Agastya's Departure

Verse 1 (skanda.4.5.1)

पराशर उवाच । ततो ध्यानेन विश्वेशमालोक्य स मुनीश्वरः । सूत प्रोवाच तां पुण्यां लोपामुद्रामिदं वचः

parāśara uvāca tato dhyānena viśveśamālokya sa munīśvaraḥ sūta provāca tāṁ puṇyāṁ lopāmudrāmidaṁ vacaḥ

Parashara said: O Suta, thereupon that lord of sages, having beheld Vishvesha through meditation, spoke these words to the holy Lopamudra.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.5.2)

अयि पश्य वरारोहे किमेतत्समुपस्थितम् । क्व तत्कार्यं क्व च वयं मुनिमार्गानुसारिणः

ayi paśya varārohe kimetatsamupasthitam kva tatkāryaṁ kva ca vayaṁ munimārgānusāriṇaḥ

"O fair one, see what has come upon us now! Where is that task, and where are we, who follow the path of sages?"

Verse 3 (skanda.4.5.3)

येन गोत्रभिदा गोत्रा विपक्षा हेलया कृताः । भवेत्कुंठितसामर्थ्यः स कथं गिरिमात्रके

yena gotrabhidā gotrā vipakṣā helayā kṛtāḥ bhavetkuṁṭhitasāmarthyaḥ sa kathaṁ girimātrake

"He who, with mere sport, rendered powerless the mountain-clans that stood against him -- how could his strength ever be blunted before a single mountain?"

Verse 4 (skanda.4.5.4)

कल्पवृक्षोंऽगणे यस्य कुलिशं यस्य चायुधम् । सिद्ध्यष्टकं हि यद्द्वारि स सिद्ध्यै प्रार्थयेद्द्विजम्

kalpavṛkṣoṁ'gaṇe yasya kuliśaṁ yasya cāyudham siddhyaṣṭakaṁ hi yaddvāri sa siddhyai prārthayeddvijam

"He in whose courtyard stands the wishing-tree, whose weapon is the thunderbolt, at whose very door the eight siddhis dwell -- that even he should have to entreat a Brahmin for the accomplishment of his purpose!"

Verse 5 (skanda.4.5.5)

क्रियंते व्याकुलाः शैला अहो दावाग्निना प्रिये । तद्वृद्धिस्तंभने शक्तिः क्व गतासाऽऽशुशुक्षणेः

kriyaṁte vyākulāḥ śailā aho dāvāgninā priye tadvṛddhistaṁbhane śaktiḥ kva gatāsā''śuśukṣaṇeḥ

"Alas, my dear, see how the mountains are thrown into turmoil by this wildfire! Where has the power gone to check its spread?"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.5.6)

नियन्ता सर्वभूतानां योसौ दण्डधरः प्रभुः । स किं दंडयितुं नालमेकं तं ग्रावमात्रकम्

niyantā sarvabhūtānāṁ yosau daṇḍadharaḥ prabhuḥ sa kiṁ daṁḍayituṁ nālamekaṁ taṁ grāvamātrakam

"He who is the ruler of all beings, the rod-bearing Lord -- is he not capable of chastising that mere lump of rock?"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.5.7)

आदित्या वसवो रुद्रास्तुषिताः स मरुद्गणाः । विश्वेदेवास्तथा दस्रौ ये चान्येपि दिवौकसः

ādityā vasavo rudrāstuṣitāḥ sa marudgaṇāḥ viśvedevāstathā dasrau ye cānyepi divaukasaḥ

"The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Tushitas, the hosts of Maruts, the Vishvedevas, the twin Ashvins, and all the other dwellers of heaven --"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.5.8)

येषां दृक्पातमात्रेण पतंति भुवनान्यपि। ते किं समर्था नो कांते नगवृद्धिनिषेधने

yeṣāṁ dṛkpātamātreṇa pataṁti bhuvanānyapi te kiṁ samarthā no kāṁte nagavṛddhiniṣedhane

"those by whose mere glance whole worlds might fall -- can they not, my beloved, restrain the growth of a single mountain?"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.5.9)

आज्ञातं कारणं तच्च स्मृतं वाक्यं सुभाषितम्। काशीमुद्दिश्य यद्गीतं मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः

ājñātaṁ kāraṇaṁ tacca smṛtaṁ vākyaṁ subhāṣitam kāśīmuddiśya yadgītaṁ munibhistattvadarśibhiḥ

"But now I understand the reason -- I recall the well-spoken saying that the sages who behold the truth have uttered concerning Kashi:"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.5.10)

अविमुक्तं न मोक्तव्यं सर्वथैव मुमुक्षुभिः । किंतु विघ्ना भविष्यंति काश्यां निवसतां सताम्

avimuktaṁ na moktavyaṁ sarvathaiva mumukṣubhiḥ kiṁtu vighnā bhaviṣyaṁti kāśyāṁ nivasatāṁ satām

"'Avimukta (Kashi) must never, in any circumstance, be forsaken by those who seek liberation -- yet obstacles will surely arise for the righteous who dwell there.'"

Verse 11 (skanda.4.5.11)

उपस्थितोयं कल्याणि सोंऽतरायो महानिह । न शक्यतेऽन्यथाकर्तुं विश्वेशो विमुखो यतः

upasthitoyaṁ kalyāṇi soṁ'tarāyo mahāniha na śakyate'nyathākartuṁ viśveśo vimukho yataḥ

"That very great obstacle, O gracious one, has now come upon us here; it cannot be otherwise, for even Vishvesha himself seems to have turned his face from it."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.5.12)

काशीद्विजाशीर्भिरहो यदाप्ता कस्तां मुमुक्षुर्यदिवामुमुक्षुः । ग्रासं करस्थं स विसृज्य हृद्यं स्वकूर्परं लेढि विमूढचेताः

kāśīdvijāśīrbhiraho yadāptā kastāṁ mumukṣuryadivāmumukṣuḥ grāsaṁ karasthaṁ sa visṛjya hṛdyaṁ svakūrparaṁ leḍhi vimūḍhacetāḥ

"Ah, whoever -- seeker of liberation or not -- has obtained this Kashi through the blessings of the twice-born, and then forsakes her, is like a fool who casts aside the sweet morsel already in his hand to lick, in vain, at his own elbow."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.5.13)

अहो जना बालिशवत्किमेतां काशीं त्यजेयुः सुकृतैकराशिम् । शालूककंदः प्रतिमज्जनं किं लभेत तद्वत्सुलभा किमेषा

aho janā bāliśavatkimetāṁ kāśīṁ tyajeyuḥ sukṛtaikarāśim śālūkakaṁdaḥ pratimajjanaṁ kiṁ labheta tadvatsulabhā kimeṣā

"Ah, why do people, like foolish children, abandon this Kashi, the sole treasury of merit? Does every diver find the lotus-root at will? Just so, is Kashi so easily to be found elsewhere?"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.5.14)

भवांतरा वर्जित पुण्यराशिं कृच्छैर्महद्भिर्ह्यवगम् यकाशीम् । प्राप्यापि किं मूढधियोन्यतो वै यियासवो दुर्गतिमुद्यियासवः

bhavāṁtarā varjita puṇyarāśiṁ kṛcchairmahadbhirhyavagam yakāśīm prāpyāpi kiṁ mūḍhadhiyonyato vai yiyāsavo durgatimudyiyāsavaḥ

"This Kashi, this very mass of merit, is attained only after countless births, through great and arduous efforts -- yet why, even after reaching her, do the dull of mind wish to leave for elsewhere, as though eager to hasten toward misfortune?"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.5.15)

क्व काशिका विश्वपदप्रकाशिका क्व कार्यमन्यत्परितोतिदुःखम् । तत्पंडितोन्यत्र कुतः प्रयाति किं याति कूष्मांडफलं ह्यजास्ये

kva kāśikā viśvapadaprakāśikā kva kāryamanyatparitotiduḥkham tatpaṁḍitonyatra kutaḥ prayāti kiṁ yāti kūṣmāṁḍaphalaṁ hyajāsye

"Where is Kashika, the revealer of the supreme state of the universe, and where is any other business, ringed about on every side with sorrow? How could a wise man go elsewhere then? Does a pumpkin ever walk, of its own accord, into the mouth of a goat?"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.5.16)

काशीं प्रकाशीं कृतपुण्यराशिं हा शीघ्रनाशी विसृजेन्नरः किम् । नूनं स्वनूनं सुकृतं तदीयं मदीयमेवं विवृणोति चेतः

kāśīṁ prakāśīṁ kṛtapuṇyarāśiṁ hā śīghranāśī visṛjennaraḥ kim nūnaṁ svanūnaṁ sukṛtaṁ tadīyaṁ madīyamevaṁ vivṛṇoti cetaḥ

"Would any man bound for swift ruin ever forsake this radiant Kashi, this heap of accumulated merit? Surely his own store of merit must indeed be meagre -- so my own heart tells me."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.5.17)

नरो न रोगी यदिहाविहाय सहायभूतां सकलस्य जंतोः। काशीमनाशी सुकृतैकराशिमन्यत्र यातुं यततां न चान्यः

naro na rogī yadihāvihāya sahāyabhūtāṁ sakalasya jaṁtoḥ kāśīmanāśī sukṛtaikarāśimanyatra yātuṁ yatatāṁ na cānyaḥ

"Only a man diseased in mind, and none other, would strive to leave this imperishable Kashi -- the helper of every living being, the sole treasury of merit -- for anywhere else."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.5.18)

वित्रस्तपापां त्रिदशैर्दुरापां गंगां सदापां भवपाशशापाम् । शिवाविमुक्ताममृतैकशुक्तिं भुक्ताविमुक्तानपरित्यजन्ति

vitrastapāpāṁ tridaśairdurāpāṁ gaṁgāṁ sadāpāṁ bhavapāśaśāpām śivāvimuktāmamṛtaikaśuktiṁ bhuktāvimuktānaparityajanti

"Those who have truly tasted Avimukta never forsake her -- she who strikes terror into sin, who is hard to attain even for the gods, who is ever wet with the waters of the Ganga, who dispels the curse of worldly bondage, the auspicious, the never-forsaken, the sole pearl-oyster of immortal nectar."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.5.19)

हंहो किमंहो निचिताः प्रलब्धा बंहीयसायास भरेण काशीम् । प्रभूतपुण्यद्रविणैकपण्यां प्राप्यापि हित्वा क्व च गंतुमुद्यताः

haṁho kimaṁho nicitāḥ pralabdhā baṁhīyasāyāsa bhareṇa kāśīm prabhūtapuṇyadraviṇaikapaṇyāṁ prāpyāpi hitvā kva ca gaṁtumudyatāḥ

"Alas, what sin have they accumulated, who, deceived by the weight of such great toil, even after obtaining Kashi -- who can be purchased only with the wealth of abundant merit -- forsake her and set out to go elsewhere?"

Verse 20 (skanda.4.5.20)

अहो जनानां जडता विहाय काशीं यदन्यत्र न यंति चेतः । परिस्फुरद्गांगजलाभिरामां कामारिशूलाग्रधृतां लयेपि

aho janānāṁ jaḍatā vihāya kāśīṁ yadanyatra na yaṁti cetaḥ parisphuradgāṁgajalābhirāmāṁ kāmāriśūlāgradhṛtāṁ layepi

"Ah, how firm the single-minded devotion of the people, whose hearts turn to no place but Kashi -- she who is lovely with the shimmering waters of the Ganga, and who, even at the hour of cosmic dissolution, rests held aloft upon the very tip of the trident of Kamari (Shiva)!"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.5.21)

रेरे भवे शोकजलैकपूर्णे पापेस्मलोकाः पतिताब्धिमध्ये। विद्राणनिद्राणविरोधिपापां काशीं परित्यज्यतरिं किमर्थम्

rere bhave śokajalaikapūrṇe pāpesmalokāḥ patitābdhimadhye vidrāṇanidrāṇavirodhipāpāṁ kāśīṁ parityajyatariṁ kimartham

"Ho, you beings fallen into the midst of this sinful ocean of worldly existence, brimming with the waters of grief -- why do you cast away this boat that is Kashi, which scatters and lulls to eternal sleep the sin that assails you?"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.5.22)

न सत्पथेनापि न योगयुक्त्या दानैर्नवा नैव तपोभिरुग्रैः । काशी द्विजाशीर्भिरहो सुलभ्या किंवा प्रसादेन च विश्वभर्तुः

na satpathenāpi na yogayuktyā dānairnavā naiva tapobhirugraiḥ kāśī dvijāśīrbhiraho sulabhyā kiṁvā prasādena ca viśvabhartuḥ

"Not by righteous conduct, nor by the discipline of yoga, nor by gifts, nor even by fierce austerities -- ah, Kashi is easily attained only through the blessing of the twice-born, or through the grace of the Lord who sustains the universe."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.5.23)

धर्मस्तु संपत्तिभरैः किलोह्यतेप्यर्थो हि कामैर्बहुदानभोगकैः। अन्यत्रसर्वं स च मोक्ष एकः काश्यां न चान्यत्र तथायथात्र

dharmastu saṁpattibharaiḥ kilohyatepyartho hi kāmairbahudānabhogakaiḥ anyatrasarvaṁ sa ca mokṣa ekaḥ kāśyāṁ na cānyatra tathāyathātra

"Dharma indeed seems borne along on the weight of prosperity, and wealth too by desires attended with gifts and enjoyments -- all these may be found elsewhere as well; but liberation alone is found in Kashi, and nowhere else as it is here."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.5.24)

क्षेत्रं पवित्रं हि यथाऽविमुक्तं नान्यत्तथायच्छ्रुतिभिः प्रयुक्तम्। न धर्मशास्त्रैर्न च तैःपुराणैस्तस्माच्छरण्यं हि सदाऽविमुक्तम्

kṣetraṁ pavitraṁ hi yathā'vimuktaṁ nānyattathāyacchrutibhiḥ prayuktam na dharmaśāstrairna ca taiḥpurāṇaistasmāccharaṇyaṁ hi sadā'vimuktam

"As sacred a field as Avimukta there is none other, so declare the Shrutis, and so too the Dharmashastras and the Puranas affirm nothing different; therefore Avimukta alone is, for all time, the true refuge."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.5.25)

सहोवाचेति जाबालिरारुणेसिरिडामता। वरणापिंगला नाडी तदंतस्त्वविमुक्तकम्

sahovāceti jābālirāruṇesiriḍāmatā varaṇāpiṁgalā nāḍī tadaṁtastvavimuktakam

Thus spoke the sage Jabali to Aruni: "The river Varana is held to be the nadi Ida, and the Asi is held to be Pingala; between these two lies Avimuktaka, the field of Kashi."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.5.26)

सा सुषुम्णा परानाडी त्रयं वाराणसीत्वसौ। तदत्रोत्क्रमणे सर्वजंतूनां हि श्रुतौ हरः

sā suṣumṇā parānāḍī trayaṁ vārāṇasītvasau tadatrotkramaṇe sarvajaṁtūnāṁ hi śrutau haraḥ

"That, again, is itself the Sushumna, the supreme nadi; and these three together constitute Varanasi. Here, as the Shruti declares, at the hour when every being departs from the body, Lord Hara himself is present."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.5.27)

तारकं ब्रह्मव्याचष्टे तेन ब्रह्म भवंति हि। एवं श्लोको भवत्येष आहुर्वै वेदवादिनः

tārakaṁ brahmavyācaṣṭe tena brahma bhavaṁti hi evaṁ śloko bhavatyeṣa āhurvai vedavādinaḥ

