The Glory of Brahma-kunda, Sarasvati, and the Vasudhara and Manasodbheda Tirthas

Verse 1 (skanda.2.95.1)

स्कंद उवाच । कराद्विगलितं यत्र कपालं ते महेश्वर । तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं कृपया वद मे पितः ।

skaṁda uvāca karādvigalitaṁ yatra kapālaṁ te maheśvara tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṁ kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ

Skanda said: O Maheshvara, tell me, out of compassion, O father, the greatness of that tirtha where the skull slipped from your hand.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.95.2)

शिव उवाच । अतिगुह्यमिदं तीर्थं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् । ब्रह्महाऽपि नरो यत्र स्नानमात्रेण शुद्ध्यति ।

śiva uvāca atiguhyamidaṁ tīrthaṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam brahmahā'pi naro yatra snānamātreṇa śuddhyati

Shiva said: This tirtha is exceedingly secret, honored by both gods and demons; even a man guilty of killing a Brahmin becomes pure there by mere bathing.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.95.3)

पंच तीर्थानि तिष्ठंति कपाले पापमोचने । तत्र स्नानं तपो दानं सर्वमक्षयमिष्यते ।

paṁca tīrthāni tiṣṭhaṁti kapāle pāpamocane tatra snānaṁ tapo dānaṁ sarvamakṣayamiṣyate

Five sacred fords stand at this Kapala-mochana, the place of release from sin; bathing, austerity, and charity performed there are all held to bear imperishable merit.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.95.4)

पिंडं विधाय विधिवन्नरकात्तारयेत्पितॄन् । पितृतीर्थमिदं प्रोक्तं गयातोऽष्टगुणाधिकम् ।

piṁḍaṁ vidhāya vidhivannarakāttārayetpitṝn pitṛtīrthamidaṁ proktaṁ gayāto'ṣṭaguṇādhikam

By duly offering the pinda there, one delivers one's ancestors from hell; this Pitri-tirtha is declared to be eightfold greater than Gaya.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.95.5)

तिलतर्प्पणतो यांति पितरः स्वर्गमुत्तमम् ।

tilatarppaṇato yāṁti pitaraḥ svargamuttamam

Through the offering of sesame libations, the ancestors go to the finest heaven.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.95.6)

अहोरात्रं स्थिरो भूत्वा जपनिष्ठः समाहितः । तस्येष्टसिद्धिर्महती तत्क्षणादेव जायते ।

ahorātraṁ sthiro bhūtvā japaniṣṭhaḥ samāhitaḥ tasyeṣṭasiddhirmahatī tatkṣaṇādeva jāyate

He who remains steadfast day and night, devoted to japa with a composed mind, attains great success in his desired aim that very instant.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.95.7)

पारलौकिककर्माणि सर्वाण्यव्याहतानि च । कपालमोचने तीर्थे नाधिकं पितृकर्मणि ।

pāralaukikakarmāṇi sarvāṇyavyāhatāni ca kapālamocane tīrthe nādhikaṁ pitṛkarmaṇi

All rites for the world beyond become unfailing; nothing surpasses ancestral rites performed at the tirtha of Kapala-mochana.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.95.8)

स्कंद उवाच । कुत्र वा ब्रह्मतीर्थं वै फलं वा कीदृशं भवेत् । के वा तत्र वसंतीह कृपया वद मे पितः ।

skaṁda uvāca kutra vā brahmatīrthaṁ vai phalaṁ vā kīdṛśaṁ bhavet ke vā tatra vasaṁtīha kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ

Skanda said: Where indeed is the Brahma-tirtha, and what is its fruit? Who dwells there? Kindly tell me, O father.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.95.9)

शिव उवाच । एकदा विष्णुनाभ्यम्भोरुहस्थस्य प्रजापतेः । वेदान्मुखांबुजाद्धृत्वा जग्मतुर्मधुकैटभौ ।

śiva uvāca ekadā viṣṇunābhyambhoruhasthasya prajāpateḥ vedānmukhāṁbujāddhṛtvā jagmaturmadhukaiṭabhau

Shiva said: Once, from the lotus mouth of Prajapati Brahma, who was seated upon the lotus sprung from Vishnu's navel, Madhu and Kaitabha seized the Vedas and made off with them.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.95.10)

ततो ह्युत्थाय शयनात्सिसृक्षुरब्जसंभवः । स्रष्टुं विनाऽगमं लोके न शशाक हृतस्मृतिः ।

tato hyutthāya śayanātsisṛkṣurabjasaṁbhavaḥ sraṣṭuṁ vinā'gamaṁ loke na śaśāka hṛtasmṛtiḥ

