Śunī-mokṣa-prāptiḥ — The Attainment of Liberation by the She-Dog

Verse 1 (skanda.2.178.1)

श्रुतदेव उवाच । तिथिष्वेतासु पुण्यासु द्वादशी सितपक्षिणी । वैशाखमासे राजेंद्र सर्वाघौघविनाशिनी ॥

śrutadeva uvāca tithiṣvetāsu puṇyāsu dvādaśī sitapakṣiṇī vaiśākhamāse rājendra sarvāghaughavināśinī

Shrutadeva said: Among these meritorious lunar days, O king of kings, the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha destroys the entire mass of sins.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.178.2)

किं दानैः किं तपोभिश्च किमुपोष्यैर्व्रतैश्च किम् । किमिष्टैश्चैव पूर्तैश्च द्वादशी यैर्न सेविता ॥

kiṁ dānaiḥ kiṁ tapobhiśca kimupoṣyairvrataiśca kim kimiṣṭaiścaiva pūrtaiśca dvādaśī yairna sevitā

What use are gifts, what use austerities, what use fasts and vows, what use even sacrifices and public works of merit, to those by whom this twelfth day was never observed?

Verse 3 (skanda.2.178.3)

गंगायामुपरागे तु यो दद्याद्गोसहस्रकम् । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति प्रातः स्नात्वा हरेर्दिने ॥

gaṅgāyāmuparāge tu yo dadyādgosahasrakam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti prātaḥ snātvā harerdine

Whatever fruit one obtains by donating a thousand cows in the Ganga during a solar eclipse, that very fruit is obtained simply by bathing at dawn on this day of Hari.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.178.4)

यद्दत्तं चाऽर्हते चाऽन्नं द्वादश्यां च सिते शुभे । सिक्थेसिक्थे भवेत्तस्य कोटिब्राह्मणभोजनम् ॥

yaddattaṁ cā'rhate cā'nnaṁ dvādaśyāṁ ca site śubhe siktheikthe bhavettasya koṭibrāhmaṇabhojanam

Whatever food is given to a worthy recipient on the auspicious bright twelfth day — in each single grain of it lies the merit of feeding a crore brahmins.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.178.5)

यो दद्यात्तिलपात्रं तु द्वादश्यां मधुसंयुतम् । निर्धूताऽखिलबंधस्तु विष्णुलोके महीयते ॥

yo dadyāttilapātraṁ tu dvādaśyāṁ madhusaṁyutam nirdhūtā'khilabandhastu viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whoever gives a vessel of sesame mixed with honey on the twelfth day, freed from every bond, is exalted in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.178.6)

एकादश्यां सिते पक्षे कुर्य्याज्जागरणं हरेः । स जीवन्नेव मुक्तः स्यात्तुष्टाः स्युः सर्वदेवताः ॥

ekādaśyāṁ site pakṣe kuryyājjāgaraṇaṁ hareḥ sa jīvanneva muktaḥ syāttuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ

Whoever keeps a night-vigil for Hari on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight becomes liberated while yet living, and all the deities become pleased with him.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.178.7)

कोटींदुसूर्यग्रहणे तीर्थान्युत्प्लाव्य यत्फलम् । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति प्रातः स्नात्वा हरेर्दिने ॥

koṭīndusūryagrahaṇe tīrthānyutplāvya yatphalam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti prātaḥ snātvā harerdine

Whatever fruit is gained by bathing at all the sacred crossings during a crore of lunar and solar eclipses, that very fruit is obtained by bathing at dawn on this day of Hari.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.178.8)

तुलस्याः कोमलैः पत्रैर्द्वादश्यां विष्णुमर्चयेत् । समस्तकुलमुद्धृत्य विष्णुलोकाऽधिपो भवेत् ॥

tulasyāḥ komalaiḥ patrairdvādaśyāṁ viṣṇumarcayet samastakulamuddhṛtya viṣṇulokā'dhipo bhavet

Whoever worships Vishnu with the tender leaves of tulsi on the twelfth day, having redeemed his entire lineage, becomes the master of Vishnu's world.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.178.9)

तुलसीपत्रपुष्पैश्च वैशाखेऽश्वत्थपूजनम् । पुष्पाद्यभावे धान्यैर्वा पूजयेन्मधुसूदनम् ॥

tulasīpatrapuṣpaiśca vaiśākhe'śvatthapūjanam puṣpādyabhāve dhānyairvā pūjayenmadhusūdanam

In Vaishakha, one should worship the ashvattha (peepal) tree with tulsi leaves and flowers. If flowers are unavailable, one should worship Madhusudana with grain instead. (Translator's note: the source text itself flags this verse as a 'kṣepaka' — a later interpolation into the received text.)

Verse 10 (skanda.2.178.10)

यमं पितॄन्गुरून्देवान्विष्णुमुद्दिश्य मानवः । माधवे शुक्लद्वादश्यां सोदकुंभं सदक्षिणम् ॥

yamaṁ pitṝngurūndevānviṣṇumuddiśya mānavaḥ mādhave śukladvādaśyāṁ sodakuṁbhaṁ sadakṣiṇam

A man who, directing his offering to Yama, the ancestors, the teachers, the gods, and Vishnu, on the bright twelfth of the month of Madhava, together with a water-pot and a fee,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.178.11)

दध्यन्नं चैव यो दद्यात्तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु । प्रयागे प्रत्यहं चैव कुर्याद्यः कोटिभोजनम् ॥

dadhyannaṁ caiva yo dadyāttasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu prayāge pratyahaṁ caiva kuryādyaḥ koṭibhojanam

gives curd-rice — hear the fruit of his merit. Whoever were to feed a crore brahmins every single day at Prayaga,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.178.12)

यावत्संवत्सरं पुण्यं षड्रसान्नैर्मनोरमैः । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति मधुशासनशासनात् ॥

yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ puṇyaṁ ṣaḍrasānnairmanoramaiḥ tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti madhuśāsanaśāsanāt

for a full year, with delightful food of all six flavours — that whole merit is obtained through the decree of the vanquisher of Madhu, from this single day alone.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.178.13)

शालिग्रामशिलादानं यः कुर्याद्द्वादशीदिने । वैशाखे शुक्लपक्षे तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥

śāligrāmaśilādānaṁ yaḥ kuryāddvādaśīdine vaiśākhe śuklapakṣe tu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever gives away a Shaligrama stone on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha is freed from every sin.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.178.14)

द्वादश्यां पयसा यस्तु स्नापयेन्मधुसूदनम् । राजसूयाऽश्वमेधाभ्यां यत्फलं परिजायते ॥

dvādaśyāṁ payasā yastu snāpayenmadhusūdanam rājasūyā'śvamedhābhyāṁ yatphalaṁ parijāyate

Whoever bathes Madhusudana with milk on the twelfth day gains the fruit that arises from both the Rajasuya and the Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.178.15)

त्रयोदश्यां यजेद्विष्णुं पयोदधिविमिश्रितैः । शर्करामधुभिर्द्रव्यैर्मधुसूदनप्रीतये ॥

trayodaśyāṁ yajedviṣṇuṁ payodadhivimiśritaiḥ śarkarāmadhubhirdravyairmadhusūdanaprītaye

On the thirteenth day, one should worship Vishnu, for the pleasure of Madhusudana, with substances mixed with milk, curd, sugar, and honey.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.178.16)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति गंगायां नाऽत्र संशयः । पंचामृतैश्च यो विष्णुं भक्त्या संस्नापयेद्विभुम् ॥

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti gaṅgāyāṁ nā'tra saṁśayaḥ pañcāmṛtaiśca yo viṣṇuṁ bhaktyā saṁsnāpayedvibhum

one obtains thereby the same fruit as bathing in the Ganga, of this there is no doubt. And whoever, with devotion, bathes the all-pervading Vishnu with the five nectars,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.178.17)

स सर्वकुलमुद्धृत्य विष्णुलोके महीयते । यो दद्यात्पानकं ह्यस्यां सायाह्ने प्रीतये हरेः ॥

sa sarvakulamuddhṛtya viṣṇuloke mahīyate yo dadyātpānakaṁ hyasyāṁ sāyāhne prītaye hareḥ

having redeemed his entire lineage, is exalted in Vishnu's world. Whoever, on this day, gives a cooling drink in the evening for Hari's pleasure,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.178.18)

जीर्णपापं जहात्याशु जीर्णां त्वचमिवोरगः । सायाह्ने चैव यो दद्यादुर्वारुकरसायनम् ॥

jīrṇapāpaṁ jahātyāśu jīrṇāṁ tvacamivoragaḥ sāyāhne caiva yo dadyādurvārukarasāyanam

casts off his accumulated sin at once, as a serpent sheds its old skin. And whoever, in the evening, gives the juice of a cucumber,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.178.19)

भवेन्मुक्तः कर्मबंधादुर्वारुकरसायनात् । इक्षुदण्डं चूतफलं दद्याद्द्राक्षाफलानि च ॥

bhavenmuktaḥ karmabandhādurvārukarasāyanāt ikṣudaṇḍaṁ cūtaphalaṁ dadyāddrākṣāphalāni ca

becomes freed from the bonds of karma through that gift of cucumber juice. Whoever gives a stalk of sugarcane, a mango, and grapes,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.178.20)

न विच्छित्तिः संततेः स्यात्तस्य वै शतपूरुषम् । यो दद्याद्गंधलेपं तु सायाह्ने द्वादशीदिने ॥

na vicchittiḥ saṁtateḥ syāttasya vai śatapūruṣam yo dadyādgandhalepaṁ tu sāyāhne dvādaśīdine

his line of descent shall not be broken for a hundred generations. Whoever, on the evening of the twelfth day, gives a fragrant unguent,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.178.21)

बाह्योपघातैः सकलैर्मुच्यते नाऽत्र संशयः । यत्किंचित्कुरुते पुण्यं द्वादश्यां राजसत्तम ॥

bāhyopaghātaiḥ sakalairmucyate nā'tra saṁśayaḥ yatkiñcitkurute puṇyaṁ dvādaśyāṁ rājasattama

he is freed from all external calamities, without doubt. O foremost of kings, whatever small merit is performed on the twelfth day,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.178.22)

माधवे तु सिते पक्षे तदक्षय्यफलं भवेत् । प्रख्यातिमस्या वक्ष्यामि येन जातेति भूमिप ॥

mādhave tu site pakṣe tadakṣayyaphalaṁ bhavet prakhyātimasyā vakṣyāmi yena jāteti bhūmipa

in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, becomes imperishable in its fruit. O king, now I shall tell how this day became renowned,

Verse 23 (skanda.2.178.23)

सर्वेषां सर्वपापघ्नीं सर्वमंगलदायिनीम् । पुरा काश्मीरदेशे तु द्विजो देवव्रताऽऽह्वयः ॥

sarveṣāṁ sarvapāpaghnīṁ sarvamaṅgaladāyinīm purā kāśmīradeśe tu dvijo devavratā'hvayaḥ

destroying every sin for all, bestowing every blessing. Long ago, in the land of Kashmir, there lived a brahmin named Devavrata.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.178.24)

तस्याऽऽसीन्मालिनी नाम तनया चारुरूपिणी । ददौ तां सत्यशीलाय विप्रवर्याय धीमते ॥

tasyā'sīnmālinī nāma tanayā cārurūpiṇī dadau tāṁ satyaśīlāya vipravarāya dhīmate

He had a daughter of beautiful form, named Malini. He gave her in marriage to a wise and excellent brahmin named Satyashila.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.178.25)

तामुद्वाह्य ययौ धीमान्स्वदेशं यवनाऽऽह्वयम् । रूपयौवनसंपन्ना तस्य नैव प्रियाऽभवत् ॥

tāmudvāhya yayau dhīmānsvadeśaṁ yavanā'hvayam rūpayauvanasaṁpannā tasya naiva priyā'bhavat

Having married her, that wise man returned to his own land, called Yavana. Though endowed with beauty and youth, she never became dear to him.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.178.26)

सदा विद्वेषसंयुक्तस्तस्यां तिष्ठति निष्ठुरः । नाऽन्यस्य कस्यचिद्द्वेष्टि तां विना नृपते पतिः ॥

sadā vidveṣasaṁyuktastasyāṁ tiṣṭhati niṣṭhuraḥ nā'nyasya kasyacidveṣṭi tāṁ vinā nṛpate patiḥ

He remained always full of aversion toward her, harsh in his conduct. O king, that husband harboured no ill will toward anyone else at all — only toward her.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.178.27)

तस्मिन्सा क्रोधसंयुक्ता वशीकरणलंपटा । अपृच्छत्प्रमदा राजन्यास्त्यक्ताः पतिभिः पुरा ॥

tasminsā krodhasaṁyuktā vaśīkaraṇalampaṭā apṛcchatpramadā rājanyāstyaktāḥ patibhiḥ purā

Enraged at him, she became consumed with a craving for a love-charm to subdue him. O king, she consulted women who had previously been forsaken by their own husbands.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.178.28)

ताभिरुक्ता तु सा भूप वश्यो भर्त्ता भविष्यति । अस्माकं प्रत्ययो जातो भर्तृत्यागावमानिनाम् ॥

tābhiruktā tu sā bhūpa vaśyo bharttā bhaviṣyati asmākaṁ pratyayo jāto bhartṛtyāgāvamāninām

O king, they told her: Your husband shall become subdued to your will. We ourselves, forsaken and dishonoured by our husbands, have already come to trust in this method.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.178.29)

प्रयुज्य भेषजं वश्यं नीता हि पतयः पुरा । योगिनीं त्वं तु गच्छाऽद्य दास्यते भेषजं शुभम् ॥

prayujya bheṣajaṁ vaśyaṁ nītā hi patayaḥ purā yoginīṁ tvaṁ tu gacchā'dya dāsyate bheṣajaṁ śubham

By employing a subduing potion in the past, our husbands were brought under our control. Go today to a certain yogini — she will give you a beneficial medicine.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.178.30)

न विकल्पस्त्वया कार्यो भविता दासवत्पतिः । योगिनीमंदिरे गत्वा तासां वाक्येन भूपते ॥

na vikalpastvayā kāryo bhavitā dāsavatpatiḥ yoginīmandire gatvā tāsāṁ vākyena bhūpate

You need not doubt it — your husband shall become like your very slave. O king, on their word, she went to the yogini's abode,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.178.31)

प्रसादमतुलं तस्या लेभे दुश्चारिणी सती । शतस्तंभसमायुक्तां कुटीं भेजे त्वरान्विता ॥

prasādamatulaṁ tasyā lebhe duścāriṇī satī śatastambhasamāyuktāṁ kuṭīṁ bheje tvarānvitā

and that ill-conducted woman obtained her matchless favour. Hastening on, she arrived at a hut supported by a hundred pillars,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.178.32)

सुविस्तृतां सुवर्चस्कां तथैवाऽयातयामिकाम् । प्रावृता दीर्घवस्त्रेण सन्निधिं तेन योगिनी ॥

suvistṛtāṁ suvarcaskāṁ tathaivā'yātayāmikām prāvṛtā dīrghavastreṇa sannidhiṁ tena yoginī

most spacious and radiant, and ever seeming freshly built. There, in that presence, was the yogini, draped in a long garment,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.178.33)

दीर्घाभिश्च सटाभिस्तु प्रावृता दीप्तिसंयुता । परिचारसमोपेता वीक्षमाणा शनैःशनैः ॥

dīrghābhiśca saṭābhistu prāvṛtā dīptisaṁyutā paricārasamopetā vīkṣamāṇā śanaiḥśanaiḥ

her form covered with long matted locks, luminous, attended by servants, slowly surveying all around her,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.178.34)

अक्षसूत्रकरा सा तु जपंती प्रार्थिता तया । ददौ वश्यकरं मंत्रं क्षोभकं प्रत्ययात्मकम् ॥

akṣasūtrakarā sā tu japantī prārthitā tayā dadau vaśyakaraṁ mantraṁ kṣobhakaṁ pratyayātmakam

a rosary in her hand, muttering her japa. Beseeched by that woman, she gave her a subduing incantation, a disturbing one, meant to inspire confidence.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.178.35)

ततः सा प्रणता भूत्वा दद्याद्द्रव्यांऽगुलीयकम् । वज्रमाणिक्यसंयुक्तमतिरक्तप्रभान्वितम् ॥

tataḥ sā praṇatā bhūtvā dadyāddravyāṅgulīyakam vajramāṇikyasaṁyuktamatiraktaprabhānvitam

Then she, bowing low, presented a costly ring, set with diamonds and rubies, glowing with the deepest red radiance,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.178.36)

मृदुकांचनसंयुक्तं भानुरश्मिसमद्युति । ततो दृष्ट्वा तु संतुष्टा पादस्थं चांगुलीयकम् ॥

mṛdukāñcanasaṁyuktaṁ bhānuraśmisamadyuti tato dṛṣṭvā tu saṁtuṣṭā pādasthaṁ cāṅgulīyakam

joined with soft gold, gleaming like the rays of the sun. Seeing that ring laid at her feet, she became pleased,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.178.37)

हृदयं च तया ज्ञातं तत्पतेरवमानजम् । तदोक्ता हि तया भूप तापस्याहितयुक्तया ॥

hṛdayaṁ ca tayā jñātaṁ tatpaterāvamānajam tadoktā hi tayā bhūpa tāpasyāhitayuktayā

and understood the pain in her heart, born of her husband's dishonouring of her. O king, that malicious ascetic woman then said to her —

Verse 38 (skanda.2.178.38)

चूर्णो रक्षान्वितो ह्येष सर्वभूतवशंकरः । चूर्णं भर्तरि संयुज्य रक्षां ग्रीवाश्रयां कुरु ॥

cūrṇo rakṣānvito hyeṣa sarvabhūtavaśaṁkaraḥ cūrṇaṁ bhartari saṁyujya rakṣāṁ grīvāśrayāṁ kuru

This powder, endowed with a protective charm, subdues every creature. Administer this powder to your husband, and wear a protective amulet around your own neck.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.178.39)

भविष्यति पतिर्वश्यो नाऽन्यां यास्यति सुन्दरीम् । नाऽप्रियं वदति क्वाऽपि दुश्चारिण्यास्तवाऽपि च ॥

bhaviṣyati patirvaśyo nā'nyāṁ yāsyati sundarīm nā'priyaṁ vadati kvā'pi duścāriṇyāstavā'pi ca

Your husband shall become subdued; he shall go to no other beautiful woman. Nor shall he ever speak unkindly to you either, O wayward one.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.178.40)

चूर्णरक्षां गृहीत्वा सा प्राप भर्तृगृहं पुनः । प्रदोषे पयसा युक्तश्चूर्णो भर्तरि योजितः ॥

cūrṇarakṣāṁ gṛhītvā sā prāpa bhartṛgṛhaṁ punaḥ pradoṣe payasā yuktaścūrṇo bhartari yojitaḥ

Taking the powder and the amulet, she returned again to her husband's house. In the evening, that powder, mixed with milk, was administered to her husband.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.178.41)

