The Confluence of the Mahi and the Ocean

Verse 1 (skanda.1.38.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ एवं स्थानानि पुण्यानि यानियानीह वै भुवि॥ निरीक्षंस्तत्र तत्राहं नारदो वीरसत्तम

sūta uvāca evaṁ sthānāni puṇyāni yāniyānīha vai bhuvi nirīkṣaṁstatra tatrāhaṁ nārado vīrasattama

Suta said: "Thus, O best of heroes, examining here and there whatever sacred places exist upon this earth, I, Narada...

Verse 2 (skanda.1.38.2)

विचरन्मेदिनीं सर्वां प्राप्तोऽहमाश्रमं भृगोः॥ यत्र रेवानदी पुण्या सप्तकल्पस्मरा वरा

vicaranmedinīṁ sarvāṁ prāpto'hamāśramaṁ bhṛgoḥ yatra revānadī puṇyā saptakalpasmarā varā

"...wandering over the whole earth, arrived at the hermitage of Bhrigu, where flows the sacred Reva river, remembered through seven kalpas and most excellent.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.38.3)

महापुण्या पवित्रा च सर्वतीर्थमयी शुभा॥ पुनानि कीर्तनेनैव दर्शनेन विशेषतः

mahāpuṇyā pavitrā ca sarvatīrthamayī śubhā punāni kīrtanenaiva darśanena viśeṣataḥ

"Most sacred and pure, embodying every tirtha, auspicious — purifying merely through being spoken of, and even more through the sight of her.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.38.4)

तत्रावगाहनात्पार्थ मुच्यते जंतुरंहसा॥ यथा सा पिङ्गला नाडी देहमध्ये व्यवस्थिता

tatrāvagāhanātpārtha mucyate jaṁturaṁhasā yathā sā piṅgalā nāḍī dehamadhye vyavasthitā

"There, O Partha, by bathing a being is freed from sin. As the Pingala channel is set within the body,

Verse 5 (skanda.1.38.5)

इयं ब्रह्मांडपिण्डस्य स्थाने तस्मिन्प्रकीर्तिता॥ तत्रास्ते शुक्लतीर्थाख्यं रेवायां पापनाशनम्

iyaṁ brahmāṁḍapiṇḍasya sthāne tasminprakīrtitā tatrāste śuklatīrthākhyaṁ revāyāṁ pāpanāśanam

"so this Reva is declared to occupy that same place within the frame of the cosmic egg. Upon her stands the tirtha called Shukla, destroyer of sin,

Verse 6 (skanda.1.38.6)

यत्र वै स्नानमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या प्रणश्यति॥ तस्यापि सन्निधौ पार्थ रेवाया उत्तरे तटे

yatra vai snānamātreṇa brahmahatyā praṇaśyati tasyāpi sannidhau pārtha revāyā uttare taṭe

"where by mere bathing the sin of slaying a Brahmin is destroyed. And near it too, O Partha, upon the northern bank of the Reva,

Verse 7 (skanda.1.38.7)

नानावृक्षसमाकीर्णं लतागुल्मोपशोभितम्॥ नानापुष्पफलो पेतं कदलीखंडमंडितम्

nānāvṛkṣasamākīrṇaṁ latāgulmopaśobhitam nānāpuṣpaphalo petaṁ kadalīkhaṁḍamaṁḍitam

"thick with many trees, adorned with creepers and shrubs, rich with varied fruits and flowers, decked with groves of plantain,

Verse 8 (skanda.1.38.8)

अनेकाश्वापदाकीर्णं विहगैरनुनादितम्॥ सुगंधपुष्पशोभाढ्यं मयूररवनादितम्

anekāśvāpadākīrṇaṁ vihagairanunāditam sugaṁdhapuṣpaśobhāḍhyaṁ mayūraravanāditam

"thronged with many wild creatures, resounding with the cries of birds, rich with the splendor of fragrant blossoms, ringing with the call of peacocks,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.38.9)

भ्रमरैः सर्वमुत्सृज्य निलीनं रावसंयुतम्॥ यथा संसारमुत्सृज्य भक्तेन हरपादयोः

bhramaraiḥ sarvamutsṛjya nilīnaṁ rāvasaṁyutam yathā saṁsāramutsṛjya bhaktena harapādayoḥ

"where bees, forsaking everything else, remain absorbed there, filled with humming — as a devotee, forsaking the world, remains absorbed at the feet of Hara;

Verse 10 (skanda.1.38.10)

कोकिला मधुरैः स्वानैर्नादयंति तथा मुनीन्॥ यथा कथामृताख्यानैर्ब्राह्मणा भवभीरुकान्

kokilā madhuraiḥ svānairnādayaṁti tathā munīn yathā kathāmṛtākhyānairbrāhmaṇā bhavabhīrukān

"where cuckoos, with their sweet notes, fill the sages with sound — as Brahmins fill those who fear samsara with the nectar of sacred story.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.38.11)

यत्र वृक्षा ह्लादयंति फलैः पुष्पैश्च पत्रकैः॥ छायाभिरपि काष्ठैश्च लोकानिव हरव्रताः

yatra vṛkṣā hlādayaṁti phalaiḥ puṣpaiśca patrakaiḥ chāyābhirapi kāṣṭhaiśca lokāniva haravratāḥ

"Where trees delight all with their fruits, flowers, and leaves, and with their shade and even their timber — as those devoted to Hara's vow delight the world.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.38.12)

पुत्रपुत्रेति वाशंते यत्र पुत्रप्रियाः खगाः॥ यथा शिवप्रियाः शैवा नित्यं शिवशिवेति च

putraputreti vāśaṁte yatra putrapriyāḥ khagāḥ yathā śivapriyāḥ śaivā nityaṁ śivaśiveti ca

"Where birds fond of their young cry out 'putra, putra,' 'my child, my child' — as Shaivas devoted to Shiva ever cry 'Shiva, Shiva.'

Verse 13 (skanda.1.38.13)

एवंविधं मुनेस्तस्य भृगोराश्रममंडलम्॥ विप्रैस्त्रैविद्यसंयुक्तैः सर्वतः समलंकृतम्

evaṁvidhaṁ munestasya bhṛgorāśramamaṁḍalam vipraistraividyasaṁyuktaiḥ sarvataḥ samalaṁkṛtam

"Such was the hermitage-realm of that sage Bhrigu, adorned on every side by Brahmins versed in the three branches of sacred learning,

Verse 14 (skanda.1.38.14)

ऋग्यजुः सामनिर्घोपैरारूरितदिगन्तरम्॥ रुद्रभक्तेन धीरेण यथैव भुवनत्रयम्

ṛgyajuḥ sāmanirghopairārūritadigantaram rudrabhaktena dhīreṇa yathaiva bhuvanatrayam

"every quarter ringing with the chant of Rig, Yajur, and Sama — as the three worlds resound through the steadfast devotee of Rudra.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.38.15)

तत्राहं पार्थ संप्राप्तो यत्रास्ते मुनिसत्तमः॥ भृगुः परमधर्मात्मातपसा द्योतितप्रभः

tatrāhaṁ pārtha saṁprāpto yatrāste munisattamaḥ bhṛguḥ paramadharmātmātapasā dyotitaprabhaḥ

"There I arrived, O Partha, where dwelt Bhrigu, foremost of sages, of supreme righteous soul, his splendor kindled bright by austerity.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.38.16)

आगच्छंतं तु मां दृष्ट्वा दीनं च मुदितं तथा॥ अभ्युत्थानं कृतं सर्वैर्विप्रैर्भृगुपुरोगमैः

āgacchaṁtaṁ tu māṁ dṛṣṭvā dīnaṁ ca muditaṁ tathā abhyutthānaṁ kṛtaṁ sarvairviprairbhṛgupurogamaiḥ

"Seeing me arrive, humble yet joyful, all the Brahmins, led by Bhrigu himself, rose up to welcome me.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.38.17)

कृत्वा सुस्वागतं दत्त्वा अर्घाद्यं भृगुणा सह॥ आसनेषूपविष्टास्ते मुनींद्रा ग्राहिता मया

kṛtvā susvāgataṁ dattvā arghādyaṁ bhṛguṇā saha āsaneṣūpaviṣṭāste munīṁdrā grāhitā mayā

"Having given me a fine welcome and offered arghya and the like, together with Bhrigu, I seated those lords of sages upon their seats.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.38.18)

विश्रांतं तु ततो ज्ञात्वा भृगुर्मामप्युवाचह॥ क्व गंतव्यं मुनिश्रेष्ठ कस्मादिह समागतः

viśrāṁtaṁ tu tato jñātvā bhṛgurmāmapyuvācaha kva gaṁtavyaṁ muniśreṣṭha kasmādiha samāgataḥ

"Then, knowing me rested, Bhrigu himself said to me: 'Where must you go, best of sages? From where have you come here?'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.38.19)

आगमनकारणं सर्वं समाचक्ष्व परिस्फुटम्॥ ततस्तं चिंतयाविष्टो भृगुं पार्थाहमब्रुवम्

āgamanakāraṇaṁ sarvaṁ samācakṣva parisphuṭam tatastaṁ ciṁtayāviṣṭo bhṛguṁ pārthāhamabruvam

"'Tell me clearly and in full the reason for your coming.' Then, O Partha, filled with anxious thought, I said to Bhrigu:

Verse 20 (skanda.1.38.20)

श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि यदर्थमहामागतः॥ मया पर्यटिता सर्वा समुद्रांता च मेदिनी

śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi yadarthamahāmāgataḥ mayā paryaṭitā sarvā samudrāṁtā ca medinī

"'Listen, I shall tell you the purpose of my coming. I have wandered over the whole earth, even to the shores of the ocean,'

Verse 21 (skanda.1.38.21)

द्विजानां भूमिदानार्थं मार्गमाणः पदेपदे॥ निर्दोषां च पवित्रां च तीर्थेष्वपि समन्विताम्

dvijānāṁ bhūmidānārthaṁ mārgamāṇaḥ padepade nirdoṣāṁ ca pavitrāṁ ca tīrtheṣvapi samanvitām

"'searching at every step for land to grant to Brahmins — land faultless and pure, and possessed also of sacred tirthas,'

Verse 22 (skanda.1.38.22)

रम्यां मनोरमां भूमिं न पश्यामि कथंचन॥ ॥भृगुरुवाच॥ विप्राणां स्थापनार्थाय मयापि भ्रमता पुरा

ramyāṁ manoramāṁ bhūmiṁ na paśyāmi kathaṁcana bhṛguruvāca viprāṇāṁ sthāpanārthāya mayāpi bhramatā purā

"'delightful and lovely — yet nowhere have I found such land.' Bhrigu said: 'For the sake of establishing Brahmins, wandering long ago I too —'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.38.23)

पृथ्वी सागरपर्यंता दृष्टा सर्वा तदानघ॥ महीनाम नदी पुण्या सर्वतीर्थमयी शुभा

pṛthvī sāgaraparyaṁtā dṛṣṭā sarvā tadānagha mahīnāma nadī puṇyā sarvatīrthamayī śubhā

"'...beheld, O sinless one, the entire earth even to the ocean's edge. There is a sacred river called Mahi, embodying every tirtha, auspicious,'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.38.24)

दिव्या मनोरमा सौम्या महापापप्रणाशिनी॥ नदीरूपेण तत्रैव पृथ्वी सा नात्र संशयः

divyā manoramā saumyā mahāpāpapraṇāśinī nadīrūpeṇa tatraiva pṛthvī sā nātra saṁśayaḥ

"'divine, lovely, gentle, destroyer of the gravest sins. That river is the earth herself in flowing form — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 25 (skanda.1.38.25)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि दृष्टादृष्टानि नारद॥ तानि सर्वाणि तत्रैव निवसंति महीजले

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni dṛṣṭādṛṣṭāni nārada tāni sarvāṇi tatraiva nivasaṁti mahījale

"'Whatever tirthas exist upon the earth, O Narada, seen or unseen, all of them dwell there, within the waters of the Mahi.'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.38.26)

सा समुद्रेण संप्राप्ता पुण्यतोया महानदी॥ संजातस्तत्र देवर्षे महीसागरसंगमः

sā samudreṇa saṁprāptā puṇyatoyā mahānadī saṁjātastatra devarṣe mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

"'That great river of sacred water meets the ocean; there, O celestial sage, the confluence of Mahi and ocean has come to be.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.38.27)

स्तंभाख्यं तत्र तीर्थं तु त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्॥ तत्र ये मनुजाः स्नानं प्रकुर्वंति विपश्चितः

staṁbhākhyaṁ tatra tīrthaṁ tu triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam tatra ye manujāḥ snānaṁ prakurvaṁti vipaścitaḥ

"'There stands the tirtha named Stambha, renowned throughout the three worlds. There, the wise who bathe...'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.38.28)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्ता नोपसर्पंति वै यमम्॥ तत्राद्भुतं हि दृष्टं मे पुरा स्नातुं गतेन वै

sarvapāpavinirmuktā nopasarpaṁti vai yamam tatrādbhutaṁ hi dṛṣṭaṁ me purā snātuṁ gatena vai

"'...are freed of every sin, and never approach Yama at all. There I myself once beheld a wonder, when I had gone there to bathe.'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.38.29)

तदहं कीर्तयिष्यामि मुने श्रृणु महाद्भुतम्॥ यावत्स्नातुं व्रजाम्यस्मिन्महीसागरसंगमे

tadahaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi mune śrṛṇu mahādbhutam yāvatsnātuṁ vrajāmyasminmahīsāgarasaṁgame

"'That I shall now tell you, O sage; listen to this great wonder. As I went to bathe at that confluence of Mahi and the ocean...'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.38.30)

तीरे स्थितं प्रपश्यामि मुनींद्रं पावकोपमम्॥ प्रांशुं वृद्धं चास्थिशेषं तपोलक्ष्म्या विभूषितम्

tīre sthitaṁ prapaśyāmi munīṁdraṁ pāvakopamam prāṁśuṁ vṛddhaṁ cāsthiśeṣaṁ tapolakṣmyā vibhūṣitam

"'...I saw upon the shore a lord of sages, radiant as fire, standing there — tall, aged, reduced to bone alone, adorned with the splendor of austerity,'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.38.31)

भुजावूर्ध्वौ ततः कृत्वा प्ररुदंतं मुहुर्मुहुः॥ तं तथा दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा दुःखितोऽहमथाभवम्

bhujāvūrdhvau tataḥ kṛtvā prarudaṁtaṁ muhurmuhuḥ taṁ tathā duḥkhitaṁ dṛṣṭvā duḥkhito'hamathābhavam

"'his arms raised aloft, weeping again and again. Seeing him so sorrowful, I too grew sorrowful.'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.38.32)

सतां लक्षणमेतद्धि यद्दृष्ट्वा दुःखितं जनम्॥ शतसंख्य तस्य भवेत्तथाहं विललाप ह

satāṁ lakṣaṇametaddhi yaddṛṣṭvā duḥkhitaṁ janam śatasaṁkhya tasya bhavettathāhaṁ vilalāpa ha

"'This indeed is the mark of the good — that seeing a sorrowful person, their own sorrow grows a hundredfold; and so I too began to weep.'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.38.33)

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं मानुष्ये सति दुर्लभम्॥ ततस्तमुपसंगम्य पर्यपृच्छमहं तदा

ahiṁsā satyamasteyaṁ mānuṣye sati durlabham tatastamupasaṁgamya paryapṛcchamahaṁ tadā

"'Non-violence, truth, and honesty are rare indeed, even in a human life.' Then I went up to him and asked —

Verse 34 (skanda.1.38.34)

किमर्थं रोदिशि मुने शोके किं कारणं तव॥ सुगुह्यमपि चेद्बूहि जिज्ञासा महती हि मे

kimarthaṁ rodiśi mune śoke kiṁ kāraṇaṁ tava suguhyamapi cedbūhi jijñāsā mahatī hi me

"'Why do you weep, O sage? What is the cause of your sorrow? Even if it is a deep secret, tell me still — great is my curiosity.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.38.35)

मुनिस्ततो मामवदद्भृगो निर्भाग्यवानहम्॥ तेन रोदिमि मा पृच्छ दुर्भाग्यं चालपेद्धि कः

munistato māmavadadbhṛgo nirbhāgyavānaham tena rodimi mā pṛccha durbhāgyaṁ cālapeddhi kaḥ

"'Then the sage said to me: "O Bhrigu, I am unfortunate; for this I weep — ask me not, for who indeed would speak of his own misfortune?"'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.38.36)

तमहं विस्मयाविष्टः पुनरेवेदमब्रुवम्॥ दुर्लभं भारते जन्म तत्रापि च मनुष्यता

tamahaṁ vismayāviṣṭaḥ punarevedamabruvam durlabhaṁ bhārate janma tatrāpi ca manuṣyatā

"'Filled with wonder, I said to him again: "Birth in this land of Bharata is itself rare, and rarer still within it is being born human;'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.38.37)

मनुष्यत्वे ब्राह्मणत्वं मुनित्वं तत्र दुर्लभम्॥ तत्रापि च तपःसिद्धिः प्राप्यैतत्पंचकं परम्

manuṣyatve brāhmaṇatvaṁ munitvaṁ tatra durlabham tatrāpi ca tapaḥsiddhiḥ prāpyaitatpaṁcakaṁ param

"'within humanity, being a Brahmin is rare, and within that, being a sage; and rarer still than these is success in austerity — having gained this supreme set of five,'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.38.38)

किमर्थं रोदिषि मुने विस्मयोऽत्र महान्मम॥ एवं संपृच्छते मह्यमेतस्मिन्नेव चांतरे

kimarthaṁ rodiṣi mune vismayo'tra mahānmama evaṁ saṁpṛcchate mahyametasminneva cāṁtare

"'...why do you weep? Great is my wonder at this." As I questioned him thus, at that very moment,'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.38.39)

सुभद्रोनाम नाम्ना च मुनिस्तत्राभ्युपाययौ॥ स हि मेरुं परित्यज्य ज्ञात्वा तीर्थस्य सारताम्

subhadronāma nāmnā ca munistatrābhyupāyayau sa hi meruṁ parityajya jñātvā tīrthasya sāratām

"'a sage named Subhadra arrived there; for, having left Meru upon learning the true essence of this tirtha,'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.38.40)

कृताश्रमः पूजयति सदा स्तंभेश्वरं मुनिः॥ सोऽप्येवं मामि वापृच्छन्मुनिं रोदनकारणम्

kṛtāśramaḥ pūjayati sadā staṁbheśvaraṁ muniḥ so'pyevaṁ māmi vāpṛcchanmuniṁ rodanakāraṇam

"'he had made his hermitage there and worshipped Stambheshvara without cease. He too asked me the reason for that sage's weeping.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.38.41)

अथाहाचम्य स मुनिः श्रूयतां कारणं मुनी॥ अहं हि देवशर्माख्यो मुनिः संयतवाङ्मनाः

athāhācamya sa muniḥ śrūyatāṁ kāraṇaṁ munī ahaṁ hi devaśarmākhyo muniḥ saṁyatavāṅmanāḥ

"'Then, having sipped water in due form, that sage Devasharma said: "Listen, sages, to the reason. I am a sage named Devasharma, restrained in speech and mind;'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.38.42)

निवसामि कृतस्थानो गंगासागरसंगमे॥ तत्र दर्शेतर्पयामि सदैव च पितॄनहम्

nivasāmi kṛtasthāno gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame tatra darśetarpayāmi sadaiva ca pitṝnaham

"'I dwell at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean. There I ever offer water and rites to my ancestors at the new moon,'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.38.43)

श्राद्धांते ते च प्रत्यक्षा ह्याशिषो मे वदंति च॥ ततः कदाचित्पितरः प्रहृष्टा मामथाब्रवन्

śrāddhāṁte te ca pratyakṣā hyāśiṣo me vadaṁti ca tataḥ kadācitpitaraḥ prahṛṣṭā māmathābravan

"'and at the close of the shraddha they appear before me directly and speak their blessings. Then once, my ancestors, greatly pleased, said to me —'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.38.44)

वयं सदात्र चायामो देवशर्मंस्तवांतिके॥ स्थानेऽस्माकं कदाचित्त्वं न चायासि कुतः सुतः

vayaṁ sadātra cāyāmo devaśarmaṁstavāṁtike sthāne'smākaṁ kadācittvaṁ na cāyāsi kutaḥ sutaḥ

"'"O Devasharma, we always come here to your side; but why, being our son, do you never come to our own place?"'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.38.45)

स्थानं दिदृक्षुस्तच्चाहं न शक्तोऽस्मि निवोदितुम्॥ ततः परममित्युक्त्वा गतवान्पितृभिः सह

sthānaṁ didṛkṣustaccāhaṁ na śakto'smi nivoditum tataḥ paramamityuktvā gatavānpitṛbhiḥ saha

"'Desiring to see that place, I could find no words. Then, saying only "very well," I went there with my ancestors —'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.38.46)

पितॄणां मंदिरं पुण्यं भौमलोकसमास्थितम्॥ तत्रतत्र स्थितश्चाहं तेजोमण्डलदुर्दृशान्

pitṝṇāṁ maṁdiraṁ puṇyaṁ bhaumalokasamāsthitam tatratatra sthitaścāhaṁ tejomaṇḍaladurdṛśān

"'to the sacred abode of the ancestors, which lies beneath the world of earth. There, standing here and there, I saw beings whose radiant halos made them hard to behold.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.38.47)

दृष्ट्वाग्रतः पूजयाढ्यानपृच्छं स्वान्पितॄनिति॥ के ह्यमी समुपायांति भृशं तृप्ता भृशार्चिताः॥ भृशंप्रमुदिता नैव तथा यूयं यथा ह्यमी

dṛṣṭvāgrataḥ pūjayāḍhyānapṛcchaṁ svānpitṝniti ke hyamī samupāyāṁti bhṛśaṁ tṛptā bhṛśārcitāḥ bhṛśaṁpramuditā naiva tathā yūyaṁ yathā hyamī

"'Seeing them before me, richly honored, I asked my own ancestors: "Who are these who arrive so deeply satisfied, so greatly worshipped? You are not as joyful as they."'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.38.48)

॥पितर ऊचुः॥ भद्रं ते पितरः पुण्याः सुभद्रस्य महामुनेः॥ तर्पितास्तेन मुनिना महीसागरसंगमे

pitara ūcuḥ bhadraṁ te pitaraḥ puṇyāḥ subhadrasya mahāmuneḥ tarpitāstena muninā mahīsāgarasaṁgame

"'The ancestors said: "Blessings upon you, dear son — these are the sacred ancestors of the great sage Subhadra, satisfied by that sage at the confluence of Mahi and ocean,'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.38.49)

सर्वतीर्थमयी यत्र निलीना ह्युदधौ मही॥ तत्र दर्शे तर्पयति सुभद्रस्तानमून्सुत

sarvatīrthamayī yatra nilīnā hyudadhau mahī tatra darśe tarpayati subhadrastānamūnsuta

"'"where the earth herself, embodying every tirtha, lies merged into the ocean. There, at the new moon, Subhadra satisfies these his ancestors, dear son."'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.38.50)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां लज्जितोऽहं भृशंतदा॥ विस्मितश्च प्रणम्यैतान्पितॄन्स्वं स्थानमागतः

ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṁ lajjito'haṁ bhṛśaṁtadā vismitaśca praṇamyaitānpitṝnsvaṁ sthānamāgataḥ

"'Hearing these their words, I felt at that moment a great shame. Astonished, I bowed to those ancestors and returned to my own dwelling.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.38.51)

यथा तथा चिंतितं च तत्र यास्याम्यहं श्फुटम्॥ पुण्यो यत्रापि विख्यातो महीसागरसंगमः

yathā tathā ciṁtitaṁ ca tatra yāsyāmyahaṁ śphuṭam puṇyo yatrāpi vikhyāto mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

"'Turning this over and over, I resolved that I would surely go there — to that renowned and sacred confluence of Mahi and the ocean,'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.38.52)

कृताश्रमश्च तत्रैव तर्पयिष्ये निजान्पितॄन्॥ दर्शेदर्शे यथा चासौ स्तुत्यनामा सुभद्रकः

kṛtāśramaśca tatraiva tarpayiṣye nijānpitṝn darśedarśe yathā cāsau stutyanāmā subhadrakaḥ

"'and, making my hermitage there, satisfy my own ancestors at every new moon, just as that praised Subhadra does.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.38.53)

किं तेन ननु जातेन कुलांगारेण पापिना॥ यस्मिञ्जीवत्यवि निजाः पितरोऽन्यस्पृहाकराः

kiṁ tena nanu jātena kulāṁgāreṇa pāpinā yasmiñjīvatyavi nijāḥ pitaro'nyaspṛhākarāḥ

"'What good indeed is the birth of that disgrace to his family, that sinner, in whose very lifetime his own ancestors still crave the satisfaction others give?'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.38.54)

इति संचिंत्य मुदितो रुचिं भार्यामथाब्रवुम्॥ रुचे त्वया समायुक्तो महीसागगरसंगमम्

iti saṁciṁtya mudito ruciṁ bhāryāmathābravum ruce tvayā samāyukto mahīsāgagarasaṁgamam

"'Reflecting thus, delighted, I said to my wife Ruchi: "O Ruchi, together with you I shall go to the confluence of Mahi and the ocean,'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.38.55)

गत्वा स्थास्यामि तत्रैव शीघ्रं त्वं सम्मुखीभव॥ पतिव्रतासि शुद्धासिकुलीनासि यशस्विनि॥ तस्मादेतन्मम शुभे कर्तुमर्हसि चिंतितम्

gatvā sthāsyāmi tatraiva śīghraṁ tvaṁ sammukhībhava pativratāsi śuddhāsikulīnāsi yaśasvini tasmādetanmama śubhe kartumarhasi ciṁtitam

"'"and settle there without delay; make yourself ready at once. You are devoted to your husband, pure, well-born, and renowned — therefore, blessed one, you should fulfill this resolve of mine."'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.38.56)

॥रुचिरुवाच॥ हता तस्य जनिर्नाभूत्कथं पाप दुरात्मना

ruciruvāca hatā tasya janirnābhūtkathaṁ pāpa durātmanā

"'Ruchi said: "O wicked, evil-souled one, how has this birth of yours not already been destroyed?'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.38.57)

श्मशानस्तंभ येनाहं दत्ता तुभ्यं कृतंत्वाय॥ इह कंदफलाहारैर्यत्किं तेन न पूर्यते

śmaśānastaṁbha yenāhaṁ dattā tubhyaṁ kṛtaṁtvāya iha kaṁdaphalāhārairyatkiṁ tena na pūryate

"'"I was given to you as if to Death himself, a mere post in the cremation ground; living here on roots and fruit, what desire of yours still remains unfulfilled?'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.38.58)

नेतुमिच्छसि मां तत्र यत्र क्षारोदकं सदा॥ त्वमेव तत्र संयाहि नंदंतु तव पूर्वजाः

netumicchasi māṁ tatra yatra kṣārodakaṁ sadā tvameva tatra saṁyāhi naṁdaṁtu tava pūrvajāḥ

"'"You wish to take me now to where the water is forever bitter and salt? Go there yourself alone — let your ancestors rejoice at that!'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.38.59)

गच्छ वा तिष्ठ वा वृद्ध वस वा काकवच्चिरम्॥ तथा ब्रुवन्त्यां तस्यां तु कर्णावस्मि पिधाय च

gaccha vā tiṣṭha vā vṛddha vasa vā kākavacciram tathā bruvantyāṁ tasyāṁ tu karṇāvasmi pidhāya ca

"'"Go, or stay, or linger here forever like a crow, old man!"' As she spoke thus, I stopped my ears...'

Verse 60 (skanda.1.38.60)

विपुलं शिष्यमादिश्य गृह एकोऽत्र आगतः॥ सोऽहं स्नात्वात्र संतर्प्य पितॄञ्छ्रद्धापरायणः

vipulaṁ śiṣyamādiśya gṛha eko'tra āgataḥ so'haṁ snātvātra saṁtarpya pitṝñchraddhāparāyaṇaḥ

"'...and, entrusting my great household to my disciples, came here alone. Having bathed here and, with faith, offered rites to my ancestors,'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.38.61)

चिंतां सुविपुलां प्राप्तो नरके दुष्कृती यथा॥ यदि तिष्ठामि चात्रैव अर्धदेहधरो ह्यहम्

ciṁtāṁ suvipulāṁ prāpto narake duṣkṛtī yathā yadi tiṣṭhāmi cātraiva ardhadehadharo hyaham

"'I fell into vast anxiety, like a sinner cast into hell — for if I remain here alone, I remain but half a body.'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.38.62)

नरो हि गृहिणीहीनो अर्धदेह इति स्मृतः॥ यथात्मना विना देहे कार्यं किंचिन्न सिध्यति

naro hi gṛhiṇīhīno ardhadeha iti smṛtaḥ yathātmanā vinā dehe kāryaṁ kiṁcinna sidhyati

"'For a man without a wife is remembered as but half a body; as without a body, nothing at all can be accomplished by the self alone.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.38.63)

अनयोर्हि फलं ग्राह्यं सारता नात्र काचन॥ अर्धदेही च मनुजस्त्वसंस्पृश्यः सतांमतः

anayorhi phalaṁ grāhyaṁ sāratā nātra kācana ardhadehī ca manujastvasaṁspṛśyaḥ satāṁmataḥ

"'The fruit of these two must be won together; in either alone there is no essence. And the virtuous consider a man who is but half a body untouchable.'

Verse 64 (skanda.1.38.64)

अनयोर्हिफलं ग्राह्यं सारता नात्र काचन॥ अर्धदेही च मनुजस्त्वसंस्पृश्यः सतांमतः

anayorhiphalaṁ grāhyaṁ sāratā nātra kācana ardhadehī ca manujastvasaṁspṛśyaḥ satāṁmataḥ

"'The fruit of these two must be won together; in either alone there is no essence. And the virtuous consider a man who is but half a body untouchable.'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.38.65)

औत्तानपादिरस्पृश्य उत्तमो हि सुरैः कृतः॥ अथ चेत्तत्र संयामि न महीसागरस्ततः

auttānapādiraspṛśya uttamo hi suraiḥ kṛtaḥ atha cettatra saṁyāmi na mahīsāgarastataḥ

"'Dhruva, son of Uttanapada, was made supreme and untouched by decay through the gods themselves. Now, whether I go there or not, there is no confluence of Mahi and ocean here...'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.38.66)

यामि वा तत्कथं पादौ चलतो मे कथंचन॥ एतस्मिन्मे मनो विद्धं खिद्यतेऽज्ञानसंकटे

yāmi vā tatkathaṁ pādau calato me kathaṁcana etasminme mano viddhaṁ khidyate'jñānasaṁkaṭe

"'...or how indeed could I go, when my feet will not move at all? My mind is pierced by this, and troubled in this predicament of confusion.'

Verse 67 (skanda.1.38.67)

अतोऽहमतिमुह्यामि भृशं शोचामि रोदिमि॥ इतिश्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य भृशं रोमांचपूरितम्

ato'hamatimuhyāmi bhṛśaṁ śocāmi rodimi itiśrutvā vacastasya bhṛśaṁ romāṁcapūritam

"'For this reason I am utterly bewildered, deeply sorrowful, and I weep."' Hearing these his words, filled with horripilation,'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.38.68)

साधुसाध्वित्यथोवाच तं सुभद्रोऽप्यहं तथा॥ दण्डवच्च प्रणमितो महीसागरसङ्गमम्

sādhusādhvityathovāca taṁ subhadro'pyahaṁ tathā daṇḍavacca praṇamito mahīsāgarasaṅgamam

"'both Subhadra and I said 'well said, well said'; and he bowed full-length before the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.38.69)

चिन्तयावश्च मनसि प्रतीकारं मुनेरुभौ॥ यो हि मानुष्यमासाद्य जलबुद्बुदभंगुरम्

cintayāvaśca manasi pratīkāraṁ munerubhau yo hi mānuṣyamāsādya jalabudbudabhaṁguram

"'The two of us pondered in our hearts a remedy for that sage; for whatever man, having obtained this human life as fragile as a water-bubble,'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.38.70)

परार्थाय भवत्येष पुरुषोऽन्ये पुरीषकाः॥ ततः संचिंत्य प्राहेदं सुभद्रो मुनिसत्तमम्

parārthāya bhavatyeṣa puruṣo'nye purīṣakāḥ tataḥ saṁciṁtya prāhedaṁ subhadro munisattamam

"'lives for the sake of others, he alone is a true man — the rest are nothing more than refuse. Then, having reflected, Subhadra spoke thus to that foremost of sages:'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.38.71)

मा मुने परिखिद्यस्व देवशर्मन्स्थिरो भव॥ अहं ते नाशयिष्यामि शोकं सूर्यस्तमो यथा

mā mune parikhidyasva devaśarmansthiro bhava ahaṁ te nāśayiṣyāmi śokaṁ sūryastamo yathā

"'"Grieve not, O sage; O Devasharma, be steadfast. I shall destroy your sorrow as the sun destroys the darkness.'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.38.72)

गमिष्याम्याश्रमं त्वं च नात्रापि परिहास्यते॥ श्रृणु तत्कारणं तुभ्यं तर्पयिष्ये पितॄनहम्

gamiṣyāmyāśramaṁ tvaṁ ca nātrāpi parihāsyate śrṛṇu tatkāraṇaṁ tubhyaṁ tarpayiṣye pitṝnaham

"'"I shall go to my own hermitage, and so shall you — nothing here shall go to waste. Hear the reason: I myself shall satisfy your ancestors.'

Verse 73 (skanda.1.38.73)

॥देवशर्मोवाच॥ एवं ते वदमानस्य आयुरस्तु शतं समाः॥ यदशक्यं महत्कर्म कर्तुमिच्छसि मत्कृते

devaśarmovāca evaṁ te vadamānasya āyurastu śataṁ samāḥ yadaśakyaṁ mahatkarma kartumicchasi matkṛte

"'Devasharma said: "Speaking thus, may your life be a hundred years! You wish to undertake for my sake this great and impossible task —'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.38.74)

हर्षस्थाने विषादश्च पुनर्मां बाधते श्रृणु॥ अपि वाक्यं शुभं सन्तो न गृह्णन्ति मुधा मुने

harṣasthāne viṣādaśca punarmāṁ bādhate śrṛṇu api vākyaṁ śubhaṁ santo na gṛhṇanti mudhā mune

"'"yet where there should be joy, sorrow again afflicts me — listen: do even the virtuous accept an auspicious word spoken idly, O sage?'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.38.75)

कथमेतन्महत्कर्म कारयामि मुधावद॥ पुनः किंचित्प्रवक्ष्यामि यथा मे निष्कृतिर्भवेत्

kathametanmahatkarma kārayāmi mudhāvada punaḥ kiṁcitpravakṣyāmi yathā me niṣkṛtirbhavet

"'"How could I have you perform this great deed for nothing? Let me say something more, then, so that I too may find release from this.'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.38.76)

शापितोऽसि मया प्राणैर्यथा वच्मि तथा कुरु॥ अहं सदा करिष्यामि दर्शे चोद्दिश्यते पितॄन्

śāpito'si mayā prāṇairyathā vacmi tathā kuru ahaṁ sadā kariṣyāmi darśe coddiśyate pitṝn

"'"You have bound me, as it were, by an oath upon your own life — so do as I now say. I myself shall always, at the new moon, on your ancestors' behalf —'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.38.77)

श्राद्धं गंगार्णवे चात्र मत्पितॄणां त्वमाचर॥ अहं चैवापि तपसः संचितस्यापि जन्मना॥ चतुर्भागं प्रदास्यामि एवमेवैतदाचर

śrāddhaṁ gaṁgārṇave cātra matpitṝṇāṁ tvamācara ahaṁ caivāpi tapasaḥ saṁcitasyāpi janmanā caturbhāgaṁ pradāsyāmi evamevaitadācara

"'"perform the shraddha of my ancestors here at the Ganga's meeting with the ocean. And I in turn shall give you a fourth part of my own accumulated austerity, gathered even from birth — let it be exactly so."'

