Description of Agastya's Ashram

Verse 1 (skanda.4.3.1)

सूत उवाच। भगवन्भूतभव्येश सर्वज्ञानमहानिधे। अवाप्य काशीं गीर्वाणैः किमकारि वदाच्युत

sūta uvāca bhagavanbhūtabhavyeśa sarvajñānamahānidhe avāpya kāśīṁ gīrvāṇaiḥ kimakāri vadācyuta

Suta said: O Lord, master of past and future, great treasury of all knowledge, O Achyuta, tell me -- having reached Kashi, what did the gods do?

Verse 2 (skanda.4.3.2)

अधीत्येमां कथां दिव्यां न तृप्तिमधियाम्यहम्। शेवधिस्तपसां देवैरगस्तिः प्रार्थितः कथम्

adhītyemāṁ kathāṁ divyāṁ na tṛptimadhiyāmyaham śevadhistapasāṁ devairagastiḥ prārthitaḥ katham

Having heard this divine story, my mind is still not satisfied. How did the gods entreat Agastya, that treasury of austerities?

Verse 3 (skanda.4.3.3)

कथं विंध्योप्यवाप स्वां प्रकृतिं तादृगुन्नतः। तववागमृतांभोधौ मनो मे स्नातुमुत्सुकम्

kathaṁ viṁdhyopyavāpa svāṁ prakṛtiṁ tādṛgunnataḥ tavavāgamṛtāṁbhodhau mano me snātumutsukam

And how, exalted as he was, did Vindhya come to regain his proper nature? My mind is eager to bathe in the nectar-ocean of your words.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.3.4)

इति कृत्स्नं समाकर्ण्य व्यासः पाराशरो मुनिः। श्रद्धावते स्वशिष्याय वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे

iti kṛtsnaṁ samākarṇya vyāsaḥ pārāśaro muniḥ śraddhāvate svaśiṣyāya vaktuṁ samupacakrame

Having heard all this, the sage Vyasa, son of Parashara, began to speak further to his faithful disciple.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.3.5)

पाराशर उवाच। शृणु सूत महाबुद्धे भक्तिश्रद्धासमन्वितः। शुकवैशंपायनाद्याः शृण्वंत्वेते च बालकाः

pārāśara uvāca śṛṇu sūta mahābuddhe bhaktiśraddhāsamanvitaḥ śukavaiśaṁpāyanādyāḥ śṛṇvaṁtvete ca bālakāḥ

The son of Parashara said: Listen, O wise Suta, with devotion and faith; and let these young ones -- Shuka, Vaishampayana and the rest -- listen too.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.3.6)

ततो वाराणसीं प्राप्य गीर्वाणाः समहर्षयः। अविलंबं प्रथमतो म णिकर्ण्यां विधानतः

tato vārāṇasīṁ prāpya gīrvāṇāḥ samaharṣayaḥ avilaṁbaṁ prathamato ma ṇikarṇyāṁ vidhānataḥ

Then, having reached Varanasi, the gods and great sages, without delay, first of all, duly at Manikarnika --

Verse 7 (skanda.4.3.7)

सचैलमभिमज्ज्याथ कृतसंध्यादिसत्क्रियाः। संतर्प्य तर्प्यादिपितॄन्कुशगंधतिलोदकैः

sacailamabhimajjyātha kṛtasaṁdhyādisatkriyāḥ saṁtarpya tarpyādipitṝnkuśagaṁdhatilodakaiḥ

-- bathed there with their garments on, performed the twilight rites and other sacred acts, and satisfied the ancestors with kusha grass, sandal, sesame, and water --

Verse 8 (skanda.4.3.8)

तीर्थवासार्थिनः सर्वान्संतर्प्य च पृथक्पृथक्। रत्नैर्हिरण्यवासोभिरश्वाभरणधेनुभिः

tīrthavāsārthinaḥ sarvānsaṁtarpya ca pṛthakpṛthak ratnairhiraṇyavāsobhiraśvābharaṇadhenubhiḥ

-- and, satisfying separately all those who wished to dwell at the tirtha, with jewels, gold, garments, horses, ornaments, and cows,

Verse 9 (skanda.4.3.9)

विचित्रैश्च तथा पात्रैः स्वर्णरौप्यादि निर्मितैः। अमृतस्वादुपक्वान्नैः पायसै श्च सशर्करैः

vicitraiśca tathā pātraiḥ svarṇaraupyādi nirmitaiḥ amṛtasvādupakvānnaiḥ pāyasai śca saśarkaraiḥ

with rare vessels made of gold and silver, with cooked food sweet as nectar, with sugared rice-pudding,

Verse 10 (skanda.4.3.10)

सगोरसैरन्नदानैर्धान्यदानैरनेकधा। गंधचंदनकर्पूरैस्तांबूलैश्चारुचामरैः

sagorasairannadānairdhānyadānairanekadhā gaṁdhacaṁdanakarpūraistāṁbūlaiścārucāmaraiḥ

with gifts of food together with dairy, with manifold gifts of grain, with fragrant sandal and camphor, with betel, with lovely fans,

Verse 11 (skanda.4.3.11)

सतूलैर्मृदुपर्यंकैर्दीपिकादर्पणासनैः। शिबिकादासदासीभिर्विमानैःपशुभिर्गृहैः

satūlairmṛduparyaṁkairdīpikādarpaṇāsanaiḥ śibikādāsadāsībhirvimānaiḥpaśubhirgṛhaiḥ

with soft cotton-stuffed couches, with lamps, mirrors, and seats, with palanquins, servants, chariots, animals, and houses,

Verse 12 (skanda.4.3.12)

चित्रध्वजपताकाभिरुल्लोचैश्चंद्रचारुभिः। वर्षाशनप्रदानैश्च गृहोपस्करसंयुतैः

citradhvajapatākābhirullocaiścaṁdracārubhiḥ varṣāśanapradānaiśca gṛhopaskarasaṁyutaiḥ

with painted banners and flags, with moon-bright canopies, with gifts of food for a whole year, together with household necessities,

Verse 13 (skanda.4.3.13)

उपानत्पादुकाभिश्च यतिनश्च तपस्विनः। योग्यैः पट्टदुकूलैश्च विविधैश्चित्ररल्लकैः

upānatpādukābhiśca yatinaśca tapasvinaḥ yogyaiḥ paṭṭadukūlaiśca vividhaiścitrarallakaiḥ

with sandals and wooden clogs, and to ascetics and yatis with fine silk cloths and manifold colored blankets,

Verse 14 (skanda.4.3.14)

दंडैः कमंडलुयुतैरजिनैर्मृगसंभवैः। कौपीनैरुच्चमंचैश्च परिचारककांचनैः

daṁḍaiḥ kamaṁḍaluyutairajinairmṛgasaṁbhavaiḥ kaupīnairuccamaṁcaiśca paricārakakāṁcanaiḥ

with staffs and water-pots, with deerskins, with loincloths, with raised couches, with gold-adorned attendants,

Verse 15 (skanda.4.3.15)

मठैर्विद्यार्थिनामन्नैरतिथ्यर्थं महाधनैः। महापुस्तकसंभारैर्लेखकानां च जीवनैः

maṭhairvidyārthināmannairatithyarthaṁ mahādhanaiḥ mahāpustakasaṁbhārairlekhakānāṁ ca jīvanaiḥ

with hostels for students, with abundant food and wealth for guests, with great collections of manuscripts, with livelihoods for scribes,

Verse 16 (skanda.4.3.16)

बहुधौषधदानैश्च सत्रदानैरनेकशः। ग्रीष्मे प्रपार्थद्रविणैर्हेमंतेग्निष्टिकेंधनैः

bahudhauṣadhadānaiśca satradānairanekaśaḥ grīṣme prapārthadraviṇairhemaṁtegniṣṭikeṁdhanaiḥ

with manifold gifts of medicine, with numerous charitable feeding-halls, with money for water-sheds in summer, with fire-braziers and fuel in winter,

Verse 17 (skanda.4.3.17)

छत्राच्छादनिकाद्यर्थे वर्षाकालोचितैर्बहु। रात्रौ पाठप्रदीपैश्च पादाभ्यंजनकादिभिः

chatrācchādanikādyarthe varṣākālocitairbahu rātrau pāṭhapradīpaiśca pādābhyaṁjanakādibhiḥ

with umbrellas and shelters suited to the rainy season, with lamps for night study, with foot-oils and such comforts,

Verse 18 (skanda.4.3.18)

पुराणपाठकांश्चापि प्रतिदेवालयं धनैः। देवालये नृत्यगीतकरणार्थैरनेकशः

purāṇapāṭhakāṁścāpi pratidevālayaṁ dhanaiḥ devālaye nṛtyagītakaraṇārthairanekaśaḥ

with wealth for Purana-reciters at every temple, with manifold means for arranging dance and song in the temples,

Verse 19 (skanda.4.3.19)

देवालय सुधाकार्यैर्जीर्णोद्धारैरनेकधा। चित्रलेखनमूल्यैश्च रंगमालादिमंडनैः

devālaya sudhākāryairjīrṇoddhārairanekadhā citralekhanamūlyaiśca raṁgamālādimaṁḍanaiḥ

with lime-plaster repairs to temples, with manifold restorations, with payment for mural-painting, with decorations of rangoli and garlands,

Verse 20 (skanda.4.3.20)

नीराजनैर्गुग्गुलुभिर्दशां गादि सुधूपकैः। कर्पूरवर्तिकाद्यैश्च देवार्चार्थैरनेकशः

nīrājanairguggulubhirdaśāṁ gādi sudhūpakaiḥ karpūravartikādyaiśca devārcārthairanekaśaḥ

with arati lamps, with fragrant incense of guggulu and the ten ingredients, with camphor wicks, with manifold materials for worship of the deity,

Verse 21 (skanda.4.3.21)

पंचामृतानां स्नपनैः सुगंध स्नपनैरपि। देवार्थं मुखवासैश्च देवोद्यानैरनेकशः

paṁcāmṛtānāṁ snapanaiḥ sugaṁdha snapanairapi devārthaṁ mukhavāsaiśca devodyānairanekaśaḥ

with the bathing of the image in panchamrita, with fragrant bathing substances, with mouth-fresheners for the deity, with numerous temple gardens,

Verse 22 (skanda.4.3.22)

महापूजार्थमाल्यादि गुंफनार्थैस्त्रिकालतः। शंखभेरीमृदंगादिवाद्यनादैः शिवालये

mahāpūjārthamālyādi guṁphanārthaistrikālataḥ śaṁkhabherīmṛdaṁgādivādyanādaiḥ śivālaye

with materials for thrice-daily flower-garlanding for the great worship, with the sound of conch, drum, and mridanga in the Shiva temple,

Verse 23 (skanda.4.3.23)

घंटागुडुककुंभादि स्नानोपस्करभाजनैः। श्वेतैर्मार्जनवस्त्रैश्च सुगंधैर्यक्षकर्दमैः

ghaṁṭāguḍukakuṁbhādi snānopaskarabhājanaiḥ śvetairmārjanavastraiśca sugaṁdhairyakṣakardamaiḥ

with bells, pitchers, and other vessels for the bathing-rite, with white cleaning cloths, with fragrant sandal-paste,

Verse 24 (skanda.4.3.24)

जपहोमैः स्तोत्रपाठैः शिवनामोच्चभाषणैः। रासक्रीडादिसंयुक्तैश्चलनैः सप्रदक्षिणैः

japahomaiḥ stotrapāṭhaiḥ śivanāmoccabhāṣaṇaiḥ rāsakrīḍādisaṁyuktaiścalanaiḥ sapradakṣiṇaiḥ

with japa and fire-offerings, with recitation of hymns, with the loud utterance of Shiva's name, with circling dances, with circumambulation,

Verse 25 (skanda.4.3.25)

एवमादिभिरुद्दंडैः क्रियाकांडैरनेकशः। पंचरात्रमुषित्वा तु कृत्वा तीर्थान्यनेकशः

evamādibhiruddaṁḍaiḥ kriyākāṁḍairanekaśaḥ paṁcarātramuṣitvā tu kṛtvā tīrthānyanekaśaḥ

with such elaborate ritual acts of every kind -- thus, having spent five nights, and having bathed at many sacred fords,

Verse 26 (skanda.4.3.26)

दीनानाथांश्च संतर्प्य नत्वा विश्वेश्वरं विभुम्। ब्रह्मचर्यादिनियमैस्तीर्थमेवं प्रसाध्य च

dīnānāthāṁśca saṁtarpya natvā viśveśvaraṁ vibhum brahmacaryādiniyamaistīrthamevaṁ prasādhya ca

and having gratified the poor and the helpless, and bowed to the mighty Vishveshvara, and thus fulfilled the pilgrimage through celibacy and other observances,

Verse 27 (skanda.4.3.27)

पुनः पुनर्विश्वनाथं दृष्ट्वा स्तुत्वा प्रणम्य च। जग्मुः परोपकारार्थमगस्तिर्यत्र तिष्ठति

punaḥ punarviśvanāthaṁ dṛṣṭvā stutvā praṇamya ca jagmuḥ paropakārārthamagastiryatra tiṣṭhati

and again and again beholding, praising, and bowing to Vishvanatha, they set forth, for the sake of the world's benefit, to where sage Agastya dwelt.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.3.28)

स्वनाम्ना लिंगमास्थाप्य कुंडं कृत्वा तदग्रतः। शतरुद्रियसूक्तेन जपन्निश्चलमानसः

svanāmnā liṁgamāsthāpya kuṁḍaṁ kṛtvā tadagrataḥ śatarudriyasūktena japanniścalamānasaḥ

Agastya had installed a linga in his own name, made a sacred pool before it, and sat there with unwavering mind, reciting the Shatarudriya hymn.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.3.29)

तं दृष्ट्वा दूरतो देवा द्वितीयमिव भास्करम्। ज्वलज्ज्वलनसंकाशैरंगैः सर्वत्रसोज्ज्वलम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā dūrato devā dvitīyamiva bhāskaram jvalajjvalanasaṁkāśairaṁgaiḥ sarvatrasojjvalam

Beholding him from afar, the gods felt as if they saw a second sun, his limbs blazing bright on every side like burning fire.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.3.30)

साक्षात्किंवाडवाग्निर्वा मूर्त्या वै तप्यते तपः। स्थाणुवन्निश्चलतरं निर्मलं सन्मनो यथा

sākṣātkiṁvāḍavāgnirvā mūrtyā vai tapyate tapaḥ sthāṇuvanniścalataraṁ nirmalaṁ sanmano yathā

As if the very submarine fire had taken embodied form and were practicing austerity -- as still as a pillar, as spotless as a virtuous mind.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.3.31)

अथवा सर्व तेजांसि श्रित्वेमां ब्राह्मणीं तनुम्। शीलयंति परं धाम शातंशांत पदाप्तये

athavā sarva tejāṁsi śritvemāṁ brāhmaṇīṁ tanum śīlayaṁti paraṁ dhāma śātaṁśāṁta padāptaye

Or as if all the splendors of the world, having taken refuge in this Brahmin body, were seeking the supreme abode for the sake of attaining the state of ultimate peace.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.3.32)

तपनस्तप्यतेऽत्यर्थं दहनोपि हि दह्यते। यत्तीव्रतपसाद्यापि चपलाऽचपलाभवत्

tapanastapyate'tyarthaṁ dahanopi hi dahyate yattīvratapasādyāpi capalā'capalābhavat

Before whom even the sun burns with intense heat, and fire itself is scorched; by whose fierce austerity even that which is fickle by nature has, to this day, become unwavering.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.3.33)

यस्याश्रमे ऽत्र दृश्यंते हिंस्रा अपि समंततः। सत्त्वरूपा अमी सत्त्वास्त्यक्त्वा वैरं स्वभावजम्

yasyāśrame 'tra dṛśyaṁte hiṁsrā api samaṁtataḥ sattvarūpā amī sattvāstyaktvā vairaṁ svabhāvajam

In whose hermitage, all around, even ferocious creatures may be seen, having abandoned their innate enmity, transformed into gentle, sattvic beings.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.3.34)

शुंडादंडेन करटिः सिंहं कंडूयतेऽभयः। अष्टापदांके स्वपिति केसरी केसरोद्भटः

śuṁḍādaṁḍena karaṭiḥ siṁhaṁ kaṁḍūyate'bhayaḥ aṣṭāpadāṁke svapiti kesarī kesarodbhaṭaḥ

The elephant, fearless, scratches the lion with his trunk; the lion, terrible with his mane, sleeps beside the ashtapada deer.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.3.35)

सूकरः स्तब्धरोमापि विहाय निजयूथकम्। चरेद्वनशुनां मध्ये मुस्तान्यस्तेक्षणोबली

sūkaraḥ stabdharomāpi vihāya nijayūthakam caredvanaśunāṁ madhye mustānyastekṣaṇobalī

Even the boar, bristling, leaving his own herd, though powerful, grazes on grass amid wild dogs, his eyes utterly calm.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.3.36)

भूदारोपि न भूदारं तथाकुर्याद्यथाऽन्यतः। सर्वा लिंगमयी काशी यतस्तद्भीतियंत्रितः

bhūdāropi na bhūdāraṁ tathākuryādyathā'nyataḥ sarvā liṁgamayī kāśī yatastadbhītiyaṁtritaḥ

Even the rhinoceros does not wreak the havoc here that he does elsewhere -- because all of Kashi is filled with the sacred linga, and it is that awe alone which restrains him.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.3.37)

क्रोडीकृत्य क्रोडपोतं तरक्षुः क्रीडयत्यहो। शार्दूलबालानुत्सार्य शार्दूलीमेणपोतकः

kroḍīkṛtya kroḍapotaṁ tarakṣuḥ krīḍayatyaho śārdūlabālānutsārya śārdūlīmeṇapotakaḥ

Ah, the hyena takes the boar's cub into its lap and plays with it; the tigress, setting aside tiger cubs, rears the young of the deer.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.3.38)

चलत्पुच्छोथ पिबति फेनिलेनाननेन वै। स्वपंतं लोमशं भल्लं वानरश्चलदंगुलिः

calatpucchotha pibati phenilenānanena vai svapaṁtaṁ lomaśaṁ bhallaṁ vānaraścaladaṁguliḥ

The monkey, its tail swaying, with fingers moving, licks with its foaming mouth the shaggy sleeping bear.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.3.39)

यूका संवीक्ष्यवीक्ष्यैव भक्षयेद्दंतकोटिभिः। गोलांगूलारक्तमुखानीलां गा यूथथनायकाः

yūkā saṁvīkṣyavīkṣyaiva bhakṣayeddaṁtakoṭibhiḥ golāṁgūlāraktamukhānīlāṁ gā yūthathanāyakāḥ

The monkey, watching for lice again and again, devours them with the tips of its teeth; black-faced langurs live as leaders among the herds of red-faced blue bulls.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.3.40)

जातिस्वभावमात्सर्यं त्यक्त्वैकत्र रमंति च। शशाः क्रीडंति च वृकैस्तैः पृष्ठलुंठनैर्मुहुः

jātisvabhāvamātsaryaṁ tyaktvaikatra ramaṁti ca śaśāḥ krīḍaṁti ca vṛkaistaiḥ pṛṣṭhaluṁṭhanairmuhuḥ

Abandoning the enmity natural to their species, they play together; hares sport with wolves, rolling on their backs again and again.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.3.41)

