The Glory of Dashashvamedha: Brahma's Ten Horse-Sacrifices

Verse 1 (skanda.4.52.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ गभस्तिमालिनिगते काशीं त्रैलोक्यमोहिनीम् ॥ पुनश्चिंतामवापोच्चैर्मंदरस्थो मुने हरः

||skaṁda uvāca|| gabhastimālinigate kāśīṁ trailokyamohinīm || punaściṁtāmavāpoccairmaṁdarastho mune haraḥ

Skanda said: When Gabhastimalin, the Sun, had departed, Hara, dwelling on Mount Mandara, once again fell into deep thought concerning Kashi, the enchantress of the three worlds, O sage.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.52.2)

नाद्याप्यायांति योगिन्यो नाद्याप्यायाति तिग्मगुः ॥ प्रवृत्तिरपि मे काश्याश्चित्रमत्यंत दुर्लभा

nādyāpyāyāṁti yoginyo nādyāpyāyāti tigmaguḥ || pravṛttirapi me kāśyāścitramatyaṁta durlabhā

'Not yet do the Yoginis return, not yet does the fierce-rayed Sun return; even news of Kashi has become wondrously hard for me to obtain.'

Verse 3 (skanda.4.52.3)

किमत्र चित्रं यत्काशी मदीयमपिमानसम् ॥ निश्चलं चंचलयति गणना केतरेसुरे

kimatra citraṁ yatkāśī madīyamapimānasam || niścalaṁ caṁcalayati gaṇanā ketaresure

'What wonder is it that Kashi makes even my own unmoving mind restless — what then of other gods?'

Verse 4 (skanda.4.52.4)

अधाक्षिपमहं कामं त्रिजगज्जित्त्वरंदृशा ॥ अहो काश्यभिलाषोत्र मामेव दुनुयात्तराम्

adhākṣipamahaṁ kāmaṁ trijagajjittvaraṁdṛśā || aho kāśyabhilāṣotra māmeva dunuyāttarām

'With a mere glance I struck down Kama, who had conquered the three worlds; yet ah, here the longing for Kashi torments even me all the more.'

Verse 5 (skanda.4.52.5)

काशीप्रवृत्तिमन्वेष्टुं कं वा प्रहिणुयामितः ॥ ज्ञातुं क एव निपुणो यतः स चतुराननः

kāśīpravṛttimanveṣṭuṁ kaṁ vā prahiṇuyāmitaḥ || jñātuṁ ka eva nipuṇo yataḥ sa caturānanaḥ

'Whom then shall I send from here to seek news of Kashi? Who indeed is skilled enough to learn it, if not the four-faced Brahma?'

Verse 6 (skanda.4.52.6)

इत्याहूय विधातारं बहुमानपुरःसरम् ॥ तत्रोपवेश्य श्रीकंठः प्रोवाच चतुराननम्

ityāhūya vidhātāraṁ bahumānapuraḥsaram || tatropaveśya śrīkaṁṭhaḥ provāca caturānanam

Thus, having summoned the Creator with great honor and seated him there, Shrikantha spoke to the four-faced one:

Verse 7 (skanda.4.52.7)

योगिन्यः प्रेषिताः पूर्वं प्रेषितोथ सहस्रगुः ॥ नाद्यापि ते निवर्तंते काश्याः कलशसंभव

yoginyaḥ preṣitāḥ pūrvaṁ preṣitotha sahasraguḥ || nādyāpi te nivartaṁte kāśyāḥ kalaśasaṁbhava

'O jar-born one, first the Yoginis were sent, then the thousand-rayed Sun was sent; not yet have they returned from Kashi.'

Verse 8 (skanda.4.52.8)

सा समुत्सुकयेत्काशी लोकेश मम मानसम् ॥ प्राकृतस्य जनस्येव चंचलाक्षीव काचन

sā samutsukayetkāśī lokeśa mama mānasam || prākṛtasya janasyeva caṁcalākṣīva kācana

'O Lord of the worlds, that Kashi stirs up longing in my mind, just as some restless-eyed woman might stir the mind of an ordinary man.'

Verse 9 (skanda.4.52.9)

मंदरेत्र रतिर्मे न भृशं सुंदरकंदरे ॥ अनच्छतुच्छपानीये नक्रस्येवाल्पपल्वले

maṁdaretra ratirme na bhṛśaṁ suṁdarakaṁdare || anacchatucchapānīye nakrasyevālpapalvale

'I find no delight even here in Mandara's beautiful caves, just as a crocodile finds none in a small, shallow, murky pool.'

Verse 10 (skanda.4.52.10)

ना बाधिष्ट तथा मां स तापो हालाहलोद्भवः ॥ काशीविरहजन्मात्र यथा मामतिबाधते

nā bādhiṣṭa tathā māṁ sa tāpo hālāhalodbhavaḥ || kāśīvirahajanmātra yathā māmatibādhate

'Not even the burning agony born of the Halahala poison tormented me as does this anguish born here of separation from Kashi.'

Verse 11 (skanda.4.52.11)

शीतरश्मिः शिरःस्थोपि वर्षन्पीयूषसीकरैः ॥ काशीविश्लेषजं तापं नाहो गमयितुं प्रभुः

śītaraśmiḥ śiraḥsthopi varṣanpīyūṣasīkaraiḥ || kāśīviśleṣajaṁ tāpaṁ nāho gamayituṁ prabhuḥ

'Even the cool-rayed moon upon my head, though raining down sprays of nectar, is powerless, alas, to dispel this torment born of separation from Kashi.'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.52.12)

विधे विधेहि मे कार्यमार्य धुर्य महामते ॥ याहि काशीमितस्तूर्णं यतस्व च ममेहिते

vidhe vidhehi me kāryamārya dhurya mahāmate || yāhi kāśīmitastūrṇaṁ yatasva ca mamehite

'O Vidhi, noble one, foremost of the wise, do this task for me: go quickly from here to Kashi, and strive on my behalf.'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.52.13)

ब्रह्मंस्त्वमेव तद्वेत्सि काशी त्यजनकारणम् ॥ मंदोपि न त्यजेत्काशीं किमु यो वेत्ति किंचन

brahmaṁstvameva tadvetsi kāśī tyajanakāraṇam || maṁdopi na tyajetkāśīṁ kimu yo vetti kiṁcana

'O Brahman, you yourself know the reason Kashi was left; even a dullard would not abandon Kashi — how much less one who knows anything at all?'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.52.14)

अद्यैव किं न गच्छेयं काशीं ब्रह्मन्स्वमायया ॥ दिवोदासं स्वधर्मस्थं न तूल्लंघितुमुत्सहे

adyaiva kiṁ na gaccheyaṁ kāśīṁ brahmansvamāyayā || divodāsaṁ svadharmasthaṁ na tūllaṁghitumutsahe

'Why should I not go to Kashi this very day by my own power, O Brahman? Yet I cannot bring myself to transgress against Divodasa, who is steadfast in his own dharma.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.52.15)

विधे सर्वविधेयानि त्वमेव विदधासि यत् ॥ इति चेति च वक्तव्यं त्वय्यपार्थमतोखिलम्

vidhe sarvavidheyāni tvameva vidadhāsi yat || iti ceti ca vaktavyaṁ tvayyapārthamatokhilam

'O Vidhi, since you yourself ordain all things that must be ordained, it is pointless for me to instruct you further in this or that regard.'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.52.16)

अरिष्टं गच्छ पंथास्ते शुभोदर्को भवत्वलम्॥ आदायाज्ञां विधि मूर्ध्नि ययौ वाराणसीं मुदा

ariṣṭaṁ gaccha paṁthāste śubhodarko bhavatvalam|| ādāyājñāṁ vidhi mūrdhni yayau vārāṇasīṁ mudā

'Go without mishap; may your path bring auspicious fruit — enough said.' Having taken this command upon his head, Vidhi joyfully set out for Varanasi.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.52.17)

सितहंसरथस्तूर्णं प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम् ॥ कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानममन्यत तदात्मभूः

sitahaṁsarathastūrṇaṁ prāpya vārāṇasīṁ purīm || kṛtakṛtyamivātmānamamanyata tadātmabhūḥ

Quickly reaching the city of Varanasi on his chariot drawn by white swans, the Self-born considered himself as though his purpose were already fulfilled.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.52.18)

हंसयानफलं मेद्य जातं काशीसमागमे ॥ काशी प्राप्तौ यतः प्रोक्ता अंतरायाः पदेपदे

haṁsayānaphalaṁ medya jātaṁ kāśīsamāgame || kāśī prāptau yataḥ proktā aṁtarāyāḥ padepade

'Today the fruit of my swan-borne journey has been realized in reaching Kashi, for obstacles are said to arise at every step on the way to attaining her.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.52.19)

दृशि धातुरभूद्य मदृशो प्राप्य सान्वयः ॥ स्पष्टं दृष्टिपथं प्राप्ता यदेषाऽऽनंदवाटिका

dṛśi dhāturabhūdya madṛśo prāpya sānvayaḥ || spaṣṭaṁ dṛṣṭipathaṁ prāptā yadeṣā''naṁdavāṭikā

'The very word for vision in my own eye has, on reaching this place, become true to its root meaning — for clearly does this Grove of Bliss now lie within the path of my sight.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.52.20)

स्वयं सिंचति या मद्भिः स्वाभिः स्वर्गतरंगिणी ॥ यत्रानंदमया वृक्षा यत्रानंदमया जनाः

svayaṁ siṁcati yā madbhiḥ svābhiḥ svargataraṁgiṇī || yatrānaṁdamayā vṛkṣā yatrānaṁdamayā janāḥ

'This is the place which the celestial river herself waters with her own joyous waters, where the very trees are made of bliss, where the very people are made of bliss.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.52.21)

निर्विशंति सदा काश्यां फलान्यानंदवंत्यपि॥ सदैवानंदभूः काशी सदैवानंददः शिवः

nirviśaṁti sadā kāśyāṁ phalānyānaṁdavaṁtyapi|| sadaivānaṁdabhūḥ kāśī sadaivānaṁdadaḥ śivaḥ

'In Kashi one ever partakes of fruits that are themselves full of bliss; Kashi is ever the very ground of bliss, and Shiva there is ever the bestower of bliss.'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.52.22)

आनंदरूपा जायंते तेन काश्यां हि जंतवः ॥ चरणौ चरितुं वित्तस्तावेव कृतिनामिह

ānaṁdarūpā jāyaṁte tena kāśyāṁ hi jaṁtavaḥ || caraṇau carituṁ vittastāveva kṛtināmiha

'Therefore, in Kashi, creatures are born in the very form of bliss; here, feet are deemed worthy only if they have wandered on behalf of the meritorious.'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.52.23)

चरणौ विचरेतांयौ विश्वभर्तृ पुरी भुवि ॥ तावेव श्रवणौ श्रोतुं संविदा ते बहुश्रुतौ

caraṇau vicaretāṁyau viśvabhartṛ purī bhuvi || tāveva śravaṇau śrotuṁ saṁvidā te bahuśrutau

'Those very feet are worthy that wander this earth through the city of the Sustainer of the universe; those very ears are truly learned that hear of it with understanding.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.52.24)

इह श्रुतिमतां पुंसां याभ्यां काशी श्रुता सकृत् ॥ तदेव मनुते सर्वं मनस्त्विह मनस्विनाम

iha śrutimatāṁ puṁsāṁ yābhyāṁ kāśī śrutā sakṛt || tadeva manute sarvaṁ manastviha manasvināma

'Among learned men here, those very ears by which Kashi has been heard even once — that alone is what the mind of the wise here truly reckons as everything.'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.52.25)

येनानुमन्यते चैषा काशी सर्वप्रमाणभूः ॥ बुद्धिर्बुध्यति सा सर्वमिह बुद्धिमतां सताम् ॥ ययैतद्धूर्जटेर्धाम धृतं स्व विषयीकृतम्

yenānumanyate caiṣā kāśī sarvapramāṇabhūḥ || buddhirbudhyati sā sarvamiha buddhimatāṁ satām || yayaitaddhūrjaṭerdhāma dhṛtaṁ sva viṣayīkṛtam

'That intellect by which this Kashi, the very foundation of all valid knowledge, is recognized as such — that alone, among the wise and virtuous, truly understands everything here, for by it this abode of Dhurjati has been grasped and made one's very own.'

Verse 26 (skanda.4.52.26)

वरं तृणानि धान्यानि तानि वात्याहतान्यपि ॥ काश्यां यान्या पतंतीह न जनाः काश्यदर्शनाः

varaṁ tṛṇāni dhānyāni tāni vātyāhatānyapi || kāśyāṁ yānyā pataṁtīha na janāḥ kāśyadarśanāḥ

'Better to be mere blades of grass or grains, even ones scattered by a storm-wind, that happen to fall here in Kashi, than to be people who never behold Kashi.'

Verse 27 (skanda.4.52.27)

अद्य मे सफलं चायुः परार्धद्वय संमितम् ॥ यस्मिन्सति मया प्रापि दुष्प्रापा काशिका पुरी

adya me saphalaṁ cāyuḥ parārdhadvaya saṁmitam || yasminsati mayā prāpi duṣprāpā kāśikā purī

'Today my life, though reckoned at two parardhas — an immense span — has become fruitful, since through it I have attained the city of Kashi, so hard to attain.'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.52.28)

अहो मे धर्मसंपत्तिरहोमे भाग्यगौरवम् ॥ यदद्राक्षिषमद्याहं काशीं सुचिर चिंतिताम्

aho me dharmasaṁpattirahome bhāgyagauravam || yadadrākṣiṣamadyāhaṁ kāśīṁ sucira ciṁtitām

'Ah, what wealth of merit is mine! Ah, what weight of fortune is mine! For today I have beheld Kashi, so long contemplated.'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.52.29)

अद्य मे स्वतपो वृक्षो मनोरथफलैरलम् ॥ शिवभक्त्यंबुना सिक्तः फलितोति बृहत्तरैः

adya me svatapo vṛkṣo manorathaphalairalam || śivabhaktyaṁbunā siktaḥ phalitoti bṛhattaraiḥ

'Today the tree of my own austerity, watered by the water of devotion to Shiva, has borne abundant fruit — fruit that are my heart's own desires, and greater still.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.52.30)

मया व्यधायि बहुधा सृष्टिः सृष्टिं वितन्वता ॥ परमन्यादृशी काशी स्वयं विश्वेश निर्मितिः

mayā vyadhāyi bahudhā sṛṣṭiḥ sṛṣṭiṁ vitanvatā || paramanyādṛśī kāśī svayaṁ viśveśa nirmitiḥ

'By me, the fashioner of creation, manifold creation has been wrought; but Kashi is of a wholly different kind — it is the creation of Vishvesha himself.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.52.31)

इति हृष्टमना वेधा दृष्ट्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् ॥ वृद्धब्राह्मणरूपेण राजानं च ददर्श ह

iti hṛṣṭamanā vedhā dṛṣṭvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm || vṛddhabrāhmaṇarūpeṇa rājānaṁ ca dadarśa ha

Thus, his mind delighted, the Creator, having beheld the city of Varanasi, then saw the king too, taking the form of an aged Brahmin.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.52.32)

जलार्द्राक्षतपाणिश्च स्वस्त्युक्त्वा पृथिवीभुजे ॥ कृतप्रणामो राज्ञाथ भेजे तद्दत्तमासनम्

jalārdrākṣatapāṇiśca svastyuktvā pṛthivībhuje || kṛtapraṇāmo rājñātha bheje taddattamāsanam

With water-moistened rice-grains in hand, having pronounced a blessing upon the lord of the earth and received the king's bow of greeting, he took the seat offered by him.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.52.33)

कृतमानो नृपतिना सोभ्युत्थानासनादिभिः ॥ विप्रो व्यजिज्ञपद्भूपं पृष्टागमनकारणम्

kṛtamāno nṛpatinā sobhyutthānāsanādibhiḥ || vipro vyajijñapadbhūpaṁ pṛṣṭāgamanakāraṇam

Honored by the king with a rising to greet him, a seat, and the like, the Brahmin, on being asked, revealed to the king the reason for his coming.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.52.34)

॥ब्राह्मण उवाच॥ भूपाल बहुकालीनोस्म्यहमत्र चिरंतनः ॥ त्वं तु मां नैव जानासि जाने त्वां हि रिपुंजयम्

||brāhmaṇa uvāca|| bhūpāla bahukālīnosmyahamatra ciraṁtanaḥ || tvaṁ tu māṁ naiva jānāsi jāne tvāṁ hi ripuṁjayam

The Brahmin said: 'O protector of the earth, I am of great age, ancient in this land; but you do not know me, though I know you well, O conqueror of foes.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.52.35)

परःशता मया दृष्टा राजानो भूरिदक्षिणाः ॥ विजितानेकसंग्रामा यायजूका जितेंद्रियाः

paraḥśatā mayā dṛṣṭā rājāno bhūridakṣiṇāḥ || vijitānekasaṁgrāmā yāyajūkā jiteṁdriyāḥ

'I have seen more than a hundred kings, generous in their gifts, victors in many battles, devoted to sacrifice, masters of their senses.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.52.36)

विनिष्कृतारिषड्वर्गाः सुशीलाः सत्त्वशालिनः ॥ श्रुतस्यपारदृश्वानो राजनीतिविचक्षणाः

viniṣkṛtāriṣaḍvargāḥ suśīlāḥ sattvaśālinaḥ || śrutasyapāradṛśvāno rājanītivicakṣaṇāḥ

'Kings who had cast out the six inner enemies, of good conduct, radiant with goodness, who had reached the far shore of scripture, skilled in statecraft.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.52.37)

दयादाक्षिण्यनिपुणाः सत्यव्रतपरायणाः ॥ क्षमया क्षमयातुल्या गांभीर्यजितसागराः

dayādākṣiṇyanipuṇāḥ satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ || kṣamayā kṣamayātulyā gāṁbhīryajitasāgarāḥ

'Skilled in compassion and courtesy, devoted to the vow of truth, equal to the earth in forbearance, their depth surpassing even the ocean.'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.52.38)

जितरोषरयाः शूराः सौम्यसौंदर्यभूमयः ॥ इत्यादि गुणसंपन्नाः सुसंचितयशोधनाः

jitaroṣarayāḥ śūrāḥ saumyasauṁdaryabhūmayaḥ || ityādi guṇasaṁpannāḥ susaṁcitayaśodhanāḥ

'Heroes who had mastered the onrush of anger, the very ground of gentle beauty — endowed with such virtues, they had amassed the wealth of good fame.'

