The Fruits of Approaching the Setu

Verse 1 (skanda.3.1.1)

श्रीगणेशाय नमः । श्रीवेदव्यासायनमः । शुक्लांबरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् । प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत्सर्वविघ्नोपशांतये

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ śrīvedavyāsāyanamaḥ śuklāṁbaradharaṁ viṣṇuṁ śaśivarṇaṁ caturbhujam prasannavadanaṁ dhyāyetsarvavighnopaśāṁtaye

Salutation to Ganesha. Salutation to Shri Veda Vyasa. One should meditate upon Vishnu, clad in white, moon-hued, four-armed, of serene countenance, for the pacification of all obstacles.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.1.2)

नैमिषारण्यनिलया ऋषयः शौनकादयः । अष्टांगयोगनिरता ब्रह्मज्ञानैकतत्पराः

naimiṣāraṇyanilayā ṛṣayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ aṣṭāṁgayoganiratā brahmajñānaikatatparāḥ

The sages headed by Shaunaka, dwelling in Naimisharanya, devoted to the eightfold yoga, wholly intent upon the knowledge of Brahman —

Verse 3 (skanda.3.1.3)

मुमुक्षवो महात्मानो निर्ममा ब्रह्मवादिनः । धर्मज्ञा अनसूयाश्च सत्यवतपरायणाः

mumukṣavo mahātmāno nirmamā brahmavādinaḥ dharmajñā anasūyāśca satyavataparāyaṇāḥ

— great-souled seekers of liberation, free from possessiveness, proclaimers of Brahman, knowers of dharma, free from envy, and devoted to vows of truth —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.1.4)

जितेंद्रिया जितक्रोधाः सर्वभूतदयालवः । भक्त्या परमया विष्णुमर्चयंतः सनातनम्

jiteṁdriyā jitakrodhāḥ sarvabhūtadayālavaḥ bhaktyā paramayā viṣṇumarcayaṁtaḥ sanātanam

— with senses conquered, anger conquered, compassionate to all beings, worshipping the eternal Vishnu with supreme devotion —

Verse 5 (skanda.3.1.5)

तपस्तेपुर्महापुण्ये नैमिषे मुक्तिदायिनि । एकदा ते महात्मानः समाजं चक्रुरुत्तमम्

tapastepurmahāpuṇye naimiṣe muktidāyini ekadā te mahātmānaḥ samājaṁ cakruruttamam

they performed austerities in the greatly sacred, liberation-bestowing Naimisha; once those great souls formed a supreme assembly.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.1.6)

कथयंतो महापुण्याः कथाः पापप्रणाशिनी । भुक्तिमुक्त्योरुपायं च जिज्ञासंतः परस्परम्

kathayaṁto mahāpuṇyāḥ kathāḥ pāpapraṇāśinī bhuktimuktyorupāyaṁ ca jijñāsaṁtaḥ parasparam

Relating greatly meritorious, sin-destroying tales, they began inquiring among themselves after the means to both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.1.7)

षड्विंशतिसहस्राणामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । तेषां शिष्यप्रशिष्याणां संख्या कर्तुं न शक्यते

ṣaḍviṁśatisahasrāṇāmṛṣīṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām teṣāṁ śiṣyapraśiṣyāṇāṁ saṁkhyā kartuṁ na śakyate

Of the twenty-six thousand sages of purified soul, the number of their disciples and disciples' disciples could not be counted.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.1.8)

अत्रांतरे महाविद्वान्व्यासशिष्यो महामुनिः । आगमन्नैमिषारण्यं सूतः पौराणिकोत्तमः

atrāṁtare mahāvidvānvyāsaśiṣyo mahāmuniḥ āgamannaimiṣāraṇyaṁ sūtaḥ paurāṇikottamaḥ

Meanwhile, the great scholar, the great sage who was Vyasa's disciple, Suta, foremost among reciters of the Puranas, arrived at Naimisharanya.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.1.9)

तमागतं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा ज्वलंतमिव पावकम् । अर्घ्याद्यैः पूजयामासुर्मुनयः शौनकादयः

tamāgataṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā jvalaṁtamiva pāvakam arghyādyaiḥ pūjayāmāsurmunayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ

Seeing that sage arrive, blazing like fire, the sages headed by Shaunaka honored him with arghya and other offerings.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.1.10)

सुखोपविष्टं तं सूतमासने परमे शुभे । पप्रच्छुः परमं गुह्यं लोकानुग्रहकांक्षया

sukhopaviṣṭaṁ taṁ sūtamāsane parame śubhe papracchuḥ paramaṁ guhyaṁ lokānugrahakāṁkṣayā

When Suta was comfortably seated upon a supremely auspicious seat, they asked him the supreme secret, desiring the welfare of the world.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.1.11)

सूत धर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञ स्वागतं मुनिपुंगव । श्रुतवांस्त्वं पुराणानि व्यासात्सत्यवतीसुतात्

sūta dharmārthatattvajña svāgataṁ munipuṁgava śrutavāṁstvaṁ purāṇāni vyāsātsatyavatīsutāt

"O Suta, knower of the truth of dharma, welcome, O foremost of sages! You have heard the Puranas from Vyasa, the son of Satyavati.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.1.12)

अतः सर्वपुराणानामर्थज्ञोऽसि महामुने । कानि क्षेत्राणि पुण्यानि कानि तीर्थानि भूतले

ataḥ sarvapurāṇānāmarthajño'si mahāmune kāni kṣetrāṇi puṇyāni kāni tīrthāni bhūtale

Therefore, O great sage, you know the meaning of all the Puranas. Which are the sacred fields, and which are the sacred fords, upon the earth?

Verse 13 (skanda.3.1.13)

कथं वा लप्स्यते मुक्तिर्जीवानां भवसागरात् । कथं हरे हरौ वापि नृणां भक्तिः प्रजायते

kathaṁ vā lapsyate muktirjīvānāṁ bhavasāgarāt kathaṁ hare harau vāpi nṛṇāṁ bhaktiḥ prajāyate

How indeed do souls attain liberation from the ocean of worldly existence? And how does devotion to Hari arise in men?

Verse 14 (skanda.3.1.14)

केन सिध्येत च फलं कर्मणास्त्रिविधा त्मनः । एतच्चान्यच्च तत्सर्वं कृपया वद सूतज

kena sidhyeta ca phalaṁ karmaṇāstrividhā tmanaḥ etaccānyacca tatsarvaṁ kṛpayā vada sūtaja

By what means is the fruit of the threefold action of the soul accomplished? Tell us all this and more, O son of Suta, out of compassion."

Verse 15 (skanda.3.1.15)

ब्रूयुः स्निग्धाय शिष्याय गुरवो गुह्यमप्युत । इति पृष्टस्तदा सूतो नैमिषारण्यवासिभिः

brūyuḥ snigdhāya śiṣyāya guravo guhyamapyuta iti pṛṣṭastadā sūto naimiṣāraṇyavāsibhiḥ

For gurus tell even their secret to an affectionate disciple. Thus questioned by the dwellers of Naimisharanya, Suta —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.1.16)

वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे नत्वा व्यासं स्वगुरुमादितः । श्रीसूत उवाच । सम्यक्पृष्टमिदं विप्रा युष्माभिर्जगतो हितम्

vaktuṁ pracakrame natvā vyāsaṁ svagurumāditaḥ śrīsūta uvāca samyakpṛṣṭamidaṁ viprā yuṣmābhirjagato hitam

— bowing first to his own guru Vyasa, began to speak. Shri Suta said: "This has been rightly asked by you, O brahmins, for the welfare of the world.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.1.17)

रहस्यमे तद्युष्माकं वक्ष्यामि शृणुतादरात् । मया नोक्तमिदं पूर्वं कस्यापि मुनिपुंगवाः

rahasyame tadyuṣmākaṁ vakṣyāmi śṛṇutādarāt mayā noktamidaṁ pūrvaṁ kasyāpi munipuṁgavāḥ

I shall tell you that secret; listen with reverence. I have never before told this to anyone, O foremost of sages.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.1.18)

मनो नियम्य विप्रेंद्राः शृणुध्वं भक्तिपूर्वकम् । अस्ति रामेश्वरं नाम रामसेतौ पवित्रितम्

mano niyamya vipreṁdrāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ bhaktipūrvakam asti rāmeśvaraṁ nāma rāmasetau pavitritam

Restrain your minds, O foremost of brahmins, and listen with devotion. There is a place called Rameshvara, sanctified upon the Bridge of Rama.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.1.19)

क्षेत्राणामपि सर्वेषां तीर्थानामपि चोत्तमम् । दृष्टमात्रे रामसेतौ मुक्तिः संसारसागरात्

kṣetrāṇāmapi sarveṣāṁ tīrthānāmapi cottamam dṛṣṭamātre rāmasetau muktiḥ saṁsārasāgarāt

It is the foremost of all sacred fields and of all sacred fords. Merely by the sight of the Bridge of Rama, one is liberated from the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.1.20)

हरे हरौ च भक्तिः स्यात्तथा पुण्यसमृद्धिता । कर्मणस्त्रिविधस्यापि सिद्धिः स्यान्नात्र संशयः

hare harau ca bhaktiḥ syāttathā puṇyasamṛddhitā karmaṇastrividhasyāpi siddhiḥ syānnātra saṁśayaḥ

Devotion to Hari arises, and merit is likewise increased; the fruit of the threefold action too is accomplished — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.1.21)

यो नरो जन्ममध्ये तु सेतुं भक्त्यावलोकयेत् । तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्ष्ये शृणुध्वं मुनिपुंगवाः

yo naro janmamadhye tu setuṁ bhaktyāvalokayet tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vakṣye śṛṇudhvaṁ munipuṁgavāḥ

Whatever man, during his life, beholds the Setu (Bridge) with devotion — I shall tell you the merit and fruit of that; listen, O foremost of sages.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.1.22)

मातृतः पितृतश्चैव द्विकोटिकुलसंयुतः । निर्विश्य शंभुना कल्पं ततो मोक्षं समश्नुते

mātṛtaḥ pitṛtaścaiva dvikoṭikulasaṁyutaḥ nirviśya śaṁbhunā kalpaṁ tato mokṣaṁ samaśnute

He, together with two crores of his kin on both his mother's and father's side, having dwelt with Shambhu for a kalpa, thereafter attains liberation.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.1.23)

गण्यंते पांसवो भूमेर्गण्यंते दिवि तारकाः । सेतुदर्शनजं पुण्यं शेषेणापि न गण्यते

gaṇyaṁte pāṁsavo bhūmergaṇyaṁte divi tārakāḥ setudarśanajaṁ puṇyaṁ śeṣeṇāpi na gaṇyate

The grains of dust of the earth may be counted, and the stars of heaven may be counted, but the merit born of the sight of the Setu cannot be counted, even by Shesha.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.1.24)

समस्तदेवतारूपः सेतुवंधः प्रकीर्तितः । तद्दर्शनवतः पुंसः कः पुण्यं गणितुं क्षमः

samastadevatārūpaḥ setuvaṁdhaḥ prakīrtitaḥ taddarśanavataḥ puṁsaḥ kaḥ puṇyaṁ gaṇituṁ kṣamaḥ

The bridge is proclaimed to be the very form of all the gods together; who is capable of counting the merit of the man who beholds it?

Verse 25 (skanda.3.1.25)

सेतुं दृष्ट्वा नरो विप्राः सर्वयागकरः स्मृतः । स्नातश्च सर्वतीर्थेषु तपोऽतप्यत चाखिलम्

setuṁ dṛṣṭvā naro viprāḥ sarvayāgakaraḥ smṛtaḥ snātaśca sarvatīrtheṣu tapo'tapyata cākhilam

O brahmins, a man who has seen the Setu is remembered as one who has performed every sacrifice; he is deemed to have bathed in all sacred fords and performed every austerity.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.1.26)

सेतुं गच्छेति यो ब्रूयाद्यं कं वापि नरं द्विजाः । सोऽपि तत्फलमाप्नोति किमन्यैर्बहुभाषणः

setuṁ gaccheti yo brūyādyaṁ kaṁ vāpi naraṁ dvijāḥ so'pi tatphalamāpnoti kimanyairbahubhāṣaṇaḥ

Whoever, O brahmins, says to any man at all, "Go to the Setu," he too obtains that same fruit; what need is there of many more words?

