The Procedure of the Kartika Bath

Verse 1 (skanda.2.101.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नाडीद्वयावशिष्टायां रात्र्यां गच्छेज्जलाशयम् । तुलसीमृत्तिकायुक्तः सवस्त्रकलशो मुने

brahmovāca nāḍīdvayāvaśiṣṭāyāṁ rātryāṁ gacchejjalāśayam tulasīmṛttikāyuktaḥ savastrakalaśo mune

Brahma said: When two nadikas of the night remain, one should go to a body of water, taking tulasi, clay, a water-pot, and a cloth, O sage.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.101.2)

आगत्य तोयनिकटे तीरे संस्थाप्य पात्रकम् । पादप्रक्षालनं कृत्वा देशकालादि चोच्चरेत्

āgatya toyanikaṭe tīre saṁsthāpya pātrakam pādaprakṣālanaṁ kṛtvā deśakālādi coccaret

Having arrived near the water and placed the vessel on the bank, and having washed one's feet, one should pronounce the ritual formula of place and time.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.101.3)

स्मरेद्गंगादिका नद्यो विष्णुशर्वादिदेवताः । नाभिमात्रे जले स्थित्वा मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत्

smaredgaṁgādikā nadyo viṣṇuśarvādidevatāḥ nābhimātre jale sthitvā maṁtrametamudīrayet

One should call to mind the Ganga and other rivers, and Vishnu, Shiva, and the other deities; standing in water up to the navel, one should recite this mantra:

Verse 4 (skanda.2.101.4)

कार्तिकेऽहं करिष्यामि प्रातःस्नानं जनार्दन । प्रीत्यर्थं तव देवेश दामोदर मया सह

kārtike'haṁ kariṣyāmi prātaḥsnānaṁ janārdana prītyarthaṁ tava deveśa dāmodara mayā saha

'In Kartika I shall perform the morning bath, O Janardana, for your pleasure, O lord of gods, O Damodara, together with —

Verse 5 (skanda.2.101.5)

नित्ये नैमित्तिके कृत्वा कार्तिके पापनाशन । स्नानं चार्घं प्रदास्यामि निर्विघ्नं कुरु केशव

nitye naimittike kṛtvā kārtike pāpanāśana snānaṁ cārghaṁ pradāsyāmi nirvighnaṁ kuru keśava

— having performed the daily and occasional rites in Kartika, O destroyer of sin, I shall offer bathing and the water-oblation; make it free of obstacles, O Keshava.'

Verse 6 (skanda.2.101.6)

तीर्थादिदेवताभ्यश्च क्रमादर्घ्यादि दापयेत् । गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं राधया सहितो हरे

tīrthādidevatābhyaśca kramādarghyādi dāpayet gṛhāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ rādhayā sahito hare

Then one should offer the water-oblation in order to the tirthas and other deities: 'Accept, O Hari, together with Radha, the oblation given by me;'

Verse 7 (skanda.2.101.7)

नमः कमलनाभाय नमस्ते जलशायिने । नमस्तेऽस्तु हृषीकेश गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तु ते

namaḥ kamalanābhāya namaste jalaśāyine namaste'stu hṛṣīkeśa gṛhāṇārghyaṁ namo'stu te

'salutation to the lotus-naveled one, salutation to you who lie upon the waters; salutation to you, O Hrishikesha; accept this oblation, salutation to you.'

Verse 8 (skanda.2.101.8)

व्रतिनः कार्तिके मासि स्नातस्य विधिवन्मम । गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं दनुजेंद्रनिषूदन

vratinaḥ kārtike māsi snātasya vidhivanmama gṛhāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ danujeṁdraniṣūdana

'Accept, O slayer of the lords of demons, this oblation given by me, a vow-observer who has duly bathed in the month of Kartika.'

Verse 9 (skanda.2.101.9)

किरणा धूतपापा च पुण्यतोया सरस्वती । गंगा च यमुना चैव पंचनद्यः पुनंतु माम्

kiraṇā dhūtapāpā ca puṇyatoyā sarasvatī gaṁgā ca yamunā caiva paṁcanadyaḥ punaṁtu mām

'May Kirana, Dhutapapa, the sacred-watered Sarasvati, the Ganga, and the Yamuna — these five rivers — purify me.'

Verse 10 (skanda.2.101.10)

अन्यासां च नदीनां च दद्यादर्घ्यं यथाविधि । जाह्नवीस्मरणं कुर्यात्सर्वतीर्थेषु मानवः

anyāsāṁ ca nadīnāṁ ca dadyādarghyaṁ yathāvidhi jāhnavīsmaraṇaṁ kuryātsarvatīrtheṣu mānavaḥ

He should also offer the oblation, according to rule, to other rivers. A man should call the Ganga to mind at every sacred ford,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.101.11)

नान्यत्तीर्थं तु जाह्नव्यां स्मरणीयं कदाचन । एतान्मंत्रान्समुच्चार्य मलस्नानं समाचरेत्

nānyattīrthaṁ tu jāhnavyāṁ smaraṇīyaṁ kadācana etānmaṁtrānsamuccārya malasnānaṁ samācaret

but no other tirtha should ever be recalled while bathing in the Ganga. Having recited these mantras, one should perform the cleansing bath,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.101.12)

