The Greatness of Anarakeshvara Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.314.1)

ततो गच्छेन्महाराज तीर्थं परमपावनम्। नर्मदायां सुदुष्प्रापं सिद्धं ह्यनरकेश्वरम्॥

tato gacchenmahārāja tīrthaṁ paramapāvanam| narmadāyāṁ suduṣprāpaṁ siddhaṁ hyanarakeśvaram||

Shri Markandeya said: O great king, thereafter one should go to the supremely purifying, hard-to-attain, accomplished tirtha named Anarakeshvara, situated on the Narmada.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.314.2)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पापकर्मापि भारत। न पश्यति महाघोरं नरकद्वारसंज्ञिकम्॥

tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā pāpakarmāpi bhārata| na paśyati mahāghoraṁ narakadvārasaṁjñikam||

O Bharata, bathing in that tirtha, even a man of sinful deeds does not behold the extremely terrible place called the Gate of Hell.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.314.3)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। शुभाशुभफलैस्तात भुक्तभोगा नरास्त्विह। जायन्ते लक्षणैर्यैस्तु तानि मे वद सत्तम॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| śubhāśubhaphalaistāta bhuktabhogā narāstviha| jāyante lakṣaṇairyaistu tāni me vada sattama||

Yudhishthira said: O father, tell me, O best of sages, by what signs men, having exhausted the enjoyments of their good and bad fruits, are then born again here.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.314.4)

यथा निर्गच्छते जीवस्त्यक्त्वा देहं न पश्यति। तथा गच्छन्पुनर्देहं पञ्चभूतसमन्वितः॥

yathā nirgacchate jīvastyaktvā dehaṁ na paśyati| tathā gacchanpunardehaṁ pañcabhūtasamanvitaḥ||

Just as the soul, departing, having relinquished the body, does not see what lies ahead, so too, going once more towards a new body composed of the five elements, it does not see.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.314.5)

त्वगस्थिमांसमेदोऽसृक्केशस्नायुशतैः सह। विण्मूत्ररेतःसङ्घाते का संज्ञा जायते नृणाम्॥

tvagasthimāṁsamedo'sṛkkeśasnāyuśataiḥ saha| viṇmūtraretaḥsaṅghāte kā saṁjñā jāyate nṛṇām||

In this aggregate of skin, bone, flesh, fat, blood, hair, and hundreds of sinews, together with excrement, urine, and semen - what designation do men bear?

Verse 6 (skanda.5.314.6)

एवमुक्तः स मार्कण्डः कथयामास योगवित्। ध्यात्वा सनातनं सर्वं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्॥

evamuktaḥ sa mārkaṇḍaḥ kathayāmāsa yogavit| dhyātvā sanātanaṁ sarvaṁ devadevaṁ maheśvaram||

Thus questioned, the yoga-knowing Markanda, having meditated upon the eternal Maheshvara, the god of gods, began to relate all this.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.314.7)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। शृणु पार्थ महाप्रश्नं कथयामि यथाश्रुतम्। सकाशाद्ब्रह्मणः पूर्वमृषिदेवसमागमे॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| śṛṇu pārtha mahāpraśnaṁ kathayāmi yathāśrutam| sakāśādbrahmaṇaḥ pūrvamṛṣidevasamāgame||

Markandeya said: O Partha, hear this great question; I shall relate it as I heard it - formerly, at a gathering of sages and gods, from Brahma.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.314.8)

गुरुरात्मवतां शास्ता राजा शास्ता दुरात्मनाम्। इह प्रच्छन्नपापानां शास्ता वैवस्वतो यमः॥

gururātmavatāṁ śāstā rājā śāstā durātmanām| iha pracchannapāpānāṁ śāstā vaivasvato yamaḥ||

For the self-controlled, the guru is the ruler; for the wicked, the king is the ruler; and for sins concealed in this world, Yama, son of Vivasvat, is the ruler.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.314.9)

अचीर्णप्रायश्चित्तानां यमलोके ह्यनेकधा। यातनाभिर्वियुक्तानामनेकां जीवसन्ततिम्॥

acīrṇaprāyaścittānāṁ yamaloke hyanekadhā| yātanābhirviyuktānāmanekāṁ jīvasantatim||

Those who have not performed expiation undergo torments in Yama's world in many ways; freed from those torments, going into many lineages of creatures -

Verse 10 (skanda.5.314.10)

गत्वा मनुष्यभावे तु पापचिह्ना भवन्ति ते। तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना नृप॥

gatvā manuṣyabhāve tu pāpacihnā bhavanti te| tatte'haṁ sampravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā nṛpa||

- having attained the state of humanity, become marked with the signs of their sins. O king, that I shall now fully relate to you; listen with a single-pointed mind.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.314.11)

सहित्वा यातनां सर्वां गत्वा वैवस्वतक्षयम्। विस्तीर्णयातना ये तु लोकमायान्ति चिह्निताः॥

sahitvā yātanāṁ sarvāṁ gatvā vaivasvatakṣayam| vistīrṇayātanā ye tu lokamāyānti cihnitāḥ||

Having gone to Yama's abode and endured all manner of torment, those who, marked by their extensive torments, come into this world -

Verse 12 (skanda.5.314.12)

गद्गदोऽनृतवादी स्यान्मूकश्चैव गवानृते। ब्रह्महा जायते कुष्ठी श्यावदन्तस्तु मद्यपः॥

gadgado'nṛtavādī syānmūkaścaiva gavānṛte| brahmahā jāyate kuṣṭhī śyāvadantastu madyapaḥ||

- a liar becomes one who stammers; one who lies concerning a cow becomes mute; the killer of a brahmin becomes a leper; the drinker of liquor becomes black-toothed.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.314.13)

कुनखी स्वर्णहरणाद्दुःश्चर्मा गुरुतल्पगः। संयोगी हीनयोनिः स्याद्दरिद्रोऽदत्तदानतः॥

kunakhī svarṇaharaṇādduḥścarmā gurutalpagaḥ| saṁyogī hīnayoniḥ syāddaridro'dattadānataḥ||

The stealer of gold becomes deformed of nail; the defiler of the guru's bed becomes rough-skinned; the adulterer is born in a low womb; one who withholds gifts becomes poor.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.314.14)

