Bhadramati's Lament and the Glory of the Land-Gift at Papanashana

Verse 1 (skanda.2.20.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । पुनश्चाहं प्रवक्ष्यामि पापनाशनवैभवम् । भगवद्भक्तिभावेन शृणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः ।

śrīsūta uvāca punaścāhaṁ pravakṣyāmi pāpanāśanavaibhavam bhagavadbhaktibhāvena śṛṇudhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ

Shri Suta said: I shall again relate the glory of Papanashana; listen to it, with a spirit of devotion to the Lord, with focused minds.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.20.2)

इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वपापविनाशनम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ।

itihāsaṁ pravakṣyāmi sarvapāpavināśanam yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

I shall relate a tale that destroys every sin, hearing which a man is freed from every sin — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.20.3)

आसीत्पुरा द्विजवरो वेदवेदांगपारगः । दरिद्रो वृत्तिहीनश्च नाम्ना भद्रमतिर्द्विजः ।

āsītpurā dvijavaro vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ daridro vṛttihīnaśca nāmnā bhadramatirdvijaḥ

Long ago there was an excellent brahmin, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, yet poor and without livelihood, named Bhadramati.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.20.4)

श्रुतानि सर्वशास्त्राणि तेन विप्रेण धीमता । श्रुतानि च पुराणानि धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वशः ।

śrutāni sarvaśāstrāṇi tena vipreṇa dhīmatā śrutāni ca purāṇāni dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ

That wise brahmin had heard all the scriptures; he had also fully heard all the Puranas and treatises on dharma.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.20.5)

अभवंस्तस्य षट् पत्न्यः कृता सिंधुर्यशोवती । कामिनी मालिनी चैव शोभा चैव प्रकीर्तिताः ।

abhavaṁstasya ṣaṭ patnyaḥ kṛtā siṁdhuryaśovatī kāminī mālinī caiva śobhā caiva prakīrtitāḥ

He had six wives, renowned by the names Sindhu, Yashovati, Kamini, Malini, and Shobha.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.20.6)

तासु पत्नीषु तस्यासीत्पुत्राणां च शतद्वयम् । ते सर्वे तस्य पुत्राद्याः क्षुधया परिपीडिताः ।

tāsu patnīṣu tasyāsītputrāṇāṁ ca śatadvayam te sarve tasya putrādyāḥ kṣudhayā paripīḍitāḥ

By those wives he had two hundred sons. All of them, sons and the rest, were greatly afflicted by hunger.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.20.7)

अकिञ्चनो भद्रमतिः क्षुधार्तानात्मजान्प्रियान् । पश्यन्प्रियाः क्षुधार्ताश्च विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः ।

akiñcano bhadramatiḥ kṣudhārtānātmajānpriyān paśyanpriyāḥ kṣudhārtāśca vilalāpākulendriyaḥ

That destitute Bhadramati, beholding his beloved children tormented by hunger, seeing his hungry loved ones, wept aloud with distracted senses—

Verse 8 (skanda.2.20.8)

धिग्जन्म भाग्यरहितं धिग्जन्म धनवर्जितम् । धिग्जन्म कीर्तिरहितं धिग्जन्मातिथ्यवर्जितम् ।

dhigjanma bhāgyarahitaṁ dhigjanma dhanavarjitam dhigjanma kīrtirahitaṁ dhigjanmātithyavarjitam

'Cursed be this birth without fortune, cursed be this birth without wealth, cursed be this birth without renown, cursed be this birth incapable of hospitality,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.20.9)

धिग्जन्माचाररहितं धिग्जन्म ज्ञानवर्जितम् । धिग्जन्म यत्नरहितं धिग्जन्म सुखवर्जितम् ।

dhigjanmācārarahitaṁ dhigjanma jñānavarjitam dhigjanma yatnarahitaṁ dhigjanma sukhavarjitam

cursed be this birth without proper conduct, cursed be this birth without knowledge, cursed be this birth without effort, cursed be this birth without happiness,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.20.10)

धिग्जन्म बन्धुरहितं धिग्जन्म ख्यातिवर्जितम् । नरस्य बह्वपत्यस्य धिग्जन्मैश्वर्यवर्जितम् ।

dhigjanma bandhurahitaṁ dhigjanma khyātivarjitam narasya bahvapatyasya dhigjanmaiśvaryavarjitam

cursed be this birth without kinsmen, cursed be this birth without renown. Cursed too is the birth of a man with many children yet without prosperity.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.20.11)

अहो गुणाः सौम्यता च विद्वत्ता जन्म सत्कुले । दारिद्र्याम्बुधिमग्नस्य सर्वमेतन्न शोभते ।

aho guṇāḥ saumyatā ca vidvattā janma satkule dāridryāmbudhimagnasya sarvametanna śobhate

Alas, gentleness of nature, learning, birth in a noble family — none of these virtues shine forth in one who is drowned in the ocean of poverty.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.20.12)

