The Origin of Mulachandisha and the Taptodaka Kunda

Verse 1 (skanda.7.308.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। तस्मान्नारायणात्पूर्वे किंचिदीशानसंस्थितम्। मूलचण्डीशनाम्ना तु विख्यातं भुवनत्रयं

īśvara uvāca| tasmānnārāyaṇātpūrve kiṁcidīśānasaṁsthitam| mūlacaṇḍīśanāmnā tu vikhyātaṁ bhuvanatrayaṁ

Ishvara said: To the east of that Narayana, situated a little toward the northeast, is a place renowned throughout the three worlds by the name Mulachandisha.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.308.2)

यत्र लिंगं पुराऽस्माकं पातितं त्वृषिभिः प्रिये। क्रोधरक्तेक्षणैर्देवि मूलचण्डीशतां गतम्

yatra liṁgaṁ purā'smākaṁ pātitaṁ tvṛṣibhiḥ priye| krodharaktekṣaṇairdevi mūlacaṇḍīśatāṁ gatam

There, O beloved, our linga was once felled by the sages, their eyes red with anger; O Goddess, it thereby came to be known as Mulachandisha.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.308.3)

आद्यं लिंगोद्भवं देवि ऋषिकोपान्निपातितम्। ये केचिदृषयस्तत्र देवदारुवने स्थिताः

ādyaṁ liṁgodbhavaṁ devi ṛṣikopānnipātitam| ye kecidṛṣayastatra devadāruvane sthitāḥ

O Goddess, that primordial, self-manifest linga was felled by the wrath of the sages who dwelt there in the Devadaru forest.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.308.4)

कालांतरे महादेवि अहं तत्र समागतः। तेषां जिज्ञासया देवि ततस्ते रोषिता भवन्। शप्तस्ततोऽहं देवेशि चक्रुर्मे लिंगपातनम्

kālāṁtare mahādevi ahaṁ tatra samāgataḥ| teṣāṁ jijñāsayā devi tataste roṣitā bhavan| śaptastato'haṁ deveśi cakrurme liṁgapātanam

After some time, O great Goddess, I came there; through curiosity about them, O Goddess, they became angered. I was then cursed, O Devesi, and they caused my linga to fall.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.308.5)

देव्युवाच। रोषोपहतसद्भावाः कथमेते द्विजातयः। संजाता एतदाख्याहि परं कौतूहलं मम

devyuvāca| roṣopahatasadbhāvāḥ kathamete dvijātayaḥ| saṁjātā etadākhyāhi paraṁ kautūhalaṁ mama

The Goddess said: How did these twice-born ones come to have their good nature overpowered by anger? Tell me this — I am most curious.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.308.6)

ईश्वर उवाच। डिंडिरूपः पुरा देवि भूत्वाऽहं दारुके वने। ऋषीणामाश्रमे पुण्ये नग्नो भिक्षाचरोऽभवम्। भिक्षंतमाश्रमे दृष्ट्वा ताः सर्वा ऋषियोषितः

īśvara uvāca| ḍiṁḍirūpaḥ purā devi bhūtvā'haṁ dāruke vane| ṛṣīṇāmāśrame puṇye nagno bhikṣācaro'bhavam| bhikṣaṁtamāśrame dṛṣṭvā tāḥ sarvā ṛṣiyoṣitaḥ

Ishvara said: Having taken the form of Dindin (a mendicant) of old, O Goddess, in the Daruka forest, I became a naked wandering beggar in the sacred hermitage of the sages. Seeing me begging in the hermitage, all those wives of the sages—

Verse 7 (skanda.7.308.7)

कामस्य वशमापन्नाः प्रियमुत्सृज्य सर्वतः। तमूर्ध्वलिंगमालोक्य जटामुकुटधारिणम्

kāmasya vaśamāpannāḥ priyamutsṛjya sarvataḥ| tamūrdhvaliṁgamālokya jaṭāmukuṭadhāriṇam

—fell under the sway of desire, abandoning all modesty, on beholding him with his linga erect, wearing a crown of matted locks.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.308.8)

भिक्षंतं भस्मदिग्धांगं झषकेतुमिवापरम्। विक्षोभिताश्च नः सर्वे दारा एतेन डिंडिना

bhikṣaṁtaṁ bhasmadigdhāṁgaṁ jhaṣaketumivāparam| vikṣobhitāśca naḥ sarve dārā etena ḍiṁḍinā

