The Tale of the House-Lizard

Verse 1 (skanda.2.160.1)

नारद उवाच । वैशाखेऽध्वगतप्तानां तृषार्तानां महीपते । जलदानमकुर्वाणस्तिर्शयोनिमवाप्नुयात्

nārada uvāca vaiśākhe'dhvagataptānāṁ tṛṣārtānāṁ mahīpate jaladānamakurvāṇastirśayonimavāpnuyāt

Narada said: O lord of the earth, one who fails to give water to travellers scorched by heat and afflicted with thirst in Vaishakha attains an animal womb.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.160.2)

अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । विप्रस्य गृहगोधायाः संवादं परमाद्भुतम्

atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam viprasya gṛhagodhāyāḥ saṁvādaṁ paramādbhutam

In this regard they cite this ancient tale — the utterly wondrous conversation between a Brahmin and a house-lizard.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.160.3)

पुरा चेक्ष्वाकुवंशेऽभूद्धेमांग इति भूमिपः । ब्रह्मण्यश्च वदान्यश्च जितामित्रो जितेन्द्रियः

purā cekṣvākuvaṁśe'bhūddhemāṁga iti bhūmipaḥ brahmaṇyaśca vadānyaśca jitāmitro jitendriyaḥ

Long ago, in the lineage of Ikshvaku, there was a king named Hemanga, devoted to Brahmins, generous, victorious over his enemies, and master of his senses.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.160.4)

यावत्यो भूमिकणिका यावन्तो जलबिंदवः । यावन्त्युडूनि गगने तावतीरददात्स गाः

yāvatyo bhūmikaṇikā yāvanto jalabiṁdavaḥ yāvantyuḍūni gagane tāvatīradadātsa gāḥ

As many as the specks of dust on the earth, as many as the drops of water, as many as the stars in the sky — that many cows he gave away.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.160.5)

येनेष्टयज्ञदर्भैश्च भूमिर्बर्हिष्मती शुभा । गोभूतिलहिरण्याद्यैस्तोषिता बहवो द्विजाः

yeneṣṭayajñadarbhaiśca bhūmirbarhiṣmatī śubhā gobhūtilahiraṇyādyaistoṣitā bahavo dvijāḥ

By him, through sacrifices and sacred kusha-grass, the earth was made auspicious and rich; many Brahmins were satisfied with cows, land, sesame, gold and the like.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.160.6)

तेनादत्तानि दानानि न विद्यन्त इति श्रुतम् । तेनादत्तं जलं चैकं सुखलभ्यधिया नृप

tenādattāni dānāni na vidyanta iti śrutam tenādattaṁ jalaṁ caikaṁ sukhalabhyadhiyā nṛpa

It is said there was no gift he had not given, O king — except for one: he alone did not give water, thinking it too easily available to matter.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.160.7)

बोधितो ब्रह्मपुत्रेण वसिष्ठेन महात्मना । अमौल्यं सर्वतो लभ्यं तद्दाता किं फलं लभेत्

bodhito brahmaputreṇa vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā amaulyaṁ sarvato labhyaṁ taddātā kiṁ phalaṁ labhet

Even when instructed by the great soul Vasishtha, son of Brahma, he still thought: 'What fruit would the giver obtain from giving something priceless and available everywhere?'

Verse 8 (skanda.2.160.8)

दुर्बुद्ध्या हेतुवादैश्च न जलं दत्तवान्द्विजे । अलभ्यदाने पुण्यं स्यादिति वाक्यं सुयुक्तिमत्

durbuddhyā hetuvādaiśca na jalaṁ dattavāndvije alabhyadāne puṇyaṁ syāditi vākyaṁ suyuktimat

With this perverse reasoning he did not give water to Brahmins, holding the seemingly plausible view that merit comes only from giving what is otherwise hard to obtain.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.160.9)

स आनर्च द्विजान्व्यङ्गान्दरिद्रान्वृत्तिकर्शितान् । नार्चयच्छ्रोत्रियान्विप्रांस्तत्त्वज्ञान्ब्रह्मवादिनः

sa ānarca dvijānvyaṅgāndaridrānvṛttikarśitān nārcayacchrotriyānviprāṁstattvajñānbrahmavādinaḥ

