The Greatness of Kedara

Verse 1 (skanda.7.393.1)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्नृपश्रेष्ठ तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् । केदारमिति विख्यातं सर्वपापहरं नृणाम्

pulastya uvāca | tato gacchennṛpaśreṣṭha tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam | kedāramiti vikhyātaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ nṛṇām

Pulastya said: O best of kings, then one should go to the sacred ford renowned throughout the three worlds, known as Kedara, which removes all the sins of men.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.393.2)

यत्र मन्दाकिनी पुण्या सरस्वत्या समागता । तत्र स्नातो नरो राजन्मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः

yatra mandākinī puṇyā sarasvatyā samāgatā | tatra snāto naro rājanmucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ

Where the sacred Mandakini meets the Sarasvati - a man who bathes there, O king, is freed from all sins.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.393.3)

शृणु राजन्यथावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम् । ऋषिभिर्बहुधा गीतमर्बुदे पर्वतोत्तमे

śṛṇu rājanyathāvṛttamitihāsaṁ purātanam | ṛṣibhirbahudhā gītamarbude parvatottame

O king, hear that ancient tale, just as it happened, which the sages have sung in many ways upon the best of mountains, Arbuda.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.393.4)

अजपालो नृपश्रेष्ठः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः । सप्तद्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं स पाति नात्र संशयः

ajapālo nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ sūryavaṁśasamudbhavaḥ | saptadvīpavatīṁ pṛthvīṁ sa pāti nātra saṁśayaḥ

There was a best of kings named Ajapala, born in the Solar dynasty. He ruled over the seven-continented earth, without doubt.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.393.5)

न हस्तिनो न पादाता न चाश्वास्तस्य भूपतेः । न रथाश्च महाराज न कोशाश्च तथाविधाः

na hastino na pādātā na cāśvāstasya bhūpateḥ | na rathāśca mahārāja na kośāśca tathāvidhāḥ

That king had neither elephants, nor foot soldiers, nor horses. O great king, he had neither chariots nor a treasury of that kind.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.393.6)

न गृह्णाति करं राजन्प्रजाभ्योथाधिकं नृप । राज्यं स ईदृशं चक्रे सर्वलोकहिते रतः

na gṛhṇāti karaṁ rājanprajābhyothādhikaṁ nṛpa | rājyaṁ sa īdṛśaṁ cakre sarvalokahite rataḥ

O king, he did not take taxes from his subjects beyond what was needed. He governed his kingdom thus, devoted to the welfare of all people.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.393.7)

जातापराधो भूपृष्ठे जायते चेत्कथंचन । तं गत्वा निग्रहं तस्य चक्रुः शस्त्राणि तत्क्षणात्

jātāparādho bhūpṛṣṭhe jāyate cetkathaṁcana | taṁ gatvā nigrahaṁ tasya cakruḥ śastrāṇi tatkṣaṇāt

If any offense arose anywhere on earth, weapons themselves would go and instantly restrain the offender.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.393.8)

एवमस्य नरेन्द्रस्य वर्त्तमानस्य भूतले । सुखेन रमते लोको राज्ये निहतकंटके

evamasya narendrasya varttamānasya bhūtale | sukhena ramate loko rājye nihatakaṇṭake

Thus, with this lord of men reigning on earth, the people lived happily in a kingdom cleared of every thorn.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.393.9)

कामं वर्षति पर्जन्यः सस्यानि रसवंति च । गावः प्रभूतदुग्धाश्च विद्यमाने नराधिपे

kāmaṁ varṣati parjanyaḥ sasyāni rasavaṁti ca | gāvaḥ prabhūtadugdhāśca vidyamāne narādhipe

With that lord of men present, the rain-god showered as desired, the crops were full of sap, and the cows gave abundant milk.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.393.10)

केनचित्त्वथ कालेन वसिष्ठो भगवान्मुनिः । तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन तस्य गेहमुपागतः

kenacittvatha kālena vasiṣṭho bhagavānmuniḥ | tīrthayātrāprasaṅgena tasya gehamupāgataḥ

At some time, the revered sage Vasishtha, during a pilgrimage, arrived at his house.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.393.11)

तं दृष्ट्वा पूजयामास शास्त्रदृष्टेन वर्त्मना । प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादाभ्यामर्घ्यपाद्यादिभिस्तथा

taṁ dṛṣṭvā pūjayāmāsa śāstradṛṣṭena vartmanā | pratyutthānābhivādābhyāmarghyapādyādibhistathā

Seeing him, the king honoured him in the manner prescribed by scripture - rising and greeting him, offering water for guest and feet, and the like.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.393.12)

एवं संपूजितस्तेन भक्त्या परमया नृप । सुखोपविष्टो विश्रांतो वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः । राजर्षीणां कथाश्चक्रे देवर्षीणां तथैव च

evaṁ saṁpūjitastena bhaktyā paramayā nṛpa | sukhopaviṣṭo viśrāṁto vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ | rājarṣīṇāṁ kathāścakre devarṣīṇāṁ tathaiva ca

O king, thus worshipped with supreme devotion, comfortably seated and rested, the foremost sage Vasishtha told stories of royal seers and divine seers.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.393.13)

ततः कथावसाने तु कस्मिंश्चिन्नृपसत्तम । पप्रच्छ विनयोपेतस्तं मुनिं शंसितव्रतम्

tataḥ kathāvasāne tu kasmiṁścinnṛpasattama | papraccha vinayopetastaṁ muniṁ śaṁsitavratam

O best of kings, then at the end of the story, on some matter, the king humbly questioned that sage of steadfast vows.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.393.14)

अजपाल उवाच । अतीतानागतं विप्र वर्त्तमानं तथैव च । त्वं वेत्सि सकलं ब्रह्मंस्तपश्चर्याप्रभावतः

ajapāla uvāca | atītānāgataṁ vipra varttamānaṁ tathaiva ca | tvaṁ vetsi sakalaṁ brahmaṁstapaścaryāprabhāvataḥ

Ajapala said: O brahmin, the past, the future, and likewise the present - you know all, O Brahman, through the power of your austerity.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.393.15)

कौतुकं हृदि मे जातं वर्त्तते मुनिपुंगव । प्रसादः क्रियतां मह्यं कथयस्व प्रसादतः

kautukaṁ hṛdi me jātaṁ varttate munipuṅgava | prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ mahyaṁ kathayasva prasādataḥ

O foremost of sages, a curiosity has arisen in my heart. Grant me your grace and, by your kindness, tell me.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.393.16)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । ब्रूहि पार्थिवशार्दूल यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते । कथयिष्यामि तत्सर्वं यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्ल्लभम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | brūhi pārthivaśārdūla yatte manasi varttate | kathayiṣyāmi tatsarvaṁ yadyapi syātsudurllabham

Vasishtha said: O tiger among kings, tell me what is in your mind. I shall tell you everything, even if it be most difficult to know.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.393.17)

राजोवाच । केन कर्मविपाकेन ममैतद्राज्यमुत्तमम् । निष्कण्टकं सदा क्षेमं सर्वकामसमन्वितम्

rājovāca | kena karmavipākena mamaitadrājyamuttamam | niṣkaṇṭakaṁ sadā kṣemaṁ sarvakāmasamanvitam

The king said: By the fruit of what deed is this excellent kingdom of mine free of thorns, ever secure, and endowed with every desire?

Verse 18 (skanda.7.393.18)

न दीनो न च दुःखार्त्तो व्याधिग्रस्तो न कोऽपि च । विद्यते मम राज्ये च न दरिद्रो महामुने

na dīno na ca duḥkhārtto vyādhigrasto na ko'pi ca | vidyate mama rājye ca na daridro mahāmune

O great sage, in my kingdom there is no one destitute, no one in sorrow, no one afflicted with disease, and no one poor.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.393.19)

नारीयं मम साध्वी च प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी । मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा नित्यं मम हिते रता । अनया चिंतितं ब्रह्मन्सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

nārīyaṁ mama sādhvī ca prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī | maccittā madgataprāṇā nityaṁ mama hite ratā | anayā ciṁtitaṁ brahmansarvaṁ vistarato vada

This virtuous wife of mine is dearer to me than life itself. Her mind and her very breath are fixed on me; she is ever devoted to my welfare. O Brahman, tell me too, in full detail, all that she has wondered about.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.393.20)

किं दानस्य प्रभावेन व्रतयागस्य वा मुने । तपसो वा मुनिश्रेष्ठ व्रतस्य नियमस्य च

kiṁ dānasya prabhāveṇa vratayāgasya vā mune | tapaso vā muniśreṣṭha vratasya niyamasya ca

O sage, is it through the power of charity, or of vows and sacrifice, or, O best of sages, of austerity, of vows, or of discipline?

