Vishnu's Tirthas, the Buddhist Teacher, and King Divodasa's Ascension

Verse 1 (skanda.4.58.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ किं चकार हरः स्कंद मंदराद्रिगतस्तदा ॥ विलंबमालंबयति तस्मिन्नपि गजानने

||agastya uvāca|| kiṁ cakāra haraḥ skaṁda maṁdarādrigatastadā || vilaṁbamālaṁbayati tasminnapi gajānane

Agastya said: "O Skanda, while that elephant-faced one was taking so long, what did Hara do, remaining at Mount Mandara?"

Verse 2 (skanda.4.58.2)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृण्वगस्त्य कथां पुण्यां कथ्यमानां मयाधुना ॥ वाराणस्येकविषयामशेषाघौघनाशिनीम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇvagastya kathāṁ puṇyāṁ kathyamānāṁ mayādhunā || vārāṇasyekaviṣayāmaśeṣāghaughanāśinīm

Skanda said: "Listen, Agastya, to the sacred tale now being told by me, concerning Varanasi alone, destroyer of every mass of sin."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.58.3)

करींद्रवदने तत्र क्षेत्रवर्येऽविमुक्तके ॥ विलंबभाजित्र्यक्षेण प्रैक्षिक्षिप्रमधोक्षजः

karīṁdravadane tatra kṣetravarye'vimuktake || vilaṁbabhājitryakṣeṇa praikṣikṣipramadhokṣajaḥ

There, while the elephant-lord was delaying in that finest field, Avimukta, the Three-Eyed One quickly turned his gaze upon Adhokshaja (Vishnu).

Verse 4 (skanda.4.58.4)

प्रोक्तोथ बहुशश्चेति बहुमानपुरःसरम् ॥ तथा त्वमपि माकार्षीर्यथा प्राक्प्रस्थितैः कृतम्

proktotha bahuśaśceti bahumānapuraḥsaram || tathā tvamapi mākārṣīryathā prākprasthitaiḥ kṛtam

And then he was addressed, again and again, with great honor: "You too should do as those who set out before you have done."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.58.5)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ उद्यमः प्राणिभिः कार्यो यथाबुद्धि बलाबलम् ॥ परं फलंति कर्माणि त्वदधीनानि शंकर

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| udyamaḥ prāṇibhiḥ kāryo yathābuddhi balābalam || paraṁ phalaṁti karmāṇi tvadadhīnāni śaṁkara

Shri Vishnu said: "Effort should be made by living beings according to their strength and understanding, whether strong or weak; but, O Shankara, the fruits of actions ultimately depend upon you."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.58.6)

अचेतनानि कर्माणि स्वतंत्राः प्राणिनोपि न ॥ त्वं च तत्कर्मणां साक्षी त्वं च प्राणिप्रवर्तकः

acetanāni karmāṇi svataṁtrāḥ prāṇinopi na || tvaṁ ca tatkarmaṇāṁ sākṣī tvaṁ ca prāṇipravartakaḥ

"Actions are insentient, and even living beings are not independent; you are the witness of those actions, and you are the one who sets beings in motion."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.58.7)

किंतु त्वत्पादभक्तानां तादृशी जायते मतिः ॥ यया त्वमेव कथयेः साध्वनेनत्वनुष्ठितम्

kiṁtu tvatpādabhaktānāṁ tādṛśī jāyate matiḥ || yayā tvameva kathayeḥ sādhvanenatvanuṣṭhitam

"But such an understanding arises in devotees of your feet, by which you yourself might say: 'well done, this has been rightly accomplished.'"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.58.8)

यत्किंचिदिह वै कर्मस्तोकं वाऽस्तोकमेव वा ॥ तत्सिद्ध्यत्येव गिरिश त्वत्पादस्मृत्यनुष्ठितम्

yatkiṁcidiha vai karmastokaṁ vā'stokameva vā || tatsiddhyatyeva giriśa tvatpādasmṛtyanuṣṭhitam

"Whatever action here, whether small or not small, when undertaken with remembrance of your feet, O Girisha, succeeds indeed."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.58.9)

सुसिद्धमपि वै कार्यं सुबुद्ध्यापि स्वनुष्ठितम् ॥ अत्वत्पदस्मृतिकृतं विनश्यत्येव तत्क्षणात्

susiddhamapi vai kāryaṁ subuddhyāpi svanuṣṭhitam || atvatpadasmṛtikṛtaṁ vinaśyatyeva tatkṣaṇāt

"Even a task well accomplished, well undertaken with good sense, if done without remembrance of your feet, is destroyed that very instant."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.58.10)

शंभुना प्रेषितेनाद्य सूद्यमः क्रियते मया ॥ त्वद्भक्तिसंपत्तिमतां संपन्नप्राय एव नः

śaṁbhunā preṣitenādya sūdyamaḥ kriyate mayā || tvadbhaktisaṁpattimatāṁ saṁpannaprāya eva naḥ

"Being sent by Shambhu today, this good effort is made by me; for those endowed with the wealth of devotion to you, it is, for us, as good as already accomplished."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.58.11)

अतीव यदसाध्यं स्यात्स्वबुद्धिबलपौरुषैः ॥ तत्कार्यं हि सुसिद्धं स्यात्त्वदनुध्यानतः शिव

atīva yadasādhyaṁ syātsvabuddhibalapauruṣaiḥ || tatkāryaṁ hi susiddhaṁ syāttvadanudhyānataḥ śiva

"Whatever task is utterly unattainable by one's own intellect, strength, or manly effort - that task indeed becomes fully accomplished through meditation upon you, O Shiva."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.58.12)

यांति प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य ये भवंतं भवं विभो ॥ भवंति तेषां कार्याणि पुरोभूतानि ते भयात्

yāṁti pradakṣiṇīkṛtya ye bhavaṁtaṁ bhavaṁ vibho || bhavaṁti teṣāṁ kāryāṇi purobhūtāni te bhayāt

"O all-pervading one, those who go about after circumambulating you, Bhava - for them, their tasks stand already accomplished before them, out of the world's fear of you."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.58.13)

जातं विद्धि महादेव कार्यमेतत्सुनिश्चितम् ॥ काशीप्रावेशिकश्चिंत्य शुभलग्नोदयः परम्

jātaṁ viddhi mahādeva kāryametatsuniścitam || kāśīprāveśikaściṁtya śubhalagnodayaḥ param

"Know, O Mahadeva, that this task is now certainly accomplished; only the auspicious rising moment for entering Kashi need be considered."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.58.14)

अथवा काशिसंप्राप्तौ न चिंत्यं हि शुभाशुभम् ॥ तदैव हि शुभः कालो यदैवाप्येत काशिका

athavā kāśisaṁprāptau na ciṁtyaṁ hi śubhāśubham || tadaiva hi śubhaḥ kālo yadaivāpyeta kāśikā

"Or rather, in reaching Kashi, no auspicious or inauspicious time need be considered at all; the very moment one arrives at Kashika is itself the auspicious time."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.58.15)

शंभुं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः ॥ प्रतस्थेऽथ सलक्ष्मीको मंदराद्गरुडध्वजः

śaṁbhuṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya praṇamya ca punaḥpunaḥ || pratasthe'tha salakṣmīko maṁdarādgaruḍadhvajaḥ

Having circumambulated Shambhu and bowed again and again, the Garuda-bannered one, together with Lakshmi, then set out from Mandara.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.58.16)

दृशोरतिथितां नीत्वा विष्णुर्वाराणसीं ततः ॥ पुंडरीकाक्ष इत्याख्यां सफलीकृतवान्मुदा

dṛśoratithitāṁ nītvā viṣṇurvārāṇasīṁ tataḥ || puṁḍarīkākṣa ityākhyāṁ saphalīkṛtavānmudā

Then Vishnu, bringing Varanasi as a guest to his eyes, joyfully made fruitful his name 'Pundarikaksha' (lotus-eyed).

Verse 17 (skanda.4.58.17)

गंगावरणयोर्विष्णुः संभेदे स्वच्छमानसः ॥ प्रक्षाल्य पाणिचरणं सचैलः स्नातवानथ

gaṁgāvaraṇayorviṣṇuḥ saṁbhede svacchamānasaḥ || prakṣālya pāṇicaraṇaṁ sacailaḥ snātavānatha

At the confluence of the Ganga and the enclosure, Vishnu, his mind serene, having washed his hands and feet, then bathed with his garments on.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.58.18)

तदाप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं पादोदकमितीरितम् ॥ पादौ यदादौ शुभदौ क्षालितौ पीतवाससा

tadāprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ pādodakamitīritam || pādau yadādau śubhadau kṣālitau pītavāsasā

From then on, that tirtha has been called Padodaka ('foot-water'), since there his two auspicious feet were first washed by the yellow-garbed one.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.58.19)

तत्र पादोदके तीर्थे ये स्नास्यंतीह मानवाः ॥ तेषां विनश्यति क्षिप्रं पापं सप्तभवार्जितम्

tatra pādodake tīrthe ye snāsyaṁtīha mānavāḥ || teṣāṁ vinaśyati kṣipraṁ pāpaṁ saptabhavārjitam

Those men who shall bathe here in the tirtha of Padodaka - their sins accumulated over seven births are swiftly destroyed.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.58.20)

तत्र श्राद्धं नरः कृत्वा दत्त्वा चैव तिलोदकम् ॥ सप्तसप्त तथा सप्त स्ववंश्यांस्तारयिष्यति

tatra śrāddhaṁ naraḥ kṛtvā dattvā caiva tilodakam || saptasapta tathā sapta svavaṁśyāṁstārayiṣyati

A man, having performed the ancestral rite there and offered libations of sesame and water, shall deliver seven times seven and again seven of his lineage.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.58.21)

गयायां यादृशी तृप्तिर्लभ्यते प्रपितामहैः ॥ तीर्थे पादोदके काश्यां तादृशी लभ्यते ध्रुवम्

gayāyāṁ yādṛśī tṛptirlabhyate prapitāmahaiḥ || tīrthe pādodake kāśyāṁ tādṛśī labhyate dhruvam

Whatever satisfaction the ancestors obtain at Gaya, the very same is certainly obtained at the Padodaka tirtha in Kashi.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.58.22)

कृतपादोदक स्नानं पीतपादोदकोदकम् ॥ दत्तपादोदपानीयं नरं न निरयः स्पृशेत्

kṛtapādodaka snānaṁ pītapādodakodakam || dattapādodapānīyaṁ naraṁ na nirayaḥ spṛśet

A man who has bathed at Padodaka, who has drunk the water of Padodaka, who has offered the water of Padodaka - hell shall not touch him.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.58.23)

विष्णुपादोदके तीर्थे प्राश्य पादोदकं सकृत् ॥ जातुचिज्जननीस्तन्यं न पिबेदिति निश्चितम्

viṣṇupādodake tīrthe prāśya pādodakaṁ sakṛt || jātucijjananīstanyaṁ na pibediti niścitam

Having tasted the foot-water at Vishnu's Padodaka tirtha even once, it is certain that one shall never again drink a mother's milk, that is, never again suffer rebirth.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.58.24)

सचक्र शालग्रामस्य शंखेन स्नापितस्य च ॥ अद्भिः पादोदकस्यांबु पिबन्नमृततां व्रजेत्

sacakra śālagrāmasya śaṁkhena snāpitasya ca || adbhiḥ pādodakasyāṁbu pibannamṛtatāṁ vrajet

Drinking the water of Padodaka, comparable to the water with which the discus-bearing Shaligrama stone has been bathed with a conch-shell, one attains immortality.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.58.25)

विष्णुपादोदके तीर्थे विष्णुपादोदकं पिबेत् ॥ यदि तत्सुधया किं नु बहुकालीनयातया

viṣṇupādodake tīrthe viṣṇupādodakaṁ pibet || yadi tatsudhayā kiṁ nu bahukālīnayātayā

One should drink the foot-water of Vishnu at the Vishnu-Padodaka tirtha; if that is so, what use then is the nectar of immortality obtained after ages of striving?

Verse 26 (skanda.4.58.26)

काश्यां पादोदके तीर्थे यैः कृता नोदकक्रियाः ॥ जन्मैव विफलं तेषां जलबुद्बुद सश्रियाम्

kāśyāṁ pādodake tīrthe yaiḥ kṛtā nodakakriyāḥ || janmaiva viphalaṁ teṣāṁ jalabudbuda saśriyām

For those who have not performed the water-rites at the Padodaka tirtha in Kashi, their very birth is fruitless, possessed only of the splendor of a water-bubble.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.58.27)

कृतनित्यक्रियो विष्णुः सलक्ष्मीकः सकाश्यपिः ॥ उपसंहृत्य तां मूर्तिं त्रैलोक्यव्यापिनीं तथा

kṛtanityakriyo viṣṇuḥ salakṣmīkaḥ sakāśyapiḥ || upasaṁhṛtya tāṁ mūrtiṁ trailokyavyāpinīṁ tathā

Vishnu, having performed his daily rites, together with Lakshmi and Kashyapi (the earth), having withdrawn that form of his which pervades the three worlds...

Verse 28 (skanda.4.58.28)

विधाय दार्षदीं मूर्तिं स्वहस्तेनादिकेशवः ॥ स्वयं संपूजयामास सर्वसिद्धिसमृद्धिदाम्

vidhāya dārṣadīṁ mūrtiṁ svahastenādikeśavaḥ || svayaṁ saṁpūjayāmāsa sarvasiddhisamṛddhidām

...Adikeshava, having fashioned with his own hand a stone image of himself, himself worshipped it, the bestower of all accomplishment and prosperity.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.58.29)

आदिकेशवनाम्नीं तां श्रीमूर्तिं पारमेश्वरीम् ॥ संपूज्य मर्त्यो वैकुंठं मन्यते स्वगृहांगणम्

ādikeśavanāmnīṁ tāṁ śrīmūrtiṁ pārameśvarīm || saṁpūjya martyo vaikuṁṭhaṁ manyate svagṛhāṁgaṇam

Having worshipped that glorious, supreme image named Adikeshava, a mortal comes to regard Vaikuntha itself as the courtyard of his own house.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.58.30)

श्वेतद्वीप इति ख्यातं तत्स्थानं काशिसीमनि ॥ श्वेतद्वीपे वसंत्येव नरास्तन्मूर्तिसेवकाः

śvetadvīpa iti khyātaṁ tatsthānaṁ kāśisīmani || śvetadvīpe vasaṁtyeva narāstanmūrtisevakāḥ

That place, on the border of Kashi, is known as Shvetadvipa (White Island); men who serve that image dwell truly in Shvetadvipa itself.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.58.31)

क्षीराब्धिसंज्ञं तत्रान्यत्तीर्थं केशवतोग्रतः ॥ कृतोदकक्रियस्तत्र वसेत्क्षीराब्धिरोधसि

kṣīrābdhisaṁjñaṁ tatrānyattīrthaṁ keśavatogrataḥ || kṛtodakakriyastatra vasetkṣīrābdhirodhasi

There, in front of Keshava, is another tirtha called Kshiroda (Ocean of Milk); one who has performed the water-rites there dwells on the shore of the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.58.32)

तत्र श्राद्धं नरः कृत्वा गां दत्त्वा च पयस्विनीम् ॥ यथोक्तसर्वाभरणां क्षीरोदे वासयेत्पितॄन्

tatra śrāddhaṁ naraḥ kṛtvā gāṁ dattvā ca payasvinīm || yathoktasarvābharaṇāṁ kṣīrode vāsayetpitṝn

A man, having performed the ancestral rite there, and having given a milk-yielding cow adorned with all the prescribed ornaments, settles his ancestors in the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.58.33)

एकोत्तरशतं वंश्यान्नवेत्पायस कर्दमम् ॥ क्षीरोदरोधः पुण्यात्मा भक्त्या तत्रैकधेनुदः

ekottaraśataṁ vaṁśyānnavetpāyasa kardamam || kṣīrodarodhaḥ puṇyātmā bhaktyā tatraikadhenudaḥ

A virtuous soul who devotedly gives even a single cow on the shore of Kshiroda shall not let a hundred and one of his lineage fall into the mire.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.58.34)

बह्वीश्च नैचिकीर्दत्त्वा श्रद्धयात्र सदक्षिणाः ॥ शय्योत्तरांश्च प्रत्येकं पितॄंस्तत्र सुवासयेत्

bahvīśca naicikīrdattvā śraddhayātra sadakṣiṇāḥ || śayyottarāṁśca pratyekaṁ pitṝṁstatra suvāsayet

Having given here, with faith, many low-quality cows along with sacrificial fees, and beds with coverings, for each of his ancestors, he settles them well there.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.58.35)

क्षीरोदाद्दक्षिणे तत्र शंखतीर्थमनुत्तमम् ॥ तत्रापि संतर्प्यपितॄन्विष्णुलोकेमहीयते

kṣīrodāddakṣiṇe tatra śaṁkhatīrthamanuttamam || tatrāpi saṁtarpyapitṝnviṣṇulokemahīyate

South of Kshiroda there is the unsurpassed Shankha-tirtha; having offered libations to the ancestors there too, one is glorified in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.58.36)

तद्याम्यां चक्रतीर्थं च पितॄणामपि दुर्लभम् ॥ तत्रापि विहितश्राद्धो मुच्यते पैतृकादृणात्

tadyāmyāṁ cakratīrthaṁ ca pitṝṇāmapi durlabham || tatrāpi vihitaśrāddho mucyate paitṛkādṛṇāt

South of that is Chakra-tirtha, hard to attain even for ancestors; having performed the prescribed ancestral rite there too, one is freed from the debt owed to one's ancestors.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.58.37)

तत्संन्निधौ गदातीर्थं विष्वगाधिनिबर्हणम् ॥ तारणं च पितॄणां वै कारणं चैनसां क्षये

tatsaṁnnidhau gadātīrthaṁ viṣvagādhinibarhaṇam || tāraṇaṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ vai kāraṇaṁ cainasāṁ kṣaye

Near it is Gada-tirtha, remover of every affliction on every side, the means of deliverance for one's ancestors, and the cause of the destruction of sins.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.58.38)

पद्मतीर्थं तदग्रे तु तत्र स्नात्वा नरोत्तमः ॥ पितॄन्संतर्प्य विधिना पद्मयानेव हीयते

padmatīrthaṁ tadagre tu tatra snātvā narottamaḥ || pitṝnsaṁtarpya vidhinā padmayāneva hīyate

Ahead of that is Padma-tirtha; the best of men, having bathed there and offered libations to his ancestors according to rule, departs on a lotus-vehicle.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.58.39)

तत्रैव च महालक्ष्म्यास्तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् ॥ स्वयं यत्र महालक्ष्मीः स्नाता त्रैलोक्यहर्षदा

tatraiva ca mahālakṣmyāstīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam || svayaṁ yatra mahālakṣmīḥ snātā trailokyaharṣadā

There too is the tirtha of Mahalakshmi, famed throughout the three worlds, where Mahalakshmi herself, the giver of joy to the three worlds, once bathed.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.58.40)

तत्र तीर्थे कृतस्नानो दत्त्वा रत्नानि कांचनम् ॥ पट्टांबराणि विप्रेभ्यो न लक्ष्म्या परिहीयते

tatra tīrthe kṛtasnāno dattvā ratnāni kāṁcanam || paṭṭāṁbarāṇi viprebhyo na lakṣmyā parihīyate

Having bathed at that tirtha and given jewels, gold, and silk garments to Brahmins, one is never abandoned by Lakshmi.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.58.41)

यत्रयत्र हि जायेत तत्रतत्र समृद्धिमान् ॥ पितरोपि हि सुश्रीकास्तस्य स्युस्तीर्थगौरवात्

yatrayatra hi jāyeta tatratatra samṛddhimān || pitaropi hi suśrīkāstasya syustīrthagauravāt

Wherever he may be born, there he becomes prosperous; and his ancestors too, through the glory of this tirtha, become endowed with fine fortune.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.58.42)

तत्रास्ति हि महालक्ष्म्या मूर्तिस्त्रैलोक्यवंदिता ॥ तां प्रणम्य नरो भक्त्या न रोगी जायते क्वचित्

tatrāsti hi mahālakṣmyā mūrtistrailokyavaṁditā || tāṁ praṇamya naro bhaktyā na rogī jāyate kvacit

There indeed is an image of Mahalakshmi, venerated by the three worlds; a man who bows to it with devotion never becomes ill.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.58.43)

नभस्य बहुलाष्टम्यां कृत्वा जागरणं निशि ॥ समभ्यर्च्य महालक्ष्मीं व्रती व्रतफलं लभेत्

nabhasya bahulāṣṭamyāṁ kṛtvā jāgaraṇaṁ niśi || samabhyarcya mahālakṣmīṁ vratī vrataphalaṁ labhet

On the dark eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada, having kept a night vigil and duly worshipped Mahalakshmi, the votary obtains the fruit of the vow.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.58.44)

तार्क्ष्य तीर्थं हि तत्रास्ति तार्क्ष्यकेशवसन्निधौ ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या संसाराहिं न पश्यति

tārkṣya tīrthaṁ hi tatrāsti tārkṣyakeśavasannidhau || tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā saṁsārāhiṁ na paśyati

There indeed is the Tarkshya tirtha, near Tarkshya-Keshava; a man who bathes there with devotion never sees the serpent of samsara again.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.58.45)

तदग्रे नारदं तीर्थं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ ब्रह्मविद्योपदेशं च प्राप्तवान्यत्र नारदः

tadagre nāradaṁ tīrthaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam || brahmavidyopadeśaṁ ca prāptavānyatra nāradaḥ

Ahead of that is the Narada tirtha, destroyer of great sins, where Narada obtained the teaching of the knowledge of Brahman.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.58.46)

तत्र स्नातो नरः सम्यग्ब्रह्मविद्यामवाप्नुयात् ॥ केशवात्तेन तत्रोक्तः काश्यां नारदकेशवः

tatra snāto naraḥ samyagbrahmavidyāmavāpnuyāt || keśavāttena tatroktaḥ kāśyāṁ nāradakeśavaḥ

A man who bathes there fully attains the knowledge of Brahman; for that reason he is called there Narada-Keshava.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.58.47)

अर्चयित्वा नरो भक्त्या देवं नारदकेशवम् ॥ जनन्या जठरं पीठमध्यास्ते न कदाचन

arcayitvā naro bhaktyā devaṁ nāradakeśavam || jananyā jaṭharaṁ pīṭhamadhyāste na kadācana

A man who has worshipped the god Narada-Keshava with devotion never again occupies the seat of a mother's womb.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.58.48)

प्रह्लादतीर्थं तस्याग्रे यत्र प्रह्लादकेशवः ॥ तत्र श्राद्धादिकं कृत्वा विप्णुलोके महीयते

prahlādatīrthaṁ tasyāgre yatra prahlādakeśavaḥ || tatra śrāddhādikaṁ kṛtvā vipṇuloke mahīyate

Ahead of that is the Prahlada tirtha, where is Prahlada-Keshava; having performed the ancestral rite there, one is glorified in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.58.49)

आंबरीषमहातीर्थमघघ्नं तस्य सन्निधौ ॥ तत्रौदकीं क्रियां कुर्वन्निष्कालुष्यं लभेन्नरः

āṁbarīṣamahātīrthamaghaghnaṁ tasya sannidhau || tatraudakīṁ kriyāṁ kurvanniṣkāluṣyaṁ labhennaraḥ

Near it is the great Ambarisha tirtha, destroyer of sin; a man performing the water-rite there attains freedom from impurity.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.58.50)

आदित्यकेशवः पूज्य आदिकेशव पूर्वतः ॥ तस्य संदर्शनादेव मुच्यते चोच्चपातकैः

ādityakeśavaḥ pūjya ādikeśava pūrvataḥ || tasya saṁdarśanādeva mucyate coccapātakaiḥ

East of Adikeshava is the worshipful Aditya-Keshava; by the mere sight of him, one is freed even from the gravest sins.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.58.51)

दत्तात्रेयेश्वरं तीर्थं तत्रैवादिगदाधरः ॥ पितॄन्संतर्प्य तत्रैव ज्ञानयोगमवाप्नुयात्

dattātreyeśvaraṁ tīrthaṁ tatraivādigadādharaḥ || pitṝnsaṁtarpya tatraiva jñānayogamavāpnuyāt

There too is the tirtha of Dattatreyeshvara, the original Gadadhara himself; having offered libations to the ancestors there, one attains the yoga of knowledge.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.58.52)

भृगुकेशवपूर्वेण तीर्थं वै भार्गवं परम् ॥ तत्र स्नातो नरः प्राज्ञो भवेद्भार्गववत्सुधीः

bhṛgukeśavapūrveṇa tīrthaṁ vai bhārgavaṁ param || tatra snāto naraḥ prājño bhavedbhārgavavatsudhīḥ

East of Bhrigu-Keshava is the supreme Bhargava tirtha; a man who bathes there becomes wise, of good understanding like Bhrigu himself.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.58.53)

तत्र वामनतीर्थं च प्राच्यां वामनकेशवात् ॥ पूजयित्वा च तं विष्णुं वसेद्वामनसन्निधौ

tatra vāmanatīrthaṁ ca prācyāṁ vāmanakeśavāt || pūjayitvā ca taṁ viṣṇuṁ vasedvāmanasannidhau

There too is the Vamana tirtha, east of Vamana-Keshava; having worshipped that Vishnu, one dwells in the presence of Vamana thereafter.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.58.54)

नरनारायणं तीर्थं नरनारायणात्पुरः ॥ तत्र तीर्थे कृतस्नानो नरो नारायणो भवेत्

naranārāyaṇaṁ tīrthaṁ naranārāyaṇātpuraḥ || tatra tīrthe kṛtasnāno naro nārāyaṇo bhavet

East of Nara-Narayana is the Nara-Narayana tirtha; a man who has bathed at that tirtha becomes one with Narayana.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.58.55)

यज्ञवाराह तीर्थं च तदग्रे पापनाशनम् ॥ प्रतिमज्जनतस्तत्र राजसूय क्रतोः फलम्

yajñavārāha tīrthaṁ ca tadagre pāpanāśanam || pratimajjanatastatra rājasūya kratoḥ phalam

Ahead of that is the Yajnavaraha tirtha, destroyer of sin; for each immersion there, one obtains the fruit of the Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.58.56)

विदारनारसिंहाख्यं तत्र तीर्थं सुनिर्मलम् ॥ स्नातो विदारयेत्तत्र पापं जन्मशतार्जितम्

vidāranārasiṁhākhyaṁ tatra tīrthaṁ sunirmalam || snāto vidārayettatra pāpaṁ janmaśatārjitam

There is the utterly pure tirtha named Vidara-Narasimha; one who bathes there rends asunder the sins accumulated over a hundred births.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.58.57)

गोपिगोविंद तीर्थं च गोपिगोविंदपूर्वतः ॥ स्नात्वा तत्र समभ्यर्च्य विष्णुं विष्णुप्रियो भवेत्

gopigoviṁda tīrthaṁ ca gopigoviṁdapūrvataḥ || snātvā tatra samabhyarcya viṣṇuṁ viṣṇupriyo bhavet

East of Gopi-Govinda is the Gopi-Govinda tirtha; having bathed and worshipped Vishnu there, one becomes dear to Vishnu.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.58.58)

तीर्थं लक्ष्मीनृसिंहाख्यं गोपिगोविंद दक्षिणे ॥ न लक्ष्म्या त्यज्यते क्वापि तत्तीर्थं परिमज्जनात्

tīrthaṁ lakṣmīnṛsiṁhākhyaṁ gopigoviṁda dakṣiṇe || na lakṣmyā tyajyate kvāpi tattīrthaṁ parimajjanāt

South of Gopi-Govinda is the tirtha named Lakshmi-Nrisimha; through bathing at that tirtha, one is never forsaken by Lakshmi.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.58.59)

तदग्रे शेषतीर्थं च शेषमाधवसन्निधौ ॥ तर्पितानां पितॄणां च यत्र तृप्तिर्न शिष्यते

tadagre śeṣatīrthaṁ ca śeṣamādhavasannidhau || tarpitānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca yatra tṛptirna śiṣyate

Ahead of that is the Shesha tirtha, near Shesha-Madhava, where no further satisfaction remains to be given to the ancestors already satisfied there.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.58.60)

शंखमाधवतीर्थं च तदवाच्यां सुनिर्मलम् ॥ कृतोदको नरस्तत्र भवेत्पापोपि निर्मलः

śaṁkhamādhavatīrthaṁ ca tadavācyāṁ sunirmalam || kṛtodako narastatra bhavetpāpopi nirmalaḥ

Southwest of that is the utterly pure Shankha-Madhava tirtha; a man who has performed the water-rite there, even if sinful, becomes pure.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.58.61)

तदग्रे च हयग्रीवं तीर्थं परमपावनम् ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा हयग्रीवं केशवं परिपूज्य च

tadagre ca hayagrīvaṁ tīrthaṁ paramapāvanam || tatra snātvā hayagrīvaṁ keśavaṁ paripūjya ca

And ahead of that is the Hayagriva tirtha, most purifying; having bathed there and duly worshipped Hayagriva-Keshava...

Verse 62 (skanda.4.58.62)

पिंडं च तत्र निर्वाप्य हयग्रीवस्य सन्निधौ ॥ हायग्रीवीं श्रियं प्राप्य समुच्येत सपूर्वजः

piṁḍaṁ ca tatra nirvāpya hayagrīvasya sannidhau || hāyagrīvīṁ śriyaṁ prāpya samucyeta sapūrvajaḥ

...and having offered the rice-ball there in the presence of Hayagriva, one attains the splendor of Hayagriva and is liberated together with one's forefathers.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.58.63)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ प्रसंगतो मयैतानि तीर्थानि कथितानि ते ॥ भूमौ तिलांतरायां यत्तत्र तीर्थान्यनेशः

||skaṁda uvāca|| prasaṁgato mayaitāni tīrthāni kathitāni te || bhūmau tilāṁtarāyāṁ yattatra tīrthānyaneśaḥ

Skanda said: "In passing, I have told you these tirthas; but as for those tirthas that are there upon the earth, as many as a sesame-seed's space apart, they are countless."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.58.64)

उद्दिष्टानां तु तीर्थानामेतेषां कलशोद्भव ॥ नाममात्रमपि श्रुत्वा निष्पापो जायते नरः ॥ इदानीं प्रस्तुतं विप्र शृणु वक्ष्यामि तेग्रतः ॥ वैकुंठनाथो यच्चक्रे शंखचक्रगदाधरः

uddiṣṭānāṁ tu tīrthānāmeteṣāṁ kalaśodbhava || nāmamātramapi śrutvā niṣpāpo jāyate naraḥ || idānīṁ prastutaṁ vipra śṛṇu vakṣyāmi tegrataḥ || vaikuṁṭhanātho yaccakre śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ

"O jar-born one, a man becomes sinless merely by hearing even the names of these tirthas that have been pointed out. Now, O Brahmin, listen to what is at hand - what the Lord of Vaikuntha, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, did next."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.58.65)

तस्यां मूर्तौ समावेश्य कैशव्यामथ केशवः ॥ शंभोः कार्ये कृतमना अंशांशांशेन निर्गतः

tasyāṁ mūrtau samāveśya kaiśavyāmatha keśavaḥ || śaṁbhoḥ kārye kṛtamanā aṁśāṁśāṁśena nirgataḥ

Having established his full presence within that Keshava-image, Keshava then, his mind set upon Shambhu's task, went forth in but a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of himself.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.58.66)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ अंशांशांशेन निश्चक्रे कुतो भोश्चक्रपाणिना ॥ क्व निर्गतं च हरिणा प्राप्य काशीं षडानन

||agastya uvāca|| aṁśāṁśāṁśena niścakre kuto bhoścakrapāṇinā || kva nirgataṁ ca hariṇā prāpya kāśīṁ ṣaḍānana

Agastya said: "O Six-Faced One, why did the discus-bearer go forth in only a fraction of a fraction of a fraction, having reached Kashi? And where did Hari go?"

Verse 67 (skanda.4.58.67)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ सामस्त्येन यदर्थं न निर्गतं विष्णुना मुने ॥ ब्रुवे तत्कारणमिति क्षणमात्रं निशामय

||skaṁda uvāca|| sāmastyena yadarthaṁ na nirgataṁ viṣṇunā mune || bruve tatkāraṇamiti kṣaṇamātraṁ niśāmaya

Skanda said: "O sage, I shall tell the reason why Vishnu did not go forth in his entirety - listen for just a moment."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.58.68)

संप्राप्य पुण्यसंभारैः प्राज्ञो वाराणसीं पुरीम् ॥ न त्यजेत्सर्वभावेन महालाभैरपीरितः

saṁprāpya puṇyasaṁbhāraiḥ prājño vārāṇasīṁ purīm || na tyajetsarvabhāvena mahālābhairapīritaḥ

"A wise man, having reached the city of Varanasi through the accumulation of merit, should never abandon it entirely, even when urged by the greatest of gains."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.58.69)

अतः प्रतिकृतिः स्वीया तत्र काश्यां मुरारिणा ॥ प्रतितस्थे कलशजस्तोकांशेन च निर्गतम्

ataḥ pratikṛtiḥ svīyā tatra kāśyāṁ murāriṇā || pratitasthe kalaśajastokāṁśena ca nirgatam

"Therefore, O jar-born one, Murari's own image remained established there in Kashi, while he went forth elsewhere in but a small portion."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.58.70)

किंचित्काश्या उदीच्यां च गत्वा देवेन चक्रिणा ॥ स्वस्थित्यै कल्पितं स्थानं धर्मक्षेत्रमितीरितम्

kiṁcitkāśyā udīcyāṁ ca gatvā devena cakriṇā || svasthityai kalpitaṁ sthānaṁ dharmakṣetramitīritam

"Going a little to the north of Kashi, the discus-bearing god established a place for his own residence, called Dharmakshetra."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.58.71)

ततस्तु सौगतं रूपं शिश्राय श्रीपतिः स्वयम् ॥ अतीव सुंदरतरं त्रैलोक्यस्यापिमोहनम्

tatastu saugataṁ rūpaṁ śiśrāya śrīpatiḥ svayam || atīva suṁdarataraṁ trailokyasyāpimohanam

Then the Lord of Shri himself assumed the form of a Buddhist monk, exceedingly beautiful, enchanting even to the three worlds.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.58.72)

श्रीः परिव्राजिका जाता नितरां सुभगाकृतिः ॥ यामालोक्य जगत्सर्वं चित्रन्यस्तमिवास्थितम्

śrīḥ parivrājikā jātā nitarāṁ subhagākṛtiḥ || yāmālokya jagatsarvaṁ citranyastamivāsthitam

Shri became a female wandering ascetic, of exceedingly lovely form, seeing whom the whole world stood as if painted in a picture, motionless with wonder.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.58.73)

विश्वयोनिं जगद्धात्रीं न्यस्तहस्ताग्रपुस्तकाम् ॥ गरुत्मानपि तच्छिष्यो जातो लोकोत्तराकृतिः

viśvayoniṁ jagaddhātrīṁ nyastahastāgrapustakām || garutmānapi tacchiṣyo jāto lokottarākṛtiḥ

He assumed the form of the source of the universe, sustainer of the world, holding a book in the tip of his hand; and even Garuda became his disciple, of a form transcending the world.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.58.74)

अत्यद्भुत महाप्राज्ञो निःस्पृहः सर्ववस्तुषु ॥ गुरुशुश्रूषणपरो न्यस्तहस्ताग्रपुस्तकः

atyadbhuta mahāprājño niḥspṛhaḥ sarvavastuṣu || guruśuśrūṣaṇaparo nyastahastāgrapustakaḥ

...most wondrous, of great wisdom, free from desire for all things, devoted to serving his guru, holding a book in the tip of his hand...

Verse 75 (skanda.4.58.75)

अपृच्छत्परमं धर्मं संसारविनिमोचकम् ॥ आचार्यवर्यं सौम्यास्यं प्रसन्नात्मानमुत्तमम्

apṛcchatparamaṁ dharmaṁ saṁsāravinimocakam || ācāryavaryaṁ saumyāsyaṁ prasannātmānamuttamam

...asked the foremost teacher - gentle-faced, serene of soul, most excellent - about the supreme dharma that liberates from samsara.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.58.76)

धर्मार्थशास्त्रकुशलं ज्ञानविज्ञानशालिनम् ॥ सुस्वरं सुपदव्यक्ति सुस्निग्धमृदुभाषिणम्

dharmārthaśāstrakuśalaṁ jñānavijñānaśālinam || susvaraṁ supadavyakti susnigdhamṛdubhāṣiṇam

...that teacher who was skilled in the scriptures of dharma and artha, endowed with knowledge and discernment, of sweet voice and clear diction, gentle and soft-spoken...

Verse 77 (skanda.4.58.77)

स्तंभनोच्चाटनाकृष्टि वशीकर्मादिकोविदम् ॥ व्याख्यानसमयाकृष्ट पक्षिरोमांचकारिणम्

staṁbhanoccāṭanākṛṣṭi vaśīkarmādikovidam || vyākhyānasamayākṛṣṭa pakṣiromāṁcakāriṇam

...skilled in the arts of paralyzing, driving away, attracting, and subjugating, whose discourses so enthralled even the birds that their feathers stood on end.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.58.78)

पीततद्गीतपीयूष मृगपूगैरुपासितम् ॥ महामोदभराक्रांत वातचांचल्यहारिणम्

pītatadgītapīyūṣa mṛgapūgairupāsitam || mahāmodabharākrāṁta vātacāṁcalyahāriṇam

...attended by herds of deer who drank the nectar of his songs, whose overwhelming great joy took away even the restlessness of the wind...

Verse 79 (skanda.4.58.79)

वृक्षैरपि पतत्पुष्पच्छलैःकृतसमर्चनम् ॥ ततःप्रोवाच पुण्यात्मा पुण्यकीर्तिः स सौगतः

vṛkṣairapi patatpuṣpacchalaiḥkṛtasamarcanam || tataḥprovāca puṇyātmā puṇyakīrtiḥ sa saugataḥ

...worshipped even by the trees, under the pretext of their falling flowers. Then that virtuous-souled Buddhist teacher, named Punyakirti, spoke -

Verse 80 (skanda.4.58.80)

शिष्यं विनयकीर्तिं तं महाविनयभूषणम्

śiṣyaṁ vinayakīrtiṁ taṁ mahāvinayabhūṣaṇam

...to his disciple, named Vinayakirti, adorned with great humility -

Verse 81 (skanda.4.58.81)

॥पुण्यकीर्तिरुवाच॥ त्वया विनयकीर्ते यो धर्मः पृष्टः सनातनः ॥ वक्ष्याम्यहमशेषेण शृणुष्व त्वं महामते

||puṇyakīrtiruvāca|| tvayā vinayakīrte yo dharmaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ sanātanaḥ || vakṣyāmyahamaśeṣeṇa śṛṇuṣva tvaṁ mahāmate

Punyakirti said: "O Vinayakirti, the eternal dharma that you have asked of me, I shall now tell you in full - listen, O wise one."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.58.82)

अनादिसिद्धः संसारः कर्तृकर्मविवर्जितः ॥ स्वयं प्रादुर्भवेदेष स्वयमेव विलीयते

anādisiddhaḥ saṁsāraḥ kartṛkarmavivarjitaḥ || svayaṁ prādurbhavedeṣa svayameva vilīyate

"Samsara is established without beginning, devoid of any doer or action; it arises of itself, and dissolves of itself."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.58.83)

ब्रह्मादिस्तंबपर्यंतं यावद्देहनिबंधनम् ॥ आत्मैवैकेश्वरस्तत्र न द्वितीयस्तदीशिता

brahmādistaṁbaparyaṁtaṁ yāvaddehanibaṁdhanam || ātmaivaikeśvarastatra na dvitīyastadīśitā

"From Brahma down to a blade of grass, wherever there is embodiment, the self alone is the sole lord there; there is no second ruler over it."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.58.84)

यद्ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्राद्यास्तथाख्या देहिनामिमाः ॥ आख्या यथास्मदादीनां पुण्यकीर्त्यादिरुच्यते

yadbrahmaviṣṇurudrādyāstathākhyā dehināmimāḥ || ākhyā yathāsmadādīnāṁ puṇyakīrtyādirucyate

"The names 'Brahma,' 'Vishnu,' 'Rudra' and the rest are just such names given to embodied beings, just as our own names, 'Punyakirti' and so on, are spoken."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.58.85)

देहो यथा स्मदादीनां स्वकालेन विलीयते ॥ ब्रह्मादि मशकांतानां स्वकालाल्लीयते तथा

deho yathā smadādīnāṁ svakālena vilīyate || brahmādi maśakāṁtānāṁ svakālāllīyate tathā

"Just as the bodies of beings like us dissolve in their own time, so too, from Brahma down to the gnat, all dissolve in their own time."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.58.86)

विचार्यमाणे देहेस्मिन्नकिंचिदधिकं क्वचित् ॥ आहारो मैथुनं निद्रा भयं सर्वत्र यत्समम्

vicāryamāṇe dehesminnakiṁcidadhikaṁ kvacit || āhāro maithunaṁ nidrā bhayaṁ sarvatra yatsamam

