The Installation of the Someshvara Linga

Verse 1 (skanda.7.23.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततः शांतमना भूत्वा चंद्रमा विस्मयान्वितः। शंभुभक्त्या परीतात्मा प्रभासक्षेत्रमास्थितः

īśvara uvāca| tataḥ śāṁtamanā bhūtvā caṁdramā vismayānvitaḥ| śaṁbhubhaktyā parītātmā prabhāsakṣetramāsthitaḥ

Ishvara said: Thereupon, his mind grown peaceful, filled with wonder, his whole being possessed by devotion to Shambhu, the Moon remained established in the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.23.2)

पूर्वोक्तं यत्तु देवेन स तथा कृतवान्विभुः। गत्वा सागरमध्ये तु गृहीत्वा लिंगमुत्तमम्

pūrvoktaṁ yattu devena sa tathā kṛtavānvibhuḥ| gatvā sāgaramadhye tu gṛhītvā liṁgamuttamam

Whatever had been told before by the God, that the Mighty One did accordingly; going into the midst of the ocean, he took up the supreme Linga.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.23.3)

विश्वकर्म्माणमाहूय सहितं परिचारकैः। आदिदेश स्वयं सोमस्त्वष्टारं देवशिल्पिनम्

viśvakarmmāṇamāhūya sahitaṁ paricārakaiḥ| ādideśa svayaṁ somastvaṣṭāraṁ devaśilpinam

Summoning Vishvakarma, together with his attendants, Soma himself instructed Tvashtri, the divine architect:

Verse 4 (skanda.7.23.4)

चंद्र उवाच। विश्वकर्मन्निदं लिंगं मम दत्तं तु शंभुना। गृहाण त्वं महाबाहो युक्तस्थाने निवेशय

caṁdra uvāca| viśvakarmannidaṁ liṁgaṁ mama dattaṁ tu śaṁbhunā| gṛhāṇa tvaṁ mahābāho yuktasthāne niveśaya

Chandra said: O Vishvakarma, this Linga has been given to me by Shambhu; take it, O mighty-armed one, and install it in its proper place.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.23.5)

रक्षस्व तावद्गन्तास्मि स्वकीयं भवनं विभो। यज्ञार्थमानयिष्यामि यज्ञोपकरणानि च

rakṣasva tāvadgantāsmi svakīyaṁ bhavanaṁ vibho| yajñārthamānayiṣyāmi yajñopakaraṇāni ca

Guard it meanwhile; I shall go to my own abode, O Mighty One; I shall bring the requisites needed for the sacrifice.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.23.6)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्युक्त्वा च तदा चंद्रश्चंद्र लोकं जगाम ह। गत्वा तत्र महादेवि चंद्रलोकंमहाप्रभम्

īśvara uvāca| ityuktvā ca tadā caṁdraścaṁdra lokaṁ jagāma ha| gatvā tatra mahādevi caṁdralokaṁmahāprabham

Ishvara said: Having said this, the Moon then went to the world of the Moon; going there, O great Goddess, to that Chandraloka of great splendor,

Verse 7 (skanda.7.23.7)

कोटियोजनविस्तीर्णं सदामृतमयं शुभम्। तत्राहूय महादेवि प्रतीहारं सुमेधसम्

koṭiyojanavistīrṇaṁ sadāmṛtamayaṁ śubham| tatrāhūya mahādevi pratīhāraṁ sumedhasam

— a crore of yojanas in extent, ever made of nectar, auspicious — there, O great Goddess, he summoned the wise gatekeeper,

Verse 8 (skanda.7.23.8)

मंत्रिणं हेमगर्भांगं बृहस्पतिसमं धिया। यज्ञोपस्करसंभारं सर्वमादाय सत्वराः

maṁtriṇaṁ hemagarbhāṁgaṁ bṛhaspatisamaṁ dhiyā| yajñopaskarasaṁbhāraṁ sarvamādāya satvarāḥ

his minister, named Hemagarbha, equal in wisdom to Brihaspati: "Take up quickly all the accumulated requisites for the sacrifice,

Verse 9 (skanda.7.23.9)

प्रभासक्षेत्रं गच्छंतु ममादेशपरायणाः। साग्निभिर्ब्राह्मणैः सार्द्धं गच्छंतु क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

prabhāsakṣetraṁ gacchaṁtu mamādeśaparāyaṇāḥ| sāgnibhirbrāhmaṇaiḥ sārddhaṁ gacchaṁtu kṣetramuttamam

and let those devoted to my command go to the field of Prabhasa; let them go, together with fire-keeping brahmins, to that supreme field.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.23.10)

शीघ्रं संपाद्यतां सर्वं यथा यज्ञः प्रवर्तते। सर्वेषामेव विप्राणां चंद्रलोकनिवासिनाम्

śīghraṁ saṁpādyatāṁ sarvaṁ yathā yajñaḥ pravartate| sarveṣāmeva viprāṇāṁ caṁdralokanivāsinām

Let everything be quickly arranged so that the sacrifice may proceed — for all the brahmins who dwell in the world of the Moon,

Verse 11 (skanda.7.23.11)

पृथक्पृथग्विमानं तु देयं तेषां महाधनम्। गवां च दशलक्षाणां सवत्सानां पयोमुचाम्

pṛthakpṛthagvimānaṁ tu deyaṁ teṣāṁ mahādhanam| gavāṁ ca daśalakṣāṇāṁ savatsānāṁ payomucām

a separate flying-chariot is to be given to each of them, and great wealth; and ten lakhs of milk-yielding cows together with their calves,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.23.12)

हेमभारैर्भूषितानां कामधेनूपमत्विषाम्। अश्वानां श्यामकर्णानां सपादं लक्षमेव च

hemabhārairbhūṣitānāṁ kāmadhenūpamatviṣām| aśvānāṁ śyāmakarṇānāṁ sapādaṁ lakṣameva ca

adorned with loads of gold, radiant as the wish-fulfilling cow; and a lakh and a quarter of dark-eared horses,

Verse 13 (skanda.7.23.13)

दंतिनामयुतं चैव घंटाभरणशोभितम्। सहस्राणि च चत्वारि रथानां वातरंहसाम्

daṁtināmayutaṁ caiva ghaṁṭābharaṇaśobhitam| sahasrāṇi ca catvāri rathānāṁ vātaraṁhasām

and ten thousand elephants, adorned with bells as ornaments; and four thousand chariots swift as the wind,

Verse 14 (skanda.7.23.14)

लक्षं तु करभाणां च मणिमाणिक्यसंयुतम्। सैन्यानां कोटिरेका तु चतुरंगबलान्विता

lakṣaṁ tu karabhāṇāṁ ca maṇimāṇikyasaṁyutam| sainyānāṁ koṭirekā tu caturaṁgabalānvitā

and a lakh of camels, laden with gems and rubies; and one crore of troops, endowed with the four-fold army,

Verse 15 (skanda.7.23.15)

अग्निशौचानि वस्त्राणि ब्राह्मणार्थं तथैव च। विभूषणानि दिव्यानि ऋत्विगर्थं शुभानि च

agniśaucāni vastrāṇi brāhmaṇārthaṁ tathaiva ca| vibhūṣaṇāni divyāni ṛtvigarthaṁ śubhāni ca

fire-purified garments for the sake of the brahmins likewise, and divine, auspicious ornaments for the sake of the officiating priests,

Verse 16 (skanda.7.23.16)

नानाभक्ष्याणि भोज्यानि पानानि विविधानि च। लक्षं कर्मकराणां तु दासीनां लक्षमेव च

nānābhakṣyāṇi bhojyāni pānāni vividhāni ca| lakṣaṁ karmakarāṇāṁ tu dāsīnāṁ lakṣameva ca

various foods to be eaten and chewed, and manifold drinks; a lakh of laborers, and a lakh of maidservants likewise —

Verse 17 (skanda.7.23.17)

दारुवंशावधि प्रोक्तं यत्किंचित्स्वं मदाज्ञया। अन्यद्यद्ब्राह्मणा ब्रूयुस्तत्सर्वं तत्र नीयताम्

dāruvaṁśāvadhi proktaṁ yatkiṁcitsvaṁ madājñayā| anyadyadbrāhmaṇā brūyustatsarvaṁ tatra nīyatām

— whatever of my own possessions have been enumerated, down to the very wood and bamboo, by my command; and whatever else the brahmins may ask for, let all of that be brought there.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.23.18)

देवानां दानवानां तु यक्षगंधर्वरक्ष साम्। सप्तद्वीपक्षितीशानां सप्तपातालवासिनाम्

devānāṁ dānavānāṁ tu yakṣagaṁdharvarakṣa sām| saptadvīpakṣitīśānāṁ saptapātālavāsinām

Of the gods, of the demons, of the Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas; of the lords of the seven continents of the earth, and of the dwellers of the seven nether worlds,

Verse 19 (skanda.7.23.19)

नानानृपसहस्राणां घोषणा क्रियतां मुहुः। सर्वेषां घोषणा कार्या प्रभासागमनं प्रति

nānānṛpasahasrāṇāṁ ghoṣaṇā kriyatāṁ muhuḥ| sarveṣāṁ ghoṣaṇā kāryā prabhāsāgamanaṁ prati

of the many thousands of kings — let proclamation be made again and again; a proclamation must be made to all, regarding the coming to Prabhasa."

