Vyādhasya Pūrvajanma-kathanam — The Narration of the Hunter's Former Birth

Verse 1 (skanda.2.172.1)

व्याध उवाच । भवताऽनुगृहीतोऽस्मि मुने पापोऽतिदुष्टधीः । दयालवो महांतो हि स्वभावादेव साधवः ॥

vyādha uvāca bhavatā'nugṛhīto'smi mune pāpo'tiduṣṭadhīḥ dayālavo mahānto hi svabhāvādeva sādhavaḥ

The hunter said: O sage, I am sinful and of most wicked mind, yet I have been graced by you. The great and the compassionate are saintly by nature alone.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.172.2)

क्व व्याधश्चाऽकुलीनोऽहं क्व च वा मतिरीदृशी । केवलं भवतामेव मन्येऽनुग्रहमुत्तमम् ॥

kva vyādhaścā'kulīno'haṁ kva ca vā matirīdṛśī kevalaṁ bhavatāmeva manye'nugrahamuttamam

Where am I, a hunter of no lineage, and where is such an understanding as this? I hold it to be solely your supreme grace.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.172.3)

अथ साधो च शिष्योस्मि कृपापात्रोस्मि मानद । अनुग्राह्योऽस्मि पुत्रोऽस्मि कृपां कुरु दयानिधे ॥

atha sādho ca śiṣyosmi kṛpāpātrosmi mānada anugrāhyo'smi putro'smi kṛpāṁ kuru dayānidhe

O saintly one, O giver of honour, I am now your disciple, worthy of your compassion. I am fit for your grace, I am your son — O ocean of mercy, show me kindness.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.172.4)

यथा मे न पुनर्भूयादसन्मतिरनर्थदा । सद्भिस्तु संगतेः क्वापि नभूयो दुःखमश्नुते ॥

yathā me na punarbhūyādasanmatiranarthadā sadbhistu saṅgateḥ kvāpi nabhūyo duḥkhamaśnute

So that this ruinous evil intellect never comes upon me again. One who gains the company of the good never again meets with sorrow.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.172.5)

तस्माद्बोधय मां विप्र सूक्तैस्तैर्वृजिनापहैः । येन चाद्धा तरिष्यंति संसाराब्धिं मुमुक्षवः ॥

tasmādbodhaya māṁ vipra sūktaistairvṛjināpahaiḥ yena cāddhā tariṣyanti saṁsārābdhiṁ mumukṣavaḥ

Therefore, O brahmin, instruct me with those sacred sayings that destroy sin, by which seekers of liberation truly cross the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.172.6)

साधूनां समचित्तानां तथा भूतदयावताम् । न च हीनोत्तमः क्वापि नात्मीयो हि परस्तथा ॥

sādhūnāṁ samacittānāṁ tathā bhūtadayāvatām na ca hīnottamaḥ kvāpi nātmīyo hi parastathā

For the saintly, who are of equal mind and compassionate toward all beings, there is no low or high, nor is there 'mine' as against 'another's'.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.172.7)

ऐकाग्र्येण विचिंत्याथ चित्तशुद्धिं च पृच्छति । सर्वदोषयुतो वापि सर्वधर्मोज्झितोऽपि वा ॥

aikāgryeṇa vicintyātha cittaśuddhiṁ ca pṛcchati sarvadoṣayuto vāpi sarvadharmojjhito'pi vā

Whether a person is beset with every fault, or bereft of every observance, if he reflects with a single-pointed mind and asks about the purification of the heart,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.172.8)

कृतानुतापश्च यदा यदा पृच्छति वै गुरून् । तदैवोपदिशंत्यद्धा ज्ञानं संसारमोचकम् ॥

kṛtānutāpaśca yadā yadā pṛcchati vai gurūn tadaivopadiśantyaddhā jñānaṁ saṁsāramocakam

Whenever, filled with remorse, he questions his teachers, they at once truly impart the knowledge that liberates one from the round of rebirth.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.172.9)

यथा गंगा मनुष्याणां पापनाशस्य भाविनी । तथा मन्दसमुद्धारस्वभावाः साधवः स्मृताः ॥

yathā gaṅgā manuṣyāṇāṁ pāpanāśasya bhāvinī tathā mandasamuddhārasvabhāvāḥ sādhavaḥ smṛtāḥ

As the Ganga is known to destroy the sins of mankind, so too the saintly are known to be, by their very nature, uplifters of the lowly.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.172.10)

मा विचारय मां बोद्धुं दयालो भक्तवत्सल । शुश्रूषुत्वान्नतत्वाच्च शुद्धत्वात्तव संगतेः ॥

mā vicāraya māṁ boddhuṁ dayālo bhaktavatsala śuśrūṣutvānnatatvācca śuddhatvāttava saṅgateḥ

O compassionate one, O lover of your devotees, do not weigh and judge me. Through my willingness to serve, my humility, and the very purity of your company, I shall be purified.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.172.11)

