The Glory of the Name of Shri Krishna

Verse 1 (skanda.2.148.1)

।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। ये त्वया वै कृताः प्रश्नाः पूर्वं प्रश्नविदां वर ।। तान्वर्णयिष्ये क्रमशो निशामय सुनिश्चितम्

śrībhagavānuvāca ye tvayā vai kṛtāḥ praśnāḥ pūrvaṁ praśnavidāṁ vara tānvarṇayiṣye kramaśo niśāmaya suniścitam

The Blessed Lord said: The questions that you once asked, O best of the knowers of questions — I shall now describe them in order; listen with full attention.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.148.2)

सहोमासे च देवो वै कीर्तियुक्तो हि केशवः ।। तस्य पूजा प्रकर्तव्या यथापूर्वं प्रभाषितम्

sahomāse ca devo vai kīrtiyukto hi keśavaḥ tasya pūjā prakartavyā yathāpūrvaṁ prabhāṣitam

In the month of Saha, the deity endowed with glory is Keshava himself; his worship should be performed as previously declared.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.148.3)

ब्राह्मणं केशवं स्मृत्वा तत्पत्नीं कीर्तिमेव च ।। दंपती विधिवत्पूज्यौ वस्त्राभरणधेनुभिः

brāhmaṇaṁ keśavaṁ smṛtvā tatpatnīṁ kīrtimeva ca daṁpatī vidhivatpūjyau vastrābharaṇadhenubhiḥ

Remembering the brahmin as Keshava and his wife as Kirti herself, the couple should be duly worshipped with garments, ornaments, and cows.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.148.4)

दम्पती पूजितौ वत्स पूजितोऽहं न संशयः।। तस्मादवश्यं संपूज्यौ दंपती मम तुष्टिदौ

dampatī pūjitau vatsa pūjito'haṁ na saṁśayaḥ tasmādavaśyaṁ saṁpūjyau daṁpatī mama tuṣṭidau

O son, when the couple is worshipped, I am worshipped, without doubt; therefore that couple, who bring me contentment, must certainly be worshipped.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.148.5)

दानं च विविधं कार्यं मम तुष्टिकरं परम् ।। गोदानं भूमिदानं च स्वर्णदानं विशेषतः

dānaṁ ca vividhaṁ kāryaṁ mama tuṣṭikaraṁ param godānaṁ bhūmidānaṁ ca svarṇadānaṁ viśeṣataḥ

Various gifts should be given, which bring me the utmost satisfaction — the gift of a cow, the gift of land, and especially the gift of gold—

Verse 6 (skanda.2.148.6)

वस्त्रदानं तथा शय्या तथाऽलंकरणानि च ।। सद्मदानं प्रकर्तव्यं मम सन्तोषकारकम्

vastradānaṁ tathā śayyā tathā'laṁkaraṇāni ca sadmadānaṁ prakartavyaṁ mama santoṣakārakam

—the gift of garments, of a bed, and of ornaments too; the gift of a house too should be made, which brings me contentment.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.148.7)

सर्वेषामेव दानानां विशेषं च त्रिकं स्मृतम् ।। वसुन्धरा तथा धेनुर्विद्यादानं तथैव च

sarveṣāmeva dānānāṁ viśeṣaṁ ca trikaṁ smṛtam vasundharā tathā dhenurvidyādānaṁ tathaiva ca

Among all gifts, a special threefold gift is remembered — land, a cow, and likewise the gift of knowledge.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.148.8)

दत्ते दानत्रिके वत्स भवेत्प्रीतिर्ममाऽतुला ।। तस्मान्नरैस्तु कर्तव्यं सहोमासे त्रिकं शुभम्

datte dānatrike vatsa bhavetprītirmamā'tulā tasmānnaraistu kartavyaṁ sahomāse trikaṁ śubham

O son, when this threefold gift is given, my affection becomes incomparable; therefore men must certainly perform this auspicious threefold gift in the month of Sahoma.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.148.9)

स्नानस्य च विधिः सम्यक्पुरैवोक्तो मयाऽनघ ।। पूजास्नानं च दानं च विधिरेष न संशयः

snānasya ca vidhiḥ samyakpuraivokto mayā'nagha pūjāsnānaṁ ca dānaṁ ca vidhireṣa na saṁśayaḥ

O sinless one, the rule of bathing has already been well declared by me before; worship, bathing, and giving — this is the rule, without doubt.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.148.10)

मार्गशीर्षं समग्रं तु एकभक्तेन यः क्षिपेत् ।। भोजयेद्यो द्विजान्भक्त्या स मुच्येद्व्याधिकिल्विषैः

mārgaśīrṣaṁ samagraṁ tu ekabhaktena yaḥ kṣipet bhojayedyo dvijānbhaktyā sa mucyedvyādhikilviṣaiḥ

Whoever passes the entire month of Margashirsha with a single meal a day, and feeds twice-born with devotion, is freed from disease and sin.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.148.11)

कृषिभागी बहुधनो बहुधान्यश्च जायते ।। किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन शृणु गुह्यं पर मम

kṛṣibhāgī bahudhano bahudhānyaśca jāyate kimatra bahunoktena śṛṇu guhyaṁ para mama

He becomes blessed with good harvests, wealthy, and rich in grain. What need is there to say more — hear now this supreme secret of mine.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.148.12)

हुतभुग्ब्राह्मणश्चैव वदनं मम मानद ।। ब्राह्मणाख्यं मुखं श्रेष्ठं न तथा हव्यवाहनः

hutabhugbrāhmaṇaścaiva vadanaṁ mama mānada brāhmaṇākhyaṁ mukhaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ na tathā havyavāhanaḥ

The fire that receives oblations, and the brahmin, O giver of honor, are both my mouth; but the mouth called 'brahmin' is superior — not so the carrier of oblations.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.148.13)

ब्राह्मणाख्ये मुखे पुत्र हुतं कोटिगुणं भवेत् ।। अग्न्याख्यं ब्राह्मणाधीनं स्वतंत्रा ब्राह्मणाः किल

brāhmaṇākhye mukhe putra hutaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ bhavet agnyākhyaṁ brāhmaṇādhīnaṁ svataṁtrā brāhmaṇāḥ kila

What is offered into the mouth called 'brahmin,' my son, becomes crore-fold; the mouth called 'fire' is dependent on the brahmin, while brahmins indeed are independent.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.148.14)

सशर्करं घृतयुतं पायसं शशिसन्निभम् ।। होतव्यं ब्राह्मणमुखे मम तुष्टिकरं सुत

saśarkaraṁ ghṛtayutaṁ pāyasaṁ śaśisannibham hotavyaṁ brāhmaṇamukhe mama tuṣṭikaraṁ suta

Payasa with sugar, joined with ghee, moon-white — this should be offered into the mouth of a brahmin, my son; it brings me the greatest contentment.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.148.15)

शुभमंडलमोदककोकरसं सुत फेनिकया घृतपूरयुतम् ।। यज विप्रमुखे मम तुष्टिकरं यदि चेच्छसि दारसुतादिसुखम्

śubhamaṁḍalamodakakokarasaṁ suta phenikayā ghṛtapūrayutam yaja vipramukhe mama tuṣṭikaraṁ yadi cecchasi dārasutādisukham

Auspicious mandaka cakes, modaka sweets, kokarasa, my son, and phenika soaked in ghee — offer these into a brahmin's mouth, pleasing to me, if you desire the happiness of wife, sons, and the rest.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.148.16)

कुमुदेन समप्रभसौरभदं शुभभक्तयुतं त्वथ मुद्गयुतम् ।। सुरभीकृतपुष्कलसर्पिसमं कुरु विप्रमुखे हवनं हि सहे

kumudena samaprabhasaurabhadaṁ śubhabhaktayutaṁ tvatha mudgayutam surabhīkṛtapuṣkalasarpisamaṁ kuru vipramukhe havanaṁ hi sahe

Fragrant as the water-lily, joined with auspicious foods and mung-dal, with abundant fragrant ghee — perform this offering into the brahmin's mouth, my son, in the month of Saha.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.148.17)

