Svargadvāra-Gopratāra-tīrtha-māhātmya-varṇanam — The Glory of Svargadvara and Gopratara

Verse 1 (skanda.2.185.1)

अगस्त्य उवाच तस्मात्संगमतो विप्र पश्चिमे दिक्तटे स्थितम् सीताकुण्डमितिख्यातं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

agastya uvāca tasmātsaṁgamato vipra paścime diktaṭe sthitam sītākuṇḍamitikhyātaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

Agastya said: To the west of that confluence, O brahmin, is situated a pool known as Sita-kunda, granting the fruit of all desires,

Verse 2 (skanda.2.185.2)

यत्र स्नात्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते सीतया किल तत्कुण्डं स्वयमेव विनिर्मितम् रामेण वरदानाच्च महाफलनिधीकृतम्

yatra snātvā naro vipra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate sītayā kila tatkuṇḍaṁ svayameva vinirmitam rāmeṇa varadānācca mahāphalanidhīkṛtam

bathing in which, O brahmin, a man is freed from all sins; that pool was made by Sita herself, and, through Rama's granting of a boon, made into a treasury of great merit.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.185.3)

श्रीराम उवाच शृणु सीते प्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं भुवि यादृशम् त्वत्कुण्डस्यास्य सुभगे त्वत्प्रीत्या कथयाम्यहम्

śrīrāma uvāca śṛṇu sīte pravakṣyāmi māhātmyaṁ bhuvi yādṛśam tvatkuṇḍasyāsya subhage tvatprītyā kathayāmyaham

Shri Rama said: Listen, Sita, I shall tell you, out of love for you, what the greatness of this pool of yours shall be on earth, O fortunate one.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.185.4)

अत्र स्नानं च दानं च जपो होमस्तपोऽथवा सर्वमक्षयतां याति विधानेन शुचिस्मिते

atra snānaṁ ca dānaṁ ca japo homastapo’thavā sarvamakṣayatāṁ yāti vidhānena śucismite

O fair-smiling one, bathing, charity, japa, fire-oblation, or austerity performed here duly, all become imperishable.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.185.5)

मार्गकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां तत्र स्नानं विशेषतः सर्वपापहरं देवि सर्वदा स्नायिनां नृणाम्

mārgakṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṁ tatra snānaṁ viśeṣataḥ sarvapāpaharaṁ devi sarvadā snāyināṁ nṛṇām

On the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha, bathing there is especially, O goddess, ever a remover of all sin for men who bathe.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.185.6)

इति रामो वरं प्रादात्सीतायै च प्रजाप्रियः तदाप्रभृति सर्वत्र तत्तीर्थं भुवि वर्त्तते

iti rāmo varaṁ prādātsītāyai ca prajāpriyaḥ tadāprabhṛti sarvatra tattīrthaṁ bhuvi varttate

Thus Rama, dear to his subjects, granted this boon to Sita; and from then on, that ford has ever existed on earth.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.185.7)

सीताकुण्डमिति ख्यातं जनानां परमाद्भुतम् तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा नूनं राममवाप्नुयात्

sītākuṇḍamiti khyātaṁ janānāṁ paramādbhutam tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā nūnaṁ rāmamavāpnuyāt

Known as Sita-kunda, a supreme wonder to the people; a man, having bathed at that ford, surely attains Rama.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.185.8)

तत्र स्नानेन दानेन तपसा च विशेषतः गन्धैर्माल्यैर्धूपदीपैर्न्नानाविभवविस्तरैः रामं संपूज्य सीतां च मुक्तः स्यान्नात्र संशयः

tatra snānena dānena tapasā ca viśeṣataḥ gandhairmālyairdhūpadīpairnnānāvibhavavistaraiḥ rāmaṁ saṁpūjya sītāṁ ca muktaḥ syānnātra saṁśayaḥ

By bathing, charity and especially austerity there, and having worshipped Rama and Sita with scents, garlands, incense, lamps, and manifold offerings, one becomes liberated — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.185.9)

मार्गे मासि च स्नातव्यं गर्भवासो न जायते अन्यदापि नरः स्नात्वा विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

mārge māsi ca snātavyaṁ garbhavāso na jāyate anyadāpi naraḥ snātvā viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

One should bathe in the month of Margashirsha, so that rebirth in a womb does not occur; even at another time, a man, having bathed, goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.185.10)

विभोर्विष्णुहरेर्विप्र रम्ये पश्चिमदिक्तटे देवश्चक्रहरिर्नाम सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदः

vibhorviṣṇuharervipra ramye paścimadiktaṭe devaścakraharirnāma sarvābhīṣṭaphalapradaḥ

O brahmin, on the beautiful western bank of the mighty Vishnu-Hari is the god named Chakra-Hari, bestower of all desired fruits.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.185.11)

तस्य चक्रहरेर्विप्र महिमा न हि मानवैः शक्यो वर्णयितुं धीरैरपि बुद्धिमतां वरैः

tasya cakraharervipra mahimā na hi mānavaiḥ śakyo varṇayituṁ dhīrairapi buddhimatāṁ varaiḥ

O brahmin, the greatness of that Chakra-Hari cannot be described by men, even by the wise and the best among the intelligent.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.185.12)

ततः पश्चिमदिग्भागे नाम्ना पुण्यं हरिस्मृति विष्णोरायतनं ख्यातं परमार्थफलप्रदम् यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

tataḥ paścimadigbhāge nāmnā puṇyaṁ harismṛti viṣṇorāyatanaṁ khyātaṁ paramārthaphalapradam yasya darśanamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Then, to the west, is a sacred place called Hari-smriti, a renowned temple of Vishnu, granting the fruit of the highest good; by the mere sight of which one is freed from all sins.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.185.13)

तयोर्दर्शनतो यांति तेषां पापानि देहिनाम् तानि पापानि यावंति कुर्वते भुवि ये नराः

tayordarśanato yāṁti teṣāṁ pāpāni dehinām tāni pāpāni yāvaṁti kurvate bhuvi ye narāḥ

By the sight of these two, whatever sins embodied beings have committed — however many sins men on earth commit — depart.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.185.14)

पुरा देवासुरे जाते संग्रामे भृशदारुणे दैत्यैर्वरमदोत्सिक्तैर्देवा युधि पराजिताः

purā devāsure jāte saṁgrāme bhṛśadāruṇe daityairvaramadotsiktairdevā yudhi parājitāḥ

Of old, when a most terrible war arose between gods and asuras, the gods were defeated in battle by the daityas, intoxicated with the pride of their boons.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.185.15)

तेषां पलायमानानां देवानामग्रणीर्हरः संस्तभ्य चैव तान्सर्वान्पुरस्कृत्यांबुजासनम्

teṣāṁ palāyamānānāṁ devānāmagraṇīrharaḥ saṁstabhya caiva tānsarvānpuraskṛtyāṁbujāsanam

As they fled, Hara, the foremost of the gods, having rallied them all and placed the lotus-seated Brahma at the fore,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.185.16)

क्षीरोदशायिनं विष्णुं शेषपर्य्यंकशायिनम् लक्ष्म्योपविष्टं पार्श्वे च चरणांबुजहस्तया

kṣīrodaśāyinaṁ viṣṇuṁ śeṣaparyyaṁkaśāyinam lakṣmyopaviṣṭaṁ pārśve ca caraṇāṁbujahastayā

went to Vishnu, who reclines in the ocean of milk, who lies upon the couch of Shesha, with Lakshmi seated at his side, her hand upon his lotus feet,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.185.17)

नारदाद्यैर्मुनिवरैरुद्गीतगुणगौरवम् गरुडेन पुरःस्थेनानिशमंजलिना स्तुतम्

nāradādyairmunivarairudgītaguṇagauravam garuḍena puraḥsthenāniśamañjalinā stutam

his solemn glory sung aloud by Narada and other excellent sages, praised unceasingly by Garuda standing before him with joined palms,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.185.18)

क्षीराब्धिजलकल्लोलमदबिन्द्वंकिताम्बरम् तारकोत्करविस्फारतारहारविराजितम्

kṣīrābdhijalakallolamadabindvaṁkitāmbaram tārakotkaravisphāratārahāravirājitam

his garment marked with drops of foam from the billows of the ocean of milk, resplendent with a necklace of pearls sparkling like a multitude of stars,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.185.19)

पीतांबरमतिस्मेरविकाशद्भावभावितम् बिभ्रतं कुण्डलं स्थूलं कर्णाभ्यां मौक्तिकोज्ज्वलम्

pītāṁbaramatismeravikāśadbhāvabhāvitam bibhrataṁ kuṇḍalaṁ sthūlaṁ karṇābhyāṁ mauktikojjvalam

clad in yellow, embodying a mood of gently smiling, blossoming grace, wearing large earrings on both ears, brilliant with pearls,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.185.20)

रत्नवल्लीमिव स्वच्छां श्वेतद्वीपनिवासिनीम् किरीटं पद्मरागाणां वलयं दधतं परम्

ratnavallīmiva svacchāṁ śvetadvīpanivāsinīm kirīṭaṁ padmarāgāṇāṁ valayaṁ dadhataṁ param

bearing a supreme crown set with rubies, and, like a clear jeweled vine, Lakshmi, the dweller of Shvetadvipa, as his bracelet,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.185.21)

मित्रस्य राहुवित्रासनिवर्त्तनमिवापरम् सकौस्तुभप्रभाचक्रं बिभ्राणं प्रवलारुणम्

mitrasya rāhuvitrāsanivarttanamivāparam sakaustubhaprabhācakraṁ bibhrāṇaṁ pravalāruṇam

bearing, like another turning-back of the sun's terror of Rahu, the radiant discus with the light of the Kaustubha gem, deep red in hue,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.185.22)

परां चतुर्मुखोत्पत्तिकल्पसंकल्पनामिव शरणं स जगामाशु विनीतात्मा स्तुवन्निति

parāṁ caturmukhotpattikalpasaṁkalpanāmiva śaraṇaṁ sa jagāmāśu vinītātmā stuvanniti

as if bearing the supreme original resolve for the birth of the four-faced Brahma — humbly, praising him thus, he quickly went for refuge.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.185.23)

तस्मिन्नवसरे शंभुः सर्वदेवगणैः सह तुष्टाव प्रयतो भूत्वा विष्णुं जिष्णुं सुरद्विषाम्

tasminnavasare śaṁbhuḥ sarvadevagaṇaiḥ saha tuṣṭāva prayato bhūtvā viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇuṁ suradviṣām

On that occasion, Shambhu, together with all the hosts of gods, having become self-composed, praised Vishnu, the conqueror of the enemies of the gods.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.185.24)

ईश्वर उवाच संसारार्णवसंतारसुपर्णसुखदायिने मोह तीव्रतमो हारि चन्द्राय हरये नमः

īśvara uvāca saṁsārārṇavasaṁtārasuparṇasukhadāyine moha tīvratamo hāri candrāya haraye namaḥ

Ishvara said: Salutation to him who, like Garuda, grants the happy crossing of the ocean of transmigration; to the moon-like remover of the densest darkness of delusion, to Hari,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.185.25)

स्फुरत्संविन्मणिशिखां चित्तसंगतिचंद्रिकाम् प्रपद्ये भगवद्भक्तिमानसोद्यानवाहिनीम्

sphuratsaṁvinmaṇiśikhāṁ cittasaṁgaticaṁdrikām prapadye bhagavadbhaktimānasodyānavāhinīm

I take refuge in the moonlight-like flow of devotion to the Lord, the crest-jewel-flame of shining consciousness moving through the garden-grove of the mind,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.185.26)

हेलोल्लसत्समुत्साहशक्तिं व्याप्तजगत्त्रयाम् या पूर्वकोटिर्भावानां सत्त्वानां वैष्णवीति वा

helollasatsamutsāhaśaktiṁ vyāptajagattrayām yā pūrvakoṭirbhāvānāṁ sattvānāṁ vaiṣṇavīti vā

the power of joyous, playfully-arising zeal, pervading the three worlds, which is the primal source of all states of being, called the Vaishnavi power,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.185.27)

पवनांदोलितांभोजदलपर्वांतवर्त्तिनाम् पततामिव जन्तूनां स्थैर्यमेका हरिस्मृतिः

pavanāṁdolitāṁbhojadalaparvāṁtavarttinām patatāmiva jantūnāṁ sthairyamekā harismṛtiḥ

the remembrance of Hari alone is the only steadiness for creatures who are like drops of water at the swaying edge of a lotus-petal, about to fall.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.185.28)

नमः सूर्य्यात्मने तुभ्यं संवित्किरणमालिने हृत्कुशेशयकोषश्रीसमुन्मेषविधायिने

namaḥ sūryyātmane tubhyaṁ saṁvitkiraṇamāline hṛtkuśeśayakoṣaśrīsamunmeṣavidhāyine

Salutation to you, whose self is the sun, garlanded with rays of consciousness, who cause the beauty of the heart's lotus-bud to fully blossom,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.185.29)

नमस्तस्मै यमवते योगिनां गतये सदा परमेशाय वै पारे महसां तमसां तथा

namastasmai yamavate yogināṁ gataye sadā parameśāya vai pāre mahasāṁ tamasāṁ tathā

salutation to him who is self-controlled, the ever goal of yogis, the Supreme Lord, indeed beyond both light and darkness,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.185.30)

यज्ञाय भुक्तहविष ऋग्यजुःसामरूपिणे नमः सरस्वतीगीतदिव्यसद्गणशालिने

yajñāya bhuktahaviṣa ṛgyajuḥsāmarūpiṇe namaḥ sarasvatīgītadivyasadgaṇaśāline

to the sacrifice whose oblation is consumed, whose form is the Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas, salutation to him who is graced by the divine hosts of the truly good, sung of by Sarasvati,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.185.31)

शांताय धर्मनिधये क्षेत्रज्ञायामृतात्मने शिष्ययोगप्रतिष्ठाय नमो जीवैकहेतवे घोराय मायाविधये सहस्रशिरसे नमः

śāṁtāya dharmanidhaye kṣetrajñāyāmṛtātmane śiṣyayogapratiṣṭhāya namo jīvaikahetave ghorāya māyāvidhaye sahasraśirase namaḥ

to the tranquil one, the treasury of dharma, the knower of the field, of nectar-like self; salutation to him established through the yoga of disciples, the sole cause of the living being; salutation to the terrible one, the ordainer of maya, of a thousand heads,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.185.32)

योगनिद्रात्मने नाभिपद्मोद्भूतजगत्सृजे नमः सलिलरूपाय कारणाय जगत्स्थितेः

yoganidrātmane nābhipadmodbhūtajagatsṛje namaḥ salilarūpāya kāraṇāya jagatsthiteḥ

to him whose nature is yogic sleep, who creates the universe born from the lotus of his navel; salutation to him whose form is water, the cause of the world's continuance,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.185.33)

कार्यमेयाय बलिने जीवाय परमात्मने गोप्त्रे प्राणाय भूतानां नमो विश्वाय वेधसे

kāryameyāya baline jīvāya paramātmane goptre prāṇāya bhūtānāṁ namo viśvāya vedhase

to him who is understood through his effects, the mighty one, the individual soul, the Supreme Self; salutation to the protector, the life-breath of beings, the all-pervading ordainer of the universe,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.185.34)

दृप्ताय सिंहवपुषे दैत्यसंहारकारिणे वीर्यायानंतमनसे जगद्भावभृते नमः

dṛptāya siṁhavapuṣe daityasaṁhārakāriṇe vīryāyānaṁtamanase jagadbhāvabhṛte namaḥ

to the proud one of lion's form, the destroyer of daityas; salutation to valor itself, of infinite mind, the sustainer of the being of the world,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.185.35)

संसारकारणाज्ञानमहासंतमसच्छिदे अचिन्त्यधाम्ने गुह्याय रुद्रायात्युद्विजे नमः

saṁsārakāraṇājñānamahāsaṁtamasacchide acintyadhāmne guhyāya rudrāyātyudvije namaḥ

to him who cuts through the great darkness of the ignorance that causes transmigration; salutation to the inconceivable abode, the secret one, to Rudra, most awe-inspiring,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.185.36)

शान्ताय शान्तकल्लोलकैवल्यपददायिने सर्वभावातिरिक्ताय नमः सर्वमयात्मने

śāntāya śāntakallolakaivalyapadadāyine sarvabhāvātiriktāya namaḥ sarvamayātmane

to the tranquil one, giver of the state of kaivalya whose waves are peaceful; salutation to him who transcends all states of being, whose self is all things,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.185.37)

इन्दीवरदलश्यामं स्फूर्जत्किंजल्कविभ्रमम् बिभ्राणं कौस्तुभं विष्णुं नौमि नेत्ररसायनम्

indīvaradalaśyāmaṁ sphūrjatkiṁjalkavibhramam bibhrāṇaṁ kaustubhaṁ viṣṇuṁ naumi netrarasāyanam

I praise Vishnu, dark as the petal of the blue lotus, with the gleaming brilliance of its filaments, bearing the Kaustubha gem — the very elixir for the eyes.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.185.38)

अगस्त्य उवाच इति स्तुतः प्रसन्नात्मा वरदो गरुडध्वजः ववर्ष दृष्टिसुधया सर्वान्देवान्कृपान्वितः उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं प्रश्रयावनतान्सुरान्

agastya uvāca iti stutaḥ prasannātmā varado garuḍadhvajaḥ vavarṣa dṛṣṭisudhayā sarvāndevānkṛpānvitaḥ uvāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ praśrayāvanatānsurān

Agastya said: Thus praised, the Garuda-bannered one, gracious of spirit, the boon-giver, rained the nectar of his glance upon all the gods, filled with compassion, and spoke a gentle word to the gods bowed down in humility.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.185.39)

श्रीभगवानुवाच जानामि विबुधाः सर्वमभिप्रायं समाधितः दैतेयैर्विक्रमाक्रान्तं पदं समरदर्पितैः

śrībhagavānuvāca jānāmi vibudhāḥ sarvamabhiprāyaṁ samādhitaḥ daiteyairvikramākrāntaṁ padaṁ samaradarpitaiḥ

The Blessed Lord said: O gods, I know your whole intent through my meditation — that your position has been overrun by the might of the Daityas, arrogant from battle.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.185.40)

सबलैर्बलहीनानां प्रतापो विजितः परैः सांप्रतं तु विधास्यामि तपो युष्मद्बलाय वै

sabalairbalahīnānāṁ pratāpo vijitaḥ paraiḥ sāṁprataṁ tu vidhāsyāmi tapo yuṣmadbalāya vai

Your prowess, being weaker in strength, has been conquered by those stronger foes; but now I shall perform austerity for the sake of your strength.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.185.41)

अयोध्यानगरे गत्वा करिष्ये तप उत्तमम् गुप्तो भूत्वा भवत्तेजोविवृद्ध्यै दैत्यशान्तये

ayodhyānagare gatvā kariṣye tapa uttamam gupto bhūtvā bhavattejovivṛddhyai daityaśāntaye

Having gone to the city of Ayodhya, remaining hidden, I shall perform supreme austerity for the increase of your splendor and the pacification of the daityas.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.185.42)

भवन्तोऽपि तपस्तीव्रं कुर्वंत्वमलमानसाः अयोध्यां प्राप्यतां देवा दैत्यनाशाय सत्वरम्

bhavanto’pi tapastīvraṁ kurvaṁtvamalamānasāḥ ayodhyāṁ prāpyatāṁ devā daityanāśāya satvaram

You too, O gods, of stainless mind, should perform intense austerity; come quickly to Ayodhya for the destruction of the daityas.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.185.43)

अगस्त्य उवाच इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवान्देवो गरुडवाहनः अयोध्यामागतः क्षिप्रं चकार तप उत्तमम्

agastya uvāca ityuktvāṁtardadhe devāndevo garuḍavāhanaḥ ayodhyāmāgataḥ kṣipraṁ cakāra tapa uttamam

Agastya said: Having said this, the god borne by Garuda vanished from before the gods; having quickly come to Ayodhya, he performed supreme austerity.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.185.44)

गुप्तो भूत्वा यदा विद्वन्सुरतेजोभिवृद्धये तेन गुप्तहरिर्नाम देवो विख्यातिमागतः

gupto bhūtvā yadā vidvansuratejobhivṛddhaye tena guptaharirnāma devo vikhyātimāgataḥ

Since he became hidden, O learned one, for the increase of the gods' splendor, by that the god came to be renowned by the name Gupta-Hari.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.185.45)

आगतस्य हरेः पूर्वं यत्र हस्ततलाच्च्युतम् सुदर्शनाख्यं तच्चक्रं तेन चक्रहरिः स्मृतः

āgatasya hareḥ pūrvaṁ yatra hastatalāccyutam sudarśanākhyaṁ taccakraṁ tena cakrahariḥ smṛtaḥ

Since, when Hari had arrived, the discus named Sudarshana slipped from the palm of his hand there, by that he is remembered as Chakra-Hari.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.185.46)

तयोर्दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते हरस्तेन प्रभावेण देवाः प्रबलतेजसः

tayordarśanamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate harastena prabhāveṇa devāḥ prabalatejasaḥ

By the mere sight of these two, one is freed from all sins; and by that power, Hara and the gods, of overwhelming splendor,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.185.47)

जित्वा दैत्यान्रणैः सर्वान्संप्राप्य स्वपदान्यथ रेजिरे विपुलानंदैरसुरानार्दयंस्ततः

jitvā daityānraṇaiḥ sarvānsaṁprāpya svapadānyatha rejire vipulānaṁdairasurānārdayaṁstataḥ

having conquered all the daityas in battle and regained their own stations, shone with abundant joy, thereafter tormenting the asuras.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.185.48)

ततः सर्वे समेत्याशु बृहस्पतिपुरस्सराः देवाः सर्वेऽनमन्मौलिमालार्च्चित पदाम्बुजम् हरिं द्रष्टुमथागच्छन्नयोध्यायां समुत्सुकाः

tataḥ sarve sametyāśu bṛhaspatipurassarāḥ devāḥ sarve’namanmaulimālārccita padāmbujam hariṁ draṣṭumathāgacchannayodhyāyāṁ samutsukāḥ

Then all the gods, quickly assembling with Brihaspati at their head, bowed to him whose lotus feet are worshipped by the garlands from their crowns; and, eager, they came to Ayodhya to behold Hari.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.185.49)

आगत्य च ततः श्रुत्वा नानाविधगुणादरम् भावैः पुण्यैः समभ्यर्च्य नत्वा प्रांजलयस्तदा हरिमेकाग्रमनसा ध्यायन्तो ध्याननिष्ठिताः

āgatya ca tataḥ śrutvā nānāvidhaguṇādaram bhāvaiḥ puṇyaiḥ samabhyarcya natvā prāṁjalayastadā harimekāgramanasā dhyāyanto dhyānaniṣṭhitāḥ

Having come there, and having heard of his manifold excellent qualities with reverence, having worshipped him with pure devotion and bowed with joined palms, meditating upon Hari with one-pointed mind, established in that meditation,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.185.50)

तानागतान्समालोक्य पदभक्त्या कृतानतीन् प्रसन्नः प्राह विश्वात्मा पीतवासा जनार्दनः

tānāgatānsamālokya padabhaktyā kṛtānatīn prasannaḥ prāha viśvātmā pītavāsā janārdanaḥ

seeing them arrived and bowed down in devotion to his feet, the gracious Janardana, the Self of the universe, clad in yellow, spoke.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.185.51)

श्रीभगवानुवाच भोभो देवा भवन्तश्च चिराद्दिष्टयाद्यसंगताः अधुना भवतामिच्छां कां करोमि सुरा अहम् तद्ब्रूत त्वरिता मह्यं किं विलंबेन निर्भयाः

śrībhagavānuvāca bhobho devā bhavantaśca cirāddiṣṭayādyasaṁgatāḥ adhunā bhavatāmicchāṁ kāṁ karomi surā aham tadbrūta tvaritā mahyaṁ kiṁ vilaṁbena nirbhayāḥ

The Blessed Lord said: Ho, you gods! By good fortune you have come together today after so long; what wish of yours shall I now fulfill? Tell me quickly — why delay? Have no fear.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.185.52)

देवा ऊचुः भगवन्देवदेवेश त्वया संप्रति सर्वशः सर्वं समभवत्कार्यं निष्पन्नं वै जगत्पते

devā ūcuḥ bhagavandevadeveśa tvayā saṁprati sarvaśaḥ sarvaṁ samabhavatkāryaṁ niṣpannaṁ vai jagatpate

The gods said: Lord, god of the gods of gods, by you now, in every way, our whole task has indeed been accomplished, O Lord of the universe.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.185.53)

