The Glory of the Sacred Places of Varanasi

Verse 1 (skanda.8.29.1)

व्यास उवाच। एवं कालेन संप्राप्य वाराणस्यां निकेतनम् । जगतः पितरौ देवौ चक्रतुः किमतः परम्

vyāsa uvāca| evaṁ kālena saṁprāpya vārāṇasyāṁ niketanam | jagataḥ pitarau devau cakratuḥ kimataḥ param

Vyasa said: 'Thus, having in time obtained a dwelling in Varanasi, what did the divine parents of the world do next?'

Verse 2 (skanda.8.29.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः स भगवान् देवो देवीं हिमवतः सुताम् । उवाच देवि पश्याम उद्यानं यदि रोचते

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sa bhagavān devo devīṁ himavataḥ sutām | uvāca devi paśyāma udyānaṁ yadi rocate

Sanatkumara said: Then the Blessed God said to the Goddess, the daughter of Himavat: 'O goddess, let us view the garden, if it pleases you.'

Verse 3 (skanda.8.29.3)

देव्युवाच। एवं भवतु देवेश यथात्थ त्वं वृषध्वज । न हि मेन्यत्र गन्तव्यमुद्यानात् परतो हर

devyuvāca| evaṁ bhavatu deveśa yathāttha tvaṁ vṛṣadhvaja | na hi menyatra gantavyamudyānāt parato hara

The Goddess said: 'So be it, O lord of gods, Bull-bannered one, as you say. O Hara, I have no wish to go anywhere beyond this garden.'

Verse 4 (skanda.8.29.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। सह देव्या ततो व्यास वाराणस्यां वृषध्वजः । दिव्योद्यानदिदृक्षार्थं विचचार समन्ततः

sanatkumāra uvāca| saha devyā tato vyāsa vārāṇasyāṁ vṛṣadhvajaḥ | divyodyānadidṛkṣārthaṁ vicacāra samantataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then, O Vyasa, the Bull-bannered one, together with the Goddess, wandered all about Varanasi, wishing to view the divine garden.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.29.5)

पूर्वस्मिन् स दिशो भागे देव्या देवः पिनाकधृक् । उद्यानं दर्शयामास नानाकुसुमशोभितम्

pūrvasmin sa diśo bhāge devyā devaḥ pinākadhṛk | udyānaṁ darśayāmāsa nānākusumaśobhitam

In the eastern quarter, the trident-bearing god showed the Goddess a garden adorned with various flowers,

Verse 6 (skanda.8.29.6)

चंपकाशोकपुन्नागप्रियंगूचूतसंकुलम् । बिल्वार्जुनकदम्बैश्च न्यग्रोधोदुम्बरैरपि

caṁpakāśokapunnāgapriyaṁgūcūtasaṁkulam | bilvārjunakadambaiśca nyagrodhodumbarairapi

thronged with champaka, ashoka, punnaga, priyangu, and mango trees; with bilva, arjuna, and kadamba trees, and also with banyan and fig trees —

Verse 7 (skanda.8.29.7)

गन्धवद्भिश्च कुसुमैर्जातीकेसरकेतकैः । रम्यैः सुरभिपुष्पैश्च षट्पदव्रातसेवितैः

gandhavadbhiśca kusumairjātīkesaraketakaiḥ | ramyaiḥ surabhipuṣpaiśca ṣaṭpadavrātasevitaiḥ

— with fragrant flowers, jasmine, kesara, and ketaki, delightful and sweet-scented, attended by swarms of bees.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.29.8)

संयुक्तं सर्वतः श्रीमद्वनं वैभ्राजसन्निभम् । स तदुद्यानमासाद्य देवीमाह जगत्पतिः

saṁyuktaṁ sarvataḥ śrīmadvanaṁ vaibhrājasannibham | sa tadudyānamāsādya devīmāha jagatpatiḥ

That glorious forest, resembling Vaibhraja, surrounded on all sides. Having arrived at that garden, the lord of the world said to the Goddess —

Verse 9 (skanda.8.29.9)

अस्मिन् देशे पुरा देवि तिष्ठतो मम शोभने । ऊर्ध्वं गोलोकसंस्थानाद् गवां वत्सैः स्वयंभुवैः

asmin deśe purā devi tiṣṭhato mama śobhane | ūrdhvaṁ golokasaṁsthānād gavāṁ vatsaiḥ svayaṁbhuvaiḥ

'In this place formerly, O beautiful goddess, while I stood — above, from the abode of Goloka, by the self-born calves of the cows —'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.29.10)

पीयमान पयोवेगात् फेनं मूर्ध्नि समापतत । ततो मयोर्ध्वतो दृष्टा गावस्ताः सोमपार्श्वतः

pīyamāna payovegāt phenaṁ mūrdhni samāpatata | tato mayordhvato dṛṣṭā gāvastāḥ somapārśvataḥ

'— as they drank, foam from the force of the milk fell upon my head. Then, looking upward, I, Soma, saw those cows at my side.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.29.11)

ततस्ताः प्रेक्षितास्तत्र मया गावस्तदाभवन् । तेजसा दह्यमानास्तु नैकवर्ण्णा भृशार्दिताः

tatastāḥ prekṣitāstatra mayā gāvastadābhavan | tejasā dahyamānāstu naikavarṇṇā bhṛśārditāḥ

'Then, being looked upon by me there, those cows became, burned by my splendour, many-coloured and greatly distressed.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.29.12)

गावः पूर्वमिमा देवि आसन् कपिलवर्णजाः । नैकवर्णास्तदाभूवन् यदा संप्रेक्षिता मया

gāvaḥ pūrvamimā devi āsan kapilavarṇajāḥ | naikavarṇāstadābhūvan yadā saṁprekṣitā mayā

'These cows, O goddess, were formerly all of tawny colour; they became of many colours when they were gazed upon by me.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.29.13)

तासां शरण्यतां यात्वा ताभिर्मामेव शैलेजे । आश्रितः सोम आगत्य स्रवन्तीभिः समन्ततः

tāsāṁ śaraṇyatāṁ yātvā tābhirmāmeva śaileje | āśritaḥ soma āgatya sravantībhiḥ samantataḥ

'O daughter of the mountain, having become their refuge, I, Soma, was resorted to by them, they coming to me from every side, their milk streaming.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.29.14)

अर्दिताभिस्तदा गोभिर्ब्रह्मा मामब्रवीत्ततः । प्रसादं कुरु देवेश सौरभ्यस्तेजसा तव

arditābhistadā gobhirbrahmā māmabravīttataḥ | prasādaṁ kuru deveśa saurabhyastejasā tava

'Then, seeing those distressed cows, Brahma said to me: "Show mercy, O lord of gods, upon Surabhi's offspring, by your own power —"'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.29.15)

न नश्यन्ति यथा सद्यस्तथा सर्वसुरार्चित । ततोहमास्थितो देवि स्थानेस्मिन् स्वयमेव तु

na naśyanti yathā sadyastathā sarvasurārcita | tatohamāsthito devi sthānesmin svayameva tu

'"— so that they do not perish at once, O worshipped-by-all-the-gods." Then, O goddess, I myself remained in this very place —'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.29.16)

गोप्रेक्ष इति विख्यातः संस्तुतः सर्वदेवतैः । गोप्रेक्षेश्वरमागत्य दृष्ट्वाभ्यर्च्य च मानवः

goprekṣa iti vikhyātaḥ saṁstutaḥ sarvadevataiḥ | goprekṣeśvaramāgatya dṛṣṭvābhyarcya ca mānavaḥ

'— known as Gopreksha, praised by all the gods.' Whatever man comes to Gopreksheshvara and, having seen and worshipped —

Verse 17 (skanda.8.29.17)

न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति कल्मषैश्च विमुच्यते । ततस्ता दह्यमानास्तु प्रसन्ने कपिला मयि

na durgatimavāpnoti kalmaṣaiśca vimucyate | tatastā dahyamānāstu prasanne kapilā mayi

— he does not attain an evil state, and is freed from sins. Then those cows, being burnt, when I, tawny-hued, became gracious —

Verse 18 (skanda.8.29.18)

ह्रदेस्मिन् धेनवोभ्येत्य शान्तास्ता विबभुस्तदा । कपिलाह्रद इत्येवं तदाप्रभृति कथ्यते

hradesmin dhenavobhyetya śāntāstā vibabhustadā | kapilāhrada ityevaṁ tadāprabhṛti kathyate

'— those cows, having come to this pool, became calm and shone forth. From that time onward it has been called Kapilahrada.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.29.19)

अत्रापि स्वयमेवाहं वृषध्वज इति श्रुतः । सान्निध्यं कृतवान् देवि स चायं दृश्यतां स्थितः

atrāpi svayamevāhaṁ vṛṣadhvaja iti śrutaḥ | sānnidhyaṁ kṛtavān devi sa cāyaṁ dṛśyatāṁ sthitaḥ

'Here too, I myself, known as Vrishadhvaja, established my presence, O goddess; and here he may be seen, standing.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.29.20)

कपिलाह्रदतीर्थेस्मिन् स्नात्वा नान्यमना नरः । वृषध्वजमिमं दृष्ट्वा सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत्

kapilāhradatīrthesmin snātvā nānyamanā naraḥ | vṛṣadhvajamimaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvayajñaphalaṁ labhet

'A man, having bathed at this Kapilahrada sacred ford, with undistracted mind, and having seen this Vrishadhvaja, obtains the fruit of all sacrifices.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.29.21)

सलोकतां मृतश्चापि अर्चयित्वा तु मामिह । लभते देहभेदे तु गणत्वं चातिदुर्लभम्

salokatāṁ mṛtaścāpi arcayitvā tu māmiha | labhate dehabhede tu gaṇatvaṁ cātidurlabham

'And, having died here after worshipping me, he attains co-residence with my world; and, when the body is broken, he obtains the extremely rare state of being a gana.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.29.22)

अस्मिन्नपि प्रदेशे तु ता गावो ब्रह्मणा स्वयम् । शान्त्यर्थं सर्वलोकानां सर्वा दुग्धाः पयोमृतम्

asminnapi pradeśe tu tā gāvo brahmaṇā svayam | śāntyarthaṁ sarvalokānāṁ sarvā dugdhāḥ payomṛtam

'And in this very place, those cows, for the peace of all the worlds, were all milked by Brahma himself, yielding nectar-milk.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.29.23)

तासां क्षीरेण संजातं ह्रदमेतन्मनोहरम् । भद्रदोहमिति ख्यातं पुण्यं देवह्रदं शुभम्

tāsāṁ kṣīreṇa saṁjātaṁ hradametanmanoharam | bhadradohamiti khyātaṁ puṇyaṁ devahradaṁ śubham

'From their milk came into being this delightful pool, known as Bhadradoha, a sacred, auspicious divine pool.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.29.24)

सर्वैर्देवैरहं देवि अस्मिन्देशे प्रसादितः । गच्छोपशममीशेति उपशान्तशिवस्ततः

sarvairdevairahaṁ devi asmindeśe prasāditaḥ | gacchopaśamamīśeti upaśāntaśivastataḥ

'O goddess, I was propitiated by all the gods in this place, who said: "Go to peace, O Lord" — thereupon I became known as Upashantashiva.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.29.25)

स्थितो भूत्वाहमत्रस्थः पुण्यमस्यापि दर्शनम् । दृष्ट्वैनं प्रयतो मर्त्यः स्वर्गलोकमवाप्नुयात्

sthito bhūtvāhamatrasthaḥ puṇyamasyāpi darśanam | dṛṣṭvainaṁ prayato martyaḥ svargalokamavāpnuyāt

'Having become established here, my sight too is meritorious. A mortal, disciplined, having seen this, obtains the heavenly world.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.29.26)

अत्राहं ब्रह्मणानीय स्थापितः परमेष्ठिना । ब्रह्मणश्चापि संगृह्य विष्णुना स्थापितः पुनः

atrāhaṁ brahmaṇānīya sthāpitaḥ parameṣṭhinā | brahmaṇaścāpi saṁgṛhya viṣṇunā sthāpitaḥ punaḥ

'Here I was brought and installed by Brahma, the Supreme; and, taken from Brahma, I was again installed by Vishnu.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.29.27)

ब्रह्मणा स ततो विष्णुः प्रोक्तः संविग्नचेतसा । मयानीतमिदं लिङ्गं कस्मात् स्थापितवानसि

brahmaṇā sa tato viṣṇuḥ proktaḥ saṁvignacetasā | mayānītamidaṁ liṅgaṁ kasmāt sthāpitavānasi

'Then Brahma, with an agitated mind, said to that Vishnu: "This linga was brought by me — why have you installed it?"'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.29.28)

तमुवाच पुनर्विष्णुर्ब्रह्माणं कुपिताननम् । रुद्रदेवे ममात्यन्तं परा भक्तिर्महत्तरा

tamuvāca punarviṣṇurbrahmāṇaṁ kupitānanam | rudradeve mamātyantaṁ parā bhaktirmahattarā

'Vishnu then said again to that angered Brahma: "My devotion to the god Rudra is exceedingly great, supreme —"'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.29.29)

मयैष स्थापितस्तेन नाम्ना तव भविष्यति । हिरण्यगर्भ इत्येवं ततोत्राहं समास्थितः

mayaiṣa sthāpitastena nāmnā tava bhaviṣyati | hiraṇyagarbha ityevaṁ tatotrāhaṁ samāsthitaḥ

'"— that is why he was installed by me; and he shall bear your very name — Hiranyagarbha." From that time, I have remained established here as Hiranyagarbha.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.29.30)

दृष्ट्वैनमपि देवेशे मम लोकं व्रजेन्नरः । पुनरेव ततो ब्रह्मा मम लिङ्गमिदं शुभे

dṛṣṭvainamapi deveśe mama lokaṁ vrajennaraḥ | punareva tato brahmā mama liṅgamidaṁ śubhe

'A man, having seen this too, goes to my world, O lord of gods. Then again Brahma installed this auspicious linga of mine —'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.29.31)

स्थापयामास विधिवद् भक्त्या परमया युतः । स्वलीनेश्वर इत्येवमत्राहं स्वयमास्थितः

sthāpayāmāsa vidhivad bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ | svalīneśvara ityevamatrāhaṁ svayamāsthitaḥ

'— installed it duly, filled with supreme devotion. Thus here I myself have become established as Svalinesvara.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.29.32)

स्वस्मिन् परतरे लीनः प्रधाने मम कारणे । तस्मात् स्वलीनमित्येवं गुह्यं क्षेत्रं मम स्मृतम्

svasmin paratare līnaḥ pradhāne mama kāraṇe | tasmāt svalīnamityevaṁ guhyaṁ kṣetraṁ mama smṛtam

'Dissolved in my own supreme self, in the Pradhana, my cause — therefore this secret field of mine is remembered as Svalina.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.29.33)

प्राणानिह नरस्त्यक्त्वा न पुनर्जायते क्वचित् । आनन्त्या सा गतिस्तस्य योगिनां चैव सा स्मृता

prāṇāniha narastyaktvā na punarjāyate kvacit | ānantyā sā gatistasya yogināṁ caiva sā smṛtā

'A man, having given up his life-breaths here, is not born again anywhere. That is his infinite destiny, remembered also as the destiny of yogins.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.29.34)

अस्मिन्नपि मया देशे दैत्यो दैवतकण्टकः । व्याघ्ररूपं समास्थाय निहतो दर्पितो बली

asminnapi mayā deśe daityo daivatakaṇṭakaḥ | vyāghrarūpaṁ samāsthāya nihato darpito balī

'And in this place too, a daitya, a thorn to the gods, having assumed the form of a tiger, arrogant and mighty, was slain by me.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.29.35)

व्याघ्रेश्वरस्ततः ख्यातो नित्यमत्राहमास्थितः । न पुनर्दुर्गतिं यायत् दृष्ट्वा चेमं महेश्वरम्

vyāghreśvarastataḥ khyāto nityamatrāhamāsthitaḥ | na punardurgatiṁ yāyat dṛṣṭvā cemaṁ maheśvaram

'From then, I have been known as Vyaghreshvara, ever established here. Having seen this Maheshvara, one does not go again to an evil state.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.29.36)

उत्पलो विदलश्चैव यौ दैत्यौ ब्रह्मणा पुरा । स्त्रीवध्यौ दर्पितौ सृष्टौ त्वयैव निहतौ शुभे

utpalo vidalaścaiva yau daityau brahmaṇā purā | strīvadhyau darpitau sṛṣṭau tvayaiva nihatau śubhe

'Utpala and Vidala, the two daityas whom Brahma formerly created, arrogant, invulnerable except to a woman — they were slain by you alone, O auspicious one.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.29.37)

सावज्ञं गेन्दुकेनात्र तस्येदं चिह्नमास्थितम् । आदावत्राहमागत्य आस्थितो गणपैः सह

sāvajñaṁ gendukenātra tasyedaṁ cihnamāsthitam | ādāvatrāhamāgatya āsthito gaṇapaiḥ saha

'Contemptuously, with a ball, you slew them here; this is the mark of that event, established. At the very beginning I came here and remained, together with the lords of ganas.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.29.38)

ज्येष्ठं स्थानमिदं तस्मादेतन्मे पुण्यदर्शनम् । दृष्ट्वेदं मम लिङ्गन्तु ज्येष्ठस्थानसमाश्रितम्

jyeṣṭhaṁ sthānamidaṁ tasmādetanme puṇyadarśanam | dṛṣṭvedaṁ mama liṅgantu jyeṣṭhasthānasamāśritam

'Therefore this is my eldest, most senior place, and this sight of mine is meritorious. Having seen this linga of mine, resorted to at Jyeshtha-sthana —'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.29.39)

न शोचति पुनर्मर्त्यः संसिद्धो मृत्युजन्मनी । समन्ताद्देवतैस्सर्वैर्लिङ्गानि स्थापितानि ह

na śocati punarmartyaḥ saṁsiddho mṛtyujanmanī | samantāddevataissarvairliṅgāni sthāpitāni ha

'— a mortal, having attained perfection, grieves no more over death and birth. All around, by all the gods, lingas have indeed been established.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.29.40)

दृष्टवा तु नियतं मर्त्यो देहभेदे गणो भवेत् । मया त्विह समागत्य स्वयमेव यतः स्थितम्

dṛṣṭavā tu niyataṁ martyo dehabhede gaṇo bhavet | mayā tviha samāgatya svayameva yataḥ sthitam

'A mortal, having seen them, restrained, becomes, upon the dissolution of the body, a gana. But, since I myself came here and remained —'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.29.41)

न च मुक्तं मया यस्मादविमुक्तमिदं ततः । क्षेत्रं वाराणसी पुण्या मुक्तिदं संभविष्यति

na ca muktaṁ mayā yasmādavimuktamidaṁ tataḥ | kṣetraṁ vārāṇasī puṇyā muktidaṁ saṁbhaviṣyati

'— and, since it was never let go by me, this field is Avimukta. This sacred field, Varanasi, shall become a giver of liberation.'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.29.42)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं मां वै योत्र द्रक्ष्यति मानवः । गाणपत्या गतिस्तस्य यत्र तत्र मृतस्य ह

avimukteśvaraṁ māṁ vai yotra drakṣyati mānavaḥ | gāṇapatyā gatistasya yatra tatra mṛtasya ha

'Whatever man sees me here as Avimukteshvara, his destiny is the state of a ganapati, wherever he dies.'

