The Liberation of the Pishacha

Verse 1 (skanda.2.161.1)

नारद उवाच । राजा तदद्भुतं दृष्ट्वा मैथिलो धर्मवित्तमः । कृताञ्जलिः सुखासीनं विस्मितो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

nārada uvāca rājā tadadbhutaṁ dṛṣṭvā maithilo dharmavittamaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ sukhāsīnaṁ vismito vākyamabravīt

Narada said: Having seen that wonder, the king of Mithila, most learned in dharma, with joined palms and astonished, spoke these words to Shrutadeva, who sat there at ease.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.161.2)

मैथिल उवाच । दृष्टमेतन्महाश्चर्यं साधूनां चरितं तथा । येन धर्मेण मुक्तोऽभूद्राजा चेक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः

maithila uvāca dṛṣṭametanmahāścaryaṁ sādhūnāṁ caritaṁ tathā yena dharmeṇa mukto'bhūdrājā cekṣvākunandanaḥ

The king of Mithila said: I have witnessed this great wonder, and the conduct of the holy, by which that king, son of Ikshvaku, was liberated.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.161.3)

तं धर्मं विस्तरेणैव श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे । मह्यं श्रद्धावते विद्वत्कृपया विस्तराद्वद

taṁ dharmaṁ vistareṇaiva śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me mahyaṁ śraddhāvate vidvatkṛpayā vistarādvada

I am eager to hear that dharma in full detail; O learned one, kindly relate it in detail to me, who am full of faith.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.161.4)

इति राज्ञा सुसंपृष्टः श्रुतदेवो महामनाः । साधुसाध्विति संभाष्य व्याजहार नृपोत्तमम्

iti rājñā susaṁpṛṣṭaḥ śrutadevo mahāmanāḥ sādhusādhviti saṁbhāṣya vyājahāra nṛpottamam

Thus well questioned by the king, the great-minded Shrutadeva, exclaiming 'well said, well said,' addressed that foremost of kings.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.161.5)

श्रुतदेव उवाच । सम्यग्व्यवसिता बुद्धिस्तव राजर्षिसत्तम । वासुदेवप्रियान्धर्माञ्छ्रोतुं यस्मान्मतिस्तव

śrutadeva uvāca samyagvyavasitā buddhistava rājarṣisattama vāsudevapriyāndharmāñchrotuṁ yasmānmatistava

Shrutadeva said: Your understanding, O best of royal sages, is well and truly resolved, since your mind is set on hearing the dharmas dear to Vasudeva.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.161.6)

बहुजन्मार्जितं पुण्यं विना कस्यापि देहिनः । वासुदेवकथालापे मतिनैवोपजायते

bahujanmārjitaṁ puṇyaṁ vinā kasyāpi dehinaḥ vāsudevakathālāpe matinaivopajāyate

Without merit accumulated over many births, the mind of no embodied being ever turns toward talk of Vasudeva's story.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.161.7)

यूने राजाधिराजाय जातेयं मतिरीदृशी । शुद्धं भागवतं मन्ये तेन त्वां साधुसत्तमम्

yūne rājādhirājāya jāteyaṁ matirīdṛśī śuddhaṁ bhāgavataṁ manye tena tvāṁ sādhusattamam

That such a disposition has arisen in you, a young king of kings, leads me to consider you a pure devotee of the Lord, and hence the very best among the holy.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.161.8)

तस्मात्तुभ्यं ब्रुवे सौम्य धर्मान्भागवताञ्च्छुभान् । याञ्ज्ञात्वा मुच्यते जंतुर्जन्मसंसारबन्धनात्

tasmāttubhyaṁ bruve saumya dharmānbhāgavatāñcchubhān yāñjñātvā mucyate jaṁturjanmasaṁsārabandhanāt

Therefore, O gentle one, I shall tell you the auspicious dharmas relating to the Blessed Lord, knowing which a creature is freed from the bondage of birth and rebirth.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.161.9)

यथा शौचं यथा स्नानं यथा सन्ध्या च तर्पणम् । अग्निहोत्रं यथा श्राद्धं तथा वैशाखसत्क्रियाः

yathā śaucaṁ yathā snānaṁ yathā sandhyā ca tarpaṇam agnihotraṁ yathā śrāddhaṁ tathā vaiśākhasatkriyāḥ

As purification, bathing, the twilight rite and libations, and the fire-oblation and ancestral rites are important — so, in the same measure, are the good observances of Vaishakha.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.161.10)

