The Origin and Glory of Kapalamochaneshvara at Vatakeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.269.1)

सूत उवाच कपालेशस्य माहात्म्यं श्रूयतामधुना द्विजाः चतुर्थस्य महाभागास्तत्र क्षेत्रे स्थितस्य च

sūta uvāca kapāleśasya māhātmyaṁ śrūyatāmadhunā dvijāḥ caturthasya mahābhāgāstatra kṣetre sthitasya ca

Suta said: Now hear, O brahmins, the greatness of Kapalesha, the fourth and most fortunate linga, standing there in that field.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.269.2)

श्रुतमात्रेण येनात्र नरः पापात्प्रमुच्यते

śrutamātreṇa yenātra naraḥ pāpātpramucyate

Merely by hearing of which a man here is freed from sin.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.269.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः त्रयाणां चैव लिंगानां पूर्वोक्तानां महामते श्रुतास्माभिः समुत्पत्तिःकपालेश्वरवर्जिता केनायं स्थापितो देवः कपालेश्वरसंज्ञितः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ trayāṇāṁ caiva liṁgānāṁ pūrvoktānāṁ mahāmate śrutāsmābhiḥ samutpattiḥkapāleśvaravarjitā kenāyaṁ sthāpito devaḥ kapāleśvarasaṁjñitaḥ

The sages said: O great-minded one, we have heard the origin of the three lingas already told, excepting Kapaleshvara. By whom was this god, called Kapaleshvara, established?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.269.4)

तस्मिन्दृष्टे फलं किं स्यात्पूजिते च वदस्व नः

tasmindṛṣṭe phalaṁ kiṁ syātpūjite ca vadasva naḥ

What fruit is there upon seeing him, and upon worshipping him? Tell us this too.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.269.5)

सूत उवाच इंद्रेण स्थापितः पूर्वमेष देवो द्विजोत्तमाः कपालेश्वसंज्ञस्तु ब्रह्महत्या विमुक्तये

sūta uvāca iṁdreṇa sthāpitaḥ pūrvameṣa devo dvijottamāḥ kapāleśvasaṁjñastu brahmahatyā vimuktaye

Suta said: O best of brahmins, this god, called Kapaleshvara, was established formerly by Indra for release from the sin of brahminicide.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.269.6)

तत्प्रभावत्सुरश्रेष्ठ स्तया मुक्ते द्विजोत्तमाः पापं पूरुषदानेन इत्येषा वैदिकी श्रुतिः अन्योऽपि यो नरस्तं च पूजयित्वा प्रभक्तितः प्रयच्छेद्ब्राह्मणेन्द्राय शुद्धये पापपूरुषम् स मुच्येत्पातकाद्घोराद्ब्रह्महत्यासमुद्भवात्

tatprabhāvatsuraśreṣṭha stayā mukte dvijottamāḥ pāpaṁ pūruṣadānena ityeṣā vaidikī śrutiḥ anyo'pi yo narastaṁ ca pūjayitvā prabhaktitaḥ prayacchedbrāhmaṇendrāya śuddhaye pāpapūruṣam sa mucyetpātakādghorādbrahmahatyāsamudbhavāt

By his power, O best of gods, he was freed from that sin through the gift of a figure — this is the Vedic teaching. Any other man too, who worships him with deep devotion and offers a 'sin-figure' to a foremost brahmin for purification, is freed from the terrible sin born of brahminicide.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.269.7)

दक्षिणामूर्तिमासाद्य प्रोवाचेदं बृहस्पतिः हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे गत्वा तं वीक्ष्य शंकरम्

dakṣiṇāmūrtimāsādya provācedaṁ bṛhaspatiḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre gatvā taṁ vīkṣya śaṁkaram

Having reached the Dakshinamurti form, Brihaspati, having gone to the field of Hatakeshvara and beheld that Shankara, spoke this.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.269.8)

यो ददाति शरीरं च कृत्वा हेममयं ततः मुच्यते नात्र संदेहः पातकैः पूर्वसंयुतैः

yo dadāti śarīraṁ ca kṛtvā hemamayaṁ tataḥ mucyate nātra saṁdehaḥ pātakaiḥ pūrvasaṁyutaiḥ

One who has a golden image of his own body made and given is freed — there is no doubt — from sins accumulated in the past.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.269.9)

ऋषय ऊचुः ब्रह्महत्या कथं जाता सुरेन्द्रस्य हि सूतज एतन्नः सर्वमाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ brahmahatyā kathaṁ jātā surendrasya hi sūtaja etannaḥ sarvamācakṣva paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

The sages said: O son of Suta, how did brahminicide come upon the lord of the gods? Tell us all of this — we are filled with great curiosity.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.269.10)

कपालेश्वरसंज्ञस्तु कथं देवोऽत्र संस्थितः ब्रह्महत्या कथं नष्टा तत्प्रभावाद्दिवस्पतेः

kapāleśvarasaṁjñastu kathaṁ devo'tra saṁsthitaḥ brahmahatyā kathaṁ naṣṭā tatprabhāvāddivaspateḥ

How did the god called Kapaleshvara come to be established here? How was Indra's brahminicide destroyed by his power?

Verse 11 (skanda.6.269.11)

स पापपूरुषो देयो विधिना केन सूतज कैर्मंत्रैः स हि देयः कैश्चैव ह्युपस्करैः

sa pāpapūruṣo deyo vidhinā kena sūtaja kairmaṁtraiḥ sa hi deyaḥ kaiścaiva hyupaskaraiḥ

O son of Suta, by what procedure is that 'sin-figure' to be given? By what mantras is it to be given, and with what accessories?

Verse 12 (skanda.6.269.12)

दर्शनात्पूजनाच्चापि किं फलं जायते नृणाम् अदत्त्वा स्वशरीरं वा पूजया केवलं वद

darśanātpūjanāccāpi kiṁ phalaṁ jāyate nṛṇām adattvā svaśarīraṁ vā pūjayā kevalaṁ vada

What fruit arises for men merely from seeing and worshipping him, without giving one's own body, through worship alone? Tell us.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.269.13)

सूत उवाच अहं वः कीर्तयिष्यामि कथामेतां पुरातनीम् यां श्रुत्वापि महाभागा नरः पापात्प्रमुच्यते

sūta uvāca ahaṁ vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi kathāmetāṁ purātanīm yāṁ śrutvāpi mahābhāgā naraḥ pāpātpramucyate

Suta said: I shall recount to you, O most fortunate ones, this ancient tale, merely by hearing which a man is freed from sin.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.269.14)

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि विहितैरन्यजन्मजैः दृष्टमात्रेण येनात्र पातकात्तद्दिनोद्भवात् मुच्यते नात्र संदेहः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

ajñānājjñānato vāpi vihitairanyajanmajaiḥ dṛṣṭamātreṇa yenātra pātakāttaddinodbhavāt mucyate nātra saṁdehaḥ satyametanmayoditam

By merely seeing him here, a man is freed from sin committed knowingly or unknowingly, in this birth or in another. There is no doubt of this; this I have spoken truly.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.269.15)

पुरा त्वष्टुः सुतो जज्ञे वृत्रो हि द्विजसत्तमाः पुलोमदुहितुः पार्श्वाद्विभावर्याः सुवीर्यवान्

purā tvaṣṭuḥ suto jajñe vṛtro hi dvijasattamāḥ pulomaduhituḥ pārśvādvibhāvaryāḥ suvīryavān

O best of brahmins, long ago a son of Tvashta was born — Vritra, a being of great valor, from Vibhavari, the daughter of Puloma.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.269.16)

स बाल एव धर्मात्मा आसीत्सर्वजनप्रियः दानवं भावमुत्सृज्य द्विजभक्तिपरायणः

sa bāla eva dharmātmā āsītsarvajanapriyaḥ dānavaṁ bhāvamutsṛjya dvijabhaktiparāyaṇaḥ

Even as a child he was righteous-souled and beloved of all; having cast off his demonic nature, he was devoted entirely to reverence for brahmins.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.269.17)

स गत्वा पुष्करारण्यं परमेण समाधिना तोषयामास देवेशं पद्मजं तपसि स्थितः

sa gatvā puṣkarāraṇyaṁ parameṇa samādhinā toṣayāmāsa deveśaṁ padmajaṁ tapasi sthitaḥ

He went to the Pushkara forest and, established in austerity through supreme meditation, pleased Brahma, the lotus-born lord of gods.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.269.18)

तस्य तुष्टः स्वयं ब्रह्मा दृष्टिगोचरमागतः प्रोवाच वरदोऽस्मीति किं ते कृत्यं करोम्यहम्

tasya tuṣṭaḥ svayaṁ brahmā dṛṣṭigocaramāgataḥ provāca varado'smīti kiṁ te kṛtyaṁ karomyaham

Pleased with him, Brahma himself came within his sight and said: 'I am the granter of boons; what task shall I perform for you?'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.269.19)

वृत्र उवाच यदि तुष्टोसि मे देव ब्राह्मणत्वं प्रयच्छ मे ब्राह्मणत्वं समासाद्य साधयामि परं पदम्

vṛtra uvāca yadi tuṣṭosi me deva brāhmaṇatvaṁ prayaccha me brāhmaṇatvaṁ samāsādya sādhayāmi paraṁ padam

Vritra said: 'If you are pleased with me, O god, grant me brahminhood. Having attained brahminhood, I shall accomplish the supreme state.'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.269.20)

तेन किंचिदसाध्यं न ब्राह्मण्येन भवेन्मम ब्राह्मणेन समं चान्यन्न किंचित्प्रतिभाति मे

tena kiṁcidasādhyaṁ na brāhmaṇyena bhavenmama brāhmaṇena samaṁ cānyanna kiṁcitpratibhāti me

'Through brahminhood nothing would be unattainable for me; nothing else appears to me as equal to being a brahmin.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.269.21)

परमं दैवतं किंचिन्न विप्राद्विद्यते परम् तस्मान्मे हृत्स्थितं नान्यदपि राज्यं त्रिविष्टपे

paramaṁ daivataṁ kiṁcinna viprādvidyate param tasmānme hṛtsthitaṁ nānyadapi rājyaṁ triviṣṭape

'There exists no deity higher than a brahmin; therefore nothing else — not even sovereignty over heaven — abides in my heart.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.269.22)

सूत उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा तुष्टस्तस्य पितामहः ब्राह्मणत्वं स्वयं दत्त्वा ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tuṣṭastasya pitāmahaḥ brāhmaṇatvaṁ svayaṁ dattvā tataḥ provāca sādaram

Suta said: Hearing his words, Grandsire Brahma, pleased, himself granted him brahminhood and then spoke respectfully.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.269.23)

मया त्वं विहितो विप्र पुत्र प्रकुरु वांछितम् प्रसादयस्व सततं ब्राह्मणान्ब्रह्मवित्तमान्

mayā tvaṁ vihito vipra putra prakuru vāṁchitam prasādayasva satataṁ brāhmaṇānbrahmavittamān

'You have been made a brahmin by me, my son; now do as you wish. Always keep the brahmins, foremost knowers of Brahman, pleased.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.269.24)

ब्राह्मणैः सुप्रसन्नैश्च प्रीयंते सर्वदेवताः तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूजनीया द्विजोत्तमाः

brāhmaṇaiḥ suprasannaiśca prīyaṁte sarvadevatāḥ tasmātsarvaprayatnena pūjanīyā dvijottamāḥ

'When brahmins are truly pleased, all the gods are pleased. Therefore, with all effort, the foremost brahmins should be worshipped.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.269.25)

सूत उवाच एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन वृत्रोऽभूद्ब्राह्मणस्ततः ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समोपेतो ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः

sūta uvāca evamuktastadā tena vṛtro'bhūdbrāhmaṇastataḥ brāhmyā lakṣmyā samopeto brahmacaryaparāyaṇaḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed, Vritra then became a brahmin, endowed with brahmanic splendor and devoted entirely to celibate discipline.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.269.26)

तस्मिंस्तपसि संस्थे तु हता इंद्रेण दानवाः वंशोच्छेदे समापन्ने दानवानां महात्मनाम्

tasmiṁstapasi saṁsthe tu hatā iṁdreṇa dānavāḥ vaṁśocchede samāpanne dānavānāṁ mahātmanām

While he remained thus in austerity, the danavas were slain by Indra, and the lineage of the great-souled danavas came to be cut off.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.269.27)

ततस्ते दानवाः सर्वे पराभूताः सुरैस्ततः स्वं स्थानं संपरित्यज्य दुःखशोकसमन्विताः

tataste dānavāḥ sarve parābhūtāḥ suraistataḥ svaṁ sthānaṁ saṁparityajya duḥkhaśokasamanvitāḥ

Then all those danavas, defeated by the gods, abandoning their own abode, filled with grief and sorrow...

Verse 28 (skanda.6.269.28)

तन्मातरं पुरस्कृत्वा तत्सकाशमुपागताः स च तां मातरं दृष्ट्वा वृतां तैश्च समन्वितः

tanmātaraṁ puraskṛtvā tatsakāśamupāgatāḥ sa ca tāṁ mātaraṁ dṛṣṭvā vṛtāṁ taiśca samanvitaḥ

...putting his mother at their head, approached him. And he, seeing that mother of his surrounded by them...

Verse 29 (skanda.6.269.29)

दानवैश्च पराभूतैस्तथाभूतां च मातरम् किमागमनकृत्यं च दुःखितानां ममांतिके

dānavaiśca parābhūtaistathābhūtāṁ ca mātaram kimāgamanakṛtyaṁ ca duḥkhitānāṁ mamāṁtike

...asked his sorrowful mother and the danavas defeated by the gods: 'What is the purpose of your coming to me, so afflicted with sorrow?'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.269.30)

दानवा ऊचुः वयं देवैः पराभूता भवंतं शरणागताः क्व यामोऽन्यत्र चाऽस्माकं त्वां विना नास्ति संश्रयः

dānavā ūcuḥ vayaṁ devaiḥ parābhūtā bhavaṁtaṁ śaraṇāgatāḥ kva yāmo'nyatra cā'smākaṁ tvāṁ vinā nāsti saṁśrayaḥ

The danavas said: 'We, defeated by the gods, have come to you for refuge. Where else should we go? Apart from you, we have no shelter.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.269.31)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वृत्रः प्रोवाच सादरम् देवानहं हनिष्यामि गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम्

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vṛtraḥ provāca sādaram devānahaṁ haniṣyāmi gamyatāṁ tatra mā ciram

Having heard their words, Vritra spoke respectfully: 'I shall slay the gods. Go there without delay.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.269.32)

तवागमनकृत्यं च मातः कथय सांप्रतम्

tavāgamanakṛtyaṁ ca mātaḥ kathaya sāṁpratam

'And, mother, now tell me the purpose of your own coming.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.269.33)

मातोवाच तथा कुरु महाभाग शीघ्रं दारपरिग्रहम् वंशवृद्धौ प्रमाणं चेद्वाक्यं तव ममोद्भवम्

mātovāca tathā kuru mahābhāga śīghraṁ dāraparigraham vaṁśavṛddhau pramāṇaṁ cedvākyaṁ tava mamodbhavam

The mother said: 'O most fortunate one, take a wife quickly, for the increase of our lineage. If my word, being your own mother's word, carries weight with you...'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.269.34)

एष एव परो धर्म एष एव परो नयः पुत्रस्य जननीवाक्यं यत्करोति समाहितः

eṣa eva paro dharma eṣa eva paro nayaḥ putrasya jananīvākyaṁ yatkaroti samāhitaḥ

'...then heed it, for this alone is the highest dharma, this alone the highest wisdom — that a son, with composed mind, carries out his mother's word.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.269.35)

तथा स्त्रीणां पतिं मुक्त्वा नान्यास्ति भुवि देवता जनन्यां जीवमानायां तथैव च सुतस्य च

tathā strīṇāṁ patiṁ muktvā nānyāsti bhuvi devatā jananyāṁ jīvamānāyāṁ tathaiva ca sutasya ca

'Just as a woman has no other deity on earth apart from her husband, so too, while the mother lives, she is the highest authority for her son.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.269.36)

अतिक्रम्य च या नारी पतिं धर्मपरा भवेत् तत्सर्वं विफलं तस्या जायते नात्र संशयः

atikramya ca yā nārī patiṁ dharmaparā bhavet tatsarvaṁ viphalaṁ tasyā jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

'And a woman who, disregarding her husband, considers herself devoted to dharma — all of that becomes fruitless for her, there is no doubt.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.269.37)

पुत्रः स्वजननीवाक्यं योऽतिक्रम्य यथारुचि करोति धर्मकृत्यानि तानि सर्वाणि तस्य च

putraḥ svajananīvākyaṁ yo'tikramya yathāruci karoti dharmakṛtyāni tāni sarvāṇi tasya ca

'A son who, disregarding his own mother's word, performs religious acts according to his own liking — all of those acts of his...'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.269.38)

भवंति च तथा नूनं वृथा भस्महुतं यथा अरण्ये रुदितानीव ऊषरे वापितानि च

bhavaṁti ca tathā nūnaṁ vṛthā bhasmahutaṁ yathā araṇye ruditānīva ūṣare vāpitāni ca

'...become as futile as an oblation poured into ashes, like weeping in a forest, or seeds sown in barren soil.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.269.39)

यथैव बधिरस्याग्रे गीतं नृत्यमचक्षुषः तद्वन्मातृमतादन्यकृतं पुत्रस्य धर्मजम्

yathaiva badhirasyāgre gītaṁ nṛtyamacakṣuṣaḥ tadvanmātṛmatādanyakṛtaṁ putrasya dharmajam

'Just as a song before a deaf man, or a dance before a blind man, is useless — so too is any religious act of a son performed against his mother's wish.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.269.40)

सर्वं कर्म न संदेहस्तेनाहं त्वामुपागता बंधूनां वचनात्पुत्र दुःखार्ता च विशेषतः

sarvaṁ karma na saṁdehastenāhaṁ tvāmupāgatā baṁdhūnāṁ vacanātputra duḥkhārtā ca viśeṣataḥ

'All such acts are futile, without doubt — that is why, my son, I have come to you at our kinsmen's word, and especially because I am afflicted with sorrow.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.269.41)

किं वा ते बहुनोक्तेन भूयो भूयश्च पुत्रक आनृण्यं जायते यद्वत्पितॄणां तत्तथा शृणु

kiṁ vā te bahunoktena bhūyo bhūyaśca putraka ānṛṇyaṁ jāyate yadvatpitṝṇāṁ tattathā śṛṇu

'What use is much speech, again and again, my child? Hear how one becomes free of debt to one's forefathers.'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.269.42)

तव वत्स प्रमाणं चेत्कुरुष्व च वचो मम तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वृत्रः संचिंत्य चेतसि

tava vatsa pramāṇaṁ cetkuruṣva ca vaco mama tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā vṛtraḥ saṁciṁtya cetasi

'If my authority carries weight for you, my child, then do as I say.' Having heard her words, Vritra, reflecting in his mind...

Verse 43 (skanda.6.269.43)

श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तमार्गेण न मातुर्विद्यते परम् स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय आनिनाय परिग्रहम्

śrutismṛtyuktamārgeṇa na māturvidyate param sa tatheti pratijñāya ānināya parigraham

...(thought:) 'By the path declared in shruti and smriti, there is nothing higher than one's mother.' Having thus agreed, he brought about his marriage.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.269.44)

त्वष्टा तस्मै ददौ प्रीतस्ततो रत्नान्यनेकशः संख्याहीनानि तस्यैव कुप्याकुप्यमनंतकम्

tvaṣṭā tasmai dadau prītastato ratnānyanekaśaḥ saṁkhyāhīnāni tasyaiva kupyākupyamanaṁtakam

Tvashta, pleased, then gave him countless jewels, and endless quantities of both base and precious metals.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.269.45)

हस्त्यश्वयानकोशाढ्यं सोऽभिषिक्तः पदे निजे दानवानां महावीर्यो ब्राह्मण्येन समन्वितः

hastyaśvayānakośāḍhyaṁ so'bhiṣiktaḥ pade nije dānavānāṁ mahāvīryo brāhmaṇyena samanvitaḥ

Rich in elephants, horses, chariots, and treasury, he, of great valor and endowed with brahminhood, was consecrated in his own position among the danavas.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.269.46)

अभिषिक्तं तदा वृत्रं स्वराज्ये तेऽसुरादयः श्रुत्वाभिषेकं संहृष्टास्तस्य वृत्रस्य बांधवाः

abhiṣiktaṁ tadā vṛtraṁ svarājye te'surādayaḥ śrutvābhiṣekaṁ saṁhṛṣṭāstasya vṛtrasya bāṁdhavāḥ

When Vritra was thus consecrated in his own kingdom, the asuras and his other kinsmen, on hearing of his consecration, rejoiced greatly.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.269.47)

दानवाश्च समाजग्मुर्ये तत्रासन्पुरोगताः पातालाद्गिरिदुर्गाच्च स्थलदुर्गेभ्य एव च कृतवैराः समं देवैः कोपेन महता वृताः

dānavāśca samājagmurye tatrāsanpurogatāḥ pātālādgiridurgācca sthaladurgebhya eva ca kṛtavairāḥ samaṁ devaiḥ kopena mahatā vṛtāḥ

And the danavas who were foremost there assembled together — from the netherworld, from mountain strongholds, and from land strongholds — those who held enmity toward the gods, filled with great wrath.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.269.48)

ततः प्रोत्साहितः सर्वैर्दानवैः स महाबलः प्रस्थितः शत्रुनाशाय महेन्द्रभवनं प्रति

tataḥ protsāhitaḥ sarvairdānavaiḥ sa mahābalaḥ prasthitaḥ śatrunāśāya mahendrabhavanaṁ prati

Then, encouraged by all the danavas, that man of great strength set out toward Indra's abode, for the destruction of his enemy.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.269.49)

शक्रोऽपि वृत्रमाकर्ण्य समायांतं युयुत्सया सन्मुखः प्रययौ हृष्टः सर्वदेवसमन्वितः

śakro'pi vṛtramākarṇya samāyāṁtaṁ yuyutsayā sanmukhaḥ prayayau hṛṣṭaḥ sarvadevasamanvitaḥ

Indra too, hearing that Vritra was approaching intent on battle, went forth to meet him, delighted, accompanied by all the gods.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.269.50)

ततः समभवद्युद्धं देवानां दानवैः सह मेरुपृष्ठे सुविस्तीर्णे नित्यमेव दिवानिशम्

tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṁ devānāṁ dānavaiḥ saha merupṛṣṭhe suvistīrṇe nityameva divāniśam

Then a battle took place between the gods and the danavas, upon the vast expanse of Mount Meru, continuing day and night without cease.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.269.51)

नित्यं पराजयो जज्ञे देवानां दानवैः सह तत्रोवाच गुरुः शक्र मा युद्धं कुरु देवप

nityaṁ parājayo jajñe devānāṁ dānavaiḥ saha tatrovāca guruḥ śakra mā yuddhaṁ kuru devapa

Constant defeat befell the gods in their fight with the danavas. Then their guru said: 'O Indra, lord of the gods, do not wage this war.'

Verse 52 (skanda.6.269.52)

वृत्रोऽयं दारुणो युद्धे बलद्वयसमन्वितः चत्वारश्चाग्रतो वेदाः पृष्ठतः सशरं धनुः

vṛtro'yaṁ dāruṇo yuddhe baladvayasamanvitaḥ catvāraścāgrato vedāḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ saśaraṁ dhanuḥ

'This Vritra is terrible in battle, possessed of a twofold strength: the four Vedas march before him, and behind him a bow with its arrow.'

Verse 53 (skanda.6.269.53)

तेन जेयतमो दैत्यस्तवैव च महाहवे तस्मात्संधानमेतेन त्वं कुरुष्व शचीपते

tena jeyatamo daityastavaiva ca mahāhave tasmātsaṁdhānametena tvaṁ kuruṣva śacīpate

'Therefore this demon is most difficult to conquer, even for you, in this great battle. Hence, O lord of Shachi, make a truce with him.'

Verse 54 (skanda.6.269.54)

ततो विश्वासमाया तं जहि वज्रेण दानवम् षडुपायै रिपुर्वध्य इति शास्त्रनिदर्शनम्

tato viśvāsamāyā taṁ jahi vajreṇa dānavam ṣaḍupāyai ripurvadhya iti śāstranidarśanam

'Then, having brought him to trust you, slay that danava with your thunderbolt — for the scriptures teach that an enemy is to be slain by the six expedients of policy.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.269.55)

भुंजानश्च शयानश्च दत्त्वा कन्यामपि स्वकाम् विप्रदानेन संयोज्य कृत्वापि शपथं गुरुम् मायाप्रपंचमासाद्य तस्मादेवं समाचर

bhuṁjānaśca śayānaśca dattvā kanyāmapi svakām vipradānena saṁyojya kṛtvāpi śapathaṁ gurum māyāprapaṁcamāsādya tasmādevaṁ samācara

'Whether he be eating or sleeping — even by giving him your own daughter, or by binding him through the gift of a brahmin, or by making a solemn oath — resorting to this web of stratagem, act accordingly.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.269.56)

इन्द्र उवाच यद्येवं च स्वयं गत्वा त्वं विश्वासे नियोजय तव वाक्येन विश्वासं नूनं यास्यति दानवः

indra uvāca yadyevaṁ ca svayaṁ gatvā tvaṁ viśvāse niyojaya tava vākyena viśvāsaṁ nūnaṁ yāsyati dānavaḥ

Indra said: 'If it is so, then go yourself and establish trust with him; through your word, the danava will surely come to trust.'

Verse 57 (skanda.6.269.57)

सूत उवाच शक्रस्य मतमाज्ञाय प्रतस्थे च बृहस्पतिः यत्र वृत्रः स्थितो दैत्यो युद्धार्थं कृतनिश्चयः

sūta uvāca śakrasya matamājñāya pratasthe ca bṛhaspatiḥ yatra vṛtraḥ sthito daityo yuddhārthaṁ kṛtaniścayaḥ

Suta said: Having learned Indra's intention, Brihaspati set out to where the demon Vritra stood, resolved upon war.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.269.58)

वृत्रोऽपि तं समालोक्य स्वयं प्राप्तं बृहस्पतिम् सदैव द्विजभक्तः स हृष्टात्मा समपद्यत विशेषात्प्रणिपत्योच्चैर्वाक्यमेतदभाषत

vṛtro'pi taṁ samālokya svayaṁ prāptaṁ bṛhaspatim sadaiva dvijabhaktaḥ sa hṛṣṭātmā samapadyata viśeṣātpraṇipatyoccairvākyametadabhāṣata

Vritra too, seeing Brihaspati himself arrived, being ever devoted to brahmins, became joyful at heart; bowing down especially low, he spoke these words aloud.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.269.59)

वृत्र उवाच स्वागतं ते द्विजश्रेष्ठ किं करोमि प्रशाधि माम् प्रिया मे ब्राह्मणा यस्मात्तस्मात्कीर्तय सांप्रतम्

vṛtra uvāca svāgataṁ te dvijaśreṣṭha kiṁ karomi praśādhi mām priyā me brāhmaṇā yasmāttasmātkīrtaya sāṁpratam

Vritra said: 'Welcome to you, O best of brahmins. What shall I do? Command me. Since brahmins are dear to me, tell me now your purpose.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.269.60)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच संदिग्धो विजयो युद्धे यस्माद्दैवेन सत्तम तस्मात्कुरु महेंद्रेण व्यवस्थां वचनान्मम

bṛhaspatiruvāca saṁdigdho vijayo yuddhe yasmāddaivena sattama tasmātkuru maheṁdreṇa vyavasthāṁ vacanānmama

Brihaspati said: 'Since victory in battle is uncertain, being governed by fate, O virtuous one, therefore make a settlement with the great Indra, at my word.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.269.61)

त्वं भुंक्ष्व भूतलं कृत्स्नं शक्रश्चापि त्रिविष्टपम् व्यवस्थयाऽनया नित्यं वर्तितव्यं परस्परम्

tvaṁ bhuṁkṣva bhūtalaṁ kṛtsnaṁ śakraścāpi triviṣṭapam vyavasthayā'nayā nityaṁ vartitavyaṁ parasparam

'You shall enjoy the whole surface of the earth, and Indra shall enjoy heaven. By this arrangement, you two shall ever conduct yourselves toward one another.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.269.62)

वृत्र उवाच अहं तव वचो ब्रह्मन्करिष्यामि सदैव हि संगमं कुरु शक्रेण सांप्रतं मम सद्द्विज

vṛtra uvāca ahaṁ tava vaco brahmankariṣyāmi sadaiva hi saṁgamaṁ kuru śakreṇa sāṁprataṁ mama saddvija

Vritra said: 'O Brahmin, I shall always do as you say. Arrange now, O good brahmin, my meeting with Indra.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.269.63)

सूत उवाच अथ शक्रं समानीय बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः वृत्रेण सह संधानं चक्रे चैव परस्परम्

sūta uvāca atha śakraṁ samānīya bṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ vṛtreṇa saha saṁdhānaṁ cakre caiva parasparam

Suta said: Then, having brought Indra there, the generous-minded Brihaspati effected a mutual truce between him and Vritra.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.269.64)

एकारिमित्रतां गत्वा तावुभौ दैत्यदेवपौ प्रहृष्टौ गतवन्तौ तौ ततश्चैव निजं गृहम्

ekārimitratāṁ gatvā tāvubhau daityadevapau prahṛṣṭau gatavantau tau tataścaiva nijaṁ gṛham

Having thus become allies from being enemies, those two lords — of the demons and of the gods — went, delighted, each to his own abode.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.269.65)

अथ शक्रच्छलान्वेषी सदा वृत्रस्य वर्तते न च्छिद्रं लभते क्वापि वीक्षमाणोपि यत्नतः

atha śakracchalānveṣī sadā vṛtrasya vartate na cchidraṁ labhate kvāpi vīkṣamāṇopi yatnataḥ

Yet Indra, ever seeking a pretext against Vritra, watching diligently, could find no weakness anywhere.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.269.66)

कथंचिदपि सोऽभ्येति तत्सकाशं पुरंदरः किंचिच्छिद्रं समासाद्य तत्प्रतापेन दह्यते

kathaṁcidapi so'bhyeti tatsakāśaṁ puraṁdaraḥ kiṁcicchidraṁ samāsādya tatpratāpena dahyate

Whenever Indra somehow approached him seeking some small weakness, he would be scorched by Vritra's radiance.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.269.67)

इंद्र उवाच न शक्नोमि च तं दैत्यं वीक्षितुं च कथंचन तेजसा सर्वतो व्याप्तं तत्कथं सूदयाम्यहम्

iṁdra uvāca na śaknomi ca taṁ daityaṁ vīkṣituṁ ca kathaṁcana tejasā sarvato vyāptaṁ tatkathaṁ sūdayāmyaham

Indra said: 'I am unable even to look upon that demon in any way, so pervaded is he on all sides by radiance. How then shall I destroy him?'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.269.68)

तस्मात्कंचिदुपायं मे तद्वधार्थं प्रकीर्तय यथा शक्नोमि तत्सोढुं तेजस्तस्य दुरात्मनः

tasmātkaṁcidupāyaṁ me tadvadhārthaṁ prakīrtaya yathā śaknomi tatsoḍhuṁ tejastasya durātmanaḥ

'Therefore declare to me some means for his destruction, by which I might be able to withstand the radiance of that wicked one.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.269.69)

सूत उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चिरं ध्यात्वा बृहस्पतिः ततः प्रोवाच तं शक्रं विनयावनतं स्थितम्

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ciraṁ dhyātvā bṛhaspatiḥ tataḥ provāca taṁ śakraṁ vinayāvanataṁ sthitam

Suta said: Having heard his words, Brihaspati, having pondered for a long while, then spoke to Indra, who stood bowed in humility.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.269.70)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच तस्य ब्राह्म्यं स्थितं तेजः सम्यग्गात्रे पुरंदर वीक्षितुं नैव शक्नोषि तेन त्वं त्रिदशाधिप

bṛhaspatiruvāca tasya brāhmyaṁ sthitaṁ tejaḥ samyaggātre puraṁdara vīkṣituṁ naiva śaknoṣi tena tvaṁ tridaśādhipa

Brihaspati said: 'O Indra, lord of the thirty gods, brahminical radiance abides fully in his body; that is why you are unable to look upon him.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.269.71)

तथा ते कीर्तयिष्यामि तस्योपायं वधोद्भवम् वधयिष्यसि येनात्र तं त्वं दानवसत्तमम्

tathā te kīrtayiṣyāmi tasyopāyaṁ vadhodbhavam vadhayiṣyasi yenātra taṁ tvaṁ dānavasattamam

'Nevertheless I shall declare to you the means for his slaying, by which you shall be able to slay that foremost of danavas.'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.269.72)

प्राचीसरस्वतीतीरे पुष्करारण्यमाश्रितः दधीचिर्नाम विप्रर्षिः शतयोजनमुच्छ्रितः

prācīsarasvatītīre puṣkarāraṇyamāśritaḥ dadhīcirnāma viprarṣiḥ śatayojanamucchritaḥ

'On the bank of the eastern Sarasvati, dwelling in the Pushkara forest, there is a brahmin-sage named Dadhichi, whose form rises a hundred yojanas high.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.269.73)

तत्र नित्यं तपः कुर्वन्स्तौति नित्यं पितामहम् स निर्विण्णो मुनिश्रेष्ठः प्राणानां धारणे हरे

tatra nityaṁ tapaḥ kurvanstauti nityaṁ pitāmaham sa nirviṇṇo muniśreṣṭhaḥ prāṇānāṁ dhāraṇe hare

'There, ever performing austerity, he ever praises the Grandsire. O Indra, that foremost of sages has grown weary of sustaining his own life.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.269.74)

चिरंतनो मुनिः स स्याज्जरयातिसमावृतः तं प्रार्थय द्रुतं गत्वा तस्यास्थीनि गुरूणि च

ciraṁtano muniḥ sa syājjarayātisamāvṛtaḥ taṁ prārthaya drutaṁ gatvā tasyāsthīni gurūṇi ca

'He is an ancient sage, thoroughly overcome by old age. Go quickly and entreat him for his massive bones.'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.269.75)

स ते दास्यस्त्यसंदिग्धं त्यक्त्वा प्राणानतिप्रियान् तस्यास्थिभिः प्रहरणं वज्राख्यं ते भविष्यति

sa te dāsyastyasaṁdigdhaṁ tyaktvā prāṇānatipriyān tasyāsthibhiḥ praharaṇaṁ vajrākhyaṁ te bhaviṣyati

'He will undoubtedly give them to you, having relinquished his dearly-loved life-breaths; from his bones a weapon called the vajra shall come to be yours.'

Verse 76 (skanda.6.269.76)

अमोघं ते ततो नूनं त्वं वृत्रं सूदयिष्यसि तस्य वज्रस्य तत्तेजो ब्रह्मतेजोऽभिबृंहितम् तेन वृत्रोद्भवं तेजः प्रशमं संप्रयास्यति

amoghaṁ te tato nūnaṁ tvaṁ vṛtraṁ sūdayiṣyasi tasya vajrasya tattejo brahmatejo'bhibṛṁhitam tena vṛtrodbhavaṁ tejaḥ praśamaṁ saṁprayāsyati

'With that unfailing weapon you will surely destroy Vritra; for the radiance of that thunderbolt, augmented by brahminical splendor, will bring the radiance born of Vritra to naught.'

Verse 77 (skanda.6.269.77)

सूत उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा सत्वरं शक्रः सर्वैर्दैवगणैः सह जगाम पुष्करारण्ये यत्र प्राची सरस्वती

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā satvaraṁ śakraḥ sarvairdaivagaṇaiḥ saha jagāma puṣkarāraṇye yatra prācī sarasvatī

Suta said: Hearing this, Indra swiftly went, together with all the hosts of gods, to the Pushkara forest where the eastern Sarasvati flows.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.269.78)

त्रयस्त्रिंशत्समोपेता तीर्थानां कोटिभिर्युता दधीचेराश्रमं तत्र सोऽविशच्चित्रसंयुतम्

trayastriṁśatsamopetā tīrthānāṁ koṭibhiryutā dadhīcerāśramaṁ tatra so'viśaccitrasaṁyutam

Accompanied by the thirty-three gods and joined by crores of sacred tirthas, he entered there the wondrous hermitage of Dadhichi.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.269.79)

क्रीडंते नकुलैः सर्पा यत्र तुष्टिं गता मिथः मृगाः पंचाननैः सार्धं वृषदंशास्तथाऽऽखुभिः

krīḍaṁte nakulaiḥ sarpā yatra tuṣṭiṁ gatā mithaḥ mṛgāḥ paṁcānanaiḥ sārdhaṁ vṛṣadaṁśāstathā''khubhiḥ

There, serpents played with mongooses, having come to mutual contentment; deer sported together with lions, and cats together with mice...

Verse 80 (skanda.6.269.80)

उलूक सहिताः काका मिथो द्वेषविवर्जिताः प्रभावात्तस्य तपसो दधीचेः सुमहात्मनः

ulūka sahitāḥ kākā mitho dveṣavivarjitāḥ prabhāvāttasya tapaso dadhīceḥ sumahātmanaḥ

...crows dwelt together with owls, free of mutual enmity — by the power of the austerity of that great-souled Dadhichi.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.269.81)

दधीचिरपि चालोक्य देवाञ्छक्रपुरोगमान् समायातान्प्रहृष्टात्मा सत्वरं संमुखोभ्यगात्

dadhīcirapi cālokya devāñchakrapurogamān samāyātānprahṛṣṭātmā satvaraṁ saṁmukhobhyagāt

Dadhichi too, seeing the gods, led by Indra, having arrived, went forward at once to meet them, his heart filled with delight.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.269.82)

ततश्चार्घ्यं समादाय प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः शक्रमभ्यागतं प्राह किं ते कृत्यं करोम्यहम्

tataścārghyaṁ samādāya praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ śakramabhyāgataṁ prāha kiṁ te kṛtyaṁ karomyaham

Then, taking up the guest-offering and bowing again and again, he said to Indra who had arrived: 'What task of yours shall I perform?'

Verse 83 (skanda.6.269.83)

गृहायातस्य देवेश तच्छीघ्रं मे निवेदय

gṛhāyātasya deveśa tacchīghraṁ me nivedaya

'O lord of gods, having come to my dwelling, quickly declare to me your purpose.'

Verse 84 (skanda.6.269.84)

इंद्र उवाच आतिथ्यं कुरु विप्रेंद्र गृहायातस्य सन्मुने त्वदस्थीनि निजान्याशु मम देह्यविकल्पितम्

iṁdra uvāca ātithyaṁ kuru vipreṁdra gṛhāyātasya sanmune tvadasthīni nijānyāśu mama dehyavikalpitam

Indra said: 'O lord of brahmins, O good sage, show hospitality to one who has come to your dwelling — quickly give me your own bones, without hesitation.'

Verse 85 (skanda.6.269.85)

अतदर्थमहं प्राप्तस्त्वत्सकाशं मुनीश्वर अस्थिभिस्ते परं कार्यं देवानां सिद्धिमेष्यति

atadarthamahaṁ prāptastvatsakāśaṁ munīśvara asthibhiste paraṁ kāryaṁ devānāṁ siddhimeṣyati

'For this very purpose have I come to you, O lord of sages. With your bones a great task shall be accomplished, and the success of the gods shall be attained.'

Verse 86 (skanda.6.269.86)

सूत उवाच इंद्रस्य तद्वचः श्रुत्वा दधीचिस्तोषसंयुतः ततः प्राह सहस्राक्षं सर्वैर्देवैः समन्वितम्

sūta uvāca iṁdrasya tadvacaḥ śrutvā dadhīcistoṣasaṁyutaḥ tataḥ prāha sahasrākṣaṁ sarvairdevaiḥ samanvitam

Suta said: Hearing Indra's words, Dadhichi, filled with joy, then said to the thousand-eyed Indra, who was accompanied by all the gods.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.269.87)

अहो नास्ति मया तुल्यः सांप्रतं भुवि कश्चन पुण्यवान्यस्य देवेशः स्वयमर्थी गृहागतः

aho nāsti mayā tulyaḥ sāṁprataṁ bhuvi kaścana puṇyavānyasya deveśaḥ svayamarthī gṛhāgataḥ

'Ah, there is now no one on earth equal to me in merit — for whom the lord of the gods himself has come as a suppliant to his dwelling.'

Verse 88 (skanda.6.269.88)

धन्यानि च ममास्थीनि यानि देवेश ते हितम् करिष्यंति सदा कार्यं रक्षार्थं त्रिदिवौकसाम्

dhanyāni ca mamāsthīni yāni deveśa te hitam kariṣyaṁti sadā kāryaṁ rakṣārthaṁ tridivaukasām

'Blessed indeed are my bones, O lord of gods, which shall accomplish your welfare, ever serving the task of protecting the dwellers of heaven.'

Verse 89 (skanda.6.269.89)

एषोऽहं संप्रदास्यामि प्रियान्प्राणान्कृते तव गृहाण स्वेच्छयाऽस्थीनि स्वकार्यार्थं पुरंदर

eṣo'haṁ saṁpradāsyāmi priyānprāṇānkṛte tava gṛhāṇa svecchayā'sthīni svakāryārthaṁ puraṁdara

'Here, I shall now give up my dear life-breaths for your sake. Take my bones freely, O Indra, for your own purpose.'

Verse 90 (skanda.6.269.90)

एवमुक्त्वा महर्षिः स ध्यानमाश्रित्य सत्वरम् ब्रह्मरंध्रेण निःसार्य प्राणमात्मानमत्यजत्

evamuktvā maharṣiḥ sa dhyānamāśritya satvaram brahmaraṁdhreṇa niḥsārya prāṇamātmānamatyajat

Having said this, that great sage, quickly resorting to meditation, expelled his life-breath through the crown of his head and gave up his self.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.269.91)

तदात्मना परित्यक्तं तस्य गात्रं च तत्क्षणात् पतितं मेदनीपृष्ठे व्यसु तद्द्विजसत्तमाः

tadātmanā parityaktaṁ tasya gātraṁ ca tatkṣaṇāt patitaṁ medanīpṛṣṭhe vyasu taddvijasattamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, his body, abandoned by its self, fell that very instant upon the surface of the earth, lifeless.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.269.92)

तस्मिन्नेव काले तु तस्यास्थीनि शतक्रतुः प्रगृह्य विश्वकर्माणं ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

tasminneva kāle tu tasyāsthīni śatakratuḥ pragṛhya viśvakarmāṇaṁ tataḥ provāca sādaram

At that very moment Indra, taking up his bones, then spoke respectfully to Vishvakarma.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.269.93)

एतैरस्थिभिः शीघ्रं मे कुरु त्वं वज्रमायुधम् येन व्यापादयाम्याशु वृत्रं दानवसत्तमम्

etairasthibhiḥ śīghraṁ me kuru tvaṁ vajramāyudham yena vyāpādayāmyāśu vṛtraṁ dānavasattamam

'From these bones, quickly fashion for me the weapon called the vajra, by which I may swiftly slay Vritra, foremost of danavas.'

Verse 94 (skanda.6.269.94)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वकर्मा त्वरान्वितः यथायुधं तथा चक्रे वज्राख्यं दारुणाकृति

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viśvakarmā tvarānvitaḥ yathāyudhaṁ tathā cakre vajrākhyaṁ dāruṇākṛti

Having heard his words, Vishvakarma, filled with haste, fashioned accordingly the weapon called vajra, terrible in form.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.269.95)

षडस्रि शतपर्वाख्यं मध्ये क्षामं विभीषणम् प्रददौ च ततस्तस्मै सहस्राक्षाय धीमते

ṣaḍasri śataparvākhyaṁ madhye kṣāmaṁ vibhīṣaṇam pradadau ca tatastasmai sahasrākṣāya dhīmate

Six-edged, of a hundred joints, slender in the middle, and terrifying, he then gave it to the wise thousand-eyed Indra.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.269.96)

अथ तं स समादाय द्वादशार्कसमप्रभम् समाधिस्थं चरैर्ज्ञात्वा वृत्रं संध्यार्चने रतम्

atha taṁ sa samādāya dvādaśārkasamaprabham samādhisthaṁ carairjñātvā vṛtraṁ saṁdhyārcane ratam

Then, taking it up, having learned through spies that Vritra — radiant as twelve suns — was absorbed in meditation, engaged in his twilight worship...

Verse 97 (skanda.6.269.97)

ततश्च पृष्ठभागं स समाश्रित्य त्रिलोकराट् चिक्षेप वज्रमुद्दिश्य तद्वधार्थं समुत्सुकः

tataśca pṛṣṭhabhāgaṁ sa samāśritya trilokarāṭ cikṣepa vajramuddiśya tadvadhārthaṁ samutsukaḥ

...the lord of the three worlds, approaching him from behind, eager for his destruction, hurled the vajra, aiming it at him.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.269.98)

स हतस्तेन वज्रेण दानवो भस्मसाद्गतः शक्रोपि हतमज्ञात्वा भयात्तस्याथ दुद्रुवे

sa hatastena vajreṇa dānavo bhasmasādgataḥ śakropi hatamajñātvā bhayāttasyātha dudruve

Struck by that vajra, the danava was reduced to ashes. Indra too, not knowing that he had been slain, fled in fear of him.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.269.99)

मनुष्यरहिते देशे विषमे गुल्मसंवृते लिल्ये शक्रस्तदा सर्वं मेने वृत्रमयं जगत्

manuṣyarahite deśe viṣame gulmasaṁvṛte lilye śakrastadā sarvaṁ mene vṛtramayaṁ jagat

Indra hid himself in a desolate, rugged place overgrown with thickets, thinking the entire world had become filled with Vritra.

Verse 100 (skanda.6.269.100)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवाः पश्यंतः सर्वतो दिशम् सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वा आजग्मुश्च शतक्रतुम्

etasminnaṁtare devāḥ paśyaṁtaḥ sarvato diśam siddhacāraṇagandharvā ājagmuśca śatakratum

Meanwhile, the gods, along with the siddhas, charanas, and gandharvas, looking about in every direction, went in search of Indra.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.269.101)

ततः कृच्छ्राच्च तैर्दृष्टः शक्रोऽसौ गहने वने निलीनो भयसंत्रस्तो गुल्ममध्ये व्यवस्थितः

tataḥ kṛcchrācca tairdṛṣṭaḥ śakro'sau gahane vane nilīno bhayasaṁtrasto gulmamadhye vyavasthitaḥ

Then, with difficulty, they saw Indra, hidden in the dense forest, terrified with fear, sitting concealed amid a thicket.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.269.102)

देवा ऊचुः किं त्वं भीतः सहस्राक्ष वृत्रोऽयं घातितस्त्वया परिवारेण सर्वेण वीक्षितोऽस्माभिरेव च

devā ūcuḥ kiṁ tvaṁ bhītaḥ sahasrākṣa vṛtro'yaṁ ghātitastvayā parivāreṇa sarveṇa vīkṣito'smābhireva ca

The gods said: 'Why are you afraid, O thousand-eyed one? This Vritra has been slain by you — witnessed by your entire retinue, and by us as well.'

Verse 103 (skanda.6.269.103)

अस्मादागच्छ गच्छामो गृहं प्रति पुरंदर कुरु त्रैलोक्यराज्यं त्वं सांप्रतं हतकण्टकम्

asmādāgaccha gacchāmo gṛhaṁ prati puraṁdara kuru trailokyarājyaṁ tvaṁ sāṁprataṁ hatakaṇṭakam

'Come out from here; let us go home, O Indra. Now rule the kingdom of the three worlds, its thorn now destroyed.'

Verse 104 (skanda.6.269.104)

तच्छ्रुत्वाऽथ विनिष्क्रांतो गुल्ममध्याच्छतक्रतुः हृष्टरोमा हतं श्रुत्वा वृत्रं दानवसत्तमम्

tacchrutvā'tha viniṣkrāṁto gulmamadhyācchatakratuḥ hṛṣṭaromā hataṁ śrutvā vṛtraṁ dānavasattamam

Hearing this, Indra then emerged from the midst of the thicket, his hair bristling with joy, on hearing that Vritra, foremost of danavas, was slain.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.269.105)

अथ पश्यंति यावत्तं देवाः सर्वे शतक्रतुम् तावत्तेजोविहीनं तद्गात्रं दुर्गंधितायुतम्

atha paśyaṁti yāvattaṁ devāḥ sarve śatakratum tāvattejovihīnaṁ tadgātraṁ durgaṁdhitāyutam

But then, as soon as all the gods looked upon Indra, they saw that his body had become devoid of radiance, pervaded by a foul odor.

Verse 106 (skanda.6.269.106)

दृष्ट्वा लोकगुरुर्ब्रह्मा देवान्सर्वानुवाच ह शक्रोऽयं सांप्रतं व्याप्तः पापया ब्रह्महत्यया

dṛṣṭvā lokagururbrahmā devānsarvānuvāca ha śakro'yaṁ sāṁprataṁ vyāptaḥ pāpayā brahmahatyayā

Seeing this, Brahma, the guru of the worlds, said to all the gods: 'This Indra is now pervaded by the sin of brahminicide.'

Verse 107 (skanda.6.269.107)

यदनेन हतो वृत्रो ब्रह्मभूतश्छलेन सः तस्मात्त्याज्यः सुदूरेण नो चेत्पापमवाप्स्यथ

yadanena hato vṛtro brahmabhūtaśchalena saḥ tasmāttyājyaḥ sudūreṇa no cetpāpamavāpsyatha

'Since Vritra, who had become a brahmin, was slain by him through deceit, he must be shunned from a great distance — otherwise you too shall incur sin.'

Verse 108 (skanda.6.269.108)

ब्रह्मघ्नेन समं स्पर्शः संभाषोऽथ विनिर्मितः पापाय जायते पुंसां तस्मात्तं दूरतस्त्यजेत्

brahmaghnena samaṁ sparśaḥ saṁbhāṣo'tha vinirmitaḥ pāpāya jāyate puṁsāṁ tasmāttaṁ dūratastyajet

'Touch, and likewise conversation, held with a slayer of a brahmin brings about sin for men; therefore he should be avoided from afar.'

Verse 109 (skanda.6.269.109)

आस्तां संस्पर्शनं तस्य संभाषो वा विशेषतः दर्शनं वापि तस्याहुः सर्वपापप्रदं नृणाम्

āstāṁ saṁsparśanaṁ tasya saṁbhāṣo vā viśeṣataḥ darśanaṁ vāpi tasyāhuḥ sarvapāpapradaṁ nṛṇām

'Let alone touching him, or especially conversing with him — even merely seeing him, they say, brings every sin upon men.'

Verse 110 (skanda.6.269.110)

सूत उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं शक्रो दृष्ट्वाऽऽत्मनस्तनुम् तेजसा संपरित्यक्तां दुर्गन्धेन समावृताम्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā brahmaṇo vākyaṁ śakro dṛṣṭvā''tmanastanum tejasā saṁparityaktāṁ durgandhena samāvṛtām

Suta said: Hearing Brahma's words, and seeing his own body — abandoned by its radiance, pervaded by foul odor...

Verse 111 (skanda.6.269.111)

ततः प्रोवाच लोकेशं दीनः प्रणतकन्धरः तवाहं किंकरो देव त्वयेंद्रत्वे नियोजितः

tataḥ provāca lokeśaṁ dīnaḥ praṇatakandharaḥ tavāhaṁ kiṁkaro deva tvayeṁdratve niyojitaḥ

...Indra, wretched, his neck bowed low, then said to the lord of the worlds: 'O god, I am your servant, appointed by you to the office of Indra.'

Verse 112 (skanda.6.269.112)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे ब्रह्महत्याविनाशनम् प्रायश्चित्तं विभो ब्रूहि येन शुद्धिः प्रजायते

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ me brahmahatyāvināśanam prāyaścittaṁ vibho brūhi yena śuddhiḥ prajāyate

'Therefore show me your grace, for the destruction of my brahminicide. O lord, tell me the atonement by which purification may come about.'

Verse 113 (skanda.6.269.113)

ब्रह्मोवाच अष्टषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु त्वं स्नात्वा बलसूदन आत्मानं हेमजं देहि पापपूरुषसंज्ञितम्

brahmovāca aṣṭaṣaṣṭiṣu tīrtheṣu tvaṁ snātvā balasūdana ātmānaṁ hemajaṁ dehi pāpapūruṣasaṁjñitam

Brahma said: 'O slayer of Bala, having bathed at the sixty-eight tirthas, give of yourself a golden image, called the sin-figure.'

