The Glory of the Mandakini Field

Verse 1 (skanda.5.26.1)

व्यास उवाच । गुह्यस्थाने पवित्राणि कीर्तितानि त्वया मुने । प्रमाणं कथयस्वाद्य महाकालवनस्य मे

vyāsa uvāca guhyasthāne pavitrāṇi kīrtitāni tvayā mune pramāṇaṁ kathayasvādya mahākālavanasya me

Vyāsa said: "O sage, you have declared the sacred shrines in the secret place; now tell me today the extent of the Mahākāla-forest."

Verse 2 (skanda.5.26.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । यथाश्रुतं मया पूर्वं गदतो ब्रह्मणः स्वयम् । तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु त्वं गदतो मम

sanatkumāra uvāca yathāśrutaṁ mayā pūrvaṁ gadato brahmaṇaḥ svayam tatte'haṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi śṛṇu tvaṁ gadato mama

Sanatkumāra said: "As I formerly heard it from Brahmā's own telling, so shall I declare it to you; listen as I speak."

Verse 3 (skanda.5.26.3)

योजनस्यैव पर्यंतं चतुर्दिक्षूपशोभितम् । सौवर्णैस्तोरणैश्चैव मुक्तादामविलंबिभिः

yojanasyaiva paryaṁtaṁ caturdikṣūpaśobhitam sauvarṇaistoraṇaiścaiva muktādāmavilaṁbibhiḥ

"It extends to the limit of a single yojana, adorned on all four sides with golden archways hung with strings of pearls."

Verse 4 (skanda.5.26.4)

द्वाराणि तत्र शोभंते कांचनैः कलशैः स्थितैः । सितपद्ममुखैर्द्वारैरनेकमणिमंडितैः

dvārāṇi tatra śobhaṁte kāṁcanaiḥ kalaśaiḥ sthitaiḥ sitapadmamukhairdvārairanekamaṇimaṁḍitaiḥ

"There the gateways shine, set with golden pitchers, their entrances marked with white lotuses, adorned with many jewels."

Verse 5 (skanda.5.26.5)

महेश्वरप्रयुक्ताश्च द्वाराध्यक्षा महाबलाः । द्वारेषु तेषु शोभंते लोकानुग्रहकारकाः

maheśvaraprayuktāśca dvārādhyakṣā mahābalāḥ dvāreṣu teṣu śobhaṁte lokānugrahakārakāḥ

"At those gates shine mighty gate-guardians, appointed by Maheśvara, who act for the welfare of the world."

Verse 6 (skanda.5.26.6)

पिंगलेशः स्थितः पूर्वे बालरूपो विभावसुः । तीर्थस्याभिमुखो गौरो गुरुर्गणैरथानुगः

piṁgaleśaḥ sthitaḥ pūrve bālarūpo vibhāvasuḥ tīrthasyābhimukho gauro gururgaṇairathānugaḥ

"Piṅgaleśa stands in the east, in the form of a youth, radiant like fire; fair-complexioned, a teacher, facing the ford, followed by his attendant hosts."

Verse 7 (skanda.5.26.7)

दक्षिणेऽपि महायोगी कायावरोहणेश्वरः । वित्तेशः पश्चिमे द्वारे क्षेत्रस्याभिमुखः स्थितः

dakṣiṇe'pi mahāyogī kāyāvarohaṇeśvaraḥ vitteśaḥ paścime dvāre kṣetrasyābhimukhaḥ sthitaḥ

"In the south stands the great yogi Kāyāvarohaṇeśvara; at the western gate stands Viteśa, the lord of wealth, facing the sacred field."

Verse 8 (skanda.5.26.8)

नियुक्तो वै महेशेन वारुणीं दिशमास्थितः । उत्तरां दिशमाश्रित्य स्थितश्चैवोत्तरेश्वरः

niyukto vai maheśena vāruṇīṁ diśamāsthitaḥ uttarāṁ diśamāśritya sthitaścaivottareśvaraḥ

"Appointed by Maheśa, he occupies the western quarter; and, positioned toward the north, stands Uttareśvara."

Verse 9 (skanda.5.26.9)

साधकः सर्वकार्याणामादिष्टः शंकरेण सः । मानवा ये वसंत्यत्र क्षेत्रमध्ये सुधार्मिकाः

sādhakaḥ sarvakāryāṇāmādiṣṭaḥ śaṁkareṇa saḥ mānavā ye vasaṁtyatra kṣetramadhye sudhārmikāḥ

"He, appointed by Śaṅkara, is the accomplisher of all tasks. Those righteous men who dwell here in the midst of this sacred field --"

Verse 10 (skanda.5.26.10)

मृता रुद्रपुरं यांति विमानैः सार्वकामिकैः । कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यामथ वार्केन्दुसंगमे

mṛtā rudrapuraṁ yāṁti vimānaiḥ sārvakāmikaiḥ kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāmatha vārkendusaṁgame

"-- upon death go to Rudra's city in wish-granting celestial cars. On the fourteenth of the dark fortnight, or at the conjunction of Saturday and the moon --"

Verse 11 (skanda.5.26.11)

पंचेशानीं नमस्कृत्य प्रतिलोमानु लोमतः । उपोषितो दिनैकेन ध्यायमानो महेश्वरम्

paṁceśānīṁ namaskṛtya pratilomānu lomataḥ upoṣito dinaikena dhyāyamāno maheśvaram

"-- having bowed to the Five Īśānīs, visiting them both in forward and reverse order, fasting for a single day, meditating upon Maheśvara --"

Verse 12 (skanda.5.26.12)

मुच्यते सर्वपापैस्तु बहुजन्मकृतैरपि । एवं च विप्र यो यात्रां पंचेशानीं समारभेत्

mucyate sarvapāpaistu bahujanmakṛtairapi evaṁ ca vipra yo yātrāṁ paṁceśānīṁ samārabhet

"-- one is freed from all sins, even those committed across many births. And thus, O brāhmaṇa, whoever undertakes the pilgrimage of the Five Īśānīs --"

Verse 13 (skanda.5.26.13)

अनेनैव स्वदेहेन रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति । पंचेशानीमथान्यां ते सुखेन क्रियते यथा

anenaiva svadehena rudralokaṁ sa gacchati paṁceśānīmathānyāṁ te sukhena kriyate yathā

"-- goes to the world of Rudra in this very body. Now hear how another pilgrimage of the Five Īśānīs is performed with ease --"

Verse 14 (skanda.5.26.14)

तथा शृणु प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम् । प्रातः स्नात्वा रुद्रसरस्येकादश्यां समाहितः

tathā śṛṇu pravakṣyāmi sarvapāpapraṇāśinīm prātaḥ snātvā rudrasarasyekādaśyāṁ samāhitaḥ

"-- listen, I shall declare it, the destroyer of all sins. Having bathed at dawn in Rudra's lake on the eleventh lunar day, composed in mind --"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.26.15)

श्राद्धं कृत्वा महाकालं नत्वा चेशानमीश्वरम् । पिंगलेशं ततः प्राप्य स्नात्वा श्राद्धं समाचरेत्

śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā mahākālaṁ natvā ceśānamīśvaram piṁgaleśaṁ tataḥ prāpya snātvā śrāddhaṁ samācaret

"-- having performed the śrāddha rite and bowed to Mahākāla and to Lord Īśāna, one should then go to Piṅgaleśa, and, bathing, perform the śrāddha there."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.26.16)

उपगम्य ततो देवं गणेशं पिंगलेश्वरम् । गन्धैः पुष्पैश्च धूपैश्च तमभ्यर्च्य निवर्तयेत्

upagamya tato devaṁ gaṇeśaṁ piṁgaleśvaram gandhaiḥ puṣpaiśca dhūpaiśca tamabhyarcya nivartayet

"Then, approaching the god Gaṇeśa Piṅgaleśvara, one should worship him with scents, flowers, and incense, and take leave of him."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.26.17)

महाकालेश्वरं प्राप्य भूयः स्नातो जितेंद्रियः । अर्चयेद्देवदेवेशं स्वयंभुवं सनातनम्

mahākāleśvaraṁ prāpya bhūyaḥ snāto jiteṁdriyaḥ arcayeddevadeveśaṁ svayaṁbhuvaṁ sanātanam

"Coming again to Mahākāleśvara, having bathed once more, self-controlled, one should worship the eternal, self-born Lord of the gods of gods."

Verse 18 (skanda.5.26.18)

ईशाने गमयेद्रात्रिं कृत्वा वै नक्तभोजनम् । ध्यायमानो महेशानं भूमौ विन्यस्य विग्रहम्

īśāne gamayedrātriṁ kṛtvā vai naktabhojanam dhyāyamāno maheśānaṁ bhūmau vinyasya vigraham

"One should spend the night at Īśāna, having eaten only at nightfall, meditating on Maheśāna, laying one's body to rest upon the ground."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.26.19)

द्वादश्यां पूर्ववत्सर्वं प्रातः स्नात्वा व्रजेन्नरः । कायावरोहणं गत्वा पिंगलेश्वरवद्यजेत्

dvādaśyāṁ pūrvavatsarvaṁ prātaḥ snātvā vrajennaraḥ kāyāvarohaṇaṁ gatvā piṁgaleśvaravadyajet

"On the twelfth, having done everything as before and bathed at dawn, the man should proceed; going to Kāyāvarohaṇa, he should worship there just as at Piṅgaleśvara."

Verse 20 (skanda.5.26.20)

त्रयोदश्यामथाप्येवं बिल्वेशं पश्चिमेऽर्चयेत् । चतुर्दश्यां तथा सौम्ये पूजयेदुत्तरेश्वरम्

trayodaśyāmathāpyevaṁ bilveśaṁ paścime'rcayet caturdaśyāṁ tathā saumye pūjayeduttareśvaram

"On the thirteenth, likewise, one should worship Bilveśa in the west; on the fourteenth, in the same auspicious manner, one should worship Uttareśvara."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.26.21)

अमावास्यां शुचिः स्नातो महाकालेश्वरं यजेत् । गन्धैः पुष्पैश्च धूपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्विविधैस्तथा

amāvāsyāṁ śuciḥ snāto mahākāleśvaraṁ yajet gandhaiḥ puṣpaiśca dhūpaiśca naivedyairvividhaistathā

"On the new-moon day, having bathed and become pure, one should worship Mahākāleśvara with scents, flowers, incense, and various food-offerings."

Verse 22 (skanda.5.26.22)

गीतनृत्यादिकं कृत्वा प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत् । यात्रां कृत्वा तु पूर्वोक्तां ततो निजगृहं व्रजेत्

gītanṛtyādikaṁ kṛtvā praṇipatya kṣamāpayet yātrāṁ kṛtvā tu pūrvoktāṁ tato nijagṛhaṁ vrajet

"Having performed song, dance, and the like, one should prostrate and beg forgiveness. Having thus performed the aforesaid pilgrimage, one should then go to one's own home."

Verse 23 (skanda.5.26.23)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पञ्च शिवभक्तिपरायणान् । प्रणम्य देवतारूपान्महाकालोषितान्द्विजान्

brāhmaṇānbhojayetpañca śivabhaktiparāyaṇān praṇamya devatārūpānmahākāloṣitāndvijān

"One should feed five brāhmaṇas devoted to Śiva-bhakti, bowing to those twice-born who dwell at Mahākāla as though they were the very forms of the deity."

Verse 24 (skanda.5.26.24)

पूजयित्वा हिरण्येन सूक्ष्मवस्त्रगुणैर्नवैः । रथं पिंगलके दद्याद्गजं कायावरोहणे

pūjayitvā hiraṇyena sūkṣmavastraguṇairnavaiḥ rathaṁ piṁgalake dadyādgajaṁ kāyāvarohaṇe

"Having honoured them with gold and with fine new garments, one should give a chariot in the name of Piṅgala, and an elephant in the name of Kāyāvarohaṇa."

Verse 25 (skanda.5.26.25)

दत्त्वा बिल्वेश्वरे चाश्वं वृषं दत्त्वा तु चोत्तरे । धेनुं दत्त्वा महाकाले सर्वोपस्करसंयुतम्

dattvā bilveśvare cāśvaṁ vṛṣaṁ dattvā tu cottare dhenuṁ dattvā mahākāle sarvopaskarasaṁyutam

"Having given a horse for Bilveśvara, and a bull for Uttara, and a cow furnished with every accessory for Mahākāla --"

Verse 26 (skanda.5.26.26)

य एवं कुरुते व्यास तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

ya evaṁ kurute vyāsa tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu

"-- O Vyāsa, whoever does thus, hear the meritorious fruit that is his."

Verse 27 (skanda.5.26.27)

पितृकैर्मातृकैः सार्धं कुलैः स दिवि मोदते । अप्सरोगीतनृत्याद्यैर्विमानैः सार्वकामिकैः

pitṛkairmātṛkaiḥ sārdhaṁ kulaiḥ sa divi modate apsarogītanṛtyādyairvimānaiḥ sārvakāmikaiḥ

"Together with the lineages of both his father and mother, he rejoices in heaven, amid the songs and dances of the apsarases, in wish-granting celestial cars."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.26.28)

इति पंचेशानीयात्रामाहात्म्यम् । यस्तु प्रदक्षिणां कुर्यान्नियमेन कुशस्थलीम् । प्रदक्षिणीकृता तेन सप्तद्वीपा वसुन्धरा

iti paṁceśānīyātrāmāhātmyam yastu pradakṣiṇāṁ kuryānniyamena kuśasthalīm pradakṣiṇīkṛtā tena saptadvīpā vasundharā

Thus ends the glory of the pilgrimage of the Five Īśānīs. Whoever circumambulates Kuśasthalī according to the prescribed rule — by him the earth with its seven continents is deemed circumambulated.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.26.29)

यस्तु पद्मावतीं पश्येद्दर्चयेत्पंकजैर्नरः । दत्त्वा धूपं सनैवेद्यं मृतो ब्रह्मपुरं व्रजेत्

yastu padmāvatīṁ paśyeddarcayetpaṁkajairnaraḥ dattvā dhūpaṁ sanaivedyaṁ mṛto brahmapuraṁ vrajet

The man who beholds and worships Padmāvatī with lotuses, offering incense and food, after death goes to the city of Brahmā.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.26.30)

स्वर्णशृंगाटिकां व्यास कुसुमैः स्वर्णसंनिभैः । समभ्यर्च्य महाभक्त्या स याति शिवमन्दिरम्

svarṇaśṛṁgāṭikāṁ vyāsa kusumaiḥ svarṇasaṁnibhaiḥ samabhyarcya mahābhaktyā sa yāti śivamandiram

O Vyāsa, having worshipped Svarṇaśṛṅgāṭikā with golden-hued flowers and great devotion, one goes to the abode of Śiva.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.26.31)

अवन्तिनीं तु यः पश्येद्देवीं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुताम् । कामिकेन विमानेन याति पौरंदरं पुरम्

avantinīṁ tu yaḥ paśyeddevīṁ trailokyaviśrutām kāmikena vimānena yāti pauraṁdaraṁ puram

He who beholds the goddess Avantinī, renowned in the three worlds, goes to the city of Purandara in a wish-granting celestial car.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.26.32)

अर्चयेत्पंकजैर्भक्त्या यो देवीममरावतीम् । अमरैः सह संहृष्टो मोदते दिवि सर्वदा

arcayetpaṁkajairbhaktyā yo devīmamarāvatīm amaraiḥ saha saṁhṛṣṭo modate divi sarvadā

He who worships the goddess Amarāvatī with lotuses and devotion rejoices forever in heaven, delighted, together with the immortals.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.26.33)

देवीमुज्जयनीं भक्त्या यः पश्यति समाहितः । सर्वैश्वर्यसमायुक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते

devīmujjayanīṁ bhaktyā yaḥ paśyati samāhitaḥ sarvaiśvaryasamāyukto rudraloke mahīyate

He who, composed in mind, beholds the goddess Ujjayanī with devotion is endowed with all lordship and is honoured in the world of Rudra.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.26.34)

विशालां चैव यः पश्येद्रुद्रभक्त्या समाहितः । मुच्यते त्रिविधैः पापैर्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

viśālāṁ caiva yaḥ paśyedrudrabhaktyā samāhitaḥ mucyate trividhaiḥ pāpairnātra kāryā vicāraṇā

And he who, composed in mind, beholds Viśālā with devotion to Rudra is freed from the threefold sins — no doubt need be entertained about this.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.26.35)

इति श्रीकल्पसप्तकमहिमा । शृणु व्यास महातीर्थं पुरा यद्ब्रह्मणार्चितम् । अकूरेश्वरमित्याख्यं यत्र सिद्धः पितामहः

iti śrīkalpasaptakamahimā śṛṇu vyāsa mahātīrthaṁ purā yadbrahmaṇārcitam akūreśvaramityākhyaṁ yatra siddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ

Thus ends the glory of the sacred Seven Kalpas. Hear, O Vyāsa, of a great ford, formerly worshipped by Brahmā, called Akrūreśvara, where the Grandsire attained accomplishment.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.26.36)

तत्र देवार्चनं कृत्वा कृष्णाष्टम्यामुपोषितः । जितेंद्रियः शुचिर्दांतो रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात्

tatra devārcanaṁ kṛtvā kṛṣṇāṣṭamyāmupoṣitaḥ jiteṁdriyaḥ śucirdāṁto rudralokamavāpnuyāt

Having worshipped the god there, fasting on the eighth of the dark fortnight, self-controlled, pure, and disciplined, one attains the world of Rudra.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.26.37)

न वदेत्केनचित्सार्धं नरः प्रातर्गृहे स्थितः । दृष्ट्वाऽक्रूरेश्वरं देवं हेमदानफलं लभेत्

na vadetkenacitsārdhaṁ naraḥ prātargṛhe sthitaḥ dṛṣṭvā'krūreśvaraṁ devaṁ hemadānaphalaṁ labhet

A man who, remaining in his house at dawn, speaks to no one before worship, and beholds the god Akrūreśvara, obtains the fruit of a gift of gold.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.26.38)

इत्यक्रूरेश्वरमाहात्म्यम् ।। । यस्तु पश्यति ब्रह्माणं शुचिः स्नातो जितेंद्रियः । मुच्यते पातकाद्धोराद्ब्रह्मलोकं मृतो व्रजेत्

ityakrūreśvaramāhātmyam yastu paśyati brahmāṇaṁ śuciḥ snāto jiteṁdriyaḥ mucyate pātakāddhorādbrahmalokaṁ mṛto vrajet

Thus ends the glory of Akrūreśvara. He who, pure, bathed, and self-controlled, beholds Brahmā is freed from terrible sin, and after death goes to the world of Brahmā.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.26.39)

पद्मासनस्थितो ब्रह्मा ध्यायमानः परं पदम् । वसिष्ठाद्यैर्मुनिवरैर्विज्ञप्तः कर्मसंभवान्

padmāsanasthito brahmā dhyāyamānaḥ paraṁ padam vasiṣṭhādyairmunivarairvijñaptaḥ karmasaṁbhavān

Brahmā, seated on his lotus-throne, meditating on the Supreme State, was petitioned by the foremost sages headed by Vasiṣṭha, concerning the matters arising from action.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.26.40)

ऋषय ऊचुः । आदित्या मरुतः साध्यास्तथा चैवाश्विनावुभौ । पितरो ये च लोकानां पूज्यंते भुवि मानवैः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ ādityā marutaḥ sādhyāstathā caivāśvināvubhau pitaro ye ca lokānāṁ pūjyaṁte bhuvi mānavaiḥ

The sages said: "The Ādityas, the Maruts, the Sādhyas, and the two Aśvins likewise, and the Pitṛs — those of the heavenly worlds who are worshipped by men on earth --"

Verse 41 (skanda.5.26.41)

ग्रहार्कतारका यक्षा दिग्गजाश्च्यानलानिलाः । अमी देवा वयं सर्वे त्वदंशाः परिपठ्यते

grahārkatārakā yakṣā diggajāścyānalānilāḥ amī devā vayaṁ sarve tvadaṁśāḥ paripaṭhyate

"-- the planets, the sun, the stars, the yakṣas, the elephants of the quarters, fire and wind — all these gods, including we ourselves, are said to be portions of you."

Verse 42 (skanda.5.26.42)

कथं ध्यायसि देवेश एतत्सर्वं ब्रवीहि नः

kathaṁ dhyāyasi deveśa etatsarvaṁ bravīhi naḥ

"O Lord of gods, upon what do you meditate? Tell us all this."

Verse 43 (skanda.5.26.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच । द्वे विद्ये तत्त्वरूपे ये परा चैवापरा तथा । ते द्वे च मम रूपे द्वे नित्ये मूर्तात्मिके मम

brahmovāca dve vidye tattvarūpe ye parā caivāparā tathā te dve ca mama rūpe dve nitye mūrtātmike mama

Brahmā said: "There are two forms of knowledge in their true nature, the higher and the lower; these two are also my two forms — eternal, embodying my very self."

Verse 44 (skanda.5.26.44)

ऋषय ऊचुः । पितामह कथं विद्मो भवंतं परमं विभुम् । येनास्माकं परा सिद्धिर्जायते तव दर्शनात्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ pitāmaha kathaṁ vidmo bhavaṁtaṁ paramaṁ vibhum yenāsmākaṁ parā siddhirjāyate tava darśanāt

The sages said: "O Grandsire, how may we know you, the supreme, all-pervading one, by which supreme accomplishment may arise for us through the sight of you?"

Verse 45 (skanda.5.26.45)

ब्रह्मोवाच । माहेश्वरं परं क्षेत्रं कुशस्थलीति शब्दितम् । यज्ञार्थिना मया देवः श्रीकंठः पार्वती पतिः

brahmovāca māheśvaraṁ paraṁ kṣetraṁ kuśasthalīti śabditam yajñārthinā mayā devaḥ śrīkaṁṭhaḥ pārvatī patiḥ

Brahmā said: "There is a supreme field of Maheśvara, called Kuśasthalī. Desiring to perform a sacrifice, I once petitioned the god Śrīkaṇṭha, the husband of Pārvatī --"

Verse 46 (skanda.5.26.46)

याचितस्तेन देवेन उक्तोऽहं परमेष्ठिना । समंताद्योजनं साग्रं क्षेत्रमेतत्पितामहः

yācitastena devena ukto'haṁ parameṣṭhinā samaṁtādyojanaṁ sāgraṁ kṣetrametatpitāmahaḥ

"-- and, having been asked by that god, I, the Parameṣṭhin, was told: 'O Grandsire, this field, a full yojana all around --'"

Verse 47 (skanda.5.26.47)

मया दत्तं तव विभो महाकालवनादृते । वारितः स मया तत्र वने गुप्तो हि रोषतः । कपर्दिना च तत्रोक्तो यास्यामो न तवांतिकम्

mayā dattaṁ tava vibho mahākālavanādṛte vāritaḥ sa mayā tatra vane gupto hi roṣataḥ kapardinā ca tatrokto yāsyāmo na tavāṁtikam

"'-- is given by me to you, O mighty one, except for the Mahākāla-forest.' I was there forbidden by him in that forest, hidden out of anger; and by Kapardin it was there declared: 'We shall not go into your presence.'"

