The Brahmins Regain Their Charter

Verse 1 (skanda.3.90.1)

व्यास उवाच । ततः प्रभाते विमले कृतपूर्वाह्निकक्रियाः । शुभवस्त्रपरीधानाः फल हस्ताः पृथक्पृथक् ।

vyāsa uvāca tataḥ prabhāte vimale kṛtapūrvāhnikakriyāḥ śubhavastraparīdhānāḥ phalahastāḥ pṛthak pṛthak

Vyasa said: Then, in the clear light of dawn, having performed their morning rites, dressed in auspicious garments, each carrying fruit in hand —

Verse 2 (skanda.3.90.2)

रत्नांगदाढ्यदोर्दंडा अंगुलीयकभूषिताः । कर्णाभरणसंयुक्ताः समाजग्मुः प्रहर्षिताः ।

ratnāṅgadāḍhyadordaṇḍā aṅgulīyakabhūṣitāḥ karṇābharaṇasaṁyuktāḥ samājagmuḥ praharṣitāḥ

— their arms adorned with jeweled armlets, decorated with rings, wearing ear-ornaments, they gathered together, filled with joy.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.90.3)

राजद्वारं तु संप्राप्य संत स्थुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः । तान्दृष्ट्वा राजपुत्रस्तु ईषत्प्रहसितो बली ।

rājadvāraṁ tu saṁprāpya santa sthur brahmavādinaḥ tān dṛṣṭvā rājaputras tu īṣatprahasito balī

Reaching the royal gate, those Veda-reciting brahmins stood there; seeing them, the mighty prince (Kumārapāla) smiled faintly.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.90.4)

रामं च हनुमंतं च गत्वा विप्राः समागताः । श्रूयतां मंत्रिणः सर्वे दृश्यंतो द्विज सत्तमान् ।

rāmaṁ ca hanumantaṁ ca gatvā viprāḥ samāgatāḥ śrūyatāṁ mantriṇaḥ sarve dṛśyanto dvijasattamān

"These brahmins have gone and returned from Rama and Hanuman. Listen, all you ministers — behold these excellent twice-born —"

Verse 5 (skanda.3.90.5)

एतदुक्त्वा तु वचनं तूष्णीं भूत्वा स्थितो नृपः । ततो द्वित्रा द्विजाः सर्वे उपविष्टाः क्रमात्ततः ।

etad uktvā tu vacanaṁ tūṣṇīṁ bhūtvā sthito nṛpaḥ tato dvitrā dvijāḥ sarve upaviṣṭāḥ kramāt tataḥ

Having said this, the king fell silent and remained seated; then all the brahmins, two or three at a time, seated themselves in turn.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.90.6)

क्षेमं पप्रच्छुर्नृपतिं हस्तिरथपदातिषु । ततः प्रोवाच नृपतिर्विप्रान्प्रति महामनाः ।

kṣemaṁ papracchur nṛpatiṁ hastirathapadātiṣu tataḥ provāca nṛpatir viprān prati mahāmanāḥ

They inquired after the king's welfare, and of his elephants, chariots, and infantry; then the noble-minded king spoke to the brahmins —

Verse 7 (skanda.3.90.7)

अरिहंतप्रसादेन सर्वत्र कुशलं मम । सा जिह्वा या जिनं स्तौ ति तौ करौ यौ जिनार्चनौ ।

arihaṁtaprasādena sarvatra kuśalaṁ mama sā jihvā yā jinaṁ stauti tau karau yau jinārcanau

"By the grace of the Arihanta, all is well with me everywhere. That tongue alone is worthy which praises the Jina, those hands alone worthy which worship the Jina —"

Verse 8 (skanda.3.90.8)

सा दृष्टिर्या जिने लीना तन्मनो यज्जिने रतम् । दया सर्वत्र कर्तव्या जीवात्मा पूज्यते सदा ।

sā dṛṣṭir yā jine līnā tan mano yaj jine ratam dayā sarvatra kartavyā jīvātmā pūjyate sadā

"— that sight alone worthy which is fixed upon the Jina, that mind alone worthy which delights in the Jina. Compassion should be shown everywhere; every living soul is always worthy of reverence."

Verse 9 (skanda.3.90.9)

योगशाला हि गंतव्या कर्त्तव्यं गुरुवंदनम् । न चकारं महामंत्रं जपितव्यमहर्निशम् ।

yogaśālā hi gantavyā kartavyaṁ guruvandanam naścakāraṁ mahāmantraṁ japitavyam ahar niśam

"One must go to the yogashala; one must venerate the guru; the great mantra, without the syllable Om, must be recited day and night —"

Verse 10 (skanda.3.90.10)

पंचूषणं हि कर्त्तव्यं दातव्यं श्रमणे सदा । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो विप्रास्तस्य दंतानपीडयन् ।

pañcūṣaṇaṁ hi kartavyaṁ dātavyaṁ śramaṇe sadā śrutvā vākyaṁ tato viprās tasya dantān apīḍayan

"— and the fivefold offering must always be given to the ascetic." Hearing these words, the brahmins gnashed their teeth.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.90.11)

विमुच्य दीर्घनिश्वासमूचुस्ते नृपतिं प्रति । रामेण कथितं राजन्धीमता च हनूमता ।

vimucya dīrghaniśvāsam ūcus te nṛpatiṁ prati rāmeṇa kathitaṁ rājan dhīmatā ca hanūmatā

Heaving a deep sigh, they said to the king: "O king, this has been declared by Rama himself, and by the wise Hanuman —"

Verse 12 (skanda.3.90.12)

दीयतां विप्रवृत्तिं च धर्मिष्ठोऽसि धरातले । ज्ञायते तव द्दत्ता स्यान्मदत्ता नैव नैव च ।

dīyatāṁ vipravṛttiṁ ca dharmiṣṭho 'si dharātale jñāyate tava dattā syān madattā naiva naiva ca

"— restore the brahmins' livelihood; you are righteous on this earth. It shall be known as your own gift, never mine, never mine at all."

