The Glory of Bakularka

Verse 1 (skanda.3.65.1)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। शंभोश्च पश्चिमे भागे स्थापितः कश्यपात्मजः । तत्रास्ति तन्महाभाग रविक्षेत्रं तदुच्यते ।

vyāsa uvāca śambhośca paścime bhāge sthāpitaḥ kaśyapātmajaḥ tatrāsti tanmahābhāga ravikṣetraṁ taducyate

Vyasa said: To the west of Shambhu stands the son of Kashyapa, Surya. O illustrious one, that place is called Ravikshetra.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.65.2)

तत्रोत्पन्नौ महादिव्यौ रूपयौवनसंयुतौ । नासत्यावश्विनौ देवौ विख्यातौ गदनाशनौ ।

tatrotpannau mahādivyau rūpayauvanasaṁyutau nāsatyāvaśvinau devau vikhyātau gadanāśanau

There were born two divine beings, radiant with beauty and youth — the Nasatyas, the twin Ashvins, renowned as destroyers of disease.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.65.3)

।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। पितामह महाभाग कथयस्व प्रसादतः । उत्पत्तिरश्विनोश्चैव मृत्युलोके च तत्कथम् ।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca pitāmaha mahābhāga kathayasva prasādataḥ utpattiraśvinoścaiva mṛtyuloke ca tatkatham

Yudhishthira said: O illustrious grandsire, tell me out of grace — how were the Ashvins born, and how did that come about in the mortal world?

Verse 4 (skanda.3.65.4)

रविलोकात्कथं सूर्यो धरायामवतारितः । एतत्सर्वं प्रयत्नेन कथयस्व प्रसादतः ।

ravilokātkathaṁ sūryo dharāyāmavatāritaḥ etatsarvaṁ prayatnena kathayasva prasādataḥ

How did Surya descend from the solar realm to the earth? Tell me all of this in detail, out of your kindness.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.65.5)

यच्छ्रुत्वा हि महाभाग सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

yacchrutvā hi mahābhāga sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

O illustrious one — hearing which, a person is freed from all sins.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.65.6)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। साधु पृष्टं त्वया भूप ऊर्ध्वलोककथानकम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा नरशार्दूल सर्वरोगात्प्रमुच्यते । विश्वकर्म्मसुता संज्ञा अंशुमद्रविणा वृता ।

vyāsa uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā bhūpa ūrdhvalokakathānakam yacchrutvā naraśārdūla sarvarogātpramucyate viśvakarmasutā saṁjñā aṁśumadraviṇā vṛtā

Vyasa said: Well have you asked, O king, this tale of the higher world, hearing which a man is freed from every disease. Sanjna, daughter of Vishvakarma, was chosen in marriage by the radiant Sun.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.65.7)

सूर्यं दृष्ट्वा सदा संज्ञा स्वाक्षिसंयमनं व्यधात् । यतस्ततः सरोषोऽर्कः संज्ञां वचनमब्रवीत् ।

sūryaṁ dṛṣṭvā sadā saṁjñā svākṣisaṁyamanaṁ vyadhāt yatastataḥ saroṣo'rkaḥ saṁjñāṁ vacanamabravīt

Whenever she looked at Surya, Sanjna would always shut her own eyes. Angered by this, the Sun spoke these words to Sanjna.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.65.8)

।। सूर्य उवाच ।। मयि दृष्टे सदा यस्मात्कुरुषे स्वाक्षिसंयमम् । तस्माज्जनिष्यते मूढे प्रजासंयमनो यमः ।

sūrya uvāca mayi dṛṣṭe sadā yasmātkuruṣe svākṣisaṁyamam tasmājjaniṣyate mūḍhe prajāsaṁyamano yamaḥ

Surya said: Since, whenever you see me, you always close your eyes, foolish one — from you shall be born Yama, the restrainer of all creatures.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.65.9)

ततः सा चपलं देवी ददर्श च भयाकुलम् । विलोलितदृशं दृष्ट्वा पुनराह च तां रविः ।

tataḥ sā capalaṁ devī dadarśa ca bhayākulam vilolitadṛśaṁ dṛṣṭvā punarāha ca tāṁ raviḥ

Then the goddess, overcome with fear, looked at him with a restless, wavering glance. Seeing her eyes flicker so, Surya spoke to her again.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.65.10)

यस्माद्विलोलिता दृष्टिर्मयि दृष्टे त्वया धुना । तस्माद्विलोलितां संज्ञे तनयां प्रसविष्यसि ।

yasmādvilolitā dṛṣṭirmayi dṛṣṭe tvayā dhunā tasmādvilolitāṁ saṁjñe tanayāṁ prasaviṣyasi

Since your gaze grew unsteady just now as you looked at me, O Sanjna, you shall bear a daughter named Vilolita.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.65.11)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ततस्तस्यास्तु संजज्ञे भर्तृशापेन तेन वै । यमश्च यमुना येयं विख्याता सुमहानदी ।

vyāsa uvāca tatastasyāstu saṁjajñe bhartṛśāpena tena vai yamaśca yamunā yeyaṁ vikhyātā sumahānadī

Vyasa said: Then, through her husband's curse, were born to her Yama, and Yamuna — this same greatly renowned river.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.65.12)

सा च संज्ञा रवेस्तेजो महद्दुःखेन भामिनी । असहंतीव सा चित्ते चिंतयामास वै तदा ।

sā ca saṁjñā ravestejo mahadduḥkhena bhāminī asahaṁtīva sā citte ciṁtayāmāsa vai tadā

That bright lady Sanjna, unable as it were to bear the Sun's fierce radiance any longer, and in great distress, then began to reflect in her mind.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.65.13)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि क्व गतायाश्च निर्वृतिः । भवेन्मम कथं भर्तुः कोपमर्कस्य नश्यति ।

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kva gatāyāśca nirvṛtiḥ bhavenmama kathaṁ bhartuḥ kopamarkasya naśyati

What shall I do? Where shall I go? Where, having gone, shall I find peace? And how might my husband Surya's anger be quelled?

Verse 14 (skanda.3.65.14)

इति संचिंत्य बहुधा प्रजापतिसुता तदा । साधु मेने महाभागा पितृसंश्रयमापसा ।

iti saṁciṁtya bahudhā prajāpatisutā tadā sādhu mene mahābhāgā pitṛsaṁśrayamāpasā

Having pondered thus at length, that illustrious daughter of Prajapati decided that taking refuge with her father was the best course.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.65.15)

ततः पितृगृहं गंतुं कृतबुद्धिर्यशस्विनी । छायामाहूयात्मनस्तु सा देवी दयिता रवेः ।

tataḥ pitṛgṛhaṁ gaṁtuṁ kṛtabuddhiryaśasvinī chāyāmāhūyātmanastu sā devī dayitā raveḥ

Then, resolved to go to her father's house, that glorious lady, Surya's beloved wife, summoned her own Shadow (Chhaya).

Verse 16 (skanda.3.65.16)

तां चोवाच त्वया स्थेयमत्र भानोर्यथा मया । तथा सम्यगपत्येषु वर्तितव्यं तथा रवौ ।

tāṁ covāca tvayā stheyamatra bhānoryathā mayā tathā samyagapatyeṣu vartitavyaṁ tathā ravau

She said to her: You must stay here with the Sun exactly as I did, and behave properly toward the children and toward Surya in just the same way.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.65.17)

दुष्टमपि न वाच्यं ते यथा बहुमतं मम । सैवास्मि संज्ञाहमिति वाच्यमेवं त्वयानघे ।

duṣṭamapi na vācyaṁ te yathā bahumataṁ mama saivāsmi saṁjñāhamiti vācyamevaṁ tvayānaghe

Even if something unpleasant occurs, you must not reveal it — act just as I wish. O sinless one, you must always say, 'I myself am Sanjna.'

Verse 18 (skanda.3.65.18)

।। छायासंज्ञोवाच ।। आकेशग्रहणाच्चाहमाशापाच्च वचस्तथा । करिष्ये कथयिष्यामि यावत्केशापकर्षणात् ।

chāyāsaṁjñovāca ākeśagrahaṇāccāhamāśāpācca vacastathā kariṣye kathayiṣyāmi yāvatkeśāpakarṣaṇāt

Chhaya-Sanjna said: Until my hair is seized, or I am cursed, or dragged by my hair, I shall act and speak exactly as you have said.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.65.19)

इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी जगाम भवनं पितुः । ददर्श तत्र त्वष्टारं तपसा धूतकिल्बिषम् ।

ityuktā sā tadā devī jagāma bhavanaṁ pituḥ dadarśa tatra tvaṣṭāraṁ tapasā dhūtakilbiṣam

Having spoken thus, the goddess departed for her father's home. There she saw Tvashta, purified of all taint by his austerities.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.65.20)

बहुमानाच्च तेनापि पूजिता विश्व कर्म्मणा । तत्स्थौ पितृगृहे सा तु किंचित्कालमनिंदिता ।

bahumānācca tenāpi pūjitā viśvakarmaṇā tatsthau pitṛgṛhe sā tu kiṁcitkālamaniṁditā

Vishvakarma too honored her with great regard. That blameless goddess remained a while in her father's house.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.65.21)

ततः प्राह स धर्मज्ञः पिता नातिचिरोषिताम् । विश्वकर्मा सुतां प्रेम्णा बहुमानपुरस्सरम् ।

tataḥ prāha sa dharmajñaḥ pitā nāticiroṣitām viśvakarmā sutāṁ premṇā bahumānapurassaram

Then, before long, Vishvakarma, her father who knew dharma well, spoke to his daughter with love and great respect.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.65.22)

त्वां तु मे पश्यतो वत्से दिनानि सुबहून्यपि । मुहूर्तेन समानि स्युः किंतु धर्मो विलुप्यते ।

tvāṁ tu me paśyato vatse dināni subahūnyapi muhūrtena samāni syuḥ kiṁtu dharmo vilupyate

My child, though gazing on you many days would seem to me like a mere moment — yet dharma is lost by such delay.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.65.23)

बांधवेषु चिरं वासो न नारीणां यशस्करः । मनोरथो बांधवानां भार्या पितृगृहे स्थिता ।

bāṁdhaveṣu ciraṁ vāso na nārīṇāṁ yaśaskaraḥ manoratho bāṁdhavānāṁ bhāryā pitṛgṛhe sthitā

For a woman, dwelling long among her kinfolk brings no honor. A wife who lingers in her father's house becomes merely a wistful longing to her kin, not her true place.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.65.24)

स त्वं त्रैलोक्यनाथेन भर्त्रा सूर्येण संगता । पितुर्गृहे चिरं कालं वस्तुं नार्हसि पुत्रिके ।

sa tvaṁ trailokyanāthena bhartrā sūryeṇa saṁgatā piturgṛhe ciraṁ kālaṁ vastuṁ nārhasi putrike

You are joined to Surya, lord of the three worlds, as his wife. My daughter, it is not fitting for you to dwell long in your father's house.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.65.25)

अतो भर्तृगृहं गच्छ दृष्टोऽहं पूजिता च मे । पुनरागमनं कार्यं दर्शनाय शुभेक्षणे ।

ato bhartṛgṛhaṁ gaccha dṛṣṭo'haṁ pūjitā ca me punarāgamanaṁ kāryaṁ darśanāya śubhekṣaṇe

Therefore go now to your husband's home. You have seen me, and honored me. O fair-eyed one, you must come again to visit me.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.65.26)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। इत्युक्ता सा तदा क्षिप्रं तथेत्युक्ता च वै मुने । पूजयित्वा तु पितरं सा जगामोत्तरान्कुरून् ।

vyāsa uvāca ityuktā sā tadā kṣipraṁ tathetyuktā ca vai mune pūjayitvā tu pitaraṁ sā jagāmottarānkurūn

Vyasa said: O sage, so addressed, she quickly said 'so be it,' and after paying homage to her father, she departed for Uttarakuru.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.65.27)

सूर्यतापमनिच्छती तेजसस्तस्य बिभ्यती । तपश्चचार तत्रापि वडवारूपधारिणी ।

sūryatāpamanicchatī tejasastasya bibhyatī tapaścacāra tatrāpi vaḍavārūpadhāriṇī

Unwilling to endure the Sun's heat, and fearful of his fierce radiance, she took the form of a mare and practiced austerities there.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.65.28)

संज्ञामित्येव मन्वानो द्वितीयायां दिवस्पतिः । जनयामास तनयौ कन्यां चैकां मनोरमाम् ।

saṁjñāmityeva manvāno dvitīyāyāṁ divaspatiḥ janayāmāsa tanayau kanyāṁ caikāṁ manoramām

Believing her still to be Sanjna, the Lord of Day begot upon this second wife two sons and one lovely daughter.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.65.29)

छाया स्वतनयेष्वेव यथा प्रेष्णाध्यवर्तत । तथा न संज्ञाकन्यायां पुत्रयोश्चाप्यवर्तत । लालनासु च भोज्येषु विशेषमनुवासरम् ।

chāyā svatanayeṣveva yathā preṣṇādhyavartata tathā na saṁjñākanyāyāṁ putrayoścāpyavartata lālanāsu ca bhojyeṣu viśeṣamanuvāsaram

Chhaya's affection, as it played out day after day in petting and in feeding, favored her own children — it did not extend equally to Sanjna's daughter and sons.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.65.30)

मनुस्तत्क्षांतवानस्या यमस्तस्या न चाक्षमत् । ताडनाय ततः कोपात्पादस्तेन समुद्यतः । तस्याः पुनः क्षांतमना न तु देहे न्यपातयत् ।

manustatkṣāṁtavānasyā yamastasyā na cākṣamat tāḍanāya tataḥ kopātpādastena samudyataḥ tasyāḥ punaḥ kṣāṁtamanā na tu dehe nyapātayat

Manu bore this patiently, but Yama could not. In anger he raised his foot to strike her — yet, his mind relenting once more, he did not let it fall upon her body.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.65.31)

ततः शशाप तं कोपाच्छायासंज्ञा यमं नृप । किंचित्प्रस्फुरमाणोष्ठी विचलत्पाणिपल्लवा ।

tataḥ śaśāpa taṁ kopācchāyāsaṁjñā yamaṁ nṛpa kiṁcitprasphuramāṇoṣṭhī vicalatpāṇipallavā

Then, O king, Chhaya-Sanjna, her lips quivering slightly and her tender hands trembling, cursed Yama in her fury.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.65.32)

पत्न्यां पितुर्मयि यदि पादमुद्यच्छसे बलात् । भुवि तस्मादयं पादस्तवाद्यैव भविष्यति ।

patnyāṁ piturmayi yadi pādamudyacchase balāt bhuvi tasmādayaṁ pādastavādyaiva bhaviṣyati

Since you have raised your foot in force against me — your father's wife — from this very day that foot of yours shall become afflicted upon the earth.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.65.33)

इत्याकर्ण्य यमः शापं मातर्यतिविशंकितः । अभ्येत्य पितरं प्राह प्रणिपातपुरस्सरम् ।

ityākarṇya yamaḥ śāpaṁ mātaryativiśaṁkitaḥ abhyetya pitaraṁ prāha praṇipātapurassaram

Hearing this curse, Yama grew deeply troubled about his mother's nature. Approaching his father, he prostrated himself and spoke.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.65.34)

तातैतन्महदाश्चर्यमदृष्टमिति च क्वचित् । माता वात्सल्यरूपेण शापं पुत्रे प्रयच्छति ।

tātaitanmahadāścaryamadṛṣṭamiti ca kvacit mātā vātsalyarūpeṇa śāpaṁ putre prayacchati

Father, this is a great wonder, something never before seen — that a mother, who is the very embodiment of tenderness, should curse her own son.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.65.35)

यथा माता ममाचष्ट नेयं माता तथा मम । निर्गुणेष्वपि पुत्रेषु न माता निर्गुणा भवेत् ।

yathā mātā mamācaṣṭa neyaṁ mātā tathā mama nirguṇeṣvapi putreṣu na mātā nirguṇā bhavet

This is not how my true mother has always been described to me — my mother is not like this. Even toward worthless sons a mother is never so unkind.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.65.36)

यमस्यैतद्वचः श्रुत्वा भगवांस्तिमिरापहः । छायासंज्ञामथाहूय पप्रच्छ क्वगतेति च ।

yamasyaitadvacaḥ śrutvā bhagavāṁstimirāpahaḥ chāyāsaṁjñāmathāhūya papraccha kvagateti ca

Hearing Yama's words, the blessed dispeller of darkness summoned Chhaya-Sanjna and asked her, 'Where has she gone?'

Verse 37 (skanda.3.65.37)

सा चाह तनया त्वष्टुरहं संज्ञा विभावसो । पत्नी तव त्वयापत्यान्येतानि जनितानि मे ।

sā cāha tanayā tvaṣṭurahaṁ saṁjñā vibhāvaso patnī tava tvayāpatyānyetāni janitāni me

She replied: O radiant one, I am Sanjna, Tvashta's daughter and your wife; these children were begotten of you upon me.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.65.38)

इत्थं विवस्वतस्तां तु बहुशः पृच्छतो यदा । नाचचक्षे तदा क्रुद्धो भास्वांस्तां शप्तुमुद्यतः ।

itthaṁ vivasvatastāṁ tu bahuśaḥ pṛcchato yadā nācacakṣe tadā kruddho bhāsvāṁstāṁ śaptumudyataḥ

When Vivasvat asked her this again and again, and still she did not tell the truth, the radiant Sun grew angry and made ready to curse her.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.65.39)

ततः सा कथयामास यथावृत्तं विवस्वते । विदितार्थश्च भगवाञ्जगाम त्वष्टुरालयम् ।

tataḥ sā kathayāmāsa yathāvṛttaṁ vivasvate viditārthaśca bhagavāñjagāma tvaṣṭurālayam

Then she told Vivasvat everything just as it had happened. Once the truth was known, the blessed Sun went to Tvashta's dwelling.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.65.40)

ततः संपूजयामास त्वष्टा त्रैलोक्यपूजितम् । भास्वन्किं रहिता शक्त्या निजगेहमुपागतः ।

tataḥ saṁpūjayāmāsa tvaṣṭā trailokyapūjitam bhāsvankiṁ rahitā śaktyā nijagehamupāgataḥ

Then Tvashta duly honored the Sun, worshipped by all three worlds, and asked, 'Radiant one, have you come here to your own dwelling without your wife's shakti?'

Verse 41 (skanda.3.65.41)

संज्ञां पप्रच्छ तं तस्मै कथयामास तत्त्ववित् । आगता सेह मे वेश्म भवतः प्रेषिता रवे ।

saṁjñāṁ papraccha taṁ tasmai kathayāmāsa tattvavit āgatā seha me veśma bhavataḥ preṣitā rave

Surya asked him about Sanjna. Tvashta, who knew the truth, told him: 'O Sun, she had come here to my house, sent by you.'

Verse 42 (skanda.3.65.42)

दिवाकरः समाधिस्थो वडवारूपधारिणीम् । तपश्चरंतीं ददृशे उत्तरेषु कुरुष्वथ ।

divākaraḥ samādhistho vaḍavārūpadhāriṇīm tapaścaraṁtīṁ dadṛśe uttareṣu kuruṣvatha

Entering meditation, the Sun then perceived, in Uttarakuru, his wife performing austerities in the form of a mare.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.65.43)

असह्यमाना सूर्यस्य तेजस्तेनातिपीडिता । वह्न्याभनिजरूपं तु च्छायारूपं विमुच्य च ।

asahyamānā sūryasya tejastenātipīḍitā vahnyābhanijarūpaṁ tu chāyārūpaṁ vimucya ca

Unable to endure the Sun's brilliance, and greatly afflicted by it, she had cast off her own fire-bright true form and taken a shadow-form instead.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.65.44)

धर्मारण्ये समागत्य तपस्तेपे सुदुष्करम् । छायापुत्रं शनिं दृष्ट्वा यमं चान्यं च भूपते ।

dharmāraṇye samāgatya tapastepe suduṣkaram chāyāputraṁ śaniṁ dṛṣṭvā yamaṁ cānyaṁ ca bhūpate

O king, having seen Chhaya's sons — Shani, Yama, and the others — she came to Dharmaranya and performed the most rigorous austerities there.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.65.45)

तदैव विस्मितः सूर्यो दुष्टपुत्रौ समीक्ष्य च । ज्ञातुं दध्यौ क्षणं ध्यात्वा विदित्वा तच्च कारणम् ।

tadaiva vismitaḥ sūryo duṣṭaputrau samīkṣya ca jñātuṁ dadhyau kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā viditvā tacca kāraṇam

Surya too was astonished on seeing those two ill-tempered sons. Meditating for a moment, he came to know the reason for it.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.65.46)

घृण्यौष्ण्याद्दग्धदेहा सा तपस्तेपे पतिव्रता । येन मां तेजसा सह्यं द्रष्टुं नैव शशाक ह ।

ghṛṇyauṣṇyāddagdhadehā sā tapastepe pativratā yena māṁ tejasā sahyaṁ draṣṭuṁ naiva śaśāka ha

He understood: scorched by the heat of his own fierce radiance, that devoted wife had taken to austerity because she simply could not bear to look upon his brilliance.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.65.47)

पञ्चाशद्धायनेतीते गत्वा कौ तप आचरत् । प्रद्योतनो विचार्यैवं गत्वा शीघ्रं मनोजवः ।

pañcāśaddhāyanetīte gatvā kau tapa ācarat pradyotano vicāryaivaṁ gatvā śīghraṁ manojavaḥ

When fifty years had passed, reflecting thus on where she was performing austerities on earth, the radiant Sun swiftly went there, moving with the speed of thought.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.65.48)

धर्मारण्ये वरे पुण्ये यत्र संज्ञास्थिता तपः । आगतं तं रविं दृष्ट्वा वडवा समजायत ।

dharmāraṇye vare puṇye yatra saṁjñāsthitā tapaḥ āgataṁ taṁ raviṁ dṛṣṭvā vaḍavā samajāyata

In that excellent and sacred Dharmaranya, where Sanjna was engaged in austerity, seeing the Sun arrive, she assumed the form of a mare.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.65.49)

सूर्यपत्नी सदा संज्ञा सूर्यश्चाश्वस्ततोऽभवत् । ताभ्यां सहाभूत्संयोगो घ्राणे लिंगं निवेश्य च ।

sūryapatnī sadā saṁjñā sūryaścāśvastato'bhavat tābhyāṁ sahābhūtsaṁyogo ghrāṇe liṁgaṁ niveśya ca

Sanjna, ever Surya's wife, was there in mare form; and Surya too then took the form of a horse. The two were united, their joining accomplished through the nostril, in equine fashion.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.65.50)

तदा तौ च समुत्पन्नौ युगलावश्विनौ भुवि । प्रादुर्भूतं जलं तत्र दक्षिणेन खुरेण च ।

tadā tau ca samutpannau yugalāvaśvinau bhuvi prādurbhūtaṁ jalaṁ tatra dakṣiṇena khureṇa ca

Then, upon that spot, the twin Ashvins were born on earth. There, water sprang forth from the right hoof of the horse.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.65.51)

विदलिते भूमिभागे तत्र कुंडं समुद्बभौ । द्वितीयं तु पुनः कुंडं पश्चार्धचरणोद्भवम् ।

vidalite bhūmibhāge tatra kuṁḍaṁ samudbabhau dvitīyaṁ tu punaḥ kuṁḍaṁ paścārdhacaraṇodbhavam

As the earth split open there, a pool appeared; and a second pool arose from half the imprint of the hind hoof.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.65.52)

उत्तरवाहिन्याः काश्या कुरुक्षेत्रादि वै तथा । गंगापुरीसमफलं कुण्डेऽत्र मुनिनोदितम् ।

uttaravāhinyāḥ kāśyāḥ kurukṣetrādi vai tathā gaṁgāpurīsamaphalaṁ kuṇḍe'tra muninoditam

Sages have declared that bathing in this pool bestows the same merit as bathing at the northward-flowing Ganga, at Kashi, at Kurukshetra, and at Gangapuri.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.65.53)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति तप्तकुण्डे न संशयः । स्नानं विधाय तत्रैव सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti taptakuṇḍe na saṁśayaḥ snānaṁ vidhāya tatraiva sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Bathing in this Taptakunda undoubtedly bestows that same merit; performing one's ablutions there duly, a person is freed of all sins.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.65.54)

