The Glory of Sitasaras and the Freeing of Indra

Verse 1 (skanda.3.11.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । पापनाशे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापनिबर्हणे । ततः सीतासरो गच्छेत्स्नातुं नियमपूर्वकम्

śrīsūta uvāca pāpanāśe naraḥ snātvā sarvapāpanibarhaṇe tataḥ sītāsaro gacchetsnātuṁ niyamapūrvakam

Shri Suta said: A man, having bathed at Papanasha, the destroyer of all sins, should then go to Sitasaras, to bathe with due observance.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.11.2)

यानि कानि च पुण्यानि ब्रह्मांडांतर्गतानि वै । तानि गंगादितीर्थानि स्वपापपरिशुद्धये

yāni kāni ca puṇyāni brahmāṁḍāṁtargatāni vai tāni gaṁgāditīrthāni svapāpapariśuddhaye

Whatever meritorious places there are within the universe, those fords beginning with the Ganga, for the purification of one's own sin,

Verse 3 (skanda.3.11.3)

सीतासरसि वर्तंते महापातकनाशने । क्षेत्राण्यपि महार्हाणि काश्यादीनि दिवानिशम्

sītāsarasi vartaṁte mahāpātakanāśane kṣetrāṇyapi mahārhāṇi kāśyādīni divāniśam

— abide within Sitasaras, the destroyer of great sins; and the greatly venerable sacred fields too, beginning with Kashi, day and night —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.11.4)

सीतासरोत्र सेवंते स्वस्वकल्मषशांतये । तस्याः सरसि संगीतगुणेनाकृष्य बालिशः

sītāsarotra sevaṁte svasvakalmaṣaśāṁtaye tasyāḥ sarasi saṁgītaguṇenākṛṣya bāliśaḥ

— serve this Sitasaras, for the pacification of their own respective impurities. Drawn by the charm of the music at her lake, the guileless one —

Verse 5 (skanda.3.11.5)

पंचाननोऽपि वसते पंचपातकनाशनः । तदेतत्तीर्थमागत्य स्नात्वा वै श्रद्धया सह । पुरंदरः पुरा विप्रा मुमुचे ब्रह्महत्यया

paṁcānano'pi vasate paṁcapātakanāśanaḥ tadetattīrthamāgatya snātvā vai śraddhayā saha puraṁdaraḥ purā viprā mumuce brahmahatyayā

— the five-faced one too dwells there, the destroyer of the five great sins. Coming to this very ford, and bathing there with faith, Purandara (Indra), O brahmins, was long ago freed from the sin of brahmin-slaying.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.11.6)

ऋषय ऊचुः । ब्रह्महत्या कथमभूद्वासवस्य पुरा मुने । सीतासरसि स्नानात्कथं मुक्तोऽभवत्तया

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ brahmahatyā kathamabhūdvāsavasya purā mune sītāsarasi snānātkathaṁ mukto'bhavattayā

The sages said: How did the sin of brahmin-slaying come upon Vasava (Indra) long ago, O sage? And how was he freed from it by bathing at Sitasaras?

Verse 7 (skanda.3.11.7)

श्रीसूत उवाच । कपालाभरणोनाम राक्षसोऽभूत्पुरा द्विजाः

śrīsūta uvāca kapālābharaṇonāma rākṣaso'bhūtpurā dvijāḥ

Shri Suta said: O brahmins, long ago there was a rakshasa named Kapalabharana.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.11.8)

अवध्यः सर्वदेवानां सोऽभवद्ब्रह्मणो वरात् । शवभक्षणनामा तु तस्यासीन्मंत्रिसत्तमः

avadhyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ so'bhavadbrahmaṇo varāt śavabhakṣaṇanāmā tu tasyāsīnmaṁtrisattamaḥ

By Brahma's boon, he became unslayable by all the gods. And his foremost minister was one named Shavabhakshana.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.11.9)

अक्षौहिणीशतं तस्य हयेभरथसंकुलम् । अस्ति तस्य पुरं चापि वैजयंतमिति श्रुतम्

akṣauhiṇīśataṁ tasya hayebharathasaṁkulam asti tasya puraṁ cāpi vaijayaṁtamiti śrutam

He had a hundred akshauhinis of army, crowded with horses, elephants, and chariots; and he had a city, known by the name Vaijayanta.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.11.10)

वसत्यस्मिन्पुरे सोऽयं कपालाभरणो बली । शवभक्षं समाहूय बभाषे मंत्रिणं द्विजाः

vasatyasminpure so'yaṁ kapālābharaṇo balī śavabhakṣaṁ samāhūya babhāṣe maṁtriṇaṁ dvijāḥ

