The Glory of Pashupateshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.7.130.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि देवं पाशुपतेश्वरम्। उग्रसेनेश्वराद्देवि पूर्वभागे व्यवस्थितम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi devaṁ pāśupateśvaram| ugraseneśvarāddevi pūrvabhāge vyavasthitam

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the god Pashupateshvara, situated to the east of Ugraseneshvara.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.130.2)

गोपादित्यात्तथाग्नेय्यां ध्रुवेशाद्दक्षिणां श्रितम्। सर्वपापहरं देवि पूर्वभागे व्यवस्थितम्

gopādityāttathāgneyyāṁ dhruveśāddakṣiṇāṁ śritam| sarvapāpaharaṁ devi pūrvabhāge vyavasthitam

It rests to the southeast of Gopaditya and to the south of Dhruvesha; O Goddess, that remover of every sin stands there in the eastern quarter.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.130.3)

गोपादित्यात्तथा लिंगं दर्शनात्सर्वकामदम्। अस्मिन्युगे समाख्यातं संतोषेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

gopādityāttathā liṁgaṁ darśanātsarvakāmadam| asminyuge samākhyātaṁ saṁtoṣeśvarasaṁjñitam

Near Gopaditya too is that linga, the mere sight of which fulfills every desire; in this age it is proclaimed by the name Santosheshvara.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.130.4)

संतुष्टो भगवान्यस्मात्तेषां तत्र तपस्विनाम्। तेन संतोषनाम्ना तु प्रख्यातं धरणीतले

saṁtuṣṭo bhagavānyasmātteṣāṁ tatra tapasvinām| tena saṁtoṣanāmnā tu prakhyātaṁ dharaṇītale

Since the Lord became well pleased there with those ascetics, it became renowned on earth by the name Santosha.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.130.5)

युगलिंगं महादेवि सिद्धिस्थानं महाप्रभम्। स्थानं पाशुपतानां च भेषजं पापरोगिणाम्

yugaliṁgaṁ mahādevi siddhisthānaṁ mahāprabham| sthānaṁ pāśupatānāṁ ca bheṣajaṁ pāparoginām

O great Goddess, that twin linga is a place of accomplishment, of great power; it is the abode of the Pashupatas and a medicine for those afflicted with the disease of sin.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.130.6)

चत्वारो मुनयः सिद्धास्तस्मिँल्लिंगे यशस्विनि। वामदेवस्तु सावर्णिरघोरः कपिलस्तथा। तस्मिँल्लिंगे तु संसिद्धा अनादीशे निरंजने

catvāro munayaḥ siddhāstasmiṁlliṁge yaśasvini| vāmadevastu sāvarṇiraghoraḥ kapilastathā| tasmiṁlliṁge tu saṁsiddhā anādīśe niraṁjane

O glorious one, four sages attained perfection at that linga — Vamadeva, Savarni, Aghora, and Kapila — they all attained accomplishment at that stainless linga, the form of the beginningless Lord.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.130.7)

तस्य देवस्य सामीप्ये वने श्रीमुखसंज्ञितम्। लक्ष्मीस्थानं महादेवि सिद्धयोगैस्तु सेवितम्

tasya devasya sāmīpye vane śrīmukhasaṁjñitam| lakṣmīsthānaṁ mahādevi siddhayogaistu sevitam

Near that god lies a forest called Shrimukha, the abode of Lakshmi, attended by accomplished yogis.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.130.8)

तत्र पाशुपताः श्रेष्ठा मम लिंगार्चने रताः। तेषां चैव निवासार्थं तद्देव्या निर्मितं वनम्

tatra pāśupatāḥ śreṣṭhā mama liṁgārcane ratāḥ| teṣāṁ caiva nivāsārthaṁ taddevyā nirmitaṁ vanam

There the finest of the Pashupatas remain devoted to the worship of my linga; it was for their dwelling that this forest was fashioned by that goddess.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.130.9)

तस्य मध्ये तु सुश्रोणि लिंगं पूर्वमुखं स्थितम्। तस्मिन्पाशुपताः सिद्धा अघोराद्या महर्षयः। अनेनैव शरीरेण गतास्ते शिवमन्दिरम्

tasya madhye tu suśroṇi liṁgaṁ pūrvamukhaṁ sthitam| tasminpāśupatāḥ siddhā aghorādyā maharṣayaḥ| anenaiva śarīreṇa gatāste śivamandiram

O fair one, in the midst of that forest stands a linga facing east; there Aghora and the other great sages, the Pashupatas, attained perfection and went to Shiva's abode in that very body.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.130.10)

तत्र प्राभासिके क्षेत्रे सुरसिद्धनिषेविते। रोचते मे सदा वासस्तस्मिन्नायतने शुभे। सर्वेषामेव स्थानानामतिरम्यमतिप्रियम्

tatra prābhāsike kṣetre surasiddhaniṣevite| rocate me sadā vāsastasminnāyatane śubhe| sarveṣāmeva sthānānāmatiramyamatipriyam

In that field of Prabhasa, attended by gods and siddhas, dwelling in that auspicious shrine is ever pleasing to me; of all places it is the most delightful, the most beloved.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.130.11)

तत्र पाशुपता देवि मम ध्यानपरायणाः। मम पुत्रास्तु ते सर्वे ब्रह्मचर्येण संयुताः

tatra pāśupatā devi mama dhyānaparāyaṇāḥ| mama putrāstu te sarve brahmacaryeṇa saṁyutāḥ

The Pashupatas there, O Goddess, are wholly given to meditation upon me; all of them are my sons, joined with the vow of celibacy.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.130.12)

दान्ताः शांता जितक्रोधा ब्राह्मणास्ते तपस्विनः। तल्लिंगस्य प्रभावेन सिद्धिं ते परमां गताः

dāntāḥ śāntā jitakrodhā brāhmaṇāste tapasvinaḥ| talliṁgasya prabhāvena siddhiṁ te paramāṁ gatāḥ

They are self-controlled, tranquil brahmin ascetics who have conquered anger; by the power of that linga they have attained the supreme accomplishment.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.130.13)

तस्मात्तं पूजयेन्नित्यं क्षेत्रवासी द्विजोत्तमः

tasmāttaṁ pūjayennityaṁ kṣetravāsī dvijottamaḥ

Therefore the foremost among the twice-born who dwells in this sacred field should ever worship it.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.130.14)

देव्युवाच। भगवन्देवदेवेश संसारार्णवतारक। प्रभासे तु महाक्षेत्रे त्वदीयव्रतचारिणाम्

devyuvāca| bhagavandevadeveśa saṁsārārṇavatāraka| prabhāse tu mahākṣetre tvadīyavratacāriṇām

The Goddess said: O Lord, god of gods, deliverer across the ocean of worldly existence — in that great field of Prabhasa, of those who follow your vow —

Verse 15 (skanda.7.130.15)

स्थानं तेषां महत्पुण्यं योगं पाशुपतं तथा। कथयस्व प्रसादेन लिंगमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

sthānaṁ teṣāṁ mahatpuṇyaṁ yogaṁ pāśupataṁ tathā| kathayasva prasādena liṁgamāhātmyamuttamam

— tell me of their most sacred abode, and of the Pashupata discipline, and, in your grace, of the supreme glory of that linga.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.130.16)

किमादिनाम देवस्य कथं पूज्यो नरोत्तमैः। कथं पाशुपतास्तत्र सदेहाः स्वर्गमागताः

kimādināma devasya kathaṁ pūjyo narottamaiḥ| kathaṁ pāśupatāstatra sadehāḥ svargamāgatāḥ

Why is the god called by the name "Adi" (the beginning)? How is he worshipped by the foremost of men? And how did the Pashupatas there attain heaven in their very bodies?

Verse 17 (skanda.7.130.17)

एतत्कथय देवेश दयां कृत्वा मम प्रभो

etatkathaya deveśa dayāṁ kṛtvā mama prabho

Tell me all this, O lord of gods, O master, showing me your compassion.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.130.18)

ईश्वर उवाच। यस्त्वया पृछ्यते भद्रे योगः पाशुपतो महान्। तेषां चैव प्रभावो यस्तथा लिंगस्य सुव्रते

īśvara uvāca| yastvayā pṛcchyate bhadre yogaḥ pāśupato mahān| teṣāṁ caiva prabhāvo yastathā liṁgasya suvrate

Ishvara said: O gracious one, O you of noble vows, that great Pashupata discipline which you have asked of, and the power both of those sages and of this linga —

Verse 19 (skanda.7.130.19)

अनादीशस्य देवस्य आदिनाम महाप्रभे। तस्मिँल्लिंगे तु ये देवि मदीयव्रतमाश्रिताः

anādīśasya devasya ādināma mahāprabhe| tasmiṁlliṁge tu ye devi madīyavratamāśritāḥ

O radiant one, though this god is without beginning, he bears the name "Adi," the origin. O Goddess, those who, taking refuge at that linga, follow my vow —

Verse 20 (skanda.7.130.20)

चिरं नियोगं सुश्रोणि व्रतं पाशुपतं महत्। धारयंति यथोक्तं तु मम विस्मयकारकम्। तेषामनुग्रहार्थाय मम चित्तं प्रधावति

ciraṁ niyogaṁ suśroṇi vrataṁ pāśupataṁ mahat| dhārayaṁti yathoktaṁ tu mama vismayakārakam| teṣāmanugrahārthāya mama cittaṁ pradhāvati

— O fair one, they observe for long that great and wondrous Pashupata vow exactly as prescribed; my mind ever runs toward them, eager to show them grace.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.130.21)

सूत उवाच। हरस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा देवी विस्मयमागता। उवाच वचनं विप्राः सर्वलोकपतिं पतिम्

sūta uvāca| harasya vacanaṁ śrutvā devī vismayamāgatā| uvāca vacanaṁ viprāḥ sarvalokapatiṁ patim

Suta said: O brahmins, hearing Hara's words, the Goddess was filled with wonder and spoke these words to her husband, lord of all worlds —

Verse 22 (skanda.7.130.22)

ममापि कौतुकं देव किमकार्षीत्ततो भवान्। तद्ब्रूहि मे महादेव यद्यहं तव वल्लभा

mamāpi kautukaṁ deva kimakārṣīttato bhavān| tadbrūhi me mahādeva yadyahaṁ tava vallabhā

"O god, curiosity stirs in me too — what then did you do? Tell me, O great god, if indeed I am your beloved."

