The Glory of Maninageshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.227.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेत्तु राजेन्द्र मणिनागेश्वरं शुभम्। उत्तरे नर्मदाकूले सर्वपापक्षयंकरम्। स्थापितं मणिनागेन लोकानां हितकाम्यया

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchettu rājendra maṇināgeśvaraṁ śubham| uttare narmadākūle sarvapāpakṣayaṁkaram| sthāpitaṁ maṇināgena lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Shri Markandeya said: Then go, O king of kings, to the auspicious Maninageshvara on the northern bank of the Narmada, destroyer of every sin, established by Maninaga for the welfare of the worlds.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.227.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। आशीविषेण सर्पेण ईश्वरस्तोषितः कथम्। क्षुद्राः सर्वस्य लोकस्य भयदा विषशालिनः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| āśīviṣeṇa sarpeṇa īśvarastoṣitaḥ katham| kṣudrāḥ sarvasya lokasya bhayadā viṣaśālinaḥ

Yudhishthira said: How was the Lord pleased by a poison-fanged serpent? Venomous serpents are base creatures, a terror to the whole world.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.227.3)

कथ्यतां तात मे सर्वं पातकस्योपशान्तिदम्। मम सन्तापजं दुःखं दुर्योधनसमुद्भवम्

kathyatāṁ tāta me sarvaṁ pātakasyopaśāntidam| mama santāpajaṁ duḥkhaṁ duryodhanasamudbhavam

Tell me, father, this whole tale that pacifies sin — for my sorrow born of the torment Duryodhana caused,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.227.4)

कर्णभीष्मोद्भवं रौद्रं दुःखं पाञ्चालिसम्भवम्। तव वक्त्राम्बुजौघेन प्लावितं निर्वृतिं गतः

karṇabhīṣmodbhavaṁ raudraṁ duḥkhaṁ pāñcālisambhavam| tava vaktrāmbujaughena plāvitaṁ nirvṛtiṁ gataḥ

the dreadful sorrow born from Karna and from Bhishma, and that arising from Panchali — all has been swept away in the flood from your lotus mouth, and I have found peace.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.227.5)

श्रुत्वा तव मुखोद्गीतां कथां वै पापनाशिनीम्। अयुक्तमिदमस्माकं द्विज क्लेशो न शाम्यति

śrutvā tava mukhodgītāṁ kathāṁ vai pāpanāśinīm| ayuktamidamasmākaṁ dvija kleśo na śāmyati

Having heard this sin-destroying tale sung from your own mouth, it would surely be wrong, O twice-born, if our affliction did not now subside.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.227.6)

अथवा प्राप्स्यते तात विद्यादानस्य यत्फलम्। तत्फलं प्राप्यते नित्यं कथाश्रवणतो हरेः

athavā prāpsyate tāta vidyādānasya yatphalam| tatphalaṁ prāpyate nityaṁ kathāśravaṇato hareḥ

Or rather, father, whatever fruit is gained from the gift of knowledge — that same fruit is ever gained from hearing the tales of Hari.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.227.7)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। यथायथा त्वं नृप भाषसे च तथातथा मे सुखमेति भारती। शैथिल्यता वा जरयान्वितस्य त्वत्सौहृदं नश्यति नैव तात। शृणुष्व तस्मात्सह बान्धवैश्च कथामिमां पापहरां प्रशस्ताम्

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| yathāyathā tvaṁ nṛpa bhāṣase ca tathātathā me sukhameti bhāratī| śaithilyatā vā jarayānvitasya tvatsauhṛdaṁ naśyati naiva tāta| śṛṇuṣva tasmātsaha bāndhavaiśca kathāmimāṁ pāpaharāṁ praśastām

Shri Markandeya said: However you speak, O king, so does my speech find joy in it; and, my child, though weakened by old age, my fondness for you never fails. Therefore listen, together with your kinsmen, to this excellent, sin-removing tale.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.227.8)

कथयामि यथावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम्

kathayāmi yathāvṛttamitihāsaṁ purātanam

I shall relate the ancient tale just as it happened.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.227.9)

