The Glory of Sadhyamrita and Pururavas's Deliverance

Verse 1 (skanda.3.28.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच कोटितीर्थं महापुण्यं सेवित्वा केवलं नरः स्नातुं जितेंद्रियस्तीर्थं ततः साध्यामृतं व्रजेत्

śrīsūta uvāca koṭitīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sevitvā kevalaṁ naraḥ snātuṁ jiteṁdriyastīrthaṁ tataḥ sādhyāmṛtaṁ vrajet

Sri Suta said: Having served (visited) only the greatly meritorious Koti-tirtha, a man of controlled senses should then go to bathe at Sadhyamrita.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.28.2)

साध्यामृतं महातीर्थ महापुण्यफलप्रदम् महादुःखप्रशमनं गन्धमादनपर्वते

sādhyāmṛtaṁ mahātīrtha mahāpuṇyaphalapradam mahāduḥkhapraśamanaṁ gandhamādanaparvate

Sadhyamrita is a great tirtha, bestowing the fruit of great merit; situated on Mount Gandhamadana, it calms the greatest of sorrows.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.28.3)

अस्ति पापहरं पुंसां सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायकम् यत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

asti pāpaharaṁ puṁsāṁ sarvābhīṣṭapradāyakam yatra snātvā naro bhaktyā sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

It removes the sins of men and grants every desire; a man who bathes there with devotion obtains all his wishes.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.28.4)

तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण यज्ञैर्दानेन वा पुनः गतिं तां न लभेन्मर्त्यो यां साध्यामृतमज्जनात्

tapasā brahmacaryeṇa yajñairdānena vā punaḥ gatiṁ tāṁ na labhenmartyo yāṁ sādhyāmṛtamajjanāt

The state that a mortal attains by immersion in Sadhyamrita cannot be gained through austerity, celibacy, sacrifices, or gifts.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.28.5)

स्पृष्टानि येषामंगानि साध्यामृतजलैः शुभैः तेषां देहगतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

spṛṣṭāni yeṣāmaṁgāni sādhyāmṛtajalaiḥ śubhaiḥ teṣāṁ dehagataṁ pāpaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

Those whose limbs are touched by the auspicious waters of Sadhyamrita - their bodily sin is destroyed that very instant.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.28.6)

साध्यामृतजले यस्तु साघमर्षणकृन्नरः स विधूयेह पापानि विष्णुलोके महीयते

sādhyāmṛtajale yastu sāghamarṣaṇakṛnnaraḥ sa vidhūyeha pāpāni viṣṇuloke mahīyate

A man who, in the waters of Sadhyamrita, performs the sin-cleansing aghamarshana rite washes away all his sins and is exalted in Vishnu's world.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.28.7)

पूर्वे वयसि पापानि कृत्वा कर्माणि यो नरः पश्चात्साध्यामृतं सेवेत्पश्चात्तापसमन्वितः

pūrve vayasi pāpāni kṛtvā karmāṇi yo naraḥ paścātsādhyāmṛtaṁ sevetpaścāttāpasamanvitaḥ

A man who has committed sinful deeds in the earlier part of his life, but afterward, filled with remorse, resorts to Sadhyamrita -

Verse 8 (skanda.3.28.8)

अन्ते वयसि मुक्तः स्यात्स नरो नात्र संशयः साध्यामृते नरः स्नात्वा देहबंधाद्विमुच्यते

ante vayasi muktaḥ syātsa naro nātra saṁśayaḥ sādhyāmṛte naraḥ snātvā dehabaṁdhādvimucyate

at the end of his life is surely liberated - of this there is no doubt. Bathing in Sadhyamrita, a man is freed from bondage to the body.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.28.9)

साध्यामृतजले स्नाता मनुष्याः पापकर्मिणः अनेकक्लेशघोराणि नरकाणि न यांति हि

sādhyāmṛtajale snātā manuṣyāḥ pāpakarmiṇaḥ anekakleśaghorāṇi narakāṇi na yāṁti hi

Sinful men who have bathed in the waters of Sadhyamrita do not go to the terrible hells filled with manifold torments.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.28.10)

साध्यामृतजले स्नानात्पुंसां या स्याद्गतिर्द्विजाः न सा गतिर्भवेद्यज्ञैर्न वेदैः पुण्यकर्मभिः

sādhyāmṛtajale snānātpuṁsāṁ yā syādgatirdvijāḥ na sā gatirbhavedyajñairna vedaiḥ puṇyakarmabhiḥ

O brahmins, the state that men attain by bathing in the waters of Sadhyamrita cannot be attained by sacrifices, nor by the Vedas, nor by meritorious deeds.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.28.11)

यावदस्थि मनुष्याणां साध्यामृतजले स्थितम् तावद्वर्षाणि तिष्ठंति शिवलोके सुपूजिताः

yāvadasthi manuṣyāṇāṁ sādhyāmṛtajale sthitam tāvadvarṣāṇi tiṣṭhaṁti śivaloke supūjitāḥ

For as many years as a man's bones remain immersed in the waters of Sadhyamrita, for that many years he dwells, greatly honored, in Shiva's world.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.28.12)

अपहत्य तमस्तीव्रं यथा भात्युदये रविः तथा साध्यामृतस्नायी भित्त्वा पापानि राजते

apahatya tamastīvraṁ yathā bhātyudaye raviḥ tathā sādhyāmṛtasnāyī bhittvā pāpāni rājate

Just as the sun, dispelling dense darkness, shines forth at dawn, so does one who has bathed in Sadhyamrita shine, having shattered his sins.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.28.13)

वांछिताँल्लभते कामानत्र स्नातो नरः सदा यत्र स्नात्वा महापुण्ये पुरा राजा पुरूरवाः विप्रयोगं सहोर्वश्या जहौ तुंबुरुशापजम्

vāṁchitā~llabhate kāmānatra snāto naraḥ sadā yatra snātvā mahāpuṇye purā rājā purūravāḥ viprayogaṁ sahorvaśyā jahau tuṁburuśāpajam

A man who bathes here ever obtains his desired wishes. It was by bathing at this most meritorious place that King Pururavas of old ended his separation from Urvashi, which had arisen from Tumburu's curse.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.28.14)

ऋषय ऊचुः कथं सूत महाभाग सहोर्वश्यामरस्त्रिया

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kathaṁ sūta mahābhāga sahorvaśyāmarastriyā

The sages said: O greatly fortunate Suta, how did the mortal king Pururavas first attain union with the divine woman Urvashi?

Verse 15 (skanda.3.28.15)

प्रथमं लब्धवान्योगं मर्त्यो राजा पुरूरवाः विप्रयोगं सहोर्वश्या जहौ तुंबुरुशापजम्

prathamaṁ labdhavānyogaṁ martyo rājā purūravāḥ viprayogaṁ sahorvaśyā jahau tuṁburuśāpajam

And how did he end his separation from Urvashi, which had arisen from Tumburu's curse?

Verse 16 (skanda.3.28.16)

हेतुना केन राजानं शशाप तुंबुरुर्मुनिः एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तरान्मुनिपुंगव

hetunā kena rājānaṁ śaśāpa tuṁbururmuniḥ etatsarvaṁ samācakṣva vistarānmunipuṁgava

For what reason did the sage Tumburu curse the king? Relate all this in detail, O foremost of sages.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.28.17)

सूत उवाच आसीत्पुरूरवानाम शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः राजराजसमो राजा पुरा ह्यमरपूजितः

sūta uvāca āsītpurūravānāma śakratulyaparākramaḥ rājarājasamo rājā purā hyamarapūjitaḥ

Suta said: There was a king named Pururavas, of prowess equal to Indra's, of old a king equal to the lord of kings, honored by the immortals.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.28.18)

धर्मतः पालयामास मेदिनीं स नृपोत्तमः ईजे च बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्ददौ दानानि सर्वदा

dharmataḥ pālayāmāsa medinīṁ sa nṛpottamaḥ īje ca bahubhiryajñairdadau dānāni sarvadā

That best of kings ruled the earth righteously; he performed many sacrifices and constantly gave gifts.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.28.19)

प्रशासति महीं सर्वां राज्ञि तस्मिन्महामतौ मित्रावरुणशापेन भुवं प्रापोर्वशी द्विजाः

praśāsati mahīṁ sarvāṁ rājñi tasminmahāmatau mitrāvaruṇaśāpena bhuvaṁ prāporvaśī dvijāḥ

While that wise-minded king was ruling the whole earth, O brahmins, Urvashi came down to earth owing to the curse of Mitra and Varuna.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.28.20)

सा चचारोर्वशी तत्र राज्ञस्तस्य पुरांतिके कोकिलालापमधुरवीणयोपवने जगौ

sā cacārorvaśī tatra rājñastasya purāṁtike kokilālāpamadhuravīṇayopavane jagau

There Urvashi wandered near that king's city, singing in the grove with a voice sweet as the cuckoo's call, to the accompaniment of the vina.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.28.21)

स राजोपवने रंतुं कदाचिद्धृतकौतुकः आरूढतुरगः प्रायाल्ललनाशतसंवृतः

sa rājopavane raṁtuṁ kadāciddhṛtakautukaḥ ārūḍhaturagaḥ prāyāllalanāśatasaṁvṛtaḥ

That king, once, filled with curiosity, went to sport in the pleasure-garden, mounted on horseback, surrounded by a hundred maidens.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.28.22)

तादृशीमुर्वशीं तत्र करसम्मितमध्यमाम् उवाच चैनां राजासौ भार्या मम भवेति वै

tādṛśīmurvaśīṁ tatra karasammitamadhyamām uvāca caināṁ rājāsau bhāryā mama bhaveti vai

There he saw that Urvashi, her waist but a handspan wide, and the king said to her: "Become my wife."

Verse 23 (skanda.3.28.23)

सापि कामातुरा तत्र राजानं प्रत्यभाषत भवत्वेवं नरश्रेष्ठ समयं यदि मे भवान्

sāpi kāmāturā tatra rājānaṁ pratyabhāṣata bhavatvevaṁ naraśreṣṭha samayaṁ yadi me bhavān

She too, overcome by desire, replied to the king there: "So be it, O best of men, if you will make an agreement with me.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.28.24)

करिष्यति तवाभ्याशे वत्स्यामि धृतकौतुका करिष्ये समयं सुभ्रु तवाहमिति सोऽब्रवीत्

kariṣyati tavābhyāśe vatsyāmi dhṛtakautukā kariṣye samayaṁ subhru tavāhamiti so'bravīt

If you will keep it faithfully near me, filled with delight I shall dwell with you." "I shall make that agreement with you, O fair-browed one," he said.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.28.25)

अथोर्वशी बभाषे तं पुरूरवसमुत्सुका पुत्रभूतं मम यदि रक्षस्युरणकद्वयम्

athorvaśī babhāṣe taṁ purūravasamutsukā putrabhūtaṁ mama yadi rakṣasyuraṇakadvayam

Then Urvashi, eager, spoke to Pururavas: "If you will guard, as though they were your own sons, these two rams of mine -

Verse 26 (skanda.3.28.26)

न नग्नो दृश्यसे राजन्कदापि यदि वै तथा नोच्छिष्टं मम दद्याश्चेत्तदा वत्स्ये तवांतिके

na nagno dṛśyase rājankadāpi yadi vai tathā nocchiṣṭaṁ mama dadyāścettadā vatsye tavāṁtike

and if you, O king, are never at any time seen naked by me, and if you never give me any of your leftover food, then I shall dwell with you.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.28.27)

घृतमात्राशना चाहं भविष्यामि नृपोत्तम एवमस्त्विति राजोक्तां तां निनाय निजं गृहम्

ghṛtamātrāśanā cāhaṁ bhaviṣyāmi nṛpottama evamastviti rājoktāṁ tāṁ nināya nijaṁ gṛham

I shall live on ghee alone, O best of kings." "So be it," said the king, and, she agreeing, he led her to his own home.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.28.28)

अलकायां स भूपालस्तथा चैत्ररथे वने रेमे सरस्वतीतीरे पद्मखण्डमनोरमे

alakāyāṁ sa bhūpālastathā caitrarathe vane reme sarasvatītīre padmakhaṇḍamanorame

That king sported in Alaka, and likewise in the Chaitraratha forest, and on the banks of the Sarasvati amid lovely lotus-groves.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.28.29)

एकषष्टिं स वर्षाणि रममाणस्तयानयत् तेनोर्वशी प्रतिदिनं वर्धमानानुरागिणी

ekaṣaṣṭiṁ sa varṣāṇi ramamāṇastayānayat tenorvaśī pratidinaṁ vardhamānānurāgiṇī

Sporting with her, he passed sixty-one years; through this Urvashi's love grew day by day -

Verse 30 (skanda.3.28.30)

स्पृहां न देवलोकेऽपि चकार तनुमध्यमा नाभवद्रमणीयोऽसौ देवलोकस्तया विना

spṛhāṁ na devaloke'pi cakāra tanumadhyamā nābhavadramaṇīyo'sau devalokastayā vinā

that slender-waisted one felt no longing even for the world of the gods; and heaven itself, without her, no longer seemed delightful.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.28.31)

अतस्तामानयिष्यामि देवलोकमिति द्विजाः विश्वावसुर्विचार्यैवं भूर्लोकमगमत्क्षणात्

atastāmānayiṣyāmi devalokamiti dvijāḥ viśvāvasurvicāryaivaṁ bhūrlokamagamatkṣaṇāt

"Therefore I shall bring her back to the world of the gods" - so thinking, Vishvavasu, O brahmins, descended to the earthly realm in an instant.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.28.32)

उर्वश्याः समयं राज्ञा विश्वावसुरयं सह विदित्वा सह गन्धर्वैः समवेतो निशांतरे

urvaśyāḥ samayaṁ rājñā viśvāvasurayaṁ saha viditvā saha gandharvaiḥ samaveto niśāṁtare

This Vishvavasu, having learned of Urvashi's agreement with the king, gathered together with the other Gandharvas in the dead of night,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.28.33)

उर्वश्याः शयनाभ्याशाज्जग्राहोरणकं जवात् आकाशे नीयमानस्य तस्य श्रुत्वोर्वशी पतिम्

urvaśyāḥ śayanābhyāśājjagrāhoraṇakaṁ javāt ākāśe nīyamānasya tasya śrutvorvaśī patim

and swiftly seized one of the two rams from beside Urvashi's bed. Hearing that ram being carried off through the sky, her husband -

Verse 34 (skanda.3.28.34)

अब्रवीन्मत्सुतः केन गृह्यते त्यज्यतामयम् अनाथा शरणं यामि कं नरं गतचेतना

abravīnmatsutaḥ kena gṛhyate tyajyatāmayam anāthā śaraṇaṁ yāmi kaṁ naraṁ gatacetanā

Urvashi cried out: "By whom is my son being seized? Let him go! I go unprotected - to whom for refuge, O man bereft of sense?"

Verse 35 (skanda.3.28.35)

पुरूरवाः समाकर्ण्य वाक्यं तस्या निशांतरे मां न नग्नं निरीक्षेत देवीति न ययौ तदा

purūravāḥ samākarṇya vākyaṁ tasyā niśāṁtare māṁ na nagnaṁ nirīkṣeta devīti na yayau tadā

Pururavas, hearing her words in the dead of night, but thinking "the goddess must not see me naked," did not go to her aid then.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.28.36)

अथान्यमप्युरणकं गन्धर्वाः प्रतिगृह्य ते ययुस्तस्योरणस्यापि शब्दं शुश्राव चोर्वशी

athānyamapyuraṇakaṁ gandharvāḥ pratigṛhya te yayustasyoraṇasyāpi śabdaṁ śuśrāva corvaśī

Then those Gandharvas, seizing the other ram too, went off; and Urvashi heard the cry of that ram as well.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.28.37)

अनाथाया मम सुतो गृह्यते तस्करैरिति चुक्रोश देवी परुषं कं यामि शरणं नरम्

anāthāyā mama suto gṛhyate taskarairiti cukrośa devī paruṣaṁ kaṁ yāmi śaraṇaṁ naram

"My son, unprotected, is being seized by thieves!" - so that goddess cried out harshly. "To what man shall I go for refuge?"

