The Greatness of Rukmini Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.297.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महाराज रुक्मिणीतीर्थमुत्तमम् । यत्रैव स्नानमात्रेण रूपवान्सुभगो भवेत् ॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchenmahārāja rukmiṇītīrthamuttamam | yatraiva snānamātreṇa rūpavānsubhago bhavet ||

Shri Markandeya said: O great king, from there one should go to the supreme Rukmini Tirtha, where by mere bathing a man becomes handsome and fortunate.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.297.2)

अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां तृतीयायां विशेषतः । स्नानं समाचरेत्तत्र न चेह जायते पुनः ॥

aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturdaśyāṁ tṛtīyāyāṁ viśeṣataḥ | snānaṁ samācarettatra na ceha jāyate punaḥ ||

One should especially bathe there on the eighth, fourteenth, and third lunar days; one who does so is not born again in this world.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.297.3)

यः स्नात्वा रुक्मिणीतीर्थे दानं दद्यात्तु कांचनम् । तत्तीर्थस्य प्रभावेन शोकं नाप्नोति मानवः ॥

yaḥ snātvā rukmiṇītīrthe dānaṁ dadyāttu kāṁcanam | tattīrthasya prabhāvena śokaṁ nāpnoti mānavaḥ ||

One who bathes at the Rukmini Tirtha and then gives gold in charity, by the power of that tirtha, never again knows sorrow.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.297.4)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। तीर्थस्यास्य कथं जातो महिमेदृङ्मुनीश्वर । रूपसौभाग्यदं येन तीर्थमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| tīrthasyāsya kathaṁ jāto mahimedṛṅmunīśvara | rūpasaubhāgyadaṁ yena tīrthametadbravīhi me ||

Yudhishthira said: O lord of sages, how did such a greatness arise for this tirtha, by which it grants beauty and good fortune? Tell me this.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.297.5)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। कथयामि यथावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम् । कथितं पूर्वतो वृद्धैः पारम्पर्येण भारत ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| kathayāmi yathāvṛttamitihāsaṁ purātanam | kathitaṁ pūrvato vṛddhaiḥ pāramparyeṇa bhārata ||

Markandeya said: O descendant of Bharata, I shall tell that ancient history exactly as it occurred, as it was told by the elders before, through tradition.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.297.6)

तं तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसः । नगरं कुण्डिनं नाम भीष्मकः परिपाति हि ॥

taṁ te'haṁ sampravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvaikāgramānasaḥ | nagaraṁ kuṇḍinaṁ nāma bhīṣmakaḥ paripāti hi ||

I shall relate it to you fully; listen with a focused mind. There was a city named Kundina, which was ruled and protected by Bhishmaka.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.297.7)

हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्नो धनाढ्योऽति प्रतापवान् । स्त्रीसहस्रस्य मध्यस्थः कुरुते राज्यमुत्तमम् ॥

hastyaśvarathasampanno dhanāḍhyo'ti pratāpavān | strīsahasrasya madhyasthaḥ kurute rājyamuttamam ||

He was endowed with elephants, horses, and chariots, exceedingly wealthy and mighty. Dwelling amid a thousand women, he ruled his excellent kingdom.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.297.8)

तस्य भार्या महादेवी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी । तस्यामुत्पादयामास पुत्रमेकं च रुक्मकम् ॥

tasya bhāryā mahādevī prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī | tasyāmutpādayāmāsa putramekaṁ ca rukmakam ||

His chief queen was dearer to him than his very life. Upon her he begot one son, named Rukmaka (Rukmi).

Verse 9 (skanda.5.297.9)

द्वितीया तनया जज्ञे रुक्मिणी नाम नामतः । तदाशरीरिणी वाचा राजानं तमुवाच ह ॥

dvitīyā tanayā jajñe rukmiṇī nāma nāmataḥ | tadāśarīriṇī vācā rājānaṁ tamuvāca ha ||

Then a second child, a daughter, was born, and she was named Rukmini. At that time a bodiless voice spoke to the king, saying —

Verse 10 (skanda.5.297.10)

चतुर्भुजाय दातव्या कन्येयं भुवि भीष्मक । एवं तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जहर्ष प्रियया सह ॥

caturbhujāya dātavyā kanyeyaṁ bhuvi bhīṣmaka | evaṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā jaharṣa priyayā saha ||

"O Bhishmaka, on this earth this girl is to be given only to the four-armed one (Vishnu)." Hearing this word, he rejoiced together with his beloved queen.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.297.11)

ब्राह्मणैः सह विद्वद्भिः प्रविष्टः सूतिकागृहम् । स्वस्तिकं वाचयित्वास्याश्चक्रे नामेति रुक्मिणी ॥

brāhmaṇaiḥ saha vidvadbhiḥ praviṣṭaḥ sūtikāgṛham | svastikaṁ vācayitvāsyāścakre nāmeti rukmiṇī ||

Together with learned brahmins he entered the birthing chamber. Having had the auspicious blessing-verses recited, he gave the girl the name Rukmini.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.297.12)

यतः सुवर्णतिलको जन्मना सह भारत । ततः सा रुक्मिणीनाम ब्राह्मणैः कीर्तिता तदा ॥

yataḥ suvarṇatilako janmanā saha bhārata | tataḥ sā rukmiṇīnāma brāhmaṇaiḥ kīrtitā tadā ||

O descendant of Bharata, since she bore, from birth itself, a mark like a spot of gold, the brahmins then proclaimed her name to be Rukmini.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.297.13)

ततः सा कालपर्यायादष्टवर्षा व्यजायत । पूर्वोक्तं चैव तद्वाक्यमशरीरिण्युदीरितम् ॥

tataḥ sā kālaparyāyādaṣṭavarṣā vyajāyata | pūrvoktaṁ caiva tadvākyamaśarīriṇyudīritam ||

Then, in the course of time, she grew to be eight years old. And that word spoken earlier by the bodiless voice —

Verse 14 (skanda.5.297.14)

स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वाथ नृपतिश्चिन्तयामास भूपतिः । कस्मै देया मया बाला भविता कश्चतुर्भुजः ॥

smṛtvā smṛtvātha nṛpatiścintayāmāsa bhūpatiḥ | kasmai deyā mayā bālā bhavitā kaścaturbhujaḥ ||

remembering it again and again, the king grew troubled in thought — "To whom shall I give this girl? Who might this four-armed one be?"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.297.15)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तावद्रैवतात्पर्वतोत्तमात् । मुख्यश्चेदिपतिस्तत्र दमघोषः समागतः ॥

etasminnantare tāvadraivatātparvatottamāt | mukhyaścedipatistatra damaghoṣaḥ samāgataḥ ||

Meanwhile, from the excellent mountain Raivataka, the chief king of Chedi, Damaghosha, arrived there.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.297.16)

प्रविष्टो राजसदनं यत्र राजा स भीष्मकः । तं दृष्ट्वा चागतं गेहे पूजयामास भूपतिः ॥

praviṣṭo rājasadanaṁ yatra rājā sa bhīṣmakaḥ | taṁ dṛṣṭvā cāgataṁ gehe pūjayāmāsa bhūpatiḥ ||

He entered the royal palace, where King Bhishmaka was present. Seeing him arrived at his house, the king honoured him.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.297.17)

आसनं विपुलं दत्त्वा सभां गत्वा निवेशितः । कुशलं तव राजेन्द्र दमघोष श्रियायुत ॥

āsanaṁ vipulaṁ dattvā sabhāṁ gatvā niveśitaḥ | kuśalaṁ tava rājendra damaghoṣa śriyāyuta ||

A broad seat was given, and he was seated in the assembly hall — "O foremost of kings, O fortune-blessed Damaghosha, is all well with you?"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.297.18)

पुण्याहमद्य संजातमहं त्वद्दर्शनोत्सुकः । कन्या मदीया राजेन्द्र ह्यष्टवर्षा व्यजायत ॥

puṇyāhamadya saṁjātamahaṁ tvaddarśanotsukaḥ | kanyā madīyā rājendra hyaṣṭavarṣā vyajāyata ||

"This day has become blessed; I was eager for your sight. O foremost of kings, my daughter has now become eight years old."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.297.19)

चतुर्भुजाय दातव्या वागुवाचाशरीरिणी । भीष्मकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दमघोषोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥

caturbhujāya dātavyā vāguvācāśarīriṇī | bhīṣmakasya vacaḥ śrutvā damaghoṣo'bravīdidam ||

"She is to be given to the four-armed one — so said a bodiless voice." Hearing Bhishmaka's words, Damaghosha said this —

Verse 20 (skanda.5.297.20)

चतुर्भुजो मम सुतस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः । तस्येयं दीयतां कन्या शिशुपालस्य भीष्मक ॥

caturbhujo mama sutastriṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ | tasyeyaṁ dīyatāṁ kanyā śiśupālasya bhīṣmaka ||

"O Bhishmaka, my son Shishupala is renowned in the three worlds as 'four-armed'; let this girl be given to him."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.297.21)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दमघोषस्य भूमिप । भीष्मकेन ततो दत्ता शिशुपालाय रुक्मिणी ॥

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā damaghoṣasya bhūmipa | bhīṣmakena tato dattā śiśupālāya rukmiṇī ||

O king, hearing that word of Damaghosha, Bhishmaka then promised Rukmini in marriage to Shishupala.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.297.22)

प्रारब्धं मङ्गलं तत्र भीष्मकेण युधिष्ठिर । दिक्षु देशान्तरेष्वेव ये वसन्ति स्वगोत्रजाः ॥

prārabdhaṁ maṅgalaṁ tatra bhīṣmakeṇa yudhiṣṭhira | dikṣu deśāntareṣveva ye vasanti svagotrajāḥ ||

O Yudhishthira, then Bhishmaka began the auspicious wedding preparations. All the kinsmen of his own lineage who dwelt in various directions and lands,

Verse 23 (skanda.5.297.23)

निमन्त्रितास्तु ते सर्वे समाजग्मुर्यथाक्रमम् । ततो यादववंशस्य तिलकौ बलकेशवौ ॥

nimantritāstu te sarve samājagmuryathākramam | tato yādavavaṁśasya tilakau balakeśavau ||

were all invited and came together in due order. Then Balarama and Keshava, the ornaments of the Yadava lineage,

Verse 24 (skanda.5.297.24)

निमन्त्रितौ समायातौ कुण्डिनं भीष्मकस्य तु । भीष्मकेण यथान्यायं पूजितौ तौ यदूत्तमौ ॥

nimantritau samāyātau kuṇḍinaṁ bhīṣmakasya tu | bhīṣmakeṇa yathānyāyaṁ pūjitau tau yadūttamau ||

were invited and arrived at Bhishmaka's city of Kundina. Bhishmaka duly honoured those two foremost of the Yadavas.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.297.25)

ततः प्रदोषसमये रुक्मिणी काममोहिनी । सखीभिः सहिता याता पूर्बहिश्चाम्बिकार्चने ॥

tataḥ pradoṣasamaye rukmiṇī kāmamohinī | sakhībhiḥ sahitā yātā pūrbahiścāmbikārcane ||

Then, at twilight, Rukmini, bewildered by desire, went out of the city with her companions to worship the goddess Ambika.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.297.26)

सापश्यत्तत्र देवेशं गोपवेषधरं हरिम् । तं दृष्ट्वा मोहमापन्ना कामेन कलुषीकृता ॥

sāpaśyattatra deveśaṁ gopaveṣadharaṁ harim | taṁ dṛṣṭvā mohamāpannā kāmena kaluṣīkṛtā ||

There she saw the lord of gods, Hari, dressed in the guise of a cowherd. Seeing him, she fell into confusion, overwhelmed by desire.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.297.27)

केशवोऽपि च तां दृष्ट्वा संकर्षणमुवाच ह । स्त्रीरत्नप्रवरं तात हर्तव्यमिति मे मतिः ॥

keśavo'pi ca tāṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁkarṣaṇamuvāca ha | strīratnapravaraṁ tāta hartavyamiti me matiḥ ||

Keshava too, seeing her, said to Sankarshana (Balarama): "O brother, my mind is set on abducting this supreme jewel among women."

Verse 28 (skanda.5.297.28)

केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा संकर्षण उवाच ह । गच्छ कृष्ण महाबाहो स्त्रीरत्नं चाशु गृह्यताम् ॥

keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā saṁkarṣaṇa uvāca ha | gaccha kṛṣṇa mahābāho strīratnaṁ cāśu gṛhyatām ||

Hearing Keshava's words, Sankarshana said: "Go, O mighty-armed Krishna, and swiftly take this jewel among women."

Verse 29 (skanda.5.297.29)

अहं च तव मार्गेण ह्यागमिष्यामि पृष्ठतः । दानवानां च सर्वेषां कुर्वंश्च कदनं महत् ॥

ahaṁ ca tava mārgeṇa hyāgamiṣyāmi pṛṣṭhataḥ | dānavānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ kurvaṁśca kadanaṁ mahat ||

"And I shall follow behind you, along your own path, wreaking great destruction upon all the demons."

Verse 30 (skanda.5.297.30)

संकर्षणमतं प्राप्य केशवः केशिसूदनः । ययौ कन्यां गृहीत्वा तु रथमारोप्य सत्वरम् ॥

saṁkarṣaṇamataṁ prāpya keśavaḥ keśisūdanaḥ | yayau kanyāṁ gṛhītvā tu rathamāropya satvaram ||

Having gained Sankarshana's consent, Keshava, the slayer of Keshi, took hold of the girl, mounted her upon his chariot, and swiftly departed.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.297.31)

निर्गतः सहसा राजन्वेगेनैवानिलो यथा । हाहाकारस्तदा जातो भीष्मकस्य पुरे महान् ॥

nirgataḥ sahasā rājanvegenaivānilo yathā | hāhākārastadā jāto bhīṣmakasya pure mahān ||

O king, he sped forth suddenly with the swiftness of the wind. Then a great cry of dismay arose in Bhishmaka's city.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.297.32)

निर्गता दानवाः क्रुद्धा वेला इव महोदधेः । गर्जन्तः सायुधाः सर्वे धावन्तो रथवर्त्मनि ॥

nirgatā dānavāḥ kruddhā velā iva mahodadheḥ | garjantaḥ sāyudhāḥ sarve dhāvanto rathavartmani ||

The enraged demons surged forth like the waves of the great ocean; all of them, armed and roaring, ran along the path of the chariot.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.297.33)

बलदेवं ततः प्राप्ता रथमार्गानुगामिनम् । तेषां युद्धं बलस्यासीत्सर्वलोकक्षयंकरम् ॥

baladevaṁ tataḥ prāptā rathamārgānugāminam | teṣāṁ yuddhaṁ balasyāsītsarvalokakṣayaṁkaram ||

Then, following the path of the chariot, they reached Baladeva. The battle that ensued between them and Bala was such as could destroy all the worlds.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.297.34)

यथा तारामये पूर्वं सङ्ग्रामे लोकविश्रुते । गदाहस्तो महाबाहुस्त्रैलोक्येऽप्रतिमो बलः ॥

yathā tārāmaye pūrvaṁ saṅgrāme lokaviśrute | gadāhasto mahābāhustrailokye'pratimo balaḥ ||

Just as in the ancient, world-renowned battle at Tarakamaya, so here too Bala, mace in hand, mighty-armed, matchless in strength throughout the three worlds —

Verse 35 (skanda.5.297.35)

हलेनाकृष्य सहसा गदापातैरपातयत् । अशक्यो दानवैर्हन्तुं बलभद्रो महाबलः ॥

halenākṛṣya sahasā gadāpātairapātayat | aśakyo dānavairhantuṁ balabhadro mahābalaḥ ||

hauling them in with his plow and felling them with blows of his mace. The mighty Balabhadra could not be slain by the demons.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.297.36)

बभञ्ज दानवान्सर्वांस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः । तं दृष्ट्वा च बलं क्रुद्धं दुर्धर्षं त्रिदशैरपि ॥

babhañja dānavānsarvāṁstasthau giririvācalaḥ | taṁ dṛṣṭvā ca balaṁ kruddhaṁ durdharṣaṁ tridaśairapi ||

He shattered all the demons and stood unmoving like a mountain. Seeing that wrathful Bala, unassailable even by the gods,

Verse 37 (skanda.5.297.37)

भीष्मपुत्रो महातेजा रुक्मीनां महयशाः । नराणामतिशूराणामक्षौहिण्या समन्वितः ॥

bhīṣmaputro mahātejā rukmīnāṁ mahayaśāḥ | narāṇāmatiśūrāṇāmakṣauhiṇyā samanvitaḥ ||

the greatly radiant, greatly famed Rukmi, son of Bhishmaka, accompanied by an akshauhini army of extremely valiant men,

Verse 38 (skanda.5.297.38)

बलभद्रमतिक्रम्य ततो युद्धे निराकरोत् । तद्युद्धं वञ्चयित्वा तु रथमार्गेण सत्वरम् ॥

balabhadramatikramya tato yuddhe nirākarot | tadyuddhaṁ vañcayitvā tu rathamārgeṇa satvaram ||

pressed past Balabhadra and tried to check him in battle. But eluding that combat, he quickly went on by the chariot's path.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.297.39)

केशवोऽपि तदा देवो रुक्मिण्या सहितो ययौ । विन्ध्यं तु लङ्घयित्वाग्रे त्रैलोक्यगुरुरव्ययः ॥

keśavo'pi tadā devo rukmiṇyā sahito yayau | vindhyaṁ tu laṅghayitvāgre trailokyagururavyayaḥ ||

Then the god Keshava too, the imperishable teacher of the three worlds, went on together with Rukmini, crossing over the Vindhya mountains.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.297.40)

नर्मदातटमापेदे यत्र सिद्धः पुरा पुनः । अजेयो येन संजातस्तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः ॥

narmadātaṭamāpede yatra siddhaḥ purā punaḥ | ajeyo yena saṁjātastīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ ||

He reached the bank of the Narmada, where long ago he had again attained perfection, and by the power of this very tirtha he had become unconquerable.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.297.41)

एतस्मात्कारणात्तात योधनीपुरमुच्यते । रुक्मोऽपि दानवेन्द्रोऽसौ प्राप्तः ।

etasmātkāraṇāttāta yodhanīpuramucyate | rukmo'pi dānavendro'sau prāptaḥ |

O son, for this reason this place is called Yodhanipura. Meanwhile that lord of demons, Rukmi, also arrived there,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.297.42)

प्रत्युवाचाच्युतं क्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति मा व्रज । अद्य त्वां निशितैर्बाणैर्नेष्यामि यमसादनम् ॥

pratyuvācācyutaṁ kruddhastiṣṭha tiṣṭheti mā vraja | adya tvāṁ niśitairbāṇairneṣyāmi yamasādanam ||

and, enraged, cried out to Achyuta: "Stop! Stop! Do not go — today I shall send you to the abode of Yama with my sharp arrows."

Verse 43 (skanda.5.297.43)

एवं परस्परं वीरौ जगर्जतुरुभावपि । तयोर्युद्धमभूद्घोरं तारकाग्निजसन्निभम् ॥

evaṁ parasparaṁ vīrau jagarjaturubhāvapi | tayoryuddhamabhūdghoraṁ tārakāgnijasannibham ||

Thus the two heroes roared at one another. Their terrible battle grew as fierce as the flame of the Taraka war.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.297.44)

चिक्षेप शरजालानि केशवं प्रति दानवः । नानुचिन्त्य शरांस्तस्य केशवः केशिसूदनः ॥

cikṣepa śarajālāni keśavaṁ prati dānavaḥ | nānucintya śarāṁstasya keśavaḥ keśisūdanaḥ ||

That demon hurled a torrent of arrows at Keshava; but Keshava, the slayer of Keshi, gave no heed at all to his arrows.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.297.45)

ततो विष्णुः स्वयं क्रुद्धश्चक्रं गृह्य सुदर्शनम् । सम्प्रहरत्यमुं यावद्रुक्मिण्यात्र निवारितः ॥

tato viṣṇuḥ svayaṁ kruddhaścakraṁ gṛhya sudarśanam | sampraharatyamuṁ yāvadrukmiṇyātra nivāritaḥ ||

Then Vishnu himself, enraged, took up the Sudarshana discus and was about to strike him down, when Rukmini restrained him there.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.297.46)

त्वां न जानाति देवेशं चतुर्बाहुं जनार्दनम् । दर्शयस्व स्वकं रूपं दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि ॥

tvāṁ na jānāti deveśaṁ caturbāhuṁ janārdanam | darśayasva svakaṁ rūpaṁ dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari ||

"He does not know you as the four-armed lord of gods, Janardana. Having mercy on me, show him your true form."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.297.47)

एवमुक्तस्तु रुक्मिण्या दर्शयामास भारत । देवा दृष्ट्वापि तद्रूपं स्तुवन्त्याकाशसंस्थिताः । दिव्यं चक्षुस्तदा देवो ददौ रुक्मस्य भारत ॥

evamuktastu rukmiṇyā darśayāmāsa bhārata | devā dṛṣṭvāpi tadrūpaṁ stuvantyākāśasaṁsthitāḥ | divyaṁ cakṣustadā devo dadau rukmasya bhārata ||

O descendant of Bharata, thus addressed by Rukmini, he revealed his (cosmic) form. Even the gods stationed in the sky, beholding that form, sang its praises; and then the god (Krishna) also granted Rukmi a divine sight.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.297.48)

रुक्म उवाच। यन्मया पापनिष्ठेन मन्दभाग्येन केशव । सायकैराहतं वक्षस्तत्सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥

rukma uvāca| yanmayā pāpaniṣṭhena mandabhāgyena keśava | sāyakairāhataṁ vakṣastatsarvaṁ kṣantumarhasi ||

Rukmi said: O Keshava, I, sinful and ill-fated, struck your chest with my arrows — for all of that you are fit to forgive me.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.297.49)

पूर्वं दत्ता स्वयं देव जानकी जनकेन वै । मया प्रदत्ता देवेश रुक्मिणी तव केशव ॥

pūrvaṁ dattā svayaṁ deva jānakī janakena vai | mayā pradattā deveśa rukmiṇī tava keśava ||

O god, just as long ago Janaka himself gave Janaki, so now, O lord of gods, Keshava, I too give Rukmini to you.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.297.50)

उद्वाहय यथान्यायं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा । रुक्मस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा ततस्तुष्टो जगद्गुरुः ॥

udvāhaya yathānyāyaṁ vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā | rukmasya vacanaṁ śrutvā tatastuṣṭo jagadguruḥ ||

"Marry her duly, with rites ordained by scripture." Hearing Rukmi's words, the teacher of the world became pleased.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.297.51)

