Bindu-Madhava: Agnibindu's Hymn and the Kartika Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.4.60.1)

स्कंद उवाच ॥ उक्ता पंचनदोत्पत्तिर्मित्रावरुणनंदन ॥ इदानीं कथयिष्यामि माधवाविष्कृतिं पराम्

skaṁda uvāca || uktā paṁcanadotpattirmitrāvaruṇanaṁdana || idānīṁ kathayiṣyāmi mādhavāviṣkṛtiṁ parām

Skanda said: "The origin of Panchanada has been told, O son of Mitra and Varuna; now I shall tell the supreme manifestation of Madhava."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.60.2)

यां श्रुत्वा श्रद्धया धीमान्पापेभ्यो मुच्यते क्षणात् ॥ न च श्रिया वियुज्येत संयुज्येत वृषेण च

yāṁ śrutvā śraddhayā dhīmānpāpebhyo mucyate kṣaṇāt || na ca śriyā viyujyeta saṁyujyeta vṛṣeṇa ca

"Hearing which with faith, a wise man is instantly freed from sins; he is never parted from prosperity, and becomes joined with righteousness."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.60.3)

आगत्य मंदरादद्रेरुपेंद्रश्चंद्रशेखरम् ॥ आपृच्छ्य तार्क्ष्यरथगः क्षणाद्वाराणसीं पुरीम्

āgatya maṁdarādadrerupeṁdraścaṁdraśekharam || āpṛcchya tārkṣyarathagaḥ kṣaṇādvārāṇasīṁ purīm

Upendra, coming from Mount Mandara, having taken leave of Chandrashekhara, mounted on Garuda his vehicle, reached in an instant the city of Varanasi.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.60.4)

दिवो दासं महीपालं समुच्चाट्य स्वमायया ॥ स्थित्वा पादोदके तीर्थे केशवाख्य स्वरूपतः

divo dāsaṁ mahīpālaṁ samuccāṭya svamāyayā || sthitvā pādodake tīrthe keśavākhya svarūpataḥ

Having driven out King Divodasa by his own magic, and having stationed himself, as Keshava, in his own form at the Padodaka tirtha...

Verse 5 (skanda.4.60.5)

महिमानं परं काश्यां विचार्य सुविचार्य च ॥ दृष्ट्वा पंचनदं तीर्थं परां मुदमवाप ह

mahimānaṁ paraṁ kāśyāṁ vicārya suvicārya ca || dṛṣṭvā paṁcanadaṁ tīrthaṁ parāṁ mudamavāpa ha

...having thoroughly pondered the supreme glory of Kashi, and having beheld the Panchanada tirtha, he attained the greatest joy indeed.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.60.6)

उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा पुंडरीकविलोचनः ॥ अगण्या अपि वैकुंठ गुणा विगणिता मया

uvāca ca prasannātmā puṁḍarīkavilocanaḥ || agaṇyā api vaikuṁṭha guṇā vigaṇitā mayā

And the lotus-eyed one, his mind delighted, said: "Even the countless virtues of Vaikuntha have I now counted here."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.60.7)

क्व क्षीरनीरधौ संति तावंतो निर्मला गुणाः ॥ यावंतो विजयं तेत्र काश्यां पंचनदे ह्रदे

kva kṣīranīradhau saṁti tāvaṁto nirmalā guṇāḥ || yāvaṁto vijayaṁ tetra kāśyāṁ paṁcanade hrade

"Where in the Ocean of Milk are there as many pure virtues as achieve victory here, in the Panchanada lake in Kashi?"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.60.8)

श्वेतद्वीपेपि सामग्री क्व गुणानां गरीयसी ॥ ईदृशी यादृशी काश्यां धूतपापेस्ति पावनी

śvetadvīpepi sāmagrī kva guṇānāṁ garīyasī || īdṛśī yādṛśī kāśyāṁ dhūtapāpesti pāvanī

"Even in Shvetadvipa, where is there such an abundance of the weightiest virtues, purifying as is Dhutapapa here in Kashi?"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.60.9)

मुदे कौमोदकी स्पर्शस्तथा न मम जायते ॥ धूतपापांबु संपर्को यथा भवति सर्वथा

mude kaumodakī sparśastathā na mama jāyate || dhūtapāpāṁbu saṁparko yathā bhavati sarvathā

"Not even the touch of my mace Kaumodaki gives me such joy, as the contact with Dhutapapa's water gives me in every way."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.60.10)

न क्षीरनीरधिजया सुखं मे श्लिष्टगात्रया ॥ तथा भवेद्यथात्र स्यात्स्पृष्टया धूतपापया

na kṣīranīradhijayā sukhaṁ me śliṣṭagātrayā || tathā bhavedyathātra syātspṛṣṭayā dhūtapāpayā

"Not even the embrace of her born of the Ocean of Milk gives me such happiness, as would come from being touched here by Dhutapapa."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.60.11)

इत्थं पंचनदे तीर्थे क्षीरनीरधिजाधवः ॥ संप्रेष्य तार्क्ष्यं त्र्यक्षाग्रे वृत्तांतविनिवेदितुम्

itthaṁ paṁcanade tīrthe kṣīranīradhijādhavaḥ || saṁpreṣya tārkṣyaṁ tryakṣāgre vṛttāṁtaviniveditum

Thus, at the Panchanada tirtha, the lord of her born of the Ocean of Milk sent Tarkshya to report the matter before the Three-Eyed One...

Verse 12 (skanda.4.60.12)

आनंदकाननभवं दिवोदास क्षमापतेः ॥ संवर्णयन्गुणग्रामं पुण्यं पांचनदोद्भवम्

ānaṁdakānanabhavaṁ divodāsa kṣamāpateḥ || saṁvarṇayanguṇagrāmaṁ puṇyaṁ pāṁcanadodbhavam

...describing the sacred array of virtues arisen from the Ananda-forest and from Panchanada, that belonged to King Divodasa.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.60.13)

सुखोपविष्टः संहृष्टः सुदृष्टिर्विष्टरश्रवाः ॥ दृष्टवांस्तपसा जुष्टमपुष्टांगं तपोधनम्

sukhopaviṣṭaḥ saṁhṛṣṭaḥ sudṛṣṭirviṣṭaraśravāḥ || dṛṣṭavāṁstapasā juṣṭamapuṣṭāṁgaṁ tapodhanam

Comfortably seated, greatly pleased, of clear sight, Vishtarashravas beheld a sage rich in austerity, his limbs emaciated, cherished by his own tapas.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.60.14)

स ऋषिस्तं समभ्येत्य पुंडरीकाक्षमच्युतम् ॥ उपोपविष्टकमलं वनमालाविराजितम्

sa ṛṣistaṁ samabhyetya puṁḍarīkākṣamacyutam || upopaviṣṭakamalaṁ vanamālāvirājitam

That sage, approaching the lotus-eyed Achyuta, seated upon the lotus, resplendent with his forest garland...

Verse 15 (skanda.4.60.15)

शंखपद्मगदाचक्र चंचत्करचतुष्टयम् ॥ कौस्तुभोद्भासितोरस्कं पीतकौशेयवाससम्

śaṁkhapadmagadācakra caṁcatkaracatuṣṭayam || kaustubhodbhāsitoraskaṁ pītakauśeyavāsasam

...his four hands moving, holding conch, lotus, mace, and discus; his chest illumined by the Kaustubha jewel; clad in yellow silk garments...

Verse 16 (skanda.4.60.16)

सुनीलेंदीवररुचिं सुस्निग्ध मधुराकृतिम् ॥ नाभीह्रदलसत्पद्म सुपाटलरदच्छदम्

sunīleṁdīvararuciṁ susnigdha madhurākṛtim || nābhīhradalasatpadma supāṭalaradacchadam

...radiant like the deep-blue lotus, of tender and sweet form, with a lotus gleaming in the lake of his navel, his lips of a lovely reddish hue...

Verse 17 (skanda.4.60.17)

दाडिमीबीजदशनं किरीटद्योतितांबरम् ॥ देवेंद्रवंदितपदं सनकादिपरिष्टुतम्

dāḍimībījadaśanaṁ kirīṭadyotitāṁbaram || deveṁdravaṁditapadaṁ sanakādipariṣṭutam

...his teeth like pomegranate seeds, his garments made bright by his crown, his feet bowed to by the lord of the gods, praised by Sanaka and the rest...

Verse 18 (skanda.4.60.18)

दिव्यर्षिभिर्नारदाद्यैः परिगीतमहोदयम् ॥ प्रह्लादाद्यैर्भागवतैः परिनंदितमानसम्

divyarṣibhirnāradādyaiḥ parigītamahodayam || prahlādādyairbhāgavataiḥ parinaṁditamānasam

...his glorious greatness sung by celestial sages headed by Narada, his mind ever delighted by devotees headed by Prahlada...

Verse 19 (skanda.4.60.19)

धृतशार्ङ्गधनुर्दंडं दंडिताखिलदानवम् ॥ मधुकैटभहंतारं कंसविध्वंससूचकम्

dhṛtaśārṅgadhanurdaṁḍaṁ daṁḍitākhiladānavam || madhukaiṭabhahaṁtāraṁ kaṁsavidhvaṁsasūcakam

...bearing his Sharnga bow, chastiser of all demons, slayer of Madhu and Kaitabha, foreshadower of the destruction of Kamsa...

