Kurma Purana

नमो महानटाय ते नमो वृषध्वजाय ते

Salutations to you, great dancer; salutations to you, bearer of the bull-banner.

स्वगाणपत्यमव्ययं सरूपतामथो ददौ

He granted him his own eternal lordship of the Gaṇas and sameness of form.

मुनीशसिद्धवन्दितः क्षणाददृश्यतामगात्

Honored by sages and perfected beings, he became invisible in a moment.

अयाचत वरं रुद्रं सजीवो ऽयं भवत्विति

He asked Rudra for a boon: 'Let this one be alive.'

कृतान्तस्यैव भवता तत्कार्ये विनियोजितः

He was appointed by you, O Lord of Death, for that very task.

तथास्त्वित्याह विश्वात्मा सो ऽपि तादृग्विधो ऽभवत्

The soul of the universe said, 'So be it,' and he became such as well.

गत्वाभ्यर्च्य महादेवं गाणपत्यं स विन्दति

Having gone and worshipped Mahādeva, he attained lordship of the Gaṇas.

महादेवस्य देवस्य महालयमिति श्रुतम्

It is heard that this is the great abode of the great god.

शिलातले पदं न्यस्तं नास्तिकानां निदर्शनम्

A footprint is set upon the stone surface as a sign for the non-believers.

उपासते महादेवं वेदाध्ययनतत्पराः

Those devoted to Vedic study worship the great god.

नमस्कृत्वाथ शिरसा रुद्रसामीप्यमाप्नुयात्

Then, after bowing with the head, one attains nearness to Rudra.

केदारमिति विख्यातं सिद्धानामालयं शुभम्

This is renowned as Kedara, the auspicious abode of the perfected ones.

पीत्वा चैवोदकं शुद्धं गाणपत्यमवाप्नुयात्

And by drinking the pure water there, one attains the state of Ganesha.

द्विजातिप्रवरैर्जुष्टं योगिभिर्यतमानसैः

It is frequented by the best of twice-born and by yogis striving diligently.

तत्राभ्यर्च्य श्रीनिवासं विष्णुलोके महीयते

There, having worshipped Srinivasa, one is honored in the world of Vishnu.

अक्षयं विन्दति स्वर्गं तत्र गत्वा द्विजोत्तमः

Having gone there, the best of twice-born attains imperishable heaven.

यत्र देवेन रुद्रेण यज्ञो दक्षस्य नाशितः

There, the sacrifice of Daksha was destroyed by the god Rudra.

मुच्यते सर्वपापैस्तु ब्रह्मलोकं लभेन्मृतः

One is freed from all sins there and, dying, attains the world of Brahma.

तत्राभ्यर्च्य हृषीकेशं श्वेतद्वीपं निगच्छति

There, having worshipped Hrishikesha, one goes to Svetadvipa.

तत्र प्राणान् परित्यज्य रुद्रस्य दयितो भवेत्

There, abandoning the life-breath, one becomes dear to Rudra.

स्नानपिण्डादिकं तत्र कृतमक्षय्यमुत्तमम्

Bathing, offering rice-balls, and other rites performed there are imperishable and supreme.

सर्वपापविसुद्धात्मा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्

With a mind purified from all sins, one obtains the fruit of a thousand cows.

त्रिरात्रोपोषितेनाथ एकरात्रोषितेन वा

By fasting for three nights, or even for one night,

अलोलुपो ब्रह्मचारो तीर्थानां फलमाप्नुयात्

A self-restrained celibate, free from greed, attains the fruit of all sacred waters.

तत्र सन्निहितो नित्यं स्कन्दो ऽमरनमस्कृतः

There, Skanda is always present, honored by the immortals.

आराध्य षण्मुखं देवं स्कन्देन सह मोदते

Having worshipped the six-faced god, one rejoices together with Skanda.

पापकर्तॄनपि पितॄस्तारयेन्नात्र संशयः

He surely delivers even sinful ancestors—there is no doubt of this.

तीर्थं तत्र भवेद् वस्तुं मृतानां स्वर्गतिर्ध्रुवा

There, the place becomes a sacred ford; for the dead, heaven is assured.

भक्त्या ये ते न पश्यन्ति यमस्य सदनं द्विजाः

Those who, with devotion, do this, O twice-born, do not see the abode of Yama.