The Release from Vyasa's Curse

Verse 1 (skanda.4.96.1)

।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। कृप्णद्वैपायनः स्कंद शंभुभक्तिपरो यदि ।। यदि क्षेत्ररहस्यज्ञः क्षेत्रसंन्यासकृद्यदि

|| agastya uvāca || || kṛpṇadvaipāyanaḥ skaṁda śaṁbhubhaktiparo yadi || yadi kṣetrarahasyajñaḥ kṣetrasaṁnyāsakṛdyadi

Agastya said: O Skanda, if Krishna-Dvaipayana is devoted to Shambhu-bhakti, if he is a knower of the sacred field's secret, if he has taken the vow of never leaving the field,

Verse 2 (skanda.4.96.2)

तथा दृष्टप्रभावश्चेत्तथा चेज्ज्ञानिनां वरः ।। पुरीं वाराणसीं श्रेष्ठां कथं किल शपिष्यति

tathā dṛṣṭaprabhāvaścettathā cejjñānināṁ varaḥ || purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ śreṣṭhāṁ kathaṁ kila śapiṣyati

and if his power has been seen to be such, and if he is the best of the knowing ones, then how indeed will he curse the excellent city of Varanasi?

Verse 3 (skanda.4.96.3)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। सत्यमेतत्त्वया पृच्छि कथयामि मुने शृणु ।। तस्य व्यासस्य चरितं भविष्यं त्वयि पृच्छति

|| skaṁda uvāca || || satyametattvayā pṛcchi kathayāmi mune śṛṇu || tasya vyāsasya caritaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ tvayi pṛcchati

Skanda said: True is this that you ask; I shall tell you, O sage, listen. You ask me of the future course of that Vyasa's life.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.96.4)

यदारभ्य मुनेस्तस्य नंदी स्तंभितवान्भुजम् ।। तदारभ्य महेशानं संस्तौति परमादृतः

yadārabhya munestasya naṁdī staṁbhitavānbhujam || tadārabhya maheśānaṁ saṁstauti paramādṛtaḥ

From when Nandi paralyzed that sage's arm, from then on he praises Maheshana with the utmost reverence.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.96.5)

काश्यां तीर्थान्यनेकानि काश्यां लिगान्यनेकशः ।। तथापि सेव्यो विश्वेशः स्नातव्या मणिकर्णिका

kāśyāṁ tīrthānyanekāni kāśyāṁ ligānyanekaśaḥ || tathāpi sevyo viśveśaḥ snātavyā maṇikarṇikā

In Kashi there are many tirthas, in Kashi there are lingas without number; even so, Vishvesha should be served, and one should bathe in Manikarnika.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.96.6)

लिंगेष्वेको हि विश्वेशस्तीर्थेषु मणिकर्णिका ।। इति संव्याहरन्व्यासस्तद्द्वयं बहु मन्यते

liṁgeṣveko hi viśveśastīrtheṣu maṇikarṇikā || iti saṁvyāharanvyāsastaddvayaṁ bahu manyate

"Among lingas, Vishvesha is the one; among tirthas, Manikarnika is the one" — thus proclaiming, Vyasa holds both of these in high regard.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.96.7)

त्यक्त्वा स बहु वाग्जालं प्रातः स्नात्वा दिनेदिने ।। निर्वाणमंडपे वक्ति महिमानं महेशितुः

tyaktvā sa bahu vāgjālaṁ prātaḥ snātvā dinedine || nirvāṇamaṁḍape vakti mahimānaṁ maheśituḥ

Abandoning much web of words, bathing every morning day by day, he speaks in the Nirvana-mandapa of the glory of Maheshana.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.96.8)

शिष्याणां पुरतो नित्यं क्षेत्रस्य महिमा महान् ।। व्याख्यायते मुदा तेन व्यासेन परमर्षिणा

śiṣyāṇāṁ purato nityaṁ kṣetrasya mahimā mahān || vyākhyāyate mudā tena vyāsena paramarṣiṇā

Daily, before his disciples, the great glory of the sacred field is expounded joyfully by that Vyasa, the supreme sage.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.96.9)

अत्र यत्क्रियते क्षेत्रे शुभं वाऽशुभमेव वा ।। संवर्तेपि न तस्यांतस्तस्माच्छ्रेयः समाचरेत्

atra yatkriyate kṣetre śubhaṁ vā'śubhameva vā || saṁvartepi na tasyāṁtastasmācchreyaḥ samācaret

"Whatever is done here in this sacred field, whether auspicious or inauspicious, has no end even at the aeon's end; therefore one should do only what is beneficial."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.96.10)

क्षेत्रसिद्धिं समीहंते ये चात्र कृतिनो जनाः ।। यावज्जीवं न तैस्त्याज्या सुधीभिर्मणिकर्णिका

kṣetrasiddhiṁ samīhaṁte ye cātra kṛtino janāḥ || yāvajjīvaṁ na taistyājyā sudhībhirmaṇikarṇikā

"Those meritorious people here who seek the accomplishment of the sacred field, if wise, should never abandon Manikarnika as long as they live."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.96.11)

चक्रपुष्करिणी तीर्थे स्नातव्यं प्रतिवासरम् ।। पुष्पैः पत्रैः फलैस्तोयैरर्च्यो विश्वेश्वरः सदा

cakrapuṣkariṇī tīrthe snātavyaṁ prativāsaram || puṣpaiḥ patraiḥ phalaistoyairarcyo viśveśvaraḥ sadā

"One should bathe daily at the Chakrapushkarini tirtha; Vishveshvara should always be worshipped with flowers, leaves, fruits, and water."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.96.12)

स्ववर्णाश्रमधर्मश्च त्यक्तव्यो न मनागपि ।। प्रत्यहं क्षेत्रमहिमा श्रोतव्यः श्रद्धया सकृत्

svavarṇāśramadharmaśca tyaktavyo na manāgapi || pratyahaṁ kṣetramahimā śrotavyaḥ śraddhayā sakṛt

"One's own duty according to varna and ashrama should not be abandoned even slightly. The glory of the sacred field should be heard daily, at least once, with faith."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.96.13)

यथाशक्ति च देयानि दानान्यत्र सुगुप्तवत् ।। अन्नान्यपि च देयानि विघ्नान्परिजिहीर्षुणा

yathāśakti ca deyāni dānānyatra suguptavat || annānyapi ca deyāni vighnānparijihīrṣuṇā

"According to one's ability, gifts should be given here, discreetly; food too should be given, by one who wishes to remove obstacles."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.96.14)

परोपकरणं चात्र कर्तव्यं सुधिया सदा ।। पर्वस्वपि विशेषेण स्नानदानादिकाः क्रियाः

paropakaraṇaṁ cātra kartavyaṁ sudhiyā sadā || parvasvapi viśeṣeṇa snānadānādikāḥ kriyāḥ

"Helping others should ever be done here by the wise. Especially on festival days, rites like bathing and giving should be performed."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.96.15)

विशेषपूजा कर्तव्या सुमहोत्सवपूर्वकम ।। कार्यास्तथाधिका यात्राः समर्च्याः क्षेत्रदेवताः

viśeṣapūjā kartavyā sumahotsavapūrvakama || kāryāstathādhikā yātrāḥ samarcyāḥ kṣetradevatāḥ

"Special worship should be performed, preceded by great festivity; likewise greater pilgrimages should be undertaken, and the deities of the sacred field should be worshipped."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.96.16)

अत्र मर्म न वक्तव्यं सुधियां कस्यचित्क्वचित् ।। परदार परद्रव्य परापकरणं त्यजेत्

atra marma na vaktavyaṁ sudhiyāṁ kasyacitkvacit || paradāra paradravya parāpakaraṇaṁ tyajet

"The secret of this place should never be revealed by the wise to anyone, anywhere. One should abandon another's wife, another's property, and harming another."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.96.17)

परापवादो नो वाच्यः परेर्ष्यां न च कारयेत् ।। असत्यं नैव वक्तव्यं प्राणैः कंठगतैरपि

parāpavādo no vācyaḥ parerṣyāṁ na ca kārayet || asatyaṁ naiva vaktavyaṁ prāṇaiḥ kaṁṭhagatairapi

"One should never speak ill of another, nor cause envy in another. Falsehood should never be spoken, even with life reaching the throat."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.96.18)

अत्रत्य जंतुरक्षार्थमसत्यमपि भाषयेत् ।। येनकेनप्रकारेण शुभेनाप्यशुभेन वा

atratya jaṁturakṣārthamasatyamapi bhāṣayet || yenakenaprakāreṇa śubhenāpyaśubhena vā

"For the protection of a creature here, one may even speak an untruth — by whatever means, whether an auspicious or an inauspicious one."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.96.19)

अत्रत्यः प्राणिमात्रोपि रक्षणीयः प्रयत्नतः ।। एकस्मिन्रक्षिते जंतावत्र काश्यां प्रयत्नतः ।। त्रैलोक्यरक्षणात्पुण्यं यत्स्यात्तत्स्यान्न संशयः

atratyaḥ prāṇimātropi rakṣaṇīyaḥ prayatnataḥ || ekasminrakṣite jaṁtāvatra kāśyāṁ prayatnataḥ || trailokyarakṣaṇātpuṇyaṁ yatsyāttatsyānna saṁśayaḥ

"Every living being here should be protected with effort. By protecting even a single creature here in Kashi with effort, the merit that would come from protecting the three worlds indeed accrues, without doubt."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.96.20)

ये वसंति सदा काश्यां क्षेत्रसंन्यासकारिणः ।। त एव रुद्रा मंतव्या जीवन्मुक्ता न संशयः

ye vasaṁti sadā kāśyāṁ kṣetrasaṁnyāsakāriṇaḥ || ta eva rudrā maṁtavyā jīvanmuktā na saṁśayaḥ

"Those who dwell always in Kashi, taking the vow of never leaving the sacred field, should be considered as Rudras themselves, liberated while living, without doubt."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.96.21)

ते पूज्यास्ते नमस्कार्यास्ते संतोष्याः प्रयत्नतः ।। तेषु वै परितुष्टेषु तुष्येद्विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम्

te pūjyāste namaskāryāste saṁtoṣyāḥ prayatnataḥ || teṣu vai parituṣṭeṣu tuṣyedviśveśvaraḥ svayam

"They are to be worshipped, they are to be saluted, they are to be satisfied with effort. When they are truly satisfied, Vishveshvara himself is pleased."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.96.22)

काश्यां वसंति ये मर्त्या दूरस्थैरपि सन्नरैः ।। योगक्षेमो विधातव्यस्तेषां विश्वेशितुर्मुदे

kāśyāṁ vasaṁti ye martyā dūrasthairapi sannaraiḥ || yogakṣemo vidhātavyasteṣāṁ viśveśiturmude

"The mortals who dwell in Kashi should have their welfare looked after even by good men living far away, for the pleasure of Vishvesha."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.96.23)

प्रसरस्त्विंद्रियाणां च निवार्योत्र निवासिभिः ।। मनसोपि हि चांचल्यमिह वार्यं प्रयत्नतः

prasarastviṁdriyāṇāṁ ca nivāryotra nivāsibhiḥ || manasopi hi cāṁcalyamiha vāryaṁ prayatnataḥ

"The outward flow of the senses should be restrained here by its residents; even the restlessness of the mind should be checked here with effort."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.96.24)

मरणं नाभिकांक्षेद्धि कांक्ष्यो मोक्षोऽपिनो पुनः ।। शरीरशोषणोपायः कर्तव्यः सुधिया नहि

maraṇaṁ nābhikāṁkṣeddhi kāṁkṣyo mokṣo'pino punaḥ || śarīraśoṣaṇopāyaḥ kartavyaḥ sudhiyā nahi

"One should not desire death, nor again desire liberation. The wise should not adopt a means of wasting away the body."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.96.25)

शरीरसौष्ठवं कांक्ष्यं व्रतस्नानादिसिद्धये ।। आयुर्बह्वत्र वै चिंत्यं महाफलसमृद्धये

śarīrasauṣṭhavaṁ kāṁkṣyaṁ vratasnānādisiddhaye || āyurbahvatra vai ciṁtyaṁ mahāphalasamṛddhaye

"The soundness of the body should be desired, for the accomplishment of vows, bathing, and the like. A long life here should indeed be wished for, for the abundance of great fruit."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.96.26)

आत्मरक्षात्र कर्तव्या महाश्रेयोभिवृद्धये ।। अत्रात्म त्यजनोपायं मनसापि न चिंतयेत्

ātmarakṣātra kartavyā mahāśreyobhivṛddhaye || atrātma tyajanopāyaṁ manasāpi na ciṁtayet

"Self-protection should be practised here, for the increase of great welfare. Even the means of giving up one's life should not be entertained here, even in thought."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.96.27)

एकस्मिन्नपि यच्चाह्नि काश्यां श्रेयोभिलभ्यते ।। न तु वर्षशतेनापि तदन्यत्राप्यते क्वचित्

ekasminnapi yaccāhni kāśyāṁ śreyobhilabhyate || na tu varṣaśatenāpi tadanyatrāpyate kvacit

"Whatever welfare is obtained in Kashi even in a single day cannot be obtained anywhere else even in a hundred years."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.96.28)

अन्यत्र योगाभ्यसनाद्यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते ।। वाराणस्यां तदेकेन प्राणायामेन लभ्यते

anyatra yogābhyasanādyāvajjanma yadarjyate || vārāṇasyāṁ tadekena prāṇāyāmena labhyate

"Whatever is gained elsewhere by the practice of yoga over an entire lifetime is obtained in Varanasi by a single act of breath-control."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.96.29)

सर्वतीर्थावगाहाच्च यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते ।। तदानंदवने प्राप्यं मणिकर्ण्येकमज्जनात् ।।

sarvatīrthāvagāhācca yāvajjanma yadarjyate || tadānaṁdavane prāpyaṁ maṇikarṇyekamajjanāt ||

"Whatever is gained by immersion in all the tirthas over an entire lifetime is obtained in Anandavana by a single dip in Manikarnika."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.96.30)

सर्वलिंगार्चनात्पुण्यं यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते ।। सकृद्विश्वेशमभ्यर्च्य श्रद्धया तदवाप्यते

sarvaliṁgārcanātpuṇyaṁ yāvajjanma yadarjyate || sakṛdviśveśamabhyarcya śraddhayā tadavāpyate

"Whatever merit is gained over an entire lifetime by the worship of all lingas is obtained by worshipping Vishvesha once with faith."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.96.31)

यज्जन्मनां सहस्रेण निर्मलं पुण्यमर्जितम् ।। तत्पुण्यपरिवर्तेन भवेद्विश्वेशदर्शनम्

yajjanmanāṁ sahasreṇa nirmalaṁ puṇyamarjitam || tatpuṇyaparivartena bhavedviśveśadarśanam

"Whatever pure merit is earned over a thousand births is obtained, in exchange, by the sight of Vishvesha."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.96.32)

।। गवां कोटि प्रदानेन सम्यग्दत्तेन यत्फलम ।। तत्फलं सम्यगाप्येत विश्वेश्वर विलोकनात्

|| gavāṁ koṭi pradānena samyagdattena yatphalama || tatphalaṁ samyagāpyeta viśveśvara vilokanāt

"Whatever fruit is obtained by the proper gift of a crore of cows, that same fruit is fully obtained by a mere glimpse of Vishveshvara."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.96.33)

यत्षोडशमहादानैः पुण्यं प्रोक्तं महर्षिभिः ।। तत्पुण्यं जायते पुंसां विश्वेशे पुष्पदानतः

yatṣoḍaśamahādānaiḥ puṇyaṁ proktaṁ maharṣibhiḥ || tatpuṇyaṁ jāyate puṁsāṁ viśveśe puṣpadānataḥ

"Whatever merit has been declared by the great sages as coming from the sixteen great gifts, that merit arises for men from the offering of a flower to Vishvesha."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.96.34)

अश्वमेधादिभिर्यज्ञैर्यत्फलं प्राप्यतेखिलैः ।। पंचामृतानां स्नपनाद्विश्वेशे तदवाप्यते

aśvamedhādibhiryajñairyatphalaṁ prāpyatekhilaiḥ || paṁcāmṛtānāṁ snapanādviśveśe tadavāpyate

"Whatever fruit is obtained from all sacrifices, beginning with the Ashvamedha, that is obtained by bathing Vishvesha with the five nectars."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.96.35)

वाजपेयसहस्रेण सम्यगिष्टेन यत्फलम् ।। सकृन्महार्हैर्नैवेद्यैर्विश्वेशे तच्छताधिकम्

vājapeyasahasreṇa samyagiṣṭena yatphalam || sakṛnmahārhairnaivedyairviśveśe tacchatādhikam

"Whatever fruit comes from a thousand properly performed Vajapeya sacrifices, that is more than a hundredfold obtained by a single offering of excellent food to Vishvesha."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.96.36)

ध्वजातपत्रं चमरं विश्वेशे यः समर्पयेत् ।। एकच्छत्रं स वै राज्यं प्राप्नुयाद्वसुधातले

dhvajātapatraṁ camaraṁ viśveśe yaḥ samarpayet || ekacchatraṁ sa vai rājyaṁ prāpnuyādvasudhātale

"Whoever offers a banner, a parasol, or a chowrie to Vishvesha shall obtain sole sovereignty over the earth under a single royal umbrella."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.96.37)

महापूजोपकरणं योर्पयेद्विश्वभर्तरि ।। न तं संपत्तिसंभारा विमुंचंतीह कुत्रचित्

mahāpūjopakaraṇaṁ yorpayedviśvabhartari || na taṁ saṁpattisaṁbhārā vimuṁcaṁtīha kutracit

"Whoever offers implements for the great worship to the Lord of the universe, prosperity never abandons him anywhere here."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.96.38)

सर्वर्तुकुसुमाढ्यां च यः कुर्यात्पुष्पवाटिकाम् ।। तदंगणे कल्पवृक्षाश्छायां कुर्वंति शीतलाम्

sarvartukusumāḍhyāṁ ca yaḥ kuryātpuṣpavāṭikām || tadaṁgaṇe kalpavṛkṣāśchāyāṁ kurvaṁti śītalām

"Whoever creates a flower-garden filled with blossoms of all seasons — in his courtyard, wish-fulfilling trees give cooling shade."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.96.39)

यः क्षीरस्नपनार्थं वै विश्वेशे धेनुमर्पयेत् ।। क्षीरार्णवतटे तस्य निवसेयुः पितामहाः ।।

yaḥ kṣīrasnapanārthaṁ vai viśveśe dhenumarpayet || kṣīrārṇavataṭe tasya nivaseyuḥ pitāmahāḥ ||

"Whoever offers a cow to Vishvesha for the purpose of a milk-bathing, his ancestors dwell on the shore of the ocean of milk."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.96.40)

विश्वेशराजसदने यः सुधां चित्रमेव वा ।। कारयेत्तस्य भवनं कैलासचित्रितं भवेत्

viśveśarājasadane yaḥ sudhāṁ citrameva vā || kārayettasya bhavanaṁ kailāsacitritaṁ bhavet

"Whoever causes the royal abode of Vishvesha to be plastered or painted, his own dwelling becomes as if painted with the glory of Kailasa."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.96.41)

ब्राह्मणान्यतिनो वापि तथैव शिवयोगिनः ।। भोजयेद्योत्र वै काश्यामेकैक गणना क्रमात्

brāhmaṇānyatino vāpi tathaiva śivayoginaḥ || bhojayedyotra vai kāśyāmekaika gaṇanā kramāt

"Whoever feeds brahmins, ascetics, or Shiva-yogis in Kashi, counting them one by one in order,"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.96.42)

कोटिभोज्यफलं तस्य श्रद्धया नात्र संशयः ।। तपस्त्वत्र प्रकर्तव्यं दानमत्र प्रदापयेत्

koṭibhojyaphalaṁ tasya śraddhayā nātra saṁśayaḥ || tapastvatra prakartavyaṁ dānamatra pradāpayet

"obtains, through faith, the fruit of feeding a crore — of this there is no doubt. Austerity should be practised here, gifts should be given here."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.96.43)

विश्वेशस्तोषणीयोत्र स्नानहोमजपादिभिः ।। अन्यत्र कोटिजप्येन यत्फलं प्राप्यते नरैः ।। अष्टोत्तरशतं जप्त्वा तदत्र समवाप्यते

viśveśastoṣaṇīyotra snānahomajapādibhiḥ || anyatra koṭijapyena yatphalaṁ prāpyate naraiḥ || aṣṭottaraśataṁ japtvā tadatra samavāpyate

"Vishvesha is to be pleased here through bathing, fire-offerings, japa, and the like. Whatever fruit men obtain elsewhere by a crore of japa,"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.96.44)

कोटिहोमेन यत्प्रोक्तं फलमन्यत्र सूरिभिः ।। अष्टोत्तराहुतिशतात्तदत्रानंदकानने

koṭihomena yatproktaṁ phalamanyatra sūribhiḥ || aṣṭottarāhutiśatāttadatrānaṁdakānane

"that is obtained here merely by reciting a hundred and eight times. Whatever fruit the wise have declared as coming elsewhere from a crore fire-oblations is obtained here in Anandakanana from a hundred and eight oblations."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.96.45)

यो जपेद्रुद्रसूक्तानि काश्यां विश्वेशसन्निधौ ।। पारायणेन वेदानां सर्वेषां फलमाप्यते

yo japedrudrasūktāni kāśyāṁ viśveśasannidhau || pārāyaṇena vedānāṁ sarveṣāṁ phalamāpyate

"Whoever recites the Rudra-suktas in Kashi in the presence of Vishvesha obtains the fruit of a complete recitation of all the Vedas."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.96.46)

तस्य पुण्यं न जानामि चिंतिते चाक्षरे परे ।। काश्यां नित्यं प्रवस्तव्यं सेव्योत्तरवहा सदा

tasya puṇyaṁ na jānāmi ciṁtite cākṣare pare || kāśyāṁ nityaṁ pravastavyaṁ sevyottaravahā sadā

"When the supreme syllable [Om] is contemplated, I do not know [the limit of] his merit. One should always dwell in Kashi; the north-flowing river should ever be served."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.96.47)

आपद्यपि हि घोरायां काशी त्याज्या न कुत्रचित् ।। यतः सर्वापदांहर्ता त्राता विश्वपतिः प्रभुः

āpadyapi hi ghorāyāṁ kāśī tyājyā na kutracit || yataḥ sarvāpadāṁhartā trātā viśvapatiḥ prabhuḥ

"Even in the most terrible calamity, Kashi should never be abandoned anywhere, for the lord of the universe, the remover of all calamities, is its protector."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.96.48)

अवंध्यं दिवसं कुर्यात्स्नानदानजपादिभिः ।। यतः काश्यां कृतं कर्म महत्त्वाय प्रकल्पते

avaṁdhyaṁ divasaṁ kuryātsnānadānajapādibhiḥ || yataḥ kāśyāṁ kṛtaṁ karma mahattvāya prakalpate

"One should not let a single day pass fruitlessly, filling it with bathing, giving, japa, and the like; for deeds done in Kashi become conducive to greatness."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.96.49)

कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणादीनि कर्तव्यानि प्रयत्नतः ।। तथेंद्रियविकाराश्च न बाधंतेत्र कर्हिचित्

kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇādīni kartavyāni prayatnataḥ || tatheṁdriyavikārāśca na bādhaṁtetra karhicit

"Kricchra, Chandrayana, and other penances should be performed with effort; then the disturbances of the senses will never afflict one here."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.96.50)

यदींद्रियाणि कुर्वंति विक्रियामिह देहिनाम् ।। तदात्रवाससं सिद्धिर्विघ्नेभ्यो नैव लभ्यते

yadīṁdriyāṇi kurvaṁti vikriyāmiha dehinām || tadātravāsasaṁ siddhirvighnebhyo naiva labhyate

"If the senses cause disturbance to embodied beings here, then success for one dwelling here is never obtained, owing to obstacles."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.96.51)

।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। कृच्छ्र चांद्रायणादीनि व्यासो वक्ष्यति यानि वै।। तेषां स्वरूपमाख्याहि स्कंदेंद्रिय विशुद्धये

|| agastya uvāca || || kṛcchra cāṁdrāyaṇādīni vyāso vakṣyati yāni vai|| teṣāṁ svarūpamākhyāhi skaṁdeṁdriya viśuddhaye

Agastya said: O Skanda, tell me the true nature of these Kricchra, Chandrayana and other penances which Vyasa is about to speak of, for the purification of the senses.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.96.52)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। कथयामि महाबुद्धे कृच्छ्रादीनि तवाग्रतः ।। यानि कृत्वात्र मनुजो देहशुद्धिं लभेत्पराम्

|| skaṁda uvāca || || kathayāmi mahābuddhe kṛcchrādīni tavāgrataḥ || yāni kṛtvātra manujo dehaśuddhiṁ labhetparām

Skanda said: I shall tell you, O greatly wise one, these Kricchra and other vows before you, by performing which a man obtains here the supreme purification of the body.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.96.53)

एकभक्तेन नक्तेन तथैवायाचितेन च ।। उपवासेन चैकेन पादकृच्छ्रः प्रकीर्तितः

ekabhaktena naktena tathaivāyācitena ca || upavāsena caikena pādakṛcchraḥ prakīrtitaḥ

By eating once, by eating only at night, and by unasked-for food, and by a single day's fast — this is declared to be the Padakricchra.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.96.54)

वटोदुंबरराजीव बिल्वपत्रकुशोदकम् ।। प्रत्येकं प्रत्यहं पीतं पर्णकृच्छ्रः प्रकीर्तितः

vaṭoduṁbararājīva bilvapatrakuśodakam || pratyekaṁ pratyahaṁ pītaṁ parṇakṛcchraḥ prakīrtitaḥ

Drinking, one by one, each day, the water of banyan, udumbara, and lotus leaves, bilva leaves, and kusha grass — this is declared to be the Parnakricchra.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.96.55)

पिण्याकघृततक्रांबु सक्तूनां प्रतिवासरम् ।। एकैकमुपवासश्च कृच्छ्रः सौम्यः प्रकीर्तितः

piṇyākaghṛtatakrāṁbu saktūnāṁ prativāsaram || ekaikamupavāsaśca kṛcchraḥ saumyaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

Each day, one item — oil-cake, ghee, buttermilk-water, or barley-gruel — and a fast — this is declared to be the mild Kricchra.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.96.56)

हविषा प्रातरश्नीत हविषा सायमेव च ।। हविषा याचितं त्रींस्तु सोपवासस्त्रयहं वसेत्

haviṣā prātaraśnīta haviṣā sāyameva ca || haviṣā yācitaṁ trīṁstu sopavāsastrayahaṁ vaset

One should eat oblation-food in the morning, and in the evening, and for three more days eat unasked-for havisya while fasting — one should dwell thus for three days.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.96.57)

एकैकग्रासमश्नीयादहानि त्रीणि पूर्ववत् ।। त्र्यहं चोपवसेदंत्यमतिकृच्छ्रं चरन्द्विजः

ekaikagrāsamaśnīyādahāni trīṇi pūrvavat || tryahaṁ copavasedaṁtyamatikṛcchraṁ carandvijaḥ

One should eat a single mouthful each day for three days as before, and fast entirely for three more days — this is a twice-born practising the most severe Kricchra.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.96.58)

कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रं पयसा दिवसानेकविंशतिः ।। द्वादशाहोपवासेन पराकः परिकीर्तितः

kṛcchrātikṛcchraṁ payasā divasānekaviṁśatiḥ || dvādaśāhopavāsena parākaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

The Kricchratikricchra on milk for twenty-one days; twelve days of fasting is declared to be the Paraka.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.96.59)

त्र्यहं प्रातस्त्रयहं सायं त्र्यहमद्यादयाचितम्।। त्र्यहं चोपवसेदंत्यं प्राजापत्यं चरन्द्विजः

tryahaṁ prātastrayahaṁ sāyaṁ tryahamadyādayācitam|| tryahaṁ copavasedaṁtyaṁ prājāpatyaṁ carandvijaḥ

Eating unasked-for food for three days in the morning, three in the evening, three plain, and fasting entirely for the last three days — this is a twice-born practising the Prajapatya.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.96.60)

गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधिसर्पिः कुशोदकम्।। एकरात्रोपवासश्च कृच्छ्रः सांतपनः स्मृतः

gomūtraṁ gomayaṁ kṣīraṁ dadhisarpiḥ kuśodakam|| ekarātropavāsaśca kṛcchraḥ sāṁtapanaḥ smṛtaḥ

Cow's urine, cow-dung, milk, curd, ghee, and kusha-water, and a one-night fast — this is remembered as the Santapana Kricchra.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.96.61)

पृथक्सांतपनद्रव्यैः षडहः सोपवासकः ।। सप्ताहेन तु कृच्छ्रोयं महासांतपनः स्मृतः

pṛthaksāṁtapanadravyaiḥ ṣaḍahaḥ sopavāsakaḥ || saptāhena tu kṛcchroyaṁ mahāsāṁtapanaḥ smṛtaḥ

With the separate substances of Santapana, six days with fasting — this seven-day Kricchra is remembered as the Mahasantapana.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.96.62)

तप्तकृच्छ्रं चरन्विप्रो जलक्षीरघृतानिलान् ।। एतांस्त्र्यहं पिबेदुष्णान्सकृत्स्नायी समाहितः

taptakṛcchraṁ caranvipro jalakṣīraghṛtānilān || etāṁstryahaṁ pibeduṣṇānsakṛtsnāyī samāhitaḥ

A brahmin practising the Taptakricchra should, bathing once, composed in mind, drink hot water, hot milk, and hot ghee for three days.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.96.63)

त्र्यहमुष्णाः पिबेदापस्त्र्यहमुष्णं पयः पिबेत् ।। त्र्यहमुष्णघृतं प्राश्य वायुभक्षो दिनत्रयम्

tryahamuṣṇāḥ pibedāpastryahamuṣṇaṁ payaḥ pibet || tryahamuṣṇaghṛtaṁ prāśya vāyubhakṣo dinatrayam

He should drink hot water for three days, hot milk for three days, and having tasted hot ghee for three days, subsist on air alone for three days.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.96.64)

पलमेकं पयः पीत्वा सर्पिषश्च पलद्वयम् ।। पलमेकं तु तोयस्य तप्तकृच्छ्र उदाहृतः

palamekaṁ payaḥ pītvā sarpiṣaśca paladvayam || palamekaṁ tu toyasya taptakṛcchra udāhṛtaḥ

Having drunk one pala of milk, two palas of ghee, and one pala of water — this is called the Taptakricchra.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.96.65)

गोमूत्रेण समायुक्तं यावकं यः प्रयोजयेत् ।। कृच्छ्रमेकाह्न्किं प्रोक्तं शरीरस्य विशोधनम्

gomūtreṇa samāyuktaṁ yāvakaṁ yaḥ prayojayet || kṛcchramekāhnkiṁ proktaṁ śarīrasya viśodhanam

Whoever employs barley-gruel mixed with cow's urine — this is declared to be a one-day Kricchra, the purification of the body.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.96.66)

हस्तावुत्तानतः कृत्वा दिवसं मारुताशनः ।। रात्रौ जले स्थितो व्युष्टः प्राजापत्येन तत्समम्

hastāvuttānataḥ kṛtvā divasaṁ mārutāśanaḥ || rātrau jale sthito vyuṣṭaḥ prājāpatyena tatsamam

Keeping both hands raised upward, subsisting on air alone by day, standing in water at night — having passed this, it is equal to the Prajapatya.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.96.67)

एकैकं ह्रासयेद्ग्रासं कृष्णे शुक्ले च वर्धयेत्।। उपस्पृशं स्त्रिषवणमेतच्चांद्रायणं स्मृतम्

ekaikaṁ hrāsayedgrāsaṁ kṛṣṇe śukle ca vardhayet|| upaspṛśaṁ striṣavaṇametaccāṁdrāyaṇaṁ smṛtam

Decreasing one mouthful each day in the dark fortnight and increasing it in the bright fortnight, bathing three times a day — this is remembered as the Chandrayana.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.96.68)

एकैकं वर्धयेद्ग्रासं शुक्ले कृष्णे च ह्रासयेत् ।। भुंजीत दर्शे नो किंचिदेष चांद्रायणो विधिः

ekaikaṁ vardhayedgrāsaṁ śukle kṛṣṇe ca hrāsayet || bhuṁjīta darśe no kiṁcideṣa cāṁdrāyaṇo vidhiḥ

Increasing one mouthful each day in the bright fortnight and decreasing it in the dark fortnight, eating nothing on the new-moon day — this is the rule of the Chandrayana.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.96.69)

चतुरः प्रातरश्नीयात्पिंडान्विप्रः समाहितः ।। चतुरोस्तमिते सूर्ये शिशुचांद्रायणं स्मृतम्

caturaḥ prātaraśnīyātpiṁḍānvipraḥ samāhitaḥ || caturostamite sūrye śiśucāṁdrāyaṇaṁ smṛtam

A composed brahmin should eat four morsels in the morning and four after sunset — this is remembered as the Shishu-Chandrayana.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.96.70)

अष्टावष्टौ समश्नीयात्पिंडान्मध्यंदिने स्थिते ।। नियतात्मा हविष्यस्य यतिचांद्रायणं स्मृतम्

aṣṭāvaṣṭau samaśnīyātpiṁḍānmadhyaṁdine sthite || niyatātmā haviṣyasya yaticāṁdrāyaṇaṁ smṛtam

One should eat eight morsels of oblation-food at midday, self-controlled — this is remembered as the Yati-Chandrayana.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.96.71)

यथाकथंचित्पिंडानां तिस्रोशीतीः समाहितः ।। मासेनाश्नन्हविष्यस्य चंद्रस्यैति सलोकताम्

yathākathaṁcitpiṁḍānāṁ tisrośītīḥ samāhitaḥ || māsenāśnanhaviṣyasya caṁdrasyaiti salokatām

Eating, however it may be, eighty-three morsels of oblation-food, composed, over a month, one attains the very world of the Moon.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.96.72)

अद्भिर्गात्राणि शुध्यंति मनः सत्येन शुद्ध्यति ।। विद्या तपोभ्यां भूतात्मा बुद्धिर्ज्ञानेन शुद्ध्यति

adbhirgātrāṇi śudhyaṁti manaḥ satyena śuddhyati || vidyā tapobhyāṁ bhūtātmā buddhirjñānena śuddhyati

The limbs are purified by water, the mind is purified by truth; the embodied soul is purified by learning and austerity, the intellect is purified by knowledge.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.96.73)

तच्च ज्ञानं भवेत्पुंसां सम्यक्काशीनिषेवणात् ।। काशीनिषेवणेन स्याद्विश्वेशकरुणोदयः।।

tacca jñānaṁ bhavetpuṁsāṁ samyakkāśīniṣevaṇāt || kāśīniṣevaṇena syādviśveśakaruṇodayaḥ||

And that knowledge arises for men through proper service to Kashi; through service to Kashi arises the dawning of Vishvesha's compassion.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.96.74)

ततो महोदयावाप्तिः कर्मनिर्मूलनक्षमा।। अतः काश्यां प्रयत्नेन स्नान दान तपो जपः

tato mahodayāvāptiḥ karmanirmūlanakṣamā|| ataḥ kāśyāṁ prayatnena snāna dāna tapo japaḥ

From that arises the attainment of great fortune, capable of eradicating karma at the root. Therefore, in Kashi, with effort, one should perform bathing, giving, austerity, japa,

Verse 75 (skanda.4.96.75)

व्रतं पुराणश्रवणं स्मृत्युक्ताध्व निषेवणम् ।। प्रतिक्षणे प्रतिदिनं विश्वेश पदचिंतनम्

vrataṁ purāṇaśravaṇaṁ smṛtyuktādhva niṣevaṇam || pratikṣaṇe pratidinaṁ viśveśa padaciṁtanam

vows, hearing the Puranas, following the paths declared in the Smritis, and, moment by moment, day by day, contemplation of the feet of Vishvesha,

Verse 76 (skanda.4.96.76)

लिंगार्चनं त्रिकालं च लिंगस्यापि प्रतिष्ठितिः ।। साधुभिः सह संलापो जल्पः शिवशिवेति च

liṁgārcanaṁ trikālaṁ ca liṁgasyāpi pratiṣṭhitiḥ || sādhubhiḥ saha saṁlāpo jalpaḥ śivaśiveti ca

worship of the linga at the three daily junctures, and also the establishment of a linga; conversation with the good, and murmuring 'Shiva, Shiva,'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.96.77)

अतिथेश्चापि सत्कारो मैत्रीतीर्थनिवासिभिः ।। आस्तिक्यबुद्धिर्विनयो मानामान समानधीः

atitheścāpi satkāro maitrītīrthanivāsibhiḥ || āstikyabuddhirvinayo mānāmāna samānadhīḥ

honouring the guest, friendship with the residents of the tirtha, a mind of faith, humility, an even mind in honour and dishonour,

Verse 78 (skanda.4.96.78)

अकामिता त्वनौद्धत्यमरागित्वमहिंसनम् ।। अप्रतिग्रहवृत्तिश्च मतिश्चानुग्रहात्मिका

akāmitā tvanauddhatyamarāgitvamahiṁsanam || apratigrahavṛttiśca matiścānugrahātmikā

freedom from desire, freedom from arrogance, freedom from passion, non-violence, the practice of not accepting gifts, a mind disposed to compassion,

Verse 79 (skanda.4.96.79)

अदंभितात्वमात्सर्यमप्रार्थितधनागमः ।। अलोभित्वमनालस्यमपारुष्यमदीनता

adaṁbhitātvamātsaryamaprārthitadhanāgamaḥ || alobhitvamanālasyamapāruṣyamadīnatā

freedom from deceit, freedom from envy, absence of unsought wealth, freedom from greed, freedom from laziness, freedom from harshness, freedom from wretchedness —

Verse 80 (skanda.4.96.80)

इत्यादि सत्प्रवृत्तिश्च कर्तव्या क्षेत्रवासिना ।। प्रत्यहं चेति शिष्येभ्यः सधर्ममुपदेक्ष्यति

ityādi satpravṛttiśca kartavyā kṣetravāsinā || pratyahaṁ ceti śiṣyebhyaḥ sadharmamupadekṣyati

such and other good conduct should be practised by the dweller in the sacred field. And he [Vyasa] will teach this very right conduct to his disciples daily.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.96.81)

नित्यं त्रिषवणस्नायी नित्यं भिक्षाकृताशनः ।। लिंगपूजार्चको नित्यमित्थं व्यासो वसेत्पुरा ।।

nityaṁ triṣavaṇasnāyī nityaṁ bhikṣākṛtāśanaḥ || liṁgapūjārcako nityamitthaṁ vyāso vasetpurā ||

Ever bathing at the three daily junctures, ever eating food obtained by begging, ever a worshipper of the linga — thus Vyasa formerly used to dwell.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.96.82)

एकदा तस्य जिज्ञासां कर्तुं देवीं हरोवदत् ।। अद्य भिक्षाटनं प्राप्ते व्यासे परमधार्मिके

ekadā tasya jijñāsāṁ kartuṁ devīṁ harovadat || adya bhikṣāṭanaṁ prāpte vyāse paramadhārmike

Once, wishing to test him, Hara said to the goddess: "Today, when Vyasa, of supreme righteousness, goes out for alms,"

Verse 83 (skanda.4.96.83)

अपि सर्वगते क्वापि भिक्षां मा यच्छ सुंदरि ।। तथेत्युक्ता भवानी सा भवं भवनिवारणम्

api sarvagate kvāpi bhikṣāṁ mā yaccha suṁdari || tathetyuktā bhavānī sā bhavaṁ bhavanivāraṇam

"— though he is all-pervading, O beautiful one, do not give him alms anywhere." Saying "so be it," that Bhavani, remover of worldly existence,

Verse 84 (skanda.4.96.84)

नमस्कृत्य प्रतिगृहं तस्य भिक्षां न्यषेधयत् ।। स मुनिः सहितः शिष्यैर्भिक्षामप्राप्य दूनवत्

namaskṛtya pratigṛhaṁ tasya bhikṣāṁ nyaṣedhayat || sa muniḥ sahitaḥ śiṣyairbhikṣāmaprāpya dūnavat

bowing at every house, forbade alms to him. That sage, together with his disciples, grieved at not obtaining alms,

Verse 85 (skanda.4.96.85)

वेलातिक्रममालोक्य पुनर्बभ्राम तां पुरीम्।। गृहेगृहे परिप्राप्ता भिक्षान्यैः सर्वभिक्षुकैः

velātikramamālokya punarbabhrāma tāṁ purīm|| gṛhegṛhe pariprāptā bhikṣānyaiḥ sarvabhikṣukaiḥ

seeing that the time had passed, wandered again through that city; alms were obtained by all the other beggars at every house.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.96.86)

तदह्निनालभद्भिक्षां सशिष्यः स मुनिः क्वचित् ।। अथ सायंतनं कर्म कृत्वा छात्रैः समन्वितः

tadahninālabhadbhikṣāṁ saśiṣyaḥ sa muniḥ kvacit || atha sāyaṁtanaṁ karma kṛtvā chātraiḥ samanvitaḥ

That day, the sage, together with his disciples, obtained alms nowhere. Then, having performed the evening rites, together with his students,

Verse 87 (skanda.4.96.87)

उपोषणपरो भूत्वा तथैवासीदहर्निशम्।। अथान्येद्युर्मुनिर्व्यासः कृत्वा माध्याह्निकं विधिम्

upoṣaṇaparo bhūtvā tathaivāsīdaharniśam|| athānyedyurmunirvyāsaḥ kṛtvā mādhyāhnikaṁ vidhim

he remained fasting, thus, day and night. Then, the next day, the sage Vyasa, having performed the midday rites,

Verse 88 (skanda.4.96.88)

ययौ भिक्षाटनं कर्तुं सशिष्यः परितः पुरीम् ।। सर्वत्र स परिभ्रांतः प्रतिसौधं मुहुर्मुहुः

yayau bhikṣāṭanaṁ kartuṁ saśiṣyaḥ paritaḥ purīm || sarvatra sa paribhrāṁtaḥ pratisaudhaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

went out to beg with his disciples all around the city; everywhere they wandered, house after house, again and again,

Verse 89 (skanda.4.96.89)

न क्वापि लब्धवान्भिक्षां भाग्यहीनो धनं यथा ।। अथ चिंतितवान्व्यासः परिश्रांतः परिभ्रमन्

na kvāpi labdhavānbhikṣāṁ bhāgyahīno dhanaṁ yathā || atha ciṁtitavānvyāsaḥ pariśrāṁtaḥ paribhraman

and obtained alms nowhere, like a fortune-less man seeking wealth. Then Vyasa, exhausted from wandering, reflected —

Verse 90 (skanda.4.96.90)

को हेतुर्यन्न लभ्येत भिक्षा यत्नेन रक्षिता ।। अंतेवासिन आहूय व्यासः पप्रच्छ चाखिलान्

ko heturyanna labhyeta bhikṣā yatnena rakṣitā || aṁtevāsina āhūya vyāsaḥ papraccha cākhilān

"What is the reason that alms, though sought with effort, are not obtained?" Summoning his disciples, Vyasa questioned them all —

Verse 91 (skanda.4.96.91)

भवद्भिरपि नो भिक्षा परिप्राप्तेति गम्यते ।। किमत्र पुरि संवृत्तं द्वित्रा यात ममाज्ञया

bhavadbhirapi no bhikṣā pariprāpteti gamyate || kimatra puri saṁvṛttaṁ dvitrā yāta mamājñayā

"It seems that even you have not obtained alms. What has happened here in the city? Two or three of you go, by my command,"

Verse 92 (skanda.4.96.92)

द्वितीयेह्न्यपि यद्भिक्षा न लभ्येतातियत्नतः ।। अनिष्टं किंचिदत्रासीन्महागुरुनिपातजम्

dvitīyehnyapi yadbhikṣā na labhyetātiyatnataḥ || aniṣṭaṁ kiṁcidatrāsīnmahāgurunipātajam

"if on this second day too, despite the utmost effort, alms are not obtained, some misfortune, born of a great transgression, has occurred here."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.96.93)

अन्नक्षयो वा सर्वस्यां नगर्यामभवत्क्षणात् ।। राजदंडोथ युगपज्जातः सर्वपुरौकसाम्

annakṣayo vā sarvasyāṁ nagaryāmabhavatkṣaṇāt || rājadaṁḍotha yugapajjātaḥ sarvapuraukasām

"Either there has been, this instant, a failure of food throughout the whole city, or a royal punishment has simultaneously befallen all the townspeople,"

Verse 94 (skanda.4.96.94)

अथवा वारिता भिक्षा केनाप्यस्मासु चेर्ष्यया ।। पुरौकसोभवन्दुस्थास्तूपसर्गेण केनचित्

athavā vāritā bhikṣā kenāpyasmāsu cerṣyayā || puraukasobhavandusthāstūpasargeṇa kenacit

"or else alms have been forbidden to us by someone out of envy, or the townspeople have fallen into distress from some calamity."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.96.95)

किमेतदखिलमज्ञात्वा समागच्छत सत्वरम् ।। द्वित्राः पवित्रचरणात्प्राप्यानुज्ञां गुरोरथ ।। समाचख्युः समागम्य दृष्ट्वर्द्धि तत्पुरौकसाम्

kimetadakhilamajñātvā samāgacchata satvaram || dvitrāḥ pavitracaraṇātprāpyānujñāṁ guroratha || samācakhyuḥ samāgamya dṛṣṭvarddhi tatpuraukasām

"Without knowing all this, come back quickly." Then two or three disciples, having received permission from that pure-footed guru,

Verse 96 (skanda.4.96.96)

।। शिष्या ऊचुः ।। ।। शृण्वंत्वाराध्यचरणा नोपसर्गोत्र कश्चन ।। नान्नक्षयो वा सर्वस्यां नगर्यामिह कुत्रचित् ।।

|| śiṣyā ūcuḥ || || śṛṇvaṁtvārādhyacaraṇā nopasargotra kaścana || nānnakṣayo vā sarvasyāṁ nagaryāmiha kutracit ||

came back and reported, having seen the townspeople's prosperity. The disciples said: "Listen, O one whose feet are worthy of worship — there is no calamity here at all,"

Verse 97 (skanda.4.96.97)

यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षाद्यत्राऽमरधुनी स्वयम् ।। त्वादृशा यत्र मुनयः क्व भीस्तत्रोपसर्गजा

yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣādyatrā'maradhunī svayam || tvādṛśā yatra munayaḥ kva bhīstatropasargajā

"nor is there any failure of food anywhere in the city. Where Vishveshvara himself dwells, where the celestial river herself flows, where sages like you dwell — what fear from calamity could arise there?"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.96.98)

समृद्धिर्या गृहस्थानामिह विश्वेशितुः पुरि ।। न सर्द्धिरस्ति वैकुंठे स्वल्पास्ता अलकादयः

samṛddhiryā gṛhasthānāmiha viśveśituḥ puri || na sarddhirasti vaikuṁṭhe svalpāstā alakādayaḥ

"The prosperity that householders enjoy in this city of Vishvesha does not exist even in Vaikuntha; Alakapuri and the like are trifling by comparison."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.96.99)

रत्नाकरेषु रत्नानि न तावंति महामुने।। यावंति संति विश्वेशनिर्माल्योपभुजां गृहे

ratnākareṣu ratnāni na tāvaṁti mahāmune|| yāvaṁti saṁti viśveśanirmālyopabhujāṁ gṛhe

"There are not as many jewels in the mines of gems, O great sage, as there are in the homes of those who enjoy the leavings of Vishvesha's worship."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.96.100)

गृहेगृहेत्र धान्यानां राशयो यादृशः पुनः ।। न तादृशः कल्पवृक्षदत्ता ऐंद्रे पुरे क्वचित्

gṛhegṛhetra dhānyānāṁ rāśayo yādṛśaḥ punaḥ || na tādṛśaḥ kalpavṛkṣadattā aiṁdre pure kvacit

"The heaps of grain that exist in house after house here are unlike anything ever given by the wish-tree even in Indra's own city."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.96.101)

यत्र साक्षाद्विशालाक्षी सुविस्तारफलप्रदा ।। न तत्र पुरि सर्वस्यां नरो वै निर्धनः क्वचित्

yatra sākṣādviśālākṣī suvistāraphalapradā || na tatra puri sarvasyāṁ naro vai nirdhanaḥ kvacit

"Where Vishalakshi herself, in person, grants abundant fruit — in that whole city, no man is ever poor at all."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.96.102)

निर्वाणलक्ष्म्याः सदने त्वस्मिन्नानंदकानने ।। मोक्षोपि यत्र सुलभः किमन्यत्तत्र दुर्लभम्

nirvāṇalakṣmyāḥ sadane tvasminnānaṁdakānane || mokṣopi yatra sulabhaḥ kimanyattatra durlabham

"In this Anandakanana, the abode of the goddess of liberation, where even liberation itself is easily had — what else could be hard to find there?"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.96.103)

सीमंतिन्यः स्त्रियः सर्वाः पतिव्रतपरायणाः ।। सर्वा भवानी रूपिण्यो विश्वेशार्पितसत्क्रियाः

sīmaṁtinyaḥ striyaḥ sarvāḥ pativrataparāyaṇāḥ || sarvā bhavānī rūpiṇyo viśveśārpitasatkriyāḥ

"All the married women here are utterly devoted to their husbands; all of them are forms of Bhavani, their good deeds offered to Vishvesha."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.96.104)

