Chapter 92 - Greatness of Aghoreśvara (Aghora-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a devotee should proceed to the excellent Aghoreśvara. It is the sixth Liṅga and its face is remembered as Bhairava (terrible). Its shrine is situated to the north-west of Tryaṃbakeśvara within a distance of five Dhanus. It is meritorious. It bestows all desires. It is destructive of the sins of Kali Age. A man who adores it devoutly by means of ablution, eulogy etc, in due order, shall get the entire fruit of the gift of Meru.

4. Depending on Dakṣiṇāmūrti everything that is offered there to Lord Aghoreśvara shall be everlasting.

5-7. If a devotee performs Śrāddha to the south of Aghoreśvara, the Pitṛs so propitiated remain happy for a Kalpa. Of what avail is Śrāddha at Gayā Tīrtha, O my beloved? Of what avail is a horse-sacrifīce? By performing Śrāddha there, all these benefits and even more are obtained. He who offers even a bit of gold during the pilgrimage, obtains abundant fruit of a great act of charity.

8-9. He who performs Brahmakūrca in accordance with the injunctions on the eighth lunar day on a Monday in the vicinity of Aghoreśvara uttering Aghora Mantra^[1] gets the fruit of performing Prāyaścitta (expiation) for six years. Thus the great glory of Aghoreśa has been briefly spoken. The greatness is destructive of all sins. If listened to it accomplishes all objectives.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Probably aghorebhyo’ tha ghorebhyo etc.—Taitt. Āraṇyaka XVII.3.