कथितं पूर्वतो वृत्तैः पारम्पर्येण भारत

kathitaṁ pūrvato vṛttaiḥ pāramparyeṇa bhārata

It has been told, O Bharata, since ancient times by the elders, in unbroken succession.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.227.10)

द्वे भार्ये कश्यपस्यास्तां सर्वलोकेष्वनुत्तमे। गरुत्मन्तं च विनतासूत कद्रूरहीनथ

dve bhārye kaśyapasyāstāṁ sarvalokeṣvanuttame| garutmantaṁ ca vinatāsūta kadrūrahīnatha

Kashyapa had two wives, unsurpassed in all the worlds: Vinata gave birth to Garutman (Garuda), and Kadru to the serpents.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.227.11)

संतोषेण च ते तात तिष्ठतः काश्यपे गृहे। कद्रूश्च विनता नाम हृष्टे च वनिते सदा

santoṣeṇa ca te tāta tiṣṭhataḥ kāśyape gṛhe| kadrūśca vinatā nāma hṛṣṭe ca vanite sadā

Content, O father, those two wives, named Kadru and Vinata, dwelt always joyfully in Kashyapa's home.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.227.12)

ताभ्यां सार्द्धं क्रीडते च कश्यपोऽपि प्रजापतिः। ततस्त्वेकदिने प्राप्ते आश्रमस्था शुभानना

tābhyāṁ sārddhaṁ krīḍate ca kaśyapo'pi prajāpatiḥ| tatastvekadine prāpte āśramasthā śubhānanā

And Kashyapa Prajapati would sport together with them both. Then, one day, while dwelling in the hermitage, the fair-faced Vinata,

Verse 13 (skanda.5.227.13)

उच्चैःश्रवं हयं दृष्ट्वा मनोवेगसमन्वितम्। पश्य पश्य हि तन्वङ्गी हयं सर्वत्र पाण्डुरम्

uccaiḥśravaṁ hayaṁ dṛṣṭvā manovegasamanvitam| paśya paśya hi tanvaṅgi hayaṁ sarvatra pāṇḍuram

having seen the horse Uchchaihshravas, swift as thought, said, "Look, look, O slender one, this horse is white all over,

Verse 14 (skanda.5.227.14)

धावमानमविश्रान्तं जवेन मनसोपमम्। तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा चाश्वमीर्ष्याभावेन चाब्रवीत्

dhāvamānamaviśrāntaṁ javena manasopamam| taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasā cāśvamīrṣyābhāvena cābravīt

running unwearied, swift in pace as thought." Seeing that horse suddenly, Kadru spoke out of envy.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.227.15)

कद्रूरुवाच। ब्रूहि भद्रे सहस्रांशोरश्वः किंवर्णको भवेत्। अहं ब्रवीमि कृष्णोऽयं त्वं किं वदसि तद्वद

kadrūruvāca| brūhi bhadre sahasrāṁśoraśvaḥ kiṁvarṇako bhavet| ahaṁ bravīmi kṛṣṇo'yaṁ tvaṁ kiṁ vadasi tadvada

Kadru said: "Tell me, gracious one, what colour is the horse of the Thousand-Rayed One? I say he is black — say what you think."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.227.16)

विनतोवाच। पश्यसे ननु नेत्रैश्च कृष्णं श्वेतं न पश्यसि। असत्यभाषणाद्भद्रे यमलोकं गमिष्यसि

vinatovāca| paśyase nanu netraiśca kṛṣṇaṁ śvetaṁ na paśyasi| asatyabhāṣaṇādbhadre yamalokaṁ gamiṣyasi

Vinata said: "Can you not see with your own eyes? You call him black, but do not truly see he is white. By speaking falsely, gracious one, you shall go to Yama's world."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.227.17)

सत्यानृते तु वचने पणस्तव ममैव तु। सहस्रं चैव वर्षाणां दास्यहं तव मन्दिरे

satyānṛte tu vacane paṇastava mamaiva tu| sahasraṁ caiva varṣāṇāṁ dāsyahaṁ tava mandire

"Let there be a wager between the two of us on this word, true or false: for a thousand years I shall be a slave in your house, if I lose."

Verse 18 (skanda.5.227.18)

असत्या यदि मे वाणी कृष्ण उच्चैःश्रवा यदि। तदाहं त्वद्गृहे दासी भवामि सर्पमातृके

asatyā yadi me vāṇī kṛṣṇa uccaiḥśravā yadi| tadāhaṁ tvadgṛhe dāsī bhavāmi sarpamātṛke

"If my word proves false, and Uchchaihshravas is black, then, O mother of serpents, I shall become a slave in your house."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.227.19)

यदि उच्चैःश्रवाः श्वेतोऽहं दासी च तवैव तु। एवं परस्परं द्वाभ्यां संवादोऽयं व्यवर्धत

yadi uccaiḥśravāḥ śveto'haṁ dāsī ca tavaiva tu| evaṁ parasparaṁ dvābhyāṁ saṁvādo'yaṁ vyavardhata

"And if Uchchaihshravas is white, then you shall be my slave." Thus this dispute grew between the two of them.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.227.20)

आश्रमेषु गता बाला रात्रौ चिन्तापरा स्थिता। बन्धुवर्गस्य कथितं समस्तं तद्विचेष्टितम्

āśrameṣu gatā bālā rātrau cintāparā sthitā| bandhuvargasya kathitaṁ samastaṁ tadviceṣṭitam

The young woman (Kadru) went into the hermitage and remained that night lost in anxious thought; she told her kinsmen the whole affair.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.227.21)

पुत्राणां कथितं पार्थ पणं चैव मया कृतम्। हाहाकारः कृतः सर्पैः श्रुत्वा मात्रा पणं कृतम्

putrāṇāṁ kathitaṁ pārtha paṇaṁ caiva mayā kṛtam| hāhākāraḥ kṛtaḥ sarpaiḥ śrutvā mātrā paṇaṁ kṛtam

She told her sons, O Partha, of the wager she had made. Hearing that their mother had made this wager, the serpents cried out in dismay.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.227.22)

जाता दासी न सन्देहः श्वेतो भास्करवाहनः। उच्चैःश्रवा हयः श्वेतो न कृष्णो विद्यते क्वचित्

jātā dāsī na sandehaḥ śveto bhāskaravāhanaḥ| uccaiḥśravā hayaḥ śveto na kṛṣṇo vidyate kvacit

"Without doubt our mother has become a slave — the Sun's mount is white; the horse Uchchaihshravas is white, nowhere is he black."

Verse 23 (skanda.5.227.23)

कद्रूरुवाच। यथाहं न भवे दासी तत्कार्यं च विचिन्त्यताम्। विशध्वं रोमकूपेषु ह्युच्चैःश्रवहयस्य तु

kadrūruvāca| yathāhaṁ na bhave dāsī tatkāryaṁ ca vicintyatām| viśadhvaṁ romakūpeṣu hyuccaiḥśravahayasya tu

Kadru said: "Devise some means by which I shall not become a slave — enter the pores of the hair of the horse Uchchaihshravas,

Verse 24 (skanda.5.227.24)

एकं मुहूर्तमात्रं तु यावत्कृष्णः स दृश्यते। क्षणमात्रेण चैकेन दासी सा भवते मम

ekaṁ muhūrtamātraṁ tu yāvatkṛṣṇaḥ sa dṛśyate| kṣaṇamātreṇa caikena dāsī sā bhavate mama

"for just one instant, long enough for him to appear black. In that single moment, Vinata shall become my slave."

Verse 25 (skanda.5.227.25)

दासीं कृत्वा तु तां तन्वीं विनतां सत्यगर्विताम्। ततः स्वस्थानगाः सर्वे भविष्यथ यथासुखम्

dāsīṁ kṛtvā tu tāṁ tanvīṁ vinatāṁ satyagarvitām| tataḥ svasthānagāḥ sarve bhaviṣyatha yathāsukham

"And having made that slender Vinata, proud of her truthfulness, into a slave, you shall all then return to your own abodes at your ease."

Verse 26 (skanda.5.227.26)

सर्पा ऊचुः। यथा त्वं जननी चाम्ब सर्वेषां भुवि पूजिता। तथा सापि विशेषेण वञ्चितव्या न मातरः

sarpā ūcuḥ| yathā tvaṁ jananī cāmba sarveṣāṁ bhuvi pūjitā| tathā sāpi viśeṣeṇa vañcitavyā na mātaraḥ

The serpents said: "O mother, just as you are honoured on this earth as mother to us all, so too she should not especially be deceived — mothers ought not to be cheated."

Verse 27 (skanda.5.227.27)

माता च पितृभार्या च मातृमाता पितामही। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा हितं तासां समाचरेत्

mātā ca pitṛbhāryā ca mātṛmātā pitāmahī| karmaṇā manasā vācā hitaṁ tāsāṁ samācaret

"One's own mother, one's father's wife, the mother of one's mother, and the grandmother — their welfare should be furthered in deed, in mind, and in word."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.227.28)

सा ततस्तेन वाक्येन क्रुद्धा कालानलोपमा। मम वाक्यमकुर्वाणा ये केचिद्भुवि पन्नगाः

sā tatastena vākyena kruddhā kālānalopamā| mama vākyamakurvāṇā ye kecidbhuvi pannagāḥ

Then, enraged by that speech, blazing like the fire of doomsday, Kadru said: "Whatever serpents on earth do not carry out my word,

Verse 29 (skanda.5.227.29)

हव्यवाहमुखे सर्वे ते यास्यन्त्यविचारितम्। मातुस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे चैव भुजङ्गमाः

havyavāhamukhe sarve te yāsyantyavicāritam| mātustadvacanaṁ śrutvā sarve caiva bhujaṅgamāḥ

"shall all go, without recourse, into the mouth of fire." Hearing their mother's words, all the serpents —

Verse 30 (skanda.5.227.30)

केचित्प्रविष्टा रोमेषु उच्चैःश्रवहयस्य च। नष्टाः केचिद्दशदिशं कद्रूशापभयात्ततः

kecitpraviṣṭā romeṣu uccaiḥśravahayasya ca| naṣṭāḥ keciddaśadiśaṁ kadrūśāpabhayāttataḥ

some entered the hairs of the horse Uchchaihshravas, while others, out of fear of Kadru's curse, fled in the ten directions.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.227.31)

केचिद्गङ्गाजले नष्टाः केचिन्नष्टाः सरस्वतीम्। केचिन्महोदधौ लीनाः प्रविष्टा विन्ध्यकन्दरे

kecidgaṅgājale naṣṭāḥ kecinnaṣṭāḥ sarasvatīm| kecinmahodadhau līnāḥ praviṣṭā vindhyakandare

Some vanished into the waters of the Ganga, some vanished into the Sarasvati; some merged into the great ocean, others entered the caverns of the Vindhya.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.227.32)

आश्रित्य नर्मदातोये मणिनागोत्तमो नृप। तपश्चचार विपुलमुत्तरे नर्मदातटे

āśritya narmadātoye maṇināgottamo nṛpa| tapaścacāra vipulamuttare narmadātaṭe

Taking refuge in the waters of the Narmada, O king, the excellent serpent Maninaga performed extensive austerity on the Narmada's northern bank.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.227.33)

मातृशापभयात्पार्थ ध्यायते कामनाशनम्। अच्छेद्यमप्रतर्क्यं च विनाशोत्पत्तिवर्जितम्

mātṛśāpabhayātpārtha dhyāyate kāmanāśanam| acchedyamapratarkyaṁ ca vināśotpattivarjitam

Fearing his mother's curse, O Partha, he meditated on the Destroyer of Desire (Shiva) — the imperishable, inconceivable one, free of both origin and destruction.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.227.34)

वायुभक्षः शतं साग्रं तदर्धं रविवीक्षकः। एवं ध्यानरतस्यैव प्रत्यक्षस्त्रिपुरान्तकः

vāyubhakṣaḥ śataṁ sāgraṁ tadardhaṁ ravivīkṣakaḥ| evaṁ dhyānaratasyaiva pratyakṣastripurāntakaḥ

Feeding on air alone for a hundred years and more, and gazing at the sun for half that time — while he remained thus absorbed in meditation, the Destroyer of the Three Cities appeared before him in person.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.227.35)

साधु साधु महाभाग सत्त्ववांस्तु भुजंगम। त्वया भक्त्या गृहीतोऽहं प्रीतस्ते ह्युरगेश्वर। वरं याचय मे क्षिप्रं यस्ते मनसि वर्तते

sādhu sādhu mahābhāga sattvavāṁstu bhujaṁgama| tvayā bhaktyā gṛhīto'haṁ prītaste hyurageśvara| varaṁ yācaya me kṣipraṁ yaste manasi vartate

"Well done, well done, O fortunate one, O truly steadfast serpent! I am held fast by your devotion, O lord of serpents, and am pleased with you. Quickly ask of me the boon in your heart."

Verse 36 (skanda.5.227.36)

मणिनाग उवाच। मातृशापभयान्नाथ क्लिष्टोऽहं नर्मदातटे। त्वत्प्रसादेन मे नाथ मातृशापो भवेद्वृथा

maṇināga uvāca| mātṛśāpabhayānnātha kliṣṭo'haṁ narmadātaṭe| tvatprasādena me nātha mātṛśāpo bhavedvṛthā

Maninaga said: "O Lord, afflicted by fear of my mother's curse, I have suffered here on the bank of the Narmada. By your grace, O Lord, may my mother's curse become void."

Verse 37 (skanda.5.227.37)

ईश्वर उवाच। हव्यवाहमुखं वत्स न प्राप्स्यसि ममाज्ञया। मम लोके निवासश्च तव पुत्र भविष्यति

īśvara uvāca| havyavāhamukhaṁ vatsa na prāpsyasi mamājñayā| mama loke nivāsaśca tava putra bhaviṣyati

Ishvara said: "My child, by my decree you shall not go to the mouth of fire; your dwelling, O son, shall be in my own world."

Verse 38 (skanda.5.227.38)

मणिनाग उवाच। अत्र स्थाने महादेव स्थीयतामंशभागतः। सहस्रांशेन भागेन स्थीयतां नर्मदाजले। उपकाराय लोकानां मम नाम्नैव शङ्कर

maṇināga uvāca| atra sthāne mahādeva sthīyatāmaṁśabhāgataḥ| sahasrāṁśena bhāgena sthīyatāṁ narmadājale| upakārāya lokānāṁ mama nāmnaiva śaṅkara

Maninaga said: "O Mahadeva, dwell in this place with a portion of yourself; abide in the waters of the Narmada with a thousandth part; and, O Shankara, remain here established under my own name, for the benefit of the worlds."

Verse 39 (skanda.5.227.39)

ईश्वर उवाच। स्थापयस्व परं लिङ्गमाज्ञया मम पन्नग। इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितो देवो जगाम ह्युमया सह

īśvara uvāca| sthāpayasva paraṁ liṅgamājñayā mama pannaga| ityuktvāntarhito devo jagāma hyumayā saha

Ishvara said: "Install a supreme linga here, O serpent, by my command." Having said this, the god vanished, and departed together with Uma.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.227.40)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। तत्र तीर्थे तु ये गत्वा शुचिप्रयतमानसाः। पञ्चम्यां वा चतुर्दश्यामष्टम्यां शुक्लकृष्णयोः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tatra tīrthe tu ye gatvā śuciprayatamānasāḥ| pañcamyāṁ vā caturdaśyāmaṣṭamyāṁ śuklakṛṣṇayoḥ

Shri Markandeya said: There at that tirtha, those who go with pure and disciplined minds, on the fifth, fourteenth or eighth day of either the bright or dark fortnight,

Verse 41 (skanda.5.227.41)

अर्चयन्ति सदा पार्थ नोपसर्पन्ति ते यमम्। दध्ना च मधुना चैव घृतेन क्षीरयोगतः

arcayanti sadā pārtha nopasarpanti te yamam| dadhnā ca madhunā caiva ghṛtena kṣīrayogataḥ

and worship there always, O Partha, do not draw near to Yama; with curds and honey and ghee mixed with milk,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.227.42)

स्नापयन्ति विरूपाक्षमुमादेहार्धधारिणम्। कामाङ्गदहनं देवमघासुरनिषूदनम्

snāpayanti virūpākṣamumādehārdhadhāriṇam| kāmāṅgadahanaṁ devamaghāsuraniṣūdanam

they bathe Virupaksha, who bears half of Uma's body, who burned the body of Kama, the slayer of the demon Agha.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.227.43)

स्नाप्यमानं च ये भक्त्वा पश्यन्ति परमेश्वरम्। ते यान्ति च परे लोके सर्वपापविवर्जितैः

snāpyamānaṁ ca ye bhaktvā paśyanti parameśvaram| te yānti ca pare loke sarvapāpavivarjitaiḥ

And those who, with devotion, behold the Supreme Lord as he is being bathed — they go on to the highest world, free of every sin.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.227.44)

श्राद्धं प्रेतेषु ये पार्थ चाष्टम्यां पञ्चमीषु च। ब्राह्मणैश्च सदा योग्यैर्वेदपाठकचिन्तकैः

śrāddhaṁ preteṣu ye pārtha cāṣṭamyāṁ pañcamīṣu ca| brāhmaṇaiśca sadā yogyairvedapāṭhakacintakaiḥ

Those who, O Partha, perform the shraddha for the departed ancestors on the eighth or fifth day, with brahmins ever worthy, devoted to reciting and pondering the Veda,

Verse 45 (skanda.5.227.45)

स्वदारनिरतैः श्लक्ष्णैः परदारविवर्जितैः। षट्कर्मनिरतैस्तात शूद्रप्रेषणवर्जितैः

svadāranirataiḥ ślakṣṇaiḥ paradāravivarjitaiḥ| ṣaṭkarmanirataistāta śūdrapreṣaṇavarjitaiḥ

brahmins devoted to their own wives, refined, free of desire for others' wives, given to the six duties, and, my child, free of service under Shudras —

Verse 46 (skanda.5.227.46)

खञ्जाश्च दर्दुराः षण्ढा वार्द्धुष्याश्च कृषीवलाः। भिन्नवृत्तिकराः पुत्र नियोज्या न कदाचन

khañjāśca dardurāḥ ṣaṇḍhā vārddhuṣyāśca kṛṣīvalāḥ| bhinnavṛttikarāḥ putra niyojyā na kadācana

The lame, the misshapen, eunuchs, usurers, farmers, and those following mixed occupations should never, my son, be engaged for this.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.227.47)

वृषलीमन्दिरे यस्य महिषीं यस्तु पालयेत्। स विप्रो दूरतस्त्याज्यो व्रते श्राद्धे नराधिप

vṛṣalīmandire yasya mahiṣīṁ yastu pālayet| sa vipro dūratastyājyo vrate śrāddhe narādhipa

The brahmin who keeps a woman of ill repute in his house while neglecting his lawful wife — such a brahmin, O lord of men, should be shunned from afar in every vow and shraddha.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.227.48)

काणाष्टुंटाश्च मण्टाश्च वेदपाठविवर्जिताः। न ते पूज्या द्विजाः पार्थ मणिनागेश्वरे शुभे

kāṇāṣṭuṇṭāśca maṇṭāśca vedapāṭhavivarjitāḥ| na te pūjyā dvijāḥ pārtha maṇināgeśvare śubhe

The one-eyed, the maimed, and the crippled, who are devoid of Vedic recitation — such twice-born, O Partha, are not to be honoured at the auspicious Maninageshvara.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.227.49)

यदीच्छेदूर्ध्वगमनमात्मनः पितृभिः सह। सर्वाङ्गरुचिरां धेनुं यो दद्यादग्रजन्मने

yadīcchedūrdhvagamanamātmanaḥ pitṛbhiḥ saha| sarvāṅgarucirāṁ dhenuṁ yo dadyādagrajanmane

If one desires ascent for oneself, together with one's ancestors, one should give a cow, beautiful in every limb, to a foremost brahmin —

Verse 50 (skanda.5.227.50)

स याति परमं लोकं यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्। ततः स्वर्गाच्च्युतः सोऽपि जायते विमले कुले

sa yāti paramaṁ lokaṁ yāvadābhūtasamplavam| tataḥ svargāccyutaḥ so'pi jāyate vimale kule

he goes to the highest world, remaining there until the dissolution of beings; then, falling from heaven, he too is born in a spotless family.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.227.51)

ये पश्यन्ति परं भक्त्या मणिनागेश्वरं नृप। न तेषां जायते वंशे पन्नगानां भयं नृप

ye paśyanti paraṁ bhaktyā maṇināgeśvaraṁ nṛpa| na teṣāṁ jāyate vaṁśe pannagānāṁ bhayaṁ nṛpa

Those who behold Maninageshvara with supreme devotion, O king — in their lineage, O king, no fear of serpents ever arises.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.227.52)

पन्नगः शङ्कते तेषां मणिनागप्रदर्शनात्। सौपर्णरूपिणस्ते वै दृश्यन्ते नागमण्डले

pannagaḥ śaṅkate teṣāṁ maṇināgapradarśanāt| sauparṇarūpiṇaste vai dṛśyante nāgamaṇḍale

The serpent itself is wary of them, because of the sight of Maninaga; in the realm of serpents, such devotees appear as if in the form of Suparna (Garuda).

Verse 53 (skanda.5.227.53)

फलानि चैव दानानां शृणुष्वाथ नृपोत्तम। अन्नं संस्कारसंयुक्तं ये ददन्ते नरोत्तमाः

phalāni caiva dānānāṁ śṛṇuṣvātha nṛpottama| annaṁ saṁskārasaṁyuktaṁ ye dadante narottamāḥ

Now hear, O best of kings, the fruits of gifts: those excellent men who give food prepared with proper rites,

Verse 54 (skanda.5.227.54)

तोयं शय्यां तथा छत्रं कन्यां दासीं सुभाषिणीम्। पात्रे देयं यतो राजन् यदीच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः

toyaṁ śayyāṁ tathā chatraṁ kanyāṁ dāsīṁ subhāṣiṇīm| pātre deyaṁ yato rājan yadīcchecchreya ātmanaḥ

water, a bed, an umbrella, a maiden, or a well-spoken maidservant — these should be given to a worthy recipient, O king, if one desires one's own welfare;

Verse 55 (skanda.5.227.55)

सुरभीणि च पुष्पाणि गन्धवस्त्राणि दापयेत्। दीपं धान्यं गृहं शुभ्रं सर्वोपस्करसंयुतम्

surabhīṇi ca puṣpāṇi gandhavastrāṇi dāpayet| dīpaṁ dhānyaṁ gṛhaṁ śubhraṁ sarvopaskarasaṁyutam

One should also give fragrant flowers, scented garments, a lamp, grain, and a bright house furnished with all necessities.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.227.56)

ये ददन्ते परं भक्त्या ते व्रजन्ति त्रिविष्टपम्। मणिनागे नृपश्रेष्ठ यच्च दानं प्रदीयते

ye dadante paraṁ bhaktyā te vrajanti triviṣṭapam| maṇināge nṛpaśreṣṭha yacca dānaṁ pradīyate

Those who give with supreme devotion go to heaven; and whatever gift is given at Maninaga, O best of kings,

Verse 57 (skanda.5.227.57)

तस्य दानस्य भावेन स्वर्गे वासो भवेद्ध्रुवम्। पातकानि प्रलीयन्ते आमपात्रे यथा जलम्

tasya dānasya bhāvena svarge vāso bhaveddhruvam| pātakāni pralīyante āmapātre yathā jalam

by the power of that gift, dwelling in heaven follows for certain; and sins there dissolve away, as water seeps through an unbaked clay pot.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.227.58)

नर्मदातोयसंसिद्धं भोज्यं विप्रे ददाति यः। सोऽपि पापैर्विनिर्मुक्तः क्रीडते दैवतैः सह

narmadātoyasaṁsiddhaṁ bhojyaṁ vipre dadāti yaḥ| so'pi pāpairvinirmuktaḥ krīḍate daivataiḥ saha

Whoever gives to a brahmin food prepared with the water of the Narmada — he too, freed from sins, sports together with the gods.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.227.59)

ततः स्वर्गच्युतानां हि लक्षणं प्रवदाम्यहम्। दीर्घायुषो जीवपुत्रा धनवन्तः सुशोभनाः

tataḥ svargacyutānāṁ hi lakṣaṇaṁ pravadāmyaham| dīrghāyuṣo jīvaputrā dhanavantaḥ suśobhanāḥ

Now I shall declare the marks of those fallen from heaven: they are long-lived, have living sons, are wealthy and beautiful,

Verse 60 (skanda.5.227.60)

सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्ताः सुतभृत्यैः समन्विताः। त्यागिनो भोगसंयुक्ता धर्माख्यानरताः सदा

sarvavyādhivinirmuktāḥ sutabhṛtyaiḥ samanvitāḥ| tyāgino bhogasaṁyuktā dharmākhyānaratāḥ sadā

free of every disease, blessed with sons and servants, generous, endowed with enjoyment, and ever devoted to discourse on dharma,

Verse 61 (skanda.5.227.61)

देवद्विजगुरोर्भक्तास्तीर्थसेवापरायणाः। मातापितृवशा नित्यं द्रोहक्रोधविवर्जिताः

devadvijagurorbhaktāstīrthasevāparāyaṇāḥ| mātāpitṛvaśā nityaṁ drohakrodhavivarjitāḥ

devoted to gods, brahmins and the guru, intent on serving tirthas, ever submissive to mother and father, and free of malice and anger.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.227.62)

एभिरेव गुणैर्युक्ता ये नराः पाण्डुनन्दन। सत्यं ते स्वर्गादायाताः स्वर्गे वासं व्रजन्ति ते

ebhireva guṇairyuktā ye narāḥ pāṇḍunandana| satyaṁ te svargādāyātāḥ svarge vāsaṁ vrajanti te

Men endowed with just these qualities, O son of Pandu — truly they have come from heaven, and they go on to dwell in heaven.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.227.63)

सर्वतीर्थवरं तीर्थं मणिनागं नृपोत्तम। तीर्थाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि

sarvatīrthavaraṁ tīrthaṁ maṇināgaṁ nṛpottama| tīrthākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādapi

Maninaga is the best of all tirthas, O best of kings; whoever reads, or even hears, this sacred tirtha-tale,

Verse 64 (skanda.5.227.64)

सोऽपि पापैर्विनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते। न विषं क्रमते तेषां विचरन्ति यथेच्छया

so'pi pāpairvinirmuktaḥ śivaloke mahīyate| na viṣaṁ kramate teṣāṁ vicaranti yathecchayā

he too, freed from sins, is exalted in the world of Shiva; poison does not overcome such people, and they wander wherever they wish.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.227.65)

भाद्रपद्यां च यत्षष्ठ्यां पुण्यं सूर्यस्य दर्शने। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति आख्यानश्रवणेन तु

bhādrapadyāṁ ca yatṣaṣṭhyāṁ puṇyaṁ sūryasya darśane| tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti ākhyānaśravaṇena tu

And whatever merit lies in beholding the sun on the sixth day of Bhadrapada — that very fruit is gained simply by hearing this legend.