The Varaha Cave, the Revival of Virasharma's Wife, and Tondaman's Ascension

Verse 1 (skanda.2.10.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच । इदं पद्मसरोनाम राजन्पापप्रणाशनम् । कीर्तनात्स्मरणात्स्नानान्नृणां लक्ष्मीप्रदं भुवि । कृत्वा स्नानं त्वमप्यस्मिन्व्रज स्वपितुरंतिकम् ।

śrīśuka uvāca idaṁ padmasaronāma rājanpāpapraṇāśanam kīrtanātsmaraṇātsnānānnṛṇāṁ lakṣmīpradaṁ bhuvi kṛtvā snānaṁ tvamapyasminvraja svapituraṁtikam

Shri Shuka said: O king, this Padma-sarovar destroys sin; by chanting of it, remembering it, and bathing in it, men on earth attain the grace of Lakshmi. Bathe here yourself as well, and then go to your father's side.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.10.2)

श्रीवराह उवाच । एतच्छुकवचः श्रुत्वा स्नात्वा पद्मसरोवरे ।

śrīvarāha uvāca etacchukavacaḥ śrutvā snātvā padmasarovare

Shri Varaha said: Having heard Shuka's words, and having bathed in the Padma-sarovar,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.10.3)

तं नत्वा हयमारुह्य तोण्डमान्स्वपुरं ययौ । तं पिता युवराजानं कृत्वा त्रीन्वत्सरानथ ।

taṁ natvā hayamāruhya toṇḍamānsvapuraṁ yayau taṁ pitā yuvarājānaṁ kṛtvā trīnvatsarānatha

and bowing to him, Tondaman mounted his horse and returned to his own city. His father made him crown prince, and for three years,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.10.4)

रंजकत्वं च सामर्थ्यं शौर्यं वीर्यं सुशीलताम् । भक्तिं विप्रेषु पुत्रस्य वीक्ष्य राजा स्वमंत्रिभिः ।

raṁjakatvaṁ ca sāmarthyaṁ śauryaṁ vīryaṁ suśīlatām bhaktiṁ vipreṣu putrasya vīkṣya rājā svamaṁtribhiḥ

having observed his son's popularity, capability, valor, prowess, good conduct, and devotion to brahmins, the king, together with his ministers,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.10.5)

स्वपदे स्थापयामास स्वभिषिच्य विधानतः । अनुनीय सुतं पत्न्या सार्धं राजा वनं ययौ ।

svapade sthāpayāmāsa svabhiṣicya vidhānataḥ anunīya sutaṁ patnyā sārdhaṁ rājā vanaṁ yayau

duly consecrated him and established him upon his own throne. Having persuaded his son, the king, together with his wife, retired to the forest.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.10.6)

तोण्डमानपि साम्राज्यं लब्ध्वा राज्यं चकार ह । निषादस्य वने देवो वाराहं रूपमास्थितः ।

toṇḍamānapi sāmrājyaṁ labdhvā rājyaṁ cakāra ha niṣādasya vane devo vārāhaṁ rūpamāsthitaḥ

Tondaman too, having obtained the empire, began to rule. Now, in that hunter's forest, the Lord had taken the form of a boar,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.10.7)

श्यामाकपक्वं भक्षित्वा रात्रौरात्रौ चचार ह । पदानि स वराहस्य चान्वियेष दिवादिवा ।

śyāmākapakvaṁ bhakṣitvā rātraurātrau cacāra ha padāni sa varāhasya cānviyeṣa divādivā

and each night it would eat the ripened shyamaka grain and wander off. That hunter searched day after day for the boar's tracks,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.10.8)

अदृष्ट्वा तं वराहं स रात्रौ जाग्रद्धनुर्धरः । स्थितोऽपश्यच्चरन्तं तं चंद्रकोटिसमप्रभम् ।

adṛṣṭvā taṁ varāhaṁ sa rātrau jāgraddhanurdharaḥ sthito'paśyaccarantaṁ taṁ caṁdrakoṭisamaprabham

but not finding the boar, he stood awake at night, bow in hand; and then, standing still, he saw that boar wandering, radiant as a million moons,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.10.9)

वराहं सुभगाकारं श्यामाकवनमध्यतः । तं दृष्ट्वा धनुरादाय सिंहनादं चकार ह ।

varāhaṁ subhagākāraṁ śyāmākavanamadhyataḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā dhanurādāya siṁhanādaṁ cakāra ha

that boar of beautiful form, in the midst of the shyamaka grove. Seeing it, he raised his bow and let out a lion's roar.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.10.10)

वराहस्तद्ध्वनिं श्रुत्वा वनान्निष्क्रम्य सत्वरम् । ययौ तं चाप्यनुययौ वराहं स निषादपः ।

varāhastaddhvaniṁ śrutvā vanānniṣkramya satvaram yayau taṁ cāpyanuyayau varāhaṁ sa niṣādapaḥ

Hearing that sound, the boar at once fled from the forest; and as it went, that chief hunter followed close behind it.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.10.11)

रात्रिशेषमनुद्रुत्य वने चंद्रसमप्रभम् । वल्मीकं प्रविशन्तं च ददर्श स निषादपः ।

rātriśeṣamanudrutya vane caṁdrasamaprabham valmīkaṁ praviśantaṁ ca dadarśa sa niṣādapaḥ

Pursuing through what remained of the night that boar, radiant as the moon, that chief hunter saw it enter an anthill,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.10.12)

गच्छंतं पूर्णिमाचन्द्रमस्तं गिरिवरं यथा । विस्मितोऽखानयत्कोपाद्वल्मीकं स निषादपः ।

gacchaṁtaṁ pūrṇimācandramastaṁ girivaraṁ yathā vismito'khānayatkopādvalmīkaṁ sa niṣādapaḥ

as if the full moon were merging into some excellent mountain. Astonished, and in anger, that chief hunter began to dig into the anthill.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.10.13)

धरावराहो ददृशे मूर्च्छितोऽयं पपात ह । पितरं मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा तत्पुत्रो भक्तिमांस्तदा ।

dharāvarāho dadṛśe mūrcchito'yaṁ papāta ha pitaraṁ mūrcchitaṁ dṛṣṭvā tatputro bhaktimāṁstadā

Then he beheld the boar who bears up the earth, and he fell to the ground, senseless. Seeing his father fainted, that devoted son,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.10.14)

वराहदेवं तुष्टाव तेन प्रीतोऽभवद्धरिः । आविश्य पितरं तस्य प्रोवाच मधुसूदनः ।

varāhadevaṁ tuṣṭāva tena prīto'bhavaddhariḥ āviśya pitaraṁ tasya provāca madhusūdanaḥ

began to praise the boar-deity, and Hari was pleased with him. Entering into that son's father, Madhusudana said—

Verse 15 (skanda.2.10.15)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । अहं वराह देवेशो नित्यमस्मिन्वसाम्यहम् । राज्ञे त्वमुक्त्वा मामत्र प्रतिष्ठाप्यैव पूजय ।

śrībhagavānuvāca ahaṁ varāha deveśo nityamasminvasāmyaham rājñe tvamuktvā māmatra pratiṣṭhāpyaiva pūjaya

Shri Bhagavan said: I am Varaha, the Lord of gods; I dwell here always. Tell the king of this, and establish me here duly, and worship me.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.10.16)

वल्मीकं कृष्णगोक्षीरैः क्षालयित्वा तदुत्थिते । शिलातले च वाराहमुद्धृत्य धरणीस्थितम् ।

valmīkaṁ kṛṣṇagokṣīraiḥ kṣālayitvā tadutthite śilātale ca vārāhamuddhṛtya dharaṇīsthitam

Wash this anthill with the milk of a black cow; when it has cleared away, draw forth upon a stone slab this boar-form set within the earth,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.10.17)

कारयित्वा प्रतिष्ठाप्य विप्रैर्वैखानसैश्च माम् । पूजयेद्विविधैर्भोगैस्तोण्डमान्राजसत्तमः ।

kārayitvā pratiṣṭhāpya viprairvaikhānasaiśca mām pūjayedvividhairbhogaistoṇḍamānrājasattamaḥ

have it duly fashioned, and install me with the help of Vaikhanasa brahmins; let King Tondaman, best of kings, worship me with manifold offerings.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.10.18)

इत्युक्त्वा तं जहौ देवः स च स्वस्थो बभूव ह । सुखासीनं तु पितरं नमस्कृत्य निषादजः ।

ityuktvā taṁ jahau devaḥ sa ca svastho babhūva ha sukhāsīnaṁ tu pitaraṁ namaskṛtya niṣādajaḥ

Having said this, the Lord released him, and he returned to his senses. Bowing to his father, now seated in comfort, the hunter's son

Verse 19 (skanda.2.10.19)

न्यवेदयद्देववचः पित्रे सर्वं यथातथम् । स श्रुत्वा विस्मितो भूत्वा कृत्स्नं पुत्रवचः शुभम् ।

nyavedayaddevavacaḥ pitre sarvaṁ yathātatham sa śrutvā vismito bhūtvā kṛtsnaṁ putravacaḥ śubham

related to his father the Lord's words exactly as they were. Hearing this, astonished, and taking his son's entire auspicious message,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.10.20)

राज्ञे वक्तुं ययौ शीघ्रं निषादः स्वानुगैः सह । वसुर्निषादाधिपती राजद्वारमुपागमत् ।

rājñe vaktuṁ yayau śīghraṁ niṣādaḥ svānugaiḥ saha vasurniṣādādhipatī rājadvāramupāgamat

the hunter set out at once with his followers to tell the king. Vasu, the lord of the hunters, arrived at the king's gate.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.10.21)

निषादाधिपमाज्ञाय द्वारपालैर्नृपोत्तमः । आहूय तं निषादेशं सभायां मंत्रिभिः सह ।

niṣādādhipamājñāya dvārapālairnṛpottamaḥ āhūya taṁ niṣādeśaṁ sabhāyāṁ maṁtribhiḥ saha

Informed by the gatekeepers that the chief of the hunters had come, the excellent king summoned that chief hunter to the assembly, together with his ministers,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.10.22)

सत्कृत्य तं वसुं राजा सपुत्रं सपरिच्छदम् । पप्रच्छ प्रीतिमान्राजा वसुं तं वनगोचरम् । किमागमनकृत्यं ते वद त्वं वनगोचर ।

satkṛtya taṁ vasuṁ rājā saputraṁ saparicchadam papraccha prītimānrājā vasuṁ taṁ vanagocaram kimāgamanakṛtyaṁ te vada tvaṁ vanagocara

and, honoring that Vasu together with his son and household, the pleased king asked that forest-dwelling Vasu: 'What is the purpose of your coming? Tell me, O forest-dweller.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.10.23)

वसुरुवाच । राजन्मम वने दृष्टमाश्चर्यं शृणु भूपते ।

vasuruvāca rājanmama vane dṛṣṭamāścaryaṁ śṛṇu bhūpate

Vasu said: O king, a wonder has been witnessed in my forest, O lord of the earth — listen.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.10.24)

कश्चिच्छ्वेतवराहस्तु श्यामाकमचरन्निशि । तं वराहं धनुष्पाणिरन्वधावमहं नृप ।

kaścicchvetavarāhastu śyāmākamacaranniśi taṁ varāhaṁ dhanuṣpāṇiranvadhāvamahaṁ nṛpa

A certain white boar would wander at night through the shyamaka field. I chased that boar, O king, bow in hand,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.10.25)

अनुद्रुतो वायुवेगो गत्वा वल्मीकमाविशत् । स्वामिपुष्करिणीतीरे पश्यते मम भूपते ।

anudruto vāyuvego gatvā valmīkamāviśat svāmipuṣkariṇītīre paśyate mama bhūpate

and, running with the speed of the wind, it went and entered an anthill, on the bank of the Swami Pushkarini, before my very eyes, O lord of the earth.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.10.26)

वल्मीकमखनं क्रोधान्मूर्च्छितो न्यपतं भुवि । मत्पुत्रोऽयं समागत्य मां दृष्ट्वा मूर्च्छितं भुवि ।

valmīkamakhanaṁ krodhānmūrcchito nyapataṁ bhuvi matputro'yaṁ samāgatya māṁ dṛṣṭvā mūrcchitaṁ bhuvi

In anger I dug into that anthill, and I fell to the ground, senseless. This son of mine came, and seeing me fallen unconscious upon the ground,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.10.27)

शुचिर्भूत्वा देवदेवं तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् । ततो मयि समाविश्य वराहोऽध्यवदत्सुतम् ।

śucirbhūtvā devadevaṁ tuṣṭāva madhusūdanam tato mayi samāviśya varāho'dhyavadatsutam

purified himself and began to praise the God of gods, Madhusudana. Then, entering into me, the boar spoke to my son—

Verse 28 (skanda.2.10.28)

राज्ञे निवेदय क्षिप्रं मच्चरित्रं निषादप । कृष्णगोक्षीरसेकेन वल्मीकं क्षालयेन्नृपः ।

rājñe nivedaya kṣipraṁ maccaritraṁ niṣādapa kṛṣṇagokṣīrasekena valmīkaṁ kṣālayennṛpaḥ

'O son of the hunter, quickly relate my story to the king. The king should wash this anthill with the milk of a black cow,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.10.29)

दृश्यते च शिला काचिद्वल्मीकस्था सुशोभना । वामांकस्थभुवं मां च वराहवदनं स्थितम् ।

dṛśyate ca śilā kācidvalmīkasthā suśobhanā vāmāṁkasthabhuvaṁ māṁ ca varāhavadanaṁ sthitam

and in that anthill a most beautiful stone slab shall be seen, in which I stand, boar-faced, bearing the earth upon my left side.'

Verse 30 (skanda.2.10.30)

कारयित्वा शिल्पिनाथ प्रतिष्ठाप्य मुनीश्वरैः । वैखानसैर्मुनिवरैरर्चयेत्तोण्डमानपि ।

kārayitvā śilpinātha pratiṣṭhāpya munīśvaraiḥ vaikhānasairmunivarairarcayettoṇḍamānapi

'Having a sculptor bring it forth, and having sages perform its installation, let Tondaman too, through the finest of Vaikhanasa sages, have me worshipped,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.10.31)

कपिलाकृष्णगोक्षीरसेचनैः क्षालयेच्छनैः ।

kapilākṛṣṇagokṣīrasecanaiḥ kṣālayecchanaiḥ

washing it gently with the pouring of milk from the cow Kapila and from black cows.'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.10.32)

आपादपीठपर्यंतं क्षालयित्वा दिनेदिने । कुर्यात्प्राकारमुभयोरुत्तरे दक्षिणे तथा ।

āpādapīṭhaparyaṁtaṁ kṣālayitvā dinedine kuryātprākāramubhayoruttare dakṣiṇe tathā

'Washing it daily from the feet to the base, let him build a rampart on both its northern and southern sides.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.10.33)

इत्युक्त्वा चैव माऽमुंचद्देवः स्वस्थोऽभवं नृप । इदं ते वक्तुमायातो देवदेवचिकीर्षितम् ।

ityuktvā caiva mā'muṁcaddevaḥ svastho'bhavaṁ nṛpa idaṁ te vaktumāyāto devadevacikīrṣitam

'Having said this, the Lord released me, and I returned to my senses, O king. I have come here only to tell you this, the wish of the God of gods.'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.10.34)

श्रीवराह उवाच । तोण्डमानपि तच्छ्रुत्वा सुप्रीतो विस्मितोऽभवत् । ततः कार्यं विनिश्चित्य मन्त्रिभिः पुष्करादिभिः ।

śrīvarāha uvāca toṇḍamānapi tacchrutvā suprīto vismito'bhavat tataḥ kāryaṁ viniścitya mantribhiḥ puṣkarādibhiḥ

Shri Varaha said: Hearing this, Tondaman was greatly pleased and astonished. Then, having deliberated with his ministers headed by Pushkara,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.10.35)

वेकटाद्रिं जिगमिषुर्गोपानाहूय सर्वशः । कृष्णाश्च कपिला गावो याः काश्चित्संति मामिकाः ।

vekaṭādriṁ jigamiṣurgopānāhūya sarvaśaḥ kṛṣṇāśca kapilā gāvo yāḥ kāścitsaṁti māmikāḥ

wishing to go to Venkatadri, he summoned all his cowherds and said, 'Whatever black and tawny cows I own,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.10.36)

ताः सवत्सा आनयध्वं वेंकटाद्रिसमीपतः । इत्याज्ञाप्य नृपो गोपाञ्छ्वो यात्रेति च मन्त्रिणः ।

tāḥ savatsā ānayadhvaṁ veṁkaṭādrisamīpataḥ ityājñāpya nṛpo gopāñchvo yātreti ca mantriṇaḥ

bring all of them, together with their calves, near to Venkatadri.' Having thus commanded the cowherds, and telling his ministers, 'tomorrow we set out,'

Verse 37 (skanda.2.10.37)

विसृज्य प्रकृतीः सर्वा विवेशांतःपुरं वशी । उक्त्वा कथां तां पत्नीभ्यः सुष्वाप निशि पार्थिवः ।

visṛjya prakṛtīḥ sarvā viveśāṁtaḥpuraṁ vaśī uktvā kathāṁ tāṁ patnībhyaḥ suṣvāpa niśi pārthivaḥ

the king, having dismissed all his subjects, entered his own inner apartments; and having told his wives this news, the king lay down to sleep that night.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.10.38)

तं स्वप्ने श्रीनिवासोऽपि बिलमार्गं ह्यदर्शयत् । स्वपुरादाबिलं मार्गे पल्लवानसृजद्धरिः ।

taṁ svapne śrīnivāso'pi bilamārgaṁ hyadarśayat svapurādābilaṁ mārge pallavānasṛjaddhariḥ

In a dream, Srinivasa showed him the path to the cave; and from his own abode to the cave, along that path, Hari scattered tender shoots as markers.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.10.39)

एवं स्वप्नं नृपो दृष्ट्वा प्रातरुत्थाय सत्वरः । आहूय मन्त्रिणः सर्वान्प्रकृतीर्ब्राह्मणानपि ।

evaṁ svapnaṁ nṛpo dṛṣṭvā prātarutthāya satvaraḥ āhūya mantriṇaḥ sarvānprakṛtīrbrāhmaṇānapi

Having seen this dream, the king rose quickly at dawn; summoning all his ministers, his subjects, and the brahmins,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.10.40)

स्वप्नं तथाविधं चोक्त्वाऽपश्यद्द्वारेऽथ पल्लवान् । युक्ते मुहूर्ते प्रययौ हयमारुह्य तोण्डमान् ।

svapnaṁ tathāvidhaṁ coktvā'paśyaddvāre'tha pallavān yukte muhūrte prayayau hayamāruhya toṇḍamān

he told them of that dream, and then, at the very gate, he saw those same tender shoots. At an auspicious hour, Tondaman mounted his horse and set out,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.10.41)

पश्यन्पल्लवभंगांश्च शनैः प्रीतो ययौ बिलम् । दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमापन्नो निर्ममे तत्र पत्तनम् ।

paśyanpallavabhaṁgāṁśca śanaiḥ prīto yayau bilam dṛṣṭvā vismayamāpanno nirmame tatra pattanam

following the scattered shoots and joyfully, slowly reaching the cave. Beholding it with wonder, he built a city there.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.10.42)

बिलमंतःपुरे कृत्वा प्राकारं चाप्यकारयत् । वसंस्तत्र नृपेन्द्रोऽसौ निर्जित्य पृथिवीमिमाम् ।

bilamaṁtaḥpure kṛtvā prākāraṁ cāpyakārayat vasaṁstatra nṛpendro'sau nirjitya pṛthivīmimām

Enclosing the cave within his inner precincts, he also had a rampart built. Dwelling there, that excellent king, having conquered this earth,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.10.43)

यथोक्तं देवदेवेन क्षीरप्रक्षालनादिकम् । कृत्वा प्राकारनिर्माणं कर्तुमुद्योगमाययौ ।

yathoktaṁ devadevena kṣīraprakṣālanādikam kṛtvā prākāranirmāṇaṁ kartumudyogamāyayau

had the milk-washing and other rites performed exactly as the God of gods had prescribed, and set about the task of building the rampart.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.10.44)

तदानीं देवदेवेन स्वयमाज्ञापितो नृपः । तिंतिणीं चंपकं चोभौ पालयैतौ नगोत्तमौ ।

tadānīṁ devadevena svayamājñāpito nṛpaḥ tiṁtiṇīṁ caṁpakaṁ cobhau pālayaitau nagottamau

At that time the God of gods himself commanded the king: 'Spare these two excellent trees — the tamarind and the champaka;

Verse 45 (skanda.2.10.45)

मम चास्थानिकी चिंचा लक्ष्म्याः स्थानं च चंपकः । नमस्कार्यौ नृपैस्तौ हि ऋषिदेवनरैः सदा ।

mama cāsthānikī ciṁcā lakṣmyāḥ sthānaṁ ca caṁpakaḥ namaskāryau nṛpaistau hi ṛṣidevanaraiḥ sadā

the tamarind is my own place, and the champaka is Lakshmi's place. Kings, sages, gods, and men should always bow to these two.'

Verse 46 (skanda.2.10.46)

संस्थाप्यैतौ नृपश्रेष्ठ च्छेदयान्यान्नगोत्तमान् । प्राकारमात्रं कुरु मे द्वारगोपुरसंयुतम् ।

saṁsthāpyaitau nṛpaśreṣṭha cchedayānyānnagottamān prākāramātraṁ kuru me dvāragopurasaṁyutam

'Leaving these two as they are, O best of kings, and felling all the other trees, build for me only a rampart complete with gateway and tower.'

Verse 47 (skanda.2.10.47)

विमानं तु भवद्वंश्यो नाम्ना नारायणो नृपः । कारयिष्यति मद्भक्तः स्वर्णेनालंकरिष्यति ।

vimānaṁ tu bhavadvaṁśyo nāmnā nārāyaṇo nṛpaḥ kārayiṣyati madbhaktaḥ svarṇenālaṁkariṣyati

'But the vimana shall be built by a king of your own lineage, named Narayana, a devotee of mine yet to come, and he shall adorn it with gold.'

Verse 48 (skanda.2.10.48)

श्रीवराह उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा तोण्डमानं विरराम श्रियः पतिः ।

śrīvarāha uvāca evamuktvā toṇḍamānaṁ virarāma śriyaḥ patiḥ

Shri Varaha said: Having thus spoken to Tondaman, the husband of Shri fell silent.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.10.49)

एवं देववचः श्रुत्वा कृत्वा प्राकारमेव च । पूजयामास मुनिभिर्वैखानसकुलोद्भवैः ।

evaṁ devavacaḥ śrutvā kṛtvā prākārameva ca pūjayāmāsa munibhirvaikhānasakulodbhavaiḥ

Having heard the Lord's words, and having had the rampart built, the king had him worshipped by sages born in the Vaikhanasa lineage.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.10.50)

नित्यं बिलेन चागत्य देवं नत्वा नृपोत्तमः । राज्यं चकार धर्मेण भुंजानो भोगमुत्तमम् ।

nityaṁ bilena cāgatya devaṁ natvā nṛpottamaḥ rājyaṁ cakāra dharmeṇa bhuṁjāno bhogamuttamam

That excellent king, coming daily through the cave to bow before the Lord, ruled his kingdom righteously while enjoying the finest delights.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.10.51)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु दाक्षिणात्यो द्विजोत्तमः ।

etasminneva kāle tu dākṣiṇātyo dvijottamaḥ

At this very time, a most excellent brahmin from the southern country,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.10.52)

गंगास्नानाय गच्छन्वै सदारः प्रययौ पुरात् । मार्गेऽथ गर्भिणी जाता ब्राह्मणी ब्राह्मणः स च ।

gaṁgāsnānāya gacchanvai sadāraḥ prayayau purāt mārge'tha garbhiṇī jātā brāhmaṇī brāhmaṇaḥ sa ca

set out from his city with his wife to bathe in the Ganga. On the way, that brahmin lady became pregnant,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.10.53)

तां तु गर्भवतीं दृष्ट्वा स्वात्मानुगमनेऽक्षमाम् । राजानं द्रष्टुकामोऽसौ राजद्वारमुपागमत् ।

tāṁ tu garbhavatīṁ dṛṣṭvā svātmānugamane'kṣamām rājānaṁ draṣṭukāmo'sau rājadvāramupāgamat

and seeing her unable to continue the journey with him, the brahmin, wishing to see the king, came to the royal gate.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.10.54)

द्वाःस्थेनाज्ञापितो राजा तमाहूय द्विजोत्तमम् । पूजयित्वा तु विधिवत्पप्रच्छ कुशलं द्विजम् ।

dvāḥsthenājñāpito rājā tamāhūya dvijottamam pūjayitvā tu vidhivatpapraccha kuśalaṁ dvijam

Informed by the gatekeeper, the king summoned that excellent brahmin, and having duly honored him, asked after his welfare.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.10.55)

राजोवाच । किमागमनकृत्यं ते किं करिष्याम्यहं द्विज । ब्राह्मण उवाच । वासिष्ठो वीरशर्माहं सामवेदी नृपोत्तम ।

rājovāca kimāgamanakṛtyaṁ te kiṁ kariṣyāmyahaṁ dvija brāhmaṇa uvāca vāsiṣṭho vīraśarmāhaṁ sāmavedī nṛpottama