ग्रामशूकरतां याति ह्ययाज्ययाजको नृप। खरो वै बहुयाजी स्याच्छ्वानिमन्त्रितभोजनात्॥

grāmaśūkaratāṁ yāti hyayājyayājako nṛpa| kharo vai bahuyājī syācchvānimantritabhojanāt||

One who officiates sacrifice for the unworthy, O king, attains the womb of a village pig; one who performs many such sacrifices for the unworthy becomes a donkey; one who, though invited, eats like a dog -

Verse 15 (skanda.5.314.15)

अपरीक्षितभोजी स्याद्वानरो विजने वने। वितर्जकोऽथ मार्जारः खद्योतः कक्षदाहतः॥

aparīkṣitabhojī syādvānaro vijane vane| vitarjako'tha mārjāraḥ khadyotaḥ kakṣadāhataḥ||

- one who eats food without examination becomes a monkey in a lonely forest; the slanderer becomes a cat; one consumed by inner rage becomes a firefly.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.314.16)

अविद्यां यः प्रयच्छेत बलीवर्दो भवेद्धि सः। अन्नं पर्युषितं विप्रे ददानः क्लीबतां व्रजेत्॥

avidyāṁ yaḥ prayaccheta balīvardo bhaveddhi saḥ| annaṁ paryuṣitaṁ vipre dadānaḥ klībatāṁ vrajet||

One who imparts false knowledge becomes an ox; one who gives stale food to a brahmin attains impotence.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.314.17)

मात्सर्यादथ जात्यन्धो जन्मान्धः पुस्तकं हरन्। फलान्याहरतोऽपत्यं म्रियते नात्र संशयः॥

mātsaryādatha jātyandho janmāndhaḥ pustakaṁ haran| phalānyāharato'patyaṁ mriyate nātra saṁśayaḥ||

One who, out of envy, causes another's blindness is himself born blind; one who steals a book, and one who steals fruits - his offspring dies, without doubt.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.314.18)

मृतो वानरतां याति तन्मुक्तोऽथ गलगण्डवान्। अदत्त्वा भक्षयंस्तानि ह्यनपत्यो भवेन्नरः॥

mṛto vānaratāṁ yāti tanmukto'tha galagaṇḍavān| adattvā bhakṣayaṁstāni hyanapatyo bhavennaraḥ||

Upon death he becomes a monkey; freed from that, he then becomes one afflicted with a goitre. One who eats stolen fruits without offering them to others becomes a man without offspring.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.314.19)

हरन्वस्त्रं भवेद्गोधा गरदः पवनाशनः। प्रव्राजी गमनाद्राजन् भवेन्मरुपिशाचकः॥

haranvastraṁ bhavedgodhā garadaḥ pavanāśanaḥ| pravrājī gamanādrājan bhavenmarupiśācakaḥ||

One who steals clothing becomes an iguana; the poisoner becomes an air-eating spirit; O king, an ascetic who transgresses through improper conduct becomes a desert-demon.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.314.20)

वातको जलहर्ता च धान्यहर्ता च मूषकः। अप्राप्तयौवनां गच्छन् भवेत्सर्प इति श्रुतिः॥

vātako jalahartā ca dhānyahartā ca mūṣakaḥ| aprāptayauvanāṁ gacchan bhavetsarpa iti śrutiḥ||

The stealer of water becomes afflicted with wind-disease, and the stealer of grain becomes a mouse; one who approaches a girl not yet come of age becomes a serpent, so it is heard.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.314.21)

गुरुदाराभिलाषी च कृकलासो भवेच्चिरम्। जलप्रस्रवणं यस्तु भिन्द्यान्मत्स्यो भवेन्नरः॥

gurudārābhilāṣī ca kṛkalāso bhavecciram| jalaprasravaṇaṁ yastu bhindyānmatsyo bhavennaraḥ||

One who lusts after the guru's wife becomes a chameleon for a long time; one who obstructs a spring of water becomes a fish.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.314.22)

अविक्रेयान् विक्रयन् वै विकटाक्षो भवेन्नरः। अयोनिगो वृको हि स्यादुलूकः क्रयवञ्चनात्॥

avikreyān vikrayan vai vikaṭākṣo bhavennaraḥ| ayonigo vṛko hi syādulūkaḥ krayavañcanāt||

A man who sells unsalable goods deceitfully becomes squint-eyed; one who mates outside proper union becomes a wolf; one who cheats in buying becomes an owl.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.314.23)

मृतस्यैकादशाहे तु भुञ्जानः श्वोपजायते। प्रतिश्रुत्य द्विजायार्थमददन्मधुको भवेत्॥

mṛtasyaikādaśāhe tu bhuñjānaḥ śvopajāyate| pratiśrutya dvijāyārthamadadanmadhuko bhavet||

One who eats impure food at the eleventh-day rites of the dead becomes a dog; one who, having promised wealth to a brahmin, fails to give it becomes a honey-bee.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.314.24)

राज्ञीगमाद्भवेद्दुष्टतस्करो विड्वराहकः। परिवादी द्विजातीनां लभते काच्छपीं तनुम्॥

rājñīgamādbhavedduṣṭataskaro viḍvarāhakaḥ| parivādī dvijātīnāṁ labhate kācchapīṁ tanum||

A wicked thief who approaches the queen becomes a hog; one who slanders brahmins attains the body of a tortoise.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.314.25)

व्रजेद्देवलको राजन्योनिं चाण्डालसंज्ञिताम्। दुर्भगः फलविक्रेता वृश्चिको वृषलीपतिः॥

vrajeddevalako rājanyoniṁ cāṇḍālasaṁjñitām| durbhagaḥ phalavikretā vṛściko vṛṣalīpatiḥ||

O king, a temple servant who misuses his office attains the outcaste womb; the ill-fated seller of fruits becomes a scorpion, the husband of a low-caste woman.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.314.26)

मार्जारोऽग्निं पदा स्पृष्ट्वा रोगवान्परमांसभुक्। सोदर्यागमनात्षण्ढो दुर्गन्धश्च सुगन्धहृत्॥

mārjāro'gniṁ padā spṛṣṭvā rogavānparamāṁsabhuk| sodaryāgamanātṣaṇḍho durgandhaśca sugandhahṛt||