Verse 23 (skanda.7.130.23)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा महादेवो जगाद ताम्। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि मम भक्तविचेष्टितम्

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā mahādevo jagāda tām| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi mama bhaktaviceṣṭitam

Hearing her words, Mahadeva said to her: "Listen, O Goddess, I shall relate to you the doings of my devotees."

Verse 24 (skanda.7.130.24)

दृष्ट्वा चैव तपोनिष्ठां तेषामाद्यः सुरेश्वरः। उवाच वचनं देवः प्रणतान्पार्श्वतः स्थितान्

dṛṣṭvā caiva taponiṣṭhāṁ teṣāmādyaḥ sureśvaraḥ| uvāca vacanaṁ devaḥ praṇatānpārśvataḥ sthitān

Beholding their steadfastness in austerity, the god, lord of the gods and first among them, spoke these words to his attendants standing bowed at his side —

Verse 25 (skanda.7.130.25)

ईश्वर उवाच। गच्छ शीघ्रं नन्दिकेश यत्र ते मम पुत्रकाः। चरंति च व्रतं घोरं मदीयं चातिदुष्करम्

īśvara uvāca| gaccha śīghraṁ nandikeśa yatra te mama putrakāḥ| caraṁti ca vrataṁ ghoraṁ madīyaṁ cātiduṣkaram

Ishvara said: "Go quickly, O Nandikesha, to where those sons of mine are observing that terrible, most difficult vow of mine."

Verse 26 (skanda.7.130.26)

तत्क्षेत्रस्य प्रभावेन भक्त्या च मम नित्यशः। तेन ते मुनयः सिद्धाः स्वशरीरेण सुव्रताः

tatkṣetrasya prabhāvena bhaktyā ca mama nityaśaḥ| tena te munayaḥ siddhāḥ svaśarīreṇa suvratāḥ

"By the power of that field, and through devotion to me held constantly, those sages of firm vows have attained perfection in their own bodies."

Verse 27 (skanda.7.130.27)

तस्मान्मद्वचनान्नन्दिन्गच्छ प्राभासिकं शुभम्। आमन्त्रय त्वं तान्सर्वान्कैलासं शीघ्रमानय

tasmānmadvacanānnandingaccha prābhāsikaṁ śubham| āmantraya tvaṁ tānsarvānkailāsaṁ śīghramānaya

"Therefore, O Nandin, by my word go to that auspicious Prabhasa field; summon all of them and bring them swiftly to Kailasa."

Verse 28 (skanda.7.130.28)

इदं पद्मं गृहाण त्वं सनालं कलिकोज्ज्वलम्। लिंगस्य मूर्ध्नि दत्त्वेदं पद्मनालमिहानय

idaṁ padmaṁ gṛhāṇa tvaṁ sanālaṁ kalikojjvalam| liṁgasya mūrdhni dattvedaṁ padmanālamihānaya

"Take this lotus with its stem, radiant with its bud; place it upon the crown of the linga, and bring back its stalk to me here."

Verse 29 (skanda.7.130.29)

मुक्तस्तदा स वै नन्दी देवदेवेन शंभुना। कैलासनिलयात्तस्मात्प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागतः

muktastadā sa vai nandī devadevena śambhunā| kailāsanilayāttasmātprabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgataḥ

Then, sent forth by Shambhu, god of gods, that Nandi came from his abode on Kailasa to the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.130.30)

दृष्ट्वा चैव पुनर्लिङ्गं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः। दृष्ट्वा तांश्चैव योगीन्द्रान्परं विस्मयमागतः

dṛṣṭvā caiva punarliṅgaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ| dṛṣṭvā tāṁścaiva yogīndrānparaṁ vismayamāgataḥ

Seeing once more the linga of the trident-bearing god of gods, and beholding those foremost among yogis, he was struck with the deepest astonishment.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.130.31)

केचिद्ध्यानरतास्तत्र केचिद्योगं समाश्रिताः। केचिद्व्याख्यां प्रकुर्वन्ति विचारमपि चापरे

kecidhyānaratāstatra kecidyogaṁ samāśritāḥ| kecidvyākhyāṁ prakurvanti vicāramapi cāpare

There some were absorbed in meditation, some devoted to yoga, some giving forth exposition, and yet others engaged in discussion.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.130.32)

कुर्वन्त्यन्ये लिंगपूजां प्रणामं च तथाऽपरे। प्रदक्षिणं प्रकुर्वन्ति साष्टांगं प्रणमन्ति च

kurvantyanye liṁgapūjāṁ praṇāmaṁ ca tathā'pare| pradakṣiṇaṁ prakurvanti sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇamanti ca

Others were performing worship of the linga and yet others offering obeisance; some were circumambulating it, and some prostrating full-length upon the ground.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.130.33)

केचित्स्तुतिं प्रकुर्वन्ति भावयज्ञैस्तथा परे। केचित्पूजां च कुर्वन्ति अहिंसाकुसुमैः शुभैः

kecitstutiṁ prakurvanti bhāvayajñaistathā pare| kecitpūjāṁ ca kurvanti ahiṁsākusumaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Some were offering hymns of praise, others worshipping through sacrifices of pure feeling; some were worshipping with the auspicious flowers of non-violence.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.130.34)

भस्मस्नानं प्रकुर्वंति गण्डुकैः स्नापयन्ति च। एवं व्याकुलतां यातं तपस्विगणमण्डलम्

bhasmasnānaṁ prakurvaṁti gaṇḍukaiḥ snāpayanti ca| evaṁ vyākulatāṁ yātaṁ tapasvigaṇamaṇḍalam

Some performed the bathing in ash, and others bathed the linga with water-vessels; thus that whole assembly of ascetics was engrossed, each in his own occupation.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.130.35)

तत्तादृशमथालोक्य नन्दी विस्मयमागतः। चिन्तयामास मनसा सर्वं तेषां निरीक्ष्य च

tattādṛśamathālokya nandī vismayamāgataḥ| cintayāmāsa manasā sarvaṁ teṣāṁ nirīkṣya ca

Beholding this sight, Nandi was astonished, and, observing them all, he began to reflect in his mind —

Verse 36 (skanda.7.130.36)

आगतोऽहमिमं देशं न कश्चिन्मां निरीक्षते। न केनचिदहं पृष्टोऽभ्यागतः कुत्र कस्य च

āgato'hamimaṁ deśaṁ na kaścinmāṁ nirīkṣate| na kenacidahaṁ pṛṣṭo'bhyāgataḥ kutra kasya ca

"I have come to this place, yet no one looks at me; none has even asked me from where, or whose messenger, I have come."

Verse 37 (skanda.7.130.37)

अहंकारावृताः सर्वे न वदन्ति च मां क्वचित्। एवं मनसि संधाय लिंगपार्श्वमुपागतः

ahaṁkārāvṛtāḥ sarve na vadanti ca māṁ kvacit| evaṁ manasi saṁdhāya liṁgapārśvamupāgataḥ

"All are absorbed in themselves; none speaks to me at all." Thinking thus, he approached the side of the linga.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.130.38)

दत्तं लिंगस्य तत्पद्मनालं छित्त्वा तु नन्दिना। अर्चयित्वा तु तन्नन्दी लिंगं पाशुपतेश्वरम्। नालं गृहीत्वा यत्नेन ऋषीन्वचनमब्रवीत्

dattaṁ liṁgasya tatpadmanālaṁ chittvā tu nandinā| arcayitvā tu tannandī liṁgaṁ pāśupateśvaram| nālaṁ gṛhītvā yatnena ṛṣīnvacanamabravīt

Nandi cut the stalk of the lotus placed upon the linga, worshipped the linga of Pashupateshvara, and then, carefully taking the stalk, spoke these words to the sages —

Verse 39 (skanda.7.130.39)

नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच। शासनाद्देवदेवस्य भवतां पार्श्वमागतः। आज्ञापयति देवेशस्तपस्विगणमण्डलम्

nandikeśvara uvāca| śāsanāddevadevasya bhavatāṁ pārśvamāgataḥ| ājñāpayati deveśastapasvigaṇamaṇḍalam

Nandikeshvara said: "I have come to your side by the command of the god of gods; the lord of gods issues his command to this assembly of ascetics —"

Verse 40 (skanda.7.130.40)

युष्माभिस्तत्र गन्तव्यं यत्र देवः सनातनः। युष्मान्सर्वान्समादाय गमिष्यामि भवालयम्

yuṣmābhistatra gantavyaṁ yatra devaḥ sanātanaḥ| yuṣmānsarvānsamādāya gamiṣyāmi bhavālayam

"— you must all go to where the eternal god abides; I shall take all of you together and go to Bhava's abode."

Verse 41 (skanda.7.130.41)

उत्तिष्ठताशु गच्छामः कैलासं पर्वतोत्तमम्। तूष्णींभूतास्ततः सर्वे प्रोचुस्ते संज्ञया द्विजाः। गम्यतामग्रतो नन्दिन्पश्चादेष्यामहे वयम्

uttiṣṭhatāśu gacchāmaḥ kailāsaṁ parvatottamam| tūṣṇīṁbhūtāstataḥ sarve procuste saṁjñayā dvijāḥ| gamyatāmagrato nandinpaścādeṣyāmahe vayam

"Rise up, let us go quickly to Kailasa, the foremost of mountains." Then all those twice-born, remaining silent, spoke only by gesture: "Go on ahead, O Nandin; we shall come afterward."

Verse 42 (skanda.7.130.42)

एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिभिर्नन्दी शीघ्रतरं गतः। कथयामास तत्सर्वं कुपितेनान्तरात्मना

evamuktastu munibhirnandī śīghrataraṁ gataḥ| kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṁ kupitenāntarātmanā

Thus addressed by the sages, Nandi returned in great haste, and, his inner mind seething with anger, related the whole matter.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.130.43)

नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच। देव तत्र गतोऽहं वै यत्र ते योगिनः स्थिताः। सन्तोषितो न चैवाहं केनचित्तत्र संस्थितः

nandikeśvara uvāca| deva tatra gato'haṁ vai yatra te yoginaḥ sthitāḥ| santoṣito na caivāhaṁ kenacittatra saṁsthitaḥ

Nandikeshvara said: "O god, I went there, to where those yogis dwell; but no one among them there paid me any regard."

Verse 44 (skanda.7.130.44)

न मां देव निरीक्षन्ते नालपंति कथंचन। पद्मं तत्र मया देव स्थापितं लिंग मूर्धनि

na māṁ deva nirīkṣante nālapaṁti kathaṁcana| padmaṁ tatra mayā deva sthāpitaṁ liṁga mūrdhani

"O god, they do not even look at me, nor do they speak to me in any way; O god, I placed that lotus upon the crown of the linga there."

Verse 45 (skanda.7.130.45)

उक्तं देव मया तेषां योगीन्द्राणां महेश्वर। आज्ञप्ता देवदेवेन इहागच्छत मा चिरम्

uktaṁ deva mayā teṣāṁ yogīndrāṇāṁ maheśvara| ājñaptā devadevena ihāgacchata mā ciram

"O Maheshvara, I told those foremost yogis: 'You are commanded by the god of gods — come here without delay.'"

Verse 46 (skanda.7.130.46)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचः स्वामिन्सर्वे तत्र महर्षयः। आगमिष्याम इति वै पृष्ठतो गच्छ मा चिरम्

etacchrutvā vacaḥ svāminsarve tatra maharṣayaḥ| āgamiṣyāma iti vai pṛṣṭhato gaccha mā ciram

"Hearing this word, O master, all the great sages there said: 'We shall come; go on ahead without delay.'"

Verse 47 (skanda.7.130.47)

इत्युक्ते तैस्तथा देव अहं शीघ्रमिहागतः। शृणु चेमं गृहाण त्वं यथेष्टं कुरु मे प्रभो

ityukte taistathā deva ahaṁ śīghramihāgataḥ| śṛṇu cemaṁ gṛhāṇa tvaṁ yatheṣṭaṁ kuru me prabho

"O god, when they had spoken thus, I returned here swiftly. Hear now, and take this; O master, do with me as you please."

Verse 48 (skanda.7.130.48)

एकं मे संशयं देव च्छेत्तुमर्हसि सांप्रतम्। मया विना महादेव आगमिष्यंति ते कथम्। संशयो मे महादेव कथयस्व महेश्वर

ekaṁ me saṁśayaṁ deva cchettumarhasi sāṁpratam| mayā vinā mahādeva āgamiṣyaṁti te katham| saṁśayo me mahādeva kathayasva maheśvara

"O god, resolve now one doubt of mine: O great god, how shall they come without me? O Maheshvara, dispel this doubt of mine."

Verse 49 (skanda.7.130.49)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु नंदिन्यथाश्चर्यं तेषां वै भावितात्मनाम्। न दृश्यन्त इमे सिद्धा मां मुक्त्वाऽन्यैः सुरैरपि

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu naṁdinyathāścaryaṁ teṣāṁ vai bhāvitātmanām| na dṛśyanta ime siddhā māṁ muktvā'nyaiḥ suraiḥ api

Ishvara said: "Listen, O Nandin, to this wonder of those whose souls are wholly absorbed: these accomplished ones are not seen even by other gods, save by me alone."

Verse 50 (skanda.7.130.50)

मद्भावभावितास्ते वै योगं विंदंति शांकरम्। पश्यैतत्कौतुकं नंदिन्दर्शयामि तवाधुना

madbhāvabhāvitāste vai yogaṁ viṁdaṁti śāṁkaram| paśyaitatkautukaṁ naṁdindarśayāmi tavādhunā

"Absorbed wholly in my nature, they attain the Shankara-yoga. Behold this wonder, O Nandin — I shall now show it to you."

Verse 51 (skanda.7.130.51)

आनीतं यत्त्वया नालं तस्मिन्नाले तु सूक्ष्मवत्। प्रविश्य चागताः सर्वे योगैश्वर्यबलेन च

ānītaṁ yattvayā nālaṁ tasminnāle tu sūkṣmavat| praviśya cāgatāḥ sarve yogaiśvaryabalena ca

"That very stalk you have brought — into it, in subtle form, all of them have already entered and arrived, by the power of their yogic mastery."