Verse 114 (skanda.6.269.114)

मंत्रवत्तं यथोक्तं च ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने स्नात्वा पुण्यजले तीर्थे ब्रह्मघ्नोऽहमिति ब्रुवन्

maṁtravattaṁ yathoktaṁ ca brāhmaṇāya mahātmane snātvā puṇyajale tīrthe brahmaghno'hamiti bruvan

'With the appropriate mantra, as prescribed, give it to a great-souled brahmin; having bathed in the sacred waters of the tirtha, declaring, I am a slayer of a brahmin...'

Verse 115 (skanda.6.269.115)

स्नातमात्रस्य ते हस्ताद्यत्र तत्पतति क्षितौ तेजः संजायतेगात्रे दुर्गंधश्च प्रणश्यति

snātamātrasya te hastādyatra tatpatati kṣitau tejaḥ saṁjāyategātre durgaṁdhaśca praṇaśyati

'...as soon as you have bathed, wherever that golden figure falls from your hand to the ground, radiance shall arise in your body and the foul odor shall be destroyed.'

Verse 116 (skanda.6.269.116)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे त्वया तच्च स्थाप्यं शक्र कपालकम् महेश्वरस्य नाम्ना च पूजनीयं ततः परम्

tasmiṁstīrthe tvayā tacca sthāpyaṁ śakra kapālakam maheśvarasya nāmnā ca pūjanīyaṁ tataḥ param

'At that tirtha, O Indra, you shall establish that skull, and thereafter it should be worshipped under the name of Maheshvara.'

Verse 117 (skanda.6.269.117)

पंचभिर्वक्त्रमंत्रैश्च ततो देयाऽऽत्मतस्तनूः हेमोद्भवा द्विजेन्द्राय ततः शुद्धिमवाप्स्यसि

paṁcabhirvaktramaṁtraiśca tato deyā''tmatastanūḥ hemodbhavā dvijendrāya tataḥ śuddhimavāpsyasi

'Then, with the five mantras of the sacred faces, the golden image of your own body should be given to a foremost brahmin; thereafter you shall attain purification.'

Verse 118 (skanda.6.269.118)

शक्रस्तु तद्वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः कपालं वृत्रजं गृह्य तीर्थयात्रां ततो गतः

śakrastu tadvacaḥ śrutvā brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ kapālaṁ vṛtrajaṁ gṛhya tīrthayātrāṁ tato gataḥ

Indra, having heard these words of Brahma, the unmanifest-born, took up the skull sprung from Vritra and thereupon set out on pilgrimage.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.269.119)

अष्टषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु गच्छन्स च सुरेश्वरः हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे समायातः क्रमेण च

aṣṭaṣaṣṭiṣu tīrtheṣu gacchansa ca sureśvaraḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre samāyātaḥ krameṇa ca

Going through the sixty-eight tirthas, that lord of the gods, in due course, arrived at the field of Hatakeshvara.

Verse 120 (skanda.6.269.120)

विश्वामित्रह्रदे स्नात्वा यावत्तस्माद्विनिर्गतः कपालं पतितं तस्मात्स्वयमेव हतात्मनः

viśvāmitrahrade snātvā yāvattasmādvinirgataḥ kapālaṁ patitaṁ tasmātsvayameva hatātmanaḥ

As soon as, having bathed in the Vishvamitra pool, he emerged from it, the skull of that slain being fell of its own accord from his hand.

Verse 121 (skanda.6.269.121)

ततस्तं पूजयामास मन्त्रैर्वक्त्रसमुद्भवैः सर्वपापहरैः पुण्यैर्यथोक्तैर्ब्रह्मणा पुरा

tatastaṁ pūjayāmāsa mantrairvaktrasamudbhavaiḥ sarvapāpaharaiḥ puṇyairyathoktairbrahmaṇā purā

Then he worshipped it with the mantras born of the sacred faces, destroyers of every sin, as previously prescribed by Brahma.

Verse 122 (skanda.6.269.122)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु दुर्गन्धो नाशमाप्तवान् तच्छरीराद्द्विजश्रेष्ठा महत्तेजो व्यजायत

etasminneva kāle tu durgandho nāśamāptavān taccharīrāddvijaśreṣṭhā mahattejo vyajāyata

At that very moment the foul odor was destroyed, and, O foremost brahmins, great radiance arose from his body.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.269.123)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मा सह देवैः समागतः ब्रह्महत्याविमुक्तं तं ज्ञात्वा सर्वसुराधिपम्

etasminnantare brahmā saha devaiḥ samāgataḥ brahmahatyāvimuktaṁ taṁ jñātvā sarvasurādhipam

Meanwhile Brahma, together with the gods, arrived, having learned that the lord of all the gods was freed from the sin of brahminicide.

Verse 124 (skanda.6.269.124)

श्रीब्रह्मोवाच ब्रह्महत्याकृतो दोषो गतस्ते सुरसत्तम शेषपापविशुद्ध्यर्थं स्वर्णदानं प्रयच्छ भोः

śrībrahmovāca brahmahatyākṛto doṣo gataste surasattama śeṣapāpaviśuddhyarthaṁ svarṇadānaṁ prayaccha bhoḥ

Glorious Brahma said: 'O best of gods, the fault caused by brahminicide has departed from you. Now, for the purification of the remaining sin, give a donation of gold.'

Verse 125 (skanda.6.269.125)

कपालमेतद्देशेऽत्र यत्त्वया परिपूजितम् वृत्रस्य पंचभिर्मंत्रैर्हरवक्त्रसमुद्भवैः

kapālametaddeśe'tra yattvayā paripūjitam vṛtrasya paṁcabhirmaṁtrairharavaktrasamudbhavaiḥ

'This skull of Vritra, which you have worshipped here in this place, with the five mantras born of Hara's faces...'

Verse 126 (skanda.6.269.126)

प्रदास्यसि ततो भक्त्या हेमजामात्मनस्तनुम् विधिना मंत्रयुक्तेन तव पापं प्रयास्यति यद्यत्पूर्वकृतं कृत्स्नं प्रदाय ब्राह्मणाय भोः

pradāsyasi tato bhaktyā hemajāmātmanastanum vidhinā maṁtrayuktena tava pāpaṁ prayāsyati yadyatpūrvakṛtaṁ kṛtsnaṁ pradāya brāhmaṇāya bhoḥ

'...and having worshipped it, you shall then, with devotion, give a golden image of your own body, by the rite joined with mantra, to a brahmin — and whatever sin you had previously committed, all of it shall depart, once it is given away.'

Verse 127 (skanda.6.269.127)

एवमुक्तस्ततः शक्रो ब्रह्मणा सुरसंनिधौ तथेत्युक्त्वा तु तत्कालं पापपिंडं निजं ददौ

evamuktastataḥ śakro brahmaṇā surasaṁnidhau tathetyuktvā tu tatkālaṁ pāpapiṁḍaṁ nijaṁ dadau

Thus addressed by Brahma in the presence of the gods, Indra, saying 'So be it,' then and there gave his own 'sin-lump.'

Verse 128 (skanda.6.269.128)

कृत्वा हेममयं विप्रा ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने गर्तातीर्थसमुत्थाय वाताख्यायाहिताग्नये

kṛtvā hemamayaṁ viprā brāhmaṇāya mahātmane gartātīrthasamutthāya vātākhyāyāhitāgnaye

O brahmins, having made it of gold, he gave it to a great-souled brahmin, born at Gartatirtha, named Vata, who maintained the sacred fires.

Verse 129 (skanda.6.269.129)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो गर्हितः सोऽथ नागरैः धिग्धिक्पाप वृथा वेदा ये त्वया पारिताः पुरा

etasminnaṁtare vipro garhitaḥ so'tha nāgaraiḥ dhigdhikpāpa vṛthā vedā ye tvayā pāritāḥ purā

At this, that brahmin was reproached by the citizens: 'Shame, shame upon you, sinner! In vain were the Vedas you had previously mastered!'

Verse 130 (skanda.6.269.130)

नास्माभिः सह संपर्कं कदाचित्त्वं करिष्यसि गृहीतं यत्त्वया दानं पापपिंडसमुद्भवम्

nāsmābhiḥ saha saṁparkaṁ kadācittvaṁ kariṣyasi gṛhītaṁ yattvayā dānaṁ pāpapiṁḍasamudbhavam

'Never again shall you have any association with us, since you have accepted a gift arising from a sin-lump.'

Verse 131 (skanda.6.269.131)

ततः प्रोवाच विप्रः स उपमन्युकुलोद्भवः विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा नाम्ना ख्यातः स वातकः

tataḥ provāca vipraḥ sa upamanyukulodbhavaḥ vivarṇavadano bhūtvā nāmnā khyātaḥ sa vātakaḥ

Then that brahmin, born of the family of Upamanyu, known by the name Vataka, his face grown pale, spoke.

Verse 132 (skanda.6.269.132)

त्वया शक्र प्रदत्तो मे पापपिंडः स्वको यतः मया प्रतिग्रहस्तेन दाक्षिण्येन कृतस्तव

tvayā śakra pradatto me pāpapiṁḍaḥ svako yataḥ mayā pratigrahastena dākṣiṇyena kṛtastava

'O Indra, since you gave me your own sin-lump, it was out of mere courtesy toward you that I accepted the gift.'