Verse 20 (skanda.7.23.20)

इत्युक्त्वा मंत्रिणं तत्र चंद्रमास्त्वरयाऽन्वितः। ब्रह्मलोकं स गतवान्यज्ञार्थं ब्रह्मणोंतिकम्

ityuktvā maṁtriṇaṁ tatra caṁdramāstvarayā'nvitaḥ| brahmalokaṁ sa gatavānyajñārthaṁ brahmaṇoṁtikam

Having thus spoken to his minister there, the Moon, filled with haste, went to Brahmaloka, into the presence of Brahma, for the sake of the sacrifice.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.23.21)

सोऽपि चंद्रमसो मंत्री हेमगर्भो महाप्रभः। सोमाज्ञां शिरसा कृत्वा यज्ञसंभारसंभृतः

so'pi caṁdramaso maṁtrī hemagarbho mahāprabhaḥ| somājñāṁ śirasā kṛtvā yajñasaṁbhārasaṁbhṛtaḥ

That minister of the Moon, Hemagarbha, of great splendor, having borne Soma's command upon his head, gathering the full store for the sacrifice,

Verse 22 (skanda.7.23.22)

प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागत्य यज्ञार्थं यत्नवानभूत्। तथैव चाह्वयांचक्रे भूर्भुवःस्वर्निवासिनः

prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgatya yajñārthaṁ yatnavānabhūt| tathaiva cāhvayāṁcakre bhūrbhuvaḥsvarnivāsinaḥ

came to the field of Prabhasa and set about his effort for the sacrifice; and likewise he summoned the dwellers of the three worlds — Bhu, Bhuvah, and Svah.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.23.23)

श्रुत्वा तु घोषणां सर्वे शीघ्रं तत्र समाययुः। रवियोजनपर्यंतं क्षेत्रमालोक्य तत्र तत्

śrutvā tu ghoṣaṇāṁ sarve śīghraṁ tatra samāyayuḥ| raviyojanaparyaṁtaṁ kṣetramālokya tatra tat

Hearing the proclamation, all of them quickly assembled there; beholding that field, extending a yojana toward the sun,

Verse 24 (skanda.7.23.24)

ब्राह्मणांश्च समाहूय सोमाध्यक्षं उवाच तान्। यज्ञांगं सर्वमानीतं मया सोमाज्ञया द्विजाः। अनंतरं तु यत्कृत्यं भवद्भिस्तद्विधीयताम्

brāhmaṇāṁśca samāhūya somādhyakṣaṁ uvāca tān| yajñāṁgaṁ sarvamānītaṁ mayā somājñayā dvijāḥ| anaṁtaraṁ tu yatkṛtyaṁ bhavadbhistadvidhīyatām

he summoned the brahmins, and Soma's superintendent said to them: "All the requisites of the sacrifice have been brought by me, by Soma's command, O brahmins; now let whatever remains to be done be arranged by you."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.23.25)

इत्युक्ता ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे तपोनिर्धूतकल्मषाः। तत्रैव ददृशुः सर्वे त्वष्टारं देवशिल्पिनम्

ityuktā brāhmaṇāḥ sarve taponirdhūtakalmaṣāḥ| tatraiva dadṛśuḥ sarve tvaṣṭāraṁ devaśilpinam

Thus addressed, all the brahmins, their impurity washed away by austerity, saw there Tvashtri, the divine architect.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.23.26)

तं दृष्ट्वा तु द्विजाः सर्वे लिंगं दृष्ट्वा समीपतः। कथमेतदिति प्रोचुर्विश्वकर्मन्ब्रवीहि नः। कस्मादत्र स्थितस्त्वं वै शिल्पिकोटिसमन्वितः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tu dvijāḥ sarve liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvā samīpataḥ| kathametaditi procurviśvakarmanbravīhi naḥ| kasmādatra sthitastvaṁ vai śilpikoṭisamanvitaḥ

Seeing him, and seeing the Linga close by, all the twice-born said: "How is this? Tell us, O Vishvakarma — why do you stand here, accompanied by a crore of craftsmen?"

Verse 27 (skanda.7.23.27)

विश्वकर्म्मोवाच। अहं सोमनियुक्तस्तु युक्तोऽस्मि लिंगरक्षणे। तदाज्ञापालने यत्नः क्रियतेऽतो मया द्विजाः

viśvakarmmovāca| ahaṁ somaniyuktastu yukto'smi liṁgarakṣaṇe| tadājñāpālane yatnaḥ kriyate'to mayā dvijāḥ

Vishvakarma said: I have been appointed by Soma and am charged with guarding the Linga; it is in obedience to that command, O brahmins, that this effort is made by me.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.23.28)

ईश्वर उवाच। एवं श्रुत्वा यदा विप्रा ज्ञात्वा सर्वं तु कारणम्। चरिता यज्ञकार्यार्थं ततश्चक्रुरुप क्रमम्

īśvara uvāca| evaṁ śrutvā yadā viprā jñātvā sarvaṁ tu kāraṇam| caritā yajñakāryārthaṁ tataścakrurupa kramam

Ishvara said: Hearing this, when the brahmins had learned the whole reason, having taken counsel for the work of the sacrifice, they then set about the undertaking.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.23.29)

तत्र योजनपर्यंतं देवानां यजनं शुभम्। तद्देवयजनं कृत्वा पत्नीशालां च चक्रिरे

tatra yojanaparyaṁtaṁ devānāṁ yajanaṁ śubham| taddevayajanaṁ kṛtvā patnīśālāṁ ca cakrire

There, extending a yojana, they made an auspicious sacrificial ground for the gods; having made that sacrificial ground, they also built the pavilion for the wives.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.23.30)

हविर्द्धानं सदश्चैव उत्तरा वेदिरेव च। ब्रह्मणः सदनाग्नीध्रीत्येवं स्थानानि चक्रिरे

havirddhānaṁ sadaścaiva uttarā vedireva ca| brahmaṇaḥ sadanāgnīdhrītyevaṁ sthānāni cakrire

The oblation-shed, and the assembly-hall, and the northern altar; and the seat of the Brahman priest and the Agnidhra's station — thus they made all these stations.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.23.31)

तत्र योजनपर्यंतं यज्ञयूपांश्च मंडपान्। विश्वकर्मा चकाराशु कुंडानि विविधानि च

tatra yojanaparyaṁtaṁ yajñayūpāṁśca maṁḍapān| viśvakarmā cakārāśu kuṁḍāni vividhāni ca

There, over a yojana's extent, Vishvakarma quickly made the sacrificial posts and pavilions, and various fire-pits.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.23.32)

सहस्रसंख्यया तत्र कुण्डानां मंडपावधि। तत्र ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे प्रतिष्ठायज्ञकोविदाः

sahasrasaṁkhyayā tatra kuṇḍānāṁ maṁḍapāvadhi| tatra te brāhmaṇāḥ sarve pratiṣṭhāyajñakovidāḥ

There, up to the pavilions, the fire-pits numbered in the thousands; there, all those brahmins, skilled in the rite of installation,

Verse 33 (skanda.7.23.33)

नानाभरणरत्नैश्च ब्राह्मणाः समलंकृताः। चक्रुः सर्वे यथन्यायं शास्त्रं दृष्ट्वा पुनःपुनः

nānābharaṇaratnaiśca brāhmaṇāḥ samalaṁkṛtāḥ| cakruḥ sarve yathanyāyaṁ śāstraṁ dṛṣṭvā punaḥpunaḥ

adorned with various ornaments and jewels, did all things according to due order, consulting the scriptures again and again.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.23.34)

वृक्षांस्तथौषधीर्दिव्या समित्पुष्पकुशादिकान्। होमद्रव्यादिकं सर्व माज्यं प्राज्यं नवं पयः

vṛkṣāṁstathauṣadhīrdivyā samitpuṣpakuśādikān| homadravyādikaṁ sarva mājyaṁ prājyaṁ navaṁ payaḥ

