The Order and Rites of the Pilgrimage to the Setu

Verse 1 (skanda.3.51.1)

सूत उवाच । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि सेतुयात्राक्रमं द्विजाः । यं श्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते मानवः क्षणात्

sūta uvāca athātaḥ sampravakṣyāmi setuyātrākramaṁ dvijāḥ yaṁ śrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate mānavaḥ kṣaṇāt

Suta said: O brahmins, now I shall describe the order of the pilgrimage to the Setu, hearing which a man is freed instantly from all sins.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.51.2)

स्नात्वाचम्य विशुद्धात्मा कृतनित्यविधिः सुधीः । रामनाथस्य तुष्ट्यर्थं प्रीत्यर्थं राघवस्य च

snātvācamya viśuddhātmā kṛtanityavidhiḥ sudhīḥ rāmanāthasya tuṣṭyarthaṁ prītyarthaṁ rāghavasya ca

Having bathed and sipped water, with a purified soul, having performed the daily rites, the wise man, for the satisfaction of Ramanatha and the pleasure of Raghava,

Verse 3 (skanda.3.51.3)

भोजयित्वा यथाशक्ति ब्राह्मणान्वेदपारगान् । भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वांगस्त्रिपुंड्रांकितमस्तकः

bhojayitvā yathāśakti brāhmaṇān vedapāragān bhasmoddhūlitasarvāṅgas tripuṇḍrāṅkitamastakaḥ

having fed, according to his ability, brahmins learned in the Vedas, his whole body smeared with ash, his forehead marked with the tripundra,

Verse 4 (skanda.3.51.4)

गोपीचन्दनलिप्तो वा स्वभालेऽप्यूर्ध्वपुंड्रकः । रुद्राक्षमालाभरणः सपवित्रकरः शुचिः

gopīcandanalipto vā svabhāle'py ūrdhvapuṇḍrakaḥ rudrākṣamālābharaṇaḥ sapavitrakaraḥ śuciḥ

or, on his own forehead, marked with the urdhvapundra of gopichandana, adorned with a rudraksha rosary, holding the sacred ring in his hand, pure,

Verse 5 (skanda.3.51.5)

सेतुयात्रां करिष्येऽहमिति संकल्प्य भक्तितः । स्वगृहात्प्रव्रजेन्मौनी जपन्नष्टाक्षरं मनुम्

setuyātrāṁ kariṣye'ham iti saṅkalpya bhaktitaḥ svagṛhāt pravrajen maunī japann aṣṭākṣaraṁ manum

having devoutly resolved, 'I shall undertake the pilgrimage to the Setu,' he should set out from his own home, keeping silence, reciting the eight-syllabled mantra.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.51.6)

पंचाक्षरं नाममंत्रं जपेन्नियतमानसः । एकवारं हविष्याशी जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः

pañcākṣaraṁ nāmamantraṁ japen niyatamānasaḥ ekavāraṁ haviṣyāśī jitakrodho jitendriyaḥ

with a disciplined mind, he should recite the five-syllabled name-mantra, eating consecrated food but once a day, having conquered anger, having mastered the senses,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.51.7)

पादुकाछत्ररहितस्तांबूलपरिवर्जितः । तैलाभ्यंगविहीनश्च स्त्रीसंगादिविवर्जितः

pādukāchatrarahitas tāmbūlaparivarjitaḥ tailābhyaṅgavihīnaś ca strīsaṅgādivivarjitaḥ

without sandals or umbrella, abstaining from betel, without oil-anointing, and abstaining from the company of women and the like,

Verse 8 (skanda.3.51.8)

शौचाद्याचारसंयुक्तः सन्ध्योपास्तिपरायणः । गायत्र्युपास्तिं कुर्वाणस्त्रिसंध्यं रामचिंतकः

śaucādyācārasaṁyuktaḥ sandhyopāstiparāyaṇaḥ gāyatryupāstiṁ kurvāṇas trisandhyaṁ rāmacintakaḥ

observing purity and other disciplines, devoted to the twilight worship, performing the worship of Gayatri, meditating on Rama at the three daily junctures,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.51.9)

मध्येमार्गं पठन्नित्यं सेतुमाहात्म्यमादरात् । पठन्रामायणं वापि पुराणांतरमेव वा

madhyemārgaṁ paṭhan nityaṁ setumāhātmyam ādarāt paṭhan rāmāyaṇaṁ vāpi purāṇāntaram eva vā

along the way, ever reverently reciting the Setu Mahatmya, or reciting the Ramayana, or indeed some other Purana,

Verse 10 (skanda.3.51.10)

व्यर्थवाक्यानि संत्यज्य सेतुं गच्छेद्विशुद्धये । प्रतिग्रहं न गृह्णीयान्नाचारांश्च परित्यजेत्

vyarthavākyāni santyajya setuṁ gacched viśuddhaye pratigrahaṁ na gṛhṇīyān nācārāṁś ca parityajet

abandoning idle talk, he should go to the Setu for purification. He should not accept gifts, nor abandon proper conduct.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.51.11)

