The Temple's Completion and Narada's Assurance of Liberation

Verse 1 (skanda.2.61.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । इति ब्रुवाणं राजर्षिं कश्चिदृग्वेदपारगः । वेदांतविज्ज्ञानशीलो द्विजो वाक्यं मुदा जगौ

jaiminiruvāca iti bruvāṇaṁ rājarṣiṁ kaścidṛgvedapāragaḥ vedāṁtavijjñānaśīlo dvijo vākyaṁ mudā jagau

Jaimini said: To the royal sage speaking thus, a Brahmin versed in the Rig Veda, learned in Vedanta and disciplined by nature, joyfully spoke these words.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.61.2)

अहो तवायं खलु भाग्यराशिर्येनाविरासीद्भुवि दारुमूर्तिः । यस्यात्युपास्तिं श्रुतिराह मुक्तिप्रदामनात्मज्ञविमोहितानाम्

aho tavāyaṁ khalu bhāgyarāśiryenāvirāsīdbhuvi dārumūrtiḥ yasyātyupāstiṁ śrutirāha muktipradāmanātmajñavimohitānām

"Ah, this is truly your very mass of good fortune, by which this wooden form has appeared on earth — of which the shruti itself declares that intense devotion bestows liberation even upon those deluded souls who lack self-knowledge."

Verse 3 (skanda.2.61.3)

य एष प्लवते दारुः सिंधोः पारे ह्यपौरुषम् । तमुपास्य दुराराध्यं मुक्तिं यांति सुदुर्लभाम्

ya eṣa plavate dāruḥ siṁdhoḥ pāre hyapauruṣam tamupāsya durārādhyaṁ muktiṁ yāṁti sudurlabhām

"By worshipping this not-man-made piece of wood which has floated here from across the ocean — hard though it is to propitiate — people attain that liberation so very difficult to reach."

Verse 4 (skanda.2.61.4)

ब्रह्मज्ञाननिधिः साक्षान्नारदः प्रत्युवाच यत् । न हि वेदांतवचसोऽपरस्माज्ज्ञानमस्य वै

brahmajñānanidhiḥ sākṣānnāradaḥ pratyuvāca yat na hi vedāṁtavacaso'parasmājjñānamasya vai

Narada, that very treasury of the knowledge of Brahman, replied: "There is truly no knowledge of this apart from the words of Vedanta.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.61.5)

न हि प्रवृत्तिर्विष्णोस्तु विना वेदं प्रवर्तते । परेषां स्वस्य वा सृष्टौ श्रुतिप्रामाण्यवान्प्रभुः

na hi pravṛttirviṣṇostu vinā vedaṁ pravartate pareṣāṁ svasya vā sṛṣṭau śrutiprāmāṇyavānprabhuḥ

"Vishnu's activity never proceeds without the Veda; whether in the creation of others or of himself, the Lord always acts with the shruti's authority behind him.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.61.6)

विना श्रुतिं प्रवर्तेच्चेत्कस्तत्प्रामाण्यमृच्छति । तस्माच्छ्रुतिप्रसिद्धोऽयमवतारोऽत्र भूपते

vinā śrutiṁ pravarteccetkastatprāmāṇyamṛcchati tasmācchrutiprasiddho'yamavatāro'tra bhūpate

"If he acted without the shruti, who would then establish its authority? Therefore, O king, this incarnation here is well established by the shruti itself.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.61.7)

वेदांतवेद्यं पुरुषं गीतं तं सामगीतिषु । प्रतिमां न तु जानीहि निःश्रेयसकरं नृणाम्

vedāṁtavedyaṁ puruṣaṁ gītaṁ taṁ sāmagītiṣu pratimāṁ na tu jānīhi niḥśreyasakaraṁ nṛṇām

"Do not think of it merely as an image — it is that very Purusha known through Vedanta, sung of in the Sama chants, the giver of the highest good to men.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.61.8)

दर्शनादेव नः शांतं सुदृढं तम उत्तमम् । संत्येव श्रुतयः पूर्वमेतदर्चाप्रकाशिकाः

darśanādeva naḥ śāṁtaṁ sudṛḍhaṁ tama uttamam saṁtyeva śrutayaḥ pūrvametadarcāprakāśikāḥ