He would honour Brahmins who were deformed, poor, and worn down by want of livelihood, but he would not honour Vedic scholars learned in truth and versed in Brahman —

Verse 10 (skanda.2.160.10)

प्रख्यातान्पूजयिष्यंति सर्वे लोका महार्हणाः । अनाथानामविद्यानां व्यंगानां च द्विजन्मनाम्

prakhyātānpūjayiṣyaṁti sarve lokā mahārhaṇāḥ anāthānāmavidyānāṁ vyaṁgānāṁ ca dvijanmanām

—reasoning that famous, highly venerable men will be honoured by everyone anyway; but for the helpless, unlearned, and deformed twice-born,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.160.11)

दरिद्राणां गतिः का वा तस्मात्ते मे दयास्पदम् । इति दुर्धीरपात्रेषु दत्तवान्किमपि स्वयम्

daridrāṇāṁ gatiḥ kā vā tasmātte me dayāspadam iti durdhīrapātreṣu dattavānkimapi svayam

—and for the poor, what other refuge is there? Therefore they alone deserve my compassion. With this perverse judgement he himself gave whatever he gave only to unworthy recipients.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.160.12)

तेन दोषेण महता चातकत्वं त्रिजन्मसु । एकजन्मनि गृध्रत्वं श्वाऽभवत्सप्तजन्मसु

tena doṣeṇa mahatā cātakatvaṁ trijanmasu ekajanmani gṛdhratvaṁ śvā'bhavatsaptajanmasu

By that great fault he became a chataka bird for three births, a vulture for one birth, and a dog for seven births.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.160.13)

पश्चान्नृपगृहे जातो भूपोऽयं गृहगोधिका । श्रुतकीर्त्याख्यभूपस्य मिथिलाधिपतेर्नृप

paścānnṛpagṛhe jāto bhūpo'yaṁ gṛhagodhikā śrutakīrtyākhyabhūpasya mithilādhipaternṛpa

Afterward, O king, this king was born as a house-lizard in the palace of the king named Shrutakirti, lord of Mithila.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.160.14)

गृहद्वारप्रतोल्यां च वर्तते कीटकाशना । सप्ताशीतिषु वर्षेषु स्थितं तेन दुरात्मना

gṛhadvārapratolyāṁ ca vartate kīṭakāśanā saptāśītiṣu varṣeṣu sthitaṁ tena durātmanā

There it lived at the main gateway, feeding on insects; that evil-souled being remained there for eighty-seven years.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.160.15)

विदेहाधिपतेर्गेहे कदाचिदृषिसत्तमः । श्रुतदेव इति ख्यातः श्रौतो मध्याह्न आगतः

videhādhipatergehe kadācidṛṣisattamaḥ śrutadeva iti khyātaḥ śrauto madhyāhna āgataḥ

Once, to the house of the king of Videha, a most excellent sage renowned as Shrutadeva, learned in the Vedas, came at midday.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.160.16)

तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय जातहर्षो नराधिपः । मधुपर्कादिभिः पूज्य तस्य पादावनेजनीः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya jātaharṣo narādhipaḥ madhuparkādibhiḥ pūjya tasya pādāvanejanīḥ

Seeing him, the king rose at once, filled with joy; having honoured him with madhuparka and the like, he prepared water for washing his feet,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.160.17)

अपो मूर्ध्ना वहन्क्षिप्रं तदोत्सिक्तैश्च बिंदुभिः । दैवोपदिष्टकालेन प्रोक्षिता गृहगोधिका

apo mūrdhnā vahankṣipraṁ tadotsiktaiśca biṁdubhiḥ daivopadiṣṭakālena prokṣitā gṛhagodhikā

—and swiftly bore that water upon his own head; some drops splashed up from it, and by that divinely ordained timing, the house-lizard was sprinkled.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.160.18)

सद्यो जातस्मृतिरभूत्स्मृतकर्मादिदुःखिता । त्राहित्राहीति चुक्रोश ब्राह्मणं गृहमागतम्

sadyo jātasmṛtirabhūtsmṛtakarmādiduḥkhitā trāhitrāhīti cukrośa brāhmaṇaṁ gṛhamāgatam

