The Establishment of Narada's Sacred Site

Verse 1 (skanda.1.41.1)

॥श्रीनारद उवाच॥ इति श्रुत्वा फाल्गुनाहं रोमांचपुलकीकृतः॥ स्वरूपं प्रकटीकृत्य ब्राह्मणानिदमब्रवम्

śrīnārada uvāca iti śrutvā phālgunāhaṁ romāṁcapulakīkṛtaḥ svarūpaṁ prakaṭīkṛtya brāhmaṇānidamabravam

Shri Narada said: "Hearing this, O Phalguna, my hair bristling with delight, I revealed my own true form and said this to the Brahmins —

Verse 2 (skanda.1.41.2)

अहो धन्यः पितास्माकं यस्य सृष्टस्य पालकाः॥ युष्मद्विधा ब्राह्मणेंद्राः सत्यमाह पुरा हरिः

aho dhanyaḥ pitāsmākaṁ yasya sṛṣṭasya pālakāḥ yuṣmadvidhā brāhmaṇeṁdrāḥ satyamāha purā hariḥ

"'Ah, blessed indeed is our father, the creator, whose creation is guarded by lords among the twice-born such as yourselves! Truly did Hari once say —'

Verse 3 (skanda.1.41.3)

मत्तोऽप्यनंतात्परतः परस्मात्समस्तभूताधिपतेर्न किंचित्॥ तेषां किमुस्यादितरेण येषां द्विजेश्वराणां मम मार्गवादिनाम्

matto'pyanaṁtātparataḥ parasmātsamastabhūtādhipaterna kiṁcit teṣāṁ kimusyāditareṇa yeṣāṁ dvijeśvarāṇāṁ mama mārgavādinām

"'"Beyond me there is nothing, beyond the infinite, beyond the lord of all beings — what then could be said of these lords among the twice-born, lesser than I, who follow my very path?"'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.41.4)

तत्सर्वथाद्या धन्योऽस्मि संप्राप्तं जन्मनः फलम्॥ यद्भवन्तो मया दृष्टाः पापोपद्रववर्जिताः

tatsarvathādyā dhanyo'smi saṁprāptaṁ janmanaḥ phalam yadbhavanto mayā dṛṣṭāḥ pāpopadravavarjitāḥ

"'Therefore I am today blessed in every way; the very fruit of my birth is now won, since I have beheld you all free of sin and disorder.'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.41.5)

ततस्ते सहसोत्थाय शातातपपुरोगमाः॥ अर्घ्यपाद्यादिसत्कारैः पूजयामासुर्मां द्विजाः

tataste sahasotthāya śātātapapurogamāḥ arghyapādyādisatkāraiḥ pūjayāmāsurmāṁ dvijāḥ

"Then they rose up at once, Shatatapa foremost among them, and those Brahmins honored me with arghya, padya, and other rites of welcome.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.41.6)

प्रोक्तवन्तश्च मां पार्थ वचः साधुजनो चितम्॥ धन्या वयं हि देवर्षे त्वमस्मान्यदिहागतः

proktavantaśca māṁ pārtha vacaḥ sādhujano citam dhanyā vayaṁ hi devarṣe tvamasmānyadihāgataḥ

"And they spoke to me, O Partha, words befitting the good: 'Blessed indeed are we, O celestial sage, that you have come here to us.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.41.7)

कुतो वाऽऽगमनं तुभ्यं गन्तव्यं वा क्व सांप्रतम्॥ अत्राप्यागमने कार्यमुच्यतां मुनिसत्तम

kuto vā''gamanaṁ tubhyaṁ gantavyaṁ vā kva sāṁpratam atrāpyāgamane kāryamucyatāṁ munisattama

"'From where have you come, and where must you go now? Tell us too the purpose of this visit, O best of sages.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.41.8)

श्रुत्वा प्रीतिकरं वाक्यं द्विजानामिति पांडव॥ प्रत्यवोचं मुनीन्द्रांस्ताञ्छ्रूयतां द्विजसत्तमाः

śrutvā prītikaraṁ vākyaṁ dvijānāmiti pāṁḍava pratyavocaṁ munīndrāṁstāñchrūyatāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

"Hearing this pleasing speech of the Brahmins, O Pandava, I answered those lords of sages: 'Listen, O best of the twice-born —'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.41.9)

अहं हि ब्रह्मणो वाक्याद्विप्राणां स्थानकं शुभम्॥ दातुकामो महातीर्थे महीसागरसंगमे

ahaṁ hi brahmaṇo vākyādviprāṇāṁ sthānakaṁ śubham dātukāmo mahātīrthe mahīsāgarasaṁgame

"'by the word of Brahma, I wish to grant Brahmins an auspicious dwelling at the great tirtha, the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.41.10)

परीक्षन्ब्राह्मणानत्र प्राप्तो यूयं परीक्षिताः॥ अहं वः स्थायिष्यामि चानुजानीत तद्द्विजाः

parīkṣanbrāhmaṇānatra prāpto yūyaṁ parīkṣitāḥ ahaṁ vaḥ sthāyiṣyāmi cānujānīta taddvijāḥ

"'Testing Brahmins for this very purpose I have come here, and you all have now been tested; I shall settle you there — grant me your leave, O twice-born.'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.41.11)

एवमुक्तो विलोक्यैव द्विजाञ्छातातपोऽब्रवीत्॥ देवानामपि दुष्प्राप्यं सत्यं नारद भारतम्

evamukto vilokyaiva dvijāñchātātapo'bravīt devānāmapi duṣprāpyaṁ satyaṁ nārada bhāratam

"Thus addressed, Shatatapa, looking at the Brahmins, said: 'Truly, O Narada, the land of Bharata is hard to attain even for the gods.'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.41.12)

किं पुनश्चापि तत्रैव मही सागरसंगमः॥ यत्र स्नातो महातीर्थफलं सर्वमुपाश्नुते

kiṁ punaścāpi tatraiva mahī sāgarasaṁgamaḥ yatra snāto mahātīrthaphalaṁ sarvamupāśnute

"'What then to say of that very place, the confluence of Mahi and the ocean, where one who bathes gains the entire fruit of every great tirtha?'

Verse 13 (skanda.1.41.13)

पुनरेको महान्दोषो बिभीमो नितरां यतः॥ तत्र चौराः सुबहवो निर्घृणाः प्रियसाहसाः

punareko mahāndoṣo bibhīmo nitarāṁ yataḥ tatra caurāḥ subahavo nirghṛṇāḥ priyasāhasāḥ

"'Yet even so there is one great flaw there, which fills us with dread — that many merciless thieves, given to reckless violence, dwell there,'

Verse 14 (skanda.1.41.14)

स्पर्शेषु षोडशं चैकविंशं गृह्णंति नो धनम्॥ धनेन तेन हीनानां कीदृशं जन्म नो भवेत्

sparśeṣu ṣoḍaśaṁ caikaviṁśaṁ gṛhṇaṁti no dhanam dhanena tena hīnānāṁ kīdṛśaṁ janma no bhavet

"'who seize our wealth at every sixteenth and twenty-first turn of the road. Deprived of that wealth, what sort of life would then be ours?'

Verse 15 (skanda.1.41.15)

वरं बुभुक्षया वासो मा चौरकरगा वयम्॥ ॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ अद्भुतं वर्ण्यते विप्र के हि चौराः प्रकीर्तिताः

varaṁ bubhukṣayā vāso mā caurakaragā vayam arjuna uvāca adbhutaṁ varṇyate vipra ke hi caurāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

"'Better to remain hungry than fall into the hands of thieves!'" Arjuna said: "A wonder is this you describe, O Brahmin — who indeed are these renowned thieves?

