The Description of Shiva's Abodes

Verse 1 (skanda.8.167.1)

व्यास उवाच । यत् प्रोक्तं भवता गुह्यं माहात्म्यमिदमुत्तमम् । नान्यस्यैतद् भवेन्मुक्त्वा जगदार्त्तिहरं हरम्

vyāsa uvāca | yat proktaṁ bhavatā guhyaṁ māhātmyamidamuttamam | nānyasyaitad bhavenmuktvā jagadārttiharaṁ haram

Vyasa said: This supreme secret glory that you have declared could belong to none other than Hara, who removes the world's affliction.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.167.2)

पुण्यान्यायतनानीह देदेवस्य शूलिनः । यानि दृष्ट्वा न शोचन्ति जन्ममृत्यू महामुने

puṇyānyāyatanānīha dedevasya śūlinaḥ | yāni dṛṣṭvā na śocanti janmamṛtyū mahāmune

O great sage, here are the holy abodes of the trident-bearing god of gods, seeing which men do not grieve over birth and death —

Verse 3 (skanda.8.167.3)

तानि मे ब्रूहि धर्मज्ञ यद्यनुग्राह्यता मयि । एवं कृतार्थमात्मानं मुच्ये यन्मुनिसत्तम

tāni me brūhi dharmajña yadyanugrāhyatā mayi | evaṁ kṛtārthamātmānaṁ mucye yanmunisattama

tell me of them, O knower of dharma, if I am fit for your grace, so that, O best of sages, I may deem myself fulfilled and attain release.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.167.4)

व्यासस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मपुत्रोब्रवीदिदम् । साधु व्यास महाबुद्धे भक्तिमानसि शङ्करे

vyāsasya vacanaṁ śrutvā brahmaputrobravīdidam | sādhu vyāsa mahābuddhe bhaktimānasi śaṅkare

Hearing Vyasa's words, the son of Brahma said this: Well spoken, O Vyasa of great intellect — you are devoted to Shankara.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.167.5)

स्थानानि शूलिनो यस्त्वं पुण्यानि श्रोतुमिच्छसि । कृतार्थस्त्वं महायोग मुक्तः संसारबन्धनैः

sthānāni śūlino yastvaṁ puṇyāni śrotumicchasi | kṛtārthastvaṁ mahāyoga muktaḥ saṁsārabandhanaiḥ

You who wish to hear of the trident-bearer's holy places, O great yogin, are already accomplished, freed from the bonds of worldly existence.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.167.6)

शृणु वक्ष्यामि ते वत्स गुह्यमेतत् परं हि मे । स्थानानुवर्णनं शम्भोर्मृत्युजन्मभयापहम्

śṛṇu vakṣyāmi te vatsa guhyametat paraṁ hi me | sthānānuvarṇanaṁ śambhormṛtyujanmabhayāpaham

Listen, child, I shall tell you this, my supreme secret — this account of Shambhu's abodes, which removes the fear of birth and death.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.167.7)

आदित्यबन्धनं नाम कूटं विन्ध्यगिरेः शुभम् । स्थापितं तत्र लिङ्गं तु तपनेन महाप्रभम्

ādityabandhanaṁ nāma kūṭaṁ vindhyagireḥ śubham | sthāpitaṁ tatra liṅgaṁ tu tapanena mahāprabham

There is the auspicious peak of the Vindhya mountain called Adityabandhana, where a most radiant linga was set up by the Sun (Tapana).

Verse 8 (skanda.8.167.8)

तद् दृष्ट्वा मनुजो व्यास जन्मप्रति न शोचति । हेमसोमोद्भवं नाम कूटं हिमगिरेः शुभम्

tad dṛṣṭvā manujo vyāsa janmaprati na śocati | hemasomodbhavaṁ nāma kūṭaṁ himagireḥ śubham

Seeing it, O Vyasa, a man does not grieve over birth. There is an auspicious peak of the Himalaya named Hemasomodbhava.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.167.9)

पुण्यमायतनं तत्र च्यवनेनाभिनिर्मितम् । ये तदायतनं शम्भोरभिगच्छन्ति मानवाः

puṇyamāyatanaṁ tatra cyavanenābhinirmitam | ye tadāyatanaṁ śambhorabhigacchanti mānavāḥ

There, a holy shrine was built by Chyavana. Men who approach that abode of Shambhu —

Verse 10 (skanda.8.167.10)

न च्यवन्ति पुनः स्वर्गात् प्रलयेपि समागते । उदये तु गिरौ पुण्ये सिद्धसंघैर्निषेविते

na cyavanti punaḥ svargāt pralayepi samāgate | udaye tu girau puṇye siddhasaṁghairniṣevite

do not fall from heaven again, even when the dissolution comes. On the holy Udaya mountain, frequented by hosts of siddhas,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.167.11)

सत्यो नाम ह्रदः पुण्यो हेमपद्मसमावृतः । यत्र ते मुनयः सत्याः सत्यानलरविप्रभाः

satyo nāma hradaḥ puṇyo hemapadmasamāvṛtaḥ | yatra te munayaḥ satyāḥ satyānalaraviprabhāḥ

there is the holy lake named Satya, ringed with golden lotuses, where those truthful sages, radiant as sacrificial fire and sun,

Verse 12 (skanda.8.167.12)

धारयन्ति महात्मान आशीर्भिस्सरथं रविम् । पुण्यमायतनं तत्र स्थापितं तैः पिनाकिनः

dhārayanti mahātmāna āśīrbhissarathaṁ ravim | puṇyamāyatanaṁ tatra sthāpitaṁ taiḥ pinākinaḥ

those great souls sustain the sun, chariot and all, by their blessings; there they established a holy shrine of the trident-bearer.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.167.13)

अमरैरर्चितं व्यास सिद्धविद्याधरैर्वृतम् । यैस्तदायतनं दृष्टं भवभक्तैर्वियद्गमैः

amarairarcitaṁ vyāsa siddhavidyādharairvṛtam | yaistadāyatanaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ bhavabhaktairviyadgamaiḥ

Worshipped by the immortals, O Vyasa, encircled by siddhas and vidyadharas — those sky-roaming devotees of Bhava who have beheld that shrine,

Verse 14 (skanda.8.167.14)

ते भवस्य प्रिया भूत्वा भवन्ति प्रमथेश्वराः । उशीरवीजः शैलेन्द्रस्तत्राश्रमपदं महत्

te bhavasya priyā bhūtvā bhavanti pramatheśvarāḥ | uśīravījaḥ śailendrastatrāśramapadaṁ mahat

they, becoming dear to Bhava, become lords of the Pramathas. There is the great hermitage-site of Ushiravija, the mountain-king,

Verse 15 (skanda.8.167.15)

आगस्त्यस्य तृणाङ्गस्य देवदानवपूजितम् । महानीलमयं लिङ्गं तस्मिन् व्यास महोच्छ्रयम्

āgastyasya tṛṇāṅgasya devadānavapūjitam | mahānīlamayaṁ liṅgaṁ tasmin vyāsa mahocchrayam

— belonging to Trinanga, Agastya's disciple, worshipped by gods and danavas; there, O Vyasa, is a vast linga made of great sapphire.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.167.16)

तस्मिन्नायतने रुद्रं तृणाङ्गः स महानृषिः । दक्षिणामूर्त्तिमास्थाय स्तौति नित्यं कपर्दिनम् । दिवौकसस्तमभ्यर्च्य भवन्ति गणपाधिपाः

tasminnāyatane rudraṁ tṛṇāṅgaḥ sa mahānṛṣiḥ | dakṣiṇāmūrttimāsthāya stauti nityaṁ kapardinam | divaukasastamabhyarcya bhavanti gaṇapādhipāḥ

In that shrine, the great sage Trinanga, having taken the form of Dakshinamurti, ever praises Rudra, the matted-haired one; the gods, worshipping him, become lords of the ganas.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.167.17)

उत्तरेण निरालोके रविचन्द्रविवर्जिते । मेरुशृङ्गे महोत्सेधं सौवर्णं स्थापितं महत्

uttareṇa nirāloke ravicandravivarjite | meruśṛṅge mahotsedhaṁ sauvarṇaṁ sthāpitaṁ mahat

To the north, in that lightless region devoid of sun and moon, upon Meru's great, towering golden peak,

Verse 18 (skanda.8.167.18)

लिङ्गं भगवतो व्यास यत्रास्ते शूलधृक् स्वयम् । उत्तानपादपुत्रेण भवभक्तिपरात्मना

liṅgaṁ bhagavato vyāsa yatrāste śūladhṛk svayam | uttānapādaputreṇa bhavabhaktiparātmanā

there, O Vyasa, is the Lord's linga where the trident-bearer himself dwells, set up by Uttanapada's son, whose soul was wholly devoted to Bhava,

Verse 19 (skanda.8.167.19)

नित्यमभ्यर्चितं लिङ्गं ध्रुवेणास्ते महामुने । देवानामप्यगम्यं तद् ध्रुवं मुक्त्वा परं वरम्

nityamabhyarcitaṁ liṅgaṁ dhruveṇāste mahāmune | devānāmapyagamyaṁ tad dhruvaṁ muktvā paraṁ varam

— the linga is worshipped continually by Dhruva, O great sage; that supreme boon is unattainable even by the gods, except for Dhruva.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.167.20)

जैगीषव्येण मुनिना अस्ते पर्वतराजनि । स्थापितं सुमहल्लिङ्गं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

jaigīṣavyeṇa muninā aste parvatarājani | sthāpitaṁ sumahalliṅgaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ

By the sage Jaigishavya, upon the king of mountains, was established a great linga of the trident-bearing god of gods.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.167.21)

तद् दृष्ट्वा मानवो व्यास रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् । मोक्षविद्यास्वभिज्ञाश्च सांख्ययोगविशारदाः

tad dṛṣṭvā mānavo vyāsa rudralokamavāpnuyāt | mokṣavidyāsvabhijñāśca sāṁkhyayogaviśāradāḥ

Seeing it, O Vyasa, a man attains the world of Rudra. Men who see that most wondrous linga become —

Verse 22 (skanda.8.167.22)

भवन्ति मनुजा दृष्ट्वा तल्लिङ्गं परमाद्भुतम् । नन्दने देवराजेन स्थापितं लिङ्गमुत्तमम्

bhavanti manujā dṛṣṭvā talliṅgaṁ paramādbhutam | nandane devarājena sthāpitaṁ liṅgamuttamam

— adepts in the knowledge of liberation, skilled in Sankhya and Yoga. In Nandana, an excellent linga was set up by the king of the gods,

Verse 23 (skanda.8.167.23)

तपनीयमयं शुभ्रं देवता यदुपासते । तद् दृष्ट्वा देवता लिङ्गं प्राप्नुवन्ति परं पदम्

tapanīyamayaṁ śubhraṁ devatā yadupāsate | tad dṛṣṭvā devatā liṅgaṁ prāpnuvanti paraṁ padam

golden and bright, which the gods worship. Seeing that linga, the gods attain the supreme state.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.167.24)

क्षीरोदे सागरे दिव्यं बालखिल्यैः स्वयं कृतम् । महदायतनं पुण्यं सिद्धकिन्नरसेवितम्

kṣīrode sāgare divyaṁ bālakhilyaiḥ svayaṁ kṛtam | mahadāyatanaṁ puṇyaṁ siddhakinnarasevitam

In the Ocean of Milk is a divine, great holy shrine made by the Balakhilyas themselves, attended by siddhas and kinnaras.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.167.25)

तस्मिँश्चन्द्रप्रभं लिङ्गं स्फाटिकं मणिरञ्जितम् । बालखिल्यास्तमभ्यर्च्य जग्मुरीशसलोकताम्

tasmi~ścandraprabhaṁ liṅgaṁ sphāṭikaṁ maṇirañjitam | bālakhilyāstamabhyarcya jagmurīśasalokatām

There is a linga bright as the moon, of crystal, adorned with gems; the Balakhilyas, having worshipped it, attained fellowship in the Lord's world.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.167.26)

सौवर्णं यक्षराजेन स्थापितं गन्धमादने । लिङ्गं भगवतो दिव्यं यत् कुबेरेशनामकम्

sauvarṇaṁ yakṣarājena sthāpitaṁ gandhamādane | liṅgaṁ bhagavato divyaṁ yat kubereśanāmakam

On Mount Gandhamadana, a golden, divine linga of the Lord, called Kubereshvara, was set up by the king of the yakshas,

Verse 27 (skanda.8.167.27)

मन्दारकुसुमैर्दिव्यैर्हेमपद्मैश्च भक्तितः । तमभ्यर्च्य महेशानं कुबेरो निर्वृतोभवत्

mandārakusumairdivyairhemapadmaiśca bhaktitaḥ | tamabhyarcya maheśānaṁ kubero nirvṛtobhavat

— worshipping Maheshana with divine mandara flowers and golden lotuses, devotedly, Kubera became content.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.167.28)

यैस्तदायतनं दृष्टं कुबेरस्य सुरासुरैः । सर्वयज्ञफलं तेभ्यो ददाति वृषभध्वजः

yaistadāyatanaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ kuberasya surāsuraiḥ | sarvayajñaphalaṁ tebhyo dadāti vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

To the gods and asuras who have seen that shrine of Kubera, the bull-bannered one grants the fruit of all sacrifices.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.167.29)

एभ्यः पुण्यतमानीह यानि गम्यानि मानुषैः । शृणु तानि महाबुद्धे स्थानानि शशिमौलिनः

ebhyaḥ puṇyatamānīha yāni gamyāni mānuṣaiḥ | śṛṇu tāni mahābuddhe sthānāni śaśimaulinaḥ

Of these, listen now, O wise one, to the most sacred places, accessible to men, the abodes of the moon-crested god.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.167.30)

सर्वपर्वतराजस्य शृङ्गे हिमवतः शुभे । महालयमिति ख्यातं स्थानमाद्यं स्वयम्भुवः

sarvaparvatarājasya śṛṅge himavataḥ śubhe | mahālayamiti khyātaṁ sthānamādyaṁ svayambhuvaḥ

On the auspicious peak of the Himalaya, king of all mountains, is the primal abode of the self-born, known as Mahalaya.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.167.31)

यत्र सर्वामरा व्यास चतुर्वक्त्रपुरस्सराः । संसिद्धा मुनयश्चैव ये च योगीश्वरा भुवि

yatra sarvāmarā vyāsa caturvaktrapurassarāḥ | saṁsiddhā munayaścaiva ye ca yogīśvarā bhuvi

There, O Vyasa, all the immortals led by the four-faced one, the accomplished sages, and whoever are lords of yoga upon the earth,

Verse 32 (skanda.8.167.32)

समभ्यर्च्य हरं भक्त्या तदवाप्ताः परं पदम् । यत्र साक्षान्महादेवो न्यस्तवान् पदमात्मनः

samabhyarcya haraṁ bhaktyā tadavāptāḥ paraṁ padam | yatra sākṣānmahādevo nyastavān padamātmanaḥ

— worshipping Hara with devotion, attained the supreme state there. There Mahadeva himself has set down his own foot,

Verse 33 (skanda.8.167.33)

यं प्रणम्य नराः सर्वे मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः । अभिगम्य तमीशानं महालयनिवासिनम्

yaṁ praṇamya narāḥ sarve mucyante sarvakilbiṣaiḥ | abhigamya tamīśānaṁ mahālayanivāsinam

bowing to which all men are freed from every sin. Approaching that Ishana, dweller in Mahalaya,

Verse 34 (skanda.8.167.34)

देहभेदं समासाद्य यत्र तत्र यथा तथा । न पुनर्जायते मर्त्यो यातः सिद्धिमनुत्तमाम्

dehabhedaṁ samāsādya yatra tatra yathā tathā | na punarjāyate martyo yātaḥ siddhimanuttamām

whenever and however the mortal comes to the falling of the body, he is not born again, having attained unsurpassed accomplishment.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.167.35)

न तं पश्यन्त्यधर्मज्ञा येपि पापकृतो नराः । महागणपतिस्तत्र द्वारसंस्थो महाबलः

na taṁ paśyantyadharmajñā yepi pāpakṛto narāḥ | mahāgaṇapatistatra dvārasaṁstho mahābalaḥ

Those ignorant of dharma, even sinful men, do not behold him. There a mighty great lord of the ganas stands at the gate,

Verse 36 (skanda.8.167.36)

स तेषां गमनं हन्ति ये नराः पापकारिणः । योगिनो यत्र देवाश्च सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः

sa teṣāṁ gamanaṁ hanti ye narāḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ | yogino yatra devāśca siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ

he stops the passage of those men who do evil deeds. There, where yogins, gods, siddhas, and great sages,

Verse 37 (skanda.8.167.37)

तं प्रणम्य ययुः सिद्धिं पुण्यं पशुपतेः पदम् । तस्य संकल्पनादेव द्रक्ष्यामीति महालयम्

taṁ praṇamya yayuḥ siddhiṁ puṇyaṁ paśupateḥ padam | tasya saṁkalpanādeva drakṣyāmīti mahālayam

bowing to him, attained the holy state of Pashupati — by the mere resolve, "I shall behold Mahalaya" —

Verse 38 (skanda.8.167.38)

कर्मभिर्मुच्यते जन्तुर्महापातकसंज्ञितैः । महालयं महत्क्षेत्रं मोक्षसिद्धिप्रदं शुभम्

karmabhirmucyate janturmahāpātakasaṁjñitaiḥ | mahālayaṁ mahatkṣetraṁ mokṣasiddhipradaṁ śubham

a creature is freed from deeds called great sins. Mahalaya, that great, holy field granting liberation and accomplishment,

Verse 39 (skanda.8.167.39)

कुलान्युभयतः सप्त दृष्टत्वा त्रायति मानवः । ततः पुण्यतमं व्यास केदारं नाम नामतः

kulānyubhayataḥ sapta dṛṣṭatvā trāyati mānavaḥ | tataḥ puṇyatamaṁ vyāsa kedāraṁ nāma nāmataḥ

seeing it, a man delivers seven generations on both sides. Thereafter, O Vyasa, the most sacred place named Kedara —

Verse 40 (skanda.8.167.40)

परं धाम वृषाङ्कस्य तस्यैवोत्तरतः शुभम् । स्वयं किल हरो देवस्तस्मिन्नचलसत्तमे

paraṁ dhāma vṛṣāṅkasya tasyaivottarataḥ śubham | svayaṁ kila haro devastasminnacalasattame

the supreme abode of the bull-emblemed god lies just to its north — there, upon that most excellent mountain, the god Hara himself,

Verse 41 (skanda.8.167.41)

जटाभाराज्जलं पुण्यं मुमोच । दभवत्तत्र हरमौलिविनिःसृतम्

jaṭābhārājjalaṁ puṇyaṁ mumoca | dabhavattatra haramauliviniḥsṛtam

— from the mass of his matted locks, he released holy water [a portion of the text is lost here] ... it came to be there, issuing forth from Hara's crown.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.167.42)

नरास्तदमृतप्रख्यं ये पिबन्ति जलं शुभम् । ते भवन्ति गणा व्यास कुष्माण्डा रुद्रवल्लभा

narāstadamṛtaprakhyaṁ ye pibanti jalaṁ śubham | te bhavanti gaṇā vyāsa kuṣmāṇḍā rudravallabhā

Men who drink that pure water, resembling nectar, O Vyasa, become ganas called Kushmandas, dear to Rudra,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.167.43)

महारूपा महात्मनो नन्दिनोप्यधिकप्रभाः । केदारवासिनं दृष्टवा देवदेवं जगत्पतिम

mahārūpā mahātmano nandinopyadhikaprabhāḥ | kedāravāsinaṁ dṛṣṭavā devadevaṁ jagatpatima

— of great form, high-souled, of splendor even greater than Nandin, having beheld the god of gods, lord of the universe, dwelling in Kedara —

Verse 44 (skanda.8.167.44)

ब्रह्मा शक्रस्तथा विष्णुः सोमो यक्षगणाधिपः

brahmā śakrastathā viṣṇuḥ somo yakṣagaṇādhipaḥ

[the first line of this verse is lost in the source] — Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, Soma, the lord of the hosts of yakshas —

Verse 45 (skanda.8.167.45)

अर्चयन्ति स्थितं तत्र भक्तितः परमेश्वरम् । केदारसलिलं पीतं यैर्नरैः सुमहात्मभिः

arcayanti sthitaṁ tatra bhaktitaḥ parameśvaram | kedārasalilaṁ pītaṁ yairnaraiḥ sumahātmabhiḥ

worship the Supreme Lord established there, with devotion. Those great-souled men who have drunk the water of Kedara —

Verse 46 (skanda.8.167.46)

कथं शोचन्ति ते व्यास प्राप्तं किन्नु न तैः सुखम् । केदारे हिमवन्महीध्रशिखरे यत्तत्पयः प्रस्रुतं मूर्ध्नः सोममहेन्द्रविष्णुमरुतां स्रष्टुर्विभोः शूलिनः । पातुं यन्न लभन्त्यधर्मरुचयः शैवं विनानुग्रहं तत्पीत्वा भवबन्धनप्रतिभयान्मुक्ता भवेयुः प्रजाः

kathaṁ śocanti te vyāsa prāptaṁ kinnu na taiḥ sukham | kedāre himavanmahīdhraśikhare yattatpayaḥ prasrutaṁ mūrdhnaḥ somamahendraviṣṇumarutāṁ sraṣṭurvibhoḥ śūlinaḥ | pātuṁ yanna labhantyadharmarucayaḥ śaivaṁ vinānugrahaṁ tatpītvā bhavabandhanapratibhayānmuktā bhaveyuḥ prajāḥ

how should they grieve, O Vyasa — have they not attained happiness? "That water which flows at Kedara upon the peak of the Himalayan mountain-mass, from the crown of the Lord, the trident-bearer, creator of Soma, Mahendra, Vishnu, and the Maruts — which those of unrighteous bent cannot drink without Shiva's grace — drinking that, creatures become freed from the terrible dread of worldly bondage."

Verse 47 (skanda.8.167.47)

मध्यमेश्वरमत्रैव स्थानमाद्यमुमापतेः । गत्वा तमपि देवेशं गाणपत्यमवाप्नुयात्

madhyameśvaramatraiva sthānamādyamumāpateḥ | gatvā tamapi deveśaṁ gāṇapatyamavāpnuyāt

Right here is Madhyameshvara, the primal abode of Uma's consort; going there too, one attains the state of Ganapati, lordship over the ganas.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.167.48)

तत्रापि स्वयमेवेशः सदा सन्निहितो मुने । अभिगम्य तमीशानं न शोचेन्मरणं प्रतिं

tatrāpi svayameveśaḥ sadā sannihito mune | abhigamya tamīśānaṁ na śocenmaraṇaṁ pratiṁ

There too the Lord himself is ever present, O sage; having reached that Ishana, one need not grieve over death.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.167.49)

त्रयाणामपि लोकानां प्रदेशे हिमवद्गिरेः । एष श्रेष्ठतमो व्यास सर्वसिद्धिप्रदः शुभः

trayāṇāmapi lokānāṁ pradeśe himavadgireḥ | eṣa śreṣṭhatamo vyāsa sarvasiddhipradaḥ śubhaḥ

In the region between all three worlds, upon the Himalaya mountain, this, O Vyasa, is the most excellent, auspicious place, bestowing every accomplishment.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.167.50)

अस्याभिगमनादेव सर्वयज्ञफलं स्मृतम् । विपन्नस्य प्रमादाद्वा गाणपत्या गतिर्वरा

asyābhigamanādeva sarvayajñaphalaṁ smṛtam | vipannasya pramādādvā gāṇapatyā gatirvarā

From merely approaching it, the fruit of all sacrifices is reckoned to accrue; even dying there by mere accident yields the excellent state of a ganapa.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.167.51)

नातः पुण्यतमं किञ्चित् सर्वलोकेषु विद्यते । त्रैलोक्ये चक्रवर्त्तित्वमस्मिन् वा मरणं गिरौ

nātaḥ puṇyatamaṁ kiñcit sarvalokeṣu vidyate | trailokye cakravarttitvamasmin vā maraṇaṁ girau

Nothing more sacred than this exists in all the worlds — be it sovereignty over the three worlds, or death upon this very mountain —

Verse 52 (skanda.8.167.52)

चक्रवर्त्तिपदात्तस्मादिह मृत्युर्विशिष्यते । याति सायुज्यतां शम्भोः परमैश्वर्यसंयुतः

cakravarttipadāttasmādiha mṛtyurviśiṣyate | yāti sāyujyatāṁ śambhoḥ paramaiśvaryasaṁyutaḥ

death here surpasses even the rank of a world-emperor; endowed with supreme majesty, one attains union (sayujya) with Shambhu.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.167.53)

गिराविह मृतो जन्तुः किन्ततः परमं पदम् । महद्धिमवतस्त्वन्यत् कूटं सिद्धनिषेवितम्

girāviha mṛto jantuḥ kintataḥ paramaṁ padam | mahaddhimavatastvanyat kūṭaṁ siddhaniṣevitam

a creature dying on this mountain — what higher state is there beyond that? There is another great peak of the Himalaya, frequented by siddhas,

Verse 54 (skanda.8.167.54)

यत्र देवी तपस्तेपे गौरवर्णसमीप्सया । गौरीशिखरमित्येव त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्

yatra devī tapastepe gauravarṇasamīpsayā | gaurīśikharamityeva triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam

where the Goddess practiced austerity, longing for a fair complexion — it is famed in the three worlds as Gaurishikhara.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.167.55)

कुचकुण्ड इति ख्याते तीर्थे यत्रोमया कृते । तद् गौरीशिखरं पुण्यं येभिगच्छन्ति मानवाः

kucakuṇḍa iti khyāte tīrthe yatromayā kṛte | tad gaurīśikharaṁ puṇyaṁ yebhigacchanti mānavāḥ

at the tirtha known as Kuchakunda, made by Uma — that holy Gaurishikhara, which men who visit —

Verse 56 (skanda.8.167.56)

अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य ते यान्ति परमां गतिम् । ऋषभं शृङ्गमपरं वज्रस्फटिकसन्निभम्

aśvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya te yānti paramāṁ gatim | ṛṣabhaṁ śṛṅgamaparaṁ vajrasphaṭikasannibham

— attain the fruit of the Ashvamedha and go to the supreme state. Another peak, called Rishabha, resembling diamond and crystal,

Verse 57 (skanda.8.167.57)

यत्र नन्दी तपस्तेपे वरञ्चावाप शङ्करात् । ऋषभं प्राप्य तत्कूटं स्थानं पुण्यमुमापतेः

yatra nandī tapastepe varañcāvāpa śaṅkarāt | ṛṣabhaṁ prāpya tatkūṭaṁ sthānaṁ puṇyamumāpateḥ

where Nandi performed austerity and won a boon from Shankara — having reached that peak Rishabha, the holy place of Uma's consort —

Verse 58 (skanda.8.167.58)

दृष्ट्वा पापविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुते । अन्यद्धिमगिरेः कूटं हेमकूटसमप्रभम्

dṛṣṭvā pāpavinirmukto rudralokamavāpnute | anyaddhimagireḥ kūṭaṁ hemakūṭasamaprabham

— seeing it, freed from sin, one attains the world of Rudra. There is another peak of the Himalaya, radiant as Hemakuta,

Verse 59 (skanda.8.167.59)

यत्र भस्त्रेश्वरं नाम रुद्रस्यायतनं शुभम् । रुद्रस्तस्मिन् गिरौ देवो भस्त्रेश्वर इति स्मृतः

yatra bhastreśvaraṁ nāma rudrasyāyatanaṁ śubham | rudrastasmin girau devo bhastreśvara iti smṛtaḥ

where there is Rudra's holy abode named Bhastreshvara; the god Rudra on that mountain is remembered by the name Bhastreshvara.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.167.60)

तं नमस्य महादेवं किन्नरोरगचारणाः । मृत्युभीताश्च पुरुषा जन्मदुःखैस्तथार्दिताः

taṁ namasya mahādevaṁ kinnaroragacāraṇāḥ | mṛtyubhītāśca puruṣā janmaduḥkhaistathārditāḥ

Bowing to that Mahadeva, kinnaras, serpents, wandering charanas, and men terrified of death, afflicted by the sorrows of birth,

Verse 61 (skanda.8.167.61)

तदायतनमासाद्य कामानापुर्यथेप्सितान् । तं दृष्ट्वा मनुजो व्याप्त राजसूयफलं लभेत्

tadāyatanamāsādya kāmānāpuryathepsitān | taṁ dṛṣṭvā manujo vyāpta rājasūyaphalaṁ labhet

reaching that shrine, obtain their heart's desires; seeing him, O Vyasa, a man attains the fruit of the Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.167.62)

गङ्गाद्वारे शुभद्वारे महापुण्ये महात्मना । दक्षेण स्थापितं लिङ्गं भक्तिहेतोः कपर्दिनः

gaṅgādvāre śubhadvāre mahāpuṇye mahātmanā | dakṣeṇa sthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ bhaktihetoḥ kapardinaḥ

At Gangadvara, that auspicious, most sacred gateway, a linga was set up by the great soul Daksha, out of devotion to the matted-haired god.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.167.63)

वृक्षाः कनखला नाम यत्रासन् कनकात्मकाः । मानुषाणामशीलत्वात् संवृक्णा दारवो बभुः

vṛkṣāḥ kanakhalā nāma yatrāsan kanakātmakāḥ | mānuṣāṇāmaśīlatvāt saṁvṛkṇā dāravo babhuḥ

where there were trees called Kanakhala, golden by nature; because of men's impiety, once felled, they became mere timber.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.167.64)

विश्वात्मा यत्र विश्वेशः शम्भुरम्बिकया सह । बहुरूपेश्वरो नाम्ना नैकप्राणिवरप्रदः

viśvātmā yatra viśveśaḥ śambhurambikayā saha | bahurūpeśvaro nāmnā naikaprāṇivarapradaḥ

There, the universal self, Vishveshvara, Shambhu, together with Ambika, named Bahurupeshvara, grants boons to countless beings —

Verse 65 (skanda.8.167.65)

मानवा यन्न पश्यन्ति जन्म चेष मुमुक्षवः । वाजिमेधं दशगुणं यं दृष्टवा प्राप्नुते नरः

mānavā yanna paśyanti janma ceṣa mumukṣavaḥ | vājimedhaṁ daśaguṇaṁ yaṁ dṛṣṭavā prāpnute naraḥ

whom seekers of liberation, once freed from birth, need see no more; a man who beholds him obtains ten times the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.167.66)

यं देवविद्याधरसिद्धसंघा गन्धर्वयक्षोरगदानवाश्च । दृष्ट्वेश्वरं नीलपयोदकण्ठं संसारपङ्के न पुनः पतन्ति

yaṁ devavidyādharasiddhasaṁghā gandharvayakṣoragadānavāśca | dṛṣṭveśvaraṁ nīlapayodakaṇṭhaṁ saṁsārapaṅke na punaḥ patanti

Whom the hosts of gods, vidyadharas, siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, serpents, and danavas, having beheld — that Lord, his throat dark as a raincloud — never sink again into the mire of worldly existence.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.167.67)

जप्येश्वरमिति ख्यातमन्यदायतनं विभोः । यत्र जप्यं पुरा कृत्वा लिङ्गं स्थापितवान् द्विजः

japyeśvaramiti khyātamanyadāyatanaṁ vibhoḥ | yatra japyaṁ purā kṛtvā liṅgaṁ sthāpitavān dvijaḥ

Another abode of the Lord is known as Japyeshvara, where, having performed japa long ago, a brahmin set up a linga.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.167.68)

जप्येश्वरं तदासाद्य प्राणाँस्त्यक्ष्यन्ति ये नराः । ते जन्ममरणान्मुक्ता वत्स्यन्ति शिवसद्मनि

japyeśvaraṁ tadāsādya prāṇā~styakṣyanti ye narāḥ | te janmamaraṇānmuktā vatsyanti śivasadmani

Men who reach Japyeshvara and there relinquish their lives, freed from birth and death, come to dwell in Shiva's abode.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.167.69)

अन्यदायतनं व्यास शशिबिम्बार्धमौलिनः । महाभैरव इत्येव ख्यातं जगति यन्मुने

anyadāyatanaṁ vyāsa śaśibimbārdhamaulinaḥ | mahābhairava ityeva khyātaṁ jagati yanmune

Another abode, O Vyasa, of the half-moon-crested one, is known throughout the world as Mahabhairava,

Verse 70 (skanda.8.167.70)

यत्र शूलधरो देवः स्वयमेव वृषध्वजः । चकार भैरवं रूपं नन्द्युमागणभीषणम्

yatra śūladharo devaḥ svayameva vṛṣadhvajaḥ | cakāra bhairavaṁ rūpaṁ nandyumāgaṇabhīṣaṇam

where the trident-bearing god himself, the bull-bannered one, together with Nandi and his ganas, assumed the terrifying form of Bhairava,

Verse 71 (skanda.8.167.71)

यद् दृष्टवा हिमवत्पुत्री बभूव भयविह्वला । क्रीडाहेतोर्भवो यत्र त्रासयित्वा रिरीन्द्रजाम्

yad dṛṣṭavā himavatputrī babhūva bhayavihvalā | krīḍāhetorbhavo yatra trāsayitvā rirīndrajām

seeing which, the daughter of Himavat was overwhelmed with fear — Bhava, in play, having thus terrified the mountain-king's daughter —

Verse 72 (skanda.8.167.72)

सौम्यरूपोभवद् भूयः सान्त्वयामास शैलजाम् । महाभैरव इत्येव तदायतनमुच्यते

saumyarūpobhavad bhūyaḥ sāntvayāmāsa śailajām | mahābhairava ityeva tadāyatanamucyate

then, taking a gentle form again, consoled the mountain's daughter; that abode is called Mahabhairava.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.167.73)

भैरवेश्वरमागम्य यः पश्येत पिनाकिनम् । मरणं जन्म च व्यास नासौ पुनरवाप्नुयात्

bhairaveśvaramāgamya yaḥ paśyeta pinākinam | maraṇaṁ janma ca vyāsa nāsau punaravāpnuyāt

Having come to Bhaireshvara, whoever beholds the trident-bearer there, O Vyasa, does not undergo death and birth again.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.167.74)

यदेवाश्रमिणां पुण्यं तथेशव्रतचारिणाम् । तत्फलं भैरवं दृष्ट्वा प्राप्नोति नरपुङ्गवः

yadevāśramiṇāṁ puṇyaṁ tatheśavratacāriṇām | tatphalaṁ bhairavaṁ dṛṣṭvā prāpnoti narapuṅgavaḥ

Whatever merit belongs to forest hermits and to those who keep Ishvara's vows — that same fruit an eminent man attains by seeing Bhairava.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.167.75)

कुम्भकारेश्वरं चैव तथैवोत्कुटुकेश्वरम् । छगलण्डेश्वरं चैव महाभैरवजं स्थलम्

kumbhakāreśvaraṁ caiva tathaivotkuṭukeśvaram | chagalaṇḍeśvaraṁ caiva mahābhairavajaṁ sthalam

And Kumbhakareshvara, likewise Utkutukeshvara, and Chagalandeshvara too — these places arising from Mahabhairava —

Verse 76 (skanda.8.167.76)

दृष्टैरेभिस्त्रिभिः स्थानैस्त्रिलोकाधिपतिर्भवेत् । रुद्रकोटीति चाप्यन्यच्छिवायतनमुच्यते

dṛṣṭairebhistribhiḥ sthānaistrilokādhipatirbhavet | rudrakoṭīti cāpyanyacchivāyatanamucyate

having seen these three places, one becomes lord of the three worlds; and another Shiva-abode is called Rudrakoti.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.167.77)

रुद्रकोटीत्रयं जप्त्वा तत्र नन्दी वरोत्तमान् । अवाप शङ्कराद् व्यास गणेशत्वं तथोत्तमम्

rudrakoṭītrayaṁ japtvā tatra nandī varottamān | avāpa śaṅkarād vyāsa gaṇeśatvaṁ tathottamam

Having recited the triple "Rudrakoti," Nandi obtained there, O Vyasa, the finest boons from Shankara — the excellent state of Ganeshatva.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.167.78)

यैस्तदायतनं दृष्टं ते यान्ति परमां गतिम् । देवदारुवने चापि भवस्यायतनं वरम्

yaistadāyatanaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ te yānti paramāṁ gatim | devadāruvane cāpi bhavasyāyatanaṁ varam

Those who have seen that shrine go to the supreme state. In the Devadaru forest too is an excellent abode of Bhava,

Verse 79 (skanda.8.167.79)

देवदारुवनैश्छन्नं सरलैश्च सुगन्धिभिः । सदा संसेवितं तद्धि गन्धर्वोरगकिन्नरैः

devadāruvanaiśchannaṁ saralaiśca sugandhibhiḥ | sadā saṁsevitaṁ taddhi gandharvoragakinnaraiḥ

covered with deodar trees and fragrant sarala pines, always attended by gandharvas, serpents, and kinnaras,

Verse 80 (skanda.8.167.80)