मृत्स्नानं च पितृस्नानं गुरुस्नानं ततः परम् । ततस्तु पावमानीभिरभिषिंचेत्स्वमस्तकम्

mṛtsnānaṁ ca pitṛsnānaṁ gurusnānaṁ tataḥ param tatastu pāvamānībhirabhiṣiṁcetsvamastakam

then the bath with clay, the bath for the ancestors, and thereafter the bath for the guru; then one should sprinkle water on one's own head while reciting the Pavamani verses.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.101.13)

अघमर्षणकं कृत्वा स्नानांगं तर्पणं तथा । ततः पुरुषसूक्तेन जलं शिरसि सिंचयेत्

aghamarṣaṇakaṁ kṛtvā snānāṁgaṁ tarpaṇaṁ tathā tataḥ puruṣasūktena jalaṁ śirasi siṁcayet

Having recited the Aghamarshana hymn, and the tarpana that is part of the bath, one should then sprinkle water on the head with the Purusha-sukta.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.101.14)

ततस्तु बहिरागत्य तीर्थं शिरसि निक्षिपेत् । तीर्थं पीत्वा त्रिवारं तु तुलसीं गृह्य पाणिना

tatastu bahirāgatya tīrthaṁ śirasi nikṣipet tīrthaṁ pītvā trivāraṁ tu tulasīṁ gṛhya pāṇinā

Then, coming out, one should place the sacred water upon the head; having sipped the sacred water three times, and taking tulasi in the hand,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.101.15)

ततो जलाद्विनिष्क्रम्य चांचलं पीडयेद्बहिः । यन्मया दूषितं तोयं शारीरमलसंचयैः

tato jalādviniṣkramya cāṁcalaṁ pīḍayedbahiḥ yanmayā dūṣitaṁ toyaṁ śārīramalasaṁcayaiḥ

then, coming out of the water, one should wring out the edge of one's garment outside: 'Whatever water has been defiled by me through my bodily impurities —'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.101.16)

तद्दोषपरिहारार्थं यक्ष्मणं तर्पयाम्यहम् । वस्त्रनिष्पीडनं कृत्वा कुर्याच्च तिलकादिकम्

taddoṣaparihārārthaṁ yakṣmaṇaṁ tarpayāmyaham vastraniṣpīḍanaṁ kṛtvā kuryācca tilakādikam

'— for the removal of that fault, I offer this libation to the disease Yakshma.' Having wrung out the garment, one should then apply the tilaka mark and the rest.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.101.17)

सूत उवाच । शृणुध्वमृषयः सर्वे कार्तिकस्नानजं फलम् । अरुणं प्रति सूर्येण यदुक्तं च सविस्तरम्

sūta uvāca śṛṇudhvamṛṣayaḥ sarve kārtikasnānajaṁ phalam aruṇaṁ prati sūryeṇa yaduktaṁ ca savistaram

Suta said: Hear now, all you sages, the fruit born of the Kartika bath, which the Sun told Aruna in detail.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.101.18)

अरुण उवाच । कस्मिंस्तीर्थे विशेषेण फलं कार्तिकसंभवम् । क्षेत्रे वा एतदाऽऽख्याहि भगवन्स्नानयोगतः

aruṇa uvāca kasmiṁstīrthe viśeṣeṇa phalaṁ kārtikasaṁbhavam kṣetre vā etadā''khyāhi bhagavansnānayogataḥ

Aruna said: At which tirtha, or in which sacred field, does the fruit born of Kartika bathing become especially great, O Lord? Tell me this.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.101.19)

सूर्य उवाच । यत्र कुत्राऽपि कर्तव्यं जले स्नानं तु कार्तिकं । उष्णोदकेन कर्तव्यं स्नानं कुत्राऽपि कार्तिके

sūrya uvāca yatra kutrā'pi kartavyaṁ jale snānaṁ tu kārtikaṁ uṣṇodakena kartavyaṁ snānaṁ kutrā'pi kārtike

Surya said: The Kartika bath should be performed in water anywhere at all; but the bath in Kartika should never be performed with warm water, anywhere.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.101.20)

ततो दशगुणं पुण्यं शीततोयनिमज्जनात् । ततः शतगुणं पुण्यं बहिः कूपोदके कृतम्

tato daśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ śītatoyanimajjanāt tataḥ śataguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ bahiḥ kūpodake kṛtam

Ten times the merit comes from immersion in cold water; a hundred times the merit is obtained from bathing in a well outside one's home.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.101.21)

कूपात्सहस्रगुणितं फलं वापीनिषेकतः । ततोऽयुतगुणं पुण्यं तडागस्नानतो भवेत्

kūpātsahasraguṇitaṁ phalaṁ vāpīniṣekataḥ tato'yutaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ taḍāgasnānato bhavet

A thousand times the fruit of the well comes from bathing in a stepped tank; ten thousand times that merit arises from bathing in a large pond.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.101.22)