वैशाखे माधवे धर्मानकृत्वा नोर्ध्वगो भवेत् । न वैशाखसमो धर्मो धर्मजातेषु विद्यते

vaiśākhe mādhave dharmānakṛtvā nordhvago bhavet na vaiśākhasamo dharmo dharmajāteṣu vidyate

Without performing the dharmas of Vaishakha, the month of Madhava, one does not go to the higher worlds; among all forms of dharma, none exists equal to that of Vaishakha.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.161.11)

संत्येव बहवो धर्माः प्रजाश्चाराजका इव । उपद्रवैश्च लुप्यंति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

saṁtyeva bahavo dharmāḥ prajāścārājakā iva upadravaiśca lupyaṁti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

There are indeed many other dharmas, but, like a people without a king, they are destroyed by obstacles — there is no need for deliberation on this.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.161.12)

सुलभाः सकला धर्माः कर्तुं वैशाखचोदिताः । उदकुम्भं प्रपादानं पथिच्छायादिनिर्मितिः

sulabhāḥ sakalā dharmāḥ kartuṁ vaiśākhacoditāḥ udakumbhaṁ prapādānaṁ pathicchāyādinirmitiḥ

All the dharmas enjoined for Vaishakha are easy to perform: the gift of a water-pot, the establishment of a water-booth, the making of roadside shade and the like,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.161.13)

उपानत्पादुकादानं छत्रव्यजनयोस्तथा । तिलयुक्तमधोर्दानं गोरसानां श्रमापहम्

upānatpādukādānaṁ chatravyajanayostathā tilayuktamadhordānaṁ gorasānāṁ śramāpaham

the gift of shoes and sandals, and likewise of a parasol and a fan; the gift of honey mixed with sesame, and of dairy products that relieve fatigue,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.161.14)

वापीकूपतडागादिकरणं पथिकाश्रयम् । नारिकेलेक्षुकर्पूरकस्तूरीदानमेव च

vāpīkūpataḍāgādikaraṇaṁ pathikāśrayam nārikelekṣukarpūrakastūrīdānameva ca

the making of step-wells, wells, and ponds as shelter for travellers; and the gift of coconut, sugarcane, camphor, and musk,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.161.15)

गन्धानुलेपनं शय्या खट्वा दानं तथैव च । तथा चूतफलं रम्यमुर्वारुक रसायनम्

gandhānulepanaṁ śayyā khaṭvā dānaṁ tathaiva ca tathā cūtaphalaṁ ramyamurvāruka rasāyanam

anointing with fragrant paste, and likewise the gift of a bed or a cot; delightful mango fruit, and the cooling preparation of cucumber,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.161.16)

दानं दमनपुष्पाणां तथा सायं गुडोदकम् । चित्राण्यन्नानि पूर्णायां दध्यन्नं प्रत्यहं तथा

dānaṁ damanapuṣpāṇāṁ tathā sāyaṁ guḍodakam citrāṇyannāni pūrṇāyāṁ dadhyannaṁ pratyahaṁ tathā

the gift of damanaka flowers, and, in the evening, jaggery-water; various delicacies on the full-moon day, and curd-rice every day,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.161.17)

तांबूलस्य सदा दानं चैत्रदर्शे करीरकम् । रवावनुदिते सूर्ये प्रातः स्नानं दिनेदिने

tāṁbūlasya sadā dānaṁ caitradarśe karīrakam ravāvanudite sūrye prātaḥ snānaṁ dinedine

the constant gift of betel, and, on the new-moon of Chaitra, tender bamboo-shoots; the morning bath every day before sunrise,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.161.18)

मधुसूदनपूजा च कथायाः श्रवणं तथा । अभ्यंगवर्जने चैव तथा वै पत्रभोजनम्

madhusūdanapūjā ca kathāyāḥ śravaṇaṁ tathā abhyaṁgavarjane caiva tathā vai patrabhojanam

the worship of Madhusudana and the hearing of the sacred story; the avoidance of oil-massage, and eating from a leaf,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.161.19)

मध्येमध्ये श्रमार्तानां वीजनं व्यजनेन च । सुगंधैः कोमलैः पुष्पैः प्रत्यहं पूजनं हरेः

madhyemadhye śramārtānāṁ vījanaṁ vyajanena ca sugaṁdhaiḥ komalaiḥ puṣpaiḥ pratyahaṁ pūjanaṁ hareḥ

from time to time, fanning those wearied by fatigue; and every day, worshipping Hari with fragrant, tender flowers,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.161.20)

फलं दध्यन्न नैवेद्यं धूपदीपौ दिनेदिने । गोग्रासं वृषपत्नीनां द्विजपादावनेजनम्

phalaṁ dadhyanna naivedyaṁ dhūpadīpau dinedine gogrāsaṁ vṛṣapatnīnāṁ dvijapādāvanejanam

fruit and curd-rice as offering, incense and lamps every day; a mouthful of grass for cows, and the washing of the feet of twice-borns,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.161.21)

गुडनागरदानं च धात्रीपिष्टप्रदापनम् । पथिकानां प्रश्रयं च दानं तन्दुल शाकयोः । एते धर्माः प्रशस्ता हि वैशाखे माधवप्रिये

guḍanāgaradānaṁ ca dhātrīpiṣṭapradāpanam pathikānāṁ praśrayaṁ ca dānaṁ tandula śākayoḥ ete dharmāḥ praśastā hi vaiśākhe mādhavapriye

the gift of jaggery and dried ginger, the giving of amla-paste; hospitality to travellers, and the gift of rice and vegetables — these are the dharmas praised in Vaishakha, the month dear to Madhava.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.161.22)

तथा च विष्णौः कुसुमार्पणं हरेः पूजा च कालोचित पल्लवाद्यैः । दध्यन्ननैवेद्यनिवेदनं च समस्तपापौघ विनाशहेतुः

tathā ca viṣṇauḥ kusumārpaṇaṁ hareḥ pūjā ca kālocita pallavādyaiḥ dadhyannanaivedyanivedanaṁ ca samastapāpaugha vināśahetuḥ

Likewise, the offering of flowers to Vishnu, and the worship of Hari with seasonal young leaves and the like, and the offering of curd-rice as naivedya — these are the cause of the destruction of the entire flood of sin.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.161.23)

नारी पुष्पैर्माधवं नार्चयेद्या कालोत्पन्नैर्मन्दिरे वा गृहे वा । पुत्रं सौख्यं क्वाऽपि नाप्नोति हंति चायुर्भर्तुः स्वात्मनो वा महात्मन्

nārī puṣpairmādhavaṁ nārcayedyā kālotpannairmandire vā gṛhe vā putraṁ saukhyaṁ kvā'pi nāpnoti haṁti cāyurbhartuḥ svātmano vā mahātman

O great soul, whatever woman fails to worship Madhava, whether in a temple or at home, with flowers of that season, never obtains a son or happiness anywhere, and shortens the lifespan of her husband or of herself.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.161.24)

रमासहाये माधवे मासि विष्णौ परीक्षायै धर्मसेतोः प्रजानाम् । गृहं याते मुनिभिर्दैवतैश्च काले पुष्पैर्नार्चयेद्यस्तु मूढः

ramāsahāye mādhave māsi viṣṇau parīkṣāyai dharmasetoḥ prajānām gṛhaṁ yāte munibhirdaivataiśca kāle puṣpairnārcayedyastu mūḍhaḥ

When Vishnu Madhava, accompanied by Lakshmi, together with sages and gods, visits people's homes to examine those who uphold the bridge of dharma, whatever fool fails at that time to worship him with the seasonal flowers —

Verse 25 (skanda.2.161.25)

स मूढात्मा रौरवं प्राप्य पश्चाद्यायाद्योनिं राक्षसीं पञ्चवारम् । जलं चान्नं सर्वदा देयमस्मिन्क्षुधार्तानां प्राणिनां प्राणहेतुः

sa mūḍhātmā rauravaṁ prāpya paścādyāyādyoniṁ rākṣasīṁ pañcavāram jalaṁ cānnaṁ sarvadā deyamasminkṣudhārtānāṁ prāṇināṁ prāṇahetuḥ

—that foolish soul, after suffering the hell of Raurava, thereafter goes five times into a rakshasa's womb. Water and food should always be given in this month, for they are the very source of life for creatures afflicted by hunger.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.161.26)

तिर्यग्जंतुर्जायते वार्यदानादन्नादानाज्जायते वै पिशाचः । अन्नादाने चानुभूतां कथां ते ह्यहं वक्ष्ये चाद्भुतां भूमिपाल

tiryagjaṁturjāyate vāryadānādannādānājjāyate vai piśācaḥ annādāne cānubhūtāṁ kathāṁ te hyahaṁ vakṣye cādbhutāṁ bhūmipāla

From withholding the gift of water one is born an animal; from withholding the gift of food, one truly becomes a pishacha. O lord of the earth, I shall now tell you a wondrous story I myself experienced, concerning the withholding of food.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.161.27)

रेवातीरे मत्पिताऽभूत्पिशाचः स्वमांसाशी क्षुत्तृषाश्रांतगात्रः । छायाहीने शाल्मलीवृक्षमूले ह्यन्नाभावान्नष्टचैतन्य एषः

revātīre matpitā'bhūtpiśācaḥ svamāṁsāśī kṣuttṛṣāśrāṁtagātraḥ chāyāhīne śālmalīvṛkṣamūle hyannābhāvānnaṣṭacaitanya eṣaḥ

On the bank of the Narmada, my own father became a pishacha, a devourer of his own flesh, his body wearied by hunger and thirst, at the foot of a shadeless silk-cotton tree, his consciousness ruined for want of food.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.161.28)

क्षुधा तृषा कर्मणा यस्य बह्वी सूक्ष्मं छिद्रं कण्ठनालस्य चाऽसीत् । मांसं चान्तःकण्ठमध्ये निषण्णं कुर्यात्पीडां प्राणपर्यन्तमेव

kṣudhā tṛṣā karmaṇā yasya bahvī sūkṣmaṁ chidraṁ kaṇṭhanālasya cā'sīt māṁsaṁ cāntaḥkaṇṭhamadhye niṣaṇṇaṁ kuryātpīḍāṁ prāṇaparyantameva

His hunger and thirst, the fruit of his own deeds, were immense, and the passage of his throat was extremely narrow; the flesh lodged within his throat caused him agony unto the point of death.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.161.29)

जलं दृष्ट्वा कालकूटप्रकल्पं कौप्यं शीतं वाऽपि कासारसंस्थम् । तस्यास्तीरे चागतं दैवयोगाद्गङ्गायात्राकारणान्मार्गमध्ये

jalaṁ dṛṣṭvā kālakūṭaprakalpaṁ kaupyaṁ śītaṁ vā'pi kāsārasaṁstham tasyāstīre cāgataṁ daivayogādgaṅgāyātrākāraṇānmārgamadhye

Water — whether from a well or cool water lying in a pond — appeared to him like deadly poison. By a stroke of fate, while journeying to the Ganga, I arrived at the bank of that very river,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.161.30)

दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं शाल्मली वृक्षमूले त्रुटवा त्रुट्वा भक्षयन्तं स्वमांसम् । क्रोशन्तं तं बहुधा शोचमानं क्षुधातृषाव्याधितं कर्मभिः स्वैः

dṛṣṭvā'dbhutaṁ śālmalī vṛkṣamūle truṭavā truṭvā bhakṣayantaṁ svamāṁsam krośantaṁ taṁ bahudhā śocamānaṁ kṣudhātṛṣāvyādhitaṁ karmabhiḥ svaiḥ

—and there, at the foot of the silk-cotton tree, saw an astonishing sight: him, tearing off and eating his own flesh, crying out repeatedly, lamenting, afflicted by hunger and thirst through his own past deeds.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.161.31)

स मां हन्तुं प्राद्रवत्पापकर्मा मत्तेजसा निहतो दुद्रुवे च । तं चाऽब्रवं कृपया क्लिन्नचित्तो मा भैष्ट त्वं ह्यभयं मे हि दत्तम्

sa māṁ hantuṁ prādravatpāpakarmā mattejasā nihato dudruve ca taṁ cā'bravaṁ kṛpayā klinnacitto mā bhaiṣṭa tvaṁ hyabhayaṁ me hi dattam

That sinner rushed to kill me, but, struck by my own spiritual power, fled instead. My heart melted with compassion, and I said to him: 'Do not fear — I grant you safety.'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.161.32)

कस्त्वं तात ब्रूहि सद्योऽत्र हेतुं कृच्छ्रादस्मान्मोचये मा विषीद । इत्युक्तो मां प्राह पुत्रं त्वजानन्पुरानर्ते भूवराख्ये पुरे च

kastvaṁ tāta brūhi sadyo'tra hetuṁ kṛcchrādasmānmocaye mā viṣīda ityukto māṁ prāha putraṁ tvajānanpurānarte bhūvarākhye pure ca

