The Worship of Ishvara

Verse 1 (skanda.8.28.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततो व्यास पुनर्देवी पतिं व्रतपतिं शुभा । अपृच्छद् व्रतसंबद्धं फलं फलशतार्चिता

sanatkumāra uvāca| tato vyāsa punardevī patiṁ vratapatiṁ śubhā | apṛcchad vratasaṁbaddhaṁ phalaṁ phalaśatārcitā

Sanatkumara said: Then, O Vyasa, the auspicious Goddess, honoured with a hundredfold worship, again asked her husband, the lord of vows, about the fruit connected with vows.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.28.2)

व्रतानां फलमल्पं वा महद् वा यत् त्रिलोकप । व्रतं भवति यादृग् वा तत् प्रब्रूहि महेश्वर

vratānāṁ phalamalpaṁ vā mahad vā yat trilokapa | vrataṁ bhavati yādṛg vā tat prabrūhi maheśvara

'O lord of the three worlds, whatever is the fruit of vows, small or great, and of whatever kind a vow may be — tell me that, O Maheshvara.'

Verse 3 (skanda.8.28.3)

देवदेव उवाच। महाफलं यद् भवति यच्चाप्यल्पफलं शुभे । व्रतं यादृक् च यत् प्रोक्तं तच्छृणु त्वमनिन्दिते

devadeva uvāca| mahāphalaṁ yad bhavati yaccāpyalpaphalaṁ śubhe | vrataṁ yādṛk ca yat proktaṁ tacchṛṇu tvamanindite

The God of gods said: 'O auspicious one, hear what has great fruit, and what has little fruit, and of whatever kind the vow that has been declared, O blameless one.'

Verse 4 (skanda.8.28.4)

चतुर्दश्यां तथाष्टम्यामुभयोः पक्षयोः शुचिः । संवत्सरमभुञ्जानः शान्तो दान्तो जितेन्द्रियः

caturdaśyāṁ tathāṣṭamyāmubhayoḥ pakṣayoḥ śuciḥ | saṁvatsaramabhuñjānaḥ śānto dānto jitendriyaḥ

'On the fourteenth day, and likewise the eighth, of both fortnights, pure, fasting for a full year, tranquil, self-controlled, senses conquered —'

Verse 5 (skanda.8.28.5)

सत्रयाजिफलं यच्च सत्यवागृतुगामिनाम् । तच्चैव फलमाप्नोति यमञ्चैव न पश्यति

satrayājiphalaṁ yacca satyavāgṛtugāminām | taccaiva phalamāpnoti yamañcaiva na paśyati

'— he obtains the very fruit of those who perform sacrificial sessions, who speak truth, and who approach their wives only in season; and he does not even see Yama.'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.28.6)

शय्यासनस्थः स्त्रीमध्ये रतिरक्तः सुखे रतः । स तप्यत्यानखाग्रेभ्यो नित्यं यो मां समाश्रितः

śayyāsanasthaḥ strīmadhye ratiraktaḥ sukhe rataḥ | sa tapyatyānakhāgrebhyo nityaṁ yo māṁ samāśritaḥ

'Even one lying on a bed or seat amidst women, devoted to pleasure, delighting in comfort — he still practises austerity to his very fingertips, if he is one who is ever devoted to me.'

Verse 7 (skanda.8.28.7)

मद्भक्तस्तपसा युक्तो मामेव प्रतिपद्यते । लोकास्तस्याक्षया देवि यद्यपि स्यात् स पापकृत्

madbhaktastapasā yukto māmeva pratipadyate | lokāstasyākṣayā devi yadyapi syāt sa pāpakṛt

'My devotee, endowed with austerity, attains to me alone. His worlds are imperishable, O goddess, even if he should be a wrongdoer.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.28.8)

पृथिवीभाजने भुंक्ते नित्यं पर्वसु यो नरः । स त्रिरात्रफलं देवि अहोरात्रेण विन्दति

pṛthivībhājane bhuṁkte nityaṁ parvasu yo naraḥ | sa trirātraphalaṁ devi ahorātreṇa vindati

'Whatever man constantly eats from an earthen vessel on the sacred days, he obtains, O goddess, the fruit of a three-night fast in a single day and night.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.28.9)

संवत्सरं तु यो भुंक्ते नित्यमेव ह्यतन्द्रितः । निवेद्य पितृदेवेभ्यः पृथिव्यामेकराड् भवेत्

saṁvatsaraṁ tu yo bhuṁkte nityameva hyatandritaḥ | nivedya pitṛdevebhyaḥ pṛthivyāmekarāḍ bhavet

'And whoever, tireless, for a full year, always eats in this way only after offering to the ancestors and gods, becomes a sole sovereign on earth.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.28.10)

नवमीमष्टमीं चैव पौर्णमासीं त्रयोदशीम् । यो भुंक्ते देवि नैतेषु सुपर्वसु नरः समाम्

navamīmaṣṭamīṁ caiva paurṇamāsīṁ trayodaśīm | yo bhuṁkte devi naiteṣu suparvasu naraḥ samām

'Whatever man, O goddess, for a full year does not eat on these auspicious days — the ninth, the eighth, the full moon, and the thirteenth —'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.28.11)

गाणपत्यं स लभते निस्सपत्नमनिन्दिते । भूतानां दयितश्चैव दिव्यं रूपं बिभर्ति च

gāṇapatyaṁ sa labhate nissapatnamanindite | bhūtānāṁ dayitaścaiva divyaṁ rūpaṁ bibharti ca

'— he obtains, O blameless one, lordship of the ganas without rival; and, beloved of all beings, he bears a divine form.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.28.12)

श्रीवत्सं यश्च पिष्टेन दद्याद् हेमफलं शुभम् । किरेत् कृष्णतिलांश्चात्र तण्डुलाक्षतमेव च

śrīvatsaṁ yaśca piṣṭena dadyād hemaphalaṁ śubham | kiret kṛṣṇatilāṁścātra taṇḍulākṣatameva ca

'And whoever offers a Shrivatsa symbol made of flour, an auspicious golden fruit, and scatters black sesame seeds and unbroken rice grains here —'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.28.13)

फलैश्च विविधाकारैर्यथालब्धै रसान्वितैः । स वै वर्षसहस्राणि द्विषष्टि दिवि मोदते

phalaiśca vividhākārairyathālabdhai rasānvitaiḥ | sa vai varṣasahasrāṇi dviṣaṣṭi divi modate

'— and with fruits of various forms, however obtained, full of flavour — he rejoices in heaven for sixty-two thousand years.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.28.14)

दिव्यरूपधरः श्रीमान् देवतैस्सह नित्यशः । हिरिवेरमयीं यो मे दद्यात् प्रतिकृतिं स्वकाम्

divyarūpadharaḥ śrīmān devataissaha nityaśaḥ | hiriveramayīṁ yo me dadyāt pratikṛtiṁ svakām

'Bearing a divine form, glorious, ever together with the gods. And whoever gives me an image of himself made of sandalwood —'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.28.15)

सर्वगन्धरसैर्युक्तां निर्यासैश्च सुसंस्कृताम् । भक्ष्यभोज्यैश्च विविधैः कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशीम्

sarvagandharasairyuktāṁ niryāsaiśca susaṁskṛtām | bhakṣyabhojyaiśca vividhaiḥ kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśīm

'— endowed with all fragrant essences, well-prepared with resins, together with various foods to eat and enjoy, on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight —'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.28.16)

पूर्वदक्षिणयोश्चात्र पश्चिमोत्तरयोस्तथा । पार्श्वेषु हरितालञ्च कृष्णागरुमनःशिलाम् चन्दनं चैव दद्याद्वै यथासंख्येन पूजितम्

pūrvadakṣiṇayoścātra paścimottarayostathā | pārśveṣu haritālañca kṛṣṇāgarumanaḥśilām candanaṁ caiva dadyādvai yathāsaṁkhyena pūjitam

'— and, on the east, south, west, and north sides, offers, worshipped in due order, yellow orpiment, black aloewood, red arsenic, and sandalwood —'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.28.17)

तस्य पुण्यफलं देवि शृणु यन्मत्तकाशिनि

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ devi śṛṇu yanmattakāśini

'— hear, O goddess of intoxicating radiance, what is the fruit of merit for him.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.28.18)

सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तस्तथा निष्कल्मषश्च ह । वर्षकोटिशतान्यष्टौ दिवि भुक्त्वा महत्सुखम् इह लोके सुखी जातो मामेव प्रतिपद्यते

sarvavyādhivinirmuktastathā niṣkalmaṣaśca ha | varṣakoṭiśatānyaṣṭau divi bhuktvā mahatsukham iha loke sukhī jāto māmeva pratipadyate

'Freed from all disease, and free from stain, having enjoyed great happiness in heaven for eight hundred crores of years, and born happy in this world, he attains to me alone.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.28.19)

रत्नावलिं तु यो दद्याद् ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियोथ विट् । शूद्रः स्त्री वा स मे लोके मत्सौख्यं प्राप्नुते परम्

ratnāvaliṁ tu yo dadyād brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyotha viṭ | śūdraḥ strī vā sa me loke matsaukhyaṁ prāpnute param

'Whoever gives a string of gems — brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra, or woman — he obtains supreme happiness with me in my world.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.28.20)

सिद्धार्थकाँश्चाघोरेण दैवे पित्र्येथ वा पुनः । त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि तर्पयेत् स पितॄनपि ऋषींश्च सर्वदेवांश्च रूपञ्चाप्नोति पुष्कलम्

siddhārthakā~ścāghoreṇa daive pitryetha vā punaḥ | triṁśadvarṣasahasrāṇi tarpayet sa pitṝnapi ṛṣīṁśca sarvadevāṁśca rūpañcāpnoti puṣkalam

'Offering white mustard seeds with the Aghora mantra, in rites for the gods or the ancestors, he satisfies the ancestors, the sages, and all the gods for thirty thousand years, and obtains an abundant, beautiful form.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.28.21)

मन्वन्तरञ्च गोलोके गोकन्याभिः स पूज्यते । सर्वे देवास्तथा विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा ऋषय एव च

manvantarañca goloke gokanyābhiḥ sa pūjyate | sarve devāstathā viṣṇurbrahmā ṛṣaya eva ca

'For a manvantara he is honoured in Goloka by the divine cow-maidens; and all the gods, and Vishnu, and Brahma, and the sages likewise —'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.28.22)

कुर्वन्त्यर्घ्ये हि सान्निध्यं तेभ्यस्तद्धि विनिःसृतम् । गुह्यमेतत् परं देवि यो वेत्ति स महातपाः

kurvantyarghye hi sānnidhyaṁ tebhyastaddhi viniḥsṛtam | guhyametat paraṁ devi yo vetti sa mahātapāḥ

'— present themselves at his water-offering, for it flows forth from them. This is a supreme secret, O goddess; he who knows it is a great ascetic.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.28.23)

तस्य प्रभावाज्जायेत धनवान् प्रियदर्शनः । प्रज्ञारूपगुणैर्युक्तः संवत्सरशतायुषः

tasya prabhāvājjāyeta dhanavān priyadarśanaḥ | prajñārūpaguṇairyuktaḥ saṁvatsaraśatāyuṣaḥ

'By its power, one is born wealthy, pleasing to behold, endowed with wisdom, beauty, and virtue, with a lifespan of a hundred years.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.28.24)

क्षीरेण यो मां सततं स्नापयेत त्रिरुद्यतः । अपराधसहस्रन्तु क्षमे तस्याहमन्तशः

kṣīreṇa yo māṁ satataṁ snāpayeta trirudyataḥ | aparādhasahasrantu kṣame tasyāhamantaśaḥ

'Whoever, three times, diligently bathes me constantly with milk, for him I forgive, in the end, even a thousand offences.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.28.25)

यश्च तत् स्नपनं पश्येत् स तत्पापैः प्रमुच्यते । मानसस्य च जप्यस्य सहस्रस्य फलं लभेत्

yaśca tat snapanaṁ paśyet sa tatpāpaiḥ pramucyate | mānasasya ca japyasya sahasrasya phalaṁ labhet

'And whoever witnesses that bathing is freed from his sins, and obtains the fruit of a thousand mental recitations.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.28.26)

संवत्सरं तु यः कुर्यात् क्षीरेण स्नपनं शुचिः । गाणपत्यं स लभते बल्लभत्वं च नित्यशः

saṁvatsaraṁ tu yaḥ kuryāt kṣīreṇa snapanaṁ śuciḥ | gāṇapatyaṁ sa labhate ballabhatvaṁ ca nityaśaḥ

'Whoever, pure, performs milk-bathing for a full year, obtains lordship of the ganas, and ever-lasting favour.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.28.27)

सर्पिषा यो ममाभ्यङ्गं करोत्यविमना नरः । द्विसाहस्रस्य जाप्यस्य मानसस्य फलं लभेत्

sarpiṣā yo mamābhyaṅgaṁ karotyavimanā naraḥ | dvisāhasrasya jāpyasya mānasasya phalaṁ labhet

'Whatever man, with undistracted mind, anoints me with clarified butter, obtains the fruit of two thousand mental recitations.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.28.28)

अभिगम्यश्च देवानां स भवेच्च नरोत्तमः । निष्काणां च सुवर्णस्य सहस्रस्य फलं लभेत्

abhigamyaśca devānāṁ sa bhavecca narottamaḥ | niṣkāṇāṁ ca suvarṇasya sahasrasya phalaṁ labhet

'He becomes worthy of approaching the gods, foremost among men, and obtains the fruit of giving a thousand gold coins.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.28.29)

संमार्जनं च यः कुर्यात् संवत्सरमनुव्रतः । वितरामि शुभं लोकं नित्यं तस्य ध्रुवं शिवम्

saṁmārjanaṁ ca yaḥ kuryāt saṁvatsaramanuvrataḥ | vitarāmi śubhaṁ lokaṁ nityaṁ tasya dhruvaṁ śivam

'Whoever sweeps my shrine, keeping the vow for a full year, to him I grant an auspicious world, ever fixed and blessed.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.28.30)

सर्वलोकक्षये तस्य न क्षयो भवतीश्वरि । लिङ्गपूजां तु यः कुर्यान्मम देवि दृढव्रतः

sarvalokakṣaye tasya na kṣayo bhavatīśvari | liṅgapūjāṁ tu yaḥ kuryānmama devi dṛḍhavrataḥ

'O queen, when all worlds perish, his does not perish. And whoever, O goddess, of firm vow, worships my linga —'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.28.31)

शतं वर्षसहस्राणि दिव्यानि दिवि मोदते । चतुर्ण्णां पुष्पजातीनां गन्धमाघ्राति शङ्करः

śataṁ varṣasahasrāṇi divyāni divi modate | caturṇṇāṁ puṣpajātīnāṁ gandhamāghrāti śaṅkaraḥ

'— rejoices for a hundred thousand divine years in heaven. Shankara smells the fragrance of four kinds of flowers —'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.28.32)

अर्कस्य करवीरस्य बिल्वस्य च बकस्य च । सुवर्णनिष्कं पुष्पे तु सर्वस्मिन् देवि कथ्यते

arkasya karavīrasya bilvasya ca bakasya ca | suvarṇaniṣkaṁ puṣpe tu sarvasmin devi kathyate

'— of the arka, the karavira, the bilva, and the baka. For every one of these flowers, O goddess, the merit of a gold coin is declared.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.28.33)

सहस्रे त्वर्कपुष्पाणां दत्ते यत कथ्यते फलम् । एकस्मिन् करवीरस्य दत्ते पुष्पे हि तत् फलम्

sahasre tvarkapuṣpāṇāṁ datte yata kathyate phalam | ekasmin karavīrasya datte puṣpe hi tat phalam

'Whatever fruit is declared for the giving of a thousand arka flowers, that same fruit is obtained by giving a single karavira flower.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.28.34)

करवीरसहस्रस्य भवेद्दत्तस्य यत् फलम् । तदेकस्य तु पद्मस्य दत्तस्य फलमुच्यते

karavīrasahasrasya bhaveddattasya yat phalam | tadekasya tu padmasya dattasya phalamucyate

'Whatever fruit there is for a thousand karavira flowers given, that is said to be the fruit of a single lotus given.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.28.35)

पद्मानां च सहस्रस्य मम दत्तस्य यत् फलम् । तत्फलं लभते पत्रे दत्ते बिल्वस्य शोभने

padmānāṁ ca sahasrasya mama dattasya yat phalam | tatphalaṁ labhate patre datte bilvasya śobhane

'O beautiful one, whatever fruit there is for a thousand lotuses given to me, that fruit is obtained by giving a single bilva leaf.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.28.36)

बिल्वपत्रसहस्रं तु दत्ते मे यत् फलं स्मृतम् । बकपुष्पे तदेकस्मिन् मम दत्ते लभेत्फलम्

bilvapatrasahasraṁ tu datte me yat phalaṁ smṛtam | bakapuṣpe tadekasmin mama datte labhetphalam

'And whatever fruit is remembered for a thousand bilva leaves given to me, that fruit is obtained by giving a single baka flower to me.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.28.37)

बकपुष्पसहस्रस्य मम दत्तस्य यत् फलम् । पुष्पे दत्ते तदेकस्मिन् लभेद्धत्तूरकस्य तु

bakapuṣpasahasrasya mama dattasya yat phalam | puṣpe datte tadekasmin labheddhattūrakasya tu

'Whatever fruit there is for a thousand baka flowers given to me, that fruit is obtained by giving a single dhattura flower.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.28.38)

निर्माल्यं यो हि मे नित्यं शिरसा धारयिष्यति । अशुचिर्भिन्नमर्यादो नरः पापसमन्वितः स्वैरी चैव तथा मुक्तो नियमैश्च बहिष्कृतः नरके स पतेद् घोरे तिर्यग्योनौ च संभवेत्

nirmālyaṁ yo hi me nityaṁ śirasā dhārayiṣyati | aśucirbhinnamaryādo naraḥ pāpasamanvitaḥ svairī caiva tathā mukto niyamaiśca bahiṣkṛtaḥ narake sa pated ghore tiryagyonau ca saṁbhavet

