Varaha Purana — Chapter 97
VrP 97.1
।। अथ रुद्रमाहात्म्यम् ।। वराह उवाच ।। अथ रुद्रव्रतोत्पत्तिं शृणु देवि वरानने ।। येन ज्ञातेन पापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
|| atha rudramāhātmyam || varāha uvāca || atha rudravratotpattiṃ śṛṇu devi varānane || yena jñātena pāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
Now the greatness of Rudra. The Boar said: Now hear, O goddess of fair face, the origin of the Rudra vow, by knowing which one is released from sins—there is no doubt in this.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.2
ब्रह्मणा तु यदा सृष्टः पूर्वं रुद्रो वरानने ।। तृतीये जन्मनि विभुः पिङ्गाक्षो नीललोहितः
brahmaṇā tu yadā sṛṣṭaḥ pūrvaṃ rudro varānane || tṛtīye janmani vibhuḥ piṅgākṣo nīlalohitaḥ
When Rudra was formerly created by Brahmā, O fair-faced one, the mighty one in his third birth was tawny-eyed and dark red.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.3
तदा कौतूहलाद्ब्रह्मा स्कन्धे तं जगृहे प्रभुः ।। स्कन्धारूढस्तदा रुद्रो ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः
tadā kautūhalādbrahmā skandhe taṃ jagṛhe prabhuḥ || skandhārūḍhastadā rudro brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ
Then Brahmā the lord, out of curiosity, took him upon his shoulder; and Rudra, mounted on the shoulder of Brahmā whose birth is unmanifest,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.4
जन्मतश्च शिरो यद्धि पंचमं तज्जगाद ह ।। मन्त्रमाथर्वणं रुद्रो येन सद्यः प्रमुच्यते
janmataśca śiro yaddhi paṃcamaṃ tajjagāda ha || mantramātharvaṇaṃ rudro yena sadyaḥ pramucyate
—and the fifth head, counting from (his) birth—that one indeed spoke. Rudra (uttered) the Atharvan mantra, by which one is at once released.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.5
कपालिन् रुद्र बभ्रोऽथ भव कैरात सुव्रत ।। पाहि विश्वं विशालाक्ष कुमार वरविक्रम
kapālin rudra babhro'tha bhava kairāta suvrata || pāhi viśvaṃ viśālākṣa kumāra varavikrama
"O skull-bearer, Rudra, Babhru, and Bhava, Kairāta, of good vows! Protect the universe, O wide-eyed one, O youth of excellent valour!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.6
एवमुक्तस्तदा रुद्रो भविष्यैर्नामभिर्भवः ।। कपालशब्दात्कुपितस्तच्छिरो विचकर्त्त ह
evamuktastadā rudro bhaviṣyairnāmabhirbhavaḥ || kapālaśabdātkupitastacchiro vicakartta ha
Thus addressed by names that were to be, Rudra Bhava, angered by the word "skull," then cut off that head—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.7
वामाङ्गुष्ठनखेनाद्यं प्राजापत्यं विचक्षणः ।। तन्निकृत्तं शिरो धात्रि हस्तलग्नं बभूव ह
vāmāṅguṣṭhanakhenādyaṃ prājāpatyaṃ vicakṣaṇaḥ || tannikṛttaṃ śiro dhātri hastalagnaṃ babhūva ha
—the discerning one (cut off) with the nail of his left thumb that first head belonging to Prajāpati; and that severed head, O Supporter (Earth), became stuck to his hand.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.8
तस्मिन्निकृत्ते शिरसि प्राजापत्यं त्रिलोचनः।। ब्रह्माणं प्रयतो भूत्वा रुद्रो वचनमब्रवीत्
tasminnikṛtte śirasi prājāpatyaṃ trilocanaḥ|| brahmāṇaṃ prayato bhūtvā rudro vacanamabravīt
When that head of Prajāpati had been severed, the three-eyed Rudra, becoming self-controlled, spoke these words to Brahmā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.9
रुद्र उवाच ।। कथं कपालं मे देव करात्पतति सुव्रत ।। नश्यते च कथं पापं ममैतद्वद सुव्रत
rudra uvāca || kathaṃ kapālaṃ me deva karātpatati suvrata || naśyate ca kathaṃ pāpaṃ mamaitadvada suvrata
Rudra said: How, O god of good vows, will the skull fall from my hand? And how will my sin perish? Tell me this, O you of good vows.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.11
एवमुक्तस्तदा रुद्रो ब्रह्मणाऽव्यक्तमूर्त्तिना ।। आजगाम गिरिं गन्तुं माहेन्द्रं पापनाशनम्
