The Greatness of Asmahaka Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.301.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। अस्माहकं ततो गच्छेत्पितृतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । प्रेतत्वाद्यत्र मुच्यन्ते पिण्डेनैकेन पूर्वजाः ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| asmāhakaṁ tato gacchetpitṛtīrthamanuttamam | pretatvādyatra mucyante piṇḍenaikena pūrvajāḥ ||

Markandeya said: From there one should go to the supreme ancestral tirtha, Asmahaka, where forefathers are freed from their state of ghosthood by the offering of a single rice-ball.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.301.2)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। अस्माहकस्य माहात्म्यं कथयस्व ममानघ । स्नानदानेन यत्पुण्यं तथा पिण्डोदकेन च ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| asmāhakasya māhātmyaṁ kathayasva mamānagha | snānadānena yatpuṇyaṁ tathā piṇḍodakena ca ||

Yudhishthira said: O sinless one, tell me the greatness of Asmahaka, and also the merit gained through bathing, giving gifts, and offering rice-balls and water.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.301.3)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। पुरा कल्पे नृपश्रेष्ठ ऋषिदेवसमागमे । प्रश्नः पृष्टो मया तात यथा त्वमनुपृच्छसि ॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| purā kalpe nṛpaśreṣṭha ṛṣidevasamāgame | praśnaḥ pṛṣṭo mayā tāta yathā tvamanupṛcchasi ||

Shri Markandeya said: O best of kings, in a former age, at an assembly of sages and gods, O son, this very question was asked by me too, just as you ask now.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.301.4)

एकत्र सागराः सप्त सप्रयागाः सपुष्कराः । नास्य साम्यं लभन्ते ते नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥

ekatra sāgarāḥ sapta saprayāgāḥ sapuṣkarāḥ | nāsya sāmyaṁ labhante te nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

The seven seas, Prayaga, and Pushkara, even taken all together, do not attain equality with this tirtha — of this there should be no doubt.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.301.5)

सोमनाथं तु विख्यातं यत्सोमेन प्रतिष्ठितम् । तत्र सोमग्रहे पुण्यं तत्पुण्यं लभते नरः ॥

somanāthaṁ tu vikhyātaṁ yatsomena pratiṣṭhitam | tatra somagrahe puṇyaṁ tatpuṇyaṁ labhate naraḥ ||

The merit gained at renowned Somanatha, established by Soma, at the time of a lunar eclipse — that same merit a man obtains here.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.301.6)

मासान्ते पितरो नृणां वीक्षन्ते सन्ततिं स्वकाम् । कश्चिदस्मत्कुलेऽस्माकं पिण्डमत्र प्रदास्यति ॥

māsānte pitaro nṛṇāṁ vīkṣante santatiṁ svakām | kaścidasmatkule'smākaṁ piṇḍamatra pradāsyati ||

At month's end, men's ancestors watch for their own descendants, thinking: "Will someone of our lineage offer us a rice-ball here?"

Verse 7 (skanda.5.301.7)

प्रपितामहास्तथादित्याः श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी । एवं ब्रुवन्ति देवाश्च ऋषयः सतपोधनाः ॥

prapitāmahāstathādityāḥ śrutireṣā sanātanī | evaṁ bruvanti devāśca ṛṣayaḥ satapodhanāḥ ||

Great-grandfathers are like the Adityas — this is the eternal teaching. So say the gods and the sages rich in austerity.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.301.8)

सकृत्पिण्डोदकेनैव शृणु पार्थिव यत्फलम् । द्वादशाब्दानि राजेन्द्र योगं भुक्त्वा सुशोभनम् ॥

sakṛtpiṇḍodakenaiva śṛṇu pārthiva yatphalam | dvādaśābdāni rājendra yogaṁ bhuktvā suśobhanam ||

O king, hear the fruit of offering rice-balls and water even once. O foremost of kings, for twelve years the ancestors enjoy a splendid state of blessing,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.301.9)

युगे युगे महाराज अस्माहके पितामहाः । सर्वदा ह्यवलोकन्त आगच्छन्तं स्वगोत्रजम् ॥

yuge yuge mahārāja asmāhake pitāmahāḥ | sarvadā hyavalokanta āgacchantaṁ svagotrajam ||

O great king, in age after age, at Asmahaka the grandfathers ever watch for a descendant of their own lineage to arrive.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.301.10)

भविष्यति किमस्माकममावास्याप्यमाहके । स्नानं दानं च ये कुर्युः पितॄणां तिलतर्पणम् ॥

bhaviṣyati kimasmākamamāvāsyāpyamāhake | snānaṁ dānaṁ ca ye kuryuḥ pitṝṇāṁ tilatarpaṇam ||

"Will there be, on the new-moon day, one at Asmahaka who bathes, gives gifts, and offers sesame libations to us ancestors?" — those who do so,

Verse 11 (skanda.5.301.11)

ते सर्वपापनिर्मुक्ताः सर्वान्कामांल्लभति वै । जलमध्येऽत्र भूपाल अग्नितीर्थं च तिष्ठति ॥

te sarvapāpanirmuktāḥ sarvānkāmāṁllabhati vai | jalamadhye'tra bhūpāla agnitīrthaṁ ca tiṣṭhati ||

are freed from all sins and attain all their desires. O king, here in the midst of the water there also stands the Agni Tirtha.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.301.12)

दर्शनात्तस्य तीर्थस्य पापराशिर्विलीयते । स्नानमात्रेण राजेन्द्र ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति ॥

darśanāttasya tīrthasya pāparāśirvilīyate | snānamātreṇa rājendra brahmahatyāṁ vyapohati ||

By the mere sight of that tirtha, a mass of sin dissolves away; O foremost of kings, by bathing alone, even the sin of killing a brahmin is dispelled.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.301.13)

शुक्लाम्बरधरो नित्यं नियतः स जितेन्द्रियः । एककालं तु भुञ्जानो मासं तीर्थस्य सन्निधौ ॥

śuklāmbaradharo nityaṁ niyataḥ sa jitendriyaḥ | ekakālaṁ tu bhuñjāno māsaṁ tīrthasya sannidhau ||

One who ever wears white garments, is self-restrained and has conquered the senses, eats only once a day, and dwells near that tirtha for a month —

Verse 14 (skanda.5.301.14)

सुवर्णालंकृतानां तु कन्यानां शतदानजम् । फलमाप्नोति सम्पूर्णं पितृलोके महीयते ॥

suvarṇālaṁkṛtānāṁ tu kanyānāṁ śatadānajam | phalamāpnoti sampūrṇaṁ pitṛloke mahīyate ||

obtains the complete fruit of giving a hundred gold-adorned maidens in marriage, and is glorified in the world of the ancestors.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.301.15)

पृथिव्यामासमुद्रायां महाभोगपतिर्भवेत् । धनधान्यसमायुक्तो दाता भवति धार्मिकः ॥

pṛthivyāmāsamudrāyāṁ mahābhogapatirbhavet | dhanadhānyasamāyukto dātā bhavati dhārmikaḥ ||

