Vriddha Vasudeva and the Story of Aitareya

Verse 1 (skanda.1.77.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ततो मया स्थापिते च स्थाने कालांतरेण ह॥ चिंतितं हृदये भूयो द्विजानुग्रहकाम्यया॥

||nārada uvāca|| tato mayā sthāpite ca sthāne kālāṁtareṇa ha|| ciṁtitaṁ hṛdaye bhūyo dvijānugrahakāmyayā||

Narada said: After I had thus established that place, and some time had passed, I reflected once more in my heart, desiring to show favor to the brahmins —

Verse 2 (skanda.1.77.2)

वासुदेवविहीनं हि तीर्थमेतन्न रोचते॥ असूर्यं हि जगद्यद्वत्स हि भूषण भूषणम्॥

vāsudevavihīnaṁ hi tīrthametanna rocate|| asūryaṁ hi jagadyadvatsa hi bhūṣaṇa bhūṣaṇam||

"This tirtha, without Vasudeva, does not please me. Just as the world without the sun is bereft of splendor, so is he the very ornament of all ornaments."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.77.3)

यत्र नैव हरिः स्वामी तीर्थे गेहेऽथ मानसे॥ शास्त्रे वा तदसत्सर्वं हांसं तीर्थं न वायसम्॥

yatra naiva hariḥ svāmī tīrthe gehe'tha mānase|| śāstre vā tadasatsarvaṁ hāṁsaṁ tīrthaṁ na vāyasam||

"Any tirtha, home, mind, or scripture in which Hari does not dwell as lord is worthless indeed — as if a haunt of swans had become a haunt of crows."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.77.4)

तस्मात्प्रसाद्य वरदं तीर्थेऽस्मिन्पुरुषोत्तमम्॥ आनेष्ये कलया साक्षाद्विश्वनुग्रहकाम्यया॥

tasmātprasādya varadaṁ tīrthe'sminpuruṣottamam|| āneṣye kalayā sākṣādviśvanugrahakāmyayā||

"Therefore, having propitiated the boon-giving Purushottama, and desiring the welfare of the whole universe, I shall bring him here, manifest in a portion of himself, to this tirtha."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.77.5)

इति संचिंत्य कौरव्य ततोऽहं चात्र संस्थितः॥ ज्ञानयोगेन योगींद्रं शतं वर्षाण्यतोषयम्॥

iti saṁciṁtya kauravya tato'haṁ cātra saṁsthitaḥ|| jñānayogena yogīṁdraṁ śataṁ varṣāṇyatoṣayam||

O descendant of Kuru, thinking thus, I settled here, and for a hundred years pleased the lord of yogis through the discipline of knowledge.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.77.6)

अष्टाक्षरं जपन्मंत्रं संनिगृह्येंद्रियाणि च॥ वासुदेवमयो भूत्वा सर्वभूतकृपापरः॥

aṣṭākṣaraṁ japanmaṁtraṁ saṁnigṛhyeṁdriyāṇi ca|| vāsudevamayo bhūtvā sarvabhūtakṛpāparaḥ||

Reciting the eight-syllabled mantra, restraining my senses, becoming wholly absorbed in Vasudeva, and full of compassion for all beings, I performed my penance.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.77.7)

एवं मयाराध्यमानो गरुडं हरिरास्थितः॥ गणकोटिपरिवृतः प्रत्यक्षः समजायत॥

evaṁ mayārādhyamāno garuḍaṁ harirāsthitaḥ|| gaṇakoṭiparivṛtaḥ pratyakṣaḥ samajāyata||

Thus worshipped by me, Lord Hari, mounted upon Garuda and surrounded by tens of millions of his hosts, appeared visibly before me.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.77.8)

तमहं प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा दत्त्वार्घ्यं विधिवद्धरेः॥ प्रत्यवोचं प्रमम्याथ प्रबद्धकरसं पुटः॥

tamahaṁ prāṁjalirbhūtvā dattvārghyaṁ vidhivaddhareḥ|| pratyavocaṁ pramamyātha prabaddhakarasaṁ puṭaḥ||

With hands folded, having duly offered arghya to Hari, I bowed and, palms still joined, spoke to him:

Verse 9 (skanda.1.77.9)

श्वेतद्वीपे पुरा दृष्टं मया रूपं तव प्रभो॥ अजं सनातनं विष्णो नरनारायणात्मकम्॥

śvetadvīpe purā dṛṣṭaṁ mayā rūpaṁ tava prabho|| ajaṁ sanātanaṁ viṣṇo naranārāyaṇātmakam||

"O Lord, long ago in Shvetadvipa I beheld that unborn, eternal form of yours, O Vishnu, in the shape of Nara-Narayana."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.77.10)

तद्रूपस्य कलामेकां स्थापयात्र जनार्दन॥ यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे विष्णो तदिदं क्रियतां त्वया॥

tadrūpasya kalāmekāṁ sthāpayātra janārdana|| yadi tuṣṭo'si me viṣṇo tadidaṁ kriyatāṁ tvayā||

"O Janardana, establish here one portion of that very form. O Vishnu, if you are pleased with me, then grant me this."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.77.11)

एवं मया प्रार्थितोऽथ प्रोवाच गरुडध्वजः॥ एवमस्तु ब्रह्मपुत्र यत्त्वयाभीप्सितं हृदि॥

evaṁ mayā prārthito'tha provāca garuḍadhvajaḥ|| evamastu brahmaputra yattvayābhīpsitaṁ hṛdi||

Thus entreated by me, the bearer of the Garuda banner replied: "So be it, O son of Brahma — whatever your heart desires."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.77.12)

तत्तथा भविता सर्वमप्यत्रस्थं सदैव हि॥ एवमुक्त्वा गते विष्णौ निवेश्य स्वकलां प्रभो॥

tattathā bhavitā sarvamapyatrasthaṁ sadaiva hi|| evamuktvā gate viṣṇau niveśya svakalāṁ prabho||

"All this shall be so, and shall remain here forever." Having spoken thus, and having established his own portion here, Lord Vishnu departed.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.77.13)

मया संस्थापितो विष्णुर्लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया॥ यस्मात्स्वयं श्वेतद्वीपनिवास्यत्र हरिः स्थितः॥

mayā saṁsthāpito viṣṇurlokānugrahakāmyayā|| yasmātsvayaṁ śvetadvīpanivāsyatra hariḥ sthitaḥ||

Thus, out of a desire for the welfare of the world, I established Vishnu here. Since Hari, the dweller of Shvetadvipa himself, came to abide here,

Verse 14 (skanda.1.77.14)

वृद्धो विश्वस्य विश्वाख्यो वासुदेवस्ततः स्मृतः॥ कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे या भवत्ये कादशी शुभा॥

vṛddho viśvasya viśvākhyo vāsudevastataḥ smṛtaḥ|| kārtike śuklapakṣe yā bhavatye kādaśī śubhā||

— he thereupon came to be known as the ancient Vasudeva, called Vishva, "the Universal One." On the auspicious eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.77.15)

स्नानं कृत्वा विधानेन तोयप्रस्रवणादिषु॥ योर्चयेदच्युतं भक्त्या पंचोपचारपूजया॥

snānaṁ kṛtvā vidhānena toyaprasravaṇādiṣu|| yorcayedacyutaṁ bhaktyā paṁcopacārapūjayā||

— whoever bathes duly in a stream or spring, and worships Achyuta with devotion through the fivefold ritual offering,

Verse 16 (skanda.1.77.16)

उपोष्य जागरं कुर्याद्गीतवाद्यं हरेः पुरः॥ कथां वा वैष्णवीं कुर्याद्दंभक्रोधविवर्जितः॥

upoṣya jāgaraṁ kuryādgītavādyaṁ hareḥ puraḥ|| kathāṁ vā vaiṣṇavīṁ kuryāddaṁbhakrodhavivarjitaḥ||

— and, having fasted, keeps a night-vigil before Hari with song and music, or recites a Vaishnava tale, free from hypocrisy and anger,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.77.17)

दानं दद्याद्यथाशक्त्या नियतो हृष्टमानसः॥ अनेकभवसंभूतात्कल्मषादखिलादपि॥

dānaṁ dadyādyathāśaktyā niyato hṛṣṭamānasaḥ|| anekabhavasaṁbhūtātkalmaṣādakhilādapi||

— and gives gifts according to his means, disciplined and joyful in mind, is freed from every sin accumulated across many lifetimes —

Verse 18 (skanda.1.77.18)

मुच्यतेऽसौ न संदेहो यद्यपि ब्रह्मघातकः॥ गारुडेन विमानेन वैकुंठं पदमाप्नुयात्॥

mucyate'sau na saṁdeho yadyapi brahmaghātakaḥ|| gāruḍena vimānena vaikuṁṭhaṁ padamāpnuyāt||

— without doubt, even if he had once been a slayer of brahmins. He attains the realm of Vaikuntha, borne there upon the celestial chariot of Garuda.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.77.19)

कुलानां तारयेत्पार्थ शतमेकोत्तरं नरः॥ श्रद्धायुक्तं मुदा युक्तं सोत्साहं सस्पृहं तथा॥

kulānāṁ tārayetpārtha śatamekottaraṁ naraḥ|| śraddhāyuktaṁ mudā yuktaṁ sotsāhaṁ saspṛhaṁ tathā||

O Partha, such a man delivers a hundred and one generations of his own lineage — all this should be performed with faith, joy, enthusiasm, and genuine longing.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.77.20)

अहंकारविहीनं च स्नानं धूपानुपनम्॥ पुष्पनैवेद्यसंयुक्तमर्घदानसमन्वितम्॥

ahaṁkāravihīnaṁ ca snānaṁ dhūpānupanam|| puṣpanaivedyasaṁyuktamarghadānasamanvitam||

All this should be free from pride, accompanied by bathing, incense, fragrant unguents, flowers, food offerings, and the giving of arghya.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.77.21)

यामेयामे महाभक्त्या कृतारार्तिकसंयुतम्॥ चामराह्लादसंयुक्तं भेरीनादपुरस्कृतम्॥

yāmeyāme mahābhaktyā kṛtārārtikasaṁyutam|| cāmarāhlādasaṁyuktaṁ bherīnādapuraskṛtam||

— with the arati performed in every watch of the night with great devotion, accompanied by the delight of the fan-whisk, heralded by the sound of kettledrums,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.77.22)

पुराणश्रुतिसंपन्नं भक्तिनृत्यसमन्वितम्॥ विनिद्रंक्षृत्तृषास्वादस्पृहाहीनं च भारत॥

purāṇaśrutisaṁpannaṁ bhaktinṛtyasamanvitam|| vinidraṁkṣṛttṛṣāsvādaspṛhāhīnaṁ ca bhārata||

— accompanied by the recitation of the Puranas and devotional dance; O Bharata, remaining wakeful and free from any craving for hunger, thirst, or taste,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.77.23)

तत्पादसौरभघ्राणसंयुतं विष्णुवल्लभम्॥ सगीतं सार्चनकरं तत्क्षेत्रगमनान्वितम्॥

tatpādasaurabhaghrāṇasaṁyutaṁ viṣṇuvallabham|| sagītaṁ sārcanakaraṁ tatkṣetragamanānvitam||

— savoring the fragrance of his feet, with songs dear to Vishnu, performing worship, journeying to his sacred field,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.77.24)

पायुरोधेन संयुक्तं ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितम्॥ स्तुतिपाठेन संयुक्तं पादोदकविभूषितम्॥

pāyurodhena saṁyuktaṁ brahmacaryasamanvitam|| stutipāṭhena saṁyuktaṁ pādodakavibhūṣitam||

— restraining the senses, observing celibacy, reciting hymns of praise, and adorned with the sacred water that has washed his feet —

Verse 25 (skanda.1.77.25)

सत्यान्वितं सत्ययोगसंयुतं पुण्यवार्तया॥ पंचविंशतिभिर्युक्तं गुणैर्यो जागरं नरः॥ एकादश्यां प्रकुर्वीत पुनर्न जायते भुवि॥

satyānvitaṁ satyayogasaṁyutaṁ puṇyavārtayā|| paṁcaviṁśatibhiryuktaṁ guṇairyo jāgaraṁ naraḥ|| ekādaśyāṁ prakurvīta punarna jāyate bhuvi||

— truthful, steadfast in right conduct, engaged in holy discourse — the man who keeps this night-vigil on Ekadashi, endowed with these twenty-five qualities, is never again born upon this earth.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.77.26)

अत्र तीर्थवरे पूर्वमैतरेय इति द्विजः॥ सिद्धिं प्राप्तो महाभागो वासुदेवप्रसादतः॥

atra tīrthavare pūrvamaitareya iti dvijaḥ|| siddhiṁ prāpto mahābhāgo vāsudevaprasādataḥ||

At this very supreme tirtha, in ancient times, a most fortunate brahmin named Aitareya attained accomplishment through the grace of Vasudeva.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.77.27)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ ऐतरेयः कस्य पुत्रो निवासः क्वास्य वा मुने॥ कथं सिद्धिमागाद्धीमान्वासुदेवप्रसादतः॥

||arjuna uvāca|| aitareyaḥ kasya putro nivāsaḥ kvāsya vā mune|| kathaṁ siddhimāgāddhīmānvāsudevaprasādataḥ||

Arjuna said: "O sage, whose son was Aitareya, and where did he dwell? How did that wise man attain accomplishment through the grace of Vasudeva?"

Verse 28 (skanda.1.77.28)

॥नारद उवाच॥ अस्मिन्नेव मम स्थाने हारीतस्यान्वयेऽभवत्॥

||nārada uvāca|| asminneva mama sthāne hārītasyānvaye'bhavat||

Narada said: In this very place of mine, in the lineage of Harita,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.77.29)

मांडूकिरिति विप्राग्र्यो वेदवेदांगपारगः॥

māṁḍūkiriti viprāgryo vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ||

there lived a foremost brahmin named Mandukin, thoroughly versed in the Veda and its ancillary sciences.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.77.30)

तस्यासी दितरा नाम भार्या साध्वीगुणैर्युता॥ तस्यामुत्पद्यत सुतस्त्वैतरेय इति स्मृतः॥

tasyāsī ditarā nāma bhāryā sādhvīguṇairyutā|| tasyāmutpadyata sutastvaitareya iti smṛtaḥ||

His wife was named Itara, endowed with virtuous, saintly qualities. Of her was born a son, who came to be known as Aitareya.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.77.31)

स च बाल्यात्प्रभृत्येव प्राग्जन्मन्यनुशिक्षितम्॥ जजापमंत्रं त्वनिशं द्वादशाक्षरसंज्ञितम्॥

sa ca bālyātprabhṛtyeva prāgjanmanyanuśikṣitam|| jajāpamaṁtraṁ tvaniśaṁ dvādaśākṣarasaṁjñitam||

From very childhood, as if trained in a previous life, he ceaselessly recited, day and night, the twelve-syllabled mantra.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.77.32)

न श्रृणोति न वक्त्येव मनसापि च किंचन॥ एवंप्रभावः सोऽभूच्च बाल्ये विप्रसुतस्तदा॥

na śrṛṇoti na vaktyeva manasāpi ca kiṁcana|| evaṁprabhāvaḥ so'bhūcca bālye viprasutastadā||

He heard nothing, spoke nothing, and gave his mind to nothing else at all. Such was the character of that brahmin's son even in his childhood.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.77.33)

ततो मूकोऽयमित्येव नानोपायैः प्रबोधितः॥ पित्रा यदा न कुरुते व्यवहाराय मानसम्॥

tato mūko'yamityeva nānopāyaiḥ prabodhitaḥ|| pitrā yadā na kurute vyavahārāya mānasam||

Taking him then to be mute, his father tried many methods to rouse him, but when he still would not turn his mind to worldly affairs,

Verse 34 (skanda.1.77.34)

ततो निश्चित्य मनसा जडोयमिति भारत॥ अन्यां विवाहयामास दारान्पुत्रांस्तथादधे॥

tato niścitya manasā jaḍoyamiti bhārata|| anyāṁ vivāhayāmāsa dārānputrāṁstathādadhe||

— O Bharata, his father, concluding that this son was simple-minded, then married another wife and begot sons through her.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.77.35)

पिंगानाम च सा भार्या तस्याः पुत्राश्च जज्ञिरे॥ चत्वारः कर्मकुशला वेदवेदांगवादिनः॥

piṁgānāma ca sā bhāryā tasyāḥ putrāśca jajñire|| catvāraḥ karmakuśalā vedavedāṁgavādinaḥ||

That wife's name was Pinga, and from her were born four sons, skilled in ritual and learned in the Veda and its ancillary sciences.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.77.36)

यज्ञेषु शांतिहोमेषु द्विजैः सर्वत्र पूजिताः॥ ऐतरेयोपि नित्यं च त्रिकालं हरिकंदिरे॥

yajñeṣu śāṁtihomeṣu dvijaiḥ sarvatra pūjitāḥ|| aitareyopi nityaṁ ca trikālaṁ harikaṁdire||

They were honored everywhere by brahmins at sacrifices and propitiatory rites. Meanwhile Aitareya, too, went daily, thrice each day, to the cave of Hari —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.77.37)

जजाप परमं जाप्यं नान्यत्र कुरुते श्रमम्॥ ततो माता निरीक्ष्यैव सपत्नीतनयांस्तथा॥

jajāpa paramaṁ jāpyaṁ nānyatra kurute śramam|| tato mātā nirīkṣyaiva sapatnītanayāṁstathā||

— where he ceaselessly recited his supreme mantra, exerting himself in nothing else at all. Then his mother, beholding the sons of her co-wife —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.77.38)

दार्यमाणेन मनसा तनयं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ क्लेशायैव च जातोऽसि धिग्मे जन्म च जीवितम्॥

dāryamāṇena manasā tanayaṁ vākyamabravīt|| kleśāyaiva ca jāto'si dhigme janma ca jīvitam||

— her heart torn with anguish, said these words to her own son: "You were born only to bring me sorrow! Cursed be my birth and my very life!"

Verse 39 (skanda.1.77.39)

नार्यास्तस्या नृलोकेऽत्र वरैवाजननिः स्फुटम्॥ विमानिता या भर्त्रास्यान्न पुत्रः स्याद्गुणैर्युतः॥

nāryāstasyā nṛloke'tra varaivājananiḥ sphuṭam|| vimānitā yā bhartrāsyānna putraḥ syādguṇairyutaḥ||

"For a woman who is scorned by her husband, and whose son is devoid of merit, it would surely have been far better never to have been born at all in this world of men."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.77.40)

पिंगेयं कृतपुण्या वै यस्याः पुत्रा महागुणाः॥ वेदवेदांगतत्त्वज्ञाः सर्वत्राभ्यर्चिता गुणैः॥

piṁgeyaṁ kṛtapuṇyā vai yasyāḥ putrā mahāguṇāḥ|| vedavedāṁgatattvajñāḥ sarvatrābhyarcitā guṇaiḥ||

"How blessed is this Pinga, whose sons are of such great merit — learned in the truths of the Veda and its sciences, honored everywhere for their virtues."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.77.41)

तदहं पुत्र दुर्भाग्या महीसागरसंगमे॥ निमज्जीष्ये वरं मृत्युर्जीविते किं फलं मम॥ त्वमप्येवं महामौनी नन्द भक्तो हरेश्चिरम्॥

tadahaṁ putra durbhāgyā mahīsāgarasaṁgame|| nimajjīṣye varaṁ mṛtyurjīvite kiṁ phalaṁ mama|| tvamapyevaṁ mahāmaunī nanda bhakto hareściram||

"Therefore, my son, I, wretched as I am, shall drown myself at the confluence of the Mahi and the sea — death is better for me; what fruit does this life hold for me now? As for you, go on then, remain your great silent self, and enjoy being Hari's devotee for the rest of your days!"

Verse 42 (skanda.1.77.42)

॥नारद उवाच॥ इति मातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहसन्नैतरेयकः॥

||nārada uvāca|| iti māturvacaḥ śrutvā prahasannaitareyakaḥ||

Narada said: Hearing these words of his mother, Aitareya broke into laughter.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.77.43)

ध्यात्वा मुहुर्तं धर्मज्ञो मातरं प्रणतोऽब्रवीत्॥ मातर्मिथ्याभिभूतासि अज्ञाने ज्ञानवत्यसि॥

dhyātvā muhurtaṁ dharmajño mātaraṁ praṇato'bravīt|| mātarmithyābhibhūtāsi ajñāne jñānavatyasi||

After reflecting for a moment, the dharma-knowing Aitareya bowed to his mother and said: "Mother, you are overcome by a false delusion. Even in your ignorance, you believe yourself wise."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.77.44)

अशोच्ये शोचसि शुभे शोच्ये नैवाऽपि शोचसि॥ देहस्यास्य कृते मिथ्यासंसारे किं विमुह्यसि॥

aśocye śocasi śubhe śocye naivā'pi śocasi|| dehasyāsya kṛte mithyāsaṁsāre kiṁ vimuhyasi||

"O gracious one, you grieve over what does not deserve grief, and fail to grieve over what truly does. Why are you so deluded, in this illusory world, on account of this mere body?"

Verse 45 (skanda.1.77.45)

मूर्खाचरितमेतद्धि मन्मातुरुचितं न हि॥ अन्यत्संसारसारं च सारमन्यच्च मोहिताः॥

mūrkhācaritametaddhi manmāturucitaṁ na hi|| anyatsaṁsārasāraṁ ca sāramanyacca mohitāḥ||

"This is the conduct of a fool, unbecoming of my own mother. The deluded take one thing to be the essence of worldly existence, when the true essence lies elsewhere entirely."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.77.46)

प्रपश्यंति यथा रात्रौ खद्योतं दीपवत्स्थितम्॥ यदिदं मन्यसे सारं श्रृणु तस्याप्यसारताम्॥

prapaśyaṁti yathā rātrau khadyotaṁ dīpavatsthitam|| yadidaṁ manyase sāraṁ śrṛṇu tasyāpyasāratām||

— just as, at night, a firefly is mistaken for a lamp. Hear now, too, of the very insubstantiality of what you take to be the essence.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.77.47)

एवंविधं हि मानुऽयमा गर्भादिति कष्टदम् अस्थिपट्टतुलास्तम्भे स्नायुबन्धेन यंत्रिते॥

evaṁvidhaṁ hi mānu'yamā garbhāditi kaṣṭadam asthipaṭṭatulāstambhe snāyubandhena yaṁtrite||

"This human existence is fraught with hardship from the very moment of conception — a frame built of bony beams and pillars, bound tight with sinews,"

Verse 48 (skanda.1.77.48)

रक्तमांसमदालिप्ते विण्मूत्रद्रव्यभाजने॥ केशरोमतृणच्छन्ने सुवर्णत्वक्सुधूतके॥

raktamāṁsamadālipte viṇmūtradravyabhājane|| keśaromatṛṇacchanne suvarṇatvaksudhūtake||

"— smeared with blood and flesh, a vessel filled with excrement and urine, thatched over with hair and body-hair like grass, and covered with skin that gleams like gold —"

Verse 49 (skanda.1.77.49)

वदनैकमहाद्वारे षड्गवाक्षवितभूषिते॥ ओष्ठद्वयकाटे च तथा दंतार्गलान्विते॥

vadanaikamahādvāre ṣaḍgavākṣavitabhūṣite|| oṣṭhadvayakāṭe ca tathā daṁtārgalānvite||

"— fitted with a single great gate, the mouth, adorned with six small windows, the sense-openings, framed by the doorposts of the two lips and barred by the teeth —"

Verse 50 (skanda.1.77.50)

नाडीस्वेदप्रवाहे च कालवक्त्रानलस्थिते॥ एवंविधे गृहे गेही जीवो नामास्ति शोभने॥

nāḍīsvedapravāhe ca kālavaktrānalasthite|| evaṁvidhe gṛhe gehī jīvo nāmāsti śobhane||

"— coursing with veins and streams of sweat, and forever seated within the very jaws of Time's devouring fire — in a house of this kind, O gracious one, dwells its resident, the one called the soul."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.77.51)

गुणत्रयमयी भार्या प्रकृतिस्तस्य तत्र च॥ बोधाहंकारकामाश्च क्रोधलोभादयोऽपि च॥

guṇatrayamayī bhāryā prakṛtistasya tatra ca|| bodhāhaṁkārakāmāśca krodhalobhādayo'pi ca||

There, his wife is Prakriti, made up of the three gunas; and his intellect, ego, desire, anger, greed, and the rest —

Verse 52 (skanda.1.77.52)

अपत्यान्यस्य हा कष्टमेवं मूढः प्रवर्तते॥ तस्य योयो यथा मोहस्तथा तं श्रृणु तत्त्वतः॥

apatyānyasya hā kaṣṭamevaṁ mūḍhaḥ pravartate|| tasya yoyo yathā mohastathā taṁ śrṛṇu tattvataḥ||

— are his very offspring. Alas, what misery! Thus does the deluded man conduct himself. Hear now, in truth, of each of his particular delusions.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.77.53)

स्रोतांसि यस्य सततं प्रस्रवंति गिरेरिव॥ कफमूत्रादिकान्यस्य कृते देहस्य मुह्यति॥

srotāṁsi yasya satataṁ prasravaṁti gireriva|| kaphamūtrādikānyasya kṛte dehasya muhyati||

This deluded man remains ever infatuated with a body from which streams of phlegm, urine, and the rest flow constantly, as if from a mountain.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.77.54)

सर्वाशुचिनिधानस्य शरीरस्य न विद्यते॥ शुचिरेकप्रदेशोऽपि विण्मूत्रस्य दृतेरिव॥

sarvāśucinidhānasya śarīrasya na vidyate|| śucirekapradeśo'pi viṇmūtrasya dṛteriva||

In this body, a storehouse of every impurity, there is not a single spot that is pure — just as there is no purity anywhere in a leather bag filled with excrement and urine.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.77.55)

स्पृष्ट्वा स्वदेहस्रोतांसि मृत्तोयैः शोध्यते करः॥ तथाप्यशुचिभांडस्य न विरज्यति किं नरः॥

spṛṣṭvā svadehasrotāṁsi mṛttoyaiḥ śodhyate karaḥ|| tathāpyaśucibhāṁḍasya na virajyati kiṁ naraḥ||

Having touched the discharges of one's own body, the hand must be cleansed with earth and water. Why, then, does a man not turn away in disgust from this very vessel of impurity, his own body?

Verse 56 (skanda.1.77.56)

कायः सुगन्धतोयाद्यैर्यत्नेनापि सुसंस्कृतः॥ न जहाति स्वकं भावं श्वपुच्छमिव नामितम्॥

kāyaḥ sugandhatoyādyairyatnenāpi susaṁskṛtaḥ|| na jahāti svakaṁ bhāvaṁ śvapucchamiva nāmitam||

No matter how carefully the body is groomed with fragrant water and the like, it never abandons its own true nature — like a dog's tail, which, however much it is bent straight, never gives up its curl.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.77.57)

स्वदेहाशुचिगंधेन न विरज्यति यो नरः॥ विरागे कारणं तस्य किमन्यदु पदिश्यते॥

svadehāśucigaṁdhena na virajyati yo naraḥ|| virāge kāraṇaṁ tasya kimanyadu padiśyate||

If a man does not turn away even from the very stench of his own body's impurity, what other cause could possibly be given to instill in him detachment?

Verse 58 (skanda.1.77.58)

गन्धलेपापनोदार्थं शौचं देहस्य कीर्तितम्॥ द्वयस्यापगमात्पश्चाद्भावशुद्ध्या विशुध्यति॥

gandhalepāpanodārthaṁ śaucaṁ dehasya kīrtitam|| dvayasyāpagamātpaścādbhāvaśuddhyā viśudhyati||

The purification of the body is prescribed only for the removal of odor and stain. Only after these two have been removed does one become truly pure, through the purity of one's inner disposition.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.77.59)

गंगातोयेन सर्वेण मृद्भारैः पर्वतोपमैः॥ आ मृत्योराचरञ्छौचं भावदुष्टो न शुध्यति॥

gaṁgātoyena sarveṇa mṛdbhāraiḥ parvatopamaiḥ|| ā mṛtyorācarañchaucaṁ bhāvaduṣṭo na śudhyati||

Even if a man performs purification until death, with the entire waters of the Ganga and mountains of cleansing earth, one whose inner disposition remains corrupt does not become pure.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.77.60)

तीर्थस्नानैस्तपोभिर्वा दुष्टात्मा नैव शुध्यति॥ स्वेदितः क्षालितस्तीर्थे किं शुद्धिमधिगच्छति॥

tīrthasnānaistapobhirvā duṣṭātmā naiva śudhyati|| sveditaḥ kṣālitastīrthe kiṁ śuddhimadhigacchati||

Neither bathing at sacred tirthas nor performing penance ever purifies a man of corrupt disposition. Does merely sweating and then washing oneself at a tirtha truly bring about purity?

Verse 61 (skanda.1.77.61)

अंतर्भावप्रदुष्टस्य विशतोऽपि हुताशनम्॥ न स्वर्गो नापपर्गश्च देहनिर्दहनं परम्॥

aṁtarbhāvapraduṣṭasya viśato'pi hutāśanam|| na svargo nāpapargaśca dehanirdahanaṁ param||

For one whose inmost being is corrupt, even entering into a blazing fire brings neither heaven nor liberation — only the mere burning of the body.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.77.62)

भावशुद्धिः परं शौचं प्रमाणं सर्वकर्मसु॥ अन्यथालिंग्यते कांता भावेन दुहिताऽन्यथा॥

bhāvaśuddhiḥ paraṁ śaucaṁ pramāṇaṁ sarvakarmasu|| anyathāliṁgyate kāṁtā bhāvena duhitā'nyathā||

Purity of disposition is the supreme purity, and it alone is the standard in every act. A wife is embraced with one feeling, and a daughter with an entirely different one.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.77.63)

अन्यथैव स्तनं पुत्रश्चिंतयत्यन्यथा पतिः॥ चित्तं विशोधयेत्तस्मात्किमन्यैर्बाह्यशोधनैः॥

anyathaiva stanaṁ putraściṁtayatyanyathā patiḥ|| cittaṁ viśodhayettasmātkimanyairbāhyaśodhanaiḥ||

The very same breast is regarded by a son with one feeling, and by a husband with another entirely. Therefore it is the mind alone that should be purified — of what use are other, merely outward purifications?

Verse 64 (skanda.1.77.64)

भावतः संविशुद्धात्मा स्वर्गं मोक्षं च विंदति॥ ज्ञानामलांभसा पुंसः सद्वैराग्यमृदा पुनः॥

bhāvataḥ saṁviśuddhātmā svargaṁ mokṣaṁ ca viṁdati|| jñānāmalāṁbhasā puṁsaḥ sadvairāgyamṛdā punaḥ||

One whose very being has become thoroughly purified attains both heaven and liberation. With the stainless water of knowledge, and then with the cleansing earth of true detachment —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.77.65)

अविद्यारागविण्मूत्रलेपगंधविशोधनम्॥ एवमेतच्छरीरं हि निसर्गादशुचि विदुः॥

avidyārāgaviṇmūtralepagaṁdhaviśodhanam|| evametaccharīraṁ hi nisargādaśuci viduḥ||

— the stain and stench of the excrement of ignorance and attachment are washed away. Thus is this body known to be, by its very nature, impure.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.77.66)

त्वङ्मात्रसारनिःसारं कदलीसारसंनिभम्॥ ज्ञात्वैवं दोषवद्देहं यः प्राज्ञः शिथिलीभवेत्॥

tvaṅmātrasāraniḥsāraṁ kadalīsārasaṁnibham|| jñātvaivaṁ doṣavaddehaṁ yaḥ prājñaḥ śithilībhavet||

It has substance only in its outer skin, but is in truth without any core, like the trunk of a plantain tree. The wise man who, knowing the body to be thus flawed, becomes detached from it —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.77.67)

स निष्क्रामति संसारे दृढग्राही स तिष्ठति॥ एवमेतन्महाकष्टं जन्म दुःखं प्रकीर्तितम्॥

sa niṣkrāmati saṁsāre dṛḍhagrāhī sa tiṣṭhati|| evametanmahākaṣṭaṁ janma duḥkhaṁ prakīrtitam||

— escapes from worldly existence, while one who clings to it firmly remains trapped within it. Thus has this birth been declared to be a source of great hardship and sorrow.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.77.68)

पुंसामज्ञातदोषेण नानाकर्मवशेन च॥ यथा गिरिवराक्रांतः कश्चिद्दुःखेन तिष्ठति॥

puṁsāmajñātadoṣeṇa nānākarmavaśena ca|| yathā girivarākrāṁtaḥ kaścidduḥkhena tiṣṭhati||

Owing to men's unrecognized faults and their subjection to manifold past deeds, just as someone crushed beneath a great mountain lies in agony,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.77.69)

यथा जरायुणा देही दुःखं तिष्ठति वेष्टितः॥ पतितः सागरे यद्वद्दृःखमास्ते समाकुलः॥

yathā jarāyuṇā dehī duḥkhaṁ tiṣṭhati veṣṭitaḥ|| patitaḥ sāgare yadvaddṛḥkhamāste samākulaḥ||

— so too does the embodied being lie in torment, wrapped within the caul of the womb, just as one fallen into the ocean lies in agonized distress.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.77.70)

गर्भोदकेन सिक्तांगस्तथाऽऽस्ते व्याकुलः पुमान्॥ लोहकुम्भे यथान्यस्त पच्यते कश्चिदग्निना॥

garbhodakena siktāṁgastathā''ste vyākulaḥ pumān|| lohakumbhe yathānyasta pacyate kaścidagninā||

With his limbs drenched by the fluid of the womb, that being lies in anguish — just as something placed within an iron vessel is cooked by fire,

Verse 71 (skanda.1.77.71)

गर्भकुम्भे तथा क्षिप्तः पच्यते जठराग्निना॥ सूचीभिरग्निवर्णाभिर्विभिन्नस्य निरन्तरम्॥

garbhakumbhe tathā kṣiptaḥ pacyate jaṭharāgninā|| sūcībhiragnivarṇābhirvibhinnasya nirantaram||

— so too is one, cast into the vessel of the womb, cooked by the fire of digestion. As if pierced without pause by needles glowing like fire,

Verse 72 (skanda.1.77.72)

यद्दुःखं जायते तस्य तद्गर्भेऽष्टगुणं भवेत्॥ इत्येतद्गर्भदुःखं हि प्राणिनां परिकीर्तितम्॥

yadduḥkhaṁ jāyate tasya tadgarbhe'ṣṭaguṇaṁ bhavet|| ityetadgarbhaduḥkhaṁ hi prāṇināṁ parikīrtitam||

whatever pain that would cause is but an eighth part of the pain suffered in the womb. Such, then, is the suffering of the womb declared to be for all living beings.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.77.73)

चरस्थिराणां सर्वेषामात्मगर्भानुरूपतः॥ तत्रस्थस्य च सर्वेषां जन्मनां स्मरणं भवेत्॥

carasthirāṇāṁ sarveṣāmātmagarbhānurūpataḥ|| tatrasthasya ca sarveṣāṁ janmanāṁ smaraṇaṁ bhavet||

This holds true for all moving and stationary beings, each according to its own kind of womb. And the being lodged there comes to remember all of its previous births.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.77.74)

मृतश्चाहं पुनर्जातो जातश्चाहं पुनर्मृतः॥ नानायोनिसहस्राणि मया दृष्टान्वनेकधा॥

mṛtaścāhaṁ punarjāto jātaścāhaṁ punarmṛtaḥ|| nānāyonisahasrāṇi mayā dṛṣṭānvanekadhā||

"I died and was born again, and, being born, died once more. Countless times over have I passed through thousands of different kinds of births —"

Verse 75 (skanda.1.77.75)

अधुना जातमात्रोऽहं प्राप्तसंस्कार एव च॥ ततः श्रेयः करिष्यामि येन गर्भो न संभवेत्॥

adhunā jātamātro'haṁ prāptasaṁskāra eva ca|| tataḥ śreyaḥ kariṣyāmi yena garbho na saṁbhavet||

"— and now, the very moment I am born, this same recollection has come to me once more. Therefore I shall now perform that which is truly good, so that I need never enter the womb again."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.77.76)

अध्येष्यामि हरेर्ज्ञानं संसारविनिवर्तनम्॥ एवं संचिंतयन्नास्ते मोक्षोपायं विचिन्तयन्॥

adhyeṣyāmi harerjñānaṁ saṁsāravinivartanam|| evaṁ saṁciṁtayannāste mokṣopāyaṁ vicintayan||

"I shall study that knowledge of Hari which turns one back from worldly existence." Thinking thus, the being continues to ponder the means of liberation.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.77.77)

गभात्कोटिगुणं दुःखं जायमानस्य जायते॥ गर्भवासे स्मृतिर्यासीत्सा जातस्य प्रणश्यति॥

gabhātkoṭiguṇaṁ duḥkhaṁ jāyamānasya jāyate|| garbhavāse smṛtiryāsītsā jātasya praṇaśyati||

The pain of actually being born is millions of times greater than the pain of the womb itself. And the memory that was present in the womb vanishes the moment one is born.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.77.78)

स्पृष्टमात्रस्य बाह्येन वायुना मूढता भवेत्॥ संमूढस्य स्मृतिभ्रंशः शीघ्रं संजायते पुनः॥

spṛṣṭamātrasya bāhyena vāyunā mūḍhatā bhavet|| saṁmūḍhasya smṛtibhraṁśaḥ śīghraṁ saṁjāyate punaḥ||

The very instant it is touched by the outer air, delusion overtakes it; and, once deluded, the loss of memory follows swiftly after.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.77.79)

स्मृतिभ्रंशात्ततस्तस्य पूर्वकर्मवशेन च॥ रतिः संजायते तूर्णं जंतोस्तत्रैव जन्मनि॥

smṛtibhraṁśāttatastasya pūrvakarmavaśena ca|| ratiḥ saṁjāyate tūrṇaṁ jaṁtostatraiva janmani||

With memory lost, and driven by the force of its own past deeds, the creature swiftly develops attachment to that very birth in which it now finds itself.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.77.80)

रक्तो मूढश्च लोकोयमकार्ये संप्रवर्तते॥ तत्रात्मानं न जानाति न परं न च दैवतम्॥

rakto mūḍhaśca lokoyamakārye saṁpravartate|| tatrātmānaṁ na jānāti na paraṁ na ca daivatam||

This world, attached and deluded, engages only in improper deeds. In that state, a man knows neither his own self, nor others, nor God.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.77.81)

न श्रृणोति परं श्रेयः सति चक्षुषि नेक्षते॥ समे पथि समैर्गच्छन्स्खलतीव पदेपदे॥

na śrṛṇoti paraṁ śreyaḥ sati cakṣuṣi nekṣate|| same pathi samairgacchanskhalatīva padepade||

He does not listen to what is truly good for him, nor does he see, even though his eyes are open. Even walking an even path alongside equals, he stumbles, as it were, at every single step.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.77.82)

सत्यां बुद्धौ न जानाति बोध्यमानो बुधैरपि॥ संसारे क्लिश्यते तेन रागमोहवशानुगः॥

satyāṁ buddhau na jānāti bodhyamāno budhairapi|| saṁsāre kliśyate tena rāgamohavaśānugaḥ||

Though he possesses intelligence, he does not understand; though instructed by the wise, he does not comprehend. For this reason, subject to attachment and delusion, he suffers endlessly in worldly existence.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.77.83)

गर्भस्मृतेरभावेन शास्त्रमुक्तं महर्षिभिः॥ तद्दृःखकथनार्थाय स्वर्गमोक्षप्रसाधकम्॥

garbhasmṛterabhāvena śāstramuktaṁ maharṣibhiḥ|| taddṛḥkhakathanārthāya svargamokṣaprasādhakam||

It is precisely because the memory of the womb is lost that the great sages composed the scriptures — to describe that suffering, and thereby to bring about the attainment of heaven and liberation.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.77.84)

ये शास्त्रज्ञाने सत्यस्मिन्सर्वकर्मार्थसाधके॥ न कुर्वंत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्तदत्र परमद्भुतम्॥

ye śāstrajñāne satyasminsarvakarmārthasādhake|| na kurvaṁtyātmanaḥ śreyastadatra paramadbhutam||

That people, even with this scriptural knowledge available — which accomplishes the purpose of every undertaking — still fail to secure their own true welfare, is the greatest wonder of all in this world.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.77.85)

अव्यक्तेन्द्रियवृत्तित्वाद्बाल्ये दुःखं महत्पुनः॥ इच्छन्नपि न शक्नोति वक्तुं कर्तुं च किञ्चन॥

avyaktendriyavṛttitvādbālye duḥkhaṁ mahatpunaḥ|| icchannapi na śaknoti vaktuṁ kartuṁ ca kiñcana||

In childhood, too, great suffering arises again, since the workings of the senses remain undeveloped — even wishing to, the child can neither speak nor act.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.77.86)

दंतोत्थाने महद्दुःखं मौलेन व्याधिना तथा॥ बालरोगैश्च विविधैः पीडा बालग्रहैरपि॥

daṁtotthāne mahadduḥkhaṁ maulena vyādhinā tathā|| bālarogaiśca vividhaiḥ pīḍā bālagrahairapi||

Great suffering also comes with the cutting of teeth, and from ailments of the head. He is further afflicted by various childhood illnesses and by the malevolent seizing spirits of infancy.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.77.87)

तृड्बुभुक्षापरीतांगः क्वचित्तिष्ठति रारटन्॥ विण्मूत्रभक्षणाद्यं च मोहाद्बालः समाचरेत्॥

tṛḍbubhukṣāparītāṁgaḥ kvacittiṣṭhati rāraṭan|| viṇmūtrabhakṣaṇādyaṁ ca mohādbālaḥ samācaret||

Overcome by hunger and thirst, the infant sometimes lies about, wailing. Out of sheer ignorance, a child may even do such things as put excrement or urine into its mouth.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.77.88)

कौमारे कर्णवेधेन मातापित्रोर्विताडनैः॥ अक्षराध्ययनाद्यैश्च दुःखं स्याद्गुरुशासनात्॥

kaumāre karṇavedhena mātāpitrorvitāḍanaiḥ|| akṣarādhyayanādyaiśca duḥkhaṁ syādguruśāsanāt||

In boyhood there is suffering from the piercing of the ears, from the scolding and beating of parents, and from the discipline of the teacher during the learning of letters and the rest.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.77.89)

प्रमत्तेंद्रियवृत्तैश्च कामरागप्रपीडनात्॥ रागोद्वृत्तस्य सततं कुतः सौख्यं हि यौवने॥

pramatteṁdriyavṛttaiśca kāmarāgaprapīḍanāt|| rāgodvṛttasya satataṁ kutaḥ saukhyaṁ hi yauvane||

In youth, from the unruly workings of the maddened senses, and from the torment of lustful passion — for one forever swept up in such passion, where indeed is happiness to be found in youth?

Verse 90 (skanda.1.77.90)

ईर्ष्यया सुमहद्दुःखं मोहाद्रक्तस्य जायते॥ मत्तस्य कुपितस्यैव रागो दोषाय केवलम्॥

īrṣyayā sumahadduḥkhaṁ mohādraktasya jāyate|| mattasya kupitasyaiva rāgo doṣāya kevalam||

From jealousy, too, immense suffering arises for one attached through delusion. For a man intoxicated and enraged, passion serves only as a cause of fault.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.77.91)

न रात्रौ विंदते निद्रा कामाग्निपरिखेदितः॥ दिवापि हि कुतः सौख्यमर्थोपार्जनचिंतया॥

na rātrau viṁdate nidrā kāmāgniparikheditaḥ|| divāpi hi kutaḥ saukhyamarthopārjanaciṁtayā||

Tormented by the fire of desire, he finds no sleep even at night. And by day, too, where is happiness to be found, consumed as he is by anxiety over earning wealth?

Verse 92 (skanda.1.77.92)

नारीषु त्वनुभूतासु सर्वदोषाश्रयासु च॥ विण्मुत्रोत्सर्गसदृशं सौख्यं मैथुनजं स्मृतम्॥

nārīṣu tvanubhūtāsu sarvadoṣāśrayāsu ca|| viṇmutrotsargasadṛśaṁ saukhyaṁ maithunajaṁ smṛtam||

And even in the experience of women, who are the refuge of every fault, the pleasure born of union is held to be no different from the mere relief of evacuating waste.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.77.93)

सन्मानमपमानेन वियोगेनेष्टसंगमः॥ यौवनं जरया ग्रस्तं क्व सौख्यमनुपद्रवम्॥

sanmānamapamānena viyogeneṣṭasaṁgamaḥ|| yauvanaṁ jarayā grastaṁ kva saukhyamanupadravam||

Honor is always shadowed by dishonor, union with the beloved by separation, and youth itself is inevitably seized by old age — where, in any of this, is happiness free of disturbance?

Verse 94 (skanda.1.77.94)

वलीपलितकायेन शिथिलीकृतविग्रहः॥ सर्वक्रियास्वशक्तश्च जरयाजर्ज्जरीकृतः॥

valīpalitakāyena śithilīkṛtavigrahaḥ|| sarvakriyāsvaśaktaśca jarayājarjjarīkṛtaḥ||

With a body covered in wrinkles and gray hair, its frame gone slack, incapable of any task, and utterly worn out by old age —

Verse 95 (skanda.1.77.95)

स्त्रीपुंसोर्यौवनं रूपं यदन्योन्याश्रयं पुरा॥ तदेवं जरया ग्रस्तमुभयोरपि न प्रियम्॥

strīpuṁsoryauvanaṁ rūpaṁ yadanyonyāśrayaṁ purā|| tadevaṁ jarayā grastamubhayorapi na priyam||

The youth and beauty of man and woman, once mutually so dear to each other, become, once seized by old age, unwelcome to them both alike.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.77.96)

जराभिभूतःपुरुषः पत्नीपुत्रादिबांधवैः॥ अशक्तत्वाद्दुराचारैर्भृत्यैश्च परिभूयते॥

jarābhibhūtaḥpuruṣaḥ patnīputrādibāṁdhavaiḥ|| aśaktatvāddurācārairbhṛtyaiśca paribhūyate||

The man overcome by old age, owing to his infirmity, comes to be despised even by his own wife, sons, and kinsmen, and by ill-mannered servants.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.77.97)

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च मोक्षं च नातुरो यतः॥ शक्तः साधयितुं तस्माद्युवा धर्मं समाचरेत्॥

dharmamarthaṁ ca kāmaṁ ca mokṣaṁ ca nāturo yataḥ|| śaktaḥ sādhayituṁ tasmādyuvā dharmaṁ samācaret||

Since one who is infirm or aged is no longer capable of accomplishing dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, one should therefore practice dharma while still young.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.77.98)

वातपित्तकफादीनां वैषम्यं व्याधिरुच्यते॥ वातादीनां समूहश्च देहोऽयं परिकीर्तितः॥

vātapittakaphādīnāṁ vaiṣamyaṁ vyādhirucyate|| vātādīnāṁ samūhaśca deho'yaṁ parikīrtitaḥ||

Disease is said to be the imbalance of wind, bile, and phlegm; and this very body is declared to be nothing but their assembly.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.77.99)

तस्माद्व्याधिमयं ज्ञेयं शरीरमिदमात्मनः॥ रोगैर्नानाविधैर्यांति देहे दुःखान्यनेकशः॥

tasmādvyādhimayaṁ jñeyaṁ śarīramidamātmanaḥ|| rogairnānāvidhairyāṁti dehe duḥkhānyanekaśaḥ||

Therefore this body of the self should be known to be, in its very nature, composed of disease. Countless sufferings come upon the body through manifold illnesses.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.77.100)

तानि न स्वात्मवेद्यानि किमन्यत्कथयाम्यहम्॥ एकोत्तरं मृत्युशतमस्मिन्देहे प्रतिष्ठितम्॥

tāni na svātmavedyāni kimanyatkathayāmyaham|| ekottaraṁ mṛtyuśatamasmindehe pratiṣṭhitam||

They are so many that even one's own self cannot fully know them — what more, then, should I say? A hundred and one kinds of death dwell within this very body.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.77.101)

तत्रैकः कालसंयुक्तः शेषास्त्वागंतवः स्मृताः॥ ये त्विहागंतवः प्रोक्तास्ते प्रशाम्यन्ति भेषजैः॥

tatraikaḥ kālasaṁyuktaḥ śeṣāstvāgaṁtavaḥ smṛtāḥ|| ye tvihāgaṁtavaḥ proktāste praśāmyanti bheṣajaiḥ||

Of these, one death is bound up with Time itself, while the rest are held to be adventitious, arising from external causes. Those declared to be adventitious can be quelled by medicine.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.77.102)

जपहोमप्रदानैश्च कालमृत्युर्न शाम्यति॥ विविधा व्याधयः शस्ताः सर्पाद्याः प्राणिनस्तथा॥

japahomapradānaiśca kālamṛtyurna śāmyati|| vividhā vyādhayaḥ śastāḥ sarpādyāḥ prāṇinastathā||

But the death that comes with Time cannot be quelled even by mantra-repetition, fire-oblation, or giving. Many kinds of illness are described, as well as creatures such as serpents,

Verse 103 (skanda.1.77.103)

विषाणि चाभिचाराश्च मृत्योर्द्वाराणि देहिनाम्॥ पीडितं सर्परोगाद्यैरपि धन्वंतरिः स्वयम्॥

viṣāṇi cābhicārāśca mṛtyordvārāṇi dehinām|| pīḍitaṁ sarparogādyairapi dhanvaṁtariḥ svayam||

— poisons, and black magic — all these are doorways to death for embodied beings. Even Dhanvantari himself, when a person is afflicted by snakebite and the like,

Verse 104 (skanda.1.77.104)

स्वस्थीकर्तुं न शक्नोति कालप्राप्तं हि देहिनम्॥ नैषधं न तपो मंत्रा न मित्राणि न बांधवाः॥

svasthīkartuṁ na śaknoti kālaprāptaṁ hi dehinam|| naiṣadhaṁ na tapo maṁtrā na mitrāṇi na bāṁdhavāḥ||

— cannot restore to health, once that being's appointed time has come. Neither medicine, nor penance, nor mantras, nor friends, nor kinsmen —

Verse 105 (skanda.1.77.105)

शक्नुवंति परित्रातुं नरं कालेन पीडितम्॥ रसायनतपोजप्यैर्योगसिद्धैर्महात्मभिः॥

śaknuvaṁti paritrātuṁ naraṁ kālena pīḍitam|| rasāyanatapojapyairyogasiddhairmahātmabhiḥ||

— can save a man once he is seized by Time. Even by great souls perfected through alchemy, penance, mantra-repetition, and yoga,

Verse 106 (skanda.1.77.106)

कालमृत्युरपि प्राज्ञैर्नीयते नापि संयुतैः॥ नास्ति मृत्युसमं दुःखं नास्ति मृत्युसमं भयम्॥

kālamṛtyurapi prājñairnīyate nāpi saṁyutaiḥ|| nāsti mṛtyusamaṁ duḥkhaṁ nāsti mṛtyusamaṁ bhayam||

— death by Time cannot be averted, even by the wise and the accomplished. There is no suffering equal to death, no fear equal to death.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.77.107)

नास्ति मृत्युसमस्रासः सर्वेषामपि देहिनाम्॥ सद्भार्यापुत्रमित्राणि राज्यैश्वर्यसुखानि च॥

nāsti mṛtyusamasrāsaḥ sarveṣāmapi dehinām|| sadbhāryāputramitrāṇi rājyaiśvaryasukhāni ca||

For all embodied beings, there is no terror equal to that of death. A good wife, sons, friends, kingdom, power, and pleasures —

Verse 108 (skanda.1.77.108)

आबद्धानि स्नेहपाशैर्मृत्युः सर्वाणि कृंतति॥ किं न पश्यसि मातस्त्वं सहस्रस्यापि मध्यतः॥

ābaddhāni snehapāśairmṛtyuḥ sarvāṇi kṛṁtati|| kiṁ na paśyasi mātastvaṁ sahasrasyāpi madhyataḥ||

— all of these, though bound by ties of affection, are cut away by death. Mother, do you not see that, out of even a thousand people —

Verse 109 (skanda.1.77.109)

जनाः शतायुषः पंचभवंति न भवन्ति वा॥ अशीतिका विपद्यन्ते केचित्सप्ततिका नराः॥

janāḥ śatāyuṣaḥ paṁcabhavaṁti na bhavanti vā|| aśītikā vipadyante kecitsaptatikā narāḥ||

— not even five live to be a hundred years old? Some men die at eighty, and some at seventy.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.77.110)

परमायुः स्थिता षष्टिस्तदप्यस्ति न निष्ठितम्॥ तस्य यावद्भवेदायुर्देहिनः पूर्वकर्म भिः॥

paramāyuḥ sthitā ṣaṣṭistadapyasti na niṣṭhitam|| tasya yāvadbhavedāyurdehinaḥ pūrvakarma bhiḥ||

Sixty years is held to be the supreme span, yet even that is not assured. Whatever lifespan a being is destined to have, determined by his past deeds,

Verse 111 (skanda.1.77.111)

तस्यार्धमायुषो रात्रिर्हरते मृत्युरूपिणी॥ बालभावेन मोहेन वार्धके जरया तथा॥

tasyārdhamāyuṣo rātrirharate mṛtyurūpiṇī|| bālabhāvena mohena vārdhake jarayā tathā||

— of that, half is stolen away by night, which is itself a form of death. Of the remaining half, the confusion of childhood and the frailty of old age —

Verse 112 (skanda.1.77.112)

वर्षाणां विंशतिर्याति धर्मकामार्थवर्जितः॥ आगन्तुकैर्भवैः पुंसां व्याधिशोकैरनेकधा॥

varṣāṇāṁ viṁśatiryāti dharmakāmārthavarjitaḥ|| āgantukairbhavaiḥ puṁsāṁ vyādhiśokairanekadhā||

— take away twenty years devoid of dharma, artha, and kama. And beyond this, men's lifespan is further consumed in manifold ways by adventitious illness and grief.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.77.113)

ह्रियतेर्द्धं हि तत्रापि यच्छेषं तद्धि जीवितम्॥ जीवितांतेच मरणं महाघोरमवाप्नुयात्॥

hriyaterddhaṁ hi tatrāpi yaccheṣaṁ taddhi jīvitam|| jīvitāṁteca maraṇaṁ mahāghoramavāpnuyāt||

Even from what remains, half is likewise taken away, and only what is left is one's actual living. And at the very end of life, a most terrible death must be endured.

Verse 114 (skanda.1.77.114)

जायते योनिकोटीषु मृतः कर्मवशात्पुनः॥ देहभेदेन यः पुंसां वियोगः कर्मसंख्यया॥

jāyate yonikoṭīṣu mṛtaḥ karmavaśātpunaḥ|| dehabhedena yaḥ puṁsāṁ viyogaḥ karmasaṁkhyayā||

Having died, a man is born again, in accordance with his deeds, among countless millions of species. This separation of a being from one body, brought about by the number of his deeds, in exchange for another —

Verse 115 (skanda.1.77.115)

मरणं तद्विनिर्द्दिष्टं न नाशः परमार्थतः॥ महातमःप्रविष्टस्य च्छिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु॥

maraṇaṁ tadvinirddiṣṭaṁ na nāśaḥ paramārthataḥ|| mahātamaḥpraviṣṭasya cchidyamāneṣu marmasu||

— this alone is what is termed death; in ultimate truth it is not annihilation. As one enters into that great darkness, and one's vital points are being severed,

Verse 116 (skanda.1.77.116)

यद्दुःखं मरणं जंतोर्न तस्येहोपमा क्वचित्॥ हा तात मातर्हा कांते क्रंदत्येवं सुदुःखितः॥

yadduḥkhaṁ maraṇaṁ jaṁtorna tasyehopamā kvacit|| hā tāta mātarhā kāṁte kraṁdatyevaṁ suduḥkhitaḥ||

— the anguish suffered by a creature in death has no parallel in this world whatever. "Alas, Father! Alas, Mother! Alas, my beloved!" — thus, overwhelmed with sorrow, he cries out.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.77.117)

मण्डूक इव सर्पेण गीर्यते मृत्युना जनः॥ बांधवैः संपरित्यक्तः प्रियैश्च परिवारितः॥

maṇḍūka iva sarpeṇa gīryate mṛtyunā janaḥ|| bāṁdhavaiḥ saṁparityaktaḥ priyaiśca parivāritaḥ||

Like a frog swallowed by a serpent, so is a man swallowed by death — surrounded, even then, by his kinsmen and loved ones, who can do nothing to save him.

Verse 118 (skanda.1.77.118)

निःश्वसन्दीर्घमुष्णं च मुकेन परिशुष्यता॥ चतुरंतेषु खट्वायाः परिवर्तन्मुहुर्मुहुः॥

niḥśvasandīrghamuṣṇaṁ ca mukena pariśuṣyatā|| caturaṁteṣu khaṭvāyāḥ parivartanmuhurmuhuḥ||

Breathing long and hot breaths, his mouth parched and speechless, he tosses again and again toward the four corners of his bed.

Verse 119 (skanda.1.77.119)

संमूढः क्षिपतेत्यर्थं हस्तपादावितस्ततः॥ खट्वातो वांछते भूमिं भूमेः खट्वां पुनर्महीम्॥

saṁmūḍhaḥ kṣipatetyarthaṁ hastapādāvitastataḥ|| khaṭvāto vāṁchate bhūmiṁ bhūmeḥ khaṭvāṁ punarmahīm||

Utterly bewildered, he flails his hands and feet about. He longs, now, to leave the bed for the floor, and now to leave the floor for the bed once more.

Verse 120 (skanda.1.77.120)

विवस्त्रो मुक्तलज्जश्च विष्ठानुलेपितः॥ याचमानश्च सलिलं शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः॥

vivastro muktalajjaśca viṣṭhānulepitaḥ|| yācamānaśca salilaṁ śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaḥ||

Stripped of clothing, past all shame, soiled with his own filth, his throat, lips, and palate parched, he begs for water,

Verse 121 (skanda.1.77.121)

चिंतयानः स्ववित्तानि कस्यैतानि मृते मयि॥ पंचावटान्खनमानः कालपाशेन कर्षितः॥

ciṁtayānaḥ svavittāni kasyaitāni mṛte mayi|| paṁcāvaṭānkhanamānaḥ kālapāśena karṣitaḥ||

— thinking anxiously of his own wealth: "Whose will all this be once I am dead?" — dragged along by the noose of Time, as if digging his own grave with each of his five senses failing,

Verse 122 (skanda.1.77.122)

म्रियते पश्यतामेव गले घुर्घुररावकृत्॥ जीवस्तृणजलूकेव देहाद्देहं विशेत्क्रमात्॥

mriyate paśyatāmeva gale ghurghurarāvakṛt|| jīvastṛṇajalūkeva dehāddehaṁ viśetkramāt||

— he dies before the very eyes of all present, a rattling sound in his throat. The soul, like a leech moving from blade to blade of grass, passes in due order from one body into another.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.77.123)

संप्राप्योत्तरमंशेन देहं त्यजति पूर्वकम्॥ मरणात्प्रार्थना दुःखमधिकं हि विवेकिनः॥

saṁprāpyottaramaṁśena dehaṁ tyajati pūrvakam|| maraṇātprārthanā duḥkhamadhikaṁ hi vivekinaḥ||

Only upon gaining a hold on some portion of the new body does it release the old. For the discerning man, greater than the suffering of death itself is the suffering caused by clinging, desperate prayer for continued life.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.77.124)

क्षणिकं मरणे दुःखमनंतं प्रार्थनाकृतम्॥ ज्ञातं मयैतदधुना मृतो भवति यद्गुरुः॥

kṣaṇikaṁ maraṇe duḥkhamanaṁtaṁ prārthanākṛtam|| jñātaṁ mayaitadadhunā mṛto bhavati yadguruḥ||

The suffering of death itself is momentary, but the suffering born of desperate prayer is unending. I have now come to understand this — that when one's elders pass away,

Verse 125 (skanda.1.77.125)

न परः प्रार्थयेद्भूयस्तृष्णा लाघवकारणम्॥ आदौ दुःखं तथा मध्ये ह्यन्त्ये दुःखं च दारुणम्॥

na paraḥ prārthayedbhūyastṛṣṇā lāghavakāraṇam|| ādau duḥkhaṁ tathā madhye hyantye duḥkhaṁ ca dāruṇam||

— one should not go on pleading and praying for their survival, for such craving is the very cause of one's own diminishment. There is suffering at the beginning, suffering in the middle, and terrible suffering at the very end.

Verse 126 (skanda.1.77.126)

निसर्गात्सर्वभूतानामिति दुःखपरंपरा॥ क्षुधा च सर्वरोगाणां व्याधिः श्रेष्ठतमः स्मृतः॥

nisargātsarvabhūtānāmiti duḥkhaparaṁparā|| kṣudhā ca sarvarogāṇāṁ vyādhiḥ śreṣṭhatamaḥ smṛtaḥ||

Thus is this succession of sorrows natural to all beings alike. And hunger is held to be the most powerful affliction among all diseases.

Verse 127 (skanda.1.77.127)

स चान्नौषधिलेपेन क्षणमात्रं प्रशाम्यति॥ क्षुद्ध्याधेर्वेदना तीव्रा निःशेषबलकृन्तनी॥

sa cānnauṣadhilepena kṣaṇamātraṁ praśāmyati|| kṣuddhyādhervedanā tīvrā niḥśeṣabalakṛntanī||

Even this is soothed only for a moment, by the balm of food. The pain of this affliction of hunger is intense, sapping away all one's strength entirely.

Verse 128 (skanda.1.77.128)

तयाभिभूतो म्रियते यथान्यैर्व्याधिभिर्न्नरः॥ राज्ञोऽभिमानमात्रं हि ममैव विद्यते गृहे॥

tayābhibhūto mriyate yathānyairvyādhibhirnnaraḥ|| rājño'bhimānamātraṁ hi mamaiva vidyate gṛhe||

Overcome by hunger, a man dies just as he would from any other disease. A king, meanwhile, harbors only the vain pride of thinking, "All this belongs to my household alone" —

Verse 129 (skanda.1.77.129)

सर्वमाभरणं भारं सर्वमालेपनं मम॥ सर्वं प्रलापितं गीतं नित्यमुन्मत्तचेष्टितम्॥

sarvamābharaṇaṁ bhāraṁ sarvamālepanaṁ mama|| sarvaṁ pralāpitaṁ gītaṁ nityamunmattaceṣṭitam||

— "All these ornaments, all this luxury, are mine alone" — all this is nothing but empty rambling, a mere song, the perpetual antics of a madman.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.77.130)

इत्येवं राज्यसंभोगैः कुतः सौख्यं विचारतः॥ नृपाणां व्यग्रचित्तानामन्योन्यविजिगीषया॥

ityevaṁ rājyasaṁbhogaiḥ kutaḥ saukhyaṁ vicārataḥ|| nṛpāṇāṁ vyagracittānāmanyonyavijigīṣayā||

Thus, when examined closely, where is happiness to be found in the enjoyments of kingship? The minds of kings remain forever agitated by their mutual desire to conquer one another.

Verse 131 (skanda.1.77.131)

प्रायेण श्रीमदालेपान्नहुषाद्या महानृपाः॥ स्वर्गं प्राप्यापि पतिताः कः श्रियो विंदते सुखम्॥

prāyeṇa śrīmadālepānnahuṣādyā mahānṛpāḥ|| svargaṁ prāpyāpi patitāḥ kaḥ śriyo viṁdate sukham||

Even great kings such as Nahusha, intoxicated by the pride of their own splendor, fell from grace even after attaining heaven. Who, then, can find true happiness in worldly power?

Verse 132 (skanda.1.77.132)

उपर्युपरि देवानामन्योन्यातिशये स्थितम्॥ नरैः पुण्यफलं स्वर्गे मूलच्छेदेन भुज्यते॥

uparyupari devānāmanyonyātiśaye sthitam|| naraiḥ puṇyaphalaṁ svarge mūlacchedena bhujyate||

Even among the gods there persists a constant rivalry, each striving to surpass the other. The fruit of merit that men enjoy in heaven is consumed even as its very root — the merit itself — is being cut away.

Verse 133 (skanda.1.77.133)

न चान्यत्क्रियते कर्म सोऽत्र दोषः सुदारुणः॥ छिन्नमूलतरुर्यद्वदवशः पतते क्षितौ॥

na cānyatkriyate karma so'tra doṣaḥ sudāruṇaḥ|| chinnamūlataruryadvadavaśaḥ patate kṣitau||

And in that realm no new merit can be earned — this is its most terrible flaw. Just as a tree, its root severed, helplessly falls to the ground,

Verse 134 (skanda.1.77.134)

पुण्यमूलक्षये तद्वत्पातयंति दिवौकसः॥ इति स्वर्गेपि देवानां नास्ति सौख्यं विचारतः॥

puṇyamūlakṣaye tadvatpātayaṁti divaukasaḥ|| iti svargepi devānāṁ nāsti saukhyaṁ vicārataḥ||

— so too, when the root of their merit is exhausted, even the gods are cast down. Thus, upon reflection, even in heaven the gods find no true happiness.

Verse 135 (skanda.1.77.135)

तथा नारकिणां दुःखं प्रसिद्धं किं च वर्ण्यते॥ स्थावरेष्वपिदुःखानि दावाग्निहिमशोषणम्॥

tathā nārakiṇāṁ duḥkhaṁ prasiddhaṁ kiṁ ca varṇyate|| sthāvareṣvapiduḥkhāni dāvāgnihimaśoṣaṇam||

The suffering of the denizens of hell is well known already — what more need I say of it? Even the stationary beings, the plants, must endure the agonies of forest fire, frost, and drought,

Verse 136 (skanda.1.77.136)

कुठारैश्ठेदनं तीव्रं वल्कलानां च तक्षणम्॥ पर्णशखाफलानां च पातनं चंडवायुना॥

kuṭhāraiśṭhedanaṁ tīvraṁ valkalānāṁ ca takṣaṇam|| parṇaśakhāphalānāṁ ca pātanaṁ caṁḍavāyunā||

the fierce cutting of axes, the stripping of their bark, and the tearing away of their leaves, branches, and fruit by violent winds,

Verse 137 (skanda.1.77.137)

अपमर्दश्च सततं गजैर्वन्यैश्च देहिभिः॥ तृड्बुभुक्षा च सर्पाणां क्रोधो दुःखं च दारुणम्॥

apamardaśca satataṁ gajairvanyaiśca dehibhiḥ|| tṛḍbubhukṣā ca sarpāṇāṁ krodho duḥkhaṁ ca dāruṇam||

and the ceaseless trampling by elephants and other wild creatures. Serpents, too, endure hunger, thirst, rage, and dreadful suffering,

Verse 138 (skanda.1.77.138)

दुष्टानां घातनं लोके पाशेन च निबन्धनम्॥ एवं सरीसृपाणां च दुःखं मातर्मुहुर्मुहुः॥

duṣṭānāṁ ghātanaṁ loke pāśena ca nibandhanam|| evaṁ sarīsṛpāṇāṁ ca duḥkhaṁ mātarmuhurmuhuḥ||

for evil serpents in this world are slain, and bound fast with snares. Thus, O mother, do reptiles suffer again and again.

Verse 139 (skanda.1.77.139)

अकस्माज्जन्ममरणं कीटादीनां तथाविधम्॥ वर्षाशीतातपैर्दुःखं सुकष्टं मृगपक्षिणाम्॥

akasmājjanmamaraṇaṁ kīṭādīnāṁ tathāvidham|| varṣāśītātapairduḥkhaṁ sukaṣṭaṁ mṛgapakṣiṇām||

The birth and death of insects and the like likewise come about, without warning, in just such a fashion. Beasts and birds too suffer greatly, tormented by rain, cold, and heat,

Verse 140 (skanda.1.77.140)

क्षुत्तृट्क्लेशेन महता संत्रस्ताश्च सदा मृगाः॥ पशुनागनिकायानां श्रृणु दुःखानि यानि च॥

kṣuttṛṭkleśena mahatā saṁtrastāśca sadā mṛgāḥ|| paśunāganikāyānāṁ śrṛṇu duḥkhāni yāni ca||

and are ever tormented by the great affliction of hunger and thirst. Now hear of the sufferings that beset the herds of cattle and elephants —

Verse 141 (skanda.1.77.141)

क्षुत्तृट्छीतादिदमनं वधबन्धनताडनम्॥ नासाप्रवेधनं त्रासः प्रतोदांकुशताडनम्॥

kṣuttṛṭchītādidamanaṁ vadhabandhanatāḍanam|| nāsāpravedhanaṁ trāsaḥ pratodāṁkuśatāḍanam||

the suppression of hunger, thirst, and cold; slaughter, captivity, and beating; the piercing of the nose; terror; the blows of whips and goads;

Verse 142 (skanda.1.77.142)

वेणुकुन्तादिनिगडमुद्गरांऽकुशताडनम्॥ भारोद्वहनसंक्लेशं शिक्षायुद्धादिपीडनम्॥

veṇukuntādinigaḍamudgarāṁ'kuśatāḍanam|| bhārodvahanasaṁkleśaṁ śikṣāyuddhādipīḍanam||

strikes with bamboo rods, spears, fetters, clubs, and hooks; the torment of bearing heavy loads; and the suffering of forced training and warfare —

Verse 143 (skanda.1.77.143)

आत्मयूथवियोगश्च वने च नयनादिकम्॥ दुर्भिक्षं दुर्भगत्वं च मूर्खत्वं च दरिद्रता॥

ātmayūthaviyogaśca vane ca nayanādikam|| durbhikṣaṁ durbhagatvaṁ ca mūrkhatvaṁ ca daridratā||

separation from their own herd, and being driven off, captured, out of the forest. Famine, misfortune, ignorance, and poverty —

Verse 144 (skanda.1.77.144)

अधरोत्तरभावश्च मरणं राष्ट्रविभ्रमः॥ अन्योन्याभिभवाद्दुःखमन्योन्यातिशयात्पुनः॥

adharottarabhāvaśca maraṇaṁ rāṣṭravibhramaḥ|| anyonyābhibhavādduḥkhamanyonyātiśayātpunaḥ||

the distinction of higher and lower rank, death, turmoil within the realm, and the suffering born from mutual defeat and from the constant striving of each to outdo the other —

Verse 145 (skanda.1.77.145)

अनित्यता प्रभावाणामुच्छ्रयाणां च पातनम्॥ इत्येवमादिभिर्दुःखैर्यस्माद्व्याप्तं चराचरम्॥

anityatā prabhāvāṇāmucchrayāṇāṁ ca pātanam|| ityevamādibhirduḥkhairyasmādvyāptaṁ carācaram||

the impermanence of power, and the inevitable fall of every eminence — by these and other such sorrows is this entire universe of moving and unmoving beings pervaded.

Verse 146 (skanda.1.77.146)

निरयादिमनुष्यांतं तस्मात्सर्वं त्यजेद्बुधः॥ स्कन्धात्सकन्धं नयेद्भारं विश्रामं मन्यतेन्यथा॥

nirayādimanuṣyāṁtaṁ tasmātsarvaṁ tyajedbudhaḥ|| skandhātsakandhaṁ nayedbhāraṁ viśrāmaṁ manyatenyathā||

This runs from hell all the way to the human world; therefore the wise should renounce it all. As one who merely shifts a burden from one shoulder to the other imagines this to be rest —

Verse 147 (skanda.1.77.147)

तद्वत्सर्वमिदं लोके दुःखं दुःखेन शाम्यति॥ एवमेतज्जगत्सर्वमन्योन्यातिशयोच्छ्रितम्॥

tadvatsarvamidaṁ loke duḥkhaṁ duḥkhena śāmyati|| evametajjagatsarvamanyonyātiśayocchritam||

— so too in this world does one sorrow appear to be relieved only by another sorrow. Thus does this entire universe rest upon nothing but a ceaseless mutual striving for supremacy.

Verse 148 (skanda.1.77.148)

दुःखैराकुलितं ज्ञात्वा निर्वेदं परमाप्नुयात्॥ निर्वेदाच्च विरागः स्याद्विरागाज्ज्ञानसंभवः॥

duḥkhairākulitaṁ jñātvā nirvedaṁ paramāpnuyāt|| nirvedācca virāgaḥ syādvirāgājjñānasaṁbhavaḥ||

Knowing the world to be thus overwhelmed with sorrow, one should attain the supreme sense of disillusionment. From disillusionment arises dispassion, and from dispassion, knowledge is born.

Verse 149 (skanda.1.77.149)

ज्ञानेन तं परं ज्ञात्वा विष्णुं मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्॥ नाहमेतादृशे लोके रमेयं जननि क्वचित्॥

jñānena taṁ paraṁ jñātvā viṣṇuṁ muktimavāpnuyāt|| nāhametādṛśe loke rameyaṁ janani kvacit||

Through knowledge, having known that Supreme Vishnu, one attains liberation. O mother, I have no wish to take pleasure anywhere in a world such as this.

Verse 150 (skanda.1.77.150)

राजहंसो यथा शुद्धः काकामेध्यप्रदर्शकः॥ श्रृणु मातर्यत्र संस्थो रमेयं निरुपद्रवः॥

rājahaṁso yathā śuddhaḥ kākāmedhyapradarśakaḥ|| śrṛṇu mātaryatra saṁstho rameyaṁ nirupadravaḥ||

Just as the pure royal swan shuns the crow that points out only filth, so too, mother, hear where it is that I wish to dwell and find rest, free of all disturbance.

Verse 151 (skanda.1.77.151)

अविद्यायनमत्युग्रं नानाकर्मातिशाखिनम्॥ संकल्पदंशमकरं शोकहर्षहिमातपम्॥

avidyāyanamatyugraṁ nānākarmātiśākhinam|| saṁkalpadaṁśamakaraṁ śokaharṣahimātapam||

"— the exceedingly terrible forest of ignorance, thick with the branches of manifold deeds, infested with the biting crocodile of desire and resolve, scorched by the heat of joy and frozen by the chill of sorrow,"

Verse 152 (skanda.1.77.152)

मोहांधकारतिमिरं लोभव्यालसरीसृपम्॥ विषयानन्यथाध्वानं कामक्रोधविमोक्षकम्॥

mohāṁdhakāratimiraṁ lobhavyālasarīsṛpam|| viṣayānanyathādhvānaṁ kāmakrodhavimokṣakam||

"— steeped in the thick darkness of delusion, crawling with the serpents and creeping things of greed, crisscrossed with the many treacherous byways of sensory desire, ruled over by lust and anger —"

Verse 153 (skanda.1.77.153)

तदतीत्य महादुर्गं प्रविष्टोऽस्मि महद्वनम्॥ न तत्प्रविश्य शोचंति न प्रदुष्यंति तद्विदः॥

tadatītya mahādurgaṁ praviṣṭo'smi mahadvanam|| na tatpraviśya śocaṁti na praduṣyaṁti tadvidaḥ||

"— passing beyond that impenetrable forest, I wish to enter a great forest of another kind, into which those who enter never grieve, and whose true knowers are never corrupted."

Verse 154 (skanda.1.77.154)

न च बिभ्यति केषांचिन्नास्य बिभ्यति केचन॥

na ca bibhyati keṣāṁcinnāsya bibhyati kecana||

Those who dwell in that forest fear nothing, and nothing fears them in turn.

Verse 155 (skanda.1.77.155)

तस्मिन्वने सप्तमहाद्रुमास्तु सप्तैव नद्यश्च फलानि सप्त॥ सप्ताश्रमाः सप्त समाधयश्च दीक्षाश्च सप्तैतदरण्यरूपम्॥

tasminvane saptamahādrumāstu saptaiva nadyaśca phalāni sapta|| saptāśramāḥ sapta samādhayaśca dīkṣāśca saptaitadaraṇyarūpam||

In that forest are seven great trees, seven rivers, seven fruits, seven hermitages, seven states of samadhi, and seven initiations — such is the very nature of that forest.

Verse 156 (skanda.1.77.156)

पंचवर्णानि दिव्यानि चतुर्वर्णानि कानिचित्॥ त्रिद्विवर्णैकवर्णानि पुष्पाणि च फलानि च॥

paṁcavarṇāni divyāni caturvarṇāni kānicit|| tridvivarṇaikavarṇāni puṣpāṇi ca phalāni ca||

Some of its divine flowers and fruits are of five colors, some of four, and others of three, two, or a single color.

Verse 157 (skanda.1.77.157)

सृजंतः पादपास्तत्र व्याप्य तिष्ठन्ति तद्वनम्॥

sṛjaṁtaḥ pādapāstatra vyāpya tiṣṭhanti tadvanam||

Those trees, bringing forth such flowers and fruits, stand there, filling that entire forest.

Verse 158 (skanda.1.77.158)

सप्त स्त्रियस्तत्र वसंति सत्यस्त्ववाङ्मुख्यो भानुमतो भवंति॥ ऊर्ध्वं रसानाददते प्रजाभ्यः सर्वाश्च तास्तत्त्वतः कोपि वदे॥

sapta striyastatra vasaṁti satyastvavāṅmukhyo bhānumato bhavaṁti|| ūrdhvaṁ rasānādadate prajābhyaḥ sarvāśca tāstattvataḥ kopi vade||

In that forest dwell seven women, embodiments of truth, silent and radiant. They draw up the essence from all beings and carry it upward — how could I, to anyone, truly convey their essential nature!

Verse 159 (skanda.1.77.159)

सप्तैव गिरयश्चात्र धृतं यैर्भुवनत्रयम्॥ नद्यश्च सरितः सप्त ब्रह्मवारिवहाः सदा॥

saptaiva girayaścātra dhṛtaṁ yairbhuvanatrayam|| nadyaśca saritaḥ sapta brahmavārivahāḥ sadā||

There too are seven mountains, by which the three worlds are upheld. And there are seven rivers, ever flowing with the waters of Brahman itself.

Verse 160 (skanda.1.77.160)

तेजश्चाभयदानत्वमद्रोहः कौशलं तथा॥ अचापल्यमथाक्रोधः प्रियवादश्च सप्तमः॥

tejaścābhayadānatvamadrohaḥ kauśalaṁ tathā|| acāpalyamathākrodhaḥ priyavādaśca saptamaḥ||

Vigor, the gift of fearlessness, freedom from malice, skillfulness, steadiness, freedom from anger, and, seventh, gentle speech —

Verse 161 (skanda.1.77.161)

इत्येते गिरयो ज्ञेयास्तस्मिन्विद्यावने स्थिताः॥ दृढनिश्चयस्तथा भासा समता निग्रहो गुणः॥

ityete girayo jñeyāstasminvidyāvane sthitāḥ|| dṛḍhaniścayastathā bhāsā samatā nigraho guṇaḥ||

— these are to be known as the seven mountains standing within that forest of knowledge. Firm resolve, splendor, equanimity, self-restraint, virtue,

Verse 162 (skanda.1.77.162)

निर्ममत्वं तपश्चात्र सन्तोषः सप्तमो ह्रदः॥ भगवद्गुणविज्ञानाद्भक्तिः स्यात्प्रथमा नदी॥

nirmamatvaṁ tapaścātra santoṣaḥ saptamo hradaḥ|| bhagavadguṇavijñānādbhaktiḥ syātprathamā nadī||

— freedom from possessiveness, and penance — these, together with contentment as the seventh lake. Devotion, born of the knowledge of the Lord's own qualities, is the first river.

Verse 163 (skanda.1.77.163)

पुष्पादिपूजा द्वितीया तृतीया च प्रदक्षिणा॥ चतुर्थी स्तुतिवाग्रूपा पञ्चमी ईश्वरार्पणा॥

puṣpādipūjā dvitīyā tṛtīyā ca pradakṣiṇā|| caturthī stutivāgrūpā pañcamī īśvarārpaṇā||

Worship with flowers and the like is the second, circumambulation the third, the utterance of praise the fourth, and surrender unto the Lord the fifth river.

Verse 164 (skanda.1.77.164)

षष्ठी ब्रह्मैकता प्रोक्ता सप्तमी सिद्धिरेव च॥ सप्त नद्योऽत्र कथिता ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना॥

ṣaṣṭhī brahmaikatā proktā saptamī siddhireva ca|| sapta nadyo'tra kathitā brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā||

The sixth is declared to be oneness with Brahman, and the seventh is accomplishment itself. Thus have these seven rivers been described by Brahma, the Supreme Grandsire.

Verse 165 (skanda.1.77.165)

ब्रह्मा धर्मो यमश्चाग्निरिंद्रो वरुण एव च॥

brahmā dharmo yamaścāgniriṁdro varuṇa eva ca||

Brahma, Dharma, Yama, Agni, Indra, and Varuna —

Verse 166 (skanda.1.77.166)

धनदश्च ध्रुवादीनां सप्तकानर्चयंत्यमी॥ नदीनां संगमस्तत्र वैकुंठसमुपह्वरे॥

dhanadaśca dhruvādīnāṁ saptakānarcayaṁtyamī|| nadīnāṁ saṁgamastatra vaikuṁṭhasamupahvare||

— and Kubera, giver of wealth — these seven deities worship the seven sages, Dhruva and the rest. There, near the very approach to Vaikuntha, is the confluence of those rivers.

Verse 167 (skanda.1.77.167)

आत्मतृप्ता यतो यांति शांता दांताः परात्परम्॥ केचिद्द्रुमाः स्त्रियः केचित्केचित्तत्त्वविदोऽपरे॥

ātmatṛptā yato yāṁti śāṁtā dāṁtāḥ parātparam|| keciddrumāḥ striyaḥ kecitkecittattvavido'pare||

Reaching that confluence, souls content within themselves, tranquil and self-controlled, attain that Reality beyond the highest. Some call them trees, others call them women, and yet other knowers of truth describe them differently still.

Verse 168 (skanda.1.77.168)

सरितः केचिदाहुः स्म सप्तैव ज्ञानवित्तमाः॥ अनपेतव्रतकामोऽत्र ब्रह्मचर्यं चरामि च॥

saritaḥ kecidāhuḥ sma saptaiva jñānavittamāḥ|| anapetavratakāmo'tra brahmacaryaṁ carāmi ca||

Some among the foremost knowers of truth call these same seven the rivers. Here, without ever wavering from my vow and resolve, I too shall observe brahmacharya.

Verse 169 (skanda.1.77.169)

ब्रह्मैव समिधस्तत्र ब्रह्माग्निर्ब्रह्म संस्तरः॥ आपो ब्रह्म गुरुब्रह्म ब्रह्मचर्यमिदं मम॥

brahmaiva samidhastatra brahmāgnirbrahma saṁstaraḥ|| āpo brahma gurubrahma brahmacaryamidaṁ mama||

There, Brahman itself is the sacrificial kindling, Brahman the fire, Brahman the seat, Brahman the water, and Brahman the guru — such is this brahmacharya of mine.

Verse 170 (skanda.1.77.170)

एतदेवेदृशं सूक्ष्मं ब्रह्मचर्यं विदुर्बुधाः॥ गुरुं च श्रृणु मे मातर्यो मे विद्याप्रदोऽभवत्॥

etadevedṛśaṁ sūkṣmaṁ brahmacaryaṁ vidurbudhāḥ|| guruṁ ca śrṛṇu me mātaryo me vidyāprado'bhavat||

The wise know brahmacharya of this very subtle kind. And now, mother, hear of that guru of mine, who bestowed knowledge upon me.

Verse 171 (skanda.1.77.171)

एकः शास्ता न द्वितीयोऽस्ति शास्ता हृद्येव तिष्ठन्पुरुषं प्रशास्ति॥ तेनाभियुक्तः प्रणवादिवोदकं यता नियुक्तोस्मि तथाचरामि॥

ekaḥ śāstā na dvitīyo'sti śāstā hṛdyeva tiṣṭhanpuruṣaṁ praśāsti|| tenābhiyuktaḥ praṇavādivodakaṁ yatā niyuktosmi tathācarāmi||

I have one ruler, and no second — he who, dwelling in the very heart, governs the individual soul. Appointed by him, moving like water set flowing by the syllable Om, I act only as he directs me.

Verse 172 (skanda.1.77.172)

एको गुरुर्नास्ति तथा द्वितीयो हृदि स्थितस्तमहं नृ ब्रवीमि॥ यं चावमान्यैव गुरुं मुकुन्दं पराभूता दानवाः सर्व एव॥

eko gururnāsti tathā dvitīyo hṛdi sthitastamahaṁ nṛ bravīmi|| yaṁ cāvamānyaiva guruṁ mukundaṁ parābhūtā dānavāḥ sarva eva||

I have one guru, and no second — he who dwells within the heart; it is he alone whom I proclaim to all mankind. It was by scorning this very guru, Mukunda, that every last one of the danavas met their downfall —

Verse 173 (skanda.1.77.173)

एको बंधुर्नास्ति ततो द्वितीयो हृदी स्थितं तमहमनुब्रवीमि॥ तेनानुशिष्टा बांधवा बंधुमंतः सप्तर्षयः सप्त दिवि प्रभांति॥

eko baṁdhurnāsti tato dvitīyo hṛdī sthitaṁ tamahamanubravīmi|| tenānuśiṣṭā bāṁdhavā baṁdhumaṁtaḥ saptarṣayaḥ sapta divi prabhāṁti||

I have one friend, and no second — he who dwells within the heart; it is he alone whose praises I continue to sing. Instructed by him, the Seven Sages, truest of friends, now shine forth in the sky as seven radiant stars.

Verse 174 (skanda.1.77.174)

ब्रह्मचर्यं च संसेव्यं गार्हस्थ्य श्रृणु यादृशम्॥ पत्नी प्रकृतिरूपा मे तच्चित्तो नास्मि कर्हिचित्॥

brahmacaryaṁ ca saṁsevyaṁ gārhasthya śrṛṇu yādṛśam|| patnī prakṛtirūpā me taccitto nāsmi karhicit||

Having thus practiced brahmacharya, hear now what manner of household life shall be mine. My wife shall be Prakriti herself, yet my mind shall never be attached to her.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.77.175)

मच्चित्ता सा सदा मातर्मम सर्वार्थसाधनी॥ घ्राणं जिह्वा च चक्षुश्च त्वक्च श्रोत्रं च पंचमम्॥

maccittā sā sadā mātarmama sarvārthasādhanī|| ghrāṇaṁ jihvā ca cakṣuśca tvakca śrotraṁ ca paṁcamam||

She shall keep her mind fixed upon me always, mother, and shall accomplish all my true purposes. Smell, taste, sight, touch, and, fifth, hearing —

Verse 176 (skanda.1.77.176)

मनो बुद्धिश्च सप्तैते दीप्यंते पावका मम॥ गंधो रसश्च रूपं च शब्दः स्पर्शश्च पंचमम्॥

mano buddhiśca saptaite dīpyaṁte pāvakā mama|| gaṁdho rasaśca rūpaṁ ca śabdaḥ sparśaśca paṁcamam||

— together with mind and intellect, these seven are my blazing sacrificial fires. Fragrance, taste, form, sound, and, fifth, touch —

Verse 177 (skanda.1.77.177)

मंतव्यमथ बोद्धव्यं सप्तैताः समिधो मम॥ हुतं नारायणध्यानाद्भुंक्ते नारायणः स्वयम्॥

maṁtavyamatha boddhavyaṁ saptaitāḥ samidho mama|| hutaṁ nārāyaṇadhyānādbhuṁkte nārāyaṇaḥ svayam||

— together with what is to be thought upon and what is to be understood, these seven are my sacrificial kindling. This oblation, offered through meditation upon Narayana, is received by Narayana himself.

Verse 178 (skanda.1.77.178)

एवंविधेन यज्ञेन यजाम्यस्मि तमीश्वरम्॥ अकामयानस्य च सर्वकामो भवेदद्विषाणस्य च सर्वदोषः॥

evaṁvidhena yajñena yajāmyasmi tamīśvaram|| akāmayānasya ca sarvakāmo bhavedadviṣāṇasya ca sarvadoṣaḥ||

With a sacrifice of this kind do I worship that Lord. For one free of craving, every desire is fulfilled; and for one free of hatred, every fault falls away.

Verse 179 (skanda.1.77.179)

न मे स्वभावेषु भवंति लेपास्तोयस्य बिंदोरिव पुष्करेषु॥ नित्यस्य मे नैव भवंत्यनित्या निरीक्षमाणस्य बहुस्यभावात्॥

na me svabhāveṣu bhavaṁti lepāstoyasya biṁdoriva puṣkareṣu|| nityasya me naiva bhavaṁtyanityā nirīkṣamāṇasya bahusyabhāvāt||

No stain clings to my true nature, just as a drop of water never clings to a lotus leaf. Being eternal myself, transient things can never bind me, for I look on, witnessing the very nature of this manifold existence.

Verse 180 (skanda.1.77.180)

न सज्जते कर्मसु भोगजालं दिवीव सूर्यस्य मयूखजालम्॥

na sajjate karmasu bhogajālaṁ divīva sūryasya mayūkhajālam||

Just as the web of the sun's rays in the sky clings to nothing, so too does this web of worldly enjoyment never entangle me in action.

Verse 181 (skanda.1.77.181)

एवंविधेन पुत्रेण मा मातर्दुःखिनी भव॥ तत्पदं त्वा च नेष्यामि न यत्क्रतुशतैरपि॥

evaṁvidhena putreṇa mā mātarduḥkhinī bhava|| tatpadaṁ tvā ca neṣyāmi na yatkratuśatairapi||

Mother, do not grieve over having such a son as this. I shall lead you to that state which even hundreds of sacrifices cannot attain.

Verse 182 (skanda.1.77.182)

इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा विस्मिता इतराभवत्॥ चिंतयामास यद्येवं विद्वान्मम सुतो दृढम्॥

iti putravacaḥ śrutvā vismitā itarābhavat|| ciṁtayāmāsa yadyevaṁ vidvānmama suto dṛḍham||

Narada said: Hearing her son's words, Itara was struck with wonder. She thought to herself: if my son is truly so firm and so wise,

Verse 183 (skanda.1.77.183)

लोकेषु ख्यातिमायाति ततो मे स्याद्यशः परम्॥ इत्यादि चिंतयंत्यां च रजन्यां भगवान्हरिः॥

lokeṣu khyātimāyāti tato me syādyaśaḥ param|| ityādi ciṁtayaṁtyāṁ ca rajanyāṁ bhagavānhariḥ||

— then he shall become famed throughout the world, and through him I too shall gain the highest renown. As she pondered thus, that very night, Lord Hari —

Verse 184 (skanda.1.77.184)

प्रहृष्टस्तस्य तैर्वाक्यैर्विस्मितः प्रादुरास च॥ मूर्तेः स्वयं विनिष्क्रम्य शंखचक्रगदाधराः॥

prahṛṣṭastasya tairvākyairvismitaḥ prādurāsa ca|| mūrteḥ svayaṁ viniṣkramya śaṁkhacakragadādharāḥ||

— pleased and astonished by his words, appeared in person. Emerging himself from the image, bearing the conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 185 (skanda.1.77.185)

जगदुद्भासयन्भासा सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभः॥ ततो निष्पत्य धरणीं हृष्टरोमाश्रुद्गदः॥

jagadudbhāsayanbhāsā sūryakoṭisamaprabhaḥ|| tato niṣpatya dharaṇīṁ hṛṣṭaromāśrudgadaḥ||

— radiant with the splendor of ten million suns, illuminating the whole universe with his glory, he descended to the earth. Then, his hair standing on end with joy and his voice choked with emotion,

Verse 186 (skanda.1.77.186)

मूर्ध्नि बद्धांजलिं धीमानैतरेयोऽथ तुष्टुवे॥

mūrdhni baddhāṁjaliṁ dhīmānaitareyo'tha tuṣṭuve||

the wise Aitareya, hands folded above his head, began to praise him:

Verse 187 (skanda.1.77.187)

नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते वासुदेवाय धीमहि॥ प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय नमः संकर्षणाय च॥

namastubhyaṁ bhagavate vāsudevāya dhīmahi|| pradyumnāyāniruddhāya namaḥ saṁkarṣaṇāya ca||

"Salutation to you, O Lord Vasudeva; upon you we meditate. Salutation also to Pradyumna, to Aniruddha, and to Sankarshana."

Verse 188 (skanda.1.77.188)

नमो विज्ञानमात्राय परमानंदमूर्तये॥ आत्मारामाय शांताय निवृत्तद्वैतदृष्टये॥

namo vijñānamātrāya paramānaṁdamūrtaye|| ātmārāmāya śāṁtāya nivṛttadvaitadṛṣṭaye||

"Salutation to you, who are pure consciousness itself, the very embodiment of supreme bliss, ever delighting in your own self, at peace, and free from all vision of duality."

Verse 189 (skanda.1.77.189)

आत्मानंदानुरुद्धाय सम्यक्तयक्तोर्मये नमः॥ हृषीकेशाय महते नमस्तेऽनंतशक्तये॥

ātmānaṁdānuruddhāya samyaktayaktormaye namaḥ|| hṛṣīkeśāya mahate namaste'naṁtaśaktaye||

"Salutation to you, absorbed in the bliss of the self, a being wholly still, without a single ripple. Salutation to the great Hrishikesha, to you of infinite power."

Verse 190 (skanda.1.77.190)

वचस्युपरते प्राप्यो य एको मनसा सह॥ अनामरूपचिन्मात्रः सोऽव्यान्नः सदसत्परः॥

vacasyuparate prāpyo ya eko manasā saha|| anāmarūpacinmātraḥ so'vyānnaḥ sadasatparaḥ||

That one reality which is attained, along with the mind, only when speech itself falls silent — nameless, formless, pure consciousness alone, transcending both being and non-being — may that protect us.

Verse 191 (skanda.1.77.191)

यस्मिन्निदं यतश्चेदं तिष्ठत्यपैति जायते॥ मृन्मयेष्विव मृज्जातिस्तस्मै ते ब्रह्मणे नमः॥

yasminnidaṁ yataścedaṁ tiṣṭhatyapaiti jāyate|| mṛnmayeṣviva mṛjjātistasmai te brahmaṇe namaḥ||

That in which all this rests, from which it arises, and into which it dissolves — as clay pervades every vessel made of clay — to you, that very Brahman, I bow.

Verse 192 (skanda.1.77.192)

यं न स्पृशंति न विदुर्मनोबुद्धींद्रियासवः॥ अंतर्बहिश्च विततं व्योमवत्प्रणतोऽस्म्यहम्॥

yaṁ na spṛśaṁti na vidurmanobuddhīṁdriyāsavaḥ|| aṁtarbahiśca vitataṁ vyomavatpraṇato'smyaham||

To that which mind, intellect, the senses, and the vital breaths can neither touch nor know, and which pervades both within and without, like the very sky, I bow.

Verse 193 (skanda.1.77.193)

देहेंद्रियप्राणमनोधियोऽमी यदंशब्द्धाः प्रचरंति कर्मसु॥ नैवान्यदालोहमिव प्रतप्तं स्थानेषु तद्दृष्टपदेन एते॥

deheṁdriyaprāṇamanodhiyo'mī yadaṁśabddhāḥ pracaraṁti karmasu|| naivānyadālohamiva prataptaṁ sthāneṣu taddṛṣṭapadena ete||

This body, the senses, the vital breath, the mind, and the intellect — all move and act in this world bound only by a portion of that consciousness; they are no different from it, just as heated iron seems no different from the fire itself — it is only by that consciousness's own gaze that they are set into motion at all.

Verse 194 (skanda.1.77.194)

चतुर्भिश्च त्रिभिर्द्वाभ्यामेकधा प्रणमामि तम्॥ पूर्वापरापरयुगे शास्तारं परमीश्वरम्॥

caturbhiśca tribhirdvābhyāmekadhā praṇamāmi tam|| pūrvāparāparayuge śāstāraṁ paramīśvaram||

In fourfold, threefold, twofold, and single form I bow to that Supreme Lord, the ruler of every age, past, coming, and to come.

Verse 195 (skanda.1.77.195)

हित्वा गतीर्मोक्षकामा यं भजंति दशात्मकम्॥ तं परं सत्यममलं त्वां वयं पर्युपास्महे॥

hitvā gatīrmokṣakāmā yaṁ bhajaṁti daśātmakam|| taṁ paraṁ satyamamalaṁ tvāṁ vayaṁ paryupāsmahe||

You, whom those who desire liberation worship in your tenfold form, abandoning every other path — you, the supreme truth, stainless and pure, we worship from every side.

Verse 196 (skanda.1.77.196)

ॐनमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महानुभावाय विभूतिपतये सकलसात्वतपरिवृढनिकरकरकमलोत्पलकुड्मलोपलालितचरणारविंदयुगल परमपरमेष्ठिन्नमस्ते॥

oṁnamo bhagavate mahāpuruṣāya mahānubhāvāya vibhūtipataye sakalasātvataparivṛḍhanikarakarakamalotpalakuḍmalopalālitacaraṇāraviṁdayugala paramaparameṣṭhinnamaste||

"Om, salutation to the Blessed Lord, the Supreme Person, of boundless majesty, master of all divine glories — whose twin lotus feet are ever caressed by the half-opened lotus hands of the foremost hosts of Sattvata devotees — O Supreme Being beyond all, salutation to you."

Verse 197 (skanda.1.77.197)

तवाग्निरास्यं वसुधांघ्रियुग्मं नभः शिरश्चंद्ररवी च नेत्रे॥ समस्तलोका जठरं भुजाश्च दिशश्चतस्रो भगवन्नमस्ते॥

tavāgnirāsyaṁ vasudhāṁghriyugmaṁ nabhaḥ śiraścaṁdraravī ca netre|| samastalokā jaṭharaṁ bhujāśca diśaścatasro bhagavannamaste||

"Your mouth is fire, the earth your two feet, the sky your head, the moon and sun your eyes. All the worlds together are your belly, and the four directions your arms — O Lord, salutation to you."

Verse 198 (skanda.1.77.198)

जन्मानि तावंति न संति देव निष्पीड्य सर्वाणि च सर्वकालम्॥ भूतानि यावंति मयात्र भीमे पीतानि संसारमहासमुद्रे॥

janmāni tāvaṁti na saṁti deva niṣpīḍya sarvāṇi ca sarvakālam|| bhūtāni yāvaṁti mayātra bhīme pītāni saṁsāramahāsamudre||

"O Lord, however many births I have taken, they are far fewer than the countless beings I have devoured, again and again, throughout every age, in this terrible ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 199 (skanda.1.77.199)

संपच्छिलानां हिमवन्महेंद्रकैलासमेर्वादिषु नैव तादृक्॥ देहाननेकाननुगृह्णतो मे प्राप्तास्ति संपन्महती तथेश॥

saṁpacchilānāṁ himavanmaheṁdrakailāsamervādiṣu naiva tādṛk|| dehānanekānanugṛhṇato me prāptāsti saṁpanmahatī tatheśa||

"O Lord, the vast heaps of rock and treasure piled upon the Himalaya, Mahendra, Kailasa, Meru, and other mountains are as nothing beside the immense accumulation I have gathered, life after life, taking one body after another."

Verse 200 (skanda.1.77.200)

न संतिते देव भुवि प्रदेशा न येषु जातोऽस्मि तथा विनष्टः॥ भूत्वा मया येषु न जंतवश्च संभक्षितो वा न च भूतसंघैः॥

na saṁtite deva bhuvi pradeśā na yeṣu jāto'smi tathā vinaṣṭaḥ|| bhūtvā mayā yeṣu na jaṁtavaśca saṁbhakṣito vā na ca bhūtasaṁghaiḥ||

"O Lord, there is no place upon this earth where I have not been born and where I have not perished. Nor is there any place where I have not devoured some creature, or where I myself have not been devoured by hosts of other creatures."

Verse 201 (skanda.1.77.201)

शोकाभिभूतस्य ममाश्रु देव यावत्प्रमाणं पतितं भवेषु॥ तावत्प्रमाणं न जलं पयोदा मुंचंति दिव्यैरपि वर्षलक्षैः॥

śokābhibhūtasya mamāśru deva yāvatpramāṇaṁ patitaṁ bhaveṣu|| tāvatpramāṇaṁ na jalaṁ payodā muṁcaṁti divyairapi varṣalakṣaiḥ||

"O Lord, the tears I have shed, overwhelmed by grief, across my countless births, are more in measure than the rain that the clouds would pour down even over hundreds of thousands of celestial years."

Verse 202 (skanda.1.77.202)

मन्ये धरित्रीपरमाणुसंख्यामुपैति पित्रोर्गणना न मह्यम्॥ मित्राव्यमित्राण्यनुजीव्यबंधून्संख्यातुमीशोऽस्मिन देवदेव॥

manye dharitrīparamāṇusaṁkhyāmupaiti pitrorgaṇanā na mahyam|| mitrāvyamitrāṇyanujīvyabaṁdhūnsaṁkhyātumīśo'smina devadeva||

"I believe that the number of my own parents, across my countless lives, would rival the very atoms of the earth, and yet remain uncounted. O God of gods, I am utterly unable even to count my friends, my enemies, my dependents, and my kinsmen."

Verse 203 (skanda.1.77.203)

त्वय्यर्पितं नाथ पुनः पुनर्मे मनः समाक्षिप्य सुदुर्द्धरारि॥ कामो वशं क्रधमुखैः सहायैः करोति किं तद्भगवन्करोमि॥

tvayyarpitaṁ nātha punaḥ punarme manaḥ samākṣipya sudurddharāri|| kāmo vaśaṁ kradhamukhaiḥ sahāyaiḥ karoti kiṁ tadbhagavankaromi||

"O Lord, again and again does desire, that most unconquerable of foes, together with anger and its other accomplices, seize and drag away my mind — even when it has been offered up to you. O Lord, what then am I to do?"

Verse 204 (skanda.1.77.204)

सोऽहं भृशार्तः करुणाकरस्त्वं संसारगर्ते पतितस्य विष्णो॥ महात्मनां संश्रयमभ्युपेतो नैवावसीदत्यपि दुर्गतोऽपि॥

so'haṁ bhṛśārtaḥ karuṇākarastvaṁ saṁsāragarte patitasya viṣṇo|| mahātmanāṁ saṁśrayamabhyupeto naivāvasīdatyapi durgato'pi||

"I am that deeply afflicted one, and you are the very fountain of compassion. O Vishnu, one who has fallen into the pit of worldly existence, yet has taken refuge with the great souls, never perishes — however wretched his state may be."

Verse 205 (skanda.1.77.205)

परायणं रोगवतो हि वैद्यो महाब्धिमग्नस्य च नौर्नरस्य॥ बालस्य मातापितरौ सुघोरसंसारखिन्नस्य हरे त्वमेव॥

parāyaṇaṁ rogavato hi vaidyo mahābdhimagnasya ca naurnarasya|| bālasya mātāpitarau sughorasaṁsārakhinnasya hare tvameva||

"Just as the physician is the refuge of the sick, the boat of one drowning in the great ocean, and the parents of a helpless child, so too, O Hari, are you alone the refuge of one such as I, wearied by this most terrible worldly existence."

Verse 206 (skanda.1.77.206)

प्रसीद सर्वेश्वर सर्वभूत सर्वस्य हेतो परमार्थसार॥ मामुद्धरास्मादुरुदुःखसंघात्संसारगर्तात्स्वपरिग्रहेण॥

prasīda sarveśvara sarvabhūta sarvasya heto paramārthasāra|| māmuddharāsmāduruduḥkhasaṁghātsaṁsāragartātsvaparigraheṇa||

"O Lord of all, O soul of all beings, O cause of everything, O very essence of the highest truth, be gracious. Deliver me from this vast heap of suffering, from this pit of worldly existence, by taking me under your own protection."

Verse 207 (skanda.1.77.207)

क्षृत्तृट्त्रिधातुभिरिमं मुहुरर्द्यमानं शीतोष्ण वातसलिलैरितरेतराच्च॥ कामाग्निनाच्युत रुषा च सुदुर्भरेण संपश्यतो मम उरुक्रम सीदतो हि॥

kṣṛttṛṭtridhātubhirimaṁ muhurardyamānaṁ śītoṣṇa vātasalilairitaretarācca|| kāmāgninācyuta ruṣā ca sudurbhareṇa saṁpaśyato mama urukrama sīdato hi||

"O Achyuta, continually tormented by hunger and thirst, by the imbalance of the three bodily humors, by cold and heat, wind and water, and by mutual strife with others, and by the fire of desire and unbearable anger — O far-striding one, even as you watch over me, I am overwhelmed with anguish."

Verse 208 (skanda.1.77.208)

भवंतु भद्राणि समस्तदोषाः प्रयांतु नाशं जगतोऽखिलस्य॥ मयाद्य भक्त्या परमेश्वरे प्रभौ स्तुते जगद्धातरि वासुदेवे॥

bhavaṁtu bhadrāṇi samastadoṣāḥ prayāṁtu nāśaṁ jagato'khilasya|| mayādya bhaktyā parameśvare prabhau stute jagaddhātari vāsudeve||

"May all be well, and may every fault throughout the entire universe be brought to naught, now that I have, with devotion, praised the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva, the sustainer of the world."

Verse 209 (skanda.1.77.209)

ये भूतले ये दिवि चांतरिक्षे रसातले प्राणिगणाश्च केचित्॥ भवंतु ते सिद्धियुजो मयाद्य स्तुते जगद्धातरि वासुदेवे॥

ye bhūtale ye divi cāṁtarikṣe rasātale prāṇigaṇāśca kecit|| bhavaṁtu te siddhiyujo mayādya stute jagaddhātari vāsudeve||

"Whatever hosts of beings exist upon the earth, in heaven, in the sky, or in the netherworlds — may they all attain accomplishment, now that I have praised Vasudeva, the sustainer of the world."

Verse 210 (skanda.1.77.210)

अज्ञानिनो ज्ञानविदो भवंतु प्रशान्तिभाजः सततोग्रचित्ताः॥ मया च विश्वंभरणे ह्यनंते स्तुते जगद्धातरि वासुदेवे॥

ajñānino jñānavido bhavaṁtu praśāntibhājaḥ satatogracittāḥ|| mayā ca viśvaṁbharaṇe hyanaṁte stute jagaddhātari vāsudeve||

"May the ignorant become knowers of truth, and may those whose minds are ever agitated find peace, now that I have praised the infinite Vasudeva, who sustains the whole universe."

Verse 211 (skanda.1.77.211)

श्रृण्वंति ये मे स्तुवतस्तथान्ये पश्यंति ये मामिदमीरयंतम्॥ देवासुराद्या मनुजास्तिरश्चो भवंतु तेऽप्यच्युतयोगभाजः॥

śrṛṇvaṁti ye me stuvatastathānye paśyaṁti ye māmidamīrayaṁtam|| devāsurādyā manujāstiraśco bhavaṁtu te'pyacyutayogabhājaḥ||

"Those who hear me as I offer this praise, and those who see me uttering it — gods, demons, humans, and animals alike — may all of them too attain union with Achyuta."

Verse 212 (skanda.1.77.212)

ये चापि मूका विकलेंद्रियत्वात्पठंति नो नैव विलोकयंति॥ पश्वादयः कीटपिपीलिकाद्या भवंतु तेऽप्यच्युतयोगभाजः॥

ye cāpi mūkā vikaleṁdriyatvātpaṭhaṁti no naiva vilokayaṁti|| paśvādayaḥ kīṭapipīlikādyā bhavaṁtu te'pyacyutayogabhājaḥ||

"And those who are mute, unable through the impairment of their senses either to recite this or even to behold it — cattle and other beasts, insects, ants, and the like — may they too attain union with Achyuta."

Verse 213 (skanda.1.77.213)

नश्यंतु दुःखानि जगत्यपेतु लोभादिको दोषगणः प्रजाभ्यः॥ यथात्मनि भ्रातरि चात्मजे वा तथा नरस्यास्तु जनेपि भावः॥

naśyaṁtu duḥkhāni jagatyapetu lobhādiko doṣagaṇaḥ prajābhyaḥ|| yathātmani bhrātari cātmaje vā tathā narasyāstu janepi bhāvaḥ||

"May the sorrows of the world be destroyed, and may the host of faults beginning with greed depart from all people. Just as a man feels toward himself, his brother, or his own son, so may every man come to feel toward all people alike."

Verse 214 (skanda.1.77.214)

संसारवैद्यैऽखिलदोषहानिविचक्षणे निर्वृतिहेतुभूते॥ संसारबंधाः शिथिलीभवंतु हृदि स्थिते सर्वजनस्य विष्णौ॥

saṁsāravaidyai'khiladoṣahānivicakṣaṇe nirvṛtihetubhūte|| saṁsārabaṁdhāḥ śithilībhavaṁtu hṛdi sthite sarvajanasya viṣṇau||

May the bonds of worldly existence loosen for all, now that Vishnu — the physician of samsara, skilled in removing every fault, the very cause of liberation — abides within the hearts of all people.

Verse 215 (skanda.1.77.215)

पापं प्रणाशं मम च प्रयातु यन्मानसं यच्च करोमि वाचा॥ शरीरमप्याचरितं च यन्मे स्मृते जगद्धातरि वासुदेवे॥

pāpaṁ praṇāśaṁ mama ca prayātu yanmānasaṁ yacca karomi vācā|| śarīramapyācaritaṁ ca yanme smṛte jagaddhātari vāsudeve||

May whatever sin I have committed, in mind, in speech, and in body, be utterly destroyed, now that I have called to mind Vasudeva, the sustainer of the world.

Verse 216 (skanda.1.77.216)

यथा हि वा वासुदेवेति प्रोक्ते संकीर्त्तने विष्णुभक्तस्य वापि॥ स्मृते हरौ वापि प्रयाति पापं सत्येन मे नश्यतां तेन पापम्॥

yathā hi vā vāsudeveti prokte saṁkīrttane viṣṇubhaktasya vāpi|| smṛte harau vāpi prayāti pāpaṁ satyena me naśyatāṁ tena pāpam||

Just as sin is destroyed simply by uttering the name Vasudeva, by the chanting of a devotee of Vishnu, or by the mere remembrance of Hari, so, by that very truth, may my sin too be destroyed.

Verse 217 (skanda.1.77.217)

मूढोऽयमल्पमतिरल्पविचेष्टितोऽयं क्लिष्टं मनोऽपि विषयैर्मयि न प्रसंगि॥ इत्थं कृपां कुरु मयि प्रणतेऽखिलेश त्वां स्तोतुमंबुजभवोऽपि हि देव नेशः॥

mūḍho'yamalpamatiralpaviceṣṭito'yaṁ kliṣṭaṁ mano'pi viṣayairmayi na prasaṁgi|| itthaṁ kṛpāṁ kuru mayi praṇate'khileśa tvāṁ stotumaṁbujabhavo'pi hi deva neśaḥ||

"I am foolish, of feeble intellect, of feeble effort, my mind so afflicted by sense-objects that it cannot cling to you. O Lord of all, show such grace upon me, bowed before you as I am — for, O God, even Brahma, the lotus-born, is not equal to the task of praising you fully."

Verse 218 (skanda.1.77.218)

स त्वं प्रसीद भगवन्कुरु मय्यनाथे विष्णो कृपां परमकारुणिकः किल त्वम्॥ संसारसागरनिमग्नमनंत दीनमुद्धर्तुमर्हसि हरे पुरुषोत्तमोसि॥

sa tvaṁ prasīda bhagavankuru mayyanāthe viṣṇo kṛpāṁ paramakāruṇikaḥ kila tvam|| saṁsārasāgaranimagnamanaṁta dīnamuddhartumarhasi hare puruṣottamosi||

"Therefore, O Lord, be gracious; O Vishnu, show mercy upon me, who am without protector, for you alone are the very embodiment of compassion. O Infinite One, you alone are fit to raise up this wretched being, drowning in the ocean of worldly existence — O Hari, you are the Supreme Person himself."

Verse 219 (skanda.1.77.219)

इत्थं स्तुतः स भगवानैतरेयेण भारत॥ वासुदेवो विशालात्मा सानंदमिदमाह तम्॥

itthaṁ stutaḥ sa bhagavānaitareyeṇa bhārata|| vāsudevo viśālātmā sānaṁdamidamāha tam||

Narada said: O Bharata, thus praised by Aitareya, the vast-souled Lord Vasudeva spoke to him joyfully:

Verse 220 (skanda.1.77.220)

वत्सैतरेय तुष्टोस्मि भक्त्यानेन स्तवेन ते॥ वरं वृणुष्व मत्तस्त्वं दुर्लभं यदभीप्सितम्॥

vatsaitareya tuṣṭosmi bhaktyānena stavena te|| varaṁ vṛṇuṣva mattastvaṁ durlabhaṁ yadabhīpsitam||

"My child Aitareya, I am well pleased by this devoted hymn of yours. Ask of me whatever boon your heart desires, however hard it may be to attain."

