Paravasu's Absolution from Brahmahatya

Verse 1 (skanda.3.33.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच भूयोऽप्यहं प्रवक्ष्यामि धनुष्कोटेस्तु वैभवम् अत्यद्भुततरं गुह्यं सर्वलोकैकपावनम्

śrīsūta uvāca bhūyo'pyahaṁ pravakṣyāmi dhanuṣkoṭestu vaibhavam atyadbhutataraṁ guhyaṁ sarvalokaikapāvanam

Sri Suta said: "Once again I shall tell the glory of Dhanushkoti — a most wondrous mystery, the sole purifier of all the worlds."

Verse 2 (skanda.3.33.2)

पुरा परावसुर्नाम ब्राह्मणो वेदवित्तमः अज्ञानात्पितरं हत्वा ब्रह्महत्यामवाप्तवान् सोऽपि स्नात्वा धनुष्कोटौ तद्दोषा न्मुमुचे क्षणात्

purā parāvasurnāma brāhmaṇo vedavittamaḥ ajñānātpitaraṁ hatvā brahmahatyāmavāptavān so'pi snātvā dhanuṣkoṭau taddoṣā nmumuce kṣaṇāt

Of old there was a brahmin named Paravasu, most learned in the Vedas; he, having unknowingly killed his own father, incurred the sin of brahmin-slaying. He too, by bathing at Dhanushkoti, was instantly freed from that fault.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.33.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः पितरं हतवान्पूर्वं कथं सूत परावसुः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ pitaraṁ hatavānpūrvaṁ kathaṁ sūta parāvasuḥ

The sages said: "How, O Suta, did Paravasu formerly kill his own father?"

Verse 4 (skanda.3.33.4)

कथं वा धनुषः कोटौ मुक्तिस्तस्याप्यभून्मुने एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां विस्तराद्वक्तुमर्हसि

kathaṁ vā dhanuṣaḥ koṭau muktistasyāpyabhūnmune etannaḥ śraddadhānānāṁ vistarādvaktumarhasi

"And how, O sage, did he too gain liberation at Dhanushkoti? Tell this to us, who listen with faith, in full detail."

Verse 5 (skanda.3.33.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच आसीद्राजा बृहद्द्युम्नश्चक्रवर्ती महाबलः धर्मेण पालयामास सागरांतां वसुन्धराम्

śrīsūta uvāca āsīdrājā bṛhaddyumnaścakravartī mahābalaḥ dharmeṇa pālayāmāsa sāgarāṁtāṁ vasundharām

Sri Suta said: "There was a king named Brihaddyumna, a mighty emperor; he ruled the earth, bounded by the ocean, with righteousness."

Verse 6 (skanda.3.33.6)

अयजत्सत्रयागेन देवानिंद्रपुरोगमान् याजकस्तस्य रैभ्योऽभूद्विद्वान्परमधार्मिकः

ayajatsatrayāgena devāniṁdrapurogamān yājakastasya raibhyo'bhūdvidvānparamadhārmikaḥ

He worshipped the gods headed by Indra with a great sattra-sacrifice; his officiating priest was Raibhya, a learned man of supreme righteousness.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.33.7)

आस्तां पुत्रावुभौ तस्याप्यर्वावसु परावसू षडंगवेदविदुषौ श्रौतस्मार्तेषु कोविदौ

āstāṁ putrāvubhau tasyāpyarvāvasu parāvasū ṣaḍaṁgavedaviduṣau śrautasmārteṣu kovidau

He had two sons, Arvavasu and Paravasu, both learned in the Vedas together with their six auxiliary sciences, and skilled in both Shrauta and Smarta rites.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.33.8)

काणादे जैमिनीये च सांख्ये वैयासिके तथा गौतमे योगशास्त्रे च पाणिनीये च कोवि दौ

kāṇāde jaiminīye ca sāṁkhye vaiyāsike tathā gautame yogaśāstre ca pāṇinīye ca kovi dau

They were experts in the Kanada (Vaisheshika), Jaimini (Mimamsa), Sankhya, and Vyasa (Vedanta) systems, as well as in the Gautama (Nyaya), Yoga, and Panini (grammar) schools.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.33.9)

मन्वादिस्मृतिनिष्णातौ सर्वशास्त्रविशारदौ सत्रयागे सहायार्थं बृहद्द्युम्नेन याचितौ

manvādismṛtiniṣṇātau sarvaśāstraviśāradau satrayāge sahāyārthaṁ bṛhaddyumnena yācitau

Well-versed in the Smritis beginning with Manu, and skilled in all the shastras, they were requested by Brihaddyumna to assist in his sattra-sacrifice.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.33.10)

भ्रातरौ समनुज्ञातौ पित्रा रैभ्येण जग्मतुः बृहद्द्युम्नस्य सत्रं तावश्विनाविव रूपिणौ

bhrātarau samanujñātau pitrā raibhyeṇa jagmatuḥ bṛhaddyumnasya satraṁ tāvaśvināviva rūpiṇau

Given leave by their father Raibhya, the two brothers, resembling the twin Ashvins in form, went to Brihaddyumna's sacrifice.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.33.11)

अतिष्ठदाश्रमे रैभ्यः स्नुषया ज्येष्ठया सह तौ गत्वा भ्रातरौ तत्र राज्ञः सत्रमनुत्तमम्

atiṣṭhadāśrame raibhyaḥ snuṣayā jyeṣṭhayā saha tau gatvā bhrātarau tatra rājñaḥ satramanuttamam

Raibhya remained in the hermitage with his elder daughter-in-law; and having gone there, the two brothers joined that king's incomparable sacrifice.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.33.12)

याज यामासतुः सत्रे बृहद्द्युम्नं महीपतिम् नाभवत्स्खलनं भ्रात्रोः सत्रे सांगेषु कर्मसु

yāja yāmāsatuḥ satre bṛhaddyumnaṁ mahīpatim nābhavatskhalanaṁ bhrātroḥ satre sāṁgeṣu karmasu

They officiated at the sacrifice for King Brihaddyumna; in that sattra, in all its rites together with their ancillaries, no error occurred on the part of the two brothers.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.33.13)

सत्रे संतन्यमानेऽस्मिन्बृहद्द्युम्नस्य भूपतेः मुनयो भ्यागमन्सर्वे राज्ञाहूता निरीक्षितुम्

satre saṁtanyamāne'sminbṛhaddyumnasya bhūpateḥ munayo bhyāgamansarve rājñāhūtā nirīkṣitum

While this sacrifice of King Brihaddyumna was being extended, all the sages, invited by the king, came to witness it.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.33.14)

वसिष्ठो गौतमश्चात्रिर्जाबालिरथ कश्यपः क्रतुर्दक्षः पुलस्त्यश्च पुलहो नारदो मुनिः

vasiṣṭho gautamaścātrirjābāliratha kaśyapaḥ kraturdakṣaḥ pulastyaśca pulaho nārado muniḥ

Vasishtha, Gautama, Atri, Jabali, Kashyapa, Kratu, Daksha, Pulastya, Pulaha, and the sage Narada,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.33.15)

मार्कंडेयः शतानंदो विश्वामित्रः पराशरः भृगुः कुत्सोऽथ वाल्मीकिर्व्यासधौम्यादयोऽपरे

mārkaṁḍeyaḥ śatānaṁdo viśvāmitraḥ parāśaraḥ bhṛguḥ kutso'tha vālmīkirvyāsadhaumyādayo'pare

Markandeya, Shatananda, Vishvamitra, Parashara, Bhrigu, Kutsa, Valmiki, Vyasa, Dhaumya, and other sages,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.33.16)

शिष्यैः प्रशिष्यैर्बहुभिरसंख्यातैः समावृताः तानागतान्समालोक्य बृहद्द्युम्नो महीपतिः

śiṣyaiḥ praśiṣyairbahubhirasaṁkhyātaiḥ samāvṛtāḥ tānāgatānsamālokya bṛhaddyumno mahīpatiḥ

surrounded by their many innumerable disciples and grand-disciples, all came there. Seeing them arrived, King Brihaddyumna,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.33.17)

अर्घ्यादिना मुनीन्सर्वान्पूजयामास सादरम् नाना दिग्भ्यः समायाताश्चतुरंगबलैर्युताः

arghyādinā munīnsarvānpūjayāmāsa sādaram nānā digbhyaḥ samāyātāścaturaṁgabalairyutāḥ

honored all those sages with arghya and other rites, with due respect. Kings too came from various directions, accompanied by their four-fold armies,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.33.18)

उपदासहिता भूपास्सत्रं वीक्षितुमादरात् वैश्याः शूद्रास्तथा वर्णाश्चत्वरोऽपि समागताः

upadāsahitā bhūpāssatraṁ vīkṣitumādarāt vaiśyāḥ śūdrāstathā varṇāścatvaro'pi samāgatāḥ

those kings, with their retinues, coming to witness the sacrifice with reverence; vaishyas, shudras and all four varnas gathered there too.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.33.19)

वर्णिनोऽथ गृहस्थाश्च वानप्रस्थाश्च भिक्षवः सत्रं निरीक्षितुं तस्य बृहद्द्युम्नस्य चाययुः

varṇino'tha gṛhasthāśca vānaprasthāśca bhikṣavaḥ satraṁ nirīkṣituṁ tasya bṛhaddyumnasya cāyayuḥ

Brahmacharins, householders, forest-dwellers, and wandering mendicants also came to witness the sacrifice of that Brihaddyumna.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.33.20)

तान्सर्वान्पूजयामास यथार्हं राजसत्तमः ददौ चान्नानि सर्वेभ्यो घृतसूपादिकांस्तथा

tānsarvānpūjayāmāsa yathārhaṁ rājasattamaḥ dadau cānnāni sarvebhyo ghṛtasūpādikāṁstathā

That best of kings honored all of them as was fitting, and gave everyone food along with ghee, curries and the like.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.33.21)

वस्त्राणि च सुवर्णानि हाररत्नान्यनेकशः एवं सत्कारयामास राजा सत्रे समागतान्

vastrāṇi ca suvarṇāni hāraratnānyanekaśaḥ evaṁ satkārayāmāsa rājā satre samāgatān

He also gave garments, gold, and necklaces of jewels in abundance; thus did the king honor those gathered at the sacrifice.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.33.22)

रैभ्यपुत्रो तदा विप्रा अर्वावसुपरावसू अध्वरादीनि कर्माणि चक्रतुः स्खलितं विना

raibhyaputro tadā viprā arvāvasuparāvasū adhvarādīni karmāṇi cakratuḥ skhalitaṁ vinā

Meanwhile, O brahmins, the two sons of Raibhya, Arvavasu and Paravasu, performed the sacrificial and other rites without any error.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.33.23)

तद्दृष्ट्वा मुनयस्सर्वे कौशलं रैभ्यपुत्रयौः श्लाघंते सशिरःकम्पं वसिष्ठप्रमुखास्तदा

taddṛṣṭvā munayassarve kauśalaṁ raibhyaputrayauḥ ślāghaṁte saśiraḥkampaṁ vasiṣṭhapramukhāstadā

Seeing this, all the sages, headed by Vasishtha, praised the skill of Raibhya's two sons, nodding their heads in admiration.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.33.24)

कर्माणि कानि चित्तत्र कारयित्वा परावसुः तृतीयसवनस्यांते गृहकृत्यं निरीक्षितुम्

karmāṇi kāni cittatra kārayitvā parāvasuḥ tṛtīyasavanasyāṁte gṛhakṛtyaṁ nirīkṣitum

Having overseen certain rites there, Paravasu, at the end of the third pressing of Soma, in order to attend to affairs at home,

Verse 25 (skanda.3.33.25)

प्रययौ स्वाश्रमं सायं विनैवार्वावसुं द्विजाः तस्मिन्नवसरे रैभ्यं कृष्णाजिनसमावृतम्

prayayau svāśramaṁ sāyaṁ vinaivārvāvasuṁ dvijāḥ tasminnavasare raibhyaṁ kṛṣṇājinasamāvṛtam

went, O brahmins, to his own hermitage in the evening, without Arvavasu. At that time he saw Raibhya, clad in a black antelope-skin,

Verse 26 (skanda.3.33.26)

वने चरंतं पितरं दृष्ट्वा स मृगशंकया निद्राकलुषितो रात्रावंधे तमसि संकुले

vane caraṁtaṁ pitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā sa mṛgaśaṁkayā nidrākaluṣito rātrāvaṁdhe tamasi saṁkule

his own father, roaming in the forest, and, mistaking him for a deer, being clouded with drowsiness at night in the thick, blinding darkness,

Verse 27 (skanda.3.33.27)

आत्मानं हंतुमायाति मृगोऽयमिति चिंतयन् जघान पितरं सोऽयं महारण्ये परावसुः

ātmānaṁ haṁtumāyāti mṛgo'yamiti ciṁtayan jaghāna pitaraṁ so'yaṁ mahāraṇye parāvasuḥ

thinking "this deer is coming to attack me," that Paravasu killed his own father in that great forest.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.33.28)

रिरक्षुणा शरीरं स्वं तेनाकामनया पिता रजन्यां हिंसितो विप्रा महापातककारिणा

rirakṣuṇā śarīraṁ svaṁ tenākāmanayā pitā rajanyāṁ hiṁsito viprā mahāpātakakāriṇā

Seeking only to protect his own body, and without malicious intent, his father was slain at night by him, O brahmins — an unwitting doer of a great sin.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.33.29)

अंतिकं स समागत्य व्यलोकयत तं हतम् ज्ञात्वा स्वपितरं रात्रौ शुशोच व्यथितेंद्रियः

aṁtikaṁ sa samāgatya vyalokayata taṁ hatam jñātvā svapitaraṁ rātrau śuśoca vyathiteṁdriyaḥ

Coming close, he looked upon the one he had slain; recognizing his own father, he grieved that night, his senses overwhelmed with anguish.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.33.30)

प्रेतकार्यं ततः कृत्वा पितुः सर्वं परावसुः भूयोपि नृपतेः सत्रं परावसुरुपाययौ

pretakāryaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā pituḥ sarvaṁ parāvasuḥ bhūyopi nṛpateḥ satraṁ parāvasurupāyayau

Then Paravasu performed all the funeral rites for his father, and once again went to the king's sacrifice.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.33.31)

स्वचेष्टितं तु तत्सर्वमनुजाय ततोऽब्रवीत् मृतं स्वपितरं श्रुत्वा सोऽपि शोकाकुलोऽभवत्

svaceṣṭitaṁ tu tatsarvamanujāya tato'bravīt mṛtaṁ svapitaraṁ śrutvā so'pi śokākulo'bhavat

He then related to his younger brother all that had happened, his own deed; and hearing that their father had died, he too became overwhelmed with grief.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.33.32)

ज्येष्ठोऽनुजं ततः प्राह वचनं द्विजसत्तमाः महत्सत्रं समारब्धं बृहद्द्युम्नस्य भूपतेः

jyeṣṭho'nujaṁ tataḥ prāha vacanaṁ dvijasattamāḥ mahatsatraṁ samārabdhaṁ bṛhaddyumnasya bhūpateḥ

O best of brahmins, the elder then spoke these words to the younger: "This great sacrifice of King Brihaddyumna has been begun,"

Verse 33 (skanda.3.33.33)

वोढुत्वशक्तिर्नास्त्यस्य कर्मणो बालकस्य ते जनकश्च हतो रात्रौ मयापि मृगशंकया

voḍhutvaśaktirnāstyasya karmaṇo bālakasya te janakaśca hato rātrau mayāpi mṛgaśaṁkayā

"and you, my young brother, have not the strength to bear the burden of this rite alone; and our father has been killed at night by me, through mistaking him for a deer."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.33.34)

प्रायश्चित्तं च कर्त्तव्यं ब्रह्महत्या विशुद्धये मदर्थं व्रतचर्यां त्वं चर तात कनिष्ठक

prāyaścittaṁ ca karttavyaṁ brahmahatyā viśuddhaye madarthaṁ vratacaryāṁ tvaṁ cara tāta kaniṣṭhaka

"Expiation must be performed to purify this brahmin-slaying; for my sake, dear younger one, you undertake the observance of a vow,"

Verse 35 (skanda.3.33.35)

एकाकी धुरमुद्वोढुं शक्तोऽहं सत्रकर्मणः अर्वावसुरिति प्रोक्तो ज्येष्ठेन स तमभ्य धात्

ekākī dhuramudvoḍhuṁ śakto'haṁ satrakarmaṇaḥ arvāvasuriti prokto jyeṣṭhena sa tamabhya dhāt

"while I alone am capable of bearing the burden of the sacrificial rite." Thus addressed by his elder brother, Arvavasu replied to him:

Verse 36 (skanda.3.33.36)

तथा भवत्वहं ज्येष्ठ चरिष्ये व्रतमुत्तमम् ब्रह्महत्याविशुद्ध्यर्थं त्वं सत्रधुरमावह

tathā bhavatvahaṁ jyeṣṭha cariṣye vratamuttamam brahmahatyāviśuddhyarthaṁ tvaṁ satradhuramāvaha

"So be it, O elder brother; I shall observe the excellent vow. You bear the burden of the sacrifice, while I strive for the purification of this brahmin-slaying."

Verse 37 (skanda.3.33.37)

इत्युक्त्वा सोनुऽजो ज्येष्ठं तस्मात्सत्राद्वि निर्ययौ कारयामास कर्माणि ज्येष्ठस्तस्मिन्गते कतौ

ityuktvā sonu'jo jyeṣṭhaṁ tasmātsatrādvi niryayau kārayāmāsa karmāṇi jyeṣṭhastasmingate katau

Having said this to his elder brother, that younger one departed from the sacrifice; and once he had gone, the elder brother alone carried out the rites.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.33.38)

द्वादशाब्दं कनिष्ठोपि ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं द्विजाः चरित्वा सत्रयागेऽस्मिन्नाजगाम पुनर्मुदा

dvādaśābdaṁ kaniṣṭhopi brahmahatyāvrataṁ dvijāḥ caritvā satrayāge'sminnājagāma punarmudā

The younger one too, O brahmins, having observed the vow of expiation for brahmin-slaying for twelve years, returned again joyfully to this sacrifice.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.33.39)

तं दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठो बृहद्द्युम्नमुवाच ह अयं ते ब्रह्महा सत्रमर्वावसुरुपागतः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā bhrātaraṁ jyeṣṭho bṛhaddyumnamuvāca ha ayaṁ te brahmahā satramarvāvasurupāgataḥ

Seeing his brother, the elder one said to Brihaddyumna: "This Arvavasu, a slayer of a brahmin, has come to your sacrifice."

Verse 40 (skanda.3.33.40)

एनमुत्सारयाशु त्वमस्मात्सत्रान्नृपो त्तम अन्यथा सत्रयागस्य फलहानिर्भविष्यति

enamutsārayāśu tvamasmātsatrānnṛpo ttama anyathā satrayāgasya phalahānirbhaviṣyati

"Drive him away at once from this sacrifice, O best of kings; otherwise the fruit of this sattra-sacrifice will be lost."