तथापि सर्वदा भाव्यं नित्यं देव त्वया विभो अस्मद्रक्षार्थमत्रैव विजितेन्द्रियवर्त्मना

tathāpi sarvadā bhāvyaṁ nityaṁ deva tvayā vibho asmadrakṣārthamatraiva vijitendriyavartmanā

Even so, mighty god, you must ever, eternally, remain right here in this manner of one whose senses are conquered, for the sake of protecting us,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.185.54)

एवमेव सदा कार्यं शत्रुपक्षविनाशनम्

evameva sadā kāryaṁ śatrupakṣavināśanam

and thus you should ever bring about the destruction of the enemy's side.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.185.55)

श्रीभगवानुवाच एवमेतत्करिष्यामि भवतामरिसंजयम् श्रीमतां तेजसो वृद्धिं करिष्यामि सदासुराः कथेयं च सदा ख्यातिं लोके यास्यति चोत्तमाम्

śrībhagavānuvāca evametatkariṣyāmi bhavatāmarisaṁjayam śrīmatāṁ tejaso vṛddhiṁ kariṣyāmi sadāsurāḥ katheyaṁ ca sadā khyātiṁ loke yāsyati cottamām

The Blessed Lord said: I shall indeed accomplish this — victory over your enemies; I shall ever increase the splendor of the glorious ones, O gods; and this tale shall ever attain supreme fame in the world.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.185.56)

अयं नाम्ना गुप्तहरिर्देवो भुवनविश्रुतः मदीयं परमं गुह्यं स्थानं ख्यातिं समेष्यति

ayaṁ nāmnā guptaharirdevo bhuvanaviśrutaḥ madīyaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ sthānaṁ khyātiṁ sameṣyati

This god, renowned throughout the world by the name Gupta-Hari, this my most secret place, shall attain fame.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.185.57)

अत्र यः प्राणिनां श्रेष्ठः पूजायज्ञजपादिकम् करोति परया भक्त्या स याति परमां गतिम्

atra yaḥ prāṇināṁ śreṣṭhaḥ pūjāyajñajapādikam karoti parayā bhaktyā sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whatever excellent being performs worship, sacrifice, japa and the like here with supreme devotion attains the highest goal.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.185.58)

अत्र यः कुरुते दानं यथाशक्त्या जितेन्द्रियः स स्वर्गमतुलं प्राप्य न शोचति कदाचन

atra yaḥ kurute dānaṁ yathāśaktyā jitendriyaḥ sa svargamatulaṁ prāpya na śocati kadācana

Whoever, self-controlled, gives charity here according to his ability, having attained incomparable heaven, never grieves.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.185.59)

अत्र मत्प्रीतये देवाः प्राणिभिर्धर्मकांक्षिभिः दातव्या गौः प्रयत्नेन सवत्सा विधिपूर्वकम्

atra matprītaye devāḥ prāṇibhirdharmakāṁkṣibhiḥ dātavyā gauḥ prayatnena savatsā vidhipūrvakam

Here, O gods, for my pleasure, a cow with her calf should be diligently given, according to rule, by beings desiring righteousness,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.185.60)

स्वर्णशृंगी रौप्यखुरी वस्त्रद्वयसमावृता कांस्योपदोहना ताम्रपृष्ठी बहुगुणान्विता

svarṇaśṛṁgī raupyakhurī vastradvayasamāvṛtā kāṁsyopadohanā tāmrapṛṣṭhī bahuguṇānvitā

one with golden horns, silver hooves, covered with a pair of cloths, milked into a bronze vessel, with a copper-colored back, endowed with many good qualities,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.185.61)

रत्नपुच्छा दुग्धवती घंटाभरणभूषिता अर्चिता गंधपुष्पाद्यैः सुप्रसन्नाऽमृतप्रजा

ratnapucchā dugdhavatī ghaṁṭābharaṇabhūṣitā arcitā gaṁdhapuṣpādyaiḥ suprasannā’mṛtaprajā

with a jeweled tail-ornament, giving milk, adorned with a bell-ornament, worshipped with scents and flowers, of gentle temperament, her offspring cherished like nectar,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.185.62)

द्विजाय वेदविज्ञाय गुणिने निर्मलात्मने विष्णुभक्ताय विदुषे आनृशंस्यरताय च

dvijāya vedavijñāya guṇine nirmalātmane viṣṇubhaktāya viduṣe ānṛśaṁsyaratāya ca

and should be given to a brahmin who knows the Vedas, virtuous, of stainless soul, devoted to Vishnu, learned, and devoted to kindness,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.185.63)

ब्राह्मणाय च गौर्देया सर्वत्रसुखमश्नुते न देया द्विजमात्राय दातारं सोऽवपातयेत्

brāhmaṇāya ca gaurdeyā sarvatrasukhamaśnute na deyā dvijamātrāya dātāraṁ so’vapātayet

the cow should be given to such a brahmin — the giver then enjoys happiness everywhere; it should not be given to just any brahmin, for an unworthy one would cause the giver's downfall.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.185.64)

मत्प्रीतयेऽत्र दातव्या निर्मलेनांतरात्मना

matprītaye’tra dātavyā nirmalenāṁtarātmanā

It should be given here, for my pleasure, with a pure inner soul.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.185.65)

स्नातं यैश्च विशुद्ध्यर्थमत्र मद्भक्तितत्परैः तेषां स्वर्गतयो नित्यं मुक्तिः करतले स्थिता

snātaṁ yaiśca viśuddhyarthamatra madbhaktitatparaiḥ teṣāṁ svargatayo nityaṁ muktiḥ karatale sthitā

Those who bathe here for the sake of purification, devoted to my worship — for them, the path to heaven, and indeed liberation, stand ready in the palm of their hand.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.185.66)

तथा चक्रहरेः पीठे मत्प्रीत्यै दानमुत्तमम् जपहोमादिकं चापि कर्त्तव्यं यत्नतो नरैः

tathā cakrahareḥ pīṭhe matprītyai dānamuttamam japahomādikaṁ cāpi karttavyaṁ yatnato naraiḥ

Likewise, at the seat of Chakra-Hari, excellent charity for my pleasure, and also japa, fire-oblation and the like, should be diligently performed by men.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.185.67)

भवन्तोऽपि विधानेन यात्रां कुर्वंतु सत्तमाः अस्माद्गुप्तहरेः स्थानान्निकटे संगमे शुभे

bhavanto’pi vidhānena yātrāṁ kurvaṁtu sattamāḥ asmādguptahareḥ sthānānnikaṭe saṁgame śubhe

You too, O excellent ones, should duly perform the pilgrimage near this place of Gupta-Hari, at the auspicious confluence,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.185.68)

प्रत्यग्भागे गोप्रताराद्योजनत्रयसंमिते घर्घरांबुतरंगिण्या सरयूः संगता यतः

pratyagbhāge gopratārādyojanatrayasaṁmite ghargharāṁbutaraṁgiṇyā sarayūḥ saṁgatā yataḥ

to the west of Gopratara, at a distance of three yojanas, where the Sarayu meets the wave-tossed waters of the Ghaghara.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.185.69)

अत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन द्रष्टव्योऽत्र प्रयत्नतः देवो गुप्तहरिर्नाम सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदः

atra snātvā vidhānena draṣṭavyo’tra prayatnataḥ devo guptaharirnāma sarvakāmārthasiddhidaḥ

Having duly bathed here, the god named Gupta-Hari, who grants the fulfillment of all desires and aims, should diligently be beheld here.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.185.70)

अगस्त्य उवाच इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवः पीताम्बरधरोऽच्युतः देवा अपि विधानेन कृत्वा यात्रां प्रयत्नतः अयोध्यायां स्थिता नित्यं हरेर्गुणविमोहिताः

agastya uvāca ityuktvāṁtardadhe devaḥ pītāmbaradharo’cyutaḥ devā api vidhānena kṛtvā yātrāṁ prayatnataḥ ayodhyāyāṁ sthitā nityaṁ harerguṇavimohitāḥ

Agastya said: Having said this, the imperishable god, clad in yellow, vanished; the gods too, having duly and diligently performed the pilgrimage, remained ever established in Ayodhya, enraptured by the virtues of Hari.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.185.71)

तदाप्रभृति विप्रेंद्र तत्स्थानं भुवि पप्रथे कार्तिक्यां तु विशेषेण यात्रा सांवत्सरी भवेत्

tadāprabhṛti vipreṁdra tatsthānaṁ bhuvi paprathe kārtikyāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa yātrā sāṁvatsarī bhavet

From then on, O chief of brahmins, that place became renowned on earth; especially on Kartika, the annual festival takes place.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.185.72)

विभोर्गुप्तहरेस्तत्र संगमस्नानपूर्विका गोप्रतारे च तीर्थेऽस्मिन्सरयूघर्घराश्रिते स्नात्वा देवोऽर्चनीयोऽयं सर्वकामफलप्रदः

vibhorguptaharestatra saṁgamasnānapūrvikā gopratāre ca tīrthe’sminsarayūghargharāśrite snātvā devo’rcanīyo’yaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ

There, preceded by bathing at the confluence of the mighty Gupta-Hari, and at this ford of Gopratara, resorted to by the Sarayu and Ghaghara, having bathed, this god, granting the fruit of all desires, should be worshipped.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.185.73)

तथा चक्रहरेर्यात्रा कर्त्तव्या सुप्रयत्नतः मार्गशार्षस्य विशदे पक्षे हरितिथौ नरैः

tathā cakrahareryātrā karttavyā suprayatnataḥ mārgaśārṣasya viśade pakṣe haritithau naraiḥ

Likewise, the pilgrimage to Chakra-Hari should be diligently performed by men in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, on the tithi sacred to Hari.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.185.74)

एवं यः कुरुते यात्रां विष्णुलोके स मोदते

evaṁ yaḥ kurute yātrāṁ viṣṇuloke sa modate

Whoever thus performs the pilgrimage rejoices in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.185.75)

श्रीसूत उवाच एवमुक्त्वा तु विरते मुनौ कलशजन्मनि कृष्णद्वैपायनो व्यासः पुनराह सविस्मयः

śrīsūta uvāca evamuktvā tu virate munau kalaśajanmani kṛṣṇadvaipāyano vyāsaḥ punarāha savismayaḥ

Shri Suta said: When the pot-born sage, having said this, fell silent, Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, filled with wonder, spoke again.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.185.76)

व्यास उवाच अत्याश्चर्य्यमयीं ब्रह्मन्कथामेतां तपोधन उक्तवानसि येनैतत्साश्चर्य्यं मम मानसम्

vyāsa uvāca atyāścaryyamayīṁ brahmankathāmetāṁ tapodhana uktavānasi yenaitatsāścaryyaṁ mama mānasam

Vyasa said: O brahmin, O ascetic, you have told this most wondrous tale, by which my mind is filled with wonder.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.185.77)

विस्तरेण मम ब्रूहि माहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम्

vistareṇa mama brūhi māhātmyaṁ paramādbhutam

Tell me at length this supremely wondrous greatness.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.185.78)

शृणु संगममाहात्म्यं विप्रेंद्र परमाद्भुतम् स्कन्ददेवाच्छ्रुतं सम्यक्कथयामि तथा तव

śṛṇu saṁgamamāhātmyaṁ vipreṁdra paramādbhutam skandadevācchrutaṁ samyakkathayāmi tathā tava

Listen, O chief of brahmins, to the supremely wondrous greatness of the confluence, which I heard well from the god Skanda, and which I now likewise tell you.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.185.79)

दशकोटिसहस्राणि दशकोटिशतानि च तीर्थानि सरयूनद्या घर्घरोदकसंगमे निवसंति सदा विप्र स्कन्दादवगतं मया

daśakoṭisahasrāṇi daśakoṭiśatāni ca tīrthāni sarayūnadyā ghargharodakasaṁgame nivasaṁti sadā vipra skandādavagataṁ mayā

Ten thousand crores and ten hundred crores of sacred fords ever dwell at the confluence of the Sarayu river with the water of the Ghaghara — this I learned from Skanda, O brahmin.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.185.80)

देवतानां सुराणां च सिद्धानां योगिनां तथा ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवानां च सान्निध्यं सर्वदा स्थितम्

devatānāṁ surāṇāṁ ca siddhānāṁ yogināṁ tathā brahmaviṣṇuśivānāṁ ca sānnidhyaṁ sarvadā sthitam

The presence of deities, gods, siddhas, and yogis, and likewise of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, ever abides there.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.185.81)