'Whoever wears the discarded offering-flowers of mine on his head while being impure, transgressing bounds, sinful, self-indulgent, licentious, and excluded from all observances — such a man falls into a terrible hell, and is born in an animal womb.'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.28.39)

ब्रह्मचारी शुचिर्भूत्वा निर्माल्यं यस्तु धारयेत् । तस्य पापमहं शीघ्रं नाशयामि महाव्रते

brahmacārī śucirbhūtvā nirmālyaṁ yastu dhārayet | tasya pāpamahaṁ śīghraṁ nāśayāmi mahāvrate

'But whoever, having become pure and celibate, wears the discarded flowers — his sin I swiftly destroy, O great votaress.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.28.40)

दीपमालां तु यः कुर्यात् कार्त्तिके मासि वै मम । अवसाने च दीपानां ब्राह्मणाँस्तर्पयेच्छुचिः गाणपत्यं स लभते दीप्यते च रविर्यथा

dīpamālāṁ tu yaḥ kuryāt kārttike māsi vai mama | avasāne ca dīpānāṁ brāhmaṇā~starpayecchuciḥ gāṇapatyaṁ sa labhate dīpyate ca raviryathā

'Whoever makes a row of lamps for me in the month of Kartika, and, pure, at the end of the lamp-offering, satisfies brahmins, obtains lordship of the ganas and shines like the sun.'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.28.41)

दद्यात् कृष्णतिलाँश्चैव सहः सिद्धार्थकाँश्च ह । यो मे देवि सदा मूर्ध्नि स मे नन्दिसमो भवेत् ये हि सिद्धार्थकाः प्रोक्तास्तथा कृष्णतिलाश्च ये

dadyāt kṛṣṇatilā~ścaiva sahaḥ siddhārthakā~śca ha | yo me devi sadā mūrdhni sa me nandisamo bhavet ye hi siddhārthakāḥ proktāstathā kṛṣṇatilāśca ye

'Whoever, O goddess, ever offers black sesame together with white mustard seeds at my head, becomes equal to Nandi for me. Those white mustard seeds and those black sesame seeds that are declared —'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.28.42)

सर्वे ते त्वन्मया देवि गुह्यमेतन्मयेरितम्

sarve te tvanmayā devi guhyametanmayeritam

'— all of these, O goddess, have been declared by me; this secret has been declared by me.' (The next line is illegible in the source.)

Verse 43 (skanda.8.28.43)

चित्रो नाम गणो मह्यं तेन सार्धं स मोदते

citro nāma gaṇo mahyaṁ tena sārdhaṁ sa modate

(The preceding line here is entirely lost in the manuscript.) There is a gana of mine named Chitra; together with him he rejoices.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.28.44)

सर्वसंप्रलये चैव प्राप्ते त्रैलोक्यसंक्षये । त्यक्त्वा सर्वाणि दुःखानि मामेव प्रतिपद्यते

sarvasaṁpralaye caiva prāpte trailokyasaṁkṣaye | tyaktvā sarvāṇi duḥkhāni māmeva pratipadyate

'And when the universal dissolution comes, when the three worlds are destroyed, having abandoned all sorrows, he attains to me alone.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.28.45)

न तुष्याम्यर्चितोर्चायां तथा देवि नगात्मजे । लिङ्गेर्चिते यथात्यर्थं परितुष्यामि पार्वति

na tuṣyāmyarcitorcāyāṁ tathā devi nagātmaje | liṅgercite yathātyarthaṁ parituṣyāmi pārvati

'O goddess, O daughter of the mountain, I am not as pleased when worshipped in an image as I am exceedingly pleased, O Parvati, when the linga is worshipped.'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.28.46)

सर्वेन्द्रियप्रसक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः । स प्रयाति दिवं देवि लिङ्गं योर्चयतीह मे

sarvendriyaprasakto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ | sa prayāti divaṁ devi liṅgaṁ yorcayatīha me

'Whether attached to all his senses, or joined with all sins — O goddess, whoever worships my linga here goes to heaven.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.28.47)

त्यक्त्वा सर्वाणि पापानि निर्द्वन्द्वो दग्धकिल्बिषः । मदाशीर्मन्नमस्कारो मामेव प्रतिपद्यते

tyaktvā sarvāṇi pāpāni nirdvandvo dagdhakilbiṣaḥ | madāśīrmannamaskāro māmeva pratipadyate

