The Narasimha Lake and the Glory of Beholding the Bathing

Verse 1 (skanda.2.71.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । कृतकृत्यं तदात्मानं मन्यमानस्ततो व्रजेत् । अश्वमेधांगसंभूतमिंद्रद्युम्नसरः प्रति

jaiminiruvāca kṛtakṛtyaṁ tadātmānaṁ manyamānastato vrajet aśvamedhāṁgasaṁbhūtamiṁdradyumnasaraḥ prati

Jaimini said: Considering himself then to have accomplished all he set out to do, one should proceed toward the Indradyumna lake, born as a part of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.71.2)

यस्य तीरे निवसति नरसिंहाकृतिर्हरिः । नरसिंहमनुप्रार्थ्य तत्र स्नायाद्यथाविधि

yasya tīre nivasati narasiṁhākṛtirhariḥ narasiṁhamanuprārthya tatra snāyādyathāvidhi

On whose shore dwells Hari in the form of Narasimha; having prayed to Narasimha, one should bathe there according to rule.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.71.3)

नरसिंह नमस्तुभ्यं यस्य ते क्षेत्र उत्तमे । सहस्रं वाजिमेधस्य क्रतोश्चक्रे नृपोत्तमः

narasiṁha namastubhyaṁ yasya te kṣetra uttame sahasraṁ vājimedhasya kratoścakre nṛpottamaḥ

'O Narasimha, salutation to you, in whose supreme field the best of kings performed a thousand horse-sacrifices.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.71.4)

इन्द्रद्युम्नः प्रसादात्ते तस्य क्रत्वंगसंभवे । सरसि स्नातुमायातो मामनुज्ञापय प्रभो

indradyumnaḥ prasādātte tasya kratvaṁgasaṁbhave sarasi snātumāyāto māmanujñāpaya prabho

By your grace, Indradyumna built this; I have come to bathe in this lake born of that sacrifice's part — grant me your permission, O Lord.'

Verse 5 (skanda.2.71.5)

ततस्तीर्थतटं गत्वा कृतशौचाचमक्रियः । प्रार्थयेदंजलिं कृत्वा इमं मंत्रमुदीरयेत्

tatastīrthataṭaṁ gatvā kṛtaśaucācamakriyaḥ prārthayedaṁjaliṁ kṛtvā imaṁ maṁtramudīrayet

Then, going to the shore of the sacred water, having performed the rites of purification and sipping, one should pray with folded hands, reciting this mantra:

Verse 6 (skanda.2.71.6)

अश्वमेधांगगोकोटिखुरक्षुण्णमहीतलः । तन्मूत्रफेनादानांभः पूरिताखिलपावनः

aśvamedhāṁgagokoṭikhurakṣuṇṇamahītalaḥ tanmūtraphenādānāṁbhaḥ pūritākhilapāvanaḥ

'This lake, whose earth-surface was trampled by the hooves of crores of cattle that were part of the horse-sacrifice, filled entirely with purifying water from the foam of their urine —

Verse 7 (skanda.2.71.7)

स्नातुं तवागतः पुण्ये सर्वतीर्थमये जले । पूर्वजन्मसहस्रोत्थं पापं स्नानाद्विमोचय

snātuṁ tavāgataḥ puṇye sarvatīrthamaye jale pūrvajanmasahasrotthaṁ pāpaṁ snānādvimocaya

I have come to bathe in you, O sacred one, water containing the essence of all sacred fords; free me, through this bathing, from the sin arisen over a thousand past births.'

Verse 8 (skanda.2.71.8)

अन्तः प्रविश्य च ततो वारुणैः पंचभिर्द्विजाः । स्नायादन्तर्जले जप्यात्त्रिरावृत्त्याघमर्षणम्

antaḥ praviśya ca tato vāruṇaiḥ paṁcabhirdvijāḥ snāyādantarjale japyāttrirāvṛttyāghamarṣaṇam

Then, having entered within, O brahmins, one should bathe in the water with the five Varuna hymns, reciting the Aghamarshana hymn repeated three times,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.71.9)

अश्वमेधांगसंभूत तीर्थ सर्वाघनाशन । जन्मकोटिभवं पापं त्वयि स्नानाद्विनश्यतु

aśvamedhāṁgasaṁbhūta tīrtha sarvāghanāśana janmakoṭibhavaṁ pāpaṁ tvayi snānādvinaśyatu

'O sacred ford born as a part of the horse-sacrifice, destroyer of every sin! May the sin arisen over a crore of births be destroyed by bathing in you.'

Verse 10 (skanda.2.71.10)

इमं मन्त्रं त्रिरुच्चार्य त्रिः स्नायात्तज्जले द्विजाः । संस्मरेद्विष्णुगायत्र्या नरसिंहाकृतिं हरिम्

imaṁ mantraṁ triruccārya triḥ snāyāttajjale dvijāḥ saṁsmaredviṣṇugāyatryā narasiṁhākṛtiṁ harim

Having uttered this mantra three times, one should bathe three times in that water, O brahmins, and remember Hari in his Narasimha form with the Vishnu-Gayatri.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.71.11)

आपो नारा इति प्रोक्ता यस्मात्ता नरसूनवः । अयनं प्रथमं चास्य तस्मादप्सु हरिं स्मरेत्

āpo nārā iti proktā yasmāttā narasūnavaḥ ayanaṁ prathamaṁ cāsya tasmādapsu hariṁ smaret

The waters are called 'nara' because they are the offspring of Man; and since this is the very first resting place of Hari, one should remember Hari in the waters.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.71.12)

देवानृषीन्पितॄंश्चैव तर्पयेद्विधिवन्नरः । नरसिंहं ततो गच्छेत्पश्चिमाभिमुखं स्थितम्

devānṛṣīnpitṝṁścaiva tarpayedvidhivannaraḥ narasiṁhaṁ tato gacchetpaścimābhimukhaṁ sthitam

A man should duly offer libations to the gods, sages, and ancestors; then he should go to Narasimha, who stands facing west.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.71.13)

सिद्धं शंभुं कृत्रिमं वा पश्चिमाभिमुखं हरिम् । दृष्ट्वा विमुच्यते पापैर्जन्मकोटिसमुद्भवैः

siddhaṁ śaṁbhuṁ kṛtrimaṁ vā paścimābhimukhaṁ harim dṛṣṭvā vimucyate pāpairjanmakoṭisamudbhavaiḥ

Whether self-manifest or man-made, Hari facing west — having seen him, one is freed from sins arisen over crores of births.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.71.14)

तमाथर्वणमंत्रेण यजेच्च नरकेसरिम् । नारदेन पुरा ह्येष मंत्रराजः प्रतिष्ठितः

tamātharvaṇamaṁtreṇa yajecca narakesarim nāradena purā hyeṣa maṁtrarājaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ

One should worship that Man-Lion with the Atharva-mantra; this king of mantras was established long ago by Narada,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.71.15)

इन्द्रद्युम्नेन तेनैव चिरादेष उपासितः । नरसिंहाकृतौ नान्यो मंत्रस्तत्सदृशो द्विजाः

indradyumnena tenaiva cirādeṣa upāsitaḥ narasiṁhākṛtau nānyo maṁtrastatsadṛśo dvijāḥ

and was long worshipped by Indradyumna himself; for the Narasimha form there is no other mantra equal to it, O brahmins,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.71.16)

यस्योच्चारणमात्रेण तुष्टो भवति केसरी । अनेन दारुवर्ष्मापि ब्रह्मणा संप्रतिष्ठितः

yasyoccāraṇamātreṇa tuṣṭo bhavati kesarī anena dāruvarṣmāpi brahmaṇā saṁpratiṣṭhitaḥ

by the mere utterance of which the Lion becomes pleased; by this very mantra was the wooden form too established by Brahma.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.71.17)

पूर्वोक्तैरुपचारैस्तु पूजयेन्नरकेसरिम् । जपाप्रसूनैररुणैरन्यैश्चैव सुगंधिभिः

pūrvoktairupacāraistu pūjayennarakesarim japāprasūnairaruṇairanyaiścaiva sugaṁdhibhiḥ

One should worship the Man-Lion with the previously described offerings, with red hibiscus blossoms and other fragrant flowers,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.71.18)

चंदनागरुकर्पूरैर्लेपयेन्नरकेसरिम् । पायसं सितया युक्तं सौरभेयेण सर्पिषा

caṁdanāgarukarpūrairlepayennarakesarim pāyasaṁ sitayā yuktaṁ saurabheyeṇa sarpiṣā

and anoint the Man-Lion with sandal, agaru, and camphor; one should offer rice-pudding sweetened with sugar and mixed with cow's ghee,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.71.19)

कर्पूरखण्डसंयुक्तान्मोदकान्घृतपाचितान् । संयावान्घृतपूपांश्च फलं नानाविधं तथा

karpūrakhaṇḍasaṁyuktānmodakānghṛtapācitān saṁyāvānghṛtapūpāṁśca phalaṁ nānāvidhaṁ tathā

sweets joined with camphor and sugar-candy, cooked in ghee, sweet cakes and ghee-fried breads, and various kinds of fruit,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.71.20)

शर्करादधिसंयुक्तं शाल्यन्नं विनिवेदयेत् । दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वा नमस्कृत्वा संपूज्य नरकेसरिम्

śarkarādadhisaṁyuktaṁ śālyannaṁ vinivedayet dṛṣṭvā spṛṣṭvā namaskṛtvā saṁpūjya narakesarim

and rice mixed with sugar and curd should be offered. Having seen, touched, bowed to, and worshipped the Man-Lion,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.71.21)

स्वान्स्वानभीष्टानाप्नोति नरो वै नात्र संशयः । देवत्वममरेशत्वं गंधर्वत्वं च भो द्विजाः

svānsvānabhīṣṭānāpnoti naro vai nātra saṁśayaḥ devatvamamareśatvaṁ gaṁdharvatvaṁ ca bho dvijāḥ

a man surely obtains all his own desires — of this there is no doubt; godhood, the lordship of the immortals, the state of a gandharva, O brahmins,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.71.22)

ईशित्वं च वशित्वं च सार्वभौमत्वमेव वा । यद्यत्कामयते चित्ते तत्तदाप्नोत्यसंशयम्

īśitvaṁ ca vaśitvaṁ ca sārvabhaumatvameva vā yadyatkāmayate citte tattadāpnotyasaṁśayam

lordship, mastery over others, or even universal sovereignty — whatever one desires in the mind, that he surely obtains.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.71.23)

पंचतीर्थीविधानं च कथितं पृच्छतां द्विजाः । दिनानि पंच कृत्वैतां पञ्चभूतमये पुनः

paṁcatīrthīvidhānaṁ ca kathitaṁ pṛcchatāṁ dvijāḥ dināni paṁca kṛtvaitāṁ pañcabhūtamaye punaḥ

The rite of the five sacred fords has thus been told to you who asked, O brahmins. Having performed this for five days, again, within this body made of the five elements,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.71.24)

न देहे प्रविशेन्मर्त्यो व्रती विष्णुपरायणः । पौर्णमास्यां प्रत्युषसि तीर्थराजजले पुनः

na dehe praviśenmartyo vratī viṣṇuparāyaṇaḥ paurṇamāsyāṁ pratyuṣasi tīrtharājajale punaḥ

a mortal devoted to the vow of Vishnu should exercise restraint over the body; on the full-moon day, at dawn, again in the water of the King of sacred fords,

Verse 25 (skanda.2.71.25)

पूर्वोक्तविधिना स्नात्वा शुद्धाहारो जितेंद्रियः । एकभक्तव्रतेनैव वर्त्तते प्रीतये नरः । यावत्पंच दिनानि स्युस्तावत्कालं द्विजोत्तमाः

pūrvoktavidhinā snātvā śuddhāhāro jiteṁdriyaḥ ekabhaktavratenaiva varttate prītaye naraḥ yāvatpaṁca dināni syustāvatkālaṁ dvijottamāḥ

having bathed according to the previously described rite, of pure diet, senses controlled, a man observes the vow of eating once a day for the Lord's pleasure, for as long as the five days last, O best of brahmins.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.71.26)

ततः प्रविश्यप्रासादं मंचस्थं पुरुषोत्तमम् । रामं सुभद्रां दृष्ट्वा च मुच्यते पापकंचुकैः

tataḥ praviśyaprāsādaṁ maṁcasthaṁ puruṣottamam rāmaṁ subhadrāṁ dṛṣṭvā ca mucyate pāpakaṁcukaiḥ

Then, having entered the temple, and beheld Purushottama, Rama, and Subhadra seated upon the platform, one is freed from the sheath of sin.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.71.27)

सर्वतीर्थमयात्कूपादुद्धृतेन सुगन्धिना । वारिणा स्नाप्यमानं तु यो ज्यैष्ठ्यां पश्यते हरिम्

sarvatīrthamayātkūpāduddhṛtena sugandhinā vāriṇā snāpyamānaṁ tu yo jyaiṣṭhyāṁ paśyate harim

Whoever, in Jyeshtha, beholds Hari being bathed with fragrant water drawn from the well containing the essence of all sacred fords —

Verse 28 (skanda.2.71.28)

न तस्य पापसंबंध आत्मनि प्रभविष्यति । यात्राकर्तृविधिं वक्ष्ये शृणुध्वं मुनयः परम्

na tasya pāpasaṁbaṁdha ātmani prabhaviṣyati yātrākartṛvidhiṁ vakṣye śṛṇudhvaṁ munayaḥ param

no connection to sin shall ever arise in his soul. I shall now tell the procedure for those who conduct the festival; listen, O sages, to what follows.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.71.29)

चतुर्दश्यां दृढं मंचं कारयित्वा सुशोभनम् । तृणकाष्ठमयं लिप्तं सुधया बहुलं शुभम्

caturdaśyāṁ dṛḍhaṁ maṁcaṁ kārayitvā suśobhanam tṛṇakāṣṭhamayaṁ liptaṁ sudhayā bahulaṁ śubham

On the fourteenth day, having had a sturdy, very beautiful platform built, made of grass and wood, plastered over with plenty of lime, most auspicious,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.71.30)

अथवा दार्षदं कुर्याच्चिरस्थायि द्विजोत्तमाः । स्नानार्थं देवदेवस्य वित्तशाठ्यं न कारयेत्

athavā dārṣadaṁ kuryāccirasthāyi dvijottamāḥ snānārthaṁ devadevasya vittaśāṭhyaṁ na kārayet

or one may make it of stone, so that it lasts long, O best of brahmins; for the bathing of the God of gods one should not be miserly with wealth.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.71.31)

नानाद्रुमगणाकीर्णं दक्षिणानिलशीतलम् । उल्लसत्सिंधुकल्लोलशाड्वलोपरि संस्कृतम्

nānādrumagaṇākīrṇaṁ dakṣiṇānilaśītalam ullasatsiṁdhukallolaśāḍvalopari saṁskṛtam

The site should be filled with various groups of trees, cooled by the southern breeze, prepared upon the meadow amid the sparkling waves of the sea,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.71.32)

समुच्छ्रितमहामूल्यवितानवरशोभितम् । विरलाच्छादनं कुर्याद्देवानां दर्शनाय वै

samucchritamahāmūlyavitānavaraśobhitam viralācchādanaṁ kuryāddevānāṁ darśanāya vai

adorned with a raised, costly, excellent canopy overhead; one should make the covering sparse, so that the gods may behold the rite,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.71.33)

आयांति ब्रह्मणा सार्द्धं स्नपनाय जगत्पतेः । स्वर्गंगांभः समादाय पारिजातविभूषितम्

āyāṁti brahmaṇā sārddhaṁ snapanāya jagatpateḥ svargaṁgāṁbhaḥ samādāya pārijātavibhūṣitam

for the gods, together with Brahma, come for the bathing of the Lord of the worlds, bringing the waters of the heavenly Ganga, and adorned with Parijata flowers,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.71.34)

ब्रह्मर्षयश्च त्रिदशा ब्रह्मणा सहिता विभुम् । मंचस्थं स्नापयन्तीह वचनात्परमेष्ठिनः

brahmarṣayaśca tridaśā brahmaṇā sahitā vibhum maṁcasthaṁ snāpayantīha vacanātparameṣṭhinaḥ

the brahmarshis and the thirty gods, together with Brahma, here bathe the all-pervading Lord, seated on the platform, at the word of the Supreme Being.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.71.35)

जयशब्दैश्च स्तुतिभिर्वंद्योऽयं त्रिदिवौकसाम् । तस्मान्मंचस्तु कर्तव्यो मंडितो माल्यचामरैः

jayaśabdaiśca stutibhirvaṁdyo'yaṁ tridivaukasām tasmānmaṁcastu kartavyo maṁḍito mālyacāmaraiḥ

He is venerated by the dwellers of heaven with shouts of victory and hymns of praise; therefore the platform should be made, adorned with garlands and chowries,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.71.36)

नानामणिस्रजा हारिदुकूलकृततोरणम् । सुगंधधूपसुरभिचंदनाभः समुक्षितम्

nānāmaṇisrajā hāridukūlakṛtatoraṇam sugaṁdhadhūpasurabhicaṁdanābhaḥ samukṣitam

with a garland-string of various gems, an archway made of fine silk cloth, and sprinkled with the fragrance of sweet-smelling incense and sandal-water.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.71.37)

एवं मंचं प्रतिष्ठाप्य तस्य दक्षिणतो द्विजाः । कूपाद्वारि समुद्धृत्य कलशान्स्वर्णनिर्मितान्

evaṁ maṁcaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya tasya dakṣiṇato dvijāḥ kūpādvāri samuddhṛtya kalaśānsvarṇanirmitān

Having thus set up the platform, O brahmins, to its south, having drawn up water from the well into pitchers made of gold,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.71.38)

शालायां शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना त्वधिवासयेत्

śālāyāṁ śāstradṛṣṭena vidhinā tvadhivāsayet

one should perform the ritual vigil in the hall, according to the procedure prescribed by the scriptures.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.71.39)

सुवासितं जलं तेषु पावमान्या प्रपूरयेत् । चतुर्दशीनिशामध्ये कर्मैतत्समुदाहृतम्

suvāsitaṁ jalaṁ teṣu pāvamānyā prapūrayet caturdaśīniśāmadhye karmaitatsamudāhṛtam

One should fill those pitchers with fragrant water, using the Pavamani hymn; this rite is to be performed in the middle of the night of the fourteenth.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.71.40)

शनैः शनैश्च नीयासुर्हरिं हलि पुरःसरम् । ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्या राज्ञा संमानितादृताः

śanaiḥ śanaiśca nīyāsurhariṁ hali puraḥsaram brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā rājñā saṁmānitādṛtāḥ

Brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas, honored and respected by the king, should slowly, slowly carry Hari, with the Plough-bearer going before,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.71.41)

चामरैस्तालवृन्तैश्च वीज्यमानं निरंतरम् । पुराकृतामलेपं तं विष्णोरंगान्न हापयेत्

cāmaraistālavṛntaiśca vījyamānaṁ niraṁtaram purākṛtāmalepaṁ taṁ viṣṇoraṁgānna hāpayet

being fanned continuously with chowries and palm-leaf fans; one should not let the earlier-applied unguent fall away from Vishnu's limbs.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.71.42)

यथा सुगंधलेपेन सुपुष्टांगो दिने दिने । तथा प्रयत्नतः कार्यः कृशांगो न हि पुष्टिकृत्

yathā sugaṁdhalepena supuṣṭāṁgo dine dine tathā prayatnataḥ kāryaḥ kṛśāṁgo na hi puṣṭikṛt

Just as the image appears well-nourished in limb day by day through fragrant unguent, so this should be done carefully — it should never be left looking emaciated, for that brings no glory.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.71.43)

नयेयुरप्रमाद्यंतो भगवंतमानदिताः । प्रमादतो यदि भवेत्पतनं मुरवैरिणः

nayeyurapramādyaṁto bhagavaṁtamānaditāḥ pramādato yadi bhavetpatanaṁ muravairiṇaḥ

Those who carry the Lord, filled with joy, should do so without any carelessness; for if, through carelessness, a fall of the Slayer of Mura should occur,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.71.44)

बलस्य वा सुभद्राया राज्ञो राज्यस्य भीतिकृत् । अपि पातयतां हानिः संततेर्बहुदुःखिता

balasya vā subhadrāyā rājño rājyasya bhītikṛt api pātayatāṁ hāniḥ saṁtaterbahuduḥkhitā

or of Bala, or of Subhadra, it would bring danger upon the king and the kingdom; and for those who let it fall, there would be great loss and much suffering to their lineage,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.71.45)

नरके नियतं वासो भवेत्तेषां दुरात्मनाम् । विमुह्यंतश्चिराद्दारुमयीयं प्रतिमा कथम्

narake niyataṁ vāso bhavetteṣāṁ durātmanām vimuhyaṁtaścirāddārumayīyaṁ pratimā katham

and a certain dwelling in hell for those wicked souls. But those who, deluded, think for long: 'How can this be, merely a wooden image?'

Verse 46 (skanda.2.71.46)

तिष्ठेदविश्वसंतो ये भगवद्द्रोहिणस्तु ते । नरकं प्रतिपद्यंते सर्वकर्मबहिष्कृताः

tiṣṭhedaviśvasaṁto ye bhagavaddrohiṇastu te narakaṁ pratipadyaṁte sarvakarmabahiṣkṛtāḥ

and remain without faith — such enemies of the Lord fall into hell, excluded from the fruit of all their deeds.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.71.47)

मूढानां नास्तिकानां च कृतघ्नानां हतात्मनाम् । धर्मकृत्येषु जायंते अविश्वासस्य युक्तयः

mūḍhānāṁ nāstikānāṁ ca kṛtaghnānāṁ hatātmanām dharmakṛtyeṣu jāyaṁte aviśvāsasya yuktayaḥ

In the fools, the atheists, the ungrateful, and those of ruined soul, in matters of righteous duty, arise justifications for their lack of faith:

Verse 48 (skanda.2.71.48)

अदृष्टं यस्य यावद्धि स तु तेन विनिर्मितः । तदंते तस्य क्षीयंते प्रासादप्रतिमादयः

adṛṣṭaṁ yasya yāvaddhi sa tu tena vinirmitaḥ tadaṁte tasya kṣīyaṁte prāsādapratimādayaḥ

'Whatever unseen merit a person has, by that alone was this temple built; at the end of that merit, the temple, the image, and the rest will decay;

Verse 49 (skanda.2.71.49)

न चायं निर्मितः केन द्रुमः सोऽपि प्रवर्द्धितः । वरं ददाति या नूनं न चासौ प्रतिमा मता

na cāyaṁ nirmitaḥ kena drumaḥ so'pi pravarddhitaḥ varaṁ dadāti yā nūnaṁ na cāsau pratimā matā

and this tree — by whom was it even made? It merely grew of itself; surely it is not held that this image, merely made from it, grants boons.'

Verse 50 (skanda.2.71.50)

निर्मितायां प्रतिकृतौ पुरा मन्वंतरादिषु । व्यतीतेष्वपि वर्द्धंते जनानां च सुपर्वणाम्

nirmitāyāṁ pratikṛtau purā manvaṁtarādiṣu vyatīteṣvapi varddhaṁte janānāṁ ca suparvaṇām

But even in past manvantaras and other ages long gone by, when such images were made, the devotion of both men and gods toward them continued to grow —

Verse 51 (skanda.2.71.51)

भक्तयस्तादृशो विप्राः सर्वेषां पृथिवीक्षिताम् । स्वारोचिषेंऽतरे चैव आविर्भूतः कृपानिधिः

bhaktayastādṛśo viprāḥ sarveṣāṁ pṛthivīkṣitām svārociṣeṁ'tare caiva āvirbhūtaḥ kṛpānidhiḥ

such was the devotion, O brahmins, of all rulers of the earth. In the Svarochisha age too, this treasury of compassion appeared,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.71.52)

वैवस्वतेंऽतरे सप्तविंशे चैव चतुर्युगे । द्वापरांते समायातौ तदा कृष्णार्जुनावुभौ

vaivasvateṁ'tare saptaviṁśe caiva caturyuge dvāparāṁte samāyātau tadā kṛṣṇārjunāvubhau

and in the twenty-seventh chaturyuga of the Vaivasvata age, at the end of the Dvapara, both Krishna and Arjuna together came here,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.71.53)

त्रिदिनानि स्थितावत्र व्रतस्थौ मधुसूदनम् । भक्त्या संपूज्य तं स्तुत्वा जग्मतुर्द्वारकां पुनः

tridināni sthitāvatra vratasthau madhusūdanam bhaktyā saṁpūjya taṁ stutvā jagmaturdvārakāṁ punaḥ

and remained here for three days, observing a vow, worshipping Madhusudana with devotion; having praised him, they returned again to Dvaraka.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.71.54)

न केऽपि तत्त्वं जानंति मानुषीं तनुमास्थिताः । अवताराः प्रवर्तंते विष्णोरस्य युगेयुगे

na ke'pi tattvaṁ jānaṁti mānuṣīṁ tanumāsthitāḥ avatārāḥ pravartaṁte viṣṇorasya yugeyuge

None, dwelling in a human body, truly know his essence; the incarnations of this Vishnu occur age after age

Verse 55 (skanda.2.71.55)

धर्मस्थापनया विप्रा लीयंते स्वपदे पुनः । पूर्वं च ब्रह्मणा प्रोक्तः स चानेन परस्परम्

dharmasthāpanayā viprā līyaṁte svapade punaḥ pūrvaṁ ca brahmaṇā proktaḥ sa cānena parasparam

for the establishment of dharma, O brahmins, and merge again into their own true state. And this was told before, by Brahma to him, and by him back to Brahma, mutually:

Verse 56 (skanda.2.71.56)

स्थाता परार्द्धपर्यंतं भगवान्दारुरूपधृक् । सदायं वरदो विष्णुः शुद्धसत्त्वेन भावितः

sthātā parārddhaparyaṁtaṁ bhagavāndārurūpadhṛk sadāyaṁ varado viṣṇuḥ śuddhasattvena bhāvitaḥ

'The Lord, bearing the wooden form, shall abide here until the end of a parardha; this Vishnu ever grants boons to one contemplated with a purely virtuous mind;

Verse 57 (skanda.2.71.57)

यस्य यावांस्तु विश्वासस्तस्य सिद्धिस्तु तावती । प्रमादीकृतविश्वासो भक्तो दृढमतिः पुमान्

yasya yāvāṁstu viśvāsastasya siddhistu tāvatī pramādīkṛtaviśvāso bhakto dṛḍhamatiḥ pumān

as is one's faith, so indeed is one's attainment. A devotee of firm resolve, whose faith is not shaken by carelessness of others,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.71.58)

यत्नानुरूपं लभते फलमस्मात्सुदुर्लभम् । पुरा वः कथितं सर्वमंबरीषविमोचनम्

yatnānurūpaṁ labhate phalamasmātsudurlabham purā vaḥ kathitaṁ sarvamaṁbarīṣavimocanam

obtains from this the fruit corresponding to his effort, most rare though it be. Long ago I told you all about the deliverance of Ambarisha —

Verse 59 (skanda.2.71.59)

ततस्तस्मिञ्जगन्नाथे परमात्मस्वरूपिणि । विधाय सुदृढां भक्तिं वसध्वं पुरुषोत्तमे

tatastasmiñjagannāthe paramātmasvarūpiṇi vidhāya sudṛḍhāṁ bhaktiṁ vasadhvaṁ puruṣottame

therefore, having fixed firm devotion upon that Jagannatha, of the very nature of the Supreme Self, dwell here at Purushottama.'

Verse 60 (skanda.2.71.60)

अतोऽयं भक्तितो नेयः श्रीकृष्णमंच उत्तमः । सुभद्राबलभद्रौ च राजवत्परिचर्य वै

ato'yaṁ bhaktito neyaḥ śrīkṛṣṇamaṁca uttamaḥ subhadrābalabhadrau ca rājavatparicarya vai

Therefore this excellent Sri Krishna should be led to the platform with devotion, and Subhadra and Balabhadra too, attended upon like royalty,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.71.61)

उत्तोलितेषु च्छत्रेषु चामरैर्वीजितेषु च । कालागुरुसुधूपासु दिक्षु गंभीरनादिषु

uttoliteṣu cchatreṣu cāmarairvījiteṣu ca kālāgurusudhūpāsu dikṣu gaṁbhīranādiṣu

with umbrellas held aloft, chowries waving, the directions filled with the sweet smoke of black agaru incense, and resounding with deep sound,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.71.62)

नानाविधेषु वाद्येषु त्वगारे परिपूरिते । तौर्यत्रिके साधुवृत्ते दीपिका श्रेणिराजिते

nānāvidheṣu vādyeṣu tvagāre paripūrite tauryatrike sādhuvṛtte dīpikā śreṇirājite

with various instruments filling the whole hall, with the excellent threefold art of music, dance and song in good order, and rows of lamps shining,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.71.63)

अंधकारेऽथ सर्वेषां वर्द्धमाने महोत्सवे । आच्छन्ने श्रीपतेरंगे प्रमादपरिशंकया

aṁdhakāre'tha sarveṣāṁ varddhamāne mahotsave ācchanne śrīpateraṁge pramādapariśaṁkayā

in the darkness of night, while the great festival grows, with the body of the Lord of Shri covered, for fear of any mishap,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.71.64)

पटुपट्टदुकूलेषु नीयमानेषु दूरतः । गतेर्वेगात्तदोत्तानीकृतास्ये जगतां गुरौ

paṭupaṭṭadukūleṣu nīyamāneṣu dūrataḥ gatervegāttadottānīkṛtāsye jagatāṁ gurau

wrapped in fine silk garments, being carried from afar; and when, from the speed of the movement, the face of the Guru of the worlds becomes tilted upward,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.71.65)

आवर्त्तदृष्टयो देवा दिवारोहणशंकिनः । जयस्व राम कृष्णेति जय भद्रेति चोचिरे

āvarttadṛṣṭayo devā divārohaṇaśaṁkinaḥ jayasva rāma kṛṣṇeti jaya bhadreti cocire

the gods, their eyes turning about in alarm lest he ascend to heaven, cried out: 'Victory to you, Rama! Victory, Krishna! Victory, Bhadra!'

Verse 66 (skanda.2.71.66)

एवं सलीलं भगवाञ्जन्मज्यैष्ठ्याभिषेचने । नीयते मंचदेशं तु निशीथे ब्राह्मणादिभिः

evaṁ salīlaṁ bhagavāñjanmajyaiṣṭhyābhiṣecane nīyate maṁcadeśaṁ tu niśīthe brāhmaṇādibhiḥ

Thus, in his playful sport, at the bathing of his birth-festival in Jyeshtha, the Lord is carried to the place of the platform, at midnight, by brahmins and others.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.71.67)

अहंपूर्विकशब्दस्तु देवानां श्रूयते दिवि । देवदुंदुभयश्चैव जयशब्दविमिश्रिताः

ahaṁpūrvikaśabdastu devānāṁ śrūyate divi devaduṁdubhayaścaiva jayaśabdavimiśritāḥ

In heaven is heard the clamor of the gods, each eager to be first, and the sound of divine kettledrums, mingled with cries of victory.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.71.68)

ततो मंचस्थितं ब्रह्मरूपं प्रत्यर्चया सह । आच्छाद्य सर्वाण्यंगानि मुखवर्जं सुचेलकैः

tato maṁcasthitaṁ brahmarūpaṁ pratyarcayā saha ācchādya sarvāṇyaṁgāni mukhavarjaṁ sucelakaiḥ

Then the Lord, the very form of Brahman seated upon the platform, together with his consort-image, having had all his limbs but the face covered with fine cloths,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.71.69)

विना निवेद्यं संपूज्य उपचारैः पुरोदितैः । अधिवासितकुंभैश्च शांतिघोषपुरःसरम्

vinā nivedyaṁ saṁpūjya upacāraiḥ puroditaiḥ adhivāsitakuṁbhaiśca śāṁtighoṣapuraḥsaram

having been worshipped with the previously described offerings, except for the food-offering, and with the pre-consecrated pitchers, preceded by the peace-invocation,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.71.70)

समुदज्येष्ठामंत्रेण स्नापयेत्सुरपुंगवान् । पश्यतामभिषेक्तॄणां कृतकृत्यत्वहेतवे

samudajyeṣṭhāmaṁtreṇa snāpayetsurapuṁgavān paśyatāmabhiṣektṝṇāṁ kṛtakṛtyatvahetave

one should bathe the foremost of gods with the samudajyeshtha hymn, for the fulfillment of purpose of those officiating priests who behold it;

Verse 71 (skanda.2.71.71)

स्नाप्यमानं तु पश्यंति ये नरास्तत्र संस्थिताः । गर्भोदकेन स्नपनं न ते पुनरवाप्नुयुः

snāpyamānaṁ tu paśyaṁti ye narāstatra saṁsthitāḥ garbhodakena snapanaṁ na te punaravāpnuyuḥ

and those men who stand there and behold him being bathed shall never again undergo the bathing in the waters of the womb.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.71.72)

ज्येष्ठस्नानं भगवतो ये पश्यंति मुदान्विताः । न ते भवाब्धौ मज्जंति यात्रामुत्कंठमानसाः

jyeṣṭhasnānaṁ bhagavato ye paśyaṁti mudānvitāḥ na te bhavābdhau majjaṁti yātrāmutkaṁṭhamānasāḥ

Those who joyfully behold the Lord's Jyeshtha-bathing, their minds eager for the festival, do not sink in the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.71.73)

बुद्ध्यबुद्धिकृतः पुंसामनादिः पापसंचयः । तत्क्षणान्नाशमायाति पश्यतां स्नपनं हरेः

buddhyabuddhikṛtaḥ puṁsāmanādiḥ pāpasaṁcayaḥ tatkṣaṇānnāśamāyāti paśyatāṁ snapanaṁ hareḥ

The beginningless accumulation of sin, whether done knowingly or unknowingly, is destroyed in that very instant for those who behold the bathing of Hari.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.71.74)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यं ब्रवीमि द्विजपुंगवाः । सर्वसंतापशमनमशेषमलनाशनम्

satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ bravīmi dvijapuṁgavāḥ sarvasaṁtāpaśamanamaśeṣamalanāśanam

Truly, truly, again truly I speak, O foremost of brahmins: the pacifier of every affliction, the destroyer of every last stain,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.71.75)

स्नपनं श्रीपतेर्ज्यैष्ठ्यां यदि भक्त्या विलोकनम् । प्रायश्चित्तनिमित्तानि यानि पापानि संति वै

snapanaṁ śrīpaterjyaiṣṭhyāṁ yadi bhaktyā vilokanam prāyaścittanimittāni yāni pāpāni saṁti vai

is the bathing of the Lord of Shri in Jyeshtha, if beheld with devotion. Whatever sins there are that require expiation —

Verse 76 (skanda.2.71.76)

तानि सर्वाणि क्षीयंते पश्यतां स्नपनं हरेः । नातः परतरं कर्म ह्यनायासेन मोचनम्

tāni sarvāṇi kṣīyaṁte paśyatāṁ snapanaṁ hareḥ nātaḥ parataraṁ karma hyanāyāsena mocanam

all of them are destroyed for those who behold the bathing of Hari; there is no rite higher than this for effortless liberation.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.71.77)

ज्येष्ठजन्मदिने स्नानं हरेर्यदवलोकितम् । स्नानदानतपःश्राद्धजपयज्ञादयस्तु ये

jyeṣṭhajanmadine snānaṁ hareryadavalokitam snānadānatapaḥśrāddhajapayajñādayastu ye

The bathing of Hari beheld on his birthday in Jyeshtha — whatever the merits are that are prescribed for bathing, charity, austerity, ancestral rites, mantra-recitation, sacrifice, and the like,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.71.78)

विधयः कोटिगुणिताः कोटिजन्मोपपादिताः । स्नानदर्शनपुण्यस्य हरेस्ते न तुलां गताः

vidhayaḥ koṭiguṇitāḥ koṭijanmopapāditāḥ snānadarśanapuṇyasya hareste na tulāṁ gatāḥ

multiplied a crore-fold and accumulated over a crore of births, do not equal the merit of beholding the bathing of Hari.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.71.79)

भक्त्या यः स्नपनं विष्णोरेकस्मिन्वत्सरेऽपि वा । पश्येन्न शोचते विप्रा इह संसारमोचने

bhaktyā yaḥ snapanaṁ viṣṇorekasminvatsare'pi vā paśyenna śocate viprā iha saṁsāramocane

Whoever, with devotion, beholds Vishnu's bathing even once in a year, need not grieve, O brahmins, over liberation from this world.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.71.80)

तेनेष्टं क्रतुभिः पुण्यैः श्रद्धाविपुलदक्षिणैः । महादानानि दत्तानि भोजिताः कोटिशो द्विजाः

teneṣṭaṁ kratubhiḥ puṇyaiḥ śraddhāvipuladakṣiṇaiḥ mahādānāni dattāni bhojitāḥ koṭiśo dvijāḥ

By him have sacrifices been performed with great merit and abundant sacrificial fees offered in faith; great gifts have been given, crores of brahmins fed,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.71.81)

श्राद्धानि गयशीर्षादौ कोटिशश्च कृतानि वै । पुण्यकाले च तीथार्दौ तपांसि चरितानि च

śrāddhāni gayaśīrṣādau koṭiśaśca kṛtāni vai puṇyakāle ca tīthārdau tapāṁsi caritāni ca

ancestral rites performed crores of times at Gayashirsha and other places, and austerities practiced at sacred fords at auspicious times,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.71.82)

अर्धोदयादियोगेषु कोटितीर्थेषु कोटिशः । स्नातानि तेन भो विप्रा यः पश्येत्स्नपनं हरेः

ardhodayādiyogeṣu koṭitīrtheṣu koṭiśaḥ snātāni tena bho viprā yaḥ paśyetsnapanaṁ hareḥ

and bathing performed crores of times at crores of sacred fords during conjunctions such as Ardhodaya — all this has been accomplished, O brahmins, by him who beholds the bathing of Hari.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.71.83)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यं ब्रवीमि द्विजपुंगवाः । नातः श्रेयस्करं कर्म शास्त्रदृष्टपथिस्थितम्

satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ bravīmi dvijapuṁgavāḥ nātaḥ śreyaskaraṁ karma śāstradṛṣṭapathisthitam

Truly, truly, again truly I speak, O foremost of brahmins: there is no more beneficial rite established in the path seen by the scriptures than this.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.71.84)

मञ्चस्थं स्नाप्यमानं हि यः पश्येत्पुरुषोत्तमम् । स्नानाच्छतगुणं पुण्यं लभते वै न संशयः

mañcasthaṁ snāpyamānaṁ hi yaḥ paśyetpuruṣottamam snānācchataguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ labhate vai na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever beholds Purushottama, seated on the platform, being bathed, obtains a hundred times the merit of bathing itself — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.71.85)

मञ्चस्थितं जगन्नाथं स्नानार्द्रं यस्तु पश्यति । सांद्रानन्दार्द्रचित्तोऽसौ न किंचित्पापमश्नुते

mañcasthitaṁ jagannāthaṁ snānārdraṁ yastu paśyati sāṁdrānandārdracitto'sau na kiṁcitpāpamaśnute

Whoever beholds Jagannatha, seated on the platform, wet from bathing, his heart melting with intense bliss, incurs no sin whatsoever.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.71.86)

यदेव पुण्यमुदितं स्नानदर्शनकर्मणि । तत्तत्फलमवाप्नोति दृष्ट्वा मञ्चस्थमच्युतम्

yadeva puṇyamuditaṁ snānadarśanakarmaṇi tattatphalamavāpnoti dṛṣṭvā mañcasthamacyutam

Whatever merit has been declared for the act of beholding the bathing, that very fruit is obtained by seeing Achyuta seated upon the platform.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.71.87)

एक एव जगन्नाथस्त्रिधा तत्र स्थितो द्विजाः । एकैकस्यापि स्नपनदर्शनं भुक्तिमुक्तिदम्

eka eva jagannāthastridhā tatra sthito dvijāḥ ekaikasyāpi snapanadarśanaṁ bhuktimuktidam

Jagannatha, though one alone, stands there in three forms, O brahmins; beholding the bathing of even one of them alone grants both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.71.88)

जयस्व रामभद्रेति जय भद्रेति यो वदेत् । जय कृष्ण जगन्नाथ जयेत्युच्चारयेन्मुदा

jayasva rāmabhadreti jaya bhadreti yo vadet jaya kṛṣṇa jagannātha jayetyuccārayenmudā

Whoever says: 'Victory to you, Ramabhadra! Victory, Bhadra!' and joyfully utters: 'Victory, Krishna Jagannatha, victory!' —

Verse 89 (skanda.2.71.89)

स्नानकाले स वै मुक्तिं प्रयाति द्विजसत्तमाः । अधिवासादिकं तत्र यैः कृतं स्नानकर्मणि

snānakāle sa vai muktiṁ prayāti dvijasattamāḥ adhivāsādikaṁ tatra yaiḥ kṛtaṁ snānakarmaṇi

he indeed attains liberation at the time of the bathing, O best of brahmins. Those by whom the vigil-rite and the rest were performed in this bathing ceremony —

Verse 90 (skanda.2.71.90)

तेषां श्रद्धामुदायुक्तः प्रदद्याद्दक्षिणाः पृथक् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च मिष्टान्नं वस्त्रालंकरणानि च

teṣāṁ śraddhāmudāyuktaḥ pradadyāddakṣiṇāḥ pṛthak brāhmaṇebhyaśca miṣṭānnaṁ vastrālaṁkaraṇāni ca

to them, filled with joyful faith, one should give separate fees; and to the brahmins, sweet food, and garments and ornaments,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.71.91)

प्रदद्याच्छ्रद्धया युक्तो दीनानाथांश्च तर्पयेत् । ये द्रष्टुमागताः स्नानं जीवन्मुक्तास्तु ते ध्रुवम्

pradadyācchraddhayā yukto dīnānāthāṁśca tarpayet ye draṣṭumāgatāḥ snānaṁ jīvanmuktāstu te dhruvam

should be given with faith, and the humble and the helpless should also be satisfied. Those who came to see the bathing are surely liberated-while-living.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.71.92)

तान्यथाशक्ति वै राजा मानयेत्प्रीतये हरेः । स्नानावशेषतोयेन स्नायाद्भद्रासनस्थितः

tānyathāśakti vai rājā mānayetprītaye hareḥ snānāvaśeṣatoyena snāyādbhadrāsanasthitaḥ

The king should honor them according to his means, for the pleasure of Hari; with the water remaining from the bathing, one should bathe, seated upon an auspicious seat —

Verse 93 (skanda.2.71.93)

नारी वा पुरुषो वापि तस्य पुण्यं वदामि वः । कल्पः स्याच्चिररोगार्तो ह्यपमृत्युं जयेदसौ

nārī vā puruṣo vāpi tasya puṇyaṁ vadāmi vaḥ kalpaḥ syāccirarogārto hyapamṛtyuṁ jayedasau

whether woman or man; I shall tell you the merit of this: one long afflicted by disease becomes healthy again, and conquers an untimely death;

Verse 94 (skanda.2.71.94)

अपुत्रा मृतवत्सा वा वन्ध्या वापि लभेत्सुतम् । सुभगः सर्वलोकानां निर्धनो धनवान्भवेत्

aputrā mṛtavatsā vā vandhyā vāpi labhetsutam subhagaḥ sarvalokānāṁ nirdhano dhanavānbhavet

a woman without a son, or one whose children have died, or even a barren woman, obtains a son; one poor in the eyes of the world becomes wealthy;

Verse 95 (skanda.2.71.95)

गुर्विणी लभते पुत्रं दीर्घायुर्गुणवत्तरम् । गंगादिसर्वतीर्थानां स्नानजं फलमुच्यते

gurviṇī labhate putraṁ dīrghāyurguṇavattaram gaṁgādisarvatīrthānāṁ snānajaṁ phalamucyate

a pregnant woman obtains a son of long life and excellent virtue. The fruit born of bathing in the Ganga and all other sacred fords is said to be obtained

Verse 96 (skanda.2.71.96)

स्नानदर्शनजं पुण्यं धर्मात्मा लभते ध्रुवम्

snānadarśanajaṁ puṇyaṁ dharmātmā labhate dhruvam

— the merit born of beholding this bathing is surely obtained by the righteous soul.