The Deeds of Ashokadatta and the Freeing of the Vetala Prince

Verse 1 (skanda.3.9.1)

ततः स विप्रः प्रत्यूषे पुत्रशोकेन पीडितः । अशोक दत्तसंयुक्तो भार्यया विललाप ह

tataḥ sa vipraḥ pratyūṣe putraśokena pīḍitaḥ aśoka dattasaṁyukto bhāryayā vilalāpa ha

Then that brahmin, at dawn, tormented by grief for his son, together with Ashokadatta and his wife, wept indeed.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.9.2)

विलपंतं समालोक्य गोविंदस्वामिनं द्विजाः । वणिक्समुद्रदत्ताख्यः समानिन्ये निजं गृहम्

vilapaṁtaṁ samālokya goviṁdasvāminaṁ dvijāḥ vaṇiksamudradattākhyaḥ samāninye nijaṁ gṛham

O brahmins, seeing Govindasvami weeping, a merchant named Samudradatta brought him to his own house.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.9.3)

समानीय समाश्वास्य दयायुक्तो वणिग्वरः । स्वधनानां हि सर्वेषां रक्षितारमकल्पयत्

samānīya samāśvāsya dayāyukto vaṇigvaraḥ svadhanānāṁ hi sarveṣāṁ rakṣitāramakalpayat

Bringing him in, consoling him, that compassionate foremost of merchants appointed him as the guardian of all his wealth.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.9.4)

स्मरन्महायतिवचः पुत्रदर्शनलालसः । स तस्थौ वणिजो गेहे पुत्रभार्यासमन्वितः

smaranmahāyativacaḥ putradarśanalālasaḥ sa tasthau vaṇijo gehe putrabhāryāsamanvitaḥ

Remembering the great ascetic's words, longing to see his son, he remained in the merchant's house, together with his son and wife.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.9.5)

अशोकदत्तनामा तु द्वितीयो विप्रनंदनः । शस्त्रे चैव तथा शास्त्रे बभूवातिविचक्षणः

aśokadattanāmā tu dvitīyo vipranaṁdanaḥ śastre caiva tathā śāstre babhūvātivicakṣaṇaḥ

The second brahmin's son, named Ashokadatta, became exceedingly skilled both in the use of weapons and in scripture.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.9.6)

तथान्यास्वपि विद्यासु नास्ति तत्सदृशो भुवि । कृतविद्यो द्विजसुतः प्रख्यातो नगरेऽभवत्

tathānyāsvapi vidyāsu nāsti tatsadṛśo bhuvi kṛtavidyo dvijasutaḥ prakhyāto nagare'bhavat

In other branches of knowledge too, there was none equal to him on earth. That accomplished brahmin's son became renowned in the city.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.9.7)

अत्रांतरे नरपतिं प्रतापमुकुटाभिधम् । काशीदेशाधिपो मल्लः कश्चिदभ्याययौ बली

atrāṁtare narapatiṁ pratāpamukuṭābhidham kāśīdeśādhipo mallaḥ kaścidabhyāyayau balī

Meanwhile, a certain mighty wrestler, lord of the land of Kashi, came to challenge the king named Pratapamukuta.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.9.8)

प्रतापमुकुटो राजा मल्लस्यास्य जयाय सः । बलिनं द्विजपुत्रं तमाह्वयामास भृत्यकैः

pratāpamukuṭo rājā mallasyāsya jayāya saḥ balinaṁ dvijaputraṁ tamāhvayāmāsa bhṛtyakaiḥ

King Pratapamukuta, for the sake of conquering this wrestler, summoned that mighty brahmin's son through his servants.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.9.9)

तमागतं समालोक्य प्रतापमुकुटोऽब्रवीत् । अशोकदत्त सहसा मल्लमेनं बलोत्कटम्

tamāgataṁ samālokya pratāpamukuṭo'bravīt aśokadatta sahasā mallamenaṁ balotkaṭam

Seeing him arrive, Pratapamukuta said: "O Ashokadatta, swiftly, this powerful wrestler —

Verse 10 (skanda.3.9.10)

दुर्जयं जहि संग्रामे त्वं वै वलवतां वरः । दाक्षिणात्यमहामल्लपतावस्मिञ्जिते त्वया

durjayaṁ jahi saṁgrāme tvaṁ vai valavatāṁ varaḥ dākṣiṇātyamahāmallapatāvasmiñjite tvayā

— hard to conquer, defeat in combat; you indeed are the foremost of the mighty. When this lord of the great southern wrestlers is defeated by you,

Verse 11 (skanda.3.9.11)

यदिष्टं तव तत्सर्वं दास्याम्यहं न संशयः । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वलवान्द्विजनंदनः

yadiṣṭaṁ tava tatsarvaṁ dāsyāmyahaṁ na saṁśayaḥ iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā valavāndvijanaṁdanaḥ

— whatever you desire, that I shall give you all, without doubt." Hearing his words, that mighty brahmin's son —

Verse 12 (skanda.3.9.12)

दाक्षिणात्यमहामल्लनृपतिं समताडयत् । ताडितो द्विजपुत्रेण मल्लः स बलिना बली

dākṣiṇātyamahāmallanṛpatiṁ samatāḍayat tāḍito dvijaputreṇa mallaḥ sa balinā balī

— struck the mighty southern wrestler-king. Struck by the brahmin's son, that mighty wrestler —

Verse 13 (skanda.3.9.13)

सद्यो विवृत्तनयनः परासुर्न्यपतद्भुवि । द्विज पुत्रस्य तत्कर्म देवैरपि सुदुष्करम्

sadyo vivṛttanayanaḥ parāsurnyapatadbhuvi dvija putrasya tatkarma devairapi suduṣkaram

— instantly, his eyes rolled back, lifeless, fell to the ground. That deed of the brahmin's son was hard even for the gods to accomplish.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.9.14)

प्रतापमुकुटो दृष्ट्वा प्रसन्नहृदयोऽभवत् । दत्त्वा वहुधनान्ग्रामान्समीपेऽस्थापयत्तदा

pratāpamukuṭo dṛṣṭvā prasannahṛdayo'bhavat dattvā vahudhanāngrāmānsamīpe'sthāpayattadā

Pratapamukuta, seeing this, became glad at heart; giving him much wealth and villages, he settled him nearby.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.9.15)

स कदाचिन्महाराज सहितो द्विजसूनुना । संध्यायां विजने देशे चचार तुरगेण वै

sa kadācinmahārāja sahito dvijasūnunā saṁdhyāyāṁ vijane deśe cacāra turageṇa vai

Once, O great king, accompanied by the brahmin's son, he rode on horseback in the evening, in a solitary place.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.9.16)

द्विजसूनुसखस्तत्र दीनां वाणीमथाशृणोत् । राजन्नल्पापराधोऽहं शत्रुप्रेरणयासकृत्

dvijasūnusakhastatra dīnāṁ vāṇīmathāśṛṇot rājannalpāparādho'haṁ śatrupreraṇayāsakṛt

There, the brahmin's son, the king's friend, then heard a plaintive voice: "O king, of but a small offense am I; through my enemy's repeated instigation —

Verse 17 (skanda.3.9.17)

दण्डपालेन निहितः शूले निर्घृणचेतसा । दिनमद्य चतुर्थं मे शूलस्थस्यैव जीवतः

daṇḍapālena nihitaḥ śūle nirghṛṇacetasā dinamadya caturthaṁ me śūlasthasyaiva jīvataḥ

— I have been impaled upon a stake by the merciless keeper of punishments. Today is the fourth day of my living, still impaled upon the stake.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.9.18)

प्राणाः सुखेन निर्यांति न हि दुष्कृतकर्मणाम् । भृशं मां बाधते तृष्णा तां निवारय भूपते

prāṇāḥ sukhena niryāṁti na hi duṣkṛtakarmaṇām bhṛśaṁ māṁ bādhate tṛṣṇā tāṁ nivāraya bhūpate

For the doers of evil deeds, life does not depart easily. Thirst tortures me exceedingly; quench it, O king."

Verse 19 (skanda.3.9.19)

इति दीनां समाकर्ण्य वाचं राजा द्विजा त्मजम् । अशोकदत्तनामानं धैर्यवंतमभाषत

iti dīnāṁ samākarṇya vācaṁ rājā dvijā tmajam aśokadattanāmānaṁ dhairyavaṁtamabhāṣata

Hearing that plaintive voice, the king said to the brahmin's son named Ashokadatta, who was full of courage:

Verse 20 (skanda.3.9.20)

अस्मै निरपराधाय शूलप्रोताय जंतवे । तृष्णार्दिताय दातव्यं द्विजसूनो त्वया जलम्

asmai niraparādhāya śūlaprotāya jaṁtave tṛṣṇārditāya dātavyaṁ dvijasūno tvayā jalam

"O son of a brahmin, to this creature, impaled on the stake, innocent, tormented by thirst, water should be given by you."

Verse 21 (skanda.3.9.21)

इत्यादिष्टो नरेन्द्रेण सहसा द्विजनन्दनः । जलपूर्णं समादाय कलशं वेगवान्ययौ

ityādiṣṭo narendreṇa sahasā dvijanandanaḥ jalapūrṇaṁ samādāya kalaśaṁ vegavānyayau

Thus commanded by the king, the brahmin's son, taking a pitcher filled with water, swiftly went, quick as the wind.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.9.22)

तच्छ्मशानं समासाद्य भूतवेतालसंकुलम् । शूलप्रोताय वै तस्मै जलं दातुं समुत्सुकः

tacchmaśānaṁ samāsādya bhūtavetālasaṁkulam śūlaprotāya vai tasmai jalaṁ dātuṁ samutsukaḥ

Reaching that cremation ground, crowded with bhutas and vetalas, eager to give water to that man impaled on the stake,

Verse 23 (skanda.3.9.23)

ददर्शाथ स्थितां नारीं नवयौवनशालिनीम् । उदैक्षत महाकांतिं मूर्तामिव रतिं द्विजः

dadarśātha sthitāṁ nārīṁ navayauvanaśālinīm udaikṣata mahākāṁtiṁ mūrtāmiva ratiṁ dvijaḥ

— he then saw a woman standing there, endowed with fresh youth. The brahmin beheld her, of great beauty, as if Rati herself in bodily form.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.9.24)

तामालोक्य ततः प्राह धैर्यवान्द्विजनंदनः । कासि भद्रे वरारोहे श्मशाने विजने स्थिता

tāmālokya tataḥ prāha dhairyavāndvijanaṁdanaḥ kāsi bhadre varārohe śmaśāne vijane sthitā

Seeing her, that courageous brahmin's son then said: "Who are you, O gentle one, of lovely form, standing in this solitary cremation ground?

