The Presence of Gayatri and Sarasvati at Gandhamadana

Verse 1 (skanda.3.40.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि मुनयो लोकपावनम् । गायत्र्या च सरस्वत्या माहात्म्यं मुक्तिदं नृणाम्

śrīsūta uvāca athātaḥ sampravakṣyāmi munayo lokapāvanam gāyatryā ca sarasvatyā māhātmyaṁ muktidaṁ nṛṇām

Shri Suta said: Now, O sages, I shall proclaim the world-purifying glory of Gayatri and Sarasvati, which bestows liberation upon men.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.40.2)

शृण्वतां पठतां चैव महापातकनाशनम् । महापुण्यप्रदं पुंसां नरकक्लेशनाशनम्

śṛṇvatāṁ paṭhatāṁ caiva mahāpātakanāśanam mahāpuṇyapradaṁ puṁsāṁ narakakleśanāśanam

It destroys the great sins of those who hear or recite it; it grants men great merit and destroys the torments of hell.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.40.3)

गायत्र्यां च सरस्वत्यां ये स्नान्ति मनुजा मुदा । न तेषां गर्भवासः स्यात्किं तु मुक्तिर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्

gāyatryāṁ ca sarasvatyāṁ ye snānti manujā mudā na teṣāṁ garbhavāsaḥ syāt kiṁ tu muktir bhaved dhruvam

Those who joyfully bathe in the Gayatri and Sarasvati tirthas are never again confined to a mother's womb — for them liberation alone, without doubt, follows.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.40.4)

सरस्वत्याश्च गायत्र्या गन्धमादनपर्वते । ब्रह्मपत्न्योः सन्निधानात्तन्नाम्ना कथिते इमे

sarasvatyāś ca gāyatryā gandhamādanaparvate brahmapatnyoḥ sannidhānāt tannāmnā kathite ime

On Mount Gandhamadana, because of the presence of Brahma's two consorts, Sarasvati and Gayatri, these two tirthas are spoken of by their very names.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.40.5)

ऋषय ऊचुः । गायत्र्याश्च सरस्वत्या गन्धमादनपर्वते । किमर्थं संनिधानं वै सूताभूत्तद्वदस्व नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ gāyatryāś ca sarasvatyā gandhamādanaparvate kimarthaṁ sannidhānaṁ vai sūtābhūt tadvadasva naḥ

The sages said: O Suta, for what reason did Gayatri and Sarasvati come to dwell on Mount Gandhamadana? Tell us this.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.40.6)

सूत उवाच । प्रजापतिः पुरा विप्राः स्वां वै दुहितरं मुदा । वाङ्नाम्नीं कामुको भूत्वा स्पृहयामास मोहनः

sūta uvāca prajāpatiḥ purā viprāḥ svāṁ vai duhitaraṁ mudā vāṅnāmnīṁ kāmuko bhūtvā spṛhayāmāsa mohanaḥ

Suta said: O brahmins, once, long ago, Prajapati, overcome by delusion, became enamoured of his own daughter named Vak (Sarasvati) and desired her.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.40.7)

अथ प्रजापतेः पुत्री स्वस्मिन्वै तस्य कामिताम् । विलोक्य लज्जिता भूत्वा रोहिद्रूपं दधार सा

atha prajāpateḥ putrī svasmin vai tasya kāmitām vilokya lajjitā bhūtvā rohidrūpaṁ dadhāra sā

Then Prajapati's daughter, seeing his desire for her, was overcome with shame and took the form of a doe.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.40.8)

ब्रह्मापि हरिणो भूत्वा तया रन्तुमनास्तदा । गच्छतीमनुयातिस्म हरिणीरूपधारिणीम्

brahmāpi hariṇo bhūtvā tayā rantumanās tadā gacchatīm anuyāti sma hariṇīrūpadhāriṇīm

Then Brahma himself, taking the form of a stag, his mind set on union with her, began to follow her as she went, she who had taken the form of a doe.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.40.9)

तं दृष्ट्वा देवताः सर्वाः पुत्रीगमनसादरम् । करोत्यकार्यं ब्रह्मायं पुत्रीगमनलक्षणम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā devatāḥ sarvāḥ putrīgamanasādaram karotyakāryaṁ brahmāyaṁ putrīgamanalakṣaṇam

Seeing him eagerly pursuing his own daughter, all the gods declared: This Brahma is committing the forbidden act of approaching his own daughter.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.40.10)

इति निन्दन्ति तं विप्राः स्रष्टारं जगतां पतिम् । निषिद्धकृत्यनिरतं तं दृष्ट्वा परमेष्ठिनम्

iti nindanti taṁ viprāḥ sraṣṭāraṁ jagatāṁ patim niṣiddhakṛtyanirataṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā parameṣṭhinam

Thus, O brahmins, seeing the Creator, lord of the worlds, the Supreme One, engrossed in this forbidden act, all began to censure him.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.40.11)

हरः पिनाकमादाय व्याधरूपधरः प्रभुः । आकर्णपूर्णकृष्टेन पिनाकधनुषा शरम्

haraḥ pinākam ādāya vyādharūpadharaḥ prabhuḥ ākarṇapūrṇakṛṣṭena pinākadhanuṣā śaram

Then Lord Hara, taking up his bow Pinaka, assumed the form of a hunter, and with the Pinaka bow drawn full to the ear, he fitted an arrow.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.40.12)

संयोज्य वेधसं तेन विव्याध निशितेन सः । त्रिपुरान्तकबाणेन विद्धोऽसौ न्यपतद्भुवि

saṁyojya vedhasaṁ tena vivyādha niśitena saḥ tripurāntakabāṇena viddho'sau nyapatad bhuvi

Taking aim at the Creator with that sharp shaft, he pierced him; struck by that arrow of the Slayer of Tripura, he — the deer — fell to the ground.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.40.13)

तस्य देहादथोत्थाय महज्ज्योतिर्महाप्रभम् । आकाशे मृगशीर्षाख्यं नक्षत्रमभवत्तदा

tasya dehād athotthāya mahajjyotir mahāprabham ākāśe mṛgaśīrṣākhyaṁ nakṣatram abhavat tadā

Then, rising from his body, a great and mighty light became, in the sky, the constellation known as Mrigashirsha.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.40.14)

आर्द्रानक्षत्ररूपी सन्हरोऽप्यनुजगाम तम् । पीडयन्मृगशीर्षाख्यं नक्षत्रं ब्रह्मरूपिणम्

ārdrānakṣatrarūpī san haro'py anujagāma tam pīḍayan mṛgaśīrṣākhyaṁ nakṣatraṁ brahmarūpiṇam

Hara too, taking the form of the star Ardra, followed after him, tormenting that constellation named Mrigashirsha which was Brahma's own form.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.40.15)

अधुनापि मृगव्याधरूपेण त्रिपुरांतकः । अंबरे दृश्यते स्पष्टं मृगशीर्षांतिके द्विजाः

adhunāpi mṛgavyādharūpeṇa tripurāntakaḥ ambare dṛśyate spaṣṭaṁ mṛgaśīrṣāntike dvijāḥ

Even today, O brahmins, the Slayer of Tripura, in the form of the Hunter of the Deer, is clearly visible in the sky near the constellation Mrigashirsha.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.40.16)

एवं विनिहते तस्मिञ्च्छंभुना परमेष्ठिनि । अनंतरं तु गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ शुचार्पिते

evaṁ vinihate tasmin śambhunā parameṣṭhini anantaraṁ tu gāyatrīsarasvatyau śucārpite

Thus, when the Supreme One was struck down by Shambhu, thereafter Gayatri and Sarasvati were both plunged into grief.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.40.17)

भर्तृहीने मुनिश्रेष्ठा भर्तृजीवनकांक्षया । किं करिष्यावहे ह्यावामित्यन्योयं विचार्य तु

bhartṛhīne muniśreṣṭhā bhartṛjīvanakāṅkṣayā kiṁ kariṣyāvahe hyāvām ityanyonyaṁ vicārya tu

O best of sages, bereft of their husband, and longing to restore his life, the two goddesses deliberated with one another: 'What shall we now do?'

Verse 18 (skanda.3.40.18)

स्वपतिप्राणसिद्ध्यर्थं गायत्री च सरस्वती । सर्वोत्कृष्टं शिवस्थानं गन्धमादनपर्वतम्

svapatiprāṇasiddhyarthaṁ gāyatrī ca sarasvatī sarvotkṛṣṭaṁ śivasthānaṁ gandhamādanaparvatam

To restore life to their husband, Gayatri and Sarasvati set out for Mount Gandhamadana, the most excellent of all abodes of Shiva.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.40.19)

सर्वाभीष्टप्रदं पुंसां तपः कर्तुं समुद्यते । जग्मतुर्नियमोपेतं तपः कर्तुं शिवं प्रति

sarvābhīṣṭapradaṁ puṁsāṁ tapaḥ kartuṁ samudyate jagmatur niyamopetaṁ tapaḥ kartuṁ śivaṁ prati

Resolved to perform austerities in that place which grants every desire of men, the two went there, disciplined in vows, to practice tapas directed toward Shiva.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.40.20)

स्नानार्थमात्मनो विप्रा गायत्री च सरस्वती । तीर्थद्वयं स्वनाम्ना वै चक्रतुः पापनाशनम्

snānārtham ātmano viprāḥ gāyatrī ca sarasvatī tīrthadvayaṁ svanāmnā vai cakratuḥ pāpanāśanam

O brahmins, for their own bathing, Gayatri and Sarasvati created two sin-destroying tirthas, each named after herself.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.40.21)

तत्र त्रिषवणस्नानं प्रत्यहं चक्रतुर्मुदा । बहुकालमनाहारे कामक्रोधादिवर्जिते

tatra triṣavaṇasnānaṁ pratyahaṁ cakratur mudā bahukālam anāhāre kāmakrodhādivarjite

There they joyfully bathed three times each day, remaining long without food, free from desire, anger, and every such passion.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.40.22)

अत्युग्रनियमोपेते शिवध्यानपरायणे । पंचाक्षरमहामन्त्रजपैकनियते शुभे

atyugraniyamopete śivadhyānaparāyaṇe pañcākṣaramahāmantrajapaikaniyate śubhe

Devoted solely to that auspicious practice, bound by the most severe vows, absorbed in meditation on Shiva, and fixed singly on the recitation of the great five-syllabled mantra —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.40.23)

स्वपतेर्जीवनार्थं वै गायत्री च सरस्वती । महादेवं समुद्दिश्य तप एवं प्रचक्रतुः

svapater jīvanārthaṁ vai gāyatrī ca sarasvatī mahādevaṁ samuddiśya tapa evaṁ pracakratuḥ

— thus did Gayatri and Sarasvati perform their austerities, directed toward Mahadeva, for the sake of restoring their husband's life.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.40.24)

तयोरथ तपस्तुष्टो महादेवो महेश्वरः । सन्निधत्ते महामूर्तिस्तपसां फलदित्सया

tayor atha tapastuṣṭo mahādevo maheśvaraḥ sannidhatte mahāmūrtis tapasāṁ phaladitsayā

Then, pleased by their austerities, Mahadeva Maheshvara, in his great form, made himself present there, wishing to grant the fruit of their tapas.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.40.25)

ततः सन्निहितं शंभुं पार्वतीरमणं शिवम् । गणेशकार्त्तिकेयाभ्यां पार्श्वयोः परिसेवितम्

tataḥ sannihitaṁ śambhuṁ pārvatīramaṇaṁ śivam gaṇeśakārtikeyābhyāṁ pārśvayoḥ parisevitam

Then, beholding Shambhu Shiva, beloved of Parvati, present there and attended on either side by Ganesha and Kartikeya,

Verse 26 (skanda.3.40.26)

दृष्ट्वा संतुष्टचित्ते ते गायत्री च सरस्वती । स्तोत्रैस्तुष्टुवतुः स्तुत्यं महादेवं घृणानिधिम्

dṛṣṭvā santuṣṭacitte te gāyatrī ca sarasvatī stotrais tuṣṭuvatuḥ stutyaṁ mahādevaṁ ghṛṇānidhim

Gayatri and Sarasvati, their hearts filled with joy at the sight, praised with hymns that Mahadeva who is worthy of praise, the very treasury of compassion.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.40.27)

गायत्रीसरस्वत्यावूचतुः । नमो दुर्वारसंसारध्वांतध्वंसैकहेतवे । ज्वलज्ज्वालावलीभीमकालकूटविषादिने

gāyatrīsarasvatyāv ūcatuḥ namo durvārasaṁsāradhvāntadhvaṁsaikahetave jvalajjvālāvalībhīmakālakūṭaviṣādine

Gayatri and Sarasvati said: Salutation to you, the sole cause of the destruction of the irresistible darkness of worldly existence, who swallowed the terrible Kalakuta poison blazing like flame.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.40.28)

जगन्मोहन पंचास्त्रदेहनाथैकहेतवे । जगदंतकरक्रूर यमांतक नमोऽस्तु ते

jaganmohanapañcāstradehanāthaikahetave jagadantakarakrūra yamāntaka namo'stu te

You who alone caused the destruction of the body of the five-arrowed one who bewilders the world — O fierce ender of worlds, O ender even of Death, salutation to you.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.40.29)

गंगातरंगसंपृक्तजटामण्डलधारिणे । नमस्तेस्तु विरूपाक्ष बाल शीतांशुधारिणे

gaṅgātaraṅgasampṛktajaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇe namaste'stu virūpākṣa bālaśītāṁśudhāriṇe

To you who bear the circle of matted locks entwined with the waves of the Ganga, O Virupaksha who wears the young crescent moon, salutation to you.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.40.30)

पिनाकभीमटंकारत्रासितत्रिपुरौकसे । नमस्ते विविधाकारजगत्स्रष्टृशिरश्छिदे

pinākabhīmaṭaṅkāratrāsitatripuraukase namaste vividhākārajagatsraṣṭṛśiraśchide

To you who terrified the dwellers of Tripura with the fearsome twang of your Pinaka bow, and who severed the head of the Creator of this world of manifold forms, salutation.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.40.31)

शांतामलकृपादृष्टिसंरक्षितमृकण्डुज । नमस्ते गिरिजानाथ रक्षावां शरणागते

śāntāmalakṛpādṛṣṭisaṁrakṣitamṛkaṇḍuja namaste girijānātha rakṣāvāṁ śaraṇāgate

O you who protected the son of Mrikandu with your calm, pure, compassionate gaze, salutation to you, Lord of the Mountain's Daughter — protect us two who have taken refuge in you.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.40.32)

महादेव जगन्नाथ त्रिपुरांतक शंकर । वामदेव महादेव रक्षावां शरणागते

mahādeva jagannātha tripurāntaka śaṅkara vāmadeva mahādeva rakṣāvāṁ śaraṇāgate

O Mahadeva, Lord of the world, Slayer of Tripura, Shankara, Vamadeva, Mahadeva — protect us two who have come for refuge.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.40.33)

इति ताभ्यां स्तुतः शम्भुर्देवदेवो महेश्वरः । अब्रवीत्प्रीतिसंयुक्तो गायत्रीं च सरस्वतीम्

iti tābhyāṁ stutaḥ śambhur devadevo maheśvaraḥ abravīt prītisaṁyukto gāyatrīṁ ca sarasvatīm

Thus praised by the two of them, Shambhu, the God of gods, Maheshvara, spoke with delight to Gayatri and Sarasvati.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.40.34)

महादेव उवाच । भोः सरस्वति गायत्रि प्रीतोऽस्मि युवयोरहम् । वरं वरयतं मत्तो यद्वा मनसि वर्तते

mahādeva uvāca bhoḥ sarasvati gāyatri prīto'smi yuvayor aham varaṁ varayataṁ matto yadvā manasi vartate

Mahadeva said: O Sarasvati, O Gayatri, I am pleased with you both. Ask of me whatever boon is in your hearts.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.40.35)

इत्युक्ते ते तु गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ हरेण वै । अब्रूतां पार्वतीकांतं महादेवं घृणानिधिम्

ityukte te tu gāyatrīsarasvatyau hareṇa vai abrūtāṁ pārvatīkāntaṁ mahādevaṁ ghṛṇānidhim

When Hara had spoken thus, Gayatri and Sarasvati said to Mahadeva, beloved of Parvati, that treasury of compassion.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.40.36)

गायत्रीसरस्वत्यावूचतुः । भगन्नावयोर्देव भर्त्तारं चतुराननम् । सप्राणं कुरु सर्वेश कृपया करुणाकर

gāyatrīsarasvatyāv ūcatuḥ bhagavan āvayor deva bhartāraṁ caturānanam saprāṇaṁ kuru sarveśa kṛpayā karuṇākara

Gayatri and Sarasvati said: O Lord, O God, O Master of all, O fount of compassion, in your grace restore our husband, the four-faced one, to life.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.40.37)

त्वमावयोः पिता देव तवाप्यावां सुते उभे । रक्षावां पतिदानेन तस्मात्त्वं त्रिपुरांतक

tvam āvayoḥ pitā deva tavāpyāvāṁ sute ubhe rakṣāvāṁ patidānena tasmāt tvaṁ tripurāntaka

O God, you are our father, and we two are your daughters. Therefore, O Slayer of Tripura, protect us by restoring our husband to us.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.40.38)

स एवं प्रार्थितः शम्भुस्ताभ्यां ब्राह्मणपुंगवाः । एवमस्त्विति संप्रोच्य गायत्रीं च सरस्वतीम्

sa evaṁ prārthitaḥ śambhus tābhyāṁ brāhmaṇapuṅgavāḥ evamastviti samprocya gāyatrīṁ ca sarasvatīm

O foremost of brahmins, Shambhu, thus entreated by the two of them, said to Gayatri and Sarasvati, 'So be it,' and then—

Verse 39 (skanda.3.40.39)

तदेव वेधसः कायं शिरसा योक्तुमुत्सुकः । तत्रैव वेधसः कायं शिरोभिः सहसुव्रताः

tadeva vedhasaḥ kāyaṁ śirasā yoktum utsukaḥ tatraiva vedhasaḥ kāyaṁ śirobhiḥ sahasuvratāḥ

Eager to join the Creator's body back to its head, right there — O sages of good vows — Shiva set about rejoining the Creator's body with its heads —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.40.40)

भूतैरानाययामास नंदिभृंगिमुखैस्तदा । शिरांसि तान्यनेकानि कायेन सह शंकरः

bhūtair ānāyayāmāsa nandibhṛṅgimukhais tadā śirāṁsi tāny anekāni kāyena saha śaṅkaraḥ

Shankara, through his attendants headed by Nandi and Bhringi, had those many heads brought there together with the body.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.40.41)

क्षणात्संधारयामास वाणीगायत्रिसंनिधौ । संधितोऽथ हरेणासौ चतुर्वक्त्रो जगत्पतिः

kṣaṇāt sandhārayāmāsa vāṇīgāyatrisannidhau sandhito'tha hareṇāsau caturvaktro jagatpatiḥ

In an instant he rejoined them there, before Vani and Gayatri. Then, thus reunited by Hara, that four-faced Lord of the worlds—

Verse 42 (skanda.3.40.42)

उत्तस्थौ तत्क्षणादेव सुप्तोत्थित इव द्विजाः । ततः प्रजापतिर्दृष्ट्वा शंकरं शशिभूषणम् । तुष्टाव वाग्भिरग्र्याभिर्भार्याभ्यां च समन्वितः

uttasthau tatkṣaṇād eva suptotthita iva dvijāḥ tataḥ prajāpatir dṛṣṭvā śaṅkaraṁ śaśibhūṣaṇam tuṣṭāva vāgbhir agryābhir bhāryābhyāṁ ca samanvitaḥ

O brahmins, at that very instant he rose up, as though waking from sleep. Then Prajapati, beholding Shankara adorned with the crescent moon, together with his two wives, praised him with the finest of words.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.40.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवेश करुणाकर शंकर

brahmovāca namaste devadeveśa karuṇākara śaṅkara

Brahma said: Salutation to you, O Lord of the gods of gods, O compassionate Shankara.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.40.44)

पाहि मां करुणासिंधो निषिद्धाचरणात्प्रभो । मम त्वत्कृपया शंभो निषिद्धाचरणे क्वचित्

pāhi māṁ karuṇāsindho niṣiddhācaraṇāt prabho mama tvatkṛpayā śambho niṣiddhācaraṇe kvacit

Protect me, O ocean of compassion, O Lord, from forbidden conduct. O Shambhu, by your grace, may I never again—

Verse 45 (skanda.3.40.45)

मा प्रवृत्तिर्भवेद्भूयो रक्ष मां त्वं तथा सदा । तथैवास्त्विति संप्राह ब्रह्माणं गिरिजापतिः

mā pravṛttir bhaved bhūyo rakṣa māṁ tvaṁ tathā sadā tathaivāstviti samprāha brahmāṇaṁ girijāpatiḥ

—incline again; thus protect me always. To this, Girijapati said to Brahma, 'So be it.'

Verse 46 (skanda.3.40.46)

इतः परं प्रमादं त्वं मा कुरुष्व विधे पुनः । उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नानां पुंसां शास्तास्मि सर्वदा

itaḥ paraṁ pramādaṁ tvaṁ mā kuruṣva vidhe punaḥ utpathaṁ pratipannānāṁ puṁsāṁ śāstāsmi sarvadā

O Vidhi, henceforth commit no such error again. I am ever the chastiser of those men who take to a wrong path.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.40.47)

एवमुक्त्वा चतुर्वक्त्रं महादेवो द्विजोत्तमाः । सरस्वतीं च गायत्रीं प्रोवाच प्रीणयन्गिरा

evamuktvā caturvaktraṁ mahādevo dvijottamāḥ sarasvatīṁ ca gāyatrīṁ provāca prīṇayan girā

O best of brahmins, having spoken thus to the four-faced one, Mahadeva then addressed Sarasvati and Gayatri with pleasing words.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.40.48)

महादेव उवाच । युवयोर्मत्प्रसादेन हे गायत्रि सरस्वति । अयं भर्ता समायातः सप्राणश्चतुराननः

mahādeva uvāca yuvayor matprasādena he gāyatri sarasvati ayaṁ bhartā samāyātaḥ saprāṇaś caturānanaḥ

Mahadeva said: O Gayatri, O Sarasvati, by my grace this husband of yours, the four-faced one, has returned to you alive.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.40.49)

सहानेन ब्रह्मलोकं यातं मा भूद्विलंबता । युवयोः संनिधानेन सदा कुंडद्वयेऽत्र वै

sahānena brahmalokaṁ yātaṁ mā bhūd vilambatā yuvayoḥ sannidhānena sadā kuṇḍadvaye'tra vai

Delay no longer, but go together with him to Brahmaloka. Because of your abiding presence forever in these two pools here—

Verse 50 (skanda.3.40.50)

भविष्यति नृणां मुक्तिः स्नानात्सायुज्यरूपिणी । युष्मन्नाम्ना च गायत्रीसरस्वत्याविति द्वयम्

bhaviṣyati nṛṇāṁ muktiḥ snānāt sāyujyarūpiṇī yuṣmannāmnā ca gāyatrīsarasvatyāv iti dvayam

—men shall attain, merely by bathing, liberation in the very form of union with the divine, and these two pools shall be named, after you both, Gayatri and Sarasvati.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.40.51)

इदं तीर्थं सर्वलोके ख्यातिं यास्यति शाश्वतीम् । सर्वेषामपि तीर्थानामिदं तीर्थद्वयं सदा

idaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvaloke khyātiṁ yāsyati śāśvatīm sarveṣām api tīrthānām idaṁ tīrthadvayaṁ sadā

This tirtha shall attain everlasting fame throughout the whole world; among all tirthas, these two shall ever be—

Verse 52 (skanda.3.40.52)

शुद्धिप्रदं तथा भूयान्महापातकनाशनम् । महाशांतिकरं पुंसां सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायकम्

śuddhipradaṁ tathā bhūyān mahāpātakanāśanam mahāśāntikaraṁ puṁsāṁ sarvābhīṣṭapradāyakam

—supremely purifying, destroyers of the greatest sins, bestowers of great peace upon men, and granters of every desire.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.40.53)

मम प्रसादजननं विष्णुप्रीतिकरं तथा । एतत्तीर्थद्वयसमं न भूतं न भविष्यति

mama prasādajananaṁ viṣṇuprītikaraṁ tathā etat tīrthadvayasamaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Generating my own favor and pleasing to Vishnu as well, these two tirthas have never had, and never shall have, an equal.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.40.54)

अत्र स्नानाद्धि सर्वेषां सर्वाभीष्टं भविष्यति । इदं कुंडद्वयं लोके भवतीभ्यां कृतं महत्

atra snānād dhi sarveṣāṁ sarvābhīṣṭaṁ bhaviṣyati idaṁ kuṇḍadvayaṁ loke bhavatībhyāṁ kṛtaṁ mahat

Bathing here shall grant every desired thing to all. This great pair of pools has been made in the world by you two.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.40.55)

युष्मन्नाम्ना प्रसिद्धं च भविष्यति विमुक्तिदम् । गायत्र्युपास्तिरहिता वेदाभ्यासविवर्जिताः

yuṣmannāmnā prasiddhaṁ ca bhaviṣyati vimuktidam gāyatryupāstirahitā vedābhyāsavivarjitāḥ

Renowned by your very names, it shall grant liberation. Those who lack devotion to the Gayatri, who are deprived of Vedic study,

Verse 56 (skanda.3.40.56)

औपासनविहीनाश्च पंचयज्ञविवर्जिताः । युष्मत्कुंडद्वये स्नानात्तत्तत्फलमवाप्नुयुः

aupāsanavihīnāś ca pañcayajñavivarjitāḥ yuṣmatkuṇḍadvaye snānāt tat tat phalam avāpnuyuḥ

who are without the daily fire-offering, and who neglect the five great sacrifices — even they, by bathing in your two pools, shall obtain those very fruits.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.40.57)

अन्ये च ये पातकिनो नित्यानुष्ठानवर्जिताः । स्नात्वा कुंडद्वये तत्र शुद्धाः स्युर्द्विजसत्तमाः

anye ca ye pātakino nityānuṣṭhānavarjitāḥ snātvā kuṇḍadvaye tatra śuddhāḥ syur dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, others too who are sinners, who neglect their daily observances, shall become purified by bathing there in the two pools.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.40.58)

सरस्वतीं च गायत्रीमेवमुक्त्वा महेश्वरः । क्षणादंतरधात्तत्र सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम्

sarasvatīṁ ca gāyatrīm evamuktvā maheśvaraḥ kṣaṇād antaradhāt tatra sarveṣām eva paśyatām

Having spoken thus to Sarasvati and Gayatri, Maheshvara vanished there in an instant, before the very eyes of all.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.40.59)

पतिं लब्ध्वाऽथ गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ मुदान्विते । तेन साकं ब्रह्मलोकं जग्मतुर्द्विजसत्तमाः

patiṁ labdhvā'tha gāyatrīsarasvatyau mudānvite tena sākaṁ brahmalokaṁ jagmatur dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then, having regained their husband, Gayatri and Sarasvati, filled with joy, went together with him to Brahmaloka.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.40.60)

श्रीसूत उवाच । एवं वः कथितं विप्रा गंधमादनपर्वते । संनिधानं सरस्वत्या गायत्र्याश्च सहेतुकम्

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāḥ gandhamādanaparvate sannidhānaṁ sarasvatyā gāyatryāś ca sahetukam

Shri Suta said: Thus, O brahmins, have I told you, together with its cause, of the presence of Sarasvati and Gayatri on Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.40.61)

यः शृणोतीममध्यायं पठते वा सभक्तिकम् । एतत्तीर्थद्वयस्नानफलमाप्नोत्यसंशयः

yaḥ śṛṇotīmam adhyāyaṁ paṭhate vā sabhaktikam etat tīrthadvayasnānaphalam āpnoty asaṁśayaḥ

Whoever hears or reads this chapter with devotion undoubtedly obtains the fruit of bathing in these two tirthas.