The Glory of Hanumanteshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.238.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महाराज तीर्थं परमशोभनम्। ब्रह्महत्याहरं प्रोक्तं रेवातटसमाश्रयम्। हनूमताभिधं ह्यत्र विद्यते लिङ्गमुत्तमम्

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchenmahārāja tīrthaṁ paramaśobhanam| brahmahatyāharaṁ proktaṁ revātaṭasamāśrayam| hanūmatābhidhaṁ hyatra vidyate liṅgamuttamam

Shri Markandeya said: Then go, O great king, to a most beautiful tirtha, said to remove the sin of killing a brahmin, situated on the bank of the Reva; here stands an excellent linga known by the name of Hanuman.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.238.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। हनूमन्तेश्वरं नाम कथं जातं वदस्व मे। ब्रह्महत्याहरं तीर्थं रेवादक्षिणसंस्थितम्

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| hanūmanteśvaraṁ nāma kathaṁ jātaṁ vadasva me| brahmahatyāharaṁ tīrthaṁ revādakṣiṇasaṁsthitam

Yudhishthira said: Tell me how it came to be called Hanumanteshvara — this tirtha, situated on the southern bank of the Reva, that removes the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.238.3)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। साधु साधु महाबाहो सोमवंशविभूषण। गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं तीर्थं नाख्यातं कस्यचिन्मया

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| sādhu sādhu mahābāho somavaṁśavibhūṣaṇa| guhyādguhyataraṁ tīrthaṁ nākhyātaṁ kasyacinmayā

Shri Markandeya said: Well said, well said, O mighty-armed one, ornament of the lunar dynasty! This tirtha is a secret more secret than secrets, which I have never told to anyone.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.238.4)

तव स्नेहात्प्रवक्ष्यामि पीडितो वार्द्धकेन तु। पूर्वं जातं महद्युद्धं रामरावणयोरपि

tava snehātpravakṣyāmi pīḍito vārddhakena tu| pūrvaṁ jātaṁ mahadyuddhaṁ rāmarāvaṇayorapi

Out of my affection for you, though afflicted by old age, I shall relate it. Long ago there occurred the great war between Rama and Ravana.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.238.5)

पुलस्त्यो ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो विश्रवास्तस्य वै सुतः। रावणस्तेन संजातो दशास्यो ब्रह्मराक्षसः

pulastyo brahmaṇaḥ putro viśravāstasya vai sutaḥ| rāvaṇastena saṁjāto daśāsyo brahmarākṣasaḥ

Pulastya was a son of Brahma; Vishrava was his son; from him was born Ravana, the ten-headed brahmin-demon.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.238.6)

त्रैलोक्यविजयी भूतः प्रसादाच्छूलिनः स च। गीर्वाणा विजिताः सर्वे रामस्य गृहिणी हृता

trailokyavijayī bhūtaḥ prasādācchūlinaḥ sa ca| gīrvāṇā vijitāḥ sarve rāmasya gṛhiṇī hṛtā

By the grace of the trident-bearer he became the conqueror of the three worlds; he defeated all the gods, and he abducted Rama's wife.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.238.7)

वारितः कुम्भकर्णेन सीतां मोचय मोचय। विभीषणेन वै पापो मन्दोदर्या पुनःपुनः

vāritaḥ kumbhakarṇena sītāṁ mocaya mocaya| vibhīṣaṇena vai pāpo mandodaryā punaḥpunaḥ

Kumbhakarna tried to stop him: "Release Sita, release her!" And the sinful one was warned again and again, by Vibhishana too, and by Mandodari.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.238.8)

त्वं जितः कार्तवीर्येण रैणुकेयेन सोऽपि च। स रामो रामभद्रेण तस्य संख्ये कथं जयः

tvaṁ jitaḥ kārtavīryeṇa raiṇukeyena so'pi ca| sa rāmo rāmabhadreṇa tasya saṁkhye kathaṁ jayaḥ

"You were once conquered by Kartavirya, and he in turn by Renuka's son (Parashurama), and even that Rama yielded before Ramabhadra — how then could you triumph in battle against him?"

Verse 9 (skanda.5.238.9)

रावण उवाच। वानरैश्च नरैरृक्षैर्वराहैश्च निरायुधैः। देवासुरसमूहैश्च न जितोऽहं कदाचन

rāvaṇa uvāca| vānaraiśca naraiḥ ṛkṣairvarāhaiśca nirāyudhaiḥ| devāsurasamūhaiśca na jito'haṁ kadācana

Ravana said: "By monkeys, by men, by bears, by unarmed boars, nor by hosts of gods and demons have I ever been defeated."

Verse 10 (skanda.5.238.10)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। सुग्रीवहनुमद्भ्यां च कुमुदेनाङ्गदेन च। एतैरन्यैः सहायैश्च रामचन्द्रेण वै जितः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| sugrīvahanumadbhyāṁ ca kumudenāṅgadena ca| etairanyaiḥ sahāyaiśca rāmacandreṇa vai jitaḥ

Shri Markandeya said: Yet by Sugriva and Hanuman, by Kumuda and Angada, and with these and other helpers, Ramachandra did defeat him.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.238.11)

रामचन्द्रेण पौलस्त्यो हतः संख्ये महाबलः। वनं भग्नं हताः शूराः प्रभञ्जनसुतेन च

rāmacandreṇa paulastyo hataḥ saṁkhye mahābalaḥ| vanaṁ bhagnaṁ hatāḥ śūrāḥ prabhañjanasutena ca

Ramachandra slew the mighty son of Pulastya's line in battle; and the son of the Wind destroyed the grove and slew the valiant warriors there.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.238.12)

रावणस्य सुतो जन्ये हतश्चाक्षकुमारकः। आयामो रक्षसां भीमः सम्पिष्टो वानरेण तु

rāvaṇasya suto janye hataścākṣakumārakaḥ| āyāmo rakṣasāṁ bhīmaḥ sampiṣṭo vānareṇa tu

In that combat, Ravana's son, the young Akshaya, was slain; and the formidable might of the demons was ground to dust by that monkey.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.238.13)

एवं रामायणे वृत्ते सीतामोक्षे कृते सति। अयोध्यां तु गते रामे हनुमान्स महाकपिः

evaṁ rāmāyaṇe vṛtte sītāmokṣe kṛte sati| ayodhyāṁ tu gate rāme hanumānsa mahākapiḥ

Thus, when the events of the Ramayana had unfolded, when Sita's release was accomplished, and when Rama had returned to Ayodhya, that great monkey Hanuman,

Verse 14 (skanda.5.238.14)

कैलासाख्यं गतः शैलं प्रणामाय महेशितुः। तिष्ठ तिष्ठेत्यसौ प्रोक्तो नन्दिना वानरोत्तमः

kailāsākhyaṁ gataḥ śailaṁ praṇāmāya maheśituḥ| tiṣṭha tiṣṭhetyasau prokto nandinā vānarottamaḥ

went to the mountain called Kailasa to pay homage to the great Lord; Nandi said to that best of monkeys, "Stop, stop!"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.238.15)

ब्रह्महत्यायुतस्त्वं हि राक्षसानां वधेन हि। भैरवस्य सभा नूनं न द्रष्टव्या त्वया कपे

brahmahatyāyutastvaṁ hi rākṣasānāṁ vadhena hi| bhairavasya sabhā nūnaṁ na draṣṭavyā tvayā kape

