The Manner of Wearing Gopichandana and the Emblems of Shankha, Chakra and the Other Weapons

Verse 1 (skanda.2.136.1)

।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। पुंड्रं कतिविधं कार्यं प्रब्रूहि मम केशव ।। पुंड्राणां श्रवणेऽतीव कौतुकं मम जायते

brahmovāca puṁḍraṁ katividhaṁ kāryaṁ prabrūhi mama keśava puṁḍrāṇāṁ śravaṇe'tīva kautukaṁ mama jāyate

Brahma said: How many kinds of the mark (pundra) should be made? Tell me, O Keshava. Hearing about the pundras fills me with great curiosity.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.136.2)

।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। शृणु पुत्र प्रवक्ष्यामि पुंड्रं च त्रिविधं स्मृतम् ।। तुलसीमृत्स्नया सार्धं श्रीगोपीचंदनेन च

śrībhagavānuvāca śṛṇu putra pravakṣyāmi puṁḍraṁ ca trividhaṁ smṛtam tulasīmṛtsnayā sārdhaṁ śrīgopīcaṁdanena ca

The Blessed Lord said: Listen, son, I shall tell you. The mark is remembered as threefold: made with tulasi-earth, with Shri-gopichandana, and—

Verse 3 (skanda.2.136.3)

हरिचंदनतः कार्यं पुंड्रं तत्र विचक्षणैः ।। श्रीकृष्णतुलसीमूलमृदमादाय भक्तिमान् ।। धारयेदूर्ध्वपुंड्राणि हरिस्तत्र प्रसीदति

haricaṁdanataḥ kāryaṁ puṁḍraṁ tatra vicakṣaṇaiḥ śrīkṛṣṇatulasīmūlamṛdamādāya bhaktimān dhārayedūrdhvapuṁḍrāṇi haristatra prasīdati

—made from sandalwood too, by the discerning. The devotee, taking the earth from the root of Krishna-tulasi, should wear the upward mark — there Hari becomes pleased.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.136.4)

गोपीचंदन माहात्म्यं निबोध गदतो मम

gopīcaṁdana māhātmyaṁ nibodha gadato mama

Now learn the glory of gopichandana as I declare it.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.136.5)

यो मृत्तिकां द्वारवतीसमुद्भवां करे समादाय ललाटपट्टके ।। करोति नित्यं नर ऊर्ध्वपुंड्रं क्रियाफलं कोटिगुणं तदा भवेत्

yo mṛttikāṁ dvāravatīsamudbhavāṁ kare samādāya lalāṭapaṭṭake karoti nityaṁ nara ūrdhvapuṁḍraṁ kriyāphalaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ tadā bhavet

Whoever takes in hand the earth born of Dvaravati and daily makes the upward mark on the plate of his forehead — the fruit of that rite then becomes a crore-fold.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.136.6)

क्रियाविहीनं यदि मन्त्रहीनं श्रद्धाविहीनं यदि कालवर्जितम्।। कृत्वा ललाटे यदि गोपिचंदनं प्राप्नोति तत्कर्मफलं सदाऽव्ययम्

kriyāvihīnaṁ yadi mantrahīnaṁ śraddhāvihīnaṁ yadi kālavarjitam kṛtvā lalāṭe yadi gopicaṁdanaṁ prāpnoti tatkarmaphalaṁ sadā'vyayam

Even if done without ritual, without mantra, without faith, at any season — if one applies gopichandana on the forehead, he obtains that same imperishable fruit of the act, always.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.136.7)

गोपीचंदनसंभवं सुरुचिरं पुंड्रं ललाटे द्विजो नित्यं धारयते यदि प्रतिदिनं रात्रौ दिवा सर्वदा।। यत्पुण्यं कुरुजांगले रविग्रहे माघ प्रयागे तथा तत्प्राप्नोति ततोऽधिकं मम गृहे संतिष्ठते देववत्

gopīcaṁdanasaṁbhavaṁ suruciraṁ puṁḍraṁ lalāṭe dvijo nityaṁ dhārayate yadi pratidinaṁ rātrau divā sarvadā yatpuṇyaṁ kurujāṁgale ravigrahe māgha prayāge tathā tatprāpnoti tato'dhikaṁ mama gṛhe saṁtiṣṭhate devavat

If a twice-born daily, night and day, forever, wears on his forehead the lovely mark born of gopichandana — whatever merit is gained at Kurujangala, at a solar eclipse, at Magha, and at Prayaga, that he obtains, and beyond that he dwells like a god in my very house.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.136.8)

