रक्षणार्थं महादेवो भक्तानां भक्तवत्सलः । हत्वा गजाकृतिं दैत्यं शूलेनावज्ञया हरः
For the sake of protecting the devotees, Mahadeva, who cherishes his devotees, slew the demon in elephant form with his trident, out of disdain.
वासस्तस्याकरोत्कृत्तिं कृत्तिवासेश्वरस्ततः । तत्र सिद्धिं परां प्राप्ता मुनयो हि युधिष्ठिर
He made the demon's skin his garment; thus he is called Krittivaseshvara. There, the sages, O Yudhishthira, attained the highest accomplishment.
तेनैव च शरीरेण प्राप्तास्तत्परमं पदम् । विद्याविद्येश्वरा रुद्राः शिवा ये च प्रकीर्त्तिताः
With that very body, they attained the supreme state; the Rudras, lords of knowledge and ignorance, and those called Shiva.
कृत्तिवासेश्वरं लिंगं नित्यमाश्रित्य संस्थिताः । ज्ञात्वा कलियुगं घोरमधर्मबहुलं जनाः
They are always established, relying on the emblem of Krittivaseshvara; knowing the dreadful Kali age, full of unrighteousness, the people.
कृत्तिवासं न मुंचंति कृतार्थास्ते न संशयः । जन्मांतरसहस्रेण मोक्षो यत्राप्यते न वा
They do not abandon Krittivasa; they are fulfilled, without doubt. Whether liberation is attained in a thousand births or not.
एकेन जन्मना मोक्षः कृत्तिवासेऽत्र लभ्यते । आलयं सर्वसिद्धानामेतत्स्थानं वदंति हि
Liberation is attained here at Krittivasa in a single birth; this place is said to be the abode of all accomplishments.
गोपितं देवदेवेन महादेवेन शंभुना । युगेयुगे ह्यत्र दांता ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः
It is concealed by the god of gods, by Mahadeva Shambhu; in every age, disciplined Brahmins, accomplished in the Vedas, are here.
उपासंते महात्मानं जपंति शतरुद्रियम् । स्तुवंति सततं देवं त्र्यंबकं कृत्तिवाससम् । ध्यायंति हृदये देवं स्थाणुं सर्वांतरं शिवम्
They worship the great soul, recite the Shatarudriya, constantly praise the god Tryambaka, Krittivasa, and meditate in their hearts on the god Sthanu, Shiva, who dwells in all.
गायंति सिद्धाः किल गीतकानि वाराणसीं ये निवसंति विप्राः । तेषामथैकेन भवेद्विमुक्तिर्ये कृत्तिवासं शरणं प्रपन्नाः
The accomplished ones sing songs, and the Brahmins who dwell in Varanasi; for them, liberation is attained by one who has sought refuge in Krittivasa.
संप्राप्य लोके जगतामभीष्टं सुदुर्लभं विप्रकुलेषु जन्म । ध्याने समाधाय जपंति रुद्रं ध्यायंति चित्ते यतयो महेशम्
Having attained the most desired and rare birth among the worlds, in a Brahmin family, ascetics recite Rudra in meditation, and meditate in their minds on Mahesha.
आराधयंति प्रभुमीशितारं वाराणसीमध्यगता मुनींद्राः । यजंति यज्ञैरभिसंधिहीनाः स्तुवंति रुद्रं प्रणमंति शंभुम्
The great sages dwelling in the midst of Varanasi worship the Lord, the Supreme Ruler; they perform sacrifices without selfish motive, praise Rudra, and bow to Shambhu.
नमो भवायामलयोगधाम्ने स्थाणुं प्रपद्ये गिरिशं पुराणम् । स्मरामि रुद्रं हृदये निविष्टं जाने महादेवमनेकरूपम्
Salutations to Bhava, the pure abode of yoga; I take refuge in Sthanu, the ancient Lord of the mountains. I remember Rudra, established in my heart; I know Mahadeva, who assumes many forms.
इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे स्वर्गखंडे चतुस्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the thirty-fourth chapter in the Svarga-khanda of the glorious Padma Purana.
नारद उवाच- अथान्यत्तत्र वै लिंगं कपर्दीश्वरमुत्तमम् । स्नात्वा तत्र विधानेन तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्नृप
Narada said: Then there is another excellent linga there, known as Kapardishvara; after bathing there according to the prescribed rite and offering libations to the ancestors, O King,
मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो मुक्तिं भुक्तिं च विंदति । पिशाचमोचनं नाम तीर्थमन्यत्ततः स्थितम्
One is freed from all sins and attains both liberation and enjoyment; there is another holy place established there, called the Piśācamocana Tirtha.
तत्राश्चर्यमयो देवो मुक्तिदः सर्वदोषहः । कश्चिद्दैत्यो जगामेदं शार्दूलो घोररूपधृक्
There, the wondrous Lord, the giver of liberation and destroyer of all faults, is present; once, a certain demon came there, taking the terrifying form of a tiger.
मृगीमेकां भक्षयितुं कपर्दीश्वरमुत्तमम् । तत्र सा भीतहृदया कृत्वा कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्
Desiring to devour a certain doe, the excellent Kapardishvara, that doe, her heart seized by fear, circled the linga again and again.
धावमाना सुसंभ्रांता व्याघ्रस्य वशमागता । तां विदार्य नखैस्तीक्ष्णैः शार्दूलः स महाबलः
Fleeing in great panic, she fell under the power of the tiger; that mighty beast tore her apart with his sharp claws.
जगाम चान्यं विजनं देशं दृष्ट्वा मुनीश्वरान् । मृतमात्रा च सा बाला कपर्दीशाग्रतो मृगी
Then, seeing the great sages, the tiger went to another deserted place; and that young doe, having just died, lay before Kapardishvara.
अदृश्यत महाज्वाला व्योम्नि सूर्यसमप्रभा । त्रिनेत्रा नीलकंठा च शशांकांकित मूर्द्धजा
A great flame appeared in the sky, shining like the sun; three-eyed, blue-throated, with the moon adorning his matted hair.
वृषाधिरूढा पुरुषैस्तादृशैरेव संवृता । पुष्पवृष्टिं विमुंचंति खेचरास्तत्समंततः
Mounted on a bull and surrounded by men of similar form, beings of the sky showered flowers all around.
गणेश्वरी स्वयं भूत्वा न दृष्टा तत्क्षणात्ततः । दृष्ट्वा तदाश्चर्यवरं प्रशशंसुः सुरादयः
Becoming herself the leader of the hosts, she was not seen from that moment; seeing that wondrous marvel, the gods and others praised it.
तन्महेशस्य वै लिंगं कपर्दीश्वरमुत्तमम् । स्मृत्वैवाशेषपापौघात्क्षिप्रमस्य विमुंचति
That linga of Mahesha, the excellent Kapardishvara—by remembering it, one is quickly freed from all accumulated sins.
कामक्रोधादयो दोषा वाराणसी निवासिनाम् । विघ्नाः सर्वे विनश्यंति कपर्दीश्वरपूजनात्
Defects such as desire and anger, for those dwelling in Varanasi, all obstacles are destroyed by worship of Kapardishvara.
तस्मात्सदैव द्रष्टव्यं कपर्दीश्वरमुत्तमम् । पूजितव्यं प्रयत्नेन स्तोतव्यं वैदिकैस्तवैः
Therefore, the excellent Kapardishvara should always be seen, worshipped with effort, and praised with Vedic hymns.
ध्यायतां चात्र नियतं योगिनां शांतचेतसाम् । जायते योगसिद्धिः स्यात्षण्मासेन न संशयः
For yogis of tranquil mind who meditate there with discipline, attainment of yoga arises within six months—of this there is no doubt.
ब्रह्महत्यादयः पापा विनश्यंत्यस्य पूजनात् । पिशाचमोचने कुंडे स्नातः स्यात्प्रशमो यतः
Sins such as the killing of a Brahmin are destroyed by worshipping him; by bathing in the Piśācamocana pool, one attains peace.
तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे पुरा विप्रस्तपस्वी संशितव्रतः । शंकुकर्ण इति ख्यातः पूजयामास शंकरम्
In that sacred field, long ago, a Brahmin ascetic of firm vows, known as Shankukarna, worshipped Shankara.
जजाप रुद्रमनिशं प्रणवं ब्रह्मरूपिणम् । पुष्पधूपादिभिस्तोत्रैः नमस्कारैः प्रदक्षिणैः
He recited the Rudra hymn constantly, the Praṇava which is the form of Brahman, with offerings of flowers, incense, and other praises, with salutations and circumambulations.
उपासीतात्र योगात्मा कृत्वा दीक्षां तु नैष्ठिकीम् । कदाचिदागतं प्रेतं पश्यति स्म क्षुधान्वितम्
There, the yogi, having undertaken the vow of lifelong discipline, engaged in worship; once, he saw a spirit approach, afflicted by hunger.