The Glory of Shankha-tirtha and the Atonement of Vatsanabha's Ingratitude

Verse 1 (skanda.3.25.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच। शिवतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्महत्याविमोक्षणे। स्वपापजालशांत्यर्थं शंखतीर्थं ततो व्रजेत्

śrīsūta uvāca śivatīrthe naraḥ snātvā brahmahatyāvimokṣaṇe svapāpajālaśāṁtyarthaṁ śaṁkhatīrthaṁ tato vrajet

Suta said: A man, having bathed at Shiva-tirtha, the releaser from brahminicide, for the pacification of the net of his own sins, should then go to Shankha-tirtha,

Verse 2 (skanda.3.25.2)

यत्र मज्जनमात्रेण कृतघ्नोऽपि विमुच्यते। मातॄः पितॄन्गुरूंश्चापि ये न मन्यंति मोहिताः

yatra majjanamātreṇa kṛtaghno'pi vimucyate mātṝḥ pitṝngurūṁścāpi ye na manyaṁti mohitāḥ

where, by mere immersion, even the ungrateful is released. Those deluded ones who do not honour their mothers, fathers, and teachers,

Verse 3 (skanda.3.25.3)

ये चाप्यन्ये दुरात्मानः कृतघ्ना निरपत्रपाः। ते सर्वे शंखतीर्थे स्मिञ्छुद्ध्यंति स्नानमात्रतः

ye cāpyanye durātmānaḥ kṛtaghnā nirapatrapāḥ te sarve śaṁkhatīrthe smiñchuddhyaṁti snānamātrataḥ

and other evil-souled, ungrateful, shameless ones as well - all of them are purified at this Shankha-tirtha by mere bathing.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.25.4)

शंखनामा मुनिः पूर्वं गंधमादनपर्वते। अवर्तत तपः कुर्वन्विष्णुं ध्यायन्समाहितः

śaṁkhanāmā muniḥ pūrvaṁ gaṁdhamādanaparvate avartata tapaḥ kurvanviṣṇuṁ dhyāyansamāhitaḥ

Of old, a sage named Shankha dwelt on Mount Gandhamadana, performing austerity, meditating on Vishnu with a composed mind.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.25.5)

स तत्र कल्पयामास स्नानार्थं तीर्थमुत्तमम्। शंखेन निर्मितं तीर्थं शंखतीर्थमितीर्यते

sa tatra kalpayāmāsa snānārthaṁ tīrthamuttamam śaṁkhena nirmitaṁ tīrthaṁ śaṁkhatīrthamitīryate

He established there an excellent tirtha for bathing; made by Shankha, that tirtha is called Shankha-tirtha.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.25.6)

तत्र स्नात्वा सकृन्मर्त्यः कृतघ्नोऽपिविमुच्यते १। अत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्यामि पुराणं पापनाशनम्

tatra snātvā sakṛnmartyaḥ kṛtaghno'pivimucyate 1 atretihāsaṁ vakṣyāmi purāṇaṁ pāpanāśanam

Bathing there once, even an ungrateful mortal is released. Here I shall relate an ancient story, destroying sin,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.25.7)

यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण नरो मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्। पुरा बभूव विप्रेंद्रो वत्सनाभो महामुनिः

yasya śravaṇamātreṇa naro muktimavāpnuyāt purā babhūva vipreṁdro vatsanābho mahāmuniḥ

by the mere hearing of which a man attains liberation. Of old there was a foremost brahmin, a great sage named Vatsanabha,

Verse 8 (skanda.3.25.8)

सत्यवाञ्छीलवान्वाग्मी सर्वभूतदयापरः। शत्रुमित्रसमो दांतस्तपस्वी विजितेंद्रियः

satyavāñchīlavānvāgmī sarvabhūtadayāparaḥ śatrumitrasamo dāṁtastapasvī vijiteṁdriyaḥ

truthful, of good character, eloquent, devoted to compassion for all beings, equal to friend and foe alike, self-controlled, an ascetic, of conquered senses,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.25.9)

