The Rules of Righteous Conduct

Verse 1 (skanda.4.35.1)

॥ कुंभयोनिरुवाच॥ अविमुक्तं महाक्षेत्रं परनिर्वाणकारणम्॥ क्षेत्राणां परमं क्षेत्रं मंगलानां च मंगलम्

kuṁbhayoniruvāca avimuktaṁ mahākṣetraṁ paranirvāṇakāraṇam kṣetrāṇāṁ paramaṁ kṣetraṁ maṁgalānāṁ ca maṁgalam

Kumbhayoni said: Avimukta, the great sacred field, is the cause of supreme liberation; it is the supreme field among all fields, the very auspiciousness of all auspicious things.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.35.2)

श्मशानानां च सर्वेषां श्मशानं परमं महत्॥ पीठानां परमं पीठमूषराणां महोषरम्

śmaśānānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ śmaśānaṁ paramaṁ mahat pīṭhānāṁ paramaṁ pīṭhamūṣarāṇāṁ mahoṣaram

Among all cremation grounds, it is the greatest, the supreme cremation ground; among sacred seats, the supreme seat; among barren lands, the greatest barren land.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.35.3)

धर्माभिलाषिबुद्धीनां धर्मराशिकरं परम्॥ अर्थार्थिनां शिखिरथ परमार्थ प्रकाशकम्

dharmābhilāṣibuddhīnāṁ dharmarāśikaraṁ param arthārthināṁ śikhiratha paramārtha prakāśakam

For minds that desire dharma, it is the supreme bestower of a mass of merit; for seekers of wealth, it is like a very flame, the revealer of the highest good.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.35.4)

कामिनां कामजननं मुमुक्षूणां च मोक्षदम्॥ श्रूयते यत्र यत्रैतत्तत्र तत्र परामृतम्

kāmināṁ kāmajananaṁ mumukṣūṇāṁ ca mokṣadam śrūyate yatra yatraitattatra tatra parāmṛtam

For those who desire pleasure, it grants desire; for those who seek liberation, it grants liberation. Wherever this tale is heard, there indeed is the highest nectar.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.35.5)

क्षेत्रैकदेशवर्तिन्या ज्ञानवाप्याः कथां पराम्॥ श्रुत्वेमामिति मन्येहं गौरीहृदयनंदन

kṣetraikadeśavartinyā jñānavāpyāḥ kathāṁ parām śrutvemāmiti manyehaṁ gaurīhṛdayanaṁdana

Having heard this supreme tale of the Jnanavapi, which occupies but a single part of the sacred field, I think thus, O delight of Gauri's heart:

Verse 6 (skanda.4.35.6)

अणुप्रमाणमपि या मध्ये काशिविकासिनी॥ मही महीयसी ज्ञेया सा सिद्ध्यै न मुधा क्वचित्

aṇupramāṇamapi yā madhye kāśivikāsinī mahī mahīyasī jñeyā sā siddhyai na mudhā kvacit

Even that ground which, though as small as an atom, lies flourishing in the midst of Kashi, should be known as truly great — it never fails to grant accomplishment, anywhere, in vain.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.35.7)

कियंति संति तीर्थानि नेह क्षोणीतलेऽखिले॥ परं काशीरजोमात्र तुलासाम्यं क्व तेष्वपि

kiyaṁti saṁti tīrthāni neha kṣoṇītale'khile paraṁ kāśīrajomātra tulāsāmyaṁ kva teṣvapi

However many tirthas there may be upon the whole surface of this earth, where among them is there anything to match even a mere grain of Kashi's dust in weight?

Verse 8 (skanda.4.35.8)

कियंत्यो न स्रवंत्योत्र रत्नाकर मुदावहाः॥ परं स्वर्गतरंगिण्याः काश्यां का साम्यमुद्वहेत्

kiyaṁtyo na sravaṁtyotra ratnākara mudāvahāḥ paraṁ svargataraṁgiṇyāḥ kāśyāṁ kā sāmyamudvahet

However many joy-bringing rivers flow here into the ocean of jewels, which of them could bear any comparison with the celestial river at Kashi?

Verse 9 (skanda.4.35.9)

कियंति संति नो भूम्यां मोक्षक्षेत्राणि षण्मुख॥ परं मन्येऽविमुक्तस्य कोट्यंशोपि न तेष्वहो

kiyaṁti saṁti no bhūmyāṁ mokṣakṣetrāṇi ṣaṇmukha paraṁ manye'vimuktasya koṭyaṁśopi na teṣvaho

O Six-Faced One, however many fields of liberation there may be upon this earth, I think, ah, that not even a ten-millionth part of Avimukta's glory belongs to any of them.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.35.10)

गंगा विश्वेश्वरः काशी जागर्ति त्रितयं यतः॥ तत्र नैःश्रेयसी लक्ष्मीर्लभ्यते चित्रमत्र किम्॥ कथमेषा त्रयी स्कंद प्राप्यते नियतं नरैः॥ तिष्ये युगे विशेषेण नितरां चंचलेंद्रियैः

gaṁgā viśveśvaraḥ kāśī jāgarti tritayaṁ yataḥ tatra naiḥśreyasī lakṣmīrlabhyate citramatra kim kathameṣā trayī skaṁda prāpyate niyataṁ naraiḥ tiṣye yuge viśeṣeṇa nitarāṁ caṁcaleṁdriyaiḥ

Since the Ganga, Vishveshvara, and Kashi — this threefold reality is ever awake there, is it any wonder that the fortune of final liberation is obtained there? But, O Skanda, how may this threefold reality be surely attained by men — especially in the Kali age, by those of exceedingly restless senses?

Verse 11 (skanda.4.35.11)

तपस्तादृक्क्व वा तिष्ये तिष्ये योगः क्व तादृशः॥ क्व वा व्रतं क्व वा दानं तिष्ये मोक्षस्त्वतः कुतः

tapastādṛkkva vā tiṣye tiṣye yogaḥ kva tādṛśaḥ kva vā vrataṁ kva vā dānaṁ tiṣye mokṣastvataḥ kutaḥ

Where, in the Kali age, is such austerity to be found? Where is such yoga to be found? Where such vows, where such charity? How then, in the Kali age, could liberation come at all?

Verse 12 (skanda.4.35.12)

विनापि तपसा स्कंद विनायोगेन षण्मुख॥ विना व्रतैर्विना दानैः काश्यां मोक्षस्त्वयेरितः

vināpi tapasā skaṁda vināyogena ṣaṇmukha vinā vratairvinā dānaiḥ kāśyāṁ mokṣastvayeritaḥ

Yet, O Skanda, O Six-Faced One, you yourself have declared that liberation is obtained in Kashi even without austerity, even without yoga, even without vows, even without charity.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.35.13)

किं किमाचरता स्कंद काशी प्राप्येत तद्वद॥ मन्ये विना सदाचारं न सिद्ध्येयुर्मनोरथाः

kiṁ kimācaratā skaṁda kāśī prāpyeta tadvada manye vinā sadācāraṁ na siddhyeyurmanorathāḥ

By practicing what, O Skanda, is Kashi attained — tell me thus. I think that without right conduct, one's heart's desires cannot be accomplished.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.35.14)

आचारः परमो धर्म आचारः परमं तपः॥ आचाराद्वर्धते ह्यायुराचारात्पापसंक्षयः

ācāraḥ paramo dharma ācāraḥ paramaṁ tapaḥ ācārādvardhate hyāyurācārātpāpasaṁkṣayaḥ

Right conduct is the highest dharma; right conduct is the highest austerity. Through right conduct, life is prolonged; through right conduct, sin is destroyed.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.35.15)

आचारमेव प्रथमं तस्मादाचक्ष्व षण्मुख॥ देवदेवो यथा प्राह तवाग्रे त्वं तथा वद

ācārameva prathamaṁ tasmādācakṣva ṣaṇmukha devadevo yathā prāha tavāgre tvaṁ tathā vada

Therefore, O Six-Faced One, tell me first of all about right conduct — speak before me exactly as the God of gods declared it to you.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.35.16)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ मित्रावरुणजाख्यामि सदाचारं सतां हितम्॥ यदाचरन्नरो नित्यं सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

skaṁda uvāca mitrāvaruṇajākhyāmi sadācāraṁ satāṁ hitam yadācarannaro nityaṁ sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

Skanda said: O son of Mitra and Varuna, I shall tell you of right conduct, the benefit of the virtuous, by ceaselessly practicing which a man obtains all his desires.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.35.17)

स्थावराः कृमयोऽब्जाश्च पक्षिणः पशवो नराः॥ क्रमेण धार्मिकास्त्वेते ह्येतेभ्यो धार्मिकाः सुराः

sthāvarāḥ kṛmayo'bjāśca pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo narāḥ krameṇa dhārmikāstvete hyetebhyo dhārmikāḥ surāḥ

Immobile beings, worms, water-born creatures, birds, beasts, and men — these, in ascending order, possess greater righteousness; and greater than these still are the gods, more righteous.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.35.18)

सहस्रभागः प्रथमा द्वितीयोनुक्रमात्तथा॥ सर्व एते महाभागा यावन्मुक्ति समाश्रयाः

sahasrabhāgaḥ prathamā dvitīyonukramāttathā sarva ete mahābhāgā yāvanmukti samāśrayāḥ

The first level of beings possesses but a thousandth part of righteousness relative to the next, the second a somewhat greater share, and so on in sequence — yet all of these are greatly fortunate, insofar as they too may take refuge in liberation.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.35.19)

चतुर्णामपि भूतानां प्राणिनोऽतीव चोत्तमाः॥ प्राणिभ्यामपि मुने श्रेष्ठाः सर्वे बुद्ध्युपजीविनः॥ मतिमद्भ्यो नराः श्रेष्ठास्तेभ्यः श्रेष्ठास्तु वाडवाः॥ विप्रेभ्योपि च विद्वांसो विद्वद्भ्यः कृतबुद्धयः

caturṇāmapi bhūtānāṁ prāṇino'tīva cottamāḥ prāṇibhyāmapi mune śreṣṭhāḥ sarve buddhyupajīvinaḥ matimadbhyo narāḥ śreṣṭhāstebhyaḥ śreṣṭhāstu vāḍavāḥ viprebhyopi ca vidvāṁso vidvadbhyaḥ kṛtabuddhayaḥ

Among these four kinds of beings, breathing creatures are exceedingly the best; and, O sage, better than mere breathing creatures are all those that live by intelligence. Among the intelligent, men are best; better than men are brahmins; better even than brahmins are the learned; and better than the learned are those of trained, disciplined understanding.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.35.20)

कृतधीभ्योपि कर्तारः कर्तृभ्यो ब्रह्मतत्पराः॥ न तेषामर्चनीयोऽन्यस्त्रिषु लोकेषु कुंभज

kṛtadhībhyopi kartāraḥ kartṛbhyo brahmatatparāḥ na teṣāmarcanīyo'nyastriṣu lokeṣu kuṁbhaja

Better even than those of trained understanding are those who act rightly; and better than these are those wholly devoted to Brahman. O Kumbhaja, for such as these, there is no one else in the three worlds worthy of their worship.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.35.21)

अन्योन्यमर्चकास्ते वै तपोविद्याऽविशेषतः॥ ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मणा सृष्टः सर्वभूतेश्वरो यतः

anyonyamarcakāste vai tapovidyā'viśeṣataḥ brāhmaṇo brahmaṇā sṛṣṭaḥ sarvabhūteśvaro yataḥ

They worship one another mutually, without distinction, through austerity and knowledge; for the brahmin, created by Brahma himself, is the lord of all beings.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.35.22)

अतो जगत्स्थितं सर्वं ब्राह्मणोऽर्हति नापरः॥ सदाचारो हि सर्वार्हो नाचाराद्विच्युतः पुनः॥ तस्माद्विप्रेण सततं भाव्यमाचारशीलिना

ato jagatsthitaṁ sarvaṁ brāhmaṇo'rhati nāparaḥ sadācāro hi sarvārho nācārādvicyutaḥ punaḥ tasmādvipreṇa satataṁ bhāvyamācāraśīlinā

Therefore, the brahmin is worthy of everything existing in this world, and no other. Yet it is truly right conduct that deserves all worship, not one who has fallen away from right conduct. Therefore, a brahmin should always be one who lives by right conduct.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.35.23)

विद्वेष रागरहिता अनुतिष्ठंति यं मुने॥ विद्वांसस्तं सदाचारं धर्ममूलं विदुर्बुधाः

vidveṣa rāgarahitā anutiṣṭhaṁti yaṁ mune vidvāṁsastaṁ sadācāraṁ dharmamūlaṁ vidurbudhāḥ

That conduct which the learned, free from hatred and attachment, follow, O sage — that right conduct the wise know to be the very root of dharma.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.35.24)

लक्षणैः परिहीनोपि सम्यगाचारतत्परः॥ श्रद्धालुरनसूयुश्च नरो जीवेत्समाः शतम

lakṣaṇaiḥ parihīnopi samyagācāratatparaḥ śraddhāluranasūyuśca naro jīvetsamāḥ śatama

Even a man devoid of certain auspicious bodily marks, but devoted to right conduct, faithful, and free of envy, lives for a full hundred years.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.35.25)

श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्यामुदितं स्वेषु स्वेषु च कर्मसु॥ सदाचारं निषेवेत धर्ममूलमतंद्रितः

śrutismṛtibhyāmuditaṁ sveṣu sveṣu ca karmasu sadācāraṁ niṣeveta dharmamūlamataṁdritaḥ

One should tirelessly practice, in one's own respective duties, that right conduct declared by the Shruti and Smriti, the very root of dharma.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.35.26)

दुराचाररतो लोके गर्हणीयः पुमान्भवेत्॥ व्याधिभिश्चाभिभूयेत सदाल्पायुः सुदुःखभाक्

durācārarato loke garhaṇīyaḥ pumānbhavet vyādhibhiścābhibhūyeta sadālpāyuḥ suduḥkhabhāk

A man devoted to evil conduct becomes despised in the world; he is overcome by diseases, is ever short-lived, and suffers greatly.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.35.27)

त्याज्यं कर्म पराधीनं कायमात्मवशं सदा॥ दुःखी यतः पराधीनः सदैवात्मवशः सुखी

tyājyaṁ karma parādhīnaṁ kāyamātmavaśaṁ sadā duḥkhī yataḥ parādhīnaḥ sadaivātmavaśaḥ sukhī

One should abandon actions that make one dependent on another, and always keep one's body under one's own control; for whoever is dependent on another is unhappy, while whoever remains master of himself is ever happy.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.35.28)

यस्मिन्कर्मण्यंतरात्मा क्रियमाणे प्रसीदति॥ तदेव कर्म कर्तव्यं विपरीतं न च क्वचित्॥ प्रथमं धर्मसर्वस्वं प्रोक्ता यन्नियमा यमाः॥ अतस्तेष्वेव वै यत्नः कर्तव्यो धर्ममिच्छता

yasminkarmaṇyaṁtarātmā kriyamāṇe prasīdati tadeva karma kartavyaṁ viparītaṁ na ca kvacit prathamaṁ dharmasarvasvaṁ proktā yanniyamā yamāḥ atasteṣveva vai yatnaḥ kartavyo dharmamicchatā

That action alone should be performed in whose performance one's own inner self finds satisfaction, and never the opposite. Foremost among all dharma are those things declared as the yamas and niyamas; therefore, one who desires dharma should make every effort precisely in these.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.35.29)

सत्यं क्षमार्जवं ध्यानमानृशंस्यमहिंसनम्॥ दमः प्रसादो माधुर्यं मृदुतेति यमा दश

satyaṁ kṣamārjavaṁ dhyānamānṛśaṁsyamahiṁsanam damaḥ prasādo mādhuryaṁ mṛduteti yamā daśa

Truthfulness, forbearance, uprightness, meditation, freedom from cruelty, non-violence, self-control, serenity, sweetness, and gentleness — these are the ten yamas.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.35.30)

शौचं स्नानं तपो दानं मौनेज्याध्ययनं व्रतम्॥ उपोषणोपस्थ दंडौ दशैते नियमाः स्मृताः

śaucaṁ snānaṁ tapo dānaṁ maunejyādhyayanaṁ vratam upoṣaṇopastha daṁḍau daśaite niyamāḥ smṛtāḥ

Purity, bathing, austerity, charity, silence, worship, study, observance of vows, fasting, and control of the organs — these ten are remembered as the niyamas.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.35.31)

कामं क्रोधं मदं मोहं मात्सर्यं लोभमेव च॥ अमून्षड्वैरिणो जित्वा सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्

kāmaṁ krodhaṁ madaṁ mohaṁ mātsaryaṁ lobhameva ca amūnṣaḍvairiṇo jitvā sarvatra vijayī bhavet

Desire, anger, pride, delusion, envy, and greed — having conquered these six inner foes, one becomes victorious everywhere.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.35.32)

शनैः शनैः स चिनुयाद्धर्मं वल्मीक शृंगवत्॥ परपीडामकुर्वाणः परलोकसहायिनम्

śanaiḥ śanaiḥ sa cinuyāddharmaṁ valmīka śṛṁgavat parapīḍāmakurvāṇaḥ paralokasahāyinam

One should accumulate dharma slowly, gradually, like the growing peak of an anthill, causing no harm to others — dharma being one's true companion in the other world.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.35.33)

धर्म एव सहायी स्यादमुत्र न परिच्छदः॥ पितृ मातृ सुत भ्रातृ योषिद्बंधुजनादिकः

dharma eva sahāyī syādamutra na paricchadaḥ pitṛ mātṛ suta bhrātṛ yoṣidbaṁdhujanādikaḥ

Dharma alone is one's companion there; not one's retinue, not father, mother, son, brother, wife, kinsmen, or the rest.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.35.34)

जायते चैकलः प्राणी प्रम्रियेत तथैकलः॥ एकलः सुकृतं भुंक्ते भुंक्ते दुष्कृतमेकलः

jāyate caikalaḥ prāṇī pramriyeta tathaikalaḥ ekalaḥ sukṛtaṁ bhuṁkte bhuṁkte duṣkṛtamekalaḥ

A living being is born alone, and dies alone; alone he reaps the fruit of his good deeds, and alone he reaps the fruit of his evil deeds.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.35.35)

देहं पंचत्वमापन्नं त्यक्त्वा कौ काष्ठलोष्ठवत्॥ बांधवा विमुखा यांति धर्मो यांतमनुव्रजेत्

dehaṁ paṁcatvamāpannaṁ tyaktvā kau kāṣṭhaloṣṭhavat bāṁdhavā vimukhā yāṁti dharmo yāṁtamanuvrajet

Leaving the body, once it has dissolved into the five elements, upon the earth like a piece of wood or a clod of clay, one's kinsmen turn away and depart; only dharma follows the departing soul.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.35.36)

कृती संचिनुयाद्धर्मं ततोऽमुत्र सहायिनम्॥ धर्मं सहायिनं लब्द्ध्वा संतरेद्दुस्तरं तमः

kṛtī saṁcinuyāddharmaṁ tato'mutra sahāyinam dharmaṁ sahāyinaṁ labddhvā saṁtareddustaraṁ tamaḥ

The wise man should accumulate dharma, his companion in the world beyond; having obtained dharma as companion, one crosses over the otherwise impassable darkness.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.35.37)

संबंधानाचरेन्नित्यमुत्तमैरुत्तमैः सुधीः॥ अधमानधमांस्त्यक्त्वा कुलमुत्कर्षतां नयेत्॥ उत्तमानुत्तमानेव गच्छन्हीनांश्च वर्जयन्॥ ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठतामेति प्रत्यवाये न शूद्रताम्

saṁbaṁdhānācarennityamuttamairuttamaiḥ sudhīḥ adhamānadhamāṁstyaktvā kulamutkarṣatāṁ nayet uttamānuttamāneva gacchanhīnāṁśca varjayan brāhmaṇaḥ śreṣṭhatāmeti pratyavāye na śūdratām

A wise man should always form relations with the best among the best, avoiding the base and abandoning the lowly, and thereby raise his lineage to greater eminence. Associating only with the best among the best, and shunning the lowly, a brahmin attains excellence; in adversity, he does not sink to the level of a shudra.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.35.38)

अनध्ययनशीलं च सदाचारविलंघिनम्॥ सालसं च दुरन्नादं ब्राह्मणं बाधतेंऽतकः

anadhyayanaśīlaṁ ca sadācāravilaṁghinam sālasaṁ ca durannādaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ bādhateṁ'takaḥ

Death afflicts the brahmin who neglects study, who transgresses right conduct, who is slothful, and who eats improper food.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.35.39)

ततोऽभ्यसेत्प्रयत्नेन सदाचारं सदा द्विजः॥ तीर्थान्यप्यभिलष्यंति सदाचारिसमागमम्

tato'bhyasetprayatnena sadācāraṁ sadā dvijaḥ tīrthānyapyabhilaṣyaṁti sadācārisamāgamam

Therefore a brahmin should always diligently practice right conduct; even the tirthas themselves long for union with one of right conduct.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.35.40)

रजनीप्रांतयामार्धं बाह्मः समय उच्यते॥ स्वहितं चिंतयेत्प्राज्ञस्तस्मिंश्चोत्थाय सवर्दा

rajanīprāṁtayāmārdhaṁ bāhmaḥ samaya ucyate svahitaṁ ciṁtayetprājñastasmiṁścotthāya savardā

The last half-watch of the night is called the Brahma-muhurta. A wise man should always rise at that time and reflect upon his own true welfare.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.35.41)

गजास्यं संस्मरेदादौ तत ईशं सहांबया॥ श्रीरंगं श्रीसमेतं तु ब्रह्माण्या कमलोद्भवम्

gajāsyaṁ saṁsmaredādau tata īśaṁ sahāṁbayā śrīraṁgaṁ śrīsametaṁ tu brahmāṇyā kamalodbhavam

He should first call to mind the elephant-faced one, then Ishana together with Amba, then Shriranga together with Shri, and Brahma, the lotus-born, together with Brahmani,

Verse 42 (skanda.4.35.42)

इंद्रादीन्सकलान्देवान्वसिष्ठादीन्मुनीनपि॥ गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वाः श्रीशैलाद्यखिलान्गिरीन्

iṁdrādīnsakalāndevānvasiṣṭhādīnmunīnapi gaṁgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāḥ śrīśailādyakhilāngirīn

Indra and all the gods, Vasishtha and the other sages, all the rivers beginning with Ganga, and all the mountains beginning with Shrishaila,

Verse 43 (skanda.4.35.43)

क्षीरोदादीन्समुद्रांश्च मानसादि सरांसि च॥ वनानि नंदनादीनि धेनूः कामदुघादिकाः

kṣīrodādīnsamudrāṁśca mānasādi sarāṁsi ca vanāni naṁdanādīni dhenūḥ kāmadughādikāḥ

the oceans beginning with the Ocean of Milk, the lakes beginning with Manasa, the groves beginning with Nandana, and the wish-fulfilling cows,

Verse 44 (skanda.4.35.44)

कल्पवृक्षादि वृक्षांश्च धातून्कांचनमुख्यतः॥ दिव्यस्त्रीरुर्वशीमुख्या गरुडादीन्पतत्त्रिणः

kalpavṛkṣādi vṛkṣāṁśca dhātūnkāṁcanamukhyataḥ divyastrīrurvaśīmukhyā garuḍādīnpatattriṇaḥ

the trees beginning with the Kalpa-tree, the metals beginning chiefly with gold, the celestial women beginning with Urvashi, and the birds beginning with Garuda,

Verse 45 (skanda.4.35.45)

नागाश्च शेषप्रमुखान्गजानैरावतादिकान्॥ अश्वानुच्चैःश्रवो मुख्यान्कौस्तुभादीन्मणीञ्छुभान्

nāgāśca śeṣapramukhāngajānairāvatādikān aśvānuccaiḥśravo mukhyānkaustubhādīnmaṇīñchubhān

the serpents chief among whom is Shesha, the elephants beginning with Airavata, the horses beginning with Uchchaihshravas, and the auspicious gems beginning with Kaustubha,

Verse 46 (skanda.4.35.46)

स्मरेदरुंधतीमुख्याः पतिव्रतवतीर्वधूः॥ नैमिषादीन्यरण्यानि पुरीः काशीपुरीमुखाः॥ विश्वेशादीनि लिंगानि वेदानृक्प्रमुखानपि॥ गायत्रीप्रमुखान्मंत्रान्योगिनः सनकादिकान्

smaredaruṁdhatīmukhyāḥ pativratavatīrvadhūḥ naimiṣādīnyaraṇyāni purīḥ kāśīpurīmukhāḥ viśveśādīni liṁgāni vedānṛkpramukhānapi gāyatrīpramukhānmaṁtrānyoginaḥ sanakādikān

the devoted wives beginning with Arundhati, the forests beginning with Naimisha, the cities beginning with Kashi, the lingas beginning with Vishvesha, the Vedas beginning with the Rig, the mantras beginning with the Gayatri, and the yogis beginning with Sanaka,

Verse 47 (skanda.4.35.47)

प्रणवादिमहाबीजं नारदादींश्च वैष्णवान्॥ शिवभक्तांश्च बाणादीन्प्रह्लादादीन्दृढव्रतान्

praṇavādimahābījaṁ nāradādīṁśca vaiṣṇavān śivabhaktāṁśca bāṇādīnprahlādādīndṛḍhavratān

the great seed-syllables beginning with Om, the devotees of Vishnu beginning with Narada, the devotees of Shiva beginning with Bana, and the firm-vowed devotees beginning with Prahlada,

Verse 48 (skanda.4.35.48)

वदान्यांश्च दधीच्यादीन्हरिश्चंद्रादि भूपतीन्॥ जननी चरणौ स्मृत्वा सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमौ

vadānyāṁśca dadhīcyādīnhariścaṁdrādi bhūpatīn jananī caraṇau smṛtvā sarvatīrthottamottamau

the generous ones beginning with Dadhichi, and the kings beginning with Harishchandra; and, remembering his own mother's two feet, the very best among all tirthas,

Verse 49 (skanda.4.35.49)

पितरं च गुरूंश्चापि हृदि ध्यात्वा प्रसन्नधीः॥ ततश्चावश्यकं कर्तुं नैर्ऋतीं दिशमाश्रयेत्

pitaraṁ ca gurūṁścāpi hṛdi dhyātvā prasannadhīḥ tataścāvaśyakaṁ kartuṁ nairṛtīṁ diśamāśrayet

and meditating in his heart, with a serene mind, upon his father and teachers as well — one should then, to attend to the necessary bodily functions, go toward the south-western direction.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.35.50)

ग्रामाद्धनुःशतं गच्छेन्नगराच्च चतुर्गुणम्॥ तृणैराच्छाद्य वसुधां शिरः प्रावृत्य वाससा

grāmāddhanuḥśataṁ gacchennagarācca caturguṇam tṛṇairācchādya vasudhāṁ śiraḥ prāvṛtya vāsasā

One should go a hundred bow-lengths from a village, and four times that from a city, cover the ground with grass, wrap one's head in cloth,

Verse 51 (skanda.4.35.51)

कर्णोपवीत्युदग्वक्त्रो दिवसे संध्ययोरपि॥ विण्मूत्रे विसृजेन्मौनी निशायां दक्षिणामुखः

karṇopavītyudagvaktro divase saṁdhyayorapi viṇmūtre visṛjenmaunī niśāyāṁ dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ

with the sacred thread looped over the ear, facing north during the day and at the twilight hours, and, in silence, relieve oneself of urine and stool; at night, facing south.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.35.52)

न तिष्ठन्नाप्सु नो विप्र गो वह्न्यनिल संमुखः॥ न फालकृष्टे भूभागे न रथ्यासेव्यभूतले

na tiṣṭhannāpsu no vipra go vahnyanila saṁmukhaḥ na phālakṛṣṭe bhūbhāge na rathyāsevyabhūtale

One should not do so standing in water, O brahmin, nor facing a cow, fire, or the wind; not on ploughed ground, nor on the surface of a much-used road,

Verse 53 (skanda.4.35.53)

नालोकयेद्दिशोभागाञ्ज्योतिश्चक्रं नभोमलम्॥ वामेन पाणिना शिश्नं धृत्वोत्तिष्ठेत्प्रयत्नवान्

nālokayeddiśobhāgāñjyotiścakraṁ nabhomalam vāmena pāṇinā śiśnaṁ dhṛtvottiṣṭhetprayatnavān

one should not gaze at the quarters of the sky, the orb of the sun, or clouds in the sky; holding the organ with the left hand, one should rise with due care.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.35.54)

अथो मृदं समादाय जंतुकर्करवर्जिताम्॥ विहाय मूषकोत्खातां शौचोच्छिष्टां च नाकुलाम्

atho mṛdaṁ samādāya jaṁtukarkaravarjitām vihāya mūṣakotkhātāṁ śaucocchiṣṭāṁ ca nākulām

Then, taking clay free of insects and pebbles, avoiding clay dug up by mice, clay already used for purification, or infested by mongooses,

Verse 55 (skanda.4.35.55)

गुह्ये दद्यान्मृदं चैकां पायौ पंचांबुसां तराः॥ दश वामकरे चापि सप्त पाणिद्वये मृदः॥ एकैकां पादयोर्दद्यात्तिस्रः पाण्योर्मृदस्तथा॥ इत्थं शौचं गृही कुर्याद्गंधलेपक्षयावधि

guhye dadyānmṛdaṁ caikāṁ pāyau paṁcāṁbusāṁ tarāḥ daśa vāmakare cāpi sapta pāṇidvaye mṛdaḥ ekaikāṁ pādayordadyāttisraḥ pāṇyormṛdastathā itthaṁ śaucaṁ gṛhī kuryādgaṁdhalepakṣayāvadhi

one should apply clay once to the private parts, and to the anus five times; ten times to the left hand, seven times to both hands together; once to each foot, and three more times to both hands. Thus should a householder perform his purification, until the smell of impurity is gone.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.35.56)