'Having abandoned all sins, free from dualities, his transgressions burnt away, blessed by me, bowing to me, he attains to me alone.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.28.48)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततो भगवती भूयः पतिं सर्वजगत्पतिम् । अपृच्छत् पुष्प्यमाणास्या केन त्वं देव तुष्यसे

sanatkumāra uvāca| tato bhagavatī bhūyaḥ patiṁ sarvajagatpatim | apṛcchat puṣpyamāṇāsyā kena tvaṁ deva tuṣyase

Sanatkumara said: Then the Blessed Goddess again asked her husband, the lord of the entire world, her face blossoming with a smile: 'By what, O god, are you pleased?'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.28.49)

ततः प्रहस्यमानास्यः सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वरः । प्रोवाच भगवान् वाक्यं लोकानां हितकाम्यया

tataḥ prahasyamānāsyaḥ sarvalokeśvareśvaraḥ | provāca bhagavān vākyaṁ lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Then the lord of the lords of all the worlds, his face smiling, the Blessed One, spoke this word, out of a wish for the welfare of the worlds.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.28.50)

देवदेव उवाच। शृणु देवि यथातत्त्वं येन यान्ति शुभां गतिम् । त्रैलोक्ये जन्तवः सर्वे मद्भक्ता ये शुभानने

devadeva uvāca| śṛṇu devi yathātattvaṁ yena yānti śubhāṁ gatim | trailokye jantavaḥ sarve madbhaktā ye śubhānane

The God of gods said: 'Hear truly, O goddess, O fair-faced one, by what means all creatures in the three worlds who are my devotees attain a blessed destiny.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.28.51)

यत्तत् परतरं गुह्यं तत् सर्वं मयि तिष्ठति । यो हि तत्त्वेन तद् वेद संसारात् स विमुच्यते

yattat parataraṁ guhyaṁ tat sarvaṁ mayi tiṣṭhati | yo hi tattvena tad veda saṁsārāt sa vimucyate

'That which is the supreme secret — all of it abides in me. He who truly knows it is freed from the cycle of transmigration.'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.28.52)

न च प्रकाशयेद् गुह्यं नाम मे कीर्तयेन्नरः । सदा सर्वसहेत्येवं प्रातः प्राञ्जलिरुत्थितः

na ca prakāśayed guhyaṁ nāma me kīrtayennaraḥ | sadā sarvasahetyevaṁ prātaḥ prāñjalirutthitaḥ

'One should not reveal the secret; but a man should proclaim my name — "ever all-enduring" — thus, rising in the morning with joined palms.'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.28.53)

तस्माच्च कीर्तनात् पापं सर्वमेव विनिर्दहेत् । यशः कीर्त्तिं च संप्राप्य रुद्रलोके महीयते

tasmācca kīrtanāt pāpaṁ sarvameva vinirdahet | yaśaḥ kīrttiṁ ca saṁprāpya rudraloke mahīyate

'By that very proclamation he burns away all sin entirely; and, having obtained fame and renown, is exalted in the world of Rudra.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.28.54)

सर्वमाल्यानि यो दद्यान् मम मूर्तिषु नित्यशः । मंत्रेण विधिवच्चैव तस्य पुण्यफलं महत्

sarvamālyāni yo dadyān mama mūrtiṣu nityaśaḥ | maṁtreṇa vidhivaccaiva tasya puṇyaphalaṁ mahat

'Whoever ever offers all manner of garlands to my images, duly with a mantra, for him the fruit of merit is great.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.28.55)

सर्वगाय सुरेशाय सर्वदेवमयाय च । नमो भगवते चैव गुह्यागुह्याय वै सदा

sarvagāya sureśāya sarvadevamayāya ca | namo bhagavate caiva guhyāguhyāya vai sadā

[Mantra:] Salutation to the all-pervading, to the lord of gods, to him who is the embodiment of all gods; salutation to the Blessed One, ever to him who is both secret and manifest.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.28.56)

सोमाय भूतनाथाय भावनाय भवाय च । सर्वगुह्याय वै स्वाहा देवगुह्यमयाय च

somāya bhūtanāthāya bhāvanāya bhavāya ca | sarvaguhyāya vai svāhā devaguhyamayāya ca

To Soma, to the lord of beings, to the sustainer, and to Bhava; svaha to him who is wholly secret, and to him who is the embodiment of the secret of the gods.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.28.57)

सर्वगुह्यमयो मंत्रः स्वाहा सोमाय चैव हि । कटंकटाय वै स्वाहा स्वाहा देवाय शुष्मिणे

sarvaguhyamayo maṁtraḥ svāhā somāya caiva hi | kaṭaṁkaṭāya vai svāhā svāhā devāya śuṣmiṇe

This mantra is wholly secret: svaha to Soma indeed; svaha to Katankata; svaha to the god of fiery might.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.28.58)

