The Dakshinayana Rite, the Sacred Kitchen, and King Shveta

Verse 1 (skanda.2.77.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच। अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि दक्षिणायनमुत्तमम्। संक्रांतेः पूर्वकाले याः कला वै विंशतिर्मताः

jaiminiruvāca ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi dakṣiṇāyanamuttamam saṁkrāṁteḥ pūrvakāle yāḥ kalā vai viṁśatirmatāḥ

Jaimini said: Now I shall further declare the excellent Dakshinayana rite; before the solstice, twenty digits (kalas of the sun) are reckoned as its approach.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.77.2)

अयनं पुण्यकालोऽयं पुण्यकर्मसु कर्मिणाम्। पंचामृतैस्तत्र देवं स्नापयेत्स्वापवद्द्विजाः

ayanaṁ puṇyakālo'yaṁ puṇyakarmasu karmiṇām paṁcāmṛtaistatra devaṁ snāpayetsvāpavaddvijāḥ

That transit is a holy time for those engaged in holy works; there, O brahmins, one should bathe the deity with the five nectars, as at the great bathing rite.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.77.3)

सर्वांगं लेपयेदस्यागुरुकर्पूरचंदनैः। सुगन्ध माल्यालंकारैश्चारुवस्त्रैश्च दीपकैः

sarvāṁgaṁ lepayedasyāgurukarpūracaṁdanaiḥ sugandha mālyālaṁkāraiścāruvastraiśca dīpakaiḥ

One should anoint his whole body with aloe-wood, camphor, and sandal, adorn him with fragrant garlands and ornaments, fine cloths, and lamps.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.77.4)

नानाभक्ष्योपहारैश्च पूजयेत्परमेश्वरम्। कर्पूरालतिकामुच्चैर्मुखाभ्याशे हरेर्ददेत्

nānābhakṣyopahāraiśca pūjayetparameśvaram karpūrālatikāmuccairmukhābhyāśe harerdadet

One should worship the Supreme Lord with manifold offerings of food; one should wave a great camphor-flame before Hari's face.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.77.5)

दूर्वांकुराक्षतैर्नीराजनेनाथ प्रवन्दयेत्। मांगल्यगीतनृत्ताद्यैर्नारी हुलुहुलां वदेत्

dūrvāṁkurākṣatairnīrājanenātha pravandayet māṁgalyagītanṛttādyairnārī huluhulāṁ vadet

One should honour him with sprouts of durva grass and unbroken rice through the waving-of-lamps rite; women should raise the auspicious ululating cry amid songs and dances.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.77.6)

पूजितं पूज्यमानं च यः पश्येत्पुरुषोत्तमम्। पूजाशतगुणं पुण्यं तस्मै दद्याज्जनार्दनः

pūjitaṁ pūjyamānaṁ ca yaḥ paśyetpuruṣottamam pūjāśataguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ tasmai dadyājjanārdanaḥ

Whoever beholds Purushottama, worshipped and being worshipped, to him Janardana grants merit a hundredfold that of ordinary worship.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.77.7)

अयने दक्षिणे तस्मिन्नर्च्यमानं श्रियः पतिम्। विहाय सर्वपापानि विष्णुलोकं व्रजंति ते

ayane dakṣiṇe tasminnarcyamānaṁ śriyaḥ patim vihāya sarvapāpāni viṣṇulokaṁ vrajaṁti te

Those who behold the Husband of Shri being worshipped during that southward transit cast off every sin and go to Vishnu's world.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.77.8)

स्वल्पा वा महती यात्रा सर्वा मुक्तिप्रदा हरेः। तस्मिंस्तस्मिन्दिने दृष्टो भगवान्मुक्तिदो ध्रुवम्

svalpā vā mahatī yātrā sarvā muktipradā hareḥ tasmiṁstasmindine dṛṣṭo bhagavānmuktido dhruvam

Whether the pilgrimage be small or great, every visit to Hari bestows liberation; on whatever day the Lord is seen, he assuredly bestows liberation.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.77.9)

