Skandapurana 1.1.9

Gautama said:

"O Lord, Master of the Crimson Mountain (Aruṇādri), I wish greatly to hear

your names in particular, in this place worshipped by the gods." / 1

Maheśvara said:

"Hear my principal names, O brāhmaṇa, best of the twice-born,

hard to attain for those of little merit, constantly granting desires on earth: / 2

Śoṇādrīśa (Lord of the Red Mountain), Aruṇādrīśa (Lord of the Crimson Mountain), Devādhīśa (Sovereign of the Gods), Janapriya (Beloved of the People),

Prapannarakṣaka (Protector of the Surrendered), Dhīra (Steadfast One), Śivasevakavardhaka (Prosperer of Śiva's Servants), / 3

Akṣipeyāmṛteśāna (Lord of Nectar Drinkable with the Eyes), Strīpuṃbhāvapradāyaka (Bestower of the State of Woman and Man),

Bhaktavijñaptisaṃdhātā (Fulfiller of Devotees' Petitions), Dīnabandhivimocaka (Deliverer of the Afflicted Prisoner), / 4

Mukharāṅghripati (Lord with Tinkling Feet), Śrīmat (Glorious One), Mṛḍa (Gracious One), Mṛgamadeśvara (Lord of Musk),

Bhaktaprekṣaṇakṛt (Gazer upon Devotees), Sākṣin (Witness), Bhaktadoṣanivartaka (Dispeller of Devotees' Faults), / 5

Jñānasambandhanātha (Lord of Jñānasambandha), Śrīhalāhalasundaka (Drinker of the Hālāhala Poison),

Āhavaiśvaryadātā (Bestower of Sovereignty in Battle), Smartṛsarvāghanāśana (Destroyer of All Sins of Those Who Remember Him), / 6

Vyatyastanṛtyaddhṛjadhṛk (Bearer of Dancing Steps with Swapped Feet), Sakānti (Radiant One), Naṭaneśvara (Lord of the Dance),

Sāmapriya (Fond of the Sāman), Kalidhvaṃsin (Destroyer of Kali), Vedamūrti (Embodiment of the Vedas), Nirañjana (Spotless One), / 7

Jagannātha (Lord of the Universe), Mahādeva (Great God), Trinetra (Three-Eyed One), Tripurāntaka (Destroyer of Tripura),

Bhaktāparādhasoḍhṛ (Forgiver of Devotees' Transgressions), Yogīśa (Lord of Yogins), Bhoganāyaka (Master of Enjoyment), / 8

Bālamūrti (Child-Formed), Kṣamārūpin (Embodiment of Forbearance), Dharmarakṣa (Protector of Dharma), Vṛṣadhvaja (Whose Banner Is the Bull),

Hara (Seizer), Girīśvara (Lord of the Mountain), Bharga (Radiant Lord), Candrarekhāvataṃsaka (Adorned with the Crescent Moon), / 9

Smarāntaka (End of Kāma), Andhakaripu (Foe of Andhaka), Siddharāja (King of the Perfected), Digambara (Clad in the Quarters),

Āgamapriya (Lover of the Āgamas), Īśāna (Ruler), Bhasmarudrākṣalāñchana (Marked with Ashes and Rudrākṣa Beads), / 10

Śrīpati (Lord of Śrī), Śaṃkara (Auspicious One), Sraṣṭṛ (Creator), Sarvavidyeśvara (Lord of All Sciences), Anagha (Sinless One),

Gaṅgādhara (Bearer of the Gaṅgā), Kratudhvaṃsa (Destroyer of the Sacrifice), Vimala (Pure One), Nāgabhūṣaṇa (Adorned with Serpents), / 11

Aruṇa (Crimson One), Bahurūpa (Multiform), Virūpākṣa (Diverse-Eyed), Akṣarākṛti (Imperishable in Form),

Anādi (Beginningless), Antarahita (Endless), Śivakāma (Loving Śivā), Svayamprabhu (Self-Sovereign Lord), / 12

Saccidānandarūpa (Whose Form Is Being, Consciousness, and Bliss), Sarvātman (Soul of All), Jīvadhāraka (Sustainer of Living Beings),

Strīsaṅgavāmasubhaga (Charming with a Woman on His Left), Vidhi (Ordainer), Vihitasundara (Beautiful in Action), / 13

Jñānaprada (Giver of Knowledge), Muktida (Bestower of Liberation), Bhaktavāñchitadāyaka (Granter of Devotees' Wishes),

Āścaryavaibhava (Possessor of Wondrous Might), Kāmin (Desiring One), Niravadya (Faultless One), Nidhiprada (Giver of Treasures), / 14

Śūlin (Trident-Bearer), Paśupati (Lord of Creatures), Śambhu (Auspicious One), Svayambhū (Self-Manifest), Giriśa (Dweller on the Mountain), Mṛḍa (Gracious One). / 15

These are my principal names here, O great sage.

Remember [also] the other divine names declared in the Purāṇas.

Worship me especially and constantly by circumambulation (pradakṣiṇa), / 16

since I, having the form of the Crimson Mountain (Śoṇācala), am fond of circumambulation."

Thus commanded, worshipping Mahādeva as Aruṇācala,

I took up residence here, O daughter of the mountain, without ever leaving. / 17

Gaurī said:

"O venerable one, knower of all righteousness, noble Gautama, chief of sages,

tell me the greatness of the circumambulation of the Red Mountain (Śoṇabhūbhṛt): / 18

At what time, how should it be performed, and by whom was circumambulation performed

of the Lord of the Crimson Mountain in the past, so that the desired supreme state was attained?" / 19

Brahmā said:

Thus questioned, the sage Gautama said to the mountain's daughter:

"May the greatness be heard, O goddess, as Maheśvara instructed me." / 20

Mahādeva said:

For I am the Red Mountain in essence, a light upon the surface of the earth. // 21

All the gods, together with the sages, abide all around me. // 22

Whatever sins have been committed in other births,

every single one of them is destroyed at every step of circumambulation. // 23

Thousands of horse-sacrifices and tens of thousands of Vājapeya sacrifices,

and [the fruits of] all sacred fords are accomplished at every step of circumambulation. // 24

Even for one devoid of all auspicious marks, destitute of ritual actions, of low birth,

who circumambulates the Moon-crested Lord and proceeds forward, what accomplishment does not lie ahead? // 25

The merit found in visiting all sacred fords, and all the religious merit arising from all sacrifices and Āgamas,

is truly attained by undertaking the circumambulation of the Red Mountain. // 26

With one step a mortal conquers the earthly realm, with the second the atmosphere,

and with the third heaven, during its circumambulation. // 27

With one [step] mental sin, and with the second vocal [sin],

and with the third step bodily [sin] is destroyed for men. // 28

And one wipes away all grave sins with a single step;

with the second he attains the fruit of all austerity, from its circumambulation. // 29

There are leaf-huts of great seers and Siddhas by the thousands,

and likewise there exist here thousands of dwellings of the gods. // 30

Here, furthermore, as a perfected one, worshipped by the gods, I dwell constantly in their presence.

Within me is a divine cave endowed with enjoyments, which is to be meditated upon. // 31

Meditation should be made upon my vast liṅga whose form consists of a pillar of fire,

known as Aruṇācala and the rest; and one should slowly make the circumambulation. // 32

Meditating on this liṅga composed of the eight forms, exceedingly fiery,

he who makes the circumambulation burns away his grave sins completely. // 33

There is no rebirth for him who makes the circumambulation

of the One whose form is the Red Mountain; he surely attains eternal permanence. // 34

The entire earth is purified by the touch of his foot-dust,

who places a single step in circumambulating the Lord of the Red Mountain. // 35

Bowing in every direction, meditating, praising with folded hands,

not touching his hands with anyone, he should make the circumambulation slowly. // 36

Just as a woman close to childbirth walks without agitation,

so should one make the circumambulation, not even hearing the sound of his footsteps. // 37

Bathed, wearing pure garments, adorned with ashes and rudrākṣa beads,

absorbed in the remembrance of Śiva, the wise person should step slowly. // 38

Reflecting on the collision, excessive jostling, and blocking of the path

of the mantras moving in front, and of thousands of gods,

and of invisible Siddhas and others having the form of wind,

the wise devotee should place his foot gently, in an agreeable manner. // 40

Or else, loudly chanting the names of Śiva with excellent songs

and performing the dance of Śiva, he should circumambulate together with the devotees. // 41

Or listening to my māhātmya with an undivided mind and with reverence,

filled with the nectar of bliss, he should circumambulate slowly. // 42

And with various gifts, meritorious deeds, and acts of assistance to those in need,

filled with compassion according to his ability, the faithful person should go round. // 43

One should meditate upon it as a liṅga composed of fire in the Kṛta age, as a mountain of jewels in the Tretā,

as golden in the Dvāpara, and as an emerald mountain in the Kali age. // 44

Or meditating upon its form as crystal, red and self-luminous,

freed from all sins, he goes to the city of Śiva. // 45

Because it cannot be reached by speech and mind, because it is self-incommensurable,

and because of its fiery nature, meditating upon this supreme liṅga named the Unattainable Mountain,

I am easily reached by the one who performs the circumambulation.

His foot-dust causes men to become ageless and immortal. // 47

Whosoever assumes a single form in circumambulating the Lord of the Red Mountain—

the vehicles of the hosts of gods pray to one another

to bear the foot of those performing the circumambulation of the Red Mountain.

The celestial trees such as the wish-fulfilling tree provide shade

for mortals on earth who are performing the circumambulation of the Red Mountain.

Surrounded by thousands of gods, Gandharvas, and others,

hundreds of millions of aerial chariots crowded with attendants wait upon

those who make my circumambulation on earth, with the dust of their feet. // 51

The great pathway is purified; seen, it bestows the state of Śiva.

Performing circumambulation with one’s whole body rolling, one attains a heavenly form in an instant.

Having attained an adamantine body, he cannot be overpowered on the earth.

The gods, keen on aerial journeys, the siddhas, and the supreme seers,

wander here unseen, beholding my presence.

Seeing modesty and devotion toward me during the course of circumambulation,

they, filled with joy, grant boons to mortals.

Here, in ancient times, the thirty-three gods, having performed circumambulation,

residing daily along the path, individually attained the status of ten million.

All the planets, beginning with the Sun, having performed circumambulation in ancient times,

all attained the status of lords of planets across the entire expanse of the earth.

Whatever man performs circumambulation on the earth on a Sunday,

he pierces the solar disc and, liberated, goes to the city of Śiva.

A man performing circumambulation of the red mountain on a Monday,

having attained freedom from old age and death, is not unhappy on earth.

A man performing circumambulation of the red mountain on a Tuesday,

having attained complete freedom from debt, surely becomes a universal sovereign.

A man performing circumambulation of the Lord of Śoṇādri on a Wednesday,

having attained omniscience, would become the master of speech.

A man who performs it on a Thursday is bowed to by all the gods;

through the circumambulation of Śoṇādri he becomes a teacher of the world.

A man performing circumambulation of the red mountain on a Friday,

having obtained great prosperity, attains the abode of Viṣṇu.

A man, having performed circumambulation of the Lord of Śoṇādri on a Saturday,

freed from afflictions caused by the planets, becomes a conqueror of the universe.

All the lunar mansions together with their presiding deities in ancient times...

the merits swiftly approach one who performs my circumambulation.

The lunar days, the half-tithis, and the astrologic yogas beloved by me,

become grantors of desired fruits for those who perform my circumambulation.

Various auspicious muhūrtas and hours, constantly rising,

always become favorable for those who perform my circumambulation.

The syllable 'pra' cuts away sin; the syllable 'da' bestows desired things;

through the syllable 'kṣi' action is destroyed; the syllable 'ṇa' bestows liberation.

Those who are weak, emaciated, and beset with mental and physical afflictions,

having performed my circumambulation, are freed from all evil deeds.

Of one who constantly performs my circumambulation on foot with devotion,

I regard [it] instantly, O virtuous lady, as the circumambulation of the three worlds.

The world-protectors, the guardians of the directions, and the other causal lords,

having performed my circumambulation, became firmly established in their kingdoms in ancient times.

And I, accompanied by my attendants and joined by all the divine seers,

perform my own circumambulation at the conjunction of Uttarāyaṇa.

My form is the fiery liṅga known as Aruṇādri;

for the welfare of the three worlds I shall perform the circumambulation.

And Gaurī, having arrived at the supreme end, performing wondrous austerity here,

having made circumambulation, the sinless one will come to me again.

In the month of Kārtika, during the constellation named Kṛttikā, rich in austerity,

Gaurī will perform my circumambulation at dusk.

That circumambulation is difficult to attain for men of small merit.

When the liṅga of light is beheld, so too by the prayer of the Goddess,

united with me, that Goddess, having received the name Apītakucā,

will bring comfort to all the gods at the conjunction of Uttarāyaṇa.

Of the gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, and also siddhas and rākṣasas,

a gathering of all the divine classes of beings will take place there.

Those rich in austerity who come at that time and worship me,

attain expiation for the flood of sins committed across all births.

That day at the conjunction of Uttarāyaṇa is rare for men to obtain.

Worshiping my form then, may men have their aims fulfilled.

And whatever kings perform my divine circumambulation,

going directly in front of them, I will conquer their enemies.

Whatever king of whatever realm, who is rich in austerity...

he should cause circumambulation of me to be performed by foremost brahmins versed in the Vedas,

for a mandala or half a mandala, preceded by the rite of ritual vow.

For every such [king], a stable realm and the overthrow of his enemies

I shall constantly bring about, O sage, standing before him myself.

One should never circumambulate me by means of a vehicle,

if his mind is eager for merit and he knows the overflow of Śiva's conduct.

In former times King Dharmaketu, having returned from Yama's world,

chose to perform circumambulation of me on horseback.

In an instant the horse became a lord of the gaṇas worshipped by the gods;

abandoning the king, it attained Śiva's supreme state.

Having seen that mount take on the form of a lord of the gaṇas,

he made the circumambulation on foot, and himself became a lord of the gaṇas.

From that time forward, Indra and the other gods, accompanied by Viṣṇu,

all circumambulate me on foot alone.

A certain siddha cast down from heaven in the course of time through exhaustion of austerity,

having then performed circumambulation, regained his former state.

The blood flowing from a stumble of the foot of one who circumambulates me

is wiped away by the filaments of mandāra flowers on the crown of the king of gods.

The foot struck by sharp stone chips on the great avenue of circumambulation

is supported by the saffron on the breasts of Śrī for mortals.

Upon the peaks of the jewel-mountain, amid the groves of wish-fulfilling trees,

mortals wander forever after having circumambulated me.

Gaurī said:

Declare to me the fruit for those engaged in acts of worship, O you of noble vows,

by which people become fulfilled according to their capacity, having shown devotion.

The sage said:

Listen, O goddess, I shall declare to you the fruit of worship

which Parameśvara previously out of compassion told to me.

A spider, having spun webs of thread somewhere for me,

remembering its past lives, clothed me on this mountain with fine garments.

A certain elephant overcome with thirst, having released ichor somewhere,

scattered wild shoots and was liberated as a lord of the gaṇas.

Worms rolling beside me, freed from all evils,

assume the form of siddhas and all go to my world.