Brahma's Descent and the Consecration of the Deities

Verse 1 (skanda.2.67.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । अथांतरिक्षान्निःश्रेणी रत्नकांचननिर्मिता । संलग्ना पादसंपीठे पद्मयोनेर्विमानगा

jaiminiruvāca athāṁtarikṣānniḥśreṇī ratnakāṁcananirmitā saṁlagnā pādasaṁpīṭhe padmayonervimānagā

Jaimini said: Then, from the sky, a staircase made of jewels and gold appeared, joined at its foot to a pedestal, leading to the celestial chariot of the Lotus-born (Brahma).

Verse 2 (skanda.2.67.2)

सा क्षितिस्पृष्टमूला वै विधातुरवरोहणे । चतुर्व्यायामतापीन सोपानश्रेणिसंयुता

sā kṣitispṛṣṭamūlā vai vidhāturavarohaṇe caturvyāyāmatāpīna sopānaśreṇisaṁyutā

That staircase, touching the earth at its base, for the Creator's descent, was four vyayamas in span, furnished with a row of steps.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.67.3)

रथप्रासादयोर्मध्ये शक्रचाप इवांशुमान् । आविर्बभूव सहसा साद्भुतं वीक्षितो जनैः

rathaprāsādayormadhye śakracāpa ivāṁśumān āvirbabhūva sahasā sādbhutaṁ vīkṣito janaiḥ

Between the chariot and the temple it suddenly appeared, radiant like Indra's bow, and the people watched it with wonder.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.67.4)

ततो गंधर्वराजैस्तु रत्नवेत्रकरैर्द्विजाः । एष पंथाः प्रभो ह्येहि इत्यादेशितमार्गकैः

tato gaṁdharvarājaistu ratnavetrakarairdvijāḥ eṣa paṁthāḥ prabho hyehi ityādeśitamārgakaiḥ

Then, O twice-born ones, the kings of the Gandharvas, holding jeweled staffs, showed the way, saying, 'This is the path, O Lord, come!'

Verse 5 (skanda.2.67.5)

दुर्वाससो नारदस्य करयोर्दत्तहस्तकः । सोपानैरवतीर्णोऽथ पुनानश्चक्षुषा जगत्

durvāsaso nāradasya karayordattahastakaḥ sopānairavatīrṇo'tha punānaścakṣuṣā jagat

Placing his hand in the hands of Durvasas and Narada, Brahma descended by the steps, purifying the world by his very sight.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.67.6)

स्मयमानो रथान्दृष्ट्वा प्रासादं समलंकृतम् । दिगंतव्यापिनीं शालां रत्नस्तंभोपशोभिताम्

smayamāno rathāndṛṣṭvā prāsādaṁ samalaṁkṛtam digaṁtavyāpinīṁ śālāṁ ratnastaṁbhopaśobhitām

Smiling as he beheld the chariots, the beautifully adorned temple, and the hall extending to the horizon, adorned with jeweled pillars,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.67.7)

शक्रस्याप्यद्भुतकरी सर्वसंभारसंभृताम् । अवातरद्विमानात्स देवब्रह्मर्षिराजभिः

śakrasyāpyadbhutakarī sarvasaṁbhārasaṁbhṛtām avātaradvimānātsa devabrahmarṣirājabhiḥ

a hall astonishing even to Indra, filled with every splendor, he descended from his chariot together with gods, brahmarshis, and kings,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.67.8)

किरीटदत्तांजलिभिः स्तूयमानः समंततः । कटाक्षेणानुगृह्णाति यां दिशं स पितामहः

kirīṭadattāṁjalibhiḥ stūyamānaḥ samaṁtataḥ kaṭākṣeṇānugṛhṇāti yāṁ diśaṁ sa pitāmahaḥ

praised on every side by those with crowned heads bowed in folded hands; toward whatever direction the Grandsire cast his gracious glance,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.67.9)

तत्रांजलीनां संमर्दाः कोटयः शिरसा धृताः । पादाब्ज प्रणतं दृष्ट्वा इंद्रद्युम्नं प्रजापतिः

tatrāṁjalīnāṁ saṁmardāḥ koṭayaḥ śirasā dhṛtāḥ pādābja praṇataṁ dṛṣṭvā iṁdradyumnaṁ prajāpatiḥ

there crowds of folded hands numbering in the millions were raised above bowed heads. Seeing Indradyumna prostrate at his lotus feet, the Lord of creatures

Verse 10 (skanda.2.67.10)

उवाच प्रश्रयगिरा स्मितभिन्नोष्ठसंपुटः । अंगुल्या निर्दिशन्देवान्पितॄन्ब्रह्मर्षितापसान्

uvāca praśrayagirā smitabhinnoṣṭhasaṁpuṭaḥ aṁgulyā nirdiśandevānpitṝnbrahmarṣitāpasān

spoke with a humble voice, his lips parted in a smile, pointing with his finger to the gods, the ancestors, the brahmarshis, and the ascetics,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.67.11)

सिद्धविद्याधरान्यक्षगंधर्वाप्सरसस्तथा । एकत्र मिलितान्सर्वान्युगपन्मोदनिर्भरान्

siddhavidyādharānyakṣagaṁdharvāpsarasastathā ekatra militānsarvānyugapanmodanirbharān

and likewise to the siddhas, vidyadharas, yakshas, gandharvas, and apsarases, all gathered together in one place, filled at once with joy:

Verse 12 (skanda.2.67.12)

पश्येंद्रद्युम्न भाग्यं ते सर्वलोकवशीकरम् । त्वदर्थमेकदा सर्वे मां पुरस्कृत्य संगताः

paśyeṁdradyumna bhāgyaṁ te sarvalokavaśīkaram tvadarthamekadā sarve māṁ puraskṛtya saṁgatāḥ

'Behold, O Indradyumna, your fortune, which subdues all the worlds! For your sake alone, all these have gathered at once, placing me at their head.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.67.13)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ शीघ्रं नारायणरथं ततः । प्रणिपत्य जगन्नाथं त्रिः परीत्य पितामहः

ityuktvā prayayau śīghraṁ nārāyaṇarathaṁ tataḥ praṇipatya jagannāthaṁ triḥ parītya pitāmahaḥ

