The Glory of Pippalada Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.197.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेत्तु राजेन्द्र पिप्पलेश्वरमुत्तमम्। यत्र सिद्धो महायोगी पिप्पलादो महातपाः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchettu rājendra pippaleśvaramuttamam| yatra siddho mahāyogī pippalādo mahātapāḥ

Shri Markandeya said: O Rajendra, one should next go to the excellent Pippaleshvara tirtha, where the great yogi Pippalada, of immense austerity, attained perfection.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.197.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। पिप्पलादस्य चरितं श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विभो। माहात्म्यं तस्य तीर्थस्य यत्र सिद्धो महातपाः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| pippalādasya caritaṁ śrotumicchāmyahaṁ vibho| māhātmyaṁ tasya tīrthasya yatra siddho mahātapāḥ

Yudhishthira said: O lord, I wish to hear the life-story of Pippalada, and the glory of that tirtha where he, of immense austerity, attained perfection.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.197.3)

कस्य पुत्रो महाभाग किमर्थं कृतवांस्तपः। एतद्विस्तरतः सर्वं कथयस्व ममानघ

kasya putro mahābhāga kimarthaṁ kṛtavāṁstapaḥ| etadvistarataḥ sarvaṁ kathayasva mamānagha

O illustrious one, whose son was he, and for what purpose did he perform austerity? O sinless one, tell me all this in detail.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.197.4)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। मिथिलास्थो महाभागो वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः। याज्ञवल्क्यः पुरा तात चचार विपुलं तपः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| mithilāstho mahābhāgo vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ| yājñavalkyaḥ purā tāta cacāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ

Markandeya said: The illustrious Yajnavalkya, dwelling in Mithila, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, O child, once performed extensive austerity in ancient times.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.197.5)

तापसी तस्य भगिनी याज्ञवल्क्यस्य धीमतः। सा सप्तमेऽपि वर्षे च वैधव्यं प्राप दैवतः

tāpasī tasya bhaginī yājñavalkyasya dhīmataḥ| sā saptame'pi varṣe ca vaidhavyaṁ prāpa daivataḥ

The ascetic sister of the wise Yajnavalkya, by the working of fate, was widowed in her very seventh year.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.197.6)

पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन हीनाभूत्पितृमातृतः। नाभूत्तत्पतिपक्षेऽपि कोऽपीत्येकाकिनी स्थिता

pūrvakarmavipākena hīnābhūtpitṛmātṛtaḥ| nābhūttatpatipakṣe'pi ko'pītyekākinī sthitā

By the ripening of the fruits of past deeds, she was left bereft of both parents; on her husband's side too there was no one, and thus she remained utterly alone.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.197.7)

भूमौ भ्रमन्ती भ्रातुः सा समीपमगमच्छनैः। चचार च तपः सोऽपि परलोकसुखेप्सया

bhūmau bhramantī bhrātuḥ sā samīpamagamacchanaiḥ| cacāra ca tapaḥ so'pi paralokasukhepsayā

Wandering over the earth, she gradually made her way to her brother's side; and he too, desiring happiness in the other world, was engaged in austerity.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.197.8)

चचार सापि तत्रस्था शुश्रूषन्ती महत्तपः। कस्मिंश्चित्समये साथ स्नाताहनि रजस्वला

cacāra sāpi tatrasthā śuśrūṣantī mahattapaḥ| kasmiṁścitsamaye sātha snātāhani rajasvalā

She too, remaining there, served him while performing great austerity herself; then on a certain occasion, having bathed, while in her monthly courses that day,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.197.9)

अन्तर्वासो धृतवती दृष्ट्वा कर्पटकं रहः। याज्ञवल्क्योऽपि तद्रात्रौ सुप्तो यत्र सुसंवृतः

antarvāso dhṛtavatī dṛṣṭvā karpaṭakaṁ rahaḥ| yājñavalkyo'pi tadrātrau supto yatra susaṁvṛtaḥ

seeing a piece of cloth lying about, she privately took it up as an undergarment; that same night, Yajnavalkya too lay sleeping nearby, well covered.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.197.10)

स्वप्नं दृष्ट्वात्यजच्छुक्रं कौपीने रक्तबिन्दुवत्। विराजितेन तपसा सिद्धं तदनलप्रभम्

svapnaṁ dṛṣṭvātyajacchukraṁ kaupīne raktabinduvat| virājitena tapasā siddhaṁ tadanalaprabham

