Chapter 36 - Description of the Five Liṅgas Concluded

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. On seeing those Liṅgas (installed) on the earth by the son of Hara, Devas, the chief of whom were Hari, Brahmā and Indra spoke to one another:

2. “Oh! blessed indeed is this Kumāra by whom four Liṅgas have been installed on this rare (holy spot of) Mahīsāgara-Saṅgama.

3. We too shall install a series of Liṅgas for (our own) purification, for the sake of the gratification of Skanda and Rudra, for the sake of the good people and for our own benefit.

4-6. Or (Another Alternative) Devas are crores in numbers. There is no limit to the number of the sages. If all of us were to install Liṅgas here on the banks of Mahī, how can there be (proper and regular) worship thereof, in view of their numberlessness.

It is said (in the Smṛtis), ‘If in any country the Liṅga of Rudra is not worshipped in accordance with (the people’s) capacity, that country becomes ruined and ravaged by famine, pestilence and robbers.’ Therefore, we shall collectively install one Liṅga that shall be auspicious.”

7. After coming to this decision, all those Suras, the chief of whom were Han and Brahmā as well as Guha. obtained permission from Maheśvara and they were delighted.

8. They (searched and) found out a splendid region of land in a secluded place and installed an excellent Liṅga made by Brahmā himself.

9. Guha called that Liṅga by the name Siddheśvara,^[1] because it had been installed by the Devas beginning with Brahmā after they had achieved their objects.

10. There (near) that Liṅga an excellent tank was dug by all the Devas. It was filled by those noble-souled ones with the excellent holy waters of all of the Tīrthas.

11. In the meantime, O son of Pṛthā, the son of Śeṣa, named Kumuda, came from Pātāla and said to the remaining snakes and serpents:

12. “In the course of this war with Tāraka, a Dānava named Pralamba^[2] fled out of fight for fear of Skanda and the sinful one has entered Pātāla.

13. O leading serpents, he is destroying your riches, sons, wives, daughters and abodes. Hurry up, run immediately.”

14. On hearing those words of Kumuda, the son of Śeṣa, the leading serpents became eager and anxious saying “Let us go, let us go.”

15. Thereupon, Skanda prevented them. With great anger he took up his Śakti and hurled it towards Pātāla directing “Let the Daitya be killed.”

16. Thereupon, the Śakti hurled by Skanda’s arm, pierced the earth and with great velocity entered (Pātāla) as fate enters (i.e. befalls) a man all of a sudden.

17. It killed Pralaṃba who had been surrounded by a crore (of Daityas). It delighted the serpents and went back preceded by waves of waters.

18. The hole made in the ground by the Śakti, O son of Pṛthā, was filled with the waters of Pātālagaṅgā that dispels sins.

19. 20. Skanda gave it a name. It is remembered as Siddhakūpa. If a man takes his holy bath in the well on the eighth and fourteenth days of the dark fortnights, observes fast and worships Lord Siddheśvara without diverting his mind towards anything else, a great number of his sins arising from worldly existence becomes dissolved.

21. A clever devotee who takes his holy bath in the Siddhakuṇḍa and performs the Śrāddha rite, shall be liberated from all sins. In every birth, he shall be deservedly endowed with devotion.

22. The delighted Rudra granted this boon that the Vaṭa (banyan tree) shall be of everlasting benefit to him. It will be like the Vaṭa at Prayāga. This is true. There is no doubt about it at all.

23. A highly fortunate one should come here and perform the Śrāddha rite with great devotion. That offering of rice balls shall be of everlasting gratification unto all the Pitṛs.

24. Thereupon, the Devas beginning with Brahmā accompanied by Skanda, prayed to goddess Siddhāṃbikā, the great Śakti.

25. “It was on being permeated by you that Lord Janārdana, in the form of a fish, performed various feats for the sake of uplifting the universe.”

26-27. They requested her thus: “O auspicious one, this place should never be abandoned by you. All these powerful Kṣetrapālas (i.e. watch and ward of all the holy shrines) (should be blessed by you). O auspicious one, those who worship you on the eighth and fourteenth day by means of oblation and flowers, should always be protected by you in the course of all mishaps.”

28. On being told thus, the Siddhamātā (Goddess) accepted it saying, “So be it.” They installed her to the north of the Liṅga.

29. Then the Devas themselves placed sixty-four Kṣetrapālas and Maheśvara named Siddheya for the protection of the holy spot.

30-31a. If people worship you at the beginning of their enterprises every year with the oblation of Rājamāṣa (a kind of pulse), you should protect them like a delighted father who protects his own people.

31b-32a. Thereafter the Devas who bestow spiritual achievements requested Siddhivināyaka, the son of Kapardin, and joyously installed him.

32b-35. The powerful god Vighnarāṭ (i.e. Gaṇeśa) grants Siddhi (‘success’) to those who always worship him here when beginning new undertakings.

If a person worships the seven Siddhas, visits them or remembers them, he is liberated from all the sins and blemishes. The seven Siddhas are: Siddheśvara, Siddhavaṭa, Siddhāṃbikā, Siddhavināyaka, Siddheya-Kṣetrādhipati (see verse 29), Siddhasaras and Siddhakūpa.^[3]

36-39a. The delighted Rudra granted rare boons to the Suras here:

“He who takes his bath in the Siddhakūpaka on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Vaiśākha, offers rice-balls at the (root of the) Banyan tree and worships me, attains Siddhis.

He who always worships me with the vow of celibacy and control over the senses, will achieve all the eight Siddhis. The eight Siddhis will be conducive to the attainment of what is wished for by him.

A man who, with mental concentration and purity, repeats the Mantras and performs Homas and offerings of oblations shall attain the Siddhi wished for.

39b-42a. He who visits Siddheśa with great mental concentration definitely attains Siddhi. Even if there are obstacles, he is not affected by them. The great goddess Siddhāṃbikā who is present here is the bestower of Siddhi on the leading Sādhakas (spiritual aspirants) who repeat Mahāvidyā^[4] ('the great Mantra’).

As a result of the repetition of the Mantras, she grants all the Siddhis desired, to the devotees who are steadfast, self-possessed, truthful in their minds and strictly adhering to the vow of celibacy.

42b-46. By the favour of Siddhāṃbikā, Vighneśvara, Kṣetrapati as well as mine, many miracles and wonderful incidents will happen in this place where a great cavity has been made (leading to) Pātāla by the Śakti of Guha. O Suras, crores of men will attain Śakti here. The Sādhakas will attain the states of Devas, Vidyādharas, Gandharvas, Nāgas (Serpents) and Yakṣas. They will be immortal. There is a Sthaṇḍila (altar, piece of ground) here named Vijaya. Thanks to its power, one will obtain rare Siddhi by propitiating Siddhāṃbikā. He who visits me stationed here, he who worships me or he who propagates my cult shall acquire merit.”

Nārada said:

47-49. When these boons were granted by the Three-eyed Lord, the excellent Suras became excessively delighted. They sang this lyric: “All of us, O Devas, have been gratified by him (i.e. the devotee) through Yajñas, repetition of holy names, hymns and austerities, by the man who worships the Siddhi Liṅga. ‘He will acquire all desired benefits.’ So quoth Śaṅkara.”

50-52. After saying this, the Devas who had become victorious in the company of Skanda, who had caused beautiful palaces of big pearls to be made, granted the facility of obtaining the fourfold aim in life (i.e. Virtue, Wealth, Love and Salvation) to the holy shrine, went away.

Some of them praised Skanda; others the holy spot; others Hari. Some of them praised the five Liṅgas and some the battle. Thus they went to heaven.

Then in the firmament (itself) Hara embraced Mahāsena and spoke:

53-54. “Dear Son, they stay permanently in the seventh layer of winds.^[5] Whenever there is anything to be done, O Son, I should be always consulted. By visiting me and through devotion unto me, you will attain the greatest welfare. I shall stay in Starabhatīrtha. I will never forsake it.”

55. After saying this, Maheśvara embraced him and bade him farewell. He bade farewell to the others too, the chiefs of whom were Brahmā and Viṣṇu. He was hailed and applauded by them with devotion.

56. The Suras who had been sent off went to their respective abodes. Śarva went to Kailāsa and Guha to the seventh Skandha (layer) (of winds).

57-60a. Thus the origin of the five Liṅgas has been recounted, O Son of Pṛthā.

A man of great intellect who reads the story connected with Skanda or he who listens to it or proclaims it to others, shall become famous, long-lived, lovely, pretty, glorious, brilliant and splendid to look at. He shall be free from fear of all living beings and devoid of miseries of all kinds.

A man who remains pure and listens to the story of Skanda in the presence of Kumāreśvara shall become a great owner of wealth.

60b-62. This (story) dispels all diseases of children afflicted with ailments as well as those persons who resort to the palace gates. It is conducive to wealth to a great extent. After death the man shall attain Sāyujya (i.e. perfect identity) with the Sixfaced Lord.

The Devas granted this boon to Skanda(?) and went to heaven.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The major shrines of Śiva mentioned in this Khaṇḍa are within an area of about ten acres around the present area of the chowk of Cambay.

Pratijñeśvara (Ch. 33), Kumāreśa (Ch. 34), Staṃbheśvara (Ch. 35) mentioned previously and Siddheśvara mentioned here—all are situated within this small area.

[2]:

Probably a namesake of Pralaṃba mentioned in Mbh, Ādi. 65.29, as other Purāṇas are silent about this feat of Skanda.

[3]:

This is the general set found in important Tīrthas. The word Siddha is in association with all, as it is the group of god Siddheśvara.

[4]:

Vide infra chapter 62 v60.

[5]:

This is Pravaha which causes the motion of the planets.