The Glory of Papavinashana Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.2.19.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि वेंकटाचलवैभवम् । युष्माकं सावधानेन शृणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः ।

śrīsūta uvāca athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi veṁkaṭācalavaibhavam yuṣmākaṁ sāvadhānena śṛṇudhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ

Shri Suta said: Now I shall relate the glory of Venkatachala; listen to it attentively, all of you, with focused minds.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.19.2)

लक्षकोटिसहस्राणि सरांसि सरितस्तथा । समुद्राश्च महापुण्या वनान्यप्याश्रमा अपि ।

lakṣakoṭisahasrāṇi sarāṁsi saritastathā samudrāśca mahāpuṇyā vanānyapyāśramā api

Millions upon millions of lakes and rivers, and the most sacred oceans, forests, and hermitages as well,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.19.3)

पुण्यानि क्षेत्रजातानि वेदारण्यादिकानि च । मुनयश्च वसिष्ठाद्या सिद्धचारणकिंनराः ।

puṇyāni kṣetrajātāni vedāraṇyādikāni ca munayaśca vasiṣṭhādyā siddhacāraṇakiṁnarāḥ

sacred sites of pilgrimage and forests like Vedaranya, and sages headed by Vasishtha, Siddhas, Charanas, and Kinnaras—

Verse 4 (skanda.2.19.4)

लक्ष्म्या सह धरण्या च भगवान्मधुसूदनः । सावित्र्या च सरस्वत्या सहैव चतुराननः ।

lakṣmyā saha dharaṇyā ca bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ sāvitryā ca sarasvatyā sahaiva caturānanaḥ

the Lord Madhusudana together with Lakshmi and Dharani, the four-faced Brahma together with Savitri and Sarasvati,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.19.5)

पार्वत्या सह देवेशस्त्र्यम्बकस्त्रिपुरांतकः । हेरम्बषण्मुखाद्याश्च देवाः सेन्द्रपुरोगमाः ।

pārvatyā saha deveśastryambakastripurāṁtakaḥ herambaṣaṇmukhādyāśca devāḥ sendrapurogamāḥ

the great god Tryambaka, destroyer of Tripura, together with Parvati, and the gods Heramba and Shanmukha and the rest, headed by Indra,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.19.6)

आदित्यादि ग्रहाश्चैव तथाष्टवसवो द्विजाः । पितरो लोकपालाश्च तथान्ये देवतागणाः ।

ādityādi grahāścaiva tathāṣṭavasavo dvijāḥ pitaro lokapālāśca tathānye devatāgaṇāḥ

the planets headed by Aditya, and the eight Vasus, O brahmins, the ancestors, the guardians of the quarters, and other hosts of deities too—

Verse 7 (skanda.2.19.7)

महापातकसंघानां नाशने लोकपावने । दिवानिशं वसन्त्यंतर्वेंकटाचलमूर्धनि ।

mahāpātakasaṁghānāṁ nāśane lokapāvane divāniśaṁ vasantyaṁtarveṁkaṭācalamūrdhani

they all dwell, day and night, within the summit of Venkatachala, that destroyer of hosts of grave sins and purifier of the world.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.19.8)

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण बुद्धिसौख्यं नृणां भवेत् । तन्मूर्धनि कृतावासा सिद्धचारणयोषितः ।

tasya darśanamātreṇa buddhisaukhyaṁ nṛṇāṁ bhavet tanmūrdhani kṛtāvāsā siddhacāraṇayoṣitaḥ

By its mere sight, men obtain wisdom and happiness. The wives of the Siddhas and Charanas, dwelling upon its summit,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.19.9)

पूजयंति सदाकालं वेंकटेशं कृपानिधिम् । कोटयो ब्रह्महत्यानामगम्यागमकोटयः ।

pūjayaṁti sadākālaṁ veṁkaṭeśaṁ kṛpānidhim koṭayo brahmahatyānāmagamyāgamakoṭayaḥ

forever worship Venkatesha, that treasure-house of compassion. Millions of sins of brahmin-slaying and millions of sins of forbidden union,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.19.10)

अङ्गलग्ना विनश्यंति वेंकटाचलमारुतैः ।

aṅgalagnā vinaśyaṁti veṁkaṭācalamārutaiḥ

clinging to the body though they be, are destroyed by the mere touch of Venkatachala's breeze.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.19.11)

वेंकटाद्रिं गिरिं तं तु प्रार्थयेत्पुण्यवर्धनम् । स्वर्णाचल महापुण्य सर्वदेवनिषेवित ।

veṁkaṭādriṁ giriṁ taṁ tu prārthayetpuṇyavardhanam svarṇācala mahāpuṇya sarvadevaniṣevita

One should offer this prayer to the mountain Venkatadri, increaser of merit — 'O golden mountain, exceedingly meritorious, served by all the gods,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.19.12)

ब्रह्मादयोऽपि यं देवाः सेवन्ते श्रद्धया सह । तं भवन्तमहं पद्भ्यामाक्रमेयं नगोत्तम ।

brahmādayo'pi yaṁ devāḥ sevante śraddhayā saha taṁ bhavantamahaṁ padbhyāmākrameyaṁ nagottama

whom even Brahma and the other gods serve with reverence — O best of mountains, today I shall set my feet upon you.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.19.13)

क्षमस्व तदघं मेऽद्य दयया पापचेतसः । त्वन्मूर्धनि कृतावासं माधवं दर्शयस्व मे ।

kṣamasva tadaghaṁ me'dya dayayā pāpacetasaḥ tvanmūrdhani kṛtāvāsaṁ mādhavaṁ darśayasva me

Forgive out of compassion this fault of mine, of sinful mind. Grant me the sight of Madhava, who dwells upon your summit.'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.19.14)

प्रार्थयित्वा नरस्त्वेवं वेंकटाद्रिं नगोत्तमम् । ततो मृदुपदं गच्छेत्पावनं वेंकटाचलम् ।

prārthayitvā narastvevaṁ veṁkaṭādriṁ nagottamam tato mṛdupadaṁ gacchetpāvanaṁ veṁkaṭācalam

Having thus prayed to that best of mountains, Venkatadri, a man should then ascend the sacred Venkatachala with gentle steps.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.19.15)

वेंकटाद्रौ महापुण्ये सर्वपातकनाशने । स्वामिपुष्करिणीतीर्थे स्नात्वा नियमपूर्वकम् ।

veṁkaṭādrau mahāpuṇye sarvapātakanāśane svāmipuṣkariṇītīrthe snātvā niyamapūrvakam

On that exceedingly meritorious Venkatadri, destroyer of every sin, having bathed according to rule in the Swami Pushkarini tirtha,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.19.16)

पिण्डदानं ततः कुर्यादपि सर्षपमात्रकम् । शमीदलसमानान्वा दद्यात्पिंडान्पितॄन्प्रति ।

piṇḍadānaṁ tataḥ kuryādapi sarṣapamātrakam śamīdalasamānānvā dadyātpiṁḍānpitṝnprati

one should then offer the pinda-oblation to one's ancestors, even if only the size of a mustard seed, or offer pindas the size of a shami leaf to the ancestors.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.19.17)

स्वर्गस्था मोक्षमायांति स्वर्गं नरकवासिनः ।

svargasthā mokṣamāyāṁti svargaṁ narakavāsinaḥ

By this, ancestors dwelling in heaven attain liberation, and ancestors dwelling in hell attain heaven.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.19.18)

ततस्तस्योपरि महत्सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतम् । सर्वतीर्थोत्तमं पुण्यं नाम्ना पापविनाशनम् ।

tatastasyopari mahatsarvalokeṣu viśrutam sarvatīrthottamaṁ puṇyaṁ nāmnā pāpavināśanam

Beyond that, there is a great tirtha, renowned in all the worlds, foremost among all tirthas, meritorious, known by the name Papavinashana (destroyer of sin),

Verse 19 (skanda.2.19.19)

अस्ति पुण्यतमे विप्राः पवित्रे वेंकटाचले । यस्य संस्मरणादेव गर्भवासो न विद्यते ।

asti puṇyatame viprāḥ pavitre veṁkaṭācale yasya saṁsmaraṇādeva garbhavāso na vidyate

O brahmins, situated in that most meritorious, sacred Venkatachala, by whose mere remembrance dwelling in the womb (rebirth) no longer occurs.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.19.20)

तत्प्राप्य तु नरः स्नायात्स्वामितीर्थस्य चोत्तरे । तत्र स्नानान्नरा यांति वैकुण्ठं नात्र संशयः ।

tatprāpya tu naraḥ snāyātsvāmitīrthasya cottare tatra snānānnarā yāṁti vaikuṇṭhaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Having reached it, a man should bathe north of the Swami tirtha. By bathing there, men attain Vaikuntha — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.19.21)

ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत पापविनाशाख्यतीर्थस्य ब्रूहि वैभवम् । व्यासेन बोधितस्त्वं हि वेत्सि सर्वं महामुने ।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta pāpavināśākhyatīrthasya brūhi vaibhavam vyāsena bodhitastvaṁ hi vetsi sarvaṁ mahāmune

The sages said: O Suta, tell us the glory of that tirtha called Papavinashana. O great sage, having been instructed by Vyasa, you know everything.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.19.22)

श्रीसूत उवाच । ब्रह्माश्रमपदे वृत्तां पार्श्वे हिमवतः शुभे । वक्ष्यामि ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा युष्माकं तु कथां शुभाम् ।

śrīsūta uvāca brahmāśramapade vṛttāṁ pārśve himavataḥ śubhe vakṣyāmi brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhā yuṣmākaṁ tu kathāṁ śubhām

Shri Suta said: O excellent brahmins, I shall tell you this auspicious story, which took place at the hermitage-site called Brahmashrama, on the auspicious slope of the Himalaya.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.19.23)

तदाश्रमपदं पुण्यं ब्रह्माश्रमपदं शुभम् । नानावृक्षसमाकीर्णं पार्श्वे हिमवतः शुभे ।

tadāśramapadaṁ puṇyaṁ brahmāśramapadaṁ śubham nānāvṛkṣasamākīrṇaṁ pārśve himavataḥ śubhe

That sacred, auspicious hermitage-site, thick with manifold trees, on the auspicious slope of the Himalaya,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.19.24)

बहुगुल्मलताकीर्णं मृगद्विपनिषेवितम् । सिद्धचारणसंघुष्टं रम्यं पुष्पितकाननम् ।

bahugulmalatākīrṇaṁ mṛgadvipaniṣevitam siddhacāraṇasaṁghuṣṭaṁ ramyaṁ puṣpitakānanam

filled with many shrubs and creepers, frequented by deer and elephants, ringing with the sounds of Siddhas and Charanas, a delightful, flower-laden forest,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.19.25)

यतिभिर्बहुभिः कीर्णं तापसैरुपशोभितम् । ब्राह्मणैश्च महाभागैः सूर्यज्वलनसन्निभैः ।

yatibhirbahubhiḥ kīrṇaṁ tāpasairupaśobhitam brāhmaṇaiśca mahābhāgaiḥ sūryajvalanasannibhaiḥ

filled with many renunciates, adorned with ascetics, and by brahmins of great fortune, radiant as the sun,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.19.26)

नियमव्रतसम्पन्नैः समाकीर्णे तपस्विभिः । दीक्षितैर्यागशीलैश्च यताहारैः कृतात्मभिः ।

niyamavratasampannaiḥ samākīrṇe tapasvibhiḥ dīkṣitairyāgaśīlaiśca yatāhāraiḥ kṛtātmabhiḥ

filled with ascetics endowed with rules and vows, with initiated performers of sacrifice, of restrained diet, and masters of their senses,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.19.27)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नैर्वैदिकैः परिवेष्टितम् । वर्णिभिश्च गृहस्थैश्च वानप्रस्थैश्च भिक्षुभिः ।

vedādhyayanasaṁpannairvaidikaiḥ pariveṣṭitam varṇibhiśca gṛhasthaiśca vānaprasthaiśca bhikṣubhiḥ

surrounded by Vedic scholars accomplished in Vedic study, and by celibate students, householders, forest-dwellers, and wandering mendicants,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.19.28)

स्वाश्रमाचारनिरतैः स्ववर्णोक्तविधायिभिः । वालखिल्यैश्च ऋषिभिः समंतात्परिवेष्टितम् ।

svāśramācāranirataiḥ svavarṇoktavidhāyibhiḥ vālakhilyaiśca ṛṣibhiḥ samaṁtātpariveṣṭitam

each devoted to the conduct proper to his own stage of life, observing the rites prescribed for his own order, and encircled on every side by the Valakhilya sages.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.19.29)

तत्राश्रमे पुरा कश्चिच्छूद्रो दृढमतिर्द्विजाः । साहसी ब्राह्मणाभ्याशमाजगाम मुदान्वितः ।

tatrāśrame purā kaścicchūdro dṛḍhamatirdvijāḥ sāhasī brāhmaṇābhyāśamājagāma mudānvitaḥ

O brahmins, in that hermitage, long ago, a bold shudra named Dridhamati, with a joyful heart,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.19.30)

आगतो ह्याश्रमपदं पूजितश्च तपस्विभिः । नाम्ना दृढमतिः शूद्रः साष्टांगं प्रणनाम वै ।

āgato hyāśramapadaṁ pūjitaśca tapasvibhiḥ nāmnā dṛḍhamatiḥ śūdraḥ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇanāma vai

came to that hermitage; and, honored by the ascetics, that shudra Dridhamati bowed down in full prostration.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.19.31)

तान्स दृष्ट्वा मुनिगणान्देवकल्पान्महौजसः । कुर्वतो विविधान्यज्ञान्संप्राशहृष्यत शूद्रकः ।

tānsa dṛṣṭvā munigaṇāndevakalpānmahaujasaḥ kurvato vividhānyajñānsaṁprāśahṛṣyata śūdrakaḥ

Seeing there the hosts of sages, splendid as gods, performing manifold sacrifices, that shudra became greatly delighted.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.19.32)

अथास्य बुद्धिरभवत्तपः कर्तुमनुत्तमम् । ततोऽब्रवीत्कुलपतिं मुनिमागत्य तापसम् ।

athāsya buddhirabhavattapaḥ kartumanuttamam tato'bravītkulapatiṁ munimāgatya tāpasam

Then a wish arose in his mind to perform the highest austerity. So he came and spoke to that ascetic sage, the head of the hermitage—

Verse 33 (skanda.2.19.33)

दृढमतिरुवाच । तपोधन नमस्तेऽस्तु रक्ष मां करुणानिधे । तव प्रसादादिच्छामि यागं कर्तुं प्रसीद मे ।

dṛḍhamatiruvāca tapodhana namaste'stu rakṣa māṁ karuṇānidhe tava prasādādicchāmi yāgaṁ kartuṁ prasīda me

Dridhamati said: 'O sage rich in austerity, salutation to you. O treasure-house of compassion, protect me. By your grace I wish to perform sacrifice; be gracious to me.'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.19.34)

एवमुक्तस्तु शूद्रेण तमाह ब्राह्मणस्तदा ।

evamuktastu śūdreṇa tamāha brāhmaṇastadā

Thus addressed by the shudra, that brahmin said to him—

Verse 35 (skanda.2.19.35)

कुलपतिरुवाच । यागे दीक्षयितुं शक्यो न शूद्रो हीनजन्मभाक् । भूयते यदि ते बुद्धिः शुश्रूषा निरतो भव ।

kulapatiruvāca yāge dīkṣayituṁ śakyo na śūdro hīnajanmabhāk bhūyate yadi te buddhiḥ śuśrūṣā nirato bhava

The head of the hermitage said: 'A shudra, born of a lowly birth, cannot be initiated into sacrifice. If such is your wish, devote yourself instead to service.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.19.36)

उपदेशो न कर्तव्यो जातिहीनस्य कर्हिचित् । उपदेशे महान्दोष उपाध्यायस्यविद्यते ।

upadeśo na kartavyo jātihīnasya karhicit upadeśe mahāndoṣa upādhyāyasyavidyate

'One of low caste should never be instructed; in giving such instruction there lies a grave fault for the teacher.'

