The Description of Gifts

Verse 1 (skanda.2.156.1)

नारद उवाच । न माधवसमो मासो न कृतेन युगं समम् । न च वेदसमं शास्त्रं न तीर्थं गंगया समम्

nārada uvāca na mādhavasamo māso na kṛtena yugaṁ samam na ca vedasamaṁ śāstraṁ na tīrthaṁ gaṁgayā samam

Narada said: No month equals Madhava; no age equals the Krita Yuga; no scripture equals the Veda; no sacred ford equals the Ganga.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.156.2)

न जलेन समं दानं न सुखं भार्यया समम् । न कृषेस्तु समं वित्तं न लाभो जीवितात्परः

na jalena samaṁ dānaṁ na sukhaṁ bhāryayā samam na kṛṣestu samaṁ vittaṁ na lābho jīvitātparaḥ

No gift equals water; no happiness equals a wife; no wealth equals farming; no gain surpasses life itself.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.156.3)

न तपोऽनशनात्तुल्यं न दानात्परमं सुखम् । न धर्मस्तु दयातुल्यो न ज्योतिश्चक्षुषा समम्

na tapo'naśanāttulyaṁ na dānātparamaṁ sukham na dharmastu dayātulyo na jyotiścakṣuṣā samam

No austerity equals fasting; no happiness surpasses giving; no dharma equals compassion; no light equals the eye.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.156.4)

न तृप्तिरशनात्तुल्या न वाणिज्यं कृषेः समम् । न धर्मेण समं मित्रं न सत्येन समं यशः

na tṛptiraśanāttulyā na vāṇijyaṁ kṛṣeḥ samam na dharmeṇa samaṁ mitraṁ na satyena samaṁ yaśaḥ

No satisfaction equals eating; no trade equals farming; no friend equals dharma; no fame equals truth.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.156.5)

नारोग्यसममुत्थानं न त्राता केशवात्परः । न माधवसमं लोके पवित्रं कवयो विदुः

nārogyasamamutthānaṁ na trātā keśavātparaḥ na mādhavasamaṁ loke pavitraṁ kavayo viduḥ

No vigour equals health; no protector surpasses Keshava; the wise know that nothing in this world is as purifying as Madhava.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.156.6)

माधवः परमो मासः शेषशायिप्रियः सदा । अव्रतेन क्षिपेद्यस्तु मासं माधववल्लभम्

mādhavaḥ paramo māsaḥ śeṣaśāyipriyaḥ sadā avratena kṣipedyastu māsaṁ mādhavavallabham

Madhava is the supreme month, ever dear to the One who reclines on Shesha. Whoever squanders this month dear to Madhava without keeping its vow —

Verse 7 (skanda.2.156.7)

तिर्यग्योनिं स यात्याशु सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः । अव्रतेन गतो येषां माधवो मर्त्यधर्मिणाम्

tiryagyoniṁ sa yātyāśu sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ avratena gato yeṣāṁ mādhavo martyadharmiṇām

—swiftly goes to an animal womb, cast out of all dharma. Those observant mortals for whom Madhava passes without any vow being kept,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.156.8)

इष्टापूर्ते वृथा तेषां धर्मोधर्मभृतां वरः । प्रवृत्तानां तु भक्ष्याणां माधवेऽनियमे कृते

iṣṭāpūrte vṛthā teṣāṁ dharmodharmabhṛtāṁ varaḥ pravṛttānāṁ tu bhakṣyāṇāṁ mādhave'niyame kṛte

—for them, O best of the upholders of dharma, their sacrificial and charitable acts become fruitless. Yet for those who, though engaged with ordinary foods, do not keep the full restraint of Madhava,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.156.9)

अवश्यं विष्णुसायुज्यं प्राप्नोत्येव न संशयः । संतीह बहुवित्तानि व्रतानि विविधानि च

avaśyaṁ viṣṇusāyujyaṁ prāpnotyeva na saṁśayaḥ saṁtīha bahuvittāni vratāni vividhāni ca

—still certainly attain union with Vishnu, without doubt. There exist in this world many vows requiring great wealth and of manifold kinds,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.156.10)

देहाऽऽयासकराण्येव पुनर्जन्मप्रदानि च । वैशाखस्नानमात्रेण न पुनर्जायते भुवि

dehā''yāsakarāṇyeva punarjanmapradāni ca vaiśākhasnānamātreṇa na punarjāyate bhuvi