Through a dream, seed was discharged from him onto his loincloth like a drop of blood, and, made potent by his radiant austerity, it shone with the brilliance of fire.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.197.11)

यावत्प्रबुद्धो विप्रोऽसौ वीक्ष्योच्छिष्टं तदंशुकम्। चिक्षेप दूरतोऽस्पृश्यं शौचं कृत्वा विधानतः

yāvatprabuddho vipro'sau vīkṣyocchiṣṭaṁ tadaṁśukam| ciukṣepa dūrato'spṛśyaṁ śaucaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

When that brahmin awoke and saw the soiled garment, deeming it untouchable, he cast it far away, and duly performed his purification.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.197.12)

निषिद्धं तु निशि स्नानमिति सुष्वाप स द्विजः। निशीथे सापि तद्वस्त्रं भगस्यावरणं व्यधात्

niṣiddhaṁ tu niśi snānamiti suṣvāpa sa dvijaḥ| niśīthe sāpi tadvastraṁ bhagasyāvaraṇaṁ vyadhāt

Thinking that bathing at night was forbidden, that brahmin went back to sleep; meanwhile, at midnight, she wrapped that very garment about her private parts.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.197.13)

प्रातरन्वेषयामास मुनिर्वस्त्रमितस्ततः। ततः सा ब्राह्मणी प्राह किं अन्वेषयसे प्रभो। केन कार्यं तव तथा वदस्व मम तत्त्वतः

prātaranveṣayāmāsa munirvastramitastataḥ| tataḥ sā brāhmaṇī prāha kiṁ anveṣayase prabho| kena kāryaṁ tava tathā vadasva mama tattvataḥ

At dawn, the sage began searching here and there for that garment; then that brahmin woman said, "O lord, what are you searching for? What is your purpose with it? Tell me truly."

Verse 14 (skanda.5.197.14)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच। अपवित्रो मया भद्रे स्वप्नो दृष्टोऽद्य वै निशि। सक्लेदं तत्र मे वस्त्रं निक्षिप्तं तन्न दृश्यते

yājñavalkya uvāca| apavitro mayā bhadre svapno dṛṣṭo'dya vai niśi| sakledaṁ tatra me vastraṁ nikṣiptaṁ tanna dṛśyate

Yajnavalkya said: O gentle lady, tonight I had an impure dream; the garment soiled by it, which I had discarded, is now nowhere to be seen.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.197.15)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणी वाक्यं भीतभीतावदन्नृप। तद्वस्त्रं तु मया विप्र स्नात्वा ह्यन्तः कृतं महत्

tacchrutvā brāhmaṇī vākyaṁ bhītabhītāvadannṛpa| tadvastraṁ tu mayā vipra snātvā hyantaḥ kṛtaṁ mahat

O king, hearing this, the brahmin woman, greatly frightened, said: O brahmin, that momentous garment — I, after bathing, have taken it as an undergarment.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.197.16)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हाहेत्युक्त्वा महामुनिः। निपपात तदा भूमौ छिन्नमूल इव द्रुमः

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā hāhetyuktvā mahāmuniḥ| nipapāta tadā bhūmau chinnamūla iva drumaḥ

Hearing her words, that great sage, crying out "Alas, alas!", fell at once to the ground, like a tree cut off at its root.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.197.17)

किमेतदिति सेत्युक्त्वा ह्याकाशमिव निर्मला। आश्वासयन्ती तं विप्रं प्रोवाच वचनं तदा

kimetaditi setyuktvā hyākāśamiva nirmalā| āśvāsayantī taṁ vipraṁ provāca vacanaṁ tadā

Saying, "What has happened?", that woman, pure as the open sky, then spoke these words, comforting the brahmin.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.197.18)

वदस्व कारणं तात गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं यदि। प्रतीकारोऽस्य येनैव विमृश्य क्रियते त्वरा

vadasva kāraṇaṁ tāta guhyādguhyataraṁ yadi| pratīkāro'sya yenaiva vimṛśya kriyate tvarā

O elder, tell me the cause, even if it be a secret among the most secret, so that, upon reflection, a remedy may be swiftly arranged.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.197.19)

ततः स सुचिरं ध्यात्वा लब्धवाग्वै ततः क्षणम्। प्रोवाच साध्वसमना यत्तच्छृणु नरेश्वर

tataḥ sa suciraṁ dhyātvā labdhavāgvai tataḥ kṣaṇam| provāca sādhvasamanā yattacchṛṇu nareśvara

Then, after long deliberation, regaining his voice after a moment, he spoke with an apprehensive mind — hear, O lord of men, what he said.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.197.20)

नात्र दोषोऽस्ति ते कश्चिन्मम चैव शुभव्रते। तवोदरे तु गर्भो यस्तत्र दैवं परायणम्

nātra doṣo'sti te kaścinmama caiva śubhavrate| tavodare tu garbho yastatra daivaṁ parāyaṇam

O one of pure vows, in this there is no fault of yours, nor of mine; the child that will now be conceived in your womb — in that, fate alone is the governing cause.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.197.21)

तस्य तत्त्वेन रक्षा च त्वया कार्या सदैव हि। विनाशी नैव कर्तव्यो यावत्कालस्य पर्ययः

tasya tattvena rakṣā ca tvayā kāryā sadaiva hi| vināśī naiva kartavyo yāvatkālasya paryayaḥ

You must faithfully protect it always; it must never be destroyed until the fullness of time has come to pass.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.197.22)

तथेति व्रीडिता साध्वी दूयमानेन चेतसा। अपालयच्च तं गर्भं यावत्पुत्रो ह्यजायत

tatheti vrīḍitā sādhvī dūyamānena cetasā| apālayacca taṁ garbhaṁ yāvatputro hyajāyata

Saying "So be it," the virtuous woman, ashamed and grieved at heart, protected that pregnancy until a son was born.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.197.23)

जातमात्रं च तं गर्भं गृहीत्वा ब्राह्मणी च सा। अश्वत्थच्छायामाश्रित्य तमुत्सृज्य वचोऽब्रवीत्

jātamātraṁ ca taṁ garbhaṁ gṛhītvā brāhmaṇī ca sā| aśvatthacchāyāmāśritya tamutsṛjya vaco'bravīt

Taking that newborn child, the brahmin woman went to the shade of a pipal tree, and leaving him there, spoke these words.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.197.24)

यानि सत्त्वानि लोकेषु स्थावराणि चराणि च। तानि सर्वाणि रक्षन्तु त्यक्तं वै बालकं मया

yāni sattvāni lokeṣu sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca| tāni sarvāṇi rakṣantu tyaktaṁ vai bālakaṁ mayā

Whatever beings exist in the worlds, moving and unmoving — let them all protect this child whom I have abandoned.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.197.25)

एवमुक्त्वा गता सा तु ब्राह्मणी नृपसत्तम। तथागतः स तु शिशुस्तत्र स्थित्वा मुहूर्तकम्

evamuktvā gatā sā tu brāhmaṇī nṛpasattama| tathāgataḥ sa tu śiśustatra sthitvā muhūrtakam

O best of kings, having said this, the brahmin woman departed; and the infant, thus left, lay there for a while.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.197.26)

पाणिपादौ विनिक्षिप्य निकुञ्च्य नयने शुभे। आस्यं तु विकृतं कृत्वा रुरोद विकृतैः स्वरैः

pāṇipādau vinikṣipya nikuñcya nayane śubhe| āsyaṁ tu vikṛtaṁ kṛtvā ruroda vikṛtaiḥ svaraiḥ

Flinging out his hands and feet, screwing shut his lovely eyes, twisting his face, he began to wail with distorted cries.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.197.27)

तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ताः स्थावरा जङ्गमाश्च ये। आकम्पिता महोत्पातैः सशैलवनकानना

tena śabdena vitrastāḥ sthāvarā jaṅgamāśca ye| ākampitā mahotpātaiḥ saśailavanakānanā

At that sound, all beings, moving and unmoving, were terrified; the earth, with its mountains, forests, and groves, trembled with great portents.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.197.28)

ततो ज्ञात्वा महद्भूतं क्षुधाविष्टं द्विजर्षभम्। न जहाति नगश्छायां पानार्थाय ततः परम्। अपिबच्च सुतं तस्मादभृतं चैव भारत

tato jñātvā mahadbhūtaṁ kṣudhāviṣṭaṁ dvijarṣabham| na jahāti nagaśchāyāṁ pānārthāya tataḥ param| apibacca sutaṁ tasmādabhṛtaṁ caiva bhārata

