The Rite of the Sacred Fords and the Glory of Sea-Bathing

Verse 1 (skanda.2.70.1)

मुनय ऊचुः । चकार केन विधिना जन्मस्नानं श्रियः पतेः । अन्यानप्युत्सवान्सर्वान्विधिवद्ब्रूहि नो मुने

munaya ūcuḥ cakāra kena vidhinā janmasnānaṁ śriyaḥ pateḥ anyānapyutsavānsarvānvidhivadbrūhi no mune

The sages said: By what rite did he perform the birth-bathing of the Lord of Shri? Tell us also, O sage, of all the other festivals, in due order.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.70.2)

नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्तं सर्वं ते मुनिसत्तम । स हि वेद तमःपारे ब्रह्म ब्रह्मसुतो मुनिः

nāradena purā proktaṁ sarvaṁ te munisattama sa hi veda tamaḥpāre brahma brahmasuto muniḥ

All this was told to you long ago by Narada, O best of sages; for that sage, son of Brahma, knows the Brahman beyond all darkness.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.70.3)

तत्सर्वं ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन मुने क्रौतूहलं हि नः । अहो भाग्यं नरपतेरिंद्रद्युम्नस्य भो मुने

tatsarvaṁ brūhi tattvena mune krautūhalaṁ hi naḥ aho bhāgyaṁ narapateriṁdradyumnasya bho mune

Tell us all of that in truth, O sage, for we are filled with curiosity. Ah, what fortune was that of King Indradyumna, O sage!

Verse 4 (skanda.2.70.4)

तस्य तावति कर्मांते अत्यद्भुतमिदं महत् । न श्रुता हि न दृष्टा हि प्रतिमा दारुनिर्मिता

tasya tāvati karmāṁte atyadbhutamidaṁ mahat na śrutā hi na dṛṣṭā hi pratimā dārunirmitā

At the end of such great labor of his, this great wonder came to be; never before had a wooden image been heard of or seen

Verse 5 (skanda.2.70.5)

सजीवतनुवत्साक्षाद्वारं दद्यान्मनुष्यवत् । स्मारंस्मारं भगवतश्चरितं पापनाशनम्

sajīvatanuvatsākṣādvāraṁ dadyānmanuṣyavat smāraṁsmāraṁ bhagavataścaritaṁ pāpanāśanam

that could, like a living body, directly grant boons as a human would. Remembering, again and again, the Lord's sin-destroying deeds —

Verse 6 (skanda.2.70.6)

चरितं तस्य नृपतेर्दुर्लभं मर्त्यवासिनाम् । न सन्तोषोऽस्ति भगवञ्शृण्वतां नो महामुने

caritaṁ tasya nṛpaterdurlabhaṁ martyavāsinām na santoṣo'sti bhagavañśṛṇvatāṁ no mahāmune

the deeds of that king are indeed rare among mortal dwellers. We are not satisfied, O great sage, even in the hearing of it, O Lord!

Verse 7 (skanda.2.70.7)

तद्वदानुक्रमेणास्मान्यात्राः सर्वाघनाशनाः । यासां संदर्शनाद्वासो वैकुण्ठ इति निश्चितम्

tadvadānukrameṇāsmānyātrāḥ sarvāghanāśanāḥ yāsāṁ saṁdarśanādvāso vaikuṇṭha iti niścitam

Tell us, then, in due order, of the festivals that destroy every sin, by the mere beholding of which residence in Vaikuntha becomes certain.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.70.8)

यात्रामाहात्म्यवक्तासौ यत्साक्षान्मधुसूदनः । तन्नो वद महाभाग जगतां हितकाम्यया

yātrāmāhātmyavaktāsau yatsākṣānmadhusūdanaḥ tanno vada mahābhāga jagatāṁ hitakāmyayā

Tell us that greatness of the festivals, spoken directly by Madhusudana himself, O most fortunate one, for the good of the worlds.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.70.9)

जैमिनिरुवाच । ज्येष्ठस्नानं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं मुनयोऽधुना । ज्येष्ठशुक्लदशम्यां तु व्रतं संकल्प्य वाग्यतः

jaiminiruvāca jyeṣṭhasnānaṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ munayo'dhunā jyeṣṭhaśukladaśamyāṁ tu vrataṁ saṁkalpya vāgyataḥ

Jaimini said: I shall now describe the bathing festival of Jyeshtha; listen, O sages. On the tenth of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, having resolved on the vow, remaining silent in speech,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.70.10)

प्रातरुत्थाय कुर्वीत पंचतीर्थविधानतः । मार्कंडेय वटं गत्वा आचम्य प्रयतः पुमान्

prātarutthāya kurvīta paṁcatīrthavidhānataḥ mārkaṁḍeya vaṭaṁ gatvā ācamya prayataḥ pumān

one should rise in the morning and perform the rite according to the procedure of the five sacred fords; a man, having gone to the Markandeya banyan tree and sipped water in purification,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.70.11)

प्रार्थयेच्छंकरं नत्वा कृतांजलिपुटोऽग्रतः

prārthayecchaṁkaraṁ natvā kṛtāṁjalipuṭo'grataḥ

should pray to Shankara, bowing with folded hands before him:

Verse 12 (skanda.2.70.12)

अतितीक्ष्ण महाकाय कल्पांतदहनोपम । भैरवाय नमस्तुभ्यमनुज्ञां दातुमर्हसि

atitīkṣṇa mahākāya kalpāṁtadahanopama bhairavāya namastubhyamanujñāṁ dātumarhasi

'O exceedingly fierce one of great form, resembling the fire of the end of the world-age! Salutation to you, O Bhairava; you are worthy to grant permission.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.70.13)

ततः प्रविश्य तीर्थं तु वैदिकैः पंच वारुणैः । अघमर्षणसूक्तेन त्रिरावृत्तेन वा द्विजाः । स्नात्वा यथावत्स्नायीत मन्त्रेणानेन चांततः

tataḥ praviśya tīrthaṁ tu vaidikaiḥ paṁca vāruṇaiḥ aghamarṣaṇasūktena trirāvṛttena vā dvijāḥ snātvā yathāvatsnāyīta mantreṇānena cāṁtataḥ

Then, having entered the sacred waters, with the five Vedic Varuna hymns, or with the Aghamarshana hymn repeated three times, O twice-born ones, one should bathe properly, and finally with this mantra:

Verse 14 (skanda.2.70.14)

नमः शिवाय शांताय सर्वपापहराय च । स्नानं करोमि देवेश मम नश्यतु पातकम्

namaḥ śivāya śāṁtāya sarvapāpaharāya ca snānaṁ karomi deveśa mama naśyatu pātakam

'Salutation to Shiva, the peaceful one, remover of all sin; I perform this bathing, O Lord of gods — may my sin be destroyed.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.70.15)

संसारसागरे मग्नं पापग्रस्तमचेतनम् । त्राहि मां भगनेत्रघ्न त्रिपुरारे नमोऽस्तु ते

saṁsārasāgare magnaṁ pāpagrastamacetanam trāhi māṁ bhaganetraghna tripurāre namo'stu te

Save me, sunk in the ocean of worldly existence, seized by sin, unconscious — O destroyer of Bhaga's eye, O foe of Tripura, salutation to you!'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.70.16)

एवं स्नात्वा बहिर्गत्वा धौतवासा सपुण्ड्रकः । देवानृषीन्पितॄंश्चैव तर्पयित्वा यथाविधि

evaṁ snātvā bahirgatvā dhautavāsā sapuṇḍrakaḥ devānṛṣīnpitṝṁścaiva tarpayitvā yathāvidhi

Having bathed thus, and come out, wearing washed garments and the sacred marks, having duly offered libations to the gods, sages, and ancestors,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.70.17)

प्रविश्य शंकरागारं स्पृष्ट्वा वृषणयोर्वृषम् । मन्त्रेणानेन भो विप्राः सर्वक्रतुफलं लभेत्

praviśya śaṁkarāgāraṁ spṛṣṭvā vṛṣaṇayorvṛṣam mantreṇānena bho viprāḥ sarvakratuphalaṁ labhet

entering Shankara's temple and touching the bull near its haunches, with this mantra, O brahmins, one obtains the fruit of every sacrifice:

Verse 18 (skanda.2.70.18)

धर्मश्चतुष्पाद्यज्ञस्त्वं स्वर्णशृंगस्त्रयीवपुः । गोपते वाहरूपस्त्वं शूलिनं त्वां नमाम्यहम्

dharmaścatuṣpādyajñastvaṁ svarṇaśṛṁgastrayīvapuḥ gopate vāharūpastvaṁ śūlinaṁ tvāṁ namāmyaham

'You are Dharma with four feet, the sacrifice itself, golden-horned, your body the triple Veda; O Lord of cattle, mount-formed one, I bow to you, the trident-bearer.'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.70.19)

अघोरमन्त्रेण ततः पूजयेद्वृषवाहनम् । पञ्चब्रह्मभिर्ऋग्भिस्तु संस्पृशेल्लिंगमुत्तमम्

aghoramantreṇa tataḥ pūjayedvṛṣavāhanam pañcabrahmabhirṛgbhistu saṁspṛśelliṁgamuttamam

Then, with the Aghora mantra, one should worship the bull-mounted one; with the five Brahma-hymns of the Rig, one should touch the supreme linga.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.70.20)

अंगुष्ठेन स्पृशेल्लिगं मुष्टिना शक्तिमेव च । पूजयित्वा तु विधिवत्स्तुत्वा देवं पुरद्विषम्

aṁguṣṭhena spṛśelligaṁ muṣṭinā śaktimeva ca pūjayitvā tu vidhivatstutvā devaṁ puradviṣam

One should touch the linga with the thumb, and the Shakti with the closed fist; having worshipped duly and praised the god, the foe of Tripura,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.70.21)

दशानामश्वमेधानां फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् । मार्कंडेयवटे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा देवं तु शंकरम्

daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ phalaṁ prāpnotyanuttamam mārkaṁḍeyavaṭe snātvā dṛṣṭvā devaṁ tu śaṁkaram

one obtains the unsurpassed fruit of ten horse-sacrifices. Having bathed at the Markandeya banyan and beheld the god Shankara,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.70.22)

फलं प्राप्नोत्यविकलं राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः । अन्ते शिवस्य सालोक्यं प्राप्य ज्ञानं ततो नरः

phalaṁ prāpnotyavikalaṁ rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ ante śivasya sālokyaṁ prāpya jñānaṁ tato naraḥ

one obtains the complete fruit of the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice; at the end, having attained union with Shiva's world, and thence knowledge, a man

Verse 23 (skanda.2.70.23)

क्रमाच्च लभते मुक्तिं जगन्नाथप्रसादतः । ततो मौनी व्रजेद्देवं नारायणमनामयम्

kramācca labhate muktiṁ jagannāthaprasādataḥ tato maunī vrajeddevaṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam

attains liberation in due course, through the grace of Jagannatha. Then, remaining silent, one should proceed to the unailing god Narayana,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.70.24)

तद्दक्षिणस्थितं विष्णुरूपं न्यग्रोधमुत्तमम् । दर्शनादपि पापानां पापसंहतिनाशनम्

taddakṣiṇasthitaṁ viṣṇurūpaṁ nyagrodhamuttamam darśanādapi pāpānāṁ pāpasaṁhatināśanam

in the form of the supreme banyan tree standing to its south, the very form of Vishnu, the mere sight of which destroys the accumulated mass of sins.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.70.25)

तं दृष्ट्वा प्रणमेद्दूराद्भावयन्पुरुषोत्तमम् । प्रदक्षिणं ततः कुर्यादिमं मन्त्रमुदीरयन्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā praṇameddūrādbhāvayanpuruṣottamam pradakṣiṇaṁ tataḥ kuryādimaṁ mantramudīrayan

Having seen it, one should bow from afar, contemplating Purushottama; then one should circumambulate it, reciting this mantra:

Verse 26 (skanda.2.70.26)

अमरस्त्वं सदा कल्प विष्णोरायतनं महत् । न्यग्रोध हर मे पापं विष्णुरूप नमोऽस्तु ते

amarastvaṁ sadā kalpa viṣṇorāyatanaṁ mahat nyagrodha hara me pāpaṁ viṣṇurūpa namo'stu te

'You are ever undying, O tree of the world-age, the great abode of Vishnu; O banyan, remove my sin — O form of Vishnu, salutation to you.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.70.27)

नमोऽस्त्वव्यक्तरूपाय महाप्रलयस्थायिने । एकाश्रयाय जगतां कल्पवृक्षाय ते नमः

namo'stvavyaktarūpāya mahāpralayasthāyine ekāśrayāya jagatāṁ kalpavṛkṣāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you, of unmanifest form, who endures through the great dissolution; salutation to you, sole refuge of the worlds, wish-fulfilling tree.'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.70.28)

स्तुवञ्जपेत्तु तद्भक्त्या मूले तस्य जनार्दनम् । कोटिजन्मशतोद्भूतपापादेव विमुच्यते

stuvañjapettu tadbhaktyā mūle tasya janārdanam koṭijanmaśatodbhūtapāpādeva vimucyate

Praising thus, one should recite the mantra with devotion at its root, worshipping Janardana; one is freed from sins accumulated over a hundred crore births.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.70.29)

तच्छायाक्रमणेनापि निष्पापो जायते नरः । ततः सुपर्णं प्रणमेद्यानरूपं हरेः पुरः

tacchāyākramaṇenāpi niṣpāpo jāyate naraḥ tataḥ suparṇaṁ praṇamedyānarūpaṁ hareḥ puraḥ

Even by merely stepping into its shade a man becomes sinless. Then one should bow to Garuda, Hari's vehicle-form, before him,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.70.30)

स्थितो भक्तिनतो विष्णोः कृतांजलिपुटो मुदा । छन्दोमय जगद्धामन्यानरूप त्रिवृद्वपुः

sthito bhaktinato viṣṇoḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭo mudā chandomaya jagaddhāmanyānarūpa trivṛdvapuḥ

standing bowed in devotion to Vishnu, with joyfully folded hands: 'O one made of the Vedic meters, abode of the world, the vehicle-form, of threefold body,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.70.31)

यज्ञरूप जगद्व्यापिन्प्रीयमाणाय ते नमः । स्तुत्वेत्थं गरुडं पापान्मुच्यतेऽनेकजन्मजात्

yajñarūpa jagadvyāpinprīyamāṇāya te namaḥ stutvetthaṁ garuḍaṁ pāpānmucyate'nekajanmajāt

O form of sacrifice, all-pervading of the world, ever gracious — salutation to you.' Having thus praised Garuda, one is freed from sins born of many lifetimes.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.70.32)

वाङ्मनःकर्मनियतो गच्छेदेवं विचिंतयन् । प्रविश्य देवतागारं कृत्वा तं त्रिः प्रदक्षिणम्

vāṁmanaḥkarmaniyato gacchedevaṁ viciṁtayan praviśya devatāgāraṁ kṛtvā taṁ triḥ pradakṣiṇam

Restrained in speech, mind, and action, contemplating thus, one should go on; entering the temple, and circumambulating it three times,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.70.33)

पूजयेन्मन्त्रराजेन सूक्तेन पुरुषस्य वा । द्वादशाक्षरमंत्रेण यत्र वा जायते रुचिः

pūjayenmantrarājena sūktena puruṣasya vā dvādaśākṣaramaṁtreṇa yatra vā jāyate ruciḥ

one should worship with the king of mantras, or with the Purusha-sukta, or with the twelve-syllabled mantra, whichever one has a taste for.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.70.34)

पूजाधिकारिणः सर्वे ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशस्ततः । अन्येषां दर्शन भक्त्या तयोर्नामानुकीर्तनात्

pūjādhikāriṇaḥ sarve brahmakṣatraviśastataḥ anyeṣāṁ darśana bhaktyā tayornāmānukīrtanāt

All of the brahmin, kshatriya, and vaishya classes are qualified for this worship; for others, it should be done through devoted beholding and through reciting the two names of the Lord,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.70.35)

पंचोपचारविधिना पूजयेत्परमेश्वरम् । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा इदं स्तोत्रमुदीरयेत्

paṁcopacāravidhinā pūjayetparameśvaram kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā idaṁ stotramudīrayet

and by the fivefold offering-rite one should worship the Supreme Lord; with folded hands, one should recite this hymn:

Verse 36 (skanda.2.70.36)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ संसारार्णवतारक । भक्तानुग्राहक सदा रक्ष मां पादयोर्नतम्

devadeva jagannātha saṁsārārṇavatāraka bhaktānugrāhaka sadā rakṣa māṁ pādayornatam

'O God of gods, Jagannatha, deliverer across the ocean of worldly existence, ever gracious to your devotees — protect me, bowed at your feet.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.70.37)

जय कृष्ण जगन्नाथ जय सर्वाघनाशन । जयाशेषजगद्वंद्य पादांभोज नमोऽस्तु ते

jaya kṛṣṇa jagannātha jaya sarvāghanāśana jayāśeṣajagadvaṁdya pādāṁbhoja namo'stu te

Victory, O Krishna Jagannatha! Victory, destroyer of every sin! Victory, O one venerated by the entire universe — salutation to your lotus feet!

Verse 38 (skanda.2.70.38)

जय ब्रह्मांडकोटीश वेदनिःश्वासवातक । अशेषजगदाधार परमात्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते

jaya brahmāṁḍakoṭīśa vedaniḥśvāsavātaka aśeṣajagadādhāra paramātmannamo'stu te

Victory, O Lord of crores of universes, whose breath is the Vedas themselves! O support of the entire universe, O Supreme Soul, salutation to you!

Verse 39 (skanda.2.70.39)

जय ब्रह्मेंद्ररुद्रादि देवौघप्रणतार्तिनुत् । जयाखिलजगद्धामन्नंतर्यामिन्नमोऽस्तु ते

jaya brahmeṁdrarudrādi devaughapraṇatārtinut jayākhilajagaddhāmannaṁtaryāminnamo'stu te

Victory, remover of the suffering of the multitude of gods beginning with Brahma, Indra, and Rudra, who bow before you! Victory, O abode of the whole universe, Inner Controller — salutation to you!

Verse 40 (skanda.2.70.40)

जय निर्व्याजकरुणापाथोधे दीनवत्सल । दीनानाथैकशरण विश्वसाक्षिन्नमोऽस्तु ते

jaya nirvyājakaruṇāpāthodhe dīnavatsala dīnānāthaikaśaraṇa viśvasākṣinnamo'stu te

Victory, O ocean of unfeigned compassion, fond of the humble! Sole refuge of the helpless and the poor, witness of the universe — salutation to you!

Verse 41 (skanda.2.70.41)

संसारसिंधुसलिले मोहावर्त्ते सुदुस्तरे । षडूर्मिकुलदुष्पारे कुकर्मग्राहदारुणे

saṁsārasiṁdhusalile mohāvartte sudustare ṣaḍūrmikuladuṣpāre kukarmagrāhadāruṇe

In the waters of the ocean of worldly existence, in its whirlpool of delusion so hard to cross, impossible to traverse because of its six waves, terrible with the crocodiles of evil deeds,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.70.42)

निराश्रये निरालंबे निःसारे दुःखफेनिले । तव मायागुणैर्बद्धमवशं पतितं ततः

nirāśraye nirālaṁbe niḥsāre duḥkhaphenile tava māyāguṇairbaddhamavaśaṁ patitaṁ tataḥ

without refuge, without support, without substance, foaming with sorrow — bound by the strands of your Maya, fallen there helplessly,

Verse 43 (skanda.2.70.43)

मां समुद्धर देवेश कृपापांगविलोकनैः । तत्र मग्नं सुरश्रेष्ठ सुप्रसादप्रकाशक

māṁ samuddhara deveśa kṛpāpāṁgavilokanaiḥ tatra magnaṁ suraśreṣṭha suprasādaprakāśaka

lift me up, O Lord of gods, with the glances of your compassionate side-eye; sunk there, O best of gods, O revealer of supreme grace,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.70.44)

एक एव जगन्नाथ बन्धुस्त्वं भवभीरुणाम् । बुभुक्षा च पिपासा च प्राणस्य मनसः स्मृतौ

eka eva jagannātha bandhustvaṁ bhavabhīruṇām bubhukṣā ca pipāsā ca prāṇasya manasaḥ smṛtau

you alone, O Jagannatha, are the kinsman of those who fear worldly existence. Hunger and thirst belong to the life-breath, and to the memory of the mind;

Verse 45 (skanda.2.70.45)

शोकमोहौ शरीरस्य जरा मृत्युर्वपुर्भवः । त्वत्सृष्टौ तादृशो नास्ति यो दीनपरिपालकः

śokamohau śarīrasya jarā mṛtyurvapurbhavaḥ tvatsṛṣṭau tādṛśo nāsti yo dīnaparipālakaḥ

grief and delusion belong to the body, and old age, death, and birth to the physical form. In your creation there is no other protector of the humble.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.70.46)

अवतीर्णोसि लोकानामनुग्रहधिया विभो । पूर्णकामस्य ते नाथ किमन्यत्कारणं क्षितौ

avatīrṇosi lokānāmanugrahadhiyā vibho pūrṇakāmasya te nātha kimanyatkāraṇaṁ kṣitau

You have descended, O all-pervading one, with the thought of grace for the worlds; O Lord, whose every desire is fulfilled, what other reason could there be for you on this earth?

Verse 47 (skanda.2.70.47)

त्वत्पादपद्ममासाद्य न चिंतास्ति जगत्पते । यतस्ते चरणांभोजं चतुर्वर्गेकसाधनम्

tvatpādapadmamāsādya na ciṁtāsti jagatpate yataste caraṇāṁbhojaṁ caturvargekasādhanam

Having reached your lotus feet, there is no more anxiety, O Lord of the world, since your lotus feet are the sole means to all four aims of life,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.70.48)

दर्शनात्सर्वलोकानां सर्ववांछा फलप्रदम् । ततः सीरध्वजं शेषमन्त्रेण परिपूजयेत्

darśanātsarvalokānāṁ sarvavāṁchā phalapradam tataḥ sīradhvajaṁ śeṣamantreṇa paripūjayet

granting, by their mere sight, the fruit of every desire, to all the worlds.' Then one should worship the Plough-bannered one with the Shesha mantra,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.70.49)

द्वादशाक्षरमन्त्रेण नाम्ना वा प्रणवादिना । एकाग्रमानसो भूत्वा प्रणिपत्य प्रसादयेत्

dvādaśākṣaramantreṇa nāmnā vā praṇavādinā ekāgramānaso bhūtvā praṇipatya prasādayet

or with the twelve-syllabled mantra, or by his name preceded by Om; with a one-pointed mind, one should bow down and propitiate him:

Verse 50 (skanda.2.70.50)

जय राम सदाराम सच्चिदानदविग्रह । अविद्यापंकरहित निर्मलाकृतये नमः

jaya rāma sadārāma saccidānadavigraha avidyāpaṁkarahita nirmalākṛtaye namaḥ

'Victory, O Rama, ever delightful, whose form is being-consciousness-bliss! Free from the mire of ignorance — salutation to your stainless form.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.70.51)

जयाखिलजगद्भारधारणश्रमवर्जित । तापत्रयविकर्षाय हलं कलयसे सदा

jayākhilajagadbhāradhāraṇaśramavarjita tāpatrayavikarṣāya halaṁ kalayase sadā

Victory, O one untroubled by bearing the weight of the entire universe! You ever wield the plough to draw away the threefold affliction.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.70.52)

प्रपन्नदीनत्राणाय स्फुटनेत्रसरोरुह । त्वमेवेश पराशेषकलुषक्षालनप्रभुः

prapannadīnatrāṇāya sphuṭanetrasaroruha tvameveśa parāśeṣakaluṣakṣālanaprabhuḥ

O you whose wide lotus-eyes are for the protection of the surrendered and humble — you alone, O Lord, are the master who washes away every last stain.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.70.53)

प्रसन्नकरुणासिंधो दीनबन्धो नमोऽस्तु ते । चराचराफणाग्रेण धृता येन वसुन्धरा

prasannakaruṇāsiṁdho dīnabandho namo'stu te carācarāphaṇāgreṇa dhṛtā yena vasundharā

O gracious ocean of compassion, kinsman of the humble, salutation to you! By whose serpent-hood tip this whole moving and unmoving earth is upheld —

Verse 54 (skanda.2.70.54)

मामुद्धरास्माद्दुष्पाराद्भवांभोधेरपारतः । परापराणां परमपरमेश नमोऽस्तु ते

māmuddharāsmādduṣpārādbhavāṁbhodherapārataḥ parāparāṇāṁ paramaparameśa namo'stu te

lift me up from this impassable, boundless ocean of worldly existence! O Supreme among the supreme and the lesser, salutation to you!'

Verse 55 (skanda.2.70.55)

स्तुत्वैवं नागराजानं बलं मुसलधारिणम् । पूजयेज्जगतामादिकारणां भद्रलोचनाम्

stutvaivaṁ nāgarājānaṁ balaṁ musaladhāriṇam pūjayejjagatāmādikāraṇāṁ bhadralocanām

Having thus praised Bala, king of serpents, bearer of the pestle-club, one should next worship her, the primal cause of the worlds, of auspicious eyes,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.70.56)

स्तुत्वा जयां तां भो विप्राः प्रणिपत्य प्रसादयेत् । जय देवि महादेवि प्रसीद भवतारिणि

stutvā jayāṁ tāṁ bho viprāḥ praṇipatya prasādayet jaya devi mahādevi prasīda bhavatāriṇi

praising her, victorious, O brahmins, bowing and propitiating her: 'Victory, O Goddess, great Goddess! Be gracious, O deliverer from worldly existence!

Verse 57 (skanda.2.70.57)

सुखारणि श्रितवतां जय संतुष्टिकारिणि । कार्यं कार्यस्वरूपाणां कारणानां च कारणम्

sukhāraṇi śritavatāṁ jaya saṁtuṣṭikāriṇi kāryaṁ kāryasvarūpāṇāṁ kāraṇānāṁ ca kāraṇam

Victory, O source of happiness for those who take refuge in you, bestower of contentment! You are the effect of all effect-natured things, and the cause of all causes;

Verse 58 (skanda.2.70.58)

धारणां धार्यमाणानां त्वामादिं प्रणमाम्यहम् । वक्षःस्थलस्थितां विष्णोः शंभोरर्द्धांगधारिणीम्

dhāraṇāṁ dhāryamāṇānāṁ tvāmādiṁ praṇamāmyaham vakṣaḥsthalasthitāṁ viṣṇoḥ śaṁbhorarddhāṁgadhāriṇīm

you are the very sustaining of all that is sustained — I bow to you, the origin.' She is worshipped as residing upon Vishnu's chest, as the one who holds half of Shambhu's body,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.70.59)

पद्मयोनि मुखाब्जस्थां प्रणमामि जगत्प्रियाम् । सृष्टिस्थितिविनाशादिकर्मणां परमात्मनः

padmayoni mukhābjasthāṁ praṇamāmi jagatpriyām sṛṣṭisthitivināśādikarmaṇāṁ paramātmanaḥ

as dwelling in the lotus-mouth of the Lotus-born — she is bowed to as beloved of the universe, the power of the Supreme Soul in the acts of creation, preservation, and dissolution,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.70.60)

त्वमेका शक्तिरतुला त्वां विना सोऽपि नेश्वरः । त्वां सर्वलोकजननीं विष्णुमायां तपस्विनीम्

tvamekā śaktiratulā tvāṁ vinā so'pi neśvaraḥ tvāṁ sarvalokajananīṁ viṣṇumāyāṁ tapasvinīm

'You alone are the peerless Shakti; without you, even he, the Supreme, is not the Lord. I bow to you, mother of all worlds, the Vishnu-Maya, the austere one,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.70.61)

सुभद्रां भद्ररूपां तां मूलभूतां नमाम्यहम् । ततः सागरस्नानाय प्रार्थयेत्पुरुषोत्तमम्

subhadrāṁ bhadrarūpāṁ tāṁ mūlabhūtāṁ namāmyaham tataḥ sāgarasnānāya prārthayetpuruṣottamam

Subhadra, of auspicious form, the root-cause of all.' Then, for the sea-bathing, one should pray to Purushottama:

Verse 62 (skanda.2.70.62)

नमस्ते भगवन्विष्णो जगद्व्यापिंश्चराचर । निर्विघ्नं सिद्धिमायातु सिंधुस्नानं मम प्रभो

namaste bhagavanviṣṇo jagadvyāpiṁścarācara nirvighnaṁ siddhimāyātu siṁdhusnānaṁ mama prabho

'Salutation to you, Lord Vishnu, all-pervading through the moving and unmoving universe! May my sea-bathing, O Lord, be accomplished without obstacle.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.70.63)

नमस्ते जगतामीश शंखचक्रगदाधर । देहि देव ममानुज्ञां तव तीर्थनिषेवणात्

namaste jagatāmīśa śaṁkhacakragadādhara dehi deva mamānujñāṁ tava tīrthaniṣevaṇāt

Salutation to you, Lord of the worlds, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace! Grant me, O god, your permission, through service at your sacred ford.'

Verse 64 (skanda.2.70.64)

ततो मौनं व्रजेद्विष्णुं चिंतयन्सरितां पतिम् । उग्रसेनं स्थितं मार्गे अनुज्ञाप्य समाहितः

tato maunaṁ vrajedviṣṇuṁ ciṁtayansaritāṁ patim ugrasenaṁ sthitaṁ mārge anujñāpya samāhitaḥ

Then, keeping silence, contemplating Vishnu, the Lord of rivers, one should, with a composed mind, seek the permission of Ugrasena, who stands upon the way:

Verse 65 (skanda.2.70.65)

उग्रसेन महाबाहो वलवन्नुग्रविक्रम । लब्ध्वा वरं सुप्रसन्नात्समुद्रतटमास्थितः

ugrasena mahābāho valavannugravikrama labdhvā varaṁ suprasannātsamudrataṭamāsthitaḥ

'O Ugrasena, mighty-armed, powerful, of fierce valor! Having obtained a boon from you, most gracious one, I stand upon the sea-shore;

Verse 66 (skanda.2.70.66)

तीर्थराजकृतस्नानसुसंपूर्णफलप्रद । सिंधुस्नानं करिष्यामि अनुज्ञां दातुमर्हसि

tīrtharājakṛtasnānasusaṁpūrṇaphalaprada siṁdhusnānaṁ kariṣyāmi anujñāṁ dātumarhasi

O bestower of the complete fruit of bathing performed at the King of sacred fords, I shall bathe in the sea — you are worthy to grant me leave.'

Verse 67 (skanda.2.70.67)

ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठाः स्वर्गद्वारं ततः परम् । येन देवाः समायांति क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्पुरुषोत्तमे

tato gaccheddvijaśreṣṭhāḥ svargadvāraṁ tataḥ param yena devāḥ samāyāṁti kṣetre'sminpuruṣottame

Then, O best of brahmins, one should go beyond to the Gate of Heaven, by which the gods come to this field of Purushottama,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.70.68)

भूस्वर्गे जगदीशस्य दर्शनाय दिनेदिने । स्वर्गावतारमार्गेण तत्रस्थौ वां नमाम्यहम्

bhūsvarge jagadīśasya darśanāya dinedine svargāvatāramārgeṇa tatrasthau vāṁ namāmyaham

to the earthly heaven, for the sight of the Lord of the worlds, day after day, by the path of descent from heaven. 'I bow to you two, standing there —

Verse 69 (skanda.2.70.69)

मामप्यूर्ध्वं नयेतां वै साक्षिणौ कर्मणां सताम् । सागरांभः समुत्पन्नौ श्रेष्ठौ सर्वगुणान्वितौ

māmapyūrdhvaṁ nayetāṁ vai sākṣiṇau karmaṇāṁ satām sāgarāṁbhaḥ samutpannau śreṣṭhau sarvaguṇānvitau

may you two, witnesses of the deeds of the virtuous, lead me upward as well — you two, born of the ocean's waters, excellent, endowed with every virtue.'

Verse 70 (skanda.2.70.70)

मध्येन युवयोर्यामि स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम् । प्रार्थयित्वा ततो गच्छेत्तीर्थराजस्य संनिधिम्

madhyena yuvayoryāmi svargadvāramapāvṛtam prārthayitvā tato gacchettīrtharājasya saṁnidhim

'I pass between you two, through the open Gate of Heaven.' Having thus prayed, one should then go to the presence of the King of sacred fords,

Verse 71 (skanda.2.70.71)

यं दृष्ट्वा दूरतः पापान्मुच्यते महतो धुवम् । प्रक्षालितकरांघ्रिक आचांतः शुचिविष्टरे

yaṁ dṛṣṭvā dūrataḥ pāpānmucyate mahato dhuvam prakṣālitakarāṁghrika ācāṁtaḥ śuciviṣṭare

seeing which even from afar, one is surely freed from great sins. Having washed hands and feet, sipped water in purification, and seated oneself on a pure seat,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.70.72)

आसीनः प्राङ्मुखोभूत्वा लिखेन्मंडलमग्रतः । चतुरस्रं चतुर्द्वारं चतुःस्वस्तिककोणकम्

āsīnaḥ prāṁmukhobhūtvā likhenmaṁḍalamagrataḥ caturasraṁ caturdvāraṁ catuḥsvastikakoṇakam

seated facing east, one should draw a diagram in front — square, with four gates, with swastika-marks at the four corners,

Verse 73 (skanda.2.70.73)

तन्मध्ये विलिखेत्पद्ममष्टपत्रं सुशोभनम् । ततोऽष्टाक्षरमंत्रं तु करयोश्च तनौ न्यसेत्

tanmadhye vilikhetpadmamaṣṭapatraṁ suśobhanam tato'ṣṭākṣaramaṁtraṁ tu karayośca tanau nyaset

and in its midst draw a beautiful eight-petaled lotus; then one should place the eight-syllabled mantra upon the hands and the body,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.70.74)

षड्भिर्वर्णैः षडंगानां न्यासः प्रोक्तो मनीषिभिः । शेषौ कुक्षौ च पृष्ठे च न्यस्तव्यौ च ततः पुनः

ṣaḍbhirvarṇaiḥ ṣaḍaṁgānāṁ nyāsaḥ prokto manīṣibhiḥ śeṣau kukṣau ca pṛṣṭhe ca nyastavyau ca tataḥ punaḥ

the wise having prescribed the placement of the six syllables upon the six limbs; the remaining syllables should then be placed upon the belly and the back,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.70.75)

पादयोर्जंघयोरूर्वोः स्फिचोश्च पार्श्वयोः पुनः । नाभौ पृष्ठे बाहुयुग्मे हृदि कण्ठे च कक्षयोः

pādayorjaṁghayorūrvoḥ sphicośca pārśvayoḥ punaḥ nābhau pṛṣṭhe bāhuyugme hṛdi kaṇṭhe ca kakṣayoḥ

and then again upon the feet, the shins, the thighs, the buttocks, and the sides; upon the navel, the back, the pair of arms, the heart, the throat, and the armpits,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.70.76)

ओष्ठयोः कर्णयोरक्ष्णोर्गंडयोर्नासयोस्तथा । भ्रुवोर्ललाटे शिरसि मंत्रवर्णान्यथाक्रमम्

oṣṭhayoḥ karṇayorakṣṇorgaṁḍayornāsayostathā bhruvorlalāṭe śirasi maṁtravarṇānyathākramam

upon the lips, the ears, the eyes, the cheeks, and likewise the nose, the eyebrows, the forehead, and the head — the mantra syllables in due order,

Verse 77 (skanda.2.70.77)

विन्यस्य व्यापकं सर्वैर्न्यासं कुर्यात्समाहितः । प्राणायामत्रयं कुर्यान्मूलेन पंचविंशतिम्

vinyasya vyāpakaṁ sarvairnyāsaṁ kuryātsamāhitaḥ prāṇāyāmatrayaṁ kuryānmūlena paṁcaviṁśatim

having placed them, one should perform the pervading nyasa over the whole body, with a composed mind; one should perform threefold pranayama, twenty-five times with the root mantra,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.70.78)

बध्नीयात्कवचं दिव्यं सर्वपापापनोदनम् । पूर्वे मां पातु गोविंदो वारिजाक्षस्तु दक्षिणे

badhnīyātkavacaṁ divyaṁ sarvapāpāpanodanam pūrve māṁ pātu goviṁdo vārijākṣastu dakṣiṇe

and don the divine armor that removes every sin: 'May Govinda protect me in the east, and the lotus-eyed one in the south;

Verse 79 (skanda.2.70.79)

प्रद्युम्नः पश्चिमे पातु हृषीकेशस्तथोत्तरे । आग्नेय्यां नरसिंहस्तु नैर्ऋत्यां मधुसूदनः

pradyumnaḥ paścime pātu hṛṣīkeśastathottare āgneyyāṁ narasiṁhastu nairṛtyāṁ madhusūdanaḥ

may Pradyumna protect me in the west, and Hrishikesha in the north; may Narasimha protect me in the southeast, and Madhusudana in the southwest;

Verse 80 (skanda.2.70.80)

वायव्यां श्रीधरः पातु ऐशान्यां च गदाधरः । ऊर्ध्वं त्रिविक्रमः पातु अधो वाराहरूपधृक्

vāyavyāṁ śrīdharaḥ pātu aiśānyāṁ ca gadādharaḥ ūrdhvaṁ trivikramaḥ pātu adho vārāharūpadhṛk

may Shridhara protect me in the northwest, and Gadadhara in the northeast; may Trivikrama protect me above, and the Boar-formed one below;

Verse 81 (skanda.2.70.81)

सर्वत्र पातु मां देवः शंखचक्रगदाधरः । नारायणो मनः पातु चैतन्यं गरुडध्वजः

sarvatra pātu māṁ devaḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ nārāyaṇo manaḥ pātu caitanyaṁ garuḍadhvajaḥ

may the god who bears the conch, discus, and mace protect me everywhere; may Narayana protect my mind, and the Garuda-bannered one my consciousness;

Verse 82 (skanda.2.70.82)

पातु मे बुद्ध्यहंकारौ त्रिगुणात्मा जनार्दनः । इंद्रियाणि सदा पातु दैत्यवर्गनिकृन्तनः

pātu me buddhyahaṁkārau triguṇātmā janārdanaḥ iṁdriyāṇi sadā pātu daityavarganikṛntanaḥ

may Janardana, whose self is the three gunas, protect my intellect and ego; may the destroyer of the multitude of demons ever protect my senses.'

Verse 83 (skanda.2.70.83)

एवं बद्ध्वा च कवचं निष्पापो जायते पुमान् । षोडशैरुपचारैश्च मनसा कल्पितैर्नरः

evaṁ baddhvā ca kavacaṁ niṣpāpo jāyate pumān ṣoḍaśairupacāraiśca manasā kalpitairnaraḥ

Having thus donned this armor, a man becomes sinless. With sixteen offerings, mentally conceived, a man,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.70.84)

पुरुषोत्तमं पूजयित्वा यथावद्विधितो द्विजाः । आवाह्य मण्डले तस्मिन्देवदेवमनामयम्

puruṣottamaṁ pūjayitvā yathāvadvidhito dvijāḥ āvāhya maṇḍale tasmindevadevamanāmayam

O brahmins, worships Purushottama duly according to rule; having invoked, in that diagram, the unailing God of gods,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.70.85)

पूजयित्वा विधानेन यथाशक्त्युपबृंहितैः । आत्मानं तीर्थराजस्य देवदेवस्य चिंतयन्

pūjayitvā vidhānena yathāśaktyupabṛṁhitaiḥ ātmānaṁ tīrtharājasya devadevasya ciṁtayan

and worshipped him according to rule with offerings expanded to the extent of his ability, contemplating his own self as merged with that of the King of sacred fords, the God of gods,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.70.86)

एवं बद्धांजलिपुटमिमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् । सुदर्शन नमस्तेऽस्तु कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ

evaṁ baddhāṁjalipuṭamimaṁ mantramudīrayet sudarśana namaste'stu koṭisūryasamaprabha

with hands thus folded, one should recite this mantra: 'O Sudarshana, salutation to you, radiant as a crore of suns,

Verse 87 (skanda.2.70.87)

अज्ञानतिमिरांधस्य विष्णोर्मार्गं प्रदर्शय । एवं संप्रार्थ्य भो विप्रास्तीर्थराजजलांतिके

ajñānatimirāṁdhasya viṣṇormārgaṁ pradarśaya evaṁ saṁprārthya bho viprāstīrtharājajalāṁtike

show the path of Vishnu to one blinded by the darkness of ignorance.' Having thus prayed, O brahmins, near the water of the King of sacred fords,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.70.88)

जानुभ्यामवनिं गत्वा प्रणमेद्भक्तिभावितः । तीर्थराज नमस्तुभ्यं जलरूपाय विष्णवे

jānubhyāmavaniṁ gatvā praṇamedbhaktibhāvitaḥ tīrtharāja namastubhyaṁ jalarūpāya viṣṇave

one should go down upon both knees to the ground and bow with a heart full of devotion: 'O King of sacred fords, salutation to you, O Vishnu in the form of water,

Verse 89 (skanda.2.70.89)

जीवनाय च जंतूनां परं निर्वाणहेतवे

jīvanāya ca jaṁtūnāṁ paraṁ nirvāṇahetave

who is the very life of all creatures, and the supreme cause of liberation.