विप्राः पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च बान्धवा भ्रातरस्तथा । शिष्याश्च सर्वे मनुजास्त्यजन्त्यैश्वर्यवर्जितम् ।

viprāḥ putrāśca pautrāśca bāndhavā bhrātarastathā śiṣyāśca sarve manujāstyajantyaiśvaryavarjitam

Brahmins, sons, grandsons, kinsmen, brothers, and disciples — all of these abandon a man who is without prosperity.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.20.13)

इति निश्चित्य मतिमान्धीरो भद्रमतिर्द्विजः । चण्डालो वा द्विजो वापि भाग्यवानेव पूज्यते ।

iti niścitya matimāndhīro bhadramatirdvijaḥ caṇḍālo vā dvijo vāpi bhāgyavāneva pūjyate

Having thus reflected, that wise and resolute brahmin Bhadramati [continued to lament] — 'Whether an outcaste or a brahmin, only the fortunate is honored;

Verse 14 (skanda.2.20.14)

दरिद्रः पुरुषो लोके शववल्लोकनिन्दितः । अहो सम्पत्समायुक्तो निष्ठुरो वाप्यनिष्ठुरः ।

daridraḥ puruṣo loke śavavallokaninditaḥ aho sampatsamāyukto niṣṭhuro vāpyaniṣṭhuraḥ

a poor man in this world is despised like a corpse. Alas, one who is prosperous, whether harsh of nature or not,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.20.15)

गुणहीनोऽपि गुणवान्मूर्खो वापि स पण्डितः । निष्ठुरो वा गुणी वापि धर्महीनोऽथ वा नरः ।

guṇahīno'pi guṇavānmūrkho vāpi sa paṇḍitaḥ niṣṭhuro vā guṇī vāpi dharmahīno'tha vā naraḥ

is deemed virtuous even if he lacks virtue, is deemed learned even if he is a fool. Whether harsh, or virtuous, or devoid of dharma,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.20.16)

ऐश्वर्यगुणयुक्तश्चेत्पूज्य एव न संशयः । अहो दरिद्रता दुःखं तत्राप्याशातिदुःखदा ।

aiśvaryaguṇayuktaścetpūjya eva na saṁśayaḥ aho daridratā duḥkhaṁ tatrāpyāśātiduḥkhadā

if a man is endowed with the virtue of prosperity, he becomes worthy of worship, without doubt. Alas, poverty is sorrow itself, and within it, hope is a still greater source of suffering.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.20.17)

आशाभिभूताः पुरुषा दुःखमश्नुवते क्षणात् ।

āśābhibhūtāḥ puruṣā duḥkhamaśnuvate kṣaṇāt

Men overcome by hope come to suffer sorrow in an instant.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.20.18)

आशाया ये दासा दासास्ते सर्वलोकस्य । आशा दासी येषां तेषां दासायते लोकः ।

āśāyā ye dāsā dāsāste sarvalokasya āśā dāsī yeṣāṁ teṣāṁ dāsāyate lokaḥ

Those who are slaves to hope are slaves to the whole world. But those whose hope itself becomes their servant — for them, the whole world becomes a servant.'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.20.19)

सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्तापि दरिद्रो भाति मूर्खवत् । आकिञ्चन्यमहाग्राहग्रस्तानां नास्ति मोचकः ।

sarvaśāstrārthavettāpi daridro bhāti mūrkhavat ākiñcanyamahāgrāhagrastānāṁ nāsti mocakaḥ

Even one who knows the meaning of all the scriptures appears, if poor, no better than a fool. There is no deliverer for those seized by the great crocodile of destitution.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.20.20)

अहो दुःखमहो दुःखमहो दुःखं दरिद्रता । तत्रापि पुत्रदाराणां बाहुल्यमतिदुःखदम् ।

aho duḥkhamaho duḥkhamaho duḥkhaṁ daridratā tatrāpi putradārāṇāṁ bāhulyamatiduḥkhadam

Alas the sorrow, alas the sorrow, alas the sorrow of this poverty! And within it, a multitude of sons and wives is a source of the greatest suffering.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.20.21)

एवमुक्त्वा भद्रमतिः सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगः । अत्यैश्वर्यप्रदं धर्मं मनसा चिन्तयंस्तदा । तूष्णीं स्थितो भद्रमतिमहाक्लेशसमन्वितः ।

evamuktvā bhadramatiḥ sarvaśāstrārthapāragaḥ atyaiśvaryapradaṁ dharmaṁ manasā cintayaṁstadā tūṣṇīṁ sthito bhadramatimahākleśasamanvitaḥ

Having said this, Bhadramati, learned in the meaning of all the scriptures, meditating in his mind upon some righteous means of gaining great prosperity, sat in silence, overwhelmed by his great distress.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.20.22)

