The Glory of Shivaratri

Verse 1 (skanda.6.266.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । श्रुतानि मुख्यतीर्थानि तत्क्षेत्रप्रोद्भवानि च । येषु स्नातो नरः स्म्यक्सर्व तीर्थफलं लभेत्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śrutāni mukhyatīrthāni tatkṣetraprodbhavāni ca yeṣu snāto naraḥ smyaksarva tīrthaphalaṁ labhet

The sages said: We have heard of the principal tirthas, those arisen in that sacred field, in which, having bathed, a man fully obtains the fruit of all tirthas.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.266.2)

लिंगानि च महाभाग तत्र मुख्यानि यानि च । यैर्दृष्टैर्लभ्यते श्रेयः सर्वेषां तानि नो वद

liṁgāni ca mahābhāga tatra mukhyāni yāni ca yairdṛṣṭairlabhyate śreyaḥ sarveṣāṁ tāni no vada

O most fortunate one, tell us also of the principal lingas there, by the mere sight of which the highest good is obtained by all.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.266.3)

सूत उवाच । तत्र च मंकणाख्यं तु लिंगमस्ति सुशोभनम् । तथा सिद्धेश्वरं नाम गौतमेश्वरसंयुतम्

sūta uvāca tatra ca maṁkaṇākhyaṁ tu liṁgamasti suśobhanam tathā siddheśvaraṁ nāma gautameśvarasaṁyutam

Suta said: There is, there, the most beautiful linga called Mankana, and likewise the one named Siddheshvara, joined with Gautameshvara,

Verse 4 (skanda.6.266.4)

कपालेश्वमन्यच्च चतुर्थं परिकीर्तितम् । एकैकं सर्वलिंगानां फलं यच्छत्यसंशयम् । यथोक्तविधिना सम्यग्यथोक्तं द्विजसत्तमाः

kapāleśvamanyacca caturthaṁ parikīrtitam ekaikaṁ sarvaliṁgānāṁ phalaṁ yacchatyasaṁśayam yathoktavidhinā samyagyathoktaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

and another, Kapaleshvara, is declared the fourth; O best of the twice-born, each one of these bestows the fruit of all lingas without doubt, when duly worshipped, exactly according to the rite as prescribed.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.266.5)

तत्र तावत्प्रवक्ष्यामि मंकणेश्वरजं फलम् । मकाराक्षरयुक्तस्य लिंगस्यात्र द्विजोत्तमाः

tatra tāvatpravakṣyāmi maṁkaṇeśvarajaṁ phalam makārākṣarayuktasya liṁgasyātra dvijottamāḥ

There, I shall first declare the fruit born of Mankaneshvara; O best of the twice-born, of this linga, joined with the syllable 'ma',

Verse 6 (skanda.6.266.6)

शिवरात्रिं समासाद्य यस्तस्य पुरुषो द्विजाः । कुर्याज्जागरणं रात्रौ निराहारः स्थितः शुचिः

śivarātriṁ samāsādya yastasya puruṣo dvijāḥ kuryājjāgaraṇaṁ rātrau nirāhāraḥ sthitaḥ śuciḥ

O twice-born, whatever man, upon the arrival of Shivaratri, keeps a night-vigil for it, remaining without food, and pure,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.266.7)

सर्वलिंगोद्भवं चैव फलं दर्शनसंभवम् । जायते नात्र संदेह इत्युवाच हरः स्वयम्

sarvaliṁgodbhavaṁ caiva phalaṁ darśanasaṁbhavam jāyate nātra saṁdeha ityuvāca haraḥ svayam

obtains the fruit that arises from all the lingas, arisen merely from the sight of this one — there is no doubt in this — thus spoke Hara himself.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.266.8)

ऋषय ऊचुः । शिवरात्रिर्महाभाग कस्मिन्काले तु सा भवेत् । विध्यानं चैव माहात्म्यं सर्वं नो विस्तराद्वद

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śivarātrirmahābhāga kasminkāle tu sā bhavet vidhyānaṁ caiva māhātmyaṁ sarvaṁ no vistarādvada

The sages said: O most fortunate one, at what time does Shivaratri fall? Tell us in full detail its rite, its meditation, and all its glory.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.266.9)

सूत उवाच । माघस्य कृष्णपक्षे या तिथिश्चैव चतुर्दशी । तस्या रात्रिः समाख्याता शिवरात्रिसमुद्भवा

sūta uvāca māghasya kṛṣṇapakṣe yā tithiścaiva caturdaśī tasyā rātriḥ samākhyātā śivarātrisamudbhavā

Suta said: That fourteenth lunar day which falls in the dark fortnight of Magha — its night is declared to be the one that gives rise to Shivaratri.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.266.10)

तस्यां सर्वेषु लिंगेषु सदा संक्रमते हरः । विशेषात्सर्वपुण्येषु ख्यातेयं मंकणेश्वरे

tasyāṁ sarveṣu liṁgeṣu sadā saṁkramate haraḥ viśeṣātsarvapuṇyeṣu khyāteyaṁ maṁkaṇeśvare

On that night, Hara ever passes into all the lingas; but especially, among all the sacred lingas, this is renowned at Mankaneshvara.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.266.11)