Having said this, he went swiftly to the chariot of Narayana; the Grandsire, having prostrated to Jagannatha, circled him three times.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.67.14)

आनंदसिंधुसंमग्नः सरोमांचवपुः स्वयम् । स्वमात्मानं नुनावाथ प्रत्यक्षं स्वरगद्गदम्

ānaṁdasiṁdhusaṁmagnaḥ saromāṁcavapuḥ svayam svamātmānaṁ nunāvātha pratyakṣaṁ svaragadgadam

Immersed in an ocean of bliss, his body horripilating, he himself then praised his own inmost Self, directly before him, his voice choked with feeling.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.67.15)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नमस्तुभ्यं नमो मह्यं तुभ्यं मह्यं नमोनमः । अहं त्वं त्वमहं सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्

brahmovāca namastubhyaṁ namo mahyaṁ tubhyaṁ mahyaṁ namonamaḥ ahaṁ tvaṁ tvamahaṁ sarvaṁ jagadetaccarācaram

Brahma said: Salutation to you, salutation to me; to you and to me, salutation upon salutation! I am you, you are I; this whole moving and unmoving world is that very same One.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.67.16)

महदादि जगत्सर्वं मायाविलसितं तव । अध्यस्तं त्वयि विश्वात्मंस्त्वयैव परिणामितम्

mahadādi jagatsarvaṁ māyāvilasitaṁ tava adhyastaṁ tvayi viśvātmaṁstvayaiva pariṇāmitam

This entire universe, beginning with the Cosmic Intellect, is the play of your Maya; O Soul of the universe, it is superimposed upon you, and transformed by you alone.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.67.17)

यदेतदखिलाभासं तत्त्वदज्ञानसंभवम् । ज्ञाते त्वयि विलीयेत रज्जुसर्पादिबोधवत्

yadetadakhilābhāsaṁ tattvadajñānasaṁbhavam jñāte tvayi vilīyeta rajjusarpādibodhavat

This whole appearance arises from ignorance of you; once you are known it dissolves away, like the perception of a snake mistaken in a rope.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.67.18)

अनिर्वक्तव्यमेवेदं सत्त्वात्सत्त्वविवेकतः । अद्वितीय जगद्भास स्वप्रकाश नमोऽस्तु ते

anirvaktavyamevedaṁ sattvātsattvavivekataḥ advitīya jagadbhāsa svaprakāśa namo'stu te

This world is truly indescribable, being neither wholly real nor wholly unreal upon discernment. O non-dual one, light of the world, self-luminous — salutation to you!

Verse 19 (skanda.2.67.19)

विषयानंदमखिलं सहजानंदरूपिणः । अंशं तवोपजीवंति येन जीवंति जंतवः

viṣayānaṁdamakhilaṁ sahajānaṁdarūpiṇaḥ aṁśaṁ tavopajīvaṁti yena jīvaṁti jaṁtavaḥ

All the joy found in the objects of the senses is but a fragment of you, whose very nature is innate bliss; by living upon that fragment alone do creatures live.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.67.20)

निष्प्रपंच निराकार निर्विकार निराश्रय । स्थूलसूक्ष्माणुमहिमन्स्थौल्यसूक्ष्मविवर्जित

niṣprapaṁca nirākāra nirvikāra nirāśraya sthūlasūkṣmāṇumahimansthaulyasūkṣmavivarjita

O one beyond manifestation, formless, changeless, without support; O one whose greatness appears as the gross, the subtle, and the atomic, yet who is free of grossness and subtlety yourself,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.67.21)

गुणातीत गुणाधार त्रिगुणात्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते

guṇātīta guṇādhāra triguṇātmannamo'stu te

O one beyond the three gunas yet the very support of the gunas, whose own self is the three gunas — salutation to you!

Verse 22 (skanda.2.67.22)

त्वन्मायया मोहितोऽहं सृष्टिमात्रपरायणः । अद्यापि न लभे शर्म अंतर्य्यामिन्नमोस्तु ते

tvanmāyayā mohito'haṁ sṛṣṭimātraparāyaṇaḥ adyāpi na labhe śarma aṁtaryyāminnamostu te

Deluded by your Maya, I remain devoted only to the work of creation; even now I find no true peace. O Inner Controller, salutation to you!

Verse 23 (skanda.2.67.23)

त्वन्नाभिपंकजाज्जातो नित्यं तत्रैव संस्तुवन् । नातिक्रमितुमीशोऽस्मि मायां ते कोऽन्य ईश्वरः

tvannābhipaṁkajājjāto nityaṁ tatraiva saṁstuvan nātikramitumīśo'smi māyāṁ te ko'nya īśvaraḥ

Born from the lotus of your navel, I forever praise you there itself; I am not able to transcend your Maya — what other lord could?

Verse 24 (skanda.2.67.24)

अहं यथांडमध्येऽस्मिन्रचितः सृष्टिकर्मणि । तथानुलोमकलिता ब्रह्मांडे ब्रह्मकोटयः

ahaṁ yathāṁḍamadhye'sminracitaḥ sṛṣṭikarmaṇi tathānulomakalitā brahmāṁḍe brahmakoṭayaḥ

Just as I have been fashioned within this cosmic egg for the work of creation, so too, in due succession, there exist throughout the universe crores of Brahmas like me,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.67.25)

सार्द्धत्रिकोटिसंख्यानां विरिंचीनामपि प्रभो । नैकोऽपि तत्त्वतो वेत्ति यथाहं त्वत्पुरः स्थितः

sārddhatrikoṭisaṁkhyānāṁ viriṁcīnāmapi prabho naiko'pi tattvato vetti yathāhaṁ tvatpuraḥ sthitaḥ

numbering three and a half crores, O Lord — not one among them truly knows you as I know you, standing here before you.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.67.26)

नमोचिंत्यमहिम्ने ते चिद्रूपाय नमोनमः । नमो देवाधिदेवाय देवदेवाय ते नमः

namociṁtyamahimne te cidrūpāya namonamaḥ namo devādhidevāya devadevāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you of inconceivable glory, whose very form is consciousness — salutation upon salutation! Salutation to the God above gods, the God of gods!

Verse 27 (skanda.2.67.27)

दिव्यादिव्यस्वरूपाय दिव्यरूपाय ते नमः । जरामृत्युविहीनाय मृत्युरूपाय ते नमः

divyādivyasvarūpāya divyarūpāya te namaḥ jarāmṛtyuvihīnāya mṛtyurūpāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you whose form is divine beyond the divine, of radiant form; salutation to you who are free of old age and death, yet who take on the very form of Death.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.67.28)

ज्वलदग्निस्वरूपाय मृत्योरपि च मृत्यवे । प्रपन्नमृत्युनाशाय सहजानंदरूपिणे । भक्तिप्रियाय जगतां मात्रे पित्रे नमो नमः

jvaladagnisvarūpāya mṛtyorapi ca mṛtyave prapannamṛtyunāśāya sahajānaṁdarūpiṇe bhaktipriyāya jagatāṁ mātre pitre namo namaḥ

To you whose form is blazing fire, who are Death even to Death; to the destroyer of death for those who have taken refuge, whose nature is innate bliss; dear to devotion, Mother and Father of the worlds — salutation, salutation!

Verse 29 (skanda.2.67.29)

प्रणतार्तिविनाशाय नित्योद्योगिन्नमोऽस्तु ते । नमोनमस्ते दीनानां कृपासहजसिंधवे

praṇatārtivināśāya nityodyoginnamo'stu te namonamaste dīnānāṁ kṛpāsahajasiṁdhave

Salutation be to you, destroyer of the suffering of those who bow, ever active! Salutation upon salutation to you, the innate ocean of compassion for the wretched!

Verse 30 (skanda.2.67.30)

पराय पररूपाय परंपाराय ते नमः । अपारपारभूताय ब्रह्मरूपाय ते नमः

parāya pararūpāya paraṁpārāya te namaḥ apārapārabhūtāya brahmarūpāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you, the Supreme, of supreme form, the shore beyond every succession; salutation to you, the shore of the shoreless, whose very form is Brahman.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.67.31)

परमार्थस्वरूपाय नमस्ते परहेतवे । परंपरा परिव्याप्त परतत्त्वपराय ते

paramārthasvarūpāya namaste parahetave paraṁparā parivyāpta paratattvaparāya te

Salutation to you whose nature is the highest reality, the supreme cause; to you who pervade every lineage of tradition, who stand beyond the supreme truth itself.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.67.32)

प्रणतार्तिविनाशाय नमः स्वात्मैकभानवे । पुरा यत्प्रार्थितं स्वास्मिन्सृष्टिभारावतारणे

praṇatārtivināśāya namaḥ svātmaikabhānave purā yatprārthitaṁ svāsminsṛṣṭibhārāvatāraṇe

Salutation to the destroyer of the suffering of those who bow, sole sun of one's own Self! That which was once prayed for by me, concerning the lowering of the burden of my own creation —

Verse 33 (skanda.2.67.33)

तत्कुरुष्व जगन्नाथ सहजाक्तदरूपभाक् । त्वयि प्रसन्ने किं नाथ दुर्लभं मयि विद्यते

tatkuruṣva jagannātha sahajāktadarūpabhāk tvayi prasanne kiṁ nātha durlabhaṁ mayi vidyate

grant that now, O Jagannatha, assuming spontaneously this very form. When you are pleased, O Lord, what is there that remains difficult for me to attain?

Verse 34 (skanda.2.67.34)

त्वयैवाहं पृथग्लीलाभेदाद्भिन्नः कृपांबुधे । अज्ञानतिमिरच्छन्ने जगत्कारागृहांतरे

tvayaivāhaṁ pṛthaglīlābhedādbhinnaḥ kṛpāṁbudhe ajñānatimiracchanne jagatkārāgṛhāṁtare

By you alone, O ocean of compassion, have I been made to seem separate, through the differentiation of your manifold play — here within this world, a prison shrouded in the darkness of ignorance,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.67.35)

भ्राम्यन्न द्वारमाप्नोति त्वामृते मुक्तिहेतवे

bhrāmyanna dvāramāpnoti tvāmṛte muktihetave

a soul wanders and finds no door of escape, without you, the very cause of liberation.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.67.36)

नमोनमस्ते जगदेकवन्द्य सुरासुराभ्यर्चितपादपद्म । नमोनमस्तापहरैकचंद्र नमोनमः शर्मसुबोधसांद्र

namonamaste jagadekavandya surāsurābhyarcitapādapadma namonamastāpaharaikacaṁdra namonamaḥ śarmasubodhasāṁdra

Salutation, salutation to you, sole object of the world's veneration, whose lotus feet are worshipped alike by gods and demons! Salutation, salutation, sole moon that dispels affliction; salutation, salutation, dense embodiment of bliss and true wisdom!

Verse 37 (skanda.2.67.37)

नमो नमः कल्पकदूरभूत दुष्प्राप्यकामप्रद कल्पवृक्ष । दीनाशरण्यप्रणतैकदुःखसंघोद्धृतौ नित्यसुबद्धपक्ष

namo namaḥ kalpakadūrabhūta duṣprāpyakāmaprada kalpavṛkṣa dīnāśaraṇyapraṇataikaduḥkhasaṁghoddhṛtau nityasubaddhapakṣa

Salutation, salutation, O wish-granting tree standing beyond the reach of time itself, bestowing even desires hard to attain! O one ever resolved to lift up the multitude of sorrows of the helpless and the surrendered who take refuge in you alone!