तस्मिन्संगमसलिले नरः स्नात्वा समाहितः संतर्प्य पितृदेवांश्च दत्त्वा दानं स्वशक्तितः

tasminsaṁgamasalile naraḥ snātvā samāhitaḥ saṁtarpya pitṛdevāṁśca dattvā dānaṁ svaśaktitaḥ

A man, having bathed with composed mind in that confluence water, having offered libations to the ancestors and gods, and given charity according to his ability,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.185.82)

हुत्वा वैष्णवमंत्रेण शुचिर्यत्फलमाप्नुयात् तदिहैकमना विप्र शृणु यत्कथयामि ते

hutvā vaiṣṇavamaṁtreṇa śuciryatphalamāpnuyāt tadihaikamanā vipra śṛṇu yatkathayāmi te

and having offered oblation with a Vaishnava mantra, being pure — whatever fruit he thereby obtains, listen here with one-pointed mind, O brahmin, to what I tell you.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.185.83)

अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य वाजपेयशतस्य च कुरुक्षेत्रे महाक्षेत्रे राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे

aśvamedhasahasrasya vājapeyaśatasya ca kurukṣetre mahākṣetre rāhugraste divākare

Of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred Vajapeya sacrifices, at the great sacred field of Kurukshetra, when the sun is seized by Rahu,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.185.84)

सुवर्णदाने यत्पुण्यमहन्यहनि तद्भवेत्

suvarṇadāne yatpuṇyamahanyahani tadbhavet

whatever merit arises from a gift of gold — that arises here day after day.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.185.85)

अमावास्यां पौर्णमास्यां द्वादश्योरुभयोरपि अयने च व्यतीपाते स्नानं वैष्णवलोकदम्

amāvāsyāṁ paurṇamāsyāṁ dvādaśyorubhayorapi ayane ca vyatīpāte snānaṁ vaiṣṇavalokadam

On the new moon, the full moon, both dvadashis, at the solstices, and at Vyatipata, bathing there grants the world of Vishnu.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.185.86)

तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्रं तु पादेनैकेन यः पुमान् विधिवत्संगमे स्नायात्पौष्यां तदविशेषतः

tiṣṭhedyugasahasraṁ tu pādenaikena yaḥ pumān vidhivatsaṁgame snāyātpauṣyāṁ tadaviśeṣataḥ

Whatever man might stand on one foot for a thousand yugas — that merit is not different from duly bathing at the confluence on the full moon of Pausha.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.185.87)

लंबतेऽवाक्छिरा यस्तु युगानामयुतं पुमान् स्नातानां शुचिभिस्तोयैः संगमे प्रयतात्मनाम्

laṁbate’vākchirā yastu yugānāmayutaṁ pumān snātānāṁ śucibhistoyaiḥ saṁgame prayatātmanām

Whatever man might hang head-downward for ten thousand yugas — that merit is not different from that of those who bathe in the pure waters of the confluence, self-controlled.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.185.88)

व्युष्टिर्भवति या पुंसां न सा क्रतुशतैरपि

vyuṣṭirbhavati yā puṁsāṁ na sā kratuśatairapi

The blessed result that comes to such men is not attained even by hundreds of sacrifices.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.185.89)

पौषे मासि विशेषेण स्नानं बहुफलप्रदम्

pauṣe māsi viśeṣeṇa snānaṁ bahuphalapradam

In the month of Pausha especially, bathing bestows abundant fruit.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.185.90)

पौषे मासि विशेषेण यः कुर्यात्स्नानमादृतः ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रो वा वर्णसंकरः स याति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्

pauṣe māsi viśeṣeṇa yaḥ kuryātsnānamādṛtaḥ brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdro vā varṇasaṁkaraḥ sa yāti brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṁ punarāvṛttivarjitam

Whoever, whether brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra, or of mixed caste, respectfully bathes especially in the month of Pausha, goes to the abode of Brahma, free from return to rebirth.

Verse 91 (skanda.2.185.91)

पौषे मासे तु यो दद्याद्घृताढ्यं दीपमुत्तमम् विधिवच्छ्रद्धया विप्र शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम्

pauṣe māse tu yo dadyādghṛtāḍhyaṁ dīpamuttamam vidhivacchraddhayā vipra śṛṇu tasyāpi yatphalam

And whoever, in the month of Pausha, duly and with faith offers an excellent lamp rich in ghee — hear, O brahmin, what fruit is his as well.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.185.92)

नानाजन्मार्जितं पापं स्वल्पं बह्वपि वा भवेत् तत्सर्वं नश्यति क्षिप्रं तोयस्थं लवणं यथा

nānājanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ svalpaṁ bahvapi vā bhavet tatsarvaṁ naśyati kṣipraṁ toyasthaṁ lavaṇaṁ yathā

Whatever sin has been acquired over many births, whether small or great, all of it is quickly destroyed, just as salt dissolves in water.

Verse 93 (skanda.2.185.93)

आयुरारोग्यमैश्वर्यं संततीः सौख्यमुत्तमम् प्राप्नोति फलदं नित्यं दीपदः पुण्यभाङ्नरः

āyurārogyamaiśvaryaṁ saṁtatīḥ saukhyamuttamam prāpnoti phaladaṁ nityaṁ dīpadaḥ puṇyabhāṅnaraḥ

The giver of the lamp, ever fruitful and blessed, obtains long life, health, prosperity, progeny, and supreme happiness.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.185.94)

यस्तु शुक्लत्रयोदश्यां पौषेऽत्र प्रयतो व्रती जागरं कुरुते धीरः स गच्छेद्भवनं हरेः

yastu śuklatrayodaśyāṁ pauṣe’tra prayato vratī jāgaraṁ kurute dhīraḥ sa gacchedbhavanaṁ hareḥ

Whoever, self-controlled and observing the vow, keeps vigil here on the thirteenth of the bright fortnight of Pausha, that wise one goes to the abode of Hari.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.185.95)

जागरं विदधद्रात्रौ दीपं दत्त्वा तु सर्वशः होमं च कारयेद्विप्रो नियतात्मा शुचिव्रतः

jāgaraṁ vidadhadrātrau dīpaṁ dattvā tu sarvaśaḥ homaṁ ca kārayedvipro niyatātmā śucivrataḥ

Keeping vigil through the night, having given a lamp in every respect, the brahmin, self-restrained and of pure vow, should also perform fire-oblation.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.185.96)

वैष्णवो विष्णुपूजां च कुर्वञ्छृण्वन्हरेः कथाम् गीतवादित्रनृत्यैश्च विष्णुतोषणकारकैः कथाभिः पुण्ययुक्ताभिर्जागृयाच्छर्वरीं नरः

vaiṣṇavo viṣṇupūjāṁ ca kurvañchṛṇvanhareḥ kathām gītavāditranṛtyaiśca viṣṇutoṣaṇakārakaiḥ kathābhiḥ puṇyayuktābhirjāgṛyāccharvarīṁ naraḥ

A Vaishnava, performing the worship of Vishnu and listening to the story of Hari, should keep awake through the night with song, instrumental music, and dance that please Vishnu, and with meritorious tales.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.185.97)

ततः प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा विधिवदादरात् विष्णुं संपूज्य विप्रांश्च देयं स्वर्णादि शक्तितः

tataḥ prabhāte vimale snātvā vidhivadādarāt viṣṇuṁ saṁpūjya viprāṁśca deyaṁ svarṇādi śaktitaḥ

Then, at the clear dawn, having duly and reverently bathed, and having worshipped Vishnu and the brahmins, gold and the like should be given according to one's ability.

Verse 98 (skanda.2.185.98)

स्वर्णं चान्नं च वासांसि यो दद्याच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः संगमे विधिवद्विद्वान्स याति परमां गतिम्

svarṇaṁ cānnaṁ ca vāsāṁsi yo dadyācchraddhayā’nvitaḥ saṁgame vidhivadvidvānsa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever, endowed with faith, duly gives gold, food and garments at the confluence, that wise one attains the highest goal.

Verse 99 (skanda.2.185.99)

वर्षेवर्षे तु कर्तव्यो जागरः पुण्यतत्परैः

varṣevarṣe tu kartavyo jāgaraḥ puṇyatatparaiḥ

This vigil should be observed year after year by those devoted to merit.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.185.100)

हरिः पूज्यो द्विजाः सम्यक्संतोष्याः शक्तितो नरैः तेन विष्णोः परा तुष्टिः पापानि विफलानि च भवंति निर्विषाः सर्पा यथा तार्क्ष्यस्य दर्शनात्

hariḥ pūjyo dvijāḥ samyaksaṁtoṣyāḥ śaktito naraiḥ tena viṣṇoḥ parā tuṣṭiḥ pāpāni viphalāni ca bhavaṁti nirviṣāḥ sarpā yathā tārkṣyasya darśanāt

Hari should be worshipped, and brahmins should be duly satisfied by men according to their ability; by that, Vishnu's supreme satisfaction is gained, and sins become powerless — just as serpents become venomless at the sight of Garuda.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.185.101)

तत्र स्नातो दिवं याति अत्र स्नातः सुखी भवेत

tatra snāto divaṁ yāti atra snātaḥ sukhī bhaveta

One who bathes there goes to heaven; one who bathes here becomes happy.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.185.102)

त्रिषु लोकेषु ये केचित्प्राणिनः सर्व एव ते तर्प्यमाणाः परां तृप्तिं यांति संगमजैर्जलैः

triṣu lokeṣu ye kecitprāṇinaḥ sarva eva te tarpyamāṇāḥ parāṁ tṛptiṁ yāṁti saṁgamajairjalaiḥ

Whatever beings there are in the three worlds, all of them, being offered libation, attain supreme satisfaction through the waters born of the confluence.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.185.103)

भूतानामिह सर्वेषां दुःखोपहतचेतसाम् गतिमन्वेषमाणानां न संगमसमा गतिः

bhūtānāmiha sarveṣāṁ duḥkhopahatacetasām gatimanveṣamāṇānāṁ na saṁgamasamā gatiḥ

For all beings here whose minds are stricken with sorrow, seeking a refuge, there is no refuge equal to the confluence.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.185.104)

सप्तावरान्सप्तपरान्पुरुषश्चात्मनासह पुंसस्तारयते सर्वान्संगमे स्नानमाचरन्

saptāvarānsaptaparānpuruṣaścātmanāsaha puṁsastārayate sarvānsaṁgame snānamācaran

A man, performing his ablutions at the confluence, saves all — seven generations before him, seven after him, together with himself.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.185.105)

जात्यंधैरिह ते तुल्यास्तथा पंगुभिरेव च समेत्यात्र च न स्नान्ति सरयूघर्घरसंगमे

jātyaṁdhairiha te tulyāstathā paṁgubhireva ca sametyātra ca na snānti sarayūghargharasaṁgame

Those who, having come here, do not bathe at the confluence of the Sarayu and the Ghaghara, are equal to men born blind, and likewise to the lame.

Verse 106 (skanda.2.185.106)

वर्णानां ब्राह्मणो यद्वत्तथा तीर्थेषु संगमः सरयूघर्घरायोगे वैष्णवस्थो नरः सदा

varṇānāṁ brāhmaṇo yadvattathā tīrtheṣu saṁgamaḥ sarayūghargharāyoge vaiṣṇavastho naraḥ sadā

As the brahmin is among the castes, so is the confluence among sacred fords; a man established in Vaishnava devotion at the meeting of the Sarayu and Ghaghara attains, always, the highest state.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.185.107)

अत्र स्नानेन दानेन यथा शक्त्या जितेंद्रियः होमेन विधिपुक्तेन नरः स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात्

atra snānena dānena yathā śaktyā jiteṁdriyaḥ homena vidhipuktena naraḥ svargamavāpnuyāt

By bathing and giving charity here according to his ability, self-controlled, and by fire-oblation duly performed, a man attains heaven.

Verse 108 (skanda.2.185.108)

नरो वा यदि वा नारी विधिवत्स्नानमाचरेत् स्वर्गलोकनिवासो हि भवेत्तस्य न संशयः

naro vā yadi vā nārī vidhivatsnānamācaret svargalokanivāso hi bhavettasya na saṁśayaḥ

Whether man or woman, whoever duly performs the bathing here — dwelling in the world of heaven shall indeed be theirs, without doubt.

