The Praise of Vaishakha Observances

Verse 1 (skanda.2.158.1)

नारद उवाच । तैलाभ्यङ्गं दिवास्वापं तथा वै कांस्य भोजनम् । खट्वा निद्रां गृहे स्नानं निषिद्धस्य च भक्षणम्

nārada uvāca tailābhyaṅgaṁ divāsvāpaṁ tathā vai kāṁsya bhojanam khaṭvā nidrāṁ gṛhe snānaṁ niṣiddhasya ca bhakṣaṇam

Narada said: Oiling the body, sleeping by day, eating from bronze vessels, sleeping on a cot, bathing at home, and eating forbidden foods —

Verse 2 (skanda.2.158.2)

वैशाखे वर्जयेदष्टौ द्विभुऽक्तं नक्तभोजनम् । पद्मपत्रे तु यो भुंक्ते वैशाखे ब्रतसंस्थितः

vaiśākhe varjayedaṣṭau dvibhu'ktaṁ naktabhojanam padmapatre tu yo bhuṁkte vaiśākhe bratasaṁsthitaḥ

—these eight, together with eating twice a day and eating only at night, should be avoided in Vaishakha. Whoever, keeping the vow, eats from a lotus leaf in Vaishakha,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.158.3)

स तु पापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति । वैशाखे मासि मध्याह्ने श्रौतानां तु द्विजन्मनाम् । पादावनेजनं कुर्यात्तद्व्रतं सुव्रतोत्तमम्

sa tu pāpavinirmukto viṣṇulokaṁ ca gacchati vaiśākhe māsi madhyāhne śrautānāṁ tu dvijanmanām pādāvanejanaṁ kuryāttadvrataṁ suvratottamam

—is freed from sin and goes to Vishnu's world. Washing the feet of Vedic twice-borns at midday in the month of Vaishakha — that is the best among good vows.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.158.4)

अध्वश्रान्तं द्विजं यस्तु मध्याह्ने स्वगृहागतम् । उपवेश्यासने रम्ये कृत्वा पादावनेजनम्

adhvaśrāntaṁ dvijaṁ yastu madhyāhne svagṛhāgatam upaveśyāsane ramye kṛtvā pādāvanejanam

Whoever seats upon a pleasant seat a Brahmin wearied from the road who arrives at his house at midday, and washes his feet,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.158.5)

धृत्वा शिरसि ताश्चापो विध्वस्ताखिलबंधनः । गंगादिसर्वतीर्थेषु स्नातो भवति निश्चितम्

dhṛtvā śirasi tāścāpo vidhvastākhilabaṁdhanaḥ gaṁgādisarvatīrtheṣu snāto bhavati niścitam

—and bears that water upon his own head, is freed from every bond and certainly becomes as one who has bathed in the Ganga and every sacred ford.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.158.6)

अस्नायी वाऽप्यपत्राशी वैशाखं तु नयेद्यदि । रासभी योनिमासाद्य पश्चादश्वतरो भवेत्

asnāyī vā'pyapatrāśī vaiśākhaṁ tu nayedyadi rāsabhī yonimāsādya paścādaśvataro bhavet

But if one passes Vaishakha without bathing and without giving alms, he attains the womb of a she-donkey, and afterward becomes a mule.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.158.7)

दृढाङ्गो रोगहीनश्च तथा स्वस्थोऽपि मानवः । वैशाखे तु गृहे स्नात्वा चांडालीं योनिमाप्नुयात्

dṛḍhāṅgo rogahīnaśca tathā svastho'pi mānavaḥ vaiśākhe tu gṛhe snātvā cāṁḍālīṁ yonimāpnuyāt

A man, even though strong-limbed, free of disease, and healthy, if he bathes at home during Vaishakha, attains the womb of a Chandali woman.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.158.8)

वैशाखे मासि राजेन्द्र मेषसंस्थे दिवाकरे । न करोति बहिःस्नानं श्वानयोनिशतं व्रजेत्

vaiśākhe māsi rājendra meṣasaṁsthe divākare na karoti bahiḥsnānaṁ śvānayoniśataṁ vrajet

O king of kings, in the month of Vaishakha, while the sun is in Aries, one who does not bathe outdoors passes through a hundred births as a dog.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.158.9)

अस्नात्वा चाप्यदत्त्वा च वैशाखो येन नीयते । स पिशाचो भवेन्नूनमवैशाखादथो व्रजेत्

asnātvā cāpyadattvā ca vaiśākho yena nīyate sa piśāco bhavennūnamavaiśākhādatho vrajet