Verse 27 (skanda.3.1.27)

सेतुस्नानकरो मर्त्यः सप्तकोटिकुलान्वितः । संप्राप्य विष्णुभवनं तत्रैव परिमुच्यते

setusnānakaro martyaḥ saptakoṭikulānvitaḥ saṁprāpya viṣṇubhavanaṁ tatraiva parimucyate

A mortal who bathes at the Setu, together with seven crores of his kin, having attained the abode of Vishnu, is liberated there itself.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.1.28)

सेतुं रामेश्वरं लिंगं गंधमादनपर्वतम् । चिंतयन्मनुजः सत्यं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

setuṁ rāmeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ gaṁdhamādanaparvatam ciṁtayanmanujaḥ satyaṁ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

A man who truly contemplates the Setu, the linga of Rameshvara, and Mount Gandhamadana, is freed from all sins.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.1.29)

मातृतः पितृतश्चैव लक्षकोटिकुलान्वितः । संप्राप्य विष्णुभवनं तत्रैव परिमुच्यते । कल्पत्रयं शंभुपदे स्थित्वा तत्रैव मुच्यते

mātṛtaḥ pitṛtaścaiva lakṣakoṭikulānvitaḥ saṁprāpya viṣṇubhavanaṁ tatraiva parimucyate kalpatrayaṁ śaṁbhupade sthitvā tatraiva mucyate

He, together with a hundred thousand crores of his kin on both his mother's and father's side, having attained the abode of Vishnu, is liberated there; having dwelt for three kalpas in the abode of Shambhu, he is liberated there itself.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.1.30)

मूषावस्थां वसाकूपं तथा वैतरणी नदीम् । श्वभक्षं मूत्रपानं च सेतुस्नायी न पश्यति

mūṣāvasthāṁ vasākūpaṁ tathā vaitaraṇī nadīm śvabhakṣaṁ mūtrapānaṁ ca setusnāyī na paśyati

One who bathes at the Setu does not behold the state of a mouse, the pit of marrow-fat, the river Vaitarani, being devoured by dogs, or the drinking of urine.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.1.31)

तप्तशूलं तप्तशिलां पुरी षह्रदमेव च । तथा शोणितकूपं च सेतुस्नायी न पश्यति

taptaśūlaṁ taptaśilāṁ purī ṣahradameva ca tathā śoṇitakūpaṁ ca setusnāyī na paśyati

One who bathes at the Setu does not behold the heated spike, the heated slab, the city with its lake of torment, and the pit of blood.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.1.32)

शाल्मल्यारोहणं रक्तभोजनं कृमिभोजनम् । स्वमांसभोजनं चैव वह्निज्वालाप्रवेशनम्

śālmalyārohaṇaṁ raktabhojanaṁ kṛmibhojanam svamāṁsabhojanaṁ caiva vahnijvālāpraveśanam

Being made to climb the Shalmali tree, eating blood, eating worms, eating one's own flesh, and entering into the flames of fire —

Verse 33 (skanda.3.1.33)

शिलावृष्टिं वह्निवृष्टिं नरकं कालसूत्रकम् । क्षारोदकं चोष्णतोयं नेयात्सेत्ववलोककः

śilāvṛṣṭiṁ vahnivṛṣṭiṁ narakaṁ kālasūtrakam kṣārodakaṁ coṣṇatoyaṁ neyātsetvavalokakaḥ

— a shower of stones, a shower of fire, the hell called Kalasutraka, and caustic or scalding water — the one who has beheld the Setu shall never encounter.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.1.34)

सेतुस्नायी नरो विप्राः पंचपातकवानपि । मातृतः पितृतश्चैव शतकोटिकुलान्वितः

setusnāyī naro viprāḥ paṁcapātakavānapi mātṛtaḥ pitṛtaścaiva śatakoṭikulānvitaḥ

O brahmins, a man who bathes at the Setu, even one guilty of the five great sins, together with a hundred crores of his kin on both his mother's and father's side —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.1.35)

कल्पत्रयं विष्णुपदे स्थित्वा तत्रैव मुच्यते । अधःशिरःशोषणं च नरकं क्षारसेवनम्

kalpatrayaṁ viṣṇupade sthitvā tatraiva mucyate adhaḥśiraḥśoṣaṇaṁ ca narakaṁ kṣārasevanam

— having dwelt for three kalpas in the abode of Vishnu, is liberated there itself. Being made to hang head-downward and wither, and the hell of consuming caustic substances —

Verse 36 (skanda.3.1.36)

पाषाणयन्त्रपीडां च मरुत्प्रपतनं तथा । पुरीषलेपनं चैव तथा क्रकचदारणम्

pāṣāṇayantrapīḍāṁ ca marutprapatanaṁ tathā purīṣalepanaṁ caiva tathā krakacadāraṇam

— being crushed in a stone-press, being hurled down by the wind, being smeared with excrement, and being sawn apart with a saw —

Verse 37 (skanda.3.1.37)

पुरीषभोजनं रेतःपानं संधिषु दाहनम् । अंगारशय्याभ्रमणं तथा मुसलमर्द्दनम्

purīṣabhojanaṁ retaḥpānaṁ saṁdhiṣu dāhanam aṁgāraśayyābhramaṇaṁ tathā musalamarddanam

— eating excrement, drinking semen, being burned at the joints of the body, being made to roll upon a bed of embers, and being pounded with a pestle —

Verse 38 (skanda.3.1.38)

एतानि नरकाण्यद्धा सेतुस्नायी न पश्यति । सेतु स्नानं करिष्येऽहमिति बुद्ध्या विचिंतयन्

etāni narakāṇyaddhā setusnāyī na paśyati setu snānaṁ kariṣye'hamiti buddhyā viciṁtayan

— these hells, indeed, one who bathes at the Setu never beholds — even one who merely reflects with the resolve, "I shall bathe at the Setu."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.1.39)

गच्छेच्छतपदं यस्तु स महापातकोऽपि सन् । बहूनां काष्ठयंत्राणां कर्षणं शस्त्रभेदनम्

gacchecchatapadaṁ yastu sa mahāpātako'pi san bahūnāṁ kāṣṭhayaṁtrāṇāṁ karṣaṇaṁ śastrabhedanam

Whoever, though guilty of a great sin, walks even a hundred steps toward it — being dragged through many wooden presses, being pierced with weapons —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.1.40)

पतनोत्पतनं चैव गदादण्डनिपीडनम् । गजदन्तैश्च हननं नानाभुजगदंशनम्

patanotpatanaṁ caiva gadādaṇḍanipīḍanam gajadantaiśca hananaṁ nānābhujagadaṁśanam

— being flung up and down, being beaten with maces and clubs, being gored by the tusks of elephants, and being bitten by manifold serpents —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.1.41)

धूमपानं पाशबन्धं नानाशूलनिपीडनम् । मुखे च नासिकायां च क्षारोदकनिषेचनम्

dhūmapānaṁ pāśabandhaṁ nānāśūlanipīḍanam mukhe ca nāsikāyāṁ ca kṣārodakaniṣecanam

— inhaling smoke, being bound with nooses, being tormented with manifold spikes, and having caustic water poured into the mouth and nose —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.1.42)

क्षारांबुपानं नरकं तप्तायः सूचिभक्षणम् । एतानि नरकान्यद्धा न याति गतपातकः

kṣārāṁbupānaṁ narakaṁ taptāyaḥ sūcibhakṣaṇam etāni narakānyaddhā na yāti gatapātakaḥ

— drinking caustic water, and the hell of swallowing heated iron needles — these hells, indeed, one whose sin has departed shall never enter.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.1.43)

क्षारांबुपूर्णरंध्राणां प्रवेशं मलभोजनम् । स्नायुच्छेदं स्नायुदाहमस्थिभेदनमेव च

kṣārāṁbupūrṇaraṁdhrāṇāṁ praveśaṁ malabhojanam snāyucchedaṁ snāyudāhamasthibhedanameva ca

Entry into pits filled with caustic water, eating filth, the severing of sinews, the burning of sinews, and the shattering of bones —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.1.44)

श्लेष्मादनं पित्तपानं महातिक्तनिषेवणम् । अत्युष्ण तैलपानं च पानं क्षारोदकस्य च

śleṣmādanaṁ pittapānaṁ mahātiktaniṣevaṇam atyuṣṇa tailapānaṁ ca pānaṁ kṣārodakasya ca

— eating phlegm, drinking bile, partaking of intensely bitter substances, drinking exceedingly hot oil, and drinking caustic water —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.1.45)

कषायोदकपानं च तप्तपाषाणभोजनम् । अत्युष्णसिकतास्नानं तथा दशनमर्दनम्

kaṣāyodakapānaṁ ca taptapāṣāṇabhojanam atyuṣṇasikatāsnānaṁ tathā daśanamardanam

— drinking astringent water, eating heated stones, bathing in exceedingly hot sand, and having the teeth crushed —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.1.46)

तप्तायःशयनं चैव संतप्तांबुनिषेचनम् । सूचिप्रक्षेपणं चैव नेत्रयोर्मुखसंधिषु

taptāyaḥśayanaṁ caiva saṁtaptāṁbuniṣecanam sūciprakṣepaṇaṁ caiva netrayormukhasaṁdhiṣu

— lying upon heated iron, being drenched with scalding water, and having needles thrust into the eyes and into the joints of the mouth —

Verse 47 (skanda.3.1.47)

शिश्ने सवृषणे चैव ह्ययोभारस्य बन्धनम् । वृक्षाग्रात्पतनं चैव दुर्गंधपरिपूरिते

śiśne savṛṣaṇe caiva hyayobhārasya bandhanam vṛkṣāgrātpatanaṁ caiva durgaṁdhaparipūrite

— the binding of an iron weight upon the male organ together with the testicles, and being cast down from a treetop into a place filled with foul stench —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.1.48)

तीक्ष्णधारास्त्रशय्यां च रेतःपानादिकं तथा । इत्यादि नरकान्घोरासेतुस्नायी न पश्यति

tīkṣṇadhārāstraśayyāṁ ca retaḥpānādikaṁ tathā ityādi narakānghorāsetusnāyī na paśyati

— a bed of sharp-edged weapons, and the drinking of semen, and so forth — such terrible hells, one who bathes at the Setu does not behold.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.1.49)

सेतुसैकतमध्ये यः शेते तत्पांसुकुंठितः । यावन्तः पांसवो लग्नास्तस्यांगे विप्रसत्तमाः

setusaikatamadhye yaḥ śete tatpāṁsukuṁṭhitaḥ yāvantaḥ pāṁsavo lagnāstasyāṁge viprasattamāḥ

Whoever lies down in the midst of the sands of the Setu, covered with its dust — O foremost of brahmins, as many grains of dust as cling to his body —

Verse 50 (skanda.3.1.50)

तावतां ब्रह्महत्यानां नाशः स्यान्नात्र संशयः । सेतुमध्यस्थ वातेन यस्यांगं स्पृश्यतेऽखिलम्

tāvatāṁ brahmahatyānāṁ nāśaḥ syānnātra saṁśayaḥ setumadhyastha vātena yasyāṁgaṁ spṛśyate'khilam

— so many sins of brahmin-slaying are destroyed, of this there is no doubt. He whose whole body is touched by the wind blowing from the midst of the Setu —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.1.51)

सुरापानायुतं तस्य तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति । वर्तंते यस्य केशास्तु वपनात्सेतुमध्यतः

surāpānāyutaṁ tasya tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati vartaṁte yasya keśāstu vapanātsetumadhyataḥ

— the sin equal to ten thousand acts of drinking liquor is destroyed for him that very instant. He whose hairs remain uncut until they are shaved in the midst of the Setu —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.1.52)

गुरुतल्पा युतं तस्य तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति । यस्यास्थि सेतुमध्ये तु स्थापितं पुत्रपौत्रकैः । स्वर्णस्तेयायुतं तस्य तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

gurutalpā yutaṁ tasya tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati yasyāsthi setumadhye tu sthāpitaṁ putrapautrakaiḥ svarṇasteyāyutaṁ tasya tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

— the sin equal to violating the guru's bed is destroyed for him that very instant. He whose bones are placed in the midst of the Setu by his sons and grandsons — the sin equal to ten thousand acts of stealing gold is destroyed for him that very instant.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.1.53)

स्मृत्वा यं सेतुमध्ये तु स्नानं कुर्याद्द्विजोत्तमाः । महापातकिसंसर्गदोषस्तस्य लयं व्रजेत्

smṛtvā yaṁ setumadhye tu snānaṁ kuryāddvijottamāḥ mahāpātakisaṁsargadoṣastasya layaṁ vrajet

O foremost of brahmins, remembering whom one should bathe in the midst of the Setu, the sin of association with a great sinner goes to its dissolution for him.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.1.54)

मार्गभेदी स्वार्थपाकी यतिब्राह्मणदूषकः । अत्याशी वेदविक्रेता पंचैते ब्रह्मघातकाः

mārgabhedī svārthapākī yatibrāhmaṇadūṣakaḥ atyāśī vedavikretā paṁcaite brahmaghātakāḥ

One who misleads travelers on the road, one who cooks only for himself, one who defiles ascetics and brahmins, one who is excessively gluttonous, and one who sells the Vedas — these five are deemed equal to slayers of brahmins.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.1.55)

ब्राह्मणान्यः समाहूय दास्यामीति धनादिकम् । पश्चान्नास्तीति यो ब्रूते ब्रह्महा सोपि कीर्तितः

brāhmaṇānyaḥ samāhūya dāsyāmīti dhanādikam paścānnāstīti yo brūte brahmahā sopi kīrtitaḥ

Whoever, having summoned a brahmin saying "I shall give you wealth," afterward says "I have none" — he too is declared to be a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.1.56)

परिज्ञाय यतो धर्मांस्तस्मै यो द्वेषमाचरेत् । अवजानाति वा विप्रान्ब्रह्महा सोपि कीर्तितः

parijñāya yato dharmāṁstasmai yo dveṣamācaret avajānāti vā viprānbrahmahā sopi kīrtitaḥ

Whoever bears hatred toward one from whom he has learned dharma, or who disrespects brahmins — he too is declared to be a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.1.57)

जलपानार्थमायातं गोवृन्दं तु जलाशये । निवारयति यो विप्रा ब्रह्महा सोपि कीर्तितः

jalapānārthamāyātaṁ govṛndaṁ tu jalāśaye nivārayati yo viprā brahmahā sopi kīrtitaḥ

O brahmins, whoever prevents a herd of cows that has come to a reservoir of water to drink — he too is declared to be a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.1.58)

सेतुमेत्य तु ते सर्वे मुच्यंते दोषसंचयैः । ब्रह्मघातकतुल्या ये संति चान्ये द्विजोत्तमाः

setumetya tu te sarve mucyaṁte doṣasaṁcayaiḥ brahmaghātakatulyā ye saṁti cānye dvijottamāḥ

But all of these, having come to the Setu, are freed from their accumulated faults — as are whatever other brahmins there are, O foremost of the twice-born, who are equal to slayers of brahmins.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.1.59)

ते सर्वे सेतुमागत्य मुच्यंते नात्र संशयः । औपासनपरित्यागी देवतान्नस्य भोजकः

te sarve setumāgatya mucyaṁte nātra saṁśayaḥ aupāsanaparityāgī devatānnasya bhojakaḥ

— all of them, having come to the Setu, are freed — of this there is no doubt. One who abandons the domestic sacred fire, one who eats food offered to the gods —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.1.60)

सुरापयोषित्संसर्गी गणिकान्नाशनस्तथा । गणान्नभोजकश्चैव पतितान्नरतश्च यः

surāpayoṣitsaṁsargī gaṇikānnāśanastathā gaṇānnabhojakaścaiva patitānnarataśca yaḥ

— one who consorts with a woman who drinks liquor, one who eats the food of a courtesan, one who eats communal food improperly, and one who delights in the food of an outcast —

Verse 61 (skanda.3.1.61)

एते सुरापिनः प्रोक्ताः सर्वकर्मबहिष्कृताः । सेतुस्नानेन मुच्यंते ते सर्वे हतकिल्बिषाः

ete surāpinaḥ proktāḥ sarvakarmabahiṣkṛtāḥ setusnānena mucyaṁte te sarve hatakilbiṣāḥ

— these are declared to be equal to drinkers of liquor, excluded from all sacred rites; by bathing at the Setu, all of them are freed, their sins destroyed.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.1.62)

सुरापतुल्या ये चान्ये मुच्यंते सेतुमज्जनात् । कन्दमूलफलानां च कस्तूरीपट्टवाससाम्

surāpatulyā ye cānye mucyaṁte setumajjanāt kandamūlaphalānāṁ ca kastūrīpaṭṭavāsasām

And whoever else is equal to a drinker of liquor is freed by immersion at the Setu. Of roots, bulbs, and fruits, of musk, of silken garments —

Verse 63 (skanda.3.1.63)

पयश्चंदनकर्पूरक्रमुकाणां तथैव च । मध्वाज्यता म्रकांस्यानां रुद्राक्षाणां तथैव च

payaścaṁdanakarpūrakramukāṇāṁ tathaiva ca madhvājyatā mrakāṁsyānāṁ rudrākṣāṇāṁ tathaiva ca

— of milk, sandalwood, camphor, and areca-nut, and likewise of honey, ghee, bronze vessels, and rudraksha beads —

Verse 64 (skanda.3.1.64)

चोरकास्तु परिज्ञेया सुवर्णस्तेयिनः समाः । ते सेतुक्षेत्रमागत्य मुच्यन्ते नात्र संशयः

corakāstu parijñeyā suvarṇasteyinaḥ samāḥ te setukṣetramāgatya mucyante nātra saṁśayaḥ

— the thieves of these are to be known as equal to thieves of gold; they, having come to the sacred field of the Setu, are freed — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.1.65)

अन्ये च स्तेयिनः सर्वे सेतुस्नानेन वै द्विजाः । मुच्यंते सर्वपापेभ्यो नात्र कार्या विचारणा

anye ca steyinaḥ sarve setusnānena vai dvijāḥ mucyaṁte sarvapāpebhyo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

And, O brahmins, all other thieves too are freed from all sins by bathing at the Setu — no doubt need be entertained about this.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.1.66)

भगिनीं पुत्रभार्यां च तथैव च रजस्वलाम् । भ्रातृभार्यां मित्रभार्यां मद्यपां च परस्त्रियम्

bhaginīṁ putrabhāryāṁ ca tathaiva ca rajasvalām bhrātṛbhāryāṁ mitrabhāryāṁ madyapāṁ ca parastriyam

One's sister, one's son's wife, likewise a woman in her courses, a brother's wife, a friend's wife, a woman addicted to liquor, and another's wife —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.1.67)

हीनस्त्रियं च विश्वस्तां योऽभिगच्छति रागतः । गुरुतल्पी स विज्ञेयः सर्वकर्मबहिष्कृतः

hīnastriyaṁ ca viśvastāṁ yo'bhigacchati rāgataḥ gurutalpī sa vijñeyaḥ sarvakarmabahiṣkṛtaḥ

— and a woman of low degree who trusts him, whoever approaches out of passion is to be known as one who has violated the guru's bed, excluded from all sacred rites.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.1.68)

एते चान्ये च ये संति गुरुतल्पगतुल्यकाः । ते सर्वे प्रविमुच्यंते सेतुस्नानेन वै द्विजाः

ete cānye ca ye saṁti gurutalpagatulyakāḥ te sarve pravimucyaṁte setusnānena vai dvijāḥ

These, and others who are equal to one who has violated the guru's bed — all of them, O brahmins, are fully freed by bathing at the Setu.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.1.69)

एतैः संसर्गिणो विप्रा ये चान्ये संति पापिनः । सेतुस्नानेन महता तेऽपि मोक्षमवाप्नुयुः

etaiḥ saṁsargiṇo viprā ye cānye saṁti pāpinaḥ setusnānena mahatā te'pi mokṣamavāpnuyuḥ

O brahmins, whatever other sinners there are who associate with these — they too attain liberation through the great bathing at the Setu.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.1.70)

यागं विना देवलोके घृताचीमेनकादिभिः । संभोगकामिनो विप्राः स्नातुं संतावघापहे

yāgaṁ vinā devaloke ghṛtācīmenakādibhiḥ saṁbhogakāmino viprāḥ snātuṁ saṁtāvaghāpahe

Brahmins who, without performing sacrifice, desire union in the world of the gods with Ghritachi, Menaka, and other celestial nymphs, should bathe here, at this peace-bestowing remover of sin.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.1.71)

अनिषेव्य रविं वह्निमनुपास्य परान्सुरान् । शुभकामी जनः सेतौकुर्यात्स्नानं सभक्तिकम्

aniṣevya raviṁ vahnimanupāsya parānsurān śubhakāmī janaḥ setaukuryātsnānaṁ sabhaktikam

Without worshipping the sun or fire, without honoring other gods, a person desiring auspiciousness should devotedly perform his bathing at the Setu.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.1.72)

तिलान्भूमिं सुवर्णं च धान्यं तंदुलमेव च । अदत्त्वेच्छंति ते स्वर्गं स्नातुं सेतौ तु ते द्विजाः

tilānbhūmiṁ suvarṇaṁ ca dhānyaṁ taṁdulameva ca adattvecchaṁti te svargaṁ snātuṁ setau tu te dvijāḥ

Without giving sesame, land, gold, grain, and rice as gifts, those brahmins who desire heaven should nevertheless bathe at the Setu.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.1.73)

उपवासैर्व्रतैः कृत्स्नैरसंताप्य निजां तनुम् । स्वर्गाभिलाषिणः पुंसः स्नांतु सेतौ विमुक्तिदे

upavāsairvrataiḥ kṛtsnairasaṁtāpya nijāṁ tanum svargābhilāṣiṇaḥ puṁsaḥ snāṁtu setau vimuktide

Without afflicting their own bodies through fasts and manifold vows, men who desire heaven should bathe at the Setu, the giver of liberation.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.1.74)

सेतुस्नानं मोक्षदं हि मनःशुद्धिप्रदं तथा । जपाद्धोमात्तथा दानाद्यागाच्च तपसोऽपि च

setusnānaṁ mokṣadaṁ hi manaḥśuddhipradaṁ tathā japāddhomāttathā dānādyāgācca tapaso'pi ca

Bathing at the Setu bestows liberation and likewise purifies the mind; it is superior even to japa, homa, charity, sacrifice, and austerity.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.1.75)

सेतुस्नानं विशिष्टं हि पुराणे परिपठ्यते । अकामनाकृतं स्नानं सेतौ पापविनाशने

setusnānaṁ viśiṣṭaṁ hi purāṇe paripaṭhyate akāmanākṛtaṁ snānaṁ setau pāpavināśane

Bathing at the Setu is declared in the Puranas to be exceedingly excellent. Bathing performed at the Setu, the destroyer of sin, without any desire —

Verse 76 (skanda.3.1.76)

अपुनर्भवदं प्रोक्तं सत्यमुक्तं द्विजोत्तमाः । यः संपदं समुद्दिश्य स्नाति सेतौ नरो मुदा

apunarbhavadaṁ proktaṁ satyamuktaṁ dvijottamāḥ yaḥ saṁpadaṁ samuddiśya snāti setau naro mudā

— is declared to bestow freedom from rebirth; this is spoken truly, O foremost of brahmins. Whatever man bathes joyfully at the Setu with wealth in mind —

Verse 77 (skanda.3.1.77)

स संपदमवाप्नोति विपुलां द्विजपुंगवाः । शुद्ध्यर्थं स्नाति चेत्सेतौ तदा शुद्धिमवाप्नुयात्

sa saṁpadamavāpnoti vipulāṁ dvijapuṁgavāḥ śuddhyarthaṁ snāti cetsetau tadā śuddhimavāpnuyāt

— he obtains abundant wealth, O foremost of the twice-born. If he bathes at the Setu for the sake of purity, then he attains purity.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.1.78)

रत्यर्थं यदि च स्नायादप्सरोभिर्नरो दिवि । तदा रतिमवाप्नोति स्वर्गलोकेऽमरीजनैः

ratyarthaṁ yadi ca snāyādapsarobhirnaro divi tadā ratimavāpnoti svargaloke'marījanaiḥ

And if a man bathes for the sake of pleasure with the apsarases in heaven, then he attains that pleasure with the celestial women in the world of the gods.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.1.79)

मुक्त्यर्थं यदि च स्नायात्सेतौ मुक्तिप्रदायिनि । तदा मुक्तिमवाप्नोति पुनरावृत्तिवर्जिताम्

muktyarthaṁ yadi ca snāyātsetau muktipradāyini tadā muktimavāpnoti punarāvṛttivarjitām

And if he bathes for the sake of liberation at the Setu, the bestower of liberation, then he attains liberation, free from return to rebirth.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.1.80)

सेतुस्नानेन धर्मः स्यात्सेतुस्नानादघक्षयः । सेतुस्नानं द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

setusnānena dharmaḥ syātsetusnānādaghakṣayaḥ setusnānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvakāmaphalapradam

By bathing at the Setu, dharma is accomplished; by bathing at the Setu, sin is destroyed. Bathing at the Setu, O best of brahmins, bestows the fruit of every desire.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.1.81)

सर्वव्रताधिकं पुण्यं सर्वयज्ञोत्तरं स्मृतम् । सर्वयोगाधिकं प्रोक्तं सर्व तीर्थाधिकं स्मृतम्

sarvavratādhikaṁ puṇyaṁ sarvayajñottaraṁ smṛtam sarvayogādhikaṁ proktaṁ sarva tīrthādhikaṁ smṛtam

It is remembered as more meritorious than every vow, declared superior to every sacrifice, proclaimed superior to every yoga, and remembered superior to every sacred ford.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.1.82)

इंद्रादिलोकभोगेषु रागो येषां प्रवर्तते । स्नातव्यं तैर्द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सेतौ रामकृते सकृत्

iṁdrādilokabhogeṣu rāgo yeṣāṁ pravartate snātavyaṁ tairdvijaśreṣṭhāḥ setau rāmakṛte sakṛt

O best of brahmins, those in whom desire arises for the enjoyments of the world of Indra and other gods should bathe once at the Setu, made by Rama.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.1.83)

ब्रह्मलोके च वैकुण्ठे कैलासेऽपि शिवालये । रंतुमिच्छा भवेद्येषां ते सेतौ स्नांतु सादरम्

brahmaloke ca vaikuṇṭhe kailāse'pi śivālaye raṁtumicchā bhavedyeṣāṁ te setau snāṁtu sādaram

Those who wish to sport in the world of Brahma, in Vaikuntha, or even in Kailasa, the abode of Shiva, should bathe reverently at the Setu.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.1.84)

आयुरारोग्यसंपत्तिमतिरूपगुणाढ्यताम् । चतुर्णामपि वेदानां सांगानां पारगामिनाम्

āyurārogyasaṁpattimatirūpaguṇāḍhyatām caturṇāmapi vedānāṁ sāṁgānāṁ pāragāminām

Longevity, health, prosperity, wisdom, beauty, and abundance of virtues; mastery of all four Vedas together with their auxiliary limbs —

Verse 85 (skanda.3.1.85)

सर्वशास्त्राधिगंतृत्वं सर्वमंत्रेष्वभिज्ञताम् । समुद्दिश्य तु यः स्नायात्सेतौ सर्वार्थसिद्धिदे

sarvaśāstrādhigaṁtṛtvaṁ sarvamaṁtreṣvabhijñatām samuddiśya tu yaḥ snāyātsetau sarvārthasiddhide

— knowledge of all the shastras, and proficiency in all mantras — whoever bathes at the Setu, the bestower of the accomplishment of every aim, with these in mind —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.1.86)

तत्तत्सिद्धिम वाप्नोति सत्यं स्यान्नात्र संशयः । दारिद्र्यान्नरकाद्ये च मनुजा भुवि बिभ्यति

tattatsiddhima vāpnoti satyaṁ syānnātra saṁśayaḥ dāridryānnarakādye ca manujā bhuvi bibhyati

— he obtains that very accomplishment; this is true, there is no doubt about it. Men on this earth fear poverty, hell, and the like —

Verse 87 (skanda.3.1.87)

स्नानं कुर्वंतु ते सर्वे रामसेतौ विमुक्तिदे । श्रद्धया सहितो मर्त्यः श्रद्धया रहितोऽपि वा

snānaṁ kurvaṁtu te sarve rāmasetau vimuktide śraddhayā sahito martyaḥ śraddhayā rahito'pi vā

— let all of them bathe at the Bridge of Rama, the giver of liberation. Whether a mortal possesses faith or is without faith —

Verse 88 (skanda.3.1.88)

इहलोके परत्रापि सेतुस्नायी न दुःखभाक् । सेतुस्नानेन सर्वेषां नश्यते पापसंचयः

ihaloke paratrāpi setusnāyī na duḥkhabhāk setusnānena sarveṣāṁ naśyate pāpasaṁcayaḥ

— one who bathes at the Setu is never a sharer in sorrow, either in this world or in the next. By bathing at the Setu, the accumulated sin of all is destroyed.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.1.89)

वर्द्धते धर्मराशिश्च शुक्लपक्षे यथा शशी । यथा रत्नानि वर्द्धंते समुद्रे विविधान्यपि

varddhate dharmarāśiśca śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī yathā ratnāni varddhaṁte samudre vividhānyapi

And as the moon grows in the bright fortnight, so the mass of one's dharma grows; as manifold jewels grow within the ocean —

Verse 90 (skanda.3.1.90)

तथा पुण्यानि वर्द्धंते सेतुस्नानेन वै द्विजाः । काम धेनुर्यथा लोके सर्वाकामान्प्रयच्छति

tathā puṇyāni varddhaṁte setusnānena vai dvijāḥ kāma dhenuryathā loke sarvākāmānprayacchati

— so, indeed, O brahmins, merits grow through bathing at the Setu. As the wish-granting cow Kamadhenu bestows all desires in this world —

Verse 91 (skanda.3.1.91)

चिंतामणिर्यथा दद्यात्पुरुषाणां मनोरथान् । यथाऽमरतरुर्दद्यात्पुरुषाणामभीप्सितम्

ciṁtāmaṇiryathā dadyātpuruṣāṇāṁ manorathān yathā'maratarurdadyātpuruṣāṇāmabhīpsitam

— as the wishing-jewel Chintamani grants men's heart's desires; as the celestial wishing-tree grants men what they long for —

Verse 92 (skanda.3.1.92)

सेतुस्नानं तथा नृणां सर्वाभीष्टान्प्रदास्यति । अशक्तः सेतुयात्रायां दारिद्र्येण च मानवः

setusnānaṁ tathā nṛṇāṁ sarvābhīṣṭānpradāsyati aśaktaḥ setuyātrāyāṁ dāridryeṇa ca mānavaḥ

— so, likewise, bathing at the Setu shall grant men all their desires. A man who, through poverty, is unable to undertake the pilgrimage to the Setu —

Verse 93 (skanda.3.1.93)

याचित्वा स धनं शिष्टात्सेतौ स्नानं समाच रेत् । सेतुस्नानसमं पुण्यं तत्र दाता समश्नुते

yācitvā sa dhanaṁ śiṣṭātsetau snānaṁ samāca ret setusnānasamaṁ puṇyaṁ tatra dātā samaśnute

— should beg wealth from a virtuous person and perform his bathing at the Setu; the giver, too, thereby obtains merit equal to the bathing at the Setu.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.1.94)

तथा प्रतिगृहीतापि प्राप्नोत्यविकलं फलम् । सेतुयात्रां समुद्दिश्य गृह्णीयाद्ब्राह्मणाद्ध नम्

tathā pratigṛhītāpi prāpnotyavikalaṁ phalam setuyātrāṁ samuddiśya gṛhṇīyādbrāhmaṇāddha nam

And likewise, even the one who received it obtains the fruit undiminished. For the purpose of the pilgrimage to the Setu, one may accept wealth from a brahmin —

Verse 95 (skanda.3.1.95)

क्षत्रियादपि गृह्णीयान्न दद्युर्ब्राह्मणा यदि । वैश्याद्वा प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न प्रयच्छंति चेन्नृपाः

kṣatriyādapi gṛhṇīyānna dadyurbrāhmaṇā yadi vaiśyādvā pratigṛhṇīyānna prayacchaṁti cennṛpāḥ

— or one may accept it from a kshatriya, if brahmins do not give; or one may accept it from a vaishya, if kings do not give.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.1.96)

शूद्रान्न प्रतिगृह्णीयात्कथंचिदपि मानवः । यः सेतुं गच्छतः पुंसो धनं वा धान्यमेव वा

śūdrānna pratigṛhṇīyātkathaṁcidapi mānavaḥ yaḥ setuṁ gacchataḥ puṁso dhanaṁ vā dhānyameva vā

But one should never, under any circumstance, accept from a shudra. Whatever man, to a person going to the Setu, gives wealth or grain —

Verse 97 (skanda.3.1.97)

दत्त्वा वस्त्रादिकं वापि प्रवर्तयति मानवः । सोऽश्वमेधादियज्ञानां फलमाप्तो त्यनुत्तमम्

dattvā vastrādikaṁ vāpi pravartayati mānavaḥ so'śvamedhādiyajñānāṁ phalamāpto tyanuttamam

— or gives clothing and the like, and so sets him on his way — that man obtains the unsurpassed fruit of the Ashvamedha and other sacrifices.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.1.98)

चतुर्णामपि वेदानां पारायणफलं लभेत् । तुलापुरुषमुख्यानां दानानां फलमश्नुते

caturṇāmapi vedānāṁ pārāyaṇaphalaṁ labhet tulāpuruṣamukhyānāṁ dānānāṁ phalamaśnute

He obtains the fruit of the complete recitation of all four Vedas, and enjoys the fruit of the great gifts, foremost among them the Tulapurusha gift.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.1.99)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां नाशः स्या न्नात्र संशयः । बहुना किं प्रलापेन सर्वान्कामान्समश्नुते

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ nāśaḥ syā nnātra saṁśayaḥ bahunā kiṁ pralāpena sarvānkāmānsamaśnute

The destruction of sins beginning with brahmin-slaying occurs — of this there is no doubt. What need is there of much talk? He enjoys all his desires.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.1.100)

एवं प्रतिगृहीतापि तत्तुल्यफलमश्नुते । याचतः सेतुयात्रार्थं न प्रतिग्रहकल्मषम्

evaṁ pratigṛhītāpi tattulyaphalamaśnute yācataḥ setuyātrārthaṁ na pratigrahakalmaṣam

Thus, even the one who accepts the gift enjoys an equal fruit; there is no taint of improper acceptance for one who begs for the sake of the pilgrimage to the Setu.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.1.101)

सेतुं गच्छ धनं तेऽहं दास्यामीति प्रलोभ्य यः । पश्चान्नास्तीति च ब्रूयात्तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातकम्

setuṁ gaccha dhanaṁ te'haṁ dāsyāmīti pralobhya yaḥ paścānnāstīti ca brūyāttamāhurbrahmaghātakam

Whoever tempts another, saying "Go to the Setu, I shall give you wealth," and afterward says "I have none" — him they call a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.1.102)

लोभेन सेतुयात्रार्थं संपन्नोऽपि दरिद्रवत् । मानवो यदि याचेत तमाहुस्तेयिनं बुधाः

lobhena setuyātrārthaṁ saṁpanno'pi daridravat mānavo yadi yāceta tamāhusteyinaṁ budhāḥ

If a man who is prosperous begs, out of greed, as though poor, for the purpose of the pilgrimage to the Setu — the wise call him a thief.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.1.103)

गमिष्ये सेतुमिति वै यो गृहीत्वा धनं नरः । न याति सेतुं लोभेन तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघा तकम्

gamiṣye setumiti vai yo gṛhītvā dhanaṁ naraḥ na yāti setuṁ lobhena tamāhurbrahmaghā takam

Whatever man, having taken wealth saying "I shall go to the Setu," does not go to the Setu out of greed — him they call a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.1.104)

येन केनाप्युपायेन सेतुं गच्छेन्नरो मुदा । अशक्तो दक्षिणां दत्त्वा गमयेद्वा द्विजोत्तमम्

yena kenāpyupāyena setuṁ gacchennaro mudā aśakto dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā gamayedvā dvijottamam

By whatever means possible, let a man go joyfully to the Setu; if unable, let him give a fee and send a foremost brahmin in his place.

Verse 105 (skanda.3.1.105)

याचित्वा यज्ञकरणे यथा दोषो न विद्यते । याचित्वा सेतुयात्रायां तथा दोषो न विद्यते

yācitvā yajñakaraṇe yathā doṣo na vidyate yācitvā setuyātrāyāṁ tathā doṣo na vidyate

Just as there is no fault in begging for the performance of a sacrifice, so too there is no fault in begging for the pilgrimage to the Setu.

Verse 106 (skanda.3.1.106)

याचित्वाप्यन्यतो द्रव्यं सेतुस्नाने प्रवर्तयेत् । सोऽपि तत्फलमाप्नोति सेतु स्नायी नरो यथा

yācitvāpyanyato dravyaṁ setusnāne pravartayet so'pi tatphalamāpnoti setu snāyī naro yathā

Having begged wealth from elsewhere too, one may apply it to bathing at the Setu; he also obtains that same fruit, just as a man who himself bathes at the Setu.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.1.107)

ज्ञानेन मोक्षमभियांति कृते युगे तु त्रेतायुगे यजनमेव विमुक्तिदायि । श्रेष्ठं तथान्ययुगयोरपि दानमाहुः सर्वत्र सेत्वभिषवो हि वरो नराणाम्

jñānena mokṣamabhiyāṁti kṛte yuge tu tretāyuge yajanameva vimuktidāyi śreṣṭhaṁ tathānyayugayorapi dānamāhuḥ sarvatra setvabhiṣavo hi varo narāṇām

In the Krita Yuga, men attain liberation through knowledge; in the Treta Yuga, sacrifice alone bestows liberation; in the two remaining ages, likewise, gift-giving is declared best — but in every age, bathing at the Setu is indeed the foremost means for men.