Verse 38 (skanda.2.67.38)

प्रसीद जगतां नाथ मग्नानां दुःखसागरे । कटाक्षलीलापातेन त्रायस्व करुणाकर

prasīda jagatāṁ nātha magnānāṁ duḥkhasāgare kaṭākṣalīlāpātena trāyasva karuṇākara

Be gracious, O Lord of the worlds, to those sunk in the ocean of sorrow; save them with the mere fall of your playful glance, O fountain of compassion.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.67.39)

स्तुत्वेत्थं श्रीजगन्नाथं वेदार्थः स पितामहः । जगाम सीरिणं द्रष्टुमवतीर्णं धराधरम्

stutvetthaṁ śrījagannāthaṁ vedārthaḥ sa pitāmahaḥ jagāma sīriṇaṁ draṣṭumavatīrṇaṁ dharādharam

Having thus praised Shri Jagannatha, the Grandsire, whose very essence is the meaning of the Vedas, went to see Sirin (Balarama, bearer of the plough), the upholder of the earth, who had likewise descended.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.67.40)

प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या तुष्टाव बलिनं मुदा । नभः शिरस्ते देवेश आपस्ते विग्रहः प्रभो

praṇamya parayā bhaktyā tuṣṭāva balinaṁ mudā nabhaḥ śiraste deveśa āpaste vigrahaḥ prabho

Having bowed with supreme devotion, he joyfully praised the Strong One: 'O Lord of gods, the sky is your head; water, O Lord, is your very form;

Verse 41 (skanda.2.67.41)

पादौ क्षितिर्मुखं वह्निः श्वसितानि समीरणः । मनस्ते ह्योषधीनाथश्चक्षुषी ते दिवाकरः

pādau kṣitirmukhaṁ vahniḥ śvasitāni samīraṇaḥ manaste hyoṣadhīnāthaścakṣuṣī te divākaraḥ

the earth is your feet, fire your mouth, the wind your breaths; the lord of herbs (the moon) is your mind, and the sun is your two eyes;

Verse 42 (skanda.2.67.42)

बाहवः ककुभो नाथ नमस्ते ज्ञानदर्पण । चतुर्दशानां लोकानां मूलस्तंभाय सीरिणे

bāhavaḥ kakubho nātha namaste jñānadarpaṇa caturdaśānāṁ lokānāṁ mūlastaṁbhāya sīriṇe

the quarters of the sky are your arms, O Lord — salutation to you, mirror of knowledge! To Sirin, the root pillar of the fourteen worlds,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.67.43)

पदांभोजप्रपन्नानां नमः पापौघदारिणे । अनन्तवक्त्रनयनश्रोत्रपादाक्षिबाहवे

padāṁbhojaprapannānāṁ namaḥ pāpaughadāriṇe anantavaktranayanaśrotrapādākṣibāhave

salutation, destroyer of the flood of sin for those who take refuge at your lotus feet, to the one of endless mouths, eyes, ears, feet, and arms,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.67.44)

नमो नादिमहामूलतमःस्तोमौघभानवे । त्रयीमय त्रिधादोषनाशाय त्र्यवतारिणे

namo nādimahāmūlatamaḥstomaughabhānave trayīmaya tridhādoṣanāśāya tryavatāriṇe

salutation to the sun that dispels the great mass of primal darkness at the root of all; O one whose essence is the threefold Veda, destroyer of the threefold faults, who has taken three incarnations,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.67.45)

फणामणिफणाकार क्षितिमण्डलधारिणे । नमः कालाग्निरुद्राय महारुद्राय ते नमः

phaṇāmaṇiphaṇākāra kṣitimaṇḍaladhāriṇe namaḥ kālāgnirudrāya mahārudrāya te namaḥ

whose form is like the hood-jewels of serpents, who bears the circle of the earth upon them; salutation to you, Rudra of the fire of time, the Great Rudra — salutation to you!

Verse 46 (skanda.2.67.46)

भोगतल्पफणाच्छत्रमध्यसुप्ताय ते नमः । महार्णवजले वृद्ध एकीभूते जगत्त्रये

bhogatalpaphaṇācchatramadhyasuptāya te namaḥ mahārṇavajale vṛddha ekībhūte jagattraye

Salutation to you who sleep amid the canopy of serpent-hoods upon your coiled bed, when at the dissolution the three worlds become one within the waters of the great ocean;

Verse 47 (skanda.2.67.47)

त्वमेव शेषो भगवन्सहस्रफणमंडितः । फणामणिगणव्याजसंभृताखिलभौतिकः

tvameva śeṣo bhagavansahasraphaṇamaṁḍitaḥ phaṇāmaṇigaṇavyājasaṁbhṛtākhilabhautikaḥ

you alone, O Lord, are Shesha, adorned with a thousand hoods, who, under the guise of that mass of hood-jewels, sustains the whole of material creation;

Verse 48 (skanda.2.67.48)

त्वमेव नाथः सर्वेषां स्रष्टा पालयिता विभो । अत्ता धारयिता नित्यं मदाद्यास्त्वन्निमित्तकाः

tvameva nāthaḥ sarveṣāṁ sraṣṭā pālayitā vibho attā dhārayitā nityaṁ madādyāstvannimittakāḥ

you alone, all-pervading one, are the Lord of all, its creator and sustainer; the devourer at dissolution and its eternal upholder — Pride and the rest of the passions exist by your causation alone.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.67.49)

एष नारायणो देवो वेदांतेषूपगीयते । त्वत्तो न भिन्नो भगवन्कारणाद्भेदभागसि

eṣa nārāyaṇo devo vedāṁteṣūpagīyate tvatto na bhinno bhagavankāraṇādbhedabhāgasi

This god Narayana is celebrated throughout the Vedanta texts; O Lord, you are not different from him — you appear distinct only through the workings of cause.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.67.50)

शय्या त्वं शयिता ह्येष छाद्यः संछादको भवान् । यो वै विष्णुः स वै रामो यो रामः कृष्ण एव सः

śayyā tvaṁ śayitā hyeṣa chādyaḥ saṁchādako bhavān yo vai viṣṇuḥ sa vai rāmo yo rāmaḥ kṛṣṇa eva saḥ

You are the bed, and he indeed is the one who reclines upon it; you are the covering, and you too are the one who covers. He who is truly Vishnu is truly Rama; he who is Rama is Krishna himself.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.67.51)

युवयोरंतरं नास्ति प्रसीद त्वं जगन्मय । इति स्तवांते बलिनं प्रणम्य परमेश्वरम्

yuvayoraṁtaraṁ nāsti prasīda tvaṁ jaganmaya iti stavāṁte balinaṁ praṇamya parameśvaram

Between you two there is no difference — be gracious, O you whose very self is the universe!' Thus, at the close of his hymn, having bowed to Bali (Balarama), the supreme Lord

Verse 52 (skanda.2.67.52)

ईश्वरीं जगतां द्रष्टुं सुभद्रास्यन्दनं ययौ । जय देवि जगन्मातः प्रसीद परमेश्वरि

īśvarīṁ jagatāṁ draṣṭuṁ subhadrāsyandanaṁ yayau jaya devi jaganmātaḥ prasīda parameśvari

went to see the Goddess of the worlds at Subhadra's chariot: 'Victory, O Goddess, Mother of the universe! Be gracious, O supreme Goddess!

