The Glory of Rudreshvara (Kedara) and King Shashabindu

Verse 1 (skanda.7.39.1)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ अथ संपूज्य विधिना देवदेवं कपर्द्दिनम् ॥ ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि लिगं केदारसंस्थितम्

|| īśvara uvāca || atha saṁpūjya vidhinā devadevaṁ kaparddinam || tato gacchenmahādevi ligaṁ kedārasaṁsthitam

Ishvara said: "Then, having worshipped the god of gods Kapardin according to rule, one should go, O great goddess, to the linga established at Kedara."

Verse 2 (skanda.7.39.2)

तस्यैवाग्नेयभागस्थं भीमेश्वरसमीपगम्॥ स्वयंभूतं महादेवि कल्पलिंगं मम प्रियम्

tasyaivāgneyabhāgasthaṁ bhīmeśvarasamīpagam|| svayaṁbhūtaṁ mahādevi kalpaliṁgaṁ mama priyam

"In its south-eastern part, close to Bhimeshvara, is the self-manifest Kalpalinga, dear to me, O great goddess."

Verse 3 (skanda.7.39.3)

मया संपूजितं देवि वृद्धिलिंग महाप्रभम्॥ निराहारस्तु यस्तत्र करोत्येकं प्रजागरम्

mayā saṁpūjitaṁ devi vṛddhiliṁga mahāprabham|| nirāhārastu yastatra karotyekaṁ prajāgaram

"Worshipped by me, O goddess, is the greatly radiant Vriddhilinga; whoever keeps a single night-vigil there, fasting—"

Verse 4 (skanda.7.39.4)

चतुर्दश्यां विशेषेण तस्य लोकाः सनातनाः ॥ रुद्रेश्वरेति देवस्य त्वासीन्नाम पुरा युगे

caturdaśyāṁ viśeṣeṇa tasya lokāḥ sanātanāḥ || rudreśvareti devasya tvāsīnnāma purā yuge

"—especially on the fourteenth lunar day, eternal worlds are his. In a former age, this god's name was Rudreshvara."

Verse 5 (skanda.7.39.5)

तिष्येस्मिंस्तु पुनः प्राप्ते म्लेच्छस्पर्शभयातुरः ॥ अस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं यातः केदारश्चाब्धिसंनिधौ

tiṣyesmiṁstu punaḥ prāpte mlecchasparśabhayāturaḥ || asmim̐lliṁge layaṁ yātaḥ kedāraścābdhisaṁnidhau

"But when this Tishya (the Kali age) again arrived, fearful of the touch of Mlecchas, Kedara went into dissolution within this linga, near the ocean."

Verse 6 (skanda.7.39.6)

तेन केदारनामेति तस्य ख्यातं धरातले ॥ माघे मासि यताहारः स्नात्वा तु लवणोदधौ

tena kedāranāmeti tasya khyātaṁ dharātale || māghe māsi yatāhāraḥ snātvā tu lavaṇodadhau

"By that, its name 'Kedara' became famed upon the earth. In the month of Magha, having controlled one's diet, and having bathed in the salt ocean—"

Verse 7 (skanda.7.39.7)

पद्मके तु महाकुंडे मध्येस्य लवणांभसः ॥ रुद्रेशाद्दक्षिणे भागे धनुषां दशके स्थिते

padmake tu mahākuṁḍe madhyesya lavaṇāṁbhasaḥ || rudreśāddakṣiṇe bhāge dhanuṣāṁ daśake sthite

"—at the great pool Padmaka, in the midst of that salt water, situated ten bow-lengths to the south of Rudresha—"

Verse 8 (skanda.7.39.8)

स्नात्वा विधानतो देवि रुद्रेशं चार्चयिष्यति ॥ सम्यक्केदारया त्रायाः फलं तस्य भविष्यति

snātvā vidhānato devi rudreśaṁ cārcayiṣyati || samyakkedārayā trāyāḥ phalaṁ tasya bhaviṣyati

"—having bathed there according to rule, O goddess, and having worshipped Rudresha, the full fruit of the Kedara pilgrimage will come to him."

Verse 9 (skanda.7.39.9)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां पूजनान्नाशनं महत् ॥ अथ तस्यैव देवस्य इतिहासं पुरातनम्

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ pūjanānnāśanaṁ mahat || atha tasyaiva devasya itihāsaṁ purātanam

"Through this worship, there is great destruction of sins such as brahmin-slaying. Now hear the ancient legend of that very god—"

Verse 10 (skanda.7.39.10)

सर्वकामप्रदं नृणां कथ्यते ते सुरप्रिये ॥ आसीद्राजा पुरा देवि शशबिंदुरिति श्रुतः

sarvakāmapradaṁ nṛṇāṁ kathyate te surapriye || āsīdrājā purā devi śaśabiṁduriti śrutaḥ

"—which grants all desires to men, is told to you, O beloved of the gods. There was, O goddess, in former times, a king known by the name Shashabindu."

Verse 11 (skanda.7.39.11)

सार्वभौमो महीपालो विपक्षगणसूदनः ॥ कलिद्वापरयोः संधौ सभूतः पृथिवीपतिः

sārvabhaumo mahīpālo vipakṣagaṇasūdanaḥ || kalidvāparayoḥ saṁdhau sabhūtaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

A universal emperor, protector of the earth, destroyer of hosts of enemies — this lord of the earth was born at the junction of the Kali and Dvapara ages.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.39.12)

तस्य भार्याऽभवत्साध्वी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी ॥ न देवी न च गन्धर्वी नासुरी न च पन्नगी

tasya bhāryā'bhavatsādhvī prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī || na devī na ca gandharvī nāsurī na ca pannagī

His wife was a virtuous lady, dearer to him even than his own life; neither a goddess, nor a Gandharva woman, nor an Asuri, nor a serpent-woman—

Verse 13 (skanda.7.39.13)

तादृग्रूपा वरारोहे यथाऽस्य शुभलोचना॥ तस्य हेममयं पद्मं शतपत्रं मनोरमम्

tādṛgrūpā varārohe yathā'sya śubhalocanā|| tasya hemamayaṁ padmaṁ śatapatraṁ manoramam

—possessed such beauty, O lovely one, as his fair-eyed queen. He had a golden, hundred-petalled, charming lotus—

Verse 14 (skanda.7.39.14)

खेचरं वेगि नित्यं च तस्य राज्ञो महात्मनः॥ स तेन पर्यटँल्लोकान्सर्वान्देवि स्वकामतः

khecaraṁ vegi nityaṁ ca tasya rājño mahātmanaḥ|| sa tena paryaṭam̐llokānsarvāndevi svakāmataḥ

—a sky-going, ever-swift one, belonging to that great-souled king. By it, he traveled through all the worlds, O goddess, as he desired.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.39.15)

एकदा फाल्गुने मासि शुक्लपक्षे वरानने ॥ चतुर्द्दश्यां तु संप्राप्तः प्रभासक्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

ekadā phālgune māsi śuklapakṣe varānane || caturddaśyāṁ tu saṁprāptaḥ prabhāsakṣetramuttamam

One day, in the month of Phalguna, in the bright fortnight, O fair-faced one, on the fourteenth day, he arrived at the excellent field of Prabhasa.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.39.16)

अथापश्यदृषीन्सर्वाञ्छ्रीसोमेशपुरःस्थितान् ॥ रात्रौ जागरणार्थाय जपहोमपरायणान्

athāpaśyadṛṣīnsarvāñchrīsomeśapuraḥsthitān || rātrau jāgaraṇārthāya japahomaparāyaṇān

Then he saw all the sages standing before Shri Someshvara, devoted to japa and homa, there for the purpose of a night-vigil.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.39.17)

स दृष्ट्वा सोमनाथं तु प्रणिपत्य विधानतः ॥ पूजयामास सर्वां स्तान्यथार्हं भक्तिसंयुतः

sa dṛṣṭvā somanāthaṁ tu praṇipatya vidhānataḥ || pūjayāmāsa sarvāṁ stānyathārhaṁ bhaktisaṁyutaḥ

Beholding Somanatha, he bowed according to rule and, filled with devotion, worshipped all of them as was fitting.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.39.18)

ततः केदारमासाद्य संस्नाप्य विधिवत्प्रिये ॥ पूजयित्वा विचित्राभिः पुष्पमालाभिरीश्वरम्

tataḥ kedāramāsādya saṁsnāpya vidhivatpriye || pūjayitvā vicitrābhiḥ puṣpamālābhirīśvaram

Then, reaching Kedara, and, O beloved, having bathed the linga according to rule, and worshipped Ishvara with wondrous garlands of flowers—

Verse 19 (skanda.7.39.19)

नैवेद्यैर्विविधैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणैश्च मनोहरैः ॥ ततोऽत्र कारयामास जागरं सुसमाहितः

naivedyairvividhairvastrairbhūṣaṇaiśca manoharaiḥ || tato'tra kārayāmāsa jāgaraṁ susamāhitaḥ

—with various food-offerings, garments, and charming ornaments, he then, with focused mind, held a night-vigil there.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.39.20)

ततस्ते मुनयः सर्वे कुतूहलसमन्विताः ॥ च्यवनो याज्ञवल्क्यश्च शांडिल्यः शाकटायनः

tataste munayaḥ sarve kutūhalasamanvitāḥ || cyavano yājñavalkyaśca śāṁḍilyaḥ śākaṭāyanaḥ

Then all those sages, filled with curiosity — Chyavana, Yajnavalkya, Shandilya, Shakatayana—

Verse 21 (skanda.7.39.21)

रैभ्योऽथ जैमिनिः क्रौंचो नारदः पर्वतः शिलः ॥ मार्कंडं पुरतः कृत्वा जग्मुस्तस्य समीपतः

raibhyo'tha jaiminiḥ krauṁco nāradaḥ parvataḥ śilaḥ || mārkaṁḍaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā jagmustasya samīpataḥ

—Raibhya, Jaimini, Kraunca, Narada, Parvata, Shila — placing Markanda before them, went near to him.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.39.22)

चक्रुः कथाः सुविचित्रा इतिहासानि भूरिशः ॥ कीर्त्तयंतः स्थितास्तत्र पप्रच्छू राजसत्तमम्

cakruḥ kathāḥ suvicitrā itihāsāni bhūriśaḥ || kīrttayaṁtaḥ sthitāstatra papracchū rājasattamam

They told wondrous tales and many histories, and, reciting them, standing there, questioned that best of kings.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.39.23)

॥ ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ कस्मात्सोमेश्वरं देवं परित्यज्य नराधिप ॥ केदारस्य पुरोऽकार्षीर्जागरं तद्ब्रवीहि नः ॥ नूनं वेत्सि फलं चास्य लिंगस्य त्वं महोदयम्

|| ṛṣaya ūcuḥ || kasmātsomeśvaraṁ devaṁ parityajya narādhipa || kedārasya puro'kārṣīrjāgaraṁ tadbravīhi naḥ || nūnaṁ vetsi phalaṁ cāsya liṁgasya tvaṁ mahodayam

The sages said: "O king, why, leaving aside the god Someshvara, did you hold your night-vigil before Kedara instead? Tell us this. Surely you must know the great fruit of this linga."

Verse 24 (skanda.7.39.24)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ शृण्वंतु ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे अन्यदेहोद्भवं मम ॥ पुराऽहं शूद्रजातीय आसं ब्राह्मणपूजकः

|| rājovāca || śṛṇvaṁtu brāhmaṇāḥ sarve anyadehodbhavaṁ mama || purā'haṁ śūdrajātīya āsaṁ brāhmaṇapūjakaḥ

The king said: "Let all the Brahmins hear of what arose in my former body: formerly I was of Shudra birth, but a worshipper of Brahmins."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.39.25)

सौराष्ट्रविषये शुभ्रे धनधान्यसमाकुले ॥ अथ कालांतरे तत्र अनावृष्टिरभूद्द्विजाः

saurāṣṭraviṣaye śubhre dhanadhānyasamākule || atha kālāṁtare tatra anāvṛṣṭirabhūddvijāḥ

"In the pure land of Saurashtra, abounding in wealth and grain — then, after some time, O twice-born, a drought occurred there."

Verse 26 (skanda.7.39.26)

ततोऽहं क्षुधयाविष्टः प्रभासं क्षेत्रमास्थितः ॥ अथापश्यं सरः शुभ्रं हरिणीमूलसंस्थितम्

tato'haṁ kṣudhayāviṣṭaḥ prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāsthitaḥ || athāpaśyaṁ saraḥ śubhraṁ hariṇīmūlasaṁsthitam

"Then, overcome with hunger, I made my way to the field of Prabhasa; there I saw a pure lake, situated at the root of Harini."

Verse 27 (skanda.7.39.27)

तच्च रामसरोनाम पद्मिनीषण्डमंडितम् ॥ क्षीरोदांबुधिसंकाशं दृष्ट्वा स्नातः क्लमान्वितः

tacca rāmasaronāma padminīṣaṇḍamaṁḍitam || kṣīrodāṁbudhisaṁkāśaṁ dṛṣṭvā snātaḥ klamānvitaḥ

"That was the lake called Ramasara, adorned with a cluster of lotus-plants, resembling the ocean of milk; seeing it, exhausted as I was, I bathed."

Verse 28 (skanda.7.39.28)

संतर्प्य च पितॄन्देवान्पीत्वा स्वच्छमथोदकम् ॥ ततोऽहं भार्यया प्रोक्तो गृहाणेमान्सरोरुहान्

saṁtarpya ca pitṝndevānpītvā svacchamathodakam || tato'haṁ bhāryayā prokto gṛhāṇemānsaroruhān

"Having offered libations to the ancestors and gods, and having drunk the clear water, I was then told by my wife: 'Take these lotuses.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.7.39.29)

एतत्समीपतो रम्यं दृश्यते स्थानमुत्तमम् ॥ विक्रीणीमोऽत्र गत्वा तु येन स्याद्भोजनं विभो

etatsamīpato ramyaṁ dṛśyate sthānamuttamam || vikrīṇīmo'tra gatvā tu yena syādbhojanaṁ vibho

"'Nearby, a lovely, excellent place is visible; let us go there and sell these, O lord, so that we may have food.'"

Verse 30 (skanda.7.39.30)

अथावतीर्य सलिलं गृहीतानि मया द्विजाः ॥ कमलानि सुभू रीणि प्रस्थितश्च पुरं प्रति

athāvatīrya salilaṁ gṛhītāni mayā dvijāḥ || kamalāni subhū rīṇi prasthitaśca puraṁ prati

"Then, entering the water, O twice-born, I gathered many beautiful lotuses, and set out toward the town."

Verse 31 (skanda.7.39.31)

तत्र गत्वा च रथ्यासु चत्वरेषु त्रिकेषु च ॥ प्रफुल्लकमलान्येव क्रेतुं वै मुनिसत्तमाः

tatra gatvā ca rathyāsu catvareṣu trikeṣu ca || praphullakamalānyeva kretuṁ vai munisattamāḥ

"Going there, in the streets, squares, and crossroads, O foremost of sages, I tried to sell those fully-bloomed lotuses."

Verse 32 (skanda.7.39.32)

न कश्चित्प्रति गृह्णाति अस्तं प्राप्तो दिवाकरः ॥ प्रासादं कंचिदासाद्य सुप्तोहं सह भार्यया

na kaścitprati gṛhṇāti astaṁ prāpto divākaraḥ || prāsādaṁ kaṁcidāsādya suptohaṁ saha bhāryayā

"No one bought them; the sun set. Reaching some building, I slept together with my wife."

Verse 33 (skanda.7.39.33)

तत्र सुप्तस्य मे बुद्धिः श्रुत्वा गीतध्वनिं तदा ॥ समुत्पन्ना सभा र्यस्य क्षुधार्तस्य विशेषतः ॥ नूनं जागरणं ह्येतत्कस्मिंश्चिद्विबुधालये

tatra suptasya me buddhiḥ śrutvā gītadhvaniṁ tadā || samutpannā sabhā ryasya kṣudhārtasya viśeṣataḥ || nūnaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ hyetatkasmiṁścidvibudhālaye

"There, as I slept, hearing the sound of singing, a thought arose in me, especially since I was hungry, together with my wife: 'Surely this is a night-vigil at some temple of the gods.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.7.39.34)

सरोरुहाणि चादाय व्रजाम्यत्र सुरालये ॥ यदि कश्चित्प्रगृह्णाति प्राणयात्रा ततो भवेत्

saroruhāṇi cādāya vrajāmyatra surālaye || yadi kaścitpragṛhṇāti prāṇayātrā tato bhavet

"'Let me take these lotuses and go to that temple; if someone there accepts them, my life may be sustained.'"

Verse 35 (skanda.7.39.35)

अथोत्थाय समायातो ह्यत्राहं मुनिपुंगवाः ॥ अपश्यं लिंगमेतत्तु पूजितं कुसुमैः शुभैः

athotthāya samāyāto hyatrāhaṁ munipuṁgavāḥ || apaśyaṁ liṁgametattu pūjitaṁ kusumaiḥ śubhaiḥ

"Then, O foremost of sages, rising up, I came here, and saw this very linga, worshipped with auspicious flowers."

Verse 36 (skanda.7.39.36)

रुद्रेश्वराभिधमिदं वृद्धलिंगं स्वयंभुवम् ॥ वेश्यानंगवतीनाम्नी शिवरात्रिपरायणा

rudreśvarābhidhamidaṁ vṛddhaliṁgaṁ svayaṁbhuvam || veśyānaṁgavatīnāmnī śivarātriparāyaṇā

"This is the self-manifest linga called Rudreshvara, also the Vriddhalinga; a courtesan named Anangavati, devoted to the Shivaratri vow—"

Verse 37 (skanda.7.39.37)

जागर्त्ति पुरतस्तस्य गीतनृत्योत्सवादिना ॥ ततः कश्चिन्मया दृष्टः किमेतद्रात्रिजागरम्

jāgartti puratastasya gītanṛtyotsavādinā || tataḥ kaścinmayā dṛṣṭaḥ kimetadrātrijāgaram

"—was keeping vigil before it with festivities of song and dance. Then I saw someone there and asked him: 'What is this night-vigil?'"

Verse 38 (skanda.7.39.38)

केयं स्त्री दृश्यतेऽत्यर्थं गीतनृत्योत्सवे रता ॥ सोऽब्रवीच्छिवधर्मोक्ता शिवरात्रिः सुधर्मदा

keyaṁ strī dṛśyate'tyarthaṁ gītanṛtyotsave ratā || so'bravīcchivadharmoktā śivarātriḥ sudharmadā

"'Who is this woman who is seen so engrossed in the festivity of song and dance?' He replied: 'This is the Shivaratri, declared in the law of Shiva, bestowing excellent merit.'"

Verse 39 (skanda.7.39.39)

तां चानंगवतीनाम्नी वेश्येयं धर्मसंयुता ॥ जागर्त्ति परमं श्रेयः शिवरात्रिव्रतं शुभम्

tāṁ cānaṁgavatīnāmnī veśyeyaṁ dharmasaṁyutā || jāgartti paramaṁ śreyaḥ śivarātrivrataṁ śubham

"'This courtesan, named Anangavati, endowed with righteousness, keeps this vigil — the supreme blessing, the auspicious Shivaratri vow.'"

Verse 40 (skanda.7.39.40)

शिवरात्रिव्रतं ह्येतद्यः सम्यक्कुरुते नरः ॥ न स दुःखमवाप्नोति न दारि द्र्यं न बंधनम्

śivarātrivrataṁ hyetadyaḥ samyakkurute naraḥ || na sa duḥkhamavāpnoti na dāri dryaṁ na baṁdhanam

"'Whatever man properly observes this Shivaratri vow does not obtain sorrow, nor poverty, nor bondage.'"

Verse 41 (skanda.7.39.41)

दुष्टं चारिष्टयोगं वा न रोगं न भयं क्वचित् ॥ सुखसौभाग्यसंपन्नो जायते सत्कुले नरः

duṣṭaṁ cāriṣṭayogaṁ vā na rogaṁ na bhayaṁ kvacit || sukhasaubhāgyasaṁpanno jāyate satkule naraḥ

"'Neither evil conjunctions, nor sickness, nor fear ever befall him; such a man is born in a noble family, endowed with happiness and good fortune.'"