ग्रीवायां हि कृता रक्षा न विचारः कृतस्तया । तदा स पीतचूर्णस्तु भर्त्ता नृपवरोत्तम ॥

grīvāyāṁ hi kṛtā rakṣā na vicāraḥ kṛtastayā tadā sa pītacūrṇastu bharttā nṛpavarottama

With the amulet tied around her own neck, she gave the matter no further thought. O foremost of kings, that husband, having drunk the powder, then —

Verse 42 (skanda.2.178.42)

तच्चूर्णात्क्षयरोगोऽभूत्पतिः क्षीणो दिनेदिने । गुह्ये तु कृमयो जाता घोरा दुष्टव्रणोद्भवाः ॥

taccūrṇātkṣayarogo'bhūtpatiḥ kṣīṇo dinedine guhye tu kṛmayo jātā ghorā duṣṭavraṇodbhavāḥ

through that powder, contracted a wasting disease, growing weaker day by day. In his private parts arose dreadful worms, born of a festering, malignant sore.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.178.43)

दिनैः कतिपयै राजन्पत्युर्नैव व्यवस्थितिः । उवास स्वेच्छया साऽपि पुंश्चली दुष्टचारिणी ॥

dinaiḥ katipayai rājanpatyurnaiva vyavasthitiḥ uvāsa svecchayā sā'pi puṁścalī duṣṭacāriṇī

O king, within a few days her husband's condition became critical. And she, that wanton and ill-conducted woman, began to live entirely as she pleased.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.178.44)

हततेजास्ततो भर्ता तामुवाचाऽऽकुलेन्द्रियः । क्रन्दमानो दिवारात्रौ दासोऽस्मि तव शोभने ॥

hatatejāstato bharttā tāmuvācā'kulendriyaḥ krandamāno divārātrau dāso'smi tava śobhane

Her husband, his vitality destroyed, his senses in disarray, said to her, weeping day and night: O lovely one, I am your slave.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.178.45)

त्राहि मां शरणं प्राप्तं नेच्छेऽहमपरां स्त्रियम् । तत्तस्य विदितं ज्ञात्वा भीता सा मेदिनीपते ॥

trāhi māṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptaṁ nechhe'hamaparāṁ striyam tattasya viditaṁ jñātvā bhītā sā medinīpate

Save me, I have come for refuge; I desire no other woman. O king, realizing that he now knew of her deed, she grew afraid,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.178.46)

अलंकारकृते पत्युर्जीवनेच्छुर्न वै हिता । योगिनीं च ययौ शीघ्रं तस्यै सर्वं न्यवेदयत् ॥

alaṁkārakṛte patyurjīvanecchurna vai hitā yoginīṁ ca yayau śīghraṁ tasyai sarvaṁ nyavedayat

for the sake of her own ornaments, and desiring her husband's survival — though not truly out of kindness — she went quickly to the yogini and reported everything to her.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.178.47)

तया च भेषजं दत्तं द्वितीयं दाहशांतये । दत्ते च भेषजे तस्मिन्स्वस्थोऽभूत्तत्क्षणात्पतिः ॥

tayā ca bheṣajaṁ dattaṁ dvitīyaṁ dāhaśāntaye datte ca bheṣaje tasminsvastho'bhūttatkṣaṇātpatiḥ

She gave a second medicine to relieve his burning affliction. When that medicine was administered, the husband at once grew well.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.178.48)

तिष्ठत्युपपतिर्गेहे गृहकृत्याऽपदेशतः । सर्ववर्णसमुद्भूता जारास्तिष्ठंति वै गृहे ॥

tiṣṭhatyupapatirgehe gṛhakṛtyā'padeśataḥ sarvavarṇasamudbhūtā jārāstiṣṭhanti vai gṛhe

Yet still, under the pretext of household duties, a paramour remained residing in the house. Adulterous men born of every social class kept coming and staying in that house.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.178.49)

न किंचिद्वचने शक्तिर्भर्तुर्जाता कथंचन । ततस्तेनैव दोषेण सर्वांगेषु च जज्ञिरे ॥

na kiñcidvacane śaktirbharturjātā kathañcana tatastenaiva doṣeṇa sarvāṅgeṣu ca jajñire

The husband no longer had any power at all left in his speech. Then, from that very same taint, over his entire body there arose,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.178.50)

कृमयश्चास्थिभेत्तारः कालांतकयमोपमाः । तैर्नासाजिह्वयोश्चाऽऽसीच्छेदः कर्णद्वयस्य च ॥

kṛmayaścāsthibhettāraḥ kālāntakayamopamāḥ tairnāsājihvayoścā'sīcchedaḥ karṇadvayasya ca

bone-piercing worms, terrible as Kala, Antaka, and Yama themselves. Through them, his nose, tongue, and both ears were severed,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.178.51)

स्तनयोश्चांगुलीनां च पंगुत्वं चाऽपि चाऽऽगतम् । तेन पंचत्वमापन्ना गता नरकयातनाः ॥

stanayoścāṅgulīnāṁ ca paṅgutvaṁ cā'pi cā'gatam tena pañcatvamāpannā gatā narakayātanāḥ

and lameness came upon his chest and his fingers as well. Thereby he met his death, and went to the torments of hell.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.178.52)

ताम्रभांडे च सा दग्धाऽयुतानि दश पंच च । श्वानयोनिषु संजाता शतवारं पुनःपुनः ॥

tāmrabhāṇḍe ca sā dagdhā'yutāni daśa pañca ca śvānayoniṣu saṁjātā śatavāraṁ punaḥpunaḥ

And she was burned in a copper vessel for fifteen thousand years. Then she was born, over and over, a hundred times, into the womb of a dog,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.178.53)

छिन्ननासा छिन्नकर्णा कृमिमूर्द्धा निरंतरम् । छिन्नपुच्छा भग्नपादा ताडिता च गृहेगृहे ॥

chinnanāsā chinnakarṇā kṛmimūrddhā nirantaram chinnapucchā bhagnapādā tāḍitā ca gṛhegṛhe

noseless, earless, her head ever crawling with worms, tailless, with broken legs, beaten from house to house.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.178.54)

पश्चात्सौवीरदेशेषु पद्मबन्धोर्द्विजस्य च । दास्या गृहे शुनी जाता बहुदुःखसमाकुला ॥

paścātsauvīradeśeṣu padmabandhordvijasya ca dāsyā gṛhe śunī jātā bahuduḥkhasamākulā

Afterward, in the land of Sauvira, in the house of the maidservant of the brahmin Padmabandhu, she was born a she-dog, wracked with much suffering.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.178.55)