One by whom Vaishakha is passed without bathing and without giving gifts surely becomes a pishacha, and proceeds thereafter deprived of Vaishakha's merit.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.158.10)

यो न दद्याज्जलं चान्नं वैशाखे लोभमानसः । पापहानिं दुःखहानिं नैवाप्नोति न संशयः

yo na dadyājjalaṁ cānnaṁ vaiśākhe lobhamānasaḥ pāpahāniṁ duḥkhahāniṁ naivāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever, gripped by greed, does not give water and food in Vaishakha, never obtains the destruction of sin or of sorrow — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.158.11)

नदीस्नानं तु यः कुर्याद्वैशाखे विष्णुतत्परः । जन्मत्रयार्जितात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

nadīsnānaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādvaiśākhe viṣṇutatparaḥ janmatrayārjitātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever, devoted to Vishnu, bathes in a river during Vaishakha is freed from sins accumulated over three births — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.158.12)

समुद्रगनदीस्नानं कुर्यात्प्रातर्भगोदये । सप्तजन्मार्जितैः पापैस्तत्क्षणादेव मुच्यते

samudraganadīsnānaṁ kuryātprātarbhagodaye saptajanmārjitaiḥ pāpaistatkṣaṇādeva mucyate

One should bathe at dawn, at sunrise, in a river that flows into the ocean; from sins accumulated over seven births, one is freed that very instant.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.158.13)

कुर्यादुषसि यः स्नानं सप्तगङ्गासु मानवः । कोटिजन्मार्जितात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

kuryāduṣasi yaḥ snānaṁ saptagaṅgāsu mānavaḥ koṭijanmārjitātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

The man who bathes at dawn in the seven Gangas is freed from sins accumulated over a crore of births — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.158.14)

जाह्नवी वृद्धगङ्गा च कालिंदी च सरस्वती । कावेरी नर्मदा वेणी सप्तगंगाः प्रकीर्तिताः

jāhnavī vṛddhagaṅgā ca kāliṁdī ca sarasvatī kāverī narmadā veṇī saptagaṁgāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

The Jahnavi, the Vriddhaganga, the Kalindi, the Sarasvati, the Kaveri, the Narmada, and the Veni — these are proclaimed the seven Gangas.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.158.15)

देवखातेषु यः कुर्यात्प्रातर्वैशाखमज्जनम् । जन्मारभ्य कृतात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

devakhāteṣu yaḥ kuryātprātarvaiśākhamajjanam janmārabhya kṛtātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever performs the Vaishakha bath at dawn in a divinely-made pool is freed from sins committed since birth — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.158.16)

वैशाखे मासि संप्राप्ते यो वापीष्ववगाहनम् । प्रातः कुर्यान्महाराज महापातकनाशनम्

vaiśākhe māsi saṁprāpte yo vāpīṣvavagāhanam prātaḥ kuryānmahārāja mahāpātakanāśanam

O great king, whoever, when the month of Vaishakha has come, immerses himself in step-wells at dawn performs an act that destroys the greatest sins.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.158.17)

अपि गोष्पदमात्रेषु बहिःस्थेषु जलेषु च । तिष्ठंति सरितः सर्वा गंगाद्या इति निश्चयः । इति जानन्समाप्नोति सर्वतीर्थाधिकं फलम्

api goṣpadamātreṣu bahiḥstheṣu jaleṣu ca tiṣṭhaṁti saritaḥ sarvā gaṁgādyā iti niścayaḥ iti jānansamāpnoti sarvatīrthādhikaṁ phalam

Even in outer water no larger than a cow's hoofprint, all the rivers beginning with the Ganga are present — this is certain. Knowing this, one obtains a fruit greater than that of all sacred fords.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.158.18)

क्षीरं रसाधिकं क्षीरादधिकं दधि भूमिप । दध्नोऽधिकं घृतं यद्वदूर्जो मासोऽधिकस्तथा

kṣīraṁ rasādhikaṁ kṣīrādadhikaṁ dadhi bhūmipa dadhno'dhikaṁ ghṛtaṁ yadvadūrjo māso'dhikastathā

O lord of the earth, as milk excels mere juice, curd excels milk, and ghee excels curd, so the month of Urja (Kartika) excels ordinary months.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.158.19)

कार्तिकादधिको माघो माघाद्वैशाख उत्तमः । तस्मिन्मासे कृतो धर्मो वर्द्धते वटबीजवत्

kārtikādadhiko māgho māghādvaiśākha uttamaḥ tasminmāse kṛto dharmo varddhate vaṭabījavat

