The Tale of Ekadashi

Verse 1 (skanda.2.144.1)

।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। एकादश्याश्च माहात्म्यं मूर्तीनां च विधानकम् ।। सर्वं ब्रूहि मम स्वामिन्कृपया भूतभावन

brahmovāca ekādaśyāśca māhātmyaṁ mūrtīnāṁ ca vidhānakam sarvaṁ brūhi mama svāminkṛpayā bhūtabhāvana

Brahma said: O my Lord, O nurturer of all beings, tell me by your grace the glory of Ekadashi and the rule for its images — all of it.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.144.2)

।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। शृणुष्व द्विजशार्दूल कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् ।। यां श्रुत्वा याति विलयं पापं ब्रह्मवधादिकम्

śrībhagavānuvāca śṛṇuṣva dvijaśārdūla kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm yāṁ śrutvā yāti vilayaṁ pāpaṁ brahmavadhādikam

The Blessed Lord said: Listen, O tiger among the twice-born, to this tale that destroys sin — hearing which, even the sin of brahmin-slaying and the like is dissolved.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.144.3)

कांपिल्ये नगरे राजा वीरबाहुरिति स्मृतः ।। सत्यवादी जितक्रोधो ब्रह्मज्ञो मम तत्परः

kāṁpilye nagare rājā vīrabāhuriti smṛtaḥ satyavādī jitakrodho brahmajño mama tatparaḥ

In the city of Kampilya there lived a king remembered as Virabahu — truthful, one who had conquered anger, knower of Brahman, and devoted to me.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.144.4)

भाववान्स दयाशीलोरूपवान्बलवान्नरः ।। भक्तो भागवतानां च सदा मम कथारुचिः

bhāvavānsa dayāśīlorūpavānbalavānnaraḥ bhakto bhāgavatānāṁ ca sadā mama kathāruciḥ

Full of feeling, compassionate, handsome, strong, a devotee of the Bhagavatas, and ever fond of my stories.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.144.5)

सदा मम कथाऽऽसक्तः सदा जागरणप्रियः ।। दाता विद्वान्क्षमाशीलो विक्रमी विजितेंद्रियः

sadā mama kathā''saktaḥ sadā jāgaraṇapriyaḥ dātā vidvānkṣamāśīlo vikramī vijiteṁdriyaḥ

Ever attached to my stories, ever fond of the night-vigil; generous, learned, forbearing, valorous, and master of his senses.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.144.6)

विजयी रणशीलश्च ऋद्ध्या च धनदोपमः।। पुत्रवान्पशुमांश्चैव स्वदारनिरतस्तथा

vijayī raṇaśīlaśca ṛddhyā ca dhanadopamaḥ putravānpaśumāṁścaiva svadāraniratastathā

Victorious, fond of battle, prosperous like the god of wealth, blessed with sons and cattle, and devoted to his own wife.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.144.7)

तस्य भार्या कांतिमती रूपेणाऽप्रतिमा भुवि ।। पतिव्रता महासाध्वी मम भक्तिरता सदा

tasya bhāryā kāṁtimatī rūpeṇā'pratimā bhuvi pativratā mahāsādhvī mama bhaktiratā sadā

His wife Kantimati was unmatched in beauty on earth — a chaste, most virtuous woman, ever devoted to my bhakti.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.144.8)

तया सह विशालाक्षो बुभुजे मेदिनीं युवा ।। मुक्त्वैकं मां महाबाहो नान्यज्जानाति दैवतम् ।। ।

tayā saha viśālākṣo bubhuje medinīṁ yuvā muktvaikaṁ māṁ mahābāho nānyajjānāti daivatam

O mighty-armed one, that broad-eyed young king enjoyed the earth together with her; other than me, he knew no other deity.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.144.9)

एकस्मिन्दिवसे पुत्र भारद्वाजो महामुनिः ।। समागतो गृहे तस्य वीरबाहोर्महात्मनः

ekasmindivase putra bhāradvājo mahāmuniḥ samāgato gṛhe tasya vīrabāhormahātmanaḥ

One day, my son, the great sage Bharadvaja came to the house of that great-souled Virabahu.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.144.10)

दृष्ट्वा समागतं दूराद्भारद्वाजं महामुनिम् ।। स्वागतं कारयामास दत्त्वार्घ्यं विधिवत्तदा

dṛṣṭvā samāgataṁ dūrādbhāradvājaṁ mahāmunim svāgataṁ kārayāmāsa dattvārghyaṁ vidhivattadā

Seeing the great sage Bharadvaja arriving from afar, he made him welcome, offering arghya duly.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.144.11)

आसनं कल्पयामास स्वयमेव महीपतिः ।। प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या तस्थौ मुनिवराग्रतः ।।।

āsanaṁ kalpayāmāsa svayameva mahīpatiḥ praṇamya parayā bhaktyā tasthau munivarāgrataḥ

The king himself arranged the seat, and, bowing with the utmost devotion, stood before the excellent sage.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.144.12)

।। राजोवाच ।। ।। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे सफलं दिनम् ।। अद्य मे सफलं राज्यमद्य मे सफलं गृहम्

rājovāca adya me saphalaṁ janma adya me saphalaṁ dinam adya me saphalaṁ rājyamadya me saphalaṁ gṛham

