Gayakupa-Pishacamocana-Manasatirtha-Tamasanadi-Mandavyadyashrama-Sitakunda-Dugdheshvara-Bhairava-Bharatakunda-Jatakunda-mahatmya-varnanam

Verse 1 (skanda.2.188.1)

अगस्त्य उवाच जटाकुण्डत आग्नेयदिग्दल संश्रितं महत् गयाकूपमिति ख्यातं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदम्

agastya uvāca jaṭākuṇḍata āgneyadigdala saṁśritaṁ mahat gayākūpamiti khyātaṁ sarvābhīṣṭaphalapradam

Agastya said: To the south-east of Jata-kunda is situated a great tirtha, known as Gaya-kupa, granting the fruit of all desires,

Verse 2 (skanda.2.188.2)

यत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च यथाशक्त्या जितेंद्रियः सर्वकाममवाप्नोति श्राद्धं कृत्वा द्विजोत्तमः

yatra snātvā ca dattvā ca yathāśaktyā jiteṁdriyaḥ sarvakāmamavāpnoti śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā dvijottamaḥ

bathing at which, and giving charity according to one's ability, self-controlled, and having performed shraddha, that excellent brahmin obtains all desires.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.188.3)

नरकस्थाश्च ये केचित्पितरश्च पितामहाः विष्णुलोके तु गच्छन्ति तस्मिञ्च्छ्राद्धे कृते तु वै

narakasthāśca ye kecitpitaraśca pitāmahāḥ viṣṇuloke tu gacchanti tasmiñcchrāddhe kṛte tu vai

Whatever ancestors and forefathers dwell in hell go to the world of Vishnu when shraddha is performed there.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.188.4)

तस्मिञ्छ्राद्धे कृते विप्र पितॄणामनृणो भवेत् शक्तिभिः पिंडदानं तु सयवैः पायसेन च

tasmiñchrāddhe kṛte vipra pitṝṇāmanṛṇo bhavet śaktibhiḥ piṁḍadānaṁ tu sayavaiḥ pāyasena ca

When shraddha is performed there, O brahmin, one becomes free of debt to the ancestors; the offering of pinda, with barley and with milk-rice, according to one's means,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.188.5)

कर्त्तव्यमृषिनिर्दिष्टं पिण्याकेन गुडेन वा श्राद्धं तत्तीर्थके प्रोक्तं पितॄणां तुष्टिकारकम्

karttavyamṛṣinirdiṣṭaṁ piṇyākena guḍena vā śrāddhaṁ tattīrthake proktaṁ pitṝṇāṁ tuṣṭikārakam

should be performed as prescribed by the sages, with oil-cake or with molasses; shraddha is declared at that ford to bring satisfaction to the ancestors.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.188.6)

तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकर्त्तव्यं नरैः श्रद्धासमन्वितैः तुष्यंति पितरस्तेषां तुष्टाः स्युः सर्वदेवताः

tatra śrāddhaṁ prakarttavyaṁ naraiḥ śraddhāsamanvitaiḥ tuṣyaṁti pitarasteṣāṁ tuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ

Shraddha should be performed there by men endowed with faith; their ancestors become satisfied, and all the gods become satisfied too.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.188.7)

तुष्टेषु पितृषु श्रीमाञ्जायतेपुत्रवाँस्तथा श्राद्धेन पितरस्तुष्टाः प्रयच्छंति सुतान्बहून्

tuṣṭeṣu pitṛṣu śrīmāñjāyateputravā~stathā śrāddhena pitarastuṣṭāḥ prayacchaṁti sutānbahūn

When the ancestors are satisfied, one becomes prosperous and possessed of sons; the ancestors, satisfied by the shraddha, grant many sons,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.188.8)

श्रियं च विपुलान्भोगाञ्छ्राद्धकृद्भयो न संशयः तस्मादत्र विधानेन विधातव्यं प्रयत्नतः

śriyaṁ ca vipulānbhogāñchrāddhakṛdbhayo na saṁśayaḥ tasmādatra vidhānena vidhātavyaṁ prayatnataḥ

and prosperity and abundant enjoyments to those who perform the shraddha — there is no doubt of this; therefore it should be duly and diligently performed here.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.188.9)