Magha surpasses Kartika, and Vaishakha, the best, surpasses Magha. Dharma performed in that month grows like a banyan seed.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.158.20)

आढ्यो वाऽतिदरिद्रो वा परतंत्रोऽथ वा नरः । यद्वस्तु लभते तेन तद्दातव्यं द्विजातये

āḍhyo vā'tidaridro vā parataṁtro'tha vā naraḥ yadvastu labhate tena taddātavyaṁ dvijātaye

Whether a man is wealthy, or extremely poor, or dependent on another, whatever object he obtains, that he should give to a twice-born.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.158.21)

कन्दमूलफलं शाकं लवणं गुडमेव च । कोलं पत्रं जलं तक्रमानंत्यायोपकल्पते

kandamūlaphalaṁ śākaṁ lavaṇaṁ guḍameva ca kolaṁ patraṁ jalaṁ takramānaṁtyāyopakalpate

Roots, tubers, fruit, vegetables, salt, jaggery, jujube, leaves, water, and buttermilk — even these, when given, become the means to endless merit.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.158.22)

नादत्तं लभते क्वापि ब्रह्माद्यैस्त्रिदशैरपि

nādattaṁ labhate kvāpi brahmādyaistridaśairapi

That which is not given is never obtained anywhere — not even by the gods, beginning with Brahma.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.158.23)

दानेन हीनो हि भवेदकिंचनो निष्किञ्चनत्वाच्च करोति पापम् । पापादवश्यं नरकं प्रयाति दातव्यमस्मात्सुखमिच्छता तदा

dānena hīno hi bhavedakiṁcano niṣkiñcanatvācca karoti pāpam pāpādavaśyaṁ narakaṁ prayāti dātavyamasmātsukhamicchatā tadā

One devoid of giving becomes destitute, and from destitution he commits sin; from sin he inevitably goes to hell. Therefore, one desiring happiness should surely give.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.158.24)

यथा गृहं सर्वगुणोपपन्नं परिच्छदैर्हीनमशोभनं तथा । मासेषु धर्मः सकलेष्वनुष्ठितो वैशाखहीनस्तु वृथैव याति

yathā gṛhaṁ sarvaguṇopapannaṁ paricchadairhīnamaśobhanaṁ tathā māseṣu dharmaḥ sakaleṣvanuṣṭhito vaiśākhahīnastu vṛthaiva yāti

Just as a house endowed with every good quality is unattractive if devoid of furnishings, so dharma performed throughout every month goes to waste in vain if it lacks Vaishakha.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.158.25)

यथैव कन्या सकलैश्च लक्षणैर्युक्ताऽपि जीवत्पतिलक्षणा न हि । क्रियाऽपि सांगा सकलाऽपि राजन्वैशाखहीना तु वृथैव तां विदुः

yathaiva kanyā sakalaiśca lakṣaṇairyuktā'pi jīvatpatilakṣaṇā na hi kriyā'pi sāṁgā sakalā'pi rājanvaiśākhahīnā tu vṛthaiva tāṁ viduḥ

Just as a maiden endowed with every auspicious mark is of no avail without the mark of a living husband, so, O king, a rite complete in every part is known to be in vain if it lacks Vaishakha.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.158.26)

दयाविहीनास्तु यथा गुणा वृथा वैशाखधर्मेण विना तथा क्रियाः । शाकं तु यद्वल्लवणेन हीनं न रोचते सर्वगुणोपपन्नम्

dayāvihīnāstu yathā guṇā vṛthā vaiśākhadharmeṇa vinā tathā kriyāḥ śākaṁ tu yadvallavaṇena hīnaṁ na rocate sarvaguṇopapannam

Just as good qualities devoid of compassion are in vain, so rites without the observance of Vaishakha are in vain. And just as a vegetable dish possessed of every quality does not please without salt,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.158.27)

वैशाखहीनं तु तथैव पुण्यं न साधुसेव्यं न फलाप्तिहेतुः । यद्वन्न भूषासहिताऽपि शोभते वस्त्रेण हीना ललना सुरूपा । क्रियाकलापः सुकृतोऽपि पुंभिर्न भासते तन्मधुमासहीनम्

vaiśākhahīnaṁ tu tathaiva puṇyaṁ na sādhusevyaṁ na phalāptihetuḥ yadvanna bhūṣāsahitā'pi śobhate vastreṇa hīnā lalanā surūpā kriyākalāpaḥ sukṛto'pi puṁbhirna bhāsate tanmadhumāsahīnam