O brahmins, this mighty Kapalabharana, dwelling in this city, summoned his minister Shavabhaksha and said:

Verse 11 (skanda.3.11.11)

शवभक्ष महावीर्य मंत्रशास्त्रेषु कोविद । वयं देवपुरीं गत्वा विनिर्जित्य सुरान्रणे

śavabhakṣa mahāvīrya maṁtraśāstreṣu kovida vayaṁ devapurīṁ gatvā vinirjitya surānraṇe

"O Shavabhaksha, of great valor, skilled in the science of counsel, let us go to the city of the gods and, having conquered the gods in battle,

Verse 12 (skanda.3.11.12)

शक्रस्य भवने रम्ये स्थास्यामस्सैनिकैः सह । रमावो नंदने तस्य रंभाद्यप्सरसां गणैः

śakrasya bhavane ramye sthāsyāmassainikaiḥ saha ramāvo naṁdane tasya raṁbhādyapsarasāṁ gaṇaiḥ

— dwell in Indra's delightful abode, together with our soldiers; we shall sport in his Nandana garden with the hosts of apsarases headed by Rambha."

Verse 13 (skanda.3.11.13)

कपालाभरणस्येदं निशम्य वचनं तदा । शवभक्षोऽब्रवीद्विप्रा वचस्तत्र तथास्त्विति

kapālābharaṇasyedaṁ niśamya vacanaṁ tadā śavabhakṣo'bravīdviprā vacastatra tathāstviti

Hearing this word of Kapalabharana, Shavabhaksha, O brahmins, then said the word, "So be it," in reply.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.11.14)

ततः कपालाभरणः पुत्रं दुर्मेधसं बली । प्रतिष्ठाप्य पुरे शूरं सेनया परिवारितः

tataḥ kapālābharaṇaḥ putraṁ durmedhasaṁ balī pratiṣṭhāpya pure śūraṁ senayā parivāritaḥ

Then that mighty Kapalabharana, having installed his heroic son Durmedhas in the city, surrounded by his army,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.11.15)

युयुत्सुरमरैः साकं प्रययावमरावतीम् । गजाश्वरथपादातैरुद्धतै रेणुसंचयैः

yuyutsuramaraiḥ sākaṁ prayayāvamarāvatīm gajāśvarathapādātairuddhatai reṇusaṁcayaiḥ

— desiring battle with the immortals, set out for Amaravati, with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, raising vast clouds of dust,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.11.16)

शोषयञ्जलधीन्सिंधूंश्चूर्णयन्पर्वतानपि । निःसाणध्वनिना विप्रा नादयन्रोदसी तथा

śoṣayañjaladhīnsiṁdhūṁścūrṇayanparvatānapi niḥsāṇadhvaninā viprā nādayanrodasī tathā

— drying up the oceans and rivers, crushing even the mountains, O brahmins, with the sound of drums making heaven and earth resound,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.11.17)

अश्वानां हेषितरवैर्गजानामपि बृंहितैः । रथनेमिस्वनैरुग्रैः सिंहनादैः पदातिनाम्

aśvānāṁ heṣitaravairgajānāmapi bṛṁhitaiḥ rathanemisvanairugraiḥ siṁhanādaiḥ padātinām

— with the neighing of horses, and also the trumpeting of elephants, with the fierce sounds of chariot-wheels, with the lion-roars of the foot-soldiers,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.11.18)

श्रोत्राणि दिग्गजानां च वितन्वन्बधिराणि सः । अगमद्देवनगरीं युयुत्सुरमरैः सह

śrotrāṇi diggajānāṁ ca vitanvanbadhirāṇi saḥ agamaddevanagarīṁ yuyutsuramaraiḥ saha

— deafening the very ears of the elephants of the quarters, he, desiring battle, went to the city of the gods, together with the immortals awaiting him.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.11.19)

तत इन्द्रादयो देवाः सेनाकलकलध्वनिम् । श्रुत्वाभिनिर्य्ययुः पुर्या युद्धाभिमनसो द्विजाः

tata indrādayo devāḥ senākalakaladhvanim śrutvābhiniryyayuḥ puryā yuddhābhimanaso dvijāḥ

Then Indra and the other gods, O brahmins, hearing the tumultuous din of that army, their minds set on battle, sallied forth from their city.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.11.20)

ततो युद्धं समभवद्देवानां राक्षसैः सह । अदृष्टपूर्वं जगति तथैवाश्रुतपूर्वकम्

tato yuddhaṁ samabhavaddevānāṁ rākṣasaiḥ saha adṛṣṭapūrvaṁ jagati tathaivāśrutapūrvakam

Then a battle took place between the gods and the rakshasas, never before seen in the world, and likewise never before heard of.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.11.21)

तत इन्द्रादयो देवा राक्षसाञ्जघ्नुराहवे । राक्षसाश्च सुराञ्जघ्नुः समरे विजिगीषवः

tata indrādayo devā rākṣasāñjaghnurāhave rākṣasāśca surāñjaghnuḥ samare vijigīṣavaḥ

Then Indra and the other gods struck down the rakshasas in that combat, and the rakshasas, desiring victory, struck down the gods in that battle.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.11.22)

द्वन्द्वयुद्धं च समभूदन्योन्यं सुररक्षसाम् । कपालाभरणेनाजौ युयुधे बलवृत्रहा

dvandvayuddhaṁ ca samabhūdanyonyaṁ surarakṣasām kapālābharaṇenājau yuyudhe balavṛtrahā

And single combats took place between the gods and rakshasas, one against another. Indra, slayer of Bala and Vritra, fought in that battle against Kapalabharana.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.11.23)

यमेन शवभक्षश्च वरुणेन च कौशिकः । कुबेरो रुधिराक्षेण युयुधे ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः

yamena śavabhakṣaśca varuṇena ca kauśikaḥ kubero rudhirākṣeṇa yuyudhe brāhmaṇottamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, Shavabhaksha fought with Yama, Kaushika with Varuna, and Kubera fought with Rudhiraksha.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.11.24)

मांसप्रियो मद्यसेवी क्रूरदृष्टिर्भयावहः । चत्वार एते विक्रांताः कपालाभरणानुजाः

māṁsapriyo madyasevī krūradṛṣṭirbhayāvahaḥ catvāra ete vikrāṁtāḥ kapālābharaṇānujāḥ

Mansapriya, Madyasevi, Kruradrishti, and Bhayavaha — these four valiant ones were the younger brothers of Kapalabharana.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.11.25)

अश्विभ्यामग्निवायुभ्यां युद्धे युयुधिरे मिथः । ततो यमो महावीर्यः कालदण्डेन वेगवान्

aśvibhyāmagnivāyubhyāṁ yuddhe yuyudhire mithaḥ tato yamo mahāvīryaḥ kāladaṇḍena vegavān

They fought against the two Ashvins and Agni and Vayu, one against another. Then Yama, of great valor and swift, with his rod of time —

Verse 26 (skanda.3.11.26)

शवभक्षं निहत्याजावनयद्यमसादनम् । तस्य चाक्षौहिणीस्त्रिंशन्निजघ्ने समरे यमः

śavabhakṣaṁ nihatyājāvanayadyamasādanam tasya cākṣauhiṇīstriṁśannijaghne samare yamaḥ

— slaying Shavabhaksha in battle, brought him to Yama's abode. And Yama slew thirty akshauhinis of his army in that battle.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.11.27)

वरुणः कौशिकस्याजौ प्रासेन प्राहरच्छिरः । कुबेरो रुधिराक्षस्य कुन्तेनाभ्यहरच्छिरः

varuṇaḥ kauśikasyājau prāsena prāharacchiraḥ kubero rudhirākṣasya kuntenābhyaharacchiraḥ

Varuna, in that combat, struck off Kaushika's head with a spear. Kubera struck off Rudhiraksha's head with a lance.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.11.28)

अश्विभ्यामग्निवायुभ्यां कपालाभरणानुजाः । निहताः समरे विप्राः प्रययुर्यमसादनम्

aśvibhyāmagnivāyubhyāṁ kapālābharaṇānujāḥ nihatāḥ samare viprāḥ prayayuryamasādanam

O brahmins, the younger brothers of Kapalabharana, slain in battle by the two Ashvins, Agni, and Vayu, went to Yama's abode.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.11.29)

अक्षौहिणीशतं चापि देवेन्द्रेण मृधे द्विजाः । यामार्द्धेन हतं युद्धे प्रययौ यमसादनम्

akṣauhiṇīśataṁ cāpi devendreṇa mṛdhe dvijāḥ yāmārddhena hataṁ yuddhe prayayau yamasādanam

O brahmins, a hundred akshauhinis (of Kapalabharana's army) too, slain by the lord of gods in battle within half a yama, went to Yama's abode.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.11.30)

ततः कपालाभरणः प्रेक्ष्य सेनां निजां हताम् । चापमादाय निशिताञ्छरांश्चापि महाजवान्

tataḥ kapālābharaṇaḥ prekṣya senāṁ nijāṁ hatām cāpamādāya niśitāñcharāṁścāpi mahājavān

Then Kapalabharana, seeing his own army slain, taking up his bow, and sharp, swift arrows too,

Verse 31 (skanda.3.11.31)

अभ्ययात्समरे शक्रं तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् । ततः शक्रस्य शिरसि व्यधमच्छरपंचकैः

abhyayātsamare śakraṁ tiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābravīt tataḥ śakrasya śirasi vyadhamaccharapaṁcakaiḥ

— advanced against Indra in battle, crying "Stand, stand!" Then he struck Indra's head with five arrows.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.11.32)

तानप्राप्तान्प्रचिच्छेद शरैर्युद्धे स वृत्रहा । ततः शूलं समादाय कपालाभरणो मृधे

tānaprāptānpraciccheda śarairyuddhe sa vṛtrahā tataḥ śūlaṁ samādāya kapālābharaṇo mṛdhe

That slayer of Vritra cut those arrows apart with his own arrows before they could reach him. Then Kapalabharana, taking up his trident, in that battle,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.11.33)

देवेंद्राय प्रचिक्षेप तं शक्त्या निजघान सः । ततः कपालाभरणः शतहस्तायतां गदाम्

deveṁdrāya pracikṣepa taṁ śaktyā nijaghāna saḥ tataḥ kapālābharaṇaḥ śatahastāyatāṁ gadām

— hurled it at Indra; but Indra struck it down with his own weapon. Then Kapalabharana took up a mace, a hundred hastas in length,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.11.34)

आयसीं पंचसाहस्रतुलाभारेणनिर्मिताम् । आददे समरे शक्रं वक्षोदेशे जघान च

āyasīṁ paṁcasāhasratulābhāreṇanirmitām ādade samare śakraṁ vakṣodeśe jaghāna ca

— made of iron, weighing five thousand tulas, and, taking it up in that combat, struck Indra upon the chest.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.11.35)

ततः स मूर्च्छितः शक्रो रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् । मृतसंजीविनीं विद्यां जपित्वाथ बृहस्पतिः

tataḥ sa mūrcchitaḥ śakro rathopastha upāviśat mṛtasaṁjīvinīṁ vidyāṁ japitvātha bṛhaspatiḥ

Then Indra, having fainted, sank down upon his chariot-seat. Then Brihaspati, reciting the Mrita-sanjivini incantation —

Verse 36 (skanda.3.11.36)

पुलोमजापतिं युद्धे समजीवयदद्भुतम् । ऐरावतं तदारुह्य कपालाभरणांतिकम्

pulomajāpatiṁ yuddhe samajīvayadadbhutam airāvataṁ tadāruhya kapālābharaṇāṁtikam

— wondrously revived the husband of Puloma's daughter in that battle. Then, mounting Airavata, toward Kapalabharana,

Verse 37 (skanda.3.11.37)

आजगाम शचीभर्ता प्रहर्तुं कुलिशेन तम् । एकप्रहारेण तदा महेंद्रः पाकशासनः

ājagāma śacībhartā prahartuṁ kuliśena tam ekaprahāreṇa tadā maheṁdraḥ pākaśāsanaḥ

— the husband of Shachi came, to strike him with his thunderbolt. Then, with a single blow, mighty Indra, the punisher of Paka,

Verse 38 (skanda.3.11.38)

कपालाभरणं युद्धे वज्रेण सरथाश्वकम् । सचापं सध्वजं चैव सतूणीरं सवर्मकम्

kapālābharaṇaṁ yuddhe vajreṇa sarathāśvakam sacāpaṁ sadhvajaṁ caiva satūṇīraṁ savarmakam

— Kapalabharana in battle, with his thunderbolt, together with his chariot and horses, together with his bow, his banner, his quiver, and his armor,

Verse 39 (skanda.3.11.39)

चूर्णयामास कुपितस्तिलशः कणशस्तथा । हते तस्मिन्महावीरे कपालाभरणे रणे

cūrṇayāmāsa kupitastilaśaḥ kaṇaśastathā hate tasminmahāvīre kapālābharaṇe raṇe

— pulverized, in his rage, into pieces small as sesame and grain. When that great hero Kapalabharana had been slain in battle,

Verse 40 (skanda.3.11.40)

सुखं सर्वस्य लोकस्य बभूव चिरदुःखिनः । राक्षसस्य वधोत्पन्ना ब्रह्महत्या पुरंदरम् । अन्वधावत्तदा भीमा नादयंती दिशो दश

sukhaṁ sarvasya lokasya babhūva ciraduḥkhinaḥ rākṣasasya vadhotpannā brahmahatyā puraṁdaram anvadhāvattadā bhīmā nādayaṁtī diśo daśa

— happiness came to the entire world, long tormented. But the sin of brahmin-slaying, born of that rakshasa's death, pursued Purandara then, terrible, resounding through the ten directions.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.11.41)

ऋषय ऊचुः । न विप्रो राक्षसः सूत कपालाभरणो मुने । तत्कथं ब्रह्महत्येंद्रं तद्वधात्समुपाद्रवत्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ na vipro rākṣasaḥ sūta kapālābharaṇo mune tatkathaṁ brahmahatyeṁdraṁ tadvadhātsamupādravat

The sages said: O Suta, O sage, the rakshasa Kapalabharana was not a brahmin; how then did the sin of brahmin-slaying pursue Indra because of his death?

Verse 42 (skanda.3.11.42)

श्रीसूत उवाच । वक्ष्यामि परमं गुह्यं मुनींद्राः परमाद्भुतम्

śrīsūta uvāca vakṣyāmi paramaṁ guhyaṁ munīṁdrāḥ paramādbhutam

Shri Suta said: I shall tell, O lords of sages, this supremely secret, supremely wondrous matter.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.11.43)

शृणुत श्रद्धया यूयं समाधाय स्वमानसम् । पुरा विंध्यप्रदेशेषु त्रिवक्रो नाम राक्षसः

śṛṇuta śraddhayā yūyaṁ samādhāya svamānasam purā viṁdhyapradeśeṣu trivakro nāma rākṣasaḥ

Listen with faith, concentrating your minds. Long ago, in the regions of the Vindhyas, there was a rakshasa named Trivakra.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.11.44)

तस्य भार्या गुणोपेता सौंदर्यगुणशालिनी । सुशीला नाम सुश्रोणी सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

tasya bhāryā guṇopetā sauṁdaryaguṇaśālinī suśīlā nāma suśroṇī sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

His wife, endowed with virtue, adorned with the quality of beauty, named Sushila, fair-hipped, marked with every auspicious sign,

Verse 45 (skanda.3.11.45)

सा कदाचिन्मनोज्ञांगी सुवेषा चारुहासिनी । विंध्यपादवनोद्देशे विचचार विलासिनी

sā kadācinmanojñāṁgī suveṣā cāruhāsinī viṁdhyapādavanoddeśe vicacāra vilāsinī

— she, once, of lovely limbs, well-adorned, of charming smile, that playful woman, wandered in the forest region at the foot of the Vindhyas.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.11.46)

तस्मिन्वने शुचिर्नाम वर्ततेस्म महामुनिः । तपसमाधिसंयुक्तो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः

tasminvane śucirnāma vartatesma mahāmuniḥ tapasamādhisaṁyukto vedādhyayanatatparaḥ

In that forest dwelt a great sage named Shuchi, engaged in austerity and meditation, devoted to Vedic study.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.11.47)

तस्याश्रमसमीपं तु सा ययौ वरवर्णिनी । तां दृष्ट्वा स मुनिर्धैर्यं मुमोचानंगपीडितः । तामासाद्य वरारोहां बभाषे मुनिसत्तमः

tasyāśramasamīpaṁ tu sā yayau varavarṇinī tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sa munirdhairyaṁ mumocānaṁgapīḍitaḥ tāmāsādya varārohāṁ babhāṣe munisattamaḥ

That fair-complexioned woman came near his hermitage. Seeing her, that sage lost his composure, tormented by desire; approaching that lovely-limbed woman, that best of sages said:

Verse 48 (skanda.3.11.48)

शुचिरुवाच । ललने स्वागतं तेऽस्तु कस्य भार्या शुचिस्मिते

śuciruvāca lalane svāgataṁ te'stu kasya bhāryā śucismite

Shuchi said: "O lovely one, welcome to you; O sweetly-smiling one, whose wife are you?

Verse 49 (skanda.3.11.49)

किमागमनकृत्यं ते वनेऽस्मिन्नतिभीषणे । श्रांतासि त्वं वरारोहे वसास्मिन्नुटजे मम

kimāgamanakṛtyaṁ te vane'sminnatibhīṣaṇe śrāṁtāsi tvaṁ varārohe vasāsminnuṭaje mama

What purpose brings you to this most fearsome forest? You are weary, O lovely one; rest here in my hut.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.11.50)

तथोक्ता सा तु सुश्रोणी तं मुनिं प्रत्यभाषत । त्रिवक्ररक्षोभार्याहं सुशीला नामतो मुने

tathoktā sā tu suśroṇī taṁ muniṁ pratyabhāṣata trivakrarakṣobhāryāhaṁ suśīlā nāmato mune

Thus addressed, that fair-hipped woman replied to that sage: "O sage, I am Sushila by name, the wife of the rakshasa Trivakra.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.11.51)

पुष्पावचयकामेन वनमेतत्समागता । अपुत्राहं मुने भर्त्रा प्रेरिता पुत्रमिच्छता

puṣpāvacayakāmena vanametatsamāgatā aputrāhaṁ mune bhartrā preritā putramicchatā

I have come to this forest desiring to gather flowers. I am childless, O sage, sent by my husband, who desires a son.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.11.52)

शुचिं मुनिं समाराध्य तस्मात्पुत्रमवाप्नुहि । इति प्रतिसमादिष्टा पतिना त्वां समागता

śuciṁ muniṁ samārādhya tasmātputramavāpnuhi iti pratisamādiṣṭā patinā tvāṁ samāgatā

'Propitiate the sage Shuchi, and from him obtain a son' — thus instructed by my husband, I have come to you.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.11.53)

पुत्रमुत्पादय त्वं मे कृपां कुरु मुने मयि । एवमुक्तः स तु शुचिः सुशीलां तामभाषत

putramutpādaya tvaṁ me kṛpāṁ kuru mune mayi evamuktaḥ sa tu śuciḥ suśīlāṁ tāmabhāṣata

Beget a son for me; show me compassion, O sage." Thus addressed, that Shuchi said to Sushila:

Verse 54 (skanda.3.11.54)

शुचिरुवाच । त्वां दृष्ट्वा मम च प्रीतिः सुशीले विद्यतेऽधुना । मनोरथमहांभोधिं त्वमापूरय मामकम्

śuciruvāca tvāṁ dṛṣṭvā mama ca prītiḥ suśīle vidyate'dhunā manorathamahāṁbhodhiṁ tvamāpūraya māmakam

Shuchi said: "Seeing you, O Sushila, delight now arises in me. Fulfill this great ocean of my heart's desire."

Verse 55 (skanda.3.11.55)

इत्युक्त्वा स मुनिस्तत्र तया रेमे दिनत्रयम् । तामुवाच मुनिः प्रीतः सुशालां सुन्दराकृतिम्

ityuktvā sa munistatra tayā reme dinatrayam tāmuvāca muniḥ prītaḥ suśālāṁ sundarākṛtim

Having said this, that sage sported there with her for three days. That sage, pleased, said to that beautiful Sushila:

Verse 56 (skanda.3.11.56)

तवोदरे महावीर्यः कपालाभरणाभिधः । भविष्यति चिरं राज्यं पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम्

tavodare mahāvīryaḥ kapālābharaṇābhidhaḥ bhaviṣyati ciraṁ rājyaṁ pālayiṣyati medinīm

"In your womb shall be one of great valor, named Kapalabharana; he shall for a long time protect the kingdom and rule the earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.11.57)

सहस्रं वत्सरान्वत्सस्तपसा प्रीणयन्विधिम् । पुरंदरं विनान्येभ्यो देवेभ्यो नास्य वध्यता

sahasraṁ vatsarānvatsastapasā prīṇayanvidhim puraṁdaraṁ vinānyebhyo devebhyo nāsya vadhyatā

For a thousand years, that child, pleasing Brahma through austerity, shall not be slayable by any gods other than Purandara (Indra).

Verse 58 (skanda.3.11.58)

ईदृशस्ते सुतो भूयादिंद्रतुल्यपराक्रमः । इत्युक्त्वा स मुनिर्नारीं काशीं शिवपुरीं ययौ

īdṛśaste suto bhūyādiṁdratulyaparākramaḥ ityuktvā sa munirnārīṁ kāśīṁ śivapurīṁ yayau

May such a son of yours become, of prowess equal to Indra." Having said this, that sage went, leaving the woman, to Kashi, the city of Shiva.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.11.59)

सुशीला सापि सुषुवे कपालाभरणं सुतम् । तं जघान मृधे शक्रो वज्रेण मुनिपुंगवाः

suśīlā sāpi suṣuve kapālābharaṇaṁ sutam taṁ jaghāna mṛdhe śakro vajreṇa munipuṁgavāḥ

That Sushila too gave birth to her son Kapalabharana. O foremost of sages, that very one was slain in battle by Indra with his thunderbolt —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.11.60)

शुचेर्बीजसमुद्भूतं तमिंद्रो न्यवधीद्यतः । ततः पुरंदरः शक्रो जगृहे ब्रह्महत्यया

śucerbījasamudbhūtaṁ tamiṁdro nyavadhīdyataḥ tataḥ puraṁdaraḥ śakro jagṛhe brahmahatyayā

— since Indra had slain him, one born of the seed of Shuchi (a brahmin sage). Therefore Purandara, Indra, was seized by the sin of brahmin-slaying.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.11.61)

धावति स्म तदा शक्रः सर्वांल्लोकान्भयाकुलः । धावंतमनुधावंती ब्रह्महत्या तमन्वगात्

dhāvati sma tadā śakraḥ sarvāṁllokānbhayākulaḥ dhāvaṁtamanudhāvaṁtī brahmahatyā tamanvagāt

Then Indra, overcome with fear, ran through all the worlds. And the sin of brahmin-slaying, running after him as he ran, pursued him.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.11.62)

अनुद्रुतो हि विप्रेंद्राः शक्रोऽयं ब्रह्महत्यया । पितामहसदः प्राप संतप्तहृदयो भृशम्

anudruto hi vipreṁdrāḥ śakro'yaṁ brahmahatyayā pitāmahasadaḥ prāpa saṁtaptahṛdayo bhṛśam

O foremost of brahmins, thus pursued by the sin of brahmin-slaying, this Indra, his heart greatly tormented, reached the abode of the Grandsire (Brahma).

Verse 63 (skanda.3.11.63)

न्यवेदयद्ब्रह्महत्यां ब्रह्मणे स पुरंदरः । भगवँल्लोकनाथेयं ब्रह्महत्याति भीषणा

nyavedayadbrahmahatyāṁ brahmaṇe sa puraṁdaraḥ bhagava~llokanātheyaṁ brahmahatyāti bhīṣaṇā

That Purandara related the matter of the brahmahatya to Brahma: "O venerable lord of the worlds, this brahmin-slaying is most terrible;

Verse 64 (skanda.3.11.64)

बाधते मां प्रजानाथ तस्या नाशं ब्रवीहि मे । पुरंदरेणैवमुक्तो ब्रह्मा प्राह दिवस्पतिम्

bādhate māṁ prajānātha tasyā nāśaṁ bravīhi me puraṁdareṇaivamukto brahmā prāha divaspatim

— it torments me, O lord of creatures; tell me the means of its destruction." Thus addressed by Purandara, Brahma said to the lord of heaven:

Verse 65 (skanda.3.11.65)

ब्रह्मोवाच । सीताकुण्डं प्रयाहींद्र गंधमादनपर्वते । सीताकुण्डस्य तीरे त्वं इष्ट्वा यागैः सदाशिवम्

brahmovāca sītākuṇḍaṁ prayāhīṁdra gaṁdhamādanaparvate sītākuṇḍasya tīre tvaṁ iṣṭvā yāgaiḥ sadāśivam

Brahma said: "O Indra, go to Sitakunda on Mount Gandhamadana. On the bank of Sitakunda, having worshipped Sadashiva with sacrifices,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.11.66)

तस्मिन्सरसि च स्नायाः सर्वपापहरे शुभे । ततः पूतो भवेश्शक्र बह्महत्याविमोचितः

tasminsarasi ca snāyāḥ sarvapāpahare śubhe tataḥ pūto bhaveśśakra bahmahatyāvimocitaḥ

— bathe in that lake, the auspicious remover of all sin. Then, O Indra, you shall become pure, freed from the sin of brahmin-slaying,

Verse 67 (skanda.3.11.67)

देवलोकं पुनर्यायाः सर्वदुःखविवर्जितः । सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं सीताकुण्डं विमुक्तिदम्

devalokaṁ punaryāyāḥ sarvaduḥkhavivarjitaḥ sarvapāpaharaṁ puṇyaṁ sītākuṇḍaṁ vimuktidam

— and, free of all sorrow, shall return again to the world of the gods. Sitakunda, the remover of all sin, meritorious, the bestower of liberation,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.11.68)

महापातकसंघानां नाशकं परमामृतम् । सर्वदुःखप्रशमनं सर्वदारिद्र्यनाशनम्

mahāpātakasaṁghānāṁ nāśakaṁ paramāmṛtam sarvaduḥkhapraśamanaṁ sarvadāridryanāśanam

— the destroyer of multitudes of great sins, supreme nectar, the pacifier of all sorrow, the destroyer of all poverty,

Verse 69 (skanda.3.11.69)

धनधान्यप्रदं शुद्धं वैकुण्ठादिपदप्रदम् । तस्मात्तत्र कुरुष्वेष्टिं सीतासरसि वृत्रहन्

dhanadhānyapradaṁ śuddhaṁ vaikuṇṭhādipadapradam tasmāttatra kuruṣveṣṭiṁ sītāsarasi vṛtrahan

— the giver of wealth and grain, pure, the giver of the abode of Vaikuntha and the like. Therefore, O slayer of Vritra, perform sacrifice there at Sitasaras."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.11.70)

इत्युक्तः सुरराजोऽसौ प्रययौ गंधमादनम् । प्राप्य सीतासरो विप्राः स्नात्वेष्ट्वा च तदंतिके

ityuktaḥ surarājo'sau prayayau gaṁdhamādanam prāpya sītāsaro viprāḥ snātveṣṭvā ca tadaṁtike

Thus addressed, that king of the gods set out for Gandhamadana. O brahmins, reaching Sitasaras, having bathed and performed sacrifice there,

Verse 71 (skanda.3.11.71)

प्रययौ स्वपुरीं भूयो ब्रह्महत्याविमोचितः । एवं प्रभावं तत्तीर्थं सीतायाः कुण्डमुत्तमम्

prayayau svapurīṁ bhūyo brahmahatyāvimocitaḥ evaṁ prabhāvaṁ tattīrthaṁ sītāyāḥ kuṇḍamuttamam

— he returned again to his own city, freed from the sin of brahmin-slaying. Such is the power of that ford, the excellent Kunda of Sita.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.11.72)

राघवप्रत्ययार्थं हि प्रविश्य हुतवाहनम् । संनिधौ सर्वदेवानां मैथिली जनकात्मजा

rāghavapratyayārthaṁ hi praviśya hutavāhanam saṁnidhau sarvadevānāṁ maithilī janakātmajā

For the sake of proving her fidelity to Raghava, entering into the fire, in the presence of all the gods, Maithili, the daughter of Janaka,

Verse 73 (skanda.3.11.73)

विनिर्गता पुनर्वह्नेः स्थिता सर्वांगशोभना । निर्ममे लोकरक्षार्थं स्वनाम्ना तीर्थमुत्तमम्

vinirgatā punarvahneḥ sthitā sarvāṁgaśobhanā nirmame lokarakṣārthaṁ svanāmnā tīrthamuttamam

— emerged again from the fire, resplendent in every limb, and, for the protection of the world, created an excellent ford bearing her own name.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.11.74)

तत्र सस्नौ स्वयं सीता तेन सीतासरः स्मृतम् । तत्र यो मानवः स्नाति सर्वान्कामाँल्लभेत सः

tatra sasnau svayaṁ sītā tena sītāsaraḥ smṛtam tatra yo mānavaḥ snāti sarvānkāmā~llabheta saḥ

There Sita herself bathed, and hence it is remembered as Sitasaras. Whatever man bathes there obtains all his desires.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.11.75)

तस्मिन्नुपस्पृश्य नरो द्विजेंद्रा दत्त्वा च दानानि पृथग्विधानि । कृत्वा च यज्ञान्बहुदक्षिणाभिर्लोकं प्रयायात्परमेश्वरस्य

tasminnupaspṛśya naro dvijeṁdrā dattvā ca dānāni pṛthagvidhāni kṛtvā ca yajñānbahudakṣiṇābhirlokaṁ prayāyātparameśvarasya

O foremost of brahmins, a man, having touched (bathed in) that ford, and having given manifold kinds of gifts, and having performed sacrifices with abundant dakshina, goes to the world of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.11.76)

युष्माकमेवं प्रथितं मुनींद्राः सीतासरो वैभवमेतदुक्तम् । शृण्वन्पठन्वै तदिहैव भोगान्भुक्त्वा परत्रापि सुखं लभेत

yuṣmākamevaṁ prathitaṁ munīṁdrāḥ sītāsaro vaibhavametaduktam śṛṇvanpaṭhanvai tadihaiva bhogānbhuktvā paratrāpi sukhaṁ labheta

Thus, O lords of sages, this renowned glory of Sitasaras has been told to you. He who hears it or recites it enjoys pleasures here itself, and also obtains happiness in the world beyond.