आखुश्चाखुभुजः कर्णं कंडूयेत चलाननः। मयूरपुच्छपुटगो निद्रात्योतुः सुखाधिकम्

ākhuścākhubhujaḥ karṇaṁ kaṁḍūyeta calānanaḥ mayūrapucchapuṭago nidrātyotuḥ sukhādhikam

The mouse-eating cat scratches its own ear with restless face; the wildcat, resting within the folds of a peacock's tail, sleeps in the greatest comfort.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.3.42)

स्वकंठं घर्षयत्येव केकिकंठे भुजंगमः। भुजंगमफणापृष्ठे नकुलः स्वकुलोचितम्

svakaṁṭhaṁ gharṣayatyeva kekikaṁṭhe bhujaṁgamaḥ bhujaṁgamaphaṇāpṛṣṭhe nakulaḥ svakulocitam

The serpent rubs its own throat against the peacock's neck; the mongoose behaves upon the serpent's hood as fits its own kind, with no enmity at all.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.3.43)

वैरं परित्यज्य लुठेदुत्प्लुत्योत्प्लुत्य लीलया। आलोक्य मूषकं सर्पश्चरंतं वदनाग्रतः

vairaṁ parityajya luṭhedutplutyotplutya līlayā ālokya mūṣakaṁ sarpaścaraṁtaṁ vadanāgrataḥ

abandoning enmity, leaping again and again, it rolls about in play. Seeing a mouse wandering right before its very mouth, the serpent --

Verse 44 (skanda.4.3.44)

क्षुधांधोपि न गृह्णाति सोपि तस्माद्बिभेति नो। प्रसूयमानां हरिणीं दृष्ट्वा कारुण्यपूर्णदृक्

kṣudhāṁdhopi na gṛhṇāti sopi tasmādbibheti no prasūyamānāṁ hariṇīṁ dṛṣṭvā kāruṇyapūrṇadṛk

-- though blind with hunger, does not seize it, nor does the mouse fear it. The tiger, seeing a doe in labor, his gaze filled with compassion --

Verse 45 (skanda.4.3.45)

तद्दृष्टिपातं मुंचन्वै व्याघ्रो दूरं व्रजत्यहो। व्याघ्री व्याघ्रस्य चरितं मृगी मृगविचेष्टितम्। उभे कथयतो ऽन्योन्यं सख्याविवमुदान्विते

taddṛṣṭipātaṁ muṁcanvai vyāghro dūraṁ vrajatyaho vyāghrī vyāghrasya caritaṁ mṛgī mṛgaviceṣṭitam ubhe kathayato 'nyonyaṁ sakhyāvivamudānvite

-- withdraws his gaze and goes far away. The tigress tells the doe of the tiger's ways, and the doe tells the tigress of the deer's ways, the two conversing joyfully like intimate friends.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.3.46)

दृष्ट्वाप्युद्दंडकोदंडं शबरं शंबरोमृगः। धृष्टो न वर्त्म त्यजति सोपि कंडूयतेपि तम्

dṛṣṭvāpyuddaṁḍakodaṁḍaṁ śabaraṁ śaṁbaromṛgaḥ dhṛṣṭo na vartma tyajati sopi kaṁḍūyatepi tam

Even seeing a hunter's raised bow, the wild deer, undaunted, does not leave the path, and boldly even scratches at him.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.3.47)

रोहितोऽरण्यमहिषमुद्धर्षति निराकुलः। चमरीशबरीकेशैः संमिमीते स्ववालधिम्

rohito'raṇyamahiṣamuddharṣati nirākulaḥ camarīśabarīkeśaiḥ saṁmimīte svavāladhim

The rhinoceros gladdens the wild buffalo without any anxiety; the yak adorns its own tail like the hair of a forest-woman.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.3.48)

गवयः शल्यकश्चाऽयमुभावेकत्रतिष्ठतः। तीव्रमात्सर्यमुत्सृज्य मुनितेजोनियंत्रितौ

gavayaḥ śalyakaścā'yamubhāvekatratiṣṭhataḥ tīvramātsaryamutsṛjya munitejoniyaṁtritau

The blue bull and the porcupine dwell together, having set aside fierce enmity, restrained by the sage's very splendor.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.3.49)

हुंडौ च मुंड युद्धाय न सज्जेते जयैषिणौ। एणशावं सृगालोपि मृदुस्पृशति पाणिना

huṁḍau ca muṁḍa yuddhāya na sajjete jayaiṣiṇau eṇaśāvaṁ sṛgālopi mṛduspṛśati pāṇinā

The hundu and the munda no longer arm themselves for battle, seeking victory over each other; even the jackal caresses the fawn with a gentle paw.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.3.50)

तृण्वंति तृणगुल्मादीन्श्वापदास्त्वापदास्पदम्। लोकद्वये दुःखहंहि धिक्तन्मांसस्य भक्षणम्

tṛṇvaṁti tṛṇagulmādīnśvāpadāstvāpadāspadam lokadvaye duḥkhahaṁhi dhiktanmāṁsasya bhakṣaṇam

Even beasts of prey graze on grass and shrubs here -- cursed indeed is the eating of flesh, which brings suffering in both worlds.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.3.51)

यः स्वार्थं मांसपचनं कुरुते पापमोहितः। यावंत्यस्य तु रोमाणि तावत्स नरके वसेत्

yaḥ svārthaṁ māṁsapacanaṁ kurute pāpamohitaḥ yāvaṁtyasya tu romāṇi tāvatsa narake vaset

Whoever, deluded by sin, cooks flesh for his own gratification -- for as many hairs as were on that animal's body, so many years shall he dwell in hell.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.3.52)

परप्राणैस्तु ये प्राणान्स्वान्पुष्णं ति हि दुर्धियः। आकल्पं नरकान्भुक्त्वा ते भुज्यंतेत्र तैः पुनः

paraprāṇaistu ye prāṇānsvānpuṣṇaṁ ti hi durdhiyaḥ ākalpaṁ narakānbhuktvā te bhujyaṁtetra taiḥ punaḥ

Those foolish people who nourish their own lives on the lives of others -- having endured hells for a full kalpa, they are then in turn devoured here by those same creatures.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.3.53)

जातुमांसं न भोक्तव्यं प्राणैः कंठगतैरपि। भोक्तव्यं तर्हि भोक्तव्यं स्वमांसं नेतरस्य च

jātumāṁsaṁ na bhoktavyaṁ prāṇaiḥ kaṁṭhagatairapi bhoktavyaṁ tarhi bhoktavyaṁ svamāṁsaṁ netarasya ca

Even with life at the very throat, one should never eat flesh; if one must eat, let him eat his own flesh, never another's.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.3.54)