Verse 53 (skanda.2.67.53)

कार्यकारणकर्त्री त्वं सर्वशक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु ते । सर्वस्य हृदि संविष्टे ज्ञानमोहात्मिके सदा

kāryakāraṇakartrī tvaṁ sarvaśaktyai namo'stu te sarvasya hṛdi saṁviṣṭe jñānamohātmike sadā

You are the doer of both effect and cause — salutation be to you, all-power! You who dwell forever within the heart of every being, whose very nature is both knowledge and delusion,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.67.54)

कैवल्यमुक्तिदे भद्रे त्वां नमामि सुरारणिम् । देवि त्वं विष्णुमायासि मोहयन्ती चराचरम्

kaivalyamuktide bhadre tvāṁ namāmi surāraṇim devi tvaṁ viṣṇumāyāsi mohayantī carācaram

O Bhadra, giver of the liberation of absolute oneness, I bow to you, the very kindling-fire of the gods' power! O Goddess, you are the Vishnu-Maya, deluding all that moves and moves not.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.67.55)

हृत्पद्मासनसंस्थासि विष्णुभावानुसारिणी । त्वमेव लक्ष्मीर्गौरी च शची कात्यायनी तथा

hṛtpadmāsanasaṁsthāsi viṣṇubhāvānusāriṇī tvameva lakṣmīrgaurī ca śacī kātyāyanī tathā

You reside enthroned upon the lotus of the heart, ever attending Vishnu's will; you alone are Lakshmi, and Gauri, and Shachi, and likewise Katyayani;

Verse 56 (skanda.2.67.56)

यच्च किंचित्क्वचिद्वस्तु सदसद्वाखिलात्मिके । तस्य सर्वस्य शक्तिस्त्वं स्तोतुं त्वां कस्तु शक्तिमान्

yacca kiṁcitkvacidvastu sadasadvākhilātmike tasya sarvasya śaktistvaṁ stotuṁ tvāṁ kastu śaktimān

whatever thing exists anywhere, whether real or unreal, O Self of all — of all of it you are the very power; who indeed has the power to praise you fully?

Verse 57 (skanda.2.67.57)

जय भद्रे सुभद्रे त्वं सर्वेषां भद्रदायिनि । भद्राभद्रस्वरूपे त्वं भद्रकालि नमोऽस्तु ते

jaya bhadre subhadre tvaṁ sarveṣāṁ bhadradāyini bhadrābhadrasvarūpe tvaṁ bhadrakāli namo'stu te

Victory, O auspicious one! O Subhadra, giver of well-being to all! O you whose nature is both fortune and misfortune, O Bhadrakali — salutation be to you!

Verse 58 (skanda.2.67.58)

त्वं माता जगतां देवि पिता नारायणो हि सः । स्त्रीरूपं त्वं सर्वमेव पुंरूपो जगदीश्वरः

tvaṁ mātā jagatāṁ devi pitā nārāyaṇo hi saḥ strīrūpaṁ tvaṁ sarvameva puṁrūpo jagadīśvaraḥ

You, O Goddess, are the Mother of the worlds; he, Narayana, is indeed its Father. You are the whole form of Woman; the Lord of the universe is the form of Man.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.67.59)

युवयोर्न हि भेदोऽस्ति नास्त्यन्यत्परमेव हि । यथा वयं नियुक्ता हि त्वया वै विष्णुमायया

yuvayorna hi bhedo'sti nāstyanyatparameva hi yathā vayaṁ niyuktā hi tvayā vai viṣṇumāyayā

Between you two there is truly no difference; there is nothing else supreme beyond you both. Just as we have been appointed by you, O Vishnu-Maya,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.67.60)

निदेशकारिणो नित्यं भ्रमामः परमेश्वरि । वृत्तिः प्रवृत्तिः परमा क्षुधा निद्रा त्वमेव च

nideśakāriṇo nityaṁ bhramāmaḥ parameśvari vṛttiḥ pravṛttiḥ paramā kṣudhā nidrā tvameva ca

ever obedient to your command, we wander through our tasks, O Supreme Goddess. Activity, and the very impulse toward it, hunger, and sleep — you alone are these;

Verse 61 (skanda.2.67.61)

आशा त्वमाशापूर्णा च सर्वाशा परिपूरिका । मुक्तिहेतुस्त्वमेवेशि बंधहेतुस्त्वमेह हि

āśā tvamāśāpūrṇā ca sarvāśā paripūrikā muktihetustvameveśi baṁdhahetustvameha hi

you are hope, and its fulfillment, the fulfiller of every desire; you alone, O Mistress, are the cause of liberation, and you indeed are the cause of bondage too.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.67.62)

सर्वज्ञानप्रदे नित्ये भक्तानां कल्पवल्लरी । त्राहि पादाब्जनम्रं मां कृपापांगविलोकनैः

sarvajñānaprade nitye bhaktānāṁ kalpavallarī trāhi pādābjanamraṁ māṁ kṛpāpāṁgavilokanaiḥ

O eternal one, bestower of all knowledge, wish-fulfilling creeper for your devotees — save me, who bow at your lotus feet, with the glances of your compassionate eye.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.67.63)

स्तुत्वेत्थं भद्ररूपां तां तत्समीपस्थितं रथे । चक्रं सुदर्शनं विष्णोश्चतुर्थं वपुरास्थितम्

stutvetthaṁ bhadrarūpāṁ tāṁ tatsamīpasthitaṁ rathe cakraṁ sudarśanaṁ viṣṇoścaturthaṁ vapurāsthitam

Having thus praised her, the auspicious form, he turned to the Sudarshana wheel of Vishnu standing nearby on the chariot, present there as his fourth divine body,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.67.64)

प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या इमां स्तुतिमुदाहरत् । सुदर्शन महाज्वाल कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ

praṇamya parayā bhaktyā imāṁ stutimudāharat sudarśana mahājvāla koṭisūryasamaprabha

and having bowed with supreme devotion, spoke this hymn: 'O Sudarshana, of great blazing flame, radiant as a crore of suns,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.67.65)

अज्ञानतिमिरांधानां वैकुण्ठाध्वप्रदर्शकः । नमस्ते नित्यविलसद्वैष्णवस्वनिकेतन

ajñānatimirāṁdhānāṁ vaikuṇṭhādhvapradarśakaḥ namaste nityavilasadvaiṣṇavasvaniketana

revealer of the path to Vaikuntha for those blinded by the darkness of ignorance — salutation to you, eternal resplendent abode of Vaishnava glory!