परब्रह्मणि निष्णातस्तत्त्वब्रह्मैकसंश्रयः। एवं प्रभावः स मुनिस्तपस्तेपे निजाश्रमे

parabrahmaṇi niṣṇātastattvabrahmaikasaṁśrayaḥ evaṁ prabhāvaḥ sa munistapastepe nijāśrame

accomplished in the Supreme Brahman, resorting solely to the truth of Brahman. Such was the power of that sage; he practised austerity in his own ashrama.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.25.10)

स वै निश्चलसर्वांगस्तिष्ठंस्तत्रैव भूतले। परमाण्वंतरं वापि न स्वस्थानाच्चचाल सः

sa vai niścalasarvāṁgastiṣṭhaṁstatraiva bhūtale paramāṇvaṁtaraṁ vāpi na svasthānāccacāla saḥ

He, with all his limbs motionless, remaining right there on the ground, did not move from his place even by the space of an atom.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.25.11)

स्थित्वैकत्र तपस्यंतमनेकशतवत्सरान्। तमाचकाम वल्मीकं छादितांगं चकार च

sthitvaikatra tapasyaṁtamanekaśatavatsarān tamācakāma valmīkaṁ chāditāṁgaṁ cakāra ca

Remaining fixed in one place, practising austerity for many hundreds of years, an anthill (valmika) grew over him and covered his body.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.25.12)

वल्मीकाक्रांतदेहोपि वत्सनाभो महामुनिः। अकरोत्तप एवासौ वल्मीकं न त्वबुद्ध्यत।

valmīkākrāṁtadehopi vatsanābho mahāmuniḥ akarottapa evāsau valmīkaṁ na tvabuddhyata

Even with his body overtaken by the anthill, that great sage Vatsanabha continued his very austerity, unaware of the anthill.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.25.13)

तस्मिंश्च तप्यति तपो वासवो मुनिपुंगवाः।१ विसृज्य मेघजालानि वर्षयामास वेगवान्

tasmiṁśca tapyati tapo vāsavo munipuṁgavāḥ1 visṛjya meghajālāni varṣayāmāsa vegavān

While he practised austerity there, O bulls among sages, Vasava (Indra), releasing masses of clouds, made it rain forcefully.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.25.14)

एवं दिनानि सप्तायं स ववर्ष निरं तरम्। आसारेणातिमहता वृष्यमाणोपि वै मुनिः

evaṁ dināni saptāyaṁ sa vavarṣa niraṁ taram āsāreṇātimahatā vṛṣyamāṇopi vai muniḥ

Thus for seven days continuously he made it rain. Though rained upon by that exceedingly great downpour, the sage,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.25.15)

तं वर्षं प्रतिजग्राह निमीलितविलोचनः। महता स्तनितेनाशु तदा बधिरयञ्छ्रुती।

taṁ varṣaṁ pratijagrāha nimīlitavilocanaḥ mahatā stanitenāśu tadā badhirayañchrutī

accepted that rain, his eyes closed; by the great thunder his ears were at once deafened.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.25.16)

वल्मीकस्योपरिष्टाद्वै निपपात महाशनिः। तस्मिन्वर्षति पर्जन्ये शीतवातातिदुःसहे

valmīkasyopariṣṭādvai nipapāta mahāśaniḥ tasminvarṣati parjanye śītavātātiduḥsahe

A great thunderbolt fell upon the top of the anthill. As that rain-cloud rained, with an exceedingly unbearable cold wind,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.25.17)

वल्मीकशिखरं ध्वस्तं बभूवाशनिताडि तम्। विशीर्णशिखरे तस्मिन्वल्मीकेऽशनिताडिते

valmīkaśikharaṁ dhvastaṁ babhūvāśanitāḍi tam viśīrṇaśikhare tasminvalmīke'śanitāḍite

the summit of the anthill, struck by the thunderbolt, was shattered. With that anthill's summit shattered, struck by the thunderbolt,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.25.18)

सेहेतिदुःसहां वृष्टिं वत्सनाभो विचिंतयन्। महर्षौ वर्षधाराभिः पीड्यमाने दिवानि शम्

sehetiduḥsahāṁ vṛṣṭiṁ vatsanābho viciṁtayan maharṣau varṣadhārābhiḥ pīḍyamāne divāni śam

as Vatsanabha, enduring that unbearable rain, was pondering, in Dharma's mind, over the great sage being afflicted for days by streams of rain,

Verse 19 (skanda.3.25.19)

धर्मस्य चेतसि कृपा संबभूवातिभूयसी। स धर्मश्चिंतयामास वत्सनाभे तपस्यति

dharmasya cetasi kṛpā saṁbabhūvātibhūyasī sa dharmaściṁtayāmāsa vatsanābhe tapasyati

exceedingly great compassion arose. That Dharma reflected, as Vatsanabha practised austerity:

Verse 20 (skanda.3.25.20)

पतत्यप्यतिवर्षेऽयं तपसो न निवर्तते। अहोऽस्य वत्सनाभस्य धर्मैकायत्तचित्तता

patatyapyativarṣe'yaṁ tapaso na nivartate aho'sya vatsanābhasya dharmaikāyattacittatā

"Even as this rain falls, he does not turn back from his austerity. Ah, such is this Vatsanabha's mind fixed solely on dharma!"

Verse 21 (skanda.3.25.21)

इति चिंतयतस्तस्य मातिरेवमजायत। अहं वै माहिषं रूपं सुमहांतं मनोहरम्

iti ciṁtayatastasya mātirevamajāyata ahaṁ vai māhiṣaṁ rūpaṁ sumahāṁtaṁ manoharam

As he thus reflected, this idea arose in him: "I shall assume a buffalo's form, very great and pleasing,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.25.22)

वर्षधारानिपातानां सोढारं कठिनत्वचम्। स्वीकृत्य माहिषं रूपं स्थास्याम्युपरि योगिनः

varṣadhārānipātānāṁ soḍhāraṁ kaṭhinatvacam svīkṛtya māhiṣaṁ rūpaṁ sthāsyāmyupari yoginaḥ

capable of bearing the fall of the rain's streams, with tough skin. Having assumed that buffalo form, I shall stand over the yogi;

Verse 23 (skanda.3.25.23)

न हि बाधिष्यते वर्षं महावेगयुतं त्वपि। धर्म एवं विनिश्चित्य धाराः पृष्ठेन धारयन्

na hi bādhiṣyate varṣaṁ mahāvegayutaṁ tvapi dharma evaṁ viniścitya dhārāḥ pṛṣṭhena dhārayan

the rain, even of great force, shall not afflict him then." Having thus resolved, Dharma, bearing the streams of rain upon his back,

Verse 24 (skanda.3.25.24)

वत्सनाभोपरि तदा गात्रमाच्छाद्य तस्थिवान्। ततः सप्तदिनांते तु तद्वै वर्षमुपारमत्

vatsanābhopari tadā gātramācchādya tasthivān tataḥ saptadināṁte tu tadvai varṣamupāramat

then, covering Vatsanabha's body with his own, stood over him. Then, at the end of seven days, that rain ceased.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.25.25)

ततो महिषरूपी स धर्मोऽतिकृपया युतः। तद्वै वल्मीकमुत्सृज्य नातिदूरे ह्यवर्त्तत

tato mahiṣarūpī sa dharmo'tikṛpayā yutaḥ tadvai valmīkamutsṛjya nātidūre hyavarttata

Then that Dharma, in buffalo form, filled with great compassion, left that anthill and stood not far away.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.25.26)

ततो निवृते वर्षे तु वत्सनाभो महामुनिः। निवृत्तस्तपसस्तू र्णं दिशः सर्वा व्यलोकयन्

tato nivṛte varṣe tu vatsanābho mahāmuniḥ nivṛttastapasastū rṇaṁ diśaḥ sarvā vyalokayan

Then, when the rain had ceased, the great sage Vatsanabha, having emerged from his austerity, quickly looked in all directions.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.25.27)

स्थितोऽहं वृष्टिसंपाते कुर्वन्नद्य महत्तपः। पृथिवी सलिलाक्लिन्ना दृश्यते सर्वतोदिशम्

sthito'haṁ vṛṣṭisaṁpāte kurvannadya mahattapaḥ pṛthivī salilāklinnā dṛśyate sarvatodiśam

"As I remained performing great austerity today amid the downpour of rain, the earth is seen soaked with water in every direction.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.25.28)

शिखराणि गिरीणां च वना न्युपवनानि च। आश्रमाणि महर्षीणामाप्लुतानि जलैर्नवैः

śikharāṇi girīṇāṁ ca vanā nyupavanāni ca āśramāṇi maharṣīṇāmāplutāni jalairnavaiḥ

The peaks of mountains, the forests and groves, the ashramas of the great sages - all are flooded with fresh waters."

Verse 29 (skanda.3.25.29)

एवमादीनि सर्वाणि दृष्ट्वा प्रमुदितोऽभवत्। चिंतयामास धर्मात्मा वत्सना भो महामुनिः

evamādīni sarvāṇi dṛṣṭvā pramudito'bhavat ciṁtayāmāsa dharmātmā vatsanā bho mahāmuniḥ

Having seen all these and the like, that righteous great sage Vatsanabha became delighted; he reflected:

Verse 30 (skanda.3.25.30)

अहमस्मिन्महावर्षे नूनं केनापि रक्षितः। वर्षत्यस्मिन्महावर्षे जीवितं त्वन्यथा कुतः

ahamasminmahāvarṣe nūnaṁ kenāpi rakṣitaḥ varṣatyasminmahāvarṣe jīvitaṁ tvanyathā kutaḥ

"In this great rain, I have surely been protected by someone; for as this great rain fell, how else could life have continued?"

Verse 31 (skanda.3.25.31)

विचिंत्यैवं मुनिश्रेष्ठः सर्वत्र समलोकयत्। ततोऽपश्यन्महाकायमदूरादग्रतः स्थितम्

viciṁtyaivaṁ muniśreṣṭhaḥ sarvatra samalokayat tato'paśyanmahākāyamadūrādagrataḥ sthitam

Having thus reflected, that foremost of sages looked all around. Then he saw, not far off, standing before him, a huge-bodied,

Verse 32 (skanda.3.25.32)

महिषं नीलवर्णं च वत्सनाभस्तपोधनः। महिषं तं समुद्दिश्य मनसा समचिंतयत्

mahiṣaṁ nīlavarṇaṁ ca vatsanābhastapodhanaḥ mahiṣaṁ taṁ samuddiśya manasā samaciṁtayat

blue-coloured buffalo. Vatsanabha, wealthy in austerity, reflecting on that buffalo in his mind, thought:

Verse 33 (skanda.3.25.33)

तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि कथं दृश्यते धर्मशीलता। यतो ह्यहं महावर्षान्महिषेणाभिरक्षितः

tiryagyoniṣvapi kathaṁ dṛśyate dharmaśīlatā yato hyahaṁ mahāvarṣānmahiṣeṇābhirakṣitaḥ

"How is it that righteousness of conduct is seen even among the animal species? For I have been protected from the great rain by this buffalo.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.25.34)

दीर्घमायुरमुष्यास्तु यन्मां रक्षितवानिह। इत्यादि स विचिंत्यैवं तपसे पुनरुद्ययौ

dīrghamāyuramuṣyāstu yanmāṁ rakṣitavāniha ityādi sa viciṁtyaivaṁ tapase punarudyayau

Long may his life be, since he has protected me here." Having thus reflected, he again set out for austerity.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.25.35)

तं पुनश्च तपस्यंतं दृष्ट्वा महिषरूपधृक्। रोमांचावृतसर्वांगः प्रमोदमगमद्भृशम्।

taṁ punaśca tapasyaṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā mahiṣarūpadhṛk romāṁcāvṛtasarvāṁgaḥ pramodamagamadbhṛśam

Seeing him again practising austerity, that one in buffalo form, his whole body covered with horripilation, felt exceeding delight.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.25.36)

वत्सनाभस्य हि मुनेः पुनश्चैव तपस्यतः। मनः पूर्ववदेकाग्रं परब्रह्मणि नाभवत्

vatsanābhasya hi muneḥ punaścaiva tapasyataḥ manaḥ pūrvavadekāgraṁ parabrahmaṇi nābhavat

But as the sage Vatsanabha again practised austerity, his mind did not become one-pointed on the Supreme Brahman as before.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.25.37)

स विषण्णमना भूत्वा वत्सनाभो व्यचिंतयत्। न भवेद्यदि नैर्मल्यं तदा स्याच्चंचलं मनः

sa viṣaṇṇamanā bhūtvā vatsanābho vyaciṁtayat na bhavedyadi nairmalyaṁ tadā syāccaṁcalaṁ manaḥ

Becoming dejected at heart, Vatsanabha reflected: "If there be no purity, then the mind becomes unsteady.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.25.38)

मनश्च पापबाहुल्ये निर्मलं नैव जायते। पापलेशोपि मे नास्ति कथं लोला यते मनः

manaśca pāpabāhulye nirmalaṁ naiva jāyate pāpaleśopi me nāsti kathaṁ lolā yate manaḥ

And the mind never becomes pure amid an abundance of sin. Not even a trace of sin exists in me - why then is my mind fickle?"

Verse 39 (skanda.3.25.39)

अचिंतयद्दोषहेतुं वत्सनाभः पुनःपुनः। स विचिंत्य विनिश्चित्य निनिंदात्मानमंजसा

aciṁtayaddoṣahetuṁ vatsanābhaḥ punaḥpunaḥ sa viciṁtya viniścitya niniṁdātmānamaṁjasā

Vatsanabha pondered again and again on the cause of this fault. Having reflected, having determined, he sincerely reproached himself:

Verse 40 (skanda.3.25.40)

धिङ्मामद्य दुरात्मानमहो मूढोस्म्यहं भृशम्। कृतघ्नता महादोषो मामद्य समुपागतः

dhiṅmāmadya durātmānamaho mūḍhosmyahaṁ bhṛśam kṛtaghnatā mahādoṣo māmadya samupāgataḥ

"Shame on me, evil-souled as I am today! Ah, I am indeed exceedingly foolish! The great fault of ingratitude has come upon me today.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.25.41)

यदीदृशान्महावर्षात्त्रातारं महिषोत्तमम्। तिष्ठाम्यपूजयन्नेव ततो मे भूत्कृतघ्नता

yadīdṛśānmahāvarṣāttrātāraṁ mahiṣottamam tiṣṭhāmyapūjayanneva tato me bhūtkṛtaghnatā

For, though rescued from such a great rain by that excellent buffalo, I remain even now without worshipping him - therefore ingratitude has arisen in me.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.25.42)

कृतघ्नता महान्दोषः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः। कृतघ्नस्य न वै लोकाः कृतघ्नस्य न बांधवाः

kṛtaghnatā mahāndoṣaḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ kṛtaghnasya na vai lokāḥ kṛtaghnasya na bāṁdhavāḥ

Ingratitude is a great fault; for the ungrateful there is no atonement. The ungrateful have no true worlds, the ungrateful have no true kinsmen.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.25.43)

कृतघ्नतादोष वलान्मम चित्तं मलीमसम्। कृतघ्ना नरकं यांति ये च विश्वस्तघातिनः

kṛtaghnatādoṣa valānmama cittaṁ malīmasam kṛtaghnā narakaṁ yāṁti ye ca viśvastaghātinaḥ

By the force of the fault of ingratitude, my mind has become impure. The ungrateful go to hell, and likewise those who betray one who has trusted them.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.25.44)

निष्कृतिं नैव पश्यामि कृतघ्नानां कथंचन। ऋते प्राणपरित्यागाद्धर्मज्ञानां वचो यथा

niṣkṛtiṁ naiva paśyāmi kṛtaghnānāṁ kathaṁcana ṛte prāṇaparityāgāddharmajñānāṁ vaco yathā

I see no atonement whatsoever for the ungrateful, except by the abandonment of life - as is the word of those who know dharma.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.25.45)

पित्रोरभरणं कृत्वा ह्यदत्त्वा गुरुदक्षिणाम्। कृतघ्नतां च संप्राप्य मरणांता हि निष्कृतिः

pitrorabharaṇaṁ kṛtvā hyadattvā gurudakṣiṇām kṛtaghnatāṁ ca saṁprāpya maraṇāṁtā hi niṣkṛtiḥ

Having failed to support one's parents, and having failed to give the guru his fee, and having thus incurred ingratitude, atonement comes only at death.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.25.46)

तस्मात्प्राणान्परित्यज्य प्रायश्चित्तं चराम्यहम्। इति निश्चित्य मनसा वत्सनाभो महामुनिः

tasmātprāṇānparityajya prāyaścittaṁ carāmyaham iti niścitya manasā vatsanābho mahāmuniḥ

