The Glory of Uttararka

Verse 1 (skanda.4.47.1)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ अथोत्तरस्यामाशायां कुंडमर्काख्यमुत्तमम्॥ तत्र नाम्नोत्तरार्केण रश्मिमाली व्यवस्थितः

skaṁda uvāca athottarasyāmāśāyāṁ kuṁḍamarkākhyamuttamam tatra nāmnottarārkeṇa raśmimālī vyavasthitaḥ

Skanda said: In the northern quarter there is an excellent pool named Arka-kunda; there the radiant Sun dwells under the name Uttararka.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.47.2)

तापयन्दुःखसंघातं साधूनाप्याययन्रविः॥ उत्तरार्को महातेजाः काशीं रक्षति सर्वदा

tāpayanduḥkhasaṁghātaṁ sādhūnāpyāyayanraviḥ uttarārko mahātejāḥ kāśīṁ rakṣati sarvadā

Burning away every heap of sorrow, and nourishing the virtuous, the Sun — Uttararka, of the greatest splendour — forever protects Kashi.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.47.3)

तत्रेतिहासो यो वृत्तस्तं निशामय सुव्रत॥ विप्रः प्रियव्रतो नाम कश्चिदात्रेय वंशजः

tatretihāso yo vṛttastaṁ niśāmaya suvrata vipraḥ priyavrato nāma kaścidātreya vaṁśajaḥ

O you of good vows, hear the story that once took place there. There was a certain Brahmin named Priyavrata, born in the Atreya lineage.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.47.4)

आसीत्काश्यां शुभाचारः सदातिथिजनप्रियः॥ भार्या शुभव्रता तस्य बभूवातिमनोहरा

āsītkāśyāṁ śubhācāraḥ sadātithijanapriyaḥ bhāryā śubhavratā tasya babhūvātimanoharā

He dwelt in Kashi, of pure conduct, ever fond of guests; and his wife, Shubhavrata, was exceedingly lovely.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.47.5)

भर्तृशुश्रूषणरता गृहकर्मसुपेशला॥ तस्यां स जनयामास कन्यामेकां सुलक्षणाम्

bhartṛśuśrūṣaṇaratā gṛhakarmasupeśalā tasyāṁ sa janayāmāsa kanyāmekāṁ sulakṣaṇām

Devoted to serving her husband, and most skilled in household work — upon her he begot a single daughter, blessed with the most auspicious marks.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.47.6)

मूलर्क्षप्रथमेपादे तथा केंद्रे बृहस्पतौ॥ ववृधे सा गृहे पित्रोः शुक्ले पक्षे यथा शशी

mūlarkṣaprathamepāde tathā keṁdre bṛhaspatau vavṛdhe sā gṛhe pitroḥ śukle pakṣe yathā śaśī

Born under the first quarter of the Mula nakshatra, with Jupiter placed in a cardinal house, she grew up in her parents' home like the moon waxing through its bright fortnight.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.47.7)

सुरूपा विनयाचारा पित्रोश्च प्रियकारिणी॥ अतीव निपुणा जाता गृहोपस्करमार्जने

surūpā vinayācārā pitrośca priyakāriṇī atīva nipuṇā jātā gṛhopaskaramārjane

Lovely in form, gentle in conduct, and ever a delight to her parents, she grew exceedingly skilled at keeping and caring for the household.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.47.8)

यथायथा समैधिष्ट सा कन्या पितृमंदिरे॥ तथातथा पितुस्तस्याश्चिंता संववृधेतराम्

yathāyathā samaidhiṣṭa sā kanyā pitṛmaṁdire tathātathā pitustasyāściṁtā saṁvavṛdhetarām

As that girl grew and flourished in her father's house, so, correspondingly, did her father's anxiety grow ever greater.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.47.9)

कस्मै देया वरा कन्या सुरम्येयं सुलक्षणा॥ अस्या अनुगुणो लभ्यः क्व मया वर उत्तमः

kasmai deyā varā kanyā suramyeyaṁ sulakṣaṇā asyā anuguṇo labhyaḥ kva mayā vara uttamaḥ

[Her father thought:] "To whom should I give this excellent, lovely, well-favoured daughter? Where shall I find a bridegroom worthy of her, the very best?"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.47.10)

कुलेन वयसा चापि शीलेनापि श्रुतेन च॥ रूपेणार्थेनसंयुक्तः कस्मै दत्ता सुखं लभेत्॥ इति चिंतयतस्तस्य ज्वरोभूदतिदारुणः॥ यश्चिंताख्यो ज्वरः पुंसामौषधैर्नापि शाम्यति

kulena vayasā cāpi śīlenāpi śrutena ca rūpeṇārthenasaṁyuktaḥ kasmai dattā sukhaṁ labhet iti ciṁtayatastasya jvarobhūdatidāruṇaḥ yaściṁtākhyo jvaraḥ puṁsāmauṣadhairnāpi śāmyati

"Given only to one endowed with good family, fitting age, good character, learning, beauty, and wealth would she find happiness" — brooding thus, a most terrible fever seized him: the fever called anxiety, which no medicine can ever cure in men.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.47.11)

तन्मूलर्क्षविपाकेन चिंताख्येन ज्वरेण च॥ स विप्रः पंचतां प्राप्तस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वं गृहादिकम्

tanmūlarkṣavipākena ciṁtākhyena jvareṇa ca sa vipraḥ paṁcatāṁ prāptastyaktvā sarvaṁ gṛhādikam

Through the working out of that Mula-nakshatra influence and through the fever of anxiety, that Brahmin, leaving behind his home and all else, met his death.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.47.12)

पितर्युपरते तस्याः कन्यायाः सा जनन्यपि॥ शुभव्रता परित्यज्य तां कन्यां पतिमन्वगात्

pitaryuparate tasyāḥ kanyāyāḥ sā jananyapi śubhavratā parityajya tāṁ kanyāṁ patimanvagāt

When that girl's father had passed away, her mother Shubhavrata, too, leaving that daughter behind, followed her husband in death.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.47.13)

धर्मोयं सहचारिण्या जीवताजीवतापि वा॥ पत्या सहैव स्थातव्यं पतिव्रतयुजा सदा

dharmoyaṁ sahacāriṇyā jīvatājīvatāpi vā patyā sahaiva sthātavyaṁ pativratayujā sadā

This indeed is the duty of a devoted companion — whether her husband be living or dead, a faithful wife must ever remain with him alone.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.47.14)

नापत्यं पाति नो माता न पिता नैव बांधवाः॥ पत्युश्चरणशुश्रूषा पायाद्वै केवलं स्त्रियम्

nāpatyaṁ pāti no mātā na pitā naiva bāṁdhavāḥ patyuścaraṇaśuśrūṣā pāyādvai kevalaṁ striyam

Neither offspring, nor mother, nor father, nor kinsmen can save a woman in the end; only service at her husband's feet can truly protect her.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.47.15)

सुलक्षणापि दुःखार्ता पित्रोः पंचत्वमाप्तयोः॥ और्ध्वदैहिकमापाद्य दशाहं विनिवर्त्य च

sulakṣaṇāpi duḥkhārtā pitroḥ paṁcatvamāptayoḥ aurdhvadaihikamāpādya daśāhaṁ vinivartya ca

Sulakshana too, grief-stricken at her parents' death, performed their funeral rites, and, once the ten days of mourning had passed —

Verse 16 (skanda.4.47.16)

चिंतामवाप महतीमनाथा दैन्यमागता॥ कथमेकाकिनी पित्रा मात्राहीना भवांबुधेः

ciṁtāmavāpa mahatīmanāthā dainyamāgatā kathamekākinī pitrā mātrāhīnā bhavāṁbudheḥ

fell into deep anxiety, helpless and destitute: "How, all alone, bereft of both father and mother, shall I ever cross this ocean of worldly existence?"