Verse 37 (skanda.2.19.37)

नाध्यापयेद्बुधः शूद्रं तथा नैव च याजयेत् । न पाठयेत्तथा शूद्रं शास्त्रं व्याकरणादिकम् ।

nādhyāpayedbudhaḥ śūdraṁ tathā naiva ca yājayet na pāṭhayettathā śūdraṁ śāstraṁ vyākaraṇādikam

'A wise man should neither teach a shudra the Vedas nor have him perform sacrifice. Nor should he teach a shudra grammar or other such scriptures,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.19.38)

काव्यं वा नाटकं वापि तथालंकारमेव वा । पुराणमितिहासं च शूद्रं नैव तु पाठयेत् ।

kāvyaṁ vā nāṭakaṁ vāpi tathālaṁkārameva vā purāṇamitihāsaṁ ca śūdraṁ naiva tu pāṭhayet

nor poetry, nor drama, nor the science of rhetoric. The Puranas and the Itihasas too should never be taught to a shudra.'

Verse 39 (skanda.2.19.39)

यदि चोपदिशेद्विप्रः शूद्रस्यैतानि कर्हिचित् । त्यजेयुर्ब्राह्मणा विप्रं ते ग्रामाद्ब्रह्मसंकुलात् ।

yadi copadiśedvipraḥ śūdrasyaitāni karhicit tyajeyurbrāhmaṇā vipraṁ te grāmādbrahmasaṁkulāt

'If any brahmin should ever instruct a shudra in these things, the other brahmins should expel that brahmin from a village full of brahmins.'

Verse 40 (skanda.2.19.40)

शूद्राय चोपदेष्टारं द्विजं चण्डालवत्त्यजेत् । शूद्रं चाक्षरसंयुक्तं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत् ।

śūdrāya copadeṣṭāraṁ dvijaṁ caṇḍālavattyajet śūdraṁ cākṣarasaṁyuktaṁ dūrataḥ parivarjayet

'That brahmin who instructs a shudra should be shunned like an outcaste; and a shudra possessed of the knowledge of letters should likewise be avoided from afar.'

Verse 41 (skanda.2.19.41)

तच्छुश्रूषस्व भद्रं ते ब्राह्मणाच्छद्धयासह । शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा मन्वादिभिरुदीरिता ।

tacchuśrūṣasva bhadraṁ te brāhmaṇācchaddhayāsaha śūdrasya dvijaśuśrūṣā manvādibhirudīritā

'Serve the brahmin with reverence instead — this shall be your good. It is service to the brahmin alone that Manu and the other lawgivers have prescribed for the shudra.'

Verse 42 (skanda.2.19.42)

न हि नैसर्गिकं कर्म परित्यक्तुं त्वमर्हसि । एवमुक्तः स मुनिना स शूद्रोऽचिन्तयत्तदा ।

na hi naisargikaṁ karma parityaktuṁ tvamarhasi evamuktaḥ sa muninā sa śūdro'cintayattadā

'It is not fitting for you to abandon your own natural duty.' Thus addressed by the sage, that shudra then reflected—

Verse 43 (skanda.2.19.43)

किं कर्तव्यं मया त्वद्य व्रते श्रद्धा हि मे परा । यथा स्यान्ममसुज्ञान यतिष्येऽहं तथाद्य वै ।

kiṁ kartavyaṁ mayā tvadya vrate śraddhā hi me parā yathā syānmamasujñāna yatiṣye'haṁ tathādya vai

'What should I do today? I have the deepest reverence for this observance. Whatever is truly good for me — that I shall strive for today.'

Verse 44 (skanda.2.19.44)

इति निश्चित्य मनसा शूद्रो दृढमतिस्तदा । गत्वाश्रमपदादूरं कृतवानुटजशुभम् ।

iti niścitya manasā śūdro dṛḍhamatistadā gatvāśramapadādūraṁ kṛtavānuṭajaśubham

Having thus resolved in his mind, that shudra Dridhamati then went far from the hermitage-site and built himself an auspicious hut.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.19.45)

तत्र वै देवतागारं पुण्यान्यायतनानि च । पुष्पारामादिकं चापि तटाकखननादिकम् ।

tatra vai devatāgāraṁ puṇyānyāyatanāni ca puṣpārāmādikaṁ cāpi taṭākakhananādikam

There, with reverence, he had built a shrine to the gods, sacred temples, flower gardens, and the digging of tanks,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.19.46)

श्रद्धया कारयामास तपः सिद्ध्यर्थमात्मन । अभिषेकांश्च नियमानुपवासादिकानपि ।

śraddhayā kārayāmāsa tapaḥ siddhyarthamātmana abhiṣekāṁśca niyamānupavāsādikānapi

for the accomplishment of his own austerity, and also performed anointing rites, observances, fasts, and the like.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.19.47)

बलिं कृत्वा च हुत्वा च दैवतान्यभ्यपूजयत् । संकल्पनियमोपेतः फलाहारो जितेंद्रियः ।

baliṁ kṛtvā ca hutvā ca daivatānyabhyapūjayat saṁkalpaniyamopetaḥ phalāhāro jiteṁdriyaḥ

Offering oblations and performing fire-rituals, he continued to worship the gods. Endowed with resolve and discipline, subsisting on fruit, having mastered his senses,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.19.48)

नित्यं कन्दैश्च मूलैश्च पुष्पैरपि तथा फलैः । अतिथीन्पूजयामास यथावत्समुपागतान् ।

nityaṁ kandaiśca mūlaiśca puṣpairapi tathā phalaiḥ atithīnpūjayāmāsa yathāvatsamupāgatān

he would daily, with roots, tubers, flowers, and fruits, duly honor whatever guests happened to come there.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.19.49)

एवं हि सुमहान्कालो व्यतिचक्राम तस्य वै ।

evaṁ hi sumahānkālo vyaticakrāma tasya vai

Thus a very great span of time passed for him.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.19.50)

अथाश्रममगात्तस्य सुमतिर्नाम नामतः । द्विजो गर्गकुलोद्भूतः सत्यवादी जितेंद्रियः ।

athāśramamagāttasya sumatirnāma nāmataḥ dvijo gargakulodbhūtaḥ satyavādī jiteṁdriyaḥ

Then to his hermitage came a brahmin named Sumati, born in the Garga lineage, truthful, and master of his senses.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.19.51)

स्वागतैर्मुनिमाराध्य तोषयित्वा फलादिकैः । कथयन्वै कथाः पुण्याः कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत ।

svāgatairmunimārādhya toṣayitvā phalādikaiḥ kathayanvai kathāḥ puṇyāḥ kuśalaṁ paryapṛcchata

Welcoming him, honoring and satisfying that sage with fruits and the like, the shudra, telling sacred tales, would inquire after his welfare.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.19.52)

इत्थं विप्रः स पाद्याद्यैरुपचारैस्तु पूजितः । आशीर्भिरभिनन्द्यैनं प्रतिगृह्य च सत्क्रियाम् ।

itthaṁ vipraḥ sa pādyādyairupacāraistu pūjitaḥ āśīrbhirabhinandyainaṁ pratigṛhya ca satkriyām

Thus that brahmin, honored with the offering of water for the feet and other rites, blessing him with his benedictions, and accepting that hospitality,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.19.53)

तमापृच्छत्प्रहृष्टात्मा स्वाश्रमं पुनराययौ । एवं दिनेदिने विप्रः शूद्रेऽस्मिन्पक्षपातवान् ।

tamāpṛcchatprahṛṣṭātmā svāśramaṁ punarāyayau evaṁ dinedine vipraḥ śūdre'sminpakṣapātavān

would, with a joyful heart, take leave of him and return to his own hermitage. Thus, day by day, that brahmin began to grow fond of this shudra,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.19.54)

आगच्छदाश्रमं तस्य द्रष्टुं तं शूद्रयोनिजम् । बहुकालं द्विजस्याभूत्संसर्गः शूद्रयोनिना ।

āgacchadāśramaṁ tasya draṣṭuṁ taṁ śūdrayonijam bahukālaṁ dvijasyābhūtsaṁsargaḥ śūdrayoninā

and would come to his hermitage merely to see this shudra-born man. The brahmin's association with the shudra-born man continued thus for a very long time.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.19.55)

स्नेहस्य वशमापन्नः शूद्रोक्तं नातिचक्रमे । अथागतं द्विजं शूद्रः प्राह स्नेहवशीकृतम् ।

snehasya vaśamāpannaḥ śūdroktaṁ nāticakrame athāgataṁ dvijaṁ śūdraḥ prāha snehavaśīkṛtam

Overpowered by affection, he never once disregarded what the shudra said. One day that shudra said to the brahmin, overcome by affection—

Verse 56 (skanda.2.19.56)

हव्यकव्यविधानं मे ब्रूहि त्वं तु गुरुर्मतः । एवमुक्तः स शूद्रेण सर्वमेतदुपादिशत् ।

havyakavyavidhānaṁ me brūhi tvaṁ tu gururmataḥ evamuktaḥ sa śūdreṇa sarvametadupādiśat

'Teach me the procedure of the havya and kavya rites [offerings to gods and ancestors]; I regard you alone as my teacher.' Thus addressed by the shudra, he taught him all of this.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.19.57)

कारयामास शूद्रस्य पितृकार्यादिकं तदा । पितृकार्ये कृते तेन विसृष्टः स द्विजोत्तमः ।

kārayāmāsa śūdrasya pitṛkāryādikaṁ tadā pitṛkārye kṛte tena visṛṣṭaḥ sa dvijottamaḥ

Then that brahmin also had the shudra perform the ancestral rites and the like. Having performed the ancestral rites, the shudra would then take leave of that excellent brahmin.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.19.58)

अथ दीर्घेण कालेन पोषितः शूद्रयोनिना । त्यक्तो विप्रगणैः सोऽयं पञ्चत्वमगमद्द्विजः ।

atha dīrgheṇa kālena poṣitaḥ śūdrayoninā tyakto vipragaṇaiḥ so'yaṁ pañcatvamagamaddvijaḥ

At last, having for a long time been sustained by that shudra-born man, and abandoned by the community of brahmins, that brahmin met his death.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.19.59)

वैवस्वतभटैर्नीत्वा पातितो नरकेष्वपि । कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च ।

vaivasvatabhaṭairnītvā pātito narakeṣvapi kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca

Led away by the servants of Yama, he was cast down into the hells as well. For thousands of crores of kalpas, and hundreds of crores of kalpas,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.19.60)

भुक्त्वा क्रमेण नरकांस्तदन्ते स्थावरोऽभवत् । गर्दभस्तु ततो जज्ञे विड्वराहस्ततः परम् ।

bhuktvā krameṇa narakāṁstadante sthāvaro'bhavat gardabhastu tato jajñe viḍvarāhastataḥ param

having endured the hells in due order, at their end he became a stationary being (a plant). Then he took birth as a donkey, and after that as a filth-eating boar,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.19.61)

जज्ञेऽथ सारमेयोऽसौ पश्चाद्वायसतां गतः । अथ चण्डालतां प्राप्य शूद्रयोनिमगात्ततः ।

jajñe'tha sārameyo'sau paścādvāyasatāṁ gataḥ atha caṇḍālatāṁ prāpya śūdrayonimagāttataḥ

then he took birth as a dog, and after that attained the birth of a crow. Then, becoming an outcaste, he thereafter attained the shudra womb,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.19.62)

गतवान्वैश्यतां पश्चात्क्षत्रियस्तदनन्तरम् । प्रबलैर्बाध्यमानोऽसौ ब्राह्मणो वै तदाभवत् ।

gatavānvaiśyatāṁ paścātkṣatriyastadanantaram prabalairbādhyamāno'sau brāhmaṇo vai tadābhavat

then became a vaishya, and after that a kshatriya. Being oppressed by the powerful, he then became a brahmin as well.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.19.63)

उपनीतः स पित्रा तु वर्षे गर्भाष्टमे द्विजः । वर्तमानः पितुर्गेहे स्वाचाराभ्यासतत्परः ।

upanītaḥ sa pitrā tu varṣe garbhāṣṭame dvijaḥ vartamānaḥ piturgehe svācārābhyāsatatparaḥ

That brahmin was invested by his father with the sacred thread in the eighth year from conception. Dwelling in his father's house, devoted to the practice of his own proper conduct,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.19.64)

गच्छन्कदाचिद्गहने गृहीतो ब्रह्मरक्षसा । रुदन्भ्रमन्स्खलन्मूढः प्रलपन्प्रहसन्नसौ ।

gacchankadācidgahane gṛhīto brahmarakṣasā rudanbhramanskhalanmūḍhaḥ pralapanprahasannasau

once, while going through a dense forest, he was seized by a Brahmarakshasa (a demon born of a fallen brahmin). Weeping, wandering, stumbling, senseless,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.19.65)

शश्वद्धाहेति च वदन्वैदिकं कर्म सोऽत्यजत् । दृष्ट्वा सुतं तथाभूतं पिता दुःखेन पीडितः ।

śaśvaddhāheti ca vadanvaidikaṁ karma so'tyajat dṛṣṭvā sutaṁ tathābhūtaṁ pitā duḥkhena pīḍitaḥ

raving and laughing, ceaselessly crying 'alas, alas,' he abandoned his Vedic rites entirely. Seeing his son in this condition, the father, overcome with grief,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.19.66)

सुतमादाय च स्नेहादगस्त्यं शरणं ययौ । सुवर्णमुखरीतीरे तपस्यन्तं शिवाग्रतः ।

sutamādāya ca snehādagastyaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayau suvarṇamukharītīre tapasyantaṁ śivāgrataḥ

and, out of affection, taking his son, went to seek refuge with the sage Agastya, who was performing austerity on the bank of the river Suvarnamukhari, before Shiva.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.19.67)

भक्त्या मुनिं प्रणम्यासौ पिता तस्य सुतस्य वै । तस्मै निवेदयामास स्वपुत्रस्य विचेष्टितम् ।

bhaktyā muniṁ praṇamyāsau pitā tasya sutasya vai tasmai nivedayāmāsa svaputrasya viceṣṭitam

Bowing to that sage with devotion, that son's father related to him the account of his son's [pitiable] condition.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.19.68)

अथागस्त्योक्त्या दुर्गत्यपनोदनार्थं सुमतेर्वेंकटाद्रिगमनम् । अब्रवीच्च तदा विप्रः कुम्भजं मुनिपुंगवम् । एष मे तनयो ब्रह्मन्गृहीतो ब्रह्मरक्षसा ।

athāgastyoktyā durgatyapanodanārthaṁ sumaterveṁkaṭādrigamanam abravīcca tadā vipraḥ kumbhajaṁ munipuṁgavam eṣa me tanayo brahmangṛhīto brahmarakṣasā

That brahmin said to Agastya, that finest of sages, born of a jar, 'O brahmin, this son of mine has been seized by a Brahmarakshasa.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.19.69)

सुखं न लभते ब्रह्मन्रक्ष तं करुणादृशा । नास्ति मे तनयोऽप्यन्यः पितॄणामृणमुक्तये ।

sukhaṁ na labhate brahmanrakṣa taṁ karuṇādṛśā nāsti me tanayo'pyanyaḥ pitṝṇāmṛṇamuktaye

O brahmin, it finds no happiness; protect it with your gaze of compassion. I have no other son besides this one for the release of my debt to my ancestors.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.19.70)

तस्य पीडाविनाशार्थमुपायं ब्रूहि कुम्भज । त्वत्समस्त्रिषु लोकेषु तपःशीलो न विद्यते ।

tasya pīḍāvināśārthamupāyaṁ brūhi kumbhaja tvatsamastriṣu lokeṣu tapaḥśīlo na vidyate

O jar-born sage, tell me the remedy for the destruction of its affliction. In all three worlds, none equals you in the discipline of austerity.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.19.71)

त्वां विनास्य परित्राता न मे पुत्रस्य विद्यते । पुत्रे दयां कुरु गुरो दयाशीला हि साधवः ।

tvāṁ vināsya paritrātā na me putrasya vidyate putre dayāṁ kuru guro dayāśīlā hi sādhavaḥ

There is no other protector for this son of mine besides you. O teacher, show compassion upon my son, for the righteous are ever compassionate.'