ऋषय ऊचुः । शिवरात्रिः कथं जाता केनैषा च विनिर्मिता । कस्माद्बहुफला जाता सर्वं नो विस्तराद्वद

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śivarātriḥ kathaṁ jātā kenaiṣā ca vinirmitā kasmādbahuphalā jātā sarvaṁ no vistarādvada

The sages said: How did Shivaratri come to be, and by whom was it established? Why has it become so abundantly fruitful? Tell us all in full detail.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.266.12)

सूत उवाच । अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि पूर्ववृत्तं कथानकम् । भर्तृयज्ञस्य संवादमश्वसेनस्य भूपतेः

sūta uvāca atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi pūrvavṛttaṁ kathānakam bhartṛyajñasya saṁvādamaśvasenasya bhūpateḥ

Suta said: Here I shall relate to you an ancient tale — the dialogue of Bhartriyajna with the king Ashvasena.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.266.13)

आनर्ताधिपतिः पूर्वमश्वसेन इति स्मृतः । आसीद्धर्मपरो नित्यं वेदवेदागंपारगः

ānartādhipatiḥ pūrvamaśvasena iti smṛtaḥ āsīddharmaparo nityaṁ vedavedāgaṁpāragaḥ

Formerly, there was one remembered as Ashvasena, the lord of Anarta; he was ever devoted to dharma, and had mastered the Vedas and Vedangas.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.266.14)

भर्तृयज्ञः पुरा तेन इदं पृष्टः कुतूहलात् । कलिकालं समुद्वीक्ष्य वर्धमानं दिनेदिने

bhartṛyajñaḥ purā tena idaṁ pṛṣṭaḥ kutūhalāt kalikālaṁ samudvīkṣya vardhamānaṁ dinedine

Bhartriyajna was once questioned by him out of curiosity, on seeing the Kali age growing stronger day by day.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.266.15)

अश्वसेन उवाच । कलिकालकृते किंचिद्व्रतं मे वद सन्मुने । स्वल्पायासं महत्पुण्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

aśvasena uvāca kalikālakṛte kiṁcidvrataṁ me vada sanmune svalpāyāsaṁ mahatpuṇyaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

Ashvasena said: O virtuous sage, tell me some vow suited for the Kali age — one of little effort, of great merit, and the destroyer of all sin.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.266.16)

स्वल्पायुषः सदा मर्त्या ब्रह्मन्कृतयुगे पुरा । त्रेतायां द्वापरे चैव किमु प्राप्ते कलौ युगे

svalpāyuṣaḥ sadā martyā brahmankṛtayuge purā tretāyāṁ dvāpare caiva kimu prāpte kalau yuge

O brahmin, mortals were ever of short life, even formerly in the Krita age, and in the Treta and Dvapara — how much more so, then, in the Kali age which has now come!

Verse 17 (skanda.6.266.17)

तस्माद्वर्षव्रतं त्यक्त्वा किंचिदेकाह्निकं वद

tasmādvarṣavrataṁ tyaktvā kiṁcidekāhnikaṁ vada

Therefore, setting aside year-long vows, tell me of some one-day observance.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.266.18)

श्वः कार्यमद्य कुर्वीत पूर्वाह्णे चापराह्णिकम् । न हि प्रतीक्षते मृत्युः कृतं वास्य न वा कृतम्

śvaḥ kāryamadya kurvīta pūrvāhṇe cāparāhṇikam na hi pratīkṣate mṛtyuḥ kṛtaṁ vāsya na vā kṛtam

What is to be done tomorrow, let one do today; and what belongs to the afternoon, in the forenoon — for death does not wait to see whether the task has been done or not.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.266.19)

तस्य तद्वचं श्रुत्वा भर्तृयज्ञ उदारधीः । अब्रवीत्सुचिरं ध्यात्वा ज्ञात्वा दिव्येन चक्षुषा

tasya tadvacaṁ śrutvā bhartṛyajña udāradhīḥ abravītsuciraṁ dhyātvā jñātvā divyena cakṣuṣā

Hearing those words of his, Bhartriyajna, of noble mind, having meditated for a long while and perceived with his divine eye, said:

Verse 20 (skanda.6.266.20)

अस्ति राजन्व्रतं पुण्यं शिवरात्रीतिसंज्ञितम् । एकाह्निकं महाराज सर्वपातकनाशनम्

asti rājanvrataṁ puṇyaṁ śivarātrītisaṁjñitam ekāhnikaṁ mahārāja sarvapātakanāśanam

'There is, O king, a sacred vow known by the name Shivaratri, O great king, a single-day observance, the destroyer of all sins.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.266.21)

तत्र यद्दीयते दानं हुतं जप्तं तथैव च । सर्वमक्षयतां याति रात्रि जागरणे कृते

tatra yaddīyate dānaṁ hutaṁ japtaṁ tathaiva ca sarvamakṣayatāṁ yāti rātri jāgaraṇe kṛte

'Whatever gift is given, whatever oblation offered, and likewise whatever japa performed on it, all becomes imperishable, when the night-vigil is kept.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.266.22)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रानधनो धनमाप्नुयात् । स्वल्पायुर्दीर्घमायुष्यं शत्रूणां चैव संक्षयम्

aputro labhate putrānadhano dhanamāpnuyāt svalpāyurdīrghamāyuṣyaṁ śatrūṇāṁ caiva saṁkṣayam