Verse 38 (skanda.3.28.38)

अमर्षवशमापन्नः श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं नृपः तिमिरेणावृतं सर्वमिति मत्त्वा स खङ्गधृक्

amarṣavaśamāpannaḥ śrutvā tadvacanaṁ nṛpaḥ timireṇāvṛtaṁ sarvamiti mattvā sa khaṅgadhṛk

The king, hearing her words, was overcome with indignation; thinking all was covered in darkness, he seized his sword,

Verse 39 (skanda.3.28.39)

दुष्टदुष्ट कुतो यासीत्यभ्यधावद्वचो वदन् तावत्सौदामिनी दीप्ता गन्धर्वैर्जनिता भृशम्

duṣṭaduṣṭa kuto yāsītyabhyadhāvadvaco vadan tāvatsaudāminī dīptā gandharvairjanitā bhṛśam

and, crying "Wicked one, wicked one, where do you flee!", rushed forward. Just then a brilliant flash of lightning, conjured intensely by the Gandharvas,

Verse 40 (skanda.3.28.40)

तत्प्रभामंडलैर्देवी राजानं विगतांबरम् दृष्ट्वा निवृत्तसमया तत्क्षणादेव निर्ययौ

tatprabhāmaṁḍalairdevī rājānaṁ vigatāṁbaram dṛṣṭvā nivṛttasamayā tatkṣaṇādeva niryayau

and by its glow the goddess saw the king without his garment; seeing this, her condition thus broken, she departed that very instant.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.28.41)

त्यक्त्वा ह्युरणकौ तत्र गंधर्वा अपि निर्ययुः राजा मेषौ समादाय हृष्टः स्वशयनांतिकम्

tyaktvā hyuraṇakau tatra gaṁdharvā api niryayuḥ rājā meṣau samādāya hṛṣṭaḥ svaśayanāṁtikam

Leaving both rams there, the Gandharvas too departed. The king, delighted, took up the two rams and returned near his own bed.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.28.42)

आगतो नोर्वशीं तत्र ददर्शायतलोचनाम् तां चापश्यन्विवस्त्रश्च बभ्रामोन्मत्तवद्भुवि

āgato norvaśīṁ tatra dadarśāyatalocanām tāṁ cāpaśyanvivastraśca babhrāmonmattavadbhuvi

Arriving there, he did not find wide-eyed Urvashi; failing to find her, and himself unclothed, he wandered the earth like one deranged.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.28.43)

कुरुक्षेत्रं गतो राजा तटाके पद्मसंकुले चतुर्भिरप्सरस्त्रीभिः क्रीडमाना ददर्श ताम्

kurukṣetraṁ gato rājā taṭāke padmasaṁkule caturbhirapsarastrībhiḥ krīḍamānā dadarśa tām

The king went to Kurukshetra, and at a lake full of lotuses he saw her sporting there with four apsara women.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.28.44)

हे जाये तिष्ठ मनसा घोरेति व्याहरन्मुहुः एवं बहुप्रकारं वै स सूक्तं प्रालपन्नृपः

he jāye tiṣṭha manasā ghoreti vyāharanmuhuḥ evaṁ bahuprakāraṁ vai sa sūktaṁ prālapannṛpaḥ

"O my wife, stay, O hard-hearted one!" - crying thus again and again, the king uttered lament after lament in this way and many others.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.28.45)

अब्रवीदुर्वशी तं च क्रीडती साप्सरोगणैः महाराजालमेतेन चेष्टितेन तवानघ

abravīdurvaśī taṁ ca krīḍatī sāpsarogaṇaiḥ mahārājālametena ceṣṭitena tavānagha

Urvashi, sporting there with the troop of apsaras, said to him: "O great king, enough of this behavior, O sinless one.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.28.46)

त्वत्तो गर्भिण्यहं पूर्वमब्दांते भवतात्र वै आगंतव्यं कुमारस्ते भविष्यत्यतिधार्मिकः

tvatto garbhiṇyahaṁ pūrvamabdāṁte bhavatātra vai āgaṁtavyaṁ kumāraste bhaviṣyatyatidhārmikaḥ

I am already pregnant by you from before; when a year has passed, come here again - a son will be born to you, of great righteousness.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.28.47)

एकां विभावरीं राजंस्त्वया वत्स्यामि वै तदा इत्युक्तो नृपतिर्हृष्टः स्वपुरीं प्राविशद्द्विजाः

ekāṁ vibhāvarīṁ rājaṁstvayā vatsyāmi vai tadā ityukto nṛpatirhṛṣṭaḥ svapurīṁ prāviśaddvijāḥ

I shall dwell with you, O king, for a single night then." Thus told, the delighted king, O brahmins, returned to his own city.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.28.48)

तासामप्सरसां सा तु कथयामास तं नृपम् अयं स पुरुषश्रेष्ठो येनाहं कामरूपिणा

tāsāmapsarasāṁ sā tu kathayāmāsa taṁ nṛpam ayaṁ sa puruṣaśreṣṭho yenāhaṁ kāmarūpiṇā

That Urvashi then told those apsaras about the king: "This is that best of men, through whom I,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.28.49)

एतावंतं महाकालमनुरागवशातुरा उषितास्मि सहानेन सख्यो नृपतिना चिरम्

etāvaṁtaṁ mahākālamanurāgavaśāturā uṣitāsmi sahānena sakhyo nṛpatinā ciram

assuming desired forms, overcome by love, dwelt for so great a span of time - O friends, I remained with this king for long.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.28.50)

एवमुक्तास्ततः सख्यस्तामूचुः साधुसाध्विति अनेन साकमास्यामः सर्वकालं वयं सखि

evamuktāstataḥ sakhyastāmūcuḥ sādhusādhviti anena sākamāsyāmaḥ sarvakālaṁ vayaṁ sakhi

Thus addressed, her friends said to her, "Well done, well done! We too, O friend, shall always remain together with him" -

Verse 51 (skanda.3.28.51)

इत्यूचुरुर्वशीं तत्र सखीमप्सरसस्तदा अब्देऽथ पूर्णे राजापि तटाकांतिकमाययौ

ityūcururvaśīṁ tatra sakhīmapsarasastadā abde'tha pūrṇe rājāpi taṭākāṁtikamāyayau

so said those apsara-friends to Urvashi there at that time. Then, when the year had ended, the king too came near the lake.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.28.52)

आगतं नृपतिं दृष्ट्वा पुरूरवसमुर्वशी कुमारमायुषं तस्मै ददौ संप्रीतमानसा

āgataṁ nṛpatiṁ dṛṣṭvā purūravasamurvaśī kumāramāyuṣaṁ tasmai dadau saṁprītamānasā

Seeing King Pururavas arrived there, Urvashi, her heart full of love, gave him a son named Ayus.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.28.53)

तेन साकं निशामेकामुषिता सानुरागिणी पंचपुत्रप्रदं गर्भं तस्मादापाशु सोर्वशी

tena sākaṁ niśāmekāmuṣitā sānurāgiṇī paṁcaputrapradaṁ garbhaṁ tasmādāpāśu sorvaśī

Having dwelt with him for a single night, the loving Urvashi at once conceived from him a pregnancy destined to give five sons.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.28.54)

उवाच चैनं राजानमुर्वशी परमांगना वरं दास्यंति गन्धर्वा मत्प्रीत्या तव भूपते

uvāca cainaṁ rājānamurvaśī paramāṁganā varaṁ dāsyaṁti gandharvā matprītyā tava bhūpate

And that most beautiful Urvashi said to the king: "O king, out of love for me, the Gandharvas will grant a boon -

Verse 55 (skanda.3.28.55)

भवतां प्रार्थ्यतां तेभ्यो वरो राजर्षिसत्तम इत्युक्तः स तया राजा प्राह गन्धर्वसत्तमान्

bhavatāṁ prārthyatāṁ tebhyo varo rājarṣisattama ityuktaḥ sa tayā rājā prāha gandharvasattamān

you should ask a boon of them, O best of royal sages." Thus told, the king spoke to those foremost Gandharvas -

Verse 56 (skanda.3.28.56)

अहं संपूर्णकोशश्च विजिताराति मंडलः सलोकतां विनोर्वश्याः प्राप्तव्यं नान्यदस्ति मे

ahaṁ saṁpūrṇakośaśca vijitārāti maṁḍalaḥ salokatāṁ vinorvaśyāḥ prāptavyaṁ nānyadasti me

"I have a full treasury and I have conquered the circle of my enemies; there is nothing else for me to attain, save union with Urvashi's world.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.28.57)

अतस्तया सहोर्वश्या कालं नेतुमहं वृणे एवमुक्ते नृपेणाथ गन्धर्वास्तुष्टमानसाः अग्निस्थालीं प्रदायास्मै प्रोचुश्चैनं नृपं तदा

atastayā sahorvaśyā kālaṁ netumahaṁ vṛṇe evamukte nṛpeṇātha gandharvāstuṣṭamānasāḥ agnisthālīṁ pradāyāsmai procuścainaṁ nṛpaṁ tadā

Therefore I choose to pass my time together with Urvashi." When the king had said this, the Gandharvas, their hearts pleased, giving him a vessel of fire, then said to him -

Verse 58 (skanda.3.28.58)

गन्धर्वा ऊचुः अग्निं वेदानुसारी त्वं त्रिधा कृत्वा नृपोत्तम

gandharvā ūcuḥ agniṁ vedānusārī tvaṁ tridhā kṛtvā nṛpottama

The Gandharvas said: "O best of kings, following Vedic rite, dividing this fire into three parts,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.28.59)

इष्ट्वा यज्ञेन चोर्वश्याः सालोक्यं याहि भूपते इतीरितस्तैरादाय स्थालीमग्नेर्ययौ नृपः

iṣṭvā yajñena corvaśyāḥ sālokyaṁ yāhi bhūpate itīritastairādāya sthālīmagneryayau nṛpaḥ

and worshipping it with a sacrifice, O king, attain union with Urvashi's world." So instructed, the king took the vessel and set out from that place.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.28.60)

अहो बतातिमूढोहमिति मध्ये वनं नृपः उर्वशी न मया लब्धा वह्निस्थाल्या तु किं फलम्

aho batātimūḍhohamiti madhye vanaṁ nṛpaḥ urvaśī na mayā labdhā vahnisthālyā tu kiṁ phalam

"Ah, alas, how utterly foolish I am!" - so the king reflected in the midst of the forest: "I have not obtained Urvashi - what use is this vessel of fire to me?"

Verse 61 (skanda.3.28.61)

निधायैव वने स्थालीं स्वपुरं प्रययौ नृपः अर्धरात्रे व्यतीतेऽसौ विनिद्रोऽचिंतयत्स्वयम्

nidhāyaiva vane sthālīṁ svapuraṁ prayayau nṛpaḥ ardharātre vyatīte'sau vinidro'ciṁtayatsvayam

Setting down the vessel right there in the forest, the king returned to his own city; and when midnight had passed, sleepless, he reflected to himself -

Verse 62 (skanda.3.28.62)

उर्वशीलोकसिद्ध्यर्थं मम गन्धर्वपुंगवैः अग्निस्थाली संप्रदत्ता सा च त्यक्ता मया वने

urvaśīlokasiddhyarthaṁ mama gandharvapuṁgavaiḥ agnisthālī saṁpradattā sā ca tyaktā mayā vane

"The fire-vessel given me by the foremost Gandharvas, for the attainment of Urvashi's world, I have left behind in the forest -

Verse 63 (skanda.3.28.63)

आहरिष्ये पुनः स्थालीमित्युत्थाय ययौ वनम् नाग्निस्थालीं ददर्शासौ वने तत्र पुरूरवाः

āhariṣye punaḥ sthālīmityutthāya yayau vanam nāgnisthālīṁ dadarśāsau vane tatra purūravāḥ

I shall go fetch that vessel again" - so thinking, he rose and went to the forest. But Pururavas did not find the fire-vessel there.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.28.64)

शमीगर्भमथाश्वत्थमग्निस्थाने विलोक्य सः व्यचिंतयन्मया स्थाली निक्षिप्तात्र वने पुरा

śamīgarbhamathāśvatthamagnisthāne vilokya saḥ vyaciṁtayanmayā sthālī nikṣiptātra vane purā

Then, seeing in place of the fire a peepal tree growing within a shami tree, he reflected: "The vessel I placed here in this forest long ago -

Verse 65 (skanda.3.28.65)

सा चाश्वत्थः शमीगर्भः समभूदधुना त्विह तस्मादेनं समादाय वह्निरूपमहं पुरम्

sā cāśvatthaḥ śamīgarbhaḥ samabhūdadhunā tviha tasmādenaṁ samādāya vahnirūpamahaṁ puram

that has now, right here, become this peepal growing within the shami. Therefore, taking it as the very form of fire, I shall go to my city -"

Verse 66 (skanda.3.28.66)

गत्वा कृत्वारणीं सम्यक्तदुत्पन्नाग्निमादरात् उपास्यामीति निश्चित्य स्वपुरं गतवान्नृपः

gatvā kṛtvāraṇīṁ samyaktadutpannāgnimādarāt upāsyāmīti niścitya svapuraṁ gatavānnṛpaḥ

"and there, having properly fashioned a fire-drill from it, I shall reverently worship the fire it produces" - resolving thus, the king went to his own city.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.28.67)

रमणीयारणीं चक्रे स्वांगुलैः प्रमितामसौ निर्माणसमये राजा गायत्रीमजपद्द्विजाः

ramaṇīyāraṇīṁ cakre svāṁgulaiḥ pramitāmasau nirmāṇasamaye rājā gāyatrīmajapaddvijāḥ

He fashioned a lovely fire-drill, measured out by his own finger-widths; and while making it, O brahmins, the king recited the Gayatri.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.28.68)

गायत्र्याः पठ्यमानाया यानि संत्यक्षराणि हि तावदंगुलिमर्यादामकरोदरणीं नृपः

gāyatryāḥ paṭhyamānāyā yāni saṁtyakṣarāṇi hi tāvadaṁgulimaryādāmakarodaraṇīṁ nṛpaḥ

As many syllables as there are in the recited Gayatri, that many finger-widths in measure did the king make the fire-drill.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.28.69)

तत्र निर्मथनादग्नित्रयमुत्पाद्य भूपतिः उर्वशीलोकसंप्राप्तिफलमुद्दिश्य कांक्षितम्

tatra nirmathanādagnitrayamutpādya bhūpatiḥ urvaśīlokasaṁprāptiphalamuddiśya kāṁkṣitam

There, by churning, the king produced a threefold fire, aiming at the desired fruit of union with Urvashi's world.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.28.70)

वेदानुसारी नृपतिर्जुहावाग्नित्रयं मुदा तेनैव चाग्निविधिना बहून्यज्ञानथातनोत्

vedānusārī nṛpatirjuhāvāgnitrayaṁ mudā tenaiva cāgnividhinā bahūnyajñānathātanot

Following Vedic rite, the king joyfully offered oblations into that threefold fire; and by that same fire-ritual he thereafter performed many sacrifices.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.28.71)

तेन गन्धर्वलोकांश्च संप्राप्य जगतीपतिः सहोर्वश्या चिरं रेमे देवलोके द्विजोत्तमाः

tena gandharvalokāṁśca saṁprāpya jagatīpatiḥ sahorvaśyā ciraṁ reme devaloke dvijottamāḥ

By that, the lord of the earth attained the worlds of the Gandharvas, and, O best of brahmins, dwelt long with Urvashi in the world of the gods.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.28.72)

अथ सर्वामरोपेतः कदाचिद्बलवृत्रहा नृत्यं सुरांगनानां वै व्यलोकयत संसदि

atha sarvāmaropetaḥ kadācidbalavṛtrahā nṛtyaṁ surāṁganānāṁ vai vyalokayata saṁsadi

Then once, in the company of all the gods, the slayer of Vritra's ally, Indra, beheld the dance of the celestial women in his assembly.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.28.73)

पुरूरवा नृपोप्यायात्तदा देवेंद्रसंसदम् द्रष्टुं सुरांगनानृत्यं मनोहारि दिवौकसाम्

purūravā nṛpopyāyāttadā deveṁdrasaṁsadam draṣṭuṁ surāṁganānṛtyaṁ manohāri divaukasām

King Pururavas too came then to the assembly of Devendra, to see that mind-captivating dance of the celestial women of the gods.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.28.74)

एकैकशस्ताः शक्रस्य ननृतुः पुरतोंऽगनाः अथोर्वशी समागत्य ननर्त पुरतो हरेः

ekaikaśastāḥ śakrasya nanṛtuḥ puratoṁ'ganāḥ athorvaśī samāgatya nanarta purato hareḥ

One by one, those celestial women danced before Indra; then Urvashi too came forward and danced before Hari (Indra).

Verse 75 (skanda.3.28.75)

नृत्ताभिनयसामर्थ्यगर्वयुक्ता तदोर्वशी तं पुरूरवसं दृष्ट्वा जहासातिमनोहरा

nṛttābhinayasāmarthyagarvayuktā tadorvaśī taṁ purūravasaṁ dṛṣṭvā jahāsātimanoharā

Urvashi, then filled with pride in her skill at the dance's expressive art, seeing Pururavas there, laughed most charmingly.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.28.76)

जहास तत्र राजापि तां विलोक्य तदोर्वशीम् हाससंकुपितस्तत्र नाट्याचार्योऽथ तुंबुरुः शशाप तावुभौ कोपादुर्वशीं च नृपोत्तमम्

jahāsa tatra rājāpi tāṁ vilokya tadorvaśīm hāsasaṁkupitastatra nāṭyācāryo'tha tuṁburuḥ śaśāpa tāvubhau kopādurvaśīṁ ca nṛpottamam

There, seeing that Urvashi, the king too laughed; angered by that laughter, the dance-master Tumburu then, in his wrath, cursed the two of them, Urvashi and the best of kings.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.28.77)

तुंबुरुरुवाच अनेकदेवसंपूर्णसभायामत्र यत्कृतम्

tuṁbururuvāca anekadevasaṁpūrṇasabhāyāmatra yatkṛtam

Tumburu said: "In this assembly, filled with countless gods, what you two have done here, in the midst of the dance -

Verse 78 (skanda.3.28.78)

युवाभ्यां हसितं नृत्तमध्ये निष्कारणं वृथा तस्माज्झटिति राजेंद्र वियोगो युवयोः क्षणात्

yuvābhyāṁ hasitaṁ nṛttamadhye niṣkāraṇaṁ vṛthā tasmājjhaṭiti rājeṁdra viyogo yuvayoḥ kṣaṇāt

this laughing, without any cause, for no reason at all - therefore, O king of kings, may swift separation come between you two, in an instant!" -

Verse 79 (skanda.3.28.79)

भूयादिति शशापैनं सर्वदैवतसंनिधौ अथ शप्तो नृपस्तत्र नाट्याचार्येण दुःखितः

bhūyāditi śaśāpainaṁ sarvadaivatasaṁnidhau atha śapto nṛpastatra nāṭyācāryeṇa duḥkhitaḥ

so he cursed him, in the presence of all the gods. Then, having thus been cursed there by the dance-master, the grieving king -

Verse 80 (skanda.3.28.80)

जगाम शरणं तत्र पाहिपाहीति वज्रिणम् उवाच दीनया वाचा पुरुहूतं पुरूरवाः

jagāma śaraṇaṁ tatra pāhipāhīti vajriṇam uvāca dīnayā vācā puruhūtaṁ purūravāḥ

went there for refuge, crying "Protect me, protect me!" to the wielder of the thunderbolt; with a piteous voice Pururavas spoke to Indra -

Verse 81 (skanda.3.28.81)

उर्वश्या सह सालोक्यसिद्ध्यर्थमहमिष्टवान् अतस्तस्मा वियोगो मेऽसह्यः स्यात्पाकशासन

urvaśyā saha sālokyasiddhyarthamahamiṣṭavān atastasmā viyogo me'sahyaḥ syātpākaśāsana

"I had desired union with Urvashi's world; therefore, O Pakashasana, separation from her would be unbearable to me."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.28.82)

इत्युक्तवंतं तं प्राह सहस्राक्षः शचीपतिः शापमोक्षं प्रवक्ष्यामि मा भैषीस्त्वं नृपोत्तम

ityuktavaṁtaṁ taṁ prāha sahasrākṣaḥ śacīpatiḥ śāpamokṣaṁ pravakṣyāmi mā bhaiṣīstvaṁ nṛpottama

To him, having spoken thus, the thousand-eyed lord of Shachi replied: "I shall tell you the release from the curse; do not fear, O best of kings.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.28.83)

दक्षिणांभोनिधौ पुण्ये गंधमादनपर्वते साध्यामृतमिति ख्यातं तीर्थमस्ति महत्तरम्

dakṣiṇāṁbhonidhau puṇye gaṁdhamādanaparvate sādhyāmṛtamiti khyātaṁ tīrthamasti mahattaram

On the holy southern ocean-shore, on Mount Gandhamadana, there exists a very great tirtha renowned by the name Sadhyamrita,

Verse 84 (skanda.3.28.84)