यत्र वैखानसा विप्राः शिवभक्तिपरायणाः । भास्करानलसंकाशा निवसन्ति तपोधनाः

yatra vaikhānasā viprāḥ śivabhaktiparāyaṇāḥ | bhāskarānalasaṁkāśā nivasanti tapodhanāḥ

where the Vaikhanasa brahmins, wholly devoted to Shiva-bhakti, radiant as sun and fire, rich in austerity, dwell —

Verse 81 (skanda.8.167.81)

भिक्षाहेतोर्वनं तत्तु प्राविशत् किल शूलधृक् । स दृष्टस्तत्र देवेशो मुनिभिः स्तब्धमेहनः

bhikṣāhetorvanaṁ tattu prāviśat kila śūladhṛk | sa dṛṣṭastatra deveśo munibhiḥ stabdhamehanaḥ

— the trident-bearer entered that forest seeking alms; there he, the god of gods, was seen by the sages in a state of rigid virility.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.167.82)

ईर्ष्यया मुनिभिर्लिङ्गं तस्य देवस्य तन्महत् । विमूढैः पातितं व्यास देवदारुवनाश्रमे

īrṣyayā munibhirliṅgaṁ tasya devasya tanmahat | vimūḍhaiḥ pātitaṁ vyāsa devadāruvanāśrame

Out of jealousy, O Vyasa, those deluded sages felled that great linga of the god, in the hermitage of Devadaruvana.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.167.83)

तस्मिन् निपतिते लिङ्गे लिङ्गहीनमभूज्जगत् । स्थावरं जङ्गमं चैव बभौ सर्वं नपुंसकम्

tasmin nipatite liṅge liṅgahīnamabhūjjagat | sthāvaraṁ jaṅgamaṁ caiva babhau sarvaṁ napuṁsakam

When that linga fell, the world became linga-less; the moving and the unmoving alike, all of it, appeared sexless.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.167.84)

ब्रह्मादयस्ततो देवास्ते च सिद्धा मुमुक्षवः । ज्ञात्वा शङ्करजं सर्वं तदपायं सुदारुणम्

brahmādayastato devāste ca siddhā mumukṣavaḥ | jñātvā śaṅkarajaṁ sarvaṁ tadapāyaṁ sudāruṇam

Then Brahma and the other gods, and the siddhas seeking liberation, having recognized this whole dire calamity born of Shankara's act,

Verse 85 (skanda.8.167.85)

संस्तुत्य विविधैः स्तोत्रैः शङ्करं पर्यतोषयन् । ततस्तदभवल्लिङ्गं यथापूर्वं पिनाकिनः

saṁstutya vividhaiḥ stotraiḥ śaṅkaraṁ paryatoṣayan | tatastadabhavalliṅgaṁ yathāpūrvaṁ pinākinaḥ

having praised him with various hymns, appeased Shankara; then that linga of the trident-bearer became as it was before.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.167.86)

जगतश्च ततः पुंस्त्वं तत्क्षणात् समपद्यत । तत्र तैः स्थापितं लिङ्गं परमेशस्य भक्तितः

jagataśca tataḥ puṁstvaṁ tatkṣaṇāt samapadyata | tatra taiḥ sthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ parameśasya bhaktitaḥ

and at that very moment the world's masculinity was restored. There they set up, out of devotion, a linga of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.167.87)

तद् दृष्टवा वाजिमेधानां दशानां प्राप्नुते फलम् । एवं दारुवनं पुण्यमीशस्यास्ते महामुने

tad dṛṣṭavā vājimedhānāṁ daśānāṁ prāpnute phalam | evaṁ dāruvanaṁ puṇyamīśasyāste mahāmune

seeing it, one obtains the fruit of ten horse-sacrifices. Thus, O great sage, this holy Devadaruvana, abode of Ishvara —

Verse 88 (skanda.8.167.88)

अभिगम्य नराः क्षिप्रं मुच्यन्ते सर्वपातकैः । दधीचेन महद्दिव्यं पुण्यमायतनं कृतम्

abhigamya narāḥ kṣipraṁ mucyante sarvapātakaiḥ | dadhīcena mahaddivyaṁ puṇyamāyatanaṁ kṛtam

men who approach it are swiftly freed from all sins. A great, divine, holy shrine was made by Dadhichi,

Verse 89 (skanda.8.167.89)

स्थानेश्वरमिति ख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । नरः स्थानेश्वरं प्राप्य यस्त्यजेदात्मनस्तनुम्

sthāneśvaramiti khyātaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam | naraḥ sthāneśvaraṁ prāpya yastyajedātmanastanum

known as Sthaneshvara, celebrated in the three worlds; a man who reaches Sthaneshvara and there gives up his own body,

Verse 90 (skanda.8.167.90)

योगैश्वर्यमनुप्राप्य स्वर्गलोके स मोदते । तक्षकेन भुजङ्गेन दृढभक्तेन शङ्करे

yogaiśvaryamanuprāpya svargaloke sa modate | takṣakena bhujaṅgena dṛḍhabhaktena śaṅkare

attaining yogic sovereignty, he rejoices in the heavenly world. By the serpent named Takshaka, a steadfast devotee of Shankara,

Verse 91 (skanda.8.167.91)

तक्षकेश्वरमित्येवं स्थापितं जाह्नवीतटे । देवदेवस्य रुद्रस्य यत्र सान्निध्यमुत्तमम्

takṣakeśvaramityevaṁ sthāpitaṁ jāhnavītaṭe | devadevasya rudrasya yatra sānnidhyamuttamam

a shrine called Takshakeshvara was established on the bank of the Jahnavi, where there is the supreme presence of the god of gods, Rudra.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.167.92)

तन्दृष्टत्वा पुरुषो देवमश्वमेधफलं लभेत् । अगस्त्येन कृतं चान्यत् पुण्यमायतनं महत्

tandṛṣṭatvā puruṣo devamaśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet | agastyena kṛtaṁ cānyat puṇyamāyatanaṁ mahat

Seeing that god, a man obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Another great, holy shrine was made by Agastya,

Verse 93 (skanda.8.167.93)

आम्रातेश्वरमित्येव ख्यातं जगति सुव्रत । दृष्ट्वा परमया भक्त्या पुरुषस्तं शुचिव्रतः

āmrāteśvaramityeva khyātaṁ jagati suvrata | dṛṣṭvā paramayā bhaktyā puruṣastaṁ śucivrataḥ

known throughout the world, O virtuous one, as Amrateshvara; a man of pure vows, beholding it with supreme devotion,

Verse 94 (skanda.8.167.94)

देहभेदमनुप्राप्य शर्वलोकमवाप्नुयात् । गिरौ कालञ्जरे लिङ्गं दृष्ट्वा स्थानमुमापतेः

dehabhedamanuprāpya śarvalokamavāpnuyāt | girau kālañjare liṅgaṁ dṛṣṭvā sthānamumāpateḥ

upon coming to the fall of the body, attains the world of Sharva. Having seen the linga, the abode of Uma's Lord, upon Mount Kalanjara,

Verse 95 (skanda.8.167.95)

अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् । पुष्पभद्रमिति ख्यातं विन्ध्यप्रस्थे द्रुमावृतम्

aśvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya rudralokamavāpnuyāt | puṣpabhadramiti khyātaṁ vindhyaprasthe drumāvṛtam

attaining the fruit of the horse-sacrifice, one attains the world of Rudra. There is a place called Pushpabhadra, on the Vindhya ridge, tree-covered,

Verse 96 (skanda.8.167.96)

भवस्यायतनं पुण्यं देवगन्धर्वसेवितम् । यत्तद्रावणपुत्रेण मेघनादेन रक्षसा । स्थापितं तोषयानेन सर्वभूतपतिं भवम्

bhavasyāyatanaṁ puṇyaṁ devagandharvasevitam | yattadrāvaṇaputreṇa meghanādena rakṣasā | sthāpitaṁ toṣayānena sarvabhūtapatiṁ bhavam

a holy abode of Bhava, attended by gods and gandharvas, which was set up by Ravana's son, the rakshasa Meghanada, to please Bhava, lord of all beings.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.167.97)

यत्र मन्दोदरीपुत्रः स्थाणुना शशिमौलिना । मायारथप्रदानेन कृतः प्राप्तमनोरथः

yatra mandodarīputraḥ sthāṇunā śaśimaulinā | māyārathapradānena kṛtaḥ prāptamanorathaḥ

where Mandodari's son, by the moon-crested Sthanu, through the grant of a magic chariot, had his heart's desire fulfilled.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.167.98)

तद, दृष्टवा तत्र गत्वा च प्रणम्य च जगत्पतिम् । पुरुषाः स्वर्गमायान्ति दिव्ययोगसमन्विताः

tada, dṛṣṭavā tatra gatvā ca praṇamya ca jagatpatim | puruṣāḥ svargamāyānti divyayogasamanvitāḥ

Having seen it, going there, and bowing to the lord of the universe, men, endowed with divine yoga, go to heaven.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.167.99)

अन्ध्रेष्वायतनं चान्यच्छर्वस्य परमात्मनः । नाम्ना चित्ररथं नाम योगसिद्धिवरप्रदम्

andhreṣvāyatanaṁ cānyaccharvasya paramātmanaḥ | nāmnā citrarathaṁ nāma yogasiddhivarapradam

In the Andhra country is another abode of Sharva, the Supreme Self, named Chitraratha, granting the boon of yogic accomplishment.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.167.100)

त्रिपुरस्य वधे यत्र रथो देवस्य धीमतः । अमरैश्चित्रितो व्यास सोमादित्ययमादिभिः

tripurasya vadhe yatra ratho devasya dhīmataḥ | amaraiścitrito vyāsa somādityayamādibhiḥ

where, at the slaying of Tripura, the chariot of the wise god was adorned, O Vyasa, by the immortals, Soma, Aditya, Yama, and the rest.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.167.101)

सम्यगिष्टे तु यत् प्रोक्तमश्वमेधे फलं बुधैः । तच्चित्ररथमासाद्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

samyagiṣṭe tu yat proktamaśvamedhe phalaṁ budhaiḥ | taccitrarathamāsādya phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

The fruit that the wise declare for a properly performed horse-sacrifice — that same fruit a man obtains by reaching Chitraratha.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.167.102)

अन्यदुक्तरथं नाम भवस्यायतनं शुभम् । सुरकिन्नरगन्धर्वैः सदा संसेवितं शुभम्

anyaduktarathaṁ nāma bhavasyāyatanaṁ śubham | surakinnaragandharvaiḥ sadā saṁsevitaṁ śubham

Another auspicious abode of Bhava is called Uktaratha, ever attended by gods, kinnaras, and gandharvas.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.167.103)

तत्र श्रीपर्वतो नाम पर्वतः श्रीनिकेतनः । सिद्धामरशताकीर्ण्णं सिद्धिक्षेत्रं तदुत्तमम्

tatra śrīparvato nāma parvataḥ śrīniketanaḥ | siddhāmaraśatākīrṇṇaṁ siddhikṣetraṁ taduttamam

There is the mountain named Shriparvata, abode of Shri, thronged with hundreds of siddhas and immortals — that excellent field of accomplishment.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.167.104)

शूलिनो यत्र लिङ्गानां पुण्यानां वरदायिनाम् । सहस्रं स्थापितं व्यास शिलादेन महात्मना

śūlino yatra liṅgānāṁ puṇyānāṁ varadāyinām | sahasraṁ sthāpitaṁ vyāsa śilādena mahātmanā

Where a thousand holy, boon-granting lingas of the trident-bearer were established by the great soul Shilada, O Vyasa.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.167.105)

ये पश्यन्ति तमीशानं श्रीपर्वतनिवासिनम् । जन्ममृत्युभयं तेषां नास्ति पुंसां कदाचन

ye paśyanti tamīśānaṁ śrīparvatanivāsinam | janmamṛtyubhayaṁ teṣāṁ nāsti puṁsāṁ kadācana

Those who behold that Ishana dwelling upon Shriparvata never have any fear of birth and death.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.167.106)

अनेनैव शरीरेण तस्मिन् क्षेत्रे भवात्मके । योगाभ्यासपरा विप्राः सिद्धिं यान्ति यथेप्सिताम्

anenaiva śarīreṇa tasmin kṣetre bhavātmake | yogābhyāsaparā viprāḥ siddhiṁ yānti yathepsitām

In that field, which is Bhava's own form, brahmins devoted to the practice of yoga attain, with this very body, whatever accomplishment they desire.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.167.107)

मनसाप्यभिगच्छन्ति ये नराः श्रीगिरिं मुने । न ते यान्ति यमावासं मृत्यावपि समागते

manasāpyabhigacchanti ye narāḥ śrīgiriṁ mune | na te yānti yamāvāsaṁ mṛtyāvapi samāgate

Even men who approach Shrigiri merely in thought, O sage, do not go to Yama's abode, even when death overtakes them.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.167.108)

ततश्चोत्तरगोकर्णं हरलिङ्गाङ्किताश्रमम् । तप्तं यत्र तपस्तीव्रं राक्षसैः पिशिताशनैः

tataścottaragokarṇaṁ haraliṅgāṅkitāśramam | taptaṁ yatra tapastīvraṁ rākṣasaiḥ piśitāśanaiḥ

Then there is Uttara-Gokarna, a hermitage marked by Hara's linga, where fierce austerity was performed by flesh-eating rakshasas —

Verse 109 (skanda.8.167.109)

रावणाद्यैर्महाभागैर्लब्धश्च वर ईप्सितः । पुरा यत्र तपः कृत्वा प्रसाद्य च पिनाकिनम्

rāvaṇādyairmahābhāgairlabdhaśca vara īpsitaḥ | purā yatra tapaḥ kṛtvā prasādya ca pinākinam

by Ravana and other illustrious ones, the desired boon was won there; having performed austerity of old there and propitiated the trident-bearer,

Verse 110 (skanda.8.167.110)

त्रैलोक्ये चक्रवर्तित्वं रावणस्समवाप्तवान् । अश्वमेधं दशगुणं तद् दृष्टवा लभते नरः

trailokye cakravartitvaṁ rāvaṇassamavāptavān | aśvamedhaṁ daśaguṇaṁ tad dṛṣṭavā labhate naraḥ

Ravana obtained sovereignty over the three worlds. Seeing that place, a man obtains ten times the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.167.111)

मृतश्च रुद्रसायुज्यं गच्छत्यत्र न संशयः । ततो दक्षिणगोकर्णं स्थानं पुण्यं पिनाकिनः

mṛtaśca rudrasāyujyaṁ gacchatyatra na saṁśayaḥ | tato dakṣiṇagokarṇaṁ sthānaṁ puṇyaṁ pinākinaḥ

And one who dies there, without doubt, attains union with Rudra. Then there is Dakshina-Gokarna, the holy place of the trident-bearer,

Verse 112 (skanda.8.167.112)

स्पृक्कया जातया यत्र लङ्कामलयसानुषु । अर्च्यते भगवान्देवः सर्वामरवरेश्वरः

spṛkkayā jātayā yatra laṅkāmalayasānuṣu | arcyate bhagavāndevaḥ sarvāmaravareśvaraḥ

where, with spikenard grown on the slopes of the Malaya mountains in Lanka, the Lord God, greatest of all immortals, is worshipped —

Verse 113 (skanda.8.167.113)

एको राक्षसशार्दूलो यत्राद्यापि विभीषणः । समभ्यर्च्यामरेशानं भुंक्ते राज्यमशङ्कितः

eko rākṣasaśārdūlo yatrādyāpi vibhīṣaṇaḥ | samabhyarcyāmareśānaṁ bhuṁkte rājyamaśaṅkitaḥ

There, even today, Vibhishana, foremost among rakshasas, alone worships the lord of the immortals and enjoys his kingdom without fear.

Verse 114 (skanda.8.167.114)

मानवा येभिगच्छन्ति गोकर्णायतनाश्रमम् । दशानामश्वमेधानां प्राप्नुवन्ति फलं शुभम्

mānavā yebhigacchanti gokarṇāyatanāśramam | daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ prāpnuvanti phalaṁ śubham

Men who reach the hermitage-abode of Gokarna obtain the auspicious fruit of ten horse-sacrifices.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.167.115)

हरिश्चन्द्र इति ख्यातो गिरिर्नैकविनिर्झरः । जामदग्न्येन रामेण यस्मिन्नायतनं कृतम्

hariścandra iti khyāto girirnaikavinirjharaḥ | jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa yasminnāyatanaṁ kṛtam

The mountain known as Harishchandra, with its many waterfalls, where an abode was made by Rama, son of Jamadagni,

Verse 116 (skanda.8.167.116)

यत्र देवाश्च सिद्धाश्च यक्षगुह्यककिन्नराः । व्रतिनो योगिनश्चैव नेमिरे वृषभध्वजम्

yatra devāśca siddhāśca yakṣaguhyakakinnarāḥ | vratino yoginaścaiva nemire vṛṣabhadhvajam

where gods, siddhas, yakshas, guhyakas, kinnaras, and observant votaries and yogins bowed to the bull-bannered god.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.167.117)

हरिश्चन्द्रगिरे शृङ्गमाकूटं यैर्निरीक्षितम् । न ते वसन्ति मर्त्येषु देवा भूत्वा पुनर्मुने

hariścandragire śṛṅgamākūṭaṁ yairnirīkṣitam | na te vasanti martyeṣu devā bhūtvā punarmune

Those who have merely glimpsed the summit of Mount Harishchandra do not dwell among mortals again, O sage — they become gods.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.167.118)

उत्तरे नर्मदातीरे योजनैकपथान्तरे । कारोहणमिति स्थानं त्रिनेत्रायतनं महत्

uttare narmadātīre yojanaikapathāntare | kārohaṇamiti sthānaṁ trinetrāyatanaṁ mahat

To the north, on the bank of the Narmada, one yojana distant, is the place called Karohana, the great abode of the three-eyed god.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.167.119)

यत्र काकां तपस्यन्तीमारुरोह प्रजापतिः । आरुरोह यतः काकां तस्मिन् देशे प्रजापतिः

yatra kākāṁ tapasyantīmāruroha prajāpatiḥ | āruroha yataḥ kākāṁ tasmin deśe prajāpatiḥ

where Prajapati mounted upon a she-crow performing austerity — because Prajapati mounted the crow in that very region,

Verse 120 (skanda.8.167.120)

तस्मात् कारोहणो नाम्ना स देशः परिकीर्तितः । तस्मिन् देशेवतीर्णश्च भगवान् वृषभध्वजः

tasmāt kārohaṇo nāmnā sa deśaḥ parikīrtitaḥ | tasmin deśevatīrṇaśca bhagavān vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

therefore that region is called by the name Karohana. Into that region the Lord, the bull-bannered one, descended —

Verse 121 (skanda.8.167.121)

पुण्योसौ सर्वदेशेभ्यो देशो येन निबोध तम् । क्षीणे कृतयुगे व्यास त्रेतायुगमुखोदये

puṇyosau sarvadeśebhyo deśo yena nibodha tam | kṣīṇe kṛtayuge vyāsa tretāyugamukhodaye

this region is holier than all other lands — know why, O Vyasa: when the Krita Yuga waned, at the dawn of the Treta age,

Verse 122 (skanda.8.167.122)

तस्मिन् पादं मुमोचैकं धर्मोधर्मनिपीडितः । द्वितीयं द्वापरे प्राप्त तृतीयं च कलौ युगे

tasmin pādaṁ mumocaikaṁ dharmodharmanipīḍitaḥ | dvitīyaṁ dvāpare prāpta tṛtīyaṁ ca kalau yuge

there, hard-pressed by dharma and adharma, he set down one foot; the second he received in Dvapara, the third in the Kali age,

Verse 123 (skanda.8.167.123)

चतुर्थेनावतस्थे च यतः स भगवान् प्रभुः । एवं स धर्मसंवासाद् देशः पुण्यतमः स्मृतः

caturthenāvatasthe ca yataḥ sa bhagavān prabhuḥ | evaṁ sa dharmasaṁvāsād deśaḥ puṇyatamaḥ smṛtaḥ

and with the fourth he remained standing — since the Lord thus dwelt there through his residing in dharma, that region is remembered as most holy.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.167.124)

भारभूतिस्त्वसौ भूत्वा तस्मिन्देशे पिनाकधृक् । भारान् बद्ध्वा द्विजातीनां नर्मदायां विचिक्षिपे

bhārabhūtistvasau bhūtvā tasmindeśe pinākadhṛk | bhārān baddhvā dvijātīnāṁ narmadāyāṁ vicikṣipe

Having become Bharabhuti in that region, the trident-bearer, binding loads upon the twice-born, cast them into the Narmada —

Verse 125 (skanda.8.167.125)

कारुण्येन महादेवो मर्त्त्यजन्ममुमुक्षया । त्रेतायां दिण्डिमुण्डश्च शिरांसि विनिकृत्तवान्

kāruṇyena mahādevo marttyajanmamumukṣayā | tretāyāṁ diṇḍimuṇḍaśca śirāṁsi vinikṛttavān

out of compassion, Mahadeva, wishing to free them from mortal birth, did so; in the Treta, as Dindimunda, he severed heads.

Verse 126 (skanda.8.167.126)

द्वापरे चाषढिर्भूत्वा नृत्तेनानुगृहीतवान् । एवं प्रतियुगं व्यास तस्मिन्देशे शिवः स्वयम्

dvāpare cāṣaḍhirbhūtvā nṛttenānugṛhītavān | evaṁ pratiyugaṁ vyāsa tasmindeśe śivaḥ svayam

In the Dvapara, becoming Ashadhi, he bestowed grace through dance; thus, O Vyasa, in each and every age, Shiva himself,

Verse 127 (skanda.8.167.127)

अवतीर्णश्चानुगृह्य ब्राह्मणान् शुद्धमानसान् । तेषामायतनानि स्म सर्वेषामेव सुव्रत

avatīrṇaścānugṛhya brāhmaṇān śuddhamānasān | teṣāmāyatanāni sma sarveṣāmeva suvrata

descended and showed grace to brahmins of pure mind — to all of them, O virtuous one, there are shrines,

Verse 128 (skanda.8.167.128)

येन दृष्टानि देवस्य ईशानलोकमाप्नुयात् । वर्तमाने कलौ चापि ज्ञात्वा दुःखार्दितं जगत्

yena dṛṣṭāni devasya īśānalokamāpnuyāt | vartamāne kalau cāpi jñātvā duḥkhārditaṁ jagat

seeing which one attains the world of Ishana. And even now, in this present Kali age, knowing the world afflicted with sorrow,

Verse 129 (skanda.8.167.129)

चतुरः पुरुषान् सृष्ट्वा स्वस्मान्मुखचतुष्टयात् । प्रोवाच परमेशानो लोकानुग्रहलिप्सया

caturaḥ puruṣān sṛṣṭvā svasmānmukhacatuṣṭayāt | provāca parameśāno lokānugrahalipsayā

having created four men from his own four faces, the Supreme Lord, wishing to bless the worlds, said —

Verse 130 (skanda.8.167.130)

यूयं यात महीं सर्वे द्विजा भूत्वा तपस्विनः । मामेवैष्यथ योगोशा नीत्वा विप्रान् परं पदम्

yūyaṁ yāta mahīṁ sarve dvijā bhūtvā tapasvinaḥ | māmevaiṣyatha yogośā nītvā viprān paraṁ padam

"Go, all of you, to the earth, becoming ascetic brahmins; leading brahmins to the supreme state, as lords of yoga, you shall attain to me."

Verse 131 (skanda.8.167.131)

ते तथोक्त्वा ततो व्यास संबभूवुः पृथक् पृथक् । मानुषेषु तदा विप्रा मोक्षधर्मपरायणाः

te tathoktvā tato vyāsa saṁbabhūvuḥ pṛthak pṛthak | mānuṣeṣu tadā viprā mokṣadharmaparāyaṇāḥ

Having spoken thus, O Vyasa, they came into being, each separately, as brahmins among men, devoted to the dharma of liberation.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.167.132)

उज्जयिन्यां गुरुज्येष्ठः कौशिको नाम नामतः । द्वितीयो गार्ग्य इत्येव जंबूमार्गे सतापनः

ujjayinyāṁ gurujyeṣṭhaḥ kauśiko nāma nāmataḥ | dvitīyo gārgya ityeva jaṁbūmārge satāpanaḥ

In Ujjayini, the eldest guru, named Kaushika; the second, called Gargya, an ascetic at Jambumarga;

Verse 133 (skanda.8.167.133)

तृतीयश्चाभवन्मित्रो मथुरायां महामनाः । ब्रह्मचारी चतुर्थस्तु कुरुष्वेव सुगोत्रजः

tṛtīyaścābhavanmitro mathurāyāṁ mahāmanāḥ | brahmacārī caturthastu kuruṣveva sugotrajaḥ

the third became Mitra, great of mind, in Mathura; the fourth, of good lineage, a brahmacharin among the Kurus.