Verse 16 (skanda.1.41.16)

किं धनं च हरंत्येते येभ्यो बिभ्यति ब्राह्मणाः॥ ॥नारद उवाच॥ कामक्रोधादयश्चौरास्तप एव धनं तथा

kiṁ dhanaṁ ca haraṁtyete yebhyo bibhyati brāhmaṇāḥ nārada uvāca kāmakrodhādayaścaurāstapa eva dhanaṁ tathā

"And what wealth do they steal, that Brahmins fear them so?" Narada said: "Desire, anger, and their kin are the thieves, and austerity itself is that wealth;

Verse 17 (skanda.1.41.17)

तस्यापहारभीतास्ते मामूचुरिति ब्राह्मणाः॥ तानहं प्राब्रवं पश्चाद्वि जानीत द्विजोत्तमाः

tasyāpahārabhītāste māmūcuriti brāhmaṇāḥ tānahaṁ prābravaṁ paścādvi jānīta dvijottamāḥ

"fearing its theft, those Brahmins spoke thus to me. I then said to them: 'Understand this, O best of the twice-born —'

Verse 18 (skanda.1.41.18)

जाग्रतां तु मनुष्याणां चौराः कुर्वंति किं खलाः॥ भयभीतश्चालसश्च तथा चाशुचिरेव यः

jāgratāṁ tu manuṣyāṇāṁ caurāḥ kurvaṁti kiṁ khalāḥ bhayabhītaścālasaśca tathā cāśucireva yaḥ

"'what can these wicked thieves do to men who remain wakeful? He who is fearful, or slothful, or indeed impure —'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.41.19)

तेन किं नाम संसाध्यं भूमिस्तं ग्रसते नरम्

tena kiṁ nāma saṁsādhyaṁ bhūmistaṁ grasate naram

"'what indeed could such a man ever accomplish? The very earth swallows him.'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.41.20)

॥शातातप उवाच॥ वयं चौरभयाद्भीतास्ते हरंति धनं महत्॥ कर्तुं तदा कथं शक्यमंग जागरणं तथा

śātātapa uvāca vayaṁ caurabhayādbhītāste haraṁti dhanaṁ mahat kartuṁ tadā kathaṁ śakyamaṁga jāgaraṇaṁ tathā

Shatatapa said: "We are afraid, in fear of thieves — they carry off our great wealth. How then, dear friend, could we possibly keep such vigil?"

Verse 21 (skanda.1.41.21)

खलाश्चौरा गताः क्वापि ततो नत्वाऽऽगता वयम्॥ तस्मासर्वं संत्यजामो भयभीता वयं मुने

khalāścaurā gatāḥ kvāpi tato natvā''gatā vayam tasmāsarvaṁ saṁtyajāmo bhayabhītā vayaṁ mune

"Those wicked thieves have vanished somewhere, and so, bowing out, we too have turned back; therefore, fearful as we are, we abandon all of this, O sage.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.41.22)

प्रतिग्रहश्च वै घोरः षष्ठांऽशफलदस्तथा॥ एवं ब्रुवति तस्मिंश्च हारीतोनाम चाब्रवीत्

pratigrahaśca vai ghoraḥ ṣaṣṭhāṁ'śaphaladastathā evaṁ bruvati tasmiṁśca hārītonāma cābravīt

"And besides, accepting gifts is a terrible thing, yielding only a sixth part of its merit." As he spoke thus, a sage named Harita then said —

Verse 23 (skanda.1.41.23)

मूढबुद्ध्या हि को नाम महीसागरसंगमम्॥ त्यजेच्च यत्र मोक्षश्च स्वर्गश्च करगोऽथ वा

mūḍhabuddhyā hi ko nāma mahīsāgarasaṁgamam tyajecca yatra mokṣaśca svargaśca karago'tha vā

"'What fool of a man would ever abandon the confluence of Mahi and the ocean, where liberation and heaven lie within one's very grasp?'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.41.24)

कलापादिषु ग्रामेषु को वसेत विचक्षणः॥ यदि वासः स्तम्भतीर्थे क्षणार्धमपि लभ्यते

kalāpādiṣu grāmeṣu ko vaseta vicakṣaṇaḥ yadi vāsaḥ stambhatīrthe kṣaṇārdhamapi labhyate

"'What discerning man would instead dwell in villages such as Kalapa? For if even half a moment's stay at Stambha-tirtha can be had...'

Verse 25 (skanda.1.41.25)

भयं च चौरजं सर्वं किं करिष्यति तत्र न॥ कुमारनाथं मनसि पालकं कुर्वतां दृढम्

bhayaṁ ca caurajaṁ sarvaṁ kiṁ kariṣyati tatra na kumāranāthaṁ manasi pālakaṁ kurvatāṁ dṛḍham

"'...what could all the fear born of thieves achieve there? For those who hold Kumara's Lord firmly as their protector in mind —'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.41.26)

साहसं च विना भूतिर्न कथंचन प्राप्यते॥ तस्मान्नारद तत्राहमायास्ये तव वाक्यतः

sāhasaṁ ca vinā bhūtirna kathaṁcana prāpyate tasmānnārada tatrāhamāyāsye tava vākyataḥ

"'...without boldness, prosperity is never won by any means. Therefore, O Narada, I shall go there at your word.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.41.27)

षड्विंशतिसहस्राणि ब्राह्मणा मे परिग्रहे॥ षट्कर्मनिरताः शुद्धा लोभदम्भविवर्जिताः

ṣaḍviṁśatisahasrāṇi brāhmaṇā me parigrahe ṣaṭkarmaniratāḥ śuddhā lobhadambhavivarjitāḥ

"'Twenty-six thousand Brahmins follow me, devoted to the six duties, pure, free of greed and hypocrisy;'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.41.28)

तैः सार्धमागमिष्यामि ममेदं मतमुत्तमम्॥ इत्युक्ते वचने तांश्च कृत्वाहं दंडमूर्धनि

taiḥ sārdhamāgamiṣyāmi mamedaṁ matamuttamam ityukte vacane tāṁśca kṛtvāhaṁ daṁḍamūrdhani

"'with them I shall come — this is my resolve.' When he spoke this word, placing my staff upon my head,'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.41.29)

निवृत्तः सहसा पार्थ खेचरोऽतिमुदान्वितः॥ शतयोजनमात्रं तु हिममार्गमतीत्य च

nivṛttaḥ sahasā pārtha khecaro'timudānvitaḥ śatayojanamātraṁ tu himamārgamatītya ca

"I set out at once, O Partha, filled with the greatest joy, moving through the sky. Crossing a hundred yojanas of that snowy path,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.41.30)

केदारं समुपायातो युक्तस्तैर्द्विजसत्तमैः॥ आकाशेन सुशक्यश्च बिलेनाथ स देशकः

kedāraṁ samupāyāto yuktastairdvijasattamaiḥ ākāśena suśakyaśca bilenātha sa deśakaḥ

"I arrived, together with those finest of Brahmins, at Kedara. Only through the sky, or by a hidden passage, could that country...

Verse 31 (skanda.1.41.31)

अतिक्रांतुं नान्यथा च तथा स्कंदप्रसादतः

atikrāṁtuṁ nānyathā ca tathā skaṁdaprasādataḥ

"...be crossed, and by no other means — and even that only by the grace of Skanda.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.41.32)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ क्व कलापं च तद्ग्रामं कथं शक्यं बिलेन च॥ कथं स्कंदप्रसादः स्यादेतन्मे ब्रूहि नारद

arjuna uvāca kva kalāpaṁ ca tadgrāmaṁ kathaṁ śakyaṁ bilena ca kathaṁ skaṁdaprasādaḥ syādetanme brūhi nārada

Arjuna said: "Where indeed is that village of Kalapa, and how can it be reached through that hidden passage? How is Skanda's grace to be won — tell me this, O Narada."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.41.33)

॥नारद उवाच॥ केदाराद्धिमसंयुक्तं योजनानां शतं स्मृतम्॥ तदंते योजनशतं विस्तृतं तत्कलापकम्

nārada uvāca kedārāddhimasaṁyuktaṁ yojanānāṁ śataṁ smṛtam tadaṁte yojanaśataṁ vistṛtaṁ tatkalāpakam

Narada said: "From Kedara, a hundred yojanas of snow-covered land is reckoned; beyond it lies that Kalapaka, a hundred yojanas in extent.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.41.34)

तदंते योजनशतं वासुकार्णव मुच्यते॥ शतयोजनमात्रः स भूमिस्वर्गस्ततः स्मृतः

tadaṁte yojanaśataṁ vāsukārṇava mucyate śatayojanamātraḥ sa bhūmisvargastataḥ smṛtaḥ

"Beyond that, a hundred yojanas is called the ocean of Vasuki; beyond that again, a hundred yojanas is remembered as the earthly heaven.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.41.35)

बिलेन च यथा शक्यं गंतुं तत्र श्रृणुष्व तत्॥ निरन्नं वै निरुदकं देवमाराधयेद्गुहम्

bilena ca yathā śakyaṁ gaṁtuṁ tatra śrṛṇuṣva tat nirannaṁ vai nirudakaṁ devamārādhayedguham

"Now hear how that hidden passage may be traveled. One must worship Lord Guha, taking neither food nor water,

Verse 36 (skanda.1.41.36)

दक्षिणायां दिशि ततो निष्पापं मन्यते यदा॥ तदा गुहोऽस्य स्वप्ने गच्छेति भारत

dakṣiṇāyāṁ diśi tato niṣpāpaṁ manyate yadā tadā guho'sya svapne gaccheti bhārata

"facing toward the south; then, once he is deemed free of sin, Guha comes to him in a dream and says, 'Go,' O Bharata.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.41.37)

ततो गुहात्पश्चिमतो बिलमस्ति बृहत्तरम्॥ तत्र प्रविश्य गंतव्यं क्रमाणां शतसप्तकम्

tato guhātpaścimato bilamasti bṛhattaram tatra praviśya gaṁtavyaṁ kramāṇāṁ śatasaptakam

"Then, west of Guha's shrine, lies a still greater hidden passage; entering it, one must walk seven hundred paces.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.41.38)

तत्र मारकतं लिंगमस्ति सूर्यसमप्रभम्॥ तदग्रे मृत्तिका चास्ति स्वर्णवर्णा सुनिर्मला

tatra mārakataṁ liṁgamasti sūryasamaprabham tadagre mṛttikā cāsti svarṇavarṇā sunirmalā

"There stands an emerald linga, radiant as the sun; before it lies clay of a golden hue, utterly pure.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.41.39)

नमस्कृत्य च तल्लिंगं गृहीत्वा मृत्तिकां च ताम्॥ आगंतव्यं स्तंभतीर्थे समाराध्य कुमारकम्

namaskṛtya ca talliṁgaṁ gṛhītvā mṛttikāṁ ca tām āgaṁtavyaṁ staṁbhatīrthe samārādhya kumārakam

"Bowing to that linga and taking that clay, one must come, worshipping Kumara, to Stambha-tirtha.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.41.40)

कोलं वा कूपतो ग्राह्यं भूतायां निशि तज्जलम्॥ तेनोदकेन मृत्तिकया कृत्वा नेत्रद्वयाञ्जनम्

kolaṁ vā kūpato grāhyaṁ bhūtāyāṁ niśi tajjalam tenodakena mṛttikayā kṛtvā netradvayāñjanam

"At the depth of night, water must be drawn from a well by a bucket; with that water and clay one should make a collyrium for both eyes,

Verse 41 (skanda.1.41.41)

उद्वर्तनं च देहस्य कदाचित्षष्टिमे पदे॥ नेत्रांजनप्रभावाच्च बिलं पश्यति शोभनम्

udvartanaṁ ca dehasya kadācitṣaṣṭime pade netrāṁjanaprabhāvācca bilaṁ paśyati śobhanam

"and an anointing paste for the body. Sometimes, at the sixtieth step, by the power of that eye-collyrium, a fair hidden passage becomes visible.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.41.42)

तन्मध्येन ततो याति गात्रोद्वर्त्तप्रभावतः॥ कारीषैर्नाम चात्युग्रैर्भक्ष्यते नैव कीटकैः

tanmadhyena tato yāti gātrodvarttaprabhāvataḥ kārīṣairnāma cātyugrairbhakṣyate naiva kīṭakaiḥ

"Through its middle one then passes, by the power of the body's anointing; there the fierce insects called karisha never devour the traveler.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.41.43)

बिलमध्ये च संपश्यन्सिद्धान्भास्करसन्निभान्॥ यात्येवं यात्यसौ पार्थ कलापं ग्राममुत्तमम्

bilamadhye ca saṁpaśyansiddhānbhāskarasannibhān yātyevaṁ yātyasau pārtha kalāpaṁ grāmamuttamam

"Beholding, within that passage, Siddhas radiant as the sun, and journeying on in this way, O Partha, one comes at last to that excellent village of Kalapa.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.41.44)

तत्र वर्षसहस्राणि चत्वार्यायुःप्रकीर्तितम्॥ फलानां भोजनं च स्यात्पुनः पुण्यं च नार्ज्जयेत्

tatra varṣasahasrāṇi catvāryāyuḥprakīrtitam phalānāṁ bhojanaṁ ca syātpunaḥ puṇyaṁ ca nārjjayet

"There a life of four thousand years is proclaimed; one lives there on fruit alone, and gains no further merit.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.41.45)

इत्येतत्कथितं तुभ्यमतश्चाभूच्छृणुष्व तत्॥ तपः सामर्थ्यतः सूक्ष्मान्दण्डस्याग्रे निधाय तान्

ityetatkathitaṁ tubhyamataścābhūcchṛṇuṣva tat tapaḥ sāmarthyataḥ sūkṣmāndaṇḍasyāgre nidhāya tān

"This much has now been told to you; hear now what followed. By the power of austerity, setting those subtle Brahmins upon the tip of my staff,

Verse 46 (skanda.1.41.46)

द्विजानहं समायातो महीसागरसंगमम्

dvijānahaṁ samāyāto mahīsāgarasaṁgamam

"I came to the confluence of Mahi and the ocean.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.41.47)

तदोत्तार्य मया मुक्तास्तीरे पुण्यजलाशये॥ ततो मया कृतं स्नानं सह तैर्द्विजसत्तमैः

tadottārya mayā muktāstīre puṇyajalāśaye tato mayā kṛtaṁ snānaṁ saha tairdvijasattamaiḥ

"Then, setting them down, I released them upon the shore of that sacred pool; then I bathed together with those finest of Brahmins,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.41.48)

निःशेषदोषदावाग्नौ महीसागरसंगमे॥ पितॄणां देवतानां च कृत्वा तर्पणसत्क्रियाः

niḥśeṣadoṣadāvāgnau mahīsāgarasaṁgame pitṝṇāṁ devatānāṁ ca kṛtvā tarpaṇasatkriyāḥ

"at the confluence of Mahi and the ocean, that great fire consuming every fault; and having performed the sacred rites of libation to ancestors and gods,

Verse 49 (skanda.1.41.49)

जपमानाः परं जप्यं निविष्टाः संगमे वयम्॥ भास्करं समवेक्षंतश्चिंतयंतो हरिं हृदि

japamānāḥ paraṁ japyaṁ niviṣṭāḥ saṁgame vayam bhāskaraṁ samavekṣaṁtaściṁtayaṁto hariṁ hṛdi

"reciting the supreme japa, we settled at the confluence, gazing upon the sun, meditating on Hari in our hearts.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.41.50)

तस्मिंश्चैवांतरे पार्थ देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः॥ आदित्याद्या ग्रहाः सर्वे लोकपालाश्च संगताः

tasmiṁścaivāṁtare pārtha devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ ādityādyā grahāḥ sarve lokapālāśca saṁgatāḥ

"And meanwhile, O Partha, the gods with Shakra at their head, all the planets beginning with the Adityas, and the guardians of the world, gathered there,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.41.51)

देवानां योनयो ह्यष्टौ गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः॥ महोत्सवे ततस्तस्मिन्गीतवादित्र उत्तमे

devānāṁ yonayo hyaṣṭau gaṁdharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ mahotsave tatastasmingītavāditra uttame

"together with the eight orders of divine beings and hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras — then, in that great festival, amid the finest singing and music,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.41.52)

पादप्रक्षालनं कर्तुं विप्राणामुद्यतस्त्वहम्॥ तस्मिन्काले चाश्रृणवमहमातिथ्यवाक्यताम्

pādaprakṣālanaṁ kartuṁ viprāṇāmudyatastvaham tasminkāle cāśrṛṇavamahamātithyavākyatām

"I set about to wash the feet of the Brahmins; and at that very moment I heard the sound of a welcome being offered,

Verse 53 (skanda.1.41.53)

सामध्वनिसमायुक्तां तृतीयस्वरनादिताम्॥ अतीव मनसो रम्यां शिव भक्तिमिवोत्तमाम्

sāmadhvanisamāyuktāṁ tṛtīyasvaranāditām atīva manaso ramyāṁ śiva bhaktimivottamām

"joined with the tone of Sama chant, resounding in the third note, deeply delightful to the mind, like the finest devotion to Shiva.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.41.54)

विप्रैरुत्थाय संपृष्टः कस्त्वं विप्र क्व चागतः॥ किं वा प्रार्थयसे ब्रूहि यत्ते मनसि रोचते

viprairutthāya saṁpṛṣṭaḥ kastvaṁ vipra kva cāgataḥ kiṁ vā prārthayase brūhi yatte manasi rocate

"The Brahmins rose and asked: 'Who are you, O Brahmin, and from where have you come? What do you desire — tell us what is in your mind.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.41.55)

॥विप्र उवाच॥ मुनिः कपिलनामाहं नारदाय निवेद्यताम्॥ आगतः प्रार्थनायैव तच्छ्रुत्वाहमथाब्रवम्

vipra uvāca muniḥ kapilanāmāhaṁ nāradāya nivedyatām āgataḥ prārthanāyaiva tacchrutvāhamathābravam

"The Brahmin said: 'I am the sage named Kapila; let it be told to Narada that I have come here with a request.' Hearing this, I said —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.41.56)

धन्योहं यदिहायातः कपिल त्वं महामुने॥ नास्त्यदेयं तवास्माभिः पात्रं नास्ति तवाधिकम्

dhanyohaṁ yadihāyātaḥ kapila tvaṁ mahāmune nāstyadeyaṁ tavāsmābhiḥ pātraṁ nāsti tavādhikam

"'Blessed am I that you have come here, O great sage Kapila! There is nothing we could not give you — no one worthier than you exists.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.41.57)

॥कपिल उवाच॥ ब्रह्मपुत्र त्वया देयं यदि मे त्वं श्रृणुष्व तत्॥ अष्टौ विप्रसहस्राणि मम देहीति नारद

kapila uvāca brahmaputra tvayā deyaṁ yadi me tvaṁ śrṛṇuṣva tat aṣṭau viprasahasrāṇi mama dehīti nārada

"Kapila said: 'O son of Brahma, if you would give to me, then listen to what I ask — give me eight thousand Brahmins, O Narada;'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.41.58)

भूमिदानं करिष्यामि कलापग्रामवासिनाम्॥ ब्राह्मणानामहं चैषां तदिदं क्रियतां विभो

bhūmidānaṁ kariṣyāmi kalāpagrāmavāsinām brāhmaṇānāmahaṁ caiṣāṁ tadidaṁ kriyatāṁ vibho

"'I shall make a grant of land to the Brahmins dwelling in Kalapa-grama. These are my own Brahmins — let it be done, O mighty one.'"

Verse 59 (skanda.1.41.59)

ततो मया प्रतिज्ञातमेवमस्तु महामुने॥ त्वयापि क्रियतां स्थानं कापिलं कपिलोत्तमम्

tato mayā pratijñātamevamastu mahāmune tvayāpi kriyatāṁ sthānaṁ kāpilaṁ kapilottamam

"Then I gave my word: 'Let it be so, great sage; and may you too establish here a place named Kapila, O finest of Kapilas.'

Verse 60 (skanda.1.41.60)

श्राद्धे वा प्राप्तकाले वा ह्यतिथिर्विमुखीभवेत्॥ यस्याश्रममुपायातस्यस्य सर्वं हि निष्फलम्

śrāddhe vā prāptakāle vā hyatithirvimukhībhavet yasyāśramamupāyātasyasya sarvaṁ hi niṣphalam

"At a shraddha, or when the proper occasion arrives, if a guest is turned away, all that belongs to the one whose hermitage he approached is rendered fruitless.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.41.61)

स गच्छेद्रौरवाँल्लोकान्योऽतिथिं नाभिपूजयेत्॥ अतिथिः पूजितो येन स देवैरपि पूज्यते

sa gacchedrauravā~llokānyo'tithiṁ nābhipūjayet atithiḥ pūjito yena sa devairapi pūjyate

"He who does not honor a guest goes to the most terrible hells; he by whom a guest is honored is himself honored even by the gods.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.41.62)

दानैर्यज्ञैस्त तस्तस्मिन्भोजितः कपिलो मुनिः॥ ततो महामुनिः श्रीमान्हारीतो ह्वयितस्तदा

dānairyajñaista tastasminbhojitaḥ kapilo muniḥ tato mahāmuniḥ śrīmānhārīto hvayitastadā

"Thus was the sage Kapila feasted there with gifts and sacrifices; then the glorious great sage Harita was summoned too,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.41.63)

पादप्रक्षालनार्थाय सिद्धदेवसमागमे॥ हारीतश्च पुरस्कृत्य वामपादं तदा स्थितः

pādaprakṣālanārthāya siddhadevasamāgame hārītaśca puraskṛtya vāmapādaṁ tadā sthitaḥ

"for the washing of feet, in that gathering of Siddhas and gods. Harita then stepped forward, and stood with his left foot set first,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.41.64)

ततो हासो महाञ्जज्ञे सिद्धाप्सरः सुपर्वणाम्॥ विचिंत्य बहुधा पृथ्वीं साधु साधुकृता द्विजाः

tato hāso mahāñjajñe siddhāpsaraḥ suparvaṇām viciṁtya bahudhā pṛthvīṁ sādhu sādhukṛtā dvijāḥ

"and at that a great burst of laughter rose among the Siddhas, Apsaras, and gods. Dwelling on this again and again, the twice-born said, mockingly, 'well done, well done.'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.41.65)

ततो ममापि मनसि शोकवेगो महानभूत्॥ सत्यां चैव तथा मेने गाथां पूर्वबुधेरिताम्

tato mamāpi manasi śokavego mahānabhūt satyāṁ caiva tathā mene gāthāṁ pūrvabudheritām

"Then a great wave of sorrow rose in my mind as well; and I recalled as true that ancient saying spoken by the wise —

Verse 66 (skanda.1.41.66)

सर्वेष्वपि च कार्येषु हेतिशब्दो विगर्हितः॥ कुर्वतामतिकार्याणि शिलापातो ध्रुवं भवेत्

sarveṣvapi ca kāryeṣu hetiśabdo vigarhitaḥ kurvatāmatikāryāṇi śilāpāto dhruvaṁ bhavet

"'"In every undertaking the very sound of mockery is deplorable; for those who act with excessive haste, a fall upon stone is certain."'

Verse 67 (skanda.1.41.67)

ततोहमब्रंवं विप्रान्यूयं मूर्खा भविष्यथ॥ धनधान्याल्पसंयुक्ता दारिद्र्यकलिलावृताः

tatohamabraṁvaṁ viprānyūyaṁ mūrkhā bhaviṣyatha dhanadhānyālpasaṁyuktā dāridryakalilāvṛtāḥ

"Then I said to the Brahmins: 'You shall become fools! You shall be stripped of wealth and grain, and wrapped in the darkness of poverty!'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.41.68)

एवमुक्ते प्रहस्यैव हारीतः प्राब्रवीदिदम्॥ तवैवेयं मुने हानिर्यदस्माञ्छपते भवान्

evamukte prahasyaiva hārītaḥ prābravīdidam tavaiveyaṁ mune hāniryadasmāñchapate bhavān

"Hearing this, Harita, laughing, said: 'This loss, O sage, is truly your own, in that you curse us so.'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.41.69)

कः शापो दीयते तुभ्यं शापोयमयमेव ते॥ ततो विमृश्य भूयोऽहब्रवं किमहंद्विज

kaḥ śāpo dīyate tubhyaṁ śāpoyamayameva te tato vimṛśya bhūyo'habravaṁ kimahaṁdvija

"'What curse indeed has been laid on you? This very curse shall fall on you yourself.' Then, reflecting further, I said: 'What indeed am I, O twice-born,'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.41.70)

तथाविधस्य भवतो वामपादप्रदानतः

tathāvidhasya bhavato vāmapādapradānataḥ

"'compared to one such as you, who, in this act of offering the left foot...'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.41.71)

॥हारीत उवाच॥ श्रृणु तत्कारणं धीमञ्छून्यता मे यतो भवेत्

hārīta uvāca śrṛṇu tatkāraṇaṁ dhīmañchūnyatā me yato bhavet

"Harita said: 'Listen, O wise one, to the reason why an emptiness might have come upon me —'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.41.72)

इति चिंतयतश्चित्ते हा दुःखोऽयं प्रतिग्रहः॥ प्रतिग्रहेण विप्राणां ब्राह्म्यं तेजो हि शाम्यति

iti ciṁtayataścitte hā duḥkho'yaṁ pratigrahaḥ pratigraheṇa viprāṇāṁ brāhmyaṁ tejo hi śāmyati

"'thinking thus to myself: alas, this accepting of gifts brings sorrow! Through acceptance, the very Brahmic radiance of Brahmins is dimmed.'

Verse 73 (skanda.1.41.73)

महादानं हि गृह्णानो ब्राह्मणः स्वं शुभं हि यत्॥ ददाति दातुर्दाता च अशुभं यच्छति स्वकम्

mahādānaṁ hi gṛhṇāno brāhmaṇaḥ svaṁ śubhaṁ hi yat dadāti dāturdātā ca aśubhaṁ yacchati svakam

"'The Brahmin who accepts a great gift gives away his own good fortune to the giver, and the giver in turn takes the giver's own misfortune upon himself.'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.41.74)

दाता प्रतिग्रहीता च वचनं हि परस्परम्॥ मन्यतेऽधःकरो यस्य सोऽल्पबुद्धिः प्रहीयते

dātā pratigrahītā ca vacanaṁ hi parasparam manyate'dhaḥkaro yasya so'lpabuddhiḥ prahīyate

"'Giver and receiver each hold the other's words to place him lower — and whoever thinks himself the lesser of the two loses even his little wisdom besides.'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.41.75)

इति चिंतयतो मह्यं शून्यताभूद्धि नारद॥ निद्रार्तश्च भयार्तश्च कामार्तः शोकपीडितः

iti ciṁtayato mahyaṁ śūnyatābhūddhi nārada nidrārtaśca bhayārtaśca kāmārtaḥ śokapīḍitaḥ

"'Reflecting thus, O Narada, an emptiness came over me; for one troubled by sleep, or fear, or desire, or afflicted by sorrow,'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.41.76)

हृतस्वश्चान्यचित्तश्च शून्याह्येते भवंति च॥ तदेषु मतिमान्कोपं न कुर्वीत यदि त्वया

hṛtasvaścānyacittaśca śūnyāhyete bhavaṁti ca tadeṣu matimānkopaṁ na kurvīta yadi tvayā

"'or whose wealth is stolen, or whose mind is elsewhere — all these become as if empty. Therefore a wise man should never grow angry over such a thing — yet if you have...'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.41.77)

कृतः कोपस्ततस्तुभ्यमेवं हानिरियं मुने॥ ततस्तापान्वितश्चाहं तान्वि प्रानब्रवं पुनः

kṛtaḥ kopastatastubhyamevaṁ hāniriyaṁ mune tatastāpānvitaścāhaṁ tānvi prānabravaṁ punaḥ

"'...grown angry all the same, this loss, O sage, is your own.' Then, filled with distress, I spoke again to those Brahmins —

Verse 78 (skanda.1.41.78)

धिङ्मामस्तु च दुर्बुद्धिमविमृश्यार्थकारिणम्॥ कुर्वतामविमृश्यैव तत्किमस्ति न यद्भवेत्

dhiṅmāmastu ca durbuddhimavimṛśyārthakāriṇam kurvatāmavimṛśyaiva tatkimasti na yadbhavet

"'Shame on me, who acted from foolish, unreflecting haste! For those who act without reflection, what indeed does not go wrong?'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.41.79)

सहसा न क्रियां कुर्यात्पदमेतन्महापदाम्॥ विमृश्यकारिणं धीरं वृणते सर्वसंपदः

sahasā na kriyāṁ kuryātpadametanmahāpadām vimṛśyakāriṇaṁ dhīraṁ vṛṇate sarvasaṁpadaḥ

"'A man should never act in undue haste — this alone is the very foothold of great calamity. Every fortune chooses the steadfast man who acts only after due reflection.'

Verse 80 (skanda.1.41.80)

सत्यमाह महाबुद्धिश्चिरकारी पुरा हि सः॥ पुरा हि ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्प्रख्यातों गिरसां कुले

satyamāha mahābuddhiścirakārī purā hi saḥ purā hi brāhmaṇaḥ kaścitprakhyātoṁ girasāṁ kule

"'Truly did that man of great wisdom speak — he who was, long ago, the slow-deliberator. Long ago, in the family of Angiras, there was a renowned Brahmin,'

Verse 81 (skanda.1.41.81)

चिरकारि महाप्राज्ञो गौतमस्याभवत्सुतः॥ चिरेण सर्वकार्याणि यो विमृश्य प्रपद्यते

cirakāri mahāprājño gautamasyābhavatsutaḥ cireṇa sarvakāryāṇi yo vimṛśya prapadyate

"'the exceedingly wise Chirakari, who was the son of Gautama — one who set about every task only after long reflection.'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.41.82)

चिरकार्याभिसंपतेश्चिरकारी तथोच्यते॥ अलसग्रहणं प्राप्तो दुर्मेधावी तथोच्यते

cirakāryābhisaṁpateścirakārī tathocyate alasagrahaṇaṁ prāpto durmedhāvī tathocyate

"'Because he accomplished every deed only after long delay, he was called Chirakari, the slow-acting one. A slothful, dull-witted man too is sometimes given this same name —'

Verse 83 (skanda.1.41.83)

बुद्धिलाघवयुक्तेन जनेनादीर्घदर्शिना॥ व्यभिचारेण कस्मिन्स व्यतिक्रम्या परान्सुतान्

buddhilāghavayuktena janenādīrghadarśinā vyabhicāreṇa kasminsa vyatikramyā parānsutān

"'though only those of shallow mind and little foresight would judge him so. Now, on a certain occasion, apart from his other sons...'

Verse 84 (skanda.1.41.84)

पित्रोक्तः कुपितेनाथ जहीमां जननीमिति॥ स तथेति चिरेणोक्तः स्वभावाच्चिरकारकः

pitroktaḥ kupitenātha jahīmāṁ jananīmiti sa tatheti cireṇoktaḥ svabhāvāccirakārakaḥ

"'...because of some misconduct of his mother, the enraged father commanded him: "Slay this your mother!" True to his nature he said, "So be it," but slowly — for he was by nature the slow-deliberator.'

Verse 85 (skanda.1.41.85)

विमृश्य चिरकारित्वाच्चिं तयामास वै चिरम्॥ पितुराज्ञां कथं कुर्यां न हन्यां मातरं कथम्

vimṛśya cirakāritvācciṁ tayāmāsa vai ciram piturājñāṁ kathaṁ kuryāṁ na hanyāṁ mātaraṁ katham

"'Deliberating, as was his nature, he pondered for a long time: "How shall I obey my father's command, and yet how shall I not slay my mother?"'

Verse 86 (skanda.1.41.86)

कथं धर्मच्छलेनास्मिन्निमज्जेयमसाधुवत्॥ पितुराज्ञा परो धर्मो ह्यधर्मो मातृरक्षणम्

kathaṁ dharmacchalenāsminnimajjeyamasādhuvat piturājñā paro dharmo hyadharmo mātṛrakṣaṇam

"'How, under the pretext of dharma, should I sink into this deed as the wicked do? A father's command is the highest dharma, yet failing to protect a mother is itself adharma —'

Verse 87 (skanda.1.41.87)

अस्वतंत्रं च पुत्रत्वं किं तु मां नात्र पीडयेत्॥ स्त्रियं हत्वा मातरं च को हि जातु सुखी भवेत्

asvataṁtraṁ ca putratvaṁ kiṁ tu māṁ nātra pīḍayet striyaṁ hatvā mātaraṁ ca ko hi jātu sukhī bhavet

"'and sonship itself is never independent — yet let that not sway me here. Having slain a woman, and one's own mother besides, who could ever be happy again?'

Verse 88 (skanda.1.41.88)

पितरं चाप्यवज्ञाय कः प्रतिष्ठामवाप्नुयात्॥ अनवज्ञा पितुर्युक्ता युक्तं मातुश्च रक्षणम्

pitaraṁ cāpyavajñāya kaḥ pratiṣṭhāmavāpnuyāt anavajñā pituryuktā yuktaṁ mātuśca rakṣaṇam

"'And who could gain honor by disregarding his father? Neither disrespect toward a father nor neglect of a mother's protection is right —'

Verse 89 (skanda.1.41.89)

क्षमायोग्यावुभावेतौ नातिवर्तेत वै कथम्॥ पिता ह्यात्मानमाधत्ते जायायां जज्ञिवानिति

kṣamāyogyāvubhāvetau nātivarteta vai katham pitā hyātmānamādhatte jāyāyāṁ jajñivāniti

"'both are worthy of forbearance — so how could either be transgressed? For a father, begetting himself anew in his wife, establishes his own self there,'

Verse 90 (skanda.1.41.90)

शीलचारित्रगोत्रस्य धारणार्थं कुलस्य च॥ सोऽहमात्मा स्वयं पित्रा पुत्रत्वे परिकल्पितः

śīlacāritragotrasya dhāraṇārthaṁ kulasya ca so'hamātmā svayaṁ pitrā putratve parikalpitaḥ

"'for the sake of preserving character, conduct, lineage, and family. I myself am that very self, which my father established in the form of a son.'

Verse 91 (skanda.1.41.91)

जातकर्मणि यत्प्राह पिता यच्चोपकर्मणि॥ पर्याप्तः स दृढीकारः पितुर्गौरवलिप्सया

jātakarmaṇi yatprāha pitā yaccopakarmaṇi paryāptaḥ sa dṛḍhīkāraḥ piturgauravalipsayā

"'What my father declared at my birth-rite and at my initiation — that solemn affirmation was made only out of desire for his own honor.'

Verse 92 (skanda.1.41.92)

शरीरादीनि देयानि पिता त्वेकः प्रयच्चति॥ तस्मात्पितुर्वचः कार्यं न विचार्यं कथंचन

śarīrādīni deyāni pitā tvekaḥ prayaccati tasmātpiturvacaḥ kāryaṁ na vicāryaṁ kathaṁcana

"'The father alone gives the body and everything else besides; therefore a father's word must be obeyed, and never questioned in any way.'

Verse 93 (skanda.1.41.93)

पातकान्यपि चूर्यंते पितुर्वचनकारिणः॥ पिता स्वर्गः पिता धर्मः पिता परमकं तपः

pātakānyapi cūryaṁte piturvacanakāriṇaḥ pitā svargaḥ pitā dharmaḥ pitā paramakaṁ tapaḥ

"'Even great sins are dissolved for one who obeys his father's word; the father is heaven, the father is dharma, the father is the highest austerity.'

Verse 94 (skanda.1.41.94)

पितरि प्रीतिमापन्ने सर्वाः प्रीणंति देवताः॥ आशिषस्ता भजंत्येनं पुरुषं प्राह याः पिता

pitari prītimāpanne sarvāḥ prīṇaṁti devatāḥ āśiṣastā bhajaṁtyenaṁ puruṣaṁ prāha yāḥ pitā

"'When a father is pleased, all the gods are pleased; whatever blessing a father grants a man attaches itself to him alone.'

Verse 95 (skanda.1.41.95)

निष्कृतिः सर्वपापानां पिता यदभिनंदति॥ मुच्यते बंधनात्पुष्पं फलं वृंतात्प्रमुच्यते

niṣkṛtiḥ sarvapāpānāṁ pitā yadabhinaṁdati mucyate baṁdhanātpuṣpaṁ phalaṁ vṛṁtātpramucyate

"'Whatever a father approves atones for every sin. As a flower is freed from its bond, as a fruit is freed from its stalk...'

Verse 96 (skanda.1.41.96)

क्लिश्यन्नपि सुतः स्नेहं पिता स्नेहं न मुंचति॥ एतद्विचिंत्यतं तावत्पुत्रस्य पितृगौरवम्

kliśyannapi sutaḥ snehaṁ pitā snehaṁ na muṁcati etadviciṁtyataṁ tāvatputrasya pitṛgauravam

"'...so too, though a son may suffer, a father never lets go of his love. This debt of honor a son owes his father should first be well weighed.'

Verse 97 (skanda.1.41.97)

पिता नाल्पतरं स्थानं चिंतयिष्यामि मातरम्॥ यो ह्ययं मयि संघातो मर्त्यत्वे पांचभौतिकः

pitā nālpataraṁ sthānaṁ ciṁtayiṣyāmi mātaram yo hyayaṁ mayi saṁghāto martyatve pāṁcabhautikaḥ

"'Yet the father's place is not the only one; let me now weigh my mother's as well. For this compound of the five elements that I am, in this mortal state —'

Verse 98 (skanda.1.41.98)

अस्य मे जननी हेतुः पावकस्य यथारणिः॥ माता देहारणिः पुंसः सर्वस्यार्थस्य निर्वृतिः

asya me jananī hetuḥ pāvakasya yathāraṇiḥ mātā dehāraṇiḥ puṁsaḥ sarvasyārthasya nirvṛtiḥ

"'its cause is my mother, as the fire-drill's lower stick is the cause of fire; the mother is the very kindling-block of a man's body, the fulfillment of every purpose.'

Verse 99 (skanda.1.41.99)

मातृलाभे सनाथत्वमनाथत्वं विपर्यये॥ न स शोचति नाप्येनं स्थावर्यमपि कर्षति

mātṛlābhe sanāthatvamanāthatvaṁ viparyaye na sa śocati nāpyenaṁ sthāvaryamapi karṣati

"'In having a mother, a man has a guardian; in her loss, he becomes an orphan. Such a man knows no grief, nor does even old age weigh upon him,'

Verse 100 (skanda.1.41.100)

श्रिया हीनोऽपि यो गेहे अंबेति प्रतिपद्यते॥ पुत्रपौत्रसमापन्नो जननीं यः समाश्रितः

śriyā hīno'pi yo gehe aṁbeti pratipadyate putrapautrasamāpanno jananīṁ yaḥ samāśritaḥ

"'who, though bereft of fortune, still cries "Mother!" within his own home — who, though surrounded by sons and grandsons, still takes refuge in his mother...'

Verse 101 (skanda.1.41.101)

अपि वर्षशतस्यांते स द्विहायनवच्चरेत्॥ समर्थं वाऽसमर्थं वा कृशं वाप्यकृशं तथा

api varṣaśatasyāṁte sa dvihāyanavaccaret samarthaṁ vā'samarthaṁ vā kṛśaṁ vāpyakṛśaṁ tathā

"'...even at the far end of a hundred years, he still behaves as a child of two. Whether able or unable, whether frail or strong...'

Verse 102 (skanda.1.41.102)

रक्षयेच्च सुतं माता नान्यः पोष्यविधानतः॥ तदा स वृद्धो भवति तदा भवति दुःखितः

rakṣayecca sutaṁ mātā nānyaḥ poṣyavidhānataḥ tadā sa vṛddho bhavati tadā bhavati duḥkhitaḥ

"'...it is the mother alone who protects her son, by no other rule of nurture does any other protect him. Only then does he grow old, only then does he grieve,'

Verse 103 (skanda.1.41.103)

तदा शुन्यं जगत्तस्य यदा मात्रा वियुज्यते॥ नास्ति मातृसमा च्छाया नास्ति मातृसमा गतिः

tadā śunyaṁ jagattasya yadā mātrā viyujyate nāsti mātṛsamā cchāyā nāsti mātṛsamā gatiḥ

"'only then does the world grow empty for him, when he is parted from his mother. There is no shade like a mother's, no refuge like a mother's,'

Verse 104 (skanda.1.41.104)

नास्ति मातृसमं त्राणं नास्ति मातृसमा प्रपा॥ कुक्षिसंधारणाद्धात्री जननाज्जननी तथा

nāsti mātṛsamaṁ trāṇaṁ nāsti mātṛsamā prapā kukṣisaṁdhāraṇāddhātrī jananājjananī tathā

"'no protection like a mother's, no cool shelter like a mother's. As the one who bears in the womb, she is Dhatri; as the one who gives birth, Janani;'

Verse 105 (skanda.1.41.105)

अंगानां वर्धनादंबा वीरसूत्वे च वीरसूः॥ शिशोः शुश्रूषणाच्छ्वश्रूर्माता स्यान्माननात्तथा

aṁgānāṁ vardhanādaṁbā vīrasūtve ca vīrasūḥ śiśoḥ śuśrūṣaṇācchvaśrūrmātā syānmānanāttathā

"'as she nurtures the limbs, she is Amba; in bearing a hero she is Virasu; in tending the child she is like a Shvashru, and through honor she is called Mata —'

Verse 106 (skanda.1.41.106)

देवतानां समावापमेकत्वं पितरं विदुः मर्त्यानां देवतानां च पूगो नात्येति मातरम्

devatānāṁ samāvāpamekatvaṁ pitaraṁ viduḥ martyānāṁ devatānāṁ ca pūgo nātyeti mātaram

"'the whole gathering of the gods is held equal only to the father alone. Among men and gods, no assembly of them all surpasses the mother.'

Verse 107 (skanda.1.41.107)

पतिता गुरवस्त्याज्या माता च न कथंचन॥ गर्भधारणपोषाभ्यां तेन माता गरीयसी

patitā guravastyājyā mātā ca na kathaṁcana garbhadhāraṇapoṣābhyāṁ tena mātā garīyasī

"'A fallen teacher may be forsaken, but a mother, never, under any circumstance; because she bears and nurtures him, the mother carries the greater weight.'

Verse 108 (skanda.1.41.108)

एवं स कौशिकीतीरे बलिं राजानमीक्षतीम्॥ स्त्रीवृत्तिं चिरकालत्वाद्धन्तुं दिष्टः स्वमातरम्

evaṁ sa kauśikītīre baliṁ rājānamīkṣatīm strīvṛttiṁ cirakālatvāddhantuṁ diṣṭaḥ svamātaram

"Thus, standing on the bank of the Kaushiki and beholding King Bali, commanded to slay his own mother, he, gentle by nature, went on deliberating for a long while,

Verse 109 (skanda.1.41.109)

विमृश्य चिरकालं हि चिंतांतं नाभ्यपद्यत॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे शक्रो रूपमास्थितः

vimṛśya cirakālaṁ hi ciṁtāṁtaṁ nābhyapadyata etasminnaṁtare śakro rūpamāsthitaḥ

"and even after long thought could not bring his reflection to an end. Meanwhile Shakra assumed a certain form,

Verse 110 (skanda.1.41.110)

गायन्गाखामुपायातः पितुस्तस्याश्रमांतिके॥ अनृना हि स्त्रियः सर्वाः सूत्रकारो यदब्रवीत्

gāyangākhāmupāyātaḥ pitustasyāśramāṁtike anṛnā hi striyaḥ sarvāḥ sūtrakāro yadabravīt

"and, singing a certain song, drew near the hermitage of that son's father: 'All women are free of debt' — so says the maker of the aphorism —

Verse 111 (skanda.1.41.111)

अतस्ताभ्यः फलं ग्राह्यं न स्याद्दोषेक्षणः सुधीः॥ इति श्रुत्वा तमानर्च मेधातिथिरुदारधीः

atastābhyaḥ phalaṁ grāhyaṁ na syāddoṣekṣaṇaḥ sudhīḥ iti śrutvā tamānarca medhātithirudāradhīḥ

"'therefore one should take only their fruit; the wise should never look for fault in them.' Hearing this, the noble Medhatithi honored him with respect,

Verse 112 (skanda.1.41.112)

दुःखितश्चिंतयन्प्राप्तो भृशमश्रूणि वर्तयन्॥ अहोऽहमीर्ष्ययाक्षिप्तो मग्नोऽहं दुःखसागरे

duḥkhitaściṁtayanprāpto bhṛśamaśrūṇi vartayan aho'hamīrṣyayākṣipto magno'haṁ duḥkhasāgare

"and then, sorrowful, deeply reflecting, weeping without end, he came to this: 'Ah, seized by jealousy, I have sunk into an ocean of sorrow!'

Verse 113 (skanda.1.41.113)

हत्वा नारीं च साध्वीं च को नु मां तारयिष्यति॥ सत्वरेण मयाज्ञप्तश्चिरकारी ह्युदारधीः

hatvā nārīṁ ca sādhvīṁ ca ko nu māṁ tārayiṣyati satvareṇa mayājñaptaścirakārī hyudāradhīḥ

"'Having slain a woman, and a virtuous one at that, who now can save me?' In haste I had given my order to the noble Chirakari;'

Verse 114 (skanda.1.41.114)

यद्ययं चिरकारी स्यात्स मां त्रायेत पातकात्॥ चिरकारिक भद्रं ते भद्रं ते चिरकारिक

yadyayaṁ cirakārī syātsa māṁ trāyeta pātakāt cirakārika bhadraṁ te bhadraṁ te cirakārika

"'if he is truly Chirakari, the slow-deliberator, he alone may yet save me from this sin. O Chirakari, blessing upon you, blessing upon you, O Chirakari!'

Verse 115 (skanda.1.41.115)

यदद्य चिरकारी त्वं ततोऽसि चिरकारिकः॥ त्राहि मां मातरं चैव तपो यच्चार्जितं मया

yadadya cirakārī tvaṁ tato'si cirakārikaḥ trāhi māṁ mātaraṁ caiva tapo yaccārjitaṁ mayā

"'Because you are today truly slow to act, you are rightly called Chirakari — save me, and my mother too, and whatever austerity I have gathered.'

Verse 116 (skanda.1.41.116)

आत्मानं पातके विष्टं शुभाह्व चिरकारिक॥ एवं स दुःखितः प्राप्तो गौतमोऽचिंतयत्तदा

ātmānaṁ pātake viṣṭaṁ śubhāhva cirakārika evaṁ sa duḥkhitaḥ prāpto gautamo'ciṁtayattadā

"'O Chirakari, of blessed name, save yourself too from sinking into this sin!' Thus, sorrowful, brought to this state, Gautama then reflected —

Verse 117 (skanda.1.41.117)

चिरकारिकं ददर्शाथ पुत्रं मातुरुपांतिके॥ चिरकारी तु पितरं दृष्ट्वा परमदुःखितः

cirakārikaṁ dadarśātha putraṁ māturupāṁtike cirakārī tu pitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā paramaduḥkhitaḥ

"and then he saw his son Chirakari standing near his mother. Chirakari, seeing his father, was overcome with the deepest sorrow,

Verse 118 (skanda.1.41.118)

शस्त्रं त्यक्त्वा स्थितो मूर्ध्ना प्रसादायोपचक्रमे॥ मेधातिथिः सुतं दृष्ट्वा शिरसा पतितं भुवि

śastraṁ tyaktvā sthito mūrdhnā prasādāyopacakrame medhātithiḥ sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā śirasā patitaṁ bhuvi

"and, casting aside his weapon, stood with head bowed, seeking his father's grace. Medhatithi, seeing his son with head bent to the ground,

Verse 119 (skanda.1.41.119)

पत्नीं चैव तु जीवंतीं परामभ्यगमन्मुदम्॥ हन्यादिति न सा वेद शस्त्रपाणौ स्थिते सुते

patnīṁ caiva tu jīvaṁtīṁ parāmabhyagamanmudam hanyāditi na sā veda śastrapāṇau sthite sute

"and seeing his own wife still alive, was overcome with the greatest joy. She had never known that he meant to slay her, even while her son stood there weapon in hand;

Verse 120 (skanda.1.41.120)

बुद्धिरासीत्सुतं दृष्ट्वा पितुश्चरणयोर्नतम्॥ शस्त्रग्रहणचापल्यं संवृणोति भयादिति

buddhirāsītsutaṁ dṛṣṭvā pituścaraṇayornatam śastragrahaṇacāpalyaṁ saṁvṛṇoti bhayāditi

"seeing her son bowed at his father's feet, she thought only that his hesitation in raising the weapon had been concealed out of fear.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.41.121)

ततः पित्रा चिरं स्मृत्वा चिरं चाघ्राय मूर्धनि॥ चिरं दोर्भ्यां परिष्वज्य चिरंजीवेत्यु दाहृतः

tataḥ pitrā ciraṁ smṛtvā ciraṁ cāghrāya mūrdhani ciraṁ dorbhyāṁ pariṣvajya ciraṁjīvetyu dāhṛtaḥ

"Then the father embraced him for a long while, smelled his head for long, held him close in both arms for long, and cried out, 'Live long!'

Verse 122 (skanda.1.41.122)

चिरं मुदान्वितः पुत्रं मेधातिथिरथाब्रवीत्॥ चिरकारिक भद्रं ते चिरकारी भवेच्चिरम्

ciraṁ mudānvitaḥ putraṁ medhātithirathābravīt cirakārika bhadraṁ te cirakārī bhavecciram

"Filled with joy for long, Medhatithi then said to his son: 'O Chirakari, blessed be you — may you remain a slow-deliberator for a long time to come!'

Verse 123 (skanda.1.41.123)

चिराय यत्कृतं सौम्य चिरमस्मिन् दुःखितः॥ गाथाश्चाप्यब्रवीद्विद्वान्गौतमो मुनिसत्तमः

cirāya yatkṛtaṁ saumya ciramasmin duḥkhitaḥ gāthāścāpyabravīdvidvāngautamo munisattamaḥ

"'What was done so slowly, dear one, became at last, after long sorrow, a cause of joy.' Then the learned Gautama, best of sages, also spoke these verses —

Verse 124 (skanda.1.41.124)

चिरेण मंत्रं संधीयाच्चिरेम च कृतं त्यजेत्॥ चिरेण विहतं मित्रं चिरं धारणमर्हति

cireṇa maṁtraṁ saṁdhīyāccirema ca kṛtaṁ tyajet cireṇa vihataṁ mitraṁ ciraṁ dhāraṇamarhati

"'A counsel should be settled slowly, and a deed once undertaken should be abandoned only slowly; an estranged friend should be won back only slowly, and, once regained, held for long.'

Verse 125 (skanda.1.41.125)

रोगे दर्पे च माने च द्रोहे पापे च कर्मणि॥ अप्रिये चैव कर्तव्ये चिरकारी प्रशस्यते

roge darpe ca māne ca drohe pāpe ca karmaṇi apriye caiva kartavye cirakārī praśasyate

"'In sickness, in arrogance, in pride, in treachery, in a sinful act, and in a task that must be unpleasant — the slow-deliberator is praised.'

Verse 126 (skanda.1.41.126)

बंधूनां सुहृदां चैव भृत्यानां स्त्रीजनस्य च॥ अव्यक्तेष्वपराधेषु चिरकारी प्रशस्यते

baṁdhūnāṁ suhṛdāṁ caiva bhṛtyānāṁ strījanasya ca avyakteṣvaparādheṣu cirakārī praśasyate

"'In the unclear offenses of kinsmen, friends, servants, and womenfolk — the slow-deliberator is praised.'

Verse 127 (skanda.1.41.127)

चिरं धर्मान्निषेवेत कुर्याच्चान्वेषणं चिरम्॥ चिरमन्वास्य विदुषश्चिरमिष्टानुपास्य च

ciraṁ dharmānniṣeveta kuryāccānveṣaṇaṁ ciram ciramanvāsya viduṣaściramiṣṭānupāsya ca

"'Dharma should be practiced slowly, and inquiry made slowly; the wise should be served for long, and those held dear honored for long,'

Verse 128 (skanda.1.41.128)

चिरं विनीय चात्मानं चिरं यात्यनवज्ञताम्॥ ब्रुवतश्च परस्यापि वाक्यं धर्मोपसंहितम्

ciraṁ vinīya cātmānaṁ ciraṁ yātyanavajñatām bruvataśca parasyāpi vākyaṁ dharmopasaṁhitam

"'and one should discipline oneself slowly, and so pass slowly beyond contempt; and when another too speaks a word bound up with dharma...'

Verse 129 (skanda.1.41.129)

चिरं पृच्छेच्च श्रृणुयाच्चिरं न परिभूयते॥ धर्मे शत्रौ शस्त्रहस्ते पात्रे च निकटस्थिते

ciraṁ pṛcchecca śrṛṇuyācciraṁ na paribhūyate dharme śatrau śastrahaste pātre ca nikaṭasthite

"'...one should ask and listen slowly, and so is never disrespected. But before dharma, before an armed enemy, before a worthy recipient standing near at hand,'

Verse 130 (skanda.1.41.130)

भये च साधुपूजायां चिरकारी न शस्यते॥ एवमुक्त्वा पुत्रभार्यासहितः प्राप्य चाश्रमम्

bhaye ca sādhupūjāyāṁ cirakārī na śasyate evamuktvā putrabhāryāsahitaḥ prāpya cāśramam

"'in danger, and in the honoring of the virtuous, the slow-deliberator is not praised.' Having spoken thus, and reaching his hermitage with his son and wife,

Verse 131 (skanda.1.41.131)

ततश्चिरमुपास्याथ दिवं यातिश्चिरं मुनिः॥ वयं त्वेवं ब्रुवन्तोऽपि मोहेनैवं प्रतारिताः

tataściramupāsyātha divaṁ yātiściraṁ muniḥ vayaṁ tvevaṁ bruvanto'pi mohenaivaṁ pratāritāḥ

"the sage practiced dharma there for long years, and at last, after long time, went to heaven. And we too, even as we spoke so, were in just this way deceived by delusion.

Verse 132 (skanda.1.41.132)

कलौ च भवतां विप्रा मच्छापो निपतिष्यति॥ केचित्सदा भविष्यंति विप्राः सर्वगुणैर्युताः

kalau ca bhavatāṁ viprā macchāpo nipatiṣyati kecitsadā bhaviṣyaṁti viprāḥ sarvaguṇairyutāḥ

"In the Kali age, O Brahmins, this curse of mine shall surely fall upon you; yet even so, some among you shall ever remain Brahmins endowed with every virtue."

Verse 133 (skanda.1.41.133)

पादप्रक्षालनं कृत्वा ततोऽहं धर्मवर्मणः॥ समीपे साक्षिणो देवान्कृत्वा संकल्पमाचरम्

pādaprakṣālanaṁ kṛtvā tato'haṁ dharmavarmaṇaḥ samīpe sākṣiṇo devānkṛtvā saṁkalpamācaram

Then, having washed his feet, in the presence of Dharmavarma and calling the gods to witness, I performed the formal resolve —

Verse 134 (skanda.1.41.134)

कांचनैरर्नोप्रदानैश्च गृहदानैर्धनादिभिः॥ भार्याभूषणवस्त्रैश्च कृतार्था ब्राह्मणाः कृताः

kāṁcanairarnopradānaiśca gṛhadānairdhanādibhiḥ bhāryābhūṣaṇavastraiśca kṛtārthā brāhmaṇāḥ kṛtāḥ

with gold, offerings, grants of houses, wealth and the like, and ornaments and garments for their wives, the Brahmins were made fully content.

Verse 135 (skanda.1.41.135)

ततः करं समुद्यम्य प्राहेन्द्रो देवसंगमे॥ हरांगरुद्धवामार्द्ध यावद्देवी गिरेः सुता

tataḥ karaṁ samudyamya prāhendro devasaṁgame harāṁgaruddhavāmārddha yāvaddevī gireḥ sutā

Then, raising his hand, Indra spoke in that gathering of the gods: "For as long as Hara holds fast his left half, for as long as the mountain's daughter, the goddess...

Verse 136 (skanda.1.41.136)

गणाधीशो वयं यावद्यावत्त्रिभुवनं त्विदम्॥ तावन्नन्द्यादिदे स्थानं नारदस्थापितं सुराः

gaṇādhīśo vayaṁ yāvadyāvattribhuvanaṁ tvidam tāvannandyādide sthānaṁ nāradasthāpitaṁ surāḥ

"...for as long as we ourselves are lord of the Ganas, and for as long as these three worlds endure — for so long, O gods, may this place established by Narada flourish and rejoice.

Verse 137 (skanda.1.41.137)

ब्रह्मशापो रुद्रशापो विष्णुशापस्तथैव च॥ द्विजशापस्तथा भूयादिदं स्थानं विलुंपतः

brahmaśāpo rudraśāpo viṣṇuśāpastathaiva ca dvijaśāpastathā bhūyādidaṁ sthānaṁ viluṁpataḥ

"Let the curse of Brahma, the curse of Rudra, and likewise the curse of Vishnu, and the curse of Brahmins besides, fall upon whoever should despoil this place."

Verse 138 (skanda.1.41.138)

ततस्तथेति तैः सर्वैर्हृष्टैस्तत्र तथोदितम्॥ एवं मया स्थापिते स्थानकेऽस्मिन्संस्थापयामास च कापिलं मुनिः॥ स्थाने उभे देवकृते प्रसन्नास्ततो ययुर्देवता देवसद्म

tatastatheti taiḥ sarvairhṛṣṭaistatra tathoditam evaṁ mayā sthāpite sthānake'sminsaṁsthāpayāmāsa ca kāpilaṁ muniḥ sthāne ubhe devakṛte prasannāstato yayurdevatā devasadma

Then, delighted, all of them there declared, "so be it." Thus, this place having been established by me, the sage also established the place of Kapila — and, pleased with both these places made by the gods, the deities then departed for their own heavenly abode.