श्राद्धं श्रद्धायुतैः सम्यगभीष्टफलकांक्षिभिः गयाकूपे विशेषेण पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्

śrāddhaṁ śraddhāyutaiḥ samyagabhīṣṭaphalakāṁkṣibhiḥ gayākūpe viśeṣeṇa pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam

Shraddha, properly performed by those endowed with faith who desire the fruit they wish for, when given at Gaya-kupa especially, becomes imperishable for the ancestors.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.188.10)

सोमवारेण संयुक्ता अमावास्या यदा भवेत् तत्रानंतफलं श्राद्धं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्

somavāreṇa saṁyuktā amāvāsyā yadā bhavet tatrānaṁtaphalaṁ śrāddhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam

When the new-moon day falls on a Monday, shraddha given there to the ancestors bears infinite, imperishable fruit.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.188.11)

अन्यदा सोमवारेण तत्र श्राद्धं विधानतः पितृसंतोषदं नित्यं तत्र दत्ताक्षयो भवेत्

anyadā somavāreṇa tatra śrāddhaṁ vidhānataḥ pitṛsaṁtoṣadaṁ nityaṁ tatra dattākṣayo bhavet

Even at another time, on Monday, shraddha duly performed there, ever bringing satisfaction to the ancestors, given there, becomes imperishable.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.188.12)

तत्र पूर्वदिशाभागे तीर्थं सर्वोत्तमोत्तमम् पिशाचमोचनंनाम विद्यते च फलप्रदम्

tatra pūrvadiśābhāge tīrthaṁ sarvottamottamam piśācamocanaṁnāma vidyate ca phalapradam

There, to the east, exists a sacred ford, the very best of all, named Pishacha-mochana, bestowing its fruit,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.188.13)

तत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च पिशाचो नैव जायते तत्र स्नानं तथा दानं श्राद्धं चैव विशेषतः कर्त्तव्यं च प्रयत्नेन नरैः श्रद्धासमन्वितैः

tatra snātvā ca dattvā ca piśāco naiva jāyate tatra snānaṁ tathā dānaṁ śrāddhaṁ caiva viśeṣataḥ karttavyaṁ ca prayatnena naraiḥ śraddhāsamanvitaiḥ

bathing and giving charity at which, one is never reborn as a ghost; bathing, charity, and especially shraddha should be diligently performed there by men endowed with faith.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.188.14)

मार्गशीर्षे शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां विशेषतः स्नानं तत्र प्रकर्त्तव्यं पिशाचत्वविमुक्तये

mārgaśīrṣe śuklapakṣe caturdaśyāṁ viśeṣataḥ snānaṁ tatra prakarttavyaṁ piśācatvavimuktaye

Especially on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, bathing should be performed there for release from the state of a ghost.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.188.15)

तत्संनिधौ पूर्वभागे मानसंनाम नामतः तीर्थं पुण्यनिवासाग्र्यं स्नातव्यं च विशेषतः तत्र स्नानेन दानेन सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

tatsaṁnidhau pūrvabhāge mānasaṁnāma nāmataḥ tīrthaṁ puṇyanivāsāgryaṁ snātavyaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ tatra snānena dānena sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

Near it, to the east, is a sacred ford named Manasa, foremost abode of merit; one should especially bathe there; by bathing and charity there, one obtains all desires.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.188.16)

नानाविधानि पापानि मेरुतुल्यानि वै पुनः तत्र स्नानात्क्षयं यांति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

nānāvidhāni pāpāni merutulyāni vai punaḥ tatra snānātkṣayaṁ yāṁti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Manifold sins, even as vast as Mount Meru, are destroyed by bathing there — there should be no doubt of this.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.188.17)

यत्किञ्चिद्विद्यते पापं मानसं कायिकं तथा वाचिकं च तथा पापं स्नानतो विलयं व्रजेत्

yatkiñcidvidyate pāpaṁ mānasaṁ kāyikaṁ tathā vācikaṁ ca tathā pāpaṁ snānato vilayaṁ vrajet

Whatever sin exists — mental, physical, or verbal — is dissolved by that bathing.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.188.18)

प्रौष्ठपद्यां सदा कार्य्या पौर्णमास्यां विशेषतः यात्रा तस्य नृभिर्विप्र पुण्यवद्भिः क्रियापरैः

prauṣṭhapadyāṁ sadā kāryyā paurṇamāsyāṁ viśeṣataḥ yātrā tasya nṛbhirvipra puṇyavadbhiḥ kriyāparaiḥ

Its festival should ever be observed, especially on the full moon of Prosthapada, by men devoted to meritorious rites, O brahmin.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.188.19)

तस्माद्दक्षिणदिग्भागे वर्त्तते सुकृतैकभूः तमसानाम तटिनी महापातकनाशिनी

tasmāddakṣiṇadigbhāge varttate sukṛtaikabhūḥ tamasānāma taṭinī mahāpātakanāśinī

To the south of that is the sole abode of merit, the river named Tamasa, a destroyer of great sins,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.188.20)

यत्र स्नानं तथा दानं सर्वपापहरं सदा यस्यास्तटे तथा रम्ये सर्वदा फलदायके

yatra snānaṁ tathā dānaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ sadā yasyāstaṭe tathā ramye sarvadā phaladāyake

bathing and charity at which are ever a remover of all sins; and on its delightful bank, ever bestowing fruit,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.188.21)

नानाविधानि स्थानानि मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् माण्डव्यस्य मुनेः स्थानं वर्त्तते पापनाशनम्

nānāvidhāni sthānāni munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām māṇḍavyasya muneḥ sthānaṁ varttate pāpanāśanam

are the manifold abodes of sages of purified souls; there stands the place of the sage Mandavya, a destroyer of sin,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.188.22)

यस्यास्तीरे मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वत्र सुमनोहरम् तस्याश्रमपदं रम्यं नानावृक्षमनोहरम्

yasyāstīre muniśreṣṭha sarvatra sumanoharam tasyāśramapadaṁ ramyaṁ nānāvṛkṣamanoharam

on whose bank, O best of sages, is a place everywhere most charming — his delightful hermitage, charming with manifold trees,

Verse 23 (skanda.2.188.23)

यस्मात्स्थानात्समुद्भूता तमसा सुतरंगिणी तद्वनं पुण्यमधिकं पावनं पदमुत्तमम्

yasmātsthānātsamudbhūtā tamasā sutaraṁgiṇī tadvanaṁ puṇyamadhikaṁ pāvanaṁ padamuttamam

from which place sprang the fair-waved Tamasa; that forest, exceedingly meritorious, purifying, an excellent abode,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.188.24)

यस्य दर्शनतो नॄणां सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

yasya darśanato nṝṇāṁ sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

the sight of which causes the destruction of all sins for men.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.188.25)

प्रफुल्लनानाविधगुल्मशोभितं लताप्रतानावनतं मनोहरम् विरूढपुष्पैः परितः प्रियंगुभिः सुषुष्पितैः कण्टकितैश्च केतकैः

praphullanānāvidhagulmaśobhitaṁ latāpratānāvanataṁ manoharam virūḍhapuṣpaiḥ paritaḥ priyaṁgubhiḥ suṣuṣpitaiḥ kaṇṭakitaiśca ketakaiḥ

beautified with manifold blossoming shrubs, charming, bent down with the spread of creepers, all around with blooming priyangu flowers, and with thorny ketaki blossoms,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.188.26)

तमालगुल्मैर्निचितं सुगंधिभिः सकर्णिकारैर्बकुलैश्च सर्वतः अशोकपुन्नागवरैः सुपुष्पितैर्द्विरेफमालाकुल पुष्पसंचयैः

tamālagulmairnicitaṁ sugaṁdhibhiḥ sakarṇikārairbakulaiśca sarvataḥ aśokapunnāgavaraiḥ supuṣpitairdvirephamālākula puṣpasaṁcayaiḥ

thick with fragrant tamala shrubs, with karnikara and bakula everywhere, with excellent, well-flowered ashoka and punnaga trees, their clusters of flowers thronged with garlands of bees,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.188.27)

क्वचित्प्रफुल्लांबुजरेणुभूषितैर्विहंगमैश्चारुफलप्रचारिभिः विनादितं सारसमुत्कुलादिभिः प्रमत्तदात्यूहकुलैश्च वल्गुभिः

kvacitpraphullāṁbujareṇubhūṣitairvihaṁgamaiścāruphalapracāribhiḥ vināditaṁ sārasamutkulādibhiḥ pramattadātyūhakulaiśca valgubhiḥ

resounding here and there with birds adorned with the pollen of blooming lotuses, moving about among lovely fruits, with cranes and their flocks, and with sweet, intoxicated flocks of moorhens,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.188.28)

क्वचिच्च चक्राह्वरवोपनादितं क्वचिच्च कादम्बकदम्बकैर्युतम् क्वचिच्च कारण्डवनादनादितं क्वचिच्च मत्तालिकुलाकुलीकृतम्

kvacicca cakrāhvaravopanāditaṁ kvacicca kādambakadambakairyutam kvacicca kāraṇḍavanādanāditaṁ kvacicca mattālikulākulīkṛtam

resounding here with the cries of ruddy geese, joined there with flocks of kadamba geese, resounding here with the cry of karandava ducks, thronged there with swarms of intoxicated bees,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.188.29)

मदाकुलाभिर्भ्रमरीभिरारान्निषेवितं चारुसुगंधिपुष्पवत् क्वचिच्च पुष्पैः सहकारवृक्षैर्लतोपगूढैस्तिलकद्रुमैश्च

madākulābhirbhramarībhirārānniṣevitaṁ cārusugaṁdhipuṣpavat kvacicca puṣpaiḥ sahakāravṛkṣairlatopagūḍhaistilakadrumaiśca

frequented all around by bees maddened with nectar, abounding in lovely fragrant flowers, adorned here with mango trees in flower, with tilaka trees embraced by creepers,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.188.30)

प्रहृष्टनानाविधपक्षिसेवितं प्रमत्तहारीतकुलोपनादितम् समंततः सुन्दरदर्शनीयतां समुद्वहत्तद्वनमुल्लसन्महत्

prahṛṣṭanānāvidhapakṣisevitaṁ pramattahārītakulopanāditam samaṁtataḥ sundaradarśanīyatāṁ samudvahattadvanamullasanmahat

frequented by manifold delighted birds, resounding with flocks of intoxicated green pigeons — that great, resplendent forest bore, on every side, a beautiful appearance.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.188.31)

निबिडनिचुलनीलं नीलकण्ठाभिरामं मदमुदितविहंगीवृन्दनादाभिरामम् कुसुमिततरुशाखालीनमत्तद्विरेफंनवकिसलयशोभाशोभितं सत्फलाढ्यम्

nibiḍaniculanīlaṁ nīlakaṇṭhābhirāmaṁ madamuditavihaṁgīvṛndanādābhirāmam kusumitataruśākhālīnamattadvirephaṁnavakisalayaśobhāśobhitaṁ satphalāḍhyam

dark with dense nicula thickets, delightful with peacocks, delightful with the cries of flocks of joyously intoxicated birds, its flowering tree-branches clinging with intoxicated bees, beautified with fresh sprouts, rich with good fruit,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.188.32)

इत्यादिबहुशोभाढ्यं सर्वदिक्षु मनोहरम् यत्र मांडव्यमुनिना तपस्तप्तं महत्किल यत्प्रभावादभूत्तीर्थं पावनं तत्सदा महत्

ityādibahuśobhāḍhyaṁ sarvadikṣu manoharam yatra māṁḍavyamuninā tapastaptaṁ mahatkila yatprabhāvādabhūttīrthaṁ pāvanaṁ tatsadā mahat

rich with such manifold beauties, charming in every direction, where the sage Mandavya performed great austerity — by whose power that ford became ever purifying and great.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.188.33)

