Skandapurana 1.1.7

English (machine translation) 1.1.7

Language: English

1.1.7.22

Pārvatī said:
How did the liṅga made of fire become accessible on earth?
How did it attain pacification for all living beings as well?
How did the sacred fords arise from the holy Aruṇa Mountain?
Or tell me, how did the mountain withdraw all its limbs?
Gautama said:
In the Kṛta age, the mountain was made of fire; in the Tretā age, it was a mountain of gems;
In the Dvāpara age, it was a mountain of gold; in the Kali age, it is an emerald mountain.
When it stood made of fire extending for many yojanas in the Kṛta age,
The great seers performed circumambulation on the outside, and it grew calm.
Gradually, the glorious Lord of the Aruṇa mountain was pacified when beseeched by the gods;
For the protection of the world, Aruṇācala became exceedingly calm.
Then Gaurī said to the sage: "How was Aruṇācala pacified?
Or how did the thirty [gods] pray to this Lord of gods?"
Hearing her words, Gautama then spoke,
Praising her matchless devotion that knows the true meaning of reality.
Gautama said:
In ancient times, being unable to approach the mountain that was in the form of fire,
The gods formerly offered praise, having worshipped with products of sacrifice:
"O Lord, Ruler of the Aruṇa mountain, bringing welfare to all the worlds!
Though in the form of fire, shine forth pacified on the surface of the earth!
'He who is copper-colored, ruddy, brown, and supremely auspicious,'
Thus all the Vedas praise you whose form is Śiva.
Salutations to the copper-colored, ruddy Śiva, the Supreme Self,
Whose nature is to be known through the Vedas, who is Soma, who is bliss incarnate!
All this universe, moving and unmoving, is your form, O God;
This is seen as the treasure of the gods, like your own form.
When the rain clouds pour and numerous torrents flow,
The consumption of water by fire at the end of an age is proper for you.
Water arose from fire, indeed from you, the Supreme Self;
Out of the glory of your wondrous qualities, it spreads the creation of the universe.
Become cool, O Mahādeva, O Śoṇācala, ocean of mercy!
Become accessible to all living beings, O Lord!"
Praised thus by all the bowed gods, the lover of devotees,
The Lord, instantly becoming cool, became approachable.
Again, rivers and torrents with abundant water began to flow;
Even when the clouds poured down, he did not swallow up much water.
Even so, having a splendor equal to billions of rising morning suns and fires of time,
He became accessible to living beings.
Emitting the waters of the universe and filling the rivers with flowing streams,
The God shines forth everywhere at all times.
Those various sacred fords arose all around through the prayer
Of the guardians of the directions, the gods, and the great-souled seers.
Brahmā said:
Hearing his words, Gaurī, filled with curiosity,
Proceeded to hear about the origin of all the sacred fords.
Pārvatī said:
Which sacred fords arose from Śoṇādri for the protection of the world?
Lord, tell me the entire origin of the sacred fords.

Linked texts (1)

Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit