Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 154
Sourceसाभ्रमत्यास्तटे गुप्तं तीर्थं परमपावनम् । खङ्गधारमिति ख्यातं कलौ गुप्तं भविष्यति १। यत्र प्रसंगतः स्नात्वा पीत्वा वापो यदृच्छया । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते २। यत्र साभ्रमती पुण्या कश्यपानुगता सती । रुद्रेण हि जटाजूटे धृता पातालगामिनः ३। खङ्गधारेति वै नाम्ना रुद्रस्तत्रैव संस्थितः । यत्र स्नात्वा दिवं याताः पापिनोऽपि सुरेश्वरि ४। अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । किरातेन कृतं यच्च व्रतं परमदुष्करम् ५। पार्वत्युवाच। किं नाम वै किरातोऽभूत्किं तेन व्रतमाहितम् । तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि यथातथ्येन कथ्यताम् ६। नह्यन्यो विद्यते लोके त्वां विना वदतां वरः । तस्मात्कथय भो देव सर्वं शुश्रूषणे हितम् ७। महादेव उवाच। आसीत्पुरा महारौद्रश्चंडो नाम दुरात्मवान् । क्रूरः शठो नैष्कृतिको भूतानां च भयावहः ८। जालेन मत्स्यान्दुष्टात्मा घातयत्यनिशं ततः । भल्लैर्मृगान्श्वापदांश्च कृष्णसारान्सशल्लकान् ९। खगान्नानाविधांश्चैव विध्वा कांश्चित्प्रपातयेत् । पक्षिणो घातयन्क्रुद्धो बर्हिणश्च विशेषतः १०। लुब्धको हि महापापो दुष्टो दुष्टजनप्रियः । भार्या तथाविधा तस्य पुंश्चली च महामया ११। एवं विहरतस्तस्य बहुकालो व्यवर्त्तत । एकदा निशि पापीयान्श्रीवृक्षोपरि संस्थितः १२। कोलं हंतुं धनुःपाणिः शरं संयोज्य कार्मुके । एवं निशा गता तस्य जाग्रतो निमिषस्य हि । माघमासे सितायां वै चतुर्दश्यां नगात्मजे १३। श्रीवृक्षपत्राणि बहूनि तत्र संच्छेदयामास रुषान्वितोऽपि । श्रीवृक्षमूले परिवर्त्तमानं लिगं च तस्योपरितानि पेतुः १४। श्रीवृक्षपर्णानि च दैवयोगात्जातं च सर्वं शिवपूजनं तत् १५। गंडूषकारिणा तेन स्नपनं च महत्कृतम् । अज्ञानिना च तेनैव पुष्कसेन दुरात्मना १६। माघमासे सिते पक्षे चतुर्दश्यां विधूदये । पुष्कसो हि दुराचारो निष्पन्नो गतकल्मषः १७। तस्य भार्या प्रचंडा च आगता तस्य सन्निधौ । निराशा च निराहारा यत्रासौ पुष्कसः स्थितः १८। न प्राप्तः शूकरस्तेन मृगोऽपि महिषोऽपि वा । अशनार्थं च तस्यैव अन्नमादाय भामिनी १९। तेन दृष्टा प्रचंडा सा आयांती क्रूरलोचना । सा तस्य भार्या नद्यां वै जलमध्ये पपात ह २०। तावत्तयोक्तश्चंडात्मा एहि शीघ्रं च भक्षय । समानीतं त्वदर्थं च मत्स्यमांसं मयाधुना २१। कृतं किं मूढ पूर्वेद्युर्मांसं पार्श्वे न दृश्यते । नाशितं च त्वया मूढ कुटुंबं लंघते तव २२। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं चंडायाश्चंडरूपवान् । शिवरात्र्युपवासेन रात्रौ जागरणेन च २३। शुद्धांतःकरणो जातः स्नातुं नद्यां शुचिव्रतः । यावत्स्नाति स दुष्टात्मा तावत्श्वा तत्र चागतः २४। शुना तदा भक्षितं च सर्वं मांसं सुरेश्वरि । चंडा प्रकुपिता तं च श्वानं हंतुमुपस्थिता २५। निवारिता हि चंडेन चंडा प्रकुपिता तदा । न हंतव्यस्त्वया चैष किमनेनाशुभं कृतम् २६। तयोक्तं भक्षितं चान्नं अनेनैव