The Glory of Prayageshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.142.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। एकसप्ततिकं विद्धि प्रयागेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। अद्वितीयं विजानीहि महापातकनाशनम्।

īśvara uvāca| ekasaptatikaṁ viddhi prayāgeśvarasaṁjñakam| advitīyaṁ vijānīhi mahāpātakanāśanam||

Ishvara said: Know the seventy-first linga by the name Prayageshvara — peerless, and the destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.142.2)

हास्तिनेऽभूत्पुरे श्रीमाञ्छंतनुर्नृपसत्तमः। वैवस्वतेंऽतरे कल्पे युगे द्वापरसंज्ञके।

hāstine'bhūtpure śrīmāñchaṁtanurnṛpasattamaḥ| vaivasvate'ntare kalpe yuge dvāparasaṁjñake||

In the Vaivasvata epoch of this kalpa, in the age called Dvapara, there lived in the city of Hastinapura a glorious and eminent king named Shantanu.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.142.3)

स चाद्भुतमहावीर्यो वज्रसंहननो युवा। सर्वशास्त्रेषु कुशलः कलापुंजविचक्षणः।

sa cādbhutamahāvīryo vajrasaṁhanano yuvā| sarvaśāstreṣu kuśalaḥ kalāpuṁjavicakṣaṇaḥ||

He possessed astonishing might, a frame firm as thunderbolt, and was youthful; he was skilled in every branch of learning and expert in the whole array of the arts.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.142.4)

बलेन विष्णुसदृशस्तेजसा भास्करोपमः। गंगामेष चचारैकः सिद्धचारणसेविताम्।

balena viṣṇusadṛśastejasā bhāskaropamaḥ| gaṅgāmeṣa cacāraikaḥ siddhacāraṇasevitām||

Equal to Vishnu in strength and to the sun in splendour, he would roam alone along the Ganga, a river frequented by Siddhas and Charanas.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.142.5)

स कदाचिन्महाबाहुः प्रभूतबलवाहनः। वनं जगाम गहनं हयनागशतैर्वृतः।

sa kadācinmahābāhuḥ prabhūtabalavāhanaḥ| vanaṁ jagāma gahanaṁ hayanāgaśatairvṛtaḥ||

Once that mighty-armed king, attended by abundant forces and mounts, surrounded by hundreds of horses and elephants, went into a dense forest.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.142.6)

गत्वा तत्र मृगान्व्याघ्रान्घातयामास लीलया। महिषाश्ववराहांश्च विनिघ्नन्राजसत्तमः।

gatvā tatra mṛgānvyāghrānghātayāmāsa līlayā| mahiṣāśvavarāhāṁśca vinighnanrājasattamaḥ||

Arriving there, that noble king slew deer and tigers as if in sport, and struck down buffaloes, wild horses, and boars.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.142.7)

स कदाचिद्वने तस्मिन्ददर्श परमां स्त्रियम्। जाज्वल्यमानां वपुषा साक्षात्पद्मामिवापराम्।

sa kadācidvane tasmindadarśa paramāṁ striyam| jājvalyamānāṁ vapuṣā sākṣātpadmāmivāparām||

Once in that forest he beheld a supremely beautiful woman, radiant in her form, as if a second embodied Lakshmi.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.142.8)

तां दृष्ट्वा हृष्टरोमाभूद्विस्मितो रूपसंपदा। पिबन्निव च नेत्राभ्यां नातृप्यत नराधिपः।

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭaromābhūdvismito rūpasaṁpadā| pibanniva ca netrābhyāṁ nātṛpyata narādhipaḥ||

Beholding her, his hair stood on end, and he was astonished at her wealth of beauty; drinking her in with his eyes, as it were, the king could not be satisfied.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.142.9)

सा दृष्ट्वैव च राजानं विचरंतं महाद्युतिम्। स्नेहादागतसौहार्दान्नातृप्यत विलासिनी।

sā dṛṣṭvaiva ca rājānaṁ vicarantaṁ mahādyutim| snehādāgatasauhārdānnātṛpyata vilāsinī||

And she too, that charming lady, beholding the wandering king of great splendour, was not satisfied, so filled was she with the affection that welled up in her.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.142.10)

तामुवाच ततो राजा सांत्वयञ्छ्लक्ष्णया गिरा। देवी वा दानवी त्वं च गंधर्वी यदि वाप्सराः।

tāmuvāca tato rājā sāntvayañchlakṣṇayā girā| devī vā dānavī tvaṁ ca gaṁdharvī yadi vāpsarāḥ||

Then the king, soothing her with gentle words, said to her: "Are you a goddess, a danavi, a gandharvi, or an apsara?

Verse 11 (skanda.5.142.11)

यक्षी वा पन्नगी वा त्वं मानुषी वा सुमध्यमे। याचे त्वांऽभोजगर्भाभे भार्या मे भव शोभने।

yakṣī vā pannagī vā tvaṁ mānuṣī vā sumadhyame| yāce tvāṁ'bhojagarbhābhe bhāryā me bhava śobhane||

Or are you a yakshi, a serpent-maiden, or human, O slender one? O you whose radiance is like the heart of the lotus, O lovely one, I beseech you — become my wife."

Verse 12 (skanda.5.142.12)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो राज्ञः संस्तुतं मृदु वल्गु च। अंगीकृतं तया देवि समयं प्रार्थितो नृपः।

etacchrutvā vaco rājñaḥ saṁstutaṁ mṛdu valgu ca| aṅgīkṛtaṁ tayā devi samayaṁ prārthito nṛpaḥ||

Hearing the king's speech, well-turned, gentle, and charming, she, O goddess, accepted him, but sought a pledge from the king.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.142.13)

वारिता विप्रिये वापि त्यजेयं त्वामसंशयम्। न प्रष्टव्या त्वया राजन्कासि कस्येति सर्वथा।

vāritā vipriye vāpi tyajeyaṁ tvāmasaṁśayam| na praṣṭavyā tvayā rājankāsi kasyeti sarvathā||

"If I am ever hindered in something displeasing to me, I shall leave you without doubt. Never, O king, must you ask me who I am or whose I am."

Verse 14 (skanda.5.142.14)

एवमस्त्विति तेनोक्तं सत्येन सुकृतेन च। स तस्याः शीलवृत्तेन रूपौदार्यगुणेन च।

evamastviti tenoktaṁ satyena sukṛtena ca| sa tasyāḥ śīlavṛttena rūpaudāryaguṇena ca||

"So be it," he replied, swearing by truth and by virtue. Delighted by her character, conduct, beauty, generosity, and excellent qualities,

Verse 15 (skanda.5.142.15)

उपचारेण च रहस्तुतोष जगतीपतिः। दिव्यरूपा हि सा देवी गंगा त्रिपथगा नदी।

upacāreṇa ca rahastutoṣa jagatīpatiḥ| divyarūpā hi sā devī gaṅgā tripathagā nadī||

and by her tender private attentions, that lord of the earth was well pleased. That divine-formed goddess was indeed the Ganga, river of the three worlds.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.142.16)

मानुषं विग्रहं कृत्वा श्रीमंतं वरवर्णिनि। राजानं रमयामास यथा रेमे तथैव च।

mānuṣaṁ vigrahaṁ kṛtvā śrīmaṁtaṁ varavarṇini| rājānaṁ ramayāmāsa yathā reme tathaiva ca||

O fair one, having taken a human form, she delighted that glorious king, and just as he sported with her, so did she with him.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.142.17)

स राजा रतिसक्तत्वादुत्तमस्त्रीगुणैर्हृतः। संवत्सरानृतून्मासान्न बुबोध बहून्गतान्।

sa rājā ratisaktatvādut tamastrīguṇairhṛtaḥ| saṁvatsarānṛtūnmāsānna bubodha bahūngatān||

That king, absorbed in love's pleasure and enraptured by the excellent qualities of that woman, did not even notice the many years, seasons, and months that passed.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.142.18)

रममाणस्तया सार्द्धं यथाकामं नरेश्वरः। अष्टावजनयत्पुत्रांस्तस्याममरवर्णिनि।

ramamāṇastayā sārddhaṁ yathākāmaṁ nareśvaraḥ| aṣṭāvajanayatputrāṁstasyāmamaravarṇini||

Sporting with her at will, that lord of men begot upon her eight sons, O you of divine radiance.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.142.19)

जातं जातं च सा पुत्रं क्षिपत्यंभसि मुक्तये। प्रीणामि त्वामहमिति गंगास्रोतसि पावने।

jātaṁ jātaṁ ca sā putraṁ kṣipatyaṁbhasi muktaye| prīṇāmi tvāmahamiti gaṅgāsrotasi pāvane||

As each son was born, she would cast him into the sacred waters of the Ganga's stream for liberation, saying, "I am gladdening you thus."

Verse 20 (skanda.5.142.20)

नास्य तत्तु प्रियं राज्ञः शंतनोर्ह्यभवत्तदा। नोवाच किंचित्तां देवीं त्यागाद्भीतो महीपतिः।

nāsya tattu priyaṁ rājñaḥ śaṁtanorhyabhavattadā| novāca kiṁcittāṁ devīṁ tyāgādbhīto mahīpatiḥ||

This did not please King Shantanu, yet, fearing that he would be abandoned, that lord of the earth said nothing to the goddess.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.142.21)

अथैनामष्टमे पुत्रे जाते प्रहसतीमिव। उवाच राजा दुःखार्त्तः परीप्सन्पुत्रमात्मनः।

athaināmaṣṭame putre jāte prahasatīmiva| uvāca rājā duḥkhārttaḥ parīpsanputramātmanaḥ||

Then, when the eighth son was born and she came, as if smiling, to take him away, the king, distressed and wishing to save his own son, spoke out.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.142.22)

मा वधीः कस्य कासीति किं विध्वंसि सुतानिति। पुत्रहिंसा महत्पापं मा प्राप्सीस्तिष्ठ गर्हिते।

mā vadhīḥ kasya kāsīti kiṁ vidhvaṁsi sutāniti| putrahiṁsā mahatpāpaṁ mā prāpsīstiṣṭha garhite||

"Do not slay him! Who are you, and whose are you? Why do you destroy our sons? The killing of a son is a great sin — do not incur it, O reprehensible one; stop!"