सेवितं सर्वदेवैश्च सिद्धचारणकिन्नरैः सनकादि महायोगिमुनिवृंदनिषेवितम्

sevitaṁ sarvadevaiśca siddhacāraṇakinnaraiḥ sanakādi mahāyogimunivṛṁdaniṣevitam

resorted to by all the gods, by Siddhas, Charanas and Kinnaras, and frequented by Sanaka and the other great yogi-sages.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.28.85)

भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं पुंसां सर्वशापविमोक्षदम् अस्ति तीर्थं भवांस्तत्र गच्छस्व त्वरया नृप

bhuktimuktipradaṁ puṁsāṁ sarvaśāpavimokṣadam asti tīrthaṁ bhavāṁstatra gacchasva tvarayā nṛpa

It grants men both enjoyment and liberation, and releases them from every curse; that tirtha exists there - go there quickly, O king.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.28.86)

सर्वेषाममृतं स्नानादत्र साध्यं यतस्ततः साध्यामृतमिति ख्यातं सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतम्

sarveṣāmamṛtaṁ snānādatra sādhyaṁ yatastataḥ sādhyāmṛtamiti khyātaṁ sarvalokeṣu viśrutam

Since here, by bathing, immortality is attained (sadhya) by all the Sadhya gods, it is therefore renowned by the name Sadhyamrita throughout all the worlds.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.28.87)

तत्र स्नानात्तवोर्वश्याः पुनर्योगो भविष्यति मम लोके निवासश्च भविष्यति न संशयः

tatra snānāttavorvaśyāḥ punaryogo bhaviṣyati mama loke nivāsaśca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

By bathing there, your reunion with Urvashi will occur once more; and your dwelling in my world too will surely come to pass, without doubt."

Verse 88 (skanda.3.28.88)

इति प्रतिसमादिष्टो नृपः संप्रीतमानसः साध्यामृतं महातीर्थं समुद्दिश्य ययौ क्षणात्

iti pratisamādiṣṭo nṛpaḥ saṁprītamānasaḥ sādhyāmṛtaṁ mahātīrthaṁ samuddiśya yayau kṣaṇāt

Thus instructed in reply, the king, his heart delighted, set out at once, heading for the great tirtha of Sadhyamrita.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.28.89)

सस्नौ साध्यामृते तत्र महापातकनाशने तत्र स्नानान्नृपो विप्राः सद्यः शापेन मोचितः

sasnau sādhyāmṛte tatra mahāpātakanāśane tatra snānānnṛpo viprāḥ sadyaḥ śāpena mocitaḥ

He bathed there in Sadhyamrita, the destroyer of great sins; by that bathing, O brahmins, the king was at once released from the curse.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.28.90)

स्नानानंतरमेवासावुर्वश्या सह संगतः तया सह विमानस्थः प्रययावमरावतीम्

snānānaṁtaramevāsāvurvaśyā saha saṁgataḥ tayā saha vimānasthaḥ prayayāvamarāvatīm

Immediately after his bath he was reunited with Urvashi; and together with her, mounted in a celestial chariot, he went to Amaravati.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.28.91)

रेमे पुनस्तया सार्धं देववद्देवमंदिरे एवंप्रभावं तत्तीर्थं साध्यामृतमनुत्तमम्

reme punastayā sārdhaṁ devavaddevamaṁdire evaṁprabhāvaṁ tattīrthaṁ sādhyāmṛtamanuttamam

There he sported again with her, like a god, in the abode of the gods. Such is the power of that unsurpassed tirtha Sadhyamrita,

Verse 92 (skanda.3.28.92)

पुरूरवा सहोर्वश्या यत्र स्नानेन संगतः अतोऽत्र तीर्थे यः स्नायान्महापातकनाशने

purūravā sahorvaśyā yatra snānena saṁgataḥ ato'tra tīrthe yaḥ snāyānmahāpātakanāśane

where by bathing Pururavas was reunited with Urvashi. Therefore, whoever bathes at this tirtha, the destroyer of great sins,

Verse 93 (skanda.3.28.93)

वांछिताँल्लभते कामान्यास्यति स्वर्गमुत्तमम् निष्कामः स्नाति चेद्विप्रा मोक्षमाप्नोति मानवः

vāṁchitā~llabhate kāmānyāsyati svargamuttamam niṣkāmaḥ snāti cedviprā mokṣamāpnoti mānavaḥ

obtains his desired wishes and goes to the highest heaven; and, O brahmins, if a man free of desire bathes here, he attains liberation.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.28.94)

इमं पवित्रं पापघ्नमध्यायं पठते तु यः शृणुयाद्वा मनुष्योऽसौ वैकुंठे लभते स्थितिम्

imaṁ pavitraṁ pāpaghnamadhyāyaṁ paṭhate tu yaḥ śṛṇuyādvā manuṣyo'sau vaikuṁṭhe labhate sthitim

Whoever reads this pure, sin-destroying chapter, or hears it, that man attains a place in Vaikuntha.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.28.95)

एवं वः कथितं विप्रा वैभवं पापनाशनम् साध्यामृतस्य तीर्थस्य विस्तराच्छ्रद्धया मया

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā vaibhavaṁ pāpanāśanam sādhyāmṛtasya tīrthasya vistarācchraddhayā mayā

Thus, O brahmins, have I told you, in detail and with faith, the sin-destroying glory of the tirtha Sadhyamrita,

Verse 96 (skanda.3.28.96)

यत्पुरा सनकादिभ्यः प्रोक्तवांश्चतुराननः

yatpurā sanakādibhyaḥ proktavāṁścaturānanaḥ

which the four-faced Brahma once told long ago to Sanaka and the other sages.