इति व्याधवचः श्रुत्वा पुनर्विस्मितमानसः । साधुसाध्विति संभाष्य धर्मानेतानुवाच ह ॥

iti vyādhavacaḥ śrutvā punarvismitamānasaḥ sādhusādhviti saṁbhāṣya dharmānetānuvāca ha

Hearing these words of the hunter, the sage was once more astonished. Saying, 'Well said, well said,' he began to speak of these observances.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.172.12)

शंख उवाच । विष्णुप्रीतिकरान्दिव्यान्संसाराब्धिविमोचकान् । कुरु धर्मांश्च वैशाखे यदि व्याध शमिच्छसि ॥

śaṅkha uvāca viṣṇuprītikarāndivyānsaṁsārābdhivimocakān kuru dharmāṁśca vaiśākhe yadi vyādha śamicchasi

Shankha said: O hunter, if you desire peace, then in the month of Vaishakha perform those divine observances that please Vishnu and free one from the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.172.13)

आतपो बाधते घोरो न च्छाया नांबु चात्र च । तस्मात्स्थलांतरं यावो यत्र च्छाया तु वर्तते ॥

ātapo bādhate ghoro na cchāyā nāmbu cātra ca tasmātsthalāntaraṁ yāvo yatra cchāyā tu vartate

Fierce heat torments us here, and there is neither shade nor water. Let us therefore go to another place where shade may be found.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.172.14)

तत्र गत्वा जलं पीत्वा सुच्छायां च समाश्रितः । तत्र ते वर्णयिष्यामि माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम् ॥

tatra gatvā jalaṁ pītvā succhāyāṁ ca samāśritaḥ tatra te varṇayiṣyāmi māhātmyaṁ pāpanāśanam

Having gone there, drunk water, and taken refuge in good shade, there I shall describe to you this sin-destroying glory.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.172.15)

विष्णोर्माधवमासस्य यथादृष्टं यथाश्रुतम् । इत्युक्तो मुनिना तेन व्याधः प्राह कृताञ्जलिः ॥

viṣṇormādhavamāsasya yathādṛṣṭaṁ yathāśrutam ityukto muninā tena vyādhaḥ prāha kṛtāñjaliḥ

The glory of Vishnu's month of Madhava, just as I have seen and heard it. When the sage had spoken thus, the hunter, with joined palms, said —

Verse 16 (skanda.2.172.16)

इतो विदूरे सलिलं वर्तते च सरोवरे । कपित्थास्तत्र वै सन्ति फलभारेण पीडिताः ॥

ito vidūre salilaṁ vartate ca sarovare kapitthāstatra vai santi phalabhāreṇa pīḍitāḥ

Not far from here there is a lake with water, and there wood-apple trees stand, laden and bent with the weight of their fruit.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.172.17)

गच्छावस्तत्र संतुष्टिर्भविता नात्र संशयः । व्याधेनैवं समादिष्टस्तेन साकं ययौ मुनिः ॥

gacchāvastatra santuṣṭirbhavitā nātra saṁśayaḥ vyādhenaivaṁ samādiṣṭastena sākaṁ yayau muniḥ

Let us go there — satisfaction will surely be found. Thus directed by the hunter, the sage went along with him.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.172.18)

कियद्दूरं ततो गत्वा ददर्शाग्रे सरोवरम् । बककारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्रवाकोपशोभितम् ॥

kiyaddūraṁ tato gatvā dadarśāgre sarovaram bakakāraṇḍavākīrṇaṁ cakravākopaśobhitam

Having gone some distance, they saw ahead a lake thronged with herons and karandava ducks and graced with ruddy sheldrakes.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.172.19)

हंससारसक्रौंचाद्यैः समंतात्परिशोभितम् । कीचकैश्च सुघोषैश्च कूजितं भ्रमरैरपि ॥

haṁsasārasakraunycādyaiḥ samantātpariśobhitam kīcakaiśca sughoṣaiśca kūjitaṁ bhramarairapi

It was adorned on every side by swans, cranes, curlews and the like, and resounded with sweet-voiced bamboo groves and humming bees.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.172.20)

नक्रकच्छपमीनाद्यैर्वगाह्यं सुमनोहरम् । कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारपुंडरीकादिभिर्महत् ॥

nakrakacchapamīnādyairavagāhyaṁ sumanoharam kumudotpalakahlārapuṇḍarīkādibhirmahat

Fit to be entered by bathers, and inhabited by crocodiles, turtles, and fish, it was most delightful and vast with white lilies, blue lotuses, red lotuses and white lotuses.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.172.21)

शतपत्रैः कोकनदैः समन्तात्परिशोभितम् । पक्षिणां च कलारावैर्मुखरनयनोत्सवम् ॥

śatapatraiḥ kokanadaiḥ samantātpariśobhitam pakṣiṇāṁ ca kalārāvairmukharanayanotsavam

