Dispassion and Devotion

Verse 1 (skanda.2.214.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । वैराग्यस्याथ ते वच्मि लक्षणं मुनिसत्तम । क्षयिष्णुवस्तुष्वरुचिः सर्वथेति तदीरितम्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | vairāgyasyātha te vacmi lakṣaṇaṁ munisattama | kṣayiṣṇuvastuṣvaruciḥ sarvatheti tadīritam

Sri Narayana said: Now, O best of sages, I shall tell you the mark of dispassion; it is declared to be, in every way, a lack of liking for perishable things.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.214.2)

आरभ्य मायापुरुषात्सर्वा ह्याकृतयस्तु याः । कालशक्त्या भगवतो नाश्यन्ते ताश्च तद्वशाः

ārabhya māyāpuruṣātsarvā hyākṛtayastu yāḥ | kālaśaktyā bhagavato nāśyante tāśca tadvaśāḥ

Beginning from Maya and Purusha, all forms whatsoever are destroyed by the time-power of the Lord, and remain under its control.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.214.3)

प्रत्यक्षेणानुमानेन शाब्देन च विवेकिभिः । असत्यता कृतीनां च निश्चिता सत्यतात्मनाम्

pratyakṣeṇānumānena śābdena ca vivekibhiḥ | asatyatā kṛtīnāṁ ca niścitā satyatātmanām

By direct perception, by inference, and by scriptural testimony, the discerning have ascertained the unreality of created things, and the reality of the Self.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.214.4)

नित्येन प्रलयेनैष कालो नैमित्तिकेन च । प्राकृतिकेन रूपेण चरत्यात्यन्तिकेन च

nityena pralayenaiṣa kālo naimittikena ca | prākṛtikena rūpeṇa caratyātyantikena ca

This Time proceeds in the form of constant dissolution, occasional dissolution, elemental dissolution, and final dissolution.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.214.5)

देहिदेहा इमे नित्यं क्षीयन्ते परिणामिनः । क्रमेण दृश्यते यत्र बाल्यतारुण्यवार्द्धकम्

dehidehā ime nityaṁ kṣīyante pariṇāminaḥ | krameṇa dṛśyate yatra bālyatāruṇyavārddhakam

These bodies of embodied beings, ever subject to change, are constantly wasting away; in them childhood, youth, and old age are seen to occur in succession.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.214.6)

सूक्ष्मत्वान्नेक्ष्यते तत्तु गतिर्दीपार्चिषो यथा । फलवृद्धिर्वाऽनुपदं जायमाना द्रुमे यथा

sūkṣmatvānnekṣyate tattu gatirdīpārciṣo yathā | phalavṛddhirvā'nupadaṁ jāyamānā drume yathā

But because it is so subtle, this wasting is not perceived — like the movement of a lamp's flame, or the growth of fruit occurring moment by moment on a tree.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.214.7)

तस्यांतस्यामवस्थायां दुःखं च महदीक्ष्यते । जाग्रदादिष्ववस्थासु दुःखं चैव पुनःपुनः

tasyāṁtasyāmavasthāyāṁ duḥkhaṁ ca mahadīkṣyate | jāgradādiṣvavasthāsu duḥkhaṁ caiva punaḥpunaḥ

In each and every state of the body great suffering is seen; in the states of waking and the rest also, suffering occurs again and again.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.214.8)

दुःखमाध्यात्मिकं भूरि दृश्यते चाधिभौतिकम् । आधिदैविकमप्यत्र दुःखमेवास्ति देहिनाम्

duḥkhamādhyātmikaṁ bhūri dṛśyate cādhibhautikam | ādhidaivikamapyatra duḥkhamevāsti dehinām

Abundant suffering is seen, both of the bodily-mental kind and of the kind caused by other beings; and suffering caused by divine or cosmic forces also exists for embodied beings.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.214.9)

हाहा ममार मत्पुत्रो हा पत्नी म्रियते मम । तातं मेऽभक्षयद्व्याघ्रो दष्टा सर्पेण मे वधूः

hāhā mamāra matputro hā patnī mriyate mama | tātaṁ me'bhakṣayadvyāghro daṣṭā sarpeṇa me vadhūḥ

'Alas, my son has died! Alas, my wife is dying! A tiger has devoured my father! My bride has been bitten by a snake!'

