Adhyaya 27

Verse 1

पार्वत्युवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवेश प्रणमत्करुणानिधे । वद केदारमाहात्म्यं भक्तानामनुकंपया

Pārvatī said: Salutations to You, O Lord of the gods, an ocean of compassion toward those who bow. Out of mercy for devotees, please tell the greatness of Kedāra.

Verse 2

तस्मिंल्लिंगे महाप्रीतिस्तव काश्यामनुत्तमा । तद्भक्ताश्च जना नित्यं देवदेवमहाधियः

Toward that Liṅga, Your supreme love in Kāśī is unparalleled; and its devotees are ever people of lofty understanding, devoted to the Lord of gods.

Verse 3

देवदेव उवाच । शृण्वपर्णेभिधास्यामि केदारेश्वर संकथाम् । समाकर्ण्यापि यां पापोप्यपापो जायते क्षणात्

The Lord of gods said: Listen, O Aparṇā; I shall relate the sacred account of Kedāreśvara—hearing which, even a sinner becomes sinless in an instant.

Verse 4

केदारं यातुकामस्य पुंसो निश्चितचेतसः । आजन्मसंचितं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

For a man of steadfast resolve to go to Kedāra, the sins accumulated from birth are destroyed at that very moment.

Verse 5

गृहाद्विनिर्गते पुंसि केदारमभिनिश्चितम् जन्मद्वयार्जितं पापं शरीरादपि निर्व्रजेत्

When a man who has firmly resolved upon Kedāra departs from his home, the sins earned over two births depart even from his very body.

Verse 6

मध्ये मार्गं प्रपन्नस्य त्रिजन्मजनितं त्वघम् । देहगेहाद्विनिःसृत्य निराशं याति निःश्वसत्

For one who has taken to the road, the sin born of three lives leaves the body-home and goes away hopeless, as if sighing in defeat.

Verse 7

सायंकेदारकेदारकेदारेति त्रिरुच्चरन् । गृहेपि निवसन्नूनं यात्राफलमवाप्नुयात्

If in the evening one chants ‘Kedāra, Kedāra, Kedāra’ three times, then even while living at home one surely attains the fruit of the pilgrimage.

Verse 8

दृष्ट्वा केदारशिखरं पीत्वा तत्रत्यमंबु च । सप्तजन्मकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

By beholding Kedāra’s peak and drinking the water found there, one is freed from sins committed across seven births—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 9

हरपापह्रदे स्नात्वा केदारेशं प्रपूज्य च । कोटिजन्मार्जितैनोभिर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

After bathing in the Hara-pāpa Lake and worshiping Kedāreśa, one is freed from sins amassed over crores of births—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 10

सकृत्प्रणम्य केदारं हरपापकृतोदकः । स्थाप्य लिंगं हृदंभोजे प्रांते मोक्षं गमिष्यति

One who, having bowed once to Kedāra and been purified by the sin-removing waters, installs the Śiva-liṅga upon the lotus of the heart—at life’s end attains liberation.

Verse 11

हरपापह्रदे श्राद्धं श्रद्धया यः करिष्यति । उद्धृत्य सप्तपुरुषान्स मे लोकं गमिष्यति

Whoever performs śrāddha at the Hara-pāpa Lake with true faith—having uplifted seven generations—will go to my world.

Verse 12

पुरा राथंतरे कल्पे यदभूदत्र तच्छृणु । अपर्णे दत्तकर्णा त्वं वर्णयामि तवाग्रतः

Hear what happened here long ago, in the Rāthaṃtara kalpa. O Aparṇā, be wholly attentive; I shall describe it before you.

Verse 13

एको ब्राह्मणदायाद उज्जयिन्या इहागतः । कृतोपनयनः पित्रा ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतेस्थितः

A certain Brahmin youth, heir to a Brahmin lineage, came here from Ujjayinī. His father had performed his upanayana, and he was established in the vow of brahmacarya.

