The Glory of Saubhagyeshvara and Other Various Fords

Verse 1 (skanda.5.31.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथान्यत्संप्रवक्ष्यामि केदारेश्वरमुत्तमम् । प्रवरं सर्वतीर्थानां त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्

sanatkumāra uvāca athānyatsaṁpravakṣyāmi kedāreśvaramuttamam pravaraṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam

Sanatkumāra said: "Now I shall declare another, the supreme Kedāreśvara, foremost of all fords, renowned in the three worlds."

Verse 2 (skanda.5.31.2)

तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा यः पश्यति महेश्वरम् । केदारे यत्फलं प्रोक्तं तदत्रापि लभेन्नरः

tatra snātvā śucirbhūtvā yaḥ paśyati maheśvaram kedāre yatphalaṁ proktaṁ tadatrāpi labhennaraḥ

He who, having bathed there and become pure, beholds Maheśvara obtains here too the fruit declared for the Himalayan Kedāra.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.31.3)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः स्वकीयकुलसंयुतः । विमानेनार्कवर्णेन शिव लोके स मोदते

sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ svakīyakulasaṁyutaḥ vimānenārkavarṇena śiva loke sa modate

Freed from all sins, together with his own lineage, he rejoices in the world of Śiva in a celestial car resplendent as the sun.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.31.4)

जटाशृंगे नरः स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा जितेंद्रियः । दृष्ट्वा जटेश्वरं देवं ततः पापाद्विमुच्यते

jaṭāśṛṁge naraḥ snātvā śucirbhūtvā jiteṁdriyaḥ dṛṣṭvā jaṭeśvaraṁ devaṁ tataḥ pāpādvimucyate

A man who bathes at Jaṭāśṛṅga, becoming pure and self-controlled, and beholds the god Jaṭeśvara, is thereby freed from sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.31.5)

महातपनमादौ च कृत्वा गच्छेच्छिवं प्रति । मातृकं पितृकं चैव कुलानां तारयेच्छतम्

mahātapanamādau ca kṛtvā gacchecchivaṁ prati mātṛkaṁ pitṛkaṁ caiva kulānāṁ tārayecchatam

Having first performed a great fast, one should go toward Śiva; one delivers a hundred generations of both the maternal and paternal lineages.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.31.6)

इंद्रतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा चेंद्रेश्वरं शिवम् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शक्रलोके महीयते

iṁdratīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā ceṁdreśvaraṁ śivam vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śakraloke mahīyate

A man who bathes at Indratīrtha and beholds Śiva as Indreśvara, freed from all sins, is honoured in the world of Śakra.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.31.7)

कुंडेश्वरं तु यः पश्येच्छिवध्यानपरायणः । लभते स नरो व्यास शिवदीक्षाफलं शिवम्

kuṁḍeśvaraṁ tu yaḥ paśyecchivadhyānaparāyaṇaḥ labhate sa naro vyāsa śivadīkṣāphalaṁ śivam

O Vyāsa, whoever, wholly devoted to meditation on Śiva, beholds Kuṇḍeśvara, obtains the auspicious fruit of initiation into Śiva-worship.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.31.8)

गोपतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा गोपेश्वरं शिवम् । शिवलोकं नरो याति ह्यमृतादमरो यथा

gopatīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā gopeśvaraṁ śivam śivalokaṁ naro yāti hyamṛtādamaro yathā

A man who bathes at Gopatīrtha and beholds Śiva as Gopeśvara goes to the world of Śiva, becoming immortal as if from nectar.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.31.9)

स्नात्वा तु चिपिटातीर्थे शिवं देवं प्रणम्य च । तिर्यग्योनिं नरो नैव प्रयाति मुनिपुंगव

snātvā tu cipiṭātīrthe śivaṁ devaṁ praṇamya ca tiryagyoniṁ naro naiva prayāti munipuṁgava

O foremost of sages, having bathed at Cipiṭātīrtha and bowed to the god Śiva, a man never goes to an animal womb.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.31.10)

विजये च नरः स्नात्वा आनंदेश्वरपूजनात् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वर्लोके विजयी भवेत्

vijaye ca naraḥ snātvā ānaṁdeśvarapūjanāt vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ svarloke vijayī bhavet

A man who bathes at Vijaya, through the worship of Ānandeśvara, freed from all sins, becomes victorious in the world of heaven.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.31.11)

अथान्यं संप्रवक्ष्यामि कुशस्थल्यां विनिर्मितम् । देवं रामेश्वरं व्यास भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्

athānyaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi kuśasthalyāṁ vinirmitam devaṁ rāmeśvaraṁ vyāsa bhuktimuktipradāyakam

Now, O Vyāsa, I shall declare another, the god Rāmeśvara, established at Kuśasthalī, the bestower of both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.31.12)

चित्रकूटात्पुरा रामो मैथिल्या लक्ष्मणेन च । समन्वितः समागत्य पप्रच्छ मुनिसत्तमम्

citrakūṭātpurā rāmo maithilyā lakṣmaṇena ca samanvitaḥ samāgatya papraccha munisattamam

Formerly, Rāma, coming from Citrakūṭa together with the princess of Mithilā and with Lakṣmaṇa, arrived and asked the foremost of sages --

Verse 13 (skanda.5.31.13)

राम उवाच । कानि तीर्थानि पुण्यानि किं वा क्षेत्रं महामुने । यत्र गत्वा न चाप्नोति वियोगं सह बांधवैः

rāma uvāca kāni tīrthāni puṇyāni kiṁ vā kṣetraṁ mahāmune yatra gatvā na cāpnoti viyogaṁ saha bāṁdhavaiḥ

"Rāma said: 'What holy fords are there, or what sacred field, O great sage, going to which one does not experience separation from one's kinsmen?'"