पयसा सह सर्पिषि च क्वथितं बहुखारिकचारफलैः सितया ।। सह कर्पुरनारिफलेन समं युतसीकरकं सुत शुभ्रकरम्

payasā saha sarpiṣi ca kvathitaṁ bahukhārikacāraphalaiḥ sitayā saha karpuranāriphalena samaṁ yutasīkarakaṁ suta śubhrakaram

Cooked with milk and ghee, joined with abundant dried grapes and areca-nuts, together with sugar, mixed equally with camphor and coconut fruit, sprinkled and bright — offer this too, my son.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.148.18)

व्यंजनानि च शुभ्राणि मनोज्ञानि प्रियाणि च ।। कर्त्तव्यानि सहोमासे ब्राह्मणार्थे चतुर्मुख

vyaṁjanāni ca śubhrāṇi manojñāni priyāṇi ca karttavyāni sahomāse brāhmaṇārthe caturmukha

O four-faced one, bright, delightful, and pleasing dishes should be prepared for the brahmins in the month of Sahoma.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.148.19)

प्रिया शिखरिणी कार्या चान्यत्तेषां प्रियं च यत् ।। कृत्वैवं भोजयेद्विप्राञ्छ्रद्धया परया सुत

priyā śikhariṇī kāryā cānyatteṣāṁ priyaṁ ca yat kṛtvaivaṁ bhojayedviprāñchraddhayā parayā suta

A favorite shikharini should be made, and whatever else is dear to them; having thus prepared it, my son, one should feed the brahmins with the utmost faith.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.148.20)

रसास्वादनपूर्वं हि भुञ्जते वै यथायथा ।। तथातथा मम प्रीतिर्जायते भुवि दुर्लभा

rasāsvādanapūrvaṁ hi bhuñjate vai yathāyathā tathātathā mama prītirjāyate bhuvi durlabhā

In whatever measure they relish the taste as they eat, in that same measure my satisfaction, rare on this earth, arises.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.148.21)

तस्मात्तत्तत्तथा कार्यं यथा तुष्यंति ब्राह्मणाः ।। तुष्टैस्तैश्चाप्यहं तुष्टो भवामीह न संशयः

tasmāttattattathā kāryaṁ yathā tuṣyaṁti brāhmaṇāḥ tuṣṭaistaiścāpyahaṁ tuṣṭo bhavāmīha na saṁśayaḥ

Therefore one should do whatever pleases the brahmins; and by their being pleased, I too, without doubt, become pleased here.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.148.22)

श्रद्धत्स्व त्वं चतुर्वक्त्र न ते मिथ्या ब्रवीम्यहम् ।। एतद्गुह्यं मया प्रोक्तं श्रेयोर्थं तव मानद

śraddhatsva tvaṁ caturvaktra na te mithyā bravīmyaham etadguhyaṁ mayā proktaṁ śreyorthaṁ tava mānada

Believe this, O four-faced one; I do not speak falsely to you. This secret I have declared, O giver of honor, for your welfare.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.148.23)

आक्रोशयंति यदि ते अथवा प्रहरंति चेत् ।। तथापि ते नमस्या वै मम प्रीत्या हि मानद

ākrośayaṁti yadi te athavā praharaṁti cet tathāpi te namasyā vai mama prītyā hi mānada

Even if they curse you, or even strike you, they are still, for my sake and out of love, O giver of honor, worthy of your homage.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.148.24)

एवं कार्यं सदा पुत्र मार्गशीर्षे विशेषतः ।। यदुक्तं भवता ब्रह्मन्भोक्तव्यं किं शृणुष्व तत्

evaṁ kāryaṁ sadā putra mārgaśīrṣe viśeṣataḥ yaduktaṁ bhavatā brahmanbhoktavyaṁ kiṁ śṛṇuṣva tat

O son, thus it should always be done, especially in Margashirsha. O Brahma, what you asked — what should be eaten — hear that now.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.148.25)

भोक्तव्यं मम चोच्छिष्टं मम भक्तिपरायणैः ।। पवित्रकरणं पुत्र पापिनामपि मुक्तिदम्

bhoktavyaṁ mama cocchiṣṭaṁ mama bhaktiparāyaṇaiḥ pavitrakaraṇaṁ putra pāpināmapi muktidam