Verse 43 (skanda.8.29.43)

प्राणानिह तु संन्यस्य यास्यते मुक्तिमुत्तमाम् । पित्रा ते गिरिराजेन पुरा हिमवता स्वयम्

prāṇāniha tu saṁnyasya yāsyate muktimuttamām | pitrā te girirājena purā himavatā svayam

'And, having given up his life-breaths here, he goes to the highest liberation. By your father, the king of mountains, Himavat, formerly, himself —'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.29.44)

मम प्रियमिदं स्थानं ज्ञात्वा लिङ्गः प्रतिष्ठितम् । शैलेश्वरमितिख्यातं दृश्यतामिदमास्थितम्

mama priyamidaṁ sthānaṁ jñātvā liṅgaḥ pratiṣṭhitam | śaileśvaramitikhyātaṁ dṛśyatāmidamāsthitam

'— knowing this place to be dear to me, a linga was established; known as Shaileshvara, it may be seen standing here.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.29.45)

दृष्ट्वेदं मनुजो देवि न दुर्गतिमनुव्रजेत् । नदी वाराणसी चेयं पुण्या पापप्रमोचनी

dṛṣṭvedaṁ manujo devi na durgatimanuvrajet | nadī vārāṇasī ceyaṁ puṇyā pāpapramocanī

'Having seen this, O goddess, a man does not fall into an evil state. And this river of Varanasi is sacred, releasing one from sin.'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.29.46)

क्षेत्रमेतदलंकृत्य जाह्नव्या सह संगता । स्थापितं संगमे चास्मिन् ब्रह्मणा लिङ्गमुत्तमम्

kṣetrametadalaṁkṛtya jāhnavyā saha saṁgatā | sthāpitaṁ saṁgame cāsmin brahmaṇā liṅgamuttamam

'Adorning this sacred field, joined together with the Ganga — and at this confluence an excellent linga was installed by Brahma.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.29.47)

संगमेश्वर इत्येवं ख्यातं जगति दृश्यताम् । संगमे देवनद्योस्तु यः स्नात्वा मनुजः शुचिः

saṁgameśvara ityevaṁ khyātaṁ jagati dṛśyatām | saṁgame devanadyostu yaḥ snātvā manujaḥ śuciḥ

'Known thus as Sangameshvara, let it be seen in the world. And whatever man, pure, having bathed at the confluence of the two divine rivers —'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.29.48)

अर्चयेत् संगमेशानं तस्य जन्मभयं कुतः । इदमन्यद् बृहत् क्षेत्रं निवासं योगिनां परम्

arcayet saṁgameśānaṁ tasya janmabhayaṁ kutaḥ | idamanyad bṛhat kṣetraṁ nivāsaṁ yogināṁ param

'— worships Sangameshana, for him what fear of rebirth remains?' Here is another great sacred field, the supreme dwelling place of yogins —

Verse 49 (skanda.8.29.49)

क्षेत्रमध्ये च यत्राहं स्वयं भूत्वा समास्थितः । मध्यमेश्वर इत्येवं ख्यातं सर्वसुरासुरैः

kṣetramadhye ca yatrāhaṁ svayaṁ bhūtvā samāsthitaḥ | madhyameśvara ityevaṁ khyātaṁ sarvasurāsuraiḥ

'— in the middle of the field, where I myself became established, known by all gods and asuras as Madhyameshvara.'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.29.50)

सिद्धानां स्थानमेतद्धि मदीयव्रतचारिणाम् । योगिनां मोक्षलिप्सूनां जन्ममृत्युजितात्मनाम्

siddhānāṁ sthānametaddhi madīyavratacāriṇām | yogināṁ mokṣalipsūnāṁ janmamṛtyujitātmanām

'This is indeed the abode of the accomplished ones, those who follow my vow — of yogins desiring liberation, whose souls have conquered birth and death.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.29.51)

दृष्ट्वेदं मध्यमेशानं जन्म प्रति न शोचति । स्थापितं लिङ्गमेतच्च शुक्रेण तव सूनुना

dṛṣṭvedaṁ madhyameśānaṁ janma prati na śocati | sthāpitaṁ liṅgametacca śukreṇa tava sūnunā

'Having seen this Madhyameshana, one does not grieve regarding rebirth. And this linga was established by Shukra, your son —'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.29.52)

नाम्ना शुक्रेश्वरमिति सर्वसिद्धामरार्चितम् । दृष्ट्वेदं मानवः सद्यो मुक्तः स्यात् सर्वकिल्बिषैः

nāmnā śukreśvaramiti sarvasiddhāmarārcitam | dṛṣṭvedaṁ mānavaḥ sadyo muktaḥ syāt sarvakilbiṣaiḥ

'— by the name Shukreshvara, worshipped by all siddhas and gods. A man, having seen this, is instantly freed from all sins —'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.29.53)

मृतश्च न पुनर्जन्म संसारे तु लभेन्नरः । पुरा जम्बुकरूपेण असुरा देवकण्टकाः

mṛtaśca na punarjanma saṁsāre tu labhennaraḥ | purā jambukarūpeṇa asurā devakaṇṭakāḥ

'— and, having died, does not obtain rebirth in the world of transmigration.' Formerly, in the form of a jackal, an asura, a thorn to the gods —

Verse 54 (skanda.8.29.54)

ते ब्रह्मणो वरं लब्ध्वा गोमायुवधशंकिताः । निहताः हिमवत्पुत्रि जम्बुकेशस्ततो ह्यहम्

te brahmaṇo varaṁ labdhvā gomāyuvadhaśaṁkitāḥ | nihatāḥ himavatputri jambukeśastato hyaham

'— having obtained a boon from Brahma, fearless of being killed except by a jackal, was slain by me; O daughter of Himavat, thereafter I became Jambukesha.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.29.55)

अभवं जगति ख्यातः सुरासुरनमस्कृतः । दृष्ट्वैनमपि देवेशं सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात्

abhavaṁ jagati khyātaḥ surāsuranamaskṛtaḥ | dṛṣṭvainamapi deveśaṁ sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt

'I became renowned in the world, saluted by gods and asuras.' Whoever sees this god of gods too obtains all his desires.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.29.56)

ग्रहैः शुक्रपुरोगैश्च एतानि स्थापितानि हि । पश्य लिङ्गानि पुण्यानि सर्वकामदुघानि मे

grahaiḥ śukrapurogaiśca etāni sthāpitāni hi | paśya liṅgāni puṇyāni sarvakāmadughāni me

'By the planetary deities, led by Shukra, these have indeed been established. Behold these sacred lingas of mine, granters of every desire.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.29.57)

इत्थमेतानि पुण्यानि मन्निवासानि पार्वति । कथितानि तव क्षेत्रे गुह्य चान्यदिदं शृणु

itthametāni puṇyāni mannivāsāni pārvati | kathitāni tava kṣetre guhya cānyadidaṁ śṛṇu

'Thus, O Parvati, these meritorious dwellings of mine have been told to you in this field; hear now this other secret.'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.29.58)

क्रोशं क्रोशं चतुर्दिक्षु क्षेत्रमेतत्प्रकीर्तितम् । चारु अंगि मृत्युकालेमृतप्रदम्

krośaṁ krośaṁ caturdikṣu kṣetrametatprakīrtitam | cāru aṁgi mṛtyukālemṛtapradam

'This sacred field is proclaimed to extend one krosha in each of the four directions (a portion of the text is lost here); O lovely-limbed one, it grants immortality at the time of death.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.29.59)

स्थाने केदारे च व्यवस्थितम् । गणत्वं लभ्यते दृष्टवा क्षेत्रेस्मिन् मोक्षमाप्यते

sthāne kedāre ca vyavasthitam | gaṇatvaṁ labhyate dṛṣṭavā kṣetresmin mokṣamāpyate

(Much of this verse preceding is lost in the manuscript) — established at Kedara. Having seen it, one obtains the state of a gana; in this field, liberation is attained.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.29.60)

गाणपत्यपदात्तस्मात् यतः स्यान्मुक्तिरुत्तमा । ततो महालयात्तस्मात् केदारान्मध्यमादपि

gāṇapatyapadāttasmāt yataḥ syānmuktiruttamā | tato mahālayāttasmāt kedārānmadhyamādapi

'From that state of ganapati, from which supreme liberation may come, then from that Mahalaya, then from Kedara, and also from Madhyama —'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.29.61)

स्मृतं पुण्यतमं क्षेत्रमविमुक्तमिदं शुभे । केदारमध्यमे स्थाने स्थानं चैव महालयम्

smṛtaṁ puṇyatamaṁ kṣetramavimuktamidaṁ śubhe | kedāramadhyame sthāne sthānaṁ caiva mahālayam

'— this Avimukta is remembered as the most sacred field, O auspicious one — more than Kedara, more than Madhyama, and more than the place of Mahalaya.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.29.62)

मम पुण्यानि भूर्लोके तेभ्यः श्रेष्ठतमं त्विदम् । यदा मृष्टानि लोकानि ततः क्षेत्रमिदं शुभम्

mama puṇyāni bhūrloke tebhyaḥ śreṣṭhatamaṁ tvidam | yadā mṛṣṭāni lokāni tataḥ kṣetramidaṁ śubham

'Of my sacred places on earth, this is the most excellent of them all. Even when all other worlds are wiped away, this auspicious field remains.'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.29.63)

कदाचिन्न मया मुक्तमविमुक्तं ततोभवत् । अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिङ्गं मम दृष्ट्वेह मानवः

kadācinna mayā muktamavimuktaṁ tatobhavat | avimukteśvaraṁ liṅgaṁ mama dṛṣṭveha mānavaḥ

'Never has it been abandoned by me, and thus it became Avimukta.' A man, having seen here this linga of mine, Avimukteshvara —

Verse 64 (skanda.8.29.64)

सद्यः पापविनिर्मुक्तः पशुपाशैर्विमुच्यते । शैलेशं संगमेशं च स्वलीनं मध्यमेश्वरम्

sadyaḥ pāpavinirmuktaḥ paśupāśairvimucyate | śaileśaṁ saṁgameśaṁ ca svalīnaṁ madhyameśvaram

— is instantly freed from sin, and released from the bonds of worldly existence. Shailesha, Sangamesha, Svalina, and Madhyameshvara —

Verse 65 (skanda.8.29.65)

हिरण्यगर्भमीशानं गोप्रेक्षं सवृषध्वजम् । उपशान्तशिवं चैव ज्येष्ठस्थाननिवासिनम्

hiraṇyagarbhamīśānaṁ goprekṣaṁ savṛṣadhvajam | upaśāntaśivaṁ caiva jyeṣṭhasthānanivāsinam

— Hiranyagarbha the lord, Gopreksha together with Vrishadhvaja, and Upashantashiva, the dweller at Jyeshtha-sthana —

Verse 66 (skanda.8.29.66)

शुक्रेश्वरं च विख्यातं व्याघ्रेशं जम्बुकेश्वरम् । दृष्टवा न जायते मर्त्यः संसारे दुःखसागरे

śukreśvaraṁ ca vikhyātaṁ vyāghreśaṁ jambukeśvaram | dṛṣṭavā na jāyate martyaḥ saṁsāre duḥkhasāgare

— and the renowned Shukreshvara, Vyaghresha, and Jambukeshvara — having seen these, a mortal is not born again in the ocean of sorrow that is worldly existence.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.29.67)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा महादेवो दिशः सर्वा व्यलोकयत् । विलोक्य संस्थिते पश्चाद् देवदेवे महेश्वरे

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamuktvā mahādevo diśaḥ sarvā vyalokayat | vilokya saṁsthite paścād devadeve maheśvare

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus, Mahadeva looked about in all directions. Having looked about, when the God of gods, Maheshvara, stood still thereafter —

Verse 68 (skanda.8.29.68)

अकस्मादभवत् सर्वं तत् क्षेत्रं ज्वलितं यथा । सविद्युत्स्तनिताघोष सूर्यायुतशतोदितम्

akasmādabhavat sarvaṁ tat kṣetraṁ jvalitaṁ yathā | savidyutstanitāghoṣa sūryāyutaśatoditam

— suddenly that entire sacred field became as if ablaze, with lightning and the roar of thunder, as if a hundred thousand suns had risen.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.29.69)

