The Greatness of the Dhatri Tree

Verse 1 (skanda.2.109.1)

शौनक उवाच । कार्तिकस्य च माहात्म्यं महत्पुण्यफलप्रदम् । कदा धात्री समुत्पन्ना कथं सा ख्यातिमागता

śaunaka uvāca kārtikasya ca māhātmyaṁ mahatpuṇyaphalapradam kadā dhātrī samutpannā kathaṁ sā khyātimāgatā

Shaunaka said: You have told the great, merit-bestowing greatness of Kartika; when did the Dhatri tree arise, and how did it become renowned?

Verse 2 (skanda.2.109.2)

कस्मादियं पवित्रा च कस्मात्पापप्रणाशिनी । आमर्दकी कृता केन कथयस्वात्र विस्तरात्

kasmādiyaṁ pavitrā ca kasmātpāpapraṇāśinī āmardakī kṛtā kena kathayasvātra vistarāt

Why is it pure, and why does it destroy sin? By whom was it made 'Amardaki'? Tell this in detail.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.109.3)

सूत उवाच । कथयामि द्विजश्रेष्ठ यथा चेयं हि पुण्यदा । ऊर्जशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां धात्रीपूजां समाचरेत्

sūta uvāca kathayāmi dvijaśreṣṭha yathā ceyaṁ hi puṇyadā ūrjaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ dhātrīpūjāṁ samācaret

Suta said: I shall tell, O best of brahmins, how this is meritorious. On the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Kartika, one should perform the worship of Dhatri.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.109.4)

आमर्दकीमहावृक्षः सर्वपापप्रणाशनः । वैकुण्ठाख्यचतुर्दश्यां धात्रीछायां गतो नरः

āmardakīmahāvṛkṣaḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ vaikuṇṭhākhyacaturdaśyāṁ dhātrīchāyāṁ gato naraḥ

The great tree Amardaki destroys all sin. On the fourteenth called Vaikuntha, a man who goes into the shade of Dhatri,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.109.5)

पूजयेत्तत्र देवेशं राधया सहितं हरिम् । प्रदक्षिणां ततः कुर्याच्छतमष्टोत्तरं तथा

pūjayettatra deveśaṁ rādhayā sahitaṁ harim pradakṣiṇāṁ tataḥ kuryācchatamaṣṭottaraṁ tathā

should worship there the Lord of gods, Hari together with Radha; then he should perform circumambulation, one hundred and eight times.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.109.6)

सुवर्णरजतैर्वापि फलैरामलकैस्तथा । शतमष्टोत्तरं कुर्यादेकैकेन प्रदक्षिणाम्

suvarṇarajatairvāpi phalairāmalakaistathā śatamaṣṭottaraṁ kuryādekaikena pradakṣiṇām

With gold, or silver, or with amalaki fruits, one should perform one hundred and eight circumambulations, one with each item.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.109.7)

साष्टांगं प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रार्थयेत्परमेश्वरम् । धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य शृणुयाच्च कथामिमाम्

sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇato bhūtvā prārthayetparameśvaram dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya śṛṇuyācca kathāmimām

Having prostrated with eight limbs, one should entreat the Supreme Lord; taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, one should hear this story.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.109.8)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चाद्यथाशक्त्या च दक्षिणाम् । ब्राह्मणेषु च तुष्टेषु तुष्टो मोक्षप्रदो हरिः । अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि कथां पुण्यफलप्रदाम् । आमर्दकीफलं वक्तुं ब्रह्मा चाऽपि न पार्यते

brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścādyathāśaktyā ca dakṣiṇām brāhmaṇeṣu ca tuṣṭeṣu tuṣṭo mokṣaprado hariḥ atra te kathayiṣyāmi kathāṁ puṇyaphalapradām āmardakīphalaṁ vaktuṁ brahmā cā'pi na pāryate

Afterward one should feed brahmins, and give a fee according to one's means; when the brahmins are satisfied, Hari, the giver of liberation, is satisfied. Here I shall tell you a story that bestows the fruit of merit; even Brahma himself is unable to tell the full fruit of Amardaki.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.109.9)

एकार्णवे पुरा जाते नष्टे स्थावरजंगमे । नष्टे देवाऽसुरगणे प्रणष्टोरगराक्षसे

ekārṇave purā jāte naṣṭe sthāvarajaṁgame naṣṭe devā'suragaṇe praṇaṣṭoragarākṣase

Long ago, when there was but one ocean, when all that was moving and unmoving had perished, when the hosts of gods and demons had perished, when serpents and rakshasas had utterly perished,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.109.10)

तत्र देवाधिदेवेशः परमात्मा सनातनः । जजाप ब्रह्म परममात्मनः परमाव्ययम्

tatra devādhideveśaḥ paramātmā sanātanaḥ jajāpa brahma paramamātmanaḥ paramāvyayam

there the Lord of the gods of gods, the eternal Supreme Soul, recited the supreme, imperishable Brahman-mantra to himself.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.109.11)

ततोऽस्य ब्रह्म जपतो निरगाच्छ्वसितं पुरः । तद्दर्शनाऽनुरागेण नेत्राभ्यामगमज्जलम्

tato'sya brahma japato niragācchvasitaṁ puraḥ taddarśanā'nurāgeṇa netrābhyāmagamajjalam

Then, as he recited the mantra, a breath issued forth from him; out of loving contemplation of that vision, water came from his eyes.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.109.12)

प्रेमाश्रुभरनिर्भिन्नो भूमौ बिंदुः पपात सः । तस्माद्बिंदो समुत्पन्नः स्वयं धात्री नगो महान्

premāśrubharanirbhinno bhūmau biṁduḥ papāta saḥ tasmādbiṁdo samutpannaḥ svayaṁ dhātrī nago mahān

Overflowing with the burden of tears of love, that drop fell upon the ground; from that drop, the great tree Dhatri itself arose spontaneously.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.109.13)

शाखाप्रशाखाबहुलः फलभारेण पीडितः । सर्वेषामेव वृक्षाणामादिरोहः प्रकीर्तितः

śākhāpraśākhābahulaḥ phalabhāreṇa pīḍitaḥ sarveṣāmeva vṛkṣāṇāmādirohaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

Abundant with branches and twigs, weighed down with the burden of fruit, it is celebrated as the very first tree to have grown, of all trees.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.109.14)

ब्रह्मा तमसृजत्पूर्वं तत्पश्चाच्चाऽसृजत्प्रजाः । देवदानवगन्धर्वयक्षराक्षसपन्नगान्

brahmā tamasṛjatpūrvaṁ tatpaścāccā'sṛjatprajāḥ devadānavagandharvayakṣarākṣasapannagān

Brahma created it first; and thereafter he created creatures — gods, danavas, gandharvas, yakshas, rakshasas, and serpents,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.109.15)

असृजद्भगवान्देवो मानुषांश्च तथामलान् । आजग्मुस्तत्र देवास्ते यत्र धात्री हरिप्रिया

asṛjadbhagavāndevo mānuṣāṁśca tathāmalān ājagmustatra devāste yatra dhātrī haripriyā

the divine Lord created humans too, pure beings. The gods came to that place where Dhatri, beloved of Hari, stood.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.109.16)

तां दृष्ट्वा ते महाभागाः परमं विस्मयं गताः । न जानीम इमं वृक्षं चिंतयन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā te mahābhāgāḥ paramaṁ vismayaṁ gatāḥ na jānīma imaṁ vṛkṣaṁ ciṁtayanto muhurmuhuḥ

Seeing her, those great and fortunate ones fell into utter astonishment; reflecting again and again, they said: 'We do not know this tree.'