It was decked all about with hundred-petalled and red lotuses, resounding with the sweet cries of birds, a festival for the eyes.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.172.22)

तटे कीचकगुल्मैश्च तथा वृक्षैश्च शोभितम् । वटैः करंजैर्नीपैश्च चिंचिणीभिस्तथैव च ॥

taṭe kīcakagulmaiśca tathā vṛkṣaiśca śobhitam vaṭaiḥ karañjairnīpaiśca ciñciṇībhistathaiva ca

Its banks were beautiful with clumps of bamboo and with trees — banyan, karanja, kadamba, and tamarind alike.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.172.23)

निम्बप्लक्षप्रियालैश्च चम्पकैर्बकुलैः शुभैः । पुन्नागैस्तुम्बरैश्चैव कपित्थामलकैरपि ॥

nimbaplakṣapriyālaiśca campakairbakulaiḥ śubhaiḥ punnāgaistumbaraiścaiva kapitthāmalakairapi

It was graced too by neem, plaksha fig, priyala, champak, and lovely bakula trees, by punnaga and tumburu, by wood-apple and amalaka.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.172.24)

निष्पेषणैश्च जम्बूभिः समंतात्परिशोभितम् । वन्यमातंगसारंगवराहमहिषादिभिः ॥

niṣpeṣaṇaiśca jambūbhiḥ samantātpariśobhitam vanyamātaṅgasāraṅgavarāhamahiṣādibhiḥ

It was adorned all around with jambu trees crushed with fruit, and frequented by wild elephants, deer, boars, and buffaloes.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.172.25)

शशैश्च शल्लकैश्चैव गवयैरुपशोभितम् । खङ्गनाभिमृगाद्यैश्च व्याघ्रैः सिंहैर्वृकैरपि ॥

śaśaiśca śallakaiścaiva gavayairupaśobhitam khaṅganābhimṛgādyaiśca vyāghraiḥ siṁhairvṛkairapi

It was graced by hares and porcupines and wild oxen, by rhinoceroses and musk deer, and by tigers, lions, and wolves as well.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.172.26)

खरांतकैश्च शरभैश्च मरीभिः सुमण्डितम् । शाखाशाखांतरं शीघ्रं प्लवमानैः प्लवंगमैः ॥

kharāntakaiśca śarabhaiśca marībhiḥ sumaṇḍitam śākhāśākhāntaraṁ śīghraṁ plavamānaiḥ plavaṅgamaiḥ

It was well adorned with fierce sharabhas and with deer, and with monkeys leaping swiftly from branch to branch.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.172.27)

मार्जारैश्चैव भल्लूकैर्भीषणं रुरुभिस्तथा । झिल्लीशब्दैश्च क्रेंकारैः कीचकानां रवैस्तथा ॥

mārjāraiścaiva bhallūkairbhīṣaṇaṁ rurubhistathā jhillīśabdaiśca kreṅkāraiḥ kīcakānāṁ ravaistathā

With wildcats, bears, and ruru deer it was also fearsome, and it echoed with the chirring of crickets, harsh cries, and the creak of bamboo.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.172.28)

घोरवायुविनिर्घातदारुभारैः समन्वितम् । एतादृशं सरो दिव्यं व्याधेनैव प्रदर्शितम् ॥

ghoravāyuvinirghātadārubhāraiḥ samanvitam etādṛśaṁ saro divyaṁ vyādhenaiva pradarśitam

Laden with the weight of branches cracked by the violent gusting wind — such was the divine lake that the hunter himself showed to the sage.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.172.29)

ददर्श मुनिशार्दूलस्तृषया बाधितो भृशम् । स्नात्वा मध्याह्नवेलायां सरस्यस्मिन्मनोरमे ॥

dadarśa muniśārdūlastṛṣayā bādhito bhṛśam snātvā madhyāhnavelāyāṁ sarasyasminmanorame

That foremost of sages, greatly afflicted by thirst, beheld it, and at the midday hour bathed in that delightful lake.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.172.30)

वाससी परिधायाऽथ कृत्वा माध्याह्निकीः क्रियाः । देवपूजां ततः कृत्वा भुक्त्वा फलमतन्द्रितः ॥

vāsasī paridhāyā'tha kṛtvā mādhyāhnikīḥ kriyāḥ devapūjāṁ tataḥ kṛtvā bhuktvā phalamatandritaḥ

Putting on his garments, he performed the midday rites, then, having worshipped the deity, ate fruit without weariness.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.172.31)

व्याधोपनीतं सुस्वादु कपित्थं श्रमहारि च । सुखोपविष्टः पप्रच्छ व्याधं धर्मरतं पुनः ॥

vyādhopanītaṁ susvādu kapitthaṁ śramahāri ca sukhopaviṣṭaḥ papraccha vyādhaṁ dharmarataṁ punaḥ