Begging, his body smeared with ashes, like another Kama, the fish-bannered god of love — by this Dindin all our wives were thrown into agitation.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.308.9)

तस्माच्छापं च दास्याम ऋषयस्ते तदाऽब्रुवन्। ततः शापोदकं गृह्य संध्यात्वाऽथ तपोधनाः

tasmācchāpaṁ ca dāsyāma ṛṣayaste tadā'bruvan| tataḥ śāpodakaṁ gṛhya saṁdhyātvā'tha tapodhanāḥ

'Therefore we shall give him a curse,' so said those sages then. Thereupon, taking the water of cursing, and having performed their evening rites, those rich in austerity—

Verse 10 (skanda.7.308.10)

अस्य लिंगमधो यातु दृश्यते यत्सदोन्नतम्। इत्युक्ते पतितं लिंगं तत्र देवकुले मम

asya liṁgamadho yātu dṛśyate yatsadonnatam| ityukte patitaṁ liṁgaṁ tatra devakule mama

'Let this one's linga, which is seen ever erect, fall down' — upon their so speaking, my linga fell there, in that shrine.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.308.11)

मूलचण्डीशनाम्ना तु विख्यातं भुवनत्रये। तल्लिंगं पतितं दृष्ट्वा कोपोपहतचेतसः। पुनर्हंतुं समारब्धा डिंडिनं ते तपोधनाः

mūlacaṇḍīśanāmnā tu vikhyātaṁ bhuvanatraye| talliṁgaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kopopahatacetasaḥ| punarhaṁtuṁ samārabdhā ḍiṁḍinaṁ te tapodhanāḥ

It became renowned in the three worlds by the name Mulachandisha. Seeing that linga fallen, their minds overpowered by anger, those ascetics again set about to kill Dindin.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.308.12)

वृसिकापाणयः केचित्कमंडलुधराः परे। गृहीत्वा पादुकाश्चान्ये तस्य धावंति पृष्ठतः

vṛsikāpāṇayaḥ kecitkamaṁḍaludharāḥ pare| gṛhītvā pādukāścānye tasya dhāvaṁti pṛṣṭhataḥ

Some with staffs in hand, others carrying water-pots, others taking up their wooden sandals, ran after him.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.308.13)

डिंडिश्चांतर्हितो भूत्वा त्वामुवाच सुमध्यमाम्। रोषोपहतचेतस्कान्पश्यैतांस्त्वं तपोधनान्

ḍiṁḍiścāṁtarhito bhūtvā tvāmuvāca sumadhyamām| roṣopahatacetaskānpaśyaitāṁstvaṁ tapodhanān

Then Dindin, having become invisible, spoke to you, O slender-waisted one: 'Behold these ascetics, their minds overpowered by anger.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.308.14)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्देवि तव वाक्यान्मयाऽनघे। न कृतोऽनुग्रहस्तेषां सरोषाणां तपस्विनाम्

etasmātkāraṇāddevi tava vākyānmayā'naghe| na kṛto'nugrahasteṣāṁ saroṣāṇāṁ tapasvinām

For this reason, O Goddess, O sinless one, because of your word, I did not show grace to those wrathful ascetics.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.308.15)

अत्रांतरे ते मुनयो ह्यपश्यंतो हि डिंडिनम्। निरानंदं गताः सर्वे द्रष्टुं देवं पितामहम्

atrāṁtare te munayo hyapaśyaṁto hi ḍiṁḍinam| nirānaṁdaṁ gatāḥ sarve draṣṭuṁ devaṁ pitāmaham

Meanwhile, those sages, not finding Dindin, all became joyless and went to see the god Pitamaha, Brahma.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.308.16)

तं दृष्ट्वा विबुधेशानं विरंचिं विगतज्वरम्। प्रणम्य शिरसा सर्व ऋषयः प्राहुरंजसा

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vibudheśānaṁ viraṁciṁ vigatajvaram| praṇamya śirasā sarva ṛṣayaḥ prāhuraṁjasā

Seeing that lord of the wise, Viranchi, free of affliction, all the sages, bowing their heads, spoke forthrightly.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.308.17)

भगवन्डिंडिरूपेण कश्चिदस्ति तपोधनः। विध्वंसनाय दाराणां प्रविष्टः किल भिक्षितुम्

bhagavanḍiṁḍirūpeṇa kaścidasti tapodhanaḥ| vidhvaṁsanāya dārāṇāṁ praviṣṭaḥ kila bhikṣitum

'O Lord, there was some ascetic in the form of Dindin, who entered, apparently to beg, for the purpose of ruining our wives.'

Verse 18 (skanda.7.308.18)

शप्तोऽस्माभिस्तु दुर्वृत्तस्तस्य लिंगं निपातितम्। तस्मिन्निपतितेऽस्माकं तथैव पतितानि च

śapto'smābhistu durvṛttastasya liṁgaṁ nipātitam| tasminnipatite'smākaṁ tathaiva patitāni ca

That wicked one was cursed by us, and his linga was made to fall. When that fell, our own powers likewise fell.'

Verse 19 (skanda.7.308.19)

गतोऽसौ कारणात्तस्मात्तल्लिंगे पतिते वयम्। निरानंदाः स्थिताः सर्व आचक्ष्वैतद्धि कारणम्

gato'sau kāraṇāttasmāttalliṁge patite vayam| nirānaṁdāḥ sthitāḥ sarva ācakṣvaitaddhi kāraṇam

'For that reason he has gone away; since that linga fell, we all remain joyless. Please explain to us the reason for this.'

Verse 20 (skanda.7.308.20)

ब्रह्मोवाच। अशोभनमिदं कार्यं युष्माभिर्यत्कृतं महत्। रुद्रस्यातिसुरूपस्य सेर्ष्या ये हन्तुमुद्यताः

brahmovāca| aśobhanamidaṁ kāryaṁ yuṣmābhiryatkṛtaṁ mahat| rudrasyātisurūpasya seryā ye hantumudyatāḥ

Brahma said: This great deed done by you is unbecoming — that out of jealousy you set about to kill Rudra, of most beautiful form.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.308.21)

आसुरीं दानवीं दैवीं यक्षिणीं किंनरीं तथा। विद्याधरीं च गन्धर्वीं नागकन्यां मनोरमाम्। एता वरस्त्रियस्त्यक्त्वा युष्मदीयासु तास्वपि

āsurīṁ dānavīṁ daivīṁ yakṣiṇīṁ kiṁnarīṁ tathā| vidyādharīṁ ca gandharvīṁ nāgakanyāṁ manoramām| etā varastriyastyaktvā yuṣmadīyāsu tāsvapi

Asura women, Danava women, divine women, Yakshinis, Kinnara women, Vidyadhara women, Gandharva women, and lovely Naga maidens — leaving aside these excellent women, he came even to your own wives.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.308.22)

आह्लादं कुरुते सर्वे नैव जानीत भो द्विजाः। त्रैलोक्यनायिकां सर्वां रूपातिशयसंयुताम्

āhlādaṁ kurute sarve naiva jānīta bho dvijāḥ| trailokyanāyikāṁ sarvāṁ rūpātiśayasaṁyutām

He gives joy to all — you do not understand this at all, O twice-born ones. The mistress of the three worlds, endowed with unsurpassed beauty—

Verse 23 (skanda.7.308.23)

तां त्यक्त्वा मुनिपत्नीनामाह्लादं कुरुते कथम्। तया रुद्रो हि विज्ञप्त ऋषीणां कुर्वनुग्रहम्

tāṁ tyaktvā munipatnīnāmāhlādaṁ kurute katham| tayā rudro hi vijñapta ṛṣīṇāṁ kurvanugraham

—leaving her aside, how could he seek delight in the wives of sages? By her, indeed, Rudra was entreated to show grace to the sages.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.308.24)

तेन वाक्येन पार्वत्या जिज्ञासार्थं कृतं मनः। चतुर्द्दशविधस्यापि भूतग्रामस्य यः प्रभुः

tena vākyena pārvatyā jijñāsārthaṁ kṛtaṁ manaḥ| caturddaśavidhasyāpi bhūtagrāmasya yaḥ prabhuḥ

By that word, Parvati's mind was set on inquiry. He who is lord of the fourteenfold assemblage of beings—

Verse 25 (skanda.7.308.25)

स शप्तो डिंडिरूपस्तु भवद्भिः करणेश्वरः। तच्छापाच्छप्तमेवैतत्समस्तं तद्गुणास्पदम्। देवतिर्यङ्मनुष्याणां निरानंदमिति स्थितम्

sa śapto ḍiṁḍirūpastu bhavadbhiḥ karaṇeśvaraḥ| tacchāpācchaptamevaitatsamastaṁ tadguṇāspadam| devatiryaṅmanuṣyāṇāṁ nirānaṁdamiti sthitam

