The Origin of Someshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.7.379.1)

सारस्वत उवाच वस्त्रापथे महाक्षेत्रे नगरे वामने पुरा । पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तो वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः

sārasvata uvāca vastrāpathe mahākṣetre nagare vāmane purā | putraśokābhisaṁtapto vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣiḥ

Sarasvata said: Long ago, at the great sacred field of Vastrapatha, in the city of Vamana, the illustrious sage Vasishtha, tormented by grief for his son -

Verse 2 (skanda.7.379.2)

आजगाम तपस्तप्तुं स्वर्णरेखानदीतटे । ईशानकोणे नगरात्स्वर्णरेखानदीजले

ājagāma tapastaptuṁ svarṇarekhānadītaṭe | īśānakoṇe nagarātsvarṇarekhānadījale

came to perform austerities on the bank of the river Svarnarekha, at the northeast corner of the city, in the waters of the Svarnarekha.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.379.3)

स्नात्वा ध्यात्वा शिवं देवं मनसाऽचिन्तयद्यदा । तदा रुद्रः समायातस्त्रिनेत्रो वृषभध्वजः । महर्षे तव तुष्टोऽहं किं करोमि वदस्व तत्

snātvā dhyātvā śivaṁ devaṁ manasā'cintayadyadā | tadā rudraḥ samāyātastrinetro vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ | maharṣe tava tuṣṭo'haṁ kiṁ karomi vadasva tat

Having bathed and meditated on the god Shiva, when he contemplated him in his mind, Rudra, the three-eyed one bearing the bull-banner, appeared and said: 'O great sage, I am pleased with you; tell me, what shall I do?'

Verse 4 (skanda.7.379.4)

वसिष्ठ उवाच यदि तुष्टो महादेव वरो देयो ममाधुना । तदाऽत्र भवता स्थेयं यावदाचंद्रतारकम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca yadi tuṣṭo mahādeva varo deyo mamādhunā | tadā'tra bhavatā stheyaṁ yāvadācaṁdratārakam

Vasishtha said: If you are pleased, Mahadeva, and a boon is now to be given to me, then you should abide here for as long as the moon and stars endure.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.379.5)

अत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति ये नराः पापकर्मिणः । तेषां पापक्षयो देव कर्तव्यो भवता सदा

atra snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti ye narāḥ pāpakarmiṇaḥ | teṣāṁ pāpakṣayo deva kartavyo bhavatā sadā

Whatever sinful men shall bathe here - the destruction of their sins, O god, should always be brought about by you.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.379.6)

नरा ये पापकर्माणः पूजयंति त्रिलोचनम् । तान्नरान्नय देवेश विमानैः शिवमंदिरम्

narā ye pāpakarmāṇaḥ pūjayaṁti trilocanam | tānnarānnaya deveśa vimānaiḥ śivamaṁdiram

Those sinful men who worship the three-eyed one - lead them, O lord of gods, by celestial chariots to Shiva's abode.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.379.7)

सारस्वत उवाच तथेत्युक्ता हरो देवस्तत्रैवांतर धीयत । हिरण्यकशिपुं हत्वा नरसिंहो महाबलः । त्रैलोक्यमिंद्राय ददौ कालरुद्रं स्वयं ययौ

sārasvata uvāca tathetyuktā haro devastatraivāṁtara dhīyata | hiraṇyakaśipuṁ hatvā narasiṁho mahābalaḥ | trailokyamiṁdrāya dadau kālarudraṁ svayaṁ yayau

Sarasvata said: Saying 'so be it,' the god Hara vanished right there. The mighty Narasimha, having slain Hiranyakashipu, gave the three worlds to Indra and himself went to become Kalarudra.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.379.8)

तदन्वये बलिर्जातः स चातीव बला धिकः । एकातपत्रां पृथिवीं बलिश्चक्रे बलाधिकः । अकृष्टपच्या सुजला धरित्री सस्यशालिनी

tadanvaye balirjātaḥ sa cātīva balā dhikaḥ | ekātapatrāṁ pṛthivīṁ baliścakre balādhikaḥ | akṛṣṭapacyā sujalā dharitrī sasyaśālinī

In that lineage was born the exceedingly mighty Bali. Bali, superior in strength, made the earth his kingdom under a single royal parasol; the earth, well-watered and rich with crops, yielded without even being ploughed.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.379.9)

गन्धवंति च पुष्पाणि रसवंति फलानि च । आस्कन्धफलिनो वृक्षाः पुटके पुटके मधु

gandhavaṁti ca puṣpāṇi rasavaṁti phalāni ca | āskandhaphalino vṛkṣāḥ puṭake puṭake madhu

Flowers were fragrant, fruits full of juice; trees bore fruit right on their trunks, and honey was found in every pod.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.379.10)

चतुर्वेदा द्विजाः सर्वे क्षत्रिया युद्धकोविदाः । गोषु सेवापरा वैश्याः शूद्राः शुश्रूषणे रताः ।

caturvedā dvijāḥ sarve kṣatriyā yuddhakovidāḥ | goṣu sevāparā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāḥ śuśrūṣaṇe ratāḥ |

All the brahmins knew the four Vedas; the kshatriyas were skilled in warfare; the vaishyas were devoted to the care of cattle; the shudras delighted in service.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.379.11)

सदाचारा जनपदा ईतिव्याधिविवर्जिताः । हृष्टपुष्टजनाः सर्वे सदानंदाः सदोद्यताः

sadācārā janapadā ītivyādhivivarjitāḥ | hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanāḥ sarve sadānaṁdāḥ sadodyatāḥ

The lands were well-governed, free of calamity and disease; the people were hale and hearty, ever joyful, ever industrious.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.379.12)

कुंकुमागुरुलिप्तांगाः सुवेषाः साधुमंडिताः । दारिद्र्यदुःखमरणैर्विमुक्ताश्चिरजीविनः

kuṁkumāguruliptāṁgāḥ suveṣāḥ sādhumaṁḍitāḥ | dāridryaduḥkhamaraṇairvimuktāścirajīvinaḥ

Their bodies anointed with saffron and aguru, well-attired, adorned like the virtuous, free from poverty, sorrow, and untimely death, and long-lived.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.379.13)