Verse 66 (skanda.2.67.66)

अवार्यवीर्यं यद्रूपं विष्णोस्तत्प्रणमाम्यहम् । प्रणम्य स्तुत्वा देवान्स रथेभ्यः परिवृत्य च

avāryavīryaṁ yadrūpaṁ viṣṇostatpraṇamāmyaham praṇamya stutvā devānsa rathebhyaḥ parivṛtya ca

I bow to that form of Vishnu whose power none can withstand.' Having bowed to and praised the gods, and having turned away from the chariots,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.67.67)

इन्द्रद्युम्ननारदाभ्यामादिष्टपदपद्धतिः । नीलाचलमथारोहत्प्रासादं द्रष्टुमुत्सुकः

indradyumnanāradābhyāmādiṣṭapadapaddhatiḥ nīlācalamathārohatprāsādaṁ draṣṭumutsukaḥ

guided along the way by Indradyumna and Narada, he then climbed Nilachala, eager to see the temple.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.67.68)

ततः स गत्वा प्रासादसमीपं दैवतैः सह । ददर्श शालां रुचिरां स्वचित्ताभिमता द्विजाः

tataḥ sa gatvā prāsādasamīpaṁ daivataiḥ saha dadarśa śālāṁ rucirāṁ svacittābhimatā dvijāḥ

Then, going with the gods to the vicinity of the temple, O twice-born ones, he beheld a beautiful hall, pleasing to his own heart.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.67.69)

तन्मध्ये स्थापयामास दैवतोरगभूपतीन् । ब्रह्मर्षीन्योगिनो विप्रान्वैष्णवांश्च तपस्विनः

tanmadhye sthāpayāmāsa daivatoragabhūpatīn brahmarṣīnyogino viprānvaiṣṇavāṁśca tapasvinaḥ

In its midst he installed the gods, the serpent-lords and kings, the brahmarshis, yogis, brahmins, Vaishnavas, and ascetics.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.67.70)

दिव्यसिंहासनवरे नृपेण प्रतिपादिते । स पादपीठे भगवानुपविष्टः स्वयं विभुः

divyasiṁhāsanavare nṛpeṇa pratipādite sa pādapīṭhe bhagavānupaviṣṭaḥ svayaṁ vibhuḥ

Upon the excellent divine throne provided by the king, the all-pervading Lord himself sat down upon the footstool.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.67.71)

शांतिकं पौष्टिकं कर्तुं भारद्वाजं महामुनिम् । पितामहाज्ञया भूपो वरयामास ऋद्धिमत्

śāṁtikaṁ pauṣṭikaṁ kartuṁ bhāradvājaṁ mahāmunim pitāmahājñayā bhūpo varayāmāsa ṛddhimat

To perform the rites of pacification and nourishment, by the Grandsire's command, the prosperous king chose the great sage Bharadvaja.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.67.72)

प्रतिष्ठायां तु ये देवा बलिपूजाविधौ मताः । होमेषु च तथा ते वै ध्यानरूपमुपाश्रिताः

pratiṣṭhāyāṁ tu ye devā balipūjāvidhau matāḥ homeṣu ca tathā te vai dhyānarūpamupāśritāḥ

The deities held to preside over the installation, over the rite of offering and worship, and likewise over the fire-oblations, were called upon there in the form of meditation,

Verse 73 (skanda.2.67.73)

आज्ञया पद्मयोनेस्तु चतुर्दिग्भागमाश्रिताः । सुपूजिता गंधपुष्पमालालंकारभूषणैः

ājñayā padmayonestu caturdigbhāgamāśritāḥ supūjitā gaṁdhapuṣpamālālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ

and, by the command of the Lotus-born, were placed occupying the four directions, and were duly worshipped with scent, flowers, garlands, ornaments, and jewels.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.67.74)

ततः कर्म प्रववृते भारद्वाजेन धीमता । प्रत्यक्षं देवदेवस्य सर्वेषां च दिवौकसाम्

tataḥ karma pravavṛte bhāradvājena dhīmatā pratyakṣaṁ devadevasya sarveṣāṁ ca divaukasām

Then the rite proceeded, performed by the wise Bharadvaja, in the direct presence of the God of gods and of all the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.67.75)

त्रैलोक्यवासिनां पूजां चकार नृपतिर्मुदा । सांगोपांगं समभ्यर्च्य जगत्स्रष्टारमग्रतः

trailokyavāsināṁ pūjāṁ cakāra nṛpatirmudā sāṁgopāṁgaṁ samabhyarcya jagatsraṣṭāramagrataḥ

The king joyfully worshipped the dwellers of the three worlds, having first duly honored, in all its parts, the Creator of the universe set in front.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.67.76)

ततः संपूजिताः सर्वे तेन त्रैलोक्यवासिनः । पश्यन्तोऽवस्थितं मध्ये साक्षाद्ब्रह्माणमव्ययम्

tataḥ saṁpūjitāḥ sarve tena trailokyavāsinaḥ paśyanto'vasthitaṁ madhye sākṣādbrahmāṇamavyayam

Then all the dwellers of the three worlds, thus honored by him, beheld standing in their midst the imperishable Brahman himself, directly present,

Verse 77 (skanda.2.67.77)

वपुष्मंतं जगन्नाथं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मरूपिणम् । इन्द्रद्युम्नप्रसादेन जीवन्मुक्तत्वमाप्नुवन्

vapuṣmaṁtaṁ jagannāthaṁ pratyakṣaṁ brahmarūpiṇam indradyumnaprasādena jīvanmuktatvamāpnuvan

embodied as Jagannatha, manifest before their eyes in the very form of Brahman; and by the grace of Indradyumna they attained the state of liberation while still living.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.67.78)