Trees, and divine herbs, sacrificial twigs, flowers, kusha grass and the like, all the requisites of oblation, clarified butter, abundant fresh milk,

Verse 35 (skanda.7.23.35)

तथान्यदपि यत्किंचिद्यज्ञोपकरणं स्मृतम्। वर्द्धनीकलशाद्यं च सर्वं हेममयं शुभम्

tathānyadapi yatkiṁcidyajñopakaraṇaṁ smṛtam| varddhanīkalaśādyaṁ ca sarvaṁ hemamayaṁ śubham

and whatever else is enumerated as a requisite for sacrifice, and vessels for pouring, jars, and the like — all of gold, auspicious.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.23.36)

चक्रुः सर्वं यथान्यायं प्रतिष्ठामखमादृताः। तत्र विप्रगणो हृष्टो भक्ष्यभोज्यादितर्पितः

cakruḥ sarvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ pratiṣṭhāmakhamādṛtāḥ| tatra vipragaṇo hṛṣṭo bhakṣyabhojyāditarpitaḥ

They did all things duly, devoted to the sacrifice of installation; there the host of brahmins, delighted, was satisfied with foods to eat and chew.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.23.37)

वेदध्वनितनिर्घोषैर्दिवं भूमिं च संस्पृशन्। सुशुभे मंडपस्तत्र पताकाभिरलंकृतः

vedadhvanitanirghoṣairdivaṁ bhūmiṁ ca saṁspṛśan| suśubhe maṁḍapastatra patākābhiralaṁkṛtaḥ

Touching both heaven and earth with the resounding sound of Vedic chant, the pavilion there shone beautifully, adorned with banners,

Verse 38 (skanda.7.23.38)

दिव्यसिंहासनोपेतो मुक्तादामपरिष्कृतः। दिव्यचन्दनमालाभिः कल्पपल्लवतोरणैः

divyasiṁhāsanopeto muktādāmapariṣkṛtaḥ| divyacandanamālābhiḥ kalpapallavatoraṇaiḥ

furnished with a divine throne, ornamented with strings of pearls, with garlands of divine sandalwood, and archways of wish-fulfilling foliage,

Verse 39 (skanda.7.23.39)

दिव्यगन्ध सुगन्धाद्यैः स्वर्गस्थानमिवाभवत्। चतुर्दशविधस्तत्र भूतग्रामः समागतः

divyagandha sugandhādyaiḥ svargasthānamivābhavat| caturdaśavidhastatra bhūtagrāmaḥ samāgataḥ

with divine and fragrant scents, it had become like a very abode of heaven. There, the fourteen kinds of hosts of beings assembled —

Verse 40 (skanda.7.23.40)

स्थावरः सर्पजातिश्च पक्षिजातिस्तथैव च। मृगसंज्ञश्चतुर्थश्च पश्वाख्यः पञ्चमः स्मृतः

sthāvaraḥ sarpajātiśca pakṣijātistathaiva ca| mṛgasaṁjñaścaturthaśca paśvākhyaḥ pañcamaḥ smṛtaḥ

the immobile plants, the serpent species, and likewise the bird species; the fourth called wild beasts, and the fifth remembered as domestic animals,

Verse 41 (skanda.7.23.41)

षष्ठश्च मानुषः प्रोक्तः पैशाचः सप्तमः स्मृतः। अष्टमो राक्षसः प्रोक्तो नवमो यज्ञ एव च

ṣaṣṭhaśca mānuṣaḥ proktaḥ paiśācaḥ saptamaḥ smṛtaḥ| aṣṭamo rākṣasaḥ prokto navamo yajña eva ca

the sixth declared human, the seventh remembered as Pishacha, the eighth declared Rakshasa, and the ninth the sacrifice itself,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.23.42)

गांधर्वशाक्रसौम्याश्च प्राजापत्यस्तथैव च। ब्राह्मश्चेति समाख्यातश्चतुर्दशविधो गणः

gāṁdharvaśākrasaumyāśca prājāpatyastathaiva ca| brāhmaśceti samākhyātaścaturdaśavidho gaṇaḥ

Gandharva, Shakra's, Saumya, and likewise Prajapatya, and Brahma's own — thus is declared the fourteen-fold host.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.23.43)

विश्वेदेवास्तथा साध्या मरुतो वसवस्तथा। लोकपालास्तथाष्टौ च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहैः सह

viśvedevāstathā sādhyā maruto vasavastathā| lokapālāstathāṣṭau ca nakṣatrāṇi grahaiḥ saha

The Vishvedevas, and likewise the Sadhyas, the Maruts, and the Vasus; and the eight Lokapalas as well, and the constellations together with the planets —

Verse 44 (skanda.7.23.44)

ब्रह्माण्डे देवता याश्च ताः सर्वास्तत्र चागताः। हृष्टाः प्रभासके क्षेत्रे प्रारब्धे यज्ञकर्म्मणि

brahmāṇḍe devatā yāśca tāḥ sarvāstatra cāgatāḥ| hṛṣṭāḥ prabhāsake kṣetre prārabdhe yajñakarmmaṇi

— whatever deities there are in the whole universe, all of them came there, rejoicing, when the sacrificial rite had begun in the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.23.45)

घृतक्षीरवहा नद्यो दधिपायसकर्दमाः। पक्वान्नानां फलानां च राशयः पर्वतोपमाः

ghṛtakṣīravahā nadyo dadhipāyasakardamāḥ| pakvānnānāṁ phalānāṁ ca rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ

Rivers flowing with ghee and milk, with mud made of curds and rice-pudding; and heaps of cooked food and fruits, like mountains,

Verse 46 (skanda.7.23.46)

दृश्यन्ते विविधाकारास्तस्मिन्यज्ञमहोत्सवे। जगुस्तत्रैव गन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

dṛśyante vividhākārāstasminyajñamahotsave| jagustatraiva gandharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

were to be seen there, in various forms, at that great sacrificial festival; there the Gandharvas sang, and the hosts of Apsaras danced.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.23.47)

भक्ष्यभोज्यैश्च विविधैः कामपानादिभिस्तथा। तृप्ता देवाश्च मुनयो भूतग्रामाश्चतुर्दश

bhakṣyabhojyaiśca vividhaiḥ kāmapānādibhistathā| tṛptā devāśca munayo bhūtagrāmāścaturdaśa

With various foods to eat and chew, and desired drinks and the like, the gods, the sages, and the fourteen hosts of beings were satisfied.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.23.48)

एवं संभारसहितं यज्ञांगं सर्वमेव हि। प्रगुणीकृत्य सचिवो मुक्त्वा तत्रैव रक्षकान्। सोमस्याह्वाननार्थं च ब्रह्मलोकं जगाम ह

evaṁ saṁbhārasahitaṁ yajñāṁgaṁ sarvameva hi| praguṇīkṛtya sacivo muktvā tatraiva rakṣakān| somasyāhvānanārthaṁ ca brahmalokaṁ jagāma ha

Thus, having made ready every single requisite together with the whole apparatus for the sacrifice, and leaving guards there, the minister went to Brahmaloka, in order to summon Soma.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.23.49)

ईश्वर उवाच। स दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मणः पार्श्वे स्थितं सोममहाप्रभम्। प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमौ सोमं ब्रह्माणमेव च

īśvara uvāca| sa dṛṣṭvā brahmaṇaḥ pārśve sthitaṁ somamahāprabham| praṇamya daṇḍavadbhūmau somaṁ brahmāṇameva ca

Ishvara said: Seeing Soma, of great splendor, standing beside Brahma, he bowed down to the ground like a staff, before both Soma and Brahma,

Verse 50 (skanda.7.23.50)

हेमगर्भ उवाच। कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा उवाच नतकंधरः। भगवन्भवदादेशाद्यज्ञांगं सर्वमेव हि

hemagarbha uvāca| kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā uvāca natakaṁdharaḥ| bhagavanbhavadādeśādyajñāṁgaṁ sarvameva hi

Hemagarbha said, with joined palms and bowed neck: "O Lord, by your very command, every single requisite of the sacrifice

Verse 51 (skanda.7.23.51)

तत्र प्राभासिके क्षेत्रे मया ते प्रगुणीकृतम्। तत्र ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वे तथा राजर्षयोऽपरे

tatra prābhāsike kṣetre mayā te praguṇīkṛtam| tatra brahmarṣayaḥ sarve tathā rājarṣayo'pare

has, in that field of Prabhasa, been prepared by me. There, all the Brahmarshis, and other royal sages as well,

Verse 52 (skanda.7.23.52)

त्वन्मार्गप्रेक्षकाः सर्वे सन्तिष्ठन्ते समाकुलाः। अनन्तरं तु यत्कृत्यं तद्भवान्कर्तुमर्हति

tvanmārgaprekṣakāḥ sarve santiṣṭhante samākulāḥ| anantaraṁ tu yatkṛtyaṁ tadbhavānkartumarhati

all stand there, awaiting your coming, in eager crowds; whatever remains to be done next, that you should now do."