"By the mere sight of it, that most dense and stubborn darkness within us is stilled. There exist, indeed, shruti-texts of old that reveal the power of this very image-worship.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.61.9)

एतदर्चा प्रशस्ता वै सदर्थे विनियोजिता । अहो भारतवर्षस्था मनुष्याः क्षीणकल्मषाः

etadarcā praśastā vai sadarthe viniyojitā aho bhāratavarṣasthā manuṣyāḥ kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ

"This image-worship, applied to a worthy end, is truly praised. Ah, how blessed are the people dwelling in Bharatavarsha, their sins diminished,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.61.10)

अपवर्गप्रदो येषामाविरासीज्जनार्दनः । तत्राप्ययं चोढ्रदेशः सर्वेषामुत्तमोत्तमः

apavargaprado yeṣāmāvirāsījjanārdanaḥ tatrāpyayaṁ coḍhradeśaḥ sarveṣāmuttamottamaḥ

"— for whom Janardana, the giver of liberation, has himself become manifest! And among them, this land of Odra is the very best of all,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.61.11)

यत्रस्थाश्चर्मनेत्रेण पश्यंति ब्रह्मरूपिणम् । श्रुतिस्मृतीनां गहनः पंथा कर्मभिराकुलः

yatrasthāścarmanetreṇa paśyaṁti brahmarūpiṇam śrutismṛtīnāṁ gahanaḥ paṁthā karmabhirākulaḥ

"— where the people, dwelling here, behold with their fleshly eyes the very form of Brahman. The path of shruti and smriti is dense, confused with ritual acts,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.61.12)

येन याता भ्रमंतीह घटीयंत्रवदाकुलाः । निर्व्यलीकपदप्राप्तिहेतुरेष स चिन्मयः

yena yātā bhramaṁtīha ghaṭīyaṁtravadākulāḥ nirvyalīkapadaprāptihetureṣa sa cinmayaḥ

"— on which travelers wander confounded like a water-wheel; but this consciousness-formed one alone is the true cause of attaining that undeceiving state.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.61.13)

श्रुत्यादिभिर्विनोपायैः परमानंदमुक्तिदः । निरंतरगतायातदुःस्थितानां दुरात्मनाम्

śrutyādibhirvinopāyaiḥ paramānaṁdamuktidaḥ niraṁtaragatāyātaduḥsthitānāṁ durātmanām

"Without needing the means prescribed by shruti and the rest, he grants supreme-bliss liberation — even to wicked souls caught in the ceaseless coming and going of misery.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.61.14)

एष दारुवपुर्विष्णुः सुखदाता सुबांधवः । श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तनियमा वर्तंते नेह पार्थिव

eṣa dāruvapurviṣṇuḥ sukhadātā subāṁdhavaḥ śrutismṛtyuktaniyamā vartaṁte neha pārthiva

"This wooden-bodied Vishnu is the giver of happiness, a true kinsman; here, O king, the disciplines laid down in shruti and smriti do not apply.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.61.15)

यथा तथा दृष्टिपथमाचांडालाद्विमुक्तिदः । अभक्तश्चेदमुं पश्येद्गतानुगतिको नरः

yathā tathā dṛṣṭipathamācāṁḍālādvimuktidaḥ abhaktaścedamuṁ paśyedgatānugatiko naraḥ

"However it may come about, he grants liberation to whoever's sight falls upon him, even down to the outcaste; even an unbeliever, one who merely follows the crowd, if he sees him,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.61.16)

अश्वमेधसहस्राणां फलं ह्यविकलं लभेत् । भजेच्चेन्नियमस्थो हि भक्तिमान्दृढमानसः

aśvamedhasahasrāṇāṁ phalaṁ hyavikalaṁ labhet bhajeccenniyamastho hi bhaktimāndṛḍhamānasaḥ

"— obtains, without fail, the full fruit of a thousand horse-sacrifices. And if a man of firm mind, established in discipline and full of devotion, worships him,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.61.17)

असंशयं स सायुज्यं ब्रह्मणा लभते नरः । क्व दुःखायासबहुलमनायासविनश्वरम्

asaṁśayaṁ sa sāyujyaṁ brahmaṇā labhate naraḥ kva duḥkhāyāsabahulamanāyāsavinaśvaram

