The Greatness of Vyasa-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.252.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच - ततो गच्छेन्महीपाल व्यासतीर्थमनुत्तमम्। दुर्लभं मनुजैः पुण्यमन्तरिक्षे व्यवस्थितम्

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca - tato gacchenmahīpāla vyāsatīrthamanuttamam| durlabhaṁ manujaiḥ puṇyamantarikṣe vyavasthitam

Shri Markandeya said: "Then, O king, one should go to Vyasa-tirtha, unsurpassed, sacred and rare for men, situated in the sky."

Verse 2 (skanda.5.252.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच - कस्माद्वै व्यासतीर्थं तदन्तरिक्षे व्यवस्थितम्। एतदाख्याहि संक्षेपात्त्यज ग्रन्थस्य विस्तरम्

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca - kasmādvai vyāsatīrthaṁ tadantarikṣe vyavasthitam| etadākhyāhi saṁkṣepāttyaja granthasya vistaram

Yudhishthira said: "Why indeed is Vyasa-tirtha situated in the sky? Tell me this in brief; set aside the length of the full account."

Verse 3 (skanda.5.252.3)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच - साधु साधु महाबाहो धर्मवान्साधुवत्सल। स्वकर्मनिरतः पार्थ तीर्थयात्राकृतादरः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca - sādhu sādhu mahābāho dharmavānsādhuvatsala| svakarmanirataḥ pārtha tīrthayātrākṛtādaraḥ

Shri Markandeya said: "Well asked, well asked, O mighty-armed one, righteous, kind to the good, devoted to your own duty, O Partha, respectful of pilgrimage."

Verse 4 (skanda.5.252.4)

दुर्लभं सर्वजन्तूनां व्यासतीर्थं नरेश्वर। पीडितो वृद्धभावेन अकल्पोऽहं नृपात्मज

durlabhaṁ sarvajantūnāṁ vyāsatīrthaṁ nareśvara| pīḍito vṛddhabhāvena akalpo'haṁ nṛpātmaja

Vyasa-tirtha is rare for all creatures, O lord of men. Afflicted by old age, I have become incapable, O son of the king.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.252.5)

विसंज्ञो गतवित्तस्तु संजातः स्मृतिवर्जितः। गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं तीर्थं नाख्यातं कस्यचिन्मया

visaṁjño gatavittastu saṁjātaḥ smṛtivarjitaḥ| guhyādguhyataraṁ tīrthaṁ nākhyātaṁ kasyacinmayā

I have become senseless, bereft of memory, my faculties lost; this ford, more secret than the secret, has not been told by me to anyone.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.252.6)

कलिस्तत्रैव राजेन्द्र न विशेद्व्याससंश्रयात्। अन्तरिक्षे तु संजातं रेवायाश्चेष्टितेन तु

kalistatraiva rājendra na viśedvyāsasaṁśrayāt| antarikṣe tu saṁjātaṁ revāyāśceṣṭitena tu

Kali cannot enter there, O Rajendra, on account of refuge in Vyasa; and it came to be situated in the sky through the working of the Reva.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.252.7)

विरिञ्चिर्नैव शक्नोति रेवाया गुणकीर्तनम्। कथं ज्ञास्याम्यहं तात रेवामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

viriñcirnaiva śaknoti revāyā guṇakīrtanam| kathaṁ jñāsyāmyahaṁ tāta revāmāhātmyamuttamam

Even Virinchi is not able to sing the full praise of the Reva's qualities; how then, my son, shall I come to know the supreme greatness of the Reva?

Verse 8 (skanda.5.252.8)

व्यासतीर्थं विशेषेण लवमात्रं ब्रवीम्यतः। प्रत्यक्षः प्रत्ययो यत्र दृश्यतेऽद्य कलौ युगे

vyāsatīrthaṁ viśeṣeṇa lavamātraṁ bravīmyataḥ| pratyakṣaḥ pratyayo yatra dṛśyate'dya kalau yuge

Therefore I shall speak only a fraction, specifically of Vyasa-tirtha; where a direct proof is seen even today, in this Kali age —

Verse 9 (skanda.5.252.9)

विहङ्गो गच्छते नैव भित्त्वा शूलं सुदारुणम्। तस्योत्पत्तिं समासेन कथयामि नृपात्मज

vihaṅgo gacchate naiva bhittvā śūlaṁ sudāruṇam| tasyotpattiṁ samāsena kathayāmi nṛpātmaja

a bird does not even pass by, piercing that terrible trident. I shall relate its origin briefly, O son of the king.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.252.10)

आसीत्पूर्वं महीपाल मुनिर्मान्यः पराशरः। तेनात्युग्रं तपश्चीर्णं गङ्गाम्भसि महाफलम्

āsītpūrvaṁ mahīpāla munirmānyaḥ parāśaraḥ| tenātyugraṁ tapaścīrṇaṁ gaṅgāmbhasi mahāphalam

There was formerly, O king, a revered sage named Parashara; by him fierce austerity of great merit was performed in the waters of the Ganga.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.252.11)

प्राणायामेन संतस्थौ प्रविष्टो जाह्नवीजले। पूर्णे द्वादशमे वर्षे निष्क्रान्तो जलमध्यतः

prāṇāyāmena saṁtasthau praviṣṭo jāhnavījale| pūrṇe dvādaśame varṣe niṣkrānto jalamadhyataḥ

He remained fixed through breath-control, having entered the waters of the Jahnavi; when a full twelve years had passed, he emerged from within the water.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.252.12)

भिक्षार्थी संचरेद्ग्रामं नावा यत्रैव तिष्ठति। तत्र तेन परा दृष्टा बाला चैव मनोहरा

bhikṣārthī saṁcaredgrāmaṁ nāvā yatraiva tiṣṭhati| tatra tena parā dṛṣṭā bālā caiva manoharā

Wishing to beg alms, he went about the village where his boat stood; there he saw a maiden, supreme and enchanting.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.252.13)

तां दृष्ट्वा स च कामार्त उवाच मधुरं तदा। मां नयस्व परं पारं कासि त्वं मृगलोचने

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sa ca kāmārta uvāca madhuraṁ tadā| māṁ nayasva paraṁ pāraṁ kāsi tvaṁ mṛgalocane

Seeing her, tormented by desire, he then spoke sweetly: "Take me to the far shore — who are you, O doe-eyed one,"

Verse 14 (skanda.5.252.14)

नावारूढे नदीतीरे मम चित्तप्रमाथिनि। एवमुक्ता तु सा तेन प्रणम्य ऋषिपुंगवम्

nāvārūḍhe nadītīre mama cittapramāthini| evamuktā tu sā tena praṇamya ṛṣipuṁgavam

"who have boarded this boat on the riverbank, and who agitate my mind." Thus addressed by him, she, bowing to that eminent sage,

Verse 15 (skanda.5.252.15)

कथयामास चात्मानं दृष्ट्वा तं काममोहितम्। कैवर्तानां गृहे दासी कन्याहं द्विजसत्तम

kathayāmāsa cātmānaṁ dṛṣṭvā taṁ kāmamohitam| kaivartānāṁ gṛhe dāsī kanyāhaṁ dvijasattama

told of herself, seeing him overcome with desire: "I am a maidservant's daughter in the house of fishermen, O best of the twice-born,"

Verse 16 (skanda.5.252.16)

नावासंरक्षणार्थाय आदिष्टा स्वामिना विभो। मया विज्ञापितं वृत्तमशेषं ज्ञातुमर्हसि

nāvāsaṁrakṣaṇārthāya ādiṣṭā svāminā vibho| mayā vijñāpitaṁ vṛttamaśeṣaṁ jñātumarhasi

"appointed by my master to guard the boat, O lord. You should know the whole matter, just as I have told you."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.252.17)

एवमुक्तस्तया सोऽथ क्षणं ध्यात्वाब्रवीदिदम्

evamuktastayā so'tha kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvābravīdidam

Thus addressed by her, he, having reflected for a moment, spoke thus —

Verse 18 (skanda.5.252.18)

पराशर उवाच - अहं ज्ञानबलाद्भद्रे तव जानामि सम्भवम्। कैवर्तपुत्रिका न त्वं राजकन्यासि सुन्दरि

parāśara uvāca - ahaṁ jñānabalādbhadre tava jānāmi sambhavam| kaivartaputrikā na tvaṁ rājakanyāsi sundari

Parashara said: "By the strength of my knowledge, O gentle one, I know your true origin. You are not a fisherman's daughter — you are a king's daughter, O beautiful one."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.252.19)

कन्योवाच - कः पिता कथ्यतां ब्रह्मन्कस्या वा ह्युदरोद्भवा। कस्मिन्वंशे प्रसूताहं कैवर्ततनया कथम्

kanyovāca - kaḥ pitā kathyatāṁ brahmankasyā vā hyudarodbhavā| kasminvaṁśe prasūtāhaṁ kaivartatanayā katham

The maiden said: "Who is my father, tell me, O Brahman? From whose womb was I born? In what lineage was I born — how then am I the daughter of a fisherman?"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.252.20)

पराशर उवाच - कथयामि समस्तं यत्त्वया पृष्टमशेषतः। वसुर्नामेति भूपालः सोमवंशविभूषणः

parāśara uvāca - kathayāmi samastaṁ yattvayā pṛṣṭamaśeṣataḥ| vasurnāmeti bhūpālaḥ somavaṁśavibhūṣaṇaḥ

Parashara said: "I shall relate to you everything you have asked, in full. There was a king named Vasu, an ornament of the lunar dynasty,"

Verse 21 (skanda.5.252.21)

जम्बूद्वीपाधिपो भद्रे शत्रूणां भयवर्धनः। शतानि सप्त भार्याणां पुत्राणां च दशैव तु

jambūdvīpādhipo bhadre śatrūṇāṁ bhayavardhanaḥ| śatāni sapta bhāryāṇāṁ putrāṇāṁ ca daśaiva tu

lord of Jambudvipa, O gentle one, who increased the fear of his enemies; he had seven hundred wives and just ten sons.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.252.22)

धर्मेण पालयेल्लोकानीशवत्पूज्यते सदा। म्लेच्छास्तस्याविधेयाश्च क्षीरद्वीपनिवासिनः

dharmeṇa pālayellokānīśavatpūjyate sadā| mlecchāstasyāvidheyāśca kṣīradvīpanivāsinaḥ

He protected the worlds with righteousness, and was ever worshipped like a god; the barbarians dwelling on Kshiradvipa were disobedient to him.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.252.23)

तेषामुत्सादनार्थाय ययावुल्लङ्घ्य सागरम्। संयुक्तः पुत्रभृत्यैश्च पौरुषे महति स्थितैः

teṣāmutsādanārthāya yayāvullaṅghya sāgaram| saṁyuktaḥ putrabhṛtyaiśca pauruṣe mahati sthitaiḥ

For the sake of destroying them he crossed the ocean, accompanied by his sons and servants, all established in great manly prowess.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.252.24)

समरं तैः समारब्धं म्लेच्छैश्च वसुना सह। जिता म्लेच्छाः समस्तास्ते वसुना मृगलोचने

samaraṁ taiḥ samārabdhaṁ mlecchaiśca vasunā saha| jitā mlecchāḥ samastāste vasunā mṛgalocane

A battle was joined between them, the mlecchas, and Vasu; all the mlecchas, O doe-eyed one, were conquered by Vasu.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.252.25)

करदास्ते कृतास्तेन सपुत्रबलवाहनाः। प्रधाना तस्य सा राज्ञी तव माता मृगेक्षणे

karadāste kṛtāstena saputrabalavāhanāḥ| pradhānā tasya sā rājñī tava mātā mṛgekṣaṇe

They, together with their sons, forces, and mounts, were made tributary by him; his foremost queen — she, O doe-eyed one, was your mother.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.252.26)

प्रवासस्थे महीपाले संजाता सा रजस्वला। नारीणां तु सदाकालं मन्मथो ह्यधिको भवेत्

pravāsasthe mahīpāle saṁjātā sā rajasvalā| nārīṇāṁ tu sadākālaṁ manmatho hyadhiko bhavet

While the king was away on campaign, she came into her fertile season; for women, desire is always somewhat stronger,

Verse 27 (skanda.5.252.27)

विशेषेण ऋतोः काले भिद्यन्ते कामसायकैः। मन्मथेन तु संतप्ताचिन्तयत्सा शुभेक्षणा

viśeṣeṇa ṛtoḥ kāle bhidyante kāmasāyakaiḥ| manmathena tu saṁtaptācintayatsā śubhekṣaṇā

especially at the fertile time, when they are pierced by the arrows of desire. Tormented by love, that fair-eyed one thought —

Verse 28 (skanda.5.252.28)

दूतं वै प्रेषयाम्यद्य वसुराज्ञः समीपतः। आहूतः सत्वरं दूत गच्छ त्वं नृपसन्निधौ

dūtaṁ vai preṣayāmyadya vasurājñaḥ samīpataḥ| āhūtaḥ satvaraṁ dūta gaccha tvaṁ nṛpasannidhau

"I shall today send a messenger to King Vasu's presence." "O messenger, summoned in haste, go now into the king's presence."

Verse 29 (skanda.5.252.29)

दूत उवाच - परतीरं गतो देवि वसुराजारिशासनः। तत्र गन्तुमशक्येत जलयानैर्विना शुभे

dūta uvāca - paratīraṁ gato devi vasurājāriśāsanaḥ| tatra gantumaśakyeta jalayānairvinā śubhe

The messenger said: "O queen, King Vasu, chastiser of his enemies, has gone to the far shore; going there without water-vessels is not possible, O auspicious one."

Verse 30 (skanda.5.252.30)

तानि यानानि सर्वाणि गृहीतानि परे तटे। दूतवाक्येन सा राज्ञी विषण्णा कामपीडिता

tāni yānāni sarvāṇi gṛhītāni pare taṭe| dūtavākyena sā rājñī viṣaṇṇā kāmapīḍitā

All those vessels have been taken to the far shore. By the messenger's word, that queen, afflicted by desire, became dejected.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.252.31)

तत्सखी तामुवाचाथ कस्मात्त्वं परितप्यसे। स्वलेखः प्रेष्यतां देवि शुकहस्ते यथार्थतः

tatsakhī tāmuvācātha kasmāttvaṁ paritapyase| svalekhaḥ preṣyatāṁ devi śukahaste yathārthataḥ

Then her friend said to her: "Why do you torment yourself? Let your own letter, O queen, be truly sent in the beak of a parrot;

Verse 32 (skanda.5.252.32)

समुद्रं लङ्घयित्वा तु शकुन्ता यान्ति सुन्दरि। सखिवाक्येन सा राज्ञी स्वस्था जाता नराधिप

samudraṁ laṅghayitvā tu śakuntā yānti sundari| sakhivākyena sā rājñī svasthā jātā narādhipa

for parrots, O beautiful one, cross over the ocean." By her friend's word, O lord of men, that queen became at ease.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.252.33)

व्याहृतो लेखकस्तत्र लिख लेखं ममाज्ञया। त्वद्धीना सत्यभामाद्य वसो राजन्न जीवति

vyāhṛto lekhakastatra likha lekhaṁ mamājñayā| tvaddhīnā satyabhāmādya vaso rājanna jīvati

A scribe was summoned there: "Write a letter at my command: 'Without you, Vasu, Satyabhama does not live today, O king.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.5.252.34)

ऋतुकालोऽद्य संजातो लिख लेखं तु लेखकं। लिखिते भूर्जपत्रे तु लेखे वै लेखकेन तु

ṛtukālo'dya saṁjāto likha lekhaṁ tu lekhakaṁ| likhite bhūrjapatre tu lekhe vai lekhakena tu

"'My fertile season has come today' — write this letter, O scribe." When the letter had been written by the scribe on a birch-bark leaf,

Verse 35 (skanda.5.252.35)

शुकः पञ्जरमध्यस्थ आनीतोद्धैव सन्निधौ

śukaḥ pañjaramadhyastha ānītoddhaiva sannidhau

a parrot kept within a cage was at once brought there into her presence.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.252.36)

सत्यभामोवाच - नीत्वा लेखं गच्छ शीघ्रं वसुराज्ञः समीपतः। शकुनिः प्रणतो भूत्वा गृहीत्वा लेखमुत्तमम्

satyabhāmovāca - nītvā lekhaṁ gaccha śīghraṁ vasurājñaḥ samīpataḥ| śakuniḥ praṇato bhūtvā gṛhītvā lekhamuttamam

Satyabhama said: "Take this letter and go swiftly into King Vasu's presence." The bird, having bowed, took the excellent letter,

Verse 37 (skanda.5.252.37)

उत्पत्य सहसा राजञ्जगामाकाशमण्डलम्। ततः पक्षी गतः शीघ्रं वसुराजसमीपतः

utpatya sahasā rājañjagāmākāśamaṇḍalam| tataḥ pakṣī gataḥ śīghraṁ vasurājasamīpataḥ

and, rising up suddenly, O king, went into the region of the sky; then the bird swiftly reached King Vasu's presence.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.252.38)

क्षिप्ते लेखे शुकेनैव सत्यभामाविसर्जिते। वसुराज्ञा ततो लेखो गृह्य हस्तेऽवधारितः

kṣipte lekhe śukenaiva satyabhāmāvisarjite| vasurājñā tato lekho gṛhya haste'vadhāritaḥ

When the letter, sent by Satyabhama, was dropped by the parrot, King Vasu took it and held it in his hand.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.252.39)

लेखार्थं चिन्तयित्वा तु गृह्य वीर्यं नरेश्वरः। अमोघं पुटिकां कृत्वा प्रतिलेखेन मिश्रितम्

lekhārthaṁ cintayitvā tu gṛhya vīryaṁ nareśvaraḥ| amoghaṁ puṭikāṁ kṛtvā pratilekhena miśritam

Reflecting on the letter's meaning, the lord of men took his own seed, and, mixing it with a reply letter, made an unfailing little packet,

Verse 40 (skanda.5.252.40)

शुकस्य सोऽपयामास गच्छ राज्ञीसमीपतः। प्रणम्य वसुराजानं बीजं गृह्योत्पपात ह

śukasya so'payāmāsa gaccha rājñīsamīpataḥ| praṇamya vasurājānaṁ bījaṁ gṛhyotpapāta ha

and sent it by the parrot: "Go into the queen's presence." Having bowed to King Vasu, taking the seed, the bird flew up.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.252.41)

समुद्रोपरि सम्प्राप्तः शुकः श्येनेन वीक्षितः। सामिषं तं शुकं ज्ञात्वा श्येनस्तमभ्यधावत

samudropari samprāptaḥ śukaḥ śyenena vīkṣitaḥ| sāmiṣaṁ taṁ śukaṁ jñātvā śyenastamabhyadhāvata

Arriving over the ocean, the parrot was spied by a hawk; taking that parrot for flesh, the hawk swooped upon it.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.252.42)

हतश्चञ्चुप्रहारेण शुकः श्येनेन भारत। मूर्च्छया तस्य तद्बीजं पतितं सागराम्भसि

hataścañcuprahāreṇa śukaḥ śyenena bhārata| mūrcchayā tasya tadbījaṁ patitaṁ sāgarāmbhasi

Struck by the blow of its beak, O Bharata, the parrot's seed-packet, through its swoon, fell into the ocean's waters.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.252.43)

मत्स्येन गिलितं तच्च बीजं वसुमहीपतेः। कन्या मत्स्योदरे जाता तेन बीजेन सुन्दरि

matsyena gilitaṁ tacca bījaṁ vasumahīpateḥ| kanyā matsyodare jātā tena bījena sundari

That seed of King Vasu was swallowed by a fish; a maiden, O beautiful one, was born in the fish's belly from that seed.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.252.44)

प्राप्तोऽसौ लुब्धकैर्मत्स्य आनीतः स्वगृहं ततः। यावद्विदारितो मत्स्यस्तावद्दृष्टा त्वमुत्तमे

prāpto'sau lubdhakairmatsya ānītaḥ svagṛhaṁ tataḥ| yāvadvidārito matsyastāvaddṛṣṭā tvamuttame

That fish was caught by fishermen and brought then to their home; when the fish was cut open, then, O excellent one, you were seen —

Verse 45 (skanda.5.252.45)

शशिमण्डलसङ्काशा सूर्यतेजःसमप्रभा। दृष्ट्वा त्वां हर्षिताः सर्वे कैवर्ता जाह्नवीतटे

śaśimaṇḍalasaṅkāśā sūryatejaḥsamaprabhā| dṛṣṭvā tvāṁ harṣitāḥ sarve kaivartā jāhnavītaṭe

resembling the orb of the moon, as radiant as the splendor of the sun. Seeing you, all the fishermen on the bank of the Jahnavi rejoiced.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.252.46)

हर्षितास्ते गताः सर्वे प्रधानस्य च मन्दिरम्। स्त्रीरत्नं कथयामासुर्गृहाण त्वं महाप्रभम्

harṣitāste gatāḥ sarve pradhānasya ca mandiram| strīratnaṁ kathayāmāsurgṛhāṇa tvaṁ mahāprabham

Delighted, they all went to the house of their chief; they said: "Take this jewel of a woman, of great radiance."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.252.47)

गृहीता तेन तन्वङ्गी ह्यपुत्रेण मृगेक्षणा। भार्यां स्वामाह तन्वङ्गि पालयस्व मृगेक्षणे

gṛhītā tena tanvaṅgī hyaputreṇa mṛgekṣaṇā| bhāryāṁ svāmāha tanvaṅgi pālayasva mṛgekṣaṇe

That slender, doe-eyed one was taken by that sonless man; he said to his wife: "O slender one, doe-eyed one, care for her."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.252.48)

ततः सा चिन्तयामास पराशरवचस्तदा। एवमुक्त्वा तु सा तेन दत्तात्मानं नरेश्वर

tataḥ sā cintayāmāsa parāśaravacastadā| evamuktvā tu sā tena dattātmānaṁ nareśvara

Then she pondered Parashara's words; and, having spoken thus, O lord of men, she surrendered herself to him.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.252.49)

उवाच साधु मे ब्रह्मन्मत्स्यगन्धोऽनु वर्तते। ततस्तेन तु सा बाला दिव्यगन्धाधिवासिता

uvāca sādhu me brahmanmatsyagandho'nu vartate| tatastena tu sā bālā divyagandhādhivāsitā

She said: "It is well, O Brahman — but the smell of fish clings to me." Then that maiden was made fragrant by him with a divine perfume,

Verse 50 (skanda.5.252.50)

कृता योगबलेनैव ज्वालयित्वा विभावसुम्। कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं वह्निमूढा तेन रसात्तदा

kṛtā yogabalenaiva jvālayitvā vibhāvasum| kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ vahnimūḍhā tena rasāttadā

accomplished by the very power of yoga; and, having kindled a fire and circled it, deluded then by that essence, she,

Verse 51 (skanda.5.252.51)

जलयानस्य मध्ये तु कामस्थानान्यसंस्पृशत्। ज्ञात्वा कामोत्सुकं विप्रं भीता सा धर्मनन्दन

jalayānasya madhye tu kāmasthānānyasaṁspṛśat| jñātvā kāmotsukaṁ vipraṁ bhītā sā dharmanandana

in the midst of the boat, allowed her intimate places to be touched. Knowing the brahmin eager with desire, O joy of Dharma, she, afraid,

Verse 52 (skanda.5.252.52)

हसन्ती तमुवाचाथ देव त्वं लोकसन्निधौ। न लज्जसे कथं धीमन्कुर्वाणः पामरोचितम्

hasantī tamuvācātha deva tvaṁ lokasannidhau| na lajjase kathaṁ dhīmankurvāṇaḥ pāmarocitam

said to him, laughing: "O god, in the presence of the world, how is it, O wise one, that you feel no shame, doing what befits the vulgar?"

Verse 53 (skanda.5.252.53)

ततस्तेन क्षणं ध्यात्वा संस्मृता हृदि तामसी। आगता तामसी माया यया व्याप्तं चराचरम्

tatastena kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā saṁsmṛtā hṛdi tāmasī| āgatā tāmasī māyā yayā vyāptaṁ carācaram

Then he, meditating for a moment, called to mind in his heart the power of Tamasi; that dark maya came, by which the moving and the unmoving are pervaded.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.252.54)

ततः सा विस्मिता तेन कर्मणैव तु रञ्जिता। ब्रह्मचर्याभितप्तेन स्त्रीसौख्यं क्रीडितं तदा

tataḥ sā vismitā tena karmaṇaiva tu rañjitā| brahmacaryābhitaptena strīsaukhyaṁ krīḍitaṁ tadā

Then she, astonished, was won over by that very deed; and by him, heated with long celibacy, the pleasure of union with a woman was then enjoyed.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.252.55)

ततः सा तत्क्षणादेव गर्भभारेण पीडिता। प्रसूता बालकं तत्र जटिलं दण्डधारिणम्

tataḥ sā tatkṣaṇādeva garbhabhāreṇa pīḍitā| prasūtā bālakaṁ tatra jaṭilaṁ daṇḍadhāriṇam

Then, that very instant, burdened with pregnancy, she gave birth there to a boy — matted-haired, staff-bearing,

Verse 56 (skanda.5.252.56)

कमण्डलुधरं शान्तं मेखलाकटिभूषितम्। उत्तरीयकृतस्कन्धं विष्णुमायाविवर्जितम्

kamaṇḍaludharaṁ śāntaṁ mekhalākaṭibhūṣitam| uttarīyakṛtaskandhaṁ viṣṇumāyāvivarjitam

bearing a water-pot, tranquil, adorned at the waist with a girdle, the upper garment draped over his shoulder, free from Vishnu's confounding maya.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.252.57)

ततोऽपि शङ्किता पार्थ दृष्ट्वा तं कलबालकम्। वेपमाना ततो बाला जगाम शरणं मुनेः

tato'pi śaṅkitā pārtha dṛṣṭvā taṁ kalabālakam| vepamānā tato bālā jagāma śaraṇaṁ muneḥ

Then, O Partha, seeing that wondrous child, she became afraid; trembling, that maiden went for refuge to the sage.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.252.58)

रक्ष रक्ष मुनिश्रेष्ठ पराशर महामते। जातं मेऽत्यद्भुतं पुत्रं कौपीनवरमेखलम्। दण्डहस्तं जटायुक्तमुत्तरीयविभूषितम्

rakṣa rakṣa muniśreṣṭha parāśara mahāmate| jātaṁ me'tyadbhutaṁ putraṁ kaupīnavaramekhalam| daṇḍahastaṁ jaṭāyuktamuttarīyavibhūṣitam

"Protect me, protect me, O best of sages, Parashara, greatly wise one; a most wondrous son has been born to me, wearing the finest loincloth and girdle,"

Verse 59 (skanda.5.252.59)

पराशर उवाच - मा भैषीः स्वसुते जाते कुमारी त्वं भविष्यसि। नाम्ना योजनगन्धेति द्वितीयं सत्यवत्यपि

parāśara uvāca - mā bhaiṣīḥ svasute jāte kumārī tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi| nāmnā yojanagandheti dvitīyaṁ satyavatyapi

"staff in hand, matted-haired, adorned with the upper garment." Parashara said: "Fear not, dear one; now that a son is born, you shall become a maiden once again."

Verse 60 (skanda.5.252.60)

शंतनुर्नाम राजा यः स ते भर्ता भविष्यति। प्रथमा महिषी तस्य सोमवंशविभूषणा

śaṁtanurnāma rājā yaḥ sa te bhartā bhaviṣyati| prathamā mahiṣī tasya somavaṁśavibhūṣaṇā

"By name you shall be Yojanagandha, and, secondly, Satyavati also; a king named Shantanu — he shall become your husband,"

Verse 61 (skanda.5.252.61)

गच्छ त्वं स्वाश्रयं शुभ्रे पूर्वरूपेण संस्थिता। मा विषादं कुरुष्वात्र दृष्टं ज्ञानस्य मे बलम्

gaccha tvaṁ svāśrayaṁ śubhre pūrvarūpeṇa saṁsthitā| mā viṣādaṁ kuruṣvātra dṛṣṭaṁ jñānasya me balam

"his foremost queen, an ornament of the lunar dynasty. Go now, O fair one, restored to your former form, to your own dwelling; do not grieve over this — you have seen the power of my knowledge."

Verse 62 (skanda.5.252.62)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ विप्रः सा बाला पुत्रमाश्रिता। नत्वोचे मातरं भक्त्या साष्टाङ्गं विनयानतः

ityuktvā prayayau vipraḥ sā bālā putramāśritā| natvoce mātaraṁ bhaktyā sāṣṭāṅgaṁ vinayānataḥ

Having said this, the brahmin departed; that maiden, taking her son with her, prostrating fully with devotion, humbly said to her mother —

Verse 63 (skanda.5.252.63)

क्षम्यतां मातरुक्तं मे प्रसादः क्रियतामपि। ईश्वराराधने यत्नं करिष्याम्यहमम्बिके

kṣamyatāṁ mātaruktaṁ me prasādaḥ kriyatāmapi| īśvarārādhane yatnaṁ kariṣyāmyahamambike

"Let what I have said be forgiven, mother; let your grace be shown to me as well. I shall make effort, O mother, in the worship of Ishvara."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.252.64)

ततः सा पुत्रवाक्येन विषण्णा वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tataḥ sā putravākyena viṣaṇṇā vākyamabravīt

Then she, made sorrowful by her child's words, spoke this word —

Verse 65 (skanda.5.252.65)

योजनगन्धोवाच - मा त्यक्त्वा गच्छ वत्साद्य मातरं मामनागसम्। त्वद्वियोगेन मे पुत्र पञ्चत्वं भाव्यसंशयम्

yojanagandhovāca - mā tyaktvā gaccha vatsādya mātaraṁ māmanāgasam| tvadviyogena me putra pañcatvaṁ bhāvyasaṁśayam

Yojanagandha said: "Do not, O child, leave your guiltless mother today and go; through separation from you, my son, my death is surely to come."

Verse 66 (skanda.5.252.66)

नास्ति पुत्रसमः स्नेहो नास्ति भ्रातृसमं कुलम्। नास्ति सत्यपरो धर्मो नानृतात्पातकं परम्

nāsti putrasamaḥ sneho nāsti bhrātṛsamaṁ kulam| nāsti satyaparo dharmo nānṛtātpātakaṁ param

"There is no affection equal to that for a son, no family equal to a brother; there is no dharma higher than truth, no sin greater than falsehood."

Verse 67 (skanda.5.252.67)

बालभावे मया जात आधारः किल जायसे। न मे भर्ता न मे पुत्रः पश्य कर्मविडम्बनम्

bālabhāve mayā jāta ādhāraḥ kila jāyase| na me bhartā na me putraḥ paśya karmaviḍambanam

"Born of me in my youth, you indeed have become my [only] support; I have neither husband nor son — behold the mockery worked by karma!"

Verse 68 (skanda.5.252.68)

व्यास उवाच - मा विषादं कुरुष्वान्तः सत्यमेतन्मयोरितम्। आपत्कालेऽस्मि ते देवि स्मर्तव्यः कार्यसिद्धये

vyāsa uvāca - mā viṣādaṁ kuruṣvāntaḥ satyametanmayoritam| āpatkāle'smi te devi smartavyaḥ kāryasiddhaye

Vyasa said: "Do not grieve within; what I say is true — in time of adversity, O goddess, I am to be remembered by you for the accomplishment of your purpose."

Verse 69 (skanda.5.252.69)

आपदस्तारयिष्यामि क्षम्यतां मे दुरुत्तरम्। इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ व्यासः कन्या सापि गता गृहम्

āpadastārayiṣyāmi kṣamyatāṁ me duruttaram| ityuktvā prayayau vyāsaḥ kanyā sāpi gatā gṛham

"I shall carry you across your calamities; forgive my harsh words." Having said this, Vyasa departed; that maiden too went home.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.252.70)

पराशरसुतस्तत्र विषष्णो वनमध्यतः। त्रेतायुगावसाने तु द्वापरादौ नरेश्वर

parāśarasutastatra viṣaṣṇo vanamadhyataḥ| tretāyugāvasāne tu dvāparādau nareśvara

The son of Parashara, dejected, went into the midst of the forest, O lord of men, at the end of the Treta age, at the beginning of the Dvapara.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.252.71)

व्यासार्थं चिन्तयामासुर्देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः। आख्यातो नारदेनैव पुत्रः पराशरस्य सः

vyāsārthaṁ cintayāmāsurdevāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ| ākhyāto nāradenaiva putraḥ parāśarasya saḥ

The gods, headed by Shakra, reflected upon the matter of Vyasa; he, the son of Parashara, was made known by Narada himself,

Verse 72 (skanda.5.252.72)

कैवर्तपुत्रिकाजातो ज्ञानी जह्नुसुतातटे। ततो नारदवाक्येन आगताः सुरसत्तमाः

kaivartaputrikājāto jñānī jahnusutātaṭe| tato nāradavākyena āgatāḥ surasattamāḥ

born of a fisherman's daughter, wise, upon the bank of Jahnu's daughter. Then, at Narada's word, the best of the gods came,

Verse 73 (skanda.5.252.73)

रामः पितामहः शक्रो मुनिसङ्घैः समावृताः। आस्यादिकं पृथग्दत्त्वा साधु साध्वित्युदीरयन्

rāmaḥ pitāmahaḥ śakro munisaṅghaiḥ samāvṛtāḥ| āsyādikaṁ pṛthagdattvā sādhu sādhvityudīrayan

Rama, the Grandsire, Shakra, surrounded by hosts of sages; each bestowing blessings individually, exclaiming "well done, well done,"

Verse 74 (skanda.5.252.74)