One who touches fire with his foot becomes a cat, diseased and a flesh-eater; one who has union with his own sister becomes a eunuch; the stealer of fragrance becomes foul-smelling.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.314.27)

ग्रामभट्टो दिवाकीर्तिर्दैवज्ञो गर्दभो भवेत्। कुपण्डितः स्यान्मार्जारो भषणो व्यास एव च॥

grāmabhaṭṭo divākīrtirdaivajño gardabho bhavet| kupaṇḍitaḥ syānmārjāro bhaṣaṇo vyāsa eva ca||

A village flatterer, a false astrologer who proclaims fame by day, becomes a donkey; a pretend-scholar becomes a cat, and a barking, empty reciter of scripture becomes so too.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.314.28)

स एव दृश्यते राजन्प्रकाशात्परमर्मणाम्। यद्वा तद्वापि पारक्यं स्वल्पं वा यदि वा बहु॥

sa eva dṛśyate rājanprakāśātparamarmaṇām| yadvā tadvāpi pārakyaṁ svalpaṁ vā yadi vā bahu||

O king, that same one is also seen reborn low for exposing others' open and hidden secrets. Whether little or much, having taken another's wealth -

Verse 29 (skanda.5.314.29)

कृत्वा वै योनिमाप्नोति तैरश्चीं नात्र संशयः। एवमादीनि चान्यानि चिह्नानि नृपसत्तम॥

kṛtvā vai yonimāpnoti tairaścīṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ| evamādīni cānyāni cihnāni nṛpasattama||

- a man attains, without doubt, an animal birth. O best of kings, there are, in like manner, many other such signs,

Verse 30 (skanda.5.314.30)

स्वकर्मविहितान्येव दृश्यन्ते यैस्तु मानवाः। ततो जन्म ततो मृत्युः सर्वजन्तुषु भारत॥

svakarmavihitānyeva dṛśyante yaistu mānavāḥ| tato janma tato mṛtyuḥ sarvajantuṣu bhārata||

- by which men are seen to be ordained by their own deeds. O Bharata, from that alone comes birth, and from that alone death, for all creatures -

Verse 31 (skanda.5.314.31)

जायते नात्र सन्देहः समीभूते शुभाशुभे। स्त्रीपुंसोः सम्प्रयोगेण विषुद्धे शुक्रशोणिते॥

jāyate nātra sandehaḥ samībhūte śubhāśubhe| strīpuṁsoḥ samprayogeṇa viṣuddhe śukraśoṇite||

- this is without doubt so, when good and bad deeds attain a balanced state, ready to bear fruit. Through the union of woman and man, from pure semen and blood -

Verse 32 (skanda.5.314.32)

पञ्चभूतसमोपेतः सषष्ठः परमेश्वरः। इन्द्रियाणि मनः प्राणा ज्ञानमायुः सुखं धृतिः॥

pañcabhūtasamopetaḥ saṣaṣṭhaḥ parameśvaraḥ| indriyāṇi manaḥ prāṇā jñānamāyuḥ sukhaṁ dhṛtiḥ||

- composed of the five elements together with the sixth, the supreme self, the embryo forms. The senses, mind, vital breaths, knowledge, lifespan, pleasure, steadfastness,

Verse 33 (skanda.5.314.33)

धारणं प्रेरणं दुःखमिच्छाहङ्कार एव च। प्रयत्न आकृतिर्वर्णः स्वरद्वेषौ भवाभवौ॥

dhāraṇaṁ preraṇaṁ duḥkhamicchāhaṅkāra eva ca| prayatna ākṛtirvarṇaḥ svaradveṣau bhavābhavau||

retention, impulse, suffering, desire, ego, effort, form, complexion, voice, aversion, coming-into-being and ceasing-to-be -

Verse 34 (skanda.5.314.34)

तस्येदमात्मनः सर्वमनादेरादिमिच्छतः। प्रथमे मासि स क्लेदभूतो धातुविमूर्छितः॥

tasyedamātmanaḥ sarvamanāderādimicchataḥ| prathame māsi sa kledabhūto dhātuvimūrchitaḥ||

- all this belongs to that beginningless self which desires to enter the womb. In the first month it exists in a liquid state, dissolved among the bodily elements.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.314.35)

मास्यर्बुदं द्वितीये तु तृतीये चेन्द्रियैर्युतः। आकाशाल्लाघवं सौक्ष्म्यं शब्दं श्रोत्रबलादिकम्। वायोस्तु स्पर्शनं चेष्टां दहनं रौक्ष्यमेव च॥

māsyarbudaṁ dvitīye tu tṛtīye cendriyairyutaḥ| ākāśāllāghavaṁ saukṣmyaṁ śabdaṁ śrotrabalādikam| vāyostu sparśanaṁ ceṣṭāṁ dahanaṁ raukṣyameva ca||

In the second month it becomes a fleshy lump; in the third month it is endowed with the senses. From ether it derives lightness, subtlety, sound and the faculty of hearing; from air, touch, motion, heat, and dryness.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.314.36)

पित्तात्तु दर्शनं पक्तिमौष्ण्यं रूपं प्रकाशनम्। सलिलाद्रसनां शैत्यं स्नेहं क्लेदं समार्दवम्॥

pittāttu darśanaṁ paktimauṣṇyaṁ rūpaṁ prakāśanam| salilādrasanāṁ śaityaṁ snehaṁ kledaṁ samārdavam||

From fire it derives sight, digestion, heat, and the manifestation of form; from water, taste, coolness, unctuousness, moisture, and softness.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.314.37)

भूमेर्गन्धं तथा घ्राणं गौरवं मूर्तिमेव च। आत्मा गृह्णात्यजः पूर्वं तृतीये स्पन्दते च सः॥

bhūmergandhaṁ tathā ghrāṇaṁ gauravaṁ mūrtimeva ca| ātmā gṛhṇātyajaḥ pūrvaṁ tṛtīye spandate ca saḥ||

From earth it derives odour, the faculty of smell, heaviness, and bodily form. The unborn self takes hold of these first, and in the third month it begins to stir.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.314.38)

दौर्हृदस्याप्रदानेन गर्भो दोषमवाप्नुयात्। वैरूप्यं मरणं वापि तस्मात्कार्यं प्रियं स्त्रियाः॥

daurhṛdasyāpradānena garbho doṣamavāpnuyāt| vairūpyaṁ maraṇaṁ vāpi tasmātkāryaṁ priyaṁ striyāḥ||

