The Glory of Unnata-sthana

Verse 1 (skanda.7.319.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि ह्युन्नतस्थानमुत्तमम्। तस्यैवोत्तरदिग्भाग ऋषितोयातटे शुभे

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi hyunnatasthānamuttamam| tasyaivottaradigbhāga ṛṣitoyātaṭe śubhe

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the excellent Unnata-sthana, in the northern part of that very place, on the auspicious bank of the Rishitoya.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.319.2)

एतत्स्थानं महादेवि विप्रेभ्यः प्राददां बलात्। सर्वसीमासमायुक्तं चंडीगणसुरक्षितम्

etatsthānaṁ mahādevi viprebhyaḥ prādadāṁ balāt| sarvasīmāsamāyuktaṁ caṁḍīgaṇasurakṣitam

O great Goddess, this place I gave by force to the Brahmins, complete with all its boundaries, protected by the hosts of Chandi.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.319.3)

देव्युवाच। कथमुन्नतनामास्य बभूव सुरसत्तम। कथं त्वया बलाद्दत्तं कियत्सीमासमन्वितम्

devyuvāca| kathamunnatanāmāsya babhūva surasattama| kathaṁ tvayā balāddattaṁ kiyatsīmāsamanvitam

The Goddess said: O best of gods, how did its name Unnata come about? How was it given by you by force, and with what extent of boundary?

Verse 4 (skanda.7.319.4)

एतत्सर्वं ममाचक्ष्व संक्षेपान्नातिविस्तरात्

etatsarvaṁ mamācakṣva saṁkṣepānnātivistarāt

Tell me all this briefly, without excessive elaboration.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.319.5)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम्। यां श्रुत्वा मानवो देवि मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm| yāṁ śrutvā mānavo devi mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Ishvara said: Listen, O Goddess, I shall tell a story that destroys sin, hearing which, O Goddess, a man is freed from all sins.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.319.6)

एतत्सर्वं पुरा प्रोक्तं स्थानसंकेतकारणम्। तृतीये ब्रह्मणः कुंडे सृष्टिसंक्षेपसूचके

etatsarvaṁ purā proktaṁ sthānasaṁketakāraṇam| tṛtīye brahmaṇaḥ kuṁḍe sṛṣṭisaṁkṣepasūcake

All this, the reason for the naming of this place, was told before, in the third section, at Brahma's kunda, which briefly indicates the account of creation.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.319.7)

तथापि ते प्रवक्ष्यामि संक्षेपाच्छृणु पार्वति

tathāpi te pravakṣyāmi saṁkṣepācchṛṇu pārvati

Nevertheless, I shall tell it to you; listen briefly, O Parvati.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.319.8)

उन्नामितं पुनस्तत्र यत्र लिंगं महोदये। तदुन्नतमिति प्रोक्तं स्थानं स्थानवतां वरम्

unnāmitaṁ punastatra yatra liṁgaṁ mahodaye| tadunnatamiti proktaṁ sthānaṁ sthānavatāṁ varam

There, where the great and auspicious linga was again raised up, that place is called Unnata, best among sacred places.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.319.9)

अथवा चोन्नतं द्वारं पूर्वं प्राभासिकस्य वै। तदुन्नतमिति प्रोक्तं स्थानं स्थानवतां वरम्

athavā connataṁ dvāraṁ pūrvaṁ prābhāsikasya vai| tadunnatamiti proktaṁ sthānaṁ sthānavatāṁ varam

Or else, because it forms the raised, eastern gateway of the Prabhasa region, that place is called Unnata, best among sacred places.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.319.10)

विद्यया तपसा चैव यत्रोत्कृष्टा महर्षयः। तदुन्नतमिति प्रोक्तं स्थानं स्थानवतां वरम्

vidyayā tapasā caiva yatrotkṛṣṭā maharṣayaḥ| tadunnatamiti proktaṁ sthānaṁ sthānavatāṁ varam

Or, where the great sages were elevated through knowledge and austerity, that place is called Unnata, best among sacred places.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.319.11)

यदा देवकुले विप्रा मूलचंडीशसंज्ञकम्। प्रसाद्य च महादेवं पुनः प्राप्ता महोदयम्

yadā devakule viprā mūlacaṁḍīśasaṁjñakam| prasādya ca mahādevaṁ punaḥ prāptā mahodayam

When the Brahmins at Devakula, having propitiated the great god named Mulachandisha, again attained great fortune—

Verse 12 (skanda.7.319.12)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि तपस्तेपुर्महर्षयः। ध्यायमाना महेशानमनादिनिधनं परम्

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi tapastepurmaharṣayaḥ| dhyāyamānā maheśānamanādinidhanaṁ param

—the great sages practiced austerity for sixty thousand years, meditating upon the great Lord, beginningless, endless, supreme.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.319.13)

तेषु वै तप्यमानेषु कोटिसंख्येषु पार्वति। ऋषितोयातटे रम्ये पवित्रे पापनाशने। भिक्षुर्भूत्वा गतश्चाहं पुनस्तत्रैव भामिनि

teṣu vai tapyamāneṣu koṭisaṁkhyeṣu pārvati| ṛṣitoyātaṭe ramye pavitre pāpanāśane| bhikṣurbhūtvā gataścāhaṁ punastatraiva bhāmini

While those, numbering in the crores, O Parvati, were practicing austerity on the delightful, sacred, sin-destroying bank of the Rishitoya, I again went there, having become a mendicant, O radiant one.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.319.14)

त्रिकालं दर्शिभिस्तत्र दोषरागविवर्जितैः। तपस्विभिस्तदा सर्वैर्लक्षितोऽहं वरानने

trikālaṁ darśibhistatra doṣarāgavivarjitaiḥ| tapasvibhistadā sarvairlakṣito'haṁ varānane

O fair-faced one, I was then noticed by all those ascetics there, free from fault and passion, who beheld the three daily observances.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.319.15)

दृष्टमात्रस्तदा विप्रैर्विरराम महेश्वरः। क्व यासि विदितो देव इत्युक्त्वानुययुर्द्विजाः

dṛṣṭamātrastadā viprairvirarāma maheśvaraḥ| kva yāsi vidito deva ityuktvānuyayurdvijāḥ

As soon as he was seen by the Brahmins, Maheshvara stopped. 'Where are you going, O god, now that you are recognized?' saying this, the Brahmins followed after him.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.319.16)

यावदायांति मुनय ईशेशेति प्रभाषकाः। धावमानाः स्वतपसा द्योतयन्तो दिशोदश

yāvadāyāṁti munaya īśeśeti prabhāṣakāḥ| dhāvamānāḥ svatapasā dyotayanto diśodaśa

As the sages came, calling out 'O Lord, O Lord', running, illuminating the ten directions with their own radiance born of austerity—

Verse 17 (skanda.7.319.17)

लिंगमेव प्रपश्यंति न पश्यंति महेश्वरम्

liṁgameva prapaśyaṁti na paśyaṁti maheśvaram

—they saw only the linga; they did not see Maheshvara himself.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.319.18)

येये च ददृशुर्लिंगं मूलचण्डीशसंज्ञकम्। तदा च मुनयः सर्वे सदेहाः स्वर्गमाययुः

yeye ca dadṛśurliṁgaṁ mūlacaṇḍīśasaṁjñakam| tadā ca munayaḥ sarve sadehāḥ svargamāyayuḥ

And whichever sages beheld the linga named Mulachandisha, all those sages then went to heaven in their own bodies.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.319.19)

यदा त्रिविष्टपं व्याप्तं दृष्टं वै शतयज्वना। आयांति च तथैवान्ये मुनयस्तपसोज्वलाः

yadā triviṣṭapaṁ vyāptaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ vai śatayajvanā| āyāṁti ca tathaivānye munayastapasojjvalāḥ

When Indra, the performer of a hundred sacrifices, saw that heaven had become overcrowded, and other sages, blazing with austerity, kept arriving likewise—

Verse 20 (skanda.7.319.20)

एतदंतरमासाद्य समागत्य महीतले। लिंगमाच्छादयामास वज्रेणैव शतक्रतुः

etadaṁtaramāsādya samāgatya mahītale| liṁgamācchādayāmāsa vajreṇaiva śatakratuḥ

—taking this opportunity, Indra came down to the surface of the earth and covered the linga with his own thunderbolt.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.319.21)

अष्टादशसहस्राणि मुनीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्। स्थितानि न तु पश्यंति लिंगमेतदनुत्तमम्

aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇi munīnāmūrdhvaretasām| sthitāni na tu paśyaṁti liṁgametadanuttamam

Eighteen thousand sages of unbroken chastity stood there, but they could not see this most excellent linga.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.319.22)

शक्रस्तु सहसा दृष्टो वज्रेणैव समन्वितः। यावद्वदंति शापं ते तावन्नष्टः पुरंदरः

śakrastu sahasā dṛṣṭo vajreṇaiva samanvitaḥ| yāvadvadaṁti śāpaṁ te tāvannaṣṭaḥ puraṁdaraḥ

But Indra was suddenly seen, still holding the vajra; just as the sages were about to utter a curse, Purandara vanished.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.319.23)

दृष्ट्वा तान्कोपसंयुक्तान्भगवांस्त्रिपुरांतकः। उवाच सांत्वयन्देवो वाचा मधुरया मुनीन्

dṛṣṭvā tānkopasaṁyuktānbhagavāṁstripurāṁtakaḥ| uvāca sāṁtvayandevo vācā madhurayā munīn

Seeing them filled with anger, the Lord, the Slayer of Tripura, the god, spoke to the sages consolingly with sweet words.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.319.24)

कथं खिन्ना द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सदा शांतिपरायणाः। प्रसन्नवदना भूत्वा श्रूयतां वचनं मम

kathaṁ khinnā dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sadā śāṁtiparāyaṇāḥ| prasannavadanā bhūtvā śrūyatāṁ vacanaṁ mama

'Why are you distressed, O best of the twice-born, who are always devoted to peace? Becoming cheerful of countenance, hear my words.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.319.25)

भवद्भिर्ज्ञानसंयुक्तैः स्वर्गः किं मन्यते बहु। यत्रैके वसवः प्रोक्ता आदित्याश्च तथा परे

bhavadbhirjñānasaṁyuktaiḥ svargaḥ kiṁ manyate bahu| yatraike vasavaḥ proktā ādityāśca tathā pare

'Why should heaven be considered so great by you, who are possessed of knowledge — that heaven where some are called Vasus, and others Adityas—'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.319.26)

रुद्रसंज्ञास्तथा चैके ह्यश्विनावपि चापरौ। एतेषामधिपः कश्चिदेक इन्द्रः प्रकीर्तितः

rudrasaṁjñāstathā caike hyaśvināvapi cāparau| eteṣāmadhipaḥ kaścideka indraḥ prakīrtitaḥ

'—some are named Rudras, and yet others the two Ashvins — over these, some one is proclaimed lord, called Indra.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.319.27)

स्वपुण्यसंख्यया प्राप्ते यस्माद्विभ्रश्यते नरैः। एवं दुःखसमायुक्तः स्वर्गो नैवेष्यते बुधैः

svapuṇyasaṁkhyayā prāpte yasmādvibhraśyate naraiḥ| evaṁ duḥkhasamāyuktaḥ svargo naiveṣyate budhaiḥ

'—since that status, attained by the measure of one's own merit, is fallen from by men when it is exhausted, heaven, thus conjoined with sorrow, is never desired by the wise.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.319.28)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्विप्राः कुरुध्वं वचनं मम। गृह्णीध्वं नगरं रम्यं निवासाय महाप्रभम्

etasmātkāraṇādviprāḥ kurudhvaṁ vacanaṁ mama| gṛhṇīdhvaṁ nagaraṁ ramyaṁ nivāsāya mahāprabham

'For this reason, O Brahmins, follow my word. Accept a delightful, greatly resplendent city for your dwelling.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.319.29)

हूयंतामग्निहोत्राणि देवताः सर्वदा द्विजाः। इज्यंतां विविधैर्यागैः क्रियतां पितृपूजनम्

hūyaṁtāmagnihotrāṇi devatāḥ sarvadā dvijāḥ| ijyaṁtāṁ vividhairyāgaiḥ kriyatāṁ pitṛpūjanam

'—let the Agnihotra oblations always be offered, O Brahmins; let the gods be worshipped with various sacrifices; let the worship of ancestors be performed.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.319.30)

आतिथ्यं क्रियतां नित्यं वेदाभ्यासस्तथैव हि

ātithyaṁ kriyatāṁ nityaṁ vedābhyāsastathaiva hi

'Let hospitality to guests always be practiced, and likewise the study of the Vedas.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.319.31)

एवं हि कुर्वतां नित्यं विना ज्ञानस्य संचयैः। प्रसादान्मम विप्रेन्द्राः प्रांते मुक्तिर्भविष्यति

evaṁ hi kurvatāṁ nityaṁ vinā jñānasya saṁcayaiḥ| prasādānmama viprendrāḥ prāṁte muktirbhaviṣyati

'For those who always act thus, even without the accumulation of philosophical knowledge, O lords of the Brahmins, by my grace liberation shall come in the end.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.319.32)

ऋषय ऊचुः। असमर्थाः परित्राणे जिताहारास्तपोन्विताः। नगरेणेह किं कुर्मस्तव भक्तिमभीप्सवः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| asamarthāḥ paritrāṇe jitāhārāstaponvitāḥ| nagareṇeha kiṁ kurmastava bhaktimabhīpsavaḥ

The sages said: Incapable of self-protection, having conquered our need for food, devoted to austerity, desiring only devotion to you — what shall we do here with a city?

Verse 33 (skanda.7.319.33)

ईश्वर उवाच। भविष्यति सदा भक्तिर्युष्माकं परमेश्वरे। गृह्णीध्वं नगरं रम्यं कुरुध्वं वचनं मम

īśvara uvāca| bhaviṣyati sadā bhaktiryuṣmākaṁ parameśvare| gṛhṇīdhvaṁ nagaraṁ ramyaṁ kurudhvaṁ vacanaṁ mama

Ishvara said: Your devotion to the Supreme Lord shall always remain. Accept the delightful city; follow my word.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.319.34)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देव ईषन्मीलितलोचनः। सस्मार विश्वकर्माणं सर्वशिल्पवतां वरम्

ityuktvā bhagavāndeva īṣanmīlitalocanaḥ| sasmāra viśvakarmāṇaṁ sarvaśilpavatāṁ varam

Having said this, the Lord God, with eyes half-closed, called to mind Vishvakarma, the foremost of all craftsmen.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.319.35)

स्मृतमात्रो विश्वकर्मा प्रांजलिश्चाग्रतः स्थितः। आज्ञापयतु मां देवो वचनं करवाणि ते

smṛtamātro viśvakarmā prāṁjaliścāgrataḥ sthitaḥ| ājñāpayatu māṁ devo vacanaṁ karavāṇi te

As soon as he was thought of, Vishvakarma stood before him with joined palms: 'Let the Lord command me; I shall carry out your word.'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.319.36)

ईश्वर उवाच। नगरं क्रियतां त्वष्टर्विप्रार्थं सुंदरं शुभम्

īśvara uvāca| nagaraṁ kriyatāṁ tvaṣṭarviprārthaṁ suṁdaraṁ śubham

Ishvara said: O Tvashtar, let a beautiful and auspicious city be made for the sake of the Brahmins.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.319.37)

इत्युक्तो विश्वकर्मा स भूमिं वीक्ष्य समंततः। उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा शंकरं लोकशंकरम्

ityukto viśvakarmā sa bhūmiṁ vīkṣya samaṁtataḥ| uvāca praṇato bhūtvā śaṁkaraṁ lokaśaṁkaram

Thus addressed, Vishvakarma, surveying the land on all sides, bowed and spoke to Shankara, the benefactor of the world.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.319.38)

परीक्षिता मया भूमिर्न युक्तं नगरं त्विह। अत्र देवकुलं साक्षाल्लिंगस्य पतनं तथा

parīkṣitā mayā bhūmirna yuktaṁ nagaraṁ tviha| atra devakulaṁ sākṣālliṁgasya patanaṁ tathā

'I have examined the land; a city is not fitting here. Here is Devakula itself, and the very site of the linga's fall.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.319.39)

यतिभिश्चात्र वस्तव्यं न युक्तं गृहमेधिनाम्

yatibhiścātra vastavyaṁ na yuktaṁ gṛhamedhinām

'This is a place for ascetics to dwell; it is not fitting for householders.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.319.40)

त्रिरात्रं पंचरात्रं वा सप्तरात्रं महेश्वर। पक्षं मासमृतुं वापि ह्ययनं यावदेव च। पुत्रदारयुतैस्तीर्थे वस्तव्यं गृहमेधिभिः

trirātraṁ paṁcarātraṁ vā saptarātraṁ maheśvara| pakṣaṁ māsamṛtuṁ vāpi hyayanaṁ yāvadeva ca| putradārayutaistīrthe vastavyaṁ gṛhamedhibhiḥ

'For three nights, or five, or seven, O Maheshvara, or a fortnight, a month, a season, or at most a half-year — a tirtha is where householders, together with children and wife, should dwell.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.319.41)

वसत्यूर्ध्वं तु षण्मासाद्यदा तीर्थे गृहाधिपः। अवज्ञा जायते तस्य मनश्चापल्यभावतः। तदा धर्माद्विनश्यंति सकला गृहमेधिनः

vasatyūrdhvaṁ tu ṣaṇmāsādyadā tīrthe gṛhādhipaḥ| avajñā jāyate tasya manaścāpalyabhāvataḥ| tadā dharmādvinaśyaṁti sakalā gṛhamedhinaḥ

'But when the master of a household dwells at a tirtha for more than six months, disrespect for the place arises in him owing to the fickleness of his mind; then all householders fall away from dharma.'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.319.42)

इत्युक्तः स तदा देवस्तेन वै विश्वकर्मणा। पुनः प्रोवाच तं तस्य प्रशस्य वचनं शिवः

ityuktaḥ sa tadā devastena vai viśvakarmaṇā| punaḥ provāca taṁ tasya praśasya vacanaṁ śivaḥ

Thus addressed by Vishvakarma, the god Shiva, praising his words, spoke to him again.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.319.43)

रोचते मे न वासोऽत्र विप्राणां गृहमेधिनाम्। यत्र चोन्नामितं लिंगमृषितोयातटे शुभे। तत्र निर्मापय त्वष्टर्नगरं शिल्पिनां वर

rocate me na vāso'tra viprāṇāṁ gṛhamedhinām| yatra connāmitaṁ liṁgamṛṣitoyātaṭe śubhe| tatra nirmāpaya tvaṣṭarnagaraṁ śilpināṁ vara

'I too am not pleased at the dwelling of householder Brahmins here. Where the linga was raised, on the auspicious bank of the Rishitoya, there, O Tvashtar, best of craftsmen, cause the city to be built.'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.319.44)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वकर्मा त्वरान्वितः। गत्वा चकार नगरं शिल्पिकोटिभिरावृतः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viśvakarmā tvarānvitaḥ| gatvā cakāra nagaraṁ śilpikoṭibhirāvṛtaḥ

Hearing his word, Vishvakarma, filled with haste, went and built the city, surrounded by crores of craftsmen.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.319.45)

उन्नतं नाम यल्लोके विख्यातं सुरसुन्दरि। ततो हृष्टमना भूत्वा विलोक्य नगरं शिवः। आहूय ब्राह्मणान्सर्वानुवाचानतकन्धरः

unnataṁ nāma yalloke vikhyātaṁ surasundari| tato hṛṣṭamanā bhūtvā vilokya nagaraṁ śivaḥ| āhūya brāhmaṇānsarvānuvācānatakandharaḥ

O beautiful one among gods, that city became known in the world by the name Unnata. Then Shiva, becoming glad of heart at the sight of the city, summoning all the Brahmins, spoke with bowed head.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.319.46)

इदं स्थानं वरं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। ग्रामाणां च सहस्रैस्तु प्रोक्तं सर्वासु दिक्षु च

idaṁ sthānaṁ varaṁ ramyaṁ nirmitaṁ viśvakarmaṇā| grāmāṇāṁ ca sahasraistu proktaṁ sarvāsu dikṣu ca

'This excellent, delightful place has been built by Vishvakarma, declared to be surrounded by thousands of villages in all directions.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.319.47)

नगरात्सर्वतः पुण्यो देशो नग्नहरः स्मृतः। अष्टयोजनविस्तीर्ण आयामव्यासतस्तथा

nagarātsarvataḥ puṇyo deśo nagnaharaḥ smṛtaḥ| aṣṭayojanavistīrṇa āyāmavyāsatastathā

'The sacred territory surrounding the city on all sides is called Nagnahara, extending eight yojanas both in length and breadth.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.319.48)

नग्नो भूत्वा हरो यत्र देशे भ्रांतो यदृच्छया। तं नग्नहरमित्याहुर्देशं पुण्यतमं जनाः

nagno bhūtvā haro yatra deśe bhrāṁto yadṛcchayā| taṁ nagnaharamityāhurdeśaṁ puṇyatamaṁ janāḥ

That territory where Hara wandered naked and at will, people call Nagnahara, the most sacred territory.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.319.49)

पूर्वे तु शांकरी चार्या पश्चिमे न्यंकुमत्यपि। उत्तरे कनकनंदा दक्षिणे सागरावधिः। एतदंतरमासाद्य देशो नग्नहरः स्मृतः

pūrve tu śāṁkarī cāryā paścime nyaṁkumatyapi| uttare kanakanaṁdā dakṣiṇe sāgarāvadhiḥ| etadaṁtaramāsādya deśo nagnaharaḥ smṛtaḥ

To the east is the Shankari and the Arya, to the west the Nyankumati, to the north the Kanakananda, and to the south the ocean's limit — encompassing this span, the territory is called Nagnahara.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.319.50)

अष्टयोजनमानेन आयामव्यासतस्तथा। प्रोक्तोऽयं सकलो देश उन्नतेन समं मया

aṣṭayojanamānena āyāmavyāsatastathā| prokto'yaṁ sakalo deśa unnatena samaṁ mayā

By the measure of eight yojanas in length and breadth, this entire territory has been proclaimed by me, together with Unnata.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.319.51)

गृह्यतां नगरश्रेष्ठं प्रसीदध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः। अत्र भक्तिश्च मुक्तिश्च भविष्यति न संशयः

gṛhyatāṁ nagaraśreṣṭhaṁ prasīdadhvaṁ dvijottamāḥ| atra bhaktiśca muktiśca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

'Accept this best of cities; be gracious, O best of the twice-born. Here devotion and liberation shall come — there is no doubt.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.319.52)

इत्युक्तास्ते तदा सर्वे विप्रा ऊचुर्महेश्वरम्

ityuktāste tadā sarve viprā ūcurmaheśvaram

Thus addressed, all those Brahmins then spoke to Maheshvara.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.319.53)

विप्रा ऊचुः। ईश्वराज्ञा वृथा कर्तुं न शक्या परमात्मनः। तपोऽग्निहोत्रनिष्ठानां वेदाध्ययनशालिनाम्

viprā ūcuḥ| īśvarājñā vṛthā kartuṁ na śakyā paramātmanaḥ| tapo'gnihotraniṣṭhānāṁ vedādhyayanaśālinām

The Brahmins said: For us who are devoted to austerity and the fire-offering, and given to Vedic study, the command of the Supreme Lord cannot be set at naught.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.319.54)

अस्माकं रक्षिता कोऽस्ति कलिकाले च दारुणे। को दाताऽऽरोग्यदः कश्च को वै मुक्तिं प्रदास्यति

asmākaṁ rakṣitā ko'sti kalikāle ca dāruṇe| ko dātā'rogyadaḥ kaśca ko vai muktiṁ pradāsyati

Who will be our protector in the terrible Kali age? Who will be a giver of wealth? Who will give health? And who indeed will grant liberation?