'Who are you, father? Tell me the cause at once; I shall free you from this hardship — do not despair.' Thus asked, he, not recognising me as his son, said: 'Long ago, in a city named Bhuvara,'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.161.33)

नाम्ना मैत्रः सांकृतेर्गोत्रजोऽहं तपोविद्यादानयज्ञादिनिष्ठः । मयाऽधीताध्यापिताः सर्वविद्याः कृतो मया सर्वतीर्थाऽवगाहः

nāmnā maitraḥ sāṁkṛtergotrajo'haṁ tapovidyādānayajñādiniṣṭhaḥ mayā'dhītādhyāpitāḥ sarvavidyāḥ kṛto mayā sarvatīrthā'vagāhaḥ

'—I was named Maitra, born in the Sankriti lineage, devoted to austerity, learning, giving, and sacrifice; I studied and taught every science, and immersed myself in every sacred ford.'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.161.34)

दत्तं नाऽन्नं मासि वैशाखसंज्ञे लोभाद्भिक्षामात्रमप्येव काले । शोचे चाऽहं प्राप्य पैशाचयोनिं नाऽन्यो हेतुः सत्यमेवोक्तमङ्ग

dattaṁ nā'nnaṁ māsi vaiśākhasaṁjñe lobhādbhikṣāmātramapyeva kāle śoce cā'haṁ prāpya paiśācayoniṁ nā'nyo hetuḥ satyamevoktamaṅga

'But out of greed I gave no food in the month called Vaishakha — not even a mere alms-portion at the proper time. I lament, having attained the womb of a pishacha; there is no other cause, my child — this I have told you truly.'

Verse 35 (skanda.2.161.35)

पुत्रोऽधुना वर्तते मद्गृहे च भूरिख्यातिः श्रुतदेवाऽभिधानः । वाच्या तस्मै मद्दशा चाऽऽत्मजाय वैशाखान्नादानतोऽभूत्पिशाचः

putro'dhunā vartate madgṛhe ca bhūrikhyātiḥ śrutadevā'bhidhānaḥ vācyā tasmai maddaśā cā''tmajāya vaiśākhānnādānato'bhūtpiśācaḥ

'A son of mine now lives in my house, of great renown, named Shrutadeva. My condition should be told to that son of mine — that through failing to give food in Vaishakha I became a pishacha.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.161.36)

दृष्टस्तीरे ते पिता नर्मदाया नोर्ध्वं गतो वर्तते वृक्षमूले । खादन्मांसं स्वीयमेवाऽन्वखिद्यत्पितुर्मुक्त्यै मासि वैशाखसंज्ञे

dṛṣṭastīre te pitā narmadāyā nordhvaṁ gato vartate vṛkṣamūle khādanmāṁsaṁ svīyamevā'nvakhidyatpiturmuktyai māsi vaiśākhasaṁjñe

'(Tell him:) your father has been seen on the bank of the Narmada; he has not attained a higher state, and dwells at the foot of a tree, eating his own flesh and lamenting. For your father's release, in the month called Vaishakha —'

Verse 37 (skanda.2.161.37)

प्रातः स्नात्वा पूजयित्वा च विष्णुं निर्व्याजान्मां तर्पयित्वा जलैश्च । देयं चाऽन्नं द्विजवर्ये गुणाढ्ये मुक्तो यो वै याति विष्णोः पदं च

prātaḥ snātvā pūjayitvā ca viṣṇuṁ nirvyājānmāṁ tarpayitvā jalaiśca deyaṁ cā'nnaṁ dvijavarye guṇāḍhye mukto yo vai yāti viṣṇoḥ padaṁ ca

'—bathe at dawn, worship Vishnu, offer libations of water to me without pretence, and give food to an excellent, virtuous Brahmin; he who is thus liberated indeed attains the abode of Vishnu.'