Verse 133 (skanda.6.269.133)

न लोभेन सुरश्रेष्ठ पश्यतस्ते विगर्हितः अहं च ब्राह्मणैः सर्वैरेतैर्नगरवासिभिः

na lobhena suraśreṣṭha paśyataste vigarhitaḥ ahaṁ ca brāhmaṇaiḥ sarvairetairnagaravāsibhiḥ

'Not out of greed, O best of gods, before your very eyes, have I been reproached by all these brahmins dwelling in this town.'

Verse 134 (skanda.6.269.134)

तस्मान्नाहं ग्रहीष्यामि एतं तव प्रतिग्रहम्

tasmānnāhaṁ grahīṣyāmi etaṁ tava pratigraham

'Therefore I shall not accept this gift of yours.'

Verse 135 (skanda.6.269.135)

भूयोऽपि तव दास्यामि न त्वं गृह्णासि चेत्पुनः ब्रह्मशापं प्रदास्यामि दारुणं च क्षयात्मकम्

bhūyo'pi tava dāsyāmi na tvaṁ gṛhṇāsi cetpunaḥ brahmaśāpaṁ pradāsyāmi dāruṇaṁ ca kṣayātmakam

(Indra said:) 'I shall give it to you yet again; and if you do not accept it once more, I shall pronounce upon you a terrible, destructive brahmin's curse.'

Verse 136 (skanda.6.269.136)

इंद्र उवाच वेदागंपारगो विप्रो यदि कुर्यात्प्रतिग्रहम् न स पापेन लिप्येत पद्मपत्रमिवांभसा

iṁdra uvāca vedāgaṁpārago vipro yadi kuryātpratigraham na sa pāpena lipyeta padmapatramivāṁbhasā

Indra said: 'If a brahmin who has mastered the Vedas and their limbs accepts a gift, he is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is not wetted by water.'

Verse 137 (skanda.6.269.137)

तस्मात्ते पातकं नास्ति शृणुष्वात्र वचो मम एतैस्त्वं गर्हिते यस्माद्ब्राह्मणैर्नगरोद्भवैः

tasmātte pātakaṁ nāsti śṛṇuṣvātra vaco mama etaistvaṁ garhite yasmādbrāhmaṇairnagarodbhavaiḥ

'Therefore no sin attaches to you. Listen now to my word: since you have been reproached by these town-born brahmins...'

Verse 138 (skanda.6.269.138)

एतेषां सर्वकृत्येषु प्रधानस्त्वं भविष्यसि एतेषां पुत्रपौत्रा ये भविष्यंति तथा तव

eteṣāṁ sarvakṛtyeṣu pradhānastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi eteṣāṁ putrapautrā ye bhaviṣyaṁti tathā tava

'...you shall become foremost in all their affairs; and whatever sons and grandsons shall be born to them, and to you...'

Verse 139 (skanda.6.269.139)

ते सर्वे चाज्ञया तेषां वर्तयिष्यंत्यसंशयम् युष्मद्वाक्यविहीनं यत्कृत्यं स्वल्पमपि द्विज

te sarve cājñayā teṣāṁ vartayiṣyaṁtyasaṁśayam yuṣmadvākyavihīnaṁ yatkṛtyaṁ svalpamapi dvija

'...all of them shall without doubt conduct themselves by their command. O brahmin, any act, however small, undertaken without your family's word...'

Verse 140 (skanda.6.269.140)

तेषां संपत्स्यते वन्ध्यं यथा भस्महुतं तथा कपालमोचनं नाम ख्यातमेतद्भविष्यति

teṣāṁ saṁpatsyate vandhyaṁ yathā bhasmahutaṁ tathā kapālamocanaṁ nāma khyātametadbhaviṣyati

'...shall prove barren for them, like an oblation poured into ashes. And this tirtha shall become known by the name Kapalamochana — the release of the skull.'

Verse 141 (skanda.6.269.141)

ये तु संस्मृत्य मनुजाः कपालं मम सद्द्विज तत्र श्राद्धं करिष्यंति ते नरा मुक्तिसंयुताः श्राद्धपक्षे विशेषेण प्रयास्यंति परांगतिम्

ye tu saṁsmṛtya manujāḥ kapālaṁ mama saddvija tatra śrāddhaṁ kariṣyaṁti te narā muktisaṁyutāḥ śrāddhapakṣe viśeṣeṇa prayāsyaṁti parāṁgatim

'And, O good brahmin, whatever men, remembering this skull of mine, shall perform ancestral rites there — those men shall attain liberation; especially in the shraddha fortnight, they shall attain the supreme goal.'

Verse 142 (skanda.6.269.142)

स्थानबाह्यद्विजातीनां कुले दारपरिग्रहम् कृत्वा त्वद्गोत्रसंभूता ब्राह्मणा मत्प्रसादतः

sthānabāhyadvijātīnāṁ kule dāraparigraham kṛtvā tvadgotrasaṁbhūtā brāhmaṇā matprasādataḥ

'The brahmins born of your lineage, having taken wives from the families of twice-born ones from outside this place, by my grace...'

Verse 143 (skanda.6.269.143)

व्यवहार्या भविष्यंति नगरे सर्वकर्मसु एवमुक्त्वा सहस्राक्षस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः

vyavahāryā bhaviṣyaṁti nagare sarvakarmasu evamuktvā sahasrākṣastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ

'...shall become fit for all dealings in this town, in every rite.' Having said this, the thousand-eyed Indra thereupon vanished from sight.

Verse 144 (skanda.6.269.144)

वातोपि तेन वित्तेन प्रतिग्रहकृतेन च चकार तत्र प्रासादं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

vātopi tena vittena pratigrahakṛtena ca cakāra tatra prāsādaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ

Vata too, with that wealth acquired through the gift, built there a temple for the trident-bearing god of gods.

Verse 145 (skanda.6.269.145)

ततः प्रोवाच शक्रस्तान्ब्राह्मणान्नगरोद्भवान् कपालमोचने स्नात्वा यो देवं ह्यर्चयिष्यति

tataḥ provāca śakrastānbrāhmaṇānnagarodbhavān kapālamocane snātvā yo devaṁ hyarcayiṣyati

Then Indra said to those town-born brahmins: 'Whoever, having bathed at Kapalamochana, shall worship the god...'

Verse 146 (skanda.6.269.146)

ब्रह्महत्योद्भवं पापं तस्य नश्यत्यसंशयम् महापातकयुक्तो वा विपाप्मा संभविष्यति

brahmahatyodbhavaṁ pāpaṁ tasya naśyatyasaṁśayam mahāpātakayukto vā vipāpmā saṁbhaviṣyati

'...his sin born of brahminicide shall without doubt be destroyed; even one burdened with a great sin shall become free of sin.'

Verse 147 (skanda.6.269.147)

स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय ब्राह्मणान्नगरोद्भवान् तत्रैव स्वाश्रमं कृत्वा पूजयामास शंकरम्

sa tatheti pratijñāya brāhmaṇānnagarodbhavān tatraiva svāśramaṁ kṛtvā pūjayāmāsa śaṁkaram

Having thus made this pledge to the town-born brahmins, Vata, having made his own hermitage there itself, worshipped Shankara.

Verse 148 (skanda.6.269.148)

ततःप्रभृति यत्किंचित्तेषां कृत्यं प्रजायते तद्वाक्येन प्रकुर्वंति तत्र ये नागरः स्थिताः

tataḥprabhṛti yatkiṁcitteṣāṁ kṛtyaṁ prajāyate tadvākyena prakurvaṁti tatra ye nāgaraḥ sthitāḥ

From that time onward, whatever affair arises for them, those who dwell there as townsfolk carry it out only by that family's word.

Verse 149 (skanda.6.269.149)

एतस्मात्कारणाज्जातो मध्यगो द्वितीयस्त्विह

etasmātkāraṇājjāto madhyago dvitīyastviha

For this reason a second, middle linga came into being here.

Verse 150 (skanda.6.269.150)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातमाख्यानं पापनाशनम् कपालेश्वरदेवस्य शृण्वतां पठतां नृणाम्

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātamākhyānaṁ pāpanāśanam kapāleśvaradevasya śṛṇvatāṁ paṭhatāṁ nṛṇām

Thus has this entire tale of the god Kapaleshvara been told to you — a tale destroying the sins of those men who hear it or recite it.

Verse 151 (skanda.6.269.151)

यथा देवेश्वरस्यात्र पापं नष्टं महात्मनः ब्रह्महत्या यथा नष्टा तस्मिंस्तीर्थे द्विजोत्तमाः

yathā deveśvarasyātra pāpaṁ naṣṭaṁ mahātmanaḥ brahmahatyā yathā naṣṭā tasmiṁstīrthe dvijottamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, just as the sin of the great-souled lord of gods was destroyed here, just as his brahminicide was destroyed at that tirtha — so too is the sin of the listener destroyed.