The Meeting of Skanda and Agastya

Verse 1 (skanda.4.25.1)

व्यास उवाच । शृणु सूत प्रवक्ष्यामि कथां कलशजन्मनः । यामाकर्ण्य नरो भूयाद्विरजा ज्ञानभाजनम्

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇu sūta pravakṣyāmi kathāṁ kalaśajanmanaḥ yāmākarṇya naro bhūyādvirajā jñānabhājanam

Vyasa said: "Listen, Suta; I shall now tell the tale of the one born from a pitcher, hearing which a man becomes a vessel of stainless knowledge."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.25.2)

गिरिं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य श्रीसंज्ञं कलशोद्भवः । सपत्नीको ददर्शाथ रम्यं स्कंदवनं महत्

giriṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya śrīsaṁjñaṁ kalaśodbhavaḥ sapatnīko dadarśātha ramyaṁ skaṁdavanaṁ mahat

Circumambulating the mountain named Shri, the pitcher-born sage, together with his wife, then beheld the great and delightful forest of Skanda.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.25.3)

सर्वर्तं कुसुमाढ्यं च रसवत्फलपादपम् । सुसेव्य कंदमूलाढ्यं सुवल्कलमहीरुहम्

sarvartaṁ kusumāḍhyaṁ ca rasavatphalapādapam susevya kaṁdamūlāḍhyaṁ suvalkalamahīruham

Rich with flowers in every season, its trees laden with juicy fruit, abundant with edible roots and tubers, its trees bearing fine bark...

Verse 4 (skanda.4.25.4)

निवीतश्वापदगणं ससरित्पल्वलावृतम् । स्वच्छ गंभीरकासारं सारं सर्वभुवः परम्

nivītaśvāpadagaṇaṁ sasaritpalvalāvṛtam svaccha gaṁbhīrakāsāraṁ sāraṁ sarvabhuvaḥ param

...encircled by wild beasts, covered with streams and pools, its lakes clear and deep, the very essence, the supreme place of all the earth.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.25.5)

नानापतत्रिसंघुष्टं नानामुनिजनोषितम् । तपःसंकेतनिलयमिवैकं संपदां पदम्

nānāpatatrisaṁghuṣṭaṁ nānāmunijanoṣitam tapaḥsaṁketanilayamivaikaṁ saṁpadāṁ padam

Resounding with the cries of many birds, inhabited by many sages, as if it were the very meeting-place of all penance, the sole abode of all prosperity.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.25.6)

लोहितो नाम तत्रास्ति गिरिः स्वर्णगिरिप्रभः । सुकंदरप्रस्रवणः स्वसानु शिखरप्रभः

lohito nāma tatrāsti giriḥ svarṇagiriprabhaḥ sukaṁdaraprasravaṇaḥ svasānu śikharaprabhaḥ

There stands a mountain named Lohita, radiant as the golden mountain Meru, its caves full of springs, its ridges and peaks brilliant.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.25.7)

कैलासस्यैकशकलं कर्मभूमाविहागतम् । तपस्तप्तुमिव प्रोच्चैर्नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितम्

kailāsasyaikaśakalaṁ karmabhūmāvihāgatam tapastaptumiva proccairnānāścaryasamanvitam

A single fragment of Kailasa itself, come here to this land of action, as if to perform its own penance, exceedingly lofty, filled with manifold wonders.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.25.8)

तत्राद्राक्षीन्मुनिश्रेष्ठोऽगस्त्यः साक्षात्षडाननम् । प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ सपत्नीको महातपाः

tatrādrākṣīnmuniśreṣṭho'gastyaḥ sākṣātṣaḍānanam praṇamya daṁḍavadbhūmau sapatnīko mahātapāḥ

There the foremost of sages, Agastya, of great penance, beheld the six-faced one in person; and, together with his wife, he bowed flat upon the ground like a staff.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.25.9)

तुष्टाव गिरिजासूनुं सूक्तैः श्रुतिसमुद्भवैः । तथा स्वकृतया स्तुत्या प्रबद्ध करसंपुटः

tuṣṭāva girijāsūnuṁ sūktaiḥ śrutisamudbhavaiḥ tathā svakṛtayā stutyā prabaddha karasaṁpuṭaḥ

With his palms joined together, he praised the son of Girija with hymns drawn from the Shrutis, and also with a hymn of his own composing.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.25.10)

अगस्तिरुवाच । नमोस्तु वृंदारकवृंदवंद्य पादारविंदाय सुधाकराय । षडाननायामितविक्रमाय गौरीहृदानंदसमुद्भवाय

agastiruvāca namostu vṛṁdārakavṛṁdavaṁdya pādāraviṁdāya sudhākarāya ṣaḍānanāyāmitavikramāya gaurīhṛdānaṁdasamudbhavāya

Agastya said: "Salutation to you, whose lotus feet are venerated by the hosts of gods, who are the moon itself, who are six-faced, of measureless valor, who arose as the very delight of Gauri's heart."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.25.11)

नमोस्तु तुभ्यं प्रणतार्तिहंत्रे कर्त्रे समस्तस्य मनोरथानाम् । दात्रे रथानां परतारकस्य हंत्रे प्रचंडासुर तारकस्य

namostu tubhyaṁ praṇatārtihaṁtre kartre samastasya manorathānām dātre rathānāṁ paratārakasya haṁtre pracaṁḍāsura tārakasya

"Salutation to you, remover of the afflictions of those who bow to you, fulfiller of every heart's desire, bestower of chariots, the supreme deliverer, destroyer of the fierce demon Taraka."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.25.12)

अमूर्तमूर्ताय सहस्रमूर्तये गुणाय गुण्याय परात्पराय । अपारपाराय परापराय नमोस्तु तुभ्यं शिखिवाहनाय

amūrtamūrtāya sahasramūrtaye guṇāya guṇyāya parātparāya apārapārāya parāparāya namostu tubhyaṁ śikhivāhanāya

"Salutation to you, formless yet embodied, of a thousand forms, who are both quality and the possessor of qualities, supreme beyond the supreme, the shore of the shoreless, both immanent and transcendent, mounted upon the peacock."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.25.13)

नमोस्तु ते ब्रह्मविदांवराय दिगंबरायांबर संस्थिताय । हिरण्यवर्णाय हिरण्यबाहवे नमो हिरण्याय हिरण्यरेतसे

namostu te brahmavidāṁvarāya digaṁbarāyāṁbara saṁsthitāya hiraṇyavarṇāya hiraṇyabāhave namo hiraṇyāya hiraṇyaretase

"Salutation to you, foremost among the knowers of Brahman, clothed in the very directions, dwelling in the sky, golden-hued, golden-armed; salutation to you, golden one, of golden seed."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.25.14)

तपःस्वरूपाय तपोधनाय तपःफलानां प्रतिपादकाय । सदा कुमाराय हिमारमारिणे तणीकृतैश्वर्य विरागिणे नमः

tapaḥsvarūpāya tapodhanāya tapaḥphalānāṁ pratipādakāya sadā kumārāya himāramāriṇe taṇīkṛtaiśvarya virāgiṇe namaḥ

"Salutation to you, the very form of penance, rich in penance, the bestower of the fruits of penance, ever a youth, slayer of the enemy of the Himalaya's foe, indifferent to all worldly opulence made trivial before you."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.25.15)

नमोस्तु तुभ्यं शरजन्मने विभो प्रभातसूर्यारुणदंतपंक्तये । बालाय चाबालपराक्रमाय षाण्मातुरायालमनातुराय

namostu tubhyaṁ śarajanmane vibho prabhātasūryāruṇadaṁtapaṁktaye bālāya cābālaparākramāya ṣāṇmāturāyālamanāturāya

"Salutation to you, O mighty one, born amid the reeds, your row of teeth red as the morning sun; a child, yet of unchildlike valor, son of the six mothers, ever free from affliction."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.25.16)

मीढुष्टमायोत्तरमीढुषे नमो नमो गणानां पतये गणाय । नमोस्तु ते जन्मजरातिगाय नमो विशाखाय सुशक्तिपाणये

mīḍhuṣṭamāyottaramīḍhuṣe namo namo gaṇānāṁ pataye gaṇāya namostu te janmajarātigāya namo viśākhāya suśaktipāṇaye

"Salutation, salutation to you, most bountiful of the bountiful, lord of the ganas and yet one of the ganas yourself; salutation to you who have gone beyond birth and old age; salutation to Vishakha, who bears the fine spear in hand."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.25.17)

सर्वस्य नाथस्य कुमारकाय क्रौंचारये तारकमारकाय । स्वाहेय गांगेय च कार्तिकेय शैवेय तुभ्यं सततं नमोऽस्तु

sarvasya nāthasya kumārakāya krauṁcāraye tārakamārakāya svāheya gāṁgeya ca kārtikeya śaiveya tubhyaṁ satataṁ namo'stu

"Salutation to you, the son of the Lord of all, foe of the Kraunca mountain, slayer of Taraka; O son of Svaha, son of Ganga, Kartikeya, son of Shiva -- to you, ever, salutation."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.25.18)

इत्थं परिष्टुत्य स कार्तिकेयं नमो नमस्त्वित्यभिभाषमाणः । द्विस्त्रिःपरिक्रम्य पुरो विवेश स्थितो मुनीशोपविशेति चोक्तः

itthaṁ pariṣṭutya sa kārtikeyaṁ namo namastvityabhibhāṣamāṇaḥ dvistriḥparikramya puro viveśa sthito munīśopaviśeti coktaḥ

Having thus praised Kartikeya, still saying "Salutation, salutation," he circumambulated him two or three times, and then stood before him; and the lord of sages was bidden, "Be seated."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.25.19)

कार्तिकेय उवाच । क्षेमोस्ति कुंभज मुने त्रिदशैकसहायकृत् । जाने त्वामिह संप्राप्तं तथा विंध्याचलोन्नतिम्

kārtikeya uvāca kṣemosti kuṁbhaja mune tridaśaikasahāyakṛt jāne tvāmiha saṁprāptaṁ tathā viṁdhyācalonnatim

Kartikeya said: "Is all well, O sage born of the pitcher, ever the helper of the gods? I know that you have come here, and also of the humbling of the Vindhya mountain."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.25.20)

अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे क्षेमं त्र्यक्षेण रक्षिते । यत्र क्षीणायुषां साक्षाद्विरूपाक्षोऽस्ति मोक्षदः

avimukte mahākṣetre kṣemaṁ tryakṣeṇa rakṣite yatra kṣīṇāyuṣāṁ sākṣādvirūpākṣo'sti mokṣadaḥ

"All is well with the great field of Avimukta, protected by the Three-Eyed One, where, for those whose life has run out, three-eyed Virupaksha himself grants liberation in person."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.25.21)

भूर्भुवः स्वस्तले वापि न पातालतले मलम् । नोर्ध्वलोके मया दृष्टं तादृक्क्षेत्रं क्वचिन्मुने

bhūrbhuvaḥ svastale vāpi na pātālatale malam nordhvaloke mayā dṛṣṭaṁ tādṛkkṣetraṁ kvacinmune

"O sage, neither in Bhu, Bhuva, or Svar, nor in the depths of Patala, nor in any world above, have I ever seen such a field, free of all impurity, anywhere."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.25.22)

अहमेकचरोप्यत्र तत्क्षेत्रप्राप्तये मुने । तप्ये तपांसिनाद्यापि फलेयुर्मे मनोरथाः

ahamekacaropyatra tatkṣetraprāptaye mune tapye tapāṁsinādyāpi phaleyurme manorathāḥ

"O sage, though I wander alone here, even now I still perform penances in order to attain that field; yet my heart's desires have not yet been fulfilled."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.25.23)

न तत्पुण्यैर्न तद्दानैर्न तपोभिर्न तज्जपैः । न लभ्यं विविधैर्यज्ञैर्लभ्यमैशादनुग्रहात्

na tatpuṇyairna taddānairna tapobhirna tajjapaiḥ na labhyaṁ vividhairyajñairlabhyamaiśādanugrahāt

"It cannot be obtained through merit, gifts, penances, or japa; it cannot be obtained through manifold sacrifices; it is obtainable only through the grace of the Lord."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.25.24)

ईश्वरानुग्रहादेव काशीवासः सुदुर्लभः । सुलभः स्यान्मुने नूनं न वै सुकृतकोटिभिः

īśvarānugrahādeva kāśīvāsaḥ sudurlabhaḥ sulabhaḥ syānmune nūnaṁ na vai sukṛtakoṭibhiḥ

"Only through the Lord's grace does that exceedingly rare dwelling in Kashi surely become easy, O sage; it can never become easy through even millions of good deeds."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.25.25)

अन्यैव काचित्सा सृष्टिर्विधातुर्याऽतिरेकिणी । न तत्क्षेत्रगुणान्वक्तुमीश्वरोऽपीश्वरो यतः

anyaiva kācitsā sṛṣṭirvidhāturyā'tirekiṇī na tatkṣetraguṇānvaktumīśvaro'pīśvaro yataḥ

"It is some altogether different, transcendent creation of the Creator, since not even Ishvara himself is capable of fully describing the virtues of that field."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.25.26)

अहो मतेः सुदौर्बल्यमहोभाग्यस्य दौर्विधम् । अहो मोहस्य माहात्म्यं यत्काशीह न सेव्यते

aho mateḥ sudaurbalyamahobhāgyasya daurvidham aho mohasya māhātmyaṁ yatkāśīha na sevyate

"Ah, how great is the weakness of men's understanding! Ah, how great the perversity of their fortune! Ah, how great the power of their delusion, that Kashi here is not resorted to!"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.25.27)

शरीरं जीर्यते नित्यं संजीर्यंतींद्रियाण्यपि । आयुर्मृगो मृगयुना कृतलक्ष्यो हि मृत्युना

śarīraṁ jīryate nityaṁ saṁjīryaṁtīṁdriyāṇyapi āyurmṛgo mṛgayunā kṛtalakṣyo hi mṛtyunā

"The body constantly decays, and the senses too decay with it; the deer of life has been made the very target of the hunter, Death."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.25.28)

सापदं संपदं ज्ञात्वा सापायं कायमुच्चकैः । चपला चपलं चायुर्मत्वा काशीं समाश्रयेत्

sāpadaṁ saṁpadaṁ jñātvā sāpāyaṁ kāyamuccakaiḥ capalā capalaṁ cāyurmatvā kāśīṁ samāśrayet

"Knowing prosperity to be fraught with calamity, and the body to be, above all, subject to decay, and knowing life to be fickle as the fickle lightning, one should take refuge in Kashi."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.25.29)

यावन्नैत्यायुषश्चांतस्तावत्काशी न मुच्यते । कालः कलालवस्यापि संख्यातुं नैव विस्मरेत्

yāvannaityāyuṣaścāṁtastāvatkāśī na mucyate kālaḥ kalālavasyāpi saṁkhyātuṁ naiva vismaret

"As long as the end of one's fixed lifespan has not yet come, Kashi should never be abandoned; Time never forgets to count even the smallest fraction of a moment."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.25.30)

जरानिकटनिक्षिप्ता बाधंते व्याधयो भृशम् । तथापि देहो नानेहो नाहो काशीं समीहते

jarānikaṭanikṣiptā bādhaṁte vyādhayo bhṛśam tathāpi deho nāneho nāho kāśīṁ samīhate

"Diseases, brought close by old age, torment one severely; and yet, alas, this body does not desire, does not strive for Kashi."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.25.31)

तीर्थस्नानेन जप्येन परोपकरणोक्तिभिः । विनार्थं लभ्यते धर्मो धर्मादर्थः स्वयं भवेत्

tīrthasnānena japyena paropakaraṇoktibhiḥ vinārthaṁ labhyate dharmo dharmādarthaḥ svayaṁ bhavet

"Through bathing at holy fords, through japa, and through words spoken for the benefit of others, dharma is obtained without needing wealth; and from dharma, wealth arises of itself."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.25.32)

विनैवार्थार्जनोपायं धर्मादर्थो भवेद्ध्रुवम् । अतोऽर्थचिंतामुत्सृज्य धर्ममेकं समाश्रयेत्

vinaivārthārjanopāyaṁ dharmādartho bhaveddhruvam ato'rthaciṁtāmutsṛjya dharmamekaṁ samāśrayet

"Without any means of earning wealth at all, wealth surely arises from dharma. Therefore, casting aside all anxiety over wealth, one should take refuge in dharma alone."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.25.33)

धर्मादर्थोऽर्थतः कामः कामात्सर्वसुखोदयः । स्वर्गोपि सुलभो धर्मात्काश्ये का दुर्लभा परम्

dharmādartho'rthataḥ kāmaḥ kāmātsarvasukhodayaḥ svargopi sulabho dharmātkāśye kā durlabhā param

"From dharma comes wealth, from wealth desire, and from desire the arising of every happiness; even heaven becomes easy to attain through dharma -- in Kashi, what remains truly hard to attain?"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.25.34)

उपायत्रयमेवात्र स्थाणुर्निर्वाणकारणम्। शर्वाण्यग्रेव भाणाद्धा परिनिर्णीय सर्वतः

upāyatrayamevātra sthāṇurnirvāṇakāraṇam śarvāṇyagreva bhāṇāddhā parinirṇīya sarvataḥ

"Only three means here, ordained by Sthanu, are the cause of liberation, as declared before Sharvani herself, fully determined in every respect."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.25.35)

पूर्वं पाशुपतो योगस्ततस्तीर्थं सितासितम् । ततोप्येकमनायासमविमुक्तं विमुक्तिदम्

pūrvaṁ pāśupato yogastatastīrthaṁ sitāsitam tatopyekamanāyāsamavimuktaṁ vimuktidam

"First, the Pashupata yoga; then, the confluence of the white and dark rivers; and beyond even that, the single, effortless Avimukta, the bestower of liberation."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.25.36)

श्रीशैल हिमशैलाद्या नानान्यायतनानि च । त्रिदंडधारणंचापि संन्यासः सर्वकर्मणाम्

śrīśaila himaśailādyā nānānyāyatanāni ca tridaṁḍadhāraṇaṁcāpi saṁnyāsaḥ sarvakarmaṇām

"Shrishaila, Himashaila, and other manifold shrines; the bearing of the triple staff, and renunciation of all rites..."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.25.37)

तपांसि नानारूपाणि व्रतानि नियमा यमाः । सिंधूनामपि संभेदा अरण्यानि बहून्यपि

tapāṁsi nānārūpāṇi vratāni niyamā yamāḥ siṁdhūnāmapi saṁbhedā araṇyāni bahūnyapi

"...penances of manifold kinds, vows, niyamas, yamas; the confluences of rivers, and many forests as well..."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.25.38)

मानसान्यपि भौमानि धारातीर्थादिकानि च । ऊषराश्चापि पीठानि ह्यच्छिन्नाम्नायपाठनम्

mānasānyapi bhaumāni dhārātīrthādikāni ca ūṣarāścāpi pīṭhāni hyacchinnāmnāyapāṭhanam

"...even the earthly Manasa lakes, the waterfall-holy-places and the rest; the barren tracts too, and the sacred seats, and the unbroken recitation of scripture..."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.25.39)

जपश्चापि मनूनां च तथाऽग्निहवनानि च । दानानि नानाक्रतवो देवतोपासनानि च

japaścāpi manūnāṁ ca tathā'gnihavanāni ca dānāni nānākratavo devatopāsanāni ca

"...the japa of mantras, and the offering of oblations into fire; gifts, various sacrifices, and the worship of deities..."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.25.40)

त्रिरात्रं पंचरात्राणि सांख्ययोगादयस्तथा । विष्णोराराधनं श्रेष्ठं मुक्तयेऽभिहितं किल

trirātraṁ paṁcarātrāṇi sāṁkhyayogādayastathā viṣṇorārādhanaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ muktaye'bhihitaṁ kila

"...the Trisaatra and Panchratra vows, Sankhya, Yoga, and the rest -- and the worship of Vishnu, indeed declared the very best for liberation..."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.25.41)

पुर्यश्चापि समाख्यातानृतजंतु विमुक्तिदा । कैवल्यसाधनानीह भवंत्येव विनिश्चितम्

puryaścāpi samākhyātānṛtajaṁtu vimuktidā kaivalyasādhanānīha bhavaṁtyeva viniścitam

"...and the cities too, declared to grant liberation to mortal creatures -- all these are certainly declared to be, in this world, means of attaining ultimate liberation."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.25.42)

एतानि यानि प्रोक्तानि काशीप्राप्तिकराणि च । प्राप्य काशीं भवेन्मुक्तो जंतुर्नान्यत्रकुत्रचित्

etāni yāni proktāni kāśīprāptikarāṇi ca prāpya kāśīṁ bhavenmukto jaṁturnānyatrakutracit

"All these that have been declared are means leading to the attainment of Kashi; and having attained Kashi, a creature becomes liberated -- nowhere else, in no other place."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.25.43)

अतएव हि तत्क्षेत्रं पवित्रमतिचित्रकृत् । विश्वेशितुः प्रियनित्यं विष्वग्ब्रह्माण्डमंडले

ataeva hi tatkṣetraṁ pavitramaticitrakṛt viśveśituḥ priyanityaṁ viṣvagbrahmāṇḍamaṁḍale

"Therefore that field is exceedingly pure, working wonders on every side, ever dear to Vishveshita, throughout the entire cosmic sphere."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.25.44)

इदमेव हि तत्क्षेत्रं कुशलप्रश्नकारणम् । एह्येहि देहि मे स्पर्शं निजगात्रस्य सुव्रत

idameva hi tatkṣetraṁ kuśalapraśnakāraṇam ehyehi dehi me sparśaṁ nijagātrasya suvrata

"It is that very field which is the reason for my asking after your welfare. Come, come, O virtuous one, grant me the touch of your own body."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.25.45)

अपि काश्याः समागच्छत्स्पर्शवत्स्पर्श इष्यते । मयात्र तिष्ठता नित्यं किंतु त्वं तत आगतः

api kāśyāḥ samāgacchatsparśavatsparśa iṣyate mayātra tiṣṭhatā nityaṁ kiṁtu tvaṁ tata āgataḥ

"For one who dwells here always, like myself, even the touch of one just come from Kashi is desired as equal to Kashi's own touch -- and you have come from there itself."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.25.46)

त्रिरात्रमपिये काश्यां वसंति नियतेंद्रियाः । तेषां पुनंति नियतं स्पृष्टाश्चरणरेणवः

trirātramapiye kāśyāṁ vasaṁti niyateṁdriyāḥ teṣāṁ punaṁti niyataṁ spṛṣṭāścaraṇareṇavaḥ

"Even those who dwell in Kashi merely three nights, their senses controlled -- the very dust of their feet, once touched, surely purifies."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.25.47)

त्वं तु तत्र कृतावासः कृतपुण्यमहोच्चयः । उत्तरप्रवहा स्नान जातपिंगलमूर्धजः

tvaṁ tu tatra kṛtāvāsaḥ kṛtapuṇyamahoccayaḥ uttarapravahā snāna jātapiṁgalamūrdhajaḥ

"But you have dwelt there, having accumulated a vast store of merit, your hair turned tawny from bathing in the northward-flowing river."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.25.48)

तव तत्र तु यत्कुंडमगस्तीश्वरसन्निधौ । तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च कृतसर्वोदकक्रियः

tava tatra tu yatkuṁḍamagastīśvarasannidhau tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca kṛtasarvodakakriyaḥ