Verse 78 (skanda.1.38.78)

॥सुभद्र उवाच॥ यद्येवं तव संतोषस्त्वेवमस्तु मुनीश्वर॥ साधूनां च यथा हर्षस्तथा कार्यं विजानता

subhadra uvāca yadyevaṁ tava saṁtoṣastvevamastu munīśvara sādhūnāṁ ca yathā harṣastathā kāryaṁ vijānatā

"'Subhadra said: "If this brings you contentment, then so let it be, O lord of sages; for the wise should do only what brings joy to the virtuous."'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.38.79)

॥भृगुरुवाच॥ देवशर्मा ततो हृष्टो दत्त्वा पुण्यं त्रिवाचिकम्॥ चतुर्थाशं ययौ धाम स्वं सुभद्रोऽपि च स्थितः

bhṛguruvāca devaśarmā tato hṛṣṭo dattvā puṇyaṁ trivācikam caturthāśaṁ yayau dhāma svaṁ subhadro'pi ca sthitaḥ

"Bhrigu said: "Then, delighted, Devasharma, having pledged the threefold merit in words, set out with his own fourth share for his own abode; and Subhadra too remained there."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.38.80)

एवंविधो नारदासौ मही सागरसंगमः॥ यमनुस्मरतो मह्यं रोमांचोऽद्यापि वर्तते

evaṁvidho nāradāsau mahī sāgarasaṁgamaḥ yamanusmarato mahyaṁ romāṁco'dyāpi vartate

"Such indeed, O Narada, is this confluence of Mahi and the ocean — the mere memory of which still, even today, raises the hair on my body."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.38.81)

॥नारद उवाच॥ इति श्रुत्वा फाल्गुनाहं हर्षगद्गदया गिरा॥ मृतोमृत इवा वोचं साधुसाध्विति तंभृगुम्

nārada uvāca iti śrutvā phālgunāhaṁ harṣagadgadayā girā mṛtomṛta ivā vocaṁ sādhusādhviti taṁbhṛgum

Narada said: "Hearing this, O Phalguna, in a voice choked with joy, as one brought back to life from death, I said to that Bhrigu, 'well said, well said.'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.38.82)

यूयं वयं गमिष्यामो महीतीरं सुशोभनम्॥ आवामीक्षावहे सर्वं स्थानकं तदनुत्तमम्

yūyaṁ vayaṁ gamiṣyāmo mahītīraṁ suśobhanam āvāmīkṣāvahe sarvaṁ sthānakaṁ tadanuttamam

"'You and I shall now go together to that most beautiful shore of the Mahi; together we shall behold that supreme and unsurpassed place.'

Verse 83 (skanda.1.38.83)

मम चैवं वचः श्रुत्वा भृगुः सह मयययौ॥ समस्तं तु महापुण्यं महीकूलं निरीक्षितम्

mama caivaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā bhṛguḥ saha mayayayau samastaṁ tu mahāpuṇyaṁ mahīkūlaṁ nirīkṣitam

Hearing this word of mine, Bhrigu came with me; and I beheld the entire, greatly sacred bank of the Mahi.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.38.84)

तद्दृष्ट्वा चातिहृष्टोहमासं रोमांचकंचुकः॥ अब्रवं मुनिशार्दूलं हर्षगद्गदया गिरा

taddṛṣṭvā cātihṛṣṭohamāsaṁ romāṁcakaṁcukaḥ abravaṁ muniśārdūlaṁ harṣagadgadayā girā

Seeing it, I was overcome with delight, my body covered with horripilation; and in a voice choked with joy I said to that tiger among sages —

Verse 85 (skanda.1.38.85)

त्वत्प्रसादात्करिष्यामि भृगो स्थानमनुत्तमम्॥ स्वस्थानं गम्यतां ब्रह्मन्नतः कृत्यं विचिंतये

tvatprasādātkariṣyāmi bhṛgo sthānamanuttamam svasthānaṁ gamyatāṁ brahmannataḥ kṛtyaṁ viciṁtaye

"'By your grace, O Bhrigu, I shall now make this the most excellent of places. Return now, O Brahmin, to your own abode — I shall now consider what remains to be done.'

Verse 86 (skanda.1.38.86)

एवं भृगुं चास्मिविसर्जयित्वा कल्लोलकोलाहलकौतुकीतटे॥ अथोपविश्येदमचिंतयं तदा किं कृत्यमात्मानमिवैकयोगी

evaṁ bhṛguṁ cāsmivisarjayitvā kallolakolāhalakautukītaṭe athopaviśyedamaciṁtayaṁ tadā kiṁ kṛtyamātmānamivaikayogī

Thus, having taken leave of Bhrigu, seated upon that shore alive with the roar and wonder of the surging waves, I began to ponder within myself, like a lone yogi, what remained to be done.