The Hymn of Dhruva

Verse 1 (skanda.4.21.1)

ध्रुव उवाच । नमो हिरण्यगर्भाय सर्वसृष्टिविधायिने । हिरण्यरेतसे तुभ्यं सुहिरण्यप्रदायिने

dhruva uvāca namo hiraṇyagarbhāya sarvasṛṣṭividhāyine hiraṇyaretase tubhyaṁ suhiraṇyapradāyine

Dhruva said: "Salutation to you, Hiranyagarbha, ordainer of all creation; salutation to you, Hiranyaretas, the bestower of the finest gold."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.21.2)

नमो हरस्वरूपाय भूतसंहारकारिणे । महाभूतात्मभूताय भूतानां पतये नमः

namo harasvarūpāya bhūtasaṁhārakāriṇe mahābhūtātmabhūtāya bhūtānāṁ pataye namaḥ

"Salutation to you in the form of Hara, the destroyer of all beings; salutation to you who are the very self of the great elements, the lord of all creatures."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.21.3)

नमः स्थितिकृते तुभ्यं विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे । तृष्णाहराय कृष्णाय महाभार सहिष्णवे

namaḥ sthitikṛte tubhyaṁ viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave tṛṣṇāharāya kṛṣṇāya mahābhāra sahiṣṇave

"Salutation to you, the sustainer, Vishnu, ever powerful; to Krishna who removes all craving, who bears the great burden of the world."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.21.4)

नमो दैत्यमहारण्य दाववह्निस्वरूपिणे । दैत्यद्रुमकुठाराय नमस्ते शार्ङ्गपाणये

namo daityamahāraṇya dāvavahnisvarūpiṇe daityadrumakuṭhārāya namaste śārṅgapāṇaye

"Salutation to you, who are like the wildfire in the great forest of the Daityas; salutation to you, the axe that fells the tree of the Daityas, wielder of the Sharnga bow."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.21.5)

नमः कौमोदकीव्यग्र कराग्राय गदाधर । महादनुजनाशाय नमो नंदकधारिणे

namaḥ kaumodakīvyagra karāgrāya gadādhara mahādanujanāśāya namo naṁdakadhāriṇe

"Salutation to you whose fingertips wield the Kaumodaki mace, O Gadadhara; destroyer of the great demons, wielder of the Nandaka sword."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.21.6)

नमः श्रीपतये तुभ्यं नमश्चक्रधराय च । धराधराय वाराह रूपिणे परमात्मने

namaḥ śrīpataye tubhyaṁ namaścakradharāya ca dharādharāya vārāha rūpiṇe paramātmane

"Salutation to you, Lord of Shri; salutation to the wielder of the discus; to you who bear up the earth in the form of the Boar, the Supreme Self."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.21.7)

नमः कमलहस्ताय कमलावल्लभाय ते । नमो मत्स्यादिरूपाय नमः कौस्तुभवक्षसे

namaḥ kamalahastāya kamalāvallabhāya te namo matsyādirūpāya namaḥ kaustubhavakṣase

"Salutation to you, lotus in hand, beloved of Kamala; salutation to you in the form of the Fish and the other incarnations; salutation to you whose chest bears the Kaustubha jewel."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.21.8)

नमो वेदांतवेद्याय नमः श्रीवत्सधारिणे । नमो गुणस्वरूपाय गुणिने गुणवर्जिते

namo vedāṁtavedyāya namaḥ śrīvatsadhāriṇe namo guṇasvarūpāya guṇine guṇavarjite

"Salutation to you, knowable through Vedanta; salutation to you who bear the Shrivatsa mark; salutation to you who are the very form of the gunas, possessing them, yet free of them."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.21.9)

नमस्ते पद्मनाभाय पांचजन्यधराय च । वासुदेव नमस्तुभ्यं देवकीनंदनाय च

namaste padmanābhāya pāṁcajanyadharāya ca vāsudeva namastubhyaṁ devakīnaṁdanāya ca

"Salutation to you, Padmanabha, and to the wielder of the Panchajanya conch; salutation to you, O Vasudeva, delight of Devaki."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.21.10)

प्रद्युम्नाय नमस्तुभ्यमनिरुद्धाय ते नमः । नमः कंसविनाशाय नमश्चाणूरमर्दिने

pradyumnāya namastubhyamaniruddhāya te namaḥ namaḥ kaṁsavināśāya namaścāṇūramardine

"Salutation to you, Pradyumna; salutation to you, Aniruddha; salutation to the destroyer of Kamsa; salutation to the crusher of Chanura."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.21.11)

दामोदरहृषीकेश गोर्विदाच्युतमाधव । उपेंद्रकैटभाऽराते मधुहंतरधोक्षज

dāmodarahṛṣīkeśa gorvidācyutamādhava upeṁdrakaiṭabhā'rāte madhuhaṁtaradhokṣaja

"O Damodara, Hrishikesha, Govinda, Achyuta, Madhava; O Upendra, foe of Kaitabha, slayer of Madhu, Adhokshaja..."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.21.12)

नारायणाय नरकहारिणे पापहारिणे । वामनाय नमस्तुभ्यं हरये शौरये नमः

nārāyaṇāya narakahāriṇe pāpahāriṇe vāmanāya namastubhyaṁ haraye śauraye namaḥ

"...salutation to Narayana, remover of Naraka, remover of sin; salutation to Vamana, salutation to Hari, salutation to Shauri."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.21.13)

अनंताय नमस्तुभ्यमनंतशयनाय च । रुक्मिणीपतये तुभ्यं रुक्मिप्रमथनाय च

anaṁtāya namastubhyamanaṁtaśayanāya ca rukmiṇīpataye tubhyaṁ rukmipramathanāya ca

"Salutation to you, Ananta, and to you who recline upon the serpent Ananta; salutation to you, lord of Rukmini, and destroyer of Rukmi."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.21.14)

चैद्यहंत्रे नमस्तुभ्यं दानवारेसुरारये । मुकुंदपरमानंद नंदगोपप्रियाय च

caidyahaṁtre namastubhyaṁ dānavāresurāraye mukuṁdaparamānaṁda naṁdagopapriyāya ca

"Salutation to you, slayer of the king of Chedi, foe of the Danavas and the Asuras; O Mukunda, supreme bliss, beloved of Nanda the cowherd."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.21.15)

नमस्ते पुंडरीकाक्ष दनुजेंद्र निषूदिने । नमो गोपालरूपाय वेणुवादनकारिणे

namaste puṁḍarīkākṣa danujeṁdra niṣūdine namo gopālarūpāya veṇuvādanakāriṇe

"Salutation to you, O lotus-eyed one, destroyer of the lord of the Danavas; salutation to you in the form of the cowherd, player of the flute."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.21.16)

गोपीप्रियाय केशिघ्ने गोवर्धनधराय च । रामाय रघुनाथाय राघवाय नमोनमः

gopīpriyāya keśighne govardhanadharāya ca rāmāya raghunāthāya rāghavāya namonamaḥ

"Salutation to you, beloved of the gopis, slayer of Keshi, upholder of Govardhana; salutation, salutation again, to Rama, Raghunatha, Raghava."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.21.17)

रावणारे नमस्तुभ्यं विभीषणशरण्यद । अजाय जयरूपाय रणांगणविचक्षण

rāvaṇāre namastubhyaṁ vibhīṣaṇaśaraṇyada ajāya jayarūpāya raṇāṁgaṇavicakṣaṇa

"Salutation to you, foe of Ravana, granter of refuge to Vibhishana; to the unborn one, of the very form of victory, skilled in the field of battle."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.21.18)

क्षणादि कालरूपाय नानारूपाय शार्ङ्गिणे । गदिने चक्रिणे तुभ्यं दैत्यचक्रविमर्दिने

kṣaṇādi kālarūpāya nānārūpāya śārṅgiṇe gadine cakriṇe tubhyaṁ daityacakravimardine

"Salutation to you, who are the very form of time -- moments and all its measures -- of manifold forms, wielder of the Sharnga bow, the mace, and the discus, destroyer of the hosts of Daityas."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.21.19)

बलाय बलभद्राय बलारातिप्रियाय च । बलियज्ञप्रमथन नमो भक्तवरप्रद

balāya balabhadrāya balārātipriyāya ca baliyajñapramathana namo bhaktavaraprada

"Salutation to strength itself, to Balabhadra, to the one dear to the foe of the Balas; O destroyer of Bali's sacrifice, granter of the finest boons to your devotees."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.21.20)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्वक्षो विदारण रणप्रिय । नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय गोब्राह्मणहिताय च

hiraṇyakaśiporvakṣo vidāraṇa raṇapriya namo brahmaṇyadevāya gobrāhmaṇahitāya ca

"O you who tore open the chest of Hiranyakashipu, lover of battle; salutation to the god who favors the brahmins, and who is devoted to the good of cows and brahmins."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.21.21)

नमस्ते धर्मरूपाय नमः सत्त्वगुणाय च । नमः सहस्रशिरसे पुरुषाय पराय च

namaste dharmarūpāya namaḥ sattvaguṇāya ca namaḥ sahasraśirase puruṣāya parāya ca

"Salutation to you, the very form of dharma; salutation to the quality of sattva; salutation to the thousand-headed Purusha, the Supreme."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.21.22)

सहस्राक्ष सहस्रांघ्रे सहस्रकिरणाय च । सहस्रमूर्ते श्रीकांत नमस्ते यज्ञपूरुष

sahasrākṣa sahasrāṁghre sahasrakiraṇāya ca sahasramūrte śrīkāṁta namaste yajñapūruṣa

"O you of a thousand eyes, a thousand feet, a thousand rays; O you of a thousand forms, beloved of Shri, salutation to you, embodiment of sacrifice."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.21.23)

वेदवेद्यस्वरूपाय नमो वेदप्रियाय च। वेदाय वेदगदिने सदाचाराध्वगामिने

vedavedyasvarūpāya namo vedapriyāya ca vedāya vedagadine sadācārādhvagāmine

"Salutation to you, knowable through the Vedas, dear to the Vedas; to the Veda itself, the speaker of the Vedas, who walks the path of righteous conduct."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.21.24)

वैकुंठाय नमस्तुभ्यं नमो वैकुंठवासिने। विष्टरश्रवसे तुभ्यं नमो गरुडगामिने

vaikuṁṭhāya namastubhyaṁ namo vaikuṁṭhavāsine viṣṭaraśravase tubhyaṁ namo garuḍagāmine

"Salutation to you, O Vaikuntha, dweller in Vaikuntha; salutation to you, Vishtarashravas, rider upon Garuda."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.21.25)

विष्वक्सेन नमस्तुभ्यं जगन्मय जनार्दन। त्रिविक्रमाय सत्याय नमः सत्यप्रियाय च

viṣvaksena namastubhyaṁ jaganmaya janārdana trivikramāya satyāya namaḥ satyapriyāya ca

"Salutation to you, Vishvaksena, who pervade the universe, Janardana; salutation to Trivikrama, to Truth itself, and to the lover of truth."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.21.26)

केशवाय नमस्तुभ्यं मायिने ब्रह्मागायिने। तपोरूपाय तपसां नमस्ते फलदायिने

keśavāya namastubhyaṁ māyine brahmāgāyine taporūpāya tapasāṁ namaste phaladāyine

"Salutation to you, Keshava, master of maya, praised by Brahma; the very form of penance, and the bestower of its fruits."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.21.27)

स्तुत्याय स्तुतिरूपाय भक्तस्तुतिरताय च । नमस्ते श्रुतिरूपाय श्रुत्याचार प्रियाय च

stutyāya stutirūpāya bhaktastutiratāya ca namaste śrutirūpāya śrutyācāra priyāya ca

"Salutation to you who are worthy of praise, who are the very form of praise, who delight in your devotees' praise; salutation to you, of the very form of the Shruti, who love the conduct enjoined by the scriptures."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.21.28)

अंडजाय नमस्तुभ्यं स्वेदजाय नमोस्तु ते । जरायुज स्वरूपाय नम उद्भिज्जरूपिणे

aṁḍajāya namastubhyaṁ svedajāya namostu te jarāyuja svarūpāya nama udbhijjarūpiṇe

"Salutation to you in the form of the egg-born; salutation to you in the form of the sweat-born; salutation to you in the form of the womb-born; salutation to you in the form of the earth-sprung."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.21.29)

देवानामिंद्ररूपोसि ग्रहाणामसि भानुमान् । लोकानां सत्यलोकोऽसि सिंधूनां क्षीरसागरः

devānāmiṁdrarūposi grahāṇāmasi bhānumān lokānāṁ satyaloko'si siṁdhūnāṁ kṣīrasāgaraḥ

"Among the gods, you are Indra; among the celestial bodies, you are the Sun; among the worlds, you are Satyaloka; among the oceans, you are the Ocean of Milk."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.21.30)

सुरापगाऽसि सरितां सरसां मानसं सरः । हिमवानसि शैलानां धेनूनां कामधुग्भवान्

surāpagā'si saritāṁ sarasāṁ mānasaṁ saraḥ himavānasi śailānāṁ dhenūnāṁ kāmadhugbhavān

"Among rivers, you are the Ganga; among lakes, Lake Manasa; among mountains, you are Himavan; among cows, you are Kamadhenu."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.21.31)

धातूनां हाटकमसि स्फटिकश्चोपलेष्वसि । नीलोत्पलं प्रसूनेषु वृक्षेषु तुलसी भवान्

dhātūnāṁ hāṭakamasi sphaṭikaścopaleṣvasi nīlotpalaṁ prasūneṣu vṛkṣeṣu tulasī bhavān

"Among metals, you are gold; among stones, you are crystal; among flowers, you are the blue lotus; among trees, you are the Tulasi."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.21.32)

सर्वपूज्यशिलानां वै शालग्राम शिला भवान् । मुक्तिक्षेत्रेषु काशी त्वं प्रयागस्तीर्थपंक्तिषु

sarvapūjyaśilānāṁ vai śālagrāma śilā bhavān muktikṣetreṣu kāśī tvaṁ prayāgastīrthapaṁktiṣu

"Among all sacred, worshipful stones, you are the Shalagrama stone; among the fields of liberation, you are Kashi; among the ranks of holy places, you are Prayaga."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.21.33)

वर्णेषु श्वेतवर्णोऽसि द्विपदां ब्राह्मणो भवान् । गरुडोस्यंडजेष्वीश व्यवहारेषु वाग्भवान्

varṇeṣu śvetavarṇo'si dvipadāṁ brāhmaṇo bhavān garuḍosyaṁḍajeṣvīśa vyavahāreṣu vāgbhavān

"Among colors, you are white; among bipeds, you are the brahmin; O Lord, among the egg-born, you are Garuda; among the affairs of the world, you are speech itself."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.21.34)