He becomes a great lord of enjoyment over the earth up to the ocean, endowed with wealth and grain, a generous and righteous giver.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.301.16)

उपवासी शुचिर्भूत्वा ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात् । अस्माहकं समासाद्य यस्तु प्राणान् परित्यजेत् ॥

upavāsī śucirbhūtvā brahmalokamavāpnuyāt | asmāhakaṁ samāsādya yastu prāṇān parityajet ||

Keeping a fast, becoming pure, whoever reaches Asmahaka and gives up his life there attains the world of Brahma.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.301.17)

कोटिवर्षसहस्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते । ततः स्वर्गात्परिभ्रष्टः क्षीणकर्मा दिवश्च्युतः ॥

koṭivarṣasahasrāṇi rudraloke mahīyate | tataḥ svargātparibhraṣṭaḥ kṣīṇakarmā divaścyutaḥ ||

He is glorified in the world of Rudra for thousands of crores of years; then, when his merit is spent, he falls from heaven and, cast down from the celestial realm,

Verse 18 (skanda.5.301.18)

सुवर्णमणिमुक्ताढ्ये कुले जायेत रूपवान् । कृत्वाभिषेकविधिना हयमेधफलं लभेत् ॥

suvarṇamaṇimuktāḍhye kule jāyeta rūpavān | kṛtvābhiṣekavidhinā hayamedhaphalaṁ labhet ||

is born handsome into a family rich in gold, gems, and pearls. By performing the rite of ritual bathing there, he obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.301.19)

धनाढ्यो रूपवान्दक्षो दाता भवति धार्मिकः । चतुर्वेदेषु यत्पुण्यं सत्यवादिषु यत्फलम् ॥

dhanāḍhyo rūpavāndakṣo dātā bhavati dhārmikaḥ | caturvedeṣu yatpuṇyaṁ satyavādiṣu yatphalam ||

He becomes wealthy, handsome, capable, generous, and righteous. The merit found in the four Vedas, and the fruit belonging to speakers of truth,

Verse 20 (skanda.5.301.20)

तत्फलं लभते नूनं तत्र तीर्थेऽभिषेचनात् । तीर्थानां परमं तीर्थं निर्मितं शम्भुना पुरा ॥

tatphalaṁ labhate nūnaṁ tatra tīrthe'bhiṣecanāt | tīrthānāṁ paramaṁ tīrthaṁ nirmitaṁ śambhunā purā ||

that fruit is surely obtained by ritual bathing at that tirtha. This is the supreme among tirthas, fashioned by Shambhu long ago.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.301.21)

हृदयेशः स्वयं विष्णुर्जपेद्देवं महेश्वरम् । गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव मरुतो मारुतास्तथा ॥

hṛdayeśaḥ svayaṁ viṣṇurjapeddevaṁ maheśvaram | gandharvāpsarasaścaiva maruto mārutāstathā ||

Here Vishnu himself, lord of the heart, recites the name of the great god Maheshvara. The Gandharvas, the Apsarases, and the Maruts together with Vayu,

Verse 22 (skanda.5.301.22)

विश्वेदेवाश्च पितरः सचन्द्राः सदिवाकराः । मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः ॥

viśvedevāśca pitaraḥ sacandrāḥ sadivākarāḥ | marīciratryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ ||

the Vishvedevas, the ancestors, together with the moon and sun, Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu —

Verse 23 (skanda.5.301.23)

प्रचेताश्च वसिष्ठश्च भृगुर्नारद एव च । च्यवनो गालवश्चैव वामदेवो महामुनिः ॥

pracetāśca vasiṣṭhaśca bhṛgurnārada eva ca | cyavano gālavaścaiva vāmadevo mahāmuniḥ ||

Pracheta, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, Narada, Chyavana, Galava, and the great sage Vamadeva —

Verse 24 (skanda.5.301.24)

वालखिल्याश्च गन्धारास्तृणबिन्दुश्च जाजलिः । उद्दालकश्चर्ष्यशृङ्गो वसिष्ठश्च सनन्दनः ॥

vālakhilyāśca gandhārāstṛṇabinduśca jājaliḥ | uddālakaścarṣyaśṛṅgo vasiṣṭhaśca sanandanaḥ ||

the Valakhilyas, Gandhara, Trinabindu, Jajali, Uddalaka, Rishyashringa, Vasishtha, and Sanandana —

Verse 25 (skanda.5.301.25)

शुक्रश्चैव भरद्वाजो वात्स्यो वात्स्यायनस्तथा । अगस्तिर्मित्रावरुणौ विश्वामित्रो मुनीश्वरः ॥

śukraścaiva bharadvājo vātsyo vātsyāyanastathā | agastirmitrāvaruṇau viśvāmitro munīśvaraḥ ||

Shukra, Bharadvaja, Vatsya, Vatsyayana, Agastya, the son of Mitra and Varuna, and the lord of sages Vishvamitra —

Verse 26 (skanda.5.301.26)

गौतमश्च पुलस्त्यश्च पौलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः । सनातनस्तु कपिलो वाह्निः पञ्चशिखस्तथा ॥

gautamaśca pulastyaśca paulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ | sanātanastu kapilo vāhniḥ pañcaśikhastathā ||

Gautama, Pulastya, Paulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, the eternal Kapila, Vahni, and Panchashikha —

Verse 27 (skanda.5.301.27)

अन्येऽपि बहवस्तत्र मुनयः शंसितव्रताः । क्रीडन्ति देवताः सर्व ऋषयः सतपोधनाः ॥

anye'pi bahavastatra munayaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ | krīḍanti devatāḥ sarva ṛṣayaḥ satapodhanāḥ ||

and many other sages of firm vows are there as well. All the gods and the sages rich in austerity sport there.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.301.28)

मनुष्याश्चैव योगीन्द्राः पितरः सपितामहाः । अस्माहकेऽत्र तिष्ठन्ति सर्व एव न संशयः ॥

manuṣyāścaiva yogīndrāḥ pitaraḥ sapitāmahāḥ | asmāhake'tra tiṣṭhanti sarva eva na saṁśayaḥ ||

Human beings, lords among yogis, the fathers and grandfathers — all of them, without doubt, dwell right here at Asmahaka.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.301.29)

पितरः पितामहाश्चैव तथैव प्रपितामहाः । येषां दत्तमुपस्थायि सुकृतं वापि दुष्कृतम् ॥

pitaraḥ pitāmahāścaiva tathaiva prapitāmahāḥ | yeṣāṁ dattamupasthāyi sukṛtaṁ vāpi duṣkṛtam ||

Fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers — whatever is offered to them, whether the giver's act is good or ill, reaches them,

Verse 30 (skanda.5.301.30)

अक्षयं तत्र तत्सर्वं यत्कृतं योधनीपुरे । मातरं पितरं त्यक्त्वा सर्वबन्धुसुहृज्जनान् ॥

akṣayaṁ tatra tatsarvaṁ yatkṛtaṁ yodhanīpure | mātaraṁ pitaraṁ tyaktvā sarvabandhusuhṛjjanān ||

and whatever is done at Yodhanipura becomes imperishable. Leaving behind mother, father, and all kinsmen and friends,

