The Glory of King Kirtiman's Victory

Verse 1 (skanda.2.165.1)

मैथिल उवाच । वैशाखधर्माः सुलभाः पुण्यराशिविधायकाः । विष्णुप्रीतिकराः सद्यः पुमर्थानां तु हेतवः

maithila uvāca vaiśākhadharmāḥ sulabhāḥ puṇyarāśividhāyakāḥ viṣṇuprītikarāḥ sadyaḥ pumarthānāṁ tu hetavaḥ

Maithila said: The observances of Vaishakha are easy to perform, they generate a mass of merit, they please Vishnu, and they are the immediate cause of the aims of human life.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.165.2)

न प्रख्याताः कथं लोके शाश्वताः श्रुतिचोदिताः । प्रख्याता राजसा धर्मास्तामसा अपि भूरिशः

na prakhyātāḥ kathaṁ loke śāśvatāḥ śruticoditāḥ prakhyātā rājasā dharmāstāmasā api bhūriśaḥ

Why then are these eternal observances, enjoined by the Veda, not renowned in the world, while even observances of a passionate or dark nature are widely renowned?

Verse 3 (skanda.2.165.3)

दुर्घटा वहुयत्नाश्च वहुद्रव्यव्ययावहाः । केचिन्माघं प्रशंसन्ति चातुर्मास्यान्परे जगुः

durghaṭā vahuyatnāśca vahudravyavyayāvahāḥ kecinmāghaṁ praśaṁsanti cāturmāsyānpare jaguḥ

Difficult observances, requiring much effort and much expenditure of wealth — some praise the month of Magha, others speak of the four-month vows,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.165.4)

व्यतीपातादिधर्माश्च वर्णयन्तीह भूरिशः । एतद्विवेकं विस्तार्य श्रोतुकामाय मे वद

vyatīpātādidharmāśca varṇayantīha bhūriśaḥ etadvivekaṁ vistārya śrotukāmāya me vada

and here they extol at great length the observances connected with Vyatipata and the like. Explain this discernment fully to me, for I wish to hear it.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.165.5)

श्रुतदेव उवाच । शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यामि न प्रख्याता इमे कथम् । इतरेषां च धर्माणां कथं ख्यातिश्च भूतले

śrutadeva uvāca śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāmi na prakhyātā ime katham itareṣāṁ ca dharmāṇāṁ kathaṁ khyātiśca bhūtale

Shrutadeva said: Listen, O king, I shall explain why these observances are not renowned, and how other observances have come to be famous on earth.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.165.6)

राजसास्तामसा भूमौ बहवः कामुका जनाः । इच्छंत्यैहिकभोगांस्ते पुत्रपौत्रादिसंपदः

rājasāstāmasā bhūmau bahavaḥ kāmukā janāḥ icchaṁtyaihikabhogāṁste putrapautrādisaṁpadaḥ

On earth, people of passionate and dark nature, given to desire, are many; they long only for worldly pleasures and for the prosperity of sons, grandsons, and the like.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.165.7)

क्वचित्कथंचन क्वाऽपि जनेष्वेकोऽतिकृच्छ्रतः । स्वर्गाय यतते लोके तस्माद्यज्ञादिसत्क्रियाः

kvacitkathaṁcana kvā'pi janeṣveko'tikṛcchrataḥ svargāya yatate loke tasmādyajñādisatkriyāḥ

Here and there, rarely, some one person among people strives with great difficulty for heaven; hence it is that sacrifices and other such righteous acts are current in the world.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.165.8)

कुरुतेऽतिप्रयत्नेन मोक्षं नोपासते नरः । क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो जनाः काम्यानुपासते

kurute'tiprayatnena mokṣaṁ nopāsate naraḥ kṣudrāśā bhūrikarmāṇo janāḥ kāmyānupāsate

He does this with great effort, yet man does not devote himself to liberation. People of petty desires, busy with countless activities, devote themselves only to rites performed for desired ends.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.165.9)

प्रख्याता राजसा धर्मास्तामसा अपि तेन वै । न ख्याताः सात्त्विका धर्मा हरिप्रीतिकरा इमे

prakhyātā rājasā dharmāstāmasā api tena vai na khyātāḥ sāttvikā dharmā hariprītikarā ime

For this very reason, observances of a passionate and dark nature are renowned; these observances of a pure (sattvic) nature, which please Hari, are not renowned,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.165.10)

निष्कामिका इमे धर्मा ह्यैहिकाऽऽमुष्मिकप्रदाः । न जानन्ति जना मूढा मोहिता देवमायया

niṣkāmikā ime dharmā hyaihikā''muṣmikapradāḥ na jānanti janā mūḍhā mohitā devamāyayā

even though these observances, though free of desire, grant fruits both in this world and the next. Deluded people, bewildered by the divine illusion, do not know them.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.165.11)

यथाऽऽधिपत्ये संप्राप्ते सर्वसिद्धो मनोरथः । मोहनार्थं स्थलं प्राप्तमाधिपत्येन हीयते

yathā''dhipatye saṁprāpte sarvasiddho manorathaḥ mohanārthaṁ sthalaṁ prāptamādhipatyena hīyate

Just as, once sovereignty is attained, every desire is fulfilled, yet through delusion the position attained is squandered even in the midst of that very sovereignty,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.165.12)

कारणं च प्रवक्ष्यामि गोपने भूतलेंऽजसा । यद्वैशाखोक्तधर्माणां सात्त्विकानां नृणामिह

kāraṇaṁ ca pravakṣyāmi gopane bhūtaleṁ'jasā yadvaiśākhoktadharmāṇāṁ sāttvikānāṁ nṛṇāmiha

so too shall I tell you plainly the reason why, here on earth, these observances of Vaishakha, being of a sattvic nature for men,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.165.13)

सार्वभौमः पुरा काश्यामिक्ष्वाकुकुलभूषणः । कीर्तिमानिति विख्यातो नृगपुत्रो महायशाः

sārvabhaumaḥ purā kāśyāmikṣvākukulabhūṣaṇaḥ kīrtimāniti vikhyāto nṛgaputro mahāyaśāḥ

remain concealed. Long ago, in Kashi, there was a universal sovereign, an ornament of the Ikshvaku line, the highly renowned son of Nriga, known as Kirtiman.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.165.14)

जितेंद्रियो जितक्रोधो ब्रह्मण्यो राजसत्तमः । एकदा मृगयासक्तो वसिष्ठाश्रममाययौ

jiteṁdriyo jitakrodho brahmaṇyo rājasattamaḥ ekadā mṛgayāsakto vasiṣṭhāśramamāyayau

Master of his senses, master of his anger, devoted to Brahmins, foremost among kings, he once, absorbed in the hunt, arrived at the hermitage of Vasishtha.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.165.15)

गच्छन्मार्गे ददर्शाऽसौ वैशाखे घर्मनिष्ठुरे । भूयोभूयः कार्यमाणाञ्च्छिष्यांस्तस्य महात्मनः

gacchanmārge dadarśā'sau vaiśākhe gharmaniṣṭhure bhūyobhūyaḥ kāryamāṇāñcchiṣyāṁstasya mahātmanaḥ

Journeying along the road, in the harsh heat of Vaishakha, he saw the disciples of that great soul repeatedly performing certain tasks —

Verse 16 (skanda.2.165.16)

क्वचित्प्रपां प्रकुर्वन्ति छायामण्डपमेव च । तटप्रपातं निस्तीर्य वापीं कुर्वन्ति निर्मलाम्

kvacitprapāṁ prakurvanti chāyāmaṇḍapameva ca taṭaprapātaṁ nistīrya vāpīṁ kurvanti nirmalām

at one place setting up water-sheds and shaded pavilions; at another, levelling a bank and preparing a clear stepwell;

Verse 17 (skanda.2.165.17)

सूपविष्टान्क्वचिद्वृक्षे व्यजनैर्वीजयन्ति च । क्वचिद्दद्युर्हीक्षुदण्डान्क्वचिद्गन्धान्क्वचित्फलम्

sūpaviṣṭānkvacidvṛkṣe vyajanairvījayanti ca kvaciddadyurhīkṣudaṇḍānkvacidgandhānkvacitphalam

at another, fanning with palm-leaf fans those seated beneath a tree; elsewhere offering stalks of sugarcane, or sandal-paste, or fruit;

Verse 18 (skanda.2.165.18)

मध्याह्ने छत्रदानं च सायाह्ने पानकस्य च । क्वचिद्यच्छंति ताम्बूलं नेत्रे कर्पूरलेपनम्

madhyāhne chatradānaṁ ca sāyāhne pānakasya ca kvacidyacchaṁti tāmbūlaṁ netre karpūralepanam

at midday giving shade with umbrellas, in the evening offering cooling drinks; elsewhere presenting betel leaves, or applying camphor paste to the eyes;

Verse 19 (skanda.2.165.19)

सुच्छाये च वने केचित्सुसंमृष्टांऽगणेषु च । केचिदास्तरयंत्यद्धा वालुकानि हितानि च

succhāye ca vane kecitsusaṁmṛṣṭāṁ'gaṇeṣu ca kecidāstarayaṁtyaddhā vālukāni hitāni ca

some in the cool shade of the forest, and in well-swept courtyards — some were spreading out cool and pleasant sand;

Verse 20 (skanda.2.165.20)

कुर्वन्त्यांदोलिकां राजन्वृक्षशाखावलंबिनीम् । के यूयमिति पप्रच्छ वासिष्ठा इति तेऽब्रुवन्

kurvantyāṁdolikāṁ rājanvṛkṣaśākhāvalaṁbinīm ke yūyamiti papraccha vāsiṣṭhā iti te'bruvan

O king, some were fashioning a swing suspended from a tree branch. He asked, 'Who are you?' They replied, 'We are disciples of Vasishtha.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.165.21)

किमेतदिति पप्रच्छ धर्मा वैशाखचोदिताः । पुमर्थहेतव इमे क्रियन्तेऽस्माभिरञ्जसा

kimetaditi papraccha dharmā vaiśākhacoditāḥ pumarthahetava ime kriyante'smābhirañjasā

He asked, 'What is this?' They said, 'These are the observances declared for Vaishakha, causes of the human aims; we perform them straightforwardly,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.165.22)

वसिष्ठस्याऽऽज्ञया चेति तेऽबुवन्नृपसत्तमम् । एतदाचरणे पुंसां किं फलं कस्तु तुष्यति

vasiṣṭhasyā''jñayā ceti te'buvannṛpasattamam etadācaraṇe puṁsāṁ kiṁ phalaṁ kastu tuṣyati

by the command of Vasishtha.' Thus they spoke to that excellent king. He asked, 'What fruit do men gain by performing these? And who becomes satisfied by them?

Verse 23 (skanda.2.165.23)

एतद्विस्तार्य मे ब्रूत यूयं सम्यग्यथाश्रुतम् । इति राज्ञा तु संपृष्टाः प्रत्यूचुस्ते महीपतिम्

etadvistārya me brūta yūyaṁ samyagyathāśrutam iti rājñā tu saṁpṛṣṭāḥ pratyūcuste mahīpatim

Tell me this at length, just as you have heard it.' Thus questioned by the king, they replied to that lord of the earth.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.165.24)

गुरोराज्ञाक्रमेणैव कुर्वतां पथिसत्क्रियाः । नास्माकमवकाशोऽत्र गुरुं पृच्छ यथोचितम्

gurorājñākrameṇaiva kurvatāṁ pathisatkriyāḥ nāsmākamavakāśo'tra guruṁ pṛccha yathocitam

'We perform these roadside acts of merit only in accordance with our teacher's command; we have no standing to explain this — it is fitting that you ask the teacher himself,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.165.25)

स वेत्ति तत्त्वतो नूनं धर्मानेतान्महायशाः । इति शिष्यैर्वसिष्ठस्य प्रत्युक्तस्तु द्रुतं ययौ

sa vetti tattvato nūnaṁ dharmānetānmahāyaśāḥ iti śiṣyairvasiṣṭhasya pratyuktastu drutaṁ yayau

for he, the highly renowned one, truly knows these observances.' Thus answered by Vasishtha's disciples, the king went there swiftly.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.165.26)

वसिष्ठस्याऽश्रमं पुण्यं विद्यायोगोपबृंहितम् । समायान्तं नृपं वीक्ष्य वसिष्ठः प्रीतमानसः

vasiṣṭhasyā'śramaṁ puṇyaṁ vidyāyogopabṛṁhitam samāyāntaṁ nṛpaṁ vīkṣya vasiṣṭhaḥ prītamānasaḥ

Vasishtha's hermitage was sacred, enriched with knowledge and yogic discipline. Seeing the king approaching, Vasishtha, his heart pleased,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.165.27)

आतिथ्यं विधिवच्चक्रे सानुगस्य महात्मनः। सूपविष्टः कृताऽतिथ्यः प्रीतः पप्रच्छ तं गुरुम्

ātithyaṁ vidhivaccakre sānugasya mahātmanaḥ sūpaviṣṭaḥ kṛtā'tithyaḥ prītaḥ papraccha taṁ gurum

duly offered hospitality to that great-souled king and his retinue. Having received hospitality, and seated, the pleased king questioned that preceptor.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.165.28)

राजोवाच । मार्गे दृष्टं महाश्चर्यं त्वच्छिष्यैश्च कृतं शुभम् । मया पृष्टं च तैर्नोक्तं क्रियमाणं शुभावहम्

rājovāca mārge dṛṣṭaṁ mahāścaryaṁ tvacchiṣyaiśca kṛtaṁ śubham mayā pṛṣṭaṁ ca tairnoktaṁ kriyamāṇaṁ śubhāvaham

The king said: On the road I saw a great wonder, an auspicious deed being performed by your disciples; though I asked, they did not explain to me this beneficial activity,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.165.29)

नास्माकमवकाशोऽत्र ह्येतद्धर्मप्रशंसने । कर्तब्या च क्रियाऽस्माभिर्गुरुणा या च चोदिता

nāsmākamavakāśo'tra hyetaddharmapraśaṁsane kartabyā ca kriyā'smābhirguruṇā yā ca coditā

saying, 'We have no standing to expound this observance; we must only perform the act enjoined by our teacher,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.165.30)

गुरुं गच्छेति तैरुक्त आगतोऽहं तवांतिकम् । मृगयाऽऽसक्तचित्तेन श्रांतेनातिथ्यमिच्छता

guruṁ gaccheti tairukta āgato'haṁ tavāṁtikam mṛgayā''saktacittena śrāṁtenātithyamicchatā

go to the teacher.' Thus told, I have come into your presence. With my mind absorbed in the hunt, weary, and desiring hospitality,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.165.31)

दृष्टं मार्गे त्विदं पुण्यं तव शिष्यैश्च कारितम् । जिज्ञासाऽऽसीत्ततः श्रोतुं धर्मानेतान्मुनीश्वर

dṛṣṭaṁ mārge tvidaṁ puṇyaṁ tava śiṣyaiśca kāritam jijñāsā''sīttataḥ śrotuṁ dharmānetānmunīśvara

I saw on the road this meritorious work being done by your disciples. O lord of sages, since then I have felt a keen desire to learn of these observances.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.165.32)

त्वमादिरादिमान्धर्मान्समाचरसि वै यतः । तान्धर्माञ्च्छ्रोतुकामाय शिष्याय प्रणताय च

tvamādirādimāndharmānsamācarasi vai yataḥ tāndharmāñcchrotukāmāya śiṣyāya praṇatāya ca

Since you yourself, like the primal being, practise these ancient observances, therefore, to me, your disciple, bowed before you and eager to hear these observances,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.165.33)

श्रद्दधानाय मे ब्रूहि विस्तरान्मुनिपुंगव । इतीक्ष्वाकुकुलीनेन राज्ञा पृष्टो महायशाः

śraddadhānāya me brūhi vistarānmunipuṁgava itīkṣvākukulīnena rājñā pṛṣṭo mahāyaśāḥ

full of faith, tell it at length, O foremost of sages. Thus questioned by that king of the Ikshvaku line, the highly renowned Vasishtha

Verse 34 (skanda.2.165.34)

मनसा तोषमापेदे सम्यक्पृष्टोऽधुनाऽमुना । अहो व्यवसिता बुद्धी राजस्तेऽद्य सुशिक्षिता

manasā toṣamāpede samyakpṛṣṭo'dhunā'munā aho vyavasitā buddhī rājaste'dya suśikṣitā

was pleased in his heart, seeing that he had now been well questioned by this king: 'Ah, O king, your intellect is today well-trained and firmly resolved,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.165.35)

यस्माद्विष्णुकथायां च तद्धर्माचरणेऽपि च । मतिरात्यंतिकी जाता सुकृतं फलितं तव

yasmādviṣṇukathāyāṁ ca taddharmācaraṇe'pi ca matirātyaṁtikī jātā sukṛtaṁ phalitaṁ tava

since a most profound understanding has arisen in you, both toward the story of Vishnu and toward the practice of his observance; your own good deeds have here borne fruit.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.165.36)

इति संभाष्य राजानं जातहर्षस्तमब्रवीत् । शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयाधुना

iti saṁbhāṣya rājānaṁ jātaharṣastamabravīt śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāmi yatpṛṣṭo'haṁ tvayādhunā

Thus addressing the king, filled with joy, he said to him: 'Listen, O king, I shall now tell you what you have asked of me.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.165.37)

यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः । सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य वर्तते विषयात्मकः

yasya śravaṇamātreṇa mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ sarvadharmānparityajya vartate viṣayātmakaḥ

By the mere hearing of which a man is freed from every sin — even one who, forsaking all other observances, remains given over wholly to sense-pleasures,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.165.38)

वैशाखस्नाननिरतः स प्रियो मधुविद्विषः । सांगान्धर्माननुष्ठाय वैशाखो येन नादृतः

vaiśākhasnānanirataḥ sa priyo madhuvidviṣaḥ sāṁgāndharmānanuṣṭhāya vaiśākho yena nādṛtaḥ

if he is devoted to bathing in Vaishakha, he is dear to the enemy of Madhu (Vishnu). But he who, though performing every other observance with all its accompaniments, has shown no regard for Vaishakha,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.165.39)

स्नानदानार्चनैः पुण्यैस्तस्य दूरतरो हरिः । अस्नाप्य चाऽप्यदत्त्वा च वैशाखो येन नीयते

snānadānārcanaiḥ puṇyaistasya dūrataro hariḥ asnāpya cā'pyadattvā ca vaiśākho yena nīyate

for him Hari remains very far off, despite the merits of his bathing, giving, and worship. He by whom Vaishakha is let pass without bathing and without giving,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.165.40)

कर्मणा स तु चण्डालो नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा । वैशाखोक्तैर्महाधर्मैर्येन चाऽऽराधितो हरिः

karmaṇā sa tu caṇḍālo nā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā vaiśākhoktairmahādharmairyena cā''rādhito hariḥ

he is, by his very conduct, an outcaste — of this there is no need for further deliberation. But he who has worshipped Hari through the great observances declared for Vaishakha,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.165.41)

तैश्च तोषं समायाति प्रददाति समीहितम् । लक्ष्मीभर्त्ता जगन्नाथो ह्यशेषाघौघनाशनः

taiśca toṣaṁ samāyāti pradadāti samīhitam lakṣmībharttā jagannātho hyaśeṣāghaughanāśanaḥ

by them the lord of the universe, Lakshmi's consort, who destroys the whole mass of sin, becomes satisfied and grants what is desired.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.165.42)

धर्मैः सूक्ष्मैश्च प्रीणाति न प्रयासैर्धनैरपि । भक्त्या संपूजितो विष्णुः प्रददाति समीहितम्

dharmaiḥ sūkṣmaiśca prīṇāti na prayāsairdhanairapi bhaktyā saṁpūjito viṣṇuḥ pradadāti samīhitam

He is pleased by even subtle observances, not by great toil or wealth; worshipped with devotion, Vishnu grants what is desired.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.165.43)

तस्माद्राजन्सदा भक्तिः कर्तव्या मधुविद्विषः । जलेनाऽपि जगन्नाथः पूजितः क्लेशहा हरिः

tasmādrājansadā bhaktiḥ kartavyā madhuvidviṣaḥ jalenā'pi jagannāthaḥ pūjitaḥ kleśahā hariḥ

Therefore, O king, one should always show devotion to the enemy of Madhu. The lord of the universe, Hari the destroyer of affliction, worshipped even with mere water,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.165.44)

परितोषं व्रजत्याशु तृषार्तः सलिलैर्यथा । महदप्यल्पदं कर्म तथा ह्यल्पं च भूरिदम्

paritoṣaṁ vrajatyāśu tṛṣārtaḥ salilairyathā mahadapyalpadaṁ karma tathā hyalpaṁ ca bhūridam

attains satisfaction swiftly, just as one thirsty is satisfied by water. Thus a great act may yield little fruit, while a small act may yield abundant fruit.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.165.45)

कर्मणाऽल्पत्वभूरित्वे न हेतू महदल्पके । किन्तु कर्मस्वरूपं च गहना कर्मणो गतिः

karmaṇā'lpatvabhūritve na hetū mahadalpake kintu karmasvarūpaṁ ca gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ

The greatness or smallness of the act is not itself the cause; rather it is the very nature of the act — the working of karma is a profound mystery.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.165.46)

वैशाखोक्ता इमे धर्माः स्वल्पाऽऽयासकृता अपि । बहुव्ययविनाशाश्च विष्णोः प्रीतिकरा शुभाः

vaiśākhoktā ime dharmāḥ svalpā''yāsakṛtā api bahuvyayavināśāśca viṣṇoḥ prītikarā śubhāḥ

These observances declared for Vaishakha, though performed with little effort, are yet destroyers of much accumulated sin, auspicious, and pleasing to Vishnu.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.165.47)

तस्मात्त्वमपि भूपाल वैशाखोक्तान्समाचर। त्वद्राष्ट्रीयैर्जनैः सर्वैः कारयेमाञ्च्छुभावहान्

tasmāttvamapi bhūpāla vaiśākhoktānsamācara tvadrāṣṭrīyairjanaiḥ sarvaiḥ kārayemāñcchubhāvahān

Therefore, O ruler of the earth, you too should perform the observances declared for Vaishakha, and have all the people of your realm perform these beneficial acts as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.165.48)

न करोति च यो धर्मान्वैशाखोक्तान्नराधमः । बहुधा शिष्यमाणोऽपि स दण्ड्यस्तव भूपते

na karoti ca yo dharmānvaiśākhoktānnarādhamaḥ bahudhā śiṣyamāṇo'pi sa daṇḍyastava bhūpate

Whoever, base of men, does not perform the observances declared for Vaishakha, even after being instructed repeatedly, deserves punishment at your hands, O king.'