दीपोद्द्योतितभूभागा रात्रावपि यथा दिने । विचरंति तथा मर्त्या देवा देवालये यथा ।

dīpoddyotitabhūbhāgā rātrāvapi yathā dine | vicaraṁti tathā martyā devā devālaye yathā |

With the land lit by lamps even at night as if by day, mortals moved about just as gods do in the abode of the gods.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.379.14)

पृथिव्यां स्वर्गरूपायां राज्यं चक्रेऽसुरो बलिः । नित्यं विवाहवादित्रैर्नादितं भूपमंदिरम्

pṛthivyāṁ svargarūpāyāṁ rājyaṁ cakre'suro baliḥ | nityaṁ vivāhavāditrairnāditaṁ bhūpamaṁdiram

Over the earth, thus heaven-like, the asura Bali ruled; his royal palace resounded continually with the music of weddings.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.379.15)

धरित्रीं बुभुजे दैत्यो देवराजो यथा दिवि । देवेन्द्रो बलिना नित्यं यज्ञैः संतोषितस्तदा

dharitrīṁ bubhuje daityo devarājo yathā divi | devendro balinā nityaṁ yajñaiḥ saṁtoṣitastadā

The daitya enjoyed the earth just as the king of gods enjoys heaven; Indra, at that time, was continually gratified by Bali's sacrifices.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.379.16)

देवानां दानवानां च नास्ति युद्धं परस्परम् । एक एव महीपालो युद्धं नास्ति धरातले

devānāṁ dānavānāṁ ca nāsti yuddhaṁ parasparam | eka eva mahīpālo yuddhaṁ nāsti dharātale

Between gods and danavas there was no mutual warfare; there was but a single ruler of the earth, and no war anywhere on it.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.379.17)

सपत्नककलिर्नाम नास्ति युद्धं हरेर्गजैः । न सर्प्पनकुलैर्नित्यं न बिडालैश्च मूषकैः

sapatnakakalirnāma nāsti yuddhaṁ harergajaiḥ | na sarppanakulairnityaṁ na biḍālaiśca mūṣakaiḥ

There was no strife of rivals at all; there was no fighting between lion and elephant, nor between snake and mongoose, nor between cat and mouse.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.379.18)

मैत्रीभावं गतं सर्वं जगत्स्थावर जंगमम् । त्रैलोक्यभ्रमणं कृत्वा नारदो नंदने वने

maitrībhāvaṁ gataṁ sarvaṁ jagatsthāvara jaṁgamam | trailokyabhramaṇaṁ kṛtvā nārado naṁdane vane

The whole world, moving and unmoving, had turned to mutual friendship. Having wandered through the three worlds, Narada came to the Nandana grove -

Verse 19 (skanda.7.379.19)

गतो न पश्यते युद्धं त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । तावत्तस्योदरे पीडा महती समजायत

gato na paśyate yuddhaṁ trailokye sacarācare | tāvattasyodare pīḍā mahatī samajāyata

having gone there, he found no war anywhere in the three worlds, moving or unmoving. At that, a great pain arose in his belly.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.379.20)

न मे स्नानादिना कार्यं तर्प्पणैः किं प्रयोजनम् । जपहोमादिना सर्वमन्यथा मम चेष्टितम्

na me snānādinā kāryaṁ tarppaṇaiḥ kiṁ prayojanam | japahomādinā sarvamanyathā mama ceṣṭitam

'I have no need of bathing and the like; what use are libations to me? Recitation, fire-oblation, and the like - my whole way is otherwise,' Narada thought.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.379.21)

तत्स्नानं यत्र युध्यन्ते गजा दंतविघट्टनैः । सा संध्या यत्र निहतैः कबन्धैर्भूर्विभूषिता

tatsnānaṁ yatra yudhyante gajā daṁtavighaṭṭanaiḥ | sā saṁdhyā yatra nihataiḥ kabandhairbhūrvibhūṣitā

'That is my bathing where elephants fight, clashing tusk against tusk; that is my twilight-rite where the earth is adorned with the headless trunks of the slain.'

Verse 22 (skanda.7.379.22)

कुंतघातविनिर्भिन्नगजकुम्भोद्भवासृजा । तृप्यंति यत्र क्रव्यादास्तर्पणं तन्मम प्रियम्

kuṁtaghātavinirbhinnagajakumbhodbhavāsṛjā | tṛpyaṁti yatra kravyādāstarpaṇaṁ tanmama priyam

'That libation is dear to me, where flesh-eating creatures are sated with the blood gushing from elephants' temples split open by spear-thrusts.'

Verse 23 (skanda.7.379.23)

गजशीर्षैरगम्यास्ते निहताः क्षत्रिया रणे । स होमो यत्र हूयंते गजाश्च नरपुंगवाः

gajaśīrṣairagamyāste nihatāḥ kṣatriyā raṇe | sa homo yatra hūyaṁte gajāśca narapuṁgavāḥ

'Where kshatriyas lie slain in battle, made inaccessible by heaps of elephants' heads - that is my fire-oblation, where elephants and the foremost of men are offered as oblations.'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.379.24)

शब्दाग्नौ नारदस्यायं होमस्त्रै लोक्यविश्रुतः । छिन्नपादशिरोहस्तैरंतरांत्रविलबितैः

śabdāgnau nāradasyāyaṁ homastrai lokyaviśrutaḥ | chinnapādaśirohastairaṁtarāṁtravilabitaiḥ

'This is Narada's oblation into the fire of battle-cries, renowned throughout the three worlds - amid severed feet, heads, hands, and trailing entrails.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.379.25)

यदर्च्यते भूमितलं तन्मे नित्यं सुरार्चनम् । किं देवैर्दिवि मे कार्यं किं मनुष्यैर्धरातले

yadarcyate bhūmitalaṁ tanme nityaṁ surārcanam | kiṁ devairdivi me kāryaṁ kiṁ manuṣyairdharātale

'That worship of the earth's surface is my perpetual worship of the gods. What use have I for the gods in heaven, or for men on earth?'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.379.26)

पन्नगैः किं तु पाताले न युध्यन्ते परस्परम् । तथा करिष्ये देवेन्द्रादुपेन्द्राच्च धरातले

pannagaiḥ kiṁ tu pātāle na yudhyante parasparam | tathā kariṣye devendrādupendrācca dharātale