पितामहेन वै बालो गर्भाधानादिसंस्कृतः। द्वीपायनो द्वीपजन्मा पाराशर्यः पराशरात्

pitāmahena vai bālo garbhādhānādisaṁskṛtaḥ| dvīpāyano dvīpajanmā pārāśaryaḥ parāśarāt

by the Grandsire himself the child's rites, beginning with garbhadhana, were performed; "Dvaipayana," island-born; "Parashari," from Parashara,

Verse 75 (skanda.5.252.75)

कृष्णांशात्कृष्णनामायं व्यासो वेदान्व्यसिष्यति। विरञ्चिनाभिषिक्तोऽसौ मुनिसङ्घैः पुनःपुनः

kṛṣṇāṁśātkṛṣṇanāmāyaṁ vyāso vedānvyasiṣyati| virañcinābhiṣikto'sau munisaṅghaiḥ punaḥpunaḥ

named "Krishna" from his dark portion — this Vyasa shall divide the Vedas; he was consecrated again and again by Virinchi, together with hosts of sages —

Verse 76 (skanda.5.252.76)

व्यासस्त्वं सर्वलोकेषु इत्युक्त्वा प्रययुः सुराः। तीर्थयात्रा समारब्धा कृष्णद्वैपायनेन तु

vyāsastvaṁ sarvalokeṣu ityuktvā prayayuḥ surāḥ| tīrthayātrā samārabdhā kṛṣṇadvaipāyanena tu

"You are Vyasa in all the worlds" — having said this, the gods departed. Then the pilgrimage of sacred fords was begun by Krishna Dvaipayana.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.252.77)

गङ्गावगाहिता तेन केदारश्च सपुष्करः। गया च नैमिषं तीर्थं कुरुक्षेत्रं सरस्वती

gaṅgāvagāhitā tena kedāraśca sapuṣkaraḥ| gayā ca naimiṣaṁ tīrthaṁ kurukṣetraṁ sarasvatī

He bathed in the Ganga, and at Kedara together with Pushkara, at Gaya, the ford Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Sarasvati,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.252.78)

उज्जयिन्यां महाकालं सोमनाथं प्रभासके। पृथिव्यां सागरान्तायां स्नात्वा यातो महामुनिः

ujjayinyāṁ mahākālaṁ somanāthaṁ prabhāsake| pṛthivyāṁ sāgarāntāyāṁ snātvā yāto mahāmuniḥ

at Mahakala in Ujjayini, at Somanatha in Prabhasa; bathing across the earth as far as the ocean's end, the great sage went on.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.252.79)

अमृतां नर्मदां प्राप्तो रुद्रदेहोद्भवां शुभाम्। साह्लादो नर्मदां दृष्ट्वा चित्तविश्रान्तिमाप च

amṛtāṁ narmadāṁ prāpto rudradehodbhavāṁ śubhām| sāhlādo narmadāṁ dṛṣṭvā cittaviśrāntimāpa ca

He reached the immortal Narmada, auspicious, arisen from Rudra's body; delighted at the sight of the Narmada, he attained rest of mind.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.252.80)

तपश्चचार विपुलं नर्मदातटमाश्रितः। ग्रीष्मे पञ्चाग्निमध्यस्थो वर्षासु स्थण्डिलेशयः

tapaścacāra vipulaṁ narmadātaṭamāśritaḥ| grīṣme pañcāgnimadhyastho varṣāsu sthaṇḍileśayaḥ

Resorting to the bank of the Narmada he performed extensive austerity — in summer standing amid the five fires; in the rains lying upon bare ground;

Verse 81 (skanda.5.252.81)

सार्द्रवासाश्च हेमन्ते तिष्ठन्दध्यौ महेश्वरम्। स्वान्तर्हृत्कमले स्थाप्य ध्यायते परमेश्वरम्

sārdravāsāśca hemante tiṣṭhandadhyau maheśvaram| svāntarhṛtkamale sthāpya dhyāyate parameśvaram

and in winter, clad in wet garments, standing and meditating upon Maheshvara; setting the Supreme Lord in the lotus of his own heart, meditating,

Verse 82 (skanda.5.252.82)

सृष्टिसंहारकर्तारमछेद्यं वरदं शुभम्। नित्यं सिद्धेश्वरं लिङ्गं पूजयेद्ध्यानतत्परः

sṛṣṭisaṁhārakartāramachedyaṁ varadaṁ śubham| nityaṁ siddheśvaraṁ liṅgaṁ pūjayeddhyānatatparaḥ

upon him who is the doer of creation and dissolution, indestructible, boon-giving, auspicious; intent on meditation, he worshipped the eternal linga Siddheshvara,

Verse 83 (skanda.5.252.83)

अर्चनात्सिद्धलिङ्गस्य ध्यानयोगप्रभावतः। प्रत्यक्षः शङ्करो जातः कृष्णद्वैपायनस्य सः

arcanātsiddhaliṅgasya dhyānayogaprabhāvataḥ| pratyakṣaḥ śaṅkaro jātaḥ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanasya saḥ

and by worship of the Siddha-linga, by the power of the yoga of meditation, Shankara became manifest before that Krishna Dvaipayana.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.252.84)

ईश्वर उवाच - तोषितोऽहं त्वया वत्स वरं वरय शोभनम्

īśvara uvāca - toṣito'haṁ tvayā vatsa varaṁ varaya śobhanam

Ishvara said: "I am pleased with you, child; choose an excellent boon."

Verse 85 (skanda.5.252.85)

व्यास उवाच - यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव यदि देयो वरो मम। प्रत्यक्षो नर्मदातीरे स्वयमेव भविष्यसि। अतीतानागतज्ञोऽहं त्वत्प्रसादादुमापते

vyāsa uvāca - yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva yadi deyo varo mama| pratyakṣo narmadātīre svayameva bhaviṣyasi| atītānāgatajño'haṁ tvatprasādādumāpate

Vyasa said: "If you are pleased with me, O god, and if a boon is to be granted to me — be manifest yourself here on the bank of the Narmada; and, O consort of Uma, by your grace may I become the knower of past and future."

Verse 86 (skanda.5.252.86)

ईश्वर उवाच - एवं भवतु ते पुत्र मत्प्रसादादसंशयम्। त्वयि भक्तिगृहीतोऽहं प्रत्यक्षो नर्मदातटे

īśvara uvāca - evaṁ bhavatu te putra matprasādādasaṁśayam| tvayi bhaktigṛhīto'haṁ pratyakṣo narmadātaṭe

Ishvara said: "So be it, my son, without doubt, by my grace; won over by your devotion, I shall remain manifest on the bank of the Narmada,"

Verse 87 (skanda.5.252.87)

सहस्रांशार्धभावेन प्रत्यक्षोऽहं त्वदाश्रमे। इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ देवः कैलासं नगमुत्तमम्

sahasrāṁśārdhabhāvena pratyakṣo'haṁ tvadāśrame| ityuktvā prayayau devaḥ kailāsaṁ nagamuttamam

"manifest in your hermitage, in a form that is half of my thousand rays." Having said this, the god departed for Kailasa, the excellent mountain.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.252.88)

पत्नीसंग्रहणं जातं कृष्णद्वैपायनस्य तु। शास्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन पत्नी पालयतस्तथा

patnīsaṁgrahaṇaṁ jātaṁ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanasya tu| śāstroktena vidhānena patnī pālayatastathā

The taking of a wife came about for Krishna Dvaipayana; caring for his wife according to the rule declared in the scriptures,

Verse 89 (skanda.5.252.89)

पुत्रो जातो ह्यपुत्रस्य पराशरसुतस्य च। देवैर्वर्धापितः सर्वैरिञ्चेन्द्रपुरोगमैः

putro jāto hyaputrasya parāśarasutasya ca| devairvardhāpitaḥ sarvairiñcendrapurogamaiḥ

a son was born to the son of Parashara, who had been sonless; he was celebrated by all the gods, headed by Brahma and Indra.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.252.90)

पुत्रजन्मन्यथाजग्मुर्वशिष्ठाद्या मुनीश्वराः। तीर्थयात्राप्रसङ्गेन पराशरपुरोगमाः

putrajanmanyathājagmurvaśiṣṭhādyā munīśvarāḥ| tīrthayātrāprasaṅgena parāśarapurogamāḥ

At the son's birth, then, Vashishtha and other lords of sages came, on the occasion of pilgrimage, headed by Parashara —

Verse 91 (skanda.5.252.91)

मन्वत्रिविष्णुहारीतयाज्ञवल्क्योशनोऽङ्गिराः। यमापस्तम्बसंवर्ताः कात्यायनबृहस्पती

manvatriviṣṇuhārītayājñavalkyośano'ṅgirāḥ| yamāpastambasaṁvartāḥ kātyāyanabṛhaspatī

Manu, Atri, Vishnu, Harita, Yajnavalkya, Ushanas, Angiras, Yama, Apastamba, Samvarta, Katyayana, Brihaspati,

Verse 92 (skanda.5.252.92)

एवमादिसहस्राणि लक्षकोटिशतानि च। सशिष्याश्च महाभागा नर्मदातटमाश्रिताः

evamādisahasrāṇi lakṣakoṭiśatāni ca| saśiṣyāśca mahābhāgā narmadātaṭamāśritāḥ

and thousands more such, hundreds of millions besides, greatly fortunate, together with their disciples, resorting to the bank of the Narmada —

Verse 93 (skanda.5.252.93)

व्यासाश्रमे शुभे रम्ये संतुष्टा आययुर्नृप। दृष्ट्वा तान्सोऽपि विप्रेन्द्रानभ्युत्थानकृतोद्यमः

vyāsāśrame śubhe ramye saṁtuṣṭā āyayurnṛpa| dṛṣṭvā tānso'pi viprendrānabhyutthānakṛtodyamaḥ

came, O king, pleased, to Vyasa's auspicious and delightful hermitage. Seeing them, he too made effort to rise in welcome,

Verse 94 (skanda.5.252.94)

पितुः पूर्वं प्रणम्यादौ सर्वेषां च यथाविधि। आसनानि ददौ भक्त्या पाद्यमर्घं न्यवेदयत्

pituḥ pūrvaṁ praṇamyādau sarveṣāṁ ca yathāvidhi| āsanāni dadau bhaktyā pādyamarghaṁ nyavedayat

and, having first bowed to his father and then to all according to rule, he gave seats with devotion and offered water for the feet and the guest-offering.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.252.95)

कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह। उद्धृतोऽहं न सन्देहो युष्मत्सम्भाषणार्चनात्

kṛtāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha| uddhṛto'haṁ na sandeho yuṣmatsambhāṣaṇārcanāt

With joined palms he spoke this word: "I have surely been uplifted by conversing with you and by your regard —"

Verse 96 (skanda.5.252.96)

आरण्यानि च शाकानि फलान्यारण्यजानि च। तानि दास्यामि युष्माकं सर्वेषां प्रीतिपूर्वकम्

āraṇyāni ca śākāni phalānyāraṇyajāni ca| tāni dāsyāmi yuṣmākaṁ sarveṣāṁ prītipūrvakam

"forest greens and vegetables, and forest-born fruits — all these I shall give to you with affection."

Verse 97 (skanda.5.252.97)

न्यमन्त्रयत तान्सर्वान्प्रत्येकं प्रणिपत्य च। ततस्ते प्रणतं दृष्ट्वा कृष्णद्वैपायनं मुनिम्

nyamantrayata tānsarvānpratyekaṁ praṇipatya ca| tataste praṇataṁ dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaṁ munim

He invited all of them, bowing to each; then they, seeing the sage Krishna Dvaipayana thus bowed before them,

Verse 98 (skanda.5.252.98)

वर्धयित्वा जयाशीर्भिरवलोक्य परस्परम्। पराशरः समस्तैश्च वीक्षितो मुनिपुंगवैः

vardhayitvā jayāśīrbhiravalokya parasparam| parāśaraḥ samastaiśca vīkṣito munipuṁgavaiḥ

congratulated him with blessings of victory, and, glancing at one another, all the eminent sages looked to Parashara —

Verse 99 (skanda.5.252.99)

उत्तरं दीयतां तात कृष्णद्वैपायनस्य च। एवमुक्तस्तु तैः सर्वैर्भगवान्स पराशरः। प्रोवाच स्वात्मजं व्यासमृषीणां यच्चिकीर्षितम्

uttaraṁ dīyatāṁ tāta kṛṣṇadvaipāyanasya ca| evamuktastu taiḥ sarvairbhagavānsa parāśaraḥ| provāca svātmajaṁ vyāsamṛṣīṇāṁ yaccikīrṣitam

"Let a reply be given, father, to Krishna Dvaipayana." Thus addressed by all of them, the blessed Parashara declared to his own son Vyasa what the sages wished.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.252.100)

श्रीपराशर उवाच - नेच्छन्ति दक्षिणे कूले व्रतभङ्गभयादथ। भोजनं भोक्तुकामास्ते श्राद्धे चैव विशेषतः

śrīparāśara uvāca - necchanti dakṣiṇe kūle vratabhaṅgabhayādatha| bhojanaṁ bhoktukāmāste śrāddhe caiva viśeṣataḥ

Shri Parashara said: "They do not wish to eat on the southern bank, for fear of breaking their vow — especially since they wish to take food at a shraddha rite."

Verse 101 (skanda.5.252.101)

व्यास उवाच - करोमि भवतामुक्तमत्रैव स्थीयतां क्षणम्। यावत्प्रसाद्य सरितं करोमि विधिमुत्तमम्

vyāsa uvāca - karomi bhavatāmuktamatraiva sthīyatāṁ kṣaṇam| yāvatprasādya saritaṁ karomi vidhimuttamam

Vyasa said: "I shall do as you say; remain here just a moment, while, having propitiated the river, I perform the excellent rite."

Verse 102 (skanda.5.252.102)

एवमुक्त्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा नर्मदातटमास्थितः। स्तोत्रं जगाद सहसा तन्निबोध नरेश्वर

evamuktvā śucirbhūtvā narmadātaṭamāsthitaḥ| stotraṁ jagāda sahasā tannibodha nareśvara

Having said this, becoming pure, he took his stand on the bank of the Narmada; he suddenly uttered a hymn — hear that, O lord of men.

Verse 103 (skanda.5.252.103)

जय भगवति देवि नमो वरदे जय पापविनाशिनी बहुफलदे। जय शुम्भनिशुम्भकपालधरे प्रणमामि तु देवनरार्तिहरे

jaya bhagavati devi namo varade jaya pāpavināśinī bahuphalade| jaya śumbhaniśumbhakapāladhare praṇamāmi tu devanarārtihare

"Victory to you, blessed goddess! Salutation, O boon-giver! Victory, O destroyer of sin, giver of abundant fruit! Victory, O bearer of the skulls of Shumbha and Nishumbha! I bow to you, remover of the suffering of gods and men!"

Verse 104 (skanda.5.252.104)

जय चन्द्रदिवाकरनेत्रधरे जय पावकभूषितवक्त्रवरे। जय भैरवदेहनिलीनपरे जय अन्धकरक्तविशोषकरे

jaya candradivākaranetradhare jaya pāvakabhūṣitavaktravare| jaya bhairavadehanilīnapare jaya andhakaraktaviśoṣakare

"Victory to you who bear the moon and sun as your eyes! Victory, O you whose excellent face is adorned with fire! Victory, O supreme power absorbed in the body of Bhairava! Victory, O drier of Andhaka's blood!"

Verse 105 (skanda.5.252.105)

जय महिषविमर्दिनि शूलकरे जय लोकसमस्तकपापहरे। जय देवि पितामहरामनते जय भास्करशक्रशिरोऽवनते

jaya mahiṣavimardini śūlakare jaya lokasamastakapāpahare| jaya devi pitāmaharāmanate jaya bhāskaraśakraśiro'vanate

"Victory, O crusher of the buffalo-demon, trident-bearer! Victory, O remover of the sins of all the worlds! Victory, O goddess bowed to by the Grandsire and by Rama! Victory, O you before whom the heads of Bhaskara and Shakra bow down!"

Verse 106 (skanda.5.252.106)

जय षण्मुखसायुध ईशनुते जय सागरगामिनि शम्भुनुते। जय दुःखदरिद्रविनाशकरे जय पुत्रकलत्रविवृद्धिकरे

jaya ṣaṇmukhasāyudha īśanute jaya sāgaragāmini śambhunute| jaya duḥkhadaridravināśakare jaya putrakalatravivṛddhikare

"Victory, O you praised by six-faced Skanda with his weapon, and by Isha! Victory, O sea-going one, praised by Shambhu! Victory, O destroyer of sorrow and poverty! Victory, O increaser of sons and spouse!"

Verse 107 (skanda.5.252.107)

जय देवि समस्तशरीरधरे जय नाकविदर्शिनि दुःखहरे। जय व्याधिविनाशिनि मोक्षकरे जय वाञ्छितदायिनि सिद्धवरे

jaya devi samastaśarīradhare jaya nākavidarśini duḥkhahare| jaya vyādhivināśini mokṣakare jaya vāñchitadāyini siddhavare

"Victory, O goddess who bears all bodies! Victory, O revealer of heaven, remover of sorrow! Victory, O destroyer of disease, granter of liberation! Victory, O giver of desires, best of the perfected!"

Verse 108 (skanda.5.252.108)

एतद्व्यासकृतं स्तोत्रं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ। गृहे वा शुद्धभावेन कामक्रोधविवर्जितः

etadvyāsakṛtaṁ stotraṁ yaḥ paṭhecchivasannidhau| gṛhe vā śuddhabhāvena kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ

Whoever recites this hymn made by Vyasa, in the presence of Shiva or at home, with a pure disposition, free from desire and anger,

Verse 109 (skanda.5.252.109)

तस्य व्यासो भवेत्प्रीतः प्रीतश्च वृषवाहनः। प्रीता स्यान्नर्मदा देवी सर्वपापक्षयंकरी

tasya vyāso bhavetprītaḥ prītaśca vṛṣavāhanaḥ| prītā syānnarmadā devī sarvapāpakṣayaṁkarī

with him Vyasa becomes pleased, and the bull-mounted one too is pleased; the goddess Narmada, destroyer of all sin, becomes pleased.

Verse 110 (skanda.5.252.110)

न ते यान्ति यमालोकं यैः स्तुता भुवि नर्मदा। पितामहोऽपि मुह्येत देवि त्वद्गुणकीर्तनात्

na te yānti yamālokaṁ yaiḥ stutā bhuvi narmadā| pitāmaho'pi muhyeta devi tvadguṇakīrtanāt

Those by whom Narmada is praised on earth do not go to the world of Yama; even the Grandsire, O goddess, might be bewildered in proclaiming your virtues.

Verse 111 (skanda.5.252.111)

वाक्पतिर्नैव ते वक्तुं स्वरूपं वेद नर्मदे। कथं गुणानहं देवि त्वदीयाञ्ज्ञातुमुत्सहे

vākpatirnaiva te vaktuṁ svarūpaṁ veda narmade| kathaṁ guṇānahaṁ devi tvadīyāñjñātumutsahe

Even Vachaspati, O Narmade, does not know how to declare your true nature; how then, O goddess, should I dare to know your virtues?

Verse 112 (skanda.5.252.112)

इति ज्ञात्वा शुचिं भावं वाङ्मनःकायकर्मभिः। प्रसन्ना नर्मदादेवी ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

iti jñātvā śuciṁ bhāvaṁ vāṅmanaḥkāyakarmabhiḥ| prasannā narmadādevī tato vacanamabravīt

Knowing thus his pure disposition in word, mind, and deed, the goddess Narmada, pleased, then spoke this word —

Verse 113 (skanda.5.252.113)

सत्यवादेन तुष्टाहं भोभो व्यास महामुने। यदीच्छसि वरं किंचित्तं ते सर्वं ददाम्यहम्

satyavādena tuṣṭāhaṁ bhobho vyāsa mahāmune| yadīcchasi varaṁ kiṁcittaṁ te sarvaṁ dadāmyaham

"I am pleased, O great sage Vyasa, by your truthful speech; whatever boon you desire, all of that I give to you."

Verse 114 (skanda.5.252.114)

व्यास उवाच - यदि तुष्टासि मे देवि यदि देयो वरो मम। आतिथ्यमुत्तरे कूले ऋषीणां दातुमर्हसि

vyāsa uvāca - yadi tuṣṭāsi me devi yadi deyo varo mama| ātithyamuttare kūle ṛṣīṇāṁ dātumarhasi

Vyasa said: "If you are pleased with me, O goddess, and if a boon is to be granted to me — grant hospitality to the sages on the northern bank."

Verse 115 (skanda.5.252.115)

नर्मदोवाच - अयुक्तं याचितं व्यास विमार्गे यत्प्रवर्तनम्। इन्द्रचन्द्रयमैः शक्यमुन्मार्गे न प्रवर्तितुम्

narmadovāca - ayuktaṁ yācitaṁ vyāsa vimārge yatpravartanam| indracandrayamaiḥ śakyamunmārge na pravartitum

Narmada said: "What you ask, Vyasa, is improper — it is a setting forth on a wrong path; not even Indra, Chandra, or Yama could make me proceed on a wrong course."

Verse 116 (skanda.5.252.116)

याचस्वान्यं वरं पुत्र यत्किंचिद्भुवि दुर्लभम्। एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो देव्या व्यासो मूर्च्छां यतस्तदा

yācasvānyaṁ varaṁ putra yatkiṁcidbhuvi durlabham| etacchrutvā vaco devyā vyāso mūrcchāṁ yatastadā

"Ask another boon, my son, whatever else is rare upon this earth." Hearing this word of the goddess, Vyasa then fell into a swoon —

Verse 117 (skanda.5.252.117)

वृथा क्लेशोऽद्य मे जात इति मत्वा पपात ह। धरणी चलिता सर्वा सशैलवनकानना

vṛthā kleśo'dya me jāta iti matvā papāta ha| dharaṇī calitā sarvā saśailavanakānanā

thinking, "My effort today has gone in vain," he fell down; the whole earth, together with its mountains, forests, and groves, was shaken.

Verse 118 (skanda.5.252.118)

मूर्च्छापन्नं ततो व्यासं दृष्ट्वा देवाः सवासवाः। हाहाकारमुखाः सर्वे तत्राजग्मुः सहस्रशः

mūrcchāpannaṁ tato vyāsaṁ dṛṣṭvā devāḥ savāsavāḥ| hāhākāramukhāḥ sarve tatrājagmuḥ sahasraśaḥ

Then, seeing Vyasa fallen in a swoon, the gods together with Vasava, their faces full of lamentation, all came there by the thousands.

Verse 119 (skanda.5.252.119)

व्यासमुत्थापयामासुर्वेदव्यसनतत्परम्। ब्राह्मणार्थे च संक्लिष्टो नात्महेतोः सरिद्वरे

vyāsamutthāpayāmāsurvedavyasanatatparam| brāhmaṇārthe ca saṁkliṣṭo nātmahetoḥ saridvare

They raised up Vyasa, given over to the labor of the Vedas: "O best of rivers, he is distressed for the sake of brahmins, not for himself —

Verse 120 (skanda.5.252.120)

गवार्थे ब्राह्मणार्थे च सद्यः प्राणान्परित्यजेत्। एवं सा नर्मदा प्रोक्ता ब्रह्माद्यैः सुरसत्तमैः

gavārthe brāhmaṇārthe ca sadyaḥ prāṇānparityajet| evaṁ sā narmadā proktā brahmādyaiḥ surasattamaiḥ

for the sake of a cow or a brahmin, one should give up one's life at once." Thus was Narmada addressed by Brahma and the other best of gods,

Verse 121 (skanda.5.252.121)

सुशीतलैस्तं बहुभिश्च वातैर्रेवाभ्यषिञ्चत्स्वजलेन भीता। सचेतनः सत्यवतीसुतोऽपि प्रणम्य देवान्सरितं जगाद

suśītalaistaṁ bahubhiśca vātairrevābhyaṣiñcatsvajalena bhītā| sacetanaḥ satyavatīsuto'pi praṇamya devānsaritaṁ jagāda

and, frightened, she sprinkled him with her own waters together with many cool breezes; the son of Satyavati, regaining his senses, bowed to the gods and spoke to the river —

Verse 122 (skanda.5.252.122)

व्यास उवाच - तीर्थैः समस्तैः किल सेवनाय फलं प्रदिष्टं मम मन्दभाग्यात्। यद्देवि पुण्या विफला ममाशा आरण्यपुष्पाणि यथा जनानाम्

vyāsa uvāca - tīrthaiḥ samastaiḥ kila sevanāya phalaṁ pradiṣṭaṁ mama mandabhāgyāt| yaddevi puṇyā viphalā mamāśā āraṇyapuṣpāṇi yathā janānām

Vyasa said: "The fruit ordained for service to all the fords has, through my ill fortune, O goddess, come to nothing — my sacred hope, like forest flowers wasted upon men."

Verse 123 (skanda.5.252.123)

नर्मदोवाच - यतो यतो मां हि महानुभाव निनीषते चित्तमिलातलेऽत्र। विन्ध्येन सार्द्धं तव मार्गमद्य यास्याम्यहं दण्डधरस्य पृष्ठे

narmadovāca - yato yato māṁ hi mahānubhāva ninīṣate cittamilātale'tra| vindhyena sārddhaṁ tava mārgamadya yāsyāmyahaṁ daṇḍadharasya pṛṣṭhe

Narmada said: "Wherever, O noble one, your mind wishes to lead me on this earth, together with the Vindhya I shall today go by your path, upon the back of the staff-bearer."

Verse 124 (skanda.5.252.124)

एवमुक्तो महातेजा व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः। दक्षिणे चालयामास स्वाश्रमस्य सरिद्वराम्

evamukto mahātejā vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ| dakṣiṇe cālayāmāsa svāśramasya saridvarām

Thus addressed, the greatly resplendent Vyasa, son of Satyavati, caused the best of rivers to flow toward the south of his hermitage.

Verse 125 (skanda.5.252.125)

दण्डहस्तो महातेजा हुङ्कारमकरोन्मुनिः। व्यासहुङ्कारभीता सा चलिता रुद्रनन्दिनी

daṇḍahasto mahātejā huṅkāramakaronmuniḥ| vyāsahuṅkārabhītā sā calitā rudranandinī

The greatly resplendent sage, staff in hand, uttered a roar; frightened by Vyasa's roar, that daughter of Rudra moved.

Verse 126 (skanda.5.252.126)

दण्डेन दर्शयन्मार्गं देवी तत्र प्रवर्तिता। व्यासमार्गं गता देवी दृष्टा शक्रपुरोगमैः

daṇḍena darśayanmārgaṁ devī tatra pravartitā| vyāsamārgaṁ gatā devī dṛṣṭā śakrapurogamaiḥ

Showing the way with his staff, he set the goddess in motion there; the goddess, having gone along Vyasa's path, was beheld by Shakra and the other best of gods.

Verse 127 (skanda.5.252.127)

पुष्पवृष्टिं ततो देवा व्यमुञ्चन् सह किंकरैः। किं कुर्मो ब्रूहि मे पुत्र कर्मणा ते स्म रञ्जिताः

puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ tato devā vyamuñcan saha kiṁkaraiḥ| kiṁ kurmo brūhi me putra karmaṇā te sma rañjitāḥ

Then the gods, together with their attendants, showered down flowers: "Tell us, our son, what shall we do — we have been won over by your deed."

Verse 128 (skanda.5.252.128)

व्यास उवाच - तपश्च विपुलं कृत्वा दानं दत्त्वा महाफलम्। एतदेव नरैः कार्यं साधूनां यत्सुखावहम्

vyāsa uvāca - tapaśca vipulaṁ kṛtvā dānaṁ dattvā mahāphalam| etadeva naraiḥ kāryaṁ sādhūnāṁ yatsukhāvaham

Vyasa said: "Having performed extensive austerity and having given gifts of great merit — this alone should be done by men, whatever brings comfort to the good."

Verse 129 (skanda.5.252.129)

यदि तुष्टा महाभागा अनुग्राह्यो ह्यहं यदि। तस्मान्ममाश्रमे सर्वैः स्थीयतां नात्र संशयः

yadi tuṣṭā mahābhāgā anugrāhyo hyahaṁ yadi| tasmānmamāśrame sarvaiḥ sthīyatāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

"If you, greatly fortunate ones, are pleased, if I am worthy of your grace — then let all of you stay at my hermitage; of this there is no doubt."

Verse 130 (skanda.5.252.130)

आतिथ्यं शाकपर्णेन रेवामृतविमिश्रितम्। प्रतिपन्नं समस्तैर्वः पराशरमुखैर्मम। स्थातव्यं स्वाश्रमे सर्वैर्रेवाया उत्तरे तटे

ātithyaṁ śākaparṇena revāmṛtavimiśritam| pratipannaṁ samastairvaḥ parāśaramukhairmama| sthātavyaṁ svāśrame sarvairrevāyā uttare taṭe

"The hospitality of leafy greens mixed with the nectar of the Reva has been accepted from me by all of you, headed by Parashara; let all of you stay at my hermitage, on the northern bank of the Reva."

Verse 131 (skanda.5.252.131)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच - स्नानतर्पणनित्यानि कृतानि द्विजसत्तमैः। व्यासकुण्डे ततो गत्वा होमः सर्वैः प्रकल्पितः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca - snānatarpaṇanityāni kṛtāni dvijasattamaiḥ| vyāsakuṇḍe tato gatvā homaḥ sarvaiḥ prakalpitaḥ

Markandeya said: The daily rites of bathing and tarpana were performed by the best of the twice-born; then, going to Vyasa-kunda, a homa was arranged by all.

Verse 132 (skanda.5.252.132)

श्रीफलैर्बिल्वपत्रैश्च जुहुवुर्जातवेदसम्। गौतमो भृगुर्माण्डव्यो नारदो लोमशस्तथा

śrīphalairbilvapatraiśca juhuvurjātavedasam| gautamo bhṛgurmāṇḍavyo nārado lomaśastathā

With bilva fruits and bilva leaves they offered oblations to Jatavedas — Gautama, Bhrigu, Mandavya, Narada, and Lomasha likewise,

Verse 133 (skanda.5.252.133)

पराशरस्तथा शङ्खः कौशिकश्च्यवनो मुनिः। पिप्पलादो वसिष्ठश्च नाचिकेतो महातपाः

parāśarastathā śaṅkhaḥ kauśikaścyavano muniḥ| pippalādo vasiṣṭhaśca nāciketo mahātapāḥ

Parashara, and Shankha, Kaushika, the sage Chyavana, Pippalada, Vashishtha, and Nachiketa of great austerity,

Verse 134 (skanda.5.252.134)

विश्वामित्रोऽप्यगस्त्यश्च उद्दालकयमौ तथा। शाण्डिल्यो जैमिनिः कण्वो याज्ञवल्क्योशनोऽङ्गिराः

viśvāmitro'pyagastyaśca uddālakayamau tathā| śāṇḍilyo jaiminiḥ kaṇvo yājñavalkyośano'ṅgirāḥ

Vishvamitra, and Agastya, Uddalaka and Yama together, Shandilya, Jaimini, Kanva, Yajnavalkya, Ushanas, Angiras,

Verse 135 (skanda.5.252.135)

शातातपो दधीचिश्च कपिलो गालवस्तथा। जैगीषव्यस्तथा दक्षो भरतो मुद्गलस्तथा

śātātapo dadhīciśca kapilo gālavastathā| jaigīṣavyastathā dakṣo bharato mudgalastathā

Shatatapa, Dadhichi, Kapila, Galava likewise, Jaigishavya, Daksha, Bharata, and Mudgala likewise,

Verse 136 (skanda.5.252.136)

वात्स्यायनो महातेजाः संवर्तः शक्तिरेव च। जातूकर्ण्यो भरद्वाजो वालखिल्यारुणिस्तथा

vātsyāyano mahātejāḥ saṁvartaḥ śaktireva ca| jātūkarṇyo bharadvājo vālakhilyāruṇistathā

Vatsyayana of great splendor, Samvarta, and Shakti too, Jatukarnya, Bharadvaja, and the Valakhilyas together with Aruni,

Verse 137 (skanda.5.252.137)

एवमादिसहस्राणि जुह्वते जातवेदसम्। अक्षमालाकरोत्कीर्णा ध्यानयोगपरायणाः

evamādisahasrāṇi juhvate jātavedasam| akṣamālākarotkīrṇā dhyānayogaparāyaṇāḥ

and thousands more such offered oblations to Jatavedas — rosaries in hand, wholly given over to meditation and yoga,

Verse 138 (skanda.5.252.138)

एकचित्ता द्विजाः सर्वे चक्रुर्होमक्रियां तदा। ततः समुत्थितं लिङ्गं मोक्षदं व्याधिनाशनम्

ekacittā dvijāḥ sarve cakrurhomakriyāṁ tadā| tataḥ samutthitaṁ liṅgaṁ mokṣadaṁ vyādhināśanam

single-minded, all the twice-born performed the fire-rite then; from it there arose a linga, granter of liberation, destroyer of disease,

Verse 139 (skanda.5.252.139)

अच्छेद्यं परमं देवं दृष्ट्वा व्यासस्तुतोष च। पुष्पवृष्टिं ददुर्देवा आशीर्वादान्द्विजोत्तमाः

acchedyaṁ paramaṁ devaṁ dṛṣṭvā vyāsastutoṣa ca| puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ dadurdevā āśīrvādāndvijottamāḥ

indestructible, the supreme god; seeing it, Vyasa was satisfied; the gods showered flowers, and the best of the twice-born gave blessings.

Verse 140 (skanda.5.252.140)

साष्टाङ्गं प्रणतो व्यासो देवं दृष्ट्वा त्रिलोचनम्। ब्राह्मणान्पूजयामास शाकमूलफलेन च

sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇato vyāso devaṁ dṛṣṭvā trilocanam| brāhmaṇānpūjayāmāsa śākamūlaphalena ca

Vyasa, prostrating fully, having beheld the three-eyed god, worshipped the brahmins with forest greens, roots, and fruits.

Verse 141 (skanda.5.252.141)

पितृपूर्वं द्विजाः सर्वे भोजिताः पाण्डुनन्दन। आशीर्वादांस्ततः पुण्यान् दत्त्वा विप्रा ययुः पुनः

pitṛpūrvaṁ dvijāḥ sarve bhojitāḥ pāṇḍunandana| āśīrvādāṁstataḥ puṇyān dattvā viprā yayuḥ punaḥ

O joy of Pandu, all the twice-born were fed, the ancestors first; then, having given auspicious blessings, the brahmins departed again.

Verse 142 (skanda.5.252.142)

तदा प्रभृति तत्तीर्थं व्यासाख्यं प्रोच्यते बुधैः

tadā prabhṛti tattīrthaṁ vyāsākhyaṁ procyate budhaiḥ

From that time on, that ford is called by the wise by the name "Vyasa."

Verse 143 (skanda.5.252.143)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच - व्यासतीर्थस्य यत्पुण्यं तत्सर्वं कथयस्व मे। स्नानदानविधानं च यस्मिन्काले महाफलम्

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca - vyāsatīrthasya yatpuṇyaṁ tatsarvaṁ kathayasva me| snānadānavidhānaṁ ca yasminkāle mahāphalam

Yudhishthira said: "Tell me all the merit of Vyasa-tirtha, and the manner of bathing and giving gifts, and the time at which it bears great fruit."

Verse 144 (skanda.5.252.144)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच - कथयामि समस्तं ते भ्रातृभिः सह पाण्डव। कार्त्तिकस्य सिते पक्षे चतुर्दश्यां जितेन्द्रियः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca - kathayāmi samastaṁ te bhrātṛbhiḥ saha pāṇḍava| kārttikasya site pakṣe caturdaśyāṁ jitendriyaḥ

Shri Markandeya said: "I shall tell you everything, together with your brothers, O Pandava. On the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Kartika, with senses conquered,"

Verse 145 (skanda.5.252.145)

उपोष्य यो नरो भक्त्या रात्रौ कुर्वीत जागरम्। स्नापयेदीश्वरं भक्त्या क्षौद्रक्षीरेण सर्पिषा

upoṣya yo naro bhaktyā rātrau kurvīta jāgaram| snāpayedīśvaraṁ bhaktyā kṣaudrakṣīreṇa sarpiṣā

whoever, having fasted with devotion, keeps vigil at night, should bathe Ishvara with devotion in honey, milk, and ghee,

Verse 146 (skanda.5.252.146)

दध्ना च खण्डयुक्तेन कुशतोयेन वै पुनः। श्रीखण्डेन सुगन्धेन गुण्ठयेत्परमेश्वरम्

dadhnā ca khaṇḍayuktena kuśatoyena vai punaḥ| śrīkhaṇḍena sugandhena guṇṭhayetparameśvaram

and again with curds mixed with sugar, and with kusha-water; one should anoint Parameshvara with fragrant sandal-paste,

Verse 147 (skanda.5.252.147)

ततः सुगन्धकुसुमैर्बिल्वपत्रैश्च पूजयेत्। मुचुकुन्देन कुन्देन कुशजातीप्रसूनकैः

tataḥ sugandhakusumairbilvapatraiśca pūjayet| mucukundena kundena kuśajātīprasūnakaiḥ

then worship with fragrant flowers and bilva leaves — with mucukunda blossoms, kunda, jasmine of the kusha kind,

Verse 148 (skanda.5.252.148)

उन्मत्तमुनिपुष्पैश्च तथान्यैः कालसम्भवैः। अर्चयेत्परया भक्त्या द्वीपेश्वरमनुत्तमम्

unmattamunipuṣpaiśca tathānyaiḥ kālasambhavaiḥ| arcayetparayā bhaktyā dvīpeśvaramanuttamam

and with datura and muni-flowers, and other seasonal blossoms; one should worship the unsurpassed Dvipeshvara with supreme devotion.

Verse 149 (skanda.5.252.149)

इक्षुगडुकदानेन तुष्यते परमेश्वरः। गडुकाष्टकदानेन पातकं यात्यहोर्जितम्

ikṣugaḍukadānena tuṣyate parameśvaraḥ| gaḍukāṣṭakadānena pātakaṁ yātyahorjitam

By the gift of sugar-cane and lumps of jaggery, Parameshvara is pleased; by the gift of eight lumps of jaggery, the sin of a day is destroyed.

Verse 150 (skanda.5.252.150)

मासर्जितं च नश्येत गडुकाष्टशतेन च। षाण्मासिकं सहस्रेण द्विगुणैरब्दिकं तथा

māsarjitaṁ ca naśyeta gaḍukāṣṭaśatena ca| ṣāṇmāsikaṁ sahasreṇa dviguṇairabdikaṁ tathā

By one hundred and eight lumps, the sin of a month is destroyed; that of six months by a thousand, and that of a year by double that,

Verse 151 (skanda.5.252.151)

आजन्मजनितं पापमयुतेन प्रणश्यति। द्विगुणैर्नश्यते व्याधिस्त्रिगुणैः स्याद्धनागमः

ājanmajanitaṁ pāpamayutena praṇaśyati| dviguṇairnaśyate vyādhistriguṇaiḥ syāddhanāgamaḥ

the sin accumulated since birth is destroyed by ten thousand; disease is destroyed by twice that, and by three times that comes the acquisition of wealth,

Verse 152 (skanda.5.252.152)

षड्गुणैर्जायते वाग्मी सिद्धस्तद्द्विगुणैस्तथा। रुद्रत्वं दशलक्षैश्च जायते नात्र संशयः

ṣaḍguṇairjāyate vāgmī siddhastaddviguṇaistathā| rudratvaṁ daśalakṣaiśca jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

by six times one becomes eloquent; by twice that again one becomes accomplished; by ten lakhs one attains the state of Rudra — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 153 (skanda.5.252.153)

पौर्णमास्यां नृपश्रेष्ठ स्नानं कुर्वीत भक्तितः। मन्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन सर्वपापक्षयंकरम्

paurṇamāsyāṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha snānaṁ kurvīta bhaktitaḥ| mantroktena vidhānena sarvapāpakṣayaṁkaram

On the full moon, O best of kings, one should bathe with devotion according to the rule declared by mantra, which destroys all sin,

Verse 154 (skanda.5.252.154)

वारुणं च तथाग्नेयं ब्राह्मयं चैवाक्षयंकरम्। देवान्पितॄन्मनुष्यांश्च विधिवत्तर्पयेद्बुधः

vāruṇaṁ ca tathāgneyaṁ brāhmayaṁ caivākṣayaṁkaram| devānpitṝnmanuṣyāṁśca vidhivattarpayedbudhaḥ

the Varuna, the Agneya, and the Brahma tarpanas, which grant imperishable fruit; the wise man should duly satiate the gods, the ancestors, and men.

Verse 155 (skanda.5.252.155)

ऋचा ऋग्वेदजं पुण्यं साम्ना सामफलं लभेत्। यजुर्वेदस्य यजुषा गायत्र्या सर्वमाप्नुयात्

ṛcā ṛgvedajaṁ puṇyaṁ sāmnā sāmaphalaṁ labhet| yajurvedasya yajuṣā gāyatryā sarvamāpnuyāt

By the Rig verse one obtains the merit born of the Rigveda, by the Sama the fruit of the Sama; by the Yajus of the Yajurveda, and by the Gayatri, one obtains everything.

Verse 156 (skanda.5.252.156)

अक्षरं च जपेन्मन्त्रं सौरं वा शिवदैवतम्। अथवा वैष्णवं मन्त्रं द्वादशाक्षरसंज्ञितम्

akṣaraṁ ca japenmantraṁ sauraṁ vā śivadaivatam| athavā vaiṣṇavaṁ mantraṁ dvādaśākṣarasaṁjñitam

One should recite the single-syllable mantra, or the Saura mantra, or the mantra whose deity is Shiva, or else the Vaishnava mantra known as the twelve-syllabled,

Verse 157 (skanda.5.252.157)

पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या सर्वलक्षणलक्षितान्। स्वदारनिरतान्विप्रान्दम्भलोभविवर्जितान्

pūjayedbrāhmaṇānbhaktyā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitān| svadāraniratānviprāndambhalobhavivarjitān

and should worship with devotion brahmins marked by every auspicious sign, devoted to their own wives, free from hypocrisy and greed,

Verse 158 (skanda.5.252.158)

भिन्नवृत्तिकरान् पापान् पतिताञ्छूद्रसेवनान्। शूद्रीग्रहणसंयुक्तान्वृषली यस्य मन्दिरे

bhinnavṛttikarān pāpān patitāñchūdrasevanān| śūdrīgrahaṇasaṁyuktānvṛṣalī yasya mandire

but avoid those of base occupation, the sinful, the fallen, those given to serving shudras, those living with a shudra woman, or in whose house dwells a low-born woman,

Verse 159 (skanda.5.252.159)

परोक्षवादिनो दुष्टान्गुरुनिन्दापरायणान्। वेदद्वेषणशीलांश्च हैतुकान् बकवृत्तिकान्

parokṣavādino duṣṭāngurunindāparāyaṇān| vedadveṣaṇaśīlāṁśca haitukān bakavṛttikān

those who speak deceitfully, the wicked given to reviling their teacher, those hostile to the Vedas, the sophists, and those who live by heron-like hypocrisy —

Verse 160 (skanda.5.252.160)

ईदृशान्वर्जयेच्छ्राद्धे दाने सर्वव्रतेषु च। गायत्रीसारमात्रोऽपि वरं विप्रः सुयन्त्रितः

īdṛśānvarjayecchrāddhe dāne sarvavrateṣu ca| gāyatrīsāramātro'pi varaṁ vipraḥ suyantritaḥ

such as these should be avoided in shraddha, in gift-giving, and in all vows; a brahmin who is merely the essence of the Gayatri, but well-disciplined, is better,

Verse 161 (skanda.5.252.161)

नायन्त्रितश्चतुर्वेदी सर्वाशी सर्वविक्रयी। ईदृशान्पूजयेद्विप्रानन्नदानहिरण्यतः

nāyantritaścaturvedī sarvāśī sarvavikrayī| īdṛśānpūjayedviprānannadānahiraṇyataḥ

than an undisciplined man versed in all four Vedas who eats everything and sells everything; such worthy brahmins should be honored with gifts of food and gold.

Verse 162 (skanda.5.252.162)

उपानहौ च वस्त्राणि शय्यां छत्रमथासनम्। यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणे भक्त्या सोऽपि स्वर्गे महीयते

upānahau ca vastrāṇi śayyāṁ chatramathāsanam| yo dadyādbrāhmaṇe bhaktyā so'pi svarge mahīyate

Sandals, garments, a bed, an umbrella, and a seat — whoever gives these to a brahmin with devotion, he too is honored in heaven.

Verse 163 (skanda.5.252.163)

प्रत्यक्षा सुरभी तत्र जलधेनुस्तथाघृता। तिलधेनुः प्रदातव्या महिष्यश्च तथैव च

pratyakṣā surabhī tatra jaladhenustathāghṛtā| tiladhenuḥ pradātavyā mahiṣyaśca tathaiva ca

There, a real Surabhi cow should be given, and likewise a cow-of-water and a cow-of-ghee; a sesame-cow should be given, and she-buffaloes too,

Verse 164 (skanda.5.252.164)

कृष्णाजिनप्रदाता यो दाता यस्तिलसर्पिषोः। कन्यापुस्तकयोर्दाता सोऽक्षयं लोकमाप्नुयात्

kṛṣṇājinapradātā yo dātā yastilasarpiṣoḥ| kanyāpustakayordātā so'kṣayaṁ lokamāpnuyāt

whoever gives a black antelope skin, whoever gives sesame and ghee, whoever gives a maiden and a book — he attains the imperishable world.

Verse 165 (skanda.5.252.165)

धूर्वाहौ खुरसंयुक्तौ धान्योपस्करसंयुतौ। दापयेत्स्वर्गकामस्तु इति मे सत्यभाषितम्

dhūrvāhau khurasaṁyuktau dhānyopaskarasaṁyutau| dāpayetsvargakāmastu iti me satyabhāṣitam

One who desires heaven should give a shod pair of yoke-bearing oxen, together with grain and household implements — this is the truth I speak.

Verse 166 (skanda.5.252.166)

सूत्रेण वेष्टयेद्द्वीपमथवा जगतीं शुभम्। मन्दिरं परया भक्त्या परमेशमथापि वा

sūtreṇa veṣṭayeddvīpamathavā jagatīṁ śubham| mandiraṁ parayā bhaktyā parameśamathāpi vā

One should encircle the island with a thread, or the auspicious earth, or the temple, with supreme devotion — or even the Supreme Lord himself —

Verse 167 (skanda.5.252.167)

प्रदक्षिणां विधानेन यः करोत्यत्र मानवः। जम्बूप्लाक्षाह्वयौ द्वीपौ शाल्मलिश्चापरो नृप

pradakṣiṇāṁ vidhānena yaḥ karotyatra mānavaḥ| jambūplākṣāhvayau dvīpau śālmaliścāparo nṛpa

and whatever man performs circumambulation here according to rule — the two islands named Jambu and Plaksha, and Shalmali, another, O king,

Verse 168 (skanda.5.252.168)

कुशः क्रौञ्चस्तथा काशः पुष्करश्चैव सप्तमः। सप्तसागरपर्यन्ता वेष्टिता तेन भारत

kuśaḥ krauñcastathā kāśaḥ puṣkaraścaiva saptamaḥ| saptasāgaraparyantā veṣṭitā tena bhārata

Kusha, and Krauncha, and Kasha too, and Pushkara the seventh — bounded by the seven oceans, O Bharata, all these are thereby circumambulated by him.

Verse 169 (skanda.5.252.169)

द्वीपेश्वरे महाराज वृषोत्सर्गं च कारयेत्। वृषेणारुणवर्णेन माहेशं लोकमाप्नुयात्

dvīpeśvare mahārāja vṛṣotsargaṁ ca kārayet| vṛṣeṇāruṇavarṇena māheśaṁ lokamāpnuyāt

At Dvipeshvara, O great king, one should perform the release of a bull; with a bull of reddish-brown color, one attains the world of Mahesha.

Verse 170 (skanda.5.252.170)

यस्तु वै पाण्डुरो वक्त्रे ललाटे पादयोस्तथा। लाङ्गूले यस्तु वै शुभ्रः स वै नाकस्य दर्शकः

yastu vai pāṇḍuro vaktre lalāṭe pādayostathā| lāṅgūle yastu vai śubhraḥ sa vai nākasya darśakaḥ

Whatever bull is pale-white in the face, on the forehead, and likewise on the feet, and bright-white too on the tail — he indeed is the revealer of heaven.

Verse 171 (skanda.5.252.171)

नीलोऽयमीदृशः प्रोक्तो यस्तु द्वीपेश्वरे त्यजेत्। स समाः रोमसंख्याता नाके वसति भारत

nīlo'yamīdṛśaḥ prokto yastu dvīpeśvare tyajet| sa samāḥ romasaṁkhyātā nāke vasati bhārata

Whoever, of such description but dark-hued, releases such a bull at Dvipeshvara — he, O Bharata, dwells in heaven for as many years as the hairs on that bull.

Verse 172 (skanda.5.252.172)

सौरं च शांकरं लोकं वैरञ्चं वैष्णवं क्रमात्। भुनक्ति स्वेच्छया राजन्व्यासतीर्थप्रभावतः

sauraṁ ca śāṁkaraṁ lokaṁ vairañcaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ kramāt| bhunakti svecchayā rājanvyāsatīrthaprabhāvataḥ

By the power of Vyasa-tirtha, O king, he enjoys at will the world of the Sun, the world of Shankara, the world of Virinchi, and the world of Vishnu, in succession.

Verse 173 (skanda.5.252.173)

सपत्नीकं ततो विप्रं पूजयेत्तत्र भक्तितः। सितरक्तानि वस्त्राणि यो दद्यादग्रजन्मने

sapatnīkaṁ tato vipraṁ pūjayettatra bhaktitaḥ| sitaraktāni vastrāṇi yo dadyādagrajanmane

Then one should worship there with devotion a brahmin together with his wife; whoever gives white and red garments to the twice-born,

Verse 174 (skanda.5.252.174)

कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं युग्मं प्रीयतां मे जगद्गुरुः। नास्ति विप्रसमो बन्धुरिह लोके परत्र च

kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ yugmaṁ prīyatāṁ me jagadguruḥ| nāsti viprasamo bandhuriha loke paratra ca

having performed a pair of circumambulations, thinking, "may the Guru of the universe be pleased with me" — there is no kinsman equal to a brahmin, in this world or the next.

Verse 175 (skanda.5.252.175)

यमलोके महाघोरे पतन्तं योऽभिरक्षति। इतिहासपुराणज्ञं विष्णुभक्तं जितेन्द्रियम्

yamaloke mahāghore patantaṁ yo'bhirakṣati| itihāsapurāṇajñaṁ viṣṇubhaktaṁ jitendriyam

Whoever protects one who is falling into the greatly dreadful world of Yama — a brahmin versed in Itihasa and Purana, devoted to Vishnu, of conquered senses,

Verse 176 (skanda.5.252.176)

पूजयेत्परया भक्त्या सामगं वा विशेषतः। द्वीपेश्वरं च ये भक्त्या संस्मरन्ति गृहे स्थिताः

pūjayetparayā bhaktyā sāmagaṁ vā viśeṣataḥ| dvīpeśvaraṁ ca ye bhaktyā saṁsmaranti gṛhe sthitāḥ

should be worshipped with supreme devotion, especially a chanter of the Samaveda; and those who, dwelling at home, remember Dvipeshvara with devotion —

Verse 177 (skanda.5.252.177)

न तेषां जायते शोको न हानिर्न च दुष्कृतम्। प्रथमं पूजयेत्तत्र लिङ्गं सिद्धेश्वरं ततः

na teṣāṁ jāyate śoko na hānirna ca duṣkṛtam| prathamaṁ pūjayettatra liṅgaṁ siddheśvaraṁ tataḥ

for them no grief arises, nor loss, nor misdeed. First one should worship there the linga Siddheshvara,

Verse 178 (skanda.5.252.178)

यत्र सिद्धो महाभागो व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः। अस्यैव पूजनात्सिद्धो धारासर्पो महामतिः

yatra siddho mahābhāgo vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ| asyaiva pūjanātsiddho dhārāsarpo mahāmatiḥ

where the greatly fortunate Vyasa, son of Satyavati, attained perfection; by worship of this alone the greatly wise serpent Dharasarpa attained perfection.

Verse 179 (skanda.5.252.179)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यो राजन्प्राणत्यागं करोति च। सूर्यलोकमसौ भित्त्वा प्रयाति शिवसन्निधौ

tatra tīrthe tu yo rājanprāṇatyāgaṁ karoti ca| sūryalokamasau bhittvā prayāti śivasannidhau

Whoever, O king, gives up his life at that ford, piercing through the solar world, goes into the presence of Shiva.

Verse 180 (skanda.5.252.180)

समाः सहस्राणि च सप्त वै जले दशैकमग्नौ पतने च षोडश। महाहवे षष्टिरशीति गोग्रहे ह्यनाशके भारत चाक्षया गतिः

samāḥ sahasrāṇi ca sapta vai jale daśaikamagnau patane ca ṣoḍaśa| mahāhave ṣaṣṭiraśīti gograhe hyanāśake bhārata cākṣayā gatiḥ

Seven thousand years is the merit for death in water, eleven thousand in fire, sixteen thousand in falling; sixty thousand in great battle, eighty thousand in the defense of cattle, and, O Bharata, by death through fasting the state attained is imperishable.

Verse 181 (skanda.5.252.181)

पिता पितामहश्चैव तथैव प्रपितामहः। वायुभूतं निरीक्षन्ते ह्यागच्छन्तं स्वगोत्रजम्

pitā pitāmahaścaiva tathaiva prapitāmahaḥ| vāyubhūtaṁ nirīkṣante hyāgacchantaṁ svagotrajam

The father, the grandfather, and the great-grandfather too — become wind-formed and watch for the one of their own lineage who comes.

Verse 182 (skanda.5.252.182)

अस्मद्गोत्रेऽस्ति कः पुत्रो यो नो दद्यात्तिलोदकम्। कार्त्तिक्यां च विशेषेण वेशाख्यां वा तथैव च

asmadgotre'sti kaḥ putro yo no dadyāttilodakam| kārttikyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa veśākhyāṁ vā tathaiva ca

"Is there in our lineage a son who will give us water mixed with sesame? Especially on Kartiki, or likewise on Vaishakhi —"

Verse 183 (skanda.5.252.183)

स्वर्गतिं च प्रयास्यामस्तत्र तीर्थोपसेवनात्। एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं द्वीपेश्वरमनुत्तमम्

svargatiṁ ca prayāsyāmastatra tīrthopasevanāt| etatte kathitaṁ sarvaṁ dvīpeśvaramanuttamam

"through resorting to that ford we shall attain the path to heaven." All this has been declared to you — Dvipeshvara, unsurpassed.

Verse 184 (skanda.5.252.184)

यः पठेत्परया भक्त्या शृणुयात्तद्गतो नृप। सोऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्तो मोदते शिवमन्दिरे

yaḥ paṭhetparayā bhaktyā śṛṇuyāttadgato nṛpa| so'pi pāpavinirmukto modate śivamandire

Whoever recites this with supreme devotion, or, going there, listens to it, O king — he too, freed from sin, rejoices in the abode of Shiva.

Verse 185 (skanda.5.252.185)

ऊषरं सर्वतीर्थानां निर्मितं मुनिपुंगवैः। कामप्रदं नृपश्रेष्ठ व्यासतीर्थं न संशयः

ūṣaraṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ nirmitaṁ munipuṁgavaiḥ| kāmapradaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha vyāsatīrthaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Ushara, made by the best of sages, among all the fords — Vyasa-tirtha, O best of kings, is the granter of desires; of this there is no doubt.