The Antarvedi, Its Guardian Powers, and the Boon of Indradyumna

Verse 1 (skanda.2.44.1)

श्रीरुवाच । सीमाप्रतीची क्षेत्रस्य शंखाकारस्य मूर्द्धनि । सर्वकामप्रदो देवः स आस्ते वृषभध्वजः

śrīruvāca sīmāpratīcī kṣetrasya śaṅkhākārasya mūrddhani sarvakāmaprado devaḥ sa āste vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

Shri said: At the western boundary of this field, shaped like a conch, at its very crown, dwells that god who grants every desire, he whose banner bears the bull.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.44.2)

शंखाग्रे नीलकण्ठः स्यादेतत्क्रोशं सुदुर्लभम् । परमं पावनं क्षेत्रं साक्षान्नारायणस्य वै

śaṅkhāgre nīlakaṇṭhaḥ syādetatkrośaṁ sudurlabham paramaṁ pāvanaṁ kṣetraṁ sākṣānnārāyaṇasya vai

At the tip of the conch is Nilakantha; this one krosa of land is exceedingly rare, the supremely purifying field of Narayana himself.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.44.3)

सिंधुराजस्य सलिलाद्यावन्मूलं वटस्य वै । शंखस्योदरभागस्तु समुद्रोदकसंप्लुतः

siṁdhurājasya salilādyāvanmūlaṁ vaṭasya vai śaṅkhasyodarabhāgastu samudrodakasaṁplutaḥ

From the waters of the ocean-king up to the root of the banyan it extends; the belly-portion of the conch is flooded by the waters of the sea.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.44.4)

यत्संपर्कात्समुद्रोऽत्र तीर्थराजत्वमागतः । यथायं भगवान्मुक्तिप्रदो दृष्टिपथं गतः

yatsaṁparkātsamudro'tra tīrtharājatvamāgataḥ yathāyaṁ bhagavānmuktiprado dṛṣṭipathaṁ gataḥ

By contact with which the ocean here has attained the status of king of sacred fords; just as this Lord, giver of liberation, has come within the range of sight,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.44.5)

तथेदं मरणात्क्षेत्रं सिंधुः स्नानाद्विमुक्तिदः । चिच्छेद ब्रह्मणः पूर्वं रुद्रः क्रोधात्तु पञ्चमम्

tathedaṁ maraṇātkṣetraṁ siṁdhuḥ snānādvimuktidaḥ ciccheda brahmaṇaḥ pūrvaṁ rudraḥ krodhāttu pañcamam

— so too this field grants liberation through death, and the ocean grants liberation through bathing. In ancient times Rudra, in wrath, severed Brahma's fifth head,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.44.6)

तच्छिरो दुस्त्यजं गृह्णन्ब्रह्मांडं परिबभ्रमे । अत्रागतो यदा ब्रह्मकपालं परिमुक्तवान्

tacchiro dustyajaṁ gṛhṇanbrahmāṇḍaṁ paribabhrame atrāgato yadā brahmakapālaṁ parimuktavān

— and, holding that head which he could not release, wandered throughout the cosmic egg; when he came here, he was released from Brahma's skull.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.44.7)

कपालमोचनं लिंगं द्वितीयावर्तसंस्थितम् । कपालमोचनं पश्येत्पूजयेत्प्रणमेच्च यः

kapālamocanaṁ liṁgaṁ dvitīyāvartasaṁsthitam kapālamocanaṁ paśyetpūjayetpraṇamecca yaḥ

The linga called Kapalamochana stands in the second enclosure; whoever beholds Kapalamochana, worships it and bows to it,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.44.8)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां कंचुकं विजहात्यसौ । तस्य दक्षिणपार्श्वे तु मरणं भवमोचनम्

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ kaṁcukaṁ vijahātyasau tasya dakṣiṇapārśve tu maraṇaṁ bhavamocanam

— casts off the very husk of sins beginning with the killing of a Brahmin. On its southern side, death itself becomes release from worldly existence.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.44.9)

तृतीयावर्तगामाद्यां शक्तिं मे विमलाह्वयाम् । जानीहि धर्मराज त्वं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदाम्

tṛtīyāvartagāmādyāṁ śaktiṁ me vimalāhvayām jānīhi dharmarāja tvaṁ bhuktimuktiphalapradām

Know, O King of Dharma, my foremost power, dwelling in the third enclosure, named Vimala, the giver of the fruits of both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.44.10)

य इमां पूजयेद्भक्त्या प्रणमेत्कीर्तयेत्तु वा । सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति मुक्तिं चांते च विंदति

ya imāṁ pūjayedbhaktyā praṇametkīrtayettu vā sarvānkāmānavāpnoti muktiṁ cāṁte ca viṁdati

Whoever worships her with devotion, or bows, or praises her, obtains every desire, and at the end attains liberation as well.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.44.11)

नाभिदेशे स्थितं ह्येतत्त्रयं कुंडं वटो विभुः । कपालमोचनाद्यावदर्द्धाशिनी प्रतिष्ठिता

nābhideśe sthitaṁ hyetattrayaṁ kuṁḍaṁ vaṭo vibhuḥ kapālamocanādyāvadardhāśinī pratiṣṭhitā

In the navel-region are situated these three — the pool, the banyan, and the Lord; from Kapalamochana onward to where Ardhashini is established,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.44.12)

मध्यं शंखस्य जानीयात्सुगुप्तं चक्रपाणिना । अर्द्धमश्नाति सलिलं महाप्रलयवर्द्धितम्

madhyaṁ śaṅkhasya jānīyātsuguptaṁ cakrapāṇinā ardhamaśnāti salilaṁ mahāpralayavarddhitam

— know this to be the middle of the conch, well-guarded by the wielder of the discus; she consumes half of the waters that swell in the great dissolution.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.44.13)

सृष्ट्यादौ धर्मराजेयं शक्तिर्मेऽर्द्धांशिनी स्मृता । तां दृष्ट्वा प्रणमेद्यस्तु भोगान्सोऽश्नाति शाश्वतान्

sṛṣṭyādau dharmarājeyaṁ śaktirme'rddhāṁśinī smṛtā tāṁ dṛṣṭvā praṇamedyastu bhogānso'śnāti śāśvatān

At the beginning of creation, O King of Dharma, this power of mine is remembered as Ardhamshini; whoever beholds her and bows obtains eternal enjoyments.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.44.14)

सिन्धुराजस्य सलिलाद्यावन्मूलं वटस्य वै । कीटपक्षि मनुष्याणां मरणान्मुक्तिदो मतः

sindhurājasya salilādyāvanmūlaṁ vaṭasya vai kīṭapakṣi manuṣyāṇāṁ maraṇānmuktido mataḥ

From the waters of the ocean-king up to the root of the banyan, this whole tract is held to grant liberation through death, for insects, birds and men alike.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.44.15)

अन्तर्वेदी त्वियं पुण्या वांछ्यते त्रिदशैरपि । यत्र स्थितां हि पश्यंति सर्वांश्चक्राब्जधारिणः

antarvedī tviyaṁ puṇyā vāṁcchyate tridaśairapi yatra sthitāṁ hi paśyaṁti sarvāṁścakrābjadhāriṇaḥ

This sacred inner altar-ground is desired even by the thirty gods, where, standing, they all behold the one who bears the discus and the lotus.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.44.16)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि गगने च त्रिविष्टपे । सार्द्धत्रिकोटिसंख्यानि स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदानि वै

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni gagane ca triviṣṭape sārddhatrikoṭisaṁkhyāni svargamokṣapradāni vai

Whatever sacred fords exist on earth, in the sky, and in heaven, numbering three and a half crores, granting both heaven and liberation —

Verse 17 (skanda.2.44.17)

तेषामयं तीर्थराजः कीर्तितः पुरुषोत्तमः । सर्वेषां मुक्तिक्षेत्राणामिदं सायुज्यदं मतम्

teṣāmayaṁ tīrtharājaḥ kīrtitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ sarveṣāṁ muktikṣetrāṇāmidaṁ sāyujyadaṁ matam

— among all of them, this Purushottama is proclaimed king of sacred fords; among all fields of liberation, this one is held to grant sayujya, union with the Lord.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.44.18)

अत्र स्थिता न शोचंति जराजन्ममृतिष्वपि । कुण्डं ह्येतद्रोहिणाख्यं कारुण्याख्यजलेन वै

atra sthitā na śocaṁti jarājanmamṛtiṣvapi kuṇḍaṁ hyetadrohiṇākhyaṁ kāruṇyākhyajalena vai

Those who abide here do not grieve, even amid old age, birth and death; this pool, named Rohina, is filled indeed with the water called Compassion,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.44.19)

संभृतं तिष्ठते नित्यं स्पर्शनाद्बंधमुक्तिदम् । अत्र प्रतिष्ठितं वारि प्रलये यत्प्रवर्द्धते

saṁbhṛtaṁ tiṣṭhate nityaṁ sparśanādbaṁdhamuktidam atra pratiṣṭhitaṁ vāri pralaye yatpravarddhate

— it remains ever full, granting release from bondage by mere touch. The water established here is that which swells during the dissolution,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.44.20)

अत्रैव लीयते पश्चात्तस्माद्रोहिणसंज्ञितम् । तस्मात्ते माऽत्र चिंतास्तु स्वाधिकारविपर्यये

atraiva līyate paścāttasmādrohiṇasaṁjñitam tasmātte mā'tra ciṁtāstu svādhikāraviparyaye

— and afterward dissolves back here alone; hence it is named Rohina. Therefore let there be no anxiety in you over the reversal of your own authority here,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.44.21)

मोक्षाधिकारिणामत्र नेश्वरस्त्वं परेतराट् । धर्मराजं समादिश्य लक्ष्मीरेवं पुरः स्थितम्

mokṣādhikāriṇāmatra neśvarastvaṁ paretarāṭ dharmarājaṁ samādiśya lakṣmīrevaṁ puraḥ sthitam

— for over those entitled to liberation here, you, O king of the departed, hold no lordship. Having thus instructed the King of Dharma, Lakshmi, [turning] to him who stood before her,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.44.22)

ब्रह्माणमाह जगतामंबा सप्रश्रया गिरा । पितामह जगन्नाथ विदितं सर्वमेव यत्

brahmāṇamāha jagatāmaṁbā sapraśrayā girā pitāmaha jagannātha viditaṁ sarvameva yat

— the Mother of the worlds spoke to Brahma with courteous words: 'O Grandsire, O Lord of the world, since all this is already known [to you] —

Verse 23 (skanda.2.44.23)

मोक्षदं सर्वजंतूनामेतत्क्षेत्रं समादिश । कामाख्यं क्षेत्रपालं च विमलं वा तपास्थिता

mokṣadaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāmetatkṣetraṁ samādiśa kāmākhyaṁ kṣetrapālaṁ ca vimalaṁ vā tapāsthitā

'— declare and establish this field, the giver of liberation to all creatures, along with the field-guardian named Kamakhya, and Vimala, in whose austerity I abide.'

Verse 24 (skanda.2.44.24)

साक्षाद्ब्रह्मस्वरूपोऽसौ नृसिंहो दक्षिणे विभोः । हिरण्यकशिपोर्वक्षो विदार्यायं प्रभोज्ज्वलः

sākṣādbrahmasvarūpo'sau nṛsiṁho dakṣiṇe vibhoḥ hiraṇyakaśiporvakṣo vidāryāyaṁ prabhojjvalaḥ

To the south of the Lord is Narasimha, of the very form of Brahman himself, blazing with splendor, who tore open the chest of Hiranyakashipu.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.44.25)

दर्शनादस्य नश्यंति पातकानि न संशयः । भुक्तेर्मुक्तेश्च योग्यः स्यान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

darśanādasya naśyaṁti pātakāni na saṁśayaḥ bhuktermukteśca yogyaḥ syānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

By the mere sight of him, sins are destroyed without doubt; one becomes fit for both enjoyment and liberation — of this there is no question.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.44.26)

अस्याग्रे संत्यजन्प्राणान्ब्रह्मसायुज्यमाप्नुयात् । यत्किंचित्कुरुते कर्म कोटिकोटिगुणं भवेत्

asyāgre saṁtyajanprāṇānbrahmasāyujyamāpnuyāt yatkiṁcitkurute karma koṭikoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

One who gives up the breath of life before him attains union with Brahman; whatever action, however small, one performs here becomes a hundred-million-fold in merit.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.44.27)

छायैषा कल्पवृक्षस्य नृसिंहार्केण भासिता । तस्यां नश्यत्यविद्या हि ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो मृतौ

chāyaiṣā kalpavṛkṣasya nṛsiṁhārkeṇa bhāsitā tasyāṁ naśyatyavidyā hi jñānato'jñānato mṛtau

This shade of the eternal tree, illumined by the sun that is Narasimha — within it, ignorance is destroyed at death, whether one dies with knowledge or without it.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.44.28)

वेदांतेषु प्रसिद्धैस्तैर्विज्ञानैः श्रवणादिभिः । मूढानां दुर्लभैर्विप्रा विनाप्यत्र विमोचनम्

vedāṁteṣu prasiddhaistairvijñānaiḥ śravaṇādibhiḥ mūḍhānāṁ durlabhairviprā vināpyatra vimocanam

O Brahmins, liberation occurs here even without those forms of knowledge celebrated in the Vedanta — hearing and the rest — so hard for the deluded to attain.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.44.29)

अविमुक्ते मुमुक्षोस्तु कर्णमूले महेश्वरः । दिशति ब्रह्मसंज्ञानं बोधोपायं कृपानिधिः

avimukte mumukṣostu karṇamūle maheśvaraḥ diśati brahmasaṁjñānaṁ bodhopāyaṁ kṛpānidhiḥ

In Avimukta, the great Lord, the treasury of compassion, whispers into the ear of one seeking liberation the knowledge of Brahman, the means to awakening;

Verse 30 (skanda.2.44.30)

तेन बुद्या समभ्यस्य क्रमान्मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् । उपदेष्टुर्महिम्ना हि तस्य ज्ञानं न हीयते

tena budhyā samabhyasya kramānmokṣamavāpnuyāt upadeṣṭurmahimnā hi tasya jñānaṁ na hīyate

— by that, practicing with understanding, one attains liberation gradually; through the greatness of the teacher, that knowledge never fails.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.44.31)

अत्र त्यजंति ये प्राणांस्तेषां तत्क्षण एव हि । स्वरूपाज्जायते मुक्तिः संशयो माऽस्तु ते यम

atra tyajaṁti ye prāṇāṁsteṣāṁ tatkṣaṇa eva hi svarūpājjāyate muktiḥ saṁśayo mā'stu te yama

But here, those who give up the breath of life — for them, that very instant, liberation arises from [the Lord's own] essential nature; let there be no doubt in you, O Yama.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.44.32)

गतागत प्रसक्तानां कर्मिणां मूढचेतसाम् । वैवस्वत कदाचिन्नो विश्वासो ह्यत्र जायते

gatāgata prasaktānāṁ karmiṇāṁ mūḍhacetasām vaivasvata kadācinno viśvāso hyatra jāyate

O son of Vivasvat, in men of deluded mind, attached to ritual action and to the cycle of coming and going, faith in this truth never arises.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.44.33)

उत्सृज्य वारि गांगेयं स्वादु शीतं सुनिर्मलम् । पिपासुः पल्वलं याति तद्वत्ते मूढचेतसः

utsṛjya vāri gāṁgeyaṁ svādu śītaṁ sunirmalam pipāsuḥ palvalaṁ yāti tadvatte mūḍhacetasaḥ

Just as one thirsty, forsaking the sweet, cool, and utterly pure waters of the Ganga, goes instead to a muddy pool — so it is with those of deluded mind.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.44.34)

भ्रमंति तीर्थान्यन्यानि त्यक्त्वैतत्क्षेत्रमुत्तमम् । पलाशामोदकैस्तृप्ता लभंते श्रमजं फलम्

bhramaṁti tīrthānyanyāni tyaktvaitatkṣetramuttamam palāśāmodakaistṛptā labhaṁte śramajaṁ phalam

They wander to other sacred fords, forsaking this supreme field, and, content with mere leaf-cup sweets, obtain only the fruit born of exertion.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.44.35)

स्नानादब्धिदृशा देवश्छायया कल्पपादपः । यत्र कुत्रापि च क्षेत्रं मरणान्मुक्तिदं नृणाम्

snānādabdhidṛśā devaśchāyayā kalpapādapaḥ yatra kutrāpi ca kṣetraṁ maraṇānmuktidaṁ nṛṇām

By bathing, the ocean is like beholding the god face to face; by its shade, the eternal tree; and wherever the field extends, it grants men liberation through death.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.44.36)

यो यत्र विषये भक्त्या विश्वासं कुरुते नरः । स तु तेनैव मुच्येत नेदृशं तीर्थमस्ति वै

yo yatra viṣaye bhaktyā viśvāsaṁ kurute naraḥ sa tu tenaiva mucyeta nedṛśaṁ tīrthamasti vai

Whatever matter a man places his faith in with devotion, by that very thing he is released — yet there exists no sacred ford quite like this one.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.44.37)

एतत्त्यक्त्वान्यतीर्थे वै विदधाति रुचिं तु यः । नूनं स मायया विष्णोर्वंचितो लोभलालसः

etattyaktvānyatīrthe vai vidadhāti ruciṁ tu yaḥ nūnaṁ sa māyayā viṣṇorvaṁcito lobhalālasaḥ

Whoever, forsaking this, sets his liking upon another sacred ford, is surely deceived by Vishnu's own maya, driven by greed and craving.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.44.38)

उपदेशेन बहुना न प्रयोजनमस्ति ते । प्रत्यक्षो ह्यनुभूतोऽयं करटो विष्णुरूपधृक्

upadeśena bahunā na prayojanamasti te pratyakṣo hyanubhūto'yaṁ karaṭo viṣṇurūpadhṛk

There is no need of much further instruction for you; directly experienced is this — even a crow assumed the very form of Vishnu.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.44.39)

अन्तर्वेदीरक्षणार्थं शक्तयोऽष्टौ प्रकीर्तिताः । उग्रेण तपसा पूर्वमहं रुद्रेण भाविता

antarvedīrakṣaṇārthaṁ śaktayo'ṣṭau prakīrtitāḥ ugreṇa tapasā pūrvamahaṁ rudreṇa bhāvitā

For the protection of the Antarvedi, eight Shaktis are proclaimed; of old, through fierce austerity, I was brought into being by Rudra —

Verse 40 (skanda.2.44.40)

पत्न्यर्थं सा मया सृष्टा गौरी तस्याथ भाविनी । सर्वसौंदर्यवसतिर्वपुषो मे विनिर्गता

patnyarthaṁ sā mayā sṛṣṭā gaurī tasyātha bhāvinī sarvasaundaryavasatirvapuṣo me vinirgatā

— created to be his wife: she, Gauri, his bride-to-be, the very abode of all beauty, came forth from my own body.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.44.41)

