The Greatness of Ajapaleshvari

Verse 1 (skanda.6.95.1)

सूत उवाच॥ अथान्यापि च तत्रास्ति देशकामप्रदा नृणाम्॥ अजापालेन भूपेन स्थापिता पापनाशनी

sūta uvāca athānyāpi ca tatrāsti deśakāmapradā nṛṇām ajāpālena bhūpena sthāpitā pāpanāśanī

Suta said: There is also, in that place, another goddess, granter of desired boons to men and destroyer of sin, who was established there by King Ajapala.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.95.2)

तां च शुक्लचतुर्दश्यामजापालेश्वरीं नरः॥ यो वै पूजयते भक्त्या धूपपुष्पानुलेपनैः॥ स प्राप्नोतीप्सितान्कामान्दुर्लभा सर्वमानवैः

tāṁ ca śuklacaturdaśyāmajāpāleśvarīṁ naraḥ yo vai pūjayate bhaktyā dhūpapuṣpānulepanaiḥ sa prāpnotīpsitānkāmāndurlabhā sarvamānavaiḥ

Whoever, on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, worships that goddess Ajapaleshvari with devotion, offering incense, flowers, and unguents, obtains his desired wishes, which are otherwise hard for any man to attain.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.95.3)

तस्या देव्याः प्रसादेन सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्॥ अजापालो महीपालः पुराऽऽसीत्संमतः सताम्

tasyā devyāḥ prasādena satyametanmayoditam ajāpālo mahīpālaḥ purā''sītsaṁmataḥ satām

By the grace of that goddess — I tell you this truly — there once lived a king named Ajapala, who was honored by the virtuous.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.95.4)

हितकृत्सर्वलोकस्य यथा माता यथा पिता॥ तेन राज्यं समासाद्य पितृपैतामहं शुभम्

hitakṛtsarvalokasya yathā mātā yathā pitā tena rājyaṁ samāsādya pitṛpaitāmahaṁ śubham

He was, like a mother or a father, devoted to the welfare of all his people. Having inherited his auspicious kingdom from his father and grandfather...

Verse 5 (skanda.6.95.5)

चिंतितं मनसा पश्चात्स्वयमेव महात्मना॥ मया तत्कर्म कर्तव्यं यदन्यैरिह भूमिपैः॥ न कृतं न करिष्यंति ये भविष्यन्त्यतः परम्

ciṁtitaṁ manasā paścātsvayameva mahātmanā mayā tatkarma kartavyaṁ yadanyairiha bhūmipaiḥ na kṛtaṁ na kariṣyaṁti ye bhaviṣyantyataḥ param

...that great-souled king afterward pondered within himself: "I must do that deed which no other king on this earth has ever done, nor will any king yet to come ever do."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.95.6)

एष एव परो धर्मो भूपतीनामुदाहृतः॥ यत्प्रजापालनं शश्वत्तासां च सुखसंस्थितिः

eṣa eva paro dharmo bhūpatīnāmudāhṛtaḥ yatprajāpālanaṁ śaśvattāsāṁ ca sukhasaṁsthitiḥ

"This alone has been declared the supreme duty of kings: the constant protection of their subjects and the maintenance of their well-being."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.95.7)

यथायथा करं भूपास्ता मां गृह्णंति लोलुपाः॥ तथातथा मनःक्षोभो हृदये संप्रजायते

yathāyathā karaṁ bhūpāstā māṁ gṛhṇaṁti lolupāḥ tathātathā manaḥkṣobho hṛdaye saṁprajāyate

"The more that greedy kings take taxes from their people, the more anguish arises within my own heart."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.95.8)

न करेण विना भूपा हस्त्यश्वादिबलं च यत्॥ शक्नुवंति परित्रातुं पादातं च विशेषतः

na kareṇa vinā bhūpā hastyaśvādibalaṁ ca yat śaknuvaṁti paritrātuṁ pādātaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

"Without taxation, kings are unable to maintain their forces of elephants, horses, and the like, and especially their infantry."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.95.9)

विना तेन स गम्यः स्यान्नीचानामपि सत्वरम्॥ एतस्मात्कारणाद्भूपाः करं गृह्णंति लोकतः

vinā tena sa gamyaḥ syānnīcānāmapi satvaram etasmātkāraṇādbhūpāḥ karaṁ gṛhṇaṁti lokataḥ

"Without it, a king could quickly be overcome even by the lowliest of foes; for this reason kings take taxes from their people."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.95.10)

तस्मान्मया विनाप्याशु नागैश्चैव नरैस्तथा॥ तपः शक्त्या प्रकर्तव्यं राज्यं निहतकण्टकम्

tasmānmayā vināpyāśu nāgaiścaiva naraistathā tapaḥ śaktyā prakartavyaṁ rājyaṁ nihatakaṇṭakam

"Therefore I must, quickly and without an army of elephants or men, make my kingdom free of enemies solely through the power of austerity."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.95.11)

करानगृह्णता तेन लोकान्रंजयता सदा॥ अन्येषां भूमिपालानां विशेषेण महात्मनाम्

karānagṛhṇatā tena lokānraṁjayatā sadā anyeṣāṁ bhūmipālānāṁ viśeṣeṇa mahātmanām

"Even while taking no tax, I must always keep my people content, and do so more than any other great-souled king."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.95.12)

एवं चित्ते समाधाय वसिष्ठं मुनिपुंगवम्॥ पुरोधसं समाहूय ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

evaṁ citte samādhāya vasiṣṭhaṁ munipuṁgavam purodhasaṁ samāhūya tataḥ provāca sādaram

Having resolved this in his mind, he summoned Vasishtha, the foremost of sages and his family priest, and addressed him with respect.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.95.13)

अत्र भूमितले विप्र सर्वेषां तीर्थमुत्तमम्॥ अल्पकालेन सन्तुष्टिं यत्र याति महेश्वरः॥ वासुदेवोऽथवा ब्रह्मा ह्येतच्छीघ्रं वदस्व मे

atra bhūmitale vipra sarveṣāṁ tīrthamuttamam alpakālena santuṣṭiṁ yatra yāti maheśvaraḥ vāsudevo'thavā brahmā hyetacchīghraṁ vadasva me

"O brahmin, tell me quickly — which is the most excellent tirtha on this earth, where Maheshvara, Vasudeva, or Brahma becomes pleased in but a short time?"

