The Glory of Koti-Tirtha and Krishna's Atonement

Verse 1 (skanda.3.27.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच यमुनायां च गंगायां गयायां च नरो मुदा स्नानं विधाय विधिवत्कोटितीर्थं ततो व्रजेत्

śrīsūta uvāca yamunāyāṁ ca gaṁgāyāṁ gayāyāṁ ca naro mudā snānaṁ vidhāya vidhivatkoṭitīrthaṁ tato vrajet

Sri Suta said: Having bathed with due rites in the Yamuna, the Ganga, and Gaya, a man should then joyfully proceed to Koti-tirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.27.2)

कोटितीर्थं महापुण्यं सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतम् सर्वसंपत्करं शुद्धं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

koṭitīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvalokeṣu viśrutam sarvasaṁpatkaraṁ śuddhaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

Koti-tirtha is of immense merit, renowned in all the worlds; it bestows every kind of prosperity, is utterly pure, and destroys all sins.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.27.3)

दुःस्वप्ननाशनं ह्येतन्महापातकनाशनम् महाविघ्नप्रशमनं महाशांतिकरं नृणाम्

duḥsvapnanāśanaṁ hyetanmahāpātakanāśanam mahāvighnapraśamanaṁ mahāśāṁtikaraṁ nṛṇām

It destroys bad dreams and wipes away the greatest of sins; it calms grave obstacles and grants supreme peace to men.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.27.4)

स्मृतिमात्रेण यत्पुंसां सर्वपापनिषूदनम् लीलया धनुषः कोट्या स्वयं रामेण निर्मितम्

smṛtimātreṇa yatpuṁsāṁ sarvapāpaniṣūdanam līlayā dhanuṣaḥ koṭyā svayaṁ rāmeṇa nirmitam

By mere remembrance of it, a man's every sin is destroyed - for it was fashioned in play by Rama himself, with the very tip of his bow.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.27.5)

पुरा दाशरथी रामो निहत्य युधि रावणम् ब्रह्महत्याविमोक्षाय गंधमादनपर्वते

purā dāśarathī rāmo nihatya yudhi rāvaṇam brahmahatyāvimokṣāya gaṁdhamādanaparvate

Long ago, having slain Ravana in battle, Rama the son of Dasharatha, in order to be freed from the sin of that killing, on Mount Gandhamadana,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.27.6)

प्रातिष्ठिपल्लिंगमेकं लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया लिंगस्यास्याभिषेकाय शुद्धं वारि गवेषयन्

prātiṣṭhipalliṁgamekaṁ lokānugrahakāmyayā liṁgasyāsyābhiṣekāya śuddhaṁ vāri gaveṣayan

established a single linga there, wishing to bless all beings; and while seeking pure water for the consecration of that linga,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.27.7)

नाविंदत जलं तत्र पार्श्वे दशरथात्मजः लिंगाभिषेकयोग्यं च जलं किमिति चिंतयन्

nāviṁdata jalaṁ tatra pārśve daśarathātmajaḥ liṁgābhiṣekayogyaṁ ca jalaṁ kimiti ciṁtayan

the son of Dasharatha found no water nearby fit for the linga's consecration, and he pondered what water he might use.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.27.8)

नवेन वारिणा लिंगं स्नापनीयं मयेति सः निश्चित्य मनसा तत्र धनुष्कोट्या रघूद्वहः

navena vāriṇā liṁgaṁ snāpanīyaṁ mayeti saḥ niścitya manasā tatra dhanuṣkoṭyā raghūdvahaḥ

"I must bathe this linga with fresh water" - resolving thus in his mind, Rama, the upholder of the Raghu line,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.27.9)

बिभेद धरणीं शीघ्रं मनसा जाह्नवीं स्मरन् रामकार्मुककोटिः सा तदा प्राप रसातलम्

bibheda dharaṇīṁ śīghraṁ manasā jāhnavīṁ smaran rāmakārmukakoṭiḥ sā tadā prāpa rasātalam

swiftly split the earth with the tip of his bow, calling the Ganga to mind; and that tip of Rama's bow reached the netherworld in an instant.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.27.10)

तत उद्धारयामास तद्धनुर्धन्विनां वरः धनुष्युद्ध्रियमाणे तु राघवेण महीतलात्

tata uddhārayāmāsa taddhanurdhanvināṁ varaḥ dhanuṣyuddhriyamāṇe tu rāghaveṇa mahītalāt

Then that best of archers began to draw the bow back out; and as Raghava drew that bow up from within the earth,

Verse 11 (skanda.3.27.11)

काकुत्स्थेन स्मृता गंगा निर्ययौ विवरात्ततः वारिणा तेन तल्लिंगमभ्यषिंचद्रघूद्वहः

kākutsthena smṛtā gaṁgā niryayau vivarāttataḥ vāriṇā tena talliṁgamabhyaṣiṁcadraghūdvahaḥ

the Ganga, called to mind by the scion of Kakutstha, emerged from that hole; and with that very water Raghava consecrated the linga.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.27.12)

रामकार्मुककोट्यैव यतस्तन्निर्मितं पुरा अतः कोटिरिति ख्यातं तत्तीर्थं भुवनत्रये

rāmakārmukakoṭyaiva yatastannirmitaṁ purā ataḥ koṭiriti khyātaṁ tattīrthaṁ bhuvanatraye

Since it was thus created by the tip (koti) of Rama's bow, that tirtha became famed in the three worlds under the name Koti.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.27.13)

यानि यानीह तीर्थानि संति वै गंधमादने प्रथमं तेषु तीर्थेषु स्नात्वा विगतकल्मषः

yāni yānīha tīrthāni saṁti vai gaṁdhamādane prathamaṁ teṣu tīrtheṣu snātvā vigatakalmaṣaḥ

Among all the tirthas that exist on Mount Gandhamadana, a man should first bathe in them and become free of sin,

Verse 14 (skanda.3.27.14)

शेषपापविमोक्षाय स्नायात्कोटौ नरस्ततः तीर्थांतरेषु स्नानेन यः पापौघो न नश्यति

śeṣapāpavimokṣāya snāyātkoṭau narastataḥ tīrthāṁtareṣu snānena yaḥ pāpaugho na naśyati

and thereafter, for release from remaining sin, he should bathe at Koti - for whatever mass of sin does not perish by bathing at the other tirthas,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.27.15)

अनेकजन्मकोटीभिरर्जितो ह्यस्थिसंस्थितः विनश्यति स सर्वोऽपि कोटिस्नानान्न संशयः

anekajanmakoṭībhirarjito hyasthisaṁsthitaḥ vinaśyati sa sarvo'pi koṭisnānānna saṁśayaḥ

all of it, gathered over countless millions of births and lodged in the very bones, is destroyed without doubt by bathing at Koti.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.27.16)

यदि हि प्रथमं स्नायादत्र कोटौ नरो द्विजाः तस्य मुक्तस्य तीर्थानि व्यर्थान्येवापराणि हि

yadi hi prathamaṁ snāyādatra koṭau naro dvijāḥ tasya muktasya tīrthāni vyarthānyevāparāṇi hi

But O brahmins, if a man bathes at Koti first of all, then, being already freed, all the other tirthas become useless for him.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.27.17)

ऋषय ऊचुः सूत सर्वार्थतत्त्वज्ञ व्यासशिष्य मुनीश्वर अस्माकं संशयं कंचिच्छिंधि पौराणिकोत्तम

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta sarvārthatattvajña vyāsaśiṣya munīśvara asmākaṁ saṁśayaṁ kaṁcicchiṁdhi paurāṇikottama

The sages said: O Suta, knower of all truths, disciple of Vyasa, lord among sages, best of Puranic narrators - resolve this doubt of ours.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.27.18)

कोटौ स्नातस्य मर्त्यस्य यदि तीर्थांतरं वृथा किमर्थं धर्मतीर्थादि तीर्थेषु स्नांति मानवाः

koṭau snātasya martyasya yadi tīrthāṁtaraṁ vṛthā kimarthaṁ dharmatīrthādi tīrtheṣu snāṁti mānavāḥ

If other tirthas are futile for one who has already bathed at Koti, then why do people still bathe at the tirthas beginning with Dharma-tirtha?

Verse 19 (skanda.3.27.19)

तीर्थानि तानि सर्वाणि समतिक्रम्य मानवाः अत्रैव कोटौ किं स्नानं न कुर्वंति हि तद्वद

tīrthāni tāni sarvāṇi samatikramya mānavāḥ atraiva koṭau kiṁ snānaṁ na kurvaṁti hi tadvada

Why do men not simply bypass all those other tirthas and bathe only here at Koti - tell us this as well.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.27.20)

श्रीसूत उवाच अहो रहस्यं युष्माभिः पृष्टमेतन्मुनीश्वराः नारदाय पुरा शंभुः पृच्छते यत्किलाब्रवीत्

śrīsūta uvāca aho rahasyaṁ yuṣmābhiḥ pṛṣṭametanmunīśvarāḥ nāradāya purā śaṁbhuḥ pṛcchate yatkilābravīt

Sri Suta said: Ah, O sages, this is a secret matter you have asked. I shall tell what Shambhu once said in reply to Narada's very question -

Verse 21 (skanda.3.27.21)

तद्ब्रवीमि मुनिश्रेष्ठाः शृणुध्वं श्रद्धया सह गच्छन्यदृच्छया वापि तीर्थयात्रापरोऽपि वा

tadbravīmi muniśreṣṭhāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ śraddhayā saha gacchanyadṛcchayā vāpi tīrthayātrāparo'pi vā

I shall speak it, O best of sages; listen with faith. Whether a man goes by mere chance or with the purpose of a tirtha-pilgrimage,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.27.22)

मार्गमध्ये द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तीर्थं देवालयं तथा दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वापि वा मोहान्न सेवेत नराधमः

mārgamadhye dvijaśreṣṭhāstīrthaṁ devālayaṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā śrutvāpi vā mohānna seveta narādhamaḥ

O best of brahmins, if along the way that basest of men sees or hears of a tirtha or a temple and, out of delusion, fails to honor it,

Verse 23 (skanda.3.27.23)

निष्कृतिस्तस्य नास्तीति प्राब्रुवन्परमर्षयः सेतुं गच्छंस्ततोऽन्येषु न स्नायाद्यदि मानवः

niṣkṛtistasya nāstīti prābruvanparamarṣayaḥ setuṁ gacchaṁstato'nyeṣu na snāyādyadi mānavaḥ

the great sages have declared there is no atonement for him. So, if a man journeying to the Setu does not bathe in the other tirthas along the way,

Verse 24 (skanda.3.27.24)

तीर्थातिक्रमदोषैः स बहिष्कार्योऽत्यवद्द्विजैः अतः स्नातव्यमेवैषु चक्रतीर्थादिषु द्विजाः

tīrthātikramadoṣaiḥ sa bahiṣkāryo'tyavaddvijaiḥ ataḥ snātavyamevaiṣu cakratīrthādiṣu dvijāḥ

he ought to be shunned by brahmins for the sin of neglecting a tirtha. Therefore, O brahmins, one must bathe in these tirthas, beginning with Chakra-tirtha.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.27.25)

स्नात्वा चैतेषु तीर्थेषु शेषपापविमुक्तये प्रयतैर्मनुजैरत्र स्नातव्यं कोटितीर्थके

snātvā caiteṣu tīrtheṣu śeṣapāpavimuktaye prayatairmanujairatra snātavyaṁ koṭitīrthake

Having bathed in these tirthas, the disciplined man should finally, for the removal of remaining sin, bathe here at Koti-tirtha.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.27.26)

कोटौ चाभिषवं कृत्वा न तिष्ठेद्गन्धमादने निवर्तेत्तत्क्षणादेव निष्पापो गंधमादनात्

koṭau cābhiṣavaṁ kṛtvā na tiṣṭhedgandhamādane nivartettatkṣaṇādeva niṣpāpo gaṁdhamādanāt

Having performed the consecrating bath at Koti, one should not linger on Gandhamadana; freed from sin, he should depart from Gandhamadana that very instant.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.27.27)

रामोऽपि हि पुरा कोटितीर्थसंभूतवारिणा रामनाथेऽभिषिक्ते तु स्वयं स्नात्वा च तत्र वै

rāmo'pi hi purā koṭitīrthasaṁbhūtavāriṇā rāmanāthe'bhiṣikte tu svayaṁ snātvā ca tatra vai