न पुनर्जायते देहः कुष्ठादिव्याधिपीडितः । एतत्ते कथितं भूप दस्रांशोत्पत्तिकारणम् ।

na punarjāyate dehaḥ kuṣṭhādivyādhipīḍitaḥ etatte kathitaṁ bhūpa dasrāṁśotpattikāraṇam

Never again is that body afflicted by leprosy or such diseases. O king, thus has the cause of the Ashvins' birth been told to you.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.65.55)

तदा ब्रह्मादयो देवा आगतास्तत्र भूपते । दत्त्वा संज्ञावरं शुभ्रं चिंतितादधिकं हि तैः ।

tadā brahmādayo devā āgatāstatra bhūpate dattvā saṁjñāvaraṁ śubhraṁ ciṁtitādadhikaṁ hi taiḥ

Then, O king, Brahma and the other gods came there and granted Sanjna a splendid boon, even greater than what she had wished for.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.65.56)

स्थापयित्वा रविं तत्र बकुलाख्यवनाधिपम् । आनर्चुस्ते तदा संज्ञां पूर्वरूपाऽभवत्तदा ।

sthāpayitvā raviṁ tatra bakulākhyavanādhipam ānarcuste tadā saṁjñāṁ pūrvarūpābhavattadā

They established the Sun there as the lord of the forest called Bakula, and worshipped Sanjna; and she then regained her former, true form.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.65.57)

स्थापिता तत्र राज्ञी च कुमारौ युगलौ तदा । एतत्तीर्थफलं वक्ष्ये शृणु राजन्महामते ।

sthāpitā tatra rājñī ca kumārau yugalau tadā etattīrthaphalaṁ vakṣye śṛṇu rājanmahāmate

The queen Sanjna and the twin princes were then established there as well. Now, O wise king, I shall relate the merit of this tirtha — listen.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.65.58)

आदिस्थानं कुरुश्रेष्ठ देवैरपि सुदुर्लभम् । रविकुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा श्रद्धायुक्तो जितेंद्रियः ।

ādisthānaṁ kuruśreṣṭha devairapi sudurlabham ravikuṇḍe naraḥ snātvā śraddhāyukto jitendriyaḥ

O best of the Kurus, this primal site is exceedingly hard even for the gods to attain. A man who bathes in Ravikunda with faith and mastery over his senses —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.65.59)

तारयेत्स पितॄन्सर्वान्महानरकगानपि । श्रद्धया यः पिबेत्तोयं संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः ।

tārayetsa pitṝnsarvānmahānarakagānapi śraddhayā yaḥ pibettoyaṁ saṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ

— delivers all his ancestors, even those fallen into the great hells. One who, having offered tarpana to the ancestors and gods with devotion, drinks that water —

Verse 60 (skanda.3.65.60)

स्वल्पं वापि बहुवापि सर्वं कोटिगुणं भवेत् । सप्तम्यां रविवारेण ग्रहणं चंद्रसूर्ययोः ।

svalpaṁ vāpi bahuvāpi sarvaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ bhavet saptamyāṁ ravivāreṇa grahaṇaṁ caṁdrasūryayoḥ

— whatever he offers, whether small or great, becomes a million times more fruitful. If it falls on a Sunday-Saptami, coinciding with an eclipse of the moon or sun —

Verse 61 (skanda.3.65.61)

रविकुण्डे च ये स्नाताः न ते वै गर्भगामिनः । सक्रांतौ च व्यतीपाते वैधृतेषु च पर्वसु ।

ravikuṇḍe ca ye snātāḥ na te vai garbhagāminaḥ sakrāṁtau ca vyatīpāte vaidhṛteṣu ca parvasu

— then those who bathe in Ravikunda do not enter the womb again. And likewise on Sankranti, Vyatipata, Vaidhriti, and other sacred conjunctions —

Verse 62 (skanda.3.65.62)

पूर्णमास्याममावास्यां चतुर्द्दश्यां सितासिते । रविकुंडे च यः स्नातः क्रतुकोटिफलं लभेत् ।

pūrṇamāsyāmamāvāsyāṁ caturddaśyāṁ sitāsite ravikuṁḍe ca yaḥ snātaḥ kratukoṭiphalaṁ labhet

— one who bathes in Ravikunda on the full moon, the new moon, or the fourteenth day of either the bright or dark fortnight obtains the merit of ten million sacrifices.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.65.63)

पूजयेद्बकुलार्कं च एकचित्तेन मानवः । स याति परमं धाम स यावत्तपते रविः ।

pūjayedbakulārkaṁ ca ekacittena mānavaḥ sa yāti paramaṁ dhāma sa yāvattapate raviḥ

A man who worships Bakularka with a single-pointed mind attains the supreme abode, dwelling there as long as the sun shines.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.65.64)

तस्य लक्ष्मीः स्थिरा नूनं लभते संततिं सुखम् । अरिवर्गः क्षयं याति प्रसादाच्च दिवस्पतेः ।

tasya lakṣmīḥ sthirā nūnaṁ labhate saṁtatiṁ sukham arivargaḥ kṣayaṁ yāti prasādācca divaspateḥ

His prosperity becomes ever stable, and he gains offspring and happiness. By the grace of the Lord of Day, his host of enemies is destroyed.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.65.65)

नाग्नेर्भयं हि तस्य स्यान्न व्याघ्रान्न च दंतिनः । न च सर्प्पभयं क्वापि भूतप्रेतादिभीर्नहि ।

nāgnerbhayaṁ hi tasya syānna vyāghrānna ca daṁtinaḥ na ca sarpabhayaṁ kvāpi bhūtapretādibhirnahi

He has no fear of fire, of tigers, or of elephants; he has no fear of serpents anywhere, nor of ghosts, spirits, or the like.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.65.66)

बालग्रहाश्च सर्वेऽपि रेवती वृद्धरेवती । ते सर्वे नाशमायांति बकुलार्क नमोस्तु ते ।

bālagrahāśca sarve'pi revatī vṛddharevatī te sarve nāśamāyāṁti bakulārka namoste

All the child-afflicting grahas — Revati, Vriddha-Revati, and the rest — are all destroyed. Salutations to you, O Bakularka!

Verse 67 (skanda.3.65.67)

गावस्तस्य विवर्द्धंते धनं धान्यं तथैव च । अविच्छेदो भवेद्वंशो बकुलार्के नमस्कृते ।

gāvastasya vivarddhaṁte dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ tathaiva ca avicchedo bhavedvaṁśo bakulārke namaskṛte

His cattle, wealth, and grain increase steadily. When Bakularka is duly saluted, his lineage never comes to an end.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.65.68)

काकवन्ध्या च या नारी अनपत्या मृतप्रजा । वन्ध्या विरूपिता चैव विषकन्याश्च याः स्त्रियः ।

kākavaṁdhyā ca yā nārī anapatyā mṛtaprajā vaṁdhyā virūpitā caiva viṣakanyāśca yāḥ striyaḥ

A woman who is 'crow-barren' (bearing only once), childless, or whose offspring die; one who is barren or deformed, and women who are poison-maidens —

Verse 69 (skanda.3.65.69)

एवं दोषैः प्रमुच्यंते स्नात्वा कुण्डे च भूपते । सौभाग्यस्त्रीसुतांश्चैव रूपं चाप्नोति सर्वशः ।

evaṁ doṣaiḥ pramucyaṁte snātvā kuṇḍe ca bhūpate saubhāgyastrīsutāṁścaiva rūpaṁ cāpnoti sarvaśaḥ

— O king, all such women are freed from these afflictions by bathing in that pool, and gain good fortune, children, and beauty in every way.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.65.70)

व्याधिग्रस्तोपि यो मर्त्यः षण्मासाच्चैव मानवः । रविकुण्डे च सुस्नातः सर्वरोगात्प्रमुच्यते ।

vyādhigrastopi yo martyaḥ ṣaṇmāsāccaiva mānavaḥ ravikuṁḍe ca susnātaḥ sarvarogātpramucyate

Even a man afflicted with disease, if he bathes properly in Ravikunda for six months, is freed from every ailment.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.65.71)

नीलोत्सर्गविधिं यस्तु रविक्षेत्रे करोति वै । पितरस्तृप्तिमायांति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् ।

nīlotsargavidhiṁ yastu ravikṣetre karoti vai pitarastṛptimāyāṁti yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

One who properly performs the Nilotsarga rite (gifting a blue bull) in Ravikshetra brings satisfaction to his ancestors until the very dissolution of the world.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.65.72)

कन्यादानं च यः कुर्यादस्मिन्क्षेत्रे च पुत्रक । उद्वाहपरिपूतात्मा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ।

kanyādānaṁ ca yaḥ kuryādasminkṣetre ca putraka udvāhaparipūtātmā brahmaloke mahīyate

My son, whoever performs a kanyadana in this region, his soul purified by that wedding-merit, is honored in Brahmaloka.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.65.73)

धेनुदानं च शय्यां च विद्रुमं च हयं तथा । दासीमहिषीघण्टाश्च तिलं कांचनसंयुतम् ।

dhenudānaṁ ca śayyāṁ ca vidrumaṁ ca hayaṁ tathā dāsīmahiṣīghaṇṭāśca tilaṁ kāṁcanasaṁyutam

The gift of a cow, a bed, coral, a horse, a maidservant, a buffalo, a bell, and sesame mixed with gold —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.65.74)

धेनुं तिलमयीं दद्यादस्मिन्क्षेत्रे च भारत । उपानहौ च छत्रं च शीतत्राणादिकं तथा ।

dhenuṁ tilamayīṁ dadyādasminkṣetre ca bhārata upānahau ca chatraṁ ca śītatrāṇādikaṁ tathā

O descendant of Bharata, in this region one should give a cow made of sesame seeds, sandals, an umbrella, and garments to ward off cold, and the like.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.65.75)

लक्षहोमं तथा रुद्रं रुद्रातिरुद्रमेव च । तस्मिन्स्थाने च यत्किंचिद्ददाति श्रद्धयान्वितः ।

lakṣahomaṁ tathā rudraṁ rudrātirudrameva ca tasminsthāne ca yatkiṁciddadāti śraddhayānvitaḥ

A hundred-thousand-fold fire offering, the Rudra and Atirudra rites — whatever is given here with faith,

Verse 76 (skanda.3.65.76)

एकैकस्य फलं तात वक्ष्यामि शृणु तत्त्वतः । दानेन लभते भोगानिह लोके परत्र च ।

ekaikasya phalaṁ tāta vakṣyāmi śṛṇu tattvataḥ dānena labhate bhogāniha loke paratra ca

My child, I shall tell you the exact merit of each — listen. Through giving, one obtains enjoyments both in this world and the next.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.65.77)

राज्यं च लभते मर्त्यः कृत्वोद्वाहं तु मानुषाः । जायातो धर्मकामार्थाः प्राप्यंते नात्र संशयः ।

rājyaṁ ca labhate martyaḥ kṛtvodvāhaṁ tu mānuṣāḥ jāyāto dharmakāmārthāḥ prāpyaṁte nātra saṁśayaḥ

A mortal obtains sovereignty here; those who marry here undoubtedly obtain, through their wife, dharma, pleasure, and prosperity.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.65.78)

पूजाया लभते सौख्यं भवेज्जन्मनिजन्मनि । सप्तम्यां रवियुक्तायां बकुलार्कं स्मरेत्तु यः ।

pūjāyā labhate saukhyaṁ bhavejjanmanijanmani saptamyāṁ raviyuktāyāṁ bakulārkaṁ smarettu yaḥ

Through worship, happiness is obtained birth after birth. One who remembers Bakularka on a Sunday-Saptami —

Verse 79 (skanda.3.65.79)

ज्वरादेः शत्रुतश्चैव व्याधेस्तस्य भयं नहि ।

jvarādeḥ śatrutaścaiva vyādhestasya bhayaṁ nahi

— has no fear whatsoever of fever and the like, of enemies, or of disease.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.65.80)

।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। बकुलार्केति वै नाम कथं जातं रवेर्मुने । एतन्मे वदतां श्रेष्ठ तत्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि ।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca bakulārketi vai nāma kathaṁ jātaṁ ravermune etanme vadatāṁ śreṣṭha tattvamākhyātumarhasi

Yudhishthira said: O sage, how did the Sun come to bear the name 'Bakularka'? O best of speakers, you should tell me this true account.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.65.81)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। यदा संज्ञा च राजेंद्र सूर्यार्थं चैकचेतसा । तेपे बकुलवृक्षाधः पत्युस्तेजः प्रशांतये ।

vyāsa uvāca yadā saṁjñā ca rājendra sūryārthaṁ caikacetasā tepe bakulavṛkṣādhaḥ patyustejaḥ praśāṁtaye

Vyasa said: O king of kings, when Sanjna, single-minded, performed austerities beneath a bakula tree for the sake of the Sun, to calm her husband's fierce radiance —

Verse 82 (skanda.3.65.82)

प्रादुर्भावं रवेर्दृष्ट्वा वडवा समजायत । अत्यंतं गोपतिः शांतो बकुलस्य समीपतः ।

prādurbhāvaṁ raverdṛṣṭvā vaḍavā samajāyata atyaṁtaṁ gopatiḥ śāṁto bakulasya samīpataḥ

— seeing the Sun's approach, she became a mare; and near that bakula tree, the Lord of Rays himself grew perfectly tranquil.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.65.83)

सुषुवे च तदा राज्ञी सुतौ दिव्यौ मनोहरौ । तेनास्य प्रथितं नाम बकुलार्केति वै रवेः ।

suṣuve ca tadā rājñī sutau divyau manoharau tenāsya prathitaṁ nāma bakulārketi vai raveḥ

Then the queen gave birth there to two divine, beautiful sons. From this the Sun came to be renowned by the name Bakularka.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.65.84)

यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानं व्याधिस्तस्य न पीडयेत् । धर्ममर्थं च कामं च लभते नात्र संशयः ।

yastatra kurute snānaṁ vyādhistasya na pīḍayet dharmamarthaṁ ca kāmaṁ ca labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever bathes there is never afflicted by disease; he undoubtedly obtains dharma, prosperity, and pleasure.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.65.85)

षण्मासात्सिद्धिमाप्नोति मोक्षं च लभते नरः । एतदुक्तं महाराज बकुलार्कस्य वैभवम् ।

ṣaṇmāsātsiddhimāpnoti mokṣaṁ ca labhate naraḥ etaduktaṁ mahārāja bakulārkasya vaibhavam

Within six months a man attains spiritual accomplishment and even liberation. Thus, O great king, has the glory of Bakularka been told.