The Glory of the Mahi-Sagara Confluence

Verse 1 (skanda.1.93.1)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ गुप्तक्षेत्रमिदं कस्मात्कस्माद्गुप्तं च नारद ॥ यस्य प्रभावः सुमहान्नैव कस्यापि संस्तुतः

||arjuna uvāca|| guptakṣetramidaṁ kasmātkasmādguptaṁ ca nārada || yasya prabhāvaḥ sumahānnaiva kasyāpi saṁstutaḥ

Arjuna said: "Why, O Narada, is this Gupta-kshetra (hidden field) so called, and for what reason is it kept hidden — this place whose might is so very great, yet praised by no one?"

Verse 2 (skanda.1.93.2)

॥नारद उवाच॥ पुरातनामत्र कथां गुप्तक्षेत्रस्य कारणे ॥ शृणु पांडव शापेन गुप्तमासीदिदं यथा

||nārada uvāca|| purātanāmatra kathāṁ guptakṣetrasya kāraṇe || śṛṇu pāṁḍava śāpena guptamāsīdidaṁ yathā

Narada said: "Listen, O Pandava, to this ancient tale of the reason for the Gupta-kshetra — how it came to be hidden through a curse."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.93.3)

पुरा निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्सर्वतीर्थाधिदैवताः ॥ प्रणामाय ब्रह्मसदो ब्रह्माणं सहिता ययुः

purā nimitte kasmiṁścitsarvatīrthādhidaivatāḥ || praṇāmāya brahmasado brahmāṇaṁ sahitā yayuḥ

Long ago, on some occasion, the presiding deities of all the sacred fords (tirthas) went together to Brahma's assembly-hall to pay him homage.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.93.4)

पुष्करस्य प्रभासस्य निमिषस्यार्बुदस्य च ॥ कुरुक्षेत्रस्य क्षेत्रस्य धर्मारण्यस्य देवताः

puṣkarasya prabhāsasya nimiṣasyārbudasya ca || kurukṣetrasya kṣetrasya dharmāraṇyasya devatāḥ

The deities of Pushkara, Prabhasa, Nimisha and Arbuda, of Kurukshetra and of Dharmaranya,

Verse 5 (skanda.1.93.5)

वस्त्रापथस्य श्वेतस्य फल्गुतीर्थं स्य चापि याः ॥ केदारस्य तथान्येषां क्षेत्राणां कोटिशोऽपि याः

vastrāpathasya śvetasya phalgutīrthaṁ sya cāpi yāḥ || kedārasya tathānyeṣāṁ kṣetrāṇāṁ koṭiśo'pi yāḥ

those of Vastrapatha, of Shveta, and of Phalgutirtha, of Kedara, and likewise the deities of countless millions of other sacred fields —

Verse 6 (skanda.1.93.6)

सिंधुसागरयोगस्य महीसागरकस्य च ॥ गंगासागरयोगस्य अधिपाः सूकरस्य च

siṁdhusāgarayogasya mahīsāgarakasya ca || gaṁgāsāgarayogasya adhipāḥ sūkarasya ca

the lords of the confluence of Sindhu and Sagara, of Mahi-sagara, of the confluence of Ganga and Sagara, and of Sukara,

Verse 7 (skanda.1.93.7)

गंगारेवामुखीनां तु नदीनामधिदेवताः ॥ शोणह्रदपुरोगाणां ह्रदानां चाधिदेवताः

gaṁgārevāmukhīnāṁ tu nadīnāmadhidevatāḥ || śoṇahradapurogāṇāṁ hradānāṁ cādhidevatāḥ

and the presiding deities of the rivers beginning with Ganga and Reva, as well as of the sacred pools beginning with Shona-hrada —

Verse 8 (skanda.1.93.8)

ते सर्वे संघशो भूत्वा श्रैष्ठ्य ज्ञानाय चात्मनः ॥ समुपाजग्मुरमला महतीं ब्रह्मणः सभाम्

te sarve saṁghaśo bhūtvā śraiṣṭhya jñānāya cātmanaḥ || samupājagmuramalā mahatīṁ brahmaṇaḥ sabhām

all these spotless deities, gathering together, came in a great assembly to Brahma's great court so as to learn which of them was foremost.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.93.9)

तत्र तीर्थानि सर्वाणि समायातानि वीक्ष्य सः ॥ उत्तस्थौ सहितः सर्वैः सभासद्भिः पितामहः

tatra tīrthāni sarvāṇi samāyātāni vīkṣya saḥ || uttasthau sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ sabhāsadbhiḥ pitāmahaḥ

