कपालखंडमादायं महादेवोऽप्यतिप्रभम् । ब्रह्मतेजो मयं दिव्यं ज्वलंतमिव चार्चिषा
Taking up the fragment of the skull, radiant and filled with the brilliance of Brahma's energy, the great Lord shone like a blazing flame.
क्रीडमानो जगन्नाथो मोहयामास वै सुरान्
The Lord of the universe, sporting in play, bewildered the gods.
प्राप्य पुण्यतमं क्षेत्रं यत्रातिष्ठन्महाप्रभुः
Having reached the most sacred field, where the great Lord resided,
स्थापयामास दीप्तार्चिर्गणानामग्रतः प्रभुः
The Lord placed the flaming skull before the hosts of his attendants.
विनदत्समहानादं नादयंत दिशो दश
Uttering a mighty roar, they resounded in all ten directions.
तेन शब्देन घोरेण दानवो देवकंटकः
By that terrible sound, the demon—scourge of the gods—
अमृष्यमाणः क्रोधार्तो दुरात्मा दुर्जयः सुरैः
Unable to endure it, seized by wrath, that wicked one, unconquerable by the gods,
दैत्यैः परिवृतो घोरै कोटिभिश्चोद्यतायुधैः
Surrounded by fierce demons, by the tens of millions, all armed for battle,
समावेक्ष्याह वै देवो गणान्सर्वा न्पिनाकधृक् 5.1.9.
Seeing this, the Lord, bearer of the Pinaka bow, addressed all the hosts:
आयाति त्वरितो यूयं तस्मादेनं विनिघ्नथ
He comes swiftly—therefore, you must slay him.
ततो देवगणा दृष्ट्वा तमायांतं महासुरम्
Then, seeing that great demon approaching,
बिभिदुः शलसंघातैरसिभि र्मुसलैस्तथा
The hosts of gods struck him with showers of arrows, swords, and maces.
हते तस्मिन्महादेवो देवान्प्रोवाच वै तदा
When he was slain, the great Lord then spoke to the gods.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे व्यास तत्कपालात्सुभैरवाः
Meanwhile, Vyasa, from that skull arose the fierce Bhairavas.
अभ्यधावंस्तमुद्देशं महादेवं निवेद्य वै
They rushed to that place, reporting to the great Lord.
कपालमातरस्तस्मात्ख्याताः क्षेत्रे महाबलाः
From that, the Mothers of the Skull became renowned in the field, possessing great power.
स्थापितस्य कपालस्य भित्त्वा समभवत्पुरा
Long ago, when the skull was established and split open, it came to be.
तदद्यापि महद्दिव्यं सरस्तत्र प्रकाशते
Even today, that great and divine lake shines forth there.
पात्रस्थमुद्धुतं वापि शीतोष्णं क्वथितं जलम् 5.1.9.
Whether water is placed in a vessel, poured out, cold, hot, or boiled—
प्रागाद्ब्रह्मापि तं देशं देवतानां शतैर्वृतः
Formerly, even Brahmā, surrounded by hundreds of deities, came to that place.
अत्र त्यजंति ये प्राणान्रुद्र लोकं व्रजंति ते
Those who give up their lives here go to the world of Rudra.
रौद्रे सरसि ये स्नांति जलं वापि पिबंति ये
Those who bathe in the Rudra lake, or those who drink its water—
इति स्वर्गगता देवाः स्पृहां कुर्वंति नित्यशः
Thus, the gods who dwell in heaven constantly long for it.
इदं शुभं दिव्यमधर्मनाशनं महाकपालं सुरदैत्यपूजितम्
This is auspicious, divine, destroys unrighteousness, the great Kapāla, worshipped by gods and demons.
तपोरतैः सिद्धगणैरभिष्टुतं यथा नभःस्थं दिननाथमंडलम्
It is praised by hosts of accomplished ascetics devoted to austerity, just as the orb of the sun in the sky.
स्वयंभूतं महेशस्य विख्यातं कुटुंबिकेश्वरम्
The self-manifested Kuṭuṃbikeśvara of Maheśa is renowned.
मुच्यते सर्वपापैस्तु सप्तजन्मकृतैरपि
One is freed from all sins, even those committed over seven births.
सर्वाँल्लोकानतिक्रम्य शिवलोकं स गच्छति
Surpassing all worlds, he attains the world of Śiva.
तीरे तस्य प्रयच्छेत स प्राप्नोति परां गतिम्
If one offers on its bank, he attains the highest state.
एकेनैवोपवासेन अश्वमेधफलं लभेत्
By a single fast alone, one obtains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice.