The Glory of Rudrashirsha (Jageshvara)

Verse 1 (skanda.6.78.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ ब्रह्मणा कतमे स्थाने तत्र सूत कृतं तपः॥ वालखिल्यैश्च तैः सर्वैर्मुनिभिः शंसितव्रतैः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ brahmaṇā katame sthāne tatra sūta kṛtaṁ tapaḥ vālakhilyaiśca taiḥ sarvairmunibhiḥ śaṁsitavrataiḥ

The sages said: "In what place, O Suta, did Brahma perform his austerities there, and all those Valakhilya sages of rigorous vows?"

Verse 2 (skanda.6.78.2)

सूत उवाच॥ तस्या वायव्यदिग्भागे हरवेद्या द्विजोत्तमाः॥ सम्यक्छ्रद्धाप्रयत्नेन ब्रह्मणा विहितं तपः

sūta uvāca tasyā vāyavyadigbhāge haravedyā dvijottamāḥ samyakchraddhāprayatnena brahmaṇā vihitaṁ tapaḥ

Suta said: "O best of brahmins, in the north-western direction from that altar of Hara, austerity was performed by Brahma with full faith and effort,"

Verse 3 (skanda.6.78.3)

पश्चिमे वालखिल्यैश्च जपस्नानपरायणैः॥ तत्राश्चर्यमभूद्यद्वै पूर्वं ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः॥ आश्रमे चतुरास्यस्य तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

paścime vālakhilyaiśca japasnānaparāyaṇaiḥ tatrāścaryamabhūdyadvai pūrvaṁ brāhmaṇasattamāḥ āśrame caturāsyasya tadvo vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam

"and to the west by the Valakhilyas, devoted to japa and bathing. There, O best of brahmins, a wondrous thing happened long ago at the hermitage of the four-faced one — that I shall now tell you."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.78.4)

तत्र दुश्चारिणी काचिद्रात्रौ ब्राह्मणवंशजा॥ देवदत्तं समासाद्य वल्लभं रमते सदा

tatra duścāriṇī kācidrātrau brāhmaṇavaṁśajā devadattaṁ samāsādya vallabhaṁ ramate sadā

There, a certain unchaste woman, born of a brahmin family, went at night to meet her lover Devadatta, and always took her pleasure with him.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.78.5)

अज्ञाता पतिना मात्रा तथान्यैरपि बांधवैः॥ कृष्णपक्षं समासाद्य विजने हृष्टमानसा

ajñātā patinā mātrā tathānyairapi bāṁdhavaiḥ kṛṣṇapakṣaṁ samāsādya vijane hṛṣṭamānasā

Unknown to her husband, her mother, or her other kinsfolk, she, with a delighted mind, would go to a lonely place during the dark fortnight.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.78.6)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य दृष्टा सा केनचिद्द्विजाः॥ तत्रस्था जारसंयुक्ता स्वभर्तुश्च निवेदिता

kasyacittvatha kālasya dṛṣṭā sā kenaciddvijāḥ tatrasthā jārasaṁyuktā svabhartuśca niveditā

After some time, O brahmins, she was seen there by someone, together with her lover, and it was reported to her own husband.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.78.7)

अथासौ कोपसंयुक्तस्तस्या भर्ता सुनिष्ठुरैः॥ वाक्यैस्तां गर्हयामास प्रहारैश्चाप्यताडयत्

athāsau kopasaṁyuktastasyā bhartā suniṣṭhuraiḥ vākyaistāṁ garhayāmāsa prahāraiścāpyatāḍayat

Then her husband, filled with anger, reproached her with very harsh words and also struck her with blows.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.78.8)

अथ सा धार्ष्ट्यमासाद्य स्त्रीस्वभावं समाश्रिता॥ प्रोवाच बाष्पपूर्णाक्षी दीनांजलिपुटा स्थिता

atha sā dhārṣṭyamāsādya strīsvabhāvaṁ samāśritā provāca bāṣpapūrṇākṣī dīnāṁjalipuṭā sthitā