यस्मिन्गृहे तिष्ठति गोपिचंदनं भक्त्या ललाटे मनुजो बिभर्ति चेत् ।। तस्मिन्गृहेऽहं निवसामि सर्वदा श्रियान्वितः कंसनिहा चतुर्मुख

yasmingṛhe tiṣṭhati gopicaṁdanaṁ bhaktyā lalāṭe manujo bibharti cet tasmingṛhe'haṁ nivasāmi sarvadā śriyānvitaḥ kaṁsanihā caturmukha

In whatever house gopichandana abides, if a man wears it with devotion on his forehead, in that house I, O four-faced one, ever dwell together with Shri, I who slew Kamsa.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.136.9)

यो धारयेद्द्द्वारवतीसमुद्भवां मृत्स्नां पवित्रां कलिकल्मषापहाम् ।। नित्यं ललाटे मम मन्त्रसंयुतां यमं न पश्येदपि पापसंयुतः

yo dhārayedddvāravatīsamudbhavāṁ mṛtsnāṁ pavitrāṁ kalikalmaṣāpahām nityaṁ lalāṭe mama mantrasaṁyutāṁ yamaṁ na paśyedapi pāpasaṁyutaḥ

Whoever wears daily on the forehead, joined with the mantra, the pure earth born of Dvaravati that destroys the taint of Kali — even one laden with sin does not behold Yama.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.136.10)

यस्यांऽतकाले सुत गोपिचंदनं बाह्वोर्ललाटे हृदि मस्तके च ।। प्रयाति लोके कमलापतेर्मम गोबालघाती यदि ब्रह्महा स्यात्

yasyāṁ'takāle suta gopicaṁdanaṁ bāhvorlalāṭe hṛdi mastake ca prayāti loke kamalāpatermama gobālaghātī yadi brahmahā syāt

He on whose arms, forehead, heart and head there is gopichandana at the time of death, O son, goes to the world of me, the Lord of Lakshmi — even were he a killer of cows and calves, or a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.136.11)

ग्रहा न पीड्यंति न रक्षसां गणा यक्षाः पिशाचोरगभूतनायकाः ।। ललाटपट्टे सुत गोपिचंदनं संतिष्ठते यस्य मम प्रभावात्

grahā na pīḍyaṁti na rakṣasāṁ gaṇā yakṣāḥ piśācoragabhūtanāyakāḥ lalāṭapaṭṭe suta gopicaṁdanaṁ saṁtiṣṭhate yasya mama prabhāvāt

Planets do not afflict him, nor hosts of rakshasas, yakshas, pishachas, serpents, or the lords of ghosts — he on whose forehead-plate gopichandana abides, O son, by my power.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.136.12)

ऊर्ध्वपुंड्रमृजुं सौम्यं ललाटे यस्य दृश्यते ।। स चंडालोऽपि शुद्धात्मा पूज्य एव न संशयः

ūrdhvapuṁḍramṛjuṁ saumyaṁ lalāṭe yasya dṛśyate sa caṁḍālo'pi śuddhātmā pūjya eva na saṁśayaḥ

He on whose forehead is seen the straight, gentle, upward mark — even if he be an outcaste, he is of pure soul and worthy of worship, without doubt.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.136.13)

अस्नातो यः क्रियाः कुर्यादशुचिः पापसंयुतः ।। गोपीचंदनसंपर्कात्पूतो भवति तत्क्षणात्

asnāto yaḥ kriyāḥ kuryādaśuciḥ pāpasaṁyutaḥ gopīcaṁdanasaṁparkātpūto bhavati tatkṣaṇāt

One who, unbathed, impure, laden with sin, performs rites — by mere contact with gopichandana becomes pure that very instant.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.136.14)

अशुचिर्वाप्यनाचारो महापापं समाचरेत् ।। शुचिरेव भवेन्नित्यमूर्ध्वपुंड्रांऽकितो नरः

aśucirvāpyanācāro mahāpāpaṁ samācaret śucireva bhavennityamūrdhvapuṁḍrāṁ'kito naraḥ

Even if impure or of bad conduct, even were he to commit a great sin — a man marked with the upward-mark always remains pure indeed.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.136.15)

मत्प्रियार्थं शुभार्थं वा रक्षार्थं चतुरानन ।। मत्पूजाहोमके चैव सायं प्रातः समाहितः।। मद्भक्तो धारयेन्नित्यमूर्ध्वपुंड्रं भवापहम्

matpriyārthaṁ śubhārthaṁ vā rakṣārthaṁ caturānana matpūjāhomake caiva sāyaṁ prātaḥ samāhitaḥ madbhakto dhārayennityamūrdhvapuṁḍraṁ bhavāpaham

For my love, or for auspiciousness, or for protection, O four-faced one, and at my worship and homa, evening and morning, composed — my devotee should always wear the upward mark, which destroys worldly bondage.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.136.16)

ऊर्ध्वपुंड्रधरो मर्त्यो म्रियते यदि कुत्रचित् ।। श्वपाकोऽपि विमानस्थो मम लोके महीयते

ūrdhvapuṁḍradharo martyo mriyate yadi kutracit śvapāko'pi vimānastho mama loke mahīyate

If the mortal wearing the upward mark dies anywhere at all, even an outcaste is honored in my world, borne there in a celestial car.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.136.17)

ऊर्ध्वपुंड्रधरो मर्त्यो यदा यस्यान्नमश्नुते ।। तदा विंशत्कुलं तस्य नरकादुद्धराम्यहम्

ūrdhvapuṁḍradharo martyo yadā yasyānnamaśnute tadā viṁśatkulaṁ tasya narakāduddharāmyaham

Whenever the mortal wearing the upward mark eats anyone's food, then I lift twenty-one generations of his lineage out of hell.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.136.18)

वीक्ष्याऽऽदर्शे जले वाऽपि यो विदध्यात्प्रयत्नतः ।। ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्रं महाभाग स याति परमां गतिम्

vīkṣyā''darśe jale vā'pi yo vidadhyātprayatnataḥ ūrdhvapuṇḍraṁ mahābhāga sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever, having looked in a mirror or in water, applies the upward mark with care, O great and fortunate one, goes to the supreme goal.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.136.19)

अनामिका शांतिदोक्ता मध्यमाऽऽयुष्करी भवेत् ।। अंगुष्ठः पुष्टिदः प्रोक्तस्तर्जनी मोक्षदायिनी ।।

anāmikā śāṁtidoktā madhyamā''yuṣkarī bhavet aṁguṣṭhaḥ puṣṭidaḥ proktastarjanī mokṣadāyinī

The ring finger is said to give peace, the middle finger gives long life; the thumb is declared to give nourishment, and the index finger bestows liberation.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.136.20)

गोपीचंदनखंडं तु यो ददाति च वैष्णवे ।। कुलमष्टोत्तरं तेन तारितं वै भवेच्छतम्

gopīcaṁdanakhaṁḍaṁ tu yo dadāti ca vaiṣṇave kulamaṣṭottaraṁ tena tāritaṁ vai bhavecchatam

Whoever gives a piece of gopichandana to a Vaishnava — by him a hundred and eight generations of his family are surely ferried across.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.136.21)

यज्ञो दानं तपो होमः स्वाध्यायः पितृतर्पणम् ।। व्यर्थं भवति तत्सर्वमूर्ध्वपुण्ड्रविनाकृतम्

yajño dānaṁ tapo homaḥ svādhyāyaḥ pitṛtarpaṇam vyarthaṁ bhavati tatsarvamūrdhvapuṇḍravinākṛtam

Sacrifice, gift-giving, austerity, homa, Vedic study, and libation to the ancestors — all this becomes fruitless if done without the upward mark.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.136.22)

यच्छरीरं मनुष्याणामूर्ध्वपुण्ड्रविनाकृतम् ।। तन्मुखं नैव पश्यामि श्मशानसदृशं हि तत्

yaccharīraṁ manuṣyāṇāmūrdhvapuṇḍravinākṛtam tanmukhaṁ naiva paśyāmi śmaśānasadṛśaṁ hi tat

Whatever body of a man is without the upward mark — its face I do not even look at; it is indeed like a cremation ground.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.136.23)

ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्रं प्रकुर्वीत मत्स्यकूर्मादिधारणम् ।। कुर्याद्विष्णुप्रसादार्थं महाविष्णोरतिप्रियम्

ūrdhvapuṇḍraṁ prakurvīta matsyakūrmādidhāraṇam kuryādviṣṇuprasādārthaṁ mahāviṣṇoratipriyam

One should make the upward mark, and should also bear the marks of Matsya, Kurma, and other avataras — this should be done for Vishnu's grace, being most dear to the great Vishnu.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.136.24)