Verse 20 (skanda.4.60.20)

कैवल्यं यत्परं ब्रह्म निराकारमगोचरम् ॥ तं पुं मूर्त्या परिणतं भक्तानां भक्तिहेतुतः

kaivalyaṁ yatparaṁ brahma nirākāramagocaram || taṁ puṁ mūrtyā pariṇataṁ bhaktānāṁ bhaktihetutaḥ

...that supreme Brahman which is pure liberation, formless and beyond perception, transformed for the sake of his devotees' devotion into an embodied male form...

Verse 21 (skanda.4.60.21)

वेदाविदुर्यदाकारं नैवोपनिषदोदितम् ॥ ब्रह्माद्या न च गीर्वाणाश्चक्रे नेत्रातिथिं सतम्

vedāviduryadākāraṁ naivopaniṣadoditam || brahmādyā na ca gīrvāṇāścakre netrātithiṁ satam

...whose form the Vedas do not know, which even the Upanishads have not declared, whom Brahma and the other gods have not made a guest of their eyes -

Verse 22 (skanda.4.60.22)

प्रणनाम मुदायुक्तः क्षितिविन्यस्तमस्तकः ॥ स ऋषिस्तं हृषीकेशमग्निबिंदुर्महातपाः

praṇanāma mudāyuktaḥ kṣitivinyastamastakaḥ || sa ṛṣistaṁ hṛṣīkeśamagnibiṁdurmahātapāḥ

...that sage, Agnibindu, of great austerity, filled with joy, his head placed upon the earth, bowed to that Hrishikesha.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.60.23)

तुष्टाव परया भक्त्या मौलिबद्धकरांजलिः ॥ अध्यस्तविस्तीर्णशिलं बलिध्वंसिनमच्युतम्

tuṣṭāva parayā bhaktyā maulibaddhakarāṁjaliḥ || adhyastavistīrṇaśilaṁ balidhvaṁsinamacyutam

With supreme devotion, his joined palms raised to his head, he praised Achyuta, destroyer of Bali, seated upon a vast rock...

Verse 24 (skanda.4.60.24)

तत्र पंचनदाभ्याशे मार्कंडेयादि सेविते ॥ गोविंदमग्निबिंदुः स स्तुतवांस्तुष्टमानसः

tatra paṁcanadābhyāśe mārkaṁḍeyādi sevite || goviṁdamagnibiṁduḥ sa stutavāṁstuṣṭamānasaḥ

...there, near Panchanada, a place frequented by Markandeya and other sages, Agnibindu, his mind delighted, praised Govinda.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.60.25)

॥अग्निबिंदुरुवाच॥ ओं नमः पुंडरीकाक्ष बाह्यांतः शौचदायिने ॥ सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात्

||agnibiṁduruvāca|| oṁ namaḥ puṁḍarīkākṣa bāhyāṁtaḥ śaucadāyine || sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt

Agnibindu said: "Om, salutation to the lotus-eyed one, giver of purity within and without! 'A thousand-headed is the Purusha, thousand-eyed, thousand-footed' -"

Verse 26 (skanda.4.60.26)

नमामि ते पदद्वंद्वं सर्वद्वंद्वनिवारकम् ॥ निर्द्वंद्वया धिया विष्णो जिष्ण्वादि सुरवंदित

namāmi te padadvaṁdvaṁ sarvadvaṁdvanivārakam || nirdvaṁdvayā dhiyā viṣṇo jiṣṇvādi suravaṁdita

"I bow to your two feet, which ward off every pair of opposites, with a mind free of duality, O Vishnu, honored by Jishnu and the other gods."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.60.27)

यं स्तोतुं नाधिगच्छंति वाचो वाचस्पतेरपि ॥ तमीष्टे क इह स्तोतुं भक्तिरत्र बलीयसी

yaṁ stotuṁ nādhigacchaṁti vāco vācaspaterapi || tamīṣṭe ka iha stotuṁ bhaktiratra balīyasī

"Whom even the words of Vachaspati himself fail to attain in praising - who indeed can hope to praise him here? Only devotion is powerful enough for this."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.60.28)

अपि यो भगवानीशो मनःप्राचामगोचरः ॥ समादृशैरल्पधीभिः कथं स्तुत्यो वचः परः

api yo bhagavānīśo manaḥprācāmagocaraḥ || samādṛśairalpadhībhiḥ kathaṁ stutyo vacaḥ paraḥ

"How can that Lord God, who is beyond the reach of the minds of even the ancient sages, be praised in words by ordinary beings of little intellect like us?"

Verse 29 (skanda.4.60.29)

यं वाचो न विशंतीशं मनतीह मनो न यम् ॥ मनो गिरामतीतं तं कः स्तोतुं शक्तिमान्भवेत्

yaṁ vāco na viśaṁtīśaṁ manatīha mano na yam || mano girāmatītaṁ taṁ kaḥ stotuṁ śaktimānbhavet

"That Lord whom words do not enter, whom even the mind does not comprehend here - who could be capable of praising him, who is beyond mind and speech?"

Verse 30 (skanda.4.60.30)

यस्य निःश्वसितं वेदाः स षडंगपदक्रमाः ॥ तस्य देवस्य महिमा महान्कैरवगम्यते

yasya niḥśvasitaṁ vedāḥ sa ṣaḍaṁgapadakramāḥ || tasya devasya mahimā mahānkairavagamyate

"He whose very breath is the Vedas with their six auxiliary sciences and word-sequences - the great glory of that God is grasped only distantly, as the night-lotus knows the moon."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.60.31)

अतंद्रितमनोबुद्धींद्रिया यं सनकादयः ॥ ध्यायंतोपि हृदाकाशे न विंदंति यथार्थतः

ataṁdritamanobuddhīṁdriyā yaṁ sanakādayaḥ || dhyāyaṁtopi hṛdākāśe na viṁdaṁti yathārthataḥ

"Whom, though Sanaka and the others, with untiring mind, intellect, and senses, meditate upon in the space of the heart, they do not truly grasp as he really is."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.60.32)

नारदाद्यैर्मुनिवरैराबाल ब्रह्मचारिभिः ॥ गीयमानचरित्रोपि न सम्यग्योधिगम्यते

nāradādyairmunivarairābāla brahmacāribhiḥ || gīyamānacaritropi na samyagyodhigamyate

"Though his deeds are sung by Narada and other great sages, celibate from childhood, he is still not fully comprehended by anyone."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.60.33)

तंसूक्ष्मरूपमजमव्ययमेकमाद्यं बह्माद्यगोचरमजेयमनंतशक्तिम् ॥ नित्यं निरामयममूर्तमचिंत्यमूर्तिं कस्त्वां चराचर चराचरभिन्न वेत्ति

taṁsūkṣmarūpamajamavyayamekamādyaṁ bahmādyagocaramajeyamanaṁtaśaktim || nityaṁ nirāmayamamūrtamaciṁtyamūrtiṁ kastvāṁ carācara carācarabhinna vetti

"Who could truly know you - of subtle form, unborn, imperishable, the one and only, the primal, beyond even Brahma's reach, unconquerable, of infinite power, eternal, free of affliction, formless, yet of a form beyond thought, O one who, though distinct from the moving and unmoving, is also the moving and unmoving themselves?"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.60.34)

एकैकमेव तव नामहरेन्मुरारे जन्मार्जिताघमघिनां च महापदाढ्यम् ॥ दद्यात्फलं च महितं महतो मखस्य जप्तं मुकुंदमधुसूदनमाधवेति

ekaikameva tava nāmaharenmurāre janmārjitāghamaghināṁ ca mahāpadāḍhyam || dadyātphalaṁ ca mahitaṁ mahato makhasya japtaṁ mukuṁdamadhusūdanamādhaveti

"O Murari, each single name of yours alone removes the sin accumulated over births, even that of the greatest sinners; and, when recited - 'Mukunda,' 'Madhusudana,' 'Madhava' - it bestows the glorious fruit even of a great sacrifice."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.60.35)

नारायणेति नरकार्णव तारणेति दामोदरेति मधुहेति चतुर्भुजेति ॥ विश्वंभरेति विरजेति जनार्दनेति क्वास्तीह जन्म जपतां क्व कृतांतभीतिः

nārāyaṇeti narakārṇava tāraṇeti dāmodareti madhuheti caturbhujeti || viśvaṁbhareti virajeti janārdaneti kvāstīha janma japatāṁ kva kṛtāṁtabhītiḥ

"'Narayana,' 'Deliverer from the ocean of hell,' 'Damodara,' 'Slayer of Madhu,' 'Four-Armed one,' 'Sustainer of the universe,' 'Stainless one,' 'Janardana' - where is birth, for those who recite these? Where is fear of Death?"