Verse 10 (skanda.2.214.10)

महासौधोग्निना दग्धो हाहा सोपस्करोऽद्य मे । स्वकुटुम्बं कथं पोक्ष्ये नावर्षत्पाकशासनः

mahāsaudhogninā dagdho hāhā sopaskaro'dya me | svakuṭumbaṁ kathaṁ pokṣye nāvarṣatpākaśāsanaḥ

'My great mansion, with all its furnishings, has today been burnt by fire! How shall I now support my family? Indra has not sent rain!'

Verse 11 (skanda.2.214.11)

सस्यैः समृद्धं मत्क्षेत्रं हाहा दग्धं हिमाग्निना । ह्रियन्ते तस्करैर्गावः सर्वस्वं मम लुण्ठितम्

sasyaiḥ samṛddhaṁ matkṣetraṁ hāhā dagdhaṁ himāgninā | hriyante taskarairgāvaḥ sarvasvaṁ mama luṇṭhitam

'Alas, my field rich with crops has been destroyed by frost-blight! Thieves are carrying off my cows, all my possessions have been plundered!'

Verse 12 (skanda.2.214.12)

नृपेण दण्डितोऽत्यर्थं शत्रुणा हाऽतिताडितः । किं करोमि च कं ब्रूयां माता मे व्यभिचारिणी

nṛpeṇa daṇḍito'tyarthaṁ śatruṇā hā'titāḍitaḥ | kiṁ karomi ca kaṁ brūyāṁ mātā me vyabhicāriṇī

'I have been severely punished by the king! Alas, I have been badly beaten by an enemy! What shall I do, to whom shall I speak — my own mother has gone astray!'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.214.13)

विषं पास्यामि हाहाऽद्य मत्पत्नीं शत्रुराकृषत् । हा स्वसा मे हृता म्लेच्छैर्हाहाऽरिः प्राप मर्मभित्

viṣaṁ pāsyāmi hāhā'dya matpatnīṁ śatrurākṛṣat | hā svasā me hṛtā mlecchairhāhā'riḥ prāpa marmabhit

'I shall drink poison! Alas, an enemy has today dragged away my wife! Alas, my sister has been abducted by barbarians! Alas, my foe has found my most vital, wounding weakness!'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.214.14)

प्रिये ज्वरातिव्यथया यमदूता इमे हहा । इत्थं रोरूयमाणा हि दृश्यन्ते सर्वतो जनाः

priye jvarātivyathayā yamadūtā ime hahā | itthaṁ rorūyamāṇā hi dṛśyante sarvato janāḥ

'O my beloved, in the agony of fever — alas, here are the messengers of Yama!' Thus wailing, people are seen everywhere.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.214.15)

अवस्थानां शरीरस्य जन्ममृत्यू प्रतिक्षणम् । कालेन प्राप्नुवद्भिः स्वं प्रारब्धं दुःखमश्यते

avasthānāṁ śarīrasya janmamṛtyū pratikṣaṇam | kālena prāpnuvadbhiḥ svaṁ prārabdhaṁ duḥkhamaśyate

In every moment, through the changing states of the body, birth and death occur; and those overtaken by Time experience the suffering allotted by their own past actions.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.214.16)

प्रारब्धान्ते मृत्युदुःखं भवत्यप्रतिमं हि तत् । मृत्वापि च महद्दुःखं प्राप्यते यमयातनाः

prārabdhānte mṛtyuduḥkhaṁ bhavatyapratimaṁ hi tat | mṛtvāpi ca mahadduḥkhaṁ prāpyate yamayātanāḥ

At the end of one's allotted portion, the suffering of death occurs, unparalleled; and even after death, great suffering is met with in the torments of Yama.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.214.17)

ततो जरायुजोद्भिज्जस्वेदजाण्डजयोनिषु । भूत्वाभूत्वा यथाकर्म म्रियते दुःखितैः पुनः

tato jarāyujodbhijjasvedajāṇḍajayoniṣu | bhūtvābhūtvā yathākarma mriyate duḥkhitaiḥ punaḥ

Then, being born again and again — according to one's karma — in wombs that are placenta-born, sprout-born, sweat-born, or egg-born, one dies once more amid sufferings.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.214.18)

नित्यः प्रलय एवं ते कीर्त्तितः सूक्ष्मया दृशा । स ज्ञेयोऽथ मुने वच्मि लयं नैमित्तिकाभिधम्

nityaḥ pralaya evaṁ te kīrttitaḥ sūkṣmayā dṛśā | sa jñeyo'tha mune vacmi layaṁ naimittikābhidham

Thus has the constant dissolution, perceptible only to a subtle vision, been declared to you; now, O sage, I shall tell of the dissolution called occasional.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.214.19)

निमित्तीकृत्य रजनीं भवेद्विश्वसृजस्तु यः । नैमित्तिकः स कथितो लयो दैनंदिनश्च सः

nimittīkṛtya rajanīṁ bhavedviśvasṛjastu yaḥ | naimittikaḥ sa kathito layo dainaṁdinaśca saḥ

That dissolution which occurs on the occasion of the Creator's night is called the occasional dissolution, and it is also the daily one.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.214.20)

चतुर्युगानां साहस्रं दिनं विश्वसृजो मुने । निशा च तावती तस्य तद्द्वयं कल्प उच्यते

caturyugānāṁ sāhasraṁ dinaṁ viśvasṛjo mune | niśā ca tāvatī tasya taddvayaṁ kalpa ucyate

A thousand cycles of the four Yugas make one day of the Creator, O sage, and his night is of equal length; that pair together is called a Kalpa.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.214.21)

एकैकस्मिन्दिने तस्य चतुर्दश चतुर्दश । भवन्ति मनवो ब्रह्मन्धर्मसेत्वभिरक्षकाः

ekaikasmindine tasya caturdaśa caturdaśa | bhavanti manavo brahmandharmasetvabhirakṣakāḥ

In each single day of his, O Brahman, there are fourteen Manus in succession, each the guardian of the bounds of dharma.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.214.22)

आद्यः स्वायम्भुवस्तत्र मनुः स्वारोचिषस्ततः । उत्तमस्तामसश्चाऽथ रैवतश्चाक्षुषस्ततः

ādyaḥ svāyambhuvastatra manuḥ svārociṣastataḥ | uttamastāmasaścā'tha raivataścākṣuṣastataḥ

The first is Manu Svayambhuva; then Svarochisha; then Uttama, Tamasa, then Raivata, then Chakshusha.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.214.23)

श्राद्धदेवश्च सावर्णि भौत्यो रौच्यस्ततः परम् । ब्रह्मसावर्णिनामा च रुद्रसावर्णिरेव च

śrāddhadevaśca sāvarṇi bhautyo raucyastataḥ param | brahmasāvarṇināmā ca rudrasāvarṇireva ca

Then Shraddhadeva, Savarni, Bhautya, and Rauchya; then the one named Brahma-Savarni, and Rudra-Savarni.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.214.24)

मेरुसावर्णिसंज्ञोऽथ दक्षसावर्णिरन्तिमः । चतुर्दशैते मनवः प्रोक्ता ब्रह्मैकवासरे

merusāvarṇisaṁjño'tha dakṣasāvarṇirantimaḥ | caturdaśaite manavaḥ proktā brahmaikavāsare

Then the one called Meru-Savarni, and last, Daksha-Savarni. These fourteen Manus are declared to reign within a single day of Brahma.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.214.25)

एकैकस्य मनोः कालो युगानां चैकसप्ततिः । दिव्यैर्द्वादशसाहस्रैर्युगकालश्च वत्सरैः

ekaikasya manoḥ kālo yugānāṁ caikasaptatiḥ | divyairdvādaśasāhasrairyugakālaśca vatsaraiḥ

The reign of each single Manu lasts seventy-one Yugas; and the duration of one Yuga is twelve thousand divine years.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.214.26)

चतुर्दशस्यैव मनोरन्तरेन्तमुपेयुषि । सायंसंध्या विश्वसृजो जायते मुनिसत्तम

caturdaśasyaiva manorantarentamupeyuṣi | sāyaṁsaṁdhyā viśvasṛjo jāyate munisattama

O best of sages, when the period of the fourteenth Manu reaches its end, the evening twilight of the Creator comes about.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.214.27)

दिनावसाने वैराजः शक्तीराकर्षति स्थितेः । वैराजात्मा तदा रुद्रस्त्रिलोकीं हर्तुमीहते

dināvasāne vairājaḥ śaktīrākarṣati sthiteḥ | vairājātmā tadā rudrastrilokīṁ hartumīhate

At the close of the day, the Cosmic Person withdraws the powers of maintenance; then Rudra, one with the Cosmic Person, sets about to destroy the three worlds.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.214.28)

आदौ भवत्यनावृष्टिरत्युग्रा शतवार्षिकी । तदाल्पसारसत्त्वानि क्षीयन्ते सर्वशो भुवि

ādau bhavatyanāvṛṣṭiratyugrā śatavārṣikī | tadālpasārasattvāni kṣīyante sarvaśo bhuvi

First there occurs a most severe drought lasting a hundred years; then all beings of feeble vitality perish entirely on the earth.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.214.29)

सांवर्त्तकस्य चार्कस्य रश्मयोऽत्युल्बणा रसम् । आपातालात्पिबन्त्याशु धरण्यां सर्वमेव हि

sāṁvarttakasya cārkasya raśmayo'tyulbaṇā rasam | āpātālātpibantyāśu dharaṇyāṁ sarvameva hi

Then the exceedingly fierce rays of the destroying sun swiftly drink up all the moisture in the earth, down to the netherworld.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.214.30)

सारसं चैव नादेयं सामुद्रं चाम्बु सर्वशः । शोषयित्वाऽखिलाँल्लोकान्सोऽर्को नयति संक्षयम्

sārasaṁ caiva nādeyaṁ sāmudraṁ cāmbu sarvaśaḥ | śoṣayitvā'khilā̃llokānso'rko nayati saṁkṣayam

Having dried up entirely the waters of lakes, rivers, and oceans, that sun brings all the worlds to destruction.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.214.31)

ततो भवति निःस्नेहा नष्टस्थावरजङ्गमा । कूर्मपृष्ठोपमा भूमिः शुष्का संकुचिता भृशम्

tato bhavati niḥsnehā naṣṭasthāvarajaṅgamā | kūrmapṛṣṭhopamā bhūmiḥ śuṣkā saṁkucitā bhṛśam

Then the earth becomes devoid of moisture, its moving and unmoving beings destroyed, resembling the back of a tortoise, parched and greatly shrunken.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.214.32)

कालाग्निरुद्रः शेषस्य मुखादुत्पद्यते ततः । अधोलोकान्सप्तभूमिं भुवः स्वश्च दहत्यसौ

kālāgnirudraḥ śeṣasya mukhādutpadyate tataḥ | adholokānsaptabhūmiṁ bhuvaḥ svaśca dahatyasau

Then the fire of Time, Kalagni-Rudra, arises from the mouth of Shesha; and he burns the seven nether worlds, the earth, and heaven.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.214.33)

निर्दग्धलोकदशको ज्वालावर्त्तभयंकरः । उद्वासितमहर्लोकः कालाग्निः परिवर्त्तते

nirdagdhalokadaśako jvālāvarttabhayaṁkaraḥ | udvāsitamaharlokaḥ kālāgniḥ parivarttate

Having burnt up the ten worlds, that fearsome whirl of flame, the fire of Time, driving out the inhabitants of Maharloka, spreads on every side.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.214.34)

गताधिकारास्त्रिदशा भुवःस्वर्गनिवासिनः । महर्लोकाज्जनं यान्ति वह्निज्वालाभृशार्दिताः

gatādhikārāstridaśā bhuvaḥsvarganivāsinaḥ | maharlokājjanaṁ yānti vahnijvālābhṛśārditāḥ

The gods dwelling in Bhuvarloka and Svargaloka, their offices ended, go, sorely tormented by the flames, from Maharloka to Janaloka.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.214.35)

निवृत्तिधर्मा ऋषयः प्राप्ताः सिद्धदशां तु ये । भूतलात्तेपि तर्ह्येव ऋषिलोकं प्रयान्ति च

nivṛttidharmā ṛṣayaḥ prāptāḥ siddhadaśāṁ tu ye | bhūtalāttepi tarhyeva ṛṣilokaṁ prayānti ca

And the sages who follow renunciation and have attained perfection — they too, at that very time, go from the earth to the world of the sages.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.214.36)

उत्तिष्ठन्ति ततो घोरा व्योम्नि सांवर्त्तका घनाः । महागजकुलप्रख्यास्तडित्वन्तोऽतिनादिनः

uttiṣṭhanti tato ghorā vyomni sāṁvarttakā ghanāḥ | mahāgajakulaprakhyāstaḍitvanto'tinādinaḥ