The king said: O brahmin, what is the purpose of your coming? What may I do for you? The brahmin said: O excellent king, I am Virasharma, of the Vasishtha lineage, a follower of the Samaveda.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.10.56)

सदारो निर्गतो राक्तगंगास्नानाय सादरः । मार्गे च गर्भिणी चेयं कौशिकी पुण्यशालिनी ।

sadāro nirgato rāktagaṁgāsnānāya sādaraḥ mārge ca garbhiṇī ceyaṁ kauśikī puṇyaśālinī

I set out reverently with my wife to bathe in the Ganga. On the way, this meritorious lady of the Kaushika lineage has become pregnant,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.10.57)

नाम्ना लक्ष्मीरिति ख्याता शीला च पतिव्रता । संस्थाप्यैनां तव गृहे व्रतं निर्वर्तयाम्यहम् ।

nāmnā lakṣmīriti khyātā śīlā ca pativratā saṁsthāpyaināṁ tava gṛhe vrataṁ nirvartayāmyaham

known by the name Lakshmi, virtuous and devoted to her husband. Leaving her in your household, I wish to complete my vow.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.10.58)

तस्माद्राजन्प्रयच्छास्यै यथेष्टं भक्तवेतने । तावच्च रक्ष्यतां लक्ष्मीर्यावदागमनं मम ।

tasmādrājanprayacchāsyai yatheṣṭaṁ bhaktavetane tāvacca rakṣyatāṁ lakṣmīryāvadāgamanaṁ mama

Therefore, O king, provide her whatever sustenance is fitting. Protect Lakshmi here until I return.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.10.59)

श्रीवराह उवाच । राजा तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तंडुलानि धनान्यपि । दत्त्वा षण्मासपर्यन्तं गृहमंतःपुरे ददौ ।

śrīvarāha uvāca rājā tasya vacaḥ śrutvā taṁḍulāni dhanānyapi dattvā ṣaṇmāsaparyantaṁ gṛhamaṁtaḥpure dadau

Shri Varaha said: The king, hearing his words, gave him rice and wealth, and provided a dwelling within the inner apartments for six months.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.10.60)

तां न्यस्य ब्राह्मणः प्रीतो गंगास्नानाय निर्ययौ । गत्वा भागीरथीं गंगां प्रयागे क्षेत्र उत्तमे ।

tāṁ nyasya brāhmaṇaḥ prīto gaṁgāsnānāya niryayau gatvā bhāgīrathīṁ gaṁgāṁ prayāge kṣetra uttame

Leaving her there, the pleased brahmin set out for the Ganga bath. Reaching the Bhagirathi Ganga, at the excellent tirtha of Prayaga,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.10.61)

स्नात्वा काशीं ततो गत्वा तत्रोषित्वा दिनत्रयम् । गयां प्राप्य पितृश्राद्धमकरोद्ब्राह्मणोत्तमः ।

snātvā kāśīṁ tato gatvā tatroṣitvā dinatrayam gayāṁ prāpya pitṛśrāddhamakarodbrāhmaṇottamaḥ

he bathed, then went to Kashi, stayed there three days, and, reaching Gaya, that excellent brahmin performed the shraddha rites for his ancestors.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.10.62)

गत्वायोध्यामपि पुरीं प्रययौ बदरीवनम् । सालग्रामं ततो गत्वा स्वदेशं प्रति निर्ययौ ।

gatvāyodhyāmapi purīṁ prayayau badarīvanam sālagrāmaṁ tato gatvā svadeśaṁ prati niryayau

He then went to the city of Ayodhya, on to Badarikashrama, and then to Salagrama, before setting out again toward his own country.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.10.63)

संवत्सरद्वयेऽतीते चैत्रे मासि शुभे दिने । निवृत्तोऽसौ द्विजश्रेष्ठः शनैरागत्य माधवे ।

saṁvatsaradvaye'tīte caitre māsi śubhe dine nivṛtto'sau dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ śanairāgatya mādhave

When two years had passed, on an auspicious day in the month of Chaitra, that excellent brahmin, returning slowly, arrived at Madhava's mountain,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.10.64)

एकादश्यां शुक्लपक्षे पुना राजानमाययौ । राजा तु विस्मृत्य तदा ब्राह्मणीं नास्मरन्नृपः ।

ekādaśyāṁ śuklapakṣe punā rājānamāyayau rājā tu vismṛtya tadā brāhmaṇīṁ nāsmarannṛpaḥ

and on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight came once more to the king. But the king, having forgotten everything, could no longer recall that brahmin lady at all.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.10.65)

ब्राह्मणी मानिनी गेहे मृता शुष्का बभूव ह । वीरशर्मा ततो विप्रो गंगातोयकरंडकम् ।

brāhmaṇī māninī gehe mṛtā śuṣkā babhūva ha vīraśarmā tato vipro gaṁgātoyakaraṁḍakam

That proud brahmin lady had died in that house and lain there, withered. Then the brahmin Virasharma, taking a vessel of Ganga water,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.10.66)

विमुच्य बन्धनं त्वेकं गंगांभःकरकं शुभम् । प्रादाय राज्ञे पप्रच्छ पत्नी कुशलिनीति मे ।

vimucya bandhanaṁ tvekaṁ gaṁgāṁbhaḥkarakaṁ śubham prādāya rājñe papraccha patnī kuśalinīti me

untied its one seal, and, offering that auspicious Ganga water to the king, asked, 'Is my wife well?'

Verse 67 (skanda.2.10.67)

स्मृत्वाथ राजा विप्रं तं स्थीयतामिति चाब्रवीत् । अन्तःपुरं ततो गत्वा तामपश्यन्मृतां गृहे ।

smṛtvātha rājā vipraṁ taṁ sthīyatāmiti cābravīt antaḥpuraṁ tato gatvā tāmapaśyanmṛtāṁ gṛhe

Then, remembering, the king said to the brahmin, 'Wait here.' Going then to the inner apartments, he found her dead in the house.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.10.68)

अनुक्त्वा ब्रह्मणे तस्मै प्रविश्य बिलमुत्तमम् । श्रीनृसिंहं नमस्कृत्य पुनः प्राप्य बिलोत्तमम् ।

anuktvā brahmaṇe tasmai praviśya bilamuttamam śrīnṛsiṁhaṁ namaskṛtya punaḥ prāpya bilottamam

Without telling the brahmin anything, the king entered the excellent cave, bowed to Shri Narasimha, and, reaching that excellent cave again,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.10.69)