Verse 48 (skanda.5.26.48)

आरब्धो वै ततो यज्ञो नारायणपरिग्रहात् । ज्ञातस्तथापि मे यज्ञो देवदेवेन शंभुना

ārabdho vai tato yajño nārāyaṇaparigrahāt jñātastathāpi me yajño devadevena śaṁbhunā

"Then the sacrifice was begun, with the sanction of Nārāyaṇa. Even so, my sacrifice became known to the God of gods, Śambhu."

Verse 49 (skanda.5.26.49)

यज्ञवाटं कपर्दीशस्ततो भिक्षार्थमागतः । याज्ञिकैः सोऽथ तत्रोक्तो मात्र तिष्ठ जुगुप्सितः

yajñavāṭaṁ kapardīśastato bhikṣārthamāgataḥ yājñikaiḥ so'tha tatrokto mātra tiṣṭha jugupsitaḥ

"Kapardīśa then came to the sacrificial enclosure to beg alms; he was there told by the sacrificial priests: 'Do not stay here, O detestable one!'"

Verse 50 (skanda.5.26.50)

कपर्दिना च ते तत्र उक्ता यास्याम्यहं पुनः । एवमुक्त्वा कपालं स भूमौ संस्थाप्य तत्र हि

kapardinā ca te tatra uktā yāsyāmyahaṁ punaḥ evamuktvā kapālaṁ sa bhūmau saṁsthāpya tatra hi

"And Kapardin said to them there: 'I shall go away then.' Having said this, he set down his skull-bowl upon the ground there."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.26.51)

स्नातुं नदीं ययौ शिप्रां कपर्दी परमेश्वरः । उक्तं तस्मिन्गते शिप्रां कपर्दिनि द्विजातिभिः

snātuṁ nadīṁ yayau śiprāṁ kapardī parameśvaraḥ uktaṁ tasmingate śiprāṁ kapardini dvijātibhiḥ

"Kapardin, the Supreme Lord, went to the river Śiprā to bathe. When he had gone to the Śiprā, it was said by the twice-born there --"

Verse 52 (skanda.5.26.52)

कथं हि क्रियते होमः कपाले सदसि स्थिते । अकपालानि शौचानि पुरा प्रोक्तं मनीषिभिः

kathaṁ hi kriyate homaḥ kapāle sadasi sthite akapālāni śaucāni purā proktaṁ manīṣibhiḥ

"-- 'How indeed can the fire-oblation be performed while a skull remains present in the assembly? The wise have declared of old that purificatory things must be free of skulls.'"

Verse 53 (skanda.5.26.53)

तत्कपालं सदस्येन उक्षिप्तं पाणिना स्वयम् । तस्मिन्क्षिप्तेऽभवच्चान्यत्पुनः क्षिप्तेऽभवत्पुनः

tatkapālaṁ sadasyena ukṣiptaṁ pāṇinā svayam tasminkṣipte'bhavaccānyatpunaḥ kṣipte'bhavatpunaḥ

"That skull was thrown away with his own hand by an assembly-member; when it was thrown, another appeared in its place, and when that too was thrown, yet another appeared again."

Verse 54 (skanda.5.26.54)

एवं नांतं कपालानां प्राप्यते मुनिसत्तमाः । रुद्रं कपर्दिनं मत्वा शरणं तं समागताः

evaṁ nāṁtaṁ kapālānāṁ prāpyate munisattamāḥ rudraṁ kapardinaṁ matvā śaraṇaṁ taṁ samāgatāḥ

"Thus, O best of sages, no end of skulls could be reached. Realizing that this was Rudra Kapardin himself, they came to him for refuge."

Verse 55 (skanda.5.26.55)

ततः स दर्शनं प्रादाद्भक्त्या तुष्टो महेश्वरः । कपालपाणिर्भगवान्मामुवा च ततः प्रभुः

tataḥ sa darśanaṁ prādādbhaktyā tuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ kapālapāṇirbhagavānmāmuvā ca tataḥ prabhuḥ

"Then Maheśvara, pleased by their devotion, granted them his manifest presence; and the Lord, skull-bowl in hand, then spoke to me, the Master --"

Verse 56 (skanda.5.26.56)

वरं वरय भो ब्रह्मन्यत्ते मनसि वर्तते । नास्त्यदेयं मया तुभ्यं सर्वं दास्यामि तत्त्वतः

varaṁ varaya bho brahmanyatte manasi vartate nāstyadeyaṁ mayā tubhyaṁ sarvaṁ dāsyāmi tattvataḥ

"'Choose a boon, O Brahmā, whatever is in your mind. There is nothing I would not give you; I shall truly give you all.'"

Verse 57 (skanda.5.26.57)

ब्रह्मोत्तरमिदं स्थानं मया दत्तं चतुर्मुख । कारयस्व यथाकामं यथावर्णचतुष्टयम्

brahmottaramidaṁ sthānaṁ mayā dattaṁ caturmukha kārayasva yathākāmaṁ yathāvarṇacatuṣṭayam

"'O four-faced one, this place, Brahmottara, is given by me; arrange it as you wish, in accordance with the four social orders.'"

Verse 58 (skanda.5.26.58)

एवं वदंतं वरदमीशानं परमेश्वरम् । तथेति चोक्त्वा सदसि न मयाऽन्यो वरो वृतः

evaṁ vadaṁtaṁ varadamīśānaṁ parameśvaram tatheti coktvā sadasi na mayā'nyo varo vṛtaḥ

"To the Supreme Lord Īśāna speaking thus, granting boons, I said only 'So be it,' and in that assembly I chose no other boon."

Verse 59 (skanda.5.26.59)

उज्जयिनीति वै नाम कुशस्थल्या निवेशितम् । कुंडं मंदाकिनी तत्र मया कृतमनंतरम्

ujjayinīti vai nāma kuśasthalyā niveśitam kuṁḍaṁ maṁdākinī tatra mayā kṛtamanaṁtaram

"The name 'Ujjayinī' was thus established for Kuśasthalī. And there, thereafter, I made the sacred pool called Mandākinī."

Verse 60 (skanda.5.26.60)

तत्र विप्राः कृते स्नाने सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । तस्यां संस्थापयेद्दिक्षु चतुरोऽर्थघटाञ्छुभान्

tatra viprāḥ kṛte snāne sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate tasyāṁ saṁsthāpayeddikṣu caturo'rthaghaṭāñchubhān

"O brāhmaṇas, one who bathes there is freed from all sins. At it one should place, in the four directions, four auspicious jars filled with wealth."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.26.61)

सतिलास्तान्सवस्त्रांश्च सफलान्मंडकैः सह । कार्तिक्यामथ माघ्यां च चातु र्विद्ये प्रदापयेत्

satilāstānsavastrāṁśca saphalānmaṁḍakaiḥ saha kārtikyāmatha māghyāṁ ca cātu rvidye pradāpayet

"Those jars, with sesame, with garments, with fruits, together with cakes, one should give in Kārtika or in Māgha to brāhmaṇas learned in the four Vedas."

Verse 62 (skanda.5.26.62)

प्रथमं च ऋग्वेदाय यजुर्वेदाय दक्षिणम् । पश्चिमं सामवेदाय अथर्वणे तथोत्तरम्

prathamaṁ ca ṛgvedāya yajurvedāya dakṣiṇam paścimaṁ sāmavedāya atharvaṇe tathottaram

"The first jar, in the east, to a knower of the Ṛgveda, the southern to a knower of the Yajurveda, the western to a knower of the Sāmaveda, and the northern to a knower of the Atharvaveda."

Verse 63 (skanda.5.26.63)

वेदानुद्दिश्य चाप्येवं प्रीयतां मे पितामहः । कृते चैवं हि यत्पुण्यं तच्छृणुध्वं समाहिताः

vedānuddiśya cāpyevaṁ prīyatāṁ me pitāmahaḥ kṛte caivaṁ hi yatpuṇyaṁ tacchṛṇudhvaṁ samāhitāḥ

"'Thus, with the Vedas as the object of dedication, may the Grandsire be pleased' one should say. Now hear, with composed minds, what merit accrues from doing this."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.26.64)

सर्वतीर्थेषु यत्पुण्यं मंदाकिन्यां तथा भवेत् । सहस्रगुणितं स्नानं जाप्यं लक्षगुणं भवेत्

sarvatīrtheṣu yatpuṇyaṁ maṁdākinyāṁ tathā bhavet sahasraguṇitaṁ snānaṁ jāpyaṁ lakṣaguṇaṁ bhavet

"Whatever merit exists in all other holy fords exists likewise at the Mandākinī; a bath there is a thousandfold, recitation of mantras a hundred-thousandfold."

Verse 65 (skanda.5.26.65)

दानं कोटिगुणं ज्ञेयं मंदाकिन्यां न संशयः । कौमुदे मासि संप्राप्ते गोदानं तत्र कारयेत्

dānaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ jñeyaṁ maṁdākinyāṁ na saṁśayaḥ kaumude māsi saṁprāpte godānaṁ tatra kārayet

"A gift there is to be known as ten-million-fold — of this there is no doubt. When the month of Kaumuda arrives, one should perform a gift of cows there."

Verse 66 (skanda.5.26.66)

घृतधेनुं च कार्तिक्यां माघ्यां तिलमयीं तथा । जलधेनुं तु वैशाख्यां दत्त्वा मुच्येत पातकैः

ghṛtadhenuṁ ca kārtikyāṁ māghyāṁ tilamayīṁ tathā jaladhenuṁ tu vaiśākhyāṁ dattvā mucyeta pātakaiḥ

"By giving a cow of ghee in Kārtika, one of sesame in Māgha, and one of water in Vaiśākha, one is freed from sins."

Verse 67 (skanda.5.26.67)

वाचिकं मानसं पापं कर्मजं यच्च दुष्कृ तम् । विनश्येत्किल्बिषं सर्वं मंदाकिन्यास्तु दर्शनात्

vācikaṁ mānasaṁ pāpaṁ karmajaṁ yacca duṣkṛ tam vinaśyetkilbiṣaṁ sarvaṁ maṁdākinyāstu darśanāt

"Sin of speech, sin of mind, and whatever evil deed arises from action — all such transgression is destroyed by the mere sight of the Mandākinī."

Verse 68 (skanda.5.26.68)

मंदाकिनीसमं तीर्थं पृथिव्यां नैव दृश्यते । यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण ब्रह्मलोके स मोदते

maṁdākinīsamaṁ tīrthaṁ pṛthivyāṁ naiva dṛśyate yasya darśanamātreṇa brahmaloke sa modate

"No ford equal to the Mandākinī is to be seen on this earth; by the mere sight of it, one rejoices in the world of Brahmā."

Verse 69 (skanda.5.26.69)

मंदाकिन्यां तु यः स्नानं कृत्वा श्राद्धं प्रदास्यति । दर्शे च पूर्णिमायां वा पितृलोके स मोदते

maṁdākinyāṁ tu yaḥ snānaṁ kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ pradāsyati darśe ca pūrṇimāyāṁ vā pitṛloke sa modate

"He who, having bathed in the Mandākinī, performs the śrāddha rite, whether on the new-moon or the full-moon day, rejoices in the world of the ancestors."

Verse 70 (skanda.5.26.70)

पितामहं तु यो भक्त्या नित्यं पश्यति मानवः । अश्वमेधसहस्रेण राजसूयशतेन च

pitāmahaṁ tu yo bhaktyā nityaṁ paśyati mānavaḥ aśvamedhasahasreṇa rājasūyaśatena ca

"The man who ever beholds the Grandsire here with devotion is united in merit with a thousand aśvamedhas and a hundred rājasūyas --"

Verse 71 (skanda.5.26.71)

युज्यते नात्र संदेहः सत्यमेतत्तपोधनाः । ततो मन्वंतरेऽतीते प्राप्ते वैवस्वते पुनः

yujyate nātra saṁdehaḥ satyametattapodhanāḥ tato manvaṁtare'tīte prāpte vaivasvate punaḥ

"-- of this there is no doubt; this is the truth, O you rich in austerity. Then, when that manvantara had passed and the Vaivasvata manvantara had again arrived --"

Verse 72 (skanda.5.26.72)

तेनैवोन्मत्तवेषेण ऊर्ध्वशेषो महेश्वरः । प्रविष्टो ब्रह्मणः सत्रे दृष्टस्तैर्द्विज सत्तमैः

tenaivonmattaveṣeṇa ūrdhvaśeṣo maheśvaraḥ praviṣṭo brahmaṇaḥ satre dṛṣṭastairdvija sattamaiḥ

"-- Maheśvara, in that very mad, wild guise, his hair standing on end, entered Brahmā's sacrificial session, and was seen there by those foremost of the twice-born."

Verse 73 (skanda.5.26.73)

ते ब्राह्मणाः शपंति स्म निन्दां कुर्वंति चापरे । अपरे पांशुभिः शिश्नं घ्नंति तस्याशपन्द्विजाः

te brāhmaṇāḥ śapaṁti sma nindāṁ kurvaṁti cāpare apare pāṁśubhiḥ śiśnaṁ ghnaṁti tasyāśapandvijāḥ

"Those brāhmaṇas cursed him, others reviled him; others struck at his phallus with dust, and the twice-born cursed him."

Verse 74 (skanda.5.26.74)

लोष्ठैर्लगुडकैश्चा न्ये घ्नंति तं बलगर्विताः । जटामुकुटकं केचिद्धृत्वा कर्षंति चापरे

loṣṭhairlaguḍakaiścā nye ghnaṁti taṁ balagarvitāḥ jaṭāmukuṭakaṁ keciddhṛtvā karṣaṁti cāpare

"Others, proud of their strength, struck him with clods of earth and cudgels; some seized the matted-hair crown on his head and dragged him about."

Verse 75 (skanda.5.26.75)

पृच्छंति व्रतचर्यां वै केन व्रतं च दर्शितम् । अत्र चैव स्त्रियः संति कथमेतत्त्वया कृतम्

pṛcchaṁti vratacaryāṁ vai kena vrataṁ ca darśitam atra caiva striyaḥ saṁti kathametattvayā kṛtam

"They asked him about the conduct of his vow: 'By whom was this vow taught to you? There are women present here — how have you done this?'"

Verse 76 (skanda.5.26.76)

ब्रह्मणा चेदृशी चर्या विष्णुना वा कृता स्वयम् । गिरिशेनापि देवेन केनेदं दुष्कृतं कृतम्

brahmaṇā cedṛśī caryā viṣṇunā vā kṛtā svayam giriśenāpi devena kenedaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam

"'Has such conduct ever been practised by Brahmā himself, or by Viṣṇu, or even by the god Giriśa? By whom has this shameful act been done?'"

Verse 77 (skanda.5.26.77)

मा विडम्बय देवेशं वध्यो हि नस्त्वमद्य वै । एवं तैर्हन्यमानस्तु ब्राह्मणैस्तत्र शंकरः

mā viḍambaya deveśaṁ vadhyo hi nastvamadya vai evaṁ tairhanyamānastu brāhmaṇaistatra śaṁkaraḥ

"'Do not mock the Lord of gods — you deserve death at our hands this very day!' While thus being struck by those brāhmaṇas, Śaṅkara --"

Verse 78 (skanda.5.26.78)

स्मितं कृत्वाऽब्रवीत्सर्वान्ब्राह्मणान्परमेश्वरः । किं यूयं मामभि हथ ह्युन्मत्तं नष्टचेतसम्

smitaṁ kṛtvā'bravītsarvānbrāhmaṇānparameśvaraḥ kiṁ yūyaṁ māmabhi hatha hyunmattaṁ naṣṭacetasam

"-- and, smiling, the Supreme Lord said to all the brāhmaṇas: 'Why do you strike at me — a mere madman, one bereft of his senses?'"

Verse 79 (skanda.5.26.79)

यूयं कारुणिकाः सर्वे मैत्रभावे व्यवस्थिताः । तमेवं वादिनं देवं जाल्मरूपधरं हरम्

yūyaṁ kāruṇikāḥ sarve maitrabhāve vyavasthitāḥ tamevaṁ vādinaṁ devaṁ jālmarūpadharaṁ haram

"'You are all compassionate, established in a state of friendliness toward all.' But that god Hara, speaking thus while wearing the guise of a wretch --"

Verse 80 (skanda.5.26.80)

मायया तस्य देवस्य मोहितास्ते द्विजातयः । पुनः कपर्दिनं जघ्नुः पाणिपादेन वै द्विजाः

māyayā tasya devasya mohitāste dvijātayaḥ punaḥ kapardinaṁ jaghnuḥ pāṇipādena vai dvijāḥ

"-- by that god's own illusive power, those twice-born were deluded, and struck Kapardin again with hands and feet."

Verse 81 (skanda.5.26.81)

ताड्यमानस्तु तैर्विप्रैः परं कोपमुपागमत् । ततो देवेन ते शप्ता यूयं वेदविवर्जिताः

tāḍyamānastu tairvipraiḥ paraṁ kopamupāgamat tato devena te śaptā yūyaṁ vedavivarjitāḥ

"Being struck by those brāhmaṇas, he fell into extreme anger. Then by the god they were cursed: 'You shall be bereft of the Vedas --'"

Verse 82 (skanda.5.26.82)

ऊर्ध्वजूटाः सलगुडाः परदारोपजीविनः । रता द्यूते च वेश्यायां पितृमातृविवर्जिताः

ūrdhvajūṭāḥ salaguḍāḥ paradāropajīvinaḥ ratā dyūte ca veśyāyāṁ pitṛmātṛvivarjitāḥ

"'-- topknotted, carrying staves, living off others' wives, addicted to gambling and to courtesans, abandoned by father and mother --'"

Verse 83 (skanda.5.26.83)

न पुत्रे पितृ वित्तं च विद्या वापि भविष्यति । शेषो मम हतो यैश्च ते सर्वेंद्रियवर्जिताः

na putre pitṛ vittaṁ ca vidyā vāpi bhaviṣyati śeṣo mama hato yaiśca te sarveṁdriyavarjitāḥ

"'-- neither for your sons shall there be paternal wealth, nor learning. And those by whom my serpent-form was struck shall be deprived of all their senses.'"

Verse 84 (skanda.5.26.84)

रौद्रां भिक्षां तु भिक्षंतः परपिंडोपजीविनः । आत्मानं वर्णयिष्यंति धनधान्यविवर्जिताः

raudrāṁ bhikṣāṁ tu bhikṣaṁtaḥ parapiṁḍopajīvinaḥ ātmānaṁ varṇayiṣyaṁti dhanadhānyavivarjitāḥ

"'Begging a fearsome alms, living off others' food, they shall proclaim themselves, yet remain devoid of wealth and grain.'"

Verse 85 (skanda.5.26.85)

यैश्च तत्र कृता विप्रैर्हन्यमाने कृपा मयि । तेषां धनं च पुत्राश्च दासीदासादयश्च वै

yaiśca tatra kṛtā viprairhanyamāne kṛpā mayi teṣāṁ dhanaṁ ca putrāśca dāsīdāsādayaśca vai

"'But those brāhmaṇas who, while I was being struck there, showed compassion toward me — their wealth, their sons, their male and female servants and the like --'"

Verse 86 (skanda.5.26.86)

कुलोत्पन्नाश्च वै नार्यो भविष्यंति वरान्मम । एवं शापं वरं दत्त्वा गतोंऽतर्धानमीश्वरः

kulotpannāśca vai nāryo bhaviṣyaṁti varānmama evaṁ śāpaṁ varaṁ dattvā gatoṁ'tardhānamīśvaraḥ

"'-- and the women born in their families — all these shall flourish, by my boon.' Having thus given both curse and boon, the Lord vanished from sight."

Verse 87 (skanda.5.26.87)

ततो द्विजा गते देवे मत्वा तं शंकरं विभुम् । अन्वेषयंतो यत्नेन महाकालवनं गताः

tato dvijā gate deve matvā taṁ śaṁkaraṁ vibhum anveṣayaṁto yatnena mahākālavanaṁ gatāḥ

Then, when the god had gone, the twice-born, realizing that he was the mighty Śaṅkara, sought him diligently and went to the Mahākāla-forest.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.26.88)

स्नात्वा सरसि रुद्रस्य जपतः शतरुद्रियम् । जाप्यावसाने तान्देवोऽशरीरिण्या गिराऽब्रवीत्

snātvā sarasi rudrasya japataḥ śatarudriyam jāpyāvasāne tāndevo'śarīriṇyā girā'bravīt

Having bathed in Rudra's lake, reciting the Śatarudrīya, at the end of their recitation the god spoke to them in a bodiless voice:

Verse 89 (skanda.5.26.89)

अनृतं न मया प्रोक्तं स्वैरेष्वेपि कुतः सुखम् । भूयोऽप्यनुग्रहं विप्रा युष्माकं करवाण्यहम्

anṛtaṁ na mayā proktaṁ svaireṣvepi kutaḥ sukham bhūyo'pyanugrahaṁ viprā yuṣmākaṁ karavāṇyaham

"'No falsehood was spoken by me — how indeed could there be happiness for those given to their own whims? Yet again, O brāhmaṇas, I shall show grace to you.'"

Verse 90 (skanda.5.26.90)

शांता दांताश्च ये विप्रा भक्तिमंतो मयि स्थिताः । न तेषां छिद्यते वंशो न धनं न च संततिः

śāṁtā dāṁtāśca ye viprā bhaktimaṁto mayi sthitāḥ na teṣāṁ chidyate vaṁśo na dhanaṁ na ca saṁtatiḥ

"'Those brāhmaṇas who are tranquil and self-controlled, established in devotion to me — for them lineage is never cut off, nor wealth, nor progeny.'"

Verse 91 (skanda.5.26.91)

अग्निहोत्ररता ये च भक्तिमंतो जनार्दने । पूजयंति च ब्रह्माणं तेजोराशिं दिवाकरम्

agnihotraratā ye ca bhaktimaṁto janārdane pūjayaṁti ca brahmāṇaṁ tejorāśiṁ divākaram

"'And those who are devoted to the fire-sacrifice, full of devotion to Janārdana, and who worship Brahmā and the sun, that mass of splendour --'"

Verse 92 (skanda.5.26.92)

नाशुभं विद्यते तेषां येषां सख्ये स्थिता मतिः । एतावदुक्त्वा देवेशस्तूष्णीमासीज्जगत्प्रभुः

nāśubhaṁ vidyate teṣāṁ yeṣāṁ sakhye sthitā matiḥ etāvaduktvā deveśastūṣṇīmāsījjagatprabhuḥ

"'-- no misfortune befalls those whose mind is fixed in friendship toward all beings.' Having said this much, the Lord of gods, master of the world, fell silent."

Verse 93 (skanda.5.26.93)

एवं शापं वरं लब्ध्वा देवदेवान्महेश्वरात् । आजग्मुः सहिताः सर्वे यत्र देवः पितामहः

evaṁ śāpaṁ varaṁ labdhvā devadevānmaheśvarāt ājagmuḥ sahitāḥ sarve yatra devaḥ pitāmahaḥ

Having thus received both curse and boon from the God of gods, Maheśvara, they all came together to where the god, the Grandsire, was.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.26.94)

विरंचिमथ ते जाप्यैस्तोषयन्तोऽग्रतः स्थिताः । तुष्टस्तानब्रवीद्ब्रह्मा मत्तोऽपि व्रियतां वरः

viraṁcimatha te jāpyaistoṣayanto'grataḥ sthitāḥ tuṣṭastānabravīdbrahmā matto'pi vriyatāṁ varaḥ

Then, pleasing Virañci with their recitations, they stood before him. Pleased, Brahmā said to them: "Let a boon be chosen from me as well."

Verse 95 (skanda.5.26.95)

ब्रह्मणस्तेन वाक्येन तुष्टाः सर्वे द्विजोत्तमाः । को वरो याच्यतां विप्राः परितुष्टे पितामहे

brahmaṇastena vākyena tuṣṭāḥ sarve dvijottamāḥ ko varo yācyatāṁ viprāḥ parituṣṭe pitāmahe

By that word of Brahmā, all the best of the twice-born were pleased: "What boon shall be asked, O brāhmaṇas, now that the Grandsire is well pleased?"

Verse 96 (skanda.5.26.96)

एके तत्राब्रुवन्विप्रा वेदान्वै वृणवामहै । ततोऽन्ये च धनं धान्यं व्रियतामविशंकितैः

eke tatrābruvanviprā vedānvai vṛṇavāmahai tato'nye ca dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ vriyatāmaviśaṁkitaiḥ

Some brāhmaṇas there said: "Let us choose the Vedas as our boon"; then others said: "Let wealth and grain be chosen, without hesitation."

Verse 97 (skanda.5.26.97)

अन्ये प्राहुः किमस्माकं धनैस्तुष्टे पितामहे । अग्निहोत्राणि वेदाश्च शास्त्राणि विविधानि च

anye prāhuḥ kimasmākaṁ dhanaistuṣṭe pitāmahe agnihotrāṇi vedāśca śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca

Others said: "What use have we for wealth, now that the Grandsire is pleased? Let the fire-sacrifices, the Vedas, and the various scriptures --"

Verse 98 (skanda.5.26.98)

शांता आढ्याश्च लोकाश्च वरदानाद्भवंतु नः । एवं प्रजल्पतां तत्र विप्राणां कोप आविशत्

śāṁtā āḍhyāśca lokāśca varadānādbhavaṁtu naḥ evaṁ prajalpatāṁ tatra viprāṇāṁ kopa āviśat

"-- and peaceful, prosperous worlds be ours, by the granting of this boon." As the brāhmaṇas thus argued there, anger came upon them.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.26.99)

परस्परं वरार्थेऽथ युद्धं कर्तुं समुद्यताः । युध्यंते सायुधाः केचित्केचित्तत्रोपसर्पकाः

parasparaṁ varārthe'tha yuddhaṁ kartuṁ samudyatāḥ yudhyaṁte sāyudhāḥ kecitkecittatropasarpakāḥ

They became ready to fight one another over the choice of boon; some fought armed with weapons, others there crept up stealthily to attack.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.26.100)

केचिद्विप्रा उदासीनाः केचिद्वै मौनमास्थिताः । दृष्ट्वैवं भगवान्प्राह विप्रान्युद्धं प्रकुर्वतः

kecidviprā udāsīnāḥ kecidvai maunamāsthitāḥ dṛṣṭvaivaṁ bhagavānprāha viprānyuddhaṁ prakurvataḥ

Some brāhmaṇas remained indifferent, others kept to silence. Seeing them thus, the Lord spoke to the brāhmaṇas who were making war:

Verse 101 (skanda.5.26.101)

यस्मात्कुमंत्रिता विप्राः शालाया बाह्यसंस्थिते । तस्मादामूलतो विप्रा गुल्मे युद्धोपसर्पकाः

yasmātkumaṁtritā viprāḥ śālāyā bāhyasaṁsthite tasmādāmūlato viprā gulme yuddhopasarpakāḥ

"Since you brāhmaṇas have taken ill counsel, standing outside the sacrificial hall — therefore, O brāhmaṇas, root and all, you who crept up in the thicket to make war --"

Verse 102 (skanda.5.26.102)

उदासीनस्तु यो गुल्मो वृत्तिहीनो भविष्यति । वेदास्तस्य भवेयुर्वै यस्त्वस्ति मौनसंस्थितः

udāsīnastu yo gulmo vṛttihīno bhaviṣyati vedāstasya bhaveyurvai yastvasti maunasaṁsthitaḥ

"-- that faction which remained indifferent shall be without livelihood; but he who kept to silence, to him the Vedas shall belong."

Verse 103 (skanda.5.26.103)

तृतीयः सायुधो गुल्मो योद्धुकामस्तु यः स्थितः । परदारेषु वेश्यायां द्यूते चौर्ये सदा रतः

tṛtīyaḥ sāyudho gulmo yoddhukāmastu yaḥ sthitaḥ paradāreṣu veśyāyāṁ dyūte caurye sadā rataḥ

"As for the third group, the armed faction, which stood ready to fight — they shall be ever addicted to others' wives, to courtesans, to gambling, and to theft."

Verse 104 (skanda.5.26.104)

चतुर्विधः स वै विप्रो वृत्तिहीनो भविष्यति । एवमुक्त्वा ययौ ब्रह्मा वैराजं भवनोत्तमम्

caturvidhaḥ sa vai vipro vṛttihīno bhaviṣyati evamuktvā yayau brahmā vairājaṁ bhavanottamam

"Thus fourfold divided, those brāhmaṇas shall be without livelihood." Having said this, Brahmā departed to Vairāja, the supreme abode.

Verse 105 (skanda.5.26.105)

एवं मे परमं क्षेत्रं मुनयोऽवंतिमंडले । यां देवनगरीं लोके प्रवदन्तीह मानवाः

evaṁ me paramaṁ kṣetraṁ munayo'vaṁtimaṁḍale yāṁ devanagarīṁ loke pravadantīha mānavāḥ

Thus, O sages, this is my supreme sacred field in the region of Avantī, which men in this world call the City of the Gods.

Verse 106 (skanda.5.26.106)

तस्यां तु ये द्विजाः शांता वसंति क्षेत्रवासिन । न तेषां दुर्लभं किंचिन्म म लोके भविष्यति

tasyāṁ tu ye dvijāḥ śāṁtā vasaṁti kṣetravāsina na teṣāṁ durlabhaṁ kiṁcinma ma loke bhaviṣyati

For those tranquil twice-born who dwell in that field as its residents, nothing at all shall be hard to attain in my world.

Verse 107 (skanda.5.26.107)

कोलामुखे कुरुक्षेत्रे नैमिषे पुष्करेषु च । वाराणस्यां प्रभासे च तथा बदरिकाश्रमे

kolāmukhe kurukṣetre naimiṣe puṣkareṣu ca vārāṇasyāṁ prabhāse ca tathā badarikāśrame

At Kolāmukha, at Kurukṣetra, at Naimiṣa, at Puṣkara, at Vārāṇasī, at Prabhāsa, and likewise at Badarikāśrama --

Verse 108 (skanda.5.26.108)

गंगाद्वारे प्रयागे च गंगासा गरसंगमे । रुद्रकोट्यां विरूपाक्षे मित्रस्यापि तथा वने

gaṁgādvāre prayāge ca gaṁgāsā garasaṁgame rudrakoṭyāṁ virūpākṣe mitrasyāpi tathā vane

-- at Gaṅgādvāra, at Prayāga, at the meeting of the Gaṅgā and the ocean, at Rudrakoṭī, at Virūpākṣa, and likewise in the forest of Mitra --

Verse 109 (skanda.5.26.109)

तीर्थेष्वेतेषु क्षेत्रेषु या सिद्धिर्द्वादशाब्दिका । प्राप्यते मानवैर्लोके सा मासेनेह लभ्यते । उज्जयिन्यां न संदेहो ब्रह्मचर्ये मनो यदि

tīrtheṣveteṣu kṣetreṣu yā siddhirdvādaśābdikā prāpyate mānavairloke sā māseneha labhyate ujjayinyāṁ na saṁdeho brahmacarye mano yadi

-- whatever accomplishment men obtain at these fords and fields only after twelve years is obtained here in a single month at Ujjayinī — no doubt, if the mind is set on chastity.

Verse 110 (skanda.5.26.110)

तीर्थानां प्रवरं तीर्थं क्षेत्राणामपि चोत्तमम् । सदाभिरुचितं मह्यमेतद्वै मुनिसत्तमाः

tīrthānāṁ pravaraṁ tīrthaṁ kṣetrāṇāmapi cottamam sadābhirucitaṁ mahyametadvai munisattamāḥ

This is the best of fords, and likewise the supreme among sacred fields; O best of sages, this is ever most dear to me.

Verse 111 (skanda.5.26.111)

मंदाकिन्यास्तु माहात्म्यं क्षेत्रस्योत्पत्तिरुत्तमा । भूयः किमन्यदिच्छास्ति श्रोतुं वै द्विजसत्तमाः

maṁdākinyāstu māhātmyaṁ kṣetrasyotpattiruttamā bhūyaḥ kimanyadicchāsti śrotuṁ vai dvijasattamāḥ

Thus the glory of the Mandākinī and the supreme origin of this sacred field have been told. What else, O best of the twice-born, do you wish to hear further?

Verse 112 (skanda.5.26.112)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एतत्ते ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं श्रुत्वा व्यास तथाविधम् । वसिष्ठाद्याश्च मुनयः परं ध्यानमथो गताः

sanatkumāra uvāca etatte brahmaṇo vākyaṁ śrutvā vyāsa tathāvidham vasiṣṭhādyāśca munayaḥ paraṁ dhyānamatho gatāḥ

Sanatkumāra said: "O Vyāsa, having heard this word of Brahmā, spoken thus, the sages headed by Vasiṣṭha entered into deep meditation."

Verse 113 (skanda.5.26.113)

ध्यात्वा तु सुचिरं कालं तत्र वासे मनो दधुः । साग्निहोत्राः सपत्नीका गताश्चावंतिमंडले

dhyātvā tu suciraṁ kālaṁ tatra vāse mano dadhuḥ sāgnihotrāḥ sapatnīkā gatāścāvaṁtimaṁḍale

"Having meditated for a very long time, they set their minds on dwelling there; together with their sacred fires and their wives, they went to the region of Avantī."

Verse 114 (skanda.5.26.114)

महाकालवनं दृष्ट्वा शिप्रां चैव महानदीम् । श्मशानमूषरं चैव नदीं गन्धवतीं तथा

mahākālavanaṁ dṛṣṭvā śiprāṁ caiva mahānadīm śmaśānamūṣaraṁ caiva nadīṁ gandhavatīṁ tathā

"Having beheld the Mahākāla-forest, and the great river Śiprā, and the cremation-ground Ūṣara, and likewise the river Gandhavatī --"

Verse 115 (skanda.5.26.115)

कोटितीर्थमुपस्पृश्य चकुर्वासं च तत्र वै । स्मृत्वा तद्ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं रुचिस्तेषां तदाऽभवत्

koṭitīrthamupaspṛśya cakurvāsaṁ ca tatra vai smṛtvā tadbrahmaṇo vākyaṁ rucisteṣāṁ tadā'bhavat

"-- and having touched Koṭitīrtha, they took up dwelling right there; remembering that word of Brahmā, a fondness for the place arose in them."

Verse 116 (skanda.5.26.116)

अरुन्धत्या वसिष्ठश्च गमनं प्रति नोदितः । उवाच तां महात्मासौ स्वां भार्यां मुनिसत्तमाः

arundhatyā vasiṣṭhaśca gamanaṁ prati noditaḥ uvāca tāṁ mahātmāsau svāṁ bhāryāṁ munisattamāḥ

"O best of sages, Vasiṣṭha, urged by Arundhatī to depart elsewhere, that great-souled one spoke to his own wife:"

Verse 117 (skanda.5.26.117)

महाकालः सरिच्छिप्रा गतिश्चैव सुनिर्मला । उज्जयिन्यां विशालाक्षि वासः कस्य न रोचते

mahākālaḥ saricchiprā gatiścaiva sunirmalā ujjayinyāṁ viśālākṣi vāsaḥ kasya na rocate

"'Mahākāla, the river Śiprā, and a course of life here utterly stainless — O wide-eyed one, to whom would dwelling at Ujjayinī not be pleasing?'"

Verse 118 (skanda.5.26.118)

स्नानं कृत्वा नरो यस्तु महानद्यां हि दुर्लभम् । महाकालं नमस्कृत्य नरो मृत्युं न शोचयेत्

snānaṁ kṛtvā naro yastu mahānadyāṁ hi durlabham mahākālaṁ namaskṛtya naro mṛtyuṁ na śocayet

"'The man who bathes in this great river obtains what is hard to attain elsewhere; having bowed to Mahākāla, a man need not grieve over death.'"

Verse 119 (skanda.5.26.119)

मृतः कीटः पतंगो वा रुद्र स्यानुचरो भवेत् । यत्रैषा श्रूयते मुक्तिः कथं सा त्यजते मया

mṛtaḥ kīṭaḥ pataṁgo vā rudra syānucaro bhavet yatraiṣā śrūyate muktiḥ kathaṁ sā tyajate mayā

"'Even dying here merely as a worm or a moth, one becomes an attendant of Rudra. Where such liberation is proclaimed, how could I ever abandon it?'"

Verse 120 (skanda.5.26.120)

एवं प्रजल्प्याथ मुनिप्रधानस्तत्रैव वासं सहसा चकार । वनस्य व्युष्टिं परिकीर्तयंस्तु स्थितः सहैवात्र मुनिप्रधानैः

evaṁ prajalpyātha munipradhānastatraiva vāsaṁ sahasā cakāra vanasya vyuṣṭiṁ parikīrtayaṁstu sthitaḥ sahaivātra munipradhānaiḥ

Having thus spoken, the foremost of sages at once took up dwelling right there, remaining together with the foremost sages, ever proclaiming the excellence of that forest.