—he, the Lord of the faculties, in the form of Dindin, was cursed by you. By that curse, this entire abode of his qualities became cursed, and thus the joylessness of gods, animals, and men has come to stand.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.308.26)

शापेनानेन भवतां महान् दोषः प्रजायते। आराध्यं नान्यथा लिंगमुन्नतिं यात्यधोगतम्

śāpenānena bhavatāṁ mahān doṣaḥ prajāyate| ārādhyaṁ nānyathā liṁgamunnatiṁ yātyadhogatam

By this curse of yours, a great fault has arisen. Except through worship, the linga that has fallen down will not rise again.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.308.27)

एवमुक्तेऽथ देवेन विप्रा ऊचुः पितामहम्। द्रष्टव्यः कुत्र सोऽस्माभिः कथयस्व यथास्थितम्

evamukte'tha devena viprā ūcuḥ pitāmaham| draṣṭavyaḥ kutra so'smābhiḥ kathayasva yathāsthitam

When the god had spoken thus, the Brahmins said to Pitamaha: 'Where is he to be seen by us? Tell us exactly as it stands.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.308.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच। आस्ते गजस्वरूपेण कुबेराश्रमसंस्थितः। तत्र गत्वा तमासाद्य तोषयध्वं पिनाकिनम्

brahmovāca| āste gajasvarūpeṇa kuberāśramasaṁsthitaḥ| tatra gatvā tamāsādya toṣayadhvaṁ pinākinam

Brahma said: He abides in the form of an elephant, situated in Kubera's hermitage. Go there, approach him, and propitiate the wielder of the Pinaka bow.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.308.29)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य सर्वे ते हृष्टमानसाः। गंतुं प्रवृत्ताः सहसा कोटिसंख्यास्तपोधनाः

etacchrutvā vacastasya sarve te hṛṣṭamānasāḥ| gaṁtuṁ pravṛttāḥ sahasā koṭisaṁkhyāstapodhanāḥ

Hearing his words, all of them, their minds delighted, the ascetics numbering in the crores, at once set out to go.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.308.30)

चिंतयंतः शुभं देशं द्रष्टुं तं गजरूपिणम्। रुद्रं पितामहाख्यातं कुबेराश्रमवासिनम्

ciṁtayaṁtaḥ śubhaṁ deśaṁ draṣṭuṁ taṁ gajarūpiṇam| rudraṁ pitāmahākhyātaṁ kuberāśramavāsinam

Thinking of that auspicious place, to see that Rudra in elephant-form, as told by Pitamaha, dwelling in Kubera's hermitage.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.308.31)

क्षुत्कामकंठास्तृषितान्गौरी मत्वा तपोधनान्। आदाय गोरसं तेषां कारुण्यात्सा पुरः स्थिता

kṣutkāmakaṁṭhāstṛṣitāngaurī matvā tapodhanān| ādāya gorasaṁ teṣāṁ kāruṇyātsā puraḥ sthitā

Knowing the ascetics to be thirsty, their throats craving from hunger, Gauri, out of compassion, took milk for them and stood before them.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.308.32)

असितां कुटिलां स्निग्धामायतां भुजगीमिव। वेणीं शिरसि बिभ्राणा गौरी गोरससंयुता

asitāṁ kuṭilāṁ snigdhāmāyatāṁ bhujagīmiva| veṇīṁ śirasi bibhrāṇā gaurī gorasasaṁyutā

Wearing upon her head a braid, dark, curling, glossy, long, like a serpent, Gauri, carrying the milk—

Verse 33 (skanda.7.308.33)

सा तानाह मुनीन्सर्वान्यन्मया पर्वताहृतम्। कपित्थफलसंगंधं गोरसं त्वमृतोपमम्

sā tānāha munīnsarvānyanmayā parvatāhṛtam| kapitthaphalasaṁgaṁdhaṁ gorasaṁ tvamṛtopamam

She said to all those sages: 'This milk that I have brought from the mountain, fragrant like the wood-apple fruit, is indeed like nectar.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.308.34)

तयैवमुक्ता विप्रास्तु आहुस्तां विपुलेक्षणाम्। स्नात्वा च सर्वे पास्यामो गोरसं तु त्वयाहृतम्

tayaivamuktā viprāstu āhustāṁ vipulekṣaṇām| snātvā ca sarve pāsyāmo gorasaṁ tu tvayāhṛtam

Thus addressed by her, the Brahmins said to that wide-eyed one: 'Having bathed, we shall all drink the milk that you have brought.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.308.35)

ततः श्रुत्वा तथा देव्या स्नानार्थं तीर्थमुत्तमम्। तप्तोदकेन संपूर्णं कृतं कुण्डं मनोरमम्

tataḥ śrutvā tathā devyā snānārthaṁ tīrthamuttamam| taptodakena saṁpūrṇaṁ kṛtaṁ kuṇḍaṁ manoramam

Then, hearing this, the Goddess made for their bathing an excellent, charming tirtha — a pool filled with warm water.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.308.36)

तत्र ते संप्लुताः सर्वे विमुक्ता विपुलाच्छ्रमात्। कृताऽऽह्ना गोरसस्यैव पानार्थं समुपस्थिताः

tatra te saṁplutāḥ sarve vimuktā vipulācchramāt| kṛtā'hnā gorasasyaiva pānārthaṁ samupasthitāḥ

There, all of them, having bathed, were freed from their great fatigue. Having completed their daily rites, they then presented themselves to drink the milk.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.308.37)

पत्रैर्दिवाकरतरोर्विधाय पुटकाञ्छुभान्। उपविश्य क्रमात्सर्वे ते पिबंति स्म गोरसम्

patrairdivākarataror vidhāya puṭakāñchubhān| upaviśya kramātsarve te pibaṁti sma gorasam

Fashioning auspicious leaf-cups from the leaves of the arka, the 'sun-tree', sitting down in order, they all drank the milk.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.308.38)

गोरसेन तदा तेषाममृतेनेव पूरितान्। बुभुक्षितानां पुटकान्मुनीनां तृप्तिकारणात्

gorasena tadā teṣāmamṛteneva pūritān| bubhukṣitānāṁ puṭakānmunīnāṁ tṛptikāraṇāt

Then, with the milk, as if with nectar, the cups of the hungry sages were filled, for the sake of their satisfaction.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.308.39)

पुनः पूरयते गौरी पीत्वा ते तृप्तिमागताः। क्षुत्तृषाश्रमनिर्मुक्ताः पुनर्जाता इव स्थिताः

punaḥ pūrayate gaurī pītvā te tṛptimāgatāḥ| kṣuttṛṣāśramanirmuktāḥ punarjātā iva sthitāḥ

Gauri filled them again and again; having drunk, they became satisfied. Freed from hunger, thirst, and fatigue, they stood as if reborn.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.308.40)

स्वस्थचित्तैस्ततो ज्ञात्वा नेयं गोपालिसंज्ञिका। अनुग्रहार्थमस्माकं गौरीयं समुपागता

svasthacittaistato jñātvā neyaṁ gopālisaṁjñikā| anugrahārthamasmākaṁ gaurīyaṁ samupāgatā

Then, with composed minds, they realized: 'This is not some milkmaid — this is Gauri herself, who has come here to show grace upon us.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.308.41)

प्रणम्य शिरसा सर्वे तामूचुस्ते सुमध्यमाम्। उमे कथय कुत्रस्थं द्रक्ष्यामो रुद्रमेकदा

praṇamya śirasā sarve tāmūcuste sumadhyamām| ume kathaya kutrasthaṁ drakṣyāmo rudramekadā

Bowing their heads, they all said to that slender-waisted one: 'O Uma, tell us where he abides, so that we may at last behold Rudra.'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.308.42)

तथोक्तास्ते महात्मानस्तं पश्यत महागजम्। गजतां च समासाद्य संचरंतं महाबलम्

tathoktāste mahātmānastaṁ paśyata mahāgajam| gajatāṁ ca samāsādya saṁcaraṁtaṁ mahābalam

Thus addressed, she told those great souls: 'Behold that great elephant, of immense strength, moving about, having assumed elephant-form.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.308.43)

भवद्भिर्निजभक्त्यायं संग्राह्यो हि यथासुखम्। ते तद्वचनमासाद्य समेत्यैकत्र च द्विजाः

bhavadbhirnijabhaktyāyaṁ saṁgrāhyo hi yathāsukham| te tadvacanamāsādya sametyaikatra ca dvijāḥ

'He is to be won over by you, at your ease, through your own devotion.' Having received that word, the Brahmins gathered together in one place.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.308.44)