At once its memory of past births awakened; distressed by remembering its former deeds, it cried out 'Save me! Save me!' to the Brahmin who had entered the house.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.160.19)

तिर्यग्जंतुरवं श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो विस्मितोऽवदत् । कुतः क्रोशसि गोधे त्वं दशेयं केन कर्मणा

tiryagjaṁturavaṁ śrutvā brāhmaṇo vismito'vadat kutaḥ krośasi godhe tvaṁ daśeyaṁ kena karmaṇā

Hearing the cry of the animal creature, the astonished Brahmin said: 'Why do you cry out, O lizard? By what deed have you come to this state?'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.160.20)

त्वं देवः पुरुषः कश्चिन्नृपो वाऽथ द्विजोऽथ वा । कस्त्वं ब्रूहि महाभाग त्वामद्याहं समुद्धरे

tvaṁ devaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścinnṛpo vā'tha dvijo'tha vā kastvaṁ brūhi mahābhāga tvāmadyāhaṁ samuddhare

'Are you some god, some man, a king, or a Brahmin? Who are you — speak, O greatly fortunate one; today I shall deliver you.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.160.21)

इत्युक्तः स नृपः प्राह श्रुतदेवं महामतिम् । अहमिक्ष्वाकुकुलजो वेदशास्त्रविशारदः

ityuktaḥ sa nṛpaḥ prāha śrutadevaṁ mahāmatim ahamikṣvākukulajo vedaśāstraviśāradaḥ

Thus addressed, that former king said to the great-minded Shrutadeva: 'I was born in the lineage of Ikshvaku, learned in the Vedas and shastras.'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.160.22)

यावत्यो भूमिकणिका यावन्तस्तोयबिंदवः । यावंत्युडूनि गगने तावतीरददं स्म गाः

yāvatyo bhūmikaṇikā yāvantastoyabiṁdavaḥ yāvaṁtyuḍūni gagane tāvatīradadaṁ sma gāḥ

'As many as the specks of dust on the earth, as many as the drops of water, as many as the stars in the sky — that many cows I gave away.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.160.23)

सर्वे यज्ञा मया चेष्टाः पूर्तान्याचरितानि मे । दानन्यपि च दत्तानि धर्मराजस्त्वनुष्ठितः

sarve yajñā mayā ceṣṭāḥ pūrtānyācaritāni me dānanyapi ca dattāni dharmarājastvanuṣṭhitaḥ

'All the sacrifices were performed by me; charitable works were carried out; gifts too were given; I conducted myself as a righteous king.'

Verse 24 (skanda.2.160.24)

तथापि दुर्गतिर्जाता मम चोर्ध्वगतिं विना । त्रिवारं चातकत्वं मे गृध्रत्वं चैकजन्मनि

tathāpi durgatirjātā mama cordhvagatiṁ vinā trivāraṁ cātakatvaṁ me gṛdhratvaṁ caikajanmani

'And yet a wretched fate befell me, without any higher destiny — three times I became a chataka bird, and once a vulture,'

Verse 25 (skanda.2.160.25)

सप्तजन्मस्वलर्कत्वं प्राप्तं पूर्वं मया द्विज । सिंचताऽनेन भूपेन त्वपः पादावनेजनीः

saptajanmasvalarkatvaṁ prāptaṁ pūrvaṁ mayā dvija siṁcatā'nena bhūpena tvapaḥ pādāvanejanīḥ

'—and before that, for seven births, I attained the state of a dog, O Brahmin. Now, as this king was sprinkling the foot-washing water,'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.160.26)

बिंदवो दूरमुत्क्षिप्तास्तैः सिक्तोऽहं कथंचन । तेन जन्मस्मृतिरभूत्सर्वपाप्मा हतश्च मे

biṁdavo dūramutkṣiptāstaiḥ sikto'haṁ kathaṁcana tena janmasmṛtirabhūtsarvapāpmā hataśca me

'—drops flew far and, by them, I was somehow sprinkled; by that, memory of my past births arose in me, and all my sin was destroyed.'