'The sonless obtains sons, the poor obtains wealth, the short-lived obtains long life, and likewise the destruction of enemies.'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.266.23)

यंयं काममभिध्यायन्व्रतमेतत्समाचरेत् । तंतं समाप्नुयान्मर्त्यो निष्कामो मोक्षमाप्नुयात्

yaṁyaṁ kāmamabhidhyāyanvratametatsamācaret taṁtaṁ samāpnuyānmartyo niṣkāmo mokṣamāpnuyāt

'Whatever desire a man contemplates while performing this vow, that very desire he attains; and one free of desire attains liberation.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.266.24)

कार्पण्येनाथ वित्तेन यदि कुर्यात्प्रजागरम् । तथा वर्षकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

kārpaṇyenātha vittena yadi kuryātprajāgaram tathā varṣakṛtātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

'And if one keeps the vigil even with meagre means, by that too one is freed from the sins committed in a year — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.266.25)

यानि कान्यत्र लिंगानि स्थावराणि चराणि च । तेषु संक्रमते देवस्तस्यां रात्रौ यतो हरः

yāni kānyatra liṁgāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca teṣu saṁkramate devastasyāṁ rātrau yato haraḥ

'Whatever lingas there are, whether fixed or movable, into all of them the God, Hara, passes on that night.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.266.26)

शिवरात्रिस्ततः प्रोक्ता तेन सा हरवल्लभा । प्रार्थितः स सुरैः सर्वैर्लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया

śivarātristataḥ proktā tena sā haravallabhā prārthitaḥ sa suraiḥ sarvairlokānugrahakāmyayā

'Therefore it is called Shivaratri, and thus it is beloved of Hara.' He was entreated by all the gods, out of a desire for the benefit of the worlds:

Verse 27 (skanda.6.266.27)

भगवन्कलिकालेऽस्मिन्सर्वपापसमन्विते । वर्षपापविशुद्ध्यर्थं दिनमेकं क्षितौ व्रज । येन त्वत्पूजया पूता मर्त्याः शुद्धिमवाप्नुयुः

bhagavankalikāle'sminsarvapāpasamanvite varṣapāpaviśuddhyarthaṁ dinamekaṁ kṣitau vraja yena tvatpūjayā pūtā martyāḥ śuddhimavāpnuyuḥ

'O Lord, in this Kali age, filled with every sin, for the purification of a year's sin, come down to earth for a single day, so that mortals, purified by your worship, may attain purity.'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.266.28)

ततो दत्तं हुतं तेषामस्माकमुपतिष्ठति । यदुच्छिष्टं नरैर्दत्तं तद्वृथा जायतेऽखिलम्

tato dattaṁ hutaṁ teṣāmasmākamupatiṣṭhati yaducchiṣṭaṁ narairdattaṁ tadvṛthā jāyate'khilam

'For then, what is given and offered by them reaches us; but whatever leftover offering is given by men in impurity, all of it becomes fruitless.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.266.29)

कलिकाले न चास्माकं किंचिदेवोपतिष्ठति । अशुद्धैर्मानवैर्दत्तं प्रभूतमपि शंकर

kalikāle na cāsmākaṁ kiṁcidevopatiṣṭhati aśuddhairmānavairdattaṁ prabhūtamapi śaṁkara

'O Shankara, in the Kali age, nothing at all reaches us, however abundant, when given by impure men.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.266.30)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । माघमासस्य कृष्णायां चतुर्दश्यां सुरेश्वर । अहं यास्यामि भूपृष्ठे रात्रौ नैव दिवा कलौ

śrībhagavānuvāca māghamāsasya kṛṣṇāyāṁ caturdaśyāṁ sureśvara ahaṁ yāsyāmi bhūpṛṣṭhe rātrau naiva divā kalau

The Blessed Lord said: 'O Lord of the gods, on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of the month of Magha, I shall come to the surface of the earth, by night — not by day — in the Kali age.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.266.31)

लिंगेषु च समस्तेषु चलेषु स्थावरेषु च । संक्रमिष्याम्यसंदिग्धं वर्षपापविशुद्धये

liṁgeṣu ca samasteṣu caleṣu sthāvareṣu ca saṁkramiṣyāmyasaṁdigdhaṁ varṣapāpaviśuddhaye

'I shall pass, without any doubt, into all the lingas, both movable and fixed, for the purification of a year's sin.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.266.32)

तस्यां रात्रौ हि मे पूजां यः करिष्यति मानवः । मंत्रैरेतैः सुरश्रेष्ठ विपाप्मा स भविष्यति

tasyāṁ rātrau hi me pūjāṁ yaḥ kariṣyati mānavaḥ maṁtrairetaiḥ suraśreṣṭha vipāpmā sa bhaviṣyati

'Whatever man shall perform my worship on that night, O best of the gods, with these mantras, he shall become free of sin.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.266.33)