यावंतः पुरुषाः काश्यां सर्व एव गणाधिपाः ।। सर्व एव कुमारा वै सर्वे तारकदृष्टयः

yāvaṁtaḥ puruṣāḥ kāśyāṁ sarva eva gaṇādhipāḥ || sarva eva kumārā vai sarve tārakadṛṣṭayaḥ

"As many men as there are in Kashi, all of them are lords of the ganas; all of them are Kumaras, all with the vision of the destroyer of Taraka."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.96.105)

त्रिपुंड्रांकितभाला ये ते सर्वे चंद्रमौलयः ।। उपसर्गसहस्रैश्च पीड्यमाना अपीह ये

tripuṁḍrāṁkitabhālā ye te sarve caṁdramaulayaḥ || upasargasahasraiśca pīḍyamānā apīha ye

"Those whose foreheads are marked with tripundra are all moon-crested. Even those here who are afflicted by a thousand calamities,"

Verse 106 (skanda.4.96.106)

न त्यजंति सदा काशीं सर्वज्ञा एव तेखिलाः ।। गृहेगृहेपि वटवो ब्रह्मवादविवादिनः

na tyajaṁti sadā kāśīṁ sarvajñā eva tekhilāḥ || gṛhegṛhepi vaṭavo brahmavādavivādinaḥ

"never abandon Kashi; all of them indeed are omniscient. Even the young students at every house are debaters in Vedic discourse;"

Verse 107 (skanda.4.96.107)

स्वर्धुनी धूतकलुषाः संतीह चतुराननाः ।। निर्वाणलक्ष्मीपतयः क्षेत्रसंन्यासकारिणः

svardhunī dhūtakaluṣāḥ saṁtīha caturānanāḥ || nirvāṇalakṣmīpatayaḥ kṣetrasaṁnyāsakāriṇaḥ

"there are those here, their impurity washed away by the celestial river, equal to the four-faced one; lords of the goddess of liberation, keepers of the vow never to leave the sacred field."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.96.108)

सर्व एव हृषीकेशाः सर्वे वै पुरुषोत्तमाः ।। अच्युता एव विज्ञेया एतत्क्षेत्रपरिग्रहाः

sarva eva hṛṣīkeśāḥ sarve vai puruṣottamāḥ || acyutā eva vijñeyā etatkṣetraparigrahāḥ

"All of them indeed are Hrishikeshas, all of them are Purushottamas; all who take refuge in this sacred field are to be known as the Imperishable Ones themselves."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.96.109)

स्त्रियो वा पुरुषा वापि सर्व एव न संशयः ।। सर्व एव त्रिनयनाः सर्व एव चतुर्भुजाः

striyo vā puruṣā vāpi sarva eva na saṁśayaḥ || sarva eva trinayanāḥ sarva eva caturbhujāḥ

"Whether women or men, all indeed — there is no doubt — all are three-eyed, all are four-armed,"

Verse 110 (skanda.4.96.110)

श्रीकंठाः सर्व एवात्र सर्वे मृत्युंजया ध्रुवम् ।। मोक्षश्री श्रितवर्ष्माणस्त्वर्धनारीश्वरायतः

śrīkaṁṭhāḥ sarva evātra sarve mṛtyuṁjayā dhruvam || mokṣaśrī śritavarṣmāṇastvardhanārīśvarāyataḥ

"all here have throats like Shrikantha, all are conquerors of death, without doubt; their forms are pervaded by liberation's glory, extending even to Ardhanarishvara."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.96.111)

धर्मराशिः परश्चात्र महांतोऽत्रार्थराशयः ।। सर्वे कामाः फलंत्यत्र कैवल्यं चात्र निर्मलम्

dharmarāśiḥ paraścātra mahāṁto'trārtharāśayaḥ || sarve kāmāḥ phalaṁtyatra kaivalyaṁ cātra nirmalam

"Here is the highest mass of dharma, here are great masses of wealth; all desires bear fruit here, and here is pure Kaivalya."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.96.112)

न गर्भवाससंसर्गः काशीसंस्थितिकारिणाम् ।। न कलिश्चात्र बाधेत कालो नैव प्रबाधते

na garbhavāsasaṁsargaḥ kāśīsaṁsthitikāriṇām || na kaliścātra bādheta kālo naiva prabādhate

"For those established in Kashi there is no further contact with residence in the womb; here even the Kali age cannot afflict, nor does Time itself afflict."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.96.113)

एनांसि नात्र बाधंते विश्वेशशरणार्थिनः ।। यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षान्नादबिंदुकलात्मकः

enāṁsi nātra bādhaṁte viśveśaśaraṇārthinaḥ || yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣānnādabiṁdukalātmakaḥ

"Sins do not afflict here those who seek refuge in Vishvesha; where Vishveshvara himself, in the form of nada, bindu, and kala,"

Verse 114 (skanda.4.96.114)

ध्वनिरूपी हि तत्रास्ति प्रणवो मंत्रविग्रहः ।। अतो विग्रहवंतोत्र संति वेदा विनिश्चितम्

dhvanirūpī hi tatrāsti praṇavo maṁtravigrahaḥ || ato vigrahavaṁtotra saṁti vedā viniścitam

"exists in the form of sound as the Pranava, the very embodiment of mantra — therefore the Vedas exist here, certainly, in embodied form."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.96.115)

सरस्वती सरिद्रूपा ह्यतः शास्त्रनिकेतनम् ।। आनंदकाननं सर्वं धर्मशास्त्रकृतालयम्

sarasvatī saridrūpā hyataḥ śāstraniketanam || ānaṁdakānanaṁ sarvaṁ dharmaśāstrakṛtālayam

"Sarasvati exists here in the form of a river; therefore this entire Anandakanana is an abode of the scriptures, a dwelling-place made of dharma-shastra."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.96.116)

यावंतो दिवि वै देवास्तावंतोत्र मृषा न हि ।। नीराजयंति विश्वेशं रात्रौ रात्रौ सदाऽहयः ।।

yāvaṁto divi vai devāstāvaṁtotra mṛṣā na hi || nīrājayaṁti viśveśaṁ rātrau rātrau sadā'hayaḥ ||

"As many gods as are in heaven, so many indeed are here — this is no falsehood — the serpents wave lamps in worship to Vishvesha every single night."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.96.117)

स्वफणामणिदीपैश्च प्राप्य काशीं रसातलात् ।। समुद्राः सर्व एवात्र कामधेनुव्रजान्विताः

svaphaṇāmaṇidīpaiśca prāpya kāśīṁ rasātalāt || samudrāḥ sarva evātra kāmadhenuvrajānvitāḥ

"All the oceans, having reached Kashi from Rasatala with the jewel-lamps of their own hoods, accompanied by herds of wish-cows,"

Verse 118 (skanda.4.96.118)

पंचपीयूषधाराभिर्विश्वेशं स्नपयंति हि ।। मंदारः पारिजातश्च संतानो हरिचंदनः

paṁcapīyūṣadhārābhirviśveśaṁ snapayaṁti hi || maṁdāraḥ pārijātaśca saṁtāno haricaṁdanaḥ

"bathe Vishvesha with streams of the five nectars. Mandara, Parijata, Santana, Haricandana,"

Verse 119 (skanda.4.96.119)

कल्पद्रुमश्च पंचैते तरुभिः सह सर्वदा

kalpadrumaśca paṁcaite tarubhiḥ saha sarvadā

"and Kalpadruma — these five, together with other trees, are always present here."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.96.120)

सर्वे सुरनिकायाश्च सर्व एव महर्षयः ।। योगिनः सर्व एवात्र काशीनाथमुपासते

sarve suranikāyāśca sarva eva maharṣayaḥ || yoginaḥ sarva evātra kāśīnāthamupāsate

"All the hosts of gods, all the great seers, all the yogis here worship the lord of Kashi."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.96.121)

विद्यानां सदनं काशी काशी लक्ष्म्याः परालयः ।। मुक्तिक्षेत्रमिदं काशी काशी सर्वा त्रयीमयी

vidyānāṁ sadanaṁ kāśī kāśī lakṣmyāḥ parālayaḥ || muktikṣetramidaṁ kāśī kāśī sarvā trayīmayī

"Kashi is the abode of all sciences; Kashi is the supreme dwelling of Lakshmi. This Kashi is the field of liberation; Kashi is entirely made of the three Vedas."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.96.122)

इति श्रुत्वा मुनिवरः पाराशर्यो महातपाः ।। एवं बभाषे ताञ्शिष्यान्पुनःश्लोकं पठंत्वमुम्

iti śrutvā munivaraḥ pārāśaryo mahātapāḥ || evaṁ babhāṣe tāñśiṣyānpunaḥślokaṁ paṭhaṁtvamum

Hearing this, that excellent sage Parashari, of great austerity, spoke thus to those disciples, asking them to recite this verse again —

Verse 123 (skanda.4.96.123)

।। शिष्या ऊचुः ।। ।। विद्यानां चाश्रयः काशी काशी लक्ष्म्याः परालयः ।। मुक्तिक्षेत्रमिदं काशी काशी सर्वा त्रयीमयी

|| śiṣyā ūcuḥ || || vidyānāṁ cāśrayaḥ kāśī kāśī lakṣmyāḥ parālayaḥ || muktikṣetramidaṁ kāśī kāśī sarvā trayīmayī

The disciples said: "Kashi is the refuge of all sciences, Kashi is the supreme dwelling of Lakshmi. This Kashi is the field of liberation; Kashi is entirely made of the three Vedas."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.96.124)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। निशम्येति तदा व्यासः क्रोधांधीकृतलोचनः ।। क्षुत्कृशानुज्वलन्मूर्तिः काशीं शप्स्यति कुंभज ।।

|| skaṁda uvāca || || niśamyeti tadā vyāsaḥ krodhāṁdhīkṛtalocanaḥ || kṣutkṛśānujvalanmūrtiḥ kāśīṁ śapsyati kuṁbhaja ||

Skanda said: Hearing this, then Vyasa, his eyes blinded with anger, his form burning and emaciated with hunger, will curse Kashi, O pot-born one.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.96.125)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। मा भूत्त्रैपूरुषीविद्या मा भूत्त्रैपूरुषं धनम् ।। मा भूत्त्रैपृरुषी मुक्तिः काशीं व्यासः शपन्निति

|| vyāsa uvāca || || mā bhūttraipūruṣīvidyā mā bhūttraipūruṣaṁ dhanam || mā bhūttraipṛruṣī muktiḥ kāśīṁ vyāsaḥ śapanniti

Vyasa said: "Let there be no threefold learning here; let there be no threefold wealth here; let there be no threefold liberation here" — thus Vyasa, cursing Kashi,

Verse 126 (skanda.4.96.126)

गर्वः परोत्र विद्यानां धनगर्वोत्र वै महान् ।। मुक्तिगर्वेण नो भिक्षां प्रयच्छंत्यत्र वासिनः

garvaḥ parotra vidyānāṁ dhanagarvotra vai mahān || muktigarveṇa no bhikṣāṁ prayacchaṁtyatra vāsinaḥ

"— [said] there is excessive pride here in learning, and great pride here in wealth too; out of pride in liberation, the residents here do not give alms."

Verse 127 (skanda.4.96.127)

इति कृत्वा मतिं व्यासः काश्यां शापमदात्तदा ।। दत्त्वापि शापं स मुनिर्भिक्षितुं क्रोधवान्ययौ।।

iti kṛtvā matiṁ vyāsaḥ kāśyāṁ śāpamadāttadā || dattvāpi śāpaṁ sa munirbhikṣituṁ krodhavānyayau||

Having formed this judgment, Vyasa then gave this curse to Kashi; and having given the curse, that angry sage went out again to beg.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.96.128)

प्रतिगेहं त्वरायुक्तः प्रविशन्व्योमदत्तदृक् ।। बभ्राम नगरीं सर्वां क्वापि भैक्षं न लब्धवान्

pratigehaṁ tvarāyuktaḥ praviśanvyomadattadṛk || babhrāma nagarīṁ sarvāṁ kvāpi bhaikṣaṁ na labdhavān

Entering house after house in haste, his gaze fixed on the sky, he wandered through the entire city, but obtained alms nowhere.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.96.129)

अंशुमालिनमावीक्ष्य मनाग्लोहितमंडलम् ।। भिक्षापात्रं परिक्षिप्य निर्ययावाश्रमं प्रति

aṁśumālinamāvīkṣya manāglohitamaṁḍalam || bhikṣāpātraṁ parikṣipya niryayāvāśramaṁ prati

Seeing the sun somewhat reddened, he flung down his begging bowl and set out toward his hermitage.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.96.130)

अथ गच्छन्महादेव्या गृहद्वारि निषण्णया ।। प्राकृतस्त्रीस्वरूपिण्या भिक्षायै प्रार्थितोतिथिः

atha gacchanmahādevyā gṛhadvāri niṣaṇṇayā || prākṛtastrīsvarūpiṇyā bhikṣāyai prārthitotithiḥ

Then, as he was going, he was addressed for alms by the great goddess, seated at a house door, in the form of an ordinary woman —

Verse 131 (skanda.4.96.131)

।। गृहिण्युवाच ।। ।। भगवन्भिक्षुकास्तावदद्य दृष्टा न कुत्रचित् ।। असत्कृत्यातिथिं नाथो न मे भोक्ष्यति कर्हिचित्

|| gṛhiṇyuvāca || || bhagavanbhikṣukāstāvadadya dṛṣṭā na kutracit || asatkṛtyātithiṁ nātho na me bhokṣyati karhicit

The housewife said: "O venerable one, no beggars at all have been seen today anywhere. My husband will never eat without honouring a guest —"

Verse 132 (skanda.4.96.132)

वैश्वदेवादिकं कर्म कृत्वा गृहपतिर्मम ।। प्रतीक्षेतातिथिपथं तस्मात्त्वमतिथिर्भव

vaiśvadevādikaṁ karma kṛtvā gṛhapatirmama || pratīkṣetātithipathaṁ tasmāttvamatithirbhava

"— having performed the Vaishvadeva rite and other rites, my householder is now waiting on the path for a guest; therefore, become my guest."

Verse 133 (skanda.4.96.133)

विनातिथि गृहस्थोयस्त्वन्नमेको निषेवते ।। निषेवतेऽघं स परं सहितः स्वपितामहैः

vinātithi gṛhasthoyastvannameko niṣevate || niṣevate'ghaṁ sa paraṁ sahitaḥ svapitāmahaiḥ

"Whatever householder eats his food alone, without a guest, eats nothing but sin — together with his own ancestors."

Verse 134 (skanda.4.96.134)

तस्मात्त्वरितमायाहि कुरु मे पत्युरीहितम् ।। गार्हस्थ्यं सफलं कर्तुमिच्छतोऽतिथिपूजनात्

tasmāttvaritamāyāhi kuru me patyurīhitam || gārhasthyaṁ saphalaṁ kartumicchato'tithipūjanāt

"Therefore come quickly, fulfil my husband's wish; he desires to make his householder's life fruitful through the worship of a guest."

Verse 135 (skanda.4.96.135)

इति श्रुत्वा गतामर्षो व्यासस्तामाह विस्मितः ।। ।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। भद्रे का त्वं कुतः प्राप्ता पूर्वं दृष्टा न कुत्रचित्

iti śrutvā gatāmarṣo vyāsastāmāha vismitaḥ || || vyāsa uvāca || || bhadre kā tvaṁ kutaḥ prāptā pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭā na kutracit

Hearing this, Vyasa, his anger now gone, said to her in astonishment: Vyasa said: "O gracious one, who are you, whence have you come? I have never seen you before."

Verse 136 (skanda.4.96.136)

मन्ये धर्ममयी मूर्तिः कापि त्वं शुचिमानसा ।। त्वद्दर्शनात्परां प्रीतिं संप्राप्तानींद्रियाणि मे

manye dharmamayī mūrtiḥ kāpi tvaṁ śucimānasā || tvaddarśanātparāṁ prītiṁ saṁprāptānīṁdriyāṇi me

"I think you must be some embodiment of Dharma itself, pure of mind. From merely seeing you, my senses have obtained supreme delight."

Verse 137 (skanda.4.96.137)

त्वं सुधैव भवेः प्रायः सर्वावयवसुंदरि ।। मंदराघातसंत्रासात्यक्तक्षीरार्णवस्थितिः

tvaṁ sudhaiva bhaveḥ prāyaḥ sarvāvayavasuṁdari || maṁdarāghātasaṁtrāsātyaktakṣīrārṇavasthitiḥ

"You must almost be Nectar itself, O beautiful one in every limb, having abandoned your abode in the ocean of milk out of terror at the churning by Mandara."

Verse 138 (skanda.4.96.138)

कलासुधाकरस्याथ कुहू राहुभयार्दिता ।। सीमंतिनी स्वरूपेण तिष्ठेः काश्यामनिर्भया

kalāsudhākarasyātha kuhū rāhubhayārditā || sīmaṁtinī svarūpeṇa tiṣṭheḥ kāśyāmanirbhayā

"Or you are Kuhu, afflicted by fear of Rahu, now dwelling fearlessly in Kashi in the form of a married woman."

Verse 139 (skanda.4.96.139)

अथवा कमलासि त्वं विहाय कमलालयम् ।। निशि संकोचिनं काश्यां विकाशिन्यां वसेः सदा

athavā kamalāsi tvaṁ vihāya kamalālayam || niśi saṁkocinaṁ kāśyāṁ vikāśinyāṁ vaseḥ sadā

"Or else you are Kamala herself, who, having left her abode in the lotus that closes at night, now dwells forever in Kashi, which blossoms even at night."

Verse 140 (skanda.4.96.140)

किंवा नु करुणामूर्तिरिह काशिनिवासिनाम् ।। सर्वदुःखौघहरिणी परानंदप्रदायिनी

kiṁvā nu karuṇāmūrtiriha kāśinivāsinām || sarvaduḥkhaughahariṇī parānaṁdapradāyinī

"Or are you the very embodiment of compassion for the residents of Kashi, remover of the whole flood of sorrow, bestower of supreme bliss?"

Verse 141 (skanda.4.96.141)

वाराणस्याः किमथवाऽधिष्ठात्री देवता त्वमु।। किं वा निर्वाणलक्ष्मीस्त्वं या काश्यां परिगीयते

vārāṇasyāḥ kimathavā'dhiṣṭhātrī devatā tvamu|| kiṁ vā nirvāṇalakṣmīstvaṁ yā kāśyāṁ parigīyate

"Or are you perhaps the presiding deity of Varanasi itself? Or are you Nirvana-Lakshmi, who is celebrated in Kashi?"

Verse 142 (skanda.4.96.142)

श्वपाकं यायजूकं वा प्रांतेऽलंकुर्वती समम्।। मद्भाग्यं वा परिणतमेतद्योषित्स्वरूपतः

śvapākaṁ yāyajūkaṁ vā prāṁte'laṁkurvatī samam|| madbhāgyaṁ vā pariṇatametadyoṣitsvarūpataḥ

"Adorning equally, at the end, both the outcaste and the sacrificer — or is this merely my own fortune, ripened into this form of a woman?"

Verse 143 (skanda.4.96.143)

अथवा सा भवेन्नूनं या क्षेत्रे परिगीयते ।। भक्तपोतप्रदा भक्त्या भवानी भवनाशिनी

athavā sā bhavennūnaṁ yā kṣetre parigīyate || bhaktapotapradā bhaktyā bhavānī bhavanāśinī

"Or, surely, you must be she who is celebrated in the sacred field, giver of the boat of devotion to devotees, Bhavani, destroyer of worldly existence."

Verse 144 (skanda.4.96.144)

सर्वथैव न नारी त्वं नासुरी नैव किन्नरी।। विद्याधरा न नो नागी नो गंधर्वी न यक्षिणी

sarvathaiva na nārī tvaṁ nāsurī naiva kinnarī|| vidyādharā na no nāgī no gaṁdharvī na yakṣiṇī

"You are certainly not an ordinary woman, nor an Asura woman, nor a Kinnari; not a Vidyadhari, nor a Nagini, nor a Gandharvi, nor a Yakshini."

Verse 145 (skanda.4.96.145)

त्वमिष्टदेवतैवासि काचिन्मे मोहहारिणी ।। केयं चिंताथवामेत्र काचित्त्वं भव सुंदरि

tvamiṣṭadevataivāsi kācinme mohahāriṇī || keyaṁ ciṁtāthavāmetra kācittvaṁ bhava suṁdari

"You must be my own chosen deity, someone who removes my delusion. Whatever this uncertainty of mine, be, O beautiful one, whoever you truly are."

Verse 146 (skanda.4.96.146)

परवानस्म्यहं जातस्तवदर्शनतोऽधुना ।। अवश्यमेवकर्तास्मि तवादेश्यं तदादिश

paravānasmyahaṁ jātastavadarśanato'dhunā || avaśyamevakartāsmi tavādeśyaṁ tadādiśa

"I have become dependent on you from the moment of seeing you now. I shall certainly do whatever you command; command me then."

Verse 147 (skanda.4.96.147)

एकं तपोव्ययं हित्वा कारयिष्यसि यत्पुनः ।। तदेवाहं करिष्यामि विधेयः शुभलोचने

ekaṁ tapovyayaṁ hitvā kārayiṣyasi yatpunaḥ || tadevāhaṁ kariṣyāmi vidheyaḥ śubhalocane

"Except for the expenditure of my austerity, whatever else you shall have me do, that alone shall I do, being obedient, O one of auspicious eyes."

Verse 148 (skanda.4.96.148)

न वचस्त्वादृशीनांहि महत्त्वं हापयेत्सताम् ।। परं त्वं कासि सुभगे सत्यं ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः

na vacastvādṛśīnāṁhi mahattvaṁ hāpayetsatām || paraṁ tvaṁ kāsi subhage satyaṁ brūhi mamāgrataḥ

"The words of one such as you should never diminish the greatness of the good. But who indeed are you, O fortunate one? Tell me the truth."

Verse 149 (skanda.4.96.149)

अथवा तव देहेस्मिन्क्वा सत्यं निर्मलेक्षणे ।। इति पृष्टाह मुनिना सा विश्वायुर्घटोद्भव

athavā tava dehesminkvā satyaṁ nirmalekṣaṇe || iti pṛṣṭāha muninā sā viśvāyurghaṭodbhava

"Or else, where in this body of yours, O pure-eyed one, is there not truth?" Thus questioned by the sage, she, the very life of the universe, O pot-born one —

Verse 150 (skanda.4.96.150)

अत्रत्यस्यैव हि मुने गृहिणी गृहमेधिनः ।। नित्यं वीक्षे चरंतं त्वां भिक्षां शिष्यगणैर्वृतम्

atratyasyaiva hi mune gṛhiṇī gṛhamedhinaḥ || nityaṁ vīkṣe caraṁtaṁ tvāṁ bhikṣāṁ śiṣyagaṇairvṛtam

"O sage, I am the housewife of a certain householder living here; I daily observe you wandering for alms, surrounded by your group of disciples."

Verse 151 (skanda.4.96.151)

त्वमेव मां नो जानीषे जाने त्वामहमेव हि ।। तपस्विन्किं बहूक्तेन यावन्नास्तं व्रजेद्रविः

tvameva māṁ no jānīṣe jāne tvāmahameva hi || tapasvinkiṁ bahūktena yāvannāstaṁ vrajedraviḥ

"You alone do not recognize me, though I know you well indeed. O ascetic, why say more? Before the sun sets,"

Verse 152 (skanda.4.96.152)

प्राणनाथस्य मे तावदातिथ्यं सफलीकुरु ।। तच्छुत्वा स मुनिः प्राह विनयानतकंधरः

prāṇanāthasya me tāvadātithyaṁ saphalīkuru || tacchutvā sa muniḥ prāha vinayānatakaṁdharaḥ

"please make my lord's hospitality fruitful." Hearing this, the sage, his neck bowed in humility, said —

Verse 153 (skanda.4.96.153)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। अस्ति मे नियमः कश्चित्स सिद्धिं चेद्व्रजेच्छुभे ।। एकभिक्षां तदाहं तु करिष्ये नान्यथा पुनः

|| vyāsa uvāca || || asti me niyamaḥ kaścitsa siddhiṁ cedvrajecchubhe || ekabhikṣāṁ tadāhaṁ tu kariṣye nānyathā punaḥ

Vyasa said: "I have a certain rule, O auspicious one — if that can be accomplished, then I shall accept a single alms; otherwise I shall not."

Verse 154 (skanda.4.96.154)

तपस्व्युदीरितं श्रुत्वा सा प्रोवाच वचस्ततः ।। अविशंक वद मुने कस्तेस्ति नियमः सुधीः

tapasvyudīritaṁ śrutvā sā provāca vacastataḥ || aviśaṁka vada mune kastesti niyamaḥ sudhīḥ

Hearing what the ascetic said, she then spoke: "Speak without hesitation, O sage — what is your rule, O wise one?"

Verse 155 (skanda.4.96.155)

मम भर्तुः प्रसादेन किंचिन्न्यूनं यतोऽत्र न ।। इति श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टात्मा स तामाह तपोधनः

mama bhartuḥ prasādena kiṁcinnyūnaṁ yato'tra na || iti śrutvā prahṛṣṭātmā sa tāmāha tapodhanaḥ

"By my husband's grace, nothing at all is lacking here." Hearing this, that treasure of austerity, his heart delighted, said to her —

Verse 156 (skanda.4.96.156)

अयुतं मम शिष्या ये तैः सपक्तिमहं वृणे ।। अस्तं यावन्न यात्यर्कस्तावद्भोक्ष्येन्यथा नहि

ayutaṁ mama śiṣyā ye taiḥ sapaktimahaṁ vṛṇe || astaṁ yāvanna yātyarkastāvadbhokṣyenyathā nahi

"My disciples number ten thousand; I choose to sit and eat together with them. Until the sun sets, I shall not eat otherwise."

Verse 157 (skanda.4.96.157)

निशम्येति प्रहृष्टास्या सा प्रोवाच मुनिंततः ।। किं विलंबेन तद्याहि सर्वाञ्शिष्यान्समाह्वय ।। ५७. ।। पुनः प्राह स तां साध्वि त्वेतावत्सिद्धिरस्ति ते ।। येन तृप्तिं गमिष्यंति मच्छिष्याः सर्व एव ते

niśamyeti prahṛṣṭāsyā sā provāca muniṁtataḥ || kiṁ vilaṁbena tadyāhi sarvāñśiṣyānsamāhvaya || 57. || punaḥ prāha sa tāṁ sādhvi tvetāvatsiddhirasti te || yena tṛptiṁ gamiṣyaṁti macchiṣyāḥ sarva eva te

Hearing this, her face lit with joy, she said to the sage: "Why delay? Go, summon all your disciples." He said to her again: "O virtuous one, do you have such power,"

Verse 158 (skanda.4.96.158)

स्मित्वाथ साब्रवीत्तं तु मुने भर्तुरनुग्रहात् ।। सिद्धमेव सदैवास्ते सर्वं तावन्ममालये ।

smitvātha sābravīttaṁ tu mune bharturanugrahāt || siddhameva sadaivāste sarvaṁ tāvanmamālaye |

"— by which all these disciples of mine will attain satisfaction?" Smiling, she said to him: "O sage, by my husband's grace, everything in my abode ever stands accomplished —"

Verse 159 (skanda.4.96.159)

यावतार्थिजनस्तृप्तिमेति सर्वोपि सर्वशः ।। वयं न तादृङ्महिला भर्तृसंदेहकारिकाः

yāvatārthijanastṛptimeti sarvopi sarvaśaḥ || vayaṁ na tādṛṅmahilā bhartṛsaṁdehakārikāḥ

"— as many seekers as there may be, all attain full satisfaction. We are not the sort of women who cause their husbands any doubt."

Verse 160 (skanda.4.96.160)

आयातोर्थी यदा गेहे सिद्धं कार्यं तदैव हि ।। परिपूर्णा दिशः सर्वाः परिपूर्णामनोरथाः

āyātorthī yadā gehe siddhaṁ kāryaṁ tadaiva hi || paripūrṇā diśaḥ sarvāḥ paripūrṇāmanorathāḥ

"When a seeker arrives at the house, the task is accomplished then and there; all directions full, all wishes fully satisfied."

Verse 161 (skanda.4.96.161)

परिपूर्णगृहं सर्वं पत्युःपाद प्रसादतः ।। याहि तूर्णं समायाहि यावदन्नार्थिभिः सह

paripūrṇagṛhaṁ sarvaṁ patyuḥpāda prasādataḥ || yāhi tūrṇaṁ samāyāhi yāvadannārthibhiḥ saha

"The whole house is full, by the grace of my husband's feet. Go quickly and come back at once, together with all who seek food."

Verse 162 (skanda.4.96.162)

पतिर्मे बहुकालीनः कालं न सहते चिरम् ।। प्रियातिथिः प्रियतमस्तदातिथ्यसमृद्धये

patirme bahukālīnaḥ kālaṁ na sahate ciram || priyātithiḥ priyatamastadātithyasamṛddhaye

"My husband has been waiting a long time; he cannot bear delay for long. A beloved guest is most dear to him — so, for the fullness of hospitality,"

Verse 163 (skanda.4.96.163)

आशु गत्वा समागच्छ यावन्नास्तमितो रविः ।। इति प्रहृष्टस्त्वरितः शिष्यानाहूय सर्वतः ।।

āśu gatvā samāgaccha yāvannāstamito raviḥ || iti prahṛṣṭastvaritaḥ śiṣyānāhūya sarvataḥ ||

"go quickly and come back before the sun sets." Hearing this, delighted, he swiftly summoned his disciples from every side,

Verse 164 (skanda.4.96.164)

आगत्यतां पुनः प्राह दृष्ट्वा तन्मार्गलोचनाम् ।। मातः सर्वे समायातास्त्वरितं देहि भोजनम्

āgatyatāṁ punaḥ prāha dṛṣṭvā tanmārgalocanām || mātaḥ sarve samāyātāstvaritaṁ dehi bhojanam

and, coming back, seeing her watching the road for him, said again: "O mother, we have all come; give us food quickly,"

Verse 165 (skanda.4.96.165)

अस्ताचलं हि समया समियादेष भास्करः ।। इत्युक्त्वा मंदिरस्यांतर्विविशुस्ते तपोधनाः

astācalaṁ hi samayā samiyādeṣa bhāskaraḥ || ityuktvā maṁdirasyāṁtarviviśuste tapodhanāḥ

"for the sun is now nearing the western mountain." Having said this, those ascetics entered the mansion.

Verse 166 (skanda.4.96.166)

तन्मंडपमणिज्योतिस्तत्याहितदिनश्रियः ।। यावद्गच्छतितत्सौधमध्यमाशु तपस्विनः

tanmaṁḍapamaṇijyotistatyāhitadinaśriyaḥ || yāvadgacchatitatsaudhamadhyamāśu tapasvinaḥ

Its pavilion, glowing with jeweled light, seemed to hold the very glory of daylight. As those ascetics went quickly into the midst of that mansion,

Verse 167 (skanda.4.96.167)

पादौप्रक्षाल्य तावत्ते कैश्चित्कैश्चित्समर्च्य च ।। कतिचित्परिविष्टान्ना भोक्तुमेवोपवेशिताः

pādauprakṣālya tāvatte kaiścitkaiścitsamarcya ca || katicitpariviṣṭānnā bhoktumevopaveśitāḥ

having washed their feet, and having been honoured by some, a number of them were seated with food served, to eat.

Verse 168 (skanda.4.96.168)

तद्दिव्यपाकसंभारान्दृष्टवा तद्दृष्टयः क्षणात् ।। परातृप्तिमुपागच्छन्घ्राणन्यामोदराजिभिः

taddivyapākasaṁbhārāndṛṣṭavā taddṛṣṭayaḥ kṣaṇāt || parātṛptimupāgacchanghrāṇanyāmodarājibhiḥ

Having seen those heaps of divine cooked food, their eyes at once, and their sense of smell too, reached the height of satisfaction, from the fragrant rows of dishes.

Verse 169 (skanda.4.96.169)

अतितृप्तिं समापन्नास्ते तदन्ननिषेवणात् ।। आचांताश्चंदनैः स्रग्भिरंबरैः परिभूषिताः

atitṛptiṁ samāpannāste tadannaniṣevaṇāt || ācāṁtāścaṁdanaiḥ sragbhiraṁbaraiḥ paribhūṣitāḥ

They attained the utmost satisfaction from partaking of that food; having rinsed their mouths, they were adorned with sandalwood, garlands, and fine cloths.

Verse 170 (skanda.4.96.170)

अथ सांध्यं विधिं कृत्वा प्रोपविश्य तदग्रतः ।। अभिनंद्य महाशीर्भिर्यावद्गंतुं प्रचक्रमुः

atha sāṁdhyaṁ vidhiṁ kṛtvā propaviśya tadagrataḥ || abhinaṁdya mahāśīrbhiryāvadgaṁtuṁ pracakramuḥ

Then, having performed the evening rites, seated before her, blessing her with great benedictions, as they were about to depart —

Verse 171 (skanda.4.96.171)

तावद्वृद्धगृहस्थेन गृहिणी सा कटाक्षिता ।। पप्रच्छ तीर्थे वसतां को धर्मो मुख्य एव हि

tāvadvṛddhagṛhasthena gṛhiṇī sā kaṭākṣitā || papraccha tīrthe vasatāṁ ko dharmo mukhya eva hi

— just then, an old householder, glancing at that housewife, asked: "For those dwelling at a tirtha, what is the chief duty?"

Verse 172 (skanda.4.96.172)

तथा तदनुसारेण तीर्थे वर्तामहे वयम् ।। सर्वधर्मविदां श्रेष्ठः श्रुत्वा तद्गृहिणी वचः

tathā tadanusāreṇa tīrthe vartāmahe vayam || sarvadharmavidāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ śrutvā tadgṛhiṇī vacaḥ

"— and we too live at this tirtha accordingly." Hearing that housewife's words, [Vyasa,] best among knowers of all dharma,

Verse 173 (skanda.4.96.173)

तदादरसुधाक्लिन्न महान्नस्वादतर्पितः ।। प्रत्युवाच मुनिर्व्यासः स्मित्वा तां सर्ववित्तमाम्

tadādarasudhāklinna mahānnasvādatarpitaḥ || pratyuvāca munirvyāsaḥ smitvā tāṁ sarvavittamām

moistened with the nectar of her hospitality, satisfied by the taste of that great food, the sage Vyasa replied, smiling, to her, that all-knowing one —

Verse 174 (skanda.4.96.174)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। स्वच्छांतःकरणेमातर्महामिष्टान्नमानदे ।। स एष धर्मो नान्योस्ति यत्त्वया परिचर्यते

|| vyāsa uvāca || || svacchāṁtaḥkaraṇemātarmahāmiṣṭānnamānade || sa eṣa dharmo nānyosti yattvayā paricaryate

Vyasa said: "O mother, of pure inner mind, honourer with great delicious food — this itself is dharma, there is no other, which is practised by you."

Verse 175 (skanda.4.96.175)

त्वमेव धर्मं जानासि पतिशुश्रूषणे रता ।। यदि पृच्छसि मां सत्यं तदा किंचन वच्मि ते

tvameva dharmaṁ jānāsi patiśuśrūṣaṇe ratā || yadi pṛcchasi māṁ satyaṁ tadā kiṁcana vacmi te

"You alone know dharma, devoted as you are to serving your husband. If you truly ask me, then I shall tell you something."

Verse 176 (skanda.4.96.176)

वक्तव्यमेव पृष्टेन मनागपि विजानता ।। स एव धर्मः सुभगे नान्यो धर्मोस्ति कश्चन

vaktavyameva pṛṣṭena manāgapi vijānatā || sa eva dharmaḥ subhage nānyo dharmosti kaścana

"Whatever is asked should indeed be answered, even a little, by one who knows. That alone is dharma, O fortunate one; there is no other dharma —"

Verse 177 (skanda.4.96.177)

येनैष तोषमायाति तव भर्ता चिरंतनः ।। ।। गृहिण्युवाच ।। ।। अयं धर्मो भवेन्नूनं क्रियते च स्वशक्तितः

yenaiṣa toṣamāyāti tava bhartā ciraṁtanaḥ || || gṛhiṇyuvāca || || ayaṁ dharmo bhavennūnaṁ kriyate ca svaśaktitaḥ

"— by which this eternal husband of yours becomes pleased." The housewife said: "This may well be dharma, and it is performed according to my own capacity;"

Verse 178 (skanda.4.96.178)

साधारणानि धर्माणि संपृच्छे तानि मे वद ।। ।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं परोत्कर्षसहिष्णुता

sādhāraṇāni dharmāṇi saṁpṛcche tāni me vada || || vyāsa uvāca || || anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ parotkarṣasahiṣṇutā

"but I ask you of the general duties — tell me those." Vyasa said: "Speech that causes no distress, patience with another's superiority,"

Verse 179 (skanda.4.96.179)

विचार्य कारिता नित्यं स्वधिष्ण्योदय चिंतनम् ।। गृहस्थ उवाच ।। ।। एषु धर्मेषु भो विद्वंस्त्वयि कोस्तीह तद्वद

vicārya kāritā nityaṁ svadhiṣṇyodaya ciṁtanam || gṛhastha uvāca || || eṣu dharmeṣu bho vidvaṁstvayi kostīha tadvada

"reflecting and causing constant contemplation of one's own rising" — The householder said: "Among these duties, O learned one, which is present in you? Tell me that."

Verse 180 (skanda.4.96.180)

ततः स्थगितवद्व्यासस्तस्थौ किंचिन्न चोक्तवान् ।। ततः पुनर्गृहस्थेन स हि प्रोक्तस्तपोधनः

tataḥ sthagitavadvyāsastasthau kiṁcinna coktavān || tataḥ punargṛhasthena sa hi proktastapodhanaḥ

Then Vyasa stood as if checked, saying nothing at all. Then that treasure of austerity was addressed again by the householder —

Verse 181 (skanda.4.96.181)

यद्येत एव वै धर्मास्त्वया ये प्रतिपादिताः ।। तद्दांतता तवैवैक्षि दानं शापस्य चोत्तमम्

yadyeta eva vai dharmāstvayā ye pratipāditāḥ || taddāṁtatā tavaivaikṣi dānaṁ śāpasya cottamam

"If these are indeed the very duties propounded by you, then I see self-restraint truly is yours, and the excellent gift of the curse is also yours."

Verse 182 (skanda.4.96.182)

त्वय्येव हि दया सम्यग्धैर्यं त्वय्येव चोत्तमम् ।। त्वयि संभावनास्त्येव कामक्रोधविनिग्रहे

tvayyeva hi dayā samyagdhairyaṁ tvayyeva cottamam || tvayi saṁbhāvanāstyeva kāmakrodhavinigrahe

"In you alone is there truly proper compassion, in you alone is there excellent fortitude; in you alone is there worthiness in mastering desire and anger."

Verse 183 (skanda.4.96.183)

त्वमेव सम्यग्जानीषे वक्तुं चोद्वेगवर्जितम् ।। त्वय्येव सम्यग्दृश्येत परोत्कर्ष सहिष्णुता

tvameva samyagjānīṣe vaktuṁ codvegavarjitam || tvayyeva samyagdṛśyeta parotkarṣa sahiṣṇutā

"You alone truly know how to speak without causing distress; in you alone is patience with another's superiority truly seen."

Verse 184 (skanda.4.96.184)

विचार्य कारितायाश्च त्वमेव निलयोमहान् ।। स्वस्यधिष्ण्यस्य च भवांश्चिंतयेदुदयं ध्रुवम्

vicārya kāritāyāśca tvameva nilayomahān || svasyadhiṣṇyasya ca bhavāṁściṁtayedudayaṁ dhruvam

"And you alone are the great abode of that duty of reflecting and causing contemplation; you yourself should surely consider the rising of your own station."

Verse 185 (skanda.4.96.185)

ममैकं ब्रूहि भो विद्वञ्छापं दद्याच्च यः क्रुधा ।। अलभन्स्वार्थसंसिद्धिमभाग्यात्तस्य कस्य सः

mamaikaṁ brūhi bho vidvañchāpaṁ dadyācca yaḥ krudhā || alabhansvārthasaṁsiddhimabhāgyāttasya kasya saḥ

"Tell me just one thing, O learned one: whoever, out of misfortune, fails to achieve his own purpose and curses in anger — to whom does that curse then belong?"

Verse 186 (skanda.4.96.186)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। यः स्वार्थसिद्धिमलभन्नभाग्याच्छपति क्रुधा ।। स शापः प्रत्युत भवेच्छप्तुरेवाविवेकिनः

|| vyāsa uvāca || || yaḥ svārthasiddhimalabhannabhāgyācchapati krudhā || sa śāpaḥ pratyuta bhavecchapturevāvivekinaḥ

Vyasa said: "Whoever, failing to achieve his own purpose due to misfortune, curses in anger — that curse, rather, falls back upon the very curser, the unwise one himself."

Verse 187 (skanda.4.96.187)

।। गृहस्थ उवाच ।। ।। भवता भ्रमता विप्र नाप्ताभिक्षा यदाप्यहो ।। तदापराद्धं किमिह वराकैः क्षेत्रवासिभिः

|| gṛhastha uvāca || || bhavatā bhramatā vipra nāptābhikṣā yadāpyaho || tadāparāddhaṁ kimiha varākaiḥ kṣetravāsibhiḥ

The householder said: "O brahmin, when you wandered about and yet did not obtain alms, ah, what offense was committed then by the poor residents of the sacred field?"

Verse 188 (skanda.4.96.188)

तपस्विञ्शृणु मे वाक्यं राजधान्यां ममेह यः ।। ऋद्धिं द्रष्टुं न शक्नोति परिशप्तः स एव हि

tapasviñśṛṇu me vākyaṁ rājadhānyāṁ mameha yaḥ || ṛddhiṁ draṣṭuṁ na śaknoti pariśaptaḥ sa eva hi

"Listen to my word, O ascetic: whoever, in this my royal domain, cannot behold prosperity — he alone is the truly cursed one."

Verse 189 (skanda.4.96.189)

अद्य प्रभृति न क्षेत्रे मदीये शापवर्जिते ।। आवस क्रोधन मुने न वासे योग्यतात्र ते ।।

adya prabhṛti na kṣetre madīye śāpavarjite || āvasa krodhana mune na vāse yogyatātra te ||

"From today, do not dwell in my curse-free field, O wrathful sage; you are not fit to dwell here."

Verse 190 (skanda.4.96.190)

इदानीमेव निर्गच्छ बहिः क्षेत्रादितो भव ।। त्वद्विधानां न योग्यं मे क्षेत्रं मोक्षैकसाधनम्

idānīmeva nirgaccha bahiḥ kṣetrādito bhava || tvadvidhānāṁ na yogyaṁ me kṣetraṁ mokṣaikasādhanam

"Depart this very moment; go outside this sacred field. My field, the sole means to liberation, is not fit for the likes of you."

Verse 191 (skanda.4.96.191)

अत्राल्पमपि यद्दौष्ट्यं कृतं मत्क्षेत्रवासिनाम् ।। तद्दौष्ट्यस्य परीपाको रुद्रपैशाच्यमेव हि

atrālpamapi yaddauṣṭyaṁ kṛtaṁ matkṣetravāsinām || taddauṣṭyasya parīpāko rudrapaiśācyameva hi

"Whatever slight wrongdoing is committed here by the residents of my field, the ripening of that wrongdoing is nothing other than a form of Rudra-possession itself."

Verse 192 (skanda.4.96.192)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वेपमानः स परिशुष्कौष्ठतालुकः ।। जगाम शरणं गौरीं लुठंस्तच्चरणाग्रतः

tacchrutvā vepamānaḥ sa pariśuṣkauṣṭhatālukaḥ || jagāma śaraṇaṁ gaurīṁ luṭhaṁstaccaraṇāgrataḥ

Hearing this, trembling, his lips and palate utterly dried up, he went for refuge to Gauri, rolling before her very feet.

Verse 193 (skanda.4.96.193)

उवाच च वचो मातस्त्राहि त्राहि भृशं रुदन् ।। अनाथस्त्वत्सनाथोहं बालिशस्तव बालकः

uvāca ca vaco mātastrāhi trāhi bhṛśaṁ rudan || anāthastvatsanāthohaṁ bāliśastava bālakaḥ

And he spoke this word: "O mother, save me, save me!" — weeping profusely — "I am without protector, yet protected by you; I am your foolish child."

Verse 194 (skanda.4.96.194)

शरणागतं च संत्राहि रक्ष मां शरणागतम् ।। बहूनामागसां गेहमस्माकं दुष्टमानसम्

śaraṇāgataṁ ca saṁtrāhi rakṣa māṁ śaraṇāgatam || bahūnāmāgasāṁ gehamasmākaṁ duṣṭamānasam

"Save me, who have come for refuge; protect me, who have come for refuge — the home of many sins, of a wicked mind."

Verse 195 (skanda.4.96.195)

शंभुशापोऽन्यथाकर्तुं भवत्यापि न शक्यते ।। अहं च शरणायातस्तदेकं क्रियतां शिवे

śaṁbhuśāpo'nyathākartuṁ bhavatyāpi na śakyate || ahaṁ ca śaraṇāyātastadekaṁ kriyatāṁ śive

"Even you yourself cannot undo Shambhu's curse. I have come for refuge; grant me this one thing, O Shiva —"

Verse 196 (skanda.4.96.196)

प्रत्यष्टमि सदा क्षेत्रे प्रतिभूतं च पार्वति ।। दिश प्रवेशनादेशं नेशस्त्वद्वाक्यलंघकः

pratyaṣṭami sadā kṣetre pratibhūtaṁ ca pārvati || diśa praveśanādeśaṁ neśastvadvākyalaṁghakaḥ

"— grant me an order of entry, forever, on every eighth day of the sacred field, as a witness, O Parvati — for the Lord never transgresses your word."

Verse 197 (skanda.4.96.197)

इत्युक्ता तेन मुनिना भवानी करुणाजनिः ।। मुखं महेशितुर्वीक्ष्य तथेत्याह तदाज्ञया

ityuktā tena muninā bhavānī karuṇājaniḥ || mukhaṁ maheśiturvīkṣya tathetyāha tadājñayā

Thus addressed by that sage, Bhavani, born of compassion, looking at the face of Maheshana, said "so be it," by his consent.

Verse 198 (skanda.4.96.198)

अथांतर्हितवंतौ तौ शिवौ क्षेत्रशिवंकरौ ।। व्यासोपि निर्ययौ क्षेत्रात्स्वापराधवशं वदन्

athāṁtarhitavaṁtau tau śivau kṣetraśivaṁkarau || vyāsopi niryayau kṣetrātsvāparādhavaśaṁ vadan

Then those two auspicious ones, bestowers of good fortune upon the sacred field, disappeared; and Vyasa too went out from the sacred field, declaring it the fault of his own offense.

Verse 199 (skanda.4.96.199)

अहोरात्रं स पश्यन्वै क्षेत्रं दृष्टेरदूरगम् ।। प्राप्याष्टमीं च भूतां च मध्ये क्षेत्रं सदा विशेत्

ahorātraṁ sa paśyanvai kṣetraṁ dṛṣṭeradūragam || prāpyāṣṭamīṁ ca bhūtāṁ ca madhye kṣetraṁ sadā viśet

Day and night, he gazes upon the sacred field, never far from his sight; and having reached the eighth lunar day that has come, he should always enter the field in that interval.

Verse 200 (skanda.4.96.200)

लोलार्कादग्निदिग्भागे स्वर्धुनीं पूर्वरोधसि ।। स्थितो ह्यद्यापि पश्येत्स काशीप्रासादराजिकाम्

lolārkādagnidigbhāge svardhunīṁ pūrvarodhasi || sthito hyadyāpi paśyetsa kāśīprāsādarājikām

Standing at Lolarka, in the south-east direction, on the eastern bank of the celestial river, he can, even today, behold the rows of palaces of Kashi.

Verse 201 (skanda.4.96.201)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। इत्थं कुंभज स व्यासः क्षेत्रे शापं प्रदास्यति ।। क्षेत्रशापप्रदानाच्च बहिर्यास्यति तत्क्षणात् ।।

|| skaṁda uvāca || || itthaṁ kuṁbhaja sa vyāsaḥ kṣetre śāpaṁ pradāsyati || kṣetraśāpapradānācca bahiryāsyati tatkṣaṇāt ||

Skanda said: Thus, O pot-born one, that Vyasa will give a curse to the sacred field; and immediately after giving that curse, he will go outside it.

Verse 202 (skanda.4.96.202)

अतएवाविमुक्तस्य क्षेत्रस्य शुभशंसिनः ।। भविष्यति शुभं नित्यमन्यथा त्वन्यथैव हि

ataevāvimuktasya kṣetrasya śubhaśaṁsinaḥ || bhaviṣyati śubhaṁ nityamanyathā tvanyathaiva hi

Therefore, of this field of Avimukta, ever proclaiming what is good, good alone shall always come to be — otherwise indeed it would be otherwise.

Verse 203 (skanda.4.96.203)

श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं व्यासशाप विमोक्षणम् ।। महादुर्गोपसर्गेभ्यो भयं तस्य न कुत्रचित्

śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ vyāsaśāpa vimokṣaṇam || mahādurgopasargebhyo bhayaṁ tasya na kutracit

Having heard this holy chapter, the release from Vyasa's curse, one shall have no fear anywhere from great and insurmountable calamities.