The Boon of Dharmeshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.3.56.1)

व्यास उवाच । अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि धर्मराजस्य चेष्टितम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा यमदूतानां न भयं विद्यते क्वचित्

vyāsa uvāca ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi dharmarājasya ceṣṭitam yacchrutvā yamadūtānāṁ na bhayaṁ vidyate kvacit

Vyasa said: Hereafter I shall relate the deeds of Dharmaraja, hearing which there is no fear whatsoever of the messengers of Yama.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.56.2)

धर्मराजेन सा दृष्टा वर्द्धनी च वराप्सरा । महत्यरण्ये का ह्येषा सुन्दरांग्यतिसुन्दरी

dharmarājena sā dṛṣṭā varddhanī ca varāpsarā mahatyaraṇye kā hyeṣā sundarāṁgyatisundarī

Dharmaraja saw that excellent apsara, Vardhani. He wondered: 'Who indeed is this exceedingly beautiful, fair-limbed one in this vast forest?'

Verse 3 (skanda.3.56.3)

निर्मानुषवनं चेदं सिंहव्याघ्रभयानकम् । आश्चर्यं परमं ज्ञात्वा धर्मराजोऽब्रवीदिदम्

nirmānuṣavanaṁ cedaṁ siṁhavyāghrabhayānakam āścaryaṁ paramaṁ jñātvā dharmarājo'bravīdidam

'This forest is empty of men, terrifying with lions and tigers.' Recognizing this as a supreme wonder, Dharmaraja spoke thus:

Verse 4 (skanda.3.56.4)

धर्मराज उवाच । कस्मात्त्वं मानिनि ह्येका वने चरसि निर्जने । कस्मात्स्थानात्समायाता कस्य पत्नी सुशोभने

dharmarāja uvāca kasmāttvaṁ mānini hyekā vane carasi nirjane kasmātsthānātsamāyātā kasya patnī suśobhane

Dharmaraja said: O proud one, why do you wander alone in this desolate forest? From what place have you come, O beautiful one — whose wife are you?

Verse 5 (skanda.3.56.5)

सुता त्वं कस्य वामोरु अतिरूपवती शुभा । मानुषी वाथ गंधर्वी अमरी वाथ किंनरी

sutā tvaṁ kasya vāmoru atirūpavatī śubhā mānuṣī vātha gaṁdharvī amarī vātha kiṁnarī

O fair-thighed one, whose daughter are you, so exceedingly beautiful and auspicious? Are you human, or a gandharvi, or a goddess, or a kinnari?

Verse 6 (skanda.3.56.6)

अप्सरा पक्षिणी वाथ अथवा वनदेवता । राक्षसी वा खेचरी वा कस्य भार्या च तद्वद

apsarā pakṣiṇī vātha athavā vanadevatā rākṣasī vā khecarī vā kasya bhāryā ca tadvada

Are you an apsara, or a bird-woman, or a forest deity? Are you a rakshasi, or a sky-goer? Tell me likewise, whose wife are you.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.56.7)

सत्यं च वद मे सुभ्रूरित्याहार्कसुतस्तदा । किमिच्छसि त्वया भद्रे किं कार्यं वा वदात्र वै

satyaṁ ca vada me subhrūrityāhārkasutastadā kimicchasi tvayā bhadre kiṁ kāryaṁ vā vadātra vai

'Tell me the truth, O fair-browed one' — thus spoke the son of the Sun then. 'What do you desire, O gentle one? What is your purpose here? Tell me indeed.'

Verse 8 (skanda.3.56.8)

यदिच्छसि त्वं वामोरु ददामि तव वांछितम्

yadicchasi tvaṁ vāmoru dadāmi tava vāṁchitam

'Whatever you desire, O fair-thighed one, I shall grant you your wish.'

Verse 9 (skanda.3.56.9)

वर्द्धन्युवाच ।। । धर्मे तिष्ठति सर्वं वै स्थावरं जंगमं विभो । स धर्मो दुष्करं कर्म कस्मात्त्वं कुरुषेऽनघ

varddhanyuvāca dharme tiṣṭhati sarvaṁ vai sthāvaraṁ jaṁgamaṁ vibho sa dharmo duṣkaraṁ karma kasmāttvaṁ kuruṣe'nagha

Vardhani said: O mighty one, everything, moving and unmoving, rests upon Dharma. O sinless one, why do you, who are that very Dharma, perform such a difficult act?

Verse 10 (skanda.3.56.10)

यम उवाच । ईशानस्य च यद्रूपं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि भामिनि । तेनाहं तपसा युक्तः शिवया सह शंकरम्

yama uvāca īśānasya ca yadrūpaṁ draṣṭumicchāmi bhāmini tenāhaṁ tapasā yuktaḥ śivayā saha śaṁkaram

Yama said: O lovely one, I wish to behold the form of Ishana; hence, engaged in this austerity, I seek to see Shankara together with Shiva.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.56.11)

यशः प्राप्स्ये सुखं प्राप्स्ये करोमि च सुदुष्करम् । युगेयुगे मम ख्यातिर्भवेदिति मतिर्मम

yaśaḥ prāpsye sukhaṁ prāpsye karomi ca suduṣkaram yugeyuge mama khyātirbhavediti matirmama

'I shall gain fame, I shall gain happiness, and I perform this most difficult austerity so that my renown may endure age after age' — such is my thought.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.56.12)

कल्पे कल्पे महाकल्पे भूयः ख्यातिर्भवेदिति । एतस्मात्कारणात्सुभ्रूस्तप्यते परमं तपः

kalpe kalpe mahākalpe bhūyaḥ khyātirbhavediti etasmātkāraṇātsubhrūstapyate paramaṁ tapaḥ

'That in kalpa after kalpa, in every great kalpa, my fame may again arise' — for this very reason, O fair-browed one, this supreme austerity is performed.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.56.13)

कस्मात्त्वमागता भद्रे कथयस्व यथातथा । किं कार्यं कस्य हेतुश्च सत्यमाख्यातुमर्हसि

kasmāttvamāgatā bhadre kathayasva yathātathā kiṁ kāryaṁ kasya hetuśca satyamākhyātumarhasi

Why have you come here, O gentle one? Tell me truly as it is. What is your purpose, and for whose sake? You ought to tell me the truth.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.56.14)

वर्द्धन्युवाच ।। । तपसैव त्वया धर्म भयभीतो दिवस्पतिः । तेनाहं नोदिता चात्र तपोवि घ्नस्य कांक्षया

varddhanyuvāca tapasaiva tvayā dharma bhayabhīto divaspatiḥ tenāhaṁ noditā cātra tapovi ghnasya kāṁkṣayā

Vardhani said: O Dharma, by your austerity alone the lord of heaven has become fearful; hence I have been sent here, with the intent of obstructing your austerity.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.56.15)

इन्द्रासनभयाद्भीता हरिणा हरिसन्निधौ । प्रेषिताहं महाभाग सत्यं हि प्रवदाम्यहम्

indrāsanabhayādbhītā hariṇā harisannidhau preṣitāhaṁ mahābhāga satyaṁ hi pravadāmyaham

Frightened by fear for the loss of Indra's throne, I was sent by Indra in Indra's own presence; O illustrious one, I tell you the truth indeed.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.56.16)

सूत उवाच । सत्यवाक्येन च तदा तोषितो रविनंदनः । उवाचैनां महाभाग्यो वरदोहं प्रयच्छ मे

sūta uvāca satyavākyena ca tadā toṣito ravinaṁdanaḥ uvācaināṁ mahābhāgyo varadohaṁ prayaccha me

Suta said: Pleased then by her truthful speech, the son of the Sun, of great fortune, said to her: 'I am a granter of boons — ask of me.'

