The Glory of Somakunda, the Five Sacred Fords, and the Urvashi Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.2.96.1)

शिव उवाच । ततो नैर्ऋत्यदिग्भागे पंचधाराः पतंत्यधः । प्रभासं पुष्करं चैव गयां नैमिषमेव च । कुरुक्षेत्रं विजानीहि द्रवरूपं षडानन ।

śiva uvāca tato nairṛtyadigbhāge paṁcadhārāḥ pataṁtyadhaḥ prabhāsaṁ puṣkaraṁ caiva gayāṁ naimiṣameva ca kurukṣetraṁ vijānīhi dravarūpaṁ ṣaḍānana

Shiva said: Then, O Six-Faced One, in the south-western direction five streams fall downward — know them there, in liquid form, as Prabhasa, Pushkara, Gaya, Naimisha, and Kurukshetra.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.96.2)

पुरा ते ब्रह्मणः स्थानं गता मलिनरूपिणः । पापिनां पापदोषेण विकृताः कृतबुद्धयः ।

purā te brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṁ gatā malinarūpiṇaḥ pāpināṁ pāpadoṣeṇa vikṛtāḥ kṛtabuddhayaḥ

Long ago, having become soiled and disfigured by the sinful faults of sinners, their very nature corrupted, they went to the abode of Brahma.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.96.3)

तत्र गत्वा नमस्कृत्य ब्रह्माणं लोकभावनम् । ऊचुः प्रांजलयः सर्वे निजागमनकारणम् ।

tatra gatvā namaskṛtya brahmāṇaṁ lokabhāvanam ūcuḥ prāṁjalayaḥ sarve nijāgamanakāraṇam

Having gone there and bowed to Brahma, the nurturer of the worlds, all of them, with joined palms, told him the reason for their coming.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.96.4)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ध्यानमालंब्य प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । उवाच वचनं चारु स्मृत्वा बदरीकाश्रमम् ।

tacchrutvā dhyānamālaṁbya prahasya jagadīśvaraḥ uvāca vacanaṁ cāru smṛtvā badarīkāśramam

Having heard this, the Lord of the worlds, resorting to meditation, smiled, and, remembering Badarikashrama, spoke gracious words.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.96.5)

मा भैष्ट गच्छत क्षिप्रं हरेर्बदरिकाश्रमम् । यस्य निर्देशमात्रेण सद्यः पुण्यं भविष्यति ।

mā bhaiṣṭa gacchata kṣipraṁ harerbadarikāśramam yasya nirdeśamātreṇa sadyaḥ puṇyaṁ bhaviṣyati

'Fear not; go swiftly to Hari's Badarikashrama, by the mere mention of whose name merit will come to you at once.'

Verse 6 (skanda.2.96.6)

ततस्ते हर्षवेगेन नमस्कृत्य पितामहम् । जग्मुरुत्फुल्लनयना विशालाममितप्रभाम् ।

tataste harṣavegena namaskṛtya pitāmaham jagmurutphullanayanā viśālāmamitaprabhām

Then, with a rush of joy, having bowed to the Grandsire, they went, their eyes wide with delight, to Vishala of boundless splendor.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.96.7)

यस्य निर्वेशमात्रेण तत्क्षणाद्विगतेनसः । ततो द्विरूपमास्थाय स्वस्थानं ययुरुत्सुकाः ।

yasya nirveśamātreṇa tatkṣaṇādvigatenasaḥ tato dvirūpamāsthāya svasthānaṁ yayurutsukāḥ

By the mere entering of which they became free of their taint that very instant; then, taking on a double form, they eagerly departed for their own abodes.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.96.8)

द्रवरूपेण चान्येन पंच तिष्ठंति निर्मलाः । तेषु स्नात्वा विधानेन कृत्वा नित्यक्रियां शुचिः ।

dravarūpeṇa cānyena paṁca tiṣṭhaṁti nirmalāḥ teṣu snātvā vidhānena kṛtvā nityakriyāṁ śuciḥ

And, in another liquid form, the five tirthas remain there, pure; bathing in them according to rule, performing one's daily rites, purified,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.96.9)

तत्तत्तीर्थफलं लब्ध्वा यात्यंते परमं पदम् । पंचोपवास निरतः पूजयित्वा जनार्दनम् ।

tattattīrthaphalaṁ labdhvā yātyaṁte paramaṁ padam paṁcopavāsa nirataḥ pūjayitvā janārdanam

having obtained the fruit proper to each of those tirthas, and devoted to a five-day fast and worshipping Janardana, a man attains, at the end, the supreme abode.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.96.10)

इह भोगान्बहून्भुक्त्वा हरेः सालोक्यमाप्नुयात् ।

iha bhogānbahūnbhuktvā hareḥ sālokyamāpnuyāt

Having enjoyed here many pleasures, he attains sālokya, dwelling in Hari's own world.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.96.11)

ततस्तु विमलं तीर्थं सोमकुंडाभिधं परम् । तपश्चकार भगवान्सोमो यत्र कलानिधिः ।

tatastu vimalaṁ tīrthaṁ somakuṁḍābhidhaṁ param tapaścakāra bhagavānsomo yatra kalānidhiḥ

Then there is the excellent, spotless tirtha called Somakunda, where the Lord Soma, treasury of the lunar phases, performed austerity.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.96.12)

स्कन्द उवाच । सोमकुण्डस्य माहात्म्यं वद मे वदतां वर । त्वत्प्रसादादहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि परमेश्वर ।

skanda uvāca somakuṇḍasya māhātmyaṁ vada me vadatāṁ vara tvatprasādādahaṁ śrotumicchāmi parameśvara

Skanda said: O best of speakers, O supreme Lord, by your grace I wish to hear the greatness of Somakunda; kindly tell me.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.96.13)

शिव उवाच । पुरात्रितनयः श्रीमान्सोमः संप्राप्य यौवनम् । श्रुत्वा स्वर्वासिनां सौख्यं गंधर्वेभ्यो मुहुर्मुहुः । तदा स्वपितरं प्रायात्प्रष्टुं तल्लभते कथम् ।

śiva uvāca purātritanayaḥ śrīmānsomaḥ saṁprāpya yauvanam śrutvā svarvāsināṁ saukhyaṁ gaṁdharvebhyo muhurmuhuḥ tadā svapitaraṁ prāyātpraṣṭuṁ tallabhate katham

Shiva said: Long ago, the glorious Soma, son of Atri, having attained youth, and having heard again and again from the Gandharvas of the happiness of heaven's dwellers, went to his own father to ask how that might be obtained.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.96.14)

सोम उवाच । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ करुणामृतसागर । कथं वा लभ्यते स्वर्गः सर्वेषामुत्तमोत्तमः ।

soma uvāca bhagavansarvadharmajña karuṇāmṛtasāgara kathaṁ vā labhyate svargaḥ sarveṣāmuttamottamaḥ

Soma said: O Lord, knower of all dharma, ocean of the nectar of compassion, how may heaven, the very best of all things, be attained?

Verse 15 (skanda.2.96.15)

ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणामोषधीनां पतिः प्रभो । स्यामहं येन तं यत्नं कृपया वद मे पितः ।

grahanakṣatratārāṇāmoṣadhīnāṁ patiḥ prabho syāmahaṁ yena taṁ yatnaṁ kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ

O Lord, by what effort might I become the lord of the planets, the constellations, the stars, and the herbs? Kindly tell me that, O father.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.96.16)

अत्रिरुवाच । तपसाराध्य गोविंदं यमैर्वा नियमैः सुत । किं दुर्ल्लभं तु साधूनामिह लोके परत्र च ।

atriruvāca tapasārādhya goviṁdaṁ yamairvā niyamaiḥ suta kiṁ durllabhaṁ tu sādhūnāmiha loke paratra ca

Atri said: Having propitiated Govinda through austerity, or through the yamas and niyamas, O son, what indeed is hard to attain for the virtuous, either in this world or the next?

Verse 17 (skanda.2.96.17)

ततस्तु नारदाच्छ्रुत्वा क्षेत्रं परमनिर्मलम् । जगाम बदरीं नत्वा पितरं दिशमुत्तराम् ।

tatastu nāradācchrutvā kṣetraṁ paramanirmalam jagāma badarīṁ natvā pitaraṁ diśamuttarām

Then, having heard of that most spotless sacred field from Narada, he bowed to his father and set out toward the north, to Badari.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.96.18)

तत्र गत्वा फलैर्मेध्यैर्विष्णोः पूजामकल्पयत् । जजाप परमं जाप्यमष्टाक्षरं मनोहरम् ।

tatra gatvā phalairmedhyairviṣṇoḥ pūjāmakalpayat jajāpa paramaṁ jāpyamaṣṭākṣaraṁ manoharam

Having gone there, he performed worship of Vishnu with pure fruits, and recited the supreme, enchanting eight-syllabled mantra.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.96.19)

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि वर्षाणि भगवत्परम् । तपस्तेपेऽतिपरमं सर्वलोकभयावहम् ।

aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi varṣāṇi bhagavatparam tapastepe'tiparamaṁ sarvalokabhayāvaham

For eighty-eight thousand years, devoted wholly to the Lord, he performed the most supreme austerity, one that struck fear into all the worlds.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.96.20)

ततस्तुष्टः समागत्य भगवान्भक्तवत्सलः । उवाच सोमं विधिवद्वरं वरय सुव्रत ।

tatastuṣṭaḥ samāgatya bhagavānbhaktavatsalaḥ uvāca somaṁ vidhivadvaraṁ varaya suvrata

Then the Lord, pleased and full of tenderness for his devotee, came to him and duly said to Soma: 'Choose a boon, O one of good vows.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.96.21)

ततः सोमः समुत्थाय नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः । ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणामोषधीनामहं पतिः । द्विजानामपि सर्वेषां भूयासं ते प्रसादतः ।

tataḥ somaḥ samutthāya namaskṛtya punaḥpunaḥ grahanakṣatratārāṇāmoṣadhīnāmahaṁ patiḥ dvijānāmapi sarveṣāṁ bhūyāsaṁ te prasādataḥ

Then Soma, rising and bowing again and again, said: 'By your grace, may I become the lord of the planets, constellations, stars, and herbs, and of all the twice-born as well.'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.96.22)

हरिरुवाच । वरमन्यं वृणुष्वातो दुर्ल्लभं त्वं भवादृशाम् । वरान्नो वरयामास तदा तं हिमजात्मज ।

hariruvāca varamanyaṁ vṛṇuṣvāto durllabhaṁ tvaṁ bhavādṛśām varānno varayāmāsa tadā taṁ himajātmaja

Hari said: 'Choose some other boon instead; this one is hard to attain for one like you.' Then he did not choose from among the boons offered.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.96.23)

ततोऽतिविमनाः सोमः पुनस्तेपे तपो महत् । त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि देवमानेन पुत्रक ।

tato'tivimanāḥ somaḥ punastepe tapo mahat triṁśadvarṣasahasrāṇi devamānena putraka

Then Soma, greatly disheartened, performed great austerity once more, for thirty thousand years by the measure of the gods, O son.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.96.24)

तदासौ करुणापूर्णहृदयो भगवानगात् । वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरदोऽहं तवाग्रतः । सोमस्तु तादृशं वव्रे तच्छ्रुत्वान्तर्द्दधे हरिः ।

tadāsau karuṇāpūrṇahṛdayo bhagavānagāt varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te varado'haṁ tavāgrataḥ somastu tādṛśaṁ vavre tacchrutvāntarddadhe hariḥ

Then the Lord, his heart full of compassion, came to him: 'Choose a boon, blessings be upon you; I stand before you, ready to grant it.' But Soma chose the very same boon as before; and hearing this, Hari vanished from sight.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.96.25)

ततोऽतिविमनाः सोमः पुनस्तेपे तपो महत् । चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राणि तपस्तप्तं सुदुष्करम् ।

tato'tivimanāḥ somaḥ punastepe tapo mahat catvāriṁśatsahasrāṇi tapastaptaṁ suduṣkaram

Then Soma, greatly disheartened once more, performed great austerity again, undertaking a most difficult penance for forty thousand years.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.96.26)

ततस्तुष्टो हरिः साक्षाच्छंखचक्रगदाधरः । उवाच वचनं चारु सोमं श्रांतं तपोनिधिम् ।

tatastuṣṭo hariḥ sākṣācchaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ uvāca vacanaṁ cāru somaṁ śrāṁtaṁ taponidhim

Then Hari, pleased, in person, bearing conch, discus, and mace, spoke gracious words to Soma, wearied yet a very treasury of austerity.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.96.27)

उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते वरं वरय सुव्रत । तपसाराधितो नूनं त्वयाहं तपसां निधिः ।

uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhadraṁ te varaṁ varaya suvrata tapasārādhito nūnaṁ tvayāhaṁ tapasāṁ nidhiḥ

'Rise, rise, blessings upon you; choose your boon, O one of good vows. Surely by your austerity you have propitiated me, the very treasury of austerities.'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.96.28)

सोम उवाच । यदि तुष्टो भवान्मह्यं भगवान्वरदर्षभः । ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणामाधिपत्यं प्रयच्छ मे । तथौषधीनां विप्राणां यामिन्याश्च जगत्पते ।

soma uvāca yadi tuṣṭo bhavānmahyaṁ bhagavānvaradarṣabhaḥ grahanakṣatratārāṇāmādhipatyaṁ prayaccha me tathauṣadhīnāṁ viprāṇāṁ yāminyāśca jagatpate

Soma said: If you, the Lord, the foremost bestower of boons, are indeed pleased with me, then grant me lordship over the planets, constellations, and stars, as well as over the herbs, the Brahmins, and the night, O Lord of the universe.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.96.29)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । दुर्ल्लभं प्रार्थितं वत्स वितरामि तथाप्यहम् । एवमस्तु ततः सर्वे समागत्य दिवौ कसः । अभिषिक्तवंतो विधिवत्सोमं राजानमादृताः ।

śrībhagavānuvāca durllabhaṁ prārthitaṁ vatsa vitarāmi tathāpyaham evamastu tataḥ sarve samāgatya divau kasaḥ abhiṣiktavaṁto vidhivatsomaṁ rājānamādṛtāḥ

The Blessed Lord said: What you have asked for, O child, is hard to grant; yet even so, I bestow it. 'So be it.' Then all the dwellers of heaven came together and, with reverence, duly consecrated Soma as king.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.96.30)

ततो विमानमारूढो रथेन शुभ्रवाससा । अभिष्टुतः सुरैरभूद्दिवं गतो निशाकरः ।

tato vimānamārūḍho rathena śubhravāsasā abhiṣṭutaḥ surairabhūddivaṁ gato niśākaraḥ

Then, mounted upon a celestial chariot, clad in radiant white garments, and praised by the gods, the Maker of Night ascended to heaven.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.96.31)

ततः प्रभृति तीर्थं तत्सोमकुंडेति दुर्ल्लभम् । यद्दृष्टिमात्रान्मनुजा गतदोषा भवंति हि ।

tataḥ prabhṛti tīrthaṁ tatsomakuṁḍeti durllabham yaddṛṣṭimātrānmanujā gatadoṣā bhavaṁti hi

From that time onward, that hard-to-attain tirtha became known as Somakunda; by the mere sight of it, men indeed become freed of their faults.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.96.32)

यदुपस्पर्शनाद्यांति सोमलोकं विनिंदिताः । यत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः ।

yadupasparśanādyāṁti somalokaṁ viniṁditāḥ yatra snātvā vidhānena saṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ

By touching its waters, even the reviled attain the world of Soma; bathing there according to rule and having satisfied the ancestral deities,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.96.33)

सोमलोकं विनिर्भिद्य विष्णुलोकं प्रपद्यते । उपवासत्रयं कृत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् ।

somalokaṁ vinirbhidya viṣṇulokaṁ prapadyate upavāsatrayaṁ kṛtvā pūjayitvā janārddanam

one passes even beyond the world of Soma and attains the world of Vishnu — by observing a three-day fast and worshipping Janardana.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.96.34)

न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि । त्रिरात्रेण स्थितो भूत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । जपं कुर्वन्विशेषेण मंत्रसिद्धिः प्रजायते ।

na teṣāṁ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi trirātreṇa sthito bhūtvā pūjayitvā janārddanam japaṁ kurvanviśeṣeṇa maṁtrasiddhiḥ prajāyate

For them there is no return, even after hundreds of millions of kalpas. Remaining there for three nights, worshipping Janardana, and performing japa with special devotion, mantra-siddhi arises.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.96.35)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यत्कृतं पातकं नृभिः । तत्सर्वं क्षयमायाति सोमकुंडेक्षणादिह ।

karmaṇā manasā vācā yatkṛtaṁ pātakaṁ nṛbhiḥ tatsarvaṁ kṣayamāyāti somakuṁḍekṣaṇādiha

Whatever sin men have committed by deed, thought, or word — all of it is destroyed here by the mere sight of Somakunda.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.96.36)

ततस्तु द्वादशादित्यतीर्थं पापहरं परम् । यत्र तप्त्वा पुनः कृच्छ्रं काश्यपः सूर्यतां ययौ ।

tatastu dvādaśādityatīrthaṁ pāpaharaṁ param yatra taptvā punaḥ kṛcchraṁ kāśyapaḥ sūryatāṁ yayau

Then there is the supreme sin-destroying Dvadashaditya tirtha, where Kashyapa, having performed a severe penance, attained the very state of the sun.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.96.37)

दुर्ल्लभं त्रिषु लोकेषु तपःसिद्ध्येककारणम् । रविवारेषु सप्तम्यां संक्रात्यां विधिवन्नरः । सप्तजन्मकृतात्पापात्स्नानमात्रेण शुद्ध्यति ।

durllabhaṁ triṣu lokeṣu tapaḥsiddhyekakāraṇam ravivāreṣu saptamyāṁ saṁkrātyāṁ vidhivannaraḥ saptajanmakṛtātpāpātsnānamātreṇa śuddhyati

Hard to find in all three worlds, the sole cause of success in austerity — on a Sunday, on the seventh day, or at the solstice, a man, by mere bathing there according to rule, is purified even of sins committed across seven births.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.96.38)

पाराकं विधिवत्कृत्वा पूजनीयो जनार्द्दनः । सूर्यलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा विष्णुलोके महीयते ।

pārākaṁ vidhivatkṛtvā pūjanīyo janārddanaḥ sūryaloke sukhaṁ bhuktvā viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Having duly observed the paraka fast and worshipped Janardana as is fitting, one enjoys happiness in the world of the Sun, and is exalted in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.96.39)

महारोगाभिभूतस्तु स्नात्वा पीत्वा जलं शुचिः । रोगमुक्तोऽचिरादेव नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।

mahārogābhibhūtastu snātvā pītvā jalaṁ śuciḥ rogamukto'cirādeva nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

One overwhelmed even by grave disease, having bathed there and, made pure, drunk its water, is freed of illness before long — of this there is no need for doubt.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.96.40)

चतुःस्रोतं परं तीर्थं विलोचनमनोहरम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षास्ते तिष्ठंति द्रवरूपिणः ।

catuḥsrotaṁ paraṁ tīrthaṁ vilocanamanoharam dharmārthakāmamokṣāste tiṣṭhaṁti dravarūpiṇaḥ

There is the supreme tirtha of the Four Streams, delightful to the eye; there, dharma, artha, kama, and moksha themselves stand in liquid form.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.96.41)

हरेराज्ञानुसारेण क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्वैष्णवे स्वयम् । पुरुषार्था द्रवीभूता भूतानां मुक्तिहेतवः ।

harerājñānusāreṇa kṣetre'sminvaiṣṇave svayam puruṣārthā dravībhūtā bhūtānāṁ muktihetavaḥ

By Hari's own command, in this Vaishnava sacred field, the very goals of human life have themselves taken liquid form, becoming the cause of liberation for all beings.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.96.42)

पूर्वादिदिक्षु क्रमसन्निविष्टा धर्मप्रधाना इव रूपभाजः । भजंति ये तान्क्रमसन्निविष्टान्प्रसन्नतैषां सततं भवेद्धि ।

pūrvādidikṣu kramasanniviṣṭā dharmapradhānā iva rūpabhājaḥ bhajaṁti ye tānkramasanniviṣṭānprasannataiṣāṁ satataṁ bhaveddhi

Established in due order in the eastern and other directions, taking form as though led by Dharma foremost — those who worship them, so arranged in order, always come to possess unbroken tranquility of mind.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.96.43)

नान्यत्र क्षेत्रे मिलिताः कथंचिच्चत्वार एते त्रिदशैरलभ्याः । तानग्रिमं जन्म जवेन लब्ध्वा पश्यंति पूर्वार्जितपुण्यपुंजाः ।

nānyatra kṣetre militāḥ kathaṁciccatvāra ete tridaśairalabhyāḥ tānagrimaṁ janma javena labdhvā paśyaṁti pūrvārjitapuṇyapuṁjāḥ

Nowhere else, in any other sacred field, are these four found gathered together, unattainable even by the gods; only those endowed with a great store of merit acquired in former births, swiftly obtaining their very next birth here, come to behold them.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.96.44)

ये दुर्जना दुर्जनसंगभाजः क्षमार्जवप्राणजयप्रधानाः । क्रीडामृगा ग्राम्यवधूजनानां न ते प्रपश्यंत्यचिरात्पुमर्थान् ।

ye durjanā durjanasaṁgabhājaḥ kṣamārjavaprāṇajayapradhānāḥ krīḍāmṛgā grāmyavadhūjanānāṁ na te prapaśyaṁtyacirātpumarthān

Those wicked men who keep company with the wicked, who merely feign forbearance, uprightness, and control of the senses, who are but playthings in the hands of common women — they do not soon behold the true goals of human life.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.96.45)

तथैव पश्यंत्यचिरेण तत्त्वज्ञानैकहेतूनपि तान्पुमर्थान् ।

tathaiva paśyaṁtyacireṇa tattvajñānaikahetūnapi tānpumarthān

But the virtuous, in that very state, soon behold those very goals of life, which are the sole cause of true wisdom.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.96.46)

अत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । पर्वणि प्रयताः स्नातुं समायांति षडानन ।

atra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ parvaṇi prayatāḥ snātuṁ samāyāṁti ṣaḍānana

Here, O Six-Faced One, the gods headed by Brahma, and the sages rich in austerity, come together, self-controlled, to bathe on the sacred parva days.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.96.47)

ततः सत्यपदंनाम तीर्थं सर्वमनोहरम् । त्रिकोणाकारमेवैतत्कुंडं कल्मषनाशनम् । एकादश्यां हरिस्तत्र स्वयमायाति पावने ।

tataḥ satyapadaṁnāma tīrthaṁ sarvamanoharam trikoṇākāramevaitatkuṁḍaṁ kalmaṣanāśanam ekādaśyāṁ haristatra svayamāyāti pāvane

Then there is the tirtha named Satyapada, delightful in every way; this triangular pool destroys all impurity. On the Ekadashi, Hari himself comes there, to that sacred place.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.96.48)

तत्पश्चादृषयः सर्वे मुनयश्च तपोधनाः । स्नातुमायांति विधिवत्कुंडे सत्यपदाभिधे ।

tatpaścādṛṣayaḥ sarve munayaśca tapodhanāḥ snātumāyāṁti vidhivatkuṁḍe satyapadābhidhe

After him, all the sages and the silent munis, rich in austerity, come duly to bathe in the pool called Satyapada.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.96.49)

गंधर्वाप्सरसां यत्र मध्याह्ने हरिवासरे । गानं शृण्वंति विरलाः सत्यव्रतपरायणाः ।

gaṁdharvāpsarasāṁ yatra madhyāhne harivāsare gānaṁ śṛṇvaṁti viralāḥ satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ

There, at midday on Hari's sacred day, the rare few who are devoted wholly to the vow of truth hear the singing of the Gandharvas and Apsaras.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.96.50)

दर्शनाद्यस्य तीर्थस्य पातकानि महांत्यपि । पलायंते भयेनैव सिंहं दृष्ट्वा मृगा इव ।

darśanādyasya tīrthasya pātakāni mahāṁtyapi palāyaṁte bhayenaiva siṁhaṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛgā iva

At the mere sight of this tirtha, even great sins flee away in fear, just as deer flee at the sight of a lion.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.96.51)

स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन स्नानं कृत्वा विचक्षणः । सत्यलोकमवाप्नोति ततो नैःश्रेयसं पदम् ।

svaśākhoktavidhānena snānaṁ kṛtvā vicakṣaṇaḥ satyalokamavāpnoti tato naiḥśreyasaṁ padam

The discerning one who bathes there according to the rite prescribed in his own Vedic branch attains the world of Truth, and from there, the state of the highest good.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.96.52)

अहोरात्रं शुचिर्भूत्वा उपोष्य च जनार्द्दनम् । पूजयित्वा यथाशक्त्या स जीवन्मुक्तिभाजनः ।

ahorātraṁ śucirbhūtvā upoṣya ca janārddanam pūjayitvā yathāśaktyā sa jīvanmuktibhājanaḥ

Remaining pure for a full day and night, fasting, and worshipping Janardana to the best of one's ability, one becomes a vessel of liberation while yet alive.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.96.53)

ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च त्रिकोणस्थाः समाहिताः । तपः कुर्वंत्यनुदिनं सर्वलोकादितोषणम् ।

brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca trikoṇasthāḥ samāhitāḥ tapaḥ kurvaṁtyanudinaṁ sarvalokāditoṣaṇam

Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, established at the three corners, with composed minds, perform austerity day after day for the pleasure of every world.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.96.54)

त्रिकोणमंडितं तीर्थं नाम्ना सत्यपदप्रदम् । दर्शनीयं प्रयत्नेन सर्वपापमुमुक्षुभिः ।

trikoṇamaṁḍitaṁ tīrthaṁ nāmnā satyapadapradam darśanīyaṁ prayatnena sarvapāpamumukṣubhiḥ

This tirtha, adorned in triangular form and named the giver of Satyapada, should be sought out with effort by all who wish to be freed from sin.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.96.55)

जपं तपो हरिस्तोत्रं पूजां स्तुत्यभिवंदनम् । माहात्म्यं कुर्वतां वक्तुं ब्रह्मणापि न शक्यते ।

japaṁ tapo haristotraṁ pūjāṁ stutyabhivaṁdanam māhātmyaṁ kurvatāṁ vaktuṁ brahmaṇāpi na śakyate

Even Brahma is unable to describe the greatness that comes to those who perform japa, austerity, hymns to Hari, worship, praise, and reverent salutation there.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.96.56)

ततोऽतिविमलं नाम नरनारायणाश्रमम् । द्विविधं दृश्यते तत्र पाथः परमनिर्मलम् ।

tato'tivimalaṁ nāma naranārāyaṇāśramam dvividhaṁ dṛśyate tatra pāthaḥ paramanirmalam

Then there is the most spotless hermitage named Nara-Narayana; there, water of the utmost purity is seen in two forms.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.96.57)

उभाभ्यामुभयोः प्रीतिर्भवतीति विनिश्चितम् । तत्र स्नात्वा प्रयत्नेन पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणान्नात्र संशयः ।

ubhābhyāmubhayoḥ prītirbhavatīti viniścitam tatra snātvā prayatnena pūjayitvā janārddanam sarvapāpavinirmuktastatkṣaṇānnātra saṁśayaḥ

It is certain that pleasure comes to each of the two from the other. Having bathed there with care and worshipped Janardana, one is freed from all sin that very instant — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.96.58)

ततो नारायणावासशिखरे विमलाकृति । तीर्थं पवित्रमुर्वश्या अभिव्यक्तिकरं भवेत् ।

tato nārāyaṇāvāsaśikhare vimalākṛti tīrthaṁ pavitramurvaśyā abhivyaktikaraṁ bhavet

Then, on the spotless peak of Narayana's abode, there is a sacred tirtha which brings about the manifestation of Urvashi.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.96.59)

स्कन्द उवाच । अभिव्यक्तिः कथं तस्या उर्वश्याः शिखरे पितः । किं पुण्यं किं फलं तत्र परं कौतूहलं वद ।

skanda uvāca abhivyaktiḥ kathaṁ tasyā urvaśyāḥ śikhare pitaḥ kiṁ puṇyaṁ kiṁ phalaṁ tatra paraṁ kautūhalaṁ vada

Skanda said: How did Urvashi's manifestation come about on that peak, O father? What is the merit there, what the fruit? Tell me — I am filled with the greatest curiosity.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.96.60)

शिव उवाच । धर्मस्यपत्नी मूर्त्यासीत्तस्यां जातौ षडानन । नरनारायणौ साक्षाद्भगवानेव केवलम् ।

śiva uvāca dharmasyapatnī mūrtyāsīttasyāṁ jātau ṣaḍānana naranārāyaṇau sākṣādbhagavāneva kevalam

Shiva said: Dharma's wife was named Murti; O Six-Faced One, from her were born Nara and Narayana, who are none other than the Lord himself, wholly and in person.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.96.61)

पित्रोराज्ञामनुप्राप्य तपोऽर्धं कृतमानसौ । उभयोर्नगयोस्तौ तु तपोमूर्ती इव स्थितौ ।

pitrorājñāmanuprāpya tapo'rdhaṁ kṛtamānasau ubhayornagayostau tu tapomūrtī iva sthitau

Having received the command of their parents, with their minds set upon austerity, those two stood upon their respective mountains, as though embodiments of austerity itself.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.96.62)

तौ दृष्ट्वा विस्मितः शक्रः प्रेषयामास मन्मथम् । सगणं तपसो ध्वंसो यथा स्याद्गन्धमादनम् ।

tau dṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ śakraḥ preṣayāmāsa manmatham sagaṇaṁ tapaso dhvaṁso yathā syādgandhamādanam

Seeing them, Indra, astonished, sent Kama, together with his retinue, to Gandhamadana, so that their austerity might be broken.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.96.63)

विक्रम्य विधिवत्ते तु नारायणबलोदयम् । ज्ञात्वा हतमनस्कास्तानुवाच जगतीपतिः ।

vikramya vidhivatte tu nārāyaṇabalodayam jñātvā hatamanaskāstānuvāca jagatīpatiḥ

Having duly made their attempt, yet having recognized the arising of Narayana's power, and thus disheartened, the Lord of the world spoke to them.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.96.64)

हरिरुवाच । किमर्थमागता यूयमातिथ्यं गृह्यतामिति ।

hariruvāca kimarthamāgatā yūyamātithyaṁ gṛhyatāmiti

Hari said: 'For what reason have you come? Accept our hospitality.'

Verse 65 (skanda.2.96.65)

इत्युक्त्वा फलमूलानि तेभ्यो दत्त्वोर्वशीं तथा । दत्त्वान्तर्धिमगादेव पश्यतां विघ्नकारिणीम् ।

ityuktvā phalamūlāni tebhyo dattvorvaśīṁ tathā dattvāntardhimagādeva paśyatāṁ vighnakāriṇīm

Having said this, and having given them fruits and roots, he then also created Urvashi and gave her to them; and, even as they watched, he made vanish that one who had been sent to create obstacles.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.96.66)

ते तु गत्वा दिवं भीते शक्रायोचुर्बलं हरेः । शक्रस्तामुर्वशीं प्राप्य हर्षणैकयुतोऽभवत् ।

te tu gatvā divaṁ bhīte śakrāyocurbalaṁ hareḥ śakrastāmurvaśīṁ prāpya harṣaṇaikayuto'bhavat

They, frightened, went to heaven and told Indra of Hari's power. Indra, having received that Urvashi, became filled with joy alone.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.96.67)

ततः प्रभृति तत्तीर्थमुर्वशी नामतः पृथक् । प्रसिद्धं यत्र भगवान्स्वयमास्ते तपोमयः ।

tataḥ prabhṛti tattīrthamurvaśī nāmataḥ pṛthak prasiddhaṁ yatra bhagavānsvayamāste tapomayaḥ

From then on, that tirtha became separately renowned by the name Urvashi, where the Lord himself abides, wholly composed of austerity.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.96.68)

तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन उपोष्य रजनिद्वयम् । पूजयित्वा हरिस्तत्र नरो नारायणो भवेत् ।

tatra snātvā vidhānena upoṣya rajanidvayam pūjayitvā haristatra naro nārāyaṇo bhavet

Bathing there according to rule, fasting for two nights, and worshipping Hari there, a man becomes Narayana-like himself.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.96.69)

उर्वशीकुण्डमासाद्य कामनावशतो नरः । उर्वशीलोकमाप्नोति स्नानमात्रेण पुत्रक ।

urvaśīkuṇḍamāsādya kāmanāvaśato naraḥ urvaśīlokamāpnoti snānamātreṇa putraka

Having reached Urvashi-kunda, a man driven by desire attains the world of Urvashi through mere bathing there, O son.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.96.70)

सदैव भगवांस्तत्र उर्वशीकुंड सन्निधौ । भूतानां भावयन्भव्यं तपोमूर्तिर्व्यवस्थितः ।

sadaiva bhagavāṁstatra urvaśīkuṁḍa sannidhau bhūtānāṁ bhāvayanbhavyaṁ tapomūrtirvyavasthitaḥ

The Lord ever abides there, near Urvashi-kunda, as the very embodiment of austerity, bestowing well-being upon all beings.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.96.71)

आमोदं तदुपरि वै प्रभञ्जनोऽपि श्रीभर्तुर्वहति पदांबुजैकलब्धम् । यत्संगात्कलियुगकल्मषातुराणामुत्संगे न भवति पापभारपाकः ।

āmodaṁ tadupari vai prabhañjano'pi śrībharturvahati padāṁbujaikalabdham yatsaṁgātkaliyugakalmaṣāturāṇāmutsaṁge na bhavati pāpabhārapākaḥ

Even the wind that blows above that place carries the fragrance obtained solely from the Lord's lotus feet; by contact with it, in the lap of those afflicted by the impurities of the Kali age, the burden of sin does not come to fruition.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.96.72)

यत्संगाद्धर्षमुपावहत्पदश्रीनिर्विण्णो गिरिविवरेच्युतैकसेवी । श्रीभर्तुश्चरणयुगं वहन्समन्तादभ्येति प्रशममहस्तपःसमीरे ।

yatsaṁgāddharṣamupāvahatpadaśrīnirviṇṇo girivivarecyutaikasevī śrībhartuścaraṇayugaṁ vahansamantādabhyeti praśamamahastapaḥsamīre

By its contact, one who, indifferent to the splendor of worldly rank, dwells solely devoted to the imperishable one in the mountain cave, and who carries within him the Lord's two feet, attains, on every side, the great tranquility that pervades the very air of that place of austerity.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.96.73)

गीर्वाणानुपहसति स्वघेन पूर्णः कीटोऽपिप्रशमितदुर्नयो निरीहः । यत्रस्थः कुसुमनिवेदमात्मयोगपर्युष्टं जहदुपयास्यते पदं तत् ।

gīrvāṇānupahasati svaghena pūrṇaḥ kīṭo'pipraśamitadurnayo nirīhaḥ yatrasthaḥ kusumanivedamātmayogaparyuṣṭaṁ jahadupayāsyate padaṁ tat

Even a mere worm dwelling there, content with its own portion, its wrongdoing stilled, free of desire, comes to surpass even the gods in glory; abandoning the mere offering of flowers grown ripe through its own discipline, it attains that supreme state.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.96.74)

यत्रेत्वा मुनिमतयो बहिःपदार्थान्नापश्यन्निहितपदांबुजैकभाजः । यत्रस्थः स्वयमपि गोपतिर्जनानामाधत्ते स्वपदमनुक्रमागतानाम् ।

yatretvā munimatayo bahiḥpadārthānnāpaśyannihitapadāṁbujaikabhājaḥ yatrasthaḥ svayamapi gopatirjanānāmādhatte svapadamanukramāgatānām

Where sages, their minds having entered in, no longer perceive external objects, being devoted solely to the Lord's feet fixed within them; and where the Lord himself, abiding there, bestows his own state upon people who come to him in due succession.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.96.75)

बहूनि संति तीर्थानि गिरौ नारायणाश्रिते । सर्वपापहराण्याशु तान्यहं वेद नो जनः ।

bahūni saṁti tīrthāni girau nārāyaṇāśrite sarvapāpaharāṇyāśu tānyahaṁ veda no janaḥ

Many are the tirthas on this mountain that is the abode of Narayana, swiftly removing all sin; I know them, but ordinary people do not.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.96.76)

संसारकुहरे घोरे यत्र स्थगितमात्मनः । उर्वशीकुण्डमासाद्य दिनमेकं वसेन्नरः ।

saṁsārakuhare ghore yatra sthagitamātmanaḥ urvaśīkuṇḍamāsādya dinamekaṁ vasennaraḥ

In the terrible cavern of worldly existence, where one's own self lies obstructed — a man should reach Urvashi-kunda and dwell there even a single day.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.96.77)

उर्वशीदक्षिणे भागे आयुधानि जगत्पतेः । विद्यंते दर्शनात्तेषां न शस्त्रभयभाग्भवेत् ।

urvaśīdakṣiṇe bhāge āyudhāni jagatpateḥ vidyaṁte darśanātteṣāṁ na śastrabhayabhāgbhavet

To the south of Urvashi, the very weapons of the Lord of the universe are present; by beholding them, one need never again fear weapons.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.96.78)

य इदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः सालोक्यं लभते हरेः ।

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ sālokyaṁ labhate hareḥ

Whoever hears this with devotion, or, with a composed mind, recites it to others, is freed from all sin and attains sālokya, dwelling in the very world of Hari.