छिन्नकर्णा छिन्ननासा छिन्नपुच्छांघ्रिरातुरा । कृमिपूर्णशिरा नित्यं कृमियोनिश्च तिष्ठति ॥

chinnakarṇā chinnanāsā chinnapucchāṅghrirāturā kṛmipūrṇaśirā nityaṁ kṛmiyoniśca tiṣṭhati

earless, noseless, tailless, afflicted in her feet, her head ever crawling with worms, and her very genital passage remained infested with worms.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.178.56)

एवं त्रिंशद्गता वर्षा अस्मिञ्जन्मनि भूमिप । दैवात्कर्मविपाकेन वैशाखे मेषगे रवौ ॥

evaṁ triṁśadgatā varṣā asmiñjanmani bhūmipa daivātkarmavipākena vaiśākhe meṣage ravau

O king, thus thirty years passed in this birth. Then, by the working of fate, through the fruition of her karma, in Vaishakha, with the sun in Aries,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.178.57)

शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वादश्यां पद्मबंधोस्तनूद्भवः । नद्यां स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा सार्द्रवस्त्रो गृहं ययौ ॥

śuklapakṣe tu dvādaśyāṁ padmabaṁdhostanūdbhavaḥ nadyāṁ snātvā śucirbhūtvā sārdravastro gṛhaṁ yayau

on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, the son of Padmabandhu, having bathed in the river and become pure, returned home with his garments still wet.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.178.58)

तुलसीवेदिकां प्राप्य पादाववनिजे निजौ । वेदिकायामधो देशे सा शुनी स्वापमागता ॥

tulasīvedikāṁ prāpya pādāvavanije nijau vedikāyāmadho deśe sā śunī svāpamāgatā

Reaching the tulsi altar, he washed his own two feet there. In the spot beneath that altar, that she-dog lay sleeping.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.178.59)

प्राक्सूर्योदयवेलायां पादोदकपरिप्लुता । सद्यो ध्वस्ताऽशुभा जाता जातिस्मृतिरभूत्क्षणात् ॥

prāksūryodayavelāyāṁ pādodakapariplutā sadyo dhvastā'śubhā jātā jātismṛtirabhūtkṣaṇāt

At that hour before sunrise, drenched by the water from the washing of his feet, she was at once freed of all inauspiciousness, and in that same instant the memory of her former birth came upon her.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.178.60)

स्मृत्वा कर्म कृतं पूर्वं सा शुनी तापसं सदा । चुक्रोश करुणा दीना मुने त्राहीति वै पुनः ॥

smṛtvā karma kṛtaṁ pūrvaṁ sā śunī tāpasaṁ sadā cukrośa karuṇā dīnā mune trāhīti vai punaḥ

Remembering her former deed, that she-dog, piteous and pitiful, cried out again and again to that ascetic: O sage, save me!

Verse 61 (skanda.2.178.61)

स्वकर्म च मुनींद्राय स्मृत्वाचख्यौ भयाऽऽकुला । भर्तुर्विषप्रयोगं तु स्वस्य दुश्चरितं तथा ॥

svakarma ca munīndrāya smṛtvācakhyau bhayā'kulā bharturviṣaprayogaṁ tu svasya duścaritaṁ tathā

Filled with fear, recalling her own deed, she related everything to that foremost of sages' son — the poisoning of her husband, and her own wicked conduct as well.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.178.62)

याऽन्यापि युवती ब्रह्मन्भर्तुर्वश्यं समाचरेत् । वृथाधर्मा दुराचारा पच्यते ताम्रभाजने ॥

yā'nyāpi yuvatī brahmanbharturvaśyaṁ samācaret vṛthādharmā durācārā pacyate tāmrabhājane

O brahmin, whatever other young woman attempts to subdue her husband through such means — that vainly pious, ill-conducted woman is likewise cooked in a copper vessel.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.178.63)

भर्ता नाथो गुरुर्भर्ता भर्ता दैवतमुत्तमम् । विक्रियां कृत्य साध्वी सा कथं सुखमवाप्नुयात् ॥

bhartā nātho gururbhartā bhartā daivatamuttamam vikriyāṁ kṛtya sādhvī sā kathaṁ sukhamavāpnuyāt

The husband is one's protector, the husband is one's teacher, the husband is one's highest deity. Having wronged such a husband, how could any virtuous woman ever attain happiness?

Verse 64 (skanda.2.178.64)

तिर्यग्योनिशतं याति कृमिकोटिशतानि च । तस्माद्भूसुर कर्तव्यं स्त्रीभिर्भर्तुर्वचः सदा ॥

tiryagyoniśataṁ yāti kṛmikoṭiśatāni ca tasmādbhūsura kartavyaṁ strībhirbharturvacaḥ sadā

She passes through a hundred animal wombs and hundreds of crores of worm-wombs. Therefore, O brahmin, women must ever obey the word of their husbands.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.178.65)

साऽहं पश्ये पुनर्योनिं कुत्सितां यातनान्विताम् । यदि नोद्धरसे ब्रह्मन्नद्य त्वद्दृष्टिसंमुखाम् ॥

sā'haṁ paśye punaryoniṁ kutsitāṁ yātanānvitām yadi noddharase brahmannadya tvaddṛṣṭisaṁmukhām

O brahmin, if you do not deliver me today, right here before your very eyes, I shall again face a lowly, torment-filled birth.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.178.66)

तस्मादुद्धर मां ब्रह्मन्दुष्कृतां पापचारिणीम् । सुकृतस्य प्रदानेन वैशाखे शुक्लपक्षके ॥

tasmāduddhara māṁ brahmanduṣkṛtāṁ pāpacāriṇīm sukṛtasya pradānena vaiśākhe śuklapakṣake

Therefore, O brahmin, deliver me, wicked and sinful as I am, by the gift of the merit you have earned in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.178.67)

या कृता तु त्वया ब्रह्मन्द्वादशी पुण्यवर्द्धिनी । तस्यां त्वया कृतं पुण्यं स्नानदानान्नभोजनैः ॥

yā kṛtā tu tvayā brahmandvādaśī puṇyavarddhinī tasyāṁ tvayā kṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ snānadānānnabhojanaiḥ

O brahmin, the merit-increasing twelfth day that you have observed today, and whatever merit you have earned in it through bathing, giving, and the offering of food —

Verse 68 (skanda.2.178.68)