कुर्यान्मार्गे यथाशक्ति शिवविष्ण्वादिपूजनम् । वैश्वदेवादिकर्माणि यथाशक्ति समाचरेत्

kuryān mārge yathāśakti śivaviṣṇvādipūjanam vaiśvadevādikarmāṇi yathāśakti samācaret

along the way, according to his ability, he should worship Shiva, Vishnu, and the others; according to his ability, he should perform the Vaishvadeva and other rites.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.51.12)

ब्रह्मयज्ञमुखान्धर्मान्प्रकुर्याच्चाग्निपूजनम् । अतिथिभ्योऽन्नपानादि संप्रदद्याद्यथाबलम्

brahmayajñamukhān dharmān prakuryāc cāgnipūjanam atithibhyo'nnapānādi sampradadyād yathābalam

he should perform the duties beginning with the Brahma-sacrifice, and the worship of fire; to guests, he should give food and drink and the like, according to his strength.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.51.13)

दद्याद्भिक्षां यतिभ्योऽपि वित्तशाठ्यं परित्यजन् । शिवविष्ण्वादिनामानि स्तोत्राणि च पठेत्पथि

dadyād bhikṣāṁ yatibhyo'pi vittaśāṭhyaṁ parityajan śivaviṣṇvādināmāni stotrāṇi ca paṭhet pathi

abandoning stinginess with wealth, he should give alms even to ascetics. Along the way, he should recite the names of Shiva, Vishnu, and the others, and their hymns.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.51.14)

धर्ममेव सदा कुर्यान्निषिद्धानि परित्यजेत् । इत्यादिनियमोपेतः सेतुमूलं ततो व्रजेत्

dharmam eva sadā kuryān niṣiddhāni parityajet ityādiniyamopetaḥ setumūlaṁ tato vrajet

he should ever practice dharma alone, forsaking forbidden acts. Endowed with these and other observances, he should then proceed to the foot of the Setu.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.51.15)

पाषाणं प्रथमं दद्यात्तत्र गत्वा समाहितः । तत्रावाह्य समुद्रं च प्रणमेत्तदनंतरम्

pāṣāṇaṁ prathamaṁ dadyāt tatra gatvā samāhitaḥ tatrāvāhya samudraṁ ca praṇamet tadanantaram

having gone there, with a composed mind, he should first offer a stone. There, having invoked the ocean, he should thereafter bow to it.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.51.16)

अर्घ्यं दद्यात्समुद्राय प्रार्थयेत्तदनंतरम् । अनुज्ञां च ततः कुर्यात्ततः स्नायान्महोदधौ

arghyaṁ dadyāt samudrāya prārthayet tadanantaram anujñāṁ ca tataḥ kuryāt tataḥ snāyān mahodadhau

he should offer arghya to the ocean, and thereafter make his prayer. Then he should ask its leave, and then bathe in the great ocean.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.51.17)

मुनीनामथ देवानां कपीनां पितृणां तथा । प्रकुर्यात्तर्पणं विप्रा मनसा संस्मरन्हरिम्

munīnām atha devānāṁ kapīnāṁ pitṛṇāṁ tathā prakuryāt tarpaṇaṁ viprā manasā saṁsmaran harim

O brahmins, remembering Hari in his mind, he should perform the tarpana offering for the sages, the gods, the monkeys, and the ancestors.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.51.18)

पाषाणसप्तकं दद्यादेकं वा विप्रपुंगवाः । पाषाणदानात्सफलं स्नानं भवति नान्यथा

pāṣāṇasaptakaṁ dadyād ekaṁ vā viprapuṅgavāḥ pāṣāṇadānāt saphalaṁ snānaṁ bhavati nānyathā

[The Number of Stones] O foremost brahmins, one should offer seven stones, or one. Only by the gift of the stone does the bath become fruitful, not otherwise.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.51.19)

पिप्पलादसमुत्पन्ने कृत्ये लोकभयंकरे । पाषाणं ते मया दत्तमाहारार्थं प्रकल्प्यताम्

pippalādasamutpanne kṛtye lokabhayaṅkare pāṣāṇaṁ te mayā dattam āhārārthaṁ prakalpyatām

[The Stone-Gift Mantra] "O Kritya, born of Pippalada, terrifier of the world, this stone is given by me to you; let it be accepted as your food."

Verse 20 (skanda.3.51.20)

विश्वार्चिस्त्वं घृताचिस्त्वं विश्वयोने विशांपते । सान्निध्यं कुरु मे देव सागरे लवणांभसि

viśvārcis tvaṁ ghṛtācis tvaṁ viśvayone viśāṁpate sānnidhyaṁ kuru me deva sāgare lavaṇāmbhasi

[The Prayer for Presence Mantra] "You are the universal flame, you are the ghee-flame, O universal womb, O lord of creatures. O god, grant me your presence in this ocean of salt water."

