Yudhishthira's Questions

Verse 1 (skanda.3.53.1)

श्रीगणेशाय नमः । तर्तुं संहृतिवारिधिं त्रिजगतां नौर्नाम यस्य प्रभोर्येनेदं सकलं विभाति सततं जातं स्थितं संसृतम् । यश्चैतन्यघनप्रमाण विधुरो वेदांतवेद्यो विभुस्तं वन्दे सहजप्रकाशममलं श्रीरामचन्द्रं परम्

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ tartuṁ saṁhṛtivāridhiṁ trijagatāṁ naurnāma yasya prabhoryenedaṁ sakalaṁ vibhāti satataṁ jātaṁ sthitaṁ saṁsṛtam yaścaitanyaghanapramāṇa vidhuro vedāṁtavedyo vibhustaṁ vande sahajaprakāśamamalaṁ śrīrāmacandraṁ param

Salutations to Sri Ganesha. I bow to that supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra, the boat by which to cross the ocean of dissolution for the three worlds; by whose power this entire universe eternally shines, is born, endures, and passes away; who is of the nature of a mass of pure consciousness, free of duality, known through Vedanta, all-pervading, of innate and stainless radiance.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.53.2)

दाराः पुत्रा धनं वा परिजनसहितो बंधुवर्गः प्रियो वा माता भ्राता पिता वा श्वशुरकुलजना भृत्यऐश्वर्य्यवित्ते । विद्या रूपं विमलभवनं यौवनं यौवतं वा सर्वे व्यर्थं मरणसमये धर्म एकः सहायः

dārāḥ putrā dhanaṁ vā parijanasahito baṁdhuvargaḥ priyo vā mātā bhrātā pitā vā śvaśurakulajanā bhṛtyaaiśvaryyavitte vidyā rūpaṁ vimalabhavanaṁ yauvanaṁ yauvataṁ vā sarve vyarthaṁ maraṇasamaye dharma ekaḥ sahāyaḥ

Wife, sons, or wealth together with one's kinsfolk, one's dear circle of relatives, mother, brother, or father, the people of one's in-laws' family, servants, power and riches, learning, beauty, a spotless home, youth, or a young wife — all of these are useless at the time of death. Dharma alone is one's companion.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.53.3)

नैमिषे निमिषक्षेत्रे ऋषयः शौनकादयः । सत्रं स्वर्गाय लोकाय सहस्रसममासत

naimiṣe nimiṣakṣetre ṛṣayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ satraṁ svargāya lokāya sahasrasamamāsata

In Naimisha, the field that blinks in an instant, the sages headed by Shaunaka sat for a sacrificial session lasting a thousand years, for the sake of the heavenly world.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.53.4)

एकदा सूतमायांतं दृष्ट्वा तं शौनकादयः । परं हर्षं समाविष्टाः पपुर्नेत्रैः सुचेतसा । चित्राः श्रोतुं कथास्तत्र परिवव्रुस्तपस्विनः

ekadā sūtamāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā taṁ śaunakādayaḥ paraṁ harṣaṁ samāviṣṭāḥ papurnetraiḥ sucetasā citrāḥ śrotuṁ kathāstatra parivavrustapasvinaḥ

Once, seeing Suta arriving, Shaunaka and the others were filled with great joy; with good hearts they drank him in with their eyes, and eager to hear wondrous tales, the ascetics gathered around him there.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.53.5)

अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु तपस्विषु महात्मसु । निर्दिष्टमासनं भेजे विनयाल्लोमहर्षणिः

atha teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu tapasviṣu mahātmasu nirdiṣṭamāsanaṁ bheje vinayāllomaharṣaṇiḥ

Then, when those great-souled ascetics had taken their seats, Lomaharshani (Suta), out of humility, took the seat assigned to him.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.53.6)

सुखासीनं च तं दृष्ट्वा विघ्नांतमुपलक्ष्य च । अथापृच्छंस्त ऋषयः काश्चित्प्रास्ताविकीः कथाः

sukhāsīnaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā vighnāṁtamupalakṣya ca athāpṛcchaṁsta ṛṣayaḥ kāścitprāstāvikīḥ kathāḥ

Seeing him comfortably seated, and noting that all obstacles to conversation had ended, the sages then asked him some introductory questions.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.53.7)

पुराणमखिलं तात पुरा तेऽधीतवान्पिता । कच्चित्त्वयापि तत्सर्वमधीतं लोमहर्षणे

purāṇamakhilaṁ tāta purā te'dhītavānpitā kaccittvayāpi tatsarvamadhītaṁ lomaharṣaṇe

'Dear one, formerly your father studied the entire Purana. Have you too, O Lomaharshana, studied all of it?'

Verse 8 (skanda.3.53.8)

कथयस्व कथां सूत पुण्यां पापनिषूदिनीम् । श्रुत्वा यां याति विलयं पापं जन्मशतोद्भवम्

kathayasva kathāṁ sūta puṇyāṁ pāpaniṣūdinīm śrutvā yāṁ yāti vilayaṁ pāpaṁ janmaśatodbhavam

'Tell us, O Suta, a sacred tale that destroys sin, hearing which sin born of a hundred births is dissolved.'

Verse 9 (skanda.3.53.9)

सूत उवाच । श्रीभारत्यंघ्रियुगलं गणनाथपदद्वयम् । सर्वेषां चैव देवानां नमस्कृत्य वदाम्यहम्

sūta uvāca śrībhāratyaṁghriyugalaṁ gaṇanāthapadadvayam sarveṣāṁ caiva devānāṁ namaskṛtya vadāmyaham

Suta said: Having bowed to the pair of feet of Sri Bharati (Sarasvati) and the two feet of the Lord of the Ganas (Ganesha), and having saluted all the gods, I shall speak.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.53.10)

शक्तींश्चैव वसूंश्चैव ग्रहान्यज्ञादिदेवताः । नमस्कृत्य शुभान्विप्रान्कविमुख्यांश्च सर्वशः

śaktīṁścaiva vasūṁścaiva grahānyajñādidevatāḥ namaskṛtya śubhānviprānkavimukhyāṁśca sarvaśaḥ

Having saluted the Shaktis, the Vasus, the planets, the deities of sacrifice and the rest, and having saluted in every way the auspicious brahmins and the foremost of poets —

Verse 11 (skanda.3.53.11)

अभीष्टदेवताश्चैव प्रणम्य गुरुसत्तमम् । नमस्कृत्य शुभान्देवान्रामादींश्च विशेषतः

abhīṣṭadevatāścaiva praṇamya gurusattamam namaskṛtya śubhāndevānrāmādīṁśca viśeṣataḥ

— having bowed to my chosen deities and to the most excellent guru, and having saluted the auspicious gods, especially Rama and the others —

Verse 12 (skanda.3.53.12)

यान्स्मृत्वा विविधैः पापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः । तेषां प्रसादाद्वक्ष्येऽहं तीर्थानां फलमुत्तमम् । सर्वेषां च नियंतारं धर्मात्मानं प्रणम्य च

yānsmṛtvā vividhaiḥ pāpairmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ teṣāṁ prasādādvakṣye'haṁ tīrthānāṁ phalamuttamam sarveṣāṁ ca niyaṁtāraṁ dharmātmānaṁ praṇamya ca

— remembering whom one is freed from various sins, of this there is no doubt — by their grace I shall now speak the supreme fruit of the sacred fords, and having bowed also to Dharma, the righteous-souled controller of all —

Verse 13 (skanda.3.53.13)

धर्म्मारण्यपतिस्त्रिविष्टपपतिर्नित्यं भवानीपतिः पापाद्वः स्थिरभोगयोगसुलभो देवः स धर्मेश्वरः । सर्वेषां हृदयानि जीवकलया व्याप्य स्थितः सर्वदा ध्यात्वा यं न पुनर्विशंति मनुजाः संसारकारागृहम्

dharmmāraṇyapatistriviṣṭapapatirnityaṁ bhavānīpatiḥ pāpādvaḥ sthirabhogayogasulabho devaḥ sa dharmeśvaraḥ sarveṣāṁ hṛdayāni jīvakalayā vyāpya sthitaḥ sarvadā dhyātvā yaṁ na punarviśaṁti manujāḥ saṁsārakārāgṛham

That Lord Dharmeshvara — Lord of Dharmaranya, Lord of heaven, ever the Lord of Bhavani (Shiva) — the deity who easily grants freedom from sin along with lasting enjoyment and yoga; who dwells forever, pervading the hearts of all beings with a fragment of life — meditating upon whom, men do not enter again the prison-house of worldly existence.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.53.14)

सूत उवाच । एकदा तु स धर्म्मो वै जगाम ब्रह्मसंसदि । तां सभां स समालोक्य ज्ञाननिष्ठोऽभवत्तदा

sūta uvāca ekadā tu sa dharmmo vai jagāma brahmasaṁsadi tāṁ sabhāṁ sa samālokya jñānaniṣṭho'bhavattadā

Suta said: Once, Dharma went to the assembly of Brahma; beholding that assembly, he became absorbed in knowledge.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.53.15)

देवैर्मुनिवरैः क्रांतां सभामालोक्य विस्मितः । देवैर्यक्षैस्तथा नागैः पन्नगैश्च तथाऽसुरैः

devairmunivaraiḥ krāṁtāṁ sabhāmālokya vismitaḥ devairyakṣaistathā nāgaiḥ pannagaiśca tathā'suraiḥ

Astonished, he beheld the assembly thronged by gods and great sages, by gods, yakshas, nagas, serpents, and also asuras —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.53.16)

ऋषिभिः सिद्धगंधर्वैः समाक्रांतोचितासना । ससुखा सा सभा ब्रह्मन्न शीता न च घर्म्मदा

ṛṣibhiḥ siddhagaṁdharvaiḥ samākrāṁtocitāsanā sasukhā sā sabhā brahmanna śītā na ca gharmmadā

— crowded with sages, siddhas, and gandharvas, its seats all fitting; O Brahmin, that assembly was pleasant, neither cold nor hot.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.53.17)

न क्षुधं न पिपासां च न ग्लानिं प्राप्नुवन्त्युत । नानारूपैरिव कृता मणिभिः सा सभा वरैः

na kṣudhaṁ na pipāsāṁ ca na glāniṁ prāpnuvantyuta nānārūpairiva kṛtā maṇibhiḥ sā sabhā varaiḥ

There, none experienced hunger, thirst, or fatigue; that assembly seemed fashioned of excellent jewels of many forms.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.53.18)

स्तंभैश्च विधृता सा तु शाश्वती न च सक्षया । दिव्यैर्नानाविधैर्भावैर्भासद्भिरमितप्रभा

staṁbhaiśca vidhṛtā sā tu śāśvatī na ca sakṣayā divyairnānāvidhairbhāvairbhāsadbhiramitaprabhā

Held up by pillars, it was eternal and imperishable, shining with countless divine forms of manifold kinds, of boundless radiance.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.53.19)

अति चन्द्रं च सूर्य्यं च शिखिनं च स्वयंप्रभा । दीप्यते नाकपृष्ठस्था भर्त्सयंतीव भास्करम्

ati candraṁ ca sūryyaṁ ca śikhinaṁ ca svayaṁprabhā dīpyate nākapṛṣṭhasthā bhartsayaṁtīva bhāskaram

Self-luminous, it blazed atop heaven, outshining even the moon, the sun, and fire, as if scorning the sun itself.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.53.20)

तस्याँ स भगवाञ्छास्ति विविधान्देवमानुषान् । स्वयमेकोऽनिशं ब्रह्मा सर्वलोकपितामहः

tasyām̐ sa bhagavāñchāsti vividhāndevamānuṣān svayameko'niśaṁ brahmā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ

In it, Lord Brahma, the grandfather of all the worlds, alone and unceasingly, rules over the various gods and men.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.53.21)

उपतिष्ठंति चाप्येनं प्रजानां पतयः प्रभुम् । दक्षः प्रचेताः पुलहो मरीचिः कश्यपः प्रभुः

upatiṣṭhaṁti cāpyenaṁ prajānāṁ patayaḥ prabhum dakṣaḥ pracetāḥ pulaho marīciḥ kaśyapaḥ prabhuḥ

The lords of creatures wait upon that Lord: Daksha, Prachetas, Pulaha, Marichi, and the mighty Kashyapa —

Verse 22 (skanda.3.53.22)

भृगुरत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च गौतमोऽथ तथांगिराः । पुलस्त्यश्च क्रतुश्चैव प्रह्लादः कर्द्दमस्तथा

bhṛguratrirvasiṣṭhaśca gautamo'tha tathāṁgirāḥ pulastyaśca kratuścaiva prahlādaḥ karddamastathā

— Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Gautama, and Angiras, Pulastya, Kratu, Prahlada, and Kardama.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.53.23)

अथर्वांगिरसश्चैव वालखिल्या मरीचिपाः । मनोंऽतरिक्षं विद्याश्व वायुस्तेजो जलं मही

atharvāṁgirasaścaiva vālakhilyā marīcipāḥ manoṁ'tarikṣaṁ vidyāśva vāyustejo jalaṁ mahī

The Atharvangirasas, the Valakhilyas, and the Marichipas attend; Mind, the sky, the sciences, wind, fire, water, and earth personified are there too.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.53.24)

शब्दस्पर्शौ तथा रूपं रसो गंधस्तथैव च । प्रकृतिश्च विकारश्च सदसत्कारणं तथा

śabdasparśau tathā rūpaṁ raso gaṁdhastathaiva ca prakṛtiśca vikāraśca sadasatkāraṇaṁ tathā

Sound and touch, form, taste, and smell likewise; Prakriti and its transformations, and the Cause of the existent and non-existent —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.53.25)

अगस्त्यश्च महातेजा मार्कंडेयश्च वीर्यवान् । जमदग्निर्भरद्वाजः संवर्तश्च्यवनस्तथा

agastyaśca mahātejā mārkaṁḍeyaśca vīryavān jamadagnirbharadvājaḥ saṁvartaścyavanastathā

— the greatly radiant Agastya, the mighty Markandeya, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Samvarta, and Chyavana.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.53.26)

दुर्वासाश्च महाभाग ऋष्यश्रृंगश्च धार्मिकः । सनत्कुमारो भगवान्योगाचार्य्यो महातपाः

durvāsāśca mahābhāga ṛṣyaśrṛṁgaśca dhārmikaḥ sanatkumāro bhagavānyogācāryyo mahātapāḥ

O illustrious one, Durvasa and the righteous Rishyashringa; Lord Sanatkumara, the teacher of yoga, of great austerity.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.53.27)

असितो देवलश्चैव जैगीषव्यश्च तत्त्ववित् । आयुर्वेदस्तथाष्टांगो गान्धर्वश्चैव तत्र हि

asito devalaścaiva jaigīṣavyaśca tattvavit āyurvedastathāṣṭāṁgo gāndharvaścaiva tatra hi