दुश्चारिण्या अपि ब्रह्मंस्तेन मुक्तिर्भविष्यति । यस्यां तु भूसुरः स्नातः स्वगृहे मनुजः किल ॥

duścāriṇyā api brahmaṁstena muktirbhaviṣyati yasyāṁ tu bhūsuraḥ snātaḥ svagṛhe manujaḥ kila

through that, O brahmin, liberation shall come even to me, wicked as I am. Indeed, on this day, if a brahmin bathes even at his own home,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.178.69)

सर्वतीर्थफलावाप्तिं लभते नाऽत्र संशयः । तप्तं दत्तं हुतं यत्र कृतं देवार्चनादि यत् ॥

sarvatīrthaphalāvāptiṁ labhate nā'tra saṁśayaḥ taptaṁ dattaṁ hutaṁ yatra kṛtaṁ devārcanādi yat

he obtains the fruit of every sacred crossing, of this there is no doubt. Whatever austerity, gift, oblation, and deity-worship is performed on the twelfth day,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.178.70)

तदक्षय्यफलं ज्ञेयं यत्कृतं द्वादशीदिने । एवंविधफलं यत्स्यात्तद्देहि सकलं मम ॥

tadakṣayyaphalaṁ jñeyaṁ yatkṛtaṁ dvādaśīdine evaṁvidhaphalaṁ yatsyāttaddehi sakalaṁ mama

should be known to bear imperishable fruit. Whatever fruit of this kind there may be, give it entirely to me.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.178.71)

द्वादश्यामुपवासेन त्रयोदश्यां तु पारणात् । यत्फलं स्यात्तदप्यद्धा तेन मुक्तिर्भविष्यति ॥

dvādaśyāmupavāsena trayodaśyāṁ tu pāraṇāt yatphalaṁ syāttadapyaddhā tena muktirbhaviṣyati

Whatever fruit truly comes from fasting on the twelfth day and breaking the fast on the thirteenth — by that too, liberation shall come to me.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.178.72)

दयां कुरु महाभाग दीनायां दीनवत्सल । दीननाथो जगन्नाथो युष्मन्नाथो जनार्दनः ॥

dayāṁ kuru mahābhāga dīnāyāṁ dīnavatsala dīnanātho jagannātho yuṣmannātho janārdanaḥ

O most fortunate one, O lover of the humble, show mercy to this humble creature. The lord of the humble, the lord of the universe, is Janardana, your own lord too.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.178.73)

तदीयास्तादृशा एव यथा राजा तथा प्रजाः । वैवस्वतपदध्वंसिन्परित्राहि सुदुःखिताम् ॥

tadīyāstādṛśā eva yathā rājā tathā prajāḥ vaivasvatapadadhvaṁsinparitrāhi sudukhitām

His devotees ought to be like him — as the king is, so his subjects should be. O you who shatter the very realm of Yama, deliver me, in my utter suffering.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.178.74)

त्वद्वारवासिनीं दीनां शुनीं मां दीनवत्सल । ब्रह्महत्यासहस्रं वा गोहत्यानां सहस्रकम् ॥

tvadvāravāsinīṁ dīnāṁ śunīṁ māṁ dīnavatsala brahmahatyāsahasraṁ vā gohatyānāṁ sahasrakam

O lover of the humble, I am but a humble dog dwelling at your very doorway. This auspicious day burns away even a thousand acts of brahmin-slaying or a thousand acts of cow-slaying,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.178.75)

अगम्यानां च कोटीश्च दहत्येव शुभा तिथिः । तस्यां कृतं महापुण्यं मह्यं दत्त्वा महामुने ॥

agamyānāṁ ca koṭīśca dahatyeva śubhā tithiḥ tasyāṁ kṛtaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ mahyaṁ dattvā mahāmune

and even crores of the sin of forbidden union. O great sage, having given the great merit earned on that day to me,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.178.76)

मामुद्धर समुद्विग्नां दीनां नाथ समुद्धर । अन्ते तुभ्यं द्विजेद्राय नमउक्तिं वदाम्यहम् ॥

māmuddhara samudvignāṁ dīnāṁ nātha samuddhara ante tubhyaṁ dvijedrāya namauktiṁ vadāmyaham

deliver me, so distraught and humble — O lord, deliver me. Finally, O foremost of brahmins, I offer you my salutation.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.178.77)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा शुनीमाह मुनेः सुतः । स्वकृतं जंतवोश्नंति सुखदुःखात्मकं शुनि ॥

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā śunīmāha muneḥ sutaḥ svakṛtaṁ jantavo'śnanti sukhaduḥkhātmakaṁ śuni

Hearing these words of hers, the sage's son said to the she-dog: O dog, creatures reap the fruit of their own deeds, whether pleasant or painful.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.178.78)

तस्मात्किमु त्वया कार्यं क्षुद्रया पापशीलया । यया भर्ता वशं नीतो रक्षाचूर्णादिभिर्द्विजः ॥

tasmātkimu tvayā kāryaṁ kṣudrayā pāpaśīlayā yayā bhartā vaśaṁ nīto rakṣācūrṇādibhirdvijaḥ

So what business is it of ours, with you, lowly and sinful in nature as you are, who subdued your own brahmin husband through amulets and powders and the like?

Verse 79 (skanda.2.178.79)

साधुभ्यो यत्कृतं पापं स्वस्य दुःखकरं भवेत् । साधुभ्यो यत्कृतं पुण्यं स्वस्य दुःखहरं भवेत् ॥

sādhubhyo yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ svasya duḥkhakaraṁ bhavet sādhubhyo yatkṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ svasya duḥkhaharaṁ bhavet

Whatever sin is committed against the virtuous becomes a cause of sorrow for oneself. Whatever merit is done for the virtuous becomes a remover of one's own sorrow.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.178.80)

उभयं भ्रंशतामेति पापेभ्यो यत्कृतं भवेत् । शर्करामिश्रितं क्षीरं काद्रवेयनिवेदितम् ॥

ubhayaṁ bhraṁśatāmeti pāpebhyo yatkṛtaṁ bhavet śarkarāmiśritaṁ kṣīraṁ kādraveyaniveditam

But both kinds — whatever is done for the wicked — come to failure alike; just as milk mixed with sugar, when offered to a serpent,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.178.81)

विषवृद्धिकरं दृष्टं एवं पापकरं भवेत । वदत्येवं मुनिसुते शुनी दुःखैकरूपिणी ॥

viṣavṛddhikaraṁ dṛṣṭaṁ evaṁ pāpakaraṁ bhaveta vadatyevaṁ munisute śunī duḥkhaikarūpiṇī

is seen only to increase its venom — in just the same way, merit given to a sinner only breeds further sin. When the sage's son had spoken thus, that she-dog, embodying nothing but sorrow,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.178.82)

पुनश्चुकोशोर्ध्वस्वरं तत्पित्रे बहुभाषिणी । पद्मबन्धो परित्राहि शुनी तद्द्वारवासिनीम् ॥

punaścukośordhvasvaraṁ tatpitre bahubhāṣiṇī padmabandho paritrāhi śunī taddvāravāsinīm

cried out again, loudly, at length, to his father: O Padmabandhu, save this she-dog who dwells at your own doorway.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.178.83)

त्वदुच्छिष्टाशिनी नित्यं त्वं पाहीति पुनःपुनः । स्त्रपोष्या ये हि वर्तंते गृहस्थस्य महात्मनः ॥

tvaducchiṣṭāśinī nityaṁ tvaṁ pāhīti punaḥpunaḥ strapoṣyā ye hi vartante gṛhasthasya mahātmanaḥ

I ever eat only what you leave, protect me — thus she cried again and again. Whatever creatures are, indeed, dependent for their sustenance upon a great-souled householder,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.178.84)

तेषामुद्धरणं कार्यमिति वेदविदां मतम् । चण्डाला वायसाश्चैव सारमेयाश्च नित्यशः ॥

teṣāmuddharaṇaṁ kāryamiti vedavidāṁ matam caṇḍālā vāyasāścaiva sārameyāśca nityaśaḥ

deserve to be delivered — this is the view of those learned in the Veda. Outcastes, crows, and dogs — these creatures, ever,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.178.85)

गृहस्थानां दयापात्रं प्रत्यहं बलिभोजिनः । अशक्तं नोद्धरेत्पोष्यं रोगाद्युपहतं यदि ॥

gṛhasthānāṁ dayāpātraṁ pratyahaṁ balibhojinaḥ aśaktaṁ noddharetpoṣyaṁ rogādyupahataṁ yadi

are worthy of a householder's daily compassion, being partakers of the offering-portion. If one fails to deliver a dependent creature that is weak or afflicted with disease,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.178.86)

सोऽधः पतेन्न संदेह इति वेदविदां मतम् ॥

so'dhaḥ patenna saṁdeha iti vedavidāṁ matam

such a person surely falls downward — of this there is no doubt — such is the view of those learned in the Veda.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.178.87)

कर्तारमेकं जगतां हि कर्ता कृत्वात्मना पाति समस्तजंतून् । दारादिरूपव्यपदेशतो हरिस्तस्मात्तदाज्ञा खलु पोष्यरक्षा ॥

kartāramekaṁ jagatāṁ hi kartā kṛtvātmanā pāti samastajantūn dārādirūpavyapadeśato haristasmāttadājñā khalu poṣyarakṣā

Hari, the sole creator of the universe, himself acting as the doer, protects all creatures under the guise of wife and other such forms. Hence protecting one's dependents is indeed his own command.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.178.88)

स्वपोष्यरक्षां परिहृत्य जंतुर्देवेन क्लृप्त्या यदि वर्ततेऽन्यधीः । स देवद्रोग्धा सकलस्य हंता कीनाशलोकाननु संप्रयाति ॥

svapoṣyarakṣāṁ parihṛtya janturdevena kḷptyā yadi vartate'nyadhīḥ sa devadrogdhā sakalasya hantā kīnāśalokānanu saṁprayāti

If any creature abandons the protection of its own dependents and, contrary to the arrangement ordained by God, holds another mindset, he becomes a betrayer of God, a destroyer of all, and proceeds to the world of Yama.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.178.89)

कर्तव्यत्वाद्दयालुत्वादेतामुद्धर दुर्मतिम् । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा दुःखार्ताया गृहे सुतः । निश्चक्राम गृहात्तूर्णं पद्मबंधुर्दयानिधिः ॥

kartavyatvāddayālutvādetāmuddhara durmatim iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā duḥkhārtāyā gṛhe sutaḥ niścakrāma gṛhāttūrṇaṁ padmabandhurdayānidhiḥ

Therefore, out of both duty and compassion, deliver this poor, wretched creature. Hearing these words of the anguished she-dog, spoken by his son within the house, Padmabandhu, that ocean of compassion, hastened out of the house at once.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.178.90)

किमेतदिति तां प्राह पुत्रः सर्वं न्यवेदयत् । स तु पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा तमेवं प्राह विस्मितः ॥

kimetaditi tāṁ prāha putraḥ sarvaṁ nyavedayat sa tu putravacaḥ śrutvā tamevaṁ prāha vismitaḥ

He asked her: What is this? The son related everything. Hearing his son's words, he, astonished, said this to him —

Verse 91 (skanda.2.178.91)

पद्मबन्धुरुवाच । ममात्मज कथं वाक्यमीदृशं व्याहृतं त्वया । न साधूनामिदं वाक्यं भवतीह वरानन ॥

padmabandhuruvāca mamātmaja kathaṁ vākyamīdṛśaṁ vyāhṛtaṁ tvayā na sādhūnāmidaṁ vākyaṁ bhavatīha varānana

Padmabandhu said: My son, how could you have uttered such a statement? O handsome one, this is not the kind of speech that befits the virtuous.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.178.92)

आत्मसौख्यकराः पापा भवंति परिभाविता । पश्य पुत्र जनाः सर्वे परोपकरणाय वै ॥

ātmasaukhyakarāḥ pāpā bhavanti paribhāvitā paśya putra janāḥ sarve paropakaraṇāya vai

Those who consider only their own comfort, when reflected upon, prove to be sinners. Behold, my son — all the noble things of this world exist purely for the benefit of others,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.178.93)

शशी सूर्योऽथ पवनो रजनी हुतभुग्जलम् । चंदनं पादपाः संतः परोपकरणे स्थिताः ॥

śaśī sūryo'tha pavano rajanī hutabhugjalam candanaṁ pādapāḥ santaḥ paropakaraṇe sthitāḥ

the moon, the sun, the wind, the night, fire, water, sandalwood, trees, and the virtuous — all stand devoted to the benefit of others.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.178.94)

अस्थिदानं कृतं पुत्र कृपया हि दधीचिना । देवानामुपकाराय ज्ञात्वा दैत्यान्महाबलान् ॥

asthidānaṁ kṛtaṁ putra kṛpayā hi dadhīcinā devānāmupakārāya jñātvā daityānmahābalān

My son, the sage Dadhichi, out of compassion, gave the gift of his own bones, doing so for the benefit of the gods when he learned of the mighty demons.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.178.95)

