The Praise of Jnanavapi

Verse 1 (skanda.4.34.1)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ पुनर्ददर्श तन्वंगी चित्रपट्यां घटोद्भव॥ स्वर्गद्वारात्पुरोभागे श्रीमतीं मणिकर्णिकाम्

skaṁda uvāca punardadarśa tanvaṁgī citrapaṭyāṁ ghaṭodbhava svargadvārātpurobhāge śrīmatīṁ maṇikarṇikām

Skanda said: That slender-limbed one, O Ghatodbhava, then looked again at the painted canvas, and beheld the glorious Manikarnika, situated before the Gate of Heaven.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.34.2)

संसारसर्पदष्टानां जंतूनां यत्र शंकरः॥ अपसव्येन हस्तेन ब्रूते ब्रह्मस्पृशञ्छ्रुतिम्

saṁsārasarpadaṣṭānāṁ jaṁtūnāṁ yatra śaṁkaraḥ apasavyena hastena brūte brahmaspṛśañchrutim

This is where Shankara, for creatures bitten by the serpent of worldly existence, with his left hand touching them, speaks the Brahman-touching scripture, the Taraka mantra.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.34.3)

न कापिलेन योगेन न सांख्येन न च व्रतैः॥ या गतिः प्राप्यते पुंभिस्तां दद्यान्मोक्षभूरियम्

na kāpilena yogena na sāṁkhyena na ca vrataiḥ yā gatiḥ prāpyate puṁbhistāṁ dadyānmokṣabhūriyam

That state which men attain neither by the yoga of Kapila, nor by Sankhya, nor by vows — this very ground of liberation grants it.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.34.4)

वैकुंठे विष्णुभवने विष्णुभक्तिपरायणाः॥ जपेयुः सततं मुक्त्यै श्रीमतीं मणिकर्णिकाम्

vaikuṁṭhe viṣṇubhavane viṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇāḥ japeyuḥ satataṁ muktyai śrīmatīṁ maṇikarṇikām

Even those devoted wholly to Vishnu-bhakti, in Vishnu's own abode of Vaikuntha, ceaselessly recite the name of the glorious Manikarnika, for the sake of liberation.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.34.5)

हुत्वाग्निहोत्रमपि च यावज्जीवं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ अंते श्रयंते मुक्त्यै यां सेयं श्रीमणिकर्णिका

hutvāgnihotramapi ca yāvajjīvaṁ dvijottamāḥ aṁte śrayaṁte muktyai yāṁ seyaṁ śrīmaṇikarṇikā

The best of brahmins, having performed the fire-sacrifice throughout their lives, take refuge at the end, for liberation, in that very glorious Manikarnika.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.34.6)

वेदान्पठित्वा विधिवद्ब्रह्मयज्ञरता भुवि॥ यां श्रयंति द्विजा मुक्त्यै सेयं श्रीमणिकर्णिका

vedānpaṭhitvā vidhivadbrahmayajñaratā bhuvi yāṁ śrayaṁti dvijā muktyai seyaṁ śrīmaṇikarṇikā

Having duly studied the Vedas, devoted on this earth to the Brahma-yajna, brahmins take refuge for liberation in that very glorious Manikarnika.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.34.7)

इष्ट्वा क्रतूनपि नृपा बहून्पर्याप्तदक्षिणान्॥ श्रयंते श्रेयसे धन्याः प्रांतेऽधिमणिकर्णिकम्

iṣṭvā kratūnapi nṛpā bahūnparyāptadakṣiṇān śrayaṁte śreyase dhanyāḥ prāṁte'dhimaṇikarṇikam

Kings, having performed many sacrifices with abundant sacrificial fees, blessed as they are, take refuge at the end, for their highest good, upon Manikarnika.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.34.8)

सीमंतिन्योपि सततं पतिव्रतपरायणाः॥ मुक्त्यै पतिमनुव्रज्य श्रयंति मणिकर्णिकाम्

sīmaṁtinyopi satataṁ pativrataparāyaṇāḥ muktyai patimanuvrajya śrayaṁti maṇikarṇikām

Married women too, ever devoted to their husbands, following their husbands, take refuge for liberation in Manikarnika.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.34.9)

वैश्या अपि च सेवंते न्यायोपार्जितसंपदः॥ धनानि साधुसात्कृत्वा प्रांते श्रीमणिकर्णिकाम्

vaiśyā api ca sevaṁte nyāyopārjitasaṁpadaḥ dhanāni sādhusātkṛtvā prāṁte śrīmaṇikarṇikām

Even members of the merchant class, having earned their wealth by righteous means and given it away to the virtuous, serve the glorious Manikarnika at the end.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.34.10)

त्यक्त्वा पुत्रकलत्रादि सच्छूद्रा न्यायमार्गगाः॥ निर्वाणप्राप्तये चैनां भजेयुर्मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ यावज्जीवं चरंतोपि ब्रह्मचर्य जितेंद्रियाः॥ निःश्रेयसे श्रयंत्येनां श्रीमतीं मणिकार्णकाम्

tyaktvā putrakalatrādi sacchūdrā nyāyamārgagāḥ nirvāṇaprāptaye caināṁ bhajeyurmaṇikarṇikām yāvajjīvaṁ caraṁtopi brahmacarya jiteṁdriyāḥ niḥśreyase śrayaṁtyenāṁ śrīmatīṁ maṇikārṇakām

Even virtuous shudras, walking the path of righteousness, having renounced sons and wives, worship this Manikarnika for the attainment of liberation. And those who, throughout life, observe celibacy, their senses conquered, take refuge in this glorious Manikarnika for their highest good.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.34.11)

अतिथीनपि संतर्प्य पंचयज्ञरता अपि॥ गृहस्थाश्रमिणो नेमां त्यजेयुर्मणिकर्णिकाम्

atithīnapi saṁtarpya paṁcayajñaratā api gṛhasthāśramiṇo nemāṁ tyajeyurmaṇikarṇikām

Even householders, devoted to the five great sacrifices, offering hospitality to guests, never forsake this Manikarnika.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.34.12)

वानप्रस्थाश्रमयुजो ज्ञात्वा निर्वाणसाधनम्॥ सन्नियम्येंद्रियग्रामं मणिकर्णीमुपासते

vānaprasthāśramayujo jñātvā nirvāṇasādhanam sanniyamyeṁdriyagrāmaṁ maṇikarṇīmupāsate

Those in the forest-dweller stage of life, knowing it to be the means to liberation, restraining the whole host of their senses, worship Manikarnika.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.34.13)

अनन्यसाधनां मुक्तिं ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रैरनेकधा॥ मुमुक्षुभिस्त्वेकदंडैः सेव्यते मणिकर्णिका

ananyasādhanāṁ muktiṁ jñātvā śāstrairanekadhā mumukṣubhistvekadaṁḍaiḥ sevyate maṇikarṇikā

Knowing through many scriptures that it is the sole means to liberation, Manikarnika is served by seekers of liberation who carry the single staff.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.34.14)

दंडयित्वा मनोवाचं कायं नित्यं त्रिदंडिनः॥ नैःश्रेयसीं श्रियं प्राप्तुं श्रयंते मणिकर्णिकाम्

daṁḍayitvā manovācaṁ kāyaṁ nityaṁ tridaṁḍinaḥ naiḥśreyasīṁ śriyaṁ prāptuṁ śrayaṁte maṇikarṇikām

Those bearing the triple staff, ever disciplining mind, speech, and body, take refuge in Manikarnika to attain the supreme fortune of liberation.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.34.15)

संन्यस्ताखिलकर्माणो दंडयित्वा चलं मनः॥ एकदंडव्रता मुक्त्यै भजेयुर्मणिकर्णिकाम्

saṁnyastākhilakarmāṇo daṁḍayitvā calaṁ manaḥ ekadaṁḍavratā muktyai bhajeyurmaṇikarṇikām

Those who have renounced all action, having disciplined their restless mind, vowed to the single staff, worship Manikarnika for liberation.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.34.16)

शिखी मुंडी जटी वापि कौपीनी वा दिगंबरः॥ मुमुक्षुः को न सेवेत मुक्तिदां मणिकर्णिकाम्

śikhī muṁḍī jaṭī vāpi kaupīnī vā digaṁbaraḥ mumukṣuḥ ko na seveta muktidāṁ maṇikarṇikām

Whether with a topknot, shaven-headed, matted-haired, clad only in a loincloth, or entirely naked — what seeker of liberation would not serve Manikarnika, the giver of liberation?

Verse 17 (skanda.4.34.17)

तपःकर्तुं न शक्ता ये दानं वा दातुमक्षमाः॥ योगाभ्यास विहीना ये तेषामेषा विमुक्तिदा ॥ १-॥ संत्युपायाः सहस्रं तु मुक्तये न तथा मुने॥ हेलयैषा यथा दद्यान्निर्वाणं मणिकर्णिका

tapaḥkartuṁ na śaktā ye dānaṁ vā dātumakṣamāḥ yogābhyāsa vihīnā ye teṣāmeṣā vimuktidā 1- saṁtyupāyāḥ sahasraṁ tu muktaye na tathā mune helayaiṣā yathā dadyānnirvāṇaṁ maṇikarṇikā

For those unable to perform austerity, unable to give charity, devoid of the practice of yoga — for them, this alone grants liberation. There are a thousand means to liberation, O sage, but none of them grants final liberation with such ease as Manikarnika does.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.34.18)

अनशनव्रतभृते त्रिकालाभ्यवहारिणे॥ प्रांते दद्यात्समां मुक्तिमुभाभ्यां मणिकर्णिका॥ यथोक्तमाचरेदेको निष्ठा पाशुपतंव्रतम्॥ निरंतरं स्मरेदेको हृद्येनां मणिकर्णिकाम्

anaśanavratabhṛte trikālābhyavahāriṇe prāṁte dadyātsamāṁ muktimubhābhyāṁ maṇikarṇikā yathoktamācaredeko niṣṭhā pāśupataṁvratam niraṁtaraṁ smaredeko hṛdyenāṁ maṇikarṇikām

To one who observes the vow of fasting and to one who eats three times a day, Manikarnika grants, at the end, equal liberation to both. One person may faithfully observe the Pashupata vow, exactly as prescribed; another may simply, ceaselessly, remember this Manikarnika within the heart.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.34.19)

दृष्टात्र वपुषः पाते द्वयोश्च सदृशी गतिः॥ तस्मात्सर्वविहायाशु सेव्यैषा मणिकर्णिका

dṛṣṭātra vapuṣaḥ pāte dvayośca sadṛśī gatiḥ tasmātsarvavihāyāśu sevyaiṣā maṇikarṇikā

The fate of the body's falling away is seen here to be the same for both. Therefore, forsaking all else at once, this Manikarnika alone should be served.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.34.20)

स्वर्गद्वारे विशेयुर्ये विगाह्य मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ तेषां विधूतपापानां कापि स्वर्गो न दूरतः

svargadvāre viśeyurye vigāhya maṇikarṇikām teṣāṁ vidhūtapāpānāṁ kāpi svargo na dūrataḥ

Whoever enters the Gate of Heaven, having first bathed in Manikarnika — for them, their sins washed away, heaven is never far off.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.34.21)

स्वर्गद्वाः स्वर्गभूरेषा मोक्षभूर्मणिकर्णिका॥ स्वर्गापवर्गावत्रैव नोपरिष्टान्न चाप्यधः

svargadvāḥ svargabhūreṣā mokṣabhūrmaṇikarṇikā svargāpavargāvatraiva nopariṣṭānna cāpyadhaḥ

This is the Gate of Heaven, the very ground of heaven; Manikarnika is the ground of liberation. Heaven and final liberation are here alone — not above, and not below.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.34.22)

दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकानि विगाह्य मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ स्वर्गद्वारं प्रविष्टा ये न ते निरयगामिनः

dattvā dānānyanekāni vigāhya maṇikarṇikām svargadvāraṁ praviṣṭā ye na te nirayagāminaḥ

Those who, having given manifold gifts and bathed in Manikarnika, enter the Gate of Heaven — they never go to hell.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.34.23)

स्वर्गापवर्गयोरर्थः कोविदैश्च निरूपितः॥ स्वर्गः सुखं समुद्दिष्टमपवर्गो महासुखम्

svargāpavargayorarthaḥ kovidaiśca nirūpitaḥ svargaḥ sukhaṁ samuddiṣṭamapavargo mahāsukham

The meaning of heaven and final liberation has been established by the wise: heaven is declared to be happiness, and final liberation, the greatest happiness.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.34.24)

मणिकर्ण्युपविष्टस्य यत्सुखं जायते सतः॥ सिंहासनोपविष्टस्य तत्सुखं क्व शतक्रतोः

maṇikarṇyupaviṣṭasya yatsukhaṁ jāyate sataḥ siṁhāsanopaviṣṭasya tatsukhaṁ kva śatakratoḥ

The happiness that arises for a virtuous person merely sitting at Manikarnika — where is that happiness even for Indra of a hundred sacrifices, seated upon his own throne?

Verse 25 (skanda.4.34.25)

महासुखं यदुद्दिष्टं समाधौ विस्मृतात्मनाम्॥ श्रीमत्यां मणिकर्ण्यां तत्सहजेनैव जायते

mahāsukhaṁ yaduddiṣṭaṁ samādhau vismṛtātmanām śrīmatyāṁ maṇikarṇyāṁ tatsahajenaiva jāyate

That great happiness declared for those absorbed in samadhi, who have forgotten themselves entirely — that very happiness arises spontaneously, without effort, at the glorious Manikarnika.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.34.26)

स्वर्गद्वारात्पुरोभागे देवनद्याश्च पश्चिमे॥ सौभाग्यभाग्यैकनिधिः काचिदेका महास्थली

svargadvārātpurobhāge devanadyāśca paścime saubhāgyabhāgyaikanidhiḥ kācidekā mahāsthalī

In front of the Gate of Heaven, and to the west of the celestial river, is a certain great expanse of ground, the sole treasury of good fortune.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.34.27)

यावंतो भास्वतः स्पर्शाद्भासंते सैकताः कणाः॥ तावंतो द्रुहिणा जग्मुर्नैत्येषा मणिकर्णिका॥ संति तीर्थानि तावंति परितो मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ यावद्भिस्तिलमात्रापि न भूमिर्विरलीकृता

yāvaṁto bhāsvataḥ sparśādbhāsaṁte saikatāḥ kaṇāḥ tāvaṁto druhiṇā jagmurnaityeṣā maṇikarṇikā saṁti tīrthāni tāvaṁti parito maṇikarṇikām yāvadbhistilamātrāpi na bhūmirviralīkṛtā

As many grains of sand as shine there by the touch of the sun — even that many Brahmas have passed away, yet this Manikarnika never ceases to be. As many tirthas as exist all around Manikarnika, there is not even a sesame-seed's worth of ground left bare among them.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.34.28)

यदन्वये कोपि मुक्तः संप्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ तद्वंश्यास्तत्प्रभावेण मान्याः स्वर्गौकसामपि

yadanvaye kopi muktaḥ saṁprāpya maṇikarṇikām tadvaṁśyāstatprabhāveṇa mānyāḥ svargaukasāmapi

In whatever lineage even a single person has attained liberation by reaching Manikarnika, that entire lineage becomes, through that very influence, honored even by the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.34.29)

तर्पिताः पितरो येन संप्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम्॥ सप्तसप्त तथा सप्त पूर्वजास्तेन तारिताः

tarpitāḥ pitaro yena saṁprāpya maṇikarṇikām saptasapta tathā sapta pūrvajāstena tāritāḥ

By whomever the ancestors have been satisfied through tarpana performed upon reaching Manikarnika, by that person seven times seven, and again seven, generations of ancestors are delivered.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.34.30)

आमध्याद्देवसरित आ हरिश्चंद्रमडपात्॥ आ गंगा केशवादा च स्वर्द्वारान्मणिकर्णिका

āmadhyāddevasarita ā hariścaṁdramaḍapāt ā gaṁgā keśavādā ca svardvārānmaṇikarṇikā

From the very midst of the celestial river, as far as the Harishchandra pavilion, and as far as Ganga-Keshava, and as far as the Gate of Heaven itself — that is Manikarnika.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.34.31)

एतद्रजःकणतुलां त्रिलोक्यपि न गच्छति॥ एतत्प्राप्त्यै प्रयतते त्रिलोकस्थोऽखिलो भवी

etadrajaḥkaṇatulāṁ trilokyapi na gacchati etatprāptyai prayatate trilokastho'khilo bhavī

Not even all the three worlds together equal a single grain of dust of this place. Every worldly being throughout the three worlds strives to attain it.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.34.32)

कलावती चित्रपटीं पश्यंतीत्थं मुहुर्मुहुः॥ ज्ञानवापीं ददर्शाथ श्रीविश्वेश्वरदक्षिणे

kalāvatī citrapaṭīṁ paśyaṁtītthaṁ muhurmuhuḥ jñānavāpīṁ dadarśātha śrīviśveśvaradakṣiṇe

As Kalavati thus gazed again and again at the painted canvas, she then beheld the Jnanavapi, to the south of glorious Vishveshvara.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.34.33)

यदंबुसततं रक्षेद्दुर्वृत्ताद्दंडनायकः॥ संभ्रमो विभ्रमश्चासौ दत्त्वा भ्रातिं गरीयसीम्

yadaṁbusatataṁ rakṣeddurvṛttāddaṁḍanāyakaḥ saṁbhramo vibhramaścāsau dattvā bhrātiṁ garīyasīm

Its waters are ceaselessly guarded from the wicked by Dandanayaka, together with Sambhrama and Vibhrama, who cast a great confusion upon them.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.34.34)

योष्टमूर्तिर्महादेवः पुराणे परिपठ्यते॥ तस्यैषांबुमयी मूर्तिर्ज्ञानदा ज्ञानवापिका

yoṣṭamūrtirmahādevaḥ purāṇe paripaṭhyate tasyaiṣāṁbumayī mūrtirjñānadā jñānavāpikā

Mahadeva, spoken of in the Purana as of eight forms — this Jnanavapi is his very form made of water, the giver of knowledge.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.34.35)

नेत्रयोरतिथीकृत्य ज्ञानवापी कलावती॥ कदंबकुसुमाकारां बभार क्षणतस्तनुम्

netrayoratithīkṛtya jñānavāpī kalāvatī kadaṁbakusumākārāṁ babhāra kṣaṇatastanum

As soon as Kalavati made the Jnanavapi a guest to her own eyes, her body took on, in an instant, the very hue and horripilation of a kadamba blossom.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.34.36)

अंगानि वेपथुं प्रापुः स्विन्ना भालस्थली भृशम्॥ हर्षवाष्पांबुकलिले जाते तस्या विलोचने॥ तस्तंभ गात्रलतिका मुखवैवर्ण्यमाप च॥ स्वरोथ गद्गदो जातो व्यभ्रंशत्तत्करात्पटी

aṁgāni vepathuṁ prāpuḥ svinnā bhālasthalī bhṛśam harṣavāṣpāṁbukalile jāte tasyā vilocane tastaṁbha gātralatikā mukhavaivarṇyamāpa ca svarotha gadgado jāto vyabhraṁśattatkarātpaṭī

Her limbs began to tremble, her forehead grew intensely moist with sweat; her eyes filled with the mingled water of tears of joy. Her creeper-like body grew rigid, her face grew pale; her voice choked, and the painted canvas slipped from her hand.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.34.37)

साक्षणं स्वं विसस्मार काहं क्वाहं न वेत्ति च॥ सौषुप्तायां दशायां च परमात्मेव निश्चला

sākṣaṇaṁ svaṁ visasmāra kāhaṁ kvāhaṁ na vetti ca sauṣuptāyāṁ daśāyāṁ ca paramātmeva niścalā

For that very moment she forgot herself entirely — who she was, where she was, she knew not — motionless as the Supreme Self in the state of deep sleep.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.34.38)

अथ तत्परिचारिण्यस्त्वरमाणा इतस्ततः॥ किं किं किमेतदेतत्किं पृच्छंति स्म परस्परम्

atha tatparicāriṇyastvaramāṇā itastataḥ kiṁ kiṁ kimetadetatkiṁ pṛcchaṁti sma parasparam

Then her attendants, hastening about here and there, asked one another again and again: 'What is this? What is this? What has happened?'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.34.39)

तदवस्थां समालोक्य तां ताश्चतुरचेतसः॥ विज्ञाय सात्त्विकैर्भावैरिदमूचूः परस्परम्

tadavasthāṁ samālokya tāṁ tāścaturacetasaḥ vijñāya sāttvikairbhāvairidamūcūḥ parasparam

Beholding that state of hers, those clever-minded women, recognizing it as caused by sattvic emotion, said to one another:

Verse 40 (skanda.4.34.40)

भवांतरे प्रेमपात्रमेतयैक्षितु किंचन॥ चिरात्तेन च संगत्य सुखमूर्च्छामवाप ह

bhavāṁtare premapātrametayaikṣitu kiṁcana cirāttena ca saṁgatya sukhamūrcchāmavāpa ha

'She must have beheld, in this painting, some vessel of love from a former life; and, reuniting with him after so long, she has surely fallen into a swoon of joy.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.34.41)

अथनेत्थं कथमियमकांडात्पर्यमूमुहत्॥ प्रेक्षमाणा रहश्चित्रपटीमति पटीयसीम्

athanetthaṁ kathamiyamakāṁḍātparyamūmuhat prekṣamāṇā rahaścitrapaṭīmati paṭīyasīm

'Otherwise how could she, so exceedingly skilled, so suddenly have fallen into such utter delusion, merely gazing in secret at a painted canvas?'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.34.42)

तन्मोहस्य निदानं ताःसम्यगेव विचार्य च॥ उपचेरुर्महाशांतैरुपचारैरनाकुलम्

tanmohasya nidānaṁ tāḥsamyageva vicārya ca upacerurmahāśāṁtairupacārairanākulam

Having thus rightly discerned the cause of her swoon, they, undisturbed, tended to her with the gentlest remedies.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.34.43)

काचित्तां वीजयांचक्रे कदलीतालवृंतकैः॥ बिसिनीवलयैरन्या धन्यां तां पर्यभूषयत्

kācittāṁ vījayāṁcakre kadalītālavṛṁtakaiḥ bisinīvalayairanyā dhanyāṁ tāṁ paryabhūṣayat

One fanned her with fans of plantain-leaf and palm-leaf; another adorned that blessed one with bracelets of lotus-stalks.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.34.44)

अमंदैश्चंदनरसैरभ्यषिंचदमुं परा॥ अशोकपल्लवैरस्याः काचिच्छोकमनीनशत्

amaṁdaiścaṁdanarasairabhyaṣiṁcadamuṁ parā aśokapallavairasyāḥ kācicchokamanīnaśat

Another anointed her with copious sandalwood paste; another, with tender ashoka leaves, drove away her sorrow.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.34.45)

धारामंडपधारांबुसीकरैस्तत्तनूलताम्॥ इष्टार्थविरहग्लानां सिंचयामास काचन॥ जलार्द्रवाससा काचिदेतस्यास्तनुमावृणोत्॥ कर्पूरक्षोदजालेपैरन्यास्तामन्वलेपयन्

dhārāmaṁḍapadhārāṁbusīkaraistattanūlatām iṣṭārthavirahaglānāṁ siṁcayāmāsa kācana jalārdravāsasā kācidetasyāstanumāvṛṇot karpūrakṣodajālepairanyāstāmanvalepayan

One sprinkled her creeper-like body, drooping from separation from her heart's desire, with the fine spray of water from a fountain-pavilion. Another covered her body with a water-soaked cloth; others anointed her with a paste of powdered camphor.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.34.46)

पद्मिनीदलशय्या च काचित्यरचयन्मृदुम्॥ काचित्कुलिशनेपथ्यं दूरीकृत्य तदंगतः

padminīdalaśayyā ca kācityaracayanmṛdum kācitkuliśanepathyaṁ dūrīkṛtya tadaṁgataḥ

One prepared a soft bed of lotus-leaves; another removed the heavy jewels from her limbs.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.34.47)

मुक्ताकलापं रचयांचक्रे वक्षोजमंडले॥ काचिच्छशिमुखी तां तु चंद्रकांतशिलातले

muktākalāpaṁ racayāṁcakre vakṣojamaṁḍale kācicchaśimukhī tāṁ tu caṁdrakāṁtaśilātale

One arranged a string of pearls upon her breast; and a moon-faced attendant laid that slender-limbed one upon a slab of moonstone,

Verse 48 (skanda.4.34.48)

स्वापयामास तन्वंगीं स्रवच्छीतांबुशीतले॥ दृष्ट्वोपचार्यमाणां तामित्थं बुद्धिशरीरिणी

svāpayāmāsa tanvaṁgīṁ sravacchītāṁbuśītale dṛṣṭvopacāryamāṇāṁ tāmitthaṁ buddhiśarīriṇī

cool with trickling cold water, and let her rest. Seeing her thus attended upon, one attendant, embodying good sense,

Verse 49 (skanda.4.34.49)

अतितापपरीतांगी ताः सखीः प्रत्यभाषत॥ एतस्यास्तापशांत्यर्थं जानेहं परमौषधम्

atitāpaparītāṁgī tāḥ sakhīḥ pratyabhāṣata etasyāstāpaśāṁtyarthaṁ jānehaṁ paramauṣadham

her own limbs overcome with distress, said to her companions: 'I know the supreme remedy for the calming of her fever.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.34.50)

उपचारानिमान्सवार्न्दूरी कुरुत मा चिरम्॥ अपतापां करोम्येनां सद्यः पश्यत कौतुकम्

upacārānimānsavārndūrī kuruta mā ciram apatāpāṁ karomyenāṁ sadyaḥ paśyata kautukam

'Set aside all these remedies without delay — watch, and I shall instantly free her from this fever; behold this wonder.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.34.51)

दृष्ट्वा चित्रपटीमेषा सद्यो विह्वलतामगात्॥ अत्रैव काचिदेतस्याः प्रेमभूरस्ति निश्चितम्

dṛṣṭvā citrapaṭīmeṣā sadyo vihvalatāmagāt atraiva kācidetasyāḥ premabhūrasti niścitam

'It was upon seeing this painted canvas that she instantly fell into distress — it is certain that some source of her love lies right here within it.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.34.52)

अतश्चित्रपटीस्पर्शात्परितापं विहास्यति॥ वाक्याद्बुद्धिशरीरिण्यास्ततस्तत्परिचारिकाः

ataścitrapaṭīsparśātparitāpaṁ vihāsyati vākyādbuddhiśarīriṇyāstatastatparicārikāḥ

'Therefore, by the very touch of the painted canvas, she will abandon her distress.' Hearing this word of that wise attendant, the other attendants then,

Verse 53 (skanda.4.34.53)

निधाय तत्पुरः प्रोचुः पटीं पश्य कलावति॥ तवानंदकरी यत्र काचिदस्तीष्टदेवता

nidhāya tatpuraḥ procuḥ paṭīṁ paśya kalāvati tavānaṁdakarī yatra kācidastīṣṭadevatā

placing the canvas before her, said: 'Behold this painting, O Kalavati — in it is your very source of joy, some chosen deity of yours.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.34.54)

सापीष्टदेवतानाम्ना तत्पटीदर्शनेन च॥ सुधासेकमिव प्राप्य मूर्छां हित्वोत्थिता द्रुतम्॥ अवग्रहपरिम्लाना वर्षासारैरिवौषधीः॥ पुनरालोकयांचक्रे ज्ञानदां ज्ञानवापिकाम्

sāpīṣṭadevatānāmnā tatpaṭīdarśanena ca sudhāsekamiva prāpya mūrchāṁ hitvotthitā drutam avagrahaparimlānā varṣāsārairivauṣadhīḥ punarālokayāṁcakre jñānadāṁ jñānavāpikām

She, at the very naming of her chosen deity and the sight of that painting, as though sprinkled with nectar, cast off her swoon and rose at once — like herbs, withered by drought, revived by a downpour of rain — and gazed once more at the knowledge-giving Jnanavapika.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.34.55)

स्पृष्ट्वा कलावती तां तु वापीं चित्रगतामपि॥ लेभे भवांतरज्ञानं यथासीत्पूर्वर्जन्मनि

spṛṣṭvā kalāvatī tāṁ tu vāpīṁ citragatāmapi lebhe bhavāṁtarajñānaṁ yathāsītpūrvarjanmani

Kalavati, merely by touching that well, even though it was only depicted in a painting, gained knowledge of her former life, exactly as it had been in her past birth.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.34.56)

पुनर्विचारयांचक्रे वापी माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्॥ अहो चित्रगतापीयं संस्पृष्टा ज्ञानवापिका

punarvicārayāṁcakre vāpī māhātmyamuttamam aho citragatāpīyaṁ saṁspṛṣṭā jñānavāpikā

She reflected once more upon the supreme greatness of the well: 'Ah, this Jnanavapika, though only touched as depicted in a painting,'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.34.57)

ज्ञानं मे जनयामास भवांतर समुद्भवम्॥ अथ तासां पुरो हृष्टा कथयामास सुंदरी

jñānaṁ me janayāmāsa bhavāṁtara samudbhavam atha tāsāṁ puro hṛṣṭā kathayāmāsa suṁdarī

'— has given birth in me to knowledge of my former existence!' Then, joyfully, that beautiful woman related, before her attendants,

Verse 58 (skanda.4.34.58)