Verse 27 (skanda.2.160.27)

गोधा जन्मानि भाव्यानि ह्यष्टाविंशतिकानि मे । दृश्यन्ते दैवसृष्टानि बिभ्ये तैर्जन्मभिर्भृशम्

godhā janmāni bhāvyāni hyaṣṭāviṁśatikāni me dṛśyante daivasṛṣṭāni bibhye tairjanmabhirbhṛśam

'Twenty-eight more births as a lizard, divinely ordained, still appear before me; I am greatly afraid of those births.'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.160.28)

न कारणं प्रपश्याभि तन्मे विस्तरतो वद । इत्युक्तः स ऋषिः प्राह ज्ञात्वा विज्ञानचक्षुषा

na kāraṇaṁ prapaśyābhi tanme vistarato vada ityuktaḥ sa ṛṣiḥ prāha jñātvā vijñānacakṣuṣā

'I do not see the reason for this; tell it to me in full.' Thus addressed, the sage, perceiving it with the eye of wisdom, said:

Verse 29 (skanda.2.160.29)

शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यामि तव दुर्योनिकारणम् । न जलं तु त्वया दत्तं वैशाखे माधवप्रिये

śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāmi tava duryonikāraṇam na jalaṁ tu tvayā dattaṁ vaiśākhe mādhavapriye

'Listen, O king, I shall tell you the reason for your wretched births — you did not give water in Vaishakha, the month dear to Madhava,'

Verse 30 (skanda.2.160.30)

तज्जलं सुलभं मत्वा ह्यमूल्यमिति निश्चितम् । नाध्वगानां द्विजातीनां घर्मकालेऽप्यजानता

tajjalaṁ sulabhaṁ matvā hyamūlyamiti niścitam nādhvagānāṁ dvijātīnāṁ gharmakāle'pyajānatā

'—thinking that water, being easily available and certainly without cost, need not be given even to twice-born travellers during the season of heat, out of ignorance.'

Verse 31 (skanda.2.160.31)

तथा पात्रं समुत्सृज्य ह्यपात्रे प्रतिदत्तवान् । ज्वलन्तमग्निमुत्सृज्य नहि भस्मनि हूयते

tathā pātraṁ samutsṛjya hyapātre pratidattavān jvalantamagnimutsṛjya nahi bhasmani hūyate

'And you forsook worthy recipients and gave instead to the unworthy — but no one offers oblation into ashes, forsaking a blazing fire.'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.160.32)

बहुधा वर्णितस्याऽपि सौगन्ध्यादियुतस्य च । कण्टकान्वितवृक्षस्य न कुर्वंति समर्चनम्

bahudhā varṇitasyā'pi saugandhyādiyutasya ca kaṇṭakānvitavṛkṣasya na kurvaṁti samarcanam

'No one worships a thorny tree, even one much praised and endowed with fragrance and the like.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.160.33)

विशिष्टानां पादपानामश्वत्थः सेव्यतां गतः । तुलसीं तु समुत्सृज्य बृहती पूज्यते नु किम्

viśiṣṭānāṁ pādapānāmaśvatthaḥ sevyatāṁ gataḥ tulasīṁ tu samutsṛjya bṛhatī pūjyate nu kim

'Among distinguished trees, only the ashvattha has attained veneration — would anyone worship the thorny brihati, forsaking the tulasi?'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.160.34)

अनाथत्वं पूज्यतायां न प्रयोजकतामियात् । पंग्वाद्या येऽप्यनाथा हि दयापात्रं हि केवलम्

anāthatvaṁ pūjyatāyāṁ na prayojakatāmiyāt paṁgvādyā ye'pyanāthā hi dayāpātraṁ hi kevalam

'Helplessness by itself does not qualify one for veneration; the lame and other helpless persons are objects of compassion alone, not of worship.'