'But even the serpents in the netherworld do not fight amongst themselves! I shall bring it about, then, between Devendra and Upendra on this earth.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.379.27)

रसातलं बलिर्यातु सत्यमस्तु वचो मम । जीवितेनापि राज्येन यदा दामोदरं हरिम्

rasātalaṁ baliryātu satyamastu vaco mama | jīvitenāpi rājyena yadā dāmodaraṁ harim

'Let Bali go to Rasatala - let my word prove true! When, even at the cost of his own life and kingdom, he shall try to appease -'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.379.28)

तोषयिष्यति यत्नेन तदेन्द्रोऽसौ भविष्यति । देवेन्द्रो वृत्रहा भूत्वा भ्रष्टराज्यो भविष्यति

toṣayiṣyati yatnena tadendro'sau bhaviṣyati | devendro vṛtrahā bhūtvā bhraṣṭarājyo bhaviṣyati

'-Damodara, Hari, with all his effort, then he shall become Indra. Devendra, though the slayer of Vritra, shall become bereft of his kingdom.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.379.29)

यदा वस्त्रापथे गत्वा भवं भावेन पूजयेत् । सुराधिपस्तदा भूयो ब्रह्महत्याविवर्जितः

yadā vastrāpathe gatvā bhavaṁ bhāvena pūjayet | surādhipastadā bhūyo brahmahatyāvivarjitaḥ

'When he goes to Vastrapatha and worships Bhava with devotion, then the lord of gods shall again be freed from the sin of brahmin-slaying.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.379.30)

अनेन मन्त्रजाप्येन स शांतोदरवे दनः । नारदो देवराजस्य समीपं सहसा ययौ

anena mantrajāpyena sa śāṁtodarave danaḥ | nārado devarājasya samīpaṁ sahasā yayau

By this muttering of his scheme, his belly-pain now soothed, Narada went suddenly into the presence of the king of the gods.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.379.31)

सिंहासनं समारुह्य नन्दने संस्थितो हरिः । आस्ते परिवृतो देवेर्देवराजो महाबलः ।

siṁhāsanaṁ samāruhya nandane saṁsthito hariḥ | āste parivṛto deverdevarājo mahābalaḥ |

Mounted upon his throne, seated in the Nandana grove, the mighty king of gods, Indra, sat surrounded by the gods.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.379.32)

निरीक्षमाणो नृत्यन्तीं रंभां तां सुरसुन्दरीम् । आयांतं ददृशे देवो नारदं विस्मयान्वितः

nirīkṣamāṇo nṛtyantīṁ raṁbhāṁ tāṁ surasundarīm | āyāṁtaṁ dadṛśe devo nāradaṁ vismayānvitaḥ

While gazing upon Rambha, that beautiful nymph, as she danced, the god saw Narada approaching, and was filled with astonishment.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.379.33)

अहो विरुद्धो भगवान्नारदो मयि दृश्यते । नृत्यते किं न वा नृत्ये गीयते किं न गीयते

aho viruddho bhagavānnārado mayi dṛśyate | nṛtyate kiṁ na vā nṛtye gīyate kiṁ na gīyate

'Ah, the illustrious Narada appears displeased with me. Shall the dance continue or not? Shall the singing continue or not?'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.379.34)

वाद्यतां तालमानैः किं यावच्चिंतापरो हरिः । ऋषिः समागतस्तावज्जलाभ्युक्षणत त्परः

vādyatāṁ tālamānaiḥ kiṁ yāvacciṁtāparo hariḥ | ṛṣiḥ samāgatastāvajjalābhyukṣaṇata tparaḥ

'Shall the instruments keep their rhythm?' - while Indra was thus lost in thought, the sage arrived, intent on sprinkling water in greeting.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.379.35)

सिंहासनं परित्यज्य समुत्थायाग्रतः स्थितः । स्वागतेनाभिवाद्याथ बभाषे नारदं हरिः

siṁhāsanaṁ parityajya samutthāyāgrataḥ sthitaḥ | svāgatenābhivādyātha babhāṣe nāradaṁ hariḥ

Rising up, leaving his throne, standing before him, Indra greeted Narada with welcome and then spoke.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.379.36)

महर्षे स्वागतं तेऽद्य कुतो वाऽऽग म्यते त्वया । स्नाने संध्यार्चने होमे कुशलं तव विद्यते

maharṣe svāgataṁ te'dya kuto vā''ga myate tvayā | snāne saṁdhyārcane home kuśalaṁ tava vidyate

'O great sage, welcome to you today. From where do you come? Is all well with your bathing, twilight worship, and fire-oblation?'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.379.37)

इति प्रोक्तो विहस्याथ बभाषे नारदो हरिम् । यद्येतज्जायते मह्यं किमन्येन प्रयोजनम्

iti prokto vihasyātha babhāṣe nārado harim | yadyetajjāyate mahyaṁ kimanyena prayojanam

Thus addressed, Narada laughed and said to Indra: 'If this much were granted to me, what further need would there be of anything else?'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.379.38)

प्रेक्षणीकस्य ते स्थानं नाहं पश्यामि स्वर्पते । यावद्राज्यं बलेस्तावत्त्वया मे न प्रयोजनम्

prekṣaṇīkasya te sthānaṁ nāhaṁ paśyāmi svarpate | yāvadrājyaṁ balestāvattvayā me na prayojanam

'O lord of heaven, I see no place left for your entertainments. As long as Bali's kingdom stands, I have no use for you.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.379.39)

आदित्याद्या ग्रहाः सर्वे काल मानेन योजिताः । आहुत्या प्लाविता मेघा वर्षंति हृषिता भुवि

ādityādyā grahāḥ sarve kāla mānena yojitāḥ | āhutyā plāvitā meghā varṣaṁti hṛṣitā bhuvi

'All the planets, beginning with the Sun, move fixed by the measure of time; the clouds, filled by oblations, rain joyfully upon the earth.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.379.40)

रोगादिमरणं नास्ति यमो धर्मेण पीडितः

rogādimaraṇaṁ nāsti yamo dharmeṇa pīḍitaḥ

'There is no death from disease and the like; even Yama is troubled by Bali's righteousness.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.379.41)

एकातपत्रां पृथिवीं बुभुजे स नराधिपः । त्रैलोक्यनाथेति महानृपेति संग्रामविद्याकुशलेति नित्यम् । त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीकुचकामुकेति संस्तूयते चारणबंदिवृन्दैः ।४१ । ब्रह्मेति कृष्णेति हरेति भूमाविंद्रेति सूर्येति धनाधिपेति । देवारिनाथेति सुराधिपेति जेगीयते चारणबंदिवृन्दैः

ekātapatrāṁ pṛthivīṁ bubhuje sa narādhipaḥ | trailokyanātheti mahānṛpeti saṁgrāmavidyākuśaleti nityam | trailokyalakṣmīkucakāmuketi saṁstūyate cāraṇabaṁdivṛndaiḥ |41 | brahmeti kṛṣṇeti hareti bhūmāviṁdreti sūryeti dhanādhipeti | devārinātheti surādhipeti jegīyate cāraṇabaṁdivṛndaiḥ

'That lord of men enjoys the earth under a single royal parasol; he is forever hailed by hosts of bards as "Lord of the Three Worlds," "Great King," "Skilled in the Art of War," "Lover of the Bosom of the Three Worlds' Fortune." He is celebrated as "Brahma," "Krishna," "Hari," "Indra," "Surya," "Lord of Wealth," "Lord of the Gods' Foes," "Ruler of the Gods."'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.379.42)

युद्धं विना दैत्यगणा हसंति मत्ताः प्रमत्ताः करिणो नदंति । रथाधिरूढाः पुरुषा भ्रमंति सेनाधिपा स्त्रीषु गृहे रमंति

yuddhaṁ vinā daityagaṇā hasaṁti mattāḥ pramattāḥ kariṇo nadaṁti | rathādhirūḍhāḥ puruṣā bhramaṁti senādhipā strīṣu gṛhe ramaṁti

'Without war, the hosts of daityas laugh; the wild elephants trumpet idly; men mounted on chariots merely wander about; the generals dally with women at home.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.379.43)

यज्ञाग्निधूमेन नभो विराजते सुवर्णरूपा पृथिवी विराजते । शून्यं तु वेदैर्भुवनं च शोभते धिष्ण्यं बलेर्दैर्त्यैगणैश्च शोभते

yajñāgnidhūmena nabho virājate suvarṇarūpā pṛthivī virājate | śūnyaṁ tu vedairbhuvanaṁ ca śobhate dhiṣṇyaṁ balerdairtyaigaṇaiśca śobhate

'The sky is resplendent with the smoke of sacrificial fires, the earth resplendent in its golden form; the world is adorned by the Vedas, and Bali's throne is adorned by his hosts of daityas.'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.379.44)

बलिर्न जानाति सुराधिपं त्वां सुराश्च सर्वे बलियज्ञभोजिनः । त्वमेव तेऽरिं हृदि चिंतय स्वयं युक्तं तवेदं कथितं मयेति

balirna jānāti surādhipaṁ tvāṁ surāśca sarve baliyajñabhojinaḥ | tvameva te'riṁ hṛdi ciṁtaya svayaṁ yuktaṁ tavedaṁ kathitaṁ mayeti

'Bali does not even acknowledge you as the lord of gods, though all the gods live off the offerings of Bali's sacrifices. You yourself should hold him an enemy in your own heart - this fitting counsel I have given you.'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.379.45)

रंभा न राजते रंगे मेनका त्वां न मन्यते । तिलोत्तमापि मनुते बलिराजं सुरेश्वरम्

raṁbhā na rājate raṁge menakā tvāṁ na manyate | tilottamāpi manute balirājaṁ sureśvaram

'Rambha does not shine in the dance-hall for you; Menaka pays you no regard; even Tilottama esteems King Bali as the lord of gods.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.379.46)

उर्वशी चैव तं याति सुकेशा सह भाषते । मञ्जुघोषा मुखं वक्त्रं कृत्वा त्वां न निरीक्षते

urvaśī caiva taṁ yāti sukeśā saha bhāṣate | mañjughoṣā mukhaṁ vaktraṁ kṛtvā tvāṁ na nirīkṣate

'Urvashi herself goes to him; Sukesha converses with him; Manjughosha turns her face away and will not even look at you.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.379.47)

पुलोमा पुलकोद्भेदं न करोति बलिं विना । पौलोमी पुरतो गत्वा बलिं स्तौति च मंथरा

pulomā pulakodbhedaṁ na karoti baliṁ vinā | paulomī purato gatvā baliṁ stauti ca maṁtharā

'Puloma feels no thrill of joy without Bali; Paulomi goes before him and praises him, and so does Manthara.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.379.48)

नारदः पर्वतश्चैव हाहा हूहूश्च तुंबुरुः । बलिराज्यं प्रशंसंति रुद्रस्याग्रे मया श्रुतम् ।

nāradaḥ parvataścaiva hāhā hūhūśca tuṁburuḥ | balirājyaṁ praśaṁsaṁti rudrasyāgre mayā śrutam |

'Narada, Parvata, Haha, Huhu, and Tumburu - I myself have heard them praise Bali's rule before Rudra himself.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.379.49)

आज्याहुतीभिः सन्तुष्टा ऋषयो ब्रह्मसद्मनि । ब्रह्मणोऽग्रे प्रशंसंति तदेवं कथितं मया

ājyāhutībhiḥ santuṣṭā ṛṣayo brahmasadmani | brahmaṇo'gre praśaṁsaṁti tadevaṁ kathitaṁ mayā

'The sages, satisfied by his ghee-oblations, praise him even before Brahma in Brahma's own assembly - this too I have told you.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.379.50)

बृहस्पतिर्यदाचष्टे न तद्वाच्यं मया तव । इंद्राणी बलिनं मत्वा बलिं चित्रेषु पश्यति

bṛhaspatiryadācaṣṭe na tadvācyaṁ mayā tava | iṁdrāṇī balinaṁ matvā baliṁ citreṣu paśyati

'What Brihaspati himself says of him, I need not even repeat to you. Indrani herself, thinking of Bali as mighty, gazes at his likeness in paintings.'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.379.51)

