The Disappearance of Nila-Madhava and the Sacred Garland Brought to Indradyumna

Verse 1 (skanda.2.49.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । प्रत्यागते ततो विप्रे सायाह्ने सुरसंकुले । माधवार्चनवेलायां वातश्चंडगतिर्ववौ

jaiminiruvāca pratyāgate tato vipre sāyāhne surasaṁkule mādhavārcanavelāyāṁ vātaścaṁḍagatirvavau

Jaimini said: After the brahmin had departed, in the evening, when the gods were gathered there, at the hour of Madhava's worship, a wind of furious force began to blow.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.49.2)

सुवर्णवालुकाश्चासौ विचकार च सर्वशः । तेनाकुलदृशो देवा न शेकुरवलोकने

suvarṇavālukāścāsau vicakāra ca sarvaśaḥ tenākuladṛśo devā na śekuravalokane

It scattered golden sand in every direction; and, their sight bewildered by it, the gods could see nothing at all.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.49.3)

श्रीकांतस्य तदा विप्रा दध्युस्ते पुरुषोत्तमम् । यावद्ध्यानस्थिरदृशो मुहूर्तं ते दिवौकसः

śrīkāṁtasya tadā viprā dadhyuste puruṣottamam yāvaddhyānasthiradṛśo muhūrtaṁ te divaukasaḥ

O brahmins, then they meditated on Purushottama, the beloved of Shri; for a single muhurta those gods remained with their gaze fixed steady in meditation.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.49.4)

ध्यानांते वालुकाराशिं ददृशुस्ते न माधवम् । रौहिणं च तथा कुंडं बभूवुर्व्याकुलेन्द्रियाः

dhyānāṁte vālukārāśiṁ dadṛśuste na mādhavam rauhiṇaṁ ca tathā kuṁḍaṁ babhūvurvyākulendriyāḥ

When the meditation ended, they saw only a heap of sand, not Madhava; nor could they see even Rohina pool, and their senses became utterly distraught.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.49.5)

चिंतामवापुर्महतीं हाहेति रुरुदुर्भृशम् । किमेतन्नो हि दुर्दैवमेकदा समुपस्थितम्

ciṁtāmavāpurmahatīṁ hāheti rurudurbhṛśam kimetanno hi durdaivamekadā samupasthitam

They fell into the deepest anxiety, crying "Alas, alas!" and wept bitterly — "What misfortune has suddenly befallen us now!

Verse 6 (skanda.2.49.6)

दृशां सेचनकः श्रीशः क्षणाद्यन्नोपलभ्यते । अपराधं किमस्माकं लक्षितं पुरुषोत्तम

dṛśāṁ secanakaḥ śrīśaḥ kṣaṇādyannopalabhyate aparādhaṁ kimasmākaṁ lakṣitaṁ puruṣottama

The Lord of Shri, that very balm to the eyes, has become unattainable in a single instant! What offense of ours, O Purushottama, have you noticed?

Verse 7 (skanda.2.49.7)

युगपत्सेवकान्सर्वानपहाय न दृश्यसे । येषामर्थे जगन्नाथ स्वीचकर्थ कलेवरम्

yugapatsevakānsarvānapahāya na dṛśyase yeṣāmarthe jagannātha svīcakartha kalevaram

You have vanished from sight, abandoning all your servants at once — O Lord of the universe, we for whose sake you assumed this very body,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.49.8)

ताननाथान्परित्यज्य कानने किमुपेक्षसे । स्वशरीरविभूतीर्नो विहाय कमलेक्षण

tānanāthānparityajya kānane kimupekṣase svaśarīravibhūtīrno vihāya kamalekṣaṇa

— us, now bereft of any protector, why do you neglect us here in this forest? O lotus-eyed one, having left us, the very glories of your own body, here —

Verse 9 (skanda.2.49.9)

किमकांडं रचयसि कथाशेषान्दिवौकसः । तवांशभूतान्नः सर्वान्यज्वानः प्रयजंति वै

kimakāṁḍaṁ racayasi kathāśeṣāndivaukasaḥ tavāṁśabhūtānnaḥ sarvānyajvānaḥ prayajaṁti vai

— why do you now, so abruptly, reduce us gods to mere leftover tales? We, who are portions of your own being, are worshipped by sacrificers through their sacrifices,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.49.10)