"— he attains, beyond doubt, sayujya-union with Brahman. Where, on one hand, is that path, full of toil and sorrow, short-lived,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.61.18)

अचिरस्थं क्षुद्रफलं पुनरावृत्तिलक्षणम् । क्वेदं दारुमयं ब्रह्म पापराशिदवानलम्

acirasthaṁ kṣudraphalaṁ punarāvṛttilakṣaṇam kvedaṁ dārumayaṁ brahma pāparāśidavānalam

"— of trifling fruit, marked by return to rebirth? And where, on the other hand, is this wooden Brahman, a forest-fire to the mass of sin,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.61.19)

सच्चिदानंदकैवल्यमुक्तिदं दर्शनादपि । वेदानुवचनादीनि दुष्कराणि दुरात्मनाम्

saccidānaṁdakaivalyamuktidaṁ darśanādapi vedānuvacanādīni duṣkarāṇi durātmanām

"— granting, by mere sight alone, the liberation that is being-consciousness-bliss and absolute freedom? The recitation of the Vedas and the like are difficult practices for wicked souls;

Verse 20 (skanda.2.61.20)

महात्मभिस्तैर्यत्प्राप्यं तदव्यग्रमयं ददेत् । अन्यक्षेत्रेषु भगवान्सुदूरो मर्त्यवासिनाम्

mahātmabhistairyatprāpyaṁ tadavyagramayaṁ dadet anyakṣetreṣu bhagavānsudūro martyavāsinām

"— what those great souls attain through such difficult means, this one grants without effort. In other sacred fields the Lord remains far off from mortal dwellers,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.61.21)

स्वक्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्निवसति नित्यं मुक्तिप्रदो विभुः । अस्मादत्र महाभाग तिष्ठ स्वबलपौरुषः

svakṣetre'sminnivasati nityaṁ muktiprado vibhuḥ asmādatra mahābhāga tiṣṭha svabalapauruṣaḥ

"— but in this, his own field, he, the all-pervading giver of liberation, dwells forever. Therefore, O greatly fortunate one, remain here, in your own strength and valor,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.61.22)

विद्वत्तमोऽसि भक्तश्च सांगोपांगममुं भज

vidvattamo'si bhaktaśca sāṁgopāṁgamamuṁ bhaja

"— for you are the most learned and devoted; worship him with the complete rite, every part observed."

Verse 23 (skanda.2.61.23)

जैमिनिरुवाच । द्विजस्य तद्वचः श्रुत्वा नारदो हृष्टमानसः । साधूक्तं द्विजवर्येण श्रौतमार्गानुसारिणा

jaiminiruvāca dvijasya tadvacaḥ śrutvā nārado hṛṣṭamānasaḥ sādhūktaṁ dvijavaryeṇa śrautamārgānusāriṇā

Jaimini said: Hearing that Brahmin's words, Narada, his mind delighted, said: "Well spoken by this excellent Brahmin, who follows the path of the shruti.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.61.24)

सृष्ट्यादौ ब्रह्मनिश्वासैरभवद्वेदसंहतिः । तत्रोपनिषदर्थोऽयं सांप्रतं व्यक्तिमागतः

sṛṣṭyādau brahmaniśvāsairabhavadvedasaṁhatiḥ tatropaniṣadartho'yaṁ sāṁprataṁ vyaktimāgataḥ

"At the beginning of creation, from Brahma's breaths the body of the Vedas arose; and now this meaning of the Upanishads, held within it, has come to visible form.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.61.25)

वेत्त्येतदर्थं भगवान्पद्मयोनिः प्रजापतिः । अज्ञासिषं च भूपाल सांप्रतं तन्मुखादहम्

vettyetadarthaṁ bhagavānpadmayoniḥ prajāpatiḥ ajñāsiṣaṁ ca bhūpāla sāṁprataṁ tanmukhādaham

"This meaning is known to the Lord, the lotus-born Prajapati; and I too, O king, have just now learned it from his very mouth.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.61.26)

तस्याज्ञया कृतं सर्वं यथाभिलषितं तव । एनमाराध्य तिष्ठात्र याम्यहं ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकम्

tasyājñayā kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ yathābhilaṣitaṁ tava enamārādhya tiṣṭhātra yāmyahaṁ brahmaṇoṁ'tikam