Therefore, having abandoned my life-breath, I shall perform atonement." Having thus resolved in his mind, that great sage Vatsanabha,

Verse 47 (skanda.3.25.47)

तृणीकृत्य निजान्प्राणान्निःसंगेनांतरा त्मना। मेरोः शिखरमारूढः प्रायश्चित्तचिकीर्षया

tṛṇīkṛtya nijānprāṇānniḥsaṁgenāṁtarā tmanā meroḥ śikharamārūḍhaḥ prāyaścittacikīrṣayā

treating his own life-breath as a mere blade of grass, with a detached inner self, ascended the peak of Meru, desiring to perform atonement.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.25.48)

सुमेरुशिखरात्तस्मादियेष पतितुं मुनिः। तस्मिन्पतितुमारब्धे मा त्वरिष्ठा इति ब्रुवन्। त्यक्तमाहिषरूपः सन्धर्म एव न्यवारयत्

sumeruśikharāttasmādiyeṣa patituṁ muniḥ tasminpatitumārabdhe mā tvariṣṭhā iti bruvan tyaktamāhiṣarūpaḥ sandharma eva nyavārayat

From that peak of Sumeru, the sage sought to fall. As he began to fall, saying "Do not hurry," that very Dharma, having abandoned his buffalo form, restrained him.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.25.49)

धर्म उवाच। वत्सनाभ महाप्राज्ञ जीवस्व बहुवत्सरान्

dharma uvāca vatsanābha mahāprājña jīvasva bahuvatsarān

Dharma said: "O Vatsanabha, greatly wise one, live for many years.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.25.50)

परितुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते देहत्यागचिकीर्षया। न हि त्वद्धर्मकक्षायां लोके कश्चित्समोऽस्ति वै

parituṣṭo'smi bhadraṁ te dehatyāgacikīrṣayā na hi tvaddharmakakṣāyāṁ loke kaścitsamo'sti vai

I am well satisfied, blessings be upon you, by your desire to give up your body; for there is no one in the world equal to you in the realm of dharma.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.25.51)

यद्यपि प्राणसंत्यागः कृतघ्ने निष्कृतिर्भवेत्। तथापि धर्मशीलत्वात्तवान्यां निष्कृतिं वदे

yadyapi prāṇasaṁtyāgaḥ kṛtaghne niṣkṛtirbhavet tathāpi dharmaśīlatvāttavānyāṁ niṣkṛtiṁ vade

Although the abandonment of life is indeed an atonement for the ungrateful, yet, on account of your righteous conduct, I shall tell you another atonement.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.25.52)

शंखतीर्थाभिधं तीर्थमस्ति वै गंधमादने। शांत्यर्थमस्य पापस्य तत्र स्नाहि समाहितः।

śaṁkhatīrthābhidhaṁ tīrthamasti vai gaṁdhamādane śāṁtyarthamasya pāpasya tatra snāhi samāhitaḥ

There exists a tirtha called Shankha at Gandhamadana; for the pacification of this sin, bathe there, with a composed mind.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.25.53)

प्राप्स्यसे चित्तशुद्धिं त्वमतो विगतकल्मषः। ततश्च लब्धविज्ञानः प्राप्स्यसे शाश्वतं पदम्

prāpsyase cittaśuddhiṁ tvamato vigatakalmaṣaḥ tataśca labdhavijñānaḥ prāpsyase śāśvataṁ padam

You shall attain purity of mind, and thus become free of taint. Then, having attained knowledge, you shall attain the eternal state.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.25.54)

अहं धर्मोस्मि योगीन्द्र सत्यमेव ब्रवीमि ते। इति धर्मवचः श्रुत्वा वत्सनाभो महामुनिः

ahaṁ dharmosmi yogīndra satyameva bravīmi te iti dharmavacaḥ śrutvā vatsanābho mahāmuniḥ

I am Dharma himself, O lord of yogis; I speak to you only the truth." Having heard this word of Dharma, that great sage Vatsanabha,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.25.55)

स्नातुकामः शंखतीर्थे गंधमादनमन्वगात्। शंखतीर्थं च संप्राप्य तत्र सस्नौ महामुनिः

snātukāmaḥ śaṁkhatīrthe gaṁdhamādanamanvagāt śaṁkhatīrthaṁ ca saṁprāpya tatra sasnau mahāmuniḥ

desiring to bathe at Shankha-tirtha, went to Gandhamadana. Having reached Shankha-tirtha, that great sage bathed there.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.25.56)

ततो विगतपापस्य मनो निर्मलतां गतम्। ततोऽचिरेण कालेन ब्रह्मभूयमगान्मुनिः

tato vigatapāpasya mano nirmalatāṁ gatam tato'cireṇa kālena brahmabhūyamagānmuniḥ

Then, his sin gone, his mind attained purity. Then, in a short time, that sage attained the state of Brahman.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.25.57)

एवं वः कथितं विप्राः शंखतीर्थस्य वैभवम्। यत्र हि स्नानमात्रेण कृतघ्नोऽपि विमुच्यते

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāḥ śaṁkhatīrthasya vaibhavam yatra hi snānamātreṇa kṛtaghno'pi vimucyate

Thus has been told to you, O brahmins, the greatness of Shankha-tirtha, where, by mere bathing, even the ungrateful is released.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.25.58)

मातृद्रोही पितृद्रोही गुरुद्रोही तथैव च। अन्ये कृतघ्ननिवहा मुच्यंतेऽत्र निमज्जनात्

mātṛdrohī pitṛdrohī gurudrohī tathaiva ca anye kṛtaghnanivahā mucyaṁte'tra nimajjanāt

One who has betrayed his mother, one who has betrayed his father, and likewise one who has betrayed his teacher, and other hosts of ungrateful ones, are released here by immersion.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.25.59)

अतः कृतघ्नैर्मनुजैः सेवनीयमिदं सदा। अहो तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं यत्कृतघ्नोपि मुच्यते

ataḥ kṛtaghnairmanujaiḥ sevanīyamidaṁ sadā aho tīrthasya māhātmyaṁ yatkṛtaghnopi mucyate

Therefore this tirtha should always be resorted to by ungrateful men. Ah, such is the greatness of the tirtha, that even the ungrateful is released!

Verse 60 (skanda.3.25.60)

अकृत्वा भरणं पित्रोरदत्त्वा गुरुदक्षिणाम्। कृतघ्नतां च संप्राप्य मरणांता हि निष्कृतिः

akṛtvā bharaṇaṁ pitroradattvā gurudakṣiṇām kṛtaghnatāṁ ca saṁprāpya maraṇāṁtā hi niṣkṛtiḥ

Without having supported one's parents, without having given the guru his fee, and having thus incurred ingratitude, atonement comes only at death.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.25.61)

इह तु स्नानमात्रेण कृतघ्नस्यापि निष्कृतिः। कृतघ्नतापि तत्तीर्थे स्नानमात्राद्विनश्यति

iha tu snānamātreṇa kṛtaghnasyāpi niṣkṛtiḥ kṛtaghnatāpi tattīrthe snānamātrādvinaśyati

But here, by mere bathing, even for the ungrateful there is atonement; ingratitude itself is destroyed at this tirtha by mere bathing.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.25.62)

अन्येषां तुच्छपापानां सर्वेषां किमुताधुना

anyeṣāṁ tucchapāpānāṁ sarveṣāṁ kimutādhunā

What then need be said now of all other trivial sins?

Verse 63 (skanda.3.25.63)

अध्यायमेनं पठेद्भक्तियुक्तः कृतघ्नोपि मर्त्याः स पापाद्विमुक्तः। विशुद्धांतरात्मा गतः सत्यलोकं समं ब्रह्मणा मोक्षमप्याशु गच्छेत्

adhyāyamenaṁ paṭhedbhaktiyuktaḥ kṛtaghnopi martyāḥ sa pāpādvimuktaḥ viśuddhāṁtarātmā gataḥ satyalokaṁ samaṁ brahmaṇā mokṣamapyāśu gacchet

Whoever, filled with devotion, reads this chapter - even an ungrateful mortal is freed from that sin; with inner self purified, he goes to Satyaloka together with Brahma, and swiftly attains liberation as well.