evamuktastadā rudro brahmaṇā'vyaktamūrttinā || ājagāma giriṃ gantuṃ māhendraṃ pāpanāśanam
Thus addressed by Brahmā of unmanifest form, Rudra then came, to go to Mount Mahendra, the destroyer of sin.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.12
तत्र स्थित्वा महादेवस्तच्छिरो बिभिदे त्रिधा ।। तस्मिन् भिन्ने पृथक्केशान्गृहीत्वा भगवान्भवः
tatra sthitvā mahādevastacchiro bibhide tridhā || tasmin bhinne pṛthakkeśāngṛhītvā bhagavānbhavaḥ
Standing there, Mahādeva split that head in three; and when it was split, the Lord Bhava, taking the hairs separately,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.13
यज्ञोपवीतं केशं तु महास्थ्नाक्षमणींस्तथा ।। कपालशकलं चैकमसृक्पूर्णं करे स्थितम्
yajñopavītaṃ keśaṃ tu mahāsthnākṣamaṇīṃstathā || kapālaśakalaṃ caikamasṛkpūrṇaṃ kare sthitam
(He took) the sacred thread and the hair, and likewise the great bones and the rosary of beads; and one piece of the skull, filled with blood, remained in his hand.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.14
अपरं खण्डशः कृत्वा जटाजूटे न्यवेशयत् ।। एवं कृत्वा महादेवो बभ्रामेमां वसुन्धराम्
aparaṃ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtvā jaṭājūṭe nyaveśayat || evaṃ kṛtvā mahādevo babhrāmemāṃ vasundharām
The other (portion) he broke into pieces and set it in his matted braid of hair. Having done thus, Mahādeva wandered over this earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.15
सप्तद्वीपवतीं पुण्यां मज्जंस्तीर्थेषु नित्यशः ।। समुद्रे प्रथमं स्नात्वा ततो गङ्गां व्यगाहत
saptadvīpavatīṃ puṇyāṃ majjaṃstīrtheṣu nityaśaḥ || samudre prathamaṃ snātvā tato gaṅgāṃ vyagāhata
(He wandered over) the holy (earth) with its seven continents, constantly plunging into the sacred fords; having first bathed in the ocean, he then immersed himself in the Gaṅgā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.17
वितस्तां चन्द्रभागां च गोमतीं सिन्धुमेव च ।। तुङ्गभद्रां तथा गोदामुत्तरे गण्डकीं तथा
vitastāṃ candrabhāgāṃ ca gomatīṃ sindhumeva ca || tuṅgabhadrāṃ tathā godāmuttare gaṇḍakīṃ tathā
(Then) the Vitastā and the Candrabhāgā, the Gomatī and the Sindhu, the Tuṅgabhadrā and the Godā(varī), and the Gaṇḍakī in the north.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.18
नेपालं च ततो गत्वा ततो रुद्रमहालयम् ।। ततो दारुवनं गत्वा केदारगमनं पुनः
nepālaṃ ca tato gatvā tato rudramahālayam || tato dāruvanaṃ gatvā kedāragamanaṃ punaḥ
And then, having gone to Nepāla, then to Rudramahālaya, then having gone to the Dāru forest, again the journey to Kedāra.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.19
महेश्वरं ततो गत्वा गयां पुण्यामथागमत् ।। तत्र फल्गुकृतस्नानः पितॄन्सन्तर्प्य यत्नतः
maheśvaraṃ tato gatvā gayāṃ puṇyāmathāgamat || tatra phalgukṛtasnānaḥ pitṝnsantarpya yatnataḥ
Then, having gone to Maheśvara, he came to holy Gayā; there, having made his bath in the Phalgu and diligently offered libations to the ancestors—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.21
परिधानं तु कौपीनं नग्नः कापालिकोऽभवत् ।। भ्रमतः परिधानं तु कौपीनं रशना गतम्
paridhānaṃ tu kaupīnaṃ nagnaḥ kāpāliko'bhavat || bhramataḥ paridhānaṃ tu kaupīnaṃ raśanā gatam
His garment was a loincloth; naked, he became a skull-bearer. As he wandered, the garment—the loincloth—turned into a mere girdle.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.22
तस्मिंस्तु पतिते देवि नग्नः कापालिकोऽभवत्
tasmiṃstu patite devi nagnaḥ kāpāliko'bhavat
And when that had fallen, O goddess, naked he became a skull-bearer.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.23
पुनरब्दद्वयं भ्रान्तस्तीर्थे तीर्थे हरः स्वयम् ।। कपालं त्यक्तुकामः सन्तद्धस्तात्तत्तु नापतत्
punarabdadvayaṃ bhrāntastīrthe tīrthe haraḥ svayam || kapālaṃ tyaktukāmaḥ santaddhastāttattu nāpatat