Verse 53 (skanda.7.23.53)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्युक्तस्तु तदा चन्द्रः समुद्रस्य सुतेन वै। प्रहस्योवाच ब्रह्माणं चन्द्रमा लोकसाक्षिणम्

īśvara uvāca| ityuktastu tadā candraḥ samudrasya sutena vai| prahasyovāca brahmāṇaṁ candramā lokasākṣiṇam

Ishvara said: Thus addressed by the son of the ocean, the Moon then, smiling, spoke to Brahma, the witness of the worlds:

Verse 54 (skanda.7.23.54)

भगवन्सर्वदेवेश ममानुग्रहकाम्यया। प्रतिष्ठायज्ञकामस्य ममातिथ्यं कुरु प्रभो

bhagavansarvadeveśa mamānugrahakāmyayā| pratiṣṭhāyajñakāmasya mamātithyaṁ kuru prabho

"O Blessed One, Lord of all the gods, out of desire to show me grace, be my guest, O Lord, for I desire this sacrifice of installation.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.23.55)

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म सफलं च तपः प्रभो। देवत्वमद्य मे ब्रह्मंस्त्वत्प्रसादाद्भविष्यति

adya me saphalaṁ janma saphalaṁ ca tapaḥ prabho| devatvamadya me brahmaṁstvatprasādādbhaviṣyati

Today my birth has become fruitful, O Lord, and fruitful my austerity; today, O Brahma, my godhood itself shall be fulfilled by your grace.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.23.56)

मया च तपसोग्रेण प्राप्तं लिंगमुमापतेः। तत्प्रतिष्ठाविधिं सर्वं तद्भवान्कर्त्तुमर्हति

mayā ca tapasogreṇa prāptaṁ liṁgamumāpateḥ| tatpratiṣṭhāvidhiṁ sarvaṁ tadbhavānkarttumarhati

By fierce austerity I have obtained the Linga of Uma's Lord; the whole rite of its installation — that you should now perform."

Verse 57 (skanda.7.23.57)

ब्रह्मोवाच। अवश्यं तव कर्त्तास्मि प्रतिष्ठां शंकरात्मिकाम्। त्वदाराधनलिंगे तु सोमेशेऽतिविशेषतः

brahmovāca| avaśyaṁ tava karttāsmi pratiṣṭhāṁ śaṁkarātmikām| tvadārādhanaliṁge tu someśe'tiviśeṣataḥ

Brahma said: I shall certainly perform for you the installation, in the very nature of Shankara, and above all for this Linga of your worship, Someshvara —

Verse 58 (skanda.7.23.58)

ये केचिद्भवितारो वा अतीता ये निशाकराः। तेषां सोमान्वयानां च सर्वेषामाद्यदैवतम्

ye kecidbhavitāro vā atītā ye niśākarāḥ| teṣāṁ somānvayānāṁ ca sarveṣāmādyadaivatam

— for whatever Night-Makers are yet to be, or have already passed, of all those of the lunar line, this is the primal deity.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.23.59)

योऽसौ सोमेश्वरो देव आदौ भैरवनामभृत्। मन्वन्तरान्तरेऽतीते प्रतिष्ठेऽहं पुनःपुनः

yo'sau someśvaro deva ādau bhairavanāmabhṛt| manvantarāntare'tīte pratiṣṭhe'haṁ punaḥpunaḥ

That very Someshvara, the God, who at first bore the name Bhairava — in each Manvantara that has passed, I have installed him again and again.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.23.60)

यदा प्राभासिकं क्षेत्रे गतोऽहं चाष्टवार्षिकः। आहूतः पूर्वमिन्द्रेण भैरवस्य प्रतिष्ठिते

yadā prābhāsikaṁ kṣetre gato'haṁ cāṣṭavārṣikaḥ| āhūtaḥ pūrvamindreṇa bhairavasya pratiṣṭhite

When, having gone to the field of Prabhasa as an eight-year-old, I was formerly summoned by Indra, at the installation of Bhairava —

Verse 61 (skanda.7.23.61)

तत्प्रभृत्येव मे नाम बालरूपी निगद्यते। अन्येषु सर्वतीर्थेषु वृद्धरूपी वसाम्यहम्

tatprabhṛtyeva me nāma bālarūpī nigadyate| anyeṣu sarvatīrtheṣu vṛddharūpī vasāmyaham

— from that time onward, my name is spoken as "of boyish form"; in all other sacred fords, I dwell in the form of an elder.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.23.62)

प्रभासे तु पुनश्चंद्र बाल्याप्रभृति संवसे। ब्रह्माण्डे यानि तीर्थानि ब्राह्मणास्तेषु ये स्मृताः

prabhāse tu punaścaṁdra bālyāprabhṛti saṁvase| brahmāṇḍe yāni tīrthāni brāhmaṇāsteṣu ye smṛtāḥ

But in Prabhasa, O Moon, I dwell again from my very boyhood. Whatever sacred fords there are in the universe, and whatever brahmins are remembered among them —

Verse 63 (skanda.7.23.63)

तेषामाद्यो निशानाथ प्रभासेऽहं व्यवस्थितः। कल्पेकल्पे निशानाथ मम नामांतरं भवेत्

teṣāmādyo niśānātha prabhāse'haṁ vyavasthitaḥ| kalpekalpe niśānātha mama nāmāṁtaraṁ bhavet

— among them, O Lord of Night, I, established in Prabhasa, am the foremost. In each and every Kalpa, O Lord of Night, my name changes.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.23.64)

स्वयंभूः प्रथमे नाम द्वितीये पद्मभूः स्मृतः। तृतीये विश्वकर्त्तेति बालरूपी तुरीयके

svayaṁbhūḥ prathame nāma dvitīye padmabhūḥ smṛtaḥ| tṛtīye viśvakartteti bālarūpī turīyake

In the first Kalpa my name was Svayambhu; in the second I am remembered as Padmabhu; in the third, "Vishvakartri"; in the fourth, I am of boyish form —

Verse 65 (skanda.7.23.65)

एषामेव परीवर्तो नाम्नां भावि पुनःपुनः। परार्द्धद्वयपर्यंतं प्रभासे संस्थितस्य मे

eṣāmeva parīvarto nāmnāṁ bhāvi punaḥpunaḥ| parārddhadvayaparyaṁtaṁ prabhāse saṁsthitasya me

— the rotation of these very names continues to occur again and again, for me, established in Prabhasa, throughout both halves of Brahma's life.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.23.66)

आदिसोमेन तत्रैव शंभोर्नेत्रोद्भवेन वै। प्रभासे तु तपस्तप्त्वा प्रत्यक्षीकृतईश्वरः

ādisomena tatraiva śaṁbhornetrodbhavena vai| prabhāse tu tapastaptvā pratyakṣīkṛtaīśvaraḥ

By the primal Soma himself, born there from Shambhu's eye, having performed austerity in Prabhasa, Ishvara was made manifest before him;

Verse 67 (skanda.7.23.67)

ततो ददौ वरं तुष्टः पूर्वचन्द्रस्य शूलधृक्। यस्मादाराधितोऽहं ते सोम भक्त्या चिरन्तनम्

tato dadau varaṁ tuṣṭaḥ pūrvacandrasya śūladhṛk| yasmādārādhito'haṁ te soma bhaktyā cirantanam

then the trident-bearer, pleased, gave a boon to that first Moon: "Since I have been long worshipped by you, O Soma, with devotion —

Verse 68 (skanda.7.23.68)

तस्मात्सोमेशनामैवमस्मिँल्लिंगे भविष्यति। यावद्ब्रह्मा शतानन्दः प्रकृतौ न प्रलीयते

tasmātsomeśanāmaivamasmĩlliṁge bhaviṣyati| yāvadbrahmā śatānandaḥ prakṛtau na pralīyate

— therefore the very name 'Someshvara' shall belong to this Linga, for as long as the Brahma named Shatananda has not dissolved back into Prakriti.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.23.69)

ये केचिद्भवितारो वै रात्रिनाथा निशाकराः। ते मदाराधनं चात्र करिष्यंति पुनःपुनः

ye kecidbhavitāro vai rātrināthā niśākarāḥ| te madārādhanaṁ cātra kariṣyaṁti punaḥpunaḥ

Whatever Lords of Night, Night-Makers, are yet to be — they shall come here again and again to worship me."

