Description of Satyaloka

Verse 1 (skanda.4.2.1)

व्यास उवाच। सूर्य आत्मास्य जगतस्तस्थुषस्तमसोरिपुः। उदियायोदयगिरौ शुचिप्रसृमरैः करैः

vyāsa uvāca sūrya ātmāsya jagatastasthuṣastamasoripuḥ udiyāyodayagirau śuciprasṛmaraiḥ karaiḥ

Vyasa said: The sun, the soul of this world both moving and unmoving, the enemy of darkness, rose upon the eastern mountain with his pure, spreading rays.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.2.2)

संवर्धयन्सतां धर्मान्त्यक्कुर्वंस्तामसीं स्थितिम्। पद्मिनीं बोधयंस्त्विष्टां रात्रौ मुकुलिताननाम्

saṁvardhayansatāṁ dharmāntyakkurvaṁstāmasīṁ sthitim padminīṁ bodhayaṁstviṣṭāṁ rātrau mukulitānanām

fostering the dharma of the virtuous, dispelling the state of darkness, and awakening the beloved lotus-cluster, whose face had closed in the night.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.2.3)

हव्यं कव्यं भूतबलिं देवादीनां प्रवर्तयन्। प्राह्णापराह्णमध्याह्न क्रियाकालं विजृंभयन्

havyaṁ kavyaṁ bhūtabaliṁ devādīnāṁ pravartayan prāhṇāparāhṇamadhyāhna kriyākālaṁ vijṛṁbhayan

setting in motion the offerings of havya, kavya, and bali to beings, gods and the rest, and unfolding the appointed times for morning, midday, and afternoon rites.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.2.4)

असतां हृदि वक्त्रेषु निर्दिशंस्तमसः स्थितिम्। यामिनीकालकलितं जगदुज्जीवयन्पुनः

asatāṁ hṛdi vaktreṣu nirdiśaṁstamasaḥ sthitim yāminīkālakalitaṁ jagadujjīvayanpunaḥ

pointing out that darkness still dwells in the hearts and mouths of the wicked, and reviving once more the world that had lain steeped in the time of night.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.2.5)

यस्मिन्नभ्युदिते जातः सम्यक्पुण्यजनोदयः। अहो परोपकरणं सद्यः फलति नेति चेत्

yasminnabhyudite jātaḥ samyakpuṇyajanodayaḥ aho paropakaraṇaṁ sadyaḥ phalati neti cet

at whose rising the true prosperity of virtuous people comes about -- ah, if one asks whether an act of benevolence bears fruit at once or not, here is the proof!

Verse 6 (skanda.4.2.6)

सायमस्तमितः प्रातः कथं जीवेद्रविः पुनः। सानुरागकरस्पर्शैः प्राचीमाश्वास्य खंडिताम्

sāyamastamitaḥ prātaḥ kathaṁ jīvedraviḥ punaḥ sānurāgakarasparśaiḥ prācīmāśvāsya khaṁḍitām

Having set in the evening, how does the sun live again by morning? As if by the touch of his loving rays, he comforts and consoles the East, left forlorn in the night.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.2.7)

यामं भुक्त्वा तथाग्नेयीं ज्वलंतीं विरहादिव। लवंगैलामृगमदचंद्रचंदनचर्चिताम

yāmaṁ bhuktvā tathāgneyīṁ jvalaṁtīṁ virahādiva lavaṁgailāmṛgamadacaṁdracaṁdanacarcitāma

having spent a watch of night with the southeastern quarter, who burned as if in the fire of separation, and who was anointed with clove, cardamom, musk, camphor, and sandalwood.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.2.8)

तांबूलीरागरक्तौष्ठीं द्राक्षास्तबकसुस्तनीम्। लवलीवल्लिदोर्वल्ली कंको ली पल्लवांगुलिम्

tāṁbūlīrāgaraktauṣṭhīṁ drākṣāstabakasustanīm lavalīvallidorvallī kaṁko lī pallavāṁgulim

her lips red with the stain of betel, her breasts lovely as clusters of grapes, her arms like lavali-creepers, her fingers like tender kankoli-shoots.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.2.9)

मलयानिल निःश्वासां क्षीरोदकवरांबराम्। त्रिकूटस्वर्णरत्नांगीं सुवेलाद्रि नितंबिनीम

malayānila niḥśvāsāṁ kṣīrodakavarāṁbarām trikūṭasvarṇaratnāṁgīṁ suvelādri nitaṁbinīma

her breath the Malaya breeze, her fine garment the Ocean of Milk, her limbs of gold and jewels like Mount Trikuta, her hips like Mount Suvela.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.2.10)

कावेरीगौतमीजंघां चोलचोलां शुकावृताम्। सह्यदर्दुरवक्षोजां कांतीकांचीविभूषणाम

kāverīgautamījaṁghāṁ colacolāṁ śukāvṛtām sahyadarduravakṣojāṁ kāṁtīkāṁcīvibhūṣaṇāma

her calves the Kaveri and Godavari rivers, clad in the Chola country as her garment, covered with parrots, her breasts the mountains Sahya and Dardura, adorned with a girdle of loveliness.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.2.11)

सुकोमलमहाराष्ट्रीवाग्विलासमनोहराम्। अद्यापि न महालक्ष्मीर्या विमुंचति सद्गुणाम्

sukomalamahārāṣṭrīvāgvilāsamanoharām adyāpi na mahālakṣmīryā vimuṁcati sadguṇām

her speech the soft, playful Maharashtri tongue, charming -- her, of such fine qualities, even Mahalakshmi does not to this day abandon.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.2.12)

सुदक्षदक्षिणामाशामाशानाथः प्रतस्थिवान्। क्रमतः सर्वमर्वन्तो हेलया हेलिकस्य खम्

sudakṣadakṣiṇāmāśāmāśānāthaḥ pratasthivān kramataḥ sarvamarvanto helayā helikasya kham

the Lord of that quarter, the sun, then set forth toward the excellent southern direction, his horses advancing step by step with ease across the sky.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.2.13)

न शेकुरग्रतो गंतुं ततोऽनूरुर्व्यजिज्ञपत्

na śekuragrato gaṁtuṁ tato'nūrurvyajijñapat

But the horses were unable to go forward; then Anuru, the charioteer, made a submission to the sun.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.2.14)

अनूरुरुवाच। भानो मानोन्नतो विन्ध्यो निद्ध्यय गगनं स्थितः। स्पर्धते मेरुणाप्रेप्सु स्त्वद्दत्तां तु प्रदक्षिणाम्

anūruruvāca bhāno mānonnato vindhyo niddhyaya gaganaṁ sthitaḥ spardhate meruṇāprepsu stvaddattāṁ tu pradakṣiṇām

Anuru said: 'O radiant one, Vindhya, swollen with pride, stands blocking the very sky; desiring to rival Meru, he obstructs the circumambulation you grant him.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.2.15)

अन्रूरुवाक्यमाकर्ण्य सविता हृद्यचिन्तयत्। अहो गगनमार्गोपि रुध्यते चातिविस्मयः

anrūruvākyamākarṇya savitā hṛdyacintayat aho gaganamārgopi rudhyate cātivismayaḥ

Hearing Aruna's words, the sun reflected in his heart: 'Ah, even the path of the sky is blocked -- how exceedingly strange!'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.2.16)

व्यास उवाच। सूरः शूरोपि किं कुर्यात्प्रांतरे वर्त्मनिस्थितः। त्वरावानपि को रुद्धं मागर्मेको विलंघयेत्

vyāsa uvāca sūraḥ śūropi kiṁ kuryātprāṁtare vartmanisthitaḥ tvarāvānapi ko ruddhaṁ māgarmeko vilaṁghayet

Vyasa said: Even a hero, when caught upon a narrow path, what can he do? Even one who is swift -- who, alone, can leap over a road that is blocked?

Verse 17 (skanda.4.2.17)

गृह्यत्राप्रत्यूष्टेः क्षणं नावतिष्ठति। शून्यमार्गे निरुद्धः स किंकरोतु विधिर्बली

gṛhyatrāpratyūṣṭeḥ kṣaṇaṁ nāvatiṣṭhati śūnyamārge niruddhaḥ sa kiṁkarotu vidhirbalī

He cannot, even for a moment, halt before the hour of dawn; obstructed on his empty path, what indeed could even mighty Destiny do?

Verse 18 (skanda.4.2.18)

योजनानां सहस्रे द्वे द्वे शते द्वे च योजने। योजनस्य निमेषार्धाद्याति सोपि चिरं स्थितः

yojanānāṁ sahasre dve dve śate dve ca yojane yojanasya nimeṣārdhādyāti sopi ciraṁ sthitaḥ

He who travels two thousand two hundred and two yojanas in half the wink of an eye -- even he now stood still for a long while.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.2.19)

गते बहुतिथेकाले प्राच्यौदीच्यां भृशार्दिताः। चण्डरश्मेः करव्रातपातसन्तापतापिताः

gate bahutithekāle prācyaudīcyāṁ bhṛśārditāḥ caṇḍaraśmeḥ karavrātapātasantāpatāpitāḥ

As much time passed, the people of the eastern and northern regions grew greatly afflicted, scorched by the relentless heat of the fierce sun's unmoving rays.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.2.20)

पाश्चात्या दक्षिणात्याश्च निद्रामुद्रितलोचनाः। शयिता एव वीक्षन्ते सतारग्रहमंबरम्

pāścātyā dakṣiṇātyāśca nidrāmudritalocanāḥ śayitā eva vīkṣante satāragrahamaṁbaram

while those of the western and southern regions, their eyes sealed shut in sleep, lay there and could only gaze at a sky filled with stars and planets that would not fade.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.2.21)

अहोनाहस्कराभावान्निशानैवाऽनिशाकरात्। अस्तंगतर्क्षान्नभसः कः कालस्त्वेप नेक्ष्यते

ahonāhaskarābhāvānniśānaivā'niśākarāt astaṁgatarkṣānnabhasaḥ kaḥ kālastvepa nekṣyate

'Ah, since there is no maker of the day, and it is not night either, for the moon too has not risen -- what time is it, that cannot even be told from the sky?'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.2.22)

ब्रह्मांडं किमकांडे वै लयमेष्यति तत्कथम्। परापतंति नाद्यापि पारावारा इतस्ततः

brahmāṁḍaṁ kimakāṁḍe vai layameṣyati tatkatham parāpataṁti nādyāpi pārāvārā itastataḥ

'Will the universe now, out of season, come to dissolution? And why, even now, do the oceans not overflow their shores in every direction?'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.2.23)

स्वाहास्वधावषट्कारवर्जिते जगतीतले। पंचयज्ञक्रियालोपाच्चकंपे भुवनत्रयम्

svāhāsvadhāvaṣaṭkāravarjite jagatītale paṁcayajñakriyālopāccakaṁpe bhuvanatrayam

With the earth bereft of the sacred cries of Svaha, Svadha, and Vashatkara, and the five daily sacrifices lapsed, the three worlds trembled.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.2.24)

सूर्योदयात्प्रवर्तंते यज्ञाद्याः सकलाः क्रियाः। ताभिर्यज्ञभुजांतृप्तिः सविता तत्र कारणम्

sūryodayātpravartaṁte yajñādyāḥ sakalāḥ kriyāḥ tābhiryajñabhujāṁtṛptiḥ savitā tatra kāraṇam

All rites and sacrifices proceed from the rising of the sun; and by them the gods who partake of sacrifice are satisfied -- the sun alone is the cause of this.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.2.25)

चित्रगुप्तादयः सर्वे कालं जानंति सूर्यतः। स्थितिसर्गविसर्गाणां कारणं केवलं रविः

citraguptādayaḥ sarve kālaṁ jānaṁti sūryataḥ sthitisargavisargāṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ kevalaṁ raviḥ

Chitragupta and all the rest reckon time from the sun; the sun alone is the cause of preservation, creation, and dissolution.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.2.26)

तत्सूर्यस्य गतिस्तंभात्स्तंभितं भुवनत्रयम्। यद्यत्रतत्स्थितं तत्र चित्रन्यस्तमिवा खिलम्

tatsūryasya gatistaṁbhātstaṁbhitaṁ bhuvanatrayam yadyatratatsthitaṁ tatra citranyastamivā khilam

So, with the very motion of the sun brought to a standstill, the three worlds were brought to a standstill; whatever was wherever remained frozen there, as if painted in a picture.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.2.27)

एकतस्तिमिरान्नैशादेकतस्तु दिवातपात्। बहूनां प्रलयो जातः कांदिशीकमभूज्जगत्

ekatastimirānnaiśādekatastu divātapāt bahūnāṁ pralayo jātaḥ kāṁdiśīkamabhūjjagat

On one side, from the darkness of unending night, and on the other, from the heat of unending day, the destruction of many beings occurred, and the world fell into utter panic and confusion.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.2.28)

इति व्याकुलिते लोके सुरासुरनरोरगे। आःकिमेतदकांडेभूद्रुरुदुर्दुद्रुवुः प्रजाः

iti vyākulite loke surāsuranarorage āḥkimetadakāṁḍebhūdrurudurdudruvuḥ prajāḥ

With the world thus thrown into confusion -- gods, demons, men, and serpents alike -- crying, 'Alas, what is this sudden calamity?', creatures wept and fled in every direction.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.2.29)

ततः सर्वे समालोक्य ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः। स्तुवंतो विविधैः स्तोत्रै रक्षरक्षेति चाब्रुवन्

tataḥ sarve samālokya brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ stuvaṁto vividhaiḥ stotrai rakṣarakṣeti cābruvan