Verse 25 (skanda.3.9.25)

अस्याधस्तात्किमर्थं त्वं शूलप्रोतस्य तिष्ठसि । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सा प्राह रुचिरानना

asyādhastātkimarthaṁ tvaṁ śūlaprotasya tiṣṭhasi iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sā prāha rucirānanā

Why do you stand beneath this man impaled on the stake?" Hearing his words, she, of lovely face, said:

Verse 26 (skanda.3.9.26)

पुरुषो वल्लभोऽयं मे शूले राज्ञा समर्पितः । धनं यथा च कृपणः पश्य प्राणान्न मुंचति

puruṣo vallabho'yaṁ me śūle rājñā samarpitaḥ dhanaṁ yathā ca kṛpaṇaḥ paśya prāṇānna muṁcati

"This man, my beloved, has been placed upon the stake by the king. See, like a miser with his wealth, he does not give up his life!

Verse 27 (skanda.3.9.27)

आसन्नमरणं चैनमनुयातुमिह स्थिता । तृषितो याचते वारि मामयं व्यथते मुहुः

āsannamaraṇaṁ cainamanuyātumiha sthitā tṛṣito yācate vāri māmayaṁ vyathate muhuḥ

I stand here to accompany him whose death is near. Thirsty, he begs me for water; he distresses me again and again.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.9.28)

शूलप्रोतो द्धतग्रीवं मुमूर्षुं प्राणनायकम् । नास्मि पाययितुं शक्ता जलमेनमधःस्थिता

śūlaproto ddhatagrīvaṁ mumūrṣuṁ prāṇanāyakam nāsmi pāyayituṁ śaktā jalamenamadhaḥsthitā

Impaled on the stake, his neck bent, about to die — my beloved — I, standing below, am not able to give him water to drink."

Verse 29 (skanda.3.9.29)

अशोकदत्तस्तच्छ्रुत्वा करुणावरुणालयः । तत्कालसदृशं वाक्यं तां वधूमब्रवीत्तदा

aśokadattastacchrutvā karuṇāvaruṇālayaḥ tatkālasadṛśaṁ vākyaṁ tāṁ vadhūmabravīttadā

Ashokadatta, hearing this, an ocean of compassion, said to that woman then a word suited to that moment:

Verse 30 (skanda.3.9.30)

अशोकदत्त उवाच । मातर्मत्स्कंधमारुह्य देह्यस्मै शीतलं जलम् । सा तथेति तमाभाष्य तरुणी त्वरयान्विता

aśokadatta uvāca mātarmatskaṁdhamāruhya dehyasmai śītalaṁ jalam sā tatheti tamābhāṣya taruṇī tvarayānvitā

Ashokadatta said: "O mother, climb upon my shoulder and give him cool water." She, saying "So be it," that young woman, hastily —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.9.31)

आनम्रवपुषस्तस्य स्कंधं पद्भ्यां रुरोह वै । द्विजसूनुर्ददर्शाथ शोणितं नूतनं पतत्

ānamravapuṣastasya skaṁdhaṁ padbhyāṁ ruroha vai dvijasūnurdadarśātha śoṇitaṁ nūtanaṁ patat

— climbed with her feet upon the shoulder of his bent body. The brahmin's son then saw fresh blood dripping.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.9.32)

किमेतदिति सोपश्यदुन्नम्य सहसा मुखम् । भक्ष्यमाणं तया तत्स विज्ञाय द्विजनंदनः

kimetaditi sopaśyadunnamya sahasā mukham bhakṣyamāṇaṁ tayā tatsa vijñāya dvijanaṁdanaḥ

"What is this?" — so he looked, suddenly lifting his face. Realizing that it was being devoured by her, the brahmin's son —

Verse 33 (skanda.3.9.33)

अशोकदत्तो जग्राह तस्याः पादं सनूपुरम् । ततोऽगान्नूपुरं त्यक्त्वा बद्धरत्नं विहाय तत्

aśokadatto jagrāha tasyāḥ pādaṁ sanūpuram tato'gānnūpuraṁ tyaktvā baddharatnaṁ vihāya tat

— Ashokadatta seized her foot along with its anklet. Then she departed, leaving behind that jeweled anklet, abandoning it.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.9.34)

प्रत्युप्तानेकरत्नाढ्यं तदादायच नूपुरम् । अशोकदत्तः प्रययौ तच्छ्मशानान्नृपांतिकम्

pratyuptānekaratnāḍhyaṁ tadādāyaca nūpuram aśokadattaḥ prayayau tacchmaśānānnṛpāṁtikam

Taking up that anklet, richly set with many jewels, Ashokadatta departed from that cremation ground to the king's presence.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.9.35)

