Description of Yamaloka

Verse 1 (skanda.4.8.1)

लोपामुद्रोवाच । जीवितेश कथामेतां पुण्यां पुण्यपुरीश्रिताम् । न तृप्तिमधिगच्छामि श्रुत्वा त्वच्छ्रीमुखेरिताम्

lopāmudrovāca jīviteśa kathāmetāṁ puṇyāṁ puṇyapurīśritām na tṛptimadhigacchāmi śrutvā tvacchrīmukheritām

Lopamudra said: O lord of my life, hearing from your own blessed lips this sacred tale bound to the holy city, I find no satiety.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.8.2)

मायापुर्यां मुक्तिपुर्यां शिवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः । मृतोपि मोक्षं नैवाप ब्रूहि तत्कारणं विभो

māyāpuryāṁ muktipuryāṁ śivaśarmā dvijottamaḥ mṛtopi mokṣaṁ naivāpa brūhi tatkāraṇaṁ vibho

The excellent brahmin Shivasharma died in Mayapuri, the very city of liberation, and yet did not attain moksha -- O lord, tell me the reason for this.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.8.3)

अगस्त्य उवाच । साक्षन्मोक्षो न चैतासु पुरीषु प्रियभाषिणि । पुरोद्दिश्यामुमेवार्थमितिहासो मयाश्रुतः

agastya uvāca sākṣanmokṣo na caitāsu purīṣu priyabhāṣiṇi puroddiśyāmumevārthamitihāso mayāśrutaḥ

Agastya said: O sweet-speaking one, direct liberation does not come at once to everyone who dies in these sacred cities; concerning this very matter I have heard an old itihasa.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.8.4)

शृणु कांते विचित्रार्थां कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् । पुण्यशीलसुशीलाभ्यां कथितां शिवशर्मणे

śṛṇu kāṁte vicitrārthāṁ kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm puṇyaśīlasuśīlābhyāṁ kathitāṁ śivaśarmaṇe

Listen, beloved, to this wondrous tale that destroys sin, which was told to Shivasharma by the two attendants named Punyashila and Sushila.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.8.5)

शिवशर्मोवाच । अयि विष्णुगणौ पुण्यौ पुंडरीकदलेक्षणौ । किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामोहं प्रवृद्धकरसंपुटः

śivaśarmovāca ayi viṣṇugaṇau puṇyau puṁḍarīkadalekṣaṇau kiṁcidvijñaptukāmohaṁ pravṛddhakarasaṁpuṭaḥ

Shivasharma said: O two blessed attendants of Vishnu, whose eyes are like lotus petals, with joined palms I wish to ask you something.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.8.6)

न नाम युवयोर्वेद्मि वेद्म्याकृत्या च किंचन । पुण्यशीलसुशीलाख्यौ युवां भवितुमर्हथः

na nāma yuvayorvedmi vedmyākṛtyā ca kiṁcana puṇyaśīlasuśīlākhyau yuvāṁ bhavitumarhathaḥ

I do not know your names, nor can I discern anything from your form; yet it seems fitting that you two should bear the names Punyashila and Sushila.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.8.7)

गणा वूचतुः । भगवद्भक्तियुक्तानां किमज्ञातं भवादृशाम् । एतदेव हि नौ नाम यदुक्तं श्रीमता त्वया

gaṇā vūcatuḥ bhagavadbhaktiyuktānāṁ kimajñātaṁ bhavādṛśām etadeva hi nau nāma yaduktaṁ śrīmatā tvayā

The two attendants said: What can remain unknown to one such as you, filled with devotion to the Lord! Indeed, the very name you spoke is our true name.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.8.8)

यदन्यदपि ते चित्ते प्रष्टव्यं तदशंकितम् । संपृच्छस्व महाप्राज्ञ प्रीत्या तत्प्रब्रवावहे

yadanyadapi te citte praṣṭavyaṁ tadaśaṁkitam saṁpṛcchasva mahāprājña prītyā tatprabravāvahe

O greatly wise one, whatever else you wish to ask, ask without hesitation; we shall gladly answer you with affection.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.8.9)

इति श्रुत्वा स वचनं भगवद्गणभाषितम् । अतिप्रीतिकरं हृद्यं ततस्तौ प्रत्युवाच ह

iti śrutvā sa vacanaṁ bhagavadgaṇabhāṣitam atiprītikaraṁ hṛdyaṁ tatastau pratyuvāca ha

Having heard this speech spoken by the Lord's attendants, so pleasing and heartening, Shivasharma then spoke again to the two of them.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.8.10)

दिव्य द्विज उवाच । क एष लोको ऽल्पश्रीकः स्वल्पपुण्यजनाकृतिः । क इमे विकृताकारा ब्रूतमेतन्ममाग्रतः

divya dvija uvāca ka eṣa loko 'lpaśrīkaḥ svalpapuṇyajanākṛtiḥ ka ime vikṛtākārā brūtametanmamāgrataḥ

The radiant brahmin said: What is this realm of scant splendor, whose people bear the appearance of those with only meagre merit? Who are these misshapen beings? Tell me this before I go further.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.8.11)

गणावूचतुः । अयं पिशाचलोकोत्र वसंति पिशिताशनाः । दत्त्वानुतापभाजो ये नोनो कृत्वा ददत्यपि

gaṇāvūcatuḥ ayaṁ piśācalokotra vasaṁti piśitāśanāḥ dattvānutāpabhājo ye nono kṛtvā dadatyapi

The attendants said: This is the realm of the flesh-eating ghosts, the pishachas. These are people who, having once given in charity, immediately repented of it, or who gave grudgingly, belittling the gift even as they made it.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.8.12)

शिवं प्रसंगतोभ्यर्च्य सकृत्त्वशुचिचेतसः । अल्पपुण्याल्पलक्ष्मी काः पिशाचास्त इमे सखे

śivaṁ prasaṁgatobhyarcya sakṛttvaśucicetasaḥ alpapuṇyālpalakṣmī kāḥ piśācāsta ime sakhe

O friend, these are they who, with impure minds, worshipped Shiva but once, and that too only in passing -- of meagre merit and meagre fortune, they now dwell here as pishachas.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.8.13)

ततो गच्छन्ददर्शाग्रे हृष्टपुष्टजनावृतम् । पिचंडिलैः स्थूलवक्त्रैर्मेघगंभीरनिःस्वनैः

tato gacchandadarśāgre hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanāvṛtam picaṁḍilaiḥ sthūlavaktrairmeghagaṁbhīraniḥsvanaiḥ

Going further, he then beheld ahead a realm thronged with cheerful, well-fed people -- pot-bellied, broad-faced, and rumbling with voices deep as thunderclouds.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.8.14)

लोकैरप्युषितं लोकं श्यामलांगैश्च लोमशैः । गणौ कथयतां केमी को लोकः पुण्यतः कुतः

lokairapyuṣitaṁ lokaṁ śyāmalāṁgaiśca lomaśaiḥ gaṇau kathayatāṁ kemī ko lokaḥ puṇyataḥ kutaḥ