तेजोभिरेकतः पूर्णं वह्निभास्करयोरिव । ततः पाशुपताः सिद्धा भस्माभ्यंगसितप्रभाः

tejobhirekataḥ pūrṇaṁ vahnibhāskarayoriva | tataḥ pāśupatāḥ siddhā bhasmābhyaṁgasitaprabhāḥ

Filled entirely with splendour, like that of fire and the sun combined. Then the Pashupata siddhas, radiant white with ash-anointing —

Verse 70 (skanda.8.29.70)

योगीश्वरा महात्मानस्तथा वैतानिकव्रताः । अव्यक्तलिङ्गिनश्चैव शिवयोगोज्ज्वलप्रभाः

yogīśvarā mahātmānastathā vaitānikavratāḥ | avyaktaliṅginaścaiva śivayogojjvalaprabhāḥ

— great-souled lords of yoga, and those devoted to sacrificial vows; those whose signs are unmanifest, blazing with the splendour of Shiva-yoga —

Verse 71 (skanda.8.29.71)

बहवः सहसोपेत्य नमश्चक्रुर्महेश्वरम् । पुनर्निरीक्ष्य देवेशं ध्यानयोगञ्च कृत्स्नशः

bahavaḥ sahasopetya namaścakrurmaheśvaram | punarnirīkṣya deveśaṁ dhyānayogañca kṛtsnaśaḥ

— many, having suddenly approached, bowed to Maheshvara; and, having gazed again upon the God of gods, entirely absorbed in meditative yoga —

Verse 72 (skanda.8.29.72)

तस्थुरात्मानमाधाय लीयमाना इवेश्वरे । स्थितानां स तथा तेषां देवदेव उमापतिः

tasthurātmānamādhāya līyamānā iveśvare | sthitānāṁ sa tathā teṣāṁ devadeva umāpatiḥ

— they stood, having composed themselves, as if dissolving into the Lord. To them, thus standing, the God of gods, the husband of Uma —

Verse 73 (skanda.8.29.73)

सञ्चिन्त्य परमां मूर्तिं बभूव पुरुषः प्रभुः । षड्विंश ईश्वरोव्यक्तः सूर्यायुतसमप्रभः

sañcintya paramāṁ mūrtiṁ babhūva puruṣaḥ prabhuḥ | ṣaḍviṁśa īśvarovyaktaḥ sūryāyutasamaprabhaḥ

— having conceived his supreme form, became the Lord, the Purusha, the twenty-sixth principle, unmanifest, radiant as ten thousand suns.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.29.74)

कृत्स्नं जगदिवैकस्थं कर्तुं मत्त इवास्थितः । तस्य तां परमां मूर्तिमास्थितस्य जगत्प्रभोः

kṛtsnaṁ jagadivaikasthaṁ kartuṁ matta ivāsthitaḥ | tasya tāṁ paramāṁ mūrtimāsthitasya jagatprabhoḥ

He stood as if to gather the entire universe into one place, as if intoxicated. Of that supreme form which the lord of the world had assumed —

Verse 75 (skanda.8.29.75)

न शशाक वपुर्द्रष्टुं हृष्टरोमा गिरीन्द्रजा । ततस्तं हृष्टमात्मानं बुद्ध्वा सा प्रकृतिस्थितम्

na śaśāka vapurdraṣṭuṁ hṛṣṭaromā girīndrajā | tatastaṁ hṛṣṭamātmānaṁ buddhvā sā prakṛtisthitam

— the daughter of the king of mountains, her hair standing on end with delight, was not able to behold that form. Then, recognising him joyful and settled into his ordinary nature —

Verse 76 (skanda.8.29.76)

प्रकृतेर्मूर्त्तिमास्थाय योगेन परमात्मिकाम् । न शशाक वपुर्द्रष्टुं पुरुषस्य परात्मनः

prakṛtermūrttimāsthāya yogena paramātmikām | na śaśāka vapurdraṣṭuṁ puruṣasya parātmanaḥ

— she who had assumed, through yoga, the supreme form of Prakriti herself, was not able to see the form of the Purusha, the supreme Self.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.29.77)

ततस्ते लयमाधाय योगिनः पुरुषस्य तु । विविशुर्हृदयं सर्वे दग्धसंसारबीजिनः

tataste layamādhāya yoginaḥ puruṣasya tu | viviśurhṛdayaṁ sarve dagdhasaṁsārabījinaḥ

Then those yogins, having attained dissolution, all entered the heart of the Purusha, their seed of worldly existence burnt away.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.29.78)

अनुगृह्य ततः सर्वान् तान् सिद्धान् यतिपुङ्गवान् । नीललोहितमूर्तिस्थं पुनश्चक्रे वपुः शुभम्

anugṛhya tataḥ sarvān tān siddhān yatipuṅgavān | nīlalohitamūrtisthaṁ punaścakre vapuḥ śubham

Then, having shown grace to all those accomplished, foremost ascetics, he again made his form auspicious, abiding in the shape of Nilalohita.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.29.79)

तद् दृष्ट्वा शैलजा प्राह हृष्टसर्वतनूरुहा । स्तुन्वन्ती चरणौ गत्वा क इमे भगवन्निति

tad dṛṣṭvā śailajā prāha hṛṣṭasarvatanūruhā | stunvantī caraṇau gatvā ka ime bhagavanniti

Seeing this, the daughter of the mountain, her body's every hair thrilled with delight, praising him, went to his feet and said: 'Who were these, O Blessed One?'

Verse 80 (skanda.8.29.80)

तामुवाच सुरश्रेष्ठस्तदा देवीं गिरीन्द्रजाम् । मदीयं व्रतमाश्रित्य भक्तिमद्भिर्द्विजोत्तमैः

tāmuvāca suraśreṣṭhastadā devīṁ girīndrajām | madīyaṁ vratamāśritya bhaktimadbhirdvijottamaiḥ

To her, the daughter of the king of mountains, the best of gods then said: 'Having taken refuge in my vow, devoted excellent brahmins —'

Verse 81 (skanda.8.29.81)

यैर्यैर्योग इहाभ्यस्तस्तेषामेकेन जन्मना । क्षेत्रस्यास्य प्रभावेण भक्त्या च मम भावनात्

yairyairyoga ihābhyastasteṣāmekena janmanā | kṣetrasyāsya prabhāveṇa bhaktyā ca mama bhāvanāt

'— by whomever yoga has been practised here, for them, in a single lifetime, by the power of this sacred field, and by devotion, through meditation upon me —'

Verse 82 (skanda.8.29.82)