दुरात्मना । किं त्वं भक्षयिता मूढ भविताद्य बुभुक्षितः २७। पुष्कस उवाच। यच्छुना भक्षितं चान्नं तेनाहं परितोषितः । किमनेन शरीरेण नश्वरेण गतायुषा २८। ये पुष्यंति शरीरं वै सर्वभावेन भामिनि । मूढास्ते पापिनो ज्ञेया लोकद्वय बहिष्कृताः २९। तस्मान्मानं परित्यज्य कामं चापि दुरात्मताम् । स्वस्थाभावविमर्शेन तत्वबुध्या स्थिरा भव ३०। अहमेतच्छरीरं वै खङ्गधारव्रतेन च । त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य वरारोहे किं चिरंजीवनेन मे ३१। इत्युक्त्वा खङ्गमाकृष्य यावद्भिनत्ति कं स्वकम् । आगताश्च गणास्तावद्बहवः शिवनोदिताः ३२। विमानानि बहून्यत्र आगतानि तदंतिके । दृष्ट्वा स चैव तान्येवं विमानानि गणांस्तथा ३३। उवाच परया भक्त्या पुष्कसोऽपि च तान्प्रति । कस्मात्समागता यूयं सर्वे रुद्राक्षधारिणः ३४। सर्वे स्फटिकसंकाशाः सर्वे चंद्रार्द्धशेखराः । कपर्दिनश्चर्मपरीतवाससो भुजंगभोगैः कृतहारभूषणाः ३५। श्रियान्विता रुद्रसमानवीर्या यथातथं भो वदतोचितं मम । पुष्कसेन तदा पृष्टा ऊचुस्ते रुद्रपार्षदाः ३६। गणा ऊचुः। प्रेषितास्मो वयं चंड शिवेन परमेष्ठिना । आगच्छ त्वरितो भूत्वा सस्त्रीको यानमारुह ३७। लिगार्चनं कृतं यच्च त्वया रात्रौ शिवस्य च । तेन कर्मविपाकेन प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम् ३८। तथोक्तो वीरभद्रेण उवाच प्रहसन्निव । किं मया सुकृतं चीर्णं पापिना पुष्कसेन हि ३९। मृगयारसिकेनैव मूढेन च दुरात्मना । पापाचारोह्यहं नित्यं कथं स्वर्गे वसाम्यहम् ४०। कथं लिगार्चनं चाद्या कृतमस्ति तदुच्यताम् । परं कौतुकमापन्नः पृच्छामि कृपया वद ४१। वीरभद्र उवाच। देवदेवो महादेवो यो गंगाधरसंज्ञकः । परितुष्टोऽद्य ते चंड सभार्यस्य उमापतिः ४२। प्रासंगिकं त्वया चाद्य कृतमर्चनमेव च । कोलं निरीक्षमाणेन बिल्वपत्राणि चैव हि ४३। छेदितानि त्वया चंड पतितानि तदैव हि । लिंगस्य मस्तके तानि तेन त्वं सुकृती प्रभो ४४। तवैवं जागरो जातो महावृक्षोपरि ध्रुवम् । तेनैव जागरेणैव तुतोष जगदीश्वरः ४५। छलेनैव महाभाग कोलसंदर्शनेन हि । शिवरात्रिदिनं व्याध प्रसंगेनाप्युपोषितम् ४६। तेनोपवासेन च जागरेणतुष्टो ह्यसौ देववरो महात्मा । तव प्रसादाय महानुभावो ददाति सर्वान्वरदो वरांश्च ४७। एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन वीरभद्रेण धीमता । पुष्कसोऽपि विमानाग्र्यमारुरोह च पश्यताम् ४८। गणानां देवतानां च सर्वेषां प्राणिनामपि । तदा दुंदुभयो नेदुर्भेरीतूर्याण्यनेकशः ४९। वीणावेणुमृदंगानि लास्यनाट्य युतानि च । जगुर्गंधर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः 6.154.