The Account of Dantila and Kohala's Attainment of Liberation

Verse 1 (skanda.2.171.1)

श्रुतकीर्तिरुवाच। वैशाखधर्मानखिलानिहामुत्र फलप्रदा। भूयोऽपि शृण्वतश्चासीत्तृप्तिर्नाऽद्यापि मानद

śrutakīrtiruvāca vaiśākhadharmānakhilānihāmutra phalapradā bhūyo’pi śṛṇvataścāsīttṛptirnā’dyāpi mānada

Shrutakirti said: Having heard again and again all these Vaishakha vows, fruitful both here and hereafter, still, O bestower of honor, I am not yet satisfied.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.171.2)

यत्र चाकैतवो धर्मो यत्र विष्णुकथा शुभाः। तच्छास्त्रं शृण्वतो नैव तृप्तिः कर्णरसायनम्

yatra cākaitavo dharmo yatra viṣṇukathā śubhāḥ tacchāstraṁ śṛṇvato naiva tṛptiḥ karṇarasāyanam

Where there is dharma free of deceit, where there are the auspicious stories of Vishnu — hearing that scripture, an elixir for the ears, one is never satisfied.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.171.3)

पूर्वजन्मकृतं पुण्यं दिष्ट्या पारमुपागतम् । आतिथ्यव्यपदेशेन यद्भवान्गृहमागतः

pūrvajanmakṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ diṣṭyā pāramupāgatam ātithyavyapadeśena yadbhavāngṛhamāgataḥ

By good fortune, the merit of my former birth has now come to fruition, since you, under the guise of receiving hospitality, have come to my house.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.171.4)

वचोऽमृतं मुखांभोजनिःसृतं परमाद्भुतम्। पीत्वा तृप्तः पारमेष्ठ्यं मोक्षं वा च न कामये

vaco’mṛtaṁ mukhāṁbhojaniḥsṛtaṁ paramādbhutam pītvā tṛptaḥ pārameṣṭhyaṁ mokṣaṁ vā ca na kāmaye

Having drunk the nectar-like, most wondrous words issuing from your lotus mouth, I am satisfied — I do not even desire the position of Brahma, or liberation itself.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.171.5)

तस्मात्तानेव धर्मान्मे भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकान्। विष्णुप्रीतिकरान्दिव्यान्भूयो विस्तरतो वद

tasmāttāneva dharmānme bhuktimuktipradāyakān viṣṇuprītikarāndivyānbhūyo vistarato vada

Therefore, tell me again, in full detail, those very divine vows that bestow enjoyment and liberation and please Vishnu.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.171.6)

इत्युक्तस्तु पुरा राज्ञा श्रुतदेवो महायशाः। संहृष्टाऽऽत्मा शुभान्धर्मान्पुनर्व्याहर्तुमारभत्

ityuktastu purā rājñā śrutadevo mahāyaśāḥ saṁhṛṣṭā’’tmā śubhāndharmānpunarvyāhartumārabhat

Thus addressed formerly by the king, Shrutadeva, of great renown, his heart delighted, began again to recount those auspicious vows.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.171.7)

श्रुतदेव उवाच। शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् । वैशाखधर्मविषयां भावितां मुनिभिर्मुहुः

śrutadeva uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm vaiśākhadharmaviṣayāṁ bhāvitāṁ munibhirmuhuḥ

Shrutadeva said: Listen, O king, I shall tell a sin-destroying story concerning the vows of Vaishakha, contemplated again and again by sages.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.171.8)

पम्पातीरे द्विजः कश्चिच्छंखोनाम महायशाः। गुरौ सिंहगते चागान्नदीं गोदावरीं शुभाम्

pampātīre dvijaḥ kaścicchaṁkhonāma mahāyaśāḥ gurau siṁhagate cāgānnadīṁ godāvarīṁ śubhām

On the bank of the Pampa river there was a brahmin of great renown named Shankha; when Jupiter stood in Leo, he went to the auspicious river Godavari.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.171.9)

तीर्त्वा भीमरथीं पुण्यां कान्तारे कण्टकाचले। निर्जले निर्जने घोरे वैशाखे तपकर्षितः

tīrtvā bhīmarathīṁ puṇyāṁ kāntāre kaṇṭakācale nirjale nirjane ghore vaiśākhe tapakarṣitaḥ

Having crossed the sacred Bhimarathi river, in that terrible, waterless, empty, thorny wilderness, worn out by the heat of Vaishakha,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.171.10)

वृक्षे चोपविवेशाऽसौ मध्याह्नसमये द्विजः । तदा कश्चिद्दुराचारो व्याधश्चापधरः शठः

vṛkṣe copaviveśā’sau madhyāhnasamaye dvijaḥ tadā kaściddurācāro vyādhaścāpadharaḥ śaṭhaḥ

that brahmin sat down beneath a tree at midday. Then a certain evil-conducted, bow-bearing, deceitful hunter,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.171.11)

निर्घृणःसर्वभूतेषु कालान्तक इवाऽपरः। तं कुण्डलधरं विप्रं दीक्षितं भास्करोपमम्

nirghṛṇaḥsarvabhūteṣu kālāntaka ivā’paraḥ taṁ kuṇḍaladharaṁ vipraṁ dīkṣitaṁ bhāskaropamam

merciless toward all beings, like a second Yama, saw that brahmin wearing earrings, consecrated, radiant like the sun,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.171.12)

दृष्ट्वा बद्ध्वा स जग्राह कुण्डलादिकमुग्रधीः। उपानहौ चच्छत्रं च अक्षमालां कमण्डलुम्

dṛṣṭvā baddhvā sa jagrāha kuṇḍalādikamugradhīḥ upānahau cacchatraṁ ca akṣamālāṁ kamaṇḍalum

and, seeing him, that cruel-minded one bound him and seized his earrings and other things — his sandals, umbrella, rosary, and water-pot —

Verse 13 (skanda.2.171.13)

पश्चाद्विसृज्य तं विप्रं गच्छेत्याह विमूढधीः

paścādvisṛjya taṁ vipraṁ gacchetyāha vimūḍhadhīḥ

and afterward that dull-witted man released the brahmin, saying, 'Go.'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.171.14)

ततः स गच्छन्पथि शर्कराऽऽविले सूर्यांशुतप्ते जलवर्जिते खरे। सन्तप्तपादस्तृणछादिते स्थले क्वचिच्चचारोपवसन्नूर्ध्वरेताः

tataḥ sa gacchanpathi śarkarā’’vile sūryāṁśutapte jalavarjite khare santaptapādastṛṇachādite sthale kvaciccacāropavasannūrdhvaretāḥ

Then he, walking along the road strewn with gravel, scorched by the sun's rays, dry and rough, his feet burning, over ground sometimes covered with grass, fasting, that celibate sage, went on.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.171.15)

स वै द्रुतं सम्पतन्क्वापि तुष्यन्हाहेति वादी स जगाम तूर्णम्। दृष्ट्वा मुनिं खिद्यमानं पृथिव्यां मध्यं गते पूष्णि दया बभूव

sa vai drutaṁ sampatankvāpi tuṣyanhāheti vādī sa jagāma tūrṇam dṛṣṭvā muniṁ khidyamānaṁ pṛthivyāṁ madhyaṁ gate pūṣṇi dayā babhūva

Rushing swiftly, stumbling now and again, crying out 'Alas, alas!', he went on quickly. Seeing the sage suffering thus on the ground, as the sun reached its zenith, compassion arose in the hunter.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.171.16)

व्याधस्य धर्मविमुखस्य च पापबुद्धेस्तस्मै ददामि सुखदां खलु पादरक्षाम्

vyādhasya dharmavimukhasya ca pāpabuddhestasmai dadāmi sukhadāṁ khalu pādarakṣām

'Even I, a hunter turned away from dharma, of sinful mind — I shall give him back the sandals that bring him comfort.'

Verse 17 (skanda.2.171.17)

चौर्येणैव स्वधर्मेण या गृहीता वनान्तरे। तदीयमेव तत्सर्वं व्याधानां धर्मनिर्णयः। तस्मादुपानहौ दास्ये मुहुर्दुःखापनुत्तये

cauryeṇaiva svadharmeṇa yā gṛhītā vanāntare tadīyameva tatsarvaṁ vyādhānāṁ dharmanirṇayaḥ tasmādupānahau dāsye muhurduḥkhāpanuttaye

'Though theft, seized in the depths of the forest, is my proper duty — all that is truly his own; such is the decree of dharma even for hunters. Therefore, to remove his continual suffering, I shall give back the sandals —

Verse 18 (skanda.2.171.18)

तेन श्रेयो भवेद्यच्च तद्भवेन्मम पापिनः। जीर्णे चोपानहौ द्वे च वर्तेते पादयोर्मम। न ताभ्यामस्ति मे कृत्यं तस्मात्ते वै ददाम्यहम्

tena śreyo bhavedyacca tadbhavenmama pāpinaḥ jīrṇe copānahau dve ca vartete pādayormama na tābhyāmasti me kṛtyaṁ tasmātte vai dadāmyaham

'Whatever good may come of it, let it be mine, sinner though I am. Besides, I already have two worn-out sandals on my own feet; I have no use for these, so I shall give them to him.'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.171.19)

इति निश्चित्य मनसि तूर्णं गत्वा ददौ च ते। शर्करातप्तपादाय द्विजवर्याय सीदते

iti niścitya manasi tūrṇaṁ gatvā dadau ca te śarkarātaptapādāya dvijavaryāya sīdate

Having resolved thus in his mind, he went quickly and gave those sandals to that suffering, best of brahmins, his feet burnt by the gravel.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.171.20)

उपानहौ गृहीत्वा ते निर्वृतिं च परां ययौ। सुखी भवेति तं व्याधमाशीर्भिरभिनन्द्य च

upānahau gṛhītvā te nirvṛtiṁ ca parāṁ yayau sukhī bhaveti taṁ vyādhamāśīrbhirabhinandya ca

Having received the sandals, he attained supreme relief, and, blessing that hunter with the words 'Be happy,' he rejoiced,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.171.21)

नूनं सुपक्वपुण्योऽयं वैशाखे दत्तवानमू । व्याधस्यापि च दुर्बुद्धेः प्रायो विष्णुः प्रसीदति

nūnaṁ supakvapuṇyo’yaṁ vaiśākhe dattavānamū vyādhasyāpi ca durbuddheḥ prāyo viṣṇuḥ prasīdati

thinking: 'Surely this man's merit has fully ripened, since he gave these in Vaishakha — even for an ill-minded hunter, Vishnu is generally pleased by such an act.'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.171.22)

सर्वस्याऽऽप्त्या च भूयोऽपि यत्सुखं तदभून्मम। ततोऽभिश्रुत्य तद्वाक्यं किमेतदिति विस्मितः

sarvasyā’’ptyā ca bhūyo’pi yatsukhaṁ tadabhūnmama tato’bhiśrutya tadvākyaṁ kimetaditi vismitaḥ

'The happiness that comes from attaining everything else — that same happiness has come to me now.' Then, overhearing these words, the hunter, astonished, thought: 'What is this?'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.171.23)

व्याजहार पुनर्विप्रं ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्रह्मवादिनम् । त्वदीयं तु मया दत्तं कथं पुण्यं भवेन्मम

vyājahāra punarvipraṁ brahmiṣṭhaṁ brahmavādinam tvadīyaṁ tu mayā dattaṁ kathaṁ puṇyaṁ bhavenmama

He spoke again to the brahmin, most learned in Brahman: 'How can merit come to me, when I merely returned what was already your own?

Verse 24 (skanda.2.171.24)

प्रशंससि च वैशाखं हरिस्तुष्टो भवेदिति। एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मन्को वैशाखस्तु को हरिः

praśaṁsasi ca vaiśākhaṁ haristuṣṭo bhavediti etadācakṣva me brahmanko vaiśākhastu ko hariḥ

And you praise Vaishakha, saying that Hari becomes pleased by such acts — tell me this, O brahmin: who is Vaishakha, and who is Hari?

Verse 25 (skanda.2.171.25)

को धर्मः किं फलं तस्य शुश्रूषोर्मे दयानिधे। इति व्याधवचः श्रुत्वा शंखस्तुष्टमना अभूत्

ko dharmaḥ kiṁ phalaṁ tasya śuśrūṣorme dayānidhe iti vyādhavacaḥ śrutvā śaṁkhastuṣṭamanā abhūt

What is dharma, and what is its fruit, for me who wish to hear, O ocean of compassion?' Having heard these words of the hunter, Shankha became delighted in mind,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.171.26)

प्रशंसन्स च वैशाखं पुनर्विस्मितमानसः । इदानीं दत्तवान्पादत्राणे मे लुब्धकः शठः

praśaṁsansa ca vaiśākhaṁ punarvismitamānasaḥ idānīṁ dattavānpādatrāṇe me lubdhakaḥ śaṭhaḥ

and, praising Vaishakha, again with an astonished mind, thought: 'Just now this deceitful hunter has given me back my sandals—

Verse 27 (skanda.2.171.27)

यद्दुर्बुद्धेश्च वैषम्यं जातं चित्रमहो वत। सर्वेषामेव धर्माणां फलं जन्मांतरेषु वै

yaddurbuddheśca vaiṣamyaṁ jātaṁ citramaho vata sarveṣāmeva dharmāṇāṁ phalaṁ janmāṁtareṣu vai

— what a wonder that such a change has come upon this ill-minded man! Indeed, the fruit of all other dharmas comes only in future births,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.171.28)

वैशाखमासधर्माणां फलं सद्यः क्षणे नृणाम् । पापाचारस्य दु्र्बुद्धेर्व्याधस्यापि दुरात्मनः

vaiśākhamāsadharmāṇāṁ phalaṁ sadyaḥ kṣaṇe nṛṇām pāpācārasya durbuddhervyādhasyāpi durātmanaḥ

whereas the fruit of the vows of the month of Vaishakha comes to men instantly, in a moment — even to a sinful, ill-minded, evil-souled hunter!

Verse 29 (skanda.2.171.29)

दैवादुपानहोर्दानात्सत्त्वशुद्धिरभूदहो । यच्च विष्णोः प्रियं कर्म यत्तत्सन्तोषनिर्मलम्

daivādupānahordānātsattvaśuddhirabhūdaho yacca viṣṇoḥ priyaṁ karma yattatsantoṣanirmalam

By providence, through the mere gift of a pair of sandals, purity of being has come upon him! Whatever action is dear to Vishnu, that indeed is the stainless cause of His pleasure—

Verse 30 (skanda.2.171.30)

तदेव धर्ममित्या हुर्मन्वाद्या धर्मवित्तमाः। धर्मा माधवमासीयाः प्रिया विष्णोरतीव ते

tadeva dharmamityā hurmanvādyā dharmavittamāḥ dharmā mādhavamāsīyāḥ priyā viṣṇoratīva te

— that alone, Manu and the other foremost knowers of dharma declare to be true dharma. The vows of the month of Madhava are exceedingly dear to Vishnu.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.171.31)

धर्मैर्माधवमासीयैर्यथा तुष्यति केशवः। न तथा सर्वदानैश्च तपोभिश्च महामखैः

dharmairmādhavamāsīyairyathā tuṣyati keśavaḥ na tathā sarvadānaiśca tapobhiśca mahāmakhaiḥ

As Keshava is pleased by the vows of the month of Madhava, he is not so pleased by all other gifts, austerities, or great sacrifices.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.171.32)

नानेन सदृशो धर्मः सर्वधर्मेषु विद्यते । मा गयां यांतु मा गंगां मा प्रयागं तु पुष्करम्

nānena sadṛśo dharmaḥ sarvadharmeṣu vidyate mā gayāṁ yāṁtu mā gaṁgāṁ mā prayāgaṁ tu puṣkaram

No dharma equal to this exists among all dharmas. Let them not go to Gaya, nor to the Ganga, nor to Prayaga, nor to Pushkara,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.171.33)

मा केदारं कुरुक्षेत्रं मा प्रभासं स्यमन्तकम् । मा गोदा मा च कृष्णां च मा सेतुं मा मरुद्वृधम्

mā kedāraṁ kurukṣetraṁ mā prabhāsaṁ syamantakam mā godā mā ca kṛṣṇāṁ ca mā setuṁ mā marudvṛdham

nor to Kedara, Kurukshetra, nor Prabhasa, Syamantaka, nor the Godavari, nor the Krishna river, nor Setu, nor Marudvridha —

Verse 34 (skanda.2.171.34)

वैशाखधर्ममाहात्म्यं शंसंती च कथाऽऽपगा। तत्र स्नातस्य वै विष्णुः सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यते

vaiśākhadharmamāhātmyaṁ śaṁsaṁtī ca kathā’’pagā tatra snātasya vai viṣṇuḥ sadyo hṛdyavarudhyate

— but rather bathe in this very river of story proclaiming the greatness of Vaishakha's dharma — for one who bathes in it, Vishnu is instantly enthroned in the heart.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.171.35)

मासे माधवसंज्ञेऽस्मिन्यस्त्वल्पेनैव साध्यते । न तद्बहुव्ययैर्दानैर्न धर्मैर्वाऽपि वै मखैः

māse mādhavasaṁjñe’sminyastvalpenaiva sādhyate na tadbahuvyayairdānairna dharmairvā’pi vai makhaiḥ

That which is achieved in this month called Madhava with only a small effort is not achieved by gifts of great expense, nor by other dharmas, nor even by sacrifices.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.171.36)

मासोऽयं माधवोनाम व्याध पुण्यविवर्द्धनः । तस्मिन्मह्यं त्वया दत्ते पादुके तापनाशने

māso’yaṁ mādhavonāma vyādha puṇyavivarddhanaḥ tasminmahyaṁ tvayā datte pāduke tāpanāśane

This month is called Madhava, O hunter, the increaser of merit; since in it you gave me these two suffering-removing sandals,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.171.37)

तेन ते पूर्वकालीनं पुण्यं पाकमुपागतम्। तुष्टस्तु भगवान्प्रायः श्रेयो व्याधविधास्यति

tena te pūrvakālīnaṁ puṇyaṁ pākamupāgatam tuṣṭastu bhagavānprāyaḥ śreyo vyādhavidhāsyati

by that, your merit accumulated from before has come to fruition; and the Blessed Lord, pleased, will surely grant you good fortune, O hunter.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.171.38)

अन्यथा ते कथं भूयाद्बुद्धिरेतादृशी शुभा । मुनावेवं ब्रुवाणे च मृत्युना प्रेरितो बली

anyathā te kathaṁ bhūyādbuddhiretādṛśī śubhā munāvevaṁ bruvāṇe ca mṛtyunā prerito balī

'Otherwise, how could such an auspicious intention have arisen in you?' While the sage was speaking thus — impelled by fate, a mighty—

Verse 39 (skanda.2.171.39)

सिंहो व्याघ्रवधार्थाय प्राद्रवत्क्रोधविह्वलः । मध्ये दृष्ट्वा च मातङ्गं दैवाद्देवेन कल्पितम्

siṁho vyāghravadhārthāya prādravatkrodhavihvalaḥ madhye dṛṣṭvā ca mātaṅgaṁ daivāddevena kalpitam

lion, overcome with rage, rushed forth in fury to kill, and midway, by providence, as ordained by fate, saw an elephant instead—

Verse 40 (skanda.2.171.40)

तं हंतुमुद्यतोऽगच्छत्पदाक्रांतं व्यवस्थितम्। तयोर्युद्धमभूद्राजन्सिंहमातंगयोर्वने

taṁ haṁtumudyato’gacchatpadākrāṁtaṁ vyavasthitam tayoryuddhamabhūdrājansiṁhamātaṁgayorvane

ready to kill it, he approached it, standing firm. A battle then took place, O king, between the lion and the elephant in that forest.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.171.41)

श्रान्तौ युद्धाच्च विरतौ निरीक्षन्तौ च तस्थतुः । व्याधमुद्दिश्य यच्चोक्तं मुनिना च महात्मना

śrāntau yuddhācca viratau nirīkṣantau ca tasthatuḥ vyādhamuddiśya yaccoktaṁ muninā ca mahātmanā

Exhausted, they both ceased from battle and stood watching each other. And what that great-souled sage had spoken, addressed to the hunter—

Verse 42 (skanda.2.171.42)

समस्तपातकध्वंसि दैवाच्छुश्रुवतुश्च तौ । तेनैव मासमाहात्म्यश्रवणेनामलाशयौ

samastapātakadhvaṁsi daivācchuśruvatuśca tau tenaiva māsamāhātmyaśravaṇenāmalāśayau

— destructive of all sins — that, by providence, those two overheard as well. By that very hearing of the month's greatness, their hearts became stainless,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.171.43)

शापान्मुक्तौ च तौ देहात्सद्यो मुक्तौ दिवं गतौ । दिव्यरूपधरौ दिव्यौ दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनौ

śāpānmuktau ca tau dehātsadyo muktau divaṁ gatau divyarūpadharau divyau divyagandhānulepanau

and freed from the curse, at once freed from their bodies, they went to heaven, taking on divine forms, anointed with divine fragrant unguents,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.171.44)

दिव्यं विमानमारूढौ दिव्यनारीनिषेवितौ। सद्योऽवनतमूर्द्धानौ प्राञ्जली चोपतस्थतुः

divyaṁ vimānamārūḍhau divyanārīniṣevitau sadyo’vanatamūrddhānau prāñjalī copatasthatuḥ

mounted upon a divine chariot, attended by divine women; at once, with heads bowed and hands folded, they came before that sage.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.171.45)

मुनींद्रो धर्मवक्ता च व्याधमुद्दिश्य वै पथि । तौ दृष्ट्वा विस्मितः प्राह कौ युवामिति निश्चलः

munīṁdro dharmavaktā ca vyādhamuddiśya vai pathi tau dṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ prāha kau yuvāmiti niścalaḥ

That lord of sages, the speaker of dharma, addressing the hunter on the road, seeing them, astonished, spoke, standing still: 'Who are you two?

Verse 46 (skanda.2.171.46)

दुर्योनौ तु कुतो जन्म युवयोर्वा कथं मृतिः । अहेतोर्विपिने चाऽस्न्मिपरस्परवधोद्यतौ

duryonau tu kuto janma yuvayorvā kathaṁ mṛtiḥ ahetorvipine cā’snmiparasparavadhodyatau

How is it that you two were born in such a lowly womb, and how did you meet death? And why were you both, without cause, intent on killing each other in the forest?

Verse 47 (skanda.2.171.47)

एतत्सर्वं सुविस्तार्य सम्यग्वदत मेऽनघौ। इत्युक्तौ मुनिना तेन वचः प्रत्यूचतुः पुनः

etatsarvaṁ suvistārya samyagvadata me’naghau ityuktau muninā tena vacaḥ pratyūcatuḥ punaḥ

Tell me all this in full detail, rightly, O sinless ones.' Thus asked by the sage, they replied once more with these words—

Verse 48 (skanda.2.171.48)

मतंगस्य मुनेः पुत्रौ दन्तिलः कोहलोऽपरः । शापदोषेण तौ जातौ नाम्ना दन्तिलकोहलौ

mataṁgasya muneḥ putrau dantilaḥ kohalo’paraḥ śāpadoṣeṇa tau jātau nāmnā dantilakohalau

'We are the two sons of the sage Mataṅga — Dantila, and the other, Kohala; by the fault of a curse we were born as beasts, though named Dantila and Kohala.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.171.49)

रूपयौवनसंपन्नौ सर्वविद्याविशारदौ। आवामुद्दिश्य प्रोवाच पिता धर्मार्थकोविदः

rūpayauvanasaṁpannau sarvavidyāviśāradau āvāmuddiśya provāca pitā dharmārthakovidaḥ

Endowed with beauty and youth, learned in all sciences, our father, wise in dharma and artha, once addressed us both—

Verse 50 (skanda.2.171.50)

मतंगोनाम ब्रह्मर्षिः सर्वधर्मविदुत्तमः । वैशाखे मासि तनयौ मधुसूदनवल्लभे

mataṁgonāma brahmarṣiḥ sarvadharmaviduttamaḥ vaiśākhe māsi tanayau madhusūdanavallabhe

— Mataṅga, the brahmin-sage, foremost knower of all dharma, said: 'O sons, in the month of Vaishakha, dear to Madhusudana,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.171.51)