Verse 52 (skanda.7.130.52)

एवमुक्तस्तदा नंदी विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः। अपश्यन्नालमध्यस्थान्महर्षीन्परमाणुवत्

evamuktastadā naṁdī vismayotphullalocanaḥ| apaśyannālamadhyasthānmaharṣīnparamāṇuvat

Thus addressed, Nandi's eyes widened with astonishment, and he beheld the great sages standing within the stalk, minute as atoms.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.130.53)

यथार्करश्मिमध्यस्था दृश्यन्ते परमाणवः। एवं तन्नालमध्यस्था दृश्यंत ऋषयः पृथक्

yathārkaraśmimadhyasthā dṛśyante paramāṇavaḥ| evaṁ tannālamadhyasthā dṛśyaṁta ṛṣayaḥ pṛthak

Just as motes of dust are seen within a beam of sunlight, so too were those sages, each distinct, visible within that stalk.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.130.54)

एवं दृष्ट्वा तदा नंदी विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः। आश्चर्यं परमं गत्वा किञ्चिन्नेवाब्रवीत्पुनः

evaṁ dṛṣṭvā tadā naṁdī vismayotphullalocanaḥ| āścaryaṁ paramaṁ gatvā kiñcinnevābravītpunaḥ

Seeing this, Nandi's eyes widened with wonder, and, overtaken by the greatest astonishment, he could say nothing more.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.130.55)

एवं तत्कौतुकं दृष्ट्वा देवी वचनमब्रवीत्। किं दृश्यते महादेव हृष्टः कस्मान्महेश्वर

evaṁ tatkautukaṁ dṛṣṭvā devī vacanamabravīt| kiṁ dṛśyate mahādeva hṛṣṭaḥ kasmānmaheśvara

Beholding this marvel, the Goddess too spoke: "What is it you see, O great god? O Maheshvara, why are you so pleased?"

Verse 56 (skanda.7.130.56)

इत्युक्ते वचने देव्या प्रोवाचेदं महेश्वरः

ityukte vacane devyā provācedaṁ maheśvaraḥ

When the Goddess had thus spoken, Maheshvara replied with these words —

Verse 57 (skanda.7.130.57)

ईश्वर उवाच। योगयुक्ता महात्मानो योगे पाशुपते स्थिताः। एते मां च समाराध्य प्रभासक्षेत्रवासिनम्। ईदृशीं सिद्धिमापन्नाः स्वच्छंदगतिचारिणः

īśvara uvāca| yogayuktā mahātmāno yoge pāśupate sthitāḥ| ete māṁ ca samārādhya prabhāsakṣetravāsinam| īdṛśīṁ siddhimāpannāḥ svacchaṁdagaticāriṇaḥ

Ishvara said: "These great souls, established in the Pashupata discipline, united in yoga, having worshipped me, the dweller of the Prabhasa field, have attained such perfection that they now move about wherever they please, unrestrained."

Verse 58 (skanda.7.130.58)

इत्युक्तवति देवेश ऋषयस्ते महाप्रभाः। पद्मनालाद्विनिःसृत्य सर्वे वै योगमायया। प्रदक्षिणां प्रकुर्वंति देवं देव्या बहिष्कृतम्

ityuktavati deveśa ṛṣayaste mahāprabhāḥ| padmanālādviniḥsṛtya sarve vai yogamāyayā| pradakṣiṇāṁ prakurvaṁti devaṁ devyā bahiṣkṛtam

O lord of gods, as this was being said, those greatly radiant sages, by their power of yogic illusion, emerged from the lotus stalk and began to circumambulate the god — but bypassing the Goddess, unheeding of her.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.130.59)

देव्युवाच। किमर्थं मां न पश्यंति दुराचारा इमे द्विजाः। विस्मयोऽयं महादेव कथयस्व प्रसादतः

devyuvāca| kimarthaṁ māṁ na paśyaṁti durācārā ime dvijāḥ| vismayo'yaṁ mahādeva kathayasva prasādataḥ

The Goddess said: "Why do these ill-mannered twice-born ones not look at me at all? O great god, resolve this puzzle, I pray."

Verse 60 (skanda.7.130.60)

ईश्वर उवाच। प्रकृतित्वान्न पश्यंति सिद्धा ह्येते महातपाः। एवमुक्ता तु गिरिजा देवेदेवेन शूलिना

īśvara uvāca| prakṛtitvānna paśyaṁti siddhā hyete mahātapāḥ| evamuktā tu girijā devedevena śūlinā

Ishvara said: "These accomplished great ascetics do not see you because you are Prakriti itself." When the trident-bearing god of gods had spoken thus, Girija —

Verse 61 (skanda.7.130.61)

चुकोप तेषां सुश्रोणी शशाप क्रोधितानना। स्त्रीलौल्येन दुराचारा नाशमेष्यथ गर्विणः

cukopa teṣāṁ suśroṇī śaśāpa krodhitānanā| strīlaulyena durācārā nāśameṣyatha garviṇaḥ

— that fair one grew enraged, and with her face contorted in anger, cursed them: "Through fickleness toward women, becoming ill-behaved, O arrogant ones, you shall come to ruin."

Verse 62 (skanda.7.130.62)

राजप्रतिग्रहासक्ता वृत्त्या देवार्चने रताः। भविष्यथ कलौ प्राप्ते लिंगद्रव्योपजीविनः

rājapratigrahāsaktā vṛttyā devārcane ratāḥ| bhaviṣyatha kalau prāpte liṁgadravyopajīvinaḥ

"When Kali comes, you shall become attached to receiving grants from kings, devoted to the worship of gods merely as a livelihood, and living off the offerings meant for the linga."