क्रमाद्द्वैगुण्यमेतस्माद्ब्रह्मचर्यादिषु त्रिषु॥ दिवाविहित शौचस्य रात्रावर्धं समाचरेत्

kramāddvaiguṇyametasmādbrahmacaryādiṣu triṣu divāvihita śaucasya rātrāvardhaṁ samācaret

For the three stages of life beginning with celibacy, this purification should be doubled in succession; at night, one should perform only half of the purification prescribed for daytime.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.35.57)

रुज्यर्धं च तदर्धं च पथि चौरादि बाधिते॥ तदर्धं योषितां चापि सुस्थे न्यूनं न कारयेत्

rujyardhaṁ ca tadardhaṁ ca pathi caurādi bādhite tadardhaṁ yoṣitāṁ cāpi susthe nyūnaṁ na kārayet

For one who is ill, half of that; and half of that again when on a road beset by thieves and the like; and half of that for women as well — but when circumstances are normal, one should never do less than prescribed.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.35.58)

अपि सर्वनदीतोयैर्मृत्कूटैश्चापि गोमयैः॥ आपादमाचरच्छौचं भावदुष्टो न शुद्धिभाक्

api sarvanadītoyairmṛtkūṭaiścāpi gomayaiḥ āpādamācaracchaucaṁ bhāvaduṣṭo na śuddhibhāk

Even one who performs purification up to the very soles of the feet with the waters of every river, with heaps of clay, and with cow-dung, if his inner disposition is impure, does not attain true purity.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.35.59)

आर्द्रधात्रीफलोन्माना मृदः शौचे प्रकीर्तिताः॥ सर्वाश्चाहुतयोप्येवं ग्रासाश्चांद्रायणेपि च॥ प्रागास्य उदगास्योवा सूपविष्टः शुचौ भुवि॥ उपस्पृशेद्विहीनायां तुषांगारास्थिभस्मभिः

ārdradhātrīphalonmānā mṛdaḥ śauce prakīrtitāḥ sarvāścāhutayopyevaṁ grāsāścāṁdrāyaṇepi ca prāgāsya udagāsyovā sūpaviṣṭaḥ śucau bhuvi upaspṛśedvihīnāyāṁ tuṣāṁgārāsthibhasmabhiḥ

The lumps of clay used in purification are prescribed to be the size of a moist amalaka fruit; and the same measure applies to the oblations and to the mouthfuls of food in the Chandrayana fast. Facing east or north, seated properly upon pure ground, one should perform the sipping of water; in the absence of clay, one may use husk, charcoal, bone-ash, or ashes.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.35.60)

अनुष्णाभिरफेनाभिरद्भिर्हृद्गाभिरत्वरः॥ ब्राह्मणो ब्राह्मतीर्थेन दृष्टिपूताभिराचमेत्

anuṣṇābhiraphenābhiradbhirhṛdgābhiratvaraḥ brāhmaṇo brāhmatīrthena dṛṣṭipūtābhirācamet

Without haste, a brahmin should sip water that is neither hot nor frothy, that reaches to the heart, and that has been examined visually for purity, using the Brahma-tirtha.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.35.61)

कंठगाभिर्नृपः शुद्ध्येत्तालुगाभिस्तथोरुजः॥ स्त्रीशूद्रावास्य संस्पर्शमात्रेणापि विशुद्ध्यतः

kaṁṭhagābhirnṛpaḥ śuddhyettālugābhistathorujaḥ strīśūdrāvāsya saṁsparśamātreṇāpi viśuddhyataḥ

A kshatriya is purified by water reaching to the throat; a vaishya, by water reaching to the palate. Women and shudras are purified merely by the touch of water.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.35.62)

शिरः प्रावृत्य कंठं वा जले मुक्तशिखोऽपि च॥ अक्षालितपदद्वंद्व आचांतोप्यशुचिर्मतः

śiraḥ prāvṛtya kaṁṭhaṁ vā jale muktaśikho'pi ca akṣālitapadadvaṁdva ācāṁtopyaśucirmataḥ

One who sips water with the head or throat covered, or with the topknot of hair loosened while in water, or without having washed both feet, is considered impure even after sipping.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.35.63)

त्रिः पीत्वांबु विशुद्ध्यर्थं ततः खानि विशोधयेत्॥ अंगुष्ठमूलदेशेन द्विर्द्विरोष्ठाधरौ स्पृशेत्॥ अंगुलीभिस्त्रिभिः पश्चात्पुनरास्यं स्पृशेत्सुधीः॥ तर्जन्यंगुष्ठकोट्या च घ्राणरंध्रे पुनः पुनः

triḥ pītvāṁbu viśuddhyarthaṁ tataḥ khāni viśodhayet aṁguṣṭhamūladeśena dvirdviroṣṭhādharau spṛśet aṁgulībhistribhiḥ paścātpunarāsyaṁ spṛśetsudhīḥ tarjanyaṁguṣṭhakoṭyā ca ghrāṇaraṁdhre punaḥ punaḥ

Having sipped water three times for purification, one should then purify the various openings of the body: with the base of the thumb, one should touch the upper and lower lips twice each; then, with three fingers, the wise man should again touch the face; and with the tip of the forefinger and thumb, again and again, the nostrils,

Verse 64 (skanda.4.35.64)

अंगुष्ठानामिकाग्राभ्यां चक्षुः श्रोत्रे पुनः पुनः॥ कनिष्ठांगुष्ठयोगेन नाभिरंध्रमुपस्पृशेत्

aṁguṣṭhānāmikāgrābhyāṁ cakṣuḥ śrotre punaḥ punaḥ kaniṣṭhāṁguṣṭhayogena nābhiraṁdhramupaspṛśet

with the tips of the thumb and ring finger, again and again, the eyes and ears; with the little finger together with the thumb, one should touch the navel;

Verse 65 (skanda.4.35.65)

स्पृष्ट्वा तलेन हृदयं समस्ताभिः शिरः स्पृशेत्॥ अंगुल्यग्रैस्तथा स्कंधौ सांबु सर्वत्र संस्पृशेत्

spṛṣṭvā talena hṛdayaṁ samastābhiḥ śiraḥ spṛśet aṁgulyagraistathā skaṁdhau sāṁbu sarvatra saṁspṛśet

touching the heart with the palm, one should touch the head with all the fingers together; and with the tips of the fingers, moistened with water, touch the shoulders and everywhere else.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.35.66)

आचांतः पुनराचामेत्कृते रथ्योपसर्पणे॥ स्नात्वा भुक्त्वा पयः पीत्वा प्रारंभे शुभकर्मणाम्

ācāṁtaḥ punarācāmetkṛte rathyopasarpaṇe snātvā bhuktvā payaḥ pītvā prāraṁbhe śubhakarmaṇām

Even after having sipped water, one should sip again after walking on a public road; after bathing, after eating, after drinking milk, and at the start of any auspicious undertaking;

Verse 67 (skanda.4.35.67)

सुप्त्वा वासः परीधाय तथा दृष्ट्वाप्यमंगलम्॥ प्रमादादशुचिं स्पृष्ट्वा द्विराचांतः शुचिर्भवेत्

suptvā vāsaḥ parīdhāya tathā dṛṣṭvāpyamaṁgalam pramādādaśuciṁ spṛṣṭvā dvirācāṁtaḥ śucirbhavet

after sleeping, after putting on clothes, and also after seeing something inauspicious. If one carelessly touches something impure, one becomes pure again only by sipping water twice.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.35.68)

अथो मुखविशुद्ध्यर्थं गृह्णीयाद्दंतधावनम्॥ आचांतोप्यशुचिर्यस्मादकृत्वा दंतधावनम्

atho mukhaviśuddhyarthaṁ gṛhṇīyāddaṁtadhāvanam ācāṁtopyaśuciryasmādakṛtvā daṁtadhāvanam

Then, for the purification of the mouth, one should take up the tooth-cleaning twig; for even after sipping water, one remains impure without having cleaned one's teeth.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.35.69)

प्रतिपद्दर्शषष्ठीषु नवम्यां रविवासरे॥ दंतानां काष्ठसंयोगो दहेदासप्तमं कुलम्

pratipaddarśaṣaṣṭhīṣu navamyāṁ ravivāsare daṁtānāṁ kāṣṭhasaṁyogo dahedāsaptamaṁ kulam

On the first lunar day, the new-moon day, the sixth, the ninth, and on a Sunday, the use of a wooden twig for the teeth would burn the merit of one's family down to the seventh generation.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.35.70)

अलाभे दंतकाष्ठानां निषिद्धे वाथ वासरे॥ गंडूषा द्वादश ग्राह्या मुखस्य परिशुद्धये

alābhe daṁtakāṣṭhānāṁ niṣiddhe vātha vāsare gaṁḍūṣā dvādaśa grāhyā mukhasya pariśuddhaye

When a tooth-twig cannot be obtained, or on a forbidden day, twelve rinses of the mouth with water should be taken for the complete purification of the mouth.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.35.71)

कनिष्ठाग्र परीमाणं सत्वचं निर्व्रणं ऋजुम्॥ द्वादशांगुलमानं च सार्धं स्याद्दंतधावनम्

kaniṣṭhāgra parīmāṇaṁ satvacaṁ nirvraṇaṁ ṛjum dvādaśāṁgulamānaṁ ca sārdhaṁ syāddaṁtadhāvanam

The tooth-twig should be about the thickness of the little finger's tip, retaining its bark, free of blemish, straight, and twelve and a half fingers in length.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.35.72)

एकैकांगुलह्रासेन वर्णेष्वन्येषु कीर्तितम्॥ आम्राम्रातक धात्रीणां कंकोल खदिरोद्भवम्॥ शम्यपामार्गखर्जूरीशेलुश्रीपर्णिपीलुजम्॥ राजादनं च नारंगं कषायकटुकंटकम्

ekaikāṁgulahrāsena varṇeṣvanyeṣu kīrtitam āmrāmrātaka dhātrīṇāṁ kaṁkola khadirodbhavam śamyapāmārgakharjūrīśeluśrīparṇipīlujam rājādanaṁ ca nāraṁgaṁ kaṣāyakaṭukaṁṭakam

For each subsequent caste, it is declared shorter by one finger's breadth. Twigs from the mango, hog-plum, amalaka, kankola, khadira, shami, apamarga, date-palm, shelu, shriparni, pilu, rajadana, and orange trees, of astringent, pungent, or thorny nature —

Verse 73 (skanda.4.35.73)

क्षीरवृक्षोद्भवं वापि प्रशस्तं दंतधावनम्॥ जिह्वोल्लेखनिकां चापि कुर्याच्चापाकृतिं शुभाम्

kṣīravṛkṣodbhavaṁ vāpi praśastaṁ daṁtadhāvanam jihvollekhanikāṁ cāpi kuryāccāpākṛtiṁ śubhām

— or that from a milk-exuding tree, is recommended for cleaning the teeth. One should also fashion an auspicious tongue-scraper, curved like a bow.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.35.74)

अन्नाद्याय व्यूहध्वं सोमोराजाय मा गमत्॥ समे मुखं प्रमार्क्ष्यते यशसा च भगेन च

annādyāya vyūhadhvaṁ somorājāya mā gamat same mukhaṁ pramārkṣyate yaśasā ca bhagena ca

'Array yourselves for the eating of food; may the impurity not go to King Soma. Together may my mouth be cleansed, with fame and with good fortune.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.35.75)

आयुर्बलं यशो वर्चः प्रजाः पशु वसूनि च॥ ब्रह्म प्रज्ञां च मेधां च त्वन्नो देहि वनस्पते

āyurbalaṁ yaśo varcaḥ prajāḥ paśu vasūni ca brahma prajñāṁ ca medhāṁ ca tvanno dehi vanaspate

'Grant us, O Lord of the forest, long life, strength, fame, vigor, offspring, cattle, and wealth; and grant us knowledge of Brahman, wisdom, and intellect.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.35.76)

मंत्रावेतौ समुच्चार्य यः कुर्याद्दंतधावनम्॥ वनस्पतिगतः सोमस्तस्य नित्यं प्रसीदति

maṁtrāvetau samuccārya yaḥ kuryāddaṁtadhāvanam vanaspatigataḥ somastasya nityaṁ prasīdati

Whoever cleans his teeth while reciting these two mantras — Soma, present within the tree, remains ever pleased with him.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.35.77)

मुखे पर्युषिते यस्माद्भवेदशुचिभाग्नरः॥ ततः कुर्यात्प्रयत्नेन शुद्ध्यर्थं दंतधावनम्

mukhe paryuṣite yasmādbhavedaśucibhāgnaraḥ tataḥ kuryātprayatnena śuddhyarthaṁ daṁtadhāvanam

Because a man with an unclean mouth, left overnight without cleaning, becomes impure, one should carefully clean the teeth for the sake of purity.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.35.78)

उपवासेपि नो दुष्येद्दंतधावनमंजनम्॥ गंधालंकारसद्वस्त्रपुष्पमालानुलेपनम्

upavāsepi no duṣyeddaṁtadhāvanamaṁjanam gaṁdhālaṁkārasadvastrapuṣpamālānulepanam

Even during a fast, tooth-cleaning, applying collyrium, fragrances, ornaments, fine garments, flower-garlands, and anointing do not cause any fault.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.35.79)

प्रातःसंध्यां ततः कुर्याद्दंतधावनपूर्विकाम्॥ प्रातःस्नानं चरित्वा च शुद्धे तीर्थे विशेषतः

prātaḥsaṁdhyāṁ tataḥ kuryāddaṁtadhāvanapūrvikām prātaḥsnānaṁ caritvā ca śuddhe tīrthe viśeṣataḥ

One should then perform the morning sandhya prayers, preceded by tooth-cleaning, and, especially, having performed the morning bath at a pure tirtha.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.35.80)

प्रातःस्नानाद्यतःशुद्ध्येत्कायोयं मलिनः सदा॥ छिद्रितो नवभिश्छिद्रैः स्रवत्येव दिवानिशम्

prātaḥsnānādyataḥśuddhyetkāyoyaṁ malinaḥ sadā chidrito navabhiśchidraiḥ sravatyeva divāniśam

Since this body, ever impure, pierced by nine openings, leaks continually day and night, it becomes purified only through the morning bath.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.35.81)

उत्साह मेधा सौभाग्य रूप संपत्प्रवर्तकम्॥ मनः प्रसन्नताहेतुः प्रातःस्नानं प्रशस्यते॥ प्रस्वेद लालाद्याक्लिन्नो निद्राधीनो यतो नरः॥ प्रातःस्नानात्ततोर्हः स्यान्मंत्रस्तोत्रजपादिषु

utsāha medhā saubhāgya rūpa saṁpatpravartakam manaḥ prasannatāhetuḥ prātaḥsnānaṁ praśasyate prasveda lālādyāklinno nidrādhīno yato naraḥ prātaḥsnānāttatorhaḥ syānmaṁtrastotrajapādiṣu

The morning bath, praised as the very cause of the mind's serenity, brings enthusiasm, intelligence, good fortune, beauty, and prosperity. Since a man, subject to sleep, becomes soiled with sweat, saliva, and the like, it is only through the morning bath that he becomes fit for the recitation of mantras, hymns, and japa.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.35.82)