वरमेतेश्वापदा वै मैत्रावरुणि सेवया। येषां न हिंसने बुद्धिर्नतु हिंसापरा नराः

varameteśvāpadā vai maitrāvaruṇi sevayā yeṣāṁ na hiṁsane buddhirnatu hiṁsāparā narāḥ

Better indeed are these wild creatures, in the service of the son of Mitra and Varuna, whose minds hold no thought of violence -- better than men who remain devoted to violence.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.3.55)

बकोपि पल्वले मत्स्यान्नाश्नात्यग्रेचरानपि। न महांतोप्यमहतो मत्स्या मत्स्यानदंति वै

bakopi palvale matsyānnāśnātyagrecarānapi na mahāṁtopyamahato matsyā matsyānadaṁti vai

Even the heron does not eat the fish swimming ahead of it in the pond; even great fish do not devour lesser fish here.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.3.56)

एकतः सर्वमांसानि मत्स्यमांसं तथकैतः। स्मृतिः स्मृतेति किंत्वेभिरतोमत्स्याञ्जहत्यमी

ekataḥ sarvamāṁsāni matsyamāṁsaṁ tathakaitaḥ smṛtiḥ smṛteti kiṁtvebhiratomatsyāñjahatyamī

On one side stands all flesh together, and fish-flesh on the other -- so the Smritis declare; yet even so, for these reasons, they forsake fish as well.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.3.57)

श्येनोपि वर्तिकां दृष्ट्वा भवत्येष पराङ्मुखः। चित्रमत्रापि मधुपा भ्रमंति मलिनाशयाः

śyenopi vartikāṁ dṛṣṭvā bhavatyeṣa parāṅmukhaḥ citramatrāpi madhupā bhramaṁti malināśayāḥ

Even the hawk, seeing a quail, turns away. Yet strange it is that even here, bees of tainted mind still wander about restlessly.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.3.58)

सुचिरं नरकान्भुक्त्वा मदिरापानलंपटाः। मधुपा एव गायंते भ्रांतिभाजः पुनः पुनः

suciraṁ narakānbhuktvā madirāpānalaṁpaṭāḥ madhupā eva gāyaṁte bhrāṁtibhājaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Having long endured hells, addicted to the drinking of wine, they are reborn again and again as bees, deluded, wandering restlessly.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.3.59)

अतएव पुराणेषु गाथेति परिगीयते। स्फुटार्थात्र पुराणज्ञैर्ज्ञात्वा तत्त्वं पिनाकिनः

ataeva purāṇeṣu gātheti parigīyate sphuṭārthātra purāṇajñairjñātvā tattvaṁ pinākinaḥ

For this very reason, this verse is sung in the Puranas; and those learned in the Puranas, understanding its clear meaning, know the truth of Shiva through it --

Verse 60 (skanda.4.3.60)

क्व मांसं क्व शिवे भक्तिः क्व मद्यं क्व शिवार्चनम्। मद्यमांसरतानां च दूरे तिष्ठति शंकरः

kva māṁsaṁ kva śive bhaktiḥ kva madyaṁ kva śivārcanam madyamāṁsaratānāṁ ca dūre tiṣṭhati śaṁkaraḥ

'Where is flesh, and where is devotion to Shiva? Where is wine, and where is the worship of Shiva? From those devoted to wine and flesh, Shankara stands far away.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.3.61)

विना शिवप्रसादं हि भ्रांतिः क्वापि न नश्यति। अतएव भ्रमंत्येते भ्रमराः शिववर्जिताः

vinā śivaprasādaṁ hi bhrāṁtiḥ kvāpi na naśyati ataeva bhramaṁtyete bhramarāḥ śivavarjitāḥ

Without Shiva's grace, delusion never departs anywhere; that is why these bees, bereft of Shiva, wander restlessly still.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.3.62)

इत्याश्रमचरान्दृष्ट्वा तिर्यञ्चोपि मुनीनिव। अबोधिविबुधैरित्थं प्रभावः क्षेत्रजस्त्वयम्

ityāśramacarāndṛṣṭvā tiryañcopi munīniva abodhivibudhairitthaṁ prabhāvaḥ kṣetrajastvayam

Thus, seeing the animals roaming the hermitage behave like sages themselves, the gods understood that this alone is the power born of this sacred domain.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.3.63)

यतो विश्वेश्वरेणैते तिर्यञ्चोप्यत्रवासिनः। निधनावसरे मोच्यास्तारक स्योपदेशतः

yato viśveśvareṇaite tiryañcopyatravāsinaḥ nidhanāvasare mocyāstāraka syopadeśataḥ

For by Vishveshvara, even these animals dwelling here are, through the Taraka teaching, liberated at the moment of death.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.3.64)

ज्ञात्वा क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं यो वसेत्कृतनिश्चयः। तं तारयति विश्वेशो जीवंतमथवा मृतम्

jñātvā kṣetrasya māhātmyaṁ yo vasetkṛtaniścayaḥ taṁ tārayati viśveśo jīvaṁtamathavā mṛtam

Whoever, knowing the greatness of this domain, dwells here with firm resolve, him Vishvesha ferries across, whether living or dead.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.3.65)

अविमुक्तरहस्यज्ञा मुच्यंते ज्ञानि नो नराः। अज्ञानिनोपि तिर्यञ्चो मुच्यंते गतकिल्बिषाः

avimuktarahasyajñā mucyaṁte jñāni no narāḥ ajñāninopi tiryañco mucyaṁte gatakilbiṣāḥ

It is not only the wise, who know the secret of Avimukta, who are liberated -- even unknowing animals here, freed of sin, attain liberation.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.3.66)

इत्याश्चर्यपरा देवा यावद्यांत्याश्रमं मुनेः। तावत्पक्षिकुलं दृष्ट्वा भृशं मुमुदिरे पुनः

ityāścaryaparā devā yāvadyāṁtyāśramaṁ muneḥ tāvatpakṣikulaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhṛśaṁ mumudire punaḥ

Thus lost in wonder, as the gods advanced toward the sage's hermitage, seeing the flocks of birds there, they rejoiced greatly once more.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.3.67)

सारसो लक्ष्मणाकंठे कंठमाधाय निश्चलः। मन्यामहे न निद्रातिध्यायेद्विश्वेश्वरं किल । ६७ कंडूयमाना वरटा स्वचंचुपुटकोटिभिः। हंसं कामयमानं तु वारयेत्पक्षधूननैः

sāraso lakṣmaṇākaṁṭhe kaṁṭhamādhāya niścalaḥ manyāmahe na nidrātidhyāyedviśveśvaraṁ kila 67 kaṁḍūyamānā varaṭā svacaṁcupuṭakoṭibhiḥ haṁsaṁ kāmayamānaṁ tu vārayetpakṣadhūnanaiḥ

