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Skandapurana 1.1.9

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1.1.9.1

Gautama said:

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

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

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Maheśvara said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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These are my principal names here, O great sage.

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

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

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

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Thus commanded, worshipping Mahādeva as Aruṇācala,

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

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Gaurī said:

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

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

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

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

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Brahmā said:

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

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

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Mahādeva said:

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

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

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Whatever sins have been committed in other births,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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There is no rebirth for him who makes the circumambulation

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

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

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

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

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

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Just as a woman close to childbirth walks without agitation,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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the vehicles of the hosts of gods pray to one another

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

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

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

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Surrounded by thousands of gods, Gandharvas, and others,

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hundreds of millions of aerial chariots crowded with attendants wait upon

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

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

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

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

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

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wander here unseen, beholding my presence.

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

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they, filled with joy, grant boons to mortals.

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

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

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

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

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Whatever man performs circumambulation on the earth on a Sunday,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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having attained omniscience, would become the master of speech.

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

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

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

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having obtained great prosperity, attains the abode of Viṣṇu.

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

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

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

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the merits swiftly approach one who performs my circumambulation.

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

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

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Various auspicious muhūrtas and hours, constantly rising,

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always become favorable for those who perform my circumambulation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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perform my own circumambulation at the conjunction of Uttarāyaṇa.

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My form is the fiery liṅga known as Aruṇādri;

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

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

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

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

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Gaurī will perform my circumambulation at dusk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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And whatever kings perform my divine circumambulation,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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One should never circumambulate me by means of a vehicle,

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

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

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chose to perform circumambulation of me on horseback.

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

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

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

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

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

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all circumambulate me on foot alone.

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

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having then performed circumambulation, regained his former state.

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

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

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

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

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

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mortals wander forever after having circumambulated me.

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Gaurī said:

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

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

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The sage said:

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

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which Parameśvara previously out of compassion told to me.

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

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

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

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

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Worms rolling beside me, freed from all evils,

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

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