Again for two years Hara himself wandered from sacred ford to sacred ford; though wishing to cast off the skull, it did not fall from his hand.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.24
पुनरब्दद्वयं भ्रान्तो ब्रह्माण्डं तीर्थकारणात् ।। तीर्थेतीर्थे हरः स्नात्वा कपालं त्यक्तुमिच्छति
punarabdadvayaṃ bhrānto brahmāṇḍaṃ tīrthakāraṇāt || tīrthetīrthe haraḥ snātvā kapālaṃ tyaktumicchati
Again for two years he wandered the whole world-egg for the sake of the sacred fords; bathing at ford after ford, Hara wishes to cast off the skull.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.25
त्यजतोऽपि न तद्धस्ताच्च्यवते भूतधारिणि ।। ततोऽब्दमेकं बभ्राम हिमवत्पर्वते शुभे
tyajato'pi na taddhastāccyavate bhūtadhāriṇi || tato'bdamekaṃ babhrāma himavatparvate śubhe
Even as he cast it away it does not fall from his hand, O supporter of beings. Then for one year he wandered on the beautiful Himavat mountain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.26
ततोऽन्यद्वर्षमेकं तु वर्त्तते हिमवद्गिरौ ।। भ्रमतो विभ्रमो जातस्त्रिणेत्रस्य महात्मनः
tato'nyadvarṣamekaṃ tu varttate himavadgirau || bhramato vibhramo jātastriṇetrasya mahātmanaḥ
Then yet another year passes on the Himavat mountain; and as the great-souled three-eyed one wandered, bewilderment arose (in him).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.27
पुनरब्दद्वयं चान्यत्परमेष्ठी वृषाकपिः ।। बभ्राम रुद्रस्तीर्थानि पुराणानि समन्ततः
punarabdadvayaṃ cānyatparameṣṭhī vṛṣākapiḥ || babhrāma rudrastīrthāni purāṇāni samantataḥ
And again for another two years the supreme lord, Vṛṣākapi, Rudra, wandered among the ancient sacred fords on every side.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.28
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य द्वादशेऽब्दे धराधरे ।। वाराणसीं गतो देवस्तत्र स्नानमथारभत्
kasyacittvatha kālasya dvādaśe'bde dharādhare || vārāṇasīṃ gato devastatra snānamathārabhat
Then, after some time, in the twelfth year, the god went to Vārāṇasī on the earth-supporting (mountain?) and there began his bath.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.29
गङ्गायां देवदेवेशो यावन्मज्जति भामिनि ।। भवेत्कपालं पतितं हस्ताग्राद्ब्रह्मणः पुरा
gaṅgāyāṃ devadeveśo yāvanmajjati bhāmini || bhavetkapālaṃ patitaṃ hastāgrādbrahmaṇaḥ purā
As the lord of the gods of gods immerses himself in the Gaṅgā, O lovely one, the skull that formerly (came) from the tip of Brahmā's hand would fall away.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.31
गत्वा हरिहरक्षेत्रं स्नात्वा देवाङ्गदे तथा ।। सोमेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य गतोऽसौ चक्रतीर्थकम्
gatvā hariharakṣetraṃ snātvā devāṅgade tathā || someśvaraṃ samabhyarcya gato'sau cakratīrthakam
Having gone to the field of Harihara and bathed at Devāṅgada, and having duly worshipped Someśvara, he went to Cakratīrtha.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.32
तत्र स्नात्वा तथा नत्वा त्रिजलेश्वरसंज्ञितम् ।। अयोध्यायां तथा गत्वा वाराणस्यां ततोऽगमत्
tatra snātvā tathā natvā trijaleśvarasaṃjñitam || ayodhyāyāṃ tathā gatvā vārāṇasyāṃ tato'gamat
Having bathed there and likewise bowed to the one named Trijaleśvara, and having gone to Ayodhyā, he then went to Vārāṇasī.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.33
द्वादशाब्दैर्गतवतः सीमाचारिगणैस्तथा ।। बलात्कारेण तद्धस्तात्कपालं पातितं भुवि
dvādaśābdairgatavataḥ sīmācārigaṇaistathā || balātkāreṇa taddhastātkapālaṃ pātitaṃ bhuvi
After twelve years had passed for him, by the troops of the guardians of the boundaries the skull was forcibly made to fall from his hand to the ground.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.34
कपालमोचनं तीर्थं ततो जातमघापहम् ।। गङ्गाम्भसि ततः स्नाप्य विश्वेशं पूज्य भक्तितः