Verse 23 (skanda.5.142.23)

गंगोवाच। पुत्रकामा न ते हन्मि पुत्रं पुत्रवतांवर। जीर्णस्तु मम वासोऽयं यथा मे समयः कृतः।

gaṅgovāca| putrakāmā na te hanmi putraṁ putravatāṁvara| jīrṇastu mama vāso'yaṁ yathā me samayaḥ kṛtaḥ||

Ganga said: "It is not out of desire that I slay your sons, O best among fathers. But my dwelling here has now grown stale, since the pledge made to me has been broken.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.142.24)

अहं गंगा जह्नुसुता महर्षिगणसेविता। देवकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थमुषित्वाहं त्वया सह।

ahaṁ gaṅgā jahnusutā maharṣigaṇasevitā| devakāryārthasiddhyarthamuṣitvāhaṁ tvayā saha||

I am Ganga, daughter of Jahnu, revered by hosts of great sages. I dwelt with you only to accomplish a task for the gods.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.142.25)

इमेऽष्टौ वसवो देवा महाभीमा महौजसः। वशिष्ठशापदोषेण मानुषत्वमुपागताः।

ime'ṣṭau vasavo devā mahābhīmā mahaujasaḥ| vaśiṣṭhaśāpadoṣeṇa mānuṣatvamupāgatāḥ||

These were the eight Vasus, gods of great might and great terror, who through the fault of Vasishtha's curse were reduced to human birth.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.142.26)

तेषामानयिता नान्यस्त्वदृते भुवि विद्यते। मद्विधा मानुषी धात्री न चैवास्ति कदाचन।

teṣāmānayitā nānyastvadṛte bhuvi vidyate| madvidhā mānuṣī dhātrī na caivāsti kadācana||

There exists on this earth no one but you to escort them back; and never could there be a human nurse-mother like me.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.142.27)

तस्मात्तज्जननीहेतोर्मानुषत्वमुपागता। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि पुत्रं पाहि महाव्रत।

tasmāttajjananīhetormānuṣatvamupāgatā| svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi putraṁ pāhi mahāvrata||

Therefore, to become their mother, I took on this human state. May you fare well; I shall now depart. Protect this son, O you of great vows."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.142.28)

सैवमुक्त्वा तदा गङ्गा विष्णुमायाविमोहिता। रुरोद मानुषं भावमाश्रिता तनुमध्यमा।

saivamuktvā tadā gaṅgā viṣṇumāyāvimohitā| ruroda mānuṣaṁ bhāvamāśritā tanumadhyamā||

Having said this, Ganga, deluded by Vishnu's maya and abiding in her human state, that slender-waisted one, began to weep.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.142.29)

अहो बत महत्कष्टं यदमी घातिताः सुताः। मया नृशंसया मोहाज्जले क्षिप्तास्तु बालकाः।

aho bata mahatkaṣṭaṁ yadamī ghātitāḥ sutāḥ| mayā nṛśaṁsayā mohājjale kṣiptāstu bālakāḥ||

"Alas, what great sorrow, that these my sons were slain! In my delusion, cruel that I was, I cast those infants into the water!"

Verse 30 (skanda.5.142.30)

हा वत्सा हा सुताः पुत्रा हा तातास्तनयाः क्व वै। मां विहाय गताः कुत्र हृदयं किं न दीर्यते।

hā vatsā hā sutāḥ putrā hā tātāstanayāḥ kva vai| māṁ vihāya gatāḥ kutra hṛdayaṁ kiṁ na dīryate||

"Alas, my children! Alas, my sons! O dear ones — where have you gone, forsaking me? Why does my heart not break?"

Verse 31 (skanda.5.142.31)

मातर्मातेति करुणं ब्रुवाणाः स्वयमागता। उपगुह्ये कदा पुत्रान्वत्सवत्सेति सौहृदात्।

mātarmāteti karuṇaṁ bruvāṇāḥ svayamāgatā| upaguhye kadā putrānvatsavatseti sauhṛdāt||

"When shall I again embrace those sons who, crying piteously 'Mother, mother,' would come to me of their own accord, while I, out of affection, called them 'my child, my child'?"

Verse 32 (skanda.5.142.32)

कस्य जातु प्रणीतेन पिंगेन क्षितिरेणुना। ममोत्तरीयमुत्संगं कदाङ्ग मलयिष्यति।

kasya jātu praṇītena piṅgena kṣitireṇunā| mamottarīyamutsaṅgaṁ kadāṅga malayiṣyati||

"When again shall some child, brought thither, soil my upper garment and my lap with the tawny dust of the earth?"