पुष्पाण्येतेन मन्त्रेण यो मे नित्यं निवेदयेत् । सहस्रं तेन जाप्यस्य मानसस्य कृतं भवेत्

puṣpāṇyetena mantreṇa yo me nityaṁ nivedayet | sahasraṁ tena jāpyasya mānasasya kṛtaṁ bhavet

'Whoever offers me flowers with this mantra constantly, by him a thousand mental recitations are accomplished.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.28.59)

अथाञ्जलिममावास्यां सुसम्पूर्णां समाहितः । तिलानां चैव कृष्णानां सर्षपाणां च पार्वति अर्चयित्वा यथान्यायं यथालाभं प्रयच्छति

athāñjalimamāvāsyāṁ susampūrṇāṁ samāhitaḥ | tilānāṁ caiva kṛṣṇānāṁ sarṣapāṇāṁ ca pārvati arcayitvā yathānyāyaṁ yathālābhaṁ prayacchati

'And, O Parvati, whoever, composed, on the new-moon day, having duly worshipped, offers a well-filled handful of black sesame and mustard seeds, as he is able —'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.28.60)

इदं च वचनं कुर्यात् सूर्येति व ममेति च । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः स्वर्गलोकं व्रजेन्नरः

idaṁ ca vacanaṁ kuryāt sūryeti va mameti ca | sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ svargalokaṁ vrajennaraḥ

'— and utters this word, "To the Sun" or "To me" — that man, freed from all sin, goes to the heavenly world.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.28.61)

अर्चयित्वा च मां देवि ब्राहाणान्न च तर्पयेत् । न तत्फलमवाप्नोति नाहं तुष्यामि तस्य वै

arcayitvā ca māṁ devi brāhāṇānna ca tarpayet | na tatphalamavāpnoti nāhaṁ tuṣyāmi tasya vai

'But, O goddess, whoever worships me and does not satisfy brahmins, he does not obtain that fruit; I am indeed not pleased with him.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.28.62)

अर्चयित्वा द्विजान्मां च यो मे नामानि कीर्तयेत् । चतुर्दश्यामथाष्टम्यां पक्षयोरुभयोरपि सोपि देवि प्रमुच्येत वियोनिं न स गच्छति

arcayitvā dvijānmāṁ ca yo me nāmāni kīrtayet | caturdaśyāmathāṣṭamyāṁ pakṣayorubhayorapi sopi devi pramucyeta viyoniṁ na sa gacchati

'Whoever, having worshipped the brahmins and me, recites my names on the fourteenth and the eighth of both fortnights — he too, O goddess, is set free, and does not go to a lowly birth.'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.28.63)

वामदेव सुदेवेति हर गुप्तेति वा पुनः । उमापते नीलकण्ठ शान्त श्रीकण्ठ गोपते

vāmadeva sudeveti hara gupteti vā punaḥ | umāpate nīlakaṇṭha śānta śrīkaṇṭha gopate

Vamadeva, Sudeva, Hara, Gupta; Umapati, Nilakantha, Shanta, Shrikantha, Gopati —

Verse 64 (skanda.8.28.64)

शर्व भीम पशुपते शङ्करोग्र भवेति च । महादेवेति चाप्यन्यन्नाम गुह्यं प्रकीर्तयन्

śarva bhīma paśupate śaṅkarogra bhaveti ca | mahādeveti cāpyanyannāma guhyaṁ prakīrtayan

— Sharva, Bhima, Pashupati, Shankara, Ugra, Bhava, and Mahadeva, and yet other secret names, proclaiming them —

Verse 65 (skanda.8.28.65)

सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्येत दिवि देवैश्च पूज्यते । एतेषामेकमपि यः कथयेद्वा पठेत वा

sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyeta divi devaiśca pūjyate | eteṣāmekamapi yaḥ kathayedvā paṭheta vā

— he is freed from all sins, and is honoured by the gods in heaven. Whoever recites or reads even one of these names —

Verse 66 (skanda.8.28.66)

स देहपद्धतिं भित्त्वा मामेव प्रतिपद्यते । एवं सर्व प्रणामे च यन्मया परिकीर्तितम्

sa dehapaddhatiṁ bhittvā māmeva pratipadyate | evaṁ sarva praṇāme ca yanmayā parikīrtitam

'— he, having broken through the course of embodiment, attains to me alone.' Thus, in every form of homage, is what has been declared by me.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.28.67)

अमावास्यान्तु यो नित्यं सघृतं गुग्गुलं दहेत् । क्षीरेण चैव संमिश्रं गुह्यमेतन्मम प्रियम्

amāvāsyāntu yo nityaṁ saghṛtaṁ guggulaṁ dahet | kṣīreṇa caiva saṁmiśraṁ guhyametanmama priyam