Verse 13 (skanda.3.90.13)

रक्षस्व रामवाक्यं त्वं यत्कृत्वा त्वं सुखी भव ।

rakṣasva rāmavākyaṁ tvaṁ yat kṛtvā tvaṁ sukhī bhava

"Uphold Rama's word, by doing which you shall be happy."

Verse 14 (skanda.3.90.14)

राजोवाच । यत्र रामहनूमंतौ यांतु सर्वेऽपि तत्र वै । रामो दास्यति सर्वस्वं किं प्राप्ता इह वै द्विजाः ।

rājovāca yatra rāmahanūmantau yāntu sarve 'pi tatra vai rāmo dāsyati sarvasvaṁ kiṁ prāptā iha vai dvijāḥ

The king said: Wherever Rama and Hanuman are, all of you go there; Rama shall give you everything. What do you brahmins gain by coming here?

Verse 15 (skanda.3.90.15)

न दास्यामि न दास्यामि एकां चैव वराटिकाम् । न ग्रामं नैव वृत्तिं च गच्छध्वं यत्र रोचते ।

na dāsyāmi na dāsyāmi ekāṁ caiva varāṭikām na grāmaṁ naiva vṛttiṁ ca gacchadhvaṁ yatra rocate

I shall not give, I shall not give — not even a single cowrie shell; neither village nor livelihood. Go wherever you please.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.90.16)

तच्छ्रुत्वा दारुणं वाक्यं द्विजाः कोपाकुलास्तदा । सहस्व रामकोपं हि साम्प्रतञ्च हनूमतः ।

tac chrutvā dāruṇaṁ vākyaṁ dvijāḥ kopākulās tadā sahasva rāmakopaṁ hi sāṁpratañ ca hanūmataḥ

Hearing this harsh word, the brahmins, filled with anger, said: "Now bear the wrath of Rama, and the wrath of Hanuman too!"

Verse 17 (skanda.3.90.17)

इत्युक्त्वा हनुमद्दत्ता वामकक्षोद्भवा पुटी । प्रक्षिप्ता चास्य निलये व्यावृत्ता द्विजसत्तमाः ।

ity uktvā hanumaddattā vāmakakṣodbhavā puṭī prakṣiptā cāsya nilaye vyāvṛttā dvijasattamāḥ

Having said this, casting the packet given by Hanuman — the one made from the left armpit's hair — into his palace, those excellent twice-born turned away.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.90.18)

गते तदा विप्रसंघे ज्वालामालाकुलं त्वभूत् । अग्निज्वालाकुलं सर्वं संजातं चैव तत्र हि ।

gate tadā viprasaṁghe jvālāmālākulaṁ tv abhūt agnijvālākulaṁ sarvaṁ saṁjātaṁ caiva tatra hi

The moment the group of brahmins departed, a garland of flames spread out there; everything became engulfed in fire.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.90.19)

दह्यंते राजवस्तूनिच्छत्राणि चामराणि च । कोशागाराणि सर्वाणि आयुधागारमेव च ।

dahyante rājavastūni cchatrāṇi cāmarāṇi ca kośāgārāṇi sarvāṇi āyudhāgāram eva ca

The royal furnishings, parasols, and chowries burned; all the treasuries and the armory too caught fire.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.90.20)

महिष्यो राजपुत्राश्च गजा अश्वा ह्यनेकशः । विमानानि च दह्यंते दह्यंते वाहनानि च । शिबिकाश्च विचित्रा वै रथाश्चैव सहस्रशः ।

mahiṣyo rājaputrāś ca gajā aśvā hy anekaśaḥ vimānāni ca dahyante dahyante vāhanāni ca śibikāś ca vicitrā vai rathāś caiva sahasraśaḥ

The queens, the princes, many elephants and horses; the mansions burned, the vehicles burned; the manifold palanquins, and thousands of chariots too.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.90.21)

सर्वत्र दह्यमानं च दृष्ट्वा राजापि विव्यथे । न कोपि त्राता तस्यास्ति मानवा भयविक्लवाः ।

sarvatra dahyamānaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā rājāpi vivyathe na ko 'pi trātā tasyāsti mānavā bhayaviklavāḥ

Seeing everything ablaze on every side, the king too was thrown into distress; there was no protector for him, and the people were overwhelmed with fear.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.90.22)

न मंत्रयंत्रैर्वह्निः स साध्यते न च मूलिकैः । कौटिल्यकोटिनाशी च यत्र रामः प्रकुप्यते ।

na mantrayaṁtrair vahniḥ sa sādhyate na ca mūlikaiḥ kauṭilyakoṭināśī ca yatra rāmaḥ prakupyate

That fire could not be quelled by mantras and mystic devices, nor by herbs; where Rama himself, destroyer of a crore forms of deceit, grows enraged —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.90.23)

तत्र सर्वे प्रणश्यंति किं तत्कुमारपालकः । सर्वं तज्जवलितं दृष्ट्वा नग्नक्षपणकास्तदा ।

tatra sarve praṇaśyanti kiṁ tat kumārapālakaḥ sarvaṁ taj jvalitaṁ dṛṣṭvā nagnakṣapaṇakās tadā

— there all things are destroyed; what, then, is mere Kumārapāla? Seeing everything ablaze, the naked Jain mendicants then —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.90.24)

धृत्वा करेण पात्राणि नीत्वा दंडाञ्छुभानपि । रक्तकंबलिका गृह्य वेपमाना मुहुर्मुहुः ।

dhṛtvā kareṇa pātrāṇi nītvā daṇḍāñ chubhān api raktakaṁbalikā gṛhya vepamānā muhur muhuḥ

— clutching their begging bowls in hand, carrying their auspicious staffs, seizing their red blankets, trembling again and again —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.90.25)

अनुपानहिकाश्चैव नष्टाः सर्वे दिशो दश । कोलाहलं प्रकुर्वाणाः पलायध्वमिति ब्रुवन् ।

anupānahikāś caiva naṣṭāḥ sarve diśo daśa kolāhalaṁ prakurvāṇāḥ palāyadhvam iti bruvan

— barefoot, they all scattered in the ten directions, raising an uproar, crying "Flee, flee!" —

Verse 26 (skanda.3.90.26)

दाहिता विप्रमुख्यैश्च वयं सर्वे न संशयः । केचिच्च भग्नपात्रास्ते भग्नदं ण्डास्तथापरे ।

dāhitā vipramukhyaiś ca vayaṁ sarve na saṁśayaḥ kecic ca bhagnapātrās te bhagnadaṇḍās tathāpare

— "We are all being burned by the leading brahmins, without doubt!" Some had their bowls shattered, others their staffs broken —

Verse 27 (skanda.3.90.27)

प्रनष्टाश्च विवस्त्रास्ते वीतरागमिति ब्रुवन् । अर्हतमेव केचिच्च पलायनपरायणाः ।

pranaṣṭāś ca vivastrās te vītarāgam iti bruvan arhatam eva kecic ca palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ

— fleeing, unclothed, crying out the name of Vītarāga; some, devoted only to escape, called merely upon the Arhat's name.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.90.28)

ततो वायुः समभवद्वह्निमांदोलयन्निव । प्रेषितो वै हनुमता विप्राणां प्रियकाम्यया ।

tato vāyuḥ samabhavad vahnim āndolayann iva preṣito vai hanumatā viprāṇāṁ priyakāmyayā

Then the wind rose, as if fanning the fire further; it had been sent by Hanuman himself, out of a wish to please the brahmins.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.90.29)

धावन्स नृपतिः पश्चादितश्चेतश्च वै तदा । पदातिरेकः प्ररुदन्क्व विप्रा इति जल्पकः ।

dhāvan sa nṛpatiḥ paścād itaś cetaś ca vai tadā padātir ekaḥ prarudan kva viprā iti jalpakaḥ

Then the king ran here and there, in pursuit; a single foot-soldier, weeping, kept crying out, "Where are the brahmins?"

Verse 30 (skanda.3.90.30)

लोकाच्छ्रुत्वा ततो राजा गतस्तत्र यतो द्विजाः । गत्वा तु सहसा राजन्गृहीत्वा चरणौ तदा ।

lokāc chrutvā tato rājā gatas tatra yato dvijāḥ gatvā tu sahasā rājan gṛhītvā caraṇau tadā

Hearing this from the people, the king went to where the brahmins were; O king, arriving there, he suddenly seized their feet.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.90.31)

विप्राणां नृपतिर्भूमौ मूर्च्छितो न्यपत त्तदा । उवाच वचनं राजा विप्रान्विनयतत्परः ।

viprāṇāṁ nṛpatir bhūmau mūrcchito nyapatat tadā uvāca vacanaṁ rājā viprān vinayatatparaḥ

At that moment, the king fell fainting to the ground before the brahmins; then the king, humbled, spoke to the brahmins —

Verse 32 (skanda.3.90.32)

जपन्दाशरथिं रामं रामरामेति वै पुनः । तस्य दासस्य दासोहं रामस्य च द्विज स्य च ।

japan dāśarathiṁ rāmaṁ rāmarāmeti vai punaḥ tasya dāsasya dāso 'haṁ rāmasya ca dvijasya ca

Chanting again and again "Rama, Rama," he said: "I am the servant of Rama's own servant, and the servant of the brahmins too."

Verse 33 (skanda.3.90.33)

अज्ञानतिमिरांधेन जातोस्म्यंधो हि संप्रति । अंजनं च मया लब्धं रामनाममहौषधम् ।

ajñānatimirāndhena jāto 'smy andho hi saṁprati añjanaṁ ca mayā labdhaṁ rāmanāmamahauṣadham

"I had truly become blind from the darkness of ignorance; now I have obtained the great medicine — the very name of Rama."

Verse 34 (skanda.3.90.34)

रामं मुक्त्वा हि ये मर्त्या ह्यन्यं देव मुपासते । दह्यंते तेऽग्निना स्वामिन्यथाहं मूढचेतनः ।

rāmaṁ muktvā hi ye martyā hy anyaṁ devam upāsate dahyante te 'gninā svāmin yathāham mūḍhacetanaḥ

"Those mortals who abandon Rama and worship another god, O lord, are burned by fire, just as I, of deluded mind, am now burning."

Verse 35 (skanda.3.90.35)

हरिर्भागीरथी विप्रा विप्रा भागीरथी हरिः । भागीरथी हरिर्विप्राः सारमेकं जगत्त्रये।

harir bhāgīrathī viprā viprā bhāgīrathī hariḥ bhāgīrathī harir viprāḥ sāram ekaṁ jagattraye

"Hari is the Ganga, and the brahmins are the Ganga; the Ganga, Hari, and the brahmins — these are but one single essence across the three worlds."

Verse 36 (skanda.3.90.36)

स्वर्गस्य चैत्र सोपानं विप्रा भागीरथी हरिः । रामनाममहारज्ज्वा वैकुंठे येन नीयते ।

svargasya caitra sopānaṁ viprā bhāgīrathī hariḥ rāmanāmamahārajjvā vaikuṇṭhe yena nīyate

"Brahmins, the Ganga, and Hari — these are the very stairway to heaven; by the great rope of Rama's name, one is drawn up to Vaikuntha."