"That pool of yours there, in the vicinity of Agastyeshvara -- bathing there, and drinking there, and having performed there all the rites with water..."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.25.49)

पितॄन्पिंडैः समभ्यर्च्य श्रद्धाश्राद्धविधानतः । कृत्यकृत्यो भवेज्जंतुर्वाराणस्याः फलं लभेत्

pitṝnpiṁḍaiḥ samabhyarcya śraddhāśrāddhavidhānataḥ kṛtyakṛtyo bhavejjaṁturvārāṇasyāḥ phalaṁ labhet

"...and worshipping the ancestors with pinda-offerings according to the proper rites of Shraddha performed with faith, a creature becomes one whose every duty is fulfilled, and obtains the very fruit of Varanasi."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.25.50)

इत्युक्त्वा सर्वगात्राणि स्पष्ट्वा कुंभोद्भवस्य च । स्कंदोऽमृतसरोवारि विगाह्य सुखमाप्तवान्

ityuktvā sarvagātrāṇi spaṣṭvā kuṁbhodbhavasya ca skaṁdo'mṛtasarovāri vigāhya sukhamāptavān

Having said this, and touching all the limbs of the pitcher-born sage, Skanda plunged into the waters of the nectar-lake and found happiness there.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.25.51)

जय विश्वेश नेत्राणि विनिमील्य वदन्नपि । ततः किंचित्क्षणं दध्यौ गुहः स्थाणुसुनिश्चलः

jaya viśveśa netrāṇi vinimīlya vadannapi tataḥ kiṁcitkṣaṇaṁ dadhyau guhaḥ sthāṇusuniścalaḥ

Closing his eyes and uttering "Victory, O Vishvesha," Guha then remained absorbed in meditation for a little while, still as a post.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.25.52)

स्कंदे विसर्जितध्याने सुप्रसन्नमनोमुखे । प्रतीक्ष्य वागवसरं पप्रच्छाथ मुनिर्गुहम्

skaṁde visarjitadhyāne suprasannamanomukhe pratīkṣya vāgavasaraṁ papracchātha munirguham

When Skanda's meditation had ended, his mind and face both serene, the sage, waiting for the right moment to speak, then questioned Guha.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.25.53)

अगस्तिरुवाच । स्वामिन्यथा भगवता भगवत्यै पुराऽकथि । वाराणस्यास्तु महिमा हिमशैलभुवे मुदा

agastiruvāca svāminyathā bhagavatā bhagavatyai purā'kathi vārāṇasyāstu mahimā himaśailabhuve mudā

Agastya said: "O Lord, just as the greatness of Varanasi was once joyfully told by the Blessed Lord to the goddess born of the Himalaya..."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.25.54)

त्वया यथा समाकर्णि तदुत्संगनिवासिना । तथा कथय षड्वक्त्र तत्क्षेत्रं मेऽतिरोचते

tvayā yathā samākarṇi tadutsaṁganivāsinā tathā kathaya ṣaḍvaktra tatkṣetraṁ me'tirocate

"...as you heard it, dwelling in her lap, tell it to me in just that way, O six-faced one; that field delights me exceedingly."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.25.55)

स्कंद उवाच । शृणुष्व मैत्रावरुणे यथा भगवताऽकथि । तत्क्षेत्रस्याविमुक्तस्य मम मातुः पुरः पुरा

skaṁda uvāca śṛṇuṣva maitrāvaruṇe yathā bhagavatā'kathi tatkṣetrasyāvimuktasya mama mātuḥ puraḥ purā

Skanda said: "Listen, O Maitravaruni, just as it was told by the Blessed Lord, of that field of Avimukta, before my mother, long ago..."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.25.56)

श्रुतं च यत्तदुत्संगे स्थितेन स्थिरचेतसा । माहात्म्यं तच्छृणु मुने कथ्यमानं मयाऽनघ

śrutaṁ ca yattadutsaṁge sthitena sthiracetasā māhātmyaṁ tacchṛṇu mune kathyamānaṁ mayā'nagha

"...and as I, seated in her lap with a steady mind, heard it -- hear that greatness, O sinless sage, as it is now told by me."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.25.57)

गुह्यानां परमं गुह्यमविमुक्तमिहेरितम् । तत्र संनिहिता सिद्धिस्तत्र नित्यं स्थितो विभुः

guhyānāṁ paramaṁ guhyamavimuktamiheritam tatra saṁnihitā siddhistatra nityaṁ sthito vibhuḥ

"Avimukta is here declared to be the supreme secret of all secrets; there siddhi is ever present, there the all-pervading Lord eternally abides."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.25.58)

भूर्लोके नैव संलग्नं तत्क्षेत्रं त्वंतरिक्षगम् । अयोगिनो न वीक्षंते पश्यंत्येव च योगिनः

bhūrloke naiva saṁlagnaṁ tatkṣetraṁ tvaṁtarikṣagam ayogino na vīkṣaṁte paśyaṁtyeva ca yoginaḥ

"That field is not attached to the earthly plane at all, but moves through the sky; non-yogis do not perceive it, but yogis do indeed see it."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.25.59)

यस्तत्र निवसेद्विप्र संयतात्मा समाहितः । त्रिकालमपि भुंजानो वायुभक्षसमो भवेत्

yastatra nivasedvipra saṁyatātmā samāhitaḥ trikālamapi bhuṁjāno vāyubhakṣasamo bhavet

"O brahmin, whoever dwells there, self-controlled and composed, even though eating three times a day, becomes equal to one who lives on air alone."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.25.60)

निमेषमात्रमपि यो ह्यविमुक्तेऽतिभक्तिभाक् । ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तं तेन तप्तं महत्तपः

nimeṣamātramapi yo hyavimukte'tibhaktibhāk brahmacaryasamāyuktaṁ tena taptaṁ mahattapaḥ

"Whoever, even for the space of a single wink of the eye, is intensely devoted in Avimukta, joined with celibacy -- by him has great penance already been performed."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.25.61)

यस्तु मासं वसेद्धीरो लघ्वाहारो जितेंद्रियः । सर्वं तेन व्रतं चीर्णं दिव्यं पाशुपतं भवेत्

yastu māsaṁ vaseddhīro laghvāhāro jiteṁdriyaḥ sarvaṁ tena vrataṁ cīrṇaṁ divyaṁ pāśupataṁ bhavet

"And whoever, steadfast, eating little, senses conquered, dwells there for a month -- by him has the entire divine Pashupata vow been performed."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.25.62)

संवत्सरं वसंस्तत्र जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः । अपरस्वविपुष्टांगः परान्नपरिवर्जकः

saṁvatsaraṁ vasaṁstatra jitakrodho jiteṁdriyaḥ aparasvavipuṣṭāṁgaḥ parānnaparivarjakaḥ

"Dwelling there for a full year, his anger conquered, his senses conquered, his body nourished on nothing gained from others, avoiding the food of others..."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.25.63)

परापवादरहितः किंचिद्दानपरायणः । समाः सहस्रमन्यत्र तेन तप्तं महत्तपः

parāpavādarahitaḥ kiṁciddānaparāyaṇaḥ samāḥ sahasramanyatra tena taptaṁ mahattapaḥ

"...free from slandering others, somewhat devoted to charity -- by him has been performed a penance as great as a thousand years elsewhere."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.25.64)

यावज्जीवं वसेद्यस्तु क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यविन्नरः । जन्ममृत्यु भयं हित्वा स याति परमां गतिम्

yāvajjīvaṁ vasedyastu kṣetramāhātmyavinnaraḥ janmamṛtyu bhayaṁ hitvā sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

"And the man who, knowing the greatness of this field, dwells there for his whole life, casting off the fear of birth and death, attains the supreme goal."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.25.65)

न योगैर्या गतिर्लभ्या जन्मांतरशतैरपि । अन्यत्रहेलया साऽत्र लभ्येशस्य प्रसादतः

na yogairyā gatirlabhyā janmāṁtaraśatairapi anyatrahelayā sā'tra labhyeśasya prasādataḥ

"That state which cannot be attained even through yoga across hundreds of successive lifetimes elsewhere, is here attained with ease, through the Lord's own grace."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.25.66)

ब्रह्महा योऽभिगच्छेद्वै दैवाद्वाराणसीं पुरीम् । तस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्याद्ब्रह्महत्या निवर्तते

brahmahā yo'bhigacchedvai daivādvārāṇasīṁ purīm tasya kṣetrasya māhātmyādbrahmahatyā nivartate

"Whoever, even a slayer of a brahmin, comes by fate to the city of Varanasi -- through the greatness of that field, the sin of brahminicide is removed from him."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.25.67)

आदेहपतनं यावद्योविमुक्तं न मुंचति । न केवलं ब्रह्महत्या प्रकृतिश्च निवर्तते

ādehapatanaṁ yāvadyovimuktaṁ na muṁcati na kevalaṁ brahmahatyā prakṛtiśca nivartate

"Whoever does not leave Avimukta until the very falling of his body -- not only is his brahminicide removed, but even his very sinful nature is removed."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.25.68)

अनन्यमानसो भूत्वा तत्क्षेत्रं यो न मुंचति । स मुंचति जरामृत्युं गर्भवासं सुदुःसहम्

ananyamānaso bhūtvā tatkṣetraṁ yo na muṁcati sa muṁcati jarāmṛtyuṁ garbhavāsaṁ suduḥsaham

"Becoming single-minded, whoever does not leave that field is freed from old age, from death, and from the exceedingly unbearable dwelling in the womb."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.25.69)

अविमुक्तं निषेवेत देवर्षिगणसेवितम् । यदीच्छेन्मानवो धीमान्न पुनर्जननं भुवि

avimuktaṁ niṣeveta devarṣigaṇasevitam yadīcchenmānavo dhīmānna punarjananaṁ bhuvi

"The wise man who desires never again to be born upon this earth should resort to Avimukta, that is served by hosts of gods and sages."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.25.70)

अविमुक्तं न मुंचेत संसारभयमोचनम् । प्राप्य विश्वेश्वरं देवं न स भूयोऽभिजायते

avimuktaṁ na muṁceta saṁsārabhayamocanam prāpya viśveśvaraṁ devaṁ na sa bhūyo'bhijāyate

"One should never abandon Avimukta, the deliverer from the fear of worldly existence; having attained the god Vishveshvara, he is never born again."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.25.71)

कृत्वा पापसह्स्राणि पिशाचत्वं वरंत्विह । न तु क्रतुशतप्राप्यः स्वर्गः काशीपुरीं विना

kṛtvā pāpasahsrāṇi piśācatvaṁ varaṁtviha na tu kratuśataprāpyaḥ svargaḥ kāśīpurīṁ vinā

"Even having committed a thousand sins, let one prefer here even to become a ghost -- for heaven, though attainable even by a hundred sacrifices, cannot be attained without the city of Kashi."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.25.72)

अंतकाले मनुष्याणां भिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु । वातेनातुद्यमानानां स्मृतिर्नैवोपजायते

aṁtakāle manuṣyāṇāṁ bhidyamāneṣu marmasu vātenātudyamānānāṁ smṛtirnaivopajāyate

"At the time of death, when men's vital points are being torn apart, tormented by the deranging wind, no memory ever arises for them."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.25.73)

तत्रोत्क्रमणकाले तु साक्षाद्विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम् । व्याचष्टे तारकं ब्रह्म येनासौ तन्मयो भवेत्

tatrotkramaṇakāle tu sākṣādviśveśvaraḥ svayam vyācaṣṭe tārakaṁ brahma yenāsau tanmayo bhavet

"But there, at the moment the soul departs, Vishveshvara himself, in person, explains to him the liberating Taraka-Brahman, by which he becomes one with That."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.25.74)

अशाश्वतमिदं ज्ञात्वा मानुष्यं बहुकिल्बिषम् । अविमुक्तं निषेवेत संसारभयनाशनम्

aśāśvatamidaṁ jñātvā mānuṣyaṁ bahukilbiṣam avimuktaṁ niṣeveta saṁsārabhayanāśanam

"Knowing this human life to be impermanent and laden with much sin, one should resort to Avimukta, the destroyer of the fear of worldly existence."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.25.75)

विघ्रैरालोड्यमानोपि योऽविमुक्तं न मुंचति । नैःश्रेयसी श्रियं प्राप्य दुःखांतं सोधिगच्छति

vighrairāloḍyamānopi yo'vimuktaṁ na muṁcati naiḥśreyasī śriyaṁ prāpya duḥkhāṁtaṁ sodhigacchati

"Even one who is tossed about by afflictions, if he does not abandon Avimukta, attains the wealth of the highest good, and reaches the very end of sorrow."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.25.76)

महापापौघशमनीं पुण्योपचयकारिणीम् । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदामंते को न काशीं सुधीः श्रयेत्

mahāpāpaughaśamanīṁ puṇyopacayakāriṇīm bhuktimuktipradāmaṁte ko na kāśīṁ sudhīḥ śrayet

"Which wise man, in the end, would not take refuge in Kashi -- the queller of the flood of great sins, the increaser of merit, the bestower of both enjoyment and liberation?"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.25.77)

एवं ज्ञात्वा तु मेधावी नाविमुक्तं त्यजेन्नरः । अविमुक्तप्रसादेन विमुक्तो जायते यतः

evaṁ jñātvā tu medhāvī nāvimuktaṁ tyajennaraḥ avimuktaprasādena vimukto jāyate yataḥ

"Knowing this, the wise man should never abandon Avimukta, since it is by the grace of Avimukta alone that one becomes liberated."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.25.78)

अविमुक्तस्य माहात्म्यं षड्भिर्वक्त्रैः कथं मया । वक्तुं शक्यं न शक्नोति सहस्रास्योपि यत्परम्

avimuktasya māhātmyaṁ ṣaḍbhirvaktraiḥ kathaṁ mayā vaktuṁ śakyaṁ na śaknoti sahasrāsyopi yatparam

"How can I, with even my six faces, tell the greatness of Avimukta, which even the thousand-mouthed one himself is unable fully to describe?"