Verse 109 (skanda.2.185.109)

यथा वह्निर्दहेत्सर्वं शुष्कमार्द्रमथापि वा भस्मीभवंति पापानि तत्समागममज्जनात्

yathā vahnirdahetsarvaṁ śuṣkamārdramathāpi vā bhasmībhavaṁti pāpāni tatsamāgamamajjanāt

Just as fire burns everything, whether dry or moist, so do sins turn to ashes by immersion at that confluence.

Verse 110 (skanda.2.185.110)

एकतः सर्वतीर्थानि नानाविधिफलानि वै सरयूघर्घरोत्पन्नसंगमस्त्वधिको भवेत्

ekataḥ sarvatīrthāni nānāvidhiphalāni vai sarayūghargharotpannasaṁgamastvadhiko bhavet

On one side, all the sacred fords with their manifold prescribed fruits; on the other, the confluence arising from the Sarayu and Ghaghara — this indeed is greater.

Verse 111 (skanda.2.185.111)

सर्वतीर्थावगाहस्य फलं यादृक्स्मृतं श्रुतौ तादृक्फलं नृणां सम्यग्भवेत्संगममज्जनात्

sarvatīrthāvagāhasya phalaṁ yādṛksmṛtaṁ śrutau tādṛkphalaṁ nṛṇāṁ samyagbhavetsaṁgamamajjanāt

Whatever fruit of bathing in all sacred fords is declared in the scriptures — that same fruit fully accrues to men from immersion at the confluence.

Verse 112 (skanda.2.185.112)

गोप्रताराभिधं तीर्थमपरं वर्ततेऽनघ सन्निधौ संगमस्यैव महापातकनाशनम्

gopratārābhidhaṁ tīrthamaparaṁ vartate’nagha sannidhau saṁgamasyaiva mahāpātakanāśanam

O sinless one, there is yet another ford named Gopratara, near that very confluence, a destroyer of great sins.

Verse 113 (skanda.2.185.113)

यत्र स्नानेन दानेन न शोचति नरः क्वचित् गोप्रतारसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति

yatra snānena dānena na śocati naraḥ kvacit gopratārasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

By bathing and giving charity there, a man never grieves; there has never been, nor shall there ever be, a ford equal to Gopratara.

Verse 114 (skanda.2.185.114)

वाराणस्यां यथा विद्वन्वर्त्तते मणिकर्णिका उज्जयिन्यां यथा विप्र महाकालनिकेतनम्

vārāṇasyāṁ yathā vidvanvarttate maṇikarṇikā ujjayinyāṁ yathā vipra mahākālaniketanam

As, O learned one, Manikarnika exists in Varanasi, and as, O brahmin, the abode of Mahakala exists in Ujjain,

Verse 115 (skanda.2.185.115)

नैमिषे चक्रवापी तु यथा तीर्थतमा स्मृता अयोध्यायां तथा विप्र गोप्रताराभिधं महत्

naimiṣe cakravāpī tu yathā tīrthatamā smṛtā ayodhyāyāṁ tathā vipra gopratārābhidhaṁ mahat

and as Chakravapi is remembered as the most excellent ford in Naimisha, so, O brahmin, in Ayodhya is the great ford named Gopratara,

Verse 116 (skanda.2.185.116)

यत्र रामाज्ञया विद्वन्साकेतनगरीजनाः अवापुः स्वर्गमतुलं निमज्ज्य परमांभसि

yatra rāmājñayā vidvansāketanagarījanāḥ avāpuḥ svargamatulaṁ nimajjya paramāṁbhasi

where, O learned one, by Rama's command, the people of the city of Saketa attained incomparable heaven, having plunged into the supreme waters.

Verse 117 (skanda.2.185.117)

व्यास उवाच अवापुस्ते कथं स्वर्गं साकेतनगरीजनाः कथं च राघवो विद्वन्नेतत्कथय सुव्रत

vyāsa uvāca avāpuste kathaṁ svargaṁ sāketanagarījanāḥ kathaṁ ca rāghavo vidvannetatkathaya suvrata

Vyasa said: How did the people of the city of Saketa attain heaven, and how did Raghava too? O learned one of good vows, tell me this.

Verse 118 (skanda.2.185.118)

अगस्त्य उवाच सावधानः शृणु मुने कथामेतां सुविस्तरात् यथाजगाम रामोऽसौ स्वर्गं स च पुरीजनः

agastya uvāca sāvadhānaḥ śṛṇu mune kathāmetāṁ suvistarāt yathājagāma rāmo’sau svargaṁ sa ca purījanaḥ

Agastya said: Listen attentively, O sage, to this tale at length — how that Rama, and the people of the city, went to heaven.

Verse 119 (skanda.2.185.119)

पुरा रामो विधायैव देवकार्य्यमतंद्रितः स्वर्गं गंतुं मनश्चक्रे भ्रातृभ्यां सह वीरधीः

purā rāmo vidhāyaiva devakāryyamataṁdritaḥ svargaṁ gaṁtuṁ manaścakre bhrātṛbhyāṁ saha vīradhīḥ

Formerly, Rama, untiring, having accomplished the task of the gods, that hero of resolute mind, made up his mind to go to heaven together with his brothers.

Verse 120 (skanda.2.185.120)

ततो निशम्य चारेण वानराः कामरूपिणः ऋक्षगोपुच्छरक्षांसि समुत्पेतुरनेकशः

tato niśamya cāreṇa vānarāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ ṛkṣagopuccharakṣāṁsi samutpeturanekaśaḥ

Then, having heard through a spy, the shape-shifting monkeys, the bears led by Gopuccha, and the rakshasas rose up in great numbers,

Verse 121 (skanda.2.185.121)

देवगंधर्वपुत्राश्च ऋषिपुत्राश्च वानराः रामक्षयं विदित्वा तु सर्व एव समागताः

devagaṁdharvaputrāśca ṛṣiputrāśca vānarāḥ rāmakṣayaṁ viditvā tu sarva eva samāgatāḥ

and the sons of gods and gandharvas, and the sons of sages who had become monkeys, having learned of Rama's departure, all came together.

Verse 122 (skanda.2.185.122)

ते राममनुगत्योचुः सर्वे वानरयूथपाः तवानुगमने राजन्संप्राप्ताः स्म इहानघ

te rāmamanugatyocuḥ sarve vānarayūthapāḥ tavānugamane rājansaṁprāptāḥ sma ihānagha

All those chiefs of the monkey troops, having followed Rama, said: 'O sinless king, we have come here to follow you.'

Verse 123 (skanda.2.185.123)

यदि राम विनास्माभिर्गच्छेस्त्वं पुरुषर्षभ सर्वे खलु हताः स्याम दण्डेन महता नृप

yadi rāma vināsmābhirgacchestvaṁ puruṣarṣabha sarve khalu hatāḥ syāma daṇḍena mahatā nṛpa

'If, O Rama, best of men, you should go without us, O king, we would surely all be as good as slain by that great punishment of separation.'

Verse 124 (skanda.2.185.124)

श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तेषामृक्षवानररक्षसाम् विभीषणमुवाचाथ राघवस्तत्क्षणं गिरा

śrutvā tu vacanaṁ teṣāmṛkṣavānararakṣasām vibhīṣaṇamuvācātha rāghavastatkṣaṇaṁ girā

Having heard the words of those bears, monkeys, and rakshasas, Raghava then at once spoke to Vibhishana in these words:

Verse 125 (skanda.2.185.125)

यावत्प्रजा धरिष्यंति तावदेव विभीषण कारयस्व महद्राज्यं लंकां त्वं पालयिष्यसि

yāvatprajā dhariṣyaṁti tāvadeva vibhīṣaṇa kārayasva mahadrājyaṁ laṁkāṁ tvaṁ pālayiṣyasi

'As long as living beings shall endure, so long, O Vibhishana, shall you administer that great kingdom; you shall rule Lanka.'

Verse 126 (skanda.2.185.126)

शाधि राज्यं च खल्वेतन्नान्यथा मे वचः कुरु प्रजास्त्वं रक्ष धर्मेण नोत्तरं वक्तुमर्हसि

śādhi rājyaṁ ca khalvetannānyathā me vacaḥ kuru prajāstvaṁ rakṣa dharmeṇa nottaraṁ vaktumarhasi

'Rule this kingdom indeed; do not act otherwise than my word. Protect your subjects with righteousness; you are not entitled to say anything in reply.'

Verse 127 (skanda.2.185.127)

एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थो हनुमंतमथाब्रवीत् वायुपुत्र चिरं जीव मा प्रतिज्ञां वृथा कृथाः

evamuktvā tu kākutstho hanumaṁtamathābravīt vāyuputra ciraṁ jīva mā pratijñāṁ vṛthā kṛthāḥ

Having said this, Kakutstha then said to Hanuman: 'O son of Vayu, live long; do not make your vow vain.'

Verse 128 (skanda.2.185.128)

यावल्लोका वदिष्यंति मत्कथां वानरर्षभ तावत्त्वं धारय प्राणान्प्रतिज्ञां प्रतिपालयन्

yāvallokā vadiṣyaṁti matkathāṁ vānararṣabha tāvattvaṁ dhāraya prāṇānpratijñāṁ pratipālayan

'As long as people shall tell my story, O bull among monkeys, so long shall you hold onto your life, keeping true to your vow.'

Verse 129 (skanda.2.185.129)

मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव अमृतप्राशनावुभौ यावल्लोका धरिष्यंति तावदेतौ धरिष्यतः

maindaśca dvividaścaiva amṛtaprāśanāvubhau yāvallokā dhariṣyaṁti tāvadetau dhariṣyataḥ

Mainda and Dvivida too, both of whom have drunk of ambrosia, shall likewise endure as long as the worlds endure.

Verse 130 (skanda.2.185.130)

पुत्रपौत्राश्च येऽस्माकं तान्रक्षन्त्विह वानराः एवमुक्त्वा तु काकुत्स्थः सर्वानथ च वानरान् मया सार्धं प्रयातेति तदा तान्राघवोऽब्रवीत्

putrapautrāśca ye’smākaṁ tānrakṣantviha vānarāḥ evamuktvā tu kākutsthaḥ sarvānatha ca vānarān mayā sārdhaṁ prayāteti tadā tānrāghavo’bravīt

'Let the monkeys here protect our sons and grandsons.' Having said this, Kakutstha then said to all the other monkeys: 'Come forth together with me' — thus Raghava spoke to them.

Verse 131 (skanda.2.185.131)

प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्य्यां पृथुवक्षा महाभुजः रामः कमलपत्राक्षः पुरोधसमथाब्रवीत्

prabhātāyāṁ tu śarvaryyāṁ pṛthuvakṣā mahābhujaḥ rāmaḥ kamalapatrākṣaḥ purodhasamathābravīt

When the night had turned to dawn, Rama, broad-chested, mighty-armed, lotus-petal-eyed, then spoke to his family priest,

Verse 132 (skanda.2.185.132)

अग्निहोत्राणि यांत्वग्रे दीप्यमानानि सर्वशः वाजपेयातिरात्राणि निर्यातु च ममाग्रतः

agnihotrāṇi yāṁtvagre dīpyamānāni sarvaśaḥ vājapeyātirātrāṇi niryātu ca mamāgrataḥ

'Let the sacred fires, blazing in every way, go before me; and let the merit of the Vajapeya and Atiratra sacrifices go forth before me.'

Verse 133 (skanda.2.185.133)

ततो वसिष्ठस्तेजस्वी सर्वं निश्चित्य चेतसा चकार विधिवत्कर्म महाप्रास्थानिकं विधिम्

tato vasiṣṭhastejasvī sarvaṁ niścitya cetasā cakāra vidhivatkarma mahāprāsthānikaṁ vidhim

Then the radiant Vasishtha, having determined everything in his mind, duly performed the rite of the great final departure.

Verse 134 (skanda.2.185.134)

ततः क्षौमाम्बरधरो ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः कुशानादाय पाणिभ्यां महाप्रस्थानमुद्यतः

tataḥ kṣaumāmbaradharo brahmacaryasamanvitaḥ kuśānādāya pāṇibhyāṁ mahāprasthānamudyataḥ

Then, clad in silk garments, observing celibacy, taking kusha grass in both hands, he prepared for the great departure.

Verse 135 (skanda.2.185.135)

न व्याहरच्छुभं किंचिदशुभं वा नरेश्वरः निष्क्रम्य नगरात्तस्मात्सागरादिव चंद्रमाः

na vyāharacchubhaṁ kiṁcidaśubhaṁ vā nareśvaraḥ niṣkramya nagarāttasmātsāgarādiva caṁdramāḥ

The lord of men uttered nothing, neither auspicious nor inauspicious, as he emerged from that city, like the moon from the ocean.

