The Glory of the Sacred Remnant and the Tale of Damanaka

Verse 1 (skanda.2.78.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच। इति दत्त्वा वरं तस्मै श्वेतराजाय वै पुरा। जगामांतर्हितो विप्राः प्रासादांतः स्थितो हरिः

jaiminiruvāca iti dattvā varaṁ tasmai śvetarājāya vai purā jagāmāṁtarhito viprāḥ prāsādāṁtaḥ sthito hariḥ

Jaimini said: Having thus of old granted this boon to King Shveta, O brahmins, Hari, standing within the temple, vanished from sight.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.78.2)

समस्तजगतां या श्रीः सृष्टिस्थितिविनाशकृत्। वैष्णवीशक्तिरतुला परिवेषणकारिणी

samastajagatāṁ yā śrīḥ sṛṣṭisthitivināśakṛt vaiṣṇavīśaktiratulā pariveṣaṇakāriṇī

That Shri who belongs to the whole universe, who creates, sustains, and destroys, that incomparable Vaishnavi power, herself performs the act of serving the food.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.78.3)

सुधोपमं सुपक्वान्नं भुंक्ते नारायणः प्रभुः। तदुच्छिष्टोपभोगो हि सर्वाघक्षयकारकः

sudhopamaṁ supakvānnaṁ bhuṁkte nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ taducchiṣṭopabhogo hi sarvāghakṣayakārakaḥ

The Lord Narayana himself eats that well-cooked food, sweet as nectar; partaking of its remnant destroys every sin.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.78.4)

न तादृशसमं पुण्यं वस्त्वस्ति पृथिवीतले। पापसंस्कारकर्तॄणां संपर्कात्तु न दुष्यति

na tādṛśasamaṁ puṇyaṁ vastvasti pṛthivītale pāpasaṁskārakartṝṇāṁ saṁparkāttu na duṣyati

There is no substance on earth as sacred as that; even the touch of those given to sinful habits cannot defile it.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.78.5)

पद्मायाः सन्निधानेन सर्वे ते शुचयः स्मृताः। विष्ण्वालयगतं तद्धि निर्माल्यं पतितादयः

padmāyāḥ sannidhānena sarve te śucayaḥ smṛtāḥ viṣṇvālayagataṁ taddhi nirmālyaṁ patitādayaḥ

By reason of Padma's presence, all those who partake of it are held to be pure; if even outcasts touch that sacred remnant present in Vishnu's temple,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.78.6)

स्पृशंति चेन्न दुष्टं तद्यथा विष्णुस्तथैव तत्। व्रतस्था विधवाश्चैव सर्वे वर्णाश्रमास्तथा

spṛśaṁti cenna duṣṭaṁ tadyathā viṣṇustathaiva tat vratasthā vidhavāścaiva sarve varṇāśramāstathā

still it is not defiled, for it is itself of the very nature of Vishnu; those observing vows, widows, and people of every caste and stage of life,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.78.7)

तत्प्राशनेन पूयन्ते दीक्षिताश्चाग्निहोत्रिणः। दरिद्रः कृपणो वापि गृहस्थः प्रभुरेव वा

tatprāśanena pūyante dīkṣitāścāgnihotriṇaḥ daridraḥ kṛpaṇo vāpi gṛhasthaḥ prabhureva vā

are purified by partaking of it — even the initiated and those who maintain the sacred fire; whether poor or miserly, householder or lord,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.78.8)

स्वदेश्याः परदेश्या वा सर्वे तत्र समागताः। नाभिमानं प्रकुर्वीरन्विष्णोर्निर्माल्यभक्षणे

svadeśyāḥ paradeśyā vā sarve tatra samāgatāḥ nābhimānaṁ prakurvīranviṣṇornirmālyabhakṣaṇe

whether native or foreign, all who gather there should show no distinction in eating Vishnu's sacred remnant.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.78.9)

भक्त्या लोभात्कौतुकाद्वा क्षुधासंशमनेन वा। आकंठभक्षितं तद्धि पुनाति सकलांहसः

bhaktyā lobhātkautukādvā kṣudhāsaṁśamanena vā ākaṁṭhabhakṣitaṁ taddhi punāti sakalāṁhasaḥ

Whether eaten out of devotion, out of greed, out of curiosity, or simply to satisfy hunger, that food, eaten even to satiety, purifies one of every sin.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.78.10)

सर्वरोगोपशमनं पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्द्धनम्। दारिद्र्यहरणं श्रेष्ठं विद्यायुःश्रीप्रदं शुभम्

sarvarogopaśamanaṁ putrapautrapravarddhanam dāridryaharaṇaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ vidyāyuḥśrīpradaṁ śubham

It allays every disease, increases sons and grandsons, removes poverty, and is auspicious, bestowing excellent learning, long life, and prosperity.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.78.11)

पक्षपातो महांस्तत्र विष्णोरमिततेजसः। निन्दन्ति ये तदमृतं मूढाः पंडितमानिनः

pakṣapāto mahāṁstatra viṣṇoramitatejasaḥ nindanti ye tadamṛtaṁ mūḍhāḥ paṁḍitamāninaḥ

There is the great favour of the infinitely resplendent Vishnu at work there; those fools who, deeming themselves learned, revile that nectar,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.78.12)

स्वयं दंडधरस्तेषु सहते नापराधिनः। येषामत्र स दण्डश्चेद्ध्रुवा तेषां हि दुर्गतिः

svayaṁ daṁḍadharasteṣu sahate nāparādhinaḥ yeṣāmatra sa daṇḍaśceddhruvā teṣāṁ hi durgatiḥ

those offenders even Yama, the wielder of the rod, does not spare; those who receive such punishment here are assuredly destined for a wretched fate.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.78.13)

कुम्भीपाके महाघोरे पच्यन्ते तेऽतिदारुणे तं न विक्रयः क्रयो वापि प्रशस्तस्तस्य भो द्विजाः

kumbhīpāke mahāghore pacyante te'tidāruṇe taṁ na vikrayaḥ krayo vāpi praśastastasya bho dvijāḥ

They are cooked in the most dreadful Kumbhipaka hell; O brahmins, neither the selling nor the buying of that sacred food is commendable.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.78.14)

निर्माल्यं जगदीशस्य नाशित्वाश्नामि किञ्चन। इति सत्यप्रतिज्ञो यः प्रत्यहं तच्च भक्षयेत्

nirmālyaṁ jagadīśasya nāśitvāśnāmi kiñcana iti satyapratijño yaḥ pratyahaṁ tacca bhakṣayet

'I eat nothing until I have first partaken of the Lord of the world's sacred remnant' — the man true to this vow, who eats it daily,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.78.15)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शुद्धांतःकरणो नरः। स शुद्धं वैष्णव स्थानं क्रमाद्याति न संशयः

sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śuddhāṁtaḥkaraṇo naraḥ sa śuddhaṁ vaiṣṇava sthānaṁ kramādyāti na saṁśayaḥ

becomes freed from every sin, his heart made pure, and step by step reaches the pure abode of the Vaishnavas, without doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.78.16)

चिरस्थमपि संशुष्कं नीतं वा दूरदेशतः। यथातथोपयुक्तं तत्सर्वं पापापनोदनम्

cirasthamapi saṁśuṣkaṁ nītaṁ vā dūradeśataḥ yathātathopayuktaṁ tatsarvaṁ pāpāpanodanam

Whether it be long kept and dried, or brought from a distant land, however it is used, it remains one that removes every sin.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.78.17)

कुक्कुरस्य मुखाद्भ्रष्टं तदन्नं पतितं यदि। ब्राह्मणेनापि भोक्तव्यमितरेषां तु का कथा

kukkurasya mukhādbhraṣṭaṁ tadannaṁ patitaṁ yadi brāhmaṇenāpi bhoktavyamitareṣāṁ tu kā kathā

Even if that food should fall from a dog's mouth, a brahmin should still eat it — how much more, then, should others do so.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.78.18)

उपोष्य तिष्ठता वापि नोपवासं च कुर्वता। अशुचिर्वाप्यनाचारो मनसा पापमाचरन्। प्राप्तमात्रेण भोक्तव्यं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

upoṣya tiṣṭhatā vāpi nopavāsaṁ ca kurvatā aśucirvāpyanācāro manasā pāpamācaran prāptamātreṇa bhoktavyaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Whether fasting or not fasting, whether impure or fallen from observance, or even one committing sin in mind — as soon as it is obtained, it should be eaten at once; there is no need to deliberate over this.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.78.19)

नैवेद्यान्नं जगद्भर्त्तुर्गांगं वारि समं द्वयम्। दृष्टेः स्वर्गादि संप्राप्तिर्भक्षणाच्चाघनाशनम्

naivedyānnaṁ jagadbhartturgāṁgaṁ vāri samaṁ dvayam dṛṣṭeḥ svargādi saṁprāptirbhakṣaṇāccāghanāśanam

The food offered to the Lord of the world and the water of the Ganga are held to be equal; by mere sight of it one attains heaven and the like, and by eating it, sin is destroyed.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.78.20)

जगद्धात्र्या हि यत्पक्वं वैष्णवेऽग्नौ सुसंस्कृते। भुक्तेऽन्वहं चक्रपाणिर्युगमन्वंतरादिषु

jagaddhātryā hi yatpakvaṁ vaiṣṇave'gnau susaṁskṛte bhukte'nvahaṁ cakrapāṇiryugamanvaṁtarādiṣu

The food cooked by the World-Mother in the well-consecrated Vaishnava fire is eaten daily by the Discus-bearer, in every yuga and manvantara.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.78.21)

सप्तद्वीप धरामध्ये सान्निध्यं नेदृशं हरेः। यादृशं नीलगोत्रेऽस्मिन्व्याजमानुषचेष्टितम्

saptadvīpa dharāmadhye sānnidhyaṁ nedṛśaṁ hareḥ yādṛśaṁ nīlagotre'sminvyājamānuṣaceṣṭitam

Nowhere on this earth of seven continents is there such closeness of Hari as here on this Blue Mountain, under the guise of human-like conduct.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.78.22)

दारुरूपं परं ब्रह्म सर्वचाक्षुषगोचरम्। प्रकाशते भो मुनयो न दृष्टं न श्रुतं क्वचित्

dārurūpaṁ paraṁ brahma sarvacākṣuṣagocaram prakāśate bho munayo na dṛṣṭaṁ na śrutaṁ kvacit

That Supreme Brahman, in the form of wood, shines visible to every eye; O sages, this has never been seen or heard of elsewhere.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.78.23)

तस्मै प्रवृत्तिरूपाय ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने। प्रवृत्तिरूपा शक्तिः श्रीः प्रवर्तयति यद्धविः

tasmai pravṛttirūpāya brahmaṇe paramātmane pravṛttirūpā śaktiḥ śrīḥ pravartayati yaddhaviḥ

For that Supreme Brahman-Paramatman who has taken the form of active engagement, the power Shri, herself of active nature, prepares the oblation,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.78.24)

तदश्नाति जगन्नाथस्तच्छेषं दुरितापहम्। किमत्र चित्रं भो विप्रा यदुक्तं मुक्तिकारणम्

tadaśnāti jagannāthastaccheṣaṁ duritāpaham kimatra citraṁ bho viprā yaduktaṁ muktikāraṇam

which Jagannatha eats, and its remainder removes every sin; O brahmins, what wonder is it, then, that this is declared to be the cause of liberation?

Verse 25 (skanda.2.78.25)

नाल्पपुण्यवतां तत्र विश्वासश्च प्रजायते। वेदाचारप्रधानेषु युगे ह्येतत्प्रकीर्तितम्

nālpapuṇyavatāṁ tatra viśvāsaśca prajāyate vedācārapradhāneṣu yuge hyetatprakīrtitam

Those of little merit do not attain faith in this; it has been especially proclaimed in the age when Vedic observance prevailed.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.78.26)

महिमानं न वेदास्य विशेषाच्छ्रूयतां कलौ। घोरे कलियुगे तस्मिंस्त्रिपादो धर्मविप्लवः

mahimānaṁ na vedāsya viśeṣācchrūyatāṁ kalau ghore kaliyuge tasmiṁstripādo dharmaviplavaḥ

Even the Vedas do not know the full extent of its glory in the Kali age — hear this in particular; in that terrible Kali age, three-quarters of dharma has already collapsed.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.78.27)

धर्मः स्यादेकपादस्तु क्वचित्तस्य भयाच्चरेत्। सर्वेनृतप्रधाना हि दांभिकाः शब्दवृत्तयः

dharmaḥ syādekapādastu kvacittasya bhayāccaret sarvenṛtapradhānā hi dāṁbhikāḥ śabdavṛttayaḥ

Dharma stands on but a single foot, and even that men observe only out of fear; all become given chiefly to falsehood, hypocritical, living by mere words.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.78.28)

प्रायश्च धर्मविमुखा जिह्वोपस्थपरायणाः। न ध्यायंति तपस्यन्ति व्रतयंति कदाचन

prāyaśca dharmavimukhā jihvopasthaparāyaṇāḥ na dhyāyaṁti tapasyanti vratayaṁti kadācana

For the most part turned away from dharma, given over to the tongue and the organs of desire, they neither meditate, nor practise austerity, nor ever keep a vow.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.78.29)

अधर्मबहुलाः सर्वे हिंसका लोलुपाः परम्। परेषां परिवादेन तुष्यन्ति स्वकृतं विना

adharmabahulāḥ sarve hiṁsakā lolupāḥ param pareṣāṁ parivādena tuṣyanti svakṛtaṁ vinā

All are given chiefly to unrighteousness, violent and utterly greedy; without doing anything themselves, they find satisfaction merely in slandering others.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.78.30)

प्रसंगात्कौतुकाद्वापि निघ्नंति परकर्म वै। क्षुद्रकार्याशयात्स्वस्य परकार्यप्रबाधकाः

prasaṁgātkautukādvāpi nighnaṁti parakarma vai kṣudrakāryāśayātsvasya parakāryaprabādhakāḥ

Even in passing, or merely for amusement, they destroy others' work; for the sake of their own petty ends they become obstructors of others' undertakings.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.78.31)

धर्मलब्धां स्त्रियं रम्यामवज्ञाय स्ववेश्मनि। परयोषिति निंद्यायां प्रसक्ताः पशुचेष्टिताः

dharmalabdhāṁ striyaṁ ramyāmavajñāya svaveśmani parayoṣiti niṁdyāyāṁ prasaktāḥ paśuceṣṭitāḥ

Disregarding the lovely wife lawfully obtained, even in their own home, they remain attached to another's condemnable wife, behaving like beasts.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.78.32)

अग्निहोत्रादिकं वापि व्रतं नान्यत्क्वचित्क्वचित्। जीविका तद्द्विजातीनां येषां वा पारलौकिकम्

agnihotrādikaṁ vāpi vrataṁ nānyatkvacitkvacit jīvikā taddvijātīnāṁ yeṣāṁ vā pāralaukikam

Agnihotra and other rites — no other vow whatsoever — which are the livelihood of the twice-born or their means for the world beyond, they do not observe.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.78.33)

अव्रताधीतवेदेन अन्यायाप्तधनेन च। वित्तशाठ्येन च कृतं न तथा फलदायि तत्

avratādhītavedena anyāyāptadhanena ca vittaśāṭhyena ca kṛtaṁ na tathā phaladāyi tat

Whatever is done with the Veda studied without observing its vows, with wealth unjustly acquired, and with miserliness, does not bear the same fruit.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.78.34)

प्रायः कलियुगे भूपाः प्रजावनपराङ्मुखाः। करादानपरा नित्यं पापिष्ठाश्चौर्यवृत्तयः

prāyaḥ kaliyuge bhūpāḥ prajāvanaparāṅmukhāḥ karādānaparā nityaṁ pāpiṣṭhāścauryavṛttayaḥ