Verse 38 (skanda.2.161.38)

इत्थं चोक्तं त्वत्पुरस्ताद्वदेति दया चैषा मत्कृते नाऽत्र शंका । भद्रं भूयात्सर्वतो मंगलं ते श्रुत्वा चाऽहं भाषितं मे पितुश्च

itthaṁ coktaṁ tvatpurastādvadeti dayā caiṣā matkṛte nā'tra śaṁkā bhadraṁ bhūyātsarvato maṁgalaṁ te śrutvā cā'haṁ bhāṣitaṁ me pituśca

'He also said: Tell this in your presence — this is his compassion shown for my sake; there is no doubt about it. May all good and blessing be yours.' Having heard these words of my father,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.161.39)

दुःखात्कायं दंडवत्पातयित्वा भृशार्तोऽहं पादयोर्भूरिकालम् । निदन्निदन्भूर्यहं बाष्पनेत्रः पुत्रोऽहं ते तात दैवाऽऽगतोऽहम्

duḥkhātkāyaṁ daṁḍavatpātayitvā bhṛśārto'haṁ pādayorbhūrikālam nidannidanbhūryahaṁ bāṣpanetraḥ putro'haṁ te tāta daivā''gato'ham

—out of grief I fell flat like a staff, and, deeply distressed, remained a long while at his feet, reproaching myself again and again, with tears in my eyes: 'Father, I am your son; by fate I have come here.'

Verse 40 (skanda.2.161.40)

कर्मभ्रष्टो भूसुराणां विनिन्द्यो नाऽभूद्यस्मात्क्लेशमोक्षः पितॄणाम् । आख्याहि त्वं कर्मणा केन मुक्तो भविता वै तत्करोमि द्विजेंद्र

karmabhraṣṭo bhūsurāṇāṁ vinindyo nā'bhūdyasmātkleśamokṣaḥ pitṝṇām ākhyāhi tvaṁ karmaṇā kena mukto bhavitā vai tatkaromi dvijeṁdra

'I am fallen from right conduct, condemned among Brahmins, since my ancestors have not yet been released from suffering. Tell me, O lord among the twice-born, by what act you shall be freed — that I shall surely do.'

Verse 41 (skanda.2.161.41)

ततः प्राह प्रीतसर्वान्तरात्मा यात्रां कृत्वा शीघ्रमागत्य गेहम् । प्राप्ते मासे मेषसंस्थे च भानौ निवेद्याऽन्नं विष्णवे त्वं गुणाढ्यम्

tataḥ prāha prītasarvāntarātmā yātrāṁ kṛtvā śīghramāgatya geham prāpte māse meṣasaṁsthe ca bhānau nivedyā'nnaṁ viṣṇave tvaṁ guṇāḍhyam

Then he, his whole inner being filled with joy, said: 'Complete your pilgrimage and return home swiftly; when the month arrives with the sun in Aries, having offered rich food to Vishnu,'

Verse 42 (skanda.2.161.42)

दानं देहि द्विजवर्ये महात्मंस्तस्मान्मोक्षो भविता सान्वयस्य । पित्राऽऽदिष्टः कृतयात्रः स्वगेहे प्राप्याऽकरं माधवे चाऽन्नदानम्

dānaṁ dehi dvijavarye mahātmaṁstasmānmokṣo bhavitā sānvayasya pitrā''diṣṭaḥ kṛtayātraḥ svagehe prāpyā'karaṁ mādhave cā'nnadānam

'—give it to an excellent, great-souled Brahmin; by that, liberation shall come for me together with my lineage.' Instructed thus by my father, I completed my pilgrimage, returned to my own home, and, when Madhava arrived, performed the gift of food.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.161.43)

तस्मान्मुक्तो मत्पिता मां समेत्य यानारूढो ह्यभिनंद्याऽऽशिषा च । गतो लोकं श्रीपतेर्दुर्विभाव्यं यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तंति भूयः

tasmānmukto matpitā māṁ sametya yānārūḍho hyabhinaṁdyā''śiṣā ca gato lokaṁ śrīpaterdurvibhāvyaṁ yasmingatā na nivartaṁti bhūyaḥ

By that, my father was liberated; coming to me, mounted upon a celestial vehicle, blessing me, he went to the inconceivable world of the Lord of Shri, from which those who go do not return again.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.161.44)

तस्माद्दानं सर्वशास्त्रेषु चोक्तं तुभ्यं प्रोक्तं धर्मसारं सुधर्म्यम् । किमन्यत्ते श्रोतुमिच्छा वदस्व श्रुत्वा सर्वं ते वदामीति सत्यम्

tasmāddānaṁ sarvaśāstreṣu coktaṁ tubhyaṁ proktaṁ dharmasāraṁ sudharmyam kimanyatte śrotumicchā vadasva śrutvā sarvaṁ te vadāmīti satyam

Therefore giving is declared supreme in all the scriptures; I have told you this excellent essence of dharma. What else do you wish to hear? Tell me, and having heard it, I shall truthfully tell you everything.