निजं प्राग्भव वृत्तांतं ज्ञानवापीप्रभावजम्॥ ॥ कलावत्युवाच॥ एतस्माज्जन्मनः पूर्वमहं ब्राह्मणकन्यका

nijaṁ prāgbhava vṛttāṁtaṁ jñānavāpīprabhāvajam kalāvatyuvāca etasmājjanmanaḥ pūrvamahaṁ brāhmaṇakanyakā

her own former-life story, born of the power of the Jnanavapi. Kalavati said: 'Before this present birth, I was a brahmin's daughter.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.34.59)

उपविश्वेश्वरं काश्यां ज्ञानवाप्यां रमे मुदा॥ जनको मे हरिस्वामी जनयित्री प्रियंवदा

upaviśveśvaraṁ kāśyāṁ jñānavāpyāṁ rame mudā janako me harisvāmī janayitrī priyaṁvadā

'I dwelt joyfully near Vishveshvara in Kashi, by the Jnanavapi. My father was Harisvami, and my mother, Priyamvada.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.34.60)

आख्या मम सुशीलेति मां च विद्याधरोऽहरत्॥ मध्येमार्गं निशीथेथ तदोप मलयाचलम्

ākhyā mama suśīleti māṁ ca vidyādharo'harat madhyemārgaṁ niśīthetha tadopa malayācalam

'My name was Sushila. A Vidyadhara carried me away; midway on his path, by night, he came to Mount Malaya.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.34.61)

रक्षसा सहतो वीरो राक्षसं स जघानह॥ रक्षोपि मुक्तं शापात्तु दिव्यवपुरवाप ह

rakṣasā sahato vīro rākṣasaṁ sa jaghānaha rakṣopi muktaṁ śāpāttu divyavapuravāpa ha

'Struck by a rakshasa, that hero slew the rakshasa; but even that rakshasa, freed of his curse, obtained a divine body.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.34.62)

अवाप जन्मगंधर्वस्त्वसौ मलयकेतुतः॥ कर्णाटनृपतेः कन्या बभूवाहं कलावती

avāpa janmagaṁdharvastvasau malayaketutaḥ karṇāṭanṛpateḥ kanyā babhūvāhaṁ kalāvatī

'He, that Gandharva, was reborn as the son of Malayaketu; and I became Kalavati, daughter of the king of Karnataka.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.34.63)

ताश्च तत्परिचारिण्यः प्रहृष्टास्यास्तदाऽभवन्॥ प्रोचुस्तां प्रणिपत्याथ पुण्यशीलां कलावतीम्

tāśca tatparicāriṇyaḥ prahṛṣṭāsyāstadā'bhavan procustāṁ praṇipatyātha puṇyaśīlāṁ kalāvatīm

Those attendants of hers, then greatly delighted at heart, bowed before that virtuous Kalavati and said to her:

Verse 64 (skanda.4.34.64)

अहो कथं हि सा लभ्या यत्प्रभावोयमीदृशः॥ धिग्जन्म तेषां मर्त्येऽस्मिन्यैर्नैक्षि ज्ञानवापिका

aho kathaṁ hi sā labhyā yatprabhāvoyamīdṛśaḥ dhigjanma teṣāṁ martye'sminyairnaikṣi jñānavāpikā

'Ah, how indeed may that same well be attained, whose power is such as this! Cursed be the birth, in this mortal world, of those who have never beheld the Jnanavapi!'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.34.65)

कलावति नमस्तुभ्यं कुरुनोपि समीहितम्॥ जनिं सफलयास्माकं नय नः प्रार्थ्य भूपतिम्

kalāvati namastubhyaṁ kurunopi samīhitam janiṁ saphalayāsmākaṁ naya naḥ prārthya bhūpatim

'O Kalavati, salutations to you! Grant our own wish as well — make our lives fruitful too; entreat the king and lead us there.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.34.66)

अयं च नियमोस्माकमद्यारभ्य कलावति॥ निर्वेक्ष्यामो महाभोगान्दृष्ट्वा तां ज्ञानवापिकाम्

ayaṁ ca niyamosmākamadyārabhya kalāvati nirvekṣyāmo mahābhogāndṛṣṭvā tāṁ jñānavāpikām

'And this is our vow, O Kalavati, from this day on — we shall renounce great pleasures once we have beheld that Jnanavapika.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.34.67)

अवश्यं ज्ञानवापी सा नाम्ना भवितुमर्हति॥ चित्रं चित्रगतापीह या तव ज्ञानदायिनी

avaśyaṁ jñānavāpī sā nāmnā bhavitumarhati citraṁ citragatāpīha yā tava jñānadāyinī

'Surely that well is fittingly called Jnanavapi by name — a wonder indeed, that even merely depicted in a painting, it has given you knowledge!'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.34.68)

ॐकृत्य तासां वाक्यं सा स्वाकारं परिगोप्य च॥ प्रियाणि कृत्वा भूभर्तुः प्रस्तावज्ञा व्यजिज्ञपत्

oṁkṛtya tāsāṁ vākyaṁ sā svākāraṁ parigopya ca priyāṇi kṛtvā bhūbhartuḥ prastāvajñā vyajijñapat

Accepting their words with assent, and concealing her own inner state, she, knowing well the right moment, having pleased the king in his other affairs, then made her petition.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.34.69)

कलावत्युवाच॥ जीवितेश न मे त्वत्तः किंचित्प्रियतरं क्वचित्॥ त्वामासाद्य पतिं राजन्प्राप्ताः सर्वे मनोरथाः

kalāvatyuvāca jīviteśa na me tvattaḥ kiṁcitpriyataraṁ kvacit tvāmāsādya patiṁ rājanprāptāḥ sarve manorathāḥ

Kalavati said: 'O lord of my life, there is nothing anywhere dearer to me than you. Having obtained you as my husband, O king, all my heart's desires have been fulfilled.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.34.70)

एको मनोरथः प्रार्थ्यो ममास्त्यत्रार्यपुत्रक॥ विचारपथमापन्नस्तवापि स महाहितः

eko manorathaḥ prārthyo mamāstyatrāryaputraka vicārapathamāpannastavāpi sa mahāhitaḥ

'Yet there is one wish of mine, O noble one, which I would ask of you — one which, upon reflection, would be of the greatest benefit to you as well.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.34.71)

मम तु त्वदधीनायाः सुदुष्प्रापतरो महान्॥ तव स्वाधीनवृत्तेस्तु सिद्धप्रायो मनोरथः

mama tu tvadadhīnāyāḥ suduṣprāpataro mahān tava svādhīnavṛttestu siddhaprāyo manorathaḥ

'For me, dependent as I am on you, it is exceedingly hard to attain; but for you, master of your own conduct, this wish is nearly already accomplished.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.34.72)

प्राणेश किं बहूक्तेन यदि प्राणैः प्रयोजनम्॥ तदाभिलषितं देहि प्राणा यास्यंत्यथान्यथा॥ प्राणेभ्योपि गरीयस्यास्तस्या वाक्यं निशम्य सः॥ उवाच वचनं राजा तस्याः स्वस्यापि च प्रियम्

prāṇeśa kiṁ bahūktena yadi prāṇaiḥ prayojanam tadābhilaṣitaṁ dehi prāṇā yāsyaṁtyathānyathā prāṇebhyopi garīyasyāstasyā vākyaṁ niśamya saḥ uvāca vacanaṁ rājā tasyāḥ svasyāpi ca priyam