Then terrible clouds of dissolution arise in the sky, resembling great herds of elephants, flashing with lightning, roaring loudly.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.214.37)

धूम्रवर्णाः पीतवर्णा केचित्कुमुदसन्निभाः । लाक्षारसनिभाः केचिच्चाषपत्रनिभास्तथा

dhūmravarṇāḥ pītavarṇā kecitkumudasannibhāḥ | lākṣārasanibhāḥ keciccāṣapatranibhāstathā

Smoke-coloured, yellow-coloured; some resembling the white water-lily, some resembling the hue of lac-juice, and others resembling the blue-jay's wing.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.214.38)

शमयित्वा महावह्निं शतं वर्षाण्यहर्न्निशम् । वर्षमाणाः स्थूलधाराः स्तनन्तस्ते घना घनाः । ब्रह्माण्डस्यान्तरालं च पूरयन्ति ध्रुवावधि

śamayitvā mahāvahniṁ śataṁ varṣāṇyaharnniśam | varṣamāṇāḥ sthūladhārāḥ stanantaste ghanā ghanāḥ | brahmāṇḍasyāntarālaṁ ca pūrayanti dhruvāvadhi

Extinguishing the great fire, those dense, thundering clouds rain down in thick streams, day and night, for a hundred years, and fill the whole interior of the universe, up to the pole star.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.214.39)

एकार्णवजले तस्मिन्वैराजपुरुषः स तु । अनिरुद्धात्मकः शेते नागेन्द्रशयने प्रभुः

ekārṇavajale tasminvairājapuruṣaḥ sa tu | aniruddhātmakaḥ śete nāgendraśayane prabhuḥ

In that single ocean of water, the Lord, the Cosmic Person, in the form of Aniruddha, lies asleep upon the couch of the serpent-king.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.214.40)

तदा देवाश्च ऋषयो रजःसत्त्वतमोवशाः । ये ते सह विरिञ्चेन स्वकीयगुणकर्षिताः । प्रविश्य तस्य जठरे शेरते दीर्घनिद्रया

tadā devāśca ṛṣayo rajaḥsattvatamovaśāḥ | ye te saha viriñcena svakīyaguṇakarṣitāḥ | praviśya tasya jaṭhare śerate dīrghanidrayā

Then the gods and sages, subject to Rajas, Sattva, and Tamas, drawn by their own qualities, enter, together with Brahma, into His belly and lie there in a long sleep.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.214.41)

ये तु ब्रह्मात्मैक्यभावा वशीकृतगुणत्रयाः । निवृत्तेनैव धर्मेण वासुदेवमुपासते

ye tu brahmātmaikyabhāvā vaśīkṛtaguṇatrayāḥ | nivṛttenaiva dharmeṇa vāsudevamupāsate

But those who have realized their oneness with Brahman, brought the three qualities under control, and worship Vasudeva by the path of renunciation—

Verse 42 (skanda.2.214.42)

महरादिषु लोकेषु ते चतुर्षु कृतालयाः । तं वैराजं संस्तुवन्तो निवसन्ति यथासुखम्

maharādiṣu lokeṣu te caturṣu kṛtālayāḥ | taṁ vairājaṁ saṁstuvanto nivasanti yathāsukham

—they, having made their abode in the four worlds beginning with Maharloka, dwell there at ease, praising that Cosmic Being.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.214.43)

नारायणः स भगवान्स्वरूपं परमात्मनः । चिन्तयन्वासुदेवाख्यं शेते वै योगनिद्रया

nārāyaṇaḥ sa bhagavānsvarūpaṁ paramātmanaḥ | cintayanvāsudevākhyaṁ śete vai yoganidrayā

That Lord Narayana, contemplating His own nature as the Supreme Self called Vasudeva, lies in yogic slumber.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.214.44)

निशान्ते ब्रह्मणा साकं सर्वे ते तस्य जाठराः । उत्पद्यन्ते यथापूर्वं यथाकर्माधिकारिणः

niśānte brahmaṇā sākaṁ sarve te tasya jāṭharāḥ | utpadyante yathāpūrvaṁ yathākarmādhikāriṇaḥ

At the end of the night, together with Brahma, all those who dwelt within His belly come forth again as before, each according to the karma that qualifies him.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.214.45)