My leftover food should be eaten by those devoted to my bhakti; it purifies, my son, and grants liberation even to sinners.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.148.26)

ममाशनस्य शेषं च यो भुनक्ति दिनेदिने ।। सिक्थेसिक्थे भवेत्पुण्यं चांद्रायणशतोद्भवम्

mamāśanasya śeṣaṁ ca yo bhunakti dinedine sikthesikthe bhavetpuṇyaṁ cāṁdrāyaṇaśatodbhavam

Whoever eats the remnant of my food every day obtains, for every single grain of rice, merit equal to a hundred Chandrayana fasts.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.148.27)

अवशिष्टं तथोच्छिष्टं भक्तानां भोजनद्वयम् ।। नाऽन्यद्वै भोजनं तेषां भुक्त्वा चांद्रायणं चरेत्

avaśiṣṭaṁ tathocchiṣṭaṁ bhaktānāṁ bhojanadvayam nā'nyadvai bhojanaṁ teṣāṁ bhuktvā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ caret

The remnant and the leftover constitute the only two proper meals for devotees; they should have no other food, and by eating it they are, as it were, observing the Chandrayana fast.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.148.28)

अनर्पयित्वा यो भुंक्ते अन्नपानादिकं च यत् ।। श्वानविष्ठासमं चान्नं पानं च मदिरासमम् ।।

anarpayitvā yo bhuṁkte annapānādikaṁ ca yat śvānaviṣṭhāsamaṁ cānnaṁ pānaṁ ca madirāsamam

Whoever eats food and drink and the like without first offering it — his food is like a dog's excrement, and his drink is like liquor.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.148.29)

तस्मान्मामर्पयेत्पुत्र अन्नपानादि चौषधम् ।। भक्षयेत्परया भक्त्या अशुचेः शुचिकारकम्

tasmānmāmarpayetputra annapānādi cauṣadham bhakṣayetparayā bhaktyā aśuceḥ śucikārakam

Therefore, my son, one should offer to me even food, drink, and medicine; one should partake of it with the utmost devotion — it purifies even the impure.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.148.30)

तीर्थयज्ञादिकफलं कलिदोषविनाशनम् ।। ममोच्छिष्टं सुगतिदमपि दुष्कृतकर्मणाम्

tīrthayajñādikaphalaṁ kalidoṣavināśanam mamocchiṣṭaṁ sugatidamapi duṣkṛtakarmaṇām

My leftover food, equal to the fruit of tirthas and sacrifices and destroying the fault of Kali, grants a good end even to those of wicked deeds.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.148.31)

अन्येषां दैवतानां च न गृह्णीयाच्च भक्षितम् ।। अभक्तानां च पक्वान्नं भुक्त्वा च नरकं व्रजेत्

anyeṣāṁ daivatānāṁ ca na gṛhṇīyācca bhakṣitam abhaktānāṁ ca pakvānnaṁ bhuktvā ca narakaṁ vrajet

One should not accept the leftover food of other deities, nor the cooked food of non-devotees; having eaten it, one goes to hell.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.148.32)

वक्तव्यमेव यत्प्रोक्तं तच्छृणुष्व समाहितः ।। कथयिष्ये तव प्रीत्या अपि गुह्यतरं मम

vaktavyameva yatproktaṁ tacchṛṇuṣva samāhitaḥ kathayiṣye tava prītyā api guhyataraṁ mama

Now hear attentively what more should be said; out of love for you, I shall tell you an even more secret thing of mine.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.148.33)

मम नाम प्रवक्तव्यं सहे चैव विशेषतः ।। कृष्णकृष्णेति वक्तव्यं मम प्रीतिकरं परम्

mama nāma pravaktavyaṁ sahe caiva viśeṣataḥ kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti vaktavyaṁ mama prītikaraṁ param

My name should be uttered, especially in the month of Saha; 'Krishna, Krishna' should be said — this is exceedingly pleasing to me.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.148.34)

प्रतिज्ञैषा च मे पुत्र न जानंति सुरासुराः ।। मनसा कर्मणा वाचा यो मे शरणमागतः ।।

pratijñaiṣā ca me putra na jānaṁti surāsurāḥ manasā karmaṇā vācā yo me śaraṇamāgataḥ