If the pregnant woman's cravings are not satisfied, the embryo suffers harm - deformity, or even death; therefore what is pleasing to the woman should be done.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.314.39)

स्थैर्यं चतुर्थे त्वङ्गानां पञ्चमे शोणितोद्भवः। षष्ठे बलं च वर्णश्च नखरोम्णां च सम्भवः॥

sthairyaṁ caturthe tvaṅgānāṁ pañcame śoṇitodbhavaḥ| ṣaṣṭhe balaṁ ca varṇaśca nakharomṇāṁ ca sambhavaḥ||

In the fourth month the limbs become firm; in the fifth, blood arises; in the sixth, strength, complexion, and the growth of nails and hair occur.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.314.40)

मनसा चेतनायुक्तो नखरोमशतावृतः। सप्तमे चाष्टमे चैव त्वचावान् स्मृतिवानपि॥

manasā cetanāyukto nakharomaśatāvṛtaḥ| saptame cāṣṭame caiva tvacāvān smṛtivānapi||

Endowed with consciousness through the mind, he becomes covered with hundreds of nails and hairs; in the seventh and eighth months he becomes possessed of skin, and even of memory.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.314.41)

पुनर्गर्भं पुनर्धात्रीमेनस्तस्य प्रधावति। अष्टमे मास्यतो गर्भो जातः प्राणैर्वियुज्यते॥

punargarbhaṁ punardhātrīmenastasya pradhāvati| aṣṭame māsyato garbho jātaḥ prāṇairviyujyate||

Again towards the womb, and again towards the mother, his sense of wrong surges up. A foetus born in the eighth month sometimes becomes separated from life.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.314.42)

नवमे दशमे वापि प्रबलैः सूतिमारुतैः। निर्गच्छते बाण इव यन्त्रच्छिद्रेण सज्वरः॥

navame daśame vāpi prabalaiḥ sūtimārutaiḥ| nirgacchate bāṇa iva yantracchidreṇa sajvaraḥ||

In the ninth or tenth month, driven by the powerful winds of labour, feverish, he emerges like an arrow shot through the aperture of a mechanism.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.314.43)

शरीरावयवैर्युक्तो ह्यङ्गप्रत्यङ्गसंयुतः। अष्टोत्तरं मर्मशतं तत्रास्था तु शतत्रयम्॥

śarīrāvayavairyukto hyaṅgapratyaṅgasaṁyutaḥ| aṣṭottaraṁ marmaśataṁ tatrāsthā tu śatatrayam||

He is born endowed with bodily parts, joined with limbs and sub-limbs. In him there are a hundred and eight vital points, and three hundred bones.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.314.44)

सप्त शिरःकपालानि विहितानि स्वयम्भुवा। तिस्रः कोट्योऽर्धकोटी च रोम्णामङ्गेषु भारत॥

sapta śiraḥkapālāni vihitāni svayambhuvā| tisraḥ koṭyo'rdhakoṭī ca romṇāmaṅgeṣu bhārata||

Self-born Brahma has ordained seven skull-bones. O Bharata, upon the limbs of the body there are three and a half crore hairs.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.314.45)

द्वासप्ततिसहस्राणि हृदयादभिनिसृताः। हितानाम हि ता नाड्यस्तासां मध्ये शशिप्रभा॥

dvāsaptatisahasrāṇi hṛdayādabhinisṛtāḥ| hitānāma hi tā nāḍyastāsāṁ madhye śaśiprabhā||

Seventy-two thousand channels issue forth from the heart; they are called "hita"; among them is one of moon-like radiance.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.314.46)

एवं प्रवर्तते चक्रं भूतग्रामे चतुर्विधे। उत्पत्तिश्च विनाशश्च भवतः सर्वदेहिनाम्॥

evaṁ pravartate cakraṁ bhūtagrāme caturvidhe| utpattiśca vināśaśca bhavataḥ sarvadehinām||

Thus this wheel turns on among the four kinds of created beings; the arising and the destruction of all embodied beings occurs in this very manner.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.314.47)

गतिरूर्ध्वा च धर्मेण ह्यधर्मेण त्वधोगतिः। जायते सर्ववर्णानां स्वधर्मचलनान्नृप॥

gatirūrdhvā ca dharmeṇa hyadharmeṇa tvadhogatiḥ| jāyate sarvavarṇānāṁ svadharmacalanānnṛpa||

Through righteousness comes an upward course, and through unrighteousness a downward one; O king, when one strays from one's own duty, this is the fate of all classes.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.314.48)

देवत्वे मानवत्वे च दानभोगादिकाः क्रियाः। दृश्यन्ते या महाराज तत्सर्वं कर्मजं फलम्॥

devatve mānavatve ca dānabhogādikāḥ kriyāḥ| dṛśyante yā mahārāja tatsarvaṁ karmajaṁ phalam||

O great king, whatever acts of giving, enjoyment, and the like are seen in the state of godhood and in the state of humanity - all that is the fruit born of one's own karma.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.314.49)

स्वकर्म विहिते घोरे कामक्रोधार्जिते शुभे। निमज्जेन्नरके घोरे यस्योत्तारो न विद्यते॥

svakarma vihite ghore kāmakrodhārjite śubhe| nimajjennarake ghore yasyottāro na vidyate||

Bound by the terrible fate ordained by one's own deeds, or even by the seemingly fortunate state acquired through desire and anger, one from whom there is no rescue sinks into a dreadful hell.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.314.50)

उत्तारणाय जन्तूनां नर्मदातटसंस्थितम्। एवमेतन्महातीर्थं नरकेश्वरमुत्तमम्॥

uttāraṇāya jantūnāṁ narmadātaṭasaṁsthitam| evametanmahātīrthaṁ narakeśvaramuttamam||

For the deliverance of creatures alone was this great tirtha established on the bank of the Narmada - this excellent tirtha, Narakeshvara,

Verse 51 (skanda.5.314.51)

नरकापहं महापुण्यं महापातकनाशनम्। तत्तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थानामुत्तमं भुवि दुर्लभम्॥

narakāpahaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam| tattīrthaṁ sarvatīrthānāmuttamaṁ bhuvi durlabham||

