The Completion of Lohasura's Glory

Verse 1 (skanda.3.81.1)

सूत उवाच । अतः परं शृणुध्वं हि लोहासुरविचेष्टितम् बलेः पुत्रशतस्यापि कथयिष्यामि विश्रुतम्

sūta uvāca ataḥ paraṁ śṛṇudhvaṁ hi lohāsuraviceṣṭitam baleḥ putraśatasyāpi kathayiṣyāmi viśrutam

Suta said: Now hear next the deeds of Lohasura; I shall also relate the renowned tale of Bali's hundred sons.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.81.2)

यथा तौ भ्रातरौ वृद्धौ प्रापतुः स्थानमुत्तमम्। तदा प्रभृति वैराग्यं दैत्यो लोहासुरे दधौ

yathā tau bhrātarau vṛddhau prāpatuḥ sthānam uttamam tadā prabhṛti vairāgyaṁ daityo lohāsure dadhau

When those two elder brothers attained that supreme abode, from that time onward the demon Lohasura conceived deep dispassion.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.81.3)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि तपसे स्थानमुत्तमम् यस्य पारं न जानंति देवता मुनयो नराः

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi tapase sthānam uttamam yasya pāraṁ na jānanti devatā munayo narāḥ

"What should I do? Where should I go, to a supreme place for austerity — one whose limit even the gods, sages, and men do not know?"

Verse 4 (skanda.3.81.4)

को मयाऽऽराध्यतां देवो हृदि चिंतयते भृशम् इति चिंतयतस्तस्य मतिर्जाता महात्मनः

ko mayārādhyatāṁ devo hṛdi cintayate bhṛśam iti cintayatas tasya matir jātā mahātmanaḥ

"Which god should I worship?" — thus he pondered deeply in his heart. As he thought thus, a resolve arose in that great-souled one.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.81.5)

दधौ गंगां स्वशीर्षेण पुष्पवंतौ च नेत्रयोः हृदा नारायणं देवं ब्रह्माणं कटिमंडले

dadhau gaṅgāṁ svaśīrṣeṇa puṣpavantau ca netrayoḥ hṛdā nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ brahmāṇaṁ kaṭimaṇḍale

"— he who bears the Ganga upon his head, the sun and moon in his two eyes, the god Narayana in his heart, and Brahma at his waist —"

Verse 6 (skanda.3.81.6)

इंद्राद्या देवताः सर्वे यद्देहे प्रतिबिंबिताः प्रपश्यंति तदात्मानं भास्करः सलिले यथा

indrādyā devatāḥ sarve yaddehe pratibiṁbitāḥ prapaśyanti tadātmānaṁ bhāskaraḥ salile yathā

"— in whose body Indra and all the gods see their own reflection, just as the sun sees itself mirrored in water —"

Verse 7 (skanda.3.81.7)

तमेवाराधयिष्यामि निरंजनमकल्मषः एवं कृत्वा मतिं दैत्य स्तपस्तेपे सुदुष्करम् भीतो जन्मभयाद्घोराद्दुष्करं यन्महात्मभिः

tam evārādhayiṣyāmi niraṁjanam akalmaṣaḥ evaṁ kṛtvā matiṁ daitya stapas tepe suduṣkaram bhīto janmabhayād ghorād duṣkaraṁ yan mahātmabhiḥ

"— him alone shall I worship, spotless and free of taint." Having resolved thus, the demon, terrified by the dreadful fear of birth, performed a most difficult austerity — one difficult even for great souls.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.81.8)

अंबुभक्षो वायुभक्षः शीर्णपर्णाशनस्तथा दिव्यं वर्षशतं साग्रं यदा तेपे महत्तपः ततस्तुतोष भगवांस्त्रिशूलवरधारकः

aṁbubhakṣo vāyubhakṣaḥ śīrṇaparṇāśanas tathā divyaṁ varṣaśataṁ sāgraṁ yadā tepe mahattapaḥ tatas tutoṣa bhagavāṁs triśūlavaradhārakaḥ

Living on water alone, then on air alone, then eating only withered leaves, when he had performed this great austerity for more than a hundred divine years, the Lord who bears the excellent trident became pleased.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.81.9)

ईश्वर उवाच । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते मनसा यदभीप्सितम् लोहासुर मया देयं तव नास्ति तपोबलात्

īśvara uvāca varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te manasā yad abhīpsitam lohāsura mayā deyaṁ tava nāsti tapobalāt

Ishvara said: "Choose a boon, may good befall you — whatever you desire in your heart. O Lohasura, by the power of your austerity, there is nothing I would not grant you."

Verse 10 (skanda.3.81.10)

इत्युक्तो दानवस्तत्र शंकराग्रे वचोऽब्रवीत्

ity ukto dānavas tatra śaṁkarāgre vaco 'bravīt

Thus addressed, the demon there spoke these words before Shankara.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.81.11)

लोहासुर उवाच । यदि तुष्टोसि देवेश वरमेकं वृणोम्यहम् शरीरस्याजरत्वं च मा मृत्योरपि मे भयम्

lohāsura uvāca yadi tuṣṭo 'si deveśa varam ekaṁ vṛṇomy aham śarīrasyājaratvaṁ ca mā mṛtyor api me bhayam

Lohasura said: "If you are pleased, O Lord of gods, I choose a single boon — let my body never age, and let me have no fear even of death."

Verse 12 (skanda.3.81.12)

जन्मन्यस्मिन्प्रभो भूयात्स्थातव्यं हृदये मम एवमस्तु शिवः प्राह तत्र तं दानवेश्वरम्

janmany asmin prabho bhūyāt sthātavyaṁ hṛdaye mama evam astu śivaḥ prāha tatra taṁ dānaveśvaram

"— and, O Lord, in this very birth, may you abide within my heart." "So be it," Shiva said to that lord of demons.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.81.13)

शर्वलब्धवरो दैवात्पुनस्तेपे महत्तपः रम्ये सरस्वतीतीरे तरणाय भवार्णवात्

śarvalabdhavaro daivāt punas tepe mahattapaḥ ramye sarasvatītīre taraṇāya bhavārṇavāt

Having obtained the boon from Shiva, he, by fate, again performed great austerity on the lovely bank of the Saraswati, in order to cross the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.81.14)

वत्सराणां सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च शंकते भगवानिंद्रो भीतस्तस्य तपोबलात्

vatsarāṇāṁ sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca śaṅkate bhagavān indro bhītas tasya tapobalāt

For thousands, hundreds of thousands, and tens of millions of years he performed austerity; the lord Indra grew apprehensive, terrified by the power of his penance.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.81.15)

मा मे पदच्युतिर्भूयाद्दैत्यल्लोहासुरात्क्वचित् मघवान्गुप्तरूपेण समेत्याश्रमकाननम्

mā me padacyutir bhūyād daityal lohāsurāt kvacit maghavān guptarūpeṇa sametyāśramakānanam

"Let me never lose my position because of the demon Lohasura" — thinking thus, Maghavan (Indra), in disguised form, came to that forest hermitage.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.81.16)

तपोभंगं प्रकुरुते कंपयित्वा महासुरम् ताडयंति शरीरे तं मुष्टिभिस्तीक्ष्णकर्कशैः

tapobhaṅgaṁ prakurute kaṁpayitvā mahāsuram tāḍayanti śarīre taṁ muṣṭibhis tīkṣṇakarkaśaiḥ

He set about breaking his austerity, shaking the great demon, striking his body with sharp, harsh blows of the fist.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.81.17)

अथ तेन च दैत्येन ध्यानमुत्सृज्य वीक्षितम् इंद्रेण तत्कृतं सर्वं तपोबलविनाशनम्

atha tena ca daityena dhyānam utsṛjya vīkṣitam indreṇa tat kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ tapobalavināśanam

Then that demon, abandoning his meditation, saw that Indra had done all this in order to destroy the power of his austerity.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.81.18)

तस्य तैरभवद्युद्धमिंद्राद्यैरथ कर्क्कशैः एकस्य बहुभिः सार्द्धं देवास्ते तेन संयुगे

tasya tair abhavad yuddham indrādyair atha karkaśaiḥ ekasya bahubhiḥ sārdhaṁ devās te tena saṁyuge

A fierce battle then broke out between him and Indra and the other harsh gods — the gods, many against one, fought him in that combat.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.81.19)

रुधिराक्लिन्नदेहा वै प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृताः केशवं शरणं प्राप्ता त्राहि त्राहीति भाषिणः

rudhirākliannadehā vai prahārair jarjarīkṛtāḥ keśavaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptā trāhi trāhīti bhāṣiṇaḥ

Their bodies drenched in blood and shattered by his blows, the gods took refuge in Keshava, crying, "Save us, save us!"

Verse 20 (skanda.3.81.20)

सूत उवाच । देवानां वाक्यमाकर्ण्य वासुदेवो जनार्दनः युयुधे केशवस्तेन युद्धे वर्षशतं किल

sūta uvāca devānāṁ vākyam ākarṇya vāsudevo janārdanaḥ yuyudhe keśavas tena yuddhe varṣaśataṁ kila

Suta said: Hearing the plea of the gods, Vasudeva Janardana himself entered the battle — Keshava fought with him for a hundred years, it is said.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.81.21)

ततो नारायणं तत्र जिगाय स वरोर्जितः अथ नारायणो देवो जितो लोहासुरेण तु

tato nārāyaṇaṁ tatra jigāya sa varorjitaḥ atha nārāyaṇo devo jito lohāsureṇa tu

Then, mighty through his boon, he defeated Narayana there; thus the god Narayana was defeated by Lohasura.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.81.22)

मंत्रयामास रुद्रेण ब्रह्मणा च पुनःपुनः मीमांसित्वा त्रयो देवाः पुनर्युद्धसमुद्यमम्

mantrayāmāsa rudreṇa brahmaṇā ca punaḥ punaḥ mīmāṁsitvā trayo devāḥ punaryuddhasamudyamam

He then consulted again and again with Rudra and Brahma; having deliberated together, the three gods resolved once more to undertake battle.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.81.23)

लोहासुरस्य दैत्यस्य वपुर्दृष्ट्वा पुनर्नवम् महदासीत्पुनर्युद्धं दैत्यकेशवयोस्ततः

lohāsurasya daityasya vapur dṛṣṭvā punarnavam mahad āsīt punaryuddhaṁ daityakeśavayos tataḥ

Seeing the demon Lohasura's body renewed once again, a great battle again arose between the demon and Keshava.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.81.24)

न ममार यदा दैत्यो विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना तरसा तं केशवोऽपि पातयामास भूतले

na mamāra yadā daityo viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā tarasā taṁ keśavo 'pi pātayāmāsa bhūtale

When the demon would not die even at the hands of the mighty Vishnu, Keshava swiftly threw him down upon the ground.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.81.25)

उत्तानं पतितं दृष्ट्वा पिनाकी परमेश्वरः दधार हृदये तस्य स्वरूपं रूपवर्जितः

uttānaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā pinākī parameśvaraḥ dadhāra hṛdaye tasya svarūpaṁ rūpavarjitaḥ

Seeing him fallen flat on his back, Pinaki (Shiva), the Supreme Lord, though himself beyond form, took up his own form within the demon's heart.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.81.26)

कण्ठे तस्थौ ततो ब्रह्मा तस्य लोहासुरस्य च चरणौ पीडयामास स्वस्थित्या पुरुषोत्तमः

kaṇṭhe tasthau tato brahmā tasya lohāsurasya ca caraṇau pīḍayāmāsa svasthityā puruṣottamaḥ

Then Brahma took his stand in Lohasura's throat, and Purushottama, by his own presence, held down and pressed his two feet.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.81.27)

अथ दैत्यः समुत्तस्थौ भृशं बद्धोपि भूतले दृष्ट्वोत्थितं ततो दैत्यं पातयंतं सुरोत्तमान् उवाच दिव्यया वाचा विरंचिः कमलासनः

atha daityaḥ samuttasthau bhṛśaṁ baddho 'pi bhūtale dṛṣṭvotthitaṁ tato daityaṁ pātayantaṁ surottamān uvāca divyayā vācā viraṁciḥ kamalāsanaḥ

Yet even so, though thus firmly held down upon the ground, the demon rose up again. Seeing the demon rise and begin to strike down the best of the gods, lotus-seated Brahma spoke in a divine voice —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.81.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच । लोहासुर सदा रक्ष वाचोधर्ममभीक्ष्णशः त्वया यत्प्रार्थितं रुद्रात्तदेव समुपस्थितम्

brahmovāca lohāsura sadā rakṣa vāco dharmam abhīkṣṇaśaḥ tvayā yat prārthitaṁ rudrāt tad eva samupasthitam

Brahma said: "O Lohasura, ever and always protect the dharma of your speech. That which you asked of Rudra has now come to pass exactly —"

Verse 29 (skanda.3.81.29)

अहं विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च त्रयोऽमी सुरसत्तमाः त्वद्देहमुपवेक्ष्यामो यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

ahaṁ viṣṇuś ca rudraś ca trayo 'mī surasattamāḥ tvaddeham upavekṣyāmo yāvad ābhūtasaṁplavam

"— I, Vishnu, and Rudra — we three foremost of gods — shall dwell within your body until the dissolution of all beings."

Verse 30 (skanda.3.81.30)

दानवेश शिवप्राप्तिर्भावभक्त्यैव जायते शिवं चालयितुं बुद्धिः कथं तव भविष्यति

dānaveśa śivaprāptir bhāvabhaktyaiva jāyate śivaṁ cālayituṁ buddhiḥ kathaṁ tava bhaviṣyati

"O lord of demons, union with Shiva comes only through heartfelt devotion. How, then, did the thought of dislodging Shiva ever occur to you?"

Verse 31 (skanda.3.81.31)

अचलांश्चालयेद्यस्तु प्रासादान्ब्राह्मणान्पुरान् अचिरेणैव कालेन पातकेनैव लिप्यते

acalāṁś cālayed yas tu prāsādān brāhmaṇān purān acireṇaiva kālena pātakenaiva lipyate

"Whoever seeks to shake what is immovable — temples, brahmins, or cities — is quickly stained with sin."

Verse 32 (skanda.3.81.32)

श्मशानवत्परित्याज्यः सत्यधर्मबहिष्कृतः सत्यवागसि भद्रं ते मा विचालय देवताः

śmaśānavat parityājyaḥ satyadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ satyavāg asi bhadraṁ te mā vicālaya devatāḥ

"He is to be shunned like a cremation-ground, cast out from true dharma. You are a man of truthful speech — may good befall you — do not seek to shake the gods."

Verse 33 (skanda.3.81.33)

येन यातास्तु पितरो येन याताः पितामहाः तेन मार्गेण गंतव्यं न चोल्लंघ्या सतां गतिः

yena yātās tu pitaro yena yātāḥ pitāmahāḥ tena mārgeṇa gantavyaṁ na collaṅghyā satāṁ gatiḥ

"One should follow the path by which one's father went, and by which one's grandfather went; the way of the virtuous must never be transgressed."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.81.34)

दानवेश पिता ते हि ददौ लोकत्रयं हरेः वाक्पाशबद्धः पाताले राज्यं चक्रे महीपतिः

dānaveśa pitā te hi dadau lokatrayaṁ hareḥ vākpāśabaddhaḥ pātāle rājyaṁ cakre mahīpatiḥ

"O lord of demons, your own father gave the three worlds to Hari; bound by the noose of his own word, that great king ruled his kingdom in the netherworld."

Verse 35 (skanda.3.81.35)

तथा त्वमसि वाक्पाशाच्छिवभक्तिसमन्वितः भूतले तिष्ठ दैत्येंद्र मा वाग्वैकल्प्यमाप्नुहि

tathā tvam asi vākpāśāc chivabhaktisamanvitaḥ bhūtale tiṣṭha daityendra mā vāgvaikalpyam āpnuhi

"So too are you bound by the noose of your own word, joined with devotion to Shiva. Remain here on earth, O lord of demons — never waver from your own word."

Verse 36 (skanda.3.81.36)

वरांस्ते च प्रदास्यामो मा विचाल्या हि देवताः

varāṁs te ca pradāsyāmo mā vicālyā hi devatāḥ

"And we shall grant you boons — only do not seek to displace the gods."

Verse 37 (skanda.3.81.37)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं संतुष्टो दानवेश्वरः प्राह प्रसन्नया वाचा ब्रह्माणं केशवं हरम्

vyāsa uvāca tac chrutvā brahmaṇo vākyaṁ saṁtuṣṭo dānaveśvaraḥ prāha prasannayā vācā brahmāṇaṁ keśavaṁ haram

Vyasa said: Hearing Brahma's words, the lord of demons, satisfied, addressed Brahma, Keshava, and Hara with a pleased voice.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.81.38)

लोहासुर उवाच । वाक्पाशबद्धस्तिष्ठामि न पुनर्भवतां बले ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च त्रयोऽमी सुरसत्तमाः

lohāsura uvāca vākpāśabaddhas tiṣṭhāmi na punar bhavatāṁ bale brahmā viṣṇuś ca rudraś ca trayo 'mī surasattamāḥ

Lohasura said: "I shall remain bound by the noose of my own word, no longer against your might. If you three — Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, foremost among the gods —"

Verse 39 (skanda.3.81.39)

स्थास्यंति चेच्छरीरे मे किं न लब्धं मया ततः इदं कलेवरं मे हि समारूढं त्रिभिः सुरैः

sthāsyanti cec charīre me kiṁ na labdhaṁ mayā tataḥ idaṁ kalevaraṁ me hi samārūḍhaṁ tribhiḥ suraiḥ

"— will indeed dwell within my body, then what have I not gained? This body of mine has now been mounted upon by three gods —"

Verse 40 (skanda.3.81.40)

भूम्यां भवतु विख्यातं मत्प्रभावात्सुरोत्तमाः

bhūmyāṁ bhavatu vikhyātaṁ matprabhāvāt surottamāḥ

"— let it become renowned on earth, O best of gods, through my own glory."

Verse 41 (skanda.3.81.41)

लोहासुरस्य वाक्येन हर्षिता स्त्रिदशास्त्रयः ददुः प्रत्युत्तरं तस्मै ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः

lohāsurasya vākyena harṣitā stridaśās trayaḥ daduḥ pratyuttaraṁ tasmai brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ

Delighted by Lohasura's words, the three gods — Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara — gave him this reply.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.81.42)

सत्यवाक्पाशतो दैत्यो न सत्याच्चलितो यतः तेन सत्येन संतुष्टा दास्या मस्ते मनीप्सितम्

satyavākpāśato daityo na satyāc calito yataḥ tena satyena saṁtuṣṭā dāsyāmas te manīpsitam

"Since this demon, bound by the noose of truthful speech, has never once swerved from truth, pleased by that very truthfulness, we shall grant you what your heart desires."

Verse 43 (skanda.3.81.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यथा स्नानं ब्रह्मज्ञानं देहत्यागो गयातले धर्मारण्ये तथा दैत्य धर्म्मेश्वरपुरः स्थिते

brahmovāca yathā snānaṁ brahmajñānaṁ dehatyāgo gayātale dharmāraṇye tathā daitya dharmeśvarapuraḥ sthite

Brahma said: "Just as bathing at Gaya bestows knowledge of Brahman, and giving up the body there brings liberation, so too, O demon, at Dharmaranya, before the abode of Dharmeshvara —"

Verse 44 (skanda.3.81.44)

कूपे तर्प्पणकं श्राद्धं शंसंति पितरो दिवि संतुष्टा पिंडदानेन गयायां पितरो यथा

kūpe tarpaṇakaṁ śrāddhaṁ śaṁsanti pitaro divi saṁtuṣṭā piṇḍadānena gayāyāṁ pitaro yathā

"— just as, satisfied by the pinda-offering at Gaya, the ancestors in heaven praise it, so too will the tarpaṇa and shraddha performed at the well here be praised —"

Verse 45 (skanda.3.81.45)

वांछंति तर्प्पणं कूपे धर्मारण्ये विशुद्धये दानवेन्द्र शरीरं तु तीर्थं तव भविष्यति

vāñchanti tarpaṇaṁ kūpe dharmāraṇye viśuddhaye dānavendra śarīraṁ tu tīrthaṁ tava bhaviṣyati

"— they will long for tarpaṇa at the well in Dharmaranya, for their own purification. O lord of demons, your very body shall become a tirtha."

Verse 46 (skanda.3.81.46)

एकविंशतिवारांस्तु गयायां तर्प्पणे कृते पितॄणां या परा तृप्तिर्जायते दानवाधिप

ekaviṁśativārāṁs tu gayāyāṁ tarpaṇe kṛte pitṝṇāṁ yā parā tṛptir jāyate dānavādhipa

"O lord of demons, the supreme satisfaction that arises for ancestors when tarpaṇa is performed twenty-one times at Gaya —"

Verse 47 (skanda.3.81.47)

धर्मेश्वर पुरस्तात्सा त्वेकदा पितृतर्पणात् स्याद्वै दशगुणा तृप्तिः सत्यमेव न संशयः

dharmeśvara purastāt sā tv ekadā pitṛtarpaṇāt syād vai daśaguṇā tṛptiḥ satyam eva na saṁśayaḥ

"— that same satisfaction, tenfold, shall truly arise from a single ancestor-tarpaṇa performed before Dharmeshvara — this is certain, without doubt."

Verse 48 (skanda.3.81.48)

पितॄणां पिंडदानेन अक्षय्या तृप्तिरस्त्विह शिवरूपांतराले वै धर्मारण्ये धरातले

pitṝṇāṁ piṇḍadānena akṣayyā tṛptir astv iha śivarūpāntarāle vai dharmāraṇye dharātale

"May imperishable satisfaction arise here for the ancestors, through the pinda-offering — here, on the earth of Dharmaranya, within the space of Shiva's own form."

Verse 49 (skanda.3.81.49)

श्रद्धयैव हि कर्त्तव्याः श्राद्धपिंडोदकक्रियाः तथांतराले चास्माकं श्राद्धपिंडौ विशेषतः

śraddhayaiva hi kartavyāḥ śrāddhapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ tathāntarāle cāsmākaṁ śrāddhapiṇḍau viśeṣataḥ

"The rites of shraddha, pinda, and water-offering should be performed only with faith; and, especially, the shraddha and pinda-offering made in the space between us three gods carries special power."

Verse 50 (skanda.3.81.50)

तथा शरीरे क्वापिस्तांचिंता सत्योऽसि सुव्रत। त्रिषु लोकेषु दुष्प्रापं सत्यं ते दिवि संस्थितम्

tathā śarīre kvāpi stāṁ cintā satyo 'si suvrata triṣu lokeṣu duṣprāpaṁ satyaṁ te divi saṁsthitam

"Wherever within your body we dwell, let that be no cause for worry — you are truthful, O one of noble vows; your truthfulness, rare to attain in the three worlds, stands enshrined even in heaven."

Verse 51 (skanda.3.81.51)

अस्मद्वाक्येन सत्येन तत्तथाऽसुरसत्तम गयासमधिकं तीर्थं तव जातं धरातले

asmadvākyena satyena tat tathāsurasattama gayāsamadhikaṁ tīrthaṁ tava jātaṁ dharātale

"By our truthful word, O best of demons, so it shall be: your body has become, on this earth, a tirtha even greater than Gaya."

Verse 52 (skanda.3.81.52)

अस्माकं स्थितिरव्यग्रा तव देहे न संशयः सत्यपाशेन बद्धाः स्म दृढमेव त्वयाऽनघ

asmākaṁ sthitir avyagrā tava dehe na saṁśayaḥ satyapāśena baddhāḥ sma dṛḍham eva tvayānagha

"O sinless one, our abiding in your body is undisturbed, without doubt; we are bound firmly by the very noose of truth — by you yourself."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.81.53)

विष्णुरुवाच । गयाप्रयाग कस्याऽपि फलं समधिकं स्मृतम् चतुर्द्दश्याममावास्यां लोहयष्ट्यां पिंडदानतः

viṣṇur uvāca gayāprayāga kasyāpi phalaṁ samadhikaṁ smṛtam caturddaśyām amāvāsyāṁ lohayaṣṭyāṁ piṇḍadānataḥ

Vishnu said: A fruit greater than that of Gaya and Prayaga is remembered as coming from offering the pinda at Lohayashti on the fourteenth and new-moon days.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.81.54)

बलिपुत्रस्य सत्येन महती तृप्तिरत्र हि मा कुरुष्वात्र संदेहं तव देहे स्थिता स्वयम्

baliputrasya satyena mahatī tṛptir atra hi mā kuruṣvātra saṁdehaṁ tava dehe sthitā svayam

By the truthfulness of Bali's son, there is great satisfaction here indeed. Have no doubt about this — we ourselves abide within your body.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.81.55)

सरस्वती पुण्यतोया ब्रह्मलोकात्प्रयात्युत प्लावयिष्यंति देहांगं मया सह सुसंगता

sarasvatī puṇyatoyā brahmalokāt prayāty uta plāvayiṣyanti dehāṅgaṁ mayā saha susaṁgatā

The sacred-watered Saraswati flows down here from Brahmaloka; joined together with me, she shall bathe every part of your body.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.81.56)

यथो वै द्वारका वासो देवस्तत्र महेश्वरः विरंचिर्यत्र तीर्थानि त्रीण्येतानि धरातले

yatho vai dvārakā vāso devas tatra maheśvaraḥ viraṁcir yatra tīrthāni trīṇy etāni dharātale

Just as Dvaraka is my own dwelling, where Maheshvara also resides, and Brahma too — these same three tirthas exist here on this earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.81.57)

भविष्यति च पाताले स्वर्गलोके यमक्षये विख्यातान्यसुरश्रेष्ठ पि तॄणां तृप्तिहेतवे

bhaviṣyati ca pātāle svargaloke yamakṣaye vikhyātāny asuraśreṣṭha pitṝṇāṁ tṛptihetave

O best of demons, these shall become renowned in the netherworld, in the heavenly world, and at Yama's abode too, as the cause of satisfaction for the ancestors.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.81.58)

अथान्यत्संप्रवक्ष्यामि गाथां पितृकृतां पराम् आज्ञारूपां हि पुत्राणां तां शृणुष्व ममानघ

athānyat saṁpravakṣyāmi gāthāṁ pitṛkṛtāṁ parām ājñārūpāṁ hi putrāṇāṁ tāṁ śṛṇuṣva mamānagha

O sinless one, now I shall relate another supreme verse, composed by the ancestors themselves, which stands as an injunction for their sons — hear it from me.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.81.59)

पितर ऊचुः । शंकरस्याग्रतः स्थानं रुद्रलोकप्रदं नृणाम् पापदेहविशुद्ध्यर्थं पापेनोपहतात्मनाम्

pitara ūcuḥ śaṁkarasyāgrataḥ sthānaṁ rudralokapradaṁ nṛṇām pāpadehaviśuddhyarthaṁ pāpenopahatātmanām

The ancestors said: The place before Shankara grants the world of Rudra to men; it exists for the purification of the sin-laden bodies of those whose souls have been struck down by sin.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.81.60)

तस्मिंस्तिलोदकेनापि सद्गतिं यांति तर्पिताः पितरो नरकाद्वा पि सुपुत्रेण सुमेधसा

tasmiṁs tilodakenāpi sadgatiṁ yānti tarpitāḥ pitaro narakād vāpi suputreṇa sumedhasā

There, satisfied even with mere sesame-water, ancestors attain a good destiny; even out of hell, they are delivered by a good and wise son.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.81.61)

गोप्रदानं प्रशंसंति तत्तत्र पितृमुक्तये पित्रादिकान्समुद्दिश्य दृष्ट्वा रुद्रं च केशवम् तिलपिण्याकपिंडेन तृप्तिं यास्यामहे पराम्

gopradānaṁ praśaṁsanti tat tatra pitṛmuktaye pitrādikān samuddiśya dṛṣṭvā rudraṁ ca keśavam tilapiṇyākapiṇḍena tṛptiṁ yāsyāmahe parām

There, for the liberation of ancestors, they praise the gift of a cow. "Dedicating the offering to our fathers and forebears, and beholding Rudra and Keshava, we shall attain supreme satisfaction through a pinda of sesame-cake" —

Verse 62 (skanda.3.81.62)

चतुर्द्दश्याममावास्यां तथा च पितृतर्पणम् अज्ञातगोत्रजन्मानस्तेभ्यः पिंडांस्तु निर्वपेत्

caturdaśyām amāvāsyāṁ tathā ca pitṛtarpaṇam ajñātagotrajanmānas tebhyaḥ piṇḍāṁs tu nirvapet

— so declare the ancestors. Likewise, on the fourteenth day and the new-moon day, one should perform ancestor-tarpaṇa, offering pindas also to those born of unknown gotras.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.81.63)

तेऽपि यांति दिवं सर्वे ये दत्त इति श्रुतिः

te 'pi yānti divaṁ sarve ye datta iti śrutiḥ

All those to whom this pinda is given, so declares the scripture, go to heaven as well.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.81.64)

सर्वकार्याणि संत्यज्य मानवैः पुण्यमीप्सुभिः प्राप्ते भाद्रपदे मासे गंतव्या लोहयिष्टका अज्ञातगोत्रनाम्ना तु पिंड मंत्रमिमं शृणु

sarvakāryāṇi saṁtyajya mānavaiḥ puṇyam īpsubhiḥ prāpte bhādrapade māse gantavyā lohayaṣṭikā ajñātagotranāmnā tu piṇḍa mantram imaṁ śṛṇu

Setting aside all other business, men desirous of merit should, when the month of Bhadrapada arrives, go to Lohayashtika. Hear now this mantra for the pinda-offering made in the name of unknown gotras —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.81.65)

पितृवंशे मृता ये च मातृवंशे तथैव च अतीतगोत्रजास्तेभ्यः पिंडोऽयमुपतिष्ठतु

pitṛvaṁśe mṛtā ye ca mātṛvaṁśe tathaiva ca atītagotrajās tebhyaḥ piṇḍo 'yam upatiṣṭhatu

"To those who have died in the paternal line, and likewise in the maternal line, and to those departed of a now-forgotten gotra — let this pinda be offered to them."

Verse 66 (skanda.3.81.66)

विष्णुरुवाच । अनेनैव तु मंत्रेण ममाग्रे सुरसत्तम क्षीणे चंद्रे चतुर्द्दश्यां नभस्ये पिंडमाहरेत्

viṣṇur uvāca anenaiva tu mantreṇa mamāgre surasattama kṣīṇe candre caturddaśyāṁ nabhasye piṇḍam āharet

Vishnu said: With this very mantra, O best of gods, before me, on the fourteenth day of the waning moon in the month of Nabhasya, one should offer the pinda.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.81.67)

पितॄणामक्षया तृप्तिर्भविष्यति न संशयः तिलपिण्याकपिंडेन पितरो मोक्षमाप्नुयुः

pitṝṇām akṣayā tṛptir bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ tilapiṇyākapiṇḍena pitaro mokṣam āpnuyuḥ

The ancestors will undoubtedly attain imperishable satisfaction; by the pinda of sesame-cake, the ancestors shall obtain liberation.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.81.68)

क्षणत्रयविनिर्मुक्ता मानवा जगतीतले भविष्यंति न संदेहो लोहयष्ट्या तिलतर्पणे

kṣaṇatrayavinirmuktā mānavā jagatītale bhaviṣyanti na saṁdeho lohayaṣṭyā tilatarpaṇe

Through sesame-tarpaṇa at Lohayashti, men on this earth shall undoubtedly be freed from the three debts.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.81.69)

स्नात्वा यः कुरुते चात्र पितृपिंडोदकक्रियाः पितरस्तस्य तृप्यंति यावद्ब्रह्मदिवानिशम्

snātvā yaḥ kurute cātra pitṛpiṇḍodakakriyāḥ pitaras tasya tṛpyanti yāvad brahmadivāniśam

Whoever bathes here and performs the rites of pinda and water-offering to the ancestors — his ancestors remain satisfied for as long as Brahma's day and night endure.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.81.70)

अमावास्यादिनं प्राप्य मासि भाद्रपदे सरः ब्रह्मणो यष्टिकायां तु यः कुर्यात्पितृतर्पणम्

amāvāsyādinaṁ prāpya māsi bhādrapade saraḥ brahmaṇo yaṣṭikāyāṁ tu yaḥ kuryāt pitṛtarpaṇam

Whoever, reaching the new-moon day in the month of Bhadrapada, performs ancestor-tarpaṇa at Brahma's Yashtika (staff-shrine) —

Verse 71 (skanda.3.81.71)

पितरस्तस्य तृप्ताः स्युर्यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् तेषां प्रसन्नो भगवानादिदेवो महेश्वरः

pitaras tasya tṛptāḥ syur yāvad ābhūtasaṁplavam teṣāṁ prasanno bhagavān ādidevo maheśvaraḥ

— his ancestors remain satisfied until the dissolution of all beings, and the primal Lord Maheshvara becomes pleased with them.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.81.72)

अस्य तीर्थस्य यात्रायां मतिर्येषां भविष्यति गोक्षीरेण तिलैः श्वेतैः स्नात्वा सारस्वते जले

asya tīrthasya yātrāyāṁ matir yeṣāṁ bhaviṣyati gokṣīreṇa tilaiḥ śvetaiḥ snātvā sārasvate jale

Those in whose mind arises the resolve to make pilgrimage to this tirtha should bathe in the Saraswati's water, and with cow's milk and white sesame —

Verse 73 (skanda.3.81.73)

तर्पयेदक्षया तृप्तिः पितॄणां तस्य जायते श्राद्धं चैव प्रकु र्वीत सक्तुभिः पयसा सह

tarpayed akṣayā tṛptiḥ pitṝṇāṁ tasya jāyate śrāddhaṁ caiva prakurvīta saktubhiḥ payasā saha

— perform tarpaṇa, and imperishable satisfaction arises for his ancestors. He should also perform the shraddha rite with roasted-flour and milk.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.81.74)

अमावास्यादिनं प्राप्य पितॄणां मोदमिच्छुकः रुद्रतीर्थे ततो धेनुं दयाद्वस्त्राणि यमतीर्थके

amāvāsyādinaṁ prāpya pitṝṇāṁ modam icchukaḥ rudratīrthe tato dhenuṁ dayād vastrāṇi yamatīrthake

Reaching the new-moon day, one desiring the joy of his ancestors should give a cow at the Rudra-tirtha, and garments at the Yama-tirtha.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.81.75)

विष्णुतीर्थे हिरण्यं च पितॄणां मोक्षमिच्छुकः विनाक्षतैर्विना दर्भैर्विना चासनमेव च वारिमात्राल्लोहयष्ट्यां गयाश्राद्धफलं लभेत्

viṣṇutīrthe hiraṇyaṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ mokṣam icchukaḥ vinākṣatair vinā darbhair vinā cāsanam eva ca vārimātrāl lohayaṣṭyāṁ gayāśrāddhaphalaṁ labhet

One desiring the liberation of his ancestors should give gold at the Vishnu-tirtha. Even without unbroken rice-grains, without kusha-grass, and without a seat, one obtains the fruit of the Gaya-shraddha at Lohayashtika by water alone.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.81.76)

सूत उवाच । एतद्वः कथितं विप्रा लोहासुरविचेष्टितम् यच्छ्रुत्वा ब्रह्महा गोघ्नो मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

sūta uvāca etad vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā lohāsuraviceṣṭitam yac chrutvā brahmahā goghno mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Suta said: O brahmins, this is the tale of Lohasura's deeds that I have told you; hearing it, even a slayer of a brahmin or of a cow is freed from all sins.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.81.77)

एकविंशतिवारन्तु गयायां पिंड पातने तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सकृदस्मिञ्छ्रुते सति

ekaviṁśativāran tu gayāyāṁ piṇḍapātane tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti sakṛd asmiñ chrute sati

The fruit obtained by offering the pinda twenty-one times at Gaya is obtained merely by hearing this once.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.81.78)

चतुःष्कोटि द्विलक्षं च सहस्रं शतमेव च धेनवस्तेन दत्ताः स्युर्माहात्म्यं शृणु यात्तु यः इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये लोहासुरमाहात्म्यसंपूर्तिर्नामैकोनत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

catuḥṣkoṭi dvilakṣaṁ ca sahasraṁ śatam eva ca dhenavas tena dattāḥ syur māhātmyaṁ śṛṇuyāt tu yaḥ iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye lohāsuramāhātmyasaṁpūrtir nāmaikonatriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

Whoever hears this glory has, in effect, given four crore, two lakh, one thousand, and one hundred cows in gift. Thus ends the twenty-ninth chapter, called "The Completion of Lohasura's Glory," within the Glory of Dharmaranya, in the earlier portion of the third Brahma Khanda, in the Skanda Mahapurana's Samhita of eighty-one thousand verses.