This vow of mine, my son, even gods and demons do not know: whoever comes to me for refuge in mind, deed, and word—

Verse 35 (skanda.2.148.35)

स हि सर्वामवाप्नोति कामनामिह लौकिकीम् ।। सर्वोत्कृष्टं च वैकुण्ठं मत्प्रियां कमलामपि

sa hi sarvāmavāpnoti kāmanāmiha laukikīm sarvotkṛṣṭaṁ ca vaikuṇṭhaṁ matpriyāṁ kamalāmapi

—he obtains here every worldly desire, and, supreme above all, Vaikuntha, and even Kamala, dear to me.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.148.36)

कृष्णकृष्णेति कृष्णेति यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः ।। जलं भित्त्वा यथा पद्मं नरकादुद्धराम्यहम्

kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti kṛṣṇeti yo māṁ smarati nityaśaḥ jalaṁ bhittvā yathā padmaṁ narakāduddharāmyaham

Whoever remembers me constantly as 'Krishna, Krishna, Krishna' — as a lotus effortlessly parts water — I lift him out of hell.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.148.37)

विनोदेनाऽपि दंभेन मौढ्याल्लोभाच्छलादपि ।। यो मां भजत्यसौ वत्स मद्भक्तो नाऽवसीदति

vinodenā'pi daṁbhena mauḍhyāllobhācchalādapi yo māṁ bhajatyasau vatsa madbhakto nā'vasīdati

O son, whoever worships me even in jest, out of hypocrisy, out of foolishness, out of greed, or even by deceit — that devotee of mine never perishes.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.148.38)

ये वै पठंति कृष्णेति मरणे पर्युपस्थिते ।। यदि पापयुताः पुत्र न पश्यंति यमं क्वचित्

ye vai paṭhaṁti kṛṣṇeti maraṇe paryupasthite yadi pāpayutāḥ putra na paśyaṁti yamaṁ kvacit

O son, those who recite 'Krishna' when death draws near, even if laden with sin, do not see Yama anywhere.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.148.39)

पूर्वे वयसि पापानि कृतान्यपि च कृत्स्नशः ।। अंतकाले च कृष्णेति स्मृत्वा मामेत्यसंशयम्

pūrve vayasi pāpāni kṛtānyapi ca kṛtsnaśaḥ aṁtakāle ca kṛṣṇeti smṛtvā māmetyasaṁśayam

Even one who has committed sins throughout the whole of his earlier life — at the time of death, having remembered 'Krishna,' he comes to me, without doubt.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.148.40)

नमः कृष्णाय महते विवशोऽपि वदेद्यदि ।। ध्रुवं पदमवाप्नोति मरणे पर्युपस्थिते

namaḥ kṛṣṇāya mahate vivaśo'pi vadedyadi dhruvaṁ padamavāpnoti maraṇe paryupasthite

If even helplessly, when death draws near, one utters 'Salutation to the great Krishna,' he certainly attains the supreme state.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.148.41)

श्रीकृष्णेति कृतोच्चारैः प्राणैर्यदि वियुज्यते ।। दूरस्थः पश्यति च तं स्वर्गतं प्रेतनायकः

śrīkṛṣṇeti kṛtoccāraiḥ prāṇairyadi viyujyate dūrasthaḥ paśyati ca taṁ svargataṁ pretanāyakaḥ

If life departs while one utters 'Shri Krishna,' the lord of the departed beholds him from afar, gone to heaven.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.148.42)

श्मशाने यदि रथ्यायां कृष्णकृष्णेति जल्पति ।। म्रियते यदि चेत्पुत्र मामेवैति न संशयः

śmaśāne yadi rathyāyāṁ kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti jalpati mriyate yadi cetputra māmevaiti na saṁśayaḥ

O son, if one dies in a cremation-ground or on a public road while muttering 'Krishna, Krishna,' he comes to me alone, without doubt.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.148.43)

दर्शनात्मम भक्तानां मृत्युमाप्नोति यः क्वचित् ।। विना मत्स्मरणात्पुत्र मुक्तिमेति स मानवः

darśanātmama bhaktānāṁ mṛtyumāpnoti yaḥ kvacit vinā matsmaraṇātputra muktimeti sa mānavaḥ