Verse 14 (skanda.6.95.14)

येनाहं सर्वलोकस्य हितार्थं तप आददे॥ न स्वार्थं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ सत्येनात्मानमालभे

yenāhaṁ sarvalokasya hitārthaṁ tapa ādade na svārthaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha satyenātmānamālabhe

"O best of brahmins, so that I may undertake austerity for the welfare of all people, not for my own sake — this I vow to you truthfully."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.95.15)

वसिष्ठ उवाच॥ तिस्रः कोट्योर्धकोटी च तीर्थानामिह भूतले॥ संति पार्थिवशार्दूल प्रभावसहितानि च

vasiṣṭha uvāca tisraḥ koṭyordhakoṭī ca tīrthānāmiha bhūtale saṁti pārthivaśārdūla prabhāvasahitāni ca

Vasishtha said: "O tiger among kings, on this earth there are three and a half crore tirthas, each endowed with its own power."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.95.16)

अष्टषष्टिस्तथा राजन्क्षेत्राणामस्ति भूतले॥ येषां सांनिध्यमभ्येति सर्वदैव महेश्वरः

aṣṭaṣaṣṭistathā rājankṣetrāṇāmasti bhūtale yeṣāṁ sāṁnidhyamabhyeti sarvadaiva maheśvaraḥ

"And, O king, there are on this earth sixty-eight sacred fields, where Maheshvara is ever present in person."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.95.17)

तथा सर्वे सुरास्तुष्टा ब्रह्मविष्णु शिवादयः॥ परं सिद्धिप्रदं शीघ्रं मानुषाणां महीपते

tathā sarve surāstuṣṭā brahmaviṣṇu śivādayaḥ paraṁ siddhipradaṁ śīghraṁ mānuṣāṇāṁ mahīpate

"And, O king, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and all the other gods remain well pleased there, a place that quickly bestows supreme accomplishment upon men."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.95.18)

हाटकेश्वरदेवस्य क्षेत्रं पातकनाशनम्॥ देवानामपि सर्वेषां तुष्टिं गच्छति चंडिका

hāṭakeśvaradevasya kṣetraṁ pātakanāśanam devānāmapi sarveṣāṁ tuṣṭiṁ gacchati caṁḍikā

"This field of the god Hatakeshvara destroys every sin; here even the goddess Chandika brings satisfaction to all the gods."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.95.19)

शीघ्रमाराधिता सम्यक्छ्रद्धायुक्तैर्नरैर्भुवि॥ तस्मात्तत्क्षेत्रमासाद्य तां देवीं श्रद्धयान्वितः॥ आराधय महाभाग द्रुतं सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि

śīghramārādhitā samyakchraddhāyuktairnarairbhuvi tasmāttatkṣetramāsādya tāṁ devīṁ śraddhayānvitaḥ ārādhaya mahābhāga drutaṁ siddhimavāpsyasi

"When duly worshipped by faithful men on this earth, she is quickly pleased. Therefore, O illustrious one, go to that field and worship that goddess with faith — you shall swiftly attain accomplishment."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.95.20)

एवमुक्तः स तेनाथ गत्वा तत्क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्॥ प्रतिष्ठाप्य च देवीं तां पूजयामास भक्तितः

evamuktaḥ sa tenātha gatvā tatkṣetramuttamam pratiṣṭhāpya ca devīṁ tāṁ pūjayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

Being thus addressed, the king went to that excellent field, established the goddess there, and worshipped her with devotion.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.95.21)

ब्रह्मचर्यपरो भूत्वा शुचिर्व्रतपरायणः॥ नियतो नियताहारस्त्रिकालं स्नानमाचरन्

brahmacaryaparo bhūtvā śucirvrataparāyaṇaḥ niyato niyatāhārastrikālaṁ snānamācaran

Observing celibacy, pure and devoted to his vow, disciplined and restrained in his diet, he bathed three times a day.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.95.22)

एवमाराध्यतस्तत्र गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः॥ पूजापरस्य सा देवी तस्य तुष्टिं ततो गता

evamārādhyatastatra gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ pūjāparasya sā devī tasya tuṣṭiṁ tato gatā

As he thus worshipped her there, devoted to his worship with fragrant unguents and flowers, the goddess became pleased with him.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.95.23)

देव्युवाच॥ परितुष्टास्मि ते वत्स व्रतेनानेन नित्यथः॥ बलिपूजाविधानेन विहितेनामुना स्वयम्

devyuvāca parituṣṭāsmi te vatsa vratenānena nityathaḥ balipūjāvidhānena vihitenāmunā svayam

The goddess said: "My child, I am deeply pleased by this unfailing vow of yours, and by this ritual worship and offering that you yourself have duly performed."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.95.24)