'O lord of my life, what need is there of many words? If you have any regard for my very life-breath, then grant my desire — otherwise my life-breath itself shall depart.' Hearing the words of her, dearer to him than his very life, that king spoke a word pleasing both to her and to himself.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.34.73)

राजोवाच॥ नाहं प्रिये तवादेयमिह पश्यामि भामिनि॥ प्राणा अपि मम क्रीतास्त्वया शीलकलागुणैः

rājovāca nāhaṁ priye tavādeyamiha paśyāmi bhāmini prāṇā api mama krītāstvayā śīlakalāguṇaiḥ

The king said: 'O beloved, O radiant one, I see nothing here that I could not give you. Even my very life has been won by you, through your virtue, your accomplishments, and your excellence.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.34.74)

अविलंबितमाचक्ष्व कृतं विद्धि कलावति॥ भवद्विधानां साध्वीनामन्येऽप्राप्यं न किंचन

avilaṁbitamācakṣva kṛtaṁ viddhi kalāvati bhavadvidhānāṁ sādhvīnāmanye'prāpyaṁ na kiṁcana

'Speak without delay, O Kalavati — know it as already granted. For virtuous women such as you, there is nothing at all unattainable.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.34.75)

कः प्रार्थ्यः प्रार्थनीयं किं को वा प्रार्थयिता प्रिये॥ न पृथग्जनवत्किंचिद्वर्तनं नौ कलावति

kaḥ prārthyaḥ prārthanīyaṁ kiṁ ko vā prārthayitā priye na pṛthagjanavatkiṁcidvartanaṁ nau kalāvati

'Who is to be entreated, or what is to be entreated, or who is the one entreating, O beloved? Between us there is no such conduct as between ordinary strangers, O Kalavati.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.34.76)

देशः कोशो बलं दुर्गं यदन्यदपि भामिनि॥ तत्त्वदीयं न मे किंचित्स्वाम्यमात्रमिहास्ति मे

deśaḥ kośo balaṁ durgaṁ yadanyadapi bhāmini tattvadīyaṁ na me kiṁcitsvāmyamātramihāsti me

'This kingdom, this treasury, this army, this fortress, and whatever else there may be, O radiant one — all of it is yours; nothing here is mine — I hold only the name of ownership.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.34.77)

तच्च स्वाम्यं ममान्यत्र त्वदृते जीवितेश्वरि॥ राज्यं त्यजेयं त्वद्वाक्यात्तृणीकृत्यापि मानिनि

tacca svāmyaṁ mamānyatra tvadṛte jīviteśvari rājyaṁ tyajeyaṁ tvadvākyāttṛṇīkṛtyāpi mānini

'And even that ownership of mine means nothing anywhere apart from you, O mistress of my life. At your very word, O proud one, I would abandon my kingdom, counting it as no more than straw.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.34.78)

माल्पकेतोर्महीजानेरिति वाक्यं निशम्य सा॥ प्राह गंभीरया वाचा वचश्चारु कलावती

mālpaketormahījāneriti vākyaṁ niśamya sā prāha gaṁbhīrayā vācā vacaścāru kalāvatī

Hearing this word of Malyaketu, lord of the earth, Kalavati then spoke a lovely word, in a deep and steady voice.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.34.79)

कलावत्युवाच॥ नाथ प्रजासृजापूर्वं सृष्टा नानाविधाः प्रजाः॥ प्रजाहिताय संसृष्टं पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्

kalāvatyuvāca nātha prajāsṛjāpūrvaṁ sṛṣṭā nānāvidhāḥ prajāḥ prajāhitāya saṁsṛṣṭaṁ puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam

Kalavati said: 'My lord, in the beginning the Lord of creatures created manifold beings; and for the welfare of these beings, the fourfold aim of human life was created.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.34.80)

तद्विहीनाजनिरपि जल बुद्बुदवन्मुधा॥ तस्मादेकोपि संसाध्यः परत्रेह च शर्मणे

tadvihīnājanirapi jala budbudavanmudhā tasmādekopi saṁsādhyaḥ paratreha ca śarmaṇe

'A birth devoid of that fourfold aim is as futile as a bubble of water. Therefore, even a single one of these aims should be accomplished, for happiness both in this world and the next.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.34.81)

यत्रानुकूल्यं दंपत्योस्त्रिवर्गस्तत्र वर्धते॥ यदुच्यते पुराविद्भिरिति तत्तथ्यमीक्षितम्॥ मद्विधाना तु दासीनां शतं तेऽस्तीह मंदिरे॥ तथापि नितरां प्रेम स्वामिनो मयि दृश्यते

yatrānukūlyaṁ daṁpatyostrivargastatra vardhate yaducyate purāvidbhiriti tattathyamīkṣitam madvidhānā tu dāsīnāṁ śataṁ te'stīha maṁdire tathāpi nitarāṁ prema svāmino mayi dṛśyate

'Where there is harmony between husband and wife, there the threefold aim of life flourishes — this saying of the ancients has proven true in our own experience. You have a hundred maidservants like myself in this palace, and yet the deepest love of my lord is seen to be for me alone.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.34.82)

तव दास्यपि भोगाढ्या किमुतांकस्थलीचरी॥ तत्राप्यनन्यसंपत्तिस्तत्र स्वाधीनभर्तृता

tava dāsyapi bhogāḍhyā kimutāṁkasthalīcarī tatrāpyananyasaṁpattistatra svādhīnabhartṛtā

'Even your maidservant is rich in enjoyment — how much more, then, one who sits upon your very lap! And in that alone lies an unrivaled wealth: to have a husband entirely one's own.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.34.83)

विपश्चित्संचयेदर्थानिष्टापूर्ताय कर्मणे॥ तपोर्थमायुर्निर्विघ्नं दारांश्चापत्यलब्धये

vipaścitsaṁcayedarthāniṣṭāpūrtāya karmaṇe taporthamāyurnirvighnaṁ dārāṁścāpatyalabdhaye

'The wise man accumulates wealth for the sake of works of religious merit and charity; long life, free of obstacles, for the sake of austerity; and a wife, for the sake of obtaining offspring.'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.34.84)

तवैतत्सर्वमस्तीह विश्वेशानुग्रहात्प्रिय॥ पूरणीयोऽभिलाषो मे यदि तद्वचम्यहं शृणु

tavaitatsarvamastīha viśveśānugrahātpriya pūraṇīyo'bhilāṣo me yadi tadvacamyahaṁ śṛṇu

'All of this you already possess, my beloved, by the grace of Vishvesha. If my one wish is to be fulfilled, then hear what I shall say.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.34.85)

तूर्णं प्रहिणु मां नाथ विश्वनाथपुरीं प्रति॥ प्राणाः प्रयाता प्रागेव वपुः शेषास्मि केवलम्

tūrṇaṁ prahiṇu māṁ nātha viśvanāthapurīṁ prati prāṇāḥ prayātā prāgeva vapuḥ śeṣāsmi kevalam

'Send me swiftly, my lord, to the city of Vishvanatha. My very life-breath has already departed there; only this empty body of mine remains here.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.34.86)

माल्यकेतुः कलावत्या इत्याकर्ण्य वचः स्फुटम्॥ क्षणं विचार्य स्वहृदि राजा प्रोवाच तां प्रियाम्

mālyaketuḥ kalāvatyā ityākarṇya vacaḥ sphuṭam kṣaṇaṁ vicārya svahṛdi rājā provāca tāṁ priyām

Malyaketu, hearing this clear word of Kalavati's, reflecting for a moment within his own heart, spoke thus to his beloved:

Verse 87 (skanda.4.34.87)