The king said: Today my birth is fruitful, today my day is fruitful; today my kingdom is fruitful, today my house is fruitful.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.144.13)

प्रसन्नो मम विप्रर्षे परमात्मा जनार्दनः ।। यत्त्वं समागतो ह्यद्य गृहे योगिवरस्तथा

prasanno mama viprarṣe paramātmā janārdanaḥ yattvaṁ samāgato hyadya gṛhe yogivarastathā

O sage among brahmins, the Supreme Soul Janardana is pleased with me, in that you, best of yogis, have come today to my house.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.144.14)

मुक्तोऽहं पापकोट्याद्य यत्त्वयाऽहं निरीक्षितः ।। राज्यं लक्ष्मीर्गजाऽश्वाश्च मया तुभ्यं निवेदिताः

mukto'haṁ pāpakoṭyādya yattvayā'haṁ nirīkṣitaḥ rājyaṁ lakṣmīrgajā'śvāśca mayā tubhyaṁ niveditāḥ

Today I am freed from a crore of sins, in that I have been looked upon by you. My kingdom, my wealth, elephants and horses — all these I have offered to you.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.144.15)

वैष्णवोऽसि मुनिश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यदेयं मया तव ।। मेरुतुल्यं भवेत्सर्वं वैष्णवस्य वराटिका ।।

vaiṣṇavo'si muniśreṣṭha nāstyadeyaṁ mayā tava merutulyaṁ bhavetsarvaṁ vaiṣṇavasya varāṭikā

O best of sages, you are a Vaishnava; there is nothing of mine unfit to give you. To a Vaishnava, even a mere shell given becomes equal to Mount Meru.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.144.16)

नाऽऽयाति हि गृहे यस्य वैष्णवो वै द्विजोत्तमः ।। तद्दिनं विफलं तस्य कथितं ब्राह्मणैर्मम

nā''yāti hi gṛhe yasya vaiṣṇavo vai dvijottamaḥ taddinaṁ viphalaṁ tasya kathitaṁ brāhmaṇairmama

That day is declared fruitless by the brahmins, in whose house no excellent, twice-born Vaishnava comes.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.144.17)

विष्णुभक्ताश्च ये केचित्सर्वे वर्णा द्विजातयः ।। कथितं मम गार्ग्येण गौतमेन सुमंतुना

viṣṇubhaktāśca ye kecitsarve varṇā dvijātayaḥ kathitaṁ mama gārgyeṇa gautamena sumaṁtunā

Whoever the devotees of Vishnu are, of whatever twice-born caste — this was told to me by Garga, Gautama, and Sumantu.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.144.18)

ये त्वभक्ता हृषीकेशे पिशाचास्ते हि मानवाः ।। महापातकलिप्तास्ते ये भुंजंति हरेर्दिने ।।

ye tvabhaktā hṛṣīkeśe piśācāste hi mānavāḥ mahāpātakaliptāste ye bhuṁjaṁti harerdine

Those who are not devotees of Hrishikesha are, in truth, mere demons in human form; those who eat on Hari's day are stained with great sins.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.144.19)

शिवव्रतसहस्रैस्तु सौरैर्ब्राह्मैश्च कोटिभिः ।। यत्फलं कविभिः प्रोक्तं वासरैकेन तद्धरेः

śivavratasahasraistu saurairbrāhmaiśca koṭibhiḥ yatphalaṁ kavibhiḥ proktaṁ vāsaraikena taddhareḥ

What the wise have declared as the fruit of a thousand Shiva-vows, of crores of solar and Brahma-vows — that same fruit belongs to a single day of Hari.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.144.20)

गर्वमुद्वहते तावत्तिथिर्ब्राह्मी च शांकरी ।। यावन्नायाति विप्रेंद्र द्वादशी च मम प्रिया

garvamudvahate tāvattithirbrāhmī ca śāṁkarī yāvannāyāti vipreṁdra dvādaśī ca mama priyā

O lord of brahmins, so long as the Dvadashi, dear to me, does not arrive, the tithis sacred to Brahma and to Shankara continue to bear their pride.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.144.21)

तावत्प्रभावस्ताराणां यावन्नोदयते शशी ।। तिथिस्तथा च विप्रेंद्र यावन्नायाति द्वादशी

tāvatprabhāvastārāṇāṁ yāvannodayate śaśī tithistathā ca vipreṁdra yāvannāyāti dvādaśī

So long as the moon has not risen, the stars retain their brilliance; so too, O lord of brahmins, the other tithis retain theirs only until the Dvadashi arrives.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.144.22)

नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्तं वसिष्ठेन ममाग्रतः ।। त्वं वेत्ता सर्वधर्माणां वैष्णवानां महामुने

nāradena purā proktaṁ vasiṣṭhena mamāgrataḥ tvaṁ vettā sarvadharmāṇāṁ vaiṣṇavānāṁ mahāmune

This was told of old by Narada to Vasishtha, in my very presence: 'You, O great sage, are the knower of all the dharmas of the Vaishnavas.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.144.23)

।। भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। साधु पृष्टं महाभाग यत्त्वं भक्तोऽसि वैष्णवः ।। सा सुप्रजा मही धन्या यत्त्वं रक्षसि भूमिप

bhāradvāja uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ mahābhāga yattvaṁ bhakto'si vaiṣṇavaḥ sā suprajā mahī dhanyā yattvaṁ rakṣasi bhūmipa

Bharadvaja said: Well have you asked, O greatly fortunate one, in that you are a devoted Vaishnava; blessed, O protector of the land, is this earth with its good people, which you guard.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.144.24)

तस्मिन्राष्ट्रे न वस्तव्यं यत्र राजा न वैष्णवः ।। वरं वासो वने तीर्थे न तु राष्ट्रे त्ववैष्णवे

tasminrāṣṭre na vastavyaṁ yatra rājā na vaiṣṇavaḥ varaṁ vāso vane tīrthe na tu rāṣṭre tvavaiṣṇave

One should not dwell in that kingdom where the king is not a Vaishnava; better to dwell in a forest or at a tirtha than in a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.144.25)

यत्र भागवतो राजा संप्रशास्ति च मेदिनीम् ।। वैकुण्ठमिति मंतव्यं तद्राष्ट्रं पापवर्जितम्

yatra bhāgavato rājā saṁpraśāsti ca medinīm vaikuṇṭhamiti maṁtavyaṁ tadrāṣṭraṁ pāpavarjitam

Where a Bhagavata king rightly rules the earth, that sinless kingdom should be regarded as Vaikuntha itself.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.144.26)

चक्षुर्हीनं यथा देहं पतिहीना यथा स्त्रियः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

cakṣurhīnaṁ yathā dehaṁ patihīnā yathā striyaḥ dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As a body without eyes, as a woman without a husband, as the Dvadashi wrongly joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.144.27)

यथा पुत्रो महीपाल मातापित्रोरपोषकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

yathā putro mahīpāla mātāpitrorapoṣakaḥ dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

O protector of the earth, as a son who does not support his mother and father, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.144.28)

दानहीनो यथा राजा ब्राह्मणो रसविक्रयी ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

dānahīno yathā rājā brāhmaṇo rasavikrayī dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As a king devoid of charity, as a brahmin who sells juice for trade, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.144.29)

दंतहीनो यथा हस्ती पक्षहीनो यथा खगः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

daṁtahīno yathā hastī pakṣahīno yathā khagaḥ dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As an elephant without tusks, as a bird without wings, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.144.30)

प्रतिग्रहार्थं वेदादि द्रव्यार्थं सुकृतं यथा ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

pratigrahārthaṁ vedādi dravyārthaṁ sukṛtaṁ yathā dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As Vedic study and the like done for the sake of receiving gifts, as a good deed done for the sake of wealth, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.144.31)

दर्भहीना यथा संध्या यथा श्राद्धमदक्षिणम् ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

darbhahīnā yathā saṁdhyā yathā śrāddhamadakṣiṇam dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As the evening rite performed without kusha grass, as a shraddha without the priestly fee, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.144.32)

सशिखश्च यथा शूद्रा कपिलाक्षीरपायकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

saśikhaśca yathā śūdrā kapilākṣīrapāyakaḥ dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As a shudra wearing the sacred tuft, as one who wrongly drinks the milk of the kapila cow, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.144.33)

शूद्रश्च ब्राह्मणीगामी हेमघ्नो धर्मदूषकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

śūdraśca brāhmaṇīgāmī hemaghno dharmadūṣakaḥ dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As a shudra who approaches a brahmin woman, as a stealer of gold, a corrupter of dharma, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.144.34)

हरिसूर्यादिवृक्षाणां यथा छेदो नरोत्तम ।। द्वादशी दशमी युक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

harisūryādivṛkṣāṇāṁ yathā chedo narottama dvādaśī daśamī yuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

O best of men, as the felling of trees sacred to Hari and to Surya, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.144.35)

यथाऽऽहुतिर्मंत्रहीना मृतवत्सापयो यथा ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

yathā''hutirmaṁtrahīnā mṛtavatsāpayo yathā dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As an oblation without mantra, as the milk of a cow whose calf has died, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.144.36)

सकेशा विधवा यद्वद्व्रतं स्नानविवर्जितम् ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम्

sakeśā vidhavā yadvadvrataṁ snānavivarjitam dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam

As a widow with unshorn hair, as a vow performed without bathing, as the Dvadashi joined with the Dashami — so is a kingdom without Vaishnavas.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.144.37)

स राजा प्रोच्यते सद्भिर्यो भक्तो मधुसूदने ।। तद्राष्ट्रं वर्धते नित्यं सुखी भवति सप्रजः

sa rājā procyate sadbhiryo bhakto madhusūdane tadrāṣṭraṁ vardhate nityaṁ sukhī bhavati saprajaḥ

That king is called good by the virtuous who is devoted to Madhusudana; his kingdom prospers continually, and he is happy, blessed with good progeny.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.144.38)

दृष्टिर्मे सफला राजन्यन्मया त्वं निरीक्षितः ।। अद्य मे सफला वाणी जल्पते या त्वया सह

dṛṣṭirme saphalā rājanyanmayā tvaṁ nirīkṣitaḥ adya me saphalā vāṇī jalpate yā tvayā saha

O king, my sight has become fruitful in that I have looked upon you; today my speech, which converses with you, has become fruitful.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.144.39)

दूरमेव हि गंतव्यं श्रूयते यत्र वैष्णवः ।। दर्शनात्तु भवेत्पुण्यं तीर्थस्नानसमुद्भवम्

dūrameva hi gaṁtavyaṁ śrūyate yatra vaiṣṇavaḥ darśanāttu bhavetpuṇyaṁ tīrthasnānasamudbhavam

One should indeed travel far to where a Vaishnava is heard to dwell; from merely beholding him arises the merit born of bathing at a tirtha.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.144.40)

स त्वं राजन्मया दृष्टो विष्णुभक्तिरतः शुचिः ।। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सुखी भव नराधिप

sa tvaṁ rājanmayā dṛṣṭo viṣṇubhaktirataḥ śuciḥ svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi sukhī bhava narādhipa

Such are you, O king, whom I have seen — devoted to the bhakti of Vishnu, and pure. Blessings be upon you; I shall now depart. Be happy, O lord of men.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.144.41)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राज्ञ्या कांतिमत्या नमस्कृतः ।। भारद्वाजो मुनिश्रेष्ठः प्रवरः सर्वयोगिनाम्

etasminnaṁtare rājñyā kāṁtimatyā namaskṛtaḥ bhāradvājo muniśreṣṭhaḥ pravaraḥ sarvayoginām

Meanwhile, having been bowed to by Queen Kantimati, Bharadvaja — the foremost of sages, best among all yogis—

Verse 42 (skanda.2.144.42)

अवैधव्यं वरारोहे भक्ता भव स्वभर्त्तरि ।। निश्चला केशवे भक्तिः सदा भवतु ते शुभे

avaidhavyaṁ varārohe bhaktā bhava svabharttari niścalā keśave bhaktiḥ sadā bhavatu te śubhe

—said: 'O fair one, remain ever un-widowed, be ever devoted to your own husband; may your devotion to Keshava, O auspicious one, remain ever unshaken.'

Verse 43 (skanda.2.144.43)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राजा भारद्वाजं महामुनिम् ।। उवाच प्रीणयन्वाचा मेघनादगभीरया

etasminnaṁtare rājā bhāradvājaṁ mahāmunim uvāca prīṇayanvācā meghanādagabhīrayā

Meanwhile the king addressed the great sage Bharadvaja, pleasing him with a voice deep as the rumble of clouds.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.144.44)

।। राजोवाच ।। ।। विपुला मे कथं लक्ष्मीः किं कृतं पूर्वजन्मनि ।। सर्वं ब्रूहि मुनिश्रेष्ठ कृपा यदि ममोपरि

rājovāca vipulā me kathaṁ lakṣmīḥ kiṁ kṛtaṁ pūrvajanmani sarvaṁ brūhi muniśreṣṭha kṛpā yadi mamopari

The king said: How is it that my prosperity is so vast? What did I do in a former birth? Tell me all, O best of sages, if you have grace upon me.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.144.45)

एतन्मया कथं प्राप्तं राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् ।। पुत्रो वै गुणवाञ्च्छ्रेष्ठः प्रिया च सुमनोहरा

etanmayā kathaṁ prāptaṁ rājyaṁ nihatakaṇṭakam putro vai guṇavāñcchreṣṭhaḥ priyā ca sumanoharā

How have I obtained this thorn-free kingdom? My son is virtuous and excellent, and my beloved wife is most charming—

Verse 46 (skanda.2.144.46)

मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा चिंतयन्ती जनार्दनम् ।। कोऽहं मुने कथं चैषा कश्च धर्मो मया कृतः

maccittā madgataprāṇā ciṁtayantī janārdanam ko'haṁ mune kathaṁ caiṣā kaśca dharmo mayā kṛtaḥ

—her mind fixed on me, her very life bound up in me, ever thinking of Janardana. O sage, who am I, how is she thus, and what dharma have I performed?

Verse 47 (skanda.2.144.47)

किं चाऽनयाऽपि चार्वंग्या मम पत्न्या कृतं मुने ।। केन पुण्येन मे लक्ष्मीर्मृत्युलोके सुदुर्लभा

kiṁ cā'nayā'pi cārvaṁgyā mama patnyā kṛtaṁ mune kena puṇyena me lakṣmīrmṛtyuloke sudurlabhā

O sage, what has this fair-limbed wife of mine also done? By what merit has this Lakshmi, so rare even in the world of mortals, come to me?

Verse 48 (skanda.2.144.48)

अशेषा भूमिपाला वै वर्तंते यस्य मे वशे ।। विक्रमं चाऽप्रतिहतं शरीरारोग्यता तथा

aśeṣā bhūmipālā vai vartaṁte yasya me vaśe vikramaṁ cā'pratihataṁ śarīrārogyatā tathā

All rulers of the earth stand under my sway; my valor is unchecked, and likewise the health of my body.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.144.49)

ममाऽपि विपुलं तेजो न कश्चित्सहते मुने ।। इच्छाम्यद्य प्रतिज्ञातुं यथा चेयमनिंदिता

mamā'pi vipulaṁ tejo na kaścitsahate mune icchāmyadya pratijñātuṁ yathā ceyamaniṁditā

O sage, my vast splendor too is such that none can withstand it. I wish today to be assured that all this is unblemished.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.144.50)

मयाऽपि सुकृतं विप्र किं कृतं पूर्वजन्मनि ।। इति पृष्टो नरेंद्रेण पूर्वजन्मविचेष्टितम्

mayā'pi sukṛtaṁ vipra kiṁ kṛtaṁ pūrvajanmani iti pṛṣṭo nareṁdreṇa pūrvajanmaviceṣṭitam

O brahmin, what good deed did I too perform in a former birth? — thus questioned by the king, the sage came to know the deeds of that former birth—

Verse 51 (skanda.2.144.51)

स्वपत्न्याश्चेष्टितं चैव संपदां चैव कारणम् ।। योगोत्थं सुचिरं कालं तथाविंदत मानसे

svapatnyāśceṣṭitaṁ caiva saṁpadāṁ caiva kāraṇam yogotthaṁ suciraṁ kālaṁ tathāviṁdata mānase

—and of his wife's deeds, and the cause of their prosperity, through the power of yoga sustained over a long time, in his mind.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.144.52)

विज्ञातमेतन्नृपते पूर्वजन्मविचेष्टितम् ।। तव पत्न्याश्च राजर्षे शृणुष्व कथयाम्यहम्

vijñātametannṛpate pūrvajanmaviceṣṭitam tava patnyāśca rājarṣe śṛṇuṣva kathayāmyaham

O king, this account of your former birth has become known to me; and, O royal sage, hear of your wife's too — I shall tell you.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.144.53)

।।भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। शृणु भूपाल सकलं यस्येदं कर्मणः फलम् ।। त्वमासीः शूद्रजातीयो जीवहिंसापरायणः

bhāradvāja uvāca śṛṇu bhūpāla sakalaṁ yasyedaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam tvamāsīḥ śūdrajātīyo jīvahiṁsāparāyaṇaḥ

Bharadvaja said: O king, listen to all of this — of whose deed this is the fruit. You were of the shudra caste, devoted to the killing of living beings—

Verse 54 (skanda.2.144.54)

नास्तिको दुष्टचारित्रः परदारप्रधर्षकः ।। कृतघ्नो दुर्विनीतश्च सुष्ठ्वाचारविवर्जितः

nāstiko duṣṭacāritraḥ paradārapradharṣakaḥ kṛtaghno durvinītaśca suṣṭhvācāravivarjitaḥ

—an unbeliever, of wicked conduct, a violator of other men's wives, ungrateful, ill-mannered, and utterly devoid of good conduct.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.144.55)

इयं या भवतो भार्या पूर्वमप्यायतेक्षणा ।। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा नान्यदस्यास्त्वया विना ।।

iyaṁ yā bhavato bhāryā pūrvamapyāyatekṣaṇā karmaṇā manasā vācā nānyadasyāstvayā vinā

This wife of yours, with her wide eyes, even in that former birth knew nothing, in deed, mind, or speech, other than you.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.144.56)

पतिव्रता महाभागा भजमाना निरन्तरम् ।। भावं न कुरुते दुष्टं तवोपरि तथा सति

pativratā mahābhāgā bhajamānā nirantaram bhāvaṁ na kurute duṣṭaṁ tavopari tathā sati

That chaste, most fortunate woman, ever revering you unceasingly, never harbored an evil thought toward you, even though you were as you were.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.144.57)

सखिभिस्त्वं परित्यक्तो बन्धुभिः पापकर्मकृत् ।। क्षयं जगाम चाऽर्थो यः सञ्चितस्तव पूर्वजैः

sakhibhistvaṁ parityakto bandhubhiḥ pāpakarmakṛt kṣayaṁ jagāma cā'rtho yaḥ sañcitastava pūrvajaiḥ

O doer of sinful deeds, abandoned by friends and kin, the wealth accumulated by your ancestors too came to ruin.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.144.58)

नष्टे द्रव्ये फलाऽऽकांक्षी त्वमासीर्जगतीपते ।। पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन कृषिश्च विफला गता ।।

naṣṭe dravye phalā''kāṁkṣī tvamāsīrjagatīpate pūrvakarmavipākena kṛṣiśca viphalā gatā

O lord of the earth, with your wealth destroyed, though you still desired some fruit of labor, through the ripening of past karma even your farming came to nothing.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.144.59)

ततो वित्ते परिक्षीणे परित्यक्तश्च बांधवैः ।। क्षीयमाणाऽपि साध्वीयमत्यजत्त्वां न भामिनी

tato vitte parikṣīṇe parityaktaśca bāṁdhavaiḥ kṣīyamāṇā'pi sādhvīyamatyajattvāṁ na bhāminī

Thereafter, with your wealth exhausted and abandoned by your kinsmen, that virtuous woman, though herself perishing, never abandoned you.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.144.60)

त्वं भग्नः सर्वकामेभ्यो गतवान्निर्जने वने ।। हत्वा जीवाननेकांश्च चकारात्मविपोषणम्

tvaṁ bhagnaḥ sarvakāmebhyo gatavānnirjane vane hatvā jīvānanekāṁśca cakārātmavipoṣaṇam

Broken of all your desires, you went into the desolate forest, and, killing many living creatures, sustained yourself.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.144.61)

एवं प्रवृत्तस्य तव सह पत्न्या तदा नृप ।। गतानि बहुवर्षाणि पापवृत्त्या महीतले

evaṁ pravṛttasya tava saha patnyā tadā nṛpa gatāni bahuvarṣāṇi pāpavṛttyā mahītale

O king, thus engaged together with your wife, many years passed on the earth in this sinful way of life.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.144.62)

अन्यस्मिन्वासरे राजन्मार्गभ्रष्टो महामुनिः ।। न दिशं विदिशं वेत्ति देवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः

anyasminvāsare rājanmārgabhraṣṭo mahāmuniḥ na diśaṁ vidiśaṁ vetti devaśarmā dvijottamaḥ

O king, on another day, the great sage Devasharma, best of the twice-born, lost his way, and knew neither direction nor cross-direction.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.144.63)

क्षुत्तृषापीडितोऽत्यर्थं मध्याह्नगदिवाकरे ।। पतितो वनमध्ये तु मार्गभ्रष्टो महीपते

kṣuttṛṣāpīḍito'tyarthaṁ madhyāhnagadivākare patito vanamadhye tu mārgabhraṣṭo mahīpate

O lord of the earth, afflicted exceedingly by hunger and thirst, in the midday sun, having lost his path, he fell down in the midst of the forest.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.144.64)

दया जाता च ते भूप दृष्ट्वा दुःखेन पीडितम् ।। ब्राह्मणं वृद्धमज्ञातं गृहीत्वा तु करेण वै

dayā jātā ca te bhūpa dṛṣṭvā duḥkhena pīḍitam brāhmaṇaṁ vṛddhamajñātaṁ gṛhītvā tu kareṇa vai

O king, seeing that unknown, aged brahmin afflicted with suffering, compassion arose in you, and, taking him by the hand—

Verse 65 (skanda.2.144.65)

उत्थाप्य पतितं भूमौ त्वयोक्तं हि तदा नृप ।। प्रसादं कुरु विप्रर्ष आगच्छ त्वं ममाऽऽश्रमम्

utthāpya patitaṁ bhūmau tvayoktaṁ hi tadā nṛpa prasādaṁ kuru viprarṣa āgaccha tvaṁ mamā''śramam

—and lifting him up as he lay fallen on the ground, O king, you then said to him: 'Show me your grace, O sage among brahmins; come to my dwelling.'

Verse 66 (skanda.2.144.66)

जलपूर्णं तडागं च पद्मिनीखण्डमण्डितम् ।। वृक्षैर्मनोहरैर्युक्तं फलैः पुष्पैर्मनोरमैः

jalapūrṇaṁ taḍāgaṁ ca padminīkhaṇḍamaṇḍitam vṛkṣairmanoharairyuktaṁ phalaiḥ puṣpairmanoramaiḥ

There is a pond full of water there, adorned with clusters of lotuses, surrounded by lovely trees with delightful fruits and flowers.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.144.67)

स्नात्वा सुशीतले तोये कृत्वा कर्म च नैत्यकम् ।। कुरु विप्र फलाहारं पिब वारि सुशीतलम्

snātvā suśītale toye kṛtvā karma ca naityakam kuru vipra phalāhāraṁ piba vāri suśītalam

Having bathed there in the cool water, and performed your daily rites, O brahmin, eat of the fruits and drink the exceedingly cool water.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.144.68)

सुखेन कुरु विश्रामं मया संरक्षितः स्वयम् ।। विप्रेन्द्र तृप्तिपर्यंतं वस त्वं च ममाश्रमे

sukhena kuru viśrāmaṁ mayā saṁrakṣitaḥ svayam viprendra tṛptiparyaṁtaṁ vasa tvaṁ ca mamāśrame

Rest at ease; I myself shall protect you. O lord of brahmins, dwell in my abode until you are satisfied.'

Verse 69 (skanda.2.144.69)

उत्तिष्ठ त्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठ प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ।। लब्धसंज्ञस्तदा विप्रः श्रुत्वा शूद्रस्य भाषितम्

uttiṣṭha tvaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha prasādaṁ kartumarhasi labdhasaṁjñastadā vipraḥ śrutvā śūdrasya bhāṣitam

'Rise up, O best of the twice-born; be gracious enough to accept.' Having regained his senses and hearing the shudra's words—

Verse 70 (skanda.2.144.70)

करे जग्राह तं शूद्रं गतो यत्र जलाशयः ।। उपविष्टो महाबाहो छायामाश्रित्य तत्तटे

kare jagrāha taṁ śūdraṁ gato yatra jalāśayaḥ upaviṣṭo mahābāho chāyāmāśritya tattaṭe

—he took hold of that shudra's hand and went to where the pool of water was; O mighty-armed one, he sat down there on the bank, taking shelter in the shade.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.144.71)