वेदेषूपनिषद्रूपा मंत्राणां प्रणवोह्यसि । अक्षराणामकारोसि यज्वनां सोमरूपधृक्

vedeṣūpaniṣadrūpā maṁtrāṇāṁ praṇavohyasi akṣarāṇāmakārosi yajvanāṁ somarūpadhṛk

"Among the Vedas, you are the form of the Upanishads; among mantras, you are the syllable Om; among letters, you are the letter A; among sacrificers, you assume the form of Soma."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.21.35)

प्रतापिनामग्निरसि क्षमाऽसि त्वं क्षमावताम् । दातॄणामसि पर्जन्यः पवित्राणां परोह्यसि

pratāpināmagnirasi kṣamā'si tvaṁ kṣamāvatām dātṝṇāmasi parjanyaḥ pavitrāṇāṁ parohyasi

"Among the powerful, you are fire; among the forbearing, you are forbearance; among givers, you are the rain-cloud; among purifying things, you are the highest."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.21.36)

चापोसि सर्वशस्त्राणां वातो वेगवतामसि । मनोसींद्रियवर्गेषु निर्भयाणां करोह्यसि

cāposi sarvaśastrāṇāṁ vāto vegavatāmasi manosīṁdriyavargeṣu nirbhayāṇāṁ karohyasi

"Among all weapons, you are the bow; among swift things, you are the wind; among the senses, you are the mind; among the fearless, you are the hand that strikes."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.21.37)

व्योमव्याप्तिमतां त्वं वै परमात्माऽसि चात्मनाम् । संध्योपास्तिर्भवान्देव सर्वनित्येषु कर्मसु

vyomavyāptimatāṁ tvaṁ vai paramātmā'si cātmanām saṁdhyopāstirbhavāndeva sarvanityeṣu karmasu

"Among all-pervading things, you are the sky; among selves, you are the Supreme Self; O God, among all daily obligatory rites, you are the twilight worship."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.21.38)

क्रतूनामश्वमेधोसि दानानामभयं भवान् । लाभानां पुत्रलाभोसि वसंतस्त्वमृतुष्वहो

kratūnāmaśvamedhosi dānānāmabhayaṁ bhavān lābhānāṁ putralābhosi vasaṁtastvamṛtuṣvaho

"Among sacrifices, you are the Ashvamedha; among gifts, you are the gift of fearlessness; among gains, you are the gain of a son; and among the seasons, you are Spring."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.21.39)

युगानां प्रथमोसि त्वं तिथीनां त्वं कुहूर्ह्यसि । पुष्योसि नक्षत्रगणे संक्रमः सर्वपर्वसु

yugānāṁ prathamosi tvaṁ tithīnāṁ tvaṁ kuhūrhyasi puṣyosi nakṣatragaṇe saṁkramaḥ sarvaparvasu

"Among the ages, you are the first; among the lunar days, you are the new-moon day; among the constellations, you are Pushya; among all sacred occasions, you are the solstice."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.21.40)

योगेषु व्यतिपातस्त्वं तृणेषु हि कुशो भवान् । उद्यमानां हि सर्वेषां निर्वाणं त्वमसि प्रभो

yogeṣu vyatipātastvaṁ tṛṇeṣu hi kuśo bhavān udyamānāṁ hi sarveṣāṁ nirvāṇaṁ tvamasi prabho

"Among the astrological yogas, you are Vyatipata; among grasses, you are Kusha; O Lord, among all endeavors, you are their final fulfillment."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.21.41)

सर्वासामिह बुद्धीनां धर्मबुद्धिर्भवानज । अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षेषु सोमवल्ली लतासु च

sarvāsāmiha buddhīnāṁ dharmabuddhirbhavānaja aśvatthaḥ sarvavṛkṣeṣu somavallī latāsu ca

"Of all the forms of understanding here, you are righteous understanding, O Unborn One; among all trees, you are the Ashvattha; among creepers, you are the Soma-vine."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.21.42)

प्राणायामोसि सर्वेपु साधनेषु शुचिष्वहो । सर्वदः सर्वलिंगेषु श्रीमान्विश्वेश्वरो भवान्

prāṇāyāmosi sarvepu sādhaneṣu śuciṣvaho sarvadaḥ sarvaliṁgeṣu śrīmānviśveśvaro bhavān

"Among all pure practices, you are the control of the breath; O wonder, among all signs, you are the bestower of all things, the glorious Vishveshvara."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.21.43)

मित्राणां हि कलत्रं त्वं धर्मस्त्वं सर्वबंधुषु । त्वत्तो नान्यज्जगत्यस्मिन्नारायण चराचरे

mitrāṇāṁ hi kalatraṁ tvaṁ dharmastvaṁ sarvabaṁdhuṣu tvatto nānyajjagatyasminnārāyaṇa carācare

"Among friends, you are one's own wife; among all kinsmen, you are dharma itself. In this whole moving and unmoving world, O Narayana, there is nothing apart from you."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.21.44)

त्वमेव माता त्वं तातस्त्वं सुतस्त्वं महाधनम् । त्वमेव सौख्यसंपत्तिस्त्वमायुर्जीवनेश्वरः

tvameva mātā tvaṁ tātastvaṁ sutastvaṁ mahādhanam tvameva saukhyasaṁpattistvamāyurjīvaneśvaraḥ

"You alone are mother, you are father, you are son, you are great wealth; you alone are happiness and prosperity, you are lifespan, O Lord of life."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.21.45)

सा कथा यत्र ते नाम तन्मनो यत्त्वदर्पितम् । तत्कर्म यत्त्वदर्थं वै तत्तपो यद्भवत्स्मृतिः

sā kathā yatra te nāma tanmano yattvadarpitam tatkarma yattvadarthaṁ vai tattapo yadbhavatsmṛtiḥ

"That alone is true discourse in which your name occurs; that alone is the true mind, which is offered to you; that alone is true action, which is done for your sake; that alone is true penance, which is remembrance of you."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.21.46)

तद्धनं धनिनां शुद्धं यत्त्वदर्थे व्ययीकृतम् । स एव सकलः कालो यस्मिञ्जिष्णो त्वमर्च्यसे

taddhanaṁ dhanināṁ śuddhaṁ yattvadarthe vyayīkṛtam sa eva sakalaḥ kālo yasmiñjiṣṇo tvamarcyase

"That alone is the pure wealth of the wealthy, which is spent for your sake; that alone is time well spent, O Victorious One, in which you are worshipped."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.21.47)

तावच्च जीवितं श्रेयो यावत्त्वं हृदि वर्तसे । रोगाः प्रशममायांति त्वत्पादोदक सेवनात्

tāvacca jīvitaṁ śreyo yāvattvaṁ hṛdi vartase rogāḥ praśamamāyāṁti tvatpādodaka sevanāt

"One's life is auspicious only so long as you dwell within the heart. All diseases come to their end through the drinking of the water that has touched your feet."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.21.48)

महापापानि गोविंद बहुजन्मार्जितान्यपि । सद्यो विलयमायांति वासुदेवेति कीर्तनात्

mahāpāpāni goviṁda bahujanmārjitānyapi sadyo vilayamāyāṁti vāsudeveti kīrtanāt

"O Govinda, even the greatest of sins, accumulated over many births, are instantly destroyed through the mere chanting of the name Vasudeva."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.21.49)

अहो पुंसां महामोहस्त्वहो पुंसां प्रमादता । वासुदेवमनादृत्य यदन्यत्र कृतश्रमाः

aho puṁsāṁ mahāmohastvaho puṁsāṁ pramādatā vāsudevamanādṛtya yadanyatra kṛtaśramāḥ

"Ah, how great is the delusion of men, ah, how great their heedlessness -- that, disregarding Vasudeva, they exert themselves elsewhere!"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.21.50)

