The Origin of Panchanada: Dhutapapa, Dharma, and the Five Rivers

Verse 1 (skanda.4.59.1)

अगस्त्य उवाच ॥ सर्वज्ञ हृदयानंद गौरीचुंबितमूर्धज ॥ तारकांतक षड्वक्त्र तारिणे भद्रकारिणे

agastya uvāca || sarvajña hṛdayānaṁda gaurīcuṁbitamūrdhaja || tārakāṁtaka ṣaḍvaktra tāriṇe bhadrakāriṇe

Agastya said: "O all-knowing one, joy of the heart, whose head was kissed by Gauri; O slayer of Taraka, six-faced one, deliverer, bringer of good!"

Verse 2 (skanda.4.59.2)

सर्वज्ञाननिधे तुभ्यं नमः सर्वज्ञसूनवे ॥ सर्वथा जितमाराय कुमाराय महात्मने

sarvajñānanidhe tubhyaṁ namaḥ sarvajñasūnave || sarvathā jitamārāya kumārāya mahātmane

"Salutations to you, treasury of all knowledge, son of the Omniscient one; to Kumara, the great soul, who has utterly conquered desire!"

Verse 3 (skanda.4.59.3)

कामारिमर्धनारीशं वीक्ष्य कामकृतं किल ॥ यो जिगाय कुमारोपि मारं तस्मै नमोस्तु ते

kāmārimardhanārīśaṁ vīkṣya kāmakṛtaṁ kila || yo jigāya kumāropi māraṁ tasmai namostu te

"Beholding the enemy of Kama, the Lord who is half woman, acting as if moved by desire - you, Kumara, conquered even Mara himself; salutation be to you!"

Verse 4 (skanda.4.59.4)

यदुक्तं भवता स्कंद मायाद्विजवपुर्हरिः ॥ काश्यां पंचनदं तीर्थमध्यासातीव पावनम्

yaduktaṁ bhavatā skaṁda māyādvijavapurhariḥ || kāśyāṁ paṁcanadaṁ tīrthamadhyāsātīva pāvanam

"What you have said, O Skanda - that Hari, in the illusory form of a Brahmin, took up residence at the exceedingly purifying tirtha of Panchanada in Kashi -"

Verse 5 (skanda.4.59.5)

भूर्भुवःस्वः प्रदेशेषु काशीपरमपावनम् ॥ तत्रापि हरिणाज्ञायि तीर्थं पंचनदं परम्

bhūrbhuvaḥsvaḥ pradeśeṣu kāśīparamapāvanam || tatrāpi hariṇājñāyi tīrthaṁ paṁcanadaṁ param

"-among the regions of Bhu, Bhuvah, and Svah, Kashi is supremely purifying; and even there, the supreme tirtha of Panchanada was chosen by Hari."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.59.6)

कुतः पंचनदं नाम तस्य तीर्थस्य षण्मुख ॥ कुतश्च सर्वतीर्थेभ्यस्तदासीत्पावनं परम्

kutaḥ paṁcanadaṁ nāma tasya tīrthasya ṣaṇmukha || kutaśca sarvatīrthebhyastadāsītpāvanaṁ param

"Whence, O Six-Faced One, comes the name 'Panchanada' for that tirtha? And why was it, of all tirthas, supremely purifying?"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.59.7)

कथं च भगवान्विष्णुरंतरात्मा जगत्पतिः ॥ सर्वेषां जगतां पाता कर्ता हर्ता च लीलया

kathaṁ ca bhagavānviṣṇuraṁtarātmā jagatpatiḥ || sarveṣāṁ jagatāṁ pātā kartā hartā ca līlayā

"And how could the Lord Vishnu - the inner self, the lord of the world, the protector, creator, and destroyer of all worlds through mere play -"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.59.8)

अरूपो रूपमापन्नो ह्यव्यक्तो व्यक्ततां गतः ॥ निराकारोपि साकारो निष्प्रपंचः प्रपंचभाक्

arūpo rūpamāpanno hyavyakto vyaktatāṁ gataḥ || nirākāropi sākāro niṣprapaṁcaḥ prapaṁcabhāk

"-formless, yet assuming form; unmanifest, yet becoming manifest; without shape, yet possessing shape; beyond the phenomenal world, yet partaking of it -"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.59.9)

अजन्मानेकजन्मा च त्वनामास्फुटनामभृत् ॥ निरालंबोऽखिलालंबो निर्गुणोपि गुणास्पदम्

ajanmānekajanmā ca tvanāmāsphuṭanāmabhṛt || nirālaṁbo'khilālaṁbo nirguṇopi guṇāspadam

"-unborn, yet born in many forms; nameless, yet bearing manifest names; without support, yet the support of all; devoid of qualities, yet the seat of every quality -"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.59.10)

अहृषीकोहृषीकेशो प्यनंघ्रिरपिसर्वगः ॥ उपसंहृत्य रूपं स्वं सर्वव्यापी जनार्दनः

ahṛṣīkohṛṣīkeśo pyanaṁghrirapisarvagaḥ || upasaṁhṛtya rūpaṁ svaṁ sarvavyāpī janārdanaḥ

"-without senses, yet lord of the senses; without feet, yet all-pervading - how could Janardana, all-pervasive, having withdrawn his own cosmic form -"

Verse 11 (skanda.4.59.11)

स्थितः सर्वात्मभावेन तीर्थे पंचनदे परे ॥ एतदाख्याहि षड्वक्त्र पंचवक्त्राद्यथा श्रुतम्

sthitaḥ sarvātmabhāvena tīrthe paṁcanade pare || etadākhyāhi ṣaḍvaktra paṁcavaktrādyathā śrutam

"-come to dwell, in the state of the universal Self, at that supreme tirtha of Panchanada? Tell me this, O Six-Faced One, just as you heard it from the Five-Faced One."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.59.12)

स्कंद उवाच ॥ कथयामि कथामेतां नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् ॥ सर्वाघौघ प्रशमनीं सर्वश्रेयोविधायिनीम्

skaṁda uvāca || kathayāmi kathāmetāṁ namaskṛtya maheśvaram || sarvāghaugha praśamanīṁ sarvaśreyovidhāyinīm

Skanda said: "Having bowed to Maheshvara, I shall tell this tale, which quells every mass of sin and bestows every good fortune."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.59.13)

यथा पंचनदं तीर्थं काश्यां प्रथितिमागतम् ॥ यन्नामग्रहणादेव पापं याति सहस्रधा

yathā paṁcanadaṁ tīrthaṁ kāśyāṁ prathitimāgatam || yannāmagrahaṇādeva pāpaṁ yāti sahasradhā

"How the Panchanada tirtha came to be renowned in Kashi - by the mere utterance of whose name, sin is scattered a thousandfold."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.59.14)

प्रयागोपि च तीर्थेशो यत्र साक्षात्स्वयं स्थितः ॥ पापिनां पापसंघातं प्रसह्य निजतेजसा

prayāgopi ca tīrtheśo yatra sākṣātsvayaṁ sthitaḥ || pāpināṁ pāpasaṁghātaṁ prasahya nijatejasā

"Even the lord of tirthas, Prayaga, where he himself is directly present, forcibly removes, by his own splendor, the mass of sin of sinners -"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.59.15)

हरंति सर्वतीर्थानि प्रयागस्य बलेन हि ॥ तानि सर्वाणि तीर्थानि माघे मकरगे रवौ

haraṁti sarvatīrthāni prayāgasya balena hi || tāni sarvāṇi tīrthāni māghe makarage ravau

"-all the tirthas remove sin by the power of Prayaga indeed. All those tirthas, in the month of Magha, when the sun is in Capricorn,"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.59.16)

प्रत्यब्दं निर्मलानि स्युस्तीर्थराज समागमात् ॥ प्रयागश्चापि तीर्थेंद्रः सर्वतीर्थार्पितं मलम्

pratyabdaṁ nirmalāni syustīrtharāja samāgamāt || prayāgaścāpi tīrtheṁdraḥ sarvatīrthārpitaṁ malam

"-become pure each year through their union with the King of Tirthas. And Prayaga, the lord of tirthas, in turn..."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.59.17)

महाघिनां महाघं च हरेत्पांचनदाद्बलात् ॥ यं संचयति पापौघमावर्षं तीर्थनायकः ॥ तमेकमज्जनादूर्जे त्यजेत्पंचनदे ध्रुवम्

mahāghināṁ mahāghaṁ ca haretpāṁcanadādbalāt || yaṁ saṁcayati pāpaughamāvarṣaṁ tīrthanāyakaḥ || tamekamajjanādūrje tyajetpaṁcanade dhruvam

"...removes, by the power of Panchanada, even the great sin of great sinners: whatever mass of sin that lord of tirthas accumulates over a whole year - all of it he discards through a single immersion in Panchanada in the month of Kartika, certainly."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.59.18)

यथा पंचनदोत्पत्तिस्तथा च कथयाम्यहम् ॥ निशामय महाभाग मित्रावरुणनंदन

yathā paṁcanadotpattistathā ca kathayāmyaham || niśāmaya mahābhāga mitrāvaruṇanaṁdana

"And I shall tell you just how Panchanada arose - listen, O greatly fortunate son of Mitra and Varuna."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.59.19)

पुरा वेदशिरा नाम मुनिरासीन्महातपाः ॥ भृगुवंश समुत्पन्नो मूर्तो वेद इवापरः

purā vedaśirā nāma munirāsīnmahātapāḥ || bhṛguvaṁśa samutpanno mūrto veda ivāparaḥ

"Long ago there was a sage named Vedashira, of great austerity, born in the line of Bhrigu, like another Veda in bodily form."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.59.20)

तपस्यतस्तस्य मुनेः पुरोदृग्गोचरं गता ॥ शुचिरप्सरसां श्रेष्ठा रूपलावण्यशालिनी

tapasyatastasya muneḥ purodṛggocaraṁ gatā || śucirapsarasāṁ śreṣṭhā rūpalāvaṇyaśālinī

"While that sage was practicing austerity, there came within range of his sight the foremost of the Apsaras, named Shuchi, resplendent with beauty and grace."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.59.21)

तस्या दर्शनमात्रेण परिक्षुब्धं मुनेर्मनः ॥ चस्कंद स मुनिस्तूर्णं साथ भीता वराप्सराः

tasyā darśanamātreṇa parikṣubdhaṁ munermanaḥ || caskaṁda sa munistūrṇaṁ sātha bhītā varāpsarāḥ

"By the mere sight of her, the sage's mind was thrown into turmoil, and he swiftly emitted his seed; then that fair Apsara became frightened."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.59.22)

दूरादेव नमस्कृत्य तमृषिं साभ्यभाषत ॥ अतीव वेपमानांगी शुचिस्तच्छापभीतितः

dūrādeva namaskṛtya tamṛṣiṁ sābhyabhāṣata || atīva vepamānāṁgī śucistacchāpabhītitaḥ

"Bowing to that sage even from a distance, Shuchi, her body trembling exceedingly, fearful of his curse, addressed him -"

Verse 23 (skanda.4.59.23)

नापराध्नोम्यहं किंचिन्महोग्रतपसांनिधे ॥ क्षंतव्यं मे क्षमाधार क्षमारूपास्तपस्विनः

nāparādhnomyahaṁ kiṁcinmahogratapasāṁnidhe || kṣaṁtavyaṁ me kṣamādhāra kṣamārūpāstapasvinaḥ

"'I have committed no offense at all, O treasury of the greatest austerity! Forgive me, O foundation of patience - ascetics are themselves the very embodiment of patience.'"

Verse 24 (skanda.4.59.24)

मुनीनां मानसं प्रायो यत्पद्मादपि तन्मृदु ॥ स्त्रियः कठोरहृदयाः स्वरूपेणैव सत्तम

munīnāṁ mānasaṁ prāyo yatpadmādapi tanmṛdu || striyaḥ kaṭhorahṛdayāḥ svarūpeṇaiva sattama

"'The minds of sages, O best one, are generally even softer than the lotus; but women, by their very nature, are hard of heart.'"

Verse 25 (skanda.4.59.25)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्याः शुचेरप्सरसो मुनिः ॥ विवेकसेतुना स्तंभीन्महारोषनदीरयम्

iti śrutvā vacastasyāḥ śucerapsaraso muniḥ || vivekasetunā staṁbhīnmahāroṣanadīrayam

Having heard these words of Shuchi the Apsara, the sage checked, with the dam of discernment, the torrent of his great river of wrath.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.59.26)

उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा शुचे शुचिरसि ध्रुवम् ॥ न मेऽल्पोपि हि दोषोत्र न ते दोषोस्ति सुंदरि

uvāca ca prasannātmā śuce śucirasi dhruvam || na me'lpopi hi doṣotra na te doṣosti suṁdari

And, his mind now at peace, he said: "'O Shuchi, you are indeed pure. There is not even the slightest fault of mine in this, nor is there any fault of yours, O beautiful one.'"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.59.27)

वह्निस्वरूपा ललना नवनीत समः पुमान् ॥ अनभिज्ञा वदंतीति विचारान्महदंतरम्

vahnisvarūpā lalanā navanīta samaḥ pumān || anabhijñā vadaṁtīti vicārānmahadaṁtaram

"'Those without understanding say that woman is of the nature of fire, and man like butter - but upon reflection, there is a great difference from the truth of this.'"

Verse 28 (skanda.4.59.28)

स्निह्येदुद्धृतसारोपि वह्नेः संस्पर्शमाप्य वै ॥ चित्रं स्त्र्याख्या समादानात्पुमान्स्निह्यति दूरतः

snihyeduddhṛtasāropi vahneḥ saṁsparśamāpya vai || citraṁ stryākhyā samādānātpumānsnihyati dūrataḥ

"'Even butter with its essence already extracted melts upon actual contact with fire; but strange it is that a man melts merely at the mention of the name \"woman,\" even from afar.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.4.59.29)

अतः शुचे न भेतव्यं त्वया शुचि मनोगते ॥ अतर्कितोपस्थितया त्वया च स्खलितं मया

ataḥ śuce na bhetavyaṁ tvayā śuci manogate || atarkitopasthitayā tvayā ca skhalitaṁ mayā

"'Therefore, O pure-minded Shuchi, you need not be afraid; by you, appearing unexpectedly, I was made to stumble.'"

Verse 30 (skanda.4.59.30)

स्खलनान्न तथा हानिरकामात्तपसो मुनेः ॥ यथा क्षणांधीकरणाद्धानिः कोपरयादरेः

skhalanānna tathā hānirakāmāttapaso muneḥ || yathā kṣaṇāṁdhīkaraṇāddhāniḥ koparayādareḥ

"'A sage's austerity does not suffer such loss from an unintentional stumbling, as the loss that comes from the momentary blinding of anger, that enemy's onrush.'"

Verse 31 (skanda.4.59.31)

कोपात्तपः क्षयं याति संचितं यत्सुकृच्छ्रतः ॥ यथाभ्रपटलं प्राप्य प्रकाशः पुष्पवंतयोः

kopāttapaḥ kṣayaṁ yāti saṁcitaṁ yatsukṛcchrataḥ || yathābhrapaṭalaṁ prāpya prakāśaḥ puṣpavaṁtayoḥ

"'Austerity accumulated through great hardship perishes through anger, just as the light of the sun and moon, upon meeting a bank of clouds, is obscured.'"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.59.32)

अनर्थकारिणः क्रोधात्क्वार्थानांपरिजृभणम् ॥ क्व वा खलजनोत्सेधात्साधूनां परिवर्धनम्

anarthakāriṇaḥ krodhātkvārthānāṁparijṛbhaṇam || kva vā khalajanotsedhātsādhūnāṁ parivardhanam

"'How can the flourishing of good ends come from ruin-causing anger? Or how can the growth of the virtuous come from the elevation of the wicked?'"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.59.33)

अमर्षे कर्षति मनो मनोभू संभवः कुतः ॥ विधुंतुदे तुदत्युच्चैर्विधुं कुत्रास्ति कौमुदी

amarṣe karṣati mano manobhū saṁbhavaḥ kutaḥ || vidhuṁtude tudatyuccairvidhuṁ kutrāsti kaumudī

"'When impatience drags the mind, whence can the birth of true love arise? When Rahu violently strikes the moon, where then is the moonlight?'"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.59.34)

ज्वलतो रोषदावाग्नेः क्व वा शांतितरोः स्थितिः ॥ दृष्टा केनापि किं क्वापि सिंहात्कलभसुस्थता

jvalato roṣadāvāgneḥ kva vā śāṁtitaroḥ sthitiḥ || dṛṣṭā kenāpi kiṁ kvāpi siṁhātkalabhasusthatā

"'Where can the tree of peace stand amid the blazing forest-fire of rage? Has anyone, anywhere, ever seen a young elephant calf remain at ease before a lion?'"

Verse 35 (skanda.4.59.35)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन प्रतीपः प्रतिघातुकः ॥ चतुर्वर्गस्य देहस्य परिहेयो विपश्चिता

tasmātsarvaprayatnena pratīpaḥ pratighātukaḥ || caturvargasya dehasya pariheyo vipaścitā

"'Therefore, with every effort, anger, that hostile destroyer of the four aims of life and of the body itself, should be avoided by the wise.'"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.59.36)

इदानीं शृणु कल्याणि कर्तव्यं यत्त्वया शुचे ॥ अमोघबीजा हि वयं तद्बीजमुररी कुरु

idānīṁ śṛṇu kalyāṇi kartavyaṁ yattvayā śuce || amoghabījā hi vayaṁ tadbījamurarī kuru

"'Now listen, O auspicious Shuchi, to what you must do: our seed is never in vain - therefore accept that seed.'"