"He imparts the teaching of the Taraka Brahman, by which beings truly become Brahman itself. Such is this well-known verse, so declare those versed in the Veda."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.5.28)

भगवानंतकालेऽत्र तारकस्योपदेशतः। अविमुक्तेस्थिताञ्जन्तून्मोचयेन्नात्र संशयः

bhagavānaṁtakāle'tra tārakasyopadeśataḥ avimuktesthitāñjantūnmocayennātra saṁśayaḥ

"Lord Shiva himself, at the hour of death, imparts here the teaching of the Taraka mantra and liberates every being that dwells in Avimukta -- of this there is no doubt at all."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.5.29)

नाविमुक्तसमंक्षेत्रं नाविमुक्तसमा गतिः । नाविमुक्तसमं लिंगं सत्यं सत्यं पुनःपुनः

nāvimuktasamaṁkṣetraṁ nāvimuktasamā gatiḥ nāvimuktasamaṁ liṁgaṁ satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

"There is no sacred field equal to Avimukta, no destination equal to Avimukta, no linga equal to Avimukta -- this is true, true, and true again."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.5.30)

अविमुक्तं परित्यज्य योन्यत्र कुरुते रतिम् । मुक्तिं करतलान्मुक्त्वा सोन्यां सिद्धिं गवेषयेत्

avimuktaṁ parityajya yonyatra kurute ratim muktiṁ karatalānmuktvā sonyāṁ siddhiṁ gaveṣayet

"Whoever forsakes Avimukta and takes delight elsewhere lets go of liberation already resting in the palm of his hand, and wanders off in search of some lesser accomplishment."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.5.31)

इत्थं सुनिश्चित्य मुनिर्महात्मा क्षेत्रप्रभावं श्रुतितः पुराणात्। श्रीविश्वनाथेन समं न लिंगं पुरी न काशी सदृशी त्रिकोट्याम्

itthaṁ suniścitya munirmahātmā kṣetraprabhāvaṁ śrutitaḥ purāṇāt śrīviśvanāthena samaṁ na liṁgaṁ purī na kāśī sadṛśī trikoṭyām

Having thus firmly resolved, from the Shrutis and the Puranas, the greatness of this sacred field, the great-souled sage concluded: there is no linga equal to Shri Vishvanatha, and among the three crores of holy cities, none is like Kashi.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.5.32)

श्रीकालराजं च ततः प्रणम्य विज्ञापयामास मुनीशवर्यः । आपृच्छनायाहमिहागतोस्मि श्रीकाशिपुर्यास्तु यतः प्रभुस्त्वम्

śrīkālarājaṁ ca tataḥ praṇamya vijñāpayāmāsa munīśavaryaḥ āpṛcchanāyāhamihāgatosmi śrīkāśipuryāstu yataḥ prabhustvam

Then, bowing before Shri Kalaraja (Kala Bhairava), the foremost of sages submitted this plea: "I have come here to take my leave, for you alone are the lord of the glorious city of Kashi."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.5.33)

हा कालराजप्रति भूतमत्र प्रत्यष्टमिप्रत्यवनीसुतार्कम् । नाराधये मूलफलप्रसूनैः किं मय्यनागस्यपराधदृक्स्याः

hā kālarājaprati bhūtamatra pratyaṣṭamipratyavanīsutārkam nārādhaye mūlaphalaprasūnaiḥ kiṁ mayyanāgasyaparādhadṛksyāḥ

"Alas, O Kalaraja! Here, on every eighth day of the fortnight, and on Tuesdays too, I failed to worship you with roots, fruits, and flowers -- is it for this that you would look with blame upon one who is otherwise guiltless?"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.5.34)

हा कालभैरव भवानभितो भयार्तान्माभैष्ट चे तिभणनैः स्वकरं प्रसार्य । मूर्तिं विधाय विकटां कटुपापभोक्त्रीं वाराणसीस्थितजनान्परिपाति किं न

hā kālabhairava bhavānabhito bhayārtānmābhaiṣṭa ce tibhaṇanaiḥ svakaraṁ prasārya mūrtiṁ vidhāya vikaṭāṁ kaṭupāpabhoktrīṁ vārāṇasīsthitajanānparipāti kiṁ na

"O Kala Bhairava! Do you not, stretching out your own hand to those beset by fear on every side, saying 'Fear not,' assuming that terrible form which devours the bitter fruit of sin, ever protect the people who dwell in Varanasi?"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.5.35)

हे यक्षराज रजनीकर चारुमूर्ते श्रीपूर्णभद्रसुतनायक दंडपाणे । त्वं वै तपोजनितदुःखमवैपि सर्वं किं मां बहिर्नयसि काशिनिवासिरक्षिन्

he yakṣarāja rajanīkara cārumūrte śrīpūrṇabhadrasutanāyaka daṁḍapāṇe tvaṁ vai tapojanitaduḥkhamavaipi sarvaṁ kiṁ māṁ bahirnayasi kāśinivāsirakṣin

"O king of the Yakshas, of moon-fair and lovely form, son of glorious Purnabhadra, O rod-bearer! You surely know all the suffering born of my austerities -- then why, O guardian of Kashi's people, are you leading me out beyond her gates?"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.5.36)

त्वमन्नदस्त्वं किल जीवदाता त्वं ज्ञानदस्त्वं किल मोक्षदोपि । त्वमंत्यभूषां कुरुषे जनानां जटाकलापैरुरगेंद्रहारैः

tvamannadastvaṁ kila jīvadātā tvaṁ jñānadastvaṁ kila mokṣadopi tvamaṁtyabhūṣāṁ kuruṣe janānāṁ jaṭākalāpairurageṁdrahāraiḥ

"You are the giver of food, you are indeed the giver of life; you are the giver of knowledge, and you too are the giver of liberation. With your matted locks and your garlands of the serpent-king, you fashion the final adornment for departing souls."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.5.37)

गणौ त्वदीयौ किल संभ्रमोद्भ्रमावत्रस्थवृत्तांत विचारकोविदौ । संभ्रांतिमुत्पाद्यपरामसाधून्क्षेत्रात्क्षणं दूरयतस्त्वमुष्मात्

gaṇau tvadīyau kila saṁbhramodbhramāvatrasthavṛttāṁta vicārakovidau saṁbhrāṁtimutpādyaparāmasādhūnkṣetrātkṣaṇaṁ dūrayatastvamuṣmāt

"Your own two ganas, skilled in examining the conduct of those who dwell here, stirring up sudden confusion, banish the unworthy in an instant from this very field."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.5.38)

शृणु प्रभो ढुंढिविनायक त्वं वाचं मदीयां तुरटाम्यनाथवत् । त्वत्स्थाः समस्ताः किल विघ्नपूगाः किमत्र दुर्वृत्तवदास्थितोहम्

śṛṇu prabho ḍhuṁḍhivināyaka tvaṁ vācaṁ madīyāṁ turaṭāmyanāthavat tvatsthāḥ samastāḥ kila vighnapūgāḥ kimatra durvṛttavadāsthitoham

"Hear me, O Lord Dhundhi Vinayaka! I hasten to you, like one bereft of protector. All the hosts of obstacles surely reside within your power -- have I then dwelt here as one of wicked conduct?"

Verse 39 (skanda.4.5.39)

शृण्वंत्वमी पंच विनायकाश्च चिंतामणिश्चापि कपर्दिनामा । आशागजाख्यौ च विनायकौ तौ शृणोत्वसौ सिद्धिविनायकश्च

śṛṇvaṁtvamī paṁca vināyakāśca ciṁtāmaṇiścāpi kapardināmā āśāgajākhyau ca vināyakau tau śṛṇotvasau siddhivināyakaśca

"Let these five Vinayakas hear my plea -- Chintamani, the one named Kapardin, the two Vinayakas called Ashagaja, and let Siddhi Vinayaka too give ear."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.5.40)

परापवादो न मया किलोक्तः परापकारोपि मया कृतो न । परस्वबुद्धिः परदारबुद्धिः कृता मया नात्र क एष पाकः

parāpavādo na mayā kiloktaḥ parāpakāropi mayā kṛto na parasvabuddhiḥ paradārabuddhiḥ kṛtā mayā nātra ka eṣa pākaḥ

"Never have I spoken ill of another, nor ever done another harm; never have I coveted another's wealth, nor cast a desiring eye on another's wife -- what bitter fruit, then, is this that has ripened for me?"

Verse 41 (skanda.4.5.41)

गंगा त्रिकालं परिसेविता मया श्रीविश्वनाथोपि सदा विलोकितः । यात्राः कृतास्ताः प्रतिपर्वसर्वतः कोयंविपाको मम विघ्नहेतुः

gaṁgā trikālaṁ parisevitā mayā śrīviśvanāthopi sadā vilokitaḥ yātrāḥ kṛtāstāḥ pratiparvasarvataḥ koyaṁvipāko mama vighnahetuḥ

"I have served the Ganga three times daily, ever beheld Shri Vishvanatha, and made every prescribed pilgrimage, on every sacred occasion -- what ripened fruit of past deeds, then, has become the cause of this obstacle for me?"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.5.42)

मातर्विशालाक्षि भवानिमंगले ज्येष्ठेशिसौभाग्यविधानसुंदरि। विश्वेविधे विश्वभुजे नमोस्तु ते श्रीचित्रघंटे विकटे च दुर्गिके

mātarviśālākṣi bhavānimaṁgale jyeṣṭheśisaubhāgyavidhānasuṁdari viśvevidhe viśvabhuje namostu te śrīcitraghaṁṭe vikaṭe ca durgike

"O Mother Vishalakshi of the wide eyes, O auspicious Bhavani, O Jyeshtheshi, beautiful bestower of good fortune, O ordainer and sustainer of the universe -- salutations to you, O Chitraghanta, O formidable Durgika!"

Verse 43 (skanda.4.5.43)

साक्षिण्य एता किलकाशिदेवताः शृण्वंतु न स्वार्थमहं व्रजाम्यतः । अभ्यर्थितो देवगणैः करो मि किं परोपकाराय न किं विधीयते

sākṣiṇya etā kilakāśidevatāḥ śṛṇvaṁtu na svārthamahaṁ vrajāmyataḥ abhyarthito devagaṇaiḥ karo mi kiṁ paropakārāya na kiṁ vidhīyate

"Let these deities of Kashi hear as witnesses -- I go not for my own purpose; being entreated by the hosts of gods, what else am I to do? Is this not undertaken for the good of others?"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.5.44)

दधीचिरस्थीनि न किं पुरा ददौ जगत्त्रयं किं न ददेऽर्थिने बलिः । दत्तः स्म किं नो मधुकैटभौ शिरो बभूव तार्क्ष्योपि च विष्णुवाहनम्

dadhīcirasthīni na kiṁ purā dadau jagattrayaṁ kiṁ na dade'rthine baliḥ dattaḥ sma kiṁ no madhukaiṭabhau śiro babhūva tārkṣyopi ca viṣṇuvāhanam

"Did not Dadhichi, long ago, give up his own bones? Did not Bali give away the three worlds to the one who begged of him? Was not even the head of Madhu and Kaitabha given up? Did not Tarkshya himself become the very mount of Vishnu, through his surrender?"

Verse 45 (skanda.4.5.45)

आपृच्छ्य सर्वान्समुनीन्मुनीश्वरः सबालवृद्धानपि तत्रवासिनः । तृणानि वृक्षांश्चलताः समस्ताः पुरीं परिक्रम्य च निर्ययौ च

āpṛcchya sarvānsamunīnmunīśvaraḥ sabālavṛddhānapi tatravāsinaḥ tṛṇāni vṛkṣāṁścalatāḥ samastāḥ purīṁ parikramya ca niryayau ca

Having taken leave of all the sages dwelling there, of the young and the old, and of every blade of grass, every tree, and every living thing, the lord of sages circumambulated the city and then set forth.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.5.46)

प्रोषितस्य परितोपि लक्षणैर्नीचवर्त्मपरिवर्तिनोपि वा । चंद्रमौलिमवलोक्य यास्यतः कस्य सिद्धिरिह नो परिस्फुरेत्

proṣitasya paritopi lakṣaṇairnīcavartmaparivartinopi vā caṁdramaulimavalokya yāsyataḥ kasya siddhiriha no parisphuret

For one who, though journeying abroad, still bears her marks about him, or who, even walking a lowly path, goes on ever beholding Chandramauli (Shiva) in his heart -- for such a one, whose accomplishment would not shine forth here?

Verse 47 (skanda.4.5.47)

वरं हि काश्यां तृणवृक्षगुल्मकाश्चरंति पापं न चरंति नान्यतः । वयं चराणां प्रथमा धिगस्तु नो वाराणसींहाद्य विहाय गच्छतः

varaṁ hi kāśyāṁ tṛṇavṛkṣagulmakāścaraṁti pāpaṁ na caraṁti nānyataḥ vayaṁ carāṇāṁ prathamā dhigastu no vārāṇasīṁhādya vihāya gacchataḥ

Better indeed are the grass, trees, and shrubs that dwell rooted in Kashi and commit no sin -- while we, foremost of wanderers, go elsewhere. Shame upon us, who today forsake Varanasi and depart!

Verse 48 (skanda.4.5.48)

असिं ह्युपस्पृश्य पुनःपुनर्मुनिः प्रासादमालाः परितो विलोकयन् । उवाच नेत्रे सरले प्रपश्यतं काशीं युवां क्वक्व पुरी त्वियं बत

asiṁ hyupaspṛśya punaḥpunarmuniḥ prāsādamālāḥ parito vilokayan uvāca netre sarale prapaśyataṁ kāśīṁ yuvāṁ kvakva purī tviyaṁ bata

Touching the river Asi again and again, gazing all about him at the rows of temple-towers, the sage said to his own eyes: "O guileless eyes, look well upon her now -- where, alas, is this city, and where are we bound?"

Verse 49 (skanda.4.5.49)

स्वैरं हसंत्वद्य विधाय तालिकां मिथःकरेणापि करं प्रगृह्य । सीमाचरा भूतगणा व्रजाम्यहं विहाय काशीं सुकृतैकराशिम्

svairaṁ hasaṁtvadya vidhāya tālikāṁ mithaḥkareṇāpi karaṁ pragṛhya sīmācarā bhūtagaṇā vrajāmyahaṁ vihāya kāśīṁ sukṛtaikarāśim

"'Let the spirits who dwell at her boundary laugh freely today, clapping hand to hand -- for I now go, forsaking Kashi, that sole treasury of merit.'"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.5.50)

इत्थं विलप्य बहुशः स मुनिस्त्वगस्त्यस्तत्क्रौंचयुग्मवदहो अबलासहायः । मूर्च्छामवाप महतीं विरही वजल्पन्हाकाशिकाशि पुनरेहि च देहि दृष्टिम्

itthaṁ vilapya bahuśaḥ sa munistvagastyastatkrauṁcayugmavadaho abalāsahāyaḥ mūrcchāmavāpa mahatīṁ virahī vajalpanhākāśikāśi punarehi ca dehi dṛṣṭim

Thus lamenting again and again, that sage Agastya, together with his wife, like a pair of krauncha birds torn apart, fell into a deep swoon, murmuring like one bereft: "Ah Kashi, Kashi! Return to me once more, grant me your sight again!"

Verse 51 (skanda.4.5.51)

स्थित्वा क्षणं शिवशिवेति शिवेति चोक्त्वा यावःप्रियेति कठिनाहि दिवौकसस्ते। किं न स्मरेस्त्रिजगती सुखदानदक्षं त्र्यक्षं प्रहित्यमदनं यदकारितैस्तु

sthitvā kṣaṇaṁ śivaśiveti śiveti coktvā yāvaḥpriyeti kaṭhināhi divaukasaste kiṁ na smarestrijagatī sukhadānadakṣaṁ tryakṣaṁ prahityamadanaṁ yadakāritaistu

Pausing a moment, crying "Shiva, Shiva," and "Shiva" once more, and "let us go, my beloved" -- he said: How hard of heart you gods must be! Do you not remember the three-eyed Lord, so skilled at granting happiness to the three worlds, who, without any effort of his own, consumed Madana, the god of desire, to ash?

Verse 52 (skanda.4.5.52)

यावद्व्रजेत्त्रिचतुराणि पदानि खेदात्स्वेदोदबिंदुकणिकांचितभालदेशः । प्रत्युद्गमाऽकरणतः किल मे विनाशस्तावद्धराभयवरादिव संचुकोच

yāvadvrajettricaturāṇi padāni khedātsvedodabiṁdukaṇikāṁcitabhāladeśaḥ pratyudgamā'karaṇataḥ kila me vināśastāvaddharābhayavarādiva saṁcukoca

As he took but three or four steps, his brow beaded with drops of sweat from weariness; thinking, "Surely my ruin lies in failing to come back," the very earth itself, as though by some boon of fearlessness, seemed to shrink and contract beneath him.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.5.53)

तपोयानमिवारुह्य निमेषार्धेन वै मुनिः । अग्रे ददर्श तं विंध्यं रुद्धांबरमथोन्नतम्

tapoyānamivāruhya nimeṣārdhena vai muniḥ agre dadarśa taṁ viṁdhyaṁ ruddhāṁbaramathonnatam

As though mounted upon a chariot of austerity, within the space of half a blink the sage beheld ahead of him that mountain Vindhya, towering so high it seemed to block the very sky.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.5.54)

चकंपे चाचलस्तूर्णं दृष्ट्वैवाग्रस्थितम मुनिम् । तमगस्त्यं सपत्नीकं वातापील्वल वैरिणम्

cakaṁpe cācalastūrṇaṁ dṛṣṭvaivāgrasthitama munim tamagastyaṁ sapatnīkaṁ vātāpīlvala vairiṇam

The mountain, the very instant it beheld before it that sage Agastya, together with his wife, the vanquisher of Vatapi and Ilvala, trembled at once.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.5.55)

तपःक्रोधसमुत्थाभ्यां काशीविरहजन्मना । प्रलयानलवत्तीव्रं ज्वलंतं त्रिभिरग्निभिः

tapaḥkrodhasamutthābhyāṁ kāśīvirahajanmanā pralayānalavattīvraṁ jvalaṁtaṁ tribhiragnibhiḥ

-- blazing, as fierce as the fire of cosmic dissolution, with three fires: one born of his austerity, one of his wrath, and one of his anguish at separation from Kashi --

Verse 56 (skanda.4.5.56)

गिरिः खर्वतरो भूत्वा विविक्षुरवनीमिव । आज्ञाप्रसादः क्रियतां किंकरोस्मीति चाब्रवीत

giriḥ kharvataro bhūtvā vivikṣuravanīmiva ājñāprasādaḥ kriyatāṁ kiṁkarosmīti cābravīta

the mountain shrank lower still, as though it wished to sink into the very earth, and said: "Grant your command, in your grace -- I am your servant."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.5.57)

अगस्त्य उवाच । विंध्य साधुरसि प्राज्ञ मां च जानासि तत्त्वतः । पुनरागमनं चेन्मे तावत्खर्वतरो भव

agastya uvāca viṁdhya sādhurasi prājña māṁ ca jānāsi tattvataḥ punarāgamanaṁ cenme tāvatkharvataro bhava

Agastya said: "O Vindhya, you are virtuous and wise, and you know me for what I truly am. Until I return once more, remain thus lowered."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.5.58)

इत्युक्त्वा दक्षिणामाशां सनाथामकरोन्मुनिः । निजैश्चरणविन्यासैस्तया साध्व्या तपोनिधिः

ityuktvā dakṣiṇāmāśāṁ sanāthāmakaronmuniḥ nijaiścaraṇavinyāsaistayā sādhvyā taponidhiḥ

Having said this, that treasury of austerity, together with his virtuous wife, moved forward, giving the southern quarter its lord for the first time through the very tread of his own feet.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.5.59)

गते तस्मिन्मुनिवरे वेपमानस्तदा गिरिः । पश्यत्युत्कंठमिव च गतश्चेत्साध्वभूत्ततः

gate tasminmunivare vepamānastadā giriḥ paśyatyutkaṁṭhamiva ca gataścetsādhvabhūttataḥ

When that great sage had gone, the mountain, still trembling, gazed after him as though in longing, and thought: "If he is truly gone, then indeed I have become fortunate."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.5.60)

अद्याजातः पुनरहं न शप्तो यदगस्तिना । न मया सदृशो धन्य इति मेने स वै गिरिः

adyājātaḥ punarahaṁ na śapto yadagastinā na mayā sadṛśo dhanya iti mene sa vai giriḥ

"'Today, as it were, I am born again, since Agastya has not cursed me -- none is as fortunate as I' -- so did that mountain believe."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.5.61)

अरुणोपि च तत्काले कालज्ञो ऽश्वानकालयत् । जगत्स्वास्थ्यमवापोच्चैः पूर्ववद्भानुसंचरैः

aruṇopi ca tatkāle kālajño 'śvānakālayat jagatsvāsthyamavāpoccaiḥ pūrvavadbhānusaṁcaraiḥ

Aruna too, knowing the hour, then drove on the sun's steeds; and the world, with the sun's course restored just as before, regained its wellbeing entirely.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.5.62)

अद्य श्वो वा परश्वो वाप्यागमिप्यति वै मुनिः । इति चिंतामहाभारैर्गिरिराक्रांतवत्स्थितः

adya śvo vā paraśvo vāpyāgamipyati vai muniḥ iti ciṁtāmahābhārairgirirākrāṁtavatsthitaḥ

"'Today, or tomorrow, or the day after, the sage will surely return' -- under the heavy weight of such anxious thought, the mountain stood as though crushed beneath a burden."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.5.63)

नाद्यापि मुनिरायाति नाद्यापिगिरिरेधते । यथा खलजनानां हि मनोरथमहीरुहः

nādyāpi munirāyāti nādyāpigiriredhate yathā khalajanānāṁ hi manorathamahīruhaḥ

Even now the sage did not return, and even now the mountain did not grow -- just as the tree of desire that the wicked plant never comes to fruit.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.5.64)

विवर्धिषति यो नीचः परासूयां समुद्वहन् । दूरे तद्वृद्धिवार्ताऽस्तां प्राग्वृद्धेरपि संशयः

vivardhiṣati yo nīcaḥ parāsūyāṁ samudvahan dūre tadvṛddhivārtā'stāṁ prāgvṛddherapi saṁśayaḥ

For a base man who, bearing envy toward others, wishes to rise -- forget any word of his rising ever reaching far; there remains doubt even about his rising in the first place.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.5.65)

मनोरथा न सिद्ध्येयुः सिद्धा नश्यंत्यपि ध्रुवम् । खलानां तेन कुशलि विश्वं विश्वेशरक्षितम्

manorathā na siddhyeyuḥ siddhā naśyaṁtyapi dhruvam khalānāṁ tena kuśali viśvaṁ viśveśarakṣitam

The desires of the wicked never come to fruition, and even if they should, they surely perish; and so this whole world, guarded by Vishvesha, remains ever safe and well.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.5.66)

विधवानां स्तना यद्वद्धृद्येव विलयंति च । उन्नम्योन्नम्य तत्रोच्चैस्तद्वत्खलमनोरथाः

vidhavānāṁ stanā yadvaddhṛdyeva vilayaṁti ca unnamyonnamya tatroccaistadvatkhalamanorathāḥ