Verse 17 (skanda.2.109.17)

एवं चिंतयतां तेषां वागुवाचाऽशरीरिणी । आमर्दकी नगो ह्येष प्रवरो वैष्णवो यतः

evaṁ ciṁtayatāṁ teṣāṁ vāguvācā'śarīriṇī āmardakī nago hyeṣa pravaro vaiṣṇavo yataḥ

As they were thus reflecting, a disembodied voice spoke: 'This tree is indeed Amardaki, the most excellent, for it belongs to Vishnu.'

Verse 18 (skanda.2.109.18)

अस्य वै स्मरणादेव लभेद्गोदानजं फलम् । दर्शनाद्द्विगुणं पुण्यं त्रिगुणं भक्षणात्तथा

asya vai smaraṇādeva labhedgodānajaṁ phalam darśanāddviguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ triguṇaṁ bhakṣaṇāttathā

'By the mere remembrance of it, one obtains the fruit born of the gift of a cow; by seeing it, twice that merit; by eating its fruit, three times that merit,'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.109.19)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सेव्या आमर्दकी सदा । सर्वपापहरा प्रोक्ता वैष्णवी पापनाशिनी

tasmātsarvaprayatnena sevyā āmardakī sadā sarvapāpaharā proktā vaiṣṇavī pāpanāśinī

'therefore Amardaki should always be attended to with every effort; it is declared to be the remover of all sin, belonging to Vishnu, the destroyer of sin.'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.109.20)

तस्या मूले स्थितो विष्णुस्तदूर्ध्वं च पितामहः । स्कन्धे च भगवान्रुद्रः संस्थितः परमेश्वरः

tasyā mūle sthito viṣṇustadūrdhvaṁ ca pitāmahaḥ skandhe ca bhagavānrudraḥ saṁsthitaḥ parameśvaraḥ

'Vishnu resides at its root, and above it, the Grandfather; and in its trunk resides the Supreme Lord, the divine Rudra.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.109.21)

शाखासु सवितारश्च प्रशाखासु च देवताः । पर्णेषु देवताः संति पुष्पेषु मरुतस्तथा

śākhāsu savitāraśca praśākhāsu ca devatāḥ parṇeṣu devatāḥ saṁti puṣpeṣu marutastathā

'On its branches reside the Adityas, and on its twigs the other deities; on its leaves reside deities, and likewise the Maruts on its flowers,'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.109.22)

प्रजानां पतयः सर्वे फलेष्वेवं व्यवस्थिताः । सर्वदेवमयी ह्येषा धात्री वै कथिता मया

prajānāṁ patayaḥ sarve phaleṣvevaṁ vyavasthitāḥ sarvadevamayī hyeṣā dhātrī vai kathitā mayā

'and all the lords of creatures reside thus in its fruits. This Dhatri is indeed said by me to be composed of all the gods.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.109.23)

अतः सा पूजनीया च सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये । एकदा नारदो योगी ब्रह्मणः पुरतः स्थितः । नमस्कृत्वा जगन्नाथं पप्रच्छातीव विस्मितः

ataḥ sā pūjanīyā ca sarvakāmārthasiddhaye ekadā nārado yogī brahmaṇaḥ purataḥ sthitaḥ namaskṛtvā jagannāthaṁ papracchātīva vismitaḥ

'Therefore it should be worshipped for the fulfillment of every desire.' Once the yogi Narada, standing before Brahma,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.109.24)

श्रीनारद उवाच । यथा प्रियं सुतुलसीकाननं सर्वदा हरेः । तथा धात्रीवनं मासे कार्तिके श्रीहरिप्रियम्

śrīnārada uvāca yathā priyaṁ sutulasīkānanaṁ sarvadā hareḥ tathā dhātrīvanaṁ māse kārtike śrīharipriyam

having bowed to the Lord of the universe, asked him, greatly astonished:

Verse 25 (skanda.2.109.25)

ब्रह्मोवाच । धात्रीवने हरेः पूजा धात्री छायासु भोजनम् । कार्तिके मासि यः कुर्यात्तस्य पापं विनश्यति

brahmovāca dhātrīvane hareḥ pūjā dhātrī chāyāsu bhojanam kārtike māsi yaḥ kuryāttasya pāpaṁ vinaśyati

Sri Narada said: Just as the beautiful grove of tulasi is ever dear to Hari, so too the grove of Dhatri, in the month of Kartika, is dear to Sri Hari.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.109.26)

तीर्थानि मुनयो देवा यज्ञाः सर्वेऽपि कार्तिके । नित्यं धात्रीं समाश्रित्य तिष्ठंत्यर्के तुलास्थिते

tīrthāni munayo devā yajñāḥ sarve'pi kārtike nityaṁ dhātrīṁ samāśritya tiṣṭhaṁtyarke tulāsthite

Brahma said: Whoever, in the month of Kartika, performs the worship of Hari in a Dhatri grove, and eats in the shade of Dhatri, his sin is destroyed.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.109.27)

यत्किंचित्कुरुते पुण्यं धात्रीछायासु मानवः । तत्कोटिगुणितं भूयान्नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा

yatkiṁcitkurute puṇyaṁ dhātrīchāyāsu mānavaḥ tatkoṭiguṇitaṁ bhūyānnā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā

The tirthas, the sages, the gods, and all the sacrifices, in Kartika, while the sun is in Libra, ever dwell taking refuge in the Dhatri tree.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.109.28)

अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । अयोध्यानगरे कश्चिद्वैश्यश्चासीद्विजोत्तम । पुत्रदारविहीनश्च दैवाद्दारिद्र्यपीडितः

atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam ayodhyānagare kaścidvaiśyaścāsīdvijottama putradāravihīnaśca daivāddāridryapīḍitaḥ

Whatever merit a man performs in the shade of Dhatri becomes multiplied a crore-fold and more — there is no need to deliberate on this.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.109.29)

भिक्षया चोदराग्निं स शमयामास नारद । कदाचिद्वणिजो वैश्यो ययाचे क्षुत्प्रपीडितः

bhikṣayā codarāgniṁ sa śamayāmāsa nārada kadācidvaṇijo vaiśyo yayāce kṣutprapīḍitaḥ

Here, on this very subject, they cite this ancient story: in the city of Ayodhya, O best of brahmins, there was a certain vaishya, devoid of sons and wife, afflicted by poverty through fate.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.109.30)

भिक्षाप्तचणकान्गृह्य धात्रीछायामगात्किल । तत्र तान्भक्षयामास कार्तिके मासि नारद

bhikṣāptacaṇakāngṛhya dhātrīchāyāmagātkila tatra tānbhakṣayāmāsa kārtike māsi nārada

He would quench the fire of his belly by begging, O Narada. Once that merchant vaishya, tormented by hunger, went out to beg,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.109.31)

केचिदुर्वरितास्तेपु चणकास्तत्र नारद । वैश्येन तेन दत्ता हि क्षुत्क्षामाय द्विजातये

kecidurvaritāstepu caṇakāstatra nārada vaiśyena tena dattā hi kṣutkṣāmāya dvijātaye

and, having obtained chickpeas as alms, he went, indeed, to the shade of a Dhatri tree; there he ate them, in the month of Kartika, O Narada.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.109.32)

तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन राजाऽऽसीद्धनिकः क्षितौ । तस्माद्दानं प्रकर्तव्यं कार्तिके मासि सर्वदा

tena puṇyaprabhāvena rājā''sīddhanikaḥ kṣitau tasmāddānaṁ prakartavyaṁ kārtike māsi sarvadā

Some of those chickpeas remained left over there, O Narada; and they were given by that vaishya to a brahmin who was weak from hunger.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.109.33)

धात्रीवने मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये । धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कार्तिके च हरेः कथाम् । यः शृणोति स पापेभ्यो मुच्यते द्विजसूनुवत्

dhātrīvane muniśreṣṭha sarvakāmārthasiddhaye dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya kārtike ca hareḥ kathām yaḥ śṛṇoti sa pāpebhyo mucyate dvijasūnuvat

By the power of that merit, he became a wealthy king on earth; therefore giving should always be performed in the month of Kartika.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.109.34)

नारद उवाच । कोऽभूद्द्विजसुतो ब्रह्मन्किं पापं कृतवान्पुरा । तस्य जाता कथं मुक्तिरेतद्विस्तरतो वद

nārada uvāca ko'bhūddvijasuto brahmankiṁ pāpaṁ kṛtavānpurā tasya jātā kathaṁ muktiretadvistarato vada

O best of sages, in a Dhatri grove, for the fulfillment of every desire, whoever, taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, hears in Kartika the story of Hari, is freed from sins, just like the son of a brahmin.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.109.35)

ब्रह्मोवाच । पुरा द्विजवरश्चासीत्कावेर्या उत्तरे तटे

brahmovāca purā dvijavaraścāsītkāveryā uttare taṭe

Narada said: Who was this son of a brahmin, O Brahman, and what sin did he formerly commit? How did his liberation come about? Tell this in detail.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.109.36)

देवशर्मेति विख्यातो वेदवेदांगपारगः । तस्य पुत्रो दुराचारस्तमाह च पिता हितम्

devaśarmeti vikhyāto vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ tasya putro durācārastamāha ca pitā hitam

Brahma said: Long ago there was an excellent brahmin on the northern bank of the Kaveri,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.109.37)

इदानीं कार्तिको मासो वर्तते हरिवल्लभः । तत्र स्नानं च दानं च व्रतानि नियमान्कुरु

idānīṁ kārtiko māso vartate harivallabhaḥ tatra snānaṁ ca dānaṁ ca vratāni niyamānkuru

renowned as Devasharma, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas. His son was of wicked conduct; his father spoke to him for his own good:

Verse 38 (skanda.2.109.38)

तुलसीपुष्पसहितां कुरुपूजां हरेः सुत । दीपदानं च विविधं नमस्कारं प्रदक्षिणाम्

tulasīpuṣpasahitāṁ kurupūjāṁ hareḥ suta dīpadānaṁ ca vividhaṁ namaskāraṁ pradakṣiṇām

'Now the month of Kartika, dear to Hari, is present; in it, perform bathing, giving, vows, and observances.'

Verse 39 (skanda.2.109.39)

एवं पितुर्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रः क्रोधसमन्वितः । पितरं प्राह दुष्टात्मा चलदोष्ठो विनिंदयन्

evaṁ piturvacaḥ śrutvā putraḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ pitaraṁ prāha duṣṭātmā caladoṣṭho viniṁdayan

'Perform worship of Hari with tulasi flowers, O son; and the gift of various lamps, prostration, and circumambulation.'

Verse 40 (skanda.2.109.40)

पुत्र उवाच । न करिष्याम्यहं तात कार्तिके पुण्यसंग्रहम् । इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा सक्रोधः प्राह तं सुतम्

putra uvāca na kariṣyāmyahaṁ tāta kārtike puṇyasaṁgraham iti putravacaḥ śrutvā sakrodhaḥ prāha taṁ sutam

Having heard his father's words, the son, filled with anger, that wicked-souled one, his lips trembling, spoke to his father, reviling him:

Verse 41 (skanda.2.109.41)

मूषको भव दुर्बुद्धे वने वृक्षस्य कोटरे । इति शापभयाद्भीतो नत्वा पितरमब्रवीत्

mūṣako bhava durbuddhe vane vṛkṣasya koṭare iti śāpabhayādbhīto natvā pitaramabravīt

The son said: 'I shall not perform any accumulation of merit in Kartika, father.' Hearing the son's words, filled with anger, the father said to that son:

Verse 42 (skanda.2.109.42)

दुर्योनेर्मम मुक्तिः स्यात्कथं तद्वद मे गुरो । इति प्रसादितो विप्रः प्राह निष्कृतिकारणम्

duryonermama muktiḥ syātkathaṁ tadvada me guro iti prasādito vipraḥ prāha niṣkṛtikāraṇam

'Become a mouse, O evil-minded one, in the hollow of a tree in the forest!' Frightened by the fear of the curse, bowing to his father, he said:

Verse 43 (skanda.2.109.43)

यदोर्ज्जव्रतजं पुण्यं शृणोषि हरिवल्लभम् । तदा ते भविता मुक्तिस्तत्कथाश्रवणात्सुत

yadorjjavratajaṁ puṇyaṁ śṛṇoṣi harivallabham tadā te bhavitā muktistatkathāśravaṇātsuta

'How might I be freed from this evil birth? Tell me that, O revered father.' Thus propitiated, the brahmin told him the means of atonement:

Verse 44 (skanda.2.109.44)

स पित्रा चैवमुक्तस्तु तत्क्षणान्मूषकोऽभवत् । बहुवर्षसहस्राणि गह्वरे विपिने वसन्

sa pitrā caivamuktastu tatkṣaṇānmūṣako'bhavat bahuvarṣasahasrāṇi gahvare vipine vasan

'When you hear the merit born of the Urja vow, dear to Hari, then, O son, your liberation shall come about through the hearing of that story.'

Verse 45 (skanda.2.109.45)

एकदा कार्तिके मासि विश्वामित्रः सशिष्यकः । स्नात्वा नद्यां हरिं चार्च्य धात्रीछायां समाश्रितः

ekadā kārtike māsi viśvāmitraḥ saśiṣyakaḥ snātvā nadyāṁ hariṁ cārcya dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritaḥ

Thus addressed by his father, he became a mouse in that very instant, dwelling for many thousands of years in a cave in the forest.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.109.46)

कथयामास माहात्म्यं शिष्येभ्यश्चोर्ज्जसंभवम् । तदा कश्चिद्दुराचारो व्याधोऽगान्मृगयां चरन्

kathayāmāsa māhātmyaṁ śiṣyebhyaścorjjasaṁbhavam tadā kaściddurācāro vyādho'gānmṛgayāṁ caran

Once, in the month of Kartika, Vishvamitra, together with his disciples, having bathed in a river and worshipped Hari, took refuge in the shade of a Dhatri tree,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.109.47)

दृष्ट्वा ऋषिगणान्हंतुं कृतेच्छः प्राणिघातकः । तेषां दर्शनमात्रेण सुबुद्धिरभवत्तदा

dṛṣṭvā ṛṣigaṇānhaṁtuṁ kṛtecchaḥ prāṇighātakaḥ teṣāṁ darśanamātreṇa subuddhirabhavattadā

and told his disciples the greatness arising from the month of Urja. Then a certain wicked hunter, roaming while hunting,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.109.48)

अथोवाच द्विजान्नत्वा भवद्भिः क्रियतेऽत्र किम् । तेनैवमुक्तो विप्रेंद्रो विश्वामित्रस्तमब्रवीत्

athovāca dvijānnatvā bhavadbhiḥ kriyate'tra kim tenaivamukto vipreṁdro viśvāmitrastamabravīt

seeing the host of sages, that slayer of living beings, having formed the intention to kill them — merely by the sight of them, he became of good understanding at that moment.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.109.49)

विश्वामित्र उवाच । सर्वेषामेव मासानां कार्तिकः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते । तस्मिन्यत्क्रियते कर्म वर्धते वटबीजवत्

viśvāmitra uvāca sarveṣāmeva māsānāṁ kārtikaḥ śreṣṭha ucyate tasminyatkriyate karma vardhate vaṭabījavat

Then, having bowed to the brahmins, he said: 'What is being done here by you?' Thus addressed, Vishvamitra said to him:

Verse 50 (skanda.2.109.50)

कार्तिके मासि यः कुर्यात्स्नानं दानं च पूजनम् । विप्राणां भोजनं चैव तदक्षय्यफलं भवेत्

kārtike māsi yaḥ kuryātsnānaṁ dānaṁ ca pūjanam viprāṇāṁ bhojanaṁ caiva tadakṣayyaphalaṁ bhavet

Vishvamitra said: Among all the months, Kartika is said to be the best; whatever act is performed in it grows, like a banyan seed.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.109.51)

व्याधप्रयुक्तमाकर्ण्य धर्मं च ऋषिणा द्विजः । मौषकं देहमुत्सृज्य दिव्यदेहोऽभवत्तदा

vyādhaprayuktamākarṇya dharmaṁ ca ṛṣiṇā dvijaḥ mauṣakaṁ dehamutsṛjya divyadeho'bhavattadā

'Whoever performs bathing, giving, and worship in the month of Kartika, and the feeding of brahmins — that becomes imperishable in fruit.'

Verse 52 (skanda.2.109.52)

विश्वामित्रं प्रणम्याथ स्ववृत्तांतं निवेद्य च । अनुज्ञातोऽथ ऋषिणा विमानस्थो दिवं ययौ

viśvāmitraṁ praṇamyātha svavṛttāṁtaṁ nivedya ca anujñāto'tha ṛṣiṇā vimānastho divaṁ yayau

Having heard the dharma spoken by the sage in response to the question raised by the hunter, the brahmin, casting off his mouse-body, then became possessed of a divine body.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.109.53)

विस्मितो गाधिपुत्रस्तु व्याधश्चैव विशेषतः । व्याधोऽप्यूर्जव्रतं कृत्वा जगाम हरिमंदिरम्

vismito gādhiputrastu vyādhaścaiva viśeṣataḥ vyādho'pyūrjavrataṁ kṛtvā jagāma harimaṁdiram

Having then bowed to Vishvamitra and related his own story, and having been given leave by the sage, he went to heaven, mounted upon a celestial chariot.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.109.54)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्तिके केशवाऽग्रतः । धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कथाश्रवणमाचरेत्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kārtike keśavā'grataḥ dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya kathāśravaṇamācaret

The son of Gadhi was astonished, and the hunter especially so; the hunter too, having performed the Urja vow, went to Hari's abode.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.109.55)

मूषकोऽपि च दुर्योनेर्मुक्त ऊर्जकथाश्रुतेः । शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्यो वा मुक्तिभागी न संशयः

mūṣako'pi ca duryonermukta ūrjakathāśruteḥ śṛṇuyācchrāvayedyo vā muktibhāgī na saṁśayaḥ

Therefore, with every effort, in Kartika, before Keshava, one should take refuge in the shade of Dhatri and attend to the hearing of sacred stories.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.109.56)

धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य वनभोजनमाचरेत् । आदौ कृत्वा तथा स्नानमुदके वनसंस्थिते । कृत्वा कर्माणि नित्यानि माधवं पूजयेत्ततः

dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya vanabhojanamācaret ādau kṛtvā tathā snānamudake vanasaṁsthite kṛtvā karmāṇi nityāni mādhavaṁ pūjayettataḥ

Even a mouse was freed from its evil birth by hearing the story of Urja; whoever hears or causes it to be heard is a sharer of liberation — there is no doubt.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.109.57)

धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य हरौ भक्तिसमन्वितः । शृणुयाच्च कथां दिव्यां मासमाहात्म्यशंसनीम्

dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya harau bhaktisamanvitaḥ śṛṇuyācca kathāṁ divyāṁ māsamāhātmyaśaṁsanīm

Taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, one should perform a forest meal; having first bathed in water situated in the forest, and having performed the daily rites, one should then worship Madhava.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.109.58)

ततस्तु ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या भोजयेद्ब्रह्मवित्तमान् । ततो भुंजीत विप्रेंद्र स्वयं हरिमनुस्मरन्

tatastu brāhmaṇānbhaktyā bhojayedbrahmavittamān tato bhuṁjīta vipreṁdra svayaṁ harimanusmaran

Taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, filled with devotion to Hari, one should hear the divine story that proclaims the greatness of the month.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.109.59)

एवंकृते व्रते विप्र कार्तिके हरिवल्लभे । यत्पापं नश्यते पुत्र सावधानमना शृणु

evaṁkṛte vrate vipra kārtike harivallabhe yatpāpaṁ naśyate putra sāvadhānamanā śṛṇu

Then one should devotedly feed brahmins, the most learned in Brahman-knowledge; then, O best of brahmins, one should eat oneself, remembering Hari.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.109.60)

हरेर्नार्पितभोगाच्च भोजने सूर्यदर्शनात् । रजस्वलावाक्छ्रवणपापाद्भोजनके तथा

harernārpitabhogācca bhojane sūryadarśanāt rajasvalāvākchravaṇapāpādbhojanake tathā

When the vow is performed thus, O brahmin, in Kartika, dear to Hari, hear attentively, O son, what sin is destroyed:

Verse 61 (skanda.2.109.61)

भोजनावसरे चान्यस्पर्शदोषस्तु यद्भवेत् । निषिद्धभोजनात्तस्माद्भोजने चाऽन्नदूषणात्

bhojanāvasare cānyasparśadoṣastu yadbhavet niṣiddhabhojanāttasmādbhojane cā'nnadūṣaṇāt

— the sin from eating food not first offered to Hari, from beholding the sun while eating, from hearing the speech of a menstruating woman while eating,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.109.62)

शुद्धस्यापि तथा त्यागात्पुण्यकाले हरिप्रिये । एतैर्यत्साधितं पापं तत्सर्वं नश्यति धुवम्

śuddhasyāpi tathā tyāgātpuṇyakāle haripriye etairyatsādhitaṁ pāpaṁ tatsarvaṁ naśyati dhuvam

whatever fault of contact with another that occurs at the time of eating, from eating forbidden food, and from the contamination of food while eating,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.109.63)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन धात्र्यां भोजनमाचरेत् । कार्तिके मासि वै विप्रो धात्रीमालां तु यो वहेत् । तथैव तुलसीमालां तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena dhātryāṁ bhojanamācaret kārtike māsi vai vipro dhātrīmālāṁ tu yo vahet tathaiva tulasīmālāṁ tasya puṇyamanaṁtakam

and likewise from the neglect of purity at the meritorious, Hari-beloved time — whatever sin has accrued through these, all of it is certainly destroyed.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.109.64)

धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य दीपमालार्पणं नरः । करिष्यति विशेषेण तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम्

dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya dīpamālārpaṇaṁ naraḥ kariṣyati viśeṣeṇa tasya puṇyamanaṁtakam

Therefore, with every effort, one should eat beneath the Dhatri tree. In the month of Kartika, the brahmin who wears a garland of Dhatri, and likewise a garland of tulasi, his merit is endless.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.109.65)

राधादामोदरौ पूज्यौ तुलस्यधो विशेषतः । तुलस्यभावे कर्तव्या पूजा धात्रीतले शुभा

rādhādāmodarau pūjyau tulasyadho viśeṣataḥ tulasyabhāve kartavyā pūjā dhātrītale śubhā

The man who, taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, offers a row of lamps there, his merit is especially endless.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.109.66)

धात्रीछायातले येन सकृद्भुक्तं तु कार्तिके । दंपत्योर्भोजनं दत्तमन्नदोषात्प्रमुच्यते

dhātrīchāyātale yena sakṛdbhuktaṁ tu kārtike daṁpatyorbhojanaṁ dattamannadoṣātpramucyate

Radha-Damodara are to be worshipped, especially beneath the tulasi; in the absence of tulasi, auspicious worship should be performed beneath the Dhatri.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.109.67)

संपूर्णे कार्तिके यस्तु संपूज्यामलकीं शुभाम् । राधादामोदरप्रीत्यै भोजयित्वा च दंपती । पश्चात्स्वयं तु भुंजीत न श्रीस्तस्य क्षयं व्रजेत्

saṁpūrṇe kārtike yastu saṁpūjyāmalakīṁ śubhām rādhādāmodaraprītyai bhojayitvā ca daṁpatī paścātsvayaṁ tu bhuṁjīta na śrīstasya kṣayaṁ vrajet

He by whom even a single meal has been eaten beneath the shade of Dhatri in Kartika, and by whom a meal has been given to a married couple, is freed from the fault of impure food.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.109.68)

यः कश्चिद्वैष्णवो लोके धत्ते धात्रीफलं मुने । प्रियो भवति देवानां मनुष्याणां च का कथा

yaḥ kaścidvaiṣṇavo loke dhatte dhātrīphalaṁ mune priyo bhavati devānāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ ca kā kathā

Whoever, throughout the whole of Kartika, having duly worshipped the auspicious amalaki, and having fed a married couple for the pleasure of Radha-Damodara, then eats himself afterward — prosperity never departs from him.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.109.69)

धात्रीफलविलिप्तांगो धात्रीफलसमन्वितः । धात्रीफलकृताहारो नरो नारायणो भवेत्

dhātrīphalaviliptāṁgo dhātrīphalasamanvitaḥ dhātrīphalakṛtāhāro naro nārāyaṇo bhavet

Whatever Vaishnava in this world, O sage, wears the fruit of Dhatri, becomes dear to the gods — what then to speak of men?

Verse 70 (skanda.2.109.70)

धात्रीफलानि यो नित्यं वहते करसंपुटे । तस्य नारायणो देवो वरमिष्टं प्रयच्छति

dhātrīphalāni yo nityaṁ vahate karasaṁpuṭe tasya nārāyaṇo devo varamiṣṭaṁ prayacchati

The man whose limbs are smeared with the Dhatri fruit, who is furnished with the Dhatri fruit, whose food is made of the Dhatri fruit, becomes as Narayana himself.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.109.71)

श्रीकामः सर्वदा स्नानं कुर्यादामलकैर्नरः । तुष्यत्यामलकैर्विष्णुरेकादश्यां विशेषतः

śrīkāmaḥ sarvadā snānaṁ kuryādāmalakairnaraḥ tuṣyatyāmalakairviṣṇurekādaśyāṁ viśeṣataḥ

Whoever daily carries Dhatri fruits in the hollow of his joined hands, to him the god Narayana grants the boon he desires.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.109.72)

नवम्यां दर्शे सप्तम्यां संक्रांतौ रविवासरे । चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे च स्नानमामलकैस्त्यजेत्

navamyāṁ darśe saptamyāṁ saṁkrāṁtau ravivāsare candrasūryoparāge ca snānamāmalakaistyajet

A man desiring prosperity should always bathe with amalaki; Vishnu is pleased by amalaki, especially on Ekadashi.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.109.73)

धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कुर्य्यात्पिंडं त यो नरः । प्रयांति पितरो मुक्तिं प्रसादान्माधवस्य तु

dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya kuryyātpiṁḍaṁ ta yo naraḥ prayāṁti pitaro muktiṁ prasādānmādhavasya tu

On the ninth, on the new moon, on the seventh, at a sankranti, on Sunday, and during a lunar or solar eclipse, one should avoid bathing with amalaki.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.109.74)

मूर्ध्नि पाणौ मुखे चैव बाह्वोः कंठे तु यो नरः । धत्ते धात्रीफलं वत्स धात्रीफलविभूषितः

mūrdhni pāṇau mukhe caiva bāhvoḥ kaṁṭhe tu yo naraḥ dhatte dhātrīphalaṁ vatsa dhātrīphalavibhūṣitaḥ

The man who, taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, offers pinda there — by the grace of Madhava, his ancestors attain liberation.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.109.75)

यावल्लुठति कण्ठस्था धात्रीमाला नरस्य हि । तावत्तस्य शरीरे तु प्रीत्या लुंठति केशवः । धात्रीफलं च तुलसी मृत्तिका द्वारकोद्भवा । सफलं जीवितं तस्य त्रितयं यस्य वेश्मनि

yāvalluṭhati kaṇṭhasthā dhātrīmālā narasya hi tāvattasya śarīre tu prītyā luṁṭhati keśavaḥ dhātrīphalaṁ ca tulasī mṛttikā dvārakodbhavā saphalaṁ jīvitaṁ tasya tritayaṁ yasya veśmani

The man who wears the Dhatri fruit upon his head, hand, face, arms, and neck, O child, is adorned with the Dhatri fruit — for as long as the garland of Dhatri, worn round the neck, rests upon a man, for that long Keshava himself, with love, rests upon his body. The Dhatri fruit, tulasi, and the clay born of Dvaraka — fruitful indeed is the life of him in whose house these three are found.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.109.76)

यावद्दिनानि वहते धात्रीमालां कलौ नरः । तावद्युगसहस्राणि वैकुण्ठे वसतिर्भवेत्

yāvaddināni vahate dhātrīmālāṁ kalau naraḥ tāvadyugasahasrāṇi vaikuṇṭhe vasatirbhavet

For as many days as a man wears the garland of Dhatri in the Kali age, for that many thousand ages he dwells in Vaikuntha.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.109.77)

मालायुग्मं वहेद्यस्तु धात्रीतुलसिसंभवम् । यो नरः कंठदेशे तु कल्पकोटिं दिवं वसेत्

mālāyugmaṁ vahedyastu dhātrītulasisaṁbhavam yo naraḥ kaṁṭhadeśe tu kalpakoṭiṁ divaṁ vaset

The man who wears a pair of garlands, made of Dhatri and tulasi, around his neck, dwells in heaven for a crore kalpas.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.109.78)

धात्रीछायां गतो यस्तु द्वादश्यां पूजयेद्धरिम् । तत्रैव भोजनं यस्तु ब्राह्मणानां च कारयेत्

dhātrīchāyāṁ gato yastu dvādaśyāṁ pūjayeddharim tatraiva bhojanaṁ yastu brāhmaṇānāṁ ca kārayet

Whoever, having gone to the shade of Dhatri, worships Hari on the twelfth day, and there causes brahmins to be fed,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.109.79)

स्वयं च तत्र भुंक्ते यः सूपभक्षादिकं तथा । न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

svayaṁ ca tatra bhuṁkte yaḥ sūpabhakṣādikaṁ tathā na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi

and eats there himself, of soups and other foods — for him there is no rebirth even for a hundred crore kalpas.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.109.80)

तुलस्याश्चैव धात्र्याश्च फलैः पत्रैर्हरिं यजेत्

tulasyāścaiva dhātryāśca phalaiḥ patrairhariṁ yajet

One should worship Hari with the fruits and leaves of both tulasi and Dhatri.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.109.81)

तुलसी धात्रीयुक्ता हि सिक्ते सति च कार्तिके । विलयं यांति पापानि ब्रह्महत्यादिकानि च

tulasī dhātrīyuktā hi sikte sati ca kārtike vilayaṁ yāṁti pāpāni brahmahatyādikāni ca

When tulasi joined with Dhatri is watered in Kartika, sins, even beginning with the killing of a brahmin, are dissolved.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.109.82)

धर्मदत्तो द्विजः पूर्वं यथा मुक्तिमवाप ह । नारद उवाच । कार्तिके मासि सा सेव्या पूजनीया सदा नरैः । चातुर्मास्ये न सेव्या सा इत्युक्तं भवता पुरा । तस्मात्सर्वमशेषेण कथयस्व ममाग्रतः

dharmadatto dvijaḥ pūrvaṁ yathā muktimavāpa ha nārada uvāca kārtike māsi sā sevyā pūjanīyā sadā naraiḥ cāturmāsye na sevyā sā ityuktaṁ bhavatā purā tasmātsarvamaśeṣeṇa kathayasva mamāgrataḥ

Just as the brahmin Dharmadatta formerly attained liberation — Narada said: You have said before that it should be attended to and worshipped by men always in the month of Kartika, but should not be attended to during the Chaturmasya; therefore tell me all of this fully before me.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.109.83)