यत्पुनः कलिकाले तु मत्पुरीसंभवां मृदम् ।। मत्स्यकूर्मांऽकितं चिह्नं गृहीत्वा कुरुते नरः

yatpunaḥ kalikāle tu matpurīsaṁbhavāṁ mṛdam matsyakūrmāṁ'kitaṁ cihnaṁ gṛhītvā kurute naraḥ

Moreover, in the age of Kali, whoever takes the earth born in my city and marks upon it the sign of fish and tortoise—

Verse 25 (skanda.2.136.25)

देहे तस्य प्रविष्टं मां जानीहि त्रिदशोत्तम ।। तस्य मे नांतरं किंचित्कर्तव्यं श्रेय इच्छता

dehe tasya praviṣṭaṁ māṁ jānīhi tridaśottama tasya me nāṁtaraṁ kiṁcitkartavyaṁ śreya icchatā

Know, O best of the gods, that I have entered into his very body; for one desiring welfare, there is nothing more for me to do than this for him.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.136.26)

ममावतारचिह्नानि दृश्यंते यस्य विग्रहे ।। मर्त्यो मर्त्यो न विज्ञेयः स नूनं मामकी तनुः

mamāvatāracihnāni dṛśyaṁte yasya vigrahe martyo martyo na vijñeyaḥ sa nūnaṁ māmakī tanuḥ

He in whose form the marks of my incarnations are seen should not be regarded as a mere mortal — he is verily my own body.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.136.27)

पापं सुकृतरूपं तु जायते तस्य देहिनः ।। ममाऽऽयुधानि दृश्यंते लिखितानि कलौ युगे

pāpaṁ sukṛtarūpaṁ tu jāyate tasya dehinaḥ mamā''yudhāni dṛśyaṁte likhitāni kalau yuge

For that embodied being, even sin takes the form of merit; my weapons are seen inscribed upon him in the Kali age.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.136.28)

उभाभ्यामपि चिह्नाभ्यां योंऽकितो मत्स्यमुद्रया ।। कूर्मया मामकं तेजो विक्षिप्तं तस्य विग्रहे

ubhābhyāmapi cihnābhyāṁ yoṁ'kito matsyamudrayā kūrmayā māmakaṁ tejo vikṣiptaṁ tasya vigrahe

He who is marked with both signs, the fish-seal and the tortoise — my own radiance is cast into his very form.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.136.29)

शंख च पद्मं च गदां रथांगं मत्स्यं च कूर्मं रचितं स्वदेहे ।। करोति नित्यं सुकृतस्य वृद्धिं पापक्षयं जन्मशतार्जितस्य

śaṁkha ca padmaṁ ca gadāṁ rathāṁgaṁ matsyaṁ ca kūrmaṁ racitaṁ svadehe karoti nityaṁ sukṛtasya vṛddhiṁ pāpakṣayaṁ janmaśatārjitasya

He who fashions on his own body the conch, the lotus, the mace, the discus, the fish and the tortoise, daily brings about the increase of merit and the destruction of sin accumulated over a hundred births.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.136.30)

नारायणायुधैर्नित्यं चिह्नितो यस्य विग्रहः ।। पापकोटिप्रयुक्तस्य तस्य किं कुरुते यमः

nārāyaṇāyudhairnityaṁ cihnito yasya vigrahaḥ pāpakoṭiprayuktasya tasya kiṁ kurute yamaḥ

He whose form is ever marked with Narayana's weapons — even if he has committed a crore of sins, what can Yama do to him?

Verse 31 (skanda.2.136.31)

शंखोद्धारे च यत्प्रोक्तं वसता कोटिजन्मभिः ।। तत्फलं लभते शंखे प्रत्यहं दक्षिणे भुजे

śaṁkhoddhāre ca yatproktaṁ vasatā koṭijanmabhiḥ tatphalaṁ labhate śaṁkhe pratyahaṁ dakṣiṇe bhuje

Whatever fruit is declared as obtainable by dwelling a crore of births at the Shankhoddhara tirtha — that same fruit is obtained daily by bearing the conch-mark on the right arm.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.136.32)

यत्फलं पुष्करे प्रोक्तं पुण्डरीकाक्षदर्शनात् ।। शंखोपरि कृते पद्मे तत्फलं कोटिसंमितम्

yatphalaṁ puṣkare proktaṁ puṇḍarīkākṣadarśanāt śaṁkhopari kṛte padme tatphalaṁ koṭisaṁmitam

Whatever fruit is declared at Pushkara from the sight of the lotus-eyed Vishnu — when the lotus is drawn above the conch-mark, that fruit becomes a crore-fold.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.136.33)

वामे भुजे गदा यस्य लिखिता दृश्यते कलौ।। गदाधरो गयापुण्यं प्रत्यहं तस्य यच्छति

vāme bhuje gadā yasya likhitā dṛśyate kalau gadādharo gayāpuṇyaṁ pratyahaṁ tasya yacchati

He on whose left arm the mace is seen inscribed in the Kali age — Gadadhara, the mace-bearer, grants him daily the merit equal to that of Gaya.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.136.34)

यच्चानंदपुरे प्रोक्तं चक्रस्वामिसमीपतः ।। गदाचक्रे च लिखिते तत्फलं लिंगदर्शने

yaccānaṁdapure proktaṁ cakrasvāmisamīpataḥ gadācakre ca likhite tatphalaṁ liṁgadarśane

Whatever is declared at Anandapura, in the presence of the Lord of the Discus — when the mace and discus are inscribed, that same fruit follows from the sight of the linga there.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.136.35)

ममायुधांऽकितं देहं गोपीचन्दनमृत्स्नया ।। प्रयागादिषु तीर्थेषु स गत्वा किं करिष्यति

mamāyudhāṁ'kitaṁ dehaṁ gopīcandanamṛtsnayā prayāgādiṣu tīrtheṣu sa gatvā kiṁ kariṣyati

One whose body is marked with my weapons, using the clay of gopichandana — going even to Prayaga and the other tirthas, what more would he need to do?

Verse 36 (skanda.2.136.36)

यदायदा प्रपश्येत देहं शंखादिचिह्नितम् ।। तदातदा प्रसन्नोहं पापं तस्य दहामि वै

yadāyadā prapaśyeta dehaṁ śaṁkhādicihnitam tadātadā prasannohaṁ pāpaṁ tasya dahāmi vai

Whenever I see a body marked with the conch and the rest, at that very moment, pleased, I burn away his sin.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.136.37)

तिष्ठते यस्य देहे तु अहोरात्रं दिने दिने ।। शंखचक्रगदापद्मलिखितं स मदात्मकः

tiṣṭhate yasya dehe tu ahorātraṁ dine dine śaṁkhacakragadāpadmalikhitaṁ sa madātmakaḥ

He on whose body, day and night, every day, the conch, discus, mace and lotus remain inscribed — he is of my very nature.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.136.38)

नारायणायुधैर्युक्तं कृत्वात्मानं कलौ युगे ।। यत्पुण्यं कर्म कुरुते मेरुतुल्यं न संशयः

nārāyaṇāyudhairyuktaṁ kṛtvātmānaṁ kalau yuge yatpuṇyaṁ karma kurute merutulyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Having made himself, in the Kali age, endowed with Narayana's weapons, whatever meritorious act he performs becomes, without doubt, equal to Meru in weight.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.136.39)

शंखायुधांऽकितो भक्त्या यः श्राद्धं कुरुते सुत ।। विधिहीनं तु संपूर्णं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्

śaṁkhāyudhāṁ'kito bhaktyā yaḥ śrāddhaṁ kurute suta vidhihīnaṁ tu saṁpūrṇaṁ pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam

Whoever, marked with the sign of the conch, performs shraddha with devotion, O son — even if lacking in ritual, it is given to the ancestors in full and imperishable form.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.136.40)

यथाऽग्निर्दहते काष्ठं वायुना प्रेषितो भृशम् ।। तथा दह्यंति पापानि दृष्ट्वा म आयुधानि वै

yathā'gnirdahate kāṣṭhaṁ vāyunā preṣito bhṛśam tathā dahyaṁti pāpāni dṛṣṭvā ma āyudhāni vai

As fire, driven hard by the wind, burns wood, so do sins burn away at the very sight of my weapons upon a devotee.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.136.41)

मम नामांकितां मुद्रामष्टाक्षरसमन्विताम् ।। शंखादिस्वायुधैर्युक्तां स्वर्णरौप्यमयीमपि

mama nāmāṁkitāṁ mudrāmaṣṭākṣarasamanvitām śaṁkhādisvāyudhairyuktāṁ svarṇaraupyamayīmapi

Whoever wears the seal bearing my name, joined with the eight-syllable mantra, furnished with the conch and my other weapons — even if made of gold or silver—

Verse 42 (skanda.2.136.42)

धत्ते भगवतो यस्तु कलिकाले विशेषतः ।। प्रह्रादस्य समो ज्ञेयो नान्यथा मम वल्लभः

dhatte bhagavato yastu kalikāle viśeṣataḥ prahrādasya samo jñeyo nānyathā mama vallabhaḥ

—especially in the Kali age, of the Lord's own mudra — he should be known as equal to Prahlada; otherwise he is not dear to me.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.136.43)

यस्य नारायणी मुद्रा देहं शंखादिचिह्नितम् ।। धात्रीफलैः कृता माला तुलसीकाष्ठसंभवा

yasya nārāyaṇī mudrā dehaṁ śaṁkhādicihnitam dhātrīphalaiḥ kṛtā mālā tulasīkāṣṭhasaṁbhavā

He whose body bears the Narayani seal, marked with the conch and the rest, wearing a garland made of dhatri (amalaka) fruits, fashioned from tulasi wood—

Verse 44 (skanda.2.136.44)

द्वादशाक्षरमंत्रस्तु नियुक्तानि कलेवरे ।। आयुधानि च विप्रस्य मत्समः स च वैष्णवः

dvādaśākṣaramaṁtrastu niyuktāni kalevare āyudhāni ca viprasya matsamaḥ sa ca vaiṣṇavaḥ

—with the twelve-syllable mantra applied to the limbs, and the weapons upon that brahmin's body, he is my equal, that Vaishnava.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.136.45)

शंखांकिततनुर्विप्रो भुंक्ते वै यस्य वेश्मनि ।। तदन्नं स्वयमश्नामि पितृभिः सह पुत्रक

śaṁkhāṁkitatanurvipro bhuṁkte vai yasya veśmani tadannaṁ svayamaśnāmi pitṛbhiḥ saha putraka

In whose house a brahmin whose body is marked with the conch eats food — that food I myself eat, together with the ancestors, O son.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.136.46)

कृष्णायुधांऽकितं दृष्ट्वा सन्मानं न करोति यः ।। द्वादशाब्दार्जितं पुण्यं बाष्कलेयाय गच्छति

kṛṣṇāyudhāṁ'kitaṁ dṛṣṭvā sanmānaṁ na karoti yaḥ dvādaśābdārjitaṁ puṇyaṁ bāṣkaleyāya gacchati

Whoever, seeing one marked with Krishna's weapons, does not show him honor — the merit he earned over twelve years passes to the crow.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.136.47)

कृष्णायुधांऽकितो यस्तु श्मशाने म्रियते यदि ।। प्रयागे या गतिः प्रोक्ता सा गतिस्तस्य मानद

kṛṣṇāyudhāṁ'kito yastu śmaśāne mriyate yadi prayāge yā gatiḥ proktā sā gatistasya mānada

O giver of honor, if one marked with Krishna's weapons dies even in a cremation ground, the fate declared for death at Prayaga becomes his very fate.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.136.48)

ममाऽऽयुधैः कलौ नित्यं मंडितो यस्य विग्रहः ।। तत्राऽऽश्रमं प्रकुर्वंति विबुधा वासवादयः

mamā''yudhaiḥ kalau nityaṁ maṁḍito yasya vigrahaḥ tatrā''śramaṁ prakurvaṁti vibudhā vāsavādayaḥ

He whose form is ever adorned, in the Kali age, with my weapons — there the gods, Indra and the rest, make their very abode.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.136.49)

यः करोति च मे पूजां मम शस्त्रांकितो नरः ।। अपराधसहस्राणि नित्यं तस्य हराम्यहम्

yaḥ karoti ca me pūjāṁ mama śastrāṁkito naraḥ aparādhasahasrāṇi nityaṁ tasya harāmyaham

Whoever worships me, a man marked with my weapon — I remove his thousand offences, always.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.136.50)

कृत्वा काष्ठमयं बिंबं मम शस्त्रैः सुचिह्नितम् ।। यो वा अंकयते देहं तत्समो नास्ति वैष्णवः

kṛtvā kāṣṭhamayaṁ biṁbaṁ mama śastraiḥ sucihnitam yo vā aṁkayate dehaṁ tatsamo nāsti vaiṣṇavaḥ

Whoever makes a wooden image well marked with my weapons, or marks his own body with them, there is no Vaishnava equal to him.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.136.51)