Verse 39 (skanda.4.52.39)

परं द्वित्राः पवित्रा ये राजर्षे तव सद्गुणाः ॥ तेष्वेषु राजसु मम प्रायशो न दृशं गताः

paraṁ dvitrāḥ pavitrā ye rājarṣe tava sadguṇāḥ || teṣveṣu rājasu mama prāyaśo na dṛśaṁ gatāḥ

'Yet, O royal sage, the pure virtues that are yours — two or three of them — have for the most part never been seen by me among those other kings.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.52.40)

प्रजानिजकुटुंबस्त्वं त्वं तु भूदेवदैवतः ॥ महातपः सहायस्त्वं पथानान्ये तथा नृपाः

prajānijakuṭuṁbastvaṁ tvaṁ tu bhūdevadaivataḥ || mahātapaḥ sahāyastvaṁ pathānānye tathā nṛpāḥ

'You regard your subjects as your own family; you are the very deity of the Brahmins; you are the helper of great ascetics — other kings walk no such path.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.52.41)

धन्यो मान्योसि च सतां पूजनीयोसि सद्गुणैः ॥ देवा अपि दिवोदास त्वत्त्रासान्न विमार्गगाः

dhanyo mānyosi ca satāṁ pūjanīyosi sadguṇaiḥ || devā api divodāsa tvattrāsānna vimārgagāḥ

'Blessed are you, and honored by the virtuous; you are worthy of worship for your good qualities; O Divodasa, even the gods, for fear of you, do not stray from the right path.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.52.42)

किं नः स्तुत्या तव नृप द्विजानामस्पृहावताम् ॥ किं कुर्मस्त्वद्गुणग्रामाः स्तावकान्नः प्रकुर्वते

kiṁ naḥ stutyā tava nṛpa dvijānāmaspṛhāvatām || kiṁ kurmastvadguṇagrāmāḥ stāvakānnaḥ prakurvate

'What need have we desireless Brahmins to praise you, O king? Yet what can we do — your very host of virtues compels us to become your praisers.'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.52.43)

गोष्ठी तिष्ठत्वियं तावत्प्रस्तुतं स्तौमि सांप्रतम् ॥ यष्टुकामोस्म्यहं राजंस्त्वां सहायमतो वृणे

goṣṭhī tiṣṭhatviyaṁ tāvatprastutaṁ staumi sāṁpratam || yaṣṭukāmosmyahaṁ rājaṁstvāṁ sahāyamato vṛṇe

'But let this conversation rest for now; let me speak of the matter at hand: I desire to perform a sacrifice, O king, and so I choose you as my helper.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.52.44)

त्वया राजन्वती चैषाऽवनिः सर्वर्धिभाजनम् ॥ अहं चास्तिधनो राजन्न्यायोपात्तमहाधनः

tvayā rājanvatī caiṣā'vaniḥ sarvardhibhājanam || ahaṁ cāstidhano rājannyāyopāttamahādhanaḥ

'Through you this earth possesses a true king and is the vessel of every prosperity; and I, O king, possess wealth — great wealth rightly acquired.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.52.45)

इयं च राजधानी ते कर्मभूमावनुत्तमा ॥ यस्यां कृतानां कार्याणां संवर्तेपि न संक्षयः

iyaṁ ca rājadhānī te karmabhūmāvanuttamā || yasyāṁ kṛtānāṁ kāryāṇāṁ saṁvartepi na saṁkṣayaḥ

'And this capital of yours is the most excellent field of action, in which deeds once performed do not perish even at the dissolution of the world.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.52.46)

संचितं यद्धनं पुंभिर्नयसन्मार्गगामिभिः ॥ तत्काश्यां विनियुज्येत क्लेशायेतरथा भवेत्

saṁcitaṁ yaddhanaṁ puṁbhirnayasanmārgagāmibhiḥ || tatkāśyāṁ viniyujyeta kleśāyetarathā bhavet

'Whatever wealth has been amassed by men walking the path of righteousness should be employed in Kashi; otherwise it becomes only a cause of trouble.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.52.47)

महिमानं परं काश्याः कोपि वेद न भूपते ॥ ऋते त्रिनयनाच्छंभोः सर्वज्ञानप्रदायिनः

mahimānaṁ paraṁ kāśyāḥ kopi veda na bhūpate || ṛte trinayanācchaṁbhoḥ sarvajñānapradāyinaḥ

'No one, O king, knows the supreme greatness of Kashi save the three-eyed Shambhu, the bestower of all knowledge.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.52.48)

मन्ये धन्यतरोसि त्वं बहुजन्मशतार्जितैः ॥ सुकृतैः पासि यत्काशीं विश्वभर्तुः परां तनुम्

manye dhanyatarosi tvaṁ bahujanmaśatārjitaiḥ || sukṛtaiḥ pāsi yatkāśīṁ viśvabhartuḥ parāṁ tanum

'I consider you most blessed indeed, for by merits gathered over hundreds of births you now protect Kashi, the supreme body of the Sustainer of the universe.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.52.49)

काशी त्रिजगतीसारस्त्रिवेदी सार एव वै ॥ त्रिवर्गोत्तरसारश्च निर्णीतेति महर्षिभिः

kāśī trijagatīsārastrivedī sāra eva vai || trivargottarasāraśca nirṇīteti maharṣibhiḥ

'Kashi is the essence of the three worlds, indeed the very essence of the threefold Veda; the great sages have determined it to be the supreme essence beyond even the triple aims of life.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.52.50)

विश्वेशानुग्रहेणैव त्वयैषा पाल्यते पुरी ॥ एकस्याप्यवनात्काश्यां त्रैलोक्यमवितं भवेत्

viśveśānugraheṇaiva tvayaiṣā pālyate purī || ekasyāpyavanātkāśyāṁ trailokyamavitaṁ bhavet

'It is by the grace of Vishvesha alone that this city is protected by you; and by the protection of Kashi alone, the three worlds stand protected.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.52.51)

अन्यच्च ते हितं वच्मि यदि ते रोचतेऽनघ ॥ प्रीणनीयः सदैवैको विश्वेशः सर्वकर्मभिः

anyacca te hitaṁ vacmi yadi te rocate'nagha || prīṇanīyaḥ sadaivaiko viśveśaḥ sarvakarmabhiḥ

'And I shall tell you something else for your good, if it pleases you, O sinless one: the one Vishvesha alone should ever be pleased through all one's deeds.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.52.52)

अन्यदेवधिया राजन्विश्वेशं पश्य मा क्वचित् ॥ ब्रह्मविष्ण्विंद्र चंद्रार्का क्रीडेयं तस्य धूर्जटेः

anyadevadhiyā rājanviśveśaṁ paśya mā kvacit || brahmaviṣṇviṁdra caṁdrārkā krīḍeyaṁ tasya dhūrjaṭeḥ

'Never regard Vishvesha, O king, with the notion that he is other than the highest; Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, the Moon, and the Sun are but the sport of that Dhurjati.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.52.53)

विप्रैरुदर्कमिच्छद्भिः शिक्षणीया यतो नृपाः ॥ अतस्तव हितं ख्यातं किं वा मे चिंतयानया

viprairudarkamicchadbhiḥ śikṣaṇīyā yato nṛpāḥ || atastava hitaṁ khyātaṁ kiṁ vā me ciṁtayānayā

'Since kings are to be instructed by Brahmins who desire good consequences for them, your welfare has thus been declared; what further should I concern myself with?'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.52.54)

इति जोषं स्थितं विप्रं प्रत्युवाच नृपोत्तमः ॥ सर्वं मया हृदि धृतं यत्त्वयोक्तं द्विजोत्तम

iti joṣaṁ sthitaṁ vipraṁ pratyuvāca nṛpottamaḥ || sarvaṁ mayā hṛdi dhṛtaṁ yattvayoktaṁ dvijottama

Thus, to the Brahmin who had fallen silent, the best of kings replied: 'All that you have said, O best of the twice-born, I have taken to heart.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.52.55)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ अहं यियक्षमाणस्य तव साहाय्यकर्मणि ॥ दासोस्मि यज्ञसंभारान्नयमेको शतोऽखिलान्

|| rājovāca || ahaṁ yiyakṣamāṇasya tava sāhāyyakarmaṇi || dāsosmi yajñasaṁbhārānnayameko śato'khilān

The king said: 'In this task of assisting you, who wish to perform sacrifice, I am your servant; I alone shall provide all the sacrificial materials, a hundredfold.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.52.56)

यदस्ति मेखिलं तत्र सप्तांगेपि भवान्प्रभुः ॥ यजस्वैकमनाब्रह्मन्सिद्धं मन्यस्व वांछितम्

yadasti mekhilaṁ tatra saptāṁgepi bhavānprabhuḥ || yajasvaikamanābrahmansiddhaṁ manyasva vāṁchitam

'Whatever is mine, including my sevenfold kingdom, you are its lord; perform the sacrifice with a single-pointed mind, O Brahmin, and consider your desire already fulfilled.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.52.57)

राज्यं करोमि यद्ब्रह्मन्स्वार्थं तन्न मनागपि ॥ पुत्रैः कलत्रैर्देहेनपरोपकृतये यते

rājyaṁ karomi yadbrahmansvārthaṁ tanna manāgapi || putraiḥ kalatrairdehenaparopakṛtaye yate

'O Brahmin, whatever kingdom I administer is not in the least for my own sake; with sons, with wife, with my very body, I strive only for the benefit of others.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.52.58)

राज्ञां क्रतुक्रियाभ्योपि तीर्थेभ्योपि समंततः ॥ प्रजापालनमेवैको धर्मः प्रोक्तो मनीषिभिः

rājñāṁ kratukriyābhyopi tīrthebhyopi samaṁtataḥ || prajāpālanamevaiko dharmaḥ prokto manīṣibhiḥ

'The wise have declared that for kings, above even the performance of sacrifices and pilgrimage to sacred fords, the one true dharma is the protection of the people.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.52.59)

प्रजासंतापजोवह्निर्वज्राग्नेरपि दारुणः ॥ द्वित्रान्दहति वज्राग्निः पूर्वो राज्यं कुलं तनुम्

prajāsaṁtāpajovahnirvajrāgnerapi dāruṇaḥ || dvitrāndahati vajrāgniḥ pūrvo rājyaṁ kulaṁ tanum

'The fire born of the people's suffering is more terrible even than the fire of the thunderbolt; the thunderbolt burns only two or three, but this fire burns the kingdom, the lineage, and the very body.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.52.60)

यदावभृथसिस्रासुर्भवेयं द्विजसत्तम ॥ तदा विप्रपदांभोभिरभिषेकं करोम्यहम्

yadāvabhṛthasisrāsurbhaveyaṁ dvijasattama || tadā viprapadāṁbhobhirabhiṣekaṁ karomyaham

'O best of the twice-born, whenever I long for the concluding bath of a sacrifice, I perform my own consecration with the water that has touched the feet of Brahmins.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.52.61)

हवनं ब्राह्मणमुखे यत्करोमि द्विजोत्तम ॥ मन्ये क्रतुक्रियाभ्योपि तद्विशिष्टं महामते

havanaṁ brāhmaṇamukhe yatkaromi dvijottama || manye kratukriyābhyopi tadviśiṣṭaṁ mahāmate

'O best of the twice-born, whatever oblation I offer into the mouth of a Brahmin — that, O great-minded one, I consider superior even to the rites of formal sacrifice.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.52.62)

अभिलाषेषु सर्वेषु जागर्त्येको हृदीह मे ॥ अद्यापि मार्गणः कोपि द्रष्टव्यः स्वतनोरपि

abhilāṣeṣu sarveṣu jāgartyeko hṛdīha me || adyāpi mārgaṇaḥ kopi draṣṭavyaḥ svatanorapi

'Among all my desires, one alone stays ever awake in my heart: that even today some petitioner might be found for me to see, dearer even than my own body.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.52.63)

अहो अहोभिर्बहुभिः फलितो मे मनोरथः ॥ यत्त्वं मेद्य गृहे प्राप्तः किंचित्प्रार्थयितुं द्विज

aho ahobhirbahubhiḥ phalito me manorathaḥ || yattvaṁ medya gṛhe prāptaḥ kiṁcitprārthayituṁ dvija

'Ah, after many, many days, my heart's desire has borne fruit today, in that you, O Brahmin, have come to my house to ask something of me.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.52.64)

एकाग्रमानसो विप्र यज्ञान्विपुलदक्षिणान् ॥ बहून्यजकृतं विद्धि साहाय्यं सर्ववस्तुषु

ekāgramānaso vipra yajñānvipuladakṣiṇān || bahūnyajakṛtaṁ viddhi sāhāyyaṁ sarvavastuṣu

'O Brahmin, with single-pointed mind, perform many sacrifices with abundant sacrificial fees; know that my help stands ready for you in every requirement.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.52.65)

इति राज्ञो महाबुद्धेर्धर्मशीलस्य भाषितम् ॥ श्रुत्वा तुष्टमनाः स्रष्टा क्रतुसंभारमाहरत्

iti rājño mahābuddherdharmaśīlasya bhāṣitam || śrutvā tuṣṭamanāḥ sraṣṭā kratusaṁbhāramāharat

Hearing this speech of the great-minded, righteous king, the Creator, his mind well pleased, gathered together the materials for the sacrifice.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.52.66)

साहाय्यं प्राप्य राजर्षेर्दिवोदासस्य पद्मभूः ॥ इयाज दशभिः काश्यामश्वमेधैर्महामखैः

sāhāyyaṁ prāpya rājarṣerdivodāsasya padmabhūḥ || iyāja daśabhiḥ kāśyāmaśvamedhairmahāmakhaiḥ

Having obtained the help of the royal sage Divodasa, the Lotus-born Brahma performed sacrifice in Kashi with ten great Ashvamedha rites.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.52.67)

अद्यापि होमधूमोघैर्यद्व्याप्तं गगनांतरम् ॥ तदा प्रभृति न व्योम नीलिमानं जहात्यदः

adyāpi homadhūmoghairyadvyāptaṁ gaganāṁtaram || tadā prabhṛti na vyoma nīlimānaṁ jahātyadaḥ

Even today the vault of the sky, then pervaded by the billowing smoke of the oblations, has never since lost that dark hue.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.52.68)

तीर्थं दशाश्वमेधाख्यं प्रथितं जगतीतले ॥ तदा प्रभृति तत्रासीद्वाराणस्यां शुभप्रदम्

tīrthaṁ daśāśvamedhākhyaṁ prathitaṁ jagatītale || tadā prabhṛti tatrāsīdvārāṇasyāṁ śubhapradam

From that time onward, the auspicious tirtha renowned on earth as Dashashvamedha has existed there in Varanasi.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.52.69)

पुरा रुद्रसरो नाम तत्तीर्थं कलशोद्भव ॥ दशाश्वमेधिकं पश्चाज्जातं विधिपरिग्रहात्

purā rudrasaro nāma tattīrthaṁ kalaśodbhava || daśāśvamedhikaṁ paścājjātaṁ vidhiparigrahāt

Formerly, O jar-born one, that tirtha was called Rudrasaras; afterward it became known as Dashashvamedhika through Brahma's undertaking there.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.52.70)

स्वर्धुन्यथ ततः प्राप्ता भगीरथसमागमात् ॥ अतीव पुण्यवज्जातमतस्तत्तीर्थमुत्तमम्

svardhunyatha tataḥ prāptā bhagīrathasamāgamāt || atīva puṇyavajjātamatastattīrthamuttamam

Then the celestial river was brought there through the coming of Bhagiratha; hence that supreme tirtha became exceedingly meritorious.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.52.71)

विधिर्दशाश्वमेधेशं लिंगं संस्थाप्य तत्र वै॥ स्थितवान्न गतोद्यापि क्वापि काशीं विहाय तु

vidhirdaśāśvamedheśaṁ liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpya tatra vai|| sthitavānna gatodyāpi kvāpi kāśīṁ vihāya tu

Having established there the linga named Dashashvamedhesha, Brahma has remained ever since, and to this day has never gone anywhere, forsaking Kashi.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.52.72)

राज्ञो धर्मरतेस्तस्य च्छिद्रं नावाप किंचन ॥ अतः पुरारेः पुरतो व्रजित्वा किं वदेद्विधिः

rājño dharmaratestasya cchidraṁ nāvāpa kiṁcana || ataḥ purāreḥ purato vrajitvā kiṁ vadedvidhiḥ

He found no fault whatsoever in that king devoted to dharma; so what could Brahma say, having gone before the destroyer of Pura?

Verse 73 (skanda.4.52.73)

क्षेत्रप्रभावं विज्ञाय ध्यायन्विश्वेश्वरं शिवम् ॥ ब्रह्मेश्वरं च संस्थाप्य विधिस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

kṣetraprabhāvaṁ vijñāya dhyāyanviśveśvaraṁ śivam || brahmeśvaraṁ ca saṁsthāpya vidhistatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Having come to know the power of this sacred field, and meditating upon Vishveshvara Shiva, Brahma established the linga Brahmeshvara and settled there himself.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.52.74)

परातनुरियं काशी विश्वेशस्येति निश्चितम् ॥ अस्याः संसेवनाच्छंभुर्न कुप्यति पुरो मयि

parātanuriyaṁ kāśī viśveśasyeti niścitam || asyāḥ saṁsevanācchaṁbhurna kupyati puro mayi

'It is settled that this Kashi is the supreme body of Vishvesha; by serving her, Shambhu shall never grow angry with me.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.52.75)

कः प्राप्य काशीं दुर्मेधाः पुनस्त्यक्तुमिहेह ते ॥ अनेकजन्मजनितकर्मनिर्मूलनक्षमाम्

kaḥ prāpya kāśīṁ durmedhāḥ punastyaktumiheha te || anekajanmajanitakarmanirmūlanakṣamām

What fool, having attained Kashi — capable of uprooting the karma born of countless births — would wish to abandon her again?

Verse 76 (skanda.4.52.76)

विश्वसंतापसंहर्तुः स्थाने विश्वपतेस्तनुः ॥ संताप्यतेतरां काश्या विश्लेषज महाग्निना

viśvasaṁtāpasaṁhartuḥ sthāne viśvapatestanuḥ || saṁtāpyatetarāṁ kāśyā viśleṣaja mahāgninā

Even in this very abode of the Lord of the universe who removes the suffering of all, one is exceedingly tormented by the great fire born of separation from Kashi.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.52.77)

प्राप्य काशीं त्यजेद्यस्तु समस्ताघौघनाशिनीम्॥ नृपशुः स परिज्ञेयो महासौख्यपराङमुखः

prāpya kāśīṁ tyajedyastu samastāghaughanāśinīm|| nṛpaśuḥ sa parijñeyo mahāsaukhyaparāṅamukhaḥ

He who, having attained Kashi, the destroyer of the whole mass of sin, abandons her — that human beast should be known as one turned away from the greatest happiness.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.52.78)

निर्वाणलक्ष्मीं यः कांक्षेत्त्यक्त्वा संसारदुर्गतिम् ॥ तेन काशी न संत्याज्या यद्याप्तैशादनुग्रहात्

nirvāṇalakṣmīṁ yaḥ kāṁkṣettyaktvā saṁsāradurgatim || tena kāśī na saṁtyājyā yadyāptaiśādanugrahāt

He who, having renounced the wretchedness of worldly existence, desires the fortune of liberation — by him Kashi should never be forsaken, if he has attained the grace of the Lord.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.52.79)

यः काशीं संपरित्यज्य गच्छेदन्यत्र दुर्मतिः ॥ तस्य हस्ततलाद्गच्छेच्चतुर्वर्गफलोदयः

yaḥ kāśīṁ saṁparityajya gacchedanyatra durmatiḥ || tasya hastatalādgaccheccaturvargaphalodayaḥ

The fool who, having wholly forsaken Kashi, goes elsewhere — from the very palm of his hand slips away the fruit of the four aims of life.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.52.80)

निबर्हणी मधौघस्य सुपुण्य परिबृंहिणीम् ॥ कः प्राप्य काशीं दुर्मेधास्त्यजेन्मोक्षसुखप्रदाम्

nibarhaṇī madhaughasya supuṇya paribṛṁhiṇīm || kaḥ prāpya kāśīṁ durmedhāstyajenmokṣasukhapradām

What fool, having attained Kashi — the destroyer of the flood of sin, the enlarger of great merit, the giver of the bliss of liberation — would ever abandon her?

Verse 81 (skanda.4.52.81)

सत्यलोके क्व तत्सौख्यं क्व सौख्यं वैष्णवे पदे ॥ यत्सौख्यं लभ्यते काश्यां निमेषार्धनिषेवणात्

satyaloke kva tatsaukhyaṁ kva saukhyaṁ vaiṣṇave pade || yatsaukhyaṁ labhyate kāśyāṁ nimeṣārdhaniṣevaṇāt

Where is that happiness in Satyaloka, where that happiness in the abode of Vishnu, which is obtained in Kashi through worship lasting even half the blink of an eye?

Verse 82 (skanda.4.52.82)

वाराणसीगुणगणान्निर्णीय द्रुहिणस्त्विति ॥ व्यावृत्य मंदरगिरिं न पुनः प्रत्यगान्मुने

vārāṇasīguṇagaṇānnirṇīya druhiṇastviti || vyāvṛtya maṁdaragiriṁ na punaḥ pratyagānmune

Having thus determined the host of Varanasi's virtues, Brahma turned back from his errand and, O sage, never again returned to Mount Mandara.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.52.83)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ मित्रावरुणयोः पुत्र महिमानं ब्रवीमि ते ॥ काश्यां दशाश्वमेधस्य सर्वतीर्थशिरोमणेः

||skaṁda uvāca|| mitrāvaruṇayoḥ putra mahimānaṁ bravīmi te || kāśyāṁ daśāśvamedhasya sarvatīrthaśiromaṇeḥ

Skanda said: O son of Mitra and Varuna, I shall now tell you the glory of Dashashvamedha in Kashi, the crest-jewel of all sacred fords.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.52.84)

दशाश्वमेधिकं प्राप्य सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् ॥ यत्किंचित्क्रियते कर्म तदक्षयमिहेरितम्

daśāśvamedhikaṁ prāpya sarvatīrthottamottamam || yatkiṁcitkriyate karma tadakṣayamiheritam

Having reached Dashashvamedhika, the best of the best among all sacred fords, whatever deed, however small, is performed there is declared to be imperishable.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.52.85)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो दे वतार्चनम् ॥ संध्योपास्तिस्तर्पणं च श्राद्धं पितृसमर्चनम्

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ svādhyāyo de vatārcanam || saṁdhyopāstistarpaṇaṁ ca śrāddhaṁ pitṛsamarcanam

Bathing, charity, recitation, oblation, the study of scripture, the worship of the gods, the twilight devotions, water-offering, shraddha, and the honoring of the ancestors—

Verse 86 (skanda.4.52.86)

दशाश्वमेधिके तीर्थे सकृत्स्नात्वा नरोत्तमः दृष्ट्वा दशाश्वमेधेशं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

daśāśvamedhike tīrthe sakṛtsnātvā narottamaḥ dṛṣṭvā daśāśvamedheśaṁ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

—the best of men, having bathed even once at the Dashashvamedha tirtha and beheld Dashashvamedhesha, is freed from all these sins.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.52.87)

ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे प्राप्य प्रतिपदं तिथिम् ॥ दशाश्वमेधिके स्नात्वा मुच्यते जन्मपातकैः

jyeṣṭhe māsi site pakṣe prāpya pratipadaṁ tithim || daśāśvamedhike snātvā mucyate janmapātakaiḥ

Attaining the first lunar day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeshtha, and bathing at Dashashvamedhika, one is freed from the sins of one's birth.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.52.88)

ज्येष्ठे शुक्ल द्वितीयायां स्नात्वा रुद्रसरोवरे ॥ जन्मद्वयकृतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

jyeṣṭhe śukla dvitīyāyāṁ snātvā rudrasarovare || janmadvayakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

Bathing in Rudrasarovara on the second day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, the sin committed over two births is destroyed that very instant.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.52.89)

एवं सर्वासु तिथिषु क्रमस्नायी नरोत्तमः ॥ आशुक्लपक्षदशमि प्रतिजन्माघमुत्सृजेत्

evaṁ sarvāsu tithiṣu kramasnāyī narottamaḥ || āśuklapakṣadaśami pratijanmāghamutsṛjet

Thus, bathing in due order on every lunar day up to the tenth of the bright fortnight, the best of men sheds the sin of each successive birth.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.52.90)

तिथिं दशहरां प्राप्य दशजन्माघहारिणीम् ॥ दशाश्वमेधिके स्नातो यामीं पश्येन्न यातनाम्

tithiṁ daśaharāṁ prāpya daśajanmāghahāriṇīm || daśāśvamedhike snāto yāmīṁ paśyenna yātanām

Reaching the Dashahara tithi, which removes the sin of ten births, one who bathes at Dashashvamedhika does not behold the torment of Yama's realm.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.52.91)

लिंगं दशाश्वमेधेशं दृष्ट्वा दशहरा तिथौ ॥ दशजन्मार्जितैः पापैस्त्यज्यते नात्र संशयः

liṁgaṁ daśāśvamedheśaṁ dṛṣṭvā daśaharā tithau || daśajanmārjitaiḥ pāpaistyajyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Beholding the linga of Dashashvamedhesha on the Dashahara tithi, one is freed from the sins accumulated over ten births — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.52.92)

स्नातो दशहरायां यः पूजयेल्लिंगमुत्तमम् ॥ भक्त्या दशाश्वमेधेशं न तं गर्भदशा स्पृशेत्

snāto daśaharāyāṁ yaḥ pūjayelliṁgamuttamam || bhaktyā daśāśvamedheśaṁ na taṁ garbhadaśā spṛśet

He who, having bathed on Dashahara, worships with devotion the excellent linga of Dashashvamedhesha, is never again touched by the state of the womb.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.52.93)

ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे पक्षं रुद्रसरे नरः ॥ कुर्वन्वै वार्षिकीं यात्रां न विघ्नैरभिभूयते

jyeṣṭhe māsi site pakṣe pakṣaṁ rudrasare naraḥ || kurvanvai vārṣikīṁ yātrāṁ na vighnairabhibhūyate

A man who, in the bright fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, performs the annual pilgrimage-observance for a full fortnight at Rudrasaras, is never overcome by obstacles.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.52.94)

दशाश्वमेधावभृथैर्यत्फलं सम्यगाप्यते ॥ दशाश्वमेधे तन्नूनं स्नात्वा दशहरा तिथौ

daśāśvamedhāvabhṛthairyatphalaṁ samyagāpyate || daśāśvamedhe tannūnaṁ snātvā daśaharā tithau

Whatever fruit is fully obtained through the concluding baths of ten Ashvamedha sacrifices, that same fruit surely comes from bathing at Dashashvamedha on the Dashahara tithi.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.52.95)

स्वर्धुन्याः पश्चिमे तीरे नत्वा दशहरेश्वरम् ॥ न दुर्दशामवाप्नोति पुमान्पुण्यतमः क्वचित्

svardhunyāḥ paścime tīre natvā daśahareśvaram || na durdaśāmavāpnoti pumānpuṇyatamaḥ kvacit

Bowing to Dashahareshvara on the western bank of the celestial river, a man of great merit never anywhere meets a wretched fate.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.52.96)

यत्काश्यां दक्षिणद्वारमंतर्गेहस्य कीर्त्यते ॥ तत्र ब्रह्मेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

yatkāśyāṁ dakṣiṇadvāramaṁtargehasya kīrtyate || tatra brahmeśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā brahmaloke mahīyate

That which is proclaimed as the southern gateway of the inner sanctum in Kashi — having beheld Brahmeshvara there, one is exalted in the world of Brahma.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.52.97)

इति ब्राह्मणवेषेण वाराणस्यां महाधिया ॥ द्रुहिणेन स्थितं तावद्यावद्विश्वेश्वरागमः

iti brāhmaṇaveṣeṇa vārāṇasyāṁ mahādhiyā || druhiṇena sthitaṁ tāvadyāvadviśveśvarāgamaḥ

Thus, in the guise of a Brahmin, the great-minded Brahma remained in Varanasi, up until the coming of Vishveshvara.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.52.98)

दिवोदासोपि राजेंद्रो वृद्धब्राह्मणरूपिणे ॥ ब्रह्मणे कृतयज्ञाय ब्रह्मशालामकल्पयत्

divodāsopi rājeṁdro vṛddhabrāhmaṇarūpiṇe || brahmaṇe kṛtayajñāya brahmaśālāmakalpayat

King Divodasa too, for Brahma who had performed the sacrifice in the guise of an aged Brahmin, built a Brahma-hall.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.52.99)

ब्रह्मेश्वरसमीपे तु ब्रह्मशाला मनोहरा ॥ ब्रह्मा तत्रावसद्व्योम ब्रह्मघोषैर्निनादयन्

brahmeśvarasamīpe tu brahmaśālā manoharā || brahmā tatrāvasadvyoma brahmaghoṣairninādayan

Near Brahmeshvara stands the enchanting Brahma-hall; there Brahma dwelt, making the sky resound with the chanting of the Vedas.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.52.100)

इति ते कथितो ब्रह्मन्महिमातिमहत्तरः ॥ दशाश्वमेधतीर्थस्य सर्वाघौघविनाशनः

iti te kathito brahmanmahimātimahattaraḥ || daśāśvamedhatīrthasya sarvāghaughavināśanaḥ

Thus, O Brahmin, has the exceedingly great glory of the Dashashvamedha tirtha, the destroyer of the whole mass of sin, been told to you.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.52.101)

श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं श्रावयित्वा तथैव च ॥ ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नोति श्रद्धया मानवोत्तमः

śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ śrāvayitvā tathaiva ca || brahmalokamavāpnoti śraddhayā mānavottamaḥ

Having heard this meritorious chapter, or likewise having recited it to others, the best of men, with faith, attains the world of Brahma.