ब्रह्मोवाच । कार्तिके मासि विप्रर्षे शुक्ला या दशमी शुभा । तद्दिनाऽऽरभ्य सा सेव्या दैवे पित्र्ये च कर्मणि । दशम्यारभ्य तत्पत्रैः फलकैर्मधुसूदनम्

brahmovāca kārtike māsi viprarṣe śuklā yā daśamī śubhā taddinā''rabhya sā sevyā daive pitrye ca karmaṇi daśamyārabhya tatpatraiḥ phalakairmadhusūdanam

Brahma said: O sage among brahmins, the auspicious tenth day of the bright fortnight of Kartika — beginning from that day, it should be attended to, in rites for both gods and ancestors. Beginning from the tenth, with its leaves and fruits, one should worship Madhusudana.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.109.84)

पूजयंति नरा ये वै ते वै वैकुण्ठगामिनः । समाप्ते कार्तिकव्रते वनभोजनमाचरेत्

pūjayaṁti narā ye vai te vai vaikuṇṭhagāminaḥ samāpte kārtikavrate vanabhojanamācaret

Those men who worship thus indeed go to Vaikuntha. When the Kartika vow is completed, one should perform a forest meal.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.109.85)

दशम्यां वाऽथ द्वादश्यां पौर्णमास्यामथाऽपि वा । पंचम्यां वा महाभाग वनभोजनमाचरेत्

daśamyāṁ vā'tha dvādaśyāṁ paurṇamāsyāmathā'pi vā paṁcamyāṁ vā mahābhāga vanabhojanamācaret

On the tenth, or on the twelfth, or on the full-moon day, or, O fortunate one, on the fifth, one should perform the forest meal.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.109.86)

सर्वोपस्करसंयुक्तो वृद्धबालैश्च संयुतः । वनं प्रवेशयेद्धीमान्धात्रीवृक्षैः सुशोभितम्

sarvopaskarasaṁyukto vṛddhabālaiśca saṁyutaḥ vanaṁ praveśayeddhīmāndhātrīvṛkṣaiḥ suśobhitam

Furnished with all provisions, accompanied by the old and the young, the wise man should enter a forest beautified with Dhatri trees,

Verse 87 (skanda.2.109.87)

चूतैर्बकैस्तथाऽश्वत्थैः पिचुमंदैः कदंबकैः । न्यग्रोधतिंतिणीवृक्षैः समंतात्परिशोभितम्

cūtairbakaistathā'śvatthaiḥ picumaṁdaiḥ kadaṁbakaiḥ nyagrodhatiṁtiṇīvṛkṣaiḥ samaṁtātpariśobhitam

beautified all around with mango trees, baka trees, ashvattha trees, neem trees, kadamba trees, banyan trees, and tamarind trees.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.109.88)

तत्र गत्वा महाप्राज्ञ पुण्याऽहं कारयेत्पुरा । वास्तुपीठं तथा पूज्यं धात्रीमूले तु कारयेत्

tatra gatvā mahāprājña puṇyā'haṁ kārayetpurā vāstupīṭhaṁ tathā pūjyaṁ dhātrīmūle tu kārayet

Having gone there, O greatly wise one, one should first perform an auspicious rite; one should make and worship a vastu-altar at the root of the Dhatri.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.109.89)

वेदिकां चतुरस्रां च हस्तमात्रायतां शुभाम् । तथोपवेदिकां कृत्वा वेदिकाग्रे महामते

vedikāṁ caturasrāṁ ca hastamātrāyatāṁ śubhām tathopavedikāṁ kṛtvā vedikāgre mahāmate

O great-minded one, one should make a square altar, auspicious, one hand in extent, and likewise a smaller sub-altar in front of the main altar,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.109.90)

उपवेशाय देवस्य ह्यलं कार्यं तु धातुभिः । वेदिकापश्चिमेभागे कारयेत्कुण्डमंडपम्

upaveśāya devasya hyalaṁ kāryaṁ tu dhātubhiḥ vedikāpaścimebhāge kārayetkuṇḍamaṁḍapam

for the seating of the deity, sufficient, made with colored minerals. In the western part of the altar, one should make a fire-pit and pavilion,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.109.91)

मेखलात्रयसंयुक्तं पिप्पलच्छदसंयुतम् । हस्तमात्रायतं सौम्य एवं कुण्डं तु कारयेत्

mekhalātrayasaṁyuktaṁ pippalacchadasaṁyutam hastamātrāyataṁ saumya evaṁ kuṇḍaṁ tu kārayet

joined with three tiers, adorned with peepal-leaf designs, one hand in extent, O gentle one — thus the fire-pit should be made.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.109.92)

पश्चात्स्नात्वा ततो जप्त्वा देवपूजां समाचरेत् । पश्चादग्निं समाधाय होमं कुर्याद्यथाविधि

paścātsnātvā tato japtvā devapūjāṁ samācaret paścādagniṁ samādhāya homaṁ kuryādyathāvidhi

Afterward, having bathed, and then having recited the mantra, one should perform the worship of the deity; afterward, having kindled the fire, one should perform the fire-offering according to rule,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.109.93)

पायसाऽऽज्यगुडसूपपालाशसमिधा तथा । ग्रहाणां वास्तुदेवेभ्यश्चरुं कृत्वा प्रयत्नतः

pāyasā''jyaguḍasūpapālāśasamidhā tathā grahāṇāṁ vāstudevebhyaścaruṁ kṛtvā prayatnataḥ

with milk-rice, ghee, jaggery, soup, and palasha-wood as fuel; having carefully prepared a cooked oblation for the planets and the vastu-deities,

Verse 94 (skanda.2.109.94)

धात्री शांतिस्तथा कांतिर्माया प्रकृतिरेव च । विष्णुपत्नी महालक्ष्मी रमा मा कमला तथा

dhātrī śāṁtistathā kāṁtirmāyā prakṛtireva ca viṣṇupatnī mahālakṣmī ramā mā kamalā tathā

one should invoke: Dhatri, Shanti, Kanti, Maya, Prakriti, the wife of Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Rama, Ma, and Kamala,

Verse 95 (skanda.2.109.95)

इंदिरा लोकमाता च कल्याणी कमला तथा । सावित्री च जगद्धात्री गायत्री सुधृतिस्तथा

iṁdirā lokamātā ca kalyāṇī kamalā tathā sāvitrī ca jagaddhātrī gāyatrī sudhṛtistathā

Indira, the Mother of the worlds, Kalyani, Kamala, Savitri, Jagaddhatri, Gayatri, and Sudhriti,

Verse 96 (skanda.2.109.96)

अंतज्ञा विश्वरूपा च सुकृपा ह्यब्धिसंभवा । प्रधानदेवताभिस्तु रक्षाहोमं समारभेत्

aṁtajñā viśvarūpā ca sukṛpā hyabdhisaṁbhavā pradhānadevatābhistu rakṣāhomaṁ samārabhet

Antajna, Vishvarupa, Sukripa, and the one born of the ocean — with these principal deities, one should begin the protective fire-offering,

Verse 97 (skanda.2.109.97)

संसृष्टेति च मंत्रेण ऋषभं मेति मंत्रतः । अपूपं गुडसूपाभ्यां संयुतं जुहुयाद्धविः

saṁsṛṣṭeti ca maṁtreṇa ṛṣabhaṁ meti maṁtrataḥ apūpaṁ guḍasūpābhyāṁ saṁyutaṁ juhuyāddhaviḥ

with the mantra beginning 'sansrishta,' and with the mantra 'rishabham me,' one should offer as oblation a cake joined with jaggery and soup,

Verse 98 (skanda.2.109.98)

अष्टोत्तरशतं हुत्वा मूलमंत्रेण पायसम् । ततो ग्रहादि देवांस्तु यथासंख्येन होमयेत्

aṣṭottaraśataṁ hutvā mūlamaṁtreṇa pāyasam tato grahādi devāṁstu yathāsaṁkhyena homayet

having offered milk-rice one hundred and eight times with the root mantra; then one should offer oblations to the planets and other deities according to their respective number.