ॐ सद्योजाताय नमः । ॐ वामदेवाय नमः । ॐ घोराय नमः । ॐ तत्पुरुषाय नमः । ॐ ईशानाय नमः

oṁ sadyojātāya namaḥ oṁ vāmadevāya namaḥ oṁ ghorāya namaḥ oṁ tatpuruṣāya namaḥ oṁ īśānāya namaḥ

Om, salutation to Sadyojata. Om, salutation to Vamadeva. Om, salutation to Ghora. Om, salutation to Tatpurusha. Om, salutation to Ishana.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.266.34)

एवं वक्त्राणि संपूज्य गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः । वस्त्रैर्दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैस्ततोऽर्घं संप्रदापयेत् । मंत्रेणानेन संपूज्य मां ध्यात्वा मनसि स्थितम्

evaṁ vaktrāṇi saṁpūjya gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ vastrairdīpaiśca naivedyaistato'rghaṁ saṁpradāpayet maṁtreṇānena saṁpūjya māṁ dhyātvā manasi sthitam

'Having thus worshipped my five faces with fragrance, flowers, and unguents, with garments, lamps, and food-offerings, one should then present the arghya; having worshipped with this very mantra, meditating upon me as abiding in the mind,'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.266.35)

गौरीवल्लभ देवेश सर्वाद्य शशिशेखर । वर्षपापविशुद्ध्यर्थमर्घो मे प्रतिगृह्यताम्

gaurīvallabha deveśa sarvādya śaśiśekhara varṣapāpaviśuddhyarthamargho me pratigṛhyatām

'[with the words:] O beloved of Gauri, O Lord of gods, O origin of all, O moon-crested one, for the purification of a year's sin, may my offering be accepted.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.266.36)

ततः संपूजयेद्विप्रं भोजनाच्छादनादिभिः । दत्त्वाथ दक्षिणां तस्मै वित्तशाठ्यं विवर्जयेत्

tataḥ saṁpūjayedvipraṁ bhojanācchādanādibhiḥ dattvātha dakṣiṇāṁ tasmai vittaśāṭhyaṁ vivarjayet

'Then one should worship a brahmin with food, clothing, and the like; and having given him the sacrificial fee, one should avoid stinginess with wealth.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.266.37)

धर्माख्यानकथाभिश्च सलास्यैस्तांडवैस्तथा

dharmākhyānakathābhiśca salāsyaistāṁḍavaistathā

'The night is to be passed with tales of righteous discourse, and likewise with graceful and vigorous dance.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.266.38)

एवं करिष्यते योऽत्र व्रतमेतत्सुरेश्वर । वर्षपापविशुद्ध्यर्थं प्रायश्चित्तं भविष्यति

evaṁ kariṣyate yo'tra vratametatsureśvara varṣapāpaviśuddhyarthaṁ prāyaścittaṁ bhaviṣyati

'O Lord of the gods, whoever thus performs this vow here, for him it shall become the atonement for the purification of a year's sin.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.266.39)

तच्छ्रुत्वा त्रिदशाः सर्वे प्रणम्य शशिशेखरम् । संप्रहृष्टा नरश्रेष्ठ स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे

tacchrutvā tridaśāḥ sarve praṇamya śaśiśekharam saṁprahṛṣṭā naraśreṣṭha svāni sthānāni bhejire

Hearing this, all the gods, bowing to the moon-crested one, greatly delighted, O best of men, returned each to their own abodes.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.266.40)

प्रेषयामासुरुर्व्यां च नारदं मुनिसत्तमम् । प्रबोधनाय लोकानां शिवरात्रिकृते सदा

preṣayāmāsururvyāṁ ca nāradaṁ munisattamam prabodhanāya lokānāṁ śivarātrikṛte sadā

They sent the best of sages, Narada, down to the earth, to awaken the worlds ever to the observance of Shivaratri.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.266.41)

सोऽपि गत्वा धरापृष्ठं श्रावयामास सर्वतः । शिवरात्रेस्तु माहात्म्यं यदुक्तं शूलपाणिना

so'pi gatvā dharāpṛṣṭhaṁ śrāvayāmāsa sarvataḥ śivarātrestu māhātmyaṁ yaduktaṁ śūlapāṇinā

He too, having gone to the surface of the earth, proclaimed everywhere the glory of Shivaratri, as it had been declared by the Trident-bearer.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.266.42)

ततः प्रभृति संजाता शिवरात्रिर्धरातले । सर्वकामप्रदा पुण्या सर्वपातकनाशिनी

tataḥ prabhṛti saṁjātā śivarātrirdharātale sarvakāmapradā puṇyā sarvapātakanāśinī

From that time onward, Shivaratri came to exist on the surface of the earth, the giver of every desire, sacred, the destroyer of all sin.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.266.43)

अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं कथानकम् । यद्वृत्तं नैमिषारण्ये लुब्धकस्यात्र कस्यचित्

atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi purāvṛttaṁ kathānakam yadvṛttaṁ naimiṣāraṇye lubdhakasyātra kasyacit

Here I shall relate to you an ancient tale, the story which took place regarding a certain hunter in the Naimisha forest.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.266.44)

तत्रासील्लुब्धकः कश्चिज्जातिमात्रान्न कर्मतः । व्यसेनानाभिभूतात्मा परवित्तापहारकः

tatrāsīllubdhakaḥ kaścijjātimātrānna karmataḥ vyasenānābhibhūtātmā paravittāpahārakaḥ