That realm was inhabited by people of dark, hairy bodies. He asked, "Tell me, O attendants -- who are these people, what realm is this, and by what merit is it attained?"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.8.15)

गणावूचतुः । गुह्यकानामयं लोकस्त्वेते वै गुह्यकाः स्मृताः । न्यायेनोपार्ज्य वित्तानि गूहयंति च ये भुवि

gaṇāvūcatuḥ guhyakānāmayaṁ lokastvete vai guhyakāḥ smṛtāḥ nyāyenopārjya vittāni gūhayaṁti ca ye bhuvi

The attendants said: This is the realm of the Guhyakas -- so they are called, for on earth they earned their wealth by righteous means, yet kept it hidden away.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.8.16)

स्वमार्गगाधनाढ्याश्च शूद्रप्रायाः कुटुंबिनः । संविभज्य च भोक्तारः क्रोधासूयाविवर्जिताः

svamārgagādhanāḍhyāśca śūdraprāyāḥ kuṭuṁbinaḥ saṁvibhajya ca bhoktāraḥ krodhāsūyāvivarjitāḥ

Enriched by their own honest labour, mostly householders of the shudra class, they shared their wealth and enjoyed it together, free from anger and envy.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.8.17)

न तिथिं नैव वारं च संक्रात्यादि न पर्व च । नाधर्मं न च धर्मं च विदंत्येते सदा सुखाः

na tithiṁ naiva vāraṁ ca saṁkrātyādi na parva ca nādharmaṁ na ca dharmaṁ ca vidaṁtyete sadā sukhāḥ

They know neither the lunar day nor the weekday, neither the solstice nor any sacred occasion, neither unrighteousness nor righteousness -- and yet they remain forever content.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.8.18)

एकमेव हि जानंति कुलपूज्यो हि यो द्विजः । तस्मै गाः संप्रयच्छंति मन्यंते तद्वचःस्फुटम्

ekameva hi jānaṁti kulapūjyo hi yo dvijaḥ tasmai gāḥ saṁprayacchaṁti manyaṁte tadvacaḥsphuṭam

One thing alone they know -- that the brahmin honoured by their family is to be given cows, and his every word is accepted by them as plain truth.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.8.19)

समृद्धिभाजोह्यत्रापि तेन पुण्येन गुह्यकाः । भुंजते स्वर्गसौख्यानि देववच्चाकुतोभयाः

samṛddhibhājohyatrāpi tena puṇyena guhyakāḥ bhuṁjate svargasaukhyāni devavaccākutobhayāḥ

By the strength of that very merit, the Guhyakas prosper even here, enjoying heavenly pleasures and, like the gods, wholly free from fear.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.8.20)

ततो विलोकयामास लोकं लोचनशर्मदम् । केऽमी जनास्त्वसौ लोकः किंनामा वदतां गणौ

tato vilokayāmāsa lokaṁ locanaśarmadam ke'mī janāstvasau lokaḥ kiṁnāmā vadatāṁ gaṇau

Then he beheld another realm, pleasing to behold. He asked, "Who are these people, and what is this realm called? Tell me, O attendants."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.8.21)

गणावूचतुः । गांधर्वस्त्वेषलोकोऽमी गंधर्वाश्च शुभव्रताः। देवानां गायनाद्येते चारणाः स्तुतिपाठकाः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ gāṁdharvastveṣaloko'mī gaṁdharvāśca śubhavratāḥ devānāṁ gāyanādyete cāraṇāḥ stutipāṭhakāḥ

The attendants said: This is the realm of the Gandharvas, beings of pure vows; they are the singers, bards, and hymn-reciters of the gods.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.8.22)

गीतज्ञा अतिगीतेन तोषयंति नराधिपान् । स्तुवंति च धनाढ्यांश्च धनलोभेन मोहिता।

gītajñā atigītena toṣayaṁti narādhipān stuvaṁti ca dhanāḍhyāṁśca dhanalobhena mohitā

Skilled in the art of song, they pleased kings with their singing, and, though tempted at times by greed for wealth, they also sang the praises of the rich.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.8.23)

राज्ञां प्रसादलब्धानि सुवासांसि धनान्यपि। द्रव्याण्यपि सुगंधीनि कर्पूरादीन्यनेकशः

rājñāṁ prasādalabdhāni suvāsāṁsi dhanānyapi dravyāṇyapi sugaṁdhīni karpūrādīnyanekaśaḥ

The fine garments and wealth they received through the favour of kings, together with many fragrant substances such as camphor --

Verse 24 (skanda.4.8.24)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयच्छंति गीतं गायंत्यहर्निशम् । श्रुतावेव मनस्तेषां नाट्यशास्त्रकृतश्रमाः

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayacchaṁti gītaṁ gāyaṁtyaharniśam śrutāveva manasteṣāṁ nāṭyaśāstrakṛtaśramāḥ

-- these they offered to brahmins, singing day and night; though they laboured in the discipline of the dramatic arts, their minds remained ever fixed on sacred hearing.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.8.25)

तेन पुण्येन गांधर्वो लोकस्त्वेषां विशिष्यते । ब्राह्मणास्तोषिता यद्वै गीतविद्यार्जितैर्धनैः

tena puṇyena gāṁdharvo lokastveṣāṁ viśiṣyate brāhmaṇāstoṣitā yadvai gītavidyārjitairdhanaiḥ

By that very merit their realm of the Gandharvas rose to this distinction, for it was with wealth earned through the art of song that they gladdened brahmins.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.8.26)

गीतविद्याप्रभावेन देवर्षिर्नारदो महान् । मान्यो वैष्णवलोके वै श्रीशंभोश्चातिवल्लभः

gītavidyāprabhāvena devarṣirnārado mahān mānyo vaiṣṇavaloke vai śrīśaṁbhoścātivallabhaḥ

By the very power of the art of song, the great celestial sage Narada is honoured in the realm of Vishnu, and is also the dearest beloved of glorious Shambhu.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.8.27)

तुंबुरुर्नारदश्चोभौ देवानामतिदुर्लभौ । नादरूपी शिवः साक्षान्नादतत्त्वविदौ हि तौ

tuṁbururnāradaścobhau devānāmatidurlabhau nādarūpī śivaḥ sākṣānnādatattvavidau hi tau

Tumburu and Narada -- these two are hard to attain even for the gods, for Shiva himself is embodied Sound, and these two alone truly know the essence of that Sound.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.8.28)

यदि गीतं क्वचिद्गीतं श्रीमद्धरिहरांतिके । मोक्षस्तु तत्फलं प्राहुः सान्निध्यमथवा तयोः

yadi gītaṁ kvacidgītaṁ śrīmaddhariharāṁtike mokṣastu tatphalaṁ prāhuḥ sānnidhyamathavā tayoḥ

If a song is ever sung in the presence of glorious Hari and Hara, its fruit is declared to be liberation itself -- or, at the very least, nearness to those two.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.8.29)

गीतज्ञो यदि गीतेन नाप्नोति परमं पदम् । रुद्रस्यानुचरो भूत्वा तेनैव सह मोदते

gītajño yadi gītena nāpnoti paramaṁ padam rudrasyānucaro bhūtvā tenaiva saha modate

If one skilled in song does not, through his singing, attain the supreme state, he nonetheless becomes an attendant of Rudra and rejoices forever in his company.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.8.30)

अस्मिँल्लोके सदा कालं स्मृतिरेषा प्रगीयते । तद्गीतमालया पूज्यौ देवौ हरिहरौ सदा

asmi~lloke sadā kālaṁ smṛtireṣā pragīyate tadgītamālayā pūjyau devau hariharau sadā

In this realm this very tradition is forever sung -- that with a garland of song the two gods, Hari and Hara, are ever worshipped.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.8.31)

इति शृण्वन्क्षणात्प्राप पुनरन्यन्मनोहरम् । शिवशर्माथ पप्रच्छ किं संज्ञं नगरं त्विदम्

iti śṛṇvankṣaṇātprāpa punaranyanmanoharam śivaśarmātha papraccha kiṁ saṁjñaṁ nagaraṁ tvidam

Listening to this, in but a moment he arrived at yet another enchanting place. Shivasharma then asked, "By what name is this city known?"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.8.32)

गणावूचतुः । असौ वैद्याधरो लोको नाना विद्या विशारदाः । एते विद्यार्थिनामन्नमुपानद्वस्त्रकंबलम्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ asau vaidyādharo loko nānā vidyā viśāradāḥ ete vidyārthināmannamupānadvastrakaṁbalam

The attendants said: This is the realm of the Vidyadharas, adepts in various branches of knowledge; they provided their students with food, footwear, garments, and blankets.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.8.33)

औषधान्यपि यच्छंति तत्पीडाशमनानि हि । नानाकलाः शिक्षयंति विद्यागर्वविवर्जिताः

auṣadhānyapi yacchaṁti tatpīḍāśamanāni hi nānākalāḥ śikṣayaṁti vidyāgarvavivarjitāḥ

They also gave medicines that relieved affliction, and, free from any pride in their learning, they taught many arts and skills.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.8.34)

शिष्यं पुत्रेण पश्यंति वस्त्र तांबूल भोजनैः । अलंकृताश्च सत्कन्या धर्मादुद्वाहयंति च

śiṣyaṁ putreṇa paśyaṁti vastra tāṁbūla bhojanaiḥ alaṁkṛtāśca satkanyā dharmādudvāhayaṁti ca

They regarded their pupils as their own sons, providing them with clothing, betel-leaf, and food, and they gave their own well-adorned, worthy daughters in marriage according to dharma.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.8.35)

अभिलाषधिया नित्यं पूजयंतीष्टदेवताः । एतः पुण्यैर्वसंतीह विद्याधर वरा इमे

abhilāṣadhiyā nityaṁ pūjayaṁtīṣṭadevatāḥ etaḥ puṇyairvasaṁtīha vidyādhara varā ime

With devoted longing they daily worshipped their chosen deities; and by that very merit these excellent Vidyadharas now dwell here.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.8.36)

यावदित्थं कथां चक्रुस्तावत्संयमिनीपतिः । धर्मराजोभिसंप्राप्तो देवदुंदुभि निःस्वनैः

yāvaditthaṁ kathāṁ cakrustāvatsaṁyaminīpatiḥ dharmarājobhisaṁprāpto devaduṁdubhi niḥsvanaiḥ

Even as they were speaking in this manner, Dharmaraja, the lord of Samyamani, arrived there amid the resounding of celestial kettledrums.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.8.37)

सोम्यमूर्तिर्विमानस्थो धर्मज्ञैः परिवारितः । सेवाकर्मसु चतुरैर्भृत्यैस्त्रिचतुरैः सह

somyamūrtirvimānastho dharmajñaiḥ parivāritaḥ sevākarmasu caturairbhṛtyaistricaturaiḥ saha

Of gentle form, seated in his celestial chariot, surrounded by those learned in dharma, and attended by three or four servants skilled in service --

Verse 38 (skanda.4.8.38)

धर्मराज उवाच । साधुसाधु महाबुद्धे शिवशर्मन्द्विजोत्तम । कुलोचितं ब्राह्मणानां भवता प्रतिपादितम्

dharmarāja uvāca sādhusādhu mahābuddhe śivaśarmandvijottama kulocitaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ bhavatā pratipāditam

Dharmaraja said: Well done, well done, O greatly wise Shivasharma, best of brahmins! You have upheld all that befits the lineage of brahmins.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.8.39)

वेदाभ्यासः कृतः पूर्वं गुरवश्चापि तोषिताः । धर्मशास्त्रपुराणे षु दृष्टो धर्मस्त्वयाऽऽदृतः

vedābhyāsaḥ kṛtaḥ pūrvaṁ guravaścāpi toṣitāḥ dharmaśāstrapurāṇe ṣu dṛṣṭo dharmastvayā''dṛtaḥ

In earlier life you studied the Vedas, gladdened your teachers, and honoured and observed the dharma set forth in the scriptures of law and the Puranas.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.8.40)

क्षालितं मुक्तिपुर्यद्भिराशुगंतृशरीरकम् । कोविदोऽस्ति भवानेव जीविते जीवितेतरे

kṣālitaṁ muktipuryadbhirāśugaṁtṛśarīrakam kovido'sti bhavāneva jīvite jīvitetare

You have cleansed this fleeting body with the waters of the city of liberation; in life and beyond life alike, you alone are the truly wise.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.8.41)

कलेवरं पूतिगंधि सदैवाशुचिभाजनम् । सुतीर्थपुण्य पण्येन सम्यग्विनिमितं त्वया

kalevaraṁ pūtigaṁdhi sadaivāśucibhājanam sutīrthapuṇya paṇyena samyagvinimitaṁ tvayā

This body, ever foul-smelling and a mere vessel of impurity, you have rightly exchanged for the true worth of the merit earned at sacred fords.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.8.42)

अतएवाहि पांडित्यमाद्रिंयते विचक्षणाः । अहःक्षेपं न क्षिपंति क्षणमेकं हि ते बुधाः

ataevāhi pāṁḍityamādriṁyate vicakṣaṇāḥ ahaḥkṣepaṁ na kṣipaṁti kṣaṇamekaṁ hi te budhāḥ

This is why the discerning honour true learning -- the wise never let even a single moment pass in vain.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.8.43)

निमेषान्पंचपान्मर्त्ये प्राणंति प्राणिनो ध्रुवम् । तत्रापि न प्रवर्तेयुरघकर्मणि गर्हिते

nimeṣānpaṁcapānmartye prāṇaṁti prāṇino dhruvam tatrāpi na pravarteyuraghakarmaṇi garhite

In this mortal world, living beings surely breathe only a numbered span of breaths; even so, they ought never turn to reprehensible, sinful deeds.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.8.44)

स्थिरापायः सदा कायो न धनं निधनेऽवति । तन्मूढः प्रौढकार्ये किं न यतेत भवानिव

sthirāpāyaḥ sadā kāyo na dhanaṁ nidhane'vati tanmūḍhaḥ prauḍhakārye kiṁ na yateta bhavāniva

This body is ever certain to perish, and wealth cannot protect one at the hour of death; why then does the foolish man not strive, as you have done, for the truly weighty task?

Verse 45 (skanda.4.8.45)

सत्वरं गत्वरं चायुर्लोकः शोकसमाकुलः । तस्माद्धर्मे मतिः कार्या भवतेव सुधार्मिकैः

satvaraṁ gatvaraṁ cāyurlokaḥ śokasamākulaḥ tasmāddharme matiḥ kāryā bhavateva sudhārmikaiḥ

Life passes swiftly and fleets away, and this world is ever overwhelmed with grief; therefore, like you, the truly righteous ought to fix their minds on dharma.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.8.46)

सत्कर्मणो विपाकोऽयं तव वंद्यौ ममाप्यहो । यदेतौ भगवद्भक्तौ सखित्वं भवतो गतौ

satkarmaṇo vipāko'yaṁ tava vaṁdyau mamāpyaho yadetau bhagavadbhaktau sakhitvaṁ bhavato gatau

This is the very fruit of your righteous deeds, and to me too a thing worthy of homage -- that these two devotees of the Lord have come to be your companions.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.8.47)

ममाज्ञा दीयतां तस्मात्साहाय्यं करवाणि किम् । यत्कर्तव्यं मादृशैस्ते तत्कृतं भवतैवहि

mamājñā dīyatāṁ tasmātsāhāyyaṁ karavāṇi kim yatkartavyaṁ mādṛśaiste tatkṛtaṁ bhavataivahi

Therefore command me -- what service may I render you? Whatever it was fitting for one such as myself to do, you have already accomplished it entirely on your own.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.8.48)

अद्य धन्यतरोस्मीह यद्दृष्टौ भगवद्गणौ । सेवा सदैव मे ज्ञाप्या श्रीमच्चरणसन्निधौ

adya dhanyatarosmīha yaddṛṣṭau bhagavadgaṇau sevā sadaiva me jñāpyā śrīmaccaraṇasannidhau

Today I count myself especially blessed, for I have beheld these two attendants of the Lord; let my humble service always be made known near the Lord's own blessed feet.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.8.49)

ततः प्रस्थापितस्ताभ्यां प्राविशत्स्वपुरीं यमः । अप्राक्षीच्च ततो विप्रस्तौ गणौ प्रस्थिते यमे

tataḥ prasthāpitastābhyāṁ prāviśatsvapurīṁ yamaḥ aprākṣīcca tato viprastau gaṇau prasthite yame

Then, taking leave of the two attendants, Yama entered his own city. After Yama had departed, the brahmin questioned the two attendants.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.8.50)

शिवशर्मोवाच । साक्षादयं धर्मराजो ननु सौम्यतराकृतिः । धर्म्याण्येव वचांस्यस्य मनः प्रीतिकराणि च

śivaśarmovāca sākṣādayaṁ dharmarājo nanu saumyatarākṛtiḥ dharmyāṇyeva vacāṁsyasya manaḥ prītikarāṇi ca

Shivasharma said: Is this truly Dharmaraja himself? His form is so exceedingly gentle, and his every word is righteous and gladdening to the heart.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.8.51)

पुरी संयमनी सेयमतीव शुभलक्षणा । आकर्ण्य यस्य नामापि पापिनोऽतीव बिभ्यति

purī saṁyamanī seyamatīva śubhalakṣaṇā ākarṇya yasya nāmāpi pāpino'tīva bibhyati

This must be his city, Samyamani, of such auspicious character -- merely hearing whose name sinners tremble in the greatest fear.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.8.52)

यमरूपं वर्णयंति मर्त्यलोकेऽन्यथा जनाः । अन्यथाऽयं मया दृष्टो ब्रूतं तत्कारणं गणौ

yamarūpaṁ varṇayaṁti martyaloke'nyathā janāḥ anyathā'yaṁ mayā dṛṣṭo brūtaṁ tatkāraṇaṁ gaṇau

In the world of mortals, people describe Yama's form quite differently, yet I have seen him otherwise -- tell me, O attendants, the reason for this.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.8.53)

केन पश्यंत्यमुं लोकं निवसंति तथात्र के । इदमेवास्य किं रूपं किं चान्यच्च निवेद्यताम्

kena paśyaṁtyamuṁ lokaṁ nivasaṁti tathātra ke idamevāsya kiṁ rūpaṁ kiṁ cānyacca nivedyatām

By what cause do people behold that other, fearsome form, and who dwells here in this realm? Is this his true form, or is there yet another -- please tell me.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.8.54)

गणावूचतुः । शृणु सौम्य सुसौम्योऽसौ दृश्यतेत्र भवादृशैः। धर्ममूर्तिः प्रकृत्यैव निःशंकैः पुण्यराशिभिः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ śṛṇu saumya susaumyo'sau dṛśyatetra bhavādṛśaiḥ dharmamūrtiḥ prakṛtyaiva niḥśaṁkaiḥ puṇyarāśibhiḥ

The attendants said: Listen, gentle one -- by his very nature he is the embodiment of dharma, and to fearless souls of great merit such as yourself, he appears exactly thus, most gentle.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.8.55)

अयमेव हि पिंगाक्षः क्रोधरक्तांतलोचनः । दंष्ट्राकरालवदनो विद्युल्ललनभीषणः

ayameva hi piṁgākṣaḥ krodharaktāṁtalocanaḥ daṁṣṭrākarālavadano vidyullalanabhīṣaṇaḥ

This same Yama, to sinners, appears tawny-eyed, his eyes reddened with fury, his face terrible with jutting fangs, his tongue flashing and darting like lightning, altogether dreadful.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.8.56)

ऊर्ध्वकेशोऽतिकृष्णांगः प्रलयांबुदनिःस्वनः । कालदंडोद्यतकरो भुकुटी कुटिलाननः

ūrdhvakeśo'tikṛṣṇāṁgaḥ pralayāṁbudaniḥsvanaḥ kāladaṁḍodyatakaro bhukuṭī kuṭilānanaḥ

His hair stands on end, his body is intensely dark, his voice rumbles like the clouds of universal dissolution; he holds the staff of death raised in his hand, his brows knit, his face contorted with wrath.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.8.57)

आनयैनं पातयैनं बधानामुंच दुर्दम । घातयैनं सुदुर्वृत्तं मूर्ध्नि तीव्रमयोघनैः

ānayainaṁ pātayainaṁ badhānāmuṁca durdama ghātayainaṁ sudurvṛttaṁ mūrdhni tīvramayoghanaiḥ

(He commands his fierce servants:) "Bring him here, throw him down, bind him, then loose him! Strike this wicked wretch upon the head with heavy iron hammers, hard!"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.8.58)

आताडयैनं दुर्वृत्तं धृत्वा पादौ शिलातले । उत्पाटयास्य नेत्रे त्वं निधाय चरणं गले

ātāḍayainaṁ durvṛttaṁ dhṛtvā pādau śilātale utpāṭayāsya netre tvaṁ nidhāya caraṇaṁ gale

"Seize this evildoer by the feet and dash him against the rock; plant your foot upon his neck and tear out his eyes."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.8.59)

एतस्य गल्लावुत्फुल्लौ क्षुरेणाशुवि पाटय । पाशेन कंठं बद्धास्य समुल्लंबय भूरुहे

etasya gallāvutphullau kṣureṇāśuvi pāṭaya pāśena kaṁṭhaṁ baddhāsya samullaṁbaya bhūruhe

"Slit open his puffed-out cheeks at once with a razor; bind his throat with a noose and hang him from a tree."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.8.60)

विदारयास्य मूर्धानं करपत्रेण दारुवत् । पार्ष्णिघातैर्घ्नतास्यास्यं समुच्चूर्णय दारुणैः

vidārayāsya mūrdhānaṁ karapatreṇa dāruvat pārṣṇighātairghnatāsyāsyaṁ samuccūrṇaya dāruṇaiḥ

"Split his skull open with a saw, as though it were a piece of timber; pound his face to pieces with brutal blows of the heel."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.8.61)

परदारप्रसृमरं करं छिंध्यस्य पापिनः । परदारगृहं यातुः पादौ चास्य विखंडय

paradāraprasṛmaraṁ karaṁ chiṁdhyasya pāpinaḥ paradāragṛhaṁ yātuḥ pādau cāsya vikhaṁḍaya

"Cut off this sinner's hand, which reached out toward another man's wife; and shatter the feet that carried him to another man's house."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.8.62)

सूचीभी रोमकूपेषु तनुं व्यधिहि सर्वतः । दातुः परकलत्रांगे नखपंक्ती दुरात्मनः

sūcībhī romakūpeṣu tanuṁ vyadhihi sarvataḥ dātuḥ parakalatrāṁge nakhapaṁktī durātmanaḥ

"This vile soul who left the marks of his nails on another's wife -- pierce his body all over, every pore, with needles."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.8.63)

परदारमुखाघ्रातुर्मुखे निष्ठीवयास्य हि । वक्तुः परापवादस्य कीलं तीक्ष्णं मुखे क्षिप

paradāramukhāghrāturmukhe niṣṭhīvayāsya hi vaktuḥ parāpavādasya kīlaṁ tīkṣṇaṁ mukhe kṣipa

"Spit into the mouth of this man who kissed another's wife; and drive a sharp spike into the mouth of the one who spoke ill of others."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.8.64)

भर्जयैनं चणकवत्तप्तवालुक कर्परैः । भ्राष्ट्रे विकटवक्त्रत्वं परसंतापकारिणम्

bharjayainaṁ caṇakavattaptavāluka karparaiḥ bhrāṣṭre vikaṭavaktratvaṁ parasaṁtāpakāriṇam

"This one with a hideous mouth, who tormented others -- roast him in the frying-pan like a chickpea, in scorching sand and shards."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.8.65)

दोषारोपं सदाकर्तुरदोषे क्रूरलोचन । निमज्जयास्य वदनं पूयशोणितकर्दमे

doṣāropaṁ sadākarturadoṣe krūralocana nimajjayāsya vadanaṁ pūyaśoṇitakardame

"O cruel-eyed servant, this one forever heaped blame on the blameless -- plunge his face into a mire of pus and blood."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.8.66)

अदत्तपरवस्तूनां गृह्णतः करपल्लवम् । आप्लुत्याप्लुत्य तैलेन तप्तांगारे पचोत्कट

adattaparavastūnāṁ gṛhṇataḥ karapallavam āplutyāplutya tailena taptāṁgāre pacotkaṭa

"This one seized another's goods that were not given -- soak his thieving hand again and again in oil, O fierce one, and sear it upon burning coals."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.8.67)

अपवादं गुरोर्वक्तुर्निंदाकर्तुः सुपर्वणाम् । तप्तलोहशलाकाश्च मुखे भीषण निक्षिप

apavādaṁ gurorvakturniṁdākartuḥ suparvaṇām taptalohaśalākāśca mukhe bhīṣaṇa nikṣipa

"This one who slandered his guru, and this other who reviled the gods -- O terrible one, thrust red-hot iron rods into their mouths."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.8.68)

परमर्म स्पृशश्चास्य परच्छिद्रप्रकाशितुः। सुतप्तायोमयाञ्च्छंकून्सर्वसंधिषु रोपय

paramarma spṛśaścāsya paracchidraprakāśituḥ sutaptāyomayāñcchaṁkūnsarvasaṁdhiṣu ropaya

"This one who wounded others at their most tender points, and exposed their hidden faults -- drive white-hot iron pegs into every joint of his body."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.8.69)

अन्ये न दीयमाने स्वे निषेद्धुःपापकारिणः । आच्छेत्तुः परवृत्तीनां जिह्वां छिंध्यस्य दुर्मुख

anye na dīyamāne sve niṣeddhuḥpāpakāriṇaḥ ācchettuḥ paravṛttīnāṁ jihvāṁ chiṁdhyasya durmukha

"This sinner who forbade others what was rightfully theirs when not given his own, and this foul-mouthed one who cut off the livelihood of others -- sever his tongue."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.8.70)

देवस्वभोक्तुः क्रोडास्य ब्राह्मणस्वस्यभोजिनः । विदार्योदरमस्याशु विट्कीटैः परिपूरय

devasvabhoktuḥ kroḍāsya brāhmaṇasvasyabhojinaḥ vidāryodaramasyāśu viṭkīṭaiḥ paripūraya

"This one who consumed the property of the gods and devoured the wealth of brahmins -- rip open his belly at once and fill it with worms bred of filth."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.8.71)

न देवार्थे न विप्रार्थे नातिथ्यर्थे पचेत्क्वचित् । तममुं स्वार्थपक्तारं कुंभीपाके पचांधक

na devārthe na viprārthe nātithyarthe pacetkvacit tamamuṁ svārthapaktāraṁ kuṁbhīpāke pacāṁdhaka

"This one who cooks never for the gods, nor for brahmins, nor for a guest, but only ever for himself -- O Andhaka, cook him now in the Kumbhipaka hell."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.8.72)

उग्रास्य शिशुहंतारममुं विश्रंभघातिनम् । कृतघ्नं नय वेगेन महारौरव रौरवम्

ugrāsya śiśuhaṁtāramamuṁ viśraṁbhaghātinam kṛtaghnaṁ naya vegena mahāraurava rauravam

"This ferocious killer of infants, and this ingrate who slew one who trusted him -- carry them swiftly to the hells of Maharaurava and Raurava."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.8.73)

ब्रह्मघ्नं चांधतामिस्रे सुरापं पूयशोणिते । कालसूत्रे हेमचौरमवीचौ गुरुतल्पगम्

brahmaghnaṁ cāṁdhatāmisre surāpaṁ pūyaśoṇite kālasūtre hemacauramavīcau gurutalpagam

"Cast the killer of a brahmin into Andhatamisra, the drunkard into the hell of pus and blood, the thief of gold into Kalasutra, and the one who defiled his guru's bed into Avichi."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.8.74)

तत्संसर्गिणमावर्षमसिपत्रवने तथा । एतान्महापातकिनस्तप्ततैलकटाहके

tatsaṁsargiṇamāvarṣamasipatravane tathā etānmahāpātakinastaptatailakaṭāhake

"Cast his close companion into the forest of sword-leaves for a long span, and plunge all these great sinners into a cauldron of boiling oil."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.8.75)

आप्लुत्याप्लुत्य दुर्दंष्ट्रकाकोलैर्लोहतुंडकैः । संतोद्यमानान्पापिष्ठान्नित्यं कल्पं निवासय

āplutyāplutya durdaṁṣṭrakākolairlohatuṁḍakaiḥ saṁtodyamānānpāpiṣṭhānnityaṁ kalpaṁ nivāsaya

"Dip these wretched sinners again and again, torn and pecked by iron-beaked crows with fearsome fangs, and keep them there for a full aeon."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.8.76)

स्त्रीघ्नं गोघ्नं च मित्रघ्नं कूटशाल्मलिपादपे। उल्लंबय चिरंकालमूर्ध्वपादमधोमुखम्

strīghnaṁ goghnaṁ ca mitraghnaṁ kūṭaśālmalipādape ullaṁbaya ciraṁkālamūrdhvapādamadhomukham

"Hang the killer of a woman, the killer of a cow, and the killer of a friend upon the treacherous shalmali tree, upside-down, feet skyward and head hanging, for a long, long time."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.8.77)

त्वचमस्य च संदंशैस्त्रोटय त्वं महाभुज। आश्लेषितुर्मित्रपत्न्या भुजावुत्पाटया शुच

tvacamasya ca saṁdaṁśaistroṭaya tvaṁ mahābhuja āśleṣiturmitrapatnyā bhujāvutpāṭayā śuca

"O mighty-armed one, tear off his skin with tongs; and O grief-bringer, wrench out the arms of this one who embraced his friend's wife."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.8.78)

ज्वालाकीले महाघोरे नरकेऽमुं नि पातय । यो वह्निना दाहयति परक्षेत्रं परालयम्

jvālākīle mahāghore narake'muṁ ni pātaya yo vahninā dāhayati parakṣetraṁ parālayam

"This one who set fire to another's field, another's home -- hurl him down into the terrible hell called Jvalakila."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.8.79)

कालकूटे च गरदं कूटसाक्ष्याभिवादिनम्। मानकूटं तुलाकूटं कंठमोटे निपातय

kālakūṭe ca garadaṁ kūṭasākṣyābhivādinam mānakūṭaṁ tulākūṭaṁ kaṁṭhamoṭe nipātaya

"Cast the poisoner into Kalakuta hell; the false witness, and the one who cheats with false measures and false scales, cast into Kanthamota, twisting their necks."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.8.80)

लालापिबेच दुष्प्रेक्ष्य तीर्थासुष्ठीविनं(?) नय । आमपाके च गर्भघ्नं शूलपाकेऽन्यतापिनम्

lālāpibeca duṣprekṣya tīrthāsuṣṭhīvinaṁ(?) naya āmapāke ca garbhaghnaṁ śūlapāke'nyatāpinam

(The reading here is marked uncertain in the source, but the sense runs:) make the one of evil gaze, who defiled a sacred ford, drink his own spittle; cast the destroyer of an unborn child into Amapaka, and the tormentor of others into Shulapaka.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.8.81)

रसविक्रयिणं विप्रमिक्षुयंत्रे प्रपीडय । प्रजापीडाकरं भूपमंधकूपे निपातय

rasavikrayiṇaṁ vipramikṣuyaṁtre prapīḍaya prajāpīḍākaraṁ bhūpamaṁdhakūpe nipātaya

"Crush the brahmin who sold intoxicating liquor in a sugarcane press; and hurl the king who oppressed his own subjects into the Andhakupa, the blind pit."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.8.82)

गोतिलांश्च तुरंगांश्च विक्रेतारं द्विजाधमम् । मातुलान्याः सुरायाश्च विक्रेतारं हलायुध

gotilāṁśca turaṁgāṁśca vikretāraṁ dvijādhamam mātulānyāḥ surāyāśca vikretāraṁ halāyudha

"This lowly brahmin who trafficked in cows, sesame seed, and horses, and this one who traded away his aunt's honour and sold liquor -- O wielder of the plough, deal with them."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.8.83)

मुसलोलूखले वैश्यं कंडयैनं पुनःपुनः । शूद्रं द्विजावमंतारं द्विजाग्रे मंचसेविनम्

musalolūkhale vaiśyaṁ kaṁḍayainaṁ punaḥpunaḥ śūdraṁ dvijāvamaṁtāraṁ dvijāgre maṁcasevinam

"Pound this vaishya again and again in a mortar with a pestle; and likewise punish the shudra who insulted brahmins and dared to sit upon a raised seat before them."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.8.84)

अधोमुखे च नरके दीर्घग्रीवप्रपीड्य

adhomukhe ca narake dīrghagrīvaprapīḍya

(This verse is incomplete in the source and continues in sense into the next) -- casting him face-down into a hell, and pressing down upon his long neck --

Verse 85 (skanda.4.8.85)

शूद्रं ब्राह्मणजेतारं वैश्यं बाह्मणमानिनम् । क्षत्रियं याजकं चापि विप्रं वेदविवर्जितम्

śūdraṁ brāhmaṇajetāraṁ vaiśyaṁ bāhmaṇamāninam kṣatriyaṁ yājakaṁ cāpi vipraṁ vedavivarjitam

-- the shudra who bested a brahmin, the vaishya who took himself for a brahmin, the kshatriya who acted as a priest, and the brahmin devoid of Vedic learning --

Verse 86 (skanda.4.8.86)

लाक्षालवणमांसानां सतैलविषसर्पिषाम् । आयुधेक्षुविकाराणां विक्रेतारं द्विजाधमम्

lākṣālavaṇamāṁsānāṁ satailaviṣasarpiṣām āyudhekṣuvikārāṇāṁ vikretāraṁ dvijādhamam

-- and this lowly brahmin who trafficked in lac, salt, meat, oil, poison, ghee, weapons, and sugarcane products --

Verse 87 (skanda.4.8.87)

पाशपाणेकशापाणे बद्ध्वैतांश्चरणेदृढम् । घातयंतौ कशाघातैर्नयतं तप्तकर्दमे

pāśapāṇekaśāpāṇe baddhvaitāṁścaraṇedṛḍham ghātayaṁtau kaśāghātairnayataṁ taptakardame

-- O you with noose in hand, and you with lash in hand, bind them all fast by the feet, and driving them on with blows of the whip, lead them into the burning mire.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.8.88)

इमां स्त्रियं श्लेषयाशु पुंश्चलीं कुलकल्मषाम् । तेनोपपतिना सार्धं तप्तायसमयेन च

imāṁ striyaṁ śleṣayāśu puṁścalīṁ kulakalmaṣām tenopapatinā sārdhaṁ taptāyasamayena ca

"Make this unfaithful woman, the stain of her family, and her secret lover swiftly embrace one another -- in the form of a red-hot iron image."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.8.89)

स्वयं गृहीत्वा नियमं यस्त्यजेदजितेंद्रियः । तं प्रापय दुराधर्षं बहुभ्रमरदंशके

svayaṁ gṛhītvā niyamaṁ yastyajedajiteṁdriyaḥ taṁ prāpaya durādharṣaṁ bahubhramaradaṁśake

"This unrestrained one, who took a vow of his own accord and then abandoned it -- send this defiant soul to the hell swarming with stinging bees."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.8.90)

इत्यादिजल्पन्दुर्वृत्तैः श्रूयते दूरतो यमः । स्वकर्मशंकितैः पापै र्दृश्यतेति भयंकरः

ityādijalpandurvṛttaiḥ śrūyate dūrato yamaḥ svakarmaśaṁkitaiḥ pāpai rdṛśyateti bhayaṁkaraḥ

Thus speaking, Yama is heard from afar by the wicked, and appears in this very terrifying form to sinners, who are haunted by fear of their own deeds.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.8.91)

ये प्रजाः पालयंतीह पुत्रानेव निजौरसान् । दंडयंति च धर्मेण भूपास्तेऽस्य सभासदः

ye prajāḥ pālayaṁtīha putrāneva nijaurasān daṁḍayaṁti ca dharmeṇa bhūpāste'sya sabhāsadaḥ

The kings who protect their subjects as though they were their own sons, and who punish only according to dharma -- these are the kings who sit as members of this court.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.8.92)

वर्णाश्रमाश्च यद्राष्ट्रे ऽनुतिष्ठंति निजां क्रियाम् । कालेनापन्ननिधना भूपास्तेऽस्य सभासदः

varṇāśramāśca yadrāṣṭre 'nutiṣṭhaṁti nijāṁ kriyām kālenāpannanidhanā bhūpāste'sya sabhāsadaḥ

The kings in whose realms the castes and stages of life continue faithfully in their proper duties, and who meet their end only in the fullness of time -- these too are members of this court.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.8.93)

नैव दीनो न दुर्वृत्तो नापद्ग्रस्तो न शोकभाक् । येषां राष्ट्रे प्रदृश्यंते भूपास्तेऽस्य सभासदः

naiva dīno na durvṛtto nāpadgrasto na śokabhāk yeṣāṁ rāṣṭre pradṛśyaṁte bhūpāste'sya sabhāsadaḥ

The kings in whose kingdoms no one is seen to be destitute, wicked, beset by calamity, or given over to grief -- these too are members of this court.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.8.94)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः स्वधर्म निरताः सदा । अन्येपि ये संयमिनः संयमिन्यां वसंति ते

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ svadharma niratāḥ sadā anyepi ye saṁyaminaḥ saṁyaminyāṁ vasaṁti te

Brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas who remain ever devoted to their own duty, and all others of disciplined life besides, dwell in this city of Samyamani.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.8.95)

उशीनरः सुधन्वा च वृषपर्वा जयद्रथः । रजिः सहस्रजित्कुक्षिर्दृढधन्वा रिपुंजयः

uśīnaraḥ sudhanvā ca vṛṣaparvā jayadrathaḥ rajiḥ sahasrajitkukṣirdṛḍhadhanvā ripuṁjayaḥ

Ushinara, Sudhanva, Vrishaparva, Jayadratha, Raji, Sahasrajit, Kukshi, Dridhadhanva, Ripunjaya --

Verse 96 (skanda.4.8.96)

युवनाश्वो दंतवक्त्रो नाभागो रिपुमंगलः । करंधमो धर्मसेनः परमर्दः परांतकः

yuvanāśvo daṁtavaktro nābhāgo ripumaṁgalaḥ karaṁdhamo dharmasenaḥ paramardaḥ parāṁtakaḥ

-- Yuvanashva, Dantavaktra, Nabhaga, Ripumangala, Karandhama, Dharmasena, Paramarda, Parantaka --

Verse 97 (skanda.4.8.97)

एते चान्ये च बहवो राजानो नीतिवर्तिनः । धर्माधर्मविचारज्ञाः सुधर्मायां समासते

ete cānye ca bahavo rājāno nītivartinaḥ dharmādharmavicārajñāḥ sudharmāyāṁ samāsate

-- these and many other kings besides, who lived by righteous statecraft and knew well how to discern right from wrong, sit together in the assembly hall called Sudharma.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.8.98)

अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यावो येन पश्यंति भास्करिम् । दंडपाशोद्यतकरान्दूतानुग्राननान्क्वचित्

anyacca te pravakṣyāvo yena paśyaṁti bhāskarim daṁḍapāśodyatakarāndūtānugrānanānkvacit

Now let us tell you one thing more, by which people never come to see those fierce-faced messengers of Yama, with staff and noose raised in hand.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.8.99)

गोविंदमाधवमुकुंद हरेमुरारे शंभो शिवेश शशिशेखर शूलपाणे । दामोदराच्युत जनार्दन वासुदेव त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

goviṁdamādhavamukuṁda haremurāre śaṁbho śiveśa śaśiśekhara śūlapāṇe dāmodarācyuta janārdana vāsudeva tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Govinda, Madhava, Mukunda, Hari, Murari, Shambhu, Shivesha, Shashishekhara, Shulapani, Damodara, Achyuta, Janardana, Vasudeva!" -- whoever ceaselessly recites these names is forever declared, to Yama's own servants, one to be left untouched.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.8.100)

गंगाधरांधकरिपो हरनीलकंठ वैकुंठ कैटभरिपो कमठाब्जपाणे। भूतेशखंडपरशोमृडचंडिकेश त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

gaṁgādharāṁdhakaripo haranīlakaṁṭha vaikuṁṭha kaiṭabharipo kamaṭhābjapāṇe bhūteśakhaṁḍaparaśomṛḍacaṁḍikeśa tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Bearer of the Ganga, Enemy of Andhaka, Hara, Blue-throated One, Lord of Vaikuntha, Foe of Kaitabha, Bearer of the Tortoise and the Lotus in hand, Lord of Beings, Wielder of the Broken Axe, Mrida, Lord of Chandika!" -- whoever ceaselessly recites these names is ever to be left untouched by the servants of Yama.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.8.101)

विष्णोनृसिंहमधुसूदनचक्रपाणे गौरीपते गिरिश शंकर चंद्रचूड । नारायणासुरनिबर्हणशार्ङ्गपाणे त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

viṣṇonṛsiṁhamadhusūdanacakrapāṇe gaurīpate giriśa śaṁkara caṁdracūḍa nārāyaṇāsuranibarhaṇaśārṅgapāṇe tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Vishnu, Narasimha, Madhusudana, Wielder of the Discus, Lord of Gauri, Girisha, Shankara, Moon-crested One, Narayana, Destroyer of Demons, Wielder of the Sharnga bow!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever declared one to be left untouched.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.8.102)

मृत्युंजयोग्रविषमेक्षणकामशत्रो श्रीकांतपीतवसनांबुद नीलशौरे । ईशानकृत्तिवसनत्रिदशैकनाथ त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

mṛtyuṁjayograviṣamekṣaṇakāmaśatro śrīkāṁtapītavasanāṁbuda nīlaśaure īśānakṛttivasanatridaśaikanātha tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Conqueror of Death, Terrible One of the fierce third eye, Foe of Kama, Beloved of Shri, Yellow-robed One, Cloud-dark, Blue Shauri, Ishana, Wearer of the elephant-hide, Sole Lord of the thirty gods!" -- whoever ceaselessly recites this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.8.103)

