The Glory of Shivaratri

Verse 1 (skanda.7.381.1)

राजोवाच अथासौ वामनो विप्रः प्रविष्टो गहने वने । एकाकी किं चकाराथ कौतुकं तद्वदस्व मे

rājovāca athāsau vāmano vipraḥ praviṣṭo gahane vane | ekākī kiṁ cakārātha kautukaṁ tadvadasva me

The king said: Then, having entered the dense forest, that brahmin Vamana, alone, what did he do? Tell me that wonder.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.381.2)

सारस्वत उवाच अथासौ वामनो विप्रो गत्वा रैवतके गिरौ । स्वर्णरेखानदीतोये स्नात्वाथ विधिपूर्वकम्

sārasvata uvāca athāsau vāmano vipro gatvā raivatake girau | svarṇarekhānadītoye snātvātha vidhipūrvakam

Sarasvata said: Then that brahmin Vamana, having gone to Mount Raivataka, having duly bathed in the waters of the river Svarnarekha -

Verse 3 (skanda.7.381.3)

सुगंधपुष्पधूपाद्यैर्देवं संपूज्य भक्तितः । तस्थौ तदग्रतो राजन्नेकाकी निर्जने वने

sugaṁdhapuṣpadhūpādyairdevaṁ saṁpūjya bhaktitaḥ | tasthau tadagrato rājannekākī nirjane vane

having worshipped the god with devotion, with fragrant flowers, incense, and the like, he stood there before him, O king, alone in the deserted forest.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.381.4)

सर्वसत्त्वसमायुक्ते सरीसृपसमाकुले । अनेकस्वरसंघुष्टे मयूरध्वनिनादिते

sarvasattvasamāyukte sarīsṛpasamākule | anekasvarasaṁghuṣṭe mayūradhvaninādite

a forest filled with every kind of creature, crowded with reptiles, resounding with many kinds of cries, echoing with the calls of peacocks,

Verse 5 (skanda.7.381.5)

कोकिलारावरम्ये च वनकुक्कुटघोषिते । खद्योतद्योतिते तस्मिन्वलीमुखविधूनिते

kokilārāvaramye ca vanakukkuṭaghoṣite | khadyotadyotite tasminvalīmukhavidhūnite

lovely with the cooing of cuckoos, echoing with the cries of jungle-fowl, lit by fireflies, astir with monkeys,

Verse 6 (skanda.7.381.6)

क्वचिद्वंशाग्निना शांते क्वचित्पुष्पितपादपे । गगनासक्तविटपे सूर्यतापविवर्जिते

kvacidvaṁśāgninā śāṁte kvacitpuṣpitapādape | gaganāsaktaviṭape sūryatāpavivarjite

in one place quieted by bamboo-fire, in another with flowering trees, its branches reaching to the sky, free from the sun's heat,

Verse 7 (skanda.7.381.7)

लुब्धकाघात संत्रस्तभ्रांतसूकरशंबरे । संहृष्टक्षत्रियवातस्थानदानविचक्षणे

lubdhakāghāta saṁtrastabhrāṁtasūkaraśaṁbare | saṁhṛṣṭakṣatriyavātasthānadānavicakṣaṇe

with boars and sambar deer fleeing in terror from hunters' blows, a place skilled in providing joy and haven for kshatriyas who came there -

Verse 8 (skanda.7.381.8)

अनेकाश्चर्यसंपन्नं सस्मार मनसा हरिम् । तं भीतमिव विज्ञाय नरसिंहः समाययौ

anekāścaryasaṁpannaṁ sasmāra manasā harim | taṁ bhītamiva vijñāya narasiṁhaḥ samāyayau

in that forest full of many wonders, Vamana called Hari to mind. Knowing him to be as if afraid, Narasimha came there.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.381.9)

रक्षार्थं तस्य विप्रस्य बभाषे पुरतः स्थितः । न भेतव्यं त्वया विप्र वद ते किं करोम्यहम्

rakṣārthaṁ tasya viprasya babhāṣe purataḥ sthitaḥ | na bhetavyaṁ tvayā vipra vada te kiṁ karomyaham

For that brahmin's protection, standing before him, Narasimha said: 'You need not fear, brahmin; tell me, what shall I do for you?'

Verse 10 (skanda.7.381.10)

विप्र उवाच यदि तुष्टो वरो देयो नरसिंह त्वया मम । सदात्र रक्षा कर्त्तव्या सर्वेषां तीर्थवासिनाम्

vipra uvāca yadi tuṣṭo varo deyo narasiṁha tvayā mama | sadātra rakṣā karttavyā sarveṣāṁ tīrthavāsinām

The brahmin said: 'If you are pleased, Narasimha, and a boon is to be given to me, then protection should always be provided here for all who dwell at this sacred ford.'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.381.11)

देवस्याग्रे सदा स्थेयं यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्द्दश । एवमस्त्विति तं प्रोच्य तथा चक्रे हरिस्तदा

devasyāgre sadā stheyaṁ yāvadiṁdrāścaturddaśa | evamastviti taṁ procya tathā cakre haristadā

'You should abide always before this god, for as long as the fourteen Indras reign.' Saying 'so be it,' Hari then did accordingly.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.381.12)

अतो दामोदरस्याग्रे नरसिंहः स पूज्यते । वनं सौम्यं कृतं तेन तीर्थरक्षां करोति सः

ato dāmodarasyāgre narasiṁhaḥ sa pūjyate | vanaṁ saumyaṁ kṛtaṁ tena tīrtharakṣāṁ karoti saḥ

Therefore Narasimha is worshipped before Damodara; he made the forest gentle, and he protects the sacred ford.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.381.13)

भूतप्रेतादिसंवासो वने तस्मिन्न जायते । नरसिंहप्रभावेन नष्टं सिंहादिजं भयम्

bhūtapretādisaṁvāso vane tasminna jāyate | narasiṁhaprabhāvena naṣṭaṁ siṁhādijaṁ bhayam

No dwelling of ghosts and spirits occurs in that forest; by the power of Narasimha, fear born of lions and the like has vanished.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.381.14)

कार्त्तिके वासरे विष्णोर्द्वादश्यां पारणे कृते । दामोदरं नमस्कृत्य भवं द्रष्टुं ततो ययौ

kārttike vāsare viṣṇordvādaśyāṁ pāraṇe kṛte | dāmodaraṁ namaskṛtya bhavaṁ draṣṭuṁ tato yayau

On the twelfth of Kartika, having performed the breaking of the fast, and having bowed to Damodara, he then went on to behold Bhava.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.381.15)

चतुर्दश्यां कृतस्नानो भवं संपूज्य भावतः । भवभावभवं पापं भस्मीभूतं भवार्चनात्

caturdaśyāṁ kṛtasnāno bhavaṁ saṁpūjya bhāvataḥ | bhavabhāvabhavaṁ pāpaṁ bhasmībhūtaṁ bhavārcanāt

Having bathed on the fourteenth, and having worshipped Bhava with devotion, whatever sin had arisen from worldly existence was reduced to ashes through the worship of Bhava.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.381.16)

स क्षीणपापनिचयो जातो देवस्य दर्शनात् । भवस्याग्रे स्थितं शांतं तथा वस्त्रापथस्य च

sa kṣīṇapāpanicayo jāto devasya darśanāt | bhavasyāgre sthitaṁ śāṁtaṁ tathā vastrāpathasya ca

His accumulated sins destroyed by the sight of the god, he beheld the peaceful guardian seated before Bhava, likewise the guardian of Vastrapatha -

Verse 17 (skanda.7.381.17)

तं कालमेघं समभ्यर्च्य ततो वस्त्रापथं ययौ । देवं संपूज्य मंत्रैः स वेदोक्तैर्विधिपूर्वकम्

taṁ kālameghaṁ samabhyarcya tato vastrāpathaṁ yayau | devaṁ saṁpūjya maṁtraiḥ sa vedoktairvidhipūrvakam

having duly worshipped that Kalamegha, he then went on to Vastrapatha; having worshipped the god there with Vedic mantras, according to the proper rule,

Verse 18 (skanda.7.381.18)

धूपदीपादिनैवेद्यैः सर्वं चक्रे स वामनः । प्रदक्षिणाशतं कृत्वा भवस्याग्रे व्यवस्थितः

dhūpadīpādinaivedyaiḥ sarvaṁ cakre sa vāmanaḥ | pradakṣiṇāśataṁ kṛtvā bhavasyāgre vyavasthitaḥ

with incense, lamps, and food-offerings, Vamana performed everything; having circumambulated a hundred times, he stood before Bhava.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.381.19)

यावन्निरीक्षते सर्वं तावत्पश्यति पर्वतम् । उज्जयंतं गिरिवरं मैनाकस्य सहोदरम्

yāvannirīkṣate sarvaṁ tāvatpaśyati parvatam | ujjayaṁtaṁ girivaraṁ mainākasya sahodaram

As he gazed all around, he beheld the mountain - the excellent Mount Ujjayanta, brother of Mainaka -

Verse 20 (skanda.7.381.20)

सुराष्ट्रदेशे विख्यातं युगादौ प्रथमं स्थितम् । भूधरं भूधरैर्युक्तं शिलापादपमंडितम्

surāṣṭradeśe vikhyātaṁ yugādau prathamaṁ sthitam | bhūdharaṁ bhūdharairyuktaṁ śilāpādapamaṁḍitam

renowned in the land of Saurashtra, standing there first from the beginning of the age, joined with other mountains, adorned with rocks and trees.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.381.21)

तं दृष्ट्वा चिंतयामास सूक्ष्मान्धर्मान्स वामनः । अल्पायासान्सुबहुलान्पुत्रलक्ष्मीप्रदायकान्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā ciṁtayāmāsa sūkṣmāndharmānsa vāmanaḥ | alpāyāsānsubahulānputralakṣmīpradāyakān

Beholding it, Vamana pondered on subtle merits - deeds requiring little effort yet abundant in fruit, bestowing sons and prosperity -

Verse 22 (skanda.7.381.22)

अवश्यं क्रिय माणेषु स्वधर्म उपजायते । दृष्ट्वा नदीं सागरगां स्नात्वा पापैः प्रमुच्यते

avaśyaṁ kriya māṇeṣu svadharma upajāyate | dṛṣṭvā nadīṁ sāgaragāṁ snātvā pāpaiḥ pramucyate

'when such deeds are surely performed, one's own dharma comes about. Seeing a river that flows to the ocean, and bathing in it, one is freed from sins.'

Verse 23 (skanda.7.381.23)

गां स्पृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणं नत्वा संपूज्य गुरुदेवताः । तपस्विनं यतिं शांतं श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मचारिणम्

gāṁ spṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇaṁ natvā saṁpūjya gurudevatāḥ | tapasvinaṁ yatiṁ śāṁtaṁ śrotriyaṁ brahmacāriṇam

'by touching a cow, bowing to a brahmin, worshipping one's teachers and deities, and honouring an ascetic, a peaceful monk, a Vedic scholar, and a celibate student,'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.381.24)

पितरं मातरं भगिनीं तत्पतिं दुहितां पतिम् । भागिनेयमथ दौहित्रं मित्रसंबधिबांधवान् । संभोज्य पातकैः सर्वैर्मुच्यंते गृहमेधिनः

pitaraṁ mātaraṁ bhaginīṁ tatpatiṁ duhitāṁ patim | bhāgineyamatha dauhitraṁ mitrasaṁbadhibāṁdhavān | saṁbhojya pātakaiḥ sarvairmucyaṁte gṛhamedhinaḥ

'and by feasting one's father, mother, sister and her husband, one's daughter and her husband, one's nephew and grandson, friends, relatives, and kinsmen - householders are freed from all sins.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.381.25)

राजा गजाश्वनकुलं सतीवृषमहीधराः । आदर्शक्षीरवृक्षाश्च सततान्नप्रदास्तु ते

rājā gajāśvanakulaṁ satīvṛṣamahīdharāḥ | ādarśakṣīravṛkṣāśca satatānnapradāstu te

'a king, an elephant, a horse, a mongoose, a chaste wife, a bull, mountains, a mirror, a milk-tree - these give continual merit.'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.381.26)

दृष्टमात्राः पुनन्त्येते ये नित्यं सत्यवादिनः । वेदधर्मकथां श्रुत्वा भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा नरान्

dṛṣṭamātrāḥ punantyete ye nityaṁ satyavādinaḥ | vedadharmakathāṁ śrutvā bhuktimuktipradā narān

'the mere sight of these purifies. Those always truthful, and who, having heard tales of Vedic dharma, bestow enjoyment and liberation on men -'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.381.27)

स्मृत्वा हरिहरौ गंगां कृत्वा तीरेण मार्जनम् । गत्वा जागरणे विष्णोर्दत्त्वा दानं च शक्तितः

smṛtvā hariharau gaṁgāṁ kṛtvā tīreṇa mārjanam | gatvā jāgaraṇe viṣṇordattvā dānaṁ ca śaktitaḥ

'-remembering Hari and Hara, and the Ganga, performing purification on a riverbank, going to Vishnu's night-vigil, giving gifts according to one's means,'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.381.28)

तांबूलं कुसुमं दीपं नैवेद्यं तुलसीदलम् । गीतं नृत्यं च वाद्यं च विधाय सुरमंदिरे

tāṁbūlaṁ kusumaṁ dīpaṁ naivedyaṁ tulasīdalam | gītaṁ nṛtyaṁ ca vādyaṁ ca vidhāya suramaṁdire

'-offering betel, flowers, a lamp, food, tulasi leaves, song, dance, and music in the temple of the gods -'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.381.29)

एते सूक्ष्माः स्मृता धर्माः क्रियमाणा महोदयाः । अतो गिरीन्द्रं पश्यामि सर्वदेवालयं शुभम्

ete sūkṣmāḥ smṛtā dharmāḥ kriyamāṇā mahodayāḥ | ato girīndraṁ paśyāmi sarvadevālayaṁ śubham

'these are the subtle merits, that, when performed, bring great prosperity. Therefore I shall now behold the king of mountains, the auspicious abode of all the gods.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.381.30)

तेषां करतले स्वर्गः शिखरं यांति ये नराः

teṣāṁ karatale svargaḥ śikharaṁ yāṁti ye narāḥ

'Heaven is in the very palm of the hand of those men who ascend to its summit.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.381.31)

इति ज्ञात्वा समा रूढो वामनो गिरिमूर्द्धनि । ऐरावतपदाक्रांत्या यत्र तोयं विनिःसृतम्

iti jñātvā samā rūḍho vāmano girimūrddhani | airāvatapadākrāṁtyā yatra toyaṁ viniḥsṛtam

Thinking thus, Vamana climbed to the summit of the mountain, where water had gushed forth from the pressure of Airavata's footstep.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.381.32)

ततः शिखरमारूढां भवानीं स्कन्दमातरम् । द्रष्टुं स वामनो याति शिखरे गगनाश्रिते

tataḥ śikharamārūḍhāṁ bhavānīṁ skandamātaram | draṣṭuṁ sa vāmano yāti śikhare gaganāśrite

Then Vamana went to behold Bhavani, the mother of Skanda, seated upon the summit, on that sky-touching peak.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.381.33)

यथायथा गिरिवरे समारोहंति मानवाः । तथातथा विमुच्यंते पातकैः सर्वदेहिनः

yathāyathā girivare samārohaṁti mānavāḥ | tathātathā vimucyaṁte pātakaiḥ sarvadehinaḥ

In whatever measure men ascend this excellent mountain, in that same measure are all embodied beings freed from their sins.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.381.34)

इति कृत्वा मतिं विप्रो जगाम गिरिमूर्द्धनि । भवभक्तो भवानीं स ददर्श स्कन्दमातरम्

iti kṛtvā matiṁ vipro jagāma girimūrddhani | bhavabhakto bhavānīṁ sa dadarśa skandamātaram

Resolving thus, the brahmin went to the summit of the mountain; that devotee of Bhava beheld Bhavani, the mother of Skanda.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.381.35)

अंबेति भाषते स्कंदस्ततोऽन्ये सर्वदेवताः । पृथिव्यां मानवाः सर्वे पाताले सर्वपन्नगाः

aṁbeti bhāṣate skaṁdastato'nye sarvadevatāḥ | pṛthivyāṁ mānavāḥ sarve pātāle sarvapannagāḥ

'Amba' is how Skanda addresses her, and so do all the other gods, all men on earth, and all serpents in the netherworld.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.381.36)

अतो ह्यंबेति विख्याता पूज्यते गिरिमूर्द्धनि । संपूज्य विविधैर्मुख्यैः फलैर्नानाविधैर्द्विजः

ato hyaṁbeti vikhyātā pūjyate girimūrddhani | saṁpūjya vividhairmukhyaiḥ phalairnānāvidhairdvijaḥ

Therefore she is renowned as Amba, and worshipped on the summit of the mountain. Having worshipped her with various choice fruits, the brahmin -

Verse 37 (skanda.7.381.37)

गगनासक्तशिखरे संस्थितः कौतुकान्वितः । एकाकी शिखरे तस्मिन्नूर्द्ध्वबाहुर्व्यवस्थितः

gaganāsaktaśikhare saṁsthitaḥ kautukānvitaḥ | ekākī śikhare tasminnūrddhvabāhurvyavasthitaḥ

standing upon that sky-touching peak, filled with wonder, stood there alone upon that summit, his arms raised aloft,

Verse 38 (skanda.7.381.38)

निरीक्ष्य मेदिनीं सर्वां सपर्वतससागराम् । आद्यं सनातनं देवं भास्करं त्रिगुणात्मकम्

nirīkṣya medinīṁ sarvāṁ saparvatasasāgarām | ādyaṁ sanātanaṁ devaṁ bhāskaraṁ triguṇātmakam

gazing upon the entire earth with all its mountains and oceans, and upon the primeval, eternal, triple-natured god, the sun -

Verse 39 (skanda.7.381.39)

सर्वतेजोमयं सर्वदेवं देवैर्नमस्कृतम् । भ्रममाणं निराधारं कालमानप्रयोजकम्

sarvatejomayaṁ sarvadevaṁ devairnamaskṛtam | bhramamāṇaṁ nirādhāraṁ kālamānaprayojakam

radiant with all splendour, the god of all, saluted by the gods, moving on without support, the ordainer of time's measure,

Verse 40 (skanda.7.381.40)

यावत्पश्यति तं विप्रस्तावत्पश्यति शंकरम् । दिगंबरं भवं देवं समंतादश्मगुंठितम्

yāvatpaśyati taṁ viprastāvatpaśyati śaṁkaram | digaṁbaraṁ bhavaṁ devaṁ samaṁtādaśmaguṁṭhitam

as the brahmin gazed upon it, he then beheld Shankara - the god Bhava, sky-clad, wrapped all about in stone,

Verse 41 (skanda.7.381.41)

बुद्धरूपाकृतिं देवं सर्वज्ञं गुणभूषितम् । कृशांगं जटिलं सौम्यं व्योममार्गे स्वयं स्थितम्

buddharūpākṛtiṁ devaṁ sarvajñaṁ guṇabhūṣitam | kṛśāṁgaṁ jaṭilaṁ saumyaṁ vyomamārge svayaṁ sthitam

the god in a form of awakened wisdom, omniscient, adorned with virtues, his body lean, his locks matted, gentle, standing there himself in the path of the sky.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.381.42)

श्रीशिव उवाच शृणु वामन तुष्टोऽहं दास्ये ते विविधान्वरान् । त्रैलोक्यव्यापिनी वृद्धिर्भविष्यति न संशयः

śrīśiva uvāca śṛṇu vāmana tuṣṭo'haṁ dāsye te vividhānvarān | trailokyavyāpinī vṛddhirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Shri Shiva said: 'Listen, Vamana, I am pleased; I shall grant you various boons. A prosperity pervading the three worlds shall arise - of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.381.43)

प्रतिभास्यंति ते वेदा गीतनृत्यादिकं च यत् । असाध्यसाधनी शक्ति भविष्यति तव स्थिरा । परं वस्त्रापथे गत्वा कुरु तीर्थावलोकनम्

pratibhāsyaṁti te vedā gītanṛtyādikaṁ ca yat | asādhyasādhanī śakti bhaviṣyati tava sthirā | paraṁ vastrāpathe gatvā kuru tīrthāvalokanam

'The Vedas shall become manifest to you, along with song and dance; the power to accomplish the impossible shall become firmly established in you. Now go to Vastrapatha, and behold the sacred fords there.'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.381.44)

वामन उवाच वस्त्रापथे महादेव यानि तीर्थानि तानि मे । वद देव विशेषेण यद्यस्ति करुणा मयि

vāmana uvāca vastrāpathe mahādeva yāni tīrthāni tāni me | vada deva viśeṣeṇa yadyasti karuṇā mayi

Vamana said: 'O Mahadeva, whatever sacred fords are at Vastrapatha - tell me of them in particular, O god, if you have compassion for me.'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.381.45)

रुद्र उवाच वस्त्रापथस्य वायव्ये कोणे दिव्यं सरोवरम् । तस्य पश्चिमदिग्भागे जालिर्गहनपल्लवा

rudra uvāca vastrāpathasya vāyavye koṇe divyaṁ sarovaram | tasya paścimadigbhāge jālirgahanapallavā

Rudra said: 'In the northwest corner of Vastrapatha is a divine lake; to its west lies the Jali thicket, dense with foliage,'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.381.46)

बिल्ववृक्षमयी मध्ये लिंगं तत्रास्ति मृन्मयम् । यत्रासौ लुब्धकः सिद्धो गतो मम पुरे पुरा

bilvavṛkṣamayī madhye liṁgaṁ tatrāsti mṛnmayam | yatrāsau lubdhakaḥ siddho gato mama pure purā

'made all of bilva trees; in its midst there is a linga made of clay - it was there that a hunter, having attained perfection, went of old to my city.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.381.47)

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या विनश्यति । इंद्रो वै वृत्रहा यस्मिन्विमुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यया

tasya darśanamātreṇa brahmahatyā vinaśyati | iṁdro vai vṛtrahā yasminvimukto brahmahatyayā

'By the mere sight of it, the sin of brahmin-slaying is destroyed; it was there that Indra, the slayer of Vritra, was freed from that sin.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.381.48)

तस्माद्रुत्तरदिग्भागे धनदेन प्रतिष्ठितम् । लिंगं त्रैलोक्यविख्यातं तत्र देवी त्रिशूलिनी

tasmādruttaradigbhāge dhanadena pratiṣṭhitam | liṁgaṁ trailokyavikhyātaṁ tatra devī triśūlinī

'To the north of that is a linga established by Kubera, renowned in the three worlds; there too is the trident-bearing goddess -'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.381.49)

यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण पुत्रोऽस्य नलकूबर । पाशानुषक्तहस्तोऽभूद्देवं चक्रे त्रिशूलिनम्

yasyā darśanamātreṇa putro'sya nalakūbara | pāśānuṣaktahasto'bhūddevaṁ cakre triśūlinam

'by the mere sight of whom their son Nalakubara, whose hand had been bound with a noose, became free, and made her a trident-bearing deity.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.381.50)

भवस्य नैर्ऋते कोणे गणो हेरंबसंज्ञितः । यमेन कुर्वता लिंगं प्रथमं च प्रतिष्ठितः

bhavasya nairṛte koṇe gaṇo heraṁbasaṁjñitaḥ | yamena kurvatā liṁgaṁ prathamaṁ ca pratiṣṭhitaḥ

'In the southwest corner of Bhava's shrine is the ganesha called Heramba - a linga first established there by Yama,'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.381.51)

विचित्रं तस्य माहात्म्यं चित्रगुप्तोऽति विस्मितः । दृष्ट्वा समागतो द्रष्टुं देवं तं मृन्मयं पुरा

vicitraṁ tasya māhātmyaṁ citragupto'ti vismitaḥ | dṛṣṭvā samāgato draṣṭuṁ devaṁ taṁ mṛnmayaṁ purā

'wondrous is its glory; Chitragupta, greatly astonished on seeing it, came there of old to behold that clay-made deity.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.381.52)

तेनापि निर्मितं लिंगं तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे द्विजोत्तम । चित्रगुप्तेश्वरंनाम विख्यातं भुवन त्रये

tenāpi nirmitaṁ liṁgaṁ tasminkṣetre dvijottama | citragupteśvaraṁnāma vikhyātaṁ bhuvana traye

'By him too a linga was made in that sacred field, O foremost of brahmins, renowned in the three worlds by the name Chitraguptesvara.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.381.53)

पश्चिमेन चकारोच्चैः प्रजापतिरुदारधीः । केदाराख्यं तदा लिंगं गिरौ रैवतके स्थितम् । प्रजापतिः स्वयं तस्थौ तत्र पर्वतसानुनि

paścimena cakāroccaiḥ prajāpatirudāradhīḥ | kedārākhyaṁ tadā liṁgaṁ girau raivatake sthitam | prajāpatiḥ svayaṁ tasthau tatra parvatasānuni

'To the west, the noble-minded Prajapati made, with great solemnity, a linga called Kedara, established on Mount Raivataka; Prajapati himself abides there, on that mountain-ridge.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.381.54)

रुद्र उवाच इंद्रेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं कथयिष्ये शृणुष्व तत् । ईशानकोणे विख्यातं भवस्य विदितं मम

rudra uvāca iṁdreśvarasya māhātmyaṁ kathayiṣye śṛṇuṣva tat | īśānakoṇe vikhyātaṁ bhavasya viditaṁ mama

Rudra said: 'I shall now tell the glory of Indreshvara - listen to it. It is renowned in the northeast corner, known to me as Bhava's own shrine.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.381.55)

वामन उवाच कस्मादिंद्रः समायातः कथं चक्रे हरं हरिः । कथां सविस्तरामेतां कथयस्व मम प्रभो

vāmana uvāca kasmādiṁdraḥ samāyātaḥ kathaṁ cakre haraṁ hariḥ | kathāṁ savistarāmetāṁ kathayasva mama prabho

Vamana said: 'Why did Indra come there, and how did Hari make him into Hara? Tell me this story in full detail, O lord.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.381.56)

रुद्र उवाच लुब्धकस्तु पुरा सिद्धः शिवरात्रिप्रजागरात् । शिवलोके तदा प्राप्तं विमानं गणसंयुतम्

rudra uvāca lubdhakastu purā siddhaḥ śivarātriprajāgarāt | śivaloke tadā prāptaṁ vimānaṁ gaṇasaṁyutam

Rudra said: 'Long ago, a hunter attained perfection through the night-vigil of Shivaratri; he then obtained, in Shiva's world, a celestial chariot equipped with attendants,'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.381.57)

सर्वत्रगं सुरुचिरं दिव्यस्त्रीगीतनादितम् ॥ तदारुह्य समायातो द्रष्टुं तां नगरीं हरेः

sarvatragaṁ suruciraṁ divyastrīgītanāditam tadāruhya samāyāto draṣṭuṁ tāṁ nagarīṁ hareḥ

'a chariot that goes everywhere, exceedingly beautiful, resounding with the songs of celestial women. Mounted upon it, he came to behold the city of Hari,'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.381.58)

यस्यां युद्धं समभवद्गणानां यमकिंकरैः । आगच्छमानं तं ज्ञात्वा देवराजेन चिंतितम्

yasyāṁ yuddhaṁ samabhavadgaṇānāṁ yamakiṁkaraiḥ | āgacchamānaṁ taṁ jñātvā devarājena ciṁtitam

'where a battle had arisen between Shiva's ganas and the servants of Yama. Knowing him to be approaching, the king of gods pondered:'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.381.59)

पूज्योऽयं हरवत्सर्वैश्चित्रगुप्तयमादिभिः । इंद्रो गजं समारुह्य महिषेण यमो यतः

pūjyo'yaṁ haravatsarvaiścitraguptayamādibhiḥ | iṁdro gajaṁ samāruhya mahiṣeṇa yamo yataḥ

'This one is to be honoured by all, even by Chitragupta and Yama, just as Hara himself is.' Indra mounted his elephant, and Yama his buffalo -

Verse 60 (skanda.7.381.60)

विधाय लेखनीं कर्णे चित्रगुप्तो यमाज्ञया । ततो हूता गणाः सर्वे ये नीता धरणीतलात्

vidhāya lekhanīṁ karṇe citragupto yamājñayā | tato hūtā gaṇāḥ sarve ye nītā dharaṇītalāt

Chitragupta, placing his pen at his ear, by Yama's command, then summoned all the ganas who had been carried off from the earth.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.381.61)

निजापराधसंतप्ता गतास्ते दक्षिणामुखम् ॥ आथित्यपू जा कर्तव्या लुब्धके गृहमागते

nijāparādhasaṁtaptā gatāste dakṣiṇāmukham āthityapū jā kartavyā lubdhake gṛhamāgate

Tormented by their own transgression, they went off southward. Then Indra thought: 'A guest-offering should be made, since the hunter has come to my house.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.381.62)

अपूजिते गते ह्यस्मिन्हरो मां शपयिष्यति । तस्मात्पूजां करिष्यामि यथा तुष्यति शंकरः

apūjite gate hyasminharo māṁ śapayiṣyati | tasmātpūjāṁ kariṣyāmi yathā tuṣyati śaṁkaraḥ

'If he departs unworshipped, Hara will curse me. Therefore I shall perform worship in such a way that Shankara is pleased.'

Verse 63 (skanda.7.381.63)

देवं द्रष्टुं समायातं ददर्शादूरतः स्थितम् । विमानस्थं हराकारं सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्

devaṁ draṣṭuṁ samāyātaṁ dadarśādūrataḥ sthitam | vimānasthaṁ harākāraṁ sūryakoṭisamaprabham

He beheld the hunter, come to see the god, standing not far off, seated in his celestial chariot, in the very form of Hara, radiant as a crore of suns,

Verse 64 (skanda.7.381.64)

संस्तूयमानं चरितैः शिवरात्रेः शिवस्य च । माघे मासे चतुर्द्दश्यां कृष्णायां जागरे कृते

saṁstūyamānaṁ caritaiḥ śivarātreḥ śivasya ca | māghe māse caturddaśyāṁ kṛṣṇāyāṁ jāgare kṛte

praised for the deeds of Shivaratri and of Shiva - on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Magha, having kept the vigil -

Verse 65 (skanda.7.381.65)

तदेवं जायते सर्वं सुरेश्वर धरातले । एवं देवांगना काचिदाचक्षंती पुरंदरम् । निवार्य हस्तमुद्यम्य गजेंद्रं चारुलोचना

tadevaṁ jāyate sarvaṁ sureśvara dharātale | evaṁ devāṁganā kācidācakṣaṁtī puraṁdaram | nivārya hastamudyamya gajeṁdraṁ cārulocanā

'-thus, O lord of gods, all of this comes about on earth.' Thus spoke a certain lovely-eyed celestial woman, addressing Purandara, restraining him, raising her hand toward the lord of elephants -

Verse 66 (skanda.7.381.66)

किं दानैर्बहुभिर्दत्तैर्व्रतैः किं किं सुरार्चनैः । किं योगैः किं तपोभिश्च ब्रह्मचर्य्यैः सुरेश्वर

kiṁ dānairbahubhirdattairvrataiḥ kiṁ kiṁ surārcanaiḥ | kiṁ yogaiḥ kiṁ tapobhiśca brahmacaryyaiḥ sureśvara

'What use are many gifts given, or vows, or the worship of gods? What use are yoga, austerities, and celibacy, O lord of gods -'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.381.67)

गयायां पिंडदानेन प्रयागमरणेन किम् । सोमेश्वरे सरस्वत्यां सोमपर्वणि किं गतैः

gayāyāṁ piṁḍadānena prayāgamaraṇena kim | someśvare sarasvatyāṁ somaparvaṇi kiṁ gataiḥ

'-what use is the offering of rice-balls at Gaya, or dying at Prayaga? What use is going to Someshvara, to the Sarasvati, or on the Soma-festival day?'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.381.68)

कुरुक्षेत्रगतैः किं स्याद्राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे । तुलासुवर्णदानेन वेदपाठेन किं भवेत्

kurukṣetragataiḥ kiṁ syādrāhugraste divākare | tulāsuvarṇadānena vedapāṭhena kiṁ bhavet

'What comes of going to Kurukshetra when the sun is seized by Rahu? What comes of the gift of gold equal to one's weight, or the recitation of the Vedas -'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.381.69)

सर्वपापक्षयो येन वृषोत्सर्गेण तेन किम् । गोदानं किं करोत्येवं जलदानं तथैव च

sarvapāpakṣayo yena vṛṣotsargeṇa tena kim | godānaṁ kiṁ karotyevaṁ jaladānaṁ tathaiva ca

'-that destroys all sin? What does the release of a bull achieve? What does the gift of a cow, or of water, achieve compared to this?'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.381.70)

अयने विषुवे चैव संक्रांतौ कीदृशं फलम् । माघमासे चतुर्दश्यां यादृशं जागरे कृते

ayane viṣuve caiva saṁkrāṁtau kīdṛśaṁ phalam | māghamāse caturdaśyāṁ yādṛśaṁ jāgare kṛte

'What sort of fruit is there at the solstice, the equinox, or the sankranti, compared to that which comes from keeping vigil on the fourteenth of Magha?'

Verse 71 (skanda.7.381.71)

यमः संभाषते वाण्या महिषोपरि संस्थितः । पश्य रुद्रस्य माहात्म्यं चित्रगुप्त विचारय

yamaḥ saṁbhāṣate vāṇyā mahiṣopari saṁsthitaḥ | paśya rudrasya māhātmyaṁ citragupta vicāraya

Yama, seated upon his buffalo, spoke: 'Behold the glory of Rudra, Chitragupta - consider it well.'

Verse 72 (skanda.7.381.72)

अयं स लुब्धको येन हरः संपूजितः पुरा । सुराष्ट्रदेशे विख्यातं तीर्थं वस्त्रापथं शृणु

ayaṁ sa lubdhako yena haraḥ saṁpūjitaḥ purā | surāṣṭradeśe vikhyātaṁ tīrthaṁ vastrāpathaṁ śṛṇu

'This is that very hunter by whom Hara was worshipped of old. Hear of the sacred ford renowned in the land of Saurashtra, called Vastrapatha.'

Verse 73 (skanda.7.381.73)

उज्जयंतो गिरिस्तत्र तथा रैवतको गिरिः । महती वर्त्तते जालिस्तयोर्मध्ये मया श्रुतम्

ujjayaṁto giristatra tathā raivatako giriḥ | mahatī varttate jālistayormadhye mayā śrutam

'There stand Mount Ujjayanta, and likewise Mount Raivataka; between them, I have heard, lies a great thicket.'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.381.74)

मृन्मयं वर्तते लिगं रात्रौ चानेन पूजितः । रात्रौ जागरणं कर्त्तुं येन कार्येण चागतः

mṛnmayaṁ vartate ligaṁ rātrau cānena pūjitaḥ | rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ karttuṁ yena kāryeṇa cāgataḥ

'There stands a clay linga, worshipped by him at night; for the purpose of keeping a night-vigil is why he came here.'

Verse 75 (skanda.7.381.75)

तदस्माभिः कथं वाच्यं स्वयं जानंति ते सुराः । वरांगना वरं द्रष्टुं वरयंति परस्परम् । इंद्रावासात्समायाता नंदने वेगवत्तराः

tadasmābhiḥ kathaṁ vācyaṁ svayaṁ jānaṁti te surāḥ | varāṁganā varaṁ draṣṭuṁ varayaṁti parasparam | iṁdrāvāsātsamāyātā naṁdane vegavattarāḥ

'So what more need we say of it? The gods themselves know.' The lovely celestial women, eager to see the excellent one, vied with one another; they came swiftly, from Indra's abode, to the Nandana grove -

Verse 76 (skanda.7.381.76)

विरंचिना रायणशंकरत्विषा देहेन चागच्छति कोऽपि पूरुषः । पुरीं सुरेशाधिपतेर्निरीक्षितुं भर्त्ता ममायं तव चास्ति किं पतिः

viraṁcinā rāyaṇaśaṁkaratviṣā dehena cāgacchati ko'pi pūruṣaḥ | purīṁ sureśādhipaternirīkṣituṁ bharttā mamāyaṁ tava cāsti kiṁ patiḥ

[one of them said:] 'Some person is coming, with a form like Brahma's, or of the lustre of Shankara, to behold the city of the lord of the gods' lord - is this my husband, or is he your husband?'

Verse 77 (skanda.7.381.77)

मृदंगवीणा पटहस्वरस्तुतैः प्रवोधिताभिः सुरराजमन्दिरे । देवो हरोऽयं न नरो हराकृतिर्दृष्टोंगनाभिस्तव किं किमावयोः

mṛdaṁgavīṇā paṭahasvarastutaiḥ pravodhitābhiḥ surarājamandire | devo haro'yaṁ na naro harākṛtirdṛṣṭoṁganābhistava kiṁ kimāvayoḥ

[another replied,] roused by the sounds of drum, vina, and tabor in the king of gods' palace: 'This is the god Hara himself, not a mere man in Hara's form - seen by the celestial women. What is he to you, and what to us?'

Verse 78 (skanda.7.381.78)

गायंति काश्चिद्विहसंति काश्चिन्नृत्यंति काश्चित्प्रपठंति काश्चित् । वदन्ति काश्चिज्जयशब्दसंयुतैर्वाक्यैरनेकैर्गुरुसन्निधाने

gāyaṁti kāścidvihasaṁti kāścinnṛtyaṁti kāścitprapaṭhaṁti kāścit | vadanti kāścijjayaśabdasaṁyutairvākyairanekairgurusannidhāne

Some sang, some laughed, some danced, some recited; some spoke with many words filled with cries of victory, in the presence of their elder.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.381.79)

काचिच्छिवं स्तौति शिवां तथान्या पृच्छत्यथान्या किमु बिल्वपत्रात् । किं वोपवासेन फलं तवेदं निद्राक्षयेणाथ फलं तवैतत्

kācicchivaṁ stauti śivāṁ tathānyā pṛcchatyathānyā kimu bilvapatrāt | kiṁ vopavāsena phalaṁ tavedaṁ nidrākṣayeṇātha phalaṁ tavaitat

One praised Shiva, another Shivā; another asked: 'Is this the fruit of the bilva leaf offering? Or the fruit of fasting? Or of the loss of sleep in the vigil?'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.381.80)

तासां नानाविधा वाचः श्रूयन्ते नन्दने वने । ब्रह्मलोकादिका वार्त्ताः कृत्वा च तदनन्तरम्

tāsāṁ nānāvidhā vācaḥ śrūyante nandane vane | brahmalokādikā vārttāḥ kṛtvā ca tadanantaram

Their many and various words could be heard throughout the Nandana grove, speaking of Brahmaloka and other such matters; and thereafter -

Verse 81 (skanda.7.381.81)

देवेन्द्रो लुब्धकं भूयो बभाषे कौतुकान्वितः । कस्मिन्देशे गिरौ जालिर्लिंगं यत्रास्ति दर्शय

devendro lubdhakaṁ bhūyo babhāṣe kautukānvitaḥ | kasmindeśe girau jālirliṁgaṁ yatrāsti darśaya

the king of gods, filled with curiosity, spoke again to the hunter: 'In what land, on what mountain, is that thicket where the linga stands? Show it to me.'

Verse 82 (skanda.7.381.82)

लुब्धक उवाच सुराष्ट्रदेशे विख्यातो यस्मिन्देशे सरस्वती । वाडवं शिरसा धृत्वा प्रविष्टा लवणोदधौ

lubdhaka uvāca surāṣṭradeśe vikhyāto yasmindeśe sarasvatī | vāḍavaṁ śirasā dhṛtvā praviṣṭā lavaṇodadhau

The hunter said: 'It is in the land renowned as Saurashtra, in the land where the Sarasvati, bearing the submarine fire upon her head, enters the salt ocean,'

Verse 83 (skanda.7.381.83)

यत्र सा गोमती याति यत्रास्ते गन्धमादनः । उज्जयंतो गिरिवरो यत्र रैवतको गिरिः

yatra sā gomatī yāti yatrāste gandhamādanaḥ | ujjayaṁto girivaro yatra raivatako giriḥ

'-where the Gomati flows, where Gandhamadana stands, where the excellent Mount Ujjayanta and Mount Raivataka lie -'

Verse 84 (skanda.7.381.84)

तत्र वस्त्रापथं क्षेत्रं भवस्तत्र व्यवस्थितः । तत्रास्ते मृन्मयं लिंगं जालिमध्ये सुरोत्तम

tatra vastrāpathaṁ kṣetraṁ bhavastatra vyavasthitaḥ | tatrāste mṛnmayaṁ liṁgaṁ jālimadhye surottama

'-there is the sacred field of Vastrapatha, and there Bhava abides. There stands the clay linga, in the midst of the thicket, O foremost of gods.'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.381.85)

इन्द्र उवाच सहितैस्तत्र गंतव्यं पूजयिष्ये भवं स्वयम् । जालिमध्ये तथा लिंगं दर्शयस्व च लुब्धक

indra uvāca sahitaistatra gaṁtavyaṁ pūjayiṣye bhavaṁ svayam | jālimadhye tathā liṁgaṁ darśayasva ca lubdhaka

Indra said: 'We should go there together; I shall myself worship Bhava. Show me too the linga in the midst of the thicket, hunter.'

Verse 86 (skanda.7.381.86)

परदारादिकं पापं दैत्यानां तु विकृंतने । वधे वृत्रस्य संजातं तत्सर्वं क्षालयाम्यहम्

paradārādikaṁ pāpaṁ daityānāṁ tu vikṛṁtane | vadhe vṛtrasya saṁjātaṁ tatsarvaṁ kṣālayāmyaham

'Whatever sin arose in me from another's wife, or from the slaughter of the daityas, or from the slaying of Vritra - all of that I shall wash away there.'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.381.87)

इत्युक्त्वा सहिताः सर्वे संप्राप्ता गिरिमूर्द्धनि । वाहनानि च ते त्यक्त्वा प्रस्थिताः पादचारिणः

ityuktvā sahitāḥ sarve saṁprāptā girimūrddhani | vāhanāni ca te tyaktvā prasthitāḥ pādacāriṇaḥ

Having said this, all of them together arrived at the mountain's summit; leaving their vehicles behind, they set out on foot.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.381.88)

उज्जयन्तगिरेर्मूर्ध्नि गजराजः समागतः । तदाग्रचरणं तस्य ददौ मूर्धनि कारणात्

ujjayantagirermūrdhni gajarājaḥ samāgataḥ | tadāgracaraṇaṁ tasya dadau mūrdhani kāraṇāt

At the summit of Mount Ujjayanta, the king of elephants came; for a certain purpose, he set the foremost of his feet upon its crown.

Verse 89 (skanda.7.381.89)

तेनाक्रान्तो गिरिवरस्तोयं सुस्राव निर्मलम् । गजपादोद्भवं वारि भविष्यति सदा स्थिरम्

tenākrānto girivarastoyaṁ susrāva nirmalam | gajapādodbhavaṁ vāri bhaviṣyati sadā sthiram

Pressed by that, the excellent mountain poured forth clear water; the water born of the elephant's foot shall remain there forever, unfailing.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.381.90)

इति प्रोक्तं सुरेन्द्रेण लोकानां हितकाम्यया । सर्वे समागतास्तत्र यत्र जालिर्व्यवस्थिता

iti proktaṁ surendreṇa lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā | sarve samāgatāstatra yatra jālirvyavasthitā

Thus spoke the king of gods, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds; and all of them gathered there, at the place where the thicket stood.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.381.91)

संपूज्य विविधैः पुष्पैर्माघमासे चतुर्दशी । तस्यां जागरणं कृत्वा सञ्जातो निर्मलो हरिः

saṁpūjya vividhaiḥ puṣpairmāghamāse caturdaśī | tasyāṁ jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā sañjāto nirmalo hariḥ

Having worshipped with various flowers, on the fourteenth of the month of Magha, keeping vigil there, Hari became pure.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.381.92)

वस्त्रापथे भवं पूज्य हरिं रैवतके गिरौ । इन्द्रेश्वरं प्रतिष्ठाप्य संप्राप्तः स्वनिकतनम्

vastrāpathe bhavaṁ pūjya hariṁ raivatake girau | indreśvaraṁ pratiṣṭhāpya saṁprāptaḥ svanikatanam

Having worshipped Bhava at Vastrapatha and Hari at Mount Raivataka, and having established a linga called Indreshvara, he arrived back at his own abode.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.381.93)

लुब्धकोऽपि विमानेन संप्राप्तो हरिमन्दिरे । इत्युक्त्वा स भवो देवस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत

lubdhako'pi vimānena saṁprāpto harimandire | ityuktvā sa bhavo devastatraivāṁtaradhīyata

The hunter too, by his celestial chariot, arrived at Hari's abode. Having said this, the god Bhava vanished right there.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.381.94)

वामनोपि ततश्चक्रे तत्र तीर्थावगाहनम् । यादृग्रूपः शिवो दृष्टः सूर्यबिंबे दिगंबरः

vāmanopi tataścakre tatra tīrthāvagāhanam | yādṛgrūpaḥ śivo dṛṣṭaḥ sūryabiṁbe digaṁbaraḥ

Vamana then performed his immersion in the sacred ford there. In the very form in which he had beheld Shiva - sky-clad, within the orb of the sun -

Verse 95 (skanda.7.381.95)

पद्मासनस्थितः सौम्यस्तथा तं तत्र संस्मरन् । प्रतिष्ठाप्य महामूर्त्तिं पूजयामास वासरम्

padmāsanasthitaḥ saumyastathā taṁ tatra saṁsmaran | pratiṣṭhāpya mahāmūrttiṁ pūjayāmāsa vāsaram

seated in lotus posture, gentle - remembering him thus there, he established a great image, and worshipped it for a day.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.381.96)

मनोऽभीष्टार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं ततः सिद्धिमवाप्तवान् । नेमिनाथशिवेत्येवं नाम चक्रे स वामनः

mano'bhīṣṭārthasiddhyarthaṁ tataḥ siddhimavāptavān | nemināthaśivetyevaṁ nāma cakre sa vāmanaḥ

For the fulfilment of the desires of his heart, he then attained perfection; and Vamana gave it the name 'Neminatha-Shiva.'

Verse 97 (skanda.7.381.97)

भवस्य पश्चिमे भागे प्रत्यासन्ने धरातले । वामनो वसतिं चक्रे तीर्थे वस्त्रापथे तदा

bhavasya paścime bhāge pratyāsanne dharātale | vāmano vasatiṁ cakre tīrthe vastrāpathe tadā

To the west of Bhava, on the nearby ground, Vamana made his dwelling, there at the sacred ford of Vastrapatha.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.381.98)

अतो यवाधिकं प्रोक्तं तीर्थं देवैः सवासवैः । इंद्रेण कुर्वता देवं समागत्य भवाग्रतः

ato yavādhikaṁ proktaṁ tīrthaṁ devaiḥ savāsavaiḥ | iṁdreṇa kurvatā devaṁ samāgatya bhavāgrataḥ

Therefore this sacred ford is declared by the gods, together with Indra, to be greater than others by a barleycorn's measure - by Indra himself, coming there and establishing the linga before Bhava.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.381.99)

यवाधिकं प्रभासात्तु तीर्थमेतद्भवाज्ञया । अन्येषां षड्गुणं तीर्थं भविष्यति शिवाज्ञया

yavādhikaṁ prabhāsāttu tīrthametadbhavājñayā | anyeṣāṁ ṣaḍguṇaṁ tīrthaṁ bhaviṣyati śivājñayā

By Bhava's own command, this sacred ford exceeds Prabhasa by a barleycorn's measure; and by Shiva's command it shall become sixfold greater than other sacred fords.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.381.100)

इत्येतत्कथितं सर्वं किमन्यत्परिपृच्छसि

ityetatkathitaṁ sarvaṁ kimanyatparipṛcchasi

All this has now been told; what else do you ask?

Verse 101 (skanda.7.381.101)

राजोवाच शिवरात्रिप्रभावोयमतुलः परिकीर्त्तितः । अजानता कृता तेन लुब्धकेन पुरा श्रुतम्

rājovāca śivarātriprabhāvoyamatulaḥ parikīrttitaḥ | ajānatā kṛtā tena lubdhakena purā śrutam

The king said: This incomparable power of Shivaratri has been proclaimed; I have heard that it was performed, unknowingly, by that hunter long ago.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.381.102)

इदानीं वद कर्त्तव्या कथमन्यैर्जनैर्विभो । किं ग्राह्यं किं नु मोक्तव्यं शिवरात्र्यां वदस्व मे

idānīṁ vada karttavyā kathamanyairjanairvibho | kiṁ grāhyaṁ kiṁ nu moktavyaṁ śivarātryāṁ vadasva me

Now tell me, O lord, how it should be performed by other people. What is to be taken up, and what given up, on Shivaratri - tell me this.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.381.103)

सारस्वत उवाच संप्राप्य मानुषं जन्म ज्ञात्वा देवं महेश्वरम् । शिवरात्रिः सदा कार्या भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी

sārasvata uvāca saṁprāpya mānuṣaṁ janma jñātvā devaṁ maheśvaram | śivarātriḥ sadā kāryā bhuktimuktipradāyinī

Sarasvata said: Having obtained a human birth, and having come to know the god Maheshvara, Shivaratri should always be observed, for it bestows both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.381.104)

ईदृशं जायते पुण्यमेकया कृतया नृप । ये कुर्वंति सदा मर्त्त्यास्तेषां पुण्यमनंतकम्

īdṛśaṁ jāyate puṇyamekayā kṛtayā nṛpa | ye kurvaṁti sadā marttyāsteṣāṁ puṇyamanaṁtakam

Such merit arises even from a single observance, O king; for those mortals who observe it always, the merit is endless.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.381.105)

द्वादशाब्दं व्रतमिदं कर्त्तव्यं प्रतिवत्सरम् । जीवितं चंचलं नृणां यदि कर्तुं न शक्यते

dvādaśābdaṁ vratamidaṁ karttavyaṁ prativatsaram | jīvitaṁ caṁcalaṁ nṛṇāṁ yadi kartuṁ na śakyate

This vow should be performed every year for twelve years. But since men's lives are fickle, if it cannot be so performed -

Verse 106 (skanda.7.381.106)

तदा द्वादशभिर्मासैर्व्रत मेतत्समाप्यते । माघमासे चतुर्दश्यां प्रारम्भः क्रियते नृप

tadā dvādaśabhirmāsairvrata metatsamāpyate | māghamāse caturdaśyāṁ prārambhaḥ kriyate nṛpa

then this vow may be completed within twelve months. The beginning is made on the fourteenth of the month of Magha, O king.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.381.107)

प्रतिमासं ततः कार्यं पौषांते तु समाप्यते । विघ्नश्चेज्जायते मध्ये कथं चिद्दैवयोगतः

pratimāsaṁ tataḥ kāryaṁ pauṣāṁte tu samāpyate | vighnaścejjāyate madhye kathaṁ ciddaivayogataḥ

Then it should be performed every month, ending at the close of Pausha. If some obstacle should arise in the middle, by some chance of fate -

Verse 108 (skanda.7.381.108)

न भवेद्व्रतभंगस्तु पुनः कार्यमनन्तरम् । द्वादशैव प्रकर्तव्याः कृत्वा संख्या विशेषतः

na bhavedvratabhaṁgastu punaḥ kāryamanantaram | dvādaśaiva prakartavyāḥ kṛtvā saṁkhyā viśeṣataḥ

the vow is not thereby broken; it should be resumed immediately afterward. Only twelve should be performed in all, keeping a careful count.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.381.109)

कृतं न नश्यते लोके शुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम् । कृष्णायां तु चतुर्दश्यां कृतपूर्वाह्निकक्रियः

kṛtaṁ na naśyate loke śubhaṁ vā yadi vā'śubham | kṛṣṇāyāṁ tu caturdaśyāṁ kṛtapūrvāhnikakriyaḥ

In this world, what is done - whether good or bad - is never lost. On the fourteenth of the dark fortnight, having performed the morning rites,

Verse 110 (skanda.7.381.110)

उपवासनियमो ग्राह्यो नद्यां स्नानं विधीयते । तदभावे तडागादौ कार्यं स्नानं स्वशक्तितः

upavāsaniyamo grāhyo nadyāṁ snānaṁ vidhīyate | tadabhāve taḍāgādau kāryaṁ snānaṁ svaśaktitaḥ

the observance of fasting should be undertaken; bathing is prescribed in a river; in its absence, bathing should be performed in a pond or the like, according to one's ability.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.381.111)

तैलाभ्यंगो न कर्त्तव्यो न कार्यं गमनं क्वचित् । तीर्थसेवा प्रकर्त्तव्या तस्मिंश्चागमनं शुभम्

tailābhyaṁgo na karttavyo na kāryaṁ gamanaṁ kvacit | tīrthasevā prakarttavyā tasmiṁścāgamanaṁ śubham

One should not anoint oneself with oil, nor undertake any journey; service at a sacred ford should be performed, and coming to it is auspicious.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.381.112)

शिवरात्रिः सदा कार्या लिंगे स्वायंभुवे नरैः । तदभावे महापुण्ये लिंगे वर्षशताधिके

śivarātriḥ sadā kāryā liṁge svāyaṁbhuve naraiḥ | tadabhāve mahāpuṇye liṁge varṣaśatādhike

Shivaratri should always be observed by men at a self-manifest linga; in its absence, at a highly meritorious linga more than a hundred years old,

Verse 113 (skanda.7.381.113)

गिरौ वने समुद्रांते नद्यां यच्च शिवालये । तद्वै स्वायंभुवं लिंगं स्वयं तत्रैव संस्थितम्

girau vane samudrāṁte nadyāṁ yacca śivālaye | tadvai svāyaṁbhuvaṁ liṁgaṁ svayaṁ tatraiva saṁsthitam

on a mountain, in a forest, at the shore of the ocean, by a river, or in a temple of Shiva - that indeed is a self-manifest linga, established there of its own accord.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.381.114)

वालुलिंगादिकं लिंगं पूजितं फलदं स्मृतम् । दिवा संपूज्य यत्नेन पुष्पधूपादिना नरः

vāluliṁgādikaṁ liṁgaṁ pūjitaṁ phaladaṁ smṛtam | divā saṁpūjya yatnena puṣpadhūpādinā naraḥ

A linga of sand and the like, when worshipped, is remembered as fruit-bearing. Having diligently worshipped it during the day with flowers, incense, and the like, a man -

Verse 115 (skanda.7.381.115)

वर्जयेन्मदिरां द्यूतं नारीं नखनिकृन्तनम् । ब्रह्मचर्यपरैः शांतैः कर्त्तव्यं समुपोषणम्

varjayenmadirāṁ dyūtaṁ nārīṁ nakhanikṛntanam | brahmacaryaparaiḥ śāṁtaiḥ karttavyaṁ samupoṣaṇam

should avoid liquor, gambling, women, and the cutting of nails. The full fast should be observed by those devoted to celibacy and tranquillity.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.381.116)

रात्रौ देवाग्रतो गत्वा कर्त्तव्याः सप्त पर्वताः । पक्वान्नफलतांबूलपुष्पधूपादिचर्चिताः

rātrau devāgrato gatvā karttavyāḥ sapta parvatāḥ | pakvānnaphalatāṁbūlapuṣpadhūpādicarcitāḥ

At night, going before the god, seven symbolic mountains should be made, adorned with cooked food, fruit, betel, flowers, incense, and the like.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.381.117)

घृतेन दीपः कर्त्तव्यः पापनाशनहेतवे । यतो दीपस्य माहात्म्यं विज्ञेयं मुक्तिदायकम्

ghṛtena dīpaḥ karttavyaḥ pāpanāśanahetave | yato dīpasya māhātmyaṁ vijñeyaṁ muktidāyakam

A lamp should be lit with ghee, for the sake of destroying sin; for the glory of the lamp is to be known as bestowing liberation.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.381.118)

दीपः सदैव कर्त्तव्यो गृहे देवालये नरैः । दिवा निशि च संध्यायां दीपः कार्यः स्वशक्तितः

dīpaḥ sadaiva karttavyo gṛhe devālaye naraiḥ | divā niśi ca saṁdhyāyāṁ dīpaḥ kāryaḥ svaśaktitaḥ

A lamp should always be kept by men, both at home and in the temple; a lamp should be lit by day, by night, and at twilight, according to one's ability.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.381.119)

किञ्चिदुद्द्योतमात्रेण देवास्तुष्यंति भूतले । पितॄणां प्रथमं दीपः कर्त्तव्यः श्राद्धकर्मणि

kiñciduddyotamātreṇa devāstuṣyaṁti bhūtale | pitṝṇāṁ prathamaṁ dīpaḥ karttavyaḥ śrāddhakarmaṇi

By even a little light, the gods on earth are pleased. A lamp should first be lit for the ancestors, in the shraddha rite.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.381.120)

रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं यथा निद्रा न जा यते । शिवरात्रिप्रभावोऽयं श्रोतव्यः शिवसंनिधौ

rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ yathā nidrā na jā yate | śivarātriprabhāvo'yaṁ śrotavyaḥ śivasaṁnidhau

A vigil should be kept through the night, in such a way that sleep does not come. This power of Shivaratri should be heard of in Shiva's presence.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.381.121)

शिवस्य चरितं रात्रौ श्रोतव्यं बहुविस्तरम् । गीतं नृत्यं तथा वाद्यं कर्तव्यं शिवसंनिधौ

śivasya caritaṁ rātrau śrotavyaṁ bahuvistaram | gītaṁ nṛtyaṁ tathā vādyaṁ kartavyaṁ śivasaṁnidhau

The deeds of Shiva should be heard at length through the night; song, dance, and music should be performed in Shiva's presence.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.381.122)

एवं सा नीयते रात्रिर्मुख्यं जागरणं यतः । रात्रौ देयानि दानानि शक्त्या वै तत्र जागरे

evaṁ sā nīyate rātrirmukhyaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ yataḥ | rātrau deyāni dānāni śaktyā vai tatra jāgare

Thus is that night to be passed, for the vigil is the chief thing. Gifts should be given during the night, according to one's ability, during that vigil.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.381.123)

पुनः स्नात्वा प्रभाते तु कर्त्तव्यं शिवपूजनम् । पूजनीयाश्च यतयो भोजनाच्छादनादिभिः

punaḥ snātvā prabhāte tu karttavyaṁ śivapūjanam | pūjanīyāśca yatayo bhojanācchādanādibhiḥ

Having bathed again in the morning, the worship of Shiva should be performed; and ascetics should be honoured with food, clothing, and the like.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.381.124)

तपस्विनां प्रदातव्यं भोजनं गृहमेधिभिः । द्वादशाष्टौ च चत्वारो भोक्तव्या एक एव वा

tapasvināṁ pradātavyaṁ bhojanaṁ gṛhamedhibhiḥ | dvādaśāṣṭau ca catvāro bhoktavyā eka eva vā

Food should be given to ascetics by householders - twelve, or eight, or four should be fed, or even just one.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.381.125)

एकोऽपि ब्रह्मचारी यो ब्रह्मविच्छिवपूजकः । सहस्राणां समो भक्त्या गृहे संभोजितो भवेत्

eko'pi brahmacārī yo brahmavicchivapūjakaḥ | sahasrāṇāṁ samo bhaktyā gṛhe saṁbhojito bhavet

Even a single celibate student, if he is learned in Brahman and a worshipper of Shiva, when fed with devotion in one's home, is equal to a thousand ordinary guests.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.381.126)

अक्षारालवणं पत्रे भोक्तव्यं वाग्यतैः स्वयम् । पुत्रमित्रकलत्राणां दातव्यं भोजनं पुरः

akṣārālavaṇaṁ patre bhoktavyaṁ vāgyataiḥ svayam | putramitrakalatrāṇāṁ dātavyaṁ bhojanaṁ puraḥ

The observer of the vow should himself eat food free of alkali and salt, on a leaf, keeping silence; food should be given first to sons, friends, and wife.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.381.127)

अनेन विधिना कार्या शिवरात्रिः शिवव्रतैः । द्वादशैता यदा पूर्णास्तिलपात्राणि वै तदा

anena vidhinā kāryā śivarātriḥ śivavrataiḥ | dvādaśaitā yadā pūrṇāstilapātrāṇi vai tadā

By this rule Shivaratri should be observed by those devoted to Shiva's vow. When these twelve observances are complete, then vessels of sesame -

Verse 128 (skanda.7.381.128)

द्वादशैव प्रदेयानिगुरुब्राह्मणज्ञातिषु । व्रतांते गौः प्रदातव्या कृष्णा वत्सयुता दृढा

dvādaśaiva pradeyānigurubrāhmaṇajñātiṣu | vratāṁte gauḥ pradātavyā kṛṣṇā vatsayutā dṛḍhā

twelve of them should be given to one's guru, to brahmins, and to relatives. At the end of the vow, a strong black cow with her calf should be given -

Verse 129 (skanda.7.381.129)

सवस्त्राभरणा देया घंटाभरणभूषिता । अंगुलीयकवासांसि च्छत्रोपानत्कमण्डलु

savastrābharaṇā deyā ghaṁṭābharaṇabhūṣitā | aṁgulīyakavāsāṁsi cchatropānatkamaṇḍalu

given with cloth and ornaments, adorned with bells; a ring, garments, an umbrella, sandals, and a water-pot -

Verse 130 (skanda.7.381.130)

गुरवे दक्षिणा देयाब्राह्मणेभ्यः स्वशक्तितः । एवं कृत्वा ततो देयं तपस्विभ्योऽथ भोजनम् । मिष्टान्नं विविधं दत्त्वा क्षमाप्य च विसर्जयेत्

gurave dakṣiṇā deyābrāhmaṇebhyaḥ svaśaktitaḥ | evaṁ kṛtvā tato deyaṁ tapasvibhyo'tha bhojanam | miṣṭānnaṁ vividhaṁ dattvā kṣamāpya ca visarjayet

a fee should be given to the guru, and to brahmins according to one's means. Having done this, food should then be given to ascetics; having given various sweet foods, one should ask forgiveness and take leave.

Verse 131 (skanda.7.381.131)

एवं यः कुरुते सत्यं तस्य पापं न विद्यते । संतानमुत्तमं लब्ध्वा भुक्त्वा भोगाननुत्तमान्

evaṁ yaḥ kurute satyaṁ tasya pāpaṁ na vidyate | saṁtānamuttamaṁ labdhvā bhuktvā bhogānanuttamān

He who truly performs it in this way has no sin remaining; having obtained excellent offspring, and enjoyed unsurpassed pleasures,

Verse 132 (skanda.7.381.132)

दिव्यविमानमारूढो दिव्यस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितः । गतिवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्नीयते शिवमन्दिरे

divyavimānamārūḍho divyastrīpariveṣṭitaḥ | gativāditranirghoṣairnīyate śivamandire

mounted on a divine chariot, surrounded by celestial women, he is borne, amid the resounding of instruments, to Shiva's abode.

Verse 133 (skanda.7.381.133)

तदेतत्कथितं पुण्यं शिवरात्रिव्रतं मया । कृतेन येन लोकानां सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

tadetatkathitaṁ puṇyaṁ śivarātrivrataṁ mayā | kṛtena yena lokānāṁ sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

Thus has this meritorious vow of Shivaratri been told by me - by the performance of which the destruction of all sin comes about for the worlds.