Rishabha's Teaching to Bhadrayu

Verse 1 (skanda.3.103.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ पिंगला नाम या वेश्या मया पूर्वमुदाहृता ॥ शिवभक्तार्चनात्पुण्यात्त्यक्त्वा पूर्वकलेवरम्

sūta uvāca piṁgalā nāma yā veśyā mayā pūrvamudāhṛtā śivabhaktārcanātpuṇyāttyaktvā pūrvakalevaram

Suta said: That courtesan named Pingala whom I spoke of before, having abandoned her former body through the merit gained from worshipping a devotee of Shiva,

Verse 2 (skanda.3.103.2)

चन्द्रांगदस्य सा भूयः सीमंतिन्यामजायत ॥ रूपौदार्यगुणोपेता नाम्ना वै कीर्तिमालिनी

candrāṁgadasya sā bhūyaḥ sīmaṁtinyāmajāyata rūpaudāryaguṇopetā nāmnā vai kīrtimālinī

was born again as the daughter of Chandrangada and Simantini, endowed with beauty, nobility and virtue, named Kirtimalini.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.103.3)

भद्रायुरपि तत्रैव राजपुत्रो वणिक्पतेः ॥ ववृधे सदने भानुः शुचाविव महातपाः

bhadrāyurapi tatraiva rājaputro vaṇikpateḥ vavṛdhe sadane bhānuḥ śucāviva mahātapāḥ

Bhadrayu too, in that very place, grew up as a prince in the merchant's house, radiant like the sun in a cloud, of great splendor.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.103.4)

तस्यापि वैश्यनाथस्य कुमारस्त्वेक उत्तमः ॥ स नाम्ना सुनयः प्रोक्तो राजसूनोः सखाऽभवत्

tasyāpi vaiśyanāthasya kumārastveka uttamaḥ sa nāmnā sunayaḥ prokto rājasūnoḥ sakhā'bhavat

That merchant lord also had one excellent son, named Sunaya, who became the prince's friend.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.103.5)

तावुभौ परमस्निग्धौ राजवैश्यकुमारकौ॥ चित्रक्रीडावुदारांगौ रत्नाभरणमंडितौ

tāvubhau paramasnigdhau rājavaiśyakumārakau citrakrīḍāvudārāṁgau ratnābharaṇamaṁḍitau

Both of them, the prince and the merchant's son, most affectionately close, noble in form, engaged in varied play, adorned with jewels and ornaments.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.103.6)

तस्य राजकुमारस्य ब्राह्मणैः स वणिक्पतिः ॥ संस्कारान्कारयामास स्वपुत्रस्यापि विस्तरात्

tasya rājakumārasya brāhmaṇaiḥ sa vaṇikpatiḥ saṁskārānkārayāmāsa svaputrasyāpi vistarāt

That merchant lord had the sacraments of the prince, and likewise of his own son, performed by brahmins in full detail.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.103.7)

काले कृतोपनयनौ गुरुशुश्रूषणे रतौ ॥ चक्रतुः सर्वविद्यानां संग्रहं विनयान्वितौ

kāle kṛtopanayanau guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratau cakratuḥ sarvavidyānāṁ saṁgrahaṁ vinayānvitau

In due time, having had their sacred-thread ceremony performed, devoted to serving their teacher, the two of them, endowed with humility, gathered the sum of all learning.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.103.8)

अथ राजकुमारस्य प्राप्ते षोडशहायने ॥ स एव ऋषभो योगी तस्य वेश्मन्युपाययौ

atha rājakumārasya prāpte ṣoḍaśahāyane sa eva ṛṣabho yogī tasya veśmanyupāyayau

Then, when the prince reached his sixteenth year, that same yogi Rishabha arrived at his house.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.103.9)

सा राज्ञी स कुमारश्च शिवयोगिनमागतम् ॥ मुहुर्मुहुः प्रणम्योभौ पूजयामासतुर्मुदा

sā rājñī sa kumāraśca śivayoginamāgatam muhurmuhuḥ praṇamyobhau pūjayāmāsaturmudā

The queen and the prince, bowing again and again to the arrived Shiva-yogi, both worshipped him with joy.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.103.10)

ताभ्यां च पूजितः सोऽथ योगीशो हृष्टमानसः ॥ तं राजपुत्रमुद्दिश्य बभाषे करुणार्द्रधीः

tābhyāṁ ca pūjitaḥ so'tha yogīśo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ taṁ rājaputramuddiśya babhāṣe karuṇārdradhīḥ

Worshipped by the two of them, that lord of yogis, his mind delighted, his intellect melted with compassion, spoke, addressing the prince.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.103.11)

शिवयोग्युवाच ॥ कच्चित्ते कुशलं तात त्वन्मातुश्चाप्यनामयम् ॥ कच्चित्त्वं सर्वविद्यानामकार्षीश्च प्रतिग्रहम्

śivayogyuvāca kaccitte kuśalaṁ tāta tvanmātuścāpyanāmayam kaccittvaṁ sarvavidyānāmakārṣīśca pratigraham

The Shiva-yogi said: "Is all well with you, my child, and is your mother free from illness? Have you completed the full study of all learning?

Verse 12 (skanda.3.103.12)

कच्चिद्गुरूणां सततं शुश्रूषातत्परो भवान् ॥ कच्चित्स्मरसि मां तात तव प्राणप्रदं गुरुम्

kaccidgurūṇāṁ satataṁ śuśrūṣātatparo bhavān kaccitsmarasi māṁ tāta tava prāṇapradaṁ gurum

"Are you always devoted to serving your teachers? Do you remember me, my child, your guru who restored your life?"

Verse 13 (skanda.3.103.13)

एवं वदति योगीशे राज्ञी सा विनयान्विता ॥ स्वपुत्रं पादयोस्तस्य निपात्यैनमभाषत

evaṁ vadati yogīśe rājñī sā vinayānvitā svaputraṁ pādayostasya nipātyainamabhāṣata

While the lord of yogis spoke thus, that queen, endowed with humility, causing her own son to fall at his feet, said to him:

Verse 14 (skanda.3.103.14)

एष पुत्रस्तव गुरो त्वमस्य प्राणदः पिता ॥ एष शिष्यस्तु संग्राह्यो भवता करुणात्मना

eṣa putrastava guro tvamasya prāṇadaḥ pitā eṣa śiṣyastu saṁgrāhyo bhavatā karuṇātmanā

"This is your son, O guru; you are his life-giving father. This disciple should be accepted by you, compassionate as you are.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.103.15)

अतो बन्धुभिरुत्सृष्टमनाथं परिपालय ॥ अस्मै सम्यक्सतां मार्गमुपदेष्टुं त्वमर्हसि

ato bandhubhirutsṛṣṭamanāthaṁ paripālaya asmai samyaksatāṁ mārgamupadeṣṭuṁ tvamarhasi

"Therefore, protect this orphan, abandoned by his kinsmen; you alone should teach him well the path of the virtuous."

Verse 16 (skanda.3.103.16)

इति प्रसादितो राज्ञ्या शिवयोगी महामतिः ॥ तस्मै राजकुमाराय सन्मार्गमुपदिष्टवान्

iti prasādito rājñyā śivayogī mahāmatiḥ tasmai rājakumārāya sanmārgamupadiṣṭavān

Thus entreated by the queen, that wise Shiva-yogi taught the good path to that prince.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.103.17)

ऋषभ उवाच ॥ श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणेषु प्रोक्तो धर्मः सनातनः ॥ वर्णाश्रमानुरूपेण निषेव्यः सर्वदा जनैः

ṛṣabha uvāca śrutismṛtipurāṇeṣu prokto dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ varṇāśramānurūpeṇa niṣevyaḥ sarvadā janaiḥ

Rishabha said: "The eternal dharma declared in the shruti, smriti and puranas should always be observed by people according to their caste and stage of life.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.103.18)

भज वत्स सतां मार्गं सदेव चरितं चर ॥ न देवाज्ञां विलंघेथा मा कार्षीर्देवहेलनम्

bhaja vatsa satāṁ mārgaṁ sadeva caritaṁ cara na devājñāṁ vilaṁghethā mā kārṣīrdevahelanam

"Follow the path of the virtuous, my child; act as the good act. Do not transgress the command of the gods; do not show disrespect to them.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.103.19)

गोदेवगुरुविप्रेषु भक्तिमान्भव सर्वदा ॥ चांडालमपि संप्राप्तं सदा संभावयातिथिम्

godevaguruvipreṣu bhaktimānbhava sarvadā cāṁḍālamapi saṁprāptaṁ sadā saṁbhāvayātithim

"Always be devoted to the cow, the gods, the guru, and brahmins; honor even a chandala, should he come as a guest.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.103.20)

सत्यं न त्यज सर्वत्र प्राप्तेऽपि प्राणसंकटे ॥ गोब्राह्मणानां रक्षार्थमसत्यं त्वं वद क्वचित्

satyaṁ na tyaja sarvatra prāpte'pi prāṇasaṁkaṭe gobrāhmaṇānāṁ rakṣārthamasatyaṁ tvaṁ vada kvacit

"Never abandon truth anywhere, even when your life is in danger; yet, for the protection of a cow or a brahmin, you may on occasion speak an untruth.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.103.21)

परस्वेषु परस्त्रीषु देवब्राह्मण वस्तुषु ॥ तृष्णां त्यज महाबाहो दुर्लभेष्वपि वस्तुषु

parasveṣu parastrīṣu devabrāhmaṇa vastuṣu tṛṣṇāṁ tyaja mahābāho durlabheṣvapi vastuṣu

"For another's wealth, another's wife, and the possessions of gods and brahmins, abandon craving, O mighty-armed one, even for things hard to obtain.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.103.22)

सत्कथायां सदाचारे सद्व्रते च सदागमे ॥ धर्मादिसंग्रहे नित्यं तृष्णां कुरु महामते

satkathāyāṁ sadācāre sadvrate ca sadāgame dharmādisaṁgrahe nityaṁ tṛṣṇāṁ kuru mahāmate

"For good stories, good conduct, good vows, and good scriptural tradition, and for the constant gathering of dharma and the like, cultivate craving, O great-minded one.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.103.23)

स्नाने जपे च होमे च स्वाध्याये पितृतर्पणे ॥ गोदेवातिथिपूजासु निरालस्यो भवानघ

snāne jape ca home ca svādhyāye pitṛtarpaṇe godevātithipūjāsu nirālasyo bhavānagha

"In bathing, japa, fire-offerings, self-study, ancestor-offerings, and in worship of the cow, gods, and guests, be free of laziness, O sinless one.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.103.24)

क्रोधं द्वेषं भयं शाठ्यं पैशुन्य मसदाग्रहम् ॥ कौटिल्यं दंभमुद्वेगं यत्नेन परिवर्जय

krodhaṁ dveṣaṁ bhayaṁ śāṭhyaṁ paiśunya masadāgraham kauṭilyaṁ daṁbhamudvegaṁ yatnena parivarjaya

"Anger, hatred, fear, deceit, malice, unrighteous obstinacy, crookedness, hypocrisy, and agitation, avoid these with effort.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.103.25)

क्षात्रधर्मरतोऽपि त्वं वृथा हिंसां परित्यज ॥ शुष्कवैरं वृथालापं परनिदां च वर्जय

kṣātradharmarato'pi tvaṁ vṛthā hiṁsāṁ parityaja śuṣkavairaṁ vṛthālāpaṁ paranidāṁ ca varjaya

"Even devoted to the duty of a kshatriya, abandon needless violence; avoid pointless enmity, idle talk, and speaking ill of others.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.103.26)

मृगया द्यूतपानेषु स्त्रीषु स्त्रीविजितेषु च ॥ अत्याहारमतिक्रोधमतिनिद्रामतिश्रमम्

mṛgayā dyūtapāneṣu strīṣu strīvijiteṣu ca atyāhāramatikrodhamatinidrāmatiśramam

"In hunting, gambling, drinking, women, and being conquered by women, avoid excessive eating, excessive anger, excessive sleep, and excessive exertion,

Verse 27 (skanda.3.103.27)

अत्यालापमतिक्रीडां सर्वदा परिवर्जय

atyālāpamatikrīḍāṁ sarvadā parivarjaya

"excessive talking and excessive sport, at all times.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.103.28)

अतिविद्यामतिश्रद्धामतिपुण्यमतिस्मृतिम् ॥ अत्युत्साहमतिख्यातिमतिधैर्यं च साधय

atividyāmatiśraddhāmatipuṇyamatismṛtim atyutsāhamatikhyātimatidhairyaṁ ca sādhaya

"Cultivate excessive learning, excessive faith, excessive merit, excellent memory, excessive enthusiasm, excellent renown, and excellent fortitude.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.103.29)

सकामो निजदारेषु सक्रोधो निज शत्रुषु ॥ सलोभः पुण्यनिचये साभ्यसूयो ह्यधर्मिषु

sakāmo nijadāreṣu sakrodho nija śatruṣu salobhaḥ puṇyanicaye sābhyasūyo hyadharmiṣu

"Be passionate toward your own wife, angry toward your own enemies, greedy in accumulating merit, and indeed jealous toward the unrighteous.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.103.30)

सद्वेषो भव पाखण्डे सरागः सज्जनेषु च ॥ दुर्बोधो भव दुर्मंत्रे बधिरः पिशुनोक्तिषु

sadveṣo bhava pākhaṇḍe sarāgaḥ sajjaneṣu ca durbodho bhava durmaṁtre badhiraḥ piśunoktiṣu

"Be hostile to heresy, but affectionate toward the good; be slow to grasp evil counsel, and deaf to slanderous speech.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.103.31)

धूर्त्तं चंडं शठं क्रूरं कितवं चपलं खलम् ॥ पतितं नास्तिकं जिह्मं दूरतः परिवर्जय

dhūrttaṁ caṁḍaṁ śaṭhaṁ krūraṁ kitavaṁ capalaṁ khalam patitaṁ nāstikaṁ jihmaṁ dūrataḥ parivarjaya

"A rogue, a violent man, a deceiver, a cruel man, a gambler, a fickle man, a wicked man, a fallen man, an atheist, and a crooked man, avoid these from afar.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.103.32)

आत्मप्रशंसा मा कार्षीः परिज्ञातेंगितो भव ॥ धने सर्वकुटुंबे च नात्यासक्तः सदा भव

ātmapraśaṁsā mā kārṣīḥ parijñāteṁgito bhava dhane sarvakuṭuṁbe ca nātyāsaktaḥ sadā bhava

"Do not praise yourself; know the intentions of others. Do not become excessively attached to wealth or to your whole family.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.103.33)

पत्न्याः पतिव्रतायाश्च जनन्याः श्वशुरस्य च ॥ सतां गुरोश्च वचने विश्वासं कुरु सर्वदा

patnyāḥ pativratāyāśca jananyāḥ śvaśurasya ca satāṁ gurośca vacane viśvāsaṁ kuru sarvadā

"Always place your trust in the words of your chaste wife, your mother, your father-in-law, the virtuous, and your guru.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.103.34)

आत्मरक्षापरो नित्यमप्रमत्तो दृढव्रतः ॥ विश्वासं नैव कुर्वीथाः स्वभृत्येष्वपि कुत्र चित्

ātmarakṣāparo nityamapramatto dṛḍhavrataḥ viśvāsaṁ naiva kurvīthāḥ svabhṛtyeṣvapi kutra cit

"Ever intent on self-protection, heedful, firm in your vows, never place complete trust anywhere, even in your own servants.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.103.35)