Then all of them, taking counsel together, went for refuge to Brahma, praising him with manifold hymns, crying, 'Protect us, protect us!'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.2.30)

देवा ऊचुः। नमो हिरण्यरूपाय ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मरूपिणे। अविज्ञातस्वरूपाय कैवल्यायामृताय च

devā ūcuḥ namo hiraṇyarūpāya brahmaṇe brahmarūpiṇe avijñātasvarūpāya kaivalyāyāmṛtāya ca

The gods said: 'Salutation to Brahma of golden form, who is Brahman itself in form, whose true nature is unknown, who is oneness itself, and immortal.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.2.31)

यन्न देवा विजानंति मनो यत्रापि कुंठितम्। न यत्र वाक्प्रसरति नमस्तस्मै चिदात्मने

yanna devā vijānaṁti mano yatrāpi kuṁṭhitam na yatra vākprasarati namastasmai cidātmane

'To him whom even the gods do not know, before whom the mind itself grows blunt, where speech cannot reach -- to that being of pure consciousness, salutation.'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.2.32)

योगिनो यं हृदाकाशे प्रणिधानेन निश्चलाः। ज्योतीरूपं प्रपश्यंति तस्मै श्रीब्रह्मणे नमः

yogino yaṁ hṛdākāśe praṇidhānena niścalāḥ jyotīrūpaṁ prapaśyaṁti tasmai śrībrahmaṇe namaḥ

'To him whom yogis, unwavering through deep meditation, behold in the space of the heart in the form of light -- salutation to that glorious Brahma.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.2.33)

कालात्पराय कालाय स्वेच्छयापुरुषाय च। गुणत्रय स्वरूपाय नमः प्रकृतिरूपिणे

kālātparāya kālāya svecchayāpuruṣāya ca guṇatraya svarūpāya namaḥ prakṛtirūpiṇe

'Salutation to him who is beyond time and yet is time itself, who becomes a person by his own will, whose very form is the three gunas, who is Prakriti itself.'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.2.34)

विष्णवे सत्त्वरूपाय रजोरूपाय वेधसे। तमसे रुद्ररूपाय स्थितिसर्गांतकारिणे

viṣṇave sattvarūpāya rajorūpāya vedhase tamase rudrarūpāya sthitisargāṁtakāriṇe

'Salutation to him as Vishnu, in the form of sattva; as the Creator, in the form of rajas; and as Rudra, in the form of tamas, the cause of preservation, creation, and destruction.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.2.35)

नमो बुद्धिस्वरूपाय त्रिधाहंकृतये नमः। पंचतन्मात्र रूपाय पंचकर्मेद्रियात्मने

namo buddhisvarūpāya tridhāhaṁkṛtaye namaḥ paṁcatanmātra rūpāya paṁcakarmedriyātmane

'Salutation to him whose form is intellect, salutation to him who is the threefold ego, who is the form of the five subtle elements, whose self is the five organs of action.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.2.36)

नमो मनःस्वरूपाय पंचबुद्धींद्रियात्मने। क्षित्यादि पंचरूपाय नमस्ते विषयात्मने

namo manaḥsvarūpāya paṁcabuddhīṁdriyātmane kṣityādi paṁcarūpāya namaste viṣayātmane

'Salutation to him whose form is mind, whose self is the five organs of knowledge, whose fivefold form is earth and the rest; salutation to you, whose self is the objects of the senses.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.2.37)

नमो ब्रह्मांडरूपाय तदंतर्वर्तिने नमः। अर्वाचीनपराची न विश्वरूपाय ते नमः

namo brahmāṁḍarūpāya tadaṁtarvartine namaḥ arvācīnaparācī na viśvarūpāya te namaḥ

'Salutation to him whose form is the cosmic egg, salutation to him who dwells within it; salutation to you whose universal form spans both the recent and the ancient.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.2.38)

अनित्यनित्यरूपाय सदसत्पतये नमः। समस्तभक्तकृपया स्वेच्छाविष्कृतविग्रह

anityanityarūpāya sadasatpataye namaḥ samastabhaktakṛpayā svecchāviṣkṛtavigraha

'Salutation to him whose form is both the transient and the eternal, lord of both being and non-being, who out of compassion for all devotees manifests a form by his own will.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.2.39)

तव निःश्वसितं वेदास्तव स्वे दोखिलं जगत्। विश्वा भूतानि ते पादः शीर्ष्णो द्यौः समवर्तत

tava niḥśvasitaṁ vedāstava sve dokhilaṁ jagat viśvā bhūtāni te pādaḥ śīrṣṇo dyauḥ samavartata

'The Vedas are your very breath; your sweat is the entire universe; all beings are your foot; from your head the heavens came into being.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.2.40)

नाभ्या आसीदंतरिक्षं लोमानि च वनस्पतिः। चन्द्रमा मनसो जातश्चक्षोः सूर्यस्तव प्रभो

nābhyā āsīdaṁtarikṣaṁ lomāni ca vanaspatiḥ candramā manaso jātaścakṣoḥ sūryastava prabho

'From your navel came the atmosphere, and from your body-hairs, the forest trees; the moon was born from your mind, and the sun, O Lord, from your eye.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.2.41)

त्वमेव सर्वं त्वयि देव सर्वं स्तोता स्तुतिः स्तव्य इह त्वमेव। ईश त्वयाऽवास्यमिदं हि सर्वं नमोस्तु भूयोपि नमो नमस्ते

tvameva sarvaṁ tvayi deva sarvaṁ stotā stutiḥ stavya iha tvameva īśa tvayā'vāsyamidaṁ hi sarvaṁ namostu bhūyopi namo namaste

'You alone are all; in you, O god, all things rest; the praiser, the praise, and the one to be praised -- here, you alone are all three. O Lord, all this is pervaded by you; salutation again and again to you.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.2.42)

इति स्तुत्वा विधिं देवा निपेतुर्दंडवत्क्षितौ। परितुष्टस्तदा ब्रह्मा प्रत्युवाच दिवौकसः

iti stutvā vidhiṁ devā nipeturdaṁḍavatkṣitau parituṣṭastadā brahmā pratyuvāca divaukasaḥ

Having thus praised Brahma, the gods fell prostrate on the ground; then Brahma, greatly pleased, replied to the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.2.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच। यथार्थयाऽनया स्तुत्या तुष्टोस्मि प्रणताः सुराः। उत्तिष्ठत प्रसन्नोस्मि वृणुध्वं वरमुत्तमम्

brahmovāca yathārthayā'nayā stutyā tuṣṭosmi praṇatāḥ surāḥ uttiṣṭhata prasannosmi vṛṇudhvaṁ varamuttamam

Brahma said: 'By this fitting hymn of praise I am well pleased, O bowing gods. Arise -- I am gracious; ask a supreme boon.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.2.44)

यः स्तोष्यत्यनया स्तुत्या श्रद्धावान्प्रत्यहं शुचिः। मां वा हरं वा विष्णुं वा तस्य तुष्टाः सदा वयम्

yaḥ stoṣyatyanayā stutyā śraddhāvānpratyahaṁ śuciḥ māṁ vā haraṁ vā viṣṇuṁ vā tasya tuṣṭāḥ sadā vayam

'Whoever, full of faith and purity, shall praise me, or Hara, or Vishnu, with this hymn every day -- with him we are ever well pleased.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.2.45)

दास्यामः सकलान्कामान्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्पशून्वसु। सौभाग्यमायुरारोग्यं निर्भयत्वं रणे जयम्

dāsyāmaḥ sakalānkāmānputrānpautrānpaśūnvasu saubhāgyamāyurārogyaṁ nirbhayatvaṁ raṇe jayam

'We shall grant him all desires -- sons, grandsons, cattle, wealth; good fortune, long life, health, freedom from fear, and victory in battle.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.2.46)

ऐहिकामुष्मिकान्भोगानपवर्गं तथाऽक्षयम्। यद्यदिष्टतमं तस्य तत्तत्सर्वं भविष्यति

aihikāmuṣmikānbhogānapavargaṁ tathā'kṣayam yadyadiṣṭatamaṁ tasya tattatsarvaṁ bhaviṣyati

'Enjoyments both in this world and the next, and imperishable liberation as well -- whatever is most desired by him, all of that shall come to pass.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.2.47)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पठितव्यः स्तवोत्तमः। अभीष्टद इति ख्यातः स्तवोयं सर्वसिद्धिदः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena paṭhitavyaḥ stavottamaḥ abhīṣṭada iti khyātaḥ stavoyaṁ sarvasiddhidaḥ

'Therefore, with the utmost effort, this supreme hymn should be recited; known as "the giver of desires," this hymn grants every accomplishment.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.2.48)

पुनः प्रोवाच तान्वेधाः प्रणिपत्योत्थितान्सुरान्। स्वस्थास्तिष्ठत भो यूयं किमत्रापि समाकुलाः

punaḥ provāca tānvedhāḥ praṇipatyotthitānsurān svasthāstiṣṭhata bho yūyaṁ kimatrāpi samākulāḥ

The Creator then spoke again to the gods, who had risen after prostrating: 'Be at ease -- why are you so troubled about this?'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.2.49)

एते वेदा मूर्तिधरा इमा विद्यास्तथाखिलाः। सदक्षिणा अमी यज्ञाः सत्यं धर्मस्तपो दमः

ete vedā mūrtidharā imā vidyāstathākhilāḥ sadakṣiṇā amī yajñāḥ satyaṁ dharmastapo damaḥ

'Here in Satyaloka the Vedas exist in embodied form, and so do all the sciences; here are sacrifices complete with their fees; here dwell Truth, Dharma, Austerity, and Self-control.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.2.50)

ब्रह्मचर्यमिदं चैषा करुणा भारतीत्वियम्। श्रुतिस्मृतीतिहासार्थ चरितार्था अमीजनाः

brahmacaryamidaṁ caiṣā karuṇā bhāratītviyam śrutismṛtītihāsārtha caritārthā amījanāḥ

'Here too is Celibacy, and this is Compassion, and this is Sarasvati; and here dwell those whose lives are fulfilled through the meaning of the Shrutis, Smritis, and Itihasas.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.2.51)

नेह क्रोधो न मात्सर्यं लोभः कामोऽधृतिर्भयम्। हिंसा कुटिलता गर्वो निंदासूयाऽशुचिः क्वचित्

neha krodho na mātsaryaṁ lobhaḥ kāmo'dhṛtirbhayam hiṁsā kuṭilatā garvo niṁdāsūyā'śuciḥ kvacit

'Here there is no anger, no envy, no greed, no lust, no restlessness, no fear; no violence, no crookedness, no pride, no slander, no malice, no impurity anywhere.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.2.52)

ये ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मरतास्तपोनिष्ठास्तपोधनाः। मासोपवासषण्मासचातुर्मास्यादि सद्व्रताः

ye brāhmaṇā brahmaratāstaponiṣṭhāstapodhanāḥ māsopavāsaṣaṇmāsacāturmāsyādi sadvratāḥ

'Those Brahmins who delight in Brahman, devoted to austerity, whose wealth is austerity, who observe the excellent vows of month-long fasts, six-month fasts, four-month vows and the like --'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.2.53)

पातिव्रत्यरता नार्यो ये चान्ये ब्रह्मचारिणः। ते चामीपश्यत सुरा ये षंढाः परयोषिति

pātivratyaratā nāryo ye cānye brahmacāriṇaḥ te cāmīpaśyata surā ye ṣaṁḍhāḥ parayoṣiti

'-- and women devoted to chastity, and others who are celibate students -- these you may see here, O gods, as well as those men who remain utterly restrained in the presence of another's wife.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.2.54)

मातापित्रोरमी भक्ता अमी गोग्रहणे हताः। व्रते दाने जपे यज्ञे स्वाध्याये द्विजतर्पणे

mātāpitroramī bhaktā amī gograhaṇe hatāḥ vrate dāne jape yajñe svādhyāye dvijatarpaṇe

'Here are those devoted to mother and father, those who gave their lives protecting cows, and those devoted to vows, gift-giving, japa, sacrifice, self-study, and the satisfaction of Brahmins --'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.2.55)

तीर्थे तपस्युपकृतौ सदाचारादिकर्मणि। फलाभिलाषिणीबुद्धिर्न येषां ते जना अमी

tīrthe tapasyupakṛtau sadācārādikarmaṇi phalābhilāṣiṇībuddhirna yeṣāṁ te janā amī

'-- in pilgrimage, austerity, benevolent acts, good conduct and other such deeds -- those people whose minds harbored no desire for reward, here they are.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.2.56)

गायत्री जाप्यनिरता अग्निहोत्र परायणाः। द्विमुखी गो प्रदातारः कपिलादान तत्पराः

gāyatrī jāpyaniratā agnihotra parāyaṇāḥ dvimukhī go pradātāraḥ kapilādāna tatparāḥ

'Here are those devoted to the recitation of Gayatri, intent upon the Agnihotra fire-rite, givers of fine cows, devoted to the gift of tawny cows --'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.2.57)

निस्पृहाः सोमपा ये वै द्विजपादोदपाश्च ये। मृताः सारस्वते तीर्थे द्विजशुश्रूषकाश्च ये

nispṛhāḥ somapā ye vai dvijapādodapāśca ye mṛtāḥ sārasvate tīrthe dvijaśuśrūṣakāśca ye

'-- those who are free of desire, drinkers of the soma-rite, those who drink the water that has washed a Brahmin's feet, those who died at the Sarasvati tirtha, and those who served Brahmins --'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.2.58)

प्रतिग्रहे समर्था हि ये प्रतिग्रहवर्जिताः। त एते मत्प्रिया विप्रास्त्यक्ततीर्थ प्रतिग्रहाः

pratigrahe samarthā hi ye pratigrahavarjitāḥ ta ete matpriyā viprāstyaktatīrtha pratigrahāḥ

'-- those Brahmins who, though capable of accepting gifts, refrained from accepting them -- these are dear to me, Brahmins who renounced even gifts offered at sacred fords.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.2.59)

प्रयागे माघ मासो यैरुषः स्नातोऽमलात्मभिः। मकरस्थे रवौ शुद्धास्त इमे सूर्यवर्चसः

prayāge māgha māso yairuṣaḥ snāto'malātmabhiḥ makarasthe ravau śuddhāsta ime sūryavarcasaḥ

'Those pure souls who bathed at dawn at Prayaga throughout the month of Magha, purified when the sun stood in Capricorn -- here they are, radiant as the sun itself.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.2.60)

वाराणस्यां पांचनदे त्र्यहं स्नातास्तु कार्तिके। अमी ते शुद्धवपुषः पुण्यभाजोतिनिर्मलाः

vārāṇasyāṁ pāṁcanade tryahaṁ snātāstu kārtike amī te śuddhavapuṣaḥ puṇyabhājotinirmalāḥ

'Those who bathed for three days in Varanasi, at Panchanada, during Kartika -- here they are, of purified bodies, blessed with merit, utterly spotless.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.2.61)

स्नात्वा तु मणिकर्णिक्यां प्रीणिता ब्राह्मणा धनैः। त एते सर्वभोगाढ्याः कल्पं स्थास्यंति मत्पुरे

snātvā tu maṇikarṇikyāṁ prīṇitā brāhmaṇā dhanaiḥ ta ete sarvabhogāḍhyāḥ kalpaṁ sthāsyaṁti matpure

'Those who, having bathed at Manikarnika, gratified Brahmins with wealth -- rich in every enjoyment, they shall dwell in my city for a full kalpa.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.2.62)

ततः काशीं समासाद्य तेन पुण्येन नोदिताः। विश्वेश्वरप्रसादेन मोक्षमेष्यंत्यसंशयम्

tataḥ kāśīṁ samāsādya tena puṇyena noditāḥ viśveśvaraprasādena mokṣameṣyaṁtyasaṁśayam

'Then, impelled by that merit, having attained Kashi once more, by the grace of Vishveshvara they shall attain liberation, without doubt.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.2.63)

अविमुक्ते कृतं कर्म यदल्पमपि मानवैः। श्रेयोरूपं तद्विपाको मोक्षो जन्मांतरेष्वपि

avimukte kṛtaṁ karma yadalpamapi mānavaiḥ śreyorūpaṁ tadvipāko mokṣo janmāṁtareṣvapi

'Whatever act, even a small one, is performed by men in Avimukta, its fruit ripens as ultimate good -- as liberation, even across future births.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.2.64)

अहो वैश्वेश्वरे क्षेत्रे मरणादपिनोभयम्। यत्र सर्वे प्रतीक्षंते मृत्युं प्रियमिवाति थिम्

aho vaiśveśvare kṣetre maraṇādapinobhayam yatra sarve pratīkṣaṁte mṛtyuṁ priyamivāti thim

'Ah, in the domain of Vishveshvara there is no fear even of death -- where everyone awaits death as a most cherished guest.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.2.65)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः कुरुक्षेत्रे यैर्दत्तं वसु निर्मलम्। निर्मलांगास्त एते वै तिष्ठंति मम संनिधा

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ kurukṣetre yairdattaṁ vasu nirmalam nirmalāṁgāsta ete vai tiṣṭhaṁti mama saṁnidhā

'Those who gave pure wealth to Brahmins at Kurukshetra -- pure of body, they dwell here close beside me.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.2.66)

पितामहं समासाद्य गयायां यैः पितामहाः। तर्पिता ब्राह्मणमुखे तेषामेते पितामहाः

pitāmahaṁ samāsādya gayāyāṁ yaiḥ pitāmahāḥ tarpitā brāhmaṇamukhe teṣāmete pitāmahāḥ

'Those who, having gone to Gaya, satisfied Pitamaha and their own ancestors through the mouths of Brahmins -- here are their ancestors, now freed.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.2.67)

न स्नानेन न दानेन न जपेन न पूजया। मल्लोकः प्राप्यते देवाः प्राप्यते द्विज तर्पणात्

na snānena na dānena na japena na pūjayā mallokaḥ prāpyate devāḥ prāpyate dvija tarpaṇāt

'Neither by bathing, nor by charity, nor by japa, nor by worship, O gods, is my world attained -- it is attained only by the satisfying of Brahmins.'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.2.68)

सोपस्कराणिवेश्मानिमु सलोलूखलादिभिः। यैर्दत्तानि सशय्यानि तेषां हर्म्याण्यमूनि वै

sopaskarāṇiveśmānimu salolūkhalādibhiḥ yairdattāni saśayyāni teṣāṁ harmyāṇyamūni vai

'Those who gave houses furnished with all necessities -- pestle, mortar, and the like -- together with beds, here indeed are their own heavenly mansions.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.2.69)

ब्रह्मशालां कारयंति वेदमध्यापयंति च। विद्यादानं च ये कुर्युः पुराणं श्रावयंति च

brahmaśālāṁ kārayaṁti vedamadhyāpayaṁti ca vidyādānaṁ ca ye kuryuḥ purāṇaṁ śrāvayaṁti ca

'Those who build halls of learning, who teach the Vedas, who give the gift of knowledge, and who cause the Puranas to be recited --'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.2.70)

पुराणानि च ये दद्युः पुस्तकानि ददत्यपि। धर्मशास्त्राणि ये दद्युस्तेषां वासोत्र मे पुरे

purāṇāni ca ye dadyuḥ pustakāni dadatyapi dharmaśāstrāṇi ye dadyusteṣāṁ vāsotra me pure

'-- those who give copies of the Puranas, who give books, who give the Dharmashastras -- their dwelling is here, in my city.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.2.71)

यज्ञार्थं च विवाहार्थं व्रतार्थं ब्राह्मणाय वै। अखंडं वसु ये दद्युस्तेत्र स्युर्वसुवर्चसः

yajñārthaṁ ca vivāhārthaṁ vratārthaṁ brāhmaṇāya vai akhaṁḍaṁ vasu ye dadyustetra syurvasuvarcasaḥ

'Those who give unbroken wealth to a Brahmin for the sake of a sacrifice, a marriage, or a vow -- they shall be here, resplendent as the Vasus.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.2.72)