Verse 31 (skanda.5.301.31)

धनं धान्यं प्रियान्पुत्रांस्तथा देहं नृपोत्तम । गच्छते वायुभूतस्तु शुभाशुभसमन्वितः ॥

dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ priyānputrāṁstathā dehaṁ nṛpottama | gacchate vāyubhūtastu śubhāśubhasamanvitaḥ ||

O best of kings, leaving behind wealth, grain, beloved sons, and even the body, the soul, become like the wind, moves on carrying its good and bad deeds.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.301.32)

अदृश्यः सर्वभूतानां परमात्मा महत्तरः । शुभाशुभगतिं प्राप्तः कर्मणा स्वेन पार्थिव ॥

adṛśyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ paramātmā mahattaraḥ | śubhāśubhagatiṁ prāptaḥ karmaṇā svena pārthiva ||

O king, invisible to all beings, that greater self attains a good or bad destination through its own deeds.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.301.33)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। शुभाशुभं न बन्धूनां जायते केन हेतुना । एकः प्रसूयते जन्तुरेक एव प्रलीयते ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| śubhāśubhaṁ na bandhūnāṁ jāyate kena hetunā | ekaḥ prasūyate jantureka eva pralīyate ||

Yudhishthira said: For what reason does the good or bad fortune of kinsmen not pass between them? Alone a creature is born, and alone it perishes —

Verse 34 (skanda.5.301.34)

एको हि भुङ्क्ते सुकृतमेक एव हि दुष्कृतम् ॥

eko hi bhuṅkte sukṛtameka eva hi duṣkṛtam ||

alone it reaps the fruit of its good deeds, and alone the fruit of its bad ones.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.301.35)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। एष त्वयोक्तो नृपते महाप्रश्नः स्मृतो मया ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| eṣa tvayokto nṛpate mahāpraśnaḥ smṛto mayā ||

Markandeya said: O king, this that you have asked is a great question, which I recall and shall now answer.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.301.36)

पितामहमुखोद्गीतं श्रुतं ते कथयाम्यहम् । यन्मे पितामहात्पूर्वं विज्ञातमृषिसंसदि ॥

pitāmahamukhodgītaṁ śrutaṁ te kathayāmyaham | yanme pitāmahātpūrvaṁ vijñātamṛṣisaṁsadi ||

I shall tell you what was sung by the mouth of the Grandsire (Brahma) and heard by me — what I once learned from the Grandsire in an assembly of sages.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.301.37)

न माता न पिता बन्धुः कस्यचिन्न सुहृत्क्वचित् । कस्य न ज्ञायते रूपं वायुभूतस्य देहिनः ॥

na mātā na pitā bandhuḥ kasyacinna suhṛtkvacit | kasya na jñāyate rūpaṁ vāyubhūtasya dehinaḥ ||

Neither mother, nor father, nor any kinsman, nor any friend anywhere recognizes the form of an embodied being that has become like the wind.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.301.38)

यद्येवं न भवेत्तात लोकस्य तु नरेश्वर । अमर्यादं भवेन्नूनं विनश्यति चराचरम् ॥

yadyevaṁ na bhavettāta lokasya tu nareśvara | amaryādaṁ bhavennūnaṁ vinaśyati carācaram ||

O son, O lord of men, if it were not so, the world would surely become without bounds, and all that moves and does not move would perish.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.301.39)

एवं ज्ञात्वा पूरा राजन्समस्तैर्लोककर्तृभिः । मर्यादा स्थापिता लोके यथा धर्मो न नश्यति ॥

evaṁ jñātvā pūrā rājansamastairlokakartṛbhiḥ | maryādā sthāpitā loke yathā dharmo na naśyati ||

O king, knowing this, all the creators of the world in ancient times established order in the world, so that dharma might not perish.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.301.40)

धर्मे नष्टे मनुष्याणामधर्मोऽभिभवेत्पुनः । ततः स्वधर्मचलनान्नरके गमनं ध्रुवम् ॥

dharme naṣṭe manuṣyāṇāmadharmo'bhibhavetpunaḥ | tataḥ svadharmacalanānnarake gamanaṁ dhruvam ||

When dharma is destroyed, adharma again overpowers mankind; then, through falling away from one's own duty, going to hell becomes certain.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.301.41)

लोको निरङ्कुशः सर्वो मर्यादालङ्घने रतः । मर्यादा स्थापिता तेन शास्त्रं वीक्ष्य महर्षिभिः ॥

loko niraṅkuśaḥ sarvo maryādālaṅghane rataḥ | maryādā sthāpitā tena śāstraṁ vīkṣya maharṣibhiḥ ||

The whole world, left unchecked, is prone to transgressing its bounds; therefore the great sages, having examined scripture, established these bounds.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.301.42)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो देवतार्चनम् । पिण्डोदकप्रदानं च तथैवातिथिपूजनम् ॥

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ svādhyāyo devatārcanam | piṇḍodakapradānaṁ ca tathaivātithipūjanam ||

Bathing, giving gifts, recitation, fire offerings, Vedic study, worship of the gods, the offering of rice-balls and water, and likewise the honouring of guests —

Verse 43 (skanda.5.301.43)

पितरः पितामहाश्चैव तथैव प्रपितामहाः । त्रयो देवाः स्मृतास्तात ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः ॥

pitaraḥ pitāmahāścaiva tathaiva prapitāmahāḥ | trayo devāḥ smṛtāstāta brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ ||

Father, grandfather, and likewise great-grandfather — O son, these three are remembered as equivalent to the three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.301.44)

पूजितैः पूजिताः सर्वे तथा मातामहास्त्रयः । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन श्रुतिस्मृत्यर्थनोदितान् ॥

pūjitaiḥ pūjitāḥ sarve tathā mātāmahāstrayaḥ | tasmātsarvaprayatnena śrutismṛtyarthanoditān ||

When these are worshipped, those three gods are worshipped too, and likewise the three maternal ancestors. Therefore, with every effort, the duties enjoined by the Shrutis and Smritis —

Verse 45 (skanda.5.301.45)

धर्मं समाचरन्नित्यं पापांशेन न लिप्यते । श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितं धर्मं मनसापि न लङ्घयेत् ॥

dharmaṁ samācarannityaṁ pāpāṁśena na lipyate | śrutismṛtyuditaṁ dharmaṁ manasāpi na laṅghayet ||

one who constantly follows is not touched even a little by sin. One should not transgress, even in the mind, the dharma declared in the Shrutis and Smritis.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.301.46)

इह लोके परे चैव यदीच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः । पितापुत्रौ सदाप्येकौ बिम्बाद्बिम्बमिवोद्धृतौ ॥

iha loke pare caiva yadīcchecchreya ātmanaḥ | pitāputrau sadāpyekau bimbādbimbamivoddhṛtau ||

If one desires one's own good, in this world and the next — father and son are ever one, as though one image drawn out from another.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.301.47)

विभक्तौ वाविभक्तौ वा श्रुतिस्मृत्यर्थतस्तथा । उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानमात्मानमवसादयेत् ॥

vibhaktau vāvibhaktau vā śrutismṛtyarthatastathā | uddharedātmanātmānamātmānamavasādayet ||

Whether divided or undivided, according to the Shrutis and Smritis, one should raise up oneself by one's own self — otherwise one drags oneself down.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.301.48)

पिण्डोदकप्रदानाभ्यामृते पार्थ न संशयः । एवं ज्ञात्वा प्रयत्नेन पिण्डोदकप्रदो भवेत् ॥

piṇḍodakapradānābhyāmṛte pārtha na saṁśayaḥ | evaṁ jñātvā prayatnena piṇḍodakaprado bhavet ||

O son of Pritha, without the offering of rice-balls and water — of this there is no doubt. Knowing this, one should strive to become a giver of rice-balls and water.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.301.49)

आयुर्धर्मो यशस्तेजः सन्ततिश्चैव वर्धते । पृथिव्यां सागरान्तायां पितृक्षेत्राणि यानि च ॥

āyurdharmo yaśastejaḥ santatiścaiva vardhate | pṛthivyāṁ sāgarāntāyāṁ pitṛkṣetrāṇi yāni ca ||

By this, lifespan, righteousness, fame, vigor, and offspring all increase. Whatever ancestral fields exist on the earth up to the ocean,

Verse 50 (skanda.5.301.50)

तानि ते सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि येषु दत्तं महाफलम् । गयायां पुष्करे ज्येष्ठे प्रयागे नैमिषे तथा ॥

tāni te sampravakṣyāmi yeṣu dattaṁ mahāphalam | gayāyāṁ puṣkare jyeṣṭhe prayāge naimiṣe tathā ||

those I shall now recount to you, where a gift bestowed yields great fruit — at Gaya, at the eldest Pushkara, at Prayaga, and at Naimisha,

Verse 51 (skanda.5.301.51)

संनिहत्यां कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे कुरुनन्दन । पिण्डोदकप्रदानेन यत्फलं कथितं बुधैः ॥

saṁnihatyāṁ kurukṣetre prabhāse kurunandana | piṇḍodakapradānena yatphalaṁ kathitaṁ budhaiḥ ||

O joy of the Kurus, at Sannihati, at Kurukshetra, and at Prabhasa — whatever fruit the wise have declared for the offering of rice-balls and water there,

Verse 52 (skanda.5.301.52)

अस्माहके तदाप्नोति नर्मदायां न संशयः । तत्र ब्रह्मा मुरारिश्च रुद्रश्च उमया सह ॥

asmāhake tadāpnoti narmadāyāṁ na saṁśayaḥ | tatra brahmā murāriśca rudraśca umayā saha ||

that same fruit is obtained here at Asmahaka on the Narmada, without doubt. There Brahma, Murari (Vishnu), and Rudra together with Uma,

Verse 53 (skanda.5.301.53)

इन्द्राद्या देवताः सर्वे पितरो मुनयस्तथा । सागराः सरितश्चैव पर्वताश्च बलाहकाः ॥

indrādyā devatāḥ sarve pitaro munayastathā | sāgarāḥ saritaścaiva parvatāśca balāhakāḥ ||

Indra and all the other gods, the ancestors, the sages, the seas, the rivers, the mountains, and the clouds —

Verse 54 (skanda.5.301.54)

तिष्ठन्ति पितरः सर्वे सर्वतीर्थाधिकं ततः । स्थिता ब्रह्मशिला तत्र गजकुम्भनिभा नृप ॥

tiṣṭhanti pitaraḥ sarve sarvatīrthādhikaṁ tataḥ | sthitā brahmaśilā tatra gajakumbhanibhā nṛpa ||

all these, together with all the ancestors, dwell there, and so it exceeds all other tirthas. O king, there stands also a Brahma-rock shaped like an elephant's temple.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.301.55)

कलौ न दृश्या भवति प्रधानं यद्गयाशिरः । वैशाखे मासि सम्प्राप्तेऽमावास्यां नृपोत्तम ॥

kalau na dṛśyā bhavati pradhānaṁ yadgayāśiraḥ | vaiśākhe māsi samprāpte'māvāsyāṁ nṛpottama ||

In the Kali age it becomes invisible, though it is as pre-eminent as the head of Gaya. O best of kings, when the new moon of the month of Vaishakha arrives,

Verse 56 (skanda.5.301.56)

व्याप्य सा तिष्ठते तीर्थं गजकुम्भनिभा शिला । तच्च गव्यूतिमात्रं हि तीर्थं ततः प्रवक्षते ॥

vyāpya sā tiṣṭhate tīrthaṁ gajakumbhanibhā śilā | tacca gavyūtimātraṁ hi tīrthaṁ tataḥ pravakṣate ||

that rock, shaped like an elephant's temple, spreads out and pervades the tirtha; and that tirtha is then said to extend over a gavyuti (about two miles).

Verse 57 (skanda.5.301.57)

तस्मिन्दिने तत्र गत्वा यस्तु श्राद्धप्रदो भवेत् । पितॄणामक्षया तृप्तिर्जायते शतवार्षिकी ॥

tasmindine tatra gatvā yastu śrāddhaprado bhavet | pitṝṇāmakṣayā tṛptirjāyate śatavārṣikī ||

Whoever goes there on that day and performs the ancestral rite brings his forefathers an imperishable satisfaction lasting a hundred years.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.301.58)

अन्यस्यामप्यमावास्यां यः स्नात्वा विजितेन्द्रियः । करोति मनुजः श्राद्धं विधिवन्मन्त्रसंयुतम् ॥

anyasyāmapyamāvāsyāṁ yaḥ snātvā vijitendriyaḥ | karoti manujaḥ śrāddhaṁ vidhivanmantrasaṁyutam ||

On any other new-moon day too, a man who, having conquered his senses, bathes and duly performs the ancestral rite together with the proper mantras —

Verse 59 (skanda.5.301.59)

तस्य पुण्यफलं यत्स्यात्तच्छृणुष्व नराधिप । अग्निष्टोमाश्वमेधाभ्यां वाजपेयस्य यत्फलम् ॥

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ yatsyāttacchṛṇuṣva narādhipa | agniṣṭomāśvamedhābhyāṁ vājapeyasya yatphalam ||

hear, O lord of men, what merit that brings him. Whatever fruit belongs to the Agnishtoma, the Ashvamedha, and the Vajapeya sacrifices,

Verse 60 (skanda.5.301.60)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति यथा मे शङ्करोऽब्रवीत् । रौरवादिषु सर्वेषु नरकेषु व्यवस्थिताः ॥

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti yathā me śaṅkaro'bravīt | rauravādiṣu sarveṣu narakeṣu vyavasthitāḥ ||

that fruit he fully obtains — so Shankara told me. Those situated in Raurava and all the other hells —