O son, whoever attains death merely by the sight of my devotees — even without remembering me himself, that man attains liberation.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.148.44)

पापानलस्य दीप्तस्य भयं मा कुरु पुत्रक ।। श्रीकृष्णनाममेघोत्थैः सिच्यते नीरबिंदुभिः

pāpānalasya dīptasya bhayaṁ mā kuru putraka śrīkṛṣṇanāmameghotthaiḥ sicyate nīrabiṁdubhiḥ

Do not fear the blazing fire of sin, my son; it is quenched by the water-drops arisen from the cloud of Shri Krishna's name.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.148.45)

कलिकालभुजंगस्य तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रस्य किं भयम् ।। श्रीकृष्णनामदारूत्थवह्निदग्धः स नश्यति

kalikālabhujaṁgasya tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭrasya kiṁ bhayam śrīkṛṣṇanāmadārūtthavahnidagdhaḥ sa naśyati

What fear is there of the serpent of the Kali age with its sharp fangs? It is burnt away and destroyed by the fire arisen from the wood of Shri Krishna's name.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.148.46)

पापपावकदग्धानां कर्मचेष्टावियोगिनाम् ।। भेषजं नास्ति मर्त्यानां श्रीकृष्णस्मरणं विना

pāpapāvakadagdhānāṁ karmaceṣṭāviyoginām bheṣajaṁ nāsti martyānāṁ śrīkṛṣṇasmaraṇaṁ vinā

For mortals burnt by the fire of sin, deprived of the power to act, there is no medicine except the remembrance of Shri Krishna.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.148.47)

प्रयागे वै यथा गंगा शुक्लतीर्थे च नर्मदा ।। सरस्वती कुरुक्षेत्रे तद्वच्छ्रीकृष्णकीर्तनम्

prayāge vai yathā gaṁgā śuklatīrthe ca narmadā sarasvatī kurukṣetre tadvacchrīkṛṣṇakīrtanam

As the Ganga is at Prayaga, the Narmada at Shukla-tirtha, and the Sarasvati at Kurukshetra — so is the kirtana of Shri Krishna.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.148.48)

भवांभोधिनिमग्नानां महापापोर्मिपातिनाम् ।। न गतिर्मानवानां च श्रीकृष्णस्मरणं विना

bhavāṁbhodhinimagnānāṁ mahāpāpormipātinām na gatirmānavānāṁ ca śrīkṛṣṇasmaraṇaṁ vinā

For men sunk in the ocean of worldly existence, buffeted by the waves of great sin, there is no refuge except the remembrance of Shri Krishna.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.148.49)

मृत्युकालेऽपि मर्त्यानां पापिनां तदनिच्छताम् ।। गच्छतां नाऽस्ति पाथेयं श्रीकृष्णस्मरणं विना

mṛtyukāle'pi martyānāṁ pāpināṁ tadanicchatām gacchatāṁ nā'sti pātheyaṁ śrīkṛṣṇasmaraṇaṁ vinā

Even at the time of death, for sinful mortals departing unwillingly, there is no provision for the journey except the remembrance of Shri Krishna.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.148.50)

तत्र पुत्र गया काशी पुष्करं कुरुजांगलम् ।। प्रत्यहं मंदिरे यस्य कृष्णकृष्णेति कीर्तनम्

tatra putra gayā kāśī puṣkaraṁ kurujāṁgalam pratyahaṁ maṁdire yasya kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti kīrtanam

O son, Gaya, Kashi, Pushkara, and Kurujangala — these are all equal to that temple where 'Krishna, Krishna' is chanted every day.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.148.51)

जीवितं जन्मसाफल्यं सुखं तस्यैव सार्थकम् ।। सततं रसना यस्य कृष्णकृष्णेति जल्पति

jīvitaṁ janmasāphalyaṁ sukhaṁ tasyaiva sārthakam satataṁ rasanā yasya kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti jalpati

That very life, that very birth, is fruitful, and that happiness alone is meaningful, whose tongue constantly mutters 'Krishna, Krishna.'

Verse 52 (skanda.2.148.52)

सकृदुच्चरितं येन हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम् ।। बद्धः परिकरस्तेन मोक्षाय गमनं प्रति

sakṛduccaritaṁ yena harirityakṣaradvayam baddhaḥ parikarastena mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati

By whomever the two syllables 'Hari' are uttered even once, by him the bond is tied for the journey toward liberation.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.148.53)

नाम्नोऽस्य यावती शक्तिः पापनिर्दहने मम ।। तावत्कर्तुं न शक्नोति पातकं पातकी जनः

nāmno'sya yāvatī śaktiḥ pāpanirdahane mama tāvatkartuṁ na śaknoti pātakaṁ pātakī janaḥ

Whatever power this name of mine has to burn away sin — a sinful person cannot commit sin to that same extent.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.148.54)

नाऽपविद्धं भवेत्तस्य शरीरं नैव मानसम् ।। न पापं न च वैक्लव्यं कृष्णकृष्णेति कीर्तनात्

nā'paviddhaṁ bhavettasya śarīraṁ naiva mānasam na pāpaṁ na ca vaiklavyaṁ kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti kīrtanāt

Neither his body nor his mind becomes afflicted; there is neither sin nor distress, through the kirtana of 'Krishna, Krishna.'

Verse 55 (skanda.2.148.55)

श्रीकृष्णेति वचः पथ्यं न त्यजेद्यः कलौ नरः ।। पापामयो वै न भवेत्कलौ तस्यैव मानसे

śrīkṛṣṇeti vacaḥ pathyaṁ na tyajedyaḥ kalau naraḥ pāpāmayo vai na bhavetkalau tasyaiva mānase

Whoever, in the Kali age, does not abandon the wholesome path of the words 'Shri Krishna' — in the Kali age, no disease of sin arises in his mind.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.148.56)

श्रीकृष्णेति प्रजल्पंतं दक्षिणाशापतिर्नरम् ।। श्रुत्वा मार्जयते पापं तस्य जन्मशतार्जितम्

śrīkṛṣṇeti prajalpaṁtaṁ dakṣiṇāśāpatirnaram śrutvā mārjayate pāpaṁ tasya janmaśatārjitam

Hearing a man uttering 'Shri Krishna,' the Lord of the southern quarter himself wipes away the sin accumulated by him over a hundred births.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.148.57)

चांद्रायणशतैः पापं पराकाणां सहस्रकैः ।। यन्नापयाति तद्याति कृष्णकृष्णेति कीर्तनात् ।।

cāṁdrāyaṇaśataiḥ pāpaṁ parākāṇāṁ sahasrakaiḥ yannāpayāti tadyāti kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti kīrtanāt

Sin that does not depart even through a hundred Chandrayana fasts, or through thousands of Paraka fasts, departs through the kirtana of 'Krishna, Krishna.'

Verse 58 (skanda.2.148.58)

नान्याभिर्नामकोटीभिस्तोषो मम भवेत्क्वचित् ।। श्रीकृष्णेति कृतोच्चारे प्रीतिरेवाऽधिकाधिका

nānyābhirnāmakoṭībhistoṣo mama bhavetkvacit śrīkṛṣṇeti kṛtoccāre prītirevā'dhikādhikā

By no other crore of names does my satisfaction ever arise as it does; when 'Shri Krishna' is uttered, my affection becomes ever greater and greater.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.148.59)

चंद्रसूर्योपरागैस्तु कोटीभिर्यत्फलं स्मृतम् ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति कृष्णकृष्णेति कीर्तनात्

caṁdrasūryoparāgaistu koṭībhiryatphalaṁ smṛtam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti kṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti kīrtanāt

Whatever fruit is remembered as arising from crores of lunar and solar eclipses, that same fruit is fully obtained through the kirtana of 'Krishna, Krishna.'