In the Kali age, kings for the most part are indifferent to their subjects, ever intent on collecting taxes, sinful, given to habits of plunder.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.78.35)

वर्णसंकरिणः सर्वे शूद्रप्रायाः कलौ युगे। हर्तारः पार्थिवा एव शूद्राश्च नृपसेवकाः

varṇasaṁkariṇaḥ sarve śūdraprāyāḥ kalau yuge hartāraḥ pārthivā eva śūdrāśca nṛpasevakāḥ

In the Kali age all become of mixed caste, for the most part like shudras; kings become mere plunderers, and shudras become the servants of kings.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.78.36)

श्रौतस्मार्तादिकं कर्म न तथा सदनुष्ठितम्। युगे चतुर्थे भो विप्राः परलोकाय कल्पिते

śrautasmārtādikaṁ karma na tathā sadanuṣṭhitam yuge caturthe bho viprāḥ paralokāya kalpite

Shrauta and Smarta rites are not properly performed; O brahmins, in this fourth age, that which has been prescribed for the sake of the world beyond,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.78.37)

दानधर्मः परो ह्येष नान्यो धर्मः प्रशस्यते। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा हितमिच्छेद्द्विजन्मनाम्

dānadharmaḥ paro hyeṣa nānyo dharmaḥ praśasyate karmaṇā manasā vācā hitamiccheddvijanmanām

that supreme dharma is the dharma of giving, and no other dharma is commended; one should wish the good of brahmins in deed, thought, and word.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.78.38)

इति होवाच भगवान्ब्राह्मणो मामकी तनुः। ब्राह्मणा यस्य संतुष्टाः सन्तुष्टस्तस्य चाप्यहम्

iti hovāca bhagavānbrāhmaṇo māmakī tanuḥ brāhmaṇā yasya saṁtuṣṭāḥ santuṣṭastasya cāpyaham

The Lord himself has said this: 'The brahmin is my very body; he with whose brahmins are satisfied, with him I too am satisfied.'

Verse 39 (skanda.2.78.39)

उभयत्र समो भूयाद्ब्राह्मणे च जनार्दने। यद्वदंति द्विजा वाक्यं तत्स्वयं भगवान्वदेत्

ubhayatra samo bhūyādbrāhmaṇe ca janārdane yadvadaṁti dvijā vākyaṁ tatsvayaṁ bhagavānvadet

One should hold equal regard for both — for the brahmin and for Janardana; whatever word a brahmin utters, the Lord himself utters that same word.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.78.40)

यथातथा वर्तमानो वर्णानां ब्राह्मणो गुरुः। भगवानपि देवेशः स साक्षाद्ब्राह्मणप्रियः

yathātathā vartamāno varṇānāṁ brāhmaṇo guruḥ bhagavānapi deveśaḥ sa sākṣādbrāhmaṇapriyaḥ

However he may conduct himself, the brahmin is the teacher of the varnas; the God of gods himself is verily devoted to brahmins.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.78.41)

सदावतारं कुरुते ब्राह्मणार्थं जनार्दनः। तत्पालनार्थं दुष्टान्वै निगृह्णाति युगे युगे

sadāvatāraṁ kurute brāhmaṇārthaṁ janārdanaḥ tatpālanārthaṁ duṣṭānvai nigṛhṇāti yuge yuge

Janardana takes incarnation ever for the sake of brahmins; it is for their protection that he subdues the wicked in every age.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.78.42)

ससर्ज ब्राह्मणानग्रे सृष्ट्यादौ स चतुर्मुखः। सर्वे वर्णाः पृथक्पश्चात्तेषां वंशेषु जज्ञिरे

sasarja brāhmaṇānagre sṛṣṭyādau sa caturmukhaḥ sarve varṇāḥ pṛthakpaścātteṣāṁ vaṁśeṣu jajñire

At the beginning of creation, four-faced Brahma first created the brahmins; afterward, all the other varnas arose separately within their lineages.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.78.43)

तस्मात्कलियुगे तस्मिन्ब्राह्मणो विष्णुरेव च। उभौ गतिश्च सर्वेषां ब्राह्मणानां हरिर्गतिः

tasmātkaliyuge tasminbrāhmaṇo viṣṇureva ca ubhau gatiśca sarveṣāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ harirgatiḥ

Therefore in that Kali age, both the brahmin and Vishnu are the refuge of all beings; and for all brahmins, Hari alone is the refuge.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.78.44)

हरिरेवात्र सर्वेषां गतिः प्राप्ते कलौ युगे। शालग्रामादिके क्षेत्रे स्मर्यते कीर्त्यतेऽपि च

harirevātra sarveṣāṁ gatiḥ prāpte kalau yuge śālagrāmādike kṣetre smaryate kīrtyate'pi ca

When the Kali age arrives, Hari alone is the refuge of all; he is remembered and glorified in the sacred fields such as Shalagrama.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.78.45)

तस्मिन्नीलाचले पुण्ये क्षेत्रे क्षेत्रज्ञवर्ष्मणि। जीवभूतः स सर्वेषां दारुव्याजशरीरभृत्

tasminnīlācale puṇye kṣetre kṣetrajñavarṣmaṇi jīvabhūtaḥ sa sarveṣāṁ dāruvyājaśarīrabhṛt

In that holy field of Nilachala, which is itself the very body of the Kshetrajna, he, the life of all beings, bears a body under the guise of wood.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.78.46)

कलिकल्मषनाशाय प्रायो दुष्कृतकर्मणाम्। दर्शनस्तवनोच्छिष्टभोजनैर्मुक्तिदायकः

kalikalmaṣanāśāya prāyo duṣkṛtakarmaṇām darśanastavanocchiṣṭabhojanairmuktidāyakaḥ

For the destruction of Kali's sins, he grants liberation even, for the most part, to evildoers, through his sight, through praise, and through eating his sacred remnant.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.78.47)

उच्छिष्टेन सुरेशस्य व्याप्तं यस्य कलेवरम्। तदाहारस्तदात्मा हि लिप्यते न स पातकैः

ucchiṣṭena sureśasya vyāptaṁ yasya kalevaram tadāhārastadātmā hi lipyate na sa pātakaiḥ

He whose body has become permeated by the Lord's sacred remnant — his food and his very self become pure; he is not tainted by sins.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.78.48)

निवेदनीयमन्यासु मूर्तिष्वीशस्य वर्तते। पावनं तदपि प्रोक्तमुच्छिष्टं तु विमोचकम्

nivedanīyamanyāsu mūrtiṣvīśasya vartate pāvanaṁ tadapi proktamucchiṣṭaṁ tu vimocakam

What is offered before other images is also declared to be purifying, but what is left over is liberating.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.78.49)

भुंक्ते त्वत्रैव भगवान्पश्यत्यन्यत्र चक्षुषा। पुरायं प्रार्थितो देवो योगिभिः परिवेष्टितैः

bhuṁkte tvatraiva bhagavānpaśyatyanyatra cakṣuṣā purāyaṁ prārthito devo yogibhiḥ pariveṣṭitaiḥ

The Lord eats here, and with his eyes also beholds elsewhere; of old this god, surrounded by yogis, was thus entreated:

Verse 50 (skanda.2.78.50)

निर्माल्योच्छिष्टभोगेन तव मायां जयेमहि। अत्यंतस्तिमिताक्षाणामनायासेन मुक्तिदः

nirmālyocchiṣṭabhogena tava māyāṁ jayemahi atyaṁtastimitākṣāṇāmanāyāsena muktidaḥ

'By partaking of your sacred remnant and leftover food, may we conquer your maya' — thus he grants liberation without effort even to those whose eyes are utterly absorbed in meditation.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.78.51)

शयनासनभोगाद्यै रमते च श्रिया सह। अत्र चेष्टा भगवतो वेदार्थ इति धार्यताम्

śayanāsanabhogādyai ramate ca śriyā saha atra ceṣṭā bhagavato vedārtha iti dhāryatām

He sports with Shri through couch, seat, and enjoyment; one should hold that this conduct of the Lord here is itself the meaning of the Veda.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.78.52)