ततो दशगुणं पुण्यं निर्झरेषु निमज्जनात् । ततोऽधिकतरं पुण्यं नदीस्नानस्य कार्तिके

tato daśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ nirjhareṣu nimajjanāt tato'dhikataraṁ puṇyaṁ nadīsnānasya kārtike

Ten times greater than that is the merit from immersion in mountain streams; and yet greater merit belongs to bathing in a river in Kartika.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.101.23)

नद्या दशगुणं प्रोक्तं तीर्थस्नानं खगोत्तम । ततो दशगुणं पुण्यं नद्योर्यत्र च संगमः

nadyā daśaguṇaṁ proktaṁ tīrthasnānaṁ khagottama tato daśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ nadyoryatra ca saṁgamaḥ

O best of birds, bathing at a sacred tirtha on a river is said to be ten times more; ten times greater merit still is where two rivers meet,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.101.24)

नदीत्रयस्य संयोगे पुण्यस्यांऽतो न विद्यते । सिंधुः कृष्णा च वेणी च यमुना च सरस्वती

nadītrayasya saṁyoge puṇyasyāṁ'to na vidyate siṁdhuḥ kṛṣṇā ca veṇī ca yamunā ca sarasvatī

and at the confluence of three rivers, the merit has no limit at all. The Sindhu, the Krishna, the Veni, the Yamuna, the Sarasvati,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.101.25)

गोदावरी विपाशा च नर्मदा तमसा मही । कावेरी शरयूः शिप्रा तथा चर्मण्वती नदी

godāvarī vipāśā ca narmadā tamasā mahī kāverī śarayūḥ śiprā tathā carmaṇvatī nadī

the Godavari, the Vipasha, the Narmada, the Tamasa, the Mahi, the Kaveri, the Sarayu, the Shipra, and the river Charmanvati,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.101.26)

वितस्ता वेदिका शोणो वेत्रवत्यपराजिता । गंडकी गोमती पूर्णा ब्रह्मपुत्रा सरोवरम्

vitastā vedikā śoṇo vetravatyaparājitā gaṁḍakī gomatī pūrṇā brahmaputrā sarovaram

the Vitasta, the Vedika, the Shona, the Vetravati, the Aparajita, the Gandaki, the Gomati, the Purna, the Brahmaputra, and the Manasa lake,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.101.27)

वाग्मती च शतद्रुश्च तथा बदरिकाश्रमः । दुर्लभाः कार्तिके त्वेते तीर्थान्यथ निबोध मे

vāgmatī ca śatadruśca tathā badarikāśramaḥ durlabhāḥ kārtike tvete tīrthānyatha nibodha me

the Vagmati, and the Shatadru, and likewise Badarikashrama — these tirthas are hard to attain in Kartika; now learn of others from me.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.101.28)

सर्वेभ्यश्च स्थलेभ्यश्च आर्यावर्तं तु पुण्यदम् । कोल्हापुरी ततः श्रेष्ठा ततः कांचीद्वयं स्मृतम्

sarvebhyaśca sthalebhyaśca āryāvartaṁ tu puṇyadam kolhāpurī tataḥ śreṣṭhā tataḥ kāṁcīdvayaṁ smṛtam

Of all places, Aryavarta bestows merit; more excellent than that is Kolhapuri; and more excellent still than that, the two cities of Kanchi are remembered;

Verse 29 (skanda.2.101.29)

अनंतसेनवसतिर्वराहक्षेत्रमेव च । चक्रक्षेत्रं ततः पुण्यं मुक्तिक्षेत्रं ततोऽधिकम्

anaṁtasenavasatirvarāhakṣetrameva ca cakrakṣetraṁ tataḥ puṇyaṁ muktikṣetraṁ tato'dhikam

then the abode of Anantasena, and the field of Varaha; more meritorious than that is Chakra-kshetra, and yet more, Mukti-kshetra;

Verse 30 (skanda.2.101.30)

अवंतिका ततः श्रेष्ठा ततो बदरिकाश्रमः । अयोध्या च ततः श्रेष्ठा गंगाद्वारं ततोऽधिकम्

avaṁtikā tataḥ śreṣṭhā tato badarikāśramaḥ ayodhyā ca tataḥ śreṣṭhā gaṁgādvāraṁ tato'dhikam

more excellent than that is Avantika, then Badarikashrama; more excellent than that is Ayodhya, and yet more, Gangadvara;

Verse 31 (skanda.2.101.31)

ततः कनखलं तीर्थं ततो मधुपुरी वरा । एकोऽपि कार्तिको मासो मथुरायमुनाजले

tataḥ kanakhalaṁ tīrthaṁ tato madhupurī varā eko'pi kārtiko māso mathurāyamunājale

then the tirtha of Kanakhala, and after that the excellent Madhupuri (Mathura). Even one month of Kartika spent in the waters of the Yamuna at Mathura —

Verse 32 (skanda.2.101.32)

यैः स्नातस्ते तु वैकुंठे बहुकालं वसंति हि । राधादामोदरस्तत्र स्वयं स्नातस्तु कार्तिके

yaiḥ snātaste tu vaikuṁṭhe bahukālaṁ vasaṁti hi rādhādāmodarastatra svayaṁ snātastu kārtike

those who have bathed there dwell for a long time in Vaikuntha; for there, Radha-Damodara himself bathes in Kartika.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.101.33)

अतो मधुपुरी श्रेष्ठा यमुना च विशेषतः । द्वारावती ततः श्रेष्ठा प्रत्यहं स्नाति केशवः । षोडशस्त्रीसहस्रेण सार्द्धं यादवसंयुतः

ato madhupurī śreṣṭhā yamunā ca viśeṣataḥ dvārāvatī tataḥ śreṣṭhā pratyahaṁ snāti keśavaḥ ṣoḍaśastrīsahasreṇa sārddhaṁ yādavasaṁyutaḥ

Therefore Madhupuri is excellent, and the Yamuna especially so; more excellent than that is Dvaravati, where Keshava bathes every day with his sixteen thousand queens and the Yadavas.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.101.34)

द्वारकायां मृत्तिकायास्तिलको येन मस्तके । धार्यतेऽसौ नरो ज्ञेयो जीवन्मुक्तो न संशयः । द्वारकास्नानमाहात्म्यं न वक्तुं शक्यते मया

dvārakāyāṁ mṛttikāyāstilako yena mastake dhāryate'sau naro jñeyo jīvanmukto na saṁśayaḥ dvārakāsnānamāhātmyaṁ na vaktuṁ śakyate mayā

That man on whose forehead the tilaka mark of Dvaraka's clay is worn is to be known as liberated while living, without doubt; the greatness of bathing at Dvaraka cannot be told even by me.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.101.35)

गोविंदार्पितचित्तानां जायते पुण्यभास्करा । ततो भागीरथी श्रेष्ठा यत्र विंध्येन संगता

goviṁdārpitacittānāṁ jāyate puṇyabhāskarā tato bhāgīrathī śreṣṭhā yatra viṁdhyena saṁgatā

For those whose minds are offered to Govinda, a sun of merit arises. More excellent than that is the Bhagirathi where it joins the Vindhya,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.101.36)

तस्माद्दशगुणं पुण्यं तीर्थराजेऽत्र जायते । कलौ दशसहस्रांऽते विष्णुस्त्यक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् । तदर्द्धं जाह्नवीतोयं तदर्धं देवतागणाः

tasmāddaśaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ tīrtharāje'tra jāyate kalau daśasahasrāṁ'te viṣṇustyakṣyati medinīm tadarddhaṁ jāhnavītoyaṁ tadardhaṁ devatāgaṇāḥ

and ten times more merit than that arises at this King of Tirthas. At the end of ten thousand years of the Kali age, Vishnu will leave the earth; half will remain in the Ganga's waters, half among the hosts of the gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.101.37)

यावत्तिष्ठति गंगाऽत्र तावत्तीर्थानि संति च । स्वस्वस्थाने नृणां पापं तावदेव हरंति च

yāvattiṣṭhati gaṁgā'tra tāvattīrthāni saṁti ca svasvasthāne nṛṇāṁ pāpaṁ tāvadeva haraṁti ca

As long as the Ganga remains here, so long do the sacred fords exist; only for that long do they remove the sins of men in their respective places.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.101.38)

यदैव गंगा नष्टा स्यात्को वा तत्पापमाहरेत् । विचार्यैवं सुतीर्थानि गमिष्यंति धरातले

yadaiva gaṁgā naṣṭā syātko vā tatpāpamāharet vicāryaivaṁ sutīrthāni gamiṣyaṁti dharātale

When the Ganga is gone, who then will take away that sin? Reflecting thus, the good tirthas will likewise depart from the surface of the earth.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.101.39)

तस्मान्मुनीश्वराः सर्वे यावत्तिष्ठति जाह्नवी । तावच्च क्रियतां धर्मस्ततो भूमौ निलीयताम्

tasmānmunīśvarāḥ sarve yāvattiṣṭhati jāhnavī tāvacca kriyatāṁ dharmastato bhūmau nilīyatām

Therefore, O all you lords of sages, as long as the Ganga remains, so long should dharma be practiced; after that, it will sink into the earth.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.101.40)

समाधिं गृह्य सुदृढां यावत्कृतयुगं भवेत् । अन्यथा कलिकालेन भ्रंशनीयो भवेत्सुधीः

samādhiṁ gṛhya sudṛḍhāṁ yāvatkṛtayugaṁ bhavet anyathā kalikālena bhraṁśanīyo bhavetsudhīḥ

One should take up firm meditative resolve, as though it were the Krita age; otherwise, the wise man will surely be made to fall by the power of the Kali age.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.101.41)

ततः श्रेष्ठतरा काशी यस्या नाशो न जायते । यदाश्रयेण गंगापि सर्वपापं व्यपोहति

tataḥ śreṣṭhatarā kāśī yasyā nāśo na jāyate yadāśrayeṇa gaṁgāpi sarvapāpaṁ vyapohati

More excellent still than that is Kashi, whose destruction never comes to pass; by taking refuge in which, even the Ganga removes all sin.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.101.42)