Just as a widow's bosom, however it may swell, wastes away close to the heart itself, so too the ambitions of the wicked, however high they rise, wither away in just the same place.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.5.67)

भवेत्कूलंकपा यद्वदल्पवर्षेणकन्नदी । खलर्धिरल्पवर्षेण तद्वत्स्यात्स्वकुलंकपा

bhavetkūlaṁkapā yadvadalpavarṣeṇakannadī khalardhiralpavarṣeṇa tadvatsyātsvakulaṁkapā

Just as, with even a little rain, the banks of a small river crumble away, so too the prosperity of the wicked, arising from little cause, becomes the very ruin of their own kin.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.5.68)

अविज्ञायान्य सामर्थ्यं स्वसामर्थ्यं प्रदर्शयेत । उपहासमवाप्नोति तथैवायमिहाचलः

avijñāyānya sāmarthyaṁ svasāmarthyaṁ pradarśayeta upahāsamavāpnoti tathaivāyamihācalaḥ

Whoever displays his own strength without first knowing the strength of another earns nothing but ridicule -- and just so it happened here with this mountain.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.5.69)

व्यास उवाच । गोदावरीतटं रम्यं विचरन्नपि वै मुनिः । न तत्याज च तं तापं काशीविरहजं परम्

vyāsa uvāca godāvarītaṭaṁ ramyaṁ vicarannapi vai muniḥ na tatyāja ca taṁ tāpaṁ kāśīvirahajaṁ param

Vyasa said: Even as he wandered along the lovely banks of the Godavari, the sage could not shake off that deep anguish born of separation from Kashi.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.5.70)

उदीची दिक्स्पृशमपि स मुनिर्मातरिश्वनम् । प्रसार्य बाहू संश्लिष्य काश्याः पृच्छेदनामयम्

udīcī dikspṛśamapi sa munirmātariśvanam prasārya bāhū saṁśliṣya kāśyāḥ pṛcchedanāmayam

Even the wind that touches the northern quarter, Matarishvan, would the sage embrace, stretching wide his arms, and ask for tidings of Kashi's welfare.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.5.71)

लोपामुद्रे न सा मुद्रा कापीह जगतीतले । वाराणस्याः प्रदृश्येत तत्कर्ता न यतो विधिः

lopāmudre na sā mudrā kāpīha jagatītale vārāṇasyāḥ pradṛśyeta tatkartā na yato vidhiḥ

"O Lopamudra, nowhere else upon this earth is there such a seal to be found; Varanasi cannot be seen anywhere else, for she was not fashioned even by Brahma, the ordinary creator."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.5.72)

क्वचित्तिष्ठन्क्वचिज्जल्पन्क्वचिद्धावन्क्वचित्स्खलन् । क्वच्चिचोपविशंश्चेति बभ्रामेतस्ततो मुनिः

kvacittiṣṭhankvacijjalpankvaciddhāvankvacitskhalan kvaccicopaviśaṁśceti babhrāmetastato muniḥ

Now standing still, now murmuring, now running, now stumbling, now sitting down -- so did the sage wander from place to place.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.5.73)

ततो व्रजन्ददर्शाग्रे पुण्यराशिस्तपोधनः। चंचच्चंद्रगताभासां भाग्यवानिव सुश्रियम्

tato vrajandadarśāgre puṇyarāśistapodhanaḥ caṁcaccaṁdragatābhāsāṁ bhāgyavāniva suśriyam

Then, as he went on, that treasury of austerity, that very embodiment of merit, beheld ahead a radiance glowing like moonlight, as though a fortunate man were beholding glorious Shri herself.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.5.74)

विजित्यभानु नाभानुं दिवापि समुदित्वराम् । निर्वापयंतीमिव तां स्वचेतस्तापसंततिम्

vijityabhānu nābhānuṁ divāpi samuditvarām nirvāpayaṁtīmiva tāṁ svacetastāpasaṁtatim

a radiance that, even by day, seemed to outshine the very sun as it rose, as if it were quenching, of itself, the long train of anguish burning within his heart.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.5.75)

तत्रागस्त्यो महालक्ष्मीं ददृशे सुचिरं स्थिताम्

tatrāgastyo mahālakṣmīṁ dadṛśe suciraṁ sthitām

There Agastya beheld Mahalakshmi, who had dwelt there for a very long time.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.5.76)

रात्रावब्जेषु संकोचो दर्शेष्वब्जः क्वचिद्व्रजेत्। क्षीरोदे मंदरत्रासात्तदत्राध्युषितामिव

rātrāvabjeṣu saṁkoco darśeṣvabjaḥ kvacidvrajet kṣīrode maṁdaratrāsāttadatrādhyuṣitāmiva

As the lotus contracts by night, and on the new-moon sometimes withers away, so it seemed she had come and settled here, as though in fear of Mandara churning the ocean of milk.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.5.77)

यदारभ्य दधारैनां माधवो मानतः किल । तदारभ्य स्थितां नूनं सपत्नीर्ष्यावशादिव

yadārabhya dadhāraināṁ mādhavo mānataḥ kila tadārabhya sthitāṁ nūnaṁ sapatnīrṣyāvaśādiva

Ever since Madhava took her up with such reverence, from that time she has remained fixed here -- as though overcome with the jealousy of a co-wife.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.5.78)

त्रैलोक्यं कोलरूपेण त्रासयंतं महासुरम्। विनिहत्य स्थितां तत्र रम्ये कोलापुरे पुरे

trailokyaṁ kolarūpeṇa trāsayaṁtaṁ mahāsuram vinihatya sthitāṁ tatra ramye kolāpure pure

She who, having slain the great demon that terrorized the three worlds in the form of a boar, came to dwell there in the lovely city of Kolapura.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.5.79)

संप्राप्याथ महालक्ष्मीं मुनिवर्यः प्रणम्य च। तुष्टाव वाग्भिरिष्टाभिरिष्टदां हृष्टमानसः

saṁprāpyātha mahālakṣmīṁ munivaryaḥ praṇamya ca tuṣṭāva vāgbhiriṣṭābhiriṣṭadāṁ hṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Having thus reached Mahalakshmi, that excellent sage bowed before her and, with joyful heart, praised with pleasing words the goddess who grants every desire.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.5.80)

अगस्तिरुवाच। मातर्नमामि कमले कमलायताक्षि श्रीविष्णुहृत्कमलवासिनि विश्वमातः । क्षीरोदजे कमलकोमलगर्भ गौरि लक्ष्मि प्रसीद सततं नमतां शरण्ये

agastiruvāca mātarnamāmi kamale kamalāyatākṣi śrīviṣṇuhṛtkamalavāsini viśvamātaḥ kṣīrodaje kamalakomalagarbha gauri lakṣmi prasīda satataṁ namatāṁ śaraṇye

Agastya said: "O Mother, dwelling in the lotus, O lotus-eyed one, O you who abide in the lotus-heart of Shri Vishnu, O Mother of the universe, born of the ocean of milk, whose womb is soft as a lotus, O fair Gauri, O Lakshmi -- I bow to you; be ever gracious, O refuge of those who bow before you."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.5.81)

त्वं श्रीरुपेंद्रसदने मदनैकमातर्ज्योत्स्नासि चंद्रमसि चंद्रमनोहरास्ये। सूर्ये प्रभासि च जगत्त्रितये प्रभासि लक्ष्मि प्रसीद सततं नमतां शरण्ये

tvaṁ śrīrupeṁdrasadane madanaikamātarjyotsnāsi caṁdramasi caṁdramanoharāsye sūrye prabhāsi ca jagattritaye prabhāsi lakṣmi prasīda satataṁ namatāṁ śaraṇye

