The Praise of the Law of Giving at Shulabheda

Verse 1 (skanda.5.206.1)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। काले तत्क्रियते कस्मिञ्छ्राद्धं दानं तथेश्वर। यात्रा तत्र प्रकर्तव्या तिथौ यस्यां वदाशु तत्

uttānapāda uvāca| kāle tatkriyate kasmiñcchrāddhaṁ dānaṁ tatheśvara| yātrā tatra prakartavyā tithau yasyāṁ vadāśu tat

Uttanapada said: O Ishvara, at what time should the shraddha and the gift be performed? On which lunar day should the pilgrimage there be undertaken? Tell me this at once.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.206.2)

ईश्वर उवाच। पितृतीर्थं यथा पुण्यं सर्वकामिकमुत्तमम्। इदं तीर्थं तथा पुण्यं स्नानदानादितर्पणैः

īśvara uvāca| pitṛtīrthaṁ yathā puṇyaṁ sarvakāmikamuttamam| idaṁ tīrthaṁ tathā puṇyaṁ snānadānāditarpaṇaiḥ

Ishvara said: Just as Pitritirtha is sacred, supreme, and fulfils every desire, so too is this tirtha sacred, through bathing, giving, and libations.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.206.3)

विशेषेण तु कुर्वीत श्राद्धं सर्वयुगादिषु। मन्वन्तरादयो वत्स श्रूयन्तां च चतुर्दश

viśeṣeṇa tu kurvīta śrāddhaṁ sarvayugādiṣu| manvantarādayo vatsa śrūyantāṁ ca caturdaśa

One should especially perform the shraddha rite on all the days marking the beginnings of the ages; O child, hear now of the fourteen occasions beginning with the Manvantara days.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.206.4)

अश्वयुक्छुक्लनवमी द्वादशी कार्त्तिकस्य च। तृतीया चैत्रमासस्य तथा भाद्रपदस्य च

aśvayukchuklanavamī dvādaśī kārttikasya ca| tṛtīyā caitramāsasya tathā bhādrapadasya ca

The ninth day of the bright half of Ashvin, the twelfth of Kartika, the third of the month of Chaitra, and likewise of Bhadrapada,

Verse 5 (skanda.5.206.5)

आषाढस्यैव दशमी माघस्यैव तु सप्तमी। श्रावणस्याष्टमी कृष्णा तथाषाढस्य पूर्णिमा

āṣāḍhasyaiva daśamī māghasyaiva tu saptamī| śrāvaṇasyāṣṭamī kṛṣṇā tathāṣāḍhasya pūrṇimā

the tenth of Ashadha, the seventh of Magha, the eighth of the dark half of Shravana, and the full moon of Ashadha,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.206.6)

फाल्गुनस्य त्वमावास्या पौषस्यैकादशी सिता। कार्त्तिकी फाल्गुनी चैत्री ज्यैष्ठी पञ्चदशी तथा

phālgunasya tvamāvāsyā pauṣasyaikādaśī sitā| kārttikī phālgunī caitrī jyaiṣṭhī pañcadaśī tathā

the new moon of Phalguna, the bright eleventh of Pausha, and the full moon days of Kartika, Phalguna, Chaitra, and Jyeshtha,

Verse 7 (skanda.5.206.7)

मन्वन्तरादयश्चैते अनन्तफलदाः स्मृताः। अयने चोत्तरे राजन्दक्षिणे श्राद्धमाचरेत्

manvantarādayaścaite anantaphaladāḥ smṛtāḥ| ayane cottare rājandakṣiṇe śrāddhamācaret

These Manvantara occasions and the rest are declared to bestow infinite fruit. O king, the shraddha should be performed both at the northern and the southern solstice.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.206.8)

कार्त्तिकी च तथा माघी वैशाखस्य तृतीयिका। पौर्णमासी च चैत्रस्य ज्येष्ठस्य च विशेषतः

kārttikī ca tathā māghī vaiśākhasya tṛtīyikā| paurṇamāsī ca caitrasya jyeṣṭhasya ca viśeṣataḥ

The full moon of Kartika and of Magha, the third day of Vaishakha, the full moon of Chaitra, and especially that of Jyeshtha,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.206.9)