कपोताऽर्थे स्वमांसानि शिबिना भूभुजा पुरा । प्रदत्तानि महाभाग श्येनाय क्षुधितानि वै ॥

kapotā'rthe svamāṁsāni śibinā bhūbhujā purā pradattāni mahābhāga śyenāya kṣudhitāni vai

O most fortunate one, long ago King Shibi, for the sake of a dove, gave his own flesh, cut from his body, to a hungry hawk.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.178.96)

जीमूतवाहनो राजा पुराऽऽसीत्क्षितिमंडले । तेनाऽपि जीवितं दत्तं गरुडाय महात्मने ॥

jīmūtavāhano rājā purā'sītkṣitimaṇḍale tenā'pi jīvitaṁ dattaṁ garuḍāya mahātmane

There once lived, upon this circle of the earth, a king named Jimutavahana — he too offered his very life to the great-souled Garuda.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.178.97)

तस्माद्दयालुना भाव्यं भूसुरेण विपश्चिता । शुद्धे वर्षति देवस्तु किमशुद्धे न वर्षति ॥

tasmāddayālunā bhāvyaṁ bhūsureṇa vipaścitā śuddhe varṣati devastu kimaśuddhe na varṣati

Therefore a learned brahmin ought to be compassionate. Does the rain-god pour rain only upon the pure ground, and not upon the impure?

Verse 98 (skanda.2.178.98)

किन्न दीपयते चन्द्रश्चंडालानां गृहे सदा । तस्मादहं शुनीमेतां याचंतीं च पुनः पुनः ॥

kinna dīpayate candraścaṇḍālānāṁ gṛhe sadā tasmādahaṁ śunīmetāṁ yācantīṁ ca punaḥ punaḥ

Does not the moon shine, always, even upon the house of an outcaste? Therefore, this she-dog, who begs of us again and again,

Verse 99 (skanda.2.178.99)

उद्धरिष्ये निजैः पुण्यैः पंकमग्नां च गां यथा । इति पुत्रं निराकृत्य प्रतिजज्ञे महामतिः ॥

uddhariṣye nijaiḥ puṇyaiḥ paṅkamagnāṁ ca gāṁ yathā iti putraṁ nirākṛtya pratijajñe mahāmatiḥ

I shall deliver with my own merit — just as one rescues a cow sunk in mire. Thus, setting aside his son's objection, that wise-minded man made his vow —

Verse 100 (skanda.2.178.100)

दत्तं दत्तं महापुण्यं द्वादशीदिनसंभवम् । शुनि गच्छ हरेर्धाम निर्धूताऽखिलकल्मषा ॥

dattaṁ dattaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ dvādaśīdinasaṁbhavam śuni gaccha harerdhāma nirdhūtā'khilakalmaṣā

The great merit born of this twelfth day is given, given indeed. O she-dog, now go to the abode of Hari, cleansed of every stain.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.178.101)

तद्वाक्यात्सहसा भूप दिव्याऽऽभरणभूषिता । विमुच्य देहं जीर्णं तु दिव्यरूपधरा शुभा ॥

tadvākyātsahasā bhūpa divyā'bharaṇabhūṣitā vimucya dehaṁ jīrṇaṁ tu divyarūpadharā śubhā

O king, at once, through his very word, she became adorned with divine ornaments, and, casting off her decrepit body, took on a divine and auspicious form.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.178.102)

शताऽऽदित्यप्रभा जाता सावित्रीप्रतिमा यथा । जगामाऽऽमंत्र्य तं विप्रं द्योतयन्ती दिशो दश ॥

śatā'dityaprabhā jātā sāvitrīpratimā yathā jagāmā'maṁtrya taṁ vipraṁ dyotayantī diśo daśa

She shone with the radiance of a hundred suns, as though she were the very image of Savitri. Taking leave of that brahmin, she departed, illuminating all ten directions.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.178.103)

भुक्त्वा दिवि महाभोगान्पश्चाजाता महीतले । नरनारायणाद्देवादुर्वशीनाम नामतः ॥

bhuktvā divi mahābhogānpaścājātā mahītale naranārāyaṇāddevādurvaśīnāma nāmataḥ

After enjoying great pleasures in heaven, she was afterward born upon the earth, from the god Nara-Narayana, under the name Urvashi.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.178.104)

वैशाखशुद्धद्वादश्याः प्रभावेण वरांगना । देवानां च प्रिया जाता अप्सरस्त्वं च सा ययौ ॥

vaiśākhaśuddhadvādaśyāḥ prabhāveṇa varāṅganā devānāṁ ca priyā jātā apsarastvaṁ ca sā yayau

By the power of the bright twelfth of Vaishakha, that lovely woman became beloved of the gods, and attained the state of an apsara.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.178.105)

यद्योगिगम्यं हुतभुक्प्रकाशं वरं वरेण्यं परमार्थरूपम् । यत्प्राप्य सन्तोऽपि हि यांति मोहं तत्प्राप रूपं च शुनी हि देवी ॥

yadyogigamyaṁ hutabhukprakāśaṁ varaṁ vareṇyaṁ paramārtharūpam yatprāpya santo'pi hi yānti mohaṁ tatprāpa rūpaṁ ca śunī hi devī

That state which is attainable only by yogis, radiant as fire, the most excellent boon, of the very nature of the supreme reality — attaining which even saints fall into wonder — that very form was attained by the she-dog, now become a goddess.

Verse 106 (skanda.2.178.106)

पश्चात्स पद्मबंधुर्हि तां तिथिं पुण्यवर्द्धिनीम् । लोवेटीं ख्यापयामास मधुद्विट्प्राणवल्लभाम् ॥

paścātsa padmabandhurhi tāṁ tithiṁ puṇyavarddhinīm loveṭīṁ khyāpayāmāsa madhudviṭprāṇavallabhām

Thereafter, Padmabandhu made that merit-increasing lunar day, so dear as life itself to the foe of Madhu, renowned under the name 'Lavetī'.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.178.107)

कोटींदुसूर्यग्रहणाधिका सा समस्तरूपाधिकपुण्यरूपा । यज्ञैः समस्तैरतिरिच्यमाना द्विजेन ख्याता भुवनत्रये च ॥

koṭīndusūryagrahaṇādhikā sā samastarūpādhikapuṇyarūpā yajñaiḥ samastairatiricyamānā dvijena khyātā bhuvanatraye ca

Surpassing crores of lunar and solar eclipses, more meritorious in its very nature than every other form, exceeding even all sacrifices — that day was made renowned by that brahmin throughout the three worlds.