—which only cause bodily hardship and still lead to rebirth. But by the mere act of bathing in Vaishakha, one is not born again on this earth.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.156.11)

सर्व दानेषु यत्पुण्यं सर्वतीर्थेषु यत्फलम् । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति माधवे जलदानतः

sarva dāneṣu yatpuṇyaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu yatphalam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti mādhave jaladānataḥ

Whatever merit lies in all gifts, whatever fruit lies in all sacred fords — that very fruit one obtains fully through the gift of water in Madhava.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.156.12)

जलदानासमर्थेन परस्यापि प्रबोधनम् । कर्तव्यं भूतिकामेन सर्वदानाधिकं हितम्

jaladānāsamarthena parasyāpi prabodhanam kartavyaṁ bhūtikāmena sarvadānādhikaṁ hitam

One unable to give water himself should, desiring his own welfare, at least rouse another to do so — this too is more beneficial than every other gift.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.156.13)

एकतः सर्वदानानि जलदानं हि चैकतः । तुलामारोपितं पूर्वं जलदानं विशिष्यते

ekataḥ sarvadānāni jaladānaṁ hi caikataḥ tulāmāropitaṁ pūrvaṁ jaladānaṁ viśiṣyate

On one side all other gifts, and on the other the gift of water alone — when placed of old upon a balance, the gift of water was shown to be superior.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.156.14)

मार्गेऽध्वगानां यो मर्त्यः प्रपादानं करोति हि । स कोटिकुलमुद्धृत्य विष्णुलोके महीयते

mārge'dhvagānāṁ yo martyaḥ prapādānaṁ karoti hi sa koṭikulamuddhṛtya viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whatever mortal establishes a water-booth on the road for travellers uplifts a crore of his lineage and is honoured in Vishnu's world.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.156.15)

देवानां च पितॄणां च ऋषीणां राजसत्तम । अत्यंत प्रीतिदं सत्यं प्रपादानं न संशयः

devānāṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ ca ṛṣīṇāṁ rājasattama atyaṁta prītidaṁ satyaṁ prapādānaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

O best of kings, the gift of a water-booth is truly a source of the greatest delight to gods, ancestors, and sages — this is certain, without doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.156.16)

प्रपादानेन संतुष्टा येनाऽध्वश्रमकर्षिताः । तोषितास्तेन देवाश्च ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादय

prapādānena saṁtuṣṭā yenā'dhvaśramakarṣitāḥ toṣitāstena devāśca brahmaviṣṇuśivādaya

Those wearied by the fatigue of the road are satisfied by the gift of a water-booth; by it the gods too are pleased — Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and others.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.156.17)

सलिलं सलिलेच्छूनां छत्रं छायामपीच्छताम् । व्यजनं व्यजनेच्छूना वैशाखे मासि भूमिप

salilaṁ salilecchūnāṁ chatraṁ chāyāmapīcchatām vyajanaṁ vyajanecchūnā vaiśākhe māsi bhūmipa

Water for those desiring water, a parasol for those desiring shade, a fan for those desiring a fan — this should be given, O lord of the earth, in the month of Vaishakha.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.156.18)

जलं छत्रं च व्यजनं दानं येषां विशिष्यते । माधवे मासि संप्राप्ते ब्राह्मणाय कुटुम्बिने

jalaṁ chatraṁ ca vyajanaṁ dānaṁ yeṣāṁ viśiṣyate mādhave māsi saṁprāpte brāhmaṇāya kuṭumbine

When the month of Madhava has arrived, the gift of water, a parasol, and a fan to a Brahmin householder is held especially distinguished.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.156.19)

अदत्त्वोदककुम्भं च चातको जायते भुवि

adattvodakakumbhaṁ ca cātako jāyate bhuvi

One who does not give a water-pot is born in this world as a chataka bird.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.156.20)

यो दद्याच्छीतलं तोयं तृषार्ताय महात्मने । तावन्मात्रेण राजेंद्र राजसूयायुतं लभेत्

yo dadyācchītalaṁ toyaṁ tṛṣārtāya mahātmane tāvanmātreṇa rājeṁdra rājasūyāyutaṁ labhet

Whoever gives cool water to a thirst-stricken noble soul, O king of kings, obtains by that alone the fruit of ten thousand Rajasuya sacrifices.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.156.21)