Verse 35 (skanda.2.160.35)

तपोनिष्ठा ज्ञाननिष्ठाः श्रुतिशास्त्रविशारदाः । विष्णुरूपाः सदा पूज्या नेतरे तु कदाचन

taponiṣṭhā jñānaniṣṭhāḥ śrutiśāstraviśāradāḥ viṣṇurūpāḥ sadā pūjyā netare tu kadācana

'Those established in austerity and knowledge, learned in the Shrutis and shastras, being forms of Vishnu, are always to be worshipped — but never others.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.160.36)

तत्रापि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थं विप्रा विष्णोः सदैव हि । ज्ञानिनामपि भूपाल विष्णुरेव सदा प्रियः । तस्माज्ज्ञानी सदा पूज्यः पूज्यात्पूज्यतरः स्मृतः

tatrāpi jñānino'tyarthaṁ viprā viṣṇoḥ sadaiva hi jñānināmapi bhūpāla viṣṇureva sadā priyaḥ tasmājjñānī sadā pūjyaḥ pūjyātpūjyataraḥ smṛtaḥ

'Among them too, the wise Brahmins are always most beloved of Vishnu; and O king, even for the wise, Vishnu alone is ever dear. Therefore the man of wisdom is ever to be worshipped, and is remembered as more worthy of worship than even the worshipful.'

Verse 37 (skanda.2.160.37)

अवज्ञा साधुवृत्तानामिहाऽमुत्र च दुःखदा । सेवा वै महतां पुंसां पुमर्थानां हि कारणम्

avajñā sādhuvṛttānāmihā'mutra ca duḥkhadā sevā vai mahatāṁ puṁsāṁ pumarthānāṁ hi kāraṇam

'Disrespect toward those of virtuous conduct brings suffering both here and hereafter; service to great men alone is the cause of the goals of human life.'

Verse 38 (skanda.2.160.38)

कोटयोऽप्यन्धजातीनां न पश्यंति यथाऽयथम् । एवं मन्दायुतानां तु संगतिर्नार्थदा भवेत्

koṭayo'pyandhajātīnāṁ na paśyaṁti yathā'yatham evaṁ mandāyutānāṁ tu saṁgatirnārthadā bhavet

'Even crores of those born blind cannot perceive right from wrong; likewise, association with a multitude of the dull-witted yields no real benefit.'

Verse 39 (skanda.2.160.39)

नह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामयाः । ते पुनंत्युरुकालेन दर्शनादेव साधवः

nahyammayāni tīrthāni na devā mṛcchilāmayāḥ te punaṁtyurukālena darśanādeva sādhavaḥ

'Sacred fords are not mere water, nor are gods mere clay and stone; they purify only over a long time, whereas holy men purify by the mere sight of them.'

Verse 40 (skanda.2.160.40)

न साधुसेवनात्क्वापि सीदन्ते तैः सुशिक्षिताः । जन्ममृत्युजराद्यैर्वा सुधयाऽऽप्यायिता यथा

na sādhusevanātkvāpi sīdante taiḥ suśikṣitāḥ janmamṛtyujarādyairvā sudhayā''pyāyitā yathā

'Those well instructed by holy men never suffer anywhere from birth, death, old age and the like — just as those nourished by nectar never languish.'

Verse 41 (skanda.2.160.41)

न जलं तु त्वया दत्तं साधवो वा न सेविताः । तेन ते दुर्गतिश्चेयं प्राप्ता चेक्ष्वाकुनंदन

na jalaṁ tu tvayā dattaṁ sādhavo vā na sevitāḥ tena te durgatiśceyaṁ prāptā cekṣvākunaṁdana

'You gave no water, nor did you serve holy men; by that, O son of Ikshvaku, you obtained this wretched state.'

Verse 42 (skanda.2.160.42)

वैशाखे मत्कृतं पुण्यं तुभ्यं दास्यामि शान्तये । भूतं भव्यं भवद्येन कर्मजातं विजेष्यसि

vaiśākhe matkṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ tubhyaṁ dāsyāmi śāntaye bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhavadyena karmajātaṁ vijeṣyasi

'The merit I have earned in Vaishakha, I shall give to you for your peace, by which you shall conquer the whole mass of deeds — past, future, and present.'