Verse 55 (skanda.7.319.55)

ईश्वर उवाच। महाकाल स्वरूपेण स्थित्वा तीर्थे महोदये। नाशयिष्यामि शत्रून्वः सम्यगाराधितो ह्यहम्

īśvara uvāca| mahākāla svarūpeṇa sthitvā tīrthe mahodaye| nāśayiṣyāmi śatrūnvaḥ samyagārādhito hyaham

Ishvara said: Abiding in the form of Mahakala at this great and auspicious tirtha, when duly worshipped, I shall destroy your enemies.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.319.56)

उन्नतो विघ्नराजस्तु विघ्नच्छेत्ता भविष्यति। गणनाथस्वरूपोऽयं धनदो निधीनां पतिः

unnato vighnarājastu vighnacchettā bhaviṣyati| gaṇanāthasvarūpo'yaṁ dhanado nidhīnāṁ patiḥ

Vighnaraja at Unnata shall be the remover of obstacles; in the form of the Lord of Ganas, he is the giver of wealth, lord of treasures.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.319.57)

युष्मभ्यं दास्यति द्रव्यं सम्यगाराधितोऽपि सः। आरोग्यदायको नित्यं दुर्गादित्यो भविष्यति

yuṣmabhyaṁ dāsyati dravyaṁ samyagārādhito'pi saḥ| ārogyadāyako nityaṁ durgādityo bhaviṣyati

When duly worshipped, he too shall give you wealth. Durgaditya shall always be the giver of health.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.319.58)

महोदयं महानन्ददायकं वो भविष्यति। सम्यगाराधितो ब्रह्मा सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा। सर्वान्कामांश्च मुक्तिं च युष्मभ्यं संप्रदास्यति

mahodayaṁ mahānaṁdadāyakaṁ vo bhaviṣyati| samyagārādhito brahmā sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā| sarvānkāmāṁśca muktiṁ ca yuṣmabhyaṁ saṁpradāsyati

Mahodaya, Brahma, shall be the giver of great joy to you. Brahma, when duly worshipped, shall always grant you, in all your undertakings, all desires as well as liberation.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.319.59)

विप्रा ऊचुः। यदि तीर्थानि तिष्ठंति सर्वाणि सुरसत्तम। संगालेश्वरतीर्थे च तथा देवकुले शिवे

viprā ūcuḥ| yadi tīrthāni tiṣṭhaṁti sarvāṇi surasattama| saṁgāleśvaratīrthe ca tathā devakule śive

The Brahmins said: If all the tirthas remain, O best of gods — at the Sangaleshvara tirtha, and likewise at holy Devakula—

Verse 60 (skanda.7.319.60)

कलावपि महारौद्रे ह्यस्माकं पावनाय वै। स्थातव्यं तर्हि गृह्णीमो नान्यथा च महेश्वर

kalāvapi mahāraudre hyasmākaṁ pāvanāya vai| sthātavyaṁ tarhi gṛhṇīmo nānyathā ca maheśvara

'—even in the terrible Kali age, for our purification, these must remain — then we shall accept the city, and not otherwise, O Maheshvara.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.319.61)

स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय ददौ तेभ्यः पुरं वरम्। सप्तभौमैः शशांकाभैः प्रासादैः परिभूषितम्। नानाग्रामसमायुक्तं सर्वतः सीमयान्वितम्

sa tatheti pratijñāya dadau tebhyaḥ puraṁ varam| saptabhaumaiḥ śaśāṁkābhaiḥ prāsādaiḥ paribhūṣitam| nānāgrāmasamāyuktaṁ sarvataḥ sīmayānvitam

He, saying 'so be it,' made his promise, and gave them the excellent city, adorned with seven-storied palaces radiant as the moon, joined with many villages, and furnished with boundaries on every side.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.319.62)

सूत उवाच। एवं तेभ्यो हि नगरं दत्त्वा देवो महेश्वरः। ददर्श विश्वकर्माणं प्राञ्जलिं पुरतः स्थितम्

sūta uvāca| evaṁ tebhyo hi nagaraṁ dattvā devo maheśvaraḥ| dadarśa viśvakarmāṇaṁ prāñjaliṁ purataḥ sthitam