- which repels hell, is greatly meritorious, and destroys even the greatest sins. That tirtha, upon earth, is foremost and rare among all tirthas.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.314.52)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा पूजयेत महेश्वरम्। महापातकयुक्तोऽपि नरकं नैव पश्यति॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā pūjayeta maheśvaram| mahāpātakayukto'pi narakaṁ naiva paśyati||

He who, having bathed in that tirtha, worships Maheshvara, even though burdened with the greatest sins, never beholds hell.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.314.53)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यो दद्याद्धेनुं वैतरणीं शुभाम्। स मुच्यते सुखेनैव वैतरण्यां न संशयः॥

tatra tīrthe tu yo dadyāddhenuṁ vaitaraṇīṁ śubhām| sa mucyate sukhenaiva vaitaraṇyāṁ na saṁśayaḥ||

He who, at that tirtha, gives a blessed cow called Vaitarani, without doubt crosses the river Vaitarani with ease.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.314.54)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। यमद्वारे महाघोरे या सा वैतरणी नदी। किंरूपा किंप्रमाणा सा कथं सा वहति द्विज॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| yamadvāre mahāghore yā sā vaitaraṇī nadī| kiṁrūpā kiṁpramāṇā sā kathaṁ sā vahati dvija||

Yudhishthira said: O brahmin, that extremely terrible river Vaitarani at Yama's gate - what is its form, what its extent, and how does it flow?

Verse 55 (skanda.5.314.55)

कथं तस्याः प्रमुच्यन्ते केषां वासस्तु संततम्। केषां तु सानुकूला सा ह्येतद्विस्तरतो वद॥

kathaṁ tasyāḥ pramucyante keṣāṁ vāsastu saṁtatam| keṣāṁ tu sānukūlā sā hyetadvistarato vada||

How do people become freed from it? Who dwells there continually? And for whom is it favourable? Tell me this in detail.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.314.56)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। धर्मपुत्र महाबाहो शृणु सर्वं मयोदितम्। या सा वैतरणी नाम यमद्वारे महासरित्॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| dharmaputra mahābāho śṛṇu sarvaṁ mayoditam| yā sā vaitaraṇī nāma yamadvāre mahāsarit||

Shri Markandeya said: O mighty-armed son of Dharma, hear all that I have declared. That great river at Yama's gate, named Vaitarani -

Verse 57 (skanda.5.314.57)

अगाधा पाररहिता दृष्टमात्रा भयावहा। पूयशोणिततोया सा मांसकर्दमनिर्मिता॥

agādhā pārarahitā dṛṣṭamātrā bhayāvahā| pūyaśoṇitatoyā sā māṁsakardamanirmitā||

- is unfathomable, without a farther shore, and terrifying to even behold. Its water is pus and blood, and it is formed of a mire of flesh.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.314.58)

तत्तोयं भ्रमते तूर्णं तापीमध्ये घृतं यथा। कृमिभिः सङ्कुलं पूयं वज्रतुण्डैरयोमुखैः॥

tattoyaṁ bhramate tūrṇaṁ tāpīmadhye ghṛtaṁ yathā| kṛmibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ pūyaṁ vajratuṇḍairayomukhaiḥ||

Its water churns swiftly, as ghee boils in a pan; that pus swarms with worms whose mouths are sharp as thunderbolt and iron.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.314.59)

शिशुमारैश्च मकरैर्वज्रकर्तरिसंयुतैः। अन्यैश्च जलजीवैः सा सुहिंस्रैर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥

śiśumāraiśca makarairvajrakartarisaṁyutaiḥ| anyaiśca jalajīvaiḥ sā suhiṁsrairmarmabhedibhiḥ||

filled with porpoises and crocodiles armed with limbs like thunderbolt-shears, and with other extremely violent, vital-organ-piercing water-creatures,

Verse 60 (skanda.5.314.60)

तपन्ति द्वादशादित्याः प्रलयान्त इवोल्बणाः। पतन्ति तत्र वै मर्त्याः क्रन्दन्तो भृशदारुणम्॥

tapanti dvādaśādityāḥ pralayānta ivolbaṇāḥ| patanti tatra vai martyāḥ krandanto bhṛśadāruṇam||

- in which twelve suns, fierce as at the dissolution of the world, blaze. There mortals fall, wailing most piteously,

Verse 61 (skanda.5.314.61)

हा भ्रातः पुत्र हा मातः प्रलपन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः। असिपत्त्रवने घोरे पतन्तं योऽभिरक्षति॥

hā bhrātaḥ putra hā mātaḥ pralapanti muhurmuhuḥ| asipattravane ghore patantaṁ yo'bhirakṣati||

crying again and again, "Alas, brother! Alas, son! Alas, mother!" One who protects a person falling into the terrible Asipatra forest -

Verse 62 (skanda.5.314.62)

प्रतरन्ति निमज्जन्ति ग्लानिं गच्छन्ति जन्तवः। चतुर्विधैः प्राणिगणैर्द्रष्टव्या सा महानदी॥

prataranti nimajjanti glāniṁ gacchanti jantavaḥ| caturvidhaiḥ prāṇigaṇairdraṣṭavyā sā mahānadī||

- creatures cross it, sink in it, or drift there exhausted; that great river is beheld by creatures of four kinds.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.314.63)

तरन्ति तस्यां सद्दानैरन्यथा तु पतन्ति ते। मातरं ये न मन्यन्ते ह्याचार्यं गुरुमेव च॥

taranti tasyāṁ saddānairanyathā tu patanti te| mātaraṁ ye na manyante hyācāryaṁ gurumeva ca||

By good deeds and gifts, they cross it; otherwise they fall into it. Those who do not honour their mother, their teacher, and their guru,

Verse 64 (skanda.5.314.64)

अवजानन्ति मूढा ये तेषां वासस्तु संततम्। पतिव्रतां साधुशीलामूढां धर्मेषु निश्चलाम्॥

avajānanti mūḍhā ye teṣāṁ vāsastu saṁtatam| pativratāṁ sādhuśīlāmūḍhāṁ dharmeṣu niścalām||

- the fools who disrespect them, dwell there continually. A devoted, virtuous, guileless wife, unwavering in righteousness -

Verse 65 (skanda.5.314.65)

