The Purification of Durachara's Sin of Evil Association

Verse 1 (skanda.3.36.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच धनुष्कोटेस्तु माहात्म्यं भूयोऽपि प्रब्रवीम्यहम् दुराचाराभिधो यत्र स्नात्वा मुक्तो भवद्द्विजाः

śrīsūta uvāca dhanuṣkoṭestu māhātmyaṁ bhūyo'pi prabravīmyaham durācārābhidho yatra snātvā mukto bhavaddvijāḥ

Suta said: O brahmins, I shall now speak once more of the greatness of Dhanushkoti, where a man named Duracara, after bathing, attained liberation.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.36.2)

मुनय ऊचुः दुराचाराभिधः कोऽसौ सूत तत्त्वार्थकोविद किंच पापं कृतं तेन दुराचारेण वै मुने

munaya ūcuḥ durācārābhidhaḥ ko'sau sūta tattvārthakovida kiṁca pāpaṁ kṛtaṁ tena durācāreṇa vai mune

The sages said: O Suta, knower of truth, who was this man called Duracara? And what sin, O sage, did this Duracara commit?

Verse 3 (skanda.3.36.3)

कथं वा पातका न्मुक्तो धनुष्कोटौ निमज्जनात् एतच्छुश्रूषमाणानां विस्तराद्वद नो मुने

kathaṁ vā pātakā nmukto dhanuṣkoṭau nimajjanāt etacchuśrūṣamāṇānāṁ vistarādvada no mune

And how was he freed from sin by mere immersion at Dhanushkoti? Tell us this in detail, O sage, for we are eager to hear it.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.36.4)

श्रीसूत उवाच मुनयः श्रूयतां तस्य दुराचारस्य पातकम् स्नानेन धनुषः कोटौ यथा मुक्तश्च पातकात्

śrīsūta uvāca munayaḥ śrūyatāṁ tasya durācārasya pātakam snānena dhanuṣaḥ koṭau yathā muktaśca pātakāt

Suta said: O sages, hear of the sin of that Duracara, and how by bathing at Dhanushkoti he was freed from sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.36.5)

दुराचाराभिधो विप्रो गौतमीतीरमाश्रितः कश्चिदस्ति द्विजाः पापी क्रूरकर्मरतः सदा

durācārābhidho vipro gautamītīramāśritaḥ kaścidasti dvijāḥ pāpī krūrakarmarataḥ sadā

There was, O brahmins, a certain sinful brahmin dwelling on the bank of the Godavari, named Duracara, ever devoted to cruel deeds.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.36.6)

ब्रह्मघ्नैश्च सुरापैश्च स्तेयिभिर्गुरुतल्पगैः तदा संसर्गदुष्टोऽसौ तैः साकं न्यवसद्विजाः

brahmaghnaiśca surāpaiśca steyibhirgurutalpagaiḥ tadā saṁsargaduṣṭo'sau taiḥ sākaṁ nyavasadvijāḥ

He kept the company of brahmin-slayers, drinkers of liquor, thieves, and defilers of the guru's bed, and was thus corrupted by their association.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.36.7)

महापातकिसंसर्गं दोषेणास्य द्विजस्य वै ब्राह्मण्यं सकलं नष्टं निःशेषेण द्विजोत्तमाः

mahāpātakisaṁsargaṁ doṣeṇāsya dvijasya vai brāhmaṇyaṁ sakalaṁ naṣṭaṁ niḥśeṣeṇa dvijottamāḥ

By the fault of associating with these great sinners, O best of brahmins, his brahminhood was destroyed entirely, without remainder.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.36.8)

महापातकिभिः सार्द्धं दिनमेकं तु यो द्विजः निवसेत्सादरं तस्य तत्क्षणाद्वै द्विजन्मनः

mahāpātakibhiḥ sārddhaṁ dinamekaṁ tu yo dvijaḥ nivasetsādaraṁ tasya tatkṣaṇādvai dvijanmanaḥ

If a brahmin dwells respectfully with great sinners even for a single day, at that very moment,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.36.9)

ब्राह्मणस्य तुरीयांशो नश्यत्येव न संशयः द्विदिनं सेवनात्स्पर्शाद्दर्शनाच्छयनात्तथा

brāhmaṇasya turīyāṁśo naśyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ dvidinaṁ sevanātsparśāddarśanācchayanāttathā

a quarter of his brahminhood is destroyed without doubt; by serving, touching, seeing, or sleeping near them for two days,

Verse 10 (skanda.3.36.10)

भोजनात्सह पंक्तौ च महापातकिभिर्द्विजाः द्वितीयभागो नश्येत ब्राह्मणस्य न संशयः

bhojanātsaha paṁktau ca mahāpātakibhirdvijāḥ dvitīyabhāgo naśyeta brāhmaṇasya na saṁśayaḥ

and by eating in the same row with great sinners, a second portion of a brahmin's brahminhood is destroyed, without doubt.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.36.11)

त्रिदिनाच्च तृतीयांशो नश्यत्येव न संशयः चतुर्दिनाच्चतुर्थांशो विलयं याति हि ध्रुवम्

tridinācca tṛtīyāṁśo naśyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ caturdināccaturthāṁśo vilayaṁ yāti hi dhruvam

By three days' association a third portion is destroyed without doubt; by four days a fourth portion certainly perishes.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.36.12)

अतः परं तु तैः साकं शयनासनभोजनैः तत्तुल्यपातकी भूयान्महापातकसंभवात्

ataḥ paraṁ tu taiḥ sākaṁ śayanāsanabhojanaiḥ tattulyapātakī bhūyānmahāpātakasaṁbhavāt

Beyond that, one who continues to sleep, sit and eat with them becomes equal to them in sin, since a great sin has thereby arisen.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.36.13)

तेन ब्राह्मण्यहीनोऽयं दुराचाराभिधो द्विजाः ग्रस्तोऽभवद्भीषणेन वेतालेन बलीयसा

tena brāhmaṇyahīno'yaṁ durācārābhidho dvijāḥ grasto'bhavadbhīṣaṇena vetālena balīyasā

Thus this Duracara, having lost his brahminhood, O brahmins, was seized by a fearsome and powerful vetala (spirit).

Verse 14 (skanda.3.36.14)

असौ परवशस्तेन वेतालेनातिपीडितः देशाद्देशं भ्रमन्विप्रा वनाच्चैव वनांतरम्

asau paravaśastena vetālenātipīḍitaḥ deśāddeśaṁ bhramanviprā vanāccaiva vanāṁtaram

Helpless and grievously tormented by that vetala, O brahmins, he wandered from land to land and from forest to forest.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.36.15)

पूर्वपुण्यविपाकेन दैवयोगेन स द्विजः रामचंद्रधनुष्कोटिं महापातकनाशनीम्

pūrvapuṇyavipākena daivayogena sa dvijaḥ rāmacaṁdradhanuṣkoṭiṁ mahāpātakanāśanīm

By the ripening of past merit, and by divine chance, that brahmin came toward Rāmachandra's Dhanushkoti, the destroyer of great sins,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.36.16)

अनुद्रुतः पिशाचेन तेनाविष्टो ययौ द्विजाः न्यमज्जयत्स वेतालो धनुष्कोटिजले त्वमुम्

anudrutaḥ piśācena tenāviṣṭo yayau dvijāḥ nyamajjayatsa vetālo dhanuṣkoṭijale tvamum

driven on by the demon, possessed, he arrived there; and the vetala plunged him into the waters of Dhanushkoti.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.36.17)

धनुष्कोटिजले सोऽयं वेतालेन प्रवेशितः उदतिष्ठत्क्षणादेव वेतालेन विमोचितः

dhanuṣkoṭijale so'yaṁ vetālena praveśitaḥ udatiṣṭhatkṣaṇādeva vetālena vimocitaḥ

Thrust into the waters of Dhanushkoti by the vetala, he rose up again the very next instant, released by the vetala.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.36.18)

उत्थितोऽसौ द्विजो विप्रा धनुष्कोटिजलात्तदा स्वस्थो व्यचिंतयत्कोऽयं देशो जलधितीरतः

utthito'sau dvijo viprā dhanuṣkoṭijalāttadā svastho vyaciṁtayatko'yaṁ deśo jaladhitīrataḥ

Risen from the waters of Dhanushkoti, O brahmins, that brahmin, now himself again, wondered: 'What is this land on the shore of the ocean,

Verse 19 (skanda.3.36.19)

कथं मयागतमिह गौतमीतीरवासिना इति चिंताकुलः सोऽयं धनुष्कोटिनिवासिनम्

kathaṁ mayāgatamiha gautamītīravāsinā iti ciṁtākulaḥ so'yaṁ dhanuṣkoṭinivāsinam

and how did I, a dweller on the bank of the Godavari, come to be here?' Thus troubled with thought, he approached a dweller of Dhanushkoti -

Verse 20 (skanda.3.36.20)

दत्तात्रेयं महात्मानं योगिप्रवरमुत्तमम् समागम्य प्रणम्यासौ दुराचारोऽभ्यभाषत

dattātreyaṁ mahātmānaṁ yogipravaramuttamam samāgamya praṇamyāsau durācāro'bhyabhāṣata

the great soul Dattatreya, foremost of yogis; approaching and bowing to him, Duracara spoke.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.36.21)

न जाने भगवन्देशः कतमोऽयं वदाधुना गौतमीतीरनिलयो दुराचाराभिधो ह्यहम्

na jāne bhagavandeśaḥ katamo'yaṁ vadādhunā gautamītīranilayo durācārābhidho hyaham

'O lord, I do not know what land this is - tell me now. I am one named Duracara, whose home is on the bank of the Godavari.'

Verse 22 (skanda.3.36.22)

कृपया ब्रूहि मे ब्रह्मन्मयात्र कथमागतम् इति पृष्टो मुनिस्तेन दुराचारेण सुव्रतः

kṛpayā brūhi me brahmanmayātra kathamāgatam iti pṛṣṭo munistena durācāreṇa suvrataḥ

'Kindly tell me, O brahmin, how I have come here.' Thus questioned by Duracara, the sage of good vows,

Verse 23 (skanda.3.36.23)

ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तमवदद्दुराचारं घृणानिधिः महापातकिसंसर्गे दुराचार कृते पुरा

dhyātvā muhūrtamavadaddurācāraṁ ghṛṇānidhiḥ mahāpātakisaṁsarge durācāra kṛte purā

reflected a moment, and then, an ocean of compassion, said to Duracara: 'O Duracara, formerly, through associating with great sinners,

Verse 24 (skanda.3.36.24)

ब्राह्मण्यं नष्टमभवद्वेतालस्त्वां ततोऽग्रहीत् तेनाविष्टस्त्वमायातो विवशोऽत्र विमूढधीः

brāhmaṇyaṁ naṣṭamabhavadvetālastvāṁ tato'grahīt tenāviṣṭastvamāyāto vivaśo'tra vimūḍhadhīḥ

your brahminhood was destroyed, and thereupon a vetala seized you. Possessed by it, helpless and bewildered, you were brought here.'

Verse 25 (skanda.3.36.25)

न्यमज्जयत्त्वां वेतालो धनुष्कोटिजलेऽत्र तु तत्र मज्जनमात्रेण विमुक्तः पातकाद्भवान्

nyamajjayattvāṁ vetālo dhanuṣkoṭijale'tra tu tatra majjanamātreṇa vimuktaḥ pātakādbhavān

'The vetala plunged you into the waters of Dhanushkoti here; and by that mere immersion you have been freed from sin.'

Verse 26 (skanda.3.36.26)

धनुष्कोटौ तु ये स्नानं पुण्ये कुर्वंति मानवाः तेषां नश्यंति वै सत्यं पंचपातकसंचयाः

dhanuṣkoṭau tu ye snānaṁ puṇye kurvaṁti mānavāḥ teṣāṁ naśyaṁti vai satyaṁ paṁcapātakasaṁcayāḥ

'Truly, whatever people bathe in the sacred waters of Dhanushkoti, the accumulation of even the five great sins is destroyed for them.'

Verse 27 (skanda.3.36.27)

रामचंद्रधनुष्कोटावत्र मज्जनमात्रतः महापातकिसंसर्गदोषस्ते विलयं ययौ

rāmacaṁdradhanuṣkoṭāvatra majjanamātrataḥ mahāpātakisaṁsargadoṣaste vilayaṁ yayau

'By mere immersion here at Rāmachandra's Dhanushkoti, your fault of associating with great sinners has been dissolved.'