"By his command all this has been accomplished according to your own wish. Worship him and remain here; I now go into Brahma's presence —

Verse 27 (skanda.2.61.27)

कृतं निवेदयिष्यामि प्रकाशं च मुरद्विषः । प्रासादं कुरु भूपाल धनेन महता तथा

kṛtaṁ nivedayiṣyāmi prakāśaṁ ca muradviṣaḥ prāsādaṁ kuru bhūpāla dhanena mahatā tathā

"— I shall report to him what has been done, and the manifestation of the enemy of Mura. Build the temple, O king, with great wealth,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.61.28)

प्रासादे नरसिंहं तु प्रतिष्ठाप्य विमुच्यसे

prāsāde narasiṁhaṁ tu pratiṣṭhāpya vimucyase

"— and, having installed Narasimha within the temple, you shall be liberated."

Verse 29 (skanda.2.61.29)

जैमिनिरुवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा स तु भूमींद्रः प्रत्युवाच मुनिं तदा । महर्षेऽहं त्वया सार्द्धं यियासुर्ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकम्

jaiminiruvāca tacchrutvā sa tu bhūmīṁdraḥ pratyuvāca muniṁ tadā maharṣe'haṁ tvayā sārddhaṁ yiyāsurbrahmaṇoṁ'tikam

Jaimini said: Hearing this, that lord of the earth then replied to the sage: "O great seer, I too wish to go with you into Brahma's presence,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.61.30)

यत्प्रसादाज्जगन्नाथश्चकेऽयं लोचनातिथिः । निवेद्य तं च प्रासादं प्रतिष्ठार्थं मुरद्विषः

yatprasādājjagannāthaścake'yaṁ locanātithiḥ nivedya taṁ ca prāsādaṁ pratiṣṭhārthaṁ muradviṣaḥ

"— by whose grace this Lord of the universe has become a guest to my eyes. Having reported that temple, meant for the consecration of the enemy of Mura,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.61.31)

विज्ञापयिष्ये सान्निध्ये प्रासादस्थापनोत्सवम् । यथा स्वयं समागम्य ब्रह्मलोकात्पितामहः

vijñāpayiṣye sānnidhye prāsādasthāpanotsavam yathā svayaṁ samāgamya brahmalokātpitāmahaḥ

"— I shall petition, in his very presence, for the festival of the temple's founding, so that Brahma himself, coming from Brahmaloka,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.61.32)

महोत्सवं भगवतः प्रासादेऽत्र करिष्यति । तन्मुने मामपि विधेः संनिधिं प्रापयस्व च

mahotsavaṁ bhagavataḥ prāsāde'tra kariṣyati tanmune māmapi vidheḥ saṁnidhiṁ prāpayasva ca

"— might himself hold a great festival at the Lord's temple here. Therefore, O sage, bring me too into the presence of the Creator."

Verse 33 (skanda.2.61.33)

गर्भप्रतिष्ठां प्रासादे समाप्येह स्थितो मुने । पश्चादावां गमिष्यावः कंचित्कालं प्रतीक्ष मे

garbhapratiṣṭhāṁ prāsāde samāpyeha sthito mune paścādāvāṁ gamiṣyāvaḥ kaṁcitkālaṁ pratīkṣa me

[Narada said:] "Once the foundation-consecration of the temple is completed, O king, remain here; afterward we two shall go — wait for me for some time."

Verse 34 (skanda.2.61.34)

ततः स नृपतिः सर्वाञ्छिल्पशास्त्रविशारदान् । पाषाणखंडघटनाकर्मण्येकैकयोगतः

tataḥ sa nṛpatiḥ sarvāñchilpaśāstraviśāradān pāṣāṇakhaṁḍaghaṭanākarmaṇyekaikayogataḥ

Then that king engaged all who were skilled in the craft of architecture, one by one, in the work of shaping the stone-blocks,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.61.35)

सत्कारैर्दानमानैश्च योजयामास सादरम् । दिने दिने सुघटितः प्रासादो ववृधे द्विजाः

satkārairdānamānaiśca yojayāmāsa sādaram dine dine sughaṭitaḥ prāsādo vavṛdhe dvijāḥ

— honoring them with hospitality, gifts and respect. Day by day the well-built temple grew, O Brahmins,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.61.36)

