The Glory of Agni-tirtha and the Narada and Markandeya Shilas

Verse 1 (skanda.2.92.1)

स्कन्द उवाच । भगवन्सर्वभूतेषु सर्वधर्मविशारद । अग्नितीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं कृपया वद मे पितः ।

skanda uvāca bhagavansarvabhūteṣu sarvadharmaviśārada agnitīrthasya māhātmyaṁ kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ

Skanda said: O Lord present in all beings, skilled in every dharma! O father, tell me out of grace the greatness of Agni-tirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.92.2)

शिव उवाच । अतिगुह्यतमं तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थनिषेवितम् । संक्षेपात्कथयाम्येतत्तवादरवशादहम् ।

śiva uvāca atiguhyatamaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvatīrthaniṣevitam saṁkṣepātkathayāmyetattavādaravaśādaham

Shiva said: This is the most secret of fords, honored by every other sacred place. Moved by your reverence, I shall tell it to you in brief.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.92.3)

महापातकिनो ये च अतिपातकिनस्तथा । स्नानमात्रेण शुद्ध्यंति विनायासेन पुत्रक ।

mahāpātakino ye ca atipātakinastathā snānamātreṇa śuddhyanti vināyāsena putraka

O son, even those guilty of the gravest sins, and those guilty of even greater ones, are purified by a mere bath here, without any hardship.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.92.4)

प्रायश्चित्तेन यत्पापं न गच्छेन्मरणांतिकम् । स्नानमात्रेण तीर्थस्य पावकस्य विशुद्ध्यति ।

prāyaścittena yatpāpaṁ na gacchenmaraṇāntikam snānamātreṇa tīrthasya pāvakasya viśuddhyati

Sin that would not depart even by penance performed until one's dying breath is fully purified by a mere bath in this ford of Pavaka, the fire-god.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.92.5)

अत्यंतमलसंबद्धं यथा शुद्ध्यति हाटकम् । तथाग्नितीर्थमासाद्य देही पापैर्विशुद्ध्यति ।

atyantamalasaṁbaddhaṁ yathā śuddhyati hāṭakam tathāgnitīrthamāsādya dehī pāpairviśuddhyati

Just as gold thickly caked with dross is purified, so too an embodied being, upon reaching Agni-tirtha, is fully purified of its sins.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.92.6)

कुशाग्रेणोदबिंदुं च पीत्वा वर्षत्रयं नरः । अन्यक्षेत्रे तपः कृत्वा तदत्र स्नानमात्रतः ।

kuśāgreṇodabinduṁ ca pītvā varṣatrayaṁ naraḥ anyakṣetre tapaḥ kṛtvā tadatra snānamātrataḥ

Whatever fruit comes from three years of austerity practiced elsewhere while drinking only a drop of water from the tip of a kusha blade, that same fruit comes here from a mere bath.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.92.7)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयित्वास्मिन्यथाविभवसंभवैः । दरिद्रता कुले तेषां न कदाचित्प्रजायते ।

brāhmaṇānbhojayitvāsminyathāvibhavasaṁbhavaiḥ daridratā kule teṣāṁ na kadācitprajāyate

Those who feed brahmins here according to their means will never see poverty arise in their family line.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.92.8)

उपवासेन यः प्राणान्वह्नितीर्थे त्यजेन्नरः । स भित्त्वा सूर्यलोकादीन्विष्णुलोकं प्रपद्यते ।

upavāsena yaḥ prāṇānvahnitīrthe tyajennaraḥ sa bhitvā sūryalokādīnviṣṇulokaṁ prapadyate

A man who, while fasting, gives up his life-breath at the Agni-tirtha passes beyond the realm of the sun and the other worlds to attain the realm of Vishnu.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.92.9)

चांद्रायणसहस्रैस्तु कृच्छ्रैः कोटिभिरेव च । यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यस्तत्स्नानाद्वह्नितीर्थतः ।

cāndrāyaṇasahasraistu kṛcchraiḥ koṭibhireva ca yatphalaṁ labhate martyastatsnānādvahnitīrthataḥ

Whatever fruit a mortal gains from a thousand Chandrayana fasts and countless millions of Krichchhra penances, that same fruit comes from bathing at the Agni-tirtha.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.92.10)