Verse 49 (skanda.2.165.49)

इत्यावश्यकतां सम्यक्छास्त्रैर्व्युत्पाद्य तस्य च । पश्चाद्वैशाखनिर्दिष्टान्धर्मान्प्रोवाच सर्वशः

ityāvaśyakatāṁ samyakchāstrairvyutpādya tasya ca paścādvaiśākhanirdiṣṭāndharmānprovāca sarvaśaḥ

Having thus well established, by the scriptures, the necessity of this observance, Vasishtha then described in full all the observances prescribed for Vaishakha.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.165.50)

श्रुत्वा तान्सकलान्धर्मान्गुरुं संपूज्य भक्तितः । स राजा गृहमागत्य सर्वान्धर्मांश्चकार ह

śrutvā tānsakalāndharmānguruṁ saṁpūjya bhaktitaḥ sa rājā gṛhamāgatya sarvāndharmāṁścakāra ha

Having heard all those observances, and having devoutly honoured his teacher, that king returned home and performed all those observances.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.165.51)

भक्तिमान्केशवे राजन्देवदेवे निरञ्जने । नाऽन्यं पश्यति देवेशात्पद्मनाभान्महीपतिः

bhaktimānkeśave rājandevadeve nirañjane nā'nyaṁ paśyati deveśātpadmanābhānmahīpatiḥ

O king, devoted to Keshava, the stainless God of gods, that ruler of the earth saw none other than the lord of gods, Padmanabha.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.165.52)

भेरीमुद्वाह्य मातंगं स्वराष्ट्रेऽघोषयद्भटैः । अष्टवर्षाधिको मर्त्यो ह्यशीतिर्नहि पूर्यते

bherīmudvāhya mātaṁgaṁ svarāṣṭre'ghoṣayadbhaṭaiḥ aṣṭavarṣādhiko martyo hyaśītirnahi pūryate

He mounted a kettledrum upon an elephant and had his soldiers proclaim throughout his realm: 'Every mortal above eight years of age, whose eightieth year has not yet been completed,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.165.53)

प्रातर्न स्नाति मेषस्थे सूर्ये सर्वोऽपि यो जनः । स मे दंड्यश्च वध्यश्च निर्यास्यो विषयाद्ध्रुवम्

prātarna snāti meṣasthe sūrye sarvo'pi yo janaḥ sa me daṁḍyaśca vadhyaśca niryāsyo viṣayāddhruvam

who does not bathe at dawn while the sun stands in Aries, shall be liable to punishment and death at my hands, and shall certainly be banished from the realm.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.165.54)

पिता वा यदि वा पुत्रो भार्या वाऽथ सुहृज्जनः । वैशाखधर्महीनश्च निर्ग्राह्यो दस्युवन्मया

pitā vā yadi vā putro bhāryā vā'tha suhṛjjanaḥ vaiśākhadharmahīnaśca nirgrāhyo dasyuvanmayā

Whether father, or son, or wife, or a friend — whoever is without the observance of Vaishakha shall be seized by me just like a common bandit.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.165.55)

दातव्यं विप्रमुख्येभ्यः स्नात्वा प्रातर्जले शुभे । प्रपादानादिधर्मांश्च कुरुध्वं शक्तितोऽनघाः

dātavyaṁ vipramukhyebhyaḥ snātvā prātarjale śubhe prapādānādidharmāṁśca kurudhvaṁ śaktito'naghāḥ

After bathing at dawn in the sacred waters, gifts should be given to leading Brahmins. O sinless people, perform to the best of your ability the observances of setting up water-sheds and the rest.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.165.56)

विप्रं च धर्मवक्तारं ग्रामेग्रामे न्यवेशयत् । पञ्चानामपि ग्रामाणामकरोदधिकारिणम्

vipraṁ ca dharmavaktāraṁ grāmegrāme nyaveśayat pañcānāmapi grāmāṇāmakarodadhikāriṇam

He appointed a Brahmin, an expounder of the observance, in every village, and also established an overseer for every group of five villages,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.165.57)

दण्डार्थं त्यक्तधर्माणां दशवाजिनिषेवितम् । एवं प्रवृत्तः सर्वत्र सार्वभौमस्य शासनात्

daṇḍārthaṁ tyaktadharmāṇāṁ daśavājiniṣevitam evaṁ pravṛttaḥ sarvatra sārvabhaumasya śāsanāt

attended by ten horsemen, to punish those who forsook the observance. Thus, by the rule of that universal sovereign, it was set in motion everywhere,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.165.58)

प्रवृद्धो धर्मवृक्षोयं सर्वदेशेषु विस्तरात् । ये केचिन्निधनं यांति भूपालविषये नराः

pravṛddho dharmavṛkṣoyaṁ sarvadeśeṣu vistarāt ye kecinnidhanaṁ yāṁti bhūpālaviṣaye narāḥ

and this tree of dharma flourished, spreading through every land. Whatever men died within that king's dominion,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.165.59)

प्रमादाच्च नृपश्रेष्ठ ते यांति हरिमन्दिरम् । अवश्यं वैष्णवो लोकः प्राप्यते मानवैर्द्रुतम्

pramādācca nṛpaśreṣṭha te yāṁti harimandiram avaśyaṁ vaiṣṇavo lokaḥ prāpyate mānavairdrutam

O best of kings, even those who died through mere carelessness went to the abode of Hari. Certainly the Vaishnava world was swiftly attained by men —

Verse 60 (skanda.2.165.60)

व्याजेनाऽपि सकृत्स्नातः प्रातर्मेषगते रवौ । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णोः परं पदम्

vyājenā'pi sakṛtsnātaḥ prātarmeṣagate ravau sarvapāpavinirmukto yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam

even one who bathed just once at dawn, while the sun was in Aries, even inadvertently, became freed from every sin and attained the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.165.61)

न प्राप्नोति यमं धर्मं सकृद्वैशाखस्नानतः । वैलेख्यमगमद्राजा रविसूनुस्तदा नृप

na prāpnoti yamaṁ dharmaṁ sakṛdvaiśākhasnānataḥ vailekhyamagamadrājā ravisūnustadā nṛpa

By even a single bath in Vaishakha, a man does not come under Yama, the lord of righteousness. O king, at that time the record-keeping business of King Yama, the sun's son, fell utterly idle.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.165.62)