कलेवरं भगवतः प्रासादं सुमनोहरम् । प्रतिष्ठाय भरद्वाजः समुच्छ्रितमहाध्वजम्

kalevaraṁ bhagavataḥ prāsādaṁ sumanoharam pratiṣṭhāya bharadvājaḥ samucchritamahādhvajam

Bharadvaja, having consecrated the very beautiful temple — the divine body of the Lord — with its great banner raised aloft,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.67.79)

व्यज्ञापयतत्प्रतिष्ठायै जीवस्याथ पितामहम् । समुत्तस्थौ ततो ब्रह्मा कृतस्वस्त्ययनः स्वयम्

vyajñāpayatatpratiṣṭhāyai jīvasyātha pitāmaham samuttasthau tato brahmā kṛtasvastyayanaḥ svayam

then petitioned the Grandsire for the installation of life into the image. Then Brahma himself rose, having performed the rite of benediction,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.67.80)

ऋषिभिर्नारदाद्यैश्च विद्वद्भिर्ब्राह्मणैस्तथा । राजभिः क्षत्रियैर्नागैः सहितः परमर्षिभिः

ṛṣibhirnāradādyaiśca vidvadbhirbrāhmaṇaistathā rājabhiḥ kṣatriyairnāgaiḥ sahitaḥ paramarṣibhiḥ

attended by the sages beginning with Narada, by learned brahmins, by kings, kshatriyas, nagas, and the greatest seers,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.67.81)

गन्धर्वैर्गायमानेषु दिव्यगानेषु सुस्वरम् । मांगल्योचितरागेषु नृत्यन्तीष्वप्सरःसु च

gandharvairgāyamāneṣu divyagāneṣu susvaram māṁgalyocitarāgeṣu nṛtyantīṣvapsaraḥsu ca

while the Gandharvas sang sweetly in celestial melodies fit for auspicious occasions, and the Apsaras danced,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.67.82)

शाकुनेषु च सूक्तेषु पठ्यमानेषु च द्विजैः । शंखकाहालमुरजभेरीवादित्रवैणवे

śākuneṣu ca sūkteṣu paṭhyamāneṣu ca dvijaiḥ śaṁkhakāhālamurajabherīvāditravaiṇave

while brahmins recited hymns of good omen, and the sound of conch, kahala-horn, drum, kettle-drum, and flute

Verse 83 (skanda.2.67.83)

शब्दे प्रमूर्च्छति ततः सर्वे ते स्यन्दनोपरि । गत्वावतारयामासू रथात्सोपानवर्त्मनि

śabde pramūrcchati tataḥ sarve te syandanopari gatvāvatārayāmāsū rathātsopānavartmani

rose into a swelling roar — then all of them, mounting the chariots, brought the deities down by the pathway of the steps,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.67.84)

सावधानाः समाधिस्था भक्त्या संयमितात्मकाः । पार्श्वयोर्भुजयोर्मूर्ध्नि पादयोर्न्यस्तपाणयः

sāvadhānāḥ samādhisthā bhaktyā saṁyamitātmakāḥ pārśvayorbhujayormūrdhni pādayornyastapāṇayaḥ

carefully, absorbed in concentration, their minds restrained by devotion, resting their hands upon the sides, the arms, the head, and the feet to steady them,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.67.85)

शनैः शनैः सलीलं ते नारायणमनामयम् । वासं वासं तूलिकासु निन्युः प्रासादसन्निधिम्

śanaiḥ śanaiḥ salīlaṁ te nārāyaṇamanāmayam vāsaṁ vāsaṁ tūlikāsu ninyuḥ prāsādasannidhim

and slowly, slowly, with playful tenderness, carried the unailing Narayana, resting him again and again upon cushions, into the precincts of the temple,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.67.86)

उपर्युपरि संतानवृष्टिपूत्पतितासु च । जय कृष्ण जगन्नाथ जय सर्वाऽघनाशन

uparyupari saṁtānavṛṣṭipūtpatitāsu ca jaya kṛṣṇa jagannātha jaya sarvā'ghanāśana

while from above showers of celestial Santana blossoms fell purely upon them: 'Victory, O Krishna Jagannatha! Victory, destroyer of all sin!

Verse 87 (skanda.2.67.87)

जय लीलादारुतनो जय वांछाफलप्रद । जय संसारसंमग्नलीलोद्धार जयाव्यय

jaya līlādārutano jaya vāṁchāphalaprada jaya saṁsārasaṁmagnalīloddhāra jayāvyaya

Victory, whose sportive body is made of wood! Victory, granter of the fruit of every wish! Victory, playful deliverer of those sunk in the ocean of worldly existence! Victory, imperishable one!

Verse 88 (skanda.2.67.88)

जयानुकंपापाथोधे जय दीनपरायण । जयाच्युत जयानन्त जयेशान नमोऽस्तु ते

jayānukaṁpāpāthodhe jaya dīnaparāyaṇa jayācyuta jayānanta jayeśāna namo'stu te

Victory, ocean of compassion! Victory, refuge of the helpless! Victory, Achyuta! Victory, Ananta! Victory, Isha — salutation be to you!'

Verse 89 (skanda.2.67.89)

एभिः स्तवैः स्तूयमानो ब्रह्मणा च स्वयंभुवा । तुष्टाव स मुदा युक्तो नारदश्चोपवीणयन्

ebhiḥ stavaiḥ stūyamāno brahmaṇā ca svayaṁbhuvā tuṣṭāva sa mudā yukto nāradaścopavīṇayan

Praised with these hymns by the self-born Brahma, Narada too, filled with joy, praised him, playing upon his vina.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.67.90)

रत्नच्छत्रयुगे मूर्ध्नि धार्यमाणेऽथ पृष्ठतः । शशिना भास्वता भक्त्या दिव्यधूपेन धूपिता

ratnacchatrayuge mūrdhni dhāryamāṇe'tha pṛṣṭhataḥ śaśinā bhāsvatā bhaktyā divyadhūpena dhūpitā

While a pair of jeweled umbrellas, radiant as the moon, was held behind his head, and the images were honored with devotion by divine incense,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.67.91)

श्रेणीकृता ह्युभयतः पार्श्वयोश्चामरग्रहाः । सलीलांदोलनव्यग्रा यौवनालंकृतास्तथा

śreṇīkṛtā hyubhayataḥ pārśvayoścāmaragrahāḥ salīlāṁdolanavyagrā yauvanālaṁkṛtāstathā

chowrie-bearers arranged in rows on either side, adorned with youth, were busy in the playful waving of their fans,

Verse 92 (skanda.2.67.92)

एवं च सहिताः सर्वे कौतूहलसमन्विताः । सुदर्शनं सुभद्रां च बलभद्रमनैषिषुः

evaṁ ca sahitāḥ sarve kautūhalasamanvitāḥ sudarśanaṁ subhadrāṁ ca balabhadramanaiṣiṣuḥ

and thus, all together, filled with eager wonder, they brought in Sudarshana, Subhadra, and Balabhadra.

Verse 93 (skanda.2.67.93)

प्रासादद्वारि रचिते रत्नस्तंभेऽथ मण्डपे । वासयित्वाभिषेकाय संमुखादर्शमण्डले

prāsādadvāri racite ratnastaṁbhe'tha maṇḍape vāsayitvābhiṣekāya saṁmukhādarśamaṇḍale

Having seated them in the pavilion built at the temple door, upon a jeweled pillar facing the circle of mirrors, for the consecrating bath,

Verse 94 (skanda.2.67.94)

अधिवासितै रत्नकुंभैस्तीर्थवार्युपसंभृतैः । सूक्ताभ्यां श्रीपुरुषयोरभिषेकं पितामहः । चकार भगवाँल्लोकसंग्रहार्थं द्विजोत्तमाः

adhivāsitai ratnakuṁbhaistīrthavāryupasaṁbhṛtaiḥ sūktābhyāṁ śrīpuruṣayorabhiṣekaṁ pitāmahaḥ cakāra bhagavām̐llokasaṁgrahārthaṁ dvijottamāḥ

the Grandsire, the Lord, for the sake of gathering together the worlds, O best of the twice-born, performed the consecration bath of the divine Persons with the two Purusha hymns, using jeweled vessels that had been ritually prepared and filled with water from sacred fords.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.67.95)

ततो ह्यलंकृतान्देवान्गंधमाल्योपशोभितान् । नीराजयित्वा भगवान्स स्वयं लोकभावनः । रत्नसिंहासने रम्ये स्थापयामास मन्त्रतः

tato hyalaṁkṛtāndevāngaṁdhamālyopaśobhitān nīrājayitvā bhagavānsa svayaṁ lokabhāvanaḥ ratnasiṁhāsane ramye sthāpayāmāsa mantrataḥ

Then, having waved the ceremonial lamps before the gods, now adorned and made beautiful with scent and garlands, the Lord himself, creator of the worlds, installed them with mantras upon the delightful jeweled throne.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.67.96)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अशेषजगदाधार सर्वलोकप्रतिष्ठित । सुप्रतिष्ठाखिलव्यापिन्प्रासादे सुस्थिरो भव

brahmovāca aśeṣajagadādhāra sarvalokapratiṣṭhita supratiṣṭhākhilavyāpinprāsāde susthiro bhava

Brahma said: 'O support of the whole universe, established in every world, well-founded, all-pervading — abide firmly here in this temple!

Verse 97 (skanda.2.67.97)

त्वयि प्रतिष्ठिते नाथ वयं सर्वे प्रतिष्ठिताः । त्वदाज्ञया प्रतिष्ठेयं पूर्णाऽऽस्तां त्वत्प्रसादतः

tvayi pratiṣṭhite nātha vayaṁ sarve pratiṣṭhitāḥ tvadājñayā pratiṣṭheyaṁ pūrṇā''stāṁ tvatprasādataḥ

When you, O Lord, are established, all of us are established. By your command, may this installation stand complete, through your grace.'

Verse 98 (skanda.2.67.98)

स्थापयित्वा जगन्नाथं स्पृष्ट्वा तस्य हृदंबुजम् । आनुष्टुभं मंत्रराजं सहस्रं स जजाप ह

sthāpayitvā jagannāthaṁ spṛṣṭvā tasya hṛdaṁbujam ānuṣṭubhaṁ maṁtrarājaṁ sahasraṁ sa jajāpa ha

Having thus installed Jagannatha, and touching the lotus of his heart, he recited a thousand times the king of mantras in the anushtubh meter.

Verse 99 (skanda.2.67.99)

वैशाखस्यामले पक्षे अष्टम्यां पुष्ययोगतः । कृता प्रतिष्ठा भो विप्राः शोभने गुरुवासरे

vaiśākhasyāmale pakṣe aṣṭamyāṁ puṣyayogataḥ kṛtā pratiṣṭhā bho viprāḥ śobhane guruvāsare

In the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, on the eighth day, under the conjunction of the Pushya nakshatra, O brahmins, the installation was performed on an auspicious Thursday.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.67.100)

तद्दिनं सुमहत्पुण्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । स्नानं दानं तपो होमः सर्वमक्षय्यमश्नुते

taddinaṁ sumahatpuṇyaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam snānaṁ dānaṁ tapo homaḥ sarvamakṣayyamaśnute

That day is exceedingly meritorious, destroying every sin; bathing, charity, austerity, and fire-offering performed upon it all bear imperishable fruit.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.67.101)

तस्मिन्दिने ये पश्यंति मानवा भक्तिभाविताः । कृष्णं रामं सुभद्रां च मुक्तिभाजो न संशयः

tasmindine ye paśyaṁti mānavā bhaktibhāvitāḥ kṛṣṇaṁ rāmaṁ subhadrāṁ ca muktibhājo na saṁśayaḥ

Those who, filled with devotion, behold Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra on that day become, without doubt, partakers of liberation.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.67.102)

शुक्लाष्टमी या वैशाखे गुरुपुष्ययुता यदा । तस्यामभ्यर्चनं विष्णोः कोटिजन्माघनाशनम्

śuklāṣṭamī yā vaiśākhe gurupuṣyayutā yadā tasyāmabhyarcanaṁ viṣṇoḥ koṭijanmāghanāśanam

Whenever the bright eighth day of Vaishakha falls together with a Thursday and the Pushya nakshatra, worship of Vishnu on that day destroys the sins of a crore of births.