प्रिये कलावति यदि तव गंतव्यमेव हि॥ राज्यलक्ष्म्यानया किं मे चलया त्वद्विहीनया

priye kalāvati yadi tava gaṁtavyameva hi rājyalakṣmyānayā kiṁ me calayā tvadvihīnayā

'O beloved Kalavati, if you must indeed go, then what use to me is this fickle fortune of kingship, deprived of you?'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.34.88)

न राज्यं राज्यमित्याहू राज्यश्रीः प्रेयसी ध्रुवम्॥ सप्तांगमपि तद्राज्यं तया हीनं तृणायते

na rājyaṁ rājyamityāhū rājyaśrīḥ preyasī dhruvam saptāṁgamapi tadrājyaṁ tayā hīnaṁ tṛṇāyate

'They say that a kingdom is not truly a kingdom without its beloved fortune; a realm even complete in all its seven constituent parts, deprived of her, is worth no more than straw.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.34.89)

निःसपत्नं कृतं राज्यं भुक्त्वा भोगान्निरंतरम्॥ हृषीकार्थाः कृतार्थाश्च विधृता आधृतिः प्रिये

niḥsapatnaṁ kṛtaṁ rājyaṁ bhuktvā bhogānniraṁtaram hṛṣīkārthāḥ kṛtārthāśca vidhṛtā ādhṛtiḥ priye

'I have made this kingdom free of all rivals, and ceaselessly enjoyed its pleasures; the objects of my senses have all been fulfilled, and I have upheld my duty well, my beloved.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.34.90)

अपत्यान्यपि जातानि किं कर्तव्यमिहास्ति मे॥ अवश्यमेव गंतव्याऽऽवाभ्यां वाराणसी पुरी॥ माल्यकेतुः प्रियामित्थमाश्वास्य कृतनिश्चयः॥ समाहूय च देवज्ञान्प्रकृतीः परिपूज्य च

apatyānyapi jātāni kiṁ kartavyamihāsti me avaśyameva gaṁtavyā''vābhyāṁ vārāṇasī purī mālyaketuḥ priyāmitthamāśvāsya kṛtaniścayaḥ samāhūya ca devajñānprakṛtīḥ paripūjya ca

'Children too have been born to me — what more, then, is left for me to do here? We two must indeed go together to the city of Varanasi.' Malyaketu, having thus reassured his beloved, resolved firmly, summoned the astrologers, and duly honored his ministers,

Verse 91 (skanda.4.34.91)

पुत्रे राज्यं निधायाथ राजा काशीं प्रतस्थिवान्॥ रत्नजातं कियदपि पुत्रादर्थं प्रगृह्य च

putre rājyaṁ nidhāyātha rājā kāśīṁ pratasthivān ratnajātaṁ kiyadapi putrādarthaṁ pragṛhya ca

and, having entrusted the kingdom to his son, the king set out for Kashi, taking with him from his son a good quantity of gems and wealth.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.34.92)

दृष्ट्वा विश्वेश्वरपुरीं हृष्टरोमा नरेश्वरः॥ मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं संसारांबुधिपारगम्

dṛṣṭvā viśveśvarapurīṁ hṛṣṭaromā nareśvaraḥ mene kṛtārthamātmānaṁ saṁsārāṁbudhipāragam

Beholding the city of Vishveshvara, the king, the very hairs of his body standing on end with joy, considered himself to have fulfilled his life's purpose, and to have crossed to the far shore of the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.34.93)

प्राग्जन्मवासनायोगात्सापि राज्ञी कलावती॥ ग्रामांतरादागतेव पुरीमार्गानवैत्स्वयम

prāgjanmavāsanāyogātsāpi rājñī kalāvatī grāmāṁtarādāgateva purīmārgānavaitsvayama

And that queen Kalavati too, through the impress of her former-life impressions, though coming as though from another village, herself knew the very pathways of the city.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.34.94)

मणिकर्ण्यामथस्नात्वा भूरि दत्त्वा ततो वसु॥ विश्वेशमर्चयित्वाथ रत्नजातैरनेकशः

maṇikarṇyāmathasnātvā bhūri dattvā tato vasu viśveśamarcayitvātha ratnajātairanekaśaḥ

Then, bathing at Manikarnika, giving abundant wealth, and worshipping Vishvesha with manifold gems,

Verse 95 (skanda.4.34.95)

दत्त्वा तत्रापि रत्नानि गजानश्वान्गवां व्रजम्॥ दुकूलानि विचित्राणि पूजोपकरणानि च

dattvā tatrāpi ratnāni gajānaśvāngavāṁ vrajam dukūlāni vicitrāṇi pūjopakaraṇāni ca

and giving there, too, gems, elephants, horses, herds of cattle, wondrous fine cloths, and implements of worship,

Verse 96 (skanda.4.34.96)

सुवर्णरूप्यकलशान्दीपी दर्पण चामरान्॥ ध्वजस्तंभ पताकाश्च विचित्रोल्लोचकानि च

suvarṇarūpyakalaśāndīpī darpaṇa cāmarān dhvajastaṁbha patākāśca vicitrollocakāni ca

golden and silver pitchers, lamps, mirrors, chowries, banner-poles and flags, and wondrous canopies,

Verse 97 (skanda.4.34.97)

अथ प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य मुक्तिमंडपमाविशत्॥ तत्र धर्मकथां श्रुत्वा दत्त्वा तत्रापि सद्धनम्

atha pradakṣiṇīkṛtya muktimaṁḍapamāviśat tatra dharmakathāṁ śrutvā dattvā tatrāpi saddhanam

he then circumambulated the shrine and entered the Mukti-mandapa. There, having heard discourses on dharma, and given generous wealth there as well,

Verse 98 (skanda.4.34.98)

सायंतनीं महापूजां पुनः कृत्वा क्षितीश्वरः॥ तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा तौर्यत्रिक महोत्सवैः

sāyaṁtanīṁ mahāpūjāṁ punaḥ kṛtvā kṣitīśvaraḥ tatra jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā tauryatrika mahotsavaiḥ

the lord of the earth performed once more the great evening worship, and there kept a night-long vigil with great festivities of song, dance, and instrumental music.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.34.99)

अथ प्रातः समुत्थाय कृत्वा शौचाचमक्रियाम्॥ राज्ञ्या विनिर्दिष्टपथा ज्ञानवापीं नृपो ययौ॥ नृपः सार्धं कलावत्या तत्र सस्नौ प्रहृष्टवत्॥ अथ पिंडान्सनिर्वाप्य संतर्प्य श्रद्धया पितॄन्

atha prātaḥ samutthāya kṛtvā śaucācamakriyām rājñyā vinirdiṣṭapathā jñānavāpīṁ nṛpo yayau nṛpaḥ sārdhaṁ kalāvatyā tatra sasnau prahṛṣṭavat atha piṁḍānsanirvāpya saṁtarpya śraddhayā pitṝn

Then, rising at dawn, having performed his purifications and sipping of water, the king went to the Jnanavapi, by the very path pointed out by the queen. There, together with Kalavati, the king bathed with great joy. Then, having duly offered the pinda-balls and satisfied the ancestors with devotion,

Verse 100 (skanda.4.34.100)

तत्र रूप्य सुवर्णादि पात्रेभ्यः प्रतिपाद्य च॥ दीनांध कृपणानाथान्महार्है रत्नजातकैः

tatra rūpya suvarṇādi pātrebhyaḥ pratipādya ca dīnāṁdha kṛpaṇānāthānmahārhai ratnajātakaiḥ

and there, giving vessels of silver, gold, and the like to worthy recipients, and gladdening the poor, the blind, the destitute, and the helpless with priceless jewels,

Verse 101 (skanda.4.34.101)

प्रीणयित्वा नरपतिः पारणां कृतवांस्ततः॥ संस्कार्य रत्नसोपानैर्ज्ञानवापी कलावती

prīṇayitvā narapatiḥ pāraṇāṁ kṛtavāṁstataḥ saṁskārya ratnasopānairjñānavāpī kalāvatī

the king then broke his fast. Kalavati adorned the Jnanavapi with steps of precious stone,

Verse 102 (skanda.4.34.102)

आबबंध रतिं तत्र सह भर्त्रा तपस्विनी॥ एकांतरोपवासैश्च कदाचिच्च त्र्यहोव्रतैः

ābabaṁdha ratiṁ tatra saha bhartrā tapasvinī ekāṁtaropavāsaiśca kadācicca tryahovrataiḥ

and, an ascetic soul now, fixed her whole delight there, together with her husband — through fasting on alternate days, and at times through three-day vows,

Verse 103 (skanda.4.34.103)

षडहोभोजनैश्चापि पक्षार्धनियमैरथ॥ पक्षांतरोपवासैश्च मासोपवसनादिभिः

ṣaḍahobhojanaiścāpi pakṣārdhaniyamairatha pakṣāṁtaropavāsaiśca māsopavasanādibhiḥ

through eating only once every six days, through disciplines observed for half a fortnight, through fasting every alternate fortnight, and through fasting for a whole month and the like,

Verse 104 (skanda.4.34.104)

चांद्रायणव्रतैः कृच्छ्रैर्भर्तुः शुश्रूषणैरपि॥ निनाय क्षणवत्कालमायुःशेषस्य सानघा

cāṁdrāyaṇavrataiḥ kṛcchrairbhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇairapi nināya kṣaṇavatkālamāyuḥśeṣasya sānaghā

through the rigorous Chandrayana vow, and through attending upon her husband — that sinless woman passed the remainder of her allotted life as though it were but a single moment.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.34.105)

एकदा ज्ञानवाप्यां तु प्रातः स्नात्वोपविष्टयोः॥ आगत्य जटिलः कश्चिद्विभूतिं दत्तवान्करे

ekadā jñānavāpyāṁ tu prātaḥ snātvopaviṣṭayoḥ āgatya jaṭilaḥ kaścidvibhūtiṁ dattavānkare

One day, as the two of them, having bathed at dawn at the Jnanavapi, sat there, a certain matted-haired ascetic came and placed sacred ash into their hands,

Verse 106 (skanda.4.34.106)

उवाच च प्रसन्नास्य आशीर्भिरभिनद्य च॥ उत्तिष्ठतं प्रकुरुतं महानेपथ्यमद्य वै

uvāca ca prasannāsya āśīrbhirabhinadya ca uttiṣṭhataṁ prakurutaṁ mahānepathyamadya vai

and, his face serene, blessing them, said: 'Rise, and adorn yourselves today in the greatest of garments.'

Verse 107 (skanda.4.34.107)

तारकोदय संप्राप्तिर्भवित्री वां क्षणादिह॥ यावदित्थं समाचष्ट जटिलोऽग्रे तयोर्वचः

tārakodaya saṁprāptirbhavitrī vāṁ kṣaṇādiha yāvaditthaṁ samācaṣṭa jaṭilo'gre tayorvacaḥ

'The very rising of the Taraka mantra shall come to you both here, in but a moment.' Even as that matted-locked ascetic spoke these words before them,

Verse 108 (skanda.4.34.108)

तावद्विमानमापन्नं सक्वणत्किंकिणीगणम्॥ पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां चन्द्रमौलिरथोरथात्॥ उत्तीर्य तच्छ्रुतिपुटे किमपि स्वयमादिशत्॥ अनाख्यं यत्परंज्योतिरुच्चक्राम च तत्क्षणात्

tāvadvimānamāpannaṁ sakvaṇatkiṁkiṇīgaṇam paśyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ candramaulirathorathāt uttīrya tacchrutipuṭe kimapi svayamādiśat anākhyaṁ yatparaṁjyotiruccakrāma ca tatkṣaṇāt

at that very moment, a celestial chariot arrived, ringing with its cluster of small bells; and, before the eyes of all people, Chandramauli, descending from his chariot, himself whispered something into the hollow of their ears — and that very instant, that unnameable Supreme Light ascended.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.34.109)

उद्योतयन्नभोवर्त्म देवोपि स्वालयं ययौ॥ ॥ स्कन्द उवाच॥ तदा प्रभृति लोकेऽत्र ज्ञानवापी विशिष्यते

udyotayannabhovartma devopi svālayaṁ yayau skanda uvāca tadā prabhṛti loke'tra jñānavāpī viśiṣyate

The God too, illuminating the pathway of the sky, then returned to his own abode. Skanda said: From that time onward, in this world, the Jnanavapi has held a place of special distinction.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.34.110)

सर्वेभ्यस्तीर्थर्मुख्येभ्यः प्रत्यक्ष ज्ञानदा मुने॥ सर्वज्ञानमयी चैषा सर्वलिंगमयी शुभा

sarvebhyastīrtharmukhyebhyaḥ pratyakṣa jñānadā mune sarvajñānamayī caiṣā sarvaliṁgamayī śubhā

Above all the foremost of tirthas, O sage, it is the visible giver of knowledge; it is filled with all knowledge, and, auspicious, filled with every linga.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.34.111)

साक्षाच्छिवमयी मूर्तिर्ज्ञानकृज्ज्ञानवापिका॥ सन्ति तीर्थान्यनेकानि सद्यः शुचिकराण्यपि

sākṣācchivamayī mūrtirjñānakṛjjñānavāpikā santi tīrthānyanekāni sadyaḥ śucikarāṇyapi

The Jnanavapika is the very form of Shiva made visible, the bestower of knowledge. There are many other tirthas, which purify instantly as well,

Verse 112 (skanda.4.34.112)

परंतु ज्ञानवाप्या हि कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्॥ ज्ञानवाप्याः समुत्पत्तिं यः श्रोष्यति समाहितः॥ न तस्य ज्ञानविभ्रंशो मरणे जायते क्वचित्

paraṁtu jñānavāpyā hi kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm jñānavāpyāḥ samutpattiṁ yaḥ śroṣyati samāhitaḥ na tasya jñānavibhraṁśo maraṇe jāyate kvacit

but they are not worth even a sixteenth part of the Jnanavapi. Whoever, with a composed mind, hears of the origin of the Jnanavapi — for him, no loss of true knowledge ever occurs at the time of death.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.34.113)

महाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं महापातकनाशनम्॥ महादेवस्य गौर्याश्च महाप्रीतिविवर्धनम्

mahākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam mahādevasya gauryāśca mahāprītivivardhanam

This great and holy tale destroys the greatest sins, and greatly increases the delight of Mahadeva and Gauri.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.34.114)

पठित्वा पाठयित्वा वा श्रुत्वा वा श्रद्धयान्वितः॥ ज्ञानवाप्याः शुभाख्यानं शिवलोके महीयते

paṭhitvā pāṭhayitvā vā śrutvā vā śraddhayānvitaḥ jñānavāpyāḥ śubhākhyānaṁ śivaloke mahīyate

Whoever, filled with faith, reads, or causes to be read, or hears this auspicious tale of the Jnanavapi, is glorified in the world of Shiva.