शुश्राव श्रोत्रपीयूषं गीतं देवगृहे शुभे प्रियामपश्यत्तत्रस्थां लावण्यललनावधिम्
He heard song, sweet as nectar to the ears, in the auspicious temple of the gods, and there he saw his beloved, the very limit of graceful women.
तां दृष्ट्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनस्तन्मयोऽभवत्
Seeing her, his eyes widened in astonishment, and he became wholly absorbed in her.
ज्ञात्वा मे सैव पत्नीयं दृष्टा देवप्रसादतः
Knowing, 'She is indeed my wife, seen by the grace of the gods.'
क्षिप्रं पुलिकिता तस्या विरराज कुचस्थली
At once, her breast shone, thrilled with delight.
विश्वावसोः सिद्धपतेः सुतैषा प्राणवल्लभा
She is the beloved daughter of Viśvāvasu, lord of the Siddhas.
आनीता ते मया पत्नी हत्वा तं राक्षसाधि पम्
I have brought your wife to you, having slain that lord of rākṣasas.
इत्युक्तोऽसौ गतो देवि लब्ध्वा भार्यां प्रियां तदा
Thus addressed, O goddess, he departed, having then regained his beloved wife.
आराधितो नरेंद्रेण दुर्द्धर्षेण महात्मना त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातो वांछितार्थफल प्रदः ।। 5.2.70.
Worshipped by the indomitable, great-souled king, he is renowned in the three worlds as the bestower of the fruits of desired aims.
ये पश्यंति विशालाक्षि दुर्द्धर्षेश्वरसंज्ञकम्
Those who behold, O wide-eyed one, the linga named Durddharṣeśvara—
संक्रांतौ रविवारे च ग्रहणे चंद्र सूर्ययोः ते प्रयांति विमानेन मदीयं स्थानमुत्तमम्
at the time of the sun's transit, on a Sunday, or during an eclipse of the moon or sun— they ascend in a celestial chariot to my supreme abode.
पापाचाराश्च ये जीवा दुष्कर्मनिरता नराः
Even those living beings of sinful conduct, men devoted to wicked deeds,
दर्शनात्स्पर्शनात्सद्यो नामसंकीर्तनादपि
by seeing, touching, or even by uttering the name— instantly—
कृतघ्नो निंदको दुष्टः पापकर्मा दुरात्मवान् मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो दुर्द्धर्षेश्वरदर्शनात्
the ungrateful, the slanderer, the wicked, the evil-doer, the malevolent— all are freed from every sin by beholding Durddharṣeśvara.
अयने विषुवे चैव संप्राप्ते सोमपर्वणि गंगायास्त्रिगुणं पुण्यं जायते नात्र संशयः
At the solstice, the equinox, or when the Soma festival arrives, the merit gained there becomes threefold that of the Ganga— of this there is no doubt.
तत्र यद्दीयते दानं तस्य संख्या न विद्यते
There, whatever gift is given, its measure cannot be reckoned.
कल्पकोटिसहस्रं तु मत्पुरे पूजितो वसेत्
Having worshipped in my city, one dwells for a thousand crores of aeons.
अधृष्यः शत्रुवर्गेण फलं प्राप्नोति चाक्षयम्
He becomes unassailable by enemies and attains inexhaustible reward.
एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः 5.2.70.
Thus, O goddess, I have told you this power, destroyer of sin.
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीति साहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चम आवंत्यखण्डे चतुरशीतिलिंगमाहात्म्य उमामहेश्वरसंवादे दुर्द्धर्षेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम सप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the seventieth chapter, entitled 'The Greatness of Durddharṣeśvara,' in the dialogue of Uma and Maheshvara, in the section on the eighty-four lingas, in the Avanti Khanda of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Skanda Mahapurana.
अद्वितीयं विजानीहि महापातकनाशनम्
Know it to be unique, the destroyer of great sins.
हास्तिनेऽ भूत्पुरे श्रीमाञ्छंतनुर्नृपसत्तमः
In the city of Hastinapura there was a glorious king named Shantanur, foremost among rulers.
स चाद्भुतमहावीर्यो वज्रसंहननो युवा
He was wondrously mighty, youthful, and firm as a thunderbolt.
बलेन विष्णुसदृशस्तेजसा भास्करोपमः
In strength he was like Vishnu, in brilliance like the sun.
स कदाचिन्महाबाहुः प्रभूत बलवाहनः
Once, that mighty-armed one, with a great force of troops,
गत्वा तत्र मृगान्व्याघ्रान्घातयामास लीलया
went there and, with ease, slew deer and tigers.
स कदाचिद्वने तस्मिन्ददर्श परमां स्त्रियम्
Once, in that forest, he beheld a most excellent woman.
तां दृष्ट्वा हृष्टरोमाभूद्विस्मितो रूपसंपदा
Seeing her, his hair stood on end, astonished by her beauty and grace.
सा दृष्ट्वैव च राजानं विचरंतं महाद्युतिम्
She, upon seeing the king wandering, radiant with great splendor,
तामुवाच ततो राजा सांत्वयञ्छ्लक्ष्णया गिरा 5.2.71.
Then the king spoke to her, comforting her with gentle words.
यक्षी वा पन्नगी वा त्वं मानुषी वा सुमध्यमे
Are you a Yakṣī, a serpent-woman, or a human, O slender-waisted one?