श्रीनिवासं ययौ द्रष्टुं श्रीभूमिसहितं परम् । तं दृष्ट्वा सहसायांतं जुगूहाते धरारमे ।

śrīnivāsaṁ yayau draṣṭuṁ śrībhūmisahitaṁ param taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasāyāṁtaṁ jugūhāte dharārame

went to behold that supreme Srinivasa, together with Shri and Bhumi. Seeing him arrive suddenly, Dhara and Rama hid themselves,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.10.70)

प्रणमन्तमवोचत्तं किमकाले नृपागतः । नृपोऽवदत्प्रणम्येशं भीतोऽथ ब्राह्मणीं मृताम् ।

praṇamantamavocattaṁ kimakāle nṛpāgataḥ nṛpo'vadatpraṇamyeśaṁ bhīto'tha brāhmaṇīṁ mṛtām

and as he bowed, they asked him, 'Why has the king come at an unfitting hour?' The king, bowing to the Lord and afraid, then told of the brahmin lady's death.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.10.71)

तच्छ्रुत्वा देवदेवोऽपि मा भै राजन्द्विजोत्तमात् । आन्दोलिकां तामारोप्य स्त्रीभिः स्वाभिः समन्विताम् ।

tacchrutvā devadevo'pi mā bhai rājandvijottamāt āndolikāṁ tāmāropya strībhiḥ svābhiḥ samanvitām

Hearing this, the God of gods said, 'Fear not, O king, on the brahmin's account. Place this woman upon a palanquin, together with your own women,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.10.72)

मदालयात्पूर्वभागे द्वादश्यां स्नापय प्रभो । अस्थिनाम्नि सरस्यस्मिन्नपमृत्युनिवारणे ।

madālayātpūrvabhāge dvādaśyāṁ snāpaya prabho asthināmni sarasyasminnapamṛtyunivāraṇe

and on the twelfth day, bathe her east of my temple, O king, in the lake called Asthi, which wards off untimely death.'

Verse 73 (skanda.2.10.73)

प्राप्तजीवा समं स्त्रीभिर्ब्राह्मणेन च योक्ष्यते । शीघ्रं याहि नृपश्रेष्ठ यथोक्तं वचनं कुरु ।

prāptajīvā samaṁ strībhirbrāhmaṇena ca yokṣyate śīghraṁ yāhi nṛpaśreṣṭha yathoktaṁ vacanaṁ kuru

'Having regained life, she shall be reunited with the women and with that brahmin. Go quickly, O best of kings, and do as I have said.'

Verse 74 (skanda.2.10.74)

इति देववचः श्रुत्वा प्रययौ स्वपुरं नृपः । आन्दोलिकासु रम्यासु स्त्रिय आरोप्य तामपि ।

iti devavacaḥ śrutvā prayayau svapuraṁ nṛpaḥ āndolikāsu ramyāsu striya āropya tāmapi

Hearing the Lord's words, the king went to his own city. Placing the women in beautiful palanquins, and placing her too,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.10.75)

ब्राह्मणं च पुरस्कृत्य द्रष्टुं देवं ययौ नृपः । अस्थिकूटसरः प्राप्य स्नापयामास ताः स्त्रियः ।

brāhmaṇaṁ ca puraskṛtya draṣṭuṁ devaṁ yayau nṛpaḥ asthikūṭasaraḥ prāpya snāpayāmāsa tāḥ striyaḥ

and putting that brahmin at the head of the procession, the king set out to see the Lord. Reaching the Asthikuta lake, he had those women bathe there.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.10.76)

त्वगस्थिरूपा सा चापि ताभिः क्षिप्ता सरोवरे । प्राप्तजीवा यथापूर्वं सुव्यंजितशरीरजा ।

tvagasthirūpā sā cāpi tābhiḥ kṣiptā sarovare prāptajīvā yathāpūrvaṁ suvyaṁjitaśarīrajā

She too, reduced to mere skin and bone, was placed by them into that lake, and, just as before, with her form fully restored and beautiful, she regained her life,

Verse 77 (skanda.2.10.77)

उत्थिता सरसः स्नात्वा राज्ञीभिः सहमंगला । प्राप्ता च ब्राह्मणं प्रीता भर्तारं पुनरागतम् ।

utthitā sarasaḥ snātvā rājñībhiḥ sahamaṁgalā prāptā ca brāhmaṇaṁ prītā bhartāraṁ punarāgatam

and rose from the lake, bathed and auspicious together with the queens, and, filled with joy, was reunited with her husband, the brahmin, who had likewise returned.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.10.78)

राजा हरिं पूजयित्वा ब्राह्मणाय धनं ददौ । सहस्रनिष्कपर्यंतं वस्त्राणि विविधानि च ।

rājā hariṁ pūjayitvā brāhmaṇāya dhanaṁ dadau sahasraniṣkaparyaṁtaṁ vastrāṇi vividhāni ca

The king, having worshipped Hari, gave the brahmin wealth — up to a thousand gold coins, and various garments as well,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.10.79)

स्वदेशगमनायैव सादरं विससर्ज ह । विप्रः श्रुत्वा स्त्रियो वृत्तं प्रभावं वेंकटेशितुः ।

svadeśagamanāyaiva sādaraṁ visasarja ha vipraḥ śrutvā striyo vṛttaṁ prabhāvaṁ veṁkaṭeśituḥ

and reverently sent him off to return to his own country. The brahmin, having heard from the women the whole account of Venkateshwara's power,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.10.80)

आशीः प्रयुज्य राज्ञेऽथ स्वदेशं प्रययौ द्विजः । विप्रे गते श्रीनिवासो राजानं पुनरब्रवीत् ।

āśīḥ prayujya rājñe'tha svadeśaṁ prayayau dvijaḥ vipre gate śrīnivāso rājānaṁ punarabravīt

blessed the king and departed for his own land. After the brahmin had gone, Srinivasa spoke once more to the king—

Verse 81 (skanda.2.10.81)

दिनेदिने च मध्याह्ने नैवेद्यानेतरं नृप । आगत्य मामर्चयित्वा यथेष्टं स्वर्णपंकजैः ।

dinedine ca madhyāhne naivedyānetaraṁ nṛpa āgatya māmarcayitvā yatheṣṭaṁ svarṇapaṁkajaiḥ

'O king, each day at midday, bringing the offering yourself, and worshipping me to your heart's content with golden lotuses,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.10.82)

गत्वा पुरीं स्वधर्मेण राज्यं कुरु नराधिप । यद्यदिष्टं तव नृप भविष्यति न संशयः ।

gatvā purīṁ svadharmeṇa rājyaṁ kuru narādhipa yadyadiṣṭaṁ tava nṛpa bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

return to your city and rule righteously, O lord of men. Whatever you desire, O king, shall without doubt come to pass.'

