Kashyapa's Sin Absolved: the Glory of Swami Pushkarini

Verse 1 (skanda.2.11.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । अथ काश्यपस्य स्वामिपुष्करिणीस्नानेन महापातकनाशः । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि स्वामिपुष्करिणीं शुभाम् । लक्षीकृत्य कथामेकां पवित्रां द्विजसत्तमाः ।

śrīsūta uvāca atha kāśyapasya svāmipuṣkariṇīsnānena mahāpātakanāśaḥ athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi svāmipuṣkariṇīṁ śubhām lakṣīkṛtya kathāmekāṁ pavitrāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Shri Suta said: Now I shall further speak, O excellent brahmins, of the auspicious Swami Pushkarini, taking as our theme a single sacred story.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.11.2)

काश्यपाख्यो द्विजः पूर्वमस्मिंस्तीर्थवरे शुभे । स्नात्वातिमहतः पापाद्विमुक्तो नरकप्रदात् ।

kāśyapākhyo dvijaḥ pūrvamasmiṁstīrthavare śubhe snātvātimahataḥ pāpādvimukto narakapradāt

Long ago, a brahmin named Kashyapa, having bathed in this excellent, auspicious tirtha, was freed from a most grievous sin that leads to hell.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.11.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः । मुने काश्यपनामासावकरोत्किं हि पातकम् । स्नात्वा तीर्थवरे ह्यत्र यस्मान्मुक्तोऽभवत्क्षणात् ।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ mune kāśyapanāmāsāvakarotkiṁ hi pātakam snātvā tīrthavare hyatra yasmānmukto'bhavatkṣaṇāt

The sages said: O sage, what sin had that brahmin named Kashyapa committed, from which, having bathed in this excellent tirtha, he was freed in an instant?

Verse 4 (skanda.2.11.4)

एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां ब्रूहि सूत कृपाबलात् । त्वद्वचोऽमृततृप्तानां न पिपासापि विद्यते ।

etannaḥ śraddadhānānāṁ brūhi sūta kṛpābalāt tvadvaco'mṛtatṛptānāṁ na pipāsāpi vidyate

O Suta, tell this to us who are full of faith, by the strength of your kindness. Though sated by the nectar of your words, we never tire of it.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.11.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच । श्रीस्वामिपुष्करिण्याश्च माहात्म्यप्रतिपादकम् । इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि पठतां पापनाशनम् ।

śrīsūta uvāca śrīsvāmipuṣkariṇyāśca māhātmyapratipādakam itihāsaṁ pravakṣyāmi paṭhatāṁ pāpanāśanam

Shri Suta said: I shall now relate this ancient tale, which establishes the glory of Shri Swami Pushkarini, and which destroys the sins of those who recite it.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.11.6)

अभिमन्युसुतो राजा परीक्षिन्नाम नामतः । अध्यास्त हास्तिनपुरं पालयन्धर्मतो महीम् ।

abhimanyusuto rājā parīkṣinnāma nāmataḥ adhyāsta hāstinapuraṁ pālayandharmato mahīm

The son of Abhimanyu, a king named Parikshit, dwelt in Hastinapura, ruling the earth righteously.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.11.7)

स राजा जातु विपिने चचार मृगयारतः । षष्टिवर्षवया भूपः क्षुत्तृष्णापरिपीडितः ।

sa rājā jātu vipine cacāra mṛgayārataḥ ṣaṣṭivarṣavayā bhūpaḥ kṣuttṛṣṇāparipīḍitaḥ

Once that king, engrossed in the hunt, was wandering in the forest; being sixty years of age, the king became greatly afflicted by hunger and thirst.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.11.8)

नष्टमेकं स विपिने मार्गयन्मृगमादरात् । ध्यानारूढं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा प्राह भूपालकोत्तमः ।

naṣṭamekaṁ sa vipine mārgayanmṛgamādarāt dhyānārūḍhaṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā prāha bhūpālakottamaḥ

Earnestly searching the forest for a deer that had escaped him, he saw a sage absorbed in meditation, and that excellent king said to him—

Verse 9 (skanda.2.11.9)

मया बाणेन विपिने मृगो विद्धोऽधुना मुने । दृष्टः स किं त्वया विद्वन्विद्रुतो भयकातरः ।

mayā bāṇena vipine mṛgo viddho'dhunā mune dṛṣṭaḥ sa kiṁ tvayā vidvanvidruto bhayakātaraḥ

'O sage, I struck a deer with an arrow just now in the forest; have you, O wise one, seen it fleeing, distressed with fear?'

Verse 10 (skanda.2.11.10)

समाधिनिष्ठो मौनित्वान्न किंचिदपि सोऽब्रवीत् । ततो धनुरटन्या स स्कन्धे तस्य महामुनेः ।

samādhiniṣṭho maunitvānna kiṁcidapi so'bravīt tato dhanuraṭanyā sa skandhe tasya mahāmuneḥ

That sage, absorbed in samadhi and bound by his vow of silence, said nothing at all. Then the king, with the tip of his bow, placed upon that great sage's shoulder—

Verse 11 (skanda.2.11.11)

निधाय मृतसर्पं तु कुपितः स्वपुरं ययौ । मुनेस्तस्य सुतः कश्चिच्छृंगीनाम बभूव वै ।

nidhāya mṛtasarpaṁ tu kupitaḥ svapuraṁ yayau munestasya sutaḥ kaścicchṛṁgīnāma babhūva vai

a dead serpent, and, angered, went off to his own city. That sage had a son named Shringi,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.11.12)

सखा तस्य कृशाख्योऽभूच्छृंगिणो द्विजसत्तमः । सखायं शृंगिणं प्राह कृशाख्यः स सखा ततः ।

sakhā tasya kṛśākhyo'bhūcchṛṁgiṇo dvijasattamaḥ sakhāyaṁ śṛṁgiṇaṁ prāha kṛśākhyaḥ sa sakhā tataḥ

and Shringi had a friend, an excellent brahmin named Krisha. That friend Krisha said to his friend Shringi—

Verse 13 (skanda.2.11.13)

पिता तव मृतं सर्पं स्कन्धेन वहतेऽधुना । मा भूद्दर्पस्तव सखे मा क्रुध्यस्त्वमिदं वृथा ।

pitā tava mṛtaṁ sarpaṁ skandhena vahate'dhunā mā bhūddarpastava sakhe mā krudhyastvamidaṁ vṛthā

'Your father is right now carrying a dead serpent upon his shoulder. Let there be no pride in this for you, my friend — do not grow angry over nothing.'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.11.14)

सोऽभवत्कुपितः शृंगी दित्सुः शापं नृपाय वै । मत्ताते शवसर्पं यो न्यस्तवान्मूढचेतनः ।

so'bhavatkupitaḥ śṛṁgī ditsuḥ śāpaṁ nṛpāya vai mattāte śavasarpaṁ yo nyastavānmūḍhacetanaḥ

Then Shringi, enraged, resolved to curse the king — 'That foolish-minded man who placed a dead serpent upon my senseless father,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.11.15)

स सप्तरात्रान्म्रियतां संदष्टस्तक्षकाहिना । शशापैवं मुनिसुतः सौभद्रेयं परीक्षितम् ।

sa saptarātrānmriyatāṁ saṁdaṣṭastakṣakāhinā śaśāpaivaṁ munisutaḥ saubhadreyaṁ parīkṣitam

let him, bitten by the serpent Takshaka, die within seven nights' time' — thus did the sage's son curse Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.11.16)

शमीकाख्यः पिता तस्य शप्तं श्रुत्वा सुतेन तम् । नृपं प्रोवाच तनयं शृङ्गिणं मुनिपुंगवः ।

śamīkākhyaḥ pitā tasya śaptaṁ śrutvā sutena tam nṛpaṁ provāca tanayaṁ śṛṅgiṇaṁ munipuṁgavaḥ

His father, the sage named Shamika, hearing of this curse spoken by his son, said to his son Shringi—

Verse 17 (skanda.2.11.17)

रक्षकं सर्वलोकानां नृपं किं शप्तवानसि । अराजके वयं लोके स्थास्यामः कथमञ्जसा ।

rakṣakaṁ sarvalokānāṁ nṛpaṁ kiṁ śaptavānasi arājake vayaṁ loke sthāsyāmaḥ kathamañjasā

'Why have you cursed the king, protector of all the worlds? How shall we live at ease in a kingless world?

Verse 18 (skanda.2.11.18)

क्रोधेन पातकं भूयाद्दयया प्राप्यते सुखम् । यः समुत्पादितं कोपं क्षमयैव निरस्यति ।

krodhena pātakaṁ bhūyāddayayā prāpyate sukham yaḥ samutpāditaṁ kopaṁ kṣamayaiva nirasyati

From anger comes sin; from compassion comes happiness. He who dispels his risen anger with forgiveness alone,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.11.19)

इह लोके परत्रासावत्यंतं सुखमश्नुते । क्षमायुक्ता हि पुरुषा लभंते श्रेय उत्तमम् ।

iha loke paratrāsāvatyaṁtaṁ sukhamaśnute kṣamāyuktā hi puruṣā labhaṁte śreya uttamam

enjoys the greatest happiness in this world and the next. It is men endowed with forgiveness who attain the highest good.'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.11.20)

ततः शमीकः स्वं शिष्यं प्राह गौरमुखाभिधम् । भो गौरमुख गत्वा त्वं वद भूपं परीक्षितम् ।

tataḥ śamīkaḥ svaṁ śiṣyaṁ prāha gauramukhābhidham bho gauramukha gatvā tvaṁ vada bhūpaṁ parīkṣitam

Then the sage Shamika said to his disciple Gauramukha, 'O Gauramukha, go and tell King Parikshit—

Verse 21 (skanda.2.11.21)

इमं शापं मत्सुतोक्तं तक्षकाधिपदंशनम् । पुनरायाहि शीघ्रं त्वं मत्समीपं महामते ।

imaṁ śāpaṁ matsutoktaṁ takṣakādhipadaṁśanam punarāyāhi śīghraṁ tvaṁ matsamīpaṁ mahāmate

of this curse spoken by my son — the bite of the king of serpents, Takshaka. And then, O wise one, return quickly to my side.'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.11.22)

एवमुक्तः शमीकेन ययौ गौरमुखो नृपम् । समेत्य चाब्रवीद्भूपं सौभद्रेयं परीक्षितम् ।

evamuktaḥ śamīkena yayau gauramukho nṛpam sametya cābravīdbhūpaṁ saubhadreyaṁ parīkṣitam

Thus commanded by Shamika, Gauramukha went to the king, and, meeting Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, said—

Verse 23 (skanda.2.11.23)

दृष्ट्वा सर्पं पितुः स्कंधे त्वया विनिहितं मृतम् । शमीकस्य सुतः शृङ्गी शशाप त्वां रुषान्वितः ।

dṛṣṭvā sarpaṁ pituḥ skaṁdhe tvayā vinihitaṁ mṛtam śamīkasya sutaḥ śṛṅgī śaśāpa tvāṁ ruṣānvitaḥ

'Having seen the dead serpent that you placed upon his father's shoulder, Shringi, the son of Shamika, in anger has cursed you—

Verse 24 (skanda.2.11.24)

एतद्दिनात्सप्तमेऽह्नि तक्षकेण महाहिना । दष्टो विषाग्निना दग्धो भूयादाश्वभिमन्युजः ।

etaddinātsaptame'hni takṣakeṇa mahāhinā daṣṭo viṣāgninā dagdho bhūyādāśvabhimanyujaḥ

that on the seventh day from today, the great serpent Takshaka shall bite you, and you, O son of Abhimanyu, shall be consumed by the fire of his venom.'

Verse 25 (skanda.2.11.25)

एवं शशाप त्वां राजञ्छृंगी तस्य मुनेः सुतः । एतद्वक्तुं पिता तस्य प्राहिणोन्मां त्वदंतिकम् ।

evaṁ śaśāpa tvāṁ rājañchṛṁgī tasya muneḥ sutaḥ etadvaktuṁ pitā tasya prāhiṇonmāṁ tvadaṁtikam

'Thus, O king, has Shringi, that sage's son, cursed you. It was only to tell you this that his father sent me to you.'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.11.26)

इतीरयित्वा तं भूपमाशु गौरमुखो ययौ । गते गौरमुखे पश्चाद्राजा शोकपरायणः ।

itīrayitvā taṁ bhūpamāśu gauramukho yayau gate gauramukhe paścādrājā śokaparāyaṇaḥ

Having said this, Gauramukha quickly departed from the king. After Gauramukha had gone, the king, given over to grief,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.11.27)

अभ्रंलिहमथोत्तुङ्गमेकस्तंभं सुविस्तृतम् । मध्ये गङ्गं व्यतनुत मण्डपं नृपपुङ्गवः ।

abhraṁlihamathottuṅgamekastaṁbhaṁ suvistṛtam madhye gaṅgaṁ vyatanuta maṇḍapaṁ nṛpapuṅgavaḥ

had built, in the middle of the Ganga, a most excellent pavilion — cloud-touching, exceedingly lofty, resting upon a single pillar, and vast in extent.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.11.28)

महागारुडमन्त्रज्ञैरोषधिज्ञैश्चिकित्सकैः । तक्षकस्य विषं हन्तुं यत्नं कुर्वन्समाहितः ।

mahāgāruḍamantrajñairoṣadhijñaiścikitsakaiḥ takṣakasya viṣaṁ hantuṁ yatnaṁ kurvansamāhitaḥ

With great experts in the Garuda-mantra, masters of herbs, and physicians, striving carefully to counteract Takshaka's venom,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.11.29)

अनेकदेवब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिप्रवरान्वितः । आस्ते तस्मिन्नृपस्तुङ्गे मण्डपे विष्णुभक्तिमान् ।

anekadevabrahmarṣirājarṣipravarānvitaḥ āste tasminnṛpastuṅge maṇḍape viṣṇubhaktimān

and surrounded by many gods, sages born of Brahma, and excellent royal sages, that king, devoted to Vishnu, remained in that lofty pavilion.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.11.30)

तस्मिन्नवसरे विप्रः काश्यपो मान्त्रिकोत्तमः । राजानं रक्षितुं प्रायात्तक्षकस्य महाविषात् ।

tasminnavasare vipraḥ kāśyapo māntrikottamaḥ rājānaṁ rakṣituṁ prāyāttakṣakasya mahāviṣāt

At that time a brahmin named Kashyapa, the finest of those versed in mantras, set out to protect the king from Takshaka's great venom.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.11.31)

सप्तमेऽहनि विप्रेन्द्रो दरिद्रो धनकामुकः । अत्रांतरे तक्षकोऽपि विप्ररूपी समाययौ ।

saptame'hani viprendro daridro dhanakāmukaḥ atrāṁtare takṣako'pi viprarūpī samāyayau

On the seventh day that excellent brahmin, who was poor and desirous of wealth, was on his way; meanwhile Takshaka too, assuming the form of a brahmin, arrived there.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.11.32)

मध्येमार्गं विलोक्याथ काश्यपं प्रत्यभाषत । ब्राह्मण त्वं कुत्र यासि वद मेऽद्य महामुने ।

madhyemārgaṁ vilokyātha kāśyapaṁ pratyabhāṣata brāhmaṇa tvaṁ kutra yāsi vada me'dya mahāmune

Seeing him in the middle of the road, Takshaka spoke to Kashyapa: 'O brahmin, where are you going? Tell me this today, O great sage.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.11.33)

इति पृष्टस्तदाऽवादीत्काश्यपस्तक्षकं द्विजः । परीक्षितं महाराजं तक्षकोऽद्य विषाग्निना ।

iti pṛṣṭastadā'vādītkāśyapastakṣakaṁ dvijaḥ parīkṣitaṁ mahārājaṁ takṣako'dya viṣāgninā

Thus asked, the brahmin Kashyapa said to Takshaka, 'Today the great king Parikshit shall be consumed by Takshaka's venomous fire—

Verse 34 (skanda.2.11.34)

धक्ष्यते तं शमयितुं तत्समीपमुपैम्यहम् । इत्युक्तः स च तं विप्रं तक्षकः पुनरब्रवीत् ।

dhakṣyate taṁ śamayituṁ tatsamīpamupaimyaham ityuktaḥ sa ca taṁ vipraṁ takṣakaḥ punarabravīt

it is to counter that very poison that I am going to him.' Hearing this, Takshaka spoke again to that brahmin—

Verse 35 (skanda.2.11.35)

तक्षकोऽहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ मया दष्टश्चिकित्सितुम् । न शक्योब्दशतेनाऽपि महामन्त्रायुतैरपि ।

takṣako'haṁ dvijaśreṣṭha mayā daṣṭaścikitsitum na śakyobdaśatenā'pi mahāmantrāyutairapi

'O excellent brahmin, I myself am Takshaka. One bitten by me cannot be cured, not even in a hundred years, not even by ten thousand recitations of the greatest mantras.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.11.36)

चिकित्सितुं चेन्मद्दष्टं शक्तिरस्ति तवाधुना । अनेकयोजनोच्छ्रायं दशाम्युज्जीवय द्रुमम् ।

cikitsituṁ cenmaddaṣṭaṁ śaktirasti tavādhunā anekayojanocchrāyaṁ daśāmyujjīvaya drumam

But if you truly have the power now to cure even my bite, then bring back to life this tree, many yojanas in height, [after I bite it],

Verse 37 (skanda.2.11.37)

ततो भवान्समर्थो हीत्येवं मे भाति हे द्विज । इतीरयित्वा तं वृक्षमदशत्तक्षकस्तदा ।

tato bhavānsamartho hītyevaṁ me bhāti he dvija itīrayitvā taṁ vṛkṣamadaśattakṣakastadā

'and only then will I believe you capable, O brahmin.' Having said this, Takshaka then bit that tree.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.11.38)

अभवद्भस्मसात्सोऽपि वृक्षोत्यन्तसमुच्छ्रितः । पूर्वमेव नरः कश्चित्तं वृक्षमधिरूढवान् ।

abhavadbhasmasātso'pi vṛkṣotyantasamucchritaḥ pūrvameva naraḥ kaścittaṁ vṛkṣamadhirūḍhavān

That exceedingly great tree was at once reduced to ashes. Now, a certain man had already climbed up into that tree,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.11.39)

तक्षकस्य विषोल्काभिः सोऽपि दग्धोऽभवत्तदा । तन्नरं न विजज्ञाते तौ च काश्यपतक्षकौ ।

takṣakasya viṣolkābhiḥ so'pi dagdho'bhavattadā tannaraṁ na vijajñāte tau ca kāśyapatakṣakau

and he too was burned by the flames of Takshaka's venom. Neither Kashyapa nor Takshaka had known of that man's presence.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.11.40)

काश्यपः प्रतिजज्ञेऽथ तक्षकस्यापि शृण्वतः । मन्मन्त्रशक्तिं पश्यन्तु सर्वे विप्रादयोऽधुना ।

kāśyapaḥ pratijajñe'tha takṣakasyāpi śṛṇvataḥ manmantraśaktiṁ paśyantu sarve viprādayo'dhunā

Then, in Takshaka's very hearing, Kashyapa made a vow: 'Let all the brahmins and others now witness the power of my mantras.'

Verse 41 (skanda.2.11.41)

इतीरयित्वा तं वृक्षं भस्मीभूतं विषाग्निना । आजीवयन्मन्त्रशक्त्या काश्यपो मान्त्रिकोत्तमः ।

itīrayitvā taṁ vṛkṣaṁ bhasmībhūtaṁ viṣāgninā ājīvayanmantraśaktyā kāśyapo māntrikottamaḥ

Having said this, that finest of mantra-adepts, Kashyapa, by the power of his mantras, brought back to life that tree which had been reduced to ashes by the fire of venom,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.11.42)

स नरस्तेन वृक्षेण साकमुज्जीवितोऽभवत् । अथाब्रवीत्तक्षकस्तं काश्यपं मन्त्रकोविदम् ।

sa narastena vṛkṣeṇa sākamujjīvito'bhavat athābravīttakṣakastaṁ kāśyapaṁ mantrakovidam

and together with that tree, that man too was restored to life. Then Takshaka spoke to Kashyapa, that expert in mantras—

Verse 43 (skanda.2.11.43)

यथा न मुनिवाङ्मिथ्या भवेदेवं कुरु द्विज । यत्ते राजा धनं दद्यात्ततोऽपि द्विगुणं धनम् ।

yathā na munivāṅmithyā bhavedevaṁ kuru dvija yatte rājā dhanaṁ dadyāttato'pi dviguṇaṁ dhanam

'O brahmin, act so that my words do not turn out false. Whatever wealth the king would have given you, I shall give you double that wealth—

Verse 44 (skanda.2.11.44)

ददाम्यहं निवर्तस्व शीघ्रमेव द्विजोत्तम । इत्युक्त्वानर्घरत्नानि तस्मै दत्त्वा स तक्षकः ।

dadāmyahaṁ nivartasva śīghrameva dvijottama ityuktvānargharatnāni tasmai dattvā sa takṣakaḥ

take it, and turn back at once, O excellent brahmin.' Having said this, Takshaka gave him priceless jewels,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.11.45)

न्यवर्तयत्काश्यपं तं ब्राह्मणं मन्त्रकोविदम् । अल्पायुषं नृपं मत्वा ज्ञानदृष्ट्या स काश्यपः ।

nyavartayatkāśyapaṁ taṁ brāhmaṇaṁ mantrakovidam alpāyuṣaṁ nṛpaṁ matvā jñānadṛṣṭyā sa kāśyapaḥ

and turned back the brahmin Kashyapa, that expert in mantras. Knowing by his power of insight that the king's life was in any case near its end,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.11.46)

स्वाश्रमं प्रययौ तूष्णीं लब्धरत्नश्च तक्षकात् । सोऽब्रवीत्तक्षकः सर्पान्सर्वानाहूय तत्क्षणे ।

svāśramaṁ prayayau tūṣṇīṁ labdharatnaśca takṣakāt so'bravīttakṣakaḥ sarpānsarvānāhūya tatkṣaṇe

Kashyapa, having taken the jewels from Takshaka, went silently back to his own hermitage. Then Takshaka, that very moment, summoned all the serpents and said—

Verse 47 (skanda.2.11.47)

यूयं तं नृपतिं प्राप्य मुनीनां वेषधारिणः । उपहारफलान्याशु प्रयच्छत परीक्षिते ।

yūyaṁ taṁ nṛpatiṁ prāpya munīnāṁ veṣadhāriṇaḥ upahāraphalānyāśu prayacchata parīkṣite

'Assuming the form of sages, go all of you to that king, and quickly present fruits to Parikshit as an offering.'

Verse 48 (skanda.2.11.48)

तथेत्युक्त्वा सर्वसर्पा ददू राज्ञे फलान्यमी । तक्षकोऽपि तथा तत्र कस्मिंश्चिद्बदरीफले ।

tathetyuktvā sarvasarpā dadū rājñe phalānyamī takṣako'pi tathā tatra kasmiṁścidbadarīphale

'So be it,' the serpents said, and all of them gave the king those fruits. Takshaka too, within one particular jujube fruit among them,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.11.49)

कृमिवेषधरो भूत्वा व्यतिष्ठद्दंशितुं नृपम् । अथ राजा प्रदत्तानि सर्वैर्ब्राह्मणरूपकैः ।

kṛmiveṣadharo bhūtvā vyatiṣṭhaddaṁśituṁ nṛpam atha rājā pradattāni sarvairbrāhmaṇarūpakaiḥ

took the form of a worm and lay in wait to bite the king. Then the king, having received the fruits given by all those disguised as brahmins,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.11.50)

परीक्षिन्मन्त्रिवृद्धेभ्यो दत्त्वा सर्वफलान्यपि ।

parīkṣinmantrivṛddhebhyo dattvā sarvaphalānyapi

gave nearly all of those fruits away to his elder ministers.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.11.51)

कौतूहलेन जग्राह स्थूलमेकं करे फलम् । तस्मिन्नवसरे सूर्योऽप्यस्ताचलमगाहत ।

kautūhalena jagrāha sthūlamekaṁ kare phalam tasminnavasare sūryo'pyastācalamagāhata

Out of curiosity, he picked up one large fruit in his hand. At that very moment, the sun too was setting behind the western mountain.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.11.52)

मिथ्या ऋषिवचो माभूदिति तत्रत्यमानवाः । अन्योऽन्यमवदन्सर्वे ब्राह्मणाश्च नृपास्तदा ।

mithyā ṛṣivaco mābhūditi tatratyamānavāḥ anyo'nyamavadansarve brāhmaṇāśca nṛpāstadā

Thinking, 'let not the sage's word turn out false,' all the brahmins and kings present there began saying to one another,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.11.53)

एवं वदत्सु सर्वेषु फले तस्मिन्नदृश्यत । साधु रक्तः कृमिः सर्वै राज्ञा चापि परीक्षिता ।

evaṁ vadatsu sarveṣu phale tasminnadṛśyata sādhu raktaḥ kṛmiḥ sarvai rājñā cāpi parīkṣitā

and even as they were speaking, there appeared within that fruit a rather fine, red-colored worm, seen by the king and by everyone.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.11.54)

अयं किं मां दशेदद्य क्रिमिरित्युक्तवान्नृपः । निदधे तत्फलं कण्ठे सकृमि द्विजसत्तमाः ।

ayaṁ kiṁ māṁ daśedadya krimirityuktavānnṛpaḥ nidadhe tatphalaṁ kaṇṭhe sakṛmi dvijasattamāḥ

Saying, 'What harm could this little worm do to me today?', the king, O excellent brahmins, placed that fruit, worm and all, upon his own neck.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.11.55)

तक्षकोऽस्मिन्स्थितः कण्ठे कृमिरूपी फले तदा । निर्गत्य तत्फलादाशु नृपदेहमवेष्टयत् ।

takṣako'sminsthitaḥ kaṇṭhe kṛmirūpī phale tadā nirgatya tatphalādāśu nṛpadehamaveṣṭayat

Takshaka, who lay within that fruit in the form of a worm, at once emerged swiftly from it and coiled himself around the king's body.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.11.56)

तक्षकावेष्टिते भूपे पार्श्वस्था दुद्रुवुर्भयात् । अनन्तरं नृपो विप्रास्तक्षकस्य विषाग्निना ।

takṣakāveṣṭite bhūpe pārśvasthā dudruvurbhayāt anantaraṁ nṛpo viprāstakṣakasya viṣāgninā

Seeing the king coiled about by Takshaka, those standing nearby fled in terror. After this, the king, O brahmins, by the fierce fire of Takshaka's venom,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.11.57)

दग्धोभूद्भस्मसादाशु सप्रासादो बलीयसा । कृत्वौर्ध्वदेहिकं तस्य नृपस्य सपुरोहिताः ।

dagdhobhūdbhasmasādāśu saprāsādo balīyasā kṛtvaurdhvadehikaṁ tasya nṛpasya sapurohitāḥ

was at once burned to ashes, together with his very palace. Having performed his final rites, together with his priests,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.11.58)

मंत्रिणस्तत्सुतं राज्ये जनमेजयनामकम् । राजानमभ्यषिञ्चन्वै जगद्रक्षणवाच्छया ।

maṁtriṇastatsutaṁ rājye janamejayanāmakam rājānamabhyaṣiñcanvai jagadrakṣaṇavācchayā

the ministers, wishing to protect the world, consecrated his son, named Janamejaya, upon the throne.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.11.59)

तक्षकाद्रक्षितुं भूपमायातः काश्यपाभिधः । यो ब्राह्मणो मुनिश्रेष्ठः स सर्वैर्निंदितो जनैः ।

takṣakādrakṣituṁ bhūpamāyātaḥ kāśyapābhidhaḥ yo brāhmaṇo muniśreṣṭhaḥ sa sarvairniṁdito janaiḥ

That excellent sage and brahmin named Kashyapa, who had come to protect the king from Takshaka, was condemned by all the people.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.11.60)

बभ्राम सकलान्देशाञ्छिष्टैः सर्वैश्च दूषितः । अवस्थानं न लेभे स ग्रामे वाप्याश्रमेऽपि वा ।

babhrāma sakalāndeśāñchiṣṭaiḥ sarvaiśca dūṣitaḥ avasthānaṁ na lebhe sa grāme vāpyāśrame'pi vā

He wandered through every land, condemned by all the righteous, finding no place to stay in any village or any hermitage.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.11.61)

यान्यान्देशानसौ यातस्तत्र तत्र महाजनैः । तत्तद्देशान्निरस्तः सञ्छाकल्यं शरणं ययौ ।

yānyāndeśānasau yātastatra tatra mahājanaiḥ tattaddeśānnirastaḥ sañchākalyaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayau

Whatever country he entered, the great people there drove him out of that country; at last he sought refuge with the sage Shakalya.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.11.62)

प्रणम्य शाकल्यमुनिं काश्यपो निन्दितो जनैः । इदं विज्ञापयामास शाकल्याय महात्मने ।

praṇamya śākalyamuniṁ kāśyapo nindito janaiḥ idaṁ vijñāpayāmāsa śākalyāya mahātmane

Kashyapa, condemned by the people, bowed to the sage Shakalya, and submitted this plea to the great soul Shakalya—

Verse 63 (skanda.2.11.63)

काश्यप उवाच । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ शाकल्य हरिवल्लभ । मुनयो ब्राह्मणाश्चान्ये मां निन्दंति सुहृज्जनाः ।

kāśyapa uvāca bhagavansarvadharmajña śākalya harivallabha munayo brāhmaṇāścānye māṁ nindaṁti suhṛjjanāḥ

Kashyapa said: O Lord, O Shakalya, knower of all dharma, O beloved of Hari — the sages, the brahmins, and my other friends all condemn me,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.11.64)

नास्याहं कारणं जाने किं मां निन्दंति मानवाः । ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानगुरुस्त्रीगमनं तथा ।

nāsyāhaṁ kāraṇaṁ jāne kiṁ māṁ nindaṁti mānavāḥ brahmahatyā surāpānagurustrīgamanaṁ tathā

but I do not know the reason why people condemn me. Brahmin-slaying, drinking of liquor, violating the teacher's wife,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.11.65)

स्तेयं संसर्गदोषो वा मया नाचरितं क्वचित् । अन्यान्यपि च पापानि न कृतानि मया मुने ।

steyaṁ saṁsargadoṣo vā mayā nācaritaṁ kvacit anyānyapi ca pāpāni na kṛtāni mayā mune

theft, or the fault of impure association — none of these have I ever committed; nor have I committed any other sin, O sage.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.11.66)

तथाऽपि निन्दंति जना वृथा मां बान्धवादयः । जानासि चेत्त्वं शाकल्य मया दोषं कृतं वद ।

tathā'pi nindaṁti janā vṛthā māṁ bāndhavādayaḥ jānāsi cettvaṁ śākalya mayā doṣaṁ kṛtaṁ vada

Yet people condemn me for nothing, even my own kinsmen. O Shakalya, if you know, tell me what fault I have committed.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.11.67)

उक्तोऽथ काश्यपेनैव शाकल्याख्यो महामुनिः । क्षणं ध्यात्वा बभाषे तं काश्यपं द्विजसत्तमाः ।

ukto'tha kāśyapenaiva śākalyākhyo mahāmuniḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā babhāṣe taṁ kāśyapaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Thus questioned by Kashyapa, the great sage Shakalya, having meditated a moment, O excellent brahmins, said to Kashyapa—

Verse 68 (skanda.2.11.68)

शाकल्य उवाच । परीक्षितं महाराजं तक्षकाद्रक्षितुं भवान् । आयासीदर्धमार्गे तु तक्षकेण निवारितः ।

śākalya uvāca parīkṣitaṁ mahārājaṁ takṣakādrakṣituṁ bhavān āyāsīdardhamārge tu takṣakeṇa nivāritaḥ

Shakalya said: You had set out to protect the great king Parikshit from Takshaka, but you were turned back midway by Takshaka himself.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.11.69)

चिकित्सितुं समर्थोऽपि विषरोगादिपीडितम् । यो न रक्षति लोकेस्मिंस्तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातकम् ।

cikitsituṁ samartho'pi viṣarogādipīḍitam yo na rakṣati lokesmiṁstamāhurbrahmaghātakam

Though capable of curing one afflicted with the disease of poison, he who fails to save him is called, in this world, a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.11.70)

क्रोधात्कामाद्भयाल्लोभान्मात्सर्यान्मोहतोऽपि वा । यो न रक्षति विप्रेंद्र विषरोगातुरं नरम् ।

krodhātkāmādbhayāllobhānmātsaryānmohato'pi vā yo na rakṣati vipreṁdra viṣarogāturaṁ naram

O excellent brahmin, whether from anger, desire, fear, greed, envy, or even delusion, he who fails to protect a man afflicted with the disease of poison,

Verse 71 (skanda.2.11.71)

ब्रह्महा च सुरापी वा स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः । संसर्गदोषदुष्टश्च नापि तस्य विनिष्कृतिः ।

brahmahā ca surāpī vā steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ saṁsargadoṣaduṣṭaśca nāpi tasya viniṣkṛtiḥ

is held guilty as one who slays a brahmin, drinks liquor, steals, or violates his teacher's bed — even for one so tainted with such contamination there is atonement,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.11.72)

कन्याविक्रयिणश्चापि हयविक्रयिणस्तथा । कृतघ्नस्याऽपि शास्त्रेषु प्रायश्चित्तं तु विद्यते ।

kanyāvikrayiṇaścāpi hayavikrayiṇastathā kṛtaghnasyā'pi śāstreṣu prāyaścittaṁ tu vidyate

and even for one who sells a daughter, one who sells a horse, and one who is ungrateful, the scriptures provide atonement.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.11.73)

विषरोगातुरं यस्तु समर्थोऽपि न रक्षति । न तस्य निष्कृतिः प्रोक्ता प्रायश्चित्तायुतैरपि ।

viṣarogāturaṁ yastu samartho'pi na rakṣati na tasya niṣkṛtiḥ proktā prāyaścittāyutairapi

But for one who, though capable, fails to protect a man afflicted with the disease of poison, no atonement — not even ten thousand acts of penance — is said to bring release.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.11.74)

न तेन सह पङ्क्तौ च भुञ्जीत सुकृती जनः । न तेन सह भाषेत न पश्येत्तं नरं क्वचित् ।

na tena saha paṅktau ca bhuñjīta sukṛtī janaḥ na tena saha bhāṣeta na paśyettaṁ naraṁ kvacit

A meritorious person should not eat with him in the same row, should not speak with him, and should never even look upon such a man;

Verse 75 (skanda.2.11.75)

तत्संभाषणमात्रेण महापातकभाग्भवेत् । परीक्षित्स महाराजः पुण्यश्लोकश्च धार्मिकः ।

tatsaṁbhāṣaṇamātreṇa mahāpātakabhāgbhavet parīkṣitsa mahārājaḥ puṇyaślokaśca dhārmikaḥ

merely by conversing with him, one becomes party to a grievous sin. The great king Parikshit was of blessed renown, righteous,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.11.76)

विष्णुभक्तो महायोगी चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षिता । व्यासपुत्राद्धरिकथां श्रुतवान्भक्तिपूर्वकम् ।

viṣṇubhakto mahāyogī cāturvarṇyasya rakṣitā vyāsaputrāddharikathāṁ śrutavānbhaktipūrvakam

a devotee of Vishnu, a great yogi, protector of all four social orders; he had heard the story of Hari with devotion from the son of Vyasa, Shukadeva.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.11.77)

अरक्षित्वा नृपं तं तु वचसा तक्षकस्य यत् । निवृत्तस्तेन विप्रेन्द्रैर्बान्धवैरपि दूष्यसे ।

arakṣitvā nṛpaṁ taṁ tu vacasā takṣakasya yat nivṛttastena viprendrairbāndhavairapi dūṣyase

By not protecting that king, and turning back on account of Takshaka's words — for this very reason, O excellent brahmin, you are condemned even by your own kinsmen.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.11.78)

स परीक्षिन्महाराजो यद्यपि क्षणजीवितः । तथापि यावन्मरणं बुधैः कार्यं चिकित्सितम् ।

sa parīkṣinmahārājo yadyapi kṣaṇajīvitaḥ tathāpi yāvanmaraṇaṁ budhaiḥ kāryaṁ cikitsitam

Even though that great king Parikshit had but a moment left to live, still, the wise should have continued his treatment right up until death.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.11.79)

यावत्कण्ठगताः प्राणा मुमूषोर्मानवस्य हि । तावच्चिकित्सा कर्तव्या कालस्य कुटिला गतिः ।

yāvatkaṇṭhagatāḥ prāṇā mumūṣormānavasya hi tāvaccikitsā kartavyā kālasya kuṭilā gatiḥ

So long as the life-breath of a dying man still lingers at his throat, treatment must continue — for the movement of time is devious and uncertain,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.11.80)

इति प्राहुः पुरा श्लोकं भिषग्विद्याब्धिपारगाः । ततश्चिकित्साशक्तोऽपि यस्मादकृतभेषजः ।

iti prāhuḥ purā ślokaṁ bhiṣagvidyābdhipāragāḥ tataścikitsāśakto'pi yasmādakṛtabheṣajaḥ

— thus have physicians, who had crossed the ocean of the science of medicine, declared in a verse of old. Therefore, being capable of treatment yet, having given no remedy,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.11.81)

अर्धमार्गे निवृत्तश्च तेन त्वं गर्हितो ह्यसि । शाकल्येनैवमुदितः काश्यपः प्रत्यभाषत ।

ardhamārge nivṛttaśca tena tvaṁ garhito hyasi śākalyenaivamuditaḥ kāśyapaḥ pratyabhāṣata

and having turned back midway, you have become condemned.' Thus addressed by Shakalya, Kashyapa replied—

Verse 82 (skanda.2.11.82)

काश्यप उवाच । ममैतद्दोषशांत्यर्थमुपायं वद सुव्रत । येन मां प्रतिगृह्णीयुर्बान्धवाः ससुहृज्जनाः ।

kāśyapa uvāca mamaitaddoṣaśāṁtyarthamupāyaṁ vada suvrata yena māṁ pratigṛhṇīyurbāndhavāḥ sasuhṛjjanāḥ

Kashyapa said: O virtuous one, tell me some remedy for the pacification of this fault, by which my kinsmen and friends may accept me once more.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.11.83)

कृपां मयि कुरुष्व त्वं शाकल्य हरिवल्लभ । काश्यपेनैवमुक्तस्तु शाकल्योऽपि मुनीश्वरः ।

kṛpāṁ mayi kuruṣva tvaṁ śākalya harivallabha kāśyapenaivamuktastu śākalyo'pi munīśvaraḥ

'O Shakalya, beloved of Hari, be gracious to me.' Thus addressed by Kashyapa, that lord among sages, Shakalya,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.11.84)

क्षणं ध्यात्वा जगादैवं काश्यपं कृपया तदा ।

kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā jagādaivaṁ kāśyapaṁ kṛpayā tadā

having meditated a moment, then spoke to Kashyapa out of compassion—

Verse 85 (skanda.2.11.85)

शाकल्य उवाच । अस्य पापस्य शान्त्यर्थमुपायं प्रवदामि ते । तत्कर्तव्यं त्वया शीघ्रं विलम्बं मा कृथा द्विज ।

śākalya uvāca asya pāpasya śāntyarthamupāyaṁ pravadāmi te tatkartavyaṁ tvayā śīghraṁ vilambaṁ mā kṛthā dvija

Shakalya said: I shall tell you the remedy for the pacification of this sin. Do it quickly, O brahmin — do not delay.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.11.86)

सुवर्णमुखरीतीरे लक्ष्मीपतिनिवासभूः । वेंकटाद्रिरिति ख्यातः सर्वलोकेषु पूजितः ।

suvarṇamukharītīre lakṣmīpatinivāsabhūḥ veṁkaṭādririti khyātaḥ sarvalokeṣu pūjitaḥ

On the bank of the river Suvarnamukhari, as the dwelling-place of Lakshmi's Lord, there stands a mountain renowned by the name Venkatadri, worshipped in all the worlds.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.11.87)

तस्मिञ्छेषगिरौ पुण्ये सुरासुरनमस्कृते । ब्रह्महत्यासुरापानस्वर्णस्तेयादिनाशके ।

tasmiñcheṣagirau puṇye surāsuranamaskṛte brahmahatyāsurāpānasvarṇasteyādināśake

On that sacred mountain of Shesha, bowed to by both gods and demons, there is — destroying sins such as the slaying of a brahmin, drinking liquor, or the theft of gold—

Verse 88 (skanda.2.11.88)

स्वामिपुष्करिणी चेति सर्वपापापनोदिनी । उत्तरे श्रीनिवासस्य वर्तते मंगलप्रदा ।

svāmipuṣkariṇī ceti sarvapāpāpanodinī uttare śrīnivāsasya vartate maṁgalapradā

the tirtha named Swami Pushkarini, remover of every sin, bestower of good fortune, situated to the north of Srinivasa.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.11.89)

तं गत्वा वेंकटं शैलं स्वामिपुष्करिणीं शुभाम् । स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वं तु वराहस्वामिनं हरिम् ।

taṁ gatvā veṁkaṭaṁ śailaṁ svāmipuṣkariṇīṁ śubhām snātvā saṁkalpapūrvaṁ tu varāhasvāminaṁ harim

Going there to the Venkata mountain, bathing with due resolve in the auspicious Swami Pushkarini, and worshipping Lord Hari as Varaha-svami,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.11.90)

सेवित्वा पश्चिमे तीरे निर्गत्य हरिमन्दिरम् । गत्वा तत्र विधानेन स्वर्णाचलनिवासिनम् ।

sevitvā paścime tīre nirgatya harimandiram gatvā tatra vidhānena svarṇācalanivāsinam

and then going out by the western bank, and going according to rite to Hari's temple, the dweller of the golden mountain,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.11.91)

श्रीनिवासं परं देवं भक्तानामभयप्रदम् । शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं वनमालाविभूषितम् ।

śrīnivāsaṁ paraṁ devaṁ bhaktānāmabhayapradam śaṅkhacakradharaṁ devaṁ vanamālāvibhūṣitam

the supreme Lord Srinivasa — who grants fearlessness to his devotees, bears the conch and discus, and is adorned with a garland of forest flowers—

Verse 92 (skanda.2.11.92)

दृष्ट्वा निर्धूतपापोऽसि संशयं मा कृथा द्विज । शाकल्येनैवमुक्तस्तु काश्यपो मुनिपुंगवः ।

dṛṣṭvā nirdhūtapāpo'si saṁśayaṁ mā kṛthā dvija śākalyenaivamuktastu kāśyapo munipuṁgavaḥ

beholding him, your sins shall be washed away; have no doubt of this, O brahmin.' Thus addressed by Shakalya, that eminent sage Kashyapa,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.11.93)

गत्वा वेंकटशैलेन्द्रं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् । पुष्करिण्यां शुभायां तु स्नातो नियमपूर्वकम् ।

gatvā veṁkaṭaśailendraṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam puṣkariṇyāṁ śubhāyāṁ tu snāto niyamapūrvakam

went to that mountain of Venkata, bowed to by gods and demons, and, bathing according to rule in the auspicious Pushkarini,

Verse 94 (skanda.2.11.94)

स्वस्थोऽभूत्काश्यपो विप्रो भिषग्विद्याब्धिपारगः । सर्वे बंधुजना विप्राः काश्यपं ब्राह्मणोत्तमम् ।

svastho'bhūtkāśyapo vipro bhiṣagvidyābdhipāragaḥ sarve baṁdhujanā viprāḥ kāśyapaṁ brāhmaṇottamam

the brahmin Kashyapa, who had crossed the ocean of the science of medicine, became whole again. All his kinsmen and the brahmins,

Verse 95 (skanda.2.11.95)

पूजयित्वा विधानेन पूज्योऽसि न च संशयः । एवं वः कथितं विप्रा वेंकटाचलवैभवम् ।

pūjayitvā vidhānena pūjyo'si na ca saṁśayaḥ evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā veṁkaṭācalavaibhavam

honoring that excellent brahmin Kashyapa according to rite, said, 'You are worthy of honor — of this there is no doubt.' Thus, O brahmins, have I told you the glory of Venkatachala.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.11.96)

यः शृणोति नरो भक्त्या विष्णुलोके महीयते ।

yaḥ śṛṇoti naro bhaktyā viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whatever man hears this with devotion is glorified in the world of Vishnu.