लेख्यकर्मणि विश्रान्तश्चित्रगुप्तोऽभवत्तदा । मार्जितानि च लेख्यानि पुरा पापोद्भवानि च

lekhyakarmaṇi viśrāntaścitragupto'bhavattadā mārjitāni ca lekhyāni purā pāpodbhavāni ca

Chitragupta's task of record-keeping ceased entirely, and the written records generated earlier by sinful deeds were also erased,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.165.63)

गच्छद्भिर्वैष्णवं लोकं स्वकर्मस्थैर्जनैः क्षणात् । शून्यास्तु नरकाः सर्वे पापिप्राणिविवर्जिताः

gacchadbhirvaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ svakarmasthairjanaiḥ kṣaṇāt śūnyāstu narakāḥ sarve pāpiprāṇivivarjitāḥ

since people, though engaged in their own ordinary occupations, went instantly to the Vaishnava world. All the hells became empty, devoid of sinful beings,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.165.64)

भग्नयानोऽभवन्मार्गो वैशाखस्य प्रभावतः । सर्वेऽपि विमलाकारा जना यान्ति हरेः पदम्

bhagnayāno'bhavanmārgo vaiśākhasya prabhāvataḥ sarve'pi vimalākārā janā yānti hareḥ padam

and by the power of Vaishakha, the very road to that place fell into disuse. All people, their nature made pure, went to the abode of Hari.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.165.65)

दिवौकसां तु ये लोकाः शून्याः सर्वे तथाऽभवन् । शून्ये त्रिविष्टपे जाते शून्येषु नर केषु च

divaukasāṁ tu ye lokāḥ śūnyāḥ sarve tathā'bhavan śūnye triviṣṭape jāte śūnyeṣu nara keṣu ca

The other worlds of the celestial beings likewise all became empty. With heaven itself thus emptied, and the hells emptied as well,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.165.66)

नारदो धर्मराजानं गत्वा चेदमुवाच ह । नाक्रन्दः श्रूयते राजन्प्राक्च्छ्रुतो नरके यथा

nārado dharmarājānaṁ gatvā cedamuvāca ha nākrandaḥ śrūyate rājanprākcchruto narake yathā

Narada went to Dharmaraja (Yama) and said this: 'O king, no longer is that lamentation heard in hell which was once heard there;

Verse 67 (skanda.2.165.67)

तथा न क्रियते लेख्यं किंचिद्दुष्कृतकर्मणाम्। चित्रगुप्तो मुनिरिव स्थितोऽयं मौनसंस्थितः

tathā na kriyate lekhyaṁ kiṁcidduṣkṛtakarmaṇām citragupto muniriva sthito'yaṁ maunasaṁsthitaḥ

likewise no record whatever is being made of any evil deeds; this Chitragupta sits in silence, like a sage lost in meditation.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.165.68)

कारणं ब्रूहि राजेंद्र न यान्ति तव मन्दिरम् । मनुष्याः पापकर्माणो मायादम्भविवर्धिताः

kāraṇaṁ brūhi rājeṁdra na yānti tava mandiram manuṣyāḥ pāpakarmāṇo māyādambhavivardhitāḥ

O lord of kings, tell me the reason why sinful men, grown fat on deceit and hypocrisy, no longer come to your abode.'

Verse 69 (skanda.2.165.69)

एवमुक्ते तु वचने नारदेन महात्मना । प्राह वैवस्वतो राजा किंचिद्दैन्यसमन्वितः

evamukte tu vacane nāradena mahātmanā prāha vaivasvato rājā kiṁciddainyasamanvitaḥ

Thus addressed by the great sage Narada, King Vaivasvata (Yama), with a touch of dejection, spoke as follows.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.165.70)

योऽयं नारद भूपालः पृथिव्यां सांप्रतं स्थितः । सोऽतिभक्तो हृषीकेशे पुराणपुरुषोत्तमे

yo'yaṁ nārada bhūpālaḥ pṛthivyāṁ sāṁprataṁ sthitaḥ so'tibhakto hṛṣīkeśe purāṇapuruṣottame

'O Narada, this king who now reigns upon the earth is exceedingly devoted to Hrishikesha, the primeval Supreme Person.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.165.71)

प्रबोधयति वैशाखधर्मे भेरीस्वनेन च । अष्टवर्षाधिको मर्त्यो ह्यशीतिर्न हि पूर्यते

prabodhayati vaiśākhadharme bherīsvanena ca aṣṭavarṣādhiko martyo hyaśītirna hi pūryate

He awakens the people to the observance of Vaishakha with the sound of the drum, proclaiming: 'Every mortal above eight years of age, and whose eightieth year is not yet complete,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.165.72)

यो वै ह्यकृतवैशाखः स मे दण्ड्यो न संशयः । तद्भयाद्धि जनाः सर्वे नोल्लंघंति कदाचन

yo vai hyakṛtavaiśākhaḥ sa me daṇḍyo na saṁśayaḥ tadbhayāddhi janāḥ sarve nollaṁghaṁti kadācana

who has not performed the observance of Vaishakha, is liable to punishment by me — of this there is no doubt.' Out of fear of him, all the people never transgress this,

Verse 73 (skanda.2.165.73)

गच्छंति वैष्णवं धाम कर्मणा तेन नारद । वैशाखसेवनाल्लोका यास्यंति हरिमंदिरम्

gacchaṁti vaiṣṇavaṁ dhāma karmaṇā tena nārada vaiśākhasevanāllokā yāsyaṁti harimaṁdiram

and by that deed, O Narada, they go to the Vaishnava abode. By the observance of Vaishakha, people shall go to the abode of Hari,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.165.74)

तेन राज्ञा मुनिश्रेष्ठ मार्गो लुप्तो ममाऽधुना । कृता हि नरकाः शून्या लोकाश्चापि दिवौकसाम्

tena rājñā muniśreṣṭha mārgo lupto mamā'dhunā kṛtā hi narakāḥ śūnyā lokāścāpi divaukasām

and for that very reason, O foremost of sages, my own path has now, because of that king, fallen into disuse; he has emptied the hells, and the worlds of the celestials as well.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.165.75)

विश्रांतो लेखको लेखे लिखितं मार्जितं जनैः । वैशाखमासधर्मस्य माहात्म्यं त्वीदृशं मुने

viśrāṁto lekhako lekhe likhitaṁ mārjitaṁ janaiḥ vaiśākhamāsadharmasya māhātmyaṁ tvīdṛśaṁ mune

My clerk rests idle from his writing, and even what was already written has been effaced by the people's own merit. O sage, such indeed is the greatness of the observance of the month of Vaishakha.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.165.76)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि विमुक्तानि जनैर्द्विज । कृत्वा वैशाखकृत्यानि यांति विष्णोः परं पदम्

brahmahatyādipāpāni vimuktāni janairdvija kṛtvā vaiśākhakṛtyāni yāṁti viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam

O Brahmin, people have been freed even from sins such as the killing of a Brahmin; performing the rites of Vaishakha, they go to the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.165.77)

सोऽहं काष्ठसमो जातो न कश्चिन्मम गोचरः । युद्धं कृत्वा तु तं हन्मि सर्वथाऽद्य महाबलम्

so'haṁ kāṣṭhasamo jāto na kaścinmama gocaraḥ yuddhaṁ kṛtvā tu taṁ hanmi sarvathā'dya mahābalam

I have become as useless as a piece of wood; no one at all comes within my domain. Therefore today, waging war, I shall by all means slay that mighty king,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.165.78)

अकृत्वा स्वामिकार्यं तु निर्व्यापारो यदि स्थितः । तस्य वित्तं समश्नाति स याति नरकं धुवम्

akṛtvā svāmikāryaṁ tu nirvyāpāro yadi sthitaḥ tasya vittaṁ samaśnāti sa yāti narakaṁ dhuvam

for one who, without performing his master's task, remains idle, yet consumes his master's wealth — such a one surely goes to hell.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.165.79)

यदि देवादवध्योऽयं तदा ब्रह्माणमेत्य च । निवेद्य तस्मै तत्सर्वं पश्चात्स्वस्थस्थितिर्भवम्

yadi devādavadhyo'yaṁ tadā brahmāṇametya ca nivedya tasmai tatsarvaṁ paścātsvasthasthitirbhavam

If he is unslayable by reason of some god's boon, then I shall go to Brahma and lay this whole matter before him — only then shall I find my own settled state again.'

Verse 80 (skanda.2.165.80)

इत्युक्त्वा द्विजमामंत्र्य सानुगः प्रययौ भुवम् । स कालो महिषारूढो दण्डमुद्यम्य भीषणम्

ityuktvā dvijamāmaṁtrya sānugaḥ prayayau bhuvam sa kālo mahiṣārūḍho daṇḍamudyamya bhīṣaṇam

So saying, and taking leave of that Brahmin, he set out for the earth with his attendants — that lord of death, mounted on his buffalo, brandishing his fearsome staff,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.165.81)

मृत्युरोगजराद्यैश्च पार्षदैश्च महोत्कटः । पञ्चाशत्कोटिसंख्याकैर्यमदूतैर्वृतस्ततः

mṛtyurogajarādyaiśca pārṣadaiśca mahotkaṭaḥ pañcāśatkoṭisaṁkhyākairyamadūtairvṛtastataḥ

surrounded by his formidable attendants Death, Disease, Old Age and the rest, and by fifty crore messengers of Yama,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.165.82)

स तूर्णं तस्य राजर्षे रुरोध सकलां पुरीम् । शंखं दध्मौ महाघोरं सर्वलोकभयंकरम्

sa tūrṇaṁ tasya rājarṣe rurodha sakalāṁ purīm śaṁkhaṁ dadhmau mahāghoraṁ sarvalokabhayaṁkaram

swiftly surrounded the entire capital of that royal sage, and blew a conch of tremendous, terrible sound, striking fear into every world.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.165.83)

तच्छुत्वा स तु राजर्षि र्ज्ञात्वा वैवस्वतं यमम् । स सज्जीकृतसर्वस्वः पत्तनान्निर्ययौ रुषा

tacchutvā sa tu rājarṣi rjñātvā vaivasvataṁ yamam sa sajjīkṛtasarvasvaḥ pattanānniryayau ruṣā

Hearing this, that royal sage recognised Vaivasvata Yama, and, having marshalled all his forces, marched out of the city in anger.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.165.84)

तयोर्युद्धमभूत्तत्र भीषणं रोमहर्षणम् । मृत्युं कालं तथा रोगं यमं दूतपतिं तथा

tayoryuddhamabhūttatra bhīṣaṇaṁ romaharṣaṇam mṛtyuṁ kālaṁ tathā rogaṁ yamaṁ dūtapatiṁ tathā

A terrible, hair-raising battle took place there between the two. Death, Time, Disease, and Yama, lord of the messengers —

Verse 85 (skanda.2.165.85)

जित्वा क्षणेन राजर्षिर्द्रावयामास रोषतः । ततः क्रुद्धो यमो राजा स्वयमभ्येत्य तं रुषा

jitvā kṣaṇena rājarṣirdrāvayāmāsa roṣataḥ tataḥ kruddho yamo rājā svayamabhyetya taṁ ruṣā

the royal sage vanquished in an instant, and, in his fury, put them all to flight. Then King Yama himself, enraged, came forward in wrath,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.165.86)

युयोध बहुभिर्बाणैः सिंहनादं चकार ह । चकर्त राजा तस्याऽपि कार्मुकं विशिखैस्त्रिभिः

yuyodha bahubhirbāṇaiḥ siṁhanādaṁ cakāra ha cakarta rājā tasyā'pi kārmukaṁ viśikhaistribhiḥ

and fought with many arrows, uttering a lion's roar. The king in turn severed Yama's bow with three shafts.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.165.87)

पुनश्चर्मासिमादाय यमो हंतुमथाऽऽगमत् । तं दृष्ट्वा तु नृपः क्रुद्धः पुनश्छित्त्वाऽसिचर्मणी

punaścarmāsimādāya yamo haṁtumathā''gamat taṁ dṛṣṭvā tu nṛpaḥ kruddhaḥ punaśchittvā'sicarmaṇī

Then, taking up sword and shield, Yama advanced to slay him. Seeing him, the enraged king again severed his sword and shield,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.165.88)

निचखान ललाटे च शरं कालोरगप्रभम् । यमस्तेनाऽऽहतः क्रुद्धस्ततो दंडमुपाददे । ब्रह्मास्त्रेण च संमंत्र्य दण्डं तस्मै मुमोच ह

nicakhāna lalāṭe ca śaraṁ kāloragaprabham yamastenā''hataḥ kruddhastato daṁḍamupādade brahmāstreṇa ca saṁmaṁtrya daṇḍaṁ tasmai mumoca ha

and drove into his forehead an arrow blazing like a serpent of death. Struck by this, the enraged Yama took up his staff, invoked it with the Brahma-weapon, and hurled it at the king.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.165.89)

हाहाकारो महानासीज्जनानां पश्यतां तदा । तदा विष्णुः स्वभक्तस्य रक्षायै प्राहिणोदरि

hāhākāro mahānāsījjanānāṁ paśyatāṁ tadā tadā viṣṇuḥ svabhaktasya rakṣāyai prāhiṇodari

A great cry of dismay arose then among the onlooking people. At that moment, Vishnu, for the protection of his own devotee, dispatched his foe-destroying discus,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.165.90)

विष्णुमुक्तं तदा चक्रं शीघ्रमागत्य तद्रणे । यमदण्डेन संयुध्य तद्ब्रह्मास्त्रं निवार्य च

viṣṇumuktaṁ tadā cakraṁ śīghramāgatya tadraṇe yamadaṇḍena saṁyudhya tadbrahmāstraṁ nivārya ca

and that discus, released by Vishnu, swiftly arrived on that battlefield, contended with Yama's staff, warded off that Brahma-weapon,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.165.91)

यमं हंतुमथारेभे सहस्रारं महाद्भुतम् । देवभक्तस्ततो भीतस्तदाऽस्तौच्चक्रमञ्जसा

yamaṁ haṁtumathārebhe sahasrāraṁ mahādbhutam devabhaktastato bhītastadā'stauccakramañjasā

and that wondrous thousand-spoked discus then set about to slay Yama himself. The god's devotee, the king, then, alarmed, at once praised the discus directly.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.165.92)

सहस्रार नमस्तेऽस्तु विष्णुपाणिविभूषण । त्वं सर्वलोकरक्षायै हरिणा च धृतं पुरा

sahasrāra namaste'stu viṣṇupāṇivibhūṣaṇa tvaṁ sarvalokarakṣāyai hariṇā ca dhṛtaṁ purā

'O thousand-spoked one, salutations to you, ornament of Vishnu's hand. You were held by Hari of old for the protection of all the worlds;

Verse 93 (skanda.2.165.93)

त्वां याचेऽद्य यमं त्रातुं विष्णुभक्तं महाबलम्

tvāṁ yāce'dya yamaṁ trātuṁ viṣṇubhaktaṁ mahābalam

today I beg of you to spare Yama, that devotee of Vishnu, so mighty in strength.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.165.94)

नृणां देवद्रुहां कालस्त्वमेव हि न चाऽपरः। तस्मादेनं यमं रक्ष कृपां कुरु जगत्पते

nṛṇāṁ devadruhāṁ kālastvameva hi na cā'paraḥ tasmādenaṁ yamaṁ rakṣa kṛpāṁ kuru jagatpate

You alone are Death to those men hostile to the gods, none other. Therefore protect this Yama; show him mercy, O lord of the universe.'