kapālamocanaṃ tīrthaṃ tato jātamaghāpaham || gaṅgāmbhasi tataḥ snāpya viśveśaṃ pūjya bhaktitaḥ
From that arose the sin-removing sacred ford Kapālamocana; then, having bathed (it) in the water of the Gaṅgā and worshipped Viśveśa with devotion—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.35
रुद्रो विशुद्धिमापन्नो मुक्तः स ब्रह्महत्यया ।। कपालमोचनं नाम तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्
rudro viśuddhimāpanno muktaḥ sa brahmahatyayā || kapālamocanaṃ nāma tīrthaṃ trailokyaviśrutam
Rudra attained purity and was freed from the murder of a brahmin; the sacred ford named Kapālamocana (became) renowned in the three worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.36
यत्राप्लुतो नरो भक्त्या ब्रह्महा तु विशुध्यति ।। कपालं पतितं दृष्ट्वा रुद्रहस्ताच्चतुर्मुखः
yatrāpluto naro bhaktyā brahmahā tu viśudhyati || kapālaṃ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā rudrahastāccaturmukhaḥ
Where a man who has bathed with devotion, even a slayer of a brahmin, becomes purified. Seeing the skull fallen from Rudra's hand, the four-faced (Brahmā),
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.37
आगतो देवसहितो वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह ।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। भव रुद्र विशालाक्ष लोकमार्गव्यवस्थित
āgato devasahito vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha || brahmovāca || bhava rudra viśālākṣa lokamārgavyavasthita
came, together with the gods, and spoke this speech: Brahmā said: Be (well), Rudra, wide-eyed one, established on the path of the world!
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.38
(भव रुद्र विरूपाक्ष लोकमार्गे व्यास्थितः ।। व्रतानि कुरु ते देव त्वच्चीर्णानि महाप्रभो ।।) कपालं गृह्य यद्भ्रान्तं कपालव्यग्रपाणिना ।। तद्व्रतं नग्नकापालं भविष्यति नृणां भुवि
(bhava rudra virūpākṣa lokamārge vyāsthitaḥ || vratāni kuru te deva tvaccīrṇāni mahāprabho ||) kapālaṃ gṛhya yadbhrāntaṃ kapālavyagrapāṇinā || tadvrataṃ nagnakāpālaṃ bhaviṣyati nṛṇāṃ bhuvi
(Be, Rudra, misshapen-eyed one, established on the path of the world; perform the vows, O god, that have been carried out by you, O great lord.) The wandering that (you) did, taking up the skull, with (your) hand occupied by the skull — that vow will become the naked-skull-bearer's (vow) for men on earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.39
यच्च ते बभ्रुता जाता हिमवत्यचलोत्तमे ।। भ्रमतस्तद्व्रतं देव बाभ्रव्यं तद्भविष्यति
yacca te babhrutā jātā himavatyacalottame || bhramatastadvrataṃ deva bābhravyaṃ tadbhaviṣyati
And because tawniness (babhrutā) arose in you on Himavat, the best of mountains, while (you) wandered, that vow, O god, will become the Bābhravya (vow).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.41
ये पुरस्कृत्य देवास्त्वां पूज्यं यद्विधिनान्विताः ।। शास्त्राणि तानि सर्वेषां कथयिष्यामि नान्यथा
ye puraskṛtya devāstvāṃ pūjyaṃ yadvidhinānvitāḥ || śāstrāṇi tāni sarveṣāṃ kathayiṣyāmi nānyathā
Those gods who, putting you in front, (worship you), you who are to be worshipped, endowed with the proper rite — I shall declare those scriptures for all, and not otherwise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 97.42
व्रतानि कुरुते देव त्वत्कृतानि हि पुत्रक ।। स त्वत्प्रसाद्देवेश ब्रह्महापि विशुध्यति
vratāni kurute deva tvatkṛtāni hi putraka || sa tvatprasāddeveśa brahmahāpi viśudhyati
One performs the vows, O god, that were established by you, my son; and by your grace, O lord of gods, even a brahmin-slayer becomes purified.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.43
यद्व्रतं नग्नकापालं यद्बाभ्रव्यं त्वया कृतम् ।। यत्कृतं शुद्धशैवं च तत्तन्नाम्ना भविष्यति