Verse 33 (skanda.5.142.33)

अंगप्रत्यंगसंभूता मनोहृदयनंदनाः। मया तु मात्रा हा वत्सा मारिता निधनं गताः।

aṅgapratyaṅgasaṁbhūtā manohṛdayanaṁdanāḥ| mayā tu mātrā hā vatsā māritā nidhanaṁ gatāḥ||

"Those sons, born of my own limbs, the delight of my mind and heart — alas, slain by me, their own mother, they met their death.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.142.34)

कान्ल्लोकान्नु गमिष्यामि कृत्वा कर्म सुदारुणम्। कथं पुण्या भविष्यामि पुत्रघ्नी निर्दया सती।

kānllokānnu gamiṣyāmi kṛtvā karma sudāruṇam| kathaṁ puṇyā bhaviṣyāmi putraghnī nirdayā satī||

Having done so terrible a deed, to what worlds shall I now go? Being a slayer of my own sons, merciless, how shall I ever become virtuous?"

Verse 35 (skanda.5.142.35)

इत्येवं करुणं कृत्वा रुदित्वा च पुनःपुनः। मूर्छिता पतिताप्यार्ता निश्चेष्टा धरणीतले।

ityevaṁ karuṇaṁ kṛtvā ruditvā ca punaḥpunaḥ| mūrchitā patitāpyārtā niśceṣṭā dharaṇītale||

Having thus lamented piteously and wept again and again, that distressed one fainted and fell motionless upon the ground.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.142.36)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि नारदो मुनिसत्तमः। तस्या विलापशब्दं तमाकर्ण्य सहसा तदा।

etasminnaṁtare devi nārado munisattamaḥ| tasyā vilāpaśabdaṁ tamākarṇya sahasā tadā||

Meanwhile, O goddess, the sage Narada, foremost among sages, suddenly heard the sound of her lamentation.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.142.37)

विस्मयोप्फुल्लनयनः किमेतदिति चिंतयत्। एषा सा जाह्नवी गंगा पावनी देववंदिता।

vismayopphullanayanaḥ kimetaditi ciṁtayat| eṣā sā jāhnavī gaṅgā pāvanī devavaṁditā||

With eyes wide with wonder, he wondered, "What is this?" — "Why, this is Jahnavi Ganga herself, the sacred one, revered by the gods!

Verse 38 (skanda.5.142.38)

समुद्रमहिषी दिव्या पुण्या त्रिपथगा नदी। मानुषं भावमाश्रित्य कस्माद्रोदिति विह्वला।

samudramahiṣī divyā puṇyā tripathagā nadī| mānuṣaṁ bhāvamāśritya kasmādrodit i vihvalā||

The divine, sacred, triple-pathed river, the very queen of the ocean — having taken a human form, why does she weep so distraught?"

Verse 39 (skanda.5.142.39)

इत्येवं चिंतयित्वा च समीपमगमन्मुनिः। गंगाया विलपन्त्याश्च ब्रह्मपुत्रस्तु नारदः। उवाचोच्चैर्वियत्स्थोऽसौ देवि गंगे नमोऽस्तुते।

ityevaṁ ciṁtayitvā ca samīpamagamanmuniḥ| gaṅgāyā vilapantyāśca brahmaputrastu nāradaḥ| uvācoccairviyatstho'sau devi gaṅge namo'stute||

Thus reflecting, the sage approached her. To the weeping Ganga, Narada, the son of Brahma, standing in the sky, spoke aloud: "Salutation to you, O goddess Ganga!

Verse 40 (skanda.5.142.40)

नारदोऽहं महापुण्ये कस्माद्रोदिषि पावनि। हिमाद्रिपुत्री विख्याता देवगंधर्वसेविता।

nārado'haṁ mahāpuṇye kasmādrodiṣi pāvani| himādriputrī vikhyātā devagandharvasevitā||

I am Narada. O greatly virtuous, sacred one, why do you weep? You are the renowned daughter of the Himalaya, served by gods and gandharvas,

Verse 41 (skanda.5.142.41)

धृता शिरसि देवेन शिवेन परमेष्ठिना।

dhṛtā śirasi devena śivena parameṣṭhinā||

and borne upon his very head by the supreme lord Shiva himself."

Verse 42 (skanda.5.142.42)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दिव्या देवनदी तथा। अवलोक्य विमानस्थं प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम्।

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā divyā devanadī tathā| avalokya vimānasthaṁ pratyuvāca mahāmunim||

Hearing Narada's words, that divine celestial river, gazing up at the great sage standing in his aerial car, replied to him.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.142.43)

मया नारद मोहेन कृतोऽधर्मो जुगुप्सितः। जानंत्या सुमहत्पापं सप्तपुत्रा हता मया।

mayā nārada mohena kṛto'dharmo jugupsitaḥ| jānaṁtyā sumahatpāpaṁ saptaputrā hatā mayā||

"O Narada, through delusion I have committed a loathsome unrighteous deed. Knowingly, I have slain seven of my own sons in a most grievous sin.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.142.44)

समुद्रेण वियोगस्तु संजातो मम दैवतः। भार्या जाता मनुष्यस्य पुत्रा जाता हताश्च मे।

samudreṇa viyogastu saṁjāto mama daivataḥ| bhāryā jātā manuṣyasya putrā jātā hatāśca me||

By fate I became separated from the ocean, became the wife of a mortal man, and my sons were born to me and were slain by my own hand.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.142.45)

अतो मया विलपितं मग्नया शोकसागरे। कथ्यतां मम देवर्षे येन पुण्या भवामि वै।

ato mayā vilapitaṁ magnayā śokasāgare| kathyatāṁ mama devarṣe yena puṇyā bhavāmi vai||

Hence, plunged in an ocean of grief, I lament. Tell me, O divine sage, by what means I may become virtuous again."

Verse 46 (skanda.5.142.46)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा नारदो मुनिसत्तमः। त्रिकालवेदी शुद्धात्मा गंगां वचनमब्रवीत्।

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā nārado munisattamaḥ| trikālavedī śuddhātmā gaṅgāṁ vacanamabravīt||

Hearing her words, Narada, the eminent sage, knower of the three times, pure of soul, spoke this word to Ganga:

Verse 47 (skanda.5.142.47)

नारद उवाच। किं विस्मृतो जगद्वंद्ये देवानां समयः शुभः। प्रतिज्ञातं त्वया देवि वसूनां मोक्षकारणे।

nārada uvāca| kiṁ vismṛto jagadvaṁdye devānāṁ samayaḥ śubhaḥ| pratijñātaṁ tvayā devi vasūnāṁ mokṣakāraṇe||

Narada said: "O revered by the world, have you forgotten the auspicious pact of the gods — the vow you made, O goddess, for the deliverance of the Vasus?

Verse 48 (skanda.5.142.48)

प्राप्तास्ते वसवो लोकान्प्रसादात्तव सुव्रते। त्वयावतारितो देवि समुद्रः शंतनुः स्मृतः।

prāptāste vasavo lokānprasādāttava suvrate| tvayāvatārito devi samudraḥ śaṁtanuḥ smṛtaḥ||

Through your grace, O you of noble vows, those Vasus have attained their own worlds. And know, O goddess, that it was the very Ocean whom you took as your husband, remembered now as Shantanu."

Verse 49 (skanda.5.142.49)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नारदस्य महात्मनः। गंगा त्रिपथगा पुण्या प्रत्युवाच महामुनिम्।

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā nāradasya mahātmanaḥ| gaṅgā tripathagā puṇyā pratyuvāca mahāmunim||

Hearing the words of the great-souled Narada, the sacred Ganga, river of the three paths, replied to that great sage.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.142.50)

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया ब्रह्मञ्ज्ञातं सर्वं मयाऽधुना। किंतु योनिर्यतो लब्धा मानुषी तेन मोहिता।

satyamuktaṁ tvayā brahmañjñātaṁ sarvaṁ mayā'dhunā| kiṁtu yoniryato labdhā mānuṣī tena mohitā||

"You have spoken truly, O brahmin; now I understand it all. But because of the human womb-state I had assumed, I was overcome by delusion.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.142.51)

अपवादभयाद्भीता भवंतं शरणं गता। दीयतामुपदेशो मे कथ्यतां स्थानमुत्तमम्।

apavādabhayādbhītā bhavaṁtaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatā| dīyatāmupadeśo me kathyatāṁ sthānamuttamam||

Fearing reproach, I have come to you for refuge. Grant me your instruction; tell me of some most excellent place where I may be purified."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.142.52)

नारद उवाच। किं विस्मृतो जगद्वंद्ये देवानां समयः कृतः। अपवादभयाद्भीता यदि त्वं देवि पुण्यदे। मां पृच्छसि परं स्थानं शृणु त्वं वच्मि सुव्रते।

nārada uvāca| kiṁ vismṛto jagadvaṁdye devānāṁ samayaḥ kṛtaḥ| apavādabhayādbhītā yadi tvaṁ devi puṇyade| māṁ pṛcchasi paraṁ sthānaṁ śṛṇu tvaṁ vacmi suvrate||

Narada said: "Have you forgotten the pact made by the gods, O worshipful one? If you, O virtue-bestowing goddess, fearing reproach, ask me for a supreme place, then listen, O one of noble vows, and I shall tell you.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.142.53)

अवंती तु समाख्याता सप्तकल्पसनातनी। तस्यां सखी त्वदीया तु शिप्रा विप्रप्रिया सदा।

avaṁtī tu samākhyātā saptakalpasanātanī| tasyāṁ sakhī tvadīyā tu śiprā viprapriyā sadā||

Avanti is renowned as eternal through seven kalpas. There dwells your friend, the Shipra, ever beloved of brahmins.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.142.54)

तस्यास्तीरे शुभं लिंगं दुर्द्धर्षेश्वरदक्षिणे। विद्यते त्रिदशैः पूज्यं सर्वतीर्थैश्च सेवितम्।

tasyāstīre śubhaṁ liṅgaṁ durddharṣeśvaradakṣiṇe| vidyate tridaśaiḥ pūjyaṁ sarvatīrthaiśca sevitam||

On its bank, south of Durddharsheshvara, there stands an auspicious linga, worshipped by the gods and attended by all the sacred fords.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.142.55)

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण कृतकृत्या भविष्यसि। तस्माद्गच्छ महापुण्ये गंगे देवर्षिसेविते।

tasya darśanamātreṇa kṛtakṛtyā bhaviṣyasi| tasmādgaccha mahāpuṇye gaṅge devarṣisevite||

By the mere sight of it you shall attain your purpose. Therefore go, O greatly meritorious Ganga, revered by divine sages."

Verse 56 (skanda.5.142.56)

इत्युक्ता सा त्रिपथगा नारदेन महात्मना। गता तत्र महापुण्या सखीं शिप्रां ददर्श ह।

ityuktā sā tripathagā nāradena mahātmanā| gatā tatra mahāpuṇyā sakhīṁ śiprāṁ dadarśa ha||

Thus addressed by the great-souled Narada, that most meritorious triple-pathed river went there and beheld her friend, the Shipra.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.142.57)

संश्लेषं च तदा कृत्वा लिंगं दृष्ट्वा सुपावनम्। पूजयामास भावेन तत्रैव च चिरं स्थिता।

saṁśleṣaṁ ca tadā kṛtvā liṅgaṁ dṛṣṭvā supāvanam| pūjayāmāsa bhāvena tatraiva ca ciraṁ sthitā||

Then, embracing her friend and beholding that most holy linga, she worshipped it with devotion and remained there for a long time.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.142.58)

अथ सूर्यसुता देवी यमुना पापनाशिनी। तत्रायाता सुहार्द्देन यत्र गंगा व्यवस्थिता।

atha sūryasutā devī yamunā pāpanāśinī| tatrāyātā suhārddena yatra gaṅgā vyavasthitā||

Then the goddess Yamuna, daughter of the Sun, destroyer of sins, came out of affection to that very place where Ganga had settled.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.142.59)

ददर्श देवी तां गंगां ध्यायंती शंकरं शिवम्। सापि तत्रैव तिष्ठंती पूजयंती परं शिवम्।

dadarśa devī tāṁ gaṅgāṁ dhyāyaṁtī śaṁkaraṁ śivam| sāpi tatraiva tiṣṭhaṁtī pūjayaṁtī paraṁ śivam||

That goddess beheld Ganga there, meditating upon Lord Shankara; and she too remained there, worshipping the supreme Shiva.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.142.60)

अथ तेनैव कालेन प्राचीदेवी सरस्वती। समायाता सुगुप्ता च गंगायमुनयोर्जले।

atha tenaiva kālena prācīdevī sarasvatī| samāyātā suguptā ca gaṅgāyamunayorjale||

At that same time, the goddess Sarasvati, known as Prachi, also arrived there and merged, unseen, into the waters of Ganga and Yamuna.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.142.61)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि शक्रं प्राह स नारदः। न दृश्यते प्रयागस्तु महाकालवनं गतः।

etasminnaṁtare devi śakraṁ prāha sa nāradaḥ| na dṛśyate prayāgastu mahākālavanaṁ gataḥ||

Meanwhile, O goddess, Narada said to Indra: "Prayaga can no longer be seen — it has gone to Mahakalavana.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.142.62)

गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये यत्र गुप्ता सरस्वती। प्रयागः स तु विज्ञेयः सर्वपापप्रणाशनः।

gaṅgāyamunayormadhye yatra guptā sarasvatī| prayāgaḥ sa tu vijñeyaḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ||

Wherever Sarasvati lies hidden between Ganga and Yamuna, that spot should be known as Prayaga, the destroyer of all sins.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.142.63)

स सांप्रतं प्रयागस्तु महाकालवनोत्तमे। केनापि कारणेनैव गतो न ज्ञायते मया।

sa sāṁprataṁ prayāgastu mahākālavanottame| kenāpi kāraṇenaiva gato na jñāyate mayā||

That Prayaga has now gone to the excellent Mahakalavana, but I do not know for what reason it has gone there."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.142.64)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नारदस्य महात्मनः। शक्रेण सहिताः सर्वे ह्यवंतीं तु समागताः।

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā nāradasya mahātmanaḥ| śakreṇa sahitāḥ sarve hyavaṁtīṁ tu samāgatāḥ||

Hearing the words of the great-souled Narada, all the gods together with Indra arrived at Avanti.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.142.65)

स्तुवंतो विविधैः स्तोत्रैर्गंगां त्रिपथगां शुभाम्। गंगे देवि नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशिनि।

stuvaṁto vividhaiḥ stotrairgaṁgāṁ tripathagāṁ śubhām| gaṁge devi namastubhyaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśini||

There they praised the auspicious triple-pathed Ganga with various hymns: "Salutation to you, O goddess Ganga, destroyer of every sin!

Verse 66 (skanda.5.142.66)

वसूनां जननी देवि वसूनां मोक्षदायिनि। त्रैलोक्यपावनी नित्यं हरेण शिरसा धृता।

vasūnāṁ jananī devi vasūnāṁ mokṣadāyini| trailokyapāvanī nityaṁ hareṇa śirasā dhṛtā||

O goddess, mother of the Vasus and their giver of liberation, eternal purifier of the three worlds, ever borne on the head of Hara!

Verse 67 (skanda.5.142.67)

सेविता वालखिल्यैश्च कृष्णस्य परमा कला। यमुने त्वां नमस्यामः कालिंदीं वरवाहिनीम्।

sevitā vālakhilyaiśca kṛṣṇasya paramā kalā| yamune tvāṁ namasyāmaḥ kāliṁdīṁ varavāhinīm||

Served by the Valakhilya sages, you are the supreme portion of Krishna. O Yamuna, we bow to you, Kalindi of the excellent stream!

Verse 68 (skanda.5.142.68)

सुता त्वं पाविनी देवि मार्त्तंडस्य दिवस्पतेः। शिप्रे देवि नमस्तुभ्यं ब्रह्मदेहोद्भवे शुभे।

sutā tvaṁ pāvinī devi mārttaṁḍasya divaspateḥ| śipre devi namastubhyaṁ brahmadehodbhave śubhe||

You are the purifying daughter of Martanda, lord of the sky. And salutation to you too, O goddess Shipra, auspicious one, sprung from the very body of Brahma!

Verse 69 (skanda.5.142.69)

प्राची त्वमेव विख्याता पुण्यदेहा सरस्वती। या प्राची कौरवक्षेत्रे पुष्करे या महालये। सा त्वं शिप्रा प्रसिद्धा च सर्वपातकनाशिनी।

prācī tvameva vikhyātā puṇyadehā sarasvatī| yā prācī kauravakṣetre puṣkare yā mahālaye| sā tvaṁ śiprā prasiddhā ca sarvapātakanāśinī||

You, O sacred-bodied Sarasvati, are renowned as Prachi. She who is Prachi in the Kuru land, and who is in the great shrine at Pushkara — you, that very one, are famed here as Shipra, destroyer of every sin.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.142.70)

त्वं दया सर्वजंतूनां स्वर्गः शरणं नृणाम्। त्वं माता सर्वजंतूनां त्वं प्राची भुवि गीयसे।

tvaṁ dayā sarvajaṁtūnāṁ svargaḥ śaraṇaṁ nṛṇām| tvaṁ mātā sarvajaṁtūnāṁ tvaṁ prācī bhuvi gīyase||

You are compassion itself for all beings, the very heaven and refuge of men. You are the mother of all creatures; you are sung of on earth as Prachi.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.142.71)

बहुजन्मकलंकांकं दृष्ट्वा या देहिनां भुवि। करोषि क्षालनं देवि सा त्वं त्रैलोक्यसंस्थिता।

bahujanmakalaṁkāṁkaṁ dṛṣṭvā yā dehināṁ bhuvi| karoṣi kṣālanaṁ devi sā tvaṁ trailokyasaṁsthitā||

Beholding the stains accumulated through many births upon embodied beings on earth, you wash them clean — you, O goddess, who abide throughout the three worlds."

Verse 72 (skanda.5.142.72)

आसां च संगमो यस्तु स प्रयागो बुधैः स्मृतः। अत्रागत्य तु युष्माभिः स्थापितः स्नापितोऽधुना।

āsāṁ ca saṁgamo yastu sa prayāgo budhaiḥ smṛtaḥ| atrāgatya tu yuṣmābhiḥ sthāpitaḥ snāpito'dhunā||

The confluence of these three rivers is what the learned call Prayaga. Having come here, you have now established it and bathed it.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.142.73)

सोद्य प्रभृति देवोऽयं प्रयागेश्वरसंज्ञकः। त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातः स्मरणात्पापनाशनः।

sodya prabhṛti devo'yaṁ prayāgeśvarasaṁjñakaḥ| triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātaḥ smaraṇātpāpanāśanaḥ||

From this day, this god shall be known by the name Prayageshvara, celebrated in all three worlds, destroying sin by mere remembrance.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.142.74)

अत्रागत्य प्रपश्यंति ये प्रयागेश्वरं ततः। ते कृतार्था भविष्यंति सर्वपातकवर्जिताः।

atrāgatya prapaśyaṁti ye prayāgeśvaraṁ tataḥ| te kṛtārthā bhaviṣyaṁti sarvapātakavarjitāḥ||

Those who come here and behold Prayageshvara shall become fulfilled, freed from every sin.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.142.75)

कुलं च तारितं तेषां पैतृकं मातृकं तथा। गंगायास्त्रियुगं पुण्यं चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्। जायते नात्र संदेहः प्रयागेश्वरदर्शनात्।

kulaṁ ca tāritaṁ teṣāṁ paitṛkaṁ mātṛkaṁ tathā| gaṅgāyāstriyugaṁ puṇyaṁ caturvargaphalapradam| jāyate nātra saṁdehaḥ prayāgeśvaradarśanāt||

Both their paternal and maternal lineages are saved. Thrice the merit of the Ganga, granting the fruit of all four aims of life, arises without doubt from the sight of Prayageshvara.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.142.76)

गंगायां च प्रयागे च देवदारुवने शुभे। नैमिषे पुष्करे चैव श्रीशैले च त्रिपुष्करे।

gaṅgāyāṁ ca prayāge ca devadāruvane śubhe| naimiṣe puṣkare caiva śrīśaile ca tripuṣkare||

In the Ganga, in Prayaga, in the auspicious Devadaruvana, in Naimisha, in Pushkara, in Shrishaila, and in Tripushkara —

Verse 77 (skanda.5.142.77)

त्र्यंबके धौतपापे च महेन्द्रे भैरवे तथा। गोकर्णे च सुवर्णाख्ये रेवाकपिलसङ्गमे।

tryaṁbake dhautapāpe ca mahendre bhairave tathā| gokarṇe ca suvarṇākhye revākapilasaṁgame||

in Tryambaka, in Dhautapapa, at Mahendra, at Bhairava, at Gokarna, at the place called Suvarna, and at the confluence of the Reva and Kapila —

Verse 78 (skanda.5.142.78)

एतेषां दर्शनेनैव या सिद्धिर्द्वादशाब्दिका। सा लभ्या मासमात्रेण प्रयागेश्वरदर्शनात्।

eteṣāṁ darśanenaiva yā siddhirdvādaśābdikā| sā labhyā māsamātreṇa prayāgeśvaradarśanāt||

whatever accomplishment is gained in twelve years by the sight of all these places is obtained in a single month merely by the sight of Prayageshvara.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.142.79)

ये पश्यंति चतुर्द्दश्यामष्टम्यां च विशेषतः। भक्त्या च नियमं कृत्वा प्रयागेश्वरसंज्ञकम्।

ye paśyaṁti caturddaśyāmaṣṭamyāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ| bhaktyā ca niyamaṁ kṛtvā prayāgeśvarasaṁjñakam||

Those who, especially on the fourteenth and eighth lunar days, observe a vow and behold with devotion this god called Prayageshvara —

Verse 80 (skanda.5.142.80)

न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि। भोगदं मोक्षदं लिंगं भविष्यति महीतले।

na teṣāṁ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi| bhogadaṁ mokṣadaṁ liṅgaṁ bhaviṣyati mahītale||

shall not return to rebirth even after hundreds of millions of kalpas. This linga shall become, upon this earth, the bestower of both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.142.81)

कलास्तिस्रो भविष्यंति लिंगेऽस्मिन्मोक्षदे शुभे। गंगा च यमुना प्राची सर्वपातकनाशिनी।

kalāstisro bhaviṣyaṁti liṅge'sminmokṣade śubhe| gaṅgā ca yamunā prācī sarvapātakanāśinī||

Three portions shall abide in this auspicious, liberation-granting linga — Ganga, Yamuna, and Prachi — each the destroyer of every sin."

Verse 82 (skanda.5.142.82)

एवमुक्त्वा स्तुता गंगा यमुना च सरस्वती। देवैः प्रणतिपूर्वेण गताः स्थानं स्वकं तदा।

evamuktvā stutā gaṅgā yamunā ca sarasvatī| devaiḥ praṇatipūrveṇa gatāḥ sthānaṁ svakaṁ tadā||

Having spoken thus, Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati, praised by the gods with reverent bows, then returned each to her own abode.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.142.83)

देवाः प्रहृष्टाः शकाद्याः प्रयागेश्वरसंज्ञकम्। स्तुत्वा च विविधैः स्तोत्रैः पूजयित्वा दिवं गताः।

devāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ śakādyāḥ prayāgeśvarasaṁjñakam| stutvā ca vividhaiḥ stotraiḥ pūjayitvā divaṁ gatāḥ||

The gods, led by Indra, greatly delighted, praised the god called Prayageshvara with manifold hymns, worshipped him, and then departed to heaven.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.142.84)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। प्रयागेश्वरदेवस्य चंद्रादित्येश्वरं शृणु।

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| prayāgeśvaradevasya caṁdrādityeśvaraṁ śṛṇu||

Thus, O goddess, I have told you the sin-destroying greatness of the god Prayageshvara; now hear of Chandradityeshvara.