परित्यजन्ति ये पापाः संततं तु वसन्ति ते। विश्वासप्रतिपन्नानां स्वामिमित्रतपस्विनाम्॥

parityajanti ye pāpāḥ saṁtataṁ tu vasanti te| viśvāsapratipannānāṁ svāmimitratapasvinām||

- those sinners who forsake her, also dwell there continually. Of a trusting master, friend, or ascetic -

Verse 66 (skanda.5.314.66)

स्त्रीबालवृद्धदीनानां छिद्रमन्वेषयन्ति ये। पच्यन्ते तत्र मध्ये वै क्रन्दमानाः सुपापिनः॥

strībālavṛddhadīnānāṁ chidramanveṣayanti ye| pacyante tatra madhye vai krandamānāḥ supāpinaḥ||

- and of women, children, the aged, and the destitute, those who seek out weaknesses to exploit - those great sinners are cooked in its midst, wailing.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.314.67)

श्रान्तं बुभुक्षितं विप्रं यो विघ्नयति दुर्मतिः। कृमिभिर्भक्ष्यते तत्र यावत्कल्पशतत्रयम्॥

śrāntaṁ bubhukṣitaṁ vipraṁ yo vighnayati durmatiḥ| kṛmibhirbhakṣyate tatra yāvatkalpaśatatrayam||

One evil-minded person who obstructs a weary, hungry brahmin is devoured there by worms for three hundred kalpas.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.314.68)

ब्राह्मणाय प्रतिश्रुत्य यो दानं न प्रयच्छति। आहूय नास्ति यो ब्रूते तस्य वासस्तु संततम्॥

brāhmaṇāya pratiśrutya yo dānaṁ na prayacchati| āhūya nāsti yo brūte tasya vāsastu saṁtatam||

One who, having promised, does not give a gift to a brahmin, and who, when called upon, says "I have none" - his dwelling there too is continual.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.314.69)

अग्निदो गरदश्चैव राजगामी च पैशुनी। कथाभङ्गकरश्चैव कूटसाक्षी च मद्यपः॥

agnido garadaścaiva rājagāmī ca paiśunī| kathābhaṅgakaraścaiva kūṭasākṣī ca madyapaḥ||

The arsonist, the poisoner, the royal informer, the slanderer, the interrupter of conversation, the false witness, and the drunkard,

Verse 70 (skanda.5.314.70)

वज्रविध्वंसकश्चैव स्वयंदत्तापहारकः। सुक्षेत्रसेतुभेदी च परदारप्रधर्षकः॥

vajravidhvaṁsakaścaiva svayaṁdattāpahārakaḥ| sukṣetrasetubhedī ca paradārapradharṣakaḥ||

one who destroys by violent means, one who reclaims what he himself has given, one who breaches the boundary of a fertile field, and one who violates another's wife,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.314.71)

ब्राह्मणो रसविक्रेता वृषलीपतिरेव च। गोकुलस्य तृषार्तस्य पालीभेदं करोति यः॥

brāhmaṇo rasavikretā vṛṣalīpatireva ca| gokulasya tṛṣārtasya pālībhedaṁ karoti yaḥ||

a brahmin who sells intoxicants, the husband of a low-caste woman, and one who breaches the embankment of a watering place meant for a thirst-stricken herd -

Verse 72 (skanda.5.314.72)

कन्याभिदूषकश्चैव दानं दत्त्वा तु तापकः। शूद्रस्तु कपिलापानी ब्राह्मणो मांसभोजनी॥

kanyābhidūṣakaścaiva dānaṁ dattvā tu tāpakaḥ| śūdrastu kapilāpānī brāhmaṇo māṁsabhojanī||

the defiler of a maiden, one who gives a gift and then regrets it, a shudra who drinks tawny sacred milk, and a brahmin who eats meat -

Verse 73 (skanda.5.314.73)

एते वसन्ति सततं मा विचारं कृथा नृप। सानुकूला भवेद्येन तच्छृणुष्व नराधिप॥

ete vasanti satataṁ mā vicāraṁ kṛthā nṛpa| sānukūlā bhavedyena tacchṛṇuṣva narādhipa||

- all these dwell there continually, O king; do not doubt this. Now hear, O lord of men, by what means that river becomes favourable.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.314.74)

अयने विषुवे चैव व्यतीपाते दिनक्षये। अन्येषु पुण्यकालेषु दीयते दानमुत्तमम्॥

ayane viṣuve caiva vyatīpāte dinakṣaye| anyeṣu puṇyakāleṣu dīyate dānamuttamam||

At the solstices, the equinoxes, the Vyatipata conjunction, the day of the new moon, and other auspicious times, when an excellent gift is given -

Verse 75 (skanda.5.314.75)

कृष्णां वा पाटलां वापि कुर्याद्वैतरणीं शुभाम्। स्वर्णशृङ्गीं रूप्यखुरां कांस्यपात्रस्य दोहिनीम्॥

kṛṣṇāṁ vā pāṭalāṁ vāpi kuryādvaitaraṇīṁ śubhām| svarṇaśṛṅgīṁ rūpyakhurāṁ kāṁsyapātrasya dohinīm||

- one should fashion an auspicious Vaitarani cow-image of black or pale-red hue, with golden horns, silver hooves, being milked into a bronze vessel.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.314.76)

कृष्णवस्त्रयुगाच्छन्नां सप्तधान्यसमन्विताम्। कुर्यात्सद्रोणशिखर आसीनां ताम्रभाजने॥

kṛṣṇavastrayugācchannāṁ saptadhānyasamanvitām| kuryātsadroṇaśikhara āsīnāṁ tāmrabhājane||

It should be covered with a pair of black garments, filled with seven grains; it should be set upon a heap of grain measuring a drona, on a copper vessel at its peak.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.314.77)

यमं हैमं प्रकुर्वीत लोहदण्डसमन्वितम्। इक्षुदण्डमयं बद्ध्वा ह्युडुपं पट्टबन्धनैः॥

yamaṁ haimaṁ prakurvīta lohadaṇḍasamanvitam| ikṣudaṇḍamayaṁ baddhvā hyuḍupaṁ paṭṭabandhanaiḥ||

A golden image of Yama, holding an iron staff, should be made. Having bound together a raft made of sugarcane-stalks with strips,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.314.78)

उडुपोपरि तां धेनुं सूर्यदेहसमुद्भवाम्। कृत्वा प्रकल्पयेद्विद्वाञ्छत्त्रोपानद्युगान्विताम्॥

uḍupopari tāṁ dhenuṁ sūryadehasamudbhavām| kṛtvā prakalpayedvidvāñchattropānadyugānvitām||

- having placed upon that raft the cow, born as it were from the body of the sun, the learned man should prepare it together with an umbrella and a pair of sandals.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.314.79)

अङ्गुलीयकवासांसि ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत्। इममुच्चारयेन्मन्त्रं संगृह्यास्याश्च पुच्छकम्॥

aṅgulīyakavāsāṁsi brāhmaṇāya nivedayet| imamuccārayenmantraṁ saṁgṛhyāsyāśca pucchakam||

A ring and garments should be offered to the brahmin. Holding her tail, this mantra should be recited -

Verse 80 (skanda.5.314.80)

ओं यमद्वारे महाघोरे या सा वैतरणी नदी। तर्तुकामो ददाम्येनां तुभ्यं वैतरणि नमः। इत्यधिवासनमन्त्रः॥

oṁ yamadvāre mahāghore yā sā vaitaraṇī nadī| tartukāmo dadāmyenāṁ tubhyaṁ vaitaraṇi namaḥ| ityadhivāsanamantraḥ||

"Om, that most terrible river Vaitarani at the gate of Yama - desiring to cross it, I give this to you; salutation to you, O Vaitarani." This is the mantra of consecration.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.314.81)

गावो मे चाग्रतः सन्तु गावो मे सन्तु पृष्ठतः। गावो मे हृदये सन्तु गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम्॥

gāvo me cāgrataḥ santu gāvo me santu pṛṣṭhataḥ| gāvo me hṛdaye santu gavāṁ madhye vasāmyaham||

"May cows be before me, may cows be behind me, may cows be in my heart; may I dwell in the midst of cows."

Verse 82 (skanda.5.314.82)

ओं विष्णुरूप द्विजश्रेष्ठ भूदेव पङ्क्तिपावन। सदक्षिणा मया दत्ता तुभ्यं वैतरणि नमः। इति दानमन्त्रः॥

oṁ viṣṇurūpa dvijaśreṣṭha bhūdeva paṅktipāvana| sadakṣiṇā mayā dattā tubhyaṁ vaitaraṇi namaḥ| iti dānamantraḥ||

"Om, O best of the twice-born, O form of Vishnu, O god on earth, O purifier of the row of diners! I have given this, together with a fee, to you; salutation to you, O Vaitarani." This is the mantra of giving.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.314.83)

ब्राह्मणं धर्मराजं च धेनुं वैतरणीं शिवाम्। सर्वं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत्॥

brāhmaṇaṁ dharmarājaṁ ca dhenuṁ vaitaraṇīṁ śivām| sarvaṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya brāhmaṇāya nivedayet||

Having circumambulated the brahmin, the image of Dharmaraja, and the blessed Vaitarani cow - all of these - he should present them to the brahmin.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.314.84)

पुच्छं संगृह्य सुरभेरग्रे कृत्वा द्विजं ततः॥

pucchaṁ saṁgṛhya surabheragre kṛtvā dvijaṁ tataḥ||

Grasping the cow's tail, placing the brahmin in front,

Verse 85 (skanda.5.314.85)

धेनुके त्वं प्रतीक्षस्व यमद्वारे महाभये। उत्तितीर्षुरहं धेनो वैतरण्यै नमोऽस्तु ते। इत्यनुव्रजमन्त्रः॥

dhenuke tvaṁ pratīkṣasva yamadvāre mahābhaye| uttitīrṣuraham dheno vaitaraṇyai namo'stu te| ityanuvrajamantraḥ||

"O cow, wait for me amid the great terror at Yama's gate; I desire to cross over, O cow; salutation to Vaitarani." This is the mantra recited while following behind.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.314.86)

अनुव्रजेत गच्छन्तं सर्वं तस्य गृहं नयेत्। एवं कृते महीपाल सरित्स्यात्सुखवाहिनी॥

anuvrajeta gacchantaṁ sarvaṁ tasya gṛhaṁ nayet| evaṁ kṛte mahīpāla saritsyātsukhavāhinī||

He should follow the cow as it walks, and lead it fully to the brahmin's home. O king, when this is done, that river becomes one that flows sweetly,

Verse 87 (skanda.5.314.87)

तारयते तया धेन्वा सा सरिज्जलवाहिनी। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति ये दिव्या ये च मानुषाः॥

tārayate tayā dhenvā sā sarijjalavāhinī| sarvānkāmānavāpnoti ye divyā ye ca mānuṣāḥ||

- and, through that cow, the water-bearing river carries him across. Whatever desires there may be, divine or human, he obtains them all.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.314.88)

रोगी रोगाद्विमुक्तः स्याच्छाम्यन्ति परमापदः। स्वस्थे सहस्रगुणितमातुरे शतसंमितम्॥

rogī rogādvimuktaḥ syācchāmyanti paramāpadaḥ| svasthe sahasraguṇitamāture śatasaṁmitam||

The sick is freed from illness, and great calamities are pacified. For one who is healthy this is a thousandfold, and for the sick a hundredfold, more fruitful.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.314.89)

मृतस्यैव तु यद्दानं परोक्षे तत्समं स्मृतम्। स्वहस्तेन ततो देयं मृते कः कस्य दास्यति। इति मत्वा महाराज स्वदत्तं स्यान्महाफलम्॥

mṛtasyaiva tu yaddānaṁ parokṣe tatsamaṁ smṛtam| svahastena tato deyaṁ mṛte kaḥ kasya dāsyati| iti matvā mahārāja svadattaṁ syānmahāphalam||

A gift given on behalf of the deceased, in their absence, is deemed equal to this; but it should be given by one's own hand, for after death who shall give to whom? Understanding this, O great king, a gift given by oneself yields the greatest fruit.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.314.90)

इत्येवमुक्तं तव धर्मसूनो दानं मया वैतरणीसमुत्थम्। शृणोति भक्त्या पठतीह सम्यक्स याति विष्णोः पदमप्रमेयम्॥

ityevamuktaṁ tava dharmasūno dānaṁ mayā vaitaraṇīsamuttham| śṛṇoti bhaktyā paṭhatīha samyaksa yāti viṣṇoḥ padamaprameyam||