अनुग्रहो मया ह्येवं क्रियते मुक्तिदः सदा । तस्मादिदं महत् क्षेत्रं ब्रह्माद्यैः सेव्यते मम

anugraho mayā hyevaṁ kriyate muktidaḥ sadā | tasmādidaṁ mahat kṣetraṁ brahmādyaiḥ sevyate mama

'— grace is thus ever bestowed by me, granting liberation. Therefore this great sacred field of mine is served by Brahma and the other gods —'

Verse 83 (skanda.8.29.83)

श्रुतिमद्भिश्च विप्रेन्द्रैः संसिद्धैश्च तपस्विभिः । प्रतिमासमथाष्टम्यां प्रतिमासं चतुर्दशीम्

śrutimadbhiśca viprendraiḥ saṁsiddhaiśca tapasvibhiḥ | pratimāsamathāṣṭamyāṁ pratimāsaṁ caturdaśīm

'— and by learned foremost brahmins, and by ascetics who have attained perfection, every month on the eighth day, and every month on the fourteenth —'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.29.84)

उभयोः पक्षयोर्देवि वाराणस्यां ममास्पदे । शशिभानूपरागे च कार्तिक्यान्तु विशेषतः

ubhayoḥ pakṣayordevi vārāṇasyāṁ mamāspade | śaśibhānūparāge ca kārtikyāntu viśeṣataḥ

'— of both fortnights, O goddess, at my abode in Varanasi; and at lunar and solar eclipses, and especially on the Kartika full moon —'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.29.85)

सर्वपर्वसु पुण्येषु विषुवेष्वयनेषु च । पृथिव्यां सर्वं तीर्थानि वाराणस्यां तु जाह्नवी

sarvaparvasu puṇyeṣu viṣuveṣvayaneṣu ca | pṛthivyāṁ sarvaṁ tīrthāni vārāṇasyāṁ tu jāhnavī

'— on all sacred festival days, at the equinoxes and solstices — all the sacred fords on earth, and, in Varanasi, the Ganga —'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.29.86)

उत्तरप्रवहां पुण्यां मम मौलिविनिर्गताम् । पितुस्ते गिरिराजाच्च स्रुतां हिमवतः शुभाम्

uttarapravahāṁ puṇyāṁ mama maulivinirgatām | pituste girirājācca srutāṁ himavataḥ śubhām

'— sacred, flowing northward, sprung forth from my very crown, auspicious, having flowed from your father, the king of mountains, Himavat —'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.29.87)

भजन्ति सर्वतोभ्येत्य ताञ्छृणुष्व वरानने । सन्निहित्या कुरुक्षेत्रं सार्धं तीर्थशतैस्तथा

bhajanti sarvatobhyetya tāñchṛṇuṣva varānane | sannihityā kurukṣetraṁ sārdhaṁ tīrthaśataistathā

'— they all come and resort to it from every side; hear of them, O fair-faced one: Sannihitya, Kurukshetra, together with hundreds of other sacred fords —'

Verse 88 (skanda.8.29.88)

पुष्करं नैमिशं चैव प्रयागं च पृथूदकम् । सन्ध्या सप्तरिचञ्चैव सर्वा नद्यः सरांसि च

puṣkaraṁ naimiśaṁ caiva prayāgaṁ ca pṛthūdakam | sandhyā saptaricañcaiva sarvā nadyaḥ sarāṁsi ca

'— Pushkara, Naimisha, Prayaga, and Prithudaka; the Sandhya, the Seven Sages, and all the rivers and lakes —'

Verse 89 (skanda.8.29.89)

समुद्राः सप्त चैवात्र देवतीर्थानि कृत्स्नशः । भागीरथीं समेष्यन्ति सर्वपर्वसु काशिगाम्

samudrāḥ sapta caivātra devatīrthāni kṛtsnaśaḥ | bhāgīrathīṁ sameṣyanti sarvaparvasu kāśigām

'— and the seven oceans, and all the sacred fords of the gods, without exception — they all gather into the Ganga when she is at Kashi, on every sacred day.'

Verse 90 (skanda.8.29.90)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं मां च काशीस्थमचलात्मजे । पृथिव्यां यानि पुण्यानि मह्यमायतनानि च

avimukteśvaraṁ māṁ ca kāśīsthamacalātmaje | pṛthivyāṁ yāni puṇyāni mahyamāyatanāni ca

'And, O daughter of the mountain, to me as Avimukteshvara, established in Kashi — whatever sacred places and temples of mine there are on earth —'

Verse 91 (skanda.8.29.91)

प्रविशन्ति सदाभ्येत्य पुण्यां पर्वसु पर्वसु । केदारे चैव यल्लिङ्गं यच्च लिङ्गं महालये

praviśanti sadābhyetya puṇyāṁ parvasu parvasu | kedāre caiva yalliṅgaṁ yacca liṅgaṁ mahālaye

'— they ever enter into that sacred Kashi on every sacred day. And whatever linga is at Kedara, and whatever linga is at Mahalaya —'

Verse 92 (skanda.8.29.92)

मध्यमेश्वरसंस्थं च तथा पशुपतीश्वरम् । शंकुकर्णेश्वरं चैव गोकर्णेशौ तथा ह्युभौ

madhyameśvarasaṁsthaṁ ca tathā paśupatīśvaram | śaṁkukarṇeśvaraṁ caiva gokarṇeśau tathā hyubhau

'— and that established as Madhyameshvara, and likewise Pashupatishvara; and Shankukarneshvara, and both the two Gokarnesha shrines —'

Verse 93 (skanda.8.29.93)

द्रिमिचण्डेश्वरं चैव भद्रेश्वरमथेश्वरम् । स्थानेश्वरमथैकाम्रं कालेश्वरमजेश्वरम्

drimicaṇḍeśvaraṁ caiva bhadreśvaramatheśvaram | sthāneśvaramathaikāmraṁ kāleśvaramajeśvaram

'— and Drimichandeshvara, and Bhadreshvara, and Ishvara; Sthaneshvara, and Ekamra, Kaleshvara, and Ajeshvara —'

Verse 94 (skanda.8.29.94)

भैरवेश्वरमीशानं तथा कारोहणस्थितम् । यानि चान्यानि पुण्यानि स्थानानि मम भूतले

bhairaveśvaramīśānaṁ tathā kārohaṇasthitam | yāni cānyāni puṇyāni sthānāni mama bhūtale

'— Bhairaveshvara, Ishana, and that established at Karohana; and whatever other sacred places of mine there are on earth —'

Verse 95 (skanda.8.29.95)

तानि सर्वाण्यशेषेण काशिपुर्यां विशन्ति माम् । सर्वपर्वसु पुण्येषु गुह्यं चैतदुदाहृतम्

tāni sarvāṇyaśeṣeṇa kāśipuryāṁ viśanti mām | sarvaparvasu puṇyeṣu guhyaṁ caitadudāhṛtam

'— all of them without exception enter into me at the city of Kashi, on all sacred festival days; and this secret has now been declared.'