There was there a certain hunter, a hunter by birth alone, not by deed; his soul overpowered by vices, a plunderer of others' wealth.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.266.45)

न कदाचिद्व्रतं तेन न दत्तं न जपः कृतः । केवलं च हृतं वित्तं लोकानां छलसंश्रयात्

na kadācidvrataṁ tena na dattaṁ na japaḥ kṛtaḥ kevalaṁ ca hṛtaṁ vittaṁ lokānāṁ chalasaṁśrayāt

By him no vow was ever kept, nothing was given, no japa performed; only wealth was stolen from people, through resort to trickery.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.266.46)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य शिवरात्रिः समागता । माघमासेऽसितेपक्षे सर्वपातकनाशिनी

kasyacittvatha kālasya śivarātriḥ samāgatā māghamāse'sitepakṣe sarvapātakanāśinī

Then, at some point in time, Shivaratri arrived, in the dark fortnight of the month of Magha, the destroyer of all sins.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.266.47)

तत्रास्त्यायतनं पुण्यं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः । तत्र जागरणं रात्रौ प्रारब्धं बहुभिर्ज्जनैः

tatrāstyāyatanaṁ puṇyaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ tatra jāgaraṇaṁ rātrau prārabdhaṁ bahubhirjjanaiḥ

There was there a sacred shrine of the trident-bearing God of gods; there a night-vigil was undertaken by many people,

Verse 48 (skanda.6.266.48)

नारीभिर्नरशार्दूल भूषिताभिः सुभूषणैः । अथासौ चिंतयामास चोरो दृष्ट्वाथ जागरम्

nārībhirnaraśārdūla bhūṣitābhiḥ subhūṣaṇaiḥ athāsau ciṁtayāmāsa coro dṛṣṭvātha jāgaram

O tiger among men, by women adorned with fine ornaments. Then that thief, seeing the vigil, began to think:

Verse 49 (skanda.6.266.49)

गच्छामि यदि कांचित्स्त्रीं भूषणैः परिभूषिताम् । निष्क्रांतां बाह्यतश्चास्य प्रासादस्याप्नुयामहम्

gacchāmi yadi kāṁcitstrīṁ bhūṣaṇaiḥ paribhūṣitām niṣkrāṁtāṁ bāhyataścāsya prāsādasyāpnuyāmaham

'If I go, I may catch hold of some woman adorned with ornaments, as she comes out beyond this temple's precincts,'

Verse 50 (skanda.6.266.50)

ततो हत्वा समादाय भूषणानि व्रजाम्यहम्

tato hatvā samādāya bhūṣaṇāni vrajāmyaham

'and then, having killed her, taking her ornaments, I shall depart.'

Verse 51 (skanda.6.266.51)

एवं निश्चित्य मनसा गतस्तस्य समीपतः । कर्णिकारं समारुह्य स्थितो गुप्तस्ततो हि सः

evaṁ niścitya manasā gatastasya samīpataḥ karṇikāraṁ samāruhya sthito guptastato hi saḥ

Having resolved thus in his mind, he went near to it; and, climbing up a karnikara tree, he stayed there, hidden.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.266.52)

वीक्षमाणो दिशः सर्वा नारीनिष्क्रामणोद्भवाः । चौरकर्मप्रवृत्तस्य शीतार्तस्य विशेषतः

vīkṣamāṇo diśaḥ sarvā nārīniṣkrāmaṇodbhavāḥ caurakarmapravṛttasya śītārtasya viśeṣataḥ

He watched in all directions for a woman coming out, especially being one engaged in the deed of theft, and tormented by the cold.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.266.53)

अल्पापि निद्रा नायाता न च नारी विनिर्गता । तस्याधस्तात्ततो लिंगमभवत्तु धरोद्भवम् । गत्वा च पत्राण्यादाय प्रचिक्षेपास्य चोपरि

alpāpi nidrā nāyātā na ca nārī vinirgatā tasyādhastāttato liṁgamabhavattu dharodbhavam gatvā ca patrāṇyādāya pracikṣepāsya copari

Not even a little sleep came to him, and no woman came out. Now, beneath him there happened to be a linga that had arisen from the earth; and taking hold of leaves, he flung them down upon it, one after another.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.266.54)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु प्रोद्गतस्तीक्ष्णदीधितिः । असतीनां च चौराणां कामिनामसुखावहः

etasminneva kāle tu prodgatastīkṣṇadīdhitiḥ asatīnāṁ ca caurāṇāṁ kāmināmasukhāvahaḥ

At this very time, the sharp-rayed sun rose, bringing unhappiness to the unchaste, to thieves, and to the lustful.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.266.55)

ततो नराश्च नार्यश्च जग्मुः स्वंस्वं निकेतनम् । उपचारपराः शांताः प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम्

tato narāśca nāryaśca jagmuḥ svaṁsvaṁ niketanam upacāraparāḥ śāṁtāḥ praṇipatya maheśvaram

Then the men and women, having performed their acts of devotion, at peace, having bowed before Maheshvara, went each to their own dwelling.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.266.56)