Then she, resorting to boldness in accordance with the nature of women, standing with eyes full of tears and hands folded piteously, said:

Verse 9 (skanda.6.78.9)

किं मां दुर्जनवाक्येन त्वं ताडयसि निष्ठुरैः॥ प्रहारैर्दोषनिर्मुक्तां त्वत्पादप्रणतां विभो

kiṁ māṁ durjanavākyena tvaṁ tāḍayasi niṣṭhuraiḥ prahārairdoṣanirmuktāṁ tvatpādapraṇatāṁ vibho

"Why do you strike me with harsh blows, on the word of some wicked person, when I am free of fault and bow at your feet, my lord?"

Verse 10 (skanda.6.78.10)

अहं त्वां शपथं कृत्वा भक्षयित्वाऽथ वा विषम्॥ प्रविश्य हव्यवाहं वा करिष्ये प्रत्ययान्वितम्

ahaṁ tvāṁ śapathaṁ kṛtvā bhakṣayitvā'tha vā viṣam praviśya havyavāhaṁ vā kariṣye pratyayānvitam

"I shall convince you by swearing an oath — by eating poison, or by entering fire."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.78.11)

अथ तां ब्राह्मणः प्राह यदि त्वं पापवर्जिता॥ पुरतो देवविप्राणां कुरु दिव्यग्रहं स्वयम्

atha tāṁ brāhmaṇaḥ prāha yadi tvaṁ pāpavarjitā purato devaviprāṇāṁ kuru divyagrahaṁ svayam

Then the brahmin said to her: "If you are free of sin, undergo a divine ordeal yourself, before the gods and the brahmins."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.78.12)

सा तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय साहसेन समन्विता॥ दिव्यग्रहं ततश्चक्रे यथोक्तविधिना सती

sā tatheti pratijñāya sāhasena samanvitā divyagrahaṁ tataścakre yathoktavidhinā satī

She, agreeing with "so be it," filled with daring, then performed the divine ordeal according to the prescribed rite,

Verse 13 (skanda.6.78.13)

शुद्धिं च प्राप्ता सर्वेषां बन्धूनां च द्विजन्मनाम्॥ पुरतश्च गुरूणां च देवानामपि पापकृत्

śuddhiṁ ca prāptā sarveṣāṁ bandhūnāṁ ca dvijanmanām purataśca gurūṇāṁ ca devānāmapi pāpakṛt

and, though a sinner, obtained a verdict of purity in the presence of all her kinsmen, the brahmins, the elders, and the gods.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.78.14)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तस्याः साधुवादो महानभूत्॥ धिक्छब्दश्च तथा पत्युः सर्वैर्दत्तः सुगर्हितः

etasminnantare tasyāḥ sādhuvādo mahānabhūt dhikchabdaśca tathā patyuḥ sarvairdattaḥ sugarhitaḥ

Meanwhile, great praise arose for her, while a most reproachful cry of "shame!" was raised against her husband by everyone.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.78.15)

अहो पापसमाचारो दुष्टोऽयं ब्राह्मणाधमः॥ अपापां धर्मपत्नीं यो मिथ्यादोषेणयोजयेत्

aho pāpasamācāro duṣṭo'yaṁ brāhmaṇādhamaḥ apāpāṁ dharmapatnīṁ yo mithyādoṣeṇayojayet

"Oh, this is a wicked, vile brahmin of sinful conduct, who has falsely charged his innocent, righteous wife with a fault!"

