The Atonement of Kashyapa's Sin

Verse 1 (skanda.3.41.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि गायत्रीं च सरस्वतीम् । लक्ष्यीकृत्य कथामेकां पवित्रां द्विजसत्तमाः

śrīsūta uvāca athātaḥ sampravakṣyāmi gāyatrīṁ ca sarasvatīm lakṣyīkṛtya kathām ekāṁ pavitrāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Shri Suta said: O best of brahmins, now I shall tell one sacred story concerning Gayatri and Sarasvati.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.41.2)

कश्यपाख्यो द्विजः पूर्वमस्मिंस्तीर्थद्वये शुभे । स्नात्वातिमहतः पापाद्विमुक्तो नरकप्रदात्

kaśyapākhyo dvijaḥ pūrvam asmiṁs tīrthadvaye śubhe snātvātimahataḥ pāpād vimukto narakapradāt

Long ago, a brahmin named Kashyapa, by bathing in this auspicious pair of tirthas, was freed from an exceedingly grave sin that would otherwise have led to hell.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.41.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः । मुने कश्यपनामासावकरोत्किं हि पातकम् । स्नात्वा तीर्थद्वयेप्यत्र यस्मान्मुक्तोऽभवत्क्षणात्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ mune kaśyapanāmāsāv akarot kiṁ hi pātakam snātvā tīrthadvaye'py atra yasmān mukto'bhavat kṣaṇāt

The sages said: O sage, what sin had this Kashyapa committed, from which he was freed in an instant merely by bathing in this pair of tirthas?

Verse 4 (skanda.3.41.4)

एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां ब्रूहि सूत कृपाबलात् । त्वद्वचोऽमृततृप्तानां न पिपासापि विद्यते

etan naḥ śraddadhānānāṁ brūhi sūta kṛpābalāt tvadvaco'mṛtatṛptānāṁ na pipāsāpi vidyate

O Suta, in your compassion, tell this to us who have faith. Though we are sated with your nectar-like words, our thirst for them is never quenched.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.41.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच । गायत्र्याश्च सरस्वत्या माहात्म्यप्रतिपादकम् । इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृण्वतां पापनाशनम्

śrīsūta uvāca gāyatryāś ca sarasvatyā māhātmyapratipādakam itihāsaṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇvatāṁ pāpanāśanam

Shri Suta said: I shall recount that history which establishes the glory of Gayatri and Sarasvati, and which destroys the sins of those who hear it.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.41.6)

अभिमन्युसुतो राजा परीक्षिन्नाम नामतः । अध्यास्ते हास्तिनपुरं पालयन्धर्मतो महीम्

abhimanyusuto rājā parīkṣin nāma nāmataḥ adhyāste hāstinapuraṁ pālayan dharmato mahīm

Abhimanyu's son, a king named Parikshit, dwelt in Hastinapura, ruling the earth righteously.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.41.7)

स राजा जातु विपिने चचार मृगया रतः । षष्टिवर्षवया भूपः क्षुत्तृष्णापरिपीडितः

sa rājā jātu vipine cacāra mṛgayā rataḥ ṣaṣṭivarṣavayā bhūpaḥ kṣuttṛṣṇāparipīḍitaḥ

Once that king, devoted to the hunt, roamed a forest; being sixty years of age, he became severely afflicted with hunger and thirst.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.41.8)

नष्टमेकं स विपिने मार्गयन्मृगमादरात् । ध्यानारूढं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा प्राह तं चीरवाससम्

naṣṭam ekaṁ sa vipine mārgayan mṛgam ādarāt dhyānārūḍhaṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā prāha taṁ cīravāsasam

While eagerly tracking a deer that had escaped him in the forest, he saw a sage absorbed in meditation, clad in bark garments, and spoke to him.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.41.9)

मया बाणेन विपिने मृगो विद्धोऽधुना मुने । दृष्टः स किं त्वया विद्वन्विद्रुतो भयकातरः

mayā bāṇena vipine mṛgo viddho'dhunā mune dṛṣṭaḥ sa kiṁ tvayā vidvan vidruto bhayakātaraḥ

O sage, I have just now wounded a deer with my arrow here in the forest. O learned one, did you see it fleeing in terror?

Verse 10 (skanda.3.41.10)

समाधिनिष्ठो मौनित्वान्न किं चिदपि सोऽब्रवीत् । ततो धनुरटन्याऽसौ स्कंधे तस्य महामुनेः

samādhiniṣṭho maunitvān na kiṁcid api so'bravīt tato dhanuraṭanyā'sau skandhe tasya mahāmuneḥ

Absorbed in samadhi and bound by a vow of silence, the sage said nothing at all. Then, with the tip of his bow, upon that great sage's shoulder—

Verse 11 (skanda.3.41.11)

निधाय मृतसर्पं तु कुपितः स्वपुरं ययौ । मुनेस्तस्य सुतः कश्चिच्छृंगीनाम बभूव वै

nidhāya mṛtasarpaṁ tu kupitaḥ svapuraṁ yayau munes tasya sutaḥ kaścic chṛṅgīnāma babhūva vai

—the angered king placed a dead snake, and then returned to his own city. That sage had a son named Shringi.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.41.12)

सखा तस्य कृशाख्योऽभूच्छृंगिणो द्विजसत्तमाः । सखायं शृङ्गिणं प्राह कृशाख्यः स सखा ततः

sakhā tasya kṛśākhyo'bhūc chṛṅgiṇo dvijasattamāḥ sakhāyaṁ śṛṅgiṇaṁ prāha kṛśākhyaḥ sa sakhā tataḥ

O best of brahmins, Shringi had a friend named Krisha. That friend Krisha then said to his companion Shringi.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.41.13)

पिता तव मृतं सर्पं स्कंधेन वहतेऽधुना । मा भूद्दर्पस्तव सखे मा कृथास्त्वं मदं वृथा

pitā tava mṛtaṁ sarpaṁ skandhena vahate'dhunā mā bhūd darpas tava sakhe mā kṛthās tvaṁ madaṁ vṛthā

Your father is right now carrying a dead snake upon his shoulder. Let there be no pride in you, friend — do not indulge in vain conceit.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.41.14)

सोऽवदत्कुपितः शृंगी दित्सुश्शापं नृपाय वै । मत्ताते शवसर्पं यो न्यस्तवान्मूढचेतनः

so'vadat kupitaḥ śṛṅgī ditsuś śāpaṁ nṛpāya vai mattāte śavasarpaṁ yo nyastavān mūḍhacetanaḥ

Hearing this, Shringi, enraged and wishing to curse the king, said: That foolish-minded one who placed a dead snake upon my intoxicated father—

Verse 15 (skanda.3.41.15)

स सप्तरात्रान्म्रियतां संदष्टस्तक्षकाहिना । शशापैवं मुनिसुतः सौभद्रेयं परीक्षितम्

sa saptarātrān mriyatāṁ sandaṣṭas takṣakāhinā śaśāpaivaṁ munisutaḥ saubhadreyaṁ parīkṣitam

—let him, within seven nights, be bitten by the serpent Takshaka and die. Thus did that sage's son curse Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.41.16)

शमीकाख्यः पिता तस्य श्रुत्वा शप्तं सुतेन तम् । नृपं प्रोवाच तनयं शृंगिणं मुनिपुंगवः

śamīkākhyaḥ pitā tasya śrutvā śaptaṁ sutena tam nṛpaṁ provāca tanayaṁ śṛṅgiṇaṁ munipuṅgavaḥ

His father, the eminent sage named Shamika, hearing that his son had cursed the king, spoke to his son Shringi.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.41.17)

रक्षकं सर्वलोकानां नृपं किं शप्तवानसि । अराजके वयं लोके स्थास्यामः कथमंजसा

rakṣakaṁ sarvalokānāṁ nṛpaṁ kiṁ śaptavān asi arājake vayaṁ loke sthāsyāmaḥ katham añjasā

Why have you cursed the king, the protector of all people? How shall we survive rightly in a kingless world?

Verse 18 (skanda.3.41.18)

क्रोधेन पातकमभून्न त्वया प्राप्यते सुखम् । यः समुत्पादितं कोपं क्षमयैव निरस्यति

krodhena pātakam abhūn na tvayā prāpyate sukham yaḥ samutpāditaṁ kopaṁ kṣamayaiva nirasyati

By anger only sin is committed — no happiness comes to you from it. He who dispels his rising anger through forgiveness alone—

Verse 19 (skanda.3.41.19)

इह लोके परत्रासावत्यंतं सुखमेधते । क्षमायुक्ता हि पुरुषा लभंते श्रेय उत्तमम्

iha loke paratrāsāv atyantaṁ sukham edhate kṣamāyuktā hi puruṣā labhante śreya uttamam

—prospers greatly in happiness both in this world and the next. Only men possessed of forbearance attain the highest good.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.41.20)

ततः शमीकः स्वं शिष्यं प्राह गौरमुखाभिधम् । भो गौरमुख गत्वा त्वं वद भूपं परीक्षितम्

tataḥ śamīkaḥ svaṁ śiṣyaṁ prāha gauramukhābhidham bho gauramukha gatvā tvaṁ vada bhūpaṁ parīkṣitam

Then Shamika said to his disciple named Gauramukha: O Gauramukha, go and tell King Parikshit this—

Verse 21 (skanda.3.41.21)

इमं शापं मत्सुतोक्तं तक्षकाहिविदंशनम् । पुनरायाहि शीघ्रं त्वं मत्समीपे महामते

imaṁ śāpaṁ matsutoktaṁ takṣakāhividaṁśanam punar āyāhi śīghraṁ tvaṁ matsamīpe mahāmate

—of this curse spoken by my son, of the bite of the serpent Takshaka. O wise one, then quickly return to me.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.41.22)

एवमुक्तः शमीकेन ययौ गौरमुखो नृपम् । समेत्य चाब्रवीद्भूपं सौभद्रेयं परीक्षितम्

evam uktaḥ śamīkena yayau gauramukho nṛpam sametya cābravīd bhūpaṁ saubhadreyaṁ parīkṣitam

Thus instructed by Shamika, Gauramukha went to the king, and, having reached him, spoke to King Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.41.23)

दृष्ट्वा सर्पं पितुः स्कन्धे त्वया विनिहितं मृतम् । शमीकस्य सुतः शृंगी शशाप त्वां रुषान्वितः

dṛṣṭvā sarpaṁ pituḥ skandhe tvayā vinihitaṁ mṛtam śamīkasya sutaḥ śṛṅgī śaśāpa tvāṁ ruṣānvitaḥ

Seeing the dead snake you placed upon my father's shoulder, Shamika's son Shringi, filled with rage, has cursed you.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.41.24)

एतद्दिनात्सप्तमेऽह्नि तक्षकेण महाहिना । दष्टो विषाग्निना दग्धो भूयादाश्वभिमन्युजः

etad dināt saptame'hni takṣakeṇa mahāhinā daṣṭo viṣāgninā dagdho bhūyād āśv abhimanyujaḥ

'On the seventh day from today, let Abhimanyu's son, bitten by the great serpent Takshaka, quickly be burned to ashes by the fire of its venom' —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.41.25)

एवं शशाप त्वां राजञ्छृंगी तस्य मुनेः सुतः । एतद्वक्तुं पिता तस्य प्राहिणोन्मां त्वदंतिकम्

evaṁ śaśāpa tvāṁ rājañ chṛṅgī tasya muneḥ sutaḥ etad vaktuṁ pitā tasya prāhiṇon māṁ tvadantikam

—thus, O king, has Shringi, that sage's son, cursed you. It was to tell you this that his father sent me to you.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.41.26)

इतीरयित्वा तं भूपमाशु गौरमुखो ययौ । गते गौरमुखे पश्चाद्राजा शोकपरायणः

itīrayitvā taṁ bhūpam āśu gauramukho yayau gate gauramukhe paścād rājā śokaparāyaṇaḥ

Having thus told the king, Gauramukha departed at once. After Gauramukha had gone, the king was overcome with grief.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.41.27)

अभ्रंलिहमथोत्तुंगमेकस्तंभं सुविस्तृतम् । मध्येगंगं व्यतनुत मंडपं नृपपुंगवः

abhraṁlihamathottuṅgam ekastambhaṁ suvistṛtam madhyegaṅgaṁ vyatanuta maṇḍapaṁ nṛpapuṅgavaḥ

That foremost of kings then had constructed, in the midst of the Ganga, a vast pavilion — sky-touching, exceedingly lofty, resting on a single pillar.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.41.28)

महागारुडमंत्रज्ञैरौषधज्ञैश्चिकित्सकैः । तक्षकस्य विषं हंतुं यत्नं कुर्वन्समाहितः

mahāgāruḍamantrajñair auṣadhajñaiś cikitsakaiḥ takṣakasya viṣaṁ hantuṁ yatnaṁ kurvan samāhitaḥ

With physicians learned in the great Garuda-mantra and skilled in medicines, he strove, with focused mind, to counteract Takshaka's venom.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.41.29)