परितः पूर्यमाणस्तु शुक्लपक्षे यथा शशी । एवं संवर्ध्यमानोऽपि प्रासादः परिवर्द्धितः

paritaḥ pūryamāṇastu śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī evaṁ saṁvardhyamāno'pi prāsādaḥ parivarddhitaḥ

— filling out on every side, as the moon fills out in its bright fortnight; growing thus without pause, the temple went on increasing,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.61.37)

महोच्छ्रयत्वादल्पेन न कालेनाभिलक्ष्यते । पाषाणसंख्या शक्या वा कथंचिद्घटनाक्रमात्

mahocchrayatvādalpena na kālenābhilakṣyate pāṣāṇasaṁkhyā śakyā vā kathaṁcidghaṭanākramāt

— yet, because of its immense height, its growth could not be perceived in a short span. The number of stones might somehow be reckoned from the order of construction,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.61.38)

वित्तव्ययस्तु कोटीनां न संख्यातुं च शक्यते । यावन्तो भारते वर्षे लोकाः समयवर्तिनः

vittavyayastu koṭīnāṁ na saṁkhyātuṁ ca śakyate yāvanto bhārate varṣe lokāḥ samayavartinaḥ

— but the crores spent in wealth could not be counted at all. As many people as then lived in the land of Bharata,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.61.39)

इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य नृपतेर्नियुक्तास्ते महीभृतः । एकैकशो नियुक्ता ये परस्परसमन्विताः

indradyumnasya nṛpaterniyuktāste mahībhṛtaḥ ekaikaśo niyuktā ye parasparasamanvitāḥ

— were engaged by King Indradyumna, engaged one by one, each linked with the next,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.61.40)

तेऽपि चान्यैर्नियुक्तास्ते सर्वे तत्र प्रवर्तिताः । अजस्रं तन्नियुक्तानां यो हर्षोत्थो महारवः

te'pi cānyairniyuktāste sarve tatra pravartitāḥ ajasraṁ tanniyuktānāṁ yo harṣottho mahāravaḥ

— and they in turn engaged still others; all of them were set to work there. That ceaseless, mighty roar of joy rising from those so engaged,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.61.41)

आकाशमश्नुवानोऽसौ दिशां भागानपूरयत् । नृपतेः श्रद्धया भक्त्या सात्त्विकेन प्रसादिता

ākāśamaśnuvāno'sau diśāṁ bhāgānapūrayat nṛpateḥ śraddhayā bhaktyā sāttvikena prasāditā

— filling the sky, spread through every quarter of the horizon. Made gracious by the king's faith and devotion, born of a pure disposition,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.61.42)

श्रीः समृद्धाभवद्विप्राः कीर्त्या सह महीपतेः । क्वचित्कांचनविन्यस्तनानारत्नमहोज्ज्वलः

śrīḥ samṛddhābhavadviprāḥ kīrtyā saha mahīpateḥ kvacitkāṁcanavinyastanānāratnamahojjvalaḥ

Shri grew ever more abundant, O Brahmins, alongside the king's fame. In one place it blazed brilliantly with various jewels set in gold,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.61.43)

क्वचित्स्फटिकभागांतशारदाभ्रनिभच्छविः । क्वचिन्नीलाश्मघटिता भित्तिः कालाभ्रमेदुरा

kvacitsphaṭikabhāgāṁtaśāradābhranibhacchaviḥ kvacinnīlāśmaghaṭitā bhittiḥ kālābhramedurā

in another its crystal edge gleamed like an autumn cloud; elsewhere its wall, fashioned of dark stone, was as dense as a rain-cloud.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.61.44)

एवं सुघटिते विष्णोः प्रासादे सुमनोहरे । गर्भप्रतिष्ठां विधिवत्कृत्वा स नृपसत्तमः

evaṁ sughaṭite viṣṇoḥ prāsāde sumanohare garbhapratiṣṭhāṁ vidhivatkṛtvā sa nṛpasattamaḥ

Thus, when Vishnu's most beautiful temple was well built, that best of kings, having duly performed the foundation-consecration,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.61.45)

वज्रपातादिभंगादिवारणार्थं यथोचितम् । शिल्पशास्त्रेषु मण्यादि विन्यस्य पौरुषाहृतम्

vajrapātādibhaṁgādivāraṇārthaṁ yathocitam śilpaśāstreṣu maṇyādi vinyasya pauruṣāhṛtam