Then, recognizing him as a great being, a foremost brahmin, tormented by hunger, the tree never withdrew its shade; and O Bharata, that very tree nourished and gave milk to that abandoned, uncared-for son.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.197.29)

एवं स वर्धितस्तत्र कुमारो निजचेतसि। चिन्तयामास विश्रब्धः किं मम ग्रहगोचरम्

evaṁ sa vardhitastatra kumāro nijacetasi| cintayāmāsa viśrabdhaḥ kiṁ mama grahagocaram

Thus raised there, that boy, growing self-assured, began to ponder within his own mind: what is the influence of the planets upon my fate?

Verse 30 (skanda.5.197.30)

ततः क्रूरसभाचारः क्रूरं दृष्ट्वा निरीक्षितः। पपात सहसा भूमौ शनैश्चारी शनैश्चरः

tataḥ krūrasabhācāraḥ krūraṁ dṛṣṭvā nirīkṣitaḥ| papāta sahasā bhūmau śanaiścārī śanaiścaraḥ

Then Shanaishchara, of cruel disposition, gazed upon him with a fierce look — and Shanaishchara, the slow-moving one, suddenly fell to the ground.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.197.31)

उवाच च भयत्रस्तः कृताञ्जलिपुटस्तदा। किं मयापकृतं विप्र पिप्पलाद महामुने

uvāca ca bhayatrastaḥ kṛtāñjaliputastadā| kiṁ mayāpakṛtaṁ vipra pippalāda mahāmune

Terrified, with joined palms, he said: O brahmin Pippalada, O great sage, what wrong have I done to you?

Verse 32 (skanda.5.197.32)

चरन्वै गगनाद्येन पातितो धरणीतले। सौरिणा ह्येवमुक्तस्तु पिप्पलादो महामुनिः

caranvai gaganādyena pātito dharaṇītale| sauriṇā hyevamuktastu pippalādo mahāmuniḥ

"Who has cast me down to the earth as I moved through the sky?" Thus addressed by Sauri (Shani), the great sage Pippalada,

Verse 33 (skanda.5.197.33)

क्रोधरूपोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं तच्छृणुष्व नराधिप। पितृमातृविहीनस्य मम बालस्य दुर्मते। पीडां करोषि कस्मात्त्वं सौरे ब्रूहि ह्यशेषतः

krodharūpo'bravīdvākyaṁ tacchṛṇuṣva narādhipa| pitṛmātṛvihīnasya mama bālasya durmate| pīḍāṁ karoṣi kasmāttvaṁ saure brūhi hyaśeṣataḥ

filled with wrath, spoke thus — hear it, O lord of men: "O ill-minded Sauri, why do you torment me, a child bereft of both father and mother? Tell me fully."

Verse 34 (skanda.5.197.34)

शनैश्चर उवाच। क्रूरस्वभावः सहजो मम दृष्टिस्तथेदृशी। मुञ्चस्व मां तथा कर्ता यद्ब्रवीषि न संशयः

śanaiścara uvāca| krūrasvabhāvaḥ sahajo mama dṛṣṭistathedṛśī| muñcasva māṁ tathā kartā yadbravīṣi na saṁśayaḥ

Shanaishchara said: My nature is innately cruel, and my gaze is likewise so; release me, and I shall surely do as you command, without doubt.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.197.35)

पिप्पलाद उवाच। अद्यप्रभृति बालानां वर्षादा षोडशाद्ग्रह। पीडा त्वया न कर्तव्या एष ते समयः कृतः

pippalāda uvāca| adyaprabhṛti bālānāṁ varṣādā ṣoḍaśādgraha| pīḍā tvayā na kartavyā eṣa te samayaḥ kṛtaḥ

Pippalada said: O planet, from this day forward, until they reach sixteen years, you shall not torment children — this bound has been set for you.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.197.36)

एवमस्त्विति चोक्त्वा स जगाम पुनरागतः। देवमार्गं शनैश्चारी प्रणम्य ऋषिसत्तमम्

evamastviti coktvā sa jagāma punarāgataḥ| devamārgaṁ śanaiścārī praṇamya ṛṣisattamam

Saying 'So be it,' and bowing to that foremost of sages, Shanaishchara, the slow mover, returned once more to the path of the gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.197.37)

गते चादर्शनं तत्र सोऽपि बालो महाग्रहः। विचिन्तयन्वै पितरं क्रोधेन कलुषीकृतः

gate cādarśanaṁ tatra so'pi bālo mahāgrahaḥ| vicintayanvai pitaraṁ krodhena kaluṣīkṛtaḥ

When that great planet had vanished from sight, that boy too, disturbed by anger, began to brood upon his father.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.197.38)

आग्नेयीं धारणां ध्यात्वा जनयामास पावकम्। कृत्यामन्त्रैर्जुहावाग्नौ कृत्या वै संभवत्विति

āgneyīṁ dhāraṇāṁ dhyātvā janayāmāsa pāvakam| kṛtyāmantrairjuhāvāgnau kṛtyā vai sambhavatviti

Meditating upon the fire-concentration, he brought forth fire, and with kritya-mantras made oblation into it, with the thought: "Let a kritya spirit arise."

Verse 39 (skanda.5.197.39)

तावज्झटिति सा कन्या ज्वालामालाविभूषिता। हुतभुक्सदृशाकारा किं करोमीति चाब्रवीत्

tāvajjhaṭiti sā kanyā jvālāmālāvibhūṣitā| hutabhuksadṛśākārā kiṁ karomīti cābravīt

At once a maiden appeared, adorned with a garland of flames, her form like fire itself, and she said: "What shall I do?"

Verse 40 (skanda.5.197.40)

शोषयामि समुद्रान् किं चूर्णयामि च पर्वतान्। अवनिं वेष्टयामीति पातये किं नभस्तलम्

śoṣayāmi samudrān kiṁ cūrṇayāmi ca parvatān| avaniṁ veṣṭayāmīti pātaye kiṁ nabhastalam

Shall I dry up the oceans? Shall I crush the mountains to dust? Shall I wrap up the earth, or bring down the vault of the sky?

Verse 41 (skanda.5.197.41)

कस्य मूर्ध्नि पतिष्यामि घातयामि च कं द्विज। शीघ्रमादिश्यतां कार्यं मा मे कालात्ययो भवेत्

kasya mūrdhni patiṣyāmi ghātayāmi ca kaṁ dvija| śīghramādiśyatāṁ kāryaṁ mā me kālātyayo bhavet

O brahmin, upon whose head shall I descend, whom shall I slay? Command my task at once, lest my time pass in vain.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.197.42)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पिप्पलादो महातपाः। क्रोधसंरक्तनयन इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā pippalādo mahātapāḥ| krodhasaṁraktanayana idaṁ vacanamabravīt

Hearing her words, Pippalada, of great austerity, his eyes reddened with rage, spoke these words.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.197.43)

महता क्रोधवेगेन मया त्वं चिन्तिता शुभे। पिता मे याज्ञवल्क्यश्च तस्य त्वं पत माचिरम्

mahatā krodhavegena mayā tvaṁ cintitā śubhe| pitā me yājñavalkyaśca tasya tvaṁ pata māciram

O auspicious one, I have conjured you in a surge of great wrath; Yajnavalkya is my father — go, without delay, and strike him down.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.197.44)

एवमुक्त्वागमच्छीघ्रं स्फोटयन्ती नभस्तलम्। मिथिलास्थो महाप्राज्ञस्तपस्तेपे महामनाः

evamuktvāgamacchīghraṁ sphoṭayantī nabhastalam| mithilāstho mahāprājñastapastepe mahāmanāḥ

So saying, she instantly departed, rending the sky asunder; meanwhile, in Mithila, that greatly wise, noble-minded one, Yajnavalkya, was engaged in austerity.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.197.45)

यावत्पश्यति दिग्भागं ज्वलनार्कसमप्रभम्। याज्ञवल्क्यो महातेजा महद्भूतमुपस्थितम्

yāvatpaśyati digbhāgaṁ jvalanārkasamaprabham| yājñavalkyo mahātejā mahadbhūtamupasthitam

When the greatly radiant Yajnavalkya beheld a quarter of the sky blazing like fire and sun combined, he perceived that some mighty being had arrived.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.197.46)