Verse 21 (skanda.3.51.21)

नमस्ते विश्वगुप्ताय नमो विष्णो ह्यपांपते । नमो हिरण्यशृंगाय नदीनां पतये नमः । समुद्राय वयूनाय प्रोच्चार्य प्रणमेत्तथा

namaste viśvaguptāya namo viṣṇo hy apāṁpate namo hiraṇyaśṛṅgāya nadīnāṁ pataye namaḥ samudrāya vayūnāya proccārya praṇamet tathā

[The Salutation Mantra] "Salutation to you, protector of the universe. Salutation, O Vishnu, lord of the waters. Salutation to the golden-horned one, lord of the rivers." Thus, having uttered the names Samudra and Vayuna, he should bow.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.51.22)

सर्वरत्नमय श्रीमन्सर्वरत्नाकराकर । सर्वरत्नप्रधानस्त्वं गृहाणार्घ्यं महोदधे

sarvaratnamaya śrīman sarvaratnākarākara sarvaratnapradhānas tvaṁ gṛhāṇārghyaṁ mahodadhe

[The Arghya Mantra] "O you made wholly of jewels, O glorious one, O mine of the mine of all jewels, you are foremost among all jewels; O great ocean, accept this offering."

Verse 23 (skanda.3.51.23)

अशेषजगदाधार शंखचक्रगदाधर । देहि देव ममानुज्ञां युष्मत्तीर्थनिषेवणे

aśeṣajagadādhāra śaṅkhacakragadādhara dehi deva mamānujñāṁ yuṣmattīrthaniṣevaṇe

[The Leave-Asking Mantra] "O support of the entire universe, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, O god, grant me leave to serve at your tirtha."

Verse 24 (skanda.3.51.24)

प्राच्यां दिशि च सुग्रीवं दक्षिणस्यां नलं स्मरेत्

prācyāṁ diśi ca sugrīvaṁ dakṣiṇasyāṁ nalaṁ smaret

[The Prayer Mantra] In the eastern direction, he should remember Sugriva; in the southern, Nala.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.51.25)

प्रतीच्यां मैंदनामानमुदीच्यां द्विविदं तथा । रामं च लक्ष्मणं चैव सीतामपि यशस्विनीम्

pratīcyāṁ maindanāmānam udīcyāṁ dvividaṁ tathā rāmaṁ ca lakṣmaṇaṁ caiva sītām api yaśasvinīm

in the west, the one named Mainda; in the north, Dvivida; and likewise Rama, Lakshmana, and the illustrious Sita.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.51.26)

अंगदं वायुतनयं स्मरेन्मध्ये विभीषणम् । पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि प्राविशंस्त्वा महोदधे

aṅgadaṁ vāyutanayaṁ smaren madhye vibhīṣaṇam pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni prāviśaṁs tvā mahodadhe

In the center, he should remember Angada, the son of the Wind (Hanuman), and Vibhishana. O great ocean, whatever tirthas exist upon the earth have entered into you.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.51.27)

स्नानस्य मे फलं देहि सर्वस्मात्त्राहि मांहसः । हिरण्यशृंगमित्याभ्यां नाभ्यां नारायणं स्मरेत्

snānasya me phalaṁ dehi sarvasmāt trāhi māṁ hasaḥ hiraṇyaśṛṅgam ity ābhyāṁ nābhyāṁ nārāyaṇaṁ smaret

"Grant me the fruit of this bath, and protect me from every sin." By both these names, 'Hiranyashringa,' he should remember Narayana.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.51.28)

ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्नानादिषु च कर्मसु । ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नोति जायते नेह वै पुनः

dhyāyan nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ snānādiṣu ca karmasu brahmalokam avāpnoti jāyate neha vai punaḥ

meditating on the god Narayana during the bath and other rites, one attains the world of Brahma; he is truly not born here again.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.51.29)

सर्वेषामपि पापानां प्रायश्चित्तं भवेत्ततः । प्रह्लादं नारदं व्यासमंबरीषं शुकं तथा । अन्यांश्च भगवद्भक्तांश्चिंतयेदेकमानसः

sarveṣām api pāpānāṁ prāyaścittaṁ bhavet tataḥ prahlādaṁ nāradaṁ vyāsam ambarīṣaṁ śukaṁ tathā anyāṁś ca bhagavadbhaktāṁś cintayed ekamānasaḥ

from this, atonement for all sins is achieved. With a focused mind, he should meditate upon Prahlada, Narada, Vyasa, Ambarisha, Shuka, and other devotees of the Lord.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.51.30)

वेदादिर्यो वेदवसिष्ठयोनिः सरित्पतिः सागररत्नयोनिः । अग्निश्च तेजश्च इलां च तेजो रेतोधा विष्णुरमृतस्य नाभिः

vedādir yo vedavasiṣṭhayoniḥ saritpatiḥ sāgararatnayoniḥ agniś ca tejaś ca ilāṁ ca tejo retodhā viṣṇur amṛtasya nābhiḥ