पंचधा ये प्रकुर्वंति पापमस्मिन्षडानन । जपेन पवनायामैर्विशुद्धिरिति मे मतिः ।

pañcadhā ye prakurvanti pāpamasminṣaḍānana japena pavanāyāmairviśuddhiriti me matiḥ

O six-faced one, for those who here commit the five grades of sin, purification comes through japa and breath-control — this is my judgment.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.92.11)

ज्ञानेन मोहवशतः पापं कुर्वन्ति येऽधमाः । पैशाचीं योनिमायामति यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश ।

jñānena mohavaśataḥ pāpaṁ kurvanti ye'dhamāḥ paiśācīṁ yonimāyāmati yāvadindrāścaturdaśa

Those base persons who, even while possessing knowledge, commit sin here out of delusion, fall into the state of a ghoul for as long as the reigns of fourteen Indras.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.92.12)

अनाश्रमी चाश्रमी वा यावद्देहस्यधारणम् । न तीर्थे पावके कुर्यात्पातकं बुद्धिपूर्वकम् ।

anāśramī cāśramī vā yāvaddehasyadhāraṇam na tīrthe pāvake kuryātpātakaṁ buddhipūrvakam

Whether one belongs to any life-stage or none, so long as one bears a body, one must never knowingly commit sin at this ford of Pavaka.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.92.13)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः संध्या देवार्चनं तथा । अत्रानंतगुणं प्रोक्तमन्यतीर्थात्षडानन ।

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ saṁdhyā devārcanaṁ tathā atrānantaguṇaṁ proktamanyatīrthātṣaḍānana

O six-faced one, bathing, charity, japa, fire-offering, twilight worship, and the worship of deities are here declared to bear infinitely greater fruit than at any other sacred ford.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.92.14)

बहूनि संति तीर्थानि पावनानि महांत्यपि । वह्नितीर्थसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति ।

bahūni santi tīrthāni pāvanāni mahāntyapi vahnitīrthasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Though there are many great and purifying sacred fords, none has ever equaled, nor will ever equal, the Agni-tirtha.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.92.15)

न ब्रह्मा न शिवः शेषो न देवा न च तापसाः । शक्नुवंति फलं नालं वक्तुं पावकतीर्थजम् ।

na brahmā na śivaḥ śeṣo na devā na ca tāpasāḥ śaknuvanti phalaṁ nālaṁ vaktuṁ pāvakatīrthajam

Neither Brahma, nor Shiva, nor Shesha, nor the gods, nor even the greatest ascetics are able to fully describe the fruit born of the Pavaka-tirtha.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.92.16)

किं तेषां बहुभिर्यज्ञैः किं दानैर्नियमैर्यमैः । येषां पावकतीर्थेऽस्मिन्स्नानं दशदिनं भवेत् ।

kiṁ teṣāṁ bahubhiryajñaiḥ kiṁ dānairniyamairyamaiḥ yeṣāṁ pāvakatīrthe'sminsnānaṁ daśadinaṁ bhavet

What further need have those who have bathed for ten days at this Pavaka-tirtha of many sacrifices, or of gifts, restraints, and vows?

Verse 17 (skanda.2.92.17)

उपवासेन यः प्राणान्वह्नितीर्थे जयेन्नरः । उपवासत्रयं कृत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । नरः पावकतीर्थेऽस्मिन्स भवेत्पावकोपमः ।

upavāsena yaḥ prāṇānvahnitīrthe jayennaraḥ upavāsatrayaṁ kṛtvā pūjayitvā janārddanam naraḥ pāvakatīrthe'sminsa bhavetpāvakopamaḥ

A man who, through fasting, masters his life-breath at the Agni-tirtha, and who, after a three-day fast, worships Janardana, becomes at this Pavaka-tirtha the very equal of fire itself.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.92.18)

शिलापंचकमध्यस्थं सान्निध्यं नित्यदा हरेः । तत्रैव पावकं तीर्थं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।

śilāpañcakamadhyasthaṁ sānnidhyaṁ nityadā hareḥ tatraiva pāvakaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

In the midst of five sacred rocks, the presence of Hari abides eternally; there itself lies this ford of fire, destroyer of every sin.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.92.19)

स्कंद उवाच । कथं तत्र शिलाः पंच केन वा तत्र निर्मिताः । किं पुण्यं किं फलं तासां वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः ।

skanda uvāca kathaṁ tatra śilāḥ pañca kena vā tatra nirmitāḥ kiṁ puṇyaṁ kiṁ phalaṁ tāsāṁ vaktumarhasyaśeṣataḥ

Skanda said: How, and by whom, were those five sacred rocks fashioned there? You should tell me in full what merit and what fruit belong to them.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.92.20)

शिव उवाच । नारदी नारसिंही च वाराही गारुडी तथा । मार्कंडेयीति विख्याताः शिलाः सर्वार्थसिद्धिदाः ।

śiva uvāca nāradī nārasiṁhī ca vārāhī gāruḍī tathā mārkaṇḍeyīti vikhyātāḥ śilāḥ sarvārthasiddhidāḥ

Shiva said: Named Naradi, Narasimhi, Varahi, Garudi, and Markandeyi, these rocks, thus renowned, accomplish every human aim.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.92.21)

नारदो भगवांस्तेपे तपः परमदारुणम् । दर्शनार्थं महाविष्णोः शिलायां वायुभोजनः ।

nārado bhagavāṁstepe tapaḥ paramadāruṇam darśanārthaṁ mahāviṣṇoḥ śilāyāṁ vāyubhojanaḥ

The venerable Narada performed the most extreme austerity upon that rock, sustaining himself on air alone, for the sake of beholding the great Vishnu.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.92.22)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि शिलायां वृक्षवृत्तिमान् । तदासौ भगवान्विष्णुस्तत्र ब्राह्मणरूपधृक् ।

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi śilāyāṁ vṛkṣavṛttimān tadāsau bhagavānviṣṇustatra brāhmaṇarūpadhṛk

For sixty thousand years he remained on that rock, still as a tree; then the Lord Vishnu, taking the form of a brahmin, came there.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.92.23)

जगाम पुरतस्तस्य कृपया मुनिसत्तमम् । उवाच वचनं चारु किमिति क्लिश्यते ह्यृषे । किं वा तवेप्सितं ब्रूहि तपसा क्षीणकल्मष ।

jagāma purataстasya kṛpayā munisattamam uvāca vacanaṁ cāru kimiti kliśyate hyṛṣe kiṁ vā tavepsitaṁ brūhi tapasā kṣīṇakalmaṣa

Moved by compassion, he approached that foremost of sages and spoke gently: O sage, why do you undergo such hardship? Tell me your desire, O one whose sin has been burned away by austerity.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.92.24)

नारद उवाच । को भवान्विजनेऽरण्ये ममानुग्रहतत्परः । मनः प्रसन्नतामेति दर्शनात्ते द्विजोत्तम ।

nārada uvāca ko bhavānvijane'raṇye mamānugrahatatparaḥ manaḥ prasannatāmeti darśanātte dvijottama

Narada said: Who are you, so intent on showing me grace in this lonely forest? O best of the twice-born, my mind grows joyful merely at the sight of you.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.92.25)

इत्युक्तो नारदेनासौ शंखचक्रगदाधरः । पीतांबरलसत्पद्मवनमालाविभूषणः ।

ityukto nāradenāsau śaṅkhacakragadādharaḥ pītāṁbaralasatpadmavanamālāvibhūṣaṇaḥ

Thus addressed by Narada, he — bearing conch, discus, and mace, adorned with a yellow robe and a splendid garland of forest flowers —

Verse 26 (skanda.2.92.26)

श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभभ्राजत्कमलाविमलालयः । सुनंदनप्रमुख्यैः स स्तूयमानो जनार्द्दनः ।

śrīvatsakaustubhabhrājatkamalāvimalālayaḥ sunandanapramukhyaiḥ sa stūyamāno janārddanaḥ

Radiant with the Shrivatsa mark and the Kaustubha gem, the immaculate abode of Lakshmi, and praised by Sunanda and other attendants — that Janardana —

Verse 27 (skanda.2.92.27)

दर्शयामास रूपं स्वं नारदाय कृपार्दितः । तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय तनुं प्राण इवागतः ।

darśayāmāsa rūpaṁ svaṁ nāradāya kṛpārditaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya tanuṁ prāṇa ivāgataḥ

Melted with compassion, he revealed his true form to Narada. On seeing it, Narada rose at once, as though life itself had returned to his body.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.92.28)

कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा नमस्कृत्य पुनः पुनः । तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा जगतामीश्वरेश्वरम् ।

kṛtāñjaliputo bhūtvā namaskṛtya punaḥ punaḥ tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā jagatāmīśvareśvaram

With folded hands, bowing again and again, Narada humbly praised him who is the Lord even of the lords of the universe.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.92.29)

नारद उवाच । यः सर्वसाक्षी जगतामधीश्वरो भक्तेच्छया जातशरीरसंपदः । कृपामहांभोनिधिराश्रितानां प्रसीदतां पावनदिव्यमूर्तिः ।

nārada uvāca yaḥ sarvasākṣī jagatāmadhīśvaro bhaktecchayā jātaśarīrasaṁpadaḥ kṛpāmahāṁbhonidhirāśritānāṁ prasīdatāṁ pāvanadivyamūrtiḥ

Narada said: May he who witnesses all, the sovereign Lord of the worlds, who out of his devotees' desire has taken on the wealth of a bodily form, who is a vast ocean of compassion for those who take refuge in him — may that pure, divine form be gracious to me.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.92.30)

हिताय लोकस्य सतां पुनर्मनः सुतोषणायाचिरमुत्कलादिभिः । प्रसन्नलीलाहसितावलोकनः प्रसीदतां सत्त्वनिकायमूर्तिमान् ।

hitāya lokasya satāṁ punarmanaḥ sutoṣaṇāyāciramutkalādibhiḥ prasannalīlāhasitāvalokanaḥ prasīdatāṁ sattvanikāyamūrtimān

For the good of the world, and to swiftly delight the minds of the virtuous through their elevation and more, he casts a gaze full of joyful play and gentle smiling — may that embodiment of pure being be gracious.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.92.31)

कंदर्प्पलावण्यविलाससुंदरः प्रसन्नगंभीरगिरेंदिरोत्सवः । स्वमाश्रितानां वरकल्पपादपः प्रसीदतां दीनदयार्द्रमानसः ।

kandarpalāvaṇyavilāsasundaraḥ prasannagaṁbhīragirendirotsavaḥ svamāśritānāṁ varakalpapādapaḥ prasīdatāṁ dīnadayārdramānasaḥ

More beautiful than Kamadeva in grace and splendor, whose calm and deep voice is a festival for Indira (Lakshmi), who is the very wishing-tree for those who take refuge in him — may he, his heart melted with compassion for the wretched, be gracious to me.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.92.32)

यदंघ्रिपद्मार्चननिर्मलांतरा ज्ञानासिना शातितबंधहेतवः । विदंति यद्ब्रह्मसुखं गतक्लमाः प्रसीदतां दीनदयार्द्रमानसः ।

yadaṁghripadmārcananirmalāntarā jñānāsinā śātitabandhahetavaḥ vidanti yadbrahmasukhaṁ gataklamāḥ prasīdatāṁ dīnadayārdramānasaḥ

He whose lotus-feet, when worshipped, cleanse the inner being, who with the sword of knowledge severs the very causes of bondage, by whose grace the weary come to know the bliss of Brahman — may he, his heart melted with compassion for the wretched, be gracious.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.92.33)

संसारवारांनिधिबद्धसेतुर्यः सृष्टिपालांतविधानहेतुः । उपांतनामा गुणलब्धमूर्तिः प्रसीदतां ब्रह्मसुखानुभूतिः ।

saṁsāravārāṁnidhibaddhaseturyaḥ sṛṣṭipālāntavidhānahetuḥ upāntanāmā guṇalabdhamūrtiḥ prasīdatāṁ brahmasukhānubhūtiḥ

He who is like a bridge built across the ocean of transmigration, who is the cause behind the ordinance of creation, preservation, and dissolution, who takes on a form shaped by the gunas yet stands finally beyond them — may that living experience of the bliss of Brahman be gracious.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.92.34)

य इंद्रियाधिष्ठितभूतसूक्ष्माद्विकासहेतुर्द्युतिमद्वरिष्ठः । जीवात्मतां गच्छति मायया स्वया स एक ईशो भगवान्प्रसीदताम् ।

ya indriyādhiṣṭhitabhūtasūkṣmādvikāsaheturdyutimadvariṣṭhaḥ jīvātmatāṁ gacchati māyayā svayā sa eka īśo bhagavānprasīdatām

He who is the source from which the subtle elements dwelling in the senses unfold into brightness, most splendid among the radiant, who through his own maya appears as the individual soul — may that one and only Lord God be gracious.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.92.35)

स्वदृग्गुणैर्येन विलिप्यते महान्गुणाश्रयं येन च पाञ्चभौतिकम् । एकोऽपि नानागुणसंप्रयुक्तः प्रसीदतां दीनदयालुवर्यः ।

svadṛggguṇairyena vilipyate mahānguṇāśrayaṁ yena ca pāñcabhautikam eko'pi nānāguṇasaṁprayuktaḥ prasīdatāṁ dīnadayāluvaryaḥ

He by whose own perceptual qualities the great five-element world, the substrate of all qualities, appears to be shaped, who though one alone seems endowed with manifold qualities — may that most merciful one, foremost among those compassionate to the wretched, be gracious.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.92.36)

यस्यानुवर्तिनो देवा विपदां पदमंबुधिम् । कृत्वा वत्सपदं स्वर्गे निरातंका वसंति हि ।

yasyānuvartino devā vipadāṁ padamaṁbudhim kṛtvā vatsapadaṁ svarge nirātaṅkā vasanti hi

By following whom the gods reduce even the ocean of calamity to the size of a mere hoof-print, and dwell in heaven free of all dread.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.92.37)

नमस्ते वासुदेवाय नमः संकर्षणाय च । प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय सर्वभूतात्मने नमः ।

namaste vāsudevāya namaḥ saṁkarṣaṇāya ca pradyumnāyāniruddhāya sarvabhūtātmane namaḥ

Salutations to you as Vasudeva, salutations to Sankarshana, to Pradyumna and Aniruddha, and salutations to you as the very self dwelling in all beings.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.92.38)

अद्य मे जीवितं धन्यमद्य मे सफलं तपः । अद्य मे सफलं ज्ञानं दर्शनात्ते जनार्दन ।

adya me jīvitaṁ dhanyamadya me saphalaṁ tapaḥ adya me saphalaṁ jñānaṁ darśanātte janārdana

O Janardana, today my life is blessed, today my austerity has borne fruit, today even my knowledge is fulfilled by the sight of you.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.92.39)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । तुष्टोऽहं तपसानेन स्तोत्रेण तव नारद । त्वत्तो भक्तो न मे कश्चित्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ।

śrībhagavānuvāca tuṣṭo'haṁ tapasānena stotreṇa tava nārada tvatto bhakto na me kaścittriṣu lokeṣu vidyate

Shri Bhagavan said: O Narada, I am pleased by this austerity of yours and by this hymn; in the three worlds, no devotee of mine exists greater than you.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.92.40)

वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरदोऽहं तवाग्रतः । मद्दर्शनात्ते कामः स्यात्संसिद्धो विद्धि नारद ।

varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te varado'haṁ tavāgrataḥ maddarśanātte kāmaḥ syātsaṁsiddho viddhi nārada

Ask for a boon, may you prosper; I stand before you as the giver of boons. Know, O Narada, that your desire has already been fulfilled simply by the sight of me.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.92.41)

नारद उवाच । वरदो यदि मे देव वरार्हो यदि वाप्यहम् । भक्तिं तव पदांभोजे निश्चलां देहि मे विभो ।

nārada uvāca varado yadi me deva varārho yadi vāpyaham bhaktiṁ tava padāṁbhoje niścalāṁ dehi me vibho

Narada said: O Lord, if you would grant me a boon, and if indeed I am worthy of one, then, O mighty one, grant me unwavering devotion at your lotus feet.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.92.42)