आरोग्यशालां यः कुर्याद्वैद्यपोषणतत्परः। आकल्पमत्र वसति सर्वभोग समन्वितः

ārogyaśālāṁ yaḥ kuryādvaidyapoṣaṇatatparaḥ ākalpamatra vasati sarvabhoga samanvitaḥ

'Whoever builds a house of healing, devoted to the support of physicians, dwells here for a full kalpa, endowed with every enjoyment.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.2.73)

मुक्ती कुर्वंति तीर्थानि ये च दुष्टावरोधतः। ममावरोधे ते मान्या औरसास्तनया इव

muktī kurvaṁti tīrthāni ye ca duṣṭāvarodhataḥ mamāvarodhe te mānyā aurasāstanayā iva

'Those who free the sacred fords from wicked obstruction -- they are honored in my own household, like true-born sons.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.2.74)

विष्णोर्वाममवाशंभोर्ब्राह्मणा एव सुप्रियाः। तेषां मूर्त्या वयं साक्षाद्विचरामो महीतले

viṣṇorvāmamavāśaṁbhorbrāhmaṇā eva supriyāḥ teṣāṁ mūrtyā vayaṁ sākṣādvicarāmo mahītale

'Brahmins alone are dear as the very heart of Vishnu and of Shambhu; in their very form, we ourselves visibly move about upon the earth.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.2.75)

ब्राह्मणाश्चैव गावश्च कुलमेकं द्विधाकृतम्। एकत्र मंत्रास्तिष्ठंति हविरेकत्र तिष्ठति

brāhmaṇāścaiva gāvaśca kulamekaṁ dvidhākṛtam ekatra maṁtrāstiṣṭhaṁti havirekatra tiṣṭhati

'Brahmins and cows are one family divided into two; in the one dwell the sacred mantras, in the other dwells the sacrificial offering.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.2.76)

ब्राह्मणा जंगमं तीर्थं निर्मितं सार्वभौमिकम्। येषां वाक्योदकेनैव शुद्ध्यंति मलिना जनाः

brāhmaṇā jaṁgamaṁ tīrthaṁ nirmitaṁ sārvabhaumikam yeṣāṁ vākyodakenaiva śuddhyaṁti malinā janāḥ

'Brahmins are a moving tirtha, created for all the world, by the very water of whose word defiled people are purified.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.2.77)

गावः पवित्रमतुलं गावो मंगलमुत्तमम्। यासां खुरोत्थितो रेणुर्गंगावारिसमो भवेत्

gāvaḥ pavitramatulaṁ gāvo maṁgalamuttamam yāsāṁ khurotthito reṇurgaṁgāvārisamo bhavet

'Cows are purity beyond compare, cows are the highest auspiciousness; the very dust raised by their hooves becomes equal to the water of the Ganga.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.2.78)

शृंगाग्रे सर्वतीर्थानि खुराग्रे सर्व पर्वताः। शृंगयोरंतरे यस्याः साक्षाद्गौरीमहेश्वरी

śṛṁgāgre sarvatīrthāni khurāgre sarva parvatāḥ śṛṁgayoraṁtare yasyāḥ sākṣādgaurīmaheśvarī

'At the tips of a cow's horns dwell all the sacred fords, at the tips of her hooves all the mountains; and between her two horns dwells, in visible form, Gauri Maheshvari herself.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.2.79)

दीयमानां च गां दृष्ट्वा नृत्यंति प्रपितामहाः। प्रीयंते ऋषयः सर्वे तुष्यामो दैवतैः सह

dīyamānāṁ ca gāṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛtyaṁti prapitāmahāḥ prīyaṁte ṛṣayaḥ sarve tuṣyāmo daivataiḥ saha

'Seeing a cow being given away, one's forefathers dance for joy; all the sages rejoice; and we ourselves, together with the gods, are gratified.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.2.80)

रोरूयंते च पापानि दारिद्र्यं व्याधिभिः सह। धात्र्यः सर्वस्य लोकस्य गावो मातेव सर्वथा

rorūyaṁte ca pāpāni dāridryaṁ vyādhibhiḥ saha dhātryaḥ sarvasya lokasya gāvo māteva sarvathā

'Sins wail aloud, along with poverty and disease, fleeing at the sight; cows, in every way, are like the very mother, the sustainer of the whole world.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.2.81)

गवां स्तुत्वा नमस्कृत्य कृत्वा चैव प्र दक्षिणाम्। प्रदक्षिणीकृता तेन सप्तद्वीपा वसुंधरा

gavāṁ stutvā namaskṛtya kṛtvā caiva pra dakṣiṇām pradakṣiṇīkṛtā tena saptadvīpā vasuṁdharā

'By praising a cow, bowing to her, and circumambulating her, one thereby circumambulates the whole earth of seven continents.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.2.82)

या लक्ष्मीः सवर्भूतानां या देवेषु व्यवस्थिता। धेनुरूपेण सा देवी मम पापं व्यपोहतु

yā lakṣmīḥ savarbhūtānāṁ yā deveṣu vyavasthitā dhenurūpeṇa sā devī mama pāpaṁ vyapohatu

'That Lakshmi who dwells in all beings, who abides among the gods -- may that goddess, in the form of a cow, dispel my sin.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.2.83)

विष्णोर्वक्षसि या लक्ष्मीः स्वाहा चैव विभावसोः। स्वधा या पितृमुख्यानां सा धेनुर्वरदा सदा

viṣṇorvakṣasi yā lakṣmīḥ svāhā caiva vibhāvasoḥ svadhā yā pitṛmukhyānāṁ sā dhenurvaradā sadā

'She who is Lakshmi upon Vishnu's breast, who is Svaha to Agni, who is Svadha to the ancestors -- she, as the cow, is ever the granter of boons.'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.2.84)

गोमयं यमुना साक्षाद्गोमूत्रं नर्मदा शुभा। गंगा क्षीरं तु यासां वै किं पवित्रमतः परम्

gomayaṁ yamunā sākṣādgomūtraṁ narmadā śubhā gaṁgā kṣīraṁ tu yāsāṁ vai kiṁ pavitramataḥ param

'A cow's dung is the Yamuna herself, her urine the auspicious Narmada, her milk the Ganga -- what could be more purifying than this?'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.2.85)

गवामंगेषु तिष्ठंति भुवनानि चतुर्दश। यस्मात्तस्माच्छिवं मे स्यादिहलोके परत्र च

gavāmaṁgeṣu tiṣṭhaṁti bhuvanāni caturdaśa yasmāttasmācchivaṁ me syādihaloke paratra ca

'In the limbs of cows dwell all the fourteen worlds; therefore, may auspiciousness come to me, in this world and the next.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.2.86)

इति मंत्रं समुच्चार्य धेनूर्वाधेनुमेव वा। यो दद्याद्द्विजवर्याय स सर्वेभ्यो विशिष्यते

iti maṁtraṁ samuccārya dhenūrvādhenumeva vā yo dadyāddvijavaryāya sa sarvebhyo viśiṣyate