स्नानं चकार विधिवत्पूजयामास केशवम् ।। तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्देवान्पपौ नीरं सुशीतलम्

snānaṁ cakāra vidhivatpūjayāmāsa keśavam tarpayitvā pitṝndevānpapau nīraṁ suśītalam

He bathed according to rule, worshipped Keshava, and, having offered libations to the ancestors and gods, drank the exceedingly cool water.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.144.72)

विश्रांतो वृक्षूमूलेऽभूद्देवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः ।। साष्टांगं मुनये कृत्वा नमस्कारं सह स्त्रिया

viśrāṁto vṛkṣūmūle'bhūddevaśarmā dvijottamaḥ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ munaye kṛtvā namaskāraṁ saha striyā

Devasharma, best of the twice-born, rested at the foot of a tree; the shudra, together with his wife, offered the eight-limbed prostration to the sage.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.144.73)

शूद्रस्तु परया भक्त्या प्रोवाच मुनिसन्निधौ ।। आवयोस्तरणार्थाय अतिथिस्त्वं समागतः

śūdrastu parayā bhaktyā provāca munisannidhau āvayostaraṇārthāya atithistvaṁ samāgataḥ

The shudra then, with the utmost devotion, said in the sage's presence: 'For our own deliverance you have come to us as a guest.'

Verse 74 (skanda.2.144.74)

दर्शनात्तव विप्रर्षे जातः पापस्य संक्षयः ।। प्रिये फलानि स्वादूनि प्रयच्छास्मै द्विजातये ।। मृदूनि रसयुक्तानि सुपक्वानि प्रियाणि च

darśanāttava viprarṣe jātaḥ pāpasya saṁkṣayaḥ priye phalāni svādūni prayacchāsmai dvijātaye mṛdūni rasayuktāni supakvāni priyāṇi ca

'By the mere sight of you, O sage among brahmins, my sin has been destroyed.' [To his wife:] 'My dear, give this twice-born soft, juicy, well-ripened, and delicious fruit.'

Verse 75 (skanda.2.144.75)

।। ।। ब्राह्मण उवाच ।। ।। त्वामहं नैव जानामि स्वज्ञातिं कथयस्व मे ।। नाज्ञातस्य हि भोक्तव्यं ब्राह्मणस्याऽपि पुत्रक

brāhmaṇa uvāca tvāmahaṁ naiva jānāmi svajñātiṁ kathayasva me nājñātasya hi bhoktavyaṁ brāhmaṇasyā'pi putraka

The brahmin said: 'I do not know you at all; tell me of your family. My son, one should not eat the food of an unknown person, even if he be a brahmin.'

Verse 76 (skanda.2.144.76)

।। शूद्र उवाच ।। ।। शूद्रोऽहं द्विजशार्दूल न कार्यः संशयस्त्वया ।। आत्मजैर्दुर्जनैर्विप्र परित्यक्तः स्वबन्धुभिः

śūdra uvāca śūdro'haṁ dvijaśārdūla na kāryaḥ saṁśayastvayā ātmajairdurjanairvipra parityaktaḥ svabandhubhiḥ

The shudra said: 'I am a shudra, O tiger among the twice-born; you need have no doubt about this. O brahmin, I have been abandoned by wicked sons and by my own kinsmen.'

Verse 77 (skanda.2.144.77)

तयोः संवदतोरेवं शूद्रपत्न्या फलानि च ।। दत्तानि तस्मै विप्राय तेन भुक्तानि तानि वै

tayoḥ saṁvadatorevaṁ śūdrapatnyā phalāni ca dattāni tasmai viprāya tena bhuktāni tāni vai

As the two were thus conversing, the shudra's wife brought the fruits and gave them to the brahmin, and he ate them.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.144.78)

अभूत्प्रीतमना विप्रः पीत्वा नीरं सुशीतलम् ।। सुखं संप्राप्य स मुनिर्विश्रांतस्तरुमूलके

abhūtprītamanā vipraḥ pītvā nīraṁ suśītalam sukhaṁ saṁprāpya sa munirviśrāṁtastarumūlake

Having drunk the exceedingly cool water, the brahmin became glad at heart; having attained comfort, the sage rested at the foot of the tree.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.144.79)

स च शूद्रः सपत्नीको भुक्त्वा च पुनरागतः ।। स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ कुतस्त्वमिह चाऽऽगतः

sa ca śūdraḥ sapatnīko bhuktvā ca punarāgataḥ svāgataṁ te muniśreṣṭha kutastvamiha cā''gataḥ

That shudra too, having eaten together with his wife, came back again and said: 'Welcome, O best of sages; from where have you come here—

Verse 80 (skanda.2.144.80)

शून्याटवीं द्विजश्रेष्ठ दुष्टसत्त्वभयाकुलाम् ।। निर्मनुष्यां दुःखयुक्तां दिवारात्रं भयानकाम्

śūnyāṭavīṁ dvijaśreṣṭha duṣṭasattvabhayākulām nirmanuṣyāṁ duḥkhayuktāṁ divārātraṁ bhayānakām

—into this desolate forest, O best of the twice-born, filled with the fear of wicked creatures, empty of people, full of suffering, and terrifying day and night?'

Verse 81 (skanda.2.144.81)

।। ब्राह्मण उवाच ।। ।। ब्राह्मणोऽहं महाभाग प्रयागगमनं प्रति ।। अहमज्ञातमार्गेण प्रविष्टो दारुणे वने

brāhmaṇa uvāca brāhmaṇo'haṁ mahābhāga prayāgagamanaṁ prati ahamajñātamārgeṇa praviṣṭo dāruṇe vane

The brahmin said: 'O greatly fortunate one, I am a brahmin, going toward Prayaga; by an unfamiliar path I entered this dreadful forest.'

Verse 82 (skanda.2.144.82)

मम पुण्यप्रभावेण जातोसि वरबांधवः ।। जीवितं मे त्वया दत्तं ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते

mama puṇyaprabhāveṇa jātosi varabāṁdhavaḥ jīvitaṁ me tvayā dattaṁ brūhi kiṁ karavāṇi te

'By the power of my own merit, you have become to me an excellent kinsman; my life has been given back by you — tell me, what can I do for you?'

Verse 83 (skanda.2.144.83)

भवानपि कुतः प्राप्तो निर्मनुष्ये वने खलु ।। को भवान्कारणं किंस्वित्कथयस्व ममाऽग्रतः

bhavānapi kutaḥ prāpto nirmanuṣye vane khalu ko bhavānkāraṇaṁ kiṁsvitkathayasva mamā'grataḥ

'But how have you too come to be in this forest devoid of people? Who are you, and what is the reason? Tell me.'

Verse 84 (skanda.2.144.84)

।। शूद्र उवाच ।। ।। विदर्भनगरी राज्ञा भीमसेनेन रक्षिता ।। वासो मम महाराष्ट्रे शूद्रोऽहं पापलंपटः

śūdra uvāca vidarbhanagarī rājñā bhīmasenena rakṣitā vāso mama mahārāṣṭre śūdro'haṁ pāpalaṁpaṭaḥ

The shudra said: 'The city of Vidarbha is protected by King Bhimasena; my dwelling is in that great kingdom; I am a shudra, addicted to sin.'

Verse 85 (skanda.2.144.85)

स्वकर्मविहितो धर्मो मया त्यक्तो द्विजोत्तम ।। त्यक्तोऽहं बन्धुवर्गेण ततोऽहं वनमागतः

svakarmavihito dharmo mayā tyakto dvijottama tyakto'haṁ bandhuvargeṇa tato'haṁ vanamāgataḥ

'O best of the twice-born, I have abandoned the dharma enjoined by my own occupation; abandoned by my own kinsmen, I then came to this forest.'

Verse 86 (skanda.2.144.86)

कृत्वा जीववधं नित्यं जीवेऽहं भार्यया सह ।। सांप्रतं पातकात्सम्यङ् निर्विण्णोस्मि महामुने

kṛtvā jīvavadhaṁ nityaṁ jīve'haṁ bhāryayā saha sāṁprataṁ pātakātsamyaṅ nirviṇṇosmi mahāmune

'Constantly committing the killing of living beings, I live together with my wife; O great sage, now I am utterly disgusted with this sin.'

Verse 87 (skanda.2.144.87)

कुरुष्वाऽनुग्रहं किञ्चित्पापयुक्तस्य मे प्रभो ।। मम पुण्यप्रभावेण आगतस्त्वं द्विजोत्तम

kuruṣvā'nugrahaṁ kiñcitpāpayuktasya me prabho mama puṇyaprabhāveṇa āgatastvaṁ dvijottama

'O Lord, show some grace upon me, laden with sin; by the power of my own merit, O best of the twice-born, you have come here.'

Verse 88 (skanda.2.144.88)

न पश्यामि यथा सौरिं पत्न्या सह महामुने ।। उपदेशप्रभावेण प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि

na paśyāmi yathā sauriṁ patnyā saha mahāmune upadeśaprabhāveṇa prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

'O great sage, I see no way, together with my wife, to escape this fear of the Lord of Death; by the power of your instruction, be gracious enough to help me.'

Verse 89 (skanda.2.144.89)

नान्यदिच्छाम्यहं किञ्चिन्मुक्त्वा देवं जनार्दनम् ।। कुरुष्वाऽनुग्रहं मेऽद्य प्रसादमृषिसत्तम

nānyadicchāmyahaṁ kiñcinmuktvā devaṁ janārdanam kuruṣvā'nugrahaṁ me'dya prasādamṛṣisattama

'I desire nothing else at all, except the God Janardana; show me your grace and favor today, O best of sages.'

Verse 90 (skanda.2.144.90)

।। भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। इति तेन समापृष्टो देवशर्मा द्विजाग्रणीः ।। शूद्रेण परया भक्त्या प्रहसन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

bhāradvāja uvāca iti tena samāpṛṣṭo devaśarmā dvijāgraṇīḥ śūdreṇa parayā bhaktyā prahasanvākyamabravīt

Bharadvaja said: Thus questioned by that shudra with the utmost devotion, Devasharma, foremost among the twice-born, smiling, spoke these words—