अनेकदेवब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिप्रवरान्वितः । आस्ते तस्मिन्नृपस्तुंगे मंडपे विष्णुभक्तिमान्

anekadevabrahmarṣirājarṣipravarānvitaḥ āste tasmin nṛpas tuṅge maṇḍape viṣṇubhaktimān

Surrounded by many gods, brahmarshis, and eminent royal seers, that Vishnu-devoted king remained in that lofty pavilion.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.41.30)

तस्मिन्नवसरे विप्रः काश्यपो मांत्रिकोत्तमः । राजानं रक्षितुं प्रायात्तक्षकस्य महाविषात्

tasminn avasare vipraḥ kāśyapo māntrikottamaḥ rājānaṁ rakṣituṁ prāyāt takṣakasya mahāviṣāt

At that time, a brahmin named Kashyapa, foremost among those learned in mantras, set out to save the king from Takshaka's mighty poison.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.41.31)

सप्तमेऽहनि विप्रेंद्रो दरिद्रो धनकामुकः । अत्रांतरे तक्षकोऽपि विप्ररूपी समाययौ

saptame'hani viprendro daridro dhanakāmukaḥ atrāntare takṣako'pi viprarūpī samāyayau

On the seventh day this eminent brahmin, poor and desirous of wealth, journeyed on. Meanwhile Takshaka too arrived there, disguised as a brahmin.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.41.32)

मध्येमार्गं विलोक्याथ कश्यपं प्रत्यभाषत । ब्राह्मण त्वं कुत्र यासि वद मेऽद्य महामुने

madhyemārgaṁ vilokyātha kaśyapaṁ pratyabhāṣata brāhmaṇa tvaṁ kutra yāsi vada me'dya mahāmune

Seeing him on the road, he spoke to Kashyapa: O brahmin, O great sage, tell me today, where are you going?

Verse 33 (skanda.3.41.33)

इति पृष्टस्तदावादीत्काश्यपस्तक्षकं द्विजाः । परीक्षितं महाराजं तक्षकोऽद्य विषाग्निना

iti pṛṣṭas tadāvādīt kāśyapas takṣakaṁ dvijāḥ parīkṣitaṁ mahārājaṁ takṣako'dya viṣāgninā

O brahmins, thus asked, Kashyapa said to Takshaka: Today Takshaka will, with the fire of his venom,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.41.34)

दक्ष्यते तं शमयितुं तत्समीपमुपैम्यहम् । इत्युक्तवंतं तं विप्रं तक्षकः पुनरब्रवीत्

dhakṣyate taṁ śamayituṁ tatsamīpam upaimy aham ityuktavantaṁ taṁ vipraṁ takṣakaḥ punar abravīt

—bite great King Parikshit; therefore I am going there to counteract it. To this brahmin who had spoken thus, Takshaka said again.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.41.35)

तक्षकोहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ मया दष्टश्चिकित्सितुम् । न शक्यो ऽब्दशतेनापि महामंत्रायुतैरपि

takṣako'haṁ dvijaśreṣṭha mayā daṣṭaś cikitsitum na śakyo'bdaśatenāpi mahāmantrāyutair api

O best of brahmins, I myself am Takshaka. One bitten by me cannot be cured even in a hundred years, nor by ten thousand great mantras.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.41.36)

चिकित्सितुं चेन्मद्दष्टं शक्तिरस्ति तवाधुना । अनेकयोजनोच्छ्रायमिमं वटतरुं त्वहम्

cikitsituṁ cen maddaṣṭaṁ śaktir asti tavādhunā anekayojanocchrāyam imaṁ vaṭataruṁ tv aham

If you now truly have the power to cure one bitten by me, then this banyan tree, many yojanas tall — I shall—

Verse 37 (skanda.3.41.37)

दशाम्युज्जीवयैनं त्वं समर्थोऽस्ति ततो भवान् । इतीरयित्वा तं वृक्षमदशत्तक्षकस्तदा

daśāmy ujjīvayainaṁ tvaṁ samartho'sti tato bhavān itīrayitvā taṁ vṛkṣam adaśat takṣakas tadā

—bite right now; you revive it, and then you shall be deemed capable. Having said this, Takshaka at once bit that tree.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.41.38)

अभवद्भस्मसात्सोऽपि वृक्षोऽत्यंतं समूर्च्छितः । पूर्वमेव नरः कश्चित्तं वृक्षमधिरूढवान्

abhavad bhasmasāt so'pi vṛkṣo'tyantaṁ samūrcchitaḥ pūrvam eva naraḥ kaścit taṁ vṛkṣam adhirūḍhavān

That tree was reduced entirely to ashes and utterly withered. Now some man had earlier climbed up into that very tree.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.41.39)

तक्षकस्य विषोल्काभिः सोऽपि दग्धोऽभवत्तदा । तं नरं न विजिज्ञाते तौ च काश्यपतक्षकौ

takṣakasya viṣolkābhiḥ so'pi dagdho'bhavat tadā taṁ naraṁ na vijijñāte tau ca kāśyapatakṣakau

He too was burned at that same moment by the flames of Takshaka's venom. Neither Kashyapa nor Takshaka knew that this man was there.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.41.40)

काश्यपः प्रतिजज्ञेऽथ तक्षकस्यापि शृण्वतः । तन्मंत्रशक्तिं पश्यंतु सर्वे विप्रा हि नोऽधुना

kāśyapaḥ pratijajñe'tha takṣakasyāpi śṛṇvataḥ tanmantraśaktiṁ paśyantu sarve viprā hi no'dhunā

Then Kashyapa, even as Takshaka listened, made a vow: Let all brahmins now witness this power of my mantra.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.41.41)

इतीरयित्वा तं वृक्षं भस्मीभूतं विषाग्निना । अजीवयन्मन्त्रशक्त्या काश्यपो मांत्रिकोत्तमः

itīrayitvā taṁ vṛkṣaṁ bhasmībhūtaṁ viṣāgninā ajīvayan mantraśaktyā kāśyapo māntrikottamaḥ

Having said this, Kashyapa, foremost of those versed in mantras, revived by the power of his mantra that tree which had been reduced to ash by the fire of the venom.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.41.42)

नरोऽपि तेन वृक्षेण साकमुज्जीवितोऽभवत् । अथाब्रवीत्तक्षकस्तं काश्यपं मंत्रकोविदम्

naro'pi tena vṛkṣeṇa sākam ujjīvito'bhavat athābravīt takṣakas taṁ kāśyapaṁ mantrakovidam

Together with that tree, the man too was brought back to life. Then Takshaka said to Kashyapa, who was so learned in mantras.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.41.43)