Asita, Devala, and the truth-knowing Jaigishavya; the eight-limbed Ayurveda and the Gandharva-science too are present there.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.53.28)

चंद्रमाः सह् नक्षत्रैरादित्यश्च गभस्तिमान् । वायवस्तंतवश्चैव संकल्पः प्राण एव च

caṁdramāḥ sah nakṣatrairādityaśca gabhastimān vāyavastaṁtavaścaiva saṁkalpaḥ prāṇa eva ca

The Moon with the constellations, and the radiant Sun; the winds, the sacrificial threads, Resolve, and Vital Breath itself —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.53.29)

मूर्तिमंतो महात्मानो महाव्रतपरायणाः । एते चान्ये च बहवो ब्रह्माणं समुपासिरे

mūrtimaṁto mahātmāno mahāvrataparāyaṇāḥ ete cānye ca bahavo brahmāṇaṁ samupāsire

— these great-souled ones, embodied and devoted to great vows, and many others besides, wait upon Brahma.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.53.30)

अर्थो धर्मश्च कामश्च हर्षो द्वेषस्तमो दमः । आयांति तस्यां सहिता गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः

artho dharmaśca kāmaśca harṣo dveṣastamo damaḥ āyāṁti tasyāṁ sahitā gaṁdharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

Artha, Dharma, and Kama; Joy, Hatred, Darkness, and Self-control — together with the hosts of gandharvas and apsarases — come there.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.53.31)

शुक्राद्याश्व ग्रहाश्चैव ये चान्ये तत्समीपगाः । मंत्रा रथंतरं चैव हरिमान्वसुमानपि

śukrādyāśva grahāścaiva ye cānye tatsamīpagāḥ maṁtrā rathaṁtaraṁ caiva harimānvasumānapi

Venus and the other planets, and whoever else dwells near them; the sacred Mantras, the Rathantara chant, Harimant and Vasuman too —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.53.32)

महितो विश्वकर्मा च वसवश्चैव सर्वशः । तथा पितृगणाः सर्वे सर्वाणि च हवींष्यथ

mahito viśvakarmā ca vasavaścaiva sarvaśaḥ tathā pitṛgaṇāḥ sarve sarvāṇi ca havīṁṣyatha

— the honoured Vishvakarma, and the Vasus in their entirety; likewise all the hosts of Pitris, and all the sacrificial oblations.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.53.33)

ऋग्वेदः सामवेदश्च यजुर्वेदस्तथैव च । अथर्ववेदश्च तथा सर्वशास्त्राणि चैव ह

ṛgvedaḥ sāmavedaśca yajurvedastathaiva ca atharvavedaśca tathā sarvaśāstrāṇi caiva ha

The Rigveda, the Samaveda, and likewise the Yajurveda; the Atharvaveda too, and indeed all the shastras —

Verse 34 (skanda.3.53.34)

इतिहासोपवेदाश्च वेदांगानि च सर्वशः । मेधा धृतिः स्मृतिश्चैव प्रज्ञा बुद्धिर्यशः समाः

itihāsopavedāśca vedāṁgāni ca sarvaśaḥ medhā dhṛtiḥ smṛtiścaiva prajñā buddhiryaśaḥ samāḥ

— the Itihasas, the Upavedas, and all the Vedangas; Memory, Fortitude, Recollection, Wisdom, Intellect, and Glory.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.53.35)

कालचक्रं च तद्दिव्यं नित्यमक्षयमव्ययम् । यावन्त्यो देवपत्न्यश्च सर्वा एव मनोजवाः

kālacakraṁ ca taddivyaṁ nityamakṣayamavyayam yāvantyo devapatnyaśca sarvā eva manojavāḥ

That divine Wheel of Time, eternal, undiminishing, imperishable; and all the wives of the gods, swift as thought —

Verse 36 (skanda.3.53.36)

गार्हपत्या नाकचराः पितरो लोकविश्रुताः । सोमपा एकशृंगाश्च तथा सर्वे तपस्विनः

gārhapatyā nākacarāḥ pitaro lokaviśrutāḥ somapā ekaśṛṁgāśca tathā sarve tapasvinaḥ

— the Garhapatya fires, those who roam heaven, the Pitris famed throughout the worlds; the Somapa and Ekashringa classes of ancestors, and all the ascetics.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.53.37)

नागाः सुपर्णाः पशवः पितामहमुपासते । स्थावरा जंगमाश्चापि महाभूतास्तथा परे

nāgāḥ suparṇāḥ paśavaḥ pitāmahamupāsate sthāvarā jaṁgamāścāpi mahābhūtāstathā pare

Nagas, Suparnas, and animals wait upon the Grandsire; the immovable and the moving, and the other great elements too.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.53.38)

पुरंदरश्च देवेंद्रो वरुणो धनदस्तथा । महादेवः सहोमोऽत्र सदा गच्छति सर्वदः

puraṁdaraśca deveṁdro varuṇo dhanadastathā mahādevaḥ sahomo'tra sadā gacchati sarvadaḥ

Purandara, the lord of the gods; Varuna, and Dhanada too; Mahadeva together with Uma, the all-giving one, ever goes there.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.53.39)

गच्छंति सर्वदा देवा नारायणस्तथर्षयः । ऋषयो वालखिल्याश्च योनिजायोनिजास्तथा

gacchaṁti sarvadā devā nārāyaṇastatharṣayaḥ ṛṣayo vālakhilyāśca yonijāyonijāstathā

The gods always go there, and Narayana, and the sages; the sages and the Valakhilyas, both the womb-born and the not-womb-born.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.53.40)

यत्किंचित्रिषु लोकेषु दृश्यते स्थाणु जंगमम् । तस्यां सहोपविष्टायां तत्र ज्ञात्वा स धर्मवित्

yatkiṁcitriṣu lokeṣu dṛśyate sthāṇu jaṁgamam tasyāṁ sahopaviṣṭāyāṁ tatra jñātvā sa dharmavit

Whatever is seen in the three worlds, unmoving or moving, all this was present in that assembly where all sat together; knowing this, Dharma, the knower of righteousness —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.53.41)

देवैर्मुनिवरैः क्रांतां समालोक्यातिविस्मितः । हर्षेण महता युक्तो रोमांचिततनूरुहः

devairmunivaraiḥ krāṁtāṁ samālokyātivismitaḥ harṣeṇa mahatā yukto romāṁcitatanūruhaḥ

— beholding it thronged with gods and the finest sages, was greatly astonished, filled with immense joy, the hairs of his body standing on end.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.53.42)

तत्र धर्मो महातेजाः कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् । वाच्यमानां तु शुश्राव व्यासेनामिततेजसा

tatra dharmo mahātejāḥ kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm vācyamānāṁ tu śuśrāva vyāsenāmitatejasā

There, the greatly radiant Dharma heard a sin-destroying tale being narrated by Vyasa, of boundless splendour —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.53.43)

धर्मारण्यकथां दिव्यां तथैव सुमनोहराम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां फलदात्रीं तथैव च

dharmāraṇyakathāṁ divyāṁ tathaiva sumanoharām dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ phaladātrīṁ tathaiva ca

— the divine tale of Dharmaranya, exceedingly enchanting, and likewise the bestower of the fruits of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.53.44)

पुत्रपौत्रप्रपौत्रादि फलदात्रीं तथैव च । धारणाच्छ्रवणाच्चापि पठनाच्चावलोकनात्

putrapautraprapautrādi phaladātrīṁ tathaiva ca dhāraṇācchravaṇāccāpi paṭhanāccāvalokanāt

— and likewise the bestower of sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and the rest, whether by retaining it in memory, by hearing, by reciting, or by merely beholding it —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.53.45)

तां निशम्य सुविस्तीर्णां कथां ब्रह्मांडसंभवां प्रमोदोत्फुल्लनयनो ब्रह्माणमनुमत्य च

tāṁ niśamya suvistīrṇāṁ kathāṁ brahmāṁḍasaṁbhavāṁ pramodotphullanayano brahmāṇamanumatya ca

Having heard that vast tale, born of the cosmic egg, his eyes blossoming with delight, and having taken leave of Brahma —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.53.46)

कृतकार्योपि धर्मात्मा गंतुकामस्तदाभवत् । नमस्कृत्य तदा धर्मो ब्रह्माणं स पितामहम्

kṛtakāryopi dharmātmā gaṁtukāmastadābhavat namaskṛtya tadā dharmo brahmāṇaṁ sa pitāmaham

— though his purpose was accomplished, the righteous-souled Dharma then wished to depart; he then bowed to Brahma, the Grandsire —

Verse 47 (skanda.3.53.47)

अनुज्ञातस्तदा तेन गतोऽसौ यमशासनम् । पितामहप्रसादाच्च श्रुत्वा पुण्यप्रदायिनीम्

anujñātastadā tena gato'sau yamaśāsanam pitāmahaprasādācca śrutvā puṇyapradāyinīm

— and being given leave by him, he went to the realm of Yama's rule; and by the Grandsire's grace, having heard the merit-bestowing —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.53.48)

धर्मारण्यकथां दिव्यां पवित्रां पापनाशिनीम् । स गतोऽनुचरैः सार्द्धं ततः संयमिनीं प्रति

dharmāraṇyakathāṁ divyāṁ pavitrāṁ pāpanāśinīm sa gato'nucaraiḥ sārddhaṁ tataḥ saṁyaminīṁ prati

— divine, sacred, sin-destroying tale of Dharmaranya, he went together with his attendants then towards Samyamani, Yama's city.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.53.49)

अमात्यानुचरैः सार्धं प्रविष्टः स्वपुरं यमः । तत्रांतरे महातेजा नारदो मुनिपुंगवः

amātyānucaraiḥ sārdhaṁ praviṣṭaḥ svapuraṁ yamaḥ tatrāṁtare mahātejā nārado munipuṁgavaḥ

Yama, together with his ministers and attendants, entered his own city; meanwhile, the greatly radiant Narada, foremost of sages —

Verse 50 (skanda.3.53.50)

दुर्निरीक्ष्यः कृपायुक्तः समदर्शी तपोनिधिः । तपसा दग्धदेहोपि विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः

durnirīkṣyaḥ kṛpāyuktaḥ samadarśī taponidhiḥ tapasā dagdhadehopi viṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇaḥ

— hard to behold in his brilliance, full of compassion, equal-visioned, a treasury of austerity; though his body was scorched by tapas, remained devoted to Vishnu-bhakti —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.53.51)

सर्वगः सर्वविच्चैव नारदः सर्वदा शुचिः । वेदाध्ययनशीलश्च त्वागत स्तत्र संसदि

sarvagaḥ sarvaviccaiva nāradaḥ sarvadā śuciḥ vedādhyayanaśīlaśca tvāgata statra saṁsadi

— Narada, who goes everywhere, knows everything, is ever pure, and devoted to Vedic study, arrived there at that assembly.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.53.52)

तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा धर्मो भार्यया सेवकैः सह । संमुखो हर्षसंयुक्तो गच्छन्नेव स सत्वरः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasā dharmo bhāryayā sevakaiḥ saha saṁmukho harṣasaṁyukto gacchanneva sa satvaraḥ

Seeing him suddenly, Dharma, together with his wife and servants, went quickly forward to meet him, filled with joy.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.53.53)

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे सफलं कुलम् । अद्य मे सफलो धर्मस्त्वय्यायाते तपोधने

adya me saphalaṁ janma adya me saphalaṁ kulam adya me saphalo dharmastvayyāyāte tapodhane

Dharma said: Today my birth is fruitful, today my lineage is fruitful; today my very dharma is fruitful, now that you, O treasury of austerity, have come.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.53.54)

अर्घ्यपाद्यादिविधिना पूजां कृत्वा विधानतः । दंडवत्तं प्रणम्याथ विधिना चोपवेशितः

arghyapādyādividhinā pūjāṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ daṁḍavattaṁ praṇamyātha vidhinā copaveśitaḥ

Having duly worshipped him with the rite of arghya, padya, and the rest, and having then prostrated before him, he seated him according to proper custom.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.53.55)

आसने स्वे महादिव्ये रत्नकांचनभूषिते । चित्रार्पिता सभा सर्वा दीपा निर्वातगा इव

āsane sve mahādivye ratnakāṁcanabhūṣite citrārpitā sabhā sarvā dīpā nirvātagā iva

On his own great, divine seat, adorned with jewels and gold, the whole assembly appeared as if painted, still and bright like lamps in a windless place.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.53.56)

विधाय कुशलप्रश्नं स्वागतेनाभिनंद्य तम् । प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे धर्मारण्यकथां स्मरन्

vidhāya kuśalapraśnaṁ svāgatenābhinaṁdya tam praharṣamatulaṁ lebhe dharmāraṇyakathāṁ smaran

Having asked after his welfare, and having welcomed him with a greeting, Dharma attained matchless joy, remembering the tale of Dharmaranya.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.53.57)

नारदं पूजयित्वा तु प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना । हर्षितं तु यमं दृष्ट्वा नारदो विस्मिताननः

nāradaṁ pūjayitvā tu prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā harṣitaṁ tu yamaṁ dṛṣṭvā nārado vismitānanaḥ

Having worshipped Narada with a heart full of gladness; but seeing Yama so joyful, Narada, his face full of wonder —

Verse 58 (skanda.3.53.58)

चिंतयामास मनसा किमिदं हर्षितो हरिः । अतिहर्षं च तं दृष्ट्वा यमराजस्वरूपिणम् । आश्चर्यमनसं चैव नारदः पृष्टवांस्तदा

ciṁtayāmāsa manasā kimidaṁ harṣito hariḥ atiharṣaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā yamarājasvarūpiṇam āścaryamanasaṁ caiva nāradaḥ pṛṣṭavāṁstadā

— he wondered in his mind, 'What is this? Why is Yama so joyful?' And seeing King Yama's form filled with such great joy, Narada, his mind full of wonder, then asked —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.53.59)

नारद उवाच । किं दृष्टं भवताश्चर्य्यं किं वा लब्धं महत्पदम् । दुष्टस्त्वं दुष्टकर्मा च दुष्टात्मा क्रोधरूपधृक्

nārada uvāca kiṁ dṛṣṭaṁ bhavatāścaryyaṁ kiṁ vā labdhaṁ mahatpadam duṣṭastvaṁ duṣṭakarmā ca duṣṭātmā krodharūpadhṛk

Narada said: What wonder have you seen, or what great state have you attained? You are usually stern, your deeds stern, your nature stern, wearing the very form of wrath —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.53.60)

पापिनां यमनं चैवमेतद्रूपं महत्तरम् । सौम्यरूपं कथं जातमेतन्मे संशयः प्रभो

pāpināṁ yamanaṁ caivametadrūpaṁ mahattaram saumyarūpaṁ kathaṁ jātametanme saṁśayaḥ prabho

— the restraining of sinners is your greater usual form; how has this gentle form come about? This is my doubt, O Lord.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.53.61)

अद्य त्वं हर्षसंयुक्तो दृश्यसे केन हेतुना । कथयस्व महाकाय हर्षस्यैव हि कारणम्

adya tvaṁ harṣasaṁyukto dṛśyase kena hetunā kathayasva mahākāya harṣasyaiva hi kāraṇam

For what reason do you appear today filled with joy? Tell me, O mighty one, the very cause of your joy.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.53.62)

धर्मराज उवाच । श्रूयतां ब्रह्मपुत्रैतत्कथयामि न संशयः । पुराहं ब्रह्मसदनं गतवानभिवंदितुम्

dharmarāja uvāca śrūyatāṁ brahmaputraitatkathayāmi na saṁśayaḥ purāhaṁ brahmasadanaṁ gatavānabhivaṁditum

Dharmaraja said: Listen, O son of Brahma, I shall tell you this without doubt. Formerly I went to Brahma's abode to pay my respects.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.53.63)

तत्रासीनः सभामध्ये सर्वलोकैकपूजिते । नानाकथाः श्रुतास्तत्र धर्म्मवर्गसमन्विताः

tatrāsīnaḥ sabhāmadhye sarvalokaikapūjite nānākathāḥ śrutāstatra dharmmavargasamanvitāḥ

Seated there, in the midst of that assembly honoured by all the worlds alike, I heard there many tales, all replete with matters of Dharma —

Verse 64 (skanda.3.53.64)

कथाः पुण्या धर्मयुता रम्या व्यासमुखाच्छ्रुताः । धर्मकामार्थसंयुक्ताः सर्वाघौघविनाशिनीः

kathāḥ puṇyā dharmayutā ramyā vyāsamukhācchrutāḥ dharmakāmārthasaṁyuktāḥ sarvāghaughavināśinīḥ

— sacred, dharma-filled, delightful tales, heard from the mouth of Vyasa, joined with Dharma, Artha and Kama, destroyers of the whole mass of sin —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.53.65)

याः श्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यंते ब्रह्महत्यया । तारयंति पितृगणाञ्छतमेकोत्तरं मुने

yāḥ śrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyaṁte brahmahatyayā tārayaṁti pitṛgaṇāñchatamekottaraṁ mune

— hearing which one is freed from all sins including the sin of brahmin-slaughter, and they carry across a hundred and one generations of ancestors, O sage.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.53.66)

नारद उवाच । कीदृशी तत्कथा मे तां प्रशंस भवता श्रुताम् । कथां यम महाबाहो श्रोतुकामोस्म्यहं च ताम्

nārada uvāca kīdṛśī tatkathā me tāṁ praśaṁsa bhavatā śrutām kathāṁ yama mahābāho śrotukāmosmyahaṁ ca tām

Narada said: What sort of tale is that which you heard? Describe it to me. O mighty-armed Yama, I too wish to hear that tale.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.53.67)

यम उवाच । एकदा ब्रह्मलोकेऽहं नमस्कर्तुं पितामहम् । गतवानस्मि तं देशं कार्याकार्यविचारणे

yama uvāca ekadā brahmaloke'haṁ namaskartuṁ pitāmaham gatavānasmi taṁ deśaṁ kāryākāryavicāraṇe

Yama said: Once I went to Brahmaloka to pay homage to the Grandsire, going there amid deliberation over what was to be done and what not.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.53.68)

मया तत्राद्भुतं दृष्टं श्रुतं च मुनिसत्तम । धर्म्मारण्यकथां दिव्यां कृष्णद्वैपायनेरिताम्

mayā tatrādbhutaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ śrutaṁ ca munisattama dharmmāraṇyakathāṁ divyāṁ kṛṣṇadvaipāyaneritām

There, O best of sages, I saw and heard something wondrous — the divine tale of Dharmaranya, told by Krishna Dvaipayana.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.53.69)

श्रुत्वा कथां महापुण्यां ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मांडगां शुभाम् । गुणपूर्णां सत्ययुक्तां तेन हर्षेण हर्षितः

śrutvā kathāṁ mahāpuṇyāṁ brahmanbrahmāṁḍagāṁ śubhām guṇapūrṇāṁ satyayuktāṁ tena harṣeṇa harṣitaḥ

O Brahmin, having heard that greatly meritorious, auspicious tale pervading the whole cosmic egg, full of virtues and joined with truth, I am elated by that very joy.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.53.70)

अन्यच्चैव मुनिश्रेष्ठ तवागमनकारणम् । शुभाय च सुखायैव क्षेमाय च जयाय हि

anyaccaiva muniśreṣṭha tavāgamanakāraṇam śubhāya ca sukhāyaiva kṣemāya ca jayāya hi

And moreover, O best of sages, your very arrival is a further cause of my joy, for it comes for auspiciousness, happiness, welfare, and victory indeed.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.53.71)

आद्यास्मि कृतकृत्योऽहमद्याहं सुकृती मुने । धर्मोनामाद्य जातोऽहं तव पद्युग्मदर्शनात्

ādyāsmi kṛtakṛtyo'hamadyāhaṁ sukṛtī mune dharmonāmādya jāto'haṁ tava padyugmadarśanāt

Today I am fulfilled, today, O sage, I am blessed with merit; today I am, as it were, truly born as 'Dharma' by the sight of your two feet.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.53.72)

पूज्योऽहं च कृतार्थोहं धन्योहं चाद्य नारद । युष्मत्पादप्रसादाच्च पूज्योऽहं भुवनत्रये

pūjyo'haṁ ca kṛtārthohaṁ dhanyohaṁ cādya nārada yuṣmatpādaprasādācca pūjyo'haṁ bhuvanatraye

I am worthy of worship, I am fulfilled, and I am blessed today, O Narada; by the grace of your feet, I am now honoured in the three worlds.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.53.73)

सूत उवाच । एवंविधैर्वचोभिश्च तोषितो मुनिसत्तमः । पप्रच्छ परया भक्त्या धर्मारण्यकथां शुभाम्

sūta uvāca evaṁvidhairvacobhiśca toṣito munisattamaḥ papraccha parayā bhaktyā dharmāraṇyakathāṁ śubhām

Suta said: Pleased by such words, the best of sages then asked, with utmost devotion, about the auspicious tale of Dharmaranya.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.53.74)

नारद उवाच । श्रुता व्यासमुखाद्धर्म्म धर्मारण्यकथा शुभा । तत्सर्वं हि कथय मे विस्तीर्णं च यथातथम्

nārada uvāca śrutā vyāsamukhāddharmma dharmāraṇyakathā śubhā tatsarvaṁ hi kathaya me vistīrṇaṁ ca yathātatham

Narada said: O Dharma, the auspicious tale of Dharmaranya that was heard from the mouth of Vyasa, tell it all to me, at length and exactly as it is.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.53.75)

यम उवाच । व्यग्रोऽहं सततं ब्रह्मन्प्राणिनां सुखदुःखिनाम् । तत्तत्कर्मानुसारेण गतिं दातुं सुखेतराम्

yama uvāca vyagro'haṁ satataṁ brahmanprāṇināṁ sukhaduḥkhinām tattatkarmānusāreṇa gatiṁ dātuṁ sukhetarām

Yama said: O Brahmin, I am constantly occupied in giving to happy and suffering beings the destiny, pleasant or otherwise, that accords with their respective deeds.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.53.76)

तथापि साधुसंगो हि धर्मायैव प्रजायते । इह लोके परत्रापि क्षेमाय च सुखाय च

tathāpi sādhusaṁgo hi dharmāyaiva prajāyate iha loke paratrāpi kṣemāya ca sukhāya ca

Nevertheless, the company of the virtuous indeed brings forth Dharma, and leads to welfare and happiness, both in this world and the next.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.53.77)

ब्रह्मणः सन्निधौ यञ्च श्रुतं व्यासमुखेरितम् । तत्सर्वं कथयिष्यामि मानुषाणां हिताय वै

brahmaṇaḥ sannidhau yañca śrutaṁ vyāsamukheritam tatsarvaṁ kathayiṣyāmi mānuṣāṇāṁ hitāya vai

Whatever was heard in Brahma's presence, spoken from the mouth of Vyasa, all of that I shall tell, indeed for the benefit of mankind.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.53.78)

सूत उवाच । यमेन कथितं सर्वं यच्छ्रुतं ब्रह्मसंसदि । आदिमध्यावसानं च सर्वं नैवात्र संशयः

sūta uvāca yamena kathitaṁ sarvaṁ yacchrutaṁ brahmasaṁsadi ādimadhyāvasānaṁ ca sarvaṁ naivātra saṁśayaḥ

Suta said: All that was heard in the assembly of Brahma, Yama then told, from beginning through middle to end, all of it, without any doubt.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.53.79)

कलिद्वापरयोर्मध्ये धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । गतोऽसौ नारदो मर्त्ये राज्यं धर्मसुतस्य वै

kalidvāparayormadhye dharmaputraṁ yudhiṣṭhiram gato'sau nārado martye rājyaṁ dharmasutasya vai

Between the Kali and Dvapara ages, that Narada went to the mortal world, to the kingdom of the son of Dharma, Yudhishthira —

Verse 80 (skanda.3.53.80)

आगतः श्रीहरेरंशो नारदः प्रत्यदृश्यत । ज्वलिताग्निप्रतीकाशो बालार्कसदृशेक्षणः

āgataḥ śrīhareraṁśo nāradaḥ pratyadṛśyata jvalitāgnipratīkāśo bālārkasadṛśekṣaṇaḥ

Narada, a partial manifestation of Sri Hari, arrived and appeared, blazing like fire, his gaze like the rising sun.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.53.81)

सव्यापवृत्तं विपुलं जटामंडलमुद्वहन् । चंद्रांशुशुक्ले वसने वसानो रुक्मभूषणः

savyāpavṛttaṁ vipulaṁ jaṭāmaṁḍalamudvahan caṁdrāṁśuśukle vasane vasāno rukmabhūṣaṇaḥ

Bearing a great mass of matted hair coiled to the left, clad in garments white as moonbeams, adorned with golden ornaments —

Verse 82 (skanda.3.53.82)

वीणां गृहीत्वा महतीं कक्षासक्तां सखीमिव । कृष्णाजिनोत्तरासंगो हेमयज्ञोपवीतवान्

vīṇāṁ gṛhītvā mahatīṁ kakṣāsaktāṁ sakhīmiva kṛṣṇājinottarāsaṁgo hemayajñopavītavān

— holding his great vina, tucked under his arm like a companion; wearing a black antelope-skin as an upper garment, with a golden sacred thread —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.53.83)

दण्डी कमंडलुकरः साक्षाद्वह्निरिवापरः । भेत्ता जगति गुह्यानां विग्रहाणां गुहोपमः

daṇḍī kamaṁḍalukaraḥ sākṣādvahnirivāparaḥ bhettā jagati guhyānāṁ vigrahāṇāṁ guhopamaḥ

— carrying a staff, a water-pot in hand, like a second Fire incarnate; a revealer of secrets in the world, resembling Guha in his encounters —

Verse 84 (skanda.3.53.84)

महर्षिगणसंसिद्धो विद्वान्गांधर्ववेदवित् । वैरकेलिकलो विप्रो ब्राह्मः कलिरिवापरः

maharṣigaṇasaṁsiddho vidvāngāṁdharvavedavit vairakelikalo vipro brāhmaḥ kalirivāparaḥ

— perfected among the company of great sages, learned, versed in the Gandharva-veda; skilled in playful discord, a brahmin, yet like a second Kali in stirring strife —

Verse 85 (skanda.3.53.85)

देवगंधर्वलोकानामादिवक्ता सुनिग्रहः । गाता चतुर्णां वेदानामुद्गाता हरिसद्गुणान्

devagaṁdharvalokānāmādivaktā sunigrahaḥ gātā caturṇāṁ vedānāmudgātā harisadguṇān

— the foremost speaker among the worlds of gods and gandharvas, well self-controlled; a singer of the four Vedas, a chanter of Hari's good qualities.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.53.86)

स नारदोऽथ विप्रर्षिर्ब्रह्मलोकचरोऽव्ययः । आगतोऽथ पुरीं हर्षाद्धर्मराजेन पालिताम्

sa nārado'tha viprarṣirbrahmalokacaro'vyayaḥ āgato'tha purīṁ harṣāddharmarājena pālitām

That Narada, the brahmin-sage, the imperishable wanderer of Brahmaloka, then came joyfully to the city protected by Dharmaraja.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.53.87)

अथ तत्रोपविष्टेषु राजन्येषु महात्मसु । महत्सु चोपविष्टेषु गंधर्वेषु च तत्र वै

atha tatropaviṣṭeṣu rājanyeṣu mahātmasu mahatsu copaviṣṭeṣu gaṁdharveṣu ca tatra vai

Then, while great-souled princes sat there, and eminent persons and gandharvas too sat there —

Verse 88 (skanda.3.53.88)

लोकाननुचरन्सर्वानागतः स महर्षिराट् । नारदः सुमहातेजा ऋषिभिः सहितस्तदा

lokānanucaransarvānāgataḥ sa maharṣirāṭ nāradaḥ sumahātejā ṛṣibhiḥ sahitastadā

— that great king of sages, Narada, of immense splendour, having wandered through all the worlds, arrived there then, accompanied by other sages.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.53.89)

तमागतमृषिं दृष्ट्वा नारदं सर्वधर्मवित् । सिंहासनात्समुत्थाय प्रययौ सन्मुखस्तदा

tamāgatamṛṣiṁ dṛṣṭvā nāradaṁ sarvadharmavit siṁhāsanātsamutthāya prayayau sanmukhastadā

Seeing that sage Narada arrive, Yudhishthira, knower of all Dharma, rose from his throne and went forward at once to meet him.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.53.90)

अभ्यवादयतं प्रीत्या विनयाव नतस्तदा । तदर्हमासनं तस्मै संप्रदाय यथाविधि

abhyavādayataṁ prītyā vinayāva natastadā tadarhamāsanaṁ tasmai saṁpradāya yathāvidhi

He greeted him with affection, bowing low in humility; then, according to due rite, he gave him a seat befitting him.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.53.91)

गां चैवं मधुपर्कं च संप्रदायार्धमेव च । अर्चयामास रत्नैश्च सर्वकामैश्च धर्मवित्

gāṁ caivaṁ madhuparkaṁ ca saṁpradāyārdhameva ca arcayāmāsa ratnaiśca sarvakāmaiśca dharmavit

And he offered a cow, madhuparka, and an honoured half-share; the knower of Dharma worshipped him with jewels and all desirable things.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.53.92)

तुतोष च यथावञ्च पूजां प्राप्य च धर्मवित् । कुशली त्वं महाभाग तपसः कुशलं तव

tutoṣa ca yathāvañca pūjāṁ prāpya ca dharmavit kuśalī tvaṁ mahābhāga tapasaḥ kuśalaṁ tava

Having duly received the worship, the knower of Dharma was pleased: 'Are you well, O illustrious one? Does your austerity prosper?'

Verse 93 (skanda.3.53.93)

न कश्चिद्बाधते दुष्टो दैत्यो हि स्वर्गभूपतिम् । मुने कल्याणरूपस्त्वं नमस्कृतः सुरासुरैः । सर्व्वगः सर्ववेत्ता च ब्रह्मपुत्र कृपानिधे

na kaścidbādhate duṣṭo daityo hi svargabhūpatim mune kalyāṇarūpastvaṁ namaskṛtaḥ surāsuraiḥ sarvvagaḥ sarvavettā ca brahmaputra kṛpānidhe

'Surely no wicked daitya troubles the lord of this heaven-like realm. O sage, you are of auspicious form, saluted by gods and demons alike, going everywhere, knowing all things, O son of Brahma, treasury of compassion.'

Verse 94 (skanda.3.53.94)

नारद उवाच । सर्वतः कुशलं मेद्य प्रसादाद्ब्रह्मणः सदा । कुशली त्वं महाभाग धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर

nārada uvāca sarvataḥ kuśalaṁ medya prasādādbrahmaṇaḥ sadā kuśalī tvaṁ mahābhāga dharmaputra yudhiṣṭhira

Narada said: All is well with me today, ever by the grace of Brahma. Are you well, O illustrious son of Dharma, Yudhishthira?

Verse 95 (skanda.3.53.95)

भ्रातृभिः सह राजेंद्र धर्मेषु रमते मनः । दारैः पुत्रैश्च भृत्यैश्च कुशलैर्गजवाजिभिः

bhrātṛbhiḥ saha rājeṁdra dharmeṣu ramate manaḥ dāraiḥ putraiśca bhṛtyaiśca kuśalairgajavājibhiḥ

O lord of kings, does your mind delight in righteous deeds together with your brothers? Are your wife, sons, and servants, and your elephants and horses in good health?

Verse 96 (skanda.3.53.96)

औरसानिव पुत्रांश्च प्रजा धर्मेण धर्मज । पालयसि किमाश्चर्यं त्वया धन्या हि सा प्रजा

aurasāniva putrāṁśca prajā dharmeṇa dharmaja pālayasi kimāścaryaṁ tvayā dhanyā hi sā prajā

O son of Dharma, do you protect your subjects with righteousness as if they were your own sons? If so, what wonder — for that people is indeed blessed through you.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.53.97)

पालनात्पोषणान्नॄणां धर्मो भवति वै ध्रुवम् । तत्तद्धर्मस्य भोक्ता त्वमित्येवं मनुरब्रवीत्

pālanātpoṣaṇānnṝṇāṁ dharmo bhavati vai dhruvam tattaddharmasya bhoktā tvamityevaṁ manurabravīt

'By the protection and nurturing of men, Dharma is surely established, and you are the enjoyer of the fruits of that very Dharma' — thus spoke Manu.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.53.98)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । कुशलं मम राष्ट्रं च भवतामंघ्रिस्पर्शनात् । दर्शनेन महाभाग जातोऽहं गतकिल्बिषः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kuśalaṁ mama rāṣṭraṁ ca bhavatāmaṁghrisparśanāt darśanena mahābhāga jāto'haṁ gatakilbiṣaḥ

Yudhishthira said: I and my kingdom are well, by the touch of your feet. O illustrious one, by your sight I have become freed of sin.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.53.99)

धन्योऽहं कृतकृत्योऽहं सभाग्योऽहं धरातले । अद्याहं सुकृती जातो ह्मपुत्रे गृहागते

dhanyo'haṁ kṛtakṛtyo'haṁ sabhāgyo'haṁ dharātale adyāhaṁ sukṛtī jāto hmaputre gṛhāgate

I am blessed, I am fulfilled, I am fortunate on this earth; today I have truly become meritorious, now that you have come to my house.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.53.100)

कुत आगमनं ब्रह्मन्नद्य ते मुनिसत्तम । अनुग्रहार्थं साधूनां किं वा कार्येण केन च

kuta āgamanaṁ brahmannadya te munisattama anugrahārthaṁ sādhūnāṁ kiṁ vā kāryeṇa kena ca

O Brahmin, best of sages, whence is your coming today? Is it for the sake of blessing the virtuous, or is there some other purpose?

Verse 101 (skanda.3.53.101)

नारद उवाच । आगतोऽहं नृपश्रेष्ठ सकाशाच्छमनस्य च । व्यासेनोक्तां ब्रह्मणोग्रे कथां पौराणिकीं शुभाम्

nārada uvāca āgato'haṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha sakāśācchamanasya ca vyāsenoktāṁ brahmaṇogre kathāṁ paurāṇikīṁ śubhām

Narada said: O best of kings, I have come from the presence of Yama; I heard the auspicious puranic tale told by Vyasa before Brahma —

Verse 102 (skanda.3.53.102)

धर्मारण्याश्रितां दिव्यां सर्वसंतापहारिणीम् । यां श्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

dharmāraṇyāśritāṁ divyāṁ sarvasaṁtāpahāriṇīm yāṁ śrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate brahmahatyayā

— the divine tale concerning Dharmaranya, remover of all afflictions, hearing which one is freed from all sins including the sin of brahmin-slaughter —

Verse 103 (skanda.3.53.103)

हत्यायुतप्रशमनीं तापत्रयविनाशिनीम् । यां वै श्रुत्वातिभक्त्या च कठिनो मृदुतां भजेत्

hatyāyutapraśamanīṁ tāpatrayavināśinīm yāṁ vai śrutvātibhaktyā ca kaṭhino mṛdutāṁ bhajet

— which pacifies ten thousand sins of slaughter and destroys the three-fold afflictions; hearing which with great devotion, even the hard-hearted attains gentleness —

Verse 104 (skanda.3.53.104)

धर्मराजेन तां श्रुत्वा ममाग्रे च निवेदिताम् । तमपृच्छ्दमेयात्मा कथां धर्मविनोदिनीम्

dharmarājena tāṁ śrutvā mamāgre ca niveditām tamapṛcchdameyātmā kathāṁ dharmavinodinīm

— having heard it from Dharmaraja and had it recounted before me, I, of boundless soul, asked him about that dharma-delighting tale.

Verse 105 (skanda.3.53.105)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । धर्मारण्याश्रितां पुण्यां कथां मे द्विजसत्तम । कथयस्व प्रसादेन लोकानां हितकाम्यया

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca dharmāraṇyāśritāṁ puṇyāṁ kathāṁ me dvijasattama kathayasva prasādena lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Yudhishthira said: O best of brahmins, tell me too, by your grace, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds, that meritorious tale concerning Dharmaranya.