तद्ब्रूहि येन ते सर्वं प्रकरोमि हृदि स्थितम्॥ सद्य एव महीपाल त्रिदशैरपि दुर्लभम्

tadbrūhi yena te sarvaṁ prakaromi hṛdi sthitam sadya eva mahīpāla tridaśairapi durlabham

"Tell me, then, O king, so that I may at once fulfill whatever wish resides in your heart, even if it be something hard to obtain even for the gods."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.95.25)

राजोवाच॥ लोकानां हितकामेन मयैतद्व्रतमाहृतम्॥ येन तेषां भवेत्सौख्यं मत्प्रसादादनुत्तमम्

rājovāca lokānāṁ hitakāmena mayaitadvratamāhṛtam yena teṣāṁ bhavetsaukhyaṁ matprasādādanuttamam

The king said: "I have undertaken this vow desiring the welfare of my people, so that through my grace they may attain unsurpassed happiness."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.95.26)

तस्माद्देहि महाभागे ज्ञानयुक्तानि भूरिशः॥ ममास्त्राणि विचित्राणि स्वैरगाणि समन्ततः

tasmāddehi mahābhāge jñānayuktāni bhūriśaḥ mamāstrāṇi vicitrāṇi svairagāṇi samantataḥ

"Therefore, O illustrious goddess, grant me abundant weapons endowed with intelligence, wondrous, and able to range everywhere of their own accord."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.95.27)

यानि जानंति भूपृष्ठे मम पार्श्वे स्थितान्यपि॥ अपराधं सदा लोके परदारादि यत्कृतम्

yāni jānaṁti bhūpṛṣṭhe mama pārśve sthitānyapi aparādhaṁ sadā loke paradārādi yatkṛtam

"Weapons which, even while remaining at my side, may know of any offense committed anywhere on earth — such as adultery and the like."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.95.28)

अनुरूपं ततस्तस्य पातकस्य विनिग्रहम्॥ प्रकुर्वंति मिथो येन न तेषां संकरो भवेत्

anurūpaṁ tatastasya pātakasya vinigraham prakurvaṁti mitho yena na teṣāṁ saṁkaro bhavet

"And that would themselves inflict, without further intervention, punishment fitting that sin, so that no confusion of caste or the like may arise among the people."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.95.29)

मंत्रग्रामं तथा देवि मम देहि पृथग्विधम्॥ निग्रहं व्याधिसत्त्वानां येन शीघ्रं करोम्यहम्

maṁtragrāmaṁ tathā devi mama dehi pṛthagvidham nigrahaṁ vyādhisattvānāṁ yena śīghraṁ karomyaham

"And, O goddess, also grant me a body of various mantras, by which I may swiftly subdue the disease-causing beings."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.95.30)

येन स्युर्मनुजाः सर्वे मम राज्ये सुखान्विताः॥ नीरोगाः पुष्टिसंपन्ना भयशोकविवर्जिताः

yena syurmanujāḥ sarve mama rājye sukhānvitāḥ nīrogāḥ puṣṭisaṁpannā bhayaśokavivarjitāḥ

"So that all people in my kingdom may become happy, free of disease, blessed with vigor, and free from fear and grief."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.95.31)

नाहं देवि करिष्यामि हस्त्यश्वरथसंग्रहम्॥ यतस्तेषां भवेत्पुष्टिर्वित्तैर्वित्तं करैर्भवेत्॥ गृहीतैः सर्वलोकानां तस्मात्तन्न ममेप्सितम्

nāhaṁ devi kariṣyāmi hastyaśvarathasaṁgraham yatasteṣāṁ bhavetpuṣṭirvittairvittaṁ karairbhavet gṛhītaiḥ sarvalokānāṁ tasmāttanna mamepsitam

"O goddess, I shall not amass elephants, horses, and chariots, for their upkeep requires wealth, and that wealth would come only from taxes taken from all my people; therefore that is not what I desire."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.95.32)

श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ अत्यद्भुततरं कर्म त्वयैतत्पृथिवीपते॥ प्रारब्धं यन्न केनापि कृतं न च करिष्यति

śrīdevyuvāca atyadbhutataraṁ karma tvayaitatpṛthivīpate prārabdhaṁ yanna kenāpi kṛtaṁ na ca kariṣyati

The goddess said: "O king, you have undertaken a most wondrous deed here, one that no one has ever done before, nor shall anyone ever do again."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.95.33)

तथाप्येवं करिष्यामि तव दास्यामि कृत्स्नशः॥ ज्ञानयुक्तानि शस्त्राणि मंत्रग्रामं च तादृशम्

tathāpyevaṁ kariṣyāmi tava dāsyāmi kṛtsnaśaḥ jñānayuktāni śastrāṇi maṁtragrāmaṁ ca tādṛśam

"Even so, I shall do as you ask; I shall give you, in full, intelligence-endowed weapons and just such a body of mantras."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.95.34)

गृह्यन्ते येन ते सर्वे व्याधयोऽपि सुदारुणाः॥ परं सदैव ते रक्ष्या मन्मन्त्रैरपि संयुताः

gṛhyante yena te sarve vyādhayo'pi sudāruṇāḥ paraṁ sadaiva te rakṣyā manmantrairapi saṁyutāḥ

"By which even the most dreadful diseases shall be brought under control; but you must always keep them carefully guarded, even though they are endowed with my own mantras."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.95.35)

यदि दृष्टिपथात्तुभ्यं क्वचिद्यास्यंति दूरतः॥ मानवान्पीडयिष्यंति चिरात्प्राप्याधिकं ततः

yadi dṛṣṭipathāttubhyaṁ kvacidyāsyaṁti dūrataḥ mānavānpīḍayiṣyaṁti cirātprāpyādhikaṁ tataḥ