यथा न मुनिवाङ्मिथ्या भवेदेवं कुरु द्विज । यत्ते राजा धनं दद्यात्ततोपि द्विगुणं धनम्

yathā na munivāṅ mithyā bhaved evaṁ kuru dvija yat te rājā dhanaṁ dadyāt tato'pi dviguṇaṁ dhanam

O brahmin, act in such a way that the sage's word does not become false. Whatever wealth the king would give you, double that wealth—

Verse 44 (skanda.3.41.44)

ददाम्यहं निवर्तस्व शीघ्रमेव द्विजोत्तम । इत्युक्त्वानर्घ्यरत्नानि तस्मै दत्त्वा स तक्षकः

dadāmy ahaṁ nivartasva śīghram eva dvijottama ityuktvānarghyaratnāni tasmai dattvā sa takṣakaḥ

—I shall give you; O best of brahmins, turn back at once. Having said this, Takshaka gave him priceless jewels,

Verse 45 (skanda.3.41.45)

न्यवर्तयत्काश्यपं तं ब्राह्मणं मंत्रको विदम् । अल्पायुषं नृपं मत्वा ज्ञानदृष्ट्या स काश्यपः

nyavartayat kāśyapaṁ taṁ brāhmaṇaṁ mantrakovidam alpāyuṣaṁ nṛpaṁ matvā jñānadṛṣṭyā sa kāśyapaḥ

—and turned back that mantra-learned brahmin Kashyapa. And Kashyapa, perceiving through his wisdom-vision that the king's life was already destined to be short,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.41.46)

स्वाश्रमं प्रययौ तूष्णीं लब्धरत्नश्च तक्षकात् । सोऽब्रवीत्तक्षकः सर्वान्सर्पानाहूय तत्क्षणे

svāśramaṁ prayayau tūṣṇīṁ labdharatnaś ca takṣakāt so'bravīt takṣakaḥ sarvān sarpān āhūya tatkṣaṇe

having received the jewels from Takshaka, silently returned to his own hermitage. Then Takshaka, that very moment, summoned all the serpents and said.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.41.47)

यूयं तं नृपतिं प्राप्य मुनीनां वेषधारिणः । उपहारफलान्याशु प्रयच्छत परीक्षिते

yūyaṁ taṁ nṛpatiṁ prāpya munīnāṁ veṣadhāriṇaḥ upahāraphalāny āśu prayacchata parīkṣite

You, disguised in the garb of sages, go to that king and quickly present fruits as offerings to Parikshit.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.41.48)

तथेत्युक्त्वा सर्वसर्पा ददू राज्ञे फलान्यमी । तक्षकोपि तदा तत्र कस्मिंश्चिद्बदरीफले

tathety uktvā sarvasarpā dadū rājñe phalāny amī takṣako'pi tadā tatra kasmiṁścid badarīphale

Saying 'so be it,' all those serpents presented those fruits to the king. Takshaka too, at that time, entered into one particular jujube fruit,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.41.49)

कृमिवेषधरो भूत्वा व्यतिष्ठद्दंशितुं नृपम् । अथ राजा प्रदत्तानि सर्पैर्ब्राह्मणरूपकैः

kṛmiveṣadharo bhūtvā vyatiṣṭhad daṁśituṁ nṛpam atha rājā pradattāni sarpair brāhmaṇarūpakaiḥ

taking the form of a worm, positioning himself there to bite the king. Then the king, having received those fruits given by the serpents disguised as brahmins,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.41.50)

परीक्षिन्मंत्रवृद्धेभ्यो दत्त्वा सर्वफलान्यपि । कौतूहलेन जग्राह स्थूलमेकं फलं करे

parīkṣin mantravṛddhebhyo dattvā sarvaphalāny api kautūhalena jagrāha sthūlam ekaṁ phalaṁ kare

distributed all those fruits among his aged ministers, and out of curiosity took one large fruit in his own hand.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.41.51)

अस्मिन्नवसरे सूर्योऽप्यस्ताचलमगाहत । मिथ्या ऋषिवचो मा भूदिति तत्रत्यमानवाः

asminn avasare sūryo'py astācalam agāhata mithyā ṛṣivaco mā bhūd iti tatratyamānavāḥ

At that very moment the sun too was sinking toward the western mountain. 'Let the sage's word not prove false' — thus the people present there

Verse 52 (skanda.3.41.52)

अन्योयमवदन्त्सर्वे ब्राह्मणाश्च नृपास्तथा । एवं वदत्सु सर्वेषु फले तस्मिन्नदृश्यत

anyonyam avadan sarve brāhmaṇāś ca nṛpās tathā evaṁ vadatsu sarveṣu phale tasminn adṛśyata

— all the brahmins and the king said to one another. While all were speaking thus, there appeared, in that fruit,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.41.53)

फले रक्तकृमिः सर्वे राज्ञा चापि परीक्षिता । अयं किं मां दशेदद्य कृमिरित्युक्तवान्नृपः

phale raktakṛmiḥ sarve rājñā cāpi parīkṣitā ayaṁ kiṁ māṁ daśed adya kṛmir ity uktavān nṛpaḥ

a red worm, seen both by everyone and by King Parikshit himself. Saying, 'Will this worm now bite me?' the king,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.41.54)

निदधे तत्फलं कर्णे सकृमि द्विजसत्तमाः । तक्षकोऽस्मिन्स्थितः पूर्वं कृमिरूपी फले तदा

nidadhe tat phalaṁ karṇe sakṛmi dvijasattamāḥ takṣako'smin sthitaḥ pūrvaṁ kṛmirūpī phale tadā

O best of brahmins, held that worm-containing fruit near his own ear. Then Takshaka, who had already been sitting there in the form of the worm,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.41.55)

निर्गत्य तत्फलादाशु नृपदेहमवेष्टयत् । तक्षकावेष्टिते भूपे पार्श्वस्था दुद्रुवुर्भयात्

nirgatya tatphalād āśu nṛpadeham aveṣṭayat takṣakāveṣṭite bhūpe pārśvasthā dudruvur bhayāt

immediately emerged from that fruit and coiled itself around the king's body. As Takshaka wound himself about the king, those standing nearby fled in terror.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.41.56)

अनंतरं नृपो विप्रास्तक्षकस्य विषाग्निना । दग्धोऽभूद्भस्मसादाशु सप्रासादो बलीयसा

anantaraṁ nṛpo viprās takṣakasya viṣāgninā dagdho'bhūd bhasmasād āśu saprāsādo balīyasā

O brahmins, thereupon the king, together with his very palace, was quickly reduced to ashes by the powerful fire of Takshaka's venom.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.41.57)

कृत्वोर्ध्वदैहिकं तस्य नृपस्य सपुरोहिताः । मंत्रिणस्तत्सुतं राज्ये जनमेजयनामकम्

kṛtvordhvadaihikaṁ tasya nṛpasya sapurohitāḥ mantriṇas tatsutaṁ rājye janamejayanāmakam

The ministers, together with the priests, performed the funeral rites of the king and then, upon the throne, installed his son named Janamejaya,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.41.58)

राजानमभ्यषिंचन्वै गजद्रक्ष णवांछया । तक्षकाद्रक्षितुं भूपमायातः काश्यपाभिधः

rājānam abhyaṣiñcan vai rājyarakṣaṇavāñchayā takṣakād rakṣituṁ bhūpam āyātaḥ kāśyapābhidhaḥ

as king, wishing to protect the kingdom. That brahmin named Kashyapa, who had come to protect the king from Takshaka,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.41.59)

यो ब्राह्मणो मुनिश्रेष्ठाः स सर्वैर्निंदितो जनैः । बभ्राम सकलान्देशाञ्छिष्टैः सर्वैश्च दूषितः

yo brāhmaṇo muniśreṣṭhāḥ sa sarvair nindito janaiḥ babhrāma sakalān deśāñ chiṣṭaiḥ sarvaiś ca dūṣitaḥ

O best of sages, that brahmin was censured by everyone; condemned by all the virtuous, he wandered through every land.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.41.60)

अवस्थानं न लेभेऽसौ ग्रामे वाप्याश्रमेऽपि वा । यान्यान्देशानसौ यातस्तत्रतत्रमहाजनैः

avasthānaṁ na lebhe'sau grāme vāpy āśrame'pi vā yān yān deśān asau yātas tatra tatra mahājanaiḥ

He found no place to stay, neither in any village nor in any hermitage. Whatever land he went to, in each of them, by the eminent people there,

Verse 61 (skanda.3.41.61)

तत्तद्देशान्निरस्तः स शाकल्यं शरणं ययौ । प्रणम्य शाकल्यमुनिं काश्यपो निन्दितो जनैः । इदं विज्ञापयामास शाकल्याय महात्मने

tattaddeśān nirastaḥ sa śākalyaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayau praṇamya śākalyamuniṁ kāśyapo nindito janaiḥ idaṁ vijñāpayāmāsa śākalyāya mahātmane

he was driven out of each such land. He then took refuge with the sage Shakalya. Kashyapa, thus censured by people, bowed to the sage Shakalya and made this appeal to the great soul Shakalya.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.41.62)

काश्यप उवाच । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ शाकल्य हरिवल्लभ

kāśyapa uvāca bhagavan sarvadharmajña śākalya harivallabha

Kashyapa said: O Lord, O knower of all dharma, O Shakalya, O beloved of Hari!

Verse 63 (skanda.3.41.63)

मुनयो ब्राह्मणाश्चान्ये मां निंदंति सुहृज्जनाः । नास्याहं कारणं जाने किं मां निंदंति मानवाः

munayo brāhmaṇāś cānye māṁ nindanti suhṛjjanāḥ nāsyāhaṁ kāraṇaṁ jāne kiṁ māṁ nindanti mānavāḥ

Sages, brahmins, and other friends all censure me. I do not know the reason for this — why do people censure me?

Verse 64 (skanda.3.41.64)

ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं गुरुस्त्रीगमनं तथा । स्तेयं संसर्गदोषो वा मया नाचरितः क्वचित्

brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ gurustrīgamanaṁ tathā steyaṁ saṁsargadoṣo vā mayā nācaritaḥ kvacit

I have never committed the murder of a brahmin, drunk liquor, approached my guru's wife, stolen, or engaged in any polluting association.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.41.65)

अन्यान्यपि हि पापानि न कृतानि मया मुने । तथापि निंदंति जना वृथा मां बांधवादयः

anyāny api hi pāpāni na kṛtāni mayā mune tathāpi nindanti janā vṛthā māṁ bāndhavādayaḥ

O sage, nor have I committed any other sins. Yet my kinsmen and others censure me in vain.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.41.66)

जानासि चेत्त्वं शाकल्य मया दोषं कृतं वद । उक्तोऽथ काश्यपेनैवं शाकल्याख्यो महामुनिः । क्षणं ध्यात्वा बभाषे तं काश्यपं द्विजसत्तमाः

jānāsi cet tvaṁ śākalya mayā doṣaṁ kṛtaṁ vada ukto'tha kāśyapenaivaṁ śākalyākhyo mahāmuniḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā babhāṣe taṁ kāśyapaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

O Shakalya, if you know what fault I have committed, tell me. Thus addressed by Kashyapa, O best of brahmins, the great sage Shakalya meditated for a moment and then spoke to Kashyapa.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.41.67)

शाकल्य उवाच । परीक्षितं महाराजं तक्षकाद्रक्षितुं भवान्

śākalya uvāca parīkṣitaṁ mahārājaṁ takṣakād rakṣituṁ bhavān

Shakalya said: You set out to protect the great King Parikshit from Takshaka,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.41.68)

अयासीदर्धमार्गे तु तक्षकेण निवारितः । चिकित्सितुं समर्थोऽपि विषरोगादिपीडितम्

ayāsīd ardhamārge tu takṣakeṇa nivāritaḥ cikitsituṁ samartho'pi viṣarogādipīḍitam

but midway upon the road you were turned back by Takshaka — and though capable of treating one afflicted by the disease of poison,

Verse 69 (skanda.3.41.69)

यो न रक्षति लोभेन तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातकम् । क्रोधात्कामाद्भयाल्लोभान्मात्सर्यान्मोहतोऽपि वा

yo na rakṣati lobhena tam āhur brahmaghātakam krodhāt kāmād bhayāl lobhān mātsaryān mohato'pi vā

one who fails to protect out of greed is called a slayer of a brahmin — whether from anger, desire, fear, greed, envy, or delusion.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.41.70)

यो न रक्षति विप्रेंद्र विषरोगातुरं नरम् । ब्रह्महा स सुरापी च स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः

yo na rakṣati viprendra viṣarogāturaṁ naram brahmahā sa surāpī ca steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ

O foremost of brahmins, one who fails to protect a man afflicted by the disease of poison is equal to a slayer of a brahmin, a drinker of liquor, a thief, and a violator of his guru's bed.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.41.71)

संसर्गदोषदुष्टश्च नापि तस्य हि निष्कृतिः । कन्याविक्रयिणश्चापि हयविक्रयिणस्तथा

saṁsargadoṣaduṣṭaś ca nāpi tasya hi niṣkṛtiḥ kanyāvikrayiṇaś cāpi hayavikrayiṇas tathā

He is deemed corrupted by polluting association, and for him there is no atonement. For the seller of a daughter, and likewise for the seller of a horse,