Verse 106 (skanda.3.53.106)

नारद् उवाच । स्नानकालोयमस्माकं न कथावसरो मम । परंतु श्रूयतां राजन्नुपदेशं ददाम्यहम्

nārad uvāca snānakāloyamasmākaṁ na kathāvasaro mama paraṁtu śrūyatāṁ rājannupadeśaṁ dadāmyaham

Narada said: This is our bathing hour; it is not the occasion for storytelling. But listen, O king, I shall give you this instruction:

Verse 107 (skanda.3.53.107)

मासानामुत्तमो माघः स्नानदानादिके तथा । तस्मिन्माघे च यः स्नाति सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

māsānāmuttamo māghaḥ snānadānādike tathā tasminmāghe ca yaḥ snāti sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Of the months, Magha is the most excellent for bathing, giving, and the like; whoever bathes in that month of Magha is freed from all sins.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.53.108)

स्नानार्थं याहि शीघ्रं त्वं गंगायां नृपतेऽधुना । व्यासस्यागमनं चाद्य भविष्यति नृपोत्तम

snānārthaṁ yāhi śīghraṁ tvaṁ gaṁgāyāṁ nṛpate'dhunā vyāsasyāgamanaṁ cādya bhaviṣyati nṛpottama

O king, go now quickly to the Ganga to bathe; and today, O best of kings, Vyasa's arrival is also about to take place.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.53.109)

तं पृच्छस्व महाभाग श्रावयिष्यति ते शुभम् । तीर्थानां चैव सर्वेषां फलं पुण्यं यदद्भुतम्

taṁ pṛcchasva mahābhāga śrāvayiṣyati te śubham tīrthānāṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ phalaṁ puṇyaṁ yadadbhutam

Ask him, O illustrious one; he will recount to you the auspicious and wondrous merit of all the sacred fords.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.53.110)

भूतं भव्यं भविष्यं च उत्तमाधममध्यमाः । वाचयिष्यति तत्सर्वमितिहाससमुद्भवम्

bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ ca uttamādhamamadhyamāḥ vācayiṣyati tatsarvamitihāsasamudbhavam

The past, present, and future; the best, the worst, and the middling — he will relate all of that, arising from sacred history.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.53.111)

धर्मारण्यस्य सकलं वृत्तं यद्यत्पुरातनम् । व्यासः सत्यवतीपुत्रो वदिष्यति च तेऽखिलम्

dharmāraṇyasya sakalaṁ vṛttaṁ yadyatpurātanam vyāsaḥ satyavatīputro vadiṣyati ca te'khilam

The entire ancient history of Dharmaranya, whatever it may be, Vyasa, son of Satyavati, will tell you all of it.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.53.112)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा विधेः पुत्रस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत । तस्मिन्गते स नृपतिः क्रीडते सचिवैः सह

sūta uvāca evamuktvā vidheḥ putrastatraivāṁtaradhīyata tasmingate sa nṛpatiḥ krīḍate sacivaiḥ saha

Suta said: Having said this, the son of Brahma vanished right there. When he had gone, the king amused himself together with his ministers.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.53.113)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र प्राप्तः सत्यवतीसुतः । विज्ञापयामास तदा विदुरः पांडवस्य हि

etasminnaṁtare tatra prāptaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ vijñāpayāmāsa tadā viduraḥ pāṁḍavasya hi

Meanwhile, the son of Satyavati arrived there; then Vidura announced his arrival to the Pandava.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.53.114)

सूत उवाच । आगतं तु मुनिं श्रुत्वा सर्वे हर्षसमाकुलाः । समुत्तस्थुर्हि भीमाद्याः सह् धर्मेण सर्वशः

sūta uvāca āgataṁ tu muniṁ śrutvā sarve harṣasamākulāḥ samuttasthurhi bhīmādyāḥ sah dharmeṇa sarvaśaḥ

Suta said: Hearing that the sage had arrived, all — Bhima and the others, together with Dharma[raja] — rose up at once, overcome with joy.

Verse 115 (skanda.3.53.115)

तदा हि सन्मुखो भूत्वा मुमुदे नतकन्धरः । दंडवत्तं प्रणम्याथ भ्रातृभिः सहितस्तदा

tadā hi sanmukho bhūtvā mumude natakandharaḥ daṁḍavattaṁ praṇamyātha bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitastadā

Then, coming face to face with Vyasa, with head bowed, Yudhishthira rejoiced; and then, together with his brothers, he prostrated before him.

Verse 116 (skanda.3.53.116)

मधुपर्केण विधिना पूजां कृत्वा सुशोभनाम् । सिंहासने समावेश्य पप्रच्छानामयं तदा

madhuparkeṇa vidhinā pūjāṁ kṛtvā suśobhanām siṁhāsane samāveśya papracchānāmayaṁ tadā

Having performed a most excellent worship with madhuparka according to rite, and having seated him upon the throne, he then inquired after his health.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.53.117)

ततः पुण्यां कथां दिव्यां श्रावयामास धर्मवित् । कथांते मुनिशार्दूलं वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

tataḥ puṇyāṁ kathāṁ divyāṁ śrāvayāmāsa dharmavit kathāṁte muniśārdūlaṁ vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Then Vyasa narrated that sacred, divine tale; and at the end of the tale, Yudhishthira spoke these words to the tiger among sages —

Verse 118 (skanda.3.53.118)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । त्वत्प्रसादान्मया ब्रह्मञ्छ्रुतास्तु प्रवराः कथाः । आपद्धर्म्मा राजधर्मा मोक्षधर्म्मा ह्यनेकशः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca tvatprasādānmayā brahmañchrutāstu pravarāḥ kathāḥ āpaddharmmā rājadharmā mokṣadharmmā hyanekaśaḥ

Yudhishthira said: By your grace, O Brahmin, I have heard many excellent discourses on the dharma of adversity, the dharma of kings, and the dharma of liberation, in many ways —

Verse 119 (skanda.3.53.119)

पुराणानां च धर्माश्च व्रतानि बहुशस्तथा । तीर्थान्यनेकरूपाणि सर्वाण्यायतनानि च

purāṇānāṁ ca dharmāśca vratāni bahuśastathā tīrthānyanekarūpāṇi sarvāṇyāyatanāni ca

— and I have heard the dharmas of the Puranas, many kinds of vows, sacred fords of manifold forms, and all the holy shrines.

Verse 120 (skanda.3.53.120)

इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि धर्मारण्यकथां शुभाम् । श्रुत्वा यां हि विनश्येत पापं ब्रह्मवधादिकम्

idānīṁ śrotumicchāmi dharmāraṇyakathāṁ śubhām śrutvā yāṁ hi vinaśyeta pāpaṁ brahmavadhādikam

Now I wish to hear the auspicious tale of Dharmaranya, hearing which even the sin of brahmin-slaughter and the rest is destroyed.

Verse 121 (skanda.3.53.121)

धर्म्मारण्यस्थतीर्थानां श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । कस्येदं स्थापितं स्थानं कस्मादेतद्विनिर्मितम्

dharmmāraṇyasthatīrthānāṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ kasyedaṁ sthāpitaṁ sthānaṁ kasmādetadvinirmitam

I wish to hear in truth of the sacred fords situated in Dharmaranya: by whom was this place established, and from what was it made?

Verse 122 (skanda.3.53.122)

रक्षितं पालितं केन कस्मिन्कालेऽथ निर्मितम् । किंकिं त्वत्राभवत्पूर्वं शंशैतत्पृच्छतो मम

rakṣitaṁ pālitaṁ kena kasminkāle'tha nirmitam kiṁkiṁ tvatrābhavatpūrvaṁ śaṁśaitatpṛcchato mama

By whom was it protected and preserved, and at what time was it made? What all took place there in former times? Resolve this doubt of mine, who ask.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.53.123)

भूतं भव्यं भविष्यञ्च तस्मिन्स्थाने च यद्भवेत् । तत्सर्वं कथयस्वाद्य तीर्थानां च यथा स्थितिः

bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyañca tasminsthāne ca yadbhavet tatsarvaṁ kathayasvādya tīrthānāṁ ca yathā sthitiḥ

Whatever was, is, and shall be in that place, tell me all of that today, and how the sacred fords stand, each in their place.