The Twelve Adityas of Kashi: Aruna, Vriddha, Keshava, Vimala, Ganga and Yama

Verse 1 (skanda.4.51.1)

॥ अथ श्रीकाशीखंडोत्तरार्धं प्रारभ्यते ॥ श्रीगणेशाय नमः ॥ ॥ अगस्तिरुवाच ॥ पार्वती हृदयानंद सर्वज्ञांगभव प्रभो ॥ किंचित्प्रष्टुमनाः स्वामिंस्तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति

|| atha śrīkāśīkhaṁḍottarārdhaṁ prārabhyate || śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ || || agastiruvāca || pārvatī hṛdayānaṁda sarvajñāṁgabhava prabho || kiṁcitpraṣṭumanāḥ svāmiṁstadbhavānvaktumarhati

Agastya said: Here begins the latter half of the glorious Kashi Khanda. Salutation to Shri Ganesha. O joy of Parvati's heart, O Lord born of the body of the All-Knowing One, I wish to ask something; may you be pleased to tell it to me.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.51.2)

दक्ष प्रजापतेः पुत्री कश्यपस्य परिग्रहः ॥ गरुत्मतः प्रसूः साध्वी कुतो दास्यमवाप सा

dakṣa prajāpateḥ putrī kaśyapasya parigrahaḥ || garutmataḥ prasūḥ sādhvī kuto dāsyamavāpa sā

The daughter of Daksha Prajapati, wife of Kashyapa, the virtuous mother of Garutman — how did she come to be enslaved?

Verse 3 (skanda.4.51.3)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ हंजिकात्वं यथा प्राप्ता विनता सा तपस्विनी ॥ तदप्यहं समाख्यामि निशामय महामते

||skaṁda uvāca|| haṁjikātvaṁ yathā prāptā vinatā sā tapasvinī || tadapyahaṁ samākhyāmi niśāmaya mahāmate

Skanda said: How that patient Vinata came to be called 'Hanjika' — that too I shall relate; listen, O great-minded one.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.51.4)

कद्रूरजीजनत्पुत्राञ्शतं कश्यपतः पुरा ॥ उलूकमरुणं तार्क्ष्यमसूत विनता त्रयम्

kadrūrajījanatputrāñśataṁ kaśyapataḥ purā || ulūkamaruṇaṁ tārkṣyamasūta vinatā trayam

Long ago Kadru bore a hundred sons by Kashyapa, while Vinata bore three: Uluka the owl, Aruna, and Tarkshya, that is, Garuda.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.51.5)

कौशिको राज्यमाप्यापि श्रेष्ठत्वात्पक्षिणां मुने ॥ निर्गुणत्वाच्च तैः सर्वैः स राज्यादवरोपितः

kauśiko rājyamāpyāpi śreṣṭhatvātpakṣiṇāṁ mune || nirguṇatvācca taiḥ sarvaiḥ sa rājyādavaropitaḥ

Kaushika the owl obtained the kingdom because he was foremost among birds, O sage, but being devoid of virtue, he was deposed from it by all of them.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.51.6)

क्रूराक्षोयं दिवांधोयं सदा वक्रनखस्त्वसौ ॥ अतीवोद्वेगजनकं सर्वेषामस्य भाषणम्

krūrākṣoyaṁ divāṁdhoyaṁ sadā vakranakhastvasau || atīvodvegajanakaṁ sarveṣāmasya bhāṣaṇam

'This one has cruel eyes, this one is blind by day, his claws are ever crooked' — his very speech caused great distress to all.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.51.7)

इत्थं तस्य गुणग्रामान्विकथ्य बहुशः खगाः ॥ नाद्यापि वृण्वते राज्ये कमपि स्वैरचारिणः

itthaṁ tasya guṇagrāmānvikathya bahuśaḥ khagāḥ || nādyāpi vṛṇvate rājye kamapi svairacāriṇaḥ

Thus, having repeatedly denounced his qualities, the free-roaming birds do not to this day set anyone upon the throne.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.51.8)

कौशिकेथ तथावृत्ते पुत्रवीक्षणलालसा ॥ अंडं प्रस्फोटयामास मध्यमं विनता तदा

kauśiketha tathāvṛtte putravīkṣaṇalālasā || aṁḍaṁ prasphoṭayāmāsa madhyamaṁ vinatā tadā

When Kaushika had thus fallen, Vinata, eager to see her next son, broke open the middle egg.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.51.9)

पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु प्रस्फोट्य घटसंभव ॥ तदभेदितयौत्सुक्यादंडमष्टमके शते

pūrṇe varṣasahasre tu prasphoṭya ghaṭasaṁbhava || tadabheditayautsukyādaṁḍamaṣṭamake śate

O jar-born one, before the full thousand years had passed — in the eighth hundred — she broke that egg out of impatient eagerness.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.51.10)

तावत्सर्वाणि गात्राणि तस्यातिमहसः शिशोः ॥ ऊर्वोरुपरिसिद्धानि दंडांतर्निवासिनः

tāvatsarvāṇi gātrāṇi tasyātimahasaḥ śiśoḥ || ūrvoruparisiddhāni daṁḍāṁtarnivāsinaḥ

By then only the limbs up to the thighs of that supremely radiant infant, still dwelling within the egg, had taken form.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.51.11)

अंडान्निर्गतमात्रेण क्रोधारुणमुखश्रिया ॥ अर्धनिष्पन्नदेहेन शिशुना शापिता प्रसूः

aṁḍānnirgatamātreṇa krodhāruṇamukhaśriyā || ardhaniṣpannadehena śiśunā śāpitā prasūḥ

The moment he emerged from the egg, that child of half-formed body, his face flushed red with anger, cursed his mother.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.51.12)

जनयित्रि त्वया दृष्ट्वा काद्रवेयान्स्वलीलया ॥ खेलतो मातुरुत्संगे यदंडं व्याधित द्विधा

janayitri tvayā dṛṣṭvā kādraveyānsvalīlayā || khelato māturutsaṁge yadaṁḍaṁ vyādhita dvidhā

'O mother, because upon seeing Kadru's sons playing at ease in their mother's lap you broke my egg in two—'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.51.13)

तदनिष्पन्न सर्वांगः शपामि त्वा विहंगमे ॥ तेषामेवैधि दासी त्वं सपत्न्यंग भुवामिह

tadaniṣpanna sarvāṁgaḥ śapāmi tvā vihaṁgame || teṣāmevaidhi dāsī tvaṁ sapatnyaṁga bhuvāmiha

'—therefore, my body not yet fully formed, I curse you, O bird-mother: become the slave of that very co-wife of yours here on earth.'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.51.14)

वेपमानाथ तच्छापादिदं प्रोवाच पक्षिणी ॥ अनूरो ब्रूहि मे शापावसानं मातुरंगज

vepamānātha tacchāpādidaṁ provāca pakṣiṇī || anūro brūhi me śāpāvasānaṁ māturaṁgaja

Trembling at that curse, the bird-mother then said: 'O Anuru, my son, tell me how this curse shall end.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.51.15)