Verse 17 (skanda.4.47.17)

दुस्तरं पारमाप्स्यामि स्त्रीत्वं सर्वाभिभावि यत्॥ न कस्मैचिद्वरायाहं पितृभ्यां प्रतिपादिता

dustaraṁ pāramāpsyāmi strītvaṁ sarvābhibhāvi yat na kasmaicidvarāyāhaṁ pitṛbhyāṁ pratipāditā

"I shall never win my way across this hard crossing, for womanhood is exposed to every kind of misfortune; and my parents never gave me in marriage to any bridegroom."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.47.18)

तददत्ता कथं स्वैरमहमन्यं वरं वृणे॥ वृतोपि न कुलीनश्चेद्गुणवान्न च शीलवान्

tadadattā kathaṁ svairamahamanyaṁ varaṁ vṛṇe vṛtopi na kulīnaścedguṇavānna ca śīlavān

"And since they never gave me away, how could I now choose a husband of my own accord? And even if I did, what good is it, if he proves neither well-born, nor virtuous, nor of good character?"

Verse 19 (skanda.4.47.19)

स्वाधीनोपि न तत्तेन वृतेनापि हि किं भवेत्॥ इति संचिंतयंती सा रूपौदार्यगुणान्विता॥ युवभिर्बहुभिर्नित्यं प्रार्थितापि मुहुर्मुहुः॥ न कस्यापि ददौ बाला प्रवेशं निज मानसे

svādhīnopi na tattena vṛtenāpi hi kiṁ bhavet iti saṁciṁtayaṁtī sā rūpaudāryaguṇānvitā yuvabhirbahubhirnityaṁ prārthitāpi muhurmuhuḥ na kasyāpi dadau bālā praveśaṁ nija mānase

"And even were he self-sufficient, what would come of choosing him?" Thus reflecting, that girl, gifted with beauty and every noble quality, though sought after again and again by many young men, let none of them find entry into her heart.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.47.20)

पित्रोरुपरतिं दृष्ट्वा वात्सल्यं च तथाविधम्॥ निनिंद बहुधात्मानं संसारं च निनिंद ह

pitroruparatiṁ dṛṣṭvā vātsalyaṁ ca tathāvidham niniṁda bahudhātmānaṁ saṁsāraṁ ca niniṁda ha

Recalling her parents' death and their deep affection for her, she reproached herself again and again, and reproached this whole cycle of worldly existence too.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.47.21)

याभ्यामुत्पादिता चाहं याभ्यां च परिपालिता॥ पितरौ कुत्र तौ यातौ देहिनो धिगनित्यताम्

yābhyāmutpāditā cāhaṁ yābhyāṁ ca paripālitā pitarau kutra tau yātau dehino dhiganityatām

"Those by whom I was born, and by whom I was raised — my parents — where have they gone? Shame on the impermanence of this embodied life!"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.47.22)

अहो देहोप्यहोंगत्वं यथा पित्रोः पुरो मम॥ इति निश्चित्य सा बाला विजितेंद्रिय मानसा

aho dehopyahoṁgatvaṁ yathā pitroḥ puro mama iti niścitya sā bālā vijiteṁdriya mānasā

"Ah, how fleeting is this very body — as I have seen with my own eyes in my parents!" Having thus resolved, that girl, her senses and mind now fully mastered —

Verse 23 (skanda.4.47.23)

ब्रह्मचर्यं दृढं कृत्वा तप उग्रं चचार ह॥ उत्तरार्कस्य देवस्य समीपे स्थिरमानसा

brahmacaryaṁ dṛḍhaṁ kṛtvā tapa ugraṁ cacāra ha uttarārkasya devasya samīpe sthiramānasā

took a firm vow of celibacy and practised the most fierce austerity, her mind held steady near the god Uttararka.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.47.24)

तस्यां तपस्यमानायामेकाच्छागी लघीयसी॥ तत्र प्रत्यहमागत्य तिष्ठेत्तत्पुरतोऽचला

tasyāṁ tapasyamānāyāmekācchāgī laghīyasī tatra pratyahamāgatya tiṣṭhettatpurato'calā

While she thus practised her austerities, a certain small she-goat would come there every day and stand unmoving before her.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.47.25)