Then the Lotus-born Brahma, rising from his slumber, desired to create; but with his memory and the scriptures lost, he was unable to bring forth creation without them.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.95.11)

तदा बदरिकामेत्य हरिणा प्रतिपालिताम् । तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा भगवंतं सनातनम् ।

tadā badarikāmetya hariṇā pratipālitām tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā bhagavaṁtaṁ sanātanam

Then he came to Badarika, ever guarded by Hari; bowing down there, he praised the eternal Lord.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.95.12)

ततः कुंडात्समुद्भूतो हयशीर्षो निजायुधः । पीतांबरधरः शुक्लश्चतुर्बाहुः सुदृप्तदृक् ।

tataḥ kuṁḍātsamudbhūto hayaśīrṣo nijāyudhaḥ pītāṁbaradharaḥ śuklaścaturbāhuḥ sudṛptadṛk

Then, from the sacred pool, there arose a horse-headed form, bearing his own weapons, clad in yellow garments, radiant white, four-armed, his eyes full of splendor.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.95.13)

अत्यद्भुतः प्रकटकठोरलोचनश्चलच्छटाविच्छुरितमेघडंबरः । स्वतेजसा हतनिखिलप्रभाकुलः कृपान्वितो द्रुहिणपुरःसरोऽभवत् ।

atyadbhutaḥ prakaṭakaṭhoralocanaścalacchaṭāvicchuritameghaḍaṁbaraḥ svatejasā hatanikhilaprabhākulaḥ kṛpānvito druhiṇapuraḥsaro'bhavat

Most wondrous, with fierce, plainly manifest eyes, scattering flickering brilliance like the pomp of moving clouds; by his own splendor outshining every other radiance, and filled with compassion, he appeared before Brahma.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.95.14)

निरीक्ष्य तं विधिरपि विस्मयाकुलः प्रणम्य च स्तुतिमकरोत्प्रसन्नदृक् ।

nirīkṣya taṁ vidhirapi vismayākulaḥ praṇamya ca stutimakarotprasannadṛk

Beholding him, Brahma too, overwhelmed with wonder, bowed down and, with a gladdened gaze, began to offer praise.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.95.15)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नमः कमलनाभाय नमस्ते कमलाश्रय । नमस्ते कमलावासविशालवनमालिने ।

brahmovāca namaḥ kamalanābhāya namaste kamalāśraya namaste kamalāvāsaviśālavanamāline

Brahma said: Salutations to the lotus-naveled one, salutations to you, refuge of the lotus; salutations to you, dweller in the lotus, wearer of the vast garland of forest flowers.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.95.16)

नमो विज्ञानभात्राय गुहावास निवासिने । हृषीकेशाय शांताय तुभ्यं भगवते नमः ।

namo vijñānabhātrāya guhāvāsa nivāsine hṛṣīkeśāya śāṁtāya tubhyaṁ bhagavate namaḥ

Salutations to you, radiant with true knowledge, dweller within the secret cave of the heart; salutations to you, Hrishikesha, the tranquil Lord.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.95.17)

स्वभक्तरक्षणकृते धृतदेहाय शार्ङ्गिणे । अनंतक्लेशनाशाय गदिने ब्रह्मणे नमः ।

svabhaktarakṣaṇakṛte dhṛtadehāya śārṅgiṇe anaṁtakleśanāśāya gadine brahmaṇe namaḥ

Salutations to you who have assumed a body for the protection of your own devotees, wielder of the Sharnga bow, destroyer of endless afflictions, bearer of the mace, the very Brahman.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.95.18)

संसारविविधासारनिवृत्तिकृतकर्मणे । रक्षित्रे सर्वजंतूनां विष्णवे जिष्णवे नमः ।

saṁsāravividhāsāranivṛttikṛtakarmaṇe rakṣitre sarvajaṁtūnāṁ viṣṇave jiṣṇave namaḥ

Salutations to him whose deeds bring release from the manifold vanity of worldly existence, protector of all creatures, Vishnu, the ever-victorious.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.95.19)

नमो विश्वंभराशेषनिवृत्तगुणवृत्तये । सुरासुरवरस्तंभनिवृत्तिस्थितिकीर्तये ।

namo viśvaṁbharāśeṣanivṛttaguṇavṛttaye surāsuravarastaṁbhanivṛttisthitikīrtaye

Salutations to the sustainer of the universe, whose nature transcends all the gunas entirely; to him renowned for both restraining and sustaining the foremost of gods and demons.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.95.20)

इतीरितः सुरपतिना महेश्वरो हृदिस्थितोऽखिलविदशेषकर्मभिः । ततोऽन्तरं सपदि गतो निबध्य तौ सुरद्रुहौ किल निजघान लीलया ।

itīritaḥ surapatinā maheśvaro hṛdisthito'khilavidaśeṣakarmabhiḥ tato'ntaraṁ sapadi gato nibadhya tau suradruhau kila nijaghāna līlayā

Thus praised by the lord of the gods, the great Lord — dwelling within the heart, all-knowing through his deeds — swiftly went into the depths, and having bound those two enemies of the gods, playfully slew them.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.95.21)

ततो निगममादाय ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकमाययौ । दत्त्वा स्वनिगमं तस्मै स्वस्थोऽभूत्स समीडितः ।

tato nigamamādāya brahmaṇoṁ'tikamāyayau dattvā svanigamaṁ tasmai svastho'bhūtsa samīḍitaḥ

Then, taking up the scriptures, he came near to Brahma, and, having restored to him his own scriptures, that praised one himself became well again.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.95.22)

ततः प्रभृति तत्तीर्थं ब्रह्मणा प्रकटीकृतम् । ब्रह्मकुंडमिति ख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ।

tataḥ prabhṛti tattīrthaṁ brahmaṇā prakaṭīkṛtam brahmakuṁḍamiti khyātaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam

From that time onward, that tirtha, made manifest by Brahma, became known as Brahma-kunda, renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.95.23)

यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण महापातकिनो जनाः । विमुक्तकिल्बिषाः सद्यो ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजंति ते ।

yasya darśanamātreṇa mahāpātakino janāḥ vimuktakilbiṣāḥ sadyo brahmalokaṁ vrajaṁti te

By the mere sight of which, even people guilty of the gravest sins, freed instantly of their transgressions, go to the world of Brahma.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.95.24)

स्नानं कुर्वंति ये लोका व्रतचर्यामथापि वा । ब्रह्मलोकमतिक्रम्य विष्णुलोकं व्रजंति ते ।

snānaṁ kurvaṁti ye lokā vratacaryāmathāpi vā brahmalokamatikramya viṣṇulokaṁ vrajaṁti te

Those who bathe there, or who observe vows there, pass beyond even the world of Brahma and go to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.95.25)

स्कंद उवाच । ततः किमकरोद्धाता लब्ध्वा वेदाञ्जनार्द्दनात् । एतदन्यच्च सर्वं मे कृपया वद सांप्रतम् ।

skaṁda uvāca tataḥ kimakaroddhātā labdhvā vedāñjanārddanāt etadanyacca sarvaṁ me kṛpayā vada sāṁpratam

Skanda said: What then did the Creator do, having recovered the Vedas from Janardana? Tell me now, out of compassion, this and all else.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.95.26)

महादेव उवाच । चतुर्णामपि वेदानां दृष्ट्वा बदरिकाश्रमम् । मतिर्न जायते गंतुं ब्रह्मणा सह पुत्रक ।

mahādeva uvāca caturṇāmapi vedānāṁ dṛṣṭvā badarikāśramam matirna jāyate gaṁtuṁ brahmaṇā saha putraka

Mahadeva said: O son, having beheld Badarikashrama, the resolve to depart no longer arose even in the four Vedas, together with Brahma.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.95.27)

ततस्तु विकलं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्माणं जनवासिनः । सिद्धास्तु विधिवत्स्तुत्वा प्रणिपत्येदमब्रुवन् ।

tatastu vikalaṁ dṛṣṭvā brahmāṇaṁ janavāsinaḥ siddhāstu vidhivatstutvā praṇipatyedamabruvan

Then, seeing Brahma distressed, the Siddhas dwelling there, having duly praised him and bowed down, spoke thus.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.95.28)

सिद्धा ऊचुः । आज्ञा भगवतः कार्या सर्वैः स्थावरजंगमैः । भगवान्सर्वजंतूनां कर्त्ता हर्ता पिता गुरुः ।

siddhā ūcuḥ ājñā bhagavataḥ kāryā sarvaiḥ sthāvarajaṁgamaiḥ bhagavānsarvajaṁtūnāṁ karttā hartā pitā guruḥ

The Siddhas said: The command of the Lord must be obeyed by all things, moving and unmoving; the Lord is the creator, the destroyer, the father, and the teacher of all beings.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.95.29)