"If ever they should stray far from your sight, then, after a long time, having grown even more powerful, they will torment mankind."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.95.36)

यदा त्वं पृथिवीपाल स्वर्गं यास्यसि भूतलात्॥ तदात्र सलिले स्थाप्या मदग्रे यद्व्यवस्थितम्

yadā tvaṁ pṛthivīpāla svargaṁ yāsyasi bhūtalāt tadātra salile sthāpyā madagre yadvyavasthitam

"O king, when you leave this earth for heaven, then whatever remains established here before me must be set down in this very water."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.95.37)

सर्वे मंत्रास्तथाऽस्त्राणि ममवाक्यादसंशयम्॥ येन स्यात्पूर्ववत्सर्वो व्यवहारो नृपोद्भवः

sarve maṁtrāstathā'strāṇi mamavākyādasaṁśayam yena syātpūrvavatsarvo vyavahāro nṛpodbhavaḥ

"All the mantras and weapons, by my word, without doubt, so that the entire order arising from kingship may continue as before."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.95.38)

सूत उवाच॥ बाढमित्येव तेनोक्ते तत्क्षणाद्द्विजसत्तमाः॥ प्रादुर्भूतानि दिव्यानि तस्यास्त्राणि बहूनि च

sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva tenokte tatkṣaṇāddvijasattamāḥ prādurbhūtāni divyāni tasyāstrāṇi bahūni ca

Suta said: O best of brahmins, the moment the king said "So be it," numerous divine weapons instantly appeared for him.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.95.39)

ज्ञानसंपत्प्रयुक्तानि यादृशानि महात्मना॥ तेन संयाचितान्येव व्याधिमंत्रास्तथैव च

jñānasaṁpatprayuktāni yādṛśāni mahātmanā tena saṁyācitānyeva vyādhimaṁtrāstathaiva ca

They were endowed with intelligence exactly as that great-souled king had asked for, and, likewise, the disease-subduing mantras appeared as well.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.95.40)

व्याधयो यैश्च गृह्यंते मुच्यंते स्वेच्छया सदा॥ सुखेन परिपाल्यंते दृष्टिगोचरसंस्थिताः

vyādhayo yaiśca gṛhyaṁte mucyaṁte svecchayā sadā sukhena paripālyaṁte dṛṣṭigocarasaṁsthitāḥ

By these, diseases were seized and, at will, released again; and, kept ever within his sight, they were guarded with ease.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.95.41)

ततस्तं सकलं प्राप्य प्रसादं चंडिकोद्भवम्॥ तच्च हस्त्यादिकं सर्वं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ नृप

tatastaṁ sakalaṁ prāpya prasādaṁ caṁḍikodbhavam tacca hastyādikaṁ sarvaṁ brāhmaṇebhyo dadau nṛpa

Then, having received this entire grace from Chandika, the king gave away to brahmins all his elephants and the like as well.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.95.42)

एकां मुक्त्वा निजां भार्यामेकं दशरथं सुतम्॥ तांश्चापि सकलान्व्याधीन्मंत्रैः संयम्य यत्नतः

ekāṁ muktvā nijāṁ bhāryāmekaṁ daśarathaṁ sutam tāṁścāpi sakalānvyādhīnmaṁtraiḥ saṁyamya yatnataḥ

— keeping back only his one wife and his one son, Dasharatha. And all those diseases too he brought carefully under control through his mantras.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.95.43)

अजारूपान्स्वयं पश्चाद्यष्टिमादाय रक्षति॥ एवं तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य वर्तमानस्य भूतले

ajārūpānsvayaṁ paścādyaṣṭimādāya rakṣati evaṁ tasya narendrasya vartamānasya bhūtale

He then, taking up a staff, himself tended them in the form of goats. Thus did that king continue to live on this earth.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.95.44)

गुप्तोऽपि नापराधः स्यात्कस्यचित्प्रकटः कुतः॥ प्रमादाद्यदि भूलोके कश्चित्पापं समाचरेत्

gupto'pi nāparādhaḥ syātkasyacitprakaṭaḥ kutaḥ pramādādyadi bhūloke kaścitpāpaṁ samācaret

In his kingdom no offense, however hidden, would remain undiscovered; if anyone on earth, through carelessness, committed some sin...

Verse 45 (skanda.6.95.45)

तद्रूपो निग्रहस्तस्य तत्क्षणादेव जायते॥ वधं वा यदि वा बंधं क्लेशं चाऽरातिसंभवम्

tadrūpo nigrahastasya tatkṣaṇādeva jāyate vadhaṁ vā yadi vā baṁdhaṁ kleśaṁ cā'rātisaṁbhavam

...he would that very instant receive punishment fitting that deed — whether death, imprisonment, or some affliction arising from an enemy.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.95.46)

अदृष्टान्यपि शस्त्राणि तानि कुर्वंति तत्क्षणात्॥ अन्येषां च महीपानां राज्ये गुप्तान्यनेकशः॥ कुर्वन्ति मनुजास्तेषां चक्रे वैवस्वतो ग्रहम्

adṛṣṭānyapi śastrāṇi tāni kurvaṁti tatkṣaṇāt anyeṣāṁ ca mahīpānāṁ rājye guptānyanekaśaḥ kurvanti manujāsteṣāṁ cakre vaivasvato graham

Those weapons, even while unseen, would accomplish this instantly. And, as for the many hidden sins that people committed in the kingdoms of other rulers, it was Yama, son of Vivasvat, who took hold of those offenders.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.95.47)

न तत्र भयसंत्रस्तस्ततः पापसमाचरेत्॥ प्रत्यक्षं वा विशेषेण ज्ञात्वा शस्त्रभयं च तत्

na tatra bhayasaṁtrastastataḥ pāpasamācaret pratyakṣaṁ vā viśeṣeṇa jñātvā śastrabhayaṁ ca tat

There, in that kingdom, no one, gripped by fear, would commit sin — especially once they came to know directly the terror of those weapons.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.95.48)

ततस्ते पापनिर्मुक्ता लोकाः संशुद्धगात्रकाः॥ रोगेषु निगृहीतेषु प्राप्ताः सुखमनुत्तमम्

tataste pāpanirmuktā lokāḥ saṁśuddhagātrakāḥ rogeṣu nigṛhīteṣu prāptāḥ sukhamanuttamam

Then those people, freed from sin and with their bodies made pure, and with diseases held in check, attained unsurpassed happiness.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.95.49)

एवं स्थितेषु लोकेषु गतपापामयेषु च॥ प्रयाताः शून्यतां सर्वे नरका ये यमालये

evaṁ sthiteṣu lokeṣu gatapāpāmayeṣu ca prayātāḥ śūnyatāṁ sarve narakā ye yamālaye

Thus, when all his people had become free of both sin and disease, all the hells in Yama's abode became empty.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.95.50)

न कश्चिन्नरकं याति न च मृत्युपथं नरः॥ यथा कृतयुगं तादृक्त्रेतायामपि संस्थितम्

na kaścinnarakaṁ yāti na ca mṛtyupathaṁ naraḥ yathā kṛtayugaṁ tādṛktretāyāmapi saṁsthitam

No one there went to hell, nor did any man meet an untimely death; even in the Treta age, a state like that of the Krita age prevailed.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.95.51)

व्यवहारे ततो नष्टे यमलोकसमुद्भवे॥ स्वर्गेण तुल्यतां प्राप्ते प्राणिभिर्मृत्युवर्जितैः

vyavahāre tato naṣṭe yamalokasamudbhave svargeṇa tulyatāṁ prāpte prāṇibhirmṛtyuvarjitaiḥ

Thus the very business connected with Yama's realm came to a halt, and, with its beings freed from death, that kingdom came to equal heaven itself.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.95.52)

ततो वैवस्वतो गत्वा ब्रह्मणः सदनं प्रति॥ प्रोवाच दुःखसंपन्नः प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्

tato vaivasvato gatvā brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṁ prati provāca duḥkhasaṁpannaḥ praṇipatya pitāmaham

Then Yama, son of Vivasvat, went to Brahma's abode and, filled with distress, bowed to the Grandsire and spoke.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.95.53)

अहं पुरा त्वया देव धर्माधर्मदिदृक्षया॥ मानुषाणां समादिष्टो निग्रहानुग्रहं प्रति

ahaṁ purā tvayā deva dharmādharmadidṛkṣayā mānuṣāṇāṁ samādiṣṭo nigrahānugrahaṁ prati

"O god, in ancient times you appointed me, out of a desire to observe the righteousness or unrighteousness of men, to be responsible for their punishment and their reward."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.95.54)

अजापालेन भूपेन तत्सर्वं विफलीकृतम्॥ तपःशक्त्या सुरश्रेष्ठ देवीमाराध्य चंडिकाम्

ajāpālena bhūpena tatsarvaṁ viphalīkṛtam tapaḥśaktyā suraśreṣṭha devīmārādhya caṁḍikām

"O foremost of gods, King Ajapala, through the power of his austerity, having propitiated the goddess Chandika, has rendered all of that ineffective."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.95.55)

नाधयो व्याधयस्तत्र न पापानि महीतले॥ कस्यचिद्देव जायंते यथा कृतयुगे तथा

nādhayo vyādhayastatra na pāpāni mahītale kasyaciddeva jāyaṁte yathā kṛtayuge tathā

"O god, there no one suffers mental anguish or physical disease, nor does any sin arise on that earth — the condition there is just as it was in the Krita age."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.95.56)

तस्मात्कुरु सुरश्रेष्ठ पुनरेव यथा पुरा॥ मदीयभवने कृत्स्नो व्यवहारः प्रजायते

tasmātkuru suraśreṣṭha punareva yathā purā madīyabhavane kṛtsno vyavahāraḥ prajāyate

"Therefore, O foremost of gods, please arrange things so that, as before, the entire business of my own realm may resume once more."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.95.57)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः॥ समीप उपविष्टस्य शिवस्याऽऽस्यं व्यलोकयत्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ samīpa upaviṣṭasya śivasyā''syaṁ vyalokayat

Hearing his words, Brahma, grandsire of all worlds, looked toward the face of Shiva, who was seated near him.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.95.58)

अथाब्रवीत्प्रहस्योच्चैस्त्रिनेत्रश्चतुराननम्॥ अत्यद्भुततमां श्रुत्वा तां वार्तां यमसंभवाम्

athābravītprahasyoccaistrinetraścaturānanam atyadbhutatamāṁ śrutvā tāṁ vārtāṁ yamasaṁbhavām

Then, having heard that most astonishing report from Yama, the three-eyed Shiva laughed aloud and spoke to the four-faced Brahma.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.95.59)

महेश्वर उवाच॥ धर्ममार्गप्रवृत्तस्य सदाचारस्य भूपतेः॥ कथं निवारणं तत्र क्रियते कश्च निग्रहः

maheśvara uvāca dharmamārgapravṛttasya sadācārasya bhūpateḥ kathaṁ nivāraṇaṁ tatra kriyate kaśca nigrahaḥ

Maheshvara said: "For a king who is devoted to the path of dharma and given to good conduct, how could any restraint be imposed there, and what punishment could there even be?"