Verse 221 (skanda.1.77.221)

॥ऐतरेय उवाच॥ एष एव वरो नाथमम नित्यमभीप्सितः॥ मज्जतो घोरसंसारे कर्णधारो हरे भव॥

||aitareya uvāca|| eṣa eva varo nāthamama nityamabhīpsitaḥ|| majjato ghorasaṁsāre karṇadhāro hare bhava||

Aitareya said: "O Lord, this alone is the boon I have ever desired — O Hari, be the helmsman for me as I drown in this terrible ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 222 (skanda.1.77.222)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ मुक्त एवासि संसाराद्यस्य ते भक्तिरीदृशी॥ ग्रहैर्महाग्रहैर्बद्धो नैव ते द्वित्रयोदशी॥

||śrībhagavānuvāca|| mukta evāsi saṁsārādyasya te bhaktirīdṛśī|| grahairmahāgrahairbaddho naiva te dvitrayodaśī||

The Blessed Lord said: "One whose devotion is such as yours is already free from worldly bondage. You are not bound even by the seizing planets, nor by the great seizers."

Verse 223 (skanda.1.77.223)

यश्च स्तोत्रेण सततं गुप्तक्षेत्रसमीहितम्॥ स्तोष्यते वासुदेवं मां स पापक्षयमाप्स्यति॥

yaśca stotreṇa satataṁ guptakṣetrasamīhitam|| stoṣyate vāsudevaṁ māṁ sa pāpakṣayamāpsyati||

"Whoever, with sincere devotion, at this hidden field, praises me, Vasudeva, with this very hymn, shall attain the destruction of all his sins."

Verse 224 (skanda.1.77.224)

यस्मादेतेन स्तोत्रेण पापं नाशमवाप्स्यति॥ अघनाशनमित्येव तस्मात्ख्यातिमवाप्स्यति॥

yasmādetena stotreṇa pāpaṁ nāśamavāpsyati|| aghanāśanamityeva tasmātkhyātimavāpsyati||

Since sin is destroyed through this hymn, it shall become renowned by the very name Aghanashana — "Destroyer of Sin."

Verse 225 (skanda.1.77.225)

एकादश्यामुपोष्यैव ममाग्रे यः पठिष्यति॥ स्तवमेनं स पूतात्मा मम लोकमवाप्स्यति॥

ekādaśyāmupoṣyaiva mamāgre yaḥ paṭhiṣyati|| stavamenaṁ sa pūtātmā mama lokamavāpsyati||

Whoever, having fasted on Ekadashi, recites this hymn before me, shall, his soul made pure, attain my own world.

Verse 226 (skanda.1.77.226)

सर्वेषामेव क्षेत्राणां गुप्तक्षेत्रं प्रियं यथा॥ तथा सर्वस्तवानां च स्तवोयं सुप्रियोमम॥

sarveṣāmeva kṣetrāṇāṁ guptakṣetraṁ priyaṁ yathā|| tathā sarvastavānāṁ ca stavoyaṁ supriyomama||

Just as, among all sacred fields, this hidden field is dear to me, so too, among all hymns, is this very hymn most dear to me.

Verse 227 (skanda.1.77.227)

यानि चोद्दिश्य भूतानि जप्यतेऽसौ महात्मभिः॥ तानि शांतिं भगं प्रज्ञां प्राप्स्यंति कृपया मम॥

yāni coddiśya bhūtāni japyate'sau mahātmabhiḥ|| tāni śāṁtiṁ bhagaṁ prajñāṁ prāpsyaṁti kṛpayā mama||

Whatever beings the great souls dedicate their recitation of this hymn to, those beings too, by my grace, shall attain peace, good fortune, and wisdom.

Verse 228 (skanda.1.77.228)

त्वं च वत्स श्रौतधर्मान्सम्यगाचर श्रद्धया॥ न तैर्बंधं मयि न्यस्तैराप्स्यस्यनभिसंधितैः॥

tvaṁ ca vatsa śrautadharmānsamyagācara śraddhayā|| na tairbaṁdhaṁ mayi nyastairāpsyasyanabhisaṁdhitaiḥ||

"And, my child, you should faithfully and diligently perform the duties enjoined by the Veda. Performed with dedication to me and without any selfish motive, these actions shall not bind you."

Verse 229 (skanda.1.77.229)

यज यज्ञैरवाप्यैव दारान्नन्दय मातरम्॥ मयि ध्यानेन तीव्रेण मामवाप्स्यस्यसंशयम्॥

yaja yajñairavāpyaiva dārānnandaya mātaram|| mayi dhyānena tīvreṇa māmavāpsyasyasaṁśayam||

"Perform sacrifices, take a wife in marriage, bring joy to your mother. Through intense meditation upon me, you shall attain me, without any doubt."

Verse 230 (skanda.1.77.230)

बुद्धिर्मनोथ भूतानि बुद्धिकर्मेन्द्रियाणि च॥ त्रयोदशग्रहैर्ये स्युस्त्रयोदश महाग्रहाः॥

buddhirmanotha bhūtāni buddhikarmendriyāṇi ca|| trayodaśagrahairye syustrayodaśa mahāgrahāḥ||

"Intellect, mind, the five elements, and the organs of knowledge and of action — these are the thirteen great 'seizers,' composed of these thirteen factors,"

Verse 231 (skanda.1.77.231)

बोद्धव्यमथ मंतव्यमहंता शब्द एव च॥ स्पर्शो रसो रूपगन्धौ वचनादानमेव च॥

boddhavyamatha maṁtavyamahaṁtā śabda eva ca|| sparśo raso rūpagandhau vacanādānameva ca||

"— that which is to be understood, that which is to be pondered, ego, sound, touch, taste, form, fragrance, speech, and grasping,"

Verse 232 (skanda.1.77.232)

विहृत्युत्सर्ग आनंदस्त्रयोदश महाग्रहाः॥ एतान्महाग्रहन्पुत्र शुद्धाञ्छुद्धैः स्वकैर्ग्रहैः॥

vihṛtyutsarga ānaṁdastrayodaśa mahāgrahāḥ|| etānmahāgrahanputra śuddhāñchuddhaiḥ svakairgrahaiḥ||

"— movement, excretion, and pleasure — these are the thirteen great seizers. My son, take hold of these great seizers, each purified by its own proper, purified faculty,"

Verse 233 (skanda.1.77.233)

गृहाण ध्यानयोगेन ममैवं मोक्षमाप्स्यसि॥ एवं त्वं कर्मभिर्वीर नैष्कर्म्यं समवाप्स्यसि॥

gṛhāṇa dhyānayogena mamaivaṁ mokṣamāpsyasi|| evaṁ tvaṁ karmabhirvīra naiṣkarmyaṁ samavāpsyasi||

"— through the discipline of meditation, and in this way you shall attain liberation. Thus, O hero, through action itself, shall you attain the state beyond all action."

Verse 234 (skanda.1.77.234)

शुल्बंरसेन संविद्धं दक्षो हेम यथाश्नुते॥ वर्णाश्रमाचारवता मयि संन्यस्तकर्मणा॥

śulbaṁrasena saṁviddhaṁ dakṣo hema yathāśnute|| varṇāśramācāravatā mayi saṁnyastakarmaṇā||

Just as a skilled alchemist transmutes copper treated with mercury into gold, so too, for one who observes the duties of his varna and ashrama while surrendering all his actions unto me —

Verse 235 (skanda.1.77.235)

मदनुध्यानयुक्तेन मोक्षो नास्तीह दुर्लभः॥ तस्मादेवं वर्तमानो नन्द व्रतपरायणः॥

madanudhyānayuktena mokṣo nāstīha durlabhaḥ|| tasmādevaṁ vartamāno nanda vrataparāyaṇaḥ||

— and who continually meditates upon me, liberation in this world is not at all difficult to attain. Therefore, conducting yourself in this manner, devoted to your vow, live joyfully.

Verse 236 (skanda.1.77.236)

उद्धृत्य सप्तपुरुषाल्लँयं मयि गमिष्यसि॥ सांप्रतं प्रतिभास्यंति वेदश्चापठिता अपि॥

uddhṛtya saptapuruṣālla~yaṁ mayi gamiṣyasi|| sāṁprataṁ pratibhāsyaṁti vedaścāpaṭhitā api||

Having delivered seven generations of your lineage, you shall become one with me. Even now, the Vedas, though unstudied, shall reveal themselves to you of their own accord.

Verse 237 (skanda.1.77.237)

ततस्त्वं कोटितीर्थे च यज्ञे वै हरिमेधसः॥ याहि तत्र भविष्यं ते सर्वं मातुरभीप्सितम्॥

tatastvaṁ koṭitīrthe ca yajñe vai harimedhasaḥ|| yāhi tatra bhaviṣyaṁ te sarvaṁ māturabhīpsitam||

After this, go to the sacrifice of Harimedhas at Kotitirtha. There, all that your mother desires shall come to pass.

Verse 238 (skanda.1.77.238)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्विष्णुर्मूर्तिमध्ये विवेश ह॥ विलोक्य मानो निमिषं मात्रा चैव सुतेन च॥

ityuktvā bhagavānviṣṇurmūrtimadhye viveśa ha|| vilokya māno nimiṣaṁ mātrā caiva sutena ca||

Narada said: Having spoken thus, Lord Vishnu re-entered the image, remaining visible to both mother and son for but the space of a single blink.

Verse 239 (skanda.1.77.239)

ततो मूर्ति नमस्कृत्य वासुदेवस्य विस्मितः॥ ऐतरेयः स्वजननीं मुदितो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥

tato mūrti namaskṛtya vāsudevasya vismitaḥ|| aitareyaḥ svajananīṁ mudito vākyamabravīt||

Then, bowing to the image of Vasudeva, filled with wonder, Aitareya joyfully spoke these words to his own mother:

Verse 240 (skanda.1.77.240)

पुराहमभवं शूद्रो भीतः संसारदोषतः॥ परिनिष्ठागतं धर्मं ब्राह्मणं शरणं गतः॥

purāhamabhavaṁ śūdro bhītaḥ saṁsāradoṣataḥ|| pariniṣṭhāgataṁ dharmaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ||

"In a former birth, I was a shudra; fearful of the flaws of worldly existence, I took refuge with a brahmin who was firmly established in dharma."

Verse 241 (skanda.1.77.241)

स कृपालुर्मम प्राह मन्त्रं वै द्वादशाक्षरम्॥ सदेमं जपचेत्युक्त्वा तमहं जप्तवान्सदा॥

sa kṛpālurmama prāha mantraṁ vai dvādaśākṣaram|| sademaṁ japacetyuktvā tamahaṁ japtavānsadā||

That compassionate brahmin taught me the twelve-syllabled mantra and told me, "Recite this always." From that time on, I recited it constantly.

Verse 242 (skanda.1.77.242)

तेन जाप्यप्रभावेन ममोत्पत्तिस्तवोदरात्॥ जातस्मृतिर्विष्णुभक्तिः स्थितिरत्र च सर्वदा॥

tena jāpyaprabhāvena mamotpattistavodarāt|| jātasmṛtirviṣṇubhaktiḥ sthitiratra ca sarvadā||

It was through the power of that repeated mantra that I was born from your very womb, retained the memory of my past birth, gained devotion to Vishnu, and have remained steadfast here always.

Verse 243 (skanda.1.77.243)

इदानीं च प्रयाम्येष यज्ञं तं हरिमेधसः॥ त्वद्रूपं विष्णुप्रीत्यर्थं प्रणम्य त्वां प्रसादये॥

idānīṁ ca prayāmyeṣa yajñaṁ taṁ harimedhasaḥ|| tvadrūpaṁ viṣṇuprītyarthaṁ praṇamya tvāṁ prasādaye||

Now I am setting off for that sacrifice of Harimedhas. Mother, since you are yourself a form of Vishnu, I bow to you for Vishnu's own pleasure, and thereby seek to please you as well.

Verse 244 (skanda.1.77.244)

ततो महीनगरकाख्ये कोटितीर्थतलस्थितम्॥ यजन्तं संवृतं विप्रैः कोटिशस्तमुपागमत्॥

tato mahīnagarakākhye koṭitīrthatalasthitam|| yajantaṁ saṁvṛtaṁ vipraiḥ koṭiśastamupāgamat||

Narada said: He then made his way to Harimedhas, who was performing a sacrifice at Kotitirtha, in the place called Mahinagara, surrounded by tens of millions of brahmins.

Verse 245 (skanda.1.77.245)

गेहाय मातरं प्रोच्य स यज्ञे प्रोक्तवान्द्विजः॥ नमस्तस्मै भगवते विष्णवेऽकुण्ठमेधसे॥

gehāya mātaraṁ procya sa yajñe proktavāndvijaḥ|| namastasmai bhagavate viṣṇave'kuṇṭhamedhase||

Sending his mother home, that brahmin went to the sacrificial ground and declared: "Salutation to that Lord Vishnu, whose intellect is never blunted."

Verse 246 (skanda.1.77.246)

यन्मायामोहितधियो भ्रमामः कर्मसागरे॥ इति श्लोकं महार्थं ते हरिमेधमुखा द्विजाः॥

yanmāyāmohitadhiyo bhramāmaḥ karmasāgare|| iti ślokaṁ mahārthaṁ te harimedhamukhā dvijāḥ||

"— by whose maya, our minds deluded, we wander endlessly through this ocean of action." Hearing this verse of profound meaning, Harimedhas and the other brahmins there,

Verse 247 (skanda.1.77.247)

आकर्ण्यासनपूजाद्यैः पूजयामासुरंग तम्॥ ततो वेदार्थनैपुण्यैस्तेन ते तोषिता द्विजाः॥

ākarṇyāsanapūjādyaiḥ pūjayāmāsuraṁga tam|| tato vedārthanaipuṇyaistena te toṣitā dvijāḥ||

honored him, O prince, with a seat and due worship. Then, delighted by his mastery of the deeper meaning of the Vedas,

Verse 248 (skanda.1.77.248)

प्रददुर्दक्षिणां सर्वां हरिमेधाः सुतामपि॥ द्रव्यं कन्यां च संगृह्य स्वगृहं समुपागमत्॥

pradadurdakṣiṇāṁ sarvāṁ harimedhāḥ sutāmapi|| dravyaṁ kanyāṁ ca saṁgṛhya svagṛhaṁ samupāgamat||

— Harimedhas gave him the entire sacrificial fee, and gave him his own daughter as well. Accepting both the wealth and the bride, he returned to his own home.

Verse 249 (skanda.1.77.249)

वन्दयित्वा स्वजननीं पुत्रानुत्पाद्य चामलान्॥ इष्ट्वा यज्ञैरैतरेयो द्वादशीव्रततत्परः॥

vandayitvā svajananīṁ putrānutpādya cāmalān|| iṣṭvā yajñairaitareyo dvādaśīvratatatparaḥ||

Having his mother duly honored, begetting pure and virtuous sons, performing sacrifices, and remaining devoted always to the Dvadashi vow, Aitareya —

Verse 250 (skanda.1.77.250)

वासुदेवानुध्यानेन मोक्षं पश्चादुपागतः॥ एवंविधो वासुदेवः स्वयमत्रास्ति भारत॥

vāsudevānudhyānena mokṣaṁ paścādupāgataḥ|| evaṁvidho vāsudevaḥ svayamatrāsti bhārata||

— through his ceaseless meditation upon Vasudeva, ultimately attained liberation. O Bharata, such is the very Vasudeva who himself resides here.

Verse 251 (skanda.1.77.251)

योर्ययेत्पूजयेत्स्तौति सर्वं तस्याक्षयं विदुः॥ शिवधर्मेषु यत्प्रोक्तं फलं पूर्वं मया तव॥

yoryayetpūjayetstauti sarvaṁ tasyākṣayaṁ viduḥ|| śivadharmeṣu yatproktaṁ phalaṁ pūrvaṁ mayā tava||

Whoever performs sacrifice, worship, or hymns of praise to him — all of that, it is known, becomes imperishable. That same fruit which I earlier described to you in the context of the Shiva-dharmas —

Verse 252 (skanda.1.77.252)

तादृशं लभते मर्त्यो वासुदेवप्रसादतः॥

tādṛśaṁ labhate martyo vāsudevaprasādataḥ||

— that very same fruit a mortal likewise obtains through the grace of Vasudeva.