॥ अनूरुरुवाच ॥ अंडं तृतीयं मा भिंधि ह्यनिष्पन्नं ममेव हि ॥ अस्मिन्नंडे भविष्यो यः स ते दास्यं हरिष्यति

|| anūruruvāca || aṁḍaṁ tṛtīyaṁ mā bhiṁdhi hyaniṣpannaṁ mameva hi || asminnaṁḍe bhaviṣyo yaḥ sa te dāsyaṁ hariṣyati

Anuru said: 'Do not break the third egg while it is unformed, as mine was. He who is born from that egg will free you from your servitude.'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.51.16)

इत्युक्त्वा सोरुणोगच्छदुड्डीयानंदकाननम् ॥ यत्र विश्वेश्वरो दद्यादपि पंगोः शुभां गतिम्

ityuktvā soruṇogacchaduḍḍīyānaṁdakānanam || yatra viśveśvaro dadyādapi paṁgoḥ śubhāṁ gatim

Having said this, Aruna flew off to the Anandakanana, the Grove of Bliss, where Vishveshvara grants an auspicious destiny even to the lame.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.51.17)

एतत्ते पृच्छतः ख्यातं विनता दास्यकारणम्॥ मुने प्रसंगतो वच्मि अरुणादित्यसंभवम्

etatte pṛcchataḥ khyātaṁ vinatā dāsyakāraṇam|| mune prasaṁgato vacmi aruṇādityasaṁbhavam

Thus, in answer to your question, the cause of Vinata's servitude has been told. Now, O sage, in passing I shall tell of the origin of Arunaditya.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.51.18)

अनूरुत्वादनूरुर्योरुणः क्रोधारुणो यतः ॥ वाराणस्यां तपस्तप्त्वा तेनाराधि दिवाकरः

anūrutvādanūruryoruṇaḥ krodhāruṇo yataḥ || vārāṇasyāṁ tapastaptvā tenārādhi divākaraḥ

Because his thighs were unformed he was called Anuru, and being flushed red with anger he was Aruna; performing austerities in Varanasi, he propitiated the Sun.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.51.19)

सोपि प्रसन्नो दत्त्वाथ वरांस्तस्मा अनूरवे ॥ आदित्यस्तस्य नाम्नाभूदरुणादित्य इत्यपि

sopi prasanno dattvātha varāṁstasmā anūrave || ādityastasya nāmnābhūdaruṇāditya ityapi

The Sun too, being pleased, granted a boon to Anuru; and thereafter the Sun himself came to be known by his name as 'Arunaditya.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.51.20)

॥अर्क उवाच॥ तिष्ठानूरो मम रथे सदैव विनतात्मज ॥ जगतां च हितार्थाय ध्वांतं विध्वंसयन्पुरः

||arka uvāca|| tiṣṭhānūro mama rathe sadaiva vinatātmaja || jagatāṁ ca hitārthāya dhvāṁtaṁ vidhvaṁsayanpuraḥ

The Sun said: 'O son of Vinata, stand ever upon my chariot, going before me, dispelling the darkness for the welfare of the worlds.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.51.21)

अत्र त्वत्स्थापितां मूर्तिं ये भजिष्यंति मानवाः ॥ वाराणस्यां महादेवोत्तरे तेषां कुतो भयम्

atra tvatsthāpitāṁ mūrtiṁ ye bhajiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || vārāṇasyāṁ mahādevottare teṣāṁ kuto bhayam

'Those who shall worship the image established by you here in Varanasi, north of Mahadeva — what fear can ever befall them?'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.51.22)

येर्चयिष्यंति सततमरुणादित्यसंज्ञकम् ॥ मामत्र तेषां नो दुःखं न दारिद्र्यं न पातकम्

yercayiṣyaṁti satatamaruṇādityasaṁjñakam || māmatra teṣāṁ no duḥkhaṁ na dāridryaṁ na pātakam

'Those who shall ever worship me here under the name Arunaditya — for them there shall be no sorrow, no poverty, and no sin.'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.51.23)

व्याधिभिर्नाभिभूयंते नो पसर्गैश्च कैश्चन ॥ शोकाग्निना न दह्यंते ह्यरुणादित्यसेवनात्

vyādhibhirnābhibhūyaṁte no pasargaiśca kaiścana || śokāgninā na dahyaṁte hyaruṇādityasevanāt

'Through the worship of Arunaditya they shall never be overcome by disease or by any affliction, nor shall they be consumed by the fire of grief.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.51.24)

अथ स्यंदनमारोप्य नीतवानरुणं रविः ॥ अद्यापि स रथे सौरे प्रातरेव समुद्यति

atha syaṁdanamāropya nītavānaruṇaṁ raviḥ || adyāpi sa rathe saure prātareva samudyati

Thus the Sun placed Aruna upon his chariot and took him along; to this day he rises upon the solar chariot at dawn.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.51.25)

यः कुर्यात्प्रातरुत्थाय नमस्कारं दिनेदिने ॥ अरुणाय ससूर्याय तस्य दुःखभयं कुतः

yaḥ kuryātprātarutthāya namaskāraṁ dinedine || aruṇāya sasūryāya tasya duḥkhabhayaṁ kutaḥ

He who, rising at dawn, offers salutation day after day to Aruna together with the Sun — how could sorrow or fear ever touch him?

Verse 26 (skanda.4.51.26)

अरुणादित्यमाहात्म्यं यः श्रोष्यति नरोत्तमः ॥ न तस्य दुष्कृतं किंचिद्भविष्यति कदाचन

aruṇādityamāhātmyaṁ yaḥ śroṣyati narottamaḥ || na tasya duṣkṛtaṁ kiṁcidbhaviṣyati kadācana

That best of men who shall hear the glory of Arunaditya shall never at any time incur any evil deed.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.51.27)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ वृद्धादित्यस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु ते कथयाम्यहम्॥ यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण नरो नो दुष्कृतं भजेत्

||skaṁda uvāca|| vṛddhādityasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu te kathayāmyaham|| yasya śravaṇamātreṇa naro no duṣkṛtaṁ bhajet

Skanda said: Now hear the glory of Vriddhaditya, which I shall relate to you; by merely hearing it, a man never falls into evil.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.51.28)

पुरात्र वृद्धहारीतो वाराणस्यां महातपाः ॥ महातपः समृद्ध्यर्थं समाराधितवान्रविम्

purātra vṛddhahārīto vārāṇasyāṁ mahātapāḥ || mahātapaḥ samṛddhyarthaṁ samārādhitavānravim

Long ago in Varanasi, the great ascetic Vriddha Harita, for the perfection of his great austerity, worshipped the Sun.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.51.29)

मूर्तिं संस्थाप्य शुभदां भास्वतः शुभलक्षणाम् ॥ दक्षिणेन विशालाक्ष्या दृढभक्तिसमन्वितः

mūrtiṁ saṁsthāpya śubhadāṁ bhāsvataḥ śubhalakṣaṇām || dakṣiṇena viśālākṣyā dṛḍhabhaktisamanvitaḥ