—so too merit lacking Vaishakha is not to be honoured by the virtuous, nor does it cause the attainment of its fruit. Just as a beautiful woman, though adorned with ornaments, does not shine if she lacks clothing, so a well-performed round of rites does not shine before men if it lacks this month of Madhu.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.158.28)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन येन केनाऽपि जन्तुना । धर्मो वैशाखमासे तु कर्तव्य इति निश्चयः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena yena kenā'pi jantunā dharmo vaiśākhamāse tu kartavya iti niścayaḥ

Therefore, with every effort, by any and every creature, dharma must be performed in the month of Vaishakha — this is certain.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.158.29)

मधुसूदनमुद्दिश्य मेषसंस्थे दिवाकरे । प्रातः स्नात्वाऽर्चयद्विष्णुमन्यथा नरकं व्रजेत्

madhusūdanamuddiśya meṣasaṁsthe divākare prātaḥ snātvā'rcayadviṣṇumanyathā narakaṁ vrajet

With Madhusudana in mind, while the sun stands in Aries, one should bathe at dawn and worship Vishnu; otherwise one goes to hell.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.158.30)

कश्चिन्महीरथो राजा कामासक्तो जितेन्द्रियः । वैशाखस्नानयोगेन वैकुण्ठं गतवान्स्वयम्

kaścinmahīratho rājā kāmāsakto jitendriyaḥ vaiśākhasnānayogena vaikuṇṭhaṁ gatavānsvayam

There was a certain king, Mahiratha, who, though attached to sensual desire, was self-controlled; through the practice of the Vaishakha bath he went personally to Vaikuntha.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.158.31)

वैशाखः सफलो मासो मधुसूदनदैवतः । तीर्थयात्रातपोयज्ञदानहोमफलाधिकः

vaiśākhaḥ saphalo māso madhusūdanadaivataḥ tīrthayātrātapoyajñadānahomaphalādhikaḥ

Vaishakha is the fruitful month, whose presiding deity is Madhusudana; its fruit surpasses that of pilgrimage, austerity, sacrifice, gift-giving, and fire-oblation.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.158.32)

प्रार्थनामंत्रः । मधुसूदन देवेश वैशाखे मेषगे रवौ । प्रातः स्नानं करिष्यामि निर्विघ्नं कुरु माधव

prārthanāmaṁtraḥ madhusūdana deveśa vaiśākhe meṣage ravau prātaḥ snānaṁ kariṣyāmi nirvighnaṁ kuru mādhava

[The prayer-mantra] O Madhusudana, lord of the gods, in Vaishakha while the sun is in Aries I shall perform the morning bath; make it free of obstacles, O Madhava.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.158.33)

अर्घ्यमंत्राः । वैशाखे मेषगे भानौ प्रातःस्नानपरायणः । अर्घ्यं तेऽहं प्रदास्यामि गृहाण मधुसूदन

arghyamaṁtrāḥ vaiśākhe meṣage bhānau prātaḥsnānaparāyaṇaḥ arghyaṁ te'haṁ pradāsyāmi gṛhāṇa madhusūdana

[The arghya-mantras] In Vaishakha, while the sun is in Aries, devoted to the morning bath, I shall offer you this arghya; accept it, O Madhusudana.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.158.34)

गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वास्तीर्थानि च ह्रदाश्च ये । प्रगृह्णीत मया दत्तमर्घ्यं सम्यक्प्रसीदथ

gaṁgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāstīrthāni ca hradāśca ye pragṛhṇīta mayā dattamarghyaṁ samyakprasīdatha

O all rivers beginning with the Ganga, and whatever sacred fords and pools there are, accept this arghya given by me, and be truly gracious.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.158.35)

ऋषभः पापिनां शास्ता त्वं यमः समदर्शनः । गृहाणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं यथोक्तफलदो भव

ṛṣabhaḥ pāpināṁ śāstā tvaṁ yamaḥ samadarśanaḥ gṛhāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ yathoktaphalado bhava

You are the chastiser and bull among sinners, Yama, who regards all with an equal eye; accept this arghya given by me, and grant the fruit as declared.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.158.36)

इति चार्घ्यं समर्प्याथ पश्चात्स्नानं समाचरेत् । वाससी परिधायाथ कृत्वा कर्माणि सर्वशः

iti cārghyaṁ samarpyātha paścātsnānaṁ samācaret vāsasī paridhāyātha kṛtvā karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ

Having thus offered the arghya, one should then perform the bath. Having put on garments and completed all the daily rites,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.158.37)

मधुसूदनमभ्यर्च्य प्रसूनैर्माधवोद्भवैः । श्रुत्वा विष्णुकथां दिव्यामेतन्मासप्रशंसिनीम्

madhusūdanamabhyarcya prasūnairmādhavodbhavaiḥ śrutvā viṣṇukathāṁ divyāmetanmāsapraśaṁsinīm

—having worshipped Madhusudana with flowers born in the month of Madhava, and having listened to this divine story of Vishnu that extols this month,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.158.38)

कोटिजन्मार्जितात्पापान्मुक्तो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

koṭijanmārjitātpāpānmukto mokṣamavāpnuyāt

—one, freed from sins accumulated over a crore of births, attains liberation.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.158.39)

न जातु खिद्यते भूमौ न स्वर्गे न रसातले । न गर्भे जायते क्वापि न भूयः स्तनपो भवेत्

na jātu khidyate bhūmau na svarge na rasātale na garbhe jāyate kvāpi na bhūyaḥ stanapo bhavet

Never does he suffer, whether on earth, in heaven, or in the netherworld; he is never again born in a womb, nor does he ever again become a suckling infant.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.158.40)

वैशाखे कांस्यभोजी यस्तथा चाश्रुतसत्कथः । न स्नातो नापि दाता च नरकानेव गच्छति

vaiśākhe kāṁsyabhojī yastathā cāśrutasatkathaḥ na snāto nāpi dātā ca narakāneva gacchati

Whoever eats from bronze vessels in Vaishakha, likewise has not heard the sacred story, and has neither bathed nor given gifts, goes only to hells.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.158.41)

ब्रह्महत्यासहस्रस्य पापं शाम्येत्कथंचन । वैशाखे येन न स्नातं तत्पापं नैव गच्छति

brahmahatyāsahasrasya pāpaṁ śāmyetkathaṁcana vaiśākhe yena na snātaṁ tatpāpaṁ naiva gacchati

The sin of a thousand Brahmin-killings might somehow be pacified; but the sin of not bathing in Vaishakha never departs.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.158.42)

स्वाधीनेन स्वकायेन जले स्वातंत्र्य वर्तिनि । स्वाधीनजिह्वयोच्चार्यं हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम्

svādhīnena svakāyena jale svātaṁtrya vartini svādhīnajihvayoccāryaṁ harirityakṣaradvayam

With one's own body under one's own control, standing freely in the water, with one's own tongue under one's own control, the two syllables 'Ha-ri' should be uttered.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.158.43)

न कुर्याद्यदि वैशाखे प्रातःस्नानं नराधमः । जीवन्नेव स पंचत्वमागतो नात्र संशयः

na kuryādyadi vaiśākhe prātaḥsnānaṁ narādhamaḥ jīvanneva sa paṁcatvamāgato nātra saṁśayaḥ

If the basest of men fails to perform the morning bath in Vaishakha, he has, without doubt, already reached death even while still living.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.158.44)

येन केनाप्युपायेन माधवे मधुसूदनम् । नार्चयेद्यदि मूढात्मा शौकरीं योनिमाप्नुयात्

yena kenāpyupāyena mādhave madhusūdanam nārcayedyadi mūḍhātmā śaukarīṁ yonimāpnuyāt

If a foolish soul does not worship Madhusudana in the month of Madhava by any means whatsoever, he attains the womb of a sow.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.158.45)

योऽर्चयेत्तुलसीपत्रैर्वैशाखे मधुसूदनम् । नृपो भूत्वा सार्वभौमः कोटिजन्मसु भोगवान् । पश्चात्कोटिकुलैर्युक्तो विष्णोः सायुज्यमाप्नुयात्

yo'rcayettulasīpatrairvaiśākhe madhusūdanam nṛpo bhūtvā sārvabhaumaḥ koṭijanmasu bhogavān paścātkoṭikulairyukto viṣṇoḥ sāyujyamāpnuyāt

Whoever worships Madhusudana in Vaishakha with tulasi leaves becomes, for a crore of births, a universal sovereign abounding in enjoyments, and afterward, together with a crore of his lineage, attains union with Vishnu.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.158.46)

विविधैर्भक्तिमार्गैश्च विष्णुं सेवेत यौ व्रतैः । सगुणं निर्गुणं वाऽपि नित्यं ध्यायेदनन्यधीः

vividhairbhaktimārgaiśca viṣṇuṁ seveta yau vrataiḥ saguṇaṁ nirguṇaṁ vā'pi nityaṁ dhyāyedananyadhīḥ

One should serve Vishnu through various paths of devotion and vows, and, with an undivided mind, should meditate constantly upon him, whether as possessing attributes or beyond them.