प्रातःप्रातस्तु यत्स्नानं संजाते चारुणोदये॥ प्राजापत्यसमं प्राहुस्तन्महाघविघातकृत्

prātaḥprātastu yatsnānaṁ saṁjāte cāruṇodaye prājāpatyasamaṁ prāhustanmahāghavighātakṛt

The bath taken every morning, at the very rising of the reddening dawn, is declared to be equal to the Prajapatya penance, and the destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.35.83)

प्रातःस्नानं हरेत्पापमलक्ष्मीं ग्लानिमेव च॥ अशुचित्वं च दुःस्वप्नं तुष्टिं पुष्टिं प्रयच्छति

prātaḥsnānaṁ haretpāpamalakṣmīṁ glānimeva ca aśucitvaṁ ca duḥsvapnaṁ tuṣṭiṁ puṣṭiṁ prayacchati

The morning bath removes sin, misfortune, and lassitude; it removes impurity and bad dreams; it grants contentment and nourishment.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.35.84)

नोपसर्पंति वै दुष्टाः प्रातःस्नायिजन क्वचित्॥ दृष्टादृष्टफलं यस्मात्प्रातःस्नानं समाचरेत्

nopasarpaṁti vai duṣṭāḥ prātaḥsnāyijana kvacit dṛṣṭādṛṣṭaphalaṁ yasmātprātaḥsnānaṁ samācaret

The wicked never approach a person who bathes in the morning. Since the morning bath yields fruit both seen and unseen, one should always perform it.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.35.85)

प्रसंगतः स्नानविधिं वक्ष्यामि कलशोद्भव॥ विधिस्नानं यतः प्राहुः स्नानाच्छतगुणोत्तरम्

prasaṁgataḥ snānavidhiṁ vakṣyāmi kalaśodbhava vidhisnānaṁ yataḥ prāhuḥ snānācchataguṇottaram

In this connection, O Kalashodbhava, I shall now tell the proper rite of bathing; for the bath performed according to the prescribed rite is declared to be a hundred times more efficacious than an ordinary bath.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.35.86)

विशुद्धां मृदमादाय बर्हींषि तिल गोमयम्॥ शुचौ देशे परिस्थाप्य त्वाचम्य स्नानमाचरेत्

viśuddhāṁ mṛdamādāya barhīṁṣi tila gomayam śucau deśe paristhāpya tvācamya snānamācaret

Taking pure clay, kusha grass, sesame seeds, and cow-dung, and placing them in a clean spot, one should sip water and then perform the bath.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.35.87)

उपग्रही बद्धशिखो जलमध्ये समाविशेत्॥ उरुँ हीति मंत्रेण तोयमावर्त्य सृष्टितः

upagrahī baddhaśikho jalamadhye samāviśet uru~ hīti maṁtreṇa toyamāvartya sṛṣṭitaḥ

Wearing his sacred implements and with his topknot tied, he should enter the middle of the water, and, reciting the mantra 'Uru hi...', stir the water outward,

Verse 88 (skanda.4.35.88)

ये ते शतं ततो जप्त्वा तोयस्यामंत्रणाय च॥ सुमित्रिया नो मंत्रेण पूर्वं कृत्वा जलांजलिम्॥ क्षिपेद्द्वेष्यं समुद्दिश्य जपन्दुर्मित्रिया इति

ye te śataṁ tato japtvā toyasyāmaṁtraṇāya ca sumitriyā no maṁtreṇa pūrvaṁ kṛtvā jalāṁjalim kṣipeddveṣyaṁ samuddiśya japandurmitriyā iti

then, reciting the mantra 'Ye te shatam...' to invoke the water, and, having first made an offering of water with cupped hands using the mantra 'Sumitriya nah...', he should, while thinking of an enemy, cast water toward him, reciting the mantra 'Durmitriya...'.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.35.89)

इदं विष्णुरिमं जप्त्वा लिंपेदंगानि मृत्स्नया॥ मृदैकया शिरः क्षाल्य द्वाभ्यां नाभेस्तथोपरि

idaṁ viṣṇurimaṁ japtvā liṁpedaṁgāni mṛtsnayā mṛdaikayā śiraḥ kṣālya dvābhyāṁ nābhestathopari

Reciting the mantra 'Idam Vishnuh...', he should smear his limbs with clay: with one portion of clay, wash the head; with two portions, above the navel;

Verse 90 (skanda.4.35.90)

नाभेरधस्तु तिसृभिः पादौ षड्भिर्विशोधयेत्॥ मज्जेत्प्रवाहाभिमुख आपो अस्मानिमं जपन्॥ उदिदाभ्यः शुचिरिति मंत्र उन्मज्जने मतः॥ मानस्तोक इमं जप्त्वा लिंपेद्गात्राणि गोमयैः

nābheradhastu tisṛbhiḥ pādau ṣaḍbhirviśodhayet majjetpravāhābhimukha āpo asmānimaṁ japan udidābhyaḥ śuciriti maṁtra unmajjane mataḥ mānastoka imaṁ japtvā liṁpedgātrāṇi gomayaiḥ

with three portions, below the navel; and with six portions, purify the feet. Facing the direction of the current, he should submerge himself, reciting the mantra 'Apo asman...'; upon rising, the mantra 'Ut te...' is prescribed; and, reciting the mantra 'Ma nastoke...', he should then smear his limbs with cow-dung.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.35.91)

इमं मे वरुणेत्यादि मंत्रः स्वात्माभिषेचनम्॥ तत्त्वायामि तथात्वन्नः सत्वं नश्चाप्युदुत्तमम्

imaṁ me varuṇetyādi maṁtraḥ svātmābhiṣecanam tattvāyāmi tathātvannaḥ satvaṁ naścāpyuduttamam

Beginning with the mantra 'Imam me Varuna...', he should perform his own ritual ablution; likewise with 'Tat tva yami...' and 'Tvam nah satyam nash cha ud uttamam...'.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.35.92)

धाम्नोधाम्नस्तथा मापो मौषधीरिति संजपेत्॥ यदाहुरघ्न्या मुंचंतु मेति चावभृथेति च

dhāmnodhāmnastathā māpo mauṣadhīriti saṁjapet yadāhuraghnyā muṁcaṁtu meti cāvabhṛtheti ca

He should also recite the mantras 'Dhamno dhamnah...', 'Ma apo...', 'Aushadhih...', and those which they call 'Aghnya muncantu me...' and 'Avabhrtha...'.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.35.93)

अब्दैवता इमे मंत्राः प्रोक्ताः स्वात्माभिषेचने॥ प्रणवेन ततो विप्रो महाव्याहृतिभिस्ततः

abdaivatā ime maṁtrāḥ proktāḥ svātmābhiṣecane praṇavena tato vipro mahāvyāhṛtibhistataḥ

These mantras, dedicated to the deities of the waters, are prescribed for one's own ritual ablution. A brahmin should then purify himself with the syllable Om, and then with the Mahavyahritis,

Verse 94 (skanda.4.35.94)

आत्मानं पावयेद्विद्वान्गायत्र्या च ततः कृती॥ आपो हिष्ठेति तिसृभिः प्रत्यृचं पावनं स्मृतम्

ātmānaṁ pāvayedvidvāngāyatryā ca tataḥ kṛtī āpo hiṣṭheti tisṛbhiḥ pratyṛcaṁ pāvanaṁ smṛtam

and then, that accomplished, wise man should purify himself with the Gayatri. With the three verses beginning 'Apo hi shtha...', purification is prescribed verse by verse.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.35.95)

एतेपि पावना मंत्रा इदमापो हविष्मतीः॥ देवीराप अपो देवा द्रुपदादिव संज्ञकाः

etepi pāvanā maṁtrā idamāpo haviṣmatīḥ devīrāpa apo devā drupadādiva saṁjñakāḥ

These too are purifying mantras: 'Idam apo havishmatih', 'Devir apah', 'Apo devah', and those known as beginning with 'Drupadad iva'.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.35.96)

शन्नो देवीरपोदेवीस्तथापाँरसमित्यपि॥ पुनंतु मेति च नव पावमान्यः प्रकीर्तिताः

śanno devīrapodevīstathāpā~rasamityapi punaṁtu meti ca nava pāvamānyaḥ prakīrtitāḥ

'Shan no devir', 'Apo devih', 'Apam rasam', and 'Punantu ma...' — these are declared to be the nine Pavamani verses.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.35.97)

ततोऽघमर्षणं जप्त्वा द्रुपदां च ततो जपेत्॥ प्राणायामं च विधिवदथवांतर्जले जपेत्

tato'ghamarṣaṇaṁ japtvā drupadāṁ ca tato japet prāṇāyāmaṁ ca vidhivadathavāṁtarjale japet

Then, having recited the Aghamarshana hymn, and then the Drupada verse, he should perform pranayama according to rule — or he may recite while still submerged in the water.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.35.98)

प्रणवं त्रिर्जपेद्वापि विष्णुं वा संस्मरेत्सुधीः॥ स्नात्वेत्थं वस्त्रमापीड्य गृह्णीयाद्धौतवाससी॥ आचम्य च ततः कुर्यात्प्रातःसंध्यां कुशान्विताम्॥ यो न संध्यामुपासीत ब्राह्मणो हि विशेषतः॥ स जीवन्नेव शूद्रस्तु मृतः श्वा जायते ध्रुवम्॥ संध्याहीनोऽशुचिर्नित्यमनर्हः सर्वकर्मसु

praṇavaṁ trirjapedvāpi viṣṇuṁ vā saṁsmaretsudhīḥ snātvetthaṁ vastramāpīḍya gṛhṇīyāddhautavāsasī ācamya ca tataḥ kuryātprātaḥsaṁdhyāṁ kuśānvitām yo na saṁdhyāmupāsīta brāhmaṇo hi viśeṣataḥ sa jīvanneva śūdrastu mṛtaḥ śvā jāyate dhruvam saṁdhyāhīno'śucirnityamanarhaḥ sarvakarmasu

Or the wise man may simply recite the syllable Om three times, or call Vishnu to mind. Having thus bathed, he should wring out his garment and put on a clean, washed cloth. Then, having sipped water, he should perform the morning sandhya, holding kusha grass. Whatever brahmin, especially, does not perform the sandhya rites — he becomes, while yet living, no better than a shudra, and, when dead, surely becomes a dog. One devoid of the sandhya is ever impure, and unfit for any rite.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.35.99)

यदन्यत्कुरुते कर्म न तस्य फलभाग्भवेत्॥ प्रणवं प्राग्दिशि स्मृत्वा ततो दत्त्वा कुशासनम्

yadanyatkurute karma na tasya phalabhāgbhavet praṇavaṁ prāgdiśi smṛtvā tato dattvā kuśāsanam

Whatever other rite such a person performs, he does not share in its fruit. Facing the eastern direction and calling the syllable Om to mind, he should then lay out a seat of kusha grass,

Verse 100 (skanda.4.35.100)

चतुःस्रक्तिरिमं मंत्रं पठित्वा नान्यदृङ्मनाः

catuḥsraktirimaṁ maṁtraṁ paṭhitvā nānyadṛṅmanāḥ

the seat four-cornered, and, reciting this mantra, with mind and gaze fixed on nothing else,

Verse 101 (skanda.4.35.101)

प्राङ्मुखो बद्धचूडो वाप्युपविष्ट उदङ्मुखः॥ प्रदक्षिणं स्वमभ्युक्ष्य प्राणायामं समाचरेत्

prāṅmukho baddhacūḍo vāpyupaviṣṭa udaṅmukhaḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ svamabhyukṣya prāṇāyāmaṁ samācaret

facing east, or, with the topknot tied, seated facing north, he should sprinkle himself with water in a clockwise motion and perform pranayama.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.35.102)

गायत्रीं शिरसा सार्धंं सप्तव्याहृतिपूर्विकाम्॥ त्रिर्जपेत्सदशोंकारः प्राणायामोयमुच्यते

gāyatrīṁ śirasā sārdhaṁṁ saptavyāhṛtipūrvikām trirjapetsadaśoṁkāraḥ prāṇāyāmoyamucyate

Reciting the Gayatri together with its head-mantra, preceded by the seven Vyahritis, together with the syllable Om, three times — this is called pranayama.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.35.103)

प्राणायामांश्चरन्विप्रो नियतेंद्रिय मानसः॥ अहोरात्रकृतैः पापैर्मुक्तो भवति तत्क्षणात्

prāṇāyāmāṁścaranvipro niyateṁdriya mānasaḥ ahorātrakṛtaiḥ pāpairmukto bhavati tatkṣaṇāt

A brahmin who performs pranayama, his senses and mind restrained, is instantly freed from the sins committed over a day and a night.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.35.104)

दशद्वादश संख्या वा प्राणायामाः कृता यदि॥ नियम्य मानसं तेन तदा तप्तं महत्तपः

daśadvādaśa saṁkhyā vā prāṇāyāmāḥ kṛtā yadi niyamya mānasaṁ tena tadā taptaṁ mahattapaḥ

If pranayama is performed ten or twelve times, restraining the mind thereby, then a great austerity has been performed.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.35.105)

सव्याहृति प्रणवकाः प्राणायामास्तु षोडश॥ अपि भ्रूणहनं मासात्पुनंत्यहरहः कृताः

savyāhṛti praṇavakāḥ prāṇāyāmāstu ṣoḍaśa api bhrūṇahanaṁ māsātpunaṁtyaharahaḥ kṛtāḥ

Sixteen pranayamas, performed with the Vyahritis and the syllable Om, performed daily, purify even the sin of destroying an embryo within a month.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.35.106)

यथा पार्थिवधातूनां दह्यंते धमनान्मलाः॥ तथेंद्रियैः कृता दोषा ज्वाल्यंते प्राणसंयमात्

yathā pārthivadhātūnāṁ dahyaṁte dhamanānmalāḥ tatheṁdriyaiḥ kṛtā doṣā jvālyaṁte prāṇasaṁyamāt

Just as the impurities of earthy ores are burnt away by smelting, so too are the faults committed through the senses burnt away by the restraint of the breath.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.35.107)

एकं संभोज्य विधिवद्ब्राह्मणं यत्फलं लभेत्॥ प्राणायामैर्द्वादशभिस्तत्फलं श्रद्धयाप्यते॥ वेदादि वाङ्मयं सर्वं प्रणवे यत्प्रतिष्ठितम्॥ ततः प्रणवमभ्यस्येद्वेदादिं वेदजापकः

ekaṁ saṁbhojya vidhivadbrāhmaṇaṁ yatphalaṁ labhet prāṇāyāmairdvādaśabhistatphalaṁ śraddhayāpyate vedādi vāṅmayaṁ sarvaṁ praṇave yatpratiṣṭhitam tataḥ praṇavamabhyasyedvedādiṁ vedajāpakaḥ

The fruit obtained by duly feeding a single brahmin is obtained, with faith, through twelve pranayamas. Since all the Vedas and other scriptures rest upon the syllable Om, a reciter of the Veda should therefore practice Om, the very beginning of the Veda.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.35.108)

प्रणवे नित्ययुक्तस्य सप्तसु व्याहृतिष्वपि॥ त्रिपदायां तु गायत्र्यां न भयं जायते क्वचित्

praṇave nityayuktasya saptasu vyāhṛtiṣvapi tripadāyāṁ tu gāyatryāṁ na bhayaṁ jāyate kvacit