Establishing an auspicious, well-formed image of the radiant Sun to the south of Vishalakshi, he worshipped with firm devotion.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.51.30)

तुष्टस्तस्मै वरं प्रादाद्ब्रध्नो वृद्धतपस्विने ॥ अलं विलंब्य याचस्व कस्ते देयो वरो मया

tuṣṭastasmai varaṁ prādādbradhno vṛddhatapasvine || alaṁ vilaṁbya yācasva kaste deyo varo mayā

Pleased, the Sun offered a boon to the aged ascetic: 'Delay no more — ask; what boon shall I give you?'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.51.31)

सोथ प्रसन्नाद्द्युमणेरवृणीत वरं मुनिः ॥ यदि प्रसन्नो भगवान्युवत्वं देहि मे पुनः

sotha prasannāddyumaṇeravṛṇīta varaṁ muniḥ || yadi prasanno bhagavānyuvatvaṁ dehi me punaḥ

Then the sage asked a boon of the pleased Lord of Light: 'If you are pleased, O Lord, grant me youth once again.'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.51.32)

तपःकरण सामर्थ्यं स्थविरस्य न मे यतः ॥ पुनस्तारुण्यमाप्तोहं चरिष्याम्युत्तमं तपः

tapaḥkaraṇa sāmarthyaṁ sthavirasya na me yataḥ || punastāruṇyamāptohaṁ cariṣyāmyuttamaṁ tapaḥ

'For as an old man I no longer have the strength to perform austerity; having regained youth, I shall practice the highest penance.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.51.33)

तप एव परो धर्मस्तप एव परं वसु ॥ तप एव परः कामो निर्वाणं तप एव हि

tapa eva paro dharmastapa eva paraṁ vasu || tapa eva paraḥ kāmo nirvāṇaṁ tapa eva hi

'Austerity alone is the highest dharma, austerity alone the highest wealth; austerity alone is the highest desire, and austerity alone is liberation.'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.51.34)

ऋतेन तपसः क्वापि लभ्या ऐश्वर्यसंपदः ॥ पदं ध्रुवादिभिः प्रापि केवलं तपसो बलात्

ṛtena tapasaḥ kvāpi labhyā aiśvaryasaṁpadaḥ || padaṁ dhruvādibhiḥ prāpi kevalaṁ tapaso balāt

'Nowhere is the wealth of lordship obtained except through austerity; even Dhruva and others attained their station solely by its power.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.51.35)

ततस्तपश्चरिष्यामि लोकद्वयमहत्त्वदम् ॥ प्राप्य त्वद्वरदानेन यौवनं सर्वसंमतम्

tatastapaścariṣyāmi lokadvayamahattvadam || prāpya tvadvaradānena yauvanaṁ sarvasaṁmatam

'Therefore, having obtained through your boon a youth pleasing to all, I shall practice austerity that confers greatness in both worlds.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.51.36)

धिग्जरांप्राणिनामत्र यया सर्वो विरज्यति ॥ जरातुरेंद्रियग्रामे स्त्रियोपि नयतः स्वसात्

dhigjarāṁprāṇināmatra yayā sarvo virajyati || jarātureṁdriyagrāme striyopi nayataḥ svasāt

'Fie upon old age among creatures, by which everyone grows averse to them; when the senses are afflicted by age, even one's wife no longer draws near.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.51.37)

वरं मरणमेवास्तु मा जरास्त्वतिशोच्यकृत् ॥ क्षणं दुःखं च मरणं जरा दुःखं क्षणेक्षणे

varaṁ maraṇamevāstu mā jarāstvatiśocyakṛt || kṣaṇaṁ duḥkhaṁ ca maraṇaṁ jarā duḥkhaṁ kṣaṇekṣaṇe

'Better death itself than old age, that cause of great grief; death is but a moment's sorrow, while old age is sorrow at every moment.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.51.38)

कांक्षंति दीर्घतपसे चिरमायुर्जितेंद्रियाः ॥ धनं दानाय पुत्राय कलत्रं मुक्तये धियम्

kāṁkṣaṁti dīrghatapase ciramāyurjiteṁdriyāḥ || dhanaṁ dānāya putrāya kalatraṁ muktaye dhiyam

'Those of subdued senses long for long life for the sake of prolonged austerity, for wealth to give in charity, for a wife for a son, and for wisdom for liberation.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.51.39)

वृद्धस्यवार्धकं ब्रध्नस्तत्क्षणादपहृत्य वै ॥ ददौ च चारुता हेतुं तारुण्यं पुण्यसाधनम्

vṛddhasyavārdhakaṁ bradhnastatkṣaṇādapahṛtya vai || dadau ca cārutā hetuṁ tāruṇyaṁ puṇyasādhanam

The Sun then instantly removed the old man's age and granted him youth, the very cause of beauty and a means to merit.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.51.40)

एवं स वृद्धहारीतो वाराणस्यां महामुनिः ॥ संप्राप्य यौवनं ब्रध्नात्तप उग्रं चचार ह

evaṁ sa vṛddhahārīto vārāṇasyāṁ mahāmuniḥ || saṁprāpya yauvanaṁ bradhnāttapa ugraṁ cacāra ha

Thus the great sage Vriddha Harita, having obtained youth from the Sun in Varanasi, performed fierce austerity.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.51.41)

वृद्धेनाराधितो यस्माद्धारीतेन तपस्विना ॥ आदित्यो वार्धकहरो वृद्धादित्यस्ततः स्मृतः

vṛddhenārādhito yasmāddhārītena tapasvinā || ādityo vārdhakaharo vṛddhādityastataḥ smṛtaḥ

Because the Sun was worshipped by the aged ascetic Harita and removed his old age, he is thenceforth remembered as Vriddhaditya.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.51.42)

वृद्धादित्यं समाराध्य वाराणस्यां घटोद्भव ॥ जरा दुर्गति रोगघ्नं बहवः सिद्धिमागताः

vṛddhādityaṁ samārādhya vārāṇasyāṁ ghaṭodbhava || jarā durgati rogaghnaṁ bahavaḥ siddhimāgatāḥ

O jar-born one, worshipping Vriddhaditya in Varanasi, many have attained perfection, for he destroys old age, misfortune, and disease.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.51.43)

वृद्धादित्यं नमस्कृत्य वाराणस्या रवौ नरः ॥ लभेदभीप्सितां सिद्धिं न क्वचिद्दुर्गतिं लभेत्

vṛddhādityaṁ namaskṛtya vārāṇasyā ravau naraḥ || labhedabhīpsitāṁ siddhiṁ na kvaciddurgatiṁ labhet

A man who bows to Vriddhaditya, the Sun, in Varanasi obtains the perfection he desires, and never anywhere meets misfortune.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.51.44)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ अतः परं शृणु मुने केशवादित्यमुत्तमम् ॥ यथा तु केशवं प्राप्य सविता ज्ञानमाप्तवान्

||skaṁda uvāca|| ataḥ paraṁ śṛṇu mune keśavādityamuttamam || yathā tu keśavaṁ prāpya savitā jñānamāptavān

Skanda said: Now, O sage, hear of the supreme Keshavaditya — how the Sun, upon encountering Keshava, attained knowledge.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.51.45)

व्योम्नि संचरमाणेन सप्ताश्वेनादिकेशवः ॥ एकदा दर्शिभावेन पूजयँल्लिंगमैश्वरम्

vyomni saṁcaramāṇena saptāśvenādikeśavaḥ || ekadā darśibhāvena pūjaya~lliṁgamaiśvaram

One day the Sun, coursing through the sky drawn by his seven horses, beheld Adikeshava, eager for a sight of him, worshipping the Lord's linga.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.51.46)

कौतुकादिव उत्तीर्य हरे रविरुपाविशत् ॥ निःशब्दो निश्चलः स्वस्थो महाश्चर्यसमन्वितः

kautukādiva uttīrya hare ravirupāviśat || niḥśabdo niścalaḥ svastho mahāścaryasamanvitaḥ

As if out of curiosity, the Sun descended and drew near to Hari, silent, motionless, composed, filled with great wonder.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.51.47)

प्रतीक्षमाणोवसरं किंचित्प्रष्टुमना हरिम् ॥ हरिं विसर्जितार्चं च प्रणनाम कृतांजलिः

pratīkṣamāṇovasaraṁ kiṁcitpraṣṭumanā harim || hariṁ visarjitārcaṁ ca praṇanāma kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Waiting for an opportunity, wishing to ask Hari something, he bowed with joined palms to Hari once the worship was concluded.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.51.48)

स्वागतं ते हरिः प्राह बहुमानपुरःसरम् ॥ स्वाभ्याशं आसयामास भास्वंतं नतकंधरम्

svāgataṁ te hariḥ prāha bahumānapuraḥsaram || svābhyāśaṁ āsayāmāsa bhāsvaṁtaṁ natakaṁdharam

Hari said, 'Welcome to you,' with great honor, and seated the radiant Sun, his neck bowed, close beside himself.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.51.49)

अथावसरमालोक्य लोकचक्षुरधोक्षजम् ॥ नत्वा विज्ञापयामास कृतानुज्ञोऽसुरारिणा

athāvasaramālokya lokacakṣuradhokṣajam || natvā vijñāpayāmāsa kṛtānujño'surāriṇā

Then, seeing his opportunity, the eye of the world, the Sun, having bowed to Adhokshaja and been given leave by the foe of the demons, made his submission.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.51.50)

॥ रविरुवाच ॥ अंतरात्मासि जगतां विश्वंभर जगत्पते ॥ तवापि पूज्यः कोप्यस्ति जगत्पूज्यात्र माधव

|| raviruvāca || aṁtarātmāsi jagatāṁ viśvaṁbhara jagatpate || tavāpi pūjyaḥ kopyasti jagatpūjyātra mādhava

The Sun said: 'O sustainer of the universe, O Lord of the worlds, you are the inner soul of all beings; yet is there someone worthy of worship even by you, O Madhava, who are worshipped by the whole world?'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.51.51)

त्वत्तश्चाविर्भवेदेतत्त्वयि सर्वं प्रलीयते ॥ त्वमेव पाता सर्वस्य जगतो जगतांनिधे

tvattaścāvirbhavedetattvayi sarvaṁ pralīyate || tvameva pātā sarvasya jagato jagatāṁnidhe

'From you all this arises, and in you all this dissolves; you alone are the protector of all the worlds, O treasure-house of the worlds.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.51.52)

इत्याश्चर्यं समालोक्य प्राप्तोस्म्यत्र तवांतिकम् ॥ किमिदं पूज्यते नाथ भवता भवतापहृत्

ityāścaryaṁ samālokya prāptosmyatra tavāṁtikam || kimidaṁ pūjyate nātha bhavatā bhavatāpahṛt

'Beholding this wonder, I have come here into your presence; what is this, O Lord, remover of worldly suffering, that you are worshipping?'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.51.53)

इति श्रुत्वा हृषीकेशः सहस्रांशोरुदीरितम् ॥ उच्चैर्माशंस सप्ताश्वं वारयन्करसंज्ञया

iti śrutvā hṛṣīkeśaḥ sahasrāṁśorudīritam || uccairmāśaṁsa saptāśvaṁ vārayankarasaṁjñayā

Hearing this from the thousand-rayed Sun, Hrishikesha, restraining the seven horses with a gesture of his hand, declared aloud:

Verse 54 (skanda.4.51.54)

॥ श्रीविष्णुरुवाच ॥ देवदेवो महादेवो नीलकंठ उमापतिः ॥ एक एव हि पूज्योत्र सर्वकारणकारणम्

|| śrīviṣṇuruvāca || devadevo mahādevo nīlakaṁṭha umāpatiḥ || eka eva hi pūjyotra sarvakāraṇakāraṇam

Shri Vishnu said: 'The God of gods, Mahadeva, the blue-throated Lord of Uma — he alone is worthy of worship here, the cause of all causes.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.51.55)

अत्र त्रिलोचनादन्यं समर्चयतियोल्पधीः ॥ सलोचनोपि विज्ञेयो लोचनाभ्यां विवर्जितः

atra trilocanādanyaṁ samarcayatiyolpadhīḥ || salocanopi vijñeyo locanābhyāṁ vivarjitaḥ

'He who worships anyone other than the three-eyed Lord here is of feeble understanding; though possessed of eyes, he must be known as bereft of both.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.51.56)

एको मृत्युंजयः पूज्यो जन्ममृत्युजराहरः ॥ मृत्युंजयं किलाभ्यर्च्य श्वेतो मृत्युंजयोभवत्

eko mṛtyuṁjayaḥ pūjyo janmamṛtyujarāharaḥ || mṛtyuṁjayaṁ kilābhyarcya śveto mṛtyuṁjayobhavat

'The one Mrityunjaya alone is worthy of worship, who removes birth, death, and old age; indeed by worshipping Mrityunjaya, Shveta himself became a conqueror of death.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.51.57)

कालकालं समाराध्य भृंगी कालं जिगायवै ॥ शैलादिमपि तत्याज मृत्युर्मृत्युंजयार्चकम्

kālakālaṁ samārādhya bhṛṁgī kālaṁ jigāyavai || śailādimapi tatyāja mṛtyurmṛtyuṁjayārcakam

'By worshipping the Slayer of Time, Bhringi conquered Time itself; Death abandoned even Shailadi, the worshipper of Mrityunjaya.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.51.58)

विजिग्ये त्रिपुरं यस्तु हेलयैकेषु मोक्षणात् ॥ तं समभ्यर्च्य भूतेशं को न पूज्यतमो भवेत्

vijigye tripuraṁ yastu helayaikeṣu mokṣaṇāt || taṁ samabhyarcya bhūteśaṁ ko na pūjyatamo bhavet

'He who conquered Tripura with a single arrow, as if in mere sport — having worshipped that Lord of Beings, who would not become most worthy of worship himself?'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.51.59)

त्रिजगज्जयिनो हेतोस्त्र्यक्षस्याराधनं परम् ॥ को नाराधयति ब्रध्नसारस्य स्मरविद्विषः

trijagajjayino hetostryakṣasyārādhanaṁ param || ko nārādhayati bradhnasārasya smaravidviṣaḥ

'For the conquest of the three worlds the supreme worship is of the three-eyed one; who does not worship the foe of Kama, the very essence of the Sun's own splendor?'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.51.60)

यस्याक्षिपक्ष्मसंकोचाज्जगत्संकोचमेत्यदः ॥ विकस्वरं विकासाच्च कस्य पूज्यतमो न सः

yasyākṣipakṣmasaṁkocājjagatsaṁkocametyadaḥ || vikasvaraṁ vikāsācca kasya pūjyatamo na saḥ

'By the mere closing of whose eyelashes this world contracts, and by whose opening it blossoms forth — of whom is he not most worthy of worship?'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.51.61)

शंभोर्लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम् ॥ प्राप्नोत्यत्र पुमान्सद्यो नात्र कार्या विचारणा

śaṁbhorliṁgaṁ samabhyarcya puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam || prāpnotyatra pumānsadyo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

'By worshipping the linga of Shambhu, a man instantly attains all four goals of human life here — of this there is no need for doubt.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.51.62)

समर्च्य शांभवं लिंगमपिजन्मशतार्जितम् ॥ पापपुंजं जहात्येव पुमानत्र क्षणाद्ध्रुवम्

samarcya śāṁbhavaṁ liṁgamapijanmaśatārjitam || pāpapuṁjaṁ jahātyeva pumānatra kṣaṇāddhruvam

'By worshipping the linga of Shambhu, a man surely and instantly sheds even a mass of sins accumulated over a hundred births.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.51.63)

किंकिं न संभवेदत्र शिवलिंगसमर्चनात् ॥ पुत्राः कलत्र क्षेत्राणि स्वर्गो मोक्षोप्यसंशयम्

kiṁkiṁ na saṁbhavedatra śivaliṁgasamarcanāt || putrāḥ kalatra kṣetrāṇi svargo mokṣopyasaṁśayam

'What is there that cannot be attained here through the worship of the Shiva-linga — sons, a wife, lands, heaven, and, without doubt, liberation itself?'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.51.64)

त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यसंपत्तिर्मया प्राप्ता सहस्रगो ॥ शिवलिंगार्चनादेकात्सत्यंसत्यं पुनःपुनः

trailokyaiśvaryasaṁpattirmayā prāptā sahasrago || śivaliṁgārcanādekātsatyaṁsatyaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

'O thousand-rayed one, the wealth of dominion over the three worlds has been obtained by me from the worship of the Shiva-linga alone — truly, truly, again and again I say it.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.51.65)

अयमेव परोयोगस्त्विदमेव परं तपः ॥ इदमेव परं ज्ञानं स्थाणुलिंगं यदर्च्यते

ayameva paroyogastvidameva paraṁ tapaḥ || idameva paraṁ jñānaṁ sthāṇuliṁgaṁ yadarcyate

'This alone is the supreme yoga, this alone the supreme austerity, this alone the supreme knowledge — the worship of the linga of Sthanu.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.51.66)

यैर्लिंगं सकृदप्यत्र पूजितं पार्वतीपतेः ॥ कुतो दुःखभयं तेषां संसारे दुःखभाजने

yairliṁgaṁ sakṛdapyatra pūjitaṁ pārvatīpateḥ || kuto duḥkhabhayaṁ teṣāṁ saṁsāre duḥkhabhājane

'Those by whom the linga of Parvati's Lord has been worshipped here even once — for them, what sorrow or fear can remain in this world, the abode of sorrow?'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.51.67)

सर्वं परित्यज्य रवे यो लिंगं शरणं गतः ॥ न तं पापानि बाधंते महांत्यपि दिवाकर

sarvaṁ parityajya rave yo liṁgaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ || na taṁ pāpāni bādhaṁte mahāṁtyapi divākara

'O Sun, whoever, forsaking everything, has taken refuge in the linga — him, O Divakara, not even great sins can afflict.'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.51.68)

लिंगार्चने भवेद्वृद्धिस्तेषामेवात्र भास्कर ॥ येषां पुनर्भवच्छेदं चिकीर्षति महेश्वरः

liṁgārcane bhavedvṛddhisteṣāmevātra bhāskara || yeṣāṁ punarbhavacchedaṁ cikīrṣati maheśvaraḥ

'O Bhaskara, growth in the worship of the linga comes only to those whose cycle of rebirth Maheshvara wishes to sever.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.51.69)

न लिंगाराधनात्पुण्यं त्रिषुलोकेषु चापरम् ॥ सर्वतीर्थाभिषेकः स्याल्लिंगस्नानांबु सेवनात्

na liṁgārādhanātpuṇyaṁ triṣulokeṣu cāparam || sarvatīrthābhiṣekaḥ syālliṁgasnānāṁbu sevanāt

'There is no merit greater than the worship of the linga in the three worlds; bathing in the water used to bathe the linga equals ablution at every sacred ford.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.51.70)

तस्माल्लिंगं त्वमप्यर्क समर्चय महेशितुः ॥ संप्राप्तं परमां लक्ष्मीं महातेजोभि जृंभणीम्

tasmālliṁgaṁ tvamapyarka samarcaya maheśituḥ || saṁprāptaṁ paramāṁ lakṣmīṁ mahātejobhi jṛṁbhaṇīm

'Therefore, O Sun, you too should worship the linga of Maheshvara, which bestows supreme fortune and expands one's great splendor.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.51.71)

इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यं तदारभ्य सहस्रगुः ॥ विधाय स्फाटिकं लिंगं मुनेद्यापि समर्चयेत्

iti śrutvā harervākyaṁ tadārabhya sahasraguḥ || vidhāya sphāṭikaṁ liṁgaṁ munedyāpi samarcayet

Hearing these words of Hari, the thousand-rayed Sun, from that day forth, fashioned a crystal linga, O sage, and worships it even now.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.51.72)

गुरुत्वेन तदाकल्य विवस्वानादिकेशवम् ॥ तत्रोपतिष्ठतेद्यापि उत्तरेणादिकेशवात्

gurutvena tadākalya vivasvānādikeśavam || tatropatiṣṭhatedyāpi uttareṇādikeśavāt

Regarding Adikeshava as his preceptor, Vivasvan, the Sun, even today abides there, to the north of Adikeshava.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.51.73)

अतः स केशवादित्यः काश्यां भक्ततमोनुदः ॥ समर्चितः सदा देयान्मनसो वांछितं फलम्

ataḥ sa keśavādityaḥ kāśyāṁ bhaktatamonudaḥ || samarcitaḥ sadā deyānmanaso vāṁchitaṁ phalam

Hence he is Keshavaditya in Kashi, the remover of the darkness of his devotees; when worshipped, he ever grants the desired fruit of the heart.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.51.74)

केशवादित्यमाराध्य वाराणस्यां नरोत्तमः ॥ परमं ज्ञानमाप्नोति येन निर्वाणभाग्भवेत्

keśavādityamārādhya vārāṇasyāṁ narottamaḥ || paramaṁ jñānamāpnoti yena nirvāṇabhāgbhavet

The best of men, worshipping Keshavaditya in Varanasi, attains supreme knowledge, by which he becomes a partaker of liberation.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.51.75)

तत्र पादोदके तीर्थेकृतसर्वोदकक्रियः ॥ विलोक्य केशवादित्यं मुच्यते जन्मपातकैः

tatra pādodake tīrthekṛtasarvodakakriyaḥ || vilokya keśavādityaṁ mucyate janmapātakaiḥ

Having performed all the water-rites at the sacred ford of Padodaka there, and beheld Keshavaditya, one is freed from the sins of birth.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.51.76)

अगस्ते रथसप्तम्यां रविवारो यदाप्यते ॥ तदा पादोदके तीर्थे आदिकेशव सन्निधौ

agaste rathasaptamyāṁ ravivāro yadāpyate || tadā pādodake tīrthe ādikeśava sannidhau

O Agastya, when Sunday falls on the Ratha-Saptami, then at the sacred ford of Padodaka, in the presence of Adikeshava—

Verse 77 (skanda.4.51.77)

स्नात्वोषसि नरो मौनी केशवादित्यपूजनात् ॥ सप्तजन्मार्जितात्पापान्मुक्तो भवति तत्क्षणात्

snātvoṣasi naro maunī keśavādityapūjanāt || saptajanmārjitātpāpānmukto bhavati tatkṣaṇāt

—a man who bathes there at dawn in silence is, through the worship of Keshavaditya, instantly freed from the sins accumulated over seven births.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.51.78)

यद्यज्जन्मकृतं पापं मया सप्तसु जन्मसु ॥ तन्मे रोगं च शोकं च माकरी हंतु सप्तमी

yadyajjanmakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ mayā saptasu janmasu || tanme rogaṁ ca śokaṁ ca mākarī haṁtu saptamī

'Whatever sin I have committed in each of my seven births — may that, along with my disease and grief, be destroyed by this Makari Saptami.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.51.79)

एतज्जन्मकृतं पापं यच्च जन्मांतरार्जितम् ॥ मनोवाक्कायजं यच्च ज्ञाताज्ञाते च ये पुनः

etajjanmakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ yacca janmāṁtarārjitam || manovākkāyajaṁ yacca jñātājñāte ca ye punaḥ

'Whatever sin has been committed in this birth, whatever acquired in other births, whatever born of mind, speech, or body, whether known or unknown—'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.51.80)

इति सप्तविधं पापं स्नानान्मे सप्तसप्तिके ॥ सप्तव्याधिसमायुक्तं हर माकरि सप्तमि

iti saptavidhaṁ pāpaṁ snānānme saptasaptike || saptavyādhisamāyuktaṁ hara mākari saptami

'—thus, O seven-horsed one, through this bathing remove my sevenfold sin along with its seven diseases, O Makari Saptami.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.51.81)

एतन्मंत्रत्रयं जप्त्वा स्नात्वा पादोदके नरः ॥ केशवादित्यमालोक्य क्षणान्निष्कलुषो भवेत्

etanmaṁtratrayaṁ japtvā snātvā pādodake naraḥ || keśavādityamālokya kṣaṇānniṣkaluṣo bhavet

Having recited these three verses as a mantra and bathed at Padodaka, a man, upon beholding Keshavaditya, becomes free of taint in an instant.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.51.82)

केशवादित्यमाहात्म्यं शृण्वञ्श्रद्धासमन्वितः ॥ नरो न लिप्यते पापैः शिवभक्तिं च विंदति

keśavādityamāhātmyaṁ śṛṇvañśraddhāsamanvitaḥ || naro na lipyate pāpaiḥ śivabhaktiṁ ca viṁdati

A man who, endowed with faith, listens to the glory of Keshavaditya is not tainted by sins and attains devotion to Shiva.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.51.83)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ अतः परं शृणु मुने विमलादित्यमुत्तमम् ॥ हरिकेशवने रम्ये वाराणस्यां व्यवस्थितम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| ataḥ paraṁ śṛṇu mune vimalādityamuttamam || harikeśavane ramye vārāṇasyāṁ vyavasthitam

Skanda said: Now, O sage, hear of the supreme Vimaladitya, established in the beautiful Harikeshavana in Varanasi.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.51.84)

उच्चदेशेभवत्पूर्वं विमलो नाम बाहुजः ॥ स प्राक्तनात्कर्मयोगाद्विमले पथ्यपि स्थितः

uccadeśebhavatpūrvaṁ vimalo nāma bāhujaḥ || sa prāktanātkarmayogādvimale pathyapi sthitaḥ

Formerly, in a high land, there lived one named Vimala, born of the warrior class; through the effect of past deeds, he fell ill even while walking a righteous path.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.51.85)

कुष्ठरोगमवाप्योच्चैस्त्यक्त्वा दारान्गृहं वसु ॥ वाराणसीं समासाद्य ब्रध्नमाराधयत्सुधीः

kuṣṭharogamavāpyoccaistyaktvā dārāngṛhaṁ vasu || vārāṇasīṁ samāsādya bradhnamārādhayatsudhīḥ

Having contracted a severe case of leprosy, he abandoned his wife, home, and wealth, and, reaching Varanasi, that wise man worshipped the Sun.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.51.86)

करवीरैर्जपाभिश्च गंधकैः किंशुकैः शुभैः ॥ रक्तोत्पलैरशोकैश्च स समानर्च भास्करम्

karavīrairjapābhiśca gaṁdhakaiḥ kiṁśukaiḥ śubhaiḥ || raktotpalairaśokaiśca sa samānarca bhāskaram

With oleander, red hibiscus, fragrant sandal, auspicious flame-of-the-forest blossoms, red lotuses, and ashoka flowers, he worshipped the Sun.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.51.87)

विचित्ररचनैर्माल्यैः पाटलाचंपकोद्भवैः ॥ कुंकुमागुरुकर्पूरमिश्रितैः शोणचंदनैः

vicitraracanairmālyaiḥ pāṭalācaṁpakodbhavaiḥ || kuṁkumāgurukarpūramiśritaiḥ śoṇacaṁdanaiḥ

With garlands of wondrous design woven of patala and champaka blossoms, and with red sandal paste mixed with saffron, aloe, and camphor—

Verse 88 (skanda.4.51.88)

देवमोहनधूपैश्च बह्वामोदततांबरैः ॥ कर्पूरवर्तिदीपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्घृतपायसैः

devamohanadhūpaiśca bahvāmodatatāṁbaraiḥ || karpūravartidīpaiśca naivedyairghṛtapāyasaiḥ

—with incense that enchants even the gods, with richly fragrant garments, with camphor-wick lamps, and with offerings of ghee-rich rice pudding—

Verse 89 (skanda.4.51.89)

अर्घदानैश्च विधिवत्सौरेः स्तोत्रजपैरपि ॥ एवं समाराधयतस्तस्यार्को वरदोभवत्

arghadānaiśca vidhivatsaureḥ stotrajapairapi || evaṁ samārādhayatastasyārko varadobhavat