अष्टाक्षरांऽकिता मुद्रा यस्य धातुमयी करे ।। शंखपद्मादिभिर्युक्ता पूज्यतेऽसौ सुरासुरैः

aṣṭākṣarāṁ'kitā mudrā yasya dhātumayī kare śaṁkhapadmādibhiryuktā pūjyate'sau surāsuraiḥ

He on whose hand is a metal seal marked with the eight-syllable mantra, joined with the conch, lotus and the rest — he is worshipped by gods and demons alike.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.136.52)

धृता नारायणी मुद्रा प्रह्रादेन पुरा करे ।। विभीषणेन बलिना ध्रुवेण च शुकेन च ।। मांधात्रा ह्यंबरीषेण मार्कंडेयमुखैर्द्विजैः

dhṛtā nārāyaṇī mudrā prahrādena purā kare vibhīṣaṇena balinā dhruveṇa ca śukena ca māṁdhātrā hyaṁbarīṣeṇa mārkaṁḍeyamukhairdvijaiḥ

The Narayani seal was worn of old, on the hand, by Prahlada, Vibhishana, Bali, Dhruva, Shuka, Mandhata, Ambarisha, and by twice-born headed by Markandeya.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.136.53)

शंखादिचिह्नितैः शस्त्रैर्देहं कृत्वा च मानद ।। एवमाराध्य मां प्राप्तं समीहितफलं महत्

śaṁkhādicihnitaiḥ śastrairdehaṁ kṛtvā ca mānada evamārādhya māṁ prāptaṁ samīhitaphalaṁ mahat

O giver of honor, having marked their bodies with weapons bearing the conch and the rest, and thus worshipping me, they attained the great fruit they desired.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.136.54)

गोपीचंदनमृत्स्नया लिखितो यस्य विग्रहः ।। शंखचक्रादिपद्मांऽको देहे तस्य वसाम्यहम्

gopīcaṁdanamṛtsnayā likhito yasya vigrahaḥ śaṁkhacakrādipadmāṁ'ko dehe tasya vasāmyaham

He whose form is drawn with gopichandana clay, marked with the conch, discus, and the lotus — in his very body I myself dwell.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.136.55)

सौवर्णं राजतं ताम्रं कांस्यमायसमेव च ।। चक्रं कृत्वा तु मेधावी धारयीत विचक्षणः ।। द्वादशारं तु षट्कोणं वलित्रयविभूषितम्

sauvarṇaṁ rājataṁ tāmraṁ kāṁsyamāyasameva ca cakraṁ kṛtvā tu medhāvī dhārayīta vicakṣaṇaḥ dvādaśāraṁ tu ṣaṭkoṇaṁ valitrayavibhūṣitam

The wise and discerning one should have a wheel fashioned of gold, silver, copper, bronze, or iron, and should wear it — twelve-spoked, hexagonal, adorned with three encircling rims.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.136.56)

एवं सुदर्शनं चक्रं कारयीत विचक्षणः ।। उपवीतादिवद्धार्याः शंखचक्रगदाः सदा

evaṁ sudarśanaṁ cakraṁ kārayīta vicakṣaṇaḥ upavītādivaddhāryāḥ śaṁkhacakragadāḥ sadā

Thus the discerning one should have the Sudarshana wheel made; the conch, discus and mace should always be worn just as the sacred thread is.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.136.57)

ब्राह्मणैश्च विशेषेण वैष्णवैश्च विशेषतः ।। उपवीतं शिखा यद्वच्चक्रं लांछन संयुतम्

brāhmaṇaiśca viśeṣeṇa vaiṣṇavaiśca viśeṣataḥ upavītaṁ śikhā yadvaccakraṁ lāṁchana saṁyutam

Especially for brahmins, and most especially for Vaishnavas — as is the sacred thread and the tuft of hair, so also is the discus-emblem.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.136.58)

चक्रलांछनहीनस्य विप्रस्य विफलं भवेत् ।। मम चक्रांऽकितो देहः पवित्र इति वै श्रुतिः

cakralāṁchanahīnasya viprasya viphalaṁ bhavet mama cakrāṁ'kito dehaḥ pavitra iti vai śrutiḥ

For a brahmin devoid of the discus-mark, everything becomes fruitless — thus the Shruti declares that a body marked with my discus is pure.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.136.59)

चक्रांऽकिताय दातव्यं हव्यं कव्यं विचक्षणैः ।। मम चक्रांऽककवचमभेद्यं देवदानवैः ।। अजेयः सर्वभूतानां शत्रूणां रक्षसामपि

cakrāṁ'kitāya dātavyaṁ havyaṁ kavyaṁ vicakṣaṇaiḥ mama cakrāṁ'kakavacamabhedyaṁ devadānavaiḥ ajeyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ śatrūṇāṁ rakṣasāmapi

To one marked with the discus, the wise should give both havya and kavya offerings; the armor of my discus-emblem is impenetrable even by gods and demons—

Verse 60 (skanda.2.136.60)

मम चक्रांऽककवचं शरीरे यस्य तिष्ठति ।। नाऽशुभं विद्यते तस्य गृहपुत्रादिकस्य हि

mama cakrāṁ'kakavacaṁ śarīre yasya tiṣṭhati nā'śubhaṁ vidyate tasya gṛhaputrādikasya hi

—he is unconquerable by all beings, by enemies, and by rakshasas. In whose body the armor of my discus-mark abides, no misfortune ever befalls him, his household, or his sons.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.136.61)

दक्षिणे च भुजे विप्रो बिभृयाद्वै सुदर्शनम् ।। सव्ये च शंखं बिभृयादिति वेदविदो विदुः

dakṣiṇe ca bhuje vipro bibhṛyādvai sudarśanam savye ca śaṁkhaṁ bibhṛyāditi vedavido viduḥ

The brahmin should bear the Sudarshana on the right arm and the conch on the left — thus the knowers of the Veda declare.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.136.62)

तत्तन्मंत्रेण मंत्रज्ञः प्रतिष्ठाप्य पृथक्पृथक्

tattanmaṁtreṇa maṁtrajñaḥ pratiṣṭhāpya pṛthakpṛthak

The knower of mantras should install each of these separately, with its own particular mantra.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.136.63)

ललाटे च गदा धार्या मूर्ध्नि चापं शरस्तथा ।। नंदकं चैव हृन्मध्ये शंखचक्रे भुजद्वये

lalāṭe ca gadā dhāryā mūrdhni cāpaṁ śarastathā naṁdakaṁ caiva hṛnmadhye śaṁkhacakre bhujadvaye

On the forehead should be worn the mace, on the head the bow and arrow, the sword Nandaka at the middle of the chest, and the conch and discus on the two arms.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.136.64)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन चक्रादीन्धारयेत्सदा ।। धारणानन्तरं ब्रूयात्तत्र चैवं द्विजोत्तमः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena cakrādīndhārayetsadā dhāraṇānantaraṁ brūyāttatra caivaṁ dvijottamaḥ

Therefore, with every effort, one should always wear the discus and the rest; and after wearing them, the best of the twice-born should say there as follows—

Verse 65 (skanda.2.136.65)

पुत्रमित्रकलत्रादिर्यः कश्चिन्मत्परिग्रहः ।। सह देहेन सर्वोऽसौ विष्णुप्रीत्यै मयाऽर्पितः

putramitrakalatrādiryaḥ kaścinmatparigrahaḥ saha dehena sarvo'sau viṣṇuprītyai mayā'rpitaḥ

"Whatever son, friend, wife and the rest are my possessions — all of these, together with this very body, are offered by me for the pleasure of Vishnu."

Verse 66 (skanda.2.136.66)

पश्चात्स्वधर्ममास्थाय तिष्ठेदाजीवनं मम ।। भक्त्या चाव्यभिचारिण्या सर्वदाऽऽप्तमनोरथः

paścātsvadharmamāsthāya tiṣṭhedājīvanaṁ mama bhaktyā cāvyabhicāriṇyā sarvadā''ptamanorathaḥ

Thereafter, established in his own dharma, endowed with unwavering devotion, he should remain devoted to me for life, ever having attained his heart's desire.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.136.67)

शंखचक्रांकितं दृष्ट्वा ये निंदंति नराधमाः ।। अवलोक्य मुखं तेषामादित्यमवलोकयेत् ।। श्रीकृष्णनाम चोच्चार्य शुद्धो भवति नान्यथा

śaṁkhacakrāṁkitaṁ dṛṣṭvā ye niṁdaṁti narādhamāḥ avalokya mukhaṁ teṣāmādityamavalokayet śrīkṛṣṇanāma coccārya śuddho bhavati nānyathā

Those base men who revile one marked with the conch and discus — upon seeing their face, one should look instead at the sun, and utter the name of Shri Krishna; only thus, and not otherwise, does one become pure again.