Verse 14 (skanda.5.31.14)

अनेन वनवासेन मरणेन पितुः प्रभो । भरतस्य वियोगेन प्रतप्येऽहं त्रिभिर्मुने

anena vanavāsena maraṇena pituḥ prabho bharatasya viyogena pratapye'haṁ tribhirmune

"'O sage, by this exile in the forest, by my father's death, and by separation from Bharata, I am tormented by these three griefs.'"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.31.15)

तद्वाक्यं राघवेणोक्तं श्रुत्वा विप्रर्षभस्तदा । ध्यात्वा तु सुचिरं कालमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

tadvākyaṁ rāghaveṇoktaṁ śrutvā viprarṣabhastadā dhyātvā tu suciraṁ kālamidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Hearing that word spoken by Rāghava, the foremost of brāhmaṇas, having meditated for a long while, then spoke this word --

Verse 16 (skanda.5.31.16)

साधु पृष्टं त्वया वीर रघूणां वंशवर्धन । मम पित्रा कृतं क्षेत्रं प्रयाच्य शिवमादरात

sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā vīra raghūṇāṁ vaṁśavardhana mama pitrā kṛtaṁ kṣetraṁ prayācya śivamādarāta

"'Well have you asked, O hero, increaser of the lineage of Raghu. My father, having reverently entreated Śiva, obtained a sacred field --'"

Verse 17 (skanda.5.31.17)

अवंतीविषये राम पुरी तस्मिन्कुशस्थली । उज्जयिनीति वै नाम्ना ख्यातिं लोके गता विभो

avaṁtīviṣaye rāma purī tasminkuśasthalī ujjayinīti vai nāmnā khyātiṁ loke gatā vibho

"'-- O Rāma, in the region of Avantī, a city there called Kuśasthalī, O mighty one, which has become renowned in the world by the name Ujjayinī.'"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.31.18)

तस्यां गत्वा दशरथं पिंडदानेन तर्पय । सुरासुरगुरुस्तत्र महाकालो व्यवस्थितः

tasyāṁ gatvā daśarathaṁ piṁḍadānena tarpaya surāsuragurustatra mahākālo vyavasthitaḥ

"'Go there and satisfy Daśaratha with the offering of rice-balls; there dwells Mahākāla, the teacher of gods and asuras.'"

Verse 19 (skanda.5.31.19)

देवः स वै सदा राजन्वांछितार्थफलप्रदः । दृष्टे तस्मिञ्जगन्नाथे वियोगो नैव जायते

devaḥ sa vai sadā rājanvāṁchitārthaphalapradaḥ dṛṣṭe tasmiñjagannāthe viyogo naiva jāyate

"'That god, O king, is ever the bestower of the fruit one desires; when that Lord of the world is beheld, separation never occurs.'"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.31.20)

तत्र गच्छंति ये विप्रा राजा चैव महावलः । लभंते परमं स्थानं यत्र देवो महेश्वरः

tatra gacchaṁti ye viprā rājā caiva mahāvalaḥ labhaṁte paramaṁ sthānaṁ yatra devo maheśvaraḥ

"'The brāhmaṇas who go there, and a mighty king as well, obtain the supreme abode where the great god dwells.'"

Verse 21 (skanda.5.31.21)

तीर्थानामपि तत्तीर्थं प्रविष्टोऽवंतिमंडले । आजगाम ततोवंतीं सा शिप्रा यत्र पुण्यदा

tīrthānāmapi tattīrthaṁ praviṣṭo'vaṁtimaṁḍale ājagāma tatovaṁtīṁ sā śiprā yatra puṇyadā

That is the ford of all fords, entered into within the region of Avantī. Then he came to Avantī, where that meritorious Śiprā flows.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.31.22)

तस्यां स्नात्वा ततो रामस्तर्पयामास पूर्वजान् । महाकालं यदा द्रष्टुं प्रतस्थे रघुनंदनः

tasyāṁ snātvā tato rāmastarpayāmāsa pūrvajān mahākālaṁ yadā draṣṭuṁ pratasthe raghunaṁdanaḥ

Having bathed there, Rāma then satisfied his ancestors with offerings. When the joy of the Raghus set out to behold Mahākāla --

Verse 23 (skanda.5.31.23)

वाण्या ततोऽशरीरिण्या देवदेवेन भाषितम् । भो भो राघव भद्रं ते स्वनाम्ना स्थापयस्व माम्

vāṇyā tato'śarīriṇyā devadevena bhāṣitam bho bho rāghava bhadraṁ te svanāmnā sthāpayasva mām

"-- then, by a bodiless voice, the God of gods spoke: 'O Rāghava, blessings upon you! Establish me under your own name.'"

