The Brahmins' Return

Verse 1 (skanda.3.89.1)

व्यास उवाच । ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे प्रत्यूचुः पवनात्मजम्। अधुना सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्

vyāsa uvāca tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve pratyūcuḥ pavanātmajam adhunā saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ ca sujīvitam

Vyasa said: Then all those brahmins replied to the son of the Wind: "Now our birth has borne fruit, and our life has become a truly good life —"

Verse 2 (skanda.3.89.2)

अद्य नो मोढलोकानां धन्यो धर्मश्च वै गृहाः। धन्या च सकला पृथ्वी यज्ञधर्मा ह्यनेकशः

adya no moḍhalokānāṁ dhanyo dharmaś ca vai gṛhāḥ dhanyā ca sakalā pṛthvī yajñadharmā hy anekaśaḥ

"— today our dharma, we the Modh people, is blessed, and our homes are blessed too; the whole earth is blessed, filled with manifold rites of sacrifice."

Verse 3 (skanda.3.89.3)

नमः श्रीराम भक्ताय अक्षविध्वंसनाय च । नमो रक्षःपुरीदाहकारिणे वज्रधारिणे ।

namaḥ śrīrāma bhaktāya akṣavidhvaṁsanāya ca namo rakṣaḥpurīdāhakāriṇe vajradhāriṇe

"Salutations to the devotee of Shri Rama, to the destroyer of Akṣa; salutations to the one who burned the city of the rākṣasas, the bearer of the thunderbolt."

Verse 4 (skanda.3.89.4)

जानकीहृदयत्राणकारिणे करुणात्मने । सीताविरह तप्तस्य श्रीरामस्य प्रियाय च ।

jānakīhṛdayatrāṇakāriṇe karuṇātmane sītāviraha taptasya śrīrāmasya priyāya ca

"Salutations to the protector of Jānakī's heart, of compassionate soul; to the beloved companion of Shri Rama, tormented by separation from Sita."

Verse 5 (skanda.3.89.5)

नमोऽस्तु ते महावीर रक्षास्मान्मज्जतः क्षितौ । नमो ब्राह्मणदेवाय वायुपुत्राय ते नमः ।

namo 'stu te mahāvīra rakṣāsmān majjataḥ kṣitau namo brāhmaṇadevāya vāyuputrāya te namaḥ

"Salutations to you, O great hero — protect us, sinking as we are into the earth; salutations to the god of the brahmins, the son of the Wind, salutations to you."

Verse 6 (skanda.3.89.6)

नमोऽस्तु राम भक्ताय गोब्राह्मणहिताय च । नमोस्तु रुद्ररूपाय कृष्णवक्त्राय ते तमः ।

namo 'stu rāma bhaktāya gobrāhmaṇahitāya ca namo 'stu rudrarūpāya kṛṣṇavaktrāya te namaḥ

"Salutations to the devotee of Rama, benefactor of cows and brahmins; salutations to you, of Rudra's own form, dark of face.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.89.7)

अंजनीसूनवे नित्यं सर्वव्याधिहराय च । नागयज्ञोपवीताय प्रबलाय नमोऽस्तु ते ।

añjanīsūnave nityaṁ sarvavyādhiharāya ca nāgayajñopavītāya prabalāya namo 'stu te

"To Añjanā's son, ever the remover of every affliction; to the wearer of the serpent's sacred thread, mighty one, salutations to you."

Verse 8 (skanda.3.89.8)

स्वयं समुद्रतीर्णाय सेतुबंधनकारिणे ।

svayaṁ samudratīrṇāya setubandhanakāriṇe

"To the one who himself crossed the ocean, the builder of the bridge."

Verse 9 (skanda.3.89.9)

व्यास उवाच । स्तोत्रेणैवामुना तुष्टो वायुपुत्रोऽब्रवीद्वचः । शृणुध्वं हि वरं विप्रा यद्वो मनसि रोचते ।

vyāsa uvāca stotreṇaivāmunā tuṣṭo vāyuputro 'bravīd vacaḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ hi varaṁ viprā yad vo manasi rocate

Vyasa said: Pleased by this hymn of praise, the son of the Wind spoke: "Listen, O brahmins — ask for whatever boon pleases your heart."

Verse 10 (skanda.3.89.10)

विप्रा ऊचुः । यदि तुष्टोऽसि देवेश रामाज्ञापालक प्रभो । स्वरूपं दर्शयस्वाद्य लंकायां यत्कृतं हरे ।

viprā ūcuḥ yadi tuṣṭo 'si deveśa rāmājñāpālaka prabho svarūpaṁ darśayasvādya laṅkāyāṁ yat kṛtaṁ hare

The brahmins said: "If you are pleased, O lord of gods, O keeper of Rama's command, show us today your form — the one you took in Lanka, O Hari —"

Verse 11 (skanda.3.89.11)

तथा विध्वंसवाद्य त्वं राजानं पापकारिणम् । दुष्टं कुमारपालं हि आमं चैव न संशयः ।

tathā vidhvaṁsavādya tvaṁ rājānaṁ pāpakāriṇam duṣṭaṁ kumārapālaṁ hi āmaṁ caiva na saṁśayaḥ

"— and today, without doubt, destroy that sinful king — the wicked Kumārapāla, and Āmo too."

Verse 12 (skanda.3.89.12)

वृत्तिलोपफलं सद्यः प्राप्नुयात्त्वं तथा कुरु । प्रतीत्यर्थं महाबाहो किं विलंबं वदस्व नः ।

vṛttilopaphalaṁ sadyaḥ prāpnuyāt tvaṁ tathā kuru pratītyartham mahābāho kiṁ vilaṁbaṁ vadasva naḥ

"Let him at once reap the fruit of abolishing our livelihood — do so. O mighty-armed one, why this delay in providing proof? Tell us."

Verse 13 (skanda.3.89.13)

त्वयि चित्तेन दत्तेन स राजा पुण्यभाग्भवेत् । प्रत्यये दर्शिते वीर शासनं पालयिष्यति ।

tvayi cittena dattena sa rājā puṇyabhāg bhavet pratyaye darśite vīra śāsanaṁ pālayiṣyati

"If his mind is set upon you, that king shall share in merit. O hero, once proof is shown, he will uphold the charter."

Verse 14 (skanda.3.89.14)

त्रयीधर्म्मः पृथिव्यां तु विस्तारं प्रापयिष्यति । धर्मधीर महावीर स्वरूपं दर्शयस्व नः ।

trayīdharmaḥ pṛthivyāṁ tu vistāraṁ prāpayiṣyati dharmadhīra mahāvīra svarūpaṁ darśayasva naḥ

"Then the threefold Vedic dharma shall spread across the earth. O steadfast in dharma, O great hero, show us your true form."

Verse 15 (skanda.3.89.15)

हनुमानुवाच । मत्स्वरूपं महाकायं न चक्षुर्विषयं कलौ । तेजोराशिमयं दिव्यमिति जानंतु वाडवाः ।

hanumān uvāca matsvarūpaṁ mahākāyaṁ na cakṣurviṣayaṁ kalau tejorāśimayaṁ divyam iti jānantu vāḍavāḥ

Hanuman said: My vast bodily form is not perceivable by mortal eyes in the Kali Yuga; it is a divine mass of radiance — let the brahmins know this.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.89.16)

तथापि परया भक्त्या प्रसन्नोऽहं स्तवादिभिः । वसनांतरितं रूपं दर्शयिष्यामि पश्यत ।

tathāpi parayā bhaktyā prasanno 'haṁ stavādibhiḥ vasanāntaritaṁ rūpaṁ darśayiṣyāmi paśyata

Even so, pleased by your supreme devotion and hymns of praise, I shall show you my form, veiled behind a cloth — behold.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.89.17)

एवमुक्तास्तदा विप्राः सर्वकार्यसमुत्सुकाः । महारूपं महाकायं महापुच्छसमाकुलम् ।

evam uktās tadā viprāḥ sarvakāryasamutsukāḥ mahārūpaṁ mahākāyaṁ mahāpucchasamākulam

Thus addressed, the brahmins, eager for their task's fulfillment, then beheld that great form, of vast body, encircled by its immense tail —

Verse 18 (skanda.3.89.18)

दृष्ट्वा दिव्यस्वरूपं तं हनुमंतं जहर्षिरे । कथंचिद्धैर्यमालंब्य विप्राः प्रोचुः शनैः शनैः ।

dṛṣṭvā divyasvarūpaṁ taṁ hanumantaṁ jaharṣire kathaṁcid dhairyam ālaṁbya viprāḥ procuḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

— seeing that divine form of Hanuman, they rejoiced; somehow steadying themselves with courage, the brahmins spoke slowly —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.89.19)

यथोक्तं तु पुराणेषु तत्तथैव हि दृश्यते । उवाच स हि तान्सर्वांश्चक्षुः प्रच्छाद्य संस्थितान् ।

yathoktaṁ tu purāṇeṣu tat tathaiva hi dṛśyate uvāca sa hi tān sarvāṁś cakṣuḥ pracchādya saṁsthitān

"As it is described in the Puranas, so it appears, exactly." Then, covering his own eyes, he spoke to all of them, standing there —

Verse 20 (skanda.3.89.20)

फलानीमानि गृह्णीध्वं भक्षणार्थमृषीश्वराः । एभिस्तु भक्षितैर्विप्रा ह्यतितृप्तिर्भविष्यति । धर्मारण्यं विना वाद्य क्षुधा वः शाम्यति धुवम् ।

phalānīmāni gṛhṇīdhvaṁ bhakṣaṇārtham ṛṣīśvarāḥ ebhis tu bhakṣitair viprā hy atitṛptir bhaviṣyati dharmāraṇyaṁ vinā vādya kṣudhā vaḥ śāmyati dhruvam

"O lords of sages, take these fruits and eat them; by eating these, O brahmins, you shall be fully satisfied. Even without reaching Dharmaranya, your hunger shall certainly be stilled today."

Verse 21 (skanda.3.89.21)

व्यास उवाच । क्षुधाक्रांतैस्तदा विप्रैः कृतं वै फलभक्षणम् । अमृतप्राशनमिव तृप्तिस्तेषामजायत ।

vyāsa uvāca kṣudhākrāntais tadā viprai kṛtaṁ vai phalabhakṣaṇam amṛtaprāśanam iva tṛptis teṣām ajāyata

Vyasa said: Those hunger-stricken brahmins then ate those fruits; their satisfaction was as if they had drunk the nectar of immortality.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.89.22)

न तृषा नैव क्षुच्चैव विप्राः संक्लिष्टमानसाः । अभवन्सहसा राजन्विस्मयाविष्टचेतसः ।

na tṛṣā naiva kṣuc caiva viprāḥ saṁkliṣṭamānasāḥ abhavan sahasā rājan vismayāviṣṭacetasaḥ

Neither thirst nor hunger remained in those troubled brahmins; O king, they suddenly became filled with astonishment.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.89.23)

ततः प्राहांजनीपुत्रः संप्राप्ते हि कलौ द्विजाः । नागमिष्याम्यहं तत्र मुक्त्वा रामेश्वरं शिवम् ।

tataḥ prāhāñjanīputraḥ saṁprāpte hi kalau dvijāḥ nāgamiṣyāmy ahaṁ tatra muktvā rāmeśvaraṁ śivam

Then Añjanā's son said: O brahmins, now that the Kali Yuga has arrived, I shall not come there myself, apart from remaining with Rāmeśvara Shiva —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.89.24)

अभिज्ञानं मया दत्तं गृहीत्वा तत्र गच्छत । तथ्यमेतत्प्रतीयेत तस्य राज्ञो न संशयः ।

abhijñānaṁ mayā dattaṁ gṛhītvā tatra gaccheta tathyam etat pratīyeta tasya rājño na saṁśayaḥ

— but take this token of recognition I give you and go there; this shall convince that king of the truth, without doubt.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.89.25)

इत्युक्त्वा बाहुमुद्धृत्य भुजयोरुभयोरपि । पृथग्रोमाणि संगृह्य चकार पुटिकाद्वयम् ।

ity uktvā bāhum uddhṛtya bhujayor ubhayor api pṛthag romāṇi saṁgṛhya cakāra puṭikādvayam

Having said this, raising up both his arms, he gathered separate hairs and made two small packets.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.89.26)

भूर्जपत्रेण संवेष्ट्य ते अदाद्विप्रकक्षयोः । वामे तु वामकक्षोत्थां दक्षिणोत्थां तु दक्षिणे ।

bhūrjapatreṇa saṁveṣṭya te adād viprakakṣayoḥ vāme tu vāmakakṣotthāṁ dakṣiṇotthāṁ tu dakṣiṇe

Wrapping them in birch-bark, he gave them to be kept in the brahmin's armpits — the one from his left arm's hair for the left armpit, and the one from his right arm's hair for the right.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.89.27)

कामदां रामभक्तस्य अन्येषां क्षयकारिणीम् । उवाच च यदा राजा ब्रूते चिह्नं प्रदीयताम् ।

kāmadāṁ rāmabhaktasya anyeṣāṁ kṣayakāriṇīm uvāca ca yadā rājā brūte cihnaṁ pradīyatām

This grants wishes to a devotee of Rama, but brings ruin to others. He said: "When the king asks that a sign be given —"

Verse 28 (skanda.3.89.28)

तदा प्रदीयतां शीघ्रं वामकक्षोद्भवा पुटी । अथवा तस्य राज्ञस्तु द्वारे तु पुटिकां क्षिप ।

tadā pradīyatāṁ śīghraṁ vāmakakṣodbhavā puṭī athavā tasya rājñas tu dvāre tu puṭikāṁ kṣipa

"— then swiftly give him the packet from the left armpit; or else, throw that packet at that king's door —"

Verse 29 (skanda.3.89.29)

ज्वालयति च तत्सैन्यं गृहं कोशं तथैव च । महिष्यः पुत्रकाः सर्वं ज्वलमानं भविष्यति ।

jvālayati ca tat sainyaṁ gṛhaṁ kośaṁ tathaiva ca mahiṣyaḥ putrakāḥ sarvaṁ jvalamānaṁ bhaviṣyati

"— it shall set his army, his house, and his treasury ablaze; his queens, his sons, everything, shall be consumed in flame."

Verse 30 (skanda.3.89.30)

यदा तु वृत्तिं ग्रामांश्च वणिजानां बलिं तथा । पूर्वं स्थितं तु यत्किंचित्तत्तद्दास्यति वाडवाः ।

yadā tu vṛttiṁ grāmāṁś ca vaṇijānāṁ baliṁ tathā pūrvaṁ sthitaṁ tu yat kiṁcit tat tad dāsyati vāḍavāḥ

"O brahmins, when he restores your livelihood, your villages, and the merchants' tribute — whatever was formerly established —"

Verse 31 (skanda.3.89.31)

लिखित्वा निश्चयं कृत्वाप्यथ दद्यात्स पूर्ववत् । करसंपुटकं कृत्वा प्रणमेच्च यदा नृपः ।

likhitvā niścayaṁ kṛtvāpy atha dadyāt sa pūrvavat karasaṁpuṭakaṁ kṛtvā praṇamec ca yadā nṛpaḥ

"— and puts it in writing, granting it just as before, and when the king bows with joined palms —"

Verse 32 (skanda.3.89.32)

संप्राप्य च पुरा वृत्तिं रामदत्तां द्विजोत्तमाः । ततो दक्षिणकक्षास्थकेशानां पुटिका त्वियम् ।

saṁprāpya ca purā vṛttiṁ rāmadattāṁ dvijottamāḥ tato dakṣiṇakakṣāsthakeśānāṁ puṭikā tv iyam

"— and, O excellent twice-born, you have regained your former livelihood, given by Rama, then this packet made from the hairs of the right armpit —"

Verse 33 (skanda.3.89.33)

प्रक्षिप्यतां तदा सैन्यं पुरावच्च भविष्यति । गृहाणि च तथा कोशः पुत्रपौत्रादयस्तथा ।

prakṣipyatāṁ tadā sainyaṁ purāvac ca bhaviṣyati gṛhāṇi ca tathā kośaḥ putrapautrādayas tathā

"— should then be thrown; his army shall be restored as before, and his houses, treasury, and sons and grandsons too shall be safe."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.89.34)

वह्निना मुच्यमानास्ते दृश्यंते तत्क्षणादिति । श्रुत्वाऽमृतमयं वाक्यं हनुमंतोदितं परम् ।

vahninā mucyamānās te dṛśyante tatkṣaṇād iti śrutvāmṛtamayaṁ vākyaṁ hanumantoditaṁ param

"They shall be seen freed from the fire at that very moment." Hearing this supreme, nectar-like word spoken by Hanuman —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.89.35)

अलभन्त मुदं विप्रा ननृतुः प्रजगुर्भृशम् । जयं चोदैरयन्केऽपि प्रहसन्ति परस्परम् ।

alabhanta mudaṁ viprā nanṛtuḥ prajaguḥ bhṛśam jayaṁ codairayan ke 'pi prahasanti parasparam

— the brahmins were filled with great joy; they danced and sang loudly; some raised cries of victory, and laughed among themselves.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.89.36)

पुलकांकितसर्वाङ्गाः स्तुवन्ति च मुहुर्मुहुः । पुच्छं तस्य च संगृह्य चुचुंबुः केचिदुत्सुकाः ।

pulakāṅkitasarvāṅgāḥ stuvanti ca muhur muhuḥ pucchaṁ tasya ca saṁgṛhya cucuṁbuḥ kecid utsukāḥ

Their whole bodies thrilled with joy, and they praised him again and again; some, eager, seized his tail and kissed it.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.89.37)

ब्रूतेऽन्यो मम यत्नेन कार्यं नियतमेव हि । अन्यो ब्रूते महाभाग मयेदं कृतमित्युत ।

brūte 'nyo mama yatnena kāryaṁ niyatam eva hi anyo brūte mahābhāga mayedaṁ kṛtam ity uta

One said, "It was through my own effort alone that this task was truly accomplished"; another said, "O illustrious one, this was done by me."

Verse 38 (skanda.3.89.38)

ततः प्रोवाच हनुमांस्त्रिरात्रं स्थीयतामिह । रामतीर्थस्य च फलं यथा प्राप्स्यथ वाडवाः ।

tataḥ provāca hanumāṁs trirātraṁ sthīyatām iha rāmatīrthasya ca phalaṁ yathā prāpsyatha vāḍavāḥ

Then Hanuman said: "Remain here for three nights, so that, O brahmins, you may obtain the fruit of the Rama-tirtha as well."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.89.39)

तथेत्युक्त्वाथ ते विप्रा ब्रह्मयज्ञं प्रचक्रिरे । ब्रह्मघोषेण महता तद्वनं बधिरं कृतम् ।

tathety uktvātha te viprā brahmayajñaṁ pracakrire brahmaghoṣeṇa mahatā tad vanaṁ badhiraṁ kṛtam

Saying "so be it," those brahmins then performed the Brahma-yajña (Vedic recitation); with their great resounding of Vedic chant, that forest was, as it were, deafened.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.89.40)

स्थित्वा त्रिरात्रं ते विप्रा गमने कृतबुद्धयः । रात्रौ हनुमतोऽग्रे त इदमूचुः सुभक्तितः ।

sthitvā trirātraṁ te viprā gamane kṛtabuddhayaḥ rātrau hanumato 'gre ta idam ūcuḥ subhaktitaḥ

Having stayed three nights, and resolving to depart, those brahmins spoke, with deep devotion, to Hanuman that night —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.89.41)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । वयं प्रातर्गमिष्यामो धर्मारण्यं सुनिर्मलम् । न विस्मार्या वयं तात क्षम्यतां क्षम्यतामिति ।

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ vayaṁ prātar gamiṣyāmo dharmāraṇyaṁ sunirmalam na vismāryā vayaṁ tāta kṣamyatāṁ kṣamyatām iti

The brahmins said: We shall go at dawn to the most pure Dharmaranya. O father, do not forget us; forgive us, forgive us.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.89.42)

ततो वायुसुतो राजन्पर्वतान्महतीं शिलाम् । बृहतीं च चतुःशालां दशयोजनमायतीम् ।

tato vāyusuto rājan parvatān mahatīṁ śilām bṛhatīṁ ca catuḥśālāṁ daśayojanam āyatīm

Then, O king, the son of the Wind took a great slab of rock from the mountain — vast, four-chambered, extending across ten yojanas —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.89.43)

आस्तीर्य प्राह तान्विप्राञ्छिलायां द्विजसत्तमाः । रक्ष्यमाणा मया विप्राः शयीध्वं विगतज्वराः ।

āstīrya prāha tān viprāñ chilāyāṁ dvijasattamāḥ rakṣyamāṇā mayā viprāḥ śayīdhvaṁ vigatajvarāḥ

— and, spreading it out, said to those excellent brahmins: "O brahmins, under my protection, lie down on this slab, free of all anxiety."

Verse 44 (skanda.3.89.44)

इति श्रुत्वा ततः सर्वे निद्रामापुः सुखप्रदाम् । एवं ते कृतकृत्यास्तु भूत्वा सुप्ता निशामुखे ।

iti śrutvā tataḥ sarve nidrām āpuḥ sukhapradām evaṁ te kṛtakṛtyās tu bhūtvā suptā niśāmukhe

Hearing this, all of them fell into blissful sleep; thus, considering their purpose accomplished, they slept at the very start of the night.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.89.45)

कृपालुः स च रुद्रात्मा रामशासनपालकः । रक्षणार्थं हि विप्राणामतिष्ठच्च धरातले ।

kṛpāluḥ sa ca rudrātmā rāmaśāsanapālakaḥ rakṣaṇārthaṁ hi viprāṇām atiṣṭhac ca dharātale

That compassionate one, of Rudra's own nature, guardian of Rama's charter, stood there upon the earth to protect the brahmins.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.89.46)

व्यास उवाच । अर्द्धरात्रे तु संप्राप्ते सर्वे निद्रामुपागताः । तातं संप्रार्थयामास कृतानुग्रहको भवान् ।

vyāsa uvāca ardharātre tu saṁprāpte sarve nidrām upāgatāḥ tātaṁ saṁprārthayāmāsa kṛtānugrahako bhavān

Vyasa said: When midnight came, and all were sunk in sleep, he (Hanuman) beseeched his own father (the Wind-god): "Grant me your favor —"

Verse 47 (skanda.3.89.47)

समीरण द्विजानेतान्स्थानं स्वं प्रापयस्व भोः । ततो निद्राभिभूतांस्तान्वायुपुत्रप्रणोदितः ।

samīraṇa dvijān etān sthānaṁ svaṁ prāpayasva bhoḥ tato nidrābhibhūtāṁs tān vāyuputrapraṇoditaḥ

"— O Wind, carry these twice-born to their own home." Then, urged on by the son of the Wind, the Wind-god himself —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.89.48)

समुद्धृत्य शिलां तां तु पिता पुत्रेण भारत । विशिष्टो यापयामास स्वस्थानं द्विजसत्तमान् ।

samuddhṛtya śilāṁ tāṁ tu pitā putreṇa bhārata viśiṣṭo yāpayāmāsa svasthānaṁ dvijasattamān

— O descendant of Bharata, that father (the Wind), at his son's (Hanuman's) request, lifted up that slab and carried those excellent brahmins directly to their own place.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.89.49)

षड्भिर्मासैश्च यः पन्था अतिक्रांतो द्विजातिभिः । त्रिभिरेव मुहूर्त्तैस्तु धर्मारण्यमवाप्तवान् ।

ṣaḍbhir māsaiś ca yaḥ panthā atikrānto dvijātibhiḥ tribhir eva muhūrtais tu dharmāraṇyam avāptavān

The path that had taken those twice-born six months to travel, they now covered in a mere three muhūrtas, and reached Dharmaranya.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.89.50)

भ्रममाणां शिलां ज्ञात्वा विप्र एको द्विजाग्रतः । वात्स्यगोत्रसमुत्पन्नो लोकान्संगीतवान्कलम् ।

bhramamāṇāṁ śilāṁ jñātvā vipra eko dvijāgrataḥ vātsyagotrasamutpanno lokān saṁgītavān kalam

Aware that the slab was flying through the air, one brahmin, born of the Vātsya gotra, foremost among the twice-born, began to sing a sweet song,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.89.51)

गीतानि गायनोक्तानि श्रुत्वा विस्मयमाययुः । प्रभाते सुप्रसन्ने तु उदतिष्ठन्परस्परम् ।

gītāni gāyanoktāni śrutvā vismayam āyayuḥ prabhāte suprasanne tu udatiṣṭhan parasparam

and, hearing the songs sung by that singer, they were astonished; and in the pleasant dawn, they rose up together, one after another.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.89.52)

ऊचुस्ते विस्मिताः सर्वे स्वप्नोऽयं वाथ विभ्रमः । ससंभ्रमाः समुत्थाय ददृशुः सत्यमंदिरम् ।

ūcus te vismitāḥ sarve svapno 'yaṁ vātha vibhramaḥ sasaṁbhramāḥ samutthāya dadṛśuḥ satyamandiram

All of them, astonished, exclaimed: "Is this a dream, or an illusion?" Rising in bewilderment, they saw Satyamandira before them.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.89.53)

अंतर्बुद्ध्या समालोक्य प्रभावो वायुजस्य च । श्रुत्वा वेदध्वनिं विप्राः परं हर्षमुपागताः ।

antarbuddhyā samālokya prabhāvo vāyujasya ca śrutvā vedadhvaniṁ viprāḥ paraṁ harṣam upāgatāḥ

Understanding through their own inner wisdom that this was the power of the son of the Wind, and hearing the sound of Vedic chanting, the brahmins were filled with supreme joy.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.89.54)

ग्रामीणाश्च ततो लोका दृष्ट्वा तु महतीं शिलाम् । अद्भुतं मेनिरे सर्वे किमिदं किमिदं त्विति ।

grāmīṇāś ca tato lokā dṛṣṭvā tu mahatīṁ śilām adbhutaṁ menire sarve kim idaṁ kim idaṁ tv iti

The villagers, too, seeing that great slab of rock, considered it a wonder — "What is this, what is this?" — they all said.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.89.55)

गृहेगृहे हि ते लोकाः प्रवदंति तथाद्भुतम् । ब्राह्मणैः पूर्यमाणा सा शिला च महती शुभा ।

gṛhe gṛhe hi te lokāḥ pravadanti tathādbhutam brāhmaṇaiḥ pūryamāṇā sā śilā ca mahatī śubhā

In every household, the people began to speak of this wonder — that great, auspicious slab, filled with brahmins —

Verse 56 (skanda.3.89.56)