Having eaten the delicious, fatigue-relieving wood-apple brought by the hunter, the sage, seated in comfort, again questioned the hunter, who was devoted to dharma —

Verse 32 (skanda.2.172.32)

किं वक्तव्यं मया ह्यद्य तवादौ धर्मतत्पर । धर्माश्च बहवः संति नानामार्गाः पृथग्विधाः ॥

kiṁ vaktavyaṁ mayā hyadya tavādau dharmatatpara dharmāśca bahavaḥ santi nānāmārgāḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ

O you devoted to dharma, what should I tell you first today? For dharmas are many, and of many separate kinds, according to their various paths.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.172.33)

तत्र वैशाखमासोक्ताः सूक्ष्मा अपि महार्थदाः । सर्वेषामेव जन्तूनामिहाऽमुत्र फलप्रदाः ॥

tatra vaiśākhamāsoktāḥ sūkṣmā api mahārthadāḥ sarveṣāmeva jantūnāmihā'mutra phalapradāḥ

Among these, the observances taught for the month of Vaishakha, though subtle, bestow great benefit, granting fruit to all creatures both here and hereafter.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.172.34)

यत्प्रष्टव्यं मनसि ते यच्चादौ तच्च पृच्छताम् । इत्युक्तो मुनिना तेन व्याधः प्रांजलिरब्रवीत् ॥

yatpraṣṭavyaṁ manasi te yaccādau tacca pṛcchatām ityukto muninā tena vyādhaḥ prāñjalirabravīt

Ask whatever is in your mind to ask, and whatever you wish to ask first. When the sage had said this, the hunter, with joined palms, spoke —

Verse 35 (skanda.2.172.35)

व्याध उवाच । केन वा कर्मणा चाऽऽसीद्व्याधजन्म तमोमयम् । केन वा चेदृशी बुद्धिः संगतिर्वा महात्मनः ॥

vyādha uvāca kena vā karmaṇā cā'sīdvyādhajanma tamomayam kena vā cedṛśī buddhiḥ saṅgatirvā mahātmanaḥ

The hunter said: By what deed did I come to this dark birth as a hunter? And by what cause have I gained such an understanding, and the company of a great soul?

Verse 36 (skanda.2.172.36)

एतच्चान्यत्समाचक्ष्व यदि मां मन्यसे प्रभो । इत्युक्तः पुनरप्याह शंखो नाम महामुनिः ॥

etaccānyatsamācakṣva yadi māṁ manyase prabho ityuktaḥ punarapyāha śaṅkho nāma mahāmuniḥ

Tell me this and more, O lord, if you deem me worthy. Thus addressed, the great sage named Shankha spoke again —

Verse 37 (skanda.2.172.37)

मेघगंभीरया वाचा स्मयमानमुखांबुजः । शंख उवाच । शाकले नगरे पूर्वं द्विजस्त्वं वेदपारगः ॥

meghagambhīrayā vācā smayamānamukhāmbujaḥ śaṅkha uvāca śākale nagare pūrvaṁ dvijastvaṁ vedapāragaḥ

With a voice deep as thunder-clouds, a smile upon his lotus face. Shankha said: In a former life you were a brahmin in the city of Shakala, learned in the entire Veda.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.172.38)

स्तम्बो नाम महातेजास्तथा श्रीवत्सगोत्रजः । तवेष्टा गणिका काचिदासीत्तत्संगदोषतः ॥

stambo nāma mahātejāstathā śrīvatsagotrajaḥ taveṣṭā gaṇikā kācidāsīttatsaṅgadoṣataḥ

You were named Stamba, of great splendour, born in the Shrivatsa lineage. You were devoted to a certain courtesan, and through the fault of that company,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.172.39)

त्यक्त्वा नित्यक्रिया नित्यं शूद्रवद्गृहमागतः । शून्याचारस्य दुष्टस्य परित्यक्तक्रियस्य च ॥

tyaktvā nityakriyā nityaṁ śūdravadgṛhamāgataḥ śūnyācārasya duṣṭasya parityaktakriyasya ca

You abandoned your daily rites and, like a shudra, came home each day — devoid of proper conduct, wicked, and having forsaken all your prescribed duties.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.172.40)

ब्राह्मणी च तदा चाऽऽसीद्भार्या कांतिमती तव । सा त्वां पर्यचरत्सुभ्रूः सवेश्यं ब्राह्मणाधमम् ॥

brāhmaṇī ca tadā cā'sīdbhāryā kāntimatī tava sā tvāṁ paryacaratsubhrūḥ savevyaṁ brāhmaṇādhamam

At that time your wife was a brahmin woman named Kantimati. That fair-browed lady waited upon you, though you were a degraded brahmin bound to a courtesan.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.172.41)

उभयोः क्षालयंती च पादांस्त्वत्प्रियकारिणी । उभयोरप्यधः शेते उभयोर्वचने रता ॥

ubhayoḥ kṣālayantī ca pādāṁstvatpriyakāriṇī ubhayorapyadhaḥ śete ubhayorvacane ratā

Seeking only your happiness, she washed the feet of you both, slept at the feet of you both, and was devoted to obeying the words of you both.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.172.42)

वेश्यया वार्यमाणाऽपि पातिव्रत्यव्रतस्थिता । एवं शुश्रूषयंत्या हि भर्तारं वेश्यया सह ॥

veśyayā vāryamāṇā'pi pātivratyavratasthitā evaṁ śuśrūṣayantyā hi bhartāraṁ veśyayā saha

Even when hindered by the courtesan, she remained firm in her vow of chastity. Thus serving her husband even alongside the courtesan,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.172.43)

जगाम सुमहान्कालो दुःखिताया महीतले । अपरस्मिन्दिने भर्ता माषं च मूलकान्वितम् ॥

jagāma sumahānkālo duḥkhitāyā mahītale aparasmindine bhartā māṣaṁ ca mūlakānvitam

A very long time passed for that sorrowing woman on this earth. Then one day your husband-self ate black gram mixed with radish,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.172.44)

अभक्षयच्छूद्रधर्मान्निष्पावांस्तिलमिश्रितान् । तदपथ्यमशित्वा तु वमंश्चैव विरेचयन् ॥

abhakṣayacchūdradharmānniṣpāvāṁstilamiśritān tadapathyamaśitvā tu vamaṁścaiva virecayan

and beans mixed with sesame — behaving as a shudra might. Having eaten this unwholesome food, he fell to vomiting and purging.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.172.45)

अपथ्याद्दारुणो रोगो व्यजायत भगंदरः । स दह्यमानो रोगेण दिवारात्रं तु भूरिशः ॥

apathyāddāruṇo rogo vyajāyata bhagandaraḥ sa dahyamāno rogeṇa divārātraṁ tu bhūriśaḥ

From that unwholesome food arose the terrible disease of fistula. Day and night he burned exceedingly from that ailment.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.172.46)

यावदास्ते गृहे वित्तं तावद्वेश्या च संस्थिता । गृहीत्वा तस्य सा वित्तं पश्चान्नोवास मंदिरे ॥

yāvadāste gṛhe vittaṁ tāvadveśyā ca saṁsthitā gṛhītvā tasya sā vittaṁ paścānnovāsa mandire

As long as wealth remained in the house, the courtesan too remained; but having taken his wealth, she afterward did not stay in his dwelling.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.172.47)

अन्यस्य पार्श्वमासाद्य गता घोरा सुनिर्घृणा । ततः स दीनवचनो व्याधिबाधासुपीडितः ॥

anyasya pārśvamāsādya gatā ghorā sunirghṛṇā tataḥ sa dīnavacano vyādhibādhāsupīḍitaḥ

That dreadful, utterly pitiless woman went off to another man's side. Then he, sorely afflicted by the torment of his illness, speaking piteously,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.172.48)

उक्तवान्स रुदन्भार्यां रुजा व्याकुलमानसः । परिपालय मां देवि वेश्याऽऽसक्तं सुनिष्ठुरम् ॥

uktavānsa rudanbhāryāṁ rujā vyākulamānasaḥ paripālaya māṁ devi veśyā'saktaṁ suniṣṭhuram

Weeping, his mind distraught with pain, he said to his wife: O lady, protect me, though I am one who clung to a courtesan and was utterly cruel to you.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.172.49)

न मयोपकृतं किंचित्त्वयि सुंदरि पावनि । को भार्यां प्रणतां पापो नानुमन्येत गर्हितः ॥

na mayopakṛtaṁ kiñcittvayi sundari pāvani ko bhāryāṁ praṇatāṁ pāpo nānumanyeta garhitaḥ

O beautiful, pure one, I have done nothing good for you. What sinner, however despicable, would fail to accept a devoted wife bowed before him?

Verse 50 (skanda.2.172.50)

स षंढो भविता भद्रे दश जन्मसु पंचसु । दिवारात्रं महाभागे निमदितः साधुभिर्जनैः ॥

sa ṣaṇḍho bhavitā bhadre daśa janmasu pañcasu divārātraṁ mahābhāge nimaditaḥ sādhubhirjanaiḥ

O gentle, most fortunate lady, whoever insults you shall be a eunuch through fifteen births, scorned day and night by the virtuous —

Verse 51 (skanda.2.172.51)

पापयोनिमवाप्स्यामि त्वां साध्वीमवमन्य वै । अहं क्रोधेन दग्धोऽस्मि तवापमानजेन वै ॥

pāpayonimavāpsyāmi tvāṁ sādhvīmavamanya vai ahaṁ krodhena dagdho'smi tavāpamānajena vai

I, having dishonoured you, a chaste and virtuous woman, shall attain a sinful womb. I am consumed by the wrath born of my own wrong to you.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.172.52)