काशिकाया नैव नाशो ब्रह्मण्यपि मृते सति । यद्दर्शनार्थं गंगाऽपि जाता चोत्तरवाहिनी । तस्यां पंचनदं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्

kāśikāyā naiva nāśo brahmaṇyapi mṛte sati yaddarśanārthaṁ gaṁgā'pi jātā cottaravāhinī tasyāṁ paṁcanadaṁ tīrthaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam

Kashi indeed knows no destruction, even should Brahma himself die. For the sake of seeing it, the Ganga herself became a north-flowing stream; and in it lies the tirtha Panchanada, renowned in all three worlds.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.101.43)

आगते कार्तिके मासि रौरवं नरकं गताः । आक्रोशंते तु पितरो वंशेऽस्माकं भविष्यति

āgate kārtike māsi rauravaṁ narakaṁ gatāḥ ākrośaṁte tu pitaro vaṁśe'smākaṁ bhaviṣyati

When the month of Kartika comes, the ancestors who have gone to Raurava hell cry out: 'In our lineage there will surely be —'

Verse 44 (skanda.2.101.44)

कश्चिद्भाग्यवतां श्रेष्ठो गत्वा पंचनदे शुभे । अस्माकं तर्पणं कुर्यान्नरकार्णवतारकम्

kaścidbhāgyavatāṁ śreṣṭho gatvā paṁcanade śubhe asmākaṁ tarpaṇaṁ kuryānnarakārṇavatārakam

'— some fortunate, excellent person who, going to the auspicious Panchanada, will perform libations for us, ferrying us across the ocean of hell.'

Verse 45 (skanda.2.101.45)

तीर्थराजादितीर्थानि प्राप्ते कार्तिकमासके । स्नानार्थं पञ्चगंगं तु समायांति न संशयः

tīrtharājāditīrthāni prāpte kārtikamāsake snānārthaṁ pañcagaṁgaṁ tu samāyāṁti na saṁśayaḥ

When the month of Kartika arrives, the tirthas beginning with the King of Tirthas themselves come to Panchaganga to bathe — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.101.46)

कृत्वा तु लक्षपापानि स्नात्वा पंचनदे शुभे । बिंदुमाधवमभ्यर्च्य विलयं यांति तत्क्षणात्

kṛtvā tu lakṣapāpāni snātvā paṁcanade śubhe biṁdumādhavamabhyarcya vilayaṁ yāṁti tatkṣaṇāt

Even having committed a hundred thousand sins, by bathing in the auspicious Panchanada and worshipping Bindu-Madhava, they are dissolved in that very instant.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.101.47)

यैः स्नातं कार्तिके मासि सकृत्पंचनदे शुभे । सर्वतीर्थकृतास्नानात्फलं कोटिगुणं भवेत्

yaiḥ snātaṁ kārtike māsi sakṛtpaṁcanade śubhe sarvatīrthakṛtāsnānātphalaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

For those who have bathed even once at the auspicious Panchanada in the month of Kartika, the fruit becomes a crore times greater than that obtained from bathing at all other tirthas.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.101.48)

ब्रह्मोवाच । कार्तिके मासि कावेर्य्यां यः स्नानं कर्तुमिच्छति । तावता वै विमुक्ताऽघो विष्णुसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्

brahmovāca kārtike māsi kāveryyāṁ yaḥ snānaṁ kartumicchati tāvatā vai vimuktā'gho viṣṇusāyujyamāpnuyāt

Brahma said: Whoever desires to bathe in the Kaveri in the month of Kartika, by that very act alone, freed from sin, attains union with Vishnu.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.101.49)

कावेर्य्याश्चैव माहात्म्यं को वदेत्परमुत्तमम् । अत्र ते वर्णयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्

kāveryyāścaiva māhātmyaṁ ko vadetparamuttamam atra te varṇayiṣyāmi itihāsaṁ purātanam

Who could tell the supreme, most excellent greatness of the Kaveri? Here I shall relate to you an ancient story.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.101.50)

कावेर्या विषये ब्रह्मन्सावधानमनाः शृणु । गौतम्या उत्तरे तीरे विष्णुपादाब्जसंभवा

kāveryā viṣaye brahmansāvadhānamanāḥ śṛṇu gautamyā uttare tīre viṣṇupādābjasaṁbhavā

O Brahman, listen with an attentive mind to the matter of the Kaveri. On the northern bank of the Godavari, born of the lotus foot of Vishnu —

Verse 51 (skanda.2.101.51)

गंगा त्रैलोक्यपापघ्नी वर्तते लोकपूजिता । सा गंगा चिंतयामास कदाचित्पापशंकिता

gaṁgā trailokyapāpaghnī vartate lokapūjitā sā gaṁgā ciṁtayāmāsa kadācitpāpaśaṁkitā

— the Ganga, destroyer of the sins of the three worlds, worshipped by the world, dwells there. That Ganga once, fearing sin, reflected thus:

Verse 52 (skanda.2.101.52)

सर्वलोकाः समागत्य मयि पापं त्यजंति हि । तत्पापं तु कथं गच्छेदिति चिन्तापरा तदा

sarvalokāḥ samāgatya mayi pāpaṁ tyajaṁti hi tatpāpaṁ tu kathaṁ gacchediti cintāparā tadā

