The Glory of Somanatha Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.240.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेत्तु राजेन्द्र नर्मदायाः पुरातनम्। ब्रह्महत्याहरं तीर्थं वाराणस्या समं हि तत्

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchettu rājendra narmadāyāḥ purātanam| brahmahatyāharaṁ tīrthaṁ vārāṇasyā samaṁ hi tat

Shri Markandeya said: Then go, O king of kings, to that ancient tirtha of the Narmada, which removes the sin of killing a brahmin, and which is held equal to Varanasi itself.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.240.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। आश्चर्यं कथ्यतां ब्रह्मन्यद्वृत्तं नर्मदातटे। वाराणस्या समं कस्मादेतत्कथय मे प्रभो

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| āścaryaṁ kathyatāṁ brahmanyadvṛttaṁ narmadātaṭe| vārāṇasyā samaṁ kasmādetatkathaya me prabho

Yudhishthira said: Tell me, O brahmin, this marvel — what occurred on the bank of the Narmada. And tell me, O lord, why it is held equal to Varanasi.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.240.3)

निमग्नो दुःखसंसारे हृतराज्यो द्विजोत्तम। युष्मद्वाणीजलस्नातो निर्दुःखः सह बान्धवैः

nimagno duḥkhasaṁsāre hṛtarājyo dvijottama| yuṣmadvāṇījalasnāto nirduḥkhaḥ saha bāndhavaiḥ

O best of the twice-born, plunged in this sorrowful existence, my kingdom taken from me, I, bathed in the waters of your very speech, have become free of sorrow, together with my kinsmen.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.240.4)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। साधु साधु महाबाहो सोमवंशविभूषण। पृष्टोऽस्मि दुर्लभं तीर्थं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं परम्

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| sādhu sādhu mahābāho somavaṁśavibhūṣaṇa| pṛṣṭo'smi durlabhaṁ tīrthaṁ guhyādguhyataraṁ param

Shri Markandeya said: Well said, well said, O mighty-armed one, ornament of the lunar dynasty! You have asked me of a most rare tirtha, a secret deeper than the deepest secrets.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.240.5)

आदौ पितामहस्तावत्समस्तजगतः प्रभुः। मनसा तस्य संजाता दशैव ऋषिपुंगवाः

ādau pitāmahastāvatsamastajagataḥ prabhuḥ| manasā tasya saṁjātā daśaiva ṛṣipuṁgavāḥ

In the beginning, from the mind of the Grandsire, lord of the entire universe, ten foremost sages were born.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.240.6)

मरीचिमत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यं पुलहं क्रतुम्। प्रचेतसं वसिष्ठं च भृगुं नारदमेव च

marīcimatryaṅgirasau pulastyaṁ pulahaṁ kratum| pracetasaṁ vasiṣṭhaṁ ca bhṛguṁ nāradameva ca

Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracheta, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, and Narada —

Verse 7 (skanda.5.240.7)

जज्ञे प्राचेतसं दक्षं महातेजाः प्रजापतिः। दक्षस्यापि तथा जाताः पञ्चाशद्दुहिताः किल

jajñe prācetasaṁ dakṣaṁ mahātejāḥ prajāpatiḥ| dakṣasyāpi tathā jātāḥ pañcāśadduhitāḥ kila

In their line was born the mighty-radiant Prajapati Daksha, son of Prachetas; and to Daksha in turn were born fifty daughters.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.240.8)

ददौ स दश धर्माय कश्यपाय त्रयोदश। तथैव स महाभागः सप्तविंशतिमिन्दवे

dadau sa daśa dharmāya kaśyapāya trayodaśa| tathaiva sa mahābhāgaḥ saptaviṁśatimindave

He gave ten of his daughters to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa, and, likewise, that most fortunate one gave twenty-seven to the Moon.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.240.9)

रोहिणी नाम या तासामभीष्टा साभवद्विधोः। शेषासु करुणां कृत्वा शप्तो दक्षेण चन्द्रमाः

rohiṇī nāma yā tāsāmabhīṣṭā sābhavadvidhoḥ| śeṣāsu karuṇāṁ kṛtvā śapto dakṣeṇa candramāḥ

Among them, the one named Rohini, being his favourite, became especially dear to the Moon; and having shown indifference to the rest, the Moon was cursed by Daksha.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.240.10)

क्षयरोग्यभवच्चन्द्रो दक्षस्यायं प्रजापतेः। स च शापप्रभावेण निस्तेजाः शर्वरीपतिः

kṣayarogyabhavaccandro dakṣasyāyaṁ prajāpateḥ| sa ca śāpaprabhāveṇa nistejāḥ śarvarīpatiḥ

By this curse of Prajapati Daksha, the Moon became afflicted with wasting disease; and by the power of the curse, the lord of the night lost all his radiance.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.240.11)

गतः पितामहं सोमो वेपमानोऽमृतांशुमान्। पद्मयोने नमस्तुभ्यं वेदगर्भ नमोऽस्तु ते। शरणं त्वां प्रसन्नोऽस्मि पाहि मां कमलासन

gataḥ pitāmahaṁ somo vepamāno'mṛtāṁśumān| padmayone namastubhyaṁ vedagarbha namo'stu te| śaraṇaṁ tvāṁ prasanno'smi pāhi māṁ kamalāsana

Trembling, Soma, the nectar-rayed one, went to the Grandsire: "Homage to you, O lotus-born! Homage to you, O womb of the Vedas! I take refuge in you; be gracious. O lotus-seated one, protect me."

Verse 12 (skanda.5.240.12)

ब्रह्मोवाच। निस्तेजाः शर्वरीनाथ कलाहीनश्च दृश्यसे। उद्विग्नमानसस्तात संजातः केन हेतुना

brahmovāca| nistejāḥ śarvarīnātha kalāhīnaśca dṛśyase| udvignamānasastāta saṁjātaḥ kena hetunā

Brahma said: "O lord of the night, you appear devoid of splendour and of your digits; my child, for what reason has your mind become so distressed?"

Verse 13 (skanda.5.240.13)

सोम उवाच। दक्षशापेन मे ब्रह्मन्निस्तेजस्त्वं जगत्पते। निर्हारश्चास्य शापस्य कथ्यतां मे पितामह

soma uvāca| dakṣaśāpena me brahmannistejastvaṁ jagatpate| nirhāraścāsya śāpasya kathyatāṁ me pitāmaha

Soma said: "O brahmin, O lord of the universe, by Daksha's curse I have lost my brilliance. Tell me, O Grandsire, how this curse may be removed."

Verse 14 (skanda.5.240.14)

ब्रह्मोवाच। सर्वत्र सुलभा रेवा त्रिषु स्थानेषु दुर्लभा। ओङ्कारेऽथ भृगुक्षेत्रे तथा चैवौर्वसंगमे

brahmovāca| sarvatra sulabhā revā triṣu sthāneṣu durlabhā| oṅkāre'tha bhṛgukṣetre tathā caivaurvasaṅgame

Brahma said: "The Reva is easily accessible everywhere, yet at three places she is hard to attain — at Omkara, at Bhrigukshetra, and at the confluence with the Urvi."

Verse 15 (skanda.5.240.15)

तत्र गच्छ क्षपानाथ यत्र रेवान्तरं तटम्। त्वरितोऽसौ गतस्तत्र यत्र रेवौर्विसंगमः

tatra gaccha kṣapānātha yatra revāntaraṁ taṭam| tvarito'sau gatastatra yatra revaurvisaṅgamaḥ

"Go, O lord of the night, to that bank where lies the inmost place of the Reva." He hastened there, to where the Reva and the Urvi meet.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.240.16)

काष्ठावस्थः स्थितः सोमो दध्यौ त्रिपुरवैरिणम्। यावद्वर्षशतं पूर्णं तावत्तुष्टो महेश्वरः

kāṣṭhāvasthaḥ sthitaḥ somo dadhyau tripuravairiṇam| yāvadvarṣaśataṁ pūrṇaṁ tāvattuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ

Motionless as wood, Soma meditated upon the enemy of the Tripuras; and when a full hundred years had passed, Maheshvara was pleased.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.240.17)

प्रत्यक्षः सोमराजस्य वृषासन उमापतिः। साष्टाङ्गं प्रणिपत्योच्चैर्जय शम्भो नमोऽस्तु ते

pratyakṣaḥ somarājasya vṛṣāsana umāpatiḥ| sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇipatyoccairjaya śambho namo'stu te

Seated on his bull, the lord of Uma appeared in person before the king of the constellations; prostrating in full obeisance, Soma cried aloud: "Victory to Shambhu, homage to you!"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.240.18)

जय शङ्कर पापहराय नमो जय ईश्वर ते जगदीश नमः। जय वासुकिभूषणधार नमो जय शूलकपालधराय नमः

jaya śaṅkara pāpaharāya namo jaya īśvara te jagadīśa namaḥ| jaya vāsukibhūṣaṇadhāra namo jaya śūlakapāladharāya namaḥ

"Victory to Shankara, remover of sin, homage to you! Victory, O Ishvara, O lord of the universe, homage to you! Victory to the one adorned with Vasuki as ornament, homage! Victory to the bearer of the trident and the skull-bowl, homage!"

Verse 19 (skanda.5.240.19)

जय अन्धकदेहविनाश नमो जय दानववृन्दवधाय नमः। जय निष्कलरूप सकलाय नमो जय काल कामदहाय नमः

jaya andhakadehavināśa namo jaya dānavavṛndavadhāya namaḥ| jaya niṣkalarūpa sakalāya namo jaya kāla kāmadahāya namaḥ

"Victory to the destroyer of Andhaka's body, homage! Victory to the slayer of the demon hosts, homage! Victory to the one both formless and manifest, homage! Victory to Time itself, the burner of Kama, homage!"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.240.20)

जय मेचककण्ठधराय नमो जय सूक्ष्मनिरञ्जनशब्द नमः। जय आदिरनादिरनन्त नमो जय शङ्कर किंकरमीश भज

jaya mecakakaṇṭhadharāya namo jaya sūkṣmanirañjanaśabda namaḥ| jaya ādiranādiranant namo jaya śaṅkara kiṅkaramīśa bhaja

"Victory to the bearer of the dark-blue throat, homage! Victory to the subtle, stainless, unstruck sound itself, homage! Victory to the one who is beginning, without beginning, and endless, homage! O Shankara, O Lord, show grace to this your servant."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.240.21)

एवं स्तुतो महादेवः सोमराजेन पाण्डव। तुष्टस्तस्य नृपश्रेष्ठ शिवया शङ्करोऽब्रवीत्

evaṁ stuto mahādevaḥ somarājena pāṇḍava| tuṣṭastasya nṛpaśreṣṭha śivayā śaṅkaro'bravīt

Thus praised by the king of the constellations, O Pandava, Shankara, together with Shiva, pleased, O best of kings, spoke thus:

Verse 22 (skanda.5.240.22)

ईश्वर उवाच। वरं प्रार्थय मे भद्र यत्ते मनसि वर्तते। साधु साधु महासत्त्व तुष्टोऽहं तपसा तव

īśvara uvāca| varaṁ prārthaya me bhadra yatte manasi vartate| sādhu sādhu mahāsattva tuṣṭo'haṁ tapasā tava

Ishvara said: "Ask of me, gracious one, whatever boon is in your heart. Well done, well done, O great being! I am pleased by your austerity."

Verse 23 (skanda.5.240.23)

सोम उवाच। दक्षशापेन दग्धोऽहं क्षीणसत्त्वो महेश्वर। शापस्योपशमं देव कुरु शर्म मम प्रभो

soma uvāca| dakṣaśāpena dagdho'haṁ kṣīṇasattvo maheśvara| śāpasyopaśamaṁ deva kuru śarma mama prabho

Soma said: "O great Lord, I am burned by Daksha's curse, my very being wasted away. O god, O lord, pacify this curse and grant me peace."

Verse 24 (skanda.5.240.24)

ईश्वर उवाच। तव भक्तिगृहीतोऽहमुमया सह तोषितः। निष्पापः सोमनाथस्त्वं संजातस्तीर्थसेवनात्

īśvara uvāca| tava bhaktigṛhīto'humayā saha toṣitaḥ| niṣpāpaḥ somanāthastvaṁ saṁjātastīrthasevanāt

Ishvara said: "I am captured by your devotion, and, together with Uma, am well pleased. Through your service at this tirtha, you have become the sinless Somanatha."