विश्वासहेतोर्मूर्खाणां यात्रा ह्येताः कृपावता। विष्णुना कथिता विप्राः पापिनां किल्बिषापहाः

viśvāsahetormūrkhāṇāṁ yātrā hyetāḥ kṛpāvatā viṣṇunā kathitā viprāḥ pāpināṁ kilbiṣāpahāḥ

For the sake of instilling faith in the foolish, these pilgrimages have been declared by the compassionate Vishnu, O brahmins, as removing the sins of sinners.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.77.10)

आयासजनितं पुण्यं मन्यन्ते ये नराधमाः। लक्ष्मीपतेर्भोजनाय संस्कार्योऽत्र महानसः

āyāsajanitaṁ puṇyaṁ manyante ye narādhamāḥ lakṣmīpaterbhojanāya saṁskāryo'tra mahānasaḥ

Base men who think merit arises from mere exertion alone are fools; here the kitchen should be duly consecrated for feeding the Husband of Lakshmi.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.77.11)

वैष्णवाग्निं समाधाय निरुप्य चरुमुत्तमम्। वैश्वदेवं प्रकुर्वीत भगवत्पाकसाधनम्

vaiṣṇavāgniṁ samādhāya nirupya carumuttamam vaiśvadevaṁ prakurvīta bhagavatpākasādhanam

Having installed the Vaishnava fire and prepared the excellent oblation, one should perform the Vaishvadeva rite, as the means for cooking the Lord's food.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.77.12)

ब्रह्मणे वास्तुपतये प्रजानां पतये तथा। विष्णवे विश्वकर्त्रे च शुच्यग्नौ जुहुयाच्छुचिः

brahmaṇe vāstupataye prajānāṁ pataye tathā viṣṇave viśvakartre ca śucyagnau juhuyācchuciḥ

Being pure, he should offer oblations into the pure fire to Brahma, to Vastupati, to Prajapati, and to Vishnu, the maker of the universe.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.77.13)

राज्ञा नियुक्त आचार्यः श्रौतस्मार्तक्रियापरः। द्वारपालप्रचंडाभ्यामैशान्यां क्षेत्रपालिने

rājñā niyukta ācāryaḥ śrautasmārtakriyāparaḥ dvārapālapracaṁḍābhyāmaiśānyāṁ kṣetrapāline

The acharya, appointed by the king and devoted to the Shrauta and Smarta rites, should offer bali in the north-east to the doorkeepers led by Pracanda, and to Kshetrapala,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.77.14)

दक्षिणे च विरूपाय खगानां पतये तथा। दुर्गासरस्वतीभ्यां च नैर्ऋत्यां विनिवेदयेत्

dakṣiṇe ca virūpāya khagānāṁ pataye tathā durgāsarasvatībhyāṁ ca nairṛtyāṁ vinivedayet

in the south to Virupa and to the lord of birds; in the south-west he should offer to Durga and Sarasvati.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.77.15)

महालक्ष्मीमहेंद्राभ्यां प्राच्यां दिशि बलिः स्मृतः। विष्णु पारिषदेभ्योऽथ पशूनां पतये तथा

mahālakṣmīmaheṁdrābhyāṁ prācyāṁ diśi baliḥ smṛtaḥ viṣṇu pāriṣadebhyo'tha paśūnāṁ pataye tathā

Bali is prescribed to Mahalakshmi and Mahendra in the east, and also to the attendants of Vishnu and to the lord of animals,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.77.16)

उदीच्यां बलिदानं तु नारदायाथ पश्चिमे। आग्नेय्यामग्नये दद्याद्वायव्यां विश्वसाक्षिणे

udīcyāṁ balidānaṁ tu nāradāyātha paścime āgneyyāmagnaye dadyādvāyavyāṁ viśvasākṣiṇe

bali to Narada in the north, and in the west likewise; to Agni in the south-east, and to Vayu, witness of the universe, in the north-west.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.77.17)

पञ्चश्वसनरूपेभ्यो विश्वकर्त्रेऽथ मध्यतः। आद्यंतयोर्जलं दद्यात्प्रत्येकं बलिकर्मणि

pañcaśvasanarūpebhyo viśvakartre'tha madhyataḥ ādyaṁtayorjalaṁ dadyātpratyekaṁ balikarmaṇi

to the five forms of Prana, and to Vishvakarma in the centre; at the start and end of the bali-rite, water should be offered in each case.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.77.18)