Verse 60 (skanda.6.95.60)

तस्मात्तेन महीपेन यस्मान्मार्गः प्रदर्शितः॥ अपूर्वो धर्मसंभूतः कृतः सम्यङ्महात्मना

tasmāttena mahīpena yasmānmārgaḥ pradarśitaḥ apūrvo dharmasaṁbhūtaḥ kṛtaḥ samyaṅmahātmanā

"Therefore, this king has, indeed, shown a wholly unprecedented path, born of righteousness, which that great soul has rightly established."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.95.61)

तन्मयापि यथा चास्य प्रसादः सुरसत्तम॥ अपूर्वः करणीयश्च यथा धर्मो न दुष्यति

tanmayāpi yathā cāsya prasādaḥ surasattama apūrvaḥ karaṇīyaśca yathā dharmo na duṣyati

"Therefore, O best of gods, I too must show him a similarly unprecedented favor, in such a way that his righteousness remains uncompromised."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.95.62)

एवमुक्त्वा चतुर्वक्त्रं यमं प्राह ततः शिवः॥ वदायुषोऽस्य यच्छेषमजापालस्य भूपतेः॥ येन तत्समये प्राप्ते तं नयामि निजालयम्

evamuktvā caturvaktraṁ yamaṁ prāha tataḥ śivaḥ vadāyuṣo'sya yaccheṣamajāpālasya bhūpateḥ yena tatsamaye prāpte taṁ nayāmi nijālayam

Having said this to four-faced Brahma, Shiva then asked Yama: "Tell me what remains of King Ajapala's lifespan, so that when that time comes, I myself may lead him to my own abode."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.95.63)

यम उवाच॥ पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि तस्यातीतानि चायुषः॥ तिष्ठंति पञ्चपञ्चाशत्प्रतीक्ष्येऽहं ततः कथम्

yama uvāca pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi tasyātītāni cāyuṣaḥ tiṣṭhaṁti pañcapañcāśatpratīkṣye'haṁ tataḥ katham

Yama said: "Five thousand years of his life have already passed, and fifty-five remain. How much longer, then, must I wait?"

Verse 64 (skanda.6.95.64)

यावत्कालं सुरश्रेष्ठ शून्ये जाते स्व आश्रये॥ तस्मात्कुरु द्रुतं कंचिदुपायं तद्विनाशने

yāvatkālaṁ suraśreṣṭha śūnye jāte sva āśraye tasmātkuru drutaṁ kaṁcidupāyaṁ tadvināśane

"O best of gods, for how long must my own domain remain thus empty? Therefore, quickly devise some means to end this."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.95.65)

एवमुक्ते यमेनाथ तं विसृज्य गृहं प्रति॥ व्याघ्ररूपं समास्थाय स्वयं तत्संनिधौ ययौ

evamukte yamenātha taṁ visṛjya gṛhaṁ prati vyāghrarūpaṁ samāsthāya svayaṁ tatsaṁnidhau yayau

When Yama had thus spoken, Shiva sent him back to his own abode, and himself, assuming the form of a tiger, went to that king's presence.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.95.66)

यत्र संस्थो महीपः स प्रजापालनतत्परः॥ मेघगम्भीरनिर्घोषं गर्जमानो मुहुर्मुहुः

yatra saṁstho mahīpaḥ sa prajāpālanatatparaḥ meghagambhīranirghoṣaṁ garjamāno muhurmuhuḥ

Roaring again and again with a sound as deep as thunder, he arrived at the place where that king, devoted to protecting his people, was stationed.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.95.67)

अजास्तास्तं च संवीक्ष्य व्याघ्रं रौद्रवपुर्द्धरम्॥ अजापालं समुद्दिश्य संत्रस्ताः शरणं गताः

ajāstāstaṁ ca saṁvīkṣya vyāghraṁ raudravapurddharam ajāpālaṁ samuddiśya saṁtrastāḥ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

Beholding that tiger of dreadful form, those goats, terrified, fled toward King Ajapala for refuge.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.95.68)

तस्य यत्नपरस्यापि रक्षमाणस्य भूपतेः॥ अजास्ता व्याघ्ररूपेण शंकरेण प्रभक्षिताः

tasya yatnaparasyāpi rakṣamāṇasya bhūpateḥ ajāstā vyāghrarūpeṇa śaṁkareṇa prabhakṣitāḥ

Even as the king strove earnestly to protect them, Shankara, in the form of a tiger, devoured those goats right before him.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.95.69)

अजानां कदनं दृष्ट्वा ततः स पृथिवीपतिः॥ स्वहस्ताद्यष्टिमुत्सृज्य जग्राह निशितायुधम्

ajānāṁ kadanaṁ dṛṣṭvā tataḥ sa pṛthivīpatiḥ svahastādyaṣṭimutsṛjya jagrāha niśitāyudham

Seeing the slaughter of his goats, the king cast aside the staff from his hand and seized a sharp weapon.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.95.70)

यत्तस्य तुष्टया दत्तं चंडं चंडार्चिषा समम्॥ तच्छस्त्रं च तथान्यानि देवीदत्तानि शंकरः॥ शनैःशनैः प्रजग्राह स्ववक्त्रेण महेश्वरः

yattasya tuṣṭayā dattaṁ caṁḍaṁ caṁḍārciṣā samam tacchastraṁ ca tathānyāni devīdattāni śaṁkaraḥ śanaiḥśanaiḥ prajagrāha svavaktreṇa maheśvaraḥ