Verse 14

स्थलीं पाशुपतीं काशीं स विलोक्य समंततः । द्विजैः पाशुपतैः कीर्णां जटामुकुटभूषितैः

Seeing all around the sacred ground of Kāśī, Pāśupatī in nature, he beheld it filled with Pāśupata Brahmins, adorned with crowns of matted locks (jaṭā).

Verse 15

कृतलिंगसमर्चैश्च भूतिभूषितवर्ष्मभिः । भिक्षाहृतान्नसंतुष्टैः पुष्टैर्गंगामृतोदकैः

They worshipped the liṅga with due reverence; their bodies were adorned with sacred ash (vibhūti). Content with food obtained by alms, they were sustained by the nectar-like waters of the Gaṅgā.

Verse 16

बभूवानंदितमना व्रतं जग्राह चोत्तमम् । हिरण्यगर्भादाचार्यान्महत्पाशुपताभिधम्

With a delighted heart, he undertook an excellent vow—the great observance known as the Pāśupata—received from the teacher Hiraṇyagarbha.

Verse 17

स च शिष्यो वशिष्ठोभूत्सर्वपाशुपतोत्तमः । स्नात्वा ह्रदे हरपापे नित्यप्रातः समुत्थितः

That disciple became Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among all Pāśupatas. Rising every morning, he would bathe in the Hara-pāpa Lake.

Verse 18

विभूत्याहरहः स्नाति त्रिकालं लिंगमर्चयन् । नांतरं स विजानाति शिवलिंगे गुरौ तथा

Day after day he bathed, applying sacred ash (vibhūti), and worshipped the liṅga at the three times of day. He perceived no difference between the Śiva-liṅga and his guru.

Verse 19

स द्वादशाब्ददेशीयो वशिष्ठो गुरुणा सह । ययौ केदारयात्रार्थं गिरिं गौरीगुरोर्गुरुम्

When Vasiṣṭha had reached twelve years of age, he set out with his teacher on pilgrimage to Kedāra—toward the mountain that is the supreme Guru even of Gaurī’s guru.

Verse 20

यत्र गत्वा न शोचंति किंचित्संसारिणः क्वचित । प्राश्योदकं लिंगरूपं लिंगरूपत्वमागताः

Having gone to that place, worldly beings never grieve in any way. Drinking the sanctified water associated with the Liṅga, they attain the very state of the Liṅga—union with Śiva’s form.

Verse 21

असिधारं गिरिं प्राप्य वशिष्ठस्य तपस्विनः । गुरुर्हिरण्यगर्भाख्यः पंचत्वमगमत्तदा

When the ascetic Vasiṣṭha reached Mount Asidhāra, his guru known as Hiraṇyagarbha then attained pañcatva—merging into the five elements (that is, he passed away).

Verse 22

पश्यतां तापसानां च विमाने सार्वकामिके । आरोप्य तं पारिषदाः कैलासमनयन्मुदा

While the ascetics looked on, Śiva’s attendants placed him upon an all-fulfilling celestial chariot and joyfully carried him to Kailāsa.

Verse 23

यस्तु केदारमुद्दिश्य गेहादर्धपथेप्यहो । अकातरस्त्यजेत्प्राणान्कैलासे स चिरं वसेत्

Whoever sets out with Kedāra as the aim, even if he dies halfway from home—undaunted and steadfast—such a one dwells for a long time in Kailāsa.

Verse 24

तदाश्चर्यं समालोक्य स वशिष्ठस्तपोधनः । केदारमेव लिंगेषु बह्वमंस्त सुनिश्चितम्

Beholding that wonder, Vasiṣṭha—the treasure of ascetics—became firmly convinced that among the Śiva-liṅgas, Kedāra is indeed supremely great.

Verse 25

अथ कृत्वा स कैदारीं यात्रां वाराणसीमगात् । अग्रहीन्नियमं चापि यथार्थं चाकरोत्पुनः

Then, having completed the Kedāra pilgrimage, he went to Vārāṇasī; and once again he undertook his observances, performing them exactly as prescribed.