तृणपर्णादिकं किंचित्सायमभ्यवहृत्य सा॥ तत्कुंडपीतपानीया स्वस्वामिसदनं व्रजेत्

tṛṇaparṇādikaṁ kiṁcitsāyamabhyavahṛtya sā tatkuṁḍapītapānīyā svasvāmisadanaṁ vrajet

Having grazed a little on grass and leaves in the evening, and drunk from that very pool, she would then return to her own master's home.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.47.26)

तत इत्थं व्यतीतासु पंचषा सुसमासु च॥ लीलया विचरन्देवस्तत्र देव्या सहागतः

tata itthaṁ vyatītāsu paṁcaṣā susamāsu ca līlayā vicarandevastatra devyā sahāgataḥ

Thus, when four or five years had passed, the God, roaming about in sport, came there together with the Goddess.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.47.27)

सन्निधावुत्तरार्कस्य तपस्यतीं सुलक्षणाम्॥ स्थाणुवन्निश्चलां स्थाणुरद्राक्षीत्तपसा कृशाम्

sannidhāvuttarārkasya tapasyatīṁ sulakṣaṇām sthāṇuvanniścalāṁ sthāṇuradrākṣīttapasā kṛśām

There, near Uttararka, Sthanu beheld Sulakshana practising her austerities, motionless as a pillar, wasted thin by her tapas.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.47.28)

ततो गिरिजया शंभुर्विज्ञप्तः करुणात्मना॥ वरेणानुगृहाणेमां बंधुहीनां सुमध्यमाम्॥ शर्वाणीगिरमाकर्ण्य ततः शर्वः कृपानिधिः॥ समाधिमीलिताक्षीं तामुवाच वरदो हरः

tato girijayā śaṁbhurvijñaptaḥ karuṇātmanā vareṇānugṛhāṇemāṁ baṁdhuhīnāṁ sumadhyamām śarvāṇīgiramākarṇya tataḥ śarvaḥ kṛpānidhiḥ samādhimīlitākṣīṁ tāmuvāca varado haraḥ

Then compassionate Girija petitioned Shambhu: "Bless this slender girl, bereft of every kinsman, with a boon." Hearing Sharvani's words, Sharva, the ocean of compassion, the boon-granting Hara, spoke to her as she sat, eyes still closed in meditation.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.47.29)

सुलक्षणे प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं वरय सुव्रते॥ चिरं खिन्नासि तपसा कस्तेऽस्तीह मनोरथः

sulakṣaṇe prasannosmi varaṁ varaya suvrate ciraṁ khinnāsi tapasā kaste'stīha manorathaḥ

[Shiva said:] "O Sulakshana, O you of good vows, I am pleased with you — ask for a boon. You have long been worn down by austerity; what desire remains in your heart?"

Verse 30 (skanda.4.47.30)

सापि शंभोर्गिरं श्रुत्वा मुखपीयूषवर्षिणीम्॥ महासंतापशमनीं लोचने उदमीलयत्

sāpi śaṁbhorgiraṁ śrutvā mukhapīyūṣavarṣiṇīm mahāsaṁtāpaśamanīṁ locane udamīlayat

She too, hearing Shambhu's words — a rain of nectar from his own mouth, quelling her deep anguish — opened her eyes.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.47.31)

त्र्यक्षं प्रत्यक्षमावीक्ष्य वरदानोन्मुखं पुरः॥ देवीं च वामभागस्थां प्रणनाम कृतांजलिः

tryakṣaṁ pratyakṣamāvīkṣya varadānonmukhaṁ puraḥ devīṁ ca vāmabhāgasthāṁ praṇanāma kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Beholding the three-eyed Lord in person before her, poised to grant a boon, and the Goddess standing at his left side, she bowed low, her hands joined in reverence.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.47.32)

किं वृणे यावदित्थं सा चिंतयेच्चारुमध्यमा॥ तावत्तयानिरैक्षिष्ट वराकी बर्करी पुरः

kiṁ vṛṇe yāvaditthaṁ sā ciṁtayeccārumadhyamā tāvattayāniraikṣiṣṭa varākī barkarī puraḥ

While that lovely girl was still wondering, "What shall I ask for?" — just then her eyes fell upon that poor little she-goat standing before her.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.47.33)

आत्मार्थं जीवलोकेस्मिन्को न जीवति मानवः॥ परं परोपकारार्थं यो जीवति स जीवति

ātmārthaṁ jīvalokesminko na jīvati mānavaḥ paraṁ paropakārārthaṁ yo jīvati sa jīvati

[She thought:] "In this world of the living, who does not live for himself? But he alone truly lives who lives for the good of others."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.47.34)

अनया मत्तपोवृत्ति साक्षिण्या बह्वनेहसम्॥ असेव्यहं तदेतस्यै वरयामि जगत्पतिम्

anayā mattapovṛtti sākṣiṇyā bahvanehasam asevyahaṁ tadetasyai varayāmi jagatpatim

"This creature has borne witness to my austerity, and has faithfully attended me all this long while; for her sake, then, I shall ask a boon of the Lord of the World."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.47.35)

परामृश्य मनस्येतत्प्राह त्र्यक्षं सुलक्षणा॥ कृपानिधे महादेव यदि देयो वरो मम

parāmṛśya manasyetatprāha tryakṣaṁ sulakṣaṇā kṛpānidhe mahādeva yadi deyo varo mama

Having thus resolved within her mind, Sulakshana said to the three-eyed Lord: "O compassionate Mahadeva, if a boon is indeed to be granted to me —"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.47.36)

अजशावी वराक्येषा तर्हि प्रागनुगृह्यताम्॥ वक्तुं पशुत्वान्नोवेत्ति किंचिन्मद्भक्तिपेशला

ajaśāvī varākyeṣā tarhi prāganugṛhyatām vaktuṁ paśutvānnovetti kiṁcinmadbhaktipeśalā

"— then let this poor little kid-goat be blessed first. Being an animal, she cannot ask for anything herself, though she is devoted to me with all the tenderness of true devotion."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.47.37)

इति वाचं निशम्येशः परोपकृतिशालिनीम्॥ सुलक्षणाया नितरां तुतोष प्रणतार्तिहा॥ देवदवस्ततः प्राह देवि पश्य गिरींद्रजे॥ साधूनामीदृशी बुद्धिः परोपकरणोर्जिता

iti vācaṁ niśamyeśaḥ paropakṛtiśālinīm sulakṣaṇāyā nitarāṁ tutoṣa praṇatārtihā devadavastataḥ prāha devi paśya girīṁdraje sādhūnāmīdṛśī buddhiḥ paropakaraṇorjitā

Hearing these words, so full of the spirit of helping others, the Lord — who dispels the anguish of all who take refuge in him — was exceedingly pleased with Sulakshana. Then the God of gods said: "Behold, O daughter of the mountain-king — such indeed is the mind of the virtuous, strengthened ever by the wish to help others."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.47.38)

ते धन्याः सर्वलोकेषु सर्वधर्माश्रयाश्च ते॥ यतंते सर्वभावेन परोपकरणाय ये

te dhanyāḥ sarvalokeṣu sarvadharmāśrayāśca te yataṁte sarvabhāvena paropakaraṇāya ye

"Blessed indeed, in all the worlds, and the very refuge of every dharma, are those who strive with their whole heart for the good of others."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.47.39)

संचयाः सर्ववस्तूनां चिरं तिष्ठति नो क्वचित्॥ सुचिरं तिष्ठते चैकं परोपकरणं प्रिये

saṁcayāḥ sarvavastūnāṁ ciraṁ tiṣṭhati no kvacit suciraṁ tiṣṭhate caikaṁ paropakaraṇaṁ priye

"O beloved, the hoarding of every kind of possession endures nowhere for long; one thing alone endures for a very long time — an act of help rendered to another."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.47.40)

धन्या सुलक्षणा चैषा योग्याऽनुग्रहकर्मणि॥ ब्रूहि देवि वरो देयः कोऽस्यैच्छाग्यै च कः प्रिये

dhanyā sulakṣaṇā caiṣā yogyā'nugrahakarmaṇi brūhi devi varo deyaḥ ko'syaicchāgyai ca kaḥ priye

"Blessed indeed is this Sulakshana, worthy of grace. Tell me, O Goddess, my beloved — what boon should be given to her, and what to this little goat?"