समतिक्रांतवेदो हि न कदाचित्प्रवर्तते। वेदरक्षार्थमेवास्य संभवो हि युगे युगे

samatikrāṁtavedo hi na kadācitpravartate vedarakṣārthamevāsya saṁbhavo hi yuge yuge

Conduct that transgresses the Veda never proceeds from him; it is for the very protection of the Veda that his incarnation occurs age after age.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.78.53)

प्रमाणभूतो भगवान्विरुद्धं कथमाचरेत्। तस्मिन्विरुद्धं चरति जगदेव तथा भवेत्

pramāṇabhūto bhagavānviruddhaṁ kathamācaret tasminviruddhaṁ carati jagadeva tathā bhavet

How could the Lord, who is himself the standard of authority, act contrary to it? Should he act contrary to it, the whole world would become likewise.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.78.54)

आचारेण हि वेदार्थो नियतो धामतां गतः। मध्यदेशभवः पूर्वमत्रागच्छद्द्विजोत्तमः

ācāreṇa hi vedārtho niyato dhāmatāṁ gataḥ madhyadeśabhavaḥ pūrvamatrāgacchaddvijottamaḥ

It is by right conduct that the meaning of the Veda remains fixed and preserved. Of old, an excellent brahmin, born in the Madhyadesha, came here.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.78.55)

शिष्टाचारैः सुविमलः शास्त्रार्थपरिनिष्ठितः। सदा शांतः सदा दांतः कायवाङ्मनसैर्गृही

śiṣṭācāraiḥ suvimalaḥ śāstrārthapariniṣṭhitaḥ sadā śāṁtaḥ sadā dāṁtaḥ kāyavāṅmanasairgṛhī

Utterly pure through righteous conduct, well established in the meaning of the scriptures, ever calm, ever self-controlled, a householder in body, speech, and mind,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.78.56)

स तीर्थविधिना देवं समभ्यर्च्य च साग्निकः। त्रिरात्रमत्रोषितवान्विष्ण्वर्चनपरः शुचिः

sa tīrthavidhinā devaṁ samabhyarcya ca sāgnikaḥ trirātramatroṣitavānviṣṇvarcanaparaḥ śuciḥ

he worshipped the deity according to the rite of the sacred place; keeping the sacred fire, devoted to the worship of Vishnu, and pure, he dwelt there for three nights.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.78.57)

यज्ञशेषं गृहस्थानां भोक्तव्यमिति शास्त्रतः। देवोच्छिष्टं न जग्राह अन्यपाकाभिशंकया

yajñaśeṣaṁ gṛhasthānāṁ bhoktavyamiti śāstrataḥ devocchiṣṭaṁ na jagrāha anyapākābhiśaṁkayā

Believing, according to scripture, that householders should eat only the remnant of a sacrifice performed by their own hand, and suspecting it had been cooked by another, he did not accept the deity's sacred remnant.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.78.58)

दैवतैरत्र संस्कार्यो देवयोग्यः कथं भवेत्। अयोग्यत्वाच्च नैवेद्यमग्राह्यं च भवेद्ध्रुवम्

daivatairatra saṁskāryo devayogyaḥ kathaṁ bhavet ayogyatvācca naivedyamagrāhyaṁ ca bhaveddhruvam

He thought: How could an offering consecrated by mere human agents be truly fit for a deity? Being unfit, this offering must surely be unacceptable.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.78.59)

अगृहीते च नैवेद्ये श्रोत्रियेण तदा द्विजाः। सर्वे च तस्यानुचरा नाभुंजंत निवेदितम्

agṛhīte ca naivedye śrotriyeṇa tadā dvijāḥ sarve ca tasyānucarā nābhuṁjaṁta niveditam

When that learned brahmin did not accept the sacred offering, O brahmins, all his followers too refrained from eating that consecrated food.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.78.60)

ततः स व्याधिसंमग्नो विह्वलीभूतविग्रहः। सकुटुंबोऽभवन्मूको भगवद्द्रोहसंयुतः

tataḥ sa vyādhisaṁmagno vihvalībhūtavigrahaḥ sakuṭuṁbo'bhavanmūko bhagavaddrohasaṁyutaḥ

Then he, together with his family, became stricken with illness, his body overwhelmed, struck dumb, burdened with the fault of having offended the Lord.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.78.61)

मनसा चिन्तयत्येवं निर्निमित्तं कथं नु मे। कुटुम्बसहितस्याभूत्पीडा सर्वांगभंजिनी

manasā cintayatyevaṁ nirnimittaṁ kathaṁ nu me kuṭumbasahitasyābhūtpīḍā sarvāṁgabhaṁjinī

He began to think in his mind: 'Without any apparent cause, how has this affliction, shattering every limb, come upon me and my family?'

Verse 62 (skanda.2.78.62)

एवं चिन्तयमानस्य त्रिरात्रांतेऽभवन्मतिः। नेदृशी व्याधिपीडा च सर्वेषामेकदा भवेत्

evaṁ cintayamānasya trirātrāṁte'bhavanmatiḥ nedṛśī vyādhipīḍā ca sarveṣāmekadā bhavet

Thinking thus, at the end of three nights this thought came to him: that such an affliction of disease could never fall upon all alike, all at once, without cause.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.78.63)

को वा द्रोहः कृतोऽस्माभिरेतस्मिन्पुरुषोत्तमे। न बुद्धिपूर्वकः किं स्यात्ततो मे व्याधिकारणम्

ko vā drohaḥ kṛto'smābhiretasminpuruṣottame na buddhipūrvakaḥ kiṁ syāttato me vyādhikāraṇam

'What offence have we committed here in this Purushottama-kshetra? Was it not deliberate — the cause of this affliction of mine?'

Verse 64 (skanda.2.78.64)

मुहुरित्थं चिन्तयित्वा दध्यौ नारायणं प्रभुम्। ध्यानावसाने तुष्टाव शास्त्रतत्त्वार्थदर्शकः

muhuritthaṁ cintayitvā dadhyau nārāyaṇaṁ prabhum dhyānāvasāne tuṣṭāva śāstratattvārthadarśakaḥ

Reflecting thus again and again, he meditated upon Lord Narayana; at the end of his meditation, he, a seer of the true meaning of scripture, praised him.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.78.65)

शांडिल्य उवाच। चतुर्दशापि या विद्या धर्मनिर्णयहेतवः। ताः सर्वास्तव वाक्यानि मुखपद्मविनिर्गताः

śāṁḍilya uvāca caturdaśāpi yā vidyā dharmanirṇayahetavaḥ tāḥ sarvāstava vākyāni mukhapadmavinirgatāḥ

Shandilya said: The fourteen branches of learning, which are the source of every determination of dharma, are all your very words, issuing from your lotus mouth.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.78.66)

ताभिरेवाचरेद्धर्ममिति शास्त्रार्थनिश्चयः। तस्य धर्मस्य रक्षार्थमवतारो युगे युगे

tābhirevācareddharmamiti śāstrārthaniścayaḥ tasya dharmasya rakṣārthamavatāro yuge yuge

One should conduct oneself in dharma according to them alone — this is the settled meaning of scripture; it is for the protection of that very dharma that your incarnation occurs age after age.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.78.67)

तमुल्लंघ्य वर्त्तमानो भवद्द्रोहकरो ध्रुवम्। अहं ते देवदेवेश कर्मणा मनसा गिरा

tamullaṁghya varttamāno bhavaddrohakaro dhruvam ahaṁ te devadeveśa karmaṇā manasā girā

Whoever acts by transgressing it assuredly becomes an offender against you; O God of gods, I, in deed, thought, and word,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.78.68)

धर्मशास्त्रमतिक्रम्य न वर्त्तेऽप्यर्थकामयोः। अनेक जन्मसाहस्रैः संचितं पापसंचयम्

dharmaśāstramatikramya na vartte'pyarthakāmayoḥ aneka janmasāhasraiḥ saṁcitaṁ pāpasaṁcayam

have never engaged in wealth or desire by transgressing the law of dharma; the accumulated mass of sin gathered over many thousand births,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.78.69)

दग्धुमत्रागतो देव त्वद्दर्शनदवाग्निना। कोऽपराधः कृतो देव त्वच्छास्त्रपथि वर्तिना। सर्वांगं वाधते यस्मादुग्रो व्याधिरहेतुकः

dagdhumatrāgato deva tvaddarśanadavāgninā ko'parādhaḥ kṛto deva tvacchāstrapathi vartinā sarvāṁgaṁ vādhate yasmādugro vyādhirahetukaḥ

I have come here, O Lord, to that wildfire of your sight, in order to consume it; O Lord, walking on the path of your very scripture, what offence, then, have I committed, that this fierce and causeless affliction now torments my whole body?