Rama himself, of old, with the very water that sprang from Koti-tirtha, at the time Ramanatha was consecrated, having personally bathed there,

Verse 28 (skanda.3.27.28)

ब्रह्महत्याविमुक्तः संस्तत्क्षणादेव सानुजः आरूढपुष्पकोऽयोध्यां प्रययौ कपिभिर्वृतः

brahmahatyāvimuktaḥ saṁstatkṣaṇādeva sānujaḥ ārūḍhapuṣpako'yodhyāṁ prayayau kapibhirvṛtaḥ

was that very instant freed, along with his younger brother, from the sin of killing a brahmin; and mounting the Pushpaka chariot, surrounded by monkeys, he set out for Ayodhya.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.27.29)

अतः कोटौ नरः स्नात्वा पापशेषविमोचितः निवर्तेत्तत्क्षणादेव रामो दाशरथिर्यथा

ataḥ koṭau naraḥ snātvā pāpaśeṣavimocitaḥ nivartettatkṣaṇādeva rāmo dāśarathiryathā

Therefore a man who bathes at Koti, freed of remaining sin, should depart from there that very instant - just as Rama, son of Dasharatha, did.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.27.30)

एतद्धि तीर्थप्रवरं सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतम् रामनाथाभिषेकाय निर्मितं राघवेण यत्

etaddhi tīrthapravaraṁ sarvalokeṣu viśrutam rāmanāthābhiṣekāya nirmitaṁ rāghaveṇa yat

This is indeed the foremost of tirthas, renowned throughout all the worlds - created by Raghava himself for the consecration of Ramanatha,

Verse 31 (skanda.3.27.31)

स्वयं भगवती यत्र सन्निधत्ते च जाह्नवी तारकब्रह्मणा यत्र रामेण स्नातमादरात्

svayaṁ bhagavatī yatra sannidhatte ca jāhnavī tārakabrahmaṇā yatra rāmeṇa snātamādarāt

where the goddess Jahnavi, the Ganga herself, abides, and where Rama, the very Taraka-Brahman, bathed with deep reverence.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.27.32)

तस्य वै कोटितीर्थस्य महिमा केन कथ्यताम् यत्र स्नात्वा पुरा कृष्णो लोकसंग्रहणेच्छया

tasya vai koṭitīrthasya mahimā kena kathyatām yatra snātvā purā kṛṣṇo lokasaṁgrahaṇecchayā

Who indeed can tell the glory of that Koti-tirtha, where Krishna of old, moved by a wish for the welfare of all worlds, bathed and was thereby

Verse 33 (skanda.3.27.33)

मातुलस्य तु कंसस्य वधदोषाद्विमोचितः तस्य वै कोटितीर्थस्य महिमा केन कथ्यते

mātulasya tu kaṁsasya vadhadoṣādvimocitaḥ tasya vai koṭitīrthasya mahimā kena kathyate

released from the sin arising from the slaying of his maternal uncle Kamsa - who indeed can describe the glory of that Koti-tirtha?

Verse 34 (skanda.3.27.34)

ऋषय ऊचुः किमर्थमवधीत्कंसं मातुलं यदुनंदनः यद्दोषशांतये सूत सस्नौ कोटौ महामनाः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kimarthamavadhītkaṁsaṁ mātulaṁ yadunaṁdanaḥ yaddoṣaśāṁtaye sūta sasnau koṭau mahāmanāḥ

The sages said: O Suta, why did the delight of the Yadus slay his own maternal uncle Kamsa, and for the calming of which sin did that great soul bathe at Koti?

Verse 35 (skanda.3.27.35)

श्रीसूत उवाच वसुदेव इति ख्यातः शूरपुत्रो यदोः कुले आसीत्स देवकसुतां देवकीमिति विश्रुताम्

śrīsūta uvāca vasudeva iti khyātaḥ śūraputro yadoḥ kule āsītsa devakasutāṁ devakīmiti viśrutām

Sri Suta said: In the Yadu lineage there lived a renowned hero's son named Vasudeva; he wed Devaki, the famed daughter of Devaka.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.27.36)

उद्वाह्य रथमारूढः स्वपुरं प्रस्थितः पुरा अथ सूतो बभूवाथ कंसो ह्यानकदुन्दुभेः

udvāhya rathamārūḍhaḥ svapuraṁ prasthitaḥ purā atha sūto babhūvātha kaṁso hyānakadundubheḥ

Having wed her and mounted his chariot, he set out long ago for his own city, and Kamsa himself became the charioteer for Vasudeva, called Anakadundubhi.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.27.37)

अशरीरा तदा वाणी कंसं सारथिमब्रवीत् भगिनीं च तथा भामं वाहयंतं रथोत्तमे

aśarīrā tadā vāṇī kaṁsaṁ sārathimabravīt bhaginīṁ ca tathā bhāmaṁ vāhayaṁtaṁ rathottame

Then, as the charioteer Kamsa drove his sister along in that finest of chariots, a disembodied voice spoke to him -

Verse 38 (skanda.3.27.38)

यामिमां वाहयस्यत्र रथेन त्वमरिंदम अस्यास्त्वामष्टमो गर्भो वधिष्यति न संशयः

yāmimāṁ vāhayasyatra rathena tvamariṁdama asyāstvāmaṣṭamo garbho vadhiṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"O vanquisher of foes, this sister of yours whom you are driving in the chariot - her eighth child will slay you, without doubt."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.27.39)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचो दिव्यं कंसः खङ्गं प्रगृह्य च स्वसारं हंतुमुद्योगं चकार द्विजपुंगवाः

ityākarṇya vaco divyaṁ kaṁsaḥ khaṅgaṁ pragṛhya ca svasāraṁ haṁtumudyogaṁ cakāra dvijapuṁgavāḥ

Hearing this divine utterance, O foremost brahmins, Kamsa seized his sword and made ready to slay his own sister.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.27.40)

ततः प्रोवाच तं कंसं वसुदेवः स सांत्वयन् वसुदेव उवाच अस्यां प्रसूतान्दास्यामि तुभ्यं कंस सुतानहम्

tataḥ provāca taṁ kaṁsaṁ vasudevaḥ sa sāṁtvayan vasudeva uvāca asyāṁ prasūtāndāsyāmi tubhyaṁ kaṁsa sutānaham

Then Vasudeva spoke to Kamsa, pacifying him. Vasudeva said: "O Kamsa, I shall hand over to you the sons that are born of her -

Verse 41 (skanda.3.27.41)

एनां स्वसारं मा हिंसीर्नास्यास्ते भीतिरस्ति हि श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं कंसो निवृत्तस्तद्वधात्तदा

enāṁ svasāraṁ mā hiṁsīrnāsyāste bhītirasti hi śrutvā tadvacanaṁ kaṁso nivṛttastadvadhāttadā

do not kill this sister of yours; you have nothing to fear from her." Hearing these words, Kamsa then desisted from killing her.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.27.42)

देवकीवसुदेवाभ्यां सहितः स्वपुरं ययौ पादावसक्तनिगडौ देवकीवसुदेवकौ

devakīvasudevābhyāṁ sahitaḥ svapuraṁ yayau pādāvasaktanigaḍau devakīvasudevakau

Then, taking Devaki and Vasudeva along, he went to his own city; and having fettered the feet of both Devaki and Vasudeva,

Verse 43 (skanda.3.27.43)

स्थापयामास दुष्टात्मा कंसः कारागृहे तदा ततः कालेन महता वसुदेवाद्धि देवकी

sthāpayāmāsa duṣṭātmā kaṁsaḥ kārāgṛhe tadā tataḥ kālena mahatā vasudevāddhi devakī

the wicked-souled Kamsa confined them in a prison. Then, after a long time had passed, Devaki, by Vasudeva,

Verse 44 (skanda.3.27.44)

षट्पुत्राञ्जनयामास क्रमेण मुनिपुंगवाः जातांस्तान्वसुदेवेन दत्तान्कंसोऽपि सोऽवधीत्

ṣaṭputrāñjanayāmāsa krameṇa munipuṁgavāḥ jātāṁstānvasudevena dattānkaṁso'pi so'vadhīt

gave birth in turn to six sons, O eminent sages; and as each was born and handed over by Vasudeva, Kamsa slew him.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.27.45)

हतेषु षट्सु पुत्रेषु देवक्युदरजन्मसु कंसेन क्रूरमतिना निष्कृपेण द्विजोत्तमाः

hateṣu ṣaṭsu putreṣu devakyudarajanmasu kaṁsena krūramatinā niṣkṛpeṇa dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, when the six sons born of Devaki's womb had thus been slain by the cruel-minded, merciless Kamsa,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.27.46)

शेषोऽभूत्सप्तमो गर्भो देवक्या जठरे तदा मायादेवी ततो गर्भं तं वै विष्णुप्रचोदिता

śeṣo'bhūtsaptamo garbho devakyā jaṭhare tadā māyādevī tato garbhaṁ taṁ vai viṣṇupracoditā

a seventh conception remained in Devaki's womb; then the goddess Maya, impelled by Lord Vishnu, took that embryo

Verse 47 (skanda.3.27.47)

नंदगोपगृहस्थायां रोहिण्यां समवेशयत् देवक्याः सप्तमो गर्भः पतितो जठरादिति

naṁdagopagṛhasthāyāṁ rohiṇyāṁ samaveśayat devakyāḥ saptamo garbhaḥ patito jaṭharāditi

and placed it within Rohini, who dwelt in the house of Nanda-gopa. That Devaki's seventh conception had slipped from her womb -

Verse 48 (skanda.3.27.48)

लोके प्रसिद्धिरभवन्महती विष्णुलीलया देवकीजठरे पश्चाद्विष्णुर्गर्भत्वमाप्तवान्

loke prasiddhirabhavanmahatī viṣṇulīlayā devakījaṭhare paścādviṣṇurgarbhatvamāptavān

this became widely known in the world through Vishnu's own divine play; thereafter Vishnu himself took residence as an embryo in Devaki's womb.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.27.49)

ततो दशसु मासेषु गतेषु हरिरव्ययः देवकीजठराज्जज्ञे कृष्ण इत्यभिविश्रुतः

tato daśasu māseṣu gateṣu hariravyayaḥ devakījaṭharājjajñe kṛṣṇa ityabhiviśrutaḥ

Then, when ten months had passed, the imperishable Hari was born from Devaki's womb, renowned by the name Krishna -

Verse 50 (skanda.3.27.50)

शंखचक्रगदाखङ्गविराजितचतुर्भुजः किरीटी वनमाली च पित्रोः शोकविनाशनः

śaṁkhacakragadākhaṅgavirājitacaturbhujaḥ kirīṭī vanamālī ca pitroḥ śokavināśanaḥ

four-armed, resplendent with conch, discus, mace and sword, crowned and garlanded with forest flowers, the destroyer of his parents' grief.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.27.51)

तं दृष्ट्वा हरिमीशानं तुष्टावानकदुंदुभिः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā harimīśānaṁ tuṣṭāvānakaduṁdubhiḥ

Beholding that lord Hari, Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva) praised him with joy.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.27.52)

वसुदेव उवाच विश्वं भवान्विश्वपतिस्त्वमेव विश्वस्य योनिस्त्वयि विश्वमास्ते महान्प्रधानश्च विराट् स्वराट् च सम्राडसि त्वं भगवन्समस्तम्

vasudeva uvāca viśvaṁ bhavānviśvapatistvameva viśvasya yonistvayi viśvamāste mahānpradhānaśca virāṭ svarāṭ ca samrāḍasi tvaṁ bhagavansamastam

Vasudeva said: "You are the universe, you are its lord; you alone are the source of the universe, and in you the universe abides. You are the Great Principle, Nature itself, the Cosmic Being, the self-luminous, the sovereign - O Lord, you are this entirety."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.27.53)

एवं जगत्कारणभूतधाम्ने नारायणायामितविक्रमाय श्रीशार्ङ्गचक्रासिगदाधराय नमोनमः कृत्रिममानुषाय

evaṁ jagatkāraṇabhūtadhāmne nārāyaṇāyāmitavikramāya śrīśārṅgacakrāsigadādharāya namonamaḥ kṛtrimamānuṣāya

"Salutations again and again to Narayana, the very abode that is the cause of the universe, of boundless prowess, bearer of the bow Sharnga, the discus, sword and mace, who has assumed this seeming human form."