Verse 36 (skanda.4.60.36)

ये त्वां त्रिविक्रम सदा हृदि शीलयंति कादंबिनी रुचिर रोचिषमंबुजाक्षम् ॥ सौदामनीविलसितांशुकवीतमूर्ते तेपि स्पृशंति तव कांतिमचिंत्यरूपाम्

ye tvāṁ trivikrama sadā hṛdi śīlayaṁti kādaṁbinī rucira rociṣamaṁbujākṣam || saudāmanīvilasitāṁśukavītamūrte tepi spṛśaṁti tava kāṁtimaciṁtyarūpām

"O Trivikrama, those who ever cherish in their hearts you, lotus-eyed, radiant with a splendor lovely as a raincloud, your form wrapped in garments flashing like lightning - even they only touch a fraction of your inconceivable beauty."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.60.37)

श्रीवत्सलांछनहरेच्युतकैटभारे गोविंदतार्क्ष्य रथकेशवचक्रपाणे ॥ लक्ष्मीपते दनुजसूदन शार्ङ्गपाणे त्वद्भक्तिभाजि न भयंक्वचिदस्ति पुंसि

śrīvatsalāṁchanaharecyutakaiṭabhāre goviṁdatārkṣya rathakeśavacakrapāṇe || lakṣmīpate danujasūdana śārṅgapāṇe tvadbhaktibhāji na bhayaṁkvacidasti puṁsi

"O Hari marked with the Shrivatsa, Achyuta, foe of Kaitabha, Govinda, Keshava, discus-bearer, Lord of Lakshmi, slayer of demons, bow-bearer - in a man who shares your devotion, there is never any fear at all."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.60.38)

यैरर्चितोसि भगवंस्तुलसीप्रसूनैर्दूरीकृतैणमदसौरभदिव्यगंधैः ॥ तानर्चयंति दिवि देवगणाःसमस्ता मंदारदामभिरलं विमलस्वभावान्

yairarcitosi bhagavaṁstulasīprasūnairdūrīkṛtaiṇamadasaurabhadivyagaṁdhaiḥ || tānarcayaṁti divi devagaṇāḥsamastā maṁdāradāmabhiralaṁ vimalasvabhāvān

"O Lord, those who worship you with tulasi blossoms, whose divine fragrance surpasses even the perfume of musk, them - stainless of nature - all the hosts of gods in heaven worship in turn, with garlands of mandara flowers."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.60.39)

यद्वाचि नाम तव कामदमब्जनेत्र यच्छ्रोत्रयोस्तव कथा मधुराक्षराणि ॥ यच्चित्तभित्तिलिखितं भवतोस्ति रूपं नीरूपभूपपदवी नहि तैर्दुरापा

yadvāci nāma tava kāmadamabjanetra yacchrotrayostava kathā madhurākṣarāṇi || yaccittabhittilikhitaṁ bhavatosti rūpaṁ nīrūpabhūpapadavī nahi tairdurāpā

"O lotus-eyed one, for one on whose tongue is your desire-fulfilling name, in whose ears are your sweet stories, and in whose heart your form is inscribed - the formless state of liberation is not hard for them to attain."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.60.40)

ये त्वां भजंति सततं भुविशेषशायिंस्ताञ्छ्रीपते पितृपतींद्र कुबेरमुख्याः ॥ वृंदारका दिवि सदैव सभाजयंति स्वर्गापवर्गसुखसंततिदानदक्ष

ye tvāṁ bhajaṁti satataṁ bhuviśeṣaśāyiṁstāñchrīpate pitṛpatīṁdra kuberamukhyāḥ || vṛṁdārakā divi sadaiva sabhājayaṁti svargāpavargasukhasaṁtatidānadakṣa

"O Lord of Shri, who lies upon the choicest place on earth, giver of the succession of pleasures of heaven and liberation - those who constantly worship you, them the gods in heaven, headed by Yama and Kubera, ever honor."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.60.41)

ये त्वां स्तुवंति सततं दिवितान्स्तुवंति सिद्धाप्सरोमरगणा लसदब्जपाणे ॥ विश्राणयत्यखिलसिद्धिदकोविना त्वां निर्वाणचारुकमलां कमलायताक्ष

ye tvāṁ stuvaṁti satataṁ divitānstuvaṁti siddhāpsaromaragaṇā lasadabjapāṇe || viśrāṇayatyakhilasiddhidakovinā tvāṁ nirvāṇacārukamalāṁ kamalāyatākṣa

"O lotus-hand, lotus-eyed one, those who constantly praise you - them the Siddhas, Apsaras, and hosts of gods likewise praise. Without you, giver of every accomplishment, who bestows the beautiful lotus of liberation?"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.60.42)

त्वं हंसि पासि सृजसि क्षणतः स्वलीला लीलावपुर्धर विरिंचिनतांघ्रियुग्म ॥ विश्वं त्वमेव परविश्वपतिस्त्वमेव विश्वस्यबीजमसि तत्प्रणतोस्मि नित्यम्

tvaṁ haṁsi pāsi sṛjasi kṣaṇataḥ svalīlā līlāvapurdhara viriṁcinatāṁghriyugma || viśvaṁ tvameva paraviśvapatistvameva viśvasyabījamasi tatpraṇatosmi nityam

"You destroy, protect, and create in an instant, through your own play, O bearer of a playful form, whose two feet are bowed to by Brahma. You alone are the universe, you alone are its supreme lord, you are its seed - therefore I bow to you always."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.60.43)

स्तोता त्वमेव दनुजेंद्ररिपो स्तुतिस्त्वं स्तुत्यस्त्वमेव सकलं हि भवानिहैकः ॥ त्वत्तो न किंचिदपि भिन्नमवैमि विष्णो तृष्णां सदा कृणुहि मे भवजांभवारे

stotā tvameva danujeṁdraripo stutistvaṁ stutyastvameva sakalaṁ hi bhavānihaikaḥ || tvatto na kiṁcidapi bhinnamavaimi viṣṇo tṛṣṇāṁ sadā kṛṇuhi me bhavajāṁbhavāre

"O enemy of the demon lords, you alone are the one who praises, you are the praise, you alone are the one praised; you alone are everything here. I know nothing apart from you, O Vishnu; O enemy of worldly bondage, grant me ever devoted longing for you."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.60.44)

इति स्तुत्वा हृषीकेशमग्निबिंदुर्महातपाः ॥ तस्थौ तूष्णीं ततो विष्णुरुवाच वरदो मुनिम्

iti stutvā hṛṣīkeśamagnibiṁdurmahātapāḥ || tasthau tūṣṇīṁ tato viṣṇuruvāca varado munim

Having thus praised Hrishikesha, Agnibindu of great austerity fell silent; then Vishnu, the boon-giver, spoke to the sage.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.60.45)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ अग्निबिंदो महाप्राज्ञ महता तपसांनिधे ॥ वरं वरय सुप्रीतस्तवादेयं न किंचन

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| agnibiṁdo mahāprājña mahatā tapasāṁnidhe || varaṁ varaya suprītastavādeyaṁ na kiṁcana

Shri Vishnu said: "O Agnibindu, most wise, treasury of great austerity, choose a boon; I am well pleased - there is nothing that cannot be given to you."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.60.46)

अग्निबिंदुरुवाच ॥ यदि प्रीतोसि भगवन्वैकुंठेश जगत्पते ॥ कमलाकांत तद्देहि यदिह प्रार्थयाम्यहम्

agnibiṁduruvāca || yadi prītosi bhagavanvaikuṁṭheśa jagatpate || kamalākāṁta taddehi yadiha prārthayāmyaham

Agnibindu said: "If you are pleased, O Lord, Lord of Vaikuntha, Lord of the World, Beloved of Lakshmi, then grant me what I now ask."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.60.47)

कृतानुज्ञोथ हरिणा भ्रूभंगेन स तापसः ॥ कृतप्रणामो हृष्टात्मा वरयामास केशवम्

kṛtānujñotha hariṇā bhrūbhaṁgena sa tāpasaḥ || kṛtapraṇāmo hṛṣṭātmā varayāmāsa keśavam

Then, granted permission by Hari through the arching of his brow, that ascetic, having bowed, his soul delighted, addressed his request to Keshava.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.60.48)

भगवन्सर्वगोपीह तिष्ठ पंचनदे ह्रदे ॥ हिताय सर्व जंतूनां मुमुक्षूणां विशेषतः

bhagavansarvagopīha tiṣṭha paṁcanade hrade || hitāya sarva jaṁtūnāṁ mumukṣūṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ

"O Lord, protector of all, remain here at the Panchanada lake, for the benefit of all creatures, especially those desiring liberation."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.60.49)

लक्ष्मीशे न वरो मह्यमेष देयोऽविचारतः ॥ नान्यं वरं समीहेहं भक्तिं च त्वपदांबुजे

lakṣmīśe na varo mahyameṣa deyo'vicārataḥ || nānyaṁ varaṁ samīhehaṁ bhaktiṁ ca tvapadāṁbuje

"O Lord of Lakshmi, this boon should be given to me without further deliberation; I desire no other boon, save devotion to your lotus feet."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.60.50)

इति श्रुत्वा वरं तस्याग्निबिंदोर्मधुसूदनः ॥ प्रीतः परोपकारार्थं तथेत्याहाब्धिजापतिः

iti śrutvā varaṁ tasyāgnibiṁdormadhusūdanaḥ || prītaḥ paropakārārthaṁ tathetyāhābdhijāpatiḥ

Hearing this boon of Agnibindu, Madhusudana, the Lord of her born of the ocean, pleased for the sake of benefiting others, said, "So be it."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.60.51)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ अग्निबिंदो मुनिश्रेष्ठ स्थास्याम्यहमिह ध्रुवम् ॥ काशीभक्तिमतां पुंसां मुक्तिमार्गं समादिशन्

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| agnibiṁdo muniśreṣṭha sthāsyāmyahamiha dhruvam || kāśībhaktimatāṁ puṁsāṁ muktimārgaṁ samādiśan

Shri Vishnu said: "O Agnibindu, best of sages, I shall certainly remain here, showing the path of liberation to men devoted to Kashi."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.60.52)

मुने पुनः प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं ब्रूहि ददामि ते ॥ अतीव मम भक्तोसि भक्तिस्तेस्तु दृढा मयि

mune punaḥ prasannosmi varaṁ brūhi dadāmi te || atīva mama bhaktosi bhaktistestu dṛḍhā mayi

"O sage, I am pleased again - name another boon, and I shall give it to you. You are exceedingly devoted to me; may your devotion to me remain firm."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.60.53)

आदावेव हि तिष्ठासुरहमत्र तपोनिधे ॥ ततस्त्वया समभ्यर्थि स्थास्याम्यत्र सदैव हि

ādāveva hi tiṣṭhāsurahamatra taponidhe || tatastvayā samabhyarthi sthāsyāmyatra sadaiva hi

"O treasury of austerity, from the very beginning I had desired to remain here; since you too have requested it, I shall remain here forever indeed."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.60.54)

प्राप्य काशीं सुदुर्मेधाः कस्त्यजेज्ज्ञानवान्यदि ॥ अनर्घ्यं प्राप्य माणिक्यं हित्वा काचं क ईहते

prāpya kāśīṁ sudurmedhāḥ kastyajejjñānavānyadi || anarghyaṁ prāpya māṇikyaṁ hitvā kācaṁ ka īhate

"What man, if wise, having reached Kashi, would abandon it out of gross folly? Who, having obtained a priceless ruby, would then seek out mere glass?"

Verse 55 (skanda.4.60.55)

अल्पीयसा श्रमेणेह वपुषो व्ययमात्रतः ॥ अवश्यं गत्वरस्याशु यथामुक्तिस्तथा क्व हि

alpīyasā śrameṇeha vapuṣo vyayamātrataḥ || avaśyaṁ gatvarasyāśu yathāmuktistathā kva hi

"With the very least effort here, merely by the expenditure of a body that must inevitably and swiftly perish anyway - where else is liberation to be had so easily?"

Verse 56 (skanda.4.60.56)

विनिमय्य जराजीर्णं देहं पार्थिवमत्र वै ॥ प्राज्ञाः किमु न गृह्णीयुरमृतं नैर्जरं वपुः

vinimayya jarājīrṇaṁ dehaṁ pārthivamatra vai || prājñāḥ kimu na gṛhṇīyuramṛtaṁ nairjaraṁ vapuḥ

"Exchanging here this earthly body, worn out with age, why indeed would the wise not accept an immortal, ageless body in return?"

Verse 57 (skanda.4.60.57)

न तपोभिर्न वा दानैर्न यज्ञैर्बहुदक्षिणैः ॥ अन्यत्र लभ्यते मोक्षो यथा काश्यां तनु व्ययात्

na tapobhirna vā dānairna yajñairbahudakṣiṇaiḥ || anyatra labhyate mokṣo yathā kāśyāṁ tanu vyayāt

"Not by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifices with abundant fees, is liberation obtained elsewhere as it is in Kashi, through the mere expenditure of the body."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.60.58)

अपि योगं हि युंजाना योगिनो यतमानसाः ॥ नैकेनजन्मना मुक्ताः काश्यां मुक्ता वपुर्व्ययात्

api yogaṁ hi yuṁjānā yogino yatamānasāḥ || naikenajanmanā muktāḥ kāśyāṁ muktā vapurvyayāt

"Even yogis, practicing yoga with disciplined minds, are not liberated in a single birth elsewhere; but in Kashi, they are liberated by the mere expenditure of the body."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.60.59)

इदमेव महादानमिदमेव महत्तपः ॥ इदमेव व्रतं श्रेष्ठं यत्काश्यां म्रियते तनुः

idameva mahādānamidameva mahattapaḥ || idameva vrataṁ śreṣṭhaṁ yatkāśyāṁ mriyate tanuḥ

"This alone is the greatest gift, this alone is the greatest austerity, this alone is the best vow - that the body should die in Kashi."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.60.60)

स एव विद्वाञ्जगति स एव विजितेंद्रियः ॥ स एव पुण्यवान्धन्यो लब्ध्वा काशीं न यस्त्यजेत्

sa eva vidvāñjagati sa eva vijiteṁdriyaḥ || sa eva puṇyavāndhanyo labdhvā kāśīṁ na yastyajet

"He alone is the learned one in this world, he alone has conquered his senses, he alone is virtuous and blessed, who, having attained Kashi, does not leave it."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.60.61)

तावत्स्थास्याम्यहं चात्र यावत्काशी मुने त्विह ॥ प्रलयेपि न नाशोस्याः शिवशूलाग्र सुस्थितेः

tāvatsthāsyāmyahaṁ cātra yāvatkāśī mune tviha || pralayepi na nāśosyāḥ śivaśūlāgra susthiteḥ

"O sage, I shall remain here for as long as Kashi itself remains here; and there is no destruction of her even at the dissolution of the universe, since she stands secure upon the tip of Shiva's trident."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.60.62)

इत्याकर्ण्य गिरं विष्णोरग्निबिंदुर्महामुनिः ॥ प्रहृष्टरोमा प्रोवाच पुनरन्यं वरं वृणे

ityākarṇya giraṁ viṣṇoragnibiṁdurmahāmuniḥ || prahṛṣṭaromā provāca punaranyaṁ varaṁ vṛṇe

Having heard this speech of Vishnu, the great sage Agnibindu, his body thrilling with joy, said: "I choose yet another boon."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.60.63)

मापते मम नाम्नात्र तीर्थे पंचनदे शुभे ॥ अभक्तेभ्योपि भक्तेभ्यः स्थितो मुक्तिं सदादिश

māpate mama nāmnātra tīrthe paṁcanade śubhe || abhaktebhyopi bhaktebhyaḥ sthito muktiṁ sadādiśa

"O Lord of Lakshmi, remaining here at this auspicious Panchanada tirtha in my name, may you ever grant liberation - to devotees, and even to non-devotees."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.60.64)

येत्र पंचनदे स्नात्वा गत्वा देशांतरेष्वपि ॥ नरा पंचत्वमापन्ना मुक्तिं तेभ्योपि वै दिश

yetra paṁcanade snātvā gatvā deśāṁtareṣvapi || narā paṁcatvamāpannā muktiṁ tebhyopi vai diśa

"And those men who, having bathed here at Panchanada, go to other lands and there meet their end - grant liberation to them too."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.60.65)

येतु पंचनदे स्नात्वा त्वां भजिष्यंति मानवाः ॥ चलाचलापि द्वैरूपा मा त्याक्षीच्छ्रीश्च तान्नरान्

yetu paṁcanade snātvā tvāṁ bhajiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || calācalāpi dvairūpā mā tyākṣīcchrīśca tānnarān

"And those men who, having bathed at Panchanada, shall worship you - may Shri, though of a double nature, fickle and steadfast, never forsake those men."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.60.66)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ एवमस्त्वग्निबिंदोत्र भवता यद्वृतंमुने ॥ त्वन्नाम्नोऽर्धेन मे नाम मया सह भविष्यति

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| evamastvagnibiṁdotra bhavatā yadvṛtaṁmune || tvannāmno'rdhena me nāma mayā saha bhaviṣyati

Shri Vishnu said: "So be it, O Agnibindu, whatever you have chosen here, O sage. With half of your name, my name shall come to be, joined with me."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.60.67)

बिंदुमाधव इत्याख्या मम त्रैलोक्यविश्रुता ॥ काश्यां भविष्यति मुने महापापौघ घातिनी

biṁdumādhava ityākhyā mama trailokyaviśrutā || kāśyāṁ bhaviṣyati mune mahāpāpaugha ghātinī

"'Bindu-Madhava' shall be my name, famed throughout the three worlds; it shall become known in Kashi, O sage, as the destroyer of great masses of sin."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.60.68)

ये मामत्र नराः पुण्याः पुण्ये पंचनदे ह्रदे ॥ सदा सपर्ययिष्यंति तेषां संसारभीः कुतः

ye māmatra narāḥ puṇyāḥ puṇye paṁcanade hrade || sadā saparyayiṣyaṁti teṣāṁ saṁsārabhīḥ kutaḥ

"Those virtuous men who shall ever worship me here, at the sacred Panchanada lake - whence for them the fear of samsara?"

Verse 69 (skanda.4.60.69)

वसुस्वरूपिणी लक्ष्मीर्लक्ष्मीर्निर्वाणसंज्ञिका ॥ तत्पार्श्वगा सदा येषां हृदि पंचनदे ह्यहम्

vasusvarūpiṇī lakṣmīrlakṣmīrnirvāṇasaṁjñikā || tatpārśvagā sadā yeṣāṁ hṛdi paṁcanade hyaham

"Lakshmi, of the nature of wealth, and Lakshmi called Liberation - both ever stand beside those in whose hearts I dwell at Panchanada."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.60.70)

यैर्न पंचनदं प्राप्य वसुभिः प्रीणिता द्विजाः ॥ आशुलभ्यविपत्तीनां तेषां तद्वसुरोदिति

yairna paṁcanadaṁ prāpya vasubhiḥ prīṇitā dvijāḥ || āśulabhyavipattīnāṁ teṣāṁ tadvasuroditi

"Those who, having reached Panchanada, have not gratified the Brahmins with wealth - for them, that very wealth becomes a lament amid easily-obtained calamities."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.60.71)

त एव धन्या लोकेस्मिन्कृतकृत्यास्त एव हि ॥ प्राप्य यैर्मम सांनिध्यं वसवो मम सात्कृताः

ta eva dhanyā lokesminkṛtakṛtyāsta eva hi || prāpya yairmama sāṁnidhyaṁ vasavo mama sātkṛtāḥ

"They alone are blessed in this world, they alone have accomplished their purpose, who, having obtained my presence, have made the Vasus their own."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.60.72)

बिंदुतीर्थमिदं नाम तव नाम्ना भविष्यति ॥ अग्निबिंदो मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वपातकनाशनम्

biṁdutīrthamidaṁ nāma tava nāmnā bhaviṣyati || agnibiṁdo muniśreṣṭha sarvapātakanāśanam

"This tirtha shall bear the name Bindu-tirtha, after your own name, O Agnibindu, best of sages, destroyer of every sin."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.60.73)

कार्तिके बिंदुतीर्थे यो ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः ॥ स्नास्यत्यनुदिते भानौ भानुजात्तस्य भीः कुतः

kārtike biṁdutīrthe yo brahmacaryaparāyaṇaḥ || snāsyatyanudite bhānau bhānujāttasya bhīḥ kutaḥ

"One devoted to celibacy who, in the month of Kartika, shall bathe at Bindu-tirtha before sunrise - whence for him fear of Yama?"

Verse 74 (skanda.4.60.74)

अपि पापसहस्राणि कृत्वा मोहेन मानवः ॥ ऊर्जे धर्मनदे स्नातो निष्पापो जायते क्षणात्

api pāpasahasrāṇi kṛtvā mohena mānavaḥ || ūrje dharmanade snāto niṣpāpo jāyate kṣaṇāt

"Even a man who has committed a thousand sins through delusion, having bathed in Dharmanada during the month of Kartika, becomes sinless in an instant."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.60.75)

यावत्स्वस्थोस्ति देहोयं यावन्नेंद्रियविक्लवः ॥ तावद्व्रतानि कुर्वीत यतो देहफलं व्रतम्

yāvatsvasthosti dehoyaṁ yāvanneṁdriyaviklavaḥ || tāvadvratāni kurvīta yato dehaphalaṁ vratam

"As long as this body is healthy, as long as the senses are not impaired, one should perform vows during that time - for the vow's fruit is dependent upon the body."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.60.76)

एकभक्तेन नक्तेन तथैवायाचितेन च ॥ उपवासेन देहोयं संशोध्यो शुचिभाजनम्

ekabhaktena naktena tathaivāyācitena ca || upavāsena dehoyaṁ saṁśodhyo śucibhājanam

"This body should be purified, made a vessel of purity, through eating once a day, through the night-meal vow, through eating only unsolicited food, and through fasting."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.60.77)

कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणादीनि कर्तव्यानि प्रयत्नतः ॥ अशुचिः शुचितामेति कायो यद्व्रतधारणात्

kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇādīni kartavyāni prayatnataḥ || aśuciḥ śucitāmeti kāyo yadvratadhāraṇāt

"The Krichchhra, Chandrayana, and similar penances should be undertaken with effort; for through the observance of vows, the impure body attains purity."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.60.78)

व्रतैः संशोधिते देहे धर्मो वसति निश्चलः ॥ अर्थकामौ सनिर्वाणौ तत्र यत्र वृष स्थितिः

vrataiḥ saṁśodhite dehe dharmo vasati niścalaḥ || arthakāmau sanirvāṇau tatra yatra vṛṣa sthitiḥ

"In a body purified by vows, dharma dwells unwavering; and artha and kama too, leading to liberation, are found wherever righteousness resides."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.60.79)

तस्माद्व्रतानि सततं चरितव्यानि मानवैः ॥ धर्मसान्निध्य कर्तृणि चतुर्वर्गफलेप्सुभिः

tasmādvratāni satataṁ caritavyāni mānavaiḥ || dharmasānnidhya kartṛṇi caturvargaphalepsubhiḥ

"Therefore vows, which bring about the proximity of dharma, should be constantly practiced by men who desire the fruit of the four aims of life."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.60.80)

सदा कर्तुं न शक्नोति व्रतानि यदि मानवः ॥ चातुर्मास्यमनुप्राप्य तदा कुर्यात्प्रयत्नतः

sadā kartuṁ na śaknoti vratāni yadi mānavaḥ || cāturmāsyamanuprāpya tadā kuryātprayatnataḥ

"If a man is unable to perform vows constantly, then, when the four-month period arrives, he should undertake them with effort."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.60.81)

भूशय्या ब्रह्मचर्यं च किंचिद्भक्ष्यनिषेधनम् ॥ एकभक्तादि नियमो नित्यदानं स्वशक्तितः

bhūśayyā brahmacaryaṁ ca kiṁcidbhakṣyaniṣedhanam || ekabhaktādi niyamo nityadānaṁ svaśaktitaḥ

"Sleeping on the ground, celibacy, the prohibition of certain foods, the discipline of eating once daily and the like, and daily giving according to one's means -"

Verse 82 (skanda.4.60.82)

पुराणश्रवणं चैव तदर्थाचरणं पुनः ॥ अखंडदीपोद्बोधश्च महापूजेष्टदैवते

purāṇaśravaṇaṁ caiva tadarthācaraṇaṁ punaḥ || akhaṁḍadīpodbodhaśca mahāpūjeṣṭadaivate

"-hearing the Puranas and then acting upon their meaning, keeping an unbroken lamp lit, great worship of one's chosen deity..."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.60.83)

प्रभूतांकुरबीजाढ्ये देशे चापि गतागतम् ॥ यत्नेन वर्जयेद्धीमान्महाधर्मविवृद्धये

prabhūtāṁkurabījāḍhye deśe cāpi gatāgatam || yatnena varjayeddhīmānmahādharmavivṛddhaye

"-and the wise should carefully avoid walking to and fro in places abundant with sprouting seeds, for the increase of great merit."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.60.84)

असंभाष्या न संभाष्याश्चातुर्मास्य व्रतस्थितैः ॥ मौनं चापि सदा कार्यं तथ्यं वक्तव्यमेव वा

asaṁbhāṣyā na saṁbhāṣyāścāturmāsya vratasthitaiḥ || maunaṁ cāpi sadā kāryaṁ tathyaṁ vaktavyameva vā

"Those established in the Chaturmasya vow should not speak with those unfit to be spoken to; silence should always be kept, or only truth should be spoken."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.60.85)

निष्पावांश्च मसूरांश्च कोद्रवान्वर्जयेद्व्रती ॥ सदा शुचिभिरास्थेयं स्प्रष्टव्यो नाव्रती जनः

niṣpāvāṁśca masūrāṁśca kodravānvarjayedvratī || sadā śucibhirāstheyaṁ spraṣṭavyo nāvratī janaḥ

"The votary should avoid beans, lentils, and kodrava grain; he should always associate with the pure, and should not touch anyone not observing the vow."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.60.86)

दंतकेशांबरादीनि नित्यं शोध्यानि यत्नतः ॥ अनिष्टचिंता नो कार्या व्रतिना हृद्यपि क्वचित्

daṁtakeśāṁbarādīni nityaṁ śodhyāni yatnataḥ || aniṣṭaciṁtā no kāryā vratinā hṛdyapi kvacit

"The teeth, hair, garments and the like should always be kept clean with effort; no unwholesome thought should ever be entertained in the heart of the votary."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.60.87)

द्वादशस्वपि मासेषु व्रतिनो यत्फलं भवेत् ॥ चातुर्मास्यव्रतभृतां तत्फलं स्यादखंडितम्

dvādaśasvapi māseṣu vratino yatphalaṁ bhavet || cāturmāsyavratabhṛtāṁ tatphalaṁ syādakhaṁḍitam

"Whatever fruit accrues to a votary over all twelve months, that same undiminished fruit comes to those who observe the Chaturmasya vow."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.60.88)

चतुर्ष्वपि च मासेषु न सामर्थ्यं व्रते यदि ॥ तदोर्जे व्रतिना भाव्यमप्यब्दफलमिच्छता

caturṣvapi ca māseṣu na sāmarthyaṁ vrate yadi || tadorje vratinā bhāvyamapyabdaphalamicchatā

"And if one lacks the ability to observe the vow for all four months, then one desiring even the fruit of a whole year should observe it at least during Kartika."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.60.89)

अव्रतः कार्तिको येषां गतो मूढधियामिह ॥ तेषां पुण्यस्य लेशोपि न भवेत्सूकरात्मनाम्

avrataḥ kārtiko yeṣāṁ gato mūḍhadhiyāmiha || teṣāṁ puṇyasya leśopi na bhavetsūkarātmanām

"Those dull-minded ones for whom Kartika has passed without observance - not even a trace of merit belongs to them, akin to swine."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.60.90)

कृच्छ्रं वा चातिकृच्छ्रं वा प्राजापत्यमथापि वा ॥ संप्राप्ते कार्तिके मासि कुर्याच्छक्त्याति पुण्यवान्

kṛcchraṁ vā cātikṛcchraṁ vā prājāpatyamathāpi vā || saṁprāpte kārtike māsi kuryācchaktyāti puṇyavān

"When the month of Kartika arrives, the greatly meritorious one should perform, according to his ability, the Krichchhra, or the Atikrichchhra, or the Prajapatya penance."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.60.91)

एकांतरं व्रतं कुर्यात्त्रिरात्र व्रतमेव वा ॥ पंचरात्रं सप्तरात्रं संप्राप्ते कार्तिके व्रती

ekāṁtaraṁ vrataṁ kuryāttrirātra vratameva vā || paṁcarātraṁ saptarātraṁ saṁprāpte kārtike vratī

"When Kartika arrives, the votary should observe the alternate-day fast, or the three-night vow, or the five-night, or the seven-night vow."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.60.92)

पक्षव्रतं वा कुर्वीत मासोपोषणमेव वा ॥ नोर्जो वंध्यो विधातव्यो व्रतिना केनचित्क्वचित्

pakṣavrataṁ vā kurvīta māsopoṣaṇameva vā || norjo vaṁdhyo vidhātavyo vratinā kenacitkvacit

"Or he should observe the fortnight vow, or fasting for the whole month; the month of Kartika should never, by any votary, be allowed to pass in vain."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.60.93)

शाकाहारं पयोहारं फलाहारमथापि वा ॥ चरेद्यवान्नाहारं वा संप्राप्ते कार्तिके व्रती

śākāhāraṁ payohāraṁ phalāhāramathāpi vā || caredyavānnāhāraṁ vā saṁprāpte kārtike vratī

"The votary, when Kartika arrives, should live on vegetables, or on milk, or on fruit, or on barley-food alone."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.60.94)

नित्यनैमित्तिकं स्नानं कुर्यादूर्जे व्रती नरः ॥ ब्रह्मचर्यं चरेदूर्जे महाव्रतफलार्थवान्

nityanaimittikaṁ snānaṁ kuryādūrje vratī naraḥ || brahmacaryaṁ caredūrje mahāvrataphalārthavān

"The votary, during Kartika, should perform both the daily and the occasional bathing; and, desiring the fruit of a great vow, should observe celibacy during it."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.60.95)

बाहुलं ब्रह्मचर्येण यः क्षिपेच्छुचिमानसः ॥ समस्तं हायनं तेन ब्रह्मचर्यकृतं भवेत्

bāhulaṁ brahmacaryeṇa yaḥ kṣipecchucimānasaḥ || samastaṁ hāyanaṁ tena brahmacaryakṛtaṁ bhavet

"He of pure mind who passes the month of Kartika in celibacy - by him, the observance of celibacy for the whole year is accomplished."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.60.96)

यस्तु कार्तिकिकं मासमुपवासैः समापयेत् ॥ अप्यब्दमपि तेनेह भवेत्सम्यगुपोषितम्

yastu kārtikikaṁ māsamupavāsaiḥ samāpayet || apyabdamapi teneha bhavetsamyagupoṣitam

"And whoever completes the month of Kartika with fasts - by him, even a whole year is thereby properly observed in fasting."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.60.97)

शाकाहारपयोहारैरूर्जों यैरतिवाहितः ॥ अखंडिता शरत्तेन तदाहारेण यापिता

śākāhārapayohārairūrjoṁ yairativāhitaḥ || akhaṁḍitā śarattena tadāhāreṇa yāpitā

"By those who pass Kartika living on vegetables and milk, the whole of autumn is thereby spent unbroken in that same restricted diet."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.60.98)

पत्रभोजी भवेदूर्जे कांस्यं त्याज्यं प्रयत्नतः ॥ यो व्रती कांस्यभोजी स्यान्न तद्व्रतफलं लभेत्

patrabhojī bhavedūrje kāṁsyaṁ tyājyaṁ prayatnataḥ || yo vratī kāṁsyabhojī syānna tadvrataphalaṁ labhet

"One should eat from a leaf-plate during Kartika; bronze vessels should be carefully avoided. The votary who eats from bronze does not obtain the fruit of that vow."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.60.99)

कांस्यस्य नियमे दद्यात्कांस्यं सर्पिः प्रपूरितम् ॥ ऊर्जे न भक्षयेत्क्षौद्रमतिक्षुद्रगतिप्रदम्

kāṁsyasya niyame dadyātkāṁsyaṁ sarpiḥ prapūritam || ūrje na bhakṣayetkṣaudramatikṣudragatipradam

"As atonement for using bronze, one should give a bronze vessel filled with ghee. During Kartika one should not eat honey, which leads to a most degraded state."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.60.100)

मधुत्यागे घृतं दद्यात्पायसं च सशर्करम् ॥ अभ्यंगेऽभ्यवहारे च तैलमूर्जे विवर्जयेत्

madhutyāge ghṛtaṁ dadyātpāyasaṁ ca saśarkaram || abhyaṁge'bhyavahāre ca tailamūrje vivarjayet

"As atonement for renouncing honey, one should give ghee and sweetened rice-pudding. Oil, whether for anointing or for consuming, should be avoided during Kartika."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.60.101)

भूयात्स नारकी देही तत्राभ्यंगाद्यतोनघ ॥ तैलत्यागे तिलान्दद्याद्द्रोणमात्रान्स कांचनान्

bhūyātsa nārakī dehī tatrābhyaṁgādyatonagha || tailatyāge tilāndadyāddroṇamātrānsa kāṁcanān

"O sinless one, whoever anoints himself with oil then becomes an embodied being bound for hell; as atonement for renouncing oil, one should give a full drona-measure of golden sesame."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.60.102)

कार्तिके मत्स्यभोजी यः स तैमीं योनिमृच्छति ॥ बाहुले मांसभोजी यः स कृमिःपूयशोणिते

kārtike matsyabhojī yaḥ sa taimīṁ yonimṛcchati || bāhule māṁsabhojī yaḥ sa kṛmiḥpūyaśoṇite

"Whoever eats fish during Kartika attains the womb of a Taimi fish; whoever eats meat during Bahula becomes a worm in pus and blood."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.60.103)

मांसाशिनोपि ये भूपास्त्यजेयुस्तेपि कार्तिके ॥ मत्स्यमांसानि संत्यज्य कार्त्तिके व्रततत्परः

māṁsāśinopi ye bhūpāstyajeyustepi kārtike || matsyamāṁsāni saṁtyajya kārttike vratatatparaḥ

"Even those kings who normally eat meat should abstain during Kartika; devoted to the vow in Kartika, one should abandon fish and meat entirely."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.60.104)

मत्स्यमांसादनाद्दोषाद्बहिर्भवति निश्चितम् ॥ नियमे मत्स्यमांसानां दद्यात्कार्तिकिके व्रती ॥ कूश्मांडानि समाषाणि दशस्वर्णयुतान्यपि

matsyamāṁsādanāddoṣādbahirbhavati niścitam || niyame matsyamāṁsānāṁ dadyātkārtikike vratī || kūśmāṁḍāni samāṣāṇi daśasvarṇayutānyapi

"He is certainly freed from the fault of eating fish and meat; as atonement for the vow against fish and meat, the votary in Kartika should give pumpkins along with beans, together with ten gold pieces."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.60.105)

कार्तिके मीनभोजी यः सोश्नात्यमृतमेवहि ॥ सुघंटां सतिलां मौनी सहिरण्यां प्रदापयेत्

kārtike mīnabhojī yaḥ sośnātyamṛtamevahi || sughaṁṭāṁ satilāṁ maunī sahiraṇyāṁ pradāpayet

"Whoever eats fish during Kartika imagines he eats very nectar - as atonement, silently, he should offer a fine bell together with sesame and gold."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.60.106)

कार्तिके लवणं त्यक्तं येन व्रतभृता सता ॥ त्यक्ताः सर्वे रसास्तेन तत्त्यागी गां प्रदापयेत्

kārtike lavaṇaṁ tyaktaṁ yena vratabhṛtā satā || tyaktāḥ sarve rasāstena tattyāgī gāṁ pradāpayet

"By that virtuous vow-keeper who renounces salt in Kartika, all flavors are thereby renounced; let that renouncer give a cow as atonement, if he later breaks it."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.60.107)

भूशय्यां कार्तिके कुर्वन्न भुवं संस्पृशेद्व्रती ॥ पर्यंकं भूशयो दद्यात्सतूलं सोपधानकम्

bhūśayyāṁ kārtike kurvanna bhuvaṁ saṁspṛśedvratī || paryaṁkaṁ bhūśayo dadyātsatūlaṁ sopadhānakam

"The votary practicing the ground-bed in Kartika, should he break the vow, should, as atonement, give a cotton-stuffed bed with a pillow."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.60.108)

दीपं यः कार्तिके दद्यादखंडं घृतवर्तिकम् ॥ मोहांध तमसं प्राप्य स न गच्छति दुर्गतिम्

dīpaṁ yaḥ kārtike dadyādakhaṁḍaṁ ghṛtavartikam || mohāṁdha tamasaṁ prāpya sa na gacchati durgatim

"Whoever gives an unbroken ghee-wicked lamp in Kartika - even upon reaching the blinding darkness of delusion at death, he does not go to a bad state."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.60.109)

यः कुर्यात्कार्तिके मासे रजन्यां दीपकौमुदीम् ॥ तामिस्रं चांधतामिस्रं न स पश्येत्कदाचन

yaḥ kuryātkārtike māse rajanyāṁ dīpakaumudīm || tāmisraṁ cāṁdhatāmisraṁ na sa paśyetkadācana

"Whoever, in the month of Kartika, makes a moonlight of lamps at night, never at any time beholds Tamisra or Andhatamisra."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.60.110)

पापांधकारसंक्रुद्धः कार्तिके दीपदानतः ॥ क्रोधांधकारितमुखं भास्करिं स न वीक्षते

pāpāṁdhakārasaṁkruddhaḥ kārtike dīpadānataḥ || krodhāṁdhakāritamukhaṁ bhāskariṁ sa na vīkṣate

"One angered by the darkness of sin - through giving lamps in Kartika - no longer beholds the sun's son Yama, his face darkened by the shadow of wrath."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.60.111)

स उद्द्योतमयं पश्येत्त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ॥ प्रबोधयेन्ममाग्रे यो दीपं सोज्वलवर्तिकम्

sa uddyotamayaṁ paśyettrailokyaṁ sacarācaram || prabodhayenmamāgre yo dīpaṁ sojvalavartikam

"He who kindles before me a lamp with a bright, blazing wick beholds the three worlds, with all that moves and moves not, made entirely of light."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.60.112)

पंचामृतानां कलशैरूर्जे मां स्नापयेन्नरः ॥ क्षीराब्धितटमासाद्य वसेत्कल्पं स पुण्यवान्

paṁcāmṛtānāṁ kalaśairūrje māṁ snāpayennaraḥ || kṣīrābdhitaṭamāsādya vasetkalpaṁ sa puṇyavān

"The man who bathes me during Kartika with jars of the five nectars - that virtuous one, having reached the shore of the Ocean of Milk, dwells there for a full aeon."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.60.113)

प्रतिक्षपं कार्तिकिके कुर्वञ्ज्योत्स्नां प्रदीपजाम् ॥ ममाग्रे भक्तिसंयुक्तो गर्भध्वांतं न संविशेत्

pratikṣapaṁ kārtikike kurvañjyotsnāṁ pradīpajām || mamāgre bhaktisaṁyukto garbhadhvāṁtaṁ na saṁviśet

"One who, joined with devotion, makes each night of Kartika into moonlight born of lamps before me, does not enter the darkness of the womb again."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.60.114)

आज्यवर्तिकमूर्जे यो दीपं मेग्रे प्रबोधयेत् ॥ बुद्धिभ्रंशं न चाप्नोति महामृत्युभये सति

ājyavartikamūrje yo dīpaṁ megre prabodhayet || buddhibhraṁśaṁ na cāpnoti mahāmṛtyubhaye sati

"Whoever kindles before me, during Kartika, a lamp with a ghee-soaked wick, does not suffer the loss of his faculties, even when confronted with the fear of great death."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.60.115)

कार्तिके मासि मे यात्रा यैः कृता भक्तितत्परैः ॥ बिंदुतीर्थे कृतस्नानैस्तेषां मुक्तिर्न दूरतः

kārtike māsi me yātrā yaiḥ kṛtā bhaktitatparaiḥ || biṁdutīrthe kṛtasnānaisteṣāṁ muktirna dūrataḥ

"For those devoted ones who make pilgrimage to me in the month of Kartika, having bathed at Bindu-tirtha, liberation is not far away."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.60.116)

व्रतिनः कार्तिके मासि स्नातस्य विधिवन्मम ॥ दामोदरगृहाणार्घ्यं दनुजेंद्रनिषूदन

vratinaḥ kārtike māsi snātasya vidhivanmama || dāmodaragṛhāṇārghyaṁ danujeṁdraniṣūdana

"O slayer of the lords of demons, accept this offering from the votary who has, in the month of Kartika, bathed according to rule before me - 'O Damodara, accept this.'"

Verse 117 (skanda.4.60.117)

स्नाने नैमित्तिके कृष्ण कार्तिके पापशोषणे ॥ गृह्णात्वर्घ्यं मया दत्तं राधया सहितो भवान्

snāne naimittike kṛṣṇa kārtike pāpaśoṣaṇe || gṛhṇātvarghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ rādhayā sahito bhavān

"O Krishna, at this occasional bathing in Kartika that dries up sin, may you, together with Radha, accept this offering given by me."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.60.118)

इमौ मंत्रौ समुच्चार्य योर्घ्यं मह्यं प्रयच्छति ॥ सुवर्णरत्न पुष्पांबु युजा शंखेन पुण्यवान्

imau maṁtrau samuccārya yorghyaṁ mahyaṁ prayacchati || suvarṇaratna puṣpāṁbu yujā śaṁkhena puṇyavān

"Whoever, reciting these two mantras, offers me an oblation with a conch filled with gold, jewels, flowers, and water, becomes virtuous..."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.60.119)

सुवर्णपूर्णपृथिवी संकल्पोदकपूर्वकम् ॥ तेन दत्ता भवेत्सम्यक्सुपात्राय सुपर्वणि

suvarṇapūrṇapṛthivī saṁkalpodakapūrvakam || tena dattā bhavetsamyaksupātrāya suparvaṇi

"...by him, with the preceding resolve and water-offering, the entire earth filled with gold is, as it were, rightly given to a worthy recipient on that sacred occasion."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.60.120)

एकादशीं समासाद्य प्रबोधकरणीं मम ॥ बिंदुतीर्थकृतस्नानो रात्रौ जागरणान्वितः

ekādaśīṁ samāsādya prabodhakaraṇīṁ mama || biṁdutīrthakṛtasnāno rātrau jāgaraṇānvitaḥ

"Reaching the eleventh day that awakens me, having bathed at Bindu-tirtha, and keeping vigil through the night..."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.60.121)

दीपान्प्रोबोध्य बहुशो ममालंकृत्य शक्तितः ॥ तौर्यत्रिकविनोदेन पुराणश्रवणादिभिः

dīpānprobodhya bahuśo mamālaṁkṛtya śaktitaḥ || tauryatrikavinodena purāṇaśravaṇādibhiḥ

"...having lit many lamps for me and adorned me according to his ability, with the entertainment of music, dance, and song, with the hearing of the Puranas and the like -"

Verse 122 (skanda.4.60.122)

महामहोत्सवं कृत्वा यावत्पूर्णा तिथिर्भवेत् ॥ तत्रान्नदानं बहुशः कृत्वामत्प्रीतये नरः

mahāmahotsavaṁ kṛtvā yāvatpūrṇā tithirbhavet || tatrānnadānaṁ bahuśaḥ kṛtvāmatprītaye naraḥ

"...having held a great festival for as long as the eleventh day lasts, giving abundant food-gifts there for my pleasure -"

Verse 123 (skanda.4.60.123)

महापातकयुक्तोपि न विशेत्प्रमदोदरम् ॥ बिंदुमाधवनामानं यो मामत्र समर्चयेत्

mahāpātakayuktopi na viśetpramadodaram || biṁdumādhavanāmānaṁ yo māmatra samarcayet

"-that man, even if laden with the gravest sins, who thus worships me here under the name Bindu-Madhava, does not enter a woman's womb again."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.60.124)

बिंदुतीर्थकृतस्नानो निर्वाणं स हि विंदति ॥ आदिमाधवनामाहं पूज्यः सत्ययुगे मुने

biṁdutīrthakṛtasnāno nirvāṇaṁ sa hi viṁdati || ādimādhavanāmāhaṁ pūjyaḥ satyayuge mune

"Having bathed at Bindu-tirtha, he indeed attains liberation. O sage, in the Satya age I am worshipped under the name Adi-Madhava."

Verse 125 (skanda.4.60.125)

अनंतमाधवो ज्ञेयस्त्रेतायां सर्वसिद्धिदः ॥ श्रीदमाधवसंज्ञोहं द्वापरे परमार्थकृत्

anaṁtamādhavo jñeyastretāyāṁ sarvasiddhidaḥ || śrīdamādhavasaṁjñohaṁ dvāpare paramārthakṛt

"I am to be known as Ananta-Madhava in the Treta age, giver of every accomplishment; in Dvapara I am called Shrida-Madhava, bringer of the supreme goal."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.60.126)

कलौ कलिमलध्वंसी ज्ञेयोहं बिंदुमाधवः ॥ कलौ कल्मषसंपन्ना न मां विंदंति मानवाः

kalau kalimaladhvaṁsī jñeyohaṁ biṁdumādhavaḥ || kalau kalmaṣasaṁpannā na māṁ viṁdaṁti mānavāḥ

"In Kali, I am to be known as Bindu-Madhava, destroyer of Kali's impurities; yet in Kali, men laden with sin do not truly find me."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.60.127)

ममैव मायया मूढा भेदवादपरायणाः ॥ मम भक्तिं प्रकुर्वाणा ये विश्वेशं द्विषंति वै

mamaiva māyayā mūḍhā bhedavādaparāyaṇāḥ || mama bhaktiṁ prakurvāṇā ye viśveśaṁ dviṣaṁti vai

"Deluded by my own maya, devoted to doctrines of division, there are those who, while practicing devotion to me, actually hate Vishveshvara."

Verse 128 (skanda.4.60.128)

विद्विषो मम ते ज्ञेयाः पिशाचपदगामिनः ॥ पैशाचीं योनिमाप्यापि कालभैरवशासनात्

vidviṣo mama te jñeyāḥ piśācapadagāminaḥ || paiśācīṁ yonimāpyāpi kālabhairavaśāsanāt

"Know them to be my haters, bound for the state of ghouls; by the decree of Kalabhairava, they attain even the womb of a demon-ghoul."

Verse 129 (skanda.4.60.129)

त्रिंशद्वर्ष सहस्राणि उषित्वा दुःखसागरे ॥ विश्वेशानुग्रहादेव ततो मोक्षमवाप्नुयुः

triṁśadvarṣa sahasrāṇi uṣitvā duḥkhasāgare || viśveśānugrahādeva tato mokṣamavāpnuyuḥ

"Having dwelt thirty thousand years in an ocean of suffering, they then obtain liberation only through the grace of Vishveshvara."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.60.130)

तस्माद्द्वेषो न कर्तव्यो विश्वेशे परमात्मनि ॥ विश्वेश द्वेषिणां पुंसां प्रायश्चित्तं यतो नहि

tasmāddveṣo na kartavyo viśveśe paramātmani || viśveśa dveṣiṇāṁ puṁsāṁ prāyaścittaṁ yato nahi

"Therefore hatred should never be directed toward Vishveshvara, the Supreme Self; for there is no atonement whatsoever for men who hate Vishveshvara."

Verse 131 (skanda.4.60.131)

मनसापि हि विश्वेशं विद्विषंतीह येऽधमाः ॥ अध्यासतेंधतामिस्रं मृतास्तेन्यत्र संततम्

manasāpi hi viśveśaṁ vidviṣaṁtīha ye'dhamāḥ || adhyāsateṁdhatāmisraṁ mṛtāstenyatra saṁtatam

"Those base ones who hate Vishveshvara even in mind alone - they, once dead, dwell continuously in Andhatamisra."

Verse 132 (skanda.4.60.132)

शिवनिंदापरा ये च ये पाशुपतनिंदकाः ॥ विद्विषो मम ते ज्ञेया पततो नरकेऽशुचौ

śivaniṁdāparā ye ca ye pāśupataniṁdakāḥ || vidviṣo mama te jñeyā patato narake'śucau

"And those devoted to reviling Shiva, and those who revile the Pashupatas - know them to be my haters, falling into the impure hell."

Verse 133 (skanda.4.60.133)

अष्टाविंशति कोटीषु नरकेषु क्रमेण हि ॥ कल्पं कल्पं वसेयुस्ते ये विश्वेश्वरनिंदकाः

aṣṭāviṁśati koṭīṣu narakeṣu krameṇa hi || kalpaṁ kalpaṁ vaseyuste ye viśveśvaraniṁdakāḥ

"Those who revile Vishveshvara shall dwell, aeon after aeon, in succession, through the twenty-eight crores of hells."

Verse 134 (skanda.4.60.134)

विश्वेशानुग्रहं प्राप्य मुनेहमपि मुक्तिदः ॥ मद्भक्तैस्तद्विशेषेण सेव्यो विश्वेश्वरोऽनिशम्

viśveśānugrahaṁ prāpya munehamapi muktidaḥ || madbhaktaistadviśeṣeṇa sevyo viśveśvaro'niśam

"O sage, even I myself am a giver of liberation only upon obtaining the grace of Vishveshvara; therefore Vishveshvara should be served unceasingly, especially by my devotees."

Verse 135 (skanda.4.60.135)

इयं वाराणसी ज्ञेया मुने पाशुपतस्थली ॥ तस्मात्पशुपतिः सेव्यः काश्यां निश्रेयसार्थिभिः

iyaṁ vārāṇasī jñeyā mune pāśupatasthalī || tasmātpaśupatiḥ sevyaḥ kāśyāṁ niśreyasārthibhiḥ

"This Varanasi, O sage, is to be known as the very seat of the Pashupatas; therefore Pashupati should be served in Kashi by those who seek the supreme good."

Verse 136 (skanda.4.60.136)

अत्र पंचनदे तीर्थे स्नाति विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम् ॥ ऊर्जे सदैव सगणः सस्कंदः सपरिच्छदः

atra paṁcanade tīrthe snāti viśveśvaraḥ svayam || ūrje sadaiva sagaṇaḥ saskaṁdaḥ saparicchadaḥ

"Here, at the Panchanada tirtha, Vishveshvara himself always bathes during Kartika, together with his ganas, with Skanda, and with his full retinue."

Verse 137 (skanda.4.60.137)

ब्रह्मा सवेदः समखो ब्रह्माण्याद्याश्च मातरः ॥ सप्ताब्धयः ससरितः स्नांत्यूर्जे धूतपापके

brahmā savedaḥ samakho brahmāṇyādyāśca mātaraḥ || saptābdhayaḥ sasaritaḥ snāṁtyūrje dhūtapāpake

"Brahma, together with the Vedas and the sacrifices, and the Mother-goddesses headed by Brahmani, and the seven oceans together with the rivers, all bathe in Dhutapapa during Kartika."

Verse 138 (skanda.4.60.138)

सचेतना हि यावंतस्त्रैलोक्ये देहधारिणः ॥ तावंतः स्नातुमायांति कार्तिके धूतपापके

sacetanā hi yāvaṁtastrailokye dehadhāriṇaḥ || tāvaṁtaḥ snātumāyāṁti kārtike dhūtapāpake

"As many sentient, embodied beings as there are in the three worlds - so many come to bathe in Dhutapapa during Kartika."

Verse 139 (skanda.4.60.139)

यैर्न पंचनदे स्नातं प्राप्य कार्तिकिकं शुभम् ॥ जलबुदुदवत्तेषां वृथाजन्म शरीरिणाम्

yairna paṁcanade snātaṁ prāpya kārtikikaṁ śubham || jalabududavatteṣāṁ vṛthājanma śarīriṇām

"Those embodied beings who, having reached the auspicious month of Kartika, have not bathed at Panchanada - their birth is as fruitless as a water-bubble."

Verse 140 (skanda.4.60.140)

आनंदकाननं पुण्यं पुण्यं पांचनदं ततः ॥ ततोपि मम सान्निध्यमग्निबिंदो महामुने

ānaṁdakānanaṁ puṇyaṁ puṇyaṁ pāṁcanadaṁ tataḥ || tatopi mama sānnidhyamagnibiṁdo mahāmune

"Sacred is the Ananda-forest, and sacred beyond that is Panchanada; and beyond even that, O Agnibindu, great sage, is my own presence there."

Verse 141 (skanda.4.60.141)

अनेनैवानुमानेन विद्धि पंचनदस्य वै ॥ महिमानं महाप्राज्ञ सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम्

anenaivānumānena viddhi paṁcanadasya vai || mahimānaṁ mahāprājña sarvatīrthottamottamam

"By this very inference, O most wise one, know the glory of Panchanada - the very best among all the best of tirthas."

Verse 142 (skanda.4.60.142)

श्रुत्वापि यं महाप्राज्ञो महापापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ विष्णोर्मुखादिति श्रुत्वा सोग्निबिंदुर्महामुनिः

śrutvāpi yaṁ mahāprājño mahāpāpaiḥ pramucyate || viṣṇormukhāditi śrutvā sognibiṁdurmahāmuniḥ

"A wise man, merely by hearing of it, is freed from the greatest sins." Having heard this from Vishnu's own mouth, that great sage Agnibindu -

Verse 143 (skanda.4.60.143)

पुनः प्रणम्य पप्रच्छ बिंदुमाधवमच्युतम्

punaḥ praṇamya papraccha biṁdumādhavamacyutam

...having bowed again, questioned Achyuta Bindu-Madhava.

Verse 144 (skanda.4.60.144)

अग्निबिंदुरुवाच ॥ भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि बिंदुमाधव तद्वद ॥ कतिधा तव रूपाणि काश्यां संति जनार्दन

agnibiṁduruvāca || bhagavañchrotumicchāmi biṁdumādhava tadvada || katidhā tava rūpāṇi kāśyāṁ saṁti janārdana

Agnibindu said: "O Lord Bindu-Madhava, I wish to hear - tell me this: how many forms of yours, O Janardana, are there in Kashi?"

Verse 145 (skanda.4.60.145)

भविष्याण्यपि कानीह तानि मे कथयाच्युत ॥ यानि संपूज्यते भक्ताः प्राप्स्यंति कृतकृत्यताम्

bhaviṣyāṇyapi kānīha tāni me kathayācyuta || yāni saṁpūjyate bhaktāḥ prāpsyaṁti kṛtakṛtyatām

"And what future forms too are there? Tell me these, O Achyuta - by worshipping which, devotees will attain fulfillment of their purpose."