प्रपां कुरुत मार्गे च जनान्वीजयतं क्षणम्। मार्गे छाया विधत्तां च भूर्यन्नं शीतलांबु च

prapāṁ kuruta mārge ca janānvījayataṁ kṣaṇam mārge chāyā vidhattāṁ ca bhūryannaṁ śītalāṁbu ca

set up a water-shed on the road, and fan travelers for a while; provide shade on the road, and abundant food and cool water.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.171.52)

कुरुतं स्नानमुषसि तथैवार्चयतं विभुम् । कथां च शृणुतं नित्यं यया बन्धो निवर्तते

kurutaṁ snānamuṣasi tathaivārcayataṁ vibhum kathāṁ ca śṛṇutaṁ nityaṁ yayā bandho nivartate

Bathe at dawn, and likewise worship the Lord; and listen daily to that story by which bondage is ended.'

Verse 53 (skanda.2.171.53)

एवं च बहुभिर्वाक्यैर्बोधितावपि दुर्मती । कुद्धोऽभवं दन्तिलोऽहं मत्तोऽहं कोहलाह्वयः

evaṁ ca bahubhirvākyairbodhitāvapi durmatī kuddho’bhavaṁ dantilo’haṁ matto’haṁ kohalāhvayaḥ

Thus, though instructed with many such words, we two, ill-minded, [did not obey] — I, Dantila, became angry, and I, called Kohala, became intoxicated.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.171.54)

क्रुद्धः शशाप तौ सद्यः पिता धर्मेषु लालसः

kruddhaḥ śaśāpa tau sadyaḥ pitā dharmeṣu lālasaḥ

Angered, our father, devoted to dharma, at once cursed us both,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.171.55)

पुत्रं च धर्मविमुखं भार्यां चाऽप्रियवादिनीम् । अब्रह्मण्यं च राजानंत्यजेत्सद्यो न चेत्पतेत्

putraṁ ca dharmavimukhaṁ bhāryāṁ cā’priyavādinīm abrahmaṇyaṁ ca rājānaṁtyajetsadyo na cetpatet

'One must at once abandon a son averse to dharma, a wife who speaks unpleasant words, and a king hostile to brahmins — otherwise one falls into sin oneself.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.171.56)

दाक्षिण्यादर्थलोभाद्वा संसर्गं ये प्रकुर्वते। ते सर्वे नरकं यांति यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश। इति ज्ञात्वा शशापावां मदक्रोधपरिप्लुतौ

dākṣiṇyādarthalobhādvā saṁsargaṁ ye prakurvate te sarve narakaṁ yāṁti yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa iti jñātvā śaśāpāvāṁ madakrodhapariplutau

'Those who, out of mere courtesy or greed for wealth, keep company with such people — all of them go to hell for as long as fourteen Indras reign.' Knowing this, our father cursed us both, overcome as we were by intoxication and anger:

Verse 57 (skanda.2.171.57)

कुद्धोऽयं दंतिलो भूयात्सिंहः क्रोधपरिप्लुतः। मत्तस्तु कोहलो भूयान्मत्तो मातंगयूथपः

kuddho’yaṁ daṁtilo bhūyātsiṁhaḥ krodhapariplutaḥ mattastu kohalo bhūyānmatto mātaṁgayūthapaḥ

'Let this angry Dantila become a lion, overcome with rage; and let the intoxicated Kohala become an intoxicated leader of a herd of elephants.'

Verse 58 (skanda.2.171.58)

कृतानुतापौ पश्चात्तु प्रार्थयावो विमोचनम्। आवाभ्यां प्रार्थितो भूयो विशापं च ददौपिता

kṛtānutāpau paścāttu prārthayāvo vimocanam āvābhyāṁ prārthito bhūyo viśāpaṁ ca dadaupitā

Afterward, repentant, we both begged for release. Thus entreated by us both again, our father granted a modification of the curse:

Verse 59 (skanda.2.171.59)

युवां प्राप्य च दुर्योनिं कियत्कालान्तरेऽपि च । संगमो भविता तत्र परस्परवधेषिणोः

yuvāṁ prāpya ca duryoniṁ kiyatkālāntare’pi ca saṁgamo bhavitā tatra parasparavadheṣiṇoḥ

'Having obtained a lowly birth, after some interval of time, you two, each intent on killing the other, shall meet—

Verse 60 (skanda.2.171.60)

तस्मिन्नेव हि समये संवादो व्याधशंखयोः । वैशाखधर्मविषयो दैवाद्वां श्रवणेऽपि च

tasminneva hi samaye saṁvādo vyādhaśaṁkhayoḥ vaiśākhadharmaviṣayo daivādvāṁ śravaṇe’pi ca

— and at that very time, a conversation between a hunter and Shankha concerning the vows of Vaishakha shall, by providence, come to your hearing as well;

Verse 61 (skanda.2.171.61)

गमिष्यति क्षणादेव तस्मान्मुक्तिर्भविष्यति । शापान्मुक्तौ पूर्वमेव रूपमास्थाय पुत्रकौ

gamiṣyati kṣaṇādeva tasmānmuktirbhaviṣyati śāpānmuktau pūrvameva rūpamāsthāya putrakau

'That conversation will reach you in but a moment, and from it, liberation shall be yours. Freed from the curse, having resumed your former forms, O sons,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.171.62)

मामेव प्राप्य वसतं नान्यथा मे वचो भवेत्। इति शप्तौ च गुरुणा दुर्योनिं प्राप्य दुर्मती

māmeva prāpya vasataṁ nānyathā me vaco bhavet iti śaptau ca guruṇā duryoniṁ prāpya durmatī

'you shall come to dwell with me alone — my word shall not be otherwise.' Thus cursed by our father, we two, ill-minded, having obtained a lowly birth,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.171.63)

प्राप्य दैवात्संगतिं च परस्परवधैषिणौ । संवादं युवयोर्दिव्यं शुभं तं शुश्रुवावहे

prāpya daivātsaṁgatiṁ ca parasparavadhaiṣiṇau saṁvādaṁ yuvayordivyaṁ śubhaṁ taṁ śuśruvāvahe

by providence obtained our meeting, each intent on killing the other, and we heard that divine, auspicious conversation of you two.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.171.64)

तेन सद्यो विमुक्तिश्च क्षणादेवाऽऽवयोरभूत्। इति सर्वं समाख्याय प्रणम्य च मुनीश्वरम्

tena sadyo vimuktiśca kṣaṇādevā’’vayorabhūt iti sarvaṁ samākhyāya praṇamya ca munīśvaram

'By that, our liberation came to us instantly, in but a moment.' Having thus recounted everything, and having bowed to that lord of sages,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.171.65)

समामंत्र्याभ्यनुज्ञातौ जग्मतुः पितुरंतिकम्। तदेवं संप्रदृश्याह मुनिर्व्याधं दयानिधिः

samāmaṁtryābhyanujñātau jagmatuḥ pituraṁtikam tadevaṁ saṁpradṛśyāha munirvyādhaṁ dayānidhiḥ

having taken leave and been given permission, they went to their father's presence. Then, having witnessed all this, the sage, that ocean of compassion, spoke to the hunter:

Verse 66 (skanda.2.171.66)

पश्य वैशाखमाहात्म्यश्रवणस्य फलं महत् । मुहूर्तश्रवणादेव तयोर्मुक्तिः करे स्थिता

paśya vaiśākhamāhātmyaśravaṇasya phalaṁ mahat muhūrtaśravaṇādeva tayormuktiḥ kare sthitā

'Behold the great fruit of hearing the greatness of Vaishakha! From merely a moment's hearing, liberation came to rest in the very palms of their hands.'

Verse 67 (skanda.2.171.67)

इति ब्रुवाणं मुनिपुंगवं तं दयानिधिं निःस्पृहमग्र्यबुद्धिम्। विशुद्धसत्त्वं सुकृतैकपात्रं स न्यस्तशस्त्रः पुनराह व्याधः

iti bruvāṇaṁ munipuṁgavaṁ taṁ dayānidhiṁ niḥspṛhamagryabuddhim viśuddhasattvaṁ sukṛtaikapātraṁ sa nyastaśastraḥ punarāha vyādhaḥ

To that bull among sages speaking thus — the ocean of compassion, free of desire, of foremost intellect, of purified being, the sole vessel of virtue — the hunter, having cast aside his weapon, spoke again.