Verse 54 (skanda.3.27.54)

स्तुवन्तमेवं शौरिं तं वसुदेवं हरिस्तदा अवोचत्प्रीणयंस्तं च देवकीं च द्विजोत्तमाः

stuvantamevaṁ śauriṁ taṁ vasudevaṁ haristadā avocatprīṇayaṁstaṁ ca devakīṁ ca dvijottamāḥ

While Shauri (Vasudeva) was thus praising him, O best of brahmins, Hari then spoke, delighting both him and Devaki -

Verse 55 (skanda.3.27.55)

हरिरुवाच अहं कंसं वधिष्यामि मा भीर्वां पितराविति नन्दगोपस्य गृहिणी यशोदाऽजनयत्सुताम् मम मायां पूर्वदिने सर्वलोकविमोहिनीम्

hariruvāca ahaṁ kaṁsaṁ vadhiṣyāmi mā bhīrvāṁ pitarāviti nandagopasya gṛhiṇī yaśodā'janayatsutām mama māyāṁ pūrvadine sarvalokavimohinīm

Hari said: "I shall slay Kamsa; do not fear, O my parents. Through my maya that bewilders the whole world, the wife of Nanda-gopa, Yashoda, gave birth to a daughter just the day before.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.27.56)

मां तस्याः शयने न्यस्य यशोदायाः सुता तु ताम् आदाय देवकीशय्यां प्रापयस्व यदूत्तम

māṁ tasyāḥ śayane nyasya yaśodāyāḥ sutā tu tām ādāya devakīśayyāṁ prāpayasva yadūttama

Place her in my place upon that bed, and take me, O best of Yadus, and lay me upon Devaki's bed instead."

Verse 57 (skanda.3.27.57)

एवमुक्तः स कृष्णेन तथैव ह्यकरोद्द्विजाः रुरोद माया तनया देवकीशयनेस्थिता

evamuktaḥ sa kṛṣṇena tathaiva hyakaroddvijāḥ ruroda māyā tanayā devakīśayanesthitā

Thus instructed by Krishna, O brahmins, Vasudeva did exactly so; and that maya-born girl, lying on Devaki's bed, began to cry.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.27.58)

अथ बालध्वनिं श्रुत्वा कंसः संकुलमानसः सूतिकागृहमागम्य तामादाय च दारिकाम्

atha bāladhvaniṁ śrutvā kaṁsaḥ saṁkulamānasaḥ sūtikāgṛhamāgamya tāmādāya ca dārikām

Then, hearing the sound of the infant's crying, Kamsa, his mind in turmoil, came to the birthing chamber and seized that girl-child.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.27.59)

शिलायां पोथयामास निर्दयो निरपत्रपः अथ तद्धस्तमाच्छिद्य सायुधाष्टमहाभुजा महादेव्यब्रवीत्कंसं समाहूयातिकोपना

śilāyāṁ pothayāmāsa nirdayo nirapatrapaḥ atha taddhastamācchidya sāyudhāṣṭamahābhujā mahādevyabravītkaṁsaṁ samāhūyātikopanā

The merciless, shameless Kamsa dashed her upon a rock; but she then wrenched her hand from his grasp, and with her eight mighty weapon-bearing arms,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.27.60)

मायोवाच अरे रे कंस पापात्मन्दुर्बुद्धे मूढचेतन

māyovāca are re kaṁsa pāpātmandurbuddhe mūḍhacetana

that great goddess, in fierce anger, called out to Kamsa and spoke. Maya said: "Ah, wicked-souled, evil-minded, foolish Kamsa!

Verse 61 (skanda.3.27.61)

यत्र कुत्रापि शत्रुस्ते वर्तते प्राणहारकः मार्गयस्वात्मनो मृत्युं तं शत्रुं कंस मा चिरम्

yatra kutrāpi śatruste vartate prāṇahārakaḥ mārgayasvātmano mṛtyuṁ taṁ śatruṁ kaṁsa mā ciram

Wherever that enemy who will take your life may be, O Kamsa, seek him out - delay not in searching for the one who brings your death."

Verse 62 (skanda.3.27.62)

इतीरयित्वा सा देवी दिव्यस्थानान्यवाप्य च लब्धपूजा मनुष्येभ्यो बभूवाभीष्टदायिनी

itīrayitvā sā devī divyasthānānyavāpya ca labdhapūjā manuṣyebhyo babhūvābhīṣṭadāyinī

Having spoken thus, that goddess ascended to divine abodes, and, receiving worship from mankind, became a giver of desired boons.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.27.63)

श्रुत्वा स देवीवचनं कंसोऽपि भृशमाकुलः बालग्रहान्पूतनादीन्स्वांतकं बाधितुं रिपुम्

śrutvā sa devīvacanaṁ kaṁso'pi bhṛśamākulaḥ bālagrahānpūtanādīnsvāṁtakaṁ bādhituṁ ripum

Hearing the goddess's words, Kamsa too grew greatly agitated; he sent forth Putana and the other child-slaying demons, as agents of his own death-dealing foe,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.27.64)

प्रेषयामास देशेषु शिशूनन्यांश्च बाधितुम् ते च बालग्रहाः सर्वे प्रययुर्नंदगोकुलम्

preṣayāmāsa deśeṣu śiśūnanyāṁśca bādhitum te ca bālagrahāḥ sarve prayayurnaṁdagokulam

into various regions, to harm other infants as well. And all those child-demons made their way to Nanda's Gokula.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.27.65)

हताश्च कृष्णेन तदा प्रययुर्यमसादनम् ततः कतिपयाहस्सु गतेषु द्विजपुंगवाः

hatāśca kṛṣṇena tadā prayayuryamasādanam tataḥ katipayāhassu gateṣu dvijapuṁgavāḥ

Slain by Krishna, they departed for the abode of Yama; then, after some days had passed, O foremost brahmins,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.27.66)

रामकृष्णौ व्यवर्द्धेतां गोकुले बालकौ तदा अनेकबालक्रीडाभिश्चिक्रीडतुररिंदमौ

rāmakṛṣṇau vyavarddhetāṁ gokule bālakau tadā anekabālakrīḍābhiścikrīḍaturariṁdamau

Rama and Krishna, the two boys, grew up together in Gokula, and those two vanquishers of foes played out many childhood games.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.27.67)

कंचित्कालं वत्सपालौ वेणुनादमकुर्वताम् कंचित्कालं च गोपालौ गुंजातापि च्छभूषितौ

kaṁcitkālaṁ vatsapālau veṇunādamakurvatām kaṁcitkālaṁ ca gopālau guṁjātāpi cchabhūṣitau

For a time the two, tending the calves, played upon their flutes; for a time the two cowherd boys, adorned with guñja-berries,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.27.68)

रेमाते बहुकालं तौ गोकुले रामकेशवौ कंसः कदाचिदक्रूरं गोकुले रामकेशवौ

remāte bahukālaṁ tau gokule rāmakeśavau kaṁsaḥ kadācidakrūraṁ gokule rāmakeśavau

sported thus for a long while in Gokula, those two, Rama and Keshava. At a certain time Kamsa sent Akrura to fetch Rama and Keshava from Gokula.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.27.69)

प्रेषयामास विप्रेंद्राः समानयितुमंजसा आनयामास चाक्रूरो रामकृष्णौ स गोकुलात्

preṣayāmāsa vipreṁdrāḥ samānayitumaṁjasā ānayāmāsa cākrūro rāmakṛṣṇau sa gokulāt

O foremost of brahmins, Kamsa sent him swiftly to bring them; and Akrura, taking Rama and Krishna from Gokula,

Verse 70 (skanda.3.27.70)

मथुरां कंसनिर्देशात्स्वर्णतोरणराजिताम्

mathurāṁ kaṁsanirdeśātsvarṇatoraṇarājitām

led them at Kamsa's command toward the city of Mathura, resplendent with its golden gateways.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.27.71)

ततः समानीय स रामकेशवौ ययौ पुरीं गांदिनिजस्तदग्रे दृष्ट्वा च कंसं विनिवेद्य कार्यं तस्मै स्वगेहं प्रविवेश पश्चात्

tataḥ samānīya sa rāmakeśavau yayau purīṁ gāṁdinijastadagre dṛṣṭvā ca kaṁsaṁ vinivedya kāryaṁ tasmai svagehaṁ praviveśa paścāt

Having escorted them there, the son of Gandini went ahead of Rama and Keshava into the city; and having seen Kamsa and reported his errand to him, he then retired to his own house.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.27.72)

अथापराह्णे वसुदेवपुत्रावन्येद्युरिष्टैः सह गोपपुत्रैः उपेयतुः सालनिखातयुक्तां संगोपुराट्टां मधुरापुरीं तौ

athāparāhṇe vasudevaputrāvanyedyuriṣṭaiḥ saha gopaputraiḥ upeyatuḥ sālanikhātayuktāṁ saṁgopurāṭṭāṁ madhurāpurīṁ tau

Then, the following day, in the afternoon, the two sons of Vasudeva, together with their beloved cowherd companions,

Verse 73 (skanda.3.27.73)

स्तोत्राणि शृण्वन्पुरयौवतानां कृष्णस्तु रामेण सहैव गत्वा धनुर्निवेशं सह सैव तत्र ददर्श चापं च महदृढज्यम्

stotrāṇi śṛṇvanpurayauvatānāṁ kṛṣṇastu rāmeṇa sahaiva gatvā dhanurniveśaṁ saha saiva tatra dadarśa cāpaṁ ca mahadṛḍhajyam

drew near to that city of Mathura, ringed with ramparts and towered gateways. Krishna, listening to the praises of the city's young women, went along with Rama;

Verse 74 (skanda.3.27.74)

विद्राव्य सर्वानपि चापपालान्धनुः समादाय स लीलयाऽऽशु मौर्व्यां नियोक्तुं नमयांचकार तदंतरे भग्नमभूद्विधैव

vidrāvya sarvānapi cāpapālāndhanuḥ samādāya sa līlayā''śu maurvyāṁ niyoktuṁ namayāṁcakāra tadaṁtare bhagnamabhūdvidhaiva

there he saw the great, firmly-strung bow set up for display. Driving off all the bow's guardians, he playfully and swiftly took up that bow,

Verse 75 (skanda.3.27.75)

कोदंडभंगोत्थितशब्दमाशु श्रुत्वाभियातान्बलिनो निहंतुम् निजघ्नतुस्तौ प्रतिगृह्य खंडौ चापस्य पालान्बलिनौ द्विजेंद्राः

kodaṁḍabhaṁgotthitaśabdamāśu śrutvābhiyātānbalino nihaṁtum nijaghnatustau pratigṛhya khaṁḍau cāpasya pālānbalinau dvijeṁdrāḥ

and as he bent it to string it, the bow snapped in two of its own accord. Hearing the sound of that breaking bow, the mighty guardians who came rushing to kill him -

Verse 76 (skanda.3.27.76)

ततः कुवलयापीडं गजं द्वारि स्थितं क्षणात् निहत्य रामकृष्णौ तौ महाबलपराक्रमौ

tataḥ kuvalayāpīḍaṁ gajaṁ dvāri sthitaṁ kṣaṇāt nihatya rāmakṛṣṇau tau mahābalaparākramau

those two of mighty strength, taking up the broken pieces of the bow, slew the guardians, O lords of brahmins. Then, in a mere instant, slaying the elephant Kuvalayapida that stood at the gate,

Verse 77 (skanda.3.27.77)

तस्य दंतौ समुत्पाट्य दधानौ करयोर्द्वयोः अंसे निधाय तौ दंतौ रंगं प्रययतुः क्षणात्

tasya daṁtau samutpāṭya dadhānau karayordvayoḥ aṁse nidhāya tau daṁtau raṁgaṁ prayayatuḥ kṣaṇāt

those two of great strength and prowess wrenched out its two tusks and, bearing them in their two hands,

Verse 78 (skanda.3.27.78)

निहत्य मल्लं चाणूरं मुष्टिकं तोशलं तथा अन्यांश्च मल्लप्रवरान्निन्यतुर्यमसादनम्

nihatya mallaṁ cāṇūraṁ muṣṭikaṁ tośalaṁ tathā anyāṁśca mallapravarānninyaturyamasādanam

placed those tusks upon their shoulders and entered the wrestling arena in an instant. Having slain the wrestlers Chanura, Mushtika and Toshala,

Verse 79 (skanda.3.27.79)

समारुरुहतुस्तूर्णं तुंगं मंचं च तौ तदा तत्र तुंगे समासीनमासने कंसमेत्य तौ तस्थतुस्तं तृणीकृत्य सिंहौ क्षुद्रमृगं यथा

samāruruhatustūrṇaṁ tuṁgaṁ maṁcaṁ ca tau tadā tatra tuṁge samāsīnamāsane kaṁsametya tau tasthatustaṁ tṛṇīkṛtya siṁhau kṣudramṛgaṁ yathā

and other champion wrestlers besides, sending them to the abode of Yama, the two swiftly climbed the high dais; there, approaching Kamsa seated on his high throne,

Verse 80 (skanda.3.27.80)

ततः कंसं समाकृष्य कृष्णो मंचोपरि स्थितम् पादौ गृहीत्वा वेगेन भ्रामयामास चांबरे

tataḥ kaṁsaṁ samākṛṣya kṛṣṇo maṁcopari sthitam pādau gṛhītvā vegena bhrāmayāmāsa cāṁbare

they regarded him as a mere trifle, as two lions might regard some petty creature. Then Krishna, seizing Kamsa where he sat upon the dais,

Verse 81 (skanda.3.27.81)

ततस्तं पोथयामास स भूमौ गतजीवितम् कंसभ्रातॄन्बलोऽप्यष्टौ निजघ्ने मुष्टिना द्विजाः

tatastaṁ pothayāmāsa sa bhūmau gatajīvitam kaṁsabhrātṝnbalo'pyaṣṭau nijaghne muṣṭinā dvijāḥ

grasped his feet, whirled him swiftly through the air, and then dashed him to the ground, lifeless. Bala, too, slew all eight of Kamsa's brothers with his fist, O brahmins.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.27.82)

एवं निहत्य तं कंसं कृष्णः परबलार्दनः पितरौ मोचयामास निगडादतिदुःखितौ

evaṁ nihatya taṁ kaṁsaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ parabalārdanaḥ pitarau mocayāmāsa nigaḍādatiduḥkhitau

Having thus slain Kamsa, Krishna, crusher of enemy hosts, freed his sorely grieving parents from their fetters.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.27.83)

सर्वानास्थापयामास बलेन सह माधवः श्रीकृष्णेन हतं कंसं श्रुत्वा प्रापुः पुरीं तदा

sarvānāsthāpayāmāsa balena saha mādhavaḥ śrīkṛṣṇena hataṁ kaṁsaṁ śrutvā prāpuḥ purīṁ tadā

Madhava, together with Bala, restored everyone to their proper place; and hearing that Kamsa had been slain by Sri Krishna,

Verse 84 (skanda.3.27.84)

बांधवा मथुरायां ये पूर्वं कंसे न बाधिताः उग्रसेनं तथा राज्ये स्थापयामास केशवः

bāṁdhavā mathurāyāṁ ye pūrvaṁ kaṁse na bādhitāḥ ugrasenaṁ tathā rājye sthāpayāmāsa keśavaḥ

those kinsmen in Mathura who had earlier not been harmed by Kamsa now came to the city; and Keshava established Ugrasena upon the royal throne.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.27.85)

असहिष्णुर्द्विजाः पित्रोरेवं कंसकृतागसम् जघान मातुलं कंसं देवब्राह्मणकंटकम्

asahiṣṇurdvijāḥ pitrorevaṁ kaṁsakṛtāgasam jaghāna mātulaṁ kaṁsaṁ devabrāhmaṇakaṁṭakam

O brahmins, unable to bear the wrong that Kamsa had done to his parents, he thus slew his maternal uncle Kamsa, that thorn in the side of gods and brahmins.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.27.86)

ततः कदाचित्कृष्णोऽयमात्मानं द्रष्टुमागतान् नारदादीन्मुनीन्सर्वानिदं पप्रच्छ सत्तमः

tataḥ kadācitkṛṣṇo'yamātmānaṁ draṣṭumāgatān nāradādīnmunīnsarvānidaṁ papraccha sattamaḥ

Then, at a certain time, that most excellent Krishna put this question to Narada and all the other sages who had come to see him -

Verse 87 (skanda.3.27.87)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच मयाऽयं मातुलो विप्रा हतः कंसोऽतिपापकृत् मातुलस्य वधे दोषः प्रोच्यते शास्त्रवित्तमैः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca mayā'yaṁ mātulo viprā hataḥ kaṁso'tipāpakṛt mātulasya vadhe doṣaḥ procyate śāstravittamaiḥ

Sri Krishna said: "O brahmins, this greatly sinful maternal uncle of mine, Kamsa, has been slain by me; those learned in scripture declare that there is sin in the killing of a maternal uncle.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.27.88)

प्रायश्चित्तमतो ब्रूत तद्दोषविनिवृत्तये अवोचन्नारदस्तत्र कृष्णमद्भुतविक्रमम् वाचा मधुरया विप्रा भक्तिप्रणयपूर्वकम्

prāyaścittamato brūta taddoṣavinivṛttaye avocannāradastatra kṛṣṇamadbhutavikramam vācā madhurayā viprā bhaktipraṇayapūrvakam

Therefore tell me the atonement for the removal of that sin." Then Narada, O brahmins, spoke there to Krishna of wondrous prowess, in sweet words, with loving devotion -

Verse 89 (skanda.3.27.89)

नारद उवाच नित्यशुद्धश्च मुक्तश्च भद्रश्चैव भवान्सदा

nārada uvāca nityaśuddhaśca muktaśca bhadraścaiva bhavānsadā

Narada said: "You are ever pure, ever liberated, and forever the very form of grace -

Verse 90 (skanda.3.27.90)

सच्चिदानंदरूपश्च परमात्मा सनातनः पुण्यं पापं च ते नास्ति कृष्ण यादवनंदन

saccidānaṁdarūpaśca paramātmā sanātanaḥ puṇyaṁ pāpaṁ ca te nāsti kṛṣṇa yādavanaṁdana

you are of the nature of being, consciousness and bliss, the eternal Supreme Self; for you, O Krishna, delight of the Yadus, there is neither virtue nor sin.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.27.91)

तथापि लोकशिक्षार्थं भवता गरुडध्वज प्रायश्चित्तं तु कर्तव्यं विधिनानेन माधव

tathāpi lokaśikṣārthaṁ bhavatā garuḍadhvaja prāyaścittaṁ tu kartavyaṁ vidhinānena mādhava