"You are Shri herself in the abode of Upendra, the sole mother of Madana; in the moon you are its cool radiance, and you are the moon-faced beauty itself; in the sun you shine, and through all the three worlds you are the very light. O Lakshmi, be ever gracious, O refuge of those who bow before you."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.5.82)

त्वं जातवेदसि सदा दह्नात्मशक्तिर्वेधास्त्वया जगदिदं विविधं विदध्यात् । विश्वंभरोपि बिभृयादखिलं भवत्या लक्ष्मि प्रसीद सततं नमतां शरण्ये

tvaṁ jātavedasi sadā dahnātmaśaktirvedhāstvayā jagadidaṁ vividhaṁ vidadhyāt viśvaṁbharopi bibhṛyādakhilaṁ bhavatyā lakṣmi prasīda satataṁ namatāṁ śaraṇye

"You dwell ever in fire as its very power to burn; through you does Vedhas fashion this manifold universe, and through you too does Vishvambhara sustain the whole of creation. O Lakshmi, be ever gracious, O refuge of those who bow before you."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.5.83)

त्वत्त्यक्तमेतदमले हरते हरोपि त्वं पासि हंसि विदधासि परावरासि । ईड्यो बभूव हरिरप्यमले त्वदाप्त्या लक्ष्मि प्रसीद सततं नमतां शरण्ये

tvattyaktametadamale harate haropi tvaṁ pāsi haṁsi vidadhāsi parāvarāsi īḍyo babhūva harirapyamale tvadāptyā lakṣmi prasīda satataṁ namatāṁ śaraṇye

"O stainless one, what you forsake, even Hara takes away; you protect, you destroy, you ordain, you are both the higher and the lower. Even Hari became worthy of praise, O immaculate one, only through gaining you. O Lakshmi, be ever gracious, O refuge of those who bow before you."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.5.84)

शूरः स एव स गुणी बुधः धन्यो मान्यः स एव कुलशील कलाकलापैः । एकः शुचिः स हि पुमान्सकलेपि लोके यत्रापतेत्तव शुभे करुणाकटाक्षः

śūraḥ sa eva sa guṇī budhaḥ dhanyo mānyaḥ sa eva kulaśīla kalākalāpaiḥ ekaḥ śuciḥ sa hi pumānsakalepi loke yatrāpatettava śubhe karuṇākaṭākṣaḥ

"He alone is a hero, he alone is virtuous, he alone is wise, he alone is blessed and honored, adorned with noble lineage, character, and every accomplishment; he alone, in all this world, is the one pure man, O gracious one, upon whom your compassionate glance may fall."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.5.85)

यस्मिन्वसेः क्षणमहोपुरुषे गजेऽश्वे स्त्रैणे तृणे सरसि देवकुले गृहेऽन्ने। रत्ने पतत्त्रिणि पशौ शयने धरायां सश्रीकमेव सकले तदिहास्तिनान्यत्

yasminvaseḥ kṣaṇamahopuruṣe gaje'śve straiṇe tṛṇe sarasi devakule gṛhe'nne ratne patattriṇi paśau śayane dharāyāṁ saśrīkameva sakale tadihāstinānyat

"O wondrous one, whatever you dwell in, even for a moment -- be it a man, an elephant, a horse, a woman, a blade of grass, a lake, a temple, a home, grain, a jewel, a bird, an animal, a bed, or the very earth -- that alone becomes possessed of beauty and glory; nothing else here has it at all."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.5.86)

त्वत्स्पृष्टमेव सकलं शुचितां लभेत त्वत्त्यक्तमेव सकलं त्वशुचीह लक्ष्मि । त्वन्नाम यत्र च सुमंगलमेव तत्र श्रीविष्णुपत्नि कमले कमलालयेऽपि

tvatspṛṣṭameva sakalaṁ śucitāṁ labheta tvattyaktameva sakalaṁ tvaśucīha lakṣmi tvannāma yatra ca sumaṁgalameva tatra śrīviṣṇupatni kamale kamalālaye'pi

"Whatever you touch, O Lakshmi, alone attains purity; whatever you forsake alone remains impure here. Wherever your name is uttered, there alone is supreme auspiciousness, O lotus one, O dweller in the lotus, O consort of Shri Vishnu."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.5.87)

लक्ष्मीं श्रियं च कमलां कमलालयां च पद्मां रमां नलिनयुग्मकरां च मां च। क्षीरोदजाममृतकुंभकरामिरां च विष्णुप्रियामिति सदाजपतां क्व दुःखम्

lakṣmīṁ śriyaṁ ca kamalāṁ kamalālayāṁ ca padmāṁ ramāṁ nalinayugmakarāṁ ca māṁ ca kṣīrodajāmamṛtakuṁbhakarāmirāṁ ca viṣṇupriyāmiti sadājapatāṁ kva duḥkham

"Lakshmi, Shri, Kamala, Kamalalaya, Padma, Rama, she who bears the lotus in each of her two hands, and me too -- born of the ocean of milk, bearing the pot of nectar, Ira, the beloved of Vishnu -- for those who ever recite these very names, where indeed can sorrow remain?"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.5.88)

इति स्तुत्वा भगवतीं महालक्ष्मीं हरिप्रियाम् । प्रणनाम सपत्नीकः साष्टांगं दंडवन्मुनिः

iti stutvā bhagavatīṁ mahālakṣmīṁ haripriyām praṇanāma sapatnīkaḥ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ daṁḍavanmuniḥ

Thus having praised the blessed Mahalakshmi, the beloved of Hari, the sage, together with his wife, prostrated full-length upon the ground like a fallen rod.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.5.89)

श्रीरुवाच। उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते मित्रावरुणसंभव । पतिव्रते त्वमुत्तिष्ठ लोपामुद्रे शुभव्रते

śrīruvāca uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhadraṁ te mitrāvaruṇasaṁbhava pativrate tvamuttiṣṭha lopāmudre śubhavrate

Shri said: "Rise, rise, blessings upon you, O son born of Mitra and Varuna! O devoted wife Lopamudra, O you of pure vows, rise as well."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.5.90)

स्तुत्यानया प्रसन्नोहं व्रियतां यद्धृदीप्सितम् । राजपुत्रि महाभागे त्वमिहोपविशामले

stutyānayā prasannohaṁ vriyatāṁ yaddhṛdīpsitam rājaputri mahābhāge tvamihopaviśāmale

"I am pleased by this hymn of praise; ask now for whatever your heart desires. O princess, O greatly blessed one, sit here beside me, O stainless one."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.5.91)

त्वदंगलक्षणैरेभिः सुपवित्रैश्च ते व्रतैः। निर्वापयितुमिच्छामि दैत्यास्त्रैस्तापितां तनुम्

tvadaṁgalakṣaṇairebhiḥ supavitraiśca te vrataiḥ nirvāpayitumicchāmi daityāstraistāpitāṁ tanum

"By these very auspicious marks of your body, and by your most sacred vows, I wish now to cool this body of mine, scorched as it is by the weapons of the demons."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.5.92)

इत्युक्त्वा मुनिपत्नीं तां समालिंग्य हरिप्रिया। अलंचकार च प्रीत्या बहुसौभाग्यमंडनैः

ityuktvā munipatnīṁ tāṁ samāliṁgya haripriyā alaṁcakāra ca prītyā bahusaubhāgyamaṁḍanaiḥ

Having said this, Haripriya, the beloved of Hari, embraced the sage's wife, and lovingly adorned her with many tokens of good fortune.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.5.93)

पुनराह मुने जाने तव हृत्तापकारणम् । सचेतनं दुनोत्येव काशीविश्लेषजोऽनलः

punarāha mune jāne tava hṛttāpakāraṇam sacetanaṁ dunotyeva kāśīviśleṣajo'nalaḥ

She spoke again: "O sage, I know the cause of the anguish in your heart; the fire born of separation from Kashi torments even a being fully conscious of itself."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.5.94)

यदा स देवो विश्वेशो मंदरं गतवान्पुरा। तदा काशीवियोगेन जाता तस्येदृशी दशा

yadā sa devo viśveśo maṁdaraṁ gatavānpurā tadā kāśīviyogena jātā tasyedṛśī daśā

"When that god Vishvesha himself once journeyed to Mount Mandara, in ages past, separation from Kashi brought upon even him just such a state."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.5.95)

तत्प्रवृत्तिं पुनर्ज्ञातुं ब्रह्माणं केशवं गणान्। गणेश्वरं च देवांश्च प्रेषयामास शूलधृक्

tatpravṛttiṁ punarjñātuṁ brahmāṇaṁ keśavaṁ gaṇān gaṇeśvaraṁ ca devāṁśca preṣayāmāsa śūladhṛk

"To learn news of her once more, the Trident-bearer sent forth Brahma, Keshava, the ganas, Ganeshvara, and the other gods."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.5.96)

ते च काशीगुणान्सर्वे विचार्य च पुनःपुनः। व्रजंत्यद्यापि न क्वापि तादृगस्ति क्व वा पुरी

te ca kāśīguṇānsarve vicārya ca punaḥpunaḥ vrajaṁtyadyāpi na kvāpi tādṛgasti kva vā purī

"They too, pondering again and again upon all the virtues of Kashi, have to this day gone nowhere else -- for such a city exists nowhere at all."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.5.97)

इति श्रुत्वाथ स मुनिः प्रत्युवाच श्रियं ततः। प्रणिपत्य महाभागो भक्तिगर्भमिदं वचः

iti śrutvātha sa muniḥ pratyuvāca śriyaṁ tataḥ praṇipatya mahābhāgo bhaktigarbhamidaṁ vacaḥ

Hearing this, that greatly blessed sage bowed before Shri and spoke these words, his heart full of devotion.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.5.98)

यदि देयो वरो मह्यं वरयोग्योस्म्यहं यदि । तदा वाराणसी प्राप्तिः पुनरस्त्वेष मे वरः

yadi deyo varo mahyaṁ varayogyosmyahaṁ yadi tadā vārāṇasī prāptiḥ punarastveṣa me varaḥ

"'If a boon is to be granted to me, and if I am worthy of receiving one, then let this alone be my boon -- that I may attain Varanasi once more.'"

Verse 99 (skanda.4.5.99)

ये पठिष्यंति च स्तोत्रं त्वद्भक्त्या मत्कृतं सदा। तेषां कदाचित्संतापो मास्तु मास्तु दरिद्रता

ye paṭhiṣyaṁti ca stotraṁ tvadbhaktyā matkṛtaṁ sadā teṣāṁ kadācitsaṁtāpo māstu māstu daridratā

"'Whoever shall, with devotion to you, ever recite this hymn I have composed, may they never know sorrow, may they never know poverty.'"

Verse 100 (skanda.4.5.100)

मास्तु चेष्टवियोगश्च मास्तु संपत्ति संक्षयः। सर्वत्र विजयश्चास्तु विच्छेदो मास्तु संततेः

māstu ceṣṭaviyogaśca māstu saṁpatti saṁkṣayaḥ sarvatra vijayaścāstu vicchedo māstu saṁtateḥ

"'May they never be parted from what they hold dear, may their prosperity never diminish; may they be ever victorious everywhere, and may their line never be cut off.'"

Verse 101 (skanda.4.5.101)

श्रीरुवाच । एवमस्तु मुने सर्वं यत्त्वया परिभाषितम् । एतत्स्तोत्रस्य पठनं मम सान्निध्य कारणम्

śrīruvāca evamastu mune sarvaṁ yattvayā paribhāṣitam etatstotrasya paṭhanaṁ mama sānnidhya kāraṇam

Shri said: "So be it, sage, everything that you have spoken. The recitation of this hymn shall itself be the cause of my abiding presence."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.5.102)

अलक्ष्मीः कालकर्णी च तद्गेहे न विशेत्क्वचित् । गजाश्वपशुशांत्यर्थमेतत्स्तोत्रं सदा जपेत्

alakṣmīḥ kālakarṇī ca tadgehe na viśetkvacit gajāśvapaśuśāṁtyarthametatstotraṁ sadā japet

"Misfortune and Kalakarni shall never enter that house; for the peace and protection of elephants, horses, and cattle, this hymn should always be recited."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.5.103)

बालग्रहाभिभूतानां वालानांशांतिकृत्परम् । भूर्जपत्रे लिखित्वा तु बध्नीयात्कंठदेशतः

bālagrahābhibhūtānāṁ vālānāṁśāṁtikṛtparam bhūrjapatre likhitvā tu badhnīyātkaṁṭhadeśataḥ

"It is the supreme remedy for the peace of children afflicted by the malign graha spirits; written upon birch bark, it should be tied about the child's neck."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.5.104)

इदं बीजरहस्यं मे रक्षणीयं प्रयत्नतः । श्रद्धाहीने न दातव्यं न देयं चाशुचौ क्वचित्

idaṁ bījarahasyaṁ me rakṣaṇīyaṁ prayatnataḥ śraddhāhīne na dātavyaṁ na deyaṁ cāśucau kvacit

"This is my secret seed-mantra, and it must be guarded with the greatest care; it should never be given to one without faith, nor should it ever be given to the impure."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.5.105)

अन्यच्च शृणु विप्रेंद्र भविष्ये द्वापरे भवान् । एकोनत्रिंशके ब्रह्मन्सत्यव्यासो भविष्यति

anyacca śṛṇu vipreṁdra bhaviṣye dvāpare bhavān ekonatriṁśake brahmansatyavyāso bhaviṣyati

"And hear yet another thing, O foremost of Brahmins: in the Dvapara age yet to come, in the twenty-ninth such Dvapara, O Brahmin, you shall become the truthful Vyasa, Satyavyasa."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.5.106)

तदा वाराणसीं प्राप्य सिद्धिं प्राप्स्यस्यभीप्सिताम् । व्यस्य वेदान्पुराणानि धर्मा न्समुपदिश्य च

tadā vārāṇasīṁ prāpya siddhiṁ prāpsyasyabhīpsitām vyasya vedānpurāṇāni dharmā nsamupadiśya ca

"Then, having attained Varanasi, you shall achieve the accomplishment you desire; having composed the Vedas and the Puranas, and having instructed the world in dharma --"

Verse 107 (skanda.4.5.107)

हितं च ते वदाम्येकं सांप्रतं तत्समाचर । पश्य किंचिदितो गत्वा स्कंदमग्रे स्थितं प्रभुम्

hitaṁ ca te vadāmyekaṁ sāṁprataṁ tatsamācara paśya kiṁcidito gatvā skaṁdamagre sthitaṁ prabhum

"I tell you one thing more for your own good; follow it now -- go on a little further from here, and behold Lord Skanda, standing there just ahead."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.5.108)

वाराणस्या रहस्यं च यथाव च्छिवभाषितम् । तव तुष्टिकरं ब्रह्मन्कथयिष्यति षण्मुखः

vārāṇasyā rahasyaṁ ca yathāva cchivabhāṣitam tava tuṣṭikaraṁ brahmankathayiṣyati ṣaṇmukhaḥ

"The secret of Varanasi, just as Shiva himself once spoke it, and which will bring you true satisfaction, O Brahmin -- that, the six-faced one, Skanda, will tell you himself."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.5.109)

इति लब्ध्वा वरं सोथ महालक्ष्मीं प्रणम्य च । ययावगस्तिर्यत्रास्ति कुमारशिखिवाहनः

iti labdhvā varaṁ sotha mahālakṣmīṁ praṇamya ca yayāvagastiryatrāsti kumāraśikhivāhanaḥ

Thus, having received this boon, the sage bowed to Mahalakshmi and went on to where Kumara, he whose mount is the peacock, was present.