एवं नैमित्तिको नाम त्रिलोकीक्षयलक्षणः । प्रलयः कथितस्तुभ्यं प्राकृतं कीर्त्तयाम्यथ

evaṁ naimittiko nāma trilokīkṣayalakṣaṇaḥ | pralayaḥ kathitastubhyaṁ prākṛtaṁ kīrttayāmyatha

Thus has the dissolution called occasional, marked by the destruction of the three worlds, been declared to you; now I shall tell of the elemental dissolution.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.214.46)

य एष कल्पः कथितस्तादृशानां शतत्रयम् । षष्ट्याधिकं च यः कालो वेधसः स तु वत्सरः

ya eṣa kalpaḥ kathitastādṛśānāṁ śatatrayam | ṣaṣṭyādhikaṁ ca yaḥ kālo vedhasaḥ sa tu vatsaraḥ

This period called a Kalpa that has been described — three hundred and sixty of such days and nights make one year of the Creator.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.214.47)

पञ्चाशता तैः परार्द्धो ब्रह्मायुस्तद्द्वयं मतम् । पराख्यकाले संपूर्णे महान्भवति संक्षयः

pañcāśatā taiḥ parārddho brahmāyustaddvayaṁ matam | parākhyakāle saṁpūrṇe mahānbhavati saṁkṣayaḥ

Fifty such years make one Parardha; that pair of Parardhas is reckoned as the full lifespan of Brahma; when that period called Para is complete, a great dissolution occurs.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.214.48)

संहाररुद्ररूपेण संहृत्य स्वं विराड्वपुः । स्वपरं निर्गुणं रूपं वैराजो यातुमिच्छति

saṁhārarudrarūpeṇa saṁhṛtya svaṁ virāḍvapuḥ | svaparaṁ nirguṇaṁ rūpaṁ vairājo yātumicchati

Then, in the form of Rudra the destroyer, having withdrawn his own Virat body, the Cosmic Person seeks to enter his own supreme, quality-less form.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.214.49)

तदा भवत्यनावृष्टिः पूर्ववच्छतवार्षिकी । साङ्कर्षणश्च कालाग्निर्दहत्यण्डमशेषतः

tadā bhavatyanāvṛṣṭiḥ pūrvavacchatavārṣikī | sāṅkarṣaṇaśca kālāgnirdahatyaṇḍamaśeṣataḥ

Then, as before, there occurs a hundred-year drought; and the fire of Time issuing from Sankarshana burns the whole cosmic egg entirely.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.214.50)

सांवर्त्तकास्ततो मेघा वर्षन्त्यति भयानकाः । शतं वर्षाणि धाराभिर्मुसलाकृतिभिर्मुने

sāṁvarttakāstato meghā varṣantyati bhayānakāḥ | śataṁ varṣāṇi dhārābhirmusalākṛtibhirmune

Then, O sage, the most fearsome clouds of dissolution rain down for a hundred years, with streams shaped like pestles.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.214.51)

महदादेर्विकारस्य विशेषान्तस्य संक्षयः । सर्वस्यापि भवत्येव वासुदेवेच्छया ततः

mahadādervikārasya viśeṣāntasya saṁkṣayaḥ | sarvasyāpi bhavatyeva vāsudevecchayā tataḥ

Then, by the will of Vasudeva, the destruction of the entire series of modifications, from Mahat down to the last particular, comes to pass.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.214.52)

आपो ग्रसन्ति वै पूर्वं भूमेर्गन्धात्मकं गुणम् । आत्तगन्धा ततो भूमिः प्रलयत्वाय कल्पते

āpo grasanti vai pūrvaṁ bhūmergandhātmakaṁ guṇam | āttagandhā tato bhūmiḥ pralayatvāya kalpate

First, water absorbs the earth's quality of smell; the earth, its smell taken away, then becomes fit for dissolution.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.214.53)

ग्रसतेम्बुगुणं तेजो रसं तल्लीयते ततः । रूपं तेजोगुणं वायुर्ग्रसते लीयतेऽथ तत्

grasatembuguṇaṁ tejo rasaṁ tallīyate tataḥ | rūpaṁ tejoguṇaṁ vāyurgrasate līyate'tha tat

Fire absorbs water's quality of taste, and water then dissolves into fire; air absorbs fire's quality of form, and fire then dissolves into air.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.214.54)