Seeing all the tirthas thus assembled there, the Grandsire rose together with all the members of his court.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.93.10)

प्रणम्य सर्वतीर्थेभ्यः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः ॥ तीर्थानि भगवानाह विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः

praṇamya sarvatīrthebhyaḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ || tīrthāni bhagavānāha vismayotphullalocanaḥ

Having bowed to all the tirthas with joined palms, the Lord, his eyes wide with wonder, spoke to them:

Verse 11 (skanda.1.93.11)

अद्य नः सद्म सकलं युष्माभिरतिपावितम् ॥ वयं च पाविता भूयो युष्माकं दर्शनादपि

adya naḥ sadma sakalaṁ yuṣmābhiratipāvitam || vayaṁ ca pāvitā bhūyo yuṣmākaṁ darśanādapi

"Today our entire abode has been made most pure by all of you, and we too have been purified further by the very sight of you."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.93.12)

तीर्थानां दर्शनं श्रेयः स्पर्शनं स्नानमेव च ॥ कीर्तनं स्मरणं चापि न स्यात्पुण्यं विना परम्

tīrthānāṁ darśanaṁ śreyaḥ sparśanaṁ snānameva ca || kīrtanaṁ smaraṇaṁ cāpi na syātpuṇyaṁ vinā param

"The sight of the tirthas is auspicious, as are touching them and bathing in them, and so too are glorifying and remembering them — without them there can be no higher merit."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.93.13)

महापापान्विता रौद्रास्त्वपि ये स्युः सुनिष्ठुराः ॥ तेऽपि तीर्थैः प्रपूयंते किं पुनर्धर्मसंस्थिताः

mahāpāpānvitā raudrāstvapi ye syuḥ suniṣṭhurāḥ || te'pi tīrthaiḥ prapūyaṁte kiṁ punardharmasaṁsthitāḥ

"Even those burdened with great sins, fierce and utterly hard-hearted, are purified by the tirthas — how much more, then, those established in dharma!"

Verse 14 (skanda.1.93.14)

एवमुक्त्वा पुलस्त्यं स पुत्रमभ्यादिदेश ह ॥ शीघ्रमर्घं तीर्थहेतोः समानय यथार्चये

evamuktvā pulastyaṁ sa putramabhyādideśa ha || śīghramarghaṁ tīrthahetoḥ samānaya yathārcaye

Having said this, he commanded his son Pulastya: "Quickly bring an arghya (offering) for the sake of the tirthas, so that I may worship the foremost among them."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.93.15)

॥पुलस्त्य उवाच॥ असंख्यानीह तीर्थानि दृश्यंते पद्मसंभव ॥ यथा दिशसि मां तात अर्घमेकमुपानये

||pulastya uvāca|| asaṁkhyānīha tīrthāni dṛśyaṁte padmasaṁbhava || yathā diśasi māṁ tāta arghamekamupānaye

Pulastya said: "O Lotus-born one, countless tirthas are seen here. As you direct me, father, so shall I bring but a single arghya."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.93.16)

धर्मप्रवचने श्लोको यत एष प्रगीयते

dharmapravacane śloko yata eṣa pragīyate

"— for on this matter, this verse is sung in the discourse on Dharma:"

Verse 17 (skanda.1.93.17)

भवेयुर्यद्यसंख्याता अर्घयोग्याः समर्चने ॥ ततस्तेषां वरिष्ठाय दातव्योऽर्घः किलैकतः

bhaveyuryadyasaṁkhyātā arghayogyāḥ samarcane || tatasteṣāṁ variṣṭhāya dātavyo'rghaḥ kilaikataḥ

"'If those worthy of the arghya in worship should be beyond counting, then indeed the single arghya should be given to the foremost among them.'"

Verse 18 (skanda.1.93.18)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ साभिप्रायं साधु वत्स त्वया प्रोक्तमिदं वचः ॥ एवं कुरुष्वैकमर्घमानय त्वं सुशीघ्रतः

||brahmovāca|| sābhiprāyaṁ sādhu vatsa tvayā proktamidaṁ vacaḥ || evaṁ kuruṣvaikamarghamānaya tvaṁ suśīghrataḥ

Brahma said: "Well said, my child — these words you have spoken are full of meaning. Do just so: bring a single arghya, and quickly."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.93.19)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ततः पुलस्त्यो वेगेन समानिन्येऽर्घमुत्तमम् ॥ तं च ब्रह्मा करे गृह्य तीर्थान्याहेति भारतीम्

||nārada uvāca|| tataḥ pulastyo vegena samāninye'rghamuttamam || taṁ ca brahmā kare gṛhya tīrthānyāheti bhāratīm

Narada said: Then Pulastya swiftly brought a most excellent arghya. Taking it in his hand, Brahma spoke these words to the tirthas:

Verse 20 (skanda.1.93.20)

सर्वैर्भवद्भिः संहत्य मुख्यस्त्वेकः प्रकीर्त्यताम् ॥ तस्मै चार्घं प्रयच्छामि नैवं मामनयः स्पृशेत्

sarvairbhavadbhiḥ saṁhatya mukhyastvekaḥ prakīrtyatām || tasmai cārghaṁ prayacchāmi naivaṁ māmanayaḥ spṛśet

"Let all of you together proclaim the one who is foremost, and to him I shall offer this arghya — let no unfairness ever touch me in this."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.93.21)

॥तीर्थान्यूचुः॥ न वयं श्रेष्ठतां विद्मः कथंचन परस्परम् ॥ अस्माद्धेतोश्च संप्राप्ता ज्ञात्वा देहि त्वमेव तत्

||tīrthānyūcuḥ|| na vayaṁ śreṣṭhatāṁ vidmaḥ kathaṁcana parasparam || asmāddhetośca saṁprāptā jñātvā dehi tvameva tat

The tirthas said: "We do not, in any way, know who among us is greatest. It is for this very reason that we have come here — you yourself, having known the truth, should give the arghya accordingly."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.93.22)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ नाहं वेद्मि श्रेष्ठतां वः कथंचन नमोऽस्तु वः ॥ सर्वे चापारमाहात्म्यं स्वयं मे वक्तुमर्हथ

||brahmovāca|| nāhaṁ vedmi śreṣṭhatāṁ vaḥ kathaṁcana namo'stu vaḥ || sarve cāpāramāhātmyaṁ svayaṁ me vaktumarhatha

Brahma said: "I too do not know in any way which of you is greatest — my salutations to you all! Each of you should yourselves declare to me your own boundless greatness."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.93.23)

यत्र गंगा गया काशी पुष्करं नैमिषं तथा ॥ कुरुक्षेत्रं तथा रेवा महीसागरसंगमः

yatra gaṁgā gayā kāśī puṣkaraṁ naimiṣaṁ tathā || kurukṣetraṁ tathā revā mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

"Considering that among you are Ganga, Gaya, Kashi, Pushkara, and likewise Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Reva, and the confluence of Mahi and Sagara —

Verse 24 (skanda.1.93.24)

प्रभासाद्यानि शतशो यत्र नस्तत्र का मतिः

prabhāsādyāni śataśo yatra nastatra kā matiḥ

and hundreds of others beginning with Prabhasa — in such a case, what judgment could we possibly form?"

Verse 25 (skanda.1.93.25)

॥नारद उवाच॥ एवमुक्ते पद्मभुवा कोपि नोवाच किंचन ॥ चिरेणेदं ततः प्राह महीसागरसंगमः

||nārada uvāca|| evamukte padmabhuvā kopi novāca kiṁcana || cireṇedaṁ tataḥ prāha mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

Narada said: When the Lotus-born one had spoken thus, no one said anything at all. Then, after a long while, the confluence of Mahi and Sagara spoke:

Verse 26 (skanda.1.93.26)

ममैनमर्घं त्वं यच्छ चतुरानन शीघ्रतः ॥ यतः कोटिकलायां वा मम कोऽपि न पूर्यते

mamainamarghaṁ tvaṁ yaccha caturānana śīghrataḥ || yataḥ koṭikalāyāṁ vā mama ko'pi na pūryate

"O Four-faced one, give this arghya to me, and quickly — for not even a ten-millionth part of me is matched by anyone."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.93.27)

यतश्चेन्द्रद्युम्नराज्ञा ताप्यमाना वसुंधरा ॥ सर्वतीर्थद्रवीभूता महीनामाभवन्नदी

yataścendradyumnarājñā tāpyamānā vasuṁdharā || sarvatīrthadravībhūtā mahīnāmābhavannadī

"For it was because of King Indradyumna's austerities that the earth, being scorched, was liquefied together with all the tirthas, and became the river named Mahi."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.93.28)

सा च सर्वाणि तीर्थानि संयुक्तानि मया सह ॥ सर्वतीर्थमयस्तस्मादस्मि ख्यातो जगत्त्रये

sā ca sarvāṇi tīrthāni saṁyuktāni mayā saha || sarvatīrthamayastasmādasmi khyāto jagattraye

"And she, joined with all the tirthas, flows together with me — therefore I am renowned throughout the three worlds as one whose very being is made of all the tirthas."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.93.29)

गुहेन च महालिंगं कुमारेश्वरमीश्वरम् ॥ संस्थाप्य तीर्थमुख्यत्वं मम दत्तं महात्मना

guhena ca mahāliṁgaṁ kumāreśvaramīśvaram || saṁsthāpya tīrthamukhyatvaṁ mama dattaṁ mahātmanā

"And Guha (Skanda), having established here the great Lord Kumareshvara-linga, being great of soul, granted to me the foremost rank among all tirthas."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.93.30)

नारदेनापि मत्तीरे स्थानं संस्थाप्य शोभनम् ॥ सर्वेभ्यः पुण्यक्षेत्रेभ्यो दत्तं श्रैष्ठ्यं पुरा मम

nāradenāpi mattīre sthānaṁ saṁsthāpya śobhanam || sarvebhyaḥ puṇyakṣetrebhyo dattaṁ śraiṣṭhyaṁ purā mama

"Narada too, having established a beautiful shrine on my bank, of old gave to me pre-eminence above all sacred fields."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.93.31)

एवं त्रिभिर्हेतुवरैर्ममेवार्घः प्रदीयताम् ॥ गुणैकदेशेऽपि समं मम तीर्थं न वै परम्

evaṁ tribhirhetuvarairmamevārghaḥ pradīyatām || guṇaikadeśe'pi samaṁ mama tīrthaṁ na vai param

"Thus, for these three excellent reasons, the arghya should be given to me alone — even in the smallest fraction of my qualities, no other tirtha is my equal."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.93.32)

इत्युक्ते वचने पार्थ तीर्थराजेन भारत॥ सर्वे नोचुः किंचनापि किं ब्रह्मा वक्ष्यतीति यत्

ityukte vacane pārtha tīrtharājena bhārata|| sarve nocuḥ kiṁcanāpi kiṁ brahmā vakṣyatīti yat

O Partha, O Bharata, when the King of Tirthas had spoken these words, all the others said nothing at all, wondering what Brahma would now say.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.93.33)

ततो ब्रह्मसुतो ज्येष्ठः श्वेतमाल्यानुलेपनः ॥ दक्षिणं बाहुमुद्धत्य धर्मो वचनमब्रवीत्

tato brahmasuto jyeṣṭhaḥ śvetamālyānulepanaḥ || dakṣiṇaṁ bāhumuddhatya dharmo vacanamabravīt

Then Dharma, Brahma's eldest son, adorned with white garlands and sandal-paste, raising his right arm, spoke these words:

Verse 34 (skanda.1.93.34)

अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः ॥ सन्तोऽपि न गुणा वाच्याः स्वयं सद्भिः स्वका यतः

aho kaṣṭamidaṁ kūktaṁ tīrtharājena mohataḥ || santo'pi na guṇā vācyāḥ svayaṁ sadbhiḥ svakā yataḥ

"Ah, how grievous is this ill-spoken word uttered by the King of Tirthas out of delusion! For even where virtues truly exist, the virtuous never themselves proclaim their own virtues."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.93.35)

स्वीयान्गुणान्स्वयं यो हि सम्पत्सु प्रक्षिपन्परान् ॥ ब्रवीति राजसस्त्वेष ह्यहंकारो जुगुप्सितः

svīyānguṇānsvayaṁ yo hi sampatsu prakṣipanparān || bravīti rājasastveṣa hyahaṁkāro jugupsitaḥ

"He who himself proclaims his own virtues, casting others down amid his prosperity — it is this despicable, passion-born pride of ego that speaks in him."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.93.36)

तस्मादस्मादहंकारात्सत्स्वप्येषु गुणेषु च ॥ अप्रख्यातं ध्वस्तरूपमिदं तीर्थं भविष्यति

tasmādasmādahaṁkārātsatsvapyeṣu guṇeṣu ca || aprakhyātaṁ dhvastarūpamidaṁ tīrthaṁ bhaviṣyati

"Therefore, because of this very pride, even though these virtues of his are true, this tirtha shall become unknown, its form fallen into ruin."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.93.37)

स्तंभतीर्थमिति ख्यातं स्तम्भो गर्वः कृतो यतः ॥ स्तंभस्य हि फलं सद्यो ब्रह्मापि प्राप किं परः

staṁbhatīrthamiti khyātaṁ stambho garvaḥ kṛto yataḥ || staṁbhasya hi phalaṁ sadyo brahmāpi prāpa kiṁ paraḥ

"It shall become known as 'Stambha-tirtha' — the Tirtha of Pride — because pride (stambha) was shown here; for even Brahma at once received the fruit of such pride, how much more shall others!"

Verse 38 (skanda.1.93.38)

इत्युक्ते धर्मदेवेन हाहेति रव उत्थितः ॥ ततः शीघ्रं समायातो योगीशोऽहं च पांडव

ityukte dharmadevena hāheti rava utthitaḥ || tataḥ śīghraṁ samāyāto yogīśo'haṁ ca pāṁḍava

When Dharmadeva had spoken thus, a cry of "Alas! Alas!" arose. Then, O Pandava, the Lord of Yogis swiftly arrived there — and I too was present.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.93.39)

गुहस्ततो वचः प्राह धर्मदेवसमागमे ॥ अयुक्तमेतच्छापोऽयं दत्तो यद्धर्म धार्ष्ट्यतः

guhastato vacaḥ prāha dharmadevasamāgame || ayuktametacchāpo'yaṁ datto yaddharma dhārṣṭyataḥ

Then, in the presence of Dharmadeva, Guha spoke these words: "This is improper, O Dharma — this curse that you have given out of impetuousness."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.93.40)

ब्रवीतु कोऽपि सर्वेषां तीर्थानां तेषु वर्तताम् ॥ यद्यैश्वर्यं नार्हतेसौ महीसागरसंगमः

bravītu ko'pi sarveṣāṁ tīrthānāṁ teṣu vartatām || yadyaiśvaryaṁ nārhatesau mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

"Let anyone among all these tirthas here say — if this confluence of Mahi and Sagara does not deserve its claimed glory..."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.93.41)

तिष्ठत्वात्मगुणो यच्च तीर्थराजेन वर्णितः ॥ तत्र को विगुणो नाम मिथ्यावादी यतो गुणः

tiṣṭhatvātmaguṇo yacca tīrtharājena varṇitaḥ || tatra ko viguṇo nāma mithyāvādī yato guṇaḥ

"— those qualities the King of Tirthas described are indeed truly his own; where is the fault in this, since what he claimed was no false speech?"

Verse 42 (skanda.1.93.42)

अहो न युक्तं पालानां यदि तेऽप्यविमृश्य च ॥ एवमर्थान्करिष्यंति कं यांति शरणं प्रजाः

aho na yuktaṁ pālānāṁ yadi te'pyavimṛśya ca || evamarthānkariṣyaṁti kaṁ yāṁti śaraṇaṁ prajāḥ

"Ah, it is not fitting for the guardians of dharma — if even they act thus without due reflection, then to whom shall the people go for refuge?"

Verse 43 (skanda.1.93.43)

एवमुक्ते गुहेनाथ धर्मो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ सत्यमेतद्यदर्होऽयं महीसागरसंगमः

evamukte guhenātha dharmo vacanamabravīt || satyametadyadarho'yaṁ mahīsāgarasaṁgamaḥ

When Guha had spoken thus, Dharma then replied: "It is true that this confluence of Mahi and Sagara is indeed deserving —

Verse 44 (skanda.1.93.44)

मुख्यत्वं सर्वतीर्थानामर्घं चापि पितामहात् ॥ किंतु नात्मगुणा वाच्याः सतामेतत्सदा व्रतम् ॥ परोक्षेपि स्वप्रशंसा ब्रह्माणमपि चालयेत्

mukhyatvaṁ sarvatīrthānāmarghaṁ cāpi pitāmahāt || kiṁtu nātmaguṇā vācyāḥ satāmetatsadā vratam || parokṣepi svapraśaṁsā brahmāṇamapi cālayet

"— deserving of pre-eminence over all tirthas and of the arghya from the Grandsire. But one's own virtues should never be spoken of by oneself; this is ever the vow of the virtuous. Self-praise, even spoken in private, can shake even Brahma himself."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.93.45)

स्वप्रशंसां प्रकुर्वाणः पराक्षेपसमन्विताम् ॥ किं दिवः पृथिवीं पूर्वं ययातिर्न पपात ह ॥ यानि पूर्वं प्रमाणानि कृतानीशेन धीमता

svapraśaṁsāṁ prakurvāṇaḥ parākṣepasamanvitām || kiṁ divaḥ pṛthivīṁ pūrvaṁ yayātirna papāta ha || yāni pūrvaṁ pramāṇāni kṛtānīśena dhīmatā

"Did not King Yayati, in ancient times, fall from heaven to earth for indulging in self-praise mixed with the disparagement of others? These are the very precedents of old established by the wise Lord —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.93.46)

तानि सम्पालनीयानि तानि कोऽति क्रमेद्बुधः ॥ तव पित्रा समादिश्य यदर्थं स्थापिता वयम्

tāni sampālanīyāni tāni ko'ti kramedbudhaḥ || tava pitrā samādiśya yadarthaṁ sthāpitā vayam

"— those must be upheld; what wise person would transgress them? It was for this very purpose that your father appointed and established us —

Verse 47 (skanda.1.93.47)

पालयामास एतच्च त्वं पालयितुमर्हसि ॥ ईश्वराः स्वप्रमाणेन भवंतो यदि कुर्वते

pālayāmāsa etacca tvaṁ pālayitumarhasi || īśvarāḥ svapramāṇena bhavaṁto yadi kurvate

"— and he himself upheld it; you too ought to uphold that same law. If you, who are lords, should instead act by your own private authority —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.93.48)

तदस्माभिरिदं युक्तं शासनं दिश्यतां परम् ॥ एवमुक्त्वा स्वीयमुद्रां मोक्तुकामं वृषं तदा

tadasmābhiridaṁ yuktaṁ śāsanaṁ diśyatāṁ param || evamuktvā svīyamudrāṁ moktukāmaṁ vṛṣaṁ tadā

"— then we would deem it right that stricter law still be laid down." Having said this, and being minded to release the Bull, his own emblem —

Verse 49 (skanda.1.93.49)

अहं प्रस्तावमन्वीक्ष्य वाक्यमेतदुदैरयम्॥ नमो धर्माय महते विश्वधात्रे महात्मने

ahaṁ prastāvamanvīkṣya vākyametadudairayam|| namo dharmāya mahate viśvadhātre mahātmane

Then, weighing the moment, I (Narada) spoke these words: "Homage to Dharma, the great one, the great-souled sustainer of the universe!

Verse 50 (skanda.1.93.50)

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवैर्नित्यं पूजितायाघनाशिने ॥ यदि मुद्रां भवान्धर्म परित्यक्ष्यति कर्हिचित्

brahmaviṣṇuśivairnityaṁ pūjitāyāghanāśine || yadi mudrāṁ bhavāndharma parityakṣyati karhicit

"— who is ever worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the destroyer of sin! O Dharma, if you should ever cast off your emblem —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.93.51)

तदस्माकं कुतो भावो मा विश्वं नाशय प्रभो ॥ योगीश्वरं गुहं चापि संमानयितुमर्हसि

tadasmākaṁ kuto bhāvo mā viśvaṁ nāśaya prabho || yogīśvaraṁ guhaṁ cāpi saṁmānayitumarhasi

"— then what would become of us? O Lord, do not destroy the universe! You ought indeed to honor Guha, the Lord of Yogis.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.93.52)

शिववन्माननीयो हि यतः साक्षाच्छिवात्मजः ॥ त्वां च देवो गुहः स्वामी संमानयितुमर्हति

śivavanmānanīyo hi yataḥ sākṣācchivātmajaḥ || tvāṁ ca devo guhaḥ svāmī saṁmānayitumarhati

"He is to be honored just as Shiva, since he is verily Shiva's own son; and the god Guha, who is our lord, deserves to be honored by you.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.93.53)

युवयोरैक्यभावेन सुखं जीवेदिदं जगत् ॥ त्वया प्रदत्तः शापोऽयं मा प्रत्याख्यातिलक्षणः

yuvayoraikyabhāvena sukhaṁ jīvedidaṁ jagat || tvayā pradattaḥ śāpo'yaṁ mā pratyākhyātilakṣaṇaḥ

"Through unity between you two, this world may live in happiness. Let not this curse you have given carry the mark of an irrevocable rejection —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.93.54)

अनुग्रहश्च क्रियतां तीर्थराजस्य मानद

anugrahaśca kriyatāṁ tīrtharājasya mānada

"— and let grace, too, O bestower of honor, be shown to the King of Tirthas."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.93.55)

एवमुच्चरमाणं मां प्रशस्याहापि पद्मभूः॥ साध्वेतन्नारदेनोक्तं धर्मैतद्वचनं कुरु

evamuccaramāṇaṁ māṁ praśasyāhāpi padmabhūḥ|| sādhvetannāradenoktaṁ dharmaitadvacanaṁ kuru

As I was speaking thus, the Lotus-born one too praised me: "Well spoken is this by Narada — O Dharma, do as he has said.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.93.56)

सम्मानय गुहं चापि गुहः स्वामी यतो हि नः॥ एवमुक्ते ब्रह्मणा च धर्मो वचनमब्रवीत्

sammānaya guhaṁ cāpi guhaḥ svāmī yato hi naḥ|| evamukte brahmaṇā ca dharmo vacanamabravīt

"Honor Guha also, for Guha indeed is our lord." When Brahma had spoken thus, Dharma then said:

Verse 57 (skanda.1.93.57)

नमो गुहाय सिद्धाय किंकरायस्य ते वयम्॥ मदीयां स्कन्द विज्ञप्तिं नाथैनामवधारय

namo guhāya siddhāya kiṁkarāyasya te vayam|| madīyāṁ skanda vijñaptiṁ nāthaināmavadhāraya

"Homage to Guha, the accomplished one, whose servants we are! O Skanda, O Lord, hear this my petition —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.93.58)

स्तंभादेतन्महातीर्थमप्रसिद्धं भविष्यति ॥ स्तंभतीर्थमिति ख्यातं सुप्रसिद्धं भविष्यति

staṁbhādetanmahātīrthamaprasiddhaṁ bhaviṣyati || staṁbhatīrthamiti khyātaṁ suprasiddhaṁ bhaviṣyati

"— because of its pride (stambha), this great tirtha shall for a time become obscure; but thereafter, known as 'Stambha-tirtha,' it shall become highly renowned.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.93.59)

स्तम्भतीर्थमिति ख्यातं सर्वतीर्थफलप्रदम् ॥ यश्चात्र स्नानदानानि प्रकरिष्यति मानवः

stambhatīrthamiti khyātaṁ sarvatīrthaphalapradam || yaścātra snānadānāni prakariṣyati mānavaḥ

"Known as Stambha-tirtha, it shall bestow the fruit of all tirthas; and whatever man performs bathing and charitable giving here —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.93.60)

यथोक्तं च फलं तस्य स्फुटं सर्वं भविष्यति ॥ शनिवारे ह्यमावास्या भवेत्तस्याः फलं च यत्

yathoktaṁ ca phalaṁ tasya sphuṭaṁ sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati || śanivāre hyamāvāsyā bhavettasyāḥ phalaṁ ca yat

"— shall obtain that entire fruit exactly and clearly, as declared. And whatever is the fruit of a new-moon day falling on a Saturday —

Verse 61 (skanda.1.93.61)

महीसागरयात्रायां भवेत्तच्चावधारय ॥ प्रभासदशयात्राभिः सप्तभिः पुष्करस्य च

mahīsāgarayātrāyāṁ bhavettaccāvadhāraya || prabhāsadaśayātrābhiḥ saptabhiḥ puṣkarasya ca

"— know that it shall be obtained through pilgrimage to Mahisagara. And that of ten pilgrimages to Prabhasa, seven to Pushkara —

Verse 62 (skanda.1.93.62)

अष्टाभिश्च प्रयागस्य तत्फलं प्रभविष्यति ॥ पंचभिः कुरुक्षेत्रस्य नकुलीशस्य च त्रिभिः

aṣṭābhiśca prayāgasya tatphalaṁ prabhaviṣyati || paṁcabhiḥ kurukṣetrasya nakulīśasya ca tribhiḥ

"— and of eight to Prayaga — that fruit shall come to be; that of five to Kurukshetra and three to Nakulisha —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.93.63)

अर्बुदस्य च यत्षड्भिस्तत्फलं च भविष्यति ॥ वस्त्रापथस्य तिसृभिर्गंगायाः पंचभिश्च यत्

arbudasya ca yatṣaḍbhistatphalaṁ ca bhaviṣyati || vastrāpathasya tisṛbhirgaṁgāyāḥ paṁcabhiśca yat

"— and whatever is the fruit of six to Arbuda, that too shall come to be; and that of three to Vastrapatha and five to Ganga —

Verse 64 (skanda.1.93.64)

कूपोदर्याश्चतुर्भिश्च तत्फलं प्रभविष्यति ॥ काश्याः षड्भिस्तथा यत्स्याद्गोदावर्याश्च पंचभिः

kūpodaryāścaturbhiśca tatphalaṁ prabhaviṣyati || kāśyāḥ ṣaḍbhistathā yatsyādgodāvaryāśca paṁcabhiḥ

"— and of four to Kupodari, that fruit shall come to be; and likewise whatever is the fruit of six to Kashi and five to Godavari —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.93.65)

तत्फलं स्तंभतीर्थे वै शनिदर्शे भविष्यति ॥ एवं दत्ते वरे स्कंदस्तदा प्रीतमनाभवत्

tatphalaṁ staṁbhatīrthe vai śanidarśe bhaviṣyati || evaṁ datte vare skaṁdastadā prītamanābhavat

"— that very fruit shall be obtained at Stambha-tirtha on a Saturday new-moon day." When this boon had thus been given, Skanda's heart became glad.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.93.66)

ब्रह्मापि स्तंभतीर्थाय ददावर्घं समाहितः ॥ ददौ च सर्वतीर्थानां श्रेष्ठत्वममितद्युतिः

brahmāpi staṁbhatīrthāya dadāvarghaṁ samāhitaḥ || dadau ca sarvatīrthānāṁ śreṣṭhatvamamitadyutiḥ

Then Brahma too, with a composed mind, gave the arghya to Stambha-tirtha; and he of boundless splendor granted it pre-eminence over all tirthas.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.93.67)

तीर्थानि च गुहं नाथं सम्मान्य विससर्ज सः ॥ एवमेतत्पुरा वृत्तं गुप्तक्षेत्रस्य कारणम्

tīrthāni ca guhaṁ nāthaṁ sammānya visasarja saḥ || evametatpurā vṛttaṁ guptakṣetrasya kāraṇam

Then, having honored the tirthas and the Lord Guha, he dismissed the assembly. Thus, of old, occurred this reason for its becoming the Gupta-kshetra.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.93.68)

भूयश्चापि प्रसिद्ध्यर्थं प्रेषिताप्सरसोऽत्र मे ॥ विमोक्षिता ग्राहरूपात्त्वया ताश्च कुरूद्वह

bhūyaścāpi prasiddhyarthaṁ preṣitāpsaraso'tra me || vimokṣitā grāharūpāttvayā tāśca kurūdvaha

"And moreover, O best of the Kurus, for the sake of its renown I had sent apsarases here, and you have freed them from their crocodile forms —

Verse 69 (skanda.1.93.69)

यतो धर्मस्य सर्वस्य नानारूपैः प्रवर्ततः ॥ परित्राणाय भवतः कृष्णस्य च भवो भवे

yato dharmasya sarvasya nānārūpaiḥ pravartataḥ || paritrāṇāya bhavataḥ kṛṣṇasya ca bhavo bhave

"— for it is thus that all dharma proceeds in various forms; and for your protection and Krishna's, this recurs birth after birth."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.93.70)

तदिदं वर्णितं तुभ्यं सर्वतीर्थफलं महत् ॥ श्रुत्वैतदादितः पूर्वं पुमान्पापैः प्रमुच्यते

tadidaṁ varṇitaṁ tubhyaṁ sarvatīrthaphalaṁ mahat || śrutvaitadāditaḥ pūrvaṁ pumānpāpaiḥ pramucyate

"Thus has this great fruit of all tirthas been described to you. Whoever hears this from the very beginning is freed from all sins."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.93.71)

॥सूत उवाच॥ श्रुत्वेति विजयो धीमान्प्रशशंस सुविस्मितः ॥ विसृष्टो नारदाद्यैश्च द्वारकां प्रति जग्मिवान्

||sūta uvāca|| śrutveti vijayo dhīmānpraśaśaṁsa suvismitaḥ || visṛṣṭo nāradādyaiśca dvārakāṁ prati jagmivān

Suta said: Having heard this, the wise Vijaya, greatly astonished, praised it highly; and, dismissed by Narada and the other sages, he set out toward Dvaraka.