Verse 136 (skanda.2.185.136)

रामस्य सव्यपार्श्वे तु सपद्मा श्रीः समाश्रिता दक्षिणे ह्रीर्विशालाक्षी व्यवसायस्तथाग्रतः

rāmasya savyapārśve tu sapadmā śrīḥ samāśritā dakṣiṇe hrīrviśālākṣī vyavasāyastathāgrataḥ

On Rama's left side, Shri, lotus-bearing, took her place; on the right, wide-eyed Modesty; and Resolve went before him.

Verse 137 (skanda.2.185.137)

नानाविधायुधान्यत्र धनुर्ज्याप्रभृतीनि च अनुव्रजंति काकुत्स्थं सर्वे पुरुष विग्रहाः

nānāvidhāyudhānyatra dhanurjyāprabhṛtīni ca anuvrajaṁti kākutsthaṁ sarve puruṣa vigrahāḥ

There, his various weapons, beginning with his bow and bowstring, all in personified human form, followed Kakutstha.

Verse 138 (skanda.2.185.138)

वेदो ब्राह्मणरूपेण सावित्री सव्यदक्षिणे ॐकारोऽथ वषङ्कारः सर्वे रामं तदाऽव्रजन्

vedo brāhmaṇarūpeṇa sāvitrī savyadakṣiṇe oṁkāro’tha vaṣaṅkāraḥ sarve rāmaṁ tadā’vrajan

The Veda in the form of a brahmin, Savitri on his left and right, Omkara, and Vashatkara — all of these then followed Rama.

Verse 139 (skanda.2.185.139)

ऋषयश्च महात्मानः सर्वे चैव महीधराः अनुगच्छन्ति काकुत्स्थं स्वर्गद्वारमुपस्थितम्

ṛṣayaśca mahātmānaḥ sarve caiva mahīdharāḥ anugacchanti kākutsthaṁ svargadvāramupasthitam

The great-souled sages, and all the kings of the earth as well, followed Kakutstha as he approached Svargadvara.

Verse 140 (skanda.2.185.140)

तथानुयांति काकुत्स्थमंतःपुरगताः स्त्रियः सवृद्धाबालदासीकाः सपर्षद्द्वाररक्षकाः

tathānuyāṁti kākutsthamaṁtaḥpuragatāḥ striyaḥ savṛddhābāladāsīkāḥ saparṣaddvārarakṣakāḥ

Likewise the women of the inner apartments followed Kakutstha, together with the old, the young, the maidservants, the courtiers, and the door-keepers.

Verse 141 (skanda.2.185.141)

सान्तःपुरश्च भरतः शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ रामं व्रजंतमागम्य रघुवंशमनुव्रताः

sāntaḥpuraśca bharataḥ śatrughnasahito yayau rāmaṁ vrajaṁtamāgamya raghuvaṁśamanuvratāḥ

And Bharata, together with his household and with Shatrughna, went, having come to Rama as he departed, faithful to the lineage of Raghu.

Verse 142 (skanda.2.185.142)

ततो विप्रा महात्मानः साग्निहोत्राः समंततः सपुत्रदाराः काकुत्स्थमनुगच्छति सर्वशः

tato viprā mahātmānaḥ sāgnihotrāḥ samaṁtataḥ saputradārāḥ kākutsthamanugacchati sarvaśaḥ

Then the great-souled brahmins, with their sacred fires, on every side, together with their sons and wives, followed Kakutstha in every way.

Verse 143 (skanda.2.185.143)

मंत्रिणो भृत्ययुक्ताश्च सपुत्राः सहबांधवाः सर्वे ते सानुगाश्चैव ह्यनु गच्छंति राघवम्

maṁtriṇo bhṛtyayuktāśca saputrāḥ sahabāṁdhavāḥ sarve te sānugāścaiva hyanu gacchaṁti rāghavam

The ministers together with their servants, sons and kinsmen, all of them, along with their retinues, followed Raghava.

Verse 144 (skanda.2.185.144)

ततः सर्वाः प्रकृतयो हृष्टपुष्टजनावृताः गच्छंतमनुगच्छंतिराघवं गुणरंजिताः

tataḥ sarvāḥ prakṛtayo hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanāvṛtāḥ gacchaṁtamanugacchaṁtirāghavaṁ guṇaraṁjitāḥ

Then all the subjects, surrounded by joyful, thriving people, delighted by his virtues, followed Raghava as he went.

Verse 145 (skanda.2.185.145)

तथा प्रजाश्च सकलाः सपुत्राश्च सवबांधवाः राघवस्यानुगाश्चासन्दृष्ट्वा विगतकल्मषम्

tathā prajāśca sakalāḥ saputrāśca savabāṁdhavāḥ rāghavasyānugāścāsandṛṣṭvā vigatakalmaṣam

So too all the citizens, with their sons and all their kinsmen, having beheld him free of stain, became followers of Raghava,

Verse 146 (skanda.2.185.146)

स्नाताः शुक्लाम्बरधराः सर्वे प्रयतमानसाः कृत्वा किलकिलाशब्दमनुयाताश्च राघवम्

snātāḥ śuklāmbaradharāḥ sarve prayatamānasāḥ kṛtvā kilakilāśabdamanuyātāśca rāghavam

and, having bathed, clad in white garments, all self-composed, raising a joyous clamor, followed Raghava.

Verse 147 (skanda.2.185.147)

न कश्चित्तत्र दीनोऽभून्न भीतो नातिदुःखितः प्रहृष्टा मुदिताः सर्वे वभूवुः परमाद्भुताः

na kaścittatra dīno’bhūnna bhīto nātiduḥkhitaḥ prahṛṣṭā muditāḥ sarve vabhūvuḥ paramādbhutāḥ

No one there was wretched, or afraid, or greatly sorrowful; all became joyful, delighted, and filled with the greatest wonder.

Verse 148 (skanda.2.185.148)

द्रष्टुकामाश्च निर्वाणं राज्ञो जनपदास्तथा संप्राप्तास्तेऽपि दृष्ट्वैव नभोमार्गेण चक्रिणम्

draṣṭukāmāśca nirvāṇaṁ rājño janapadāstathā saṁprāptāste’pi dṛṣṭvaiva nabhomārgeṇa cakriṇam

And the people of the countryside too, desiring to see the king's passing, having arrived, beheld the discus-bearer going by the path of the sky.

Verse 149 (skanda.2.185.149)

ऋक्षवानररक्षांसि जनाश्च पुरवासिनः आगत्य परया भक्त्या पृष्ठतः समुपाययुः

ṛkṣavānararakṣāṁsi janāśca puravāsinaḥ āgatya parayā bhaktyā pṛṣṭhataḥ samupāyayuḥ

The bears, monkeys and rakshasas, and the people dwelling in the city, having come with the utmost devotion, followed behind him.

Verse 150 (skanda.2.185.150)

तानि भूतानि नगरे ह्यन्तर्धानगतान्यपि राघवं तेऽप्यनुययुः स्वर्गद्वारमुपस्थितम्

tāni bhūtāni nagare hyantardhānagatānyapi rāghavaṁ te’pyanuyayuḥ svargadvāramupasthitam

Even those beings in the city who had become invisible also followed Raghava as he approached Svargadvara.

Verse 151 (skanda.2.185.151)

यानि पश्यंति काकुत्स्थं स्थावराणि चराणि च सत्त्वानि स्वर्गगमने मतिं कुर्वंति तान्यपि

yāni paśyaṁti kākutsthaṁ sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca sattvāni svargagamane matiṁ kurvaṁti tānyapi

Whatever moving and unmoving beings beheld Kakutstha — those beings too resolved upon going to heaven.

Verse 152 (skanda.2.185.152)

नासीत्सत्त्वमयोध्यायां सुसूक्ष्ममपि किंचन यद्राघवं नानुयाति स्वर्गद्वारमुपस्थितम्

nāsītsattvamayodhyāyāṁ susūkṣmamapi kiṁcana yadrāghavaṁ nānuyāti svargadvāramupasthitam

There was no being in Ayodhya, however subtle, that did not follow Raghava as he approached Svargadvara.

Verse 153 (skanda.2.185.153)

अथार्द्धयोजनं गत्वा नदीं पश्चान्मुखो ययौ सरयूं पुण्यसलिलां ददर्श रघुनंदनः

athārddhayojanaṁ gatvā nadīṁ paścānmukho yayau sarayūṁ puṇyasalilāṁ dadarśa raghunaṁdanaḥ

Then, having gone half a yojana, facing west, the joy of the house of Raghu beheld the river Sarayu of sacred waters.

Verse 154 (skanda.2.185.154)

अथ तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते तु ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः सर्वैः परिवृतो देवैर्ऋषिभिश्च महात्मभिः आययौ तत्र काकुत्स्थं स्वर्गद्वारमुपस्थितम्

atha tasminmuhūrte tu brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ sarvaiḥ parivṛto devairṛṣibhiśca mahātmabhiḥ āyayau tatra kākutsthaṁ svargadvāramupasthitam

Then, at that very moment, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, surrounded by all the gods and great-souled sages, came there to Kakutstha as he approached Svargadvara,

Verse 155 (skanda.2.185.155)

विमानशतकोटीभिर्दिव्याभिः सर्वतो वृतः दीपयन्सर्वतो व्योम ज्योतिर्भूतमनुत्तमम्

vimānaśatakoṭībhirdivyābhiḥ sarvato vṛtaḥ dīpayansarvato vyoma jyotirbhūtamanuttamam

surrounded on all sides by hundreds of millions of divine celestial cars, illuminating the sky on every side, himself an unsurpassed being of light.

Verse 156 (skanda.2.185.156)

स्वयंप्रभैश्च तेजोभिर्महद्भिः पुण्यकर्मभिः पुण्या वाता ववुस्तत्र गन्धवंतः सुखप्रदाः

svayaṁprabhaiśca tejobhirmahadbhiḥ puṇyakarmabhiḥ puṇyā vātā vavustatra gandhavaṁtaḥ sukhapradāḥ

By the great, self-luminous splendors of those of meritorious deeds, sacred, fragrant, pleasing breezes blew there,

Verse 157 (skanda.2.185.157)

सपुण्यपुष्पवर्षं च वायुयुक्तं महाजवम् गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च तस्मिन्सूर्यउपस्थितः

sapuṇyapuṣpavarṣaṁ ca vāyuyuktaṁ mahājavam gandharvairapsarobhiśca tasminsūryaupasthitaḥ

along with a shower of sacred flowers carried on a swift wind; and there, the assembly attended by gandharvas and apsarases, with the sun itself present.

Verse 158 (skanda.2.185.158)

शरयूसलिलं रामः पद्भ्यां स समुपास्पृशत् ततो ब्रह्मा सुरैर्युक्तः स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे

śarayūsalilaṁ rāmaḥ padbhyāṁ sa samupāspṛśat tato brahmā surairyuktaḥ stotuṁ samupacakrame

Rama touched the waters of the Sarayu with his feet; then Brahma, together with the gods, began to praise him.

Verse 159 (skanda.2.185.159)

त्वं हि लोकपतिर्देव न त्वां जानाति कश्चन अहं ते वै विशालाक्ष भूतपूर्वपरिग्रहः

tvaṁ hi lokapatirdeva na tvāṁ jānāti kaścana ahaṁ te vai viśālākṣa bhūtapūrvaparigrahaḥ

'You indeed, O god, are the Lord of the worlds; no one knows you truly. I, O wide-eyed one, was formerly your creation.'

Verse 160 (skanda.2.185.160)

त्वमचिंत्यं महद्भूतमक्षयं लोकसंग्रहे यामिच्छसि महावीर्य तां तनुं प्रविश स्वकाम्

tvamaciṁtyaṁ mahadbhūtamakṣayaṁ lokasaṁgrahe yāmicchasi mahāvīrya tāṁ tanuṁ praviśa svakām

'You are the inconceivable, great being, imperishable, assumed for the maintenance of the world; O you of great valor, enter now whatever body of your own you wish.'