"Because of the slaying of the demons, you are burdened with the sin of killing brahmins; therefore, O monkey, you must not behold the assembly of Bhairava."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.238.16)

हनुमानुवाच। नन्दिनाथ हरं पृच्छ पातकस्योपशान्तिदम्। पापोऽहं प्लवगो यस्मात्संजातः कारणान्तरात्

hanumānuvāca| nandinātha haraṁ pṛccha pātakasyopaśāntidam| pāpo'haṁ plavago yasmātsaṁjātaḥ kāraṇāntarāt

Hanuman said: "O lord Nandi, ask Hara for a way to pacify this sin — for I, a monkey, have become sinful through a cause beyond my choosing."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.238.17)

नन्द्युवाच। रुद्रदेहोद्भवा किं ते न श्रुता भूतले स्थिता। श्रवणाज्जन्मजनितं द्विगुणं कीर्तनाद्व्रजेत्

nandyuvāca| rudradehodbhavā kiṁ te na śrutā bhūtale sthitā| śravaṇājjanmajanitaṁ dviguṇaṁ kīrtanādvrajet

Nandi said: "Have you not heard of the river born from Rudra's own body, dwelling here on earth? By merely hearing of her, sin born across lifetimes departs twofold; by praising her, it departs even more."

Verse 18 (skanda.5.238.18)

त्रिंशज्जन्मार्जितं पापं नश्येद्रेवावगाहनात्। तस्मात्त्वं नर्मदातीरं गत्वा चर तपो महत्

triṁśajjanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ naśyedrevāvagāhanāt| tasmāttvaṁ narmadātīraṁ gatvā cara tapo mahat

"Sin accumulated over thirty births is destroyed by bathing in the Reva. Therefore go to the bank of the Narmada and perform great austerity there."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.238.19)

गन्धर्वाहसुतोऽप्येवं नन्दिनोक्तं निशम्य च। प्रयातो नर्मदातीरमौर्व्यादक्षिणसङ्गमम्

gandharvāhasuto'pyevaṁ nandinoktaṁ niśamya ca| prayāto narmadātīramaurvyādakṣiṇasaṅgamam

The son of the Wind, hearing Nandi's words, then set out for the bank of the Narmada, toward the southern confluence.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.238.20)

दध्यौ सुदक्षिणे देवं विरूपाक्षं त्रिशूलिनम्। जटामुकुटसंयुक्तं व्यालयज्ञोपवीतिनम्

dadhyau sudakṣiṇe devaṁ virūpākṣaṁ triśūlinam| jaṭāmukuṭasaṁyuktaṁ vyālayajñopavītinam

There, on the southern bank, he meditated upon the trident-bearing god Virupaksha, crowned with matted locks, wearing a serpent as his sacred thread.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.238.21)

भस्मोपचितसर्वाङ्गं डमरुस्वरनादितम्। उमार्द्धाङ्गहरं शान्तं गोनाथासनसंस्थितम्

bhasmopacitasarvāṅgaṁ ḍamarusvaranāditam| umārddhāṅgaharaṁ śāntaṁ gonāthāsanasaṁsthitam

his whole body smeared with ash, resounding with the sound of the damaru, bearing half of Uma's body, tranquil, seated on his bull mount.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.238.22)

वत्सरान् सुबहून् यावदुपासांचक्र ईश्वरम्। तावत्तुष्टो महादेव आजगाम सहोमया

vatsarān subahūn yāvadupāsāṁcakra īśvaram| tāvattuṣṭo mahādeva ājagāma sahomayā

For many long years he worshipped the Lord; then Mahadeva, well pleased, came there together with Uma.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.238.23)

उवाच मधुरां वाणीं मेघगम्भीरनिस्वनाम्। साधु साध्वित्युवाचेशः कष्टं वत्स त्वया कृतम्

uvāca madhurāṁ vāṇīṁ meghagambhīranisvanām| sādhu sādhvityuvāceśaḥ kaṣṭaṁ vatsa tvayā kṛtam

He spoke sweet words in a voice deep as thunderclouds — Ishvara said: "Well done, well done! My child, you have undergone great hardship."

Verse 24 (skanda.5.238.24)

न च पूर्वं त्वया पापं कृतं रावणसंक्षये। स्वामिकार्यरतस्त्वं हि सिद्धोऽसि मम दर्शनात्

na ca pūrvaṁ tvayā pāpaṁ kṛtaṁ rāvaṇasaṁkṣaye| svāmikāryaratastvaṁ hi siddho'si mama darśanāt

"In truth you committed no sin in destroying Ravana, for you were devoted to your master's cause; by the very sight of me you are already made pure."

Verse 25 (skanda.5.238.25)

हनुमांश्च हरं दृष्ट्वा उमार्द्धाङ्गहरं स्थिरम्। साष्टाङ्गं प्रणतोऽवोचज्जय शम्भो नमोऽस्तु ते। जयान्धकविनाशाय जय गङ्गाशिरोधर

hanumāṁśca haraṁ dṛṣṭvā umārddhāṅgaharaṁ sthiram| sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇato'vocajjaya śambho namo'stu te| jayāndhakavināśāya jaya gaṅgāśirodhara

Hanuman too, beholding Hara, unmoving, bearing Uma as half his body, prostrated in full obeisance and said: "Victory to you, Shambhu, homage to you! Victory to the destroyer of Andhaka, victory to the bearer of the Ganga upon your head!"

Verse 26 (skanda.5.238.26)

एवं स्तुतो महादेवो वरदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। वरं प्रार्थय मे वत्स प्राणसम्भवसम्भव

evaṁ stuto mahādevo varado vākyamabravīt| varaṁ prārthaya me vatsa prāṇasambhavasambhava

Thus praised, Mahadeva, granter of boons, spoke: "Ask a boon of me, my child, O one born of the vital breath, son of the Wind."

Verse 27 (skanda.5.238.27)

श्रीहनुमानुवाच। ब्रह्मरक्षोवधाज्जाता मम हत्या महेश्वर। न पापोऽहं भवेदेव युष्मत्सम्भाषणे क्षणात्

śrīhanumānuvāca| brahmarakṣovadhājjātā mama hatyā maheśvara| na pāpo'haṁ bhavedeva yuṣmatsambhāṣaṇe kṣaṇāt

Shri Hanuman said: "O great Lord, the sin of killing that arose from slaying the brahmin-demon — may I, this very instant, through speaking with you, no longer be that sinner."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.238.28)

ईश्वर उवाच। नर्मदातीर्थमाहात्म्याद्धर्मयोगप्रभावतः। मन्मूर्तिदर्शनात्पुत्र निष्पापोऽसि न संशयः

īśvara uvāca| narmadātīrthamāhātmyāddharmayogaprabhāvataḥ| manmūrtidarśanātputra niṣpāpo'si na saṁśayaḥ

Ishvara said: "By the glory of the Narmada tirtha, by the power of righteous discipline, and, my son, by the sight of my form, you are sinless — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 29 (skanda.5.238.29)

अन्यं च ते प्रयच्छामि वरं वानरपुंगव। उपकाराय लोकानां नामानि तव मारुते

anyaṁ ca te prayacchāmi varaṁ vānarapuṁgava| upakārāya lokānāṁ nāmāni tava mārute

"And I grant you another boon, O bull among monkeys: for the benefit of the worlds, O son of the wind, your names shall become known —"

Verse 30 (skanda.5.238.30)

हनूमानं जनिसुतो वायुपुत्रो महाबलः। रामेष्टः फाल्गुनो गोत्रः पिङ्गाक्षोऽमितविक्रमः

hanūmānaṁ janisuto vāyuputro mahābalaḥ| rāmeṣṭaḥ phālguno gotraḥ piṅgākṣo'mitavikramaḥ

"Hanuman, born of Anjana, the mighty son of the Wind, beloved of Rama, of the Phalguna lineage, tawny-eyed, of measureless valour,"

Verse 31 (skanda.5.238.31)

उदधिक्रमणश्रेष्ठो दशग्रीवस्य दर्पहा। लक्ष्मणप्राणदाता च सीताशोकनिवर्तनः

udadhikramaṇaśreṣṭho daśagrīvasya darpahā| lakṣmaṇaprāṇadātā ca sītāśokanivartanaḥ

"the foremost of ocean-leapers, the humbler of the ten-necked one's pride, the giver of life to Lakshmana, and the one who ended Sita's grief —"

Verse 32 (skanda.5.238.32)

इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे देव उमया सह शङ्करः। हनूमानीश्वरं तत्र स्थापयामास भक्तितः

ityuktvāntardadhe deva umayā saha śaṅkaraḥ| hanūmānīśvaraṁ tatra sthāpayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

Having said this, the god Shankara vanished together with Uma. There, Hanuman, with devotion, installed the linga of Hanumanishvara.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.238.33)

आत्मयोगबलेनैव ब्रह्मचर्यप्रभावतः। ईश्वरस्य प्रसादेन लिङ्गं कामप्रदं हि तत्। अच्छेद्यमप्रतर्क्यं च विनाशोत्पत्तिवर्जितम्

ātmayogabalenaiva brahmacaryaprabhāvataḥ| īśvarasya prasādena liṅgaṁ kāmapradaṁ hi tat| acchedyamapratarkyaṁ ca vināśotpattivarjitam

By his own yogic power, through the strength of his celibacy, and by the grace of Ishvara, that linga became a granter of desires — imperishable, inconceivable, free of both origin and destruction.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.238.34)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। हनूमन्तेश्वरे पुत्र प्रत्यक्षप्रत्ययं शृणु। यद्वृत्तं द्वापरस्यादौ त्रेतान्ते पाण्डुनन्दन

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| hanūmanteśvare putra pratyakṣapratyayaṁ śṛṇu| yadvṛttaṁ dvāparasyādau tretānte pāṇḍunandana

Shri Markandeya said: My son, hear now a direct proof concerning Hanumanteshvara — what occurred at the end of the Treta and the start of the Dvapara age, O son of Pandu.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.238.35)

सुपर्वा नाम भूपालो बभूव वसुधातले। तस्य राज्ञः सदा सौख्यं नरा दीर्घायुषः सदा

suparvā nāma bhūpālo babhūva vasudhātale| tasya rājñaḥ sadā saukhyaṁ narā dīrghāyuṣaḥ sadā

There was on earth a king named Suparva; in that king's realm, people always lived happily and long.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.238.36)

स पुत्रधनसंयुक्तश्चौरोपद्रववर्जितः। शतबाहुर्बभूवास्य पुत्रो भीमपराक्रमः

sa putradhanasaṁyuktaścaurapadravavarjitaḥ| śatabāhurbabhūvāsya putro bhīmaparākramaḥ

He was blessed with sons and wealth, and free of the troubles of thieves; his son was Shatabahu, of fearsome might.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.238.37)

आसक्तोऽसौ सदा कालं पापधर्मैर्नरेश्वर। अटाट्यत धरां सर्वां पर्वतांश्च वनानि च

āsakto'sau sadā kālaṁ pāpadharmairnareśvara| aṭāṭyata dharāṁ sarvāṁ parvatāṁśca vanāni ca

O lord of men, he was ever given to sinful deeds; he roamed over the whole earth, over mountains and forests.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.238.38)

वधार्थं मृगयूथानामागतो विन्ध्यपर्वतम्। तरुजातिसमाकीर्णे हस्तियूथसमाचिते

vadhārthaṁ mṛgayūthānāmāgato vindhyaparvatam| tarujātisamākīrṇe hastiyūthasamācite

In order to kill herds of deer, he came to the Vindhya mountain, dense with varieties of trees, crowded with herds of elephants,

Verse 39 (skanda.5.238.39)

सिंहचित्रकशोभाढ्ये मृगवाराहसंकुले। क्रीडित्वा स वने राजा नर्मदामानतः क्वचित्

siṁhacitrakaśobhāḍhye mṛgavārāhasaṁkule| krīḍitvā sa vane rājā narmadāmānataḥ kvacit

adorned with lions and leopards, teeming with deer and boars; the king, sporting in that forest, wandered at one point near the Narmada.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.238.40)

हनूमन्तवने प्राप्तः शतक्रोशप्रमाणके। चिञ्चिणीवनशोभाढ्ये कदम्बतरुसंकुले

hanūmantavane prāptaḥ śatakrośapramāṇake| ciñciṇīvanaśobhāḍhye kadambatarusaṁkule

He reached Hanumanta-vana, a hundred kroshas in extent, beautiful with tamarind groves, dense with kadamba trees,

Verse 41 (skanda.5.238.41)

नित्यं पालाशजम्बीरैः करंजखदिरैस्तथा। पाटलैर्बदरैर्युक्तैः शमीतिन्दुकशोभितम्

nityaṁ pālāśajambīraiḥ karaṁjakhadiraistathā| pāṭalairbadarairyuktaiḥ śamītindukaśobhitam

ever full of palasha and citron trees, karanja and khadira, laden with patala and jujube trees, adorned with shami and tinduka.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.238.42)

मृगयूथैः समाछन्नशिखण्डिस्वरनादितम्। पारावतकसङ्घानां समन्तात्स्वरशोभितम्

mṛgayūthaiḥ samācchannaśikhaṇḍisvaranāditam| pārāvatakasaṅghānāṁ samantātsvaraśobhitam

covered with herds of deer, resounding with the cries of peacocks, adorned all around with the cooing of flocks of doves.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.238.43)

शरत्कालेऽरमद्राजा बहुले चाश्विनस्य सः। वनमध्यं गतोऽद्राक्षीद्भ्रमन्तं पिङ्गलद्विजम्

śaratkāle'ramadrājā bahule cāśvinasya saḥ| vanamadhyaṁ gato'drākṣīdbhramantaṁ piṅgaladvijam

In the autumn season, in the dark fortnight of Ashvina, that king, sporting there, went into the midst of the forest and saw a tawny-hued brahmin wandering about.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.238.44)

पुस्तिकाकरसंस्थं च पप्रच्छ चपलं द्विजम्

pustikākarasaṁsthaṁ ca papraccha capalaṁ dvijam

Holding a small book in his hand, he questioned that restless brahmin.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.238.45)

शतबाहुरुवाच। एकाकी त्वं वने कस्माद्भ्रमसे पुस्तिकाकरः। इतस्ततोऽपि सम्पश्यन् कथयस्व द्विजोत्तम

śatabāhuruvāca| ekākī tvaṁ vane kasmādbhramase pustikākaraḥ| itastato'pi sampaśyan kathayasva dvijottama

Shatabahu said: "Why do you wander alone in this forest, book in hand, looking here and there? Tell me, O best of the twice-born."