'And whoever, on the new-moon day, constantly burns guggulu resin mixed with ghee and milk — this is a secret dear to me.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.28.68)

सोच्युतं स्थानमाप्नोति मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः । इदं च परमं गुह्यं यो मे देवि निवेदयेत्

socyutaṁ sthānamāpnoti matprasādānna saṁśayaḥ | idaṁ ca paramaṁ guhyaṁ yo me devi nivedayet

'He attains the imperishable abode, by my grace — of this there is no doubt. And this is the supreme secret: whoever, O goddess, offers to me —'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.28.69)

अर्कपत्रयुतं पूर्णं घृतेन मधुना सह । निवेद्य विधिवद् भक्त्या सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

arkapatrayutaṁ pūrṇaṁ ghṛtena madhunā saha | nivedya vidhivad bhaktyā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

'— a full vessel with arka leaves, together with ghee and honey, offering it duly with devotion, is freed from all sins.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.28.70)

इमानि च महाभागे यो मे नामानि कीर्तयेत् । श्मशाननिलयो नग्नो भस्मशायी यतव्रतः

imāni ca mahābhāge yo me nāmāni kīrtayet | śmaśānanilayo nagno bhasmaśāyī yatavrataḥ

'And, O illustrious one, whoever proclaims these names of mine: the dweller in cremation grounds, the naked one, he who lies in ashes, one whose vows are disciplined —'

Verse 71 (skanda.8.28.71)

वामदेवः प्रशान्तश्च स्तब्धशेपस्त्रिलोचनः । असव्यप्रियः सव्यो बहुरूपोन्तकान्तकृत्

vāmadevaḥ praśāntaśca stabdhaśepastrilocanaḥ | asavyapriyaḥ savyo bahurūpontakāntakṛt

— 'Vamadeva, the utterly tranquil, the rigid-membered, the three-eyed; dear to the propitious, the propitious, of many forms, the ender of Death' —

Verse 72 (skanda.8.28.72)

पुराणः पुरुहूतश्च मृत्योर्मृत्युर्जितेन्द्रियः । अनिन्द्रियोतीन्द्रियश्च सर्वभूतहृदि स्थितः

purāṇaḥ puruhūtaśca mṛtyormṛtyurjitendriyaḥ | anindriyotīndriyaśca sarvabhūtahṛdi sthitaḥ

— 'the ancient one, the much-invoked, the death of death, the one of conquered senses; the senseless one, the one beyond the senses, abiding in the heart of all beings' —

Verse 73 (skanda.8.28.73)

संसारचक्री योगात्मा कापाली दिण्डिरेव च । महादेव महादेव महादेवेति चैव हि

saṁsāracakrī yogātmā kāpālī diṇḍireva ca | mahādeva mahādeva mahādeveti caiva hi

— 'the wheel of transmigration, the yoga-souled, the skull-bearer, and Dindi; Mahadeva, Mahadeva, Mahadeva' —

Verse 74 (skanda.8.28.74)

जपेदेतन्नियमवान् शृणुयाद्वापि नित्यशः । स देहभेदमासाद्य योगात्मा गणपो भवेत्

japedetanniyamavān śṛṇuyādvāpi nityaśaḥ | sa dehabhedamāsādya yogātmā gaṇapo bhavet

— whoever, keeping his vows, ever recites or hears this, upon the dissolution of the body, becomes a lord of ganas, his soul absorbed in yoga. (One further verse here is entirely lost in the manuscript.)

Verse 75 (skanda.8.28.75)

नाशुभाय न पापाय नानृतायाव्रताय च । श्रावयेद् भक्तिमान् पुण्यान्नापेताय कदाचन

nāśubhāya na pāpāya nānṛtāyāvratāya ca | śrāvayed bhaktimān puṇyānnāpetāya kadācana

'This meritorious teaching should never be told, even by a devoted person, to one inauspicious, sinful, false, or without vows, nor to one devoid of merit.'

Verse 76 (skanda.8.28.76)

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं शान्तिवृद्धिकरं शुभम् । पूतं पवित्रं परमं मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलम् । श्रोतव्यं न च सर्वेण तथा देयं न कस्यचित्

dhanyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ śāntivṛddhikaraṁ śubham | pūtaṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ maṅgalānāṁ ca maṅgalam | śrotavyaṁ na ca sarveṇa tathā deyaṁ na kasyacit

'It is blessed, glorious, life-giving, productive of peace and increase, auspicious, purifying, most sacred, and the very auspiciousness of auspicious things; it should not be heard by everyone, nor should it be given to just anyone.'