Verse 72 (skanda.2.19.72)

श्रीसूत उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन कुम्भजो ध्यानमास्थितः । ध्यात्वा तु सुचिरं कालमब्रवीद्ब्राह्मणं ततः ।

śrīsūta uvāca evamuktastadā tena kumbhajo dhyānamāsthitaḥ dhyātvā tu suciraṁ kālamabravīdbrāhmaṇaṁ tataḥ

Shri Suta said: Thus addressed, the jar-born Agastya settled into meditation. Having meditated for a long while, he then said to that brahmin—

Verse 73 (skanda.2.19.73)

अगस्त्य उवाच । पूर्वजन्मनि ते पुत्रो ब्राह्मणोऽयं महामते । सुमतिर्नाम विप्रोऽयं मतिं शूद्राय वै ददौ ।

agastya uvāca pūrvajanmani te putro brāhmaṇo'yaṁ mahāmate sumatirnāma vipro'yaṁ matiṁ śūdrāya vai dadau

Agastya said: 'O wise one, in a former birth this son of yours was a brahmin. He was this same brahmin named Sumati, who gave his own knowledge to a shudra,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.19.74)

कर्माणि वैदिकान्येष सर्वाण्युपदिदेश वै । अतोऽयं नरकान्भुक्त्वा कल्पकोटिसहस्रकम् ।

karmāṇi vaidikānyeṣa sarvāṇyupadideśa vai ato'yaṁ narakānbhuktvā kalpakoṭisahasrakam

and instructed him in all the Vedic rites. For this very reason, having endured the hells for thousands of crores of kalpas,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.19.75)

जातो भुवि तदन्तेषु स्थावरादिषु योनिषु । इदानीं ब्राह्मणो जातः कर्मशेषेण ते सुतः ।

jāto bhuvi tadanteṣu sthāvarādiṣu yoniṣu idānīṁ brāhmaṇo jātaḥ karmaśeṣeṇa te sutaḥ

at their end he was born upon the earth in the wombs of stationary beings and the like. Now, by the remainder of that same karma, your son has been born as a brahmin,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.19.76)

यमेन प्रेषितेनात्र गृहीतो ब्रह्मरक्षसा । क्रूरेण पातकेनाद्य पूर्वजन्मकृतेन वै ।

yamena preṣitenātra gṛhīto brahmarakṣasā krūreṇa pātakenādya pūrvajanmakṛtena vai

and, sent by Yamaraja, a Brahmarakshasa has seized him — the fruit, today, of that same cruel sin committed in a former birth.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.19.77)

उपायं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मरक्षोविनाशने । शृणुष्व श्रद्धया युक्तः समाधाय च मानसम् ।

upāyaṁ te pravakṣyāmi brahmarakṣovināśane śṛṇuṣva śraddhayā yuktaḥ samādhāya ca mānasam

I shall tell you the remedy for the destruction of that Brahmarakshasa; listen with reverence, your mind composed.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.19.78)

सुवर्णमुखरीतीरे ऋषिसंघनिषेविते । वर्तते दैवतैः सेव्यः पावनो वेंकटाचलः ।

suvarṇamukharītīre ṛṣisaṁghaniṣevite vartate daivataiḥ sevyaḥ pāvano veṁkaṭācalaḥ

On the bank of the river Suvarnamukhari, served by hosts of sages and worthy of service by the gods, stands the sacred mountain Venkatachala.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.19.79)

तस्योपरि महातीर्थं नाम्ना पापविनाशनम् । अस्ति पुण्यं प्रसिद्धं च महापातकनाशनम् ।

tasyopari mahātīrthaṁ nāmnā pāpavināśanam asti puṇyaṁ prasiddhaṁ ca mahāpātakanāśanam

Upon it there is a great tirtha named Papavinashana, sacred, renowned, and destroyer of the gravest sins.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.19.80)

भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां वेतालब्रह्मरक्षसाम् । महतां चैव रोगाणां तीर्थं तन्नाशकं स्मृतम् ।

bhūtapretapiśācānāṁ vetālabrahmarakṣasām mahatāṁ caiva rogāṇāṁ tīrthaṁ tannāśakaṁ smṛtam

That tirtha is held to be the destroyer of ghosts, spirits, demons, vetalas, Brahmarakshasas, and even the gravest diseases.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.19.81)

सुतमादाय गच्छ त्वं तत्तीर्थं गिरिमध्यगम् । प्रयतः स्नापय सुतं तीर्थे पापविनाशने ।

sutamādāya gaccha tvaṁ tattīrthaṁ girimadhyagam prayataḥ snāpaya sutaṁ tīrthe pāpavināśane

Take your son and go to that tirtha, situated in the midst of that mountain. With due restraint, have your son bathe in that Papavinashana tirtha.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.19.82)

स्नानेन त्रिदिनं तत्र बह्मरक्षो विनश्यति । नैवोपायान्तरं तस्य विनाशे विद्यते भुवि ।

snānena tridinaṁ tatra bahmarakṣo vinaśyati naivopāyāntaraṁ tasya vināśe vidyate bhuvi

By three days of bathing there, the Brahmarakshasa shall be destroyed. There is no other remedy upon this earth for its destruction.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.19.83)

तस्माच्छीघ्रं प्रयाहि त्वं वेंकटाह्वयपर्वतम् । तत्र पापविनाशाख्यतीर्थे स्नापय ते सुतम् ।

tasmācchīghraṁ prayāhi tvaṁ veṁkaṭāhvayaparvatam tatra pāpavināśākhyatīrthe snāpaya te sutam

Therefore go swiftly to that mountain named Venkata. There, in that tirtha named Papavinashana, have your son bathe.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.19.84)

मा विलम्बं कुरुष्वात्र त्वरया याहि वै द्विज । इत्युक्तः स द्विजोऽगस्त्यं प्रणम्य भुवि दण्डवत् ।

mā vilambaṁ kuruṣvātra tvarayā yāhi vai dvija ityuktaḥ sa dvijo'gastyaṁ praṇamya bhuvi daṇḍavat

Do not delay here, O brahmin — go with haste.' Thus addressed, that brahmin bowed down to Agastya, prostrate upon the ground like a staff,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.19.85)

अनुज्ञातश्च तेनासौ प्रययौ वेंकटाचलम् । सुतेन साकं विप्रोऽसौ गत्वा पापविनाशनम् ।

anujñātaśca tenāsau prayayau veṁkaṭācalam sutena sākaṁ vipro'sau gatvā pāpavināśanam

and, having received his permission, set out toward Venkatachala. That brahmin, together with his son, went to the Papavinashana tirtha,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.19.86)

संकल्पपूर्वं संस्नाप्य दिनत्रयमसौ सुतम् । सस्नौ स्वयं च विप्रेन्द्रः पिता पापविनाशने ।

saṁkalpapūrvaṁ saṁsnāpya dinatrayamasau sutam sasnau svayaṁ ca viprendraḥ pitā pāpavināśane

and with due resolve bathed his son there for three days; and that excellent brahmin father too himself bathed in the Papavinashana tirtha.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.19.87)

समागतः पपौ तोयं कृत्वा चाप्याह्निकक्रमम् । अथ तस्य सुतस्तत्र विमुक्तो ब्रह्मरक्षसा ।

samāgataḥ papau toyaṁ kṛtvā cāpyāhnikakramam atha tasya sutastatra vimukto brahmarakṣasā

Having come there, he drank the tirtha's water, and also performed his daily rites. Then there, his son was freed from the Brahmarakshasa,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.19.88)

समजायत नीरोगः स्वस्थः सुन्दररूपधृक् । सर्वसंपत्समृद्धोऽसौ भुक्त्वा भोगाननेकशः ।

samajāyata nīrogaḥ svasthaḥ sundararūpadhṛk sarvasaṁpatsamṛddho'sau bhuktvā bhogānanekaśaḥ

and became free of disease, healthy, and of beautiful form. Rich with every prosperity, and having enjoyed manifold pleasures,

Verse 89 (skanda.2.19.89)

देहान्ते प्रययौ मुक्तिं स्नानात्पापविनाशने । पितापि तत्र स्नानेन देहान्ते मुक्तिमाप्तवान् ।

dehānte prayayau muktiṁ snānātpāpavināśane pitāpi tatra snānena dehānte muktimāptavān

upon leaving his body he attained liberation, by the power of bathing in Papavinashana. His father too, having bathed there, attained liberation upon leaving his body.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.19.90)

तेनोपदिष्टोऽयं शूद्रः स भुक्त्वा नरकान्क्रमात् । अनेकासु जनित्वा च कुत्सितास्वपि योनिषु ।

tenopadiṣṭo'yaṁ śūdraḥ sa bhuktvā narakānkramāt anekāsu janitvā ca kutsitāsvapi yoniṣu

That shudra whom that [brahmin] had instructed also, in due order, endured the hells, and, taking birth even in many condemned wombs,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.19.91)

गृध्रजन्माभवत्पश्चाद्वेंकटाचलभूधरे । स कदाचिज्जलं पातुं तीर्थे पापविनाशने ।

gṛdhrajanmābhavatpaścādveṁkaṭācalabhūdhare sa kadācijjalaṁ pātuṁ tīrthe pāpavināśane

afterward attained the birth of a vulture upon the mountain Venkatachala. Once, coming to the Papavinashana tirtha to drink water,

Verse 92 (skanda.2.19.92)

समागतः पपौ तोयं सिषिचे चात्मनस्तनुम् । तदैव दिव्यदेहः सन्सर्वाभरणभूषितः ।

samāgataḥ papau toyaṁ siṣice cātmanastanum tadaiva divyadehaḥ sansarvābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ

he drank that water, and sprinkled his own body with it as well. At that very instant he assumed a divine form, adorned with every ornament,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.19.93)

दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य प्रययावमरालयम् ।

divyaṁ vimānamāruhya prayayāvamarālayam

and, mounting a celestial chariot, departed for the world of the immortals.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.19.94)

श्रीसूत उवाच । एवम्प्रभावमेतद्वै तीर्थं पापविनाशनम् । पापानां नाशनाद्विप्राः पापनाशाभिधं हि तत् ।

śrīsūta uvāca evamprabhāvametadvai tīrthaṁ pāpavināśanam pāpānāṁ nāśanādviprāḥ pāpanāśābhidhaṁ hi tat

Shri Suta said: Such, O brahmins, is the power of this tirtha called Papavinashana. It is named Papanasha precisely because it destroys sins.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.19.95)

इत्थं रहस्यं कथितं मुनीन्द्रास्तद्वैभवं पापविनाशनस्य । यत्राभिषेकात्सहसा विमुक्तौ द्विजश्च शूद्रश्च विनिन्द्यकृत्यौ ।

itthaṁ rahasyaṁ kathitaṁ munīndrāstadvaibhavaṁ pāpavināśanasya yatrābhiṣekātsahasā vimuktau dvijaśca śūdraśca vinindyakṛtyau

Thus, O finest of sages, have I told you this hidden glory of the Papavinashana tirtha, where, by bathing alone, both the brahmin and the shudra — each guilty of a condemnable deed — attained liberation at once.