Verse 43 (skanda.2.160.43)

इत्युक्त्वाऽप उपस्पृश्य ददौ पुण्यमनुत्तमम्

ityuktvā'pa upaspṛśya dadau puṇyamanuttamam

Having said this, touching water in ritual confirmation, he bestowed upon it that unsurpassed merit.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.160.44)

यदा दत्तं ब्राह्मणेन स्नानं चैकदिने कृतम् । तेन ध्वस्ताऽखिलाघस्तु त्यक्त्वा तां गृहगोधिकाम्

yadā dattaṁ brāhmaṇena snānaṁ caikadine kṛtam tena dhvastā'khilāghastu tyaktvā tāṁ gṛhagodhikām

When this gift was made by the Brahmin, equal to a single day's Vaishakha bath, by it all his sin was destroyed, and he cast off that house-lizard's form,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.160.45)

दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य दिव्यस्रग्वस्त्रभूषणः । पश्यतामेव भूतानां मैथिलस्य गृहांतरे

divyaṁ vimānamāruhya divyasragvastrabhūṣaṇaḥ paśyatāmeva bhūtānāṁ maithilasya gṛhāṁtare

—and, mounting a divine chariot, adorned with divine garlands, garments, and ornaments, before the very eyes of all present within the house of the king of Mithila,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.160.46)

बद्धाञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य च । अनुज्ञातो ययौ राजा स्तूयमानोऽमरैर्दिवम्

baddhāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā parikramya praṇamya ca anujñāto yayau rājā stūyamāno'marairdivam

—with joined palms, having circumambulated and bowed, taking leave, that king, praised by the immortals, went to heaven.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.160.47)

तत्र भुक्त्वा महाभोगान्वर्षायुतमतन्द्रितः । स एव चेक्ष्वाकुकुले काकुत्स्थोऽभून्महाप्रभुः

tatra bhuktvā mahābhogānvarṣāyutamatandritaḥ sa eva cekṣvākukule kākutstho'bhūnmahāprabhuḥ

There, having enjoyed great pleasures for ten thousand years without weariness, that very soul was born in the lineage of Ikshvaku as the great lord Kakutstha,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.160.48)

सप्तद्वीपवतीपालो ब्रह्मण्यः साधुसंमतः । देवेन्द्रस्य सखा विष्णोरंश एव महाप्रभुः

saptadvīpavatīpālo brahmaṇyaḥ sādhusaṁmataḥ devendrasya sakhā viṣṇoraṁśa eva mahāprabhuḥ

—ruler of the earth with its seven continents, devoted to Brahmins, honoured by the virtuous, friend of Indra, king of the gods, that great lord being verily a portion of Vishnu.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.160.49)

बोधितस्तु वसिष्ठेन वैशाखोक्तान्मनोरमान् । अनुष्ठायाखिलान्धर्मांस्तेन ध्वस्ताखिलाऽशुभः

bodhitastu vasiṣṭhena vaiśākhoktānmanoramān anuṣṭhāyākhilāndharmāṁstena dhvastākhilā'śubhaḥ

Instructed by Vasishtha, and having performed all the delightful observances prescribed for Vaishakha, by that all his inauspiciousness was destroyed,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.160.50)

दिव्यं ज्ञानं समासाद्य विष्णोः सायुज्यमाप्तवान् । वैशाखः शुभदस्तस्मात्पुंभिः सर्वैरनुष्ठितः

divyaṁ jñānaṁ samāsādya viṣṇoḥ sāyujyamāptavān vaiśākhaḥ śubhadastasmātpuṁbhiḥ sarvairanuṣṭhitaḥ

—and, having attained divine knowledge, he obtained union with Vishnu. Therefore Vaishakha, the giver of auspiciousness, should be observed by all men.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.160.51)

आयुर्यशःपुष्टिदोऽयं महापापौघनाशनः । पुमर्थानां निदानं च विष्णुः प्रीणात्यनेन तु

āyuryaśaḥpuṣṭido'yaṁ mahāpāpaughanāśanaḥ pumarthānāṁ nidānaṁ ca viṣṇuḥ prīṇātyanena tu

This month bestows longevity, fame, and vigour, and destroys the very flood of great sins; it is the foundation of the goals of human life, and by it Vishnu is truly pleased.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.160.52)

चातुर्वर्ण्यनरैः सर्वैश्चतुराश्रमवर्तिभिः । अनुष्ठेयो महाधर्मो वैशाखे माधवागमे

cāturvarṇyanaraiḥ sarvaiścaturāśramavartibhiḥ anuṣṭheyo mahādharmo vaiśākhe mādhavāgame

By all men of the four varnas, and by those established in the four ashramas, this great dharma is to be observed at the coming of Madhava in Vaishakha.