The crane sat motionless, its neck entwined with its mate Lakshmana's -- we believe it does not sleep, but rather meditates upon Vishveshvara. The female bee, scratching with the tip of her beak, would restrain the amorous swan by fluttering her wings.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.3.68)

निरुद्ध्यमान चक्रेण चक्रीक्रेंकितभाषणैः। वदतीति किमत्रापि कामिता कामिनां वर

niruddhyamāna cakreṇa cakrīkreṁkitabhāṣaṇaiḥ vadatīti kimatrāpi kāmitā kāmināṁ vara

Held back by the male chakravaka bird, the female's plaintive cry seemed to say: 'Even here, O best of lovers, what state of longing is this!'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.3.69)

कलकंठः किलोत्कंठं मंजुगुंजति कुंजगः। ध्यानस्थः श्रोष्यति मुनिः पारावत्येति वार्यते

kalakaṁṭhaḥ kilotkaṁṭhaṁ maṁjuguṁjati kuṁjagaḥ dhyānasthaḥ śroṣyati muniḥ pārāvatyeti vāryate

The kokila bird warbles sweetly in the grove with longing; the meditating sage will hear it, but the pigeon is kept from disturbing him.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.3.70)

केकीकेकां परित्यज्य मौनं तिष्ठति तद्भयात्। चकोरश्चंद्रिका भोक्ता नक्तव्रतमिवास्थितः

kekīkekāṁ parityajya maunaṁ tiṣṭhati tadbhayāt cakoraścaṁdrikā bhoktā naktavratamivāsthitaḥ

The peacock abandons its cry and remains silent out of that same reverence; the chakora bird, which feeds only on moonlight, sits as if observing a nightly vow.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.3.71)

पठंती सारिकासारं शुकंसंबोधयत्यहो। अपारावारसंसारसिंधुपारप्रदः शिवः

paṭhaṁtī sārikāsāraṁ śukaṁsaṁbodhayatyaho apārāvārasaṁsārasiṁdhupārapradaḥ śivaḥ

The mynah, reciting, teaches even the parrot -- ah, it is Shiva alone who ferries one across the boundless ocean of transmigration.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.3.72)

कोकिलः कोमलालापैः कलयन्किलकाकलीम्। कलिकालौ कलयतः काशीस्थान्नेतिभाषते

kokilaḥ komalālāpaiḥ kalayankilakākalīm kalikālau kalayataḥ kāśīsthānnetibhāṣate

The cuckoo, cooing sweetly with tender notes, knowing both aspects of the age of Kali, declares that it holds no power over those who dwell in Kashi.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.3.73)

मृगाणां पक्षिणामित्थं दृष्ट्वा चेष्टां त्रिविष्टपम्। अकांडपातसंकष्टं निनिंदुस्त्रिदशा बहु

mṛgāṇāṁ pakṣiṇāmitthaṁ dṛṣṭvā ceṣṭāṁ triviṣṭapam akāṁḍapātasaṁkaṣṭaṁ niniṁdustridaśā bahu

Seeing such behavior among the beasts and birds, the gods, distressed by the sudden pain of falling from heaven, reviled heaven greatly.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.3.74)

वरमेतेपक्षिमृगाः पशवः काशिवासिनः। येषां न पुनरावृत्तिर्नदेवानपुनर्भवाः

varametepakṣimṛgāḥ paśavaḥ kāśivāsinaḥ yeṣāṁ na punarāvṛttirnadevānapunarbhavāḥ

'Better indeed are these birds and beasts who dwell in Kashi, for whom there is no return, and no rebirth as there is for us gods.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.3.75)

काशीस्थैः पतितैस्तुल्या न वयं स्वर्गिणः क्वचित्। काश्यां पाताद्भयं नास्ति स्वर्गेपाताद्भयं महत्

kāśīsthaiḥ patitaistulyā na vayaṁ svargiṇaḥ kvacit kāśyāṁ pātādbhayaṁ nāsti svargepātādbhayaṁ mahat

'We heaven-dwellers are nowhere equal to those who die in Kashi; in Kashi there is no fear of falling, but in heaven the fear of falling is very great.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.3.76)

वरं काशीपुरी वासो मासोपवसनादिभिः। विचित्रच्छत्रसंछायं राज्यं नान्यत्र नीरिपु

varaṁ kāśīpurī vāso māsopavasanādibhiḥ vicitracchatrasaṁchāyaṁ rājyaṁ nānyatra nīripu

'Better is dwelling in the city of Kashi, even through month-long fasts and the like, than a kingdom elsewhere under a splendid, enemy-free canopy.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.3.77)

शशकैर्मशकैः काश्यां यत्पदं हेलयाप्यते। तत्पदं नाप्यतेऽन्यत्र योगयुक्त्यापि योगिभिः

śaśakairmaśakaiḥ kāśyāṁ yatpadaṁ helayāpyate tatpadaṁ nāpyate'nyatra yogayuktyāpi yogibhiḥ

'The state that even a hare or a mosquito attains in Kashi with such ease, that same state even yogis cannot attain elsewhere through the practice of yoga.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.3.78)

वरं वाराणसीरंको निःशंकोयो यमादपि। न वयं त्रिदशायेषां गिरितोपीदृशी दशा

varaṁ vārāṇasīraṁko niḥśaṁkoyo yamādapi na vayaṁ tridaśāyeṣāṁ giritopīdṛśī daśā

'A pauper in Varanasi is unafraid even of Yama himself -- we gods, and even the mountain-dweller Himavan, have no such state as this.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.3.79)

ब्रह्मणो दिवसाष्टांशेषपदमैंद्रं विनश्यति। सलोकपाल सार्कं च सचंद्रग्रहतारकम्

brahmaṇo divasāṣṭāṁśeṣapadamaiṁdraṁ vinaśyati salokapāla sārkaṁ ca sacaṁdragrahatārakam

'In one-eighth of a day of Brahma, even the seat of Indra perishes -- along with the world-guardians, the sun, moon, planets, and stars.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.3.80)

परार्धद्वयनाशेपि काशीस्थो यो न नश्यति। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन काश्यां श्रेयः समाचरेत्

parārdhadvayanāśepi kāśīstho yo na naśyati tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāśyāṁ śreyaḥ samācaret

'Yet even when two parardhas [aeons] perish, the dweller in Kashi does not perish; therefore, with every effort, one should practice what is good in Kashi.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.3.81)

यत्सुखं काशिवासेत्र न तद्ब्रह्मांडमंडपे। अस्ति चेत्तत्कथं सर्वे काशीवासाभिलाषुकाः

yatsukhaṁ kāśivāsetra na tadbrahmāṁḍamaṁḍape asti cettatkathaṁ sarve kāśīvāsābhilāṣukāḥ

'The happiness that dwells in Kashi is found nowhere in the whole pavilion of the universe; were it otherwise, why would everyone long to dwell in Kashi?'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.3.82)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यत्पुण्यं समुपार्जितम्। तत्पुण्यपरिवर्तेन काश्यां वासोऽत्र लभ्यते

janmāṁtarasahasreṣu yatpuṇyaṁ samupārjitam tatpuṇyaparivartena kāśyāṁ vāso'tra labhyate

'Only in exchange for merit accumulated across a thousand other births is dwelling in Kashi obtained.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.3.83)

लब्धोपि सिद्धिं नो यायाद्यदि कुद्ध्येत्त्रिलोचनः। तस्माद्विश्वेश्वरं नित्यं शरण्यं शरणं व्रजेत्

labdhopi siddhiṁ no yāyādyadi kuddhyettrilocanaḥ tasmādviśveśvaraṁ nityaṁ śaraṇyaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajet

'Even having attained it, one may not reach fulfillment if the three-eyed Lord grows displeased; therefore one should ever take refuge in Vishveshvara, the one true refuge.'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.3.84)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्। अखंडं हि यथा काश्यां न तथा न्यत्र कुत्रचित्

dharmārthakāmamokṣākhyaṁ puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam akhaṁḍaṁ hi yathā kāśyāṁ na tathā nyatra kutracit

'The four aims of life -- dharma, artha, kama, and moksha -- are found whole and undivided in Kashi as nowhere else.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.3.85)

आलस्येनापि यो यायाद्गृहाद्विश्वेश्वरालयम्। अश्वमेधाधिको धर्मस्तस्य स्याच्च पदेपदे

ālasyenāpi yo yāyādgṛhādviśveśvarālayam aśvamedhādhiko dharmastasya syācca padepade

'Whoever, even out of mere idleness, walks from his home to Vishveshvara's temple, gains at every step merit surpassing that of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.3.86)

यः स्नात्वोत्तरवाहिन्यां याति विश्वे शदर्शने। श्रद्धया परया तस्य श्रेयसोंतो न विद्यते

yaḥ snātvottaravāhinyāṁ yāti viśve śadarśane śraddhayā parayā tasya śreyasoṁto na vidyate

'Whoever bathes in the Uttaravahini and, with supreme faith, goes to behold Vishveshvara -- for him there is no end to his blessedness.'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.3.87)

स्वर्धुनी दर्शनात्स्पर्शात्स्नानादाचमनादपि। संध्योपासनतो जप्यात्तर्पणाद्देवपूजनात्

svardhunī darśanātsparśātsnānādācamanādapi saṁdhyopāsanato japyāttarpaṇāddevapūjanāt

By the sight, touch, bathing in, and sipping of the celestial Ganga; by twilight worship, japa, ancestral offering, and worship of the deity;

Verse 88 (skanda.4.3.88)

पंचतीर्थावलोकाच्च ततो विश्वेश्वरेक्षणात्। श्रद्धास्पर्शनपूजाभ्यां धूपदीपादिदानतः

paṁcatīrthāvalokācca tato viśveśvarekṣaṇāt śraddhāsparśanapūjābhyāṁ dhūpadīpādidānataḥ

by the sight of the five sacred fords, and then of Vishveshvara; by devoted touch and worship, by offerings of incense and lamps,

Verse 89 (skanda.4.3.89)

प्रदक्षिणैः स्तोत्रजपैर्नमस्कारैस्तु नर्त्तनैः। देवदेवमहादेव शंभो शिवशिवेति च

pradakṣiṇaiḥ stotrajapairnamaskāraistu narttanaiḥ devadevamahādeva śaṁbho śivaśiveti ca

by circumambulation, by hymn recitation, by prostration, by dance, by chanting 'Devadeva Mahadeva, Shambho, Shiva Shiva!',

Verse 90 (skanda.4.3.90)

धूर्जटे नीलकंठेश पिनाकिञ्शशिशेखर। त्रिशूलपाणे विश्वेश रक्षरक्षेतिभाषणैः

dhūrjaṭe nīlakaṁṭheśa pinākiñśaśiśekhara triśūlapāṇe viśveśa rakṣarakṣetibhāṣaṇaiḥ

by crying, 'O Dhurjati, Nilakantha, Pinakin, Moon-crested one, Trident-bearer, Vishvesha -- protect me, protect me!',

Verse 91 (skanda.4.3.91)

मुक्तिमंडपिकायां च निमेषार्धो पवेशनात्। तत्र धर्मकथालापात्पुराणश्रवणादपि

muktimaṁḍapikāyāṁ ca nimeṣārdho paveśanāt tatra dharmakathālāpātpurāṇaśravaṇādapi

by entering, even for half a moment, the Mukti-mandapa, and there by discourse on dharma and hearing of the Puranas,

Verse 92 (skanda.4.3.92)

नित्यादिकर्मकरणात्तथातिथिसमर्चनैः। परोपकरणाद्यैश्च धर्मस्स्यादुत्तरोत्तरः

nityādikarmakaraṇāttathātithisamarcanaiḥ paropakaraṇādyaiśca dharmassyāduttarottaraḥ

by the performance of daily rites, by honoring guests, and by acts of benevolence -- the store of merit for those dwelling in Kashi grows greater step by step.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.3.93)

शुक्लपक्षे यथा चंद्रः कलया कलयैधते। एवं काश्यां निवसतां धर्मराशिः पदेपदे

śuklapakṣe yathā caṁdraḥ kalayā kalayaidhate evaṁ kāśyāṁ nivasatāṁ dharmarāśiḥ padepade

As the moon waxes phase by phase in the bright fortnight, so does the mass of merit grow, step by step, for those who dwell in Kashi.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.3.94)

श्रद्धाबीजो विप्रपादांबुसिक्तः शाखाविद्यास्ताश्चतस्रो दशापि। पुष्पाण्यर्था द्वे फले स्थूलसूक्ष्मे मोक्षःकामो धर्मवृक्षोयमीड्यः

śraddhābījo viprapādāṁbusiktaḥ śākhāvidyāstāścatasro daśāpi puṣpāṇyarthā dve phale sthūlasūkṣme mokṣaḥkāmo dharmavṛkṣoyamīḍyaḥ

Its seed is faith, watered by the water that has washed a Brahmin's feet; its branches are the four Vedas and the ten branches of learning; its flowers are wealth; its coarse and subtle fruits are pleasure and liberation -- this is the venerable tree of Dharma.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.3.95)

सर्वार्थानामत्रदात्री भवानी सर्वान्कामान्पूरयेदत्र ढुंढिः। सर्वाञ्जंतून्मोचयेदंतकाले विश्वेशोत्रश्रोत्रमंत्रोपदेशात्

sarvārthānāmatradātrī bhavānī sarvānkāmānpūrayedatra ḍhuṁḍhiḥ sarvāñjaṁtūnmocayedaṁtakāle viśveśotraśrotramaṁtropadeśāt

Here Bhavani is the giver of all desired things; here Dhundhiraja fulfills all wishes; and at the time of death, Vishvesha frees all beings here through the Taraka teaching whispered in the ear.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.3.96)

काश्यां धर्मस्तच्चतुष्पादरूपः काश्यामर्थः सोप्यने कप्रकारः। काश्यां कामः सर्वसौख्यैकभूमिः काश्यां श्रेयस्तत्तु किंनात्र यच्च

kāśyāṁ dharmastaccatuṣpādarūpaḥ kāśyāmarthaḥ sopyane kaprakāraḥ kāśyāṁ kāmaḥ sarvasaukhyaikabhūmiḥ kāśyāṁ śreyastattu kiṁnātra yacca

In Kashi, dharma exists in its full fourfold form; in Kashi, artha too exists in manifold ways; in Kashi, kama is the sole ground of every joy; in Kashi, ultimate good exists too -- what indeed is not here?

Verse 97 (skanda.4.3.97)

विश्वेश्वरो यत्र न तत्र चित्रं धर्मार्थकामामृतरूपरूपः। स्वरूपरूपः स हि विश्वरूपस्तस्मान्न काशी सदृशी त्रिलोकी

viśveśvaro yatra na tatra citraṁ dharmārthakāmāmṛtarūparūpaḥ svarūparūpaḥ sa hi viśvarūpastasmānna kāśī sadṛśī trilokī

It is no wonder that where Vishveshvara is, there dwells the very form of the nectar of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha -- for he himself is the universal form; therefore nothing in the three worlds equals Kashi.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.3.98)

इति ब्रुवाणा गीर्वाणा ददृशुस्तूटजं मुनेः। होमधूमसुगंधाढ्यं बटुभिर्बहुभिर्वृतम्

iti bruvāṇā gīrvāṇā dadṛśustūṭajaṁ muneḥ homadhūmasugaṁdhāḍhyaṁ baṭubhirbahubhirvṛtam

So saying, the gods beheld the sage's hut, fragrant with the smoke of the fire-offering, surrounded by many young Brahmin students.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.3.99)

श्यामाकांजलियाञ्चार्थमृषिकन्यानुयायिभिः। धृतोपग्रहदर्भास्यैर्मृगशावैरलंकृतम्

śyāmākāṁjaliyāñcārthamṛṣikanyānuyāyibhiḥ dhṛtopagrahadarbhāsyairmṛgaśāvairalaṁkṛtam

It was adorned with fawns, following the sage-daughters who came begging handfuls of shyamaka grain, their mouths holding sprouts of kusha grass.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.3.100)

सार्द्रवल्कलकौपीनैर्वृक्षशाखावलंबिभिः। बद्धुं विघ्नमृगान्दिक्षु वागुराभिरिवावृतम्

sārdravalkalakaupīnairvṛkṣaśākhāvalaṁbibhiḥ baddhuṁ vighnamṛgāndikṣu vāgurābhirivāvṛtam

Wet bark-garments and loincloths hung from the branches of trees, as though nets had been spread on every side to snare troublesome deer.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.3.101)

पतिव्रता शिरोरत्नलोपामुद्रांघ्रिमुद्रया। मुद्रितं वीक्ष्य सन्नेमुः पर्णशालांऽगणं सुराः

pativratā śiroratnalopāmudrāṁghrimudrayā mudritaṁ vīkṣya sannemuḥ parṇaśālāṁ'gaṇaṁ surāḥ

Seeing the courtyard of the leaf-hut, marked by the footprints of the chaste Lopamudra, jewel among faithful wives, the gods bowed down.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.3.102)

विसर्जितसमाधिं च धृतकर्णाक्षमालिकम्। अधिष्ठितं बृसीपृष्ठं परमेष्ठिवदुत्कटम्

visarjitasamādhiṁ ca dhṛtakarṇākṣamālikam adhiṣṭhitaṁ bṛsīpṛṣṭhaṁ parameṣṭhivadutkaṭam

Agastya, having concluded his meditation, wearing a rosary of rudraksha upon his ear, sat upon a seat of kusha grass, majestic as Brahma himself.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.3.103)

पुरोगस्त्यं समालोक्य सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः। प्रहृष्टवदनाः प्रोचुः प्रोच्चैर्जयजयेति च

purogastyaṁ samālokya sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ prahṛṣṭavadanāḥ procuḥ proccairjayajayeti ca

Beholding Agastya before them, all the gods, with Indra, their faces filled with joy, cried aloud, 'Victory, victory!'

Verse 104 (skanda.4.3.104)

मुनिरुत्थाय तान्सर्वानुपावेश्य यथोचितम्। आशीर्भिरभिनंद्याथ पप्रच्छागमकारणम्

munirutthāya tānsarvānupāveśya yathocitam āśīrbhirabhinaṁdyātha papracchāgamakāraṇam

The sage rose, seated them all fittingly, welcomed them with words of blessing, and then asked the reason for their coming.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.3.105)

व्यास उवाच। इदं पुण्यतमाख्यानं श्रुत्वा भक्तिसमन्वितः। पठित्वा पाठयित्वा च व्रतश्रद्धावतां पुरः

vyāsa uvāca idaṁ puṇyatamākhyānaṁ śrutvā bhaktisamanvitaḥ paṭhitvā pāṭhayitvā ca vrataśraddhāvatāṁ puraḥ

Vyasa said: Whoever, with devotion, hears this most sacred narrative, and reads or recites it before those of faith and vows --

Verse 106 (skanda.4.3.106)

विधूय सर्व पापानि ज्ञात्वाऽज्ञात्वा कृतान्यपि। हंसवर्णेन यानेन गच्छेच्छिवपुरं ध्रुवम्

vidhūya sarva pāpāni jñātvā'jñātvā kṛtānyapi haṁsavarṇena yānena gacchecchivapuraṁ dhruvam

-- having washed away all sins, both known and unknown, he journeys, without doubt, upon a swan-white chariot, to the city of Shiva.