Nevertheless, O bearer of the Garuda banner, for the instruction of the world you should perform an atonement according to this rite, O Madhava.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.27.92)

लोकसंग्रहणं तावत्कर्तव्यं भवताधुना रामसेतौ महापुण्ये गंधमादनपर्वते

lokasaṁgrahaṇaṁ tāvatkartavyaṁ bhavatādhunā rāmasetau mahāpuṇye gaṁdhamādanaparvate

For the guidance and welfare of the world, you should now do this: go to the highly meritorious Rama-setu, on Mount Gandhamadana,

Verse 93 (skanda.3.27.93)

रामेण स्थापितं लिंगं रामनाथाभिधं पुरा तस्याभिषेकतोयार्थं धनुष्कोट्या रघूद्वहः

rāmeṇa sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ rāmanāthābhidhaṁ purā tasyābhiṣekatoyārthaṁ dhanuṣkoṭyā raghūdvahaḥ

where long ago Rama established the linga named Ramanatha; and for the water needed for its consecration, Raghava, with the tip of his bow,

Verse 94 (skanda.3.27.94)

गां भित्त्वोत्पादयामास तीर्थं कोटीति विश्रुतम् तव पूर्वावतारेण रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा

gāṁ bhittvotpādayāmāsa tīrthaṁ koṭīti viśrutam tava pūrvāvatāreṇa rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā

split open the earth and brought forth the tirtha renowned by the name Koti - which was created, in your former incarnation as the effortlessly-acting Rama,

Verse 95 (skanda.3.27.95)

ब्रह्महत्याविशुद्ध्यर्थं निर्मितं स्वयमेव यत् तत्र स्नानं कुरुष्व त्वं धर्म्ये पापविनाशने

brahmahatyāviśuddhyarthaṁ nirmitaṁ svayameva yat tatra snānaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ dharmye pāpavināśane

with his own hands, for the purification of the sin of killing a brahmin. Bathe now in that righteous, sin-destroying place.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.27.96)

तेन ते मातुलवधाद्दोषः शीघ्रं विनंक्ष्यति कोटितीर्थे हरेः स्नानं ब्रह्महत्यादिशोधकम्

tena te mātulavadhāddoṣaḥ śīghraṁ vinaṁkṣyati koṭitīrthe hareḥ snānaṁ brahmahatyādiśodhakam

By this, your sin of slaying your maternal uncle will swiftly perish. For Hari, bathing at Koti-tirtha purifies the sin of brahmin-killing and the like;

Verse 97 (skanda.3.27.97)

स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदं पुंसामायुरारोग्यवर्धनम् इति श्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं नारदस्य स माधवः

svargamokṣapradaṁ puṁsāmāyurārogyavardhanam iti śrutvā munervākyaṁ nāradasya sa mādhavaḥ

it grants men both heaven and liberation, and increases lifespan and health." Having heard sage Narada's words, Madhava then,

Verse 98 (skanda.3.27.98)

विसृज्य तानृषीन्सर्वांस्तस्मिन्नेव क्षणे द्विजाः रामसेतौ ययौ तूर्णं स्वदोषपरिशुद्धये

visṛjya tānṛṣīnsarvāṁstasminneva kṣaṇe dvijāḥ rāmasetau yayau tūrṇaṁ svadoṣapariśuddhaye

dismissing all those sages that very moment, O brahmins, set out swiftly for Rama-setu for the purification of his own sin.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.27.99)

दिनैः कतिपयैर्गत्वा कोटितीर्थं यदूद्वहः स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वं च दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकशः

dinaiḥ katipayairgatvā koṭitīrthaṁ yadūdvahaḥ snātvā saṁkalpapūrvaṁ ca dattvā dānānyanekaśaḥ

Journeying for a few days, that foremost of the Yadus reached Koti-tirtha; having bathed there with due resolve and given manifold gifts,

Verse 100 (skanda.3.27.100)

स मातुलवधोत्पन्नदोषेभ्यो मुमुचे क्षणात् निषेव्य रामनाथं च स्वपुरं मथुरां ययौ

sa mātulavadhotpannadoṣebhyo mumuce kṣaṇāt niṣevya rāmanāthaṁ ca svapuraṁ mathurāṁ yayau

he was instantly freed from the sin that had arisen from the killing of his maternal uncle; and having worshipped Ramanatha, he returned to his own city, Mathura.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.27.101)

श्रीसूत उवाच एवं प्रभावं पुण्यं च कोटितीर्थं मुनीश्वराः ब्रह्महत्यादिभिः पापैः सद्यो मुच्येत मानवः नानेन सदृशं तीर्थमन्यदस्ति महीतले

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ prabhāvaṁ puṇyaṁ ca koṭitīrthaṁ munīśvarāḥ brahmahatyādibhiḥ pāpaiḥ sadyo mucyeta mānavaḥ nānena sadṛśaṁ tīrthamanyadasti mahītale

Sri Suta said: Such, O sages, is the meritorious power of Koti-tirtha; a man is instantly freed from sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin. No other tirtha on earth equals this one.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.27.102)

अत्र स्नानात्त्रयो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवा द्विजाः प्रीताः स्युरन्ये देवाश्च नात्र कार्या विचारणा

atra snānāttrayo devā brahmaviṣṇuśivā dvijāḥ prītāḥ syuranye devāśca nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

By bathing here, O brahmins, the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are pleased, as are the other gods too; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.27.103)

एवं वः कथितं चित्रं कोटितीर्थस्य वैभवम् यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते मानवो भुवि

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ citraṁ koṭitīrthasya vaibhavam yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate mānavo bhuvi

Thus have I recounted to you the wondrous majesty of Koti-tirtha, hearing which a man on this earth is freed from all sins.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.27.104)

श्रुत्वेमं पुण्यमध्यायं पठित्वा च मुनीश्वराः ब्रह्महत्यादिभिः सत्यं मुच्यते पातकैर्नरः

śrutvemaṁ puṇyamadhyāyaṁ paṭhitvā ca munīśvarāḥ brahmahatyādibhiḥ satyaṁ mucyate pātakairnaraḥ

O eminent sages, having heard or having recited this meritorious chapter, a man is truly freed from sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin.