The Forms of Bindu-Madhava and the Glory of Manikarnika

Verse 1 (skanda.4.61.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ षडास्य माधवाख्यानं श्रुतं मे पापनाशनम् ॥ महिमापि श्रुतः श्रेयान्सम्यक्पंचनदस्य वै

||agastya uvāca|| ṣaḍāsya mādhavākhyānaṁ śrutaṁ me pāpanāśanam || mahimāpi śrutaḥ śreyānsamyakpaṁcanadasya vai

Agastya said: "O Six-Faced One, I have heard this sin-destroying account of Madhava; I have also heard well the excellent glory of Panchanada."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.61.2)

यदग्निबिंदुना पृच्छि माधवो दैत्यसूदनः ॥ तस्योत्तरं समाख्याहि यथाख्यातं मधुद्विषा

yadagnibiṁdunā pṛcchi mādhavo daityasūdanaḥ || tasyottaraṁ samākhyāhi yathākhyātaṁ madhudviṣā

"Tell me the answer that Madhava, slayer of demons, gave to what was asked by Agnibindu, just as it was told by the foe of Madhu."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.61.3)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृण्वगस्त्य महर्षे त्वं कथ्यमानं मयाधुना ॥ माधवेन यथाचक्षि मुनये चाग्निबिंदवे

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇvagastya maharṣe tvaṁ kathyamānaṁ mayādhunā || mādhavena yathācakṣi munaye cāgnibiṁdave

Skanda said: "Listen, O great sage Agastya, to what I now tell - just as it was declared by Madhava to the sage Agnibindu."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.61.4)

॥बिंदुमाधव उवाच॥ आदौ पादोदके तीर्थे विद्धि मामादिकेशवम् ॥ अग्निबिंदो महाप्राज्ञ भक्तानां मुक्तिदायकम्

||biṁdumādhava uvāca|| ādau pādodake tīrthe viddhi māmādikeśavam || agnibiṁdo mahāprājña bhaktānāṁ muktidāyakam

Bindu-Madhava said: "First, at the Padodaka tirtha, know me as Adi-Keshava, O most wise Agnibindu, giver of liberation to devotees."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.61.5)

अविमुक्तेऽमृते क्षेत्रे येर्चयंत्यादिकेशवम् ॥ तेऽमृतत्वं भजंत्येव सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः

avimukte'mṛte kṣetre yercayaṁtyādikeśavam || te'mṛtatvaṁ bhajaṁtyeva sarvaduḥkhavivarjitāḥ

"Those who worship Adi-Keshava in the immortal field of Avimukta attain immortality itself, freed from every suffering."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.61.6)

संगमेशं महालिंगं प्रतिष्ठाप्यादिकेशवः ॥ दर्शनादघहं नृणां भुक्तिं मुक्तिं दिशेत्सदा

saṁgameśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpyādikeśavaḥ || darśanādaghahaṁ nṛṇāṁ bhuktiṁ muktiṁ diśetsadā

"Adi-Keshava, having established the great linga Sangamesha, by the mere sight of it, being a remover of sin, ever grants men both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.61.7)

याम्यां पादोदकाच्छ्वेतद्वीपतीर्थं महत्तरम् ॥ तत्राहं ज्ञानदो नृणां ज्ञानकेशवसंज्ञकः

yāmyāṁ pādodakācchvetadvīpatīrthaṁ mahattaram || tatrāhaṁ jñānado nṛṇāṁ jñānakeśavasaṁjñakaḥ

"South of Padodaka is the greater Shvetadvipa tirtha; there I am the giver of knowledge to men, known as Jnana-Keshava."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.61.8)

श्वेतद्वीपे नरः स्नात्वा ज्ञानकेशवसन्निधौ ॥ न ज्ञानाद्भ्रश्यते क्वापि ज्ञानकेशवपूजनात्

śvetadvīpe naraḥ snātvā jñānakeśavasannidhau || na jñānādbhraśyate kvāpi jñānakeśavapūjanāt

"A man who bathes in Shvetadvipa, in the presence of Jnana-Keshava - through worship of Jnana-Keshava, he never falls away from knowledge, anywhere."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.61.9)

तार्क्ष्यकेशवनामाहं तार्क्ष्यतीर्थे नरोत्तमैः ॥ पूजनीयः सदा भक्त्या तार्क्ष्य वत्ते प्रिया मम

tārkṣyakeśavanāmāhaṁ tārkṣyatīrthe narottamaiḥ || pūjanīyaḥ sadā bhaktyā tārkṣya vatte priyā mama

"I am named Tarkshya-Keshava at Tarkshya-tirtha, ever to be worshipped by the best of men with devotion; Tarkshya is dear to me."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.61.10)

तत्रैव नारदे तीर्थेस्म्यहं नारदकेशवः ॥ ब्रह्मविद्योपदेष्टा च तत्तीर्थाप्लुत वर्ष्मणाम्

tatraiva nārade tīrthesmyahaṁ nāradakeśavaḥ || brahmavidyopadeṣṭā ca tattīrthāpluta varṣmaṇām

"There too, at the Narada tirtha, I am Narada-Keshava, the teacher of the knowledge of Brahman to those whose bodies have bathed in that tirtha."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.61.11)

प्रह्लादतीर्थं तत्रैव नाम्ना प्रह्लादकेशवः ॥ भक्तैः समर्चनीयोहं महाभक्ति समृद्धये

prahlādatīrthaṁ tatraiva nāmnā prahlādakeśavaḥ || bhaktaiḥ samarcanīyohaṁ mahābhakti samṛddhaye

"There too is the Prahlada tirtha, where I am named Prahlada-Keshava, to be worshipped by devotees for the increase of great devotion."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.61.12)

तीर्थेंऽबरीषे तत्राहं नाम्नैवादित्यकेशवः ॥ पातकध्वांतनिचयं ध्वंसयामीक्षणादपि

tīrtheṁ'barīṣe tatrāhaṁ nāmnaivādityakeśavaḥ || pātakadhvāṁtanicayaṁ dhvaṁsayāmīkṣaṇādapi

"At the Ambarisha tirtha there, I am, by name, Aditya-Keshava; I destroy the mass of darkness of sin even by a mere glance."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.61.13)

दत्तात्रेयेश्वराद्याम्यामहमादिगदाधरः ॥ हरामि तत्र भक्तानां संसारगदसंचयम्

dattātreyeśvarādyāmyāmahamādigadādharaḥ || harāmi tatra bhaktānāṁ saṁsāragadasaṁcayam

"South of Dattatreyeshvara, I am Adi-Gadadhara; there I remove from devotees the whole accumulation of the disease of samsara."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.61.14)

तत्रैव भार्गवे तीर्थे भृगुकेशव नामतः ॥ काशीनिवासिनः पुंसो बिभर्मि च मनोरथैः

tatraiva bhārgave tīrthe bhṛgukeśava nāmataḥ || kāśīnivāsinaḥ puṁso bibharmi ca manorathaiḥ

"There too, at the Bhargava tirtha, named Bhrigu-Keshava, I sustain the people dwelling in Kashi with the fulfillment of their desires."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.61.15)

वामनाख्येमहातीर्थे मनःप्रार्थितदे शुभे ॥ पूज्योहं शुभमिच्छद्भिर्नाम्ना वामनकेशवः

vāmanākhyemahātīrthe manaḥprārthitade śubhe || pūjyohaṁ śubhamicchadbhirnāmnā vāmanakeśavaḥ

"At the great, auspicious tirtha named Vamana, which grants what the mind desires, I am to be worshipped, by those wishing for good, under the name Vamana-Keshava."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.61.16)

नरनारायणे तीर्थे नरनारायणात्मकम् ॥ भक्ताः समर्च्य मां स्युर्वै नरनारायणात्मकाः

naranārāyaṇe tīrthe naranārāyaṇātmakam || bhaktāḥ samarcya māṁ syurvai naranārāyaṇātmakāḥ

"At the Nara-Narayana tirtha, worshipping me in my Nara-Narayana nature, devotees themselves become of the nature of Nara-Narayana."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.61.17)

तीर्थे यज्ञवराहाख्ये यज्ञवाराहसंज्ञकः ॥ नरैः समर्चनीयोहं सर्वयज्ञफलेप्सुभिः

tīrthe yajñavarāhākhye yajñavārāhasaṁjñakaḥ || naraiḥ samarcanīyohaṁ sarvayajñaphalepsubhiḥ

"At the tirtha named Yajnavaraha, called Yajnavaraha, I am to be worshipped by men who desire the fruit of every sacrifice."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.61.18)

विदारनरसिंहोहं काशीविघ्नविदारणः ॥ तन्नाम्नि तीर्थे संसेव्यस्तीर्थोपद्रवशांतये

vidāranarasiṁhohaṁ kāśīvighnavidāraṇaḥ || tannāmni tīrthe saṁsevyastīrthopadravaśāṁtaye

"I am Vidara-Narasimha, the render of Kashi's obstacles, to be served at the tirtha of that name for the pacification of afflictions upon the tirtha."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.61.19)

गोपीगोविंदतीर्थे तु गोपीगोविंदसंज्ञकम् ॥ समर्च्य मां नरो भक्त्या मम मायां न संस्पृशेत्

gopīgoviṁdatīrthe tu gopīgoviṁdasaṁjñakam || samarcya māṁ naro bhaktyā mama māyāṁ na saṁspṛśet

"At the Gopi-Govinda tirtha, worshipping me, called Gopi-Govinda, with devotion, a man is untouched by my maya."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.61.20)

मुने लक्ष्मीनृसिंहोस्मि तीर्थे तन्नाम्नि पावने ॥ दिशामि भक्तियुक्तेभ्यः सदानैः श्रेयसीं श्रियम्

mune lakṣmīnṛsiṁhosmi tīrthe tannāmni pāvane || diśāmi bhaktiyuktebhyaḥ sadānaiḥ śreyasīṁ śriyam

"O sage, I am Lakshmi-Narasimha, at the purifying tirtha of that name; I ever grant excellent prosperity to those endowed with devotion."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.61.21)

शेषमाधवनामाहं शेषतीर्थेऽघहारिणि ॥ विश्राणयाम्यशेषाश्च विशेषान्भक्तचिंतितान्

śeṣamādhavanāmāhaṁ śeṣatīrthe'ghahāriṇi || viśrāṇayāmyaśeṣāśca viśeṣānbhaktaciṁtitān

"I am named Shesha-Madhava at the sin-removing Shesha tirtha; I bestow, without exception, the particular things thought of by my devotees."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.61.22)

शंखमाधवतीर्थे च स्नात्वा मां शंखमाधवम् ॥ शंखोदकेन संस्नाप्य भवेच्छंखनिधेः पतिः

śaṁkhamādhavatīrthe ca snātvā māṁ śaṁkhamādhavam || śaṁkhodakena saṁsnāpya bhavecchaṁkhanidheḥ patiḥ

"Bathing at the Shankha-Madhava tirtha, and bathing me, Shankha-Madhava, with water from a conch, one becomes lord of the conch-treasure."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.61.23)

हयग्रीवे महातीर्थे मां हयग्रीवकेशवम् ॥ प्रणम्य प्राप्नुयान्नूनं तद्विष्णोः परमंपदम्

hayagrīve mahātīrthe māṁ hayagrīvakeśavam || praṇamya prāpnuyānnūnaṁ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁpadam

"Bowing to me, Hayagriva-Keshava, at the great Hayagriva tirtha, one certainly attains that supreme abode of Vishnu."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.61.24)

भीष्मकेशवनामाहं वृद्धकालेशपश्चिमे ॥ उपसर्गान्हरे भीष्मान्सेवितो भक्तियुक्तितः

bhīṣmakeśavanāmāhaṁ vṛddhakāleśapaścime || upasargānhare bhīṣmānsevito bhaktiyuktitaḥ

"I am named Bhishma-Keshava, west of Vriddhakaleshvara; served with devotion, I remove even terrible afflictions."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.61.25)

निर्वाणकेशवश्चाहं भक्तनिर्वाणसूचकः ॥ लोलार्कादुत्तरेभागे लोलत्वं चेतसो हरे

nirvāṇakeśavaścāhaṁ bhaktanirvāṇasūcakaḥ || lolārkāduttarebhāge lolatvaṁ cetaso hare

"And I am Nirvana-Keshava, indicator of devotees' liberation, north of Lolarka; I remove the fickleness of the mind."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.61.26)

वंद्यस्त्रिलोकसुंदर्या याम्यां यो मां समर्चयेत् ॥ काश्यां ख्यातं त्रिभुवनकेशवं न स गर्भभाक्

vaṁdyastrilokasuṁdaryā yāmyāṁ yo māṁ samarcayet || kāśyāṁ khyātaṁ tribhuvanakeśavaṁ na sa garbhabhāk

"Whoever worships me, south of the abode of the beauty of the three worlds, as the one known in Kashi as Tribhuvana-Keshava - he does not enter a womb again."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.61.27)

ज्ञानवाप्याः पुरोभागे विद्धि मां ज्ञानमाधवम् ॥ तत्र मां भक्तितोभ्यर्च्य ज्ञानं प्राप्नोति शाश्वतम्

jñānavāpyāḥ purobhāge viddhi māṁ jñānamādhavam || tatra māṁ bhaktitobhyarcya jñānaṁ prāpnoti śāśvatam

"In front of Jnanavapi, know me as Jnana-Madhava; worshipping me there with devotion, one attains eternal knowledge."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.61.28)

श्वेतमाधवसंज्ञोहं विशालाक्ष्याः समीपतः ॥ श्वेतद्वीपेश्वरं रूपं कुर्यां भक्त्या समर्चितः

śvetamādhavasaṁjñohaṁ viśālākṣyāḥ samīpataḥ || śvetadvīpeśvaraṁ rūpaṁ kuryāṁ bhaktyā samarcitaḥ

"I am called Shveta-Madhava, near Vishalakshi; worshipped with devotion, I bestow the form of the Lord of Shvetadvipa."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.61.29)

उदग्दशाश्वमेधान्मां प्रयागाख्यं च माधवम् ॥ प्रयागतीर्थे सुस्नातो दृष्ट्वा पापैः प्रमुच्यते

udagdaśāśvamedhānmāṁ prayāgākhyaṁ ca mādhavam || prayāgatīrthe susnāto dṛṣṭvā pāpaiḥ pramucyate

"North of Dashashvamedha, I am Madhava called Prayaga; having bathed well at the Prayaga tirtha and beheld me, one is freed from sins."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.61.30)

प्रयागगमने पुंसां यत्फलं तपसि श्रुतम् ॥ तत्फलं स्याद्दशगुणमत्र स्नात्वा ममाग्रतः

prayāgagamane puṁsāṁ yatphalaṁ tapasi śrutam || tatphalaṁ syāddaśaguṇamatra snātvā mamāgrataḥ

"The fruit heard of as coming from a man's pilgrimage to Prayaga in Magha - that same fruit, tenfold, comes from bathing here before me."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.61.31)

गंगायमुनयोः संगे यत्पुण्यं स्नानकारिणाम् ॥ काश्यां मत्सन्निधावत्र तत्पुण्यं स्याद्दशोत्तरम्

gaṁgāyamunayoḥ saṁge yatpuṇyaṁ snānakāriṇām || kāśyāṁ matsannidhāvatra tatpuṇyaṁ syāddaśottaram

"Whatever merit belongs to those who bathe at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna - that same merit, tenfold, is found here in Kashi, in my presence."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.61.32)

दानानि राहुग्रस्तेर्के ददतां यत्फलं भवेत् ॥ कुरुक्षेत्रे हि तत्काश्यामत्रैव स्याद्दशाधिकम्

dānāni rāhugrasterke dadatāṁ yatphalaṁ bhavet || kurukṣetre hi tatkāśyāmatraiva syāddaśādhikam

"Whatever fruit belongs to gifts given at an eclipse - that same fruit belonging to Kurukshetra, tenfold, is found right here in Kashi."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.61.33)

गंगोत्तरवहा यत्र यमुना पूर्ववाहिनी ॥ तत्संभेदं नरः प्राप्य मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

gaṁgottaravahā yatra yamunā pūrvavāhinī || tatsaṁbhedaṁ naraḥ prāpya mucyate brahmahatyayā

"Where the Ganga flows northward and the Yamuna flows eastward, a man reaching that confluence is freed even from the sin of killing a Brahmin."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.61.34)

वपनं तत्र कर्तव्यं पिंडदानं च भावतः ॥ देयानि तत्र दानानि महाफलमभीप्सुना

vapanaṁ tatra kartavyaṁ piṁḍadānaṁ ca bhāvataḥ || deyāni tatra dānāni mahāphalamabhīpsunā

"Head-shaving should be performed there, and offering of the funeral rice-ball with devotion; gifts should be given there by one who desires great fruit."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.61.35)

गुणाः प्रजापतिक्षेत्रे ये सर्वे समुदीरिताः ॥ अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रेऽसंख्याताश्च भवंति हि

guṇāḥ prajāpatikṣetre ye sarve samudīritāḥ || avimukte mahākṣetre'saṁkhyātāśca bhavaṁti hi

"All the virtues declared of Prajapati's field exist here, uncounted, indeed, in the great field of Avimukta."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.61.36)

प्रयागेशं महालिंगं तत्र तिष्ठति कामदम् ॥ तत्सान्निध्याच्च तत्तीर्थं कामदं परिकीर्तितम्

prayāgeśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ tatra tiṣṭhati kāmadam || tatsānnidhyācca tattīrthaṁ kāmadaṁ parikīrtitam

"The great, wish-granting linga Prayagesha stands there; and by its presence, that tirtha is proclaimed as wish-granting."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.61.37)

काश्यां माघः प्रयागे यैर्न स्नातो मकरार्कगः ॥ अरुणोदयमासाद्य तेषां निःश्रेयसं कुतः

kāśyāṁ māghaḥ prayāge yairna snāto makarārkagaḥ || aruṇodayamāsādya teṣāṁ niḥśreyasaṁ kutaḥ

"Those who, in Kashi's Prayaga during Magha with the sun in Capricorn, have not bathed at the break of dawn - whence for them the supreme good?"

Verse 38 (skanda.4.61.38)

काश्युद्भवे प्रयागे ये तपसि स्नांति संयताः ॥ दशाश्वमेधजनितं फलं तेषां भवेद्ध्रुवम्

kāśyudbhave prayāge ye tapasi snāṁti saṁyatāḥ || daśāśvamedhajanitaṁ phalaṁ teṣāṁ bhaveddhruvam

"Those self-controlled ones who bathe in Magha at the Prayaga arisen in Kashi certainly obtain the fruit born of ten Ashvamedha sacrifices."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.61.39)

प्रयागमाधवं भक्त्या प्रयागेशं च कामदम् ॥ प्रयागे तपसि स्नात्वा येर्चयंत्यन्वहं सदा

prayāgamādhavaṁ bhaktyā prayāgeśaṁ ca kāmadam || prayāge tapasi snātvā yercayaṁtyanvahaṁ sadā

"Those who, having bathed in Magha at Prayaga, worship with devotion, day after day, Prayaga-Madhava and the wish-granting Prayagesha -"

Verse 40 (skanda.4.61.40)

धनधान्यसुतर्द्धीस्ते लब्ध्वा भोगान्मनोरमान् ॥ भुक्त्वेह परमानंदं परं मोक्षमवाप्नुयुः

dhanadhānyasutarddhīste labdhvā bhogānmanoramān || bhuktveha paramānaṁdaṁ paraṁ mokṣamavāpnuyuḥ

"-they, having obtained wealth, grain, sons, and prosperity, and having enjoyed delightful pleasures and supreme bliss here, attain the supreme liberation."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.61.41)

माघे सर्वाणि तीर्थानि प्रयागमवियांति हि ॥ प्राच्युदीची प्रतीचीतो दक्षिणाधस्तथोर्ध्वतः

māghe sarvāṇi tīrthāni prayāgamaviyāṁti hi || prācyudīcī pratīcīto dakṣiṇādhastathordhvataḥ

"In Magha, all tirthas indeed go to Prayaga, from the east, north, west, south, below, and above."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.61.42)

काशीस्थितानि तीर्थानि मुने यांति न कुत्रचित् ॥ यदि यांति तदा यांति तीर्थत्रयमनुत्तमम्

kāśīsthitāni tīrthāni mune yāṁti na kutracit || yadi yāṁti tadā yāṁti tīrthatrayamanuttamam

"But, O sage, the tirthas established in Kashi go nowhere at all; if they go anywhere, they go only to the unsurpassed triad of tirthas within Kashi itself."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.61.43)

आयांत्यूर्जे पंचनदे प्रातःप्रातर्ममांतिकम् ॥ महाघौघप्रशमने महाश्रेयोविधायिनि

āyāṁtyūrje paṁcanade prātaḥprātarmamāṁtikam || mahāghaughapraśamane mahāśreyovidhāyini

"During Kartika they come, morning after morning, to my vicinity at Panchanada, which quells great masses of sin and bestows great good."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.61.44)

प्राप्य माघमघारिं च प्रयागेश समीपतः ॥ प्रातःप्रयागे संस्नांति सर्वतीर्थानि मामनु

prāpya māghamaghāriṁ ca prayāgeśa samīpataḥ || prātaḥprayāge saṁsnāṁti sarvatīrthāni māmanu

"Reaching Magha, near Prayagesha, the destroyer of sin, all the tirthas bathe with me each morning at Prayaga."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.61.45)

समासाद्य च मध्याह्नमभियांति च नित्यशः ॥ संस्नातुं सर्वतीर्थानि मुक्तिदां मणिकर्णिकाम्

samāsādya ca madhyāhnamabhiyāṁti ca nityaśaḥ || saṁsnātuṁ sarvatīrthāni muktidāṁ maṇikarṇikām

"And, reaching midday, all the tirthas go daily to bathe at Manikarnika, the giver of liberation."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.61.46)

काश्यां रहस्यं परममेतत्ते कथितं मुने ॥ यथा तीर्थत्रयीश्रेष्ठा स्वस्वकाले विशेषतः

kāśyāṁ rahasyaṁ paramametatte kathitaṁ mune || yathā tīrthatrayīśreṣṭhā svasvakāle viśeṣataḥ

"This is the supreme secret of Kashi that has been told to you, O sage - how the triad of best tirthas is especially visited each in its own time."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.61.47)

अन्यद्रहस्यं वक्ष्यामि न वाच्यं यत्रकुत्रचित् ॥ अभक्तेषु सदा गोप्यं न गोप्यं भक्तिमज्जने

anyadrahasyaṁ vakṣyāmi na vācyaṁ yatrakutracit || abhakteṣu sadā gopyaṁ na gopyaṁ bhaktimajjane

"I shall tell another secret, not to be spoken anywhere at all; it is ever to be kept hidden from non-devotees, but not hidden from one submerged in devotion."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.61.48)

काश्यां सर्वाणि तीर्थानि एकैकादुत्तरोत्तरम् ॥ महैनांसि प्रहंत्येव प्रसह्य निज तेजसा

kāśyāṁ sarvāṇi tīrthāni ekaikāduttarottaram || mahaināṁsi prahaṁtyeva prasahya nija tejasā

"In Kashi, each tirtha, one after another in ascending order, forcibly destroys even the greatest sins by its own splendor."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.61.49)

एतदेव रहस्यं ते वाराणस्या उदीर्यते ॥ उत्क्षिप्यैकांगुलिं तथ्यं श्रेष्ठैका मणिकर्णिका

etadeva rahasyaṁ te vārāṇasyā udīryate || utkṣipyaikāṁguliṁ tathyaṁ śreṣṭhaikā maṇikarṇikā

"This very secret of Varanasi is now declared to you: raising a single finger, it is proclaimed as true - Manikarnika alone is the best."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.61.50)

गर्जंति सर्वतीर्थानि स्वस्वधिष्ण्यगतान्यहो ॥ केवलं बलमासाद्य सुमहन्माणिकर्णिकम्

garjaṁti sarvatīrthāni svasvadhiṣṇyagatānyaho || kevalaṁ balamāsādya sumahanmāṇikarṇikam

"Ah, all the tirthas, each situated in its own place, roar with pride - but only Manikarnika, having attained supreme power, truly rules."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.61.51)

पापानि पापिनां हत्वा महांत्यपि बहून्यपि ॥ काशीतीर्थानि मध्याह्ने प्रायश्चित्तचिकीर्षया

pāpāni pāpināṁ hatvā mahāṁtyapi bahūnyapi || kāśītīrthāni madhyāhne prāyaścittacikīrṣayā

"Having destroyed the sins of sinners, even great and many sins, the tirthas of Kashi, at midday, desiring their own atonement -"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.61.52)

पर्वस्वपर्वस्वपि वा नित्यं नियमवं त्यहो ॥ निर्मलानि भवंत्येव विगाह्य मणिकर्णिकाम्

parvasvaparvasvapi vā nityaṁ niyamavaṁ tyaho || nirmalāni bhavaṁtyeva vigāhya maṇikarṇikām

"-on sacred days or ordinary days, always and without fail, become pure themselves, ah, by plunging into Manikarnika."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.61.53)

विश्वेशो विश्वया सार्धं सदोपमणिकर्णिकम् ॥ मध्यंदिनं समासाद्य संस्नाति प्रतिवासरम्

viśveśo viśvayā sārdhaṁ sadopamaṇikarṇikam || madhyaṁdinaṁ samāsādya saṁsnāti prativāsaram

"Vishvesha, together with Vishva, reaching midday, bathes at Manikarnika every single day."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.61.54)

वैकुंठादप्यहं नित्यं मध्याह्ने मणिकर्णिकाम् ॥ विगाहे पद्मया सार्धं मुदा परमया मुने

vaikuṁṭhādapyahaṁ nityaṁ madhyāhne maṇikarṇikām || vigāhe padmayā sārdhaṁ mudā paramayā mune

"O sage, I too come daily from Vaikuntha at midday and plunge into Manikarnika, together with Padma, with the greatest joy."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.61.55)

सकृन्ममाख्यां गृणतां निर्हरन्यदघान्यहम् ॥ हरिनामसमापन्नस्तद्बलान्माणिकर्णिकात्

sakṛnmamākhyāṁ gṛṇatāṁ nirharanyadaghānyaham || harināmasamāpannastadbalānmāṇikarṇikāt

"Whatever sins I remove from those who utter my name even once - one who has attained the name of Hari does so by the power of Manikarnika."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.61.56)

सत्यलोकात्प्रतिदिनं हं सयानः पितामहः ॥ माध्याह्निक विधानाय समायान्मणिकर्णिकाम्

satyalokātpratidinaṁ haṁ sayānaḥ pitāmahaḥ || mādhyāhnika vidhānāya samāyānmaṇikarṇikām

"The Grandsire too, mounted on his swan-vehicle, comes daily from Satyaloka to Manikarnika for the performance of the midday rite."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.61.57)

इंद्राद्या लोकपालाश्च मरीच्याद्या महर्षयः ॥ माध्याह्निकीं क्रियां कर्तुं समीयुर्मणिकर्णिकाम्

iṁdrādyā lokapālāśca marīcyādyā maharṣayaḥ || mādhyāhnikīṁ kriyāṁ kartuṁ samīyurmaṇikarṇikām

"Indra and the other guardians of the world, and Marichi and the other great sages, come to Manikarnika to perform the midday rite."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.61.58)

शेषवासुकिमुख्याश्च नागा वै नागलोकतः ॥ समायांतीह मध्याह्ने संस्नातुं मणिकर्णिकाम्

śeṣavāsukimukhyāśca nāgā vai nāgalokataḥ || samāyāṁtīha madhyāhne saṁsnātuṁ maṇikarṇikām

"And the serpents, headed by Shesha and Vasuki, indeed come here from the world of serpents at midday, to bathe at Manikarnika."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.61.59)

चराचरेषु सर्वेषु यावंतश्च सचेतनाः ॥ तावंतः स्नांति मध्याह्ने मणिकर्णी जलेमले

carācareṣu sarveṣu yāvaṁtaśca sacetanāḥ || tāvaṁtaḥ snāṁti madhyāhne maṇikarṇī jalemale

"As many sentient beings as there are among all the moving and unmoving - so many bathe at midday in the pure water of Manikarnika."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.61.60)

के माणिकर्णिकेयानां गुणानां सुगरीयसाम् ॥ शक्ता वर्णयितुं विप्राऽसंख्येयानां मदादिभिः

ke māṇikarṇikeyānāṁ guṇānāṁ sugarīyasām || śaktā varṇayituṁ viprā'saṁkhyeyānāṁ madādibhiḥ

"Who, O Brahmins, even beginning with me, is capable of describing the innumerable, exceedingly weighty virtues belonging to Manikarnika?"

Verse 61 (skanda.4.61.61)

चीर्णान्युग्राण्यरण्येषु तैस्तपांसि तपोधनैः ॥ यैरियं हि समासादि मुक्तिभूर्मणिकर्णिका

cīrṇānyugrāṇyaraṇyeṣu taistapāṁsi tapodhanaiḥ || yairiyaṁ hi samāsādi muktibhūrmaṇikarṇikā

"Fierce austerities were once performed in the forests by those treasuries of asceticism, by whom this liberation-ground, Manikarnika, was indeed attained."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.61.62)

विश्राणितमहादानास्त एव नरपुंगवाः ॥ चरमे वयसि प्राप्ता यैरेषा मणिकर्णिका

viśrāṇitamahādānāsta eva narapuṁgavāḥ || carame vayasi prāptā yaireṣā maṇikarṇikā

"Those very foremost among men, givers of great gifts, are they by whom this Manikarnika was attained in their final age."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.61.63)

चीर्णसर्वव्रतास्ते तु यथोक्तविधिना ध्रुवम् ॥ यैः स्वतल्पीकृता माणिकर्णिकेयी स्थली मृदुः

cīrṇasarvavratāste tu yathoktavidhinā dhruvam || yaiḥ svatalpīkṛtā māṇikarṇikeyī sthalī mṛduḥ

"They indeed performed every vow according to the prescribed rule, by whom this soft ground of Manikarnika was made their own resting-place."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.61.64)

त एव धन्या मर्त्येस्मिन्सर्वक्रतुषु दीक्षिताः ॥ त्यक्त्वा पुण्यार्जितां लक्ष्मीमैक्षियैर्मणिकर्णिका

ta eva dhanyā martyesminsarvakratuṣu dīkṣitāḥ || tyaktvā puṇyārjitāṁ lakṣmīmaikṣiyairmaṇikarṇikā

"They alone are blessed in this mortal world, initiated in every sacrifice, by whom, having renounced merit-earned wealth, Manikarnika was beheld."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.61.65)

कृता नानाविधा धर्मा इष्टापूर्तास्तु तैर्नृभिः ॥ वार्धकं समनुप्राप्य प्रापि यैर्मणिकर्णिका

kṛtā nānāvidhā dharmā iṣṭāpūrtāstu tairnṛbhiḥ || vārdhakaṁ samanuprāpya prāpi yairmaṇikarṇikā

"Manifold pious and charitable acts were performed by those men, by whom, having reached old age, Manikarnika was attained."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.61.66)

रत्नानि सदुकूलानि कांचनं गजवाजिनः ॥ देयाः प्राज्ञेन यत्नेन सदोपमणिकर्णिकम्

ratnāni sadukūlāni kāṁcanaṁ gajavājinaḥ || deyāḥ prājñena yatnena sadopamaṇikarṇikam

"Jewels, fine silks, gold, elephants, and horses should be given by the wise, with effort, always at Manikarnika."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.61.67)

पुण्येनोपार्जितं द्रव्यमत्यल्पमपि यैर्नरैः ॥ दत्तं तदक्षयं नित्यं मुनेधिमणिकणिंकम्

puṇyenopārjitaṁ dravyamatyalpamapi yairnaraiḥ || dattaṁ tadakṣayaṁ nityaṁ munedhimaṇikaṇiṁkam

"O sage, whatever wealth, earned through merit, however small, is given by men here at Manikarnika, becomes eternally imperishable."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.61.68)

कुर्याद्यथोक्तमप्येकं प्राणायामं नरोत्तमः ॥ यस्तेन विहितो नूनं षडंगो योग उत्तमः

kuryādyathoktamapyekaṁ prāṇāyāmaṁ narottamaḥ || yastena vihito nūnaṁ ṣaḍaṁgo yoga uttamaḥ

"Should the best of men perform even a single prescribed pranayama here, by him the excellent six-limbed yoga is certainly accomplished."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.61.69)

जप्त्वैकामपि गायत्रीं संप्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम् ॥ लभेदयुतगायत्रीजपनस्य फलं स्फुटम्

japtvaikāmapi gāyatrīṁ saṁprāpya maṇikarṇikām || labhedayutagāyatrījapanasya phalaṁ sphuṭam

"Having reached Manikarnika, by reciting even a single Gayatri, one clearly obtains the fruit of ten thousand recitations of the Gayatri."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.61.70)

एकामप्याहुतिं प्राज्ञो दत्त्वोपमणिकर्णिकम् ॥ यावज्जीवाग्निहोत्रस्य लभेदविकलं फलम्

ekāmapyāhutiṁ prājño dattvopamaṇikarṇikam || yāvajjīvāgnihotrasya labhedavikalaṁ phalam

"The wise one, having offered even a single oblation at Manikarnika, obtains the complete fruit of a lifelong fire-sacrifice."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.61.71)

इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यमग्निबिंदुर्महातपाः ॥ प्रणिपत्य महाभक्त्या पुनः पप्रच्छ माधवम्

iti śrutvā harervākyamagnibiṁdurmahātapāḥ || praṇipatya mahābhaktyā punaḥ papraccha mādhavam

Having heard this speech of Hari, Agnibindu of great austerity, bowing with great devotion, again questioned Madhava.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.61.72)

॥अग्निबिंदुरुवाच॥ विष्णो कियत्परीमाणा पुण्यैषा मणिकर्णिका ॥ ब्रूहि मे पुंङरीकाक्ष नत्वत्तस्तत्त्ववित्परः

||agnibiṁduruvāca|| viṣṇo kiyatparīmāṇā puṇyaiṣā maṇikarṇikā || brūhi me puṁṅarīkākṣa natvattastattvavitparaḥ

Agnibindu said: "O Vishnu, of what extent is this sacred Manikarnika? Tell me, O lotus-eyed one; there is none who knows truth better than you."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.61.73)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ आगंगा केशवादा च हरिश्चंद्रस्य मंडपात् ॥ आमध्याद्देवसरितः स्वर्द्वारान्मणिकर्णिका

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| āgaṁgā keśavādā ca hariścaṁdrasya maṁḍapāt || āmadhyāddevasaritaḥ svardvārānmaṇikarṇikā

Shri Vishnu said: "From the Ganga, beginning at Keshava, up to the pavilion of Harishchandra, and from the middle of the celestial river to Svargadvara - that is Manikarnika."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.61.74)

स्थूलमेतत्परीमाणं सूक्ष्मं च प्रवदामि ते ॥ हरिश्चंद्रस्य तीर्थाग्रे हरिश्चंद्रविनायकः

sthūlametatparīmāṇaṁ sūkṣmaṁ ca pravadāmi te || hariścaṁdrasya tīrthāgre hariścaṁdravināyakaḥ

"This is the gross measure; now I shall tell you the subtle details. Ahead of Harishchandra's tirtha is Harishchandra-Vinayaka."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.61.75)

सीमाविनायकश्चात्र मणिकर्णी ह्रदोत्तरे ॥ सीमाविनायकं भक्त्या पूजयित्वा नरोत्तमः

sīmāvināyakaścātra maṇikarṇī hradottare || sīmāvināyakaṁ bhaktyā pūjayitvā narottamaḥ

"And here, north of the Manikarni lake, is Sima-Vinayaka; having worshipped Sima-Vinayaka with devotion, the best of men -"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.61.76)

मोदकैः सोपचारैश्च प्राप्नुयान्मणिकर्णिकाम् ॥ हरिश्चंद्रे महातीर्थे तर्पयेयुः पितामहान्

modakaiḥ sopacāraiśca prāpnuyānmaṇikarṇikām || hariścaṁdre mahātīrthe tarpayeyuḥ pitāmahān

"-with modakas and due offerings, attains Manikarnika. At the great Harishchandra tirtha, one should offer libations to the ancestors."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.61.77)

शतं समाःसु तृप्ताः स्युः प्रयच्छंति च वांच्छितम् ॥ हरिश्चंद्रे महातीर्थे स्नात्वा श्रद्धान्वितो नरः

śataṁ samāḥsu tṛptāḥ syuḥ prayacchaṁti ca vāṁcchitam || hariścaṁdre mahātīrthe snātvā śraddhānvito naraḥ

"They become satisfied for a hundred years and grant what is desired. A man, endowed with faith, bathing at the great Harishchandra tirtha..."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.61.78)

हरिश्चंद्रेश्वरं नत्वा न सत्यात्परिहीयते ॥ ततः पर्वततीर्थं च पर्वतेश्वर संनिधौ

hariścaṁdreśvaraṁ natvā na satyātparihīyate || tataḥ parvatatīrthaṁ ca parvateśvara saṁnidhau

"-and bowing to Harishchandreshvara, never falls away from truth. Then there is the Parvata tirtha, near Parvateshvara -"

Verse 79 (skanda.4.61.79)

अधिष्ठानं महामेरोर्महापातकनाशनम् ॥ तत्र स्नात्वार्चयित्वेशं किंचिद्दत्त्वा स्वशक्तितः

adhiṣṭhānaṁ mahāmerormahāpātakanāśanam || tatra snātvārcayitveśaṁ kiṁciddattvā svaśaktitaḥ

"-the very seat of Mahameru, destroyer of the greatest sins. Bathing there, worshipping the Lord, and giving something according to one's ability..."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.61.80)

अध्यास्य मेरुशिखरं दिव्यान्भोगान्समश्नुते ॥ कंबलाश्वतरं तीर्थं पर्वतेश्वर दक्षिणे

adhyāsya meruśikharaṁ divyānbhogānsamaśnute || kaṁbalāśvataraṁ tīrthaṁ parvateśvara dakṣiṇe

"...one dwells upon the peak of Meru, enjoying divine pleasures. South of Parvateshvara is the tirtha Kambalashvatara."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.61.81)

कंबलाश्वतरेशं च तत्तीर्थात्पश्चिमे शुभम् ॥ तस्मिंस्तीर्थे कृतस्नानस्तल्लिंगं यः समर्चयेत्

kaṁbalāśvatareśaṁ ca tattīrthātpaścime śubham || tasmiṁstīrthe kṛtasnānastalliṁgaṁ yaḥ samarcayet

"And auspicious Kambalashvatareshvara is west of that tirtha; whoever, having bathed at that tirtha, worships that linga..."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.61.82)

अपि तस्य कुले जाता गीतज्ञाः स्युः श्रियान्विताः ॥ चक्रपुष्करिणी तत्र योनिचक्र निवारिणी

api tasya kule jātā gītajñāḥ syuḥ śriyānvitāḥ || cakrapuṣkariṇī tatra yonicakra nivāriṇī

"...even those born in his family become skilled in music, endowed with prosperity. There is Chakra-Pushkarini, remover of the wheel of repeated birth."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.61.83)

संसारचक्रे गहने यत्र स्नातो विशेन्नना ॥ चक्रपुष्करिणी तीर्थ ममाधिष्ठानमुत्तमम्

saṁsāracakre gahane yatra snāto viśennanā || cakrapuṣkariṇī tīrtha mamādhiṣṭhānamuttamam

"One who bathes there does not enter the dense wheel of samsara. The Chakra-Pushkarini tirtha is my supreme abode."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.61.84)

समाः परार्धसंख्यातास्तत्र तप्तं महातपः ॥ तत्र प्रत्यक्षतां यातो मम विश्वेश्वरः परः

samāḥ parārdhasaṁkhyātāstatra taptaṁ mahātapaḥ || tatra pratyakṣatāṁ yāto mama viśveśvaraḥ paraḥ

"There, for years numbering a parardha, great austerity was performed by me; there my supreme Vishveshvara became manifest to me."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.61.85)

तत्र लब्धं मयैश्वर्यमविनाशि महत्तरम् ॥ चक्रपुष्करिणी चैव ख्याताभून्मणिकर्णिका

tatra labdhaṁ mayaiśvaryamavināśi mahattaram || cakrapuṣkariṇī caiva khyātābhūnmaṇikarṇikā

"There I obtained an imperishable, greater sovereignty; and Chakra-Pushkarini itself became renowned as Manikarnika."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.61.86)

द्रवरूपं परित्यज्य ललनारूपधारिणी ॥ प्रत्यक्षरूपिणी तत्र मयैक्षि मणिकर्णिका

dravarūpaṁ parityajya lalanārūpadhāriṇī || pratyakṣarūpiṇī tatra mayaikṣi maṇikarṇikā

"Having abandoned her liquid form and assumed the form of a woman, Manikarnika was seen there by me in a manifest, embodied form."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.61.87)

तस्या रूपं प्रवक्ष्यामि भक्तानां शुभदं परम् ॥ यद्रूपध्यानतः पुंभिराषण्मासं त्रिसंध्यतः

tasyā rūpaṁ pravakṣyāmi bhaktānāṁ śubhadaṁ param || yadrūpadhyānataḥ puṁbhirāṣaṇmāsaṁ trisaṁdhyataḥ

"I shall now describe her form, most auspicious for devotees, meditating upon whose form, men, for six months, thrice daily -"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.61.88)

प्रत्यक्षरूपिणी देवी दृश्यते मणिकर्णिका ॥ चतुर्भुजा विशालाक्षी स्फुरद्भालविलोचना

pratyakṣarūpiṇī devī dṛśyate maṇikarṇikā || caturbhujā viśālākṣī sphuradbhālavilocanā

"-behold the goddess Manikarnika in her manifest form: four-armed, wide-eyed, with a gleaming eye upon her forehead..."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.61.89)

पश्चिमाभिमुखी नित्यं प्रबद्धकरसंपुटा ॥ इंदीवरवतीं मालां दधती दक्षिणे करे

paścimābhimukhī nityaṁ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭā || iṁdīvaravatīṁ mālāṁ dadhatī dakṣiṇe kare

"...ever facing west, her hands folded together, holding in her right hand a garland of blue lotuses..."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.61.90)

वरोद्यते करे सव्ये मातुलुंग फलं शुभम् ॥ कुमारीरूपिणी नित्यं नित्यं द्वादशवार्षिकी

varodyate kare savye mātuluṁga phalaṁ śubham || kumārīrūpiṇī nityaṁ nityaṁ dvādaśavārṣikī

"...bestowing boons with her left hand which holds an auspicious citron fruit, ever in the form of a maiden, ever twelve years of age..."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.61.91)

शुद्धस्फटिककांतिश्च सुनील स्निग्धमूर्द्धजा ॥ जितप्रवालमाणिक्य रमणीय रदच्छदा

śuddhasphaṭikakāṁtiśca sunīla snigdhamūrddhajā || jitapravālamāṇikya ramaṇīya radacchadā

"...radiant like pure crystal, her hair deep-blue and glossy, her lovely lips outshining coral and ruby..."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.61.92)

प्रत्यग्रकेतकीपुष्पलसद्धम्मिल्ल मस्तका ॥ सर्वांग मुक्ताभरणा चंद्रकांत्यंशुकावृता

pratyagraketakīpuṣpalasaddhammilla mastakā || sarvāṁga muktābharaṇā caṁdrakāṁtyaṁśukāvṛtā

"...her hair-knot adorned with fresh ketaki flowers, her whole body decked with pearl ornaments, clad in garments radiant as moonlight..."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.61.93)

पुंडरीकमयीं मालां सश्रीकां बिभ्रती हृदि ॥ ध्यातव्यानेन रूपेण मुमुक्षुभिरहर्निशम्

puṁḍarīkamayīṁ mālāṁ saśrīkāṁ bibhratī hṛdi || dhyātavyānena rūpeṇa mumukṣubhiraharniśam

"...bearing on her breast a splendid garland of white lotuses - she is to be meditated upon in this form, day and night, by those seeking liberation."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.61.94)

निर्वाणलक्ष्मीभवनं श्रीमतीमणिकर्णिका ॥ मंत्रं तस्याश्च वक्ष्यामि भक्तकल्पद्रुमाभिधम् ॥ यस्यावर्तनतः सिद्ध्येदपि सिद्ध्यष्टकं नृणाम्

nirvāṇalakṣmībhavanaṁ śrīmatīmaṇikarṇikā || maṁtraṁ tasyāśca vakṣyāmi bhaktakalpadrumābhidham || yasyāvartanataḥ siddhyedapi siddhyaṣṭakaṁ nṛṇām

"The glorious Manikarnika is the very abode of the Lakshmi of liberation. I shall now tell her mantra, called the wish-fulfilling tree of devotees, by whose repetition even the eight siddhis are accomplished for men."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.61.95)

वाग्भवमायालक्ष्मीमदनप्रणवान्वदेत्पूर्वम् ॥ भांत्यं बिंदूपेतं मणिपदमथ कर्णिके सहृत्प्रणवपुटः

vāgbhavamāyālakṣmīmadanapraṇavānvadetpūrvam || bhāṁtyaṁ biṁdūpetaṁ maṇipadamatha karṇike sahṛtpraṇavapuṭaḥ

[An esoteric description of the mantra's construction using the seed-syllables of Vagbhava, Maya, Lakshmi, Madana, and Pranava, followed by the words "mani" and "karnike" enclosed by further bija-syllables.]

Verse 96 (skanda.4.61.96)

मंत्रःसुरद्रुमसमः समस्तसुखसंततिप्रदो जप्यः ॥ तिथिभिः परिमितवर्णः परमपदं दिशति निशितधियाम्

maṁtraḥsuradrumasamaḥ samastasukhasaṁtatiprado japyaḥ || tithibhiḥ parimitavarṇaḥ paramapadaṁ diśati niśitadhiyām

"This mantra, equal to the wish-fulfilling celestial tree, bestowing an unbroken succession of every happiness, is to be recited; its syllables numbering as many as the lunar days, it grants the supreme abode to those of sharpened intellect."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.61.97)

तारस्तारतृतीयो बिंद्वंतोमणिपदं ततः कर्णिके ॥ प्रणवात्मिपदं केन म इति मनुसंख्यवर्णमनुः

tārastāratṛtīyo biṁdvaṁtomaṇipadaṁ tataḥ karṇike || praṇavātmipadaṁ kena ma iti manusaṁkhyavarṇamanuḥ

[Further description of the mantra's syllable-construction, its count matching the fourteen Manus.]

Verse 98 (skanda.4.61.98)

अयं मंत्रोऽनिशं जप्यः पुंभिर्मुक्तिमभीप्सुभिः ॥ होमो दशांशकः कार्यः श्रद्धाबद्धादरैर्नृभिः

ayaṁ maṁtro'niśaṁ japyaḥ puṁbhirmuktimabhīpsubhiḥ || homo daśāṁśakaḥ kāryaḥ śraddhābaddhādarairnṛbhiḥ

"This mantra should be recited ceaselessly by men who desire liberation; a fire-offering of a tenth part of the recitations should be performed by men bound with faithful reverence."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.61.99)

परिप्लुतैः पुंडरीकैर्गव्येन हविषास्फुटैः ॥ सशर्करेण मेधावी सक्षौद्रेण सदाशुचिः

pariplutaiḥ puṁḍarīkairgavyena haviṣāsphuṭaiḥ || saśarkareṇa medhāvī sakṣaudreṇa sadāśuciḥ

"The offering should be made with soaked lotus-seeds, with pure cow-ghee as the oblation, mixed with sugar and honey, by the wise, ever pure."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.61.100)

त्रिलक्षमंत्र जप्येन मृतो देशांतरेष्वपि ॥ अवश्यं मुक्तिमाप्नोति मंत्रस्यास्य प्रभावतः

trilakṣamaṁtra japyena mṛto deśāṁtareṣvapi || avaśyaṁ muktimāpnoti maṁtrasyāsya prabhāvataḥ

"By reciting this mantra three hundred thousand times, even one who dies in another land certainly attains liberation, through the power of this mantra."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.61.101)

सौवर्णीं प्रतिमा कार्या नवरत्नसमन्विता ॥ पूर्वोक्तरूपसंपन्ना संपूज्या सा प्रयत्नतः

sauvarṇīṁ pratimā kāryā navaratnasamanvitā || pūrvoktarūpasaṁpannā saṁpūjyā sā prayatnataḥ

"A golden image should be made, adorned with the nine gems, endowed with the form described above; it should be worshipped with effort."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.61.102)

संपूज्यावा सदा गेहे नरैर्मोक्षैककांक्षिभिः ॥ मणिकर्ण्यामथाक्षेप्या समभ्यर्च्य प्रयत्नतः

saṁpūjyāvā sadā gehe narairmokṣaikakāṁkṣibhiḥ || maṇikarṇyāmathākṣepyā samabhyarcya prayatnataḥ

"It should be constantly worshipped at home by men who desire liberation alone, and then, having duly worshipped it, cast into Manikarnika -"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.61.103)

संसारभीरुभिः पुंभिः श्रद्धाबद्धादरैरिह ॥ उपायः समनुष्ठेयो ह्यपि दूरनिवासिभिः

saṁsārabhīrubhiḥ puṁbhiḥ śraddhābaddhādarairiha || upāyaḥ samanuṣṭheyo hyapi dūranivāsibhiḥ

"-this means should be undertaken here by men who fear samsara, bound with faithful reverence, even by those who dwell far away."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.61.104)

मणिकर्ण्यां कृतस्नानो मणिकर्णीश वीक्षणात् ॥ जननी जठरावासे वसतिं न लभेन्नरः

maṇikarṇyāṁ kṛtasnāno maṇikarṇīśa vīkṣaṇāt || jananī jaṭharāvāse vasatiṁ na labhennaraḥ

"A man who has bathed at Manikarnika, through beholding the Lord of Manikarnika, does not obtain again a dwelling in a mother's womb."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.61.105)

मणिकर्णीश्वरं लिंगंं पुरासंस्थापितं मया ॥ प्राग्द्वारेंतर्गृहस्यात्र समर्च्यो मोक्षकांक्षिभिः

maṇikarṇīśvaraṁ liṁgaṁṁ purāsaṁsthāpitaṁ mayā || prāgdvāreṁtargṛhasyātra samarcyo mokṣakāṁkṣibhiḥ

"The linga Manikarnishvara, established by me of old, at the eastern door of the inner shrine here, is to be worshipped by those who desire liberation."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.61.106)

ततः पाशुपतं तीर्थमवाच्यां मणिकर्णितः ॥ कृतोदकक्रियस्तत्र पश्येत्पशुपतीश्वरम्

tataḥ pāśupataṁ tīrthamavācyāṁ maṇikarṇitaḥ || kṛtodakakriyastatra paśyetpaśupatīśvaram

"Then, southwest of Manikarnika, is the Pashupata tirtha; having performed the water-rite there, one should behold Pashupatishvara -"

Verse 107 (skanda.4.61.107)

यत्र पाशुपतो योग उपदिष्टः पिनाकिना ॥ ममापि विधिमुख्यानां सुराणां पशुपाशहृत्

yatra pāśupato yoga upadiṣṭaḥ pinākinā || mamāpi vidhimukhyānāṁ surāṇāṁ paśupāśahṛt

"-where the Pashupata yoga was taught by the wielder of the Pinaka, remover of the bonds of even Brahma and the other chief gods."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.61.108)

अतः पशुपतिर्यत्र लिंगरूपधरः स्वयम् ॥ पशुपाशविमोक्षाय नित्यं काश्यां प्रकाशते

ataḥ paśupatiryatra liṁgarūpadharaḥ svayam || paśupāśavimokṣāya nityaṁ kāśyāṁ prakāśate

"Therefore, where Pashupati himself, bearing the form of a linga, ever shines forth in Kashi for the release of souls from their bonds -"

Verse 109 (skanda.4.61.109)

तत्र चैत्र चतुर्दश्यां शुक्लायां शुचिमानसैः ॥ कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नेन रात्रौ जागरणं तथा

tatra caitra caturdaśyāṁ śuklāyāṁ śucimānasaiḥ || kāryā yātrā prayatnena rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ tathā

"-there, on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, pilgrimage should be made with effort by those of pure mind, and a vigil kept through the night."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.61.110)

पूजयित्वा पशुपतिमुपोषणपरायणाः ॥ पशुपाशैर्न बध्यंते दर्शे विहितपारणाः

pūjayitvā paśupatimupoṣaṇaparāyaṇāḥ || paśupāśairna badhyaṁte darśe vihitapāraṇāḥ

"Having worshipped Pashupati, devoted to fasting, and breaking the fast at the proper time on the new moon, they are not bound by the bonds of worldly existence."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.61.111)

रुद्रावासस्ततस्तीर्थं तीर्थात्पाशुपतात्पुरः ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा नरैरर्च्यो रुद्रावासेश्वरो हरः

rudrāvāsastatastīrthaṁ tīrthātpāśupatātpuraḥ || tatra snātvā narairarcyo rudrāvāseśvaro haraḥ

"Ahead of the Pashupata tirtha is Rudravasa; bathing there, men should worship Hara as Rudravasesvara."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.61.112)

मणिकर्णीश्वराद्याम्यां रुद्रावासेश्वरं नरः ॥ समाराध्य वसेल्लोके रुद्रावासे न संशयः

maṇikarṇīśvarādyāmyāṁ rudrāvāseśvaraṁ naraḥ || samārādhya vaselloke rudrāvāse na saṁśayaḥ

"South of Manikarnishvara, a man who has worshipped Rudravasesvara dwells, without doubt, in the world Rudravasa."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.61.113)

विश्वतीर्थं ततो याम्यां विश्वैस्तीर्थैरधिष्ठितम् ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या विश्वनाथं विलोकयेत्

viśvatīrthaṁ tato yāmyāṁ viśvaistīrthairadhiṣṭhitam || tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā viśvanāthaṁ vilokayet

"South of that is Vishva-tirtha, presided over by all the tirthas; a man, having bathed there with devotion, should behold Vishvanatha."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.61.114)

विश्वां गौरीं च तदनु पूजयित्वाति भक्तितः ॥ विश्वस्य पूज्यो भवति ततो विश्वमयो भवेत्

viśvāṁ gaurīṁ ca tadanu pūjayitvāti bhaktitaḥ || viśvasya pūjyo bhavati tato viśvamayo bhavet

"And having then worshipped Vishva Gauri with the greatest devotion, he becomes worshipped by the whole world, and thereafter becomes one with the universe."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.61.115)

मुक्तितीर्थं च तदनु तत्रापि कृतमज्जनः ॥ मोक्षेश्वरं ततोभ्यर्च्य मोक्षमाप्नोत्यसंशयम्

muktitīrthaṁ ca tadanu tatrāpi kṛtamajjanaḥ || mokṣeśvaraṁ tatobhyarcya mokṣamāpnotyasaṁśayam

"Then, having bathed also at Mukti-tirtha there, and worshipped Mokshesvara, one attains liberation without doubt."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.61.116)

अविमुक्तेश्वरात्पश्चान्मोक्षेशं वीक्ष्य मानवः ॥ न पुनर्मानवेलोके यातायातं करोत्यहो

avimukteśvarātpaścānmokṣeśaṁ vīkṣya mānavaḥ || na punarmānaveloke yātāyātaṁ karotyaho

"Having beheld Mokshesha west of Avimukteshvara, a man, ah, never again comes and goes in the world of men."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.61.117)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं तीर्थं मुक्तितीर्थान्मनाक्परे ॥ तत्राप्लुत्याविमुक्तेशमर्चयित्वा विमुच्यते

avimukteśvaraṁ tīrthaṁ muktitīrthānmanākpare || tatrāplutyāvimukteśamarcayitvā vimucyate

"A little beyond Mukti-tirtha is the tirtha of Avimukteshvara; having bathed there and worshipped Avimuktesha, one is liberated."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.61.118)

तत्परे तारकं तीर्थं यत्र विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम् ॥ आचष्टे तारकं ब्रह्ममृतकर्णेमृतात्मकम्

tatpare tārakaṁ tīrthaṁ yatra viśveśvaraḥ svayam || ācaṣṭe tārakaṁ brahmamṛtakarṇemṛtātmakam

"Beyond that is the Taraka tirtha, where Vishveshvara himself declares the deliverance-mantra of Brahman, of a nectarous nature, into the ear of the dying."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.61.119)

सुस्नातस्तारके तीर्थे तारकेश्वर दर्शनात् ॥ संसारसागरं तीर्त्वा तारयेत्स्वपितॄनपि

susnātastārake tīrthe tārakeśvara darśanāt || saṁsārasāgaraṁ tīrtvā tārayetsvapitṝnapi

"One who has bathed well at the Taraka tirtha, through the sight of Tarakeshvara, crosses the ocean of samsara and delivers even his own ancestors."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.61.120)

तत्राभ्याशे स्कंदतीर्थं तत्राप्लुत्य नरोत्तमः ॥ दृष्ट्वा षडाननं चैव जह्यात्षाट्कौशिकीं तनुम्

tatrābhyāśe skaṁdatīrthaṁ tatrāplutya narottamaḥ || dṛṣṭvā ṣaḍānanaṁ caiva jahyātṣāṭkauśikīṁ tanum

"Nearby is Skanda-tirtha; the best of men, having bathed there and beheld the Six-Faced One, casts off his six-fold material body."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.61.121)

तारकेश्वर पूर्वेण दृष्ट्वा देवं षडाननम् ॥ वसेत्षडानने लोके कौमारं वपुरुद्वहन्

tārakeśvara pūrveṇa dṛṣṭvā devaṁ ṣaḍānanam || vasetṣaḍānane loke kaumāraṁ vapurudvahan

"Having beheld the Six-Faced God east of Tarakeshvara, one dwells in the world of the Six-Faced One, bearing a youthful, Kaumara body."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.61.122)

ढुंढितीर्थं ततः पुण्यं नरस्तत्र कृतोदकः ॥ ढुंढिं गणपतिं स्तुत्वा न विघ्नैरभिभूयते

ḍhuṁḍhitīrthaṁ tataḥ puṇyaṁ narastatra kṛtodakaḥ || ḍhuṁḍhiṁ gaṇapatiṁ stutvā na vighnairabhibhūyate

"Then there is the sacred Dhundhi-tirtha; a man, having performed the water-rite there and praised the lord of ganas Dhundhi, is never overcome by obstacles."

Verse 123 (skanda.4.61.123)

भवानीतीर्थमतुलं ढुंढितीर्थस्य दक्षिणे ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन भवानीं परिपूज्य च

bhavānītīrthamatulaṁ ḍhuṁḍhitīrthasya dakṣiṇe || tatra snātvā vidhānena bhavānīṁ paripūjya ca

"South of Dhundhi-tirtha is the incomparable Bhavani-tirtha; bathing there according to rule and duly worshipping Bhavani -"

Verse 124 (skanda.4.61.124)

दुकूले रत्ननेपथ्यैर्नैवेद्यैर्बहुविस्तरैः ॥ पुष्पैर्धूपैः प्रदीपैश्च भवानी शो प्रपूज्य च

dukūle ratnanepathyairnaivedyairbahuvistaraiḥ || puṣpairdhūpaiḥ pradīpaiśca bhavānī śo prapūjya ca

"-with fine silks, jeweled ornaments, abundant food-offerings, flowers, incense, and lamps, having thus worshipped Bhavani and Shiva..."

Verse 125 (skanda.4.61.125)

समस्तमर्चितं तेन त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ॥ भवानीशंकरौ काश्यामर्चितौ श्रद्धया तु यैः

samastamarcitaṁ tena trailokyaṁ sacarācaram || bhavānīśaṁkarau kāśyāmarcitau śraddhayā tu yaiḥ

"-by him the entire three worlds, with all that moves and moves not, is worshipped; and by those who, in Kashi, worship Bhavani and Shankara with faith..."

Verse 126 (skanda.4.61.126)

चैत्राष्टम्यां महायात्रां भवान्याः कारयेत्सुधीः ॥ अष्टाधिकाः प्रकर्तव्याः शतकृत्वः प्रदक्षिणाः

caitrāṣṭamyāṁ mahāyātrāṁ bhavānyāḥ kārayetsudhīḥ || aṣṭādhikāḥ prakartavyāḥ śatakṛtvaḥ pradakṣiṇāḥ

"-on the eighth of Chaitra, the wise should undertake the great pilgrimage of Bhavani; one hundred and eight circumambulations should be performed."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.61.127)

प्रदक्ष्रिणीकृतातेन सप्तद्वीपवती मही ॥ सशैला ससमुद्रा च साश्रमा च सकानना

pradakṣriṇīkṛtātena saptadvīpavatī mahī || saśailā sasamudrā ca sāśramā ca sakānanā

"By him, the earth with its seven continents, its mountains, its oceans, its hermitages, and its forests, is thereby circumambulated."

Verse 128 (skanda.4.61.128)

अष्टौ प्रदक्षिणा देयाः प्रत्यहं तुष्टितत्परैः ॥ नमनीयौ प्रयत्नेन भवानीशंकरौ सदा

aṣṭau pradakṣiṇā deyāḥ pratyahaṁ tuṣṭitatparaiḥ || namanīyau prayatnena bhavānīśaṁkarau sadā

"Eight circumambulations should be given daily by those devoted to satisfaction; Bhavani and Shankara should ever be bowed to with effort."

Verse 129 (skanda.4.61.129)

भक्तानां कामदा नित्यं भवानी वाससां प्रदा ॥ अतो भवानी संपूज्या काश्यां तीर्थनिवासिभिः

bhaktānāṁ kāmadā nityaṁ bhavānī vāsasāṁ pradā || ato bhavānī saṁpūjyā kāśyāṁ tīrthanivāsibhiḥ

"Bhavani ever grants the desires of her devotees, and grants them a dwelling; therefore Bhavani should be worshipped in Kashi by those who dwell in that sacred field."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.61.130)

योगक्षेमं सदा कुर्याद्भवानी काशिवासिनाम् ॥ तस्माद्भवानी संसेव्या सततं काशिवासिभिः

yogakṣemaṁ sadā kuryādbhavānī kāśivāsinām || tasmādbhavānī saṁsevyā satataṁ kāśivāsibhiḥ

"Bhavani ever secures the welfare and provision of Kashi's residents; therefore Bhavani should be constantly served by those who dwell in Kashi."

Verse 131 (skanda.4.61.131)

भिक्षणीया सदा भिक्षा भिक्षुणा मोक्षकांक्षिणा ॥ यतो भिक्षाप्रदा काश्यां विश्वेशस्य कुटुंबिनी

bhikṣaṇīyā sadā bhikṣā bhikṣuṇā mokṣakāṁkṣiṇā || yato bhikṣāpradā kāśyāṁ viśveśasya kuṭuṁbinī

"Alms should ever be begged by the mendicant desiring liberation, since she, the wife of Vishvesha in Kashi, is the giver of alms."

Verse 132 (skanda.4.61.132)

गृहमध्येत्र विश्वेशो भवानी तत्कुटुंबिनी ॥ सर्वेभ्यः काशिसंस्थेभ्यो मोक्षभिक्षां प्रयच्छति

gṛhamadhyetra viśveśo bhavānī tatkuṭuṁbinī || sarvebhyaḥ kāśisaṁsthebhyo mokṣabhikṣāṁ prayacchati

"Vishvesha is here in the midst of his household, with Bhavani his wife; she grants the alms of liberation to all who dwell in Kashi."

Verse 133 (skanda.4.61.133)

दुष्प्रापमपि यत्किंचित्काशीक्षेत्रनिवासिनाम् ॥ तत्सुप्राप्यं करोत्येव भवानी पूजिता नृभिः

duṣprāpamapi yatkiṁcitkāśīkṣetranivāsinām || tatsuprāpyaṁ karotyeva bhavānī pūjitā nṛbhiḥ

"Whatever is hard to attain, however difficult, for the residents of Kashi's field - Bhavani, worshipped by men, makes it easily attainable indeed."

Verse 134 (skanda.4.61.134)

कुर्याज्जागरणं रात्रौ महाष्टम्यां व्रती नरः ॥ प्रातर्भवानीमभ्यर्च्य प्राप्नुयाद्वांछितं फलम्

kuryājjāgaraṇaṁ rātrau mahāṣṭamyāṁ vratī naraḥ || prātarbhavānīmabhyarcya prāpnuyādvāṁchitaṁ phalam

"The votary man should keep vigil through the night on the great eighth day, and, having worshipped Bhavani in the morning, obtain his desired fruit."

Verse 135 (skanda.4.61.135)

शुक्रेशात्पश्चिमाशायां भवानीं योऽभिवीक्षते ॥ सर्वे मनोरथास्तस्य सिद्ध्यंतीह न सं शयः

śukreśātpaścimāśāyāṁ bhavānīṁ yo'bhivīkṣate || sarve manorathāstasya siddhyaṁtīha na saṁ śayaḥ

"Whoever beholds Bhavani in the western direction from Shukreshvara - all his desires are fulfilled here; there is no doubt of this."

Verse 136 (skanda.4.61.136)

काश्यां सदैव वस्तव्यं स्नातव्योत्तरवाहिनी ॥ भवानीशंकरौ सेव्यौ प्राप्तव्ये भुक्तिमुक्तिके

kāśyāṁ sadaiva vastavyaṁ snātavyottaravāhinī || bhavānīśaṁkarau sevyau prāptavye bhuktimuktike

"One should ever dwell in Kashi; one should bathe in the northward-flowing river; Bhavani and Shankara should be served, so that both enjoyment and liberation may be attained."

Verse 137 (skanda.4.61.137)

मातर्भवानि तव पादरजोभवानि मातर्भवानि तवदासतरो भवानि ॥ मातर्भवानि नभवानि यथाभवेस्मिंस्त्वद्भाग्भवान्यनुदिनं न पुनर्भवानि

mātarbhavāni tava pādarajobhavāni mātarbhavāni tavadāsataro bhavāni || mātarbhavāni nabhavāni yathābhavesmiṁstvadbhāgbhavānyanudinaṁ na punarbhavāni

"'O Mother Bhavani, may I become the dust of your feet; O Mother Bhavani, may I become your very servant. O Mother Bhavani, may I not become bound to rebirth; may I, sharing in you day after day, never become subject to rebirth again.'"

Verse 138 (skanda.4.61.138)

तिष्ठता गच्छता वापि स्वपता जाग्रतापि वा ॥ अयमत्र सदा जप्यः सुखाप्त्यै काशिवासिना

tiṣṭhatā gacchatā vāpi svapatā jāgratāpi vā || ayamatra sadā japyaḥ sukhāptyai kāśivāsinā

"Whether standing, or walking, or sleeping, or waking, this prayer should ever be recited here by the resident of Kashi, for the attainment of happiness."

Verse 139 (skanda.4.61.139)

ईशानतीर्थं तत्रैव भवानीतीर्थसन्निधौ ॥ तत्र स्नातो य ईशानमर्चयेन्न स जन्मभाक्

īśānatīrthaṁ tatraiva bhavānītīrthasannidhau || tatra snāto ya īśānamarcayenna sa janmabhāk

"There too, near Bhavani-tirtha, is Ishana-tirtha; whoever, having bathed there, worships Ishana, does not partake of birth again."

Verse 140 (skanda.4.61.140)

ज्ञानतीर्थं च तत्रैव ज्ञानदं सवर्दा नृणाम् ॥ कृताभिषेकस्तत्तीर्थे दृष्ट्वा ज्ञानेश्वरं शिवम्

jñānatīrthaṁ ca tatraiva jñānadaṁ savardā nṛṇām || kṛtābhiṣekastattīrthe dṛṣṭvā jñāneśvaraṁ śivam

"There too is Jnana-tirtha, ever giving knowledge to men; having bathed at that tirtha and beheld Jnaneshvara Shiva..."

Verse 141 (skanda.4.61.141)

ज्ञानवापीसमीपस्थो ज्ञानेशो यैः समर्चितः ॥ ज्ञानभ्रंशो न तेषां स्यादपि पंचत्वमृच्छताम्

jñānavāpīsamīpastho jñāneśo yaiḥ samarcitaḥ || jñānabhraṁśo na teṣāṁ syādapi paṁcatvamṛcchatām

"...those by whom Jnanesha, standing near Jnanavapi, has been worshipped, never suffer a lapse of knowledge, even when they meet their end."

Verse 142 (skanda.4.61.142)

शैलादितीर्थं तत्रैव परमर्द्धि प्रकाशकम् ॥ तत्र श्राद्धादिकं कृत्वा दत्त्वा दानं स्वशक्तितः

śailāditīrthaṁ tatraiva paramarddhi prakāśakam || tatra śrāddhādikaṁ kṛtvā dattvā dānaṁ svaśaktitaḥ

"There too is Shailadi-tirtha, revealer of supreme prosperity; having performed the ancestral rite there and given gifts according to one's ability..."

Verse 143 (skanda.4.61.143)

शैलादीश्वरमालोक्य ज्ञानवाप्या उदग्दिशि ॥ लभेद्गणत्वपदवीं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

śailādīśvaramālokya jñānavāpyā udagdiśi || labhedgaṇatvapadavīṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"...and beheld Shailadishvara, north of Jnanavapi, one attains the status of a gana - no doubt should be entertained about this."

Verse 144 (skanda.4.61.144)

नंदितीर्थादवाच्यां तु विष्णुतीर्थं परं मम ॥ तत्र पिंडान्विनिर्वाप्य पितॄणामनृणो भवेत्

naṁditīrthādavācyāṁ tu viṣṇutīrthaṁ paraṁ mama || tatra piṁḍānvinirvāpya pitṝṇāmanṛṇo bhavet

"Southwest of Nandi-tirtha is my own supreme Vishnu-tirtha; having offered rice-balls there, one becomes free of debt to one's ancestors."

Verse 145 (skanda.4.61.145)

विष्णुतीर्थे कृतस्नानो यो मां विष्णुं विलोकयेत् ॥ विश्वेशाद्दक्षिणेपार्श्वे विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

viṣṇutīrthe kṛtasnāno yo māṁ viṣṇuṁ vilokayet || viśveśāddakṣiṇepārśve viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

"Whoever, having bathed at Vishnu-tirtha, beholds me, Vishnu, on the southern side of Vishvesha, goes to the world of Vishnu."

Verse 146 (skanda.4.61.146)

यः प्रत्येकादशीं प्राप्य शयनीं बोधिनीं तथा ॥ कुर्याज्जागरणं रात्रौ मम मूर्तिसमीपतः

yaḥ pratyekādaśīṁ prāpya śayanīṁ bodhinīṁ tathā || kuryājjāgaraṇaṁ rātrau mama mūrtisamīpataḥ

"Whoever, on reaching every Ekadashi - the Shayani and the Bodhini ones especially - keeps vigil through the night near my image..."

Verse 147 (skanda.4.61.147)

प्रातः समर्च्य मां भक्त्या भोजयित्वा द्विजानपि ॥ दत्त्वा गाः कांचनं भूमिं न भूयो भूमिभाग्भवेत्

prātaḥ samarcya māṁ bhaktyā bhojayitvā dvijānapi || dattvā gāḥ kāṁcanaṁ bhūmiṁ na bhūyo bhūmibhāgbhavet

"...and in the morning worships me with devotion, feeds Brahmins, and gives cows, gold, and land, never again becomes a partaker of the earth."

Verse 148 (skanda.4.61.148)

कृत्वा तत्र व्रतोत्सर्गं वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः ॥ सम्यग्व्रतफलं धीमान्प्राप्नोत्येव ममाज्ञया

kṛtvā tatra vratotsargaṁ vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ || samyagvrataphalaṁ dhīmānprāpnotyeva mamājñayā

"Having performed the concluding rite of the vow there, free of miserliness with wealth, the wise man certainly obtains the full fruit of the vow, by my command."

Verse 149 (skanda.4.61.149)

मम तीर्थादवाच्यां तु ती र्थं पैतामहं शुभम् ॥ तत्र श्राद्धविधानेन तर्पयित्वा पितामहान्

mama tīrthādavācyāṁ tu tī rthaṁ paitāmahaṁ śubham || tatra śrāddhavidhānena tarpayitvā pitāmahān

"Southwest of my tirtha is the auspicious Paitamaha tirtha; having offered libations to the forefathers there according to the ancestral rite..."

Verse 150 (skanda.4.61.150)

पितामहेश्वरं लिंगं ब्रह्मनालोपरिस्थितम् ॥ पूजयित्वा नरो भक्त्या ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात्

pitāmaheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ brahmanāloparisthitam || pūjayitvā naro bhaktyā brahmalokamavāpnuyāt

"...and having worshipped with devotion the linga Pitamaheshvara, situated above Brahmanala, a man attains the world of Brahma."

Verse 151 (skanda.4.61.151)

ब्रह्मस्रोतः समीपे तु कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम् ॥ परामक्षयतामेति शुभमेव ततश्चरेत्

brahmasrotaḥ samīpe tu kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham || parāmakṣayatāmeti śubhameva tataścaret

"Near the stream of Brahma, whatever action, good or bad, is performed attains supreme imperishability - therefore one should perform only good action there."

Verse 152 (skanda.4.61.152)

अत्यल्पमपि यत्कर्म कृतमत्र शुभाशुभम् ॥ प्रलयेपि न तस्यास्ति प्रलयो मुनिसत्तम

atyalpamapi yatkarma kṛtamatra śubhāśubham || pralayepi na tasyāsti pralayo munisattama

"O best of sages, whatever action, however small, good or bad, is performed here - even at the dissolution of the universe, there is no dissolution of it."

Verse 153 (skanda.4.61.153)

नाभितीर्थमिदं प्रोक्तं नाभिभूतं यतः क्षितेः ॥ अपि ब्रह्मांडगोलस्य नाभिरेषा शुभोदया

nābhitīrthamidaṁ proktaṁ nābhibhūtaṁ yataḥ kṣiteḥ || api brahmāṁḍagolasya nābhireṣā śubhodayā

"This is called the Navel-tirtha, since it is the very navel of the earth; this auspicious place is indeed the navel of the entire cosmic sphere."

Verse 154 (skanda.4.61.154)

सा माणिकर्णिकेयीयं नाभिर्गांभीर्यभूमिका ॥ ब्रह्मांडगोलकं सर्वं यस्यामेति लयोदयम्

sā māṇikarṇikeyīyaṁ nābhirgāṁbhīryabhūmikā || brahmāṁḍagolakaṁ sarvaṁ yasyāmeti layodayam

"This same navel of Manikarnika is the very ground of profundity, in which the entire cosmic sphere undergoes dissolution and re-arising."

Verse 155 (skanda.4.61.155)

ब्रह्मनालं परं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ॥ तत्संगमे नरः स्नात्वा कोटिजन्म मलं हरेत्

brahmanālaṁ paraṁ tīrthaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam || tatsaṁgame naraḥ snātvā koṭijanma malaṁ haret

"Brahmanala is a supreme tirtha, famed in the three worlds; a man, bathing at that confluence, removes the impurity of ten million births."

Verse 156 (skanda.4.61.156)

ब्रह्मनाले पतेद्येषामपि कीकसमात्रकम् ॥ ब्रह्मांडमंडपांतस्ते न विशंति कदाचन

brahmanāle patedyeṣāmapi kīkasamātrakam || brahmāṁḍamaṁḍapāṁtaste na viśaṁti kadācana

"Those even a mere bone-fragment of whom falls into Brahmanala never again enter within the pavilion of the cosmic egg."

Verse 157 (skanda.4.61.157)

ततो भागीरथेस्तीर्थं ब्रह्मनालाच्च दक्षिणे ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा नरः सम्यङ्मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

tato bhāgīrathestīrthaṁ brahmanālācca dakṣiṇe || tatra snātvā naraḥ samyaṅmucyate brahmahatyayā

"Then, south of Brahmanala, is the tirtha of Bhagiratha's river; a man, bathing there, is fully freed even from the sin of killing a Brahmin."

Verse 158 (skanda.4.61.158)

भागीरथीश्वरं लिंगं स्वर्गद्वारस्य सन्निधौ ॥ दर्शनाद्ब्रह्महत्यायाः पुरश्चरणमुच्यते

bhāgīrathīśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ svargadvārasya sannidhau || darśanādbrahmahatyāyāḥ puraścaraṇamucyate

"The linga Bhagirathishvara, near Svargadvara - its mere sight is declared to be a preliminary atonement even for the sin of killing a Brahmin."

Verse 159 (skanda.4.61.159)

अशुभां गतिमापन्ना यस्य पूर्वे पितामहाः ॥ तेन भागीरथी तीर्थे तर्पणीयाः प्रयत्नतः

aśubhāṁ gatimāpannā yasya pūrve pitāmahāḥ || tena bhāgīrathī tīrthe tarpaṇīyāḥ prayatnataḥ

"One whose forefathers have attained an inauspicious state should offer them libations at the Bhagirathi tirtha with effort."

Verse 160 (skanda.4.61.160)

तत्र भागीरथे तीर्थे श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयित्वा तु ब्रह्मलोके नयेत्पितॄन्

tatra bhāgīrathe tīrthe śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ || brāhmaṇānbhojayitvā tu brahmaloke nayetpitṝn

"Having performed the ancestral rite at the Bhagiratha tirtha according to rule, and having fed Brahmins, one leads one's ancestors to the world of Brahma."

Verse 161 (skanda.4.61.161)

तद्दक्षिणे महातीर्थं खुरकर्तरि संज्ञितम् ॥ गोलोकादागताभिश्च गोभिर्यत्खुरकोटिभिः

taddakṣiṇe mahātīrthaṁ khurakartari saṁjñitam || golokādāgatābhiśca gobhiryatkhurakoṭibhiḥ

"South of that is the great tirtha called Khurakartari, where a portion of ground was hollowed out by the millions of hooves of cows who came from Goloka."

Verse 162 (skanda.4.61.162)

स्थपुटीकृतभूभागं ततस्तत्खुर कर्तरि ॥ तस्मिंस्तीर्थे कृतस्नानः कृतपिंडोदकक्रियः

sthapuṭīkṛtabhūbhāgaṁ tatastatkhura kartari || tasmiṁstīrthe kṛtasnānaḥ kṛtapiṁḍodakakriyaḥ

"...having bathed at that tirtha of Khurakartari and performed the water-and-ricecake rite there..."

Verse 163 (skanda.4.61.163)

खुरकर्तरीशं लिंगं दृष्ट्वा गोलोकमाप्नुयात् ॥ गोधनैर्न विमुच्येत तल्लिंगस्य समर्चनात्

khurakartarīśaṁ liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvā golokamāpnuyāt || godhanairna vimucyeta talliṁgasya samarcanāt

"...and beheld the linga Khurakartarisha, one attains Goloka; through worship of that linga, one is never separated from wealth in cattle."

Verse 164 (skanda.4.61.164)

दक्षिणे खुरकर्तर्या मार्कंडं तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ कृतश्राद्धविधानश्च तस्मिंस्तीर्थेऽघहारिणि

dakṣiṇe khurakartaryā mārkaṁḍaṁ tīrthamuttamam || kṛtaśrāddhavidhānaśca tasmiṁstīrthe'ghahāriṇi

"South of Khurakartari is the excellent Markanda tirtha; having duly performed the ancestral rite at that sin-removing tirtha..."

Verse 165 (skanda.4.61.165)

मार्कंडेयेश्वरं लिंगं दृष्ट्वायुर्दीर्घमाप्नुयात् ॥ ब्रह्मतेजोभिवृद्धिं च कीर्तिं च परमां भुवि

mārkaṁḍeyeśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ dṛṣṭvāyurdīrghamāpnuyāt || brahmatejobhivṛddhiṁ ca kīrtiṁ ca paramāṁ bhuvi

"...and beheld the linga Markandeyeshvara, one obtains a long life, growth in Brahmanical splendor, and the highest fame on earth."

Verse 166 (skanda.4.61.166)

वसिष्ठतीर्थं परमं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ तर्पयित्वा पितॄंस्तत्र वसिष्ठेशं विलोक्य च

vasiṣṭhatīrthaṁ paramaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam || tarpayitvā pitṝṁstatra vasiṣṭheśaṁ vilokya ca

"Vasishtha-tirtha is a supreme, sin-destroying place; having offered libations to the ancestors there and beheld Vasishthesha..."

Verse 167 (skanda.4.61.167)

नरो न लिप्यते पापैर्जन्मत्रयसमर्जितैः ॥ वसिष्ठलोके वसति ब्रह्मतेज समन्वितः

naro na lipyate pāpairjanmatrayasamarjitaiḥ || vasiṣṭhaloke vasati brahmateja samanvitaḥ

"...a man is untainted by sins accumulated over three births; he dwells in the world of Vasishtha, endowed with Brahmanical splendor."

Verse 168 (skanda.4.61.168)

तत्रैवारुधंती तीर्थं स्त्रीणां सौभाग्यवधर्नम् ॥ पतिव्रताभिस्तत्तीर्थं गाहनीयं विशेषतः

tatraivārudhaṁtī tīrthaṁ strīṇāṁ saubhāgyavadharnam || pativratābhistattīrthaṁ gāhanīyaṁ viśeṣataḥ

"There too is the Arundhati tirtha, increaser of women's good fortune; that tirtha should especially be bathed in by devoted wives."

Verse 169 (skanda.4.61.169)

पौंश्चल्यजनितो दोषस्तत्तीर्थपरिमज्जनात् ॥ क्षणाद्विनाश मागच्छेदरुंधत्याः प्रभावतः

pauṁścalyajanito doṣastattīrthaparimajjanāt || kṣaṇādvināśa māgacchedaruṁdhatyāḥ prabhāvataḥ

"The fault born of unchastity is destroyed in an instant by bathing at that tirtha, through the power of Arundhati."

Verse 170 (skanda.4.61.170)

मार्कंडेयेश्वरात्प्राच्यां वसिष्ठेश्वर पूजनात् ॥ निष्पापो जायते मर्त्यो महत्पुण्यमवाप्नुयात्

mārkaṁḍeyeśvarātprācyāṁ vasiṣṭheśvara pūjanāt || niṣpāpo jāyate martyo mahatpuṇyamavāpnuyāt

"East of Markandeyeshvara, through worship of Vasishtheshvara, a mortal becomes sinless and obtains great merit."

Verse 171 (skanda.4.61.171)

मूर्ती वसिष्ठारुंधत्योस्तत्र पूज्ये प्रयत्नतः ॥ न स्त्री वैधव्यमाप्नोति न पुमान्स्त्री वियोगिताम्

mūrtī vasiṣṭhāruṁdhatyostatra pūjye prayatnataḥ || na strī vaidhavyamāpnoti na pumānstrī viyogitām

"The images of Vasishtha and Arundhati there should be worshipped with effort; then a woman does not suffer widowhood, nor a man separation from his wife."

Verse 172 (skanda.4.61.172)

वसिष्ठतीर्थतो याम्यां नर्मदातीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ विधाय श्राद्धं मेधावी नर्मदेशंविलोक्य च

vasiṣṭhatīrthato yāmyāṁ narmadātīrthamuttamam || vidhāya śrāddhaṁ medhāvī narmadeśaṁvilokya ca

"South of Vasishtha-tirtha is the excellent Narmada-tirtha; the wise man, having performed the ancestral rite and beheld Narmadesha..."

Verse 173 (skanda.4.61.173)

तत्र दत्त्वा महादानं पद्मयानविमुच्यते ॥ ततस्त्रिसंध्यं वै तीर्थं त्रिसंध्येश्वर पूर्वतः

tatra dattvā mahādānaṁ padmayānavimucyate || tatastrisaṁdhyaṁ vai tīrthaṁ trisaṁdhyeśvara pūrvataḥ

"...and given a great gift there, is liberated on a lotus-vehicle. Then there is the Trisandhya tirtha, east of Trisandhyeshvara."

Verse 174 (skanda.4.61.174)

तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा कृत्वा संध्यां विधानतः ॥ संध्याकाल विलोपोत्थपातकैर्नाभिभूयते

tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā kṛtvā saṁdhyāṁ vidhānataḥ || saṁdhyākāla vilopotthapātakairnābhibhūyate

"A man, bathing at that tirtha and performing the twilight-rite according to rule, is never overcome by the sins arising from lapses in the twilight observance."

Verse 175 (skanda.4.61.175)

त्रिसंध्येश्वरमालोक्य कृतसंध्यस्त्त्रिकालतः ॥ त्रिवेदावर्तजं पुण्यं प्राप्नुयाच्छ्रद्धया द्विजः

trisaṁdhyeśvaramālokya kṛtasaṁdhyasttrikālataḥ || trivedāvartajaṁ puṇyaṁ prāpnuyācchraddhayā dvijaḥ

"A Brahmin, beholding Trisandhyeshvara and having performed the thrice-daily twilight-rite, obtains with faith the merit born of reciting the three Vedas."

Verse 176 (skanda.4.61.176)

ततोऽनुयोगिनीतीर्थं नरस्तत्र कृताप्लवः ॥ दृष्ट्वा तु योगिनीपीठं योगसिद्धिमवाप्नुयात्

tato'nuyoginītīrthaṁ narastatra kṛtāplavaḥ || dṛṣṭvā tu yoginīpīṭhaṁ yogasiddhimavāpnuyāt

"Then there is the Yogini tirtha; a man, having bathed there and beheld the seat of the Yoginis, attains the perfection of yoga."

Verse 177 (skanda.4.61.177)

अगस्ति तीर्थे तत्रास्ति महाघौघ विघातकृत् ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा प्रयत्नेन दृष्ट्वागस्तीचश्वरं विभुम्

agasti tīrthe tatrāsti mahāghaugha vighātakṛt || tatra snātvā prayatnena dṛṣṭvāgastīcaśvaraṁ vibhum

"There is the Agasti tirtha there, destroyer of great masses of sin; bathing there with effort and beholding the mighty Agastishvara..."

Verse 178 (skanda.4.61.178)

अगस्तिकुंडे च ततः संतर्प्य च पितामहान् ॥ अगस्तिना समेतां च लोपामुद्रां प्रणम्य च

agastikuṁḍe ca tataḥ saṁtarpya ca pitāmahān || agastinā sametāṁ ca lopāmudrāṁ praṇamya ca

"...and then, at the Agasti-kunda, having offered libations to the forefathers, and having bowed to Lopamudra together with Agastya..."

Verse 179 (skanda.4.61.179)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः सर्वक्लेशविवर्जितः ॥ गच्छेत्स पूर्वजैः सार्धं शिवलोकं नरोत्तमः

sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ sarvakleśavivarjitaḥ || gacchetsa pūrvajaiḥ sārdhaṁ śivalokaṁ narottamaḥ

"...that best of men, freed from all sin, rid of all affliction, goes together with his ancestors to the world of Shiva."

Verse 180 (skanda.4.61.180)

दक्षिणेऽगस्त्यतीर्थाच्च तीर्थमस्त्यतिपावनम् ॥ गंगाकेशवसंज्ञं च सर्वपातकनाशनम्

dakṣiṇe'gastyatīrthācca tīrthamastyatipāvanam || gaṁgākeśavasaṁjñaṁ ca sarvapātakanāśanam

"South of Agastya-tirtha there is a most purifying tirtha, named Ganga-Keshava, destroyer of every sin."

Verse 181 (skanda.4.61.181)

तत्र मे शुभदां मूर्तिं मुने तत्तीर्थसंज्ञिकाम् ॥ संपूज्य श्रद्धया धीमान्मम लोके महीयते

tatra me śubhadāṁ mūrtiṁ mune tattīrthasaṁjñikām || saṁpūjya śraddhayā dhīmānmama loke mahīyate

"O sage, the wise man who worships there, with faith, my auspicious form named after that tirtha, is glorified in my world."

Verse 182 (skanda.4.61.182)

तत्र पिंडान्विनिर्वाप्य दत्त्वा दानं स्वशक्तितः ॥ शतसांवत्सरीं तृप्तिं पितॄणां स समर्पयेत्

tatra piṁḍānvinirvāpya dattvā dānaṁ svaśaktitaḥ || śatasāṁvatsarīṁ tṛptiṁ pitṝṇāṁ sa samarpayet

"Having offered rice-balls there and given gifts according to one's ability, one bestows a hundred years' satisfaction upon one's ancestors."

Verse 183 (skanda.4.61.183)

मणिकर्णी परीमाणमेतत्ते कीर्तितं महत् ॥ सीमाविनायकाद्याम्यां सर्वविघ्नविघातनात्

maṇikarṇī parīmāṇametatte kīrtitaṁ mahat || sīmāvināyakādyāmyāṁ sarvavighnavighātanāt

"This great extent of Manikarnika has been declared to you, from Sima-Vinayaka in the south, destroyer of every obstacle."

Verse 184 (skanda.4.61.184)

वैरोचनेश्वरात्प्राच्यामहं वैकुंठमाधवः ॥ तत्र मां भक्तितोभ्यर्च्य वैकुंठार्चामवाप्नुयात्

vairocaneśvarātprācyāmahaṁ vaikuṁṭhamādhavaḥ || tatra māṁ bhaktitobhyarcya vaikuṁṭhārcāmavāpnuyāt

"East of Vairochaneshvara, I am Vaikuntha-Madhava; worshipping me there with devotion, one obtains worship in Vaikuntha itself."

Verse 185 (skanda.4.61.185)

वीरमाधवसंज्ञोहं वीरेशात्पश्चिमे मुने ॥ तत्र व्रती समभ्यर्च्य न यामीं यातनां लभेत्

vīramādhavasaṁjñohaṁ vīreśātpaścime mune || tatra vratī samabhyarcya na yāmīṁ yātanāṁ labhet

"O sage, I am called Vira-Madhava, west of Viresha; the votary who worships me there does not undergo the torments of Yama."

Verse 186 (skanda.4.61.186)

कालमाधवनामाहं कालभैरव सन्निधौ ॥ कलिः कालो न कलयेन्मद्भक्तमिति निश्चितम्

kālamādhavanāmāhaṁ kālabhairava sannidhau || kaliḥ kālo na kalayenmadbhaktamiti niścitam

"I am named Kala-Madhava, near Kalabhairava; it is certain that neither Kali nor Death shall seize my devotee."

Verse 187 (skanda.4.61.187)

मार्गशीर्षस्य शुक्लायामेकादश्यामुपोषितः ॥ तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा यमं नालोकयेत्क्वचित्

mārgaśīrṣasya śuklāyāmekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ || tatra jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā yamaṁ nālokayetkvacit

"One who fasts on the eleventh of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha and keeps vigil there never beholds Yama anywhere."

Verse 188 (skanda.4.61.188)

निर्वाणनरसिंहोहं पुलस्तीश्वरदक्षिणे ॥ भक्तो निर्वाणमाप्नोति तन्मृर्तिनमनादपि

nirvāṇanarasiṁhohaṁ pulastīśvaradakṣiṇe || bhakto nirvāṇamāpnoti tanmṛrtinamanādapi

"I am Nirvana-Narasimha, south of Pulastishvara; the devotee attains liberation even by bowing to that image."

Verse 189 (skanda.4.61.189)

महाबलनृसिंहोहमोंकारात्पूर्वतो मुने ॥ दूतान्महाबलान्याम्यान्न पश्येत्तु तदर्चकः

mahābalanṛsiṁhohamoṁkārātpūrvato mune || dūtānmahābalānyāmyānna paśyettu tadarcakaḥ

"O sage, I am Mahabala-Narasimha, east of Omkara; whoever worships that form does not behold the mighty messengers of Yama."

Verse 190 (skanda.4.61.190)

प्रचंडनरसिंहोहं चंडभैरवपूर्वतः ॥ प्रचंडमप्यघं कृत्वा निष्पाप्मा स्यात्तदर्चनात्

pracaṁḍanarasiṁhohaṁ caṁḍabhairavapūrvataḥ || pracaṁḍamapyaghaṁ kṛtvā niṣpāpmā syāttadarcanāt

"I am Prachanda-Narasimha, east of Chandabhairava; even having committed a most fierce sin, one becomes sinless through worship of that form."

Verse 191 (skanda.4.61.191)

अहं गिरिनृसिंहोस्मि तद्देहलिविनायकात् ॥ प्राच्यां प्रबलपापौ घगजानां प्रविदारणः

ahaṁ girinṛsiṁhosmi taddehalivināyakāt || prācyāṁ prabalapāpau ghagajānāṁ pravidāraṇaḥ

"I am Giri-Narasimha, east of Dehali-Vinayaka, rending apart the elephant-like mass of the most powerful sins."

Verse 192 (skanda.4.61.192)

महाभयहरश्चाहं नरसिंहो महामुने ॥ पितामहेश्वरात्पश्चाद्भक्त साध्वससाध्वसः

mahābhayaharaścāhaṁ narasiṁho mahāmune || pitāmaheśvarātpaścādbhakta sādhvasasādhvasaḥ

"O great sage, I am Narasimha, remover of great fear, west of Pitamaheshvara, the fearless one for the fearful devotee."

Verse 193 (skanda.4.61.193)

अत्युग्रनरसिंहोहं कलशेश्वरपश्चिमे ॥ अत्युग्रमपि पापौघं हरामि श्रद्धयार्चितः

atyugranarasiṁhohaṁ kalaśeśvarapaścime || atyugramapi pāpaughaṁ harāmi śraddhayārcitaḥ

"I am Atyugra-Narasimha, west of Kalasheshvara; worshipped with faith, I remove even the most terrible mass of sin."

Verse 194 (skanda.4.61.194)

ज्वालामालीनृसिंहोऽहं ज्वालामुख्याः समीपतः ॥ संज्वालयामि पापौघ तृणानि परिपूजितः

jvālāmālīnṛsiṁho'haṁ jvālāmukhyāḥ samīpataḥ || saṁjvālayāmi pāpaugha tṛṇāni paripūjitaḥ

"I am Jvalamali-Narasimha, near Jvalamukhi; worshipped fully, I burn up the whole mass of sin like straw."

Verse 195 (skanda.4.61.195)

कोलाहलनृसिंहोस्मि दैत्यदानवमर्दनः ॥ ममनामसमुच्चारादघकोलाहलो यतः

kolāhalanṛsiṁhosmi daityadānavamardanaḥ || mamanāmasamuccārādaghakolāhalo yataḥ

"I am Kolahala-Narasimha, crusher of Daityas and Danavas, from whose very name-utterance a great uproar arises against sin."

Verse 196 (skanda.4.61.196)

कंकालभैरवो यत्र काशीरक्षणदक्षधीः ॥ तत्र मां भक्तितोभ्यर्च्य नोपसर्गैर्निरुध्यते

kaṁkālabhairavo yatra kāśīrakṣaṇadakṣadhīḥ || tatra māṁ bhaktitobhyarcya nopasargairnirudhyate

"Where Kankalabhairava, skilled at protecting Kashi, stands - worshipping me there with devotion, one is never hindered by afflictions."

Verse 197 (skanda.4.61.197)

विटंकनरसिंहोस्मि नीलकंठेश्वरादनु ॥ तत्र मां श्रद्धया पूज्य नरो भवति निर्भयः

viṭaṁkanarasiṁhosmi nīlakaṁṭheśvarādanu || tatra māṁ śraddhayā pūjya naro bhavati nirbhayaḥ

"I am Vitanka-Narasimha, next to Nilakantheshvara; a man who worships me there with faith becomes fearless."

Verse 198 (skanda.4.61.198)

अनंतवामनश्चाहमनंतेश्वरसन्निधौ ॥ अनंतान्यपि भक्तस्य कलुषाणि हरेऽर्चितः

anaṁtavāmanaścāhamanaṁteśvarasannidhau || anaṁtānyapi bhaktasya kaluṣāṇi hare'rcitaḥ

"And I am Ananta-Vamana, near Anantesvara; worshipped, I remove even the endless impurities of my devotee."

Verse 199 (skanda.4.61.199)

दधिवामनसंज्ञोहं भक्तानां दधिभक्तदः ॥ यन्नामस्मरणादेव न दरिद्रो नरो भवेत्

dadhivāmanasaṁjñohaṁ bhaktānāṁ dadhibhaktadaḥ || yannāmasmaraṇādeva na daridro naro bhavet

"I am called Dadhi-Vamana, giver of curd-devotion to my devotees; by the mere remembrance of whose name, a man never becomes poor."

Verse 200 (skanda.4.61.200)

त्रिविक्रमोस्म्यहं काश्यामुदीच्यां च त्रिलोचनात् ॥ ददामि पूजितो लक्ष्मीं हरामि वृजिनान्यपि

trivikramosmyahaṁ kāśyāmudīcyāṁ ca trilocanāt || dadāmi pūjito lakṣmīṁ harāmi vṛjinānyapi

"I am Trivikrama in Kashi, north of Trilochana; worshipped, I bestow prosperity and remove even the greatest wrongdoings."

Verse 201 (skanda.4.61.201)

बलिवामननामाहं बलिना परिपूजितः ॥ बलिभद्रेश्वरात्प्राच्यां भक्तानां बलवर्धनः

balivāmananāmāhaṁ balinā paripūjitaḥ || balibhadreśvarātprācyāṁ bhaktānāṁ balavardhanaḥ

"I am named Bali-Vamana, fully worshipped by Bali, east of Balibhadreshvara, increaser of my devotees' strength."

Verse 202 (skanda.4.61.202)

दक्षिणे भवतीर्थाच्च ताम्रद्वीपादिहागतः ॥ नाम्ना ताम्रवराहोस्मि भक्तानां चिंतितार्थदः

dakṣiṇe bhavatīrthācca tāmradvīpādihāgataḥ || nāmnā tāmravarāhosmi bhaktānāṁ ciṁtitārthadaḥ

"South of Bhava-tirtha, having come here from Tamradvipa, I am named Tamra-Varaha, granter of what my devotees think of."

Verse 203 (skanda.4.61.203)

मुने धरणिवाराहः प्रयागेश्वरसन्निधौ ॥ स्नात्वा वाराहतीर्थेत्र दृष्ट्वा मां किटि रूपिणम्

mune dharaṇivārāhaḥ prayāgeśvarasannidhau || snātvā vārāhatīrthetra dṛṣṭvā māṁ kiṭi rūpiṇam

"O sage, I am Dharani-Varaha, near Prayageshvara; bathing at the Varaha tirtha here, and beholding me in my boar-form..."

Verse 204 (skanda.4.61.204)

संपूज्य बहुभावेन न विशेद्योनिसंकटम् ॥ तत्राल्पमपि दत्त्वान्नं धरादानफलं लभेत्

saṁpūjya bahubhāvena na viśedyonisaṁkaṭam || tatrālpamapi dattvānnaṁ dharādānaphalaṁ labhet

"...and worshipping me with abundant devotion, one does not enter the confinement of a womb again. Even giving a little food there, one obtains the fruit of donating the earth itself."

Verse 205 (skanda.4.61.205)

महाकलुषगंभीर सागरे निपतञ्जनः ॥ मम भक्त्युडुपं प्राप्य प्रलयेपि न मज्जति

mahākaluṣagaṁbhīra sāgare nipatañjanaḥ || mama bhaktyuḍupaṁ prāpya pralayepi na majjati

"A person falling into the deep ocean of great impurity, having obtained the raft of devotion to me, does not sink even at the dissolution of the universe."

Verse 206 (skanda.4.61.206)

अहं कोकावराहोस्मि किटीश्वरसमीपतः ॥ तत्र मां पूजयन्मर्त्यो लभते चिंतितफलम्

ahaṁ kokāvarāhosmi kiṭīśvarasamīpataḥ || tatra māṁ pūjayanmartyo labhate ciṁtitaphalam

"I am Koka-Varaha, near Kitishvara; a mortal who worships me there obtains the fruit he thinks of."

Verse 207 (skanda.4.61.207)

नारायणाः शतं पंच शतं च जलशायिनः ॥ त्रिंशत्कमठरूपाणि मत्स्यरूपाणि विंशतिः

nārāyaṇāḥ śataṁ paṁca śataṁ ca jalaśāyinaḥ || triṁśatkamaṭharūpāṇi matsyarūpāṇi viṁśatiḥ

"There are one hundred and five Narayanas, five hundred forms reclining on the water, thirty tortoise-forms, twenty fish-forms..."

Verse 208 (skanda.4.61.208)

गोपालाश्च शतं साष्टं बुद्धाः संति सहस्रशः ॥ त्रिंशतरामाश्च रामा एकोत्तरंशतम्

gopālāśca śataṁ sāṣṭaṁ buddhāḥ saṁti sahasraśaḥ || triṁśatarāmāśca rāmā ekottaraṁśatam

"...one hundred and eight Gopalas, thousands of Buddhas, thirty Rama-forms, and a hundred and one other Ramas."

Verse 209 (skanda.4.61.209)

विष्णुरूपोस्म्यहं चैको मुक्तिमंडपमध्यतः ॥ मुनेकृतप्रसादेन विश्वेशेन श्रितः स्वयम्

viṣṇurūposmyahaṁ caiko muktimaṁḍapamadhyataḥ || munekṛtaprasādena viśveśena śritaḥ svayam

"And I am a single form of Vishnu in the midst of the Mukti-mandapa, O sage, resorted to personally by Vishvesha, through his own grace."

Verse 210 (skanda.4.61.210)

नारायणस्वरूपेण गणाश्चक्रगदोद्यताः ॥ कुर्वंति रक्षां क्षेत्रस्य परितो नियुतानि षट्

nārāyaṇasvarūpeṇa gaṇāścakragadodyatāḥ || kurvaṁti rakṣāṁ kṣetrasya parito niyutāni ṣaṭ

"In the form of Narayana, six hundred thousand attendants, armed with discus and mace, protect this field on every side."

Verse 211 (skanda.4.61.211)

सोग्निबिंदुरिति श्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः ॥ पुनः पप्रच्छ मेधावी मूर्तिभेदान्वद प्रभो

sognibiṁduriti śrutvā saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ || punaḥ papraccha medhāvī mūrtibhedānvada prabho

Having heard this, Agnibindu, his body thrilling with joy, the wise one, again asked: "Tell me, O Lord, of the distinctions among your forms."

Verse 212 (skanda.4.61.212)

हिताय निजभक्तानां मम संदेहशांतये ॥ कति ते मूर्तयोनंत कथं ज्ञेयास्तथा वद

hitāya nijabhaktānāṁ mama saṁdehaśāṁtaye || kati te mūrtayonaṁta kathaṁ jñeyāstathā vada

"For the benefit of your own devotees, and for the quelling of my doubt - how many are your forms, O Infinite one, and how are they to be known? Tell me this."

Verse 213 (skanda.4.61.213)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्याग्निबिंदोस्तपसां निधेः ॥ उवाच भगवान्विष्णुर्मूर्तिभेदाननुक्रमात

ityākarṇya vacastasyāgnibiṁdostapasāṁ nidheḥ || uvāca bhagavānviṣṇurmūrtibhedānanukramāta

Having heard these words of Agnibindu, treasury of austerity, the Lord Vishnu spoke of the distinctions of forms, in due order.

Verse 214 (skanda.4.61.214)

याञ्श्रुत्वापि हि नो मर्त्यो यमगोचरतां व्रजेत् ॥ केशवादींश्चतुर्विंशद्भेदानाह प्रजापतिः

yāñśrutvāpi hi no martyo yamagocaratāṁ vrajet || keśavādīṁścaturviṁśadbhedānāha prajāpatiḥ

"Hearing which, indeed, no mortal comes within Yama's reach" - Prajapati thus declared the twenty-four forms, beginning with Keshava.

Verse 215 (skanda.4.61.215)

॥श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ अग्निबिंदो महाप्राज्ञ शृणु ते कथयाम्यहम् ॥ आद्यदक्षिणहस्ताच्च विद्धि सृष्टिक्रमान्मुने

||śrīviṣṇuruvāca|| agnibiṁdo mahāprājña śṛṇu te kathayāmyaham || ādyadakṣiṇahastācca viddhi sṛṣṭikramānmune

Shri Vishnu said: "O Agnibindu, most wise, listen - I shall tell you. O sage, know the order beginning from the upper right hand."

Verse 216 (skanda.4.61.216)

शंखचक्रगदापद्मैर्मूर्तिं जानीहि कैशवीम् ॥ पूजिता या नृणां कुर्याच्चिंतितार्थमसंशयम्

śaṁkhacakragadāpadmairmūrtiṁ jānīhi kaiśavīm || pūjitā yā nṛṇāṁ kuryācciṁtitārthamasaṁśayam

"Know the form of Keshava as holding, in order, conch, discus, mace, and lotus; worshipped, it fulfills men's desired ends without doubt."

Verse 217 (skanda.4.61.217)

मधुहा परिचेतव्यः शंखपद्मगदासिभिः ॥ वैरिणो नाशमायांति तन्मूर्तिपरिसेवनात्

madhuhā paricetavyaḥ śaṁkhapadmagadāsibhiḥ || vairiṇo nāśamāyāṁti tanmūrtiparisevanāt

"Madhusudana is to be honored with conch, lotus, mace, and sword; enemies come to ruin through the service of that form."

Verse 218 (skanda.4.61.218)

संकर्षणः समर्च्योत्र शंखाब्जारिगदायुधः ॥ तन्मूर्तिपूजनाज्जातु जंतुर्न स्यात्पुनर्भवी

saṁkarṣaṇaḥ samarcyotra śaṁkhābjārigadāyudhaḥ || tanmūrtipūjanājjātu jaṁturna syātpunarbhavī

"Sankarshana is worshipped here with conch, lotus, discus, and mace as weapons; through worship of that form, a being is never again subject to rebirth."

Verse 219 (skanda.4.61.219)

शंखकौमोदकीचक्रपद्मैर्दामोदरोर्च्यते ॥ ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च गोधनं धान्यमेव हि

śaṁkhakaumodakīcakrapadmairdāmodarorcyate || dadāti vittaṁ putrāṁśca godhanaṁ dhānyameva hi

"Damodara is worshipped with conch, the mace Kaumodaki, discus, and lotus; he grants wealth, sons, cattle, and grain."

Verse 220 (skanda.4.61.220)

वामनः शंखचक्राब्जगदाभिरुपलक्षितः ॥ लक्ष्मीवंतं जनं कुर्याद्गृहेपि परिधारितः

vāmanaḥ śaṁkhacakrābjagadābhirupalakṣitaḥ || lakṣmīvaṁtaṁ janaṁ kuryādgṛhepi paridhāritaḥ

"Vamana is marked by conch, discus, lotus, and mace; kept in the home, he makes a person prosperous."

Verse 221 (skanda.4.61.221)

पांचजन्यं गदांपद्मं चित्रमूर्ति सुदर्शनम् ॥ प्रद्युम्नः पूज्यते मर्त्यैर्बहुद्युम्नं प्रयच्छति

pāṁcajanyaṁ gadāṁpadmaṁ citramūrti sudarśanam || pradyumnaḥ pūjyate martyairbahudyumnaṁ prayacchati

"Holding the conch Panchajanya, mace, lotus, and the wondrous discus Sudarshana, Pradyumna is worshipped by mortals; he bestows great splendor."

Verse 222 (skanda.4.61.222)

ऊर्ध्ववामकरात्सृष्ट्या विष्ण्वाद्यं षट्कमुच्यते ॥ यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण विलीयंतेघराशयः

ūrdhvavāmakarātsṛṣṭyā viṣṇvādyaṁ ṣaṭkamucyate || yasya smaraṇamātreṇa vilīyaṁtegharāśayaḥ

"By the order beginning from the upper left hand, the group of six beginning with Vishnu is declared, by the mere remembrance of whom masses of sin dissolve."

Verse 223 (skanda.4.61.223)

शंखारिभ्यां गदाब्जाभ्यां पूज्यो विष्णुः श्रिये नरैः ॥ शंखपद्मगदाचक्रैर्माधवः परमर्द्धिदः

śaṁkhāribhyāṁ gadābjābhyāṁ pūjyo viṣṇuḥ śriye naraiḥ || śaṁkhapadmagadācakrairmādhavaḥ paramarddhidaḥ

"Vishnu, holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus, is worshipped by men for prosperity; Madhava, holding conch, lotus, mace, and discus, gives supreme prosperity."

Verse 224 (skanda.4.61.224)

ध्येयोऽनिरुद्धः संसिद्ध्यै शंखाब्जारिगदोद्यतः ॥ शंखेन गदया चक्रांबुजाभ्यां पुरुषोत्तमः

dhyeyo'niruddhaḥ saṁsiddhyai śaṁkhābjārigadodyataḥ || śaṁkhena gadayā cakrāṁbujābhyāṁ puruṣottamaḥ

"Aniruddha, bearing conch, lotus, discus, and mace, is to be meditated upon for perfection; Purushottama is meditated upon, bearing conch, mace, discus, and lotus."

Verse 225 (skanda.4.61.225)

अधोक्षजो जनिहरः शंखार्यब्जगदो मुने ॥ शंखकौमोदकीपद्मचक्रैर्ध्येयो जनार्दनः

adhokṣajo janiharaḥ śaṁkhāryabjagado mune || śaṁkhakaumodakīpadmacakrairdhyeyo janārdanaḥ

"O sage, Adhokshaja, remover of the cycle of birth, bears conch, discus, lotus, and mace; Janardana is meditated upon with conch, the mace Kaumodaki, lotus, and discus."

Verse 226 (skanda.4.61.226)

अधोवामकरात्सृष्ट्या षडगोंविदादि मूर्तयः ॥ शंखं चक्रं गदां पद्मं गोविंदो बिभृयात्सदा

adhovāmakarātsṛṣṭyā ṣaḍagoṁvidādi mūrtayaḥ || śaṁkhaṁ cakraṁ gadāṁ padmaṁ goviṁdo bibhṛyātsadā

"By the order from the lower left hand, the group of six forms beginning with Govinda is declared; Govinda ever bears conch, discus, mace, and lotus."

Verse 227 (skanda.4.61.227)

शंखपद्मगदाचक्रैरर्च्यो लक्ष्म्यै त्रिविक्रमः ॥ शंखाब्जचक्रं बिभ्राणो गदावाञ्श्रीधरः श्रिये

śaṁkhapadmagadācakrairarcyo lakṣmyai trivikramaḥ || śaṁkhābjacakraṁ bibhrāṇo gadāvāñśrīdharaḥ śriye

"Trivikrama, holding conch, lotus, mace, and discus, is worshipped for prosperity; Shridhara, bearing conch, lotus, and discus, and holding a mace, is worshipped for prosperity."

Verse 228 (skanda.4.61.228)

हृषीकेशश्च शंखेन गदाचक्रांबुजैर्मतः ॥ नृसिंहः शंखचक्राभ्यां पद्मेन गदयोह्यते

hṛṣīkeśaśca śaṁkhena gadācakrāṁbujairmataḥ || nṛsiṁhaḥ śaṁkhacakrābhyāṁ padmena gadayohyate

"And Hrishikesha is held to bear conch, mace, discus, and lotus; Narasimha is understood to bear conch and discus, and to hold lotus and mace."

Verse 229 (skanda.4.61.229)

अच्युत शंखभृन्नित्यं गदापद्मरथांगवान् ॥ दक्षिणाधः करादूह्या वासुदेवादयश्च षट्

acyuta śaṁkhabhṛnnityaṁ gadāpadmarathāṁgavān || dakṣiṇādhaḥ karādūhyā vāsudevādayaśca ṣaṭ

"Achyuta ever bears the conch, and holds mace, lotus, and discus. From the lower right hand is to be understood the group of six beginning with Vasudeva."

Verse 230 (skanda.4.61.230)

वासुदेवश्च शंखारि गदाजलजभृत्सदा ॥ शंखांबुज गदाचक्री ध्येयो नारायणो नृभिः

vāsudevaśca śaṁkhāri gadājalajabhṛtsadā || śaṁkhāṁbuja gadācakrī dhyeyo nārāyaṇo nṛbhiḥ

"And Vasudeva ever bears conch, discus, mace, and lotus; Narayana, bearing conch, lotus, mace, and discus, is to be meditated upon by men."

Verse 231 (skanda.4.61.231)

शंखी पद्मी पद्मनाभो ज्ञेयश्चक्री गदी मुने ॥ उपेंद्रः शंखवान्नित्यं गदारि कमलायुधः

śaṁkhī padmī padmanābho jñeyaścakrī gadī mune || upeṁdraḥ śaṁkhavānnityaṁ gadāri kamalāyudhaḥ

"O sage, Padmanabha is to be known as bearing conch, lotus, discus, and mace; Upendra ever bears conch, and holds mace, discus, and lotus as weapons."

Verse 232 (skanda.4.61.232)

हरिर्हरेदघं शंखी चक्री पद्मी गदी नृणाम् ॥ शंखेन गदया पद्मचक्राभ्यां कृष्ण उच्यते

harirharedaghaṁ śaṁkhī cakrī padmī gadī nṛṇām || śaṁkhena gadayā padmacakrābhyāṁ kṛṣṇa ucyate

"Hari, bearing conch, discus, lotus, and mace, removes the sin of men; Krishna is said to bear conch, mace, lotus, and discus."

Verse 233 (skanda.4.61.233)

एते भेदा मया ख्याताः स्वमूर्तीनां महामुने ॥ यान्विज्ञाय ध्रुवं मर्त्यो भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विंदति

ete bhedā mayā khyātāḥ svamūrtīnāṁ mahāmune || yānvijñāya dhruvaṁ martyo bhuktiṁ muktiṁ ca viṁdati

"O great sage, these distinctions of my own forms have been declared by me; knowing them, a mortal certainly obtains both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 234 (skanda.4.61.234)

एवं वदति गोविंदे मुनये चाग्निबिंदवे ॥ पक्षींद्रः पक्षविक्षिप्तविपक्षोऽक्षिपथं गतः

evaṁ vadati goviṁde munaye cāgnibiṁdave || pakṣīṁdraḥ pakṣavikṣiptavipakṣo'kṣipathaṁ gataḥ

While Govinda was thus speaking to the sage Agnibindu, the lord of birds, scattering his enemies with his wings, came within sight.

Verse 235 (skanda.4.61.235)

प्राह च प्रणिपत्याशु त्र्यक्षस्यागमनं मुदा ॥ संभ्रमेण हृषीकेशः क्वेश इत्यवदत्ततः

prāha ca praṇipatyāśu tryakṣasyāgamanaṁ mudā || saṁbhrameṇa hṛṣīkeśaḥ kveśa ityavadattataḥ

He bowed swiftly and, with joy, announced the arrival of the Three-Eyed One. Hrishikesha then, with excitement, said, "Where is the Lord?"

Verse 236 (skanda.4.61.236)

॥गरुड उवाच॥ प्रत्यक्षः क्रियतामेष महावृषभकेतनः ॥ यस्य ध्वजस्य रत्नार्चिः पूरयेद्रोदसीमिमाम्

||garuḍa uvāca|| pratyakṣaḥ kriyatāmeṣa mahāvṛṣabhaketanaḥ || yasya dhvajasya ratnārciḥ pūrayedrodasīmimām

Garuda said: "Let him, the great one with the bull-banner, be made manifest to your sight - he whose banner's jeweled radiance fills this entire firmament..."

Verse 237 (skanda.4.61.237)

लोकलोचननिर्माण सफलीकरणक्षमम् ॥ कोटिमार्तंडविद्योत प्रद्योतित दिगाननम्

lokalocananirmāṇa saphalīkaraṇakṣamam || koṭimārtaṁḍavidyota pradyotita digānanam

"...capable of fulfilling the very purpose for which the eyes of the world were made, illuminating every quarter with a radiance like ten million suns..."

Verse 238 (skanda.4.61.238)

निरीक्ष्य पुंडरीकाक्षस्त्र्यक्षस्य वृषभध्वजम् ॥ विमानिनां विमानौघैः परीतगगनांगणम्

nirīkṣya puṁḍarīkākṣastryakṣasya vṛṣabhadhvajam || vimānināṁ vimānaughaiḥ parītagaganāṁgaṇam

Beholding the bull-bannered approach of the Three-Eyed One, the sky filled with hosts of celestial chariots of the sky-dwellers...

Verse 239 (skanda.4.61.239)

महावाद्यनि नादौघैःप्रतिस्वानित कंदरम् ॥ विद्याधरी परिक्षिप्त पुष्पांजलि सुगंधितम्

mahāvādyani nādaughaiḥpratisvānita kaṁdaram || vidyādharī parikṣipta puṣpāṁjali sugaṁdhitam

"...the mountain caves echoing with the floods of sound from great instruments, fragrant with handfuls of flowers scattered by Vidyadhari women..."

Verse 240 (skanda.4.61.240)

प्रणम्य दूरादपिच संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः ॥ अभ्युत्थातुं मनश्चक्रे शंखचक्रगदाधरः

praṇamya dūrādapica saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ || abhyutthātuṁ manaścakre śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ

...the lotus-eyed one, bowing even from a distance, his body thrilling with joy, the bearer of conch, discus, and mace resolved in his mind to rise and greet him.

Verse 241 (skanda.4.61.241)

अग्निबिंदुमथ प्राह मुक्तिदस्तु मुदांनिधिः ॥ इदं सुदर्शनं चक्रं स्पृशासव्येनपाणिना

agnibiṁdumatha prāha muktidastu mudāṁnidhiḥ || idaṁ sudarśanaṁ cakraṁ spṛśāsavyenapāṇinā

Then he, the giver of liberation, that treasury of joy, said to Agnibindu: "Touch this discus Sudarshana with your left hand."

Verse 242 (skanda.4.61.242)

अग्निबिंदुरितिप्रोक्तः स्पृशेद्यावत्सुदर्शनम् ॥ तावत्सुदर्शनो जातः परमानुग्रहाद्धरेः

agnibiṁduritiproktaḥ spṛśedyāvatsudarśanam || tāvatsudarśano jātaḥ paramānugrahāddhareḥ

Agnibindu, thus addressed, no sooner touched Sudarshana than he himself became Sudarshana, through the supreme grace of Hari.

Verse 243 (skanda.4.61.243)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ ज्योतीरूपोथ स मुनिः कौस्तुभे ज्योतिषां तनौ ॥ एकीभूतः कलशज बिंदुमाधवसेवनात्

||skaṁda uvāca|| jyotīrūpotha sa muniḥ kaustubhe jyotiṣāṁ tanau || ekībhūtaḥ kalaśaja biṁdumādhavasevanāt

Skanda said: "O jar-born one, that sage, having taken a form of light, became one with the Kaustubha jewel, the very body of light itself, through his service to Bindu-Madhava."

Verse 244 (skanda.4.61.244)

बिंदुमाधवपादाब्ज भ्रमरीकृतमानसाः ॥ अग्निबिंदूपमांयांति कलशोद्भव निश्चितम्

biṁdumādhavapādābja bhramarīkṛtamānasāḥ || agnibiṁdūpamāṁyāṁti kalaśodbhava niścitam

"O jar-born one, those whose minds have become bees at the lotus-feet of Bindu-Madhava certainly attain a state like that of Agnibindu."

Verse 245 (skanda.4.61.245)

काश्यां सदैव वस्तव्यं द्रष्टव्यो बिंदुमाधवः ॥ श्रोतव्यमिदमाख्यानं जेतव्या जगतां गतिः

kāśyāṁ sadaiva vastavyaṁ draṣṭavyo biṁdumādhavaḥ || śrotavyamidamākhyānaṁ jetavyā jagatāṁ gatiḥ

"One should ever dwell in Kashi; Bindu-Madhava should be beheld; this narrative should be heard; the very course of the world's destiny should be conquered."

Verse 246 (skanda.4.61.246)

पुण्या पंचनदोत्पत्तिः पुण्या माधवसंकथा ॥ पुण्यो वाराणसी वासः संभवेत्पुण्यजन्मनाम्

puṇyā paṁcanadotpattiḥ puṇyā mādhavasaṁkathā || puṇyo vārāṇasī vāsaḥ saṁbhavetpuṇyajanmanām

"Sacred is the origin of Panchanada, sacred is the story of Madhava, sacred is dwelling in Varanasi - it comes only to those of meritorious birth."

Verse 247 (skanda.4.61.247)

अग्निबिंदोः स्तुतिं योत्र माधवाग्रे पठिष्यति ॥ समृद्धसर्वकामः स मोक्षलक्ष्मीपतिर्भवेत्

agnibiṁdoḥ stutiṁ yotra mādhavāgre paṭhiṣyati || samṛddhasarvakāmaḥ sa mokṣalakṣmīpatirbhavet

"Whoever recites here Agnibindu's hymn before Madhava, all his desires fulfilled, becomes the master of the Lakshmi of liberation."

Verse 248 (skanda.4.61.248)

श्राद्धकाले सदा जप्यमिदमाख्यानमुत्तमम् ॥ द्विजानां भुंजमानानां पुरस्तात्परतृप्तये

śrāddhakāle sadā japyamidamākhyānamuttamam || dvijānāṁ bhuṁjamānānāṁ purastātparatṛptaye

"This excellent narrative should always be recited at the time of the ancestral rite, before Brahmins who are eating, for the supreme satisfaction of the ancestors."

Verse 249 (skanda.4.61.249)

जप्तव्यमिदमाख्यानं पर्वकाले विशेषतः ॥ पुण्ये पंचनदाभ्याशे पुण्यलक्ष्मीविवृद्धये

japtavyamidamākhyānaṁ parvakāle viśeṣataḥ || puṇye paṁcanadābhyāśe puṇyalakṣmīvivṛddhaye

"This narrative should be recited especially at sacred times, near the sacred Panchanada, for the increase of sacred prosperity."

Verse 250 (skanda.4.61.250)

पठितव्यः प्रयत्नेन बिंदुमाधवसंभवः ॥ श्रोतव्यः परया भक्त्या भुक्तिमुक्तिसमृद्धये

paṭhitavyaḥ prayatnena biṁdumādhavasaṁbhavaḥ || śrotavyaḥ parayā bhaktyā bhuktimuktisamṛddhaye

"This account of Bindu-Madhava's origin should be read with effort, and heard with the highest devotion, for the abundance of both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 251 (skanda.4.61.251)

संप्राप्ते वासरे विष्णो रात्रौ जागरणान्वितः ॥ श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं वैकुंठे वसतिं लभेत्

saṁprāpte vāsare viṣṇo rātrau jāgaraṇānvitaḥ || śrutvākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ vaikuṁṭhe vasatiṁ labhet

"On reaching a day sacred to Vishnu, keeping vigil through the night, having heard this sacred narrative, one obtains a dwelling in Vaikuntha."