स्थितिर्ब्रह्मांतिके वश्च हरिणैवानुकल्पिता । निवृत्तिर्वर्तते चैषा तथाप्येतन्निरामयम् ।

sthitirbrahmāṁtike vaśca hariṇaivānukalpitā nivṛttirvartate caiṣā tathāpyetannirāmayam

Your abode near Brahma has been ordained by Hari himself; though this withdrawal too remains open to you, this course is free of trouble.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.95.30)

एकांते द्रवरूपेण मूर्तिर्वोऽत्रावतिष्ठताम् । द्वितीया ब्रह्मणा सार्द्धं ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजेत्पुनः ।

ekāṁte dravarūpeṇa mūrtirvo'trāvatiṣṭhatām dvitīyā brahmaṇā sārddhaṁ brahmalokaṁ vrajetpunaḥ

Let one form of you, in liquid form, remain here in solitude; let the second go once more with Brahma to the world of Brahma.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.95.31)

ततः सहृदया वेदा द्वैधीकृतात्मरूपकाः । ब्रह्मणा ब्रह्मलोकं ते ययुः सार्द्धं प्रहर्षिताः ।

tataḥ sahṛdayā vedā dvaidhīkṛtātmarūpakāḥ brahmaṇā brahmalokaṁ te yayuḥ sārddhaṁ praharṣitāḥ

Then the kind-hearted Vedas, dividing their own form into two, went joyfully with Brahma to the world of Brahma.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.95.32)

ततस्त्रिलोकं विधिवत्ससर्ज चतुराननः । द्रवरूपेषु वेदेषु स्नानदानतपःक्रियाः । कृता विच्छेदिता न स्युर्यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् ।

tatastrilokaṁ vidhivatsasarja caturānanaḥ dravarūpeṣu vedeṣu snānadānatapaḥkriyāḥ kṛtā viccheditā na syuryāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

Then the four-faced Brahma duly created the three worlds; and the rites of bathing, charity, and austerity performed in the liquid form of the Vedas would never be interrupted, until the great dissolution of all beings.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.95.33)

फलमुद्दिश्य कुर्वंति उपवासत्रयं नराः । चतुर्णामपि वेदानां व्याख्यातारो न संशयः ।

phalamuddiśya kurvaṁti upavāsatrayaṁ narāḥ caturṇāmapi vedānāṁ vyākhyātāro na saṁśayaḥ

Men who observe a three-day fast there, keeping the fruit in mind, become, without doubt, expounders of all four Vedas.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.95.34)

अनुक्रमेण तिष्ठंति वेदाश्चत्वार एव च । ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाख्या भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनः ।

anukrameṇa tiṣṭhaṁti vedāścatvāra eva ca ṛgyajuḥsāmātharvākhyā bhagavatpārśvavartinaḥ

The four Vedas — Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva — abide there in due order, standing at the side of the Lord.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.95.35)

ये पुण्यवंतोऽकलुषा वेदवेदांगपारगाः । ते वेदघोषं विरलाः शृण्वंत्यपि कलौ युगे ।

ye puṇyavaṁto'kaluṣā vedavedāṁgapāragāḥ te vedaghoṣaṁ viralāḥ śṛṇvaṁtyapi kalau yuge

Those meritorious and untainted ones who are masters of the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences — they, though rare in this Kali age, may still hear the sound of the Vedas there.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.95.36)

चतुर्णामपि वेदानामुदगस्ति सरस्वती । जप्ताथ सा नृणां हंति जडतां जलरूपिणी ।

caturṇāmapi vedānāmudagasti sarasvatī japtātha sā nṛṇāṁ haṁti jaḍatāṁ jalarūpiṇī

From all four Vedas, Sarasvati arose there in her flowing form; when invoked through japa, she, in her watery form, destroys the dullness of men.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.95.37)

सरस्वत्या जले स्थित्वा जपं कृत्वा समाहितः । मनोस्तस्य न विच्छेदः कदाचिदपि जायते ।

sarasvatyā jale sthitvā japaṁ kṛtvā samāhitaḥ manostasya na vicchedaḥ kadācidapi jāyate

For one who, standing in the waters of Sarasvati, performs japa with a composed mind, the mind's distraction never arises again.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.95.38)

वेदव्यासोऽपि भगवान्यत्प्रसादादुदारधीः । पुराणसंहितार्थज्ञोऽभवदत्र न संशयः ।

vedavyāso'pi bhagavānyatprasādādudāradhīḥ purāṇasaṁhitārthajño'bhavadatra na saṁśayaḥ

By whose grace even the Lord Vedavyasa, of magnanimous intellect, became, without doubt, one who understood the meaning of the Puranas and their compilations.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.95.39)

त्रयाणामपि लोकानां हिताय जगतां पतिः । स्थापयामास विधिना वाणीं वाग्विभवप्रदाम् ।

trayāṇāmapi lokānāṁ hitāya jagatāṁ patiḥ sthāpayāmāsa vidhinā vāṇīṁ vāgvibhavapradām

For the welfare of all three worlds, the Lord of the worlds duly established Speech, the giver of the wealth of eloquence.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.95.40)

दर्शनस्पर्शनस्नानपूजास्तुत्यभिवन्दनैः । सरस्वत्या न विच्छेदः कुले तस्य कदाचन ।

darśanasparśanasnānapūjāstutyabhivandanaiḥ sarasvatyā na vicchedaḥ kule tasya kadācana

Through her sight, touch, bathing, worship, praise, and salutation, that family is never severed from Sarasvati.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.95.41)

मन्त्रसिद्धिर्विशेषेण सरस्वत्यास्तटे नृणाम् । जपतामचिरणैव जायते नात्र संशयः ।

mantrasiddhirviśeṣeṇa sarasvatyāstaṭe nṛṇām japatāmaciraṇaiva jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Success in mantra comes especially, and swiftly, to men who perform japa on the bank of Sarasvati — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.95.42)

बहुना किमिहोक्तेन वाणी वाग्विभवप्रदा । द्रवरूपधरा नृणां दर्शनात्पूतिरुज्ज्वला ।

bahunā kimihoktena vāṇī vāgvibhavapradā dravarūpadharā nṛṇāṁ darśanātpūtirujjvalā

What need is there of saying more? Vani, giver of the wealth of speech, bearing here a liquid form, grants men a radiant purification by her mere sight.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.95.43)

ततोऽर्वाग्दक्षिणे भागे द्रवधारेति विश्रुतम् । तीर्थमिंद्रपदं यत्र तपश्चक्रे पुरंदरः ।

tato'rvāgdakṣiṇe bhāge dravadhāreti viśrutam tīrthamiṁdrapadaṁ yatra tapaścakre puraṁdaraḥ

From there, a little further to the south, is the tirtha renowned as Dravadhara, also called Indra's ford, where Purandara performed austerity.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.95.44)

सुदारुणं तपः कृत्वा परितोष्य जनार्द्दनम् । पदमैंद्रं समालेभे सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ।

sudāruṇaṁ tapaḥ kṛtvā paritoṣya janārddanam padamaiṁdraṁ samālebhe surāsuranamaskṛtam

Having performed the most severe austerity, and having pleased Janardana, he obtained the seat of Indra, honored by both gods and demons.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.95.45)

तपो दानं जपो होमो व्रतानि नियमा यमाः । तत्रानन्तगुणं प्रोक्तं तत्तीर्थमतिदुर्लभम् ।

tapo dānaṁ japo homo vratāni niyamā yamāḥ tatrānantaguṇaṁ proktaṁ tattīrthamatidurlabham

Austerity, charity, japa, fire-offering, vows, observances, and restraints — performed there, are declared to bear infinite merit; that tirtha is exceedingly hard to attain.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.95.46)

प्रतिमासे त्रयोदश्यां शुक्लायां हरितोषणे । स्नात्वा सुतीर्थे सुत्रामाच्छन्दं चोपेत्य संगतः ।

pratimāse trayodaśyāṁ śuklāyāṁ haritoṣaṇe snātvā sutīrthe sutrāmācchandaṁ copetya saṁgataḥ

On the thirteenth of the bright fortnight of every month, for the pleasing of Hari, having bathed at this fine tirtha and drawn near in the manner desired by Sutraman [Indra],

Verse 47 (skanda.2.95.47)

उपवासद्वयं कृत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शक्रलोके महीयते ।

upavāsadvayaṁ kṛtvā pūjayitvā janārddanam sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śakraloke mahīyate

having observed a two-day fast and worshipped Janardana, one becomes freed from all sin and is exalted in the world of Indra.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.95.48)

तत्रैव मानसोद्भेदः सर्वपापप्रणाशनः । दुर्लभः सर्वजंतूनां यत्र ते स्युर्महर्षयः ।

tatraiva mānasodbhedaḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ durlabhaḥ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ yatra te syurmaharṣayaḥ

There indeed is the Manasodbheda tirtha, destroyer of all sin, hard for all beings to attain, where the great sages themselves dwell.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.95.49)

मानसं चिदचिद्ग्रन्थिमुद्ग्रथ्नंति च सर्वतः । मानसोद्भेव इत्याख्या ऋषिभिः परिगीयते ।

mānasaṁ cidacidgranthimudgrathnaṁti ca sarvataḥ mānasodbheva ityākhyā ṛṣibhiḥ parigīyate

It utterly unravels the knot binding consciousness and matter within the mind; hence it is celebrated by the sages under the name Manasodbheda.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.95.50)

भिंदंति हृदयग्रंथीश्छिंदन्ति बहुसंशयम् । कर्माणि क्षपयन्त्यस्मान्मानसोद्भेद इत्यभूत् ।

bhiṁdaṁti hṛdayagraṁthīśchiṁdanti bahusaṁśayam karmāṇi kṣapayantyasmānmānasodbheda ityabhūt

It breaks the knots of the heart, cuts through manifold doubt, and wears away the deeds of these pilgrims — thus it came to be called Manasodbheda.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.95.51)

यदि भाग्यवशादत्र बिंदुमात्रं लभेन्नरः । तत्क्षणान्मुक्तिमाप्नोति किमतस्त्वधिकं भवेत् ।

yadi bhāgyavaśādatra biṁdumātraṁ labhennaraḥ tatkṣaṇānmuktimāpnoti kimatastvadhikaṁ bhavet

If by good fortune a man obtains even a single drop of it here, he attains liberation that very instant — what could be greater than this?

Verse 52 (skanda.2.95.52)

गिरिदरीनिलये निवसत्यमी ऋषिगणाः फलमूलजलाशनाः । जितमनोविषयाः शितबुद्धयः कलिभयादिव पापभयाकुलाः ।

giridarīnilaye nivasatyamī ṛṣigaṇāḥ phalamūlajalāśanāḥ jitamanoviṣayāḥ śitabuddhayaḥ kalibhayādiva pāpabhayākulāḥ

There dwell these hosts of sages, in the caves of the mountain, subsisting on fruit, roots, and water; their minds have conquered the senses, their intellects are sharp, and they remain anxious about sin as if in fear of the very Kali age.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.95.53)

फलसमीरणगह्वरनिर्झराश्रमभरादुपलब्धपटोत्तमाः । त्रिषवणक्रमनिर्जितदुर्जयेन्द्रियपराक्रमणा मुनयस्त्वमी ।

phalasamīraṇagahvaranirjharāśramabharādupalabdhapaṭottamāḥ triṣavaṇakramanirjitadurjayendriyaparākramaṇā munayastvamī

Sustained by fruit, the mountain breeze, the caverns, the waterfalls, and their hermitage, these sages have thus obtained the finest garments; through the discipline of the threefold daily rite, they have conquered the otherwise unconquerable strength of the senses.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.95.54)

साधनानि बहून्येव कायक्लेशकराण्यहो । सुलभं साधनं लोके मानसोद्भेददर्शनम् ।

sādhanāni bahūnyeva kāyakleśakarāṇyaho sulabhaṁ sādhanaṁ loke mānasodbhedadarśanam

Alas, most spiritual practices bring only bodily hardship; but in this world, the easiest of all means is simply beholding the Manasodbheda.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.95.55)

यस्मिन्दिने जलं चैतल्लभते पुण्यवाञ्जनः । भवति व्याससदृशो यमपितृसमः क्रमात् ।

yasmindine jalaṁ caitallabhate puṇyavāñjanaḥ bhavati vyāsasadṛśo yamapitṛsamaḥ kramāt

On whatever day a meritorious person obtains this water, he becomes, in due course, equal to Vyasa and equal to Yama, lord of the ancestors.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.95.56)

काम्यतीर्थमिदं नॄणां कामनावशकृत्पुनः । अकामतस्तु मुक्तिः स्यादुभयोरेष निश्चयः ।

kāmyatīrthamidaṁ nṝṇāṁ kāmanāvaśakṛtpunaḥ akāmatastu muktiḥ syādubhayoreṣa niścayaḥ

This is a tirtha of desire for men, granting fruits according to desire; but for one free of desire, liberation results — this is certain for both kinds of seeker.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.95.57)

यदि कश्चित्प्रमादेन कामनां कुरुते नरः । फलं भुक्त्वा पुनर्मुक्तिर्भवत्येव न संशयः ।

yadi kaścitpramādena kāmanāṁ kurute naraḥ phalaṁ bhuktvā punarmuktirbhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

If some man, through inadvertence, forms a desire here, he still, having enjoyed its fruit, afterward attains liberation without doubt.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.95.58)

महरादिषु लोकेषु भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सितान् । भोगे भुक्ते पुनर्याति कामनावशतो जनः ।

maharādiṣu lokeṣu bhuktvā bhogānyathepsitān bhoge bhukte punaryāti kāmanāvaśato janaḥ

Having enjoyed, in the worlds beginning with Mahar-loka, the pleasures he desired, once those pleasures are exhausted, that person, driven by his own desire, comes back again.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.95.59)

पुरुषार्थसमावाप्त्यै यतनीयं मनीषिभिः । मानसोद्भेदने तीर्थे नापेत्यत्रेति मे मतिः ।

puruṣārthasamāvāptyai yatanīyaṁ manīṣibhiḥ mānasodbhedane tīrthe nāpetyatreti me matiḥ

For the attainment of the true goals of human life, the wise should strive; it is my conviction that at the tirtha of Manasodbheda, this effort never fails.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.95.60)

मानसोद्भेदनात्प्रत्यग्दिशि सर्वमनोहरम् । वसुधारेति विख्यातं तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यदुर्लभम् ।

mānasodbhedanātpratyagdiśi sarvamanoharam vasudhāreti vikhyātaṁ tīrthaṁ trailokyadurlabham

To the west of Manasodbheda lies a most enchanting tirtha, renowned as Vasudhara, rare to find in all three worlds.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.95.61)

त्रिलोक्यां सर्वतीर्थेभ्यः श्रेष्ठो बदरिकाश्रमः । श्रुत्वा तन्नारदात्सर्वे वसवः समुपागताः ।

trilokyāṁ sarvatīrthebhyaḥ śreṣṭho badarikāśramaḥ śrutvā tannāradātsarve vasavaḥ samupāgatāḥ

Having heard from Narada that Badarikashrama is the foremost of all tirthas in the three worlds, all the Vasus came there together.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.95.62)

त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि तपः परमदारुणम् । दलांबुप्राशनाश्चक्रुस्ततः सिद्धिमुपाययुः ।

triṁśadvarṣasahasrāṇi tapaḥ paramadāruṇam dalāṁbuprāśanāścakrustataḥ siddhimupāyayuḥ

For thirty thousand years they performed the most severe austerity, subsisting only on leaves and water, and thereby attained success.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.95.63)

भगवद्दर्शनात्प्राप्तानंदनिर्वृत्तविक्लमाः । हृदयानन्दसंदोहप्रफुल्लितमुखांबुजाः ।

bhagavaddarśanātprāptānaṁdanirvṛttaviklamāḥ hṛdayānandasaṁdohapraphullitamukhāṁbujāḥ

Through the sight of the Lord, having attained bliss, their weariness was dispelled; with the abundance of joy in their hearts, their lotus-like faces blossomed.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.95.64)

दृष्ट्वा नारायणं देवं वरं लब्ध्वा मनोरमम् । हरिभक्तिसुखैश्वर्य्यं परं लब्ध्वा मुदं ययुः ।

dṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ varaṁ labdhvā manoramam haribhaktisukhaiśvaryyaṁ paraṁ labdhvā mudaṁ yayuḥ

Having beheld the god Narayana, and obtained a most delightful boon, they attained the supreme joy of devotion to Hari together with happiness and prosperity, and were filled with delight.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.95.65)

अत्र स्नात्वा जलं पीत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । इह लोके सुखं भुक्त्वा यात्यंते परमं पदम् ।

atra snātvā jalaṁ pītvā pūjayitvā janārddanam iha loke sukhaṁ bhuktvā yātyaṁte paramaṁ padam

One who bathes here, drinks this water, and worships Janardana enjoys happiness in this world and, in the end, attains the supreme abode.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.95.66)

अत्र पुण्यवतां ज्योतिर्दृश्यते जलमध्यतः । यद्दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्भूयो गर्भवासं प्रपद्यते ।

atra puṇyavatāṁ jyotirdṛśyate jalamadhyataḥ yaddṛṣṭvā na punarbhūyo garbhavāsaṁ prapadyate

Here, for the meritorious, a light is seen from within the water; having beheld it, one no longer enters the womb again.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.95.67)

येऽशुद्धपितृजाः पापाः पाषंडमतिवृत्तयः । न तेषां शिरसि प्रायः पतंत्यापः कदाचन ।

ye'śuddhapitṛjāḥ pāpāḥ pāṣaṁḍamativṛttayaḥ na teṣāṁ śirasi prāyaḥ pataṁtyāpaḥ kadācana

Those born impure through their forefathers' sins, whose minds incline toward heresy — upon their heads, as a rule, this water never falls.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.95.68)

दिनत्रयं शुचिर्भूत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्दनम् । उपोष्य भगवद्भक्त्या सिद्धान्पश्यंति साधवः ।

dinatrayaṁ śucirbhūtvā pūjayitvā janārdanam upoṣya bhagavadbhaktyā siddhānpaśyaṁti sādhavaḥ

Remaining pure for three days, worshipping Janardana, and fasting out of devotion to the Lord, the virtuous behold the Siddhas there.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.95.69)

ये तत्र चपलास्तथ्यं न वदंति च लोलुपाः । परिहासपरद्रव्यपरस्त्रीकपटाग्रहाः ।

ye tatra capalāstathyaṁ na vadaṁti ca lolupāḥ parihāsaparadravyaparastrīkapaṭāgrahāḥ

Those who are fickle there, who do not speak the truth, who are greedy, given to mockery, to coveting others' wealth and others' wives, and to deceitful attachments,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.95.70)

मलचैलावृताऽशांताऽशुचयस्त्यक्तसत्क्रियाः । तेषां मलिनचित्तानां फलमत्र न जायते ।

malacailāvṛtā'śāṁtā'śucayastyaktasatkriyāḥ teṣāṁ malinacittānāṁ phalamatra na jāyate

clad in soiled garments, restless, impure, having abandoned righteous conduct — for these people of defiled mind, no fruit arises here.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.95.71)

ये तत्र साधकाः शांता विरला विधिवर्त्मगाः । तेषां जपस्तपोहोमो दानव्रतजपक्रियाः ।

ye tatra sādhakāḥ śāṁtā viralā vidhivartmagāḥ teṣāṁ japastapohomo dānavratajapakriyāḥ

But those rare sadhakas there who are peaceful and walk the path of proper discipline — for them, the practices of japa, austerity, fire-offering, charity, vows, and mantra-repetition,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.95.72)

क्रियमाणा यथाशक्त्या ह्यक्षय्यफलदायकाः ।

kriyamāṇā yathāśaktyā hyakṣayyaphaladāyakāḥ

when performed according to one's capacity, indeed yield imperishable fruit.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.95.73)

यत्किंचिच्छुभकर्माणि क्रियमाणानि देहिनाम् । महदादिफलं दद्युर्निःश्रेयसमनुत्तमम् ।

yatkiṁcicchubhakarmāṇi kriyamāṇāni dehinām mahadādiphalaṁ dadyurniḥśreyasamanuttamam

Whatever auspicious deeds embodied beings perform here bestow the great fruit of the unsurpassed, highest good.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.95.74)

श्रावणीयमिह किं फलाधिकं यत्र यांति विबुधाः फलार्थिनः । पूजितादनु हरेः प्रियार्थिनः स्वर्गमार्गनिरताः प्रमोदिनः ।

śrāvaṇīyamiha kiṁ phalādhikaṁ yatra yāṁti vibudhāḥ phalārthinaḥ pūjitādanu hareḥ priyārthinaḥ svargamārganiratāḥ pramodinaḥ

What greater fruit is there to hear of here, than this: that the wise, seeking merit, come to this place, and, having worshipped Hari and sought his favor, joyfully devote themselves to the path of heaven?

Verse 75 (skanda.2.95.75)

यत्र संति न च विघ्नकारिणः कर्मणां हरिभयात्सुसिध्यति । निर्विशंति च फलं विवेकिनः कर्ममार्गनिरताः सुदेहिनः ।

yatra saṁti na ca vighnakāriṇaḥ karmaṇāṁ haribhayātsusidhyati nirviśaṁti ca phalaṁ vivekinaḥ karmamārganiratāḥ sudehinaḥ

Here there are no obstructors of one's rites, for, out of fear of Hari, every undertaking succeeds well; and discerning, embodied souls devoted to the path of right action fully enjoy its fruit.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.95.76)

ये पठंत्यथ च पाठयंत्यहो पुण्यतीर्थविषयं प्रकाशितम् । भक्तिभावसमलंकृताश्च ते संप्रयान्ति हरिमंदिरं शुभम् ।

ye paṭhaṁtyatha ca pāṭhayaṁtyaho puṇyatīrthaviṣayaṁ prakāśitam bhaktibhāvasamalaṁkṛtāśca te saṁprayānti harimaṁdiraṁ śubham

Those who recite, or cause others to recite, this account of the sacred tirtha here made known, and who are adorned with devotion and faith, go to the auspicious abode of Hari.