Verse 37 (skanda.4.59.37)

एतस्मिन्रक्षिते वीर्ये परिस्कन्ने त्वदीक्षणात् ॥ त्वया तव भवित्रेकं कन्यारत्नं महाशुचि

etasminrakṣite vīrye pariskanne tvadīkṣaṇāt || tvayā tava bhavitrekaṁ kanyāratnaṁ mahāśuci

"'If this seed, spilled at the sight of you, is preserved, O greatly pure one, then from it a jewel of a daughter shall be born to you.'"

Verse 38 (skanda.4.59.38)

इत्युक्ता तेन मुनिना पुनर्जातेव साप्सराः ॥ महाप्रसाद इत्युक्त्वा मुनेः शुक्रमजीगिलत्

ityuktā tena muninā punarjāteva sāpsarāḥ || mahāprasāda ityuktvā muneḥ śukramajīgilat

Thus addressed by that sage, the Apsara felt as if born anew; saying, "This is a great grace," she took in the sage's seed.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.59.39)

अथ कालेन दिव्यस्त्री कन्यारत्नमजीजनत् ॥ अतीव नयनानंदि निधानं रूपसंपदाम्

atha kālena divyastrī kanyāratnamajījanat || atīva nayanānaṁdi nidhānaṁ rūpasaṁpadām

Then, in due time, the divine woman gave birth to a jewel of a daughter, exceedingly delightful to the eyes, a very treasury of beauty.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.59.40)

तस्यैव वेदशिरस आश्रमे तां निधाय सा ॥ शुचिरप्सरसां श्रेष्ठा जगाम च यथेप्सितम्

tasyaiva vedaśirasa āśrame tāṁ nidhāya sā || śucirapsarasāṁ śreṣṭhā jagāma ca yathepsitam

Leaving her at the hermitage of that very Vedashira, Shuchi, the foremost of the Apsaras, departed as she wished.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.59.41)

तां च वेदशिराः कन्यां स्नेहेन समवर्धयत् ॥ क्षीरेण स्वाश्रमस्थाया हरिण्या हरिणीक्षणाम्

tāṁ ca vedaśirāḥ kanyāṁ snehena samavardhayat || kṣīreṇa svāśramasthāyā hariṇyā hariṇīkṣaṇām

And Vedashira lovingly raised that fawn-eyed girl on the milk of a doe dwelling in his own hermitage.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.59.42)

मुनिर्नाम ददौ तस्यै धूतपापेति चार्थवत् ॥ यन्नामोच्चारणेनापि कंपते पातकावली

munirnāma dadau tasyai dhūtapāpeti cārthavat || yannāmoccāraṇenāpi kaṁpate pātakāvalī

The sage gave her the fitting name Dhutapapa ("Sin-Shaken-Off"), by the mere utterance of which the whole array of sins trembles.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.59.43)

सर्वलक्षणशोभाढ्यां सर्वावयव सुंदरीम् ॥ मुनिस्तत्याज नोत्संगात्क्षणमात्रमपि क्वचित्

sarvalakṣaṇaśobhāḍhyāṁ sarvāvayava suṁdarīm || munistatyāja notsaṁgātkṣaṇamātramapi kvacit

The sage never let her, endowed with every auspicious mark and beautiful in every limb, leave his lap even for a single moment, anywhere.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.59.44)

दिनेदिने वर्धमानां तां पश्यन्मुमुदे भृशम् ॥ क्षीरनीरधिवद्रम्यां निशि चांद्रमसीं कलाम्

dinedine vardhamānāṁ tāṁ paśyanmumude bhṛśam || kṣīranīradhivadramyāṁ niśi cāṁdramasīṁ kalām

Watching her grow day by day, lovely as the Ocean of Milk, he rejoiced greatly, as one delights in the moon's digit growing at night.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.59.45)

अथाष्टवार्षिकीं दृष्ट्वा तां कन्यां स मुनीश्वरः ॥ कस्मै देयेति संचित्य तामेव समपृच्छत

athāṣṭavārṣikīṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ kanyāṁ sa munīśvaraḥ || kasmai deyeti saṁcitya tāmeva samapṛcchata

Then, seeing that the girl had reached her eighth year, that lord of sages, pondering to whom she should be given, asked her the very same question.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.59.46)

॥वेदशिरा उवाच॥ अयि पुत्रि महाभागे धूतपापे शुभेक्षणे ॥ कस्मै दद्यावराय त्वां त्वमेवाख्याहि तं वरम्

||vedaśirā uvāca|| ayi putri mahābhāge dhūtapāpe śubhekṣaṇe || kasmai dadyāvarāya tvāṁ tvamevākhyāhi taṁ varam

Vedashira said: "'O daughter, greatly fortunate Dhutapapa of auspicious glance, to what bridegroom should I give you? Tell me yourself who that bridegroom should be.'"

Verse 47 (skanda.4.59.47)

अतिस्नेहार्द्रचित्तस्य जनेतुश्चेति भाषितम् ॥ निशम्य धूतपापा सा प्रोवाच विनतानना

atisnehārdracittasya janetuśceti bhāṣitam || niśamya dhūtapāpā sā provāca vinatānanā

Hearing these words of her father, whose heart was melted with excessive affection, Dhutapapa, her face bowed, replied -

Verse 48 (skanda.4.59.48)

॥धूतपापोवाच॥ जनेतर्यद्यहं देया सुंदराय वराय ते ॥ तदा तस्मै प्रयच्छ त्वं यमहं कथयामि ते

||dhūtapāpovāca|| janetaryadyahaṁ deyā suṁdarāya varāya te || tadā tasmai prayaccha tvaṁ yamahaṁ kathayāmi te

Dhutapapa said: "'O father, if I am to be given by you to a fine bridegroom, then give me to him whom I shall now describe.'"

Verse 49 (skanda.4.59.49)

तुभ्यं च रोचते तात शृणोत्ववहितो भवान् ॥ सर्वेभ्योतिपवित्रो यो यः सर्वेषां नमस्कृतः

tubhyaṁ ca rocate tāta śṛṇotvavahito bhavān || sarvebhyotipavitro yo yaḥ sarveṣāṁ namaskṛtaḥ

"'-if he pleases you too, father; listen attentively. He who is the most sacred of all, who is bowed to by all,'"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.59.50)

सर्वे यमभिलष्यंति यस्मात्सर्वसुखोदयः ॥ कदाचिद्यो न नश्येत यः सदैवानुवर्तते

sarve yamabhilaṣyaṁti yasmātsarvasukhodayaḥ || kadācidyo na naśyeta yaḥ sadaivānuvartate

"'-whom all desire, from whom all happiness arises, who never at any time perishes, who is ever present and abiding -'"

Verse 51 (skanda.4.59.51)

इहामुत्रापि यो रक्षेन्महापदुदयाद्ध्रुवम् ॥ सर्वे मनोरथा यस्मात्परिपूर्णा भवंति हि

ihāmutrāpi yo rakṣenmahāpadudayāddhruvam || sarve manorathā yasmātparipūrṇā bhavaṁti hi

"'-who protects certainly from the rise of great calamity, here and in the world beyond too; from whom all desires indeed become fully accomplished -'"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.59.52)

दिनेदिने च सौभाग्यं वर्धते यस्य सन्निधौ ॥ नैरंतर्येण यत्सेवां कुर्वतो न भयं क्वचित्

dinedine ca saubhāgyaṁ vardhate yasya sannidhau || nairaṁtaryeṇa yatsevāṁ kurvato na bhayaṁ kvacit

"'-in whose presence good fortune grows day by day; for one who continuously serves him, there is never any fear -'"

Verse 53 (skanda.4.59.53)

यन्नामग्रहणादेव केपि वाधां न कुर्वते ॥ यदाधारेण तिष्ठंति भुवनानि चतुर्दश

yannāmagrahaṇādeva kepi vādhāṁ na kurvate || yadādhāreṇa tiṣṭhaṁti bhuvanāni caturdaśa

"'-by the mere utterance of whose name none can cause any harm; by whose support the fourteen worlds stand firm -'"

Verse 54 (skanda.4.59.54)

एवमाद्या गुणा यस्य वरस्य वरचेष्टितम् ॥ तस्मै प्रयच्छ मां तात मम तेपीहशर्मणे

evamādyā guṇā yasya varasya varaceṣṭitam || tasmai prayaccha māṁ tāta mama tepīhaśarmaṇe

"'-such and other virtues, and excellent conduct, belong to that bridegroom: to him give me, father, for my own well-being here.'"

Verse 55 (skanda.4.59.55)

एतच्छ्रुत्वापि ता तस्या भृशं मुदमवाप ह ॥ धन्योस्मि धन्या मे पूर्वे येषामैषा सुतान्वये

etacchrutvāpi tā tasyā bhṛśaṁ mudamavāpa ha || dhanyosmi dhanyā me pūrve yeṣāmaiṣā sutānvaye

Having heard this, he too felt exceeding joy: "Blessed am I, blessed are my ancestors, in whose line's descent this daughter has been born!"

Verse 56 (skanda.4.59.56)

ध्रुवा हि धूतपापासौ यस्या ईदृग्विधा मतिः ॥ ईदृग्विधैर्गुणगणैर्गरिम्णा कोत्र वै भवेत्

dhruvā hi dhūtapāpāsau yasyā īdṛgvidhā matiḥ || īdṛgvidhairguṇagaṇairgarimṇā kotra vai bhavet

"'This Dhutapapa is indeed of certain greatness, she whose understanding is of such a kind. Who indeed could equal such an array of virtues in weightiness?'"

Verse 57 (skanda.4.59.57)

अथवा स कथं लभ्यो विना पुण्यभरोदयम् ॥ इति क्षणं समाधाय मनः स मुनिपुंगवः

athavā sa kathaṁ labhyo vinā puṇyabharodayam || iti kṣaṇaṁ samādhāya manaḥ sa munipuṁgavaḥ

"'Or rather, how can he be attained without the rise of a great store of merit?' Thus, having composed his mind for a moment, that foremost of sages -"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.59.58)

ज्ञानेन तं समालोच्य वरमीदृग्गुणोदयम् ॥ धन्यां कन्यां बभाषेथ शृणु वत्से शुभैषिणि

jñānena taṁ samālocya varamīdṛgguṇodayam || dhanyāṁ kanyāṁ babhāṣetha śṛṇu vatse śubhaiṣiṇi

...having reflected through his inner knowledge upon that bridegroom of such an array of virtues, spoke to his blessed daughter: "'Listen, O child, seeker of good.'"

Verse 59 (skanda.4.59.59)

॥पितोवाच॥ वरस्य ये त्वया प्रोक्ता गुणा एते विचक्षणे ॥ एषां गुणानामाधारो वरोस्तीति विनिश्चितम्

||pitovāca|| varasya ye tvayā proktā guṇā ete vicakṣaṇe || eṣāṁ guṇānāmādhāro varostīti viniścitam

The father said: "'O discerning one, these virtues you have described of the bridegroom - it is certain that there is indeed a bridegroom who is the substrate of these very virtues.'"

Verse 60 (skanda.4.59.60)

परं स सुखलभ्यो न नितरां सुभगाकृतिः ॥ तपः पणेन स क्रय्यः सुतीर्थविपणौ क्वचित्

paraṁ sa sukhalabhyo na nitarāṁ subhagākṛtiḥ || tapaḥ paṇena sa krayyaḥ sutīrthavipaṇau kvacit

"'But he, of exceedingly gracious form, is not easily obtained; he is to be purchased only at the price of austerity, in the marketplace of the finest tirthas.'"

Verse 61 (skanda.4.59.61)

तीर्थभारैः स सुलभो न कौलीन्येन कन्यके ॥ न वेदशास्त्राभ्यसनैर्न चैश्वर्यबलेन वै

tīrthabhāraiḥ sa sulabho na kaulīnyena kanyake || na vedaśāstrābhyasanairna caiśvaryabalena vai

"'O daughter, he is not easily obtained by mere abundance of tirthas, nor by noble lineage, nor by the study of Vedic scripture, nor indeed by the power of wealth.'"

Verse 62 (skanda.4.59.62)

न सौंदर्येण वपुषा न बुद्ध्या न पराक्रमैः ॥ एकयैव मनः शुद्ध्या करणानां जयेन च

na sauṁdaryeṇa vapuṣā na buddhyā na parākramaiḥ || ekayaiva manaḥ śuddhyā karaṇānāṁ jayena ca

"'Not by beauty of body, not by intellect, not by valor - only by purity of mind alone, and by conquest of the senses,'"

Verse 63 (skanda.4.59.63)

महातपः सहायेन दमदानदयायुजा ॥ लभ्यते स महाप्राज्ञो नान्यथा सदृशः पतिः

mahātapaḥ sahāyena damadānadayāyujā || labhyate sa mahāprājño nānyathā sadṛśaḥ patiḥ

"'-together with the aid of great austerity, joined with self-restraint, charity, and compassion, is that most wise one, such a fitting husband, obtained - in no other way.'"

Verse 64 (skanda.4.59.64)

इति श्रुत्वाथ सा कन्या पितरं प्रणिपत्य च ॥ अनुज्ञां प्रार्थयामास तपसे कृतनिश्चया

iti śrutvātha sā kanyā pitaraṁ praṇipatya ca || anujñāṁ prārthayāmāsa tapase kṛtaniścayā

Having heard this, the girl bowed low to her father and, resolved upon austerity, begged for his permission.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.59.65)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ कृतानुज्ञा जनेत्रा सा क्षेत्रे परमपावने ॥ तपस्तताप परमं यदसाध्यं तपस्विभिः

||skaṁda uvāca|| kṛtānujñā janetrā sā kṣetre paramapāvane || tapastatāpa paramaṁ yadasādhyaṁ tapasvibhiḥ

Skanda said: "Having received her father's permission, that daughter practiced, in the supremely purifying sacred field, an extreme austerity, one unattainable even by ordinary ascetics."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.59.66)

क्व सा बालातिमृद्वंगी क्व च तत्तादृशं तपः ॥ कठोरवर्ष्मसंसाध्यमहो सच्चेतसो धृतिः

kva sā bālātimṛdvaṁgī kva ca tattādṛśaṁ tapaḥ || kaṭhoravarṣmasaṁsādhyamaho saccetaso dhṛtiḥ

"Where was that girl of exceedingly tender limbs, and where was such austerity, achievable only by a body of iron? Ah, such is the resolve of a virtuous heart!"

Verse 67 (skanda.4.59.67)

धारासारा सुवर्षासु महावातवतीष्वलम् ॥ शिलासु सावकाशासु सा बह्वीरनयन्निशाः

dhārāsārā suvarṣāsu mahāvātavatīṣvalam || śilāsu sāvakāśāsu sā bahvīranayanniśāḥ

"In torrential downpours amid mighty gales, standing on bare, exposed rocks, she passed many nights."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.59.68)

श्रुत्वा गर्जरवं घोरं दृष्ट्वा विद्युच्चमत्कृतीः ॥ आसारसीकरैः क्लिन्ना न चकंपे मनाक्च सा

śrutvā garjaravaṁ ghoraṁ dṛṣṭvā vidyuccamatkṛtīḥ || āsārasīkaraiḥ klinnā na cakaṁpe manākca sā

"Hearing the terrible roar of thunder, seeing the flashing wonders of lightning, drenched by the spray of the downpour, she trembled not in the least."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.59.69)

तडित्स्फुरंतीत्वसकृत्तमिस्रासु तपोवने ॥ यातायातं करोतीव द्रष्टुं तत्तपसः स्थितिम्

taḍitsphuraṁtītvasakṛttamisrāsu tapovane || yātāyātaṁ karotīva draṣṭuṁ tattapasaḥ sthitim

"The lightning, flashing again and again in the dark nights over the penance-grove, seemed to come and go merely to witness the steadfastness of her austerity."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.59.70)

तपर्तुरेव साक्षाच्च कुमारी कैतवात्किल ॥ पंचाग्नीन्परिधायात्र तपस्यति तपोवने

tapartureva sākṣācca kumārī kaitavātkila || paṁcāgnīnparidhāyātra tapasyati tapovane

"The maiden, indeed, seemed under the pretense as if the very season of austerity itself, in bodily form, practicing penance there in the grove, surrounded by the five fires."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.59.71)

जलाभिलाषिणी बाला न मनागपि सा पिबत् ॥ कुशाग्रतोयपृषतं पंचाग्निपरितापिता

jalābhilāṣiṇī bālā na manāgapi sā pibat || kuśāgratoyapṛṣataṁ paṁcāgniparitāpitā

"That girl, though longing for water, scorched by the five fires, did not drink even so much as a drop of water from the tip of a kusha blade."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.59.72)

रोमांच कंचुकवती वेपमानतनुच्छदा ॥ पर्यक्षिपत्क्षपाः क्षामा तपसा हैमनीश्च सा

romāṁca kaṁcukavatī vepamānatanucchadā || paryakṣipatkṣapāḥ kṣāmā tapasā haimanīśca sā

"Clad in a garment of goose-flesh, her body-covering trembling, emaciated by austerity, she passed through the wintry nights."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.59.73)

निशीथिनीषु शिशिरे श्रयंती सारसं रसम् ॥ मेने सा सारसैः केयमुद्यताद्येति पद्मिनी

niśīthinīṣu śiśire śrayaṁtī sārasaṁ rasam || mene sā sārasaiḥ keyamudyatādyeti padminī

"In the winter nights, resorting to the cry of the cranes for company, she was taken by the cranes to be some lotus-plant risen out of season, wondering, 'who is this?'"

Verse 74 (skanda.4.59.74)

मनस्विनामपि मनोरागतां सृजते मधौ ॥ तदोष्ठपल्लवाद्रागो जह्रे माकंदपल्लवैः

manasvināmapi manorāgatāṁ sṛjate madhau || tadoṣṭhapallavādrāgo jahre mākaṁdapallavaiḥ

"Even in resolute minds, spring creates a passion of the heart; yet the redness of her lip-bud outshone even the mango-blossoms."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.59.75)

वसंते निवसंती सा वने बालाचलंमनः ॥ चक्रे तपस्यपि श्रुत्वा कोकिला काकलीरवम्

vasaṁte nivasaṁtī sā vane bālācalaṁmanaḥ || cakre tapasyapi śrutvā kokilā kākalīravam

"Dwelling in the forest in spring, that girl kept her mind unwavering in penance, even upon hearing the sweet call of the cuckoo."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.59.76)

बंधुजीवेऽधररुचिं कलहंसे कलागतीः ॥ निक्षेपमिव सा क्षिप्त्वा शरद्यासीत्तपोरता

baṁdhujīve'dhararuciṁ kalahaṁse kalāgatīḥ || nikṣepamiva sā kṣiptvā śaradyāsīttaporatā

"Having, as it were, deposited the redness of her lip in the bandhujiva flower, and her graceful gait in the swan, she remained devoted to austerity through autumn."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.59.77)

अपास्तभोगसंपर्का भोगिनां वृत्तिमाश्रिता ॥ क्षुदुद्बोधनिरोधाय धूतपापा तपस्विनी

apāstabhogasaṁparkā bhogināṁ vṛttimāśritā || kṣududbodhanirodhāya dhūtapāpā tapasvinī

"Having cast off all contact with enjoyment, that ascetic Dhutapapa took up the manner of serpents, to check the awakening of hunger."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.59.78)

शाणेन मणिवल्लीढा कृशाप्यायादनर्घताम् ॥ तथापि तपसा क्षामा दिदीपे तत्तनुस्तराम्

śāṇena maṇivallīḍhā kṛśāpyāyādanarghatām || tathāpi tapasā kṣāmā didīpe tattanustarām

"As a jewel, ground upon the whetstone, though worn thin, gains greater worth - so too, though emaciated by austerity, her body shone all the more."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.59.79)

निरीक्ष्य तां तपस्यंतीं विधिः संशुद्धमानसाम् ॥ उपेत्योवाच सुप्रज्ञे प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं वृणु

nirīkṣya tāṁ tapasyaṁtīṁ vidhiḥ saṁśuddhamānasām || upetyovāca suprajñe prasannosmi varaṁ vṛṇu

Beholding her practicing austerity, her mind utterly purified, Vidhi approached and said: "O wise one, I am pleased - choose a boon."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.59.80)

सा चतुर्वक्त्रमालोक्य हंसयानोपरिस्थितम् ॥ प्रणम्य प्रांजलिः प्रीता प्रोवाचाथ प्रजापतिम्

sā caturvaktramālokya haṁsayānoparisthitam || praṇamya prāṁjaliḥ prītā provācātha prajāpatim

Beholding the Four-Faced One seated upon his swan-vehicle, she bowed, and, delighted, with joined palms, addressed the Lord of Creatures -

Verse 81 (skanda.4.59.81)

॥धूतपापोवाच॥ पितामह वरो मह्यं यदि देयो वरप्रद ॥ सर्वेभ्यः पावनेभ्योपि कुरु मामतिपावनीम्

||dhūtapāpovāca|| pitāmaha varo mahyaṁ yadi deyo varaprada || sarvebhyaḥ pāvanebhyopi kuru māmatipāvanīm

Dhutapapa said: "'O Grandsire, giver of boons, if a boon is to be given to me, make me more purifying even than all purifying things.'"

Verse 82 (skanda.4.59.82)

स्रष्टा तदिष्टमाकर्ण्य नितरां तुष्टमानसः ॥ प्रत्युवाचाथ तां बालां विमलां विमलेषिणीम्

sraṣṭā tadiṣṭamākarṇya nitarāṁ tuṣṭamānasaḥ || pratyuvācātha tāṁ bālāṁ vimalāṁ vimaleṣiṇīm

The Creator, hearing that wish, his mind exceedingly pleased, then replied to that stainless girl who sought purity.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.59.83)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ धूतपापे पवित्राणि यानि संत्यत्र सर्वतः ॥ तेभ्यः पवित्रमतुलं त्वमेधि वरतो मम

||brahmovāca|| dhūtapāpe pavitrāṇi yāni saṁtyatra sarvataḥ || tebhyaḥ pavitramatulaṁ tvamedhi varato mama

Brahma said: "'O Dhutapapa, whatever purifying things exist here in all directions - become, by my boon, incomparably purer than all of them.'"

Verse 84 (skanda.4.59.84)

तिस्रः कोट्योऽर्धकोटी च संति तीर्थानि कन्यके ॥ दिवि भुव्यंतरिक्षे च पावनान्युत्तरोत्तरम्

tisraḥ koṭyo'rdhakoṭī ca saṁti tīrthāni kanyake || divi bhuvyaṁtarikṣe ca pāvanānyuttarottaram

"'There are, O maiden, thirty and a half million tirthas, in heaven, on earth, and in the intermediate space, each more purifying than the last.'"

Verse 85 (skanda.4.59.85)

तानि सर्वाणि तीर्थानि त्वत्तनौ प्रतिलोम वै ॥ वसंतु मम वाक्येन भव सर्वातिपावनी

tāni sarvāṇi tīrthāni tvattanau pratiloma vai || vasaṁtu mama vākyena bhava sarvātipāvanī

"'Let all those tirthas, in reverse order, dwell within your very body, by my word; become the most purifying of all.'"

Verse 86 (skanda.4.59.86)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे वेधाः सापि निर्धूतकल्मषा ॥ धूतपापोटजं प्राप्ताथो वेदशिरसः पितुः

ityuktvāṁtardadhe vedhāḥ sāpi nirdhūtakalmaṣā || dhūtapāpoṭajaṁ prāptātho vedaśirasaḥ pituḥ

Having said this, Vidhi vanished; and she too, her every stain shaken off, then reached the hut of her father Vedashira, as Dhutapapa.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.59.87)

कदाचित्तां समालोक्य खेलंतीमुटजाजिरे ॥ धर्मस्तत्तपसाकृष्टः प्रार्थयामास कन्यकाम्

kadācittāṁ samālokya khelaṁtīmuṭajājire || dharmastattapasākṛṣṭaḥ prārthayāmāsa kanyakām

Once, beholding her playing in the courtyard of the hermitage, Dharma, drawn by her austerity, sought that maiden in marriage.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.59.88)

॥धर्म उवाच॥ पृथुश्रोणि विशालाक्षि क्षामोदरि शुभानने ॥ क्रीतः स्वरूपसंपत्त्या त्वयाहं देहि मे रहः

||dharma uvāca|| pṛthuśroṇi viśālākṣi kṣāmodari śubhānane || krītaḥ svarūpasaṁpattyā tvayāhaṁ dehi me rahaḥ

Dharma said: "'O broad-hipped, wide-eyed one, of slender waist and lovely face, I have been bought by you through the wealth of your beauty - grant me a private meeting.'"

Verse 89 (skanda.4.59.89)

नितरां बाधते कामस्त्वत्कृते मां सुलोचने ॥ अज्ञातनाम्ना सा तेन प्रार्थितेत्यसकृद्ग्रहः

nitarāṁ bādhate kāmastvatkṛte māṁ sulocane || ajñātanāmnā sā tena prārthitetyasakṛdgrahaḥ

"'Desire torments me exceedingly on your account, O fair-eyed one.'" Thus was she solicited repeatedly by that one whose name she did not know.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.59.90)

उवाच सा पिता दाता तं प्रार्थय सुदुर्मते ॥ पितृप्रदेया यत्कन्या श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी

uvāca sā pitā dātā taṁ prārthaya sudurmate || pitṛpradeyā yatkanyā śrutireṣā sanātanī

She said: "'My father is the one who gives me in marriage - solicit him, O foolish one; that a daughter is given away by her father is the eternal teaching of the Veda.'"

Verse 91 (skanda.4.59.91)

निशम्येति वचो धर्मो भाविनोर्थस्य गौरवात् ॥ पुनर्निबंधयांचक्रे ऽपधृतिर्धृतिशालिनीम्

niśamyeti vaco dharmo bhāvinorthasya gauravāt || punarnibaṁdhayāṁcakre 'padhṛtirdhṛtiśālinīm

Hearing these words, Dharma, weighing the gravity of the matter to come, though himself lacking self-restraint, again pressed his suit upon her, who was herself full of self-restraint.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.59.92)

॥धर्म उवाच॥ न प्रार्थयेहं सुभगे पितरं तव सुंदरि ॥ गांधर्वेण विवाहेन कुरु मे त्वं समीहितम्

||dharma uvāca|| na prārthayehaṁ subhage pitaraṁ tava suṁdari || gāṁdharveṇa vivāhena kuru me tvaṁ samīhitam

Dharma said: "'O gracious, beautiful one, I shall not solicit your father; fulfill my wish through a Gandharva marriage.'"

Verse 93 (skanda.4.59.93)

इति निर्बंधवद्वाक्यं सा निशम्य कुमारिका ॥ पितुः कन्याफलंदित्सुः पुनराहेति तं द्विजम्

iti nirbaṁdhavadvākyaṁ sā niśamya kumārikā || pituḥ kanyāphalaṁditsuḥ punarāheti taṁ dvijam

Hearing this insistent speech, that maiden, wishing to give her father the fruit due a daughter, again said this to that Brahmin -

Verse 94 (skanda.4.59.94)

अरे जडमते मा त्वं पुनर्ब्रूहीति याह्यतः ॥ इत्युक्तोपि कुमार्या स नातिष्ठन्मदनातुरः

are jaḍamate mā tvaṁ punarbrūhīti yāhyataḥ || ityuktopi kumāryā sa nātiṣṭhanmadanāturaḥ

"'O dull-witted one, do not speak of this again - go away from here.'" Though thus addressed by the maiden, he, tormented by desire, did not desist.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.59.95)

ततः शशाप तं बाला प्रबला तपसो बलात् ॥ जडोसि नितरां यस्माज्जलाधारो नदो भव

tataḥ śaśāpa taṁ bālā prabalā tapaso balāt || jaḍosi nitarāṁ yasmājjalādhāro nado bhava

Then that girl, made mighty by the power of her austerity, cursed him: "'Since you are exceedingly dull [also 'water'], become a river, a repository of water!'"

Verse 96 (skanda.4.59.96)

इति शप्तस्तया सोथ तां शशाप क्रुधान्वितः ॥ कठोरहृदये त्वं तु शिला भव सुदुर्मते

iti śaptastayā sotha tāṁ śaśāpa krudhānvitaḥ || kaṭhorahṛdaye tvaṁ tu śilā bhava sudurmate

Thus cursed by her, he, filled with anger, cursed her in turn: "'You, hard of heart, O foolish one, become a rock!'"

Verse 97 (skanda.4.59.97)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ इत्यन्योन्यस्य शापेन मुने धर्मो नदोऽभवत् ॥ अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे ख्यातो धर्मनदो महान्

||skaṁda uvāca|| ityanyonyasya śāpena mune dharmo nado'bhavat || avimukte mahākṣetre khyāto dharmanado mahān

Skanda said: "Thus, by their mutual curses, O sage, Dharma became a river - renowned in the great field of Avimukta as the great Dharmanada."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.59.98)

साप्याह पितरं त्रस्ता स्वशिलात्वस्य कारणम् ॥ ध्यानेन धर्मं विज्ञाय मुनिः कन्यामथाब्रवीत्

sāpyāha pitaraṁ trastā svaśilātvasya kāraṇam || dhyānena dharmaṁ vijñāya muniḥ kanyāmathābravīt

She too, frightened, told her father the cause of her becoming stone; and the sage, having discerned Dharma's role through meditation, then spoke to his daughter -

Verse 99 (skanda.4.59.99)

मा भैः पुत्रि करिष्यामि तव सर्वं शुभोदयम् ॥ तच्छापो नान्यथा भूयाच्चंद्रकांतशिला भव

mā bhaiḥ putri kariṣyāmi tava sarvaṁ śubhodayam || tacchāpo nānyathā bhūyāccaṁdrakāṁtaśilā bhava

"'Fear not, daughter; I shall bring about entirely good fortune for you. Let that curse not be otherwise - instead become a moonstone.'"

Verse 100 (skanda.4.59.100)

चंद्रोदयमनुप्राप्य द्रवीभूततनुस्ततः ॥ धुनी भव सुते साध्वि धूतपापेति विश्रुता

caṁdrodayamanuprāpya dravībhūtatanustataḥ || dhunī bhava sute sādhvi dhūtapāpeti viśrutā

"'Then, upon the rising of the moon, your body melting, become a river, O virtuous daughter, renowned as Dhutapapa.'"

Verse 101 (skanda.4.59.101)

स च धर्मनदः कन्ये तव भर्ता सुशोभनः ॥ तैर्गुणैः परिपूर्णांगो ये गुणाः प्रार्थितास्त्वया

sa ca dharmanadaḥ kanye tava bhartā suśobhanaḥ || tairguṇaiḥ paripūrṇāṁgo ye guṇāḥ prārthitāstvayā

"'And that Dharmanada, O daughter, shall be your excellent husband, his form fully endowed with those very virtues that you sought.'"

Verse 102 (skanda.4.59.102)

अन्यच्च शृणु सद्बुद्धे ममापि तपसो बलात् ॥ द्वैरूप्यं भवतोर्भावि प्राकृतं च द्रवं च वै

anyacca śṛṇu sadbuddhe mamāpi tapaso balāt || dvairūpyaṁ bhavatorbhāvi prākṛtaṁ ca dravaṁ ca vai

"'And hear this too, O good-natured one: by the power of my own austerity as well, a double form shall come to be for both of you - a natural bodily form, and a liquid river form.'"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.59.103)

इत्याश्वास्य पिता कन्यां धूतपापां परंतप ॥ चंद्रकांतशिलाभूतामनुजग्राह बुद्धिमान्

ityāśvāsya pitā kanyāṁ dhūtapāpāṁ paraṁtapa || caṁdrakāṁtaśilābhūtāmanujagrāha buddhimān

O scorcher of foes, thus having consoled his daughter Dhutapapa, the wise father embraced her, now become a moonstone.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.59.104)

तदारभ्य मुने काश्यां ख्यातो धर्मनदो ह्रदः ॥ धर्मो द्रवस्वरूपेण महापातकनाशनः

tadārabhya mune kāśyāṁ khyāto dharmanado hradaḥ || dharmo dravasvarūpeṇa mahāpātakanāśanaḥ

From then on, O sage, the lake known in Kashi as Dharmanada has been Dharma himself in liquid form, destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.59.105)

धुनी च धूतपापा सा सर्वतीर्थमयी शुभा ॥ हरेन्महाघसंघातान्कूलजानिव पादपान्

dhunī ca dhūtapāpā sā sarvatīrthamayī śubhā || harenmahāghasaṁghātānkūlajāniva pādapān

And that auspicious river Dhutapapa, made of all the tirthas, sweeps away great masses of sin, as a flood sweeps away the trees growing on its banks.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.59.106)

तत्र धर्मनदे तीर्थे धूतपापा समन्विते ॥ यदा न स्वर्धुनी तत्र तदा ब्रध्नस्तपो व्यधात्

tatra dharmanade tīrthe dhūtapāpā samanvite || yadā na svardhunī tatra tadā bradhnastapo vyadhāt

There, at that tirtha of Dharmanada joined with Dhutapapa - since the celestial Ganga was not yet present there, then the sun performed austerity.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.59.107)

गभस्तिमाली भगवान्गभस्तीश्वर सन्निधौ ॥ शीलयन्मंगलां गौरीं तप उग्रं चचार ह

gabhastimālī bhagavāngabhastīśvara sannidhau || śīlayanmaṁgalāṁ gaurīṁ tapa ugraṁ cacāra ha

The garlanded-with-rays Lord Surya, near Gabhastishvara, cultivating devotion to the auspicious Gauri, performed fierce austerity indeed.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.59.108)

नाम्ना मयूखादित्यस्य तीर्थे तत्र तपस्यतः ॥ किरणेभ्यः प्रववृते महास्वेदोतिखेदतः

nāmnā mayūkhādityasya tīrthe tatra tapasyataḥ || kiraṇebhyaḥ pravavṛte mahāsvedotikhedataḥ

As he practiced austerity there at the tirtha named for Mayukhaditya, a great sweat, born of extreme exertion, poured forth from his rays.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.59.109)

किरणेभ्यः प्रवृत्ताया महास्वेदस्य संततिः ॥ ततः सा किरणानाम जाता पुण्या तरंगिणी

kiraṇebhyaḥ pravṛttāyā mahāsvedasya saṁtatiḥ || tataḥ sā kiraṇānāma jātā puṇyā taraṁgiṇī

From that great sweat which poured forth from his rays, a stream was born - and thus arose the sacred river named Kirana.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.59.110)

महापापांधतमसं किरणाख्या तरंगिणी ॥ ध्वंसयेत्स्नानमात्रेण मिलिता धूतपापया

mahāpāpāṁdhatamasaṁ kiraṇākhyā taraṁgiṇī || dhvaṁsayetsnānamātreṇa militā dhūtapāpayā

The river named Kirana, joined with Dhutapapa, destroys, by mere bathing, the blinding darkness of the greatest sins.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.59.111)

आदौ धर्मनदः पुण्यो मिश्रितो धूतपापया ॥ यया धूतानि पापानि सर्वतीर्थीकृतात्मना

ādau dharmanadaḥ puṇyo miśrito dhūtapāpayā || yayā dhūtāni pāpāni sarvatīrthīkṛtātmanā

First, the sacred Dharmanada was mingled with Dhutapapa, by whom, having made herself of the nature of all tirthas, sins are washed away.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.59.112)

ततोपि मिलितागत्य किरणा रविणैधिता ॥ यन्नामस्मरणादेव महामोहोंधतां व्रजेत्

tatopi militāgatya kiraṇā raviṇaidhitā || yannāmasmaraṇādeva mahāmohoṁdhatāṁ vrajet

Then Kirana too came and joined that stream, strengthened by the sun - by the mere remembrance of whose name, great delusion-blindness departs.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.59.113)

किरणा धूतपापे च तस्मिन्धर्मनदे शुभे ॥ स्रवंत्यौ पापसंहर्त्र्यौ वाराणस्यां शुभद्रवे

kiraṇā dhūtapāpe ca tasmindharmanade śubhe || sravaṁtyau pāpasaṁhartryau vārāṇasyāṁ śubhadrave

Kirana and Dhutapapa, flowing into that auspicious Dharmanada, are the two auspicious streams flowing in Varanasi, destroyers of sin.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.59.114)

ततो भागीरथी प्राप्ता तेन दैलीपिना सह ॥ भागीरथी समायाता यमुना च सरस्वती

tato bhāgīrathī prāptā tena dailīpinā saha || bhāgīrathī samāyātā yamunā ca sarasvatī

Then the Bhagirathi arrived, together with that descendant of Dilipa; the Bhagirathi came, and Yamuna and Sarasvati too.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.59.115)

किरणा धूतपापा च पुण्यतोया सरस्वती ॥ गंगा च यमुना चैव पंचनद्योत्र कीर्तिताः

kiraṇā dhūtapāpā ca puṇyatoyā sarasvatī || gaṁgā ca yamunā caiva paṁcanadyotra kīrtitāḥ

Kirana and Dhutapapa, and the sacred-watered Sarasvati, and Ganga and Yamuna too - these are proclaimed here as the Five Rivers.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.59.116)

अतः पंचनदं नाम तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् ॥ तत्राप्लुतो न गृह्णीयाद्देहं ना पांचभौतिकम्

ataḥ paṁcanadaṁ nāma tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam || tatrāpluto na gṛhṇīyāddehaṁ nā pāṁcabhautikam

Hence the tirtha, famed throughout the three worlds, bears the name Panchanada. A man bathed there does not again take on a body made of the five elements.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.59.117)

अस्मिन्पंचनदीनां च संभेदेघौघभेदिनि ॥ स्नानमात्रात्प्रयात्येव भित्त्वा ब्रह्मांडमंडपम्

asminpaṁcanadīnāṁ ca saṁbhedeghaughabhedini || snānamātrātprayātyeva bhittvā brahmāṁḍamaṁḍapam

At this confluence of the Five Rivers, which shatters the mass of sins, by mere bathing one departs to liberation, piercing through the very dome of the cosmic egg.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.59.118)

तीर्थानि संति भूयांसि काश्यामत्र पदेपदे ॥ न पंचनदतीर्थस्य कोट्यंशेन समान्यपि

tīrthāni saṁti bhūyāṁsi kāśyāmatra padepade || na paṁcanadatīrthasya koṭyaṁśena samānyapi

There are countless tirthas here in Kashi, at every step; not even a ten-millionth part of one equals the tirtha of Panchanada.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.59.119)

प्रयागे माघमासे तु सम्यक्स्नातस्य यत्फलम् ॥ तत्फलं स्याद्दिनैकेन काश्यां पंचनदे ध्रुवम्

prayāge māghamāse tu samyaksnātasya yatphalam || tatphalaṁ syāddinaikena kāśyāṁ paṁcanade dhruvam

Whatever fruit is obtained by one who bathes properly at Prayaga in the month of Magha - that very fruit is certainly obtained in a single day at Panchanada in Kashi.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.59.120)

स्नात्वा पंचनदे तीर्थे कृत्वा च पितृतर्पणम् ॥ बिंदुमाधवमभ्यर्च्य न भूयो जन्मभाग्भवेत्

snātvā paṁcanade tīrthe kṛtvā ca pitṛtarpaṇam || biṁdumādhavamabhyarcya na bhūyo janmabhāgbhavet

Having bathed at the Panchanada tirtha, having performed libations to the ancestors, and having worshipped Bindu-Madhava, one no longer partakes of birth again.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.59.121)

यावत्संख्यास्तिलादत्ताः पितृभ्यो जलतर्पणे ॥ पुण्ये पंचनदे तीर्थे तृप्तिः स्यात्तावदाब्दिकी

yāvatsaṁkhyāstilādattāḥ pitṛbhyo jalatarpaṇe || puṇye paṁcanade tīrthe tṛptiḥ syāttāvadābdikī

As many sesame seeds as are offered to the ancestors in the water-libation at the sacred Panchanada tirtha, so many years' worth of satisfaction results.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.59.122)

श्रद्धया यैः कृतं श्राद्धं तीथें पंचनदे शुभे ॥ तेषां पितामहा मुक्ता नानायोनि गता अपि

śraddhayā yaiḥ kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ tītheṁ paṁcanade śubhe || teṣāṁ pitāmahā muktā nānāyoni gatā api

Those who have performed the ancestral rite with faith at the auspicious Panchanada tirtha - their forefathers, even those gone into various lower wombs, are liberated.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.59.123)

यमलोके पितृगणैर्गाथेयं परिगीयते ॥ महिमानं पांचनदं दृष्ट्वा श्राद्धविधानतः

yamaloke pitṛgaṇairgātheyaṁ parigīyate || mahimānaṁ pāṁcanadaṁ dṛṣṭvā śrāddhavidhānataḥ

In the world of Yama, this verse is sung by the hosts of ancestors, having witnessed the greatness of Panchanada through the due performance of the ancestral rite:

Verse 124 (skanda.4.59.124)

अस्माकमपि वंश्योत्र कश्चिच्छ्राद्धं करिष्यति ॥ काश्यां पंचनदं प्राप्य येन मुच्यामहे वयम्

asmākamapi vaṁśyotra kaścicchrāddhaṁ kariṣyati || kāśyāṁ paṁcanadaṁ prāpya yena mucyāmahe vayam

"'Will some descendant of ours also perform the ancestral rite here, having reached Panchanada in Kashi, by which we might be liberated?'"

Verse 125 (skanda.4.59.125)

इयं गाथा प्रतिदिनं श्राद्धदेवस्य सन्निधौ ॥ पितृभिः परिगीयेत काश्यां पंचनदं प्रति

iyaṁ gāthā pratidinaṁ śrāddhadevasya sannidhau || pitṛbhiḥ parigīyeta kāśyāṁ paṁcanadaṁ prati

This verse is sung daily by the ancestors in the presence of the God of the Ancestral Rite, concerning Panchanada in Kashi.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.59.126)

तत्र पंचनदे तीर्थे यत्किंचिद्दीयते वसु ॥ कल्पक्षयेपि न भवेत्तस्य पुण्यस्य संक्षयः

tatra paṁcanade tīrthe yatkiṁciddīyate vasu || kalpakṣayepi na bhavettasya puṇyasya saṁkṣayaḥ

Whatever wealth is given there at the Panchanada tirtha, however little - the merit of that never diminishes, even at the end of a cosmic age.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.59.127)

वंध्यापि वर्षपर्यंतं स्नात्वा पंचनदे ह्रदे ॥ समर्च्य मंगलां गौंरीं पुत्रं जनयति ध्रुवम्

vaṁdhyāpi varṣaparyaṁtaṁ snātvā paṁcanade hrade || samarcya maṁgalāṁ gauṁrīṁ putraṁ janayati dhruvam

Even a barren woman, bathing for a full year in the Panchanada lake and worshipping the auspicious Gauri, certainly gives birth to a son.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.59.128)

जलैः पांचनदैः पुण्यैर्वाससा पारिशोधितैः ॥ महाफलमवाप्नोति स्नपयित्वेष्टदेवताम्

jalaiḥ pāṁcanadaiḥ puṇyairvāsasā pāriśodhitaiḥ || mahāphalamavāpnoti snapayitveṣṭadevatām

By bathing one's chosen deity with the sacred waters of Panchanada, purified through a cloth, one obtains great fruit.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.59.129)

पंचामृतानां कलशैरष्टोत्तरशतोन्मितैः ॥ तुलितोधिकतां यातो बिंदुः पंचनदांभसः

paṁcāmṛtānāṁ kalaśairaṣṭottaraśatonmitaiḥ || tulitodhikatāṁ yāto biṁduḥ paṁcanadāṁbhasaḥ

Weighed against a hundred and eight jars of the five nectars, a single drop of Panchanada's water is found to be of greater worth.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.59.130)

पंचकूर्चेन पीतेन यात्र शुद्धिरुदाहृता ॥ सा शुद्धिः श्रद्धया प्राश्य बिंदुं पांचनदांभसः

paṁcakūrcena pītena yātra śuddhirudāhṛtā || sā śuddhiḥ śraddhayā prāśya biṁduṁ pāṁcanadāṁbhasaḥ

That purity which is declared to come from drinking the panchakurcha - that same purity comes from tasting, with faith, a single drop of Panchanada's water.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.59.131)

भवेदवभृथस्नानाद्राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः ॥ यत्फलं तच्छतगुणं स्नानात्पांचनदांभसा

bhavedavabhṛthasnānādrājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ || yatphalaṁ tacchataguṇaṁ snānātpāṁcanadāṁbhasā

Whatever fruit accrues from the concluding bath of the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices - that fruit, a hundredfold, comes from bathing in Panchanada's waters.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.59.132)

राजसूयाश्वमेधौ च भवेतां स्वर्गसाधनम् ॥ आब्रह्मघटिकाद्वंद्वं मुक्त्यै पांचनदाप्लुतिः

rājasūyāśvamedhau ca bhavetāṁ svargasādhanam || ābrahmaghaṭikādvaṁdvaṁ muktyai pāṁcanadāplutiḥ

The Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices are only a means to heaven; but a mere two ghatikas of immersion in Panchanada is for liberation, effective up to the realm of Brahma.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.59.133)

स्वर्गराज्याभिषेकोपि न तथा संमतः सताम् ॥ अभिषेकः पांचनदो यथानल्पसुखप्रदः

svargarājyābhiṣekopi na tathā saṁmataḥ satām || abhiṣekaḥ pāṁcanado yathānalpasukhapradaḥ

Not even coronation as king of heaven is held in such esteem by the virtuous, as the Panchanada anointing, which grants such abundant happiness.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.59.134)

वरं वाराणसीं प्राप्य भृत्यः पंचनदोक्षिणाम् ॥ नान्यत्र सेवकीभूत भूपकोटिर्नरेश्वरः

varaṁ vārāṇasīṁ prāpya bhṛtyaḥ paṁcanadokṣiṇām || nānyatra sevakībhūta bhūpakoṭirnareśvaraḥ

Better, having reached Varanasi, to be a servant of those who bathe in Panchanada, than to be a lord of men, a king among ten million kings, in service anywhere else.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.59.135)

यैर्न पंचनदे स्नातं कार्तिके पापहारिणि ॥ तेऽद्यापि गर्भे तिष्ठंति पुनस्ते गर्भवासिनः

yairna paṁcanade snātaṁ kārtike pāpahāriṇi || te'dyāpi garbhe tiṣṭhaṁti punaste garbhavāsinaḥ

Those who have not bathed in the sin-removing Panchanada during Kartika - they remain, even to this day, dwellers in the womb, again and again.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.59.136)

कृते धर्मनदं नाम त्रेतायां धूतपापकम् ॥ द्वापरे बिंदुतीर्थं च कलौ पंचनदं स्मृतम्

kṛte dharmanadaṁ nāma tretāyāṁ dhūtapāpakam || dvāpare biṁdutīrthaṁ ca kalau paṁcanadaṁ smṛtam

In the Krita age it is remembered by the name Dharmanada; in Treta, as Dhutapapaka; in Dvapara, as Bindutirtha; and in Kali, as Panchanada.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.59.137)

शतं समास्तपस्तप्त्वा कृते यत्प्राप्यते फलम् ॥ तत्कार्तिके पंचनदे सकृत्स्नानेन लभ्यते

śataṁ samāstapastaptvā kṛte yatprāpyate phalam || tatkārtike paṁcanade sakṛtsnānena labhyate

Whatever fruit is obtained in the Krita age by performing austerity for a hundred years - that same fruit is obtained by a single bath at Panchanada in Kartika.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.59.138)

इष्टापूर्तेषु धर्मेषु यावजन्मकृतेषु यत् ॥ अन्यत्र स्यात्फलं तत्स्यादूर्जे धर्मनदाप्लवात्

iṣṭāpūrteṣu dharmeṣu yāvajanmakṛteṣu yat || anyatra syātphalaṁ tatsyādūrje dharmanadāplavāt

Whatever fruit would come, elsewhere, from meritorious sacrificial and charitable acts performed over one's entire lifetime - that same fruit comes from a single immersion in the Dharmanada in the month of Kartika.

Verse 139 (skanda.4.59.139)

न धूतपाप सदृशं तीर्थं क्वापि महीतले ॥ यदेकस्नानतो नश्येदघं जन्मत्रयार्जितम्

na dhūtapāpa sadṛśaṁ tīrthaṁ kvāpi mahītale || yadekasnānato naśyedaghaṁ janmatrayārjitam

There is no tirtha anywhere on earth equal to Dhutapapa, by a single bathing in which the sin accumulated over three births is destroyed.

Verse 140 (skanda.4.59.140)

बिंदुतीर्थे नरो दत्त्वा कांचनं कृष्णलोन्मितम् ॥ न दरिद्रो भवेत्क्वापि न स्वर्णेन वियुज्यते

biṁdutīrthe naro dattvā kāṁcanaṁ kṛṣṇalonmitam || na daridro bhavetkvāpi na svarṇena viyujyate

A man who gives gold, even as little as a single berry-seed's weight, at Bindu-tirtha, never becomes poor anywhere, nor is ever parted from gold.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.59.141)

गोभूतिलहिरण्याश्व वासोन्नस्रग्विभूषणम् ॥ यत्किंचिद्बिंदुतीर्थेत्र दत्त्वाक्षयमवाप्नुयात्

gobhūtilahiraṇyāśva vāsonnasragvibhūṣaṇam || yatkiṁcidbiṁdutīrthetra dattvākṣayamavāpnuyāt

Whatever one gives here at Bindu-tirtha - a cow, land, sesame, gold, a horse, clothing, food, a garland, or an ornament - one obtains as imperishable.

Verse 142 (skanda.4.59.142)

एकामप्याहुतिं दत्त्वा समिद्धेग्नौ विधानतः ॥ पुण्ये धर्मनदे तीर्थे कोटिहोमफलं लभेत्

ekāmapyāhutiṁ dattvā samiddhegnau vidhānataḥ || puṇye dharmanade tīrthe koṭihomaphalaṁ labhet

Having offered even a single oblation, duly, into a well-kindled fire at the sacred Dharmanada tirtha, one obtains the fruit of ten million fire-offerings.

Verse 143 (skanda.4.59.143)

न पंचनदतीर्थस्य महिमानमनंतकम् ॥ कोपि वर्णयितुं शक्तश्चतुर्वर्ग शुभौकसः

na paṁcanadatīrthasya mahimānamanaṁtakam || kopi varṇayituṁ śaktaścaturvarga śubhaukasaḥ

No one at all, even one abiding in the four aims of life and their good fortune, is able to describe the endless glory of the Panchanada tirtha.

Verse 144 (skanda.4.59.144)

श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं श्रावयित्वापि भक्तितः ॥ सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोके महीयते

śrutvākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ śrāvayitvāpi bhaktitaḥ || sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā viṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whoever hears this sacred narrative, or has it recited with devotion, his soul purified of all sin, is glorified in the world of Vishnu.