Verse 95 (skanda.2.165.95)

नृपेणैवं स्तुतं चक्रं यमं हित्वा नृपांतिकम् । पुनर्ययौ महाराज देवानां पश्यतां दिवि

nṛpeṇaivaṁ stutaṁ cakraṁ yamaṁ hitvā nṛpāṁtikam punaryayau mahārāja devānāṁ paśyatāṁ divi

Thus praised by the king, the discus spared Yama, and, O great king, returned to the king's side and then went back to heaven again, in the sight of the gods.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.165.96)

ततो यमोऽतिनिर्विण्णो ब्रह्मणः सदनं ययौ । स ददर्श समासीनं मूर्तामूर्तजनैर्वृतम्

tato yamo'tinirviṇṇo brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṁ yayau sa dadarśa samāsīnaṁ mūrtāmūrtajanairvṛtam

Thereafter Yama, utterly dejected, went to the abode of Brahma. There he saw Brahma seated, surrounded by beings both embodied and formless,

Verse 97 (skanda.2.165.97)

धुवाश्रयं जगद्बीजं सर्वलोकपितामहम्। उपास्यमानं विबुधैर्लोकपालैर्दिगीश्वरैः

dhuvāśrayaṁ jagadbījaṁ sarvalokapitāmaham upāsyamānaṁ vibudhairlokapālairdigīśvaraiḥ

the fixed foundation of all, the seed of the universe, the grandsire of all worlds, being worshipped by the gods, the guardians of the worlds, and the lords of the directions,

Verse 98 (skanda.2.165.98)

इतिहासपुराणाद्यैर्देवैर्विग्रहसंस्थितैः । मूर्तिमद्भिः समुद्रैश्च नदीभिश्च सरोवरैः

itihāsapurāṇādyairdevairvigrahasaṁsthitaiḥ mūrtimadbhiḥ samudraiśca nadībhiśca sarovaraiḥ

by the personified deities of the Itihasas and Puranas, by the embodied oceans, rivers, and lakes,

Verse 99 (skanda.2.165.99)

देहवद्भिस्तथा वृक्षैरश्वत्थाद्यैरशेषितैः । वापीकूपतडागैश्च मूर्तिमद्भिश्च पर्वतैः

dehavadbhistathā vṛkṣairaśvatthādyairaśeṣitaiḥ vāpīkūpataḍāgaiśca mūrtimadbhiśca parvataiḥ

by all the embodied trees beginning with the sacred fig, and by the embodied stepwells, wells, ponds, and mountains,

Verse 100 (skanda.2.165.100)

अहोरात्रैस्तथा पक्षैर्मासैः संवत्सरैस्तथा । कलाकाष्ठा निमेषैश्च ऋतुभिश्चाऽयनैर्युगैः

ahorātraistathā pakṣairmāsaiḥ saṁvatsaraistathā kalākāṣṭhā nimeṣaiśca ṛtubhiścā'yanairyugaiḥ

by day and night, by fortnights, months, and years, by the units of kala, kashtha, and nimesha, by the seasons, the solstitial courses, and the world-ages,

Verse 101 (skanda.2.165.101)

संकल्पैश्च विकल्पैश्च निमिषोन्मेषणैस्तथा । ऋक्षैर्योगैश्च करणैः पूर्णिमाभिः सुसंक्षयैः

saṁkalpaiśca vikalpaiśca nimiṣonmeṣaṇaistathā ṛkṣairyogaiśca karaṇaiḥ pūrṇimābhiḥ susaṁkṣayaiḥ

by resolve and counter-resolve, by the closing and opening of the eyelid, by the lunar asterisms, the astronomical yogas, the karanas, the full moons and the utter dissolutions of the new moons,

Verse 102 (skanda.2.165.102)

सुखैर्दुःखैर्भयैश्चैव लाभाऽलाभैर्जयाजयैः। सत्त्वेन रजसा चैव तमसा च समन्वितम्

sukhairduḥkhairbhayaiścaiva lābhā'lābhairjayājayaiḥ sattvena rajasā caiva tamasā ca samanvitam

by pleasure and pain, by fear, by gain and loss, by victory and defeat — surrounded thus, and himself possessed of the three qualities, sattva, rajas, and tamas,

Verse 103 (skanda.2.165.103)

शांतमूढाऽतिप्रौढैश्च विकारैः प्राकृतैरपि । वायुना देवदेवेन श्लेष्मपित्तादिभिर्वृतम्

śāṁtamūḍhā'tiprauḍhaiśca vikāraiḥ prākṛtairapi vāyunā devadevena śleṣmapittādibhirvṛtam

and by the calm, dull, and vehement natural transformations, by the divine wind, and by phlegm, bile and the rest — such was Brahma, thus surrounded, whom Yama beheld.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.165.104)

तेषां मध्येऽविशत्सौरिः सव्रीडा च वधूर्यथा । विलोकयन्धरापृष्ठं म्लानवक्त्रं व्यदर्शयत्

teṣāṁ madhye'viśatsauriḥ savrīḍā ca vadhūryathā vilokayandharāpṛṣṭhaṁ mlānavaktraṁ vyadarśayat

Amidst all of them, the sun's son entered, like a bashful bride; gazing down at the ground, he showed a face grown dejected and wan.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.165.105)

संप्रविष्टं यमं दृष्ट्वा सकाशस्थं सहानुगम् । विस्मितास्ते मिथः प्रोचुः किमर्थं भास्करिस्त्विह

saṁpraviṣṭaṁ yamaṁ dṛṣṭvā sakāśasthaṁ sahānugam vismitāste mithaḥ procuḥ kimarthaṁ bhāskaristviha

Seeing Yama thus arrived, standing nearby with his attendants, they, astonished, said to one another: 'Why has the sun's son come here?