'All the worlds come and cast their sin upon me — but how might that sin depart?' Thus anxious, she then

Verse 53 (skanda.2.101.53)

प्रष्टुं जगाम कैलासं गिरिजावल्लभं भवम् । तत्र दृष्ट्वा महारुद्रं प्रोवाच हरिपादजा

praṣṭuṁ jagāma kailāsaṁ girijāvallabhaṁ bhavam tatra dṛṣṭvā mahārudraṁ provāca haripādajā

went to Kailasa to ask Shiva, the beloved of Girija; and there, seeing the Great Rudra, she who was born from Hari's foot spoke:

Verse 54 (skanda.2.101.54)

गङ्गोवाच । महारुद्र नमस्तेऽस्तु त्वां प्रष्टुमहमागता । सर्वे लोकाः समागत्य मयि पापं त्यजंति हि

gaṅgovāca mahārudra namaste'stu tvāṁ praṣṭumahamāgatā sarve lokāḥ samāgatya mayi pāpaṁ tyajaṁti hi

Ganga said: 'O Great Rudra, salutations to you; I have come to ask you something. All the worlds come and cast their sin upon me —'

Verse 55 (skanda.2.101.55)

तत्पापं तु मया सोढुं न शक्यं पार्वतीपते । येनोपायेन तत्पापं नाऽऽगच्छेन्मम तद्वद

tatpāpaṁ tu mayā soḍhuṁ na śakyaṁ pārvatīpate yenopāyena tatpāpaṁ nā''gacchenmama tadvada

'— and I am unable to bear that sin, O lord of Parvati. Tell me the means by which that sin might not come upon me.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.101.56)

एवं गंगावचः श्रुत्वा प्रत्याह परमेश्वरः । रुद्र उवाच । पापनिर्हरणायादौ पद्मनाभांघ्रिपंकजात्

evaṁ gaṁgāvacaḥ śrutvā pratyāha parameśvaraḥ rudra uvāca pāpanirharaṇāyādau padmanābhāṁghripaṁkajāt

Having heard Ganga's words thus, the Supreme Lord replied. Rudra said: 'For the removal of sin — first, from the lotus foot of Padmanabha —'

Verse 57 (skanda.2.101.57)

प्रादुर्भूताऽसि त्वं देवि किमर्थं तप्यते त्वया । पापप्रहाराऽऽधिपत्यं कल्पितं तव विष्णुना

prādurbhūtā'si tvaṁ devi kimarthaṁ tapyate tvayā pāpaprahārā''dhipatyaṁ kalpitaṁ tava viṣṇunā

'— you, O goddess, were manifested. Why do you torment yourself? The very authority to destroy sin was granted to you by Vishnu himself.'

Verse 58 (skanda.2.101.58)

तथाऽपि पापनिर्हार उपायं ते ब्रवीम्यहम् । कवेश्च तनया देवी कावेरी सरितां वरा

tathā'pi pāpanirhāra upāyaṁ te bravīmyaham kaveśca tanayā devī kāverī saritāṁ varā

'Nevertheless, I shall tell you a means for the removal of sin. The goddess Kaveri, daughter of the sage Kavi, is the best among rivers;'

Verse 59 (skanda.2.101.59)

सर्वोत्कृष्टा च सर्वेषां हरेर्बलवशात्तु सा । सर्वपापप्रहरणे सामर्थ्यं तत्र वर्तते

sarvotkṛṣṭā ca sarveṣāṁ harerbalavaśāttu sā sarvapāpapraharaṇe sāmarthyaṁ tatra vartate

'she is the most excellent of all, by the very power of Hari; the capacity to destroy every sin resides in her.'

Verse 60 (skanda.2.101.60)

कार्तिके मासि कावेर्यां यः स्नानं कुरुते नरः । स तु पापविनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णोः परं पदम्

kārtike māsi kāveryāṁ yaḥ snānaṁ kurute naraḥ sa tu pāpavinirmukto yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam

'The man who bathes in the Kaveri in the month of Kartika, freed from sin, attains the supreme abode of Vishnu.'

Verse 61 (skanda.2.101.61)

तस्मात्तां गच्छ देवि त्वं ततः पापाद्विमोक्ष्यसे । इत्युक्ता सा तदागच्छत्कावेरीं पापहारिणीम्

tasmāttāṁ gaccha devi tvaṁ tataḥ pāpādvimokṣyase ityuktā sā tadāgacchatkāverīṁ pāpahāriṇīm

'Therefore, O goddess, go to her, and you shall be freed from sin.' Thus addressed, she then went to the Kaveri, remover of sin.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.101.62)

तज्जलस्पर्शमात्रेण कार्तिके विष्णुपादजा । निर्धूतपातका गंगा जगाम स्वनिकेतनम्

tajjalasparśamātreṇa kārtike viṣṇupādajā nirdhūtapātakā gaṁgā jagāma svaniketanam

By the mere touch of that water, in Kartika, Ganga, born of Vishnu's foot, her sins washed away, returned to her own abode.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.101.63)

कार्तिके प्रतिवर्षं तु गंगा त्रैलोक्यपावनीम् । स्नातुं भक्त्या समायाति कावेरीं पापहारिणीम्

kārtike prativarṣaṁ tu gaṁgā trailokyapāvanīm snātuṁ bhaktyā samāyāti kāverīṁ pāpahāriṇīm

Every year in Kartika, the Ganga, purifier of the three worlds, comes with devotion to bathe in the Kaveri, remover of sin.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.101.64)

तज्जलस्पर्शमात्रेण कार्तिके विष्णुपादजा । निर्धूतपातका गंगा जगाम स्वनिकेतनम्

tajjalasparśamātreṇa kārtike viṣṇupādajā nirdhūtapātakā gaṁgā jagāma svaniketanam

By the mere touch of that water, in Kartika, Ganga, born of Vishnu's foot, her sins washed away, returned to her own abode.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.101.65)

तस्माच्छस्तं तुलास्नानं कावेर्य्यां शस्यते बुधैः । यः कावेर्यां तुलास्नानं भक्त्या तु कुरुते मुने

tasmācchastaṁ tulāsnānaṁ kāveryyāṁ śasyate budhaiḥ yaḥ kāveryāṁ tulāsnānaṁ bhaktyā tu kurute mune

Therefore the bath taken while the sun is in Libra is praised in the Kaveri, extolled by the wise. O sage, whoever performs the Tula-snana in the Kaveri with devotion,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.101.66)

विमुक्तदुरितः सद्यस्ततो याति परां गतिम् । तस्मात्स्नानं तु कावेर्यां कार्तिके मासि शस्यते

vimuktaduritaḥ sadyastato yāti parāṁ gatim tasmātsnānaṁ tu kāveryāṁ kārtike māsi śasyate

is instantly freed from wrongdoing and thereafter attains the supreme destination. Therefore bathing in the Kaveri is especially praised in the month of Kartika.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.101.67)

इतिहासमिमं श्रुत्वा कार्तिकव्रततत्परः । स कावेरी स्नानफलं प्राप्नोति च परां गतिम्

itihāsamimaṁ śrutvā kārtikavratatatparaḥ sa kāverī snānaphalaṁ prāpnoti ca parāṁ gatim

He who, devoted to the Kartika vow, hears this story, obtains the fruit of bathing in the Kaveri, and the supreme destination.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.101.68)

रात्रिशेषे भवेत्स्नानमुत्तमं विष्णुतुष्टिकृत् । सूर्योदये मध्यमं स्याद्यावन्नाऽऽस्ता तु कृत्तिका

rātriśeṣe bhavetsnānamuttamaṁ viṣṇutuṣṭikṛt sūryodaye madhyamaṁ syādyāvannā''stā tu kṛttikā

Bathing at the end of night is best, and gladdens Vishnu; bathing at sunrise is of middling merit, as long as the Krittika has not set,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.101.69)

तावदेव भवेत्स्नानमन्यथा तन्न कार्तिकम् । स्नानं स्त्रीभिर्विधातव्यं गृहीत्वाऽऽज्ञां धवस्य च

tāvadeva bhavetsnānamanyathā tanna kārtikam snānaṁ strībhirvidhātavyaṁ gṛhītvā''jñāṁ dhavasya ca

the bath is valid only until then; otherwise it is not reckoned as Kartika bathing. Bathing should be undertaken by women only after obtaining the permission of their husbands;

Verse 70 (skanda.2.101.70)

अपृष्ट्वा यत्कृतं धर्म्यं भर्तारं तत्क्षयं नयेत् । स्त्रीणां नास्त्यपरो धर्मो भर्तारं प्रोज्झ्य कश्चन

apṛṣṭvā yatkṛtaṁ dharmyaṁ bhartāraṁ tatkṣayaṁ nayet strīṇāṁ nāstyaparo dharmo bhartāraṁ projjhya kaścana

whatever righteous act is performed without asking the husband leads to his own destruction. For women there is no other dharma apart from the husband.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.101.71)

कुर्यात्सहस्रपापानि भर्त्राऽऽज्ञां या समाचरेत् । सैषा धर्मवती लोके न जायेत व्रतादिना

kuryātsahasrapāpāni bhartrā''jñāṁ yā samācaret saiṣā dharmavatī loke na jāyeta vratādinā

A woman who acts according to her husband's command, even having committed a thousand sins, is righteous in this world; such righteousness does not come merely through vows and the like.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.101.72)

दरिद्रः पतितो मूर्खो दीनोऽपि यदि चेत्पतिः । तादृशः शरणं स्त्रीणां तत्त्यागान्निरयं व्रजेत्

daridraḥ patito mūrkho dīno'pi yadi cetpatiḥ tādṛśaḥ śaraṇaṁ strīṇāṁ tattyāgānnirayaṁ vrajet

Even if the husband be poor, fallen, foolish, or wretched, still he alone is the refuge of a woman; by forsaking him, she goes to hell.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.101.73)

कलौ वत्स मनुष्याणां शैथिल्यं स्नानकर्मणि । तथापि कथयिष्यामि स्नानं कार्तिकमाघयोः

kalau vatsa manuṣyāṇāṁ śaithilyaṁ snānakarmaṇi tathāpi kathayiṣyāmi snānaṁ kārtikamāghayoḥ