इदमेव हि मांगल्यमिदमेव धनार्जनम् । जीवितस्य फलं चैतद्यद्दामोदरकीर्तनम्

idameva hi māṁgalyamidameva dhanārjanam jīvitasya phalaṁ caitadyaddāmodarakīrtanam

"This alone is true auspiciousness, this alone is true acquisition of wealth, this alone is the fruit of life -- the chanting of the name Damodara."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.21.51)

अधोक्षजात्परोधर्मो नार्थो नारायणात्परः । न कामः केशवादन्यो नापवर्गो हरिं विना

adhokṣajātparodharmo nārtho nārāyaṇātparaḥ na kāmaḥ keśavādanyo nāpavargo hariṁ vinā

"There is no dharma higher than Adhokshaja, no wealth higher than Narayana, no desire other than Keshava, and no liberation apart from Hari."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.21.52)

इयमेव परा हानिरुपसर्गो यमेवहि । अभाग्यं परमं चैतद्वासुदेवं न यत्स्मरेत्

iyameva parā hānirupasargo yamevahi abhāgyaṁ paramaṁ caitadvāsudevaṁ na yatsmaret

"This alone is the supreme loss, this alone is the calamity brought by Yama, this alone is the greatest misfortune -- not to remember Vasudeva."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.21.53)

हरेराराधनं पुंसां किं किं न कुरुते बत । पुत्रमित्रकलत्रार्थ राज्यस्वर्गापवर्गदम्

harerārādhanaṁ puṁsāṁ kiṁ kiṁ na kurute bata putramitrakalatrārtha rājyasvargāpavargadam

"Ah, what does the worship of Hari not accomplish for men! It grants sons, friends, wife, wealth, kingdom, heaven, and even liberation."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.21.54)

हरत्यघं ध्वंसयति व्याधीनाधीन्नियच्छति । धर्मं विवर्धयेत्क्षिप्रं प्रयच्छति मनोरथम्

haratyaghaṁ dhvaṁsayati vyādhīnādhīnniyacchati dharmaṁ vivardhayetkṣipraṁ prayacchati manoratham

"It removes sin, destroys diseases, restrains all mental afflictions, swiftly increases dharma, and grants the fulfillment of one's heart's desire."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.21.55)

भगवच्चरणद्वंद्वं निर्द्द्वंद्व ध्यानमुत्तमम् । पापिनापि प्रसंगेन विहितं स्वहितं परम्

bhagavaccaraṇadvaṁdvaṁ nirddvaṁdva dhyānamuttamam pāpināpi prasaṁgena vihitaṁ svahitaṁ param

"Meditation upon the Lord's two feet, free of all duality, is supreme; even performed by a sinner in passing, it becomes his greatest good."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.21.56)

पापिनां यानि पापानि महोपपदभांज्यपि । सुलीनध्यानसंपन्नो नामोच्चारो हरेर्हरेत्

pāpināṁ yāni pāpāni mahopapadabhāṁjyapi sulīnadhyānasaṁpanno nāmoccāro harerharet

"Whatever sins belong to sinners, even those attached to grave transgressions -- the utterance of Hari's name, when accompanied by absorbed meditation, removes them all."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.21.57)

प्रमादादपि संस्पृष्टो यथाऽनलकणो दहेत् । तथौष्ठपुटसंस्पृष्ट हरिनाम हरेदघम्

pramādādapi saṁspṛṣṭo yathā'nalakaṇo dahet tathauṣṭhapuṭasaṁspṛṣṭa harināma haredagham

"Just as a spark of fire, touched even by accident, burns whatever it touches, so too the name of Hari, merely touched by the lips, destroys all sin."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.21.58)

नितांतं कमलाकांते शांतचित्तं विधाय यः । संशीलयेत्क्षणं नूनं कमला तत्र निश्चला

nitāṁtaṁ kamalākāṁte śāṁtacittaṁ vidhāya yaḥ saṁśīlayetkṣaṇaṁ nūnaṁ kamalā tatra niścalā

"He who, having stilled his mind completely, devotes even a moment to the beloved Lord of Kamala, in him surely Kamala herself takes up unwavering residence."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.21.59)

अयमेव परोधर्मस्त्विदमेव परं तपः । इदमेव परं तीर्थं विष्णुपादांबु यत्पिबेत

ayameva parodharmastvidameva paraṁ tapaḥ idameva paraṁ tīrthaṁ viṣṇupādāṁbu yatpibeta

"This alone is the highest dharma, this alone is the highest penance, this alone is the highest holy place -- to drink the water that has touched Vishnu's feet."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.21.60)

तवोपहारं भक्त्याय सेवते यजपूरुष । सेवितस्तेन नियतं पुरोडाशो महाधिया

tavopahāraṁ bhaktyāya sevate yajapūruṣa sevitastena niyataṁ puroḍāśo mahādhiyā

"O embodiment of sacrifice, he who serves your offering with devotion has, by that very act, surely offered the sacrificial cake with the greatest of understanding."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.21.61)

स चैवावभृथस्नातः स च गंगाजलाप्लुतः । विष्णुपादोदकं कृत्वा शंखे यः स्नाति मानवः

sa caivāvabhṛthasnātaḥ sa ca gaṁgājalāplutaḥ viṣṇupādodakaṁ kṛtvā śaṁkhe yaḥ snāti mānavaḥ

"That man who bathes with the water of Vishnu's feet placed in a conch has thereby also bathed in the concluding avabhritha rite and been immersed in the water of the Ganga."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.21.62)

शालग्राम शिला येन पूजिता तुलसी दलैः । स पारिजातमालाभिः पूज्यते सुरसद्मनि

śālagrāma śilā yena pūjitā tulasī dalaiḥ sa pārijātamālābhiḥ pūjyate surasadmani

"He who worships the Shalagrama stone with Tulasi leaves is himself worshipped with garlands of Parijata flowers in the abode of the gods."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.21.63)

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रो वा यदि वेतरः । विष्णुभक्ति समायुक्तो ज्ञेयः सर्वोत्तमश्च सः

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdro vā yadi vetaraḥ viṣṇubhakti samāyukto jñeyaḥ sarvottamaśca saḥ

"Whether brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra, or even one outside these classes -- whoever is endowed with devotion to Vishnu should be known as the very best of all."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.21.64)

शंखचक्रांकिततनुः शिरसां मंजरीधरः । गोपीचंदनलिप्तांगो दृष्टश्चेत्तदघं कुतः

śaṁkhacakrāṁkitatanuḥ śirasāṁ maṁjarīdharaḥ gopīcaṁdanaliptāṁgo dṛṣṭaścettadaghaṁ kutaḥ

"One whose body is marked with the conch and discus, who wears the sprig upon his head, whose limbs are anointed with gopichandana -- once seen, how could sin remain?"

Verse 65 (skanda.4.21.65)

प्रत्यहं द्वादशशिलाः शालग्रामस्य योऽर्चयेत् । द्वारवत्याः शिलायुक्तः स वैकुंठे महीयते

pratyahaṁ dvādaśaśilāḥ śālagrāmasya yo'rcayet dvāravatyāḥ śilāyuktaḥ sa vaikuṁṭhe mahīyate

"He who daily worships the twelve stones of Shalagrama, together with the stone from Dvaravati, is glorified in Vaikuntha."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.21.66)

तुलसी यस्य भवने प्रत्यहं परिपूज्यते । तद्गृहं नोपसर्पंति कदाचिद्यमकिंकराः

tulasī yasya bhavane pratyahaṁ paripūjyate tadgṛhaṁ nopasarpaṁti kadācidyamakiṁkarāḥ

"In whose house the Tulasi is duly worshipped every day, into that house the servants of Yama never at any time set foot."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.21.67)

हरिनामाक्षरमुखं भाले गोपीमृदांकितम् । तुलसीमालितोरस्कं स्पृशेयुर्नयमानुगाः

harināmākṣaramukhaṁ bhāle gopīmṛdāṁkitam tulasīmālitoraskaṁ spṛśeyurnayamānugāḥ

"Even the servants of Yama hesitate to touch one whose face bears the syllables of Hari's name, whose forehead is marked with gopi-clay, whose chest wears a Tulasi garland."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.21.68)

गोपीमृत्तुलसी शंखः शालग्रामः सचक्रकः । गृहेपि यस्य पंचैते तस्य पापभयं कुत.

gopīmṛttulasī śaṁkhaḥ śālagrāmaḥ sacakrakaḥ gṛhepi yasya paṁcaite tasya pāpabhayaṁ kuta.

"Gopi-clay, Tulasi, the conch, the Shalagrama together with the discus -- in whose house these five are found, what fear of sin can he have?"

Verse 69 (skanda.4.21.69)

ये मुहूर्ताः क्षणा ये च या काष्ठा ये निमेषकाः । ऋते विष्णुस्मृतेर्यातास्तेषु मुष्टो यमेन सः

ye muhūrtāḥ kṣaṇā ye ca yā kāṣṭhā ye nimeṣakāḥ ṛte viṣṇusmṛteryātāsteṣu muṣṭo yamena saḥ

"Whatever muhurtas, whatever moments, whatever units of time, whatever winks of the eye pass without the remembrance of Vishnu -- for those, a man is robbed by Yama."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.21.70)

क्व द्वयक्षरं हरेर्नाम स्फुलिंगसदृशं ज्वलेत । महती पातकानां च राशिस्तूलोपमा क्व च

kva dvayakṣaraṁ harernāma sphuliṁgasadṛśaṁ jvaleta mahatī pātakānāṁ ca rāśistūlopamā kva ca

"Where the two-syllabled name of Hari, blazing like a spark of fire, and where the great mass of sins, comparable only to a heap of cotton-fluff -- how can the two ever compare?"

Verse 71 (skanda.4.21.71)

गोविंद परमानंदं मुकुंदं मधुसूदनम । त्यक्त्वान्यं नैव जानामि न भजामि स्मरामि न

goviṁda paramānaṁdaṁ mukuṁdaṁ madhusūdanama tyaktvānyaṁ naiva jānāmi na bhajāmi smarāmi na

"Save Govinda, Paramananda, Mukunda, Madhusudana, I know no other; I worship no other, I remember no other."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.21.72)

न नमामि न च स्तौमि न पश्यामीह चक्षुषा । न स्पृशामि न वायामि गायामि न न हरिं विना

na namāmi na ca staumi na paśyāmīha cakṣuṣā na spṛśāmi na vāyāmi gāyāmi na na hariṁ vinā

"I bow to none other, praise none other, behold none other with my eyes; I touch, breathe, and sing none other than Hari."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.21.73)

जले स्थले च पातालेप्यनिले चानलेऽचले । विद्याधरासुरसुरे किं नरे वानरे नरे

jale sthale ca pātālepyanile cānale'cale vidyādharāsurasure kiṁ nare vānare nare

"In water, on land, in the netherworld, in wind, in fire, in the mountain; among Vidyadharas, Asuras, and gods; and among men and monkeys alike..."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.21.74)

तृणेस्त्रैणे च पाषाणे तरुगुल्मलतासु च । सर्वत्र श्यामलतनुं वीक्षे श्रीवत्सवक्षसम्

tṛṇestraiṇe ca pāṣāṇe tarugulmalatāsu ca sarvatra śyāmalatanuṁ vīkṣe śrīvatsavakṣasam

"...in blades of grass, in stones, in trees, shrubs, and creepers -- everywhere I behold that dark-hued body, that chest bearing the Shrivatsa mark."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.21.75)

सर्वेषां हृदयावासः साक्षात्साक्षी त्वमेव हि । बहिरंतर्विना त्वां तु नह्यन्यं वेद्मि सर्वगम्

sarveṣāṁ hṛdayāvāsaḥ sākṣātsākṣī tvameva hi bahiraṁtarvinā tvāṁ tu nahyanyaṁ vedmi sarvagam

"You alone dwell in the hearts of all, you alone are the very witness of all. Without you, both without and within, I know no other all-pervading being."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.21.76)

इत्युक्त्वा विररामासौ शिवशर्मन्ध्रुवस्तदा । देवोपि भगवान्विष्णुस्तमुवाच प्रसन्नदृक्

ityuktvā virarāmāsau śivaśarmandhruvastadā devopi bhagavānviṣṇustamuvāca prasannadṛk

Having spoken thus, O Shivasharma, Dhruva then fell silent; and the god, the Lord Vishnu himself, his gaze full of grace, then spoke to him.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.21.77)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । अपि बाल विशालाक्ष ध्रुव ध्रुवमतेऽनघ । परिज्ञातो मया सम्यक्तवहृत्स्थो मनोरथः

śrībhagavānuvāca api bāla viśālākṣa dhruva dhruvamate'nagha parijñāto mayā samyaktavahṛtstho manorathaḥ

Sri Bhagavan said: "O child of wide eyes, O sinless Dhruva of unshakeable resolve, I have well understood the desire that dwells within your heart."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.21.78)

अन्नाद्भवंति भूतानि वृष्टेरन्नसमुद्भवः । तद्वृष्टेः कारणं सूर्यः सूर्याधारो ध्रुवैधि भोः

annādbhavaṁti bhūtāni vṛṣṭerannasamudbhavaḥ tadvṛṣṭeḥ kāraṇaṁ sūryaḥ sūryādhāro dhruvaidhi bhoḥ

"Beings come to be from food, and food is born of rain; the cause of rain is the sun, and you shall now become the very support of the sun, O Dhruva."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.21.79)

ज्योतिश्चक्रस्य सर्वस्य ग्रहर्क्षादेः समंततः । गगने भ्रमतो नित्यं त्वमाधारो भविष्यसि

jyotiścakrasya sarvasya graharkṣādeḥ samaṁtataḥ gagane bhramato nityaṁ tvamādhāro bhaviṣyasi

"You shall become the support of the entire wheel of luminaries -- the planets, the stars, and all the rest -- which forever revolve about you in the sky."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.21.80)

मेढीभूतस्तु वै सर्वान्वायुपाशैर्नियंत्रितान् । आकल्पं तत्पदं तिष्ठ भ्रामयञ्ज्योतिषांगणान्

meḍhībhūtastu vai sarvānvāyupāśairniyaṁtritān ākalpaṁ tatpadaṁ tiṣṭha bhrāmayañjyotiṣāṁgaṇān

"Becoming the central pivot, holding all of them bound by cords of wind, remain in that position until the end of the kalpa, causing the host of luminaries to revolve around you."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.21.81)

आराध्य श्री महादेवं पुरापदमिदं मया । आसादियत्तदेतत्ते तपसा प्रतिपादितम्

ārādhya śrī mahādevaṁ purāpadamidaṁ mayā āsādiyattadetatte tapasā pratipāditam

"This very position I myself once obtained, of old, through worshipping Shri Mahadeva; that same position is now bestowed on you through your penance."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.21.82)

केचिच्चतुर्युगं यावत्केचिन्मन्वंतरं ध्रुव । तिष्ठंति त्वं तु वै कल्पं पदमेतत्प्रशास्यसि

keciccaturyugaṁ yāvatkecinmanvaṁtaraṁ dhruva tiṣṭhaṁti tvaṁ tu vai kalpaṁ padametatpraśāsyasi