— placed, in order to ward off harm from thunderbolts and the like, jewels and such things, prescribed in the treatises on architecture, brought there by human effort, as was fitting;

Verse 46 (skanda.2.61.46)

पुनः प्रासादघटनासंभारोचितमेव वै । बहुमूल्यं वस्तुजातं यत्नात्तत्र न्यवेशयत्

punaḥ prāsādaghaṭanāsaṁbhārocitameva vai bahumūlyaṁ vastujātaṁ yatnāttatra nyaveśayat

— and again, whatever costly materials were fitting for the fabric of the temple's construction, he had those too carefully placed there.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.61.47)

ततो विरच्यमानेऽस्मिन्प्रासादे कीर्तिवर्द्धने । मनसापि न संभाव्ये त्रिषु लोकेषु भूभुजाम्

tato viracyamāne'sminprāsāde kīrtivarddhane manasāpi na saṁbhāvye triṣu lokeṣu bhūbhujām

Thus, as this fame-increasing temple was being built — a thing not even conceivable in the mind, among kings, in the three worlds —

Verse 48 (skanda.2.61.48)

देवानामपि नो लक्ष्ये द्विजाः कल्पांतवासिनाम् । प्रासाद ईदृशो भूमौ क्वचिच्च घटितो न हि

devānāmapi no lakṣye dvijāḥ kalpāṁtavāsinām prāsāda īdṛśo bhūmau kvacicca ghaṭito na hi

— not even within the sight of the gods who dwell until the end of the aeon, O Brahmins — never before had a temple of such a kind been built anywhere on earth.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.61.49)

स्वर्गे वा इत्थमादित्या आलपंति परस्परम्। अहो सुबुद्धिरस्योच्चैर्येयमीदृक्परीणता

svarge vā itthamādityā ālapaṁti parasparam aho subuddhirasyoccairyeyamīdṛkparīṇatā

Even in heaven, the Adityas spoke among themselves thus: "Ah, how exalted is this man's understanding, which has ripened into such a form!"

Verse 50 (skanda.2.61.50)

श्रद्धया भगवत्पादपद्मयोः साभिलाषिणी । अलौकिकानि कर्माणि पश्यंति हि रचंत्यपि

śraddhayā bhagavatpādapadmayoḥ sābhilāṣiṇī alaukikāni karmāṇi paśyaṁti hi racaṁtyapi

Those possessed of faith and longing for the Lord's lotus-feet not only behold such extraordinary deeds — they themselves accomplish them.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.61.51)

के वात्र भूमौ राजानो बभूवुर्नीतिशालिनः । सार्वभौमास्तु साम्राज्यजेतारः सर्वविद्विषाम्

ke vātra bhūmau rājāno babhūvurnītiśālinaḥ sārvabhaumāstu sāmrājyajetāraḥ sarvavidviṣām

"What kings on this earth have there indeed been, skilled in statecraft, universal sovereigns, conquerors of the realms of all their foes,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.61.52)

वित्तानि यैः संचितानि सुबहूनि च कोटिशः । अश्वमेधसहस्रं तु यत्कृतं त्रिदिवेशितुः

vittāni yaiḥ saṁcitāni subahūni ca koṭiśaḥ aśvamedhasahasraṁ tu yatkṛtaṁ tridiveśituḥ

"— who have amassed wealth so abundant, running into crores? And that thousand horse-sacrifices performed for the lord of heaven —

Verse 53 (skanda.2.61.53)

शक्यं वा स्याद्भूभुजां तु नातः पूर्वमनुष्ठितम्। न दृष्टं न श्रुतं वापि वाजिमेधसहस्रकम्

śakyaṁ vā syādbhūbhujāṁ tu nātaḥ pūrvamanuṣṭhitam na dṛṣṭaṁ na śrutaṁ vāpi vājimedhasahasrakam

"— could this be possible for other kings? Never before has this been done; such a thousand horse-sacrifices has neither been seen nor heard of,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.61.54)

महीक्षितानुष्ठितं वै यत्र त्रैलोक्य वासिनः। पृथिव्यामस्य नृपतेः सहस्था भोगभोगिनः

mahīkṣitānuṣṭhitaṁ vai yatra trailokya vāsinaḥ pṛthivyāmasya nṛpateḥ sahasthā bhogabhoginaḥ