Verse 16 (skanda.6.78.16)

एवं स निन्द्यमानस्तु सर्वलोकैर्द्विजोत्तमाः॥ कोपं चक्रे ततो वह्निं समुद्दिश्य सदुःखितः

evaṁ sa nindyamānastu sarvalokairdvijottamāḥ kopaṁ cakre tato vahniṁ samuddiśya saduḥkhitaḥ

Thus reviled by all people, O best of brahmins, he, greatly distressed, became angry, directing his anger at the fire.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.78.17)

शापं दातुं मतिं चक्रे ततो वह्नेः सुदुःखितः॥ अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यं निन्दमानः पुनःपुनः

śāpaṁ dātuṁ matiṁ cakre tato vahneḥ suduḥkhitaḥ abravītparuṣaṁ vākyaṁ nindamānaḥ punaḥpunaḥ

Deeply distressed, he resolved to curse the fire; he spoke harsh words, censuring it again and again.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.78.18)

मया स्वयं प्रदृष्टेयं जारेण सह संगता॥ त्वया वह्ने सुपापेयं न कस्माद्भस्मसात्कृता

mayā svayaṁ pradṛṣṭeyaṁ jāreṇa saha saṁgatā tvayā vahne supāpeyaṁ na kasmādbhasmasātkṛtā

"I myself saw her united with her lover — O Fire, why has this most sinful woman not been burnt to ashes by you?"

Verse 19 (skanda.6.78.19)

तस्मात्त्वां पापकर्माणमसत्यपक्षपातिनम्॥ असंदिग्धं शपिष्यामि रौद्रशापेन सांप्रतम्

tasmāttvāṁ pāpakarmāṇamasatyapakṣapātinam asaṁdigdhaṁ śapiṣyāmi raudraśāpena sāṁpratam

"Therefore I shall now, without doubt, curse you — a doer of sinful deeds, a partisan of falsehood — with a terrible curse."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.78.20)

सूत उवाच॥ तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा संक्रुद्धस्य द्विजन्मनः॥ सप्तार्चिर्भयसंत्रस्तः कृतांजलिरुवाच तम्

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā saṁkruddhasya dvijanmanaḥ saptārcirbhayasaṁtrastaḥ kṛtāṁjaliruvāca tam

Suta said: Hearing those words of that enraged brahmin, the seven-flamed one, terrified, with hands folded, spoke to him:

Verse 21 (skanda.6.78.21)

अग्निरुवाच॥ नैष दोषो मम ब्रह्मन्यन्न दग्धा तव प्रिया॥ कृतागसाऽपि मे वाक्यं शृणुष्वात्र स्फुटेरितम्

agniruvāca naiṣa doṣo mama brahmanyanna dagdhā tava priyā kṛtāgasā'pi me vākyaṁ śṛṇuṣvātra sphuṭeritam

Agni said: This is no fault of mine, O brahmin, that your wife was not burned. Though I have offended, hear my words, clearly spoken on this matter.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.78.22)

अनया परकांतेन कृतः सह समागमः॥ चिरं कालं द्विजश्रेष्ठ त्वया ज्ञाताद्य वासरे

anayā parakāṁtena kṛtaḥ saha samāgamaḥ ciraṁ kālaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha tvayā jñātādya vāsare

Union with another man was indeed carried on by her for a long time, O best of brahmins, though you came to know of it only today.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.78.23)

परं यस्माद्विशुद्धैषा मया दग्धा न सा द्विज॥ कारणं तच्च ते वच्मि शृणुष्वैकमनाः स्थितः

paraṁ yasmādviśuddhaiṣā mayā dagdhā na sā dvija kāraṇaṁ tacca te vacmi śṛṇuṣvaikamanāḥ sthitaḥ

But because she has become truly purified, she was not burned by me, O brahmin. I shall tell you the reason for that; listen with an attentive mind.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.78.24)

यत्रानया कृतः संगः परकांतेन वै द्विज॥ तस्मिन्नायतने ब्रह्मा रुद्रशीर्षो व्यवस्थितः

yatrānayā kṛtaḥ saṁgaḥ parakāṁtena vai dvija tasminnāyatane brahmā rudraśīrṣo vyavasthitaḥ

At the place where she carried on the union with the other man, O brahmin, in that very shrine, Brahma stands established as Rudrashirsha.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.78.25)

तत्र कृत्वा रतं चित्रं परकांतसमं तदा॥ पश्यति स्म ततो रुद्रं ब्रह्ममस्तकसंस्थितम्

tatra kṛtvā rataṁ citraṁ parakāṁtasamaṁ tadā paśyati sma tato rudraṁ brahmamastakasaṁsthitam