"Some remain in such positions only for the span of the four ages, others for a Manvantara, O Dhruva; but you shall rule this position for an entire Kalpa."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.21.83)

मनुनापि न यत्प्रापि किमन्यैर्मानवैर्ध्रुव । तत्पदं विहितं त्वत्साच्छक्राद्यैरपि दुर्लभम्

manunāpi na yatprāpi kimanyairmānavairdhruva tatpadaṁ vihitaṁ tvatsācchakrādyairapi durlabham

"Even Manu did not attain it -- what then of other men, O Dhruva? That position, hard to attain even for Indra and the other gods, has been granted to you."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.21.84)

अन्यान्वरान्प्रयच्छामि स्तवेनानेन तोषितः । सुनीतिरपि ते माता त्वत्समीपे चरिष्यति

anyānvarānprayacchāmi stavenānena toṣitaḥ sunītirapi te mātā tvatsamīpe cariṣyati

"Pleased by this hymn of yours, I grant you further boons besides: your mother Suniti too shall dwell forever in your presence."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.21.85)

इदं स्तोत्रवरं यस्तु पठिष्यति समाहितः । त्रिसंध्यं मनुजस्तस्य पापं यास्यति संक्षयम्

idaṁ stotravaraṁ yastu paṭhiṣyati samāhitaḥ trisaṁdhyaṁ manujastasya pāpaṁ yāsyati saṁkṣayam

"Whatever man recites this excellent hymn with a composed mind at the three daily junctures, his sin shall come to utter destruction."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.21.86)

न तस्य सदनं लक्ष्मीः परित्यक्ष्यत्यसंशयम् । न जनन्या वियोगश्च न बंधुकलहोदयः

na tasya sadanaṁ lakṣmīḥ parityakṣyatyasaṁśayam na jananyā viyogaśca na baṁdhukalahodayaḥ

"Lakshmi will undoubtedly never abandon his house; he will never suffer separation from his mother, nor the rise of quarrels among kinsmen."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.21.87)

ध्रुवस्तुतिरियं पुण्या महापातकनाशिनी । ब्रह्महापि विशुद्ध्येत का कथेतर पापिनाम्

dhruvastutiriyaṁ puṇyā mahāpātakanāśinī brahmahāpi viśuddhyeta kā kathetara pāpinām

"This meritorious hymn of Dhruva destroys even the greatest sins; even the slayer of a brahmin becomes wholly purified through it -- what then need be said of lesser sinners?"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.21.88)

महापुण्यस्य जननी महासंपत्तिदायिनी । महोपसर्गशमनी महाव्याधिविनाशिनी

mahāpuṇyasya jananī mahāsaṁpattidāyinī mahopasargaśamanī mahāvyādhivināśinī

"It is the mother of great merit, the bestower of great prosperity, the queller of great calamities, the destroyer of great diseases."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.21.89)

यस्याऽस्तिपरमा भक्तिर्मयि निर्मलचेतसः । ध्रुवस्तुतिरियं तेन जप्या मत्प्रीतिकारिणी

yasyā'stiparamā bhaktirmayi nirmalacetasaḥ dhruvastutiriyaṁ tena japyā matprītikāriṇī

"By him whose heart is pure and whose devotion to me is supreme, this hymn of Dhruva, which brings me great delight, should be recited."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.21.90)

समस्त तीर्थस्नानेन यत्फलं लभते नरः । तत्फलं सम्यगाप्नोति जपन्स्तुत्यानया मुदा

samasta tīrthasnānena yatphalaṁ labhate naraḥ tatphalaṁ samyagāpnoti japanstutyānayā mudā

"Whatever fruit a man obtains from bathing in all the sacred waters, that very fruit he fully obtains simply by joyfully reciting this hymn."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.21.91)

संति स्तोत्राण्यनेकानि मम प्रीतिकराणि च । ध्रुवस्तुतेर्न चैतस्याः कलामर्हंति षोडशीम्

saṁti stotrāṇyanekāni mama prītikarāṇi ca dhruvastuterna caitasyāḥ kalāmarhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

"There are many hymns that bring me delight, but none of them are worth even a sixteenth part of this hymn of Dhruva."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.21.92)

श्रुत्वापीमां स्तुतिं मर्त्यः श्रद्धया परया मुदा । पातकैर्मुच्यते सद्यो महत्पुण्यमवाप्नुयात्

śrutvāpīmāṁ stutiṁ martyaḥ śraddhayā parayā mudā pātakairmucyate sadyo mahatpuṇyamavāpnuyāt

"Even a mortal who merely hears this hymn with the utmost faith and joy is instantly released from his sins and obtains great merit."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.21.93)

अपुत्रः पुत्रमाप्नोति निर्धनो धनमाप्नुयात् । अभक्तो भक्तिमाप्नोति कीर्तनाच्च ध्रुवस्तुतेः

aputraḥ putramāpnoti nirdhano dhanamāpnuyāt abhakto bhaktimāpnoti kīrtanācca dhruvastuteḥ

"The childless obtains a son, the poor obtains wealth, and the one lacking devotion obtains devotion, through the chanting of Dhruva's hymn."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.21.94)

दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकानि कृत्वा नाना व्रतानि च । यथालाभानवाप्नोति तथा स्तुत्याऽनया नरः

dattvā dānānyanekāni kṛtvā nānā vratāni ca yathālābhānavāpnoti tathā stutyā'nayā naraḥ

"Whatever fruits a man obtains through giving numerous gifts and performing various vows, the same fruits he obtains through this hymn."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.21.95)

त्यक्त्वा सर्वाणि कार्याणि त्यक्त्वा जप्यान्यनेकशः । ध्रुवस्तुतिरियं जप्या सर्वकामप्रदायिनी

tyaktvā sarvāṇi kāryāṇi tyaktvā japyānyanekaśaḥ dhruvastutiriyaṁ japyā sarvakāmapradāyinī

"Setting aside all other tasks, setting aside countless other japas, this hymn of Dhruva alone should be recited, for it grants every desire."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.21.96)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । ध्रुवावधेहि वक्ष्यामि हितं तव महामते । येन ते निश्चलं सम्यक्पदमेतद्भविष्यति

śrībhagavānuvāca dhruvāvadhehi vakṣyāmi hitaṁ tava mahāmate yena te niścalaṁ samyakpadametadbhaviṣyati

Sri Bhagavan said: "Attend closely, Dhruva; I shall tell you, O wise one, what is beneficial for you, by which this position of yours shall become truly firm and unshakeable."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.21.97)

अहं जिगमिषुस्त्वासं पुरीं वाराणसीं शुभाम् । साक्षाद्विश्वेश्वरो यत्र तिष्ठते मोक्षकारणम्

ahaṁ jigamiṣustvāsaṁ purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ śubhām sākṣādviśveśvaro yatra tiṣṭhate mokṣakāraṇam

"I myself am now desirous of going to the auspicious city of Varanasi, where Vishveshvara himself, the very cause of liberation, abides in person."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.21.98)

विपन्नानां च जंतूनां यत्र विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम् । कर्णे जापं प्रकुरुते कर्मनिर्मूलन क्षमम्

vipannānāṁ ca jaṁtūnāṁ yatra viśveśvaraḥ svayam karṇe jāpaṁ prakurute karmanirmūlana kṣamam

"Where, for dying creatures, Vishveshvara himself whispers into their ear the mantra capable of uprooting all their past karma."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.21.99)

अस्य संसारदुःखस्य सर्वोपद्रवदायिनः । उपाय एक एवास्ति काशिकानंदभूमिका

asya saṁsāraduḥkhasya sarvopadravadāyinaḥ upāya eka evāsti kāśikānaṁdabhūmikā

"For this suffering of worldly existence, the source of every calamity, there is but one remedy: the land of Kashi, the ground of supreme bliss."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.21.100)

इदं रम्यमिदं नेति बीजं दुःखमहातरोः । तस्मिन्काश्यग्निना दग्धे दुःखस्यावसरः कुतः

idaṁ ramyamidaṁ neti bījaṁ duḥkhamahātaroḥ tasminkāśyagninā dagdhe duḥkhasyāvasaraḥ kutaḥ

"The very thought 'this is pleasant, this is not' is the seed of the great tree of suffering; when that seed is burnt by the fire of Kashi, where then is there room left for sorrow?"