५०। चामरैर्विज्यमानो हि छत्रैश्च विविधैरपि । महोत्सवेन महता ह्यानीतः शिवसन्निधौ ५१। पुष्कसोऽपि तदा प्राप्तस्तीर्थस्नान शिवार्चनात् । किं पुनः श्रद्धया भक्त्या शिवाय परमात्माने ५२। पुष्पादिकं फलं गंधं तांबूलाक्षतमेव च । ये प्रयच्छंति लोकेऽस्मिंस्ते रुद्रा नात्र संशयः ५३। महादेव उवाच। तदाप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं खङ्गधारेति विश्रुतम् । एतत्तीर्थं कलौ गुप्तं भविष्यति सुरेश्वरि ५४। माघमासेऽथ वैशाखे कार्तिक्यां च विशेषतः । स्नानं येन प्रकुर्वंति मुक्तास्ते नगनंदिनि ५५। वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः । स्नानार्थे वै समायांति देवं द्रष्टुं पिनाकिनम् ५६। त्रियुगे वर्त्तते लिंगं कलौ नैव तु पार्वति । विश्वामित्रेण ऋषिणा दत्तशापो ह्यहं तदा ५७। पार्वत्युवाच। कथं शापस्तु ऋषिणा दत्तश्चैव सुरेश्वर । तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो देव न संशयः ५८। महादेव उवाच। एकस्मिन्समये देवि विश्वामित्रो महातपाः । आगतः खङ्गधारेऽस्मिंस्तीर्थे वै परमाद्भुते ५९। साभ्रमत्यां कृतस्नानो दर्शनं कृतवान्मम । तत्र तिष्ठति नित्यं वै पूजां कुर्वन्ननेकधा ६०। तत्र कोऽपि महादुष्टः कौलिकः पापरुपधृक् । मांसं दत्तं तदा तेन शिवस्योपरि भामिनि ६१। दृष्ट्वा तदपि मांसं च विश्वामित्रोऽथ वै पुनः । अब्रवीच्च तदा तत्र दुष्कृतं पापिना कृतम् ६२। न दत्तस्तस्य दंडो हि शर्वेण परमात्मना । तस्मादहं हि निश्चित्य शापं दास्ये न संशयः ६३। विचार्यैवं तदा तेन शप्तोऽहं देवि वै तदा ६४। अस्मिन्कलियुगे घोरे गुप्तस्त्वं भव सर्वथा । इति दत्वाथ वै शापं गतवान्मुनिसत्तमः ६५। तदा प्रभृति भो देवि गुप्तोऽहं ऋषिशापतः । ममस्थाने विशेषेण पूजनं कुरुते यदि ६६। तेषां हि दुरितं यच्च नश्यते तत्क्षणादपि । मृन्मयीं मामकीं मूर्तिं कृत्वा ये पूजयंति वै ६७। अत्र स्थाने विशेषेण मामके तु वसंति हि । खङ्गधारेश्वर इति नाम्ना ख्यातः कलौयुगे ६८। कृते वै मंदिरं नाम त्रेतायां गौरवः स्मृतः । द्वापरे विश्वविख्यातः कलौ खङ्गेश्वरः स्मृतः ६९। दक्षिणं भागमाश्रित्य मम स्थानं सुरेश्वरि । इति ज्ञात्वा तु तत्रैव कृत्वा मूर्तिं सदा बुधः ७०। पूजनं कुरुते नित्यं वांछितं फलमाप्नुयात् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षांश्च लभते मानवो भुवि ७१। धूपं दीपं च नैवेद्यं तथा वै चंदनादिकम् । येऽर्पयंति हि देवेशि लोकनाथे महेश्वरि । न दुःखं तु भवेत्तेषां सत्यं सत्यं वरानने ७२। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे पंचपंचाशत्साहस्रसंहितायामुउत्तरखंडे धारेश्वरमाहात्म्यं नाम चतुष्पंचाशदधिकशततमोऽध्यायः १५४।
sābhramatyāstaṭe guptaṃ tīrthaṃ paramapāvanam | khaṅgadhāramiti khyātaṃ kalau guptaṃ bhaviṣyati 1| yatra prasaṃgataḥ snātvā pītvā vāpo yadṛcchayā | sarvapāpavinirmukto rudraloke mahīyate 2| yatra sābhramatī puṇyā kaśyapānugatā satī | rudreṇa hi jaṭājūṭe dhṛtā pātālagāminaḥ 3| khaṅgadhāreti vai nāmnā rudrastatraiva saṃsthitaḥ | yatra snātvā divaṃ yātāḥ pāpino'pi sureśvari 4| atraivodāharaṃtīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | kirātena kṛtaṃ yacca vrataṃ paramaduṣkaram 5| pārvatyuvāca| kiṃ nāma vai kirāto'bhūtkiṃ tena vratamāhitam | tatsarvaṃ śrotumicchāmi yathātathyena kathyatām 