"— performed by any king, at which the dwellers of the three worlds were present. Alongside this king on earth, the dwellers of the three worlds, enjoying every pleasure, made their abode;

Verse 55 (skanda.2.61.55)

ब्रह्मलोक इवाभाति सभ यस्य च यज्विनः। मूर्तिमंतस्त्रयो वेदाश्चतुष्पादो वृषस्तथा

brahmaloka ivābhāti sabha yasya ca yajvinaḥ mūrtimaṁtastrayo vedāścatuṣpādo vṛṣastathā

"— his sacrificial assembly shone like the very world of Brahma, where the three Vedas and four-footed Dharma stood embodied,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.61.56)

सुराः संकल्पकामास्तु यत्राद्भुतधियोऽभवन् । अयं प्रासादवर्यो वै बुद्धेर्विषयतां गतः

surāḥ saṁkalpakāmāstu yatrādbhutadhiyo'bhavan ayaṁ prāsādavaryo vai buddherviṣayatāṁ gataḥ

"— where the gods, their every wish fulfilled, became filled with wonder. This excellent temple has indeed passed beyond the very reach of the understanding —

Verse 57 (skanda.2.61.57)

मनोऽपि यत्र भवति न वा त्रैलोक्यवासिनाम् । भूपतेर्दुर्लभं किं स्यात्सहायो यस्य नारदः

mano'pi yatra bhavati na vā trailokyavāsinām bhūpaterdurlabhaṁ kiṁ syātsahāyo yasya nāradaḥ

"— which even the mind of the dwellers of the three worlds cannot reach. What indeed could be difficult for a king whose helper is Narada,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.61.58)

पितामहश्च जगतां स्रष्टा सर्वामरेश्वरः । अथवा विष्णुभक्तस्य नातिदूरं चिकीर्षितम्

pitāmahaśca jagatāṁ sraṣṭā sarvāmareśvaraḥ athavā viṣṇubhaktasya nātidūraṁ cikīrṣitam

"— and Brahma, creator of the worlds and lord of all the immortals? Or rather, for a devotee of Vishnu, nothing he sets out to do is far off —

Verse 59 (skanda.2.61.59)

विष्णोस्तद्भक्तलोकस्य नांतरं विद्यते द्विजः । ततः स नारदं प्राह प्रासादांते मुनीश्वरम्

viṣṇostadbhaktalokasya nāṁtaraṁ vidyate dvijaḥ tataḥ sa nāradaṁ prāha prāsādāṁte munīśvaram

"— for there exists, O Brahmin, no distinction between Vishnu and the world of his devotees." Then, at the completion of the temple, he said to the sovereign of sages, Narada —

Verse 60 (skanda.2.61.60)

सर्वं सपन्नमासीन्मे यदशक्यं सुरासुरैः । साक्षाद्भगवतो विष्णोरद्वैतोपासनारतः

sarvaṁ sapannamāsīnme yadaśakyaṁ surāsuraiḥ sākṣādbhagavato viṣṇoradvaitopāsanārataḥ

"Everything impossible even for gods and demons has been accomplished for me, devoted singly and without division to the worship of the Lord Vishnu himself;

Verse 61 (skanda.2.61.61)

भगवद्वपुराभाषि प्रासादस्तु चिरं मयि । इत्युक्त्वा पादयोर्मूर्ध्ना प्रणनाम स नारदम्

bhagavadvapurābhāṣi prāsādastu ciraṁ mayi ityuktvā pādayormūrdhnā praṇanāma sa nāradam

"— the Lord's own body has, through me, taken lasting form as this temple." Having said this, he bowed his head at Narada's feet.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.61.62)

नारदोऽपि तमुत्थाप्य परिपूज्य नृपोत्तमम्। त्वत्तो न भेदो नृपते ममास्ति खलु तत्त्वतः

nārado'pi tamutthāpya paripūjya nṛpottamam tvatto na bhedo nṛpate mamāsti khalu tattvataḥ

Narada too, raising him up and duly honoring that best of kings, said: "In truth, O king, there is in reality no difference between you and me.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.61.63)