Verse 17 (skanda.3.56.17)

यमोऽहं सर्वभूतानां दुष्टानां कर्मकारिणाम् । धर्म रूपो हि सर्वेषां मनुजानां जितात्मनाम्

yamo'haṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ duṣṭānāṁ karmakāriṇām dharma rūpo hi sarveṣāṁ manujānāṁ jitātmanām

'I am Yama to all wicked beings and doers of evil deeds; but I am Dharma itself to all men who have conquered themselves.'

Verse 18 (skanda.3.56.18)

स धर्मोऽहं वरारोहे ददामि तव दुर्लभम् । तत्सर्वं प्रार्थय त्वं मे शीघ्रं चाप्सरसां वरे

sa dharmo'haṁ varārohe dadāmi tava durlabham tatsarvaṁ prārthaya tvaṁ me śīghraṁ cāpsarasāṁ vare

'I, that Dharma, O fair-hipped one, shall give you what is hard to obtain; ask of me all that, quickly, O foremost of apsarases.'

Verse 19 (skanda.3.56.19)

वर्द्धन्युवाच ।। । इन्द्रस्थाने सदा रम्ये सुस्थिरत्वं प्रयच्छ मे । स्वामिन्धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ लोकानां च हिताय वै

varddhanyuvāca indrasthāne sadā ramye susthiratvaṁ prayaccha me svāmindharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭha lokānāṁ ca hitāya vai

Vardhani said: Grant me lasting stability in Indra's delightful realm, O lord, best among the upholders of Dharma, for the welfare of the worlds indeed.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.56.20)

यम उवाच । एवमस्त्विति तां प्राह चान्यं वरय सत्वरम् । ददामि वरमुत्कृष्टं गानेन तोषितोस्म्यहम्

yama uvāca evamastviti tāṁ prāha cānyaṁ varaya satvaram dadāmi varamutkṛṣṭaṁ gānena toṣitosmyaham

Yama said: 'So be it,' he said to her, 'and choose another boon quickly; I grant an excellent boon, for I am pleased by your song.'

Verse 21 (skanda.3.56.21)

वर्द्धन्युवाच ।। । अस्मिन्स्थाने महाक्षेत्रे मम तीर्थं महामते । भूयाच्च सर्वपापघ्नं मन्नाम्नेति च विश्रुतम्

varddhanyuvāca asminsthāne mahākṣetre mama tīrthaṁ mahāmate bhūyācca sarvapāpaghnaṁ mannāmneti ca viśrutam

Vardhani said: O great-minded one, in this great sacred field, may there be a tirtha of mine, destroyer of all sins, renowned by my very name.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.56.22)

तत्र दत्तं हुतं तप्तं पठितं वाऽक्षयं भवेत् । पञ्चरात्रं निषेवेत वर्द्धमानं सरोवर म्

tatra dattaṁ hutaṁ taptaṁ paṭhitaṁ vā'kṣayaṁ bhavet pañcarātraṁ niṣeveta varddhamānaṁ sarovara m

Whatever is given, offered, austerely practiced, or recited there may become imperishable; may the lake called Vardhamana be worshipfully attended for five nights.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.56.23)

पूर्वजास्तस्य तुष्येरंस्तर्प्यमाणा दिनेदिने । तथेत्युक्त्वा तु तां धर्मो मौनमाचष्ट संस्थितः । त्रिःपरिक्रम्य तं धर्मं नमस्कृत्य दिवं ययौ

pūrvajāstasya tuṣyeraṁstarpyamāṇā dinedine tathetyuktvā tu tāṁ dharmo maunamācaṣṭa saṁsthitaḥ triḥparikramya taṁ dharmaṁ namaskṛtya divaṁ yayau

'May his ancestors be pleased, being satisfied day by day.' Saying 'so be it' to her, Dharma then remained fixed in silence. Circumambulating that Dharma thrice and bowing to him, she went to heaven.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.56.24)

वर्द्धन्युवाच ।। । मा भयं कुरु देवेश यमस्यार्कसुतस्य च । अयं स्वार्थपरो धर्म यशसे च समाचरेत्

varddhanyuvāca mā bhayaṁ kuru deveśa yamasyārkasutasya ca ayaṁ svārthaparo dharma yaśase ca samācaret

Vardhani said to Indra: O lord of gods, do not fear Yama, the son of the Sun; this Dharma acts out of self-interest, and for the sake of fame.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.56.25)

व्यास उवाच । वर्द्धनी पूजिता तेन शक्रेण च शुभानना । साधुसाधु महाभागे देवकार्य कृतं त्वया

vyāsa uvāca varddhanī pūjitā tena śakreṇa ca śubhānanā sādhusādhu mahābhāge devakārya kṛtaṁ tvayā

Vyasa said: Vardhani, the fair-faced one, was honoured by Shakra: 'Well done, well done, O illustrious one — you have accomplished the gods' task.'

Verse 26 (skanda.3.56.26)

निर्भयत्वं वरागेहे सुखवासश्च ते सदा । यशः सौख्यं श्रियं रम्यां प्राप्स्यसि त्वं शुभानने

nirbhayatvaṁ varāgehe sukhavāsaśca te sadā yaśaḥ saukhyaṁ śriyaṁ ramyāṁ prāpsyasi tvaṁ śubhānane

'Fearlessness in your excellent abode, and ever a happy dwelling for you; you shall attain fame, happiness, and delightful prosperity, O fair-faced one.'

Verse 27 (skanda.3.56.27)

तथेति देवास्तामूचुर्निर्भयानंदचेतसा । नमस्कृत्य च शक्रं सा गता स्थानं स्वकं शुभम्

tatheti devāstāmūcurnirbhayānaṁdacetasā namaskṛtya ca śakraṁ sā gatā sthānaṁ svakaṁ śubham

'So be it,' said the gods to her, their minds fearless and joyful. Having bowed to Shakra, she went to her own auspicious abode.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.56.28)

सूत उवाच । गतेप्सरसि राजेन्द्र धर्मस्तस्थौ यथाविधि । तपस्तेपे महाघोरं विश्वस्योद्वेगदायकम्

sūta uvāca gatepsarasi rājendra dharmastasthau yathāvidhi tapastepe mahāghoraṁ viśvasyodvegadāyakam

Suta said: O lord of kings, when the apsara had gone, Dharma remained duly in his place; he performed a most terrible austerity, causing distress to the whole universe.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.56.29)

पंचाग्निसा धनं शुक्रे मासि सूर्येण तापिते । चक्रे सुदुःसहं राजन्देवैरपि दुरासदम्

paṁcāgnisā dhanaṁ śukre māsi sūryeṇa tāpite cakre suduḥsahaṁ rājandevairapi durāsadam

In the month scorched by the summer sun, he performed the practice of the five fires; O king, he did what was unbearable, unattainable even by the gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.56.30)

ततो वर्षशते पूर्णे अन्तको मौनमास्थितः । काष्ठभूत इभवातस्थौ वल्मीकशतसंवृतः

tato varṣaśate pūrṇe antako maunamāsthitaḥ kāṣṭhabhūta ibhavātasthau valmīkaśatasaṁvṛtaḥ

Then, when a hundred years had passed, Antaka remained in silence; motionless as wood, he stood covered by a hundred anthills.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.56.31)

नानापक्षिगणैस्तत्र कृतनीडैः स धर्मराट् । उपविष्टे व्रतं राजन्दृश्यते नैव कुत्रचित्

nānāpakṣigaṇaistatra kṛtanīḍaiḥ sa dharmarāṭ upaviṣṭe vrataṁ rājandṛśyate naiva kutracit

There, various flocks of birds made their nests upon him; O king, when he was seated in his vow, he could not be seen anywhere at all.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.56.32)

संस्मरंतोऽथ देवेश मुमापतिमनिंदितम् । ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वा यक्षाश्चोद्विग्नमानसाः । कैलासशिखरं भूय आजग्मुः शिवसन्निधौ

saṁsmaraṁto'tha deveśa mumāpatimaniṁditam tato devāḥ sagandharvā yakṣāścodvignamānasāḥ kailāsaśikharaṁ bhūya ājagmuḥ śivasannidhau

He, remembering constantly the blameless Lord of Uma, continued his tapas. Then the gods, together with the gandharvas and yakshas, their minds distressed, went again to the peak of Kailasa, into the presence of Shiva.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.56.33)

देवा ऊचुः । त्राहित्राहि महादेव श्रीकण्ठ जगतः पते । त्राहि नो भूतभव्येश त्राहि नो वृषभध्वज । दयालुस्त्वं कृपानाथ निर्विघ्नं कुरु शंकर

devā ūcuḥ trāhitrāhi mahādeva śrīkaṇṭha jagataḥ pate trāhi no bhūtabhavyeśa trāhi no vṛṣabhadhvaja dayālustvaṁ kṛpānātha nirvighnaṁ kuru śaṁkara

The gods said: Save us, save us, O Mahadeva, Shrikantha, Lord of the world! Save us, O Lord of what has been and what shall be! Save us, O bull-bannered one! You are compassionate, O Lord of mercy — make us free of trouble, O Shankara.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.56.34)

ईश्वर उवाच । केनापराधिता देवाः केन वा मानमर्द्दिताः । मर्त्ये स्वर्गेऽथवा नागे शीघ्रं कथय ताचिरम्

īśvara uvāca kenāparādhitā devāḥ kena vā mānamardditāḥ martye svarge'thavā nāge śīghraṁ kathaya tāciram

Ishvara said: By whom have you gods been wronged, or by whom has your honour been crushed — in the mortal world, in heaven, or among the nagas? Tell me quickly, without delay.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.56.35)

अनेनैव त्रिशूलेन खट्वांगेनाथवा पुनः । अथ पाशुपतेनैव निहनिष्यामि तं रणे । शीघ्रं वै वदतास्माक मत्रागमनकारणम्

anenaiva triśūlena khaṭvāṁgenāthavā punaḥ atha pāśupatenaiva nihaniṣyāmi taṁ raṇe śīghraṁ vai vadatāsmāka matrāgamanakāraṇam

With this very trident, or again with the khatvanga, or indeed with the Pashupata weapon, I shall slay him in battle. Tell me quickly the reason for coming to me.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.56.36)

देवा ऊचुः ।। । कृपासिन्धो हि देवेश जगदानन्दकारक । न भयं मानुषादद्य न ना गाद्देवदानवात्

devā ūcuḥ kṛpāsindho hi deveśa jagadānandakāraka na bhayaṁ mānuṣādadya na nā gāddevadānavāt

The gods said: O ocean of compassion, Lord of gods, giver of joy to the world! There is today no fear from any man, nor from any naga, god, or demon.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.56.37)

मर्त्यलोके महादेव प्रेतनाथो महाकृतिः । आत्मकार्यं महाघोरं क्लेशयेदिति निश्चयः

martyaloke mahādeva pretanātho mahākṛtiḥ ātmakāryaṁ mahāghoraṁ kleśayediti niścayaḥ

O Mahadeva, in the mortal world the great-formed Lord of the Pretas is set upon a most terrible task, torturing himself, this is certain —

Verse 38 (skanda.3.56.38)

उग्रेण तपसा कृत्वा क्लिश्यदात्मानमात्मना । तेनात्र वयमुद्विग्ना देवाः सर्वे सदाशिव । शरणं त्वामनुप्राप्ता यदिच्छसि कुरुष्व तत्

ugreṇa tapasā kṛtvā kliśyadātmānamātmanā tenātra vayamudvignā devāḥ sarve sadāśiva śaraṇaṁ tvāmanuprāptā yadicchasi kuruṣva tat

— by fierce austerity he afflicts himself, by his own self. O Sadashiva, all of us gods are therefore distressed by this; we have come to you for refuge — do as you wish.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.56.39)

सूत उवाच । देवानां वचनं श्रुत्वा वृषारूढो वृषध्वजः । आयुधान्परिसंगृह्य कवचं सुमनोहरम् । गतवानथ तं देशं यत्र धर्मो व्यवस्थितः

sūta uvāca devānāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā vṛṣārūḍho vṛṣadhvajaḥ āyudhānparisaṁgṛhya kavacaṁ sumanoharam gatavānatha taṁ deśaṁ yatra dharmo vyavasthitaḥ

Suta said: Having heard the words of the gods, the bull-bannered one, mounted on his bull, having taken up his weapons and a most beautiful armour, went then to that place where Dharma was established.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.56.40)

ईश्वर उवाच । अनेन तपसा धर्म संतुष्टं मम मानसम् । वरं ब्रूहि वरं ब्रूहि वरं ब्रूहीत्युवाच ह

īśvara uvāca anena tapasā dharma saṁtuṣṭaṁ mama mānasam varaṁ brūhi varaṁ brūhi varaṁ brūhītyuvāca ha

Ishvara said: O Dharma, by this austerity my mind is well pleased. 'Ask a boon, ask a boon, ask a boon' — thus he spoke.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.56.41)

इच्छसे त्वं यथा कामा न्यथा ते मनसि स्थितान् । यंयं प्रार्थयसे भद्र ददामि तव सांप्रतम्

icchase tvaṁ yathā kāmā nyathā te manasi sthitān yaṁyaṁ prārthayase bhadra dadāmi tava sāṁpratam

'Whatever desires you wish, whatever is set in your mind, whatever you ask for, O good one, I grant to you right now.'

Verse 42 (skanda.3.56.42)

सूत उवाच । एवं संभाषमाणं तु दृष्ट्वा देवं महेश्वरम् । वल्मीकादुत्थितो राजन्गृहीत्वा करसंपुटम् । तुष्टाव वचनैः शुद्धैर्लोकनाथमरिंदम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ saṁbhāṣamāṇaṁ tu dṛṣṭvā devaṁ maheśvaram valmīkādutthito rājangṛhītvā karasaṁpuṭam tuṣṭāva vacanaiḥ śuddhairlokanāthamariṁdam

Suta said: Seeing the god Maheshvara thus speaking, O king, Dharma rose up from the anthill, and, joining his cupped hands, praised the Lord of the world, the destroyer of foes, with pure words.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.56.43)

धर्म उवाच । ईश्वराय नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते योगरूपिणे । नमस्ते तेजोरूपाय नीलकंठ नमोऽस्तु ते

dharma uvāca īśvarāya namastubhyaṁ namaste yogarūpiṇe namaste tejorūpāya nīlakaṁṭha namo'stu te

Dharma said: Salutation to you, O Ishvara; salutation to you, of the form of yoga; salutation to you, of the form of radiance; O Nilakantha, salutation to you.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.56.44)

ध्यातॄणामनुरूपाय भक्तिगम्याय ते नमः । नमस्ते ब्रह्मरूपाय विष्णुरूप नमोऽ स्तु ते

dhyātṝṇāmanurūpāya bhaktigamyāya te namaḥ namaste brahmarūpāya viṣṇurūpa namo' stu te

Salutation to you, who take the form fitting to those who meditate, attainable through devotion; salutation to you of the form of Brahma; O form of Vishnu, salutation to you.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.56.45)

नमः स्थूलाय सूक्ष्माय अणुरूपाय वै नमः । नमस्ते कामरूपाय सृष्टिस्थित्यंतकारिणे

namaḥ sthūlāya sūkṣmāya aṇurūpāya vai namaḥ namaste kāmarūpāya sṛṣṭisthityaṁtakāriṇe

Salutation to the gross, to the subtle, salutation indeed to the atomic form; salutation to you of the form of desire taken at will, the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.56.46)

नमो नित्याय सौम्याय मृडाय हरये नमः । आतपाय नमस्तुभ्यं नमः शीतकराय च

namo nityāya saumyāya mṛḍāya haraye namaḥ ātapāya namastubhyaṁ namaḥ śītakarāya ca

Salutation to the eternal, the gentle, to Mrida, salutation to Hari; salutation to you as the sun's heat, and salutation to you as the moon's coolness.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.56.47)

सृष्टिरूप नमस्तुभ्यं लोकपाल नमोऽस्तु ते । नम उग्राय भीमाय शांत रूपाय ते नमः

sṛṣṭirūpa namastubhyaṁ lokapāla namo'stu te nama ugrāya bhīmāya śāṁta rūpāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you, form of creation; salutation to you, guardian of the worlds; salutation to the fierce, to the terrible; salutation to you of peaceful form.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.56.48)

नमश्चानंतरूपाय विश्वरूपाय ते नमः । नमो भस्मांगलिप्ताय नमस्ते चंद्रशेखर । नमोऽस्तु पंचवक्त्राय त्रिनेत्राय नमोऽस्तु ते

namaścānaṁtarūpāya viśvarūpāya te namaḥ namo bhasmāṁgaliptāya namaste caṁdraśekhara namo'stu paṁcavaktrāya trinetrāya namo'stu te

Salutation to your infinite form, salutation to you of the form of the universe; salutation to you whose limbs are smeared with ash, salutation to you, O moon-crested one; salutation to the five-faced, salutation to the three-eyed one.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.56.49)

नमस्ते व्यालभूषाय कक्षापटधराय च । नमोंऽधकविनाशाय दक्षपापापहारिणे । कामनिर्द्दाहिने तुभ्यं त्रिपुरारे नमोऽस्तु ते

namaste vyālabhūṣāya kakṣāpaṭadharāya ca namoṁ'dhakavināśāya dakṣapāpāpahāriṇe kāmanirddāhine tubhyaṁ tripurāre namo'stu te

Salutation to you adorned with serpents, and wearing a garment about the loins; salutation to the destroyer of Andhaka, to the remover of Daksha's sin; to you who burnt Kama, O foe of Tripura, salutation to you.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.56.50)

चत्वारिंशच्च नामानि मयोक्तानि च यः पठेत् । शुचिर्भूत्वा त्रिकालं तु पठेद्वा शृणुयादपि

catvāriṁśacca nāmāni mayoktāni ca yaḥ paṭhet śucirbhūtvā trikālaṁ tu paṭhedvā śṛṇuyādapi

Whoever, having become pure, recites these forty names spoken by me, three times a day, or even hears them —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.56.51)

गोघ्नश्चैव कृतघ्नश्च सुरापो गुरुत ल्पगः । ब्रह्महा हेमहारी च ह्यथवा वृषलीपतिः

goghnaścaiva kṛtaghnaśca surāpo guruta lpagaḥ brahmahā hemahārī ca hyathavā vṛṣalīpatiḥ

— even the killer of a cow, the ungrateful, the drinker of liquor, the violator of the guru's bed, the slayer of a brahmin, the stealer of gold, or indeed the husband of a low-caste woman —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.56.52)

स्त्रीबालघातकश्चैव पापी चानृतभाषणः । अनाचारी तथा स्तेयी परदाराभिगस्तथा । अकार्यकारी कृत्यघ्नो ब्रह्मद्विड्वाडवाधमः

strībālaghātakaścaiva pāpī cānṛtabhāṣaṇaḥ anācārī tathā steyī paradārābhigastathā akāryakārī kṛtyaghno brahmadviḍvāḍavādhamaḥ

— the killer of women and children, the sinner, the speaker of falsehood, the man of bad conduct, the thief, the violator of another's wife, the doer of forbidden deeds, the destroyer of good works, the hater of brahmins, the lowest of brahmins —

Verse 53 (skanda.3.56.53)

सूत उवाच । इत्येवं बहुभिर्वाक्यैर्धर्मराजेन वै मुहुः । ईडितोऽपि महद्भक्त्या प्रणम्य शिरसा स्वयम्

sūta uvāca ityevaṁ bahubhirvākyairdharmarājena vai muhuḥ īḍito'pi mahadbhaktyā praṇamya śirasā svayam

Suta said: Thus, having been praised repeatedly with many such words by Dharmaraja, with great devotion, and having himself bowed his head —

Verse 54 (skanda.3.56.54)

तुष्टः शंभुस्तदा तस्मा उवाचेदं वचः शुभम् । वरं वृणु महाभाग यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते

tuṣṭaḥ śaṁbhustadā tasmā uvācedaṁ vacaḥ śubham varaṁ vṛṇu mahābhāga yatte manasi varttate

— Shambhu, pleased, then spoke this auspicious word to him: 'Choose a boon, O illustrious one, whatever is in your mind.'

Verse 55 (skanda.3.56.55)

यम उवाच । यदि तुष्टोऽसि देवेश दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि । तं कुरुष्व महाभाग त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

yama uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si deveśa dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari taṁ kuruṣva mahābhāga trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

Yama said: If you are pleased, O Lord of gods, having shown compassion upon me, O illustrious one, then make this — the three worlds together with the moving and unmoving —

Verse 56 (skanda.3.56.56)

मन्नाम्ना स्थानमेतद्धि ख्यातं लोके भवेदिति । अच्छेद्यं चाप्यभेद्यं च पुण्यं पापप्रणाशनम्

mannāmnā sthānametaddhi khyātaṁ loke bhavediti acchedyaṁ cāpyabhedyaṁ ca puṇyaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam

— that this place become renowned in the world by my very name; may it be indestructible and impenetrable, meritorious, and a destroyer of sin.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.56.57)

स्थानं कुरु महादेव यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे भव । शिवेन स्थानकं दत्तं काशीतुल्यं तदा नृप । तद्दत्त्वा च पुनः प्राह अन्यं वरय सत्तम

sthānaṁ kuru mahādeva yadi tuṣṭo'si me bhava śivena sthānakaṁ dattaṁ kāśītulyaṁ tadā nṛpa taddattvā ca punaḥ prāha anyaṁ varaya sattama

'Make this place so, O Mahadeva, if you are pleased, be gracious to me.' Then, O king, Shiva granted this place, equal to Kashi; having granted it, he again said: 'O excellent one, choose another boon.'

Verse 58 (skanda.3.56.58)

धर्म उवाच । यदि तुष्टोऽसि देवेश दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि । तं कुरुष्व महाभाग त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । वरेणैवं यथा ख्यातिं गमिष्यामि युगेयुगे

dharma uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si deveśa dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari taṁ kuruṣva mahābhāga trailokyaṁ sacarācaram vareṇaivaṁ yathā khyātiṁ gamiṣyāmi yugeyuge

Dharma said: If you are pleased, O Lord of gods, having shown compassion upon me, O illustrious one, grant this — that by such a boon I may attain renown throughout the three worlds, moving and unmoving, age after age.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.56.59)

ईश्वर उवाच । ब्रूहि कीनाश तत्सर्वं प्रकरोमि तवेप्सितम् । तपसा तोषितोऽहं वै ददामि वरमीप्सितम्

īśvara uvāca brūhi kīnāśa tatsarvaṁ prakaromi tavepsitam tapasā toṣito'haṁ vai dadāmi varamīpsitam

Ishvara said: Speak, O Kinasha, all of it; I shall accomplish your desire. Pleased indeed by your austerity, I grant the boon you wish for.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.56.60)

यम उवाच । यदि मे वांछितं देव ददासि तर्हि शंकर । अस्मिन्स्थाने महाक्षेत्रे मन्नामा भव सर्वदा

yama uvāca yadi me vāṁchitaṁ deva dadāsi tarhi śaṁkara asminsthāne mahākṣetre mannāmā bhava sarvadā

Yama said: If, O god, you grant my desire, then, O Shankara, in this great sacred field, be forever known by my name.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.56.61)

धर्मारण्यमिति ख्यातिस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । यथा संजायते देव तथा कुरु महेश्वर

dharmāraṇyamiti khyātistrailokye sacarācare yathā saṁjāyate deva tathā kuru maheśvara

O god, so that the fame 'Dharmaranya' may spread throughout the three worlds, moving and unmoving, do so, O Maheshvara.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.56.62)

ईश्वर उवाच । धर्मारण्यमिदं ख्यातं सदा भूयाद्युगेयुगे । त्वन्नाम्ना स्थापितं देव ख्यातिमेतद्गमिष्यति । अथान्यदपि यत्किंचित्करोम्येष वदस्व तत

īśvara uvāca dharmāraṇyamidaṁ khyātaṁ sadā bhūyādyugeyuge tvannāmnā sthāpitaṁ deva khyātimetadgamiṣyati athānyadapi yatkiṁcitkaromyeṣa vadasva tata

Ishvara said: May this be renowned as 'Dharmaranya' forever, age after age; O god, established by your name, it shall attain this renown. Now tell me whatever else I should do.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.56.63)

यम उवाच । योजनद्वयविस्तीर्णं मन्नाम्ना तीर्थमुत्तमम् । मुक्तेश्च शाश्वतं स्थानं पावनं सर्वदेहिनाम्

yama uvāca yojanadvayavistīrṇaṁ mannāmnā tīrthamuttamam mukteśca śāśvataṁ sthānaṁ pāvanaṁ sarvadehinām

Yama said: Let there be an excellent tirtha, two yojanas in extent, named after me — an eternal place of liberation, purifying for all embodied beings.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.56.64)

मक्षिकाः कीटकाश्चैव पशुपक्षिमृगादयः । पतंगा भूतवेताला पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः

makṣikāḥ kīṭakāścaiva paśupakṣimṛgādayaḥ pataṁgā bhūtavetālā piśācoragarākṣasāḥ

Flies, insects, cattle, birds, deer and the rest; moths, bhutas, betalas, pishachas, serpents, and rakshasas —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.56.65)

नारी वाथ नरो वाथ मत्क्षेत्रे धर्मसंज्ञके । त्यजते यः प्रियान्प्राणान्मुक्तिर्भवतु शाश्वती

nārī vātha naro vātha matkṣetre dharmasaṁjñake tyajate yaḥ priyānprāṇānmuktirbhavatu śāśvatī

— whether woman or man, whoever gives up their dear life-breath in my sacred field named Dharma, may eternal liberation be theirs.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.56.66)

एवमस्त्विति सर्वोपि देवा ब्रह्मादयस्तथा । पुष्पवृष्टिं प्रकुर्वाणाः परं हर्षमवा्प्नुयुः

evamastviti sarvopi devā brahmādayastathā puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ prakurvāṇāḥ paraṁ harṣamavāpnuyuḥ

'So be it,' said all the gods headed by Brahma; showering flowers, they attained the greatest joy.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.56.67)

देवदुंदुभयो नेदुर्गंधर्वपतयो जगुः । ववुः पुण्यास्तथा वाता ननृतुश्चाप्सरो गणाः

devaduṁdubhayo nedurgaṁdharvapatayo jaguḥ vavuḥ puṇyāstathā vātā nanṛtuścāpsaro gaṇāḥ

The divine drums resounded, the lords of the gandharvas sang, sacred winds blew, and the hosts of apsarases danced.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.56.68)

सूत उवाच । यमेन तपसा भक्त्या तोषितो हि सदाशिवः । उवाच वचनं देवं रम्यं साधुमनोरमम्

sūta uvāca yamena tapasā bhaktyā toṣito hi sadāśivaḥ uvāca vacanaṁ devaṁ ramyaṁ sādhumanoramam

Suta said: Sadashiva, indeed pleased by Yama's austerity and devotion, spoke to the god delightful, gracious, and pleasing words.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.56.69)

अनुज्ञां देहि मे तात यथा गच्छामि सत्वरम् । कैलासं पर्वतश्रेष्ठं देवानां हितकाम्यया

anujñāṁ dehi me tāta yathā gacchāmi satvaram kailāsaṁ parvataśreṣṭhaṁ devānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Shiva said: 'Grant me leave, dear one, that I may quickly go to Kailasa, the best of mountains, out of desire for the welfare of the gods.'

Verse 70 (skanda.3.56.70)

यम उवाच । न मे स्थानं परित्यक्तुं त्वया युक्तं महेश्वर । कैलासादधिकं देव जायते वचनादिदम्

yama uvāca na me sthānaṁ parityaktuṁ tvayā yuktaṁ maheśvara kailāsādadhikaṁ deva jāyate vacanādidam

Yama said: It is not fitting, O Maheshvara, for you to abandon my place; O god, by this very word, it becomes greater even than Kailasa.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.56.71)

शिव उवाच । साधु प्रोक्तं त्वया युक्तमेकांशेनात्र मे स्थितिः । न मया त्यजितं साधु स्थानं तव सुनिर्मलम्

śiva uvāca sādhu proktaṁ tvayā yuktamekāṁśenātra me sthitiḥ na mayā tyajitaṁ sādhu sthānaṁ tava sunirmalam

Shiva said: Well and fittingly spoken by you; by one portion of myself my presence shall remain here. Good — I have not abandoned your most pure place.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.56.72)

विश्वेश्वरं महालिंगं मन्नाम्नात्र भविष्यति । एवमुक्त्वा महादेवस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत

viśveśvaraṁ mahāliṁgaṁ mannāmnātra bhaviṣyati evamuktvā mahādevastatraivāṁtaradhīyata

'A great linga, Vishveshvara, shall be here in my name.' Having said this, Mahadeva vanished right there.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.56.73)

शिवस्य वचनात्तत्र तदा लिंगं तदद्भुतम् । तं दृष्ट्वा च सुरैस्तत्र यथानामानुकीर्त्तनम्

śivasya vacanāttatra tadā liṁgaṁ tadadbhutam taṁ dṛṣṭvā ca suraistatra yathānāmānukīrttanam

By Shiva's word, that wondrous linga appeared there then; and seeing it, the gods there, each according to his own name —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.56.74)

स्वंस्वं लिंगं तदा सृष्टं धर्मारण्ये सुरोत्तमैः । यस्य देवस्य यल्लिंगं तन्नाम्ना परिकीर्तितम्

svaṁsvaṁ liṁgaṁ tadā sṛṣṭaṁ dharmāraṇye surottamaiḥ yasya devasya yalliṁgaṁ tannāmnā parikīrtitam

— each established his own linga then in Dharmaranya, each of the best of gods; whichever deity's linga it was, it was proclaimed by that name.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.56.75)

सूत उवाच । धर्मेण स्थापितं लिंगं धर्मेश्वरमुपस्थितम् । स्मरणात्पूजनात्तस्य सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

sūta uvāca dharmeṇa sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ dharmeśvaramupasthitam smaraṇātpūjanāttasya sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Suta said: The linga established by Dharma, named Dharmeshvara, stands there; by remembering or worshipping it, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.56.76)

यद्ब्रह्म योगिनां गम्यं सर्वेषां हृदये स्थितम् । तिष्ठते यस्य लिंगं तु स्वयंभुवमिति स्थितम्

yadbrahma yogināṁ gamyaṁ sarveṣāṁ hṛdaye sthitam tiṣṭhate yasya liṁgaṁ tu svayaṁbhuvamiti sthitam

That Brahman, attainable by yogis, dwelling in the hearts of all — whose linga stands there, known as the self-manifest Svayambhu.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.56.77)

भूतनाथं च संपूज्य व्याधिभिर्मुच्यते जनः । धर्मवापीं ततश्चैव चक्रे तत्र मनोरमाम्

bhūtanāthaṁ ca saṁpūjya vyādhibhirmucyate janaḥ dharmavāpīṁ tataścaiva cakre tatra manoramām

By worshipping Bhutanatha, a person is freed from diseases. Then he made there also a delightful tank, Dharmavapi.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.56.78)

आहत्य कोटितीर्थानां जलं वाप्यां मुमोच ह । यमतीर्थस्वरूपं च स्नानं कृत्वा मनोरमम्

āhatya koṭitīrthānāṁ jalaṁ vāpyāṁ mumoca ha yamatīrthasvarūpaṁ ca snānaṁ kṛtvā manoramam

He brought and released into the tank the waters of ten million sacred fords; and, having taken a delightful bath there, of the very nature of Yamatirtha —

Verse 79 (skanda.3.56.79)

स्नानार्थं देवतानां च ऋषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

snānārthaṁ devatānāṁ ca ṛṣīṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

— that tank became for the bathing of the gods and of purified-souled sages. Bathing and drinking there, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.56.80)

धर्मवाप्यां नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा धर्मेश्वरं शिवम् । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो न मातुर्गर्भमाविशेत्

dharmavāpyāṁ naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā dharmeśvaraṁ śivam mucyate sarvapāpebhyo na māturgarbhamāviśet

A man, having bathed in Dharmavapi and beheld Shiva Dharmeshvara, is freed from all sins and does not enter a mother's womb again.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.56.81)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो यस्तु करोति यमतर्पणम् । व्याधिदोषविनाशार्थं क्लेशदोषोप शांतये । यमाय धर्मराजाय मृत्यवे चांतकाय च । वैवस्वताय कालाय दध्नाय परमेष्ठिने

tatra snātvā naro yastu karoti yamatarpaṇam vyādhidoṣavināśārthaṁ kleśadoṣopa śāṁtaye yamāya dharmarājāya mṛtyave cāṁtakāya ca vaivasvatāya kālāya dadhnāya parameṣṭhine

Whatever man, having bathed there, performs tarpana to Yama, for the destruction of the fault of disease, for the pacifying of the fault of affliction — to Yama, to Dharmaraja, to Mrityu, to Antaka, to Vaivasvata, to Kala, to Dadhna, to Parameshthin —

Verse 82 (skanda.3.56.82)

वृकोदराय वृकाय दक्षिणेशाय ते नमः । नीलाय चित्रगुप्ताय चित्र वैचित्र ते नमः

vṛkodarāya vṛkāya dakṣiṇeśāya te namaḥ nīlāya citraguptāya citra vaicitra te namaḥ

— to Vrikodara, to Vrika, salutation to you, Dakshinesha; to Nila, to Chitragupta, to Chitra, to Vaichitra, salutation to you —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.56.83)

यमार्थं तर्पणं यो वै धर्मवाप्यां करिष्यति । साक्षतैर्नामभिश्चैतैस्तस्य नोपद्रवो भवेत्

yamārthaṁ tarpaṇaṁ yo vai dharmavāpyāṁ kariṣyati sākṣatairnāmabhiścaitaistasya nopadravo bhavet

— whoever performs this tarpana for Yama's sake in Dharmavapi, with unbroken rice-grains and with these names, no calamity shall befall him.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.56.84)

एकांतरस्तृतीयस्तु ज्वरश्चातुर्थिकस्तथा । वेलायां जायते यस्तु ज्वरः शीतज्वरस्तथा

ekāṁtarastṛtīyastu jvaraścāturthikastathā velāyāṁ jāyate yastu jvaraḥ śītajvarastathā

Whether it be an alternate-day fever, a tertian fever, a quartan fever, or a fever that arises at a fixed time, or a cold-fever —

Verse 85 (skanda.3.56.85)

पीडयन्ति न चैतस्य यस्यैवो मतिरीदृशी । रेवत्यादिग्रहा दोषा डाकिनी शाकिनी तथा

pīḍayanti na caitasya yasyaivo matirīdṛśī revatyādigrahā doṣā ḍākinī śākinī tathā

— none of these afflict him who has this understanding; nor do the planetary afflictions beginning with Revati, nor dakinis and shakinis —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.56.86)

धनधान्यसमृद्धिः स्यात्संततिर्वर्धते सदा । भूतेश्वरं तु संपूज्य सुस्नातो विजितेंद्रियः

dhanadhānyasamṛddhiḥ syātsaṁtatirvardhate sadā bhūteśvaraṁ tu saṁpūjya susnāto vijiteṁdriyaḥ

— afflict him not. There shall be abundance of wealth and grain, and his progeny ever increases; having well bathed and worshipped Bhuteshvara, self-controlled —

Verse 87 (skanda.3.56.87)

सांगं रुद्रजपं कृत्वा व्याधिदोषात्प्रमुच्यते । अमावास्यां सोमदिने व्यतीपाते च वैधृतौ । संक्रांतौ ग्रहणे चैव तत्र श्राद्धं स्मृतं नृणाम्

sāṁgaṁ rudrajapaṁ kṛtvā vyādhidoṣātpramucyate amāvāsyāṁ somadine vyatīpāte ca vaidhṛtau saṁkrāṁtau grahaṇe caiva tatra śrāddhaṁ smṛtaṁ nṛṇām

— and having performed the Rudra-japa with its ancillaries, one is freed from the fault of disease. On the new moon, on Monday, during Vyatipata and Vaidhriti, at the solstice and during an eclipse, the shraddha performed there is declared most fruitful for men.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.56.88)

श्राद्धं कृतं तेन समाः सहस्रं निरस्य चैतत्पितरस्त्वदंति । पानीयमेवापि तिलैर्विमिश्रितं ददाति यो वै प्रथितो मनुष्यः

śrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ tena samāḥ sahasraṁ nirasya caitatpitarastvadaṁti pānīyamevāpi tilairvimiśritaṁ dadāti yo vai prathito manuṣyaḥ

By the shraddha performed there, the ancestors partake of it for a thousand years, having set aside other food; and whatever renowned man offers even just water mixed with sesame there —

Verse 89 (skanda.3.56.89)

एकविंशतिवारैस्तु गयायां पिंडदानतः । धर्मेश्वरे सकृद्दत्तं पितॄणां चाक्षयं भवेत्

ekaviṁśativāraistu gayāyāṁ piṁḍadānataḥ dharmeśvare sakṛddattaṁ pitṝṇāṁ cākṣayaṁ bhavet

— that equals the merit of offering pinda twenty-one times at Gaya; what is offered even once at Dharmeshvara becomes imperishable for the ancestors.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.56.90)

धर्मेशात्पश्चिमे भागे विश्वेश्वरांतरेपि वा । धर्मवापीति विख्याता स्वर्गसोपानदायिनी

dharmeśātpaścime bhāge viśveśvarāṁtarepi vā dharmavāpīti vikhyātā svargasopānadāyinī

To the west of Dharmesha, or also between it and Vishveshvara, is the one known as Dharmavapi, the bestower of the very stairway to heaven.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.56.91)

धर्मेण निर्मिता पूर्वं शिवार्थं धर्मबुद्धिना । तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च तर्पिताः पितृदेवताः

dharmeṇa nirmitā pūrvaṁ śivārthaṁ dharmabuddhinā tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca tarpitāḥ pitṛdevatāḥ

It was made of old by Dharma, of righteous mind, for Shiva's sake; bathing and drinking there, the Pitris and gods are satisfied.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.56.92)

शमीपत्रप्रमाणं तु पिंडं दद्याच्च यो नरः । धर्मवाप्यां महापुण्यां गर्भवासं न चाप्नुयात्

śamīpatrapramāṇaṁ tu piṁḍaṁ dadyācca yo naraḥ dharmavāpyāṁ mahāpuṇyāṁ garbhavāsaṁ na cāpnuyāt

Whatever man offers a pinda even the size of a shami leaf in the greatly meritorious Dharmavapi does not obtain residence in the womb again.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.56.93)

कुम्भीपाकान्महारौद्राद्रौरवान्नरकात्पुनः । अंधतामिस्रकाद्राजन्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

kumbhīpākānmahāraudrādrauravānnarakātpunaḥ aṁdhatāmisrakādrājanmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

O king, he is freed from the hell called Kumbhipaka, from the terrible Raurava, and again from Andhatamisra — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.56.94)

सूत उवाच । एकवर्षं तर्पणीयं धर्मवाप्यां नरोत्तमः । ऋतौ मासे च पक्षे च विपरीतं च जायते

sūta uvāca ekavarṣaṁ tarpaṇīyaṁ dharmavāpyāṁ narottamaḥ ṛtau māse ca pakṣe ca viparītaṁ ca jāyate

Suta said: For one year should the best of men offer tarpana in Dharmavapi; the merit gained thereby arises in a shorter time — in a season, a month, or a fortnight, according to circumstance.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.56.95)

बर्हिषदोऽग्निष्वात्ताश्च आज्यपाः सोमपास्तथा । तृप्तिं प्रयांति परमां वाप्यां वै तर्पणेन तु

barhiṣado'gniṣvāttāśca ājyapāḥ somapāstathā tṛptiṁ prayāṁti paramāṁ vāpyāṁ vai tarpaṇena tu

The Barhishads, the Agnishvattas, the Ajyapas, and the Somapas attain supreme satisfaction through tarpana at that tank.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.56.96)

कुरुक्षेत्रादि क्षेत्राणि अयोध्यादिपुरस्तथा । पुष्कराद्यानि सर्वाणि मुक्तिनामानि संति वै

kurukṣetrādi kṣetrāṇi ayodhyādipurastathā puṣkarādyāni sarvāṇi muktināmāni saṁti vai

Kurukshetra and other sacred fields, Ayodhya and other cities likewise, Pushkara and all the rest — these are indeed known as places of liberation.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.56.97)

तानि सर्वाणि तुल्यानि धर्मकूपोऽधिको भवेत् । मन्त्रो वेदास्तथा यज्ञा दानानि च व्रतानि च

tāni sarvāṇi tulyāni dharmakūpo'dhiko bhavet mantro vedāstathā yajñā dānāni ca vratāni ca

All of those are equal to one another; but the Dharma-well is greater still. Mantras, the Vedas, sacrifices, gifts, and vows —

Verse 98 (skanda.3.56.98)

अक्षयाणि प्रजायंते दत्त्वा जप्त्वा नरेश्वर । अभिचाराश्च ये चान्ये सुसिद्धाथर्ववेदजाः

akṣayāṇi prajāyaṁte dattvā japtvā nareśvara abhicārāśca ye cānye susiddhātharvavedajāḥ

— O lord of men, become imperishable when given or recited there. And whatever other rites of sorcery, well-attained, born of the Atharvaveda —

Verse 99 (skanda.3.56.99)

ते सर्वे सिद्धिमायांति तस्मिन्स्थाने कृता अपि । आदितीर्थं नृपश्रेष्ठ काजेशैरुपसेवितम्

te sarve siddhimāyāṁti tasminsthāne kṛtā api āditīrthaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha kājeśairupasevitam

— all of them, even if performed in that place, attain success. O best of kings, this is the primeval tirtha, served by the Kajesha deities.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.56.100)

सिद्धिस्थानं सुसौम्यं च ब्रह्माद्यैरपि सेवि तम् । कृते तु युगपर्यंतं त्रेतायां लक्षपञ्चकम्

siddhisthānaṁ susaumyaṁ ca brahmādyairapi sevi tam kṛte tu yugaparyaṁtaṁ tretāyāṁ lakṣapañcakam

It is a place of accomplishment, most gentle, served even by Brahma and the others. In the Krita age, its fruit lasts the whole age; in the Treta, five hundred thousand years —

Verse 101 (skanda.3.56.101)

द्वापरे लक्षमेकं तु दिनैकेन फलं कलौ । एतदुक्तं मया ब्रह्मन्धर्मारण्यस्य वर्णनम् । फलं चैवात्र सर्वं हि उक्तं द्वैपायनेन तु

dvāpare lakṣamekaṁ tu dinaikena phalaṁ kalau etaduktaṁ mayā brahmandharmāraṇyasya varṇanam phalaṁ caivātra sarvaṁ hi uktaṁ dvaipāyanena tu

— in Dvapara, one hundred thousand years; and in Kali, its fruit is obtained in a single day. This, O Brahmin, is what I have told you of the description of Dharmaranya; and all its fruit here has indeed been told by Dvaipayana himself.

Verse 102 (skanda.3.56.102)

सूत उवाच । अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि धर्मवाक्यं मनोरमम् । देवानां हितकामाय आज्ञाप्य च यदुक्तवान्

sūta uvāca ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi dharmavākyaṁ manoramam devānāṁ hitakāmāya ājñāpya ca yaduktavān

Suta said: Hereafter I shall relate the delightful words of Dharma, which, for the welfare of the gods, he spoke as instruction:

Verse 103 (skanda.3.56.103)

धर्म उवाच । अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे प्रकुर्वंति विष्णुमायाविमोहिताः । पारदार्यं महादुष्टं स्वर्णस्तेयादिकं तथा

dharma uvāca asminkṣetre prakurvaṁti viṣṇumāyāvimohitāḥ pāradāryaṁ mahāduṣṭaṁ svarṇasteyādikaṁ tathā

Dharma said: In this sacred field, those deluded by Vishnu's maya commit adultery, most wicked, and theft of gold and the like —

Verse 104 (skanda.3.56.104)

अन्यच्च विकृतं सर्वं कुर्वाणो नरकं व्रजेत् । अन्यक्षेत्रे कृतं पापं धर्मारण्ये विनश्यति

anyacca vikṛtaṁ sarvaṁ kurvāṇo narakaṁ vrajet anyakṣetre kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ dharmāraṇye vinaśyati

— and whoever commits any other perverse act goes to hell. But sin committed in another sacred field is destroyed in Dharmaranya —

Verse 105 (skanda.3.56.105)

धर्मारण्ये कृतं पापं वज्रलेपो भविष्यति । यथा पुण्यं तथा पापं यत्किंचिच्च शुभाशुभम्

dharmāraṇye kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ vajralepo bhaviṣyati yathā puṇyaṁ tathā pāpaṁ yatkiṁcicca śubhāśubham

— but sin committed in Dharmaranya itself becomes fixed like a coat of adamant, indelible. As is merit, so is sin — whatever, good or bad —

Verse 106 (skanda.3.56.106)

तत्सर्वं वर्द्धते नित्यं वर्षाणि शतमित्युत । कामिनां कामदं पुण्य योगिनां मुक्तिदायकम्

tatsarvaṁ varddhate nityaṁ varṣāṇi śatamityuta kāmināṁ kāmadaṁ puṇya yogināṁ muktidāyakam

— all of it grows continually, for a hundred years indeed. This place is merit that grants desires to the desirous, and bestows liberation upon yogis.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.56.107)

सिद्धानां सिद्धिदं प्रोक्तं धर्मारण्यं तु सर्वदा । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्निर्धनो धनवान्भवेत्

siddhānāṁ siddhidaṁ proktaṁ dharmāraṇyaṁ tu sarvadā aputro labhate putrānnirdhano dhanavānbhavet

Dharmaranya is declared to be ever the bestower of siddhi upon the siddhas; the childless obtains sons, the poor becomes wealthy.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.56.108)

एतदाख्यानकं पुण्यं धर्मेण कथितं पुरा । यः शृणोति नरो भक्त्या नारी वा श्रावयेत्तु यः । गोसहस्रफलं तस्य अंते हरिपुरं ब्रजेत्

etadākhyānakaṁ puṇyaṁ dharmeṇa kathitaṁ purā yaḥ śṛṇoti naro bhaktyā nārī vā śrāvayettu yaḥ gosahasraphalaṁ tasya aṁte haripuraṁ brajet

This meritorious narrative was told of old by Dharma; whatever man hears it with devotion, or woman, or whoever causes it to be heard, obtains the fruit of a thousand cows, and at the end goes to Hari's abode.