Verse 134 (skanda.8.167.134)

भगवानपि देवेशो ह्यमरेश्वरसंयुतः । अत्रिवंशप्रसूतस्य नाम्ना वै सोमशर्मणः

bhagavānapi deveśo hyamareśvarasaṁyutaḥ | atrivaṁśaprasūtasya nāmnā vai somaśarmaṇaḥ

The Lord God of gods too, together with the lords of the immortals, taking the fair-limbed form of one born in Atri's line, named Somasharman,

Verse 135 (skanda.8.167.135)

रूपं कृत्वा सिताङ्गं तु जगामात्रेर्गृहं शुभम् । स तं ब्रह्मविदं विप्रमात्रेयं सकुलं विभुः

rūpaṁ kṛtvā sitāṅgaṁ tu jagāmātrergṛhaṁ śubham | sa taṁ brahmavidaṁ vipramātreyaṁ sakulaṁ vibhuḥ

went to Atri's blessed house; that all-pervading Lord, to that brahmin knower of Brahman, Atreya, together with his family —

Verse 136 (skanda.8.167.136)

योगसिद्धिप्रदानेन अनुजग्राह शङ्करः । अनुगृह्य तदा व्यास सकुलं द्विजसत्तमम्

yogasiddhipradānena anujagrāha śaṅkaraḥ | anugṛhya tadā vyāsa sakulaṁ dvijasattamam

— by granting yogic accomplishment, Shankara showed him grace. Having thus blessed that excellent brahmin and his family, O Vyasa,

Verse 137 (skanda.8.167.137)

जगामोज्जयिनीं देवः श्मशानं च विवेश ह । स तत्र भस्मनात्मानमवगुण्ठ्य वृषध्वजः

jagāmojjayinīṁ devaḥ śmaśānaṁ ca viveśa ha | sa tatra bhasmanātmānamavaguṇṭhya vṛṣadhvajaḥ

the god went to Ujjayini and entered the cremation ground; there the bull-bannered one, smearing himself all over with ashes,

Verse 138 (skanda.8.167.138)

उल्मुकं वामहस्तेन गृहीत्वा समुपाविशत् । तत्र प्रथममादाय शिष्यं कौशिकमीश्वरः

ulmukaṁ vāmahastena gṛhītvā samupāviśat | tatra prathamamādāya śiṣyaṁ kauśikamīśvaraḥ

taking a firebrand in his left hand, sat down. There, first, the Lord took Kaushika as his disciple,

Verse 139 (skanda.8.167.139)

जम्बूमार्गे द्वितीयं च मथुरायां ततोपरम् । कान्यकुब्जे ततश्चान्यमनुगृह्य जगत्पतिः

jambūmārge dvitīyaṁ ca mathurāyāṁ tatoparam | kānyakubje tataścānyamanugṛhya jagatpatiḥ

the second at Jambumarga, then the next at Mathura; then, having blessed another at Kanyakubja, the lord of the universe,

Verse 140 (skanda.8.167.140)

स्वसिद्धान्तं ददौ योगमुवाचेदं च लाकुली । रहस्यं परमं हीदं पञ्चार्थं इति संज्ञितम्

svasiddhāntaṁ dadau yogamuvācedaṁ ca lākulī | rahasyaṁ paramaṁ hīdaṁ pañcārthaṁ iti saṁjñitam

gave him his own doctrine and yoga, and Lakuli said this: "This supreme secret, known as the Pancharthas,

Verse 141 (skanda.8.167.141)

विप्रान्मोचयितुं दत्तो युष्मभ्यं मर्त्त्यबन्धनात् । अनया दीक्षया विप्रान् प्रापयध्वं परं पदम्

viprānmocayituṁ datto yuṣmabhyaṁ marttyabandhanāt | anayā dīkṣayā viprān prāpayadhvaṁ paraṁ padam

has been given to you to free brahmins from mortal bondage; through this initiation, bring brahmins to the supreme state.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.167.142)

नदीतीरेषु मेध्येषु पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च । शून्यागारेष्वरण्येषु वासो वः सङ्गवर्जितः

nadītīreṣu medhyeṣu puṇyeṣvāyataneṣu ca | śūnyāgāreṣvaraṇyeṣu vāso vaḥ saṅgavarjitaḥ

Your dwelling should be, free of company, on pure riverbanks, in holy shrines,

Verse 143 (skanda.8.167.143)

वचो भगवतः श्रुत्वा शिष्याः पशुपतेः स्वयम् । यथाज्ञप्तमकुर्वन्त सर्वे ते भवतेजसः

vaco bhagavataḥ śrutvā śiṣyāḥ paśupateḥ svayam | yathājñaptamakurvanta sarve te bhavatejasaḥ

in empty dwellings, in forests." Hearing the Lord's words, the disciples of Pashupati himself,

Verse 144 (skanda.8.167.144)

धर्मपादाङ्किते देशे अवतीर्णो यतो भवः । स देशः परमस्तस्मान्महापुण्यतमः स्मृतः

dharmapādāṅkite deśe avatīrṇo yato bhavaḥ | sa deśaḥ paramastasmānmahāpuṇyatamaḥ smṛtaḥ

all did as commanded, radiant with Bhava's own splendor. In the region marked by dharma's own footsteps, whence Bhava descended,

Verse 145 (skanda.8.167.145)

आश्रमो योगिनां यत्र प्रवृत्तः पापनाशनः । अष्टायतनमित्येवं स्थानमत्र महात्मनः

āśramo yogināṁ yatra pravṛttaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ | aṣṭāyatanamityevaṁ sthānamatra mahātmanaḥ

that region is supreme, deemed most sacred of all. There, the sin-destroying hermitage of the yogins is called Ashtayatana, the abode of the great soul —

Verse 146 (skanda.8.167.146)

यद् दृष्टवा मनुजा व्यास प्राप्नुवन्ति परं पदम् । कारोहणं शिवस्थानं येभिगच्छन्ति मानवाः

yad dṛṣṭavā manujā vyāsa prāpnuvanti paraṁ padam | kārohaṇaṁ śivasthānaṁ yebhigacchanti mānavāḥ

seeing which, O Vyasa, men attain the supreme state. Karohana, Shiva's abode, which men who approach —

Verse 147 (skanda.8.167.147)

गर्भशय्याभयं तेषां न भवेन्मुनिसत्तम । महीनर्मदयोर्मध्यं सह्यस्य च यदन्तरम्

garbhaśayyābhayaṁ teṣāṁ na bhavenmunisattama | mahīnarmadayormadhyaṁ sahyasya ca yadantaram

— have no fear of the confinement of the womb, O best of sages. The land between the Mahi and Narmada rivers, and the region bordering the Sahya range,

Verse 148 (skanda.8.167.148)

एतत्पशुपतेः क्षेत्रं पुराणमृषिभिः स्तुतम् । तदागत्य नरो व्यास यद्यपि स्यात् सुपापकृत् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो यथेष्टां प्राप्नुयाद् गतिम्

etatpaśupateḥ kṣetraṁ purāṇamṛṣibhiḥ stutam | tadāgatya naro vyāsa yadyapi syāt supāpakṛt | sarvapāpavinirmukto yatheṣṭāṁ prāpnuyād gatim

this is Pashupati's field, praised of old by the sages; coming there, O Vyasa, a man, even a great sinner,

Verse 149 (skanda.8.167.149)

कारोहणं स्थानमतीव पुण्यं शैवानि यत्रायतनानि धीमन् । गत्वा नरास्तानि महाफलानि संसारगेहं न पुनर्विशन्ति

kārohaṇaṁ sthānamatīva puṇyaṁ śaivāni yatrāyatanāni dhīman | gatvā narāstāni mahāphalāni saṁsāragehaṁ na punarviśanti

freed from every sin, attains whatever state he desires. "Karohana, that most sacred place where Shaiva shrines stand, O wise one — men who go to those places of great fruit do not enter the house of samsara again."

Verse 150 (skanda.8.167.150)

पुण्यमायतनं चान्यत् सप्तलोकाभिवन्दितम् । वाराणस्या मुनिश्रेष्ठ यत्र सन्निहितो हरः

puṇyamāyatanaṁ cānyat saptalokābhivanditam | vārāṇasyā muniśreṣṭha yatra sannihito haraḥ

Another holy shrine, honored by the seven worlds, O best of sages, is in Varanasi, where Hara is ever present.

Verse 151 (skanda.8.167.151)

तत्र भागीरथी पुण्या उत्तरां भजते दिशम् । सिद्धिक्षेत्रं बृहत्क्षेत्रं लोकेषु त्रिषु विश्रुतम्

tatra bhāgīrathī puṇyā uttarāṁ bhajate diśam | siddhikṣetraṁ bṛhatkṣetraṁ lokeṣu triṣu viśrutam

There the holy Bhagirathi turns toward the northern direction; that field of accomplishment, that great field, is renowned in the three worlds.

Verse 152 (skanda.8.167.152)

अविमुक्तं स्मृतं नाम्ना न विमुक्तं हरेण तु । अविमुक्तेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा देवं तत्र ह्युमापतिम्

avimuktaṁ smṛtaṁ nāmnā na vimuktaṁ hareṇa tu | avimukteśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā devaṁ tatra hyumāpatim

It is remembered by the name Avimukta, "never forsaken," by Hara. Having seen there Avimukteshvara, the god, Uma's Lord,

Verse 153 (skanda.8.167.153)

गाणपत्या गतिः प्रोक्ता मृत्युकाले महामुने । यत्रास्ते गणपो द्वारि विद्युत्केशो महाबलः

gāṇapatyā gatiḥ proktā mṛtyukāle mahāmune | yatrāste gaṇapo dvāri vidyutkeśo mahābalaḥ

the excellent state of Ganapati at the time of death is proclaimed, O great sage. Where the mighty Ganapa named Vidyutkesha stands at the gate,

Verse 154 (skanda.8.167.154)

दण्डपाणिर्महातेजाः समादेशात् स्वयंभुवः । तमदृष्टवा न पश्यन्ति देवदेवेश्वरं हरम्

daṇḍapāṇirmahātejāḥ samādeśāt svayaṁbhuvaḥ | tamadṛṣṭavā na paśyanti devadeveśvaraṁ haram

Dandapani, of great splendor, by the command of the Self-Born — without seeing him, none can behold the great lord of gods, Hara.

Verse 155 (skanda.8.167.155)

योगिनोपि महात्मानः पुण्यं तस्यापि दर्शनम् । दण्डपाणिं शुचिर्दृष्ट्वा हरदत्तवरं गणम्

yoginopi mahātmānaḥ puṇyaṁ tasyāpi darśanam | daṇḍapāṇiṁ śucirdṛṣṭvā haradattavaraṁ gaṇam

Even great-souled yogins reckon a sight of him meritorious. A pure man, having beheld Dandapani, that gana granted a boon by Hara,

Verse 156 (skanda.8.167.156)

इह लोके सुखं प्राप्य यान्ति तस्य सलोकताम् । यत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो योगैश्वर्यबलान्विताः

iha loke sukhaṁ prāpya yānti tasya salokatām | yatra siddhā mahātmāno yogaiśvaryabalānvitāḥ

attaining happiness in this world, go to fellowship with him. Where the great-souled siddhas, endowed with yogic majesty and power,

Verse 157 (skanda.8.167.157)

छन्नाः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रणमन्ति स्वयंभुवम् । शक्रः पितामहो विष्णुर्धनेशो वरुणो यमः

channāḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā praṇamanti svayaṁbhuvam | śakraḥ pitāmaho viṣṇurdhaneśo varuṇo yamaḥ

invisible, circling in reverence, bow to the Self-Born — Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, Kubera, Varuna, Yama,

Verse 158 (skanda.8.167.158)

हुतभुक् पवनः सोमः स्वयं चैव दिवाकरः । तथा सप्तर्षयः सिद्धा गन्धर्वाः पन्नगास्तथा

hutabhuk pavanaḥ somaḥ svayaṁ caiva divākaraḥ | tathā saptarṣayaḥ siddhā gandharvāḥ pannagāstathā

Agni, Vayu, Soma, and the sun himself, and likewise the seven sages, siddhas, gandharvas, and serpents,

Verse 159 (skanda.8.167.159)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं देवमर्चयन्ति यतव्रताः । ततः पुण्यतमं नास्ति सिद्धिक्षेत्रमिति श्रुतिः

avimukteśvaraṁ devamarcayanti yatavratāḥ | tataḥ puṇyatamaṁ nāsti siddhikṣetramiti śrutiḥ

restrained in their observances, worship the god Avimukteshvara. Tradition declares there is no field of accomplishment holier than this,

Verse 160 (skanda.8.167.160)

यत्र जन्तोर्विपन्नस्य मुक्तिः संसारबन्धनात् । प्रसादाज्जायते शम्भोर्गुह्यमेतत परं स्मृतम्

yatra jantorvipannasya muktiḥ saṁsārabandhanāt | prasādājjāyate śambhorguhyametata paraṁ smṛtam

where release from the bonds of samsara comes to a dying being by Shambhu's grace — this is held to be the supreme secret.

Verse 161 (skanda.8.167.161)

गङ्गा दक्षिणतस्तस्मिन्नुत्तरेण वराणसी । तत्तयोर्मध्यतः क्षेत्रमविमुक्तं पिनाकिनः

gaṅgā dakṣiṇatastasminnuttareṇa varāṇasī | tattayormadhyataḥ kṣetramavimuktaṁ pinākinaḥ

The Ganga lies to its south, Varanasi to its north — between the two is the trident-bearer's field, Avimukta.

Verse 162 (skanda.8.167.162)

लिङ्गे यत् स्थापिते शम्भोः प्राप्यते फलमन्यतः । तत् सहस्रगुणं प्रोक्तमविमुक्ते निवेशिते

liṅge yat sthāpite śambhoḥ prāpyate phalamanyataḥ | tat sahasraguṇaṁ proktamavimukte niveśite

The fruit obtained elsewhere by setting up Shambhu's linga — that same fruit, when the linga is installed in Avimukta, is declared to be a thousandfold.

Verse 163 (skanda.8.167.163)

स्थापयेद्विधिना योषा पुमान्वा विधिपूर्वकम् । सहस्रं स्थापितं तेन लिङ्गानां भवति प्रभोः

sthāpayedvidhinā yoṣā pumānvā vidhipūrvakam | sahasraṁ sthāpitaṁ tena liṅgānāṁ bhavati prabhoḥ

whether a woman or a man sets it up, duly and according to rule, thereby the equivalent of a thousand lingas of the Lord is held to have been established;

Verse 164 (skanda.8.167.164)

त्र्यक्षः स गणपो भूत्वा रुद्रसायुज्यतां व्रजेत् । अतः कृत्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मादित्यपुरस्सरैः । लिङ्गानि स्थापितानि स्म सर्वैस्तत्र सुरोत्तमैः

tryakṣaḥ sa gaṇapo bhūtvā rudrasāyujyatāṁ vrajet | ataḥ kṛtvā muniśreṣṭha brahmādityapurassaraiḥ | liṅgāni sthāpitāni sma sarvaistatra surottamaiḥ

becoming a three-eyed ganapa, one attains union with Rudra. Therefore, O best of sages, led by Brahma, Aditya, and the rest,

Verse 165 (skanda.8.167.165)

तस्मिन् भगवतः क्षेत्रे काशिपुर्यामनेकशः । दृश्यन्तेद्यापि लिङ्गानि स्थापितानि महात्मभिः

tasmin bhagavataḥ kṣetre kāśipuryāmanekaśaḥ | dṛśyantedyāpi liṅgāni sthāpitāni mahātmabhiḥ

lingas were set up there by all those foremost gods. In that field of the Lord, in the city of Kashi, in many places,

Verse 166 (skanda.8.167.166)

स्मरणादविमुक्तस्य पृथिव्यन्तेपि संस्थितः । कल्मषैर्मुच्यते जन्तुर्मृतश्च लभते सुखम्

smaraṇādavimuktasya pṛthivyantepi saṁsthitaḥ | kalmaṣairmucyate janturmṛtaśca labhate sukham

lingas set up by great souls can still be seen today. By mere remembrance of Avimukta, even while dwelling at the very ends of the earth,

Verse 167 (skanda.8.167.167)

ब्राह्मणास्तत्र मुञ्चन्ति वेदतत्त्वार्थवेदिनः । सिद्धाः पाशुपता ये च भवबन्धमुमुक्षवः

brāhmaṇāstatra muñcanti vedatattvārthavedinaḥ | siddhāḥ pāśupatā ye ca bhavabandhamumukṣavaḥ

a creature is freed from impurities, and even dying elsewhere, attains happiness. The brahmins there, knowers of the Vedas' true meaning,

Verse 168 (skanda.8.167.168)

प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुण्यां सिद्धिक्षेत्रमनुत्तमम् । पुनर्निष्क्रान्तुमन्यत्र कस्य जन्तोर्मतिर्भवेत्

prāpya vārāṇasīṁ puṇyāṁ siddhikṣetramanuttamam | punarniṣkrāntumanyatra kasya jantormatirbhavet

siddhas, and Pashupatas desiring release from worldly bondage, having attained holy Varanasi, that unsurpassed field of accomplishment,

Verse 169 (skanda.8.167.169)

वेदेषु गीयते व्यास तत् क्षेत्रं शशिमौलिनः । देहिनस्त्यजतः प्राणान् मोक्षसिद्धिगतिप्रदम् । त

vedeṣu gīyate vyāsa tat kṣetraṁ śaśimaulinaḥ | dehinastyajataḥ prāṇān mokṣasiddhigatipradam | ta

what creature's mind would wish to depart elsewhere again? That field of the moon-crested god is celebrated in the Vedas, O Vyasa,

Verse 170 (skanda.8.167.170)

येविमुक्ते वसन्ति स्म नरा रुद्रपरायणाः । रुद्रस्य भवने व्यास ते वसन्ति न संशयः

yevimukte vasanti sma narā rudraparāyaṇāḥ | rudrasya bhavane vyāsa te vasanti na saṁśayaḥ

it grants the embodied soul, at the giving up of the breath, the state of accomplishment and the path to liberation. Men devoted to Rudra who dwell in Avimukta,

Verse 171 (skanda.8.167.171)

तिष्ठन् गच्छन् स्वपन् भुञ्जन् कर्म कुर्वन् हसन्नपि । योविमुक्तं स्मरेद्देही तस्य जन्मभयं कुतः

tiṣṭhan gacchan svapan bhuñjan karma kurvan hasannapi | yovimuktaṁ smareddehī tasya janmabhayaṁ kutaḥ

dwell, without doubt, O Vyasa, in Rudra's own abode. Whether standing, walking, sleeping, eating, working, or even laughing,

Verse 172 (skanda.8.167.172)

नाविमुक्तात् परं क्षेत्रं नाविमुक्तात्परं पदम । नाविमुक्तात्परं पुण्यं नाविमुक्तात्परा गतिः

nāvimuktāt paraṁ kṣetraṁ nāvimuktātparaṁ padama | nāvimuktātparaṁ puṇyaṁ nāvimuktātparā gatiḥ

the embodied one who remembers Avimukta — from where should the fear of birth come to him? There is no field beyond Avimukta, no state beyond Avimukta,

Verse 173 (skanda.8.167.173)

या गतिर्ध्यायतो नित्यं परे ब्रह्मणि लीयत । सैव संत्यजतः प्राणानविमुक्ते स्मृता गतिः

yā gatirdhyāyato nityaṁ pare brahmaṇi līyata | saiva saṁtyajataḥ prāṇānavimukte smṛtā gatiḥ

no merit beyond Avimukta, no destiny beyond Avimukta. The very destiny that comes, through constant meditation, from dissolving into the Supreme Brahman —

Verse 174 (skanda.8.167.174)

पुण्यमुमापतेः सुरवृषैर्जुष्टं सदा सिद्धये बह्माद्यैरविमुक्तमेतदिति यत् संसेवितं शान्तये । ये सेवन्ति तदीशभक्तिपरमा मर्त्याः शमप्राप्तये मुक्तास्ते भवसंभवप्रतिभयाद् गच्छन्ति मोक्षं परम्

puṇyamumāpateḥ suravṛṣairjuṣṭaṁ sadā siddhaye bahmādyairavimuktametaditi yat saṁsevitaṁ śāntaye | ye sevanti tadīśabhaktiparamā martyāḥ śamaprāptaye muktāste bhavasaṁbhavapratibhayād gacchanti mokṣaṁ param

that same destiny is held to belong to one who lays down his life in Avimukta. "This holy field of Uma's Lord, ever served by gods and the noble for accomplishment — this Avimukta, served by Brahma and the rest for the sake of peace — mortals who, supremely devoted to the Lord's worship, serve it for the attainment of tranquility, once freed, pass beyond the dread born of worldly existence, to supreme liberation."

Verse 175 (skanda.8.167.175)

प्रयागे च तपःक्षेत्रे देवस्यायतनं महत् । तद् दृष्ट्वा मनुजः सम्यगिष्टां गतिमवाप्नुयात्

prayāge ca tapaḥkṣetre devasyāyatanaṁ mahat | tad dṛṣṭvā manujaḥ samyagiṣṭāṁ gatimavāpnuyāt

At Prayaga, the field of austerity, is a great abode of the god. Seeing it, a man attains the truly desired state.

Verse 176 (skanda.8.167.176)

नैमिशे देवदेवस्य रुद्रस्यायतनं महत् । दृष्ट्वा पापविनिर्मुक्तः स्वर्गलोकमवाप्नुयात्

naimiśe devadevasya rudrasyāyatanaṁ mahat | dṛṣṭvā pāpavinirmuktaḥ svargalokamavāpnuyāt

At Naimisha is a great abode of the god of gods, Rudra. Seeing it, freed from sin, one attains the world of heaven.

Verse 177 (skanda.8.167.177)

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे स्थानं योगेश्वरं महत् । तेन दृष्टेन विप्रेन्द्र गाणपत्यमवाप्नुयात्

dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre sthānaṁ yogeśvaraṁ mahat | tena dṛṣṭena viprendra gāṇapatyamavāpnuyāt

In Kurukshetra, the field of dharma, is a great place of the lord of yoga; by seeing it, O best of brahmins, one attains the state of Ganapatya,

Verse 178 (skanda.8.167.178)

रुद्रलोकं मृतश्चासौ प्राप्नुयात् सर्वकामिकम् । गयायामन्यदीशस्य स्थानं भगवतः शुभम्

rudralokaṁ mṛtaścāsau prāpnuyāt sarvakāmikam | gayāyāmanyadīśasya sthānaṁ bhagavataḥ śubham

and dying there, one attains the world of Rudra, granting every desire. At Gaya there is another auspicious abode of the Lord God,

Verse 179 (skanda.8.167.179)

गध्रकूटेश्वरं नाम्ना सर्वपापविमोचनम । न तं दृष्ट्वा विमुह्यन्ति मृत्युकाले नरोत्तमाः

gadhrakūṭeśvaraṁ nāmnā sarvapāpavimocanama | na taṁ dṛṣṭvā vimuhyanti mṛtyukāle narottamāḥ

named Gridhrakuteshvara, freeing one from all sin; seeing it, the foremost of men are not confounded at the time of death.

Verse 180 (skanda.8.167.180)

तत्र भस्म समालभ्य सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । द्वादशाब्दवतस्यापि द्विजः फलमवाप्नुयात्

tatra bhasma samālabhya sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | dvādaśābdavatasyāpi dvijaḥ phalamavāpnuyāt

There, smearing oneself with ashes, one is freed from all sins; a brahmin obtains the fruit even of a twelve-year vow.

Verse 181 (skanda.8.167.181)

अन्यदायतनं पुण्यं मगधामु पिनाकिनः । नगरे पाटलीपुत्रे नाम्ना प्रहसितेश्वरम्

anyadāyatanaṁ puṇyaṁ magadhāmu pinākinaḥ | nagare pāṭalīputre nāmnā prahasiteśvaram

Another holy abode of the trident-bearer, in Magadha, in the city of Pataliputra, is named Prahasiteshvara.

Verse 182 (skanda.8.167.182)

वाजिमेधमवाप्नोति अभिगम्य तमीश्वरम् । मगधासु स्मृतान्यष्टौ स्थानानि शशिमौलिनः

vājimedhamavāpnoti abhigamya tamīśvaram | magadhāsu smṛtānyaṣṭau sthānāni śaśimaulinaḥ

One obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice by approaching that Ishvara. Eight places of the moon-crested god are remembered in Magadha,

Verse 183 (skanda.8.167.183)

शिष्यैः परिवृतो यानि बभ्राम नकुलीश्वरः । यानि दृष्टवा भवेत्सद्यः पुमान् पापविवर्जितः

śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto yāni babhrāma nakulīśvaraḥ | yāni dṛṣṭavā bhavetsadyaḥ pumān pāpavivarjitaḥ

where Nakulishvara wandered, surrounded by his disciples; seeing which, a man instantly becomes free of sin.

Verse 184 (skanda.8.167.184)

यवनेषु स्मृतं स्थानं पुण्यमन्यदुमापतेः । त्रिपिष्टपमवाप्नोति तन्दृष्ट्वा मानवः प्रभुम्

yavaneṣu smṛtaṁ sthānaṁ puṇyamanyadumāpateḥ | tripiṣṭapamavāpnoti tandṛṣṭvā mānavaḥ prabhum

Among the Yavanas is remembered another holy place of Uma's Lord; a man, having seen that Lord, attains the highest heaven, Tripishtapa.

Verse 185 (skanda.8.167.185)

अङ्गदेशे परं पुण्यं स्थानं प्रोक्तं पिनाकिनः । हेमचूडेश्वरं नाम्ना तं दृष्ट्वा न विमुह्यति

aṅgadeśe paraṁ puṇyaṁ sthānaṁ proktaṁ pinākinaḥ | hemacūḍeśvaraṁ nāmnā taṁ dṛṣṭvā na vimuhyati

In the Anga country, a supremely holy place of the trident-bearer is declared, named Hemachudeshvara; seeing it, one is not confounded.

Verse 186 (skanda.8.167.186)

भागीरथ्यास्ततो व्यास सागरस्य च संगमे । ब्रह्मणा स्थापितं लिङ्गं पुण्यं तत्र पिनाकिनः

bhāgīrathyāstato vyāsa sāgarasya ca saṁgame | brahmaṇā sthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ puṇyaṁ tatra pinākinaḥ

Then, O Vyasa, at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and the ocean, a holy linga of the trident-bearer was set up by Brahma.

Verse 187 (skanda.8.167.187)

तस्याभिगमनादेव सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । दशानामश्वमेधानां तं दृष्ट्वा प्राप्नुते फलम्

tasyābhigamanādeva sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā prāpnute phalam

From merely approaching it, one is freed from all sins; seeing it, one obtains the fruit of ten horse-sacrifices.

Verse 188 (skanda.8.167.188)

प्रभासे शूलिनं दृष्ट्वा देहभेदे गणो भवेत् । पुष्करे शङ्करं दृष्ट्वा न शोचेन्मृत्युजन्मनी

prabhāse śūlinaṁ dṛṣṭvā dehabhede gaṇo bhavet | puṣkare śaṅkaraṁ dṛṣṭvā na śocenmṛtyujanmanī

Seeing the trident-bearer at Prabhasa, one becomes a gana at the body's fall; seeing Shankara at Pushkara, one does not grieve over death and birth.

Verse 189 (skanda.8.167.189)

महेन्द्रे च नगश्रेष्ठे रुद्रस्यायतनं शुभम् । अभिगम्य नरो विद्वानश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

mahendre ca nagaśreṣṭhe rudrasyāyatanaṁ śubham | abhigamya naro vidvānaśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

On Mahendra, best of mountains, is an auspicious abode of Rudra; a wise man who approaches it obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 190 (skanda.8.167.190)

महाकालेश्वरं देवमुज्जयिन्यां महाव्रतः । अभिगम्याप्नुयाद्विद्वान् गणत्वं त्रिपुरद्विषः

mahākāleśvaraṁ devamujjayinyāṁ mahāvrataḥ | abhigamyāpnuyādvidvān gaṇatvaṁ tripuradviṣaḥ

A man of great vows who approaches the god Mahakaleshvara in Ujjayini attains the state of a gana of the enemy of Tripura.

Verse 191 (skanda.8.167.191)

द्रिमिचण्डेश्वरं देवं दृष्ट्वा त्रायति मानवः । कुलान्युभयतः सप्त सर्वयज्ञानि चाप्नुते

drimicaṇḍeśvaraṁ devaṁ dṛṣṭvā trāyati mānavaḥ | kulānyubhayataḥ sapta sarvayajñāni cāpnute

Seeing the god Drimichandeshvara, a man saves seven generations on both sides, and obtains the fruit of all sacrifices.

Verse 192 (skanda.8.167.192)

शंकुकर्णेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा न शोचेन्मरणं नरः । तथा हिमगिरेः शृङ्गे सिद्धकिन्नरसेविते

śaṁkukarṇeśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā na śocenmaraṇaṁ naraḥ | tathā himagireḥ śṛṅge siddhakinnarasevite

Seeing Shankukarneshvara, a man does not grieve over death; likewise, on a peak of the Himalaya, frequented by siddhas and kinnaras,

Verse 193 (skanda.8.167.193)

डिङ्गेश्वरमिति ख्यातं रुद्रस्यायतनं महत् । अभिगम्य च दृष्टवा च तं देवं जगतः प्रभुम्

ḍiṅgeśvaramiti khyātaṁ rudrasyāyatanaṁ mahat | abhigamya ca dṛṣṭavā ca taṁ devaṁ jagataḥ prabhum

is a great abode of Rudra known as Dingeshvara. Approaching and beholding that god, lord of the universe,

Verse 194 (skanda.8.167.194)

शिवभक्तिपरो व्यास सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात् । मृतस्य च गतिः प्रोक्ता गाणपत्यं महात्मनः

śivabhaktiparo vyāsa sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt | mṛtasya ca gatiḥ proktā gāṇapatyaṁ mahātmanaḥ

devoted to Shiva-bhakti, O Vyasa, one obtains every desire; and for one who dies there, the great soul's state of Ganapatya is declared.

Verse 195 (skanda.8.167.195)

सुवर्णाक्षे परं स्थानं देवदेवस्य संस्मृतम् । तद् दृष्टवा मनुजो व्यास राजसूयफलं लभेत्

suvarṇākṣe paraṁ sthānaṁ devadevasya saṁsmṛtam | tad dṛṣṭavā manujo vyāsa rājasūyaphalaṁ labhet

At Suvarnaksha is a supreme place of the god of gods, well remembered; seeing it, O Vyasa, a man obtains the fruit of the Rajasuya.

Verse 196 (skanda.8.167.196)

सप्तगोदावरे स्थानं दृष्ट्वा पुण्यं कपर्दिनः । अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य स्वर्गलोके वसेन्नरः

saptagodāvare sthānaṁ dṛṣṭvā puṇyaṁ kapardinaḥ | aśvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya svargaloke vasennaraḥ

Seeing the holy place of the matted-haired god at Sapta-Godavara, and obtaining the fruit of the horse-sacrifice, a man dwells in the heavenly world.

Verse 197 (skanda.8.167.197)

स्थानं पुण्यतमं चान्यच्छ्रेष्टं जगति कीर्तितम् । नाम्ना भद्रेश्वरं ख्यातं देवगन्धर्वसेवितम्

sthānaṁ puṇyatamaṁ cānyacchreṣṭaṁ jagati kīrtitam | nāmnā bhadreśvaraṁ khyātaṁ devagandharvasevitam

There is another most sacred and excellent place, celebrated throughout the world, known as Bhadreshvara, served by gods and gandharvas.

Verse 198 (skanda.8.167.198)

तं वीक्ष्य मानवो व्यास सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत् । जन्मप्रभृति यत्किञ्चित् कृतं कर्माशुभं महत्

taṁ vīkṣya mānavo vyāsa sarvayajñaphalaṁ labhet | janmaprabhṛti yatkiñcit kṛtaṁ karmāśubhaṁ mahat

Beholding it, O Vyasa, a man obtains the fruit of all sacrifices; whatever great, inauspicious deed has been done since birth,

Verse 199 (skanda.8.167.199)

तत्क्षणान्नश्यते सर्वं दृष्ट्वा भद्रेश्वरं हरम् । यत्र तत्र मृतश्चापि गाणपत्यं लभेन्नरः

tatkṣaṇānnaśyate sarvaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhadreśvaraṁ haram | yatra tatra mṛtaścāpi gāṇapatyaṁ labhennaraḥ

all of it is destroyed at once upon seeing Hara at Bhadreshvara; and dying anywhere whatsoever, a man attains the state of Ganapatya.

Verse 200 (skanda.8.167.200)

धन्यास्ते मानवा व्यास रुद्रभक्ता महौजसः । ये प्रपश्यन्ति भद्रेशं जन्ममृत्युभयापहम्

dhanyāste mānavā vyāsa rudrabhaktā mahaujasaḥ | ye prapaśyanti bhadreśaṁ janmamṛtyubhayāpaham

Blessed are those men, O Vyasa, of great might, devoted to Rudra, who behold Bhadresha, remover of the fear of birth and death.

Verse 201 (skanda.8.167.201)

एकाम्रे च विभोः स्थानं दृष्ट्वा स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात् । विरजायां हरं दृष्ट्वा वाजिमेधमवाप्नुयात्

ekāmre ca vibhoḥ sthānaṁ dṛṣṭvā svargamavāpnuyāt | virajāyāṁ haraṁ dṛṣṭvā vājimedhamavāpnuyāt

Seeing the Lord's place at Ekamra, one attains heaven; seeing Hara at Viraja, one obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 202 (skanda.8.167.202)

नेपालेषु च देवेशं दृष्ट्वा पशुपतिं प्रभुम् । दशाश्वमेधानाप्नोति रुद्रलोकं च गच्छति

nepāleṣu ca deveśaṁ dṛṣṭvā paśupatiṁ prabhum | daśāśvamedhānāpnoti rudralokaṁ ca gacchati

Seeing the Lord God, Pashupati, among the Nepalese, one obtains the fruit of ten horse-sacrifices and goes to the world of Rudra.

Verse 203 (skanda.8.167.203)

देहभेदं च संप्राप्य पशुत्वाद्विप्रमुच्यते । अन्यद्धिमगिरौ स्थानं नैकतुङ्गाधिपेश्वरम्

dehabhedaṁ ca saṁprāpya paśutvādvipramucyate | anyaddhimagirau sthānaṁ naikatuṅgādhipeśvaram

Coming to the falling of the body, one is freed from the state of a beast. There is another place on the Himalaya, called Naikatungadhipeshvara,

Verse 204 (skanda.8.167.204)

दृष्ट्वा तन्न पुनर्मर्त्त्यो जायते मुनिसत्तम । भक्तानां प्रणतानाञ्च सर्वकामप्रदं स्मृतम्

dṛṣṭvā tanna punarmarttyo jāyate munisattama | bhaktānāṁ praṇatānāñca sarvakāmapradaṁ smṛtam

seeing which one is not born a mortal again, O best of sages; it is held to grant every desire to devotees and to those who bow before it.

Verse 205 (skanda.8.167.205)

एवमेतानि पुण्यानि रुद्रस्यायतनानि ते । कथितानि मया व्यास यैर्गतिः प्राप्यते शुभा

evametāni puṇyāni rudrasyāyatanāni te | kathitāni mayā vyāsa yairgatiḥ prāpyate śubhā

Thus have I told you these holy abodes of Rudra, O Vyasa, by which an auspicious state is attained.

Verse 206 (skanda.8.167.206)

य एतानि पठेद्विप्रः प्रयतात्मा दिने दिने । तस्य सायुज्यतां देवो ददाति वृषभध्वजः

ya etāni paṭhedvipraḥ prayatātmā dine dine | tasya sāyujyatāṁ devo dadāti vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

Whatever brahmin, with disciplined soul, recites these day by day — to him the bull-bannered god grants union with himself.

Verse 207 (skanda.8.167.207)

मङ्गल्यं परमं पुण्यं मेध्यं सर्वभयापहम् । स्थानानां कीर्तनं शम्भोर्नित्यं कुर्याच्छुचिर्नरः

maṅgalyaṁ paramaṁ puṇyaṁ medhyaṁ sarvabhayāpaham | sthānānāṁ kīrtanaṁ śambhornityaṁ kuryācchucirnaraḥ

A pure man should ever recite the names of Shambhu's holy places — most auspicious, most sacred, purifying, and removing all fear.

Verse 208 (skanda.8.167.208)

इति गिरिवरपुत्रीविष्णुगङ्गाधरस्य जगति वसतिरेषा सर्वकामप्रदा ते । मुनिवरसुतशिष्टा पापसंशुद्धिकर्त्री वद किमपरमन्यद् व्यास तुभ्यं वदानि

iti girivaraputrīviṣṇugaṅgādharasya jagati vasatireṣā sarvakāmapradā te | munivarasutaśiṣṭā pāpasaṁśuddhikartrī vada kimaparamanyad vyāsa tubhyaṁ vadāni

"Thus this dwelling, in the world, of the husband of the mountain-king's daughter, the bearer of the Ganga — granting you every desire, taught by the son of the best of sages, purifying of sin — what else, O Vyasa, shall I tell you?"