अनेन वाक्येन सुराधिपस्तु चचाल कोपावरितस्तदानीम् । गजेति वज्रेति जगाद सूतं समानयासिं कवचं रथं च

anena vākyena surādhipastu cacāla kopāvaritastadānīm | gajeti vajreti jagāda sūtaṁ samānayāsiṁ kavacaṁ rathaṁ ca

At these words, the lord of gods trembled, overcome with rage. 'The elephant! The thunderbolt!' he cried to his charioteer. 'Bring my sword, my armour, and my chariot!'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.379.52)

रथेन सूर्यो मरुतो गजेन वृषेण रुद्रो महिषेण सौरिः । वाद्यंतु वाद्यानि रणाय मेऽद्य चण्डी गणेशास्त्वरिताः प्रयातु

rathena sūryo maruto gajena vṛṣeṇa rudro mahiṣeṇa sauriḥ | vādyaṁtu vādyāni raṇāya me'dya caṇḍī gaṇeśāstvaritāḥ prayātu

'Let Surya come with his chariot, the Maruts, Rudra on his bull, Saturn on his buffalo; let the war-instruments sound this day for my battle; let Chandi and the Ganeshas hasten forth.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.379.53)

दृष्ट्वा सुरेन्द्रं संक्रुद्धं बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः । ऋषिमध्ये गतो विद्वान्बभाषे समयोचितम्

dṛṣṭvā surendraṁ saṁkruddhaṁ bṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ | ṛṣimadhye gato vidvānbabhāṣe samayocitam

Seeing the king of gods so enraged, the noble-minded Brihaspati went among the sages and spoke words fitting the occasion.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.379.54)

सामाद्या नीतयः प्रोक्ताश्चतस्रो मनुना पुरा । सामसाध्येषु कार्येषु दण्डस्तेन न पात्यताम्

sāmādyā nītayaḥ proktāścatasro manunā purā | sāmasādhyeṣu kāryeṣu daṇḍastena na pātyatām

'Four policies, beginning with conciliation, were declared of old by Manu. In matters achievable through conciliation, force should not be resorted to.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.379.55)

अतो ह्युपेन्द्र्माहूय मंत्रयन्तु सुरोत्तमाः । तदधीनं जगत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

ato hyupendrmāhūya maṁtrayantu surottamāḥ | tadadhīnaṁ jagatsarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

'Therefore let the best of the gods summon Upendra and take counsel with him; the whole world, the three realms moving and unmoving, are dependent upon him.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.379.56)

विनष्टेषु च कार्येषु तस्य वाच्यं शुभाशुभम् । स एव प्रथमं गच्छेत्पृथिव्यां स्वार्थसिद्धये

vinaṣṭeṣu ca kāryeṣu tasya vācyaṁ śubhāśubham | sa eva prathamaṁ gacchetpṛthivyāṁ svārthasiddhaye

'And when matters go awry, both good and ill should be told to him; he alone should go first to the earth to accomplish this purpose.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.379.57)

तथेति देवैर्विज्ञप्तस्तथा चक्रे सुरेश्वरः । मन्दरेऽथ गिरौ विष्णुः सत्यलोकात्समागतः

tatheti devairvijñaptastathā cakre sureśvaraḥ | mandare'tha girau viṣṇuḥ satyalokātsamāgataḥ

'So be it,' urged by the gods, thus did the lord of gods do; then Vishnu came from Satyaloka to Mount Mandara.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.379.58)

ऋषयस्तत्र ते यांतु समानेतुं जनार्द्दनम् । इत्युक्तो नारदः स्वर्गात्स्नातुं प्राप्तः स मन्दरे

ṛṣayastatra te yāṁtu samānetuṁ janārddanam | ityukto nāradaḥ svargātsnātuṁ prāptaḥ sa mandare

'Let the sages go there to bring Janardana along' - thus instructed, Narada, having gone from heaven, arrived at Mandara to bathe.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.379.59)

गौतमोऽत्रिर्भरद्वाजो विश्वामित्रोऽथ कश्यपः । जमदग्निर्वसिष्ठश्च संप्राप्ता हरिमन्दिरे

gautamo'trirbharadvājo viśvāmitro'tha kaśyapaḥ | jamadagnirvasiṣṭhaśca saṁprāptā harimandire

Gautama, Atri, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Kashyapa, Jamadagni, and Vasishtha - all arrived at Hari's abode.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.379.60)

गिरौ गंगा जले स्नानं संध्यां चक्रे स नारदः । यावदास्ते तदा हृष्टा वालखिल्या महर्षयः

girau gaṁgā jale snānaṁ saṁdhyāṁ cakre sa nāradaḥ | yāvadāste tadā hṛṣṭā vālakhilyā maharṣayaḥ

On the mountain, in the waters of the Ganga, Narada bathed and performed the twilight rite. While he remained there, the delighted Valakhilya sages appeared.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.379.61)

विनयेनाभिवाद्याथ कथयामास नारदः । ऋषयो मन्दरे प्राप्ता विष्णुं नेतुं सुरालये

vinayenābhivādyātha kathayāmāsa nāradaḥ | ṛṣayo mandare prāptā viṣṇuṁ netuṁ surālaye

Greeting them respectfully, Narada then told them: 'The sages have arrived at Mandara to bring Vishnu to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.379.62)

ऋषयो दर्शनं कर्त्तुं भवतामपि युज्यते । तदेतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हर्षितास्ते महर्षयः

ṛṣayo darśanaṁ karttuṁ bhavatāmapi yujyate | tadetadvacanaṁ śrutvā harṣitāste maharṣayaḥ

'It befits you sages also to obtain his darshan.' Hearing these words, those great sages rejoiced.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.379.63)

अंगुष्ठपर्वमात्रांस्तान्वामनान्हरिमन्दिरे । गतान्गंगाजले स्नातुं वालखिल्यान्पुरो हरिः

aṁguṣṭhaparvamātrāṁstānvāmanānharimandire | gatāngaṁgājale snātuṁ vālakhilyānpuro hariḥ

Those Valakhilyas, each no bigger than the joint of a thumb, went to Hari's abode to bathe in the Ganga's waters; before them, Vishnu -

Verse 64 (skanda.7.379.64)

जहास वामनान्सर्वान्भाविकार्यबलात्ततः । ब्रह्मपुत्रा वालखिल्याः सर्वे ते शंसितव्रताः

jahāsa vāmanānsarvānbhāvikāryabalāttataḥ | brahmaputrā vālakhilyāḥ sarve te śaṁsitavratāḥ

laughed at all those dwarfish sages, by the force of what was destined. All those Valakhilyas, sons of Brahma, were of pure and steadfast vows.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.379.65)

लज्जान्विताः क्रोधपरा उच्चैरूचुः परस्परम् । केनापि देवकार्येण वामनोऽयं भविष्यति

lajjānvitāḥ krodhaparā uccairūcuḥ parasparam | kenāpi devakāryeṇa vāmano'yaṁ bhaviṣyati

Filled with shame and anger, they cried loudly to one another: 'For the sake of some divine purpose, may this one himself become a dwarf!'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.379.66)

ऋषिभिर्वि ष्णुना सर्वे प्रतिबोध्य प्रसादिताः । भाग्यमोक्षः कदा विष्णोर्भविष्यति तदुच्यताम्

ṛṣibhirvi ṣṇunā sarve pratibodhya prasāditāḥ | bhāgyamokṣaḥ kadā viṣṇorbhaviṣyati taducyatām

All of them were then placated and reconciled by Vishnu together with the sages. They asked: 'When shall this curse upon Vishnu be released? Let that be told.'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.379.67)

प्रभासादधिकं क्षेत्रं यदा वस्त्रापथं भवेत् । भविष्यति तदा वृद्धिर्ध्रुवमण्डलव्यापिनी । तथा वस्त्रापथं क्षेत्रं भविष्यति यवाधिकम्

prabhāsādadhikaṁ kṣetraṁ yadā vastrāpathaṁ bhavet | bhaviṣyati tadā vṛddhirdhruvamaṇḍalavyāpinī | tathā vastrāpathaṁ kṣetraṁ bhaviṣyati yavādhikam

'When the sacred field of Vastrapatha shall exceed Prabhasa, then a prosperity shall arise, pervading even to the polar region; thus the sacred field of Vastrapatha shall become greater still, by a barleycorn's measure.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.379.68)

दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं देवं दोषमुक्तो भविष्यति । असाध्यसाधनी शक्तिर्भविष्यति स्थिरा तव

dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ devaṁ doṣamukto bhaviṣyati | asādhyasādhanī śaktirbhaviṣyati sthirā tava

'Having beheld the god Someshvara, he shall be freed from this affliction; the power to accomplish the impossible shall become firmly established in him.'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.379.69)

वस्त्रापथे सोमनाथं यः पश्यति स पश्यति । इन्द्रोपेन्द्रौ समालिंग्याथासीनौ तौ वरासने

vastrāpathe somanāthaṁ yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati | indropendrau samāliṁgyāthāsīnau tau varāsane

'He who beholds Somanatha at Vastrapatha, he truly sees.' Then Indra and Upendra, embracing each other, sat down upon excellent seats.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.379.70)

विष्णुरुवाच किं ते कार्यं देवराज तदवश्यं करोम्यहम्

viṣṇuruvāca kiṁ te kāryaṁ devarāja tadavaśyaṁ karomyaham

Vishnu said: What is your business, O king of gods? Whatever it may be, I shall surely accomplish it.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.379.71)

इन्द्र उवाच हिरण्यकशिपोर्वंशे बलिर्दैत्यो महा बलः । तेनेदं सकलं व्याप्तं देवा यज्ञभुजः कृताः

indra uvāca hiraṇyakaśiporvaṁśe balirdaityo mahā balaḥ | tenedaṁ sakalaṁ vyāptaṁ devā yajñabhujaḥ kṛtāḥ

Indra said: In the lineage of Hiranyakashipu was born the daitya Bali, of immense strength. By him all this has been pervaded; he has made the gods mere partakers of his sacrifices.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.379.72)

देवलोके भूमिलोको गतः सर्वोऽपि केशव । यावन्नो विकृतिं याति पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् । भ्रष्टराज्यो बलिस्तावत्पातालमधितिष्ठतु

devaloke bhūmiloko gataḥ sarvo'pi keśava | yāvanno vikṛtiṁ yāti pūrvavairamanusmaran | bhraṣṭarājyo balistāvatpātālamadhitiṣṭhatu

'The world of gods has entirely become like the mortal world, O Keshava. So long as he does not turn hostile, remembering our former enmity - let Bali, deprived of his kingdom, dwell in Patala instead.'

Verse 73 (skanda.7.379.73)

सूर्यसोमान्वये कश्चिद्राजा भवतु भूतले

sūryasomānvaye kaścidrājā bhavatu bhūtale

'And let some king of the Solar or Lunar dynasty rule upon the earth instead.'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.379.74)

सारस्वत उवाच इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्वयं संचिन्त्य चेतसा । तथा करिष्ये तं प्रोच्य मुनीन्प्राह जनार्दनः

sārasvata uvāca ityetadvacanaṁ śrutvā svayaṁ saṁcintya cetasā | tathā kariṣye taṁ procya munīnprāha janārdanaḥ

Sarasvata said: Having heard these words, and having reflected within himself, saying 'I shall do so,' Janardana then addressed the sages.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.379.75)

ऋषयस्तत्र गच्छंतु कारयन्तु महामखम् । अहं तत्रागमिष्यामि साधयिष्यामि तं बलिम्

ṛṣayastatra gacchaṁtu kārayantu mahāmakham | ahaṁ tatrāgamiṣyāmi sādhayiṣyāmi taṁ balim

'Let the sages go there and have a great sacrifice performed; I shall come there and shall accomplish my purpose with that Bali.'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.379.76)

इत्युक्ता मुनयः सर्वे गतास्ते यज्ञमण्डपे । द्वादशाहो महायज्ञः प्रारब्धः सर्वदक्षिणः

ityuktā munayaḥ sarve gatāste yajñamaṇḍape | dvādaśāho mahāyajñaḥ prārabdhaḥ sarvadakṣiṇaḥ

Thus told, all the sages went to the sacrificial pavilion; a great twelve-day sacrifice, with gifts of every kind, was begun.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.379.77)

सुराष्ट्रदेशं विख्यातं क्षेत्रं वस्त्रापथं नृप । तस्य दक्षिणदिग्भागे बलेः सिद्धं महापुरम्

surāṣṭradeśaṁ vikhyātaṁ kṣetraṁ vastrāpathaṁ nṛpa | tasya dakṣiṇadigbhāge baleḥ siddhaṁ mahāpuram