Verse 60 (skanda.2.148.60)

गुरुदाराभिगमनं हेमस्तेयादि पातकम् ।। श्रीकृष्णकीर्तनाद्याति घर्मतप्तं हिमं यथा

gurudārābhigamanaṁ hemasteyādi pātakam śrīkṛṣṇakīrtanādyāti gharmataptaṁ himaṁ yathā

The sin of approaching the guru's wife, of stealing gold, and the like, departs at the kirtana of Shri Krishna, as frost melts in the heat of the sun.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.148.61)

युक्तो यदि महापापैरगम्यागमनादिभिः ।। मुच्यते चांतकालेऽपि सकृच्छ्रीकृष्णकीर्तनात् ।।

yukto yadi mahāpāpairagamyāgamanādibhiḥ mucyate cāṁtakāle'pi sakṛcchrīkṛṣṇakīrtanāt

Even if one is joined with great sins such as incest and the like, one is freed even at the time of death by a single utterance of the kirtana of Shri Krishna.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.148.62)

अविशुद्धमना यस्तु विनाप्याचारवर्तनात् ।। प्रेतत्वं सोऽपि नाप्नोति अन्ते श्रीकृष्णकीर्तनात्

aviśuddhamanā yastu vināpyācāravartanāt pretatvaṁ so'pi nāpnoti ante śrīkṛṣṇakīrtanāt

Whoever is of impure mind, and without even good conduct, does not attain the state of a ghost either — this too through the kirtana of Shri Krishna at the end.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.148.63)

मुखे भवतु मा जिह्वाऽसती यातु रसातलम् ।। न सा चेत्कलिकाले या श्रीकृष्णगुणवादिनी

mukhe bhavatu mā jihvā'satī yātu rasātalam na sā cetkalikāle yā śrīkṛṣṇaguṇavādinī

Let the tongue in the mouth, if it does not praise the virtues of Shri Krishna, go instead to the netherworld — such an unchaste tongue should not remain in the Kali age.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.148.64)

स्ववक्त्रे परवक्त्रे च वंद्या जिह्वा प्रयत्नतः ।। कुरुते या कलौ पुत्र श्रीकृष्ण गुणकीर्तनम्

svavaktre paravaktre ca vaṁdyā jihvā prayatnataḥ kurute yā kalau putra śrīkṛṣṇa guṇakīrtanam

O son, the tongue that in the Kali age diligently performs the kirtana of Shri Krishna's virtues is worthy of homage, in one's own mouth and in another's.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.148.65)

पापवल्ली मुखे तस्य जिह्वारूपेण कीर्त्यते ।। या न वक्ति दिवारात्रौ श्रीकृष्णगुणकीर्तनम्

pāpavallī mukhe tasya jihvārūpeṇa kīrtyate yā na vakti divārātrau śrīkṛṣṇaguṇakīrtanam

The tongue that does not, day and night, proclaim the virtues of Shri Krishna, is spoken of as a creeper of sin growing in the mouth, in the form of a tongue.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.148.66)

पततां शतखण्डा तु सा जिह्वा रोगरूपिणी ।। श्रीकृष्णकृष्णकृष्णेति श्रीकृष्णेति न जल्पति

patatāṁ śatakhaṇḍā tu sā jihvā rogarūpiṇī śrīkṛṣṇakṛṣṇakṛṣṇeti śrīkṛṣṇeti na jalpati

That tongue, diseased in form, which does not utter 'Shri Krishna, Krishna, Krishna,' 'Shri Krishna,' falls shattered into a hundred pieces.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.148.67)

श्रीकृष्णनाममाहात्म्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत् ।। तस्याऽहं श्रेयसां दाता भवाम्येव न संशयः

śrīkṛṣṇanāmamāhātmyaṁ prātarutthāya yaḥ paṭhet tasyā'haṁ śreyasāṁ dātā bhavāmyeva na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever rises in the morning and recites this glory of Shri Krishna's name — to him I become, without doubt, the giver of all blessings.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.148.68)

श्रीकृष्णनाममाहात्म्यं त्रिसंध्यं हि पठेत्तु यः ।। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति स मृतः परमां गतिम्

śrīkṛṣṇanāmamāhātmyaṁ trisaṁdhyaṁ hi paṭhettu yaḥ sarvānkāmānavāpnoti sa mṛtaḥ paramāṁ gatim

Whoever recites this glory of Shri Krishna's name at the three daily junctures obtains all desires, and upon death, the supreme goal.