Chapter 35 - Greatness of Staṃbheśvara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: [Staṃbheśvara is the] name of the Liṅga installed on the victory-pillar erected on the ground where the battle between Tārakāsura and Skanda was fought.

Nārada said:

1. Kumāreśa was installed here by Kumāra. Thereupon, Suras bowed down to Guha and said with palms joined together (in reverence):

2. “We shall submit something to you- Listen to it accurately. The practice well-known among victorious persons, is being recounted.

3-5. A pillar should be erected as a memorial of victory by those who vanquish enemies in the course of a battle. Hence for the sake of commemorating your victory, let us erect an excellent pillar. It behoves you to accord permission. There is the third excellent Liṅga made by Viśvakarman; fix it on the top of the pillar, O son of Śiva.”

When this was requested by Suras, the noble-minded Skanda said, “So be it.”

6. Thereupon the delighted Suras beginning with Śakra, fixed on the battle ground, a brilliant and excellent pillar made of gold.

7. They paved the space all round it with gems and jewels. There, the splendid celestial damsels danced in ten (different) ways.

8. The delighted Mothers of Skanda sang auspicious songs. There Indra and others danced. Viṣṇu himself played musical instruments.

9-11a. Showers of flowers fell from the sky. Divine musical instruments were played. After fixing the pillar named Jaya thus, the deity Staṃbheśvara that delights the entire universe, was installed by the son of the Three-eyed Lord in the presence of all the delighted Devas, the chief of whom was Brahmā and who were joined by Hari, Hara etc. along with Indra and groups of sages.

11b-13. To the western side of the same a well was made by the noble-souled Guha with the tip of his Śakti, Gaṅgā flowing through the bottom (of the well). On the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month of Māgha, O son of Pāṇḍu, a devotee should take bath in the well and offer water libations to Pitṛs with devotion. That man clearly obtains the benefit that one obtains by performing Gayā-śrāddha.

14. Thereafter the devotee should worship Lord Staṃbheśvara with sweet-smelling flowers. He shall attain the benefit of Vājapeya (sacrifice). He then rejoices in the abode of Rudra.

15-16. If any sinless person worships Staṃbheśvara after performing the Śrāddha rite in the place of meeting of Mahī and the ocean on the full-moon day or the new-moon day, his Pitṛs become satisfied, and being gratified they grant blessings. After dispelling all sins, he goes to the world of Rudra where he is honoured.

17-18. So said Lord Rudra formerly for the gratification of Skanda. Thus the fourth excellent Liṅga was installed. All the Devas bowed down to it and exclaimed loudly, “Well-done! Well-done!”