Having performed the varied act of love with the other man there, she then beheld Rudra, established upon Brahma's head.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.78.26)

ततः प्रक्षालयत्यंगं कुण्डे तत्राग्रतः स्थिते॥ कृतपापापि तेनैषा शुद्धिं याति शुचिस्मिता

tataḥ prakṣālayatyaṁgaṁ kuṇḍe tatrāgrataḥ sthite kṛtapāpāpi tenaiṣā śuddhiṁ yāti śucismitā

Then she washed her body in the sacred pool situated right there in front; and by that, though a sinner, this pure-smiling woman attained purification.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.78.27)

अत्र पूर्वं विपाप्माऽभूद्ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः॥ सतीवक्त्रं समालोक्य कामार्तोऽपि स पापकृत्

atra pūrvaṁ vipāpmā'bhūdbrahmā lokapitāmahaḥ satīvaktraṁ samālokya kāmārto'pi sa pāpakṛt

For here, formerly, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, became a sinner, overcome with desire, having gazed upon Sati's face.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.78.28)

तस्मान्नास्त्यत्र मे दोषः स्वल्पोऽपि द्विजसत्तम॥ रुद्रशीर्षप्रभावोऽयं तस्य कुण्डोदकस्य च

tasmānnāstyatra me doṣaḥ svalpo'pi dvijasattama rudraśīrṣaprabhāvo'yaṁ tasya kuṇḍodakasya ca

Therefore, O best of brahmins, there is no fault at all in me here — this is the power of Rudrashirsha and of the water of that sacred pool.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.78.29)

तस्मादेनां समादाय संशुद्धां पापवर्जिताम्॥ गृहं गच्छ द्विजश्रेष्ठ सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

tasmādenāṁ samādāya saṁśuddhāṁ pāpavarjitām gṛhaṁ gaccha dvijaśreṣṭha satyametanmayoditam

Therefore take her, now truly purified and free of sin, and go home, O best of brahmins; this that I have spoken is the truth.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.78.30)

ब्राह्मण उवाच॥ या मया सहसा दृष्टा स्वयमेव हुताशन॥ परकांतेन तां नाद्य शुद्धामपि गृहं नये

brāhmaṇa uvāca yā mayā sahasā dṛṣṭā svayameva hutāśana parakāṁtena tāṁ nādya śuddhāmapi gṛhaṁ naye

The brahmin said: She whom I myself directly saw with another man, O Fire — even though declared pure, I shall not now take her home.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.78.31)

इत्युक्त्वा च द्विजश्रेष्ठस्तां त्यक्त्वापि शुचिव्रतः॥ जगाम स्वगृहं पश्चात्तथा जग्मुर्जना गृहान्

ityuktvā ca dvijaśreṣṭhastāṁ tyaktvāpi śucivrataḥ jagāma svagṛhaṁ paścāttathā jagmurjanā gṛhān

Having said this, that excellent brahmin, of pure vows, abandoning her, went to his own home; and likewise the people went to their homes.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.78.32)

सापि तेन परित्यक्ता पतिना हृष्टमानसा॥ ज्ञात्वा तत्तीर्थमाहात्म्यं वैश्वानरमुखेरितम्

sāpi tena parityaktā patinā hṛṣṭamānasā jñātvā tattīrthamāhātmyaṁ vaiśvānaramukheritam

She too, abandoned by her husband, yet with a delighted mind, having learned the glory of that sacred ford as declared by the mouth of Fire,

Verse 33 (skanda.6.78.33)

तेनैव परकांतेन विशेषेण रतिक्रियाम्॥ तस्मिन्नायतने चक्रे कुण्डे तोयावगाहनम्

tenaiva parakāṁtena viśeṣeṇa ratikriyām tasminnāyatane cakre kuṇḍe toyāvagāhanam

performed the act of love with that same other man especially in that very shrine, and then bathed in the sacred pool.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.78.34)