तत्पूर्वं गौतमस्यर्षेराश्रमं पावनं महत् तत्पूर्वं च्यवनस्यर्षेः पराशरमुनेरिदम् प्रथमं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ पितुः किल तपोनिधेः

tatpūrvaṁ gautamasyarṣerāśramaṁ pāvanaṁ mahat tatpūrvaṁ cyavanasyarṣeḥ parāśaramuneridam prathamaṁ te muniśreṣṭha pituḥ kila taponidheḥ

Before it is the great, purifying hermitage of the sage Gautama; before that, of the sage Chyavana; and before that is this hermitage of the sage Parashara — first, O best of sages, of your father, that treasury of austerity.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.188.34)

नानाविधानि तीर्थानि चाश्रमाश्चैव सर्वशः वर्तंते तापसानां च यस्यास्तीरे समंततः

nānāvidhāni tīrthāni cāśramāścaiva sarvaśaḥ vartaṁte tāpasānāṁ ca yasyāstīre samaṁtataḥ

Manifold sacred fords, and likewise the hermitages of ascetics, all exist everywhere on the banks of that river.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.188.35)

तमसानाम सा ज्ञेया वर्तते तटिनी शुभा यज्ञयूपान्समुत्खाय शोभिता बहुशोऽभितः

tamasānāma sā jñeyā vartate taṭinī śubhā yajñayūpānsamutkhāya śobhitā bahuśo’bhitaḥ

That auspicious river is to be known by the name Tamasa; it is adorned all around with many sacrificial posts erected along its banks.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.188.36)

तत्र स्नानेन दानेन श्राद्धेन च विशेषतः सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिः स्यान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tatra snānena dānena śrāddhena ca viśeṣataḥ sarvakāmārthasiddhiḥ syānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

By bathing, charity, and especially shraddha there, the fulfillment of all desires and aims occurs — there should be no doubt of this.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.188.37)

मार्गशीर्षे शुक्लपक्षे पञ्चदश्यां विशेषतः स्नानं तस्य फलप्राप्तिदायकं सर्वदा नृणाम्

mārgaśīrṣe śuklapakṣe pañcadaśyāṁ viśeṣataḥ snānaṁ tasya phalaprāptidāyakaṁ sarvadā nṛṇām

Especially on the fifteenth of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, bathing there ever bestows the attainment of fruit for men.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.188.38)

तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं स्नानं निर्मलमानसैः प्रयत्नतो मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदम्

tasmādatra prakartavyaṁ snānaṁ nirmalamānasaiḥ prayatnato muniśreṣṭha sarvakāmārthasiddhidam

Therefore, O best of sages, bathing, which bestows the fulfillment of all desires and aims, should be diligently performed here by those of pure mind.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.188.39)

अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तमसापरमं शुभम् सीताकुंडमितिख्यातं श्रीदुग्धेश्वरसन्निधौ

ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi tamasāparamaṁ śubham sītākuṁḍamitikhyātaṁ śrīdugdheśvarasannidhau

Now I shall further tell of another auspicious tirtha beyond the Tamasa, known as Sita-kunda, near the illustrious Dugdheshvara.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.188.40)

भाद्रे शुक्लचतुर्थ्यां तु तस्य यात्रा शुभावहा सर्वकामार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं पूज्यो विप्रेश्वरस्तथा तस्य स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वविघ्नविनाशनम्

bhādre śuklacaturthyāṁ tu tasya yātrā śubhāvahā sarvakāmārthasiddhyarthaṁ pūjyo vipreśvarastathā tasya smaraṇamātreṇa sarvavighnavināśanam

On the fourth of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, its festival brings auspiciousness; for the fulfillment of all desires and aims, the Lord of brahmins should likewise be worshipped; by mere remembrance of him, all obstacles are destroyed.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.188.41)

तस्माद्दक्षिणदिग्भागे भैरवो नाम नामतः यं दृष्ट्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

tasmāddakṣiṇadigbhāge bhairavo nāma nāmataḥ yaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

To the south of that is one named Bhairava, by whose sight one is freed from all sins — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.188.42)