दत्त्वा वलिं तदग्नौ तु कारयेत्पाकमुत्तमम्। संध्यात्रये भगवतः पूजायै चरुकारणात्

dattvā valiṁ tadagnau tu kārayetpākamuttamam saṁdhyātraye bhagavataḥ pūjāyai carukāraṇāt

Having offered the bali, he should have excellent food cooked in that same fire, as the means of the charu-oblation for the Lord's worship at the three daily junctures.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.77.19)

चरुसंस्कारकांगानि भक्ष्यभोज्यादिकानि वै। न दीप्तान्योजयेत्तत्र लोके त्रैवर्णिको नृपः

carusaṁskārakāṁgāni bhakṣyabhojyādikāni vai na dīptānyojayettatra loke traivarṇiko nṛpaḥ

The ingredients of the consecrated charu are manifold foods and delicacies; no king of the three twice-born classes should employ hot-tempered persons there,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.77.20)

आर्यान्पवित्राञ्छूद्रान्वा वर्णांश्च परिसेवकान्। लौकिकव्यवहारोऽयं पचति श्रीः स्वयं ध्रुवम्

āryānpavitrāñchūdrānvā varṇāṁśca parisevakān laukikavyavahāro'yaṁ pacati śrīḥ svayaṁ dhruvam

only pure Aryas, or Shudras of the serving class. This is worldly custom — but in truth it is Shri herself who cooks, without doubt.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.77.21)

भुंक्ते नारायणो नित्यं तया पक्वं शरीरवान्। अमृतं तद्धि नैवेद्यं पापघ्नं मूर्ध्नि धारणात्

bhuṁkte nārāyaṇo nityaṁ tayā pakvaṁ śarīravān amṛtaṁ taddhi naivedyaṁ pāpaghnaṁ mūrdhni dhāraṇāt

Narayana, embodied, ever partakes of that cooked food; that food-offering is indeed nectar, destroying sin by the mere placing of it upon the head.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.77.22)

भक्षणान्मद्यपानादिमहादुरितनाशनम्। आघ्राणान्मानसं पापं दर्शनाद्दृष्टिजं तथा

bhakṣaṇānmadyapānādimahāduritanāśanam āghrāṇānmānasaṁ pāpaṁ darśanāddṛṣṭijaṁ tathā

By eating it, the great sin of drinking wine and the like is destroyed; by smelling it, mental sin; by seeing it, sin born of sight, likewise;

Verse 23 (skanda.2.77.23)

आस्वादात्तु कृतं पापं श्रावणं च व्यपोहति। स्पर्शनात्त्वक्कृतं पापं मिथ्याभाषणजं तथा

āsvādāttu kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ śrāvaṇaṁ ca vyapohati sparśanāttvakkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ mithyābhāṣaṇajaṁ tathā

by tasting it, sin already committed and that born of hearing are dispelled; by touch, sin committed by the skin, and that born of false speech;

Verse 24 (skanda.2.77.24)

गात्रलेपाद्दहेत्पापं शारीरं वै न संशयः

gātralepāddahetpāpaṁ śārīraṁ vai na saṁśayaḥ

by smearing it on the limbs, bodily sin is burnt away — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.77.25)

महापवित्रं हि हरेर्निवेदितं नियोजयेद्यः पितृदेवकर्मसु। तृप्यंति तस्मै पितरः सुरास्तथा प्रयांति लोकं मधुसूदनस्य ते

mahāpavitraṁ hi harerniveditaṁ niyojayedyaḥ pitṛdevakarmasu tṛpyaṁti tasmai pitaraḥ surāstathā prayāṁti lokaṁ madhusūdanasya te

Whoever employs this most sacred food, offered to Hari, in rites for ancestors and gods — the ancestors and gods are satisfied by it, and go to the world of Madhusudana.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.77.26)

नात्ः पवित्रं वस्त्वस्ति हव्यकव्येषु भो द्विजाः। नराणां रूपमास्थाय तदश्नंति दिवौकसः

nātḥ pavitraṁ vastvasti havyakavyeṣu bho dvijāḥ narāṇāṁ rūpamāsthāya tadaśnaṁti divaukasaḥ

There is no purer substance, O brahmins, among things offered as havya and kavya; the gods, taking human form, partake of it.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.77.27)

अभिमानो महांस्तत्र देवदेवस्य चक्रिणः। श्वेतो नाम महाराजः पुरा त्रेतायुगेऽभवत्

abhimāno mahāṁstatra devadevasya cakriṇaḥ śveto nāma mahārājaḥ purā tretāyuge'bhavat

There the great glory of the Discus-bearer, God of gods, resides. Long ago, in the Treta age, there was a great king named Shveta.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.77.28)

व्रतस्थोऽपि महाभक्तिं चकार पुरुषोत्तमे। इन्द्रद्युम्नेन रचितभोगमात्रानुसारतः

vratastho'pi mahābhaktiṁ cakāra puruṣottame indradyumnena racitabhogamātrānusārataḥ

Though established in his own vow, he performed great devotion to Purushottama, following the very manner of offerings arranged by Indradyumna.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.77.29)

भोगान्प्रकल्पयामास प्रत्यहं श्रीपतेर्मुदा। भक्ष्यभोज्यान्यनेकानि षड्रसांश्च सुसंस्कृतान्

bhogānprakalpayāmāsa pratyahaṁ śrīpatermudā bhakṣyabhojyānyanekāni ṣaḍrasāṁśca susaṁskṛtān

He arranged offerings each day with joy for the pleasure of the Husband of Shri: many foods and delicacies, well prepared with the six flavours,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.77.30)

माल्यानि च विचित्राणि सुगंधमनुलेपनम्। गीतवादित्रनृत्यानि दिव्यानि सुबहूनि च

mālyāni ca vicitrāṇi sugaṁdhamanulepanam gītavāditranṛtyāni divyāni subahūni ca

manifold wondrous garlands, fragrant unguents, and very many divine compositions of song, instrument, and dance,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.77.31)

राजोपचारा बहुशोऽवसरेऽवसरे हरेः। बहुवित्तव्ययायास भक्तिभावनिरूपकाः

rājopacārā bahuśo'vasare'vasare hareḥ bahuvittavyayāyāsa bhaktibhāvanirūpakāḥ

royal honours in abundance on every occasion for Hari, expressions of devotion involving great expenditure of wealth and effort.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.77.32)

तत्तद्वैष्णवशास्त्रोक्तचित्रभोगाः पृथग्विधाः। कल्पितास्तेन भूपेन विद्वत्पंकजभानुना

tattadvaiṣṇavaśāstroktacitrabhogāḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ kalpitāstena bhūpena vidvatpaṁkajabhānunā

Manifold wondrous offerings prescribed in the various Vaishnava scriptures were arranged by that king, a sun among the learned.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.77.33)

प्रातः पूजनवेलायां हरिं द्रष्टुं जगाम सः। कस्मिंश्चिद्दिवसे राजा पूज्यमानं ददर्श तम्

prātaḥ pūjanavelāyāṁ hariṁ draṣṭuṁ jagāma saḥ kasmiṁściddivase rājā pūjyamānaṁ dadarśa tam

At the hour of morning worship he went to behold Hari; one day the king beheld him being worshipped.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.77.34)

प्रणम्य देवदेवं तु बद्धांजलिपुटो मुदा। प्रासादद्वारनिकटे तस्थिवानृपसत्तमः

praṇamya devadevaṁ tu baddhāṁjalipuṭo mudā prāsādadvāranikaṭe tasthivānṛpasattamaḥ

Having bowed to the God of gods, with hands joined in joy, that best of kings stood near the door of the temple.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.77.35)

दृष्ट्वा स्वयं विरचितानुपचाराननुत्तमान्। उपायनसहस्रं च हरेरग्रे प्रकल्पितम्

dṛṣṭvā svayaṁ viracitānupacārānanuttamān upāyanasahasraṁ ca hareragre prakalpitam

Beholding the unsurpassed honours he himself had arranged, and a thousand offerings set out before Hari,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.77.36)

चिंतयामास मनसा किंचिद्ध्यानावलंबितः। मनुष्यकल्पितंभोगं ग्रहीष्यति हरिः किमु

ciṁtayāmāsa manasā kiṁciddhyānāvalaṁbitaḥ manuṣyakalpitaṁbhogaṁ grahīṣyati hariḥ kimu

he pondered a little in his mind, lost in thought: 'Will Hari indeed accept an offering devised by a mere man?

Verse 37 (skanda.2.77.37)

देवैर्दिव्योपचारैर्यो शक्यते नार्चनाविधौ। मानसैरुपहारैर्यं पूजयंति यतव्रताः

devairdivyopacārairyo śakyate nārcanāvidhau mānasairupahārairyaṁ pūjayaṁti yatavratāḥ

He whom even the gods cannot satisfy with their divine honours in the rite of worship, whom disciplined ascetics worship with mental offerings alone —

Verse 38 (skanda.2.77.38)

भावदुष्टो बहिर्यागो न मुदे तस्य निश्चितम्। इत्थं संचितयन्राजा दिव्यासनगतं विभुम्

bhāvaduṣṭo bahiryāgo na mude tasya niścitam itthaṁ saṁcitayanrājā divyāsanagataṁ vibhum

an outward sacrifice with a flawed intention surely brings him no joy.' As the king reflected thus, he beheld the Lord seated upon his divine throne,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.77.39)

भुंजानमन्नपानाढ्यं श्रिया सुपरिवेषितम्। दिव्यस्रजालंकृतया दिव्यगंधदुकूलया

bhuṁjānamannapānāḍhyaṁ śriyā supariveṣitam divyasrajālaṁkṛtayā divyagaṁdhadukūlayā

partaking of abundant food and drink, richly attended by Shri, adorned with divine garlands, in divine fragrant silk,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.77.40)

अनर्घ्यरत्नमंजीरसिंजितेन सुरालयम्। पूरयंत्या स्वर्णदर्व्या ददत्या सादरं रसान्

anarghyaratnamaṁjīrasiṁjitena surālayam pūrayaṁtyā svarṇadarvyā dadatyā sādaraṁ rasān

her priceless jewelled anklets tinkling, filling the divine abode, ladling out sauces from a golden spoon, serving them with reverence,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.77.41)

भगवत्प्रतिरूपैश्च भुंजानैः परिवेष्टितम्। दृष्ट्वा कृतार्थमात्मानं मन्यमानस्तदद्भुतम्

bhagavatpratirūpaiśca bhuṁjānaiḥ pariveṣṭitam dṛṣṭvā kṛtārthamātmānaṁ manyamānastadadbhutam

surrounded by beings in forms like the Lord's own, all eating together; beholding this wonder, the king deemed himself truly blessed.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.77.42)

प्रोन्मीलिताक्षः स पुनः प्राग्दृष्टं समवैक्षत। अतः प्रभृति राजासौ परां निर्वृतिमाप्तवान्

pronmīlitākṣaḥ sa punaḥ prāgdṛṣṭaṁ samavaikṣata ataḥ prabhṛti rājāsau parāṁ nirvṛtimāptavān

Opening his eyes again, he looked once more at what he had seen before — from that day the king attained supreme bliss.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.77.43)

निवेदिताशीर्व्रतवांश्चचार सुमहत्तपः। अकालमृत्युनाशाय स्वराज्ये मृतमुक्तये

niveditāśīrvratavāṁścacāra sumahattapaḥ akālamṛtyunāśāya svarājye mṛtamuktaye

Having received the Lord's blessing, established in his vow, he practised very great austerity, to avert untimely death and win release from death within his own realm.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.77.44)

मंत्रराजं जपन्नित्यं श्रितानां कल्पपादपम्। ददर्श शतवर्षांते नृहरिं दुरितापहम्

maṁtrarājaṁ japannityaṁ śritānāṁ kalpapādapam dadarśa śatavarṣāṁte nṛhariṁ duritāpaham

Ever reciting the king of mantras, meditating on him as the wish-fulfilling tree for those who take refuge in him, at the end of a hundred years he beheld Nrihari, remover of sin,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.77.45)

योगासनाब्जनिलयं वामांगावस्थितश्रियम्। दिव्यालंकृतसर्वांगं स्फटिकामलविग्रहम्

yogāsanābjanilayaṁ vāmāṁgāvasthitaśriyam divyālaṁkṛtasarvāṁgaṁ sphaṭikāmalavigraham

seated in the lotus-posture of yoga, with Shri seated at his left side, his whole body divinely adorned, his form pure as crystal,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.77.46)

त्रिदशैः सिद्धमुक्तैश्च स्तूयमानं स्मिताननम्। भ्रांतो विस्मयभीतिभ्यां हर्षगद्गदया गिरा। प्रसीद नाथेति लपन्पपात धरणीतले

tridaśaiḥ siddhamuktaiśca stūyamānaṁ smitānanam bhrāṁto vismayabhītibhyāṁ harṣagadgadayā girā prasīda nātheti lapanpapāta dharaṇītale

praised by gods, siddhas, and liberated souls, his face smiling; overwhelmed by wonder and awe, in a voice choked with joy, crying 'Be gracious, O Lord!', he fell to the ground.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.77.47)

तपःकृशं तं प्रणतं दृष्ट्वा मनुजकेसरी। अकल्मषं क्षितिपतिं विवक्षुर्भक्तवत्सलः

tapaḥkṛśaṁ taṁ praṇataṁ dṛṣṭvā manujakesarī akalmaṣaṁ kṣitipatiṁ vivakṣurbhaktavatsalaḥ

Beholding him, emaciated by austerity, prostrate before him, the Man-Lion, sinless and cherishing his devotees, wished to speak to him:

Verse 48 (skanda.2.77.48)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। उत्तिष्ठ वत्स भक्त्या ते प्रसन्नं विद्धि मां प्रभुम्। मयि प्रसन्ने नालभ्यं वरं तत्प्रार्थ्यतां भवान्

śrībhagavānuvāca uttiṣṭha vatsa bhaktyā te prasannaṁ viddhi māṁ prabhum mayi prasanne nālabhyaṁ varaṁ tatprārthyatāṁ bhavān

The Blessed Lord said: 'Rise, my child; know that I, your Lord, am pleased by your devotion. When I am pleased, no boon is unattainable — ask it of me.'

Verse 49 (skanda.2.77.49)

श्रुत्वेत्थं भगवद्वाक्यं समुत्तस्थौ ततो नृपः। बद्धांजलिपुटो नम्रो भक्त्योवाच जनार्दनम्

śrutvetthaṁ bhagavadvākyaṁ samuttasthau tato nṛpaḥ baddhāṁjalipuṭo namro bhaktyovāca janārdanam

Hearing these words of the Lord, the king rose up; with hands joined, bowed low, he spoke with devotion to Janardana:

Verse 50 (skanda.2.77.50)

श्वेत उवाच। स्वामिन्यदि प्रसादस्ते मयि जातः सुदुर्लभः। सारूप्यमथ संप्राप्य स्थास्यामि तव सन्निधौ

śveta uvāca svāminyadi prasādaste mayi jātaḥ sudurlabhaḥ sārūpyamatha saṁprāpya sthāsyāmi tava sannidhau

Shveta said: 'O Lord, if your grace, so hard to attain, has arisen in me, then, having attained a form like yours, I shall remain in your presence.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.77.51)

स्थास्ये यावन्नृपत्वेऽहं मद्राज्ये नो जनः क्वचित्। अकाले म्रियतां जंतुः काले चेन्मुक्तिमाप्नुयात्

sthāsye yāvannṛpatve'haṁ madrājye no janaḥ kvacit akāle mriyatāṁ jaṁtuḥ kāle cenmuktimāpnuyāt

I shall remain thus as long as I am king; may no creature in my realm ever die before its time — should death come, let it come in its due season, and let it bring liberation.'

Verse 52 (skanda.2.77.52)

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्प्राह श्वेतराजानमुत्तमम्

tacchrutvā bhagavānprāha śvetarājānamuttamam

Hearing this, the Blessed Lord spoke to the excellent King Shveta:

Verse 53 (skanda.2.77.53)

श्वेत ते वांछितं भूयात्तिष्ठ त्वं मम दक्षिणे। भुक्त्वा वर्षसहस्रं तु स्वराज्यं सुसमृद्धिमत्

śveta te vāṁchitaṁ bhūyāttiṣṭha tvaṁ mama dakṣiṇe bhuktvā varṣasahasraṁ tu svarājyaṁ susamṛddhimat

'Shveta, may your wish be granted; remain here at my right hand. Having enjoyed your own prosperous kingdom for a thousand years,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.77.54)

मम निर्माल्यभोगेन क्षीणशेषाघसंचयः। सुनिर्मलांतःकरणो मत्सायुज्यमवाप्स्यसि

mama nirmālyabhogena kṣīṇaśeṣāghasaṁcayaḥ sunirmalāṁtaḥkaraṇo matsāyujyamavāpsyasi

with the remainder of your sins consumed by feeding on my sacred remnants, your inner being made utterly pure, you shall attain union with me.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.77.55)

वटसागरयोर्मध्ये मुक्तिस्थाने सुदुर्लभे। मदीयाऽऽद्यावतारस्य विष्णोर्मत्स्यस्वरूपिणः

vaṭasāgarayormadhye muktisthāne sudurlabhe madīyā''dyāvatārasya viṣṇormatsyasvarūpiṇaḥ

Between the banyan and the ocean, at that place of liberation so hard to attain, facing my earliest incarnation, Vishnu in the form of a fish,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.77.56)

संमुखीनो वस त्वं हि स्फटिकामलविग्रहः। ख्यातिं यास्यसि भूर्लोके श्वेतमाधवसंज्ञया

saṁmukhīno vasa tvaṁ hi sphaṭikāmalavigrahaḥ khyātiṁ yāsyasi bhūrloke śvetamādhavasaṁjñayā

you shall dwell there, your form pure as crystal, and you shall become renowned on this earth by the name Shveta-Madhava.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.77.57)

युवयोरंतराले ये प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यंति मानवाः। तिर्यंचोऽपि च कीटा वा ध्रुवं ते मुक्तिमाप्नुयुः

yuvayoraṁtarāle ye prāṇāṁstyakṣyaṁti mānavāḥ tiryaṁco'pi ca kīṭā vā dhruvaṁ te muktimāpnuyuḥ

Whatever men give up their lives between you two shrines — even beasts and insects — shall assuredly attain liberation.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.77.58)

अमरा यत्र मरणमिच्छंति किमु मानवाः। तवोत्तरस्यां दिशि यत्सरः पापनिबर्हणम्

amarā yatra maraṇamicchaṁti kimu mānavāḥ tavottarasyāṁ diśi yatsaraḥ pāpanibarhaṇam

Where even the immortals long for death, how much more mortal men! To your north there is a lake that destroys sin;

Verse 59 (skanda.2.77.59)

तत्र स्नात्वा उपस्पृश्य तदीये दक्षिणे तटे। उभयोर्दृष्टिपूतःसंत्यक्त्वा प्राणान्विमुच्यते

tatra snātvā upaspṛśya tadīye dakṣiṇe taṭe ubhayordṛṣṭipūtaḥsaṁtyaktvā prāṇānvimucyate

bathing and touching its waters there, on its southern bank, purified by the sight of both, whoever gives up his life there is set free.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.77.60)

आसमंतादिदं क्षेत्रं यत्रतत्रापि मुक्तिदम्। मूढात्मनां विश्वसितुं प्रधानं स्थानमीरितम्

āsamaṁtādidaṁ kṣetraṁ yatratatrāpi muktidam mūḍhātmanāṁ viśvasituṁ pradhānaṁ sthānamīritam

All around, this entire field bestows liberation, here and there alike; it has been declared the foremost place where the trust of even the foolish is rewarded.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.77.61)

तव राज्ये तु ये लोका मम निर्माल्यभोजिनः। मृतिराकालिकी तेषां न कदाचिद्भविष्यति

tava rājye tu ye lokā mama nirmālyabhojinaḥ mṛtirākālikī teṣāṁ na kadācidbhaviṣyati

In your realm, those people who partake of my sacred remnants shall never suffer an untimely death.'