Verse 96 (skanda.8.29.96)

तेनेह लभ्यते जन्तोर्विपन्नस्यामृतं पदम् । स्नातस्य चैव गङ्गायां दृष्टेन च मया शुभे

teneha labhyate jantorvipannasyāmṛtaṁ padam | snātasya caiva gaṅgāyāṁ dṛṣṭena ca mayā śubhe

'By this, a creature who dies here obtains the immortal state — one who has bathed in the Ganga, and, O auspicious one, has seen me —'

Verse 97 (skanda.8.29.97)

सर्वयज्ञफलैस्तुल्यमिष्टैः शतसहस्रशः । सद्य एव समाप्नोति किन्न्वतः परमुत्तमम्

sarvayajñaphalaistulyamiṣṭaiḥ śatasahasraśaḥ | sadya eva samāpnoti kinnvataḥ paramuttamam

'— instantly obtains what is equal to the fruit of all sacrifices offered a hundred thousand times over. What, then, could be more excellent than this?'

Verse 98 (skanda.8.29.98)

सर्वातयनमुख्यानां दिवि भूमौ गिरिष्वपि । नातः परतरं देवि बुध्यस्वास्तीति कृत्स्नशः

sarvātayanamukhyānāṁ divi bhūmau giriṣvapi | nātaḥ parataraṁ devi budhyasvāstīti kṛtsnaśaḥ

'Among all the foremost sanctuaries, in heaven, on earth, and even on mountains — know, O goddess, that there is nothing whatsoever beyond this.'

Verse 99 (skanda.8.29.99)

ब्रह्मार्कवैश्वानरशक्रचन्द्रैर्जलेश वित्ताधिपवायुभिश्च । गन्धर्वयक्षोरगसिद्धसंघैः सार्धं सदा सेवितमेतदग्र्यम्

brahmārkavaiśvānaraśakracandrairjaleśa vittādhipavāyubhiśca | gandharvayakṣoragasiddhasaṁghaiḥ sārdhaṁ sadā sevitametadagryam

This foremost place is ever served together by Brahma, the Sun, Fire, Indra, the Moon, the Lord of Waters, the Lord of Wealth, and Vayu, together with hosts of gandharvas, yakshas, serpents, and siddhas.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.29.100)

स्थानं ममेदं हिमशैलपुत्रि गुह्यं सदा क्षेत्रमिदं सुपुण्यम् । विशोकसंसिद्धिफलप्रदं हि प्रबुद्धतत्त्वा यतयो भजन्ति

sthānaṁ mamedaṁ himaśailaputri guhyaṁ sadā kṣetramidaṁ supuṇyam | viśokasaṁsiddhiphalapradaṁ hi prabuddhatattvā yatayo bhajanti

O daughter of the icy mountain, this place of mine, this most sacred field, is ever secret; it grants the fruit of accomplishment free from sorrow — ascetics awakened to the truth resort to it.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.29.101)

क्षेत्रेस्मिन्निवसन्ति ये सुकृतिनो भक्ताः सदा मां नराः पश्यन्तोन्वहमादरेण शुचयः स्नाताः सदा मत्पराः । ते मर्त्या भयपापदुःखरहिताः संशुद्धकर्मक्रियाः भित्त्वा संभवबन्धजालगहनं विन्दन्ति मोक्षं परम्

kṣetresminnivasanti ye sukṛtino bhaktāḥ sadā māṁ narāḥ paśyantonvahamādareṇa śucayaḥ snātāḥ sadā matparāḥ | te martyā bhayapāpaduḥkharahitāḥ saṁśuddhakarmakriyāḥ bhittvā saṁbhavabandhajālagahanaṁ vindanti mokṣaṁ param

Those virtuous devotees who dwell in this sacred field, ever beholding me daily with reverence, pure, ever bathed, ever devoted to me — those mortals, free from fear, sin, and sorrow, their deeds and actions purified, piercing the dense net of the bonds of existence, attain supreme liberation.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.29.102)

एवमेतत् सुरैःकीर्ण नानाद्रुमलताकुलम् । जाह्नव्यालंकृतं पुण्यं क्षेत्रं गुह्यतमं मम

evametat suraiḥkīrṇa nānādrumalatākulam | jāhnavyālaṁkṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ kṣetraṁ guhyatamaṁ mama

Thus this sacred field of mine, thronged with gods, filled with various trees and creepers, adorned by the Ganga, is my most secret one.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.29.103)

भागीरथीमिहासाद्य वाराणस्यां ममास्पदे । अश्वमेधशतं प्राप्य ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति

bhāgīrathīmihāsādya vārāṇasyāṁ mamāspade | aśvamedhaśataṁ prāpya brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati

Having reached the Bhagirathi here, at my abode in Varanasi, and obtained the fruit of a hundred horse-sacrifices, he goes to the world of Brahma.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.29.104)

नातः पुण्यतमं देवि नातो गुह्यतमं क्वचित् । नातः शुभतरं किंचिन्नातः प्रियतरं मम

nātaḥ puṇyatamaṁ devi nāto guhyatamaṁ kvacit | nātaḥ śubhataraṁ kiṁcinnātaḥ priyataraṁ mama

There is nothing more sacred than this, O goddess; nothing anywhere more secret than this; nothing more auspicious than this; nothing dearer to me than this.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.29.105)

क्षेत्रं ममेदं सुरसिद्धजुष्टं संप्राप्य मर्त्यः सुकृतप्रभावात् । ख्यातो भवेत् सर्वसुरासुराणां मृतश्च यायात् परमं पदं तत्

kṣetraṁ mamedaṁ surasiddhajuṣṭaṁ saṁprāpya martyaḥ sukṛtaprabhāvāt | khyāto bhavet sarvasurāsurāṇāṁ mṛtaśca yāyāt paramaṁ padaṁ tat

Having reached this sacred field of mine, frequented by gods and siddhas, a mortal, by the power of his good deeds, becomes renowned among all gods and asuras; and, having died, goes to that supreme abode.