तदानीं तासु भार्यासु कामिनी पतिदेवता ।

tadānīṁ tāsu bhāryāsu kāminī patidevatā

At that time, among those wives, Kamini, who regarded her own husband as her very deity,

Verse 23 (skanda.2.20.23)

भार्या साधुगुणैर्युक्ता पतिं तं प्रत्यभाषत ।

bhāryā sādhuguṇairyuktā patiṁ taṁ pratyabhāṣata

that wife, endowed with virtuous qualities, spoke to her husband.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.20.24)

कामिन्युवाच । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारग । मम नाथ महाभाग वाक्यं शृणु महामते ।

kāminyuvāca bhagavansarvadharmajña sarvaśāstrārthapāraga mama nātha mahābhāga vākyaṁ śṛṇu mahāmate

Kamini said: O lord, knower of all dharma, learned in the meaning of every scripture, O my husband, most fortunate one — hear my words, O wise one.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.20.25)

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 Venkatachala.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.20.26)

तस्मिन्वेंकटशैलेन्द्रे सुरासुरनमस्कृते । वर्तते पावनं तीर्थं पापानां दाहकं शुभम् ।

tasminveṁkaṭaśailendre surāsuranamaskṛte vartate pāvanaṁ tīrthaṁ pāpānāṁ dāhakaṁ śubham

On that mountain of Venkata, bowed to by both gods and demons, there stands a sacred, auspicious tirtha, which burns away sins.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.20.27)

तत्र गत्वा महाभाग पापनाशे महामते । कुरु स्नानं प्रयत्नेन भार्यापुत्रसमन्वितः ।

tatra gatvā mahābhāga pāpanāśe mahāmate kuru snānaṁ prayatnena bhāryāputrasamanvitaḥ

O most fortunate, O wise one, go there to the Papanasha tirtha and bathe with due care, together with your wife and sons.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.20.28)

तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं नारदाच्च श्रुतं मया । बालभावे मम पितुरंतिके प्रोक्तवान्मुनिः ।

tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṁ nāradācca śrutaṁ mayā bālabhāve mama pituraṁtike proktavānmuniḥ

I heard the greatness of that tirtha from the sage Narada; he had spoken of it in my father's presence, in my father's own childhood.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.20.29)

वेंकटाद्रौ महापुण्ये सर्वपातकनाशने । सर्वदुःखप्रशमने सर्वसंपत्प्रदायके ।

veṁkaṭādrau mahāpuṇye sarvapātakanāśane sarvaduḥkhapraśamane sarvasaṁpatpradāyake

On Venkatadri, exceedingly meritorious, destroyer of every sin, allayer of every sorrow, granter of every prosperity,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.20.30)

पापनाशे महातीर्थे स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वकम् । अत्यैश्वर्यप्रदं धर्मं मनसा चिन्तयंस्तदा ।

pāpanāśe mahātīrthe snātvā saṁkalpapūrvakam atyaiśvaryapradaṁ dharmaṁ manasā cintayaṁstadā

one should bathe with due resolve in the great tirtha named Papanasha, meditating in one's mind upon the righteous means of gaining great prosperity,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.20.31)

भूमिदानं विनिश्चित्य सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम् । प्रापकं परलोकस्य सर्वकामफलप्रदम् ।

bhūmidānaṁ viniścitya sarvadānottamottamam prāpakaṁ paralokasya sarvakāmaphalapradam

and resolve upon the gift of land, which is the very best among all gifts, which secures the world beyond, and which grants the fruit of every desire.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.20.32)

दानानामुत्तमं दानं भूदानं परिकीर्तितम् । तद्दत्त्वा समवाप्नोति यद्यदिष्टतमं नरः ।

dānānāmuttamaṁ dānaṁ bhūdānaṁ parikīrtitam taddattvā samavāpnoti yadyadiṣṭatamaṁ naraḥ

The gift of land is declared to be the most excellent among all gifts; by giving it, a man obtains whatever he most desires.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.20.33)

इत्येवं नारदेनोक्तं श्रुत्वा मे जनको द्विजः । संप्रहृष्टमना भूत्वा शेषाद्रिं प्राप्तवांस्तदा ।

ityevaṁ nāradenoktaṁ śrutvā me janako dvijaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭamanā bhūtvā śeṣādriṁ prāptavāṁstadā

Hearing this spoken thus by Narada, O brahmin, my father, his heart filled with joy, went to Sheshadri.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.20.34)

तत्र गत्वा महाभागः सर्वसंपत्प्रदायकम् । भूदानं विप्रवर्याय श्रोत्रियाय प्रदत्तवान् ।

tatra gatvā mahābhāgaḥ sarvasaṁpatpradāyakam bhūdānaṁ vipravaryāya śrotriyāya pradattavān

Going there, that most fortunate man gave the gift of land, granter of every prosperity, to an excellent brahmin learned in the Veda.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.20.35)

ततो मे जनको विद्वन्सर्वभाग्यसमन्वितः । इहलोके सुखं प्राप्य चान्ते विष्णुपुरं ययौ ।

tato me janako vidvansarvabhāgyasamanvitaḥ ihaloke sukhaṁ prāpya cānte viṣṇupuraṁ yayau

Since then, my father, O learned one, became possessed of every good fortune; having obtained happiness in this world, at the end he went to Vishnu's abode.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.20.36)

त्वं च गत्वा महाभाग वेंकटाद्रिं नगोत्तमम् । कुरु दानं प्रयत्नेन भूदानं सर्वकामदम् ।

tvaṁ ca gatvā mahābhāga veṁkaṭādriṁ nagottamam kuru dānaṁ prayatnena bhūdānaṁ sarvakāmadam

You too, O most fortunate one, go to that best of mountains, Venkatadri, and with due care make the gift of land, which grants every desire.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.20.37)

अथ कामिनीकथितभूदानप्रशंसा । भूमिदानस्य माहात्म्यं शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः । न कोऽपि गदितुं शक्तो लोकेऽस्मिन्भगवन्प्रभो ।

atha kāminīkathitabhūdānapraśaṁsā bhūmidānasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇuṣva susamāhitaḥ na ko'pi gadituṁ śakto loke'sminbhagavanprabho

[Here follows Kamini's praise of the gift of land] — hear the greatness of the gift of land, with a focused mind. O lord, O master, no one in this world is able to fully describe it.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.20.38)

भूमिदानात्परं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति । परं निर्वाणमाप्नोति भूमिदो नात्र संशयः ।

bhūmidānātparaṁ dānaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati paraṁ nirvāṇamāpnoti bhūmido nātra saṁśayaḥ

There has never been, nor shall there ever be, a gift greater than the gift of land. He who gives land without doubt attains the supreme liberation.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.20.39)

स्वल्पामपि महीं दत्त्वा श्रोत्रियायाहिताग्नये । ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नोति पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम् ।

svalpāmapi mahīṁ dattvā śrotriyāyāhitāgnaye brahmalokamavāpnoti punarāvṛttivarjitam

By giving even a small piece of land to a brahmin learned in the Veda and who maintains the sacred fires, a man attains the world of Brahma, from which there is no return.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.20.40)

भूमिदः सर्वदः प्रोक्तो भूमिदो मोक्षभाग्भवेत् । भूभिदानं वृषाद्रौ च सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।

bhūmidaḥ sarvadaḥ prokto bhūmido mokṣabhāgbhavet bhūbhidānaṁ vṛṣādrau ca sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

He who gives land is called the giver of all things; he who gives land becomes worthy of liberation. The gift of land on Vrishadri destroys every sin.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.20.41)

महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः । दशहस्तां महीं दत्त्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ daśahastāṁ mahīṁ dattvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whether one is burdened with grave sins or with every sin whatsoever, by giving ten hands' measure of land, he is freed from all his sins.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.20.42)

सत्पात्रे भूमिदाता यः सर्वदानफलं लभेत् । भूमिदस्य समो नान्यस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ।

satpātre bhūmidātā yaḥ sarvadānaphalaṁ labhet bhūmidasya samo nānyastriṣu lokeṣu vidyate

He who gives land to a worthy recipient obtains the fruit of every gift; in all three worlds there is none equal to the giver of land.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.20.43)

द्विजस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य यः प्रदद्यान्महीं शुभाम् । तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं शेषो नार्हः कदाचन ।

dvijasya vṛttihīnasya yaḥ pradadyānmahīṁ śubhām tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktuṁ śeṣo nārhaḥ kadācana

He who bestows auspicious land upon a brahmin without livelihood — even Sheshanaga can never fully describe the merit of that fruit.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.20.44)

विप्रस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य सदाचारस्य कस्यचित् । यो ऽल्पामपि महीं दद्यात्स विष्णुर्नात्र संशयः ।

viprasya vṛttihīnasya sadācārasya kasyacit yo 'lpāmapi mahīṁ dadyātsa viṣṇurnātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever gives even a little land to any brahmin of good conduct who lacks a livelihood is himself Vishnu — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.20.45)

इक्षुगोधूमकेदारपूगदृक्षादिसंयुता । पृथ्वी प्रदीयते येन स विष्णुर्नात्र संशयः ।

ikṣugodhūmakedārapūgadṛkṣādisaṁyutā pṛthvī pradīyate yena sa viṣṇurnātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever gives land bearing sugarcane, wheat, rice-fields, betel-palms, and other trees is himself Vishnu — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.20.46)

वृत्तिहीनस्य विप्रस्य दरिद्रस्य कुटुम्बिनः । स्वल्पामपि महीं दत्त्वा विष्णुसायुज्यमश्नुते ।

vṛttihīnasya viprasya daridrasya kuṭumbinaḥ svalpāmapi mahīṁ dattvā viṣṇusāyujyamaśnute