वायोरपि गुणं स्पर्शमाकाशो ग्रसते ततः । प्रशाम्यति तदा वायुः खं तु तिष्ठत्यनावृतम्

vāyorapi guṇaṁ sparśamākāśo grasate tataḥ | praśāmyati tadā vāyuḥ khaṁ tu tiṣṭhatyanāvṛtam

Space absorbs air's quality of touch; air then subsides, while space alone remains, uncovered.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.214.55)

भूतादिस्तद्गुणं शब्दं ग्रसते लीयते च खम् । इन्द्रियाणि विलीयन्ते तैजसाहंकृतौ ततः

bhūtādistadguṇaṁ śabdaṁ grasate līyate ca kham | indriyāṇi vilīyante taijasāhaṁkṛtau tataḥ

The Ego-principle absorbs space's quality of sound, and space dissolves into it; then the senses dissolve into the fiery form of Ahamkara.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.214.56)

अहङ्कारे विलीयन्ते सात्त्विके देवता मनः । यद्यद्यस्मात्समुत्पन्नं तत्तत्तस्मिन्हि लीयते

ahaṅkāre vilīyante sāttvike devatā manaḥ | yadyadyasmātsamutpannaṁ tattattasminhi līyate

The deities of the senses and the mind dissolve into the Sattvic form of Ahamkara; for whatever has arisen from a given source dissolves back into that source.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.214.57)

अहंकारो महत्तत्त्वे त्रिविधोपि प्रलीयते । तत्प्रधाने च तत्पुंसि स मूलप्रकृतौ ततः

ahaṁkāro mahattattve trividhopi pralīyate | tatpradhāne ca tatpuṁsi sa mūlaprakṛtau tataḥ

Ahamkara, in all its three forms, dissolves into Mahat; and Mahat, in turn, dissolves into Pradhana and Purusha, that is, into the root-Prakriti.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.214.58)

एष प्राकृतिको नाम प्रलयः परिगीयते । तिरोभवन्ति जीवेशा यत्राऽव्यक्ते हरीच्छया

eṣa prākṛtiko nāma pralayaḥ parigīyate | tirobhavanti jīveśā yatrā'vyakte harīcchayā

This is called the elemental dissolution, in which, by the will of Hari, the jivas and the ruling deities disappear into the Unmanifest.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.214.59)

यदा च माया पुरुषौ कालोऽत्यक्षरतेजसि । तदिच्छया तिरो यान्ति स त्वेको वर्तते प्रभुः । तदा स प्रलयो ज्ञेयो नारदात्यन्तिकाभिधः

yadā ca māyā puruṣau kālo'tyakṣaratejasi | tadicchayā tiro yānti sa tveko vartate prabhuḥ | tadā sa pralayo jñeyo nāradātyantikābhidhaḥ

And when Maya, the two Purushas, and Time, by His will, disappear into that imperishable effulgence, and the Lord alone remains — then, O Narada, that dissolution should be known as the final one.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.214.60)

इत्थं प्रभोः कालशक्त्या लयैरेतैश्चतुर्विधैः । असद्बद्ध्वाऽखिलं तत्राऽरुचिर्वैराग्यमुच्यते

itthaṁ prabhoḥ kālaśaktyā layairetaiścaturvidhaiḥ | asadbaddhvā'khilaṁ tatrā'rucirvairāgyamucyate

Thus, having ascertained through these four kinds of dissolution that everything material is unreal, the resulting distaste for it is called dispassion.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.214.61)

वासुदेवेतरान्देवान्कालमायावशीकृतान् । विदित्वा तेषु च प्रीतिं हित्वा तस्यैव नित्यदा । गाढस्नेहेन या सेवा सा भक्तिरिति गीयते

vāsudevetarāndevānkālamāyāvaśīkṛtān | viditvā teṣu ca prītiṁ hitvā tasyaiva nityadā | gāḍhasnehena yā sevā sā bhaktiriti gīyate

Knowing that the gods other than Vasudeva are themselves under the sway of Time and Maya, abandoning attachment to them, and serving Him alone always with deep affection — that is called devotion.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.214.62)

श्रवणं कीर्तनं तस्य स्मृतिश्चरणसेवनम् । पूजा प्रणामो दास्यं च सख्यं चात्मनिवेदनम्

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ tasya smṛtiścaraṇasevanam | pūjā praṇāmo dāsyaṁ ca sakhyaṁ cātmanivedanam