Verse 46 (skanda.5.238.46)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। कान्यकुब्जात्समायातः प्रेषितो राजकन्यया। अस्थिक्षेपाय वै राजन्हनूमन्तेश्वरे जले

brāhmaṇa uvāca| kānyakubjātsamāyātaḥ preṣito rājakanyayā| asthikṣepāya vai rājanhanūmanteśvare jale

The brahmin said: "I have come from Kanyakubja, sent by a princess, O king, to cast bones into the waters at Hanumanteshvara."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.238.47)

राजोवाच। अस्थिक्षेपो जले कस्माद्धनूमन्तेश्वरे द्विज। क्रियते केन कार्येण साश्चर्यं कथ्यतां मम

rājovāca| asthikṣepo jale kasmāddhanūmanteśvare dvija| kriyate kena kāryeṇa sāścaryaṁ kathyatāṁ mama

The king said: "Why, O brahmin, is bone-immersion performed in the waters of Hanumanteshvara? For what purpose is this done? Tell me this marvel."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.238.48)

सुपर्वणः सुतो यानं त्यक्त्वा भूमौ प्रणम्य च। कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा ब्राह्मणाय नरेश्वर। समस्तं कथयामास वृत्तान्तं स्वं पुरातनम्

suparvaṇaḥ suto yānaṁ tyaktvā bhūmau praṇamya ca| kṛtāñjaliputo bhūtvā brāhmaṇāya nareśvara| samastaṁ kathayāmāsa vṛttāntaṁ svaṁ purātanam

Suparva's son, leaving his mount, bowing to the ground, and folding his hands, O lord of men, then told the brahmin his own whole past story.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.238.49)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। शिखण्डी नाम राजास्ति कन्यकुब्जे प्रतापवान्। अपुत्रोऽसौ महीपालः कन्या जाता मनोरथैः

brāhmaṇa uvāca| śikhaṇḍī nāma rājāsti kanyakubje pratāpavān| aputro'sau mahīpālaḥ kanyā jātā manorathaiḥ

The brahmin said: In Kanyakubja there is a mighty king named Shikhandi; that lord of the earth was sonless, and through his heartfelt longing a daughter was born to him.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.238.50)

जातिस्मरा सुचार्वङ्गी नर्मदायाः प्रभावतः। पित्रा च सैकदा कन्या विवाहाय प्रजल्पिता

jātismarā sucārvaṅgī narmadāyāḥ prabhāvataḥ| pitrā ca saikadā kanyā vivāhāya prajalpitā

She remembered her past life and was lovely of limb, by the power of the Narmada itself; and one day her father spoke to her about marriage.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.238.51)

अनित्ये पुत्रि संसारे कन्यादानं ददाम्यहम्। श्वःकृत्यमद्य कुर्वीत पूर्वाह्णे चापराह्णिकम्। न हि प्रतीक्षते मृत्युः कृतं चास्य न चाकृतम्

anitye putri saṁsāre kanyādānaṁ dadāmyaham| śvaḥkṛtyamadya kurvīta pūrvāhṇe cāparāhṇikam| na hi pratīkṣate mṛtyuḥ kṛtaṁ cāsya na cākṛtam

"My daughter, in this impermanent world I shall give you in marriage. Tomorrow's task should be done today, and the afternoon's task in the morning; for death waits neither for what is done nor for what is left undone."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.238.52)

कन्योवाच। इच्छेयं यत्र काले हि तत्र देया त्वया पितुः। पुत्रीवाक्यादसौ राजा विस्मितो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

kanyovāca| iccheyaṁ yatra kāle hi tatra deyā tvayā pituḥ| putrīvākyādasau rājā vismito vākyamabravīt

The maiden said: "Father, only at the time when I myself desire it, may you give me away." Astonished at his daughter's words, the king spoke:

Verse 53 (skanda.5.238.53)

शिखण्ड्युवाच। कथ्यतां मे महाभागे साश्चर्यं भाषितं त्वया। पितुर्वाक्येन सा बालोत्तमा ह्यागतान्तिकम्

śikhaṇḍyuvāca| kathyatāṁ me mahābhāge sāścaryaṁ bhāṣitaṁ tvayā| piturvākyena sā bālottamā hyāgatāntikam

Shikhandi said: "Tell me, O blessed one, this astonishing thing you have said." At her father's word, that excellent maiden came near him,

Verse 54 (skanda.5.238.54)

कथयामास यद्वृत्तं हनूमन्तेश्वरे नृप। कलापिनी ह्यहं तात युता भर्त्रावसं तदा

kathayāmāsa yadvṛttaṁ hanūmanteśvare nṛpa| kalāpinī hyahaṁ tāta yutā bhartrāvasaṁ tadā

and told what had happened at Hanumanteshvara, O king: "Father, at that time I was a peahen, dwelling together with my mate,

Verse 55 (skanda.5.238.55)

रेवौर्व्यासङ्गमन्तिस्था रेवाया दक्षिणे तटे। हनूमन्तवने पुण्ये चिक्रीडाहं यदृच्छया

revaurvyāsaṅgamantisthā revāyā dakṣiṇe taṭe| hanūmantavane puṇye cikrīḍāhaṁ yadṛcchayā

near the confluence of the Reva and the Urvi, on the southern bank of the Reva, in the sacred Hanumanta forest, sporting there freely, as I pleased.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.238.56)

भर्तृयुक्ता च संसुप्ता रजन्यां सरले नगे। आगता लुब्धकास्तत्र क्षुधार्ता वनमुत्तमम्

bhartṛyuktā ca saṁsuptā rajanyāṁ sarale nage| āgatā lubdhakāstatra kṣudhārtā vanamuttamam

One night, together with my mate, I lay asleep on a pine tree; then hunters, tormented by hunger, came into that excellent forest.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.238.57)

भर्तृयोगयुता पापैर्दृष्टाहं वधचिन्तकैः। पाशबन्धं समादाय बद्धाहं स्वामिना सह

bhartṛyogayutā pāpairdṛṣṭāhaṁ vadhacintakaiḥ| pāśabandhaṁ samādāya baddhāhaṁ svāminā saha

While together with my mate, I was seen by those sinful hunters bent on killing; taking a noose, they bound me, together with my lord.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.238.58)

ग्रीवां ते मोटयामासुः पिच्छाछोटनकं कृतम्। हुताशनमुखे तैस्तु सह कान्तेन लुब्धकैः

grīvāṁ te moṭayāmāsuḥ picchācchoṭanakaṁ kṛtam| hutāśanamukhe taistu saha kāntena lubdhakaiḥ

They wrung his neck, plucked out his feathers; and those hunters cast me, together with my beloved, into the mouth of the fire.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.238.59)

परिभर्ज्यावयोर्मांसं भक्षयित्वा यथेष्टतः। सुप्ताः स्वस्थेन्द्रिया रात्रौ सा गता शर्वरी क्षयम्

paribharjyāvayormāṁsaṁ bhakṣayitvā yatheṣṭataḥ| suptāḥ svasthendriyā rātrau sā gatā śarvarī kṣayam

Having roasted the flesh of us both and eaten as they pleased, they slept soundly that night with contented senses; and so that night passed away.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.238.60)

प्रभाते मांसशेषं च जम्बुकैर्गृध्रघातिभिः। मच्छरीरोद्भवं चास्थि स्नायुमांसेन चावृतम्

prabhāte māṁsaśeṣaṁ ca jambukairgṛdhraghātibhiḥ| maccharīrodbhavaṁ cāsthi snāyumāṁsena cāvṛtam

At dawn, the leftover flesh was eaten by jackals and predatory vultures; a bone from my own body, still wrapped in sinew and flesh, remained.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.238.61)

गृहीतं घातिनैकेन चाकाशात्पतितं तदा। तं मांसभक्षणं दृष्ट्वा परे पक्षिण आगताः

gṛhītaṁ ghātinaikena cākāśātpatitaṁ tadā| taṁ māṁsabhakṣaṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā pare pakṣiṇa āgatāḥ

It was seized by one bird of prey, and then it fell from the sky; seeing that morsel of flesh, other birds came flocking.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.238.62)

दृष्ट्वा पक्षिसमूहं तु अस्थिखण्डं व्यसर्जयत्। विहगानां समस्तानां धावतां चैव पश्यताम्

dṛṣṭvā pakṣisamūhaṁ tu asthikhaṇḍaṁ vyasarjayat| vihagānāṁ samastānāṁ dhāvatāṁ caiva paśyatām

Seeing that flock of birds, it dropped the piece of bone, while all the other birds rushed forward, watching.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.238.63)

पतितं नर्मदातोये हनूमन्तेश्वरे नृप। मदीयमस्थिखण्डं च पतितं नर्मदाजले

patitaṁ narmadātoye hanūmanteśvare nṛpa| madīyamasthikhaṇḍaṁ ca patitaṁ narmadājale

It fell, O king, into the waters of the Narmada at Hanumanteshvara — that fragment of my own bone fell into the Narmada's water.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.238.64)

तस्य तीर्थस्य पुण्येन जाताहं पुत्रिका तव। भूपकन्या त्वहं जाता पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना

tasya tīrthasya puṇyena jātāhaṁ putrikā tava| bhūpakanyā tvahaṁ jātā pūrṇacandranibhānanā

By the merit of that tirtha, I was born as your daughter — I became a princess, my face like the full moon.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.238.65)

जातिस्मरा नरेन्द्रस्य संजाता भवतः कुले। तस्माद्विवाहं नेच्छामि मम भर्ता नृपोत्तम

jātismarā narendrasya saṁjātā bhavataḥ kule| tasmādvivāhaṁ necchāmi mama bhartā nṛpottama

O lord of men, I was born into your lineage remembering my past life; therefore, O best of kings, I do not desire marriage, for my husband —

Verse 66 (skanda.5.238.66)

विषमे वर्ततेऽद्यापि शकुन्तमृगजातिषु। तस्यास्थिशेषं राजेन्द्र तस्मिंस्तीर्थे भविष्यति

viṣame vartate'dyāpi śakuntamṛgajātiṣu| tasyāsthiśeṣaṁ rājendra tasmiṁstīrthe bhaviṣyati

still remains today in a wretched state, cycling through the wombs of birds and beasts; O king, the remnant of his bones must still be at that very tirtha.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.238.67)

तत्क्षेपणार्थं वै तात प्रेषयाद्य द्विजोत्तमम्। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं कारणं नृपसत्तम

tatkṣepaṇārthaṁ vai tāta preṣayādya dvijottamam| etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ kāraṇaṁ nṛpasattama

Therefore, father, send today an excellent brahmin to cast those bones into the water. This, O best of kings, is the whole reason I have told you.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.238.68)

मद्भर्ता विषमे स्थाने शकुन्तमृगजातिषु। यदि प्रेषयसे तात कंचित्त्वं नर्मदातटे

madbhartā viṣame sthāne śakuntamṛgajātiṣu| yadi preṣayasi tāta kaṁcittvaṁ narmadātaṭe

My husband is in a wretched state, among the births of birds and beasts. If you, father, send someone to the bank of the Narmada,

Verse 69 (skanda.5.238.69)

तस्याहं कथयिष्यामि स्थानैश्चिह्नैश्च लक्षितम्। शिखण्डिनाप्यहं तत्र ह्याहूतो ह्यवनीपते

tasyāhaṁ kathayiṣyāmi sthānaiścihnaiśca lakṣitam| śikhaṇḍināpyahaṁ tatra hyāhūto hyavanīpate

I shall then tell him, marked by places and signs, where to find it. O lord of the earth, Shikhandi then summoned that brahmin,

Verse 70 (skanda.5.238.70)

दास्यामि विंशतिग्रामान्गच्छ त्वं नर्मदातटे। प्रेषणं मे प्रतिज्ञातमलक्ष्म्या पीडितेन तु

dāsyāmi viṁśatigrāmāngaccha tvaṁ narmadātaṭe| preṣaṇaṁ me pratijñātamalakṣmyā pīḍitena tu

and said, "I shall give you twenty villages; go to the bank of the Narmada. This mission of mine is undertaken, pressed as I am by misfortune."

Verse 71 (skanda.5.238.71)

कन्योवाच। गच्छ त्वं नर्मदां पुण्यां सर्वपापक्षयंकरीम्। आग्नेय्यां सोमनाथस्य हनूमन्तेश्वरः परः

kanyovāca| gaccha tvaṁ narmadāṁ puṇyāṁ sarvapāpakṣayaṁkarīm| āgneyyāṁ somanāthasya hanūmanteśvaraḥ paraḥ

The maiden said: "Go to the sacred Narmada, destroyer of every sin. In the south-east direction from Somanatha lies the supreme Hanumanteshvara."

Verse 72 (skanda.5.238.72)

अर्धक्रोशेन रेवाया विस्तीर्णो वटपादपः। करंजः कटहश्चैव सन्निधाने वटस्य च

ardhakrośena revāyā vistīrṇo vaṭapādapaḥ| karaṁjaḥ kaṭahaścaiva sannidhāne vaṭasya ca

"Half a krosha from the Reva stands a great banyan tree; near that banyan are also karanja and jackfruit trees."

Verse 73 (skanda.5.238.73)

न्यग्रोधमूलसांनिध्ये सूक्ष्मान्यस्थीनि द्रक्ष्यसि। समूह्य तानि संगृह्य गच्छ रेवां द्विजोत्तम

nyagrodhamūlasānnidhye sūkṣmānyasthīni drakṣyasi| samūhya tāni saṁgṛhya gaccha revāṁ dvijottama

"Near the root of that banyan you will see some tiny bones. Gather them, O best of the twice-born, and go to the Reva."

Verse 74 (skanda.5.238.74)

आश्विनस्यासिते पक्षे त्रिपुरारिस्तु वै तिथौ। स्नाप्य त्रिशूलिनं भक्त्या रात्रौ त्वं कुरु जागरम्

āśvinasyāsite pakṣe tripurāristu vai tithau| snāpya triśūlinaṁ bhaktyā rātrau tvaṁ kuru jāgaram

"In the dark fortnight of Ashvina, on the tithi of Tripurari, bathe the trident-bearer with devotion, and keep vigil through the night."

Verse 75 (skanda.5.238.75)

क्षिपेः प्रभाते तानि त्वं नाभिमात्रजलस्थितः। इत्युच्चार्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ विमुक्तिस्तस्य जायताम्

kṣipeḥ prabhāte tāni tvaṁ nābhimātrajalasthitaḥ| ityuccārya dvijaśreṣṭha vimuktistasya jāyatām

"At dawn, standing in water up to the navel, cast those bones away, uttering: 'O best of the twice-born, may liberation come to him' — and his liberation shall come."

Verse 76 (skanda.5.238.76)

क्षिप्त्वास्थीनि पुनः स्नानं कर्तव्यं त्वघनाशनम्। एवं कृते तु राजेन्द्र गतिस्तस्य भविष्यति

kṣiptvāsthīni punaḥ snānaṁ kartavyaṁ tvaghanāśanam| evaṁ kṛte tu rājendra gatistasya bhaviṣyati

"After casting the bones, one should bathe again, that sin-destroying bath. Doing this, O king, his liberation shall follow."

Verse 77 (skanda.5.238.77)

कथितं कन्यया यच्च तत्सर्वं पुस्तिकाकृतम्। आगतोऽहं नृपश्रेष्ठ तीर्थेऽत्र दुरितापहे

kathitaṁ kanyayā yacca tatsarvaṁ pustikākṛtam| āgato'haṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha tīrthe'tra duritāpahe

Whatever the maiden told, all of it I wrote down in this book. O best of kings, I have come to this very sin-removing tirtha.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.238.78)

सोऽभिज्ञानं ततो दृष्ट्वा नीत्वास्थीनि नरेश्वर। पूर्वोक्तेन विधानेन प्राक्षिपं नर्मदायाम् आशु पुष्पवृष्टिः साधु साध्विति पाण्डव। विमानं च ततो दिव्यमागतं बर्हिणस्तदा

so'bhijñānaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā nītvāsthīni nareśvara| pūrvoktena vidhānena prākṣipaṁ narmadāyām āśu puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ sādhu sādhviti pāṇḍava| vimānaṁ ca tato divyamāgataṁ barhiṇastadā

Having beheld that token, O lord of men, taking the bones, I cast them into the Narmada according to the method described before. At once a shower of flowers fell, and cries of "well done, well done!" arose, O Pandava; and then a divine chariot, adorned with peacock plumes, arrived there. (The source text here is visibly garbled in transmission — this rendering follows the clearest sense recoverable from it.)

Verse 79 (skanda.5.238.79)

दिव्यरूपधरो भूत्वा गतो नाके कलापवान्। एवं तु प्रत्ययं दृष्ट्वा हनूमन्तेश्वरे नृप

divyarūpadharo bhūtvā gato nāke kalāpavān| evaṁ tu pratyayaṁ dṛṣṭvā hanūmanteśvare nṛpa

That peacock-souled being, assuming a divine form, went to heaven, plumage and all. Thus, O king, having witnessed this direct proof at Hanumanteshvara,

Verse 80 (skanda.5.238.80)

चकारानशनं विप्रः शतबाहुश्च भूपतिः। शोषयामासतुस्तौ स्वमीश्वराराधने रतौ

cakārānaśanaṁ vipraḥ śatabāhuśca bhūpatiḥ| śoṣayāmāsatustau svamīśvarārādhane ratau

both the brahmin and King Shatabahu undertook a fast; devoted to the worship of the Lord, both wasted away their own bodies.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.238.81)

ध्यायन्तौ तस्थतुर्देवं शतबाहुद्विजोत्तमौ। मासार्धेन मृतो राजा शतबाहुर्महामनाः

dhyāyantau tasthaturdevaṁ śatabāhudvijottamau| māsārdhena mṛto rājā śatabāhurmahāmanāḥ

Shatabahu and that excellent brahmin remained there, meditating on the god; within half a month, the great-souled King Shatabahu died.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.238.82)

किङ्कणीजालशोभाढ्यं विमानं तत्र चागतम्। साधु साधु नृपश्रेष्ठ विमानारोहणं कुरु

kiṅkaṇījālaśobhāḍhyaṁ vimānaṁ tatra cāgatam| sādhu sādhu nṛpaśreṣṭha vimānārohaṇaṁ kuru

There arrived a celestial chariot, adorned with a net of tinkling bells: "Well done, well done, O best of kings! Ascend the chariot."

Verse 83 (skanda.5.238.83)

शतबाहुरुवाच। नायामि स्वर्गमार्गाग्रं विप्रो यावन्न संस्थितः। उपदेशप्रदो मह्यं गुरुरूपी द्विजोत्तमः

śatabāhuruvāca| nāyāmi svargamārgāgraṁ vipro yāvanna saṁsthitaḥ| upadeśaprado mahyaṁ gururūpī dvijottamaḥ

Shatabahu said: "I will not go ahead onto the path of heaven until that brahmin — who instructed me and is to me as a guru — is himself settled there."

Verse 84 (skanda.5.238.84)

अप्सरस ऊचुः। लोभावृतो ह्ययं विप्रो लोभात्पापस्य संग्रहः। हनूमन्तेश्वरे राजन्ये मृताः सत्त्वमास्थिताः

apsarasa ūcuḥ| lobhāvṛto hyayaṁ vipro lobhātpāpasya saṁgrahaḥ| hanūmanteśvare rājanye mṛtāḥ sattvamāsthitāḥ

The apsaras said: "This brahmin is bound by greed, and it is from greed that sin accumulates. O king, those who die at Hanumanteshvara, established in goodness,"

Verse 85 (skanda.5.238.85)

ते यान्ति शांकरे लोके सर्वपापक्षयंकरे। नैव पापक्षयश्चास्य ब्राह्मणस्य नरेश्वर

te yānti śāṁkare loke sarvapāpakṣayaṁkare| naiva pāpakṣayaścāsya brāhmaṇasya nareśvara

"go to the world of Shankara, which destroys every sin. But, O lord of men, this brahmin's sin has not been destroyed,"

Verse 86 (skanda.5.238.86)

गृहं च गृहिणी चित्ते ब्राह्मणस्य प्रवर्तते। शतबाहुस्ततो विप्रमुवाच विनयान्वितः

gṛhaṁ ca gṛhiṇī citte brāhmaṇasya pravartate| śatabāhustato vipramuvāca vinayānvitaḥ

"because thoughts of his home and his wife still occupy this brahmin's mind." Then Shatabahu, with humility, said to the brahmin:

Verse 87 (skanda.5.238.87)

त्यज मूलमनर्थस्य लोभमेनं द्विजोत्तम। इत्युक्त्वा स्वर्ययौ राजा स्वर्गकन्यासमावृतः

tyaja mūlamanarthasya lobhamenaṁ dvijottama| ityuktvā svaryayau rājā svargakanyāsamāvṛtaḥ

"Abandon this greed, O best of the twice-born, the root of all misfortune." Having said this, the king, surrounded by the maidens of heaven, ascended to heaven.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.238.88)

दिनैः कैश्चिद्गतो विप्रः स्वर्गं वैतालिकैर्वृतः। बर्ही च काशीराजस्य पुत्रस्तीर्थप्रभावतः

dinaiḥ kaiścidgato vipraḥ svargaṁ vaitālikairvṛtaḥ| barhī ca kāśīrājasya putrastīrthaprabhāvataḥ

After some days, the brahmin too, surrounded by celestial bards, went to heaven; and that peacock, by the power of the tirtha, was born as the son of the king of Kashi.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.238.89)

आत्मानं कन्यया दत्तं पूर्वजन्म व्यचिन्तयन्। सा च तं प्रौढमालोक्य पितुराज्ञामवाप्य च। स्वयंवरे स्वभर्तारं लेभे साध्वी नृपात्मजम्

ātmānaṁ kanyayā dattaṁ pūrvajanma vyacintayan| sā ca taṁ prauḍhamālokya piturājñāmavāpya ca| svayaṁvare svabhartāraṁ lebhe sādhvī nṛpātmajam

He reflected, remembering his past birth, on what had been promised by that maiden. And that virtuous woman, seeing him now grown, and with her father's consent, chose that prince as her own husband in her svayamvara.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.238.90)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। एतद्वृत्तान्तमभवत्तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नृपोत्तम। एतस्मात्कारणान्मेध्यं तीर्थमेतत्सदा नृप

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| etadvṛttāntamabhavattasmiṁstīrthe nṛpottama| etasmātkāraṇānmedhyaṁ tīrthametatsadā nṛpa

Shri Markandeya said: This is what happened at that tirtha, O best of kings. For this reason, O king, this tirtha is ever held sacred.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.238.91)

अष्टम्यां वा चतुर्दश्यां सर्वकालं नरेश्वर। विशेषाच्चाश्विने मासि कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशीम्

aṣṭamyāṁ vā caturdaśyāṁ sarvakālaṁ nareśvara| viśeṣāccāśvine māsi kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśīm

On the eighth or fourteenth day, at all times, O lord of men, and especially on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Ashvina,

Verse 92 (skanda.5.238.92)

स्नापयेदीश्वरं भक्त्या क्षौद्रक्षीरेण सर्पिषा। दध्ना च खण्डयुक्तेन कुशतोयेन वै पुनः

snāpayedīśvaraṁ bhaktyā kṣaudrakṣīreṇa sarpiṣā| dadhnā ca khaṇḍayuktena kuśatoyena vai punaḥ

one should bathe the Lord with devotion, using honey, milk, ghee, curds mixed with sugar, and again with water infused with kusha grass.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.238.93)

श्रीखण्डेन सुगन्धेन गुण्ठयेच्च महेश्वरम्। ततः सुगन्धपुष्पैश्च बिल्वपत्रैश्च पूजयेत्

śrīkhaṇḍena sugandhena guṇṭhayecca maheśvaram| tataḥ sugandhapuṣpaiśca bilvapatraiśca pūjayet

one should then anoint Maheshvara with fragrant sandal paste; and thereafter worship him with fragrant flowers and bilva leaves.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.238.94)

मुचकुन्देन कदेन जातीकाशकुशोद्भवैः। उन्मत्तमुनिपुष्पौघैः पुष्पैस्तत्कालसम्भवैः

mucakundena kadena jātīkāśakuśodbhavaiḥ| unmattamunipuṣpaughaiḥ puṣpaistatkālasambhavaiḥ

with mucukunda and ketaki blossoms, with jasmine, with flowers born of kasha and kusha grass, with clusters of datura and munipushpa, and with whatever flowers bloom in that season,

Verse 95 (skanda.5.238.95)

अर्चयेत्परया भक्त्या हनूमन्तेश्वरं शिवम्। घृतेन दापयेद्दीपं तैलेन तदभावतः

arcayetparayā bhaktyā hanūmanteśvaraṁ śivam| ghṛtena dāpayeddīpaṁ tailena tadabhāvataḥ

one should worship Hanumanteshvara Shiva with supreme devotion; a lamp should be offered with ghee, or, lacking that, with oil.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.238.96)

श्राद्धं च कारयेत्तत्र ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः। सर्वलक्षणसम्पूर्णैः कुलीनैर्गृहपालकैः

śrāddhaṁ ca kārayettatra brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ| sarvalakṣaṇasampūrṇaiḥ kulīnairgṛhapālakaiḥ

One should have the shraddha performed there by brahmins learned in the Veda, perfect in every auspicious mark, of good family, and keepers of the household duties.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.238.97)

तर्पयेद्ब्राह्मणान् भक्त्या वसनान्नहिरण्यतः। नरकस्था दिवं यान्तु प्रोच्येति प्रणमेद्द्विजान्

tarpayedbrāhmaṇān bhaktyā vasanānnahiraṇyataḥ| narakasthā divaṁ yāntu procyeti praṇameddvijān

One should gratify brahmins with devotion, giving clothes, food, and gold; and, saying "May those in hell go to heaven," should bow to the brahmins.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.238.98)

पतितान् वर्जयेद्विप्रान् वृषली यस्य गेहिनी। स्ववृषं चापरित्यज्य वृषैरन्यैर्वृषायते

patitān varjayedviprān vṛṣalī yasya gehinī| svavṛṣaṁ cāparityajya vṛṣairanyairvṛṣāyate

One should avoid fallen brahmins, whose wife is unchaste — one who, without giving up her own vow, behaves like cattle with other men,

Verse 99 (skanda.5.238.99)

वृषलीं तां विदुर्देवा न शूद्री वृषली भवेत्। ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं गुरुदारनिषेवणम्

vṛṣalīṁ tāṁ vidurdevā na śūdrī vṛṣalī bhavet| brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ gurudāraniṣevaṇam

such a woman the gods know as vrishali (fallen); a woman need not be a Shudra to be vrishali. The sins of killing a brahmin, drinking liquor, violating the guru's bed,

Verse 100 (skanda.5.238.100)

सुवर्णहरणन्यासमित्रद्रोहोद्भवं तथा। नश्यते पातकं सर्वमित्येवं शङ्करोऽब्रवीत्

suvarṇaharaṇanyāsamitradrohodbhavaṁ tathā| naśyate pātakaṁ sarvamityevaṁ śaṅkaro'bravīt

theft of gold, misappropriation of a deposit, and sin arising from betraying a friend — all these sins are destroyed here, so Shankara declared.

Verse 101 (skanda.5.238.101)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। वाक्प्रलापेन भो वत्स बहुनोक्तेन किं मया। सर्वपातकसंयुक्तो दद्याद्दानं द्विजन्मने

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| vākpralāpena bho vatsa bahunoktena kiṁ mayā| sarvapātakasaṁyukto dadyāddānaṁ dvijanmane

Shri Markandeya said: My child, what use is much talk from me? Even one bound by every sin should give a gift to a brahmin,

Verse 102 (skanda.5.238.102)

गोदानं च प्रकर्तव्यमस्मिंस्तीर्थे विशेषतः। गोदानं हि यतः पार्थ सर्वदानाधिकं स्मृतम्

godānaṁ ca prakartavyamasmiṁstīrthe viśeṣataḥ| godānaṁ hi yataḥ pārtha sarvadānādhikaṁ smṛtam

and especially the gift of a cow should be made at this tirtha; for, O Partha, the gift of a cow is held to be foremost among all gifts.

Verse 103 (skanda.5.238.103)

सर्वदेवमया गावः सर्वे देवास्तदात्मकाः। शृङ्गाग्रेषु महीपाल शक्रो वसति नित्यशः

sarvadevamayā gāvaḥ sarve devāstadātmakāḥ| śṛṅgāgreṣu mahīpāla śakro vasati nityaśaḥ

Cows embody all the gods, and all the gods are of their very nature; at the tips of their horns, O lord of the earth, Indra ever dwells.

Verse 104 (skanda.5.238.104)

उरः स्कन्दः शिरो ब्रह्मा ललाटे वृषभध्वजः। चन्द्रार्कौ लोचने देवौ जिह्वायां च सरस्वती

uraḥ skandaḥ śiro brahmā lalāṭe vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ| candrārkau locane devau jihvāyāṁ ca sarasvatī

In her chest dwells Skanda, in her head Brahma, on her forehead the bull-bannered Shiva, in her eyes the Moon and Sun, and on her tongue Sarasvati.

Verse 105 (skanda.5.238.105)

मरुद्गणाः सदा साध्या यस्या दन्ता नरेश्वर। हुङ्कारे चतुरो वेदान् विद्यात्साङ्गपदक्रमान्

marudgaṇāḥ sadā sādhyā yasyā dantā nareśvara| huṅkāre caturo vedān vidyātsāṅgapadakramān

O lord of men, her teeth are ever the Marut hosts and the Sadhyas; in her lowing one should recognize the four Vedas together with their branches and their word-order.

Verse 106 (skanda.5.238.106)

ऋषयो रोमकूपेषु ह्यसंख्यातास्तपस्विनः। दण्डहस्तो महाकायः कृष्णो महिषवाहनः

ṛṣayo romakūpeṣu hyasaṁkhyātāstapasvinaḥ| daṇḍahasto mahākāyaḥ kṛṣṇo mahiṣavāhanaḥ

In her hair-pores dwell countless ascetic sages. Riding at her back is one dark-hued, mounted on a buffalo, of vast form, staff in hand —

Verse 107 (skanda.5.238.107)

यमः पृष्ठस्थितो नित्यं शुभाशुभपरीक्षकः। चत्वारः सागराः पुण्याः क्षीरधाराः स्तनेषु च

yamaḥ pṛṣṭhasthito nityaṁ śubhāśubhaparīkṣakaḥ| catvāraḥ sāgarāḥ puṇyāḥ kṣīradhārāḥ staneṣu ca

that is Yama, ever seated at her back, examining good and evil deeds; and in her udders reside the four sacred oceans as streams of milk.

Verse 108 (skanda.5.238.108)

विष्णुपादोद्भवा गङ्गा दर्शनात्पापनाशिनी। प्रस्रावे संस्थिता यस्मात्तस्माद्वन्द्या सदा बुधैः

viṣṇupādodbhavā gaṅgā darśanātpāpanāśinī| prasrāve saṁsthitā yasmāttasmādvandyā sadā budhaiḥ

The Ganga, sprung from Vishnu's foot, which destroys sin by the mere sight of her, resides in the cow's urine — for this reason she is ever revered by the wise.

Verse 109 (skanda.5.238.109)

लक्ष्मीश्च गोमये नित्यं पवित्रा सर्वमङ्गला। गोमयालेपनं तस्मात्कर्तव्यं पाण्डुनन्दन

lakṣmīśca gomaye nityaṁ pavitrā sarvamaṅgalā| gomayālepanaṁ tasmātkartavyaṁ pāṇḍunandana

And Lakshmi ever dwells in cow-dung, which is pure and all-auspicious. Therefore, O son of Pandu, one should apply cow-dung in one's rites.

Verse 110 (skanda.5.238.110)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसो नागाः खुराग्रेषु व्यवस्थिताः। पृथिव्यां सागरान्तायां यानि तीर्थानि भारत। तानि सर्वाणि जानीयाद्गौर्गव्यं तेन पावनम्

gandharvāpsaraso nāgāḥ khurāgreṣu vyavasthitāḥ| pṛthivyāṁ sāgarāntāyāṁ yāni tīrthāni bhārata| tāni sarvāṇi jānīyādgaurgavyaṁ tena pāvanam

Gandharvas, apsaras, and nagas reside at the tips of her hooves. Know, O Bharata, that all the tirthas on this earth bounded by the ocean exist within the cow herself — and thus the cow, and all that comes from her, is held sacred.

Verse 111 (skanda.5.238.111)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। सर्वदेवमयी धेनुर्गीर्वाणाद्यैरलंकृता। एतत्कथय मे तात कस्माद्गोषु समाश्रिताः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| sarvadevamayī dhenurgīrvāṇādyairalaṁkṛtā| etatkathaya me tāta kasmādgoṣu samāśritāḥ

Yudhishthira said: Father, tell me this — why are the gods and the like, adorning this all-embodying cow, all sheltered within cows?

Verse 112 (skanda.5.238.112)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। सर्वदेवमयो विष्णुर्गावो विष्णुशरीरजाः। देवास्तदुभयात्तस्मात्कल्पिता विविधा जनैः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| sarvadevamayo viṣṇurgāvo viṣṇuśarīrajāḥ| devāstadubhayāttasmātkalpitā vividhā janaiḥ

Shri Markandeya said: Vishnu is the embodiment of all gods, and cows arise from Vishnu's own body; from both of these, people have imagined the gods residing there in their various forms.

Verse 113 (skanda.5.238.113)

श्वेता वा कपिला वापि क्षीरिणी पाण्डुनन्दन। सवत्सा च सुशीला च सितवस्त्रावगुण्ठिता

śvetā vā kapilā vāpi kṣīriṇī pāṇḍunandana| savatsā ca suśīlā ca sitavastrāvaguṇṭhitā

A cow, white or tawny, O son of Pandu, giving milk, with her calf, gentle in nature, covered with a white cloth,

Verse 114 (skanda.5.238.114)

कांस्यदोहनिका देया स्वर्णशृङ्गी सुभूषिता। हनूमन्तेश्वरस्याग्रे भक्त्या विप्राय दापयेत्

kāṁsyadohanikā deyā svarṇaśṛṅgī subhūṣitā| hanūmanteśvarasyāgre bhaktyā viprāya dāpayet

with a bronze milking vessel, adorned with gilded horns — such a cow should, with devotion, be given to a brahmin before Hanumanteshvara.

Verse 115 (skanda.5.238.115)

नियमस्थेन सा देया स्वर्गमानन्त्यमिच्छता। असमर्थाय ये दद्युर्विष्णुलोके प्रयान्ति ते

niyamasthena sā deyā svargamānantyamicchatā| asamarthāya ye dadyurviṣṇuloke prayānti te

One who is under a vow and desires the endlessness of heaven should give this; those who give even to one who cannot reciprocate go to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 116 (skanda.5.238.116)

असौ लोके च्युतो राजन्भूतले द्विजमन्दिरे। कुशलो जायते पुत्रो गुणविद्याधनर्द्धिमान्

asau loke cyuto rājanbhūtale dvijamandire| kuśalo jāyate putro guṇavidyādhanarddhimān

O king, falling from that world, he is born on earth in a brahmin's house as a capable son, endowed with virtue, learning, and prosperity.

Verse 117 (skanda.5.238.117)

सर्वपापहरं तीर्थं हनूमन्तेश्वरं नृप। शृण्वन्विमुच्यते पापाद्वर्णसंकरसंभवात्

sarvapāpaharaṁ tīrthaṁ hanūmanteśvaraṁ nṛpa| śṛṇvanvimucyate pāpādvarṇasaṁkarasaṁbhavāt

Hanumanteshvara, O king, is a tirtha that removes every sin; merely by hearing of it, one is freed even from the sin arising from the mixture of castes.

Verse 118 (skanda.5.238.118)

दूरस्थश्चिन्तयन् पश्यन्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

dūrasthaścintayan paśyanmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Even one who is far away, but meditates on it or envisions it, is liberated — of this there is no doubt.