Verse 72 (skanda.3.41.72)

कृतघ्न स्यापि शास्त्रेषु प्रायश्चित्तं हि विद्यते । विषरोगातुरं यस्तु समर्थोपि न रक्षति

kṛtaghnasyāpi śāstreṣu prāyaścittaṁ hi vidyate viṣarogāturaṁ yas tu samartho'pi na rakṣati

and even for the ungrateful, atonement is prescribed in the scriptures. But for one who, though capable, fails to protect a man afflicted by the disease of poison,

Verse 73 (skanda.3.41.73)

न तस्य निष्कृतिः प्रोक्ता प्रायश्चित्तायुतैरपि । न तेन सह पंक्तौ च भुंजीत सुकृती जनः

na tasya niṣkṛtiḥ proktā prāyaścittāyutair api na tena saha paṅktau ca bhuñjīta sukṛtī janaḥ

no atonement is declared, not even by ten thousand penances. A virtuous person should not eat in the same row with him.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.41.74)

न तेन सह भाषेत न पश्येत्तं नरं क्वचित् । तत्संभाषणमात्रेण महापातकभाग्भवेत्

na tena saha bhāṣeta na paśyet taṁ naraṁ kvacit tatsambhāṣaṇamātreṇa mahāpātakabhāg bhavet

One should not speak with him, nor ever look upon such a man. By merely conversing with him one becomes party to a great sin.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.41.75)

परीक्षित्स महाराजः पुण्यश्लोकश्च धार्मिकः । विष्णुभक्तो महायोगी चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षिता

parīkṣit sa mahārājaḥ puṇyaślokaś ca dhārmikaḥ viṣṇubhakto mahāyogī cāturvarṇyasya rakṣitā

That great King Parikshit was of holy renown, righteous, a devotee of Vishnu, a great yogi, and the protector of the four varnas.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.41.76)

व्यासपुत्राद्धरिकथां श्रुतवान्भक्तिपूर्वकम् । अरक्षित्वा नृपं तं त्वं वचसा तक्षकस्य यत्

vyāsaputrād dharikathāṁ śrutavān bhaktipūrvakam arakṣitvā nṛpaṁ taṁ tvaṁ vacasā takṣakasya yat

He had heard the story of Hari with devotion from Vyasa's son. Failing to protect such a king, and merely on Takshaka's word—

Verse 77 (skanda.3.41.77)

निवृत्तस्तेन विप्रेंद्रैर्बांधवैरपि दूष्यसे । स परीक्षिन्महाराजो यद्यपि क्ष णजीवितः

nivṛttas tena viprendrair bāndhavair api dūṣyase sa parīkṣin mahārājo yadyapi kṣaṇajīvitaḥ

you turned back — for this reason you are condemned even by the eminent brahmins and your own kinsmen. Although that great King Parikshit had but a moment left to live,

Verse 78 (skanda.3.41.78)

तथापि यावन्मरणं बुधैः कार्यं चिकित्सनम् । यावत्कण्ठगताः प्राणा मुमूर्षोर्मानवस्य हि

tathāpi yāvan maraṇaṁ budhaiḥ kāryaṁ cikitsanam yāvat kaṇṭhagatāḥ prāṇā mumūrṣor mānavasya hi

even so, wise men should continue treatment until the very moment of death. As long as the life-breath of a dying man still lingers in his throat,

Verse 79 (skanda.3.41.79)

तावच्चिकित्सा कर्तव्या कालस्य कुटिला गतिः । इति प्राहुः पुरा श्लोकं भिषग्वैद्याब्धिपारगाः

tāvac cikitsā kartavyā kālasya kuṭilā gatiḥ iti prāhuḥ purā ślokaṁ bhiṣagvaidyābdhipāragāḥ

treatment must be given, for the workings of time are ever devious — thus, long ago, physicians who had crossed to the far shore of the ocean of medicine declared this verse.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.41.80)

अतश्चिकित्साशक्तोऽपि यस्मादकृतभेषजः । अर्धमार्गे निवृत्तस्त्वं तेन तं हतवानसि

ataś cikitsāśakto'pi yasmād akṛtabheṣajaḥ ardhamārge nivṛttas tvaṁ tena taṁ hatavān asi

Therefore, though capable of treatment, without administering any medicine, you turned back midway — and by that very act you have caused his death.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.41.81)

शाकल्येनैवमुदितः काश्यपः प्रत्यभाषत । काश्यप उवाच । ममैतद्दोषशांत्यर्थमुपायं वद सुव्रत

śākalyenaivam uditaḥ kāśyapaḥ pratyabhāṣata kāśyapa uvāca mamaitad doṣaśāntyartham upāyaṁ vada suvrata

Thus addressed by Shakalya, Kashyapa replied. Kashyapa said: O you of good vows, tell me the means to atone for this fault,

Verse 82 (skanda.3.41.82)

येन मां प्रतिगृह्णीयुर्बांधवाः ससुहृज्जनाः

yena māṁ pratigṛhṇīyur bāndhavāḥ sasuhṛjjanāḥ

by which my kinsmen and friends may accept me back.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.41.83)

कृपां मयि कुरुष्व त्वं शाकल्य हरिवल्लभ । काश्यपेनैवमुक्तस्तु शाकल्योपि मुनीश्वरः । क्षणं ध्यात्वा जगादैवं काश्यपं कृपया तदा

kṛpāṁ mayi kuruṣva tvaṁ śākalya harivallabha kāśyapenaivam uktas tu śākalyo'pi munīśvaraḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā jagādaivaṁ kāśyapaṁ kṛpayā tadā

O Shakalya, beloved of Hari, show me your grace. Thus addressed by Kashyapa, the lord of sages Shakalya too meditated for a moment and then, with compassion, spoke to Kashyapa.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.41.84)

शाकल्य उवाच । अस्य पापस्य शात्यर्थमुपायं प्रवदामि ते

śākalya uvāca asya pāpasya śāntyartham upāyaṁ pravadāmi te

Shakalya said: I shall tell you the means to allay this sin.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.41.85)

तत्कर्त्तव्यं त्वया शीघ्रं विलंबं मा कृथा द्विज । दक्षिणांबुनिधौ सेतौ गंधमादनपर्वते

tat kartavyaṁ tvayā śīghraṁ vilambaṁ mā kṛthā dvija dakṣiṇāmbunidhau setau gandhamādanaparvate

O brahmin, do it at once — do not delay. At the bridge in the southern ocean, on Mount Gandhamadana,

Verse 86 (skanda.3.41.86)

अस्ति तीर्थद्वयं विप्रा गायत्री च सरस्वती । तत्र त्वं स्नानमात्रेण शुद्धो भूयाश्च तत्क्षणे

asti tīrthadvayaṁ viprā gāyatrī ca sarasvatī tatra tvaṁ snānamātreṇa śuddho bhūyāś ca tatkṣaṇe

O brahmins, there exist two tirthas, Gayatri and Sarasvati. There, merely by bathing, you shall become pure that very instant.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.41.87)

गायत्र्या च सरस्वत्या जलवात स्पृशो नरः । विधूय सर्वपापानि स्वर्गं यास्यंति निर्मलाः

gāyatryā ca sarasvatyā jalavātaspṛśo naraḥ vidhūya sarvapāpāni svargaṁ yāsyanti nirmalāḥ

A man touched by the waters of Gayatri and Sarasvati, having washed away all his sins, goes to heaven, made spotless.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.41.88)

तद्याहि शीघ्र विप्र त्वं गायत्रीं च सरस्वतीम् । इत्युक्तः काश्यपस्तेन शाकल्येन द्विजोत्तमाः

tad yāhi śīghraṁ vipra tvaṁ gāyatrīṁ ca sarasvatīm ityuktaḥ kāśyapas tena śākalyena dvijottamāḥ

Therefore, O brahmin, go quickly to Gayatri and Sarasvati. O best of brahmins, thus told by Shakalya, Kashyapa,

Verse 89 (skanda.3.41.89)

नत्वा मुनिं च शाकल्यं तमापृच्छ्य मुनीश्वरम् । तेन चैवाभ्यनुज्ञातः प्रययौ गन्धमादनम्

natvā muniṁ ca śākalyaṁ tam āpṛcchya munīśvaram tena caivābhyanujñātaḥ prayayau gandhamādanam

having bowed to the sage Shakalya and taken leave of that lord of sages, and thus permitted by him, journeyed to Gandhamadana.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.41.90)

तत्र गत्वा च गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ च काश्यपः । नत्वा तीर्थद्वयं भक्त्या दण्डपाणिं च भैरवम्

tatra gatvā ca gāyatrīsarasvatyau ca kāśyapaḥ natvā tīrthadvayaṁ bhaktyā daṇḍapāṇiṁ ca bhairavam

Having gone there, Kashyapa bowed with devotion to both the tirthas, Gayatri and Sarasvati, and to Dandapani Bhairava.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.41.91)

संकल्पपूर्वं तत्तीर्थे सस्नौ नियमसंयुतः । तीर्थद्वये स्नानमात्रान्मुक्तपापोऽथ काश्यपः

saṅkalpapūrvaṁ tattīrthe sasnau niyamasaṁyutaḥ tīrthadvaye snānamātrān muktapāpo'tha kāśyapaḥ

With due resolve and observing the vows, he bathed in that tirtha. Merely by bathing in the two tirthas, Kashyapa was freed from sin.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.41.92)

तीर्थद्वयस्य तीरेऽसौ किंचित्कालं तु तस्थिवान् । तस्मिन्काले च गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ मुनीश्वराः

tīrthadvayasya tīre'sau kiṁcit kālaṁ tu tasthivān tasmin kāle ca gāyatrīsarasvatyau munīśvarāḥ

O lords of sages, he remained a while upon the bank of the two tirthas. At that time, Gayatri and Sarasvati,

Verse 93 (skanda.3.41.93)

प्रादुर्बभूवतुर्मूर्ते सर्वाभरणभूषिते । देव्यौ ते स नमस्कृत्य काश्यपो भक्तिपूर्वकम्

prādurbabhūvatur mūrte sarvābharaṇabhūṣite devyau te sa namaskṛtya kāśyapo bhaktipūrvakam

appeared in embodied form, adorned with every ornament. Kashyapa bowed with devotion to those two goddesses.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.41.94)

के युवां रूपसंपन्ने सर्वालंकारसंयुते । इति पप्रच्छ दृष्ट्वा ते काश्यपो हृष्टमानसः । तेन पृष्टे च गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ तमूचतुः

ke yuvāṁ rūpasampanne sarvālaṅkārasaṁyute iti papraccha dṛṣṭvā te kāśyapo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ tena pṛṣṭe ca gāyatrīsarasvatyau tam ūcatuḥ

'Who are you two, so beautiful, adorned with every ornament?' Thus, upon seeing them, Kashyapa, his heart filled with joy, asked. Thus questioned by him, Gayatri and Sarasvati replied to him.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.41.95)

गायत्रीसरस्वत्यावूचतुः । काश्यपावां हि गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ विधिप्रिये

gāyatrīsarasvatyāv ūcatuḥ kāśyapāvāṁ hi gāyatrīsarasvatyau vidhipriye

Gayatri and Sarasvati said: O Kashyapa, we two are indeed Gayatri and Sarasvati, beloved of Vidhi (Brahma).

Verse 96 (skanda.3.41.96)

एतत्तीर्थस्वरूपेण नित्यं वर्तावहे त्वतः । अत्र तीर्थद्वये स्नानादावां तुष्टे तवाधुना

etat tīrthasvarūpeṇa nityaṁ vartāvahe tvataḥ atra tīrthadvaye snānād āvāṁ tuṣṭe tavādhunā

We ever abide here in the very form of this tirtha. Now, by your bathing in these two tirthas, we are both pleased.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.41.97)

वरं मत्तो वृणीष्व त्वं यदिष्टं काश्यप द्विज । स्नांति तीर्थद्वये येऽत्र दास्यावस्तदभीप्सितम्

varaṁ matto vṛṇīṣva tvaṁ yad iṣṭaṁ kāśyapa dvija snānti tīrthadvaye ye'tra dāsyāvas tad abhīpsitam

O brahmin Kashyapa, ask of us whatever boon you desire. Whoever bathes here in these two tirthas, to them we shall grant their heart's desire.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.41.98)

श्रुत्वा वचस्तद्गायत्रीसरस्वत्योः स काश्यपः । तुष्टाव वाग्भिरग्र्याभिस्ते देव्यौ वेधसः प्रिये

śrutvā vacas tad gāyatrīsarasvatyoḥ sa kāśyapaḥ tuṣṭāva vāgbhir agryābhis te devyau vedhasaḥ priye

Hearing those words of Gayatri and Sarasvati, Kashyapa praised those two goddesses, beloved of the Creator, with the finest of words.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.41.99)

काश्यप उवाच । चतुराननगेहिन्यौ जगद्धात्र्यौ नमाम्यहम् । विद्यास्वरूपे गायत्री सरस्वत्यौ शुभे उभे

kāśyapa uvāca caturānanagehinyau jagaddhātryau namāmyaham vidyāsvarūpe gāyatrī sarasvatyau śubhe ubhe

Kashyapa said: I bow to you both, wives of the four-faced one, sustainers of the world, embodiments of knowledge, auspicious Gayatri and Sarasvati.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.41.100)

सृष्टिस्थित्यंतकारिण्यौ जगतो वेदमातरौ । हव्यकव्यस्वरूपे च चंद्रादित्यविलोचने

sṛṣṭisthityantakāriṇyau jagato vedamātarau havyakavyasvarūpe ca candrādityavilocane

You who cause the world's creation, preservation, and dissolution, the Vedic mothers of the world, embodiments of the offerings to gods and ancestors, whose eyes are the moon and sun,

Verse 101 (skanda.3.41.101)

सर्वदेवाधिपे वाणी गायत्र्यौ सततं भजे । गिरिजा कमला चापि युवामेव जगद्धिते

sarvadevādhipe vāṇī gāyatryau satataṁ bhaje girijā kamalā cāpi yuvām eva jagaddhite

rulers over all the gods — O Vani, O Gayatri, I ever worship you both. O you two who work the welfare of the world, Girija and Kamala too are none but forms of you both.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.41.102)

युष्मद्दर्शनमात्रेण जगत्सृष्ट्यादिकल्पनम् । युष्मन्निमेषात्सततं जगतां प्रलयो भवेत्

yuṣmaddarśanamātreṇa jagatsṛṣṭyādikalpanam yuṣman nimeṣāt satataṁ jagatāṁ pralayo bhavet

By the mere sight of you both, the creation of the world is conceived. By your very closing of the eyes, the dissolution of the worlds ceaselessly occurs.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.41.103)

उन्मेषात्सृष्टिरभवद्भोगायत्रि सरस्वति । युवयोर्दर्शनादद्य कृतार्थोऽभवमाशु वै

unmeṣāt sṛṣṭir abhavad bho gāyatri sarasvati yuvayor darśanād adya kṛtārtho'bhavam āśu vai

O Gayatri, O Sarasvati, by the opening of your eyes creation comes into being. Today, by the sight of you both, I have at once become fulfilled.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.41.104)

मामद्य पातकान्मुक्तं स्नानात्तीर्थ द्वयेऽत्र तु । स्वीकुर्वंतु मुनिश्रेष्ठा ब्राह्मणा बांधवास्तथा

mām adya pātakān muktaṁ snānāt tīrthadvaye'tra tu svīkurvantu muniśreṣṭhā brāhmaṇā bāndhavās tathā

May the eminent sages, brahmins, and my own kinsmen now accept me, freed from sin today by bathing in these two tirthas.

Verse 105 (skanda.3.41.105)

इतः परं पापकृत्ये मा मे बुद्धिः प्रवर्तताम् । धर्मे प्रवर्ततां नित्यमयमेव वरो मम

itaḥ paraṁ pāpakṛtye mā me buddhiḥ pravartatām dharme pravartatāṁ nityam ayam eva varo mama

Henceforth let my mind never incline toward sinful deeds, but ever incline toward dharma — this alone is my boon.

Verse 106 (skanda.3.41.106)

दीयतां भो महादेव्यौ नान्यमिच्छाम्यहं वरम् । इति ते प्रार्थिते तेन काश्यपेन द्विजोत्तमाः

dīyatāṁ bho mahādevyau nānyam icchāmy ahaṁ varam iti te prārthite tena kāśyapena dvijottamāḥ

O great goddesses, grant me this alone — I desire no other boon. O best of brahmins, thus entreated by Kashyapa,

Verse 107 (skanda.3.41.107)

सरस्वती च गायत्री द्वे देव्यौ ब्रह्मणः प्रिये । काश्यपं प्रोचतुः प्रीते जनन्यौ जगतां सदा

sarasvatī ca gāyatrī dve devyau brahmaṇaḥ priye kāśyapaṁ procatuḥ prīte jananyau jagatāṁ sadā

the two goddesses Sarasvati and Gayatri, beloved of Brahma, ever the mothers of the worlds, pleased, spoke to Kashyapa.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.41.108)

काश्यपैतद्वरं सर्वं प्रार्थितं यत्त्वयाऽधुना । अनुग्रहादावयोस्तदचिरेण तवास्तु हि

kāśyapaitad varaṁ sarvaṁ prārthitaṁ yat tvayā'dhunā anugrahād āvayos tad acireṇa tavāstu hi

O Kashyapa, whatever boon you have just now asked for, by our grace let it soon be yours.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.41.109)

इत्युक्त्वा तं तु गायत्रीसरस्वत्यौ क्षणेन वै । तिरोधानं गते विप्रास्तस्मिंस्तीर्थद्वये तदा

ityuktvā taṁ tu gāyatrīsarasvatyau kṣaṇena vai tirodhānaṁ gate viprās tasmiṁs tīrthadvaye tadā

O brahmins, having said this to him, Gayatri and Sarasvati both vanished that very instant into those two tirthas.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.41.110)

काश्यपोऽपि कृतार्थः सन्स्व देशं प्रति निर्ययौ । बांधवा ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे काश्यपं गतकिल्बिषम्

kāśyapo'pi kṛtārthaḥ san sva deśaṁ prati niryayau bāndhavā brāhmaṇāḥ sarve kāśyapaṁ gatakilbiṣam

Kashyapa too, his purpose fulfilled, set out toward his own land. All his kinsmen and the brahmins, seeing Kashyapa now free of sin,

Verse 111 (skanda.3.41.111)

प्रत्यगृह्णंश्च गायत्रीसरस्वत्योर्निमज्जनात् । एवं वः कथितं विप्रा काश्यपस्य विमोक्षणम्

pratyagṛhṇaṁś ca gāyatrīsarasvatyor nimajjanāt evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā kāśyapasya vimokṣaṇam

welcomed him back, because of his bathing in Gayatri and Sarasvati. O brahmins, thus have I told you of Kashyapa's release.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.41.112)

पातकेभ्यो हि गायत्रीसरस्त्योर्निमजनात् । पठते त्विममध्यायं शृणुते वा समाहितः

pātakebhyo hi gāyatrīsarasvatyor nimajjanāt paṭhate tv imam adhyāyaṁ śṛṇute vā samāhitaḥ

— freedom from sins comes by bathing in Gayatri and Sarasvati. Whoever reads this chapter, or hears it with focused attention,

Verse 113 (skanda.3.41.113)

यो गायत्र्यां सरस्वत्यां स स्नातफलमश्नुते

yo gāyatryāṁ sarasvatyāṁ sa snātaphalam aśnute

obtains the very fruit of bathing in Gayatri and Sarasvati.