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.
पट्टबंधं महेशस्य स विपाप्मा दिवं व्रजेत्
He who binds the cloth for Maheśa, being sinless, goes to heaven.
कर्पूरं कुङ्कुमं चैव मृगनाभि सचन्दनम्
Camphor, saffron, musk, and sandalwood—
स्वरूपं चैव विप्रेन्द्र सभार्यं भोजयेद्द्विजम्
He should also offer his own form, O best of Brāhmaṇas, and feed a Brāhmaṇa with his wife.
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराणएकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चम आवन्त्यखण्डेऽवन्तीक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये कुटुम्बिकेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम दशमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the eighty-eight-thousand-verse Saṃhitā, in the fifth Avantya section, in the greatness of the Avantī region, the tenth chapter named 'Description of the Greatness of Kuṭuṃbikeśvara' [ends].
अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थं विद्याधरस्य तु
Now, therefore, I shall explain the sacred place of Vidyādhara.
प्रसादाद्ब्रूहि मे ब्रह्मञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि सांप्रतम्
By your favor, tell me, O Brāhmaṇa; I wish to hear it now.
ग्रथिता पारिजातस्य माला तेन मनोरमा
A garland of pārijāta flowers was woven by him, delightful in appearance.
गृहीत्वा च स तां मालां गतो वासववेश्मनि
Taking that garland, he went to the dwelling of Vāsava.
दत्ता तस्यै तदा तेन सा माला नृत्यमाश्रितः ।। सा मेनकास्तुताऽस्थाने मालया मोहिता भवत्
At that time, he gave her that garland, and Menakā, adorned with the garland, became enchanted as she danced and was praised in the assembly.
कोपाविष्टेन शक्रेण शप्तो विद्याधरस्तदा
Then, the Vidyādhara was cursed by Śakra, who was filled with anger.