Verse 70 (skanda.7.23.70)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छंभुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। तस्मिन्काले मया सोम आद्यं लिंगं प्रतिष्ठितम्

ityuktvā bhagavāñchaṁbhustatraivāṁtaradhīyata| tasminkāle mayā soma ādyaṁ liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

Having said this, the Blessed Shambhu vanished right there. At that time, by me, the primal Linga was installed for Soma.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.23.71)

तदाप्रभृति सोमानां लक्षाणां द्वितयं गतम्। सहस्रद्वितयं चैव शतं चैकं षडुत्तरम्

tadāprabhṛti somānāṁ lakṣāṇāṁ dvitayaṁ gatam| sahasradvitayaṁ caiva śataṁ caikaṁ ṣaḍuttaram

From that time onward, two hundred thousand moons have passed, and likewise two thousand, and one hundred and six more —

Verse 72 (skanda.7.23.72)

सप्तमस्त्वं महावाहो वर्त्तसे सोम सांप्रतम्। एतावन्त्येव लिंगानि प्रतिष्ठां प्रापितानि मे

saptamastvaṁ mahāvāho varttase soma sāṁpratam| etāvantyeva liṁgāni pratiṣṭhāṁ prāpitāni me

— you, O mighty-armed Soma, are now the seventh; just so many Lingas have thus far been brought to installation by me.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.23.73)

एष एवाधुना सोऽहं तदाराधनजं फलम्। प्रतिष्ठातास्मि भद्रं ते सोम कृत्य ममैव तत्

eṣa evādhunā so'haṁ tadārādhanajaṁ phalam| pratiṣṭhātāsmi bhadraṁ te soma kṛtya mamaiva tat

This very same I am now; the fruit born of that worship — I shall be the one to perform the installation, may it be well with you, O Soma; that is indeed my own task."

Verse 74 (skanda.7.23.74)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्ब्रह्मा वेदविद्यासमन्वितः। सर्वदेवमयो देवैः सहितस्तीर्थसंयुतः

īśvara uvāca| ityuktvā bhagavānbrahmā vedavidyāsamanvitaḥ| sarvadevamayo devaiḥ sahitastīrthasaṁyutaḥ

Ishvara said: Having spoken thus, the blessed Brahma, endowed with the science of the Vedas, of the very nature of all the gods, together with the gods and joined with the sacred fords,

Verse 75 (skanda.7.23.75)

सनत्कुमारप्रमुखै र्योगीन्द्रैर्ऋषिभिः सह। बृहस्पतिं समाहूय पुरस्कृत्य पुरोधसम्

sanatkumārapramukhai ryogīndrairṛṣibhiḥ saha| bṛhaspatiṁ samāhūya puraskṛtya purodhasam

together with the lords of yogis headed by Sanatkumara, and with sages, having summoned Brihaspati and placed him at the fore as his family priest,

Verse 76 (skanda.7.23.76)

हंसयानं समारुह्य कोटिब्रह्मर्षिभिः सह। आगतः सोमराजेन तदा ब्रह्मा जगत्पतिः

haṁsayānaṁ samāruhya koṭibrahmarṣibhiḥ saha| āgataḥ somarājena tadā brahmā jagatpatiḥ

mounting his swan-chariot, together with a crore of Brahmarshis, then came Brahma, the Lord of the world, together with King Soma,

Verse 77 (skanda.7.23.77)

प्राभासिके महातीर्थे यत्र दारुवनं स्मृतम्। ऋषितोया नदी यत्र महापातकनाशिनी

prābhāsike mahātīrthe yatra dāruvanaṁ smṛtam| ṛṣitoyā nadī yatra mahāpātakanāśinī

to that great sacred ford of Prabhasa, where the Daruvana is remembered, and where the river Rishitoya, destroyer of great sins, flows.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.23.78)

अस्मिंस्तीर्थे प्रभासे तु ब्रह्मभागः स उच्यते। त्रिदैवतमिदं क्षेत्रं मया ते कथितं प्रिये

asmiṁstīrthe prabhāse tu brahmabhāgaḥ sa ucyate| tridaivatamidaṁ kṣetraṁ mayā te kathitaṁ priye

In this sacred ford of Prabhasa, that spot is called the "Portion of Brahma"; this field, O beloved, having three presiding deities, has thus been told to you by me.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.23.79)

तत्रागत्व चतुर्वक्त्रो ब्राह्मभागेऽतिनिर्मले। मुनीनाकारयामास उन्नत स्थानवासिनः

tatrāgatva caturvaktro brāhmabhāge'tinirmale| munīnākārayāmāsa unnata sthānavāsinaḥ

Coming there, the four-faced one, to that most pure Portion of Brahma, summoned the sages who dwelt in that exalted place.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.23.80)

आयांतं वेधसं दृष्ट्वा देवर्षिगुरुसंयुतम्। ते सर्वे पूजयामासुः संस्तवैर्वेदसंमितैः

āyāṁtaṁ vedhasaṁ dṛṣṭvā devarṣigurusaṁyutam| te sarve pūjayāmāsuḥ saṁstavairvedasaṁmitaiḥ

Seeing the Creator coming, accompanied by the sages of the gods and their teacher, they all honored him with hymns of praise drawn from the Vedas.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.23.81)

अथोवाच द्विजान्सर्वान्ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। चिरमाराध्य सोमेन सोमेशं पापनाशनम्

athovāca dvijānsarvānbrahmā lokapitāmahaḥ| ciramārādhya somena someśaṁ pāpanāśanam

Then Brahma, the Grandsire of the worlds, said to all the twice-born: "Having long worshipped, by Soma, Someshvara, the destroyer of sin —

Verse 82 (skanda.7.23.82)

तस्मिन्प्रसन्ने सोमेन लब्धं लिङ्गमनुत्तमम्। प्रतिष्ठार्थं तु देवस्य आयाता द्विजसत्तमाः

tasminprasanne somena labdhaṁ liṅgamanuttamam| pratiṣṭhārthaṁ tu devasya āyātā dvijasattamāḥ

— when he was pleased, a supreme Linga was obtained by Soma; and, O best of the twice-born, you have come here for the sake of the God's installation.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.23.83)

यथा मया सदा कार्या प्रतिष्ठा शंकरात्मिका। भवद्भिः परिकार्या सा मम भागसमाश्रयैः

yathā mayā sadā kāryā pratiṣṭhā śaṁkarātmikā| bhavadbhiḥ parikāryā sā mama bhāgasamāśrayaiḥ

Just as the installation, of Shankara's own nature, has ever been performed by me, so it is to be performed by you, who share in my own portion.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.23.84)

यतः कोपेन भवतां लिंगं प्रपतितं भुवि। प्रतिष्ठा तस्य कर्तव्या युष्माभिर्वै न संशयः

yataḥ kopena bhavatāṁ liṁgaṁ prapatitaṁ bhuvi| pratiṣṭhā tasya kartavyā yuṣmābhirvai na saṁśayaḥ

Since, through your own anger, another Linga once fell to the earth, its installation must indeed be performed by you — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 85 (skanda.7.23.85)

ईश्वर उवाच। गृहीत्वाऽथ मुनीन्सर्वान्ब्रह्मा लोकपिता महः। आनीतः सोमराजेन तदा ब्रह्मा जगत्पतिः

īśvara uvāca| gṛhītvā'tha munīnsarvānbrahmā lokapitā mahaḥ| ānītaḥ somarājena tadā brahmā jagatpatiḥ

Ishvara said: Then, taking all the sages with him, Brahma, the great father of the worlds, was thus brought by King Soma — Brahma, the Lord of the world —

Verse 86 (skanda.7.23.86)

प्राभासिके महातीर्थे सावित्र्या सहितः प्रभुः। कारयामास कुण्डानां मण्डपानां शतंशतम्

prābhāsike mahātīrthe sāvitryā sahitaḥ prabhuḥ| kārayāmāsa kuṇḍānāṁ maṇḍapānāṁ śataṁśatam

to the great sacred ford of Prabhasa; the Lord, together with Savitri, caused hundreds upon hundreds of fire-pits and pavilions to be made.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.23.87)

एकैके मण्डपे तत्र चक्रे सप्तदशर्त्विजः। गुरुणा प्रेरितो ब्रह्मा तत्र देवपुरोधसा

ekaike maṇḍape tatra cakre saptadaśartvijaḥ| guruṇā prerito brahmā tatra devapurodhasā

In each and every pavilion there, he appointed seventeen officiating priests; Brahma, there, was guided by the guru, the priest of the gods.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.23.88)

पार्श्वे स्थितस्तदा ब्रह्मा विधानैर्वेद भाषितैः। दीक्षयामास सोमं तु रोहिण्या सहितं विभुम्

pārśve sthitastadā brahmā vidhānairveda bhāṣitaiḥ| dīkṣayāmāsa somaṁ tu rohiṇyā sahitaṁ vibhum

Standing beside him, Brahma then, with rites declared in the Veda, consecrated Soma, the Mighty One, together with Rohini,

Verse 89 (skanda.7.23.89)

पत्नीं च रोहिणीं कृत्वा सर्वलक्षणसंयुताम्। मृगचर्मधरां देवीं क्षौमवस्त्रावगुंठिता म्

patnīṁ ca rohiṇīṁ kṛtvā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutām| mṛgacarmadharāṁ devīṁ kṣaumavastrāvaguṁṭhitā m

having made Rohini, endowed with all auspicious marks, his consecrated wife — the goddess wearing a deerskin, veiled in fine linen garments —

Verse 90 (skanda.7.23.90)

पत्नीशालां समानीता ऋत्विग्भिर्वेदपारगैः। चंद्रमा दीक्षया युक्त ऋषिगंधर्वसंस्तुतः

patnīśālāṁ samānītā ṛtvigbhirvedapāragaiḥ| caṁdramā dīkṣayā yukta ṛṣigaṁdharvasaṁstutaḥ

was brought into the wives' pavilion by the priests versed in the Vedas; the Moon, invested with the consecration, was praised by sages and Gandharvas,

Verse 91 (skanda.7.23.91)

औदुंबरेण दंडेन संवृतो मृगचर्मणा। अतीव तेजसा युक्तः शुशुभे सदसि स्थितः

auduṁbareṇa daṁḍena saṁvṛto mṛgacarmaṇā| atīva tejasā yuktaḥ śuśubhe sadasi sthitaḥ

girded with an udumbara staff and a deerskin, endowed with exceeding splendor, he shone forth, seated in the assembly.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.23.92)

ततो ब्रह्मा महादेवि सर्वलोकपितामहः। ऋत्विजां वरणं चक्रे वेदोक्तविधिना तदा

tato brahmā mahādevi sarvalokapitāmahaḥ| ṛtvijāṁ varaṇaṁ cakre vedoktavidhinā tadā

Then Brahma, O great Goddess, the Grandsire of all the worlds, performed the selection of the officiating priests according to the rite declared in the Veda.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.23.93)

गुरुर्होता वृतस्तत्र वसिष्ठोऽध्वर्युरेव च। तत्रोद्गाता मरीचिस्तु ब्रह्मत्वे नारदः कृतः

gururhotā vṛtastatra vasiṣṭho'dhvaryureva ca| tatrodgātā marīcistu brahmatve nāradaḥ kṛtaḥ

Guru was chosen there as the Hotri priest, and Vasishtha as the Adhvaryu; Marichi was made the Udgatri there, and Narada was appointed to the office of Brahman.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.23.94)

सनत्कुमारसंयुक्ताः सदस्यास्तत्र वै कृताः। वस्त्रैराभरणैर्युक्ता मुकुटैरंगुलीयकैः

sanatkumārasaṁyuktāḥ sadasyāstatra vai kṛtāḥ| vastrairābharaṇairyuktā mukuṭairaṁgulīyakaiḥ

Together with Sanatkumara, assessors were appointed there, adorned with garments and ornaments, with crowns and rings,

Verse 95 (skanda.7.23.95)

भूषिता भूषणौघेन तस्मिन्यज्ञे तदर्त्विजः। चतुर्षु तज्ज्ञाश्चत्वार एवं ते षोडशर्त्विजः

bhūṣitā bhūṣaṇaughena tasminyajñe tadartvijaḥ| caturṣu tajjñāścatvāra evaṁ te ṣoḍaśartvijaḥ

adorned with a profusion of ornaments — the officiating priests of that sacrifice; for each of the four chief priests, four assistants skilled in that office — thus there were sixteen priests in all.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.23.96)

प्रस्तोता कश्यपस्तत्र प्रतिहर्ता तु गालवः। सुब्रह्मण्यस्तथा गर्गः सदस्यः पुलहः कृतः

prastotā kaśyapastatra pratihartā tu gālavaḥ| subrahmaṇyastathā gargaḥ sadasyaḥ pulahaḥ kṛtaḥ

Kashyapa was there the Prastotri; Galava, the Pratihartri; and likewise Garga was the Subrahmanya; Pulaha was made an assessor.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.23.97)

होता शुक्रः समाख्यातो नेष्टा क्रथ उदाहृतः। मैत्रावरुणो दुर्वासा ब्राह्मणाच्छंसी कौशिकः

hotā śukraḥ samākhyāto neṣṭā kratha udāhṛtaḥ| maitrāvaruṇo durvāsā brāhmaṇācchaṁsī kauśikaḥ

Shukra is declared the Hotri; Kratha is spoken of as the Neshtri; Durvasa was the Maitravaruna; Kaushika, the Brahmanacchamsin;

Verse 98 (skanda.7.23.98)

अच्छावाकश्च शाकल्यो ग्रावस्थः क्रतुरेव च। प्रस्थाता प्रतिपूर्वो यः शालंकायन एव च

acchāvākaśca śākalyo grāvasthaḥ kratureva ca| prasthātā pratipūrvo yaḥ śālaṁkāyana eva ca

Shakalya was the Achchhavaka, and Kratu himself the Gravastut; and he who was Shalankayana was the Prasthatri and the Pratiprasthatri;

Verse 99 (skanda.7.23.99)

अग्नीध्रश्च मनुस्तत्र उन्नेता त्वंगिराः कृतः। एवमाद्यान्मण्डपेषु कृत्वा तानृत्विजः प्रभुः

agnīdhraśca manustatra unnetā tvaṁgirāḥ kṛtaḥ| evamādyānmaṇḍapeṣu kṛtvā tānṛtvijaḥ prabhuḥ

Manu was there the Agnidhra, and Angiras was made the Unnetri. Having thus appointed these and other priests, first of all, in the pavilions, the Lord —

Verse 100 (skanda.7.23.100)

अन्येषु मण्डपेष्वेव प्रत्येकमृत्विजः कृताः। मण्डपानां शतेष्वेव कृत्वा कुण्डान्यकल्पयत्

anyeṣu maṇḍapeṣveva pratyekamṛtvijaḥ kṛtāḥ| maṇḍapānāṁ śateṣveva kṛtvā kuṇḍānyakalpayat

— in the other pavilions too, priests were appointed one by one; having done so in the hundreds of pavilions, he had the fire-pits duly prepared.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.23.101)

एकैको मण्डपस्तत्र विंशहस्तप्रमाणतः। अस्त्रेणाशोध्य भूमिं तु पंचगव्येन प्रोक्ष्य च

ekaiko maṇḍapastatra viṁśahastapramāṇataḥ| astreṇāśodhya bhūmiṁ tu paṁcagavyena prokṣya ca

Each single pavilion there was of a measure of twenty cubits; having purified the ground with the weapon-mantra, and sprinkled it with the five products of the cow,

Verse 102 (skanda.7.23.102)

चर्मणा चावगुंठ्यैव आलिख्यास्त्रेण पार्वति। उल्लिख्य प्रोक्षणं कृत्वा खातं कृत्वा विधानतः

carmaṇā cāvaguṁṭhyaiva ālikhyāstreṇa pārvati| ullikhya prokṣaṇaṁ kṛtvā khātaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

and having covered it with a skin, O Parvati, and traced it with the weapon-mantra; having marked it out, performed the sprinkling, and dug it out according to rule,

Verse 103 (skanda.7.23.103)

अष्टौ कुंडानि संकल्प्य तथैकमण्डपे प्रिये। लेपनं मण्डपे कृत्वा वज्राकरणमेव च

aṣṭau kuṁḍāni saṁkalpya tathaikamaṇḍape priye| lepanaṁ maṇḍape kṛtvā vajrākaraṇameva ca

having resolved upon eight fire-pits in each single pavilion, O beloved, and having plastered the pavilion, and made the diamond-shaped pit as well,

Verse 104 (skanda.7.23.104)

चतुरस्रकार्मुकं च वर्तुलं कमलाकृति। पूर्वां दिशं समा रभ्य कृत्वा तानि प्रयत्नतः

caturasrakārmukaṁ ca vartulaṁ kamalākṛti| pūrvāṁ diśaṁ samā rabhya kṛtvā tāni prayatnataḥ

and the square, the bow-shaped, the round, and the lotus-shaped pits — beginning evenly from the eastern direction, having made these with great effort,

Verse 105 (skanda.7.23.105)

चतुःकोणसमायुक्तं पूर्वे कुण्डं निवेश्य तु। भगाकृति तथाऽऽग्नेय्यां दक्षिणे धनुराकृति

catuḥkoṇasamāyuktaṁ pūrve kuṇḍaṁ niveśya tu| bhagākṛti tathā''gneyyāṁ dakṣiṇe dhanurākṛti

he set the four-cornered fire-pit in the east; and the yoni-shaped one in the south-east; and the bow-shaped one in the south;

Verse 106 (skanda.7.23.106)

नैर्ऋत्ये तु त्रिकोणं वै वर्तुलं पश्चिमेन तु। षट्कोणं चैव वायव्ये पद्माकारं तथोत्तरे

nairṛtye tu trikoṇaṁ vai vartulaṁ paścimena tu| ṣaṭkoṇaṁ caiva vāyavye padmākāraṁ tathottare

and the triangular one indeed in the south-west; and the round one in the west; and the six-cornered one in the north-west; and likewise the lotus-shaped one in the north;

Verse 107 (skanda.7.23.107)

ऐशान्यामष्टकोणं तु मध्ये चैकं विधा नतः। प्रत्येकं मण्डपं शुभ्रं स्तम्भैः षोडशभिर्युतम्

aiśānyāmaṣṭakoṇaṁ tu madhye caikaṁ vidhā nataḥ| pratyekaṁ maṇḍapaṁ śubhraṁ stambhaiḥ ṣoḍaśabhiryutam

and the eight-cornered one in the north-east; and one in the center, duly arranged. Each pavilion, gleaming white, was furnished with sixteen pillars,

Verse 108 (skanda.7.23.108)

ध्वजैः सतोरणैर्युक्तं चक्रे ब्रह्मा विधानतः। न्यग्रोधं पूर्वतो न्यस्य दक्षे चोदुंबरं तथा

dhvajaiḥ satoraṇairyuktaṁ cakre brahmā vidhānataḥ| nyagrodhaṁ pūrvato nyasya dakṣe coduṁbaraṁ tathā

fitted with banners and archways — Brahma made all this according to rule. Setting a banyan tree to the east, and an udumbara tree to the south likewise,

Verse 109 (skanda.7.23.109)

अश्वत्थं पश्चिमे चैव पलाशं चोत्तरे क्रमात्। बाहुदंडप्रमाणेन ध्वजांस्तत्र निवेश्य वै

aśvatthaṁ paścime caiva palāśaṁ cottare kramāt| bāhudaṁḍapramāṇena dhvajāṁstatra niveśya vai

a pippala tree in the west, and a palasha tree in the north in due order — and setting up there flagstaffs of the measure of an outstretched arm,

Verse 110 (skanda.7.23.110)

ऐन्द्र्यादौ पीतवर्णादि पताका परिकल्पिताः। ततो ब्रह्मा ह्यग्निकुंडे चाग्निस्थापनमारभत्

aindryādau pītavarṇādi patākā parikalpitāḥ| tato brahmā hyagnikuṁḍe cāgnisthāpanamārabhat

banners were prepared, yellow and the other colors beginning from the east. Then Brahma began the establishment of the fire in the fire-pit.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.23.111)

स्वस्थाने ब्राह्मणांश्चैव जाप्ये चैव न्ययोजयत्। श्रीसूक्तं पावमानं च सदा चैव च वाजिनम्

svasthāne brāhmaṇāṁścaiva jāpye caiva nyayojayat| śrīsūktaṁ pāvamānaṁ ca sadā caiva ca vājinam

He appointed the brahmins, each in his own place, to the recitation of mantras — the Shri Sukta, the Pavamana hymn, and always the Vajina hymn as well;

Verse 112 (skanda.7.23.112)

वृषाकपिं तथैन्द्रं च बह्वृचः पूर्वतोऽजपन्। रुद्रान्पुरुषसूक्तं च क्रोकाध्यायं च वैक्रियम्

vṛṣākapiṁ tathaindraṁ ca bahvṛcaḥ pūrvato'japan| rudrānpuruṣasūktaṁ ca krokādhyāyaṁ ca vaikriyam

the Rigvedic priests recited to the east the Vrishakapi and Aindra hymns; the Rudra hymns, and the Purusha Sukta, and the chapter of the Kroka, and the Vaikrita —

Verse 113 (skanda.7.23.113)

ब्राह्मणं पैत्र्यमैंद्रं च जपेरन्यजुषो यमे। देवव्रतं वामदेव्यं ज्येष्ठं साम रथंतरम्

brāhmaṇaṁ paitryamaiṁdraṁ ca japeranyajuṣo yame| devavrataṁ vāmadevyaṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ sāma rathaṁtaram

they would recite the Brahmana portions, the ancestral and Indra hymns of the Yajus, in the south; the Devavrata, the Vamadevya, the Jyeshtha Saman, the Rathantara —

Verse 114 (skanda.7.23.114)

भेरुंडानि च सामानि च्छंदोगः पश्चिमेऽजपत्। अथर्वाथर्वशिरसं स्कम्भस्तंभमथर्वणम्

bheruṁḍāni ca sāmāni cchaṁdogaḥ paścime'japat| atharvātharvaśirasaṁ skambhastaṁbhamatharvaṇam

— and the Bherunda hymns of the Sama — the Chandoga priest recited in the west; the Atharva hymns, the Atharvashiras, the Skambha and Stambha hymns of the Atharvan —

Verse 115 (skanda.7.23.115)

नीलरुद्रमथर्वाणमथर्वा चोत्तरेऽजपत्। गर्भाधानादिकं सर्वं ततोऽग्नेरकरोद्विभुः

nīlarudramatharvāṇamatharvā cottare'japat| garbhādhānādikaṁ sarvaṁ tato'gnerakarodvibhuḥ

— the Nila Rudra and the Atharvan hymns — the Atharvan priest recited in the north. Thereupon the Mighty One performed for the fire all the rites beginning with the Garbhadhana.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.23.116)

पूर्णाहुतिं ततो दत्त्वा स्नानकर्म तथाऽरभत्। पंचपल्लवसंयुक्तं मृत्तिकाभिः समन्वितम्

pūrṇāhutiṁ tato dattvā snānakarma tathā'rabhat| paṁcapallavasaṁyuktaṁ mṛttikābhiḥ samanvitam

Then, having offered the full oblation, he began likewise the bathing rite — accompanied by the five kinds of leaves, together with sacred earths,

Verse 117 (skanda.7.23.117)

कषायैः पंचगव्यैश्च पंचामृतफलैस्तथा। तीर्थोदकैः समेतं तु मंत्रैः स्नानमथारभत्

kaṣāyaiḥ paṁcagavyaiśca paṁcāmṛtaphalaistathā| tīrthodakaiḥ sametaṁ tu maṁtraiḥ snānamathārabhat

with astringent barks, and the five products of the cow, and likewise the five nectar-fruits, joined together with the waters of sacred fords — he then began the bath, with the appropriate mantras.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.23.118)

नेत्राण्युत्पाद्य देवस्य कृत्वा च तिलकक्रियाम्। पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि पाताले च विशेषतः

netrāṇyutpādya devasya kṛtvā ca tilakakriyām| pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni pātāle ca viśeṣataḥ

Having fashioned the eyes of the God, and having performed the tilaka rite — whatever sacred fords there are on the earth, and especially in the netherworld,

Verse 119 (skanda.7.23.119)

स्वर्ग लोके च यान्येव तत्र तान्याययुस्तदा। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मा देवानां पश्यतां तदा

svarga loke ca yānyeva tatra tānyāyayustadā| etasminnantare brahmā devānāṁ paśyatāṁ tadā

and whatever ones there are in the heavenly world — all these came there at that time. Meanwhile, then, while the gods looked on, Brahma —

Verse 120 (skanda.7.23.120)

भूमिं भित्त्वा विवेशाथ तत्र लिंगमपश्यत। स्पर्शाख्यं तं तु संछाद्य मधुना दर्भमूलकैः

bhūmiṁ bhittvā viveśātha tatra liṁgamapaśyata| sparśākhyaṁ taṁ tu saṁchādya madhunā darbhamūlakaiḥ

— breaking through the ground, entered it, and there beheld the Linga; and that one called "Sparsha," he covered over with honey and darbha-grass roots,

Verse 121 (skanda.7.23.121)

तत्र ब्रह्मशिलां न्यस्य तस्या ऊर्ध्वं महाप्रभम्। लिंगं प्रतिष्ठयामास कृत्वा निश्चलमा त्मवान्

tatra brahmaśilāṁ nyasya tasyā ūrdhvaṁ mahāprabham| liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhayāmāsa kṛtvā niścalamā tmavān

and there, placing the Brahma-stone, above it, that great, self-controlled one installed the Linga of great splendor, having made it immovable.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.23.122)

स्थित्वा च परमे तत्त्वे मंत्रन्यासमथाकरोत्। एवं लिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य तत्र ब्रह्मा जगद्गुरुः। पूजयामास विधिना वेदोक्तैर्मंत्र विस्तरैः

sthitvā ca parame tattve maṁtranyāsamathākarot| evaṁ liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya tatra brahmā jagadguruḥ| pūjayāmāsa vidhinā vedoktairmaṁtra vistaraiḥ

And, established in the supreme reality, he then performed the placement of the mantras. Having thus installed the Linga there, Brahma, the guru of the world, worshipped it duly, with the elaborate mantras declared in the Veda.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.23.123)

मन्त्रन्यासे कृते तत्र ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तॄणा। तत्र विप्रगणो हृष्टो जयशब्दादिमंगलैः। निर्धूमश्चाभवद्वह्निः सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभः

mantranyāse kṛte tatra brahmaṇā lokakartṝṇā| tatra vipragaṇo hṛṣṭo jayaśabdādimaṁgalaiḥ| nirdhūmaścābhavadvahniḥ sūryakoṭisamaprabhaḥ

When the placement of the mantras had been performed there by Brahma, the maker of the worlds, the host of brahmins there rejoiced, with cries of "Victory!" and other auspicious sounds; and the fire became smokeless, radiant as a crore of suns.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.23.124)

देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः प्रसन्नाश्च दिगीश्वराः। पुष्पवृष्टिः पपातोच्चैस्तस्मिन्यज्ञमहोत्सवे

devadundubhayo neduḥ prasannāśca digīśvarāḥ| puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papātoccaistasminyajñamahotsave

The drums of the gods resounded, and the lords of the directions were pleased; a shower of flowers rained down from on high, at that great sacrificial festival.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.23.125)

प्रतिष्ठाप्य ततो लिंगं श्रीसोमेशं पितामहः। दापयामास विप्रेभ्यो भूरिशो यज्ञदक्षिणाम्

pratiṣṭhāpya tato liṁgaṁ śrīsomeśaṁ pitāmahaḥ| dāpayāmāsa viprebhyo bhūriśo yajñadakṣiṇām

Having thus installed the Linga, glorious Someshvara, the Grandsire caused a great abundance of sacrificial fees to be given to the brahmins.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.23.126)

सनत्कुमारप्रमुखैराद्यैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिर्वृतः। दक्षिणामददात्सोमस्त्रीँल्लोकान्ब्रह्मणे पुरा

sanatkumārapramukhairādyairbrahmarṣibhirvṛtaḥ| dakṣiṇāmadadātsomastrī̃llokānbrahmaṇe purā

Surrounded by the primeval Brahmarshis headed by Sanatkumara, Soma formerly gave, as sacrificial fee, the three worlds themselves to Brahma.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.23.127)

तेभ्यो ब्रह्मर्षिमुख्येभ्यः सदस्येभ्यस्तथैव च। ददौ हिरण्यं रत्नानि कोटिशो भूरिदक्षिणाः

tebhyo brahmarṣimukhyebhyaḥ sadasyebhyastathaiva ca| dadau hiraṇyaṁ ratnāni koṭiśo bhūridakṣiṇāḥ

To those chief Brahmarshis, and to the assessors likewise, he gave gold and jewels, by the crore, with abundant fees.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.23.128)

सोभिषिक्तो महातेजाः सर्वैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्ततः। त्रीँल्लोकान्भावयामास स्वभासा भासतां वरः

sobhiṣikto mahātejāḥ sarvairbrahmarṣibhistataḥ| trī̃llokānbhāvayāmāsa svabhāsā bhāsatāṁ varaḥ

Thus anointed by all the Brahmarshis, that greatly radiant one, the best of luminaries, thereupon pervaded the three worlds with his own light.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.23.129)

तं सिनी च कुहूश्चैव द्युतिः पुष्टिः प्रभा वसुः। कीर्त्तिर्धृतिश्च लक्ष्मीश्च नव देव्यः सिषेविरे

taṁ sinī ca kuhūścaiva dyutiḥ puṣṭiḥ prabhā vasuḥ| kīrttirdhṛtiśca lakṣmīśca nava devyaḥ siṣevire

Sinivali, and Kuhu, and Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, Vasu, Kirti, Dhriti, and Lakshmi — these nine goddesses attended him.

Verse 130 (skanda.7.23.130)

प्राप्यावभृथमव्यग्रः कृत्वा माहेश्वरं मखम्। कृतार्थः परिपूर्णश्च संबभूव निशापतिः

prāpyāvabhṛthamavyagraḥ kṛtvā māheśvaraṁ makham| kṛtārthaḥ paripūrṇaśca saṁbabhūva niśāpatiḥ

Having undergone the concluding bath, undisturbed, having performed the great sacrifice to Maheshvara, the Lord of Night became fulfilled and entirely complete.

Verse 131 (skanda.7.23.131)

ततस्तस्मै ददौ राज्यं प्राज्यं ब्रह्मा पितामहः। बीजौषधीनां विप्राणामवन्नानां च वरानने

tatastasmai dadau rājyaṁ prājyaṁ brahmā pitāmahaḥ| bījauṣadhīnāṁ viprāṇāmavannānāṁ ca varānane

Then the Grandsire Brahma gave to him an abundant kingdom, O fair-faced one, over the seed-herbs, over the brahmins, and over crops.

Verse 132 (skanda.7.23.132)

तस्मिन्यज्ञे समाजग्मुर्ये केचित्पृथिवीश्वराः। तेषां राज्यं धनं भोगान्ददौ स्वर्गं तथाऽक्षयम्

tasminyajñe samājagmurye kecitpṛthivīśvarāḥ| teṣāṁ rājyaṁ dhanaṁ bhogāndadau svargaṁ tathā'kṣayam

Whatever kings of the earth had assembled at that sacrifice, to them he gave kingdoms, wealth, enjoyments, and likewise imperishable heaven.

Verse 133 (skanda.7.23.133)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयामास स्वयमेवौषधीपतिः। ददौ सर्वं तदा तेषां प्रभासक्षेत्रवासिनाम्

brāhmaṇānbhojayāmāsa svayamevauṣadhīpatiḥ| dadau sarvaṁ tadā teṣāṁ prabhāsakṣetravāsinām

The Lord of Herbs himself fed the brahmins; he gave everything then to those who dwelt in the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 134 (skanda.7.23.134)

हिरण्यादीन्यदाच्चैव महादानानि षोडश। यो यदर्थयते तत्र सामान्यः प्राकृतो जनः। निजकर्मानुसारेण स लेभे च तदेव हि

hiraṇyādīnyadāccaiva mahādānāni ṣoḍaśa| yo yadarthayate tatra sāmānyaḥ prākṛto janaḥ| nijakarmānusāreṇa sa lebhe ca tadeva hi

He gave gold and the like, the sixteen great gifts; whatever an ordinary, common person there desired, that same thing he received, indeed, according to his own deeds.

Verse 135 (skanda.7.23.135)

एवं समर्थिते यज्ञे सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः। स्थापयित्वा तु लिंगानि जग्मुः सर्वे यथागतम्

evaṁ samarthite yajñe sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ| sthāpayitvā tu liṁgāni jagmuḥ sarve yathāgatam

When the sacrifice had thus been brought to completion, all the gods, together with Vasava, having established the Lingas, all departed as they had come.

Verse 136 (skanda.7.23.136)

चन्द्रमास्तु पुनर्देवि ब्रह्मणा सहितो विभुः। लिंगमाराधयामास प्रभासे पापनाशने

candramāstu punardevi brahmaṇā sahito vibhuḥ| liṁgamārādhayāmāsa prabhāse pāpanāśane

But the Moon, O Goddess, the Mighty One, together with Brahma, worshipped the Linga again, in Prabhasa, the destroyer of sin.

Verse 137 (skanda.7.23.137)

त्रिकालं पूजयामास धूपमाल्यानुलेपनैः। तं प्रणम्य च देवेशि स्तौति नित्यं निशापतिः

trikālaṁ pūjayāmāsa dhūpamālyānulepanaiḥ| taṁ praṇamya ca deveśi stauti nityaṁ niśāpatiḥ

He worshipped it three times a day, with incense, garlands, and unguents; and, bowing to it, O Queen of the gods, the Lord of Night praises it always.