For one ever devoted to the syllable Om, to the seven Vyahritis, and to the three-footed Gayatri, no fear ever arises.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.35.109)

एकाक्षरं परं ब्रह्म प्राणायामः परं तपः॥ गायत्र्यास्तु परं नास्ति पावनं कलशोद्भव

ekākṣaraṁ paraṁ brahma prāṇāyāmaḥ paraṁ tapaḥ gāyatryāstu paraṁ nāsti pāvanaṁ kalaśodbhava

The one-syllabled Om is the Supreme Brahman; pranayama is the supreme austerity. O Kalashodbhava, there is nothing more purifying than the Gayatri.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.35.110)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यद्रात्रौ कुरुतेत्वघम्॥ उत्तिष्ठन्पूर्वसंध्यायां प्राणायामैर्विशोधयेत्

karmaṇā manasā vācā yadrātrau kurutetvagham uttiṣṭhanpūrvasaṁdhyāyāṁ prāṇāyāmairviśodhayet

Whatever sin one commits at night by deed, mind, or speech, one should, rising at the time of the morning sandhya, purify through pranayama.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.35.111)

यदह्ना कुरुते पापं मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः॥ आसीनः पश्चिमां संध्यां तत्प्राणायामतो हरेत्

yadahnā kurute pāpaṁ manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ āsīnaḥ paścimāṁ saṁdhyāṁ tatprāṇāyāmato haret

Whatever sin one commits during the day by deed of mind, speech, or body, one should remove through pranayama, seated at the evening sandhya.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.35.112)

पूर्वां संध्यां जपंस्तिष्ठेत्सावित्रीमार्कदर्शनात्॥ पश्चिमां तु समासीनः सम्यगृक्षविभावनात्

pūrvāṁ saṁdhyāṁ japaṁstiṣṭhetsāvitrīmārkadarśanāt paścimāṁ tu samāsīnaḥ samyagṛkṣavibhāvanāt

One should stand and recite the Savitri at the morning sandhya until the sun is seen; at the evening sandhya, one should sit and recite until the stars are clearly visible.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.35.113)

पूर्वां संध्यां जपंस्तिष्ठन्नैशमेनो व्यपोहति॥ पश्चिमां तु समासीनो मलं हंति दिवाकृतम्

pūrvāṁ saṁdhyāṁ japaṁstiṣṭhannaiśameno vyapohati paścimāṁ tu samāsīno malaṁ haṁti divākṛtam

Standing and reciting at the morning sandhya, one removes the sin of the night; sitting at the evening sandhya, one destroys the impurity accumulated during the day.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.35.114)

नोपतिष्ठेत्तु यः पूर्वां नोपास्ते यस्तु पश्चिमाम्॥ स शूद्रवद्बहिष्कार्यः सर्वस्माद्द्विजकर्मणः

nopatiṣṭhettu yaḥ pūrvāṁ nopāste yastu paścimām sa śūdravadbahiṣkāryaḥ sarvasmāddvijakarmaṇaḥ

Whoever does not observe the morning sandhya, or the evening one, should be excluded, like a shudra, from every rite of the twice-born.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.35.115)

अपां समीपमासाद्य नित्यकर्म समाचरेत्॥ गायत्रीमप्यधीयीत गत्वारण्यं समाहितः

apāṁ samīpamāsādya nityakarma samācaret gāyatrīmapyadhīyīta gatvāraṇyaṁ samāhitaḥ

One should go near water and perform one's daily rites there; one should also, going to a forest, recite the Gayatri with a composed mind.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.35.116)

गृहाद्बहुगुणा यस्मात्संध्या बहिरुपासिता॥ गायत्र्यभ्यासमात्रोपि वरं विप्रो जितेंद्रियः॥ त्रिवेद्यपि च नो मान्यः सर्वभुक्सर्वविक्रयी॥ सविता देवता यस्या मुखमग्निस्त्रिपाच्च या

gṛhādbahuguṇā yasmātsaṁdhyā bahirupāsitā gāyatryabhyāsamātropi varaṁ vipro jiteṁdriyaḥ trivedyapi ca no mānyaḥ sarvabhuksarvavikrayī savitā devatā yasyā mukhamagnistripācca yā

Since the sandhya performed outside the house is many times more meritorious than one performed within, a brahmin who has mastered his senses, even though he practices only the Gayatri, is superior; while even one learned in the three Vedas is not to be honored if he eats indiscriminately and trades in everything. Her deity is Savitri, her mouth is Agni, and she has three feet,

Verse 117 (skanda.4.35.117)

विश्वामित्रे ऋषिश्छंदो गायत्री सा विशिष्यते॥ गायत्रीमुषसि ध्यायेल्लोहितां ब्रह्मदैवताम्

viśvāmitre ṛṣiśchaṁdo gāyatrī sā viśiṣyate gāyatrīmuṣasi dhyāyellohitāṁ brahmadaivatām

her sage is Vishvamitra, and her meter is Gayatri, by which she is especially distinguished. At dawn, one should meditate upon Gayatri as red in hue, her deity Brahman,

Verse 118 (skanda.4.35.118)

हंसारूढामष्टवर्षां रक्तस्रगनुलेपनाम्॥ ऋक्स्वरूपामभयदामक्षमालावलंबिनीम्

haṁsārūḍhāmaṣṭavarṣāṁ raktasraganulepanām ṛksvarūpāmabhayadāmakṣamālāvalaṁbinīm

mounted upon a swan, eight years of age, adorned with a red garland and red unguent, of the very form of the Rig Veda, granting fearlessness, holding a rosary,

Verse 119 (skanda.4.35.119)

व्यासर्षिणा स्तूयमानां छंदसानुष्टुभायुताम्॥ एतद्ध्यानादुषर्देव्या नैशमेनो व्यपोहति

vyāsarṣiṇā stūyamānāṁ chaṁdasānuṣṭubhāyutām etaddhyānāduṣardevyā naiśameno vyapohati

praised by the sage Vyasa, joined with the Anushtubh meter. By this meditation upon the goddess of dawn, one dispels the sins of the night.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.35.120)

सूर्यश्चेति च मंत्रेण स्यादाचमनमुत्तमम्॥ आपोहिष्ठेति तिसृभिर्मार्जनं तु ततश्चरेत्

sūryaśceti ca maṁtreṇa syādācamanamuttamam āpohiṣṭheti tisṛbhirmārjanaṁ tu tataścaret

With the mantra 'Suryash cha...', the sipping of water should be done. Then, with the three verses beginning 'Apo hi shtha...', one should perform the sprinkling rite.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.35.121)

भूमौ शिरसि चाकाश आकाशे भुवि मस्तके॥ मस्तके च तथाकाशे भूमौ च नवधा क्षिपेत्

bhūmau śirasi cākāśa ākāśe bhuvi mastake mastake ca tathākāśe bhūmau ca navadhā kṣipet

One should sprinkle the water nine times: upon the ground, then the head, then the sky; then the sky, the ground, the head; then the head, the sky, and the ground.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.35.122)

भूमिशब्देन चरणावाकाशं हृदयं स्मृतम्॥ शिरस्येव शिरः शब्दो मार्जनज्ञैरुदाहृतः

bhūmiśabdena caraṇāvākāśaṁ hṛdayaṁ smṛtam śirasyeva śiraḥ śabdo mārjanajñairudāhṛtaḥ

By the word ground is meant the feet; by sky is meant the heart; and by the word head is meant, as those learned in this rite of sprinkling declare, the head itself.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.35.123)

वारुणादपि चाग्नेयाद्वायव्यादपि चैंद्रतः॥ मंत्रस्नानादपि परं ब्राह्मं स्नानमिदं परम्

vāruṇādapi cāgneyādvāyavyādapi caiṁdrataḥ maṁtrasnānādapi paraṁ brāhmaṁ snānamidaṁ param

This Brahma-bath is superior to a bath in water alone, superior to a fire-bath, superior to a wind-bath, superior to an Indra-related bath, and superior even to a bath accompanied merely by mantras.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.35.124)

ब्राह्मस्नानेन यः स्नातः स बाह्याभ्यंतरे शुचिः॥ सर्वत्र चार्हतामेति देवपूजादिकर्मणि

brāhmasnānena yaḥ snātaḥ sa bāhyābhyaṁtare śuciḥ sarvatra cārhatāmeti devapūjādikarmaṇi

Whoever bathes with this Brahma-bath is pure both outwardly and inwardly, and becomes worthy everywhere, in the worship of the gods and other such rites.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.35.125)

नक्तं दिनं निमज्ज्याप्सु कैवर्ताः किमु पावनाः॥ शतशोपि तथा स्नाता न शुद्धा भावदूषिता॥ अंतःकरणशुद्धा ये तान्विभूतिः पवित्रयेत्॥ किं पावनाः प्रकीर्त्यंते रासभा भस्मधूसराः

naktaṁ dinaṁ nimajjyāpsu kaivartāḥ kimu pāvanāḥ śataśopi tathā snātā na śuddhā bhāvadūṣitā aṁtaḥkaraṇaśuddhā ye tānvibhūtiḥ pavitrayet kiṁ pāvanāḥ prakīrtyaṁte rāsabhā bhasmadhūsarāḥ

Fishermen, submerged in water day and night, are they thereby purified? Even bathing a hundred times, one whose inner disposition is corrupt is not purified. Only those whose inner faculty is pure are truly purified by sacred ash. Are donkeys, gray with ash, ever called purified?

Verse 126 (skanda.4.35.126)

स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु स सर्वमलवर्जितः॥ तेन क्रतुशतैरिष्टं चेतो यस्येह निर्मलम्

sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu sa sarvamalavarjitaḥ tena kratuśatairiṣṭaṁ ceto yasyeha nirmalam

Whoever's mind is pure in this world has bathed in every tirtha, is free of every impurity, and has, by that very purity, performed a hundred sacrifices.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.35.127)

तदेव निर्मलं चेतो यथास्यात्तन्मुने शृणु॥ विश्वेशश्चेत्प्रसन्नः स्यात्तदा स्यान्नान्यथा क्वचित्

tadeva nirmalaṁ ceto yathāsyāttanmune śṛṇu viśveśaścetprasannaḥ syāttadā syānnānyathā kvacit

Listen, O sage, how that very mind becomes pure: only if Vishvesha is pleased does it become so — never otherwise, by any other means.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.35.128)

तस्माच्चेतोविशुद्ध्यर्थं काशीनाथं समाश्रयेत्॥ तदाश्रयेण नियतं संक्षीयंते मनोमलाः

tasmāccetoviśuddhyarthaṁ kāśīnāthaṁ samāśrayet tadāśrayeṇa niyataṁ saṁkṣīyaṁte manomalāḥ

Therefore, for the purification of the mind, one should take refuge in the Lord of Kashi; by that very refuge, the impurities of the mind are surely diminished.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.35.129)

संक्षीणमान स मलो विश्वेशानु ग्रहात्परात्॥ इदं शरीरमुत्सृज्य परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

saṁkṣīṇamāna sa malo viśveśānu grahātparāt idaṁ śarīramutsṛjya paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

When the mind's impurity has been thus diminished through the supreme grace of Vishvesha, one, upon casting off this body, attains the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.35.130)

विश्वेशानुग्रहे हेतुः सदाचारो मतो नृणाम्॥ श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्यामुदितं तस्मात्तमनु संश्रयेत्

viśveśānugrahe hetuḥ sadācāro mato nṛṇām śrutismṛtibhyāmuditaṁ tasmāttamanu saṁśrayet

For men, right conduct is held to be the very cause of Vishvesha's grace; therefore one should follow that right conduct declared by the Shruti and Smriti.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.35.131)

द्रुपदां तु ततो जप्त्वा जलमादाय पाणिना॥ कुर्यादृतं च मंत्रेण विधिज्ञस्त्वघमर्षणम्

drupadāṁ tu tato japtvā jalamādāya pāṇinā kuryādṛtaṁ ca maṁtreṇa vidhijñastvaghamarṣaṇam

Then, having recited the Drupada verse, and taking water in his hand, one who knows the proper rite should perform the Rita mantra, and then the Aghamarshana.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.35.132)

निमज्ज्याप्सु च यो विद्वाञ्जपेत्त्रिरघमर्षणम्॥ यथाश्वमेधावभृथस्तस्य स्यात्तत्तथा ध्रुवम्

nimajjyāpsu ca yo vidvāñjapettriraghamarṣaṇam yathāśvamedhāvabhṛthastasya syāttattathā dhruvam

For that wise man who, submerged in water, recites the Aghamarshana three times, it becomes surely equivalent to the final bath after an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.35.133)

जले वापि स्थले वापि यः कुयार्दघमषर्णम्॥ तस्याघौघो विनश्येत यथा सूर्योदये तमः

jale vāpi sthale vāpi yaḥ kuyārdaghamaṣarṇam tasyāghaugho vinaśyeta yathā sūryodaye tamaḥ

Whoever performs the Aghamarshana, whether in water or on land, his whole flood of sin is destroyed, just as darkness is destroyed at sunrise.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.35.134)

इमं मंत्रं ततश्चोक्त्वा कुर्यादाचमनं द्विजः॥ आचार्याः केचिदिच्छंति शाखाभेदेन चापरे॥ अंतश्चरसि भूतेषु गुहायां विश्वतोमुखः॥ त्वं यज्ञस्त्वं वषट्कार आपो ज्योतीरसोऽमृतम्

imaṁ maṁtraṁ tataścoktvā kuryādācamanaṁ dvijaḥ ācāryāḥ kecidicchaṁti śākhābhedena cāpare aṁtaścarasi bhūteṣu guhāyāṁ viśvatomukhaḥ tvaṁ yajñastvaṁ vaṣaṭkāra āpo jyotīraso'mṛtam

Having then recited this mantra — 'You move within all beings, in the cave of the heart, facing every direction; you are the sacrifice, you are the exclamation Vashat, you are water, light, essence, and immortality' — a brahmin should sip water; some teachers, according to differences of school, prescribe other mantras.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.35.135)

गायत्रीं शिरसा हीनां महाव्याहृतिपूर्विकाम्॥ प्रणवाद्यां जपंस्तिष्ठन्क्षिपेदंभोंजलि त्रयम्

gāyatrīṁ śirasā hīnāṁ mahāvyāhṛtipūrvikām praṇavādyāṁ japaṁstiṣṭhankṣipedaṁbhoṁjali trayam

Standing and reciting the Gayatri without its head-mantra, preceded by the great Vyahritis and beginning with Om, one should then cast three handfuls of water,

Verse 136 (skanda.4.35.136)

तेन वज्रोदकेनाशु मंदेहा नाम राक्षसाः॥ सूर्यारयः प्रलीयंते शैला वज्रहता इव

tena vajrodakenāśu maṁdehā nāma rākṣasāḥ sūryārayaḥ pralīyaṁte śailā vajrahatā iva

by which very thunderbolt-water, the rakshasas named Mandeha, enemies of the sun, are instantly destroyed, like mountains struck by a thunderbolt.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.35.137)

विवस्वतः सहायार्थं यो द्विजो नांजलित्रयम्॥ क्षिपेन्मंदेहनाशाय सोपि मंदेहतां व्रजेत्

vivasvataḥ sahāyārthaṁ yo dvijo nāṁjalitrayam kṣipenmaṁdehanāśāya sopi maṁdehatāṁ vrajet

Whatever brahmin does not cast these three handfuls of water for the sake of aiding the sun, for the destruction of the Mandeha demons, he too falls into the state of a Mandeha demon himself.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.35.138)

प्रातस्तावज्जपंस्तिष्ठेद्यावत्सूर्यस्य दर्शनम्॥ उपविष्टो जपेत्सायमृक्षाणामाविलोकनात्

prātastāvajjapaṁstiṣṭhedyāvatsūryasya darśanam upaviṣṭo japetsāyamṛkṣāṇāmāvilokanāt

In the morning, one should stand reciting until the sun is seen; in the evening, one should sit and recite until the stars become fully visible.

Verse 139 (skanda.4.35.139)

काललोपो न कर्तव्यो द्विजेन स्वहितेप्सुना॥ अर्धोदयास्त समये तस्माद्वज्रोदकं क्षिपेत्

kālalopo na kartavyo dvijena svahitepsunā ardhodayāsta samaye tasmādvajrodakaṁ kṣipet

A brahmin who desires his own welfare should never neglect the proper time; therefore, at the half-risen or half-set moment of the sun, he should cast this thunderbolt-water.

Verse 140 (skanda.4.35.140)

विधिनापि कृता संध्या कालातीताऽफला भवेत्॥ अयमेव हि दृष्टांतो वंध्या स्त्री मैथुनं यथा

vidhināpi kṛtā saṁdhyā kālātītā'phalā bhavet ayameva hi dṛṣṭāṁto vaṁdhyā strī maithunaṁ yathā

Even a sandhya performed according to full ritual, if performed past its proper time, becomes fruitless — just as the very example of a barren woman's union bears no fruit.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.35.141)

जलं वामकरे कृत्वा यासंध्या चरिता द्विजैः॥ वृषली सा परिज्ञेया रक्षोगण मुदावहा

jalaṁ vāmakare kṛtvā yāsaṁdhyā caritā dvijaiḥ vṛṣalī sā parijñeyā rakṣogaṇa mudāvahā

That sandhya which brahmins perform holding the water in the left hand should be known as a mere shudra-woman's rite, bringing joy only to the hosts of demons.

Verse 142 (skanda.4.35.142)

उद्वयं तमुदुत्यं च चित्रं देवेति तत्परम्॥ तच्चक्षुरित्युपस्थानमंत्रा ब्रध्नस्य सिद्धिदाः

udvayaṁ tamudutyaṁ ca citraṁ deveti tatparam taccakṣurityupasthānamaṁtrā bradhnasya siddhidāḥ

'Ud vayam tamas...', 'Uduttyam...', 'Chitram devanam...' and, next to it, 'Tach chakshuh...' — these are the mantras of homage to the sun, granters of accomplishment.

Verse 143 (skanda.4.35.143)

सहस्रकृत्वो गायत्र्याः शतकृत्वोथवा पुनः॥ दशकृत्वोथ देव्यैव कुर्यात्सौरीमुपस्थितिम्॥ सहस्रपरमां देवीं शतमध्यां दशावराम्॥ गायत्रीं यो जपेद्विप्रो न स पापैः प्रलिप्यते

sahasrakṛtvo gāyatryāḥ śatakṛtvothavā punaḥ daśakṛtvotha devyaiva kuryātsaurīmupasthitim sahasraparamāṁ devīṁ śatamadhyāṁ daśāvarām gāyatrīṁ yo japedvipro na sa pāpaiḥ pralipyate

One should perform the homage to the sun with the Gayatri a thousand times, or else a hundred times, or, at the very least, ten times. Whatever brahmin recites the Gayatri, whether a thousand times at best, a hundred times as the middling measure, or ten times at the least, is never tainted by sins.

Verse 144 (skanda.4.35.144)

विभ्राडित्यनुवाकं वा सूक्तं वा पौरुषं जपेत्॥ शिवसंकल्पमथवा ब्राह्मणं मंडलं तु वा

vibhrāḍityanuvākaṁ vā sūktaṁ vā pauruṣaṁ japet śivasaṁkalpamathavā brāhmaṇaṁ maṁḍalaṁ tu vā

One may recite the Vibhrad hymn, or the Purusha hymn, or the Shivasankalpa, or the Brahmana-mandala hymn.

Verse 145 (skanda.4.35.145)

एतानि चोपस्थानानि रविप्रीतिकराणि च॥ रक्तचंदनमिश्राद्भिरक्षतैः कुसुमैः कुशैः

etāni copasthānāni raviprītikarāṇi ca raktacaṁdanamiśrādbhirakṣataiḥ kusumaiḥ kuśaiḥ

These are the hymns of homage that please the sun. With water mixed with red sandalwood, unbroken rice grains, flowers, and kusha grass,

Verse 146 (skanda.4.35.146)

वेदोक्तैरागमोक्तैर्वा मंत्रैरर्घं प्रदापयेत्॥ अर्चितः सविता येन तेन त्रैलोक्यमर्चितम्

vedoktairāgamoktairvā maṁtrairarghaṁ pradāpayet arcitaḥ savitā yena tena trailokyamarcitam

one should offer the ritual water-offering, with mantras drawn from the Vedas or the Agamas. By whomever Savita is worshipped, by him the three worlds are worshipped.

Verse 147 (skanda.4.35.147)

अर्चितः सविता सूते सुतान्पशु वसूनि च॥ व्याधीन्हरेद्ददात्यायुः पूरयेद्वांछितान्यपि

arcitaḥ savitā sūte sutānpaśu vasūni ca vyādhīnhareddadātyāyuḥ pūrayedvāṁchitānyapi

Savita, thus worshipped, bestows sons, cattle, and wealth; he removes diseases, grants long life, and fulfills one's desires.

Verse 148 (skanda.4.35.148)

अयं हि रुद्र आदित्यो हरिरेष दिवाकरः॥ रविर्हिरण्यगर्भोसौ त्रयीरूपोयमर्यमा

ayaṁ hi rudra ādityo harireṣa divākaraḥ ravirhiraṇyagarbhosau trayīrūpoyamaryamā

He indeed is Rudra, he the Sun; he is Hari, this maker of the day; he is Ravi, he Hiranyagarbha, and he Aryaman, of the very form of the threefold Veda.

Verse 149 (skanda.4.35.149)

रवेस्तु तोषणात्तुष्टा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः॥ इंद्रादयोखिला देवा मरीच्याद्या महर्षयः

ravestu toṣaṇāttuṣṭā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ iṁdrādayokhilā devā marīcyādyā maharṣayaḥ

By the mere pleasing of the sun, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara are pleased; so too are all the gods beginning with Indra, and the great sages beginning with Marichi;

Verse 150 (skanda.4.35.150)

मानवा मनुमुख्याश्च सोमपाद्याः पितामहाः॥ रवेरर्चां विधायेत्थं ततस्तर्पणमारभेत्

mānavā manumukhyāśca somapādyāḥ pitāmahāḥ raverarcāṁ vidhāyetthaṁ tatastarpaṇamārabhet

the human ancestors chief among whom is Manu, and the forefathers beginning with the Somapas. Having thus performed worship of the sun, one should then begin the tarpana.

Verse 151 (skanda.4.35.151)

दर्भानगर्भानादाय नव सप्त च पंच वा॥ साग्रान्समूलानच्छिन्नान्द्विजो दक्षिणपाणिना

darbhānagarbhānādāya nava sapta ca paṁca vā sāgrānsamūlānacchinnāndvijo dakṣiṇapāṇinā

Taking blades of kusha grass, whole, unbroken, with their tips and roots, nine, seven, or five in number, in his right hand, a brahmin —

Verse 152 (skanda.4.35.152)

अन्वारब्धेन सव्येन तर्पयेत्षड्विनायकान्॥ ब्रह्मादीनखिलान्देवान्मरीच्यादींस्तथा मुनीन्॥ चंदनागुरुकस्तूरी गंधवत्कुसुमैरपि॥ तर्पयेच्छुचिभिस्तोयैस्तृप्यंत्विति समुच्चरन्

anvārabdhena savyena tarpayetṣaḍvināyakān brahmādīnakhilāndevānmarīcyādīṁstathā munīn caṁdanāgurukastūrī gaṁdhavatkusumairapi tarpayecchucibhistoyaistṛpyaṁtviti samuccaran

— touching them with his left hand, should offer tarpana to the six Vinayakas, to Brahma and all the gods, and to the sages beginning with Marichi; with pure water, together with flowers fragrant with sandal, aloewood, and musk, he should offer tarpana, reciting 'May they be satisfied.'

Verse 153 (skanda.4.35.153)

सनकादीन्मनुष्याँश्च निवीती तर्पयेद्यवैः॥ अंगुष्ठद्वयमध्ये तु कृत्वा दर्भानृजून्द्विजः

sanakādīnmanuṣyā~śca nivītī tarpayedyavaiḥ aṁguṣṭhadvayamadhye tu kṛtvā darbhānṛjūndvijaḥ

With the sacred thread hung around the neck, one should offer tarpana with barley to Sanaka and the other sages, and to human ancestors, placing straight blades of kusha grass between his two thumbs.

Verse 154 (skanda.4.35.154)

कव्यवाडनलादींश्च पितॄन्दिव्यान्प्रतर्पयेत्॥ प्राचीनावीतिको दर्भैर्द्विगुणैस्तिलमिश्रितैः

kavyavāḍanalādīṁśca pitṝndivyānpratarpayet prācīnāvītiko darbhairdviguṇaistilamiśritaiḥ

One should also offer tarpana to the divine ancestors, Kavyavahana and the rest, with the sacred thread worn over the right shoulder, using double the amount of kusha grass mixed with sesame seeds.

Verse 155 (skanda.4.35.155)

रवौ शुक्रे त्रयोदश्यां सप्तम्यां निशि संध्ययोः॥ श्रेयोर्थी ब्राह्मणो जातु न कुर्यात्तिलतर्पणम्

ravau śukre trayodaśyāṁ saptamyāṁ niśi saṁdhyayoḥ śreyorthī brāhmaṇo jātu na kuryāttilatarpaṇam

A brahmin who desires his own welfare should never perform the sesame-tarpana on a Sunday, on a Friday, on the thirteenth lunar day, on the seventh, at night, or at the twilight hours.

Verse 156 (skanda.4.35.156)

यदि कुर्यात्ततः कुर्याच्छुक्लैरेव तिलैः कृती॥ चतुर्दश यमान्पश्चात्तर्पयेन्नाम उच्चरन्

yadi kuryāttataḥ kuryācchuklaireva tilaiḥ kṛtī caturdaśa yamānpaścāttarpayennāma uccaran

If a wise man must perform it at such a time, he should do so with white sesame seeds only. Afterward, he should offer tarpana to the fourteen forms of Yama, reciting their names,

Verse 157 (skanda.4.35.157)

ततः स्वगोत्रमुच्चार्य तर्पयेत्स्वपितॄन्मुदा॥ सव्यजानुनिपातेन पितृतीर्थेन वाग्यतः

tataḥ svagotramuccārya tarpayetsvapitṝnmudā savyajānunipātena pitṛtīrthena vāgyataḥ

and then, having pronounced his own gotra, should joyfully offer tarpana to his own ancestors, kneeling on his left knee, using the Pitri-tirtha, and remaining silent.

Verse 158 (skanda.4.35.158)

एकैकमंजलिं देवा द्वौ द्वौ तु सनकादिकाः॥ पितरस्त्रीन्प्रवांछंति स्त्रिय एकैकमंजलिम्

ekaikamaṁjaliṁ devā dvau dvau tu sanakādikāḥ pitarastrīnpravāṁchaṁti striya ekaikamaṁjalim

The gods desire a single handful of water each; Sanaka and the other sages desire two each; the ancestors desire three each; and women, one handful each.

Verse 159 (skanda.4.35.159)

अंगुल्यग्रे भवेद्दैवमार्षमंगुलि मूलगम्॥ ब्राह्ममंगुष्ठमूले तु पाणिमध्ये प्रजापतेः

aṁgulyagre bhaveddaivamārṣamaṁguli mūlagam brāhmamaṁguṣṭhamūle tu pāṇimadhye prajāpateḥ

The offering to the gods should be made from the tips of the fingers; that to the sages, from the base of the fingers; that dedicated to Brahma, from the base of the thumb; and that to Prajapati, from the middle of the palm.

Verse 160 (skanda.4.35.160)

मध्येंगुष्ठप्रदेशिन्योः पित्र्यं तीर्थं प्रचक्षते॥ नवर्चमुच्चरन्विद्वान्विदध्यात्पितृतर्पणम्

madhyeṁguṣṭhapradeśinyoḥ pitryaṁ tīrthaṁ pracakṣate navarcamuccaranvidvānvidadhyātpitṛtarpaṇam

The space between the thumb and forefinger is declared to be the Pitri-tirtha. A wise man, reciting the nine-verse hymn, should perform the tarpana of the ancestors.

Verse 161 (skanda.4.35.161)

उदीरतामगिंरस आयंतुन इतीष्यते॥ ऊर्जं वहंती पितृभ्यः स्वधायिभ्यस्ततः पठेत्॥ ये चेह पितरस्तद्वन्मधुवाता इति तृचम्॥ नमो वः पितरश्चोक्त्वा पठन्सिंचेज्जलं भुवि

udīratāmagiṁrasa āyaṁtuna itīṣyate ūrjaṁ vahaṁtī pitṛbhyaḥ svadhāyibhyastataḥ paṭhet ye ceha pitarastadvanmadhuvātā iti tṛcam namo vaḥ pitaraścoktvā paṭhansiṁcejjalaṁ bhuvi

'Udiratam angirasah', 'A yantu nah' — these are desired to be recited; then 'Urjam vahanti' for the ancestors; then the triplet 'Ye cheha pitarah', 'Tadvan', 'Madhu vatah'; and, having said 'Namo vah pitarah', one should recite and pour the water upon the ground.

Verse 162 (skanda.4.35.162)

आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्यंतं देवर्षिपितृमानवाः॥ तृप्यंतु पितरः सर्वे मातृमातामहादयः

ābrahmastaṁbaparyaṁtaṁ devarṣipitṛmānavāḥ tṛpyaṁtu pitaraḥ sarve mātṛmātāmahādayaḥ

'From Brahma down to the very blade of grass, may the gods, the sages, the ancestors, and mankind be satisfied; may all the ancestors, my mother, maternal grandfather, and the rest, be satisfied.'

Verse 163 (skanda.4.35.163)

अतीतकुलकोटीनां सप्तद्वीप निवासिनाम्॥ आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकादिदमस्तु तिलोदकम्

atītakulakoṭīnāṁ saptadvīpa nivāsinām ābrahmabhuvanāllokādidamastu tilodakam

'May this offering of sesame and water go to the countless past generations of my lineage, dwelling in the seven continents, from the world of Brahma downward.'

Verse 164 (skanda.4.35.164)

ये चास्माकं कुले जाता अपुत्रा गोत्रिणो मृताः॥ सर्वे ते तृप्तिमायांतु वस्त्रनिष्पीडनोदकैः

ye cāsmākaṁ kule jātā aputrā gotriṇo mṛtāḥ sarve te tṛptimāyāṁtu vastraniṣpīḍanodakaiḥ

'Whoever in our family, born without sons, of our own lineage, has died — may all of them be satisfied by the water wrung from this cloth.'

Verse 165 (skanda.4.35.165)

अग्निकार्यं ततः कृत्वा वेदाभ्यासं ततश्चरेत्॥ श्रुत्यभ्यासः पंचधा स्यात्स्वीकारोर्थविचारणम्

agnikāryaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā vedābhyāsaṁ tataścaret śrutyabhyāsaḥ paṁcadhā syātsvīkārorthavicāraṇam

Having then performed the fire-rite, one should then practice recitation of the Veda. The study of the scripture is fivefold: acceptance, reflection on its meaning,

Verse 166 (skanda.4.35.166)

अभ्यासश्च जपश्चापि शिष्येभ्यः प्रतिपादनम्॥ लब्धस्य प्रतिपालार्थमलब्धस्य च लब्धये

abhyāsaśca japaścāpi śiṣyebhyaḥ pratipādanam labdhasya pratipālārthamalabdhasya ca labdhaye

repeated practice, japa, and teaching it to one's students. For the preservation of what one has already learned, and for the attainment of what one has not yet learned,

Verse 167 (skanda.4.35.167)

दातारं समुपेयाद्वै स्वगुरुत्वं च वर्धयेत्॥ प्रातःकृत्यमिदं प्रोक्तं द्विजातीनां द्विजोत्तम

dātāraṁ samupeyādvai svagurutvaṁ ca vardhayet prātaḥkṛtyamidaṁ proktaṁ dvijātīnāṁ dvijottama

one should approach the giver, and thereby increase one's own weightiness of learning. This, O best of the twice-born, is declared to be the morning routine for the twice-born.

Verse 168 (skanda.4.35.168)

अथवा प्रातरुत्थाय कृत्वावश्यकमेव च॥ शौचाचमनमादाय भक्षयेद्दंतधावनम्

athavā prātarutthāya kṛtvāvaśyakameva ca śaucācamanamādāya bhakṣayeddaṁtadhāvanam

Rising in the morning, attending to necessary bodily functions, performing purification and sipping of water, one should then take up the tooth-cleaning twig,

Verse 169 (skanda.4.35.169)

विशोध्य सर्वगात्राणि प्रातःसंध्यां समाचरेत्॥ वेदार्थानधिगच्छेच्च शास्त्राणि विविधान्यपि

viśodhya sarvagātrāṇi prātaḥsaṁdhyāṁ samācaret vedārthānadhigacchecca śāstrāṇi vividhānyapi

purify all one's limbs, and perform the morning sandhya. One should then study the meaning of the Vedas, and various other scriptures as well,

Verse 170 (skanda.4.35.170)

अध्यापयेच्छुचीञ्शिष्यान्हितान्मेधासमन्वितान्॥ उपेयादीश्वरं चैव योगक्षेमादि सिद्धये॥ ततो मध्याह्नसिद्ध्यर्थं पूर्वोक्तं स्नानमाचरेत्॥ स्नात्वा माध्याह्निका संध्यामुपासीत विचक्षणः

adhyāpayecchucīñśiṣyānhitānmedhāsamanvitān upeyādīśvaraṁ caiva yogakṣemādi siddhaye tato madhyāhnasiddhyarthaṁ pūrvoktaṁ snānamācaret snātvā mādhyāhnikā saṁdhyāmupāsīta vicakṣaṇaḥ

teach one's pure, well-disposed, intelligent students, and approach the Lord for the attainment of one's own well-being and security. Then, for the fulfillment of the midday rites, one should perform the bathing already described; having bathed, the discerning man should perform the midday sandhya.

Verse 171 (skanda.4.35.171)

नवयौवनभिन्नांगीं शुद्धस्फटिकनिर्मलाम्॥ त्रिष्टुप्छंदः समायुक्तां सावित्रीं रुद्रदैवताम्

navayauvanabhinnāṁgīṁ śuddhasphaṭikanirmalām triṣṭupchaṁdaḥ samāyuktāṁ sāvitrīṁ rudradaivatām

One should meditate on the Savitri, of newly youthful, radiant limbs, clear and stainless as pure crystal, joined with the Trishtubh meter, whose deity is Rudra,

Verse 172 (skanda.4.35.172)

कश्यपर्षिसमायुक्तां यजुर्वेदस्वरूपिणीम्॥ त्र्यक्षरां वृषभारूढां भक्ताभयकरां पराम्

kaśyaparṣisamāyuktāṁ yajurvedasvarūpiṇīm tryakṣarāṁ vṛṣabhārūḍhāṁ bhaktābhayakarāṁ parām

whose sage is Kashyapa, of the very form of the Yajur Veda, three-syllabled, mounted upon a bull, supreme, granting fearlessness to her devotees.

Verse 173 (skanda.4.35.173)

देवतां परिपूज्याथ नैत्यिकं विधिमाचरेत्॥ पचनाग्निं समुज्ज्वाल्य वैश्वदेवं समाचरेत्

devatāṁ paripūjyātha naityikaṁ vidhimācaret pacanāgniṁ samujjvālya vaiśvadevaṁ samācaret

Having thus worshipped this deity, one should perform the daily rite: kindling the cooking-fire, one should perform the Vaishvadeva rite.

Verse 174 (skanda.4.35.174)

निष्पावान्कोद्रवान्माषान्कलायांश्चणकांस्त्यजेत्॥ तैलपक्वं च पक्वान्नं सर्वं लवणयुक्त्यजेत्

niṣpāvānkodravānmāṣānkalāyāṁścaṇakāṁstyajet tailapakvaṁ ca pakvānnaṁ sarvaṁ lavaṇayuktyajet

One should avoid beans, kodrava millet, black gram, peas, and chickpeas; one should avoid all food cooked in oil, and all fully cooked food mixed with salt.

Verse 175 (skanda.4.35.175)

आढकीश्च मसूरांश्च वर्तुलान्वरटांस्तथा॥ भुक्तशेषं पर्युषितं वैश्वदेवे विवर्जयेत्

āḍhakīśca masūrāṁśca vartulānvaraṭāṁstathā bhuktaśeṣaṁ paryuṣitaṁ vaiśvadeve vivarjayet

One should also avoid pigeon-peas, lentils, round vegetables, and vartaka, as well as any leftover or stale food, in the Vaishvadeva offering.

Verse 176 (skanda.4.35.176)

दर्भपाणिः समाचम्य प्राणायामं विधाय च॥ पृष्ठो दिवीति मंत्रेण पर्युक्षणमथाचरेत्

darbhapāṇiḥ samācamya prāṇāyāmaṁ vidhāya ca pṛṣṭho divīti maṁtreṇa paryukṣaṇamathācaret

Holding kusha grass in hand, having sipped water and performed pranayama, one should then perform the sprinkling rite with the mantra 'Prishtho divi...'.

Verse 177 (skanda.4.35.177)

प्रदक्षिणं च पर्युक्ष्य त्रिःपरिस्तीर्य वै कुशान्॥ एषो ह देव मंत्रेण कुर्याद्वह्निं सुसंमुखम्

pradakṣiṇaṁ ca paryukṣya triḥparistīrya vai kuśān eṣo ha deva maṁtreṇa kuryādvahniṁ susaṁmukham

Sprinkling clockwise, and laying out kusha grass three times around, one should, with the mantra 'Esho ha deva...', set the fire directly facing oneself.

Verse 178 (skanda.4.35.178)

वैश्वानरं समभ्यर्च्य साज्यपुष्पाक्षतैरथ॥ भूराद्याश्चाहुतीस्तिस्रः स्वाहांताः प्रणवादिकाः

vaiśvānaraṁ samabhyarcya sājyapuṣpākṣatairatha bhūrādyāścāhutīstisraḥ svāhāṁtāḥ praṇavādikāḥ

Having worshipped Vaishvanara with ghee, flowers, and unbroken rice, one should offer three oblations, beginning with the Vyahriti 'Bhuh' and ending with 'Svaha', each preceded by the syllable Om,

Verse 179 (skanda.4.35.179)

ॐभूर्भुवःस्वःस्वाहेति विप्रो दद्यात्तथाहुतिम्॥ तथा देवकृतस्याद्या जुहुयाच्च षडाहुतीः॥ यमाय तूष्णीमेकां च तथा स्विष्टकृतीद्वयम्॥ विश्वेभ्यश्चापि देवेभ्यो भूमौ दद्यात्ततो बलिम्

oṁbhūrbhuvaḥsvaḥsvāheti vipro dadyāttathāhutim tathā devakṛtasyādyā juhuyācca ṣaḍāhutīḥ yamāya tūṣṇīmekāṁ ca tathā sviṣṭakṛtīdvayam viśvebhyaścāpi devebhyo bhūmau dadyāttato balim

and a brahmin should offer the oblation with 'Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Svaha'. He should also offer the first six oblations for the deeds performed by the gods, then a silent one to Yama, then the two Svishtakrit oblations, and then offer a portion upon the ground for the Vishvedevas.

Verse 180 (skanda.4.35.180)

सर्वेभ्यश्चापि भूतेभ्यो नमो दद्यात्तदुत्तरे॥ तद्दक्षिणे पितृभ्यश्च प्राचीनावीतिको ददेत्

sarvebhyaścāpi bhūtebhyo namo dadyāttaduttare taddakṣiṇe pitṛbhyaśca prācīnāvītiko dadet

To the north of that, he should offer homage to all beings; to the south of that, with the sacred thread over the right shoulder, he should offer to the ancestors.

Verse 181 (skanda.4.35.181)

निर्णेजनोदकान्नं चैशान्यां वै यक्ष्मणेऽर्पयेत्॥ ततो ब्रह्मादि देवेभ्यो नमो दद्यात्तदुत्तरे

nirṇejanodakānnaṁ caiśānyāṁ vai yakṣmaṇe'rpayet tato brahmādi devebhyo namo dadyāttaduttare

To the northeast, he should offer the rinse-water and food to the disease-demon Yakshma; to the north of that, he should offer homage to Brahma and the other gods,

Verse 182 (skanda.4.35.182)

निवीती सनकादिभ्यः पितृभ्यस्त्वपसव्यवान्॥ हंतः षोडशभिर्ग्रासश्चतुर्भिः पुष्कलं स्मृतम्

nivītī sanakādibhyaḥ pitṛbhyastvapasavyavān haṁtaḥ ṣoḍaśabhirgrāsaścaturbhiḥ puṣkalaṁ smṛtam

with the thread in nivita fashion, to Sanaka and the other sages, and, with the thread reversed, to the ancestors. A gift of food equal to sixteen mouthfuls is called a full alms-share, and four is called an ample one.

Verse 183 (skanda.4.35.183)

ग्रासमात्राभवेद्भिक्षा गृहस्थसुकृतप्रदा॥ अध्वगः क्षीणवृत्तिश्च विद्यार्थी गुरुपोषकः

grāsamātrābhavedbhikṣā gṛhasthasukṛtapradā adhvagaḥ kṣīṇavṛttiśca vidyārthī gurupoṣakaḥ

Even a single mouthful given as alms brings merit to the householder. A traveler, one whose livelihood is exhausted, a student, one supporting his teacher,

Verse 184 (skanda.4.35.184)

यतिश्च ब्रह्मचारी च षडेते धर्मभिक्षुकाः॥ अतिथिः पथिको ज्ञेयो ऽनूचानः श्रुतिपारगः

yatiśca brahmacārī ca ṣaḍete dharmabhikṣukāḥ atithiḥ pathiko jñeyo 'nūcānaḥ śrutipāragaḥ

an ascetic, and a celibate student — these six are the rightful beggars of dharma. A guest should be understood as a mere wayfarer; but a man versed in learning, who has mastered the scriptures,

Verse 185 (skanda.4.35.185)

मान्यावेतौ गृहस्थानां ब्रह्मलोकमभीप्सताम्॥ अपि श्वपाके शुनि वा नैवान्नं निष्फलं भवेत्

mānyāvetau gṛhasthānāṁ brahmalokamabhīpsatām api śvapāke śuni vā naivānnaṁ niṣphalaṁ bhavet

these two are to be honored by householders who desire the world of Brahma. Even food given to a dog-cooker or to a dog is never fruitless.

Verse 186 (skanda.4.35.186)

अन्नार्थिनि समायाते पात्रापात्रं न चिंतयेत्॥ शुनां च पतितानां च श्वपचां पापरोगिणाम्

annārthini samāyāte pātrāpātraṁ na ciṁtayet śunāṁ ca patitānāṁ ca śvapacāṁ pāparogiṇām

When one seeking food arrives, one should not consider whether he is a worthy or unworthy recipient. For dogs, for outcastes, for dog-cookers, for those afflicted with sinful disease,

Verse 187 (skanda.4.35.187)

काकानां च कृमीणां च बहिरन्नं किरेद्भुवि॥ ऐंद्रवारुणवायव्याः सौम्या वै नैर्ऋताश्च ये

kākānāṁ ca kṛmīṇāṁ ca bahirannaṁ kiredbhuvi aiṁdravāruṇavāyavyāḥ saumyā vai nairṛtāśca ye

for crows, and for worms, one should scatter food outside upon the ground, saying: 'Whatever spirits belong to Indra, Varuna, Vayu, Soma, or Nirriti —'

Verse 188 (skanda.4.35.188)

प्रतिगृह्णंत्विमं पिंडं काका भूमौ मयार्पितम्॥ द्वौ श्वानौ श्यामशबलौ वैवस्वतकुलोद्भवौ॥ ताभ्यां पिंडं प्रदास्यामि स्यातामेतावहिंसकौ॥ देवा मनुष्याः पशवो रक्षो यक्षोरगाः खगाः

pratigṛhṇaṁtvimaṁ piṁḍaṁ kākā bhūmau mayārpitam dvau śvānau śyāmaśabalau vaivasvatakulodbhavau tābhyāṁ piṁḍaṁ pradāsyāmi syātāmetāvahiṁsakau devā manuṣyāḥ paśavo rakṣo yakṣoragāḥ khagāḥ

'— may they receive this offering, laid by me upon the ground for the crows. To the two dogs, Shyama and Shabala, born of the lineage of Vaivasvata, I offer this portion; may these two remain harmless to me. Gods, men, beasts, rakshasas, yakshas, serpents, birds,'

Verse 189 (skanda.4.35.189)

दैत्याः सिद्धाः पिशाचाश्च प्रेता भूताश्च दानवाः॥ तृणानि तरवश्चापि मद्दत्तान्नाभिलाषुकाः

daityāḥ siddhāḥ piśācāśca pretā bhūtāśca dānavāḥ tṛṇāni taravaścāpi maddattānnābhilāṣukāḥ

'daityas, siddhas, pishachas, pretas, bhutas, and danavas, even the grasses and the trees, all who desire the food I give —'

Verse 190 (skanda.4.35.190)

कृमि कीट पतंगाद्याः कर्मबद्धा बुभुक्षिताः॥ तृप्त्यर्थमन्नं हि मया दत्तं तेषां मुदेस्तु वै

kṛmi kīṭa pataṁgādyāḥ karmabaddhā bubhukṣitāḥ tṛptyarthamannaṁ hi mayā dattaṁ teṣāṁ mudestu vai

'— worms, insects, moths, and the rest, bound by their own karma, hungry — may this food, given by me for their satisfaction, indeed bring them joy.'