एवं ब्रुवाणं भर्तारं कृताञ्जलिपुटाऽब्रवीत् । न दैन्यं भवता कार्यं न व्रीडा कांत मां प्रति ॥

evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ bhartāraṁ kṛtāñjaliputā'bravīt na dainyaṁ bhavatā kāryaṁ na vrīḍā kānta māṁ prati

To her husband speaking thus, she replied with joined palms: You need feel no distress, beloved, nor any shame before me.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.172.53)

न चाऽपि त्वयि मे क्रोधो येन दग्धो वदस्यथ । पुरा कृतानि पापानि दुःखानीह भवंति हि ॥

na cā'pi tvayi me krodho yena dagdho vadasyatha purā kṛtāni pāpāni duḥkhānīha bhavanti hi

Nor do I harbour any wrath toward you, that you say you are consumed by it. Sins committed in a former life become sorrows here indeed.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.172.54)

तानि या क्षमते साध्वी पुरुषो वा स उत्तमः । यन्मया पापया पापं कृतं वै पूर्वजन्मनि ॥

tāni yā kṣamate sādhvī puruṣo vā sa uttamaḥ yanmayā pāpayā pāpaṁ kṛtaṁ vai pūrvajanmani

That woman or man who forbears such things is the best of persons. It is I, a sinful woman, who committed sin in a former life —

Verse 55 (skanda.2.172.55)

तद्भुंजत्या न मे दुःखं न विषादः कथंचन । इत्येवमुक्त्वा भर्तारं सा सुभ्रूस्तमपालयत् ॥

tadbhuñjatyā na me duḥkhaṁ na viṣādaḥ kathañcana ityevamuktvā bhartāraṁ sā subhrūstamapālayat

In enduring it I feel no sorrow and no despair whatsoever. Having spoken thus to her husband, that fair-browed woman continued to care for him.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.172.56)

आनीय जनकाद्वित्तं बन्धुभ्यो वरवर्णिनी । क्षीरोदवासिनं देवं भर्त्तारं सा त्वचिंतयत् ॥

ānīya janakādvittaṁ bandhubhyo varavarṇinī kṣīrodavāsinaṁ devaṁ bharttāraṁ sā tvacintayat

That lovely woman, having brought wealth from her father and kinsmen, meditated upon the god who dwells in the ocean of milk as her true husband.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.172.57)

शोधयन्ती दिवारात्रौ पुरीषं मूत्रमेव च । नखेन कर्षती भर्त्तुः कृमीन्कष्टाच्छनैःशनैः ॥

śodhayantī divārātrau purīṣaṁ mūtrameva ca nakhena karṣatī bharttuḥ kṛmīnkaṣṭācchanaiḥśanaiḥ

Day and night she cleansed his stool and urine, and painstakingly, little by little, drew out the worms from her husband's wound with her nails.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.172.58)

न सा स्वपिति रात्रौ तु न दिवा वरवर्णिनी । भर्त्तुर्दुःखेन संतप्ता दुःखितेदमवोचत ॥

na sā svapiti rātrau tu na divā varavarṇinī bhartturduḥkhena saṁtaptā duḥkhitedamavocat

That lovely woman slept neither by night nor by day. Tormented by her husband's suffering, sorrowing, she said this —

Verse 59 (skanda.2.172.59)

देवाश्च पातु भर्तारं पितरो ये च विश्रुताः । कुर्वंतु रोगहीनं मे भर्त्तारं गतकल्मषम् ॥

devāśca pātu bhartāraṁ pitaro ye ca viśrutāḥ kurvantu rogahīnaṁ me bharttāraṁ gatakalmaṣam

May the gods protect my husband, and may the renowned ancestors too make my husband free of disease and free of stain.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.172.60)

चण्डिकायै प्रदास्यामि रक्तमांससमुद्भवम् । सुष्ठवन्नं माहिषोपेतं भर्त्तुरारोग्यहेतवे ॥

caṇḍikāyai pradāsyāmi raktamāṁsasamudbhavam suṣṭhavannaṁ māhiṣopetaṁ bharttorārogyahetave

For my husband's health, I shall offer to Chandika an oblation of flesh and blood, and fine food together with a buffalo.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.172.61)

मोदकान्कारयिष्यामि विघ्नेशाय महात्मने । मन्दवारे करिष्यामि चोपवासान्दशैव तु ॥

modakānkārayiṣyāmi vighneśāya mahātmane mandavāre kariṣyāmi copavāsāndaśaiva tu

I shall have sweets made for the great lord Vighnesha (Ganesha), and I shall keep ten fasts on Saturdays.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.172.62)

नोपभुंजामि मधुरं नोपभुंजामि वै घृतम् । तैलाभ्यंगविहीनाहं स्थास्ये नैवात्र संशयः ॥

nopabhuñjāmi madhuraṁ nopabhuñjāmi vai ghṛtam tailābhyaṅgavihīnāhaṁ sthāsye naivātra saṁśayaḥ

I shall eat nothing sweet, nor shall I take any ghee. I shall remain without oil massage — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.172.63)

जीवताद्रोगहीनोऽयं भर्त्ता मे शरदां शतम् । एवं सा व्याहरद्देवी वासरे वासरे गते ॥

jīvatādrogahīno'yaṁ bharttā me śaradāṁ śatam evaṁ sā vyāharaddevī vāsare vāsare gate

May this husband of mine live disease-free for a hundred autumns. Thus that devoted lady spoke, as day after day passed.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.172.64)

तदा चाऽऽगान्मुनिः कश्चिन्महात्मा देवलाह्वयः । वैशाखे मासि घर्मार्तः सायाह्ने तस्य वै गृहम् ॥

tadā cā'gānmuniḥ kaścinmahātmā devalāhvayaḥ vaiśākhe māsi gharmārtaḥ sāyāhne tasya vai gṛham

At that time, in the month of Vaishakha, a certain great sage named Devala, distressed by the heat, arrived at their house in the evening.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.172.65)

तदा वै भार्यया चोक्तं भिषग्वै गृहमागतः । तेन वै रोगहानिः स्यात्तस्याऽऽतिथ्यं करोम्यहम् ॥

tadā vai bhāryayā coktaṁ bhiṣagvai gṛhamāgataḥ tena vai rogahāniḥ syāttasyā'tithyaṁ karomyaham

Then the wife thought: a physician has come to our house — through him the disease will be cured; I shall offer him hospitality.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.172.66)

ज्ञात्वा त्वां धर्मविमुखं भिषग्व्याजेन वंचितः । पादावनेजनं कृत्वा तज्जलं मूर्ध्नि साक्षिपत् ॥

jñātvā tvāṁ dharmavimukhaṁ bhiṣagvyājena vañcitaḥ pādāvanejanaṁ kṛtvā tajjalaṁ mūrdhni sākṣipat

Knowing you to be turned away from dharma, she, deceived by his appearance of being a physician, washed his feet and sprinkled that water upon her own head.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.172.67)

पानकं च ददौ तस्मै घर्मार्ताय महात्मने । त्वयाऽनुमोदिता सायं घर्मतापनिवारकम् ॥

pānakaṁ ca dadau tasmai gharmārtāya mahātmane tvayā'numoditā sāyaṁ gharmatāpanivārakam

In the evening she gave that heat-stricken great soul a cooling drink to relieve the burning of the heat — and you too gave her your approval for this.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.172.68)

स प्रातरुदिते सूर्ये मुनिः प्रायाद्यथाऽऽगतः । अथ चाल्पेन कालेन सन्निपातोऽभवत्तव ॥

sa prātarudite sūrye muniḥ prāyādyathā'gataḥ atha cālpena kālena sannipāto'bhavattava

At sunrise the next morning, the sage departed as he had come. But then, in a short while, a feverish crisis of the humours overcame you.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.172.69)

त्रिकट्व्यां नीयमानायां भर्त्तांगुलिमखंडयत् । उभयोर्दंतयोः श्लेषः सहसा समपद्यत ॥

trikaṭvyāṁ nīyamānāyāṁ bharttāṅgulimakhaṇḍayat ubhayordantayoḥ śleṣaḥ sahasā samapadyata

As the bitter medicine was being administered, the husband bit his own finger, for suddenly his two jaws clenched shut together.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.172.70)

तत्खंडमंगुलेर्वक्त्रे स्थितं भर्तुः सुकोमलम् । खण्डयित्वागुलिं भर्ता पञ्चत्वमगमत्तदा ॥

tatkhaṇḍamaṅgulervaktre sthitaṁ bhartuḥ sukomalam khaṇḍayitvāguliṁ bhartā pañcatvamagamattadā

The tender severed piece of that finger remained lodged in your husband's mouth; and having bitten off his own finger, the husband then met his death.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.172.71)

शय्यायां सुमनोज्ञायां स्मरंस्तां पुंश्चली शुभाम् । मृतं विज्ञाय भर्त्तारं भार्या कांतिमती तव ॥

śayyāyāṁ sumanojñāyāṁ smaraṁstāṁ puṁścalī śubhām mṛtaṁ vijñāya bharttāraṁ bhāryā kāntimatī tava

Lying on that lovely couch and remembering that beautiful wanton woman even at the end — thus your husband died. Learning of her husband's death, your wife Kantimati,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.172.72)

विक्रीय चाऽपि वलयं गृहीत्वा चेन्धनं बहु । चक्रे चितिं तेन साध्वी मध्ये कृत्वा पतिं तदा ॥

vikrīya cā'pi valayaṁ gṛhītvā cendhanaṁ bahu cakre citiṁ tena sādhvī madhye kṛtvā patiṁ tadā

having sold her bracelets and procured much firewood, that chaste woman then built a funeral pyre, placing her husband at its centre.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.172.73)