Verse 26

प्रति चैत्रं सदा चैत्र्यां यावज्जीवमहं ध्रुवम् । विलोकयिष्ये केदारं वसन्वाराणसीं पुरीम्

Every year in the month of Caitra—indeed, throughout my life, without fail—I shall behold Kedāra, while dwelling in the city of Vārāṇasī.

Verse 27

तेन यात्राः कृताः सम्यक् षष्टिरेकाधिका मुदा । आनंदकानने नित्यं वसता ब्रह्मचारिणा

Thus, while living continually in Ānandakānana as a brahmacārin, he joyfully performed the pilgrimages properly—sixty-one in total.

Verse 28

पुनर्यात्रां स वै चक्रे मधौ निकटवर्तिनि । परमोत्साहसंतुष्टः पलिता कलितोप्यलम्

When the month of Madhu (spring) drew near, he again undertook the pilgrimage—filled with supreme enthusiasm, though his hair had become thoroughly grey.

Verse 29

तपोधनैस्तन्निधनं शंकमानैर्निवारितः । कारुण्यपूर्णहृदयैरन्यैरपि च संगिभिः

Fearing that this would lead to his death, the ascetic sages restrained him; and other companions too, whose hearts were full of compassion, tried to hold him back.

Verse 30

ततोपि न तदुत्साहभंगोभूद्दृढचेतसः । मध्ये मार्गं मृतस्यापि गुरोरिव गतिर्मम

Even then, the steadfast one’s enthusiasm did not break. For me, his course was like that of a teacher—even though he had died—guiding the way in the very midst of the journey.

Verse 31

इति निश्चितचेतस्के वशिष्ठे तापसे शुचौ । अशूद्रान्न परीपुष्टे तुष्टोहं चंडिकेऽभवम्

Thus, when Vasiṣṭha—the pure ascetic of resolute mind—was not sustained by food from Śūdras, I, Caṇḍikā, became fully pleased with him.

Verse 32

स्वप्रेमया स संप्रोक्तो वशिष्ठस्तापसोत्तमः । दृढव्रत प्रसन्नोस्मि केदारं विद्धि मामिह

Addressed thus by Vasiṣṭha, the best of ascetics, out of his own loving devotion, I said: ‘O firm in vow, I am pleased. Know me here as Kedāra.’

Verse 33

अभीष्टं च वरं मत्तः प्रार्थयस्वाविचारितम् । इत्युक्तवत्यपि मयि स्वप्नो मिथ्येति सोब्रवीत्

Even when I said, ‘Ask from me your desired boon without hesitation,’ he replied, ‘This is a dream; it is unreal.’

Verse 34

ततोपि स मया प्रोक्तः स्वप्नो मिथ्याऽशुचिष्मताम् । भवादृशाममिथ्यैव स्वाख्या सदृशवर्तिनाम्

Even so I told him: “A dream is false for the impure; but for those like you—who abide in a nature befitting their noble character—my self-revelation is never false.”

Verse 35

वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोस्मि स्वप्नशंकां त्यज द्विज । तव सत्त्ववतः किंचिन्मयादेयं न किंचन

“Speak your boon; I am pleased. Abandon the doubt that this is a dream, O twice-born. For you, possessed of true virtue, there is nothing at all that cannot be granted by me.”

Verse 36

इत्युक्तं मे समाकर्ण्य वरयामास मामिति । शिष्यो हिरण्यगर्भस्य तपस्विजनसत्तमः

Hearing what I had said, that best among ascetics—Hiraṇyagarbha’s disciple—then requested a boon from me accordingly.

Verse 37

यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश तदा मे सानुगा इमे । सर्वे शूलिन्नुग्राह्या एष एव वरो मम

“If you are pleased, O Lord of the gods, then let all these followers who are with me receive the favor of the Trident-bearing Lord—this alone is my boon.”

Verse 38

देवि तस्येदमाकर्ण्य परोपकृतिशालिनः । वचनं नितरां प्रीतस्तथेति तमुवाच ह

O Goddess, hearing these words of that man rich in benevolence, the Lord was exceedingly pleased and said to him, “So be it.”