Verse 63 (skanda.7.130.63)

वेश्यासक्ताश्च संभ्रांता सर्वलोकबहिष्कृताः। देवद्रव्यविनाशाय भविष्यथ कलौ युगे

veśyāsaktāśca saṁbhrāntāḥ sarvalokabahiṣkṛtāḥ| devadravyavināśāya bhaviṣyatha kalau yuge

"Attached to courtesans, bewildered, and cast out by all people, in the age of Kali you shall become the cause of the ruin of what belongs to the gods."

Verse 64 (skanda.7.130.64)

इति दत्ते तदा शाप ऋषीणां च महात्मनाम्। गौरीं प्रसादयामासुस्ते च सर्वे सुरेश्वराः

iti datte tadā śāpa ṛṣīṇāṁ ca mahātmanām| gaurīṁ prasādayāmāsuste ca sarve sureśvarāḥ

When this curse had thus been laid upon the great-souled sages, all those lords of the gods set about appeasing Gauri.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.130.65)

देवदेवस्य वचनात्प्रसन्ना साऽभवत्पुनः। नालं देवोऽपि संगृह्य दक्षिणाशां समाक्षिपत्

devadevasya vacanātprasannā sā'bhavatpunaḥ| nālaṁ devo'pi saṁgṛhya dakṣiṇāśāṁ samākṣipat

At the word of the god of gods, she became pleased once more; and that god, taking up the stalk, cast it toward the southern quarter.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.130.66)

पतितं तच्च वै नालं प्रभासक्षेत्रमध्यतः। तदेव लिंगं संजातं महानालेति विश्रुतम्

patitaṁ tacca vai nālaṁ prabhāsakṣetramadhyataḥ| tadeva liṁgaṁ saṁjātaṁ mahānāleti viśrutam

That stalk fell within the midst of the Prabhasa field, and it itself became manifest as a linga, renowned by the name Mahanala.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.130.67)

कलौ युगे च संप्राप्ते तद्ध्रुवेश्वरसंज्ञितम्। संस्थितं चोत्तरेशाने तस्मात्पाशुपतेश्वरात्

kalau yuge ca saṁprāpte taddhruveśvarasaṁjñitam| saṁsthitaṁ cottareśāne tasmātpāśupateśvarāt

When the age of Kali arrives, it shall be known by the name Dhruveshvara; it stands to the north-northeast of that Pashupateshvara.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.130.68)

पुराऽनादीशनामेति पश्चात्पाशुपतेश्वरः। प्रभासे तु महाक्षेत्रे स्थितः पातकनाशनः

purā'nādīśanāmeti paścātpāśupateśvaraḥ| prabhāse tu mahākṣetre sthitaḥ pātakanāśanaḥ

In ancient times its name was Anadisha, "the beginningless lord," and afterward it came to be known as Pashupateshvara; it stands there in the great field of Prabhasa, destroying sin.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.130.69)

इदं स्थानं परं श्रेष्ठं मम व्रतनिषेवणम्। इदं लिंगं परं ब्रह्म अनादीशेति संज्ञितम्

idaṁ sthānaṁ paraṁ śreṣṭhaṁ mama vrataniṣevaṇam| idaṁ liṁgaṁ paraṁ brahma anādīśeti saṁjñitam

This is the highest, most excellent place, the place of the observance of my vow; this linga is the supreme Brahman itself, known by the name Anadisha.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.130.70)

अत्र सिद्धिश्च मुक्तिश्च ब्राह्मणानां न संशयः। अनेनैव शरीरेण षड्भिर्मासस्तु सिद्ध्यति

atra siddhiśca muktiśca brāhmaṇānāṁ na saṁśayaḥ| anenaiva śarīreṇa ṣaḍbhirmāsastu siddhyati

Here brahmins attain accomplishment and liberation, without doubt; in this very body, within six months, one attains perfection.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.130.71)

संसारस्य विमोक्षार्थमिदं लिंगं तु दृश्यताम्। दुर्लभं सर्वलोकानामिदं मोक्षप्रदं परम्। इदं पाशुपतं ज्ञानमस्मिँल्लिंगे प्रतिष्ठितम्

saṁsārasya vimokṣārthamidaṁ liṁgaṁ tu dṛśyatām| durlabhaṁ sarvalokānāmidaṁ mokṣapradaṁ param| idaṁ pāśupataṁ jñānamasmiṁlliṁge pratiṣṭhitam

For liberation from worldly existence, one should behold this linga; it is rare for all the worlds, the supreme bestower of liberation. This Pashupata knowledge is established in this very linga.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.130.72)

यश्चैनं पूजयेद्भक्त्या माघे मासि निरंतरम्। सर्वेषां वै क्रतूनां च दानानां लभते फलम्

yaścainaṁ pūjayedbhaktyā māghe māsi nirantaram| sarveṣāṁ vai kratūnāṁ ca dānānāṁ labhate phalam

Whoever worships this continuously with devotion throughout the month of Magha obtains the fruit of all sacrifices and gifts.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.130.73)