By giving even a little land to a poor brahmin with a family, lacking a livelihood, a man attains union with Vishnu.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.20.47)

सक्तस्य देवपूजासु विप्रस्याटविका मही । दत्ता भवति गंगायां त्रिरात्रस्नानजं फलम् ।

saktasya devapūjāsu viprasyāṭavikā mahī dattā bhavati gaṁgāyāṁ trirātrasnānajaṁ phalam

The fruit of giving forest-land to a brahmin devoted to the worship of the gods is held equal to the fruit of bathing three nights in the Ganga.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.20.48)

विप्रस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य सदाचाररतस्य च । द्रोणिकां पृथिवीं दत्त्वा यत्फलं लभते शृणु ।

viprasya vṛttihīnasya sadācāraratasya ca droṇikāṁ pṛthivīṁ dattvā yatphalaṁ labhate śṛṇu

Hear what fruit is obtained by giving even one dronika of land [a small measure] to a brahmin of good conduct who lacks a livelihood—

Verse 49 (skanda.2.20.49)

गंगातीरेऽश्वमेधानां शतानि विधिवन्नरः । कृत्वा यत्फलमाप्नोति तदाप्नोति महत्फलम् ।

gaṁgātīre'śvamedhānāṁ śatāni vidhivannaraḥ kṛtvā yatphalamāpnoti tadāpnoti mahatphalam

the great fruit he obtains is equal to that which a man obtains by duly performing hundreds of Ashvamedha sacrifices on the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.20.50)

ददाति भारिकां भूमिं दरिद्राय द्विजातये । तस्य पुण्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि मन्नाथ भगवन्प्रभो ।

dadāti bhārikāṁ bhūmiṁ daridrāya dvijātaye tasya puṇyaṁ pravakṣyāmi mannātha bhagavanprabho

Whoever gives a substantial gift of land to a poor brahmin — O my lord, O revered master, I shall tell you the merit of that—

Verse 51 (skanda.2.20.51)

अश्वमेधसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च । विधाय जाह्नवीतीरे यत्फलं तल्लभेत सः ।

aśvamedhasahasrāṇi vājapeyaśatāni ca vidhāya jāhnavītīre yatphalaṁ tallabheta saḥ

he obtains that same fruit which a man obtains by performing thousands of Ashvamedha and hundreds of Vajapeya sacrifices on the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.20.52)

भूमिदानं महादानमतिदानं प्रकीर्तितम् । सर्वपापप्रशमनमपवर्गफलप्रदम् ।

bhūmidānaṁ mahādānamatidānaṁ prakīrtitam sarvapāpapraśamanamapavargaphalapradam

The gift of land is declared a great gift, indeed a supreme gift, which allays every sin and grants the fruit of final liberation.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.20.53)

यच्छ्रुत्वा श्रद्धया युक्तो भूमिदानफलं लभेत् । भार्याया वचनं श्रुत्वा त्वितिहाससमन्वितम् ।

yacchrutvā śraddhayā yukto bhūmidānaphalaṁ labhet bhāryāyā vacanaṁ śrutvā tvitihāsasamanvitam

Whoever hears this with reverence obtains the fruit of the gift of land itself.' Having heard these words of his wife, together with her tale,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.20.54)

सन्तुष्टो मनसि ध्यात्वा शेषाचलनिवासिनम् ।

santuṣṭo manasi dhyātvā śeṣācalanivāsinam

he, content, began in his mind to meditate upon the Lord who dwells on Sheshachala.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.20.55)

गन्तुं प्रचक्रमे बुद्ध्या क्रीडाचलमनुत्तमम् । ततो भद्रमतिः सौम्यः सर्वधर्मपरायणः ।

gantuṁ pracakrame buddhyā krīḍācalamanuttamam tato bhadramatiḥ saumyaḥ sarvadharmaparāyaṇaḥ

Then, with resolve, he determined to go to that most excellent playground-mountain. Then that gentle Bhadramati, devoted to every dharma,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.20.56)

सुशालिंनाम नगरीं कलत्रसहितो ययौ । सुघोषं नाम विप्रेन्द्रं सर्वैश्वर्यसमन्वितम् ।

suśāliṁnāma nagarīṁ kalatrasahito yayau sughoṣaṁ nāma viprendraṁ sarvaiśvaryasamanvitam

went, together with his wife, to a city named Sushalin. There, to an excellent brahmin named Sughosha, possessed of every prosperity,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.20.57)

गत्वा याचितवान्भूमिं पञ्चहस्तायतां द्विजः । सुघोषो धर्मनिरतस्तं निरीक्ष्य कुटुम्बिनम् ।

gatvā yācitavānbhūmiṁ pañcahastāyatāṁ dvijaḥ sughoṣo dharmaniratastaṁ nirīkṣya kuṭumbinam

he went and begged for five hands' measure of land. Sughosha, devoted to dharma, beholding this man with his family,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.20.58)

मनसा प्रीतिमापन्नं समभ्यर्च्यैनमब्रवीत् । कृतार्थोऽहं भद्रमते सफलं मम जन्म च । मत्कुलं चानघं जातं त्वं हि ग्राह्योऽसि मे यतः ।

manasā prītimāpannaṁ samabhyarcyainamabravīt kṛtārtho'haṁ bhadramate saphalaṁ mama janma ca matkulaṁ cānaghaṁ jātaṁ tvaṁ hi grāhyo'si me yataḥ

his heart filled with joy, honored him and said, 'O Bhadramati, I am fulfilled, my birth has borne fruit, my family too has become sinless, for you are worthy of receiving something from me.'

Verse 59 (skanda.2.20.59)

इत्युक्त्वा तं समभ्यर्च्य सुघोषो धर्मतत्परः । पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणां तां ददौ तस्मै महामतिः ।

ityuktvā taṁ samabhyarcya sughoṣo dharmatatparaḥ pañcahastapramāṇāṁ tāṁ dadau tasmai mahāmatiḥ

Having said this, and honored him, that wise Sughosha, devoted to dharma, gave him that land, measuring five hands.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.20.60)

पृथिवी वैष्णवी पुण्या पृथिवी विष्णुपालिता । पृथिव्यास्तु प्रदानेन प्रीयतां मे जनार्दनः ।

pṛthivī vaiṣṇavī puṇyā pṛthivī viṣṇupālitā pṛthivyāstu pradānena prīyatāṁ me janārdanaḥ

'This earth belongs to Vishnu, is sacred, is protected by Vishnu; by this gift of earth, may Janardana be pleased with me.'

Verse 61 (skanda.2.20.61)

मन्त्रेणानेन विप्रेन्द्राः सुघोषस्तं द्विजेश्वरम् । विष्णुबुद्ध्या समभ्यर्च्य तावतीं पृथिवीं ददौ ।

mantreṇānena viprendrāḥ sughoṣastaṁ dvijeśvaram viṣṇubuddhyā samabhyarcya tāvatīṁ pṛthivīṁ dadau

O excellent brahmins, with this mantra Sughosha, honoring that excellent brahmin as Vishnu himself, gave him that measure of land.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.20.62)

स भद्रमतये विप्रा धीमांस्तां याचितां भुवम् । दत्तवान्हरिभक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय कुटुंबिने ।

sa bhadramataye viprā dhīmāṁstāṁ yācitāṁ bhuvam dattavānharibhaktāya śrotriyāya kuṭuṁbine

O brahmins, that wise man gave to Bhadramati — a devotee of Hari, learned in the Veda, with a family — that land which had been sought.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.20.63)

सुघोषो भूमिदानेन कोटिवंशसमन्वितः । प्रपेदे विष्णुभवनं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति ।

sughoṣo bhūmidānena koṭivaṁśasamanvitaḥ prapede viṣṇubhavanaṁ yatra gatvā na śocati

Sughosha, by that gift of land, together with millions of his lineage, attained Vishnu's abode, where, having gone, one never again grieves.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.20.64)

विप्रो भद्रमतिश्चापि पुत्रदारसमन्वितः । गतो वेंकटशैलेन्द्रं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ।

vipro bhadramatiścāpi putradārasamanvitaḥ gato veṁkaṭaśailendraṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam

That brahmin Bhadramati too, together with his wife and sons, went to that excellent mountain Venkatachala, bowed to by gods and demons,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.20.65)

गन्धर्वयक्षशैलादिसेवितं मेरुपुत्रकम् । वैकुण्ठादागतं दिव्यं क्रीडाचलमनुत्तमम् ।

gandharvayakṣaśailādisevitaṁ meruputrakam vaikuṇṭhādāgataṁ divyaṁ krīḍācalamanuttamam

served by Gandharvas, Yakshas, and other mountains, the son of Meru, come down from Vaikuntha, a divine and most excellent playground-mountain.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.20.66)

तत्र स्वामिसरस्तोये निर्मले पावने शुभे । दारपुत्रादिसंयुक्तः स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वकम् ।

tatra svāmisarastoye nirmale pāvane śubhe dāraputrādisaṁyuktaḥ snātvā saṁkalpapūrvakam

There, in the pure, sacred, auspicious waters of the Swami Pushkarini, together with his wife and sons, having bathed with due resolve,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.20.67)

तत्पश्चिमतटे श्वेतसूकरं वसुधाधरम् । नत्वा तत्र विधानेन श्रीनिवासालयं गतः ।

tatpaścimataṭe śvetasūkaraṁ vasudhādharam natvā tatra vidhānena śrīnivāsālayaṁ gataḥ

he bowed to the white boar, bearer of the earth, on its western bank, and, according to rite, went to the temple of Srinivasa.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.20.68)