'Whoever, having recited this hymn, gives a milch-cow, or even a barren cow, to a most excellent Brahmin, is exalted above all others.'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.2.87)

मया च विष्णुना सार्धं शिवेन च महर्षिभिः। विचार्य गोगुणान्नित्यं प्रार्थनेति विधीयते

mayā ca viṣṇunā sārdhaṁ śivena ca maharṣibhiḥ vicārya goguṇānnityaṁ prārthaneti vidhīyate

'By me, together with Vishnu and Shiva, and the great sages, the virtues of the cow have been considered, and this prayer has thus been ordained forever.'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.2.88)

गावो मे पुरतः संतु गावो मे संतु पृष्ठतः। गावो मे हृदये संतु गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम्

gāvo me purataḥ saṁtu gāvo me saṁtu pṛṣṭhataḥ gāvo me hṛdaye saṁtu gavāṁ madhye vasāmyaham

'May cows be before me, may cows be behind me, may cows be in my heart -- may I dwell in the midst of cows.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.2.89)

नीराजयति योंगानि गवां पुच्छेन भाग्यवान्। अलक्ष्मीः कलहो रोगास्तस्यांगाद्यांति दूरतः

nīrājayati yoṁgāni gavāṁ pucchena bhāgyavān alakṣmīḥ kalaho rogāstasyāṁgādyāṁti dūrataḥ

'The fortunate one who waves a cow's tail in blessing over his limbs -- misfortune, strife, and disease depart far from his body.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.2.90)

गोभिर्विप्रश्च वेदैश्च सतीभिः सत्यवादिभिः। अलुब्धैर्दा नशीलैश्च सप्तभिर्धार्यते मही

gobhirvipraśca vedaiśca satībhiḥ satyavādibhiḥ alubdhairdā naśīlaiśca saptabhirdhāryate mahī

'By cows, by Brahmins, by the Vedas, by chaste women, by truth-speakers, by the ungreedy, and by the charitable -- by these seven the earth is sustained.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.2.91)

मम लोकात्परोलोको वैकुंठ इति गीयते। तस्योपरिष्टात्कौमार उमालोकस्ततः परम्

mama lokātparoloko vaikuṁṭha iti gīyate tasyopariṣṭātkaumāra umālokastataḥ param

'Above my world is the world called Vaikuntha; above that is Kaumara, Skanda's world; and beyond that, Uma's world.'

Verse 92 (skanda.4.2.92)

शिवलोकस्तदुपरि गोलो कस्तत्समीपतः। गोमातरः सुशीलाद्यास्तत्र संति शिवप्रियाः

śivalokastadupari golo kastatsamīpataḥ gomātaraḥ suśīlādyāstatra saṁti śivapriyāḥ

'Above that is Shivaloka, and near to it, Goloka; there dwell the mother-cows, of excellent conduct and the rest, dear to Shiva.'

Verse 93 (skanda.4.2.93)

गवां शुश्रूरूषकाये च गोप्रदाये च मानवाः। एषामन्यतमे लोके ते स्युः सर्वसमृद्धयः

gavāṁ śuśrūrūṣakāye ca gopradāye ca mānavāḥ eṣāmanyatame loke te syuḥ sarvasamṛddhayaḥ

'Men who serve cows, and those who give cows, attain to one or another of these worlds, endowed with every prosperity.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.2.94)

यत्र क्षीरवहा नद्यो यत्र पायस कर्दमाः। न जरा बाधते यत्र तत्र गच्छंति गोप्रदाः

yatra kṣīravahā nadyo yatra pāyasa kardamāḥ na jarā bādhate yatra tatra gacchaṁti gopradāḥ

'Where rivers flow with milk, where the very mud is made of rice-pudding, where old age afflicts none -- there go the givers of cows.'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.2.95)

श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणज्ञा ब्राह्मणाः परिकीर्तिताः। तदुक्ताचारचरणा इतरे नामधारकाः

śrutismṛtipurāṇajñā brāhmaṇāḥ parikīrtitāḥ taduktācāracaraṇā itare nāmadhārakāḥ

'Those Brahmins who know the Shrutis, Smritis, and Puranas are truly celebrated as Brahmins; others, who merely follow the conduct they prescribe, bear the name alone.'

Verse 96 (skanda.4.2.96)

श्रुतिस्मृती तु नेत्रे द्वे पुराणं हृदयं स्मृतम्। श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्यां हीनोंधः काणः स्यादेकया विना। पुराणहीनाद्धृच्छून्यात्काणांधावपि तौ वरौ। श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितोधर्मः पुराणे परिगीयते

śrutismṛtī tu netre dve purāṇaṁ hṛdayaṁ smṛtam śrutismṛtibhyāṁ hīnoṁdhaḥ kāṇaḥ syādekayā vinā purāṇahīnāddhṛcchūnyātkāṇāṁdhāvapi tau varau śrutismṛtyuditodharmaḥ purāṇe parigīyate

'Shruti and Smriti are the two eyes, and the Purana is deemed the heart. One devoid of both Shruti and Smriti is blind; devoid of one, one-eyed. Yet even the one-eyed and the blind are better than one whose heart is empty of the Puranas. The dharma declared in Shruti and Smriti is fully elaborated in the Purana.'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.2.97)

तद्बाह्मणाय गोर्देया सर्वत्र सुखमिच्छता। न देया द्विजमात्राय दातारं सोप्यधो नयेत्

tadbāhmaṇāya gordeyā sarvatra sukhamicchatā na deyā dvijamātrāya dātāraṁ sopyadho nayet

'Therefore, one who desires happiness everywhere should give a cow to such a Brahmin; it should not be given to just any twice-born -- for an unworthy recipient would drag even the giver down.'

Verse 98 (skanda.4.2.98)

यस्य धर्मेऽस्ति जिज्ञासा यस्य पापाद्भयं महत्। श्रोतव्यानि पुराणानि धमर्मूलानि तेन वै

yasya dharme'sti jijñāsā yasya pāpādbhayaṁ mahat śrotavyāni purāṇāni dhamarmūlāni tena vai

'He who has a longing to understand dharma, he who has great fear of sin -- by him the Puranas, the very root of dharma, should be heard.'

Verse 99 (skanda.4.2.99)

चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु पुराणं दीप उत्तमः। अंधोपि न तदा लोकात्संसाराब्धौ क्वचित्पतेत्

caturdaśasu vidyāsu purāṇaṁ dīpa uttamaḥ aṁdhopi na tadā lokātsaṁsārābdhau kvacitpatet

'Among the fourteen branches of knowledge, the Purana is the supreme lamp; by it, even a blind man need never fall from the world into the ocean of transmigration.'

Verse 100 (skanda.4.2.100)

श्रोतव्यानि पुराणानि वस्तव्यं जाह्नवी तटे। तर्पणीया द्विजा नित्यं ममलोकेप्सुभिः सदा

śrotavyāni purāṇāni vastavyaṁ jāhnavī taṭe tarpaṇīyā dvijā nityaṁ mamalokepsubhiḥ sadā

'The Puranas should be heard, one should dwell on the banks of the Ganga, and Brahmins should ever be satisfied -- by those who ever desire my world.'

Verse 101 (skanda.4.2.101)

इत्युद्देशान्मयाख्याता सत्यलोकव्यवस्थितिः। अभयं यद्भयार्तानां न भेतव्यं च हे सुराः

ityuddeśānmayākhyātā satyalokavyavasthitiḥ abhayaṁ yadbhayārtānāṁ na bhetavyaṁ ca he surāḥ

'Thus, in brief, I have described to you the order of Satyaloka. Let there be freedom from fear for those afflicted with fear -- do not be afraid, O gods.'

Verse 102 (skanda.4.2.102)

स्पर्धते मेरुणा विंध्यो ब्रध्नाध्व परिरोधकृत। तदर्थमागता यूयं तदुपायं दिशामि वः

spardhate meruṇā viṁdhyo bradhnādhva parirodhakṛta tadarthamāgatā yūyaṁ tadupāyaṁ diśāmi vaḥ

'Vindhya, rivaling Meru, has blocked the path of the sun; you have come here on that account -- I shall now show you the remedy for it.'

Verse 103 (skanda.4.2.103)

अस्त्यगस्त्यस्तप्यमानस्तप उग्रं महातपाः। मैत्रावरुणिराधाय चित्तं विश्वेश्वरे विभौ

astyagastyastapyamānastapa ugraṁ mahātapāḥ maitrāvaruṇirādhāya cittaṁ viśveśvare vibhau

'There is Agastya, of immense austerity, practicing fierce penance, son of Mitra and Varuna, who has fixed his mind upon the Lord Vishveshvara.'

Verse 104 (skanda.4.2.104)

अविमुक्तमहाक्षेत्रे सर्वेषां मुक्तिहेतुके। तारकस्योपदेशार्थं विश्वेशाऽधिष्ठिते स्वयम्

avimuktamahākṣetre sarveṣāṁ muktihetuke tārakasyopadeśārthaṁ viśveśā'dhiṣṭhite svayam

'-- in the great domain of Avimukta, the cause of liberation for all, self-established by Vishvesha, for the sake of receiving the Taraka teaching.'

Verse 105 (skanda.4.2.105)

याचध्वं तत्र गत्वा तं स वः कार्यं विधास्यति। तेनैकदाविता लोका वातापील्वलभक्षणात्

yācadhvaṁ tatra gatvā taṁ sa vaḥ kāryaṁ vidhāsyati tenaikadāvitā lokā vātāpīlvalabhakṣaṇāt

'Go there and beseech him; he will accomplish your task. By him, once before, the worlds were saved from being devoured by the demons Vatapi and Ilvala.'

Verse 106 (skanda.4.2.106)

अतिमित्रं तत्र तेजो मित्रावरुणजे मुनौ। तदाप्रभृति लोकेषु कोगस्त्यान्नैव बिभ्यति

atimitraṁ tatra tejo mitrāvaruṇaje munau tadāprabhṛti lokeṣu kogastyānnaiva bibhyati

'Exceeding splendor resides in that sage, born of Mitra and Varuna; and from that time on, who in the worlds does not fear Agastya?'

Verse 107 (skanda.4.2.107)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे वेधास्तेपि प्रमुदिताननाः। देवाः परस्परं प्रोचुरहोधन्य तमा वयम्

ityuktvāṁtardadhe vedhāstepi pramuditānanāḥ devāḥ parasparaṁ procurahodhanya tamā vayam

Having said this, the Creator vanished; and the gods too, their faces filled with joy, said to one another: 'Ah, how truly blessed we are!'

Verse 108 (skanda.4.2.108)

प्रसंगतोपि द्रष्टव्यौ काशीकाशीपती शिवौ। अहो अहोभिर्बहुभिः फलितो नो मनोरथः

prasaṁgatopi draṣṭavyau kāśīkāśīpatī śivau aho ahobhirbahubhiḥ phalito no manorathaḥ

'Even incidentally, we shall now behold Kashi and its two lords, the auspicious pair -- ah, after many, many days, our heart's desire has borne fruit!'

Verse 109 (skanda.4.2.109)

उत्फुल्लपद्मनयना निर्मिताः सुकृतार्थिनः। तावेव चरणौ धन्यौ काशीमभिप्रयायिनौ

utphullapadmanayanā nirmitāḥ sukṛtārthinaḥ tāveva caraṇau dhanyau kāśīmabhiprayāyinau

With eyes blossoming like lotuses, the gods, seekers of merit, exclaimed: 'Blessed indeed are those very feet that now proceed toward Kashi!'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.2.110)

येयं कथा श्रुतास्माभिर्वेधसा समुदीरिता। तस्याः श्रवणजात्पुण्यात्प्राप्नुमस्त्वद्य काशिकाम्

yeyaṁ kathā śrutāsmābhirvedhasā samudīritā tasyāḥ śravaṇajātpuṇyātprāpnumastvadya kāśikām

'This very story that we have heard, spoken by the Creator -- by the merit born of hearing it, may we attain Kashi this very day.'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.2.111)

एका क्रिया द्व्यर्थकरी प्राप्यते पुण्यगौरवात्। एवं वदंतो हृष्टास्याः सुराः काशीं समाययुः

ekā kriyā dvyarthakarī prāpyate puṇyagauravāt evaṁ vadaṁto hṛṣṭāsyāḥ surāḥ kāśīṁ samāyayuḥ

'One single act accomplishes a double purpose, through the greatness of its merit.' So saying, the gods, their faces filled with delight, proceeded to Kashi.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.2.112)

व्यास उवाच। इदं पुण्यतमाख्यानं ये श्रोष्यंतीह मानवाः। विधूय सर्वपापानि पुत्रदारसमन्विताः

vyāsa uvāca idaṁ puṇyatamākhyānaṁ ye śroṣyaṁtīha mānavāḥ vidhūya sarvapāpāni putradārasamanvitāḥ

Vyasa said: Those men who shall hear this most sacred narrative, having shaken off all their sins, together with their sons and wives --

Verse 113 (skanda.4.2.113)

इह वंशं परिस्थाप्य भुक्त्वा सर्व सुखानि च। सत्यलोके चिरं स्थित्वा ततो यास्यंति शाश्वतम्

iha vaṁśaṁ paristhāpya bhuktvā sarva sukhāni ca satyaloke ciraṁ sthitvā tato yāsyaṁti śāśvatam

-- having established their lineage here, and having enjoyed all happiness, shall dwell long in Satyaloka, and thence go to the eternal abode.