Verse 28 (skanda.3.36.28)

तन्नाशादेव वेतालस्त्वां मुक्त्वा विलयं गतः त्वामग्रहीद्यो वेतालः पुरायं ब्राह्मणोऽभवत्

tannāśādeva vetālastvāṁ muktvā vilayaṁ gataḥ tvāmagrahīdyo vetālaḥ purāyaṁ brāhmaṇo'bhavat

'By the very destruction of that fault, the vetala released you and vanished. That vetala who seized you was formerly himself a brahmin.'

Verse 29 (skanda.3.36.29)

सोऽयं भाद्रपदे मासे कृष्णपक्षे महालयम् पार्वणेन विधानेन पितॄणां नाकरोन्मुदा

so'yaṁ bhādrapade māse kṛṣṇapakṣe mahālayam pārvaṇena vidhānena pitṝṇāṁ nākaronmudā

'He, in the month of Bhadrapada, in the dark fortnight, did not gladly perform the Mahalaya rite for his ancestors according to the parvana rule.'

Verse 30 (skanda.3.36.30)

तेन स्वपितृभिः शप्तो वेतालत्वमगादयम् सोपि चास्य धनुष्कोटेरवलोकनमात्रतः

tena svapitṛbhiḥ śapto vetālatvamagādayam sopi cāsya dhanuṣkoṭeravalokanamātrataḥ

'For that, cursed by his own ancestors, he became a vetala; yet even he, by the mere sight of this Dhanushkoti,'

Verse 31 (skanda.3.36.31)

वेतालत्वं विहायेह विष्णुलोकम वाप्तवान् अतो भाद्रपदे मासे कृष्णपक्षे महालयम्

vetālatvaṁ vihāyeha viṣṇulokama vāptavān ato bhādrapade māse kṛṣṇapakṣe mahālayam

'cast off his state as a vetala and attained the world of Vishnu. Therefore, in the month of Bhadrapada, in the dark fortnight, the Mahalaya rite -'

Verse 32 (skanda.3.36.32)

उद्दिश्य स्वपितॄन्ये तु न कुर्वन्त्यतिलोभतः महालोभयुतास्तेऽद्धा वेतालाः स्युर्न संशयः

uddiśya svapitṝnye tu na kurvantyatilobhataḥ mahālobhayutāste'ddhā vetālāḥ syurna saṁśayaḥ

'those who, out of excessive greed, fail to perform it for their own ancestors, being possessed of great greed, will surely themselves become vetalas.'

Verse 33 (skanda.3.36.33)

तस्माद्भाद्रपदे मासे कृष्णपक्षे महालयम् पितॄनुद्दिश्य शक्त्या ये ब्राह्मणान्वेदपारगान्

tasmādbhādrapade māse kṛṣṇapakṣe mahālayam pitṝnuddiśya śaktyā ye brāhmaṇānvedapāragān

'Therefore, in the month of Bhadrapada, in the dark fortnight, those who, according to their means, for the sake of their ancestors,'

Verse 34 (skanda.3.36.34)

भोजयेयुर्महान्नेन न ते विंदंति दुर्गतिम् यस्तु भाद्रपदे मासे कृष्णपक्षे महालयम्

bhojayeyurmahānnena na te viṁdaṁti durgatim yastu bhādrapade māse kṛṣṇapakṣe mahālayam

'feed brahmins learned in the Veda with abundant food, do not meet with misfortune. And whoever in the month of Bhadrapada, in the dark fortnight, performs the Mahalaya -'

Verse 35 (skanda.3.36.35)

स्वशक्त्यनुगुणं विप्रमेकं द्वौ त्रीनकिंचनः भोजयेन्नहि दौर्गत्यं भवेदस्य कदाचन

svaśaktyanuguṇaṁ vipramekaṁ dvau trīnakiṁcanaḥ bhojayennahi daurgatyaṁ bhavedasya kadācana

'feeding, according to his means, even one, two, or three brahmins (or none, if utterly poor), never falls into misfortune.'

Verse 36 (skanda.3.36.36)

अयं भाद्रपदे मासे पितॄणामनुपासनात् ययौ वेतालतां विप्रो यस्त्वां जग्राह पापिनम्

ayaṁ bhādrapade māse pitṝṇāmanupāsanāt yayau vetālatāṁ vipro yastvāṁ jagrāha pāpinam

'This brahmin who seized you, O sinner, became a vetala precisely because he neglected the worship of his ancestors in the month of Bhadrapada.'

Verse 37 (skanda.3.36.37)

कालो भाद्रपदमासमारभ्य वृश्चिकावधि महालयस्य कथितो मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः

kālo bhādrapadamāsamārabhya vṛścikāvadhi mahālayasya kathito munibhistattvadarśibhiḥ

'The proper time for the Mahalaya has been declared by the truth-seeing sages to extend from the month of Bhadrapada up to the sun's entry into Scorpio.'

Verse 38 (skanda.3.36.38)

मासो भाद्रपदः कालस्तत्रापि हि विशिष्यते कृष्ण पक्षो विशिष्टः स्याद्दुराचारक तत्र वै

māso bhādrapadaḥ kālastatrāpi hi viśiṣyate kṛṣṇa pakṣo viśiṣṭaḥ syāddurācāraka tatra vai

'Of that period, the month of Bhadrapada is especially excellent; and within it, O Duracara, the dark fortnight is especially excellent.'

Verse 39 (skanda.3.36.39)

तस्मिञ्छुभे कृष्णपक्षे प्रथमायां तथा तिथौ श्राद्धं महालयं कुर्याद्यो नरो भक्तिपूर्वकम्

tasmiñchubhe kṛṣṇapakṣe prathamāyāṁ tathā tithau śrāddhaṁ mahālayaṁ kuryādyo naro bhaktipūrvakam

Whoever, in that auspicious dark fortnight, performs the Mahalaya shraddha with devotion on the first lunar day,

Verse 40 (skanda.3.36.40)

तस्य प्रीणाति भगवान्पावकः सर्वपावनः स वह्निलोकमाप्नोति वह्निना सह मोदते

tasya prīṇāti bhagavānpāvakaḥ sarvapāvanaḥ sa vahnilokamāpnoti vahninā saha modate

the all-purifying lord Agni becomes pleased with him; he attains the world of Fire and rejoices there together with Agni.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.36.41)

तस्मै च ज्वलनो देवः सर्वैश्वर्यं ददात्यपि प्रथमायां तिथौ मर्त्यो यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

tasmai ca jvalano devaḥ sarvaiśvaryaṁ dadātyapi prathamāyāṁ tithau martyo yo na kuryānmahālayam

And the god of Flame grants him all prosperity. But the mortal who does not perform the Mahalaya on the first tithi -

Verse 42 (skanda.3.36.42)

वह्निर्गृहं दहेत्तस्य श्रियं क्षेत्रादिकं तथा वेदज्ञे ब्राह्मणे भुक्ते प्रथमायां महालये

vahnirgṛhaṁ dahettasya śriyaṁ kṣetrādikaṁ tathā vedajñe brāhmaṇe bhukte prathamāyāṁ mahālaye

Fire burns down his house, his wealth, and his fields. When a Veda-knowing brahmin has eaten at the Mahalaya on the first tithi -

Verse 43 (skanda.3.36.43)

दश कल्पसहस्राणि पितरो यांति तृप्तताम् द्वितीयायां तु यो भक्त्या कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं महालयम्

daśa kalpasahasrāṇi pitaro yāṁti tṛptatām dvitīyāyāṁ tu yo bhaktyā kuryācchrāddhaṁ mahālayam

his ancestors attain satisfaction for ten thousand kalpas. And whoever performs the Mahalaya shraddha with devotion on the second tithi -

Verse 44 (skanda.3.36.44)

तस्य प्रीणाति भगवान्भवानीपतिरीश्वरः स कैलासमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते

tasya prīṇāti bhagavānbhavānīpatirīśvaraḥ sa kailāsamavāpnoti śivena saha modate

the lord Ishvara, husband of Bhavani, becomes pleased with him; he attains Kailasa and rejoices there with Shiva.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.36.45)

विपुलां संपदं तस्मै प्रीतो दद्यान्महेश्वरः द्वितीयायां तिथौ मर्त्यो यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

vipulāṁ saṁpadaṁ tasmai prīto dadyānmaheśvaraḥ dvitīyāyāṁ tithau martyo yo na kuryānmahālayam

Mahesvara, pleased, grants him abundant wealth. But the mortal who does not perform the Mahalaya on the second tithi -

Verse 46 (skanda.3.36.46)

तस्य वै कुपितः शंभुर्नाशयेद्ब्रह्मवर्चसम् रौरवं कालसूत्राख्यं नरकं चास्य दास्यति

tasya vai kupitaḥ śaṁbhurnāśayedbrahmavarcasam rauravaṁ kālasūtrākhyaṁ narakaṁ cāsya dāsyati

angered Shambhu destroys his Vedic radiance, and consigns him to the hells named Raurava and Kalasutra.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.36.47)

वेदज्ञे ब्राह्मणे भुक्ते द्वितीयायां महालये विंशत्कल्प सहस्राणि पितरो यांति तृप्तताम्

vedajñe brāhmaṇe bhukte dvitīyāyāṁ mahālaye viṁśatkalpa sahasrāṇi pitaro yāṁti tṛptatām

When a Veda-knowing brahmin has eaten at the Mahalaya on the second tithi, his ancestors attain satisfaction for twenty thousand kalpas,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.36.48)

अनुग्रहात्पितॄणां च संततिश्चास्य वर्द्धते तृतीयायां नरो भक्त्या कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं महालयम्

anugrahātpitṝṇāṁ ca saṁtatiścāsya varddhate tṛtīyāyāṁ naro bhaktyā kuryācchrāddhaṁ mahālayam

and by the grace of the ancestors his lineage flourishes. When a man performs the Mahalaya shraddha with devotion on the third tithi -

Verse 49 (skanda.3.36.49)

तस्य प्रीणाति भगवाँल्लोकपालो धनाधिपः महापद्मादिनिधयो वर्तंते तस्य वै वशे

tasya prīṇāti bhagavāṁllokapālo dhanādhipaḥ mahāpadmādinidhayo vartaṁte tasya vai vaśe

the guardian of the world, lord of wealth Kubera, becomes pleased with him; the great treasures beginning with Mahapadma come under his control.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.36.50)

तस्यानुगास्त्रयो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः तृतीयायां तिथौ मर्त्यो यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

tasyānugāstrayo devā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ tṛtīyāyāṁ tithau martyo yo na kuryānmahālayam

The three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara become favorable to him. But the mortal who does not perform the Mahalaya on the third tithi -

Verse 51 (skanda.3.36.51)

धनदो भगवांस्तस्य संपदं हरति क्षणात् दारिद्यं च ददात्यस्मै बहुदुःखसमाकुलम्

dhanado bhagavāṁstasya saṁpadaṁ harati kṣaṇāt dāridyaṁ ca dadātyasmai bahuduḥkhasamākulam

the Lord of Wealth snatches away his prosperity in an instant, and gives him poverty full of manifold sorrow.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.36.52)

तृतीयायां तिथौ मर्त्यो यः करोति महालयम् तृप्यंति पितरस्तस्य त्रिंशत्कल्पसहस्रकम्

tṛtīyāyāṁ tithau martyo yaḥ karoti mahālayam tṛpyaṁti pitarastasya triṁśatkalpasahasrakam

For the mortal who performs the Mahalaya on the third tithi, his ancestors are satisfied for thirty thousand kalpas.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.36.53)

चतुर्थ्यां तु नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् तस्य प्रीणाति भगवान्हेरंबः पार्वतीसुतः

caturthyāṁ tu naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam tasya prīṇāti bhagavānheraṁbaḥ pārvatīsutaḥ

If a man performs the Mahalaya shraddha with devotion on the fourth tithi, the blessed Heramba, son of Parvati, becomes pleased with him,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.36.54)

तस्य विघ्नाश्च नश्यंति गजवक्त्रप्रसादतः चतुर्थ्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यो यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

tasya vighnāśca naśyaṁti gajavaktraprasādataḥ caturthyāṁ tu tithau martyo yo na kuryānmahālayam

and his obstacles are destroyed by the grace of the elephant-faced god. But the mortal who does not perform the Mahalaya on the fourth tithi -

Verse 55 (skanda.3.36.55)

विघ्नेशो भगवांस्तस्य सदा विघ्नं करोति हि चण्डकोलाहलाभिख्ये नरके च पतत्यथ

vighneśo bhagavāṁstasya sadā vighnaṁ karoti hi caṇḍakolāhalābhikhye narake ca patatyatha

the blessed lord of obstacles ever creates obstacles for him, and he falls into the hell named Chandakolahala.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.36.56)

चतुर्थ्यां वै तिथौ मर्त्यो यः करोति महालयम् पितरः कल्पसाहस्रं चत्वारिंशत्प्रहर्षिताः

caturthyāṁ vai tithau martyo yaḥ karoti mahālayam pitaraḥ kalpasāhasraṁ catvāriṁśatpraharṣitāḥ

For the mortal who performs the Mahalaya on the fourth tithi, his ancestors, greatly delighted, remain satisfied for forty thousand kalpas,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.36.57)

बहून्पुत्रान्प्रदास्यंति श्राद्धकर्तुर्निरंतरम् पंचम्यां तु तिथौ भक्त्या यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

bahūnputrānpradāsyaṁti śrāddhakarturniraṁtaram paṁcamyāṁ tu tithau bhaktyā yo na kuryānmahālayam

and they continually grant many sons to the performer of the shraddha. But whoever does not devotedly perform the Mahalaya on the fifth tithi -

Verse 58 (skanda.3.36.58)

तस्य लक्ष्मीर्भगवती परित्यजति मंदिरम् अलक्ष्मीः कलहाधारा तस्य प्रादुर्भवेद्गृहे

tasya lakṣmīrbhagavatī parityajati maṁdiram alakṣmīḥ kalahādhārā tasya prādurbhavedgṛhe

the goddess Lakshmi abandons his house, and Alakshmi, the seat of strife, appears in his home.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.36.59)

पचम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यो यः करोति महालयम् तस्य तृप्यंति पितरः पंचकल्पसहस्रके

pacamyāṁ tu tithau martyo yaḥ karoti mahālayam tasya tṛpyaṁti pitaraḥ paṁcakalpasahasrake

For the mortal who performs the Mahalaya on the fifth tithi, his ancestors are satisfied for five thousand kalpas,

Verse 60 (skanda.3.36.60)

संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नामस्मै दास्यंति तर्पिताः पार्वती च प्रसन्ना स्यान्महदैश्वर्यदायिनी

saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāmasmai dāsyaṁti tarpitāḥ pārvatī ca prasannā syānmahadaiśvaryadāyinī

and, satisfied, they grant him unbroken progeny; and Parvati becomes pleased, bestowing great prosperity.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.36.61)

षष्ठ्यां तिथौ नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् तस्य प्रीणाति भगवान्षण्मुखः पार्वती सुतः

ṣaṣṭhyāṁ tithau naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam tasya prīṇāti bhagavānṣaṇmukhaḥ pārvatī sutaḥ

If a man performs the Mahalaya shraddha with devotion on the sixth tithi, the blessed Shanmukha, son of Parvati, becomes pleased with him,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.36.62)

तस्य पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च षण्मुखस्य प्रसादतः ग्रहैर्वालग्रहैश्चैव न बाध्यंते कदाचन

tasya putrāśca pautrāśca ṣaṇmukhasya prasādataḥ grahairvālagrahaiścaiva na bādhyaṁte kadācana

and by Shanmukha's grace his sons and grandsons are never afflicted by planetary seizures or by seizures affecting children.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.36.63)

षष्ठ्यां तिथौ नरो भक्त्या यो न कुर्यान्महालयम् तस्य स्कन्दो महासेनो विमुखः स्यान्न संशयः

ṣaṣṭhyāṁ tithau naro bhaktyā yo na kuryānmahālayam tasya skando mahāseno vimukhaḥ syānna saṁśayaḥ

Whoever does not devotedly perform the Mahalaya on the sixth tithi - Skanda Mahasena will certainly turn away from him.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.36.64)

गर्भान्निर्गतमात्रैव प्रजा तस्य विनश्यति पूतनादिग्रहकुलैर्बाध्यते च निरंतरम्

garbhānnirgatamātraiva prajā tasya vinaśyati pūtanādigrahakulairbādhyate ca niraṁtaram

His offspring perish the very moment they leave the womb, and he is ceaselessly afflicted by hosts of seizers beginning with Putana.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.36.65)

वह्निज्वालाप्रवेशाख्ये नरके च पतत्यधः षष्ठ्यां तिथौ यः श्रद्धावान्कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं महालयम्

vahnijvālāpraveśākhye narake ca patatyadhaḥ ṣaṣṭhyāṁ tithau yaḥ śraddhāvānkuryācchrāddhaṁ mahālayam

He falls into the hell named Vahnijvalapravesha. Whoever, full of faith, performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the sixth tithi -

Verse 66 (skanda.3.36.66)

षष्टिकल्पसहस्रं तु पितरो यामति तृप्तताम् पुत्रानपि प्रदास्यंति संपदं विपुलां तथा

ṣaṣṭikalpasahasraṁ tu pitaro yāmati tṛptatām putrānapi pradāsyaṁti saṁpadaṁ vipulāṁ tathā

his ancestors attain satisfaction for sixty thousand kalpas, and they also grant him sons and abundant prosperity.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.36.67)

सप्तम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् हिरण्यपाणिर्भगवानादित्यस्तस्य तुष्यति

saptamyāṁ tu tithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam hiraṇyapāṇirbhagavānādityastasya tuṣyati

If a mortal performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the seventh tithi, the blessed golden-handed Aditya (Sun) is pleased with him.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.36.68)

अरोगो दृढगात्रः स्याद्भास्करस्य प्रसादतः हिरण्यपाणिर्भगवान्हिरण्यं पाणिना स्वयम्

arogo dṛḍhagātraḥ syādbhāskarasya prasādataḥ hiraṇyapāṇirbhagavānhiraṇyaṁ pāṇinā svayam

By the grace of the Sun, he becomes free of disease and strong of body. The blessed golden-handed one himself, with his own hand, gives gold -

Verse 69 (skanda.3.36.69)

महालयश्राद्धकर्त्रे ददाति प्रीतमानसः सप्तम्यां तु तिथौ भक्त्या यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

mahālayaśrāddhakartre dadāti prītamānasaḥ saptamyāṁ tu tithau bhaktyā yo na kuryānmahālayam

pleased in mind, to the performer of the Mahalaya shraddha. But whoever does not devotedly perform the Mahalaya on the seventh tithi -

Verse 70 (skanda.3.36.70)

व्याधिभिः क्षयरोगाद्यै बाध्यते स दिवानिशम् तीक्ष्णधारास्त्रशय्याख्ये नरके च पतत्यधः

vyādhibhiḥ kṣayarogādyai bādhyate sa divāniśam tīkṣṇadhārāstraśayyākhye narake ca patatyadhaḥ

he is afflicted day and night by diseases beginning with consumption, and falls into the hell named Tikshnadharastrashayya.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.36.71)

सप्तम्यां यो नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् सप्ततिं कल्पसाहस्रं प्रीणंति पितरोऽस्य वै

saptamyāṁ yo naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam saptatiṁ kalpasāhasraṁ prīṇaṁti pitaro'sya vai

For the man who devotedly performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the seventh tithi, his ancestors are pleased for seventy thousand kalpas,

Verse 72 (skanda.3.36.72)

संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृगणाः सदा अष्टम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महाल यम्

saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ sadā aṣṭamyāṁ tu tithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahāla yam

and the company of ancestors ever grants him unbroken progeny. If a mortal performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the eighth tithi -

Verse 73 (skanda.3.36.73)

मृत्युंजयः कृत्तिवासास्तस्य प्रीणाति शंकरः करस्थं तस्य कैवल्यं शंकरस्य प्रसादतः

mṛtyuṁjayaḥ kṛttivāsāstasya prīṇāti śaṁkaraḥ karasthaṁ tasya kaivalyaṁ śaṁkarasya prasādataḥ

Shankara, the conqueror of death, clad in an elephant-hide, is pleased with him; by Shankara's grace, final liberation rests as if in his very hand.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.36.74)

महालयेन श्राद्धेन तुष्टे साक्षात्त्रि यंबके चतुर्दशसु लोकेषु दुर्लभं तस्य किं भवेत्

mahālayena śrāddhena tuṣṭe sākṣāttri yaṁbake caturdaśasu lokeṣu durlabhaṁ tasya kiṁ bhavet

When the three-eyed Lord himself is satisfied by the Mahalaya shraddha, what remains hard to attain for him in the fourteen worlds?

Verse 75 (skanda.3.36.75)

महालयं न कुर्याद्वै योऽष्टम्यां मूढचेतनः संसारसागरे घोरे सदा मज्जति दुःखितः

mahālayaṁ na kuryādvai yo'ṣṭamyāṁ mūḍhacetanaḥ saṁsārasāgare ghore sadā majjati duḥkhitaḥ

The dull-minded person who does not perform the Mahalaya on the eighth tithi ever sinks, sorrowing, in the terrible ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.36.76)

कदाचिदपि तस्येष्टं नैव सिद्ध्यति भूतले वैतरिण्याख्यनरके पतत्याचंद्रतारकम्

kadācidapi tasyeṣṭaṁ naiva siddhyati bhūtale vaitariṇyākhyanarake patatyācaṁdratārakam

None of his desires are ever fulfilled on earth, and he falls into the hell named Vaitarani for as long as the moon and stars endure.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.36.77)

योऽष्टम्यां श्रद्धया श्राद्धं नरः कुर्यान्महालयम् अशीतिकल्पसाहस्रं तृप्यंति पितरोऽस्य वै

yo'ṣṭamyāṁ śraddhayā śrāddhaṁ naraḥ kuryānmahālayam aśītikalpasāhasraṁ tṛpyaṁti pitaro'sya vai

The man who, with faith, performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the eighth tithi - his ancestors are satisfied for eighty thousand kalpas.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.36.78)

आशीर्भिर्वर्द्धयंत्येनं विघ्नश्चास्य व्यपोहति संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृगणाः सदा

āśīrbhirvarddhayaṁtyenaṁ vighnaścāsya vyapohati saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ sadā

They bless and prosper him, remove his obstacles, and the company of ancestors ever grants him unbroken progeny.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.36.79)

नवम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् दुर्गादेवी भगवती तस्य प्रीणाति शांभवी

navamyāṁ tu tithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam durgādevī bhagavatī tasya prīṇāti śāṁbhavī

If a mortal performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the ninth tithi, the goddess Durga, consort of Shambhu, is pleased with him.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.36.80)

क्षयापस्मारकुष्ठा दीन्क्षुद्रप्रेतपिशाचकान् नाशयेत्तस्य सन्तुष्टा दुर्गा महिषमर्दिनी

kṣayāpasmārakuṣṭhā dīnkṣudrapretapiśācakān nāśayettasya santuṣṭā durgā mahiṣamardinī

Durga, the slayer of Mahisha, being pleased, destroys for him consumption, epilepsy, leprosy, and petty ghosts and demons.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.36.81)

नवम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यो यो न कुर्यान्महालयम् अपस्मारेण पीड्येत तथैव ब्रह्मरक्षसा

navamyāṁ tu tithau martyo yo na kuryānmahālayam apasmāreṇa pīḍyeta tathaiva brahmarakṣasā

The mortal who does not perform the Mahalaya on the ninth tithi is afflicted by epilepsy, and likewise by a brahma-rakshasa,

Verse 82 (skanda.3.36.82)

अभिचारार्थकृत्याभिर्वाध्येत च निरन्तरम् नवम्यां यस्तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम्

abhicārārthakṛtyābhirvādhyeta ca nirantaram navamyāṁ yastithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam

and is ceaselessly harassed by sorceries performed for black magic. The mortal who performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the ninth tithi -

Verse 83 (skanda.3.36.83)

नवतिं कल्पसाहस्रं तृप्यन्ति पितरोऽस्य वै संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृगणाः सदा

navatiṁ kalpasāhasraṁ tṛpyanti pitaro'sya vai saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ sadā

his ancestors are satisfied for ninety thousand kalpas, and the company of ancestors ever grants him unbroken progeny.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.36.84)

दशम्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् तस्यामृतकलश्चन्द्रः षोडशात्मा प्रसीदति

daśamyāṁ tu tithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam tasyāmṛtakalaścandraḥ ṣoḍaśātmā prasīdati

If a mortal performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the tenth tithi, the moon, whose essence is nectar, of sixteen digits, is pleased with him.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.36.85)

औषधीनामधीशेऽस्मिञ्छ्राद्धेनानेन तोषिते व्रीह्यादीनि तु धान्यानि दद्युरोषधयः सदा

auṣadhīnāmadhīśe'smiñchrāddhenānena toṣite vrīhyādīni tu dhānyāni dadyuroṣadhayaḥ sadā

When this lord of herbs is gratified by this shraddha, the herbs ever yield grains such as rice.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.36.86)

यो न कुर्याद्दशम्यां तु महालयमनुत्तमम् ओषध्यो निष्फलास्तस्य कृषिश्चाप्यस्य निष्फला

yo na kuryāddaśamyāṁ tu mahālayamanuttamam oṣadhyo niṣphalāstasya kṛṣiścāpyasya niṣphalā

Whoever does not perform this supreme Mahalaya on the tenth tithi - for him the herbs bear no fruit, and his farming too is fruitless.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.36.87)

दशम्यां यस्तिथौ मर्त्यः श्राद्धंकुर्यान्महालयम् शतकल्पसहस्राणि तृप्यंति पितरोऽस्य वै

daśamyāṁ yastithau martyaḥ śrāddhaṁkuryānmahālayam śatakalpasahasrāṇi tṛpyaṁti pitaro'sya vai

For the mortal who performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the tenth tithi, his ancestors are satisfied for a hundred thousand kalpas,

Verse 88 (skanda.3.36.88)

संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृगणाः सदा एकादश्यां नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम्

saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛgaṇāḥ sadā ekādaśyāṁ naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam

and grant him unbroken progeny forever. If a man devotedly performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the eleventh tithi -

Verse 89 (skanda.3.36.89)

संहर्ता सर्वलोकस्य तस्य रुद्रः प्रसीदति रुद्रस्य सर्वसंहर्तुः प्रसादेन जगत्पतेः

saṁhartā sarvalokasya tasya rudraḥ prasīdati rudrasya sarvasaṁhartuḥ prasādena jagatpateḥ

Rudra, the destroyer of all worlds, is pleased with him; and by the grace of Rudra, the destroyer of all, the lord of the universe -

Verse 90 (skanda.3.36.90)

शत्रून्पराजय त्येष श्राद्धकर्ता निरन्तरम् ब्रह्महत्यायुतं चापि तस्य नश्यति तत्क्षणात्

śatrūnparājaya tyeṣa śrāddhakartā nirantaram brahmahatyāyutaṁ cāpi tasya naśyati tatkṣaṇāt

this performer of the shraddha ever conquers his enemies, and even ten thousand brahmin-murders' worth of sin is destroyed for him in an instant.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.36.91)

अग्निष्टोमादियज्ञानां फलमाप्नोति पुष्कलम् एकादश्यां नरो भक्त्या यो न कुर्यान्महालयम्

agniṣṭomādiyajñānāṁ phalamāpnoti puṣkalam ekādaśyāṁ naro bhaktyā yo na kuryānmahālayam

He obtains the abundant fruit of sacrifices beginning with the Agnishtoma. Whoever does not devotedly perform the Mahalaya on the eleventh tithi -

Verse 92 (skanda.3.36.92)

तस्य वै विमुखो रुद्रो न प्रसीदति कर्हिचित् सर्वतो वर्धमानाश्च बाधन्ते शत्रवो ह्यमुम्

tasya vai vimukho rudro na prasīdati karhicit sarvato vardhamānāśca bādhante śatravo hyamum

Rudra turns away from him and is never pleased; and enemies, growing on every side, oppress him.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.36.93)

अग्निष्टोमादिका यज्ञाः कृताश्च बहुदक्षिणाः निष्फला एव तस्य स्युर्भस्मनि न्यस्तहव्यवत्

agniṣṭomādikā yajñāḥ kṛtāśca bahudakṣiṇāḥ niṣphalā eva tasya syurbhasmani nyastahavyavat

Sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma, performed with abundant fees, become for him fruitless, like an oblation poured upon ashes.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.36.94)

ब्रह्मवातकतुल्यः स्याच्छ्राद्धाकरणदोषतः एकादश्यां तिथौ यस्तु श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम्

brahmavātakatulyaḥ syācchrāddhākaraṇadoṣataḥ ekādaśyāṁ tithau yastu śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam

By the fault of not performing the shraddha, he becomes as one afflicted with a wasting disease. But for whoever performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the eleventh tithi -

Verse 95 (skanda.3.36.95)

द्विशतं कल्पसाहस्रं तृप्यंति पितरोऽस्य वै संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृ गणाः सदा

dviśataṁ kalpasāhasraṁ tṛpyaṁti pitaro'sya vai saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛ gaṇāḥ sadā

his ancestors are satisfied for two hundred thousand kalpas, and the company of ancestors ever grants him unbroken progeny.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.36.96)

द्वादश्यां तु तिथौ मर्त्यः कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं महालयम् तस्य लक्ष्मीपतिः साक्षात्प्रसीदति जनार्दनः

dvādaśyāṁ tu tithau martyaḥ kuryācchrāddhaṁ mahālayam tasya lakṣmīpatiḥ sākṣātprasīdati janārdanaḥ

If a mortal performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the twelfth tithi, Janardana, the very lord of Lakshmi, is pleased with him directly.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.36.97)

प्रसन्ने सति देवेशे देवदेवे जनार्दने चराचरं जगत्सर्वं प्रीतमेव न संशयः

prasanne sati deveśe devadeve janārdane carācaraṁ jagatsarvaṁ prītameva na saṁśayaḥ

When the lord of gods, the god of gods, Janardana, is pleased, the entire moving and unmoving universe is, without doubt, pleased as well.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.36.98)

भूमिर्हरिप्रिया चास्य सस्यं संवर्द्धयत्यपि लक्ष्मीश्च वर्द्धते तस्य मंदिरे हरिवल्लभा

bhūmirharipriyā cāsya sasyaṁ saṁvarddhayatyapi lakṣmīśca varddhate tasya maṁdire harivallabhā

The earth, beloved of Hari, causes his crops to flourish; and Lakshmi, dear to Hari, increases in his household.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.36.99)

गदा कौमोदकी नाम नारायणकरस्थिता अपस्मारादिभूतानि नाशयत्येव सर्वदा

gadā kaumodakī nāma nārāyaṇakarasthitā apasmārādibhūtāni nāśayatyeva sarvadā

Narayana's mace, named Kaumodaki, held in his hand, ever destroys epilepsy and evil spirits for him.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.36.100)

तीक्ष्णधारं तथा चक्रं शत्रूनस्य दहत्यपि यातुधानपिशाचादीञ्छंखश्चास्य व्यपोहति

tīkṣṇadhāraṁ tathā cakraṁ śatrūnasya dahatyapi yātudhānapiśācādīñchaṁkhaścāsya vyapohati

Likewise the sharp-edged discus burns up his enemies, and the conch drives away rakshasas, pishachas and the like for him.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.36.101)

एवं सर्वात्मना पीडां वारयत्यस्य केशवः महालयं न कुर्याद्यो द्वादश्यां मनुजा धम

evaṁ sarvātmanā pīḍāṁ vārayatyasya keśavaḥ mahālayaṁ na kuryādyo dvādaśyāṁ manujā dhama

In this way Keshava wards off every affliction from him with his whole being. But that lowest of men who does not perform the Mahalaya on the twelfth tithi -

Verse 102 (skanda.3.36.102)

तस्य क्षेत्राणि संपच्च विनश्यंति न संशयः अपस्मारादिभूतानि शत्रवश्च महाबलाः

tasya kṣetrāṇi saṁpacca vinaśyaṁti na saṁśayaḥ apasmārādibhūtāni śatravaśca mahābalāḥ

his fields and wealth are destroyed without doubt; epilepsy and evil spirits, and powerful enemies -

Verse 103 (skanda.3.36.103)

यातुधानाश्च बाधन्ते तं वै विष्णुपराङ्मुखम् पात्यते नरके चापि अस्थिभेदननामके

yātudhānāśca bādhante taṁ vai viṣṇuparāṅmukham pātyate narake cāpi asthibhedananāmake

and rakshasas afflict that man who has turned his face away from Vishnu; and he is cast down into the hell named Asthibhedana.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.36.104)

द्वादश्यां भक्तियुक्तो यः श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् षट्शतं कल्पसाहस्रं प्रीणंति पितरोऽस्य वै

dvādaśyāṁ bhaktiyukto yaḥ śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam ṣaṭśataṁ kalpasāhasraṁ prīṇaṁti pitaro'sya vai

Whoever, filled with devotion, performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the twelfth tithi - his ancestors are pleased for six hundred thousand kalpas,

Verse 105 (skanda.3.36.105)

संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां पितरोऽस्मै ददत्यपि त्रयोदश्यां नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम्

saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ pitaro'smai dadatyapi trayodaśyāṁ naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam

and the ancestors also grant him unbroken progeny. If a man devotedly performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the thirteenth tithi -

Verse 106 (skanda.3.36.106)

प्रसीदत्यस्य भगवान्कंदर्पो रतिनायकः स्रग्चंदनादयो भोगा ललनाश्च मनोरमाः

prasīdatyasya bhagavānkaṁdarpo ratināyakaḥ sragcaṁdanādayo bhogā lalanāśca manoramāḥ

the blessed Kandarpa, lord of Rati, becomes pleased with him. Enjoyments such as garlands and sandalwood, and beautiful women -

Verse 107 (skanda.3.36.107)

कामदेवप्रसादेन तस्य सिद्ध्यंति सर्वदा आजन्ममरणांतं च सुखमेव स विंदते

kāmadevaprasādena tasya siddhyaṁti sarvadā ājanmamaraṇāṁtaṁ ca sukhameva sa viṁdate

are ever obtained by him through the grace of Kamadeva; and from birth until death he experiences only happiness.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.36.108)

यो न कुर्यात्त्रयोदश्यां न च श्राद्धं महालयम् कामदेवोऽस्य विमुखः स्त्रियो भोगांश्च नाशयेत्

yo na kuryāttrayodaśyāṁ na ca śrāddhaṁ mahālayam kāmadevo'sya vimukhaḥ striyo bhogāṁśca nāśayet

Whoever does not perform the Mahalaya shraddha on the thirteenth tithi - Kamadeva turns away from him and destroys his women and his pleasures.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.36.109)

अंगारशय्याभ्रमणे नरके पातयत्यमुम् पितॄनुद्दिश्य यः कुर्यात्त्र योदश्यां महालयम्

aṁgāraśayyābhramaṇe narake pātayatyamum pitṝnuddiśya yaḥ kuryāttra yodaśyāṁ mahālayam

He casts him down into the hell of wandering upon a bed of burning coals. Whoever performs the Mahalaya for the ancestors' sake on the thirteenth tithi -

Verse 110 (skanda.3.36.110)

सहस्रकल्पसाहस्रं प्रीणंति पितरोऽस्य वै संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितॄगणास्तदा

sahasrakalpasāhasraṁ prīṇaṁti pitaro'sya vai saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṝgaṇāstadā

his ancestors are pleased for a thousand thousand kalpas, and the company of ancestors then grants him unbroken progeny.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.36.111)

चतुर्दश्यां नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम् तस्याभीष्टप्रदानाय जागर्ति भगवाच्छिवः

caturdaśyāṁ naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam tasyābhīṣṭapradānāya jāgarti bhagavācchivaḥ

If a man devotedly performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the fourteenth tithi, the blessed Shiva remains ever watchful to grant him his desires.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.36.112)

उपदिश्य शिवज्ञानं सायुज्यं च ददात्यपि सुरापानायुतं चापि स्वर्णस्तेयायुतं तथा

upadiśya śivajñānaṁ sāyujyaṁ ca dadātyapi surāpānāyutaṁ cāpi svarṇasteyāyutaṁ tathā

He imparts to him the knowledge of Shiva and even grants him sayujya (oneness with the divine); and even ten thousand sins of liquor-drinking and gold-theft -

Verse 113 (skanda.3.36.113)

नश्यंति तत्क्षणादेव चतुर्दश्यां महालयात् चण्डालवृषलस्त्रीणां संगदोषोऽपि नश्यति

naśyaṁti tatkṣaṇādeva caturdaśyāṁ mahālayāt caṇḍālavṛṣalastrīṇāṁ saṁgadoṣo'pi naśyati

are destroyed that very instant by the Mahalaya on the fourteenth tithi; even the fault of consorting with an outcaste or low-born woman is destroyed.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.36.114)

अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य पौंडरीकायुतस्य च पुष्कला फलसिद्धिः स्याच्चतुर्दश्यां महालयात्

aśvamedhasahasrasya pauṁḍarīkāyutasya ca puṣkalā phalasiddhiḥ syāccaturdaśyāṁ mahālayāt

The abundant fruit of a thousand horse-sacrifices and ten thousand Paundarika sacrifices is obtained through the Mahalaya on the fourteenth tithi.

Verse 115 (skanda.3.36.115)

यो न कुर्याच्चतुर्दश्यां श्राद्धमेतन्महालयम् स कल्पकोटिसाहस्रं कल्पकोटिशतं तथा

yo na kuryāccaturdaśyāṁ śrāddhametanmahālayam sa kalpakoṭisāhasraṁ kalpakoṭiśataṁ tathā

Whoever does not perform this Mahalaya shraddha on the fourteenth tithi, for countless crores of kalpas,

Verse 116 (skanda.3.36.116)

संसारांधमहाकूपे पतितः स्यादनिष्कृतिः अचोरयित्वा कनकमपीत्वापि सुरां तथा

saṁsārāṁdhamahākūpe patitaḥ syādaniṣkṛtiḥ acorayitvā kanakamapītvāpi surāṁ tathā

remains fallen, without remedy, into the great blind well of worldly existence. Even without having stolen gold or drunk liquor -

Verse 117 (skanda.3.36.117)

सुरापानादिभिर्दोषैर्लिप्यते स विमूढधीः कृता अपि विधानेन यज्ञाः स्युर्निष्फलास्तथा

surāpānādibhirdoṣairlipyate sa vimūḍhadhīḥ kṛtā api vidhānena yajñāḥ syurniṣphalāstathā

that deluded man becomes tainted with the sins of liquor-drinking and the like; and even sacrifices duly performed become fruitless for him.

Verse 118 (skanda.3.36.118)

चतुर्दश्यां तिथौ यस्तु कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं महालयम् लक्षकोटिसहस्राणि लक्षकोटिशतानिच

caturdaśyāṁ tithau yastu kuryācchrāddhaṁ mahālayam lakṣakoṭisahasrāṇi lakṣakoṭiśatānica

Whoever performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the fourteenth tithi - for countless hundred-thousand-crores of kalpas,

Verse 119 (skanda.3.36.119)

कल्पानि पितरस्तस्य तृप्यंत्येव न संशयः नरकस्थाश्च पितरः स्वर्गं यांति प्रहर्षिताः

kalpāni pitarastasya tṛpyaṁtyeva na saṁśayaḥ narakasthāśca pitaraḥ svargaṁ yāṁti praharṣitāḥ

his ancestors are truly satisfied, without doubt; and even ancestors dwelling in hell go, greatly delighted, to heaven.

Verse 120 (skanda.3.36.120)

संततिं चाप्यविच्छिन्नां दद्युः पितृगणास्तदा अमायां तु नरो भक्त्या श्राद्धं कुर्यान्महालयम्

saṁtatiṁ cāpyavicchinnāṁ dadyuḥ pitṛgaṇāstadā amāyāṁ tu naro bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ kuryānmahālayam

And the company of ancestors then grants him unbroken progeny. If a man devotedly performs the Mahalaya shraddha on the new-moon day -

Verse 121 (skanda.3.36.121)

पितॄणां तस्य तृप्तिः स्यादनंता नात्र संशयः सुधामास्वाद्य या तृप्तिर्देवानां दिवि वै भवेत्

pitṝṇāṁ tasya tṛptiḥ syādanaṁtā nātra saṁśayaḥ sudhāmāsvādya yā tṛptirdevānāṁ divi vai bhavet

the satisfaction of his ancestors becomes endless, there is no doubt. The satisfaction the gods feel in heaven upon tasting nectar -

Verse 122 (skanda.3.36.122)

अनंता तादृशी तृप्तिरमावास्यां महालयात् अमावास्या महापुण्या पितृदेवनमस्कृता

anaṁtā tādṛśī tṛptiramāvāsyāṁ mahālayāt amāvāsyā mahāpuṇyā pitṛdevanamaskṛtā

an endless satisfaction of just that kind arises from the Mahalaya on the new-moon day. The new-moon day is of great merit, revered by both ancestors and gods.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.36.123)

शांता ह्येषा तु परमा शिवस्य च महाप्रिया तस्यां महालये श्राद्धे भोजयेद्वेदवित्तमान्

śāṁtā hyeṣā tu paramā śivasya ca mahāpriyā tasyāṁ mahālaye śrāddhe bhojayedvedavittamān

It is supremely peaceful and greatly dear to Shiva. On that day, in the Mahalaya shraddha, one should feed the most learned knowers of the Veda.

Verse 124 (skanda.3.36.124)

तेन तृप्तिः पितॄणां स्यादनंता तुष्यते शिवः ब्रह्महत्यादयः पंच पातका नाशमाप्नुयुः

tena tṛptiḥ pitṝṇāṁ syādanaṁtā tuṣyate śivaḥ brahmahatyādayaḥ paṁca pātakā nāśamāpnuyuḥ

By this, the ancestors' satisfaction becomes endless, Shiva is pleased, and the five great sins beginning with brahmin-murder are destroyed.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.36.125)

कृताश्च स्युर्विधानेन सर्वे यज्ञाः सदक्षिणाः अनुष्ठिताः स्युर्विधिवत्सर्वे धर्माः सनातनाः

kṛtāśca syurvidhānena sarve yajñāḥ sadakṣiṇāḥ anuṣṭhitāḥ syurvidhivatsarve dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ

It is as if all sacrifices with proper fees had been duly performed, and as if all the eternal duties had been rightly observed.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.36.126)

अमावास्यादिने येन कृतं श्राद्धं महालयम् प्रत्यग्ब्रह्मैकतां ज्ञात्वा सायुज्यं यात्यसंशयम्

amāvāsyādine yena kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ mahālayam pratyagbrahmaikatāṁ jñātvā sāyujyaṁ yātyasaṁśayam

Whoever has performed the Mahalaya shraddha on the new-moon day, having realized his oneness with the inner Brahman, undoubtedly attains sayujya.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.36.127)

यो न कुर्यादमावास्यां महालयमचेतनः ब्रह्मलोकगताश्चास्य पितरो यांति नारकम्

yo na kuryādamāvāsyāṁ mahālayamacetanaḥ brahmalokagatāścāsya pitaro yāṁti nārakam

The senseless man who does not perform the Mahalaya on the new-moon day - his ancestors, though they had reached Brahmaloka, fall down into hell.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.36.128)

संततिश्चास्य मूढस्य विच्छि द्येतैव तत्क्षणात् स एव हि महानर्थो यदमायां तिथौ नरैः

saṁtatiścāsya mūḍhasya vicchi dyetaiva tatkṣaṇāt sa eva hi mahānartho yadamāyāṁ tithau naraiḥ

And the lineage of that fool is cut off that very instant. This indeed is the great calamity: that on the new-moon tithi, by men,

Verse 129 (skanda.3.36.129)

महालयार्थो विप्रेंद्रा विधिवन्नैव भोजिताः मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते नृत्यंति पितृदेवताः

mahālayārtho vipreṁdrā vidhivannaiva bhojitāḥ māsi bhādrapade prāpte nṛtyaṁti pitṛdevatāḥ

eminent brahmins are not duly fed for the sake of the Mahalaya. When the month of Bhadrapada arrives, the ancestor-deities dance, saying:

Verse 130 (skanda.3.36.130)

अस्मानुद्दिश्य मत्पुत्रा भोजयेयुर्द्विजोत्तमान् तेन नो नरकक्लेशो न भविष्यति दारुणः

asmānuddiśya matputrā bhojayeyurdvijottamān tena no narakakleśo na bhaviṣyati dāruṇaḥ

'May our sons, for our sake, feed excellent brahmins; by this, terrible suffering in hell will not befall us -

Verse 131 (skanda.3.36.131)

वासश्च स्वर्गलोके स्याद्यावदाचन्द्रतारकम् मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते पितॄणां तृदिदायिनी

vāsaśca svargaloke syādyāvadācandratārakam māsi bhādrapade prāpte pitṝṇāṁ tṛdidāyinī

and our dwelling shall be in the heavenly world for as long as the moon and stars endure.' When the month of Bhadrapada arrives, granting satisfaction to the ancestors -

Verse 132 (skanda.3.36.132)

एकैकं भोजयेद्विप्रं प्रत्यहं भक्तिपूर्वकम् पितृमातृकुलोद्भूताः पितरस्तृप्तिमाप्नुयुः

ekaikaṁ bhojayedvipraṁ pratyahaṁ bhaktipūrvakam pitṛmātṛkulodbhūtāḥ pitarastṛptimāpnuyuḥ

one should feed one brahmin each day, with devotion; then the ancestors born of both the paternal and maternal lineage obtain satisfaction.

Verse 133 (skanda.3.36.133)

कृष्णपक्षे विशेषेण ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्सुधीः घृतसूपादिसस्यैश्च तैलाभ्यंगपुरःसरम्

kṛṣṇapakṣe viśeṣeṇa brāhmaṇānbhojayetsudhīḥ ghṛtasūpādisasyaiśca tailābhyaṁgapuraḥsaram

The wise man should especially feed brahmins during the dark fortnight, with ghee, lentil-soup and grains, along with an anointing of oil.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.36.134)

सुधां पास्यंति पितरस्तस्याकल्पं प्रहर्षिताः सप्तमीं कृष्णपक्षस्य प्रारभ्य प्रत्यहं नराः

sudhāṁ pāsyaṁti pitarastasyākalpaṁ praharṣitāḥ saptamīṁ kṛṣṇapakṣasya prārabhya pratyahaṁ narāḥ

His ancestors, greatly delighted, will drink nectar until the end of the kalpa. Beginning from the seventh day of the dark fortnight, men, each day -

Verse 135 (skanda.3.36.135)

विप्रान्यावदमावास्या त्रींस्त्रीनभ्यर्च्य भोजयेत् आरभ्य द्वादशीं विप्रांस्त्रीनवश्यं तु भोजयेत्

viprānyāvadamāvāsyā trīṁstrīnabhyarcya bhojayet ārabhya dvādaśīṁ viprāṁstrīnavaśyaṁ tu bhojayet

should honor and feed three brahmins each, up until the new-moon day; from the twelfth day onward, one must without fail feed three brahmins.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.36.136)

अन्यथैश्वर्यहानिः स्यान्महादारिद्र्यभाग्भवेत् वित्तलोभं परित्यज्य विप्रान्सूपघृतादि भिः

anyathaiśvaryahāniḥ syānmahādāridryabhāgbhavet vittalobhaṁ parityajya viprānsūpaghṛtādi bhiḥ

Otherwise there will be loss of prosperity, and great poverty will result. Abandoning greed for wealth, one should honor the brahmins with lentil-soup, ghee, and the like -

Verse 137 (skanda.3.36.137)

पयसा पायसान्नेन दध्नापूपादिभिस्तथा पेयैर्लेह्यैश्च चोष्यैश्च भक्ष्यैश्च विविधैरपि

payasā pāyasānnena dadhnāpūpādibhistathā peyairlehyaiśca coṣyaiśca bhakṣyaiśca vividhairapi

with milk, rice-pudding, curds, cakes, and various kinds of drinkable, lickable, suckable and chewable foods.

Verse 138 (skanda.3.36.138)

भोजयेद्वेदविन्मुख्यांस्तृप्तिस्तेषां यथा भवेत् तेन ब्रह्मा हरिः शंभुस्तृप्ताः स्युर्नात्र संशयः

bhojayedvedavinmukhyāṁstṛptisteṣāṁ yathā bhavet tena brahmā hariḥ śaṁbhustṛptāḥ syurnātra saṁśayaḥ

One should feed the foremost knowers of the Veda so that they become truly satisfied; by this, Brahma, Vishnu and Shambhu themselves are satisfied, without doubt.

Verse 139 (skanda.3.36.139)

अग्निष्वात्तादिपितरस्तथैवेंद्रादिदेवताः बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन तुष्टं तेन जगत्त्रयम्

agniṣvāttādipitarastathaiveṁdrādidevatāḥ bahunātra kimuktena tuṣṭaṁ tena jagattrayam

So too the ancestors beginning with Agnishvatta, and the gods beginning with Indra. What more need be said - by this, the three worlds themselves are gratified.

Verse 140 (skanda.3.36.140)

पार्वणेन विधानेन कुर्याच्छ्राद्धे महालयम् नरो महालयश्राद्धे पितृवंश्यान्पितॄनिव

pārvaṇena vidhānena kuryācchrāddhe mahālayam naro mahālayaśrāddhe pitṛvaṁśyānpitṝniva

One should perform the Mahalaya shraddha according to the parvana rite. In the Mahalaya shraddha, a man should feed the ancestors of the paternal lineage -

Verse 141 (skanda.3.36.141)

मातृवंश्यानपि पितॄन्भोजयेच्छ्रेयसे मुदा दक्षिणां च यथाशक्ति दद्याद्वित्तानुसारतः

mātṛvaṁśyānapi pitṝnbhojayecchreyase mudā dakṣiṇāṁ ca yathāśakti dadyādvittānusārataḥ

and, gladly, for his own welfare, the ancestors of the maternal lineage as well; and he should give the sacrificial fee according to his means and wealth.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.36.142)

तस्मिन्महालये श्राद्धे वित्तशाठ्यं न कारयेत् दक्षिणा खलु यज्ञानां कथितेयं पुरोगवा

tasminmahālaye śrāddhe vittaśāṭhyaṁ na kārayet dakṣiṇā khalu yajñānāṁ kathiteyaṁ purogavā

In that Mahalaya shraddha one must not be stingy with money. Dakshina, indeed, is said to be the leading ox of sacrifices.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.36.143)

अनः पुरोगवैर्हीनं करिष्यति यथाध्वनि अदक्षिणं तथा सोयं पितृयज्ञोऽपि रिष्यति

anaḥ purogavairhīnaṁ kariṣyati yathādhvani adakṣiṇaṁ tathā soyaṁ pitṛyajño'pi riṣyati

Just as a cart without its leading ox cannot proceed on the road, so too this ancestral sacrifice without dakshina comes to ruin.

Verse 144 (skanda.3.36.144)

तस्माद्यज्ञेषु दातव्या दक्षिणाल्पा हि जानता विधवाभिरपि स्त्रीभिरपुत्राभिर्महालयः

tasmādyajñeṣu dātavyā dakṣiṇālpā hi jānatā vidhavābhirapi strībhiraputrābhirmahālayaḥ

Therefore one who understands this should give even a small dakshina in sacrifices. Even sonless widowed women should perform the Mahalaya -

Verse 145 (skanda.3.36.145)

भर्त्तॄनुद्दिश्य कर्तव्यो भूरिभोजनकर्मणा अन्यथा धर्महानिः स्यान्नरकं च महद्भवेत्

bharttṝnuddiśya kartavyo bhūribhojanakarmaṇā anyathā dharmahāniḥ syānnarakaṁ ca mahadbhavet

for the sake of their husbands, with abundant feeding. Otherwise there will be a loss of dharma, and great hell will result.

Verse 146 (skanda.3.36.146)

मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते यो न कुर्यान्महालयम् तत्कुलं नाशमाप्नोति ब्रह्महत्यां च विंदति

māsi bhādrapade prāpte yo na kuryānmahālayam tatkulaṁ nāśamāpnoti brahmahatyāṁ ca viṁdati

When the month of Bhadrapada has arrived, whoever does not perform the Mahalaya - his family meets with ruin, and he incurs the sin of brahmin-murder.

Verse 147 (skanda.3.36.147)

महालयं प्रकुर्वंति श्रद्धावंतः पितॄन्प्रति न तेषां संततिच्छेदो भवेत्संपदभंगुरा

mahālayaṁ prakurvaṁti śraddhāvaṁtaḥ pitṝnprati na teṣāṁ saṁtaticchedo bhavetsaṁpadabhaṁgurā

For those full of faith who perform the Mahalaya for their ancestors, there is no cutting-off of their lineage, and their prosperity does not crumble.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.36.148)

आलयं ह्यास्पदं प्रोक्तं महः कल्याणमुच्यते कल्याणानामास्पदत्वान्महालयमुदीर्यते

ālayaṁ hyāspadaṁ proktaṁ mahaḥ kalyāṇamucyate kalyāṇānāmāspadatvānmahālayamudīryate

'Ālaya' means 'abode,' and 'mahaḥ' means 'auspiciousness'; because it is the abode of all auspicious things, it is called 'Mahalaya.'

Verse 149 (skanda.3.36.149)

तस्मान्महालयं मर्त्यः कुर्यात्कल्याणसिद्धये अमंगलं भवेत्तस्य न कुर्याच्चेन्महालयम्

tasmānmahālayaṁ martyaḥ kuryātkalyāṇasiddhaye amaṁgalaṁ bhavettasya na kuryāccenmahālayam

Therefore a mortal should perform the Mahalaya for the attainment of well-being; if he does not perform the Mahalaya, misfortune befalls him.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.36.150)

नकुर्याद्यद्यपि श्राद्धं मातापित्रोर्मृतेऽहनि कुर्यान्महालयश्राद्धमस्मरन्नेव बुद्धिमान्

nakuryādyadyapi śrāddhaṁ mātāpitrormṛte'hani kuryānmahālayaśrāddhamasmaranneva buddhimān

Even if a wise man forgets to perform the shraddha on the death-anniversary of his parents, he should still perform the Mahalaya shraddha, even without consciously remembering them.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.36.151)

कर्तुं महालयश्राद्धं यदि शक्तिर्न विद्यते याचित्वापि नरः कुर्यात्पितृणां तन्महालयम्

kartuṁ mahālayaśrāddhaṁ yadi śaktirna vidyate yācitvāpi naraḥ kuryātpitṛṇāṁ tanmahālayam

If a man lacks the means to perform the Mahalaya shraddha, he should perform that Mahalaya for his ancestors even by begging for the means.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.36.152)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशिष्टे भ्यो याचेत धनधान्यकम् पतितेभ्यो न गृह्णीयाद्धनधान्यं कदाचन

brāhmaṇebhyo viśiṣṭe bhyo yāceta dhanadhānyakam patitebhyo na gṛhṇīyāddhanadhānyaṁ kadācana

He should beg wealth and grain from distinguished brahmins; he should never accept wealth or grain from fallen persons.

Verse 153 (skanda.3.36.153)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो न लभ्येत यदि धान्यधनादिकम् याचेत क्षत्रियश्रेष्ठा न्महालयचिकीर्षया

brāhmaṇebhyo na labhyeta yadi dhānyadhanādikam yāceta kṣatriyaśreṣṭhā nmahālayacikīrṣayā

If grain and wealth cannot be obtained from brahmins, he should beg from the best of kshatriyas, out of his wish to perform the Mahalaya.

Verse 154 (skanda.3.36.154)

दातारश्चेन्न भूपाला वैश्येभ्योऽपि च याचयेत् वैश्या अपि हि दातारो यदि लोके न संति वै

dātāraścenna bhūpālā vaiśyebhyo'pi ca yācayet vaiśyā api hi dātāro yadi loke na saṁti vai

If kings are not available as donors, he should beg even from vaishyas; and if even vaishya donors do not exist in the world -

Verse 155 (skanda.3.36.155)

दद्याद्भाद्रपदे मासे गोग्रासं पितृतृप्तये अथ वा रोदनं कुर्याद्बहिर्निर्गत्य कानने

dadyādbhādrapade māse gogrāsaṁ pitṛtṛptaye atha vā rodanaṁ kuryādbahirnirgatya kānane

then in the month of Bhadrapada he should give a mouthful of grass to a cow for his ancestors' satisfaction; or else go outside into the forest and weep,

Verse 156 (skanda.3.36.156)

पाणिभ्यामुदरं स्वीयमाहत्याश्रूणि वर्तयन् तेष्वरण्यप्रदेशेषु उच्चैरेवं वदेन्नरः

pāṇibhyāmudaraṁ svīyamāhatyāśrūṇi vartayan teṣvaraṇyapradeśeṣu uccairevaṁ vadennaraḥ

striking his own belly with both hands, shedding tears; in those forest regions he should cry out loudly thus:

Verse 157 (skanda.3.36.157)

शृण्वंतु पितरः सर्वे मत्कुलीना वचो मम अहं दरिद्रः कृपणो निर्ल्लज्जः क्रूरकर्मकृत्

śṛṇvaṁtu pitaraḥ sarve matkulīnā vaco mama ahaṁ daridraḥ kṛpaṇo nirllajjaḥ krūrakarmakṛt

'Let all my ancestors of my lineage hear my words! I am poor, wretched, shameless, a doer of cruel deeds -

Verse 158 (skanda.3.36.158)

प्राप्तो भाद्रपदो मासः पितृणां प्रीतिवर्द्धनः कर्त्तुं महालयश्राद्धं न च मे शक्तिरस्ति वै

prāpto bhādrapado māsaḥ pitṛṇāṁ prītivarddhanaḥ karttuṁ mahālayaśrāddhaṁ na ca me śaktirasti vai

the month of Bhadrapada, which increases the joy of the ancestors, has arrived, and I have no means at all to perform the Mahalaya shraddha.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.36.159)

भ्रमित्वापि महीं कृत्स्नां न मे किंचन लभ्यते अतो महालयश्राद्धं न युष्माकं करोम्यहम्

bhramitvāpi mahīṁ kṛtsnāṁ na me kiṁcana labhyate ato mahālayaśrāddhaṁ na yuṣmākaṁ karomyaham

Even having wandered over the whole earth, I obtain nothing at all; therefore I am unable to perform the Mahalaya shraddha for you.

Verse 160 (skanda.3.36.160)

क्षमध्वं मम तद्यूयं भवंतो हि दयापराः दरिद्रो रोदनं कुर्यादेवं काननभूमिषु

kṣamadhvaṁ mama tadyūyaṁ bhavaṁto hi dayāparāḥ daridro rodanaṁ kuryādevaṁ kānanabhūmiṣu

Forgive me for this, for you are compassionate.' A poor man should weep in this manner in the forest lands.

Verse 161 (skanda.3.36.161)

तस्य रोदनमाकर्ण्य पितरस्तत्कुलोद्भवाः हृष्टास्तृप्तिं प्रयांत्येव सुधां पीत्वैव निर्जराः

tasya rodanamākarṇya pitarastatkulodbhavāḥ hṛṣṭāstṛptiṁ prayāṁtyeva sudhāṁ pītvaiva nirjarāḥ

Hearing his lament, the ancestors born of his lineage become joyful, and, as if drinking nectar, attain satisfaction.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.36.162)

महालयार्थे विप्रौघे भुक्ते तृप्तिर्यथा भवेत् गोग्रासारण्यरुदितैः पितृ तृप्तिस्तथा भवेत्

mahālayārthe vipraughe bhukte tṛptiryathā bhavet gogrāsāraṇyaruditaiḥ pitṛ tṛptistathā bhavet

Just as satisfaction arises when a host of brahmins has eaten for the Mahalaya, so too satisfaction of the ancestors arises from the grass given to a cow and from weeping in the forest.

Verse 163 (skanda.3.36.163)

मासि भाद्रपदे विघ्नो यदि स्यात्सूतकादिना यातेषु सूतकाहःसु कुर्यादावृश्चिकावधि

māsi bhādrapade vighno yadi syātsūtakādinā yāteṣu sūtakāhaḥsu kuryādāvṛścikāvadhi

If in the month of Bhadrapada there is an obstacle due to birth- or death-pollution, then, once the days of pollution have passed, one may perform the rite up until the sun's entry into Scorpio.

Verse 164 (skanda.3.36.164)

बुधो महालय स्यार्थे ब्राह्मणान्वृणुयान्नव पित्रर्थमेकं वृणुयात्पितामहकृते तथा

budho mahālaya syārthe brāhmaṇānvṛṇuyānnava pitrarthamekaṁ vṛṇuyātpitāmahakṛte tathā

The wise man should invite nine brahmins for the Mahalaya: one for the father, and likewise one for the paternal grandfather -

Verse 165 (skanda.3.36.165)

प्रपितामहमुद्दिश्य तथैकं वृणुयाद्द्विजः तथा मातामहार्थं तु एकं वै वृणुयाद्द्विजम्

prapitāmahamuddiśya tathaikaṁ vṛṇuyāddvijaḥ tathā mātāmahārthaṁ tu ekaṁ vai vṛṇuyāddvijam

and the brahmin should likewise invite one for the great-grandfather; and similarly he should invite one brahmin for the maternal grandfather.

Verse 166 (skanda.3.36.166)

मातुःपितामहार्थं च वृणुयाद्द्विजमेककम् वृणुयादेकमुद्दिश्य मातुश्च प्रपितामहम्

mātuḥpitāmahārthaṁ ca vṛṇuyāddvijamekakam vṛṇuyādekamuddiśya mātuśca prapitāmaham

And he should invite one brahmin for the mother's paternal grandfather; and he should invite one for the mother's great-grandfather.

Verse 167 (skanda.3.36.167)

तथैव विश्वेदेवार्थे वृणुयाद्द्वौद्वि जोत्तमौ विष्ण्वर्थं ब्राह्मणं त्वेकं वृणुयाद्वेदवित्तमम्

tathaiva viśvedevārthe vṛṇuyāddvaudvi jottamau viṣṇvarthaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ tvekaṁ vṛṇuyādvedavittamam

Likewise, for the Vishvedevas he should invite two excellent brahmins; and for Vishnu he should invite one brahmin, most learned in the Veda.

Verse 168 (skanda.3.36.168)

एवं महालयश्राद्धे ब्राह्मणान्वृणुयान्नव अथवा पितृवर्गार्थं वरयेद्विप्रमेककम्

evaṁ mahālayaśrāddhe brāhmaṇānvṛṇuyānnava athavā pitṛvargārthaṁ varayedvipramekakam

Thus, in the Mahalaya shraddha, nine brahmins should be invited; or alternatively, he may choose just one brahmin for the whole group of ancestors.

Verse 169 (skanda.3.36.169)

मातामहादीन्वोद्दिश्य वरयेद्विप्रमेककम् विश्वेदेवार्थमेकं च विष्ण्वर्थं च तथापरम्

mātāmahādīnvoddiśya varayedvipramekakam viśvedevārthamekaṁ ca viṣṇvarthaṁ ca tathāparam

And one brahmin to represent the maternal grandfather and the rest; one for the Vishvedevas, and another one for Vishnu.

Verse 170 (skanda.3.36.170)

एवं वै वरयेद्विप्राश्चतुरस्तु महालये ब्राह्मणान्वेदसंपन्नान्सुशीलान्वरयेत्सुधीः

evaṁ vai varayedviprāścaturastu mahālaye brāhmaṇānvedasaṁpannānsuśīlānvarayetsudhīḥ

In this way, four brahmins in total may be chosen for the Mahalaya. The wise man should choose brahmins who are accomplished in the Veda and of good conduct.

Verse 171 (skanda.3.36.171)

दुःशीलान्वरयेद्यस्तु स वै श्राद्धस्य घातकः मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते कृष्णपक्षे विशेषतः

duḥśīlānvarayedyastu sa vai śrāddhasya ghātakaḥ māsi bhādrapade prāpte kṛṣṇapakṣe viśeṣataḥ

Whoever chooses brahmins of bad conduct becomes the destroyer of the shraddha's merit. When the month of Bhadrapada arrives, especially in the dark fortnight -

Verse 172 (skanda.3.36.172)

कुर्या न्महालयश्राद्धं यो नरः श्रद्धया सह स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु दुराचार महामते

kuryā nmahālayaśrāddhaṁ yo naraḥ śraddhayā saha sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu durācāra mahāmate

the man who performs the Mahalaya shraddha with faith, O wise Duracara, is as though he has bathed in all the sacred fords.

Verse 173 (skanda.3.36.173)

अग्निष्टोमादयो यज्ञाः शतमप्यमुना कृताः तुलापुरुषमुख्यानि दानान्यपि कृतानि वै

agniṣṭomādayo yajñāḥ śatamapyamunā kṛtāḥ tulāpuruṣamukhyāni dānānyapi kṛtāni vai

It is as though he had performed a hundred sacrifices beginning with the Agnishtoma, and made the great gifts beginning with Tulapurusha.

Verse 174 (skanda.3.36.174)

चांद्रायणादिकृच्छ्राणि कृतान्येव न संशयः चतुर्णां सांगवेदानां पारायणफलं लभेत्

cāṁdrāyaṇādikṛcchrāṇi kṛtānyeva na saṁśayaḥ caturṇāṁ sāṁgavedānāṁ pārāyaṇaphalaṁ labhet

It is as though he had performed austerities such as the Chandrayana; he obtains the fruit of a complete recitation of all four Vedas with their auxiliary texts.

Verse 175 (skanda.3.36.175)

गायत्र्यादिमहामंत्रजपपुण्यं लभेत्तथा इतिहासपुराणानां पारायणफलं लभेत्

gāyatryādimahāmaṁtrajapapuṇyaṁ labhettathā itihāsapurāṇānāṁ pārāyaṇaphalaṁ labhet

He likewise obtains the merit of reciting the great mantras beginning with the Gayatri, and the fruit of reciting the Itihasas and Puranas.

Verse 176 (skanda.3.36.176)

महालयसमं पुण्यं वृत्तं नास्ति महीतले ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानलोकप्राप्तिर्महालयात्

mahālayasamaṁ puṇyaṁ vṛttaṁ nāsti mahītale brahmaviṣṇumaheśānalokaprāptirmahālayāt

There is no merit-bearing observance on this earth equal to the Mahalaya; through the Mahalaya one attains the worlds of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha.

Verse 177 (skanda.3.36.177)

महालयादिकं श्राद्धं नित्यं काम्यमपीष्यते तस्मादकरणे तस्य प्रत्यवायो महान्भवेत्

mahālayādikaṁ śrāddhaṁ nityaṁ kāmyamapīṣyate tasmādakaraṇe tasya pratyavāyo mahānbhavet

The Mahalaya shraddha is held to be both an obligatory and an optional rite; therefore great sin results from its non-performance.

Verse 178 (skanda.3.36.178)

करणादिष्टसिद्धिश्च भविष्यति न संशयः महालयस्य करणाद्भूतवेतालकादयः

karaṇādiṣṭasiddhiśca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ mahālayasya karaṇādbhūtavetālakādayaḥ

And by its performance the fulfillment of one's desires will surely come about. By the performance of the Mahalaya, ghosts, vetalas,

Verse 179 (skanda.3.36.179)

अपस्मारग्रहाश्चापि शाकिनीडाकिनीगणाः यातुधानाः पिशाचाश्च वेतालाश्च भयानकाः

apasmāragrahāścāpi śākinīḍākinīgaṇāḥ yātudhānāḥ piśācāśca vetālāśca bhayānakāḥ

epileptic seizures, hosts of shakinis and dakinis, rakshasas, pishachas, and fearsome vetalas -

Verse 180 (skanda.3.36.180)

नश्यंति तत्क्षणादेव भूतान्यन्यानि वै तथा महालयस्यकरणाद्विपुलां श्रियमश्नुते

naśyaṁti tatkṣaṇādeva bhūtānyanyāni vai tathā mahālayasyakaraṇādvipulāṁ śriyamaśnute

and all other spirits perish that very instant. By the performance of the Mahalaya, one obtains abundant prosperity.

Verse 181 (skanda.3.36.181)

पुरा दशरथो राजा वसिष्ठस्योपदेशतः मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते कृत्वा श्राद्धं महालयम्

purā daśaratho rājā vasiṣṭhasyopadeśataḥ māsi bhādrapade prāpte kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ mahālayam

Formerly, King Dasharatha, on the instruction of Vasishtha, having performed the Mahalaya shraddha when the month of Bhadrapada arrived,

Verse 182 (skanda.3.36.182)

रामादींश्च तुरः पुत्रान्प्राप्तवांल्लोकसंमतान् विश्वातिशायिनीं लक्ष्मीं प्रपेदे कीर्तिमुत्तमाम्

rāmādīṁśca turaḥ putrānprāptavāṁllokasaṁmatān viśvātiśāyinīṁ lakṣmīṁ prapede kīrtimuttamām

obtained his four sons beginning with Rama, honored throughout the world, and attained supreme prosperity and fame.

Verse 183 (skanda.3.36.183)

महालयस्य करणाद्ययाती राजसत्तमः यदुमुख्यान्महापुत्रान्प्रपेदे वंशवर्द्धनान्

mahālayasya karaṇādyayātī rājasattamaḥ yadumukhyānmahāputrānprapede vaṁśavarddhanān

By the performance of the Mahalaya, the excellent king Yayati obtained his great sons beginning with Yadu, who caused the lineage to flourish,

Verse 184 (skanda.3.36.184)

अनन्यदुर्लभं स्वर्गं प्रपेदे श्राद्धपुण्यतः दुष्यंतो भरतं लेभे महालयविधानतः

ananyadurlabhaṁ svargaṁ prapede śrāddhapuṇyataḥ duṣyaṁto bharataṁ lebhe mahālayavidhānataḥ

and he attained a heaven otherwise unattainable, through the merit of the shraddha. Dushyanta obtained Bharata through the performance of the Mahalaya.

Verse 185 (skanda.3.36.185)

महालय विधानेन दमयंतीपतिर्नलः कृच्छ्रं महत्तरं तीर्त्वा पुनर्लेभे महीमिमाम्

mahālaya vidhānena damayaṁtīpatirnalaḥ kṛcchraṁ mahattaraṁ tīrtvā punarlebhe mahīmimām

By the performance of the Mahalaya, Nala, husband of Damayanti, having crossed over great hardship, regained this earth once more,

Verse 186 (skanda.3.36.186)

निजग्राह कलिं घोरं पुष्करं चाप्यरातिनम् इन्द्रसेनाभिधानं च पुत्रं लेभेऽतिधार्मिकम्

nijagrāha kaliṁ ghoraṁ puṣkaraṁ cāpyarātinam indrasenābhidhānaṁ ca putraṁ lebhe'tidhārmikam

overcame the terrible Kali and his enemy Pushkara, and obtained a most righteous son named Indrasena.

Verse 187 (skanda.3.36.187)

हरिश्चंद्रो महाराजो महालयविधानतः विश्वामित्रकृताद्दुःखान्मुक्तः सत्यवतां वरः

hariścaṁdro mahārājo mahālayavidhānataḥ viśvāmitrakṛtādduḥkhānmuktaḥ satyavatāṁ varaḥ

By the performance of the Mahalaya, the great King Harishchandra, foremost among the truthful, was freed from the sufferings caused by Vishvamitra,

Verse 188 (skanda.3.36.188)

लेभे चंद्रवतीं भार्यां लोहिताश्वं सुतं पुनः महालयविधानेन कृतवीर्यसुतो बली

lebhe caṁdravatīṁ bhāryāṁ lohitāśvaṁ sutaṁ punaḥ mahālayavidhānena kṛtavīryasuto balī

and regained his wife Chandravati and his son Lohitashva. By the performance of the Mahalaya, the mighty son of Kritavirya -

Verse 189 (skanda.3.36.189)

अष्टादशानां द्वीपानामाधिपत्यमवाप्तवान् रामोऽपि दण्डकारण्ये महालयविधानतः

aṣṭādaśānāṁ dvīpānāmādhipatyamavāptavān rāmo'pi daṇḍakāraṇye mahālayavidhānataḥ

obtained sovereignty over the eighteen continents. Rama too, in the Dandaka forest, through the performance of the Mahalaya -

Verse 190 (skanda.3.36.190)

हत्वा तु रावणं संख्ये सीतां पुनरवाप्तवान् महालयस्य करणाद्धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः

hatvā tu rāvaṇaṁ saṁkhye sītāṁ punaravāptavān mahālayasya karaṇāddharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

slew Ravana in battle and regained Sita. By the performance of the Mahalaya, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma -

Verse 191 (skanda.3.36.191)

दुःखसागरमुत्तीर्य धार्तराष्ट्राञ्जघान च महालयस्यकरणाद्वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः

duḥkhasāgaramuttīrya dhārtarāṣṭrāñjaghāna ca mahālayasyakaraṇādvasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ

crossed over the ocean of sorrow and slew the sons of Dhritarashtra. By the performance of the Mahalaya, the great sage Vasishtha,

Verse 192 (skanda.3.36.192)

अत्रिर्भृगुश्च कुत्सश्च गौतमश्चांगिरास्तथा कश्यपश्च भरद्वाजो विश्वा मित्रश्च कुम्भजः

atrirbhṛguśca kutsaśca gautamaścāṁgirāstathā kaśyapaśca bharadvājo viśvā mitraśca kumbhajaḥ

Atri, Bhrigu, Kutsa, Gautama, Angiras, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, and the pot-born Agastya,

Verse 193 (skanda.3.36.193)

पराशरो मृकण्डश्च ये चान्ये मुनिसत्तमाः विधाय विधिवच्छ्राद्धं महालयमनुत्तमम्

parāśaro mṛkaṇḍaśca ye cānye munisattamāḥ vidhāya vidhivacchrāddhaṁ mahālayamanuttamam

Parashara, Mrikandu, and whatever other great sages there were - having duly performed this supreme Mahalaya shraddha according to rule,

Verse 194 (skanda.3.36.194)

अणिमाद्यष्टसिद्धीनां व्रतानां तपसां तथा निवासभूता संजातास्तथा विश्वातिशायिनः

aṇimādyaṣṭasiddhīnāṁ vratānāṁ tapasāṁ tathā nivāsabhūtā saṁjātāstathā viśvātiśāyinaḥ

became the very abode of the eight siddhis beginning with animā, and of vows and austerities, and became ones who surpass the whole world.

Verse 195 (skanda.3.36.195)

जीवन्मुक्ताश्च ते सर्वे ह्यभवन्मुनिसत्तमाः अतो महालयश्राद्धं कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता

jīvanmuktāśca te sarve hyabhavanmunisattamāḥ ato mahālayaśrāddhaṁ kartavyaṁ bhūtimicchatā

All those great sages became liberated while yet living. Therefore, one who desires prosperity should perform the Mahalaya shraddha.

Verse 196 (skanda.3.36.196)

अतोऽद्यापि दुराचार न कुर्याद्यो महालयम् भूतवेतालकादिभ्यो भूयात्तस्य महद्भयम्

ato'dyāpi durācāra na kuryādyo mahālayam bhūtavetālakādibhyo bhūyāttasya mahadbhayam

Hence, O Duracara, even today, whoever does not perform the Mahalaya - let great fear of ghosts, vetalas, and the like befall him.

Verse 197 (skanda.3.36.197)

महालयस्या करणाद्वेतालत्वमवाप्नुयात् त्वयाविष्टमिदं भूतं विप्रः सन्पूर्वजन्मनि

mahālayasyā karaṇādvetālatvamavāpnuyāt tvayāviṣṭamidaṁ bhūtaṁ vipraḥ sanpūrvajanmani

By non-performance of the Mahalaya, one may attain the state of a vetala. This spirit that possessed you was, in a former birth, a brahmin,

Verse 198 (skanda.3.36.198)

नाम्ना वेदनिधिः पुण्यो भरद्वाजस्य चात्मनः कुशस्थल्यभिधाने च वसन्ग्रामे महामनाः

nāmnā vedanidhiḥ puṇyo bharadvājasya cātmanaḥ kuśasthalyabhidhāne ca vasangrāme mahāmanāḥ

named Vedanidhi, virtuous, of the lineage of Bharadvaja, a man of great mind who dwelt in the village named Kushasthali.

Verse 199 (skanda.3.36.199)

न चकार विधानेन श्राद्धमेतन्महालयम् ततोयं पितृणां शापाद्वेतालत्वमवाप्तवान्

na cakāra vidhānena śrāddhametanmahālayam tatoyaṁ pitṛṇāṁ śāpādvetālatvamavāptavān

He did not perform this Mahalaya shraddha according to rule; therefore, by the curse of his ancestors, he attained the state of a vetala.

Verse 200 (skanda.3.36.200)

तस्माद्भाद्र पदे मासे दुराचार पितॄन्प्रति ब्राह्मणान्भोजयान्नेन षड्रसेन सभक्तिकम्

tasmādbhādra pade māse durācāra pitṝnprati brāhmaṇānbhojayānnena ṣaḍrasena sabhaktikam

Therefore, O Duracara, in the month of Bhadrapada, for the sake of your ancestors, feed brahmins with devotion, with food possessing the six flavors.

Verse 201 (skanda.3.36.201)

दारिद्र्यं तेन ते न स्यात्सुखीचैव भवान्भवेत् महापातकि संसर्गं मा कुरु त्वमितः परम्

dāridryaṁ tena te na syātsukhīcaiva bhavānbhavet mahāpātaki saṁsargaṁ mā kuru tvamitaḥ param

By this, poverty will not come to you, and you will become happy. From now on, do not associate with great sinners.

Verse 202 (skanda.3.36.202)

त्वयानुभूतं यद्दुःखं वेतालग्रहणोद्भवम् गच्छ त्वमनुजानामि स्वदेशं प्रति मा चिरम्

tvayānubhūtaṁ yadduḥkhaṁ vetālagrahaṇodbhavam gaccha tvamanujānāmi svadeśaṁ prati mā ciram

The suffering you experienced from possession by the vetala is now over. Go - I permit you - return to your own land without delay.

Verse 203 (skanda.3.36.203)

इतीरितः स मुनिना दत्तात्रेयेण योगिना तं प्रणम्य ययौ देशं कृतार्थेनांतरात्मना

itīritaḥ sa muninā dattātreyeṇa yoginā taṁ praṇamya yayau deśaṁ kṛtārthenāṁtarātmanā

Thus addressed by the sage-yogi Dattatreya, he bowed to him and, his inner self now fulfilled, set out for his own land.

Verse 204 (skanda.3.36.204)

गत्वा च स्वगृहं विप्रो दुराचारो द्विजोत्तमाः विमुक्तवेताल भयो गतपातककंचुकः

gatvā ca svagṛhaṁ vipro durācāro dvijottamāḥ vimuktavetāla bhayo gatapātakakaṁcukaḥ

And having gone to his own home, O best of brahmins, the brahmin Duracara, freed from fear of the vetala and having cast off the armor of sin -

Verse 205 (skanda.3.36.205)

दत्तात्रेयेरितेनासौ मार्गेण प्रीतमानसः त्यक्तपातकिसंसर्गः स्वाश्रमाचारतत्परः

dattātreyeritenāsau mārgeṇa prītamānasaḥ tyaktapātakisaṁsargaḥ svāśramācāratatparaḥ

following with a joyful mind the path shown by Dattatreya, abandoned the company of sinners and devoted himself to the conduct proper to his own station.

Verse 206 (skanda.3.36.206)

रामचंद्रधनुष्कोटितीर्थ मज्जनगौरवात् देहांते परमां मुक्तिं दुराचारो ययौ तदा

rāmacaṁdradhanuṣkoṭitīrtha majjanagauravāt dehāṁte paramāṁ muktiṁ durācāro yayau tadā

By the merit of his immersion in Rāmachandra's Dhanushkoti, Duracara attained supreme liberation at the end of his life.

Verse 207 (skanda.3.36.207)

श्रीसूत उवाच एवं वः कथितं पुण्यं दुराचरविमोक्षणम् सेयं पुण्या धनुष्कोटिर्महापातकनाशिनी

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ puṇyaṁ durācaravimokṣaṇam seyaṁ puṇyā dhanuṣkoṭirmahāpātakanāśinī

Suta said: Thus have I told you the meritorious tale of Duracara's liberation. This sacred Dhanushkoti is indeed the destroyer of great sins.

Verse 208 (skanda.3.36.208)

यत्र हि स्नानमात्रेण दुराचारो विमोचितः अथवा धनुषः कोटेरियत्ता किं हि वै भवेत्

yatra hi snānamātreṇa durācāro vimocitaḥ athavā dhanuṣaḥ koṭeriyattā kiṁ hi vai bhavet

There, by mere bathing, Duracara was released; indeed, what limit could there be to the greatness of Dhanushkoti?

Verse 209 (skanda.3.36.209)

या निष्कृतिविहीनानि पापान्यपि विनाशयेत् प्रायश्चित्तविहीनानि यानि पापानि संति वै

yā niṣkṛtivihīnāni pāpānyapi vināśayet prāyaścittavihīnāni yāni pāpāni saṁti vai

It destroys even sins for which there is no atonement; and whatever sins exist for which no expiation has been prescribed -

Verse 210 (skanda.3.36.210)

तान्यप्यत्र विनश्यंति धनुष्कोटौ निमज्जनात् शूद्रेण पूजितं लिंगं विष्णुं वा यो नमेद्द्विजः

tānyapyatra vinaśyaṁti dhanuṣkoṭau nimajjanāt śūdreṇa pūjitaṁ liṁgaṁ viṣṇuṁ vā yo nameddvijaḥ

even these are destroyed here by immersion at Dhanushkoti. If a brahmin bows to a linga or an image of Vishnu worshipped by a shudra -

Verse 211 (skanda.3.36.211)

प्रायश्चित्तं न तस्योक्तं स्मृतिभिः परमर्षिभिः नश्येत्तस्यापि तत्पापं धनुष्कोटिनिमज्ज नात्

prāyaścittaṁ na tasyoktaṁ smṛtibhiḥ paramarṣibhiḥ naśyettasyāpi tatpāpaṁ dhanuṣkoṭinimajja nāt

no atonement for this has been prescribed by the great sages in the Smritis; yet even that sin of his is destroyed by immersion at Dhanushkoti.

Verse 212 (skanda.3.36.212)

विप्रनिंदाकृतां नृणां प्रायश्चित्तं न विद्यते विश्वासघातकानां च कृतघ्नानां न निष्कृतिः

vipraniṁdākṛtāṁ nṛṇāṁ prāyaścittaṁ na vidyate viśvāsaghātakānāṁ ca kṛtaghnānāṁ na niṣkṛtiḥ

For men who revile brahmins, no atonement exists; and for betrayers of trust and for the ungrateful, there is no expiation.

Verse 213 (skanda.3.36.213)

भ्रातृभार्यारतानां च प्रायश्चित्तं न विद्यते शूद्रान्ने नियतानां च श्रुतिनिंदारतात्मनाम्

bhrātṛbhāryāratānāṁ ca prāyaścittaṁ na vidyate śūdrānne niyatānāṁ ca śrutiniṁdāratātmanām

For those devoted to their brother's wife, no atonement exists; nor for those who habitually eat shudras' food, nor for those devoted to reviling the scriptures.

Verse 214 (skanda.3.36.214)

कन्याविक्रयिणां विप्रा हयविक्रयिणां तथा देवविक्रयिणां वेदविक्रये निर तात्मनाम्

kanyāvikrayiṇāṁ viprā hayavikrayiṇāṁ tathā devavikrayiṇāṁ vedavikraye nira tātmanām

O brahmins, for sellers of daughters, likewise for sellers of horses, for sellers of deities, and for those devoted to selling the Veda -

Verse 215 (skanda.3.36.215)

धर्मविकयिणां पुंसां व्रतविक्रयिणां तथा तीर्थविक्रयिणां पुंसां प्रायश्चित्तं न विद्यते

dharmavikayiṇāṁ puṁsāṁ vratavikrayiṇāṁ tathā tīrthavikrayiṇāṁ puṁsāṁ prāyaścittaṁ na vidyate

for men who sell dharma, likewise for sellers of vows, and for men who sell sacred fords, no atonement exists.

Verse 216 (skanda.3.36.216)

तेषां पापानि नश्यंति धनुष्कोटौ निम ज्जनात् मातृद्रोहपितृद्रोहयतिद्रोहरतात्मनाम्

teṣāṁ pāpāni naśyaṁti dhanuṣkoṭau nima jjanāt mātṛdrohapitṛdrohayatidroharatātmanām

Their sins too are destroyed by immersion at Dhanushkoti - even for those devoted to betraying their mother, their father, or an ascetic,

Verse 217 (skanda.3.36.217)

गुरुनिंदापराणां च शिवनिंदारतात्मनाम् विष्णुनिंदापराणां च यतिनिंदारतात्मनाम्

guruniṁdāparāṇāṁ ca śivaniṁdāratātmanām viṣṇuniṁdāparāṇāṁ ca yatiniṁdāratātmanām

and for those intent on reviling the guru, devoted to reviling Shiva, intent on reviling Vishnu, and devoted to reviling ascetics,

Verse 218 (skanda.3.36.218)

सत्कथादूषकाणां च प्रायश्चित्तं न विद्यते तेषां चात्र धनुष्कोटौ स्नानाच्छुद्धिर्भविष्यति

satkathādūṣakāṇāṁ ca prāyaścittaṁ na vidyate teṣāṁ cātra dhanuṣkoṭau snānācchuddhirbhaviṣyati

and for defilers of sacred discourse, for whom no atonement exists - for them too, purification will come about here through bathing at Dhanushkoti.

Verse 219 (skanda.3.36.219)

एवं वः कथितं विप्रा धनुष्कोटेस्तु वैभवम् यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते मानवो भुवि

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā dhanuṣkoṭestu vaibhavam yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate mānavo bhuvi

Thus, O brahmins, I have told you the glory of Dhanushkoti, hearing which a man on this earth is freed from all sins.