घर्मश्रमार्तविप्राय वीजयेद्व्यजनेन यः । तावन्मात्रेण निष्पापो विहगाधिपतिर्भवेत

gharmaśramārtaviprāya vījayedvyajanena yaḥ tāvanmātreṇa niṣpāpo vihagādhipatirbhaveta

Whoever fans a Brahmin distressed by heat and exertion, by that alone becomes sinless and attains the rank of the lord of birds.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.156.22)

अदत्त्वा व्यजनं भूप वैशाखे तु द्विजातये । वातरोगशताकीर्णो नरकानेव विंदति

adattvā vyajanaṁ bhūpa vaiśākhe tu dvijātaye vātarogaśatākīrṇo narakāneva viṁdati

O king, one who does not give a fan to a twice-born in Vaishakha, beset with a hundred wind-ailments, attains only hells.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.156.23)

यो वीजयेत्पटेनाऽपि पथि श्रांतं द्विजोत्तमम् । तावताथ विमुक्तोऽसौ विष्णुसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्

yo vījayetpaṭenā'pi pathi śrāṁtaṁ dvijottamam tāvatātha vimukto'sau viṣṇusāyujyamāpnuyāt

Whoever fans even with a cloth a leading Brahmin wearied on the road is thereby freed and attains union with Vishnu.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.156.24)

यास्तालव्यजनं वाऽपि दत्त्वा शुद्धेन चेतसा । विधूय सर्वपापानि ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति

yāstālavyajanaṁ vā'pi dattvā śuddhena cetasā vidhūya sarvapāpāni brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever gives even a palm-leaf fan with a pure mind, having shaken off all sins, goes to Brahma's world.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.156.25)

सद्यः श्रमहरं पुण्यं न दद्याद्व्यजनं नरः । नारकीं यातनां भुक्त्वा कश्मलो जायते भुवि

sadyaḥ śramaharaṁ puṇyaṁ na dadyādvyajanaṁ naraḥ nārakīṁ yātanāṁ bhuktvā kaśmalo jāyate bhuvi

The man who does not give a fan — that merit which instantly relieves fatigue — after suffering the torment of hell, is born impure in this world.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.156.26)

आध्यात्मिकादिदुःखानां शांतये मनुजेश्वर । छत्रं दद्यात्प्रयत्नेन वैशाखे मासि वासकृत्

ādhyātmikādiduḥkhānāṁ śāṁtaye manujeśvara chatraṁ dadyātprayatnena vaiśākhe māsi vāsakṛt

O lord of men, for the pacification of spiritual and other afflictions, one keeping residence for the vow should diligently give a parasol in the month of Vaishakha.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.156.27)

अच्छत्रदो नरो यस्तु वैशाखे माधवप्रिये । छायाहीनो महाक्रूरः पिशाचो भुवि जायते

acchatrado naro yastu vaiśākhe mādhavapriye chāyāhīno mahākrūraḥ piśāco bhuvi jāyate

Whoever gives no parasol in Vaishakha, dear to Madhava, is born on earth shadeless, extremely cruel, as a pishacha.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.156.28)

यो दद्यात्पादुके दिव्ये माधवे माधवप्रिये । यमदूतौ तिरस्कृत्य विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

yo dadyātpāduke divye mādhave mādhavapriye yamadūtau tiraskṛtya viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever gives divine sandals in Madhava, the month dear to Madhava, repels the two messengers of Yama and goes to Vishnu's world.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.156.29)

पादत्राणं तु यो दद्याद्वैशाखे माधवागमे । न तस्य नारको लोको न क्लेशा ऐहिकाश्च ये

pādatrāṇaṁ tu yo dadyādvaiśākhe mādhavāgame na tasya nārako loko na kleśā aihikāśca ye

Whoever gives footwear when Madhava arrives in Vaishakha has for him neither a hellish world nor any affliction of this world.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.156.30)

पादुके याचमानाय यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय च । स भूपालो भवेद्भूमौ कोटिजन्मस्वसंशयम्

pāduke yācamānāya yo dadyādbrāhmaṇāya ca sa bhūpālo bhavedbhūmau koṭijanmasvasaṁśayam

Whoever gives sandals to a Brahmin who asks for them becomes, without doubt, a king on earth for a crore of births.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.156.31)

अनाथमंडपं मार्गे श्रमहारि करोति यः । तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं ब्रह्मणाऽपि न शक्यते

anāthamaṁḍapaṁ mārge śramahāri karoti yaḥ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktuṁ brahmaṇā'pi na śakyate

Whoever builds on the road a fatigue-relieving shelter for the destitute — even Brahma is unable to describe the fruit of his merit.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.156.32)

मध्याह्ने ब्राह्मणं प्राप्तमतिथिं भोजयेद्यदि । न तस्य फलविश्रांतिर्ब्रह्मणाऽपि निरूपिता

madhyāhne brāhmaṇaṁ prāptamatithiṁ bhojayedyadi na tasya phalaviśrāṁtirbrahmaṇā'pi nirūpitā

If one feeds a Brahmin guest who arrives at midday, the limit of that fruit has not been fixed even by Brahma.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.156.33)

सद्यः स्वाप्यायनं नृणामन्नदानं नराधिप । तस्मान्नान्नेन सदृशं दानं लोकेषु विद्यते

sadyaḥ svāpyāyanaṁ nṛṇāmannadānaṁ narādhipa tasmānnānnena sadṛśaṁ dānaṁ lokeṣu vidyate

O lord of men, the gift of food is the immediate nourishment of people; therefore no gift equal to food exists in the worlds.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.156.34)

मार्गश्रांताय विप्राय प्रश्रयं प्रददाति यः । तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं ब्रह्मणाऽपि न शक्यते

mārgaśrāṁtāya viprāya praśrayaṁ pradadāti yaḥ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktuṁ brahmaṇā'pi na śakyate

Whoever gives shelter to a Brahmin wearied by the road — even Brahma is unable to describe the fruit of his merit.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.156.35)

दारापत्यगृहादीनि वासोऽलंकारभूषणम् । असह्यं नाश्नतः पुंसः सह्यं भुक्तवतो ध्रुवम्

dārāpatyagṛhādīni vāso'laṁkārabhūṣaṇam asahyaṁ nāśnataḥ puṁsaḥ sahyaṁ bhuktavato dhruvam

Wife, children, house and the like, clothing and ornaments, are unbearable to a man who has not eaten, but surely become bearable once he has eaten.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.156.36)

तस्मादन्नसमं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति । वैशाखे येन चादत्तं मार्गश्रांते च भूसुरे

tasmādannasamaṁ dānaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati vaiśākhe yena cādattaṁ mārgaśrāṁte ca bhūsure

Therefore no gift equal to food has ever been, nor will be. He who in Vaishakha gives no food to a road-wearied Brahmin —

Verse 37 (skanda.2.156.37)

स पिशाचो भवेद्भूमौ स्वमांसान्येव खादति । यथाविभूति दातव्यं तस्मादन्नं द्विजातये

sa piśāco bhavedbhūmau svamāṁsānyeva khādati yathāvibhūti dātavyaṁ tasmādannaṁ dvijātaye

—becomes a pishacha on earth, devouring his own flesh. Therefore food should be given to a twice-born according to one's means.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.156.38)

अन्नदो मातृपित्रादीन्विस्मारयति भूमिप । तस्मादन्नं प्रशंसंति लोकास्त्रैलोक्यवर्तिनः

annado mātṛpitrādīnvismārayati bhūmipa tasmādannaṁ praśaṁsaṁti lokāstrailokyavartinaḥ

O lord of the earth, the giver of food makes one forget even mother and father; therefore the dwellers of the three worlds praise food.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.156.39)

मातरः पितरश्चापि केवलं जन्महेतवः । अन्नदं पितरं लोके वदन्ति च मनीषिणः

mātaraḥ pitaraścāpi kevalaṁ janmahetavaḥ annadaṁ pitaraṁ loke vadanti ca manīṣiṇaḥ

Mother and father are merely the cause of birth; but the wise call the giver of food the true father in this world.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.156.40)

अन्नदे सर्वतीर्थानि अन्नदे सर्वदेवताः । अन्नदे सर्वधर्माश्च तिष्ठंत्यरिधराजय

annade sarvatīrthāni annade sarvadevatāḥ annade sarvadharmāśca tiṣṭhaṁtyaridharājaya

In the giver of food dwell all sacred fords; in the giver of food dwell all deities; in the giver of food dwell all forms of dharma — O king, subduer of foes.