O son of Dharma, thus have I declared to you this rite of giving born of the Vaitarani rite. Whoever hears it with devotion, or properly recites it here, attains the immeasurable state of Vishnu.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.314.91)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। प्राप्ते चाश्वयुजे मासि तस्मिन्कृष्णा चतुर्दशी। स्नात्वा कृत्वा ततः श्राद्धं सम्पूज्य च महेश्वरम्॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| prāpte cāśvayuje māsi tasminkṛṣṇā caturdaśī| snātvā kṛtvā tataḥ śrāddhaṁ sampūjya ca maheśvaram||

Shri Markandeya said: When the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvina arrives, having bathed, performed the shraddha, and worshipped Maheshvara,

Verse 92 (skanda.5.314.92)

पितृभ्यो दीयते दानं भक्तिश्रद्धासमन्वितैः। पश्चाज्जागरणं कुर्यात्सत्कथाश्रवणादिभिः॥

pitṛbhyo dīyate dānaṁ bhaktiśraddhāsamanvitaiḥ| paścājjāgaraṇaṁ kuryātsatkathāśravaṇādibhiḥ||

with devotion and faith, gifts are given to the ancestors; thereafter one should keep a night-vigil, listening to sacred stories and the like.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.314.93)

ततः प्रभातसमये स्नात्वा वै नर्मदाजले। तर्पणं विधिवत्कृत्वा पितॄणां देवपूर्वकम्॥

tataḥ prabhātasamaye snātvā vai narmadājale| tarpaṇaṁ vidhivatkṛtvā pitṝṇāṁ devapūrvakam||

Then, at dawn, having bathed in the water of the Narmada, having duly performed the libation for the ancestors together with the gods,

Verse 94 (skanda.5.314.94)

सौवर्णे घृतसंयुक्तं दीपं दद्याद्द्विजातये। पश्चात्संभोजयेद्विप्रान् स्वयं चैव विमत्सरः॥

sauvarṇe ghṛtasaṁyuktaṁ dīpaṁ dadyāddvijātaye| paścātsaṁbhojayedviprān svayaṁ caiva vimatsaraḥ||

he should give a golden lamp filled with ghee to a brahmin; thereafter, free from envy, he should himself feed the brahmins.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.314.95)

एवं कृते नरश्रेष्ठ न जन्तुर्नरकं व्रजेत्। अवश्यमेव मनुजैर्द्रष्टव्या नारकी स्थितिः॥

evaṁ kṛte naraśreṣṭha na janturnarakaṁ vrajet| avaśyameva manujairdraṣṭavyā nārakī sthitiḥ||

O best of men, when this is done, a creature does not go to hell. Men must, inevitably, otherwise face the state of hell,

Verse 96 (skanda.5.314.96)

अनेन विधिना कृत्वा न पश्येन्नरकान्नरः। तत्र तीर्थे मृतानां तु नराणां विधिना नृप॥

anena vidhinā kṛtvā na paśyennarakānnaraḥ| tatra tīrthe mṛtānāṁ tu narāṇāṁ vidhinā nṛpa||

but, by observing this rite, a man does not behold the hells. For men who die at that tirtha in accordance with this rite, O king,

Verse 97 (skanda.5.314.97)

मन्वन्तरं शिवे लोके वासो भवति दुर्लभे। विमानेनार्कवर्णेन किंकिणीशतशोभिना॥

manvantaraṁ śive loke vāso bhavati durlabhe| vimānenārkavarṇena kiṁkiṇīśataśobhinā||

- a dwelling in the hard-to-attain realm of Shiva for a full manvantara occurs. Mounted upon a chariot, sun-coloured, adorned with hundreds of little bells,

Verse 98 (skanda.5.314.98)

स गच्छति महाभाग सेव्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः। भुनक्ति विविधान्भोगानुक्तकालं न संशयः॥

sa gacchati mahābhāga sevyamāno'psarogaṇaiḥ| bhunakti vividhānbhogānuktakālaṁ na saṁśayaḥ||

O illustrious one, he goes there, attended by hosts of apsarases, and for the appointed time, without doubt, enjoys manifold pleasures.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.314.99)

पूर्णे चैव ततः काल इह मानुष्यतां गतः। सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तो जीवेच्च शरदां शतम्॥

pūrṇe caiva tataḥ kāla iha mānuṣyatāṁ gataḥ| sarvavyādhivinirmukto jīvecca śaradāṁ śatam||

Then, when that time is completed, he attains this human birth, and, freed from all diseases, lives for a hundred autumns.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.314.100)

प्राप्य चाश्वयुजे मासि कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशीम्। अहोरात्रोषितो भूत्वा पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम्। महापातकयुक्तोऽपि मुच्यते नात्र संशयः॥

prāpya cāśvayuje māsi kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśīm| ahorātroṣito bhūtvā pūjayitvā maheśvaram| mahāpātakayukto'pi mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ||

Upon the fourteenth of the dark fortnight of Ashvina, having fasted for a day and a night and worshipped Maheshvara, even a man burdened with the gravest sins is, without doubt, freed.

Verse 101 (skanda.5.314.101)

अष्टाविंशतिकोट्यो वै नरकाणां युधिष्ठिर। विमुक्ता नरकैर्दुःखैः शिवलोकं व्रजन्ति ते॥

aṣṭāviṁśatikoṭyo vai narakāṇāṁ yudhiṣṭhira| vimuktā narakairduḥkhaiḥ śivalokaṁ vrajanti te||

O Yudhishthira, freed from twenty-eight crores of hells, delivered from the sufferings of hell, those people go to the realm of Shiva.

Verse 102 (skanda.5.314.102)

तत्र भुक्त्वा महाभोगान्दिव्यैश्वर्यसमन्वितान्। लभन्ते मानुषं जन्म दुर्लभं भुवि मानवाः॥

tatra bhuktvā mahābhogāndivyaiśvaryasamanvitān| labhante mānuṣaṁ janma durlabhaṁ bhuvi mānavāḥ||

Having enjoyed there great pleasures endowed with divine splendour, those men attain, upon earth, the rare state of human birth.