"When this body is examined, nothing is superior anywhere; food, sex, sleep, and fear are the same everywhere."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.58.87)

निजाहारपरीमाणं प्राप्य सर्वोपि देहभृत् ॥ सदृशीमेव संतृप्तिं प्राप्नुयान्नाधिकेतराम्

nijāhāraparīmāṇaṁ prāpya sarvopi dehabhṛt || sadṛśīmeva saṁtṛptiṁ prāpnuyānnādhiketarām

"Every embodied being, upon obtaining its own measure of food, attains the very same satisfaction - no more, no less."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.58.88)

यथा वितृषिताः स्याम पीत्वा पेयं मुदा वयम् ॥ तृषितास्तु तथान्येपि न विशेषोल्पकोधिकः

yathā vitṛṣitāḥ syāma pītvā peyaṁ mudā vayam || tṛṣitāstu tathānyepi na viśeṣolpakodhikaḥ

"Just as we become free of thirst, drinking our drink with pleasure, so too do others when thirsty - there is no distinction of lesser or greater being."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.58.89)

संतु नार्यः सहस्राणि रूपलावण्यभूमयः ॥ परं निधुवने काले ह्येकैवेहोपयुज्यते

saṁtu nāryaḥ sahasrāṇi rūpalāvaṇyabhūmayaḥ || paraṁ nidhuvane kāle hyekaivehopayujyate

"Let there be a thousand women, each a very abode of beauty and grace - yet at the time of union, only one alone is of use here."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.58.90)

अश्वाः परः शताः संतु संत्वनेकेप्यनेकषाः ॥ अधिरोहे तथाप्येको न द्वितीयस्तथात्मनः

aśvāḥ paraḥ śatāḥ saṁtu saṁtvanekepyanekaṣāḥ || adhirohe tathāpyeko na dvitīyastathātmanaḥ

"Let there be more than a hundred horses, let there be many, indeed countless - yet for riding, still only one is used; there is no second for oneself."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.58.91)

पर्यंकशायिनां स्वापे सुखं यदुपपद्यते ॥ तदेव सौख्यं निद्रायामिह भूशायिनामपि

paryaṁkaśāyināṁ svāpe sukhaṁ yadupapadyate || tadeva saukhyaṁ nidrāyāmiha bhūśāyināmapi

"Whatever pleasure arises in the sleep of those who lie upon a couch - that very same pleasure is found in the sleep, here, of those who lie upon the bare ground."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.58.92)

यथैव मरणाद्भीतिरस्मदादि वपुष्मताम् ॥ ब्रह्मादिकीटकांतानां तथा मरणतो भयम्

yathaiva maraṇādbhītirasmadādi vapuṣmatām || brahmādikīṭakāṁtānāṁ tathā maraṇato bhayam

"Just as there is fear of death for embodied beings like us, so too, from Brahma down to the tiniest insect, there is the same fear of death."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.58.93)

सर्वेतनुभृतस्तुल्या यदि बुद्ध्या विचार्यते ॥ इदं निश्चित्य केनापि नो हिंस्यः कोपि कुत्रचित्

sarvetanubhṛtastulyā yadi buddhyā vicāryate || idaṁ niścitya kenāpi no hiṁsyaḥ kopi kutracit

"If it is considered with understanding, all embodied beings are equal; having determined this, no one at all should be harmed by anyone, anywhere."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.58.94)

धर्मो जीवदया तुल्यो न क्वापि जगतीतले ॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्या जीवदया नृभिः

dharmo jīvadayā tulyo na kvāpi jagatītale || tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāryā jīvadayā nṛbhiḥ

"There is no dharma anywhere on earth equal to compassion for living beings; therefore, compassion for life should be practiced by men with every effort."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.58.95)

एकस्मिन्रक्षिते जीवे त्रैलोक्यं रक्षितं भवेत् ॥ घातिते घातितं तद्वत्तस्माद्रक्षेन्न घातयेत्

ekasminrakṣite jīve trailokyaṁ rakṣitaṁ bhavet || ghātite ghātitaṁ tadvattasmādrakṣenna ghātayet

"When one single living being is protected, the three worlds are protected; likewise, when one is killed, something of the whole is killed. Therefore one should protect, and not kill."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.58.96)

अहिंसा परमो धर्म इहोक्तः पूर्वसूरिभिः ॥ तस्मान्न हिंसा कर्तव्या नरैर्नरकभीरुभिः

ahiṁsā paramo dharma ihoktaḥ pūrvasūribhiḥ || tasmānna hiṁsā kartavyā narairnarakabhīrubhiḥ

"Non-violence has been declared the supreme dharma here by the sages of old; therefore violence should not be committed by men who fear hell."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.58.97)

न हिंसा सदृशं पापं त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ॥ हिंसको नरकं गच्छेत्स्वर्गं गच्छेदहिंसकः

na hiṁsā sadṛśaṁ pāpaṁ trailokye sacarācare || hiṁsako narakaṁ gacchetsvargaṁ gacchedahiṁsakaḥ

"There is no sin equal to violence in the three worlds, with all that moves and moves not; the violent go to hell, the non-violent go to heaven."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.58.98)

संति दानान्यनेकानि किं तैस्तुच्छ फलप्रदैः ॥ अभीति दानसदृशं परमेकमपीह न

saṁti dānānyanekāni kiṁ taistuccha phalapradaiḥ || abhīti dānasadṛśaṁ paramekamapīha na

"There are many kinds of giving - but what use are they, giving trifling fruit? There is not even one gift here equal to the gift of freedom from fear."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.58.99)

इह चत्वारि दानानि प्रोक्तानि परमर्षिभिः ॥ विचार्य नानाशास्त्राणि शर्मणेत्र परत्र च

iha catvāri dānāni proktāni paramarṣibhiḥ || vicārya nānāśāstrāṇi śarmaṇetra paratra ca

"Here, four kinds of giving have been declared by the great sages, having considered the various scriptures, for happiness both here and hereafter."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.58.100)

भीतेभ्यश्चाभयं देयं व्याधितेभ्यस्तथौषधम् ॥ देया विद्यार्थिनां विद्या देयमन्नं क्षुधातुरे

bhītebhyaścābhayaṁ deyaṁ vyādhitebhyastathauṣadham || deyā vidyārthināṁ vidyā deyamannaṁ kṣudhāture

"Freedom from fear should be given to the frightened, medicine to the sick; learning should be given to those seeking learning, and food to the hungry."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.58.101)

अविचिंत्य प्रभावं हि मणिमंत्रौषधीबलम् ॥ तदभ्यस्यं प्रयत्नेन नानार्थोपार्जनाय वै

aviciṁtya prabhāvaṁ hi maṇimaṁtrauṣadhībalam || tadabhyasyaṁ prayatnena nānārthopārjanāya vai

"Without doubting their power, the strength of gems, mantras, and herbs should be diligently studied, for the acquisition of various forms of wealth."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.58.102)

अर्थानुपार्ज्य बहुशो द्वादशायतनानि वै ॥ परितः परिपूज्यानि किमन्यैरिह पूजितैः

arthānupārjya bahuśo dvādaśāyatanāni vai || paritaḥ paripūjyāni kimanyairiha pūjitaiḥ

"Having acquired wealth abundantly, the twelve seats should be worshipped all around - what use is there in worshipping other things here?"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.58.103)

पंचकर्मेंद्रियाण्येव पंचबुद्धींद्रियाणि च ॥ मनोबुद्धिरिह प्रोक्तं द्वादशायतनं शुभम्

paṁcakarmeṁdriyāṇyeva paṁcabuddhīṁdriyāṇi ca || manobuddhiriha proktaṁ dvādaśāyatanaṁ śubham

"The five organs of action, and the five organs of knowledge, together with mind and intellect - these are declared here as the twelve auspicious seats."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.58.104)

इहैव स्वर्गनरकौ प्राणिनां नान्यतः क्वचित् ॥ सुखं स्वर्गः समाख्यातो दुःखं नरक एव हि

ihaiva svarganarakau prāṇināṁ nānyataḥ kvacit || sukhaṁ svargaḥ samākhyāto duḥkhaṁ naraka eva hi

"Heaven and hell are right here for living beings, nowhere else at all; pleasure is called heaven, and pain indeed is hell."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.58.105)

सुखेषु भुज्यमानेषु यत्स्याद्देह विसजर्नम् ॥ अयमेव परो मोक्षो न मोक्षोऽन्यः क्वचित्पुनः

sukheṣu bhujyamāneṣu yatsyāddeha visajarnam || ayameva paro mokṣo na mokṣo'nyaḥ kvacitpunaḥ

"That the body should be let go while pleasures are being enjoyed - this alone is the supreme liberation; there is no other liberation anywhere."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.58.106)

वासनासहितक्लेश समुच्छेदे सति ध्रुवम् ॥ विज्ञानो परमो मोक्षो विज्ञेयस्तत्त्वचिंतकैः

vāsanāsahitakleśa samucchede sati dhruvam || vijñāno paramo mokṣo vijñeyastattvaciṁtakaiḥ

"Certainly, when affliction along with its latent impressions is uprooted, this is to be known by seekers of truth as pure consciousness, the supreme liberation."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.58.107)

प्रामाणिकी श्रुतिरियं प्रोच्यते वेदवादिभिः ॥ न हिंस्यात्सर्वभूतानि नान्या हिंसाप्रवर्तिका

prāmāṇikī śrutiriyaṁ procyate vedavādibhiḥ || na hiṁsyātsarvabhūtāni nānyā hiṁsāpravartikā

"This authoritative scriptural saying is proclaimed even by the followers of the Veda: 'One should not harm any being'; there is no other scripture that sanctions violence."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.58.108)

अग्नीषोमीयमिति या भ्रामिका साऽसतामिह ॥ न सा प्रमाणं ज्ञातॄणां पश्वालंभनकारिका

agnīṣomīyamiti yā bhrāmikā sā'satāmiha || na sā pramāṇaṁ jñātṝṇāṁ paśvālaṁbhanakārikā

"That deluding scriptural injunction which says 'the Agnishomiya sacrifice should be performed,' prescribing the slaughter of an animal, is meant only for the wicked; it is no authority for those who truly know."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.58.109)

वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून्हत्वा कृत्वा रुधिरकर्दमम ॥ दग्ध्वा वह्नौ तिलाज्यादि चित्रं स्वर्गोऽभिलप्यते

vṛkṣāṁśchittvā paśūnhatvā kṛtvā rudhirakardamama || dagdhvā vahnau tilājyādi citraṁ svargo'bhilapyate

"Cutting down trees, killing animals, making a mire of blood, burning sesame, ghee, and the rest in fire - it is strange indeed that heaven is claimed as the fruit of this!"

Verse 110 (skanda.4.58.110)

इत्येवं धर्मजिज्ञासां पुण्यकीर्तौ प्रकुर्वति ॥ पारंपर्येण तच्छ्रुत्वा पौरा यात्रां प्रचक्रिरे

ityevaṁ dharmajijñāsāṁ puṇyakīrtau prakurvati || pāraṁparyeṇa tacchrutvā paurā yātrāṁ pracakrire

While Punyakirti was thus satisfying the inquiry into dharma, the citizens, hearing of it through one another, began flocking there in pilgrimage.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.58.111)

परिव्राजिक याप्येवं समाकृष्टाः पुरांगनाः ॥ तया विजानकौमुद्या सर्वविद्याविदग्धया

parivrājika yāpyevaṁ samākṛṣṭāḥ purāṁganāḥ || tayā vijānakaumudyā sarvavidyāvidagdhayā

The women of the city were likewise drawn in by that female wandering ascetic, Vijnanakaumudi, skilled in every art...

Verse 112 (skanda.4.58.112)

ततस्तासां पुरस्तात्सा बौद्धधर्मानवीवदत् ॥ दृष्टार्थप्रत्ययकरान्देहसौख्यैकसाधनान

tatastāsāṁ purastātsā bauddhadharmānavīvadat || dṛṣṭārthapratyayakarāndehasaukhyaikasādhanāna

...and then, before them, she expounded the doctrines of the Buddha, teachings that produce conviction through what is directly seen, aimed solely at bodily pleasure.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.58.113)

विज्ञानकौमुद्युवाच ॥ आनंदं ब्रह्मणो रूपं श्रुत्यैवं यन्निगद्यते ॥ तत्तथैवेह मंतव्यं मिथ्या नानात्वकल्पना

vijñānakaumudyuvāca || ānaṁdaṁ brahmaṇo rūpaṁ śrutyaivaṁ yannigadyate || tattathaiveha maṁtavyaṁ mithyā nānātvakalpanā

Vijnanakaumudi said: "That which is declared by the scripture thus - 'bliss is the very form of Brahman' - is indeed to be understood exactly so here; the notion of multiplicity is false."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.58.114)

यावत्स्वस्थमिदं वर्ष्म यावन्नेंद्रियविक्लवः ॥ यावज्जरा च दूरेस्ति तावत्सौख्यं प्रसाधयेत्

yāvatsvasthamidaṁ varṣma yāvanneṁdriyaviklavaḥ || yāvajjarā ca dūresti tāvatsaukhyaṁ prasādhayet

"As long as this body is healthy, as long as the senses are not impaired, and as long as old age is still far off, one should procure pleasure."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.58.115)

अस्वास्थ्येंद्रियवैकल्ये वार्धके तु कुतः सुखम् ॥ शरीरमपि दातव्यमर्थिभ्योतः सुखेप्सुभिः

asvāsthyeṁdriyavaikalye vārdhake tu kutaḥ sukham || śarīramapi dātavyamarthibhyotaḥ sukhepsubhiḥ

"In sickness, in the failing of the senses, and in old age, where is pleasure to be found? Therefore, those desiring pleasure should give even their body to those who ask for it."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.58.116)

याचमानमनोवृत्ति प्रीणनेयस्य नो जनिः ॥ तेन भूर्भारवत्येषा समुद्रागद्रुमैर्नहि

yācamānamanovṛtti prīṇaneyasya no janiḥ || tena bhūrbhāravatyeṣā samudrāgadrumairnahi

"For one who was not born to gratify the inclinations of beggars - this earth is burdened by such a one, not by the oceans and mountains and trees."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.58.117)

सत्वरो गत्वरो देहः संचयाः सपरिक्षयाः ॥ इति विज्ञाय विज्ञाता देहे सौख्यं प्रसाधयेत्

satvaro gatvaro dehaḥ saṁcayāḥ saparikṣayāḥ || iti vijñāya vijñātā dehe saukhyaṁ prasādhayet

"The body is swift, transient; all accumulations end in decay. Knowing this, the wise should procure pleasure for the body while it lasts."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.58.118)

श्व वायस कृमीणां च प्रतिभोज्यमिदं वपुः ॥ भस्मांतं तच्छरीरं च वेदे सत्यं प्रपद्यते

śva vāyasa kṛmīṇāṁ ca pratibhojyamidaṁ vapuḥ || bhasmāṁtaṁ taccharīraṁ ca vede satyaṁ prapadyate

"This body is, in the end, food for dogs, crows, and worms; that the body ends in ashes is accepted as truth even in the Veda."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.58.119)

मुधा जातिविकल्पोयं लोकेषु परिकल्प्यते ॥ मानुष्ये सति सामान्ये कोधमः कोथ चोत्तमः

mudhā jātivikalpoyaṁ lokeṣu parikalpyate || mānuṣye sati sāmānye kodhamaḥ kotha cottamaḥ

"This distinction of caste is vainly imagined among people; humanity being the same for all, who indeed is low, and who is high?"

Verse 120 (skanda.4.58.120)

ब्रह्मादि सृष्टिरेषेति प्रोच्यते वृद्धपूरुषैः ॥ तस्य स्रष्टुः सुतौ दक्ष मरीची चेति विश्रुतौ

brahmādi sṛṣṭireṣeti procyate vṛddhapūruṣaiḥ || tasya sraṣṭuḥ sutau dakṣa marīcī ceti viśrutau

"This creation beginning with Brahma is spoken of by the elders thus: that Creator's two sons are famed as Daksha and Marichi."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.58.121)

मारीचिना कश्यपेन दक्षकन्याः सुलोचनाः ॥ धर्म्येण किल मार्गेण परिणीतास्त्रयोदश

mārīcinā kaśyapena dakṣakanyāḥ sulocanāḥ || dharmyeṇa kila mārgeṇa pariṇītāstrayodaśa

"By Marichi's son Kashyapa, thirteen beautiful daughters of Daksha were indeed married by the lawful path."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.58.122)

अपीदानींतनैर्मर्त्यैरल्पबुद्धिपराक्रमैः ॥ अयं गम्यस्त्वगम्योयं विचारः क्रियते मुधा

apīdānīṁtanairmartyairalpabuddhiparākramaiḥ || ayaṁ gamyastvagamyoyaṁ vicāraḥ kriyate mudhā

"Yet even now, mortals of little intellect and power make the vain distinction: 'this one may be approached, that one may not.'"

Verse 123 (skanda.4.58.123)

मुखबाहूरुपज्जातं चातुर्वर्ण्यमिहोदितम् ॥ कल्पनेयं कृता पूर्वैर्न घटेत विचारतः

mukhabāhūrupajjātaṁ cāturvarṇyamihoditam || kalpaneyaṁ kṛtā pūrvairna ghaṭeta vicārataḥ

"That the four varnas were born from the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet is what is stated here - but this notion, though made by the ancients, does not hold up under examination."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.58.124)

एकस्यां च तनौ जाता एकस्माद्यदि वा क्वचित् ॥ चत्वारस्तनयास्तत्किं भिन्नवर्णत्वमाप्नुयुः

ekasyāṁ ca tanau jātā ekasmādyadi vā kvacit || catvārastanayāstatkiṁ bhinnavarṇatvamāpnuyuḥ

"If, in a single body, or from a single source, four sons are born somewhere, would they then acquire different varnas?"

Verse 125 (skanda.4.58.125)

वर्णावर्णविवेकोयं तस्मान्न प्रतिभासते ॥ अतो भेदो न मंतव्यो मानुष्ये केनचित्क्वचित्

varṇāvarṇavivekoyaṁ tasmānna pratibhāsate || ato bhedo na maṁtavyo mānuṣye kenacitkvacit

"Therefore this distinction between varna and non-varna does not truly appear valid; hence no distinction should be held by anyone, anywhere, among human beings."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.58.126)

विज्ञानकौमुदीवाणीमित्याकर्ण्य पुरांगनाः ॥ भर्त्तृशुश्रूषणवतीं विजहुर्मतिमुत्तमाम्

vijñānakaumudīvāṇīmityākarṇya purāṁganāḥ || bharttṛśuśrūṣaṇavatīṁ vijahurmatimuttamām

Having heard these words of Vijnanakaumudi, the women of the city abandoned their excellent resolve of devoted service to their husbands.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.58.127)

अभ्यस्याकर्षणीं विद्यां वशीकृतिमतीमपि ॥ पुरुषाः सफलीचक्रुः परदारेषु मोहिताः

abhyasyākarṣaṇīṁ vidyāṁ vaśīkṛtimatīmapi || puruṣāḥ saphalīcakruḥ paradāreṣu mohitāḥ

Having learned the arts of attraction and subjugation, men too, infatuated, made them fruitful upon the wives of others.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.58.128)

अंतःपुरचरा नार्यस्तथा राजकुमारकाः ॥ पौराः पुरांगनाश्चापि सर्वे ताभ्यां विमोहिताः

aṁtaḥpuracarā nāryastathā rājakumārakāḥ || paurāḥ purāṁganāścāpi sarve tābhyāṁ vimohitāḥ

The women of the inner apartments, and the princes too, the citizens and the city's women alike - all were bewildered by those two.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.58.129)

वंध्यानां चापि वंध्यात्वं सा परिव्राजिकाहरत् ॥ तैस्तैश्च कार्मणोपायैरसौ भाग्यवतीः स्त्रियः

vaṁdhyānāṁ cāpi vaṁdhyātvaṁ sā parivrājikāharat || taistaiśca kārmaṇopāyairasau bhāgyavatīḥ striyaḥ

That female ascetic even removed the barrenness of barren women; and by various magical means she...

Verse 130 (skanda.4.58.130)

सौभाग्यभाग्यसंपन्ना व्यधाद्विज्ञानकौमुदी ॥ कस्यैचिदंजनं दत्तं कस्यैचित्तिलकौषधम्

saubhāgyabhāgyasaṁpannā vyadhādvijñānakaumudī || kasyaicidaṁjanaṁ dattaṁ kasyaicittilakauṣadham

...made fortunate women, endowed with such fortune, Vijnanakaumudi made all the more so - to one she gave a magic collyrium, to another a medicinal forehead-mark.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.58.131)

वशीकरणमंत्रैश्च तथा बह्व्योपि दीक्षिताः ॥ मंत्राञ्जपेयुः काश्चिच्च यंत्राण्यन्या लिखंति च

vaśīkaraṇamaṁtraiśca tathā bahvyopi dīkṣitāḥ || maṁtrāñjapeyuḥ kāścicca yaṁtrāṇyanyā likhaṁti ca

And many were initiated too into subjugation-mantras; some would recite mantras, others would inscribe yantras.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.58.132)

काश्चिज्जुह्वति कुंडाग्नौ नानाद्रव्याणि निश्चलाः ॥ एवं सर्वेषु पौरेषु निजधर्मेषु सर्वथा ॥ पराङ्मुखेषु जातेषु प्रोल्ललास वृषेतरः

kāścijjuhvati kuṁḍāgnau nānādravyāṇi niścalāḥ || evaṁ sarveṣu paureṣu nijadharmeṣu sarvathā || parāṅmukheṣu jāteṣu prollalāsa vṛṣetaraḥ

Some, steadfast, would offer various substances into the sacrificial fire-pit. Thus, when all the citizens had turned away entirely from their own proper dharma, Adharma (unrighteousness) rejoiced greatly.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.58.133)

सिद्धयोकृष्टपच्याद्या नष्टा एनः प्रवेशनात् ॥ आसीत्कुंठितसामर्थ्यो नृपोपि स मनाङ्मनाक्

siddhayokṛṣṭapacyādyā naṣṭā enaḥ praveśanāt || āsītkuṁṭhitasāmarthyo nṛpopi sa manāṅmanāk

The siddhis - Akrishta, Pachya and the rest - were lost, through the entry of sin; and the king too became gradually, little by little, blunted in his power.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.58.134)

दूरस्थितोपि विघ्नेशो नृपं निर्विण्णमानसम् ॥ चकार राज्यकरणे ढुंढिराजो रिपुंजयम्

dūrasthitopi vighneśo nṛpaṁ nirviṇṇamānasam || cakāra rājyakaraṇe ḍhuṁḍhirājo ripuṁjayam

Though standing far off, Vighnesha, Dhundhiraja, kept the now despondent king still a conqueror of his foes in governing the realm.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.58.135)

अजीगणद्दिवोदासोप्यष्टादश दिनावधिम् ॥ कदा गंता स वै विप्रो यो मां समुपदेक्ष्यति

ajīgaṇaddivodāsopyaṣṭādaśa dināvadhim || kadā gaṁtā sa vai vipro yo māṁ samupadekṣyati

Divodasa too kept counting the eighteen-day limit: "When will that Brahmin come who is to instruct me?"

Verse 136 (skanda.4.58.136)

इत्थमष्टादशे प्राप्ते दिवसे दिवसेश्वरे ॥ प्राप्ते मध्यं नभोभागं द्वारं प्राप्तो द्विजोत्तमः

itthamaṣṭādaśe prāpte divase divaseśvare || prāpte madhyaṁ nabhobhāgaṁ dvāraṁ prāpto dvijottamaḥ

Thus, when the eighteenth day arrived, and the lord of the day had reached the midpoint of the sky, the foremost of Brahmins reached the gate.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.58.137)

स एव पुण्यकीर्त्याख्यो धर्मक्षेत्रादधोक्षजः ॥ द्विजवेषं समालंब्य समायातो नृपांतिकम्

sa eva puṇyakīrtyākhyo dharmakṣetrādadhokṣajaḥ || dvijaveṣaṁ samālaṁbya samāyāto nṛpāṁtikam

That very same Adhokshaja, named Punyakirti, coming from Dharmakshetra, having assumed the guise of a Brahmin, arrived near the king.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.58.138)

द्वित्रैः पवित्रैर्बहुधा जयजीवेति वादिभिः ॥ समेतः स इतो विप्रो मूर्तिमानिव पावकः

dvitraiḥ pavitrairbahudhā jayajīveti vādibhiḥ || sametaḥ sa ito vipro mūrtimāniva pāvakaḥ

Accompanied by two or three pure attendants repeatedly calling out "Victory! Long life!", that Brahmin came, like fire embodied.

Verse 139 (skanda.4.58.139)

विलोक्य तं समायातं दूरादुत्कंठितो नृपः ॥ मेने भवेद्गुरुरयं युक्तो मदुपदेशने

vilokya taṁ samāyātaṁ dūrādutkaṁṭhito nṛpaḥ || mene bhavedgururayaṁ yukto madupadeśane

Seeing him arriving from afar, the eager king thought: "This must be the teacher fit to instruct me."

Verse 140 (skanda.4.58.140)

अभिगम्य च तं राजा प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः ॥ गृहीत स्वस्तिवचनो निनायांतःपुरं द्विजम्

abhigamya ca taṁ rājā praṇamya ca punaḥpunaḥ || gṛhīta svastivacano nināyāṁtaḥpuraṁ dvijam

The king, approaching him and bowing again and again, having received his blessing, led the Brahmin into the inner palace.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.58.141)

मधुपर्केण विधिना तं संपूज्य जनाधिपः ॥ व्यपेताध्वश्रमं स्वस्थं प्रोल्लसन्मुखपंकजम्

madhuparkeṇa vidhinā taṁ saṁpūjya janādhipaḥ || vyapetādhvaśramaṁ svasthaṁ prollasanmukhapaṁkajam

Having duly honored him with the madhuparka offering, the king attended to him until his travel-weariness had passed, his lotus-face beaming.

Verse 142 (skanda.4.58.142)

निवेद्य खाद्यवस्तूनि कृतकृत्य क्रियाविधिम् ॥ परितृप्तं सुखासीनं पप्रच्छ ब्राह्मणं नृपः

nivedya khādyavastūni kṛtakṛtya kriyāvidhim || paritṛptaṁ sukhāsīnaṁ papraccha brāhmaṇaṁ nṛpaḥ

Having offered him food, having completed all the due rites, the king questioned the Brahmin, now fully satisfied and comfortably seated.

Verse 143 (skanda.4.58.143)

॥राजोवाच॥ खिन्नोस्मि विप्रवर्याहं राज्यभारं समुद्वहन् ॥ खेदो नास्त्येव हि परं वैराग्यमिव जायते

||rājovāca|| khinnosmi vipravaryāhaṁ rājyabhāraṁ samudvahan || khedo nāstyeva hi paraṁ vairāgyamiva jāyate

The King said: "I am weary, O best of Brahmins, bearing the burden of the kingdom - though it is not exactly weariness; it feels rather like dispassion arising."

Verse 144 (skanda.4.58.144)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं मे निर्वृतिर्भवेत् ॥ पक्षद्वय्येव यातेति मम चिंतयतो द्विज

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ me nirvṛtirbhavet || pakṣadvayyeva yāteti mama ciṁtayato dvija

"What should I do? Where should I go? How might I attain peace? O Brahmin, it feels as though a whole fortnight has passed since I began pondering this."

Verse 145 (skanda.4.58.145)

असीमं सुखसंतानं भुक्तं राज्यं मया द्विज ॥ परिक्षीणविपक्षं च त्र्यक्षैश्वर्यमिव स्फुटम्

asīmaṁ sukhasaṁtānaṁ bhuktaṁ rājyaṁ mayā dvija || parikṣīṇavipakṣaṁ ca tryakṣaiśvaryamiva sphuṭam

"O Brahmin, I have enjoyed an unbounded succession of pleasures, a kingdom with its enemies utterly destroyed, its sovereignty as manifest as that of the Three-Eyed One himself."

Verse 146 (skanda.4.58.146)

स्वसामर्थ्यादहं जातः पर्जन्याग्न्यनिलात्मकः ॥ प्रजाश्च पालिताः सम्यक्पुत्रा इव निजौरसाः

svasāmarthyādahaṁ jātaḥ parjanyāgnyanilātmakaḥ || prajāśca pālitāḥ samyakputrā iva nijaurasāḥ

"By my own power I became, as it were, the very embodiment of the rain-god, fire, and wind; and my subjects have been well protected, like my own sons born of my body."

Verse 147 (skanda.4.58.147)

तर्पिताश्चापि भूदेवा वसुभिश्च दिनेदिने ॥ एकमेवापराद्धं च मया राज्यं प्रशासता

tarpitāścāpi bhūdevā vasubhiśca dinedine || ekamevāparāddhaṁ ca mayā rājyaṁ praśāsatā

"And the earthly gods have been satisfied with riches, day after day. Yet there is one single fault I have committed while ruling this kingdom..."

Verse 148 (skanda.4.58.148)

देवास्तृणीकृताः सर्वे स्वतपोबलदर्पतः ॥ तच्च प्रजोपकारार्थं न स्वार्थं भवता शपे

devāstṛṇīkṛtāḥ sarve svatapobaladarpataḥ || tacca prajopakārārthaṁ na svārthaṁ bhavatā śape

"...all the gods were made as insignificant as straw, out of the pride of my own power gained through austerity - and that, I swear to you, was for the benefit of my subjects, not for my own sake."

Verse 149 (skanda.4.58.149)

अधुना गुरुरेधित्वं मम भाग्योदयागतः ॥ राज्यं तु प्रकरोम्येवं न्यक्कृतांतकसाध्वसम्

adhunā gururedhitvaṁ mama bhāgyodayāgataḥ || rājyaṁ tu prakaromyevaṁ nyakkṛtāṁtakasādhvasam

"Now, O teacher, my rising good fortune has brought you to me. I conduct my kingdom in such a way that even the fear of Death himself has been humbled."

Verse 150 (skanda.4.58.150)

अकालकालकलनं मम राज्ये न कुत्रचित् ॥ जराव्याधिदरिद्रेभ्यो ममराज्येपि नो भयम्

akālakālakalanaṁ mama rājye na kutracit || jarāvyādhidaridrebhyo mamarājyepi no bhayam

"In my kingdom there is nowhere any reckoning of untimely death; nor, in my realm, is there any fear from old age, disease, or poverty."

Verse 151 (skanda.4.58.151)

कोपि धर्मेतरां वृत्तिं न श्रयेन्मयि शासति ॥ धर्मोदयाजनाः सर्वे सर्वे संति सुखोदयाः

kopi dharmetarāṁ vṛttiṁ na śrayenmayi śāsati || dharmodayājanāḥ sarve sarve saṁti sukhodayāḥ

"No one at all resorts to a livelihood other than righteous, while I rule; all people flourish in dharma, all are the source of happiness."

Verse 152 (skanda.4.58.152)

सद्विद्याव्यसनाः सर्वे सर्वेसन्मार्ग चंचुराः ॥ अथवा यदि कल्पांतं तिष्ठेदायुस्ततोपि किम्

sadvidyāvyasanāḥ sarve sarvesanmārga caṁcurāḥ || athavā yadi kalpāṁtaṁ tiṣṭhedāyustatopi kim

"All are devoted to true learning, all swift upon the good path. Yet even if my life were to last until the end of the aeon, what of it?"

Verse 153 (skanda.4.58.153)

सर्वे भोग्यास्तथा भांति यथा चर्वित चर्वणम् ॥ किं पिष्टपेषणेनात्र राज्येन द्विजपुंगव

sarve bhogyāstathā bhāṁti yathā carvita carvaṇam || kiṁ piṣṭapeṣaṇenātra rājyena dvijapuṁgava

"All enjoyments now seem like the chewing of what has already been chewed. What use, O foremost of Brahmins, is this kingdom here, like grinding flour that is already ground?"

Verse 154 (skanda.4.58.154)

किमप्युपदिश प्राज्ञ गर्भवासोपशांतये ॥ अथवा त्वां प्रपन्नस्य मम किं चिंतनैरिमः

kimapyupadiśa prājña garbhavāsopaśāṁtaye || athavā tvāṁ prapannasya mama kiṁ ciṁtanairimaḥ

"Instruct me in something, O wise one, for the cessation of dwelling in the womb again. Or rather, having taken refuge in you, what need have I of these worries?"

Verse 155 (skanda.4.58.155)

यदेव कथयस्यद्य तत्करिष्याम्यसंशयम् ॥ त्वद्विलोकनमात्रेण सर्व एव मनोरथाः

yadeva kathayasyadya tatkariṣyāmyasaṁśayam || tvadvilokanamātreṇa sarva eva manorathāḥ

"Whatever you tell me today, that I shall do without any doubt. By the mere sight of you, all my desires..."

Verse 156 (skanda.4.58.156)

अन्येषामपि जायंते जातप्राया ममैव तु ॥ जाने देवविरोधेन के के न प्रलयं गताः

anyeṣāmapi jāyaṁte jātaprāyā mamaiva tu || jāne devavirodhena ke ke na pralayaṁ gatāḥ

"...are, for others too, as good as fulfilled - and much more so for me. Yet I know that through opposition to the gods, who indeed has not gone to ruin?"

Verse 157 (skanda.4.58.157)

अवंतोपि प्रजाः स्वीया निजधर्ममनुव्रताः ॥ पुरा ते त्रिपुराः शूराः शिवभक्तिपरा अपि

avaṁtopi prajāḥ svīyā nijadharmamanuvratāḥ || purā te tripurāḥ śūrāḥ śivabhaktiparā api

"Even while protecting their own subjects devoted to their own dharma, those heroic Tripura demons of old, though devoted to the worship of Shiva..."

Verse 158 (skanda.4.58.158)

धरामयं रथं कृत्वा धनुः कृत्वा हिमाचलम् ॥ वेदांश्च वाजिनः कृत्वा गुणं कृत्वा च वासुकिम्

dharāmayaṁ rathaṁ kṛtvā dhanuḥ kṛtvā himācalam || vedāṁśca vājinaḥ kṛtvā guṇaṁ kṛtvā ca vāsukim

"...making the earth into a chariot, the Himalaya into a bow, the Vedas into horses, and Vasuki into the bowstring..."

Verse 159 (skanda.4.58.159)

विरिंचिं सारथिं कृत्वा कृत्वा विष्णुं च पत्त्रिणम् ॥ रथचक्रे पुष्पवंतौ प्रतोदं प्रणवात्मकम्

viriṁciṁ sārathiṁ kṛtvā kṛtvā viṣṇuṁ ca pattriṇam || rathacakre puṣpavaṁtau pratodaṁ praṇavātmakam

"...making Brahma the charioteer, and Vishnu the arrow, the sun and moon the two chariot-wheels, the goad in the form of Pranava (Om)..."

Verse 160 (skanda.4.58.160)

ताराग्रहमयान्कीलान्वरूथं गगनात्मकम् ॥ ध्वजदंडसुमेरुं च प्रांशुकल्पतरुं ध्वजम्

tārāgrahamayānkīlānvarūthaṁ gaganātmakam || dhvajadaṁḍasumeruṁ ca prāṁśukalpataruṁ dhvajam

"...the pegs made of stars and planets, the chariot-body formed of the sky, Mount Meru as the flagstaff, and the lofty wish-fulfilling tree as the banner..."

Verse 161 (skanda.4.58.161)

योक्त्राणि चक्षुःश्रवसश्छंदास्यंगानि रक्षकान् ॥ भल्लं कालाग्निरुद्राख्यं पुंखीकृत्य प्रभंजनम्

yoktrāṇi cakṣuḥśravasaśchaṁdāsyaṁgāni rakṣakān || bhallaṁ kālāgnirudrākhyaṁ puṁkhīkṛtya prabhaṁjanam

"...the reins the snake called 'eyes-for-ears,' the Vedas and their limbs as guardians, the arrow named Kalagnirudra, fitted with feathers of the wind-god..."

Verse 162 (skanda.4.58.162)

हरेणैकेषुपातेन लीलया भस्मसात्कृताः ॥ बलिर्यज्ञकृतां श्रेष्ठः कृत्वा कपटखर्वताम्

hareṇaikeṣupātena līlayā bhasmasātkṛtāḥ || baliryajñakṛtāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ kṛtvā kapaṭakharvatām

"...were, by Hara, with a single arrow-shot, reduced to ashes in mere play. Bali, the foremost of sacrificers, having assumed the guise of a deceitful dwarf..."

Verse 163 (skanda.4.58.163)

पातालं गमितः पूर्वं हरिणा विक्रमैस्त्रिभिः ॥ वृत्तवानपि वै वृत्रः सुत्राम्णा विनिसूदितः

pātālaṁ gamitaḥ pūrvaṁ hariṇā vikramaistribhiḥ || vṛttavānapi vai vṛtraḥ sutrāmṇā vinisūditaḥ

"...was sent down to the netherworld before by Hari with his three strides; and Vritra too, though he had kept his vow, was slain by Sutratma (Indra)."

Verse 164 (skanda.4.58.164)

दधीचिरपि विप्रेंद्रो देवैरस्थिकृते हतः ॥ पूर्ववैरमनुस्मृत्य जयार्थं युध्यतो हरेः ॥ कुशास्त्रैर्विजितस्याजौ तेनैव च दधीचिना

dadhīcirapi vipreṁdro devairasthikṛte hataḥ || pūrvavairamanusmṛtya jayārthaṁ yudhyato hareḥ || kuśāstrairvijitasyājau tenaiva ca dadhīcinā

"Dadhichi too, foremost among Brahmins, was slain by the gods for the sake of his bones; and he, remembering that ancient enmity, when fighting for Hari's victory, defeated him in battle with weapons of kusha grass."

Verse 165 (skanda.4.58.165)

शिवभक्तस्य बाणस्य दोःसहस्रं पुरा हरिः ॥ चिच्छेद संख्ये किं तेनापराद्धं साधुवर्तिना

śivabhaktasya bāṇasya doḥsahasraṁ purā hariḥ || ciccheda saṁkhye kiṁ tenāparāddhaṁ sādhuvartinā

"Hari once, in battle, severed the thousand arms of Bana, a devotee of Shiva - what wrong had that virtuous one done?"

Verse 166 (skanda.4.58.166)

तस्माद्विरोधो भद्राय न भवेद्देवतैः सह ॥ देवेभ्यो मद्भयं नास्ति सत्पथीनस्य वै मनाक्

tasmādvirodho bhadrāya na bhaveddevataiḥ saha || devebhyo madbhayaṁ nāsti satpathīnasya vai manāk

"'Therefore, opposition to the gods does not lead to good.' But I have not the slightest fear of the gods, being one who walks the righteous path."

Verse 167 (skanda.4.58.167)

यज्ञैर्देवत्वमापन्ना गीर्वाणा वासवादयः ॥ यज्ञैर्दानैस्तपोभिश्च तेभ्योप्याधिक्यमस्ति मे

yajñairdevatvamāpannā gīrvāṇā vāsavādayaḥ || yajñairdānaistapobhiśca tebhyopyādhikyamasti me

"The celestials, Vasava and the rest, attained godhood through sacrifices; through sacrifices, gifts, and austerities, I too have even surpassed them."

Verse 168 (skanda.4.58.168)

अस्तु न्यूनत्वमाधिक्यं किमनेनाधुना मम ॥ इंद्रियोपरमः प्राप्तः सुखदस्तवदर्शनात्

astu nyūnatvamādhikyaṁ kimanenādhunā mama || iṁdriyoparamaḥ prāptaḥ sukhadastavadarśanāt

"Let there be inferiority or superiority - what is that to me now? Cessation of the senses' agitation, bringer of happiness, has come to me through the mere sight of you."

Verse 169 (skanda.4.58.169)

इदानीं दिश मे तात कर्मनिर्मूलनक्षमम् ॥ उपायं त्वमुपायज्ञ येन निर्वृतिमाप्नुयाम्

idānīṁ diśa me tāta karmanirmūlanakṣamam || upāyaṁ tvamupāyajña yena nirvṛtimāpnuyām

"Now, father, show me the means capable of uprooting the bonds of action, by which I might attain peace - you who know the right means."

Verse 170 (skanda.4.58.170)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ गणेशावेशवशतो राज्ञेति यदुदीरितम् ॥ तदाकर्ण्य हृषीकेशः प्राह ब्राह्मणवेषभृत्

||skaṁda uvāca|| gaṇeśāveśavaśato rājñeti yadudīritam || tadākarṇya hṛṣīkeśaḥ prāha brāhmaṇaveṣabhṛt

Skanda said: Having heard what the king said, under the sway of Ganesha's influence, Hrishikesha, wearing the guise of a Brahmin, spoke.

Verse 171 (skanda.4.58.171)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ साधुसाधु महाप्राज्ञ नृपचूडामणेऽनघ ॥ मया यदुपदेष्टव्यं तत्त्वयैव निरूपितम्

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| sādhusādhu mahāprājña nṛpacūḍāmaṇe'nagha || mayā yadupadeṣṭavyaṁ tattvayaiva nirūpitam

Shri Vishnu said: "Well said, well said, O most wise one, crest-jewel among kings, O sinless one! What I myself was to instruct, you have already discerned for yourself."

Verse 172 (skanda.4.58.172)

त्वमादावेव निर्वृत्तः परं मे मानदो ह्यसि ॥ क्षालितेंद्रियपंकश्च सुतपः स्वच्छवारिभिः

tvamādāveva nirvṛttaḥ paraṁ me mānado hyasi || kṣāliteṁdriyapaṁkaśca sutapaḥ svacchavāribhiḥ

"You alone, from the very outset, are truly at peace; you honor me exceedingly. The mire of your senses has been washed away by the clear waters of your great austerity."

Verse 173 (skanda.4.58.173)

यदुक्तं भवता भूप तत्सर्वं तथ्यमेव हि ॥ तव शक्तिं च जानामि विरक्तिं च महामते

yaduktaṁ bhavatā bhūpa tatsarvaṁ tathyameva hi || tava śaktiṁ ca jānāmi viraktiṁ ca mahāmate

"Whatever you have said, O king, all of that is indeed true. I know both your power and your dispassion, O great-minded one."

Verse 174 (skanda.4.58.174)

न भवत्सदृशो राजा भुवि भूतो भविष्यति ॥ राज्यं भोक्तुं त्वयाज्ञायि युक्तं यत्तु मुमुक्षसि

na bhavatsadṛśo rājā bhuvi bhūto bhaviṣyati || rājyaṁ bhoktuṁ tvayājñāyi yuktaṁ yattu mumukṣasi

"No king like you has been, or shall be, on this earth. It is fitting that you now wish for liberation, having fully enjoyed the kingdom, as it was ordained for you."

Verse 175 (skanda.4.58.175)

विरोधेपि हि देवानां त्वया नापकृतं क्वचित् ॥ धर्मेतरप्रवेशश्च तव राष्ट्रेपि नोभवत्

virodhepi hi devānāṁ tvayā nāpakṛtaṁ kvacit || dharmetarapraveśaśca tava rāṣṭrepi nobhavat

"Even amid opposition to the gods, you have never done wrong; nor has any un-righteous conduct ever entered your realm."

Verse 176 (skanda.4.58.176)

प्रवर्तिताभिर्भवता प्रजाभिर्यदनुष्ठितम् ॥ धर्मे धर्मं स्वधर्मज्ञ तेन तृप्ता दिवौकसः

pravartitābhirbhavatā prajābhiryadanuṣṭhitam || dharme dharmaṁ svadharmajña tena tṛptā divaukasaḥ

"Whatever your subjects, set in motion by you, have practiced in the way of dharma - O knower of your own duty, by that the dwellers of heaven have been satisfied."

Verse 177 (skanda.4.58.177)

एक एव हि ते दोषो हृदि मे प्रतिभासते ॥ काश्या विश्वेश्वरो दूरं यत्कृतो भवता किल

eka eva hi te doṣo hṛdi me pratibhāsate || kāśyā viśveśvaro dūraṁ yatkṛto bhavatā kila

"Only one single fault of yours appears to my heart: that you have kept Vishveshvara far away from Kashi."

Verse 178 (skanda.4.58.178)

महांतमपराधं ते जाने भूजानि सत्तम ॥ इमं तत्पापशांत्यै च वच्म्युपायं महत्तरम्

mahāṁtamaparādhaṁ te jāne bhūjāni sattama || imaṁ tatpāpaśāṁtyai ca vacmyupāyaṁ mahattaram

"I know this to be a great transgression of yours, O best of kings; I shall tell you a greater remedy for the pacification of that sin."

Verse 179 (skanda.4.58.179)

संख्यास्ति यावती देहे देहिनो रोमसंभवा ॥ तावतोप्यपराधा वै यांति लिंग प्रतिष्ठया

saṁkhyāsti yāvatī dehe dehino romasaṁbhavā || tāvatopyaparādhā vai yāṁti liṁga pratiṣṭhayā

"As many as are the hairs upon the body of an embodied being - so many are the transgressions that are washed away by the establishment of a linga."

Verse 180 (skanda.4.58.180)

एकं प्रतिष्ठितं येन लिंगमत्रेशभक्तितः ॥ तेनात्मना समं विश्वं जगदेतत्प्रतिष्ठितम्

ekaṁ pratiṣṭhitaṁ yena liṁgamatreśabhaktitaḥ || tenātmanā samaṁ viśvaṁ jagadetatpratiṣṭhitam

"By whomever, here, even a single linga is established out of devotion to the Lord, by that very self, this entire universe is established, along with him."

Verse 181 (skanda.4.58.181)

रत्नाकरे रत्नसंख्या संख्याविद्भिरपीष्यते ॥ लिंगप्रतिष्ठा पुण्यस्य न तु संख्येति लिख्यते

ratnākare ratnasaṁkhyā saṁkhyāvidbhirapīṣyate || liṁgapratiṣṭhā puṇyasya na tu saṁkhyeti likhyate

"The number of jewels in the ocean is something even those skilled in counting attempt to reckon; but the merit of establishing a linga - that is written as beyond all counting."

Verse 182 (skanda.4.58.182)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कुरु लिंगं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ तया लिंग प्रतिष्ठित्या कृतकृत्यो भविष्यसि

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kuru liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhitam || tayā liṁga pratiṣṭhityā kṛtakṛtyo bhaviṣyasi

"Therefore, with all effort, establish a linga; by that establishment of the linga, you shall have accomplished your purpose."

Verse 183 (skanda.4.58.183)

इत्युक्त्वा ब्राह्मणो दध्यौ क्षणं निश्चलमानसः ॥ उवाच च प्रहृष्टास्यो राजानं पाणिना स्पृशन्

ityuktvā brāhmaṇo dadhyau kṣaṇaṁ niścalamānasaḥ || uvāca ca prahṛṣṭāsyo rājānaṁ pāṇinā spṛśan

Having said this, the Brahmin meditated for a moment, his mind unwavering; then, his face full of joy, touching the king with his hand, he spoke -

Verse 184 (skanda.4.58.184)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ अन्यच्च किंचित्पश्यामि भूपाल ज्ञानचक्षुषा ॥ शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा तदपि प्राज्ञसत्तम

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| anyacca kiṁcitpaśyāmi bhūpāla jñānacakṣuṣā || śṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā tadapi prājñasattama

Shri Vishnu said: "I see something else too, O king, with the eye of knowledge; listen to that as well, being attentive, O best of the wise."

Verse 185 (skanda.4.58.185)

धन्योसि कृतकृत्योसि मान्योसि महतामपि ॥ जप्यं च तव नामेह प्रातः शुभफलेप्सुना

dhanyosi kṛtakṛtyosi mānyosi mahatāmapi || japyaṁ ca tava nāmeha prātaḥ śubhaphalepsunā

"You are blessed, you have accomplished your purpose, you are worthy of honor even among the great; your name should be recited each morning by one who desires auspicious fruit."

Verse 186 (skanda.4.58.186)

दिवोदास त्वदभ्याशादपि धन्यतरा वयम् ॥ तेपि धन्यतरा मर्त्ये ये त्वदाख्यां प्रचक्षते

divodāsa tvadabhyāśādapi dhanyatarā vayam || tepi dhanyatarā martye ye tvadākhyāṁ pracakṣate

"O Divodasa, we ourselves are made more blessed merely by your proximity; and even more blessed in this mortal world are those who utter your name."

Verse 187 (skanda.4.58.187)

स्मायं स्मायं जगौ विप्रो मौलिमांदोलयन्मुहुः ॥ हृद्येव बहुशो हृष्टः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः

smāyaṁ smāyaṁ jagau vipro maulimāṁdolayanmuhuḥ || hṛdyeva bahuśo hṛṣṭaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ

Smiling again and again, shaking his head repeatedly, his heart delighted many times over, his body thrilling with joy, the Brahmin spoke -

Verse 188 (skanda.4.58.188)

अहो भाग्योदयश्चास्य अहो नैर्मल्यमस्य वै ॥ यदेनमनिशं ध्यायेद्ध्येयो विश्वेश्वरोऽखिलैः

aho bhāgyodayaścāsya aho nairmalyamasya vai || yadenamaniśaṁ dhyāyeddhyeyo viśveśvaro'khilaiḥ

"Ah, what a rise of fortune is his! Ah, what purity is his indeed - that he should ceaselessly meditate upon this one whom the Lord of the Universe himself, worthy of meditation by all, also contemplates!"

Verse 189 (skanda.4.58.189)

अहो उदर्क एतस्य न कैश्चित्प्रतिपद्यते ॥ अस्माकमपि यद्दूरमदवीयस्तदस्य यत्

aho udarka etasya na kaiścitpratipadyate || asmākamapi yaddūramadavīyastadasya yat

"Ah, the future outcome of this is grasped by none! For even what is far and remote for us is near at hand for him."

Verse 190 (skanda.4.58.190)

हृद्यालोच्येति विप्रोथ वर्णयित्वा क्षितीश्वरम् ॥ आविश्चकार तत्सर्वं यत्समाधावलोकयत्

hṛdyālocyeti viprotha varṇayitvā kṣitīśvaram || āviścakāra tatsarvaṁ yatsamādhāvalokayat

Having thus reflected in his heart, the Brahmin, having spoken of the lord of the earth in this way, then made manifest all that he had seen in meditation.

Verse 191 (skanda.4.58.191)

॥ब्राह्मण उवाच॥ राजंस्तवाद्य फलितो मनोरथ महाद्रुमः ॥ अनेनैव शरीरेण त्वं गतासि परं पदम्

||brāhmaṇa uvāca|| rājaṁstavādya phalito manoratha mahādrumaḥ || anenaiva śarīreṇa tvaṁ gatāsi paraṁ padam

The Brahmin said: "O king, today the great tree of your desire has borne fruit; in this very body you shall go to the supreme abode."

Verse 192 (skanda.4.58.192)

यथा विश्वेश्वरो नित्यं त्वामेव हृदि शीलयेत् ॥ तथास्मदादीनपि न द्विजांस्तत्पादलोचनान्

yathā viśveśvaro nityaṁ tvāmeva hṛdi śīlayet || tathāsmadādīnapi na dvijāṁstatpādalocanān

"Just as Vishveshvara ever cherishes you in his heart, so too he cherishes us and other Brahmins who behold his very feet."

Verse 193 (skanda.4.58.193)

कृतलिंगप्रतिष्ठं त्वां सप्तमे ह्यद्य वासरात् ॥ दिव्यविमानमागत्य नेतुमेष्यति शांभवम्

kṛtaliṁgapratiṣṭhaṁ tvāṁ saptame hyadya vāsarāt || divyavimānamāgatya netumeṣyati śāṁbhavam

"You, having established the linga, on the seventh day from today, he will come in a divine chariot to take you to his own abode."

Verse 194 (skanda.4.58.194)

राजंस्त्वं वेत्सि कस्यायं विपाकः सुकृतस्य ते ॥ वाराणस्याः पुरः सम्यक्सेवनादित्यवैम्यहम्

rājaṁstvaṁ vetsi kasyāyaṁ vipākaḥ sukṛtasya te || vārāṇasyāḥ puraḥ samyaksevanādityavaimyaham

"O king, do you know whose is this ripening of your merit? I know it well - it is from your excellent service before the city of Varanasi."

Verse 195 (skanda.4.58.195)

एकमप्यत्र यः पायाद्वाराणस्यां स्थितं जनम् ॥ तस्याप्येवं विपाकोस्ति देहांते राजसत्तम

ekamapyatra yaḥ pāyādvārāṇasyāṁ sthitaṁ janam || tasyāpyevaṁ vipākosti dehāṁte rājasattama

"Whoever protects even a single person dwelling here in Varanasi - for him too, O best of kings, such a ripening occurs at the end of the body."

Verse 196 (skanda.4.58.196)

इति श्रुत्वा स राजर्षिर्दिवोदासः प्रतापवान् ॥ ब्राह्मणाय सशिष्याय प्रादात्प्रीतोभिवांछितम्

iti śrutvā sa rājarṣirdivodāsaḥ pratāpavān || brāhmaṇāya saśiṣyāya prādātprītobhivāṁchitam

Hearing this, that powerful royal sage Divodasa, pleased, gave to the Brahmin, together with his disciple, whatever they desired.

Verse 197 (skanda.4.58.197)

अथ संप्रीणितं विप्रं प्रणम्य च मुहर्मुहुः ॥ प्रोवाच राजा संहृष्टस्तारितोस्मि भवार्णवात्

atha saṁprīṇitaṁ vipraṁ praṇamya ca muharmuhuḥ || provāca rājā saṁhṛṣṭastāritosmi bhavārṇavāt

Then, having gratified the Brahmin, and bowing to him again and again, the joyful king said: "I have been carried across the ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 198 (skanda.4.58.198)

ब्राह्मणोपि प्रहृष्टात्मा परिपूर्णमनोरथः ॥ समापृच्छ्य महीनाथं स्वेष्टं देशं जगाम ह

brāhmaṇopi prahṛṣṭātmā paripūrṇamanorathaḥ || samāpṛcchya mahīnāthaṁ sveṣṭaṁ deśaṁ jagāma ha

The Brahmin too, his heart delighted, his desire fully satisfied, having taken leave of the king, went to his own desired region.

Verse 199 (skanda.4.58.199)

विलोक्य काशीं परितो मायाद्विजवपुर्हरिः ॥ भूयोभूयो विचार्यापि किमत्रातीव पावनम्

vilokya kāśīṁ parito māyādvijavapurhariḥ || bhūyobhūyo vicāryāpi kimatrātīva pāvanam

Hari, in the disguised form of a Brahmin, having looked all around Kashi, and having pondered again and again what was most purifying there...

Verse 200 (skanda.4.58.200)

स्थानं यच्चाहमध्यास्य निजभक्तानशेषतः ॥ नेष्यामि परमं धाम विश्वेशानुग्रहात्परात्

sthānaṁ yaccāhamadhyāsya nijabhaktānaśeṣataḥ || neṣyāmi paramaṁ dhāma viśveśānugrahātparāt

"...the place where I myself shall dwell, to lead all my devotees without exception to the supreme abode, that shall be by the highest grace of Vishveshvara."

Verse 201 (skanda.4.58.201)

संप्रधार्येति भगवान्दृष्ट्वा पांचनदं ह्रदम् ॥ तत्र कृत्वा विधिस्नानं ततस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

saṁpradhāryeti bhagavāndṛṣṭvā pāṁcanadaṁ hradam || tatra kṛtvā vidhisnānaṁ tatastatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Having thus resolved, the Lord, seeing the lake called Panchanada, having performed the prescribed bathing there, then remained established right there.

Verse 202 (skanda.4.58.202)

प्रतीक्षमाणो लक्ष्मीशो मंक्षुत्र्यक्षसमागमम् ॥ तार्क्ष्यं प्रस्थापयांचक्रे राजवृत्तांतवेदिनम्

pratīkṣamāṇo lakṣmīśo maṁkṣutryakṣasamāgamam || tārkṣyaṁ prasthāpayāṁcakre rājavṛttāṁtavedinam

The Lord of Lakshmi, awaiting his swift meeting with the Three-Eyed One, sent forth Tarkshya (Garuda), who knew all that had happened concerning the king.

Verse 203 (skanda.4.58.203)

दिवोदासोपि राजेंद्रो विप्रेंद्रं परिवर्णयन् ॥ आहूय प्रकृतीः सर्वाः सामात्यान्मंडलेश्वरान्

divodāsopi rājeṁdro vipreṁdraṁ parivarṇayan || āhūya prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ sāmātyānmaṁḍaleśvarān

Divodasa, that Indra among kings, extolling the foremost of Brahmins, summoned all his ministers, together with his counselors and the lords of the provinces...

Verse 204 (skanda.4.58.204)

अध्यक्षानपि सर्वांश्च कोशाश्वेभादिदेशितान् ॥ पुत्रान्पंचशतं प्राग्र्यं सुतं च समरंजयम्

adhyakṣānapi sarvāṁśca kośāśvebhādideśitān || putrānpaṁcaśataṁ prāgryaṁ sutaṁ ca samaraṁjayam

...all the overseers too, appointed over treasury, horses, elephants and the rest, his foremost son among five hundred sons, Samarajaya...

Verse 205 (skanda.4.58.205)

पुरोहितं प्रतीहारमृत्विजोगणकान्द्विजान् ॥ सामंतान्राजपुत्रांश्च सूपकारांश्चिकित्सकान्

purohitaṁ pratīhāramṛtvijogaṇakāndvijān || sāmaṁtānrājaputrāṁśca sūpakārāṁścikitsakān

...the family priest, the chamberlain, the officiating priests, astrologers, Brahmins, feudatories, princes, cooks, physicians...

Verse 206 (skanda.4.58.206)

वैदेशिकानपि बहून्नानाकार्यसमागतान् ॥ सांतपुरां च महिषीं वृद्धगोपालबालकान्

vaideśikānapi bahūnnānākāryasamāgatān || sāṁtapurāṁ ca mahiṣīṁ vṛddhagopālabālakān

...and many foreigners too, come there on various business, his queen, and the elders, cowherds, and children

Verse 207 (skanda.4.58.207)

सर्वान्प्रोवाच हृष्टात्मा प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः ॥ यथा स ब्राह्मणः प्राह दिनसप्तावधि स्थितिम्

sarvānprovāca hṛṣṭātmā prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ || yathā sa brāhmaṇaḥ prāha dinasaptāvadhi sthitim

all of these, his heart delighted, his hands folded, he addressed, telling them of the seven-day period as the Brahmin had declared.

Verse 208 (skanda.4.58.208)

आश्चर्यं तेषु शृण्वत्सु विषण्णवदनेषु च ॥ स्वयं राजगृहं नीत्वा कुमारं समरंजयम्

āścaryaṁ teṣu śṛṇvatsu viṣaṇṇavadaneṣu ca || svayaṁ rājagṛhaṁ nītvā kumāraṁ samaraṁjayam

While they listened, astonished, their faces downcast, the king, having himself taken the prince Samarajaya to the royal palace...

Verse 209 (skanda.4.58.209)

अभिषिच्य महाबुद्धिः पौराञ्जानपदानपि ॥ प्रसादीकृत्य पुण्यात्मा पुनः काशीमगान्नृपः

abhiṣicya mahābuddhiḥ paurāñjānapadānapi || prasādīkṛtya puṇyātmā punaḥ kāśīmagānnṛpaḥ

...the great-minded, virtuous king, having anointed him, and having pleased the citizens and the people of the countryside as well, went once more to Kashi.

Verse 210 (skanda.4.58.210)

आगत्य काशीं मेधावी स भूपालो रिपुंजयः ॥ प्रासादं कारयामास स्वर्धुन्याः पश्चिमे तटे

āgatya kāśīṁ medhāvī sa bhūpālo ripuṁjayaḥ || prāsādaṁ kārayāmāsa svardhunyāḥ paścime taṭe

Having come to Kashi, that wise king Ripunjaya caused a palace to be built on the western bank of the celestial river.

Verse 211 (skanda.4.58.211)

रिपून्प्रमथ्य समरे यावती श्रीरुपार्जिता ॥ तावत्या स हि भूपालः शिवालयमचीक्लृपत्

ripūnpramathya samare yāvatī śrīrupārjitā || tāvatyā sa hi bhūpālaḥ śivālayamacīklṛpat

Having crushed his enemies in battle, whatever fortune he had thereby acquired - with that much wealth did that king cause a temple of Shiva to be built.

Verse 212 (skanda.4.58.212)

भूपाललक्ष्मीरखिला यत्तत्र विनियोजिता ॥ भूपालश्रीरिति ख्याता ततः साभूरभूच्छुभा

bhūpālalakṣmīrakhilā yattatra viniyojitā || bhūpālaśrīriti khyātā tataḥ sābhūrabhūcchubhā

All the royal wealth that was devoted there became known as "Bhupalashri" (Royal Fortune); thence that place became known by that auspicious name.

Verse 213 (skanda.4.58.213)

दिवोदासेश्वरं लिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्य रिपुंजयः ॥ कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानममन्यत नरेश्वरः

divodāseśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya ripuṁjayaḥ || kṛtakṛtyamivātmānamamanyata nareśvaraḥ

Ripunjaya, having established the linga called Divodasesvara, that lord of men considered himself as one whose purpose was accomplished.

Verse 214 (skanda.4.58.214)

अथैकस्मिन्दिने राजा तल्लिंगं विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ समभ्यर्च्य नमस्कृत्य यावत्तुष्टाव तुष्टिदम्

athaikasmindine rājā talliṁgaṁ vidhipūrvakam || samabhyarcya namaskṛtya yāvattuṣṭāva tuṣṭidam

Then, on a certain day, the king, having duly worshipped that linga according to rule and bowed to it, as he was extolling the giver of satisfaction...

Verse 215 (skanda.4.58.215)

तावन्नभोंगणादाशु दिव्यं यानमवातरत् ॥ पार्षदैः परितः कीर्णं शूलखट्वांगपाणिभिः

tāvannabhoṁgaṇādāśu divyaṁ yānamavātarat || pārṣadaiḥ paritaḥ kīrṇaṁ śūlakhaṭvāṁgapāṇibhiḥ

...at that very moment, a divine chariot swiftly descended from the vault of the sky, thronged all around by attendants bearing tridents and skull-staffs...

Verse 216 (skanda.4.58.216)

अत्यादित्याग्नितेजोभिर्भालनेत्रैः कपर्दिभिः ॥ शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशैरंगैर्दीप्तनभोंगणैः

atyādityāgnitejobhirbhālanetraiḥ kapardibhiḥ || śuddhasphaṭikasaṁkāśairaṁgairdīptanabhoṁgaṇaiḥ

...blazing with the splendor of the sun and of fire, with eyes upon their foreheads, matted-locked, their limbs radiant like pure crystal, their bodies bright as the shining sky itself...

Verse 217 (skanda.4.58.217)

विभूषाहि फणारत्न ज्योतिः पूजित विग्रहैः ॥ नित्यप्रकाशसंत्रस्त तमःश्रित शिरोधरैः

vibhūṣāhi phaṇāratna jyotiḥ pūjita vigrahaiḥ || nityaprakāśasaṁtrasta tamaḥśrita śirodharaiḥ

...adorned with the jeweled hoods of serpents worshipped as very lights, their necks bearing darkness cowering before their ever-present radiance...

Verse 218 (skanda.4.58.218)

चामरव्यग्रहस्ताग्र रुद्रकन्याशतावृतम् ॥ अथ पारिषदै राजा दिव्यस्रगनुलेपनैः

cāmaravyagrahastāgra rudrakanyāśatāvṛtam || atha pāriṣadai rājā divyasraganulepanaiḥ

...surrounded by a hundred daughters of Rudra, their hand-tips busy waving chowries. Then, by those attendants, the king...

Verse 219 (skanda.4.58.219)

दिव्यैर्दुकूलनेपथ्यैरलंचक्रे मुदान्वितैः ॥ त्रिनेत्रीकृतसद्भाल श्यामीकृतशिरोधरम्

divyairdukūlanepathyairalaṁcakre mudānvitaiḥ || trinetrīkṛtasadbhāla śyāmīkṛtaśirodharam

...was joyfully adorned with divine garments of fine silk and ornaments; his fair forehead was made into a three-eyed one, his throat made dark [like Shiva's].

Verse 220 (skanda.4.58.220)

सुगौरीकृतसर्वांगं कपर्दीकृत मौलिजम् ॥ चतुर्भुजीकृततनुं भूषणीकृतपन्नगम्

sugaurīkṛtasarvāṁgaṁ kapardīkṛta maulijam || caturbhujīkṛtatanuṁ bhūṣaṇīkṛtapannagam

...his whole body made fair-complexioned like Gauri's, his hair made into matted locks, his form made four-armed, serpents made into his ornaments...

Verse 221 (skanda.4.58.221)

चंद्रार्धीकृतमूर्धानं निन्युस्तं पार्षदा दिवम्

caṁdrārdhīkṛtamūrdhānaṁ ninyustaṁ pārṣadā divam

...and his head crowned with the crescent moon - thus the attendants bore him away to heaven.

Verse 222 (skanda.4.58.222)

तदा प्रभृति तत्तीर्थं भूपालश्रीरिति श्रुतम् ॥ तत्र श्राद्धादिकं कृत्वा दानं दत्त्वा स्वशक्तितः

tadā prabhṛti tattīrthaṁ bhūpālaśrīriti śrutam || tatra śrāddhādikaṁ kṛtvā dānaṁ dattvā svaśaktitaḥ

From then on, that tirtha became known by the name "Bhupalashri." Having performed the ancestral rites there, and having given gifts according to one's ability...

Verse 223 (skanda.4.58.223)

दिवोदासेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा समभ्यर्च्य च भक्तितः ॥ राज्ञश्चाख्यायिकां श्रुत्वा न नरो गर्भमाविशेत्

divodāseśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā samabhyarcya ca bhaktitaḥ || rājñaścākhyāyikāṁ śrutvā na naro garbhamāviśet

...having beheld Divodasesvara and worshipped him with devotion, and having heard the story of the king, a man shall never again enter a womb.

Verse 224 (skanda.4.58.224)

आख्यानमेतन्नृपतेर्दिवोदासस्य पावनम् ॥ पठित्वा पाठयित्वापि नरः पापैः प्रमुच्यते

ākhyānametannṛpaterdivodāsasya pāvanam || paṭhitvā pāṭhayitvāpi naraḥ pāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever reads or has this purifying story of King Divodasa read out is freed from sins.

Verse 225 (skanda.4.58.225)

दिवोदासशुभाख्यानं श्रुत्वा यः समरं विशेत् ॥ न जातु जायते तस्य भयं वैरिकृतं क्वचित्

divodāsaśubhākhyānaṁ śrutvā yaḥ samaraṁ viśet || na jātu jāyate tasya bhayaṁ vairikṛtaṁ kvacit

Whoever, having heard this auspicious story of Divodasa, enters into battle - fear caused by enemies never arises for him at all.

Verse 226 (skanda.4.58.226)

दिवोदास कथा पुण्या महोत्पात निकृंतनी ॥ पठनीया प्रयत्नेन सर्वविघ्नोपशांतये

divodāsa kathā puṇyā mahotpāta nikṛṁtanī || paṭhanīyā prayatnena sarvavighnopaśāṁtaye

The sacred story of Divodasa, which cuts away great calamities, should be recited with effort for the pacification of every obstacle.

Verse 227 (skanda.4.58.227)

नावृष्टिर्जायते तत्र नाकालमरणाद्भयम् ॥ दैवोदासी कथा यत्र सर्वपातकनाशिनी

nāvṛṣṭirjāyate tatra nākālamaraṇādbhayam || daivodāsī kathā yatra sarvapātakanāśinī

Where this Daivodasi tale, destroyer of all sins, is recited, there no drought occurs, nor fear of untimely death.

Verse 228 (skanda.4.58.228)

अस्याख्यानस्य पठनाद्विष्णोरिव मनोरथाः ॥ संपूर्णतां गमिष्यंति शंभोश्चिंतितकारिणः

asyākhyānasya paṭhanādviṣṇoriva manorathāḥ || saṁpūrṇatāṁ gamiṣyaṁti śaṁbhościṁtitakāriṇaḥ

From reading this narrative, desires shall come to full completion, just as they do for Vishnu - for it fulfills the wishes even of Shambhu.