Verse 161 (skanda.2.185.161)

पितामहस्य वचनादिदमेवाविशत्स्वयम् सुदिव्यं वैष्णवं तेजः संसारं स सहानुजः ततो विष्णुतनुन्देवाः पूजयन्तः सुरोत्तमम्

pitāmahasya vacanādidamevāviśatsvayam sudivyaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ tejaḥ saṁsāraṁ sa sahānujaḥ tato viṣṇutanundevāḥ pūjayantaḥ surottamam

At the word of the grandsire, he himself, together with his younger brothers, entered that most divine Vaishnava splendor; then the gods began worshipping that most excellent body of Vishnu.

Verse 162 (skanda.2.185.162)

साध्या मरुद्गणाश्चैव सेन्द्राः साग्निपुरोगमाः ये च दिव्या ऋषिगणा गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा सुपर्णा नागयक्षाश्च दैत्यदानवराक्षसाः

sādhyā marudgaṇāścaiva sendrāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ ye ca divyā ṛṣigaṇā gandharvāpsarasastathā suparṇā nāgayakṣāśca daityadānavarākṣasāḥ

The Sadhyas and the hosts of Maruts, together with Indra, with Agni at their head, and the divine hosts of sages, and the gandharvas and apsarases likewise, the Garudas, nagas and yakshas, and the daityas, danavas and rakshasas —

Verse 163 (skanda.2.185.163)

देवाः प्रहृष्टा मुदिताः सर्वे पूर्णमनोरथाः साधुसाध्विति ते सर्वे त्रिदिवस्था बभाषिरे

devāḥ prahṛṣṭā muditāḥ sarve pūrṇamanorathāḥ sādhusādhviti te sarve tridivasthā babhāṣire

all the gods, delighted and joyful, their wishes fulfilled, all standing in the celestial realm, exclaimed 'well done, well done!'

Verse 164 (skanda.2.185.164)

अथ विष्णुर्महातेजाः पितामहमुवाच ह एषां लोकं जनौघानां दातुमर्हसि सुव्रत

atha viṣṇurmahātejāḥ pitāmahamuvāca ha eṣāṁ lokaṁ janaughānāṁ dātumarhasi suvrata

Then Vishnu, of great splendor, said to the grandsire: 'O you of good vows, you should grant a world to these multitudes of people.'

Verse 165 (skanda.2.185.165)

इमे तु सर्वे मत्स्नेहादायाताः सर्वमानवाः भक्ताश्च भक्तिमन्तश्च त्यक्तात्मानोऽपि सर्वशः

ime tu sarve matsnehādāyātāḥ sarvamānavāḥ bhaktāśca bhaktimantaśca tyaktātmāno’pi sarvaśaḥ

'For all these people have come out of love for me, devoted and full of devotion, having in every way abandoned concern for themselves.'

Verse 166 (skanda.2.185.166)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विष्णुकथितं सर्वलोकेश्वरोऽब्रवीत् लोकं सन्तानिकं नाम संस्थास्यंति हि मानवाः

tacchrutvā viṣṇukathitaṁ sarvalokeśvaro’bravīt lokaṁ santānikaṁ nāma saṁsthāsyaṁti hi mānavāḥ

Having heard what Vishnu said, the Lord of all worlds replied: 'These men shall dwell in the world named Santanika.'

Verse 167 (skanda.2.185.167)

स्वर्गद्वारेऽत्र वै तीर्थे राममेवानुचिन्तयन् प्राणांस्त्यजति भक्त्या वै स संतानं परं लभेत्

svargadvāre’tra vai tīrthe rāmamevānucintayan prāṇāṁstyajati bhaktyā vai sa saṁtānaṁ paraṁ labhet

'Whoever, thinking only of Rama, gives up his life with devotion at this very ford of Svargadvara, he shall attain that supreme world of Santana.'

Verse 168 (skanda.2.185.168)

सर्वे संतानिकंनाम ब्रह्मलोकादनन्तरम् वानराश्च स्वकां योनिं राक्षसाश्चापि राक्षसीम्

sarve saṁtānikaṁnāma brahmalokādanantaram vānarāśca svakāṁ yoniṁ rākṣasāścāpi rākṣasīm

'All these shall go to the world named Santanika, next after the world of Brahma; and the monkeys shall return to their own species, and the rakshasas too to their rakshasa species.'

Verse 169 (skanda.2.185.169)

यस्या विनिःसृता ये वै सुरासुरतनूद्भवाः आदित्यतनयश्चैव सुग्रीवः सूर्यमण्डलम्

yasyā viniḥsṛtā ye vai surāsuratanūdbhavāḥ ādityatanayaścaiva sugrīvaḥ sūryamaṇḍalam

'Those who had emerged from the bodies of gods and asuras shall return there; and Sugriva, the son of the Sun, shall return to the orb of the sun,'

Verse 170 (skanda.2.185.170)

ऋषयो नागयक्षाश्च प्रयास्यन्ति स्वकारणम् तथा ब्रुवति देवेशे गोप्रतारमुपस्थितम्

ṛṣayo nāgayakṣāśca prayāsyanti svakāraṇam tathā bruvati deveśe gopratāramupasthitam

'and the sages, nagas and yakshas shall go to their own source.' Thus spoke the Lord of gods, as they approached Gopratara.

Verse 171 (skanda.2.185.171)

तज्जलं सरयूं भेजे परिपूर्णं ततो जलम् अवगाह्य जलं सर्वे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा प्रहृष्टवत्

tajjalaṁ sarayūṁ bheje paripūrṇaṁ tato jalam avagāhya jalaṁ sarve prāṇāṁstyaktvā prahṛṣṭavat

That water then filled the Sarayu completely; having plunged into the water, all of them, joyfully, gave up their lives,

Verse 172 (skanda.2.185.172)

मानुषं देहमुत्सृज्य ते विमानान्यथारुहन् तिर्यग्योनिगता ये च प्रविश्य सरयूं तदा

mānuṣaṁ dehamutsṛjya te vimānānyathāruhan tiryagyonigatā ye ca praviśya sarayūṁ tadā

and, having cast off their human bodies, they then mounted celestial cars; and those who had taken animal forms, having then entered the Sarayu,

Verse 173 (skanda.2.185.173)

देहत्यागं च ते तत्र कृत्वा दिव्यवपुर्द्धराः तथान्यान्यपि सत्त्वानि स्थावराणि चराणि च

dehatyāgaṁ ca te tatra kṛtvā divyavapurddharāḥ tathānyānyapi sattvāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca

having given up their bodies there, took on divine forms; and likewise other beings too, both moving and unmoving,

Verse 174 (skanda.2.185.174)

प्राप्य चोत्तमदेहं वै देवलोकमुपागमन् तस्मिंस्तत्र समापन्ने वानरा ऋक्षराक्षसाः तेऽपि प्रविविशुः सर्वे देहान्निक्षिप्य वै तदा

prāpya cottamadehaṁ vai devalokamupāgaman tasmiṁstatra samāpanne vānarā ṛkṣarākṣasāḥ te’pi praviviśuḥ sarve dehānnikṣipya vai tadā

having attained a supreme body, went to the world of the gods; and when that rite was completed, the monkeys, bears and rakshasas too all entered it, having cast off their bodies.

Verse 175 (skanda.2.185.175)

तदा स्वर्गं गताः सर्वे स्मृत्वा लोकगुरुं विभुम् जगाम त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं रामो हृष्टो महामतिः

tadā svargaṁ gatāḥ sarve smṛtvā lokaguruṁ vibhum jagāma tridaśaiḥ sārddhaṁ rāmo hṛṣṭo mahāmatiḥ

Then, when all had gone to heaven, remembering the mighty guru of the worlds, Rama, joyful and of great wisdom, went along together with the gods.

Verse 176 (skanda.2.185.176)

अतस्तद्गोप्रताराख्यं तीर्थं विख्यातिमागतम् गोप्रतारे परो मोक्षो नान्यतीर्थेषु विद्यते

atastadgopratārākhyaṁ tīrthaṁ vikhyātimāgatam gopratāre paro mokṣo nānyatīrtheṣu vidyate

Therefore that ford named Gopratara attained renown; the supreme liberation found at Gopratara exists at no other ford.

Verse 177 (skanda.2.185.177)

जन्मान्तरशतैर्विप्र योगोऽयं यदि लभ्यते मुक्तिर्भवति तत्त्वेकजन्मना लभ्यते न वा

janmāntaraśatairvipra yogo’yaṁ yadi labhyate muktirbhavati tattvekajanmanā labhyate na vā

O brahmin, this attainment, obtainable elsewhere only after hundreds of other births — whether liberation is truly gained within a single birth elsewhere is doubtful.

Verse 178 (skanda.2.185.178)

गोप्रतारे न सन्देहो हरिर्भक्त्या सुनिष्ठितः एकेन जन्मनान्योऽपि योगमोक्षं च विन्दति

gopratāre na sandeho harirbhaktyā suniṣṭhitaḥ ekena janmanānyo’pi yogamokṣaṁ ca vindati

At Gopratara there is no doubt: one firmly established in devotion to Hari attains both yoga and liberation even within a single birth.

Verse 179 (skanda.2.185.179)

गोप्रतारे नरो विद्वान्योऽपि स्नाति सुनिश्चितः विशत्यसौ परं स्थानं योगिनामपि दुर्लभम्

gopratāre naro vidvānyo’pi snāti suniścitaḥ viśatyasau paraṁ sthānaṁ yogināmapi durlabham

Whatever wise man bathes at Gopratara with firm resolve, he enters the supreme abode, hard to attain even for yogis.

Verse 180 (skanda.2.185.180)

कार्तिक्यां च विशेषेण स्नातव्यं विजितेन्द्रियैः कार्तिके मासि विप्रर्षे सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः स्नातुमायान्त्ययोध्यायां गोप्रतारे विशेषतः

kārtikyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa snātavyaṁ vijitendriyaiḥ kārtike māsi viprarṣe sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ snātumāyāntyayodhyāyāṁ gopratāre viśeṣataḥ

Especially on the full moon of Kartika, those of subdued senses should bathe; O sage among brahmins, in the month of Kartika all the gods, together with Indra, come to Ayodhya especially to bathe at Gopratara.

Verse 181 (skanda.2.185.181)

गोप्रतारसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति यत्र प्रयागराजोऽपि स्नातुमायाति कार्तिके

gopratārasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati yatra prayāgarājo’pi snātumāyāti kārtike

There has never been, nor shall there ever be, a ford equal to Gopratara, where even the king of sacred fords, Prayaga, comes to bathe in Kartika,

Verse 182 (skanda.2.185.182)

निष्पापः कलुषं त्यक्त्वा शुक्लांगः सितकंचुकः शुद्ध्यर्थं साधुकामोऽसौ प्रयागे मुनिसत्तमः

niṣpāpaḥ kaluṣaṁ tyaktvā śuklāṁgaḥ sitakaṁcukaḥ śuddhyarthaṁ sādhukāmo’sau prayāge munisattamaḥ

becoming sinless, having cast off impurity, his limbs made white, clad in white raiment — that excellent sage, the personified Prayaga, comes there desiring purity and virtue.

Verse 183 (skanda.2.185.183)

यानि कानि च तीर्थानि भूमौ दिव्यानि सुव्रत कार्तिक्यां तानि सर्वाणि गोप्रतारे वसन्ति वै

yāni kāni ca tīrthāni bhūmau divyāni suvrata kārtikyāṁ tāni sarvāṇi gopratāre vasanti vai

Whatever sacred fords, divine, exist on earth, O you of good vows, all of them, in Kartika, indeed dwell at Gopratara.

Verse 184 (skanda.2.185.184)

गोप्रतारे जपो होमः स्नानं दानं च शक्तितः सर्वमक्षयतां याति श्रद्धया नियमव्रतम्

gopratāre japo homaḥ snānaṁ dānaṁ ca śaktitaḥ sarvamakṣayatāṁ yāti śraddhayā niyamavratam

At Gopratara, japa, fire-oblation, bathing and charity, performed according to one's ability with faith and observance of vows — all become imperishable.

Verse 185 (skanda.2.185.185)

कार्तिके प्राप्य तद्यन्ति तीर्थानि सकलान्यपि गोप्रतारं गमिष्यामः पापं त्यक्तुमितीच्छया

kārtike prāpya tadyanti tīrthāni sakalānyapi gopratāraṁ gamiṣyāmaḥ pāpaṁ tyaktumitīcchayā

Having arrived in Kartika, all the sacred fords go there too, saying: 'We shall go to Gopratara,' with the wish to cast off sin.