Verse 25 (skanda.5.240.25)

इत्यूचे देवदेवेशः क्षणं ध्यात्वेन्दुना ततः। स्थापितं परमं लिङ्गं कामदं प्राणिनां भुवि। सर्वदुःखहरं तत्तु ब्रह्महत्याविनाशनम्

ityūce devadeveśaḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvendunā tataḥ| sthāpitaṁ paramaṁ liṅgaṁ kāmadaṁ prāṇināṁ bhuvi| sarvaduḥkhaharaṁ tattu brahmahatyāvināśanam

Having said this, the Lord of the gods meditated for a moment; then, by the Moon, a supreme linga was established upon the earth, granting the desires of living beings, removing every sorrow, and destroying the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.240.26)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। सोमनाथप्रभावं मे संक्षेपात्कथय प्रभो। दुःखार्णवनिमग्नानां त्राता प्राप्तो द्विजोत्तम

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| somanāthaprabhāvaṁ me saṁkṣepātkathaya prabho| duḥkhārṇavanimagnānāṁ trātā prāpto dvijottama

Yudhishthira said: Tell me, my lord, in brief, the power of Somanatha. O best of the twice-born, you have become our saviour, we who are sunk in an ocean of sorrow.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.240.27)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। शृणु तीर्थप्रभावं ते संक्षेपात्कथयाम्यहम्। यद्वृत्तमुत्तरे कूले रेवाया उरिसंगमे

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| śṛṇu tīrthaprabhāvaṁ te saṁkṣepātkathayāmyaham| yadvṛttamuttare kūle revāyā urisaṅgame

Shri Markandeya said: Hear the power of this tirtha; I shall tell it briefly — what occurred on the northern bank of the Reva at its confluence with the Urvi.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.240.28)

शम्बरो नाम राजाभूत्तस्य पुत्रस्त्रिलोचनः। त्रिलोचनसुतः कण्वः स पापर्द्धिपरोऽभवत्

śambaro nāma rājābhūttasya putrastrilocanaḥ| trilocanasutaḥ kaṇvaḥ sa pāparddhiparo'bhavat

There was a king named Shambara; his son was Trilochana. Trilochana's son was Kanva, who became given over to the increase of sin.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.240.29)

वने नित्यं भ्रमन्सोऽथ मृगयूथं ददर्श ह। मृगयूथं हतं तत्तु त्रिलोचनसुतेन च

vane nityaṁ bhramanso'tha mṛgayūthaṁ dadarśa ha| mṛgayūthaṁ hataṁ tattu trilocanasutena ca

Wandering constantly in the forest, he once saw a herd of deer; and that herd of deer was slain by Trilochana's son.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.240.30)

मृगरूपी द्विजो मध्ये चरते निर्जने वने। स हतस्तेन सङ्गेन कण्वेन मुनिसत्तम

mṛgarūpī dvijo madhye carate nirjane vane| sa hatastena saṅgena kaṇvena munisattama

O best of sages, among the deer in that lonely forest, a brahmin, wearing the form of a deer, was also roaming; and because he was among that herd, he too was slain by Kanva.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.240.31)

ब्रह्महत्यान्वितः कण्वो निस्तेजा व्यचरन्महीम्। व्यचरंश्चैव सम्प्राप्तो नर्मदामुरिसंगमे

brahmahatyānvitaḥ kaṇvo nistejā vyacaranmahīm| vyacaraṁścaiva samprāpto narmadāmurisaṅgame

Burdened with the sin of killing a brahmin, Kanva, his splendour gone, wandered over the earth; and wandering thus, he reached the confluence of the Narmada with the Urvi.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.240.32)

किंशुकाशोकबहले जम्बीरपनसाकुले। कदम्बपाटलाकीर्णे बिल्वनारङ्गशोभिते

kiṁśukāśokabahale jambīrapanasākule| kadambapāṭalākīrṇe bilvanāraṅgaśobhite

That forest was dense with kimshuka and ashoka trees, thick with citron and jackfruit, strewn with kadamba and patala, and adorned with bilva and orange trees.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.240.33)

चिञ्चिणीचम्पकोपेते ह्यगस्तितरुछादिते। प्रभूतभूतसंयुक्तं वनं सर्वत्र शोभितम्

ciñciṇīcampakopete hyagastitaruchādite| prabhūtabhūtasaṁyuktaṁ vanaṁ sarvatra śobhitam

It was full of tamarind and champaka trees, canopied with agasti trees, teeming with abundant creatures, and beautiful in every part.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.240.34)

चित्रकैर्मृगमार्जारैर्हिंस्रैः शम्बरशूकरैः। शशैर्गवयसंयुक्तैः शिखण्डिखरमण्डितम्

citrakairmṛgamārjāraiḥ hiṁsraiḥ śambaraśūkaraiḥ| śaśairgavayasaṁyuktaiḥ śikhaṇḍikharamaṇḍitam

It was filled with leopards, fierce wildcats, shambara deer and boars, with hares and wild oxen, and adorned with peacocks and wild asses.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.240.35)

प्रविष्टस्तु वने कण्वस्तृषार्तः श्रमपीडितः। स्नातो रेवाजले पुण्ये सङ्गमे पापनाशने

praviṣṭastu vane kaṇvastṛṣārtaḥ śramapīḍitaḥ| snāto revājale puṇye saṅgame pāpanāśane

Entering that forest, Kanva, tormented by thirst and exhausted from fatigue, bathed in the sacred, sin-destroying waters of the Reva's confluence.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.240.36)

अर्चितः परया भक्त्या सोमनाथो युधिष्ठिर। पपौ सुविमलं तोयं सर्वपापक्षयंकरम्

arcitaḥ parayā bhaktyā somanātho yudhiṣṭhira| papau suvimalaṁ toyaṁ sarvapāpakṣayaṁkaram

O Yudhishthira, he worshipped Somanatha with supreme devotion, and drank that utterly pure water, destroyer of every sin.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.240.37)