रक्षितो वासुदेवेन क्षेत्ररक्षार्थमादरात् तस्य पूजा विधातव्या प्रयत्नेन यथाविधि मनोभीष्टफलप्राप्तिर्भैरवस्य सदाऽऽदरात्

rakṣito vāsudevena kṣetrarakṣārthamādarāt tasya pūjā vidhātavyā prayatnena yathāvidhi manobhīṣṭaphalaprāptirbhairavasya sadā’’darāt

He was reverently installed by Vasudeva for the protection of the sacred field; his worship should be diligently and duly performed; the attainment of the fruit desired in the heart comes through ever reverently worshipping Bhairava.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.188.43)

मार्गशीर्षस्य कृष्णायामष्टम्यां तस्य निर्मिता यात्रा सांवत्सरी तत्र सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये

mārgaśīrṣasya kṛṣṇāyāmaṣṭamyāṁ tasya nirmitā yātrā sāṁvatsarī tatra sarvakāmārthasiddhaye

His annual festival is established on the eighth of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha, there, for the fulfillment of all desires and aims.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.188.44)

पशूपहारसंभूति कर्तव्यं पूजनं जनैः सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिर्जायते नात्र संशयः

paśūpahārasaṁbhūti kartavyaṁ pūjanaṁ janaiḥ sarvakāmaphalaprāptirjāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Worship, including the offering of an animal sacrifice, should be performed by people; the attainment of the fruit of all desires occurs — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.188.45)

निर्विघ्नं तीर्थवसतिर्भैरवस्य प्रसादतः जायते तेन कर्तव्या पूजा तस्य प्रयत्नतः

nirvighnaṁ tīrthavasatirbhairavasya prasādataḥ jāyate tena kartavyā pūjā tasya prayatnataḥ

Dwelling at the sacred ford becomes free of obstacles through the grace of Bhairava; therefore his worship should be diligently performed.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.188.46)

एतस्मिन्नुत्तरे भागे रम्यं भरतकुण्डकम् यत्र स्नात्वा नरः पापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

etasminnuttare bhāge ramyaṁ bharatakuṇḍakam yatra snātvā naraḥ pāpairmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

To the north of this is the delightful Bharata-kunda, bathing at which a man is freed from sins — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.188.47)

तत्र स्नानं तथा दानं सर्वमक्षयतां व्रजेत् अन्नं बहुविधं देयं वासांसि विविधान्यपि

tatra snānaṁ tathā dānaṁ sarvamakṣayatāṁ vrajet annaṁ bahuvidhaṁ deyaṁ vāsāṁsi vividhānyapi

Bathing and charity there become imperishable; food of many kinds should be given, and various garments too,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.188.48)

यत्नतो देवताः पूज्या वस्त्रादिभिरलंकृतैः नंदिग्रामे वसन्पूर्वं भरतो रघुवंशजः

yatnato devatāḥ pūjyā vastrādibhiralaṁkṛtaiḥ naṁdigrāme vasanpūrvaṁ bharato raghuvaṁśajaḥ

and the deities should be diligently worshipped with garments and other adornments. Formerly, Bharata, born of the Raghu lineage, dwelling in Nandigrama,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.188.49)

रामचन्द्रं हृदि ध्यायन्निर्मलात्मा जितेन्द्रियः ततः स्थित्वा प्रजाः सर्वा ररक्ष क्षितिवल्लभः

rāmacandraṁ hṛdi dhyāyannirmalātmā jitendriyaḥ tataḥ sthitvā prajāḥ sarvā rarakṣa kṣitivallabhaḥ

meditating on Ramachandra in his heart, of stainless soul, self-controlled, dwelling there, that beloved of the earth protected all his subjects.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.188.50)

तत्र चक्रे महत्कुण्डं भरतो नाम भूपतिः राममूर्तिं च संस्थाप्य चचार विजितेन्द्रियः

tatra cakre mahatkuṇḍaṁ bharato nāma bhūpatiḥ rāmamūrtiṁ ca saṁsthāpya cacāra vijitendriyaḥ

There the king named Bharata made a great tank, and, having installed an image of Rama, conducted himself with subdued senses.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.188.51)

तत्कुंडे सुमहत्पुण्यं नानापुण्यसमन्वितम् कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारपुण्डरीकसमन्वितम्

tatkuṁḍe sumahatpuṇyaṁ nānāpuṇyasamanvitam kumudotpalakahlārapuṇḍarīkasamanvitam

In that tank is very great merit, endowed with manifold merits, filled with water-lilies, blue lotuses, white lotuses and lotuses,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.188.52)

हंससारसचक्राह्व विहंगमविराजितम् उद्यानपादपच्छायासच्छायममलं सदा

haṁsasārasacakrāhva vihaṁgamavirājitam udyānapādapacchāyāsacchāyamamalaṁ sadā

resplendent with birds — swans, cranes, and ruddy geese — ever stainless, with the pleasant shade of the trees of its gardens.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.188.53)

तत्र स्नानं महापुण्यं प्रमोदानन्दनिर्मलम् तत्र स्नानं तथा श्राद्धं पितॄनुद्दिश्य कुर्वतः पितरस्तस्य तुष्यंति तुष्टाः स्युः सर्वदेवताः

tatra snānaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ pramodānandanirmalam tatra snānaṁ tathā śrāddhaṁ pitṝnuddiśya kurvataḥ pitarastasya tuṣyaṁti tuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ

Bathing there is of great merit, pure with joy and delight; for whoever bathes there and performs shraddha for the sake of his ancestors, his ancestors become satisfied, and all the gods become satisfied.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.188.54)

स्वर्णं चान्नं विधानेन दातव्यं च द्विजन्मने श्रद्धापूर्वकमेतत्तु कर्तव्यं प्रयतैर्नरैः

svarṇaṁ cānnaṁ vidhānena dātavyaṁ ca dvijanmane śraddhāpūrvakametattu kartavyaṁ prayatairnaraiḥ

Gold and food should duly be given to a brahmin; this should be done with faith by self-controlled men.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.188.55)

तत्पश्चिमदिशाभागे जटाकुण्डमनुत्तमम् यत्र रामादिभिः सर्वैर्जटाः परिहृता निजाः

tatpaścimadiśābhāge jaṭākuṇḍamanuttamam yatra rāmādibhiḥ sarvairjaṭāḥ parihṛtā nijāḥ

To the west of that is the unsurpassed Jata-kunda, where Rama and all the others cast off their own matted locks.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.188.56)

जटाकुण्डमिति ख्यातं सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् यत्र स्नानेन दानेन सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

jaṭākuṇḍamiti khyātaṁ sarvatīrthottamottamam yatra snānena dānena sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

It is known as Jata-kunda, the very best of all sacred fords, by bathing and giving charity at which one obtains all desires.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.188.57)

पूर्वकुण्डेषु संपूज्यो भरतः श्रीसमन्वितः जटाकुण्डेषु संपूज्यौ ससीतौ रामलक्ष्मणौ चैत्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी भवेत्

pūrvakuṇḍeṣu saṁpūjyo bharataḥ śrīsamanvitaḥ jaṭākuṇḍeṣu saṁpūjyau sasītau rāmalakṣmaṇau caitrakṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṁ yātrā sāṁvatsarī bhavet

At the former tanks, Bharata, endowed with splendor, should be worshipped; at Jata-kunda, Rama and Lakshmana, together with Sita, should be worshipped; the annual festival takes place on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Chaitra.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.188.58)

इति परमविधानैः पूजयेद्रामसीते तदनु भरतकुण्डे लक्ष्मणं च प्रपूज्य विधिवदमृतकुण्डे द्वंद्वंसमज्जनेन वसति सुकृतिमूर्तिर्वैष्णवे तत्र लोके

iti paramavidhānaiḥ pūjayedrāmasīte tadanu bharatakuṇḍe lakṣmaṇaṁ ca prapūjya vidhivadamṛtakuṇḍe dvaṁdvaṁsamajjanena vasati sukṛtimūrtirvaiṣṇave tatra loke

Thus, having with supreme rites worshipped Rama and Sita, and then, at Bharata-kunda, having duly worshipped Lakshmana, and having duly immersed as a couple in the nectar-tank — one of virtuous form dwells there in the Vaishnava world.