Verse 24 (skanda.5.31.24)

अत्र स्थानं मया दत्त मा विचारय राघव । ततो द्दृष्टमना रामो लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

atra sthānaṁ mayā datta mā vicāraya rāghava tato ddṛṣṭamanā rāmo lakṣmaṇaṁ vākyamabravīt

"'A place has been given by me here; do not hesitate, O Rāghava.' Then Rāma, his mind gladdened, spoke this word to Lakṣmaṇa --"

Verse 25 (skanda.5.31.25)

अनुगृहीताः सौमित्रे देवदेवेन शंभुना । तस्मात्स्थापय तीर्थेऽस्मिँल्लिंगं रामेश्वरं शुभम्

anugṛhītāḥ saumitre devadevena śaṁbhunā tasmātsthāpaya tīrthe'smi~lliṁgaṁ rāmeśvaraṁ śubham

"'O Saumitri, we have been graced by the God of gods, Śambhu; therefore establish at this ford the auspicious liṅga Rāmeśvara.'"

Verse 26 (skanda.5.31.26)

वाक्यं तल्लक्ष्मणः श्रुत्वा स्थापयामास शंकरम् । दृष्ट्वा देवं पुरा रामो लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

vākyaṁ tallakṣmaṇaḥ śrutvā sthāpayāmāsa śaṁkaram dṛṣṭvā devaṁ purā rāmo lakṣmaṇaṁ vākyamabravīt

Hearing that word, Lakṣmaṇa established Śaṅkara. Having beheld the god, Rāma then spoke this word to Lakṣmaṇa --

Verse 27 (skanda.5.31.27)

एहि लक्ष्मण शीघ्रं त्वं शिप्राया जलमानय । करिष्यामि यतोऽत्राहं देवस्य स्नपनं शुभम्

ehi lakṣmaṇa śīghraṁ tvaṁ śiprāyā jalamānaya kariṣyāmi yato'trāhaṁ devasya snapanaṁ śubham

"'-- Come, Lakṣmaṇa, quickly bring water from the Śiprā; for I shall now perform the auspicious anointing-bath of the god.'"

Verse 28 (skanda.5.31.28)

लक्ष्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्वाक्यं सीतया किं करिष्यसि । राम नाहं सर्वकालं दासभावं करोमि ते

lakṣmaṇastvabravīdvākyaṁ sītayā kiṁ kariṣyasi rāma nāhaṁ sarvakālaṁ dāsabhāvaṁ karomi te

"Lakṣmaṇa spoke this word: 'O Rāma, what will you do with Sītā while I am gone? I shall not always act as your servant.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.5.31.29)

इयं च पुष्टा सुदृढा पीवरा च ममाग्रतः । वद राघव सत्येन अनया किं करिष्यसि

iyaṁ ca puṣṭā sudṛḍhā pīvarā ca mamāgrataḥ vada rāghava satyena anayā kiṁ kariṣyasi

"'And she is well-nourished, robust, and vigorous, standing before me. Tell me truly, O Rāghava, what will you do with her while alone?'"

Verse 30 (skanda.5.31.30)

श्रुत्वा रामो हि तद्वाक्यं लक्ष्मणेन प्रभाषितम् । विमना राघवस्तस्थौ सीता चापि वरानना

śrutvā rāmo hi tadvākyaṁ lakṣmaṇena prabhāṣitam vimanā rāghavastasthau sītā cāpi varānanā

Hearing that word spoken by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava stood despondent, and Sītā of the lovely face too stood silent.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.31.31)

यदुक्तं लक्ष्मणेनाथ तच्च सीता चकार ह । स्नात्वा भुक्त्वा च तौ वीरौ महाकालमुपागतौ

yaduktaṁ lakṣmaṇenātha tacca sītā cakāra ha snātvā bhuktvā ca tau vīrau mahākālamupāgatau

What Lakṣmaṇa had said prompted a change in plan, and Sītā indeed did accordingly. Having bathed and eaten, those two heroes came to Mahākāla.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.31.32)

नीत्वा विभावरीं तत्र गमनाय मनो दधे । उत्तिष्ठ वत्स सौमित्रे व्रजामो दक्षिणां दिशम्

nītvā vibhāvarīṁ tatra gamanāya mano dadhe uttiṣṭha vatsa saumitre vrajāmo dakṣiṇāṁ diśam

Having spent the night there, Rāma set his mind on departing: "Rise, dear Saumitri, let us go to the southern direction."

Verse 33 (skanda.5.31.33)

सौमित्रिरब्रवीद्वाक्यं नाहं गन्ता कथंचन । व्रज त्वमनया सार्धं भार्यया कमलेक्षण

saumitrirabravīdvākyaṁ nāhaṁ gantā kathaṁcana vraja tvamanayā sārdhaṁ bhāryayā kamalekṣaṇa

"Saumitri spoke this word: 'I shall in no way go. You go, O lotus-eyed one, together with this your wife.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.5.31.34)

नाहमग्रे वनं यामि न वायोध्यां कथं चन । एवं ब्रुवाणं सौमित्रिमुवाच रघुनंदनः

nāhamagre vanaṁ yāmi na vāyodhyāṁ kathaṁ cana evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ saumitrimuvāca raghunaṁdanaḥ

"'I shall not go on further into the forest, nor at all to Ayodhyā.' To Saumitri speaking thus, the joy of the Raghus said --"

Verse 35 (skanda.5.31.35)

कथं पूर्वमूयोध्याया निर्गतोऽसि मया सह । वने वसाम्यहं राम नव वर्षाणि पंच च

kathaṁ pūrvamūyodhyāyā nirgato'si mayā saha vane vasāmyahaṁ rāma nava varṣāṇi paṁca ca

"'-- How is it — before, you left Ayodhyā together with me?' 'I have dwelt in the forest, O Rāma, for fourteen years --'"

Verse 36 (skanda.5.31.36)

प्रमादः क्रियतां मह्यं नय मामपि राघव । इदानीं त्वमर्धपथे कथं स्थातासि शत्रुहन्

pramādaḥ kriyatāṁ mahyaṁ naya māmapi rāghava idānīṁ tvamardhapathe kathaṁ sthātāsi śatruhan

"'-- let an exception be made for me now; take me too back with you, O Rāghava. How, O slayer of foes, will you now stop midway?'"

Verse 37 (skanda.5.31.37)

लक्ष्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्राम नाहं गन्ता वनं पुनः । लक्ष्मणं विकृतं ज्ञात्वा रामो वचनमब्रवीत्

lakṣmaṇastvabravīdrāma nāhaṁ gantā vanaṁ punaḥ lakṣmaṇaṁ vikṛtaṁ jñātvā rāmo vacanamabravīt

"Lakṣmaṇa said: 'O Rāma, I shall not go into the forest again.' Knowing Lakṣmaṇa to be so altered in mood, Rāma spoke this word --"

Verse 38 (skanda.5.31.38)

मा माऽनुव्रज सौमित्रे ह्येको यास्यामि काननम् । द्वितीयापि त्वियं सीता उक्तो रामेण लक्ष्मणः

mā mā'nuvraja saumitre hyeko yāsyāmi kānanam dvitīyāpi tviyaṁ sītā ukto rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇaḥ

"'-- Do not follow me, O Saumitri; I shall go alone into the forest. This Sītā too shall be a second companion for you here.' So Lakṣmaṇa was addressed by Rāma."

Verse 39 (skanda.5.31.39)

धनुः संगृह्य विमना उत्तस्थौ लक्ष्मणस्तदा । प्राप्तौ प्राकारमर्यादां क्षेत्रसीमां परंतपौ ।। । क्षेत्रसीमां समुल्लंघ्य रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्

dhanuḥ saṁgṛhya vimanā uttasthau lakṣmaṇastadā prāptau prākāramaryādāṁ kṣetrasīmāṁ paraṁtapau kṣetrasīmāṁ samullaṁghya rāmo lakṣmaṇamabravīt

Taking up his bow, despondent, Lakṣmaṇa then rose. The two scorchers of foes reached the boundary-wall of the sacred field. Having crossed the boundary of the field, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa --

Verse 40 (skanda.5.31.40)

निवर्तयस्व सौमित्रे समर्पय च मे धनुः । रामवाक्यमुपश्रुत्य सीतां वै लक्ष्मणोऽब्रवीत्

nivartayasva saumitre samarpaya ca me dhanuḥ rāmavākyamupaśrutya sītāṁ vai lakṣmaṇo'bravīt

"'-- Turn back, O Saumitri, and hand me my bow.' Having heard Rāma's word, Lakṣmaṇa spoke to Sītā --"

Verse 41 (skanda.5.31.41)

किमर्थं हि परित्यक्तः कोऽपराधः कृतो मया । रामेण हि परित्यक्तः प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्याम्यसंशयम्

kimarthaṁ hi parityaktaḥ ko'parādhaḥ kṛto mayā rāmeṇa hi parityaktaḥ prāṇāṁstyakṣyāmyasaṁśayam

"'-- For what reason am I abandoned? What offence have I committed? Abandoned by Rāma, I shall surely give up my life.'"

Verse 42 (skanda.5.31.42)

रामं ततोऽब्रवीत्सीता किमर्थं लक्ष्मणस्त्वया । देव संत्यज्यते वीरः सुमित्रानंदिवर्धनः

rāmaṁ tato'bravītsītā kimarthaṁ lakṣmaṇastvayā deva saṁtyajyate vīraḥ sumitrānaṁdivardhanaḥ

"Then Sītā said to Rāma: 'O Lord, why is the hero Lakṣmaṇa, the increaser of Sumitrā's joy, being abandoned by you?'"

Verse 43 (skanda.5.31.43)

राघवस्त्वब्रवीत्सीतां नाहं त्यक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मणम् । न कदाचिदपि स्वप्ने लक्ष्मणसदृशं प्रियम्

rāghavastvabravītsītāṁ nāhaṁ tyakṣyāmi lakṣmaṇam na kadācidapi svapne lakṣmaṇasadṛśaṁ priyam

"Rāghava said to Sītā: 'I shall not abandon Lakṣmaṇa; never, even in a dream, would I forsake one so dear as Lakṣmaṇa.'"

Verse 44 (skanda.5.31.44)

श्रुतपूर्वं तु सुश्रोणि क्षेत्रस्यास्य विचेष्टितम् । अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे न सौभ्रात्रं सर्वो हि स्वार्थतत्परः

śrutapūrvaṁ tu suśroṇi kṣetrasyāsya viceṣṭitam asminkṣetre na saubhrātraṁ sarvo hi svārthatatparaḥ

"'-- But, O fair-hipped one, I had heard before of a strange effect of this sacred field: in this field there is no true brotherly affection, for everyone here is intent solely on his own interest.'"

Verse 45 (skanda.5.31.45)

परस्परं न मन्यंते स्वार्थनिष्ठैकहेतवः । न शृण्वंति पितुः पुत्राः पुत्राणां वा तथा पिता

parasparaṁ na manyaṁte svārthaniṣṭhaikahetavaḥ na śṛṇvaṁti pituḥ putrāḥ putrāṇāṁ vā tathā pitā

"'They do not honour one another, being driven solely by self-interest; sons do not heed their father, nor does a father heed his sons.'"

Verse 46 (skanda.5.31.46)

न च शिष्यो गुरोर्वाक्यं गुरुर्वा शिष्यकर्म च । अर्थानुबंधिनी प्रीतिर्न कश्चित्कस्यचि त्प्रियः

na ca śiṣyo gurorvākyaṁ gururvā śiṣyakarma ca arthānubaṁdhinī prītirna kaścitkasyaci tpriyaḥ

"'Nor does a disciple heed his teacher's word, nor a teacher a disciple's service; affection here is bound only to self-interest, and no one is truly dear to another.'"

Verse 47 (skanda.5.31.47)

एवमुक्त्वा ययौ रामो लक्ष्मणो जानकी तथा । लिंगं तत्र प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्वनाम्ना रघुनंदनः

evamuktvā yayau rāmo lakṣmaṇo jānakī tathā liṁgaṁ tatra pratiṣṭhāpya svanāmnā raghunaṁdanaḥ

Having said this, Rāma departed, together with Lakṣmaṇa and Jānakī; and the joy of the Raghus, having established the liṅga there under his own name --

Verse 48 (skanda.5.31.48)

रामतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा रामेश्वरं शिवम् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः शिवलोकं स गच्छति

rāmatīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā rāmeśvaraṁ śivam vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ śivalokaṁ sa gacchati

"-- thus it was named. A man who bathes at Rāmatīrtha and beholds Śiva as Rāmeśvara, freed from all sins, goes to the world of Śiva."

Verse 49 (skanda.5.31.49)

इति रामेश्वरमाहात्म्यम् । सनत्कुमार उवाच । तीर्थे सौभाग्यके स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा सौभाम्यमीश्वरम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः सौभाग्यं परमं लभेत्

iti rāmeśvaramāhātmyam sanatkumāra uvāca tīrthe saubhāgyake snātvā dṛṣṭvā saubhāmyamīśvaram sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ saubhāgyaṁ paramaṁ labhet

Thus ends the glory of Rāmeśvara. Sanatkumāra said: Having bathed at the ford Saubhāgyaka and beheld Saubhāgyeśvara, one, freed from all sins, obtains supreme good fortune.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.31.50)

घृततीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा घृतेन स्नापयेच्छिवम् । घृतमग्नावथो हुत्वा रुद्रलोके महीयते

ghṛtatīrthe naraḥ snātvā ghṛtena snāpayecchivam ghṛtamagnāvatho hutvā rudraloke mahīyate

A man who bathes at Ghṛtatīrtha and anoints Śiva with ghee, and offers ghee into the fire, is honoured in the world of Rudra.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.31.51)

देवीं योगीश्वरीं पूज्य सुरासुरनमस्कृताम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः परं योगमवाप्नुयात्

devīṁ yogīśvarīṁ pūjya surāsuranamaskṛtām sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ paraṁ yogamavāpnuyāt

Having worshipped the goddess Yogīśvarī, bowed to by gods and asuras, one, freed from all sins, obtains supreme yoga.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.31.52)

शंखावर्ते नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापविवर्जितः । । धनधान्यसमायुक्तो जायते निर्मले कुले

śaṁkhāvarte naraḥ snātvā sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ dhanadhānyasamāyukto jāyate nirmale kule

A man who bathes at Śaṅkhāvarta, freed from all sins, is born endowed with wealth and grain, in a spotless family.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.31.53)

सुधोदके चतुर्दश्यां मुक्त्यर्थं स्नापयेन्नरः । शिवं सुधेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा ततो मोक्षगतिर्भवेत्

sudhodake caturdaśyāṁ muktyarthaṁ snāpayennaraḥ śivaṁ sudheśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā tato mokṣagatirbhavet

A man should bathe at Sudhodaka on the fourteenth, for the sake of liberation; having beheld Śiva as Sudheśvara, he then attains the path to liberation.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.31.54)

तथान्य त्संप्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् । किं पुनेति च विख्यातं ब्रह्महत्याविमोचनम्

tathānya tsaṁpravakṣyāmi tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam kiṁ puneti ca vikhyātaṁ brahmahatyāvimocanam

Now I shall likewise declare another ford, renowned in the three worlds, known as Kiṃpunaka, that releases one from the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.31.55)

पूर्वं त्रेतायुगे व्यास सुनेत्रो नाम वै द्विजः । तस्य पुत्रः समु त्पन्नो विश्वावसुरिति स्मृतः

pūrvaṁ tretāyuge vyāsa sunetro nāma vai dvijaḥ tasya putraḥ samu tpanno viśvāvasuriti smṛtaḥ

Formerly, O Vyāsa, in the Tretā age, there was a brāhmaṇa named Sunetra; a son was born to him, remembered as Viśvāvasu.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.31.56)

यवक्रीतस्य शापेन स्वपिता तेन घातितः । ब्रह्महत्यान्वितो व्यास तीर्थात्तीर्थं परिभ्रमन्

yavakrītasya śāpena svapitā tena ghātitaḥ brahmahatyānvito vyāsa tīrthāttīrthaṁ paribhraman

By the curse of Yavakrīta, his own father was slain by him. O Vyāsa, burdened with the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa, he wandered from ford to ford.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.31.57)

तीर्थे किंपुनके स्नात्वा धारातीर्थे गतो द्विजः । ततः कपिलधारायां चिंतयत्यात्मना स्वयम्

tīrthe kiṁpunake snātvā dhārātīrthe gato dvijaḥ tataḥ kapiladhārāyāṁ ciṁtayatyātmanā svayam

Having bathed at the ford Kiṃpunaka, that brāhmaṇa went to Dhārātīrtha; then, at Kapiladhārā, he pondered within himself --

Verse 58 (skanda.5.31.58)

कथं मे पतिता धारा अनृता वा श्रुतिस्तथा । एवं ह्यचिंत यत्सोऽथ पुनरायादवंतिकाम्

kathaṁ me patitā dhārā anṛtā vā śrutistathā evaṁ hyaciṁta yatso'tha punarāyādavaṁtikām

"-- 'How has this water-stream failed me — or is this teaching about its power false?' Thinking thus, he then came again to Avantikā."

Verse 59 (skanda.5.31.59)

अत्र तीर्थे पुनः स्नाति यावद्वाणीं ततोऽशृणोत् । किं पुनर्ध्यायसि ब्रह्मन्येन जातो द्विजोत्तमः

atra tīrthe punaḥ snāti yāvadvāṇīṁ tato'śṛṇot kiṁ punardhyāyasi brahmanyena jāto dvijottamaḥ

He bathed again at this ford, when he then heard a voice: "Why, O brāhmaṇa, do you ponder again, O best of the twice-born?"

Verse 60 (skanda.5.31.60)

न तेऽस्ति ब्रह्महत्या वै तीर्थस्नानेन नाशिता । गच्छ शीघ्रं गृहं विप्र पापहीनो यथासुखम्

na te'sti brahmahatyā vai tīrthasnānena nāśitā gaccha śīghraṁ gṛhaṁ vipra pāpahīno yathāsukham

"'Your sin of killing a brāhmaṇa no longer exists — it has been destroyed by bathing at this ford. Go quickly home, O brāhmaṇa, free of sin, at your ease.'"

Verse 61 (skanda.5.31.61)

इति किंपुनामाहात्म्यम् ।। । सनत्कुमार उवाच । पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि पत्तनेश्वरमुत्तमम् । तत्र स्थित्वा महेशेन पुनः पत्तनमीक्षितम्

iti kiṁpunāmāhātmyam sanatkumāra uvāca punaranyatpravakṣyāmi pattaneśvaramuttamam tatra sthitvā maheśena punaḥ pattanamīkṣitam

Thus ends the glory of Kiṃpunaka. Sanatkumāra said: Again I shall declare another, the supreme Pattaneśvara. Standing there, Maheśa gazed once more upon the city.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.31.62)

पत्तनेश्वर इत्याख्यो देवदेवो महेश्वरः । यस्तु गंधैश्च पुष्पैश्च धूपैर्दीपैर्मनोरमैः

pattaneśvara ityākhyo devadevo maheśvaraḥ yastu gaṁdhaiśca puṣpaiśca dhūpairdīpairmanoramaiḥ

Thence he is called Pattaneśvara, the great God of gods. Whoever, with scents, flowers, incense, and lovely lamps --

Verse 63 (skanda.5.31.63)

भावयुक्तो नरो व्यास पूजयेद्विधिवत्सदा । यथावत्तिष्ठते लिंगं वंशच्छेदो न जायते

bhāvayukto naro vyāsa pūjayedvidhivatsadā yathāvattiṣṭhate liṁgaṁ vaṁśacchedo na jāyate

"-- with true devotion, O Vyāsa, ever worships him according to rule, for him, as long as the liṅga duly stands, his lineage never suffers extinction."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.31.64)

हंसयुक्तेन यानेन शिवलोकं स गच्छति । तथान्यत्संप्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्

haṁsayuktena yānena śivalokaṁ sa gacchati tathānyatsaṁpravakṣyāmi tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam

He goes to the world of Śiva in a chariot yoked with swans. Now I shall likewise declare another ford, renowned in the three worlds.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.31.65)

दुर्धर्षमिति विख्यातं ब्रह्महत्याविमोचनम् । पुरा दिवाकरो व्यास चक्रे दुर्धर्षनामतः

durdharṣamiti vikhyātaṁ brahmahatyāvimocanam purā divākaro vyāsa cakre durdharṣanāmataḥ

Known as Durdharṣa, it releases one from the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa. Of old, O Vyāsa, the Sun made it, hence its name Durdharṣa.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.31.66)

तीर्थमासीन्नदीतीरे विख्यातं सूर्यसंस्कृतम् । तेजःपुंजं भवेल्लिंगं गणगं धर्वपूजितम्

tīrthamāsīnnadītīre vikhyātaṁ sūryasaṁskṛtam tejaḥpuṁjaṁ bhavelliṁgaṁ gaṇagaṁ dharvapūjitam

There was a ford on the riverbank, renowned, consecrated by the Sun; there is a liṅga, a mass of splendour, worshipped by the gaṇas and gandharvas.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.31.67)

सप्तम्यामथवाष्टम्यां संक्रातौ रविवासरे । तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा दिनमेकमुपोषितः

saptamyāmathavāṣṭamyāṁ saṁkrātau ravivāsare tatra snātvā śucirbhūtvā dinamekamupoṣitaḥ

On the seventh, or the eighth, or at a solstice, or on a Sunday, having bathed there and become pure, fasting for one day --

Verse 68 (skanda.5.31.68)

दृष्ट्वा महेश्वरं तत्र शिप्राकूले व्यवस्थितम् । पूजयित्वा तु भावेन यत्फलं तच्छ्रणुष्व मे

dṛṣṭvā maheśvaraṁ tatra śiprākūle vyavasthitam pūjayitvā tu bhāvena yatphalaṁ tacchraṇuṣva me

"-- having beheld Maheśvara there, established on the bank of the Śiprā, and worshipped him with devotion — hear from me what fruit is obtained."

Verse 69 (skanda.5.31.69)

पितृमातृकुलं सर्वं समुद्धृत्य शिवं व्रजेत् । तत्र यच्छति यो दानं गोहेमादि विशेषतः

pitṛmātṛkulaṁ sarvaṁ samuddhṛtya śivaṁ vrajet tatra yacchati yo dānaṁ gohemādi viśeṣataḥ

Having delivered the whole of both his paternal and maternal lineages, he goes to Śiva. Whoever gives a gift there, especially of cows, gold, and the like --

Verse 70 (skanda.5.31.70)

तावत्तदक्षयं लोके यावच्चंद्रदिवाकरौ । तथान्यत्संप्रवक्ष्यामि गोपींद्रं तीर्थमुत्तमम्

tāvattadakṣayaṁ loke yāvaccaṁdradivākarau tathānyatsaṁpravakṣyāmi gopīṁdraṁ tīrthamuttamam

"-- that gift remains imperishable in the world for as long as the moon and sun endure. Now I shall likewise declare another, the supreme ford Gopīndra."

Verse 71 (skanda.5.31.71)

गौतमेन पुरा यत्र इन्द्रः शापाद्भ गीकृतः । भगव्रीडायुतः शक्रः प्रविश्य वनमुत्तमम्

gautamena purā yatra indraḥ śāpādbha gīkṛtaḥ bhagavrīḍāyutaḥ śakraḥ praviśya vanamuttamam

This is where Indra was once marked with genital marks by the curse of Gautama. Śakra, filled with shame at those marks, entered a supreme forest --

Verse 72 (skanda.5.31.72)

अतोषयत्तदोग्रेण तपसा शंकरं पुरा । तुष्टेन शंभुना विप्र ये भगास्तच्छरीरगाः

atoṣayattadogreṇa tapasā śaṁkaraṁ purā tuṣṭena śaṁbhunā vipra ye bhagāstaccharīragāḥ

"-- and there, of old, propitiated Śaṅkara with fierce austerity. O brāhmaṇa, Śambhu, being pleased, caused those genital marks that were upon his body --"

Verse 73 (skanda.5.31.73)

गोसहस्रीकृतास्तेन गोपींद्रस्तेन कथ्यते । तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं याति शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः

gosahasrīkṛtāstena gopīṁdrastena kathyate tatra snātvā divaṁ yāti śakratulyaparākramaḥ

"-- to become a thousand eye-like marks; by that, it is called Gopīndra. Bathing there, one goes to heaven with valour equal to Śakra's."

Verse 74 (skanda.5.31.74)

ये मृतास्ते पुनर्जन्म नाप्नुवंति महीतले । । गंगातीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पुण्यमाप्नोति पुष्कलम्

ye mṛtāste punarjanma nāpnuvaṁti mahītale gaṁgātīrthe naraḥ snātvā puṇyamāpnoti puṣkalam

Those who die there never obtain rebirth upon the earth. A man who bathes at Gaṅgātīrtha obtains abundant merit.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.31.75)

ज्येष्ठशुक्लदशम्यां तु गंगायां फलमादिशेत् । स्नात्वा पुष्पकरंडे च दृष्ट्वा पुष्पकरण्डकम्

jyeṣṭhaśukladaśamyāṁ tu gaṁgāyāṁ phalamādiśet snātvā puṣpakaraṁḍe ca dṛṣṭvā puṣpakaraṇḍakam

On the tenth of the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, the merit equal to bathing in the Gaṅgā is prescribed. Having bathed at Puṣpakaraṇḍa and beheld Puṣpakaraṇḍaka --

Verse 76 (skanda.5.31.76)

पुष्पकेन विमानेन प्रयातो दिवि मोदते । नरकादुद्धरत्याशु नरः स्नात्वोत्तरेश्वरे

puṣpakena vimānena prayāto divi modate narakāduddharatyāśu naraḥ snātvottareśvare

"-- one goes in the Puṣpaka celestial car and rejoices in heaven. A man who bathes at Uttareśvara swiftly delivers his ancestors from hell --"

Verse 77 (skanda.5.31.77)

इष्टभोगसमापन्नो याति स्वर्गं न संशयः । भूतेश्वरे नरः स्नात्वा भूतेश्वरमथार्चयेत्

iṣṭabhogasamāpanno yāti svargaṁ na saṁśayaḥ bhūteśvare naraḥ snātvā bhūteśvaramathārcayet

"-- and, endowed with desired enjoyments, goes to heaven — no doubt. A man who bathes at Bhūteśvara and then worships Bhūteśvara --"

Verse 78 (skanda.5.31.78)

गंधपुष्पादिनैवेद्यैर्मृतो रुद्रपुरं व्रजेत् । शिप्रायां तु नरः स्नात्वा कैलासं तु नमस्यति

gaṁdhapuṣpādinaivedyairmṛto rudrapuraṁ vrajet śiprāyāṁ tu naraḥ snātvā kailāsaṁ tu namasyati

"-- with scent, flowers, and other food-offerings, after death goes to the city of Rudra. The man who bathes in the Śiprā and bows toward Kailāsa --"

Verse 79 (skanda.5.31.79)

सूर्याऽऽहतं तमो यद्वत्तद्वत्पापं प्रणश्यति । अंबालिकां च यः पश्येत्समाधिनियमेन च

sūryā''hataṁ tamo yadvattadvatpāpaṁ praṇaśyati aṁbālikāṁ ca yaḥ paśyetsamādhiniyamena ca

"-- his sin is destroyed just as darkness is struck by the sun. He who beholds Ambālikā with meditation and proper observance --"

Verse 80 (skanda.5.31.80)

स मुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः कंचुकेन फणी यथा । घण्टेश्वरं प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्सुरैरपि पूजितम्

sa muktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ kaṁcukena phaṇī yathā ghaṇṭeśvaraṁ pravakṣyāmi yatsurairapi pūjitam

"-- is freed from all sins, as a serpent from its slough. I shall declare Ghaṇṭeśvara, worshipped even by the gods."

Verse 81 (skanda.5.31.81)

यत्र कूपोदकं पीत्वा सौभाग्यमतुलं लभेत् । अर्चयेद्यस्तु देवेशं गंधपुष्पैरनुक्रमात्

yatra kūpodakaṁ pītvā saubhāgyamatulaṁ labhet arcayedyastu deveśaṁ gaṁdhapuṣpairanukramāt

Drinking the water of the well there, one obtains incomparable good fortune. He who worships the God of gods in due order with scent and flowers --

Verse 82 (skanda.5.31.82)

शिवलोके वसेत्तावद्यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश । पुण्येश्वरं तु यः पश्येच्छुचिः स्नातो जितेंन्द्रियः

śivaloke vasettāvadyāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa puṇyeśvaraṁ tu yaḥ paśyecchuciḥ snāto jiteṁndriyaḥ

"-- dwells in the world of Śiva for as long as fourteen Indras reign. He who, pure, bathed, and self-controlled, beholds Puṇyeśvara --"

Verse 83 (skanda.5.31.83)

स गाणपत्यमाप्नोति यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम् । लंपेश्वरे नरः स्नात्वा समभ्यर्च्य महेश्वरम्

sa gāṇapatyamāpnoti yatsurairapi durlabham laṁpeśvare naraḥ snātvā samabhyarcya maheśvaram

"-- obtains the state of a lord of the gaṇas, hard to attain even for the gods. A man who bathes at Lampeśvara and duly worships Maheśvara --"

Verse 84 (skanda.5.31.84)

न याति नरकं मर्त्यः स्वर्गलोके महीयते । तथान्यत्संप्रवक्ष्यामि यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम्

na yāti narakaṁ martyaḥ svargaloke mahīyate tathānyatsaṁpravakṣyāmi yatsurairapi durlabham

"-- that mortal never goes to hell, and is honoured in the world of heaven. Now I shall likewise declare another, hard to attain even for the gods --"

Verse 85 (skanda.5.31.85)

पूजितं ब्रह्मणा पूर्वं स्थविराख्यं विनायकम् । तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा पूजयेद्यो विनायकम्

pūjitaṁ brahmaṇā pūrvaṁ sthavirākhyaṁ vināyakam tatra snātvā śucirbhūtvā pūjayedyo vināyakam

"-- worshipped by Brahmā of old, the god called Sthavira, a form of Vinayaka. He who, having bathed there and become pure, worships Vinayaka --"

Verse 86 (skanda.5.31.86)

गंधैर्धूपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्भक्ष्यैर्भोज्यैः फलं शृणु । समीहिता भवेत्सिद्धिर्मृतः शिवपुरं व्रजेत्

gaṁdhairdhūpaiśca naivedyairbhakṣyairbhojyaiḥ phalaṁ śṛṇu samīhitā bhavetsiddhirmṛtaḥ śivapuraṁ vrajet

"-- with scents, incense, food-offerings, delicacies, and dishes — hear the fruit: his desired accomplishment is attained, and after death he goes to Śivapura."

Verse 87 (skanda.5.31.87)

नवनद्याः समीपे तु पार्वतीं पूजयेद्बुधः । गंधपुष्पैश्च धूपैश्च सौभाग्यमतुलं लभेत्

navanadyāḥ samīpe tu pārvatīṁ pūjayedbudhaḥ gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca dhūpaiśca saubhāgyamatulaṁ labhet

Near Navanadī, the wise man should worship Pārvatī; with scent, flowers, and incense, he obtains incomparable good fortune.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.31.88)

कामोदके नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा कामं रतिप्रियम् । स्वर्गे च देवगंधर्वस्पृहणीयवपुर्भवेत्

kāmodake naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā kāmaṁ ratipriyam svarge ca devagaṁdharvaspṛhaṇīyavapurbhavet

A man who bathes at Kāmodaka and beholds Kāma, beloved of Rati, obtains, in heaven, a body coveted even by gods and gandharvas.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.31.89)

प्रयागे तु नरः स्नात्वा प्रयागेशं तु पश्यति । सर्वलोकानतिक्रम्य शिवलोके मही यते

prayāge tu naraḥ snātvā prayāgeśaṁ tu paśyati sarvalokānatikramya śivaloke mahī yate

A man who bathes at Prayāga and beholds Prayāgeśa, surpassing all other worlds, is honoured in the world of Śiva.