[The Bathing Mantra] He who is the origin of the Vedas, the source of the Vedas and of Vasishtha, lord of rivers, source of the ocean's jewels; who is fire, who is radiance, who gives radiance to the earth, the seed-bearer Vishnu, the navel of immortality —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.51.31)

इदं ते अन्याभिरसमानमद्भिर्याः काश्च सिंधुं प्रविशंत्यापः । सर्पो जीर्णामिव त्वचं जहामि पापं शरीरात्सशिरस्कोऽभ्युपेत्य

idaṁ te anyābhir asamānam adbhir yāḥ kāśca sindhuṁ praviśanty āpaḥ sarpo jīrṇām iva tvacaṁ jahāmi pāpaṁ śarīrāt saśiraskо'bhyupetya

This water of yours is unequaled by other waters — whatever waters flow into the sea. Entering it head and all, I cast off sin from my body, as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.51.32)

समुद्राय वयूनाय नमस्कुर्यात्पुनर्द्विजाः । सर्वतीर्थमयं शुद्धं नदीनां पतिमंबुधिम्

samudrāya vayūnāya namaskuryāt punar dvijāḥ sarvatīrthamayaṁ śuddhaṁ nadīnāṁ patim ambudhim

O brahmins, again he should bow to Samudra and Vayuna, the ocean, lord of the rivers, pure, comprising all the tirthas.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.51.33)

द्वौ समुद्राविति पुनः प्रोच्चार्य स्नानमाचरेत् । ब्रह्मांडोदरतीर्थानि करस्पृष्टानि ते रवे

dvau samudrāv iti punaḥ proccārya snānam ācaret brahmāṇḍodaratīrthāni karaspṛṣṭāni te rave

uttering again 'the two oceans,' he should perform the bath. "O Sun, all the tirthas within the cosmic egg have been touched by your hand."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.51.34)

तेन सत्येन मे सेतौ तीर्थं देहि दिवाकर । प्राच्यां दिशि च सुग्रीवमित्यादिक्रमयोगतः

tena satyena me setau tīrthaṁ dehi divākara prācyāṁ diśi ca sugrīvam ity ādikramayogataḥ

"By that truth, O Sun, grant me the tirtha at the Setu." Following the same order beginning with 'Sugriva in the eastern direction,'

Verse 35 (skanda.3.51.35)

स्मृत्वा भूयो द्विजाः सेतौ तृतीयं स्नानमाचरेत् । देवीपत्तनमारभ्य प्रव्रजेद्यदि मानवः

smṛtvā bhūyo dvijāḥ setau tṛtīyaṁ snānam ācaret devīpattanam ārabhya pravrajed yadi mānavaḥ

O brahmins, having remembered them again, he should perform the third bath at the Setu. If a man begins his pilgrimage from Devipattana,

Verse 36 (skanda.3.51.36)

तदा तु नवपाषाणमध्ये सेतौ विमुक्तिदे । स्नानमंबुनिधौ कुर्यात्स्वपापौघापनुत्तये

tadā tu navapāṣāṇamadhye setau vimuktide snānam ambunidhau kuryāt svapāpaughāpanuttaye

then, at the liberation-giving Setu, in the midst of the nine stones, for the destruction of his mass of sins, he should bathe in the ocean.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.51.37)

दर्भशय्यापदव्या चेद्गच्छेत्सेतुं विमुक्तिदम् । तदा तत्रोदधावेव स्नानं कुर्याद्विमुक्तये

darbhaśayyāpadavyā ced gacchet setuṁ vimuktidam tadā tatrodadhāv eva snānaṁ kuryād vimuktaye

if he goes to the liberation-giving Setu by the route of Darbhashayya, then there too he should bathe in the ocean alone, for liberation.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.51.38)

पिप्पलादं कविं कण्वं कृतांतं जीवितेश्वरम् । मन्युं च कालरात्रिं च विद्यां चाहर्गणेश्वरम्

pippalādaṁ kaviṁ kaṇvaṁ kṛtāntaṁ jīviteśvaram manyuṁ ca kālarātriṁ ca vidyāṁ cāhargaṇeśvaram

[The Rite of Tarpana] Pippalada, Kavi, Kanva, Kritanta, Jiviteshvara, Manyu, Kalaratri, Vidya, and Aharganeshvara —

Verse 39 (skanda.3.51.39)

वसिष्ठं वामदेवं च पराशरमुमापतिम् । वाल्मिकिं नारदं चैव वालखिल्यान्मुनींस्तथा

vasiṣṭhaṁ vāmadevaṁ ca parāśaram umāpatim vālmikiṁ nāradaṁ caiva vālakhilyān munīṁs tathā

Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Parashara, the lord of Uma (Shiva), Valmiki, Narada, and likewise the sage Valakhilyas —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.51.40)

नलं नीलं गवाक्षं च गवयं गन्धमादनम् । मैंदं च द्विविदं चैव शरभं चर्षभं तथा

nalaṁ nīlaṁ gavākṣaṁ ca gavayaṁ gandhamādanam maindaṁ ca dvividaṁ caiva śarabhaṁ carṣabhaṁ tathā