Hearing His glories, singing His praise, remembering Him, serving His feet, worship, obeisance, servitude, friendship, and self-surrender—

Verse 63 (skanda.2.214.63)

इत्येतैर्न्नवभिर्भावैर्यः सेवेत तमादरात् । अनन्यया धिषणया स हि भक्त इतीर्यते

ityetairnnavabhirbhāvairyaḥ seveta tamādarāt | ananyayā dhiṣaṇayā sa hi bhakta itīryate

—whoever serves Him reverently through these nine forms, with a mind devoted to Him alone, he indeed is called a devotee.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.214.64)

त्रिभिः स्वधर्मप्रमुखैर्युक्ताभक्तिरियं मुने । धर्म एकान्तिक इति प्रोक्तो भागवतश्च सः

tribhiḥ svadharmapramukhairyuktābhaktiriyaṁ mune | dharma ekāntika iti prokto bhāgavataśca saḥ

O sage, this devotion, joined with the three means headed by one's own proper duty, is declared to be the exclusive dharma, and it is called the Bhagavata dharma.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.214.65)

साक्षाद्भगवतः सङ्गात्तद्भक्तानां च वेदृशाम् । धर्मो ह्येकान्तिकः पुम्भिः प्राप्यते नान्यथा क्वचित्

sākṣādbhagavataḥ saṅgāttadbhaktānāṁ ca vedṛśām | dharmo hyekāntikaḥ pumbhiḥ prāpyate nānyathā kvacit

This exclusive dharma is attained by men only through direct communion with the Lord and with such devotees of His — never in any other way.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.214.66)

नैतादृशं परं किञ्चित्साधनं हि मुमुक्षताम् । निःश्रेयसकरं पुंसां सर्वाभद्रविनाशनम्

naitādṛśaṁ paraṁ kiñcitsādhanaṁ hi mumukṣatām | niḥśreyasakaraṁ puṁsāṁ sarvābhadravināśanam

There is indeed no other means higher than this for those who seek liberation — one that brings the highest good to men and destroys every misfortune.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.214.67)

एकान्तधर्मसिद्ध्यर्थं क्रियायोगपरो भवेत् । पुमान्स्याद्येन नैष्कर्म्यं कर्मणां मुनिसत्तम

ekāntadharmasiddhyarthaṁ kriyāyogaparo bhavet | pumānsyādyena naiṣkarmyaṁ karmaṇāṁ munisattama

O best of sages, for the accomplishment of this exclusive dharma one should be devoted to the ritual discipline by which a man attains freedom from the bondage of action even while performing action.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.214.68)

एतन्मया वेदपुराणगुह्यं तत्त्वं परं प्रोक्तमघौघनाशम् । एकाग्रया शुद्धधियावधार्य सच्छ्रद्धया चेतसि ते महर्षे

etanmayā vedapurāṇaguhyaṁ tattvaṁ paraṁ proktamaghaughanāśam | ekāgrayā śuddhadhiyāvadhārya sacchraddhayā cetasi te maharṣe

O great sage, this supreme truth, the secret of the Vedas and Puranas, which destroys the whole mass of sin, has been declared by me; grasp it with a one-pointed, purified mind, and hold it in your heart with true faith.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.214.69)

न वासुदेवात्परमस्ति पावनं न वासुदेवात्परमस्ति मङ्गलम् । न वासुदेवात्परमस्ति दैवतं न वासुदेवात्परमस्ति वाञ्छितम्

na vāsudevātparamasti pāvanaṁ na vāsudevātparamasti maṅgalam | na vāsudevātparamasti daivataṁ na vāsudevātparamasti vāñchitam

There is nothing more purifying than Vasudeva; there is nothing more auspicious than Vasudeva; there is no deity higher than Vasudeva; there is nothing more desirable than Vasudeva.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.214.70)

यन्नामधेयं सकृदप्यबुद्ध्या देहावसानेपि गृणाति योऽत्र । स पुष्कसोप्याशु भवप्रवाहाद्विमुच्यते तं भज वासुदेवम्

yannāmadheyaṁ sakṛdapyabuddhyā dehāvasānepi gṛṇāti yo'tra | sa puṣkasopyāśu bhavapravāhādvimucyate taṁ bhaja vāsudevam

He who, even without understanding, utters His name but once — even at the very moment of death — even such a lowly outcast is at once freed from the flood of worldly existence; therefore worship that Vasudeva.