पच्छिलासन्निधानं च न त्याज्यं ते कदाचन । मत्तीर्थदर्शनात्स्पर्शात्स्नानादाचमनात्तथा । देहैर्न युज्यते देयस्ततीयस्तु वरो मम ।

pacchilāsannidhānaṁ ca na tyājyaṁ te kadācana mattīrthadarśanātsparśātsnānādācamanāttathā dehairna yujyate deyastatīyastu varo mama

May you never abandon your presence beside this rock. And may this be my third boon: that whoever beholds, touches, bathes in, or sips the water of this ford of mine be no longer bound to take on a body again.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.92.43)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । एवमस्तु तव स्नेहात्तव तीर्थे वसाम्यहम् । चराचराणां जंतूनां विदेहाय न संशयः ।

śrībhagavānuvāca evamastu tava snehāttava tīrthe vasāmyaham carācarāṇāṁ jantūnāṁ videhāya na saṁśayaḥ

Shri Bhagavan said: So be it. Out of love for you I shall dwell in this ford of yours, and this will without doubt free every moving and unmoving creature from bodily bondage.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.92.44)

एवमुक्त्वा हरिः साक्षात्तत्रैवांतरधीयत । नारदोऽपि महातेजा दिनानि कतिचित्सह । बदरीमावसन्हृष्टो ययौ मधुपुरीं ततः ।

evamuktvā hariḥ sākṣāttatraivāntaradhīyata nārado'pi mahātejā dināni katicitsaha badarīmāvasanhṛṣṭo yayau madhupurīṁ tataḥ

Having said this, Hari vanished on the spot. The greatly radiant Narada too, having dwelt joyfully at Badari for some days, then set out for Madhupuri, that is, Mathura.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.92.45)

स्कंद उवाच । मार्कंडेयशिलायास्तु महिमानं वदस्व मे । किं पुण्यं किं फलं तस्याः संज्ञा च तादृशी कथम् ।

skanda uvāca mārkaṇḍeyaśilāyāstu mahimānaṁ vadasva me kiṁ puṇyaṁ kiṁ phalaṁ tasyāḥ saṁjñā ca tādṛśī katham

Skanda said: Now tell me the glory of the Markandeya rock. What merit and what fruit belong to it, and how did it come to bear such a name?

Verse 46 (skanda.2.92.46)

शिव उवाच । पुरा त्रेतायुगस्यांते मृकंडुतनयो महान् । स्वल्पायुषं निजं ज्ञात्वा जजाप परमं जपम् ।

śiva uvāca purā tretāyugasyānte mṛkaṇḍutanayo mahān svalpāyuṣaṁ nijaṁ jñātvā jajāpa paramaṁ japam

Shiva said: Long ago, at the end of the Treta age, the great son of Mrikandu, knowing his own life to be short, undertook the highest japa.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.92.47)

द्वादशाक्षरमंत्रेण पूजितो हरिरव्ययः । सप्तकल्पायुषं ज्ञात्वा तत्रैवांतरतो ययौ ।

dvādaśākṣaramantreṇa pūjito harirvyayaḥ saptakalpāyuṣaṁ jñātvā tatraivāntarato yayau

Worshipped with the twelve-syllable mantra, the imperishable Hari, pleased, granted him a lifespan of seven kalpas, and then vanished from that very place.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.92.48)

मार्कंडेयस्ततः श्रुत्वा तीर्थाटनपरिश्रमम् । दर्शनं नारदस्यासीन्मथुरायां षडानन ।

mārkaṇḍeyastataḥ śrutvā tīrthāṭanapariśramam darśanaṁ nāradasyāsīnmathurāyāṁ ṣaḍānana

O six-faced one, Markandeya, after hearing of the toils of pilgrimage, then had an audience with Narada at Mathura.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.92.49)

पूजितो वंदितस्तेन नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । कथयामास माहात्म्यं बदर्या यत्र केशवः ।

pūjito vanditastena nārado munisattamaḥ kathayāmāsa māhātmyaṁ badaryā yatra keśavaḥ

Worshipped and honored by him, Narada, foremost among sages, related the glory of Badari, where Keshava himself dwells.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.92.50)

नारद उवाच । किमिति क्लिश्यते साधो तीर्थाटनपरिश्रमैः । बदर्याख्यं महाक्षेत्रं सान्निध्यं नित्यदा हरेः ।

nārada uvāca kimiti kliśyate sādho tīrthāṭanapariśramaiḥ badaryākhyaṁ mahākṣetraṁ sānnidhyaṁ nityadā hareḥ

Narada said: O virtuous one, why do you exhaust yourself with the toils of pilgrimage? In the great field called Badari, the presence of Hari is ever established.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.92.51)

तत्र याहि यत्र साक्षाद्धरिं पश्यसि चक्षुषा । तच्छ्रुत्वा विस्मयोपेतो विशालामाययावृषिः ।

tatra yāhi yatra sākṣāddhariṁ paśyasi cakṣuṣā tacchrutvā vismayopeto viśālāmāyayāvṛṣiḥ

Go there, where you shall behold Hari in person with your own eyes. On hearing this, the sage, filled with wonder, journeyed to Vishala.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.92.52)

स्नात्वा शिलामुपविशञ्जजापाष्टाक्षरं परम् । ततःप्रसन्नो भगवाँस्त्रिरात्र्यंते जनार्दनः ।

snātvā śilāmupaviśañjajāpāṣṭākṣaraṁ param tataḥprasanno bhagavāṁstrirātryante janārdanaḥ

After bathing, he sat upon the rock and recited the supreme eight-syllable mantra. Then, at the end of three nights, the Lord Janardana became pleased.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.92.53)

शंखचक्रगदापद्मवनमालाविभूषणम् । तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा मार्कंडेयो जनार्दनम् ।

śaṅkhacakragadāpadmavanamālāvibhūṣaṇam taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya premagadgadayā girā tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā mārkaṇḍeyo janārdanam

Beholding him adorned with conch, discus, mace, lotus, and forest garland, Markandeya rose at once and, bowing low, praised Janardana in a voice choked with love.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.92.54)

मार्कंडेय उवाच । अशाश्वते च संसारे सारे ते चरणांबुजे । समुद्धारः कथं नृणां त्राहि मां परमेश्वर ।

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca aśāśvate ca saṁsāre sāre te caraṇāṁbuje samuddhāraḥ kathaṁ nṛṇāṁ trāhi māṁ parameśvara

Markandeya said: In this impermanent world of transmigration, your lotus feet alone are the essence; how then may men be rescued? Protect me, O supreme Lord.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.92.55)

तापत्रयपरिश्रांतमनेकाज्ञानजृंभितम् । संसारकुहरे भ्रांतं त्राहि मां कृपयाऽच्युत ।

tāpatrayapariśrāntamanekājñānajṛmbhitam saṁsārakuhare bhrāntaṁ trāhi māṁ kṛpayā'cyuta

Wearied by the three kinds of suffering, swollen with manifold ignorance, wandering lost in the cavern of transmigration — protect me, O Achyuta, out of your grace.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.92.56)

अनेकयोनियंत्रेषु निःसृतेस्तनुवेदनाम् । गर्भवासकृतां प्राप्तं त्राहि मां करुणांबुधे ।

anekayoniyantreṣu niḥsṛtestanuvedanām garbhavāsakṛtāṁ prāptaṁ trāhi māṁ karuṇāṁbudhe

Having endured the bodily anguish of emerging from the crushing passage of countless wombs, and the suffering born of dwelling in the womb itself — protect me, O ocean of compassion.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.92.57)

कृमिभक्षितसर्वांगं क्षुत्पिपासाकुलं च हि । आंत्रमालाकुलेगर्भे त्राहि मां मधुसूदन ।

kṛmibhakṣitasarvāṅgaṁ kṣutpipāsākulaṁ ca hi āṁtramālākulegarbhe trāhi māṁ madhusūdana

With every limb as though gnawed by worms, tormented by hunger and thirst, entangled in the coil of intestines within the womb — protect me, O Madhusudana.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.92.58)

अमेध्यादिभिरालिप्तं निश्चेष्टश्रममाकुलम् । स्मरंतं निजकर्मोत्थं त्राहि मां मधुसूदन ।

amedhyādibhirāliptaṁ niśceṣṭaśramamākulam smarantaṁ nijakarmotthaṁ trāhi māṁ madhusūdana

Smeared with filth, motionless yet wracked with exhaustion, remembering the suffering that arises from my own past deeds — protect me, O Madhusudana.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.92.59)

वचनादाननिःश्वासाशक्तं भयमुपागतम् । गर्भवासमहादुःखं त्राहि मां मधुसूदन ।

vacanādānaniḥśvāsāśaktaṁ bhayamupāgatam garbhavāsamahāduḥkhaṁ trāhi māṁ madhusūdana

Unable even to speak, to take anything in, or to draw breath, overcome with fear, plunged in the great suffering of the womb's dwelling — protect me, O Madhusudana.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.92.60)

जरामरणबाल्यादिदुःखसंसारपीडितम् । दुःखाब्धौ सुखबुद्धिं मां कृपासिंधो प्रपालय ।

jarāmaraṇabālyādiduḥkhasaṁsārapīḍitam duḥkhābdhau sukhabuddhiṁ māṁ kṛpāsindho prapālaya

Afflicted by a world of suffering — old age, death, childhood, and the rest — yet mistaking this ocean of misery for happiness, fully protect me, O ocean of compassion.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.92.61)

कदाचित्कृमितां प्राप्तं कदाचित्स्वेदजन्मिताम् । कदाचिदुद्भिज्जत्वं च कदाचिन्नरतां गतम् ।

kadācitkṛmitāṁ prāptaṁ kadācitsvedajanmitām kadāciduddhijjatvaṁ ca kadācinnaratāṁ gatam

Sometimes born as a worm, sometimes born of sweat, sometimes born sprouting from the earth, and sometimes attaining human birth —

Verse 62 (skanda.2.92.62)

सर्वयोनिसमापन्नं विपन्नं विगतप्रभम् । अनाथं त्वां समापन्नं त्राहि मां कृपयाऽच्युत ।

sarvayonisamāpannaṁ vipannaṁ vigataprabham anāthaṁ tvāṁ samāpannaṁ trāhi māṁ kṛpayā'cyuta

This soul, having passed through every kind of womb, fallen, bereft of all splendor, helpless — has come to you for refuge; protect me, O Achyuta, out of your grace.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.92.63)

एवं स्तुतस्ततः कृष्णो मार्कण्डेयेन धीमता । प्रीतस्तमाह विप्रर्षे वरं मे व्रियतामिति ।

evaṁ stutastataḥ kṛṣṇo mārkaṇḍeyena dhīmatā prītastamāha viprarṣe varaṁ me vriyatāmiti

Thus praised by the wise Markandeya, Krishna, pleased, said to him: O sage among the twice-born, ask a boon of me.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.92.64)

श्रीमार्कंडेय उवाच । यदि तुष्टो भवान्मह्यं भगवन्दीनवत्सल । निश्चलां देहि मे भक्तिं पूजायां दर्शने तव । शिलायां तव सान्निध्यमेष एव वरो मम ।

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca yadi tuṣṭo bhavānmahyaṁ bhagavandīnavatsala niścalāṁ dehi me bhaktiṁ pūjāyāṁ darśane tava śilāyāṁ tava sānnidhyameṣa eva varo mama

Shri Markandeya said: O Lord who cherishes the wretched, if you are pleased with me, grant me unwavering devotion in worshipping and beholding you; and let your presence remain forever upon this rock — this alone is the boon I ask.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.92.65)

सूत उवाच । तथेत्युक्त्वा महाविष्णुर्ययावंतर्हितं द्विज । मार्कंडेयस्ततस्तुष्टो जगाम पितुराश्रमम् ।

sūta uvāca tathetyuktvā mahāviṣṇuryayāvantarhitaṁ dvija mārkaṇḍeyastatastuṣṭo jagāma pitrāśramam

Suta said: O twice-born one, saying 'so be it,' the great Vishnu vanished. Markandeya, now satisfied, then departed for his father's hermitage.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.92.66)

उपस्थानमिदं पुण्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेन्मर्त्यो गोविन्दे लभते गतिम् ।

upasthānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam śṛṇuyācchrāvayenmartyo govinde labhate gatim

This hymn of praise is meritorious and destroys every sin. Whoever hears it, or recites it to others, attains the supreme abode of Govinda.