सोऽपि चौरो निराशश्च क्षुत्क्षामः शीतविह्वलः । अवतीर्य द्रुमात्तस्मादुपायं कंचिदाश्रितः

so'pi cauro nirāśaśca kṣutkṣāmaḥ śītavihvalaḥ avatīrya drumāttasmādupāyaṁ kaṁcidāśritaḥ

That thief too, disappointed, emaciated with hunger, overcome by cold, having descended from that tree, resorted to some other means.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.266.57)

ततः कालेन महता पंचत्वं समपद्यत । जातो जातिस्मरः सोऽथ दशार्णाधिपतेर्गृहे

tataḥ kālena mahatā paṁcatvaṁ samapadyata jāto jātismaraḥ so'tha daśārṇādhipatergṛhe

Then, after a long time, he came to his death; and he was reborn, remembering his former births, in the house of the lord of Dasharna.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.266.58)

उपवासप्रभावेन बलादपि प्रजागरात् । शिवरात्रेस्तथा तस्य लिङ्गस्यापि प्रपूजया

upavāsaprabhāvena balādapi prajāgarāt śivarātrestathā tasya liṅgasyāpi prapūjayā

Through the power of that fast, and even by the involuntary vigil, and likewise through that worship of the linga on Shivaratri —

Verse 59 (skanda.6.266.59)

ततो राज्यं समासाद्य पितृपैतामहं महत् । कारयामास लिंगस्य प्रासादं तस्य शोभनम्

tato rājyaṁ samāsādya pitṛpaitāmahaṁ mahat kārayāmāsa liṁgasya prāsādaṁ tasya śobhanam

— he then, having obtained the great kingdom of his father and grandfather, had a beautiful temple built for that linga.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.266.60)

वर्षेवर्षे समाश्रित्य शिवरात्रौ प्रजागरात् । उपवासपरोभूत्वा गीतवादित्रनिःस्वनैः

varṣevarṣe samāśritya śivarātrau prajāgarāt upavāsaparobhūtvā gītavāditraniḥsvanaiḥ

Year after year, resorting to the vigil on Shivaratri, devoted to fasting, with the resounding of song and musical instruments,

Verse 61 (skanda.6.266.61)

धर्माख्यानकथाभिश्च गीतध्वनिभिरेव च । पूर्वोक्तमंत्रैः संपूज्य अर्घं दत्त्वा विधानतः । संतर्प्य ब्राह्मणान्कामैर्जगाम निलयं निजम्

dharmākhyānakathābhiśca gītadhvanibhireva ca pūrvoktamaṁtraiḥ saṁpūjya arghaṁ dattvā vidhānataḥ saṁtarpya brāhmaṇānkāmairjagāma nilayaṁ nijam

and with tales of righteous discourse and the sounds of song, having worshipped with the previously stated mantras and given the offering according to rite, having satisfied the brahmins with what they desired, he would return to his own dwelling.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.266.62)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य शिवरात्रौ समागताः । प्रासादे तत्र मुनयः प्राप्ता शाण्डिल्यपूर्वकाः

kasyacittvatha kālasya śivarātrau samāgatāḥ prāsāde tatra munayaḥ prāptā śāṇḍilyapūrvakāḥ

Then, at some point in time, on the occasion of Shivaratri, sages headed by Shandilya arrived at that temple,

Verse 63 (skanda.6.266.63)

शांडिल्योऽथ भरद्वाजो यवक्रीतोऽथ गालवः । पुलस्त्यः पुलहो गार्ग्यस्तथान्ये बहवो नृप

śāṁḍilyo'tha bharadvājo yavakrīto'tha gālavaḥ pulastyaḥ pulaho gārgyastathānye bahavo nṛpa

Shandilya, and Bharadvaja, and Yavakrita, and Galava, Pulastya, Pulaha, Gargya, O king, and many others besides.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.266.64)

सोऽपि राजा बृहत्सेनो दशार्णाधिपतेः सुतः । संप्राप्तो जागरं कर्तुं तस्य लिंगस्य चाग्रतः

so'pi rājā bṛhatseno daśārṇādhipateḥ sutaḥ saṁprāpto jāgaraṁ kartuṁ tasya liṁgasya cāgrataḥ

That king too, Brihatsena, the son of the lord of Dasharna, arrived to keep the vigil before that linga.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.266.65)

पूजयित्वा ततो देवं प्रणिपत्य मुनीश्वरान् । उपविष्टस्तस्य चाग्रे ह्यनुज्ञातो द्विजोत्तमैः

pūjayitvā tato devaṁ praṇipatya munīśvarān upaviṣṭastasya cāgre hyanujñāto dvijottamaiḥ

Having worshipped the God, and having bowed to the lords of sages, he sat down before it, given leave to do so by the foremost of the twice-born.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.266.66)

ततस्तस्याग्रतश्चक्रुः कथास्ते बहुधा नृप । राजर्षीणामतीतानां ब्रह्मर्षीणां विशेषतः

tatastasyāgrataścakruḥ kathāste bahudhā nṛpa rājarṣīṇāmatītānāṁ brahmarṣīṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ

Then they told, before him, O king, many stories of the royal sages of the past, and especially of the brahmin-sages.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.266.67)