Verse 101 (skanda.4.21.101)

प्राप्य संप्राप्यते येन न भूयो येन शोच्यते । परायानिर्वृतेः स्थानं यत्तदानंदकाननम्

prāpya saṁprāpyate yena na bhūyo yena śocyate parāyānirvṛteḥ sthānaṁ yattadānaṁdakānanam

"That, having attained which nothing further need be attained, and because of which one grieves no more -- that place of supreme peace is indeed the forest of bliss."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.21.102)

अमृतायनमुत्सृज्य पुरुषोन्यत्र यो वसेत् । आनंदकाननं शंभोः कुतस्तस्य सुखोदयः

amṛtāyanamutsṛjya puruṣonyatra yo vaset ānaṁdakānanaṁ śaṁbhoḥ kutastasya sukhodayaḥ

"Abandoning this very abode of immortality to dwell elsewhere -- for that man, how can happiness ever arise, once he has left Shambhu's own forest of bliss?"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.21.103)

वरं शरावहस्तस्य चांडालागारवीथिषु । भिक्षार्थमटनं काश्यां राज्यं नान्यत्र नीरिषु

varaṁ śarāvahastasya cāṁḍālāgāravīthiṣu bhikṣārthamaṭanaṁ kāśyāṁ rājyaṁ nānyatra nīriṣu

"Better it is, begging bowl in hand, to wander for alms even through the alleys of outcaste dwellings in Kashi, than to hold a kingdom filled with waters elsewhere."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.21.104)

वैकुंठनगरात्काशीं नित्यं विश्वेशमर्चितुम् । अहमायामि नियमाज्जगदर्च्यं तदर्चिताम्

vaikuṁṭhanagarātkāśīṁ nityaṁ viśveśamarcitum ahamāyāmi niyamājjagadarcyaṁ tadarcitām

"From my own city of Vaikuntha I come daily, as a matter of fixed rule, to worship Vishveshvara in that Kashi which is worshipped even by the one whom the whole universe worships."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.21.105)

मयि या परमा शक्तिस्त्रिलोक्या रक्षणक्षमा । तत्र हेतुर्महेशानः स सुदर्शनचक्रदः

mayi yā paramā śaktistrilokyā rakṣaṇakṣamā tatra heturmaheśānaḥ sa sudarśanacakradaḥ

"That supreme power in me which is capable of protecting the three worlds -- the cause of it is Maheshana himself, who bestowed upon me the Sudarshana discus."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.21.106)

पुरा जालंधरं दैत्यं ममापि परिकंपनम् । पादांगुष्ठाग्ररेखोत्थं चक्रं सृष्ट्वा हरोऽहरत्

purā jālaṁdharaṁ daityaṁ mamāpi parikaṁpanam pādāṁguṣṭhāgrarekhotthaṁ cakraṁ sṛṣṭvā haro'harat

"Long ago, when the demon Jalandhara made even me tremble, Hara created a discus from the very line at the tip of his own toe, and destroyed him."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.21.107)

तच्च चक्रं मया लब्धं नेत्रपद्मार्चनाद्विभोः । एतत्सुदर्शनाख्यं वै दैत्यचक्रप्रमर्दनम्

tacca cakraṁ mayā labdhaṁ netrapadmārcanādvibhoḥ etatsudarśanākhyaṁ vai daityacakrapramardanam

"That very discus I obtained from the all-pervading Lord by worshipping him with the lotus of my own eye; this is that Sudarshana discus, the crusher of the demon-hosts."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.21.108)

तन्मया तव रक्षार्थं भूतविद्रावणं परम् । तावत्प्रणुन्नं पुरतस्ततश्चाहमिहागतः

tanmayā tava rakṣārthaṁ bhūtavidrāvaṇaṁ param tāvatpraṇunnaṁ puratastataścāhamihāgataḥ

"That very discus, supreme in routing the demons, I sent forth ahead for your protection; and then I myself came here."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.21.109)

काशीमिदानीं यास्यामि विश्वेश्वर विलोकने। अद्य यात्राऽस्ति महती कार्तिक्यां बहुपुण्यदा

kāśīmidānīṁ yāsyāmi viśveśvara vilokane adya yātrā'sti mahatī kārtikyāṁ bahupuṇyadā

"Now I shall go to Kashi to behold Vishveshvara; today, on the full moon of Kartika, there is a great pilgrimage festival that bestows abundant merit."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.21.110)

कार्तिकस्य चतुर्दश्यां विश्वेशं यो विलोकयेत् । स्नात्वा चोत्तरवाहिन्यां न तस्य पुनरागतिः

kārtikasya caturdaśyāṁ viśveśaṁ yo vilokayet snātvā cottaravāhinyāṁ na tasya punarāgatiḥ

"He who beholds Vishvesha on the fourteenth of Kartika, having bathed in the northward-flowing Ganga, for him there is no return to this world again."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.21.111)

इत्युक्त्वा तार्क्ष्यमारोप्य ध्रुवमानंदमेदुरम् । क्षणाद्वाराणसीं प्राप हरिः स्मरहरोषिताम्

ityuktvā tārkṣyamāropya dhruvamānaṁdameduram kṣaṇādvārāṇasīṁ prāpa hariḥ smaraharoṣitām

Having said this, Hari, mounting Dhruva -- now brimming with bliss -- upon Garuda, reached in a mere instant Varanasi, that city cherished by Smarahara, the destroyer of Kama.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.21.112)

पंचक्रोश्याश्च सीमानं प्राप्य देवो जनार्दनः । वैनतेयादवारुह्य करे धृत्वा ध्रुवं ततः

paṁcakrośyāśca sīmānaṁ prāpya devo janārdanaḥ vainateyādavāruhya kare dhṛtvā dhruvaṁ tataḥ

Reaching the boundary of the five-krosha Panchakroshi region, the god Janardana then dismounted from Garuda, and, holding Dhruva by the hand...

Verse 113 (skanda.4.21.113)

मणिकर्ण्यां परिस्नाय विश्वेशमभिपूज्य च । ध्रुवं बभाषे भगवान्हितं तस्य चिकीर्षयन्

maṇikarṇyāṁ parisnāya viśveśamabhipūjya ca dhruvaṁ babhāṣe bhagavānhitaṁ tasya cikīrṣayan

...bathed at Manikarnika, worshipped Vishvesha, and, wishing to do Dhruva good, the Lord then spoke to him.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.21.114)

लिंगं स्थापय यत्नेन क्षेत्रेऽत्रैवाविमुक्तके । त्रैलोक्यस्थापनं पुण्यं यथा भवति तेऽक्षयम्

liṁgaṁ sthāpaya yatnena kṣetre'traivāvimuktake trailokyasthāpanaṁ puṇyaṁ yathā bhavati te'kṣayam

"With great care, install a Linga here in this very field of Avimukta, so that the merit of establishing the three worlds may become imperishable for you."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.21.115)

नियुतं यत्परिस्थाप्य लिंगानि फलमाप्यते । अन्यत्र तदिहैकेन लिंगेन परिलभ्यते

niyutaṁ yatparisthāpya liṁgāni phalamāpyate anyatra tadihaikena liṁgena parilabhyate

"The fruit obtained elsewhere by installing a million Lingas is obtained here through a single Linga."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.21.116)

कालेन भंगमापन्नं जीर्णोद्धारं करोति यः । इह तस्य फलस्यांतः प्रलयेपि न जायते

kālena bhaṁgamāpannaṁ jīrṇoddhāraṁ karoti yaḥ iha tasya phalasyāṁtaḥ pralayepi na jāyate

"He who restores a Linga fallen into ruin through time -- for him the fruit of that deed has no end, not even at the dissolution of the universe."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.21.117)

वित्तशाठ्यं परित्यज्य प्रासादं योऽत्र कारयेत् । तेन दत्तो भवेत्सर्वो मेरुर्नियुतयोजनः

vittaśāṭhyaṁ parityajya prāsādaṁ yo'tra kārayet tena datto bhavetsarvo merurniyutayojanaḥ

"He who, casting aside all miserliness with his wealth, builds a temple here -- by him is given, in effect, the whole of Mount Meru, extending a million yojanas."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.21.118)

कूपवापीतडागानि शक्त्या योऽत्र तु कारयेत् । अन्यत्र करणात्तस्य पुण्यं कोटिगुणाधिकम्

kūpavāpītaḍāgāni śaktyā yo'tra tu kārayet anyatra karaṇāttasya puṇyaṁ koṭiguṇādhikam

"He who, according to his means, has wells, step-wells, and tanks constructed here -- his merit exceeds by ten million times what would be gained by building them elsewhere."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.21.119)

इज्यार्थमत्र यः कुर्यात्सुरम्यां पुष्पवाटिकाम् । पुष्पेपुष्पे फलं तस्य सुवर्णकुसुमाधिकम्

ijyārthamatra yaḥ kuryātsuramyāṁ puṣpavāṭikām puṣpepuṣpe phalaṁ tasya suvarṇakusumādhikam

"He who, for the sake of worship, plants here a beautiful flower-garden, obtains for every single flower a merit greater than that of offering a golden flower."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.21.120)

अत्र ब्रह्मपुरीं कृत्वा यो विप्रेभ्यः प्रयच्छति । वर्षाशनेन संयुक्तां तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

atra brahmapurīṁ kṛtvā yo viprebhyaḥ prayacchati varṣāśanena saṁyuktāṁ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu

"He who builds a Brahmapuri here and gives it to brahmins, furnished with provisions for a year -- hear now the fruit of his merit."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.21.121)

क्षीयंते सलिलान्यब्धेर्भौमाश्च त्रसरेणवः । क्षयो न तस्य पुण्यस्य शिवलोके समासतः

kṣīyaṁte salilānyabdherbhaumāśca trasareṇavaḥ kṣayo na tasya puṇyasya śivaloke samāsataḥ

"The very waters of the ocean may dwindle away, the specks of dust upon the earth may be exhausted, but that man's merit, once he abides in Shivaloka, knows no exhaustion."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.21.122)

मठानपि तपस्विभ्यः कारयित्वाऽत्र योर्पयेत् । जीवनोपायसंयुक्तान्सोपि पूर्वफलाश्रयः

maṭhānapi tapasvibhyaḥ kārayitvā'tra yorpayet jīvanopāyasaṁyuktānsopi pūrvaphalāśrayaḥ

"He too who has monasteries built here for ascetics and grants them, furnished with the means of livelihood, shares in that same fruit described before."

Verse 123 (skanda.4.21.123)

कृत्वा महांति पुण्यानि योऽत्र विश्वेश्वरेऽर्पयेत् । न तस्य पुनरावृरत्ति घोरे संसारसागरे

kṛtvā mahāṁti puṇyāni yo'tra viśveśvare'rpayet na tasya punarāvṛratti ghore saṁsārasāgare

"He who, having performed great meritorious deeds, offers them here to Vishveshvara -- for him there is no return into the terrible ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.21.124)

अनंत इति वादोयं मयिलोकेऽत्र गीयते । परं काशी गुणानां हि मयाप्यंतो न लभ्यते

anaṁta iti vādoyaṁ mayiloke'tra gīyate paraṁ kāśī guṇānāṁ hi mayāpyaṁto na labhyate

"'Ananta -- infinite' -- this very word is sung of me in this world; yet even I cannot find the end of the virtues of Kashi."

Verse 125 (skanda.4.21.125)

तस्मात्प्रयत्नतः काश्यां धुव श्रेयः समाश्रयेत् । काशी श्रेयः फलं पुंसामक्षया योपजायते

tasmātprayatnataḥ kāśyāṁ dhuva śreyaḥ samāśrayet kāśī śreyaḥ phalaṁ puṁsāmakṣayā yopajāyate

"Therefore, Dhruva, one should diligently take refuge in the highest good found in Kashi; Kashi is the imperishable fruit of good that arises for men."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.21.126)

गणावूचतुः । ध्रुवमित्युपदिश्याथ जगाम गरुडध्वजः । ध्रुवोपि लिंगं संस्थाप्य वैद्यनाथसमीपतः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ dhruvamityupadiśyātha jagāma garuḍadhvajaḥ dhruvopi liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpya vaidyanāthasamīpataḥ

The two ganas said: "Having thus instructed Dhruva, the one whose banner bears Garuda departed; and Dhruva too, having established a Linga near Vaidyanatha..."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.21.127)

प्रासादं सुमहत्क्रृत्वा कृत्वा कुंडं तदग्रतः । विश्वेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य कृतकृत्यो गृहं ययौ

prāsādaṁ sumahatkrṛtvā kṛtvā kuṁḍaṁ tadagrataḥ viśveśvaraṁ samabhyarcya kṛtakṛtyo gṛhaṁ yayau

"...built a great temple, made a sacred pool before it, worshipped Vishveshvara, and, his purpose fulfilled, returned to his home."

Verse 128 (skanda.4.21.128)

ध्रुवेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य ध्रुवकुंडे कृतोदकः । ध्रुवलोकमवाप्नोति नरो भोगसमन्वितः

dhruveśvaraṁ samabhyarcya dhruvakuṁḍe kṛtodakaḥ dhruvalokamavāpnoti naro bhogasamanvitaḥ

"Whoever worships Dhruveshvara and performs the water-rite at Dhruvakunda attains Dhruvaloka, endowed with every enjoyment."

Verse 129 (skanda.4.21.129)

ध्रुवस्य परमाख्यानं यः पठेत्पाठयेदपि । स विष्णुलोकमासाद्य जायते विष्णुवल्लभः

dhruvasya paramākhyānaṁ yaḥ paṭhetpāṭhayedapi sa viṣṇulokamāsādya jāyate viṣṇuvallabhaḥ

"He who reads, or causes others to read, this supreme narrative of Dhruva attains the world of Vishnu, and becomes beloved of Vishnu."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.21.130)

नरो ध्रुवस्य चरितं प्रसंगेन स्मरन्नपि । न पापैरभिभूयेत महत्पुण्यमवाप्नुयात्

naro dhruvasya caritaṁ prasaṁgena smarannapi na pāpairabhibhūyeta mahatpuṇyamavāpnuyāt

"A man who merely remembers the story of Dhruva even in passing is never overcome by sin, and obtains great merit."