The Glory of Bhattaditya at the Sea-Confluence

Verse 1 (skanda.1.78.1)

॥श्रीनारद उवाच॥ ततोऽहं पार्थ भूयोऽपि जनानुग्रहकाम्यया॥ प्रत्यक्षदेवं मार्तंडमत्रानेतुमियेष ह॥

||śrīnārada uvāca|| tato'haṁ pārtha bhūyo'pi janānugrahakāmyayā|| pratyakṣadevaṁ mārtaṁḍamatrānetumiyeṣa ha||

Narada said: O Partha, after this, once more desiring to show favor to the people, I resolved to bring the visible god Martanda, the Sun, here.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.78.2)

सर्वेषां प्राणिनां यस्मादुडुपो भगवान्रविः॥ इहामुत्र च कौंतेय विश्वद्धारी रविर्मतः॥

sarveṣāṁ prāṇināṁ yasmāduḍupo bhagavānraviḥ|| ihāmutra ca kauṁteya viśvaddhārī ravirmataḥ||

Since Lord Surya is, for all living beings, like a raft carrying them across, O son of Kunti, the Sun is held to be the sustainer of the universe, both in this world and the next.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.78.3)

ये स्मरंति रविं भक्त्या कीर्तयंति च ये नराः॥ पूजयंति च ये नित्यं कृतार्थास्ते न संशयः॥

ye smaraṁti raviṁ bhaktyā kīrtayaṁti ca ye narāḥ|| pūjayaṁti ca ye nityaṁ kṛtārthāste na saṁśayaḥ||

Those who remember the Sun with devotion, those who chant his praises, and those who worship him daily, without doubt attain fulfillment.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.78.4)

सूर्यभक्तिपरा ये च नित्यं तद्गतमानसाः॥ ये स्मरंति सदा सूर्यं न ते दुःखस्य भाजिनः॥

sūryabhaktiparā ye ca nityaṁ tadgatamānasāḥ|| ye smaraṁti sadā sūryaṁ na te duḥkhasya bhājinaḥ||

Those devoted to the Sun, their minds ever fixed upon him, who remember him always, never become subject to sorrow.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.78.5)

भवनानि मनोज्ञानि विविधाभरणाः स्त्रियः॥ धनं चादृष्टपर्यंतं सूर्यपूजाविधेः फलम्॥

bhavanāni manojñāni vividhābharaṇāḥ striyaḥ|| dhanaṁ cādṛṣṭaparyaṁtaṁ sūryapūjāvidheḥ phalam||

Beautiful mansions, women adorned with manifold ornaments, and wealth beyond measure — all this is the fruit of the proper worship of the Sun.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.78.6)

दुर्लभा भक्तिः सूर्ये वा दुर्लभं तस्य चार्चनम्॥ दानं च दुर्लभं तस्मै ततो होमश्च दुर्लभः॥

durlabhā bhaktiḥ sūrye vā durlabhaṁ tasya cārcanam|| dānaṁ ca durlabhaṁ tasmai tato homaśca durlabhaḥ||

Devotion to the Sun is rare, worship of him is rare, giving to him is rare, and even more rare is offering fire-oblations to him.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.78.7)

नमस्कारादिसंयुक्तं रविरित्यक्षरद्वयम्॥ जिह्वाग्रे वर्तते यस्य सफलं तस्य जीवितम्॥

namaskārādisaṁyuktaṁ ravirityakṣaradvayam|| jihvāgre vartate yasya saphalaṁ tasya jīvitam||

For whoever keeps these two syllables, "Ravi," accompanied by salutation, ever upon the tip of the tongue, his life becomes fruitful.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.78.8)

इत्यहं हृदि संचिंत्य माहात्म्यं रविजं महत्॥ पूर्णं वर्षशतं पार्थ रविं भक्त्या ह्यतोषयम्॥

ityahaṁ hṛdi saṁciṁtya māhātmyaṁ ravijaṁ mahat|| pūrṇaṁ varṣaśataṁ pārtha raviṁ bhaktyā hyatoṣayam||

O Partha, reflecting in my heart upon this great glory belonging to the Sun, I devotedly pleased the Sun for a full hundred years.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.78.9)

जपेन सुविशुद्धेन च्छन्दसां वायुभोजनः॥ ततः खाद्द्वितीयां मूर्तिं कृत्वा योगबलाद्विभुः॥

japena suviśuddhena cchandasāṁ vāyubhojanaḥ|| tataḥ khāddvitīyāṁ mūrtiṁ kṛtvā yogabalādvibhuḥ||

Subsisting on air alone, I performed penance through the most pure recitation of the Vedic meters. Then the all-pervading Sun, by the power of yoga, assuming a second form in the sky,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.78.10)

तेजसा दुर्दृशो भास्वान्प्रत्यक्षः समजायत॥

tejasā durdṛśo bhāsvānpratyakṣaḥ samajāyata||

— appeared visibly, radiant, so brilliant as to be scarcely bearable to look upon.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.78.11)

तमहं प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा नमस्कृत्य रविं प्रभुम्॥ सामभिर्विविधैर्देवं पर्यतोषयमीश्वरम्॥

tamahaṁ prāṁjalirbhūtvā namaskṛtya raviṁ prabhum|| sāmabhirvividhairdevaṁ paryatoṣayamīśvaram||

With folded hands, having bowed to the Lord Sun, I thoroughly pleased that divine ruler with manifold Sama hymns.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.78.12)

तुष्टो मामाह वरदो देवर्षे सुचिरं त्वया॥ तपसाराधितोऽस्मीति वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्॥

tuṣṭo māmāha varado devarṣe suciraṁ tvayā|| tapasārādhito'smīti varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam||

Pleased, the boon-giving Sun said to me: "O celestial sage, you have long propitiated me with your penance — ask, then, for whatever boon your heart desires."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.78.13)

इत्युक्तोऽहं लोकनाथं प्रांजलिः प्रास्तुवं वचः॥ यदि तुष्टो भवान्मह्यं यदि देयो वरो मम॥

ityukto'haṁ lokanāthaṁ prāṁjaliḥ prāstuvaṁ vacaḥ|| yadi tuṣṭo bhavānmahyaṁ yadi deyo varo mama||

Thus addressed, I, with folded hands, spoke these words to the Lord of the worlds: "If you are pleased with me, and if you would grant me a boon,"

Verse 14 (skanda.1.78.14)

ततस्ते कामरूपे या कला नाथ प्रवर्तते॥ राजवर्धनराज्ञा याऽऽराधिता च जनैः पुरा॥

tataste kāmarūpe yā kalā nātha pravartate|| rājavardhanarājñā yā''rādhitā ca janaiḥ purā||

"— then, O Lord, that portion of yours which is manifest in the land of Kamarupa, which was worshipped in ancient times by King Rajavardhana and by other people,"

Verse 15 (skanda.1.78.15)

तया च कलया भानो सदात्र स्थातुमर्हसि॥ ततस्तथेति देवेन प्रोक्ते तुष्टेन भारत॥

tayā ca kalayā bhāno sadātra sthātumarhasi|| tatastatheti devena prokte tuṣṭena bhārata||

"— may you, O Bhanu, be so gracious as to remain here forever in that very portion." O Bharata, the god, well pleased, then said, "So be it,"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.78.16)

अस्थापयमहं सूर्यं भट्टादित्याभिधानकम्॥ भट्टेनस्थापितं यस्मान्मया तस्माद्रविर्जगौ॥

asthāpayamahaṁ sūryaṁ bhaṭṭādityābhidhānakam|| bhaṭṭenasthāpitaṁ yasmānmayā tasmādravirjagau||

— and thus I established the Sun here under the name Bhattaditya. Since he was established by me, the Scholar (Bhatta), the Sun himself proclaimed this very name.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.78.17)

ततः संपूज्य तं पुष्पैः कृतावेशमहं रविम्॥ भक्त्युद्रेकाप्लुतांगोऽथ स्तुतिमेतामथाचरम्॥

tataḥ saṁpūjya taṁ puṣpaiḥ kṛtāveśamahaṁ ravim|| bhaktyudrekāplutāṁgo'tha stutimetāmathācaram||

Then, having worshipped that Sun fully with flowers, my limbs overflowing with the fullness of devotion, I offered this hymn of praise:

Verse 18 (skanda.1.78.18)

सर्ववेदरहस्यैश्च नामभिश्च शताष्टभिः॥ सप्तसप्तिरचिंत्यात्मा महाकारुणिकोत्तमः॥

sarvavedarahasyaiśca nāmabhiśca śatāṣṭabhiḥ|| saptasaptiraciṁtyātmā mahākāruṇikottamaḥ||

With a hundred and eight names, each holding the secret essence of all the Vedas, I praised him: O Saptasapti (drawn by seven steeds), O Inconceivable One, O Most Compassionate,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.78.19)

संजीवनो जयो जीवो जीवनाथो जगत्पतिः॥ कालाश्रयः कालकर्ता महायोगी महामतिः॥

saṁjīvano jayo jīvo jīvanātho jagatpatiḥ|| kālāśrayaḥ kālakartā mahāyogī mahāmatiḥ||

— O Sanjivana (life-giver), Jaya, Jiva, Jivanatha, Jagatpati, Kalashraya, Kalakarta, Mahayogi, Mahamati,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.78.20)

भूतांतकरणो देवः कमलानन्दनन्दनः॥ सहस्रपाच्च वरदो दिव्यकुण्डलमण्डितः॥

bhūtāṁtakaraṇo devaḥ kamalānandanandanaḥ|| sahasrapācca varado divyakuṇḍalamaṇḍitaḥ||

— Bhutantakarana, Deva, Kamalanandanandana, Sahasrapad (thousand-footed), Varada, adorned with divine earrings,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.78.21)

धर्मप्रियोचितात्मा च सविता वायुवाहनः॥ आदित्योऽक्रोधनः सूर्यो रश्मिमाली विभावसुः॥

dharmapriyocitātmā ca savitā vāyuvāhanaḥ|| ādityo'krodhanaḥ sūryo raśmimālī vibhāvasuḥ||

— Dharmapriya, Uchitatma, Savita, Vayuvahana, Aditya, Akrodhana, Surya, Rashmimali (garlanded with rays), Vibhavasu,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.78.22)

दिनकृद्दिनहृन्मौनी सुरथो रथिनांवरः॥ राज्ञीपतिः स्वर्णरेताः पूषा त्वष्टा दिवाकरः॥

dinakṛddinahṛnmaunī suratho rathināṁvaraḥ|| rājñīpatiḥ svarṇaretāḥ pūṣā tvaṣṭā divākaraḥ||

— Dinakrit (maker of the day), Dinahrit, Mauni (the silent one), Suratha, foremost of charioteers, Rajnipati, Svarnareta, Pusha, Tvashta, Divakara,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.78.23)

आकाशतिलको धाता संविभागी मनोहरः॥ प्रज्ञः प्रजापतिर्धन्यो विष्णुः श्रीशो भिषग्वरः॥

ākāśatilako dhātā saṁvibhāgī manoharaḥ|| prajñaḥ prajāpatirdhanyo viṣṇuḥ śrīśo bhiṣagvaraḥ||

— Akashatilaka (the forehead-mark of the sky), Dhata, Samvibhagi, Manohara, Prajna, Prajapati, Dhanya, Vishnu, Shrisha, foremost of physicians,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.78.24)

आलोककृल्लोकनाथो लोकपालनमस्कृतः॥ विदिताशयश्च सुनयो महात्मा भक्तवत्सलः॥

ālokakṛllokanātho lokapālanamaskṛtaḥ|| viditāśayaśca sunayo mahātmā bhaktavatsalaḥ||

— Alokakrit (maker of light), Lokanatha, one to whom the guardians of the world bow, Viditashaya, Sunaya, Mahatma, ever tender toward his devotees,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.78.25)

कीर्तिकीर्तिकरो नित्यो रोचिष्णुः कल्मषापहः॥ जितानन्दो महावीर्यो हंसः संहारकारकः॥

kīrtikīrtikaro nityo rociṣṇuḥ kalmaṣāpahaḥ|| jitānando mahāvīryo haṁsaḥ saṁhārakārakaḥ||

— Kirtikara (bestower of fame), Nitya, Rochishnu, Kalmashapaha (remover of stain), Jitananda, Mahavirya, Hamsa, Samharakaraka,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.78.26)

कृतकृत्यः सुसंगश्च बहुज्ञो वचसां पतिः॥ विश्वपूज्यो मृत्युहारि घृणी धर्मस्य कारणम्॥

kṛtakṛtyaḥ susaṁgaśca bahujño vacasāṁ patiḥ|| viśvapūjyo mṛtyuhāri ghṛṇī dharmasya kāraṇam||

— Kritakritya, Susanga, Bahujna, Lord of speech, Vishvapujya, Mrityuhari (dispeller of death), Ghrini (compassionate), the very cause of dharma,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.78.27)

प्रणतार्तिहरोऽरोग आयुष्यमान्सुखदः सुखी॥ मङ्गलं पुण्डरीकाक्षो व्रती व्रतफलप्रदः॥

praṇatārtiharo'roga āyuṣyamānsukhadaḥ sukhī|| maṅgalaṁ puṇḍarīkākṣo vratī vrataphalapradaḥ||

— remover of the suffering of the humble, free of illness, long-lived, giver of joy, joyous himself, auspicious, Pundarikaksha (lotus-eyed), a keeper of vows, bestower of the fruit of vows,

Verse 28 (skanda.1.78.28)

शुचिः पूर्णो मोक्षमार्गदाता भोक्ता महेश्वरः॥ धन्वंतरिः प्रियाभाषी धनुर्वेदविदेकराट॥

śuciḥ pūrṇo mokṣamārgadātā bhoktā maheśvaraḥ|| dhanvaṁtariḥ priyābhāṣī dhanurvedavidekarāṭa||

— Pure, Complete, giver of the path to liberation, the enjoyer, Maheshvara, Dhanvantari, gentle of speech, the peerless master of the science of archery,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.78.29)

जगत्पिता धूमकेतुर्विधूतो ध्वांतहा गुरुः॥ गोपतिश्च कृतातिथ्यः शुभाचारः शुचिप्रियः॥

jagatpitā dhūmaketurvidhūto dhvāṁtahā guruḥ|| gopatiśca kṛtātithyaḥ śubhācāraḥ śucipriyaḥ||

— Father of the universe, Dhumaketu, Vidhuta, dispeller of darkness, Guru, Gopati, gracious host, of auspicious conduct, lover of purity,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.78.30)

सामप्रियो लोकबन्धुर्नैकरूपो युगादिकृत्॥ धर्मसेतुर्लोकसाक्षी खेटतऋ सर्वदः प्रभुः॥

sāmapriyo lokabandhurnaikarūpo yugādikṛt|| dharmaseturlokasākṣī kheṭataṛ sarvadaḥ prabhuḥ||

— fond of the Sama hymns, kinsman of the world, of manifold forms, initiator of the ages, the bridge of dharma, witness of the world, wanderer through the heavens, the Lord who gives all things,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.78.31)

मयैवं संस्तुतो भानुर्नाम्नामष्टशतेन च॥ तुष्यतां सर्वलोकानां सर्वलोकप्रियो विभुः॥

mayaivaṁ saṁstuto bhānurnāmnāmaṣṭaśatena ca|| tuṣyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ sarvalokapriyo vibhuḥ||

— thus did I praise Bhanu with these hundred and eight names. May that all-pervading Lord, beloved of every world, be pleased with all the worlds.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.78.32)

इत्येवं संस्तवात्प्रीतो भास्करो मामवोचत॥ सदात्र कलया स्थास्ये देवर्षे त्वत्प्रियेप्सया॥

ityevaṁ saṁstavātprīto bhāskaro māmavocata|| sadātra kalayā sthāsye devarṣe tvatpriyepsayā||

Pleased by this hymn of praise, Bhaskara said to me: "O celestial sage, out of a desire to please you, I shall remain here forever, manifest in this portion of myself."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.78.33)

यो मामत्र महाभक्त्या भट्टादित्यं प्रपूजयेत्॥ सहस्रशः का मरूपे संपूज्याप्नोति तत्फलम्॥

yo māmatra mahābhaktyā bhaṭṭādityaṁ prapūjayet|| sahasraśaḥ kā marūpe saṁpūjyāpnoti tatphalam||

"Whoever worships me here, as Bhattaditya, with great devotion, shall obtain the very fruit that comes from worshipping me a thousand times over in Kamarupa."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.78.34)

मामुद्दिश्य च यो विप्रः स्वल्पं वा यदि वा बहु॥ दास्यतेऽत्राक्षयं तच्च ग्रहीष्ये करजं यथा॥

māmuddiśya ca yo vipraḥ svalpaṁ vā yadi vā bahu|| dāsyate'trākṣayaṁ tacca grahīṣye karajaṁ yathā||

"Whatever a brahmin gives here, dedicated to me, be it little or much, shall become imperishable — I shall accept it just as a due tribute."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.78.35)

रक्तोत्पलैश्च कह्लारैः केसरैः करवीरकैः॥ शतत्रयैर्महाप्दमै रविवारेण मानवः॥

raktotpalaiśca kahlāraiḥ kesaraiḥ karavīrakaiḥ|| śatatrayairmahāpdamai ravivāreṇa mānavaḥ||

With red lotuses, kahlara flowers, saffron, kaner blossoms, and three hundred great lotuses, whatever man, on a Sunday —

Verse 36 (skanda.1.78.36)

सप्तम्यामथ षष्ठ्यां वा येऽर्चयिष्यंति मामिह॥ यान्यान्प्रार्थयते कामांस्तांतान्प्राप्स्यति निश्चितम्॥

saptamyāmatha ṣaṣṭhyāṁ vā ye'rcayiṣyaṁti māmiha|| yānyānprārthayate kāmāṁstāṁtānprāpsyati niścitam||

— or on the seventh or sixth day of the fortnight, worships me here shall assuredly obtain whatever desires he prays for.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.78.37)

दर्शनान्मम भक्त्या च नाशो व्याधिदरिद्रयोः॥ प्रणामात्स्वर्गमाप्नोति श्रुत्वा मोक्षं च नित्यशः॥

darśanānmama bhaktyā ca nāśo vyādhidaridrayoḥ|| praṇāmātsvargamāpnoti śrutvā mokṣaṁ ca nityaśaḥ||

Through the sight of me and devotion to me, disease and poverty are destroyed. Through prostration one attains heaven, and merely by hearing of this, one always attains liberation.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.78.38)

अभक्तिं यश्च कर्ता मे स गच्छेन्निश्चिंतं क्षयम्॥ अष्टोत्तरशतं नाम ममाग्रे यत्त्वयेरितम्॥

abhaktiṁ yaśca kartā me sa gacchenniściṁtaṁ kṣayam|| aṣṭottaraśataṁ nāma mamāgre yattvayeritam||

Whoever harbors irreverence toward me shall assuredly come to ruin. This hundred and eight names, which you have uttered before me,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.78.39)

त्रिकालमेककालं वा पठतः श्रृणुयत्फलम्॥ कीर्तिमान्सुभगो विद्वान्सुसुखी प्रियदर्शनः॥

trikālamekakālaṁ vā paṭhataḥ śrṛṇuyatphalam|| kīrtimānsubhago vidvānsusukhī priyadarśanaḥ||

— whoever recites or hears it, whether three times a day or even just once, gains its fruit — he becomes renowned, fortunate, learned, happy, and pleasant to behold.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.78.40)

भवेद्वर्षशतायुश्च सर्वरोगविवर्जितः॥ यस्त्विदं श्रृणुयान्नित्यं पठेद्वा प्रयतः शुचिः॥

bhavedvarṣaśatāyuśca sarvarogavivarjitaḥ|| yastvidaṁ śrṛṇuyānnityaṁ paṭhedvā prayataḥ śuciḥ||

He attains a lifespan of a hundred years, and is freed from every illness. Whoever, disciplined and pure, hears or recites this daily,

Verse 41 (skanda.1.78.41)

अक्षयं स्वल्पमप्यन्नं भवेत्तस्योपसाधितम्॥ विजयी च भवेन्नित्यं तथा जातिस्मरो भवेत्॥

akṣayaṁ svalpamapyannaṁ bhavettasyopasādhitam|| vijayī ca bhavennityaṁ tathā jātismaro bhavet||

— even a small store of his food becomes imperishable. He becomes ever victorious, and also gains the power to remember his past births.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.78.42)

तस्मादेतत्त्वया जाप्यं परं स्वस्त्ययनं महत्॥ तथा ममाग्रे कुंडं च कुरु स्नानार्थमुत्तमम्॥

tasmādetattvayā jāpyaṁ paraṁ svastyayanaṁ mahat|| tathā mamāgre kuṁḍaṁ ca kuru snānārthamuttamam||

Therefore this supreme, most auspicious hymn should always be recited by you. And build before me, too, an excellent tank for bathing.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.78.43)

कामरूपकला यत्र तत्र कुंडं वने भवेत्॥ एवं दत्त्वा वरान्भानुस्तत्रैवां तरधीयत॥

kāmarūpakalā yatra tatra kuṁḍaṁ vane bhavet|| evaṁ dattvā varānbhānustatraivāṁ taradhīyata||

Where the portion of Kamarupa is present, there in the forest itself should that tank be built. Having granted these boons, Bhanu vanished into that very place.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.78.44)

ततो भास्करवाक्येन सिद्धेशस्य च सव्यतः॥ वनमध्ये मया कुंडं कृतं दर्भशलाकया॥

tato bhāskaravākyena siddheśasya ca savyataḥ|| vanamadhye mayā kuṁḍaṁ kṛtaṁ darbhaśalākayā||

Then, following Bhaskara's word, on the left side of Siddhesha, in the midst of the forest, I marked out and built that tank with a blade of kusha grass.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.78.45)

कामरूपभवं कुंडं वृक्षास्ते चापि भारत॥ संलीनास्तन्महाश्चर्यं ममाजायत चेतसि॥

kāmarūpabhavaṁ kuṁḍaṁ vṛkṣāste cāpi bhārata|| saṁlīnāstanmahāścaryaṁ mamājāyata cetasi||

O Bharata, the tank that had arisen from Kamarupa, and those very trees too, became absorbed there — this great wonder arose within my own mind.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.78.46)

माघमासस्य शुक्लायां सप्तम्यां स्त्री नरोऽपि वा॥ स्नानं कुंडे शुभं कृत्वा भट्टादित्यं प्रपश्यति॥

māghamāsasya śuklāyāṁ saptamyāṁ strī naro'pi vā|| snānaṁ kuṁḍe śubhaṁ kṛtvā bhaṭṭādityaṁ prapaśyati||

Whatever woman or man, on the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Magha, bathes auspiciously in that tank and beholds Bhattaditya,

Verse 47 (skanda.1.78.47)

तस्यानंतं भवेत्पुण्यं रथं यश्च प्रपूजयेत्॥ रथयात्रां च कुरुते यस्मिन्यस्मिन्नसौ पथि॥

tasyānaṁtaṁ bhavetpuṇyaṁ rathaṁ yaśca prapūjayet|| rathayātrāṁ ca kurute yasminyasminnasau pathi||

— obtains infinite merit. Whoever worships his chariot, and along whatever road he conducts the chariot procession,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.78.48)

ये च पश्यंति लोकास्ते धन्याः सर्वे न संशयः॥ पुत्रधान्यधनैर्युक्ता नीरुजस्तेजसाऽन्विताः॥

ye ca paśyaṁti lokāste dhanyāḥ sarve na saṁśayaḥ|| putradhānyadhanairyuktā nīrujastejasā'nvitāḥ||

— whatever people, along that road, behold it, are all, without doubt, blessed. They become endowed with sons, grain, and wealth, free from disease, and full of vigor.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.78.49)

भविष्यंति नरास्ते ये कारयंति रथोत्सवम्॥ गंगादिसर्वतीर्थेषु यत्फलं कीर्तितं बुधैः॥

bhaviṣyaṁti narāste ye kārayaṁti rathotsavam|| gaṁgādisarvatīrtheṣu yatphalaṁ kīrtitaṁ budhaiḥ||

Those who arrange for this chariot festival likewise attain such fruit. Whatever merit the wise have declared for all the sacred tirthas, beginning with the Ganga —

Verse 50 (skanda.1.78.50)

भट्टादित्यस्य कुंडे च तत्फलं सप्तमीदिने॥ तत्र कुंडे च यः स्नात्वा सूर्यार्घ्यं प्रयच्छति॥ कपिला गोशतस्यासौ दत्तस्य फलमश्नुते॥

bhaṭṭādityasya kuṁḍe ca tatphalaṁ saptamīdine|| tatra kuṁḍe ca yaḥ snātvā sūryārghyaṁ prayacchati|| kapilā gośatasyāsau dattasya phalamaśnute||

— that same merit is obtained at the tank of Bhattaditya on the seventh day. Whoever bathes in that tank and offers arghya to the Sun obtains the merit of giving a hundred tawny cows in charity.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.78.51)

॥अर्जुर उवाच॥ वासुदेवादयः सर्वे वदंत्येवं महामुने॥

||arjura uvāca|| vāsudevādayaḥ sarve vadaṁtyevaṁ mahāmune||

Arjuna said: "O great sage, Vasudeva and all the other deities speak in just this way —"

Verse 52 (skanda.1.78.52)

भास्करार्घं विना पातः कृतं सर्वं च निष्फलम्॥ तस्याहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि विधिं विधिविदां वर॥

bhāskarārghaṁ vinā pātaḥ kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ ca niṣphalam|| tasyāhaṁ śrotumicchāmi vidhiṁ vidhividāṁ vara||

"— that everything performed in the morning, without first offering arghya to the Sun, is fruitless. O foremost of those who know the sacred rites, I wish to hear that very procedure."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.78.53)

॥नारद उवाच॥ यथा ब्रह्मादयो देवा यच्छंत्यर्घं महात्मने॥ भास्कराय श्रृणु त्वं तं विधिं सर्वाघनाशनम्॥

||nārada uvāca|| yathā brahmādayo devā yacchaṁtyarghaṁ mahātmane|| bhāskarāya śrṛṇu tvaṁ taṁ vidhiṁ sarvāghanāśanam||

Narada said: Hear now that procedure — the one by which Brahma and the other gods offer arghya to the great Bhaskara, a procedure that destroys every sin.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.78.54)

प्रथमं तावत्प्रत्युषे उदिते सूर्ये शुचिर्भूत्वा गोमयकृतमंडलस्योपरि रक्तचंदनेन मंडलकं कृत्वा ततस्ताम्रपात्रे रक्तचंदनोदकश्वेतचंदनादिद्रव्यैः प्रपूरणं कृत्वा तन्मध्ये हेमाक्षतदूर्वादधिसर्पीषि परिक्षिप्य स्थापयेत्॥

prathamaṁ tāvatpratyuṣe udite sūrye śucirbhūtvā gomayakṛtamaṁḍalasyopari raktacaṁdanena maṁḍalakaṁ kṛtvā tatastāmrapātre raktacaṁdanodakaśvetacaṁdanādidravyaiḥ prapūraṇaṁ kṛtvā tanmadhye hemākṣatadūrvādadhisarpīṣi parikṣipya sthāpayet||

First, at dawn, when the sun has risen, one should purify oneself, draw a small circle of red sandalwood atop a larger circle made of cow-dung, and then, filling a copper vessel with water mixed with red sandalwood, white sandalwood, and other such substances, place within it gold, unbroken rice, durva grass, curd, and ghee, and set it in place.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.78.55)

स्वशरीरमालभेत् अनेन मंत्रेण॥ ॐखखोल्काय नमः॥ सप्तवारानुच्चार्य स्थातव्यम्॥ तेन शुद्धिरुपसंजायते देहस्यार्चार्हता भवति॥ पश्चादासनस्थं देवं सवितारं मंडलमध्ये द्वादशात्मकं सुरादिभिः संपूज्यमानं ध्यात्वा पूर्वोक्तमर्घपात्रं शिरसि कृत्वा भूमौ जानुनी निपात्य सूर्याभिमुखस्तद्गतमनाभूत्वार्घमंत्रमुदाहरेत्॥ तदुच्यते सूर्यवक्त्राद्विनिर्गतमिति॥

svaśarīramālabhet anena maṁtreṇa|| oṁkhakholkāya namaḥ|| saptavārānuccārya sthātavyam|| tena śuddhirupasaṁjāyate dehasyārcārhatā bhavati|| paścādāsanasthaṁ devaṁ savitāraṁ maṁḍalamadhye dvādaśātmakaṁ surādibhiḥ saṁpūjyamānaṁ dhyātvā pūrvoktamarghapātraṁ śirasi kṛtvā bhūmau jānunī nipātya sūryābhimukhastadgatamanābhūtvārghamaṁtramudāharet|| taducyate sūryavaktrādvinirgatamiti||

One should touch one's own body while reciting this mantra: "Om, salutation to Khakholka" — uttering it seven times while standing. By this, the body is purified and becomes fit for worship. Then, meditating upon Savita, seated in the middle of the circle, twelvefold in form, worshipped by the gods and others, one should place the aforementioned vessel of arghya upon the head, kneel down upon the ground with both knees, and, facing the sun with mind wholly absorbed, recite the arghya-mantra. This mantra is said to have issued directly from the very mouth of the Sun.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.78.56)

यस्योच्चारणशब्देन रथं संस्थाप्य भास्करः॥ प्रतिगृह्णाति चैवार्घ्यं वरमिष्टं च यच्छति॥

yasyoccāraṇaśabdena rathaṁ saṁsthāpya bhāskaraḥ|| pratigṛhṇāti caivārghyaṁ varamiṣṭaṁ ca yacchati||

The very utterance of which causes Bhaskara to halt his chariot, accept the offered arghya, and grant the desired boon —

Verse 57 (skanda.1.78.57)

ॐयस्याहुः सप्त च्छंदांसि रथे तिष्ठंति वाजिनः॥ अरुणः सारथिर्यस्य रथवाहोऽग्रतः स्थितः॥

oṁyasyāhuḥ sapta cchaṁdāṁsi rathe tiṣṭhaṁti vājinaḥ|| aruṇaḥ sārathiryasya rathavāho'grataḥ sthitaḥ||

"Om, in whose chariot the seven Vedic meters stand yoked as steeds, whose charioteer is Aruna, positioned at the very front of the chariot,"

Verse 58 (skanda.1.78.58)

जया च विजया चैव जयंती पापनाशनी॥ इडा च पिंगला चैव वहंतोऽश्वमुखास्तथा॥

jayā ca vijayā caiva jayaṁtī pāpanāśanī|| iḍā ca piṁgalā caiva vahaṁto'śvamukhāstathā||

"— Jaya, Vijaya, Jayanti, Papanashini, Ida, and Pingala — these horse-faced goddesses draw the chariot,"

Verse 59 (skanda.1.78.59)

डिंडिश्च शेषनागश्च गणाध्यक्षस्तथैव च॥ स्कंदरेवंततार्क्ष्याश्च तथा कल्माषपक्षिणौ॥

ḍiṁḍiśca śeṣanāgaśca gaṇādhyakṣastathaiva ca|| skaṁdarevaṁtatārkṣyāśca tathā kalmāṣapakṣiṇau||

"— Dindi, Sheshanaga, Ganadhyaksha, Skanda, Revanta, Tarkshya (Garuda), and the two birds named Kalmasha,"

Verse 60 (skanda.1.78.60)

राज्ञी च निक्षुभा देवी ललिता चैव संज्ञिका॥ तथा यज्ञभुजो देवा ये चान्ये परिकीर्तिताः॥

rājñī ca nikṣubhā devī lalitā caiva saṁjñikā|| tathā yajñabhujo devā ye cānye parikīrtitāḥ||

"— Rajni, the goddess Nikshubha, Lalita, Sanjna, together with the gods who partake of sacrifice, and whatever others have been described,"

Verse 61 (skanda.1.78.61)

एभिः परिवृतो योऽसावधरोत्तरवासिभिः॥ तमहं लोककर्तारमाह्वयामि तमोपहम्॥

ebhiḥ parivṛto yo'sāvadharottaravāsibhiḥ|| tamahaṁ lokakartāramāhvayāmi tamopaham||

"— surrounded by all these, dwellers of the worlds above and below, I invoke that very Creator of the worlds, the dispeller of darkness."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.78.62)

अम्मयो भगवान्भानुरमुं यज्ञं प्रवर्तयन्॥ इदमर्घ्यं च पाद्यं च प्रगृहाण नमोनमः॥

ammayo bhagavānbhānuramuṁ yajñaṁ pravartayan|| idamarghyaṁ ca pādyaṁ ca pragṛhāṇa namonamaḥ||

"May the Blessed Bhanu, whose very form is water, furthering this sacrifice, accept this offering of arghya and the water for the feet — salutation, salutation to you."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.78.63)

॥आवाहनम्॥ सहस्रकिरण वरद जीवनरूप ते नमः॥ इति सांनिध्यकरणम्॥ ॐवषट् इत्युच्चार्य सूर्यस्य चरणयुगलं पश्यन् भुवि पद्म्यां पात्रीं निर्वापयेत् पाद्यं तदुच्यते॥ एवं पाद्यं दत्त्वा बद्धांजलिः सुस्वागतमिति कुर्यात्॥ स्वागतं भगवन्नेहि मम प्रसादं विधाय आस्यताम्॥ इह गृहाण पूजां च प्रसादं च धिया कुरु॥ तिष्ठ त्वं तावदत्रैव यावत्पूजां करोम्यहम्॥

||āvāhanam|| sahasrakiraṇa varada jīvanarūpa te namaḥ|| iti sāṁnidhyakaraṇam|| oṁvaṣaṭ ityuccārya sūryasya caraṇayugalaṁ paśyan bhuvi padmyāṁ pātrīṁ nirvāpayet pādyaṁ taducyate|| evaṁ pādyaṁ dattvā baddhāṁjaliḥ susvāgatamiti kuryāt|| svāgataṁ bhagavannehi mama prasādaṁ vidhāya āsyatām|| iha gṛhāṇa pūjāṁ ca prasādaṁ ca dhiyā kuru|| tiṣṭha tvaṁ tāvadatraiva yāvatpūjāṁ karomyaham||

This is the invocation: "O thousand-rayed one, O boon-giver, O embodiment of life, salutation to you." This establishes the deity's presence. Uttering "Om vashat," and gazing upon the Sun's two feet, one should tip the vessel, lotus-shaped, upon the ground to offer water — this is called the water for the feet. Having offered this, one should join the hands and say words of welcome: "Welcome, O Lord; be so gracious as to come and take your seat here. Accept this worship and these offerings, and receive them with a gracious mind. Remain here, just so, until I have finished this worship."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.78.64)

एवं विज्ञापनं दद्यादनेन मंत्रेण कमलासनम्॥ तत्कमलासनं कमलनंदन उपाविशति॥ आसन उपविष्टस्य शेषां पूजां नियोजयेत् अनेन विधानेन॥ ॐसोममूर्तिक्षीरोदपतये नमः॥ इति क्षीरादिस्नपनम्॥ ॐभास्कराय नीरव सिने नमः॥ ॥इति जलस्नानम्॥ ततो वासोयुगं शुभ्रं दद्यात् अनेन मंत्रेण॥ इदं वासोयुगं सूर्य गृहाण कृपया मम॥ कटिभूषणमेकं ते द्वितीयं चांगप्रावरणम्॥

evaṁ vijñāpanaṁ dadyādanena maṁtreṇa kamalāsanam|| tatkamalāsanaṁ kamalanaṁdana upāviśati|| āsana upaviṣṭasya śeṣāṁ pūjāṁ niyojayet anena vidhānena|| oṁsomamūrtikṣīrodapataye namaḥ|| iti kṣīrādisnapanam|| oṁbhāskarāya nīrava sine namaḥ|| ||iti jalasnānam|| tato vāsoyugaṁ śubhraṁ dadyāt anena maṁtreṇa|| idaṁ vāsoyugaṁ sūrya gṛhāṇa kṛpayā mama|| kaṭibhūṣaṇamekaṁ te dvitīyaṁ cāṁgaprāvaraṇam||

Having thus made this supplication, one should offer, with this mantra, a lotus seat. Upon that lotus seat, Surya, who delights in the lotus, takes his place. Once he is seated, the remainder of the worship should proceed as follows: "Om, salutation to the moon-formed one, lord of the ocean of milk" — this is the mantra for bathing him with milk and the like. "Om, salutation to Bhaskara, the silent one" — this is the mantra for bathing him with water. After this, one should offer a pair of white garments with this mantra: "O Surya, graciously accept this pair of garments — one for the waist, and the other to cover the body."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.78.65)

ततो यज्ञोपवीतं दद्यात् अनेन मंत्रेण॥ सूत्रतंतुमयं शुद्धं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम्॥ यज्ञोपवीतं देवेश प्रगृहाण नमोऽस्तु ते॥

tato yajñopavītaṁ dadyāt anena maṁtreṇa|| sūtrataṁtumayaṁ śuddhaṁ pavitramidamuttamam|| yajñopavītaṁ deveśa pragṛhāṇa namo'stu te||

Then one should offer the sacred thread with this mantra: "This sacred thread, woven of pure strands, most holy — O Lord of gods, accept it; salutation to you."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.78.66)

ततो यथाशक्ति श्वेतमुकुटमुद्रिकादिभूषणानि दद्यात् अनेन मंत्रेण॥ मुकुटो रत्ननद्धोऽयं मुद्रिकां भूषणानि च॥ अलंकारं गृहणेमं मया भक्त्या समर्पितम्॥

tato yathāśakti śvetamukuṭamudrikādibhūṣaṇāni dadyāt anena maṁtreṇa|| mukuṭo ratnanaddho'yaṁ mudrikāṁ bhūṣaṇāni ca|| alaṁkāraṁ gṛhaṇemaṁ mayā bhaktyā samarpitam||

After this, according to one's means, a white crown, a ring, and other ornaments should be offered with this mantra: "This jewel-studded crown, this ring, these ornaments — accept this adornment, offered by me with devotion."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.78.67)

एवमलंकारं निवेद्य पश्चात्केशरकुंकुमकर्पूररक्तचंदनमिश्रमनुलेपनं दद्यात्॥

evamalaṁkāraṁ nivedya paścātkeśarakuṁkumakarpūraraktacaṁdanamiśramanulepanaṁ dadyāt||

Having thus offered the ornaments, one should next offer a fragrant paste made of saffron, vermilion, camphor, and red sandalwood.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.78.68)

ॐतवातिप्रिय वृक्षाणां रसोऽयं तिग्मदीधिते॥ स तवैवोचितः स्वामिन्गृहाण कृपया मम॥

oṁtavātipriya vṛkṣāṇāṁ raso'yaṁ tigmadīdhite|| sa tavaivocitaḥ svāmingṛhāṇa kṛpayā mama||

"Om, O Tigmadidhiti (of fierce, piercing rays), this essence of trees is exceedingly dear to you. O Lord, this alone is befitting of you — graciously accept it."

Verse 69 (skanda.1.78.69)

ततश्चंपकजपाकरवीरकर्णककेसरकोकनदादिभिः पूजां कुर्यात्॥

tataścaṁpakajapākaravīrakarṇakakesarakokanadādibhiḥ pūjāṁ kuryāt||

After this, worship should be offered with flowers such as champaka, hibiscus, kaner, karnikara, saffron blossoms, and red lotus.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.78.70)

ॐवनस्पतिरसो दिव्यो गंधाढ्यो गंध उत्तमः॥ आहारः सर्वदेवानां धूपोऽयं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥

oṁvanaspatiraso divyo gaṁdhāḍhyo gaṁdha uttamaḥ|| āhāraḥ sarvadevānāṁ dhūpo'yaṁ pratigṛhyatām||

"Om, this divine essence of forest trees, this excellent, richly fragrant incense, is the nourishment of all the gods — may it be accepted."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.78.71)

॥शल्लकीधूपमंत्रः॥ ततः पायसादिनिष्पन्नं नैवेद्यं निवेदयेदनेन मंत्रेण॥ नैवेद्यममृतं सर्वभूतानां प्राणवर्धनम्॥ पूर्णपात्रे मया दत्तं प्रतिगृह्ण प्रसीद मे॥

||śallakīdhūpamaṁtraḥ|| tataḥ pāyasādiniṣpannaṁ naivedyaṁ nivedayedanena maṁtreṇa|| naivedyamamṛtaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ prāṇavardhanam|| pūrṇapātre mayā dattaṁ pratigṛhṇa prasīda me||

This is the mantra for incense made from shallaki resin. After this, food offerings prepared from milk-rice and the like should be presented with this mantra: "This offering, like nectar, nourishes the vital force of all beings. I have presented it to you in a full vessel — accept it, and be gracious unto me."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.78.72)

ततः शौचोदकतांबूलदीपारार्तिकशीतलिकापुनः पूजादि निवेद्य यथाशक्त्या स्तुत्वा सुकृतं दुष्कृतं वा क्षमस्वेति प्रोच्य विसर्जयेत्॥ ततो भूयो नमस्य हेमवस्त्रोपवीतालंकारान् ब्राह्मणाय निवेद्य निर्माल्यं संहृत्यांभसि निक्षिपेत्॥

tataḥ śaucodakatāṁbūladīpārārtikaśītalikāpunaḥ pūjādi nivedya yathāśaktyā stutvā sukṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ vā kṣamasveti procya visarjayet|| tato bhūyo namasya hemavastropavītālaṁkārān brāhmaṇāya nivedya nirmālyaṁ saṁhṛtyāṁbhasi nikṣipet||

After this, water for rinsing, betel leaf, a lamp, the waving of arati, and cool water should be offered; worship should be repeated, praise offered according to one's ability, and, saying, "Forgive me for both my good deeds and my ill," the deity should be bidden farewell. Then, after bowing once more, the gold, garments, sacred thread, and ornaments should be given to a brahmin, and the withered offerings gathered up and cast into water.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.78.73)

॥इत्यर्घ्यदानविधिः॥ य एवं भास्करायार्घ्यं मूर्तौ मंडलकेऽपि वा॥ नित्यं निवेदयेत्प्रातः स्याद्रवेरात्मवत्प्रियः॥

||ityarghyadānavidhiḥ|| ya evaṁ bhāskarāyārghyaṁ mūrtau maṁḍalake'pi vā|| nityaṁ nivedayetprātaḥ syādraverātmavatpriyaḥ||

Such, then, is the procedure for offering arghya. Whoever thus daily offers arghya to Bhaskara each morning — whether to his image or within the circle — becomes as dear to the Sun as his own self.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.78.74)

अनेन विधिना कर्णो भास्करार्घ्यं प्रयच्छति॥ ततः सूर्यस्य पार्थासावात्मवद्वल्लभो मतः॥

anena vidhinā karṇo bhāskarārghyaṁ prayacchati|| tataḥ sūryasya pārthāsāvātmavadvallabho mataḥ||

It was by this very procedure that Karna offered arghya to Bhaskara. O Partha, and it was for this reason that he was held to be as dear to the Sun as his own self.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.78.75)

अशक्तश्चेन्नित्यमेकमर्घ्यं दद्याद्दिवाकृते॥ ततोऽत्र रथसप्तम्यां कुंडे देयः प्रयत्नतः॥

aśaktaścennityamekamarghyaṁ dadyāddivākṛte|| tato'tra rathasaptamyāṁ kuṁḍe deyaḥ prayatnataḥ||

If unable to do this daily, one should offer arghya to the Sun at least once each day. And on the day of Rathasaptami, one should make a special effort to offer it at this very tank.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.78.76)

अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य सूर्यलोक मवाप्नुयात्॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन दातव्योऽर्घोऽत्र भारत॥

aśvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya sūryaloka mavāpnuyāt|| tasmātsarvaprayatnena dātavyo'rgho'tra bhārata||

By doing so, a man obtains the merit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice and attains the world of the Sun. Therefore, O Bharata, arghya should be offered here with every effort.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.78.77)

एवंविधस्त्वसौ देवो भट्टादित्योऽत्र तिष्ठति॥ भूयानतोऽपि बहुशः पापहा धर्मवर्धनः॥

evaṁvidhastvasau devo bhaṭṭādityo'tra tiṣṭhati|| bhūyānato'pi bahuśaḥ pāpahā dharmavardhanaḥ||

Thus does this god Bhattaditya reside here — again and again the destroyer of manifold sins and the increaser of dharma, even for those who merely bow to him.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.78.78)

दिव्यमष्टविधं चात्र सद्यः प्रत्ययकारकम्॥ पापानां चोपभुक्तं हि यथा पार्थ हलाहलम्॥

divyamaṣṭavidhaṁ cātra sadyaḥ pratyayakārakam|| pāpānāṁ copabhuktaṁ hi yathā pārtha halāhalam||

Here, the eightfold divine power bears fruit at once. O Partha, just as the poison Halahala shows its effect instantly, so too here does the consequence of sin manifest without delay.