Chapter 97 - Greatness of Yogeśvara (Yoga-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, a pilgrim should go to the shrine well-known as Yogeśvara, O great goddess. It is situated within a distance of seven Dhanus from Kāmeśa in the north-western direction.

The Liṅga is of great power. It destroys sins through viewing (it). In the earlier Yuga, it was well-known as Gaṇeśvara.

O goddess, formerly the highly powerful innumerable Gaṇas of mine came to Prabhāsa after knowing that it is a holy spot of Maheśvara.

4. Staying there they resorted to Yoga practice and performed a great penance for a thousand years according to the divine reckoning. Maheśvara was pleased thereby.

5. The Lord granted them salvation called Sālokya (Residence in the world of the Lord) as a result of their Yogic power. Since the Bull-bannered Lord was pleased with their Yogic practice consisting of six ancillaries, the Liṅga was given the name Yogeśvara. It bestows the fruit in the form of Yogic power.

6. He who devoutly worships it in accordance with the injunctions of a perfect adoration, attains Yogic Siddhi and rejoices in heaven like Devas.

7. A man may gift away the golden Meru or the entire earth. But he who worships Yogeśa is remembered as superior to both of them.

8. For the sake of the full benefit, a bull should be given as a charitable gift there.

Thus the eleven Rudras stationed in Prabhāsa Kṣetra have been described. They are to be worshipped and honoured everyday by those who desire to attain the fruit of (visiting) the holy spot.

9. He who listens to the Saṃhitā (Scriptural Text) pertaining to the eleven Rudras attains the entire fruit of (visiting) the holy spot like the residents of Prabhāsa.

10. He who resides within this holy place yet does not know these Rudras stationed in Prabhāsa is no better than non-existent (despite his residence therein). He is remembered as a beast.

11. After worshipping all these eleven Rudras or one only, and visiting the deity Someśvara, a devotee should perform the Japa of Śatarudriya. There is no doubt about this that he acquires the fruit (of the worship) of all the Rudras.

12. O beautiful woman, this secret of the greatness of the Rudras has been fully spoken to you. When listened to, it destroys sins and increases merit.