पवित्रास्तं गजं द्रष्टुं भावितेनांतरात्मना। यत्रैकत्र स्थिता विप्रास्तत्र तीर्थं महोदयम्। संगमेश्वरसंज्ञं तु पूर्वं सर्वत्र विश्रुतम्

pavitrāstaṁ gajaṁ draṣṭuṁ bhāvitenāṁtarātmanā| yatraikatra sthitā viprāstatra tīrthaṁ mahodayam| saṁgameśvarasaṁjñaṁ tu pūrvaṁ sarvatra viśrutam

Purified, with minds fixed in meditation, to see that elephant — the place where the Brahmins gathered together became a great and auspicious tirtha, known everywhere of old by the name Sangameshvara.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.308.45)

ततस्तस्मात्प्रवृत्तास्ते द्रष्टुकामा महागजम्। कुंडिकाः संपरित्यज्य संनह्यात्मानमात्मना

tatastasmātpravṛttāste draṣṭukāmā mahāgajam| kuṁḍikāḥ saṁparityajya saṁnahyātmānamātmanā

Then from there, desiring to see the great elephant, they set out, leaving behind their water-pots, girding themselves by their own effort.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.308.46)

यत्र ताः कुंडिकास्त्यक्तास्तत्तीर्थं कुंडिकाह्वयम्। सर्वपापहरं पुंसां दृष्टाऽदृष्टफलप्रदम्

yatra tāḥ kuṁḍikāstyaktāstattīrthaṁ kuṁḍikāhvayam| sarvapāpaharaṁ puṁsāṁ dṛṣṭā'dṛṣṭaphalapradam

Where those water-pots were left, that tirtha became known by the name Kundika — remover of all sins for men, bestowing both seen and unseen fruits.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.308.47)

कुबेरस्याश्रमं प्राप्य ततस्ते मुनिसत्तमाः। नालिकेरवनीसंस्थं ददृशुस्तं द्विपं तदा

kuberasyāśramaṁ prāpya tataste munisattamāḥ| nālikeravanīsaṁsthaṁ dadṛśustaṁ dvipaṁ tadā

Reaching Kubera's hermitage, those best of sages then beheld that elephant standing in a grove of coconut trees.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.308.48)

करे ग्रहीतुमारब्धाः स्वकरैर्हृष्टमानसाः। गजस्तान्करसंलग्नान्विचिक्षेप तपोधनान्

kare grahītumārabdhāḥ svakairhṛṣṭamānasāḥ| gajastānkarasaṁlagnānvicikṣepa tapodhanān

With delighted minds, they began to seize him by his trunk with their own hands; the elephant flung away those ascetics who clung to his trunk.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.308.49)

काश्चिदंगसमालग्नान्समंताद्भयवर्जितान्। एवं स तैः पुनः सर्वैर्मशकैरिव चेष्टितम्

kāścidaṁgasamālagnānsamaṁtādbhayavarjitān| evaṁ sa taiḥ punaḥ sarvairmaśakairiva ceṣṭitam

Some clung to his body on all sides, free of fear; thus was he again beset on all sides by them all, as though by gnats.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.308.50)

क्रीडां करोति विविधां वनसंस्थो हरद्विपः। तद्रूपं संपरित्यज्य रुद्रो रौद्रगजात्मकम्

krīḍāṁ karoti vividhāṁ vanasaṁstho haradvipaḥ| tadrūpaṁ saṁparityajya rudro raudragajātmakam

Hara, in his elephant form, standing in the forest, engaged in various sports. Then Rudra, abandoning that fearsome elephant form—

Verse 51 (skanda.7.308.51)

पुनरन्यच्चकारासौ डिंडिरूपं मनोरमम्। जयशब्दप्रघोषेण वेदमङ्गलगीतकैः

punaranyaccakārāsau ḍiṁḍirūpaṁ manoramam| jayaśabdapraghoṣeṇa vedamaṅgalagītakaiḥ

—once again assumed another, charming form, that of Dindin, amid the loud proclaiming of cries of victory and auspicious Vedic songs.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.308.52)

उन्नामितं पुनस्तेन यत्र लिंगं महोदयम्। तदुन्नतमिति प्रोक्तं स्थानं स्थानवतां वरम्

unnāmitaṁ punastena yatra liṁgaṁ mahodayam| tadunnatamiti proktaṁ sthānaṁ sthānavatāṁ varam

By him the great and auspicious linga was again raised up there; that place is called Unnata, 'the raised one', best among sacred places.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.308.53)

