The Glory of the Final Three Tithis of Kartika and the Glory of Hearing the Purana

Verse 1 (skanda.2.133.1)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ यास्तिस्रस्तिथयः पुण्या अंतिके शुक्लपक्षके ॥ कार्तिके मासि विप्रेंद्र पूर्णिमांताः शुभवहाः

brahmovāca yāstisrastithayaḥ puṇyā aṁtike śuklapakṣake || kārtike māsi vipreṁdra pūrṇimāṁtāḥ śubhavahāḥ

Brahma said: O foremost of brahmins, the three meritorious tithis at the end of Kartika's bright fortnight, extending up to the full moon, bring auspicious fruit.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.133.2)

अंतिपुष्करिणी संज्ञा सर्वपापक्षयावहा ॥ कार्त्तिके मासि संपूर्णं यो वै स्नानं करोति ह

aṁtipuṣkariṇī saṁjñā sarvapāpakṣayāvahā || kārttike māsi saṁpūrṇaṁ yo vai snānaṁ karoti ha

They are known by the name "Anti-pushkarini," bringing about the destruction of all sin. Whoever performs the complete bathing throughout the month of Kartika —

Verse 3 (skanda.2.133.3)

तिथिष्वेतासु सः स्नानात्पूर्णमेव फलं लभेत् ॥ सर्वे वेदास्त्रयोदश्यां गत्वा जन्तून्पुनंति हि

tithiṣvetāsu saḥ snānātpūrṇameva phalaṁ labhet || sarve vedāstrayodaśyāṁ gatvā jaṁtūnpunaṁti hi

obtains, through bathing on these tithis, the complete fruit. On the thirteenth, all the Vedas go there and purify living beings.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.133.4)

चतुर्दश्यां सयज्ञाश्च देवा जंतून्पुनंति हि ॥ पूर्णिमायां सुतीर्थानि विष्णुना संस्थितानि हि

caturdaśyāṁ sayajñāśca devā jaṁtūnpunaṁti hi || pūrṇimāyāṁ sutīrthāni viṣṇunā saṁsthitāni hi

On the fourteenth, the gods together with the sacrifices purify beings. On the full moon, the fine sacred fords established by Vishnu are present.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.133.5)

ब्रह्मघ्नान्वा सुरापान्वा सर्वाञ्जंतून्पुनंति हि ॥ उष्णोदकेन यः स्नायात्कार्त्तिक्यादिदिनत्रये

brahmaghnānvā surāpānvā sarvāñjaṁtūnpunaṁti hi || uṣṇodakena yaḥ snāyātkārttikyādidinatraye

They purify even the killers of brahmins, drinkers of liquor, and all beings. Whoever bathes with heated water during the three days beginning from the Kartika full moon —

Verse 6 (skanda.2.133.6)

रौरवं नरकं याति यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश ॥ आमासनियमाशक्तः कुर्यादेतद्दिनत्रये

rauravaṁ narakaṁ yāti yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa || āmāsaniyamāśaktaḥ kuryādetaddinatraye

goes to the hell called Raurava for as long as fourteen Indras (fourteen manvantaras). One incapable of the strict discipline should, during these three days, do at least this much:

Verse 7 (skanda.2.133.7)

तेन पूर्णफलं प्राप्य मोदते विष्णुमंदिरे ॥ यो वै देवान्पितॄन्विष्णुं गुरुमुद्दिश्य मानवः

tena pūrṇaphalaṁ prāpya modate viṣṇumaṁdire || yo vai devānpitṝnviṣṇuṁ gurumuddiśya mānavaḥ

by which he obtains the full fruit and rejoices in Vishnu's abode. Whatever man, for the sake of the gods, the ancestors, Vishnu, and the guru —

Verse 8 (skanda.2.133.8)

न स्नानादि करोत्यद्धा स याति नरकं ध्रुवम् ॥ कुटुंबभोजन यस्तु गृहस्थस्तु दिनत्रये

na snānādi karotyaddhā sa yāti narakaṁ dhruvam || kuṭuṁbabhojana yastu gṛhasthastu dinatraye

does not properly perform the bathing and the rest, certainly goes to hell. Whatever householder, during these three days, feeds his family —

Verse 9 (skanda.2.133.9)

सर्वान्पितॄन्समुद्धृत्य स याति परमं पदम् ॥ गीतापाठं तु यः कुर्यादंतिमे च दिनत्रये

sarvānpitṝnsamuddhṛtya sa yāti paramaṁ padam || gītāpāṭhaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādaṁtime ca dinatraye

redeems all his ancestors and attains the supreme state. Whoever, during these final three days, recites the Gita —

Verse 10 (skanda.2.133.10)

दिनेदिनेऽश्वमेधानां फलमेति न संशयः ॥ सहस्रनामपठनं यः कुर्यात्तु दिनत्रये

dinedine'śvamedhānāṁ phalameti na saṁśayaḥ || sahasranāmapaṭhanaṁ yaḥ kuryāttu dinatraye

obtains, day by day, the fruit of Ashvamedha sacrifices, without doubt. Whoever, during these three days, recites the thousand names —

Verse 11 (skanda.2.133.11)

न पापैर्लिप्यते क्वाऽपि पद्मपत्रमिवांऽभसा ॥ देवत्वं मनुजैः कैश्चित्कैश्चित्सिद्धत्वमेव च

na pāpairlipyate kvā'api padmapatramivāṁbhasā || devatvaṁ manujaiḥ kaiścitkaiścitsiddhatvameva ca

is never touched by sins anywhere, like a lotus leaf by water. Some men, by such practices, attain divinity; others, the state of a siddha —

Verse 12 (skanda.2.133.12)

तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं कः शक्तो दिवि वा भुवि ॥ यो वै भागवतं शास्त्रं शृणोति च दिनत्रयम्

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktuṁ kaḥ śakto divi vā bhuvi || yo vai bhāgavataṁ śāstraṁ śṛṇoti ca dinatrayam

they attain; who in heaven or on earth is able to declare the fruit of his merit? Whoever, for these three days, listens to the Bhagavata scripture —

Verse 13 (skanda.2.133.13)

कैश्चित्प्राप्तो ब्रह्मभावो दिनत्रयनिषेवणात् ॥ ब्रह्मज्ञानेन वा मुक्तिः प्रयागमरणेन वा

kaiścitprāpto brahmabhāvo dinatrayaniṣevaṇāt || brahmajñānena vā muktiḥ prayāgamaraṇena vā

some have attained the state of Brahman through observance of these three days. Through knowledge of Brahman, or through dying at Prayaga —

Verse 14 (skanda.2.133.14)

अथ वा कार्त्तिके मासि दिनत्रयनिषेवणात् ॥ कार्त्तिके हरिपूजां तु यः करोति दिनत्रये

atha vā kārttike māsi dinatrayaniṣevaṇāt || kārttike haripūjāṁ tu yaḥ karoti dinatraye

or through the observance of these three days in Kartika, liberation is attained. Whoever, in Kartika, during these three days, performs the worship of Hari —

Verse 15 (skanda.2.133.15)

न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ॥ कार्त्तिके मासि विप्रेंद्र सर्वमंत्यदिनत्रये

na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi || kārttike māsi vipreṁdra sarvamaṁtyadinatraye

does not return to rebirth even in hundreds of millions of cosmic ages. O foremost of brahmins, in the month of Kartika, everything is concentrated in these last three days —

Verse 16 (skanda.2.133.16)

पुण्यं तत्राऽपि वैशेष्यं राकायां वर्ततेऽनघ ॥ प्रातःकाले समुत्थाय शौचं स्नानादिकं चरेत्

puṇyaṁ tatrā'api vaiśeṣyaṁ rākāyāṁ vartate'nagha || prātaḥkāle samutthāya śaucaṁ snānādikaṁ caret

yet, O sinless one, even among these, the full-moon day carries special merit. Rising at dawn, one should perform ablutions, bathing, and the rest.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.133.17)

समाप्य सर्वकर्माणि विष्णुपूजां समाचरेत् ॥ उद्याने वा गृहे वाऽपि कार्त्तिक्यां विष्णुतत्परः

samāpya sarvakarmāṇi viṣṇupūjāṁ samācaret || udyāne vā gṛhe vā'api kārttikyāṁ viṣṇutatparaḥ

