The Glory of Kashi, Gokarna, and Shiva-Kanchi at Indraprastha

Verse 1 (padma.6.222.1)

नारद उवाच- आकर्णय शिबे राजन्वर्णयामि तवाग्रतः । पुण्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं काश्या माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ।

nārada uvāca ākarṇaya śibe rājaṁvarṇayāmi tavāgrataḥ puṁyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ kāśyā māhātṁyamuttamam

Narada said: Listen, O King Shibi; I shall describe before you the supreme, meritorious, fame-giving, life-extending glory of Kashi.

Verse 2 (padma.6.222.2)

इंद्रप्रस्थतटस्थायां काश्यामेकस्तु पादपः । शिंशपाख्योभवेद्राजन् पुरा पुण्ययुगे कृते ।

iṁdraprasthataṭasthāyāṁ kāśyāmekastu pādapaḥ śiṁśapākhyobhavedrājan purā puṁyayuge kṛte

In the Kashi situated on the bank at Indraprastha there was a tree, O king, called Shimshapa, in ancient times, in the Krita Yuga.

Verse 3 (padma.6.222.3)

तत्रैको वायसो ह्यासीत्कृतनीडो वनस्पतौ । तस्याधस्तान्महासर्पं कोटरेव सति स्म ह ।

tatraiko vāyaso hyāsītkṛtanīḍo vanaspatau tasyādhastāṁmahāsarpaṁ koṭareva sati sma ha

There a crow had made its nest in that tree; beneath it, in a hollow, dwelt a great serpent.

Verse 4 (padma.6.222.4)

एकदा तस्य काकस्य भार्यांडद्वयमालये । प्रतिमुच्य गता क्वापि न नीडे स्वे समागता ।

ekadā tasya kākasya bhāryāṁḍadvayamālaye pratimucya gatā kvāpi na nīḍe sve samāgatā

Once the crow's wife, having left two eggs in the nest, went somewhere and did not return to her own nest.

Verse 5 (padma.6.222.5)

स्वयमेव स काकस्तु पालयन्नंडकद्वयम् । तामेव शिंशपामुच्चैरध्यतिष्ठन्महीपते ।

svayameva sa kākastu pālayaṁnaṁḍakadvayam tāmeva śiṁśapāmuccairadhyatiṣṭhaṁmahīpate

The crow himself, guarding the two eggs, remained perched high in that very Shimshapa tree, O king.

Verse 6 (padma.6.222.6)

अथैकदा निशीधे तु महावात्या समागता । अभनक्शिंशपां राजन्मूलादपि दृढादपि ।

athaikadā niśīdhe tu mahāvātyā samāgatā abhanakśiṁśapāṁ rājaṁmūlādapi dṛḍhādapi

Then once, at midnight, a great storm arose; it broke the Shimshapa, O king, even from its firm root.

Verse 7 (padma.6.222.7)

वात्यया पात्यमानाया शिंशपायास्तदा तले । चूर्णितौ काकसर्पौ तौ गतप्राणौ बभूवतुः ।

vātyayā pātyamānāyā śiṁśapāyāstadā tale cūrṇitau kākasarpau tau gataprāṇau babhūvatuḥ

As the Shimshapa, felled by the storm, crashed down, the crow and the serpent beneath it were both crushed and lost their lives.

Verse 8 (padma.6.222.8)

दिव्यांगास्ते त्रयो भूत्वा शिंशपा वायसादयः । विमानत्रयमारूढा जग्मुः श्रीपतिकेतनम् ।

divyāṁgāste trayo bhūtvā śiṁśapā vāyasādayaḥ vimānatrayamārūḍhā jagmuḥ śrīpatiketanam

Those three — the Shimshapa, the crow, and the serpent — becoming beings of celestial form, mounted three heavenly chariots and went to the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 9 (padma.6.222.9)

शिबिरुवाच- देवर्षे केन पुण्येन प्राप्ता तैर्मुक्तिदा पुरी । आसंस्ते के त्रयः पूर्वं सर्वं कथय नारद ।

śibiruvāca devarṣe kena puṁyena prāptā tairmuktidā purī āsaṁste ke trayaḥ pūrvaṁ sarvaṁ kathaya nārada

Shibi said: O divine sage, by what merit did they attain that liberation-granting city? Who were those three formerly? Tell me all, O Narada.

Verse 10 (padma.6.222.10)

नारद उवाच-। कुरुजांगलदेशीयो ब्राह्मणः श्रवणाभिधः । तस्य भार्या कुडा नाम भ्राताभूच्च कुरंटकः ।

nārada uvāca kurujāṁgaladeśīyo brāhmaṇaḥ śravaṇābhidhaḥ tasya bhāryā kuḍā nāma bhrātābhūcca kuraṁṭakaḥ

Narada said: There was a brahmin of the Kurujangala country named Shravana. His wife was named Kunda, and he had a brother named Kurantaka.

Verse 11 (padma.6.222.11)

अस्नातभोक्ता नित्यं स कवलो मिष्टभुग्रहः । श्रवणस्तेन दोषेण बभूव ग्रामवायसः ।

asnātabhoktā nityaṁ sa kavalo miṣṭabhugrahaḥ śravaṇastena doṣeṇa babhūva grāmavāyasaḥ

He would eat daily without bathing, was gluttonous and fond only of sweets; by that fault Shravana became a village crow in his next life.

Verse 12 (padma.6.222.12)

कुरंटकस्तु तद्भ्राता नास्तिकोऽभवदुल्बणः । श्रुतिस्मृतिपथोच्छेत्ता देवतानां च निंदकः ।

kuraṁṭakastu tadbhrātā nāstiko'bhavadulbaṇaḥ śrutismṛtipathocchettā devatānāṁ ca niṁdakaḥ

His brother Kurantaka became an extreme atheist, a destroyer of the path of the Shrutis and Smritis, and a slanderer of the gods.

Verse 13 (padma.6.222.13)

तेन दोषेण स मृतो ह्यभवत्कालकुंडली । सा कुंडा श्रवणस्य स्त्री बभूवोभयदोषभाक् ।

tena doṣeṇa sa mṛto hyabhavatkālakuṁḍalī sā kuṁḍā śravaṇasya strī babhūvobhayadoṣabhāk

By that fault, when he died he became a black serpent. Kunda, Shravana's wife, shared in the faults of both.

Verse 14 (padma.6.222.14)

अतः सा स्थावरत्वं हि लब्ध्वासीदुभयाश्रया । एतत्ते कथितं भूप तद्वृत्तं पूर्वजन्मनि ।

ataḥ sā sthāvaratvaṁ hi labdhvāsīdubhayāśrayā etatte kathitaṁ bhūpa tadvṛttaṁ pūrvajaṁmani

Therefore she attained the state of an immobile being, becoming the refuge of both. This, O king, is the account of their former birth that I have told you.

Verse 15 (padma.6.222.15)

अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तेषां पुण्यं यतस्त्रयः । प्रापुस्तेन पुरीं रम्यां काशीं वैश्वेश्वरीं नृप ।

ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi teṣāṁ puṁyaṁ yatastrayaḥ prāpustena purīṁ raṁyāṁ kāśīṁ vaiśveśvarīṁ nṛpa

Now I shall tell of the merit by which those three attained that beautiful city, Kashi, the city of Vishveshvara, O king.

Verse 16 (padma.6.222.16)

ग्रामांतरादेकदा तौ प्रत्यायातौ निजालयम् । कस्यचित्पथिकस्याथ कूपमग्नां पयस्विनीम् ।

grāmāṁtarādekadā tau pratyāyātau nijālayam kasyacitpathikasyātha kūpamagnāṁ payasvinīm

Once, returning from another village to their own home, they saw a milk-cow belonging to some traveler that had fallen into a well.

Verse 17 (padma.6.222.17)

अवलोक्य तदुद्धारं चक्रतुस्तेन नोदितौ । ताभ्यांगदितमाकर्ण्य कुंडा साध्वित्यभाषत ।

avalokya taduddhāraṁ cakratustena noditau tābhyāṁgaditamākarṁya kuṁḍā sādhvityabhāṣata

Seeing this, urged on by that traveler, they rescued it. Hearing of their deed, the virtuous Kunda said, 'Well done.'

Verse 18 (padma.6.222.18)

ते त्रयस्तेनपुण्येन मरणं प्राप्य दुर्लभम् । इंद्रप्रस्थतटस्थायां काश्यां वैकुंठमारुहन् ।

te trayastenapuṁyena maraṇaṁ prāpya durlabham iṁdraprasthataṭasthāyāṁ kāśyāṁ vaikuṁṭhamāruhan

Those three, by that merit, upon attaining a rare death in the Kashi situated on the bank at Indraprastha, ascended to Vaikuntha.

Verse 19 (padma.6.222.19)

इयं काशी महेशस्य पुरी यद्यपि भूपते । तथाप्यस्यां मृतं जंतुर्वैकुंठे स्यात्सुखी हरेः ।

iyaṁ kāśī maheśasya purī yadyapi bhūpate tathāpyasyāṁ mṛtaṁ jaṁturvaikuṁṭhe syātsukhī hareḥ

Although this Kashi, O king, is the city of Maheshvara, yet a creature who dies here attains happiness in Hari's Vaikuntha.

Verse 20 (padma.6.222.20)

एतत्ते कथितं राजन्काश्या माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छा ते विद्यते तद्वदस्व मे ।

etatte kathitaṁ rājaṁkāśyā māhātṁyamuttamam kimaṁyacchrotumicchā te vidyate tadvadasva me

Thus, O king, I have told you the supreme glory of Kashi. If you wish to hear anything else, tell me.

Verse 21 (padma.6.222.21)

शिबिरुवाच- मुने त्वया महेशस्य क्षेत्रत्रयमुदीरितम् । काशी च शिवकांची च गोकर्णं च तथापरम् ।

śibiruvāca mune tvayā maheśasya kṣetratrayamudīritam kāśī ca śivakāṁcī ca gokarṇaṁ ca tathāparam

Shibi said: O sage, you have mentioned three sacred fields of Maheshvara — Kashi, Shiva-Kanchi, and also Gokarna.

Verse 22 (padma.6.222.22)

एकस्य महिमा प्रोक्तो त्वया काश्या महामुने । गोकर्णशिवकांच्योश्च कथ्यतां यदि विद्यते ।

ekasya mahimā prokto tvayā kāśyā mahāmune gokarṇaśivakāṁcyośca kathyatāṁ yadi vidyate

You have told the greatness of one, Kashi, O great sage. If you know it, please tell also of Gokarna and Shiva-Kanchi.

Verse 23 (padma.6.222.23)

नारद उवाच-। गोकर्णं केवलं शैवं क्षेत्रं परमपावनम् । तस्मिन्मृतो नरो राजन्शिवः स्यान्नात्र संशयः ।

nārada uvāca gokarṇaṁ kevalaṁ śaivaṁ kṣetraṁ paramapāvanam tasmiṁmṛto naro rājaṁśivaḥ syāṁnātra saṁśayaḥ

Narada said: Gokarna is purely a Shaiva sacred field, supremely purifying; a man who dies there, O king, becomes Shiva himself — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 24 (padma.6.222.24)

स्थले जलेंतरिक्षे च जंतुस्तत्र मृयेत चेत् । तदा कैलासशिखरो शिवः संभूय दीव्यति ।

sthale jaleṁtarikṣe ca jaṁtustatra mṛyeta cet tadā kailāsaśikharo śivaḥ saṁbhūya dīvyati

If a creature dies there, whether on land, in water, or in the sky, then, having become Shiva, he shines resplendent on the peak of Kailasa.

Verse 25 (padma.6.222.25)

अत्र गोकर्णतीर्थे स्यान्मृतस्य न पुनर्भवः । शिवेन स समं राजन्मुक्तिं यास्यति कर्हिचित् ।

atra gokarṇatīrthe syāṁmṛtasya na punarbhavaḥ śivena sa samaṁ rājaṁmuktiṁ yāsyati karhicit

For one who dies at this Gokarna tirtha there is no rebirth; he attains liberation together with Shiva forever, O king.

Verse 26 (padma.6.222.26)

अस्यापि तव माहात्म्यं गोकर्णस्य महामते । वर्णयामि यदाकर्णि मया ब्रह्ममुखात्प्रभो ।

asyāpi tava māhātṁyaṁ gokarṇasya mahāmate varṇayāmi yadākarṇi mayā brahmamukhātprabho

I shall now describe to you, O wise one, the glory of this Gokarna as well, which I, O lord, heard from the very mouth of Brahma.

Verse 27 (padma.6.222.27)

प्रयागादेकगव्यूतौ गुरुतीर्थसमीपगः । मर्यादापर्वतो योऽयं दृश्यते पुण्यदर्शनः ।

prayāgādekagavyūtau gurutīrthasamīpagaḥ maryādāparvato yo'yaṁ dṛśyate puṁyadarśanaḥ

One gavyuti from Prayaga, near the Guru-tirtha, there is seen this Maryada mountain, sacred to behold.

Verse 28 (padma.6.222.28)

तत्रैकः कर्कटो नाम भिल्ल आसीत्सुदारुणः । तस्य भार्या जरा नाम सा जघ्ने पतिपंचकम् ।

tatraikaḥ karkaṭo nāma bhilla āsītsudāruṇaḥ tasya bhāryā jarā nāma sā jaghne patipaṁcakam

There lived a very fierce hunter named Karkata. His wife, named Jara, had killed five husbands.

Verse 29 (padma.6.222.29)

सा जरा विषसंयुक्तं षष्ठं कर्कटकं तदा । अकरोन्मोदकं हंतुं तदा तेन स्वसुः श्रुतम् ।

sā jarā viṣasaṁyuktaṁ ṣaṣṭhaṁ karkaṭakaṁ tadā akaroṁmodakaṁ haṁtuṁ tadā tena svasuḥ śrutam

That Jara then prepared a poisoned sweet to kill her sixth husband, Karkata; but this was overheard by his sister.

Verse 30 (padma.6.222.30)

निजाया मुखतो राजन्भिल्लेन च महात्मना । बालां तां हंतुमारेभे कर्कटो भृशदारुणः ।

nijāyā mukhato rājaṁbhillena ca mahātmanā bālāṁ tāṁ haṁtumārebhe karkaṭo bhṛśadāruṇaḥ

Hearing this from his own sister, O king, the great-souled, ferocious Karkata set out to kill that woman.

Verse 31 (padma.6.222.31)

खङ्गपाणिर्यदा याति तद्वधाय स भिल्लपः । यावत्तावत्तु सा यायाज्ज्ञात्वा निजवधोद्यमम् ।

khaṁgapāṇiryadā yāti tadvadhāya sa bhillapaḥ yāvattāvattu sā yāyājjṁātvā nijavadhodyamam

When that chief of hunters went, sword in hand, to kill her, she, realizing the attempt on her life, fled.

Verse 32 (padma.6.222.32)

वनमभ्यद्रवद्भीता निजप्राणपरीप्सया । तामनुद्रवता तेन कर्कटेन महीपते ।

vanamabhyadravadbhītā nijaprāṇaparīpsayā tāmanudravatā tena karkaṭena mahīpate

Frightened, desiring to save her own life, she ran into the forest, and Karkata pursued her, O king.

Verse 33 (padma.6.222.33)

अत्र गोकर्णतीर्थे तु गृहीता खङ्गपाणिना । शिरश्छित्वा तु खङ्गेन पातयित्वा जले वपुः ।

atra gokarṇatīrthe tu gṛhītā khaṁgapāṇinā śiraśchitvā tu khaṁgena pātayitvā jale vapuḥ

Here, at this Gokarna-tirtha, she was seized by the one with sword in hand; cutting off her head with the sword, he cast her body into the water.

Verse 34 (padma.6.222.34)

तस्य गोकर्णतीर्थस्य निजस्थानमगाच्च सः । सा जरा तत्र गोकर्णे पापापि निधनं गता ।

tasya gokarṇatīrthasya nijasthānamagācca saḥ sā jarā tatra gokarṇe pāpāpi nidhanaṁ gatā

He then returned to his own place from that Gokarna-tirtha. And Jara, sinful though she was, met her death there at Gokarna.

Verse 35 (padma.6.222.35)

कैलासशिखरे राजन्पार्वत्या अभवत्सखी । अहं कथितवानेतत्तव गोकर्णवैभवम् ।

kailāsaśikhare rājaṁpārvatyā abhavatsakhī ahaṁ kathitavānetattava gokarṇavaibhavam

On the peak of Kailasa, O king, she became a companion of Parvati. I have told you this glory of Gokarna.

Verse 36 (padma.6.222.36)

शिवकांच्याश्च माहात्म्यं पवित्रं वर्णयामि ते । इंद्रप्रस्थतटस्थायां शिवकांच्यामपि प्रभो ।

śivakāṁcyāśca māhātṁyaṁ pavitraṁ varṇayāmi te iṁdraprasthataṭasthāyāṁ śivakāṁcyāmapi prabho

Now I shall describe to you the sacred glory of Shiva-Kanchi as well, O lord, which is also situated on the bank at Indraprastha.

Verse 37 (padma.6.222.37)

गतिः सा परमा पुंसां गोकर्णे या मयोदिता । अत्र श्रीमन्महादेवो विष्णुं सर्वसुरेश्वरम् ।

gatiḥ sā paramā puṁsāṁ gokarṇe yā mayoditā atra śrīmaṁmahādevo viṣṇuṁ sarvasureśvaram

That supreme goal for men which I declared at Gokarna applies here too. Here the glorious Mahadeva worshipped Vishnu, lord of all the gods.

Verse 38 (padma.6.222.38)

आराध्य भक्तराजत्वं लेभे ज्ञानं च तात्विकम् । अतः सर्वे वयं पुत्रा ब्रह्मणस्तं महेश्वरम् ।

ārādhya bhaktarājatvaṁ lebhe jṁānaṁ ca tātvikam ataḥ sarve vayaṁ putrā brahmaṇastaṁ maheśvaram

Having worshipped him, he obtained the kingship of devotees and true knowledge. Therefore all of us, sons of Brahma, worship that Maheshvara.

Verse 39 (padma.6.222.39)

आराधयामः सततं सद्भक्तिज्ञानलिप्सया । अत्र बाणासुरो राजन्नारराध महेश्वरम् ।

ārādhayāmaḥ satataṁ sadbhaktijṁānalipsayā atra bāṇāsuro rājaṁnārarādha maheśvaram

We continually worship him, desiring true devotion and knowledge. Here, O king, the demon Banasura worshipped Maheshvara.

Verse 40 (padma.6.222.40)

निराहारो वर्षशतं तद्गुणत्वबुभूषया । तस्मै प्रसन्नो भगवान्गणत्वं दत्तवान्निजम् ।

nirāhāro varṣaśataṁ tadguṇatvabubhūṣayā tasmai prasaṁno bhagavāṁgaṇatvaṁ dattavāṁnijam

Fasting for a hundred years, desiring to become one of his attendants; the Lord, pleased with him, granted him a place among his own ganas.

Verse 41 (padma.6.222.41)

स्वयं च सर्वदा तस्य पुरपालो बभूवह । इयं पुरी पुरा राजन्नासीद्विष्णोर्महात्मनः ।

svayaṁ ca sarvadā tasya purapālo babhūvaha iyaṁ purī purā rājaṁnāsīdviṣṇormahātmanaḥ

And Shiva himself became forever the guardian of his city. This city, O king, formerly belonged to the great Vishnu.

Verse 42 (padma.6.222.42)

दत्ता शिवाय तुष्टेन तपसा तस्य विष्णुना । अस्यामेकं पुरावृत्तं महदाश्चर्यकारकम् ।

dattā śivāya tuṣṭena tapasā tasya viṣṇunā asyāmekaṁ purāvṛttaṁ mahadāścaryakārakam

It was given to Shiva by Vishnu, who was pleased by his austerity. In this place there occurred one ancient event, a great wonder.

Verse 43 (padma.6.222.43)

विप्रस्य शिवभक्तस्य वैकुंठाप्तिर्यथाभवत् । एकस्तु ब्राह्मणो राजन् हेरंबो नाम धार्मिकः ।

viprasya śivabhaktasya vaikuṁṭhāptiryathābhavat ekastu brāhmaṇo rājan heraṁbo nāma dhārmikaḥ

— how a Shiva-devotee brahmin attained Vaikuntha. There was a certain righteous brahmin, O king, named Heramba.

Verse 44 (padma.6.222.44)

कायेन मनसा वाचा शिवपूजारतः सदा । एकदा स महाभागः शिवतीर्थानि पर्यटन् ।

kāyena manasā vācā śivapūjārataḥ sadā ekadā sa mahābhāgaḥ śivatīrthāni paryaṭan

Devoted always to the worship of Shiva in body, mind, and speech. Once that most fortunate one, wandering among Shiva's sacred places—

Verse 45 (padma.6.222.45)

शिवभक्तः शिवे राजन्शिवकांच्यामिहागतः । एनां मनोहरां चैव न तत्याज स बुद्धिमान् ।

śivabhaktaḥ śive rājaṁśivakāṁcyāmihāgataḥ enāṁ manoharāṁ caiva na tatyāja sa buddhimān

— that Shiva-devotee came here, O king, to Shiva-Kanchi. That wise man, finding this place enchanting, did not leave it.

Verse 46 (padma.6.222.46)

पश्चात्तत्रैव तत्याज प्राणानस्या जलांतरे । तत्रैव श्रीमहादेवगणास्तं ब्राह्मणोत्तमम् ।

paścāttatraiva tatyāja prāṇānasyā jalāṁtare tatraiva śrīmahādevagaṇāstaṁ brāhmaṇottamam

Afterward he gave up his life right there, within its waters. There the attendants of the glorious Mahadeva came for that best of brahmins.

Verse 47 (padma.6.222.47)

नीत्वा कैलासमचलं चेलुस्तदनुशासनात् । अथ मध्ये समायाता गणा वैकुंठतो हरेः ।

nītvā kailāsamacalaṁ celustadanuśāsanāt atha madhye samāyātā gaṇā vaikuṁṭhato hareḥ

Taking him, they set out for the immovable Kailasa, by Shiva's command. But midway, the attendants of Hari came from Vaikuntha.

Verse 48 (padma.6.222.48)

तेभ्यो बलात्समादातुं तं द्विजश्रेष्ठमुद्यताः । आसीत्तेषां महयुद्धं गणानां हरिशर्वयोः ।

tebhyo balātsamādātuṁ taṁ dvijaśreṣṭhamudyatāḥ āsītteṣāṁ mahayuddhaṁ gaṇānāṁ hariśarvayoḥ

— determined to forcibly take that best of brahmins from them. A great battle ensued between the attendants of Hari and Shiva.

Verse 49 (padma.6.222.49)

तत्र युद्धेन वैकेषां विजयो न पराजयः । तत्र वैकुंठतो विष्णुरागतो गरुडासनः ।

tatra yuddhena vaikeṣāṁ vijayo na parājayaḥ tatra vaikuṁṭhato viṣṇurāgato garuḍāsanaḥ

In that battle neither side achieved victory or defeat. Then Vishnu himself came there from Vaikuntha, seated on Garuda.

Verse 50 (padma.6.222.50)

कैलासाद्वृषभारूढो महेशश्च त्रिलोकधृक् । तावन्योन्यं मुखं दृष्ट्वा विहस्य जगदीश्वरौ ।

kailāsādvṛṣabhārūḍho maheśaśca trilokadhṛk tāvaṁyoṁyaṁ mukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā vihasya jagadīśvarau

And from Kailasa came Mahesha, mounted on his bull, sustainer of the three worlds. The two lords of the universe, seeing each other, smiled.

Verse 51 (padma.6.222.51)

पश्यतस्म महद्युद्धं नभस्येव गणैः कृतम् । अथ स्वीयान्गणान्विष्णुः शैवांश्च दिवि युद्धतः ।

paśyatasma mahadyuddhaṁ nabhasyeva gaṇaiḥ kṛtam atha svīyāṁgaṇāṁviṣṇuḥ śaivāṁśca divi yuddhataḥ

They watched the great battle being fought in the sky by their attendants. Then Vishnu restrained his own attendants, and the Shaiva ones fighting in the sky—

Verse 52 (padma.6.222.52)

निवार्य तं द्विजं तार्क्ष्यमारोप्यागाच्छिवालयम् । शिवेन तद्गणैश्चापि स्वकीयैरपि माधवः ।

nivārya taṁ dvijaṁ tārkṣyamāropyāgācchivālayam śivena tadgaṇaiścāpi svakīyairapi mādhavaḥ

— restraining them, he set that brahmin upon Garuda and went to Shiva's abode. Together with Shiva and with his own attendants, Madhava went—

Verse 53 (padma.6.222.53)

वृतो गछन्पथि श्रीमान्स्तुतस्त्रिदशवंदितः । गत्वा विवेश तं चागं महादेवपुरःसरः ।

vṛto gachaṁpathi śrīmāṁstutastridaśavaṁditaḥ gatvā viveśa taṁ cāgaṁ mahādevapuraḥsaraḥ

— surrounded, going along the way, praised, honored by the thirty gods, preceded by Mahadeva he entered that mountain.

Verse 54 (padma.6.222.54)

तस्मै द्विजाय वै तस्य दर्शयन्रमणीयताम् । अथ तस्मात्तु कैलासान्महादेवेन वंदितः ।

tasmai dvijāya vai tasya darśayaṁramaṇīyatām atha tasmāttu kailāsāṁmahādevena vaṁditaḥ

Showing that brahmin its loveliness. Then from that Kailasa, honored by Mahadeva—

Verse 55 (padma.6.222.55)

माधवः परया भक्त्या वैकुंठमगमत्तदा । द्विजः सोऽपि महाभागस्तीर्थस्यास्य प्रसादतः ।

mādhavaḥ parayā bhaktyā vaikuṁṭhamagamattadā dvijaḥ so'pi mahābhāgastīrthasyāsya prasādataḥ

— Madhava, with supreme devotion, then departed for Vaikuntha. That most fortunate brahmin too, by the grace of this sacred place—

Verse 56 (padma.6.222.56)

गोविंददर्शनं प्राप्य मुमुदे हरसन्निधौ । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्शिवकांच्यास्तु वैभवम् ।

goviṁdadarśanaṁ prāpya mumude harasaṁnidhau etatte kathitaṁ rājaṁśivakāṁcyāstu vaibhavam

— having obtained the sight of Govinda, rejoiced in the presence of Hara. Thus, O king, I have told you the glory of Shiva-Kanchi.

Verse 57 (padma.6.222.57)

तीर्थसप्तकनाम्नस्तु शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः । तीर्थमेतन्महाराज चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम् ।

tīrthasaptakanāṁnastu śṛṇuṣva susamāhitaḥ tīrthametaṁmahārāja caturvargaphalapradam

Now listen with full attention to that known as the Seven Tirthas. This sacred place, O great king, grants the fruit of all four aims of life.

Verse 58 (padma.6.222.58)

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाद्ध्यानात्स्मरणादपि भूपते । वसिष्ठादिभिरेतस्मिन्महर्षिभिरनुष्ठितम् ।

darśanātsparśanāddhyānātsmaraṇādapi bhūpate vasiṣṭhādibhiretasmiṁmaharṣibhiranuṣṭhitam

— through sight, touch, meditation, or even remembrance, O king. Here great sages beginning with Vasishtha performed austerities.

Verse 59 (padma.6.222.59)

महत्तपस्तु सृष्ट्यर्थं तत्रासंस्तु क्षमा नृप । मरीचिरपि धर्मात्मा पुत्रार्थं स्नानमाचरन् ।

mahattapastu sṛṣṭyarthaṁ tatrāsaṁstu kṣamā nṛpa marīcirapi dharmātmā putrārthaṁ snānamācaran

— great austerity for the sake of creation, and they gained patience there, O king. Even the righteous Marichi bathed there for the sake of a son.

Verse 60 (padma.6.222.60)

अत्र लेभे महाभागः कश्यपं सुतमुत्तमम् । अत्रिरत्रापि तपसा तोषयद्देवपुंगवान् ।

atra lebhe mahābhāgaḥ kaśyapaṁ sutamuttamam atriratrāpi tapasā toṣayaddevapuṁgavān

Here that most fortunate one obtained Kashyapa as his excellent son. Atri too, here, by austerity, pleased the foremost of gods—

Verse 61 (padma.6.222.61)

सोमं दुर्वाससं दत्तं तेभ्यो लेभे सुतत्रयम् । अंगिरा अपि धर्मात्मा तीर्थस्यास्य प्रसादतः ।

somaṁ durvāsasaṁ dattaṁ tebhyo lebhe sutatrayam aṁgirā api dharmātmā tīrthasyāsya prasādataḥ

— Soma, Dattatreya, and Durvasa; from them he obtained three sons. The righteous Angiras too, by the grace of this sacred place—

Verse 62 (padma.6.222.62)

लेभे सुतांस्तुतद्वंश्या जाता आंगिरसा द्विजाः । पुलहोऽपि सुतं लेभे दंभोलि गुणवत्तरम् ।

lebhe sutāṁstutadvaṁśyā jātā āṁgirasā dvijāḥ pulaho'pi sutaṁ lebhe daṁbholi guṇavattaram

— obtained sons, from whose line the Angirasa brahmins were born. Pulaha too obtained a most virtuous son, Dambholi.

Verse 63 (padma.6.222.63)

योऽगस्त्योभूत्पुरा राजंस्तीर्थेऽत्रैव निमज्जनात् । पुलस्त्यस्यात्र तीर्थे वै पुत्रो लब्धो तपस्यतः ।

yo'gastyobhūtpurā rājaṁstīrthe'traiva nimajjanāt pulastyasyātra tīrthe vai putro labdho tapasyataḥ

— who formerly became Agastya, O king, by bathing in this very tirtha. Here, at this tirtha, Pulastya too, performing austerity, obtained a son—

Verse 64 (padma.6.222.64)

कुबेरोभून्महाभागो यः सखासीदुमापतेः । क्रतोरपि सुता जाता वालखिल्याः सहस्रशः ।

kuberobhūṁmahābhāgo yaḥ sakhāsīdumāpateḥ kratorapi sutā jātā vālakhilyāḥ sahasraśaḥ

— the most fortunate Kubera, who became a friend of Uma's lord. From Kratu too were born sons, the Valakhilyas, by the thousands—

Verse 65 (padma.6.222.65)

तीर्थस्यास्य प्रसादेन ते सर्वे ह्यूर्ध्वरेतसः । रजआदीन्सुताँ लेभे वसिष्ठोऽपि महातपाः ।

tīrthasyāsya prasādena te sarve hyūrdhvaretasaḥ rajaādīṁsutā~ lebhe vasiṣṭho'pi mahātapāḥ

— by the grace of this tirtha, all of them of celibate, upward-retained seed. Vasishtha too, of great austerity, obtained sons beginning with Raja—

Verse 66 (padma.6.222.66)

सप्तैव राजशार्दूल महिमा तस्य वर्णितः । अन्यान्यपि च तीर्थानि संत्यनेकानि भूपते ।

saptaiva rājaśārdūla mahimā tasya varṇitaḥ aṁyāṁyapi ca tīrthāni saṁtyanekāni bhūpate

— thus the glory of the seven has been described, O tiger among kings. There are also many other sacred places, O king—

Verse 67 (padma.6.222.67)

कपिलाश्रमकेदारप्रभासादीनि वै प्रभौ । नियुतैरपि वर्षाणां तेषां च महिमा नृप । अनंतेनापि नो वक्तुं शक्यते किमु मादृशैः ।

kapilāśramakedāraprabhāsādīni vai prabhau niyutairapi varṣāṇāṁ teṣāṁ ca mahimā nṛpa anaṁtenāpi no vaktuṁ śakyate kimu mādṛśaiḥ

— Kapilashrama, Kedara, Prabhasa, and others, O lord. Their glory, O king, cannot be told even in millions of years, even by Ananta, let alone by ones like me.

Verse 68 (padma.6.222.68)

सौभरिरुवाच- एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठो नारदो मुनिपुंगवः । शिवं जगाम नभसो नारायणगुणान्गृणन् ।

saubhariruvāca evamuktvā muniśreṣṭho nārado munipuṁgavaḥ śivaṁ jagāma nabhaso nārāyaṇaguṇāṁgṛṇan

Saubhari said: Having spoken thus, Narada, the foremost of sages, that bull among sages, departed through the sky to Shiva, singing the virtues of Narayana.

Verse 69 (padma.6.222.69)

शिबिरौशीनरो राजा शक्रप्रस्थस्य वैभवम् । श्रुत्वा मुनिमुखाद्राजन्कृतार्थं स्वममन्यत ।

śibirauśīnaro rājā śakraprasthasya vaibhavam śrutvā munimukhādrājaṁkṛtārthaṁ svamamaṁyata

King Shibi, son of Ushinara, having heard from the sage's mouth the glory of Shakraprastha, O king, considered himself to have fulfilled his purpose.

Verse 70 (padma.6.222.70)

तत्र स्नात्वा हि विधिवदिंद्रप्रस्थे स भूपतिः । विधाय सत्क्रियाः सर्वा जगाम निजपत्तनम् ।

tatra snātvā hi vidhivadiṁdraprasthe sa bhūpatiḥ vidhāya satkriyāḥ sarvā jagāma nijapattanam

Having duly bathed there at Indraprastha, that king, having performed all the sacred rites, returned to his own city.

Verse 71 (padma.6.222.71)

इंद्रप्रस्थस्य माहात्म्यमेतत्तव मया विभो । यमुनातीरतीर्थस्य वर्णितं जनपावनम् ।

iṁdraprasthasya māhātṁyametattava mayā vibho yamunātīratīrthasya varṇitaṁ janapāvanam

This glory of Indraprastha, O lord, the sanctifying tirtha on the bank of the Yamuna, has thus been described to you by me.

Verse 72 (padma.6.222.72)

नास्यादरं करिष्यंति कलौ श्रद्धाविवर्जिताः । इंद्रप्रस्थस्य राजेंद्र सर्वतीर्थशिरोमणेः ।

nāsyādaraṁ kariṣyaṁti kalau śraddhāvivarjitāḥ iṁdraprasthasya rājeṁdra sarvatīrthaśiromaṇeḥ

In the Kali age, those devoid of faith will not honor this crest-jewel of all sacred places, Indraprastha, O king of kings.

Verse 73 (padma.6.222.73)

अष्टादशपुराणानां श्रवणाद्भारतस्य च । यत्फलं तन्महिम्नस्य शक्रप्रस्थस्य जायते ।

aṣṭādaśapurāṇānāṁ śravaṇādbhāratasya ca yatphalaṁ taṁmahiṁnasya śakraprasthasya jāyate

The fruit that comes from hearing the eighteen Puranas and the Mahabharata — that same fruit arises from the glory of Shakraprastha.

Verse 74 (padma.6.222.74)

अरुणोदयवेलायां माघलक्षैकमज्जनात् । यत्फलं तन्महिम्नोस्य श्रवणाच्छ्रद्धया भवेत् ।

aruṇodayavelāyāṁ māghalakṣaikamajjanāt yatphalaṁ taṁmahiṁnosya śravaṇācchraddhayā bhavet

The fruit obtained from a hundred thousand bathings at dawn during the month of Magha — that same fruit comes from hearing this glory with faith.

Verse 75 (padma.6.222.75)

श्रद्धयास्य तु माहात्म्यं यः शृणोति महीपते । तर्पितास्तेन पितरो देवाश्च मुनयस्तथा ।

śraddhayāsya tu māhātṁyaṁ yaḥ śṛṇoti mahīpate tarpitāstena pitaro devāśca munayastathā

Whoever hears this glory with faith, O king, by him the ancestors, the gods, and the sages are all satisfied.

Verse 76 (padma.6.222.76)

कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रपाराक चांद्रायण व्रतादिभिः । यत्फलं तन्महिम्नोऽस्य श्रद्धया श्रवणाद्भवेत् ।

kṛcchrātikṛcchrapārāka cāṁdrāyaṇa vratādibhiḥ yatphalaṁ taṁmahiṁno'sya śraddhayā śravaṇādbhavet

The fruit gained from the vows of Krichchhra, Atikrichchhra, Paraka, Chandrayana, and the like — that fruit comes from hearing this glory with faith.

Verse 77 (padma.6.222.77)

अश्वमेधादियज्ञानां समस्तानां महीपते । यत्फलं तन्महिम्नोऽस्य श्रद्धया श्रवणाद्भवेत् ।

aśvamedhādiyajṁānāṁ samastānāṁ mahīpate yatphalaṁ taṁmahiṁno'sya śraddhayā śravaṇādbhavet

The fruit of all sacrifices beginning with the Ashvamedha, O king — that fruit comes from hearing this glory with faith.

Verse 78 (padma.6.222.78)

सूत उवाच- एवं युधिष्ठिरो राजा श्रुत्वा शौनक सौभरेः । इंद्रप्रस्थस्य माहात्म्यं स ययौ हस्तिनं पुरम् ।

sūta uvāca evaṁ yudhiṣṭhiro rājā śrutvā śaunaka saubhareḥ iṁdraprasthasya māhātṁyaṁ sa yayau hastinaṁ puram

Suta said: O Shaunaka, thus King Yudhishthira, having heard from Saubhari the glory of Indraprastha, went to the city of Hastinapura.

Verse 79 (padma.6.222.79)

ततो विनीय सद्भ्रातॄन्दुर्योधनपुरःसरान् । इंद्रप्रस्थमगात्पुण्यं राजसूयचिकीर्षया ।

tato vinīya sadbhrātṝṁduryodhanapuraḥsarān iṁdraprasthamagātpuṁyaṁ rājasūyacikīrṣayā

Then, taking along his virtuous brothers together with Duryodhana, he went to sacred Indraprastha, desiring to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 80 (padma.6.222.80)

द्वारकायाः समागम्य गोविंदं कुलदैवतम् । राजसूयेन यज्ञेन स इयाज महीपतिः ।

dvārakāyāḥ samāgaṁya goviṁdaṁ kuladaivatam rājasūyena yajṁena sa iyāja mahīpatiḥ

Having summoned Govinda, the family deity, from Dvaraka, that king performed the sacrifice with the Rajasuya rite.

Verse 81 (padma.6.222.81)

मुक्तिदं तीर्थमेतत्तु शपतोस्याप्यजायत । इति मत्वा हरिस्तत्र शिशुपालं जघान ह ।

muktidaṁ tīrthametattu śapatosyāpyajāyata iti matvā haristatra śiśupālaṁ jaghāna ha

Knowing that this liberation-granting sacred place would bring its consequence even upon one who curses here, Hari, thinking thus, slew Shishupala there.

Verse 82 (padma.6.222.82)

शिशुपालोऽपि तस्यैव तीर्थस्य मरणाद्भुवि । सायुज्यमगमत्कृष्णे निखिलार्थप्रदायके ।

śiśupālo'pi tasyaiva tīrthasya maraṇādbhuvi sāyujyamagamatkṛṣṇe nikhilārthapradāyake

Shishupala too, by dying on the ground of that very sacred place, attained union with Krishna, the giver of all boons.

Verse 83 (padma.6.222.83)

शिशुपालो हतो यत्र विहितो यत्र चक्रतुः । गदया तत्र भीमेन कृतं कुंडं सुविस्तरम् ।

śiśupālo hato yatra vihito yatra cakratuḥ gadayā tatra bhīmena kṛtaṁ kuṁḍaṁ suvistaram

Where Shishupala was slain, where the discus was wielded — there Bhima, with his mace, made a very wide pool.

Verse 84 (padma.6.222.84)

भीमकुंडं तु विज्ञातं जातं तद्भुविपावनम् । कालिंद्या दक्षिणे भागे गव्यूत्यर्धं महीतले ।

bhīmakuṁḍaṁ tu vijṁātaṁ jātaṁ tadbhuvipāvanam kāliṁdyā dakṣiṇe bhāge gavyūtyardhaṁ mahītale

That became known as Bhima-kunda, a purifying place on that ground, on the southern side of the Kalindi, half a gavyuti's distance.

Verse 85 (padma.6.222.85)

इंद्रप्रस्थगताया यत्कालिंद्याः स्नानतः फलम् । तत्फलं तत्र कुंडे तु जायते नात्र संशयः ।

iṁdraprasthagatāyā yatkāliṁdyāḥ snānataḥ phalam tatphalaṁ tatra kuṁḍe tu jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

The fruit obtained from bathing in the Kalindi at Indraprastha — that same fruit arises there in that pool; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 86 (padma.6.222.86)

सूत उवाच- यस्मिन्क्षेत्रे स्थितो जंतुस्तं क्षेत्रमनुवत्सरम् । प्रदक्षिणादिभिर्धर्मैः स्वापराधान्क्षमापयतेत् ।

sūta uvāca yasmiṁkṣetre sthito jaṁtustaṁ kṣetramanuvatsaram pradakṣiṇādibhirdharmaiḥ svāparādhāṁkṣamāpayatet

Suta said: A being residing in a sacred field should, year after year, through rites such as circumambulation, seek forgiveness for offenses against that field.

Verse 87 (padma.6.222.87)

प्रतिसंवत्सरं चैव परिक्रामति यो नरः । क्षेत्रापराधदोषैश्च न स लिप्येत्तु पातकैः ।

pratisaṁvatsaraṁ caiva parikrāmati yo naraḥ kṣetrāparādhadoṣaiśca na sa lipyettu pātakaiḥ

And the man who circumambulates it every year is not tainted by the sins arising from offenses against the sacred field.

Verse 88 (padma.6.222.88)

प्रदक्षिणमकुर्वाणः क्षेत्रसिद्धिं न विंदति । तस्मात्प्रदक्षिणा तीर्थे दातव्या च फलार्थिभिः ।

pradakṣiṇamakurvāṇaḥ kṣetrasiddhiṁ na viṁdati tasmātpradakṣiṇā tīrthe dātavyā ca phalārthibhiḥ

One who does not perform circumambulation does not attain the fulfillment of the sacred field's merit. Therefore circumambulation must be performed by those desiring its fruit.

Verse 89 (padma.6.222.89)

हरेर्नाम निसंजल्पन्प्रकरोति प्रदक्षिणाम् । पदेपदे स लभते कपिलादानजं फलम् ।

harernāma nisaṁjalpaṁprakaroti pradakṣiṇām padepade sa labhate kapilādānajaṁ phalam

One who, continuously repeating the name of Hari, performs circumambulation obtains, at every step, the fruit born of the gift of a Kapila cow.

Verse 90 (padma.6.222.90)

चैत्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां शक्रप्रस्थप्रदक्षिणाम् । यः करोति नरो धन्यः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

caitrakṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṁ śakraprasthapradakṣiṇām yaḥ karoti naro dhaṁyaḥ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

The blessed man who performs circumambulation of Shakraprastha on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra is freed from all sins.