Verse 21 (skanda.7.393.21)

जन्मान्तरकृतं पुण्यं परं कौतूहलं हि मे । कथयस्व प्रसादेन विस्तरेण द्विजोत्तम

janmāntarakṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me | kathayasva prasādena vistareṇa dvijottama

What merit was earned in a previous birth - about this I am most curious. O best of brahmins, kindly tell me in detail.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.393.22)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । शृणु सर्वं महीपाल विस्तरेण च कथ्यते । न च मन्युस्त्वया कार्यो न च व्रीडा महामते

vasiṣṭha uvāca | śṛṇu sarvaṁ mahīpāla vistareṇa ca kathyate | na ca manyustvayā kāryo na ca vrīḍā mahāmate

Vasishtha said: O king, hear everything; it shall be told in detail. O wise one, you must feel neither anger nor shame at this.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.393.23)

अन्यदेहांतरे राजञ्छूद्रजातिसमुद्भवः । शूद्रजातिरियं साध्वी तव पत्नी ह्यभूत्पुरा

anyadehāntare rājañchūdrajātisamudbhavaḥ | śūdrajātiriyaṁ sādhvī tava patnī hyabhūtpurā

O king, in another body you were born of the shudra caste, and this virtuous wife of yours too was formerly of the shudra caste.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.393.24)

केनचित्त्वथ कालेन दुर्भिक्षे समुपस्थिते । अन्नक्षयान्महाराज सर्वलोकः क्षुधार्दितः

kenacittvatha kālena durbhikṣe samupasthite | annakṣayānmahārāja sarvalokaḥ kṣudhārditaḥ

At some time, when a famine came, due to the failure of grain, O great king, the whole population became stricken with hunger.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.393.25)

ततस्त्वं भार्यया सार्द्धमन्यदेशांतरे गतः । समारुह्य च कृच्छ्रेण कस्मिंश्चिद्गिरिनिर्झरे

tatastvaṁ bhāryayā sārddhamanyadeśāntare gataḥ | samāruhya ca kṛcchreṇa kasmiṁścidgirinirjhare

Then you went with your wife to another land. Climbing with difficulty, you reached a certain mountain cascade.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.393.26)

त्वया दृष्टं मनोहारि शुभं पंकजकाननम् । तत्र स्नात्वा पयः पीत्वा पितृदेवाः प्रतर्पिताः

tvayā dṛṣṭaṁ manohāri śubhaṁ paṁkajakānanam | tatra snātvā payaḥ pītvā pitṛdevāḥ pratarpitāḥ

There you saw a lovely, auspicious grove of lotuses. Bathing there and drinking the water, you offered libations to the ancestors and gods.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.393.27)

मनसा चिंतितं ह्येतत्पद्मान्यादाय करोम्यहम् । विक्रयं येन चाहारो भवेन्मम च सर्वथा

manasā ciṁtitaṁ hyetatpadmānyādāya karomyaham | vikrayaṁ yena cāhāro bhavenmama ca sarvathā

You thought in your mind: "I shall take these lotuses and sell them, so that I may somehow obtain food."

Verse 28 (skanda.7.393.28)

ततः पद्मानि भूरीणि गृहीत्वा भार्यया सह । गतो यत्र जनो भूरि गतः पार्थिवसत्तम

tataḥ padmāni bhūrīṇi gṛhītvā bhāryayā saha | gato yatra jano bhūri gataḥ pārthivasattama

Then, taking many lotuses, together with your wife, O best of kings, you went where a great crowd of people had gathered.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.393.29)

न केऽपि प्रतिगृह्णंति लोका दुर्भिक्षपीडिताः । भ्रमितस्त्वं च सर्वत्र श्रांतो वैराग्यमागतः

na ke'pi pratigṛhṇanti lokā durbhikṣapīḍitāḥ | bhramitastvaṁ ca sarvatra śrāṁto vairāgyamāgataḥ

None of the people, stricken by famine, would accept them. You wandered everywhere, grew weary, and fell into detachment.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.393.30)

ततो दिनावसाने तु गुहामेकां समाश्रितः । भूमौ पद्मानि निक्षिप्य क्षुधाविष्टः प्रसुप्तवान्

tato dināvasāne tu guhāmekāṁ samāśritaḥ | bhūmau padmāni nikṣipya kṣudhāviṣṭaḥ prasuptavān

Then, at the day's end, you took shelter in a cave. Placing the lotuses on the ground, overcome by hunger, you fell asleep.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.393.31)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु कर्णयोस्ते समागतः । पठतां द्विजमुख्यानां ध्वनिर्वेदपुराणयोः

etasminneva kāle tu karṇayoste samāgataḥ | paṭhatāṁ dvijamukhyānāṁ dhvanirvedapurāṇayoḥ

At that very moment, the sound of leading brahmins reciting the Vedas and the Puranas reached your ears.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.393.32)

तं श्रुत्वा सहसोत्थाय ज्ञात्वा जागरणं ततः । पद्मान्यादाय तत्रैव सभार्यः शिवमंदिरे

taṁ śrutvā sahasotthāya jñātvā jāgaraṇaṁ tataḥ | padmānyādāya tatraiva sabhāryaḥ śivamandire

Hearing it, you rose at once, and, learning that a night-vigil was taking place, took the lotuses and, with your wife, went there to the Shiva temple.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.393.33)

तत्र नागवती वेश्या शिवरात्रिपरायणा । केदारे परया भक्त्या करोति निशि जागरम्

tatra nāgavatī veśyā śivarātriparāyaṇā | kedāre parayā bhaktyā karoti niśi jāgaram

There was a courtesan named Nagavati, devoted to Shivaratri. At Kedara, with supreme devotion, she was keeping a night vigil.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.393.34)

तस्याः पार्श्वे स्थिता दासी त्वया पृष्टा नरेश्वर । देवस्य पुरतो बाले किमर्थं रात्रिजागरम्

tasyāḥ pārśve sthitā dāsī tvayā pṛṣṭā nareśvara | devasya purato bāle kimarthaṁ rātrijāgaram

O lord of men, you asked her attending maidservant standing nearby: "Child, why this night vigil before the deity?"

Verse 35 (skanda.7.393.35)

तयोक्तं शिवरात्र्यां वै वेश्येयं वरवर्णिनी । कुरुते नागवती नाम रात्रौ भक्त्या च जागरम्

tayoktaṁ śivarātryāṁ vai veśyeyaṁ varavarṇinī | kurute nāgavatī nāma rātrau bhaktyā ca jāgaram

She said: "On the occasion of Shivaratri, this beautiful courtesan, named Nagavati, keeps a night vigil with devotion."

Verse 36 (skanda.7.393.36)

यः श्रद्धाभक्तिसंयुक्तः कुरुते रात्रिजागरम् । पूजयित्वा महादेवं स याति परमं पदम्

yaḥ śraddhābhaktisaṁyuktaḥ kurute rātrijāgaram | pūjayitvā mahādevaṁ sa yāti paramaṁ padam

Whoever, endowed with faith and devotion, keeps a night vigil and worships Mahadeva attains the supreme state.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.393.37)

कृत्वोपवासं पद्मैर्य्यः पूजयेत्त्र्यंबकं नरः । स याति रुद्रसालोक्यं सेव्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः

kṛtvopavāsaṁ padmairyaḥ pūjayettryambakaṁ naraḥ | sa yāti rudrasālokyaṁ sevyamāno'psarogaṇaiḥ

Whoever, keeping a fast, worships the three-eyed Lord with lotuses attains the world of Rudra, attended by troupes of apsaras.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.393.38)

सकामो लभते कामान्देवैरपि सुदुर्ल्लभान् । स त्वं पद्मानि मे देहि कांचनं च पलत्रयम् । एतेषां मूल्यमादाय प्राणाधारं समाचर

sakāmo labhate kāmāndevairapi sudurllabhān | sa tvaṁ padmāni me dehi kāṁcanaṁ ca palatrayam | eteṣāṁ mūlyamādāya prāṇādhāraṁ samācara

Even one who desires worldly things obtains desires hard to attain even for the gods. (She said:) "Give me your lotuses; I shall give you three palas of gold - take their price and sustain your life."

Verse 39 (skanda.7.393.39)

ततस्त्वं भार्यया चोक्तो गृह्यमाणे च कांचने । न ग्राह्यं मूल्यमेतेषां त्वया नाथ कथंचन

tatastvaṁ bhāryayā cokto gṛhyamāṇe ca kāṁcane | na grāhyaṁ mūlyametesāṁ tvayā nātha kathaṁcana

Then, as you were about to accept the gold, your wife said: "My lord, you must not accept payment for these in any way."

Verse 40 (skanda.7.393.40)

उपवासो बलाज्जातो ह्यन्नाभावाद्वयोरपि । पद्मैरेभिर्हरः पूज्यो द्वाभ्यामेवाद्य निश्चयम्

upavāso balājjāto hyannābhāvādvayorapi | padmairebhirharaḥ pūjyo dvābhyāmevādya niścayam

This fasting of ours both has come about by force, from lack of food. With these very lotuses, let the two of us together worship Hara today - this is certain.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.393.41)

इदं त्वयाऽद्य कर्त्तव्यं त्याज्यमस्यास्तु कांचनम् । भार्याया वचनं श्रुत्वा तैः पद्मैः पूजितः शिवः

idaṁ tvayā'dya karttavyaṁ tyājyamasyāstu kāṁcanam | bhāryāyā vacanaṁ śrutvā taiḥ padmaiḥ pūjitaḥ śivaḥ

This alone you should do today; let go of her gold. Hearing your wife's words, you worshipped Shiva with those very lotuses.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.393.42)

श्रद्धया च सभार्येण जागरं च शिवाग्रतः । कृतं त्वया महाराज भार्यया शिवमंदिरे

śraddhayā ca sabhāryeṇa jāgaraṁ ca śivāgrataḥ | kṛtaṁ tvayā mahārāja bhāryayā śivamandire

O great king, with faith, together with your wife, you kept a night vigil before Shiva in the Shiva temple.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.393.43)

पुराणश्रवणं जातं तत्र पार्थिवसत्तम । शिवरात्र्यां महाराज पद्मैस्तु पूजितः शिवः

purāṇaśravaṇaṁ jātaṁ tatra pārthivasattama | śivarātryāṁ mahārāja padmaistu pūjitaḥ śivaḥ

O best of kings, there the hearing of the Purana also took place. O great king, on Shivaratri Shiva was worshipped with lotuses.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.393.44)

केदारस्याग्रतो भक्त्या रात्रौ जागरणं तथा । कृतं त्वया महाराज एकाग्रेण च चेतसा

kedārasyāgrato bhaktyā rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ tathā | kṛtaṁ tvayā mahārāja ekāgreṇa ca cetasā

O great king, likewise, you kept a night vigil before Kedara with devotion and a single-pointed mind.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.393.45)

ततः प्रभाते संजाते भिक्षां कृत्वा च पारणा । कृता त्वया महाराज शिवाग्रे सह भार्यया

tataḥ prabhāte saṁjāte bhikṣāṁ kṛtvā ca pāraṇā | kṛtā tvayā mahārāja śivāgre saha bhāryayā

Then, when morning came, having sought alms, O great king, you broke your fast before Shiva together with your wife.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.393.46)

ततः कालांतरेणैव कालधर्मं गतो भवान् । भार्येयं च त्वया सार्धं संप्रविष्टा हुताशनम्

tataḥ kālāntareṇaiva kāladharmaṁ gato bhavān | bhāryeyaṁ ca tvayā sārdhaṁ saṁpraviṣṭā hutāśanam

Then, after some time, you met death, subject to the law of time. This wife of yours also entered the fire together with you.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.393.47)

ततो जाता महाराज दशार्णाधिपतेः सुता । वैदेहे नगरे राजा जातस्त्वं पार्थिवोत्तम

tato jātā mahārāja daśārṇādhipateḥ sutā | vaidehe nagare rājā jātastvaṁ pārthivottama

Then, O great king, she was born as the daughter of the king of Dasharna, and you, O best of kings, were born as a king in the city of Videha.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.393.48)

अजपाल इति ख्यातो नाम्ना च धरणीतले । सर्वेषां प्राणिनां त्वं च वल्लभो नृपसत्तम

ajapāla iti khyāto nāmnā ca dharaṇītale | sarveṣāṁ prāṇināṁ tvaṁ ca vallabho nṛpasattama

You became known on earth by the name "Ajapala." O best of kings, you became beloved of all living beings.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.393.49)

एतस्मात्कारणाज्जाता भार्येयं प्राणसंमता । भूयोऽपि तव संजाता यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि

etasmātkāraṇājjātā bhāryeyaṁ prāṇasaṁmatā | bhūyo'pi tava saṁjātā yanmāṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi

For this very reason, this wife, dear as life, has been born to you again - the very one about whom you questioned me.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.393.50)

तस्य देवस्य माहात्म्यात्केदारस्य महीपते । राज्यं ते सुखदं नृणां तथा निहतकण्टकम्

tasya devasya māhātmyātkedārasya mahīpate | rājyaṁ te sukhadaṁ nṛṇāṁ tathā nihatakaṇṭakam

O king, it is by the greatness of that deity Kedara that your kingdom is a source of happiness for the people and free of every thorn.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.393.51)