O child, in the Kali age there is laxity among men regarding the rite of bathing; nevertheless I shall tell of the bathing in Kartika and in Magha.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.101.74)

यस्य हस्तौ च पादौ च वाङ्मनश्च सुसंयतम् । विद्या तपश्च कीर्तिश्च स तीर्थफलभाङ्नरः

yasya hastau ca pādau ca vāṅmanaśca susaṁyatam vidyā tapaśca kīrtiśca sa tīrthaphalabhāṅnaraḥ

He whose hands and feet, speech and mind are well controlled, and who possesses learning, austerity, and good repute — that man is a true sharer of the fruit of the sacred fords.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.101.75)

अश्रद्दधानः पापात्मा नास्तिकश्छिन्नमानसः । हेतुवादी च पंचैते न तीर्थफलभागिनः

aśraddadhānaḥ pāpātmā nāstikaśchinnamānasaḥ hetuvādī ca paṁcaite na tīrthaphalabhāginaḥ

The faithless, the sinful, the atheist, the fickle-minded, and the mere sophist — these five are not sharers in the fruit of the sacred fords.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.101.76)

प्रातरुत्थाय यो विप्रस्तीर्थस्नायी सदा भवेत् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः परं ब्रह्माऽधिगच्छति

prātarutthāya yo viprastīrthasnāyī sadā bhavet sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ paraṁ brahmā'dhigacchati

The brahmin who rises at dawn and is ever one who bathes at sacred fords, freed from all sin, attains the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.101.77)

स्नानं चतुर्विधं प्रोक्तं स्नानविद्भिर्मनीषिभिः । वायव्यं वारुणं दिव्यं ब्राह्मं चेति तथा स्मृतम्

snānaṁ caturvidhaṁ proktaṁ snānavidbhirmanīṣibhiḥ vāyavyaṁ vāruṇaṁ divyaṁ brāhmaṁ ceti tathā smṛtam

Bathing is said by wise men learned in the rules of bathing to be of four kinds — vayavya, varuna, divya, and brahma.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.101.78)

वायव्यं गोरजःस्नानं वारुणं सागरादिषु । ब्राह्मं ब्राह्मणमंत्रोक्तं दिव्यं मेघांऽबु भास्करम्

vāyavyaṁ gorajaḥsnānaṁ vāruṇaṁ sāgarādiṣu brāhmaṁ brāhmaṇamaṁtroktaṁ divyaṁ meghāṁ'bu bhāskaram

The vayavya bath is bathing in the dust raised by cows; the varuna is in the ocean and the like; the brahma is that declared through brahmanical mantras; the divya is bathing in rain-water while the sun still shines.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.101.79)

स्नानानां चैव सर्वेषां विशिष्टं तत्र वारुणम् । ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यो मंत्रवत्स्नानमाचरेत्

snānānāṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ viśiṣṭaṁ tatra vāruṇam brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyo maṁtravatsnānamācaret

Among all these kinds of bathing, the varuna is the most excellent. The brahmin, the kshatriya, and the vaishya should perform the bath with mantras;

Verse 80 (skanda.2.101.80)

तूष्णीमेव हि शूद्रस्य स्त्रीणां चैव तथा स्मृतम् । बाला च तरुणी वृद्धा नरनारीनपुंसकाः

tūṣṇīmeva hi śūdrasya strīṇāṁ caiva tathā smṛtam bālā ca taruṇī vṛddhā naranārīnapuṁsakāḥ

for the shudra, and likewise for women, it is prescribed that it be done in silence. Girls, young women, old women, men, women, and eunuchs alike,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.101.81)

पापैः सर्वैः प्रमुच्यंते स्नानात्कार्तिकमाघयोः । स्नाता वै कार्तिके लोकाः प्राप्नुवंतीप्सितं फलम्

pāpaiḥ sarvaiḥ pramucyaṁte snānātkārtikamāghayoḥ snātā vai kārtike lokāḥ prāpnuvaṁtīpsitaṁ phalam

are all freed from every sin by bathing in Kartika and Magha. People who have bathed in Kartika indeed obtain the fruit they desire.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.101.82)

पुष्करे तीर्थवर्ये तु नंदायाः संगमे पुरा । प्रभंजनश्च मुक्तोभूत्तदैव व्याघ्रजन्मतः

puṣkare tīrthavarye tu naṁdāyāḥ saṁgame purā prabhaṁjanaśca muktobhūttadaiva vyāghrajanmataḥ

Long ago, at the excellent tirtha of Pushkara, at the confluence with the Nanda river, Prabhanjana was at that very moment freed from his birth as a tiger,

Verse 83 (skanda.2.101.83)

नंदाया वचनेनैव कार्तिके सा परं ययौ । एवं स्नानविधिः प्रोक्तः किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

naṁdāyā vacanenaiva kārtike sā paraṁ yayau evaṁ snānavidhiḥ proktaḥ kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

through the very word of the Nanda river; and in Kartika he attained the supreme state. Thus the procedure for bathing has been declared. What more do you wish to hear?