Verse 99 (skanda.2.109.99)

धात्रीहोमे महाप्राज्ञ रक्षाहोमे तु पायसम् । ततः स्विष्टकृतं हुत्वा बलिदानं समाचरेत्

dhātrīhome mahāprājña rakṣāhome tu pāyasam tataḥ sviṣṭakṛtaṁ hutvā balidānaṁ samācaret

O greatly wise one, in the Dhatri fire-offering, and in the protective fire-offering, milk-rice is offered; then, having offered the Svishtakrit oblation, one should perform the gift of bali.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.109.100)

इंद्रादि लोकपालांश्च रक्षा पूज्या प्रयत्नतः । धात्रीवृक्षस्य सर्वत्र वेदिकासंयुतस्य च

iṁdrādi lokapālāṁśca rakṣā pūjyā prayatnataḥ dhātrīvṛkṣasya sarvatra vedikāsaṁyutasya ca

Indra and the other guardians of the world, and the protective deities, should be carefully worshipped, all around the Dhatri tree, joined with its altar.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.109.101)

सूपेन गुडमिश्रेण बलिं पश्चान्निवेदयेत् । देवि धात्रि नमस्तुभ्यं गृहाण बलिमुत्तमम्

sūpena guḍamiśreṇa baliṁ paścānnivedayet devi dhātri namastubhyaṁ gṛhāṇa balimuttamam

Afterward, one should offer the bali mixed with soup and jaggery, saying: 'O goddess Dhatri, salutation to you; accept this excellent offering,'

Verse 102 (skanda.2.109.102)

मिश्रितं गुडसूपाभ्यां सर्वमंगलदायिनि । पुत्रान्देहि महाप्राज्ञान्यशो देहि शुभप्रदम्

miśritaṁ guḍasūpābhyāṁ sarvamaṁgaladāyini putrāndehi mahāprājñānyaśo dehi śubhapradam

'mixed with jaggery and soup, O giver of all auspiciousness. Give me greatly wise sons; give me auspicious fame;'

Verse 103 (skanda.2.109.103)

प्रज्ञां मेधां च सौभाग्यं विष्णुभक्तिं च देहि मे । नीरोगं कुरु मे नित्यं निष्पापं कुरु सर्वदा

prajñāṁ medhāṁ ca saubhāgyaṁ viṣṇubhaktiṁ ca dehi me nīrogaṁ kuru me nityaṁ niṣpāpaṁ kuru sarvadā

'give me wisdom, intellect, good fortune, and devotion to Vishnu; make me ever free of disease, make me always free of sin,'

Verse 104 (skanda.2.109.104)

वर्चस्कं कुरु मां देवि धनवंतं तथा कुरु । इति तां प्रार्थयेद्देवीं प्रादक्षिण्याद्बलिं न्यसेत्

varcaskaṁ kuru māṁ devi dhanavaṁtaṁ tathā kuru iti tāṁ prārthayeddevīṁ prādakṣiṇyādbaliṁ nyaset

'make me radiant, O goddess, and likewise make me wealthy.' Thus one should entreat the goddess, and offer the bali while circumambulating.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.109.105)

बलिप्रदानकाले तु ये कुर्वंति प्रदक्षिणम् । ते यांति विष्णुसालोक्यं पितृभिः सार्द्धमेव च

balipradānakāle tu ye kurvaṁti pradakṣiṇam te yāṁti viṣṇusālokyaṁ pitṛbhiḥ sārddhameva ca

Those who perform circumambulation at the time of offering the bali, they go to the world of Vishnu, together with their ancestors.

Verse 106 (skanda.2.109.106)

ततः पूर्णाहुतिं कृत्वा होमशेषं समापयेत् । धात्रीवृक्षस्य मूलस्थं मंदस्मितरमापतिम् । ते यांति विष्णुसायुज्यं ये पश्यंतीह चक्षुषा

tataḥ pūrṇāhutiṁ kṛtvā homaśeṣaṁ samāpayet dhātrīvṛkṣasya mūlasthaṁ maṁdasmitaramāpatim te yāṁti viṣṇusāyujyaṁ ye paśyaṁtīha cakṣuṣā

Then, having performed the final oblation, one should conclude the remainder of the fire-offering; those who behold with their own eyes the gently-smiling Lord of Rama seated at the root of the Dhatri tree go to union with Vishnu.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.109.107)

वैश्वदेवं ततः कृत्वा पूजयेद्वनदेवताः । गंधाक्षतांस्ततो दत्त्वा विप्रेभ्यः पद्मसंभव

vaiśvadevaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā pūjayedvanadevatāḥ gaṁdhākṣatāṁstato dattvā viprebhyaḥ padmasaṁbhava

Then, having performed the Vaishvadeva rite, one should worship the deities of the forest; then, having given sandal-paste and rice-grains, O lotus-born,

Verse 108 (skanda.2.109.108)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चात्स्वयं भुंजीत बंधुभिः । गृहं प्रवेशयेत्पश्चाद्वृद्धान्बालादिकैः सह

brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścātsvayaṁ bhuṁjīta baṁdhubhiḥ gṛhaṁ praveśayetpaścādvṛddhānbālādikaiḥ saha

one should feed brahmins, and afterward eat oneself, together with kinsfolk; then one should enter the house, together with the elders, children, and the rest.

Verse 109 (skanda.2.109.109)

ब्रह्मचारी भवेद्रात्रौ क्षितिशायी भवेत्ततः । ग्रामस्थैश्च मिलित्वा च स्वयं वा कारयेद्बुधः

brahmacārī bhavedrātrau kṣitiśāyī bhavettataḥ grāmasthaiśca militvā ca svayaṁ vā kārayedbudhaḥ

One should observe celibacy at night, and sleep on the ground thereafter; the wise man should perform this either together with the villagers or by himself.

Verse 110 (skanda.2.109.110)

सर्वपापविमुक्त्यर्थं वनभोजनमुत्तमम् । कृत्वैवं सकलं कर्म कृष्णाय च समर्पयेत्

sarvapāpavimuktyarthaṁ vanabhojanamuttamam kṛtvaivaṁ sakalaṁ karma kṛṣṇāya ca samarpayet

For the sake of freedom from all sin, this excellent forest meal — having thus performed the entire rite, one should dedicate it to Krishna.

Verse 111 (skanda.2.109.111)

अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य राजसूयशतस्य च । यत्फलं समवाप्नोति तत्फलं वनभोजने

aśvamedhasahasrasya rājasūyaśatasya ca yatphalaṁ samavāpnoti tatphalaṁ vanabhojane

Whatever fruit is obtained from a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, that same fruit is in the forest meal.

Verse 112 (skanda.2.109.112)

अतो धात्री महाभाग पवित्रा पापनाशनी । धात्री चैव नृणां धात्री धात्रीवत्कुरुते क्रियाम्

ato dhātrī mahābhāga pavitrā pāpanāśanī dhātrī caiva nṛṇāṁ dhātrī dhātrīvatkurute kriyām

Therefore, O fortunate one, Dhatri is pure, the destroyer of sin; and Dhatri is indeed the true nurse of men — she performs her office like a nurse.

Verse 113 (skanda.2.109.113)

ददात्यायुः पयःपानात्स्नानाद्वै धर्मसंचयम् । अलक्ष्मीनाशनं स्नानमात्रैर्निर्वाणमाप्नुयात् । विघ्नानि नैव जायंते धात्रीस्नानेन वै नृणाम्

dadātyāyuḥ payaḥpānātsnānādvai dharmasaṁcayam alakṣmīnāśanaṁ snānamātrairnirvāṇamāpnuyāt vighnāni naiva jāyaṁte dhātrīsnānena vai nṛṇām

By drinking its juice, it grants long life; by bathing with it, an accumulation of merit; the bath destroys misfortune; by that bath alone one may attain liberation. Obstacles never arise for men through the Dhatri bath.