Verse 37 (skanda.3.90.37)

इत्येवं प्रणमन्राजा प्रांजलिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्। वह्निः प्रशाम्यतां विप्राः शासनं वो ददाम्यहम् ।

ity evaṁ praṇaman rājā prāñjalir vākyam abravīt vahniḥ praśāmyatāṁ viprāḥ śāsanaṁ vo dadāmy aham

Bowing thus, with joined palms, the king spoke: "May the fire be quenched, O brahmins — I now restore your charter to you."

Verse 38 (skanda.3.90.38)

दासोऽस्मि सांप्रतं विप्रा न मे वागन्यथा भवेत् । यत्पापं ब्रह्महत्यायाः पर दाराभिगामिनाम्।

dāso 'smi sāṁprataṁ viprā na me vāg anyathā bhavet yat pāpaṁ brahmahatyāyāḥ paradārābhigāminām

"O brahmins, I am now your servant; my word shall never be otherwise. Whatever sin belongs to the slaying of a brahmin, whatever sin belongs to those who approach another's wife —"

Verse 39 (skanda.3.90.39)

यत्पापं मद्यपानां च सुवर्णस्तेयिनां तथा । यत्पापं गुरुघातानां तत्पापं वा भवेन्मम ।

yat pāpaṁ madyapānāṁ ca suvarṇasteyināṁ tathā yat pāpaṁ gurughātānāṁ tat pāpaṁ vā bhaven mama

"— whatever sin belongs to drunkards, whatever sin belongs to thieves of gold, whatever sin belongs to slayers of a guru — let that same sin fall upon me, if I break this word."

Verse 40 (skanda.3.90.40)

यंयं चिंतयते कामं तं तं दास्याम्यहं पुनः । विप्रभक्तिः सदा कार्या रामभक्तिस्तथैव च ।

yaṁyaṁ cintayate kāmaṁ taṁ taṁ dāsyāmy ahaṁ punaḥ vipra bhaktiḥ sadā kāryā rāmabhaktis tathaiva ca

"Whatever desire you form, that I shall grant. Devotion to brahmins must always be shown, and devotion to Rama likewise."

Verse 41 (skanda.3.90.41)

अन्यथा करणीयं मे न कदाचि द्द्विजोत्तमाः ।

anyathā karaṇīyaṁ me na kadācid dvijottamāḥ

"O excellent twice-born, I shall never act otherwise than this."

Verse 42 (skanda.3.90.42)

व्यास उवाच । तस्मिन्नवसरे विप्रा जाता भूप दयालवः । अन्या या पुटिका चासीत्सा दत्ता शापशांतये ।

vyāsa uvāca tasminn avasare viprā jātā bhūpa dayālavaḥ anyā yā puṭikā cāsīt sā dattā śāpaśāntaye

Vyasa said: On that occasion, the brahmins became merciful, O king; the other packet that remained was given for the pacification of the curse.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.90.43)

जीवितं चैव तत्सैन्यं जातं क्षिप्तेषु रोमसु । दिशः प्रसन्नाः संजाताः शांता दिग्जनितस्वनाः ।

jīvitaṁ caiva tat sainyaṁ jātaṁ kṣipteṣu romasu diśaḥ prasannāḥ saṁjātāḥ śāntā digjanitasvanāḥ

The moment those hairs were thrown, that army came back to life; the directions became serene, and the din arising everywhere fell silent.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.90.44)

प्रजा स्वस्था ऽभवत्तत्र हर्षनिर्भरमानसा । अवतस्थे यथापूर्वं पुत्रपौत्रादिकं तथा ।

prajā svasthā 'bhavat tatra harṣanirbharamānasā avatasthe yathāpūrvaṁ putrapautrādikaṁ tathā

The people there became well again, their minds filled with joy; sons, grandsons, and all else remained safe, just as before.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.90.45)

विप्राज्ञाकारिणो लोकाः संजाताश्च यथा पुरा । विष्णुधर्मं परित्यज्य नान्यं जानंति ते वृषम् ।

viprājñākāriṇo lokāḥ saṁjātāś ca yathā purā viṣṇudharmaṁ parityajya nānyaṁ jānanti te vṛṣam

The people once again became obedient to the brahmins' word, as before; now, forsaking the dharma of Vishnu, they know no other righteous path.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.90.46)

नवीनं शासनं कृत्वा पूर्ववद्विधिपूर्वकम् । निष्कासितास्तु पाषंडाः कृतशास्त्रप्रयोजकाः ।

navīnaṁ śāsanaṁ kṛtvā pūrvavad vidhipūrvakam niṣkāsitās tu pāṣaṇḍāḥ kṛtaśāstraprayojakāḥ

A new charter was drawn up, according to due form, just as before; the heretics who had fabricated their own scriptures were expelled.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.90.47)

वेदबाह्याः प्रनष्टास्ते उत्तमाधममध्यमाः । षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि येऽभूवन्गोभुजाः पुरा ।

vedabāhyāḥ pranaṣṭās te uttamādhamamadhyamāḥ ṣaṭtriṁśac ca sahasrāṇi ye 'bhūvan gobhujāḥ purā

Those outside the Vedic fold — the excellent, the middling, and the base alike — were driven out. Those who had once numbered thirty-six thousand Gobhuja merchants —

Verse 48 (skanda.3.90.48)

तेषां मध्यात्तु संजाता अढवीजा वणिग्जनाः । शुश्रूषार्थं ब्राह्मणानां राज्ञा सर्वे निरूपिताः ।

teṣāṁ madhyāt tu saṁjātā aḍhavījā vaṇigjanāḥ śuśrūṣārthaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ rājñā sarve nirūpitāḥ

— from among them arose the faithful merchant-folk, and the king appointed all of them to the service of the brahmins.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.90.49)

सदाचाराः सुनिपुणा देवब्राह्मणपूजकाः । त्यक्त्वा पाखण्डमार्गं तु विष्णुभक्तिपरास्तु ते ।

sadācārāḥ sunipuṇā devabrāhmaṇapūjakāḥ tyaktvā pākhaṇḍamārgaṁ tu viṣṇubhaktiparās tu te

They became of good conduct, most skilled, worshippers of the gods and brahmins; forsaking the path of heresy, they became devoted to Vishnu.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.90.50)

जाह्नवीतीरमासाद्य त्रैविद्येभ्यो ददौ नृपः । शासनं तु यदा दत्तं तेषां वै भक्तिपूर्वकम् ।

jāhnavītīram āsādya trai vidyebhyo dadau nṛpaḥ śāsanaṁ tu yadā dattaṁ teṣāṁ vai bhaktipūrvakam

Arriving at the bank of the Ganga, the king gave the charter, with devotion, to the Trayividya brahmins.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.90.51)

स्थानधर्मात्प्रचलिता वाडवास्ते समागताः । नृपो विज्ञापितो विप्रैस्तैरेवं क्लेशकारिभिः ।

sthānadharmāt pracalitā vāḍavās te samāgatāḥ nṛpo vijñāpito viprais tair evaṁ kleśakāribhiḥ

As the charter was being given, those brahmins (the Chaturvidya), who had strayed from the customs of their own place, arrived there too; these troublesome brahmins made a petition to the king —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.90.52)

ये त्यक्तवाचो विप्रेंद्रास्तान्निःसारय भूपते । परस्परं विवादास्तु संजाता दत्तवृत्तये ।

ye tyaktavāco viprendrās tān niḥsāraya bhūpate parasparaṁ vivādās tu saṁjātā dattavṛttaye

"O king, banish those foremost brahmins who broke their own word." A dispute arose among themselves over the granted livelihood —

Verse 53 (skanda.3.90.53)

न्याय प्रदशनार्थं च कारितास्तु सभासदः । हस्ताक्षरेषु दृष्टेषु पृथक्पृथक्प्रपादितम् ।

nyāya pradarśanārthaṁ ca kāritās tu sabhāsadaḥ hastākṣareṣu dṛṣṭeṣu pṛthak pṛthak prapāditam

For the sake of establishing justice, the assembly members were convened; upon examining their signatures, each party's case was presented separately.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.90.54)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततो राजा तुलादानं चकार ह । दीयमाने तदा दाने चातुर्विद्या बभाषिरे ।

etac chrutvā tato rājā tulādānaṁ cakāra ha dīyamāne tadā dāne cāturvidyā babhāṣire

Hearing this, the king then began the tulādāna (weighing gold on a scale as a gift); as that gift was being given, the Chaturvidya brahmins spoke —

Verse 55 (skanda.3.90.55)

अस्माभिर्हारिता जातिः कथं कुर्मः प्रतिग्रहम् । निवारितास्तु ते सर्वे स्थानान्मोहेरका द्विजाः ।

asmābhir hāritā jātiḥ kathaṁ kurmaḥ pratigraham nivāritās tu te sarve sthānān moherakā dvijāḥ

"We have lost our own standing — how could we now accept a gift?" Then all those Moheraka brahmins were driven out from that place —

Verse 56 (skanda.3.90.56)

दशपंच सहस्राणि वेदवेदांगपारगाः । ततस्तेन तदा राजन्राज्ञा रामानुवर्तिना ।

daśapañca sahasrāṇi vedavedāṅgapāragāḥ tatas tena tadā rājan rājñā rāmānuvartinā

— those fifteen thousand brahmins, learned fully in the Vedas and the Vedic auxiliary sciences. Then, O king, that king, now a follower of Rama —

Verse 57 (skanda.3.90.57)

आहूता वाडवांस्तास्तु ज्ञातिभेदं चकार सः । त्रयीविद्या वाडवा ये सेतुबंधं प्रति प्रभुम् ।

āhūtā vāḍavāṁs tāstu jñātibhedaṁ cakāra saḥ trai vidyā vāḍavā ye setubandhaṁ prati prabhum

— summoned those brahmins and established the division of their community. Those Trayividya brahmins who had gone to Setubandha, toward the Lord —

Verse 58 (skanda.3.90.58)

गतास्ते वृत्तिभाजः स्युर्नान्ये वृत्त्यभिभागिनः । तत्र नैव गता ये वै चातुर्विद्यत्वमागताः ।

gatās te vṛttibhājaḥ syur nānye vṛttyabhibhāginaḥ tatra naiva gatā ye vai cāturvidyatvam āgatāḥ

— went, they alone would hold rightful claim to the livelihood, and no others; those who had not gone came to be called the Chaturvidya.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.90.59)

वणिग्भिर्न च संबंधो न विवाहश्च तैः सह । ग्रामवृत्तौ न संबंधो ज्ञातिभेदे कृते सति ।

vaṇigbhir na ca saṁbandho na vivāhaś ca taiḥ saha grāmavṛttau na saṁbandho jñātibhede kṛte sati

Now that the community division was established, there would be no bond with them in commerce, no marriage with them, and no bond in village-affairs.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.90.60)

द्विजभक्तिपराः शूद्राः ये पाखंडैर्न लोपिताः। जैन धर्मात्परावृत्तास्ते गोभूजास्तथोत्तमाः ।

dvijabhaktiparāḥ śūdrāḥ ye pākhaṇḍair na lopitāḥ jainadharmāt parāvṛttās te gobhūjās tathottamāḥ

Those shudras who remained devoted to the twice-born, uncorrupted by the heretics, and who had turned back from the Jain faith — these became the excellent Gobhuja.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.90.61)

ये च पाखंडनिरता रामशासनलोपकाः । सर्वे विप्रास्तथा शूद्रा प्रतिबंधेन योजिताः ।

ye ca pākhaṇḍaniratā rāmaśāsanalopakāḥ sarve viprās tathā śūdrā pratibandhena yojitāḥ

Those who remained devoted to heresy, who had abolished Rama's charter — all such brahmins and shudras were placed under restriction.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.90.62)

सत्यप्रतिज्ञां कुर्वाणास्तत्रस्थाः सुखिनोऽभवन् । चातुर्विद्या बहिर्ग्रामे राज्ञा तेन निवासिताः ।

satyapratijñāṁ kurvāṇās tatrasthāḥ sukhino 'bhavan cāturvidyā bahirgrāme rājñā tena nivāsitāḥ

Those who kept their truthful vows remained happy there; the Chaturvidya brahmins were settled by that king outside the village.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.90.63)

यथा रामो न कुप्येत तथा कार्यं मया ध्रुवम। पराङ्मुखा ये रामस्य सन्मुखानुगताः किल ।

yathā rāmo na kupyeta tathā kāryaṁ mayā dhruvam parāṅmukhā ye rāmasya sanmukhānugatāḥ kila

"I must certainly act in such a way that Rama does not grow angry." Those who had turned their faces away from Rama, once again came before him —

Verse 64 (skanda.3.90.64)

चातुर्विद्यास्ते विज्ञेया वृत्तिबाह्याः कृतास्तदा । कृतकृत्यस्तदा जातो राजा कुमारपालकः ।

cāturvidyās te vijñeyā vṛttibāhyāḥ kṛtās tadā kṛtakṛtyas tadā jāto rājā kumārapālakaḥ

— they were known as the Chaturvidya, and were placed outside the livelihood-grant. Then King Kumārapāla felt his purpose fulfilled.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.90.65)

विप्राणां पुरतः प्राह प्रश्रयेण वचस्तदा । ग्रामवृत्तिर्न मे लुप्ता एतद्वै देवनिर्मितम् ।

viprāṇāṁ purataḥ prāha praśrayeṇa vacas tadā grāmavṛttir na me luptā etad vai devanirmitam

He then spoke humbly before the brahmins: "I never abolished the village livelihood; this was, in fact, an event brought about by divine will."

Verse 66 (skanda.3.90.66)

स्वयं कृतापराधानां दोषो कस्य न दीयते । यथा वने काष्ठवर्षाद्वह्निः स्याद्दैवयोगतः ।

svayaṁ kṛtāparādhānāṁ doṣo kasya na dīyate yathā vane kāṣṭhavarṣād vahniḥ syād daivayogataḥ

"For a fault committed by oneself, upon whom is blame not laid? Just as, in a forest, fire may arise from the rubbing of wood, through the working of fate —"

Verse 67 (skanda.3.90.67)

भवद्भिस्तु पणः प्रोक्तो ह्यभिज्ञानस्य हेतवे । रामस्य शासनं कृत्वा वायुपुत्रस्य हेतवे ।

bhavadbhis tu paṇaḥ prokto hy abhijñānasya hetave rāmasya śāsanaṁ kṛtvā vāyuputrasya hetave

"— so too, you yourselves laid down a condition for proof; through Rama's decree, and by reason of the son of the Wind, it was fulfilled —"

Verse 68 (skanda.3.90.68)

व्यावृत्ता वाडवा यूयं स दोषः कस्य दीयते । अवसाने हरिं स्मृत्वा महापापयुतोऽपि वा ।

vyāvṛttā vāḍavā yūyaṁ sa doṣaḥ kasya dīyate avasāne hariṁ smṛtvā mahāpāpayuto 'pi vā

"— yet you brahmins turned away — upon whom, then, is that fault to be laid? Even one burdened with the gravest sins, if he remembers Hari at his final hour —"

Verse 69 (skanda.3.90.69)

विष्णुलोकं व्रजत्याशु संशयस्तु कथं भवेत् । महत्पुण्योदये नॄणां बुद्धिः श्रेयसि जायते ।

viṣṇulokaṁ vrajaty āśu saṁśayas tu kathaṁ bhavet mahatpuṇyodaye nṝṇāṁ buddhiḥ śreyasi jāyate

"— he swiftly attains the world of Vishnu — how could there be any doubt of this? When great merit arises, men's minds turn toward what is beneficial."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.90.70)

पापस्योदयकाले च विपरीता हि सा भवेत् । सकृत्पालयते यस्तु धर्मेणैतज्जगत्त्रयम् ।

pāpasyodayakāle ca viparītā hi sā bhavet sakṛt pālayate yas tu dharmeṇaitaj jagattrayam

"But at the time when sin arises, that understanding becomes reversed. Whoever, even once, sustains these three worlds through dharma —"

Verse 71 (skanda.3.90.71)

योंतरात्मा च भूतानां संशयस्तत्र नो हितः । इंद्रादयोऽमराः सर्वे सनकाद्यास्तपोधनाः ।

yontarātmā ca bhūtānāṁ saṁśayas tatra no hitaḥ indrādayo 'marāḥ sarve sanakādyās tapodhanāḥ

"— he is the inner soul of all beings; doubt in this matter serves us no good. Indra and all the other immortals, and the sages Sanaka and the rest, rich in austerity —"

Verse 72 (skanda.3.90.72)

मुक्त्यर्थमर्चयंतीह संशयस्तत्र नो हितः । सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनामेति गीयते ।

muktyartham arcayantīha saṁśayas tatra no hitaḥ sahasranāma tattulyaṁ rāmanāmeti gīyate

"— worship him here for the sake of liberation; doubt in this matter too serves us no good. It is sung that the name of Rama alone equals a thousand names."

Verse 73 (skanda.3.90.73)

तस्मिन्ननिश्चयं कृत्वा कथं सिद्धिर्भवेदिह । मम जन्मकृतात्पुण्यादभिज्ञानं ददौ हरिः ।

tasminn aniścayaṁ kṛtvā kathaṁ siddhir bhaved iha mama janmakṛtāt puṇyād abhijñānaṁ dadau hariḥ

"By harboring disbelief in him, how could success ever be attained here? It was by the merit of my own birth that Hari gave me the proof —"

Verse 74 (skanda.3.90.74)

पाखंडाद्यत्कृतं पापं मृष्टं तद्वः प्रणामतः । प्रसीदंतु भवंतश्च त्यक्त्वा क्रोधं ममाधुना ।

pākhaṇḍād yat kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ mṛṣṭaṁ tad vaḥ praṇāmataḥ prasīdantu bhavantaś ca tyaktvā krodhaṁ mamādhunā

"— and whatever sin I incurred through heresy has been washed away by bowing to you. Now, all of you, set aside your anger toward me and be gracious."

Verse 75 (skanda.3.90.75)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । राजन्धर्मो विलुप्तस्ते प्रापितानां तथा पुनः । अवश्यं भाविनो भावा भवंति महतामपि ।

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ rājan dharmo viluptas te prāpitānāṁ tathā punaḥ avaśyaṁ bhāvino bhāvā bhavanti mahatām api

The brahmins said: O king, our dharma was abolished by you, and yet has been restored to us again; even great beings must undergo events that are destined to happen.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.90.76)

नग्नत्वं नीलकण्ठस्य महाहिशयनं हरेः । एतद्दैवकृतं सर्वं प्रभुर्यः सुखदुःखयोः ।

nagnatvaṁ nīlakaṇṭhasya mahāhiśayanaṁ hareḥ etad daivakṛtaṁ sarvaṁ prabhur yaḥ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ

Nīlakaṇṭha's (Shiva's) nakedness, and Hari's reclining upon the great serpent-couch — all this is brought about by fate; they are the masters of both joy and sorrow alike.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.90.77)

सत्यप्रतिज्ञास्त्रैविद्या भजंतु रामशासनम् । अस्माकं तु परं देहि स्थानं यत्र वसामहे ।

satyapratijñās trai vidyā bhajantu rāmaśāsanam asmākaṁ tu paraṁ dehi sthānaṁ yatra vasāmahe

"Let the Trayividya, who kept their vow of truth, hold Rama's charter; but give us some other place to live."

Verse 78 (skanda.3.90.78)

तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा सुखमिच्छुर्द्विजन्मनाम् । तेषां स्थानं तु दत्तं वै सुखवासं तु नामतः ।

teṣāṁ tu vacanaṁ śrutvā sukham icchur dvijanmanām teṣāṁ sthānaṁ tu dattaṁ vai sukhavāsaṁ tu nāmataḥ

Hearing their words, and desiring the well-being of these twice-born, a place was given to them, named Sukhavāsa ("Happy Dwelling").

Verse 79 (skanda.3.90.79)

हिरण्यं पुष्पवासांसि गावः कामदुघा नृप । स्वर्णालंकरणं सर्वं नानावस्तुचयं तथा ।

hiraṇyaṁ puṣpavāsāṁsi gāvaḥ kāmadughā nṛpa svarṇālaṁkaraṇaṁ sarvaṁ nānāvastucayaṁ tathā

O king, gold, fine garments, cows that yielded every desire, all manner of gold ornaments, and heaps of manifold goods —

Verse 80 (skanda.3.90.80)

श्रद्धया परया दत्त्वा मुदं लेभे नराधिपः । त्रयीविद्यास्तु ते ज्ञेयाः स्थापिता ये त्रिमूर्तिभिः ।

śraddhayā parayā dattvā mudaṁ lebhe narādhipaḥ trai vidyās tu te jñeyāḥ sthāpitā ye trimūrtibhiḥ

— giving all this with the utmost faith, the king found joy. The Trayividya are to be known as those who had been established by the Trimūrti —

Verse 81 (skanda.3.90.81)

चतुर्थेनैव भूपेन स्थापिताः सुखवासने । ते बभूबुर्द्विजश्रेष्ठाश्चातुर्विद्याः कलौ युगे ।

caturthenaiva bhūpena sthāpitāḥ sukhavāsane te babhūbur dvijaśreṣṭhāś cāturvidyāḥ kalau yuge

— while the Chaturvidya were established at Sukhavāsa by the fourth king (in the story's line of kings); these excellent twice-born became known, in the Kali Yuga, as the Chaturvidya.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.90.82)

चातुर्विद्याश्च ते सर्वे धर्मारण्ये प्रतिष्ठिताः । वेदोक्ता आशिषो दत्त्वा तस्मै राज्ञे महात्मने ।

cāturvidyāś ca te sarve dharmāraṇye pratiṣṭhitāḥ vedoktā āśiṣo dattvā tasmai rājñe mahātmane

All those Chaturvidya were established in Dharmaranya; giving Vedic blessings, they thanked that great-souled king.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.90.83)

रथैरश्वैरुह्यमानाः कृतकृत्या द्विजातयः । महत्प्रमोदयुक्तास्ते प्रापुर्मोहेरकं महत् ।

rathair aśvair uhyamānāḥ kṛtakṛtyā dvijātayaḥ mahatpramodayuktās te prāpur moherakaṁ mahat

Riding on chariots and horses, their purpose fulfilled, filled with great delight, those twice-born reached the great city of Moheraka.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.90.84)

पौषशुक्लत्रयोदश्यां लब्धं शासनकं द्विजैः । बलिप्रदानं तु कृतमुद्दिश्य कुलदेवताम् ।

pauṣaśuklatrayodaśyāṁ labdhaṁ śāsanakaṁ dvijaiḥ balipradānaṁ tu kṛtam uddiśya kuladevatām

On the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Pauṣa, the brahmins obtained the charter; a bali-offering was made, dedicated to the family deity.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.90.85)

वर्षेवर्षे प्रकर्त्तव्यं बलिदानं यथाविधि । कार्यं च मंगलस्नानं पुरुषेण महात्मना ।

varṣevarṣe prakartavyaṁ balidānaṁ yathāvidhi kāryaṁ ca maṅgalasnānaṁ puruṣeṇa mahātmanā

Every year, the bali-offering should be performed according to due rite; and a great-souled man should also perform the auspicious ritual bath.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.90.86)

गीतं नृत्यं तथा वाद्यं कुर्वीत तद्दिने धुवम् । तन्मासे तद्दिने नैव वृत्तिनाशो भवेद्यथा ।

gītaṁ nṛtyaṁ tathā vādyaṁ kurvīta taddine dhruvam tanmāse taddine naiva vṛttināśo bhaved yathā

On that day, song, dance, and music must certainly be observed; care should be taken that on that very day, in that very month, no livelihood is ever lost.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.90.87)

दैवादतीतकाले चेत्वृद्धिरापद्यते यदा । तदा प्रथमतः कृत्वा पश्चाद्वृद्धिर्विधीयते ।

daivād atītakāle cet vṛddhir āpadyate yadā tadā prathamataḥ kṛtvā paścād vṛddhir vidhīyate

If, by fate, some auspicious occasion (a family celebration) should arise after the appointed time has passed, then this annual rite should be performed first, and only afterward should the celebration be observed.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.90.88)

ये च भिन्नप्रपाप्रायास्त्रैविद्या मोढवंशजाः । तथा चातुर्वेदिनश्च कुर्वंति गोत्रपूजनम् ।

ye ca bhinnaprapāprāyās trai vidyā moḍhavaṁśajāḥ tathā cāturvedinaś ca kurvanti gotrapūjanam

Those Trayividya and Chaturvedin Modh descendants who have separate water-sources also perform the gotra-worship —

Verse 89 (skanda.3.90.89)

वर्षमध्ये प्रकुर्वीत तथा सुप्ते जनार्द्दने । पौषे च लुप्तं कृत्वा च श्रौतं स्मार्त्तं करोति यः ।

varṣamadhye prakurvīta tathā supte janārdane pauṣe ca luptaṁ kṛtvā ca śrautaṁ smārtaṁ karoti yaḥ

— this should be performed in the middle of the year, and also during the period when Janārdana is asleep (the four rainy months). Whoever, in the month of Pauṣa, neglects this and instead performs only the standard Vedic-smarta rites —

Verse 90 (skanda.3.90.90)

तत्र क्रोधसमाविष्टा निघ्नंति कुलदेवताः । विवाहोत्सवकाले च मौंजीबंधादिकर्मणि ।

tatra krodhasamāviṣṭā nighnanti kuladevatāḥ vivāhotsavakāle ca mauñjībandhādikarmaṇi

— is struck down by the family deities, filled with wrath. At the time of a wedding celebration, and at the sacred-thread ceremony and similar rites —

Verse 91 (skanda.3.90.91)

मुहूर्तं गणनाथस्य ततः प्रभृति शोभनम् ।

muhūrtaṁ gaṇanāthasya tataḥ prabhṛti śobhanam

— the auspicious hour of Gaṇanātha (Ganesha) is, thereafter, always considered favorable.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.90.92)

निर्वासितास्तु ये विप्रा आमराज्ञा स्वशासनात् । पंचदशसहस्राणि ययुस्ते सुखवासकन् ।

nirvāsitās tu ye viprā āmarājñā svaśāsanāt pañcadaśasahasrāṇi yayus te sukhavāsakan

Those brahmins who had been banished by King Āmo from their own charter — those fifteen thousand went to Sukhavāsa.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.90.93)

पंचपञ्चाशतो ग्रामान्ददौ रामः पुरा स्वयम् । तत्रस्था वणिजश्चैव तेषां वृत्तिमकल्पयन् ।

pañcapañcāśato grāmān dadau rāmaḥ purā svayam tatrasthā vaṇijaś caiva teṣāṁ vṛttim akalpayan

Long ago, Rama himself had given fifty-five villages; the merchants dwelling there arranged their livelihood.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.90.94)

अडालजा माण्डलीया गोभूजाश्च पवित्रकाः । ब्राह्मणानां वृत्तिदास्ते ब्रह्मसेवासु तत्पराः । इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीये ब्रह्मखण्डे पूर्वभागे धर्मारण्यमाहात्म्ये ब्राह्मणानां शासनवृत्तिप्राप्तिवर्णनं नामाष्टत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

aḍālajā māṇḍalīyā gobhūjāś ca pavitrakāḥ brāhmaṇānāṁ vṛttidās te brahmasevāsu tatparāḥ iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṁ saṁhitāyāṁ tṛtīye brahmakhaṇḍe pūrvabhāge dharmāraṇyamāhātmye brāhmaṇānāṁ śāsanavṛttiprāptivarṇanaṁ nāmāṣṭatriṁśo 'dhyāyaḥ

The Aḍālaja, Māṇḍalīya, and Gobhūja — these pure communities became the providers of the brahmins' livelihood, ever devoted to the service of the brahmins. Thus ends the thirty-eighth chapter, called "The Brahmins Regain Their Charter," 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.