Nala, Nila, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Gandhamadana, Mainda, Dvivida, Sharabha, and Rishabha —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.51.41)

सुग्रीवं च हनूमंतं वेगदर्शनमेव च । रामं च लक्ष्मणं सीतां महाभागां यशस्विनीम्

sugrīvaṁ ca hanūmantaṁ vegadarśanam eva ca rāmaṁ ca lakṣmaṇaṁ sītāṁ mahābhāgāṁ yaśasvinīm

Sugriva, Hanuman, Vegadarshana, Rama, Lakshmana, and the greatly blessed, illustrious Sita —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.51.42)

त्रिः कृत्वा तर्पयेदेतान्मंत्रानुक्त्वा यथाक्रमम् । विभोश्च तत्तन्नामानि चतुर्थ्यंतानि वै द्विजाः

triḥ kṛtvā tarpayed etān mantrān uktvā yathākramam vibhoś ca tattannāmāni caturthyantāni vai dvijāḥ

he should offer tarpana to all these, three times, reciting the mantras in due order. O brahmins, the names of that Lord, each, should be uttered in the dative case.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.51.43)

देवा नृषीन्पितॄंश्चैव विधिवच्च तिलोदकैः । द्वितीयांतानि नामानि चोक्त्वा तर्पयेद्द्विजाः

devān nṛṣīn pitṝṁś caiva vidhivac ca tilodakaiḥ dvitīyāntāni nāmāni coktvā tarpayed dvijāḥ

O brahmins, to the gods, the royal sages, and the ancestors, duly, with sesame-mixed water, uttering their names in the accusative case, he should offer tarpana.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.51.44)

तर्पयेत्सपवित्रस्तु जले स्थित्वा प्रसन्नधीः । तर्पणात्सर्वतीर्थेषु स्नानस्य फलमाप्नुयात्

tarpayet sapavitras tu jale sthitvā prasannadhīḥ tarpaṇāt sarvatīrtheṣu snānasya phalam āpnuyāt

wearing the sacred ring, standing in the water, with a serene mind, he should offer the tarpana. By this tarpana, he obtains the fruit of bathing in all the tirthas.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.51.45)

एवमेतांस्तर्पयित्वा नमस्कृत्योत्तरेज्जलात् । आर्द्रवस्त्रं परित्यज्य शुष्कवासःसमावृतः

evam etāṁs tarpayitvā namaskṛtyottarej jalāt ārdravastraṁ parityajya śuṣkavāsaḥsamāvṛtaḥ

having thus offered tarpana to all of them, and bowed, he should rise from the water. Casting off his wet garment, clad in dry clothing,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.51.46)

आचम्य सपवित्रश्च विधिवच्छ्राद्धमाचरेत् । पिंडान्पितृभ्यो दद्याच्च तिलतण्डुलकैस्तथा

ācamya sapavitraś ca vidhivac chrāddham ācaret piṇḍān pitṛbhyo dadyāc ca tilataṇḍulakais tathā

having sipped water, wearing the sacred ring, he should duly perform the shraddha rite. He should offer pindas made of sesame and rice to the ancestors.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.51.47)

एतच्छ्राद्धमशक्तस्य मया प्रोक्तं द्विजोत्तमाः । धनाढ्योऽन्नेन वै श्राद्धं षड्रसेन समाचरेत्

etac chrāddham aśaktasya mayā proktaṁ dvijottamāḥ dhanāḍhyo'nnena vai śrāddhaṁ ṣaḍrasena samācaret

O best of brahmins, this shraddha I have described is for one without means. A wealthy man should perform the shraddha with food possessing the six flavors.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.51.48)

गोभूतिलहिरण्यादिदानं कुर्यात्समृद्धिमान् । रामचन्द्रधनुष्कोटावेवमेव समाचरेत्

gobhūtilahiraṇyādidānaṁ kuryāt samṛddhimān rāmacandradhanuṣkoṭāv evam eva samācaret

the prosperous man should give cows, land, sesame, gold, and the like. At Ramachandra's Dhanushkoti too, he should proceed in exactly this manner.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.51.49)

पाषाणदानपूर्वाणि तर्पणांतानि वै द्विजाः । सेतुमूले यथैतानि विधिवद्व्यतनोद्द्विजाः

pāṣāṇadānapūrvāṇi tarpaṇāntāni vai dvijāḥ setumūle yathaitāni vidhivad vyatanod dvijāḥ

O brahmins, all these rites, beginning with the gift of the stone and ending with the tarpana — just as they were duly performed at the foot of the Setu —

Verse 50 (skanda.3.51.50)

चक्रतीर्थं ततो गत्वा तत्रापि स्नानमाचरेत् । पश्येच्च सेत्वधिपतिं देवं नारायणं हरिम्

cakratīrthaṁ tato gatvā tatrāpi snānam ācaret paśyec ca setvadhipatiṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ harim

then, having gone to Chakratirtha, he should bathe there too, and behold the god Narayana Hari, lord of the Setu.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.51.51)

गच्छन्पश्चिममार्गेण तत्रत्ये चक्रतीर्थके । स्नात्वा दर्भशयं देवं प्रपश्येद्भक्तिपूर्वकम्

gacchan paścimamārgeṇa tatratye cakratīrthake snātvā darbhaśayaṁ devaṁ prapaśyed bhaktipūrvakam

proceeding by the western route, having bathed at that Chakratirtha, he should behold, with devotion, the god who reclines on kusha grass.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.51.52)

कपितीर्थं ततः प्राप्य तत्रापि स्नानमाचरेत् । सीताकुंडं ततः प्राप्य तत्रापि स्नानमाचरेत्

kapitīrthaṁ tataḥ prāpya tatrāpi snānam ācaret sītākuṇḍaṁ tataḥ prāpya tatrāpi snānam ācaret

then, reaching Kapitirtha, he should bathe there too. Then, reaching Sitakunda, he should bathe there too.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.51.53)

ऋणमोचनतीर्थं तु ततः प्राप्य महाफलम् । स्नात्वा प्रणम्य रामं च जानकीरमणं प्रभुम्

ṛṇamocanatīrthaṁ tu tataḥ prāpya mahāphalam snātvā praṇamya rāmaṁ ca jānakīramaṇaṁ prabhum

then, reaching the great-fruit-bestowing Rinamochana tirtha, having bathed and bowed to Lord Rama, the beloved of Janaki,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.51.54)

गच्छेल्लक्ष्मणतीर्थं तु कण्ठादुपरि वापनम् । कृत्वा स्नायाच्च तत्रापि दुष्कृतान्यपि चिन्तयन्

gacchel lakṣmaṇatīrthaṁ tu kaṇṭhād upari vāpanam kṛtvā snāyāc ca tatrāpi duṣkṛtāny api cintayan

he should go to Lakshmanatirtha; having had his head shaved above the throat, and reflecting on his wrong deeds, he should bathe there too.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.51.55)

ततः स्नात्वा रामतीर्थे ततो देवालयं व्रजेत् । स्नात्वा पापविनाशने च गंगायमुनयोस्तथा

tataḥ snātvā rāmatīrthe tato devālayaṁ vrajet snātvā pāpavināśane ca gaṅgāyamunayos tathā

then, having bathed at Ramatirtha, he should proceed to the temple. Having bathed at Papavinashana, and likewise at the Ganga and Yamuna (tirthas here),

Verse 56 (skanda.3.51.56)

सावित्र्यां च सरस्वत्यां गायत्र्यां च द्विजोत्तमाः । स्नात्वा च हनुमत्कुण्डे ततः स्नायान्महाफले । ब्रह्मकुण्डं ततः प्राप्य स्नायाद्विधिपुरःसरम्

sāvitryāṁ ca sarasvatyāṁ gāyatryāṁ ca dvijottamāḥ snātvā ca hanumatkuṇḍe tataḥ snāyān mahāphale brahmakuṇḍaṁ tataḥ prāpya snāyād vidhipuraḥsaram

O best of brahmins, having bathed at Savitri, Sarasvati, and Gayatri, and then at Hanumatkunda, he should bathe at the great-fruit-bestowing (tirtha). Then, reaching Brahmakunda, he should bathe there according to the rites.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.51.57)

नागकुण्डं ततः प्राप्य सर्वपापविनाशनम् । स्नानं कुर्यान्नरो विप्रा नरकक्लेशनाशनम् । गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वास्तीर्थानि सकलान्यपि

nāgakuṇḍaṁ tataḥ prāpya sarvapāpavināśanam snānaṁ kuryān naro viprā narakakleśanāśanam gaṅgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvās tīrthāni sakalāny api

then, reaching Nagakunda, destroyer of all sins, O brahmins, a man should perform the bath that destroys the torment of hell. The Ganga and all other rivers, and all the tirthas without exception,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.51.58)

सर्वदा नागकुंडे तु वसंति स्वाघशांतये । अनंतादिमहानागैरष्टाभिरिदमुत्तमम्

sarvadā nāgakuṇḍe tu vasanti svāghaśāntaye anantādimahānāgair aṣṭābhir idam uttamam

ever dwell in Nagakunda for the pacification of their own sins. By the eight great serpents beginning with Ananta, this excellent,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.51.59)

कल्पितं मुक्तिदं तीर्थं रामसेतौ शिवंकरम् । अगस्त्यकुण्डं संप्राप्य ततः स्नायादनुत्तमम्

kalpitaṁ muktidaṁ tīrthaṁ rāmasetau śivaṅkaram agastyakuṇḍaṁ samprāpya tataḥ snāyād anuttamam

liberation-giving, auspicious tirtha was established at Ramasetu. Then, reaching Agastyakunda, he should bathe there, unsurpassed.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.51.60)

अथाग्नितीर्थमासाद्य सर्वदुष्कर्मनाशनम् । स्नात्वा संतर्प्य विधिवच्छ्राद्धं कुर्यात्पितॄन्स्मरन्

athāgnitīrtham āsādya sarvaduṣkarmanāśanam snātvā santarpya vidhivac chrāddhaṁ kuryāt pitṝn smaran

then, reaching Agnitirtha, destroyer of all evil deeds, having bathed and offered tarpana, remembering the ancestors, he should duly perform the shraddha.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.51.61)

गोभूहिरण्यधान्यादि ब्राह्मणेभ्यः स्वशक्तितः । दत्त्वाग्नितीर्थतीरे तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

gobhūhiraṇyadhānyādi brāhmaṇebhyaḥ svaśaktitaḥ dattvāgnitīrthatīre tu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

having given cows, land, gold, grain, and the like to brahmins, according to his ability, on the bank of Agnitirtha, he is freed from all sins.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.51.62)

अथवा यानि तीर्थानि चक्रतीर्थमुखानि वै । अनुक्रांतानि विप्रेंद्राः सर्वपापहराणि तु

athavā yāni tīrthāni cakratīrthamukhāni vai anukrāntāni viprendrāḥ sarvapāpaharāṇi tu

or else, O foremost brahmins, whatever tirthas, beginning with Chakratirtha, have been described above, which take away all sins —

Verse 63 (skanda.3.51.63)

स्नायात्तदनुपूर्वेण स्नायाद्वापि यथारुचि । स्नात्वैवं सर्वतीर्थेषु श्राद्धादीनि समाचरेत्

snāyāt tadanupūrveṇa snāyād vāpi yathāruci snātvaivaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu śrāddhādīni samācaret

he may bathe in that same sequence, or bathe as he prefers. Having thus bathed in all the tirthas, he should perform the shraddha and other rites.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.51.64)

पश्चाद्रामेश्वरं प्राप्य निषेव्य परमेश्वरम् । सेतुमाधवमागत्य तथा रामं च लक्ष्मणम्

paścād rāmeśvaraṁ prāpya niṣevya parameśvaram setumādhavam āgatya tathā rāmaṁ ca lakṣmaṇam

then, having reached Rameshvara, and served the Supreme Lord, having come to Setumadhava, and likewise to Rama and Lakshmana,

Verse 65 (skanda.3.51.65)

सीतां प्रभंजनसुतं तथान्यान्कपिसत्तमान् । तत्रत्य सर्वतीर्थेषु स्नात्वा नियमपूर्वकम्

sītāṁ prabhañjanasutaṁ tathānyān kapisattamān tatratya sarvatīrtheṣu snātvā niyamapūrvakam

and Sita, the son of the Wind, and the other foremost monkeys — having, according to the rules, bathed in all the tirthas there,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.51.66)

प्रणम्य रामनाथं च रामचंद्रं तथापरान् । नमस्कृत्य धनुष्कोटिं ततः स्नातुं व्रजेन्नरः

praṇamya rāmanāthaṁ ca rāmacandraṁ tathāparān namaskṛtya dhanuṣkoṭiṁ tataḥ snātuṁ vrajen naraḥ

having bowed to Ramanatha, Ramachandra, and the others, and having saluted Dhanushkoti, the man should then go to bathe.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.51.67)

तत्र पाषाणदानादिपूर्वोक्तनियमं चरेत् । धनुष्कोटौ च दानानि दद्याद्वित्तानुसारतः

tatra pāṣāṇadānādipūrvoktaniyamaṁ caret dhanuṣkoṭau ca dānāni dadyād vittānusārataḥ

there he should follow the previously described rule of the gift of the stone and the rest. At Dhanushkoti too, he should give gifts according to his means.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.51.68)

क्षत्रं गाश्च तथान्यानि वस्त्राण्यन्यानि चादरात् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो वेदविद्भ्यो दद्याद्वित्तानुसारतः

kṣatraṁ gāś ca tathānyāni vastrāṇy anyāni cādarāt brāhmaṇebhyo vedavidbhyo dadyād vittānusārataḥ

land, cows, and other garments as well, with reverence, he should give to brahmins learned in the Vedas, according to his means.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.51.69)

कोटितीर्थं ततः प्राप्य स्नायान्नियमपूर्वकम् । ततो रामेश्वरं देवं प्रणमेद्वृषभध्वजम्

koṭitīrthaṁ tataḥ prāpya snāyān niyamapūrvakam tato rāmeśvaraṁ devaṁ praṇamed vṛṣabhadhvajam

then, reaching Kotitirtha, he should bathe according to the rules. Then he should bow to the god Rameshvara, whose banner bears the bull.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.51.70)

विभवे सति विप्रेभ्यो दद्यात्सौवर्णदक्षिणाम् । तिलान्धान्यं च गां क्षेत्रं वस्त्राण्यन्यानि तंडुलान्

vibhave sati viprebhyo dadyāt sauvarṇadakṣiṇām tilān dhānyaṁ ca gāṁ kṣetraṁ vastrāṇy anyāni taṇḍulān

if he has the means, he should give golden fees to the brahmins — sesame, grain, a cow, a field, garments, and rice as well.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.51.71)

दद्याद्वित्तानुसारेण वित्तलोभविवर्जितः । धूपं दीपं च नैवेद्यं पूजोपकरणानि च

dadyād vittānusāreṇa vittalobhavivarjitaḥ dhūpaṁ dīpaṁ ca naivedyaṁ pūjopakaraṇāni ca

he should give according to his means, free from greed over wealth — incense, a lamp, food offerings, and the other requisites of worship,

Verse 72 (skanda.3.51.72)

रामेश्वराय देवाय दद्याद्वित्तानुसारतः । स्तुत्वा रामेश्वरं देवं प्रणम्य च सभक्तिकम्

rāmeśvarāya devāya dadyād vittānusārataḥ stutvā rāmeśvaraṁ devaṁ praṇamya ca sabhaktikam

he should offer to the god Rameshvara, according to his means. Having praised the god Rameshvara, and having bowed with devotion,

Verse 73 (skanda.3.51.73)

अनुज्ञाप्य ततो गच्छत्सेतुमाधवसंनिधिम् । तस्मै दत्त्वा च धूपादीननुज्ञाप्य च माधवम्

anujñāpya tato gacchat setumādhavasannidhim tasmai dattvā ca dhūpādīn anujñāpya ca mādhavam

having asked leave, he should then go to the presence of Setumadhava. Having offered incense and the rest to him, and having asked leave of Madhava,

Verse 74 (skanda.3.51.74)

पूर्वोक्तनियमोपेतः पुनरायात्स्वकं गृहम् । ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेदन्नैः षड्रसैः परिपूरितैः

pūrvoktaniyamopetaḥ punar āyāt svakaṁ gṛham brāhmaṇān bhojayed annaiḥ ṣaḍrasaiḥ paripūritaiḥ

still observing the previously described rules, he should return once more to his own home. He should feed brahmins with food full of the six flavors.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.51.75)

तेनैव रामनाथोऽस्मै प्रीतोऽभीष्टं प्रयच्छति । नारकं चास्य नास्त्येव दारिद्र्यं च विनश्यति

tenaiva rāmanātho'smai prīto'bhīṣṭaṁ prayacchati nārakaṁ cāsya nāsty eva dāridryaṁ ca vinaśyati

by this alone, Ramanatha, pleased with him, grants his desire. Hell does not befall him, and his poverty is destroyed.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.51.76)

संततिर्वर्धते तस्य पुरुषस्य द्विजोत्तमाः । संसारमवधूयाशु सायुज्यमपि यास्यति

saṁtatir vardhate tasya puruṣasya dvijottamāḥ saṁsāram avadhūyāśu sāyujyam api yāsyati

O best of brahmins, that man's progeny increases. He swiftly shakes off worldly existence and attains even union with the Lord.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.51.77)

अत्रागन्तुमशक्तश्चेच्छ्रुतिस्मृत्यागमेषु यत् । ग्रंथजातं महापुण्यं सेतुमाहात्म्यसूचकम्

atrāgantum aśaktaś cec chrutismṛtyāgameṣu yat granthajātaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ setumāhātmyasūcakam

if one is unable to come here, then, in the shruti, smriti, and agamas, whatever body of highly meritorious texts declares the greatness of the Setu —

Verse 78 (skanda.3.51.78)

तं ग्रंथं पाठयेद्विप्रा महापातकनाशनम् । इदं वा सेतुमाहात्म्यं पठेद्भक्तिपुरःसरम्

taṁ granthaṁ pāṭhayed viprā mahāpātakanāśanam idaṁ vā setumāhātmyaṁ paṭhed bhaktipuraḥsaram

O brahmins, he should have that sin-destroying text recited, or he should read this Setu Mahatmya with devotion.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.51.79)

सेतुस्नानफलं पुण्यं तेनाप्नोति न संशयः । अंधपंग्वादिविषयमेतत्प्रोक्तं मनीषिभिः

setusnānaphalaṁ puṇyaṁ tenāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ andhapaṅgvādiviṣayam etat proktaṁ manīṣibhiḥ

by this alone, he undoubtedly obtains the meritorious fruit of bathing at the Setu. This has been declared by the wise concerning the blind, the lame, and others so afflicted.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.51.80)

श्रीसूत उवाच । एवं वः कथितो विप्राः सेतुयात्राक्रमो द्विजाः । एतत्पठन्वा शृण्वन्वा सर्वदुःखाद्विमुच्यते

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ vaḥ kathito viprāḥ setuyātrākramo dvijāḥ etat paṭhan vā śṛṇvan vā sarvaduḥkhād vimucyate

Shri Suta said: O brahmins, O twice-born, thus have I told you the order of the pilgrimage to the Setu. By reading or hearing this, one is freed from all sorrow.