अथ कस्मिन्कथांते स तैः पृष्टो ब्रह्मवादिभिः । कौतुकाविष्टचित्तैश्च विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनैः

atha kasminkathāṁte sa taiḥ pṛṣṭo brahmavādibhiḥ kautukāviṣṭacittaiśca vismayotphullalocanaiḥ

Then, at the end of some story, he was questioned by those speakers of Brahman, their minds filled with curiosity, their eyes wide with wonder:

Verse 68 (skanda.6.266.68)

राजन्पृच्छामहे सर्वे वयं कौतूहलान्विताः । यदि ब्रवीषि नः सत्यं देवतायतने स्थितः

rājanpṛcchāmahe sarve vayaṁ kautūhalānvitāḥ yadi bravīṣi naḥ satyaṁ devatāyatane sthitaḥ

'O king, we all ask you, filled with curiosity — if, standing here in this shrine of the deity, you will tell us the truth —'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.266.69)

राजोवाच । यदि ज्ञास्यामि विप्रेंद्राः कथयिष्याम्यसंशयम् । देवस्याग्रे च संपृष्टः सत्येनात्मानमालभे

rājovāca yadi jñāsyāmi vipreṁdrāḥ kathayiṣyāmyasaṁśayam devasyāgre ca saṁpṛṣṭaḥ satyenātmānamālabhe

The king said: 'O foremost of brahmins, if I know it, I shall tell it without doubt; and, being questioned in the presence of the God, I bind myself by the truth.'

Verse 70 (skanda.6.266.70)

ऋषय ऊचुः । पुष्कलानि परित्यज्य कस्माद्दानान्यनेकशः । जागरं कर्तुकामोऽत्र स्वदेशादुपतिष्ठसि

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ puṣkalāni parityajya kasmāddānānyanekaśaḥ jāgaraṁ kartukāmo'tra svadeśādupatiṣṭhasi

The sages said: 'Why, having set aside abundant and numerous gifts, do you, desiring to keep the vigil here, come from your own land?'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.266.71)

वर्षेवर्षे सदा प्राप्ते नूनं त्वं वेत्सि कारणम् । रहस्यं यदि ते न स्यात्तद्ब्रवीहि नराधिप

varṣevarṣe sadā prāpte nūnaṁ tvaṁ vetsi kāraṇam rahasyaṁ yadi te na syāttadbravīhi narādhipa

'Coming here year after year without fail — surely you know the reason. If it is not a secret for you, tell it, O lord of men.'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.266.72)

सूत उवाच । सवैलक्ष्यं स्मितं कृत्वा ततः प्राह स दुर्मनाः । रहस्यं परमं ह्येतदवाच्यं हि द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca savailakṣyaṁ smitaṁ kṛtvā tataḥ prāha sa durmanāḥ rahasyaṁ paramaṁ hyetadavācyaṁ hi dvijottamāḥ

Suta said: Giving a somewhat embarrassed smile, he then said, troubled in mind: 'This is indeed a supreme secret, O best of the twice-born, not to be spoken —'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.266.73)

तथापि च वदिष्यामि पृष्टो देवाग्रतो यतः

tathāpi ca vadiṣyāmi pṛṣṭo devāgrato yataḥ

'— yet nevertheless I shall tell it, since I have been questioned in the presence of the God.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.266.74)

ततः स कथयामास पूर्वदेहसमुद्भवम् । मलिम्लुचस्ततो नूनं शिवरात्रिसमुद्भवम्

tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa pūrvadehasamudbhavam malimlucastato nūnaṁ śivarātrisamudbhavam

Then he related the events that had arisen in his former body — how, having certainly been a thief then, through what arose from Shivaratri,

Verse 75 (skanda.6.266.75)

चौर्यभावेन देवस्य पूजनं जागरस्तथा । उपवासं विना तेन शिवरात्रौ पुरा कृतम्

cauryabhāvena devasya pūjanaṁ jāgarastathā upavāsaṁ vinā tena śivarātrau purā kṛtam

— with the intent to steal, that worship of the God, and likewise the vigil, though without fasting, had been performed by him formerly on Shivaratri —

Verse 76 (skanda.6.266.76)

जातिस्मरणसंयुक्तं जन्मजातं यथातथम् । ततस्ते मुनयः सर्वे साधुवादान्पृथग्विधान्

jātismaraṇasaṁyuktaṁ janmajātaṁ yathātatham tataste munayaḥ sarve sādhuvādānpṛthagvidhān

— and how he was joined with the memory of his past birth, exactly as it had come about at his new birth. Then all those sages, uttering various praises —

Verse 77 (skanda.6.266.77)

नृपोत्तमस्य राजर्षेर्दत्त्वाशीर्भिः समन्वितान् । रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा प्रजग्मुस्ते निजाश्रमान्

nṛpottamasya rājarṣerdattvāśīrbhiḥ samanvitān rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā prajagmuste nijāśramān

— having given blessings, together with words of praise, to that best of kings, the royal sage, having kept the night-vigil, went to their own hermitages.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.266.78)