Verse 39

पुनः परोपकरणात्तत्तपो द्विगुणीकृतम् । तेन पुण्येन स मया पुनः प्रोक्तो वरं वृणु

Again, by that act of benefiting others, his austerity was doubled. And by the power of that merit, I once more said to him: “Choose a boon.”

Verse 40

स वशिष्ठो महाप्राज्ञो दृढ पाशुपतव्रतः । देवि मे प्रार्थयामास हिमशैलादिह स्थितिम्

That great sage Vasiṣṭha—supremely wise and firmly established in the Pāśupata vow—O Goddess, entreated me to dwell here, having come from the Himālaya mountain.

Verse 41

ततस्तत्तपसाकृष्टः कलामात्रेण तत्र हि । हिमशैले ततश्चात्र सर्वभावेन संस्थितः

Then, drawn by the power of that austerity, in but a moment indeed, I was there upon the Himālaya; and thereafter I became established here with my whole being.

Verse 42

ततः प्रभाते संजाते सर्वेषां पश्यतामहम् । हिमाद्रे प्रस्थितः प्राप्तस्तूयमानः सुरर्षिभिः

Then, when morning dawned, as all looked on, I set out and reached the Himālaya, being praised by the divine sages.

Verse 43

वशिष्ठं पुरतः कृत्वा सर्वसार्थसमायुतम् । हरपापह्रदे तीर्थे स्थितोहं तद्नुग्रहात्

Placing Vasiṣṭha at the forefront, accompanied by the entire caravan of followers, by his grace I took my station at the tīrtha called Harapāpa-hrada.

Verse 44

मत्परिग्रहतः सर्वे हरपापे कृतोदकाः । आराध्य मामनेनैव वपुषा सिद्धिमागताः

All who were under my protection performed the water-rite at Harapāpa; worshipping me in this very embodied form, they attained spiritual accomplishment (siddhi).

Verse 45

तदा प्रभृति लिंगेस्मिन्स्थितः साधकसिद्धये । अविमुक्ते परे क्षेत्रे कलिकाले विशेषतः

From that time onward I have remained in this liṅga for the accomplishment of devotees—especially in the age of Kali—within the supreme sacred field of Avimukta (Kāśī).

Verse 46

तुषाराद्रिं समारुह्य केदारं वीक्ष्य यत्फलम् । तत्फलं सप्तगुणितं काश्यां केदारदर्शने

Whatever merit is gained by climbing the snowy mountain and beholding Kedāra—sevenfold of that merit is obtained in Kāśī by the sight (darśana) of Kedāra here.

Verse 47

गौरीकुंडं यथा तत्र हंसतीर्थं च निर्मलम् । यथा मधुस्रवा गंगा काश्यां तदखिलं तथा

Just as there are Gaurīkuṇḍa and the pure Haṃsatīrtha, and just as the Gaṅgā there flows like honey—so, in the same way, all of that is found in Kāśī.

Verse 48

इदं तीर्थं हरपापं सप्तजन्माघनाशनम् । गंगायां मिलितं पश्चाज्जन्मकोटिकृताघहम्

This tīrtha, Harapāpa, destroys the sins of seven lifetimes; and thereafter, when it merges into the Gaṅgā, it annihilates sins accumulated over ten million births.

Verse 49

अत्र पूर्वं तु काकोलौ युध्यतौ खान्निपेततुः । पश्यतां तत्र संस्थानां हंसौ भूत्वा विनिर्गतौ

Here, in former times, two crows locked in combat fell from the sky; before the eyes of those assembled, they departed, transformed into swans.

Verse 50

गौरि त्वया कृतं पूर्वं स्नानमत्र महाह्रदे । गौरीतीर्थं ततः ख्यातं सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम्

O Gaurī, because you once performed the sacred bath here in this great holy lake, it became renowned as Gaurī-tīrtha—supreme among all sacred fords.

Verse 51

अत्रामृतस्रवा गंगा महामोहांधकारहृत् । अनेकजन्मजनित जाड्यध्वंसविधायिनी

Here the Gaṅgā flows as nectar itself; she dispels the dense darkness of delusion and destroys the dullness born of many lifetimes.

Verse 52

सरसा मानसेनात्र पूर्वं तप्तं महातपः । अतस्तु मानसं तीर्थं जने ख्यातिमिदं गतम्

Here, in ancient times, Sarasā and Mānasā performed great austerities; therefore this place became famous among people as Mānasatīrtha.

Verse 53

अत्र पूर्वं जनः स्नानमात्रेणैव प्रमुच्यते । पश्चात्प्रसादितश्चाहं त्रिदशैर्मुक्तिदुर्दृशैः

Here, in former times, people were released from bondage by the mere act of bathing. Later, even I was propitiated by the gods—hard to behold, yet bestowers of liberation.

Verse 54

सर्वे मुक्तिं गमिष्यंति यदि देवेह मानवाः । केदारकुंडे सुस्नातास्तदोच्छित्तिर्भविष्यति

If, in this very divine place, all people were to bathe well in Kedārakuṇḍa, then all would go to liberation—and thus the world’s continuance would come to an end.

Verse 55

सर्वेषामेव वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च धर्मिणाम् । तस्मात्तनुविसर्गेत्र मोक्षं दास्यति नान्यथा

For all righteous people—of every varṇa and every āśrama—therefore, at the time of casting off the body here, it grants liberation, and not otherwise.

Verse 56

ततस्तदुपरोधेन तथेति च मयोदितम् । तदारभ्य महादेवि स्नानात्केदारकुंडतः

Then, due to that insistence, I replied, ‘So be it.’ From that time onward, O Mahādevī, (this is the fruit) arising from bathing in Kedārakuṇḍa.

Verse 57

समर्चनाच्च भक्त्या वै मम नाम जपादपि । नैःश्रेयसीं श्रियं दद्यामन्यत्रापि तनुत्यजाम

And by devoted worship, and even by the repetition of my Name, I grant the supreme blessedness; even those who relinquish the body elsewhere do I bestow that highest good upon.

Verse 58

केदारतीर्थे यः स्नात्वा पिंडान्दास्यति चात्वरः । एकोत्तरशतं वंश्यास्तस्य तीर्णा भवांबुधिम्

Whoever bathes at Kedāra-tīrtha and promptly offers piṇḍas—one hundred and one of his descendants cross the ocean of worldly becoming.

Verse 59

भौमवारे यदा दर्शस्तदा यः श्राद्धदो नरः । केदारकुंडमासाद्य गयाश्राद्धेन किं ततः

When the new-moon day (Darśa) falls on a Tuesday, the man who performs śrāddha upon reaching Kedārakuṇḍa—what need has he then of the famed Gayā-śrāddha?

Verse 60

केदारं गंतुकामस्य बुद्धिर्देया नरैरियम् । काश्यां स्पृशंस्त्वं केदारं कृतकृत्यो भविष्यसि

To one who longs to go to Kedāra, people should give this counsel: ‘By touching and worshipping Kedāra here in Kāśī, you will become one whose life’s purpose is fulfilled.’

Verse 61

चैत्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यामुपवासं विधाय च । त्रिगंडूषान्पिबन्प्रातर्हृल्लिंगमधितिष्ठति

And on the fourteenth lunar day (caturdaśī) of the dark fortnight of Caitra, having undertaken a fast, and in the morning sipping the sacred water in three mouthfuls, one duly attends upon the Hṛlliṅga, the heart-liṅga.

Verse 62

केदारोदकपानेन यथा तत्र फलं भवेत् । तथात्र जायते पुंसां स्त्रीणां चापि न संशयः

Just as at Kedāra the fruit arises from drinking Kedāra-water, so too here in Kāśī that very fruit arises for men and for women—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 63

केदारभक्तं संपूज्य वासोन्नद्रविणादिभिः । आजन्मजनितं पापं त्यक्त्वा याति ममालयम्

Having duly honored a devotee of Kedāra with garments, food, wealth, and the like, one casts off sins accumulated from birth and goes to My abode.

Verse 64

आषण्मासं त्रिकालं यः केदारेशं नमस्यति । तं नमस्यंति सततं लोकपाला यमादयः

Whoever, for six months, bows to Kedāreśa three times a day—him the guardians of the worlds, beginning with Yama, continually revere.

Verse 65

कलौ केदारमाहात्म्यं योपि कोपि न वेत्स्यति । यो वेत्स्यति सुपुण्यात्मा सर्वं वेत्स्यति स ध्रुवम्

In the Kali age, scarcely anyone will know the greatness of Kedāra. But whoever knows it—such a one is truly of great merit; surely, he knows all that is worth knowing.

Verse 66

केदारेशं सकृद्दृष्ट्वा देवि मेऽनुचरो भवेत् । तस्मात्काश्यां प्रयत्नेन केदारेशं विलोकयेत्

O Goddess, having beheld Kedāreśa even once, one becomes My attendant. Therefore, in Kāśī one should, with effort, seek the sight of Kedāreśa.

Verse 67

चित्रांगदेश्वरं लिंगं केदारादुत्तरे शुभम् । तस्यार्चनान्नरो नित्यं स्वर्गभोगानुपाश्नुते

To the north of Kedāra is the auspicious liṅga called Citrāṅgadeśvara. By worshipping it, a person continually enjoys the delights of heaven.

Verse 68

केदाराद्दक्षिणे भागे नीलकंठ विलोकनात् । संसारोरगदष्टस्य तस्य नास्ति विषाद्भयम्

On the southern side of Kedāra, by beholding Nīlakaṇṭha, for one bitten by the serpent of worldly existence there is no fear arising from poison-like despair.

Verse 69

तद्वायव्यंबरीषेशो नरस्तदवलोकनात् । गर्भवासं न चाप्नोति संसारे दुःखसंकुले

To its northwest is Ambārīṣeśa; by beholding it, a person does not again attain “dwelling in the womb” (rebirth) in this world crowded with suffering.

Verse 70

इंद्रद्युम्नेश्वरं लिंगं तत्समीपे समर्च्य च । तेजोमयेन यानेन स स्वर्ग भुवि मोदते

Having worshipped the Indradyumneśvara Liṅga and duly honored it in its very vicinity, one rejoices in the heavenly realm, travelling there in a radiant, luminous celestial conveyance.

Verse 71

तद्दक्षिणे नरो दृष्ट्वा लिंगं कालंजरेश्वरम् । जरां कालं विनिर्जित्य मम लोके वसेच्चिरम्

To the south of that, a man who beholds the Kālañjareśvara Liṅga conquers old age and time, and dwells for a long while in my world.

Verse 72

दृष्ट्वा क्षेमेश्वरं लिंगमुद्क्चित्रांगदेश्वरात् । सर्वत्र क्षेममाप्नोति लोकेऽत्र च परत्र च

Having beheld the Kṣemeśvara Liṅga, situated to the north of Citrāṅgadeśvara, one attains well-being everywhere—both in this world and in the next.

Verse 73

स्कंद उवाच । देवदेवेन विंध्यारे केदार महिमा महान् । इत्याख्यायि पुरांबायै मया तेपि निरूपितः

Skanda said: Thus, in former times, the God of gods narrated to Mother Pārvatī the great glory of Kedāra in the Vindhya region; that very account I have also set forth for you.

Verse 74

केदारेश्वरलिंगस्य श्रुत्वोत्पत्तिं कृती नरः । शिवलोकमवाप्नोति निष्पापो जायते क्षणात्

A meritorious man who hears the account of the origin of the Kedāreśvara Liṅga attains Śiva’s realm and becomes sinless in an instant.

Verse 77

इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीति साहस्र्यां संहितायां चतुर्थे काशीखंड उत्तरार्धे केदारमहिमाख्यानं नाम सप्तसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the chapter called “The Narrative of the Glory of Kedāra,” in the Uttarārdha of the Kāśī Khaṇḍa, in the fourth section of the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, within the Ekāśīti-sāhasrī Saṁhitā.