फलानि च विचित्राणि चखाद सह किंकरैः। सुप्तः पादपच्छायायां श्रान्तो मृगवधेन च

phalāni ca vicitrāṇi cakhāda saha kiṅkaraiḥ| suptaḥ pādapacchāyāyāṁ śrānto mṛgavadhena ca

He also ate various fruits together with his servants; and, wearied from the killing of the deer, he fell asleep in the shade of a tree.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.240.38)

तावत्तीर्थवरं विप्रः स्नानार्थं सङ्गमं गतः। मार्गगो ब्राह्मणो हर्षोद्युक्तस्तद्गतमानसः

tāvattīrthavaraṁ vipraḥ snānārthaṁ saṅgamaṁ gataḥ| mārgago brāhmaṇo harṣodyuktastadgatamānasaḥ

At that very time, a brahmin came to that excellent tirtha-confluence to bathe; that wayfaring brahmin was joyful, absorbed in his own thoughts.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.240.39)

अबला तमुवाचेदं तिष्ठ तिष्ठ द्विजोत्तम। त्रस्तो निरीक्षते यावद्दिशः सर्वा नरेश्वर

abalā tamuvācedaṁ tiṣṭha tiṣṭha dvijottama| trasto nirīkṣate yāvaddiśaḥ sarvā nareśvara

A woman said to him: "Stop, stop, O best of the twice-born!" And, O lord of men, startled, he looked about in every direction.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.240.40)

तावद्वृक्षसमारूढां स्त्रियं रक्ताम्बरावृताम्। रक्तमाल्यां तदा बालां रक्तचन्दनचर्चिताम्। रक्ताभरणशोभाढ्यां पाशहस्तां ददर्श ह

tāvadvṛkṣasamārūḍhāṁ striyaṁ raktāmbarāvṛtām| raktamālyāṁ tadā bālāṁ raktacandanacarcitām| raktābharaṇaśobhāḍhyāṁ pāśahastāṁ dadarśa ha

Then he saw a woman perched in a tree — that maiden clad in red garments, wearing a red garland, smeared with red sandal paste, adorned with red ornaments, and holding a noose in her hand.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.240.41)

स्त्र्युवाच। संदेशं श्रूयतां विप्र यदि गच्छसि सङ्गमे। मद्भर्ता तिष्ठते तत्र शीघ्रमेव विसर्जय

stryuvāca| sandeśaṁ śrūyatāṁ vipra yadi gacchasi saṅgame| madbhartā tiṣṭhate tatra śīghrameva visarjaya

The woman said: "Hear a message, O brahmin, if you are going to the confluence — my husband is there; release him at once."

Verse 42 (skanda.5.240.42)

एकाकिनी च ते भार्या तिष्ठते वनमध्यगा। इत्याकर्ण्य गतो विप्रः सङ्गमं सुरदुर्लभे

ekākinī ca te bhāryā tiṣṭhate vanamadhyagā| ityākarṇya gato vipraḥ saṅgamaṁ suradurlabhe

"And your own wife waits alone, in the midst of the forest." Hearing this, the brahmin went on to that confluence, rare even for the gods.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.240.43)

वृक्षच्छायान्वितः कण्वो ब्राह्मणेनावलोकितः। उवाच तं प्रति तदा वचनं ब्राह्मणोत्तमः

vṛkṣacchāyānvitaḥ kaṇvo brāhmaṇenāvalokitaḥ| uvāca taṁ prati tadā vacanaṁ brāhmaṇottamaḥ

That excellent brahmin then saw Kanva, lying in the shade of the tree; and he spoke these words to him:

Verse 44 (skanda.5.240.44)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। वनान्तरे मया दृष्टा बाला कमललोचना। रक्ताम्बरधरा तन्वी रक्तचन्दनचर्चिता

brāhmaṇa uvāca| vanāntare mayā dṛṣṭā bālā kamalalocanā| raktāmbaradharā tanvī raktacandanacarcitā

The brahmin said: "In the depths of the forest I saw a lotus-eyed maiden, clad in red garments, slender, smeared with red sandal paste."

Verse 45 (skanda.5.240.45)

रक्तमाल्या सुशोभाढ्या पाशहस्ता मृगेक्षणा। वृक्षारूढावदद्वाक्यं मद्भर्ता प्रेष्यतामिति

raktamālyā suśobhāḍhyā pāśahastā mṛgekṣaṇā| vṛkṣārūḍhāvadadvākyaṁ madbhartā preṣyatāmiti

"Adorned with a red garland, holding a noose, doe-eyed, she sat perched in the tree; she said: 'Send my husband to me.'"

Verse 46 (skanda.5.240.46)

कण्व उवाच। कस्मिन्स्थाने तु विप्रेन्द्र विद्यते मृगलोचना। कस्य सा केन कार्येण सर्वमेतद्वदाशु मे

kaṇva uvāca| kasminsthāne tu viprendra vidyate mṛgalocanā| kasya sā kena kāryeṇa sarvametadvadāśu me

Kanva said: "O foremost of brahmins, in what place is this doe-eyed woman? Whose is she, and for what purpose? Tell me all of this quickly."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.240.47)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। सङ्गमादर्धक्रोशे सा उद्यानान्ते हि विद्यते। वचनाद्ब्रह्मणस्यैषा न ज्ञाता पार्थिवेन तु

brāhmaṇa uvāca| saṅgamādardhakrośe sā udyānānte hi vidyate| vacanādbrahmaṇasyaiṣā na jñātā pārthivena tu

The brahmin said: "She is half a krosha from the confluence, at the edge of a garden. This much I tell you on a brahmin's word, though the king himself did not know her."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.240.48)

तदा स कण्वभूपालः स्वकं दूतं समादिशत्। कण्व उवाच। गच्छ त्वं पृच्छतां तां क्वागता क्वच गमिष्यसि। प्रेषितस्त्वरितो दूतो गतो नारीसमीपतः

tadā sa kaṇvabhūpālaḥ svakaṁ dūtaṁ samādiśat| kaṇva uvāca| gaccha tvaṁ pṛcchatāṁ tāṁ kvāgatā kvaca gamiṣyasi| preṣitastvarito dūto gato nārīsamīpataḥ

Then King Kanva instructed his own messenger. Kanva said: "Go, ask that woman where she has come from and where she will go." The messenger, thus sent, hastened swiftly to the woman.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.240.49)

वृक्षस्थां ददृशो बालामुवाच नृपसत्तम। मन्नाथः पृच्छति त्वां तु कासि त्वं क्व गमिष्यसि

vṛkṣasthāṁ dadṛśo bālāmuvāca nṛpasattama| mannāthaḥ pṛcchati tvāṁ tu kāsi tvaṁ kva gamiṣyasi

Seeing the maiden seated in the tree, O best of kings, he said: "My lord asks of you — who are you, and where will you go?"

Verse 50 (skanda.5.240.50)

कन्योवाच। गुरुरात्मवतां शास्ता राजा शास्ता दुरात्मनाम्। इह प्रच्छन्न पापानां शास्ता वैवस्वतो यमः

kanyovāca| gururātmavatāṁ śāstā rājā śāstā durātmanām| iha pracchanna pāpānāṁ śāstā vaivasvato yamaḥ

The maiden said: "The guru is the ruler of the self-controlled, the king is the ruler of the wicked; and here, of sinners hidden from view, the ruler is Vaivasvata, Yama himself."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.240.51)

ब्रह्महत्या च संजाता मृगरूपधरद्विजात्। मया युक्तोऽपि ते राजा मुक्तस्तीर्थप्रभावतः

brahmahatyā ca saṁjātā mṛgarūpadharadvijāt| mayā yukto'pi te rājā muktastīrthaprabhāvataḥ

"The sin of killing a brahmin, incurred through that brahmin who wore the form of a deer, though it clung to your king, has now been removed by the power of this tirtha."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.240.52)

अर्धक्रोशान्तरान्मध्ये ब्रह्महत्या न संविशेत्। सोमनाथप्रभावोऽयं वाराणस्याः समः स्मृतः

ardhakrośāntarānmadhye brahmahatyā na saṁviśet| somanāthaprabhāvo'yaṁ vārāṇasyāḥ samaḥ smṛtaḥ

"Within a radius of half a krosha, the sin of killing a brahmin cannot take hold — such is the power of Somanatha, held equal to Varanasi."

Verse 53 (skanda.5.240.53)

गच्छ त्वं प्रेष्यतां राजा शीघ्रमत्र न संशयः। गतो भृत्यस्ततः शीघ्रं वेपमानः सुविह्वलः

gaccha tvaṁ preṣyatāṁ rājā śīghramatra na saṁśayaḥ| gato bhṛtyastataḥ śīghraṁ vepamānaḥ suvihvalaḥ

"Go, send the king here quickly, without doubt." Then that servant went at once, trembling, utterly overcome.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.240.54)

समस्तं कथयामास यद्वृत्तं हि पुरातनम्। तस्य वाक्यादसौ राजा पतितो धरणीतले

samastaṁ kathayāmāsa yadvṛttaṁ hi purātanam| tasya vākyādasau rājā patito dharaṇītale

He related the whole of that ancient account; and hearing his words, the king fell prostrate upon the ground.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.240.55)

भृत्य उवाच। कस्मात्त्वं शोचसे नाथ पूर्वोपात्तं शुभाशुभम्। इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

bhṛtya uvāca| kasmāttvaṁ śocase nātha pūrvopāttaṁ śubhāśubham| ityākarṇya vacastasya rājā vacanamabravīt

The servant said: "O lord, why do you grieve over the good and evil deeds of the past?" Hearing his words, the king spoke:

Verse 56 (skanda.5.240.56)

प्राणत्यागं करिष्यामि सोमनाथसमीपतः। शीघ्रमानीयतां वह्निरिन्धनानि बहूनि च

prāṇatyāgaṁ kariṣyāmi somanāthasamīpataḥ| śīghramānīyatāṁ vahnirindhanāni bahūni ca

"I shall give up my life near Somanatha. Let fire be brought quickly, and much fuel."

Verse 57 (skanda.5.240.57)

आनीतं तत्क्षणात्सर्वं भृत्यैस्तद्वशवर्तिभिः। स्नानं कृत्वा शुभे तोये सङ्गमे पापनाशने

ānītaṁ tatkṣaṇātsarvaṁ bhṛtyaistadvaśavartibhiḥ| snānaṁ kṛtvā śubhe toye saṅgame pāpanāśane

All that was at once brought by his obedient servants. Having bathed in the auspicious, sin-destroying waters of the confluence,

Verse 58 (skanda.5.240.58)

अर्चितः परया भक्त्या सोमनाथो महीभृता। त्रिःप्रदक्षिणतः कृत्वा ज्वलन्तं जातवेदसम्

arcitaḥ parayā bhaktyā somanātho mahībhṛtā| triḥpradakṣiṇataḥ kṛtvā jvalantaṁ jātavedasam

that king worshipped Somanatha with supreme devotion; he circumambulated the blazing fire three times,

Verse 59 (skanda.5.240.59)

प्रविष्टः कण्वराजासौ हृदि ध्यात्वा जनार्दनम्। पीताम्बरधरं देवं जटामुकुटधारिणम्

praviṣṭaḥ kaṇvarājāsau hṛdi dhyātvā janārdanam| pītāmbaradharaṁ devaṁ jaṭāmukuṭadhāriṇam

and King Kanva then entered the fire, meditating in his heart on Janardana — that god who wears yellow garments and a crown of matted locks,

Verse 60 (skanda.5.240.60)

श्रिया युक्तं सुपर्णस्थं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम्। सुरारिसूदनं दध्यौ सुगतिर्मे भवत्विति

śriyā yuktaṁ suparṇasthaṁ śaṅkhacakragadādharam| surārisūdanaṁ dadhyau sugatirme bhavatviti

joined with Shri, mounted on Garuda, bearing conch, discus and mace, the slayer of the gods' enemies — meditating thus, "May a good end be mine."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.240.61)

पपात पुष्पवृष्टिस्तु साधु साधु नृपात्मज। आश्चर्यमतुलं दृष्ट्वा निरीक्ष्य च परस्परम्

papāta puṣpavṛṣṭistu sādhu sādhu nṛpātmaja| āścaryamatulaṁ dṛṣṭvā nirīkṣya ca parasparam

A shower of flowers fell at once — "Well done, well done, O prince!" Beholding that matchless wonder, all looked at one another.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.240.62)

मृतं तैः पावके भृत्यैर्हृदि ध्यात्वा गदाधरम्। विमानस्थास्ततः सर्वे संजाताः पाण्डुनन्दन

mṛtaṁ taiḥ pāvake bhṛtyairhṛdi dhyātvā gadādharam| vimānasthāstataḥ sarve saṁjātāḥ pāṇḍunandana

The servants too, meditating in their hearts on Gadadhara, died in the fire; and, O son of Pandu, thereafter all of them appeared, seated in celestial chariots.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.240.63)

निष्पापास्ते दिवं याताः सोमनाथप्रभावतः। ब्राह्मणे सङ्गमे तत्र ध्यायमाने वृषध्वजम्

niṣpāpāste divaṁ yātāḥ somanāthaprabhāvataḥ| brāhmaṇe saṅgame tatra dhyāyamāne vṛṣadhvajam

All of them, made sinless, went to heaven by the power of Somanatha — together with that brahmin, at that confluence, while meditating on Vrishadhvaja.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.240.64)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। सोमनाथप्रभावोऽयं शृणुष्वैकमना विधिम्। अष्टम्यां वा चतुर्दश्यां सर्वकालं रवेर्दिने

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| somanāthaprabhāvo'yaṁ śṛṇuṣvaikamanā vidhim| aṣṭamyāṁ vā caturdaśyāṁ sarvakālaṁ raverdine

Shri Markandeya said: This is the power of Somanatha; now hear the rite with a focused mind. On the eighth or fourteenth day, always on the day of the Sun,

Verse 65 (skanda.5.240.65)

विशेषाच्छुक्लपक्षे चेत्सूर्यवारेण सप्तमी। उपोष्य यो नरो भक्त्या रात्रौ कुर्वीत जागरम्

viśeṣācchuklapakṣe cetsūryavāreṇa saptamī| upoṣya yo naro bhaktyā rātrau kurvīta jāgaram

and especially if, in the bright fortnight, the seventh tithi falls on a Sunday — whatever man, with devotion, fasts and keeps vigil through the night,

Verse 66 (skanda.5.240.66)

पञ्चामृतेन गव्येन स्नापयेत्परमेश्वरम्। श्रीखण्डेन ततो गुण्ठ्य पुष्पधूपादिकं ददेत्

pañcāmṛtena gavyena snāpayetparameśvaram| śrīkhaṇḍena tato guṇṭhya puṣpadhūpādikaṁ dadet

bathes the Supreme Lord with the five nectars and cow-products; and then anoints him with sandal paste and offers flowers, incense, and the like.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.240.67)

घृतेन बोधयेद्दीपं नृत्यं गीतं च कारयेत्। सोमवारे तथाष्टम्यां प्रभाते पूजयेद्द्विजान्

ghṛtena bodhayeddīpaṁ nṛtyaṁ gītaṁ ca kārayet| somavāre tathāṣṭamyāṁ prabhāte pūjayeddvijān

he should light a lamp with ghee, and have song and dance performed; on Monday and on the eighth day, at dawn, he should honour brahmins,

Verse 68 (skanda.5.240.68)

जितक्रोधानात्मवतः परनिन्दाविवर्जितान्। सर्वाङ्गरुचिराञ्छस्तान् स्वदारपरिपालकान्

jitakrodhānātmavataḥ paranindāvivarjitān| sarvāṅgarucirāñchastān svadāraparipālakān

brahmins who have conquered anger, are self-controlled, free of slandering others, handsome in every limb, praiseworthy, and who guard their own wives faithfully,

Verse 69 (skanda.5.240.69)

गायत्रीपाठमात्रांश्च विकर्मविरतान् सदा। पुनर्भूवृषलीशूद्री चरेयुर्यस्य मन्दिरे

gāyatrīpāṭhamātrāṁśca vikarmaviratān sadā| punarbhūvṛṣalīśūdrī careyuryasya mandire

brahmins devoted to reciting only the Gayatri, and ever refraining from forbidden acts. Such a one whose house harbours a remarried woman, a fallen woman, or a Shudra woman —

Verse 70 (skanda.5.240.70)

दूरतोऽसौ द्विजस्त्याज्य आत्मनः श्रेय इच्छता। हीनाङ्गानतिरिक्ताङ्गान् येषां पूर्वापरं न हि

dūrato'sau dvijastyājya ātmanaḥ śreya icchatā| hīnāṅgānatiriktāṅgān yeṣāṁ pūrvāparaṁ na hi

such a brahmin should be shunned from afar by one who desires his own welfare. Those with missing limbs, or with extra limbs, whose lineage before and after is unknown,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.240.71)

व्रते श्राद्धे तथा दाने दूरतस्तान् विवर्जयेत्। आयसी तरुणी तुल्या द्विजाः स्वाध्यायवर्जिताः

vrate śrāddhe tathā dāne dūratastān vivarjayet| āyasī taruṇī tulyā dvijāḥ svādhyāyavarjitāḥ

should be shunned from afar in vows, shraddha, and gifts. Brahmins devoid of Vedic study are like an iron maiden —

Verse 72 (skanda.5.240.72)

आत्मानं सह याज्येन पातयन्ति न संशयः। शाल्मलीनावतुल्याः स्युः षट्कर्मनिरता द्विजाः

ātmānaṁ saha yājyena pātayanti na saṁśayaḥ| śālmalīnāvatulyāḥ syuḥ ṣaṭkarmaniratā dvijāḥ

they cause themselves, and those who employ them, to fall — of this there is no doubt. Brahmins devoted to the six duties are like a raft of shalmali wood —

Verse 73 (skanda.5.240.73)

दातारं च तथात्मानं तारयन्ति तरन्ति च। श्राद्धं सोमेश्वरे पार्थ यः कुर्याद्गतमत्सरः

dātāraṁ ca tathātmānaṁ tārayanti taranti ca| śrāddhaṁ someśvare pārtha yaḥ kuryādgatamatsaraḥ

they carry both the giver and themselves across, and cross over themselves. O Partha, whoever, free of envy, performs the shraddha at Someshvara —

Verse 74 (skanda.5.240.74)

प्रेतास्तस्य हि सुप्रीता यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्। अन्नं वस्त्रं हिरण्यं च यो दद्यादग्रजन्मने

pretāstasya hi suprītā yāvadābhūtasamplavam| annaṁ vastraṁ hiraṇyaṁ ca yo dadyādagrajanmane

his departed ancestors remain deeply gratified until the dissolution of created beings. Whoever gives food, clothing, and gold to a brahmin,

Verse 75 (skanda.5.240.75)

स याति शाङ्करे लोक इति मे सत्यभाषितम्। हयं यो यच्छते तत्र सम्पूर्णं तरुणं सितम्

sa yāti śāṅkare loka iti me satyabhāṣitam| hayaṁ yo yacchate tatra sampūrṇaṁ taruṇaṁ sitam

he goes to the world of Shankara — this is my truthful word. Whoever gives there a young, white horse, complete in every limb,

Verse 76 (skanda.5.240.76)

रक्तं वा पीतवर्णं वा सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्। कुङ्कुमेन विलिप्ताङ्गावग्रजन्महयावपि

raktaṁ vā pītavarṇaṁ vā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutam| kuṅkumena viliptāṅgāvagrajanmahayāvapi

or one that is red or yellow-hued, perfect in every mark — anointing with saffron the limbs of both the brahmin and his horse,

Verse 77 (skanda.5.240.77)

स्रग्दामभूषितौ कार्यौ सितवस्त्रावगुण्ठितौ। अङ्घ्रिः प्रदीयतां स्कन्धे मदीये हयमारुह

sragdāmabhūṣitau kāryau sitavastrāvaguṇṭhitau| aṅghriḥ pradīyatāṁ skandhe madīye hayamāruha

both should be adorned with garlands and covered with white cloth. "Place your foot upon my shoulder, mount the horse" — thus should the brahmin be helped to mount.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.240.78)

आरूढे ब्राह्मणे ब्रूयाद्भास्करः प्रीयतामिति। स याति शांकरं लोकं सर्वपापविवर्जितः

ārūḍhe brāhmaṇe brūyādbhāskaraḥ prīyatāmiti| sa yāti śāṅkaraṁ lokaṁ sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ

When the brahmin has mounted, one should say, "May the Sun be pleased." He who does this attains the world of Shankara, free of every sin.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.240.79)

उपरागे तु सोमस्य तीर्थं गत्वा जितेन्द्रियः। सत्यलोकाच्च्युतश्चापि राजा भवति धार्मिकः

uparāge tu somasya tīrthaṁ gatvā jitendriyaḥ| satyalokāccyutaścāpi rājā bhavati dhārmikaḥ

Going to that tirtha at the time of a lunar eclipse, self-controlled — one who dies there, even falling from Satyaloka, becomes a righteous king.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.240.80)

तस्य वासः सदा राजन्न नश्यति कदाचन। दीर्घायुर्जायते पुत्रो भार्या च वशवर्तिनी

tasya vāsaḥ sadā rājanna naśyati kadācana| dīrghāyurjāyate putro bhāryā ca vaśavartinī

O king, his dwelling place never perishes; his son is born long-lived, and his wife remains devoted to him.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.240.81)

जीवेद्वर्षशतं साग्रं सर्वदुःखविवर्जितः। सोपवासो जितक्रोधो धेनुं दद्याद्द्विजन्मने

jīvedvarṣaśataṁ sāgraṁ sarvaduḥkhavivarjitaḥ| sopavāso jitakrodho dhenuṁ dadyāddvijanmane

He lives for more than a hundred years, free of every sorrow. Fasting, having conquered anger, one should give a cow to a brahmin,

Verse 82 (skanda.5.240.82)

सवत्सां क्षीरसंयुक्तां श्वेतवस्त्रावलोकिताम्। शबलां पीतवर्णां च धूम्रां वा नीलकर्बुराम्

savatsāṁ kṣīrasaṁyuktāṁ śvetavastrāvalokitām| śabalāṁ pītavarṇāṁ ca dhūmrāṁ vā nīlakarburām

with her calf, giving milk, covered with white cloth; or dappled, or yellow-hued, or smoky-coloured, or of a blue-brown mottled colour,

Verse 83 (skanda.5.240.83)

कपिलां वा सवत्सां च घण्टाभरणभूषिताम्। रूप्यखुरां कांस्यदोहां स्वर्णशृङ्गीं नरेश्वर

kapilāṁ vā savatsāṁ ca ghaṇṭābharaṇabhūṣitām| rūpyakhurāṁ kāṁsyadohāṁ svarṇaśṛṅgīṁ nareśvara

or a tawny cow with her calf, adorned with bell ornaments, silver-hoofed, milked into a bronze vessel, and, O lord of men, gilded-horned —

Verse 84 (skanda.5.240.84)

श्वेतया वर्धते वंशो रक्ता सौभाग्यवर्धिनी। शबला पीतवर्णा च दुःखघ्न्यौ संप्रकीर्तिते

śvetayā vardhate vaṁśo raktā saubhāgyavardhinī| śabalā pītavarṇā ca duḥkhaghnyau saṁprakīrtite

A white cow increases one's lineage, a red one increases good fortune; the dappled and the yellow are both proclaimed to be destroyers of sorrow.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.240.85)

कपिला नाशयेत्पापं सप्तजन्मसमुद्भवम्। सत्यलोकमवाप्नोति गोप्रदायी नरेश्वर

kapilā nāśayetpāpaṁ saptajanmasamudbhavam| satyalokamavāpnoti gopradāyī nareśvara

O lord of men, a tawny cow destroys sin arising from seven lifetimes; the giver of a cow attains Satyaloka.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.240.86)

पक्षान्तेऽथ व्यतीपाते वै धृतौ रविसंक्रमे। दिनक्षये गजच्छायां ग्रहणे भास्करस्य च

pakṣānte'tha vyatīpāte vai dhṛtau ravisaṅkrame| dinakṣaye gajacchāyāṁ grahaṇe bhāskarasya ca

At the end of a fortnight, during the Vyatipata yoga, during the Dhriti yoga, at the Sun's transit, at the waning of the day, during Gajachhaya, and at a solar eclipse,

Verse 87 (skanda.5.240.87)

ये व्रजन्ति महात्मानः सङ्गमे सुरदुर्लभे। मृदावगुण्ठयित्वा तु चात्मानं सङ्गमे विशेत्

ye vrajanti mahātmānaḥ saṅgame suradurlabhe| mṛdāvaguṇṭhayitvā tu cātmānaṁ saṅgame viśet

whatever great souls go to that confluence, rare even for the gods, should smear their bodies with clay and enter the confluence.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.240.88)

हृदयान्तर्जले जाप्या प्राणायामोऽथवा नृप। गायत्री वैष्णवी चैव सौरी शैवी यदृच्छया। तेऽपि पापैः प्रमुच्यन्त इत्येवं शङ्करोऽब्रवीत्

hṛdayāntarjale jāpyā prāṇāyāmo'thavā nṛpa| gāyatrī vaiṣṇavī caiva saurī śaivī yadṛcchayā| te'pi pāpaiḥ pramucyanta ityevaṁ śaṅkaro'bravīt

O king, one should recite mantras, or practice pranayama, standing in water up to the heart — the Gayatri, or a Vaishnavi, Saura, or Shaiva mantra, as one wishes. They too are freed from sin — so Shankara declared.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.240.89)

जगतीं सोमनाथस्य यस्तु कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणाम्। प्रदक्षिणीकृता तेन सप्तद्वीपा वसुंधरा

jagatīṁ somanāthasya yastu kuryātpradakṣiṇām| pradakṣiṇīkṛtā tena saptadvīpā vasundharā

Whoever circumambulates the ground of Somanatha thereby circumambulates the whole earth with its seven continents.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.240.90)

ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं गुरुदारनिषेवणम्। भ्रूणहा स्वर्णहर्ता च मुच्यन्ते नात्र संशयः

brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ gurudāraniṣevaṇam| bhrūṇahā svarṇahartā ca mucyante nātra saṁśayaḥ

Even those guilty of killing a brahmin, drinking liquor, violating the guru's bed, killing an embryo, or stealing gold, are freed here — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.240.91)

तीर्थाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं यः शृणोति जितेन्द्रियः। व्याधितो मुच्यते रोगी चारोगी सुखमाप्नुयात्

tīrthākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ śṛṇoti jitendriyaḥ| vyādhito mucyate rogī cārogī sukhamāpnuyāt

Whoever, self-controlled, hears this sacred tirtha-tale — if diseased, is freed from disease, and if healthy, obtains happiness.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.240.92)

यत्ते संदह्यते चेतः शृणु तन्मे युधिष्ठिर। नैकापि नृप लोकेऽस्मिन् भ्रूणहत्या सुदुस्त्यजा

yatte saṁdahyate cetaḥ śṛṇu tanme yudhiṣṭhira| naikāpi nṛpa loke'smin bhrūṇahatyā sudustyajā

O Yudhishthira, hear from me that which burns your heart. O king, in this world, the sin of killing an embryo is one exceedingly hard to shed.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.240.93)

किमु षड्विंशतिं पार्थ प्राप याः क्षणदाकरः। सोऽपि तीर्थमिदं प्राप्य तपस्तप्त्वा सुदुश्चरम्

kimu ṣaḍviṁśatiṁ pārtha prāpa yāḥ kṣaṇadākaraḥ| so'pi tīrthamidaṁ prāpya tapastaptvā suduścaram

O Partha, even the Moon — who once lost twenty-six of his digits through the curse — having attained this very tirtha and performed the most arduous austerity,

Verse 94 (skanda.5.240.94)

विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शीतरश्मिरभूत्सुखी। श्रूयते नृप पौराणी गाथा गीता महर्षिभिः

vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śītaraśmirabhūtsukhī| śrūyate nṛpa paurāṇī gāthā gītā maharṣibhiḥ

was freed from every sin and became the joyful cool-rayed one once more. O king, this ancient legend is heard, sung by the great sages.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.240.95)

लिङ्गं प्रतिष्ठितं ह्येकं दशभ्रूणहनं भवेत्। अतो लिङ्गत्रयं सोमः स्थापयामास भारत

liṅgaṁ pratiṣṭhitaṁ hyekaṁ daśabhrūṇahanaṁ bhavet| ato liṅgatrayaṁ somaḥ sthāpayāmāsa bhārata

The installation of a single linga equals the removal of ten sins of embryo-killing; therefore, O Bharata, Soma established three lingas.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.240.96)

रेवौरिसंगमे ह्याद्यं द्वितीयं भृगुकच्छके। ततः सिद्धिं परां प्राप्य प्रभासे तु तृतीयकम्

revaurisaṅgame hyādyaṁ dvitīyaṁ bhṛgukacchake| tataḥ siddhiṁ parāṁ prāpya prabhāse tu tṛtīyakam

The first at the confluence of the Reva and the Urvi, the second at Bhrigukachchha; and then, having attained the supreme accomplishment, the third at Prabhasa.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.240.97)

इति ते कथितं सर्वं तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्। धर्म्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं संशुद्धिकृन्नृणाम्

iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam| dharmyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ svargyaṁ saṁśuddhikṛnnṛṇām

Thus has all the excellent glory of this tirtha been told to you — righteous, fame-giving, life-lengthening, heaven-bestowing, and purifying for men.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.240.98)

पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्रान्निष्कामः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्। मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यस्तीर्थं कृत्वा परं नृप

putrārthī labhate putrānniṣkāmaḥ svargamāpnuyāt| mucyate sarvapāpebhyastīrthaṁ kṛtvā paraṁ nṛpa

One who desires a son obtains sons, and one free of desire attains heaven; O king, by undertaking this supreme tirtha one is freed from every sin.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.240.99)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं सोमनाथस्य यत्फलम्। श्रुत्वा पुत्रमवाप्नोति स्नात्वा चाष्टौ न संशयः

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ somanāthasya yatphalam| śrutvā putramavāpnoti snātvā cāṣṭau na saṁśayaḥ

I have told you all of this, the fruit of Somanatha. By hearing it, one obtains a son; and by bathing there, eight generations are redeemed — of this there is no doubt.