त्वत्प्रीत्यै यज्ञपुरुष त्वदादिष्टफलप्रदान् । त्वदहंकारवर्ष्माणस्त्वदनुग्रहजीवनाः

tvatprītyai yajñapuruṣa tvadādiṣṭaphalapradān tvadahaṁkāravarṣmāṇastvadanugrahajīvanāḥ

— O Person of sacrifice, for your pleasure alone, granting the fruits you have appointed, our very bodies formed of your own cosmic ego, our lives sustained only by your grace —

Verse 11 (skanda.2.49.11)

कांदिशीका कुत्र यामः सांप्रतं त्वदुपेक्षिताः । दिवि स्थानैश्च किं कार्यं त्वामनालोक्य माधव

kāṁdiśīkā kutra yāmaḥ sāṁprataṁ tvadupekṣitāḥ divi sthānaiśca kiṁ kāryaṁ tvāmanālokya mādhava

— now, disregarded by you, where in our terror shall we go? What use have we, O Madhava, for our very seats in heaven, without the sight of you?

Verse 12 (skanda.2.49.12)

अकृतार्थास्त्वया हीना भविष्यामो वनेचराः । निष्कलंकसुधाभानुं सुषमापरिभावुकम्

akṛtārthāstvayā hīnā bhaviṣyāmo vanecarāḥ niṣkalaṁkasudhābhānuṁ suṣamāparibhāvukam

Bereft of you, we shall become unfulfilled wanderers of the forest. O you like the spotless nectar-rayed moon, the very ground of supreme beauty,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.49.13)

त्वदास्यं चेन्न पश्यामो न यास्यामः सुरालयम् । तप आस्थाय परममत्रैव संशितव्रताः

tvadāsyaṁ cenna paśyāmo na yāsyāmaḥ surālayam tapa āsthāya paramamatraiva saṁśitavratāḥ

— if we cannot behold your face, we shall not return to the abode of the gods; taking up the highest austerity right here, keeping our vows firm,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.49.14)

वर्तामहे वन्यवृत्त्या जटावल्कलधारिणः । यावत्त्वां पुंडरीकाक्ष विलोकिष्यामहे वयम्

vartāmahe vanyavṛttyā jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇaḥ yāvattvāṁ puṁḍarīkākṣa vilokiṣyāmahe vayam

— we shall live on forest fare, our hair matted, clothed in bark, until we behold you once more, O lotus-eyed one.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.49.15)

निसर्गकरुणांभोधे दीनान्नस्त्रातुमर्हसि । अनाथान्दीनहदयांस्त्वामेव शरणं गतान्

nisargakaruṇāṁbhodhe dīnānnastrātumarhasi anāthāndīnahadayāṁstvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gatān

O ocean of compassion by your very nature, it befits you alone to save us, so wretched — us, without protector, broken-hearted, who have come for refuge to you alone.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.49.16)

त्वदनालोकशोकैकपारावारे निमज्जतः । शुभदृष्टितरण्या नः समुद्धर जगत्पते

tvadanālokaśokaikapārāvāre nimajjataḥ śubhadṛṣṭitaraṇyā naḥ samuddhara jagatpate

Rescue us, O Lord of the universe, sinking in this sole vast ocean of grief at not beholding you, with the boat of your own auspicious glance."

Verse 17 (skanda.2.49.17)

एवं प्रलपतां तत्र सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम् । अशरीरा तदा वाणी पुनः प्रादुर्बभूव ह

evaṁ pralapatāṁ tatra sarveṣāṁ tridivaukasām aśarīrā tadā vāṇī punaḥ prādurbabhūva ha

While all the gods there lamented thus, then a disembodied voice arose once more, saying:

Verse 18 (skanda.2.49.18)

अत्रार्थे भोः सुरा यत्नं कर्तुमर्हथ नो वृथा । अद्यप्रभृति देवस्य दर्शनं दुर्लभं भुवि

atrārthe bhoḥ surā yatnaṁ kartumarhatha no vṛthā adyaprabhṛti devasya darśanaṁ durlabhaṁ bhuvi

"O gods, you need not exert yourselves in vain over this matter; from this day on, the sight of this god has become rare upon the earth.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.49.19)

अत्र स्थानेऽपि तं नत्वा तद्दर्शनफलं लभेत् । स्वयंभुवोंऽतिकं गत्वा हेतुं ज्ञास्यथ निश्चितम्

atra sthāne'pi taṁ natvā taddarśanaphalaṁ labhet svayaṁbhuvoṁ'tikaṁ gatvā hetuṁ jñāsyatha niścitam

Yet even bowing to him here, at this very spot, one may obtain the fruit of his sight. Go to the self-born Brahma, and you shall surely learn the reason."

