by that power that this state of affairs has come about on earth.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.208.85)

एवं ज्ञात्वा प्रवर्तंते यथा यज्ञास्तथा कुरु तैर्विना नैव तृप्तिः स्यादस्माकं च कथंचन

evaṁ jñātvā pravartaṁte yathā yajñāstathā kuru tairvinā naiva tṛptiḥ syādasmākaṁ ca kathaṁcana

Knowing this, do something so that sacrifices may proceed once more, for without them we can in no way be satisfied.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.208.86)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वासवस्तत्र समाहूय च मन्मथम् क्रोधं लोभं तथा दंभं मत्सरं द्वेषसंयुतम्

tacchrutvā vāsavastatra samāhūya ca manmatham krodhaṁ lobhaṁ tathā daṁbhaṁ matsaraṁ dveṣasaṁyutam

Hearing this, Indra there summoned Manmatha (the god of desire), along with Wrath, Greed, Hypocrisy, and Envy joined with Malice.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.208.87)

गत्वा धरातलं सर्वे ममादेशाद्द्रुतं ततः स्वशक्त्या वारयध्वं भो गौतमेश्वरपूजकान्

gatvā dharātalaṁ sarve mamādeśāddrutaṁ tataḥ svaśaktyā vārayadhvaṁ bho gautameśvarapūjakān

He said: Go, all of you, swiftly to the earth at my command, and by your own powers restrain the worshippers of Gautameshvara.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.208.88)

अहिल्येश्वरदेवस्य शतानंदेश्वरस्य च शक्रादेशं तु संप्राप्य ते गता धरणीतले

ahilyeśvaradevasya śatānaṁdeśvarasya ca śakrādeśaṁ tu saṁprāpya te gatā dharaṇītale

—and likewise those of Ahalyeshvara and Shatanandeshvara. Receiving Indra's command, they went down to the surface of the earth.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.208.89)

कामादिका नरान्भेजुर्गौतमेश्वरपूजकान् तथाऽहिल्येश्वरस्यापि शतानंदेश्वरस्य च

kāmādikā narānbhejurgautameśvarapūjakān tathā'hilyeśvarasyāpi śatānaṁdeśvarasya ca

Kama and the others took possession of the men who worshipped Gautameshvara, and likewise those who worshipped Ahalyeshvara and Shatanandeshvara.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.208.90)

ततो भूयो मखा जाताः समग्रे धरणीतले संपूर्णदक्षिणाः सर्वे वतानि नियमास्तथा

tato bhūyo makhā jātāḥ samagre dharaṇītale saṁpūrṇadakṣiṇāḥ sarve vatāni niyamāstathā

Then once again sacrifices, all accompanied by full sacrificial fees, began throughout the earth, and vows and religious discipline too became current once more.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.208.91)

तीर्थयात्रा जपो होमो याश्चान्याः सुकृतक्रियाः एतत्सर्वं मया ख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि धराधिप

tīrthayātrā japo homo yāścānyāḥ sukṛtakriyāḥ etatsarvaṁ mayā khyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi dharādhipa

Pilgrimages, japa, fire-offerings, and all other meritorious acts resumed as well. O king, all that you asked, I have now told you.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.208.92)

गयाकूप्यनुषंगेण शक्रगौतमचेष्टितम् बालमण्डनमाहात्म्यं शक्रेश्वरसमन्वितम्

gayākūpyanuṣaṁgeṇa śakragautamaceṣṭitam bālamaṇḍanamāhātmyaṁ śakreśvarasamanvitam

In connection with the Gaya-well, I have related this account of Indra and Gautama, and the greatness of Bala-mandana together with Shakreshvara.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.208.93)

इन्द्रस्य स्थापनं मर्त्ये अहिल्याख्यानमेव च गौतमेश्वरमाहात्म्यं तथाहिल्येश्वरस्य च

indrasya sthāpanaṁ martye ahilyākhyānameva ca gautameśvaramāhātmyaṁ tathāhilyeśvarasya ca

I have told of Indra's establishment in the mortal world, the tale of Ahalya, and the greatness of both Gautameshvara and Ahalyeshvara.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.208.94)

यश्चैतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं श्रद्धया परया युतः स मुच्येत्पातकात्सद्यः परदारसमुद्भवात्

yaścaitacchṛṇuyānnityaṁ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ sa mucyetpātakātsadyaḥ paradārasamudbhavāt

Whoever, filled with the utmost faith, constantly listens to this account shall be instantly freed from the sin arising from adultery.