अशुभा वा शुभा वापि न जानीमो वयं किल । संवदंते ततो लोकाः परस्परमिदं वचः ।

aśubhā vā śubhā vāpi na jānīmo vayaṁ kila saṁvadante tato lokāḥ parasparam idaṁ vacaḥ

"— we do not know whether this is inauspicious or auspicious." Then the people spoke this word to one another.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.89.57)

व्यास उवाच । ततो द्विजानां ते पुत्राः पौत्राश्चैव समागताः । ऊचुस्ते दिष्ट्या भो विप्राः आगताः पथिका द्विजाः ।

vyāsa uvāca tato dvijānāṁ te putrāḥ pautrāś caiva samāgatāḥ ūcus te diṣṭyā bho viprāḥ āgatāḥ pathikā dvijāḥ

Vyasa said: Then the sons and grandsons of those brahmins gathered together and said: "O brahmins, by good fortune, the traveling twice-born have returned!"

Verse 58 (skanda.3.89.58)

ते तु संतुष्टमनसा सन्मुखाः प्रययुर्मुदा । प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादाभ्यां परिरंभणकं तथा ।

te tu saṁtuṣṭamanasā sanmukhāḥ prayayur mudā pratyutthānābhivādābhyāṁ pariraṁbhaṇakaṁ tathā

With contented minds, they went joyfully to meet them; rising to greet them and embracing them —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.89.59)

आघ्राणकादींश्च कृत्वा यथायोग्यं प्रपूज्य च । सर्वं विस्तार्य कथितं शीघ्रमागममात्मनः ।

āghrāṇakādīṁś ca kṛtvā yathāyogyaṁ prapūjya ca sarvaṁ vistārya kathitaṁ śīghram āgamam ātmanaḥ

— honoring them duly with acts such as smelling their foreheads (a gesture of blessing), they related to everyone at length the story of their swift return.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.89.60)

ततः संपूज्य तत्सर्वान्गंधतांबूलकुंकुमैः । शांतिपाठं पठंतस्ते हृष्टा निजगृहान्ययुः ।

tataḥ saṁpūjya tat sarvān gandhatāṁbūlakuṁkumaiḥ śāntipāṭhaṁ paṭhantas te hṛṣṭā nijagṛhān yayuḥ

Then, honoring them all with sandalwood, betel-leaf, and vermilion, chanting the peace-recitation, they went joyfully to their own homes.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.89.61)

आनंदाया महापीठे प्रातः पांथाः समुत्थिताः । ददृशुस्ते महास्थानं सोत्कंठा हर्षपूरिताः ।

ānaṁdāyā mahāpīṭhe prātaḥ pānthāḥ samutthitāḥ dadṛśus te mahāsthānaṁ sotkaṇṭhā harṣapūritāḥ

At the great seat of Ānandā, the travelers arose at dawn; filled with eagerness and joy, they beheld that great place.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.89.62)

आश्चर्यं परमं प्रापुः किमेतत्स्थानमुत्तमम् । अयं तु दक्षिण द्वारे शांतिपाठोऽत्र पठ्यते ।

āścaryaṁ paramaṁ prāpuḥ kim etat sthānam uttamam ayaṁ tu dakṣiṇa dvāre śāntipāṭho 'tra paṭhyate

They were struck with supreme wonder — "What is this excellent place?" At its southern gate, a peace-recitation was being chanted there —

Verse 63 (skanda.3.89.63)

गृहा रम्याः प्रदृश्यंते शचीपतिगृहोपमाः । प्रासादाः कुलमातॄणां दृश्यंते चाग्निशोभनाः ।

gṛhā ramyāḥ pradṛśyante śacīpatigṛhopamāḥ prāsādāḥ kulamātṝṇāṁ dṛśyante cāgniśobhanāḥ

Delightful houses came into view, like Indra's own palace; the temples of the family goddesses were seen too, resplendent as fire.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.89.64)

एवं ब्रुवत्सु विप्रेषु महाशक्तिप्रपूजने । आगतो ब्राह्मणोऽपश्यत्तत्र विप्रकदंबकम् ।

evaṁ bruvatsu vipreṣu mahāśaktiprapūjane āgato brāhmaṇo 'paśyat tatra viprakadaṁbakam

As they spoke thus, they came to the place of the great shakti's worship; a brahmin who had arrived there saw that gathering of brahmins.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.89.65)

हर्षितो भावितस्तत्र यत्र विप्राः सभासदः । उवाव दिष्ट्या भो विप्राः ह्यागताः पथिका द्विजाः ।

harṣito bhāvitas tatra yatra viprāḥ sabhāsadaḥ uvāva diṣṭyā bho viprāḥ hy āgatāḥ pathikā dvijāḥ

Joyful and moved, he went to where the assembled brahmins sat and said: "O brahmins, by good fortune, the traveling twice-born have returned!"

Verse 66 (skanda.3.89.66)

प्रत्युत्तस्थुस्ततो विप्राः पूजां गृहीत्वा समागताः । प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादौ चाकुर्वंस्ते च परस्परम् ।

pratyuttasthus tato viprāḥ pūjāṁ gṛhītvā samāgatāḥ pratyutthānābhivādau cākurvaṁs te ca parasparam

Then the brahmins rose and, taking up offerings, came to them; they greeted one another, rising in mutual welcome.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.89.67)

तेते संपूज्य वेगात्तु यथायोग्यं यथाविधि । हरीश्वरस्य यद्वृत्तं विप्राग्रे संप्रकाशितम् ।

te te saṁpūjya vegāt tu yathāyogyaṁ yathāvidhi harīśvarasya yad vṛttaṁ viprāgre saṁprakāśitam

Quickly honoring one another duly, according to proper rite, all that had occurred with Hari's lord (Hanuman) was declared before the brahmins.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.89.68)

पथिकानां वचः श्रुत्वा हर्षपूर्णा द्विजोत्तमाः । शांतिपाठं पठन्तस्ते हृष्टा निजगृहान्ययुः ।

pathikānāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā harṣapūrṇā dvijottamāḥ śāntipāṭhaṁ paṭhantas te hṛṣṭā nijagṛhān yayuḥ

Hearing the travelers' words, the excellent twice-born, filled with joy, chanted the peace-recitation and went happily to their own homes.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.89.69)

विमृश्य मिलिताः प्रातर्ज्योतिर्विद्भिः प्रतिष्ठिताः । ब्राह्मे मूहूर्ते चोत्थाय कान्यकुब्जं गता द्विजाः ।

vimṛśya militāḥ prātar jyotirvidbhiḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ brāhme mūhūrte cotthāya kānyakubjaṁ gatā dvijāḥ

Deliberating together, gathering in the morning at a time fixed by astrologers, rising at the Brahma-muhurta, the twice-born set out for Kanyakubja.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.89.70)

दोलाभिर्वाहिताः केचित्केचिदश्वै रथैस्तथा । केचित्तु शिबिकारूढा नानावाहनगाश्च ते ।

dolābhir vāhitāḥ kecit kecid aśvai rathais tathā kecit tu śibikārūḍhā nānāvāhanagāś ca te

Some were carried in palanquins, some by horses and chariots, and some rode in litters — they went by manifold conveyances.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.89.71)

तत्पुरं तु समासाद्य गंगायाः शोभने तटे । अकुर्वन्वसतिं वीराः स्नानदानादिकर्म्म च ।

tatpuraṁ tu samāsādya gaṅgāyāḥ śobhane taṭe akurvan vasatiṁ vīrāḥ snānadānādikarma ca

Reaching that city, those heroic brahmins made their dwelling on the lovely bank of the Ganga, and performed the rites of bathing, giving, and the rest.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.89.72)

चरेण केनचिद्दृष्टाः कथिता नृपसन्निधौ । अश्वाश्च बहुशो दोला रथाश्च बहुशो वृषाः ।

careṇa kenacid dṛṣṭāḥ kathitā nṛpasannidhau aśvāś ca bahuśo dolā rathāś ca bahuśo vṛṣāḥ

Some spy saw them and reported to the king: "Many horses, palanquins, chariots, and bullock-carts —

Verse 73 (skanda.3.89.73)

विप्राणामिह दृश्यंते धर्मारण्यनिवासिनाम् । नूनं ते च समायाता नृपेणोक्तं ममाग्रतः ।

viprāṇām iha dṛśyante dharmāraṇyanivāsinām nūnaṁ te ca samāyātā nṛpeṇoktaṁ mamāgrataḥ

belonging to the brahmins who dwell in Dharmaranya are seen here; surely they have returned." The king said, before me —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.89.74)

अभिज्ञापय मे पूर्वं प्रेषिताः कपिसंनिधौ । इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये ब्राह्मणानां प्रत्यागमन वर्णनं नाम सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

abhijñāpaya me pūrvaṁ preṣitāḥ kapisaṁnidhau iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye brāhmaṇānāṁ pratyāgamanavarṇanaṁ nāma saptatriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

"— inform me first: are these the very brahmins who were sent to the monkey's presence?" Thus ends the thirty-seventh chapter, called "The Brahmins' Return," 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.