Verse 83 (skanda.2.10.83)

नागंतव्यमकाले तु त्वया नृप कदाचन । एवं कालार्चनं कृत्वा गत्वा त्वं स्वपुरं वस ।

nāgaṁtavyamakāle tu tvayā nṛpa kadācana evaṁ kālārcanaṁ kṛtvā gatvā tvaṁ svapuraṁ vasa

'But you must never, O king, come here at an unfitting hour. Having thus worshipped at the appointed time, go and dwell in your own city.'

Verse 84 (skanda.2.10.84)

राजोवाच । तथा करिष्ये देवेश मध्याह्ने चार्चयाम्यहम् । इति देवाज्ञया नित्यमर्चयन्स्वर्णपंकजैः ।

rājovāca tathā kariṣye deveśa madhyāhne cārcayāmyaham iti devājñayā nityamarcayansvarṇapaṁkajaiḥ

The king said: O Lord of gods, I shall do just so; I shall worship only at midday. Thus, by the Lord's command, worshipping daily with golden lotuses,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.10.85)

तदूर्ध्वं तुलसीपुष्पं जात्त्वपश्यत्स मृण्मयम् ।

tadūrdhvaṁ tulasīpuṣpaṁ jāttvapaśyatsa mṛṇmayam

he then noticed, alongside the tulsi flowers, lotus-flowers made of clay lying there as well.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.10.86)

विस्मितो देवदेवेशमपृच्छन्नृपसत्तमः । राजोवाच । केनार्च्यसे मृन्मयैश्च कमलैस्तुलसीसमैः ।

vismito devadeveśamapṛcchannṛpasattamaḥ rājovāca kenārcyase mṛnmayaiśca kamalaistulasīsamaiḥ

Astonished, that excellent king asked the God of gods — the king said: Who worships you with these lotuses of clay, resembling tulsi?

Verse 87 (skanda.2.10.87)

राज्ञा पृष्टो देवदेवः स्मृत्वा राजानमब्रवीत् । कश्चित्कुलालो मद्भक्तः कुर्वग्रामे वसत्यसौ ।

rājñā pṛṣṭo devadevaḥ smṛtvā rājānamabravīt kaścitkulālo madbhaktaḥ kurvagrāme vasatyasau

Asked thus by the king, the God of gods, recalling, said to the king: 'There dwells in Kurvagrama a potter, a devotee of mine,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.10.88)

स्वगृहेऽर्चयते राजंस्तदंगीक्रियते मया । इति देववचः श्रुत्वा तं द्रष्टुं प्रययौ नृपः ।

svagṛhe'rcayate rājaṁstadaṁgīkriyate mayā iti devavacaḥ śrutvā taṁ draṣṭuṁ prayayau nṛpaḥ

who worships me in his own home, O king; and I accept his worship.' Hearing the Lord's words, the king set out to see him.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.10.89)

गत्वा कुर्वपुरं तस्य कुलालस्य गृहं ययौ । राजानमागतं दृष्ट्वा प्रणम्यैवाग्रतः स्थितः ।

gatvā kurvapuraṁ tasya kulālasya gṛhaṁ yayau rājānamāgataṁ dṛṣṭvā praṇamyaivāgrataḥ sthitaḥ

Going to Kurvapura, he reached that potter's house. Seeing the king arrive, the potter bowed and stood before him.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.10.90)

स्थितं तं भीमनामानं पप्रच्छ नृपसत्तमः । तोण्डमानुवाच । भीम पूजयसे देवं कथं वद कुलोत्तम ।

sthitaṁ taṁ bhīmanāmānaṁ papraccha nṛpasattamaḥ toṇḍamānuvāca bhīma pūjayase devaṁ kathaṁ vada kulottama

That excellent king asked that potter, named Bhima, standing there — Tondaman said: O Bhima, best of your craft, tell me, how do you worship the Lord?

Verse 91 (skanda.2.10.91)

श्रीवराह उवाच । पृष्टः प्राह कुलालोऽपि जातु जाने न चार्चनम् । केनोक्तं नृपतिश्रेष्ठ कुलालोऽर्चयतीति हि ।

śrīvarāha uvāca pṛṣṭaḥ prāha kulālo'pi jātu jāne na cārcanam kenoktaṁ nṛpatiśreṣṭha kulālo'rcayatīti hi

Shri Varaha said: Thus questioned, the potter too said, 'I have never known any such worship. Who told you, O excellent king, that this potter performs worship?'

Verse 92 (skanda.2.10.92)

तोण्डमानुवाच । देवेन श्रीनिवासेन ममोक्तं हि त्वदर्चनम् । स तु श्रुत्वा नृपवचः स्मृत्वा देववरं पुरा ।

toṇḍamānuvāca devena śrīnivāsena mamoktaṁ hi tvadarcanam sa tu śrutvā nṛpavacaḥ smṛtvā devavaraṁ purā

Tondaman said: It was the Lord Srinivasa himself who told me of your worship. Hearing the king's words, he then recalled the boon once granted him long ago by the Lord—

Verse 93 (skanda.2.10.93)

भीम उवाच । यदा प्रकाशिता पूजा यदा राजा समागतः । तोण्डमांस्तेन संवादस्तदा मोक्षं गमिष्यसि ।

bhīma uvāca yadā prakāśitā pūjā yadā rājā samāgataḥ toṇḍamāṁstena saṁvādastadā mokṣaṁ gamiṣyasi

Bhima said: '[The Lord had told me] — When your worship becomes known, and when the king himself comes, at that very meeting with Tondaman you shall attain liberation.'

Verse 94 (skanda.2.10.94)

इति पूर्वं वरं देवो दत्तवान्वेकटेश्वरः ।

iti pūrvaṁ varaṁ devo dattavānvekaṭeśvaraḥ

Thus had the Lord Venkateshwara already granted this boon long before.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.10.95)

इत्युक्त्वाथ कुलालोऽपि पत्न्या सार्धं तथैव च । विमानमागतं दृष्ट्वा देवं दृष्ट्वा जनार्दनम् ।

ityuktvātha kulālo'pi patnyā sārdhaṁ tathaiva ca vimānamāgataṁ dṛṣṭvā devaṁ dṛṣṭvā janārdanam

Having said this, the potter, together with his wife, that very moment, seeing the celestial chariot descend from the sky, and beholding the Lord Janardana directly before him,

Verse 96 (skanda.2.10.96)

प्रणमन्प्रजहौ प्राणान्सदारो भक्तसत्तमः । पश्यतो राजराजस्य विमानमधिरुह्य च ।

praṇamanprajahau prāṇānsadāro bhaktasattamaḥ paśyato rājarājasya vimānamadhiruhya ca

gave up his life-breath even as he bowed — that finest of devotees, together with his wife, before the very eyes of the king of kings, ascended the celestial chariot,

Verse 97 (skanda.2.10.97)

दिव्यरूपधरो देव्या सार्धं विष्णुपदं ययौ । दृष्ट्वा राजाद्भुतं तत्र स्वपुरं प्राप्य हर्षितः ।

divyarūpadharo devyā sārdhaṁ viṣṇupadaṁ yayau dṛṣṭvā rājādbhutaṁ tatra svapuraṁ prāpya harṣitaḥ

and, assuming a divine form, together with the goddess, departed for Vishnu's abode. Having witnessed this wonder there, the king, filled with joy, returned to his own city.

Verse 98 (skanda.2.10.98)

स्वपुत्रं श्रीनिवासाख्यमभिषिच्य विधानतः । परिपालय धर्मेण मानवांश्च वसुन्धराम् ।

svaputraṁ śrīnivāsākhyamabhiṣicya vidhānataḥ paripālaya dharmeṇa mānavāṁśca vasundharām

Duly consecrating his own son, who was named Srinivasa, [he told him]: 'Protect mankind and this earth righteously,'

Verse 99 (skanda.2.10.99)

इत्याज्ञाप्य सुतं धीमांस्तताप परमं तपः । तप्यतस्तस्य देवोऽपि प्रत्यक्षमभवद्धरिः ।

ityājñāpya sutaṁ dhīmāṁstatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ tapyatastasya devo'pi pratyakṣamabhavaddhariḥ

and, having thus instructed his son, that wise king took up the highest austerity. As he performed his tapas, the Lord Hari appeared visibly before him,

Verse 100 (skanda.2.10.100)

आरुह्य गरुडं देवो रमाभूमिसमन्वितः ।

āruhya garuḍaṁ devo ramābhūmisamanvitaḥ

the Lord, mounted upon Garuda, together with Rama and Bhumi.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.10.101)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । किं करोमि नृपश्रेष्ठ तपसा तोषितस्तव । इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन तोण्डमानपि राजराट् ।

śrībhagavānuvāca kiṁ karomi nṛpaśreṣṭha tapasā toṣitastava ityukto devadevena toṇḍamānapi rājarāṭ

Shri Bhagavan said: O best of kings, pleased by your austerity, what shall I do for you? Thus asked by the God of gods, Tondaman, that king of kings,

Verse 102 (skanda.2.10.102)

प्रीतिमान्प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा सगद्गदमुवाच ह । त्वल्लोके वस्तुमिच्छामि जरामरणवर्जिते ।

prītimānprāñjalirbhūtvā sagadgadamuvāca ha tvalloke vastumicchāmi jarāmaraṇavarjite

with a joyful heart, and joined palms, spoke in a choked voice — 'I wish to dwell forever in your world, free from old age and death.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.10.103)

इदमेव वरं देहि माधवैतन्ममेप्सितम् ।

idameva varaṁ dehi mādhavaitanmamepsitam

O Madhava, grant me only this boon; this alone is my desire.'

Verse 104 (skanda.2.10.104)

श्रीवराह उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा निपपातोर्व्यां साष्टांगं देवसन्निधौ । तदा कलेवरं मुक्त्वा विमानं त्वारुरोह च ।

śrīvarāha uvāca ityuktvā nipapātorvyāṁ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ devasannidhau tadā kalevaraṁ muktvā vimānaṁ tvāruroha ca

Shri Varaha said: Having said this, he fell prostrate upon the earth before the Lord in full obeisance; and at that very moment, casting off his body, he ascended the celestial chariot,

Verse 105 (skanda.2.10.105)

गन्धर्वैः स्तूयमानोऽसौ सारूप्यं प्राप्य शार्ङ्गिणः । यच्छोकमोहहतं जरामरणवर्जितम् ।

gandharvaiḥ stūyamāno'sau sārūpyaṁ prāpya śārṅgiṇaḥ yacchokamohahataṁ jarāmaraṇavarjitam

praised by the Gandharvas, and, attaining the very form of the wielder of the Sharnga bow, free from grief and delusion, released from old age and death,

Verse 106 (skanda.2.10.106)

पुनरावृत्तिरहितं तद्विष्णोः पदमाययौ ।

punarāvṛttirahitaṁ tadviṣṇoḥ padamāyayau

reached that abode of Vishnu, from which there is no return.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.10.107)

अथैतन्माहात्म्यश्रवणपठनफलश्रुतिः । एतद्भविष्यं देवेशि मयोक्तं वरवर्णिनि । यः श्रावयेद्यः शृणुयाद्विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ।

athaitanmāhātmyaśravaṇapaṭhanaphalaśrutiḥ etadbhaviṣyaṁ deveśi mayoktaṁ varavarṇini yaḥ śrāvayedyaḥ śṛṇuyādviṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Now hear the fruit of hearing and reciting this account of things to come — O goddess, O fairest one, I have told you this future event; whoever relates it to others, or whoever hears it, attains the world of Vishnu.

Verse 108 (skanda.2.10.108)

श्रीसूत उवाच । इत्युक्तं देवदेवेन सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम् । शृणुयाद्यः पठेद्भक्त्या कथां पुण्यां पुरातनीम् ।

śrīsūta uvāca ityuktaṁ devadevena sabhaviṣyaṁ sahottaram śṛṇuyādyaḥ paṭhedbhaktyā kathāṁ puṇyāṁ purātanīm

Shri Suta said: This account, thus spoken by the God of gods together with the future and its answer — whoever hears or recites this sacred, ancient story with devotion,

Verse 109 (skanda.2.10.109)

स तु भुक्त्वाखिलान्कामानन्ते विष्णुपदं व्रजेत् ।

sa tu bhuktvākhilānkāmānante viṣṇupadaṁ vrajet

having enjoyed all desired pleasures, attains in the end the abode of Vishnu.