प्राप्तं त्वया महाराज केदारस्य प्रसादतः । येन त्वं सैन्यहीनोऽपि पृथिवीं परिरक्षसि

prāptaṁ tvayā mahārāja kedārasya prasādataḥ | yena tvaṁ sainyahīno'pi pṛthivīṁ parirakṣasi

O great king, all this you have obtained by the grace of Kedara alone, by which you protect the earth even without an army.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.393.52)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स राजा विस्मयान्वितः । गमनाय मतिं चक्रे केदारं प्रति भूमिपः

pulastya uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sa rājā vismayānvitaḥ | gamanāya matiṁ cakre kedāraṁ prati bhūmipaḥ

Pulastya said: Hearing his words, that king was struck with wonder, and that lord of the earth resolved to journey to Kedara.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.393.53)

स गत्वा पर्वते रम्ये पूजयित्वा च तं विभुम् । शिवरात्रिपरः सम्यग्वर्षेवर्षे बभूव ह

sa gatvā parvate ramye pūjayitvā ca taṁ vibhum | śivarātriparaḥ samyagvarṣevarṣe babhūva ha

Going there to that beautiful mountain and worshipping that Lord, he became devoted, each year, fully to the Shivaratri observance.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.393.54)

पुत्रं राज्ये च संस्थाप्य ततोऽर्बुदमथागमत् । प्राप्तो मुक्तिं ततो भूयः सभार्यस्तत्प्रभावतः

putraṁ rājye ca saṁsthāpya tato'rbudamathāgamat | prāpto muktiṁ tato bhūyaḥ sabhāryastatprabhāvataḥ

Having established his son in the kingdom, he then came to Arbuda, and there, by its power, together with his wife, attained liberation.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.393.55)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं केदारस्य महीपते । माहात्म्यं शुभदं नृणां सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ kedārasya mahīpate | māhātmyaṁ śubhadaṁ nṛṇāṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

O king, I have told you the whole greatness of Kedara, which is auspicious for men and destroys all sin.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.393.56)

माघफाल्गुनयोर्मध्ये कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी । शिवरात्रिरिति ख्याता भूतलेऽस्मिन्महामते

māghaphālgunayormadhye kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśī | śivarātririti khyātā bhūtale'sminmahāmate

The fourteenth of the dark fortnight, between the months of Magha and Phalguna, O wise one, is known on this earth as "Shivaratri."

Verse 57 (skanda.7.393.57)

तस्यां तु सर्वथा राजन्यात्रां तस्य समाचरेत् । केदारस्य महाराज प्रकुर्यात्पूजनं नृप

tasyāṁ tu sarvathā rājanyātrāṁ tasya samācaret | kedārasya mahārāja prakuryātpūjanaṁ nṛpa

O king, on that day one should by all means undertake pilgrimage to it. O great king, one should perform worship of Kedara.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.393.58)

माघकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः कुर्यात्तत्र जागरम् । कृतोपवासो नृपते शिवलोकं स गच्छति

māghakṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṁ yaḥ kuryāttatra jāgaram | kṛtopavāso nṛpate śivalokaṁ sa gacchati

O king, whoever, having fasted, keeps a night vigil there on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Magha attains Shivaloka.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.393.59)

स्नात्वा गंगासरस्वत्योः संगमे सर्वकामदे । ये प्रपश्यन्ति केदारं ते यास्यंति परां गतिम्

snātvā gaṅgāsarasvatyoḥ saṅgame sarvakāmade | ye prapaśyanti kedāraṁ te yāsyanti parāṁ gatim

Those who bathe at the confluence of the Ganga and Sarasvati, which grants all desires, and behold Kedara, shall attain the supreme destination.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.393.60)

कुण्डे केदारसंज्ञे यः प्रपिबेद्विमलं जलम् । सप्तपूर्वान्सप्त परान्पूर्वजांस्तारयेत्तु सः

kuṇḍe kedārasaṁjñe yaḥ prapibedvimalaṁ jalam | saptapūrvānsapta parānpūrvajāṁstārayettu saḥ

Whoever drinks the pure water of the pool called Kedara delivers seven generations of ancestors before him and seven after.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.393.61)

यश्चैतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं भक्त्या परमया नृप । सोऽपि पापैर्विमुच्येत केदारस्य प्रभावतः

yaścaitacchṛṇuyānnityaṁ bhaktyā paramayā nṛpa | so'pi pāpairvimucyeta kedārasya prabhāvataḥ

O king, whoever, with supreme devotion, ever hears this account is also freed from sins by the power of Kedara.