स्मशानवृत्तं तत्सर्वं स नृपाय निवेद्य वै । महार्घ्यरत्नप्रत्युप्तं नूपुरं च ददौ तदा

smaśānavṛttaṁ tatsarvaṁ sa nṛpāya nivedya vai mahārghyaratnapratyuptaṁ nūpuraṁ ca dadau tadā

Relating all that had happened at the cremation ground to the king, he then gave him the anklet, set with priceless jewels.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.9.36)

ज्ञात्वा तद्वीरचरितं वीरैरन्यैः सुदुष्करम् । ददौ मदनलेखाख्यां सुतां तस्मै महीपतिः

jñātvā tadvīracaritaṁ vīrairanyaiḥ suduṣkaram dadau madanalekhākhyāṁ sutāṁ tasmai mahīpatiḥ

Learning of that heroic deed, hard even for other heroes to accomplish, the king gave him his daughter named Madanalekha.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.9.37)

कदाचिदथ ताद्दिव्यं नूपुरं वीक्ष्य भूपतिः । अस्य नूपुरवर्यस्य तुल्यं वै नूपुरांतरम्

kadācidatha tāddivyaṁ nūpuraṁ vīkṣya bhūpatiḥ asya nūpuravaryasya tulyaṁ vai nūpurāṁtaram

Once, beholding that divine anklet, the king thought reverently: "Where might another anklet, equal to this excellent anklet, be obtained?"

Verse 38 (skanda.3.9.38)

कुतो वा लभ्यत इति सादरं समचिंतयत् । अशोकदत्तस्तु तदा विज्ञाय नृपकांक्षितम्

kuto vā labhyata iti sādaraṁ samaciṁtayat aśokadattastu tadā vijñāya nṛpakāṁkṣitam

— thus he wondered. Ashokadatta then, understanding the king's desire —

Verse 39 (skanda.3.9.39)

नृपुरांतरसि द्ध्यर्थं चिंतयामास चेतसा । श्मशाने नूपुरमिदं यतः प्राप्तं मया पुरा

nṛpurāṁtarasi ddhyarthaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa cetasā śmaśāne nūpuramidaṁ yataḥ prāptaṁ mayā purā

— thought within himself about how to obtain a matching anklet: "This anklet was earlier obtained by me at the cremation ground —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.9.40)

तां नूपुरांतरप्राप्त्यै कुत्र द्रक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम् । इत्थं वितर्क्य बहुधा नि श्चिकाय महामतिः

tāṁ nūpurāṁtaraprāptyai kutra drakṣyāmi sāṁpratam itthaṁ vitarkya bahudhā ni ścikāya mahāmatiḥ

— where shall I now find her again, for the sake of obtaining another anklet?" Thus deliberating in many ways, that man of great wisdom resolved —

Verse 41 (skanda.3.9.41)

विक्रेष्यामि महामांसं समेत्य पितृकाननम् । तत्र राक्षसवेतालपिशाचादिषु सर्वशः

vikreṣyāmi mahāmāṁsaṁ sametya pitṛkānanam tatra rākṣasavetālapiśācādiṣu sarvaśaḥ

"I shall go to the cremation forest and sell great flesh. There, when I call out to all the rakshasas, vetalas, pishachas and the like —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.9.42)

मंत्रैराहूयमानेषु साप्यायास्य ति राक्षसी । तामागतां बलाद्गृह्य तद्ग्रहीष्यामि नूपुरम्

maṁtrairāhūyamāneṣu sāpyāyāsya ti rākṣasī tāmāgatāṁ balādgṛhya tadgrahīṣyāmi nūpuram

— being summoned by mantras, that rakshasi too shall come. Seizing her by force as she comes, I shall take that anklet."

Verse 43 (skanda.3.9.43)

राक्षसानां सहस्रं वा पिशाचानां तथायुतम् । वेतालानां तथा कोटिर्न लक्ष्यं बलिनो मम

rākṣasānāṁ sahasraṁ vā piśācānāṁ tathāyutam vetālānāṁ tathā koṭirna lakṣyaṁ balino mama

"A thousand rakshasas, or ten thousand pishachas, or even a crore of vetalas — for me, mighty as I am, they are no match."

Verse 44 (skanda.3.9.44)

इति निश्चित्य मनसा श्मशानं सहसा ययौ । विक्रीणानो महामांसं मंत्रैराहूय राक्षसान्

iti niścitya manasā śmaśānaṁ sahasā yayau vikrīṇāno mahāmāṁsaṁ maṁtrairāhūya rākṣasān

Having thus resolved in his mind, he quickly went to the cremation ground; selling great flesh, summoning the rakshasas with mantras,

Verse 45 (skanda.3.9.45)

गृहाणेत्युच्चया वाचा चचार श्रावयन्दि शः । विक्रीयते महामांसं गृह्यतांगृह्यतामिति

gṛhāṇetyuccayā vācā cacāra śrāvayandi śaḥ vikrīyate mahāmāṁsaṁ gṛhyatāṁgṛhyatāmiti

— "Take it!" — with a loud voice, he wandered, proclaiming to the directions: "Great flesh is being sold; take it, take it!"