Verse 90 (skanda.2.70.90)

अग्निश्च ते योनिरिला च देहे रेतोधा विष्णोरमृतस्य नाभिः । उपैमि ते रूपमनन्यहेतुमानंदसंपन्नमप्रनुप्रविश्य

agniśca te yonirilā ca dehe retodhā viṣṇoramṛtasya nābhiḥ upaimi te rūpamananyahetumānaṁdasaṁpannamapranupraviśya

Fire is your womb, and the earth is in your body; you are the seed-bearer, the navel of Vishnu's nectar. I approach your form, the cause with no other cause, full of bliss, entering therein without hindrance.'

Verse 91 (skanda.2.70.91)

इति मन्त्रं पठन्विप्राः प्रविशेज्जलमध्यतः । आवाहयेत्तीर्थराजं भावयञ्जगतांपतिम्

iti mantraṁ paṭhanviprāḥ praviśejjalamadhyataḥ āvāhayettīrtharājaṁ bhāvayañjagatāṁpatim

Reciting this mantra, O brahmins, one should enter into the midst of the water; one should invoke the King of sacred fords, contemplating him as the Lord of the worlds,

Verse 92 (skanda.2.70.92)

जलाधीशं कृतस्नानफलदानेऽतः स्थितम् । अघमर्षणसूक्तेन नारायणयुतेन च

jalādhīśaṁ kṛtasnānaphaladāne'taḥ sthitam aghamarṣaṇasūktena nārāyaṇayutena ca

the Lord of the waters, established there for the granting of the fruit of the bathing performed, with the Aghamarshana hymn joined with the Narayana hymn,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.70.93)

त्रिरावृत्तेन कुर्वीत पञ्चवारुणकेन च । सकृदावाहनादीनि षडंगान्यभिषेचने

trirāvṛttena kurvīta pañcavāruṇakena ca sakṛdāvāhanādīni ṣaḍaṁgānyabhiṣecane

repeated three times, and with the five Varuna hymns; once should be performed the invocation and the other six limbs of the consecration-bath —

Verse 94 (skanda.2.70.94)

आवाहनं पुर प्रोक्तं सन्निधानमथोच्यते । स्नातुरिष्टफलप्राप्तौ सान्निध्यपरिकल्पनम्

āvāhanaṁ pura proktaṁ sannidhānamathocyate snāturiṣṭaphalaprāptau sānnidhyaparikalpanam

invocation, as already described, and then the rite of presence is spoken of, the establishing of the deity's nearness for the bather's attainment of the desired fruit;

Verse 95 (skanda.2.70.95)

अन्तःशुद्ध्यर्थमाचामेत्पीत्वा तदभिमंत्रितम् । बाह्यावयवशुद्ध्यर्थं मार्जयेत्कुशवारिणा

antaḥśuddhyarthamācāmetpītvā tadabhimaṁtritam bāhyāvayavaśuddhyarthaṁ mārjayetkuśavāriṇā

for inner purification, one should sip the consecrated water and swallow it; for the purification of the outer limbs, one should sprinkle oneself with kusha-water,

Verse 96 (skanda.2.70.96)

अंतर्बहिर्विशुद्ध्यर्थं मन्त्रपूतेन वारिणा । त्रीनंजलीन्मूर्ध्नि सिंचेत्सिंधौ नांतर्जले जपः

aṁtarbahirviśuddhyarthaṁ mantrapūtena vāriṇā trīnaṁjalīnmūrdhni siṁcetsiṁdhau nāṁtarjale japaḥ

for purification within and without, with mantra-purified water; one should sprinkle three handfuls upon the head — recitation is not done while submerged in the sea's water,

Verse 97 (skanda.2.70.97)

त्रिः स्नानायात्स्वकृताघानि कोटिजन्मकृतानि च । प्लावितानि जले तस्मिन्भावयन्नघनाशनम्

triḥ snānāyātsvakṛtāghāni koṭijanmakṛtāni ca plāvitāni jale tasminbhāvayannaghanāśanam

for the threefold bathing; contemplating, in that water, the destroyer of sin, one's own sins and those committed over a crore of births are washed away.

Verse 98 (skanda.2.70.98)

उत्थायाचम्य विधिवत्प्रार्थयेन्मन्त्रमुच्चरन् । त्वमग्निर्जगतां नाथ रेतोधाः कामदीपनः

utthāyācamya vidhivatprārthayenmantramuccaran tvamagnirjagatāṁ nātha retodhāḥ kāmadīpanaḥ

Rising, and sipping water according to rule, one should pray, reciting the mantra: 'You are Fire, O Lord of the worlds, the seed-bearer, kindler of desire,

Verse 99 (skanda.2.70.99)

प्रधानं सर्वभूतानां जीवानां प्रभुरव्यय । अमृतस्यारणिस्त्वं हि देवयोनिरपांपते

pradhānaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ jīvānāṁ prabhuravyaya amṛtasyāraṇistvaṁ hi devayonirapāṁpate

the primal source of all beings, the imperishable Lord of the living; you are indeed the kindling-wood of immortality, the divine womb, O Lord of the waters —

Verse 100 (skanda.2.70.100)

वृजिनं हर मे सर्वं तीर्थराज नमोस्तु ते । जन्मकोटिसहस्रेषु यत्पापं पूर्वमर्जितम्

vṛjinaṁ hara me sarvaṁ tīrtharāja namostu te janmakoṭisahasreṣu yatpāpaṁ pūrvamarjitam

remove all my wickedness, O King of sacred fords, salutation to you! Whatever sin has been previously accumulated over thousands of crores of births,

Verse 101 (skanda.2.70.101)

तदशेषं लयं यातु देहि मे ब्रह्म शाश्वतम् । स्नात्वापि च ततस्तीरमुत्तीर्याचम्य वाग्यतः

tadaśeṣaṁ layaṁ yātu dehi me brahma śāśvatam snātvāpi ca tatastīramuttīryācamya vāgyataḥ

may it all be utterly dissolved; grant me the eternal Brahman.' Having bathed, and having then come up onto the shore, sipping water in silence,

Verse 102 (skanda.2.70.102)

धारयेद्वाससी शुक्ले पुंड्रकानुज्ज्वलाकृतीन् । शंखचक्रगदापद्मतिलकानि च भक्तितः

dhārayedvāsasī śukle puṁḍrakānujjvalākṛtīn śaṁkhacakragadāpadmatilakāni ca bhaktitaḥ

one should put on two white garments, and with devotion mark oneself with bright sectarian marks in the shapes of the conch, discus, mace, and lotus,

Verse 103 (skanda.2.70.103)

देवान्पितॄन्यथान्यायं चिंतयन्भगवद्धिया । तर्प्पयेद्विधिवद्विप्राः सम्यगव्यग्रमानसः

devānpitṝnyathānyāyaṁ ciṁtayanbhagavaddhiyā tarppayedvidhivadviprāḥ samyagavyagramānasaḥ

and, O brahmins, with an untroubled mind, thinking rightly of the gods and ancestors with the thought of the Lord, one should offer libations to them according to rule.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.70.104)

ततः पूर्ववदालिख्य मण्डलं चोत्तरामुखः । पूजयेन्मूलमन्त्रेण मन्त्रैरेभिश्च भक्तितः

tataḥ pūrvavadālikhya maṇḍalaṁ cottarāmukhaḥ pūjayenmūlamantreṇa mantrairebhiśca bhaktitaḥ

Then, having drawn a diagram as before, facing north, one should worship with the root mantra and with these mantras, with devotion,

Verse 105 (skanda.2.70.105)

नारायणं चतुर्बाहुं शंखचक्रगदाधरम् । धरारमाभ्यां सहितं केवलं वा द्विजोत्तमाः । ध्यात्वांतर्यागसंतुष्टं बहिरावाहयेत्ततः

nārāyaṇaṁ caturbāhuṁ śaṁkhacakragadādharam dharāramābhyāṁ sahitaṁ kevalaṁ vā dvijottamāḥ dhyātvāṁtaryāgasaṁtuṣṭaṁ bahirāvāhayettataḥ

meditating, O best of brahmins, on the four-armed Narayana, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, together with the Earth and Shri, or alone; and being satisfied with this inner worship, should then invoke him outwardly:

Verse 106 (skanda.2.70.106)

आगच्छ परमानंद जगद्व्यापिञ्जगन्मय । अनुग्रहाय देवेश मण्डले सन्निधिं कुरु

āgaccha paramānaṁda jagadvyāpiñjaganmaya anugrahāya deveśa maṇḍale sannidhiṁ kuru

'Come, O supreme bliss, all-pervading through the universe, whose very self is the universe! For the sake of grace, O Lord of gods, take up your presence in this diagram.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.70.107)

चराचरमिदं सर्वं जगदत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् । तदन्तस्थस्त्वमेवेश आसनं कल्पयामि ते

carācaramidaṁ sarvaṁ jagadatra pratiṣṭhitam tadantasthastvameveśa āsanaṁ kalpayāmi te

This entire moving and unmoving universe is established here; you alone, O Lord, dwell within it. I offer you a seat.'

Verse 108 (skanda.2.70.108)

यस्य पादांबुजे धौते धर्मेण ब्रह्मरूपिणा । पुनाति तद्भवा गंगा जगत्पाद्यं ददाम्यहम्

yasya pādāṁbuje dhaute dharmeṇa brahmarūpiṇā punāti tadbhavā gaṁgā jagatpādyaṁ dadāmyaham

'From the washing of whose lotus feet by Dharma, of the form of Brahman, sprang the Ganga, which purifies the world — I offer you this water for washing the feet.'

Verse 109 (skanda.2.70.109)

अनर्घ्यरत्नघटितचूडामणिकरोत्करैः । ब्रह्मादयः पादपद्मं चिंतयंति दिने दिने । अनर्घ्यायजगद्धाम्ने अर्घ्यमेतद्ददाम्यहम्

anarghyaratnaghaṭitacūḍāmaṇikarotkaraiḥ brahmādayaḥ pādapadmaṁ ciṁtayaṁti dine dine anarghyāyajagaddhāmne arghyametaddadāmyaham

'Upon whose lotus feet Brahma and the other gods, day after day, meditate with the crest-jewels set in priceless gems upon their many hands — to you, O priceless abode of the universe, I offer this arghya.'

Verse 110 (skanda.2.70.110)

आचांतस्तीर्थराजो वै येनागस्त्यस्वरूपिणा । तस्मै सुवासितं वारि ददाम्याचमनीयकम्

ācāṁtastīrtharājo vai yenāgastyasvarūpiṇā tasmai suvāsitaṁ vāri dadāmyācamanīyakam

'To him by whom, in the form of Agastya, the King of sacred fords was once sipped dry — to him I give this scented water for sipping.'

Verse 111 (skanda.2.70.111)

यः प्राप्य मधुसंपर्कं चकर्ष जलरूपिणम् । अशेषाघविकर्षाय मधुपर्कं ददाम्यहम्

yaḥ prāpya madhusaṁparkaṁ cakarṣa jalarūpiṇam aśeṣāghavikarṣāya madhuparkaṁ dadāmyaham

'To him who, having come into contact with honey, drew forth the demon in watery form — for the removal of every sin, I offer this madhuparka.'

Verse 112 (skanda.2.70.112)

यः क्रोडरूपमास्थाय प्रलयार्णवविप्लुताम् । उज्जहार धरामेतां स्नपयामि तमंभसा

yaḥ kroḍarūpamāsthāya pralayārṇavaviplutām ujjahāra dharāmetāṁ snapayāmi tamaṁbhasā

'Him who, having taken the form of the Boar, lifted up this earth, submerged by the ocean of dissolution — him I bathe with water.'

Verse 113 (skanda.2.70.113)

ब्रह्मांडकोटयो यस्य विश्वरूपस्य संवृतिः । आच्छादनाय सर्वेषां प्रददे वाससी शुभे

brahmāṁḍakoṭayo yasya viśvarūpasya saṁvṛtiḥ ācchādanāya sarveṣāṁ pradade vāsasī śubhe

'To him whose universal form contains within its covering crores of universes — for the covering of all, I offer these two auspicious garments.'

Verse 114 (skanda.2.70.114)

विना येनानुष्ठितोऽपि यज्ञः स्यादकृतो ध्रुवः । तस्मै यज्ञेश्वरायेदमुपवीतं प्रकल्पये

vinā yenānuṣṭhito'pi yajñaḥ syādakṛto dhruvaḥ tasmai yajñeśvarāyedamupavītaṁ prakalpaye

'Without whom, even a sacrifice performed would surely be as if unperformed — to him, the Lord of sacrifice, I offer this sacred thread.'

Verse 115 (skanda.2.70.115)

यदंगसंगमासाय शोभंते भूषणानि वै । विश्वालंकृतये तस्मै भूषणानि प्रकल्पये

yadaṁgasaṁgamāsāya śobhaṁte bhūṣaṇāni vai viśvālaṁkṛtaye tasmai bhūṣaṇāni prakalpaye

'By contact with whose limbs ornaments indeed become beautiful — to him, the adornment of the universe, I offer these ornaments.'

Verse 116 (skanda.2.70.116)

यदंगसंस्पर्शिमरुत्संगान्मलयजा द्रुमाः । सुगंधरससंपन्नास्तस्मै गंधानुलेपनम्

yadaṁgasaṁsparśimarutsaṁgānmalayajā drumāḥ sugaṁdharasasaṁpannāstasmai gaṁdhānulepanam

'By the touch of the wind that has contacted his limbs, the sandal trees of the Malaya mountains become endowed with fragrant sap — to him I offer this fragrant unguent.'

Verse 117 (skanda.2.70.117)

यस्य संचितनादेव सौमनस्यं हतांहसाम् । तस्मै सुमनसां मालां सुगंधां परिकल्पये

yasya saṁcitanādeva saumanasyaṁ hatāṁhasām tasmai sumanasāṁ mālāṁ sugaṁdhāṁ parikalpaye

'By the mere thinking of whom, joy of mind comes to those whose sins are destroyed — to him I offer this fragrant garland of flowers.'

Verse 118 (skanda.2.70.118)

यं चित्ते स्थिरमादाय भवाग्निपरिधूपनम् । जहाति तस्मै प्रददे सुगंधं धूपमुत्तमम्

yaṁ citte sthiramādāya bhavāgniparidhūpanam jahāti tasmai pradade sugaṁdhaṁ dhūpamuttamam

'Holding whom firmly in the mind, one abandons the fumigation of the fire of worldly existence — to him I offer this excellent fragrant incense.'

Verse 119 (skanda.2.70.119)

स्वतेजसाखिलमिदं दीपितं यस्य भासतः । तस्मै दीपप्रदीप्ताय दीपमेतं ददाम्यहम्

svatejasākhilamidaṁ dīpitaṁ yasya bhāsataḥ tasmai dīpapradīptāya dīpametaṁ dadāmyaham

'By whose own radiance this entire universe is illumined — to him, blazing with light, I offer this lamp.'

Verse 120 (skanda.2.70.120)

चराचरं जगत्सर्वमत्ति यो यश्च भावयेत् । अनेन च पुनः पुष्टौ तस्मादन्नं निवेदये

carācaraṁ jagatsarvamatti yo yaśca bhāvayet anena ca punaḥ puṣṭau tasmādannaṁ nivedaye

'Who devours this entire moving and unmoving universe, and who also sustains it, and by this same act nourishes it again — to him I offer this food.'

Verse 121 (skanda.2.70.121)

यदीयमुखरागेण सहजावासितेन च । मोहिताः सुरसुंदर्यस्तस्मै तांबूलमुत्तमम्

yadīyamukharāgeṇa sahajāvāsitena ca mohitāḥ surasuṁdaryastasmai tāṁbūlamuttamam

'By the redness of whose mouth, naturally fragrant, the beauties of heaven are enchanted — to him I offer this excellent betel.'

Verse 122 (skanda.2.70.122)

प्रदक्षिणप्रकमणाद्भवांगणविवर्त्तनम् । हंति यः करुणांभोधिस्तं नमामि जगद्गुरुम्

pradakṣiṇaprakamaṇādbhavāṁgaṇavivarttanam haṁti yaḥ karuṇāṁbhodhistaṁ namāmi jagadgurum

'By the mere act of circumambulation of whom the wheeling of the courtyard of worldly existence is destroyed, that ocean of compassion — to him, the Guru of the universe, I bow.'

Verse 123 (skanda.2.70.123)

मंत्रास्तु कथिता ह्येत उपचारैः पृथक्पृथक् । आवाह्य चिंतयेद्देवं बहिःसंस्थितमात्मनः

maṁtrāstu kathitā hyeta upacāraiḥ pṛthakpṛthak āvāhya ciṁtayeddevaṁ bahiḥsaṁsthitamātmanaḥ

These mantras have thus been given, each with its own offering, separately. Having invoked, one should contemplate the god as established outside oneself,

Verse 124 (skanda.2.70.124)

रत्नसिहासनं दत्त्वा तत्रासीनं विचिंतयेत् । पादपद्मद्वये दद्यात्पाद्यं श्यामाकपंकजैः

ratnasihāsanaṁ dattvā tatrāsīnaṁ viciṁtayet pādapadmadvaye dadyātpādyaṁ śyāmākapaṁkajaiḥ

and, having offered a jeweled throne, contemplate him seated thereon; one should offer water for washing his pair of lotus feet, together with shyamaka grass and lotuses,

Verse 125 (skanda.2.70.125)

दूर्वापराजिताभ्यां च संस्कृतं मूलमंत्रणात् । सौवर्णे राजते वापि ताम्रे वा शंख एव वा

dūrvāparājitābhyāṁ ca saṁskṛtaṁ mūlamaṁtraṇāt sauvarṇe rājate vāpi tāmre vā śaṁkha eva vā

and with durva grass and aparajita flowers, consecrated with the root mantra, in a vessel of gold, silver, copper, or a conch-shell;

Verse 126 (skanda.2.70.126)

अर्घ्यं संस्कृत्य विधिवद्वारिचंदनपुष्पकैः । यवदूर्वाकुशाग्रैश्च फलसिद्धार्थकैस्तिलैः

arghyaṁ saṁskṛtya vidhivadvāricaṁdanapuṣpakaiḥ yavadūrvākuśāgraiśca phalasiddhārthakaistilaiḥ

having duly consecrated the arghya-water with sandal and flowers, with barley, durva grass, and kusha-tips, with fruit, white mustard, and sesame,

Verse 127 (skanda.2.70.127)

दूर्वाकुशाग्रैर्देवस्य मूर्ध्नि सिंचेत्तदग्रतः । सावशेषं क्षिपेद्भूमावेषोऽर्घविधिरीरितः

dūrvākuśāgrairdevasya mūrdhni siṁcettadagrataḥ sāvaśeṣaṁ kṣipedbhūmāveṣo'rghavidhirīritaḥ

one should sprinkle it, with tips of durva and kusha grass, upon the head of the god before him, and pour what remains upon the ground — this is the rite of arghya as declared.

Verse 128 (skanda.2.70.128)

जातीफलैर्वा कंकोलैर्लवंगैः संस्कृतं जलम् । दद्यादाचमनार्थं तु मधुपर्कं ततो ददेत्

jātīphalairvā kaṁkolairlavaṁgaiḥ saṁskṛtaṁ jalam dadyādācamanārthaṁ tu madhuparkaṁ tato dadet

Water consecrated with nutmeg, cubeb, or cloves should be offered for sipping; then one should offer the madhuparka,

Verse 129 (skanda.2.70.129)

मधुसर्पिर्युतं गव्यं दधि कांस्ये हि निर्मले । पात्रे स्थितं च पिहितं पात्रेणान्येन तादृशा । सुसंस्कृतं फलयुतं स्नपने जलमुच्यते

madhusarpiryutaṁ gavyaṁ dadhi kāṁsye hi nirmale pātre sthitaṁ ca pihitaṁ pātreṇānyena tādṛśā susaṁskṛtaṁ phalayutaṁ snapane jalamucyate

made of honey and ghee mixed with cow's curd, kept in a pure bronze vessel and covered with a similar other vessel; the well-consecrated water joined with fruit is called the bathing water.

Verse 130 (skanda.2.70.130)

पट्टकौशेयकापासनिर्मिते वाससी शुभे । यथाशक्ति प्रदेये च वित्तशाठ्यं न कारयेत्

paṭṭakauśeyakāpāsanirmite vāsasī śubhe yathāśakti pradeye ca vittaśāṭhyaṁ na kārayet

Two auspicious garments, made of silk, brocade, or cotton, should be offered according to one's means; one should not be miserly with one's wealth.

Verse 131 (skanda.2.70.131)

हारकेयूरमुकुटग्रैवेयादिकभूषणम् । यथाशक्ति यथास्थानं देवस्यांगे निवेशयेत्

hārakeyūramukuṭagraiveyādikabhūṣaṇam yathāśakti yathāsthānaṁ devasyāṁge niveśayet

Necklace, armlets, crown, and neck-ornaments, and other adornments, according to one's means, should be placed on the limbs of the god, each in its proper place.

Verse 132 (skanda.2.70.132)

उपवीतं हरेर्दद्यात्पट्टसूत्रविनिर्मितम् । कार्पासमथवा विप्रा गंधचंदनसंस्कृतम्

upavītaṁ harerdadyātpaṭṭasūtravinirmitam kārpāsamathavā viprā gaṁdhacaṁdanasaṁskṛtam

A sacred thread, made of silk cord or cotton, O brahmins, consecrated with fragrance and sandal, should be offered to Hari,

Verse 133 (skanda.2.70.133)

चंद्रचंदनकस्तूरीकुंकुमैरनुलेपनम्

caṁdracaṁdanakastūrīkuṁkumairanulepanam

and an anointing made of camphor, sandal, musk, and saffron.

Verse 134 (skanda.2.70.134)

तुलसीदलमालां च जातीपंकजचंपकैः । अशोकच्छुरपुन्नागनागकेसरकेसरैः

tulasīdalamālāṁ ca jātīpaṁkajacaṁpakaiḥ aśokacchurapunnāganāgakesarakesaraiḥ

A garland of tulasi leaves, and of jasmine, lotus, and champaka, of ashoka, punnaga, and nagakesara blossoms,

Verse 135 (skanda.2.70.135)

अन्यैः सुगंधैः कुसुमैर्माला माल्यमथापि वा । मुक्तकानि च पुष्पाणि दद्याद्देवस्य मूर्द्धनि

anyaiḥ sugaṁdhaiḥ kusumairmālā mālyamathāpi vā muktakāni ca puṣpāṇi dadyāddevasya mūrddhani

and other fragrant flowers, whether in a garland or loose, should be offered — loose flowers upon the head of the god.

Verse 136 (skanda.2.70.136)

माला सा प्रपदीनातु माल्यं कंठोरुसंमितम् । गर्भकं केशमध्ये तु मूर्ध्नि पुष्पांजलिं क्षिपेत्

mālā sā prapadīnātu mālyaṁ kaṁṭhorusaṁmitam garbhakaṁ keśamadhye tu mūrdhni puṣpāṁjaliṁ kṣipet

A long garland reaching to the feet, a shorter one measured to the neck and chest, a small one amid the hair — and a handful of flowers should be scattered upon the head.

Verse 137 (skanda.2.70.137)

सगुग्गुल्वगुरूशीरसिताज्यमधुचंदनैः । धूपं दद्यात्सुगंधाढ्यं दीपं गोसर्पिषा शुभम् । कर्पूरगर्भया वर्त्या तिलतैलेन वा ददेत्

saguggulvagurūśīrasitājyamadhucaṁdanaiḥ dhūpaṁ dadyātsugaṁdhāḍhyaṁ dīpaṁ gosarpiṣā śubham karpūragarbhayā vartyā tilatailena vā dadet

One should offer incense rich in fragrance, made with guggulu, agaru, khus-root, white ghee, honey, and sandal; and an auspicious lamp of cow's ghee, with a wick containing camphor, or with sesame oil.

Verse 138 (skanda.2.70.138)

अखंडितसमुद्धौतं शालितंडुलनिर्मितम् । सुपक्वमन्नं सुरभि सर्पिषा च सुवासितम्

akhaṁḍitasamuddhautaṁ śālitaṁḍulanirmitam supakvamannaṁ surabhi sarpiṣā ca suvāsitam

Food made from unbroken, well-washed rice grains, well-cooked, fragrant, and perfumed with ghee,

Verse 139 (skanda.2.70.139)

सौरभेयदधिक्षीरपक्वरंभासितायुतम् । नानाव्यंजनसंकीर्णं सोपदंशं सपूपकम्

saurabheyadadhikṣīrapakvaraṁbhāsitāyutam nānāvyaṁjanasaṁkīrṇaṁ sopadaṁśaṁ sapūpakam

joined with fragrant curd, milk, and cooked plantain and sugar; mixed with various curries, with relishes and with cakes,

Verse 140 (skanda.2.70.140)

नानाफलयुतं हृद्यं सुगंधं सुरसं नवम् । नैवेद्यं देवदेवस्य प्रस्थादूनं न शस्यते

nānāphalayutaṁ hṛdyaṁ sugaṁdhaṁ surasaṁ navam naivedyaṁ devadevasya prasthādūnaṁ na śasyate

joined with various fruits, delightful, fragrant, of excellent taste, freshly made — the food-offering to the God of gods should never be less than a prastha in quantity.

Verse 141 (skanda.2.70.141)

धूपे दीपे च नैवेद्ये स्नानेऽर्घे मधुपर्कके । वस्त्रे यज्ञोपवीते च दद्यादाचमनीयकम्

dhūpe dīpe ca naivedye snāne'rghe madhuparkake vastre yajñopavīte ca dadyādācamanīyakam

After the incense, the lamp, the food-offering, the bathing, the arghya, the madhuparka, the garment, and the sacred thread, one should offer water for sipping,

Verse 142 (skanda.2.70.142)

अन्यत्र केवलं वारि संस्कृतं त्वौपचारिकम् । नैवेद्यांते त्वाचमनं दद्याच्च करघृष्टिकम्

anyatra kevalaṁ vāri saṁskṛtaṁ tvaupacārikam naivedyāṁte tvācamanaṁ dadyācca karaghṛṣṭikam

and elsewhere merely consecrated water for the remaining offerings; after the food-offering, one should offer water for sipping and for the washing of the hands.

Verse 143 (skanda.2.70.143)

सगंधचंदनं विप्रास्तांबूलं च ददेत्ततः । सकर्पूरलवंगैलाजातीक्रमुकसंयुतम्

sagaṁdhacaṁdanaṁ viprāstāṁbūlaṁ ca dadettataḥ sakarpūralavaṁgailājātīkramukasaṁyutam

One should then offer, O brahmins, betel scented with sandal, joined with camphor, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and areca,

Verse 144 (skanda.2.70.144)

अष्टोत्तरशतं जप्त्वा मूलमंत्रमनन्यधीः । स्तुत्वा प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रार्थयेत्पुरुषोत्तमम्

aṣṭottaraśataṁ japtvā mūlamaṁtramananyadhīḥ stutvā pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā prārthayetpuruṣottamam

and, having recited the root mantra one hundred and eight times with an undistracted mind, having praised him and circumambulated him, one should pray to Purushottama:

Verse 145 (skanda.2.70.145)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ सर्वतीर्थप्रवर्त्तक । सर्वतीर्थमयश्चासि सर्वदेवमय प्रभो

devadeva jagannātha sarvatīrthapravarttaka sarvatīrthamayaścāsi sarvadevamaya prabho

'O God of gods, Jagannatha, setter-in-motion of all sacred fords! You are indeed composed of all sacred fords, and of all gods, O Lord!

Verse 146 (skanda.2.70.146)

त्वत्प्रसादान्मया तीर्थराजे स्नानं हि यत्कृतम् । तदस्तु सफलं देव यथोक्तफलदो भव

tvatprasādānmayā tīrtharāje snānaṁ hi yatkṛtam tadastu saphalaṁ deva yathoktaphalado bhava

By your grace, whatever bathing I have performed at the King of sacred fords — may that be fruitful, O Lord; be the giver of the fruit as declared.'

Verse 147 (skanda.2.70.147)

सिंधुराजस्त्वं च विभो द्रवरूपोऽस्यसंशयम् । पापालये निमग्नं मां परित्राहि नमोऽस्तु ते

siṁdhurājastvaṁ ca vibho dravarūpo'syasaṁśayam pāpālaye nimagnaṁ māṁ paritrāhi namo'stu te

'You, O all-pervading one, are indeed the king of the ocean, in liquid form, without doubt; save me, sunk in the abode of sin — salutation to you!'

Verse 148 (skanda.2.70.148)

इत्थं प्रपूज्य देवेशं नारायणमनामयम् । तीर्थराजकृतस्नानः सर्वतीर्थफलं लभेत्

itthaṁ prapūjya deveśaṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam tīrtharājakṛtasnānaḥ sarvatīrthaphalaṁ labhet

Having thus worshipped the Lord of gods, the unailing Narayana, one who has bathed at the King of sacred fords obtains the fruit of every sacred ford.

Verse 149 (skanda.2.70.149)

गवां कोटिप्रदानेन क्रतुकोटिकृतेन च । कोटिब्राह्मणभोज्येन महादानैश्च कोटिशः । यत्पुण्यं कर्मिणां प्रोक्तं तदनेन हि लभ्यते

gavāṁ koṭipradānena kratukoṭikṛtena ca koṭibrāhmaṇabhojyena mahādānaiśca koṭiśaḥ yatpuṇyaṁ karmiṇāṁ proktaṁ tadanena hi labhyate

The merit declared for those who perform the gift of a crore of cows, a crore of sacrifices, the feeding of a crore of brahmins, and crores of great gifts — that very merit is obtained through this alone.

Verse 150 (skanda.2.70.150)

ध्यानं दानं तपो जाप्यं श्राद्धं च सुरपूजनम् । सिंधुराजे कृतं सर्वं कोटिकोटिगुणं भवेत्

dhyānaṁ dānaṁ tapo jāpyaṁ śrāddhaṁ ca surapūjanam siṁdhurāje kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ koṭikoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

Meditation, charity, austerity, mantra-recitation, ancestral rites, and worship of the gods — all of these, performed at the King of the ocean, become multiplied a crore times a crore.

Verse 151 (skanda.2.70.151)

अपि नः स कुले कश्चित्सिंधुस्नायी भविष्यति । देवेभ्यश्च पितृभ्यश्च दास्यते च तिलोदकम्

api naḥ sa kule kaścitsiṁdhusnāyī bhaviṣyati devebhyaśca pitṛbhyaśca dāsyate ca tilodakam

'Might there be someone in our family who will bathe in the sea, and offer sesame-water to the gods and ancestors on our behalf?' —

Verse 152 (skanda.2.70.152)

क्रंदंति सर्वपापानि संभ्रांताः सर्वपातकाः । अनिष्टानि पलायन्ते सिंधुस्नानोद्यतस्य वै

kraṁdaṁti sarvapāpāni saṁbhrāṁtāḥ sarvapātakāḥ aniṣṭāni palāyante siṁdhusnānodyatasya vai

so cry out all sins in fear; all misfortunes flee away from one who is intent upon bathing in the sea.

Verse 153 (skanda.2.70.153)

अन्यतीर्थे कृतं पापं सिंधुतीरे विनश्यति । सिंधुतीरे कृतं पापं सिधुस्नाने विनश्यति

anyatīrthe kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ siṁdhutīre vinaśyati siṁdhutīre kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ sidhusnāne vinaśyati

Sin committed at another sacred ford is destroyed on the shore of the sea; sin committed on the shore of the sea is destroyed by bathing in the sea.

Verse 154 (skanda.2.70.154)

सिंधुस्नानरतं नित्यं दृष्ट्वैव यमकिङ्कराः । दिशो दश पलायन्ते सिंहं दृष्ट्वा यथा मृगाः

siṁdhusnānarataṁ nityaṁ dṛṣṭvaiva yamakiṁkarāḥ diśo daśa palāyante siṁhaṁ dṛṣṭvā yathā mṛgāḥ

The servants of Yama, seeing one ever devoted to bathing in the sea, flee in all ten directions, as deer flee at the sight of a lion.

Verse 155 (skanda.2.70.155)

यमोऽपि भीतस्तं दृष्ट्वा प्रणिपत्य प्रपूज्य च । न शक्नोति तदा स्थातुं तस्याग्रे पुण्यकर्मिणः

yamo'pi bhītastaṁ dṛṣṭvā praṇipatya prapūjya ca na śaknoti tadā sthātuṁ tasyāgre puṇyakarmiṇaḥ

Yama himself, afraid on seeing him, bows and worships him, and cannot then stand before that man of meritorious deeds.

Verse 156 (skanda.2.70.156)

वांछंति देवता नित्यं मानुष्यं प्राप्नुयामहे । सम्यक्शुद्धतन्वो भूत्वा सिंधुस्नानं लभेमहि

vāṁchaṁti devatā nityaṁ mānuṣyaṁ prāpnuyāmahe samyakśuddhatanvo bhūtvā siṁdhusnānaṁ labhemahi

The gods themselves ever desire: 'May we obtain a human birth, and, having become of well-purified body, may we attain the bathing in the sea!'

Verse 157 (skanda.2.70.157)

मेरुमन्दरमात्रोऽपि राशिः पापस्य कर्मणः । सिंधुस्नानेन दग्धः स्यात्तूलराशिरिवानलात्

merumandaramātro'pi rāśiḥ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ siṁdhusnānena dagdhaḥ syāttūlarāśirivānalāt

Even a mass of sinful deeds as vast as Mount Meru or Mandara is burnt up by bathing in the sea, as a heap of cotton is burnt by fire.

Verse 158 (skanda.2.70.158)

अप्सु नारायणं देवं स्नानकाले स्मरेत्सदा । साक्षाद्विष्णुस्वरूपेऽत्र सिंधौ चैव विशेषतः

apsu nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ snānakāle smaretsadā sākṣādviṣṇusvarūpe'tra siṁdhau caiva viśeṣataḥ

One should always remember the god Narayana in the water at the time of bathing, and especially here in the ocean, the very form of Vishnu directly manifest.

Verse 159 (skanda.2.70.159)

ब्रह्मघ्नो वा सुरापो वा गोघ्नो वा पञ्चपातकी । सर्वे ते निष्कृतिं यांति सिंधुस्नानान्न संशयः

brahmaghno vā surāpo vā goghno vā pañcapātakī sarve te niṣkṛtiṁ yāṁti siṁdhusnānānna saṁśayaḥ

Be one the killer of a brahmin, or a drinker of liquor, or a killer of a cow, or guilty of all five great sins — all of them attain absolution through bathing in the sea, without doubt.

Verse 160 (skanda.2.70.160)

कपिलाकोटिदानाच्च सिन्धुस्नानं विशिष्यते । सकृत्सिंध्ववगाहेन कुलकोटिं समुद्धरेत्

kapilākoṭidānācca sindhusnānaṁ viśiṣyate sakṛtsiṁdhvavagāhena kulakoṭiṁ samuddharet

Bathing in the sea is superior even to the gift of a crore of tawny cows; by a single immersion in the sea, one redeems a crore of one's lineage.

Verse 161 (skanda.2.70.161)

सर्वतीर्थेषु यत्पुण्यं सर्वेष्वायतनेषु च । तत्फलं लभते सर्वं सिन्धुस्नानान्न संशयः

sarvatīrtheṣu yatpuṇyaṁ sarveṣvāyataneṣu ca tatphalaṁ labhate sarvaṁ sindhusnānānna saṁśayaḥ

Whatever merit exists in all sacred fords and in all shrines — all that fruit is obtained through bathing in the sea, without doubt.

Verse 162 (skanda.2.70.162)

य इच्छेत्सफलं जन्म जीवितं श्रुतमेव वा । स पितॄंस्तर्पयेत्सिंधुमभिगम्य सुरांस्तथा

ya icchetsaphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ śrutameva vā sa pitṝṁstarpayetsiṁdhumabhigamya surāṁstathā

Whoever wishes for a fruitful birth, life, and learning should go to the sea and offer libations there to the ancestors and the gods.

Verse 163 (skanda.2.70.163)

चत्वारः सुलभा वेदाः सषडंग पदक्रमाः । सुलभानि कुरुक्षेत्रे दानानि विविधानि च

catvāraḥ sulabhā vedāḥ saṣaḍaṁga padakramāḥ sulabhāni kurukṣetre dānāni vividhāni ca

Easily obtained are the four Vedas with their six auxiliary sciences and their word-analysis; easily obtained at Kurukshetra are gifts of various kinds;

Verse 164 (skanda.2.70.164)

चांद्रायणानि कृच्छ्राणि तपांसि सुलभान्यपि । अग्निष्टोमादयो यज्ञाः सुलभा बहुदक्षिणाः

cāṁdrāyaṇāni kṛcchrāṇi tapāṁsi sulabhānyapi agniṣṭomādayo yajñāḥ sulabhā bahudakṣiṇāḥ

the Chandrayana and Krichchhra austerities are also easily obtained; sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma, with abundant sacrificial fees, are easily obtained;

Verse 165 (skanda.2.70.165)

सिन्धुतोयैश्च सलिलैर्दुर्लभं पितृतर्पणम् । मासं तर्पणमात्रेण पिंडानां पातनेन च

sindhutoyaiśca salilairdurlabhaṁ pitṛtarpaṇam māsaṁ tarpaṇamātreṇa piṁḍānāṁ pātanena ca

but the offering of libation to the ancestors with the waters of the sea is hard to obtain — by a mere month's libation and the offering of rice-balls,

Verse 166 (skanda.2.70.166)

सिन्धौ वै पितरः सर्वे विमानान्सूर्यवर्चसः । सिन्धुतर्पणसंतुष्टाः श्राद्धपिंडसुतर्पिताः । आरुह्य सहसा यांति ब्रह्मलोकं सनातनम्

sindhau vai pitaraḥ sarve vimānānsūryavarcasaḥ sindhutarpaṇasaṁtuṣṭāḥ śrāddhapiṁḍasutarpitāḥ āruhya sahasā yāṁti brahmalokaṁ sanātanam

all the ancestors, satisfied by the libation offered at the sea, well-gratified by the shraddha rice-balls, at once mount celestial chariots radiant as the sun and go to the eternal world of Brahma.

Verse 167 (skanda.2.70.167)

आद्यंतयोर्जगन्नाथं पूजयित्वा यथाविधि । तीर्थराजेऽभिषिच्य स्वं नरः स्यान्मुक्तिभाजनम्

ādyaṁtayorjagannāthaṁ pūjayitvā yathāvidhi tīrtharāje'bhiṣicya svaṁ naraḥ syānmuktibhājanam

Having worshipped Jagannatha duly at both the beginning and the end, and having bathed oneself at the King of sacred fords, a man becomes a vessel of liberation.

Verse 168 (skanda.2.70.168)

ततस्तीर्थविसर्गं च कृत्वा शुद्धमनाः पुमान् । रामं कृष्णं सुभद्रां च नत्वा रूपं विचिन्तयेत्

tatastīrthavisargaṁ ca kṛtvā śuddhamanāḥ pumān rāmaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ subhadrāṁ ca natvā rūpaṁ vicintayet

Then, having performed the rite of taking leave of the sacred ford, a man of pure mind, having bowed to Rama, Krishna, and Subhadra, should meditate upon their form.