बभाषे देवदेवेशो रुक्मिणं भीष्मकात्मजम् । गच्छ स्वकं पुरं मा भैः कुरु राज्यमकण्टकम् ॥

babhāṣe devadeveśo rukmiṇaṁ bhīṣmakātmajam | gaccha svakaṁ puraṁ mā bhaiḥ kuru rājyamakaṇṭakam ||

The lord of gods said to Rukmi, son of Bhishmaka: "Go to your own city; do not fear; rule your kingdom free of enemies."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.297.52)

केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा रुक्मो दानवपुंगवः । तं प्रणम्य जगन्नाथं जगाम भवनं पितुः ॥

keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā rukmo dānavapuṁgavaḥ | taṁ praṇamya jagannāthaṁ jagāma bhavanaṁ pituḥ ||

Hearing Keshava's words, Rukmi, foremost of the demons, bowed to the lord of the universe and then went to his father's palace.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.297.53)

गते रुक्मे तदा कृष्णः समामन्त्र्य द्विजोत्तमान् । मरीचिमत्र्यङ्गिरसं पुलस्त्यं पुलहं क्रतुम् ॥

gate rukme tadā kṛṣṇaḥ samāmantrya dvijottamān | marīcimatryaṅgirasaṁ pulastyaṁ pulahaṁ kratum ||

When Rukmi had gone, Krishna then summoned the foremost brahmins — Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu,

Verse 54 (skanda.5.297.54)

वसिष्ठं च महाभागमित्येते सप्त मानसाः । इत्येते ब्राह्मणाः सप्त पुराणे निश्चयं गताः ॥

vasiṣṭhaṁ ca mahābhāgamityete sapta mānasāḥ | ityete brāhmaṇāḥ sapta purāṇe niścayaṁ gatāḥ ||

and the greatly fortunate Vasishtha — these are the seven mind-born sons of Brahma; these very seven brahmins are established in the Puranas as the Seven Sages.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.297.55)

क्षमावन्तः प्रजावन्तो महर्षिभिरलंकृताः । इत्येवं ब्रह्मपुत्राश्च सत्यवन्तो महामते ॥

kṣamāvantaḥ prajāvanto maharṣibhiralaṁkṛtāḥ | ityevaṁ brahmaputrāśca satyavanto mahāmate ||

O great-minded one, they are forbearing, blessed with offspring, adorned among great sages, and are truthful sons of Brahma.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.297.56)

नर्मदातटमाश्रित्य निवसन्ति जितेन्द्रियाः । तपःस्वाध्यायनिरता जपहोमपरायणाः ॥

narmadātaṭamāśritya nivasanti jitendriyāḥ | tapaḥsvādhyāyaniratā japahomaparāyaṇāḥ ||

Having subdued their senses, they dwell taking refuge on the bank of the Narmada, absorbed in austerity and Vedic study, devoted to recitation and fire offerings.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.297.57)

निमन्त्रितास्तु राजेन्द्र केशवेन महात्मना । श्राद्धं कृत्वा यथान्यायं ब्रह्मोक्तविधिना ततः ॥

nimantritāstu rājendra keśavena mahātmanā | śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā yathānyāyaṁ brahmoktavidhinā tataḥ ||

O foremost of kings, they were invited by the great-souled Keshava, who then duly performed the ancestral rite according to the ordinance declared by Brahma.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.297.58)

हरिस्तान्पूजयामास सप्तब्रह्मर्षिपुंगवान् । प्रददौ द्वादश ग्रामांस्तेभ्यस्तत्र जनार्दनः ॥

haristānpūjayāmāsa saptabrahmarṣipuṁgavān | pradadau dvādaśa grāmāṁstebhyastatra janārdanaḥ ||

Hari worshipped those seven foremost brahmarshis, and Janardana there bestowed upon them twelve villages.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.297.59)

यावच्चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी । तावद्दानं मया दत्तं परिपन्थी न कश्चन ॥

yāvaccandraśca sūryaśca yāvattiṣṭhati medinī | tāvaddānaṁ mayā dattaṁ paripanthī na kaścana ||

"As long as the moon and sun endure, as long as the earth remains, so long shall this gift I have given stand; let no one obstruct it."

Verse 60 (skanda.5.297.60)

मद्दत्तं पालयिष्यन्ते ये नृपा गतकल्मषाः । तेभ्यः स्वस्ति करिष्यामि दास्यामि परमां गतिम् ॥

maddattaṁ pālayiṣyante ye nṛpā gatakalmaṣāḥ | tebhyaḥ svasti kariṣyāmi dāsyāmi paramāṁ gatim ||

"Whatever kings, freed of sin, preserve this gift of mine, for them I shall grant well-being and bestow the supreme destination."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.297.61)

यावद्धि यान्ति लोकेषु महाभूतानि पञ्च च । तावत्ते दिवि मोदन्ते मद्दत्तपरिपालकाः ॥

yāvaddhi yānti lokeṣu mahābhūtāni pañca ca | tāvatte divi modante maddattaparipālakāḥ ||

"As long as the five great elements pervade the worlds, so long shall those who preserve my gift rejoice in heaven."

Verse 62 (skanda.5.297.62)

यस्तु लोपयते मूढो दत्तं वः पृथिवीतले । नरके तस्य वासः स्याद्यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम् ॥

yastu lopayate mūḍho dattaṁ vaḥ pṛthivītale | narake tasya vāsaḥ syādyāvadābhūtasamplavam ||

"But whatever fool voids this gift given to you upon the earth shall dwell in hell until the great dissolution."

Verse 63 (skanda.5.297.63)

स्वदत्ता परदत्ता वा पालनीया वसुंधरा । यस्य यस्य यदा भूमिस्तस्य तस्य तदा फलम् ॥

svadattā paradattā vā pālanīyā vasuṁdharā | yasya yasya yadā bhūmistasya tasya tadā phalam ||

Whether given by oneself or by another, land must be protected; to whomever the land belongs at any time, to him belongs its fruit at that time.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.297.64)

स्वदत्तां परदत्तां वा यो हरेत वसुंधराम् । स विष्ठायां कृमिर्भूत्वा पितृभिः सह मज्जति ॥

svadattāṁ paradattāṁ vā yo hareta vasuṁdharām | sa viṣṭhāyāṁ kṛmirbhūtvā pitṛbhiḥ saha majjati ||

Whoever seizes land given by himself or by another becomes a worm in excrement and sinks down together with his ancestors.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.297.65)

अन्यायेन हृता भूमिरन्यायेन च हारिता । हर्ता हारयिता चैव विष्ठायां जायते कृमिः ॥

anyāyena hṛtā bhūmiranyāyena ca hāritā | hartā hārayitā caiva viṣṭhāyāṁ jāyate kṛmiḥ ||

Land seized unjustly, or unjustly caused to be seized — both the seizer and the one who caused the seizure are born as worms in excrement.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.297.66)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे तिष्ठति भूमिदः । आच्छेत्ता चानुमन्ता च तान्येव नरके वसेत् ॥

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi svarge tiṣṭhati bhūmidaḥ | ācchettā cānumantā ca tānyeva narake vaset ||

One who gives land dwells in heaven for sixty thousand years; but one who takes it away, and one who consents to that, dwell that same span of years in hell.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.297.67)

यानीह दत्तानि पुरा नरेन्द्रैर्दानानि धर्मार्थयशस्कराणि । निर्माल्यरूपप्रतिमानि तानि को नाम साधुः पुनराददाति ॥

yānīha dattāni purā narendrairdānāni dharmārthayaśaskarāṇi | nirmālyarūpapratimāni tāni ko nāma sādhuḥ punarādadāti ||

Whatever gifts have been given before by kings, bringing merit, wealth, and fame, are like temple offerings already dedicated — what good man would ever take them back?

Verse 68 (skanda.5.297.68)

एवं तान्पूजयित्वा तु सम्यङ्न्यायेन पाण्डव । रुक्मिण्या विधिवत्पाणिं जग्राह मधुसूदनः ॥

evaṁ tānpūjayitvā tu samyaṅnyāyena pāṇḍava | rukmiṇyā vidhivatpāṇiṁ jagrāha madhusūdanaḥ ||

O son of Pandu, having thus duly worshipped them according to proper rite, Madhusudana then rightfully took Rukmini's hand in marriage.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.297.69)

मुशली च ततः सर्वाञ्जित्वा दानवपुंगवान् । स्वस्थानमगमत्तत्र कृत्वा कार्यं सुशोभनम् ॥

muśalī ca tataḥ sarvāñjitvā dānavapuṁgavān | svasthānamagamattatra kṛtvā kāryaṁ suśobhanam ||

Then the mace-and-plow-bearer (Balarama) too, having conquered all the foremost demons, and having completed his auspicious task there, returned to his own place.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.297.70)

प्रयातौ द्वारवत्यां तौ कृष्णसंकर्षणावुभौ । गच्छमानं तु तं दृष्ट्वा केशवं क्लेशनाशनम् ॥

prayātau dvāravatyāṁ tau kṛṣṇasaṁkarṣaṇāvubhau | gacchamānaṁ tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā keśavaṁ kleśanāśanam ||

Krishna and Sankarshana both set out for Dvaraka. Seeing Keshava, the destroyer of afflictions, passing by,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.297.71)

ब्राह्मणाः सत्यवन्तश्च निर्गताः शंसितव्रताः । आगच्छमानांस्तौ वीक्ष्य रथमार्गेण ब्राह्मणान् ॥

brāhmaṇāḥ satyavantaśca nirgatāḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ | āgacchamānāṁstau vīkṣya rathamārgeṇa brāhmaṇān ||

truthful brahmins of firm vows came forth. And the two of them likewise saw those brahmins approaching along the chariot road.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.297.72)

मुहूर्तं तत्र विश्रम्य केशवो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । किमागमनकार्यं वो ब्रूत सर्वं द्विजोत्तमाः ॥

muhūrtaṁ tatra viśramya keśavo vākyamabravīt | kimāgamanakāryaṁ vo brūta sarvaṁ dvijottamāḥ ||

Resting there a moment, Keshava spoke: "O foremost of the twice-born, what is the purpose of your coming? Tell me all."

Verse 73 (skanda.5.297.73)

कुर्वाणाः स्वीयकर्माणि मम कृत्यं तु तिष्ठते । देवस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनयो वाक्यमब्रुवन् ॥

kurvāṇāḥ svīyakarmāṇi mama kṛtyaṁ tu tiṣṭhate | devasya vacanaṁ śrutvā munayo vākyamabruvan ||

"I am occupied with my own duties, yet some task of mine still remains — tell me of it." Hearing the god's words, the sages said —

Verse 74 (skanda.5.297.74)

कल्पकोटिसहस्रेण सत्यभावात्तु वन्दितः । दुष्प्राप्योऽसि मनुष्याणां प्राप्तः किं त्यजसे हि नः ॥

kalpakoṭisahasreṇa satyabhāvāttu vanditaḥ | duṣprāpyo'si manuṣyāṇāṁ prāptaḥ kiṁ tyajase hi naḥ ||

"You, whom men worship with sincere devotion across thousands of crores of kalpas, are hard for men to attain — now, having been reached, why do you forsake us?"

Verse 75 (skanda.5.297.75)

ब्राह्मणानां वचः श्रुत्वा भगवानिदमब्रवीत् । मथुरायां द्वारवत्यां योधनीपुर एव च ॥

brāhmaṇānāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā bhagavānidamabravīt | mathurāyāṁ dvāravatyāṁ yodhanīpura eva ca ||

Hearing the brahmins' words, the Lord said this: "In Mathura, in Dvaraka, and here in Yodhanipura itself —"

Verse 76 (skanda.5.297.76)

त्रिकालमागमिष्यामि सत्यं सत्यं पुनः पुनः । एवं ते ब्राह्मणाः श्रुत्वा योधनीपुरमागताः ॥

trikālamāgamiṣyāmi satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ punaḥ | evaṁ te brāhmaṇāḥ śrutvā yodhanīpuramāgatāḥ ||

"I shall come again and again at all three times — this is true, this is true." Hearing this, those brahmins returned to Yodhanipura.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.297.77)

अवतीर्णस्त्रिभागेन प्रादुर्भावे तु माथुरे । एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं तीर्थस्योत्पत्तिकारणम् ॥

avatīrṇastribhāgena prādurbhāve tu māthure | etatte kathitaṁ sarvaṁ tīrthasyotpattikāraṇam ||

At the time of his manifestation in Mathura, he descended in a threefold portion. Thus I have told you the whole cause of this tirtha's origin.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.297.78)

भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च वर्तमानं तथापरम् । यं श्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ॥

bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyacca vartamānaṁ tathāparam | yaṁ śrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ ||

It encompasses the past, the auspicious, the future, and the present alike. One who hears it is freed from all sins — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.297.79)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा पूजयेद्बलकेशवौ । तेन देवो जगद्धाता पूजितस्त्रिगुणात्मवान् ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā pūjayedbalakeśavau | tena devo jagaddhātā pūjitastriguṇātmavān ||

One who bathes at that tirtha and worships Bala and Keshava thereby worships the sustainer of the universe, who is of the nature of the three gunas.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.297.80)

उपवासी नरो भूत्वा यस्तु कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणम् । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥

upavāsī naro bhūtvā yastu kuryātpradakṣiṇam | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

A man who, keeping a fast, performs the circumambulation is freed from all sins — of this there should be no doubt.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.297.81)

तत्र तीर्थे तु ये वृक्षास्तान्पश्यन्त्यपि ये नराः । तेऽपि पापैः प्रमुच्यन्ते भ्रूणहत्यासमैरपि ॥

tatra tīrthe tu ye vṛkṣāstānpaśyantyapi ye narāḥ | te'pi pāpaiḥ pramucyante bhrūṇahatyāsamairapi ||

Even those men who merely look upon the trees at that tirtha are freed from sins as grave as the killing of an embryo.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.297.82)

प्रातरुत्थाय ये केचित्पश्यन्ति बलकेशवौ । तेन ते सदृशाः स्युर्वै देवदेवेन चक्रिणा ॥

prātarutthāya ye kecitpaśyanti balakeśavau | tena te sadṛśāḥ syurvai devadevena cakriṇā ||

Whoever rises at dawn and beholds Bala and Keshava becomes, indeed, like unto that discus-bearing lord of gods himself.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.297.83)

ते पूज्यास्ते नमस्कार्यास्तेषां जन्म सुजीवितम् । ये नमन्ति जगन्नाथं देवं नारायणं हरिम् ॥

te pūjyāste namaskāryāsteṣāṁ janma sujīvitam | ye namanti jagannāthaṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ harim ||

Those who bow to the lord of the universe, the god Narayana Hari, are themselves worthy of worship and homage, and their birth is a life well lived.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.297.84)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यद्दानं स्नानं देवार्चनं नृप । तत्सर्वमक्षयं तस्य इत्येवं शङ्करोऽब्रवीत् ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaddānaṁ snānaṁ devārcanaṁ nṛpa | tatsarvamakṣayaṁ tasya ityevaṁ śaṅkaro'bravīt ||

O king, whatever charity, bathing, and divine worship is performed at that tirtha becomes imperishable for that person — so Shankara himself has declared.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.297.85)

प्रविश्याग्नौ मृतानां च यत्फलं समुदाहृतम् । तच्छृणुष्व नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रोच्यमानमशेषतः ॥

praviśyāgnau mṛtānāṁ ca yatphalaṁ samudāhṛtam | tacchṛṇuṣva nṛpaśreṣṭha procyamānamaśeṣataḥ ||

O best of kings, hear now, fully declared, the fruit told of those who die by entering fire at that tirtha.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.297.86)

विमानेनार्कवर्णेन किंकिणीजालमालिना । आग्नेये भवते तत्र मोदते कालमीप्सितम् ॥

vimānenārkavarṇena kiṁkiṇījālamālinā | āgneye bhavate tatra modate kālamīpsitam ||

By a chariot bright as the sun, hung with rows of tinkling bells, he goes to the realm of Agni and rejoices there for as long as he desires.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.297.87)

जले चैवा मृतानां तु योधनीपुरमध्यतः । वसन्ति वारुणे लोके यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम् ॥

jale caivā mṛtānāṁ tu yodhanīpuramadhyataḥ | vasanti vāruṇe loke yāvadābhūtasamplavam ||

And those who die in the water in the midst of Yodhanipura dwell in the realm of Varuna until the great dissolution.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.297.88)

अनाशके मृतानां तु तत्र तीर्थे नराधिप । अनिवर्तिका गतिर्नृणां नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥

anāśake mṛtānāṁ tu tatra tīrthe narādhipa | anivartikā gatirnṛṇāṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

O lord of men, for those who die by fasting at that tirtha, the destination attained is one of no return — of this there should be no doubt.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.297.89)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यो दद्यात्कपिलादानमुत्तमम् । विधानेन तु संयुक्तं शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम् ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yo dadyātkapilādānamuttamam | vidhānena tu saṁyuktaṁ śṛṇu tasyāpi yatphalam ||

Hear also the fruit of one who, at that tirtha, duly gives the excellent gift of a tawny (kapila) cow.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.297.90)

यावन्ति तस्या रोमाणि तत्प्रसूतेश्च भारत । तावन्ति दिवि मोदन्ते सर्वकामैः सुपूजिताः ॥

yāvanti tasyā romāṇi tatprasūteśca bhārata | tāvanti divi modante sarvakāmaiḥ supūjitāḥ ||

O descendant of Bharata, for as many hairs as that cow and her offspring possess, for so many years does he rejoice in heaven, honoured with the fulfilment of every desire.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.297.91)

यावन्ति रोमाणि भवन्ति धेन्वास्तावन्ति वर्षाणि महीयते सः । स्वर्गाच्च्युतश्चापि ततस्त्रिलोक्यां कुले समुत्पत्स्यति गोमतां सः ॥

yāvanti romāṇi bhavanti dhenvāstāvanti varṣāṇi mahīyate saḥ | svargāccyutaścāpi tatastrilokyāṁ kule samutpatsyati gomatāṁ saḥ ||

For as many years as the cow has hairs, so long does he abide in glory. And when he falls from heaven, he is born again in the three worlds into a family rich in cattle.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.297.92)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यो दद्याद्रूप्यं काञ्चनमेव वा । काञ्चनेन विमानेन विष्णुलोके महीयते ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yo dadyādrūpyaṁ kāñcanameva vā | kāñcanena vimānena viṣṇuloke mahīyate ||

One who gives silver or gold at that tirtha is glorified in the world of Vishnu, borne upon a golden chariot.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.297.93)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु यो दद्यात्पादुके वस्त्रमेव च । दानस्यास्य प्रभावेन लभते स्वर्गमीप्सितम् ॥

tasmiṁstīrthe tu yo dadyātpāduke vastrameva ca | dānasyāsya prabhāvena labhate svargamīpsitam ||

One who gives wooden sandals and cloth at that tirtha, by the power of that gift, attains the heaven he desires.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.297.94)

ऋग्यजुःसामवेदानां पठनाद्यत्फलं भवेत् । तत्र तीर्थे तु राजेन्द्र गायत्र्या तत्फलं लभेत् ॥

ṛgyajuḥsāmavedānāṁ paṭhanādyatphalaṁ bhavet | tatra tīrthe tu rājendra gāyatryā tatphalaṁ labhet ||

O foremost of kings, whatever fruit comes from reciting the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas, that same fruit is gained at that tirtha merely by the Gayatri.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.297.95)

प्रयागे यद्भवेत्पुण्यं गयायां च त्रिपुष्करे । कुरुक्षेत्रे तु राजेन्द्र राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे ॥

prayāge yadbhavetpuṇyaṁ gayāyāṁ ca tripuṣkare | kurukṣetre tu rājendra rāhugraste divākare ||

O foremost of kings, whatever merit is gained at Prayaga, at Gaya, at Tripushkara, and at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse caused by Rahu —

Verse 96 (skanda.5.297.96)

सोमेश्वरे च यत्पुण्यं सोमस्य ग्रहणे तथा । तत्फलं लभते तत्र स्नानमात्रान्न संशयः ॥

someśvare ca yatpuṇyaṁ somasya grahaṇe tathā | tatphalaṁ labhate tatra snānamātrānna saṁśayaḥ ||

and whatever merit is gained at Someshvara during a lunar eclipse — that same fruit is obtained here by mere bathing, without doubt.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.297.97)

द्वादश्यां तु नरः स्नात्वा नमस्कृत्य जनार्दनम् । उद्धृताः पितरस्तेन अवाप्तं जन्मनः फलम् ॥

dvādaśyāṁ tu naraḥ snātvā namaskṛtya janārdanam | uddhṛtāḥ pitarastena avāptaṁ janmanaḥ phalam ||

A man who bathes on the twelfth lunar day and bows to Janardana thereby delivers his ancestors, and attains the whole fruit of his birth.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.297.98)

संक्रान्तौ च व्यतीपाते द्वादश्यां च विशेषतः । ब्राह्मणं भोजयेदेकं कोटिर्भवति भोजिता ॥

saṁkrāntau ca vyatīpāte dvādaśyāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ | brāhmaṇaṁ bhojayedekaṁ koṭirbhavati bhojitā ||

At the solstice, at vyatipata, and especially on the twelfth day, if one feeds a single brahmin, it is as though a crore of brahmins have been fed.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.297.99)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि ह्यासमुद्राणि पाण्डव । तानि सर्वाणि तत्रैव द्वादश्यां पाण्डुनन्दन ॥

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni hyāsamudrāṇi pāṇḍava | tāni sarvāṇi tatraiva dvādaśyāṁ pāṇḍunandana ||

O son of Pandu, O joy of Pandu, whatever tirthas exist on this earth up to the ocean, all of them become present there on the twelfth day.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.297.100)

क्षयं यान्ति च दानानि यज्ञहोमबलिक्रियाः । न क्षीयते महाराज तत्र तीर्थे तु यत्कृतम् ॥

kṣayaṁ yānti ca dānāni yajñahomabalikriyāḥ | na kṣīyate mahārāja tatra tīrthe tu yatkṛtam ||

Gifts, sacrifices, fire offerings, and ritual acts performed elsewhere may eventually diminish; but, O great king, whatever is done at that tirtha never diminishes.

Verse 101 (skanda.5.297.101)

यद्भूतं यद्भविष्यच्च तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । कथितं ते मया सर्वं पृथग्भावेन भारत ॥

yadbhūtaṁ yadbhaviṣyacca tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam | kathitaṁ te mayā sarvaṁ pṛthagbhāvena bhārata ||

O descendant of Bharata, the supreme greatness of this tirtha, both what has been and what shall be, has now been fully told to you in its particulars.