अष्टकासु च संक्रान्तौ व्यतीपाते तथैव च। श्राद्धकाला इमे सर्वे दत्तमेष्वक्षयं स्मृतम्

aṣṭakāsu ca saṅkrāntau vyatīpāte tathaiva ca| śrāddhakālā ime sarve dattameṣvakṣayaṁ smṛtam

on the Ashtaka days, at the solstitial transit, and likewise at the Vyatipata conjunction — all these are occasions for the shraddha rite; what is given on them is declared to be imperishable.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.206.10)

मधुमासे सिते पक्ष एकादश्यामुपोषितः। निशि जागरणं कुर्याद्विष्णुपादसमीपतः

madhumāse site pakṣa ekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ| niśi jāgaraṇaṁ kuryādviṣṇupādasamīpataḥ

On the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Madhu, Chaitra, having fasted, one should keep vigil through the night near Vishnu's footprint.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.206.11)

धूपदीपादिनैवेद्यैः स्रङ्मालागुरुचन्दनैः। अर्चां कुर्वन्ति ये विष्णोः पठेयुः प्राक्तनीं कथाम्

dhūpadīpādinaivedyaiḥ sraṅmālāgurucandanaiḥ| arcāṁ kurvanti ye viṣṇoḥ paṭheyuḥ prāktanīṁ kathām

Those who worship Vishnu with incense, lamps, and other offerings, with garlands, aloeswood, and sandal-paste, should recite his ancient story.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.206.12)

ऋग्यजुःसाममन्त्रोक्तं सूक्तं जपति यो द्विजः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

ṛgyajuḥsāmamantroktaṁ sūktaṁ japati yo dvijaḥ| sarvapāpavinirmukto viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whatever twice-born recites the hymn declared in the Rig, Yajur, and Sama verses, being freed from every sin, goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.206.13)

प्रातः श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत द्विजान् सम्पूज्य यत्नतः। दानं दद्याद्यथाशक्ति गोहिरण्याम्बरादिकम्

prātaḥ śrāddhaṁ prakurvīta dvijān sampūjya yatnataḥ| dānaṁ dadyādyathāśakti gohiraṇyāmbarādikam

One should perform the shraddha rite at dawn, diligently honouring the brahmins; one should give, according to one's means, gifts of cows, gold, and clothing.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.206.14)

पितरस्तस्य तृप्यन्ति यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्। श्राद्धदस्तु व्रजेत्तत्र यत्र देवो जनार्दनः

pitarastasya tṛpyanti yāvadābhūtasamplavam| śrāddhadastu vrajettatra yatra devo janārdanaḥ

His ancestors remain satisfied until the dissolution of the universe. He who performs the shraddha goes to that place where the god Janardana resides.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.206.15)

त्रयोदश्यां ततो गच्छेद्गुहावासिनि लिङ्गके। दृष्ट्वा मार्कण्डमीशानं मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

trayodaśyāṁ tato gacchedguhāvāsini liṅgake| dṛṣṭvā mārkaṇḍamīśānaṁ mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

On the thirteenth day, one should then go to the cave-dwelling linga; beholding Markandesha, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.206.16)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। गुहामध्ये महादेव लिङ्गं परमशोभितम्। येन प्रतिष्ठितं देव तन्ममाख्यातुमर्हसि

uttānapāda uvāca| guhāmadhye mahādeva liṅgaṁ paramaśobhitam| yena pratiṣṭhitaṁ deva tanmamākhyātumarhasi

Uttanapada said: O Mahadeva, within the cave stands a supremely resplendent linga; O god, you should tell me by whom it was established.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.206.17)

ईश्वर उवाच। त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातो मार्कण्डेयो मुनीश्वरः। दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं स तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम्

īśvara uvāca| triṣu lokeṣu vikhyāto mārkaṇḍeyo munīśvaraḥ| divyaṁ varṣasahasraṁ sa tapastepe sudāruṇam

Ishvara said: Markandeya, lord of sages, renowned in the three worlds, performed most severe austerity for a thousand divine years.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.206.18)

गुहामध्यं प्रविष्टोऽसौ योगाभ्यासमुपाश्रितः। लिङ्गं तु स्थापितं तेन मार्कण्डेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

guhāmadhyaṁ praviṣṭo'sau yogābhyāsamupāśritaḥ| liṅgaṁ tu sthāpitaṁ tena mārkaṇḍeśvarasaṁjñitam

Entering within the cave, resorting to the practice of yoga, he established the linga known by the name Markandeshvara.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.206.19)