Verse 106 (skanda.2.165.106)

संप्राप्तो लोककर्तारं द्रष्टुं देवं पितामहम् । निर्व्यापारः क्षणमपि योऽयं नास्ति रवेः सुतः

saṁprāpto lokakartāraṁ draṣṭuṁ devaṁ pitāmaham nirvyāpāraḥ kṣaṇamapi yo'yaṁ nāsti raveḥ sutaḥ

Has he come to behold the maker of the worlds, the grandsire god? This son of the sun is not one who is ever idle, even for a moment,

Verse 107 (skanda.2.165.107)

सोऽयमभ्यागतः कस्मात्कच्चित्क्षेमं दिवौकसाम् । आश्चर्याऽतिशयोऽयं च संमार्जितपटस्त्वयम्

so'yamabhyāgataḥ kasmātkaccitkṣemaṁ divaukasām āścaryā'tiśayo'yaṁ ca saṁmārjitapaṭastvayam

so why has he come here? Is all well with the celestials? And here is an exceeding wonder — this record-tablet of his lies completely wiped clean,

Verse 108 (skanda.2.165.108)

लेखकस्तमनुप्राप्तो दैन्येन महताऽन्वितः । न कदाचित्पटो ह्यस्य मार्जितो धर्मभीरुणा

lekhakastamanuprāpto dainyena mahatā'nvitaḥ na kadācitpaṭo hyasya mārjito dharmabhīruṇā

and his clerk too has come along with him, overwhelmed with great dejection. Never before has this scrupulous keeper of the law had his tablet so wiped clean.

Verse 109 (skanda.2.165.109)

यन्न दृष्टं श्रुतं वाऽपि तदिहाऽद्य प्रपद्यते । एवमुच्चरतां तेषां भूतानां भूतशासनः । निष्पपाताऽग्रतो भूमौ ब्रह्मणो रविनंदनः

yanna dṛṣṭaṁ śrutaṁ vā'pi tadihā'dya prapadyate evamuccaratāṁ teṣāṁ bhūtānāṁ bhūtaśāsanaḥ niṣpapātā'grato bhūmau brahmaṇo ravinaṁdanaḥ

That which was never seen nor heard is befalling here today.' While all those beings were speaking thus, the sun's son, the lord who rules over all creatures, fell prostrate upon the ground before Brahma.

Verse 110 (skanda.2.165.110)

कृत्तमूलो यथा शाखी त्राहित्राहीति वै रुदन्। परिभूतोऽस्मि देवेश संमार्जितपटःकृतः

kṛttamūlo yathā śākhī trāhitrāhīti vai rudan paribhūto'smi deveśa saṁmārjitapaṭaḥkṛtaḥ

Like a tree severed at its root, he fell, weeping and crying, 'Save me, save me!' — 'O lord of gods, I have been humiliated, my tablet has been utterly wiped clean,

Verse 111 (skanda.2.165.111)

त्वयि नाथे न विफलं पश्यामि कमलासन

tvayi nāthe na viphalaṁ paśyāmi kamalāsana

yet, O lotus-throned one, with you as my lord, I see nothing that can truly fail me.'

Verse 112 (skanda.2.165.112)

एवमुक्त्वा हि निश्चेष्टो बभूव नृपसत्तम । ततः कोलाहलः शब्दः सभायां समजायत

evamuktvā hi niśceṣṭo babhūva nṛpasattama tataḥ kolāhalaḥ śabdaḥ sabhāyāṁ samajāyata

Having said this, O best of kings, he fell motionless. Then a great uproar arose in that assembly,

Verse 113 (skanda.2.165.113)

यो हि खेदयते मर्त्यान्सर्वान्स्थावरजंगमान् । स वै रुदति दुःखार्तः कस्माद्वैवस्वतो यमः

yo hi khedayate martyānsarvānsthāvarajaṁgamān sa vai rudati duḥkhārtaḥ kasmādvaivasvato yamaḥ

for why should Yama, son of Vivasvat, who himself brings grief to all mortals — moving and unmoving — now weep, himself stricken with sorrow?

Verse 114 (skanda.2.165.114)

जनसंतापकर्त्ता यः सोचिराद्यात्यशोभनम् । नहि दुष्कृतकर्त्ता हि नरः प्राप्नोति शोभनम्

janasaṁtāpakarttā yaḥ socirādyātyaśobhanam nahi duṣkṛtakarttā hi naraḥ prāpnoti śobhanam

One who inflicts suffering upon others soon meets with misfortune himself — for a man who does evil deeds never attains anything good.

Verse 115 (skanda.2.165.115)

ततो निवारयामास वायुस्तेषां वचस्तदा । लोकानां समवेतानां मतं ज्ञात्वा स वेधसः

tato nivārayāmāsa vāyusteṣāṁ vacastadā lokānāṁ samavetānāṁ mataṁ jñātvā sa vedhasaḥ

Then Vayu stopped their talk, and, knowing the sentiment of the assembled beings, and of the Creator himself,

Verse 116 (skanda.2.165.116)

निवार्य लोकान्मार्तंडि शनैरुत्थापयन्मरुत् । भुजाभ्यां शालपीनाभ्यां लोकसूत्र उदारधीः

nivārya lokānmārtaṁḍi śanairutthāpayanmarut bhujābhyāṁ śālapīnābhyāṁ lokasūtra udāradhīḥ

restrained the assembled beings, and, that noble-minded Marut who is the thread binding all worlds, gently began to raise up the sun's son with his own stout, tree-like arms,

Verse 117 (skanda.2.165.117)

विह्वलं तं परायत्तमासने संन्यवेशयत् । आसनस्थमुवाचेदं व्योमसूनू रवेः सुतम्

vihvalaṁ taṁ parāyattamāsane saṁnyaveśayat āsanasthamuvācedaṁ vyomasūnū raveḥ sutam

and seated that distressed, helpless one upon a seat; and Vayu, son of the sky, spoke thus to the sun's son now seated there.

Verse 118 (skanda.2.165.118)

केन त्वमभिभूतोऽसि केन स्थानान्निवारितः । केनाऽयं मार्जितो देव पटो लेखपटस्तव

kena tvamabhibhūto'si kena sthānānnivāritaḥ kenā'yaṁ mārjito deva paṭo lekhapaṭastava

'By whom have you been overpowered? By whom have you been driven from your post? O god, by whom has this record-tablet of yours been so wiped clean?

Verse 119 (skanda.2.165.119)

ब्रूहि सर्वमशेषेण कुतो हैतोस्त्वमागतः । यः प्रभुस्तात सर्वेषां स ते कर्ता ममाऽपि च । अपि कस्माच्च मार्तंडे दुःखं हृदयसंस्थितम्

brūhi sarvamaśeṣeṇa kuto haitostvamāgataḥ yaḥ prabhustāta sarveṣāṁ sa te kartā mamā'pi ca api kasmācca mārtaṁḍe duḥkhaṁ hṛdayasaṁsthitam

Tell me all this in full, and for what cause you have come here. Dear one, he who is the lord of all is the maker both of you and of me — and, O son of Martanda, for what reason has this sorrow lodged itself in your heart?'

Verse 120 (skanda.2.165.120)

स एवमुक्तः श्वसनेन सत्यमादित्यसूनुर्वचनं बभाषे । विलोक्य वक्त्रं कुशकेतुसूनोः सगद्गदं चेदमहोऽतिदीनम्

sa evamuktaḥ śvasanena satyamādityasūnurvacanaṁ babhāṣe vilokya vaktraṁ kuśaketusūnoḥ sagadgadaṁ cedamaho'tidīnam

Thus questioned by Vayu, the sun's son, Yama, spoke out the true account, and, recalling the face of 'Kushaketu's son,' his voice choked, spoke these words in the depths of misery. (The source text names 'Kushaketu's son' here — likely a textual carry-over or variant from the previous chapter's tale, since the king of this chapter is Kirtiman, son of Nriga, not Hemakanta, son of Kushaketu.)