गजरूपधरस्तत्र स्थितः स्थाने महाबलः। गणनाथस्वरूपेण ह्युन्नतो जगति स्थितः

gajarūpadharastatra sthitaḥ sthāne mahābalaḥ| gaṇanāthasvarūpeṇa hyunnato jagati sthitaḥ

There, bearing the elephant form, the mighty one abides in that place; in the form of the Lord of the Ganas, he stands raised up in the world.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.308.54)

डिंडिरूपधरो भूत्वा रुद्रः प्राह तपोधनान्। यन्मया भवतां कार्यं कर्तव्यं तदिहोच्यताम्

ḍiṁḍirūpadharo bhūtvā rudraḥ prāha tapodhanān| yanmayā bhavatāṁ kāryaṁ kartavyaṁ tadihocyatām

Having taken the form of Dindin, Rudra said to the ascetics: 'Whatever task is to be done by me for you, let it be told here.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.308.55)

एवमुक्तस्तु तैरुक्तः सर्वज्ञानक्रियापरैः। सानन्दाः प्राणिनः संतु त्वत्प्रसादात्पुरा यथा

evamuktastu tairuktaḥ sarvajñānakriyāparaiḥ| sānandāḥ prāṇinaḥ saṁtu tvatprasādātpurā yathā

Thus addressed, he was told in turn by them, who were devoted to all knowledge and right action: 'By your grace, may all beings be joyful again, as before.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.308.56)

क्षंतव्यं देवदेवेश कृतं यन्मूढमानसैः। त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरेशान तत्त्वं सानुग्रहो भव

kṣaṁtavyaṁ devadeveśa kṛtaṁ yanmūḍhamānasaiḥ| tvatprasādātsureśāna tattvaṁ sānugraho bhava

'O Lord of the gods of gods, forgive what was done by us with deluded minds. O Lord of the gods, be gracious to us through your own favor.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.308.57)

एवमस्त्विति तेनोक्तास्ते सर्वे विगतज्वराः। तल्लिंगानुकृतिं लिंगमीजिरे मुनयस्तथा। चक्रुस्ते मुनयः सर्वे स्तुतिं विगतमत्सराः

evamastviti tenoktāste sarve vigatajvarāḥ| talliṁgānukṛtiṁ liṁgamījire munayastathā| cakruste munayaḥ sarve stutiṁ vigatamatsarāḥ

'So be it,' said by him, they all became free of affliction. The sages then worshipped a linga made in the likeness of that original linga, and all the sages, free of envy, offered hymns of praise.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.308.58)

क्षमस्व देवदेवेश कुर्वस्माकमनुग्रहम्। अस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं गच्छ मूलचण्डीशसंज्ञके। त्रिकालं देवदेवेश ग्राह्या ह्यत्र कला त्वया

kṣamasva devadeveśa kurvasmākamanugraham| asmiṁlliṁge layaṁ gaccha mūlacaṇḍīśasaṁjñake| trikālaṁ devadeveśa grāhyā hyatra kalā tvayā

'Forgive us, O Lord of the gods of gods, show us grace. Enter into abiding presence within this linga named Mulachandisha. O Lord of the gods of gods, your portion is to be received here at the three times of day.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.308.59)

ईश्वर उवाच। चण्डी तु प्रोच्यते देवी तस्या ईशस्त्वहं स्मृतः। तस्य मूलं स्मृतं लिंगं तदत्र पतितं यतः

īśvara uvāca| caṇḍī tu procyate devī tasyā īśastvahaṁ smṛtaḥ| tasya mūlaṁ smṛtaṁ liṁgaṁ tadatra patitaṁ yataḥ

Ishvara said: The Goddess is called Chandi, and I am remembered as her Lord. Since the linga that fell here is remembered as the root of that power—

Verse 60 (skanda.7.308.60)

तस्मात्तन्मूलचण्डीश इति ख्यातिं गमिष्यति। वापीकूपतडागानां शतैस्तु विपुलैरपि

tasmāttanmūlacaṇḍīśa iti khyātiṁ gamiṣyati| vāpīkūpataḍāgānāṁ śataistu vipulairapi

—therefore it shall become known by the name Mulachandisha. The merit gained even by constructing hundreds of great stepwells, wells, and reservoirs—

Verse 61 (skanda.7.308.61)