That weapon, fierce as blazing fire, which had been given to him by the goddess's favor, along with all the other weapons she had bestowed, Maheshvara Shankara, still in tiger form, slowly swallowed one by one with his own mouth.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.95.71)

अस्त्राभावात्ततस्तूर्णं ध्रियमाणेऽपि कांतया॥ द्वंद्वयुद्धेन तं व्याघ्रं योधयामास भूपतिः

astrābhāvāttatastūrṇaṁ dhriyamāṇe'pi kāṁtayā dvaṁdvayuddhena taṁ vyāghraṁ yodhayāmāsa bhūpatiḥ

Then, with no weapons left, and even though his wife swiftly tried to hold him back, the king engaged that tiger in hand-to-hand combat.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.95.72)

ततस्तस्यांगसंस्पर्शान्मुक्त्वा व्याघ्रतनुं च ताम्॥ दधार भस्मसंदिग्धां तनुं चन्द्रविभूषिताम्

tatastasyāṁgasaṁsparśānmuktvā vyāghratanuṁ ca tām dadhāra bhasmasaṁdigdhāṁ tanuṁ candravibhūṣitām

Then, at the touch of his limbs, Shiva let go of that tiger form and assumed his own body, smeared with ash and adorned with the crescent moon.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.95.73)

रुंडमालावरां दिव्यां सखट्वांगां सपन्नगाम्॥ तां दृष्ट्वा स महीपालः सभार्यः प्रणतस्ततः

ruṁḍamālāvarāṁ divyāṁ sakhaṭvāṁgāṁ sapannagām tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sa mahīpālaḥ sabhāryaḥ praṇatastataḥ

Beholding that divine form, adorned with a garland of skulls, bearing the khatvanga staff, and encircled with serpents, the king, together with his queen, bowed down before him.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.95.74)

प्रोवाचाथ स्तुतिं कृत्वा विनयावनतः स्थितः॥ आनंदाश्रुपरिक्लिन्नो हर्षगद्गदया गिरा

provācātha stutiṁ kṛtvā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ ānaṁdāśrupariklinno harṣagadgadayā girā

Then, bowing humbly, his eyes wet with tears of joy, and in a voice choked with emotion, he offered praise and spoke.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.95.75)

राजोवाच॥ अज्ञानाद्यन्मया देव प्रहारास्तव निर्मिताः॥ तिरस्कारस्तथा दत्तस्तत्सर्वं क्षम्यतां विभो

rājovāca ajñānādyanmayā deva prahārāstava nirmitāḥ tiraskārastathā dattastatsarvaṁ kṣamyatāṁ vibho

The king said: "O lord, whatever blows I struck against you out of ignorance, and whatever disrespect I showed, O mighty one, please forgive all of it."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.95.76)

श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ क्षांत एष मया पुत्र तव सर्वः पराभवः॥ परितुष्टेन ते कर्म दृष्ट्वा चैवातिमानुषम्

śrībhagavānuvāca kṣāṁta eṣa mayā putra tava sarvaḥ parābhavaḥ parituṣṭena te karma dṛṣṭvā caivātimānuṣam

The Blessed Lord (Shiva) said: "My son, I have forgiven all your offense against me; I am well pleased, having seen your more-than-human deed."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.95.77)

यथा कृतं त्वया राज्यं प्रजाः संरक्षिता नृप॥ तथान्यो भूपतिः कश्चिन्न कर्ता न करिष्यति

yathā kṛtaṁ tvayā rājyaṁ prajāḥ saṁrakṣitā nṛpa tathānyo bhūpatiḥ kaścinna kartā na kariṣyati

"O king, in the way you have ruled your kingdom and protected your people, no other king has ever done so, nor will any other king ever do so."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.95.78)

तस्माद्गच्छ मया सार्धं पाताले पार्थिवोत्तम॥ अनेनैव शरीरेण धर्मपत्न्यानया सह

tasmādgaccha mayā sārdhaṁ pātāle pārthivottama anenaiva śarīreṇa dharmapatnyānayā saha

"Therefore, O best of kings, come with me to the netherworld, in this very body, together with this your righteous wife."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.95.79)

नातः परं त्वया स्थेयं मर्त्यलोके कथंचन॥ विरुद्धं सर्वदेवानां यतः कर्म त्वदुद्भवम्

nātaḥ paraṁ tvayā stheyaṁ martyaloke kathaṁcana viruddhaṁ sarvadevānāṁ yataḥ karma tvadudbhavam

"Henceforth you must in no way remain any longer in the world of mortals, for the very deed born of you runs contrary to the order of all the gods."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.95.80)

राजोवाच॥ एवं देव करिष्यामि गत्वाऽयोध्यां महापुरीम्॥ पुत्रं राज्ये प्रतिष्ठाप्य मंत्रिणां संनिवेद्य च

rājovāca evaṁ deva kariṣyāmi gatvā'yodhyāṁ mahāpurīm putraṁ rājye pratiṣṭhāpya maṁtriṇāṁ saṁnivedya ca

The king said: "O lord, I shall do so. First let me go to the great city of Ayodhya, install my son upon the throne, and inform my ministers..."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.95.81)

तथाहं देव देव्या च प्रोक्तः संतुष्टया पुरा॥ मन्त्रग्रामो यया दत्तः शस्त्राणि विविधानि च

tathāhaṁ deva devyā ca proktaḥ saṁtuṣṭayā purā mantragrāmo yayā dattaḥ śastrāṇi vividhāni ca

"...and, O lord, that goddess who, well pleased, had earlier given me that body of mantras and various weapons, had also told me this..."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.95.82)

यदा त्वं त्यजसि प्राज्ञ मर्त्यलोकं सुदुस्त्यजम्॥ तदात्र मामके कुण्डे प्रक्षेप्तव्यानि कृत्स्नशः

yadā tvaṁ tyajasi prājña martyalokaṁ sudustyajam tadātra māmake kuṇḍe prakṣeptavyāni kṛtsnaśaḥ

"'...O wise one, when you leave this world of mortals, so hard to abandon, then you must cast all of them entirely into my tank here.'"

Verse 83 (skanda.6.95.83)

तानि चार्पय मे भूयो येनानृण्यं व्रजाम्यहम्॥ तस्या देव्याः सुराधीश त्वत्प्रसादेन सांप्रतम्

tāni cārpaya me bhūyo yenānṛṇyaṁ vrajāmyaham tasyā devyāḥ surādhīśa tvatprasādena sāṁpratam

"Therefore, O lord of gods, grant me leave, by your grace, to now offer all of them back to her, that I may become free of my debt to that goddess."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.95.84)

एवमुक्तस्ततस्तेन भगवांस्त्रिपुरांतकः॥ आज्ञाप्य तानि सर्वाणि ददौ तत्र द्रुतं गतः

evamuktastatastena bhagavāṁstripurāṁtakaḥ ājñāpya tāni sarvāṇi dadau tatra drutaṁ gataḥ

Being thus addressed, the Blessed Lord, Destroyer of Tripura, gave his consent; the king then quickly went there and offered all of it back.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.95.85)

अब्रवीच्च सुतस्तत्र स्वयं राजा भविष्यति॥ वीर्यौदार्यसमोपेतो वंशस्योद्धरणक्षमः

abravīcca sutastatra svayaṁ rājā bhaviṣyati vīryaudāryasamopeto vaṁśasyoddharaṇakṣamaḥ

And he said: "There, your son himself shall become king, endowed with valor and generosity, and capable of upholding your lineage."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.95.86)

त्वं चागच्छ मया सार्धमद्यैव मम मंदिरे॥ प्रविश्यात्र जले पुण्ये देवीकुण्डसमुद्भवे

tvaṁ cāgaccha mayā sārdhamadyaiva mama maṁdire praviśyātra jale puṇye devīkuṇḍasamudbhave

"And come with me this very day to my own shrine, and enter here into this sacred water arising from the Devi-kunda."

Verse 87 (skanda.6.95.87)

अद्य माघचतुर्दश्यां शुक्लायामपरोऽपि यः॥ देवीमिमां च संपूज्य जलेऽस्मिन्भक्तिसंयुतः

adya māghacaturdaśyāṁ śuklāyāmaparo'pi yaḥ devīmimāṁ ca saṁpūjya jale'sminbhaktisaṁyutaḥ

"Today is the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Magha; and whoever else, having worshipped this goddess and, filled with devotion, in this water..."

Verse 88 (skanda.6.95.88)

करिष्यति प्रवेशेन प्राणत्यागं नृपोत्तम॥ स च यास्यति यत्रास्ते पाताले हाटकेश्वरः

kariṣyati praveśena prāṇatyāgaṁ nṛpottama sa ca yāsyati yatrāste pātāle hāṭakeśvaraḥ

"...O best of kings, enters and gives up his life, he too shall go to that very place where Hatakeshvara resides in the netherworld."

Verse 89 (skanda.6.95.89)

स्नानं वा पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ यः करिष्यति मानवः॥ अष्टोत्तरशतं तस्य व्याधीनां न भविष्यति

snānaṁ vā pārthivaśreṣṭha yaḥ kariṣyati mānavaḥ aṣṭottaraśataṁ tasya vyādhīnāṁ na bhaviṣyati

"And, O best of kings, whatever man merely bathes here shall be afflicted by none of the one hundred and eight diseases."

Verse 90 (skanda.6.95.90)

एवमुक्त्वा तमादाय नृपं भार्यासमन्वितम्॥ अजाभिस्ताभिरस्त्रैश्च तैश्चापि परमेश्वरः॥ प्रविवेश जले तस्मिन्देवीकुण्डसमुद्भवे

evamuktvā tamādāya nṛpaṁ bhāryāsamanvitam ajābhistābhirastraiśca taiścāpi parameśvaraḥ praviveśa jale tasmindevīkuṇḍasamudbhave

Having said this, the supreme Lord took that king, together with his wife, those goats, and those weapons, and entered that water arising from the Devi-kunda.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.95.91)

ततश्च मंदिरं नीतः स्वकीयं द्विजसत्तमाः॥ तेनैव नरदेहेन स कलत्रसमन्वितः

tataśca maṁdiraṁ nītaḥ svakīyaṁ dvijasattamāḥ tenaiva naradehena sa kalatrasamanvitaḥ

O best of brahmins, then, in that very human body, together with his wife, he was led to Shiva's own abode.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.95.92)

अद्यापि तिष्ठते तत्र जरामरणवर्जितः॥ पूजयानश्च तं देवं पाताले हाटकेश्वरम्

adyāpi tiṣṭhate tatra jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ pūjayānaśca taṁ devaṁ pātāle hāṭakeśvaram

Even today he remains there, free of old age and death, worshipping that god Hatakeshvara in the netherworld.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.95.93)

एवं तत्र समुद्भूता सा देवी परमेश्वरी॥ स्थापिता तेन भूपेन श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा

evaṁ tatra samudbhūtā sā devī parameśvarī sthāpitā tena bhūpena śraddhāpūtena cetasā

Thus that supreme goddess, manifest there, was established by that king with a heart made pure through devotion.