Verse 191 (skanda.4.35.191)

इत्थं भूतबलिं दत्त्वा कालं गोदोहमात्रकम्॥ प्रतीक्ष्यातिथिमायांतं विशेद्भोज्यगृहं ततः

itthaṁ bhūtabaliṁ dattvā kālaṁ godohamātrakam pratīkṣyātithimāyāṁtaṁ viśedbhojyagṛhaṁ tataḥ

Having thus offered this bali-offering to the various beings, one should wait for the space of time it takes to milk a cow, watching for the arrival of a guest, and only then enter the dining room.

Verse 192 (skanda.4.35.192)

अदत्त्वा वायसबलिं नित्यश्राद्धं समाचरेत्॥ नित्यश्राद्धे स्वसामर्थ्यात्त्रीन्द्वावेकमथापि वा

adattvā vāyasabaliṁ nityaśrāddhaṁ samācaret nityaśrāddhe svasāmarthyāttrīndvāvekamathāpi vā

If one has not yet given the offering to the crows, one should still perform the daily shraddha. In the daily shraddha, according to one's means, one should feed three, two, or even one brahmin,

Verse 193 (skanda.4.35.193)

भोजयेत्पितृयज्ञार्थं दद्यादुद्धृत्य दुर्बलः॥ नित्यश्राद्धं दैवहीनं नियमादिविवर्जितम्

bhojayetpitṛyajñārthaṁ dadyāduddhṛtya durbalaḥ nityaśrāddhaṁ daivahīnaṁ niyamādivivarjitam

for the sake of the ancestral sacrifice; one of limited means may simply set aside and give a portion. The daily shraddha need not include an offering to the gods, nor the various other formal restrictions,

Verse 194 (skanda.4.35.194)

दक्षिणारहितं त्वेतद्दातृभोक्तृ व्रतोज्झितम्॥ पितृयज्ञं विधायेत्थं स्वस्थबुद्धिरनातुरः

dakṣiṇārahitaṁ tvetaddātṛbhoktṛ vratojjhitam pitṛyajñaṁ vidhāyetthaṁ svasthabuddhiranāturaḥ

and may be performed without a sacrificial fee, and without vows binding either the giver or the receiver. Having thus performed the ancestral sacrifice, with a composed mind and free of affliction,

Verse 195 (skanda.4.35.195)

अदुष्टासनमध्यास्य भुंजीत शिशुभिः सह॥ सुगंधिः सुमनाः स्रग्वी शुचिवासो द्वयान्वितः

aduṣṭāsanamadhyāsya bhuṁjīta śiśubhiḥ saha sugaṁdhiḥ sumanāḥ sragvī śucivāso dvayānvitaḥ

one should sit upon a proper seat and eat together with the children of the house, fragrant, cheerful, garlanded, in clean garments, and accompanied by both.

Verse 196 (skanda.4.35.196)

प्रागास्य उदगास्यो वा भुंजीत पितृसेवितम्

prāgāsya udagāsyo vā bhuṁjīta pitṛsevitam

Facing east or north, one should eat food that has first been offered in service to the ancestors.

Verse 197 (skanda.4.35.197)

विधायान्नमनग्नं तदुपरिष्टादधस्तथा॥ आपोशनविधानेन कृत्वाश्नीयात्सुधीर्द्विजः॥ प्रदद्याद्भुवःपतये भुवनपतये तथा॥ भूतानांपतये स्वाहेत्युक्त्वा भूमौ बलित्रयम्

vidhāyānnamanagnaṁ tadupariṣṭādadhastathā āpośanavidhānena kṛtvāśnīyātsudhīrdvijaḥ pradadyādbhuvaḥpataye bhuvanapataye tathā bhūtānāṁpataye svāhetyuktvā bhūmau balitrayam

Having arranged the food, not touching it to fire, both above and below, and having performed the rite of sipping water, the wise brahmin should eat, after first offering, upon the ground, three portions with the words 'Svaha to the Lord of the earth, to the Lord of the world, and to the Lord of all beings.'

Verse 198 (skanda.4.35.198)

सकृच्चाप उपस्पृश्य प्राणाद्याहुतिपंचकम्॥ दद्याज्जठरकुंडाग्नौ दर्भपाणिः प्रसन्नधीः

sakṛccāpa upaspṛśya prāṇādyāhutipaṁcakam dadyājjaṭharakuṁḍāgnau darbhapāṇiḥ prasannadhīḥ

Having sipped water once, with a serene mind and kusha grass in hand, he should offer the fivefold oblation to Prana and the rest, into the fire-pit that is his own stomach.

Verse 199 (skanda.4.35.199)

दर्भपाणिस्तु यो भुंक्ते तस्य दोषो न विद्यते॥ केशकीटादि संभूतस्तदश्नीयात्सदर्भकः

darbhapāṇistu yo bhuṁkte tasya doṣo na vidyate keśakīṭādi saṁbhūtastadaśnīyātsadarbhakaḥ

For whoever eats with kusha grass in hand, no fault arises; therefore one should eat while holding kusha grass.

Verse 200 (skanda.4.35.200)

यावद्रुच्यन्नमश्नीयान्न ब्रूयात्तद्गुणागुणान्॥ भुंजते पितरस्तावद्यावन्नोक्ता गुणागुणाः

yāvadrucyannamaśnīyānna brūyāttadguṇāguṇān bhuṁjate pitarastāvadyāvannoktā guṇāguṇāḥ

As long as one eats the food that has been served, one should not speak of its good or bad qualities; for the ancestors partake of it only as long as its good or bad qualities go unremarked.

Verse 201 (skanda.4.35.201)

अतो मौनेन यो भुंक्ते स भुंक्ते केवलामृतम्॥ अनुपीय ततः क्षीरं तक्रं पानीयमेव वा

ato maunena yo bhuṁkte sa bhuṁkte kevalāmṛtam anupīya tataḥ kṣīraṁ takraṁ pānīyameva vā

Therefore, whoever eats in silence eats nothing but pure nectar. Afterward, having drunk milk, buttermilk, or water,

Verse 202 (skanda.4.35.202)

अमृतापिधानमसीत्येवं प्राश्योदकं सकृत्॥ पीतशेषं क्षिपेद्भूमौ तोयं मंत्रमिमं पठन्

amṛtāpidhānamasītyevaṁ prāśyodakaṁ sakṛt pītaśeṣaṁ kṣipedbhūmau toyaṁ maṁtramimaṁ paṭhan

and reciting once, 'You are the covering of nectar,' having sipped the water, one should pour the remaining water upon the ground, reciting this mantra —

Verse 203 (skanda.4.35.203)

अप्रक्षालितहस्तस्य दक्षिणांगुष्ठमूलतः॥ रौरवेऽपुण्यनिलये पद्मार्बुदनिवासिनाम्

aprakṣālitahastasya dakṣiṇāṁguṣṭhamūlataḥ raurave'puṇyanilaye padmārbudanivāsinām

'From the base of my unwashed right thumb, may it become the inexhaustible offering for those who dwell in Raurava, the abode of the unrighteous, and in Padma and Arbuda hells,'

Verse 204 (skanda.4.35.204)

उच्छिष्टोदकमिच्छूनामक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठताम्

ucchiṣṭodakamicchūnāmakṣayyamupatiṣṭhatām

'— for those who desire the leftover water, who ever stand awaiting it.'

Verse 205 (skanda.4.35.205)

पुनराचम्य मेधावी शुचिर्भूत्वा प्रयत्नतः॥ हस्तेनोदकमादाय मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत्

punarācamya medhāvī śucirbhūtvā prayatnataḥ hastenodakamādāya maṁtrametamudīrayet

Sipping water once more, becoming pure with careful effort, the wise man, taking water in his hand, should recite this mantra:

Verse 206 (skanda.4.35.206)

अंगुष्ठमात्रः पुरुषस्त्वंगुष्ठं च समाश्रितः॥ ईशः सर्वस्य जगतः प्रभुः प्रीणाति विश्वभुक्॥ इत्यन्नं परिसंकल्प्य प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ करौ॥ ततोन्नपरिणामार्थं मंत्रानेतानुदीरयेत्

aṁguṣṭhamātraḥ puruṣastvaṁguṣṭhaṁ ca samāśritaḥ īśaḥ sarvasya jagataḥ prabhuḥ prīṇāti viśvabhuk ityannaṁ parisaṁkalpya prakṣālya caraṇau karau tatonnapariṇāmārthaṁ maṁtrānetānudīrayet

'The Person of the measure of a thumb, dwelling within the thumb — the Lord of the whole universe, the ruler, the enjoyer of all things — is satisfied.' Having thus dedicated the food, and washed his feet and hands, he should then recite these mantras for the proper digestion of the food:

Verse 207 (skanda.4.35.207)

अग्निराप्याययन्धातून्पार्थिवान्पवनेरितः॥ दत्तावकाशो नभसा जरयत्वस्तु मे सुखम्

agnirāpyāyayandhātūnpārthivānpavaneritaḥ dattāvakāśo nabhasā jarayatvastu me sukham

'May Agni, nourishing the earthy elements of the body, impelled by the wind, given room by the sky, cause this food to be digested; may I have well-being.'

Verse 208 (skanda.4.35.208)

प्राणापानसमानानामुदानव्यानयोस्तथा॥ अन्नपुष्टिकरं चास्तु ममास्त्वव्याहतं सुखम्

prāṇāpānasamānānāmudānavyānayostathā annapuṣṭikaraṁ cāstu mamāstvavyāhataṁ sukham

'May this food be the nourisher of Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, and Vyana; may my happiness be unimpeded.'

Verse 209 (skanda.4.35.209)

समुद्रो वडवाग्निश्च ब्रध्नो ब्रध्नस्यनंदनः॥ मयाभ्यवहृतं यत्तदशेषं जरयंत्विमे

samudro vaḍavāgniśca bradhno bradhnasyanaṁdanaḥ mayābhyavahṛtaṁ yattadaśeṣaṁ jarayaṁtvime

'May the ocean, the submarine fire, the sun, and the sun's son — may all of these fully digest whatever food I have eaten.'

Verse 210 (skanda.4.35.210)

मुखशुद्धिं ततः कृत्वा पुराणश्रवणादिभिः॥ अतिवाह्य दिवाशेषं ततः संध्यां समारभेत्

mukhaśuddhiṁ tataḥ kṛtvā purāṇaśravaṇādibhiḥ ativāhya divāśeṣaṁ tataḥ saṁdhyāṁ samārabhet

Having then purified his mouth, and passed the rest of the day in listening to the Puranas and similar activities, he should then begin the evening sandhya.

Verse 211 (skanda.4.35.211)

गृहे गोष्ठे नदीतीरे संध्या दशगुणा क्रमात्॥ संभेदे स्याच्छतगुणा ह्यनंता शिवसन्निधौ

gṛhe goṣṭhe nadītīre saṁdhyā daśaguṇā kramāt saṁbhede syācchataguṇā hyanaṁtā śivasannidhau

The sandhya performed in a cow-pen is ten times more meritorious than one performed at home; one performed on a riverbank, still more; one performed at the confluence of rivers, a hundred times more; and one performed in the presence of Shiva, infinitely so.

Verse 212 (skanda.4.35.212)

उपासिता बहिः संध्या दिवामैथुनपातकम्॥ शमयेदनृतोक्ताघं मद्यगंधजमेव च

upāsitā bahiḥ saṁdhyā divāmaithunapātakam śamayedanṛtoktāghaṁ madyagaṁdhajameva ca

The sandhya, performed outside, quells the sin of daytime sexual union, the sin of having spoken falsehood, and even the sin arising merely from the smell of liquor.

Verse 213 (skanda.4.35.213)

सामवेदस्वरूपां च वसिष्ठर्षि समायुताम्॥ कृष्णांगीं कृष्णवसनां मनाक्स्खलित यौवनाम्

sāmavedasvarūpāṁ ca vasiṣṭharṣi samāyutām kṛṣṇāṁgīṁ kṛṣṇavasanāṁ manākskhalita yauvanām

One should meditate on the Savitri as of the very form of the Sama Veda, joined with the sage Vasishtha, dark-limbed, dark-garmented, her youth just slightly waning,

Verse 214 (skanda.4.35.214)

सरस्वतीं तार्क्ष्ययानां विघ्नघ्नीं विष्णुदैवताम्॥ जगतीच्छंदसा युक्तां ध्यायेदेकाक्षरां पराम्

sarasvatīṁ tārkṣyayānāṁ vighnaghnīṁ viṣṇudaivatām jagatīcchaṁdasā yuktāṁ dhyāyedekākṣarāṁ parām

as Sarasvati, mounted on Garuda, the remover of obstacles, whose deity is Vishnu, joined with the Jagati meter — one should meditate upon her, the supreme, one-syllabled goddess.

Verse 215 (skanda.4.35.215)

अग्निश्चेति च मंत्रेण विधायाचमने सुधीः॥ पश्चिमास्यो जपेत्तावद्यावन्नक्षत्रदर्शनम्॥ अतिथिं सायमायांतमपिवाग्भूतृणोदकैः॥ संभाव्य परिकल्प्येत्थं निशःप्राक्प्रहरं सुधीः

agniśceti ca maṁtreṇa vidhāyācamane sudhīḥ paścimāsyo japettāvadyāvannakṣatradarśanam atithiṁ sāyamāyāṁtamapivāgbhūtṛṇodakaiḥ saṁbhāvya parikalpyetthaṁ niśaḥprākpraharaṁ sudhīḥ

With the mantra 'Agnish cha...', the wise man, having sipped water, should sit facing west and recite until the stars are seen. If a guest arrives in the evening, the wise man should honor him even with mere kind words, a place to sit, grass, and water, arranging this before the first watch of the night.

Verse 216 (skanda.4.35.216)

इत्थं दिवाकर्म कृत्वा श्रुतेः पठनपाठनैः॥ एककाष्ठमयीं शय्यां नातितृप्तोथ संविशेत्

itthaṁ divākarma kṛtvā śruteḥ paṭhanapāṭhanaiḥ ekakāṣṭhamayīṁ śayyāṁ nātitṛptotha saṁviśet

Having thus performed the day's rites, through the reading and teaching of the scriptures, one should then lie down upon a simple wooden bed, not having eaten to excess.

Verse 217 (skanda.4.35.217)

उद्देशतः समाख्यातो ह्येष नित्यतमो विधिः॥ इत्थं समाचरन्विप्रो नावसीदति कर्हिचित्

uddeśataḥ samākhyāto hyeṣa nityatamo vidhiḥ itthaṁ samācaranvipro nāvasīdati karhicit

This, in brief outline, has been declared to be the most essential daily routine. A brahmin who practices it thus never comes to grief, at any time.