तत्र स्नात्वा च यो भक्त्या सोपवासो जितेन्द्रियः। तत्र जागरणं कुर्वन् दद्याद्दीपं प्रयत्नतः

tatra snātvā ca yo bhaktyā sopavāso jitendriyaḥ| tatra jāgaraṇaṁ kurvan dadyāddīpaṁ prayatnataḥ

Whoever bathes there, and, fasting devotedly, with senses subdued, keeps vigil there and diligently offers a lamp,

Verse 20 (skanda.5.206.20)

देवस्य स्नपनं कुर्यान्मृतैः पञ्चभिस्तथा। यथा शक्त्या समालभ्य पूजां कुर्याद्यथाविधि

devasya snapanaṁ kuryānmṛtaiḥ pañcabhistathā| yathā śaktyā samālabhya pūjāṁ kuryādyathāvidhi

should bathe the god with the five sacred substances, and, anointing him according to his means, should perform worship duly.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.206.21)

स्वशाखोत्पन्नमन्त्रैश्च जपं कुर्युर्द्विजातयः। सावित्र्यष्टसहस्रं तु शताष्टकमथापि वा

svaśākhotpannamantraiśca japaṁ kuryurdvijātayaḥ| sāvitryaṣṭasahasraṁ tu śatāṣṭakamathāpi vā

The twice-born should recite the mantras belonging to their own Vedic branch — the Savitri mantra either eight thousand times, or a hundred and eight times.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.206.22)

एतत्कृत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ जन्मनः फलमाप्नुयात्। चतुर्दश्यां तु वै स्नात्वा पूजां कृत्वा यथाविधि

etatkṛtvā nṛpaśreṣṭha janmanaḥ phalamāpnuyāt| caturdaśyāṁ tu vai snātvā pūjāṁ kṛtvā yathāvidhi

O best of kings, having done this, he obtains the fruit of his birth. Bathing on the fourteenth day and performing worship according to the rite,

Verse 23 (skanda.5.206.23)

पात्रं परीक्ष्य दातव्यमात्मनः श्रेय इच्छता। पितरस्तस्य तृप्यन्ति द्वादशाब्दान्यसंशयम्

pātraṁ parīkṣya dātavyamātmanaḥ śreya icchatā| pitarastasya tṛpyanti dvādaśābdānyasaṁśayam

one who desires his own welfare should examine the worthiness of the recipient before giving. His ancestors remain satisfied for twelve years, without doubt.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.206.24)

दाता स गच्छते तत्र यत्र भोगाः सनातनाः। गुहामध्ये प्रविष्टस्तु लोटयेच्चैव शक्तितः

dātā sa gacchate tatra yatra bhogāḥ sanātanāḥ| guhāmadhye praviṣṭastu loṭayeccaiva śaktitaḥ

That giver goes to the place of eternal enjoyments. Having entered within the cave, one should, according to one's ability, roll upon the ground there.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.206.25)

नीले गिरौ हि यत्पुण्यं तत्समस्तं लभन्ति ते। शूलभेदे तु यः कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं पर्वणि पर्वणि

nīle girau hi yatpuṇyaṁ tatsamastaṁ labhanti te| śūlabhede tu yaḥ kuryācchrāddhaṁ parvaṇi parvaṇi

They obtain all the merit that exists at the Blue Mountain. Whoever performs the shraddha at Shulabheda on every sacred occasion,

Verse 26 (skanda.5.206.26)

विशेषाच्चैत्रमासान्ते तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु। केदारे चैव यत्पुण्यं गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे

viśeṣāccaitramāsānte tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu| kedāre caiva yatpuṇyaṁ gaṅgāsāgarasaṅgame

especially at the end of the month of Chaitra — hear the sacred fruit of that. Whatever merit is at Kedara, whatever at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean,

Verse 27 (skanda.5.206.27)

सितासिते तु यत्पुण्यमन्यतीर्थे विशेषतः। अर्बुदे विद्यते पुण्यं पुण्यं चामरपर्वते

sitāsite tu yatpuṇyamanyatīrthe viśeṣataḥ| arbude vidyate puṇyaṁ puṇyaṁ cāmaraparvate

whatever merit exists especially at the confluence of pale and dark waters, and at other tirthas, whatever merit exists at Mount Arbuda, and at Amaraparvata,

Verse 28 (skanda.5.206.28)