Verse 41 (skanda.4.47.41)

॥ श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ सर्वसृष्टिकृतां कर्तः सर्वज्ञप्रणतार्तिहन्॥ सुलक्षणा शुभाचारा सखी मेस्तु शुभोद्यमा

śrīdevyuvāca sarvasṛṣṭikṛtāṁ kartaḥ sarvajñapraṇatārtihan sulakṣaṇā śubhācārā sakhī mestu śubhodyamā

Shri Devi said: "O maker of all creation, O all-knowing dispeller of the sorrow of the devoted, let this pure and virtuous Sulakshana, of such auspicious striving, become my own companion."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.47.42)

यथा जया च विजया यथा चैव जयंतिका॥ शुभानंदा सुनंदा च कौमुदी च यथोर्मिला

yathā jayā ca vijayā yathā caiva jayaṁtikā śubhānaṁdā sunaṁdā ca kaumudī ca yathormilā

"As are Jaya and Vijaya, and Jayantika too; as are Shubhananda, Sunanda, Kaumudi, and Urmila —"

Verse 43 (skanda.4.47.43)

यथा चंपकमाला च यथा मलयवासिनी॥ कर्पूरलतिका यद्वद्गंधधारा यथा शुभा

yathā caṁpakamālā ca yathā malayavāsinī karpūralatikā yadvadgaṁdhadhārā yathā śubhā

"As are Champakamala, Malayavasini, Karpuralatika, and the auspicious Gandhadhara —"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.47.44)

अशोका च विशोका च यथा मलयगंधिनी॥ यथा चंदननिःश्वासा यथा मृगमदोत्तमा

aśokā ca viśokā ca yathā malayagaṁdhinī yathā caṁdananiḥśvāsā yathā mṛgamadottamā

"As are Ashoka and Vishoka, and Malayagandhini; as are Chandananihshvasa and the excellent Mrigamadottama —"

Verse 45 (skanda.4.47.45)

यथा च कोकिलालापा यथा मधुरभाषिणी॥ गद्यपद्यनिधिर्यद्वदनुक्तज्ञा यथा च सा

yathā ca kokilālāpā yathā madhurabhāṣiṇī gadyapadyanidhiryadvadanuktajñā yathā ca sā

"As are Kokilalapa and Madhurabhashini; as is she who is a treasury of prose and verse, and she who understands even the unspoken —"

Verse 46 (skanda.4.47.46)

दृगंचलेंगितज्ञा च यथा कृतमनोरथा॥ गानचित्तहरा यद्वत्तथास्त्वेषा सुलक्षणा॥ अतिप्रिया भवित्री मे यद्बाल ब्रह्मचारिणी॥ अनेनैव शरीरेण दिव्यावयवभूषणा

dṛgaṁcaleṁgitajñā ca yathā kṛtamanorathā gānacittaharā yadvattathāstveṣā sulakṣaṇā atipriyā bhavitrī me yadbāla brahmacāriṇī anenaiva śarīreṇa divyāvayavabhūṣaṇā

"— and as is she who understands a glance, fulfils every wish, and enchants the heart with song — so let this Sulakshana become. This girl, who has kept her vow of celibacy, shall become most dear to me, her very body adorned with limbs divine."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.47.47)

दिव्यांबरा दिव्यगंधा दिव्यज्ञानसमन्विता॥ समया मां सदैवास्तां चंचच्चामरधारिणी

divyāṁbarā divyagaṁdhā divyajñānasamanvitā samayā māṁ sadaivāstāṁ caṁcaccāmaradhāriṇī