कृतैर्यज्जायते पुण्यं तत्पुण्यं लिंगदर्शनात्। ब्रह्माण्डं सकलं दत्त्वा यत्पुण्यफलमाप्नुयात्

kṛtairyajjāyate puṇyaṁ tatpuṇyaṁ liṁgadarśanāt| brahmāṇḍaṁ sakalaṁ dattvā yatpuṇyaphalamāpnuyāt

—that same merit comes from the sight of this linga. Whatever fruit of merit one obtains by giving away the entire universe in charity—

Verse 62 (skanda.7.308.62)

तत्पुण्यं लभते देवि मूलचण्डीशदर्शनात्। तत्र दानानि देयानि षोडशैव नरोत्तमैः

tatpuṇyaṁ labhate devi mūlacaṇḍīśadarśanāt| tatra dānāni deyāni ṣoḍaśaiva narottamaiḥ

—that same merit, O Goddess, is obtained through the sight of Mulachandisha. There, the sixteen traditional gifts are to be given by the best of men.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.308.63)

एवं तद्भविता सर्वं यन्मयोक्तं द्विजोत्तमाः। यात दारुवनं विप्राः सर्वे यूयं तपोधनाः। मया सर्वे समादिष्टा यात दारुवनं द्विजाः

evaṁ tadbhavitā sarvaṁ yanmayoktaṁ dvijottamāḥ| yāta dāruvanaṁ viprāḥ sarve yūyaṁ tapodhanāḥ| mayā sarve samādiṣṭā yāta dāruvanaṁ dvijāḥ

'Thus, O best of the twice-born, all that I have said shall come to pass. Go now to the Daru forest, all you Brahmins, rich in austerity. Instructed by me, all of you, go to the Daru forest, O twice-born ones.'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.308.64)

ततस्तु संप्राप्य महद्वचो मम सर्वे प्रहृष्टा मुनयो महोदयम्। गत्वा च तद्दारुवनं महेश्वरि पुनश्च चेरुः सुतपस्तपोधनाः

tatastu saṁprāpya mahadvaco mama sarve prahṛṣṭā munayo mahodayam| gatvā ca taddāruvanaṁ maheśvari punaśca ceruḥ sutapastapodhanāḥ

Then, having received my great and auspicious word, all the sages, greatly delighted, went to that Daru forest, O Maheshvari, and the ascetics again practiced excellent austerity.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.308.65)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्देवि मूलचण्डीशसंज्ञितम्। लिंगं पापहरं नृणामर्धचन्द्रेण भूषितम्

etasmātkāraṇāddevi mūlacaṇḍīśasaṁjñitam| liṁgaṁ pāpaharaṁ nṛṇāmardhacandreṇa bhūṣitam

For this reason, O Goddess, the linga named Mulachandisha, adorned with the crescent moon, removes the sins of men.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.308.66)

दोहनी दुग्धदानेन मुनीनां तृषितात्मनाम्। श्रमापहारं यद्देवि त्वया कृतमनुत्तमम्। तत्तप्तोदकनाम्ना वा अभूत्कुण्डं धरातले

dohanī dugdhadānena munīnāṁ tṛṣitātmanām| śramāpahāraṁ yaddevi tvayā kṛtamanuttamam| tattaptodakanāmnā vā abhūtkuṇḍaṁ dharātale

By giving milk to the thirsty sages, that unsurpassed removal of their fatigue which was accomplished by you, O Goddess — that became, on the surface of the earth, the pool known by the name Taptodaka, 'warm water'.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.308.67)

ऋषितोयाजले स्नात्वा चण्डीशं यः प्रपूजयेत्। स प्रचण्डो भवेद्भूमौ भुवनानामधीश्वरः

ṛṣitoyājale snātvā caṇḍīśaṁ yaḥ prapūjayet| sa pracaṇḍo bhavedbhūmau bhuvanānāmadhīśvaraḥ

Whoever bathes in that pool of the sages' water and thereafter worships Chandisha becomes, on earth, mighty and supreme lord of the worlds.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.308.68)

एतत्संक्षेपतो देवि माहात्म्यं कीर्तितं तव। मूलचण्डीशदेवस्य श्रुतं पातकनाशनम्

etatsaṁkṣepato devi māhātmyaṁ kīrtitaṁ tava| mūlacaṇḍīśadevasya śrutaṁ pātakanāśanam

Thus, O Goddess, this greatness of the god Mulachandisha has been declared to you in brief; even the hearing of it destroys sin.