विश्वस्तं मा वधीः कंचिदपि चोरं महामते ॥ अपापेषु न शंकेथाः सत्यान्न चलितो भव

viśvastaṁ mā vadhīḥ kaṁcidapi coraṁ mahāmate apāpeṣu na śaṁkethāḥ satyānna calito bhava

"Never slay one who trusts you, even if he be a thief, O great-minded one; do not suspect the innocent, and never waver from truth.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.103.36)

अनाथं कृपणं वृद्धं स्त्रियं बालं निरागसम् ॥ परिरक्ष धनैः प्राणैर्बुद्ध्या शक्त्या बलेन च

anāthaṁ kṛpaṇaṁ vṛddhaṁ striyaṁ bālaṁ nirāgasam parirakṣa dhanaiḥ prāṇairbuddhyā śaktyā balena ca

"Protect the orphan, the wretched, the aged, the woman, the child, and the guiltless, with wealth, with your very life, with intellect, with strength, and with power.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.103.37)

अपि शत्रुं वधस्यार्हं मा वधीः शरणागतम् ॥ अप्यपात्रं सुपात्रं वा नीचो वापि महत्तमः

api śatruṁ vadhasyārhaṁ mā vadhīḥ śaraṇāgatam apyapātraṁ supātraṁ vā nīco vāpi mahattamaḥ

"Even an enemy deserving death, if he has taken refuge with you, do not slay him; whether unworthy or worthy, whether lowly or great,

Verse 38 (skanda.3.103.38)

यो वा को वापि याचेत तस्मै देहि शिरोपि च ॥ अपि यत्नेन महता कीर्तिमेव सदार्जय

yo vā ko vāpi yāceta tasmai dehi śiropi ca api yatnena mahatā kīrtimeva sadārjaya

"whoever asks you for anything, give even your own head to him; strive with great effort to acquire renown alone.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.103.39)

राज्ञां च विदुषां चैव कीर्तिरेव हि भूषणम् ॥ सत्कीर्तिप्रभवा लक्ष्मीः पुण्यं सत्कीर्तिसंभवम्

rājñāṁ ca viduṣāṁ caiva kīrtireva hi bhūṣaṇam satkīrtiprabhavā lakṣmīḥ puṇyaṁ satkīrtisaṁbhavam

"For kings and for the learned, renown alone is their true ornament; good fortune springs from good renown, and merit arises from good renown.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.103.40)

सत्कीर्त्या राजते लोकश्चंद्रश्चंद्रिकया न्यथा ॥ गजाश्वहेमनिचयं रत्नराशिं नगोपमम्

satkīrtyā rājate lokaścaṁdraścaṁdrikayā nyathā gajāśvahemanicayaṁ ratnarāśiṁ nagopamam

"As the moon shines by moonlight, and not otherwise, so the world shines by good renown; hoards of elephants, horses and gold, and heaps of jewels vast as mountains,

Verse 41 (skanda.3.103.41)

अकीर्त्योपहतं सर्वं तृणवन्मुंच सत्वरम् ॥ मातुः कोपं पितुः कोपं गुरोः कोपं धनव्य यम्

akīrtyopahataṁ sarvaṁ tṛṇavanmuṁca satvaram mātuḥ kopaṁ pituḥ kopaṁ guroḥ kopaṁ dhanavya yam

"if struck by ill repute, abandon all of it swiftly as if it were straw. The anger of a mother, the anger of a father, the anger of a guru, and the loss of wealth,

Verse 42 (skanda.3.103.42)

पुत्राणामपराधं च ब्राह्मणानां क्षमस्व भोः ॥ यथा द्विजप्रसादः स्यात्तथा तेषां हितं चर

putrāṇāmaparādhaṁ ca brāhmaṇānāṁ kṣamasva bhoḥ yathā dvijaprasādaḥ syāttathā teṣāṁ hitaṁ cara

"and the offense of your sons, and of brahmins, forgive, sir; act for their benefit in whatever way pleases the twice-born.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.103.43)

राजानं संकटे मग्नमुद्धरेयुर्द्विजोत्तमा ॥ आयुर्यशो बलं सौख्यं धनं पुण्यं प्रजोन्नतिः

rājānaṁ saṁkaṭe magnamuddhareyurdvijottamā āyuryaśo balaṁ saukhyaṁ dhanaṁ puṇyaṁ prajonnatiḥ

"Excellent brahmins alone can rescue a king sunk in calamity; longevity, fame, strength, happiness, wealth, merit, and the prosperity of one's offspring,

Verse 44 (skanda.3.103.44)

कर्मणा येन जायेत तत्सेव्यं भवता सदा ॥ देशं कालं च शक्तिं च कार्यं चा कार्यमेव च

karmaṇā yena jāyeta tatsevyaṁ bhavatā sadā deśaṁ kālaṁ ca śaktiṁ ca kāryaṁ cā kāryameva ca

"whatever deed brings these about, that should always be followed by you; place and time and capability, and what is to be done and what is not to be done,

Verse 45 (skanda.3.103.45)

सम्यग्विचार्य यत्नेन कुरु कार्यं च सर्वदा ॥ न कुर्याः कस्यचिद्बाधां परबाधां निवारय

samyagvicārya yatnena kuru kāryaṁ ca sarvadā na kuryāḥ kasyacidbādhāṁ parabādhāṁ nivāraya

"having well considered with effort, always perform your duty; cause harm to no one, and prevent harm from others.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.103.46)

चोरान्दुष्टांश्च बाधेथाः सुनीत्या शक्तिमत्तया ॥ स्नाने जपे च होमे च दैवे पित्र्ये च कर्मणि

corānduṣṭāṁśca bādhethāḥ sunītyā śaktimattayā snāne jape ca home ca daive pitrye ca karmaṇi

"Restrain thieves and the wicked through proper policy and strength; in bathing, japa, fire-offerings, and in rites for the gods and ancestors,

Verse 47 (skanda.3.103.47)

अत्वरो भव निद्रायां भोजने भव सत्वरः ॥ दाक्षिण्ययुक्तमशठं सत्यं जनमनोहरम्

atvaro bhava nidrāyāṁ bhojane bhava satvaraḥ dākṣiṇyayuktamaśaṭhaṁ satyaṁ janamanoharam

"be unhurried; but in sleep be quick, and likewise in eating. Speak words that are courteous, sincere, truthful, and pleasing to people,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.103.48)

अल्पाक्षरमनंतार्थं वाक्यं ब्रूहि महामते॥ अभीतो भव सर्वत्र विपक्षेषु विपत्सु च

alpākṣaramanaṁtārthaṁ vākyaṁ brūhi mahāmate abhīto bhava sarvatra vipakṣeṣu vipatsu ca

"few in syllables but boundless in meaning, O great-minded one. Be fearless everywhere, toward opponents and in calamities.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.103.49)

भीतो भव ब्रह्मकुले न पापे गुरुशासने ॥ ज्ञातिबंधुषु विप्रेषु भार्यासु तनयेषु च

bhīto bhava brahmakule na pāpe guruśāsane jñātibaṁdhuṣu vipreṣu bhāryāsu tanayeṣu ca

"Be fearful of offending a brahmin family, of sin, and of your guru's command; toward kinsmen and relatives, brahmins, your wife, and your sons,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.103.50)

समभावेन वर्तेथास्तथा भोजनपंक्तिषु ॥ सतां हितोपदेशेषु तथा पुण्य कथासु च

samabhāvena vartethāstathā bhojanapaṁktiṣu satāṁ hitopadeśeṣu tathā puṇya kathāsu ca

"act with an equal disposition, and likewise at rows of dining; in beneficial teachings of the virtuous, and in sacred discourses,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.103.51)

विद्यागोष्ठीषु धर्म्यासु क्वचिन्मा भूः पराङ्मुखः ॥ शुचौ पुण्यजलस्यांते प्रख्याते ब्रह्मसंकुले

vidyāgoṣṭhīṣu dharmyāsu kvacinmā bhūḥ parāṅmukhaḥ śucau puṇyajalasyāṁte prakhyāte brahmasaṁkule

"and in learned gatherings on dharma, never turn your face away. In a pure place, at the confluence of sacred waters, in a renowned assembly of brahmins,

Verse 52 (skanda.3.103.52)

महादेशे शिवमये वस्तव्यं भवता सदा ॥ कुलटा गणिका यत्र यत्र तिष्ठति कामुकः

mahādeśe śivamaye vastavyaṁ bhavatā sadā kulaṭā gaṇikā yatra yatra tiṣṭhati kāmukaḥ

"you should always dwell in a great, Shiva-filled land; wherever an unchaste woman, a courtesan, or a lecher resides,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.103.53)

दुर्देशे नीचसंबाधे कदाचिदपि मा वस ॥ एकमेवाश्रितोपि त्वं शिवं त्रिभुवनेश्वरम्

durdeśe nīcasaṁbādhe kadācidapi mā vasa ekamevāśritopi tvaṁ śivaṁ tribhuvaneśvaram

"in such an evil, low and crowded place, never dwell, even for a moment. Though you take refuge in Shiva alone, lord of the three worlds,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.103.54)

सर्वान्देवानुपासीथास्तद्दिनानि च मानयन् ॥ सदा शुचिः सदा दक्षः सदा शांतः सदा स्थिरः

sarvāndevānupāsīthāstaddināni ca mānayan sadā śuciḥ sadā dakṣaḥ sadā śāṁtaḥ sadā sthiraḥ

"you should worship all the gods too, honoring their respective days; be ever pure, ever capable, ever tranquil, ever steadfast,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.103.55)

सदा विजित षड्वर्गः सदैकांतो भवानघ ॥ विप्रान्वेदविदः शांतान्यतींश्च नियतोज्वलान्

sadā vijita ṣaḍvargaḥ sadaikāṁto bhavānagha viprānvedavidaḥ śāṁtānyatīṁśca niyatojvalān

"ever victorious over the six enemies, ever devoted single-mindedly, O sinless one. Brahmins knowing the Vedas, tranquil ascetics of disciplined radiance,

Verse 56 (skanda.3.103.56)

युग्मम् ॥ पुण्यवृक्षान्पुण्यनदीः पुण्यतीर्थं महत्सरः ॥ धेनुं च वृषभं रत्नं युवतीं च पतिव्रताम्

yugmam puṇyavṛkṣānpuṇyanadīḥ puṇyatīrthaṁ mahatsaraḥ dhenuṁ ca vṛṣabhaṁ ratnaṁ yuvatīṁ ca pativratām

"sacred trees, sacred rivers, a sacred ford, a great lake, a cow and a bull, a jewel, and a young woman devoted to her husband,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.103.57)

आत्मनो गृहदेवांश्च सहसैव नमस्कुरु ॥ उत्थाय समये ब्राह्मे स्वाचम्य विमलाशयः

ātmano gṛhadevāṁśca sahasaiva namaskuru utthāya samaye brāhme svācamya vimalāśayaḥ

"and your household deities, bow to them all at once. Rising in the Brahma-hour, having rinsed your mouth, with pure intent,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.103.58)

नमस्कृत्यात्मगुरुवे ध्यात्वा देवमुमापतिम्॥ नारायणं च लक्ष्मीशं ब्रह्माणं च विनायकम्

namaskṛtyātmaguruve dhyātvā devamumāpatim nārāyaṇaṁ ca lakṣmīśaṁ brahmāṇaṁ ca vināyakam

"having bowed to your own guru, having meditated on the Lord, husband of Uma, on Narayana, lord of Lakshmi, on Brahma, and on Vinayaka,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.103.59)

स्कन्दं कात्यायनीं देवीं महालक्ष्मीं सरस्वतीम् ॥ इन्द्रादीनथ लोकेशान्पुण्यश्लोकानृषीनपि

skandaṁ kātyāyanīṁ devīṁ mahālakṣmīṁ sarasvatīm indrādīnatha lokeśānpuṇyaślokānṛṣīnapi

"on Skanda, on the goddess Katyayani, on Mahalakshmi, on Sarasvati, and then on Indra and the other guardians of the world, and on the sages of sacred renown,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.103.60)

चिंतयित्वाथ मार्त्तंडमुद्यंतं प्रणमेत्सदा ॥ गंधं पुष्पं च तांबूलं शाकं पक्वफलादिकम्

ciṁtayitvātha mārttaṁḍamudyaṁtaṁ praṇametsadā gaṁdhaṁ puṣpaṁ ca tāṁbūlaṁ śākaṁ pakvaphalādikam

"having thought of them, then always bow to the rising sun. Offer fragrance, flowers, betel, vegetables, ripe fruits and the like

Verse 61 (skanda.3.103.61)

शिवाय दत्त्वोपभुंक्ष्व भक्ष्यं भोज्यं प्रियं नवम् ॥ यद्दत्तं यत्कृतं जप्तं यत्स्नातं यद्धुतं स्मृतम्

śivāya dattvopabhuṁkṣva bhakṣyaṁ bhojyaṁ priyaṁ navam yaddattaṁ yatkṛtaṁ japtaṁ yatsnātaṁ yaddhutaṁ smṛtam

"to Shiva, and only then enjoy delightful new food and dishes yourself. Whatever is given, whatever is done, whatever is recited, whatever bathing is performed, whatever is offered in fire, whatever is remembered,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.103.62)

यच्च तप्तं तपः सर्वं तच्छिवाय निवेदय॥ भुंजानश्च पठन्वापि शयानो विहरन्नपि ॥ पश्यञ्छृण्न्ववदन्गृह्णञ्छिवमेवानुचिंतय

yacca taptaṁ tapaḥ sarvaṁ tacchivāya nivedaya bhuṁjānaśca paṭhanvāpi śayāno viharannapi paśyañchṛṇnvavadangṛhṇañchivamevānuciṁtaya

"and whatever austerity is performed, offer all of it to Shiva. Whether eating, or reading, or lying down, or wandering about, whether seeing, hearing, speaking, or grasping, meditate always on Shiva alone.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.103.63)

रुद्राक्षकंकणलसत्करदंडयुग्मो मालांतरालधृतभस्म सितत्रिपुंडूः ॥ पंचाक्षरं परिपठन्परमंत्रराजं ध्यायन्सदा पशुपतेश्चरणं रमेथाः

rudrākṣakaṁkaṇalasatkaradaṁḍayugmo mālāṁtarāladhṛtabhasma sitatripuṁḍūḥ paṁcākṣaraṁ paripaṭhanparamaṁtrarājaṁ dhyāyansadā paśupateścaraṇaṁ ramethāḥ

"With rudraksha bracelets gleaming on your two hands and arms, wearing sacred ash and the white tripundra mark amid your rosary, reciting always the five-syllabled mantra, the king of mantras, meditating ever, delight in the feet of Pashupati.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.103.64)

इति संक्षेपतो वत्स कथितो धर्मसंग्रहः ॥ अन्येषु च पुराणेषु विस्तरेण प्रकीर्तितः

iti saṁkṣepato vatsa kathito dharmasaṁgrahaḥ anyeṣu ca purāṇeṣu vistareṇa prakīrtitaḥ

"Thus, my child, has the compendium of dharma been told to you in brief; it has been proclaimed at length in other puranas as well.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.103.65)

अथापरं सर्वपुराणगुह्यं निःशेषपापौघहरं पवित्रम्॥ जयप्रदं सर्वविपद्विमोचनं वक्ष्यामि शैवं कवचं हिताय ते

athāparaṁ sarvapurāṇaguhyaṁ niḥśeṣapāpaughaharaṁ pavitram jayapradaṁ sarvavipadvimocanaṁ vakṣyāmi śaivaṁ kavacaṁ hitāya te

"Now I shall further declare, for your benefit, the Shaiva armor, the secret of all the puranas, pure, destroying every flood of sin, bestowing victory, and liberating from all calamities."