Having completed all one's duties, one should perform the worship of Vishnu. On the Kartika full moon, in a garden or at home, one devoted to Vishnu —

Verse 18 (skanda.2.133.18)

मंडपं तत्र कुर्वीत कदलीस्तंभमंडितम् ॥ चूतपल्लवसंवीतमिक्षुदंडैः सुमंडितम्

maṁḍapaṁ tatra kurvīta kadalīstaṁbhamaṁḍitam || cūtapallavasaṁvītamikṣudaṁḍaiḥ sumaṁḍitam

should erect there a pavilion adorned with plantain-tree pillars, wreathed with mango shoots, and beautifully decorated with sugarcane stalks.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.133.19)

चित्रवस्त्रैः स्वलंकृत्य तत्र देवं प्रपूजयेत् ॥ चूतपल्लवपुष्पाढ्यैः फलाद्यैः पूजयेद्धरिम्

citravastraiḥ svalaṁkṛtya tatra devaṁ prapūjayet || cūtapallavapuṣpāḍhyaiḥ phalādyaiḥ pūjayeddharim

Having decorated it with colorful cloths, one should worship the god there. With mango shoots and flowers, and with abundant fruits and the like, one should worship Hari.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.133.20)

शृणुयादूर्जमाहात्म्यं नियमेन शुचिः पुमान् ॥ संपूर्णमथ वाऽध्यायमेकश्लोकमथाऽपि वा

śṛṇuyādūrjamāhātmyaṁ niyamena śuciḥ pumān || saṁpūrṇamatha vā'adhyāyamekaślokamathā'api vā

A pure man should, following the discipline, listen to the glory of Kartika — the whole of it, or a single chapter, or even a single verse.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.133.21)

मुहूर्तं वाऽपि शृणुयात्कथां पुण्यां दिनेदिने ॥ यदि प्रतिदिनं श्रोतुमशक्तः स्यात्तु मानवः

muhūrtaṁ vā'api śṛṇuyātkathāṁ puṇyāṁ dinedine || yadi pratidinaṁ śrotumaśaktaḥ syāttu mānavaḥ

or even for a single muhurta, one should listen daily to this meritorious tale. If a man is unable to listen every day —

Verse 22 (skanda.2.133.22)

पुण्यमासेऽथवा पुण्यतिथौ संशृणुयादपि ॥ तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन पापान्मुक्तो भवेन्नरः

puṇyamāse'thavā puṇyatithau saṁśṛṇuyādapi || tena puṇyaprabhāvena pāpānmukto bhavennaraḥ

he should at least listen during a meritorious month or on a meritorious tithi. By the power of that merit, a man becomes freed from sins.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.133.23)

पुराणज्ञः शुचिर्दक्षः शांतो विगतमत्सरः ॥ साधुः कारुणिको वाग्ग्मी वदेत्पुण्यां कथां सुधीः

purāṇajñaḥ śucirdakṣaḥ śāṁto vigatamatsaraḥ || sādhuḥ kāruṇiko vāggmī vadetpuṇyāṁ kathāṁ sudhīḥ

One learned in the Puranas, pure, skilled, tranquil, free of envy, virtuous, compassionate, eloquent, and wise should recite this meritorious tale.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.133.24)

व्यासासनं समारूढो यदा पौराणिको भवेत् ॥ आसमाप्तेः प्रसंगस्य नमस्कुर्यान्न कस्यचित्

vyāsāsanaṁ samārūḍho yadā paurāṇiko bhavet || āsamāpteḥ prasaṁgasya namaskuryānna kasyacit

When the reciter of the Purana has mounted the Vyasa-seat, he should not bow to anyone until the completion of the discourse.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.133.25)

न दुर्जनसमाकीर्णे न शूद्रश्वापदावृते ॥ देशे न द्यूतसदने वदेत्पुण्यकथां सुधीः

na durjanasamākīrṇe na śūdraśvāpadāvṛte || deśe na dyūtasadane vadetpuṇyakathāṁ sudhīḥ

The wise man should not recite this meritorious tale in a place crowded with wicked people, in a place surrounded by degraded folk and predatory beasts, or in a gambling-house.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.133.26)

श्रद्धाभक्तिसमायुक्ता नाऽन्यकार्येषु लालसा ॥ वाग्यताः शुचयो दक्षाः श्रोतारः पुण्यभागिनः

śraddhābhaktisamāyuktā nā'anyakāryeṣu lālasā || vāgyatāḥ śucayo dakṣāḥ śrotāraḥ puṇyabhāginaḥ

Listeners endowed with faith and devotion, free from craving for other pursuits, restrained in speech, pure, and attentive become sharers of the merit.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.133.27)

अभक्ता ये कथां पुण्यां शृण्वंति मनुजाऽधमाः ॥ तेषां पुण्यफलं नाऽस्ति दुःखं स्याजन्मजन्मनि

abhaktā ye kathāṁ puṇyāṁ śṛṇvaṁti manujā'adhamāḥ || teṣāṁ puṇyaphalaṁ nā'asti duḥkhaṁ syājanmajanmani

Those base men, devoid of devotion, who merely listen to this meritorious tale obtain no fruit of merit, and suffer sorrow birth after birth.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.133.28)

पौराणिकं च मासांते पूजयेद्भक्तितत्परः ॥ गन्धमाल्यैस्तथा वस्त्रैरलंकारैर्धनेन च

paurāṇikaṁ ca māsāṁte pūjayedbhaktitatparaḥ || gandhamālyaistathā vastrairalaṁkārairdhanena ca

At the end of the month, one devoted should honor the reciter of the Purana with fragrance, garlands, garments, ornaments, and wealth.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.133.29)

शृण्वंति च कथां भक्त्या न दरिद्रा न पापिनः ॥ कथायां कीर्त्यमानायां ये गच्छंत्यन्यतो नराः

śṛṇvaṁti ca kathāṁ bhaktyā na daridrā na pāpinaḥ || kathāyāṁ kīrtyamānāyāṁ ye gacchaṁtyanyato narāḥ

Those who listen to the tale with devotion become neither poor nor sinful. Whatever men, while the tale is being recited, go elsewhere —

Verse 30 (skanda.2.133.30)

भोगांतरे प्रणश्यंति तेषां दाराश्च संपदः ॥ उच्चासनसमारूढो न नरः प्रणतो भवेत्

bhogāṁtare praṇaśyaṁti teṣāṁ dārāśca saṁpadaḥ || uccāsanasamārūḍho na naraḥ praṇato bhavet

their wives and their fortunes perish in the midst of enjoyment. A man who sits upon a high seat and does not bow with respect to the reciter —

Verse 31 (skanda.2.133.31)

विषवृक्षस्तथा स्वापे वने चाऽजगरो भवेत् ॥ कथायां कीर्त्यमानायां विघ्नं कुर्वंति ये नराः

viṣavṛkṣastathā svāpe vane cā'ajagaro bhavet || kathāyāṁ kīrtyamānāyāṁ vighnaṁ kurvaṁti ye narāḥ

becomes a poison-tree, and, while sleeping, becomes a python in the forest. Whatever men create disturbance while the tale is being recited —

Verse 32 (skanda.2.133.32)

कोट्यब्दनरकान्भुक्त्वा भवंति ग्रामसूकराः ॥ ये श्रावयंति मनुजाः कथां पौराणिकीं शुभाम्

koṭyabdanarakānbhuktvā bhavaṁti grāmasūkarāḥ || ye śrāvayaṁti manujāḥ kathāṁ paurāṇikīṁ śubhām

after suffering hell for tens of millions of years, become village swine. Those men who cause others to hear this auspicious Puranic tale —

Verse 33 (skanda.2.133.33)

कल्पकोटिशतं साग्रं तिष्ठंति ब्रह्मणः पदे ॥ आसनार्थे प्रयच्छति पुराणज्ञस्य ये नराः

kalpakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ tiṣṭhaṁti brahmaṇaḥ pade || āsanārthe prayacchati purāṇajñasya ye narāḥ

dwell in the abode of Brahma for more than a hundred million cosmic ages. Whatever men give to the knower of the Purana, for a seat —

Verse 34 (skanda.2.133.34)

कम्बलाजिनवासांसि मंचं फलकमेव वा ॥ परिधानीयवस्त्राणि प्रयच्छंति च ये नराः

kambalājinavāsāṁsi maṁcaṁ phalakameva vā || paridhānīyavastrāṇi prayacchaṁti ca ye narāḥ

a blanket, an antelope-skin, cloths, a couch, or a plank, and whatever men give garments to wear —

Verse 35 (skanda.2.133.35)

भूषणादि प्रयच्छंति वसेयुर्ब्रह्मसद्मनि ॥ वाचके परितुष्टे तु तुष्टाः स्युः सर्वदेवताः

bhūṣaṇādi prayacchaṁti vaseyurbrahmasadmani || vācake parituṣṭe tu tuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ

and ornaments and the like, dwell in Brahma's abode. When the reciter is satisfied, all the gods are satisfied.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.133.36)

अतः संतोषयेद्भक्त्या भक्तिश्रद्धान्वितः पुमान् ॥ तस्य पुण्यफलं पूर्णं भवत्येव न संशयः

ataḥ saṁtoṣayedbhaktyā bhaktiśraddhānvitaḥ pumān || tasya puṇyaphalaṁ pūrṇaṁ bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

Therefore a man endowed with devotion and faith should devotedly satisfy him. To him the full fruit of merit certainly comes, without doubt.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.133.37)

यत्फलं सर्वयज्ञेषु सर्वदानेषु यत्फलम् ॥ सकृत्पुराणश्रवणात्तत्फलं विंदते नरः

yatphalaṁ sarvayajñeṣu sarvadāneṣu yatphalam || sakṛtpurāṇaśravaṇāttatphalaṁ viṁdate naraḥ

Whatever fruit lies in all sacrifices, whatever fruit lies in all gifts — that fruit a man obtains merely from a single hearing of the Purana.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.133.38)

कलौ युगे विशेषेण पुराणश्रवणादृते ॥ नास्ति धर्मः परः पुंसां नास्ति मुक्तिपथः परः ॥ पुराणश्रवणाद्विष्णोर्नास्ति संकीर्तनात्परम्

kalau yuge viśeṣeṇa purāṇaśravaṇādṛte || nāsti dharmaḥ paraḥ puṁsāṁ nāsti muktipathaḥ paraḥ || purāṇaśravaṇādviṣṇornāsti saṁkīrtanātparam

In the Kali age especially, apart from the hearing of the Purana, there is no higher dharma for men, no higher path to liberation; there is nothing greater than the hearing of the Purana and the chanting of Vishnu's praise.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.133.39)

य एतदूर्जमाहात्म्यं शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेदपि ॥ स तीर्थराज बदरीगमनस्य फलं लभेत्

ya etadūrjamāhātmyaṁ śṛṇuyācchrāvayedapi || sa tīrtharāja badarīgamanasya phalaṁ labhet

Whoever hears, or causes others to hear, this glory of Kartika, obtains the fruit of a pilgrimage to the king of sacred fords and to Badari.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.133.40)

सर्वरोगापहं सर्वपापनाशकरं शुभम् ॥ श्रुत्वा चैकपदे यो वै अगम्यागमने रतः

sarvarogāpahaṁ sarvapāpanāśakaraṁ śubham || śrutvā caikapade yo vai agamyāgamane rataḥ

This is the remover of all disease, the destroyer of all sin, and auspicious. Hearing it, even one who has habitually gone to a forbidden woman —

Verse 41 (skanda.2.133.41)

कन्यास्वस्रोर्विक्रयिणमुभयं तु विमोचयेत् ॥ माहात्म्यमेतदाकर्ण्य पूजयेद्यस्तु पाठकम्

kanyāsvasrorvikrayiṇamubhayaṁ tu vimocayet || māhātmyametadākarṇya pūjayedyastu pāṭhakam

or who has sold his daughter or sister — from both these sins it releases him. Whoever, having heard this glory, worships the reciter —