तदादिष्टा मया भद्रे वचनं मे प्रियं कुरु । अन्तर्वेदी रक्ष मम परितस्त्वं स्वमूर्तिभिः

tadādiṣṭā mayā bhadre vacanaṁ me priyaṁ kuru antarvedī rakṣa mama paritastvaṁ svamūrtibhiḥ

Then, instructed by me — 'O gentle one, do as pleases me: guard the Antarvedi all around, in your own manifold forms' —

Verse 42 (skanda.2.44.42)

सा तु तिष्ठति मत्प्रीत्या अष्टधा दिक्षु संस्थिता । मंगला वटमूले तु पश्चिमे विमला तथा

sā tu tiṣṭhati matprītyā aṣṭadhā dikṣu saṁsthitā aṁgalā vaṭamūle tu paścime vimalā tathā

— she, out of love for me, abides there, established eightfold in the directions: Mangala at the root of the banyan, and Vimala in the west,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.44.43)

शंखस्य पृष्ठभागे तु संस्थिता सर्वमंगला । अर्द्धांशिनी तथा लंबा कुबेरदिशि संस्थिता

śaṅkhasya pṛṣṭhabhāge tu saṁsthitā sarvamaṁgalā ardhāṁśinī tathā laṁbā kuberadiśi saṁsthitā

Sarvamangala is stationed at the back of the conch; Ardhamshini, and Lamba stationed in Kubera's direction,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.44.44)

कालरात्रिर्दक्षिणस्यां पूर्वस्यां तु मरीचिका । कालरात्र्यास्तथा पश्चाच्चंडरूपा व्यवस्थिता

kālarātrirdakṣiṇasyāṁ pūrvasyāṁ tu marīcikā kālarātryāstathā paścāccaṁḍarūpā vyavasthitā

Kalaratri in the south, Marichika in the east; and, behind Kalaratri, Chandarupa is established.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.44.45)

एताभिरुग्ररूपाभिः शक्तिभिः परिरक्षितम् । अल्पपुण्यस्य पुंसो हि स्थानमेतत्सुदुर्लभम्

etābhirugrarūpābhiḥ śaktibhiḥ parirakṣitam alpapuṇyasya puṁso hi sthānametatsudurlabham

Guarded all around by these fierce-formed Shaktis, this place is exceedingly hard to attain for a man of little merit.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.44.46)

एतासामष्टशक्तीनां दर्शनात्कीर्तनात्तथा । नश्यंति सर्वपापानि हयमेधफलं लभेत्

etāsāmaṣṭaśaktīnāṁ darśanātkīrtanāttathā naśyaṁti sarvapāpāni hayamedhaphalaṁ labhet

By the sight of, and by the praise of, these eight Shaktis, all sins are destroyed, and one obtains the fruit of a horse-sacrifice.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.44.47)

रुद्राण्याश्चाष्टधा भेदं दृष्ट्वा रुद्रोऽपि शंकरः । आत्मानमष्टधा भित्त्वा उपास्ते परमेश्वरम्

rudrāṇyāścāṣṭadhā bhedaṁ dṛṣṭvā rudro'pi śaṁkaraḥ ātmānamaṣṭadhā bhittvā upāste parameśvaram

Seeing his own consort Rudrani divided eightfold, Rudra Shankara too divided himself eightfold and worships the Supreme Lord.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.44.48)

आराध्य तपसा विष्णुं प्रार्थयद्वरमुत्तमम् । यत्र त्वं देव तत्राहं वसेयं हि यथासुखम्

ārādhya tapasā viṣṇuṁ prārthayadvaramuttamam yatra tvaṁ deva tatrāhaṁ vaseyaṁ hi yathāsukham

Having worshipped Vishnu through austerity, he asked for this excellent boon: 'Wherever you dwell, O Lord, there may I too dwell, at ease.'

Verse 49 (skanda.2.44.49)

त्वामृते कमलाकांत नान्यन्निर्वाणकारणम् । अंतर्यामिन्प्रभो मे त्वं त्वां विना विग्रहः कुतः

tvāmṛte kamalākāṁta nānyannirvāṇakāraṇam aṁtaryāminprabho me tvaṁ tvāṁ vinā vigrahaḥ kutaḥ

'O beloved of Kamala, apart from you there is no other cause of liberation. O indwelling Lord of mine, without you, where would even my very form be?'

Verse 50 (skanda.2.44.50)

मूढा ये त्वां न जानंति हृष्यंति विषयेऽशुचौ । निर्मलांबरसंकाश त्वामहं शरणं गतः

mūḍhā ye tvāṁ na jānaṁti hṛṣyaṁti viṣaye'śucau nirmalāṁbarasaṁkāśa tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ

'Those deluded ones who do not know you rejoice in impure objects of sense. O you who resemble the spotless sky, I have taken refuge in you.'

Verse 51 (skanda.2.44.51)

जैमिनिरुवाच । भगवानपि रुद्रं तं क्षेत्रपालं तथा विभुः । स्थापयामास परितः स्वयं मध्ये व्यवस्थितः

jaiminiruvāca bhagavānapi rudraṁ taṁ kṣetrapālaṁ tathā vibhuḥ sthāpayāmāsa paritaḥ svayaṁ madhye vyavasthitaḥ

Jaimini said: The Lord too established that Rudra as the field-guardian all around, while he himself remained established in the middle.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.44.52)

कपालमोचनं नाम क्षेत्रपालं यमेश्वरम् । मार्कण्डेयं तथेशानं बिल्वेशं नीलकंठकम्

kapālamocanaṁ nāma kṣetrapālaṁ yameśvaram mārkaṇḍeyaṁ tatheśānaṁ bilveśaṁ nīlakaṁṭhakam

Kapalamochana, the field-guardian, Yameshvara, Markandeya, and Ishana, Bilveshvara, Nilakantha —

Verse 53 (skanda.2.44.53)

वटमूले वटेशं च लिंगान्यष्टौ महेशितुः । यानि दृष्ट्वा तथा स्पृष्ट्वा पूजयित्वा विमुच्यते

vaṭamūle vaṭeśaṁ ca liṁgānyaṣṭau maheśituḥ yāni dṛṣṭvā tathā spṛṣṭvā pūjayitvā vimucyate

— and, at the root of the banyan, Vateshvara: these are the eight lingas of the Great Lord, by seeing, touching, and worshipping which one is liberated.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.44.54)

अत्र क्षेत्रे मृता ये च न तेषां तु प्रभुर्यमः । यदर्थमागतस्त्वं हि तदन्यत्र प्रसाधय

atra kṣetre mṛtā ye ca na teṣāṁ tu prabhuryamaḥ yadarthamāgatastvaṁ hi tadanyatra prasādhaya

Over those who die in this field, you, Yama, hold no lordship; whatever purpose you have come for, accomplish it elsewhere.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.44.55)

तथाप्यसौ जगन्नाथो भक्तायात्मसमर्पकः । यमेन तोषितो भक्त्या प्रपन्नार्तिहरः प्रभुः

tathāpyasau jagannātho bhaktāyātmasamarpakaḥ yamena toṣito bhaktyā prapannārtiharaḥ prabhuḥ

Yet that Jagannatha, who gives himself over to his devotees, pleased by Yama's devotion, the Lord who removes the suffering of those who take refuge —

Verse 56 (skanda.2.44.56)

सुदर्शनेन चक्रेण मायां च व्यवधास्यति । अत्याज्येऽस्मिन्क्षेत्रवरे स्वर्णवालुकया वृते

sudarśanena cakreṇa māyāṁ ca vyavadhāsyati atyājye'sminkṣetravare svarṇavālukayā vṛte

— will, with his Sudarshana discus, set his own maya to work, in this most excellent field, never to be forsaken, covered with golden sand,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.44.57)

तं यमं वंचयित्वा तु प्रस्थापय्य यमालयम् । साधु मत्वा ततः प्राह ब्रह्माणं पुरतः स्थितम्

taṁ yamaṁ vaṁcayitvā tu prasthāpayya yamālayam sādhu matvā tataḥ prāha brahmāṇaṁ purataḥ sthitam

— to gently send that Yama on his way, dispatching him to his own abode; and deeming it well done, he then spoke to Brahma, who stood before them.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.44.58)

श्रीरुवाच । इंद्रद्युम्नो नाम राजा युगे सत्ये भविष्यति । वैष्णवः सर्वयज्ञानामाहर्त्ता शास्त्रकोविदः

śrīruvāca iṁdradyumno nāma rājā yuge satye bhaviṣyati vaiṣṇavaḥ sarvayajñānāmāharttā śāstrakovidaḥ

Shri said: In the Satya Yuga there will be a king named Indradyumna, a devotee of Vishnu, the performer of every sacrifice, learned in the scriptures.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.44.59)

अत्रागत्य महाभक्तिं करिष्यति नृपोत्तमः । भगवत्प्रीतये येन वाजिमेधसहस्रकम्

atrāgatya mahābhaktiṁ kariṣyati nṛpottamaḥ bhagavatprītaye yena vājimedhasahasrakam

Coming here, that best of kings will perform great devotion; by him, for the pleasure of the Lord, a thousand horse-sacrifices —

Verse 60 (skanda.2.44.60)

करिष्यते प्रजानाथ तदनुग्रहकारणात् । एकदारुसमुत्पन्नश्चतुर्द्धा संभविष्यति

kariṣyate prajānātha tadanugrahakāraṇāt ekadārusamutpannaścaturddhā saṁbhaviṣyati

— will be performed, O Lord of creatures; and by reason of that very grace, he shall arise fourfold, born from a single log of wood.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.44.61)

दारवप्रतिमानानि विश्वकर्मा घटिष्यति । प्रतिष्ठापयिता त्वं हि इंद्रद्युम्नप्रसादितः

dāravapratimānāni viśvakarmā ghaṭiṣyati pratiṣṭhāpayitā tvaṁ hi iṁdradyumnaprasāditaḥ

Vishvakarma shall fashion the wooden images; you, pleased by Indradyumna, shall be the one to consecrate them.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.44.62)

अस्माकं सदृशानां च प्रतिमानां पितामह । तद्रूपका प्रतिष्ठा हि घटना च भविष्यति

asmākaṁ sadṛśānāṁ ca pratimānāṁ pitāmaha tadrūpakā pratiṣṭhā hi ghaṭanā ca bhaviṣyati

O Grandsire, of images resembling us, their fashioning and their consecration in that very form shall come to pass.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.44.63)

इति श्रुत्वा श्रियो वाक्यं चतुर्वक्त्रो यमश्च सः । स्वंस्वं पुरं जग्मतुस्तौ मुदा परमया युतौ

iti śrutvā śriyo vākyaṁ caturvaktro yamaśca saḥ svaṁsvaṁ puraṁ jagmatustau mudā paramayā yutau

Hearing this speech of Shri, the four-faced one and Yama, both filled with the utmost joy, went each to his own city,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.44.64)

क्षेत्रस्य महिमानं तं संस्मृत्य च मुहुर्मुहुः । विस्मयेन च हर्षेण रोमांचांचितविग्रहौ

kṣetrasya mahimānaṁ taṁ saṁsmṛtya ca muhurmuhuḥ vismayena ca harṣeṇa romāṁcāṁcitavigrahau

— again and again recalling that field's glory, their bodies thrilling with horripilation from wonder and joy.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.44.65)

सांप्रतं मुनयस्तस्मिन्निंद्रद्युम्नप्रसादितः । शंखचक्रधरः श्रीमान्नीलजीमूतसंनिभः

sāṁprataṁ munayastasminniṁdradyumnaprasāditaḥ śaṅkhacakradharaḥ śrīmānnīlajīmūtasaṁnibhaḥ

Now, O sages, in that field, pleased by Indradyumna, the glorious one, bearer of conch and discus, resembling a dark-blue cloud,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.44.66)

नीलाचलगुहांतःस्थो बिभ्रद्दारुमयं वपुः । आस्ते लोकोपकाराय बलेन च सुभद्रया

nīlācalaguhāṁtaḥstho bibhraddārumayaṁ vapuḥ āste lokopakārāya balena ca subhadrayā

— dwelling within the cave of the Blue Mountain, bearing a wooden form, abides for the world's benefit, together with Balarama and Subhadra,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.44.67)

सुदर्शनेन चक्रेण दारुणा निर्मितेन च । सहितः प्रणतार्तीनां नाशनः करुणार्णवः

sudarśanena cakreṇa dāruṇā nirmitena ca sahitaḥ praṇatārtīnāṁ nāśanaḥ karuṇārṇavaḥ

— accompanied also by a Sudarshana wheel fashioned of wood, the destroyer of the sufferings of those who bow to him, the ocean of compassion,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.44.68)

यं दृष्ट्वा पापबंधेन सुदृढेन विमुच्यते । सुकर्मौघपरीपाको युगपत्समुपस्थितः

yaṁ dṛṣṭvā pāpabaṁdhena sudṛḍhena vimucyate sukarmaughaparīpāko yugapatsamupasthitaḥ

— seeing whom, one is released even from a most firmly-bound sin, and the ripening of a whole flood of good deeds arises all at once.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.44.69)

पश्यतां भो मुनिश्रेष्ठास्तापत्रयसुधानिधिम् । बहवो ह्यवतारा हि विष्णोर्दिव्याश्च मानुषाः

paśyatāṁ bho muniśreṣṭhāstāpatrayasudhānidhim bahavo hyavatārā hi viṣṇordivyāśca mānuṣāḥ

O best of sages, to those who behold him, he is a very treasury of nectar against the three-fold afflictions; many indeed are Vishnu's incarnations, both divine and human,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.44.70)

अत्यद्भुतानि कर्माणि माहात्म्यं चापि वर्णितम् । पारिचित्यान्मनुष्यांस्तु न मन्यंते सुरा अपि

atyadbhutāni karmāṇi māhātmyaṁ cāpi varṇitam pāricityānmanuṣyāṁstu na manyaṁte surā api

— his deeds most wondrous, his greatness too described; yet through mere familiarity, even the gods do not fully esteem him when he is among men.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.44.71)

देवासुरमनुष्याणां गंधर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । तिरश्चामपि भो विप्रास्तस्मिन्दारुमये हरौ

devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṁ gaṁdharvoragarakṣasām tiraścāmapi bho viprāstasmindārumaye harau

O Brahmins, of gods, demons and men, of gandharvas, serpents and rakshasas, and even beasts, in that wooden form of Hari —

Verse 72 (skanda.2.44.72)

सर्वात्मभूते वसति चित्तं सर्वसुखावहे । उपजीवंत्यस्य सुखं यस्यानन्यस्वरूपिणः

sarvātmabhūte vasati cittaṁ sarvasukhāvahe upajīvaṁtyasya sukhaṁ yasyānanyasvarūpiṇaḥ

— who is the very Self of all and the bringer of all happiness, the mind dwells; and those wholly devoted to him alone live upon his happiness.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.44.73)

ब्रह्मणः श्रुतिवागाहेत्येतदत्रानुभूयते । द्यति संसारदुःखानि ददाति सुखमव्ययम्

brahmaṇaḥ śrutivāgāhetyetadatrānubhūyate dyati saṁsāraduḥkhāni dadāti sukhamavyayam

The scripture's own word about Brahman says this, and it is directly experienced here: it cuts away the sorrows of worldly existence and grants imperishable joy.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.44.74)

तस्माद्दारुमयं ब्रह्म वेदांतेषु प्रगीयते । न हि काष्ठमयी मोक्षं ददाति प्रतिमा क्वचित्

tasmāddārumayaṁ brahma vedāṁteṣu pragīyate na hi kāṣṭhamayī mokṣaṁ dadāti pratimā kvacit

Therefore this wooden form is celebrated in the Vedanta as Brahman itself; for a merely wooden image never anywhere grants liberation on its own —

Verse 75 (skanda.2.44.75)

कृतेनाकृतता विप्राः कदाचिन्नोपलभ्यते । अकृतो ह्यपवर्गस्तु कृताद्वा दारुणः कथम्

kṛtenākṛtatā viprāḥ kadācinnopalabhyate akṛto hyapavargastu kṛtādvā dāruṇaḥ katham

— O Brahmins, the uncreated state is never attained through anything that is made; how, indeed, could the uncreated liberation come from a wooden thing that is made?

Verse 76 (skanda.2.44.76)

अधिष्ठानं विना ब्राह्म्यमैश्वर्यं नोपलभ्यते । रहस्यमेतत्परमं विष्णोः स्थानमनुत्तमम्

adhiṣṭhānaṁ vinā brāhmyamaiśvaryaṁ nopalabhyate rahasyametatparamaṁ viṣṇoḥ sthānamanuttamam

Without a divine substratum, the sovereignty of Brahman is not attained; this is the supreme secret — Vishnu's own unsurpassed abode [dwells within this wood].

Verse 77 (skanda.2.44.77)

अलौकिकी सा प्रतिमा लौकिकीति प्रकाशिता । कुत्र श्रुता वा दृष्टा वा प्रतिमा व्याहरेदिति

alaukikī sā pratimā laukikīti prakāśitā kutra śrutā vā dṛṣṭā vā pratimā vyāharediti

That image, though transcendent, is revealed as though worldly — where else has one ever heard of, or seen, an image that could actually speak?

Verse 78 (skanda.2.44.78)

इंद्रद्युम्नाय स वरं तदा दारुवपुर्ददौ । दीनानाथैकशरणं तरणं भववारिधेः

iṁdradyumnāya sa varaṁ tadā dāruvapurdadau dīnānāthaikaśaraṇaṁ taraṇaṁ bhavavāridheḥ

To Indradyumna, then, he granted the boon of this wooden form — the sole refuge of the helpless and the destitute, the very means of crossing the ocean of worldly existence,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.44.79)

चराचर सदावंद्य चरणं तं परायणम् । नारायणं जगद्योनिं सृष्टिसंहृतिकारणम्

carācara sadāvaṁdya caraṇaṁ taṁ parāyaṇam nārāyaṇaṁ jagadyoniṁ sṛṣṭisaṁhṛtikāraṇam

— ever worthy of homage from every moving and unmoving being, the highest refuge, Narayana, the womb of the universe, the cause of creation and dissolution,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.44.80)

मोक्षणं सर्वपापानां दारणं सकलापदाम् । विभूतीनां विसरणं वरणं सर्वयोगिनाम्

mokṣaṇaṁ sarvapāpānāṁ dāraṇaṁ sakalāpadām vibhūtīnāṁ visaraṇaṁ varaṇaṁ sarvayoginām

— the liberator from every sin, the render of every calamity, the diffuser of every glory, the one chosen by every yogi,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.44.81)

भरणं सर्वजंतूनां धरणं जगतामपि । भाषणं सर्वभाषाणां दूषणं सर्वदुष्कृताम्

bharaṇaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ dharaṇaṁ jagatāmapi bhāṣaṇaṁ sarvabhāṣāṇāṁ dūṣaṇaṁ sarvaduṣkṛtām

— the nourisher of every creature, the sustainer of all worlds too, the speech within every language, the corrupter of every evil deed,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.44.82)

शोषणं सर्वपंकानां नीलाद्रिशरणं हरिम् । शरणं प्रयात मुनयो ह्यनन्यशरणं विभुम्

śoṣaṇaṁ sarvapaṁkānāṁ nīlādriśaraṇaṁ harim śaraṇaṁ prayāta munayo hyananyaśaraṇaṁ vibhum

— the drier-up of every mire, Hari, whose own refuge is the Blue Mountain. Take refuge, O sages, in that all-pervading Lord who admits no other refuge.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.44.83)

निश्चेष्टो दारुवर्ष्मापि दिव्यलीलाविलासकृत् । क्षमते स्वल्पभक्त्यापि सोपराधशतं नृणाम्

niśceṣṭo dāruvarṣmāpi divyalīlāvilāsakṛt kṣamate svalpabhaktyāpi soparādhaśataṁ nṛṇām

Though motionless in his wooden body, he still performs his divine play and sport; even for the slightest devotion, he forgives men a hundred offenses.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.44.84)

अत्र वः कथयिष्यामि चरितं पापनाशनम् । लीलया दारुदेहस्य मुनयः परमात्मनः

atra vaḥ kathayiṣyāmi caritaṁ pāpanāśanam līlayā dārudehasya munayaḥ paramātmanaḥ

Here, O sages, I shall relate to you a sin-destroying deed performed, in play, by that wooden-bodied Supreme Self.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.44.85)

कुरुक्षेत्रे समुद्भूतौ ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियावुभौ । सखायौ जग्मतुः प्रीत्या एकाहारविहारिणौ

kurukṣetre samudbhūtau brāhmaṇakṣatriyāvubhau sakhāyau jagmatuḥ prītyā ekāhāravihāriṇau

There were two, born in Kurukshetra, a Brahmin and a Kshatriya, who moved about together as friends with affection, sharing the same food and amusements,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.44.86)

वृत्तच्युतौ निषिद्धानामाहर्त्तारौ विमोहितौ । अस्वाध्यायवषट्कारौ स्वधास्वाहाविवर्जितौ

vṛttacyutau niṣiddhānāmāharttārau vimohitau asvādhyāyavaṣaṭkārau svadhāsvāhāvivarjitau

— fallen from proper conduct, performers of forbidden acts, utterly deluded, neglecting scriptural study and sacred rites, devoid of the offerings of svadha and svaha,

Verse 87 (skanda.2.44.87)

अपात्रभूतौ धर्मस्य महापातकदूषितौ । मधुभक्षौ पण्ययोषित्सहवासौ मुदान्वितौ

apātrabhūtau dharmasya mahāpātakadūṣitau madhubhakṣau paṇyayoṣitsahavāsau mudānvitau

— unfit vessels for dharma, tainted with great sins, drinkers of liquor, dwelling joyfully in the company of prostitutes,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.44.88)

पारलौकिकचिंता तु तयोः स्वप्नेपि नागता । एवं प्रवर्तमानौ तावायुषोऽर्द्धं च निन्यतुः

pāralaukikaciṁtā tu tayoḥ svapnepi nāgatā evaṁ pravartamānau tāvāyuṣo'rddhaṁ ca ninyatuḥ

— thought of the world beyond never entered their minds, even in dreams. Living thus, they spent half of their lives.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.44.89)

एकदा भ्रममाणौ तौ यज्ञवाटमगच्छताम् । शृण्वन्तो दूरतः स्तोत्रं शास्त्रशब्दं मनोहरम्

ekadā bhramamāṇau tau yajñavāṭamagacchatām śṛṇvaṁto dūrataḥ stotraṁ śāstraśabdaṁ manoharam

One day, as they wandered, they came upon a sacrificial enclosure, hearing from afar the enchanting sound of a hymn — the recitation of scripture.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.44.90)

दृष्ट्वा तास्ताः क्रियाः सर्वाः श्रुतिसंचोदिता द्विजाः । तौ तदा चक्रतुः श्रद्धां धर्मे वर्त्मन्यधार्मिकौ

dṛṣṭvā tāstāḥ kriyāḥ sarvāḥ śrutisaṁcoditā dvijāḥ tau tadā cakratuḥ śraddhāṁ dharme vartmanyadhārmikau

Seeing all those rites, and the Brahmins impelled by the scriptures, the two of them, unrighteous as they were, then developed faith in the path of dharma.

Verse 91 (skanda.2.44.91)

संस्मरंतौ स्वजातिं तौ पुंडरीकांबरीषकौ । निंदन्तौ दुश्चरित्रं स्वं परस्परमभाषताम्

saṁsmaraṁtau svajātiṁ tau puṁḍarīkāṁbarīṣakau niṁdaṁtau duścaritraṁ svaṁ parasparamabhāṣatām

Recalling their own lineage — they were Pundarika and Ambarisha — and reproaching their own wicked conduct, they spoke to one another:

Verse 92 (skanda.2.44.92)

कथमावां तरिष्यावो दुष्कृतार्णवमुल्बणम् । इहैव जन्मन्यजरं बुद्धिपूर्वमुपार्ज्जितम्

kathamāvāṁ tariṣyāvo duṣkṛtārṇavamulbaṇam ihaiva janmanyajaraṁ buddhipūrvamupārjjitam

'How shall we two cross this terrible ocean of evil deeds — deliberately accumulated, unfading, in this very birth?

Verse 93 (skanda.2.44.93)

न तच्छास्त्रं हि जानाति यदावाभ्यां च दुष्कृतम् । सञ्चितं तस्य घोरस्य प्रायश्चित्तं सुदुर्ल्लभम्

na tacchāstraṁ hi jānāti yadāvābhyāṁ ca duṣkṛtam sañcitaṁ tasya ghorasya prāyaścittaṁ sudurllabham

'No scripture even knows of the evil we two have committed; for such terrible accumulated sin, atonement is exceedingly hard to find.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.44.94)

तथापि ब्राह्मणानेतान्ब्रह्मिष्ठान्वै सदोगतान् । प्रणिपातप्रपन्नान्वै पृच्छावोऽत्र च निष्कृतिम्

tathāpi brāhmaṇānetānbrahmiṣṭhānvai sadogatān praṇipātaprapannānvai pṛcchāvo'tra ca niṣkṛtim

'Nevertheless, let us approach these Brahmins devoted to Brahman, assembled in this hall, and, prostrating in submission, ask them here for a means of expiation.'

Verse 95 (skanda.2.44.95)

इति निश्चित्य तौ विप्रानभिवाद्याभ्यपृच्छताम् । यथावत्कल्मषं स्वंस्वं विज्ञाप्य च मुहुर्मुहुः

iti niścitya tau viprānabhivādyābhyapṛcchatām yathāvatkalmaṣaṁ svaṁsvaṁ vijñāpya ca muhurmuhuḥ

Having resolved thus, the two of them saluted the Brahmins and questioned them, declaring each their own sins, exactly as they were, again and again.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.44.96)

ते तयोर्वचनं श्रुत्वा मीलिताक्षा द्विजोत्तमाः । नाब्रुवन्किंस्विदन्योन्यं वीक्षंतो विस्मिताननाः

te tayorvacanaṁ śrutvā mīlitākṣā dvijottamāḥ nābruvankiṁsvidanyonyaṁ vīkṣaṁto vismitānanāḥ

Those best of Brahmins, hearing their words, closed their eyes; they said nothing at all, only looking at one another with astonished faces.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.44.97)

अहो सुघोरकर्माणि संचितानि दुरात्मनोः । येषु शास्त्रं पदं दातुं प्रायश्चित्ताय न ह्यलम्

aho sughorakarmāṇi saṁcitāni durātmanoḥ yeṣu śāstraṁ padaṁ dātuṁ prāyaścittāya na hyalam

'Ah, how terrible are the deeds accumulated by these two wicked souls — deeds for which scripture itself is not able to grant even a foothold of atonement.'

Verse 98 (skanda.2.44.98)

शक्नुमो न वयं तस्मादनयोर्निष्कृताविति । तेषां मध्ये सदोमुख्यः कश्चिद्वैष्णवपुंगवः

śaknumo na vayaṁ tasmādanayorniṣkṛtāviti teṣāṁ madhye sadomukhyaḥ kaścidvaiṣṇavapuṁgavaḥ

'We are therefore unable to prescribe an expiation for these two.' Among them, the chief of the assembly, a certain foremost devotee of Vishnu,

Verse 99 (skanda.2.44.99)

भगवद्भक्तिमाहात्म्य क्षपिताशेषकल्मषः । तानुवाच विहस्येदं वाक्यं वाक्यविदां वरः

bhagavadbhaktimāhātmya kṣapitāśeṣakalmaṣaḥ tānuvāca vihasyedaṁ vākyaṁ vākyavidāṁ varaḥ

— whose every sin had been destroyed by the greatness of devotion to the Lord, best among speakers, spoke to them, smiling, these words:

Verse 100 (skanda.2.44.100)

वैष्णव उवाच । भो द्विज क्षत्रदायाद पापराशेः सुदारुणात् । मुक्तिं चेद्वांच्छतस्तूर्णं गच्छतं पुरुषोत्तमम्

vaiṣṇava uvāca bho dvija kṣatradāyāda pāparāśeḥ sudāruṇāt muktiṁ cedvāṁcchatastūrṇaṁ gacchataṁ puruṣottamam

The Vaishnava said: O Brahmin, O son of a Kshatriya, if you two wish for swift release from this most terrible mass of sin, go at once to Purushottama —

Verse 101 (skanda.2.44.101)

क्षेत्रोत्तमं दारुमयो यत्रास्ते पुरुषोत्तमः । इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य राजर्षेर्भक्त्यानुग्रहकृद्विभुः

kṣetrottamaṁ dārumayo yatrāste puruṣottamaḥ indradyumnasya rājarṣerbhaktyānugrahakṛdvibhuḥ

— the most excellent of fields, where Purushottama, in wooden form, abides — the Lord who, moved by the devotion of the royal sage Indradyumna, granted his grace.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.44.102)

तमाराध्य जगन्नाथं शंखचक्रगदाधरम् । पापक्षयं वा मुक्तिं वा स्वेच्छया प्राप्स्यथ धुवम्

tamārādhya jagannāthaṁ śaṅkhacakragadādharam pāpakṣayaṁ vā muktiṁ vā svecchayā prāpsyatha dhuvam

Having worshipped that Jagannatha, bearer of conch, discus and mace, you two shall assuredly obtain, as you wish, either the destruction of your sin or liberation itself.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.44.103)

घोरदुष्कृततूलौघ दावाग्निसदृशस्तु सः । तपसे तत्क्षयं नेतुं न शक्यं जन्मकोटिभिः

ghoraduṣkṛtatūlaugha dāvāgnisadṛśastu saḥ tapase tatkṣayaṁ netuṁ na śakyaṁ janmakoṭibhiḥ

He is like a forest-fire to the heap of cotton that is terrible evil deeds — a mass which not even millions of births of austerity could bring to destruction —

Verse 104 (skanda.2.44.104)

युगपत्संक्षयं याति यं दृष्ट्वा सर्वकिल्बिषम् । तन्मा विलंबं कुरुतं प्रयातं तत्र सत्वरं

yugapatsaṁkṣayaṁ yāti yaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvakilbiṣam tanmā vilaṁbaṁ kurutaṁ prayātaṁ tatra satvaraṁ

— all such sin is destroyed at once merely by beholding him. Therefore delay not; go there swiftly.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.44.105)

सुपुण्ये चोत्कले देशे दक्षिणार्णवतीरगे । नीलाद्रिशिखरावासं व्रजतं शरणं विभुम्

supuṇye cotkale deśe dakṣiṇārṇavatīrage nīlādriśikharāvāsaṁ vrajataṁ śaraṇaṁ vibhum

In the most sacred land of Utkala, on the shore of the southern ocean, go for refuge to that Lord who dwells upon the peak of the Blue Mountain.

Verse 106 (skanda.2.44.106)

सोऽभीष्टसिद्धिं वां देवः प्रदास्यति कृपानिधिः । इत्यादिष्टौ ततो विप्रक्षत्रियौ हर्षसंयुतौ

so'bhīṣṭasiddhiṁ vāṁ devaḥ pradāsyati kṛpānidhiḥ ityādiṣṭau tato viprakṣatriyau harṣasaṁyutau

That god, the treasury of compassion, will grant you both the fulfillment of your desire.' Thus instructed, the Brahmin and the Kshatriya, filled with joy,

Verse 107 (skanda.2.44.107)

तेनैव वर्त्मना विप्राः प्रयातौ पुरुषोत्तमे

tenaiva vartmanā viprāḥ prayātau puruṣottame

— O Brahmins, set out by that very road to Purushottama.