यस्तु साक्षाज्जगन्नाथ आविर्भूतः कृतेन वा। अवश्यमर्चयस्वैनं जीवन्मुक्तोऽसि सांप्रतम्

yastu sākṣājjagannātha āvirbhūtaḥ kṛtena vā avaśyamarcayasvainaṁ jīvanmukto'si sāṁpratam

"He, the Lord of the universe himself, who has become manifest — whether through your own action or by his own grace — worship him without fail; you are, even now, liberated while yet living.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.61.64)

तत्पादपद्मे यादृक्ते चेतः प्रवणतान्वितम्। भक्त्या ह्यनन्यया पुंसः किमतः परमस्ति वै

tatpādapadme yādṛkte cetaḥ pravaṇatānvitam bhaktyā hyananyayā puṁsaḥ kimataḥ paramasti vai

"Such as your heart's devotion is toward his lotus-feet, wholly inclined toward them — for a man possessed of undivided devotion, what indeed is there beyond this?

Verse 65 (skanda.2.61.65)

तीर्थैर्मंत्रैर्जपैर्दानैः क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणैः। व्रतैरध्ययनैर्भूप तपोभिश्च यदर्जितुम्

tīrthairmaṁtrairjapairdānaiḥ kratubhirbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ vratairadhyayanairbhūpa tapobhiśca yadarjitum

"That which, O king, is to be earned by sacred fords, mantras, japa, gifts, sacrifices rich in fees, vows, study, and austerities —

Verse 66 (skanda.2.61.66)

न शक्यं तव राजेन्द्र भक्त्या तत्करमागतम् । अतः परं न शोचस्व भक्तियोगे नमोऽस्तु ते

na śakyaṁ tava rājendra bhaktyā tatkaramāgatam ataḥ paraṁ na śocasva bhaktiyoge namo'stu te

"— all of that, O lord of kings, has come into your hand through devotion alone. Therefore grieve no more; homage to you, established in the yoga of devotion.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.61.67)

प्रकर्षं बहुराजेंद्र स्थित्वा चास्मिंश्चिरं भुवि । आराधय जगन्नाथमुपचारैर्महोत्सवैः

prakarṣaṁ bahurājeṁdra sthitvā cāsmiṁściraṁ bhuvi ārādhaya jagannāthamupacārairmahotsavaiḥ

"O great lord of kings, remaining upon this earth for long, in high distinction, go on worshipping Jagannatha with fitting offerings and great festivals.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.61.68)

पितामहं द्रष्टुकामो गंता चेदंतिकं विभोः । उपदेक्ष्यति सोऽप्यस्य यात्रास्तास्ता महोत्सवाः

pitāmahaṁ draṣṭukāmo gaṁtā cedaṁtikaṁ vibhoḥ upadekṣyati so'pyasya yātrāstāstā mahotsavāḥ

"If you wish to see Brahma and go into his presence, he too will instruct you in all these various festival-processions.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.61.69)

स्वयं च भगवानेव वरं तुभ्यं प्रदास्यति । प्रतिष्ठापिते प्रासादे तस्मिन्काले स्वयंभुवा

svayaṁ ca bhagavāneva varaṁ tubhyaṁ pradāsyati pratiṣṭhāpite prāsāde tasminkāle svayaṁbhuvā

"And when that temple is consecrated by the Self-born Brahma's own hand, at that time the Lord himself, in person, will grant you a boon —

Verse 70 (skanda.2.61.70)

अहमप्यागमिष्यामि तदा सप्तर्षिभिः सह । तदावां तत्र गच्छावो ब्रह्मलोकमकल्मषम्

ahamapyāgamiṣyāmi tadā saptarṣibhiḥ saha tadāvāṁ tatra gacchāvo brahmalokamakalmaṣam

"— I too shall come then, together with the seven sages; and then we two shall go there, to the sinless world of Brahma.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.61.71)

त्वां विना भुवि कः शक्तो ब्रह्मलोकगतिं प्रति । इत्युक्त्वा नारदो भूपं समुत्तस्थौ नभस्तलम्

tvāṁ vinā bhuvi kaḥ śakto brahmalokagatiṁ prati ityuktvā nārado bhūpaṁ samuttasthau nabhastalam

"Without you, who on this earth is capable of the journey to Brahmaloka?" Having said this, Narada rose up from before the king into the vault of the sky.