अवगुह्य भुजाभ्यां च पादौ चाश्लिष्य पादयोः । मुखे मुखं विनिक्षिप्य हृदयं हृदये तथा ॥

avaguhya bhujābhyāṁ ca pādau cāśliṣya pādayoḥ mukhe mukhaṁ vinikṣipya hṛdayaṁ hṛdaye tathā

Embracing him with both arms, pressing her feet against his feet, placing mouth upon mouth and heart upon heart,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.172.74)

जघने जघनं देवी ह्यात्मानं सन्निवेश्य च । दाहयामास कल्याणी भर्तृदेहं रुजान्वितम् । आत्मना सह कल्याणी ज्वलिते जातवेदसि ॥

jaghane jaghanaṁ devī hyātmānaṁ sanniveśya ca dāhayāmāsa kalyāṇī bhartṛdehaṁ rujānvitam ātmanā saha kalyāṇī jvalite jātavedasi

and setting her hip against his hip, that goddess-like, auspicious woman positioned herself thus, and when the fire blazed up she burned her husband's disease-worn body together with her own.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.172.75)

विमुच्य देहं सहसा जगाम पतिं समालिंग्य मुरारिलोकम् । पानीयदानेन च माधवेऽस्मिन्पादावनेजादपि योगिगम्यम् ॥

vimucya dehaṁ sahasā jagāma patiṁ samāliṅgya murārilokam pānīyadānena ca mādhave'sminpādāvanejādapi yogigamyam

Casting off her body, embracing her husband, she went at once to the world of Murari — attaining, through the mere gift of water and the washing of a guest's feet in this month of Madhava, that abode which even yogis find hard to reach.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.172.76)

त्वमंतकाले गणिकाविचिंतया देहं त्यक्त्वा मुक्तसमस्तकिल्बिषः । जन्म व्याध्यं प्राप्यसे घोररूपं हिंसासक्तः सर्वदोद्वेगकारी ॥

tvamantakāle gaṇikāvicintayā dehaṁ tyaktvā muktasamastakilbiṣaḥ janma vyādhyaṁ prāpyase ghorarūpaṁ hiṁsāsaktaḥ sarvadodvegakārī

But you, at the hour of death, cast off your body thinking only of the courtesan; hence, though freed from every sin by that same gift of water, you attained this dreadful birth as a hunter — given to violence, ever a cause of dread to all.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.172.77)

दत्ता त्वया पानकस्याऽपि दाने मासेऽनुज्ञा माधवे साधुजाने । व्याधो जातस्तेन जाता सुबुद्धिर्धर्मान्प्रष्टुं सर्वसौख्यैकहेतून् ॥

dattā tvayā pānakasyā'pi dāne māse'nujñā mādhave sādhujāne vyādho jātastena jātā subuddhirdharmānpraṣṭuṁ sarvasaukhyaikahetūn

Yet since you granted permission for the gift of that cooling drink to the saintly man in the month of Madhava, though you were born a hunter, you were also endowed with the good sense to ask about the dharmas that alone are the cause of all happiness.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.172.78)

धृतं मूर्ध्ना पादशौचावशिष्टं जलं मुनेः सर्वपापापहारि । तेनेयं ते संगतिर्मे वनेऽस्मिन्यया भूयः संपदः सन्ततिश्च ॥

dhṛtaṁ mūrdhnā pādaśaucāvaśiṣṭaṁ jalaṁ muneḥ sarvapāpāpahāri tenaiyaṁ te saṅgatirme vane'sminyayā bhūyaḥ saṁpadaḥ santatiśca

The remaining water from the washing of the sage's feet, which removes all sin, was borne upon her head — and by that same merit you have gained this meeting with me in this forest, through which you shall again attain prosperity and good progeny.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.172.79)

इत्येतत्सर्वमाख्यातं पूर्वजन्मनि यत्कृतम् । कर्म पुण्यं पापकं च दृष्टं दिव्येन चक्षुषा ॥

ityetatsarvamākhyātaṁ pūrvajanmani yatkṛtam karma puṇyaṁ pāpakaṁ ca dṛṣṭaṁ divyena cakṣuṣā

Thus all this has been told — whatever deeds, both meritorious and sinful, you performed in your former birth, as seen by my divine sight.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.172.80)

गोप्यं वा ते प्रवक्ष्यामि यद्भवाञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छति । जाता ते चित्तशुद्धिर्वै स्वस्ति भूयान्महामते ॥

gopyaṁ vā te pravakṣyāmi yadbhavāñchrotumicchati jātā te cittaśuddhirvai svasti bhūyānmahāmate

Whatever you wish to hear, even if it be secret, I shall tell you. Your heart has now become pure — may all be well with you, O wise one.