Verse 42 (skanda.7.39.42)

तेजस्वी च यशस्वी च सर्वकल्याणभाजनम् ॥ भवेदस्य प्रसादेन एवमाहुर्मनीषिणः

tejasvī ca yaśasvī ca sarvakalyāṇabhājanam || bhavedasya prasādena evamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

"'He becomes splendrous and famous, a vessel of every blessing, by the grace of this vow — thus say the wise.'"

Verse 43 (skanda.7.39.43)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ अथ मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना तद्व्रतं प्रति निश्चला ॥ चिंतितं मनसा ह्येतन्मयाब्राह्मणसत्तमाः

|| rājovāca || atha me buddhirutpannā tadvrataṁ prati niścalā || ciṁtitaṁ manasā hyetanmayābrāhmaṇasattamāḥ

The king said: "Then a firm resolve arose in me toward that vow; O foremost of Brahmins, this is what I thought in my mind."

Verse 44 (skanda.7.39.44)

अन्नाभावान्ममोत्पन्न उपवासो बलाद्यतः ॥ तदहं पद्मके तीर्थेस्नात्वा च लवणांभसि

annābhāvānmamotpanna upavāso balādyataḥ || tadahaṁ padmake tīrthesnātvā ca lavaṇāṁbhasi

"'Since my fast has arisen forcibly, from lack of food, therefore, having bathed at the Padmaka tirtha in the salt water—'"

Verse 45 (skanda.7.39.45)

एतैः सरोरुहैर्देवं पूजयामि महेश्वरम्॥ ततो मया सभार्येण रुद्रेशः संप्रपूजितः

etaiḥ saroruhairdevaṁ pūjayāmi maheśvaram|| tato mayā sabhāryeṇa rudreśaḥ saṁprapūjitaḥ

"'—with these lotuses I shall worship the great lord.' Then, together with my wife, I worshipped Rudresha well."

Verse 46 (skanda.7.39.46)

पद्मैश्च भक्तियुक्तेन सभार्येण विशेषतः ॥ जाग्रत्स्थितस्तु देवाग्रे तां रात्रिं सह भार्यया

padmaiśca bhaktiyuktena sabhāryeṇa viśeṣataḥ || jāgratsthitastu devāgre tāṁ rātriṁ saha bhāryayā

With lotuses, with devotion, together with my wife, I stayed awake that whole night before the god, together with my wife.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.39.47)

ततः प्रभातसमय उदिते सूर्यमण्डले ॥ सा वेश्या मामुवाचेदं कलधौतपलत्रयम्

tataḥ prabhātasamaya udite sūryamaṇḍale || sā veśyā māmuvācedaṁ kaladhautapalatrayam

Then, at the time of dawn, when the disc of the sun had risen, that courtesan spoke this to me, offering three palas of silver.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.39.48)

गृहाणमूल्यं पद्मानां न गृहीतं मया हि तत् ॥ सात्त्विकं भावमास्थाय सभार्येण द्विजोत्तमाः

gṛhāṇamūlyaṁ padmānāṁ na gṛhītaṁ mayā hi tat || sāttvikaṁ bhāvamāsthāya sabhāryeṇa dvijottamāḥ

"'Take this as the price of the lotuses'" — but, O best of twice-born, together with my wife, adopting a pure, selfless disposition, I did not accept it.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.39.49)

ततो भिक्षां समाहृत्य प्राणयात्रा मया कृता ॥ कालेन महता प्राप्तः कालधर्मं मुनीश्वराः

tato bhikṣāṁ samāhṛtya prāṇayātrā mayā kṛtā || kālena mahatā prāptaḥ kāladharmaṁ munīśvarāḥ

Then, gathering alms, I sustained my life; and after a great length of time, O lords of sages, I met with death.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.39.50)

इयं मे दयिता साध्वी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी ॥ मम देहं समादाय प्रविष्टा हव्यवाहनम्॥

iyaṁ me dayitā sādhvī prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī || mama dehaṁ samādāya praviṣṭā havyavāhanam||

This beloved, virtuous wife of mine, dearer to me than life, taking up my body, entered the fire.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.39.51)

तत्प्रभावादहं जातः सर्वभौमो महीपतिः ॥ जातिस्मरः सभार्यस्तु सत्यमेतद्द्विजोत्तमाः

tatprabhāvādahaṁ jātaḥ sarvabhaumo mahīpatiḥ || jātismaraḥ sabhāryastu satyametaddvijottamāḥ

By the power of that vow, I was born as a universal lord of the earth, remembering my past births, together with my wife; this is the truth, O best of twice-born.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.39.52)

एतस्मात्कारणादस्य भक्तिर्लिंगस्य चोपरि ॥ मम नित्यं सभार्यस्य सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि वः

etasmātkāraṇādasya bhaktirliṁgasya copari || mama nityaṁ sabhāryasya satyametadbravīmi vaḥ

"For this reason, my devotion to this linga, together with my wife, is constant — this truth I tell you."

Verse 53 (skanda.7.39.53)

मया क्रियाविहीनेन भक्तिबाह्येन सत्तमाः ॥ व्रतमेतत्समाचीर्णं तस्येदं सुमहत्फ लम्

mayā kriyāvihīnena bhaktibāhyena sattamāḥ || vratametatsamācīrṇaṁ tasyedaṁ sumahatpha lam

"O most excellent ones, by me, though devoid of proper ritual and outside of true devotion, this vow was merely performed; and yet this is its great fruit."

Verse 54 (skanda.7.39.54)

अधुना भक्तियुक्तस्य यथोपकरणान्मम ॥ भविष्ये यत्फलं किंचिन्नो वेद्मि च मुनीश्वराः ॥ येन सोमेशमुत्सृज्य अत्राहं भक्ति तत्परः

adhunā bhaktiyuktasya yathopakaraṇānmama || bhaviṣye yatphalaṁ kiṁcinno vedmi ca munīśvarāḥ || yena someśamutsṛjya atrāhaṁ bhakti tatparaḥ

"Now, since I am devoted, with due materials — what fruit shall come to me in the future, I know not at all, O lords of sages; for which reason, leaving aside Somesha, I am here devoted to this linga."

Verse 55 (skanda.7.39.55)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ एवं श्रुत्वा तु ते विप्रा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः ॥ साधुसाध्विति जल्पंतो राजानं संप्रशंसिरे

|| īśvara uvāca || evaṁ śrutvā tu te viprā vismayotphullalocanāḥ || sādhusādhviti jalpaṁto rājānaṁ saṁpraśaṁsire

Ishvara said: "Hearing this, those Brahmins, their eyes wide with astonishment, saying 'Well done, well done,' praised the king."

Verse 56 (skanda.7.39.56)

पूजयामासुरनिशं लिंगं तत्र स्वयंभुवम् ॥ ततोऽसौ पार्थिवश्रेष्ठो लिंगस्यास्यप्रसादतः ॥ संसिद्धिं परमां प्राप्तो दुर्ल्लभां त्रिदशैरपि

pūjayāmāsuraniśaṁ liṁgaṁ tatra svayaṁbhuvam || tato'sau pārthivaśreṣṭho liṁgasyāsyaprasādataḥ || saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ prāpto durllabhāṁ tridaśairapi

They constantly worshipped the self-manifest linga there. Then that most excellent king, by the grace of this linga, attained supreme perfection, hard to obtain even by the gods.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.39.57)

सा च वेश्या भगवती शिवरात्रिप्रभावतः ॥ तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्याद्रंभानामाप्सराऽभवत्

sā ca veśyā bhagavatī śivarātriprabhāvataḥ || tasya liṁgasya māhātmyādraṁbhānāmāpsarā'bhavat

And that courtesan, blessed one, through the power of Shivaratri and the greatness of that linga, became an Apsara named Rambha.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.39.58)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तल्लिंगं पूजयेद्बुधः ॥ धर्मकामार्थमोक्षं च यो वांछत्यखिलप्रदम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena talliṁgaṁ pūjayedbudhaḥ || dharmakāmārthamokṣaṁ ca yo vāṁchatyakhilapradam

Therefore, with every effort, the wise man who desires dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, which that linga grants completely, should worship it.