सोऽपि राजासमभ्यर्च्य तं देवं तान्द्विजोत्तमान् । जगाम स्वपुरं पश्चात्कृत्वा रात्रौ प्रजागरम्

so'pi rājāsamabhyarcya taṁ devaṁ tāndvijottamān jagāma svapuraṁ paścātkṛtvā rātrau prajāgaram

That king too, having duly worshipped that God and those foremost of the twice-born, and having kept the night-vigil, then went to his own city.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.266.79)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच । शिवरात्रिः समुत्पन्ना एवं भूमितले नृप । एवंविधं च माहात्म्यं तस्यास्ते परिकीर्तितम्

bhartṛyajña uvāca śivarātriḥ samutpannā evaṁ bhūmitale nṛpa evaṁvidhaṁ ca māhātmyaṁ tasyāste parikīrtitam

Bhartriyajna said: Thus, O king, Shivaratri came to arise upon the surface of the earth; and such is the glory of it that has been declared to you.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.266.80)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्या स नृपसत्तम । कलिकाले विशेषेण य इच्छेद्भूतिमात्मनः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāryā sa nṛpasattama kalikāle viśeṣeṇa ya icchedbhūtimātmanaḥ

Therefore, O best of kings, it should be performed with every effort, especially in the Kali age, by whoever desires prosperity for himself.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.266.81)

एषा कृता दिलीपेन नलेन नहुषेण च । मान्धात्रा धुंधुमारेण सगरेण युयुत्सुना

eṣā kṛtā dilīpena nalena nahuṣeṇa ca māndhātrā dhuṁdhumāreṇa sagareṇa yuyutsunā

This vow was performed by Dilipa, by Nala, and by Nahusha, by Mandhatri, by Dhundhumara, by Sagara, and by Yuyutsu,

Verse 82 (skanda.6.266.82)

तथान्यैश्च विशेषेण सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमन्वितैः । प्राप्ताश्च हृद्गताः कामा ये दिव्या ये च मानुषाः

tathānyaiśca viśeṣeṇa samyakchraddhāsamanvitaiḥ prāptāśca hṛdgatāḥ kāmā ye divyā ye ca mānuṣāḥ

and likewise by many others, especially those endowed with proper faith; and the desires cherished in their hearts, whether divine or human, were attained.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.266.83)

तथा चैव तु सावित्र्या श्रिया देव्या तु सीतया । अरुंधत्या सरस्वत्या मेनया रंभया तथा

tathā caiva tu sāvitryā śriyā devyā tu sītayā aruṁdhatyā sarasvatyā menayā raṁbhayā tathā

And likewise by Savitri, by the goddess Shri, by Sita, by Arundhati, by Sarasvati, by Mena, and by Rambha as well,

Verse 84 (skanda.6.266.84)

इंद्राण्याथ दृषद्वत्या स्वधया स्वाहया तथा । रत्या प्रीत्या प्रभावत्या गायत्र्या च नृपोत्तम । सर्वाः प्राप्ताः प्रियान्कामानतिसौभाग्यसंयुतान्

iṁdrāṇyātha dṛṣadvatyā svadhayā svāhayā tathā ratyā prītyā prabhāvatyā gāyatryā ca nṛpottama sarvāḥ prāptāḥ priyānkāmānatisaubhāgyasaṁyutān

and by Indrani, and by Drishadvati, and likewise by Svadha and Svaha, by Rati, by Priti, by Prabhavati, and by Gayatri, O best of kings — all of them obtained their beloved desires, joined with the greatest good fortune.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.266.85)

यश्चैतां पठते व्युष्टिं भावेन शिवसंनिधौ । दिनजात्पातकात्सोऽपि मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

yaścaitāṁ paṭhate vyuṣṭiṁ bhāvena śivasaṁnidhau dinajātpātakātso'pi mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

And whoever recites this account with true devotion in the presence of Shiva, he too is freed from the sin arisen in a day — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.266.86)

नास्ति गंगासमं तीर्थं नास्ति देवो हरोपमः । शिवरात्रेः परं नास्ति तपः सत्यं मयोदितम्

nāsti gaṁgāsamaṁ tīrthaṁ nāsti devo haropamaḥ śivarātreḥ paraṁ nāsti tapaḥ satyaṁ mayoditam

There is no tirtha equal to the Ganga, there is no god equal to Hara; there is no austerity higher than Shivaratri — this I have spoken truly.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.266.87)

सर्वरत्नमयो मेरुः सर्वाश्चर्यमयं तपः । सर्वधर्ममयी राजञ्छिवरात्रिः प्रकीर्तिताः

sarvaratnamayo meruḥ sarvāścaryamayaṁ tapaḥ sarvadharmamayī rājañchivarātriḥ prakīrtitāḥ

As Meru consists of every jewel, and austerity consists of every wonder, so, O king, Shivaratri is declared to consist of every dharma.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.266.88)

गरुडः पक्षिणां यद्वन्नदीनां सागरो यथा । प्रधानः सर्वधर्माणां शिवरात्रिस्तथोत्तमा

garuḍaḥ pakṣiṇāṁ yadvannadīnāṁ sāgaro yathā pradhānaḥ sarvadharmāṇāṁ śivarātristathottamā

Just as Garuda is foremost among birds, and just as the ocean is foremost among rivers, so is Shivaratri the highest and foremost among all dharmas.