गयादिसर्वतीर्थानां फलमाप्नोति मानवः। विधिमन्त्रसमायुक्तस्तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः

gayādisarvatīrthānāṁ phalamāpnoti mānavaḥ| vidhimantrasamāyuktastarpayetpitṛdevatāḥ

the man obtains the fruit of all tirthas beginning with Gaya, if, equipped with the proper rite and mantra, he offers libations to the ancestral deities.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.206.29)

कुलानां तारयेद्विंशं दश पूर्वान् दशापरान्। दक्षिणस्यां ततो मूर्तौ शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः

kulānāṁ tārayedviṁśaṁ daśa pūrvān daśāparān| dakṣiṇasyāṁ tato mūrtau śucirbhūtvā samāhitaḥ

he ferries across twenty generations of his lineage — ten before and ten after. Then, before the image in the southern direction, being pure and composed,

Verse 30 (skanda.5.206.30)

न्यासं कृत्वा तु पूर्वोक्तं प्रदद्यादष्टपुष्पिकाम्। शास्त्रोक्तैरष्टभिः पुष्पैर्मानसैः शृणु तद्यथा

nyāsaṁ kṛtvā tu pūrvoktaṁ pradadyādaṣṭapuṣpikām| śāstroktairaṣṭabhiḥ puṣpairmānasaiḥ śṛṇu tadyathā

having performed the aforementioned ritual placement, one should offer the eightfold flower-rite, with the eight mental flowers declared in the scriptures — hear what these are.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.206.31)

वारिजं सौम्यमाग्नेयं वायव्यं पार्थिवं पुनः। वानस्पत्यं भवेत्षष्ठं प्राजापत्यं तु सप्तमम्

vārijaṁ saumyamāgneyaṁ vāyavyaṁ pārthivaṁ punaḥ| vānaspatyaṁ bhavetṣaṣṭhaṁ prājāpatyaṁ tu saptamam

The watery, the lunar, the fiery, the airy, then the earthy, the sixth being the vegetal, the seventh the generative,

Verse 32 (skanda.5.206.32)

अष्टमं शिवपुष्पं स्यादेषां शृणु विनिर्णयम्। वारिजं सलिलं ज्ञेयं सौम्यं मधुघृतं पयः

aṣṭamaṁ śivapuṣpaṁ syādeṣāṁ śṛṇu vinirṇayam| vārijaṁ salilaṁ jñeyaṁ saumyaṁ madhughṛtaṁ payaḥ

and the eighth the Shiva-flower — hear the explanation of these. The watery flower is to be known as water; the lunar as honey, ghee, and milk.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.206.33)

आग्नेयं धूपदीपाद्यं वायव्यं चन्दनादिकम्। पार्थिवं कन्दमूलाद्यं वानस्पत्यं फलात्मकम्

āgneyaṁ dhūpadīpādyaṁ vāyavyaṁ candanādikam| pārthivaṁ kandamūlādyaṁ vānaspatyaṁ phalātmakam

The fiery is incense, lamps, and the like; the airy is sandal-paste and the like; the earthy is roots and tubers and the like; the vegetal consists of fruits.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.206.34)

प्राजापत्यं तु पाठाद्यं शिवपुष्पं तु वासना। अहिंसा प्रथमं पुष्पं पुष्पमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः

prājāpatyaṁ tu pāṭhādyaṁ śivapuṣpaṁ tu vāsanā| ahiṁsā prathamaṁ puṣpaṁ puṣpamindriyanigrahaḥ

The generative is recitation and the like; the Shiva-flower is fragrance. Non-violence is the first flower, restraint of the senses the second flower.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.206.35)

तृतीयं तु दया पुष्पं क्षमा पुष्पं चतुर्थकम्। ध्यानपुष्पं तपः पुष्पं ज्ञानपुष्पं तु सप्तमम्

tṛtīyaṁ tu dayā puṣpaṁ kṣamā puṣpaṁ caturthakam| dhyānapuṣpaṁ tapaḥ puṣpaṁ jñānapuṣpaṁ tu saptamam

The third is the flower of compassion, the fourth the flower of forgiveness; the flower of meditation, the flower of austerity, and the seventh the flower of knowledge.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.206.36)

सत्यं चैवाष्टमं पुष्पमेभिस्तुष्यन्ति देवताः। भक्त्या तपस्विनः पूज्या ज्ञानिनश्च नराधिप

satyaṁ caivāṣṭamaṁ puṣpamebhistuṣyanti devatāḥ| bhaktyā tapasvinaḥ pūjyā jñāninaśca narādhipa

Truth is indeed the eighth flower; by these the deities are pleased. O lord of men, ascetics and the wise should be worshipped with devotion.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.206.37)

छत्रमावरणं दद्यादुपानद्युगलं तथा। तेन पूजितमात्रेण पूजिताः पुरुषास्त्रयः

chatramāvaraṇaṁ dadyādupānadyugalaṁ tathā| tena pūjitamātreṇa pūjitāḥ puruṣāstrayaḥ

One should also give a parasol, a covering, and a pair of sandals; by this offering alone, all three divine persons become worshipped.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.206.38)

स्वर्गलोके वसेत्तावद्यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्। शूलपाणेस्तु भक्त्या वै जाप्यं कुर्वन्ति ये नराः

svargaloke vasettāvadyāvadābhūtasamplavam| śūlapāṇestu bhaktyā vai jāpyaṁ kurvanti ye narāḥ

He dwells in the heavenly world until the dissolution of the universe. Those men who devotedly perform recitation to the trident-bearer,

Verse 39 (skanda.5.206.39)

पञ्चामृतैः पञ्चगव्यैर्यक्षकर्दमकुङ्कुमैः। समालभेत देवेशं श्रीखण्डागुरुचन्दनैः

pañcāmṛtaiḥ pañcagavyairyakṣakardamakuṅkumaiḥ| samālabheta deveśaṁ śrīkhaṇḍāguracandanaiḥ

they should anoint the lord of gods with the five nectars, the five products of the cow, fragrant musk-paste, saffron, sandalwood, aloeswood, and sandal-paste.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.206.40)

नानाविधैश्च ये पुष्पैरर्चां कुर्वन्ति शूलिनः। निशि जागरणं कुर्युर्दीपदानं प्रयत्नतः

nānāvidhaiśca ye puṣpairarcāṁ kurvanti śūlinaḥ| niśi jāgaraṇaṁ kuryurdīpadānaṁ prayatnataḥ

And those who worship the trident-bearer with flowers of many kinds should keep vigil through the night and diligently offer lamps.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.206.41)

धूपनैवेद्यकं दद्यात्पठेत्पौराणिकीं कथाम्। तत्र स्थाने स्थिता भक्त्या जपं कुर्वन्ति ये नराः

dhūpanaivedyakaṁ dadyātpaṭhetpaurāṇikīṁ kathām| tatra sthāne sthitā bhaktyā japaṁ kurvanti ye narāḥ

One should offer incense and food-offerings and recite the Puranic tale. Those men who, remaining at that place, devotedly perform recitation,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.206.42)

श्रीसूक्तं पौरुषं सूक्तं पावमानं वृषाकपिम्। वेदोक्तैश्चैव मन्त्रैश्च रौद्रीं वा बहुरूपिणीम्

śrīsūktaṁ pauruṣaṁ sūktaṁ pāvamānaṁ vṛṣākapim| vedoktaiścaiva mantraiśca raudrīṁ vā bahurūpiṇīm

reciting the Shri Sukta, the Purusha Sukta, the Pavamana hymn, the Vrishakapi hymn, with Vedic mantras, or the Raudri hymn of manifold forms,

Verse 43 (skanda.5.206.43)

ब्राह्मणान् पूजयेद्भक्त्या पूजयित्वा प्रणम्य च। नानाविधैर्महाभोगैः शिवलोके महीयते

brāhmaṇān pūjayedbhaktyā pūjayitvā praṇamya ca| nānāvidhairmahābhogaiḥ śivaloke mahīyate

and, devotedly worshipping the brahmins, having honoured and bowed to them, one is glorified in the world of Shiva with manifold great enjoyments.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.206.44)

अग्निमित्यादि जाप्यानि ऋग्वेदी जपते तु यः। रुद्रान् पुरुषसूक्तं च श्लोकाध्यायं च शुक्रियम्

agnimityādi jāpyāni ṛgvedī japate tu yaḥ| rudrān puruṣasūktaṁ ca ślokādhyāyaṁ ca śukriyam

Whatever follower of the Rigveda recites the recitations beginning 'Agnim,' the Rudra hymns, the Purusha Sukta, the chapter of verses, and the Shukriya hymn,

Verse 45 (skanda.5.206.45)

इषेत्वा दिकमन्त्रौघं ज्योतिर्ब्राह्मणमेव च। गायत्र्यं वै मधु चैव मण्डलब्राह्मणानि च

iṣetvā dikamantraughaṁ jyotirbrāhmaṇameva ca| gāyatryaṁ vai madhu caiva maṇḍalabrāhmaṇāni ca

the 'Ishe tva' formula, the array of directional mantras, the Jyotir Brahmana, the Gayatri, the Madhu hymn, and the Mandala Brahmanas as well,

Verse 46 (skanda.5.206.46)

एताञ्जप्यांस्तु यो भक्त्या यजुर्वेदी जपेद्यदि। देवव्रतं वामदेव्यं पुरुषर्षभमेव च

etāñjapyāṁstu yo bhaktyā yajurvedī japedyadi| devavrataṁ vāmadevyaṁ puruṣarṣabhameva ca

if a follower of the Yajurveda devotedly recites these — the Devavrata, the Vamadevya, and the Purusharshabha —

Verse 47 (skanda.5.206.47)

बृहद्रथान्तरं चैव यो जपेद्भक्तितत्परः। स प्रयाति नरः स्थानं यत्र देवो महेश्वरः

bṛhadrathāntaraṁ caiva yo japedbhaktitatparaḥ| sa prayāti naraḥ sthānaṁ yatra devo maheśvaraḥ

and likewise the Brihad and Rathantara chants, that devoted man attains the place where the god Maheshvara resides.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.206.48)

पादशौचं तथाभ्यङ्गं कुरुते योऽत्र भक्तितः। गोदाने चैव यत्पुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः

pādaśaucaṁ tathābhyaṅgaṁ kurute yo'tra bhaktitaḥ| godāne caiva yatpuṇyaṁ labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever here devotedly performs the washing of feet and anointing obtains the same merit as the gift of a cow, without doubt.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.206.49)

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेत्तत्र मधुना पायसेन च। एकस्मिन् भोजिते विप्रे कोटिर्भवति भोजिता

brāhmaṇān bhojayettatra madhunā pāyasena ca| ekasmin bhojite vipre koṭirbhavati bhojitā

There one should feed brahmins with honey and rice-pudding. When one brahmin is fed, it is as though ten million have been fed.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.206.50)

सुवर्णं रजतं वस्त्रं दद्याद्भक्त्या द्विजोत्तमे। तर्पितास्तेन देवाः स्युर्मनुष्याः पितरस्तथा

suvarṇaṁ rajataṁ vastraṁ dadyādbhaktyā dvijottame| tarpitāstena devāḥ syurmanuṣyāḥ pitarastathā

One should devotedly give gold, silver, and clothing to a foremost brahmin; by this, the gods, mortals, and ancestors are all satisfied.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.206.51)

चन्द्रसूर्यग्रहे भक्त्या स्नानं कुर्वन्ति ये नराः। देवार्चनं ये च कुर्युर्जपं होमं विशेषतः। दद्याद्दानं यथाशक्ति ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे

candrasūryagrahe bhaktyā snānaṁ kurvanti ye narāḥ| devārcanaṁ ye ca kuryurjapaṁ homaṁ viśeṣataḥ| dadyāddānaṁ yathāśakti brāhmaṇe vedapārage

Those men who devotedly bathe at the time of a lunar or solar eclipse, who perform worship of the gods, recitation, and especially fire-oblation, and who, according to their means, give gifts to a brahmin learned in the Vedas —

Verse 52 (skanda.5.206.52)

अश्वं रथं गजं यानं तुलापुरुषमेव च। शकटं यः प्रदद्याद्वा सप्तधान्यप्रपूरितम्

aśvaṁ rathaṁ gajaṁ yānaṁ tulāpuruṣameva ca| śakaṭaṁ yaḥ pradadyādvā saptadhānyaprapūritam

A horse, a chariot, an elephant, a vehicle, the gift of one's own weight in gold, or a cart filled with the seven grains,

Verse 53 (skanda.5.206.53)

सयोक्त्रं लाङ्गलं दद्याद्युवानौ तु धुरंधरौ। गोभूतिलहिरण्यादि पात्रे दातव्यमर्चितम्

sayoktraṁ lāṅgalaṁ dadyādyuvānau tu dhuraṁdharau| gobhūtilahiraṇyādi pātre dātavyamarcitam

a plough with its yoke-strap, and a pair of young, yoke-bearing oxen — a cow, land, sesame, gold, and the like — should be given with honour to a worthy recipient.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.206.54)

अपात्रे विदुषा किंचिन्न देयं भूतिमिच्छता। यतोऽसौ सर्वभूतानि दधाति धरणी किल

apātre viduṣā kiṁcinna deyaṁ bhūtimicchatā| yato'sau sarvabhūtāni dadhāti dharaṇī kila

A learned man who desires prosperity should give nothing at all to an unworthy recipient — for it is the earth alone that sustains all beings.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.206.55)

ततो विप्राय सा देया सर्वसस्यौघमालिनी। अथान्यच्छृणु राजेन्द्र गोदानस्य तु यत्फलम्

tato viprāya sā deyā sarvasasyaughamālinī| athānyacchṛṇu rājendra godānasya tu yatphalam

Therefore she, garlanded with the abundance of every crop, should be given to a brahmin. O Rajendra, now hear also the fruit of the gift of a cow.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.206.56)

यावद्वत्सस्य पादौ द्वौ मुखं योन्यां प्रदृश्यते। तावद्गौः पृथिवी ज्ञेया यावद्गर्भं न मुञ्चति

yāvadvatsasya pādau dvau mukhaṁ yonyāṁ pradṛśyate| tāvadgauḥ pṛthivī jñeyā yāvadgarbhaṁ na muñcati

As long as the calf's two feet and mouth are visible at the womb's opening, that is, as long as she has not released her offspring, the cow should be known as equal to the earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.206.57)

येन केनाप्युपायेन ब्राह्मणे तां समर्पयेत्। पृथ्वी दत्ता भवेत्तेन सशैलवनकानना

yena kenāpyupāyena brāhmaṇe tāṁ samarpayet| pṛthvī dattā bhavettena saśailavanakānanā

Whoever, by any means whatsoever, offers her to a brahmin, by him the entire earth, with its mountains, forests, and groves, is deemed to have been given.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.206.58)

तारयेन्नियतं दत्ता कुलानामेकविंशतिम्। रौप्यखुरीं कांस्यदोहां सवस्त्रां च पयस्विनीम्

tārayenniyataṁ dattā kulānāmekaviṁśatim| raupyakhurīṁ kāṁsyadohāṁ savastrāṁ ca payasvinīm

When given, adorned with silvered hooves, milked into a bronze vessel, draped in cloth, a rich milk-giver certainly ferries across twenty-one generations.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.206.59)

ये प्रयच्छन्ति कृतिनो ग्रस्ते सूर्ये निशाकरे। तेषां संख्यां न जानामि पुण्यस्याब्दशतैरपि

ye prayacchanti kṛtino graste sūrye niśākare| teṣāṁ saṁkhyāṁ na jānāmi puṇyasyābdaśatairapi

Those meritorious ones who give gifts when the sun or the moon is eclipsed — I cannot reckon the measure of their merit even over hundreds of years.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.206.60)

सर्वस्यापि हि दानस्य संख्यास्तीह नराधिप। चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे च दानसंख्या न विद्यते

sarvasyāpi hi dānasya saṁkhyāstīha narādhipa| candrasūryoparāge ca dānasaṁkhyā na vidyate

O lord of men, every gift has here its fixed measure, but for a gift given at a lunar or solar eclipse, no measure exists.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.206.61)

यत्र गौर्दृश्यते राजन् सर्वतीर्थानि तत्र हि। तत्र पर्व विजानीयान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

yatra gaurdṛśyate rājan sarvatīrthāni tatra hi| tatra parva vijānīyānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

O king, wherever a cow is seen, there indeed all the tirthas are present; that occasion should be known as equal to a sacred festival — no further deliberation is needed on this.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.206.62)

पुनः स्मृत्वा तु तत्तीर्थं यः कुर्याद्गमनं नरः। अथवा म्रियते योऽत्र रुद्रस्यानुचरो भवेत्

punaḥ smṛtvā tu tattīrthaṁ yaḥ kuryādgamanaṁ naraḥ| athavā mriyate yo'tra rudrasyānucaro bhavet

Whatever man, remembering that tirtha, undertakes to go there again, or whoever dies there, becomes an attendant of Rudra.