यानि तीर्थानि वंद्यानि यानि लिंगानि संति वै
Whatever sacred fords are venerable, whatever liṅgas there are—
क्षेत्रमाद्यं महादेवि ममातीव प्रियं सदा ।। 5.2.1.
The foremost field, O great goddess, is always especially dear to me.
यत्रास्ति च महापुण्या सर्वपापहरा परा
There exists a supremely meritorious place, which removes all sins.
नीलगंगा चतुर्थी तु श्रेष्ठा नद्यः प्रकीर्तिताः
The Nīlagaṅgā is the fourth and foremost among the celebrated rivers.
गंगायास्त्रिगुणं देवि चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्
O Goddess, it bestows three times the merit of the Gaṅgā and grants the fruits of the four aims of life.
सिद्धलिंगानि तिष्ठंति भुक्तिमुक्तिकराणि च
There stand the perfected liṅgas, bestowers of both enjoyment and liberation.
एकादश तथा रुद्रा आदित्या द्वादश स्मृताः
There are eleven Rudras and twelve Ādityas, as is remembered.
यदाहं गतवांस्तत्र महाकालवने शुभे
When I went there, to the auspicious forest of Mahākāla—
एभिर्व्याप्तं क्षेत्रमिदं देवि योजनमायतम्
O Goddess, this field, a yojana in extent, is filled with these.
तानि विस्तरतो ब्रूहि सर्वपापहराणि तु
Describe those in detail, which indeed remove all sins.
ख्यातं पृथिव्यां प्रथममगस्त्येश्वरमुत्तमम् 5.2.1.
The foremost Agastyeśvara is renowned on earth as the first.
उमोवाच अगस्त्येश्वरनामेह कथं लब्धमनेन वै
Umā said: How did this place come to be known by the name Agastyeśvara?
सर्वपापप्रशमनीं समीहितफलप्रदाम्
It dispels all sins and grants the desired fruits.
पुराऽसुरैर्जिता देवा निरुत्साहाश्च ते ततः भ्रष्टैश्वर्य्यास्तदा देवि चेरुर्देवा महीतले
Long ago, the gods were defeated by the demons and, having lost their enthusiasm and sovereignty, they wandered on earth, O Goddess.
ततः कदाचित्ते दीना दीप्तमादित्यवर्चसम्
Then, at some time, those dejected gods beheld one radiant with the luster of the sun.
अभिवाद्य ततो देवा दृष्ट्वा तं तेजसा वृतम्
Having seen him enveloped in splendor, the gods then offered their respects.
दानवैर्निर्जिता युद्धे सर्वे स्वर्गाच्च पातिताः
Defeated in battle by the Dānavas, all were cast down from heaven.
इत्युक्तः स तदा देवैरगस्त्यः कुपितोऽभवत्
Thus addressed by the gods, Agastya then became angry.
तदा दीप्तांशुजालेन निर्दग्धा दानवास्तथा
Then, by his blazing rays, the Dānavas were burned up.
दह्यमानास्ततो दैत्या स्तस्यागस्त्यस्य तेजसा
Thereupon, the Daityas were scorched by the radiance of that Agastya.
ततो ऽगस्त्यो महात्मा वै तान्हत्वा शोकमूर्छितः 5.2.1.
Then the great-souled Agastya, having slain them, was overcome with grief.
कृतं घोरं महत्पापं हता यद्दानवा मया किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं शुध्येय चाप्यहम्
A terrible, great sin has been committed—since I have slain the Dānavas. What shall I do? Where shall I go? How can I be purified?
एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य समागच्छत्पितामहः
As he was thinking in this way, the Grandfather (Brahmā) approached him.
लक्ष्यसे मुनिशार्दूल कारणं कथ्यतां त्वरम्
You are seen, O best of sages—state the reason quickly.
देवदेव जगन्नाथ दाहोंतर्मानसं मम
O God of gods, Lord of the universe, there is a burning within my mind.
ममोपायं समाचक्ष्व प्रसादत्सुरसत्तम
Tell me the means, O best of the gods, by your grace.
प्रोवाचेदं सुरश्रेष्ठः शृणु त्वं यत्नतः परम्
The best of the gods spoke these words: Listen carefully and with attention.
महाकालवने दिव्ये यक्षगंधर्वसेविते
In the great, divine forest of Mahākāla, attended by Yakṣas and Gandharvas,
पिशाचस्यापि तीर्थस्य भागे दक्षिणतः स्थितम्
There stands, to the south of the sacred place of the Piśāca, a portion (of that forest).
आराधय शुभं लिंगं सर्वपापप्रणा शनम्
Worship the auspicious Liṅga there, which removes all sins.