अथान्ये परलोकस्य भीत्याऽतीव व्यवस्थिताः॥ विमुखाः परदारेषु नार्यश्चापि पतिव्रताः

athānye paralokasya bhītyā'tīva vyavasthitāḥ vimukhāḥ paradāreṣu nāryaścāpi pativratāḥ

Then, others too — exceedingly wary in fear of the world to come, who otherwise shunned adultery, and even virtuous, husband-devoted women —

Verse 35 (skanda.6.78.35)

दूरतोऽपि समभ्येत्य ते सर्वे तत्र मंदिरे॥ रुद्रशीर्षाभिधानं च प्रचक्रुः सुरतोत्सवम्

dūrato'pi samabhyetya te sarve tatra maṁdire rudraśīrṣābhidhānaṁ ca pracakruḥ suratotsavam

all of them, coming even from far away, to that temple called Rudrashirsha, engaged in the festival of love-making.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.78.36)

निमज्जंति ततः कुण्डे तस्मिन्पातकनाशने॥ भवंति पापनिर्मुक्ता रुद्रशीर्षावलोकनात्

nimajjaṁti tataḥ kuṇḍe tasminpātakanāśane bhavaṁti pāpanirmuktā rudraśīrṣāvalokanāt

They then plunge into that sin-destroying pool, and become freed from sin merely by the sight of Rudrashirsha.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.78.37)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे नष्टो धर्मः पत्नीसमुद्भवः॥ पुरुषाणां ततः स्त्रीणां निजकांतासमुद्भवः

etasminnaṁtare naṣṭo dharmaḥ patnīsamudbhavaḥ puruṣāṇāṁ tataḥ strīṇāṁ nijakāṁtāsamudbhavaḥ

Meanwhile, the righteousness that arises for men from their own wives, and likewise for women from their own husbands, was lost.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.78.38)

यो यां पश्यति रूपाढ्यां नारीमपि कुलोद्भवाम्॥ स तत्रानीय संहृष्टो भजते द्विजसत्तमाः

yo yāṁ paśyati rūpāḍhyāṁ nārīmapi kulodbhavām sa tatrānīya saṁhṛṣṭo bhajate dvijasattamāḥ

Whatever man sees a beautiful woman, even one born of a good family, he, delighted, brings her there and enjoys her, O best of brahmins.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.78.39)

तथा नारी सुरूपाढ्यं यं पश्यति नरं क्वचित्॥ सापि तत्र समानीय कुरुते सुरतोत्सवम्

tathā nārī surūpāḍhyaṁ yaṁ paśyati naraṁ kvacit sāpi tatra samānīya kurute suratotsavam

Likewise, whatever handsome man a woman happens to see, she too brings him there and engages in the festival of love.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.78.40)

लिप्यते न च पापेन कथंचित्तकृतेन च॥ नरो वा यदि वा नारी तत्तीर्थस्य प्रभावतः

lipyate na ca pāpena kathaṁcittakṛtena ca naro vā yadi vā nārī tattīrthasya prabhāvataḥ

And neither man nor woman becomes tainted in any way by the sin thus committed, through the power of that sacred ford.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.78.41)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तत्र राजा विदूरथः॥ आनर्त्तविषये जज्ञे वार्धक्यं च क्रमाद्ययौ

kasyacittvatha kālasya tatra rājā vidūrathaḥ ānarttaviṣaye jajñe vārdhakyaṁ ca kramādyayau

After some time, a king named Viduratha was born in the region of Anarta, and in due course he came to old age.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.78.42)

तस्य भार्याऽभवत्तन्वी तरुणी वररूपधृक्॥ पश्चिमे वयसि प्राप्ते प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी

tasya bhāryā'bhavattanvī taruṇī vararūpadhṛk paścime vayasi prāpte prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī

His wife was a slender, youthful woman of excellent beauty; even when he reached the last stage of life, she was dearer to him than his own life.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.78.43)

न तस्याः स जराग्रस्तश्चित्ते वसति पार्थिवः॥ तस्मिंस्तीर्थे समागत्य वांछितं रमते नरः

na tasyāḥ sa jarāgrastaścitte vasati pārthivaḥ tasmiṁstīrthe samāgatya vāṁchitaṁ ramate naraḥ

That aged king did not dwell in her heart; coming instead to that sacred ford, she took her pleasure as she wished with other men.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.78.44)

पार्थिवोऽपि परिज्ञाय तस्यास्तच्च विचेष्टितम्॥ कोपाविष्टस्ततो गत्वा तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे सुशोभने

pārthivo'pi parijñāya tasyāstacca viceṣṭitam kopāviṣṭastato gatvā tasminkṣetre suśobhane

The king too, having learned of her conduct, filled with anger, went then to that beautiful sacred field,

Verse 45 (skanda.6.78.45)

तत्कुण्डं पूरयामास ततः पांशूत्करैर्द्रुतम्॥ बभंज तं च प्रासादं ततः प्रोवाच दारुणम्

tatkuṇḍaṁ pūrayāmāsa tataḥ pāṁśūtkarairdrutam babhaṁja taṁ ca prāsādaṁ tataḥ provāca dāruṇam

and swiftly filled up that sacred pool with heaps of dust, broke down that temple, and then uttered a terrible curse:

Verse 46 (skanda.6.78.46)

यश्चैतत्पूरितं कुण्डं पांशुना निखनिष्यति॥ प्रासादं च पुनश्चैनं करिष्यति पुनर्नवम्

yaścaitatpūritaṁ kuṇḍaṁ pāṁśunā nikhaniṣyati prāsādaṁ ca punaścainaṁ kariṣyati punarnavam

"Whoever shall dig out this pool that has been filled with dust, and shall rebuild this temple anew,"

Verse 47 (skanda.6.78.47)

परदारकृतं पापं तस्य संपत्स्यतेऽखिलम्॥ यदत्र प्रकरिष्यंति मानवाः काममोहिताः

paradārakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tasya saṁpatsyate'khilam yadatra prakariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ kāmamohitāḥ

"the entire sin of adultery shall accrue to him — whatever men, deluded by lust, shall commit here."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.78.48)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं स पार्थिवः प्रोच्य तामादाय ततः प्रियाम्॥ जगाम स्वगृहं पश्चात्प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa pārthivaḥ procya tāmādāya tataḥ priyām jagāma svagṛhaṁ paścātprahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

Suta said: Having spoken thus, that king then took his beloved wife and, with a heart filled with satisfaction, went back to his own home.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.78.49)

अथ तां विरतां ज्ञात्वा सोऽन्यचित्तां प्रियां नृपः॥ यत्नेन रक्षयामास विश्वासं नैव गच्छति

atha tāṁ viratāṁ jñātvā so'nyacittāṁ priyāṁ nṛpaḥ yatnena rakṣayāmāsa viśvāsaṁ naiva gacchati

Then, knowing his beloved to be estranged, her mind elsewhere, the king took great pains to guard her, and never let himself trust her.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.78.50)

अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे शस्त्रं सूक्ष्मं वेण्यां निधाय सा॥ जगाम शयनं तस्य वधार्थं वरवर्णिनी

anyasmindivase śastraṁ sūkṣmaṁ veṇyāṁ nidhāya sā jagāma śayanaṁ tasya vadhārthaṁ varavarṇinī

On another day, that beautiful woman, having hidden a small weapon in her braid, went to his bed, intending to kill him.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.78.51)

ततस्तेन समं हास्यं कृत्वा क्षत्रियभावजम्॥ सुरतं रुचिरैर्भावैर्हावैर्भूरिभिरेव च

tatastena samaṁ hāsyaṁ kṛtvā kṣatriyabhāvajam surataṁ rucirairbhāvairhāvairbhūribhireva ca

Then, laughing with him in the manner befitting a kshatriya woman, she made love to him with charming moods and abundant amorous gestures,

Verse 52 (skanda.6.78.52)

ततो निद्रावशं प्राप्तं तं नृपं सा नृपप्रिया॥ स्ववेण्याः शस्त्रमादाय निजघान सुनिर्दया

tato nidrāvaśaṁ prāptaṁ taṁ nṛpaṁ sā nṛpapriyā svaveṇyāḥ śastramādāya nijaghāna sunirdayā

and then, when the king had fallen under the sway of sleep, that royal consort, taking the weapon from her braid, mercilessly slew him.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.78.53)

एवं तस्य फलं जातं सद्यस्तीर्थस्य भंगजम्॥ आनर्ताधिपते रौद्रं सर्वलोकविगर्हितम्

evaṁ tasya phalaṁ jātaṁ sadyastīrthasya bhaṁgajam ānartādhipate raudraṁ sarvalokavigarhitam

Thus the fruit of his act — born of the destruction of the sacred ford — came upon that lord of Anarta at once: a terrible fate condemned by all the world.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.78.54)

अद्यापि तत्र देवेशो रुद्रशीर्षः स तिष्ठति॥ लिंगभेदभयात्तेन न स भग्नो द्विजोत्तमाः

adyāpi tatra deveśo rudraśīrṣaḥ sa tiṣṭhati liṁgabhedabhayāttena na sa bhagno dvijottamāḥ

Even today, that lord of gods, Rudrashirsha, remains standing there; for fear of splitting the linga, it was never broken by him, O best of brahmins.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.78.55)

यस्तस्य पुरतः स्थित्वा जपेद्रुद्रशिरः शुचिः॥ माघशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां पूजयित्वा स्रगादिभिः

yastasya purataḥ sthitvā japedrudraśiraḥ śuciḥ māghaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ pūjayitvā sragādibhiḥ

Whoever, standing before him, purified, recites the mantra "Rudrashiras," having worshipped him with garlands and the like on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Magha,

Verse 56 (skanda.6.78.56)

वांछितं लभते चाशु तस्येशस्य प्रभावतः॥ अष्टोत्तरशतं यावद्यो जपेत्पुरतः स्थितः

vāṁchitaṁ labhate cāśu tasyeśasya prabhāvataḥ aṣṭottaraśataṁ yāvadyo japetpurataḥ sthitaḥ

quickly obtains what he desires through the power of that Lord. And whoever, standing before him, recites it a hundred and eight times —

Verse 57 (skanda.6.78.57)

रुद्रशीर्षं न संदेहः स याति परमां गतिम्॥ एकवारं नरो यो वा तत्पुरः पठति द्विजः

rudraśīrṣaṁ na saṁdehaḥ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim ekavāraṁ naro yo vā tatpuraḥ paṭhati dvijaḥ

reaches, without doubt, the supreme state through Rudrashirsha. And whatever man or brahmin recites it just once before him,

Verse 58 (skanda.6.78.58)

नित्यं दिनकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते द्विजसत्तमाः॥ एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं रुद्रशीर्षसमुद्भवम्

nityaṁ dinakṛtātpāpānmucyate dvijasattamāḥ etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ rudraśīrṣasamudbhavam

O best of brahmins, is freed daily from the sins committed that day. All this has been told to you, arising from Rudrashirsha —

Verse 59 (skanda.6.78.59)

माहात्म्यं सर्वपापानां सद्यो नाशनकारकम्॥ मंगलं परमं ह्येतदायुष्यं कीर्तिवर्धनम्॥ रुद्रशीर्षस्य माहात्म्यं तस्माच्छ्रोतव्यमादरात्

māhātmyaṁ sarvapāpānāṁ sadyo nāśanakārakam maṁgalaṁ paramaṁ hyetadāyuṣyaṁ kīrtivardhanam rudraśīrṣasya māhātmyaṁ tasmācchrotavyamādarāt

the glory that instantly destroys all sins; this is indeed most auspicious, life-giving, and fame-increasing. Therefore the glory of Rudrashirsha should be heard with reverence.