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?
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो राज्ञः संस्तुतं मृदु वल्गु च
Hearing the king’s words, praised, soft and charming,
वारिता विप्रिये वापि त्यजेयं त्वामसंशयम्
If you forbid me or dislike me, I will surely leave you, without doubt.
एवमस्त्विति तेनोक्तं सत्येन सुकृतेन च
‘So be it,’ she replied to him, with truth and virtue.
उपचारेण च रहस्तुतोष जगतीपतिः
With courtesy and in private, the lord of the earth was pleased.
मानुषं विग्रहं कृत्वा श्रीमंतं वरवर्णिनि
Assuming a human form, splendid and of excellent complexion,
स राजा रति सक्तत्वादुत्तमस्त्रीगुणैर्हृतः
The king, absorbed in pleasure, was captivated by her supreme feminine qualities.
रममाणस्तया सार्द्धं यथाकामं नरेश्वरः
The lord of men enjoyed with her as he wished.
जातं जातं च सा पुत्रं क्षिपत्यंभसि मुक्तये
Each time a son was born, she cast him into the water for liberation.
नास्य तत्तु प्रियं राज्ञः शंतनोर्ह्यभवत्तदा 5.2.71.
This was not pleasing to King Śantanu at that time.
अथैनामष्टमे पुत्रे जाते प्रहसतीमिव
Then, when the eighth son was born, as she smiled,