Verse 186 (skanda.2.185.186)

गोप्रतारे कृतं स्नानं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् गोप्रतारे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा गुप्तहरिं विभुम् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्येत नात्र कार्या विचारणा

gopratāre kṛtaṁ snānaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam gopratāre naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā guptahariṁ vibhum sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyeta nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Bathing performed at Gopratara destroys all sin; a man, having bathed at Gopratara and beheld the mighty Gupta-Hari, is freed from all sins — there should be no doubt about this.

Verse 187 (skanda.2.185.187)

विष्णुमुद्दिश्य विप्राणां पूजनं च विशेषतः कर्त्तव्यं श्रद्धया युक्तैः स्नानपूर्वं यतव्रतैः

viṣṇumuddiśya viprāṇāṁ pūjanaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ karttavyaṁ śraddhayā yuktaiḥ snānapūrvaṁ yatavrataiḥ

For the sake of Vishnu, the worship of brahmins especially should be performed, preceded by bathing, by those endowed with faith and self-restraint.

Verse 188 (skanda.2.185.188)

पयस्विनी च गौर्देया सालंकारा च शक्तितः विप्राय वेदविदुषे नियमव्रतशालिने ब्राह्मणायातिशुचये विष्णुप्रीत्यै यतात्मना

payasvinī ca gaurdeyā sālaṁkārā ca śaktitaḥ viprāya vedaviduṣe niyamavrataśāline brāhmaṇāyātiśucaye viṣṇuprītyai yatātmanā

A milch-cow, adorned according to one's ability, should be given, with self-control, for the pleasure of Vishnu, to a brahmin who knows the Vedas, observant of vows, and utterly pure.

Verse 189 (skanda.2.185.189)

अन्नं बहुविधं हेम वासांसि विविधानि च दातव्यानि हरेः प्राप्त्यै भक्त्या परमया युतैः

annaṁ bahuvidhaṁ hema vāsāṁsi vividhāni ca dātavyāni hareḥ prāptyai bhaktyā paramayā yutaiḥ

Food of many kinds, gold, and various garments should be given, by those filled with supreme devotion, for the sake of attaining Hari.

Verse 190 (skanda.2.185.190)

सूर्यग्रहे कुरुक्षेत्रे नर्मदायां शशिग्रहे तुलादानस्य यत्पुण्यं तदत्र दीपदानतः

sūryagrahe kurukṣetre narmadāyāṁ śaśigrahe tulādānasya yatpuṇyaṁ tadatra dīpadānataḥ

Whatever merit belongs to the gift of one's weight in gold at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, or on the Narmada during a lunar eclipse — that same merit is obtained here through the gift of a lamp.

Verse 191 (skanda.2.185.191)

घृतेन दीपको यस्य तिलतैले न वा पुनः ज्वलते मुनिशार्दूल हयमेधेन तस्य किम्

ghṛtena dīpako yasya tilataile na vā punaḥ jvalate muniśārdūla hayamedhena tasya kim

O tiger among sages, for one whose lamp burns with ghee, or again with sesame oil — what further need has he of an Ashvamedha sacrifice?

Verse 192 (skanda.2.185.192)

तेनेष्टं क्रतुभिः सर्वैः कृतं तीर्थावगाहनम् दीपदानं कृतं येन कार्त्तिके केशवाग्रतः

teneṣṭaṁ kratubhiḥ sarvaiḥ kṛtaṁ tīrthāvagāhanam dīpadānaṁ kṛtaṁ yena kārttike keśavāgrataḥ

By him has the merit of all sacrifices been gained, by him has bathing in all sacred fords been accomplished, who has given the gift of a lamp before Keshava in the month of Kartika.

Verse 193 (skanda.2.185.193)

नानाविधानि तीर्थानि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदानि च गोप्रतारस्य तान्यत्र कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्

nānāvidhāni tīrthāni bhuktimuktipradāni ca gopratārasya tānyatra kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

The manifold sacred fords that grant enjoyment and liberation do not here equal even a sixteenth part of Gopratara.

Verse 194 (skanda.2.185.194)

स्वर्णमल्पं च यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे शुभां गतिमवाप्नोति ह्यग्निवच्चैव दीप्यते

svarṇamalpaṁ ca yo dadyādbrāhmaṇe vedapārage śubhāṁ gatimavāpnoti hyagnivaccaiva dīpyate

Whoever gives even a small amount of gold to a brahmin versed in the Vedas attains an auspicious destination and shines like fire.

Verse 195 (skanda.2.185.195)

गोप्रताराभिधे तीर्थे त्रिलोकीविश्रुते द्विज दत्त्वान्नं च विधानेन न स भूयोऽभिजायते

gopratārābhidhe tīrthe trilokīviśrute dvija dattvānnaṁ ca vidhānena na sa bhūyo’bhijāyate

O brahmin, having duly given food at the ford named Gopratara, renowned in the three worlds, one is not born again.

Verse 196 (skanda.2.185.196)

तत्र स्नानं तु यः कुर्याद्विप्रान्संतर्पयेन्नरः सौत्रामणेश्च यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

tatra snānaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādviprānsaṁtarpayennaraḥ sautrāmaṇeśca yajñasya phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whatever man bathes there and satisfies brahmins obtains the fruit of the Sautramani sacrifice.

Verse 197 (skanda.2.185.197)

एकाहारस्तु यस्तिष्ठेन्मासं तत्र यतव्रतः यावज्जीवकृतं पापं सहसा तस्य नश्यति

ekāhārastu yastiṣṭhenmāsaṁ tatra yatavrataḥ yāvajjīvakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ sahasā tasya naśyati

Whoever, self-controlled, remains there for a month, taking a single meal a day — the sin accumulated over his whole life is instantly destroyed.

Verse 198 (skanda.2.185.198)

अग्निप्रवेशं ये कुर्युर्गोप्रतारे विधानतः ते विशंति पदं विष्णोर्निःसंदग्धं तपोधन

agnipraveśaṁ ye kuryurgopratāre vidhānataḥ te viśaṁti padaṁ viṣṇorniḥsaṁdagdhaṁ tapodhana

Whoever duly enters fire at Gopratara, O ascetic, enters the abode of Vishnu unburned.

Verse 199 (skanda.2.185.199)

कुर्वंत्यनशनं येऽत्र विष्णुभक्त्या सुनिश्चिताः न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

kurvaṁtyanaśanaṁ ye’tra viṣṇubhaktyā suniścitāḥ na teṣāṁ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi

Those who, firmly resolved in devotion to Vishnu, observe fasting unto death here — for them there is no return to rebirth even for hundreds of millions of kalpas.

Verse 200 (skanda.2.185.200)

अर्चयेद्यस्तु गोविंदं गोप्रतारे हि मानवः दशसौवर्णिकं पुण्यं गोप्रतारे प्रकथ्यते

arcayedyastu goviṁdaṁ gopratāre hi mānavaḥ daśasauvarṇikaṁ puṇyaṁ gopratāre prakathyate

Whatever man worships Govinda at Gopratara — the merit of ten gold gifts is declared for worship at Gopratara.

Verse 201 (skanda.2.185.201)

अग्निहोत्रफलो धूपो गोविंदस्य समर्पितः भूमिदानेन सदृशं गंधदानफलं स्मृतम्

agnihotraphalo dhūpo goviṁdasya samarpitaḥ bhūmidānena sadṛśaṁ gaṁdhadānaphalaṁ smṛtam

Incense offered to Govinda has the fruit of an Agnihotra sacrifice; the fruit of offering fragrance is remembered as equal to the gift of land.

Verse 202 (skanda.2.185.202)

अत्यद्भुतमिदं विद्वन्स्थानमेतत्प्रकीर्तितम् कार्त्तिक्यां तु विशेषेण अत्र स्नात्वा शुचिव्रतः

atyadbhutamidaṁ vidvansthānametatprakīrtitam kārttikyāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa atra snātvā śucivrataḥ

O learned one, this place has thus been declared most wondrous; especially in Kartika, having bathed here, one of pure vow,

Verse 203 (skanda.2.185.203)

स्वर्गद्वारे नरः स्नात्वा दशस्वर्णफलं लभेत् स्वर्णदः स्वर्गवासी च यो दद्याच्छ्रद्धयान्वितः

svargadvāre naraḥ snātvā daśasvarṇaphalaṁ labhet svarṇadaḥ svargavāsī ca yo dadyācchraddhayānvitaḥ

a man, having bathed at Svargadvara, obtains the fruit of giving ten pieces of gold; and whoever, endowed with faith, gives gold, becomes a dweller in heaven.

Verse 204 (skanda.2.185.204)

सुतीर्थे पर्वणि श्रेष्ठे दशस्वर्णफलप्रदे ज्येष्ठशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां रात्रौ जागरणं चरेत्

sutīrthe parvaṇi śreṣṭhe daśasvarṇaphalaprade jyeṣṭhaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ caret

At this excellent ford, on the best festival occasion, which bestows the fruit of ten gold gifts, one should keep vigil through the night on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha.

Verse 205 (skanda.2.185.205)

उपोषितः शुचिः स्नातो विष्णुपूजनतत्परः दीपं दद्यात्प्रयत्नेन नानाफलविधायिनम्

upoṣitaḥ śuciḥ snāto viṣṇupūjanatatparaḥ dīpaṁ dadyātprayatnena nānāphalavidhāyinam

Having fasted, being pure, having bathed, devoted to the worship of Vishnu, one should diligently offer a lamp, which bestows manifold fruits.

Verse 206 (skanda.2.185.206)

तावद्गर्जंति पुण्यानि स्वर्गे मर्त्ये रसातले यावद्दद्याज्जले दीपं कार्त्तिके केशवाग्रतः

tāvadgarjaṁti puṇyāni svarge martye rasātale yāvaddadyājjale dīpaṁ kārttike keśavāgrataḥ

Merits resound in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld for as long as one has given a lamp upon the water before Keshava in Kartika.

Verse 207 (skanda.2.185.207)

पौर्णमास्यां प्रभाते तु स्नात्वा निर्मलमानसः हरिं संपूज्य विधिवद्विधाय श्राद्धमादरात्

paurṇamāsyāṁ prabhāte tu snātvā nirmalamānasaḥ hariṁ saṁpūjya vidhivadvidhāya śrāddhamādarāt

At dawn on the full moon day, having bathed with a pure mind, having duly worshipped Hari, and having reverently performed the shraddha rite,

Verse 208 (skanda.2.185.208)

दत्त्वान्नं च यथाशक्त्या संतोष्य ब्राह्मणांस्ततः वस्त्रादिभिरलंकारैः संपूज्य द्विजदंपती

dattvānnaṁ ca yathāśaktyā saṁtoṣya brāhmaṇāṁstataḥ vastrādibhiralaṁkāraiḥ saṁpūjya dvijadaṁpatī

having given food according to one's ability and thereby satisfied the brahmins, and having worshipped a brahmin couple with garments and other ornaments,

Verse 209 (skanda.2.185.209)

विभुं गुप्तहरिं दृष्ट्वा संपूज्य तु विशेषतः नमस्कृत्यानु तत्तीर्थं शुचिस्तद्गतमानसः

vibhuṁ guptahariṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁpūjya tu viśeṣataḥ namaskṛtyānu tattīrthaṁ śucistadgatamānasaḥ

and having beheld and especially worshipped the mighty Gupta-Hari, and bowed to that sacred ford, pure, with one's mind fixed upon it,

Verse 210 (skanda.2.185.210)

स्वर्गद्वारे च विधिवन्मध्याह्ने स्नानमाचरेत् सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोके महीयते

svargadvāre ca vidhivanmadhyāhne snānamācaret sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā viṣṇuloke mahīyate

one should then duly perform the midday bathing at Svargadvara; so doing, one's soul purified of all sin, one is exalted in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 211 (skanda.2.185.211)

इति परमविधानैर्गोप्रतारे विधाय प्रथितसुकृतमूर्त्तिः स्नानमुच्चैः प्रयत्नात् कलितनिखिलपापः पूजयित्वादरेणाच्युतममलविकाशो विष्णुसायुज्यमेति

iti paramavidhānairgopratāre vidhāya prathitasukṛtamūrttiḥ snānamuccaiḥ prayatnāt kalitanikhilapāpaḥ pūjayitvādareṇācyutamamalavikāśo viṣṇusāyujyameti

Thus, having with the utmost effort performed the bathing at Gopratara through these supreme rites, one whose meritorious form has become renowned, having gathered up all his sins, having reverently worshipped Achyuta, his stainless nature unfolded, attains union with Vishnu.