तत्र ब्रह्मादिदेवैश्च सेवितं वेंकटेश्वरम् । दृष्टवान्सह पुत्राद्यैर्विष्णुभक्तो महामतिः ।

tatra brahmādidevaiśca sevitaṁ veṁkaṭeśvaram dṛṣṭavānsaha putrādyairviṣṇubhakto mahāmatiḥ

There, that Vishnu-devotee, that wise brahmin, together with his sons, beheld Venkateshwara, served by Brahma and the other gods.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.20.69)

भक्त्या प्रणम्य देवेशं श्रीनिवासं कृपानिधिम् । पुत्रदारादिसंयुक्तः पापनाशनमाययौ ।

bhaktyā praṇamya deveśaṁ śrīnivāsaṁ kṛpānidhim putradārādisaṁyuktaḥ pāpanāśanamāyayau

Having bowed with devotion to the God of gods, Srinivasa, that treasure-house of compassion, he went, together with his wife and sons, to the Papanashana tirtha.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.20.70)

तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन कृतधर्मादिसत्क्रियः । कस्मैचिद्विष्णुभक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय महामतिः ।

tatra snātvā vidhānena kṛtadharmādisatkriyaḥ kasmaicidviṣṇubhaktāya śrotriyāya mahāmatiḥ

There, having bathed according to rite, and performing dharma and other excellent acts, that wise man gave to some Vishnu-devotee brahmin, learned in the Veda,

Verse 71 (skanda.2.20.71)

विष्णुबुद्ध्या स प्रददौ भूदानं मोक्षदं शुभम् ।

viṣṇubuddhyā sa pradadau bhūdānaṁ mokṣadaṁ śubham

with the awareness that he was Vishnu himself, that auspicious gift of land, granter of liberation.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.20.72)

तदा प्रादुरभूद्देवः शंखचक्रगदाधरः ।

tadā prādurabhūddevaḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ

Then there appeared the Lord, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 73 (skanda.2.20.73)

विनतानन्दनारूढो वनमालाविभूषितः । पापनाशस्य तीरे तु भूदानस्य प्रभावतः ।

vinatānandanārūḍho vanamālāvibhūṣitaḥ pāpanāśasya tīre tu bhūdānasya prabhāvataḥ

mounted upon Garuda, son of Vinata, adorned with a garland of forest flowers — on the bank of Papanasha, by the power of that gift of land.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.20.74)

तदा भद्रमतिः सौम्यः स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे ।

tadā bhadramatiḥ saumyaḥ stotuṁ samupacakrame

Then that gentle Bhadramati began to praise him—

Verse 75 (skanda.2.20.75)

नमोनमस्तेऽखिलकारणाय नमोनमस्तेऽखिलपालकाय । नमोनमस्तेऽमरनायकाय नमोनमो दैत्यविमर्दनाय ।

namonamaste'khilakāraṇāya namonamaste'khilapālakāya namonamaste'maranāyakāya namonamo daityavimardanāya

'Salutation, salutation again and again, O cause of all causes; salutation, salutation again and again, O protector of all; salutation, salutation again and again, O lord of the immortals; salutation, salutation again and again, O destroyer of demons.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.20.76)

नमोनमो भक्तजनप्रियाय नमोनमः पापविदारणाय । नमोनमो दुर्जननाशकाय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै जगदीश्वराय ।

namonamo bhaktajanapriyāya namonamaḥ pāpavidāraṇāya namonamo durjananāśakāya namo'stu tasmai jagadīśvarāya

Salutation, salutation again and again, O beloved of your devotees; salutation, salutation again and again, O tearer-apart of sin; salutation, salutation again and again, O destroyer of the wicked; salutation to that Lord of the universe.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.20.77)

नमो नमः कारणवामनाय नारायणायामितविक्रमाय । श्रीशार्ङ्गचक्रासिगदाधराय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै पुरुषोत्तमाय ।

namo namaḥ kāraṇavāmanāya nārāyaṇāyāmitavikramāya śrīśārṅgacakrāsigadādharāya namo'stu tasmai puruṣottamāya

Salutation, salutation again and again to you who took the form of Vamana for the sake of creation, O Narayana of measureless valor; salutation to that Purushottama who bears the Sharnga bow, the discus, the sword, and the mace.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.20.78)

नमः पयोराशिनिवासकाय नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्मीपतयेऽव्ययाय । नमोऽस्तु सूर्याद्यमितप्रभाय नमोनमः पुण्यगतागताय ।

namaḥ payorāśinivāsakāya namo'stu lakṣmīpataye'vyayāya namo'stu sūryādyamitaprabhāya namonamaḥ puṇyagatāgatāya

Salutation to you who dwell in the ocean of milk, salutation to the imperishable lord of Lakshmi, salutation to you of measureless splendor beyond even the sun, salutation, salutation again and again, O source of the coming and going of merit.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.20.79)

नमोनमोऽर्केन्दुविलोचनाय नमोऽस्तु ते यज्ञफलप्रदाय । नमोस्तु यज्ञांगविराजिताय नमोऽस्तु ते सज्जनवल्लभाय ।

namonamo'rkenduvilocanāya namo'stu te yajñaphalapradāya namostu yajñāṁgavirājitāya namo'stu te sajjanavallabhāya

Salutation, salutation again and again to you whose eyes are the sun and moon; salutation to you, the giver of the fruit of sacrifice. Salutation to you, present within every part of the sacrifice; salutation to you, beloved of the righteous.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.20.80)

नमोनमः कारणकारणाय नमोऽस्तु शब्दादिविवर्जिताय । नमोऽस्तु तेऽभीष्टसुखप्रदाय नमोनमो भक्तमनोरमाय ।

namonamaḥ kāraṇakāraṇāya namo'stu śabdādivivarjitāya namo'stu te'bhīṣṭasukhapradāya namonamo bhaktamanoramāya

Salutation, salutation again and again, O cause even of causes; salutation to you, who transcend sound and every sense-object; salutation to you, giver of desired happiness; salutation, salutation again and again, O you who delight the hearts of your devotees.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.20.81)

नमोनमस्तेऽद्भुतकारणाय नमोऽस्तु ते मन्दरधारकाय । नमोऽस्तु ते यज्ञवराहनाम्ने नमो हिरण्याक्षविदारकाय ।

namonamaste'dbhutakāraṇāya namo'stu te mandaradhārakāya namo'stu te yajñavarāhanāmne namo hiraṇyākṣavidārakāya

Salutation, salutation again and again, O of wondrous causes; salutation to you, bearer of Mount Mandara; salutation to you, whose name is Yajna-Varaha; salutation to you, render of Hiranyaksha.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.20.82)

नमोऽस्तु ते वामनरूपभाजे नमोऽस्तु ते क्षत्रकुलान्तकाय । नमोऽस्तु ते रावणमर्दनाय नमोऽस्तु ते नन्दसुताग्रजाय ।

namo'stu te vāmanarūpabhāje namo'stu te kṣatrakulāntakāya namo'stu te rāvaṇamardanāya namo'stu te nandasutāgrajāya

Salutation to you, who bear the form of Vamana; salutation to you, ender of the kshatriya lineage; salutation to you, crusher of Ravana; salutation to you, elder brother of Nanda's son.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.20.83)

नमस्ते कमलाकान्त नमस्ते सुखदायिने । श्रितार्तिनाशिने तुभ्यं भूयोभूयो नमोनमः ।

namaste kamalākānta namaste sukhadāyine śritārtināśine tubhyaṁ bhūyobhūyo namonamaḥ

Salutation to you, beloved of Kamala; salutation to you, giver of happiness; to you, remover of the sorrow of those who seek refuge in you, salutation again and again.'

Verse 84 (skanda.2.20.84)

विप्रेण संस्तुतो देवो भगवान्भक्तवत्सलः । वात्सल्येनाब्रवीद्वाक्यं श्रीनिवासो दयानिधिः ।

vipreṇa saṁstuto devo bhagavānbhaktavatsalaḥ vātsalyenābravīdvākyaṁ śrīnivāso dayānidhiḥ

Thus praised by that brahmin, the Lord, ever fond of his devotees, Srinivasa, that treasure-house of compassion, spoke these words with tender affection—

Verse 85 (skanda.2.20.85)

तात तुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते स्तोत्रेण महता द्विज । सर्वभोगसमायुक्तः पुत्रपौत्रादिभिर्युतः ।

tāta tuṣṭo'smi bhadraṁ te stotreṇa mahatā dvija sarvabhogasamāyuktaḥ putrapautrādibhiryutaḥ

'O child, I am pleased by this great hymn of yours; may good fortune be yours, O brahmin. Endowed with every enjoyment, together with your sons and grandsons,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.20.86)

इह लोके सुखं प्राप्य देहान्ते मुक्तिमाप्नुहि । इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्विष्णुस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ।

iha loke sukhaṁ prāpya dehānte muktimāpnuhi ityuktvā bhagavānviṣṇustatraivāntaradhīyata

having obtained happiness in this world, attain liberation at the end of your body.' Having said this, the Lord Vishnu vanished from that very place.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.20.87)

एवं वः कथितं विप्राः पापनाशनवैभवम् । तत्तीरे भूप्रदानस्य माहात्म्यं चापि वर्णितम् ।

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāḥ pāpanāśanavaibhavam tattīre bhūpradānasya māhātmyaṁ cāpi varṇitam

Thus, O brahmins, have I told you this glory of the Papanashana tirtha, and have also described the greatness of the gift of land upon its bank.