Verse 70 (skanda.2.78.70)

ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि त्वत्पादसरसीरुहे। कृतोऽपराधो यो देव तं क्षमस्व कृपांबुधे। भूमौ स्खलितपादानां भूमिरेवावलंबनम्

jñānato'jñānato vāpi tvatpādasarasīruhe kṛto'parādho yo deva taṁ kṣamasva kṛpāṁbudhe bhūmau skhalitapādānāṁ bhūmirevāvalaṁbanam

O Lord, whether knowingly or unknowingly, whatever offence has been committed against your lotus feet, O ocean of compassion, forgive it; for those whose feet stumble upon the ground, the ground itself becomes their support.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.78.71)

त्वयि जातापराधानां त्वमेव शरणं प्रभो। तवापराधजं पापं त्वमेव च क्षमस्व मे

tvayi jātāparādhānāṁ tvameva śaraṇaṁ prabho tavāparādhajaṁ pāpaṁ tvameva ca kṣamasva me

so too, O Lord, for those who have offended against you, you alone are the refuge; forgive yourself the sin committed against you.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.78.72)

वह्निसंतापतो नश्येद्वह्निसंतापजो व्रण। तदिमां दुर्दशां देव प्रारब्धां पापबीजजाम्

vahnisaṁtāpato naśyedvahnisaṁtāpajo vraṇa tadimāṁ durdaśāṁ deva prārabdhāṁ pāpabījajām

A wound caused by the burn of fire is healed by the heat of fire itself; therefore, O Lord, this wretched state that has sprung from the seed of sin —

Verse 73 (skanda.2.78.73)

लीलापांगेन शमय अपवर्गैकहेतुना। मामुद्धर जगन्नाथ पतितं शोकसागरे

līlāpāṁgena śamaya apavargaikahetunā māmuddhara jagannātha patitaṁ śokasāgare

quell it with your playful glance, the sole cause of liberation; O Jagannatha, lift me up, who am sunk in the ocean of grief.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.78.74)

त्वद्दर्शनपथं यातः किं नु शोच्यो भवेन्नरः। निसर्गकरुणांभोधे यस्त्वद्दृष्टिपथं गतः

tvaddarśanapathaṁ yātaḥ kiṁ nu śocyo bhavennaraḥ nisargakaruṇāṁbhodhe yastvaddṛṣṭipathaṁ gataḥ

How could a man who has come within the path of your sight have any cause for grief? He who has come within the path of your gaze, O ocean of compassion by nature,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.78.75)

सदानन्दाब्धिसंमग्नो न शोचति न कांक्षति। नाल्पभाग्यो ह्यहं देव त्वामद्राक्षं स्वचक्षुषा

sadānandābdhisaṁmagno na śocati na kāṁkṣati nālpabhāgyo hyahaṁ deva tvāmadrākṣaṁ svacakṣuṣā

remains ever immersed in an ocean of bliss, neither grieving nor desiring; O Lord, I am not of small fortune, for I have beheld you with my own eyes.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.78.76)

अपवर्गांतरायो मे ध्रुवमेषा विभीषिका। तत्प्रसीद जगन्नाथ सेवकं द्रोहिणं सदा

apavargāṁtarāyo me dhruvameṣā vibhīṣikā tatprasīda jagannātha sevakaṁ drohiṇaṁ sadā

This terror is assuredly an obstacle in the way of my liberation; therefore, O Jagannatha, be gracious to your servant, who has ever been an offender.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.78.77)

सेव्यसेवकसंबंधादपराधं क्षमस्व मे। इति स्तवांते तस्याशु देहपीडागमत्तदा

sevyasevakasaṁbaṁdhādaparādhaṁ kṣamasva me iti stavāṁte tasyāśu dehapīḍāgamattadā

Forgive the offence arising from the bond between the served and the servant. At the end of this hymn of praise, his bodily affliction was at once removed.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.78.78)

ददर्श सोथ गोविन्दं नृसिंहं भक्तवत्सलम्। दिव्यसिंहासनारूढं दिव्यालंकारभूषितम्

dadarśa sotha govindaṁ nṛsiṁhaṁ bhaktavatsalam divyasiṁhāsanārūḍhaṁ divyālaṁkārabhūṣitam

Then he beheld Govinda Nrisimha, who cherishes his devotees, seated upon a divine throne, adorned with divine ornaments,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.78.79)

आददानं श्रिया दत्तं परमान्नं करांबुजे। ग्रासावशेषं पात्रेषु क्षिपंतं च मुहुर्मुहुः

ādadānaṁ śriyā dattaṁ paramānnaṁ karāṁbuje grāsāvaśeṣaṁ pātreṣu kṣipaṁtaṁ ca muhurmuhuḥ

taking the excellent food given by Shri into his lotus-hand, again and again placing the remainder of each mouthful into the vessels,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.78.80)

यावद्दत्तं वस्तुजातं तावदश्नंतमत्वरम्। विलाससस्मितापांगं हस्ते लक्ष्म्यापवर्जितम्

yāvaddattaṁ vastujātaṁ tāvadaśnaṁtamatvaram vilāsasasmitāpāṁgaṁ haste lakṣmyāpavarjitam

eating without delay whatever food was served him, with a playful, smiling glance, receiving in his hand what Lakshmi offered him.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.78.81)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयाविष्टः शांडिल्यः स द्विजोत्तमः। सस्मारात्मकृतं द्रोहं नैवेद्याग्रहणे स्थितम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismayāviṣṭaḥ śāṁḍilyaḥ sa dvijottamaḥ sasmārātmakṛtaṁ drohaṁ naivedyāgrahaṇe sthitam

Beholding him, that best of brahmins, Shandilya, filled with wonder, remembered his own offence in having refused the sacred offering.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.78.82)

क्वाहं प्रादेशिकः प्राज्ञः सर्वज्ञाननिधिर्भवान्। क्व त्वं महदहंकारभूततत्त्व विसर्जकः

kvāhaṁ prādeśikaḥ prājñaḥ sarvajñānanidhirbhavān kva tvaṁ mahadahaṁkārabhūtatattva visarjakaḥ

'Where am I, a man of narrow understanding, and where are you, the treasury of all knowledge! Where am I, and where are you, the dissolver even of the primal principles of mahat and ahamkara!

Verse 83 (skanda.2.78.83)

त्वन्मायामूढमनसो जानीयुः कथमीश ते। निरंकुशामनिर्वाच्यामिच्छां सृष्टिलयात्मिकाम्

tvanmāyāmūḍhamanaso jānīyuḥ kathamīśa te niraṁkuśāmanirvācyāmicchāṁ sṛṣṭilayātmikām

How could minds deluded by your maya ever know, O Lord, your unbridled, indescribable will, which is itself the nature of creation and dissolution?'

Verse 84 (skanda.2.78.84)

इति स्तुवंतं नृहरिस्तेनैवोच्छिष्टपाणिना। सिषेच ग्रासशिष्टांश्च सर्वांगे द्विजसत्तमम्

iti stuvaṁtaṁ nṛharistenaivocchiṣṭapāṇinā siṣeca grāsaśiṣṭāṁśca sarvāṁge dvijasattamam

As he thus praised him, Nrihari, with that very hand still bearing the remnants of his meal, sprinkled the leftover morsels over the whole body of that excellent brahmin.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.78.85)

तैः सिक्तैर्ब्राह्मणः सद्यः सुधासेकोपमैर्मुदा। बभौ दिव्यवपुः श्रीमांञ्जीवन्मुक्तो यथा मुनिः

taiḥ siktairbrāhmaṇaḥ sadyaḥ sudhāsekopamairmudā babhau divyavapuḥ śrīmāṁñjīvanmukto yathā muniḥ

Sprinkled by them, that brahmin at once, as if bathed in nectar, joyfully took on a divine form, radiant and glorious, shining like a sage liberated while yet living.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.78.86)

महिमानं हि भक्तेस्तु भक्ता एव विजानते। महतीं सूतिपीडां तु वन्ध्या नानुभवेत्क्वचित्

mahimānaṁ hi bhaktestu bhaktā eva vijānate mahatīṁ sūtipīḍāṁ tu vandhyā nānubhavetkvacit

Only devotees know the greatness of devotion; a barren woman can never experience the greatness of the pain of childbirth.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.78.87)

इत्युदीर्य स्वयं गात्रादुच्छिष्टं परमात्मनः। भुक्त्वा कृतार्थमात्मानं मेने श्रोत्रियपुंगवः

ityudīrya svayaṁ gātrāducchiṣṭaṁ paramātmanaḥ bhuktvā kṛtārthamātmānaṁ mene śrotriyapuṁgavaḥ

Having said this, and having himself eaten the remnant fallen from the Supreme Lord's body, that excellent scholar-brahmin deemed himself blessed.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.78.88)

साधारणं धर्मशास्त्रं क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्न विचार्यते। अयं तु परमो धर्मो यो देवेन प्रकीर्तितः

sādhāraṇaṁ dharmaśāstraṁ kṣetre'sminna vicāryate ayaṁ tu paramo dharmo yo devena prakīrtitaḥ

In this field, ordinary dharmashastra is not to be weighed; here that alone is the supreme dharma which has been proclaimed by the deity himself.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.78.89)

आचारप्रभवो धर्मो धर्मस्य प्रभुरच्युतः। इत्थं संचितयन्विप्रः कुटुम्बार्थेऽवशेषितम्

ācāraprabhavo dharmo dharmasya prabhuracyutaḥ itthaṁ saṁcitayanvipraḥ kuṭumbārthe'vaśeṣitam

Dharma arises from conduct, and the lord of dharma is himself the Imperishable One — thinking thus, that brahmin, taking with his own hand what remained for his family,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.78.90)

आजहार स्वयं मुष्ट्या ध्यानभङ्गमवाप च। प्रबुद्धश्चिंतयामास स्वप्नं तं विस्मिताशयः

ājahāra svayaṁ muṣṭyā dhyānabhaṅgamavāpa ca prabuddhaściṁtayāmāsa svapnaṁ taṁ vismitāśayaḥ

carried it home, and his meditation then came to an end; awakening, with a mind full of wonder, he pondered that vision.

Verse 91 (skanda.2.78.91)

अयमेव मम द्रोहो ह्यवज्ञासिषमीश्वरम्। नैवेद्याशन माहात्म्यमजानन्परमाद्भुतम्

ayameva mama droho hyavajñāsiṣamīśvaram naivedyāśana māhātmyamajānanparamādbhutam

'This indeed was my offence, that I disregarded the Lord, not knowing the supremely wondrous glory of eating his sacred food.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.78.92)

अष्टादश चतुर्दश ब्रह्मांडं यत्पदांबुजम्। धर्मद्रवेण प्रक्षाल्य अपुनात्स्वं तदंबुना

aṣṭādaśa caturdaśa brahmāṁḍaṁ yatpadāṁbujam dharmadraveṇa prakṣālya apunātsvaṁ tadaṁbunā

He whose lotus feet, washed with the water of dharma, purify the eighteen and fourteen worlds,

Verse 93 (skanda.2.78.93)

यमर्चयंति शक्राद्या दिव्यभोगैरनुत्तमैः। स मानुष्यकृतं भुंक्ते क्षेत्रेस्मिन्महदद्भुतम्

yamarcayaṁti śakrādyā divyabhogairanuttamaiḥ sa mānuṣyakṛtaṁ bhuṁkte kṣetresminmahadadbhutam

whom Indra and the other gods worship with excellent divine offerings — he it is who, in this field, eats food prepared by human hands: this is a great wonder.'

Verse 94 (skanda.2.78.94)

इत्याश्चर्यपरस्तेन स्वप्नलब्धेन वै द्विजाः। नैवेद्येन कुटुम्बं स्वं मार्जयामास सादरम्

ityāścaryaparastena svapnalabdhena vai dvijāḥ naivedyena kuṭumbaṁ svaṁ mārjayāmāsa sādaram

Thus, filled with wonder at that sacred food received in his dream, O brahmins, he reverently purified his family with it.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.78.95)

ततः सर्वे नीरुजास्ते सुवाक्याहृष्टमानसाः। पुनर्जन्म मन्यमानाः शशंसुः क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

tataḥ sarve nīrujāste suvākyāhṛṣṭamānasāḥ punarjanma manyamānāḥ śaśaṁsuḥ kṣetramuttamam

Then, all freed from illness, their minds gladdened by that good report, deeming it as though they had gained a new birth, they began to praise that excellent field.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.78.96)

नास्त्यस्य सदृशं क्षेत्रं सप्तद्वीपावनीतले। यत्र स्वोच्छिष्टदानेन पापान्मोचयते नरान्

nāstyasya sadṛśaṁ kṣetraṁ saptadvīpāvanītale yatra svocchiṣṭadānena pāpānmocayate narān

There is no field on this earth of seven continents equal to this, where the Lord frees men from sin by the very gift of his own leftover food.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.78.97)

पुरुषोत्तममाहात्म्यं क्षेत्रं परमदुर्लभम्। यतः स्वर्गश्च भोगश्च मुक्तिश्चैव करे स्थिता

puruṣottamamāhātmyaṁ kṣetraṁ paramadurlabham yataḥ svargaśca bhogaśca muktiścaiva kare sthitā

This field, glorified as Purushottama's, is exceedingly rare to attain, where heaven, worldly enjoyment, and liberation all lie readily within one's grasp.

Verse 98 (skanda.2.78.98)

आर्तानां भवकांतारे भाग्यादत्र समीयुषाम्। नानाभोगोपतृप्तानां मुक्तिमार्गः सुखं भवेत्

ārtānāṁ bhavakāṁtāre bhāgyādatra samīyuṣām nānābhogopatṛptānāṁ muktimārgaḥ sukhaṁ bhavet

For those afflicted in the wilderness of worldly existence who, by good fortune, come here, and who become satiated with manifold enjoyments, even the path of liberation becomes easy.

Verse 99 (skanda.2.78.99)

इत्थं ते हर्षमापन्नाः प्रलपंतः परस्परम्। यथेष्टं भोजयामासुरन्योन्यं च निवेदितम्

itthaṁ te harṣamāpannāḥ pralapaṁtaḥ parasparam yatheṣṭaṁ bhojayāmāsuranyonyaṁ ca niveditam

Thus filled with joy, conversing among themselves, they fed one another as they wished with that consecrated food.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.78.100)

ततस्ते निर्मला विप्रास्तरुणादित्यवर्चसः। देवा इव बभुः सर्वे निष्पापा निर्गतज्वराः

tataste nirmalā viprāstaruṇādityavarcasaḥ devā iva babhuḥ sarve niṣpāpā nirgatajvarāḥ

Then those pure brahmins, radiant as the newly risen sun, shone forth like gods, sinless and freed from every affliction.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.78.101)

नैवेद्याशनमाहात्म्यं कथितं वो द्विजोत्तमाः। श्रुत्वापि महतः पापान्मुच्यते पापकृत्तमः

naivedyāśanamāhātmyaṁ kathitaṁ vo dvijottamāḥ śrutvāpi mahataḥ pāpānmucyate pāpakṛttamaḥ

O best of brahmins, this glory of eating the sacred food has been declared to you; even by merely hearing it, the greatest sinner is freed from his grave sins.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.78.102)

निर्माल्यग्रहणस्यास्य फलं वक्तुं न शक्नुमः। साक्षाद्ब्रह्मस्वरूपेण ध्रियते वपुषा हि तत्

nirmālyagrahaṇasyāsya phalaṁ vaktuṁ na śaknumaḥ sākṣādbrahmasvarūpeṇa dhriyate vapuṣā hi tat

We cannot even fully declare the fruit of receiving this sacred remnant; it is verily the form of Brahman itself, borne upon one's own body.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.78.103)

पुष्पचंदनमाल्यादि यदंगैरुपधार्यते। अपनीतं यथाकाले निर्माल्यं तत्प्रकीर्तितम्

puṣpacaṁdanamālyādi yadaṁgairupadhāryate apanītaṁ yathākāle nirmālyaṁ tatprakīrtitam

The flowers, sandal-paste, garlands, and the like that are placed upon the deity's limbs, when removed in due time, are called 'nirmalya', the sacred remnant.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.78.104)

धारणं शिरसा तस्य तेनांगे चापि मार्जनम्। सार्द्धानां कोटितीर्थानामभिषेकफलप्रदम्। भक्षणं गुरुतल्पादि पातकौघविनाशनम्

dhāraṇaṁ śirasā tasya tenāṁge cāpi mārjanam sārddhānāṁ koṭitīrthānāmabhiṣekaphalapradam bhakṣaṇaṁ gurutalpādi pātakaughavināśanam

Bearing it upon the head and touching the body with it grants the fruit equal to bathing in three and a half crore sacred waters; and eating it destroys even sins as grave as violating the teacher's bed.

Verse 105 (skanda.2.78.105)

लेप्या मूर्त्तिरियं विष्णोरन्येभ्यो लेप उत्तमः। श्रीखंडागुरुकर्पूरकस्तूरीकुंकुमादिभिः

lepyā mūrttiriyaṁ viṣṇoranyebhyo lepa uttamaḥ śrīkhaṁḍāgurukarpūrakastūrīkuṁkumādibhiḥ

This unguent is itself a form of Vishnu; no other unguent is more excellent than this — made of sandal, aloe-wood, camphor, musk, and saffron,

Verse 106 (skanda.2.78.106)

प्रपिष्टलेपस्नेहेन चंदनागुरुदारुणा। शरीरे वासुदेवस्य इंद्रद्युम्नेन कारितः

prapiṣṭalepasnehena caṁdanāgurudāruṇā śarīre vāsudevasya iṁdradyumnena kāritaḥ

finely ground and mixed with the oil of sandal and aloe-wood, applied to Vasudeva's body — this practice was established by Indradyumna.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.78.107)

प्रत्यहं भो द्विजश्रेष्ठा वर्षांते चापनीयते। लेप्यानां लेपनिर्मोके दर्शनं न प्रशस्यते

pratyahaṁ bho dvijaśreṣṭhā varṣāṁte cāpanīyate lepyānāṁ lepanirmoke darśanaṁ na praśasyate

O best of brahmins, it is removed daily and at the end of the year; the sight of the unguent while it is actually being removed is not deemed fit to behold.

Verse 108 (skanda.2.78.108)

अंतरा चेत्पतेल्लेपः पिष्टं लिंपेत्पुनश्च तम्। नान्यलेपः प्रशस्यो हि स विष्णोरंगसंमतः

aṁtarā cetpatellepaḥ piṣṭaṁ liṁpetpunaśca tam nānyalepaḥ praśasyo hi sa viṣṇoraṁgasaṁmataḥ

Should the unguent fall off in the meantime, it should be reapplied; no other unguent is commended, for that alone is accepted upon Vishnu's limbs.

Verse 109 (skanda.2.78.109)

चंदनार्द्रशरीरं च दृष्ट्वा विष्णुं पुरा किल। सौगंध्याल्लोभयामास नृपपुत्रः स मूढधीः

caṁdanārdraśarīraṁ ca dṛṣṭvā viṣṇuṁ purā kila saugaṁdhyāllobhayāmāsa nṛpaputraḥ sa mūḍhadhīḥ

Long ago, a foolish prince, beholding Vishnu with his body wet with sandal-paste, was overcome with longing for its fragrance.

Verse 110 (skanda.2.78.110)

तस्य प्रीत्यै नियुक्तस्तु आकृष्यांगात्प्रलेपनम्। ददौ नृपकुमाराय स लिलिंपे हृदि स्वके

tasya prītyai niyuktastu ākṛṣyāṁgātpralepanam dadau nṛpakumārāya sa liliṁpe hṛdi svake

The attendant assigned for his service, drawing the unguent off the deity's limb, gave it to that prince, who smeared it upon his own chest.

Verse 111 (skanda.2.78.111)

तावत्प्रदेशं कुष्ठं वै श्वेतं तस्याभवत्क्षणात्। स आसीत्कुष्ठपाणिस्तु तस्मै यो दत्तवान्किल

tāvatpradeśaṁ kuṣṭhaṁ vai śvetaṁ tasyābhavatkṣaṇāt sa āsītkuṣṭhapāṇistu tasmai yo dattavānkila

At once, in that very spot, white leprosy broke out on him; and the one who had given him that unguent also developed leprosy in his hand.

Verse 112 (skanda.2.78.112)

ततो वर्षावधिष्ठायी लेपः पुण्यतमः स्मृतः। निर्माल्यानां प्रधानं तद्घ्राणादंहोविनाशनम्

tato varṣāvadhiṣṭhāyī lepaḥ puṇyatamaḥ smṛtaḥ nirmālyānāṁ pradhānaṁ tadghrāṇādaṁhovināśanam

Therefore that unguent, which remains for a whole year, is held to be the most sacred of all; it is foremost among sacred remnants, and its fragrance itself destroys sin.

Verse 113 (skanda.2.78.113)

पुरा दमनकं दैत्यं समुद्रोदकचारिणम्। बाधितारं जनानां वै मायाबलपराक्रमम्

purā damanakaṁ daityaṁ samudrodakacāriṇam bādhitāraṁ janānāṁ vai māyābalaparākramam

Long ago there was a daitya named Damanaka, who roamed the ocean waters, tormenting people with his magical power and might.

Verse 114 (skanda.2.78.114)

भगवानपि मायावी पितामहनिदेशतः। मत्स्यावतारेण विभुः प्रविश्य वरुणालयम्

bhagavānapi māyāvī pitāmahanideśataḥ matsyāvatāreṇa vibhuḥ praviśya varuṇālayam

The Lord too, being himself a master of maya, at the command of the Grandsire, entering Varuna's abode in his fish-incarnation,

Verse 115 (skanda.2.78.115)

अन्विष्याकृष्य वेलायां निष्पिपेष महीतले। मधोः शुक्लचतुर्दश्यां पतितो दानवोत्तमः

anviṣyākṛṣya velāyāṁ niṣpipeṣa mahītale madhoḥ śuklacaturdaśyāṁ patito dānavottamaḥ

sought him out, dragged him to the shore, and crushed him upon the earth; on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Madhu, that foremost of demons fell.

Verse 116 (skanda.2.78.116)

भगवत्करसंपर्कात्सुगंधिरभवत्तृणम्। तस्यैव नाम्ना त सम्यग्जग्राहाश्चर्यमानसः

bhagavatkarasaṁparkātsugaṁdhirabhavattṛṇam tasyaiva nāmnā ta samyagjagrāhāścaryamānasaḥ

By the touch of the Lord's hand, that grass became fragrant; with a mind full of wonder, they gave it that very demon's name, calling it 'Damanaka.'

Verse 117 (skanda.2.78.117)

मालां कृत्वा हृत्प्रदेश मिलितं वनमालया। अचिंतयत्तस्य गंधं यावद्वस्तु चिरस्थितम्

mālāṁ kṛtvā hṛtpradeśa militaṁ vanamālayā aciṁtayattasya gaṁdhaṁ yāvadvastu cirasthitam

Fashioning a garland of it, mingling it with his own woodland garland, and wearing it upon his breast, he cherished its fragrance, which lingers long.

Verse 118 (skanda.2.78.118)

तस्यापि गंधः सर्वेषां पुष्पाणां सौरभापहः। वर्णस्तु भगवन्मूर्तेस्तुल्योऽभूत्स सुशोभनः

tasyāpi gaṁdhaḥ sarveṣāṁ puṣpāṇāṁ saurabhāpahaḥ varṇastu bhagavanmūrtestulyo'bhūtsa suśobhanaḥ

Its fragrance surpasses the fragrance of every other flower; and its colour too became as beautiful as the Lord's own image.

Verse 119 (skanda.2.78.119)

तस्य माला भगवतः परमप्रीतिकारिणी। शुष्का पर्युषिता वापि न दुष्टा भवति क्वचित्

tasya mālā bhagavataḥ paramaprītikāriṇī śuṣkā paryuṣitā vāpi na duṣṭā bhavati kvacit

His garland of it is supremely dear to the Lord; even when dried or stale, it never becomes impure.

Verse 120 (skanda.2.78.120)

तस्य सुग्रथितां मालां दत्त्वा दमनकारये। उत्पादयेन्महाप्रीतिं विष्णोर्या मुक्तिदायिनी

tasya sugrathitāṁ mālāṁ dattvā damanakāraye utpādayenmahāprītiṁ viṣṇoryā muktidāyinī

By offering a well-woven garland of it to the Damanaka plant, one may generate that great pleasure of Vishnu, which bestows liberation.

Verse 121 (skanda.2.78.121)

अंगापकर्षितां मालां भक्त्या यो धारयेन्नरः। हयमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्

aṁgāpakarṣitāṁ mālāṁ bhaktyā yo dhārayennaraḥ hayamedhasahasrasya phalaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayam

Whatever man devotedly wears the garland taken from the Lord's own limbs obtains, without doubt, the fruit of a thousand horse-sacrifices.

Verse 122 (skanda.2.78.122)

तुलसीकल्पितां मालां विष्णोरंगापकर्षिताम्। धारयेन्मूर्ध्नि कंठे च भक्तो यो विन्यसेद्धदि। तावत्संख्यं वाजिमेधफलमव्यग्रमश्नुते

tulasīkalpitāṁ mālāṁ viṣṇoraṁgāpakarṣitām dhārayenmūrdhni kaṁṭhe ca bhakto yo vinyaseddhadi tāvatsaṁkhyaṁ vājimedhaphalamavyagramaśnute

A garland fashioned of tulsi, taken from Vishnu's own limbs, whatever devotee wears upon his head, throat, or heart, assuredly obtains that same number of horse-sacrifices as its fruit.

Verse 123 (skanda.2.78.123)

निर्माल्यतुलसीपत्रं यावद्भक्षयते हरेः। तावज्जन्मसहस्रं तु विष्णुलोके महीयते

nirmālyatulasīpatraṁ yāvadbhakṣayate hareḥ tāvajjanmasahasraṁ tu viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whoever eats as much of Hari's sacred tulsi leaf, for that many thousand births he is honoured in Vishnuloka.

Verse 124 (skanda.2.78.124)

हरेर्नैवेद्यमन्नं च तुलसीदलमिश्रितम्। प्रतिग्रासं सोमपानं फलं तत्सममश्नुते

harernaivedyamannaṁ ca tulasīdalamiśritam pratigrāsaṁ somapānaṁ phalaṁ tatsamamaśnute

Tulsi leaf mixed into Hari's food offering yields, with every mouthful, the same fruit as drinking the soma.

Verse 125 (skanda.2.78.125)

यावज्जीवं तु भुंजानो ध्रुवं मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

yāvajjīvaṁ tu bhuṁjāno dhruvaṁ mokṣamavāpnuyāt

One who partakes of it throughout his life assuredly attains liberation.

Verse 126 (skanda.2.78.126)

अर्घ्यशेषादिकं विष्णोस्तथा चाचमनोदकम्। पादोदकं स्नानवारि प्रत्येकं पापनाशनम्

arghyaśeṣādikaṁ viṣṇostathā cācamanodakam pādodakaṁ snānavāri pratyekaṁ pāpanāśanam

Vishnu's remaining arghya water, his sipping-water, his foot-water, and his bathing-water — each of these destroys sin.

Verse 127 (skanda.2.78.127)

सर्वतीर्थाभिषेकाणां फलदं ग्रहनाशनम्। अलक्ष्मीपापरक्षोघ्नं भूतवेतालनाशनम्

sarvatīrthābhiṣekāṇāṁ phaladaṁ grahanāśanam alakṣmīpāparakṣoghnaṁ bhūtavetālanāśanam

It grants the fruit of bathing in every sacred water, destroys the ills of planetary influence, destroys misfortune, sin, and demons, and destroys bhutas and vetalas.

Verse 128 (skanda.2.78.128)

शवाद्यमेध्यसंस्पर्शदोषनाशनमुत्तमम्। सर्वदीक्षाव्रतफलप्रदमैश्वर्यवर्द्धनम्

śavādyamedhyasaṁsparśadoṣanāśanamuttamam sarvadīkṣāvrataphalapradamaiśvaryavarddhanam

It removes the fault arising from contact with a corpse or other impure things, grants the fruit of every initiation and vow, and increases prosperity.

Verse 129 (skanda.2.78.129)

अकालमृत्युहरणं व्याधिव्यूहनिबर्हणम्। सुरोपमांसभक्ष्यादि पापसंघविनाशनम्

akālamṛtyuharaṇaṁ vyādhivyūhanibarhaṇam suropamāṁsabhakṣyādi pāpasaṁghavināśanam

It removes untimely death, destroys the assembled hosts of disease, and destroys even the mass of sin from wine and meat consumption.

Verse 130 (skanda.2.78.130)

एतैराप्लुतदेहस्तु शृणुयाद्यदि सूतकम्। नाशौचं विद्यते तस्य सर्वकर्माधिकारिणः

etairāplutadehastu śṛṇuyādyadi sūtakam nāśaucaṁ vidyate tasya sarvakarmādhikāriṇaḥ

One whose body has been sprinkled with these, even if he hears news of a birth or death causing ritual impurity, incurs no impurity, and remains entitled to perform every rite.

Verse 131 (skanda.2.78.131)

यावज्जीवं प्रतिज्ञाय यस्त्वेतान्येकमेव वा। गृह्णीयाद्भूरि वा स्वल्पं मुच्येद्विष्णोः प्रसादतः

yāvajjīvaṁ pratijñāya yastvetānyekameva vā gṛhṇīyādbhūri vā svalpaṁ mucyedviṣṇoḥ prasādataḥ

Whatever man, vowing for life, takes up even one of these observances, whether in great measure or small, is liberated by Vishnu's grace.

Verse 132 (skanda.2.78.132)

एवं तत्र वसन्देवो लोकानुग्रहकांक्षया। रममाणः श्रिया सार्द्धमनायासविमोचकः

evaṁ tatra vasandevo lokānugrahakāṁkṣayā ramamāṇaḥ śriyā sārddhamanāyāsavimocakaḥ

Thus the god who dwells there, desiring to bless the worlds, sporting together with Shri, grants liberation without effort,

Verse 133 (skanda.2.78.133)

निर्माल्यपादांबुनि वेदनीयदानैस्तदालोकनतत्प्रणामैः। पूजोपहारैश्च विमुक्तिदाता क्षेत्रोत्तमेस्मिन्पुरुषोत्तमाख्ये

nirmālyapādāṁbuni vedanīyadānaistadālokanatatpraṇāmaiḥ pūjopahāraiśca vimuktidātā kṣetrottamesminpuruṣottamākhye

through his sacred remnant and foot-water, through offerings worth giving, through the sight of him and prostration before him, and through gifts of worship, in this most excellent field called Purushottama.