In the renowned land of Saurashtra is the sacred field of Vastrapatha, O king; to its south lies Bali's accomplished great city.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.379.78)

क्षेत्राद्बहिः समारब्धो यज्ञः सर्वस्वदक्षिणः । शुक्रेणामन्त्रिताः सर्वे मुनयो यज्ञकर्मणि । अतिहृष्टो बलिर्यज्ञे ददौ दानान्यनेकधा

kṣetrādbahiḥ samārabdho yajñaḥ sarvasvadakṣiṇaḥ | śukreṇāmantritāḥ sarve munayo yajñakarmaṇi | atihṛṣṭo baliryajñe dadau dānānyanekadhā

Outside the sacred field, the sacrifice was begun, its fees being everything he possessed. All the sages were summoned by Shukra for the rites; Bali, greatly delighted, gave gifts of many kinds during the sacrifice.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.379.79)

स्वर्णपात्रेषु सर्वेषु दीयते भोजनं बहु । अतिथिर्ब्राह्मणो विद्वान्सर्वस्वेनापि पूज्यते । दानाद्यज्ञो भवेत्पूर्णो दानहीनो वृथा भवेत्

svarṇapātreṣu sarveṣu dīyate bhojanaṁ bahu | atithirbrāhmaṇo vidvānsarvasvenāpi pūjyate | dānādyajño bhavetpūrṇo dānahīno vṛthā bhavet

Abundant food was served in vessels all of gold; every learned brahmin guest was honoured with the whole of one's possessions - a sacrifice becomes complete only through giving; without giving, it is in vain.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.379.80)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु विष्णुर्वामनतां गतः । मध्यदेशे चतुर्वेदो ब्राह्मणस्तीर्थयात्रिकः । महोदरो ह्रस्वभुजः खञ्जपादो महाशिराः

etasminneva kāle tu viṣṇurvāmanatāṁ gataḥ | madhyadeśe caturvedo brāhmaṇastīrthayātrikaḥ | mahodaro hrasvabhujaḥ khañjapādo mahāśirāḥ

At this very time, Vishnu took on the form of a dwarf; in the Middle Country he appeared as a brahmin learned in the four Vedas, a pilgrim to sacred fords - with a large belly, short arms, a lame foot, and a large head.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.379.81)

महाहनुः स्थूलजंघः स्थूलग्रीवोऽतिलंपटः । श्वेतवस्त्रो बद्धशिखश्छत्रोपानत्कमण्डलून्

mahāhanuḥ sthūlajaṁghaḥ sthūlagrīvo'tilaṁpaṭaḥ | śvetavastro baddhaśikhaśchatropānatkamaṇḍalūn

with a large jaw, stout calves, a thick neck, eagerly avid, clad in white, his topknot bound, carrying an umbrella, sandals, and a water-pot -

Verse 82 (skanda.7.379.82)

द्रष्टुं तीर्थान्यनेकानि बभ्राम स महीतले । सुराष्ट्रदेशे संप्राप्तः क्षेत्रे वस्त्रापथे द्विजः

draṣṭuṁ tīrthānyanekāni babhrāma sa mahītale | surāṣṭradeśe saṁprāptaḥ kṣetre vastrāpathe dvijaḥ

he wandered over the earth to see many sacred fords; that brahmin arrived in the land of Saurashtra, at the sacred field of Vastrapatha.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.379.83)

स्वर्णरेखा नदीतीरे चिंतयामास वामनः । प्रथमं किं भवं दृष्ट्वा यामि सोमेश्वरं शिवम्

svarṇarekhā nadītīre ciṁtayāmāsa vāmanaḥ | prathamaṁ kiṁ bhavaṁ dṛṣṭvā yāmi someśvaraṁ śivam

On the bank of the river Svarnarekha, Vamana pondered: 'Should I first behold Bhava, and then go on to Someshvara?'

Verse 84 (skanda.7.379.84)

अथ सोमेश्वरं पूज्य पश्चाद्यास्यामि मन्दरम् । इति चिन्तापरो भूत्वा कृत्यं सञ्चिन्त्य चेतसा । अत्र स्थितः सोमनाथं पूजयिष्यामि निश्चितम्

atha someśvaraṁ pūjya paścādyāsyāmi mandaram | iti cintāparo bhūtvā kṛtyaṁ sañcintya cetasā | atra sthitaḥ somanāthaṁ pūjayiṣyāmi niścitam

'Or should I worship Someshvara first, and then go on to Mandara?' Being thus absorbed in thought, he resolved: 'I shall stay right here and surely worship Somanatha.'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.379.85)

वस्त्रापथे महाक्षेत्रे भवं सोमेश्वरं वृथा । पूजयंति जना नित्यं तथा कार्यं मया धुवम्

vastrāpathe mahākṣetre bhavaṁ someśvaraṁ vṛthā | pūjayaṁti janā nityaṁ tathā kāryaṁ mayā dhuvam

'It is not in vain that people constantly worship Bhava Someshvara at the great sacred field of Vastrapatha; I too must surely do the same.'

Verse 86 (skanda.7.379.86)

देशानामुत्तमो देशो गिरीणामुत्तमो गिरिः । क्षेत्राणामुत्तमं क्षेत्रं नदीनामुत्तमा सरित्

deśānāmuttamo deśo girīṇāmuttamo giriḥ | kṣetrāṇāmuttamaṁ kṣetraṁ nadīnāmuttamā sarit

'This is the best of lands, the best of mountains, the best of sacred fields, the best of rivers -'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.379.87)

दिव्यं वनं वनानां तु देवानामुत्तमो भवः । यदा सोमेश्वरो देवो भूमिं भित्त्वा भविष्यति

divyaṁ vanaṁ vanānāṁ tu devānāmuttamo bhavaḥ | yadā someśvaro devo bhūmiṁ bhittvā bhaviṣyati

'-the divine forest among forests, and Bhava the best among gods.' [Sarasvata continues:] When the god Someshvara shall come forth, splitting open the earth -

Verse 88 (skanda.7.379.88)

तदाम्रमण्डले दिव्यं क्षेत्रमेतद्यवाधिकम् । चैत्र शुक्लचतुर्दश्यामग्निसाधनतत्परः

tadāmramaṇḍale divyaṁ kṣetrametadyavādhikam | caitra śuklacaturdaśyāmagnisādhanatatparaḥ

then, in the divine Amra-mandala, this sacred field shall become greater by a barleycorn's measure. On the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, intent upon kindling a fire -

Verse 89 (skanda.7.379.89)

ऊर्ध्वबाहुः सूर्यकाले भवं तावत्स पश्यति । मध्यंदिनं परं याते दिननाथे विलंबिते

ūrdhvabāhuḥ sūryakāle bhavaṁ tāvatsa paśyati | madhyaṁdinaṁ paraṁ yāte dinanāthe vilaṁbite

with arms raised, at the hour of the sun, he beheld Bhava; when noon had passed, and the sun was lingering low -

Verse 90 (skanda.7.379.90)

अग्नि तापांगसंतप्तस्तावत्पश्यति शंकरम् । सोमनाथं शिवं शांतं सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम् । अर्घ्येण पुष्पमिश्रेण जलमिश्रेण भामिनि

agni tāpāṁgasaṁtaptastāvatpaśyati śaṁkaram | somanāthaṁ śivaṁ śāṁtaṁ sarvadevanamaskṛtam | arghyeṇa puṣpamiśreṇa jalamiśreṇa bhāmini

his body scorched by the heat of the fire, he then beheld Shankara - Somanatha, benign and tranquil, honoured by all the gods - with an offering of flowers and water, O lovely one.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.379.91)

सारस्वत उवाच भूमिं भित्त्वाथ देवेशः स्वयं सोमेश्वरः स्थितः । लिंगरूपो महादेवो यावदाब्रह्मवासरम्

sārasvata uvāca bhūmiṁ bhittvātha deveśaḥ svayaṁ someśvaraḥ sthitaḥ | liṁgarūpo mahādevo yāvadābrahmavāsaram

Sarasvata said: Then, splitting open the earth, the lord of gods, Someshvara himself, took his stand - Mahadeva, in the form of a linga, to remain until the end of a day of Brahma.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.379.92)

सोमेश्वर उवाच सिद्धस्त्वं मत्प्रसादेन कार्यं सिद्धं भविष्यति । इत्युक्तो वामनो देवं प्रत्युवाच महेश्वरम्

someśvara uvāca siddhastvaṁ matprasādena kāryaṁ siddhaṁ bhaviṣyati | ityukto vāmano devaṁ pratyuvāca maheśvaram

Someshvara said: 'By my grace you are accomplished; your task shall be accomplished.' Thus addressed, Vamana replied to the god Maheshvara.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.379.93)

वामन उवाच यदि तुष्टो महादेव यदि देयो वरो मम । तदाऽत्र लिंगे स्थातव्यमस्तु दिव्यं पुरो मम

vāmana uvāca yadi tuṣṭo mahādeva yadi deyo varo mama | tadā'tra liṁge sthātavyamastu divyaṁ puro mama

Vamana said: 'If you are pleased, Mahadeva, and if a boon is to be granted to me, then you should abide here forever in this divine linga, before me.'

Verse 94 (skanda.7.379.94)

यस्तु स्वायंभुवं लिंगं वामने नगरे मम । पूजयिष्यति ब्रह्मघ्नो गोघ्नो वा बालघातकः

yastu svāyaṁbhuvaṁ liṁgaṁ vāmane nagare mama | pūjayiṣyati brahmaghno goghno vā bālaghātakaḥ

'Whoever shall worship this self-manifest linga in my city of Vamana - be he a slayer of a brahmin, a slayer of a cow, or a slayer of a child -'

Verse 95 (skanda.7.379.95)

गुरुद्रोही स्वर्णचोरो मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः । निर्दोषः पूजयेद्यस्तु सकृत्सोमेश्वरं हरम्

gurudrohī svarṇacoro mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ | nirdoṣaḥ pūjayedyastu sakṛtsomeśvaraṁ haram

'-a betrayer of his guru, or a thief of gold - shall be freed from all his sins. And whoever, being blameless, worships Hara Someshvara even once -'

Verse 96 (skanda.7.379.96)

मृतो विमानमारुह्य दिव्यस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितः । संस्तूयमानो दिक्पालैर्यातु स्वर्गे शिवालये

mṛto vimānamāruhya divyastrīpariveṣṭitaḥ | saṁstūyamāno dikpālairyātu svarge śivālaye

'-when he dies, mounted on a celestial chariot, surrounded by divine women, praised by the guardians of the quarters, let him go to Shiva's abode in heaven -'

Verse 97 (skanda.7.379.97)

ब्रह्मलोकमतिक्रम्य रुद्रलोके स गच्छतु । तथेत्युक्त्वा सोमनाथस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

brahmalokamatikramya rudraloke sa gacchatu | tathetyuktvā somanāthastatraivāntaradhīyata

'-and passing beyond even Brahmaloka, let him go to Rudraloka.' Saying 'so be it,' Somanatha vanished right there.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.379.98)

प्रकाश्य वामनो लिगं सोमनाथं स्वयंभुवम् । प्राप्तज्ञानो लब्धवृद्धिर्ययौ द्रष्टुं भवं हरम्

prakāśya vāmano ligaṁ somanāthaṁ svayaṁbhuvam | prāptajñāno labdhavṛddhiryayau draṣṭuṁ bhavaṁ haram

Having thus revealed the self-manifest linga of Somanatha, Vamana, having attained knowledge and gained increase of power, went on to behold Bhava Hara.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.379.99)

गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वाः स्वर्णरेखाजले स्थिताः । एतां सोमेश्वरोत्पत्तिं ये शृण्वंति नराः स्त्रियः । सर्वपापक्षयस्तेषां जायते नात्र संशयः

gaṁgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāḥ svarṇarekhājale sthitāḥ | etāṁ someśvarotpattiṁ ye śṛṇvaṁti narāḥ striyaḥ | sarvapāpakṣayasteṣāṁ jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

All the rivers, beginning with the Ganga, abide in the waters of the Svarnarekha. Those men and women who hear this account of the origin of Someshvara - for them the destruction of all sin comes about; of this there is no doubt.