Chapter 75 - Greatness of Kalakaleśvara (Kalakala-īśvara) or Kalakaleśa (Kalakala-īśa)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the Liṅga called Śākalakaleśvara. It is situated within a distance of sixty Dhanus to the south-west of Śākalyeśvara.

It is also remembered as having different names in the four Yugas. It is destructive of sins. Formerly (in Kṛtayuga) its name was Kāmeśvara. In Tretā, it was Pulaheśvara. In Dvāpara it was Siddhinātha and it is remembered as Nāradeśa in Kali age. It is also known by the name Kalakaleśa.

4. At the time when the highly esteemed river Sarasvatī entered the extremely meritorious ocean, the most excellent one of the rivers became delighted, and satisfied by the sound of the waters (waves) of the big ocean.

5. Thereupon, Devas sages, Siddhas and Cāraṇas along with Gandharvas raised a melodious, tumultuous sound that was exciting and thrilling.

6. Due to that loud sound, my idol (Liṅga) rose up. Therefore, the Liṅga was named Kalakaleśvara.

7. Thus a former incident which caused its name has been stated to you. Now recently it again became Kalakaleśvara. How it was brought about, I shall explain, O my beloved. Listen attentively.

8. Formerly at the junction of Kali Yuga and Dvāpara, Nārada came to the splendid Prābhāsika Kṣetra and performed a severe penance there near the Liṅga.

9. Then for a hundred years, he propitiated the Bull-emblemed Lord, O goddess of Devas. He obtained Gāndharva (proficiency in music) embellished with the seven Svaras (Notes).

10. Thereupon, he became delighted in his mind and performed a great Yajña well-known as Pauṇḍarīka in the vicinity of that Liṅga.

11. With his soul always kept pure, he performed the Yajña for pleasing the Lord of Devas. He invited thousands of sages from Brahmaloka.

12. Equipped with all the requisite (for the Yajña) he gathered together various provisions. Having prepared the Kuṇḍas etc. he began the Kratu (sacrifice).

13-14. O lady of excellent countenance, as the Kratu concluded, the Brāhmaṇas residing in the Kṣetra came there, O great goddess, in hundreds and thousands for the sake of Dakṣiṇā.

15. In a sporting way, to make them fight among themselves, he scattered pieces of gold and jewels on the ground.

16. With the intention of seizing maximum of the valuable things, those Brāhmaṇas noisily fought with one another.

17. O goddess, some of them were denuded of their garments. Some lost their sacred threads. Some were seen deprived of hair. Others were bleeding profusely.

18. A few others hit one another with kicks and fists for securing the valuables scattered by Nārada in this manner.

19-22. Nothing of value remained there. Some of the poor Brāhmaṇas, very learned and humble to the utmost, got wounded and disabled by other Brāhmaṇas. Yet they remained quiescent. They saw (Nārada) laughing incessantly. They said to him: “O Sage, you had excluded the learned ones. The gift that you made brought about only quarrel. Thereby you have flouted the conventions of Yajñas, O excellent Brāhmaṇa and sage. The name of this deity shall be Kalakaleśvara. This Liṅga will become well-known by this name.”

O goddess, that was why the deity became (known as) Kalakaleśvara.

23. A man who bathes the Liṅga devoutly and circumambulates thrice, shall with your favour, go to Rudraloka undoubtedly.

24. He who adores it with devotion by means of sweet scents, flowers and unguents and offers gold to Brāhmaṇas shall attain the highest status.