Suta said: Thus, having given them the city, the god Maheshvara saw Vishvakarma standing before him with joined palms.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.319.63)

विश्वकर्मोवाच। विलोक्यतां महादेव नगरं नगरोपमम्। सौवर्णस्थलमारुह्य निर्मितं त्वत्प्रसादतः

viśvakarmovāca| vilokyatāṁ mahādeva nagaraṁ nagaropamam| sauvarṇasthalamāruhya nirmitaṁ tvatprasādataḥ

Vishvakarma said: O great god, behold this city, unequalled among cities, built upon a golden mound, by your grace.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.319.64)

विश्वकर्मवचः श्रुत्वा भगवांस्त्रिपुरान्तकः। समारुरोह स्थलकं सह सर्वैर्महर्षिभिः

viśvakarmavacaḥ śrutvā bhagavāṁstripurāntakaḥ| samāruroha sthalakaṁ saha sarvairmaharṣibhiḥ

Hearing Vishvakarma's words, the Lord, the Slayer of Tripura, ascended that mound together with all the great sages.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.319.65)

नगरं विलोकयामास रम्यं प्राकारमण्डितम्। ऋषयस्तुष्टुवुः सर्वे तत्रस्थं त्रिपुरान्तकम्। तानुवाच महादेवो वृणुध्वं वरमुत्तमम्

nagaraṁ vilokayāmāsa ramyaṁ prākāramaṁḍitam| ṛṣayastuṣṭuvuḥ sarve tatrasthaṁ tripurāntakam| tānuvāca mahādevo vṛṇudhvaṁ varamuttamam

He beheld the delightful city, adorned with ramparts. All the sages there praised the Slayer of Tripura. Mahadeva said to them: 'Choose an excellent boon.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.319.66)

ऋषय ऊचुः। यदि तुष्टो महादेव स्थलकेश्वरनामभृत्। अवलोकयंश्च नगरं सदा तिष्ठ स्थले हर

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| yadi tuṣṭo mahādeva sthalakeśvaranāmabhṛt| avalokayaṁśca nagaraṁ sadā tiṣṭha sthale hara

The sages said: If you are pleased, O great god, then, bearing the name Sthalakeshvara, forever remain on this mound, O Hara, watching over the city.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.319.67)

इत्युक्तस्तैस्तदा देवः स्थलकेऽस्मिन्सदा स्थितः। कृते रत्नमयं देवि त्रेतायां च हिरण्मयम्

ityuktastaistadā devaḥ sthalake'sminsadā sthitaḥ| kṛte ratnamayaṁ devi tretāyāṁ ca hiraṇmayam

Thus addressed by them, the god has since remained always on this mound. In the Krita age, O Goddess, it is made of jewels, and in the Treta age, of gold—

Verse 68 (skanda.7.319.68)

रौप्यं च द्वापरे प्रोक्तं स्थलमश्ममयं कलौ। एवं तत्र स्थितो देवः स्थलकेश्वरनामतः

raupyaṁ ca dvāpare proktaṁ sthalamaśmamayaṁ kalau| evaṁ tatra sthito devaḥ sthalakeśvaranāmataḥ

—in Dvapara it is said to be of silver, and in Kali, of stone. Thus the god abides there under the name Sthalakeshvara.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.319.69)

सदा पूज्यो महादेव उन्नतस्थानवासिभिः। माघे मासि चतुर्दश्यां विशेषस्तत्र जागरे

sadā pūjyo mahādeva unnatasthānavāsibhiḥ| māghe māsi caturdaśyāṁ viśeṣastatra jāgare

He is always worshipped by those dwelling at Unnata-sthana; on the fourteenth day of the month of Magha, a night-vigil there is especially meritorious.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.319.70)

इत्येतत्कथितं देवि ह्युन्नतस्य महोदयम्। श्रुतं पापहरं नॄणां सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

ityetatkathitaṁ devi hyunnatasya mahodayam| śrutaṁ pāpaharaṁ nṝṇāṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

Thus, O Goddess, has been told the great glory of Unnata; hearing it removes the sins of men and bestows the fruit of all desires.