हिरण्यं तत्र दातव्यं सम्यग्यात्राफलेप्सुभिः

hiraṇyaṁ tatra dātavyaṁ samyagyātrāphalepsubhiḥ

Those who desire the full fruit of this pilgrimage should offer gold there.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.130.74)

इत्येतत्कथितं देवि माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम्। पशुपाशविमोक्षार्थं सम्यक्पाशुपतेश्वरम्

ityetatkathitaṁ devi māhātmyaṁ pāpanāśanam| paśupāśavimokṣārthaṁ samyakpāśupateśvaram

O Goddess, thus has this sin-destroying glory been told, describing fully that Pashupateshvara, for the sake of release from the bonds of the soul.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.130.75)

चतुर्णामपि वर्णानां पूज्यो ब्राह्मण उच्यते। तस्य चैवाधिकारोऽस्ति चास्मिन्पाशुपतेश्वरे

caturṇāmapi varṇānāṁ pūjyo brāhmaṇa ucyate| tasya caivādhikāro'sti cāsminpāśupateśvare

Among all four varnas, the brahmin alone is said to be worthy of reverence; he alone has the right to this Pashupateshvara observance.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.130.76)

यद्देवतानां प्रथमं पवित्रं विश्वव्रतं पाशुपतं बभूव। अयं पन्था नैष्ठिको वै मयोक्तो येन देवा यांति भुवनानि विश्वा

yaddevatānāṁ prathamaṁ pavitraṁ viśvavrataṁ pāśupataṁ babhūva| ayaṁ panthā naiṣṭhiko vai mayokto yena devā yāṁti bhuvanāni viśvā

This Pashupata vow was the first, most sacred, universal vow of the gods; this is the steadfast path declared by me, by which the gods attain all the worlds.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.130.77)

सुरां पीत्वा गुरुदारांश्च गत्वा स्तेयं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणं चापि हत्वा। भस्मच्छन्नो भस्मशय्याशयानो रुद्राध्यायी मुच्यते पातकेभ्यः

surāṁ pītvā gurudārāṁśca gatvā steyaṁ kṛtvā brāhmaṇaṁ cāpi hatvā| bhasmacchanno bhasmaśayyāśayāno rudrādhyāyī mucyate pātakebhyaḥ

One who has drunk liquor, gone to the teacher's wife, committed theft, or even slain a brahmin — if he covers himself with sacred ash, lies upon a bed of ash, and recites the Rudra hymn, he is freed from these sins.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.130.78)

अग्नि रित्यादिना भस्म गृहीत्वांगानि संस्पृशेत्। गृह्णीयात्संयते चाग्नौ भस्म तद्गृहवासिनाम्

agnirityādinā bhasma gṛhītvāṁgāni saṁspṛśet| gṛhṇīyātsaṁyate cāgnau bhasma tadgṛhavāsinām

Taking up the ash with the mantra beginning "Agnih" (fire), one should touch it to the limbs; those dwelling in that household should, with restraint, take the ash from the sacred fire.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.130.79)

अग्निरिति भस्म वायुरिति भस्म जलमिति भस्म स्थलमिति भस्म सर्वं ह वा इदं भस्माभवत्। एतानि चक्षूंषि नादीक्षितः संस्पृशेत्

agniriti bhasma vāyuriti bhasma jalamiti bhasma sthalamiti bhasma sarvaṁ ha vā idaṁ bhasmābhavat| etāni cakṣūṁṣi nādīkṣitaḥ saṁspṛśet

Fire is ash, air is ash, water is ash, earth too is ash — verily, all this has become ash. One who is uninitiated should not touch these "eyes" of the sacred ash-lore.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.130.80)

ब्राह्मणैश्च समादेयं न तु शूद्रैः कदाचन। नाधिकारोऽस्ति शूद्रस्य व्रते पाशुपते सदा

brāhmaṇaiśca samādeyaṁ na tu śūdraiḥ kadācana| nādhikāro'sti śūdrasya vrate pāśupate sadā

This ash should be taken by brahmins alone, never by Shudras; the Shudra never has any right to the Pashupata vow.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.130.81)

ब्राह्मणेष्वधिकारोऽस्ति व्रते पाशुपते शुभे। ब्राह्मणीं तनुमास्थाय संभवामि युगेयुगे

brāhmaṇeṣvadhikāro'sti vrate pāśupate śubhe| brāhmaṇīṁ tanumāsthāya saṁbhavāmi yugeyuge

Only brahmins have the right to this auspicious Pashupata vow; in age after age I take birth, assuming the body of a brahmin.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.130.82)

चण्डालवेश्मन्यथ वा स्मशाने राज्ञश्च मार्गेश्वथ वर्त्ममध्ये। करीषमध्ये निःसृता नराधमाः शैवं पदं यांति न संशयोऽत्र

caṇḍālaveśmanyatha vā śmaśāne rājñaśca mārgeśvatha vartmamadhye| karīṣamadhye niḥsṛtā narādhamāḥ śaivaṁ padaṁ yānti na saṁśayo'tra

Even the lowest of men, born amid a Chandala's dwelling, or in a cremation ground, on a king's highway, in the middle of a road, or even amid a heap of dung — such men, following this vow, attain the state of Shiva; of this there is no doubt.