Verse 46 (skanda.3.9.46)

तत्र राक्षसवेतालाः कंकालाश्च पिशाचकाः । अन्ये च भूतनिवहाः समाजग्मुः प्रहर्षिताः

tatra rākṣasavetālāḥ kaṁkālāśca piśācakāḥ anye ca bhūtanivahāḥ samājagmuḥ praharṣitāḥ

There, rakshasas, vetalas, skeletons, and pishachas, and other multitudes of bhutas, came together, greatly delighted.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.9.47)

भक्षयिष्यामहे सर्वे मांसमिष्टतमं त्विति । तत्रागच्छत्सु सर्वेषु रक्षःकन्यासमावृता

bhakṣayiṣyāmahe sarve māṁsamiṣṭatamaṁ tviti tatrāgacchatsu sarveṣu rakṣaḥkanyāsamāvṛtā

"We shall all eat this most delicious flesh," they said. As all of them arrived there, surrounded by rakshasa-maidens —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.9.48)

आययौ राक्षसी सापि मांसभक्षणलालसा । गवेषयंस्तदा विप्रस्तां समुद्वीक्ष्य राक्षसीम्

āyayau rākṣasī sāpi māṁsabhakṣaṇalālasā gaveṣayaṁstadā viprastāṁ samudvīkṣya rākṣasīm

— that rakshasi too came, eager to devour flesh. Then the brahmin, who had been searching for her, seeing that rakshasi —

Verse 49 (skanda.3.9.49)

सेयं दृष्टा पुरेत्येष प्रत्यभिज्ञानमाप्तवान् । तामाह द्विजपुत्रोऽन्यद्देहि मे नूपुरं त्विति

seyaṁ dṛṣṭā puretyeṣa pratyabhijñānamāptavān tāmāha dvijaputro'nyaddehi me nūpuraṁ tviti

— recognized her, thinking, "This is the very one I saw before." The brahmin's son said to her: "Give me another anklet."

Verse 50 (skanda.3.9.50)

सा तस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रीता वाक्यमथाऽब्रवीत् । ममैव च त्वया नीतं पुरा वीरेंद्र नूपुरम्

sā tasya vacanaṁ śrutvā prītā vākyamathā'bravīt mamaiva ca tvayā nītaṁ purā vīreṁdra nūpuram

Hearing his words, pleased, she then said: "O foremost of heroes, my very own anklet was taken by you before.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.9.51)

गृहाण रत्नरुचिरं द्वितीयमपि नूपुरम् । इत्युक्त्वा नूपुरं तस्मै स्वसुतां च ददौ प्रियाम्

gṛhāṇa ratnaruciraṁ dvitīyamapi nūpuram ityuktvā nūpuraṁ tasmai svasutāṁ ca dadau priyām

Take also this second jewel-bright anklet." Having said this, she gave him the anklet, and also her own beloved daughter.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.9.52)

विद्युत्केश्या तदा दत्तां प्रियां विद्युत्प्रभाभिधाम् । विप्रः संप्राप्य मुमुदे रूपयौवनशालि नीम्

vidyutkeśyā tadā dattāṁ priyāṁ vidyutprabhābhidhām vipraḥ saṁprāpya mumude rūpayauvanaśāli nīm

Given by Vidyutkeshi (the rakshasi), the beloved one named Vidyutprabha — the brahmin, obtaining her, endowed with beauty and youth, rejoiced.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.9.53)

विद्युत्केशी तु जामात्रे हेमाब्जमपि सा ददौ । विद्युत्प्रभां नूपुरं च हेमाब्जमपिलभ्य सः

vidyutkeśī tu jāmātre hemābjamapi sā dadau vidyutprabhāṁ nūpuraṁ ca hemābjamapilabhya saḥ

And Vidyutkeshi also gave a golden lotus to her son-in-law. Obtaining Vidyutprabha, the anklet, and the golden lotus too,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.9.54)

श्वश्रूमाभाष्य सहसा पुनः प्रायान्नृपांतिकम् । ततः प्रतापमुकुटो नूपुरप्राप्तिनंदितः

śvaśrūmābhāṣya sahasā punaḥ prāyānnṛpāṁtikam tataḥ pratāpamukuṭo nūpuraprāptinaṁditaḥ

— taking leave of his mother-in-law, he swiftly returned again to the king's presence. Then Pratapamukuta, delighted at obtaining the anklet,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.9.55)

शौर्यधैर्यसमायुक्तं प्रशशंस द्विजात्मजम् । अथ विद्युत्प्रभां विप्रः सोऽब्रवीद्रहसि प्रियाम्

śauryadhairyasamāyuktaṁ praśaśaṁsa dvijātmajam atha vidyutprabhāṁ vipraḥ so'bravīdrahasi priyām

— praised the brahmin's son, endowed with valor and courage. Then that brahmin, in private, said to his beloved Vidyutprabha:

Verse 56 (skanda.3.9.56)

मात्रा तव कुतो लब्धमेतद्धेमांबुज प्रिये । एतत्तुल्यानि चान्यानि यतः प्राप्स्ये वरानने

mātrā tava kuto labdhametaddhemāṁbuja priye etattulyāni cānyāni yataḥ prāpsye varānane

"O beloved, from where did your mother obtain this golden lotus? O fair-faced one, tell me where I might obtain others like it."

Verse 57 (skanda.3.9.57)

द्विजात्मजं ततः प्राह पतिं विद्युत्प्रभा रहः । प्रभो कपालविस्फोटनाम्नो वेतालभूपतेः

dvijātmajaṁ tataḥ prāha patiṁ vidyutprabhā rahaḥ prabho kapālavisphoṭanāmno vetālabhūpateḥ

Then Vidyutprabha said to her husband, the brahmin's son, in private: "O lord, of the vetala-king named Kapalavisphota —

Verse 58 (skanda.3.9.58)

अस्ति दिव्यं सरः किंचिद्धेमांबुजपरिष्कृतम् । तव श्वश्र्वा जलक्रीडां वितन्वं त्येदमाहृतम्

asti divyaṁ saraḥ kiṁciddhemāṁbujapariṣkṛtam tava śvaśrvā jalakrīḍāṁ vitanvaṁ tyedamāhṛtam

— there is a certain divine lake, adorned with golden lotuses. This one was brought by your mother-in-law while sporting in its waters."

Verse 59 (skanda.3.9.59)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तत्र मां नयेति जगाद सः । ततः सा सहसा विप्रं निन्ये तत्कांचनं सरः

iti śrutvā vacastatra māṁ nayeti jagāda saḥ tataḥ sā sahasā vipraṁ ninye tatkāṁcanaṁ saraḥ

Hearing this word, he said, "Take me there." Then she quickly led the brahmin to that golden lake.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.9.60)

ततः स हेमपद्मानामाजिहीर्षुर्द्विजात्मजः । तद्विप्रकारिणः सर्वान्वेतालादींस्ततोऽवधीत्

tataḥ sa hemapadmānāmājihīrṣurdvijātmajaḥ tadviprakāriṇaḥ sarvānvetālādīṁstato'vadhīt

Then the brahmin's son, desiring to take the golden lotuses, slew all the vetalas and others who obstructed him.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.9.61)

स्वयं कपालविस्फोटं निहताशेषसैनिकम् । ददर्श वेतालपतिं तं च हंतुं प्रचक्रमे

svayaṁ kapālavisphoṭaṁ nihatāśeṣasainikam dadarśa vetālapatiṁ taṁ ca haṁtuṁ pracakrame

He saw Kapalavisphota himself, that lord of vetalas, whose entire army had been slain, and began to slay him too.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.9.62)

अत्रांतरे महातेजा नाम्ना विज्ञप्तिकौतुकः । विद्याधरपतिः प्राप्य विमानेनैनमब्रवीत्

atrāṁtare mahātejā nāmnā vijñaptikautukaḥ vidyādharapatiḥ prāpya vimānenainamabravīt

Meanwhile, the greatly radiant lord of vidyadharas named Vijnaptikautuka, arriving by his aerial chariot, said to him:

Verse 63 (skanda.3.9.63)

अशोकदत्तं विप्रेंद्र साहसं मा कृथा इति । तदाकर्ण्य द्विजसुतो विमानवरसंस्थितम्

aśokadattaṁ vipreṁdra sāhasaṁ mā kṛthā iti tadākarṇya dvijasuto vimānavarasaṁsthitam

"O foremost of brahmins, Ashokadatta, do not do this rash act." Hearing this, the brahmin's son, looking up,

Verse 64 (skanda.3.9.64)

ददर्श प्रभया युक्तं विद्याधरपतिं दिवि । तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण शापामुक्तो द्विजा त्मजः

dadarśa prabhayā yuktaṁ vidyādharapatiṁ divi tasya darśanamātreṇa śāpāmukto dvijā tmajaḥ

— beheld the lord of vidyadharas, radiant, in the sky. By the mere sight of him, that brahmin's son (Ashokadatta) was freed from his curse —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.9.65)

संत्यज्य मानुषं रूपं दिव्यं रूपमवाप्तवान् । विमानवरमारूढं दिव्याभरणभूषितम्

saṁtyajya mānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ divyaṁ rūpamavāptavān vimānavaramārūḍhaṁ divyābharaṇabhūṣitam

— casting off his human form, he attained a divine form; mounted upon a splendid aerial chariot, adorned with celestial ornaments,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.9.66)

शापान्मुक्तं सुकर्णं तं प्राह विज्ञप्ति कौतुकः । अयं सुकर्ण ते भ्राता गालवस्य महामुनेः

śāpānmuktaṁ sukarṇaṁ taṁ prāha vijñapti kautukaḥ ayaṁ sukarṇa te bhrātā gālavasya mahāmuneḥ

Vijnaptikautuka said to that Sukarna, freed from the curse: "O Sukarna, this one here is your brother, cursed by the great sage Galava —

Verse 67 (skanda.3.9.67)

शापाद्वेतालतां प्राप तत्कन्यास्पर्शपातकी । त्वं च शप्तः पुरा तेन तत्पापस्यानु मोदकः

śāpādvetālatāṁ prāpa tatkanyāsparśapātakī tvaṁ ca śaptaḥ purā tena tatpāpasyānu modakaḥ

— who, guilty of touching that maiden, attained the state of a vetala through the curse. And you too were cursed by him at that time, as an approver of that sin.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.9.68)

तवायमल्पपापस्य शापो मद्दर्शनावधिः । कल्पिस्ततेन मुनिना शापांतो नास्य कल्पितः

tavāyamalpapāpasya śāpo maddarśanāvadhiḥ kalpistatena muninā śāpāṁto nāsya kalpitaḥ

For you, whose sin was small, that sage fixed the curse's limit at the sight of me. But no end to his curse was fixed by that sage.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.9.69)

तदेहि मुक्तशापोसि सुकर्ण स्वर्गमारुह । ततः सुकर्णस्तं प्राह विद्याधरकुलाधिपम्

tadehi muktaśāposi sukarṇa svargamāruha tataḥ sukarṇastaṁ prāha vidyādharakulādhipam

Come now, O Sukarna, free of your curse, ascend to heaven." Then Sukarna said to that lord of the vidyadhara clan:

Verse 70 (skanda.3.9.70)

विद्याधरपते भ्रात्रा विना ज्येष्ठेन सांप्रतम् । सर्वभोगयुतं स्वर्गं नैव गंतुं समुत्सहे

vidyādharapate bhrātrā vinā jyeṣṭhena sāṁpratam sarvabhogayutaṁ svargaṁ naiva gaṁtuṁ samutsahe

"O lord of vidyadharas, without my elder brother now, I cannot bring myself to go to heaven, full of every enjoyment.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.9.71)

शापस्यांतो यथा भूयान्मम भ्रातुस्तथा वद । तमुवाच महातेजास्तथा विज्ञप्तिकौतुकः

śāpasyāṁto yathā bhūyānmama bhrātustathā vada tamuvāca mahātejāstathā vijñaptikautukaḥ

Tell me how the end of my brother's curse too may come about." That greatly radiant Vijnaptikautuka said to him:

Verse 72 (skanda.3.9.72)

दुर्निवारमिमं शापमन्यः को वा निवारयेत् । किं तु गुह्यतमं किंचित्तव वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

durnivāramimaṁ śāpamanyaḥ ko vā nivārayet kiṁ tu guhyatamaṁ kiṁcittava vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam

"Who else could avert this hard-to-avert curse? But I shall tell you now a certain most secret thing.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.9.73)

ब्रह्मणा सनकादिभ्यो मुनिभ्यः कथितं पुरा । सर्वतीर्थाश्रये पुण्ये दक्षिणस्यो दधेस्तटे

brahmaṇā sanakādibhyo munibhyaḥ kathitaṁ purā sarvatīrthāśraye puṇye dakṣiṇasyo dadhestaṭe

What Brahma told long ago to the sages headed by Sanaka — that on the sacred, all-fords-sheltering shore of the southern ocean,

Verse 74 (skanda.3.9.74)

चक्रतीर्थसमीपे तु तीर्थमस्तिमहत्तरम् । महापातकसंघाश्च यस्य दर्शनमात्रतः

cakratīrthasamīpe tu tīrthamastimahattaram mahāpātakasaṁghāśca yasya darśanamātrataḥ

— near Chakratirtha, there is a still greater ford, by the mere sight of which multitudes of great sins —

Verse 75 (skanda.3.9.75)

नश्यंति तत्क्षणादेव न जाने स्नानजं फलम् । तत्र गत्वा तव ज्येष्ठो यदि स्नायान्महत्तरे

naśyaṁti tatkṣaṇādeva na jāne snānajaṁ phalam tatra gatvā tava jyeṣṭho yadi snāyānmahattare

— perish that very instant — I cannot even conceive the fruit of bathing there. If your elder brother goes there and bathes in that greater ford,

Verse 76 (skanda.3.9.76)

वेतालत्वं त्यजेन्नूनं तदा गालवशापजम् । सुकर्णस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा भ्रात्रा वेतालरूपिणा

vetālatvaṁ tyajennūnaṁ tadā gālavaśāpajam sukarṇastadvacaḥ śrutvā bhrātrā vetālarūpiṇā

— then he shall surely cast off that vetala-state born of Galava's curse." Sukarna, hearing those words, together with his brother in vetala form —

Verse 77 (skanda.3.9.77)

सहितः सहसा प्रायाद्दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तटम् । दक्षिणं चक्रतीर्थाख्यादुत्तरं गंधमादनात्

sahitaḥ sahasā prāyāddakṣiṇasyodadhestaṭam dakṣiṇaṁ cakratīrthākhyāduttaraṁ gaṁdhamādanāt

— swiftly set out for the shore of the southern ocean, south of Chakratirtha and north of Gandhamadana,

Verse 78 (skanda.3.9.78)

ब्रह्मणा सनकादिभ्यः कथितं तीर्थमभ्यगात् । तत्तीर्थकूलमासाद्य भ्रातरं चेदमब्रवीत्

brahmaṇā sanakādibhyaḥ kathitaṁ tīrthamabhyagāt tattīrthakūlamāsādya bhrātaraṁ cedamabravīt

— to that ford told by Brahma to Sanaka and the others. Reaching the bank of that ford, he said this to his brother:

Verse 79 (skanda.3.9.79)

भ्रातर्गालवशापस्य घोरस्यास्य निवृत्तये । तीर्थेऽस्मिन्नचिरात्स्नाहि सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमे

bhrātargālavaśāpasya ghorasyāsya nivṛttaye tīrthe'sminnacirātsnāhi sarvatīrthottamottame

"O brother, for the removal of this terrible curse of Galava, bathe without delay in this ford, the very best of all fords."

Verse 80 (skanda.3.9.80)

तस्मिन्न वसरे विप्रास्तस्य तीर्थस्य शीकराः । न्यपतंस्तस्य गात्रेषु वायुना वै समाहृताः

tasminna vasare viprāstasya tīrthasya śīkarāḥ nyapataṁstasya gātreṣu vāyunā vai samāhṛtāḥ

O brahmins, at that very moment, the spray of that ford, carried by the wind, fell upon his (the elder brother's) limbs.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.9.81)

स तच्छीकरसंस्पर्शात्त्यक्त्वा वेतालतां तदा । तदेव मानुषं भावं द्विजपुत्रत्वमाप्तवान्

sa tacchīkarasaṁsparśāttyaktvā vetālatāṁ tadā tadeva mānuṣaṁ bhāvaṁ dvijaputratvamāptavān

By the mere touch of that spray, he then cast off his state as a vetala, and attained that very human state, becoming a brahmin's son.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.9.82)

ततः संकल्प्य सहसा तस्मिंस्तीर्थोत्तमोत्तमे । मनुष्यत्वनिवृत्त्यर्थं निममज्ज द्विजात्मजः

tataḥ saṁkalpya sahasā tasmiṁstīrthottamottame manuṣyatvanivṛttyarthaṁ nimamajja dvijātmajaḥ

Then, quickly making his resolve, that brahmin's son plunged into that best of all fords, for the removal of his human state as well.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.9.83)

उत्तिष्ठन्नेव सहसा दिव्यं रूपमवाप्तवान् । विमानवरमारूढो देवस्त्रीपरिवारितः

uttiṣṭhanneva sahasā divyaṁ rūpamavāptavān vimānavaramārūḍho devastrīparivāritaḥ

The very moment he arose, he suddenly attained a divine form; mounted upon a splendid aerial chariot, surrounded by celestial women,

Verse 84 (skanda.3.9.84)

सर्वाभरणसंयुक्तः सह भ्रात्रा सुदर्शनः । श्लाघमानश्च तत्तीर्थं नमस्कत्य पुनःपुनः

sarvābharaṇasaṁyuktaḥ saha bhrātrā sudarśanaḥ ślāghamānaśca tattīrthaṁ namaskatya punaḥpunaḥ

— adorned with every ornament, Sudarshana, together with his brother, praising that ford, bowing to it again and again,

Verse 85 (skanda.3.9.85)

विज्ञप्तिकौतुकं चापि पुरस्कृत्य दिवं ययौ । तदाप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं वेतालवरदाभिधम्

vijñaptikautukaṁ cāpi puraskṛtya divaṁ yayau tadāprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ vetālavaradābhidham

— and, placing Vijnaptikautuka before them, went to heaven. From that time onward, that ford, named Vetalavarada —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.9.86)

वेतालत्वं विनष्टं यच्छीकरस्पर्शमात्रतः । य इदं तीर्थमासाद्य चक्रतीर्थस्य दक्षिणे

vetālatvaṁ vinaṣṭaṁ yacchīkarasparśamātrataḥ ya idaṁ tīrthamāsādya cakratīrthasya dakṣiṇe

— since the vetala-state was destroyed by the mere touch of its spray — whatever man, reaching this ford, south of Chakratirtha,

Verse 87 (skanda.3.9.87)

स्नानं कदाचित्कुर्वंति जीवन्मुक्ता भवंति ते । एतत्तीर्थसमं पुण्यं न भूतं न भविष्यति

snānaṁ kadācitkurvaṁti jīvanmuktā bhavaṁti te etattīrthasamaṁ puṇyaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

— bathes even once, becomes liberated while yet living. There has never been, nor shall there be, merit equal to that of this ford.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.9.88)

घोरां वेतालतां त्यक्त्वा दिव्यतां स यदाप्तवान्

ghorāṁ vetālatāṁ tyaktvā divyatāṁ sa yadāptavān

— since he cast off his terrible state as a vetala and attained divinity there.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.9.89)

अत्र संकल्प्य च स्नात्वा वेतालवरदे शुभे । पितृभ्यः पिंडदानं च कुर्याद्वै नियमान्वितः

atra saṁkalpya ca snātvā vetālavarade śubhe pitṛbhyaḥ piṁḍadānaṁ ca kuryādvai niyamānvitaḥ

Here, making one's resolve and bathing in the auspicious Vetalavarada, one should, observing due discipline, offer pinda to one's ancestors.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.9.90)

एवं वः कथितं विप्रास्तस्य तीर्थस्य वैभवम् । वेतालवरदाभिख्या यथा चास्य समागता

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāstasya tīrthasya vaibhavam vetālavaradābhikhyā yathā cāsya samāgatā

Thus, O brahmins, has the glory of that ford been told to you, and how it came to bear the name Vetalavarada.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.9.91)

यः पठेदिममध्यायं शृणुयाद्वा स मुच्यते

yaḥ paṭhedimamadhyāyaṁ śṛṇuyādvā sa mucyate

Whoever recites this chapter, or hears it, is liberated.