Verse 61 (skanda.5.301.61)

पिता पितामहाद्याश्च पितृके मातृके तथा । पिण्डोदकेन चैकेन तर्पणेन विशेषतः ॥

pitā pitāmahādyāśca pitṛke mātṛke tathā | piṇḍodakena caikena tarpaṇena viśeṣataḥ ||

father, grandfather, and the rest, on both the paternal and maternal sides — by even one offering of rice-ball, water, and libation, especially —

Verse 62 (skanda.5.301.62)

क्रीडन्ति पितृलोकस्था यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम् । ये कर्मस्था विकर्मस्था ये जाताः प्रेतकल्मषाः ॥

krīḍanti pitṛlokasthā yāvadābhūtasamplavam | ye karmasthā vikarmasthā ye jātāḥ pretakalmaṣāḥ ||

dwell established in the world of the ancestors and rejoice there until the dissolution of the universe. Those engaged in good deeds, those in misdeeds, and those born burdened with the taint of ghosthood —

Verse 63 (skanda.5.301.63)

पिण्डेनैकेन मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि तत्र न संशयः । अस्माहके शिला दिव्या तिष्ठते गजसन्निभा ॥

piṇḍenaikena mucyante te'pi tatra na saṁśayaḥ | asmāhake śilā divyā tiṣṭhate gajasannibhā ||

all of them too are freed there by a single rice-ball offering, without doubt. At Asmahaka stands a divine rock shaped like an elephant,

Verse 64 (skanda.5.301.64)

ब्रह्मणा निर्मिता पूर्वं सर्वपापक्षयंकरी । उपर्यस्या यथान्यायं पितॄनुद्दिश्य भारत ॥

brahmaṇā nirmitā pūrvaṁ sarvapāpakṣayaṁkarī | uparyasyā yathānyāyaṁ pitṝnuddiśya bhārata ||

made long ago by Brahma, destroying all sin. O descendant of Bharata, upon it, properly, in the name of the ancestors,

Verse 65 (skanda.5.301.65)

दक्षिणाग्रेषु दर्भेषु दद्यात्पिण्डान्विचक्षणः । भूमौ चान्नेन सिद्धेन श्राद्धं कृत्वा यथाविधि ॥

dakṣiṇāgreṣu darbheṣu dadyātpiṇḍānvicakṣaṇaḥ | bhūmau cānnena siddhena śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā yathāvidhi ||

a wise person should offer the rice-balls upon darbha grass with tips turned south, and, having performed the ancestral rite duly upon the ground with cooked food,

Verse 66 (skanda.5.301.66)

श्राद्धिभ्यो वस्त्रयुग्मानि छत्रोपानत्कमण्डलु । दक्षिणा विविधा देया पितॄनुद्दिश्य भारत ॥

śrāddhibhyo vastrayugmāni chatropānatkamaṇḍalu | dakṣiṇā vividhā deyā pitṝnuddiśya bhārata ||

should give the officiating brahmins pairs of garments, an umbrella, sandals, and a water-pot; O descendant of Bharata, various fees should be given in the name of the ancestors.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.301.67)

यो ददाति द्विजश्रेष्ठ तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु । तस्य ते द्वादशाब्दानि तृप्तिं यान्ति न संशयः ॥

yo dadāti dvijaśreṣṭha tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu | tasya te dvādaśābdāni tṛptiṁ yānti na saṁśayaḥ ||

O best of brahmins, hear the meritorious fruit of one who gives thus — his ancestors remain satisfied for twelve years, without doubt.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.301.68)

अस्माहके महाराज पितरश्च पितामहाः । वायुभूता निरीक्षन्ते आगच्छन्तं स्वगोत्रजम् ॥

asmāhake mahārāja pitaraśca pitāmahāḥ | vāyubhūtā nirīkṣante āgacchantaṁ svagotrajam ||

O great king, at Asmahaka, fathers and grandfathers, become like the wind, keep watch for a descendant of their own lineage to come.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.301.69)

अत्र तीर्थे सुतोऽभ्येत्य स्नात्वा तोयं प्रदास्यति । श्राद्धं वा पिण्डदानं वा तेन यास्याम सद्गतिम् ॥

atra tīrthe suto'bhyetya snātvā toyaṁ pradāsyati | śrāddhaṁ vā piṇḍadānaṁ vā tena yāsyāma sadgatim ||

"Will a son come here to this tirtha, bathe, and offer water, or perform the ancestral rite, or give rice-balls, by which we might attain a good destination?"

Verse 70 (skanda.5.301.70)

स्नाने कृते तु ये केचिज्जायन्ते वस्त्रविप्लुषः । प्रीणयेन्नरकस्थांस्तु तैः पितॄन्नात्र संशयः ॥

snāne kṛte tu ye kecijjāyante vastravipluṣaḥ | prīṇayennarakasthāṁstu taiḥ pitṝnnātra saṁśayaḥ ||

When one bathes, whatever drops fall and splash from the wet garment satisfy even the ancestors dwelling in hell, without doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.301.71)

केशोदबिन्दवस्तस्य ये चान्ये लेपभाजिनः । तृप्यन्त्यनग्निनसंस्कारा यं मृताः स्युः स्वगोत्रजाः ॥

keśodabindavastasya ye cānye lepabhājinaḥ | tṛpyantyanagninasaṁskārā yaṁ mṛtāḥ syuḥ svagotrajāḥ ||

The drops falling from his hair, and other droplets clinging to the body besides, satisfy even kinsmen who died without the rite of cremation.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.301.72)

तत्र तीर्थे तु ये केचिच्छ्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः । नरकादुद्धरन्त्याशु जपन्तः पितृसंहिताम् ॥

tatra tīrthe tu ye kecicchrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ | narakāduddharantyāśu japantaḥ pitṛsaṁhitām ||

Whoever performs the ancestral rite there according to rule, reciting the Pitri-samhita, swiftly delivers their ancestors from hell.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.301.73)

वनस्पतिगते सोमे यदा सोमदिनं भवेत् । अक्षयाल्लभते लोकान्पिण्डेनैकेन मानवः ॥

vanaspatigate some yadā somadinaṁ bhavet | akṣayāllabhate lokānpiṇḍenaikena mānavaḥ ||

When the moon, on a Monday, stands in the Vanaspati (Krittika) constellation, a man attains imperishable worlds by the offering of a single rice-ball.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.301.74)

अक्षयं तत्र वै सर्वं जायते नात्र संशयः । नरकादुद्धरन्त्याशु जपन्ते पितृसंहिताम् ॥

akṣayaṁ tatra vai sarvaṁ jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ | narakāduddharantyāśu japante pitṛsaṁhitām ||

There everything indeed becomes imperishable, without doubt. Those who recite the Pitri-samhita swiftly deliver their ancestors from hell.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.301.75)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे त्वमावास्यां पितॄनुद्दिश्य भारत । नीलं सर्वाङ्गसम्पूर्णं योऽभिषिच्य समुत्सृजेत् ॥

tasmiṁstīrthe tvamāvāsyāṁ pitṝnuddiśya bhārata | nīlaṁ sarvāṅgasampūrṇaṁ yo'bhiṣicya samutsṛjet ||

O descendant of Bharata, at that tirtha on the new-moon day, in the name of the ancestors, whoever ritually bathes an unblemished black bull and then sets it free,

Verse 76 (skanda.5.301.76)

तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं न तु वाचस्पतिः क्षमः । अस्माहके वृषोत्सर्गाद्यत्पुण्यं समवाप्यते ॥

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktuṁ na tu vācaspatiḥ kṣamaḥ | asmāhake vṛṣotsargādyatpuṇyaṁ samavāpyate ||

even Vachaspati himself is unable to tell the merit that brings. The merit obtained by the bull-releasing rite at Asmahaka,

Verse 77 (skanda.5.301.77)

तव शुश्रूषणात्सर्वं तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि भारत । रौरवादिषु ये किंचित्पच्यन्ते तस्य पूर्वजाः ॥

tava śuśrūṣaṇātsarvaṁ tatpravakṣyāmi bhārata | rauravādiṣu ye kiṁcitpacyante tasya pūrvajāḥ ||

O descendant of Bharata, out of regard for your eager service, I shall tell it all. Whatever ancestors of his are suffering even a little in Raurava and the other hells,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.301.78)

वृषोत्सर्गेण तान्सर्वांस्तारयेदेकविंशतिम् । लोहितो यस्तु वर्णेन मुखे पुच्छे च पाण्डुरः ॥

vṛṣotsargeṇa tānsarvāṁstārayedekaviṁśatim | lohito yastu varṇena mukhe pucche ca pāṇḍuraḥ ||

through the bull-release he saves them all, across twenty-one generations. A bull that is red in colour, white at the mouth and tail,

Verse 79 (skanda.5.301.79)

पिङ्गः खुरविषाणाभ्यां स नीलो वृष उच्यते । यस्तु सर्वाङ्गपिङ्गश्च श्वेतः पुच्छखुरेषु च ॥

piṅgaḥ khuraviṣāṇābhyāṁ sa nīlo vṛṣa ucyate | yastu sarvāṅgapiṅgaśca śvetaḥ pucchakhureṣu ca ||

and tawny at the hooves and horns, is called a "blue (nila) bull." A bull tawny over its whole body, and white at the tail and hooves —

Verse 80 (skanda.5.301.80)

स पिङ्गो वृष इत्याहुः पितॄणां प्रीतिवर्धनः । पारावतसवर्णश्च ललाटे तिलको भवेत् ॥

sa piṅgo vṛṣa ityāhuḥ pitṝṇāṁ prītivardhanaḥ | pārāvatasavarṇaśca lalāṭe tilako bhavet ||

is called a "tawny (pinga) bull," which increases the joy of the ancestors. A bull the colour of a pigeon, with a mark upon its forehead —

Verse 81 (skanda.5.301.81)

तं वृषं बभ्रुमित्याहुः पूर्णं सर्वाङ्गशोभनम् । सर्वाङ्गेष्वेकवर्णो यः पिङ्गः पुच्छखुरेषु च ॥

taṁ vṛṣaṁ babhrumityāhuḥ pūrṇaṁ sarvāṅgaśobhanam | sarvāṅgeṣvekavarṇo yaḥ piṅgaḥ pucchakhureṣu ca ||

is called "babhru," perfectly beautiful in every limb. A bull uniform in colour over its whole body, tawny at the tail and hooves —

Verse 82 (skanda.5.301.82)

खुरपिङ्गं तमित्याहुः पितॄणां सद्गतिप्रदम् । नीलं सर्वशरीरेण स्वारक्तनयनं दृढम् ॥

khurapiṅgaṁ tamityāhuḥ pitṝṇāṁ sadgatipradam | nīlaṁ sarvaśarīreṇa svāraktanayanaṁ dṛḍham ||

is called "khura-pinga," bestowing a good destination on the ancestors. A bull black over its whole body, with reddish eyes, strong and firm —

Verse 83 (skanda.5.301.83)

तमेव नीलमित्याहुर्नीलः पञ्चविधः स्मृतः । यस्तु वैश्यगृहे जातः स वै नीलो विशिष्यते ॥

tameva nīlamityāhurnīlaḥ pañcavidhaḥ smṛtaḥ | yastu vaiśyagṛhe jātaḥ sa vai nīlo viśiṣyate ||

is called simply "nila"; thus the nila type is reckoned to be of five kinds. A calf born in a vaishya's household, of the nila type, is deemed especially excellent.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.301.84)

न वाहयेद्गृहे जातं वत्सकं तु कदाचन । तेनैव च वृषोत्सर्गे पितॄणामनृणो भवेत् ॥

na vāhayedgṛhe jātaṁ vatsakaṁ tu kadācana | tenaiva ca vṛṣotsarge pitṝṇāmanṛṇo bhavet ||

One should never put a calf born in one's own house to labor. By releasing that very calf in the bull-rite, one becomes free of the debt owed to the ancestors.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.301.85)

जातं तु स्वगृहे वत्सं द्विजन्मा यस्तु वाहयेत् । पतन्ति पितरस्तस्य ब्रह्मकोकगता अपि ॥

jātaṁ tu svagṛhe vatsaṁ dvijanmā yastu vāhayet | patanti pitarastasya brahmakokagatā api ||

If a twice-born puts to labor a calf born in his own house, his ancestors, even though established in the world of Brahma, fall from there.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.301.86)

यथायथा हि पिबति पीत्वा धूनाति मस्तकम् । पिबन्पितॄन् प्रीणयति नरकादुद्धरेद्धुनन् ॥

yathāyathā hi pibati pītvā dhūnāti mastakam | pibanpitṝn prīṇayati narakāduddhareddhunan ||

As it drinks and, having drunk, shakes its head, so, by drinking, it gladdens the ancestors, and by shaking its head, it draws them up out of hell.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.301.87)

यथा पुच्छाभिघातेन स्कन्धं गच्छन्ति बिन्दवः । नरकादुद्धरन्त्याशु पतितान् गोत्रिणस्तथा ॥

yathā pucchābhighātena skandhaṁ gacchanti bindavaḥ | narakāduddharantyāśu patitān gotriṇastathā ||

Just as, from the flick of its tail, the droplets fly onto its back, so likewise they swiftly deliver fallen kinsmen out of hell.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.301.88)

गर्जन्प्रावृषि काले तु विषाणाभ्यां भुवं लिखन् । खुरेभ्यो या मृदुद्भूता तया संप्रीणयेदृषीन् ॥

garjanprāvṛṣi kāle tu viṣāṇābhyāṁ bhuvaṁ likhan | khurebhyo yā mṛdudbhūtā tayā saṁprīṇayedṛṣīn ||

Bellowing in the rainy season, digging the earth with its horns, by the soil raised from its hooves it gladdens even the sages.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.301.89)

पिबन्पितॄन् प्रीणयते खादनोल्लेखने सुरान् । गर्जन्नृषिमनुष्यांश्च धर्मरूपो हि धर्मज ॥

pibanpitṝn prīṇayate khādanollekhane surān | garjannṛṣimanuṣyāṁśca dharmarūpo hi dharmaja ||

O son of Dharma, by drinking it gladdens the ancestors, by grazing and goring the gods, and by bellowing the sages and men — for it is dharma itself embodied.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.301.90)

भूतैर्वापि पिशाचैर्वा चातुर्थिकज्वरेण वा । गृहीतोऽस्माहकं गच्छेत्सर्वेषामाधिनाशनम् ॥

bhūtairvāpi piśācairvā cāturthikajvareṇa vā | gṛhīto'smāhakaṁ gacchetsarveṣāmādhināśanam ||

One seized by evil spirits, by ghouls, or by quartan fever should also go to Asmahaka, which removes every affliction.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.301.91)

स्नात्वा तु विमले तोये दर्भग्रन्थिं निबन्धयेत् । मस्तके बाहुमूले वा नाभ्यां वा गलकेऽपि वा ॥

snātvā tu vimale toye darbhagranthiṁ nibandhayet | mastake bāhumūle vā nābhyāṁ vā galake'pi vā ||

Bathing in its pure water, one should tie a knot of darbha grass upon the head, at the base of the arm, at the navel, or at the throat.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.301.92)

गत्वा देवसमीपं च प्रादक्षिण्येन केशवम् । ततः समुच्चरन्मन्त्रं गायत्र्या वाथ वैष्णवम् ॥

gatvā devasamīpaṁ ca prādakṣiṇyena keśavam | tataḥ samuccaranmantraṁ gāyatryā vātha vaiṣṇavam ||

Then, going near the deity and circumambulating Keshava, reciting the Gayatri or a Vaishnava mantra —

Verse 93 (skanda.5.301.93)

नारायणं शरण्येशं सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम् । नमो यज्ञाङ्गसम्भूत सर्वव्यापिन्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

nārāyaṇaṁ śaraṇyeśaṁ sarvadevanamaskṛtam | namo yajñāṅgasambhūta sarvavyāpinnamo'stu te ||

"To Narayana, the lord to whom refuge belongs, bowed to by all gods — O you born of the limbs of sacrifice, O all-pervading one, homage to you!

Verse 94 (skanda.5.301.94)

नमो नमस्ते देवेश पद्मगर्भ सनातन । दामोदर जयानन्त रक्ष मां शरणागतम् ॥

namo namaste deveśa padmagarbha sanātana | dāmodara jayānanta rakṣa māṁ śaraṇāgatam ||

Homage, homage to you, O lord of gods, O one seated in the lotus-womb, O eternal one; O Damodara, O infinite one, victory to you — protect me, who have taken refuge in you.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.301.95)

त्वं कर्ता त्वं च हर्ता च जगत्यस्मिंश्चराचरे । त्वं पालयसि भूतानि भुवनं त्वं बिभर्षि च ॥

tvaṁ kartā tvaṁ ca hartā ca jagatyasmiṁścarācare | tvaṁ pālayasi bhūtāni bhuvanaṁ tvaṁ bibharṣi ca ||

In this world of the moving and unmoving, you are the creator, and you are the destroyer; you sustain all beings, and you uphold the whole universe.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.301.96)

प्रसीद देवदेवेश सुप्तमङ्गं प्रबोधय । त्वद्ध्याननिरतो नित्यं त्वद्भक्तिपरमो हरे ॥

prasīda devadeveśa suptamaṅgaṁ prabodhaya | tvaddhyānanirato nityaṁ tvadbhaktiparamo hare ||

O lord of the gods of gods, be gracious, awaken this sleeping being. O Hari, I am ever absorbed in meditation on you, wholly devoted to your worship.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.301.97)

इति स्तुतो मया देव प्रसादं कुरु मेऽच्युत । मां रक्ष रक्ष पापेभ्यस्त्रायस्व शरणागतम् ॥

iti stuto mayā deva prasādaṁ kuru me'cyuta | māṁ rakṣa rakṣa pāpebhyastrāyasva śaraṇāgatam ||

O god, O Achyuta, thus praised by me, show your grace to me. Protect me, protect me from sins, deliver me, who have taken refuge in you."

Verse 98 (skanda.5.301.98)

एवं स्तुत्वा च देवेशं दानवान्तकरं हरिम् । पुनरुक्तेन वै स्नात्वा ततो विप्रांस्तु भोजयेत् ॥

evaṁ stutvā ca deveśaṁ dānavāntakaraṁ harim | punaruktena vai snātvā tato viprāṁstu bhojayet ||

Having thus praised Hari, the lord of gods, destroyer of demons, one should bathe again while repeating that same hymn, and then feed the brahmins.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.301.99)

वेदोक्तेन विधानेन स्नानं कृत्वा यथाविधि । पिण्डनिर्वपणं कृत्वा वाचयेत्स्वस्तिकं ततः ॥

vedoktena vidhānena snānaṁ kṛtvā yathāvidhi | piṇḍanirvapaṇaṁ kṛtvā vācayetsvastikaṁ tataḥ ||

Having bathed duly according to the Vedic rite, and having offered the rice-balls, one should then have the auspicious blessing-verses recited.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.301.100)

एवं स्तुत्वा च देवेशं दानवान्तकरं हरिम् । पुनरुक्तेन वै स्नात्वा ततो विप्रांस्तु भोजयेत् ॥

evaṁ stutvā ca deveśaṁ dānavāntakaraṁ harim | punaruktena vai snātvā tato viprāṁstu bhojayet ||

Having thus praised Hari, the lord of gods, destroyer of demons, one should bathe again while repeating that same hymn, and then feed the brahmins.

Verse 101 (skanda.5.301.101)

वेदोक्तेन विधानेन स्नानं कृत्वा यथाविधि । एवं तान्वाचयित्वा तु ततो विप्रान्विसर्जयेत् ॥

vedoktena vidhānena snānaṁ kṛtvā yathāvidhi | evaṁ tānvācayitvā tu tato viprānvisarjayet ||

Having bathed duly according to the Vedic rite, and having had them recite the blessing thus, one should then take leave of the brahmins.

Verse 102 (skanda.5.301.102)

यत्तत्रोच्चरितं किंचित्तद्विप्रेभ्यो निवेदयेत् । तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा नारी वा भक्तितत्परा । शक्तितो दक्षिणां दद्यात्कृत्वा श्राद्धं यथाविधि ॥

yattatroccaritaṁ kiṁcittadviprebhyo nivedayet | tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā nārī vā bhaktitatparā | śaktito dakṣiṇāṁ dadyātkṛtvā śrāddhaṁ yathāvidhi ||

Whatever has been recited there should be reported to the brahmins. A man, or a devoted woman, bathing at that tirtha, should perform the ancestral rite duly and give sacrificial fees according to one's means.

Verse 103 (skanda.5.301.103)

तत्र तीर्थे नरो यावत्स्नापयेद्विधिपूर्वकम् । क्षीरेण मधुना वापि दध्ना वा शीतवारिणा ॥

tatra tīrthe naro yāvatsnāpayedvidhipūrvakam | kṣīreṇa madhunā vāpi dadhnā vā śītavāriṇā ||

At that tirtha, as often as a man duly bathes the deity with milk, with honey, with curd, or with cool water,

Verse 104 (skanda.5.301.104)

तावत्पुष्करपात्रेषु पिबन्ति पितरो जलम् । अयने विषुवे चैव युगादौ सूर्यसंक्रमे ॥

tāvatpuṣkarapātreṣu pibanti pitaro jalam | ayane viṣuve caiva yugādau sūryasaṁkrame ||

that many times the ancestors drink water from lotus-vessels. At the solstice, at the equinox, at the start of a yuga, and at the sun's passage into a new sign,

Verse 105 (skanda.5.301.105)

पुष्पैः सम्पूज्य देवेशं नैवेद्यं यः प्रदापयेत् । सोऽश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति पुष्कलम् ॥

puṣpaiḥ sampūjya deveśaṁ naivedyaṁ yaḥ pradāpayet | so'śvamedhasya yajñasya phalaṁ prāpnoti puṣkalam ||

whoever worships the lord of gods with flowers and offers him food gains an abundant fruit equal to the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 106 (skanda.5.301.106)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यो राजन् सूर्यग्रहणमाचरेत् । सूर्यतेजोनिभैर्यानैर्विष्णुलोके महीयते ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yo rājan sūryagrahaṇamācaret | sūryatejonibhairyānairviṣṇuloke mahīyate ||

O king, whoever observes the rites at that tirtha during a solar eclipse is glorified in the world of Vishnu, borne by vehicles bright as the sun's own radiance.

Verse 107 (skanda.5.301.107)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः श्राद्धं पितृभ्यः सम्प्रयच्छति । सत्पुत्रेण च तेनैव सम्प्राप्तं जन्मनः फलम् ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ śrāddhaṁ pitṛbhyaḥ samprayacchati | satputreṇa ca tenaiva samprāptaṁ janmanaḥ phalam ||

Whoever offers the ancestral rite to his forefathers at that tirtha, by that very act as a worthy son, attains the whole fruit of his birth.

Verse 108 (skanda.5.301.108)

इति श्रुत्वा ततो देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशाश्च स्थापयांचक्रुरीश्वरम् ॥

iti śrutvā tato devāḥ sarve śakrapurogamāḥ | brahmaviṣṇumaheśāśca sthāpayāṁcakrurīśvaram ||

Hearing this, all the gods headed by Indra, and Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, thereupon installed the Lord there.

Verse 109 (skanda.5.301.109)

सर्वरोगोपशमनं सर्वपातकनाशनम् । यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णममावास्यां तु भावितः ॥

sarvarogopaśamanaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam | yastu saṁvatsaraṁ pūrṇamamāvāsyāṁ tu bhāvitaḥ ||

That installation pacifies every disease and destroys every sin. Whoever, with devotion, for a full year on each new-moon day —

Verse 110 (skanda.5.301.110)

पितृभ्यः पिण्डदानं च कुर्यादस्माहके नृप । त्रिपुष्करे गयायां च प्रभासे नैमिषे तथा ॥

pitṛbhyaḥ piṇḍadānaṁ ca kuryādasmāhake nṛpa | tripuṣkare gayāyāṁ ca prabhāse naimiṣe tathā ||

offers rice-balls to the ancestors at Asmahaka, O king — whatever merit is gained by those who perform the ancestral rite at Tripushkara, Gaya, Prabhasa, and Naimisha,

Verse 111 (skanda.5.301.111)

यत्पुण्यं श्राद्धकर्तॄणां तदिहैव भवेद्ध्रुवम् । तिलोदकं कुशैर्मिश्रं यो दद्याद्दक्षिणामुखः ॥

yatpuṇyaṁ śrāddhakartṝṇāṁ tadihaiva bhaveddhruvam | tilodakaṁ kuśairmiśraṁ yo dadyāddakṣiṇāmukhaḥ ||

that merit is surely attained right here. Whoever, facing south, offers water mixed with sesame and darbha grass,

Verse 112 (skanda.5.301.112)

मन्वादौ च युगादौ च व्यतीपाते दिनक्षये । यो दद्यात्पितृमातृभ्यः सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत् ॥

manvādau ca yugādau ca vyatīpāte dinakṣaye | yo dadyātpitṛmātṛbhyaḥ so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet ||

at the start of a Manvantara, at the start of a yuga, at vyatipata, or at the waning of the day, to his father and mother, obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 113 (skanda.5.301.113)

अस्माहके नरो यस्तु स्नात्वा सम्पूजयेद्धरिम् । ब्रह्माणं शङ्करं भक्त्या कुर्याज्जागरणक्रियाम् ॥

asmāhake naro yastu snātvā sampūjayeddharim | brahmāṇaṁ śaṅkaraṁ bhaktyā kuryājjāgaraṇakriyām ||

Whoever, having bathed at Asmahaka, devotedly worships Hari, Brahma, and Shankara, and keeps a night vigil,

Verse 114 (skanda.5.301.114)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शक्रातिथ्यमवाप्नुयात् । तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा यः पश्यति जनार्दनम् ॥

sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śakrātithyamavāpnuyāt | tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā yaḥ paśyati janārdanam ||

is freed from all sins and obtains the guest-honour of Indra. A man who, having bathed at that tirtha, beholds Janardana,

Verse 115 (skanda.5.301.115)

विशेषविधिनाभ्यर्च्य प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः । सपुत्रेण च तेनैव पितॄणां विहिता गतिः ॥

viśeṣavidhinābhyarcya praṇamya ca punaḥpunaḥ | saputreṇa ca tenaiva pitṝṇāṁ vihitā gatiḥ ||

and worships him with a special rite, bowing again and again — by that very man, together with his sons, the destination of his ancestors is secured.

Verse 116 (skanda.5.301.116)

एकमूर्तिस्त्रयो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः । सत्कार्यकारणोपेताः सुसूक्ष्माः सुमहाफलाः ॥

ekamūrtistrayo devā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ | satkāryakāraṇopetāḥ susūkṣmāḥ sumahāphalāḥ ||

Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara are the three gods in a single form, endowed with the true cause and its effect, exceedingly subtle, and bestowers of great fruit.

Verse 117 (skanda.5.301.117)

एतत्ते कथितं राजन्महापातकनाशनम् । अस्माहकस्य माहात्म्यं किमन्यत्परिपृच्छसि ॥

etatte kathitaṁ rājanmahāpātakanāśanam | asmāhakasya māhātmyaṁ kimanyatparipṛcchasi ||

O king, thus I have told you the greatness of Asmahaka, the destroyer of great sins. What more do you wish to ask?