तद्दृष्ट्वा सहसायान्तं भीतभीतो महामुनिः। अनुयुक्तोऽथ भूतेन जनकं नृपतिं ययौ

taddṛṣṭvā sahasāyāntaṁ bhītabhīto mahāmuniḥ| anuyukto'tha bhūtena janakaṁ nṛpatiṁ yayau

Seeing it rushing toward him, that great sage was seized with terror, and pursued by the spirit, he went to King Janaka.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.197.47)

शरण्यं मामनुप्राप्तं विद्धि त्वं नृपसत्तम। महद्भूतभयाद्रक्ष यदि शक्नोषि पार्थिव

śaraṇyaṁ māmanuprāptaṁ viddhi tvaṁ nṛpasattama| mahadbhūtabhayādrakṣa yadi śaknoṣi pārthiva

O best of kings, know that I have come seeking refuge; O ruler, if you are able, protect me from the terror of this mighty being.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.197.48)

ब्रह्मतेजोभवं भूतमनिवार्यं दुरासदम्। न च शक्नोम्यहं त्रातुं राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

brahmatejobhavaṁ bhūtamanivāryaṁ durāsadam| na ca śaknomyahaṁ trātuṁ rājā vacanamabravīt

The king spoke these words: This being, born of spiritual fire, is unstoppable and unapproachable; I am not able to save you from it.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.197.49)

ततश्चान्यं नृपश्रेष्ठं शरणार्थी महातपाः। जगाम तेन मुक्तोऽसौ चेन्द्रस्य सदनं भयात्

tataścānyaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhaṁ śaraṇārthī mahātapāḥ| jagāma tena mukto'sau cendrasya sadanaṁ bhayāt

Then that great ascetic, seeking refuge, went to another foremost king, and, driven by fear, released from there, went on to the abode of Indra.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.197.50)

देवराज नमस्तेऽस्तु महाभूतभयान्नृप। कम्पमानोऽब्रवीद्विप्रो रक्षस्वेति पुनःपुनः

devarāja namaste'stu mahābhūtabhayānnṛpa| kampamāno'bravīdvipro rakṣasveti punaḥpunaḥ

"O king of gods, salutations to you, O sovereign, from this terror of the mighty spirit" — trembling, the brahmin repeated again and again, "Protect me!"

Verse 51 (skanda.5.197.51)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवराजोऽब्रवीदिदम्। न शक्नोमि परित्रातुं ब्रह्मकोपादहं मुने

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā devarājo'bravīdidam| na śaknomi paritrātuṁ brahmakopādahaṁ mune

Hearing his words, the king of gods said: O sage, I am unable to save you from the wrath born of brahminical power.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.197.52)

ततः स ब्रह्मभवनं ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवित्तमः। जगाम विष्णुलोकं च तेनापीत्युक्त एव सः

tataḥ sa brahmabhavanaṁ brāhmaṇo brahmavittamaḥ| jagāma viṣṇulokaṁ ca tenāpītyukta eva saḥ

Then that brahmin, most learned in brahminical knowledge, went to the abode of Brahma, and to the world of Vishnu as well; but there too the same was told to him.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.197.53)

ततः स मुनिरुद्विग्नो निराशो जीविते नृप। अनुगम्यमानो भूतेन अगच्छच्छङ्करालयम्

tataḥ sa muniruvigno nirāśo jīvite nṛpa| anugamyamāno bhūtena agacchacchaṅkarālayam

O king, then that sage, agitated and having given up hope of life, pursued still by the spirit, went to the abode of Shankara.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.197.54)

तस्य योगबलोपेतो महादेवस्य पाण्डव। नखमांसान्तरे गुप्तो यथा देवो न पश्यति

tasya yogabalopeto mahādevasya pāṇḍava| nakhamāṁsāntare gupto yathā devo na paśyati

O Pandava, endowed with the power of yoga, he hid himself between the nail and flesh of Mahadeva in such a way that the god could not see him.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.197.55)

तदन्ते चागमद्भूतं ज्वलनार्कसमप्रभम्। मुञ्च मुञ्चेति पुरुषं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्

tadante cāgamadbhūtaṁ jvalanārkasamaprabham| muñca muñceti puruṣaṁ devadevaṁ maheśvaram

Right after him, the spirit arrived there too, blazing like fire and sun, and said to that being, the god of gods, Maheshvara: "Release him, release him!"

Verse 56 (skanda.5.197.56)

एवमुक्तो महादेवस्तेन भूतेन भारत। योगीन्द्रं दर्शयामास नखमांसान्तरे तदा

evamukto mahādevastena bhūtena bhārata| yogīndraṁ darśayāmāsa nakhamāṁsāntare tadā

O Bharata, thus addressed by that spirit, Mahadeva then revealed the lord of yogis, hidden between his nail and flesh.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.197.57)

संस्थाप्य भूतं भूतेशः परमापद्गतं मुनिम्। उवाच मा भैस्त्वं विप्र निर्गच्छस्व महामुने

saṁsthāpya bhūtaṁ bhūteśaḥ paramāpadgataṁ munim| uvāca mā bhaistvaṁ vipra nirgacchasva mahāmune

Steadying the spirit, the lord of beings said to the sage, who was in extreme peril: "Fear not, O brahmin, come forth, O great sage."

Verse 58 (skanda.5.197.58)

ततः सुसूक्ष्मदेहस्थं भूतं दृष्ट्वाब्रवीदिदम्। किमस्य त्वं महाभूत करिष्यसि वदस्व मे

tataḥ susūkṣmadehasthaṁ bhūtaṁ dṛṣṭvābravīdidam| kimasya tvaṁ mahābhūta kariṣyasi vadasva me

Then, seeing that spirit in its extremely subtle form, he said: O mighty spirit, what do you intend to do with him? Tell me.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.197.59)

कृत्योवाच। क्रोधाविष्टेन देवेश पिप्पलादेन चिन्तिता। अस्य देहं हनिष्यामि हिंसार्थं विद्धि मां प्रभो

kṛtyovāca| krodhāviṣṭena deveśa pippalādena cintitā| asya dehaṁ haniṣyāmi hiṁsārthaṁ viddhi māṁ prabho

The Kritya spirit said: O lord of gods, I was conjured by Pippalada in a fit of rage; I shall destroy this man's body — know me, O lord, to be made for violence.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.197.60)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा महादेवो भूतस्य वदनाच्च्युतम्। कटिस्थं याज्ञवल्क्यं च मन्त्रयामास मन्त्रवित्

etacchrutvā mahādevo bhūtasya vadanāccyutam| kaṭisthaṁ yājñavalkyaṁ ca mantrayāmāsa mantravit

Hearing this, Mahadeva, master of mantras, having heard what came from the spirit's mouth, then conferred with Yajnavalkya, who remained close by his side.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.197.61)

योगीश्वरेति विप्रस्य कृत्वा नाम युधिष्ठिर। विसर्जयित्वा देवेशस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

yogīśvareti viprasya kṛtvā nāma yudhiṣṭhira| visarjayitvā deveśastatraivāntaradhīyata

O Yudhishthira, giving that brahmin the name Yogishvara, the lord of gods dismissed the spirit and himself vanished from that very place.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.197.62)

प्रेषयित्वा तु तं भूतं पिप्पलादोऽपि दुर्मनाः। पितृमातृसमुद्विग्नो नर्मदातटमाश्रितः

preṣayitvā tu taṁ bhūtaṁ pippalādo'pi durmanāḥ| pitṛmātṛsamudvigno narmadātaṭamāśritaḥ

Having dispatched that spirit, Pippalada too, his mind troubled over his father and mother, took refuge on the bank of the Narmada.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.197.63)

एकाङ्गुष्ठो निराहारो वर्षादा षोडशान्नृप। तोषयामास देवेशमुमया सह शङ्करम्

ekāṅguṣṭho nirāhāro varṣādā ṣoḍaśānnṛpa| toṣayāmāsa deveśamumayā saha śaṅkaram

O king, standing on a single toe, fasting for sixteen years, he pleased the lord of gods, Shankara, together with Uma.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.197.64)

ततस्तत्तपसा तुष्टः शङ्करो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tatastattapasā tuṣṭaḥ śaṅkaro vākyamabravīt

Then, pleased by that austerity, Shankara spoke these words.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.197.65)

ईश्वर उवाच। परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते विप्र तपसानेन सुव्रत। वरं वृणीष्व ते दद्मि मनसा चेप्सितं शुभम्

īśvara uvāca| parituṣṭo'smi te vipra tapasānena suvrata| varaṁ vṛṇīṣva te dadmi manasā cepsitaṁ śubham

Ishvara said: O brahmin, O one of noble vows, I am well pleased by this austerity of yours; ask for a boon, and I shall grant you whatever auspicious wish your heart desires.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.197.66)

पिप्पलाद उवाच। यदि मे भगवांस्तुष्टो यदि देयो वरो मम। अत्र संनिहितो देव तीर्थे भव महेश्वर

pippalāda uvāca| yadi me bhagavāṁstuṣṭo yadi deyo varo mama| atra sannihito deva tīrthe bhava maheśvara

Pippalada said: O lord, if you are pleased with me, if a boon is to be given to me, then, O Maheshvara, become established right here at this tirtha.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.197.67)

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा पिप्पलादं महामुनिम्। जगामादर्शनं देवो भूतसङ्घसमन्वितः

evamuktastathetyuktvā pippalādaṁ mahāmunim| jagāmādarśanaṁ devo bhūtasaṅghasamanvitaḥ

Thus addressed, saying 'So be it' to the great sage Pippalada, the god, together with his host of attendant spirits, vanished from sight.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.197.68)

पिप्पलादो गते देवे स्नात्वा तत्र महाम्भसि। स्थापयित्वा महादेवं जगामोत्तरपर्वतम्

pippalādo gate deve snātvā tatra mahāmbhasi| sthāpayitvā mahādevaṁ jagāmottaraparvatam

When the god had departed, Pippalada bathed in that great water, established Mahadeva there, and then went on to the mountain in the north.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.197.69)

तत्र तीर्थे नरो भक्त्या स्नात्वा मन्त्रयुतं नृप। तर्पयित्वा पितॄन् देवान् पूजयेच्च महेश्वरम्

tatra tīrthe naro bhaktyā snātvā mantrayutaṁ nṛpa| tarpayitvā pitṝn devān pūjayecca maheśvaram

O king, whatever man, at that tirtha, devotedly bathes with the appropriate mantras, offers libations to ancestors and gods, and worships Maheshvara,

Verse 70 (skanda.5.197.70)

अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्। मृतो रुद्रपुरं याति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

aśvamedhasya yajñasya phalaṁ prāpnotyanuttamam| mṛto rudrapuraṁ yāti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

he obtains the supreme fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice, and upon death goes to Rudra's city — of this there should be no doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.197.71)

अथ यो भोजयेद्विप्रान् पितॄनुद्दिश्य भारत। तस्य ते द्वादशाब्दानि मोदन्ते दिवि तर्पिताः

atha yo bhojayedviprān pitṝnuddiśya bhārata| tasya te dvādaśābdāni modante divi tarpitāḥ

O Bharata, whoever feeds brahmins there in the name of the ancestors, his forefathers, being satisfied, rejoice in heaven for twelve years.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.197.72)

संन्यासेन तु यः कश्चित्तत्र तीर्थे तनुं त्यजेत्। अनिवर्तिका गतिस्तस्य रुद्रलोकात्कदाचन

sannyāsena tu yaḥ kaścittatra tīrthe tanuṁ tyajet| anivartikā gatistasya rudralokātkadācana

Whoever, through renunciation, gives up the body at that tirtha, his destination is irreversible — he never returns from Rudra's world.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.197.73)

एतत्सर्वं समाख्यातं यत्पृष्ठे हि त्वयानघ। माहात्म्यं पिप्पलादस्य तीर्थस्योत्पत्तिरेव च

etatsarvaṁ samākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭhe hi tvayānagha| māhātmyaṁ pippalādasya tīrthasyotpattireva ca

O sinless one, all that you asked has thus been told — the glory of Pippalada, and the origin of the tirtha as well.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.197.74)

एतत्पुण्यं पापहरं धन्यं दुःस्वप्ननाशनम्। पठतां शृण्वतां चैव सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

etatpuṇyaṁ pāpaharaṁ dhanyaṁ duḥsvapnanāśanam| paṭhatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ caiva sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

This is a sacred, sin-destroying, blessed account, dispelling evil dreams; for those who read and hear it, every sin is destroyed.