6| nahyanyo vidyate loke tvāṃ vinā vadatāṃ varaḥ | tasmātkathaya bho deva sarvaṃ śuśrūṣaṇe hitam 7| mahādeva uvāca| āsītpurā mahāraudraścaṃḍo nāma durātmavān | krūraḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko bhūtānāṃ ca bhayāvahaḥ 8| jālena matsyānduṣṭātmā ghātayatyaniśaṃ tataḥ | bhallairmṛgānśvāpadāṃśca kṛṣṇasārānsaśallakān 9| khagānnānāvidhāṃścaiva vidhvā kāṃścitprapātayet | pakṣiṇo ghātayankruddho barhiṇaśca viśeṣataḥ 10| lubdhako hi mahāpāpo duṣṭo duṣṭajanapriyaḥ | bhāryā tathāvidhā tasya puṃścalī ca mahāmayā 11| evaṃ viharatastasya bahukālo vyavarttata | ekadā niśi pāpīyānśrīvṛkṣopari saṃsthitaḥ 12| kolaṃ haṃtuṃ dhanuḥpāṇiḥ śaraṃ saṃyojya kārmuke | evaṃ niśā gatā tasya jāgrato nimiṣasya hi | māghamāse sitāyāṃ vai caturdaśyāṃ nagātmaje 13| śrīvṛkṣapatrāṇi bahūni tatra saṃcchedayāmāsa ruṣānvito'pi | śrīvṛkṣamūle parivarttamānaṃ ligaṃ ca tasyoparitāni petuḥ 14| śrīvṛkṣaparṇāni ca daivayogātjātaṃ ca sarvaṃ śivapūjanaṃ tat 15| gaṃḍūṣakāriṇā tena snapanaṃ ca mahatkṛtam | ajñāninā ca tenaiva puṣkasena durātmanā 16| māghamāse site pakṣe caturdaśyāṃ vidhūdaye | puṣkaso hi durācāro niṣpanno gatakalmaṣaḥ 17| tasya bhāryā pracaṃḍā ca āgatā tasya sannidhau | nirāśā ca nirāhārā yatrāsau puṣkasaḥ sthitaḥ 18| na prāptaḥ śūkarastena mṛgo'pi mahiṣo'pi vā | aśanārthaṃ ca tasyaiva annamādāya bhāminī 19| tena dṛṣṭā pracaṃḍā sā āyāṃtī krūralocanā | sā tasya bhāryā nadyāṃ vai jalamadhye papāta ha 20| tāvattayoktaścaṃḍātmā ehi śīghraṃ ca bhakṣaya | samānītaṃ tvadarthaṃ ca matsyamāṃsaṃ mayādhunā 21| kṛtaṃ kiṃ mūḍha pūrvedyurmāṃsaṃ pārśve na dṛśyate | nāśitaṃ ca tvayā mūḍha kuṭuṃbaṃ laṃghate tava 22| etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ caṃḍāyāścaṃḍarūpavān | śivarātryupavāsena rātrau jāgaraṇena ca 23| śuddhāṃtaḥkaraṇo jātaḥ snātuṃ nadyāṃ śucivrataḥ | yāvatsnāti sa duṣṭātmā tāvatśvā tatra cāgataḥ 24| śunā tadā bhakṣitaṃ ca sarvaṃ māṃsaṃ sureśvari | caṃḍā prakupitā taṃ ca śvānaṃ haṃtumupasthitā 25| nivāritā hi caṃḍena caṃḍā prakupitā tadā | na haṃtavyastvayā caiṣa kimanenāśubhaṃ kṛtam 26| tayoktaṃ bhakṣitaṃ cānnaṃ anenaiva durātmanā | kiṃ tvaṃ bhakṣayitā mūḍha bhavitādya bubhukṣitaḥ 27| puṣkasa uvāca| yacchunā bhakṣitaṃ cānnaṃ tenāhaṃ paritoṣitaḥ | kimanena śarīreṇa naśvareṇa gatāyuṣā 28| ye puṣyaṃti śarīraṃ vai sarvabhāvena bhāmini | mūḍhāste pāpino jñeyā lokadvaya bahiṣkṛtāḥ 29| tasmānmānaṃ parityajya kāmaṃ cāpi durātmatām | svasthābhāvavimarśena tatvabudhyā sthirā bhava 30| ahametaccharīraṃ vai khaṅgadhāravratena ca | tyakṣyāmyadya varārohe kiṃ ciraṃjīvanena me 31| ityuktvā khaṅgamākṛṣya yāvadbhinatti kaṃ svakam | āgatāśca gaṇāstāvadbahavaḥ śivanoditāḥ 32| vimānāni bahūnyatra āgatāni tadaṃtike | dṛṣṭvā sa caiva tānyevaṃ vimānāni gaṇāṃstathā 33| uvāca parayā bhaktyā puṣkaso'pi ca tānprati | kasmātsamāgatā yūyaṃ sarve rudrākṣadhāriṇaḥ 34| sarve sphaṭikasaṃkāśāḥ sarve caṃdrārddhaśekharāḥ | kapardinaścarmaparītavāsaso bhujaṃgabhogaiḥ kṛtahārabhūṣaṇāḥ 35| śriyānvitā rudrasamānavīryā yathātathaṃ bho vadatocitaṃ mama | puṣkasena tadā pṛṣṭā ūcuste rudrapārṣadāḥ 36| gaṇā ūcuḥ| preṣitāsmo vayaṃ caṃḍa śivena parameṣṭhinā | āgaccha tvarito bhūtvā sastrīko yānamāruha 37| ligārcanaṃ kṛtaṃ yacca tvayā rātrau śivasya ca | tena karmavipākena prāpto'si paramāṃ gatim 38| tathokto vīrabhadreṇa uvāca prahasanniva | kiṃ mayā sukṛtaṃ cīrṇaṃ pāpinā puṣkasena hi 39| mṛgayārasikenaiva mūḍhena ca durātmanā | pāpācārohyahaṃ nityaṃ kathaṃ svarge vasāmyaham 40| kathaṃ ligārcanaṃ cādyā kṛtamasti taducyatām | paraṃ kautukamāpannaḥ pṛcchāmi kṛpayā vada 41| vīrabhadra uvāca| devadevo mahādevo yo gaṃgādharasaṃjñakaḥ | parituṣṭo'dya te caṃḍa sabhāryasya umāpatiḥ 42| prāsaṃgikaṃ tvayā cādya kṛtamarcanameva ca | kolaṃ nirīkṣamāṇena bilvapatrāṇi caiva hi 43| cheditāni tvayā caṃḍa patitāni tadaiva hi | liṃgasya mastake tāni tena tvaṃ sukṛtī prabho 44| tavaivaṃ jāgaro jāto mahāvṛkṣopari dhruvam | tenaiva jāgareṇaiva tutoṣa jagadīśvaraḥ 45| chalenaiva mahābhāga kolasaṃdarśanena hi | śivarātridinaṃ vyādha prasaṃgenāpyupoṣitam 46| tenopavāsena ca jāgareṇatuṣṭo hyasau devavaro mahātmā | tava prasādāya mahānubhāvo dadāti sarvānvarado varāṃśca 47| evamuktastadā tena vīrabhadreṇa dhīmatā | puṣkaso'pi vimānāgryamāruroha ca paśyatām 48| gaṇānāṃ devatānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ prāṇināmapi | tadā duṃdubhayo nedurbherītūryāṇyanekaśaḥ 49| vīṇāveṇumṛdaṃgāni lāsyanāṭya yutāni ca | jagurgaṃdharvapatayo nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ 6.154.50| cāmarairvijyamāno hi chatraiśca vividhairapi | mahotsavena mahatā hyānītaḥ śivasannidhau 51| puṣkaso'pi tadā prāptastīrthasnāna śivārcanāt | kiṃ punaḥ śraddhayā bhaktyā śivāya paramātmāne 52| puṣpādikaṃ phalaṃ gaṃdhaṃ tāṃbūlākṣatameva ca | ye prayacchaṃti loke'smiṃste rudrā nātra saṃśayaḥ 53| mahādeva uvāca| tadāprabhṛti tattīrthaṃ khaṅgadhāreti viśrutam | etattīrthaṃ kalau guptaṃ bhaviṣyati sureśvari 54| māghamāse'tha vaiśākhe kārtikyāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | snānaṃ yena prakurvaṃti muktāste naganaṃdini 55| vasiṣṭho vāmadevaśca bharadvājo'tha gautamaḥ | snānārthe vai samāyāṃti devaṃ draṣṭuṃ pinākinam 56| triyuge varttate liṃgaṃ kalau naiva tu pārvati | viśvāmitreṇa ṛṣiṇā dattaśāpo hyahaṃ tadā 57| pārvatyuvāca| kathaṃ śāpastu ṛṣiṇā dattaścaiva sureśvara | tadahaṃ śrotumicchāmi tvatto deva na saṃśayaḥ 58| mahādeva uvāca| ekasminsamaye devi viśvāmitro mahātapāḥ | āgataḥ khaṅgadhāre'smiṃstīrthe vai paramādbhute 59| sābhramatyāṃ kṛtasnāno darśanaṃ kṛtavānmama | tatra tiṣṭhati nityaṃ vai pūjāṃ kurvannanekadhā 60| tatra ko'pi mahāduṣṭaḥ kaulikaḥ pāparupadhṛk | māṃsaṃ dattaṃ tadā tena śivasyopari bhāmini 61| dṛṣṭvā tadapi māṃsaṃ ca viśvāmitro'tha vai punaḥ | abravīcca tadā tatra duṣkṛtaṃ pāpinā kṛtam 62| na dattastasya daṃḍo hi śarveṇa paramātmanā | tasmādahaṃ hi niścitya śāpaṃ dāsye na saṃśayaḥ 63| vicāryaivaṃ tadā tena śapto'haṃ devi vai tadā 64| asminkaliyuge ghore guptastvaṃ bhava sarvathā | iti datvātha vai śāpaṃ gatavānmunisattamaḥ 65| tadā prabhṛti bho devi gupto'haṃ ṛṣiśāpataḥ | mamasthāne viśeṣeṇa pūjanaṃ kurute yadi 66| teṣāṃ hi duritaṃ yacca naśyate tatkṣaṇādapi | mṛnmayīṃ māmakīṃ mūrtiṃ kṛtvā ye pūjayaṃti vai 67| atra sthāne viśeṣeṇa māmake tu vasaṃti hi | khaṅgadhāreśvara iti nāmnā khyātaḥ kalauyuge 68| kṛte vai maṃdiraṃ nāma tretāyāṃ gauravaḥ smṛtaḥ | dvāpare viśvavikhyātaḥ kalau khaṅgeśvaraḥ smṛtaḥ 69| dakṣiṇaṃ bhāgamāśritya mama sthānaṃ sureśvari | iti jñātvā tu tatraiva kṛtvā mūrtiṃ sadā budhaḥ 70| pūjanaṃ kurute nityaṃ vāṃchitaṃ phalamāpnuyāt | dharmārthakāmamokṣāṃśca labhate mānavo bhuvi 71| dhūpaṃ dīpaṃ ca naivedyaṃ tathā vai caṃdanādikam | ye'rpayaṃti hi deveśi lokanāthe maheśvari | na duḥkhaṃ tu bhavetteṣāṃ satyaṃ satyaṃ varānane 72| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe paṃcapaṃcāśatsāhasrasaṃhitāyāmuuttarakhaṃḍe dhāreśvaramāhātmyaṃ nāma catuṣpaṃcāśadadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ 154|
English translation
Mahādeva said :
1-5. On the bank of Sābhramatī is a very great purifying secret holy place. Known as Khaḍgadhāra , it will be concealed in the Kali age. A man who happens to bathe here and drinks water here occasionally, is freed from all sins and is honoured in Rudra ’s heaven. Here that meritorious, auspicious Sābhramatī, following Kaśyapa , and going to the nether world, was held in his matted hair by Rudra. Rudra, with the name Khaḍgadhāra, dwells there only. O chief goddess, sinners having bathed here, have gone to heaven. In this case they narrate this old account about the very difficult vow practised by a mountaineer.
Pārvatī said :
6-7. What was the name of the mountaineer? Which vow did he practise? I desire to hear all that. Tell it to me properly. O best among speakers, there is none else but you. Therefore, O god, tell me all that (as) it is beneficial to hear.
Mahādeva said :
8-22. Formerly there was a very fearful, wicked (man) named Caṇḍa . He, the cruel one, was a rogue, was of a bad conduct, and fearful to beings. The wicked one constantly killed the fish with a net. He would cause to fall down deer, beasts, black antelopes and porcupines, so also many kinds of birds and pierce them with spear. The angry one killed birds and especially peacocks. The fowler was very sinful, wicked, and dear to wicked people. His wife was of that sort(only)—unchaste and suffering from severe diseases. When he was amusing himself like this, much time passed. Once the sinful one remained on a bilva tree at night with a bow in his hand to which an arrow was fixed to kill a boar. Thus he, without winking his eyes, passed the night. Even though he was angry, he cut off (i.e. plucked) many leaves of the bilva tree on the Caturdaśī of the bright half of Māgha , O daughter of the ( Himālaya ) Mountain. Those (leaves) fell on the Phallus that was at the root of that bilva tree through (his good) luck. All that became the worship of Śiva . By throwing mouthfuls (on the Phallus) the ignorant, wicked fowler gave it a grand bath. That wicked fowler became free from sins at the time of moonrise in the bright half of the month of Māgha. His impetuous wife devoid of hope and without food, also came near him—i.e. at the place where the fowler remained. He had not secured any hog, or deer or buffalo (as his hunt). So that woman had brought (for him) food to eat. He saw his impetuous, cruel-eyed wife coming (to him). That wife of him fell into water—into a river. Just then she said to Caṇḍa: “Come on, eat quickly the flesh of fish that I have now brought for you. O fool, what did you do the previous day? Flesh is not seen by your side. You have ruined your family (as) it (will have to) fast (now).”
23-31. Having heard these words of Caṇḍā , he of a fierce form, had become one of a pure heart due to the Śivarātri -fast and keeping awake at night. He of a pure vow (went) to the river to bathe. When the wicked one was bathing, a dog came there. O chief goddess, the dog ate all that flesh there. Caṇḍā was very angry, and approached the dog to strike him. Then that angry Caṇḍā was warded off by Caṇḍa: “Do not hit him. What evil has he done?” She said: “This wicked one has eaten the food. O fool, what will you who are hungry, eat today?”
The mountaineer said :
I am pleased with (the fact) that the dog has eaten the food. What is the use of this transient and infirm body? O passionate woman, those who with full sincerity nourish their bodies, should be known as sinners, outcast from both the worlds. Therefore, giving up pride, passion and wickedness be composed by considering the truth; and be steady with the knowledge of the truth. O you beautiful lady, with the vow of Khaḍgadhāra I shall today abandon this my body. What is the use of my living long?
32-36. Saying so, when he drew his sword and (was about to) cut off his head, many attendants prompted by Śiva came (there). Many aeroplanes also came near him. The mountaineer having seen those aeroplanes and the attendants also, spoke with great devotion to them: “Why have all of you, wearing (rosaries of) rudrākṣa , come (here)? All of you resemble crystal; all of you have the crescent moon on your crests; all of you have braided and matted hair; you have your garments covered with hide; you have adorned yourselves with the necklaces of serpents’ hoods. You are endowed with majesty. Your valour is like that of Rudra. O tell me the proper truth.” The attendants of Rudra, asked at that time by the mountaineer, spoke:
The attendants said :
37-41. O Caṇḍa, we are sent by Śiva, the highest lord. Accompanied by your wife, come quickly, and get into the carriage. Due to the effect of the act, viz. your having worshipped the Phallus on Śivarātri, you have obtained the highest position.
Thus addressed by Vīrabhadra , he, laughing a little said: “What meritorious act have I, a sinful, foolish, wicked mountaineer, interested in hunting, done? I am always acting sinfully. How shall I live in heaven? Tell (me) how I have today worshipped the Phallus. I, having a great curiosity, am asking (you). Please tell (it to me).”
Vīrabhadra said :
42-47. O Caṇḍa, Mahādeva , god of gods, called Gaṅgādhara , lord of Umā, is today pleased with you and with your wife. Today you did what was proper for the occasion and worship also. While looking for a boar, O Caṇḍa, you plucked the bilva leaves; they fell on the top of the Phallus at that time. Therefore, O lord, you are meritorious. On the great (bilva-) tree you certainly kept awake. Due to that keeping awake the lord of the universe was pleased. Under the pretext of watching the boar, O glorious hunter, you observed a fast on the Śivarātri day, though by chance. Due to that fast and keeping awake the magnanimous best god was pleased. The very dignified giver of boons gives all boons to favour you.
48-53. Thus addressed by the intelligent Vīrabhadra, the mountaineer also got into an excellent aeroplane, while the attendants, deities and all beings were watching. At that time large drums, kettle drums and musical instruments sounded. There were the sounds of lutes, flutes , tabors, with dancing and acting. Chief gandharvas sang, and bands of celestial nymphs danced. He, being fanned with chowries, and with various umbrellas (held over his head), was taken with great ceremony near Śiva. Even the mountaineer reached (Śiva) due to a bath at a holy place and worshipping Śiva. Then what to say of those men who in this world offer flowers etc., fruits, sandal, tāmbūla and sacred grains with faith and devotion to Śiva, the highest soul? They are Rudras . There is no doubt about this.
Mahādeva said :
54-57. Since then that holy place is well-known as Khaḍgadhāra. O chief goddess, in the Kali age, it will be hidden. O you daughter of the (Himālaya) Mountain, those who bathe (here) in the month of Māgha or Vaiśākha , and especially on the full-moon day of Kārtika , are released. Vasiṣṭha , Vāmadeva , Bharadvāja and Gautama come here to bathe and to see god (Śiva) the Trident-holder. The Phallus remained there in the (first) three ages. O Pārvatī , it does not remain (there) in the Kali age. At that time the sage Viśvāmitra had cursed me.
Pārvatī said :
58. I certainly desire to hear from you, O lord of gods, how that curse was pronounced upon you by the sage.
Mahādeva said :
59-72. O goddess, on one occasion the great ascetic Viśvāmitra came to this very wonderful sacred place, Khaḍgadhāra. Having bathed in the Sābhramatī, he paid me visit. Worshipping (me) in various ways he always remained there. O beautiful lady, there was at that time a very wicked hunter of a sinful form. He put flesh on (the Phallus of) Śiva. Seeing that flesh (there) again, Viśvāmitra then said: “Oh! the sinner has done a wicked deed. The highest soul, Śiva, has not punished him: Therefore, I shall, having determined, certainly curse him.” Having thought like this, he then cursed me, O goddess. “In this terrible Kali age you will remain completely hidden.” Having thus cursed me, that best sage left. Since then, O goddess, due to the sage’s curse, I am hidden. If they especially offer a worship at my place, their sin perishes at that moment only. Those who having fashioned a clay image of me worship it, especially live at this place of (i.e. sacred to) me. In this Kali age it is called Khaḍgadhāreśvara. In Kṛta (age) it was (known as) Mandira ; in Tretā (age) it was known as Gaurava . In Dvāpara (age) it was known as Viśva , and Khaḍgeśvara in Kali (age). O chief goddess, my place lies on the southern side. Knowing this, a wise man, fashioning (my) image there, worships (it) everyday. He would obtain the desired fruit. The man obtains, on the earth, religious merit, worldly prosperity, sensual pleasures and (ultimately) salvation. O chief goddess, there would come no misery to those who offer incense, light, articles of food, so also sandal etc., to Maheśvara , the lord of the worlds; this is the truth, the (only) truth, O beautiful lady.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 14419, revision 336578 (2022-04-25T00:36:08Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365733.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.