Verse 20 (skanda.2.49.20)

तच्छ्रुत्वा त्रिदशाः सर्वे ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकमागताः । यमानुग्रहवृत्तांतमवतारं च दारुणः

tacchrutvā tridaśāḥ sarve brahmaṇoṁ'tikamāgatāḥ yamānugrahavṛttāṁtamavatāraṁ ca dāruṇaḥ

Hearing this, all the gods went to Brahma; and, upon hearing the account of the grace shown to Yama, and of the incarnation in wood,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.49.21)

श्रुत्वा संतुष्टमनसः सर्वे ते त्रिदिवं गताः । स तु विद्यापतिर्विप्रो रथारूढोऽभ्यचिंतयत्

śrutvā saṁtuṣṭamanasaḥ sarve te tridivaṁ gatāḥ sa tu vidyāpatirvipro rathārūḍho'bhyaciṁtayat

— their minds now satisfied, they all returned to heaven. Meanwhile that brahmin Vidyapati, mounted on his chariot, began to reflect:

Verse 22 (skanda.2.49.22)

मम कार्यं तु निष्पन्नं यद्दृष्टो नीलमाधवः । आसमंतात्क्षेत्रमिदं परिभ्रम्यावलोकये

mama kāryaṁ tu niṣpannaṁ yaddṛṣṭo nīlamādhavaḥ āsamaṁtātkṣetramidaṁ paribhramyāvalokaye

"My purpose is accomplished, for I have beheld Nilamadhava; now let me wander all about this field and take a good look at it,

Verse 23 (skanda.2.49.23)

अदृष्टपूर्वं परमं सुपुण्यं संकीर्तनं यस्य मलापहारि । क्षेत्रोत्तमं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमाख्यं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य व्रजामि तूर्णम्

adṛṣṭapūrvaṁ paramaṁ supuṇyaṁ saṁkīrtanaṁ yasya malāpahāri kṣetrottamaṁ śrīpuruṣottamākhyaṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya vrajāmi tūrṇam

this supreme, most blessed field never before seen, the mere chanting of whose name removes all impurity — let me circumambulate this excellent field named Shri Purushottama, and then swiftly set out for home.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.49.24)

पृथ्वीप्रदक्षिणफलं शतधा भजंते पर्यंति ये सकलकल्मषदार्यरण्यम् । नीलाद्रिमण्डिमिदं पुरुपोत्तमाख्यं मित्रं ममोपदिशति स्म समुद्रतीरे

pṛthvīpradakṣiṇaphalaṁ śatadhā bhajaṁte paryaṁti ye sakalakalmaṣadāryaraṇyam nīlādrimaṇḍimidaṁ purupottamākhyaṁ mitraṁ mamopadiśati sma samudratīre

Those who circumambulate this Purushottama, adorned by the Blue Mountain, remover of every taint, on the seashore, obtain a hundredfold the fruit of circumambulating the whole earth — so my friend had told me."

Verse 25 (skanda.2.49.25)

विचिंत्येत्थं द्विजश्रेष्ठः परिबभ्राम वै तदा । क्षेत्रं पश्यन्वनं चैव नानाद्रुमगणान्वितम्

viciṁtyetthaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ paribabhrāma vai tadā kṣetraṁ paśyanvanaṁ caiva nānādrumagaṇānvitam

Thus reflecting, that foremost of brahmins then walked around the field, gazing upon the forest, thick with manifold groves of trees,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.49.26)

नानापक्षिगणाघुष्टं कूजद्भ्रमरगुंफितम् । अप्रविष्टार्ककिरणं छायातरुगणावृतम्

nānāpakṣigaṇāghuṣṭaṁ kūjadbhramaraguṁphitam apraviṣṭārkakiraṇaṁ chāyātarugaṇāvṛtam

— resounding with the cries of manifold flocks of birds, threaded through with humming bees, where the sun's rays could not even penetrate, encircled by dense stands of shady trees,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.49.27)

सर्वर्तुकुसुमोपेतं लतागुल्मोपशोभितम् । नानाजलाशयाधारकूजत्सारससंकुलम्

sarvartukusumopetaṁ latāgulmopaśobhitam nānājalāśayādhārakūjatsārasasaṁkulam

— abounding in the flowers of every season, adorned with creepers and shrubs, thick with cranes calling beside its many pools of water,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.49.28)

पद्मकह्लारकुमुदविकचोत्पलराजितम् । न जलं तत्र कुसुमपरिहीनं लतादिकम्

padmakahlārakumudavikacotpalarājitam na jalaṁ tatra kusumaparihīnaṁ latādikam

— bright with lotuses, red water-lilies, night-lotuses, and blooming blue lotuses; there was not a single pool, nor a single creeper, devoid of flowers.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.49.29)

परीत्य वेगात्तत्क्षेत्रं जगामाथ द्विजोत्तमः । ध्यायन्निरशनः प्राज्ञः प्राप्यावन्तीं दिनात्यये

parītya vegāttatkṣetraṁ jagāmātha dvijottamaḥ dhyāyanniraśanaḥ prājñaḥ prāpyāvantīṁ dinātyaye

Having quickly circumambulated that field, that foremost of brahmins then proceeded onward; meditating, taking no food, that wise man at last arrived in Avanti as the day drew to its close.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.49.30)

दूतैरावेदितं पूर्वं दूरस्थस्यागतं द्विजाः । श्रुत्वेंद्रद्युम्नो नृपतिः प्रहर्षं परमं ययौ

dūtairāveditaṁ pūrvaṁ dūrasthasyāgataṁ dvijāḥ śrutveṁdradyumno nṛpatiḥ praharṣaṁ paramaṁ yayau

O brahmins, his arrival from afar had already been announced beforehand by messengers; hearing it, King Indradyumna was filled with the greatest joy.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.49.31)

तदागमनमाकांक्षन्पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । विद्वद्भिर्ब्राह्मणैः सार्द्धं तस्थौ संहृष्टमानसः

tadāgamanamākāṁkṣanpūjayitvā janārddanam vidvadbhirbrāhmaṇaiḥ sārddhaṁ tasthau saṁhṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Awaiting his arrival, having worshipped Janardana, he sat there together with learned brahmins, his heart full of joy.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.49.32)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्राः स तु विद्यापतिर्द्विजः । प्रावेशिकैर्वेत्रहस्तैर्दौवारिकपुरःसरैः

etasminnaṁtare viprāḥ sa tu vidyāpatirdvijaḥ prāveśikairvetrahastairdauvārikapuraḥsaraiḥ

O brahmins, in the meantime that brahmin Vidyapati, escorted by the cane-bearing gatekeepers at the entrance,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.49.33)

निर्दिष्टमार्गः पौरैश्चाऽनुमतः कौतुकान्वितैः । निर्माल्यमालां नीलाख्य माधवस्य सुशोभनाम्

nirdiṣṭamārgaḥ pauraiścā'numataḥ kautukānvitaiḥ nirmālyamālāṁ nīlākhya mādhavasya suśobhanām

— his path pointed out, welcomed by the curious townsfolk, holding in his hand the beautiful garland of leftover offerings from Nilamadhava,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.49.34)

निधाय पाणौ राजाग्रे प्रविवेश त्वरान्वितः । तं दृष्ट्वा नृपतिः सोऽथ समुत्थाय वरासनात् । प्रसीद जगदीशेति वदन्नंतिकमभ्यगात्

nidhāya pāṇau rājāgre praviveśa tvarānvitaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatiḥ so'tha samutthāya varāsanāt prasīda jagadīśeti vadannaṁtikamabhyagāt

entered quickly into the presence of the king. Seeing him, the king rose at once from his fine throne and, saying, "Be gracious, O Lord of the universe," went up to him.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.49.35)

अद्य मे जीवितं जातं सफलं जन्मकर्मणा । निर्माल्यमालावपुषं यत्पश्यामीहमाधवम्

adya me jīvitaṁ jātaṁ saphalaṁ janmakarmaṇā nirmālyamālāvapuṣaṁ yatpaśyāmīhamādhavam