"Clothed in divine garments, fragrant with divine scent, endowed with divine knowledge, let her be ever my own companion, waving the swaying chowrie."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.47.48)

एषापि काशिराजस्य कुमार्यस्त्विह बर्करी॥ अत्रैव भोगान्संप्राप्य मुक्तिं प्राप्स्यत्यनुत्तमाम्

eṣāpi kāśirājasya kumāryastviha barkarī atraiva bhogānsaṁprāpya muktiṁ prāpsyatyanuttamām

"And this she-goat, too, shall be born as the daughter of the king of Kashi; here, after enjoying her due share of worldly pleasures, she shall attain the highest liberation."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.47.49)

अनया त्वर्ककुंडेस्मिन्पुष्ये मासि रवेर्दिने॥ स्नातं त्वनुदिते सूर्ये शीतादक्षुब्धचित्तया

anayā tvarkakuṁḍesminpuṣye māsi raverdine snātaṁ tvanudite sūrye śītādakṣubdhacittayā

"By her, bathing in this very Arka-kunda in the month of Pushya, on a Sunday, before sunrise, her mind unshaken even by the cold —"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.47.50)

राजपुत्री ततः पुण्यादस्त्वेषा शुभलोचना॥ वरदानप्रभावेण तव विश्वेश्वर प्रभो

rājaputrī tataḥ puṇyādastveṣā śubhalocanā varadānaprabhāveṇa tava viśveśvara prabho

"— through that merit, O Vishveshvara, O Lord, by the power of your own boon, may she, of lovely eyes, become a princess."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.47.51)

बर्करीकुंडमित्याख्या त्वर्ककुंडस्य जायताम्॥ एतस्याः प्रतिमा पूज्या भविष्यत्यत्र मानवैः

barkarīkuṁḍamityākhyā tvarkakuṁḍasya jāyatām etasyāḥ pratimā pūjyā bhaviṣyatyatra mānavaiḥ

"And let this Arka-kunda henceforth bear the name 'Barkari-kunda,' the Pool of the She-goat; and her own image shall become worthy of worship here by mankind."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.47.52)

उत्तरार्कस्य देवस्य पुष्ये मासि रवेर्दिने॥ कार्या सा वत्सरीयात्रा न तैः काशीफलेप्सुभिः

uttarārkasya devasya puṣye māsi raverdine kāryā sā vatsarīyātrā na taiḥ kāśīphalepsubhiḥ

That yearly pilgrimage to the god Uttararka, in the month of Pushya, on a Sunday, should be undertaken without fail by all who desire the fruit of Kashi.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.47.53)

मृडान्याभिहि तं सर्वं कृत्वैतद्विश्वगो विभुः॥ विश्वनाथो विवेशाथ प्रासादं स्वमतर्कितः

mṛḍānyābhihi taṁ sarvaṁ kṛtvaitadviśvago vibhuḥ viśvanātho viveśātha prāsādaṁ svamatarkitaḥ

Having thus, at Mridani's word, accomplished all this, the all-pervading Lord, Vishvanatha, then withdrew, unseen, back into his own palace.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.47.54)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ लोलार्कस्य च माहात्म्यमुत्तरार्कस्य च द्विज॥ कथितं ते महाभाग सांबादित्यं निशामय

skaṁda uvāca lolārkasya ca māhātmyamuttarārkasya ca dvija kathitaṁ te mahābhāga sāṁbādityaṁ niśāmaya

Skanda said: O most fortunate Brahmin, the glory of Lolarka and of Uttararka has now been told to you; now hear of Sambaditya.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.47.55)

श्रुत्वैतत्पुण्यमाख्यानं शुभं लोलोत्तरार्कयोः॥ व्याधिभिर्नाभिभूयेत न दारिद्र्येण बाध्यते

śrutvaitatpuṇyamākhyānaṁ śubhaṁ lolottarārkayoḥ vyādhibhirnābhibhūyeta na dāridryeṇa bādhyate

Having heard this auspicious and meritorious account of Lolarka and Uttararka, one is never overcome by disease, nor ever burdened by poverty.