The Greatness of Mahakaleshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.47.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ महाकालस्य माहात्म्यं विस्तरेण महामते॥ अस्माकं सूतज ब्रूहि सर्वं वेत्ति यतो भवान्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ mahākālasya māhātmyaṁ vistareṇa mahāmate asmākaṁ sūtaja brūhi sarvaṁ vetti yato bhavān

The sages said: "O wise son of Suta, tell us in detail the greatness of Mahakala, for you know all things."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.47.2)

सूत उवाच॥ आसीत्पूर्वं महीपाल इक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः॥ रुद्रसेन इति ख्यातः सर्वशत्रुनिषूदनः

sūta uvāca āsītpūrvaṁ mahīpāla ikṣvākukulanandanaḥ rudrasena iti khyātaḥ sarvaśatruniṣūdanaḥ

Suta said: "In ancient times there was a king, born of the Ikshvaku lineage, renowned as Rudrasena, the destroyer of all enemies."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.47.3)

समुद्र इव गांभीर्ये सौम्यत्वे शशिसंनिभः॥ वीर्ये यथा सहस्राक्षो रूपे कन्दर्पसन्निभः

samudra iva gāṁbhīrye saumyatve śaśisaṁnibhaḥ vīrye yathā sahasrākṣo rūpe kandarpasannibhaḥ

He was as deep as the ocean, as gentle as the moon, as mighty as Indra, and as beautiful in form as Kamadeva.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.47.4)

तस्य कांतीति विख्याता पुरी सर्वगुणान्विता॥ राजधान्यभवच्छ्रेष्ठा प्रोच्चप्राकारतोरणा

tasya kāṁtīti vikhyātā purī sarvaguṇānvitā rājadhānyabhavacchreṣṭhā proccaprākāratoraṇā

His capital was renowned by the name Kanti, endowed with every excellence, the finest of cities, adorned with towering ramparts and gateways.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.47.5)

तथैवासीत्प्रिया तस्य भार्या परमसंमता॥ ख्याता पद्मवतीनाम रूपौदार्य गुणान्विता

tathaivāsītpriyā tasya bhāryā paramasaṁmatā khyātā padmavatīnāma rūpaudārya guṇānvitā

And his beloved wife, held in the highest esteem, was known by the name Padmavati, endowed with beauty, nobility, and virtue.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.47.6)

स तया सहितो राजा वैशाख्या दिवसे सदा॥ समभ्येति निजस्थानात्सैन्येनाल्पेन संवृतः

sa tayā sahito rājā vaiśākhyā divase sadā samabhyeti nijasthānātsainyenālpena saṁvṛtaḥ

That king, together with her, would come each year on the day of Vaishakhi from his own place, accompanied by a small retinue.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.47.7)

चमत्कारपुरे क्षेत्रे पीठे तत्र द्विजोत्तमाः॥ महाकालस्य देवस्य पुरतो रात्रिजागरम्॥ करोति श्रद्धया युक्तः सभार्यः स महीपतिः

camatkārapure kṣetre pīṭhe tatra dvijottamāḥ mahākālasya devasya purato rātrijāgaram karoti śraddhayā yuktaḥ sabhāryaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ

O best of brahmins, at that shrine in the sacred field of Chamatkarapura, that king, together with his queen, would keep a night-long vigil before the god Mahakala, filled with faith.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.47.8)

उपवासपरो भूत्वा ध्यायमानो महेश्वरम्॥ गीतवाद्येन हृद्येन नृत्येन द्विजसत्तमाः॥ धर्माख्यानेन विप्राणां वेदाध्ययनविस्तरैः

upavāsaparo bhūtvā dhyāyamāno maheśvaram gītavādyena hṛdyena nṛtyena dvijasattamāḥ dharmākhyānena viprāṇāṁ vedādhyayanavistaraiḥ

O best of brahmins, observing a fast, meditating upon Maheshvara, he would pass the night amid delightful song and music, dance, the discourse of the brahmins on dharma, and extensive recitation of the Veda.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.47.9)

ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय स्नात्वा धौतांबरः शुचिः॥ ददौ दानानि विप्रेभ्यस्तपस्विभ्यो विशेषतः

tataḥ prātaḥ samutthāya snātvā dhautāṁbaraḥ śuciḥ dadau dānāni viprebhyastapasvibhyo viśeṣataḥ

Then, rising at dawn, bathing, clothed in washed garments, purified, he would give gifts to the brahmins, especially to ascetics.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.47.10)

दीनांधकृपणेभ्यश्च तथान्येभ्यः सहस्रशः॥ वर्षेवर्षे सदैवं स समभ्येत्य महीपतिः॥ वैशाख्यां जागरं तस्य देवस्य पुरतोऽकरोत्

dīnāṁdhakṛpaṇebhyaśca tathānyebhyaḥ sahasraśaḥ varṣevarṣe sadaivaṁ sa samabhyetya mahīpatiḥ vaiśākhyāṁ jāgaraṁ tasya devasya purato'karot

And to the wretched, the blind, and the poor, and to thousands of others besides. Thus, coming there year after year, that king would keep his vigil before that god on the day of Vaishakhi.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.47.11)

यथायथा स भूपालः कुरुते रात्रिजागरम्॥ महाकालाग्रतस्तस्य तथा वृद्धिः प्रजायते

yathāyathā sa bhūpālaḥ kurute rātrijāgaram mahākālāgratastasya tathā vṛddhiḥ prajāyate

As that king continued this night-vigil before Mahakala, so too did his prosperity go on increasing.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.47.12)

शत्रवो विलयं यांति लक्ष्मीर्वृद्धिं प्रगच्छति॥ एकदा स समायातस्तत्र यावन्महीपतिः

śatravo vilayaṁ yāṁti lakṣmīrvṛddhiṁ pragacchati ekadā sa samāyātastatra yāvanmahīpatiḥ

His enemies were destroyed, and his fortune increased. One time, when that king had come there,

Verse 13 (skanda.6.47.13)

तत्रैव दिवसे तावन्महाकालस्य चाग्रतः॥ अपश्यद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठान्नानादिग्भ्यः समागतान्

tatraiva divase tāvanmahākālasya cāgrataḥ apaśyadbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭhānnānādigbhyaḥ samāgatān

on that very day, before Mahakala, he saw eminent brahmins who had gathered there from many different directions.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.47.14)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नान्व्रतनिष्ठापरायणान्॥ एके तत्र कथाश्चक्रुः सुपुण्या ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः

vedādhyayanasaṁpannānvrataniṣṭhāparāyaṇān eke tatra kathāścakruḥ supuṇyā brāhmaṇottamāḥ

They were accomplished in Vedic study and devoted to the observance of their vows; some of those most virtuous, foremost brahmins were there recounting sacred tales --

Verse 15 (skanda.6.47.15)

राजर्षीणां पुराणानां देवर्षीणां तथा परे॥ तीर्थानां च तथा चान्ये ब्रह्मर्षीणां तथा परे॥ यज्ञानां सागराणां च द्वीपानां च मनोहराः

rājarṣīṇāṁ purāṇānāṁ devarṣīṇāṁ tathā pare tīrthānāṁ ca tathā cānye brahmarṣīṇāṁ tathā pare yajñānāṁ sāgarāṇāṁ ca dvīpānāṁ ca manoharāḥ

-- of royal seers, of ancient legends, of divine seers, and others still, delightful tales of tirthas, of brahmin seers, of sacrifices, of oceans, and of continents.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.47.16)

अथ तान्पृथिवीपालः स प्रणम्य यथाक्रमम्॥ उपविष्टः सभामध्ये तैः सर्वैश्चाभिनंदितः

atha tānpṛthivīpālaḥ sa praṇamya yathākramam upaviṣṭaḥ sabhāmadhye taiḥ sarvaiścābhinaṁditaḥ

Then that king, bowing to each of them in due order, seated himself in the midst of the assembly, and was welcomed warmly by all of them.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.47.17)

कस्मिंश्चिदथ संप्राप्ते कथांते ते मुनीश्वराः॥ पप्रच्छुर्भूमिपालं तु कौतूहलसमन्विताः

kasmiṁścidatha saṁprāpte kathāṁte te munīśvarāḥ papracchurbhūmipālaṁ tu kautūhalasamanvitāḥ

Then, when some tale had come to its end, those great sages, filled with curiosity, questioned the king.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.47.18)

वैशाखीदिवसे राजंस्त्वं सदाभ्येत्य दूरतः॥ वर्षेवर्षेऽस्य देवस्य पुरतो रात्रिजागरम्

vaiśākhīdivase rājaṁstvaṁ sadābhyetya dūrataḥ varṣevarṣe'sya devasya purato rātrijāgaram

"O king, every year, on the day of Vaishakhi, you come here from afar and keep a night-vigil before this god,"

Verse 19 (skanda.6.47.19)

प्रकरोषि प्रयत्नेन त्यक्त्वान्याः सकलाः क्रियाः॥ स्नानदानादिका याश्च निर्दिष्टाः शास्त्रचिंतकैः

prakaroṣi prayatnena tyaktvānyāḥ sakalāḥ kriyāḥ snānadānādikā yāśca nirdiṣṭāḥ śāstraciṁtakaiḥ

"leaving aside every other rite -- bathing, giving, and the rest, prescribed by the authors of scripture -- and diligently performing this one alone."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.47.20)

न ते यदि रहस्यं स्यात्तदाऽशेषं प्रकीर्तय॥ नूनं त्वं वेत्सि तत्सर्वं यत्फलं रात्रिजागरे

na te yadi rahasyaṁ syāttadā'śeṣaṁ prakīrtaya nūnaṁ tvaṁ vetsi tatsarvaṁ yatphalaṁ rātrijāgare

"If this is not some secret of yours, then tell us all of it in full; surely you know all the fruit that comes of this night-vigil."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.47.21)

राजोवाच॥ रहस्यं परमं चैव यत्पृष्टोऽहं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ युष्माभिः कीर्तयिष्यामि तथाप्यखिलमेव हि

rājovāca rahasyaṁ paramaṁ caiva yatpṛṣṭo'haṁ dvijottamāḥ yuṣmābhiḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi tathāpyakhilameva hi

The king said: "O best of brahmins, though what you have asked me is my deepest secret, still I shall relate it to you in its entirety."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.47.22)

अहमासं वणिग्जात्या पुरा वै वैदिशे पुरे॥ निर्धनो बंधुभिर्मुक्तः परिभूतः पदेपदे

ahamāsaṁ vaṇigjātyā purā vai vaidiśe pure nirdhano baṁdhubhirmuktaḥ paribhūtaḥ padepade

"In a former time, I was, by birth, a merchant in the city of Vaidisha -- poor, abandoned by my kinsmen, and humiliated at every step."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.47.23)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भगवान्पाकशासनः॥ वैदिशे नाकरोद्वृष्टिं सप्त वर्षाणि पंच च

kasyacittvatha kālasya bhagavānpākaśāsanaḥ vaidiśe nākarodvṛṣṭiṁ sapta varṣāṇi paṁca ca

"Then, at one time, the lord Indra sent no rain upon Vaidisha for twelve years."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.47.24)

ततो वृष्टिनिरोधेन सर्वे लोकाः क्षुधार्द्दिताः॥ अन्नाभावान्मृताः केचित्केचिद्देशांतरे गताः

tato vṛṣṭinirodhena sarve lokāḥ kṣudhārdditāḥ annābhāvānmṛtāḥ kecitkeciddeśāṁtare gatāḥ

"By the failure of rain, all the people were afflicted with hunger; for lack of food some died, and others fled to other lands."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.47.25)

ततोऽहं स्वां समादाय पत्नीं क्षुत्क्षामगात्रिकाम्॥ अश्रुपूर्णमुखीं दीनां प्रस्खलन्तीं पदेपदे

tato'haṁ svāṁ samādāya patnīṁ kṣutkṣāmagātrikām aśrupūrṇamukhīṁ dīnāṁ praskhalantīṁ padepade

"Then I too set out, taking with me my wife, her body wasted with hunger, her face streaming with tears, wretched, stumbling at every step."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.47.26)

सौराष्ट्रं मनसि ध्यात्वा प्रस्थितस्तदनन्तरम्॥ सुभिक्षं लोकतः श्रुत्वा जीवनाय द्विजोत्तमाः

saurāṣṭraṁ manasi dhyātvā prasthitastadanantaram subhikṣaṁ lokataḥ śrutvā jīvanāya dvijottamāḥ

"O best of brahmins, then, thinking of Saurashtra, I set out for it, having heard from others that food was plentiful there, in order to survive."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.47.27)

क्रमेण गच्छमानोऽथ भिक्षान्नकृतभोजनः॥ आनर्तविषयं प्राप्तश्चमत्कारपुरांतिके

krameṇa gacchamāno'tha bhikṣānnakṛtabhojanaḥ ānartaviṣayaṁ prāptaścamatkārapurāṁtike

"Journeying by stages, eating whatever food I could beg, I came to the country of Anarta, near Chamatkarapura."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.47.28)

तत्र रम्यं मया दृष्टं पद्मिनीखण्डमंडितम्॥ सरः स्वच्छोदकापूर्णं जलपक्षिभिरावृतम्

tatra ramyaṁ mayā dṛṣṭaṁ padminīkhaṇḍamaṁḍitam saraḥ svacchodakāpūrṇaṁ jalapakṣibhirāvṛtam

"There I saw a most lovely lake, adorned with clusters of lotus plants, filled with clear water, and thronged with waterfowl."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.47.29)

ततोऽहं तत्समासाद्य स्नातः शीतेन वारिणा॥ क्षुधार्तश्च तृषार्तश्च श्रमार्तश्च विशेषतः

tato'haṁ tatsamāsādya snātaḥ śītena vāriṇā kṣudhārtaśca tṛṣārtaśca śramārtaśca viśeṣataḥ

"Then, reaching it, I bathed in its cool water, being greatly afflicted by hunger, thirst, and exhaustion."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.47.30)

अथाहं भार्यया प्रोक्तो गृहाणेश जलाशयात्॥ जलजानि क्रयार्थाय येन स्यादद्य भोजनम्

athāhaṁ bhāryayā prokto gṛhāṇeśa jalāśayāt jalajāni krayārthāya yena syādadya bhojanam

"Then my wife said to me: 'O my lord, take some of the lotuses from this pool, so that by selling them we might have food today.'"

Verse 31 (skanda.6.47.31)

एतत्संदृश्यते दूरात्पुरंदरपुरोपमम्॥ पुरश्रेष्ठं समासाद्य विक्रयं कर्तुमर्हसि

etatsaṁdṛśyate dūrātpuraṁdarapuropamam puraśreṣṭhaṁ samāsādya vikrayaṁ kartumarhasi

"'There in the distance appears a splendid city, resembling Indra's own capital -- you should go there and sell them.'"

Verse 32 (skanda.6.47.32)

ततो मया गृहीतानि पद्मानि द्विजसत्तमाः॥ विक्रयार्थं प्रभूतानि वाच्छमानेन भोजनम्

tato mayā gṛhītāni padmāni dvijasattamāḥ vikrayārthaṁ prabhūtāni vācchamānena bhojanam

"O best of brahmins, then, longing for food, I gathered many lotuses to sell."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.47.33)

चमत्कारपुरं प्राप्य ततोऽहं द्विजसत्तमाः॥ भ्रांतस्त्रिकेषु सर्वेषु चत्वरेषु गृहेषु च

camatkārapuraṁ prāpya tato'haṁ dvijasattamāḥ bhrāṁtastrikeṣu sarveṣu catvareṣu gṛheṣu ca

"O best of brahmins, having reached Chamatkarapura, I wandered through all its crossroads, its squares, and its houses."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.47.34)

न कश्चित्प्रतिगृह्णाति तानि पद्मानि मानवः॥ मम भाग्यवशाल्लोको जातः क्रयपराङ्मुखः

na kaścitpratigṛhṇāti tāni padmāni mānavaḥ mama bhāgyavaśālloko jātaḥ krayaparāṅmukhaḥ

"But not a single person would take those lotuses; through my own ill fortune, it seemed the whole world had turned away from buying them."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.47.35)

अथ क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठस्य श्रांतस्य मम भास्करः॥ अस्ताचलमनुप्राप्तः संध्याकालस्ततोऽभवत्

atha kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭhasya śrāṁtasya mama bhāskaraḥ astācalamanuprāptaḥ saṁdhyākālastato'bhavat

"Then, my throat parched with hunger, exhausted, the sun reached the western mountain, and evening fell."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.47.36)

ततो वैराग्यमापन्नः सुप्तोऽहं भग्नमंदिरे॥ तानि पद्मानि भूपृष्ठे निधाय सह भार्यया

tato vairāgyamāpannaḥ supto'haṁ bhagnamaṁdire tāni padmāni bhūpṛṣṭhe nidhāya saha bhāryayā

"Then, overcome with weariness of the world, I laid those lotuses down upon the ground and slept in a ruined temple, together with my wife."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.47.37)

अथार्धरात्रे संप्राप्ते श्रुतो गीतध्वनिर्मया॥ ततश्च चिंतितं चित्ते जागरोऽयमसंशयम्

athārdharātre saṁprāpte śruto gītadhvanirmayā tataśca ciṁtitaṁ citte jāgaro'yamasaṁśayam

"Then, at midnight, I heard the sound of singing, and thought to myself: without doubt, this must be some vigil taking place."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.47.38)

तस्माद्गच्छामि चेत्कश्चित्पद्मान्येतानि मे नरः॥ मूल्येन प्रतिगृह्णाति भोजनं जायते ततः

tasmādgacchāmi cetkaścitpadmānyetāni me naraḥ mūlyena pratigṛhṇāti bhojanaṁ jāyate tataḥ

"So I thought: if I go there, perhaps someone will take these lotuses for a price, and from that we shall have food."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.47.39)

एवं विनिश्चयं कृत्वा पद्मान्यादाय सत्वरम्॥ सभार्यः प्रस्थितस्तत्र यत्र गीतस्य निःस्वनः

evaṁ viniścayaṁ kṛtvā padmānyādāya satvaram sabhāryaḥ prasthitastatra yatra gītasya niḥsvanaḥ

"Having resolved thus, taking up the lotuses quickly, I set out together with my wife toward the place from which the sound of singing came."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.47.40)

ततश्चायतने तस्मिन्प्राप्तोऽहं मुनिपुंगवाः॥ अपश्यं देवदेवेशं महाकालं प्रपूजितम्॥ अग्रस्थितैर्द्विजश्रेष्ठैर्जपगीतपरायणैः

tataścāyatane tasminprāpto'haṁ munipuṁgavāḥ apaśyaṁ devadeveśaṁ mahākālaṁ prapūjitam agrasthitairdvijaśreṣṭhairjapagītaparāyaṇaiḥ

"O bulls among sages, then, arriving at that shrine, I saw the God of gods, Mahakala, being worshipped devoutly by eminent brahmins standing before him, absorbed in chanting and song."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.47.41)

एके नृत्यं प्रकुर्वंति गीतमन्ये जपं परे॥ अन्ये होमं द्विजश्रेष्ठा धर्माख्यानमथापरे

eke nṛtyaṁ prakurvaṁti gītamanye japaṁ pare anye homaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhā dharmākhyānamathāpare

"O best of brahmins, some of them were dancing, others singing, others reciting mantras, others performing fire oblations, and still others narrating discourses on dharma."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.47.42)

ततः कश्चिन्मया पृष्टः क्रियते जागरोऽत्र किम्॥ क एते जागरासक्ता लोकाः कीर्तय मे द्रुतम्

tataḥ kaścinmayā pṛṣṭaḥ kriyate jāgaro'tra kim ka ete jāgarāsaktā lokāḥ kīrtaya me drutam

"Then I asked someone: 'What kind of vigil is being kept here? Who are these people absorbed in this night-watch? Tell me quickly.'"

Verse 43 (skanda.6.47.43)

तेनोक्तमेष देवस्य महाकालस्य जागरः॥ क्रियते ब्राह्मणैर्भक्त्या उपवासपरायणैः

tenoktameṣa devasya mahākālasya jāgaraḥ kriyate brāhmaṇairbhaktyā upavāsaparāyaṇaiḥ

"He told me: 'This is the vigil of the god Mahakala, kept with devotion by brahmins who are observing a fast.'"

Verse 44 (skanda.6.47.44)

अद्य पुण्यतिथिर्नाम वैशाखी पुण्यदा परा॥ यस्यामस्य पुरो भक्त्या नरः कुर्यात्प्रजागरम्॥ महाकालस्य देवस्य सौख्यं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्

adya puṇyatithirnāma vaiśākhī puṇyadā parā yasyāmasya puro bhaktyā naraḥ kuryātprajāgaram mahākālasya devasya saukhyaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayam

"'Today is that most holy tithi called Vaishakhi, supremely meritorious; whoever, on this day, keeps a devoted vigil before the god Mahakala, obtains happiness without doubt.'"

Verse 45 (skanda.6.47.45)

संति पद्मानि मे यच्छ मूल्यमादाय भद्रक॥ भोजनार्थमहं दद्मि कलधौतपलत्रयम्

saṁti padmāni me yaccha mūlyamādāya bhadraka bhojanārthamahaṁ dadmi kaladhautapalatrayam

"'I am in need of lotuses -- take a price and give them to me, good sir; for your food I will give three palas of silver.'"

Verse 46 (skanda.6.47.46)

ततोऽवधारितं चित्ते मया ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः॥ पूजयामि महाकालं पद्मैरेतैः सुरेश्वरम्

tato'vadhāritaṁ citte mayā brāhmaṇasattamāḥ pūjayāmi mahākālaṁ padmairetaiḥ sureśvaram

"O foremost of brahmins, then I resolved within my mind that I would instead worship Mahakala, the lord of the gods, with these very lotuses."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.47.47)

न मया सुकृतं किंचिदन्यदेहांतरे कृतम्॥ नियतं तेन संभूत इत्थंभूतोऽस्मि दुर्गतः

na mayā sukṛtaṁ kiṁcidanyadehāṁtare kṛtam niyataṁ tena saṁbhūta itthaṁbhūto'smi durgataḥ

"'I must have done no meritorious deed in some other body of mine; surely for that reason I have been born now into such wretched misfortune.'"

Verse 48 (skanda.6.47.48)

परं क्षुत्क्षामकंठेयं भार्या मे प्रियवादिनी॥ अन्नाभावान्न संदेहः प्रातर्यास्यति संक्षयम्

paraṁ kṣutkṣāmakaṁṭheyaṁ bhāryā me priyavādinī annābhāvānna saṁdehaḥ prātaryāsyati saṁkṣayam

"'But this sweet-spoken wife of mine, her throat withered with hunger -- without food, without doubt, she will perish by morning.'"

Verse 49 (skanda.6.47.49)

एवं चिंतयमानस्य मम सा दयिता ततः॥ प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं विनयावनता स्थिता

evaṁ ciṁtayamānasya mama sā dayitā tataḥ provāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ vinayāvanatā sthitā

"While I was thinking thus, my beloved wife, standing there bowed in humility, spoke sweet words to me."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.47.50)

मा नाथ कुरु पद्मानां विक्रयं धनलोभतः॥ कुरुष्व च हितं वाक्यं यत्ते वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

mā nātha kuru padmānāṁ vikrayaṁ dhanalobhataḥ kuruṣva ca hitaṁ vākyaṁ yatte vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam

"'O my lord, do not sell these lotuses out of greed for money; instead, heed this beneficial word that I now speak to you.'"

Verse 51 (skanda.6.47.51)

उपवासो बलाज्जातः सस्याभावादसंशयम्॥ अस्माकं जागरं चापि भविष्यति बुभुक्षया

upavāso balājjātaḥ sasyābhāvādasaṁśayam asmākaṁ jāgaraṁ cāpi bhaviṣyati bubhukṣayā

"'Our fast has already come upon us by force, from the lack of food, without doubt; and our vigil too will come of itself, from mere hunger.'"

Verse 52 (skanda.6.47.52)

तत्रोभाभ्यां कृतं स्नानं दिवा सरसि शोभने॥ घर्मार्त्ताभ्यां श्रमार्त्ताभ्यां कृतदेवार्चनं तथा

tatrobhābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ snānaṁ divā sarasi śobhane gharmārttābhyāṁ śramārttābhyāṁ kṛtadevārcanaṁ tathā

"'There, during the day, both of us bathed in that beautiful lake, and, though tormented by heat and weariness, we still performed worship of the god.'"

Verse 53 (skanda.6.47.53)

तस्माद्देवं महाकालं पूजयामोऽधुना वयम्॥ पद्मैरेतैः परं श्रेय आवयोर्येन जायते

tasmāddevaṁ mahākālaṁ pūjayāmo'dhunā vayam padmairetaiḥ paraṁ śreya āvayoryena jāyate

"'Therefore let us now worship the god Mahakala with these very lotuses, so that supreme good may come to us both.'"

Verse 54 (skanda.6.47.54)

राजोवाच॥ उभाभ्यामथ हृष्टाभ्यां पूजितोऽयं महेश्वरः॥ तैः पद्मैः सत्त्वमास्थाय कृत्वा पूजां द्विजोत्तमाः

rājovāca ubhābhyāmatha hṛṣṭābhyāṁ pūjito'yaṁ maheśvaraḥ taiḥ padmaiḥ sattvamāsthāya kṛtvā pūjāṁ dvijottamāḥ

The king said: "O best of brahmins, then, both of us, glad at heart, taking courage, worshipped that great Lord with those very lotuses."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.47.55)

क्षुत्पीडया समायाता नैव निद्रा कथंचन॥ स्वल्पापि मंदिरे चात्र स्थितयोर्हरसन्निधौ

kṣutpīḍayā samāyātā naiva nidrā kathaṁcana svalpāpi maṁdire cātra sthitayorharasannidhau

"Because of the pangs of hunger, not even the slightest sleep came to either of us, as we remained there in that temple, close to Hara."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.47.56)

ततः प्रभातसमये प्रोद्गते रविमंडले॥ मृतोऽहं क्षुधयाविष्टः स्थानेऽत्रैव द्विजोत्तमाः

tataḥ prabhātasamaye prodgate ravimaṁḍale mṛto'haṁ kṣudhayāviṣṭaḥ sthāne'traiva dvijottamāḥ

"O best of brahmins, then, at daybreak, as the sun's disk rose, I, overcome by hunger, died right there in that very place."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.47.57)

अथ सा दयिता मह्यं तदादाय कलेवरम्॥ हर्षेण महताविष्टा प्रविष्टा हव्यवाहनम्

atha sā dayitā mahyaṁ tadādāya kalevaram harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭā praviṣṭā havyavāhanam

"Then my beloved wife, taking up my body, and overcome with great exultation, entered into the fire."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.47.58)

तत्प्रभावादहं जातः कांतीनाथो महीपतिः॥ दशार्णाधिपतेः कन्या सापि जातिस्मरा सती

tatprabhāvādahaṁ jātaḥ kāṁtīnātho mahīpatiḥ daśārṇādhipateḥ kanyā sāpi jātismarā satī

"By that power, I was born as the king, lord of Kanti; and she too was born as a virtuous daughter of the lord of Dasharna, one who remembered her past life."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.47.59)

ततः स्वयंवरं प्राप्ता मां विज्ञाय निजं पतिम्॥ मयापि सैव विज्ञाय पूर्वपत्नी समाहृता

tataḥ svayaṁvaraṁ prāptā māṁ vijñāya nijaṁ patim mayāpi saiva vijñāya pūrvapatnī samāhṛtā

"Then, coming to her svayamvara, she recognized me as her husband from before; and I too, recognizing her, took her as my wife from that former life."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.47.60)

एतस्मात्कारणादस्य महाकालस्य जागरम्॥ वर्षेवर्षे च वैशाख्यां करोमि द्विजसत्तमाः

etasmātkāraṇādasya mahākālasya jāgaram varṣevarṣe ca vaiśākhyāṁ karomi dvijasattamāḥ

"For this very reason, O best of brahmins, I keep this vigil of Mahakala every year on the day of Vaishakhi."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.47.61)

अनया प्रियया सार्धं पुष्पधूपानुलेपनैः॥ पूजयित्वा महाकालं सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

anayā priyayā sārdhaṁ puṣpadhūpānulepanaiḥ pūjayitvā mahākālaṁ satyametanmayoditam

"Worshipping Mahakala with flowers, incense, and sandal-paste, together with this same beloved wife -- all this I have told you is true."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.47.62)

कृतो विप्रा मया त्वेष स तदा रात्रिजागरः॥ यथाप्येतत्फलं जातं देवस्यास्य प्रभावतः

kṛto viprā mayā tveṣa sa tadā rātrijāgaraḥ yathāpyetatphalaṁ jātaṁ devasyāsya prabhāvataḥ

"O brahmins, it was then that this night-vigil was performed by me, and this has been its fruit, through the power of this god."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.47.63)

अधुना श्रद्धया युक्तो यथोक्तविधिना ततः॥ यत्करोमि न जानामि किं मे संयच्छते फलम्

adhunā śraddhayā yukto yathoktavidhinā tataḥ yatkaromi na jānāmi kiṁ me saṁyacchate phalam

"Now, filled with faith, performing this rite according to the prescribed procedure, I do not know what fruit will yet be granted to me."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.47.64)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं मया सत्यं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ येन सत्येन तेनैष महाकालः प्रसीदतु

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ mayā satyaṁ dvijottamāḥ yena satyena tenaiṣa mahākālaḥ prasīdatu

"O best of brahmins, I have related all this truthfully to you; by the power of this truth, may Mahakala be pleased with me."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.47.65)

सूत उवाच॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः॥ प्रचक्रुर्जपतेस्तस्य साधुवादाननेकशः

sūta uvāca etacchrutvā dvijaśreṣṭhā vismayotphullalocanāḥ pracakrurjapatestasya sādhuvādānanekaśaḥ

Suta said: "Hearing this, the eyes of those foremost brahmins widened with wonder, and they showered many words of praise upon that king in his devotion."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.47.66)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥ सत्यमुक्तं महीपाल त्वयैतदखिलं वचः॥ महाकालप्रसादेन न किंचिद्दुर्लभं भुवि

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ satyamuktaṁ mahīpāla tvayaitadakhilaṁ vacaḥ mahākālaprasādena na kiṁciddurlabhaṁ bhuvi

The brahmins said: "O king, all that you have spoken is true; by the grace of Mahakala, nothing on earth is beyond attainment."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.47.67)

तस्माद्विशेषतः सर्वे वर्षेवर्षे वयं नृप॥ करिष्यामोऽस्य देवस्य श्रद्धया रात्रिजागरम्

tasmādviśeṣataḥ sarve varṣevarṣe vayaṁ nṛpa kariṣyāmo'sya devasya śraddhayā rātrijāgaram

"Therefore, O king, from now on all of us too will especially keep this god's night-vigil, with faith, year after year."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.47.68)

ततः स पार्थिवस्ते च सर्व एव द्विजातयः॥ प्रचक्रुर्जागरं तस्य महाकालस्य संनिधौ

tataḥ sa pārthivaste ca sarva eva dvijātayaḥ pracakrurjāgaraṁ tasya mahākālasya saṁnidhau

Then that king and all those brahmins together kept that vigil in the presence of Mahakala.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.47.69)

विशेषाद्धर्षसंयुक्ता विविधैर्गीतवादनैः॥ धर्माख्यानैश्च नृत्यैश्च वेदोच्चारैः पृथग्विधैः॥ तदारभ्य नृपाः सर्वे प्रचक्रुर्विस्मयान्विताः

viśeṣāddharṣasaṁyuktā vividhairgītavādanaiḥ dharmākhyānaiśca nṛtyaiśca vedoccāraiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ tadārabhya nṛpāḥ sarve pracakrurvismayānvitāḥ

Filled with especial joy, with a variety of songs and instruments, discourses on dharma, dances, and diverse recitations of the Veda -- from that time onward, all kings, filled with wonder, began to observe this vigil in the same way.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.47.70)

ततः प्रभाते विमले समुत्थाय स भूपतिः॥ पूजयित्वा महाकालं तांश्च सर्वान्द्विजोत्तमान्॥ अनुज्ञाप्य ययौ हृष्टः ससैन्यः स्वपुरं प्रति

tataḥ prabhāte vimale samutthāya sa bhūpatiḥ pūjayitvā mahākālaṁ tāṁśca sarvāndvijottamān anujñāpya yayau hṛṣṭaḥ sasainyaḥ svapuraṁ prati

Then, rising in the bright dawn, that king worshipped Mahakala and all those eminent brahmins, and, taking their leave, departed joyfully with his army toward his own city.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.47.71)

ततः कालेन संप्राप्य देहान्तं स महीपतिः॥ संप्राप्तः परमं स्थानं जरामरणवर्जितम्

tataḥ kālena saṁprāpya dehāntaṁ sa mahīpatiḥ saṁprāptaḥ paramaṁ sthānaṁ jarāmaraṇavarjitam

Then, in the course of time, when his body's end came, that king attained the supreme abode, free from old age and death.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.47.72)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं महाकालसमुद्भवम्॥ माहात्म्यं ब्राह्मण श्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ mahākālasamudbhavam māhātmyaṁ brāhmaṇa śreṣṭhāḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

O best of brahmins, thus I have related to you all this greatness arising from Mahakala, the destroyer of every sin.