लक्ष्मीपते मधुरिपो पुरुषोत्तमाद्यश्रीकंठदिग्वसन शांतपिनाकपाणे । आनंदकंद धरणीधर पद्मनाभ त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनति

lakṣmīpate madhuripo puruṣottamādyaśrīkaṁṭhadigvasana śāṁtapinākapāṇe ānaṁdakaṁda dharaṇīdhara padmanābha tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanati

"O Lord of Lakshmi, Foe of Madhu, Purushottama, the Primordial One, Shrikantha, He whose garment is the very quarters of space, Peaceful Wielder of the Pinaka, Root of All Bliss, Bearer of the Earth, Lotus-naveled One!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.8.104)

सर्वेश्वर त्रिपुरसूदन देवदेव ब्रह्मण्यदेवगरुडध्वज शंखपाणे । त्र्यक्षोरगाभरणबालमृगांकमौले त्यज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

sarveśvara tripurasūdana devadeva brahmaṇyadevagaruḍadhvaja śaṁkhapāṇe tryakṣoragābharaṇabālamṛgāṁkamaule tyajyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Lord of All, Destroyer of Tripura, God of gods, Deity beloved of brahmins, He whose banner bears Garuda, Wielder of the Conch, Three-eyed One, Adorned with serpents, He whose crest bears the crescent moon!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.8.105)

श्रीरामराघवरमेश्वररावणारे भूतेशमन्मथरिपो प्रमथाधिनाथ । चाणूरमर्दनहृषीकपतेमुरारे त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनति

śrīrāmarāghavarameśvararāvaṇāre bhūteśamanmatharipo pramathādhinātha cāṇūramardanahṛṣīkapatemurāre tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanati

"O glorious Rama, Raghava, Lord of Rama, Foe of Ravana, Lord of Beings, Foe of the god of desire, Lord of the ghostly hosts, Slayer of Chanura, Lord of the Senses, Murari!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.8.106)

शूलिन्गिरीश रजनीश कलावतं सकंसप्रणाशन सनातनकेशिनाश । भर्गत्रिनेत्रभवभूतपते पुरारे त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

śūlingirīśa rajanīśa kalāvataṁ sakaṁsapraṇāśana sanātanakeśināśa bhargatrinetrabhavabhūtapate purāre tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Trident-bearer, Lord of Mountains, Bearer of the lunar digits, Destroyer of Kamsa, Eternal Slayer of Keshi, Bharga, Three-eyed One, Bhava, Lord of Beings, Foe of Tripura!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.8.107)

गोपीपते यदुपते वसुदेवसूनो कर्पूरगौरवृषभध्वजभालनेत्र । गोवर्धनोद्धरणधर्मधुरीणगोप त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

gopīpate yadupate vasudevasūno karpūragauravṛṣabhadhvajabhālanetra govardhanoddharaṇadharmadhurīṇagopa tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Lord of the Gopis, Lord of the Yadus, Son of Vasudeva; He fair as camphor, whose banner bears the bull, whose brow bears the third eye; He who upraised Govardhana, the cowherd who bears the weight of dharma!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.8.108)

स्थाणो त्रिलोचन पिनाकधरस्मरारे कृष्णानिरुद्धकमलाकरकल्मषारे । विश्वेश्वर त्रिपथगार्द्रजटाकलाप त्याज्या भटाय इति संततमामनंति

sthāṇo trilocana pinākadharasmarāre kṛṣṇāniruddhakamalākarakalmaṣāre viśveśvara tripathagārdrajaṭākalāpa tyājyā bhaṭāya iti saṁtatamāmanaṁti

"O Sthanu, Three-eyed One, Wielder of the Pinaka, Foe of the god of desire, Krishna, Aniruddha, Abode of Lakshmi, Destroyer of Sin, Lord of the Universe, He whose matted locks are wet with the heavenly river!" -- whoever ceaselessly utters this is ever to be left untouched.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.8.109)

अष्टोत्तराधिकशतेनसुचारुनाम्नां संदर्भितां ललितरत्नकदंबकेन । सन्नायकां दृढगुणां द्धिजकंठगां यः कुर्यादिमां स्रजमहो स यमं न पश्येत्

aṣṭottarādhikaśatenasucārunāmnāṁ saṁdarbhitāṁ lalitaratnakadaṁbakena sannāyakāṁ dṛḍhaguṇāṁ ddhijakaṁṭhagāṁ yaḥ kuryādimāṁ srajamaho sa yamaṁ na paśyet

Whoever strings together this garland, woven of one hundred and eight most beautiful names like a cluster of exquisite jewels, and wears it firmly threaded about his neck, shall never behold Yama at all.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.8.110)

इत्थं द्विजेंद्र निजभृत्यगणान्सदैव संशिक्षयेदवनिगान्स हि धर्मराजः । अन्येपि ये हरिहरांकधरा धरायां ते दूरतः पुनरहो परिवर्जनीयाः

itthaṁ dvijeṁdra nijabhṛtyagaṇānsadaiva saṁśikṣayedavanigānsa hi dharmarājaḥ anyepi ye hariharāṁkadharā dharāyāṁ te dūrataḥ punaraho parivarjanīyāḥ

Thus, O best of brahmins, does Dharmaraja ever instruct his own servants who roam the earth: "Those others too, who bear upon them the marks of Hari and Hara -- these, indeed, are to be shunned from afar!"

Verse 111 (skanda.4.8.111)

अगस्तिरुवाच । यो धर्मराजरचितां ललितप्रबंधां नामावलिं सकलकल्मषबीजहंत्रीम् । धीरोत्र कौस्तुभभृतः शशिभूषणस्य नित्यं जपेत्स्तनरसं स पिबेन्न मातुः

agastiruvāca yo dharmarājaracitāṁ lalitaprabaṁdhāṁ nāmāvaliṁ sakalakalmaṣabījahaṁtrīm dhīrotra kaustubhabhṛtaḥ śaśibhūṣaṇasya nityaṁ japetstanarasaṁ sa pibenna mātuḥ

Agastya said: Whoever, with steady resolve, ceaselessly recites this string of names composed by Dharmaraja himself -- so beautifully wrought, the very destroyer of the seed of every sin, sacred to him who wears the Kaustubha jewel and to him who wears the crescent moon -- that man shall never again drink at his mother's breast.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.8.112)

इति शृण्वन्कथां रम्यां शिवशर्माप्रियेऽनघाम । प्रहृष्टवक्त्रः पुरतो ददर्शाप्सरसापुरीम्

iti śṛṇvankathāṁ ramyāṁ śivaśarmāpriye'naghāma prahṛṣṭavaktraḥ purato dadarśāpsarasāpurīm

O sinless beloved, thus listening to this delightful tale, Shivasharma, his face glowing with joy, then beheld before him the city of the Apsaras.