Verse 41 (skanda.3.33.41)

इतीरितः स स्वप्रेष्यैर्यागात्तमुदवासयत् उद्वास्यमानो राजानमर्वावसुरथाब्रवीत्

itīritaḥ sa svapreṣyairyāgāttamudavāsayat udvāsyamāno rājānamarvāvasurathābravīt

Thus told, the king had him driven out of the sacrifice by his own servants. As he was being expelled, Arvavasu spoke to the king:

Verse 42 (skanda.3.33.42)

न मया ब्रह्महत्येयं बृहद्द्युम्न कृतानघ किन्तु ज्येष्ठेन मे सा हि ब्रह्महत्या कृता विभो

na mayā brahmahatyeyaṁ bṛhaddyumna kṛtānagha kintu jyeṣṭhena me sā hi brahmahatyā kṛtā vibho

"O sinless Brihaddyumna, this brahmin-slaying was not committed by me; rather, O mighty one, it was my elder brother who committed it."

Verse 43 (skanda.3.33.43)

ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं चीर्णं तदर्थं च मया धुना एवमुक्तोपि राजासौ वचसा स परावसोः

brahmahatyāvrataṁ cīrṇaṁ tadarthaṁ ca mayā dhunā evamuktopi rājāsau vacasā sa parāvasoḥ

"And it is I who have just now observed the vow of expiation for it, on his behalf." Even though thus addressed, that king, swayed by the words of Paravasu,

Verse 44 (skanda.3.33.44)

अर्वावसुं निजात्सत्रादुदवासयदाशु वै धिक्कृतो ब्राह्मणैश्चायं ययौ तूष्णीं वनं तदा

arvāvasuṁ nijātsatrādudavāsayadāśu vai dhikkṛto brāhmaṇaiścāyaṁ yayau tūṣṇīṁ vanaṁ tadā

swiftly had Arvavasu driven out from his own sacrifice; and, reviled by the brahmins, he then went silently into the forest.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.33.45)

मुनिवृन्दसमाकीर्णं तपोवनमुपेत्य सः अर्वावसुस्तपश्चक्रे देवैरपि सुदुष्करम्

munivṛndasamākīrṇaṁ tapovanamupetya saḥ arvāvasustapaścakre devairapi suduṣkaram

Having gone to a penance-forest thronged with hosts of sages, that Arvavasu performed austerities so severe that even the gods would have found them hard to accomplish.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.33.46)

तपः कुर्वंस्तथादित्यमुपतस्थे समा हितः मूर्तिमांस्तपसा तस्य महताऽदुष्टधीः स्वयम्

tapaḥ kurvaṁstathādityamupatasthe samā hitaḥ mūrtimāṁstapasā tasya mahatā'duṣṭadhīḥ svayam

Performing austerities, he then, with a composed mind, worshipped the sun; and by his great tapas, that pure-minded sun himself,

Verse 47 (skanda.3.33.47)

आविरासीत्स्वया दीप्त्या भासयञ्जगतीतलम् कर्मसाक्षी जगच्चक्षुर्भास्करो देवताग्रणीः

āvirāsītsvayā dīptyā bhāsayañjagatītalam karmasākṣī jagaccakṣurbhāskaro devatāgraṇīḥ

appeared before him, illumining the surface of the earth with his own radiance — the witness of all deeds, the eye of the world, Bhaskara, foremost of gods.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.33.48)

आविर्बभूवुर्देवाश्च पुरस्कृत्य शचीपतिम् इन्द्रादयस्ततो देवाः प्रोचुरर्वावसुं द्विजाः

āvirbabhūvurdevāśca puraskṛtya śacīpatim indrādayastato devāḥ procurarvāvasuṁ dvijāḥ

The gods too appeared, with Indra, the lord of Shachi, at their head; then, O brahmins, those gods, headed by Indra, spoke to Arvavasu:

Verse 49 (skanda.3.33.49)

अर्वावसो त्वं प्रवरस्तपसा ब्रह्म चर्यतः आचारेण श्रुतेनापि वेदशास्त्रादिशिक्षया

arvāvaso tvaṁ pravarastapasā brahma caryataḥ ācāreṇa śrutenāpi vedaśāstrādiśikṣayā

"O Arvavasu, you are supreme through austerity, through celibate discipline, through conduct and learning, and through instruction in the Vedas and shastras;"

Verse 50 (skanda.3.33.50)

निराकृतोवमानेन त्वं परावसुना बहु तथापि क्षमया युक्तो न कुप्यति भवान्यतः

nirākṛtovamānena tvaṁ parāvasunā bahu tathāpi kṣamayā yukto na kupyati bhavānyataḥ

"and though you have been greatly wronged and insulted by Paravasu, still, being endowed with forbearance, you do not become angry."

Verse 51 (skanda.3.33.51)

यस्माज्ज्येष्ठोऽवधीत्तातं न हिंसीस्त्वं महामते ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं यस्मात्तदर्थं चरितं त्वया

yasmājjyeṣṭho'vadhīttātaṁ na hiṁsīstvaṁ mahāmate brahmahatyāvrataṁ yasmāttadarthaṁ caritaṁ tvayā

"Because your elder brother killed your father, and yet you, O wise one, harbor no malice, and because you observed the expiatory vow on his behalf,"

Verse 52 (skanda.3.33.52)

अतः स्वीकुर्म हे त्वां तु पराकुर्मः परावसुम् उक्त्वैवं बलभिन्मुख्याः सर्वे च त्रिदिवालयाः

ataḥ svīkurma he tvāṁ tu parākurmaḥ parāvasum uktvaivaṁ balabhinmukhyāḥ sarve ca tridivālayāḥ

"therefore we shall accept you, and reject Paravasu." Having said this, Indra and all the other dwellers of heaven,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.33.53)

तं ते प्रवरयामासुर्निरासुश्च परावसुम् पुनरिंद्रादयो देवाः पुरोधाय दिवाकरम्

taṁ te pravarayāmāsurnirāsuśca parāvasum punariṁdrādayo devāḥ purodhāya divākaram

chose him, Arvavasu, as the preferred one, and rejected Paravasu. Then Indra and the other gods, placing the sun in front,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.33.54)

अर्वावसुं प्रोचुरिदं वरं त्वं वरयेति वै स चापि प्रार्थयामास जनकस्योत्थितिं पुन

arvāvasuṁ procuridaṁ varaṁ tvaṁ varayeti vai sa cāpi prārthayāmāsa janakasyotthitiṁ puna

said this to Arvavasu: "Choose a boon." And he in turn requested the restoration to life of his father,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.33.55)

वधे चास्मरणं देवानात्मनो जनकस्य वै तथास्त्विति सुराः प्रोचुः पुनरूचुरिदं वचः

vadhe cāsmaraṇaṁ devānātmano janakasya vai tathāstviti surāḥ procuḥ punarūcuridaṁ vacaḥ

and also that the gods should not hold the killing of his father against him. "So be it," said the gods; and then they spoke this further word:

Verse 56 (skanda.3.33.56)

वरं चान्यं प्रदास्यामो वरय त्वं महामते एवमुक्तः सुरैः सोयमर्वावसुरभाषत

varaṁ cānyaṁ pradāsyāmo varaya tvaṁ mahāmate evamuktaḥ suraiḥ soyamarvāvasurabhāṣata

"And we shall grant you yet another boon; choose, O wise one." Thus addressed by the gods, that Arvavasu spoke:

Verse 57 (skanda.3.33.57)

मम भ्रातुरदुष्टत्वं भवतु त्रिदशालयाः अर्वावसोर्वचः श्रुत्वा त्रिदशाः पुनरब्रुवन्

mama bhrāturaduṣṭatvaṁ bhavatu tridaśālayāḥ arvāvasorvacaḥ śrutvā tridaśāḥ punarabruvan

"O dwellers of heaven, let my brother be declared free of guilt." Hearing Arvavasu's words, the gods spoke once more:

Verse 58 (skanda.3.33.58)

ब्राह्मणस्य पितुर्घातान्महान्दोषः परावसोः न ह्यन्यकृतपापस्य परेणानुष्ठितेन वै

brāhmaṇasya piturghātānmahāndoṣaḥ parāvasoḥ na hyanyakṛtapāpasya pareṇānuṣṭhitena vai

"From the killing of his brahmin father, great is the fault upon Paravasu; for the sin committed by one person is not removed by expiation performed by another."

Verse 59 (skanda.3.33.59)

प्रायश्चित्तेन शांतिः स्यान्महापातकपंचके पितुर्ब्राह्मणहंतुस्तु सुतरां नास्ति निष्कृतिः

prāyaścittena śāṁtiḥ syānmahāpātakapaṁcake piturbrāhmaṇahaṁtustu sutarāṁ nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

"For the five great sins, peace may come through expiation; but for one who has killed his own brahmin father, there is all the more so no absolution."

Verse 60 (skanda.3.33.60)

आत्मनानुष्ठितेनापि व्रतेन न हि दुष्कृतिः परावसोस्तव भ्रातुरतो नैवास्ति निष्कृतिः

ātmanānuṣṭhitenāpi vratena na hi duṣkṛtiḥ parāvasostava bhrāturato naivāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

"Even by a vow performed by another, such an evil deed cannot be undone; therefore for your brother Paravasu there is no absolution in this way."

Verse 61 (skanda.3.33.61)

अतोऽस्माभिरदुष्टत्वमस्मै दातुं न शक्यते अर्वावसुः पुनःप्राह देवानिंद्रपुरोगमान्

ato'smābhiraduṣṭatvamasmai dātuṁ na śakyate arvāvasuḥ punaḥprāha devāniṁdrapurogamān

"Therefore we are unable to grant him a declaration of innocence." Arvavasu then spoke again to the gods headed by Indra:

Verse 62 (skanda.3.33.62)

तथापि युष्मन्माहात्म्यात्प्रसादाद्भवतां तथा पितुर्ब्राह्मणहंतुर्मे भ्रातुस्त्रिदशसत्तमाः

tathāpi yuṣmanmāhātmyātprasādādbhavatāṁ tathā piturbrāhmaṇahaṁturme bhrātustridaśasattamāḥ

"Even so, O best of the gods, by your greatness and by your grace, let there be, for my brother, the killer of our brahmin father,"

Verse 63 (skanda.3.33.63)

यथा स्यान्निष्कृतिर्ब्रूत तथैव कृपया युताः एवमर्वावसोः श्रुत्वा वचस्ते त्रिदशालयाः

yathā syānniṣkṛtirbrūta tathaiva kṛpayā yutāḥ evamarvāvasoḥ śrutvā vacaste tridaśālayāḥ

"some means of absolution — tell me that, out of your compassion." Having heard these words of Arvavasu, those dwellers of heaven,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.33.64)

ध्यात्वा तु सुचिरं कालं विनिश्चित्येदमबुवन् उपायं ते प्रवक्ष्यामस्तत्पातकनिवारणम्

dhyātvā tu suciraṁ kālaṁ viniścityedamabuvan upāyaṁ te pravakṣyāmastatpātakanivāraṇam

after pondering for a long while and reaching a decision, said this: "We shall tell you a means for removing that sin."

Verse 65 (skanda.3.33.65)

दक्षिणांबुनिधौ पुण्ये रामसेतौ विमुक्तिदे धनुष्कोटिरिति ख्यातं तीर्थमस्ति विमुक्तिदम्

dakṣiṇāṁbunidhau puṇye rāmasetau vimuktide dhanuṣkoṭiriti khyātaṁ tīrthamasti vimuktidam

"At the sacred, liberation-granting Rama-Setu in the southern ocean, there is a tirtha known as Dhanushkoti, which grants liberation."

Verse 66 (skanda.3.33.66)

ब्रह्महत्यासुरापानस्वर्णस्तेयविनाशनम् गुरुतल्पगसंसर्गदोषाणामपि नाशनम्

brahmahatyāsurāpānasvarṇasteyavināśanam gurutalpagasaṁsargadoṣāṇāmapi nāśanam

"It destroys the sins of brahmin-slaying, drinking liquor, and theft of gold; it also destroys the fault of consorting with the guru's wife and similar transgressions."

Verse 67 (skanda.3.33.67)

अकामेनापि यः स्नायादपवर्गफलप्रदम् दुःस्वप्ननाशनं धन्यं नरकक्लेशनाशनम्

akāmenāpi yaḥ snāyādapavargaphalapradam duḥsvapnanāśanaṁ dhanyaṁ narakakleśanāśanam

"Even one who bathes there without conscious desire receives the fruit of final liberation; it is blessed, destroying bad dreams and the torments of hell."

Verse 68 (skanda.3.33.68)

कैलासादिपदप्राप्तिकारणं परमार्थदम् सर्वकाममिदं पुंसामृणदारिद्र्यनाशनम्

kailāsādipadaprāptikāraṇaṁ paramārthadam sarvakāmamidaṁ puṁsāmṛṇadāridryanāśanam

"It is the cause of attaining Kailasa and other such abodes, and bestows the highest good; it fulfills all people's desires and destroys debt and poverty."

Verse 69 (skanda.3.33.69)

धनुष्कोटिर्धनु ष्कोटिर्धनुष्कोटिरितीरणात् स्वर्गापवर्गदं पुंसां महापुण्यफलप्रदम्

dhanuṣkoṭirdhanu ṣkoṭirdhanuṣkoṭiritīraṇāt svargāpavargadaṁ puṁsāṁ mahāpuṇyaphalapradam

"By merely uttering 'Dhanushkoti, Dhanushkoti, Dhanushkoti,' it bestows on people heaven and liberation, granting the fruit of the greatest merit."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.33.70)

तत्र गत्वा तव भ्राता स्नायाद्यदि परावसुः तत्क्षणादेव ते ज्येष्ठो मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

tatra gatvā tava bhrātā snāyādyadi parāvasuḥ tatkṣaṇādeva te jyeṣṭho mucyate brahmahatyayā

"If your brother Paravasu goes there and bathes, that very instant your elder brother shall be freed from the sin of brahmin-slaying."

Verse 71 (skanda.3.33.71)

इदं रहस्यं सुमहत्प्रायश्चित्तमुदीरितम् उक्त्वेत्यर्वावसुं देवाः प्रययुः स्वपुरीं प्रति

idaṁ rahasyaṁ sumahatprāyaścittamudīritam uktvetyarvāvasuṁ devāḥ prayayuḥ svapurīṁ prati

"This is the great secret expiation that has been declared." Having said this to Arvavasu, the gods departed toward their own city.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.33.72)

तत अर्वावसुर्ज्येष्ठं समादाय परावसुम् रामचन्द्रधनुष्कोटिं प्रययौ मुक्तिदायिनीम्

tata arvāvasurjyeṣṭhaṁ samādāya parāvasum rāmacandradhanuṣkoṭiṁ prayayau muktidāyinīm

Then Arvavasu, taking his elder brother Paravasu with him, went to Ramachandra's liberating Dhanushkoti.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.33.73)

सेतौ संकल्पमुक्त्वा तु नियमेन परावसुः सह भ्रात्रा धनुष्कोटौ सस्नौ पातकशुद्धये

setau saṁkalpamuktvā tu niyamena parāvasuḥ saha bhrātrā dhanuṣkoṭau sasnau pātakaśuddhaye

Having made the ritual resolve at the Setu, Paravasu, together with his brother, bathed at Dhanushkoti according to rule, for the purification of his sin.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.33.74)

स्नात्वोत्थितं धनुष्कोटौ तं प्रोवाचाशरीरिणी परावसो विनष्टा ते पितुर्ब्राह्मणघातजा

snātvotthitaṁ dhanuṣkoṭau taṁ provācāśarīriṇī parāvaso vinaṣṭā te piturbrāhmaṇaghātajā

As he rose after bathing at Dhanushkoti, a bodiless voice spoke to him: "O Paravasu, your sin born of slaying your brahmin father is destroyed —"

Verse 75 (skanda.3.33.75)

ब्रह्महत्या महा घोरा नरकक्लेशकारिणी इत्युक्त्वा विररामाथ सापि वागशरीरिणी

brahmahatyā mahā ghorā narakakleśakāriṇī ityuktvā virarāmātha sāpi vāgaśarīriṇī

"that most terrible brahmahatya, cause of the torments of hell." Having said this, that bodiless voice fell silent.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.33.76)

परावसुस्तदा विप्राः कनिष्ठेन समन्वितः रामचन्द्रधनुष्कोटिं प्रणम्य च सभक्तिकम्

parāvasustadā viprāḥ kaniṣṭhena samanvitaḥ rāmacandradhanuṣkoṭiṁ praṇamya ca sabhaktikam

Then, O brahmins, Paravasu, together with his younger brother, bowed with devotion to Ramachandra's Dhanushkoti,

Verse 77 (skanda.3.33.77)

रामनाथं महादेवं नत्वा भक्तिपुरःसरम् विमुक्तपातको विप्राः प्रययौ पितुराश्रमम्

rāmanāthaṁ mahādevaṁ natvā bhaktipuraḥsaram vimuktapātako viprāḥ prayayau piturāśramam

and bowed with devotion to the great Lord Ramanatha; freed of his sin, O brahmins, he then went to his father's hermitage.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.33.78)

मृत्वोत्थितस्तदा रैभ्यो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रौ समागतौ संतुष्टहृदयो ह्यास्ते पुत्राभ्यां स्वाश्रमे तदा

mṛtvotthitastadā raibhyo dṛṣṭvā putrau samāgatau saṁtuṣṭahṛdayo hyāste putrābhyāṁ svāśrame tadā

Raibhya, restored to life, seeing his two sons arrived, dwelt then with a joyful heart together with both his sons in his own hermitage.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.33.79)

रामचन्द्रधनुष्कोटौ स्नानेन हतपातकम् एनं परावसुं सर्वे स्वीचक्रुर्मुनयस्तदा

rāmacandradhanuṣkoṭau snānena hatapātakam enaṁ parāvasuṁ sarve svīcakrurmunayastadā

All the sages then accepted this Paravasu, his sin destroyed by his bathing at Ramachandra's Dhanushkoti.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.33.80)

एवं परावसोरुक्तं ब्रह्महत्याविमोक्षणम् स्नानमात्राद्धनुष्कोटौ युष्माकं मुनिपुंगवाः

evaṁ parāvasoruktaṁ brahmahatyāvimokṣaṇam snānamātrāddhanuṣkoṭau yuṣmākaṁ munipuṁgavāḥ

Thus, O foremost of sages, I have told you the story of Paravasu's release from brahmin-slaying, by the mere act of bathing at Dhanushkoti.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.33.81)

सुरा पानादयो विप्रा नश्यंत्येवात्र मज्जनात् सत्यंसत्यं पुनः सत्यमुद्धृत्य भुजमुच्यते

surā pānādayo viprā naśyaṁtyevātra majjanāt satyaṁsatyaṁ punaḥ satyamuddhṛtya bhujamucyate

O brahmins, sins such as drinking liquor are indeed destroyed by immersion here; truly, truly, and again truly — I proclaim this with my arm raised.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.33.82)

महापातकसंघाश्च नश्येयुर्मज्जनादिह य इमं पठतेऽध्यायं ब्रह्महत्याविमोक्षणम्

mahāpātakasaṁghāśca naśyeyurmajjanādiha ya imaṁ paṭhate'dhyāyaṁ brahmahatyāvimokṣaṇam

Even multitudes of great sins are destroyed by immersion here. Whoever reads this chapter, the tale of release from brahmin-slaying,

Verse 83 (skanda.3.33.83)

ब्रह्महत्या विनश्येत तत्क्षणान्नास्ति संशयः सुरापानादयोऽप्यस्य शांतिं गच्छेयुरंजसा

brahmahatyā vinaśyeta tatkṣaṇānnāsti saṁśayaḥ surāpānādayo'pyasya śāṁtiṁ gaccheyuraṁjasā

for him the sin of brahmin-slaying is destroyed in that very instant — of this there is no doubt; and his sins such as liquor-drinking too are readily pacified.