—and with arghya duly offered along with the recitation of hymns to the Sun — thus worshipping, he made the Sun a giver of boons to him.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.51.90)

उवाच च वरं ब्रूहि विमलामलचेष्टित ॥ कुष्ठश्च ते प्रयात्वेष प्रार्थयान्यं वरं पुनः

uvāca ca varaṁ brūhi vimalāmalaceṣṭita || kuṣṭhaśca te prayātveṣa prārthayānyaṁ varaṁ punaḥ

He said: 'Ask a boon, O Vimala of pure conduct; let this leprosy of yours depart, and further ask for another boon besides.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.51.91)

आकर्ण्य विमलश्चेत्थमालापं रश्मिमालिनः ॥ प्रणतो दंडवद्भूमौ संप्रहष्टतनूरुहः

ākarṇya vimalaścetthamālāpaṁ raśmimālinaḥ || praṇato daṁḍavadbhūmau saṁprahaṣṭatanūruhaḥ

Hearing these words of the ray-garlanded Sun, Vimala, his body bristling with joy, bowed prostrate upon the ground like a fallen staff.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.51.92)

शनैर्विज्ञापयांचक्र एकचक्ररथं रविम् ॥ जगच्चक्षुरमेयात्मन्महाध्वांतविधूनन

śanairvijñāpayāṁcakra ekacakrarathaṁ ravim || jagaccakṣurameyātmanmahādhvāṁtavidhūnana

He slowly addressed the Sun of the single-wheeled chariot: 'O eye of the world, O immeasurable soul, O dispeller of great darkness—'

Verse 93 (skanda.4.51.93)

यदि प्रसन्नो भगवन्यदि देयो वरो मम ॥ तदा त्वद्भक्तिनिष्ठा ये कुष्ठं मास्तु तदन्वये

yadi prasanno bhagavanyadi deyo varo mama || tadā tvadbhaktiniṣṭhā ye kuṣṭhaṁ māstu tadanvaye

'—if you are pleased, O Lord, if a boon is to be given to me, then let those devoted to you never in their line suffer leprosy.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.51.94)

अन्येपि रोगा मा संतु मास्तु तेषां दरिद्रता ॥ मास्तु कश्चन संतापस्त्वद्भक्तानां सहस्रगो

anyepi rogā mā saṁtu māstu teṣāṁ daridratā || māstu kaścana saṁtāpastvadbhaktānāṁ sahasrago

'Let there be no other diseases either, let there be no poverty for them; O thousand-rayed one, let no affliction whatsoever befall your devotees.'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.51.95)

॥श्रीसूर्य उवाच॥ तथास्त्विति महाप्राज्ञ शृण्वन्यं वरमुत्तमम् ॥ त्वयेयं पूजिता मूर्तिरेवं काश्यां महामते

||śrīsūrya uvāca|| tathāstviti mahāprājña śṛṇvanyaṁ varamuttamam || tvayeyaṁ pūjitā mūrtirevaṁ kāśyāṁ mahāmate

Shri Surya said: 'So be it, O wise one' — hearing this excellent request — 'this image worshipped by you here in Kashi, O great-minded one—'

Verse 96 (skanda.4.51.96)

अस्याः सान्निध्यमत्राहं न त्यक्ष्यामि कदाचन ॥ प्रथिता तव नाम्ना च प्रतिमैषा भविष्यति

asyāḥ sānnidhyamatrāhaṁ na tyakṣyāmi kadācana || prathitā tava nāmnā ca pratimaiṣā bhaviṣyati

'—I shall never forsake my presence in this image; and it shall become renowned by your own name.'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.51.97)

विमलादित्य इत्याख्या भक्तानां वरदा सदा ॥ सर्वव्याधि निहंत्री च सर्वपापक्षयंकरी

vimalāditya ityākhyā bhaktānāṁ varadā sadā || sarvavyādhi nihaṁtrī ca sarvapāpakṣayaṁkarī

'Known by the name Vimaladitya, ever a giver of boons to devotees, the destroyer of all diseases, and the effacer of all sins.'

Verse 98 (skanda.4.51.98)

इति दत्त्वा वरान्सूर्यस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत ॥ विमलो निर्मलतनुः सोपि स्वभवनं ययौ

iti dattvā varānsūryastatraivāṁtaradhīyata || vimalo nirmalatanuḥ sopi svabhavanaṁ yayau

Having thus granted the boons, the Sun vanished then and there; Vimala too, his body now spotless, returned to his own home.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.51.99)

इत्थं स विमलादित्यो वाराणस्यां शुभप्रदः ॥ तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण कुष्ठरोगः प्रणश्यति

itthaṁ sa vimalādityo vārāṇasyāṁ śubhapradaḥ || tasya darśanamātreṇa kuṣṭharogaḥ praṇaśyati

Thus that Vimaladitya, the bestower of good in Varanasi — by the mere sight of him, leprosy is destroyed.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.51.100)

यश्चैतां विमलादित्यकथां वै शृणुयान्नरः ॥ प्राप्नोति निर्मलां शुद्धिं त्यज्यते च मनोमलैः

yaścaitāṁ vimalādityakathāṁ vai śṛṇuyānnaraḥ || prāpnoti nirmalāṁ śuddhiṁ tyajyate ca manomalaiḥ

A man who hears this story of Vimaladitya attains spotless purity and is freed from the impurities of the mind.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.51.101)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ गंगादित्योस्ति तत्रान्यो विश्वेशाद्दक्षिणेन वै ॥ तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण नरः शुद्धिमियादिह

||skaṁda uvāca|| gaṁgādityosti tatrānyo viśveśāddakṣiṇena vai || tasya darśanamātreṇa naraḥ śuddhimiyādiha

Skanda said: There is another, Gangaditya, situated south of Vishvesha; by the mere sight of him, a man attains purity here.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.51.102)

यदा गंगा समायाता भगीरथपुरस्कृता ॥ तदा गंगां परिष्टोतुं रविस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

yadā gaṁgā samāyātā bhagīrathapuraskṛtā || tadā gaṁgāṁ pariṣṭotuṁ ravistatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

When the Ganga came, led by Bhagiratha, the Sun stationed himself there in order to praise the river.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.51.103)

अद्याप्यहर्निशं गंगां संमुखीकृत्य भास्करः ॥ परिष्टौति प्रसन्नात्मा गंगाभक्तवरप्रदः

adyāpyaharniśaṁ gaṁgāṁ saṁmukhīkṛtya bhāskaraḥ || pariṣṭauti prasannātmā gaṁgābhaktavarapradaḥ

Even to this day, day and night, the Sun, facing the Ganga, with a serene mind praises her, granting boons to the devotees of the Ganga.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.51.104)

गंगादित्यं समाराध्य वाराणस्यां नरोत्तमः ॥ दुर्गतिं जातु न क्वापि लभते न च रोगभाक्

gaṁgādityaṁ samārādhya vārāṇasyāṁ narottamaḥ || durgatiṁ jātu na kvāpi labhate na ca rogabhāk

The best of men, worshipping Gangaditya in Varanasi, never anywhere meets misfortune, nor becomes subject to disease.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.51.105)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ अन्यच्छृणु महाभाग यमादित्यस्य संभवम्॥ यच्छ्रुत्वापि नरो जातु यमलोकं न पश्यति

||skaṁda uvāca|| anyacchṛṇu mahābhāga yamādityasya saṁbhavam|| yacchrutvāpi naro jātu yamalokaṁ na paśyati

Skanda said: Hear another, O fortunate one, the origin of Yamaditya; hearing which, a man never sees the world of Yama.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.51.106)

यमेशात्पश्चिमे भागे वीरेशात्पूर्वतो मुने ॥ यमादित्यं नरो दृष्ट्वा यमलोकं न पश्यति

yameśātpaścime bhāge vīreśātpūrvato mune || yamādityaṁ naro dṛṣṭvā yamalokaṁ na paśyati

West of Yamesha and east of Viresha, O sage — having seen Yamaditya there, a man does not see the world of Yama.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.51.107)

यमतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा भूतायां भौमवासरे ॥ यमेश्वरं विलोक्याशु सर्वैः पापैः प्रमुच्यते

yamatīrthe naraḥ snātvā bhūtāyāṁ bhaumavāsare || yameśvaraṁ vilokyāśu sarvaiḥ pāpaiḥ pramucyate

A man who bathes at Yamatirtha on a Tuesday when it falls on the Bharani asterism, and beholds Yameshvara, is at once freed from all sins.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.51.108)

यमतीर्थे यमः पूर्वं तप्त्वा सुविमलं तपः ॥ यमेशं च यमादित्यं प्रत्यष्ठाद्भक्तसिद्धिदम्

yamatīrthe yamaḥ pūrvaṁ taptvā suvimalaṁ tapaḥ || yameśaṁ ca yamādityaṁ pratyaṣṭhādbhaktasiddhidam

At Yamatirtha, Yama himself, having formerly practiced pure austerity, established Yamesha and Yamaditya, the bestowers of success upon devotees.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.51.109)

यमेन स्थापितो यस्मादादित्यस्तत्र कुंभज ॥ अतः स हि यमादित्यो यामीं हरति यातनाम्

yamena sthāpito yasmādādityastatra kuṁbhaja || ataḥ sa hi yamādityo yāmīṁ harati yātanām

Since the Sun was established there by Yama, O jar-born one, he is thus indeed Yamaditya, who removes the torment of Yama's realm.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.51.110)

यमेशं च यमादित्यं यमेन स्थापितं नमन् ॥ यमतीर्थे कृतस्नानो यमलोकं न पश्यति

yameśaṁ ca yamādityaṁ yamena sthāpitaṁ naman || yamatīrthe kṛtasnāno yamalokaṁ na paśyati

One who, having bathed at Yamatirtha, bows to Yamesha and to Yamaditya established by Yama, does not see the world of Yama.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.51.111)

यमतीर्थे चतुर्दश्यां भरण्यां भौमवासरे ॥ तर्पणं पिंडदानं च कृत्वा पित्रनृणी भवेत्

yamatīrthe caturdaśyāṁ bharaṇyāṁ bhaumavāsare || tarpaṇaṁ piṁḍadānaṁ ca kṛtvā pitranṛṇī bhavet

At Yamatirtha, on the fourteenth day when it falls with Bharani on a Tuesday, performing tarpana and the offering of pindas, one becomes free of debt to the ancestors.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.51.112)

अभिलष्यंति सततं पितरो नरकौकसः ॥ भौमै भरण्यां भूतायां यदि योगोयमुत्तमम्

abhilaṣyaṁti satataṁ pitaro narakaukasaḥ || bhaumai bharaṇyāṁ bhūtāyāṁ yadi yogoyamuttamam

The ancestors dwelling in hell continually long for this: 'May this excellent conjunction of Tuesday with Bharani come to pass.'

Verse 113 (skanda.4.51.113)

काश्यां कश्चिद्यमे तीर्थे कृत्वा स्नानं महामतिः ॥ अपि यस्तर्पणंकुर्यात्सतिलं नो विमुक्तये

kāśyāṁ kaścidyame tīrthe kṛtvā snānaṁ mahāmatiḥ || api yastarpaṇaṁkuryātsatilaṁ no vimuktaye

Is there anyone of great wisdom in Kashi who, having bathed at Yamatirtha, would not perform tarpana with sesame seeds for the sake of liberation?

Verse 114 (skanda.4.51.114)

किं गया गमनैः पुंसां किं श्राद्धैर्भूरिदक्षिणैः ॥ यदि काश्यां यमे तीर्थे योगेस्मिञ्श्राद्धमाप्यते

kiṁ gayā gamanaiḥ puṁsāṁ kiṁ śrāddhairbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ || yadi kāśyāṁ yame tīrthe yogesmiñśrāddhamāpyate

What use is there for men in journeys to Gaya, what use in shraddhas with lavish gifts, if the shraddha can be obtained at this conjunction at Yamatirtha in Kashi?

Verse 115 (skanda.4.51.115)

श्राद्धं कृत्वा यमे तीर्थे पूजयित्वा यमेश्वरम् ॥ यमादित्यं नमस्कृत्य पितॄणामनृणो भवेत्

śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā yame tīrthe pūjayitvā yameśvaram || yamādityaṁ namaskṛtya pitṝṇāmanṛṇo bhavet

Having performed the shraddha at Yamatirtha, worshipped Yameshvara, and bowed to Yamaditya, one becomes free of debt to the ancestors.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.51.116)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ इति ते द्वादशादित्याः कथिता पापनाशनाः ॥ यत्संभवं समाकर्ण्य नरो न निरयी भवेत्

||skaṁda uvāca|| iti te dvādaśādityāḥ kathitā pāpanāśanāḥ || yatsaṁbhavaṁ samākarṇya naro na nirayī bhavet

Skanda said: Thus have the twelve Adityas, destroyers of sin, been told to you; hearing of their origin, a man does not become bound for hell.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.51.117)

अन्येपि संति घटज रविभक्तैरनेकशः ॥ काश्यां संस्थापिताः सूर्या गुह्यकार्कादयः किल

anyepi saṁti ghaṭaja ravibhaktairanekaśaḥ || kāśyāṁ saṁsthāpitāḥ sūryā guhyakārkādayaḥ kila

There are others too, O jar-born one, many suns established in Kashi by devotees of the Sun, indeed such as Guhyaka-Arka and the rest.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.51.118)

श्रुत्वाध्यायानिमान्पुण्यान्द्वादशादित्यसूचकान् ॥ श्रावयित्वापि नो मर्त्यो दुर्गतिं याति कुत्रचित्

śrutvādhyāyānimānpuṇyāndvādaśādityasūcakān || śrāvayitvāpi no martyo durgatiṁ yāti kutracit

Having heard, or having recited to others, these meritorious chapters proclaiming the twelve Adityas, a mortal never goes anywhere to misfortune.