"Today my life has been fulfilled, and my birth and every deed made worthwhile, for here I behold Madhava himself in the very form of this garland of his offering.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.49.36)

मालां मुकुन्दशिरसोऽनुपमप्रमोदलाभाधरीकृतसुरद्रुमकांतगन्धाम् । अन्धीकृतालिनिचयां पवनप्रसारिगन्धप्रणाशितजगत्कलुषां नमामि

mālāṁ mukundaśiraso'nupamapramodalābhādharīkṛtasuradrumakāṁtagandhām andhīkṛtālinicayāṁ pavanaprasārigandhapraṇāśitajagatkaluṣāṁ namāmi

I bow to this garland, come down from Mukunda's own head, granting incomparable delight, putting to shame even the lovely fragrance of the wishing-tree, blinding the swarms of bees with its scent, its perfume spreading on the wind and destroying the impurity of the world.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.49.37)

यत्पादपंकजगलद्रजसोनुषंगा ब्रह्मादयः परमसंपदमापुरस्य । विष्णोः कलेवरसमुज्ज्वलितांगरागसंसक्तपुष्पनिलयां प्रणतोस्मि मालाम्

yatpādapaṁkajagaladrajasonuṣaṁgā brahmādayaḥ paramasaṁpadamāpurasya viṣṇoḥ kalevarasamujjvalitāṁgarāgasaṁsaktapuṣpanilayāṁ praṇatosmi mālām

I bow to this garland, the very abode of flowers, clinging to the fragrant unguent gleaming upon the body of that Vishnu, from mere contact with the pollen fallen from whose lotus feet Brahma and the other gods attained supreme fortune.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.49.38)

पद्मां हृत्पद्मवसतिं सपत्नीं या हसत्यसौ । विकस्वरैः सुकुसुमैर्विष्ण्वंकस्थितिर्गर्विताम्

padmāṁ hṛtpadmavasatiṁ sapatnīṁ yā hasatyasau vikasvaraiḥ sukusumairviṣṇvaṁkasthitirgarvitām

This garland even seems to laugh, with its own full-blown blossoms, at Padma herself, dweller in the lotus of the heart, her very rival, proud as she is of her place in Vishnu's lap.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.49.39)

कुत्र स्थितेयमाहार्षीन्महिमानं स्रगुज्वला । या श्रीनिधेः शरीरेऽऽभूत्सर्वांगव्यापिनी चिरम्

kutra sthiteyamāhārṣīnmahimānaṁ sragujvalā yā śrīnidheḥ śarīre''bhūtsarvāṁgavyāpinī ciram

Where has this radiant garland dwelt, to have gained such glory — it that lay for so long, pervading every limb of the body of Vishnu, the treasury of Shri?

Verse 40 (skanda.2.49.40)

जय नीलाद्रिशिखरभूषणाघप्रद्षण । प्रणतार्त्तिहर श्रीमंस्त्राहि मां शरणागतम्

jaya nīlādriśikharabhūṣaṇāghapradṣaṇa praṇatārttihara śrīmaṁstrāhi māṁ śaraṇāgatam

Victory to you, ornament of the peak of the Blue Mountain, destroyer of sin, remover of the suffering of those who bow to you! O glorious one, save me, who have come for refuge!"

Verse 41 (skanda.2.49.41)

इति ब्रुवाणः क्षितिपो बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा । जगाम शिरसा भूमिं स्फुरद्रोमांचकंचुकः

iti bruvāṇaḥ kṣitipo bāṣpagadgadayā girā jagāma śirasā bhūmiṁ sphuradromāṁcakaṁcukaḥ

Speaking thus, in a voice choked with tears, his body clad, as it were, in a coat of horripilation, the king fell to the ground, his head bowed down.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.49.42)

सोऽपि विद्यापतिर्विप्रः क्षपिताशेषकल्मषः । दिव्यदेहो नृपस्याग्रे ध्यायन्माधवमास्थितः

so'pi vidyāpatirvipraḥ kṣapitāśeṣakalmaṣaḥ divyadeho nṛpasyāgre dhyāyanmādhavamāsthitaḥ

That brahmin Vidyapati too, his every sin now cleansed away, his body grown divine, stood before the king, absorbed in meditation on Madhava.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.49.43)

तेजसा सर्वलोकानां पापानि क्षालयन्सुधीः । अनुगृह्णातु देवस्त्वां नीलाद्रिशिखरालयः

tejasā sarvalokānāṁ pāpāni kṣālayansudhīḥ anugṛhṇātu devastvāṁ nīlādriśikharālayaḥ

That wise man said: "May that god, dwelling upon the peak of the Blue Mountain, who washes away by his own splendor the sins of all the worlds, show his grace upon you.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.49.44)

श्रीपतेरियमाज्ञा ते मालारूपा प्रकाशिता । द्रष्टुं क्षेत्रोत्तमगतं स्वं साक्षान्मुक्तिदायकम्

śrīpateriyamājñā te mālārūpā prakāśitā draṣṭuṁ kṣetrottamagataṁ svaṁ sākṣānmuktidāyakam

This very command of the Lord of Shri has been made manifest to you in the form of this garland, that you may go and behold, established in that supreme field, his own self, the direct bestower of liberation."

Verse 45 (skanda.2.49.45)

इत्युच्चरन्नरपतेरामुमोच गले स्रजम् । सोऽप्युत्थाय क्षितिपतिर्मालां हृदयलंबिनीम्

ityuccarannarapaterāmumoca gale srajam so'pyutthāya kṣitipatirmālāṁ hṛdayalaṁbinīm

So saying, he placed that garland around the king's neck. The king too, rising up, that garland hanging down to his very heart,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.49.46)

दृष्ट्वा मेने श्रियः कांतं साक्षाद्धृदयगामिनम् । निधाय पाणी शिरसि दरमीलितलोचनः

dṛṣṭvā mene śriyaḥ kāṁtaṁ sākṣāddhṛdayagāminam nidhāya pāṇī śirasi daramīlitalocanaḥ

— beholding it, took it to be, directly, the beloved of Shri himself, entering his very heart; placing both hands upon his head, his eyes half-closed,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.49.47)

आनंदाश्रुजलक्लिन्नवदनस्तुष्टुवे हरिम्

ānaṁdāśrujalaklinnavadanastuṣṭuve harim

— his face wet with tears of joy, he began to praise Hari.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.49.48)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । जयाखिलजगत्सृष्टिस्थितिसंहारशिल्पकृत् । लीलाविश्ववपुर्लोमसंख्यब्रह्मांडभारभृत्

indradyumna uvāca jayākhilajagatsṛṣṭisthitisaṁhāraśilpakṛt līlāviśvavapurlomasaṁkhyabrahmāṇḍabhārabhṛt

Indradyumna said: Victory to you, the very artificer of the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the entire universe! Whose cosmic body, bearing the weight of countless universes in each of its hairs, is but mere play,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.49.49)

अंतर्यामिन्नशेषाणां प्रणतार्तिहर प्रभो । ब्रह्मेंद्र रुद्रमुकुटकिर्मीरितपदांबुज

aṁtaryāminnaśeṣāṇāṁ praṇatārtihara prabho brahmeṁdra rudramukuṭakirmīritapadāṁbuja

O indwelling controller of all beings, O Lord who removes the suffering of those who bow, whose lotus feet are colored by the crowns of Brahma, Indra, and Rudra,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.49.50)

दीनानाथविपन्नैकसततत्राणतत्पर । निर्व्याजकरुणावारिपारावार परात्पर

dīnānāthavipannaikasatatatrāṇatatpara nirvyājakaruṇāvāripārāvāra parātpara

ever intent solely on the ceaseless protection of the wretched, the helpless, and the afflicted, O vast ocean of guileless compassion, O highest beyond the high,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.49.51)

त्वदेकशरणं दीनमनादिभ्रमनिर्भरम् । परित्राहि जगन्नाथ भक्ताविरतवत्सल

tvadekaśaraṇaṁ dīnamanādibhramanirbharam paritrāhi jagannātha bhaktāviratavatsala

— save me, O Lord of the universe, ever tender toward your devotees, save this wretched one, laden with beginningless delusion, who has taken refuge in you alone.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.49.52)

इति स्तुवन्नरपतिः स्वासने समुपाविशत् । गृहमेधिब्रह्मचारियतिवैखानसैर्वृतः

iti stuvannarapatiḥ svāsane samupāviśat gṛhamedhibrahmacāriyativaikhānasairvṛtaḥ

Thus praising him, the king sat back down upon his throne, surrounded by householders, celibate students, renunciants, and forest-dwelling ascetics,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.49.53)

अष्टादशसु विद्यासु कुशलैर्यज्वभिर्द्विजैः । मीनैः स्थविरभृत्यैश्च सार्द्धं मंत्रिपुरःसरैः

aṣṭādaśasu vidyāsu kuśalairyajvabhirdvijaiḥ mīnaiḥ sthavirabhṛtyaiśca sārddhaṁ maṁtripuraḥsaraiḥ

together with brahmins skilled in the eighteen branches of learning, performers of sacrifice, with his ministers at the fore, and with his aged attendants,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.49.54)

विद्यापति पूजयित्वा बहुमानपुरःसरम् । उपवेश्याग्रतः पीठे पृष्ट्वा कुशलमादितः

vidyāpati pūjayitvā bahumānapuraḥsaram upaveśyāgrataḥ pīṭhe pṛṣṭvā kuśalamāditaḥ

— and, honoring Vidyapati with the greatest respect, seated him on a throne before himself, and, having first asked after his well-being,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.49.55)

पुरुषोत्तमक्षेत्रस्य विष्णोर्नीलाश्मवर्ष्मणः । महिमानं स्वरूपं च पप्रच्छावहितो मुदा

puruṣottamakṣetrasya viṣṇornīlāśmavarṣmaṇaḥ mahimānaṁ svarūpaṁ ca papracchāvahito mudā

he asked, with careful attention and joy, about the glory and the very form of the field of Purushottama and of Vishnu, whose body is of blue sapphire.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.49.56)

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियेणासौ पृष्टोनुभवमात्मनः । भिल्लद्वीपप्रवेशादिमज्जनांतं सरित्पतेः

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyeṇāsau pṛṣṭonubhavamātmanaḥ bhilladvīpapraveśādimajjanāṁtaṁ saritpateḥ

Questioned thus by the Kshatriya king, the brahmin, telling of his own experience from his entry into the land of the Bhillas up to his bathing in the ocean-lord's waters,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.49.57)

क्षेत्रोत्तमस्य वृत्तांतं कथयामास विस्तरात् । नीलाद्रिरोहणं नीलमाधवस्य च दर्शनम्

kṣetrottamasya vṛttāṁtaṁ kathayāmāsa vistarāt nīlādrirohaṇaṁ nīlamādhavasya ca darśanam

told him the whole story of that supreme field in full detail — the climbing of the Blue Mountain, the vision of Nilamadhava,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.49.58)

स्नानं च रौहिणे कुण्डे महिमानं वटस्य च । नृसिंहाद्यष्टशंभून शक्तीनामष्टसंस्थितिम्

snānaṁ ca rauhiṇe kuṇḍe mahimānaṁ vaṭasya ca nṛsiṁhādyaṣṭaśaṁbhūna śaktīnāmaṣṭasaṁsthitim

the bathing in Rohina pool, the glory of the banyan, the establishment of Narasimha and the eight forms of Shiva, and of the eight Shaktis,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.49.59)

रथेनाक्रमणाद्दृष्टौ क्षेत्रस्यायामविस्तरौ । तत्सर्वं वर्णयामास यथावदनुपूर्वशः

rathenākramaṇāddṛṣṭau kṣetrasyāyāmavistarau tatsarvaṁ varṇayāmāsa yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ

and the length and breadth of the field, seen as he traversed it by chariot — all this he described exactly, and in due order.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.49.60)

तच्छ्रुत्वा चित्रमतुलं तैर्थिकावेदितं पुरा । संप्रतीतो हृष्टमनाः पुनस्तं क्षितिपोऽब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā citramatulaṁ tairthikāveditaṁ purā saṁpratīto hṛṣṭamanāḥ punastaṁ kṣitipo'bravīt

Hearing this matchless wonder, which had earlier been told by the pilgrim, now fully convinced and his heart delighted, the king spoke to him once more:

Verse 61 (skanda.2.49.61)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । श्रुतपूर्वं तु भगवंस्त्वत्तोऽश्रौषं सुदुर्लभम् । क्षेत्रोत्तमं द्विजश्रेष्ठ सांप्रतं वर्णयस्व मे

indradyumna uvāca śrutapūrvaṁ tu bhagavaṁstvatto'śrauṣaṁ sudurlabham kṣetrottamaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha sāṁprataṁ varṇayasva me

Indradyumna said: O venerable one, what I had heard before, this same most rare account I have now heard from you as well. O best of the twice-born, now describe to me

Verse 62 (skanda.2.49.62)

नीलेन्द्रमणिमूर्तेस्तु विष्णो रूपं यथातथम् । विद्यापतिरुवाच । हंत ते कथयिष्यामि दिव्यां मूर्तिं जगत्पतेः

nīlendramaṇimūrtestu viṣṇo rūpaṁ yathātatham vidyāpatiruvāca haṁta te kathayiṣyāmi divyāṁ mūrtiṁ jagatpateḥ

the true form of the supreme field, and of Vishnu's very image of blue sapphire. Vidyapati said: Indeed, I shall tell you of that divine image of the Lord of the universe,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.49.63)

यां चर्मचक्षुषा दृष्ट्वा जायते मुक्तिभाजनम् । नीलेन्द्रमणिपाषाणमयी मूर्तिः पुरातनी

yāṁ carmacakṣuṣā dṛṣṭvā jāyate muktibhājanam nīlendramaṇipāṣāṇamayī mūrtiḥ purātanī

seeing which even with fleshly eyes, one becomes fit for liberation. That image, fashioned of the stone of blue sapphire, is exceedingly ancient,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.49.64)

यान्वहं ब्रह्मरुद्रेंद्रपुरोगैरर्चिता सुरैः । आरोपितेयं दिव्या स्रक्पूजायां हि सुपर्वभिः

yānvahaṁ brahmarudreṁdrapurogairarcitā suraiḥ āropiteyaṁ divyā srakpūjāyāṁ hi suparvabhiḥ

worshipped daily by the gods, led by Brahma, Rudra, and Indra; and it is upon it that the gods, in their worship, place this very divine garland.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.49.65)

सेयं न म्लायति नृप न च गन्धेन रिच्यते । दिने बहुतिथे यातेऽपीदृशी स्रग्धरोद्भवा

seyaṁ na mlāyati nṛpa na ca gandhena ricyate dine bahutithe yāte'pīdṛśī sragdharodbhavā

O king, this garland never withers, nor does it lose its fragrance; even after many days have passed, it remains as it is, sprung from that treasury of fragrance.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.49.66)

दिव्योपहारः निर्माल्यभक्षणात्क्षीणकल्मषम् । मां न पश्यसि किं राजन्नतिमानुषवर्चसम्

divyopahāraḥ nirmālyabhakṣaṇātkṣīṇakalmaṣam māṁ na paśyasi kiṁ rājannatimānuṣavarcasam

It is a divine gift — by merely partaking of its leftover offering, sin is worn away; do you not see, O king, this more-than-human radiance in me?

Verse 67 (skanda.2.49.67)

सकृदप्यशनाद्यस्य क्षुत्पिपासाबलक्षयाः । न बाधन्ते नृपश्रेष्ठ दृष्टेनादृष्टकल्पनम्

sakṛdapyaśanādyasya kṣutpipāsābalakṣayāḥ na bādhante nṛpaśreṣṭha dṛṣṭenādṛṣṭakalpanam

O foremost of kings, from partaking of it even once, hunger, thirst, and the wasting of strength no longer trouble one — from this visible fruit, the unseen fruit too may be inferred.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.49.68)

भुक्तिर्मुक्तिश्च वै राजन्न् तत्र युगपत्स्थिते । न जरारोगशोकादिदुःखं तत्र हि विद्यते

bhuktirmuktiśca vai rājann tatra yugapatsthite na jarārogaśokādiduḥkhaṁ tatra hi vidyate

O king, there both enjoyment and liberation exist together at once; there is no suffering there at all, of old age, disease, grief, or the like,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.49.69)

यत्र साक्षाज्जगन्नाथः प्रसन्नवदनो विभुः । फुल्लेंदीवरपत्राक्षः प्रपन्नामृतमुक्तिदः

yatra sākṣājjagannāthaḥ prasannavadano vibhuḥ phulleṁdīvarapatrākṣaḥ prapannāmṛtamuktidaḥ

where the Lord of the universe himself dwells, his face serene, his eyes like petals of a full-blown blue lotus, the all-pervading one who grants the nectar of liberation to those who take refuge in him.