Verse 42 (skanda.2.133.42)

गोभूहिरण्यवस्त्रैश्च विष्णुतुल्यो यतो हि सः ॥ धर्मशास्त्रं पुराणं च वेदविद्यादिकं च यत्

gobhūhiraṇyavastraiśca viṣṇutulyo yato hi saḥ || dharmaśāstraṁ purāṇaṁ ca vedavidyādikaṁ ca yat

with cows, land, gold, and garments — for he is equal to Vishnu. Whatever there is of dharma-shastra, Purana, and Vedic learning —

Verse 43 (skanda.2.133.43)

पुस्तकं वाचकायैव दातव्यं धर्ममिच्छता ॥ पुराणविद्यादातारो ह्यनंतफलभोगिनः

pustakaṁ vācakāyaiva dātavyaṁ dharmamicchatā || purāṇavidyādātāro hyanaṁtaphalabhoginaḥ

the book of it should, by one desiring dharma, be given to the reciter alone. Givers of Puranic learning enjoy endless fruit.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.133.44)

इदं यः पठते भक्त्या श्रुत्वा चैवाऽवधारयेत् ॥ मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

idaṁ yaḥ paṭhate bhaktyā śrutvā caivā'avadhārayet || mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever reads this with devotion, or, having heard it, retains it in mind, is freed from all sins and goes to Vishnu's realm.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.133.45)

न कस्याऽपीदमाख्येयं श्रद्धाहीनाय दुर्मतेः ॥ अपूजयित्वा गुरुमग्रबुद्ध्या धर्मप्रवक्तारमनन्यबुद्धिः

na kasyā'apīdamākhyeyaṁ śraddhāhīnāya durmateḥ || apūjayitvā gurumagrabuddhyā dharmapravaktāramananyabuddhiḥ

This should not be told to anyone lacking faith or of evil understanding. Whoever, without honoring the guru — the expounder of dharma — with a discerning mind, yet with an undivided intention —

Verse 46 (skanda.2.133.46)

भुक्त्वा तु भोगान्नरकेषु चैव ततो हि जन्मान्तर दुःखभोगी ॥ तस्मात्संपूजयेद्भक्त्या गुरुं तत्त्वावबोधकम्

bhuktvā tu bhogānnarakeṣu caiva tato hi janmāntara duḥkhabhogī || tasmātsaṁpūjayedbhaktyā guruṁ tattvāvabodhakam

enjoys pleasures, then falls into hells, and thereafter becomes one who suffers sorrow in other births. Therefore one should devotedly worship the guru who imparts understanding of the truth.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.133.47)

माहात्म्यस्य च लेशोऽयं तव चोक्तो मयाऽनघ ॥ न शक्यते हि संपूर्णं वक्तुं वर्षशतैरपि

māhātmyasya ca leśo'yaṁ tava coktaḥ mayā'anagha || na śakyate hi saṁpūrṇaṁ vaktuṁ varṣaśatairapi

O sinless one, this is only a fragment of the glory that I have told you. Even in hundreds of years, it cannot be told in full.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.133.48)

पुरा कैलासशिखरे पार्वत्यै प्रोक्तवाञ्च्छिवः ॥ कार्तिकस्य तु माहात्म्यं यावद्वर्षशतं वदन्

purā kailāsaśikhare pārvatyai proktavāñcchivaḥ || kārtikasya tu māhātmyaṁ yāvadvarṣaśataṁ vadan

Long ago, on Mount Kailasa, Shiva declared the glory of Kartika to Parvati, speaking for as long as a hundred years,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.133.49)

तथापि नांतमगमदशक्तो विरराम ह ॥ पुत्रार्थी च धनार्थी च राज्यार्थी स्वफलं लभेत्

tathāpi nāṁtamagamadaśakto virarāma ha || putrārthī ca dhanārthī ca rājyārthī svaphalaṁ labhet

yet even so he could not reach its end, and, unable to continue, he stopped. The seeker of a son, the seeker of wealth, and the seeker of a kingdom each obtain their own fruit.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.133.50)

किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन मोक्षार्थी मोक्षमाप्नुयात् ॥सूत उवाच॥ इत्युक्तो ब्रह्मणा चैव नारदः प्रेमनिर्भरः

kimatra bahunoktena mokṣārthī mokṣamāpnuyāt sūta uvāca ityukto brahmaṇā caiva nāradaḥ premanirbharaḥ

What need is there to say more here — the seeker of liberation attains liberation. Suta said: Thus addressed by Brahma, Narada, overflowing with love,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.133.51)

भूयोभूयो नमस्कृत्य ययौ यादृच्छिको मुनिः ॥ कथितं शंकरेणाऽपि पुत्राय हितकाम्यया

bhūyobhūyo namaskṛtya yayau yādṛcchiko muniḥ || kathitaṁ śaṁkareṇā'api putrāya hitakāmyayā

bowed again and again, and that freely-wandering sage departed. Shankara too had related this, out of desire for the welfare of his son.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.133.52)

पितुस्तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य षण्मुखो हर्षनिर्भरः ॥ कृष्णेन सत्यभामायै कार्तिकस्य च वैभवः

pitustadvākyamākarṇya ṣaṇmukho harṣanirbharaḥ || kṛṣṇena satyabhāmāyai kārtikasya ca vaibhavaḥ

Hearing his father's words, Shanmukha (Kartikeya) was filled with joy. Krishna related this splendor of Kartika to Satyabhama,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.133.53)

कथितस्तेन संतुष्टा सत्या व्रतमथाऽकरोत् ॥ ऋषयो वालखिल्येभ्यः श्रुत्वा माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

kathitastena saṁtuṣṭā satyā vratamathā'akarot || ṛṣayo vālakhilyebhyaḥ śrutvā māhātmyamuttamam

and, satisfied by it, Satya (Satyabhama) then performed the vow. The sages, having heard this supreme glory from the Valakhilyas,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.133.54)

ऊर्जव्रतपरा जातास्तस्मादूर्जोऽतिवल्लभः ॥ अधीत्य सर्वशास्त्राणि पयःसारमिवोद्धृतम्

ūrjavrataparā jātāstasmādūrjo'tivallabhaḥ || adhītya sarvaśāstrāṇi payaḥsāramivoddhṛtam

became devoted to the Kartika vow; therefore Kartika is exceedingly beloved. Having studied all the scriptures, and drawn out, like the essence of milk,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.133.55)

नाऽनेन सदृशं शास्त्रं विष्णुप्रीतिकरं शुभम् ॥व्यास उवाच॥ इत्युक्त्वा तानृषीन्सर्वान्सूतो वै धर्मवित्तमः

nā'anena sadṛśaṁ śāstraṁ viṣṇuprītikaraṁ śubham vyāsa uvāca ityuktvā tānṛṣīnsarvānsūto vai dharmavittamaḥ

this teaching — there is no scripture equal to this one in pleasing Vishnu and bringing auspiciousness. Vyasa said: Thus, Suta, foremost among the knowers of dharma, having spoken to all those sages,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.133.56)

विरराम ततस्ते तु पूजां चक्रुस्तदास्य च ॥ ते पुनः स्वाश्रमं गत्वा हृष्टास्ते परमर्षयः

virarāma tataste tu pūjāṁ cakrustadāsya ca || te punaḥ svāśramaṁ gatvā hṛṣṭāste paramarṣayaḥ

fell silent; then they performed his worship. Those great sages, rejoicing, then returned each to his own hermitage.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.133.57)

यथा सूतेनोपदिष्टं तथा चक्रुर्व्रतं शुभम् ॥ अनेन विधिना ये वै कुर्वंति कार्तिकव्रतम्

yathā sūtenopadiṣṭaṁ tathā cakrurvrataṁ śubham || anena vidhinā ye vai kurvaṁti kārtikavratam

Just as Suta had instructed, so they performed this auspicious vow. Whoever, by this procedure, keeps the Kartika vow —

Verse 58 (skanda.2.133.58)

ते सर्वपापनिर्मुक्ता गच्छंति विष्णुमंदिरम्

te sarvapāpanirmuktā gacchaṁti viṣṇumaṁdiram

are freed from all sins and go to Vishnu's abode.