Verse 114 (skanda.2.109.114)

तस्मात्त्वं कुरु विप्रेंद्र धात्रीस्नानं हि यत्नतः । प्रयास्यसि हरेर्द्धाम देवत्वं प्राप्य नारद

tasmāttvaṁ kuru vipreṁdra dhātrīsnānaṁ hi yatnataḥ prayāsyasi harerddhāma devatvaṁ prāpya nārada

Therefore, O best of brahmins, you should carefully perform the Dhatri bath; you shall go to Hari's abode, having attained divinity, O Narada.

Verse 115 (skanda.2.109.115)

यत्रयत्र मुनिश्रेष्ठ धात्रीस्नानं समाचरेत् । तीर्थे वाऽपि गृहे वाऽपि तत्रतत्र हरिः स्थितः

yatrayatra muniśreṣṭha dhātrīsnānaṁ samācaret tīrthe vā'pi gṛhe vā'pi tatratatra hariḥ sthitaḥ

O best of sages, wherever the Dhatri bath is performed, whether at a tirtha or at home, there Hari is present.

Verse 116 (skanda.2.109.116)

धात्रीस्नानेन विप्रर्षे यस्यास्थीनि कलेवरे । प्रक्षाल्यंते मुनिश्रेष्ठ न स गर्भगृहं वसेत्

dhātrīsnānena viprarṣe yasyāsthīni kalevare prakṣālyaṁte muniśreṣṭha na sa garbhagṛhaṁ vaset

O sage among brahmins, he whose bones in his body are washed by the Dhatri bath — O best of sages, he does not dwell in a mother's womb again.

Verse 117 (skanda.2.109.117)

धात्रीजलेन विप्रेंद्र येषां केशाश्च रंजिताः । ते नराः केशवं यांति नाशयित्वा कलेर्मलम्

dhātrījalena vipreṁdra yeṣāṁ keśāśca raṁjitāḥ te narāḥ keśavaṁ yāṁti nāśayitvā kalermalam

O best of brahmins, those men whose hair is dyed with Dhatri-water go to Keshava, having destroyed the impurity of the Kali age.

Verse 118 (skanda.2.109.118)

धात्रीफलं महापुण्यं स्नानं पुण्यतमं स्मृतम् । पुण्यात्पुण्यतरं वत्स भक्षणे मुनिसत्तम

dhātrīphalaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ snānaṁ puṇyatamaṁ smṛtam puṇyātpuṇyataraṁ vatsa bhakṣaṇe munisattama

The Dhatri fruit is greatly meritorious; the bath is remembered as most meritorious; O child, O best of sages, its eating is more meritorious still than that merit.

Verse 119 (skanda.2.109.119)

न गंगा न गया काशी न वेणी न च पुष्करम् । एकैव हि यथा पुण्या धात्री माधववासरे

na gaṁgā na gayā kāśī na veṇī na ca puṣkaram ekaiva hi yathā puṇyā dhātrī mādhavavāsare

Not the Ganga, not Gaya, not Kashi, not the Veni, and not Pushkara — none is as meritorious as Dhatri alone is, on a day of Madhava.

Verse 120 (skanda.2.109.120)

धात्रीस्नानं हरेर्नाम तथैवैकादशी सुत । गयाश्राद्धं तथा वत्स समानि मुनयो विदुः

dhātrīsnānaṁ harernāma tathaivaikādaśī suta gayāśrāddhaṁ tathā vatsa samāni munayo viduḥ

The Dhatri bath, the name of Hari, and likewise Ekadashi, O son — and, O child, the shraddha at Gaya — the sages know these to be equal in merit.

Verse 121 (skanda.2.109.121)

संस्पृशन्यस्तु वै धात्रीमहन्यहनि मानवः । मुच्यते पातकैः सर्वैर्मनोवाक्कायसंभवैः

saṁspṛśanyastu vai dhātrīmahanyahani mānavaḥ mucyate pātakaiḥ sarvairmanovākkāyasaṁbhavaiḥ

The man who touches the Dhatri every single day is freed from all sins arising from mind, speech, and body.

Verse 122 (skanda.2.109.122)

धात्रीफलैरमावास्यासप्तमीनवमीषु च । रविवारे च संक्रांतौ न स्नायान्मुनिसत्तम

dhātrīphalairamāvāsyāsaptamīnavamīṣu ca ravivāre ca saṁkrāṁtau na snāyānmunisattama

O best of sages, one should not bathe with Dhatri fruits on the new moon, on the seventh or ninth day, on Sunday, or at a sankranti.

Verse 123 (skanda.2.109.123)

यस्मिन्गृहेमुनिवर धात्री तिष्ठति सर्वदा । तस्मिन्गृहे न गच्छंति प्रेतकूष्मांडराक्षसाः

yasmingṛhemunivara dhātrī tiṣṭhati sarvadā tasmingṛhe na gacchaṁti pretakūṣmāṁḍarākṣasāḥ

O best of sages, in whatever house Dhatri ever stands, into that house ghosts, kushmandas, and rakshasas do not go.

Verse 124 (skanda.2.109.124)

धात्रीफलकृतां मालां कंठस्थां यो वहेन्नहि । स वैष्णवो न विज्ञेयो विष्णोर्भक्तिपरो यदि

dhātrīphalakṛtāṁ mālāṁ kaṁṭhasthāṁ yo vahennahi sa vaiṣṇavo na vijñeyo viṣṇorbhaktiparo yadi

Whoever does not wear a garland made of the Dhatri fruit around the neck is not to be recognized as a true Vaishnava, even if devoted to Vishnu.

Verse 125 (skanda.2.109.125)

न त्याज्या तुलसीमाला धात्रीमाला विशेषतः । तथा पद्माक्षमालाऽपि धर्मकामार्थमीप्सुभिः

na tyājyā tulasīmālā dhātrīmālā viśeṣataḥ tathā padmākṣamālā'pi dharmakāmārthamīpsubhiḥ

By those desiring dharma, kama, and artha, the garland of tulasi should never be abandoned, especially the garland of Dhatri, and likewise the rosary of lotus-seeds.

Verse 126 (skanda.2.109.126)

यावद्दिनानि वहते धात्रीमालां कलौ नरः । तावद्युगसहस्राणि वैकुण्ठे वसतिर्भवेत्

yāvaddināni vahate dhātrīmālāṁ kalau naraḥ tāvadyugasahasrāṇi vaikuṇṭhe vasatirbhavet

For as many days as a man wears the garland of Dhatri in the Kali age, for that many thousand ages he dwells in Vaikuntha.

Verse 127 (skanda.2.109.127)

सर्वदेवमयी धात्री वासुदेवमनःप्रिया । आरोपणीया सेव्या च पूजनीया सदा नरैः

sarvadevamayī dhātrī vāsudevamanaḥpriyā āropaṇīyā sevyā ca pūjanīyā sadā naraiḥ

Dhatri, composed of all the gods, dear to the mind of Vasudeva, should always be planted, tended, and worshipped by men.

Verse 128 (skanda.2.109.128)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं धात्रीमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । श्रोतव्यं च सदा भक्तैश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ dhātrīmāhātmyamuttamam śrotavyaṁ ca sadā bhaktaiścaturvargaphalapradam

All this has been told to you — the excellent greatness of Dhatri; it should always be heard by devotees, for it bestows the fruit of the four aims of life.

Verse 129 (skanda.2.109.129)

धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कार्तिकेऽन्नं भुनक्ति यः । अन्नसंसर्गजं पापमावर्षं तस्य नश्यति

dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritya kārtike'nnaṁ bhunakti yaḥ annasaṁsargajaṁ pāpamāvarṣaṁ tasya naśyati

Whoever, taking refuge in the shade of Dhatri, eats food in Kartika, the sin born of contact with impure food, accumulated over a year, is destroyed for him.