yadvrataṃ nagnakāpālaṃ yadbābhravyaṃ tvayā kṛtam || yatkṛtaṃ śuddhaśaivaṃ ca tattannāmnā bhaviṣyati
The vow of the naked skull-bearer, and the Bābhravya (vow) that was made by you, and the Pure Śaiva (vow) that was made — each of these will (be known) by that name.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.44
मां पुरस्कृत्य देवस्त्वं पूज्यसे यैर्विधानतः ।। तेषां शास्त्राणि सर्वाणि शास्त्रं पाशुपतं तथा
māṃ puraskṛtya devastvaṃ pūjyase yairvidhānataḥ || teṣāṃ śāstrāṇi sarvāṇi śāstraṃ pāśupataṃ tathā
You, O god, are worshipped according to rule by those who put me in front — all their scriptures, and likewise the Pāśupata scripture,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.45
कथयस्व महादेव सविधानं समासतः ।। एवमुक्तस्ततो रुद्रो ब्रह्मणाऽव्यक्तमूर्त्तिना
kathayasva mahādeva savidhānaṃ samāsataḥ || evamuktastato rudro brahmaṇā'vyaktamūrttinā
declare (them), O Mahādeva, together with their rites, in brief. Thus addressed by Brahmā, whose form is unmanifest, Rudra then,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.46
देवैर्जयेति संतुष्टः कैलासनिलयं ययौ ।। ब्रह्मा चापि सुरैः सार्द्धं गतः स्वर्लोकमुत्तमं
devairjayeti saṃtuṣṭaḥ kailāsanilayaṃ yayau || brahmā cāpi suraiḥ sārddhaṃ gataḥ svarlokamuttamaṃ
gratified by the gods with (cries of) "Victory!", went to his abode on Kailāsa; and Brahmā too, together with the gods, went to the highest heavenly world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.47
देवा अपि ययुः खं च स्वस्थानं ते यथागतम् ।। एतद्रुद्रस्य माहात्म्यं मया ते परिकीर्त्तितम्
devā api yayuḥ khaṃ ca svasthānaṃ te yathāgatam || etadrudrasya māhātmyaṃ mayā te parikīrttitam
The gods also went through the sky, each to his own place, as they had come. This greatness of Rudra has been fully recounted by me to you,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.48
चरितं यच्च देवस्य वित्तं समभवद्भुवि
caritaṃ yacca devasya vittaṃ samabhavadbhuvi
and the deed of the god, which became known on earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.49
सरस्वतीं ततो गत्वा यमुनासङ्गमं ततः।। शतद्रुं च ततो गत्वा देविकां च महानदीम्
sarasvatīṃ tato gatvā yamunāsaṅgamaṃ tataḥ|| śatadruṃ ca tato gatvā devikāṃ ca mahānadīm
Then, having gone to the Sarasvatī, then to the confluence with the Yamunā, and then having gone to the Śatadru and to the Devikā, the great river,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 97.97
ब्रह्मोवाच ।। इदमेव व्रतं देव चर कापालिकं विभो ।। समयाचारसंयुक्तं कृत्वा स्वेनैव तेजसा एवं वेगेन सकलं ब्रह्माण्डं भूतधारिणि ।। बभ्राम सर्वदेवेशः षष्ठेऽब्दे तस्य चापतत् कपालमोचनं नाम ततस्तीर्थमनुत्तमम् ।। पृथिव्यां ख्यातिमगमद्वाराणस्यां धराधरे यच्चेदानीं विशुद्धस्य तीर्थेऽस्मिन्देहशुद्धता ।। तच्छुद्धशैवं भवतु व्रतं ते पापनाशनम्
brahmovāca || idameva vrataṃ deva cara kāpālikaṃ vibho || samayācārasaṃyuktaṃ kṛtvā svenaiva tejasā evaṃ vegena sakalaṃ brahmāṇḍaṃ bhūtadhāriṇi || babhrāma sarvadeveśaḥ ṣaṣṭhe'bde tasya cāpatat kapālamocanaṃ nāma tatastīrthamanuttamam || pṛthivyāṃ khyātimagamadvārāṇasyāṃ dharādhare yaccedānīṃ viśuddhasya tīrthe'smindehaśuddhatā || tacchuddhaśaivaṃ bhavatu vrataṃ te pāpanāśanam
Brahmā said: Practise just this Kāpālika vow, O god, O mighty one, joined with the observance of the (proper) conventions, having made it by your own splendour. Thus, with such speed, the lord of all the gods roamed the whole egg of Brahmā, O bearer of beings, and in the sixth year it fell from him. Then the most excellent holy place named Kapālamocana attained fame on the earth, at Vārāṇasī, O upholder of the earth. And since now, for you who are purified, there is purity of body at this holy place, let that vow of yours, destroyer of sin, be (called) Pure Śaiva.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain