The Glory of Mandavya Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.327.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। अथ ते ऋषयः सर्वे देवाश्चेन्द्रपुरोगमाः । माण्डव्यस्याश्रमे पुण्ये समीयुर्नर्मदातटे ॥ १ ॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| atha te ṛṣayaḥ sarve devāścendrapurogamāḥ | māṇḍavyasyāśrame puṇye samīyurnarmadātaṭe || 1 ||

Sri Markandeya said: Then all those sages, and the gods headed by Indra, gathered together at Mandavya's holy hermitage on the bank of the Narmada.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.327.2)

शङ्खदुन्दुभिनादेन दीपिकाज्वलनेन च । अप्सरोगीतनादेन नृत्यन्त्यो वारयोषितः ॥ २ ॥

śaṅkhadundubhinādena dīpikājvalanena ca | apsarogītanādena nṛtyantyo vārayoṣitaḥ || 2 ||

With the sound of conches and kettledrums, with lamps ablaze, and to the singing of the Apsarases, the celestial courtesans danced.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.327.3)

कथानकैः स्तुवत्यन्ये तस्य शूलाग्रधारिणः । अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि स्नातकानां तपस्विनाम् ॥ ३ ॥

kathānakaiḥ stuvatyanye tasya śūlāgradhāriṇaḥ | aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi snātakānāṁ tapasvinām || 3 ||

Others praised him, who still bore the stake's point, with sacred tales. Eighty-eight thousand ascetic snatakas —

Verse 4 (skanda.5.327.4)

समाजे त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं तत्र ते च दिदृक्षया । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानास्तत्र हर्षात्समागताः ॥ ४ ॥

samāje tridaśaiḥ sārddhaṁ tatra te ca didṛkṣayā | brahmaviṣṇumaheśānāstatra harṣātsamāgatāḥ || 4 ||

— gathered there together with the thirty gods, eager to see him; and Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha too came there joyfully.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.327.5)

मातरो मल्लिकाद्याश्च क्षेत्रपाला विनायकाः । दिक्पाला लोकपालाश्च गङ्गाद्याश्च सरिद्वराः ॥ ५ ॥

mātaro mallikādyāśca kṣetrapālā vināyakāḥ | dikpālā lokapālāśca gaṅgādyāśca saridvarāḥ || 5 ||

The Mother-goddesses headed by Mallika, the Kshetrapalas, the Vinayakas, the guardians of the quarters, the world-protectors, and the chief rivers headed by Ganga —

Verse 6 (skanda.5.327.6)

ऋषिदेवसमाजे तु नित्यं हर्षप्रमोदने । तत्र राजा समायातः पौरजानपदैः सह ॥ ६ ॥

ṛṣidevasamāje tu nityaṁ harṣapramodane | tatra rājā samāyātaḥ paurajānapadaiḥ saha || 6 ||

— all came into that gathering of sages and gods, ever full of joy and delight. There the king also arrived, together with the people of the city and countryside.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.327.7)

दृष्ट्वा कौतूहलं तत्र व्याकुलीकृतमानसम् । वित्रस्तमनसो भूत्वा भयात्सर्वे समास्थिताः ॥ ७ ॥

dṛṣṭvā kautūhalaṁ tatra vyākulīkṛtamānasam | vitrastamanaso bhūtvā bhayātsarve samāsthitāḥ || 7 ||

Seeing the wonder there, their minds grew troubled with curiosity, and all of them, their minds terrified, stood still out of fear.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.327.8)

तस्मिन्समागमे दिव्ये ब्रह्मविष्ण्वीशमब्रुवन् । भो माण्डव्य महासत्त्व वरदास्तेऽमरैः सह ॥ ८ ॥

tasminsamāgame divye brahmaviṣṇvīśamabruvan | bho māṇḍavya mahāsattva varadāste'maraiḥ saha || 8 ||

In that divine assembly, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva spoke: 'O Mandavya, being of great essence, we the immortals together with the gods have come to grant you boons.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.327.9)

अनेककष्टतपसा तव सिद्धिर्भविष्यति । प्रार्थयस्व यथाकामं यस्ते मनसि रोचते ॥ ९ ॥

anekakaṣṭatapasā tava siddhirbhaviṣyati | prārthayasva yathākāmaṁ yaste manasi rocate || 9 ||

Through your many severe austerities you shall attain accomplishment. Ask as you desire, whatever pleases your mind.'

Verse 10 (skanda.5.327.10)

अनादित्यमयं लोकं निर्वषट्कारमाकुलम् । नष्टधर्मं विजानीहि प्रकृतिस्थं कुरुष्व च । अनुग्रहं तु शाण्डिल्याः प्रार्थयाम द्विजोत्तम ॥ १० ॥

anādityamayaṁ lokaṁ nirvaṣaṭkāramākulam | naṣṭadharmaṁ vijānīhi prakṛtisthaṁ kuruṣva ca | anugrahaṁ tu śāṇḍilyāḥ prārthayāma dvijottama || 10 ||

'Know that this world is now sunless, devoid of sacred rites, thrown into confusion, its dharma lost — restore it to its natural order. O best of brahmins, we beg for your grace upon Shandili.'

Verse 11 (skanda.5.327.11)

एष ते कष्टदो राजा समायातस्तवाग्रतः । संभूषयस्व विप्रर्षे जनं देवासुरं गणम् ॥ ११ ॥

eṣa te kaṣṭado rājā samāyātastavāgrataḥ | sambhūṣayasva viprarṣe janaṁ devāsuraṁ gaṇam || 11 ||

Here before you stands the king who caused you this suffering. O sage among brahmins, grace with your favour this assembly of gods, demons, and men.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.327.12)

माण्डव्य उवाच। यदि प्रसन्ना मे देवाः समायाताः सुरैः सह । त्रिकालमत्र तीर्थे च स्थातव्यमृषिभिः सह ॥ १२ ॥

māṇḍavya uvāca| yadi prasannā me devāḥ samāyātāḥ suraiḥ saha | trikālamatra tīrthe ca sthātavyamṛṣibhiḥ saha || 12 ||

Mandavya said: 'If the gods, having come here together with the celestials, are pleased with me, then let it be ordained that you dwell at this tirtha at all three times of day, together with the sages.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.327.13)

भवतां तु प्रसादेन रुजा मे शाम्यतां सदा । एवमस्त्विति देवेशा यावज्जल्पन्ति पाण्डव ॥ १३ ॥

bhavatāṁ tu prasādena rujā me śāmyatāṁ sadā | evamastviti deveśā yāvajjalpanti pāṇḍava || 13 ||

And by your grace, may my brother's affliction be forever pacified.' O Pandava, while the lords of the gods were still saying 'So be it' —

Verse 14 (skanda.5.327.14)

तावद्रक्षो गृहीत्वाऽग्रे कन्यां कामप्रमोदिनीम् । उवाच भगवञ्छापं पुरा दत्त्वोर्वशी मम ॥ १४ ॥

tāvadrakṣo gṛhītvā'gre kanyāṁ kāmapramodinīm | uvāca bhagavañchāpaṁ purā dattvorvaśī mama || 14 ||

— meanwhile a demon appeared, bringing forth before them a maiden who delighted the heart with desire, and said: 'O Lord, Urvashi once gave me a curse —

Verse 15 (skanda.5.327.15)

यदा कन्यां हरे रक्षःशापान्तस्ते भविष्यति । तेन मे गर्हितं कर्म शापेनाकृतबुद्धिना ॥ १५ ॥

yadā kanyāṁ hare rakṣaḥśāpāntaste bhaviṣyati | tena me garhitaṁ karma śāpenākṛtabuddhinā || 15 ||

— 'When, O demon, you abduct a maiden, the end of your curse shall come.' By that curse, with my mind not fully in my control, I committed this reprehensible deed.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.327.16)

क्षन्तव्यमिति चोक्त्वा च गतश्चादर्शनं पुनः । गते चैव तु सा कन्या दृष्ट्वा पद्मदलेक्षणा ॥ १६ ॥

kṣantavyamiti coktvā ca gataścādarśanaṁ punaḥ | gate caiva tu sā kanyā dṛṣṭvā padmadalekṣaṇā || 16 ||

Saying, 'I beg forgiveness,' he then vanished from sight once again. When he had departed, that maiden with eyes like lotus petals was seen by all —

Verse 17 (skanda.5.327.17)

मन्त्रयित्वा सुरैः सर्वैर्दत्ता माण्डव्यधीमते । तां वज्रशूलिकां प्लाव्य पवित्रैर्नर्मदोदकैः ॥ १७ ॥

mantrayitvā suraiḥ sarvairdattā māṇḍavyadhīmate | tāṁ vajraśūlikāṁ plāvya pavitrairnarmadodakaiḥ || 17 ||

— after taking counsel together, all the gods gave her to the wise Mandavya. Then, having washed that thunderbolt-hard stake with the sacred waters of the Narmada,

Verse 18 (skanda.5.327.18)

माण्डव्यमृषिमुत्तार्य जयशब्दादिमङ्गलैः । विवाहयित्वा तां कन्यां माण्डव्यर्षिपुंगवः ॥ १८ ॥

māṇḍavyamṛṣimuttārya jayaśabdādimaṅgalaiḥ | vivāhayitvā tāṁ kanyāṁ māṇḍavyarṣipuṅgavaḥ || 18 ||

they drew the sage Mandavya down from it, amid cries of victory and other auspicious sounds. Then that foremost of sages, Mandavya, married that maiden.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.327.19)

अभिवाद्य च तान् सर्वान् दानसन्मानगौरवैः । अथ राजा समीपस्थो रत्नैश्च विविधैरपि ॥ १९ ॥

abhivādya ca tān sarvān dānasanmānagauravaiḥ | atha rājā samīpastho ratnaiśca vividhairapi || 19 ||

He honoured all of them with gifts, respect and reverence. Then the king, who stood nearby, with various jewels as well —

Verse 20 (skanda.5.327.20)

धिग्वादैर्निन्दितः सर्वैस्तैर्जनैर्भूषितः पुनः । राज्ञा च ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे भूषणाच्छादनाशनैः ॥ २० ॥

dhigvādairninditaḥ sarvaistairjanairbhūṣitaḥ punaḥ | rājñā ca brāhmaṇāḥ sarve bhūṣaṇācchādanāśanaiḥ || 20 ||

— though first reviled by all those people with cries of shame, he was again honoured by those very people. And the king honoured all the brahmins with ornaments, garments, and food,

Verse 21 (skanda.5.327.21)

सुवर्णकोटिदानेन तुष्टान्कृत्वा क्षमापिताः । वृत्ते विवाह आहूय शाण्डिलीं तामथाब्रवीत् ॥ २१ ॥

suvarṇakoṭidānena tuṣṭānkṛtvā kṣamāpitāḥ | vṛtte vivāha āhūya śāṇḍilīṁ tāmathābravīt || 21 ||

— and with the gift of a crore of gold, satisfied them and obtained their forgiveness. When the wedding was concluded, Mandavya called Shandili and said to her:

Verse 22 (skanda.5.327.22)

मानयस्व इमान् विप्रान्मोचयस्व दिवाकरम् । अपहृत्य तमो येन कृपा सद्यः प्रवर्तते ॥ २२ ॥

mānayasva imān viprānmocayasva divākaram | apahṛtya tamo yena kṛpā sadyaḥ pravartate || 22 ||

'Honour these brahmins, and release the sun; so that darkness may be dispelled and grace at once prevail.'

Verse 23 (skanda.5.327.23)

ऋषीणां वचनं श्रुत्वा शाण्डिली दुःखिताब्रवीत् । उदितेऽर्के तु मे भर्ता मृत्युं यास्यति भो द्विजाः ॥ २३ ॥

ṛṣīṇāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā śāṇḍilī duḥkhitābravīt | udite'rke tu me bhartā mṛtyuṁ yāsyati bho dvijāḥ || 23 ||

Hearing the sages' words, Shandili spoke, grieving: 'O brahmins, if the sun rises, my husband will go to death.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.327.24)

तं कथं मोचयामीह ह्यात्मनोऽनिष्टसिद्धये । क्रियाप्रवर्तनाच्चाद्य किं कार्यं मे महर्षयः ॥ २४ ॥

taṁ kathaṁ mocayāmīha hyātmano'niṣṭasiddhaye | kriyāpravartanāccādya kiṁ kāryaṁ me maharṣayaḥ || 24 ||

How then shall I release him, for it would bring about my own misfortune? What good would it do me, O great sages, to let the world's rites resume today?

Verse 25 (skanda.5.327.25)

निःपुंसी स्त्री ह्यनाथाहं भवामि भवतो मतम् । तिष्ठ त्वमन्धकारे तु नेच्छामि रविणोदयम् ॥ २५ ॥

niḥpuṁsī strī hyanāthāhaṁ bhavāmi bhavato matam | tiṣṭha tvamandhakāre tu necchāmi raviṇodayam || 25 ||

I would become a husbandless woman, unprotected — is that your wish for me? Stay then in darkness — I do not desire the sun to rise!'

Verse 26 (skanda.5.327.26)

तेन वाक्येन ते सर्वे देवासुरमहर्षयः । शिरःसंचालनाः सर्वे साधु साध्विति चाब्रुवन् ॥ २६ ॥

tena vākyena te sarve devāsuramaharṣayaḥ | śiraḥsaṁcālanāḥ sarve sādhu sādhviti cābruvan || 26 ||

At those words, all the gods, demons and great sages, nodding their heads, all said, 'Well said, well said!'

Verse 27 (skanda.5.327.27)

पतिव्रते महाभागे शृणु वाक्यं तपोधने । मन्यसे यदि नः सर्वान्कुरुष्व वचनं च यत् ॥ २७ ॥

pativrate mahābhāge śṛṇu vākyaṁ tapodhane | manyase yadi naḥ sarvānkuruṣva vacanaṁ ca yat || 27 ||

'O fortunate and chaste one, rich in austerity, listen to our word. If you have regard for all of us, then do as we now ask —'

Verse 28 (skanda.5.327.28)

शाण्डिल्युवाच। येन मे न मरेद्भर्ता येन सत्यं मुनेर्वचः । तत्कुरुध्वं विचार्याशु येन संवर्धते सुखम् ॥ २८ ॥

śāṇḍilyuvāca| yena me na maredbhartā yena satyaṁ munervacaḥ | tatkurudhvaṁ vicāryāśu yena saṁvardhate sukham || 28 ||

Shandili said: 'By whatever means my husband will not die, and by which the sage's word remains true — decide that quickly and do it, by which happiness may grow.'

Verse 29 (skanda.5.327.29)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्वप्नावस्थाकृतो हृषिः । अन्तर्हितो मुहूर्तं च शाण्डिल्याश्च प्रपश्य ताम् ॥ २९ ॥

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā svapnāvasthākṛto hṛṣiḥ | antarhito muhūrtaṁ ca śāṇḍilyāśca prapaśya tām || 29 ||

Hearing her words, the sage was, for a moment, made to appear as though in a dream-state, and vanished from sight for an instant — while Shandili looked on.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.327.30)

पुनरादाय ते सर्वे कृत्वा निर्व्रणसत्तनुं स्नापितो नर्मदातोये शाण्डिल्यायै समर्पितः ॥ ३० ॥

punarādāya te sarve kṛtvā nirvraṇasattanuṁ snāpito narmadātoye śāṇḍilyāyai samarpitaḥ || 30 ||

Then all of them together took him up, restored his body free of wounds, bathed him in the waters of the Narmada, and gave him back to Shandili.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.327.31)

ततः सा हृष्टमनसा पतिं दृष्ट्वा तु तैजसम् । प्रणम्य तानृषीन् देवान् विमलार्कं जगत्कृतम् ॥ ३१ ॥

tataḥ sā hṛṣṭamanasā patiṁ dṛṣṭvā tu taijasam | praṇamya tānṛṣīn devān vimalārkaṁ jagatkṛtam || 31 ||

Then, seeing her husband restored and radiant, she rejoiced in her heart; she bowed to the sages and gods, and let the sun shine forth clear once more, restoring order to the world.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.327.32)

क्रियाप्रवर्तिताः सर्वे देवगन्धर्वमानुषाः । हृष्टतुष्टा गताः सर्वे स्वमाश्रमपदं महत् ॥ ३२ ॥

kriyāpravartitāḥ sarve devagandharvamānuṣāḥ | hṛṣṭatuṣṭā gatāḥ sarve svamāśramapadaṁ mahat || 32 ||

All the sacred rites resumed once more; and all the gods, gandharvas and men, joyful and content, departed each to their own great abode.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.327.33)

पतिव्रता स्वभर्त्रा सा मासमेवाश्रमे स्थिता । माण्डव्येनाप्यनुज्ञाता ययौ नत्वा स्वमाश्रमम् ॥ ३३ ॥

pativratā svabhartrā sā māsamevāśrame sthitā | māṇḍavyenāpyanujñātā yayau natvā svamāśramam || 33 ||

The chaste Shandili remained with her own husband at that hermitage for a month; then, given leave by Mandavya as well, she bowed and returned to her own hermitage.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.327.34)

गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु स्थापयामास चाच्युतम् । माण्डव्येश्वरनामानं नारायण इति स्मृतम् ॥ ३४ ॥

gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu sthāpayāmāsa cācyutam | māṇḍavyeśvaranāmānaṁ nārāyaṇa iti smṛtam || 34 ||

When all of them had departed, Mandavya established the unchanging deity, known by the name Mandavyeshvara, remembered too as Narayana.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.327.35)

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं तु पूजयामास भारत । गतोऽसावृषिसङ्घैश्च सहितोऽमरपर्वतम् ॥ ३५ ॥

divyaṁ varṣasahasraṁ tu pūjayāmāsa bhārata | gato'sāvṛṣisaṅghaiśca sahito'maraparvatam || 35 ||

O Bharata, for a thousand divine years he worshipped there; then he went, together with the assemblies of sages, to the mountain of the immortals.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.327.36)

तपस्तपन्तौ तौ तत्र ह्यद्यापि किल भारत । भ्रातरौ संयतात्मानौ ध्यायतः परमं पदम् ॥ ३६ ॥

tapastapantau tau tatra hyadyāpi kila bhārata | bhrātarau saṁyatātmānau dhyāyataḥ paramaṁ padam || 36 ||

O Bharata, those two brothers, their minds fully controlled, are said to still be practising austerity there even today, meditating on the supreme state.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.327.37)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः । पितरस्तस्य तृप्यन्ति पिण्डदानाद्दशाब्दिकम् ॥ ३७ ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā tarpayetpitṛdevatāḥ | pitarastasya tṛpyanti piṇḍadānāddaśābdikam || 37 ||

Whoever bathes at that tirtha and offers tarpana to the ancestor-deities — his forefathers are satisfied, with merit equal to ten years of pinda-offerings.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.327.38)

देवगृहे तु पक्षादौ यः करोति विलेपनम् । गोदानशतसाहस्रे दत्ते भवति यत्फलम् ॥ ३८ ॥

devagṛhe tu pakṣādau yaḥ karoti vilepanam | godānaśatasāhasre datte bhavati yatphalam || 38 ||

Whoever, at the start of the lunar fortnight, plasters the temple as an offering — the fruit that arises is equal to the gift of a hundred thousand cows.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.327.39)

उपलेपनेन द्विगुणमर्चने तु चतुर्गुणम् । दीपप्रज्वलने पुण्यमष्टधा परिकीर्तितम् ॥ ३९ ॥

upalepanena dviguṇamarcane tu caturguṇam | dīpaprajvalane puṇyamaṣṭadhā parikīrtitam || 39 ||

By plastering the temple floor the merit is doubled; by worship it is fourfold; by lighting a lamp, the merit is declared to be eightfold.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.327.40)

दिव्यनेत्रधरो भूत्वा त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । दध्ना मधुघृतैर्देवं पयसा नर्मदोदकैः ॥ ४० ॥

divyanetradharo bhūtvā trailokye sacarācare | dadhnā madhughṛtairdevaṁ payasā narmadodakaiḥ || 40 ||

One who thus worships becomes possessed of divine sight throughout the three worlds with all their moving and unmoving beings. Those who bathe the deity with curd, honey, ghee, milk, and the waters of the Narmada —

Verse 41 (skanda.5.327.41)

स्नपनं ये प्रकुर्वन्ति पुष्पमालाविलेपनैः । येऽर्चयन्ति विरूपाक्षं देवं नारायणं हरिम् ॥ ४१ ॥

snapanaṁ ye prakurvanti puṣpamālāvilepanaiḥ | ye'rcayanti virūpākṣaṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ harim || 41 ||

— with garlands of flowers and unguents — those who thus worship the deity Virupaksha, and Narayana Hari,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.327.42)

तेऽपि दिव्यविमानेन क्रीडन्ते कल्पसंख्यया । दीपाष्टकं तु यः कुर्यादष्टमीं च चतुर्दशीम् ॥ ४२ ॥

te'pi divyavimānena krīḍante kalpasaṅkhyayā | dīpāṣṭakaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādaṣṭamīṁ ca caturdaśīm || 42 ||

— they too sport in a divine aerial chariot for the duration of a kalpa. Whoever offers a set of eight lamps on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days,

Verse 43 (skanda.5.327.43)

एकादश्यां तु कृष्णस्य न पश्यन्ति यमं तु ते । फलैर्नानाविधैः शुभ्रैर्यः कुर्याल्लिङ्गपूरणम् ॥ ४३ ॥

ekādaśyāṁ tu kṛṣṇasya na paśyanti yamaṁ tu te | phalairnānāvidhaiḥ śubhrairyaḥ kuryāllliṅgapūraṇam || 43 ||

— and on the ekadashi of the dark fortnight observes a vow, does not behold Yama. Whoever covers the Shiva-linga over with various pure fruits,

Verse 44 (skanda.5.327.44)

तेऽपि यान्ति विमानेन सिद्धचारणसेविताः । घण्टा चैव पताका च विमाने पुष्पमालिका ॥ ४४ ॥

te'pi yānti vimānena siddhacāraṇasevitāḥ | ghaṇṭā caiva patākā ca vimāne puṣpamālikā || 44 ||

he too travels in a heavenly chariot attended by Siddhas and Charanas, with bells, banners, and garlands of flowers upon that chariot.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.327.45)

वादित्राणि यथार्हाणि प्रान्ते च गच्छते शिवम् । देवालयं तु यः कुर्याद्वैष्णवं माण्डवेश्वरम् ॥ ४५ ॥

vāditrāṇi yathārhāṇi prānte ca gacchate śivam | devālayaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādvaiṣṇavaṁ māṇḍaveśvaram || 45 ||

With music fitting the occasion, at the end he attains the auspicious realm of Shiva. Whoever builds a temple of Vishnu, or of Mandaveshvara,

Verse 46 (skanda.5.327.46)

स्वर्गे वसति धर्मात्मा यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम् । माण्डव्यनारायणाख्ये विप्रान् भोजयतेऽग्रतः ॥ ४६ ॥

svarge vasati dharmātmā yāvadābhūtasamplavam | māṇḍavyanārāyaṇākhye viprān bhojayate'grataḥ || 46 ||

— that righteous soul dwells in heaven until the dissolution of all beings. Whoever, before the deity named Mandavya-Narayana, feeds brahmins,

Verse 47 (skanda.5.327.47)

एकस्मिन् भोजिते विप्रे कोटिर्भवति भोजिता । आश्विने मासि सम्प्राप्ते शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्दशीम् ॥ ४७ ॥

ekasmin bhojite vipre koṭirbhavati bhojitā | āśvine māsi samprāpte śuklapakṣe caturdaśīm || 47 ||

— by feeding a single brahmin there, the merit equals feeding a crore. When the month of Ashvina arrives, on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight —

Verse 48 (skanda.5.327.48)

कृतोपवासनियमो रात्रौ जागरणेन च । दीपमालां चतुर्दिक्षु पूजां कृत्वा तु शक्तितः ॥ ४८ ॥

kṛtopavāsaniyamo rātrau jāgaraṇena ca | dīpamālāṁ caturdikṣu pūjāṁ kṛtvā tu śaktitaḥ || 48 ||

— observing the discipline of fasting, keeping vigil through the night, arranging rows of lamps on all four sides, and performing worship according to one's ability,

Verse 49 (skanda.5.327.49)

नारी वा पुरुषो वापि नृत्यगीतप्रवादनैः । प्रभाते विमले सूर्ये स्नानादिकविधिं नृप ॥ ४९ ॥

nārī vā puruṣo vāpi nṛtyagītapravādanaiḥ | prabhāte vimale sūrye snānādikavidhiṁ nṛpa || 49 ||

— whether woman or man, with dance, song and music — O king, at dawn when the sun is bright, performing the rites of bathing and so on,

Verse 50 (skanda.5.327.50)

अभिनिर्वर्त्य मौनेन पश्यते देवमीदृशम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते ॥ ५० ॥

abhinirvartya maunena paśyate devamīdṛśam | sarvapāpavinirmukto rudraloke mahīyate || 50 ||

— having completed these rites in silence, and beholding the deity thus — that person, freed from all sin, is exalted in the realm of Rudra.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.327.51)

अथवा मार्गशीर्षे च चैत्रवैशाखयोरपि । श्रावणे वा महाराज सर्वकालेऽथवापि च ॥ ५१ ॥

athavā mārgaśīrṣe ca caitravaiśākhayorapi | śrāvaṇe vā mahārāja sarvakāle'thavāpi ca || 51 ||

Or else in the month of Margashirsha, or in Chaitra and Vaishakha, or in Shravana, O great king, or indeed at any time at all —

Verse 52 (skanda.5.327.52)

शिवरात्रिसमं पुण्यमित्येवं शिवभाषितम् । वाजपेयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं भवति नान्यथा ॥ ५२ ॥

śivarātrisamaṁ puṇyamityevaṁ śivabhāṣitam | vājapeyāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalaṁ bhavati nānyathā || 52 ||

— such worship here bears the same merit as Shivaratri — so it is declared by Shiva himself. The fruit equals that of the Vajapeya and Ashvamedha sacrifices, and none other.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.327.53)

दुर्भगा दुःखिता वन्ध्या दरिद्रा च मृतप्रजा । स्नाति रुद्रघटैर्या स्त्री सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ॥ ५३ ॥

durbhagā duḥkhitā vandhyā daridrā ca mṛtaprajā | snāti rudraghaṭairyā strī sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || 53 ||

An unfortunate woman — suffering, barren, poor, or one whose children have died — if she bathes with the Rudra-pots, she obtains all her desires.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.327.54)

कृमिकीटपतङ्गाश्च तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु ये मृताः । स्वर्गं प्रयान्ति ते सर्वे दिव्यरूपधरा नृप ॥ ५४ ॥

kṛmikīṭapataṅgāśca tasmiṁstīrthe tu ye mṛtāḥ | svargaṁ prayānti te sarve divyarūpadharā nṛpa || 54 ||

O king, even worms, insects, and moths that die at that tirtha — all of them go to heaven, assuming divine forms.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.327.55)

अनाशके जलेऽग्नौ तु ये मृता व्याधिपीडिताः । अनिवर्तिका गतिस्तेषां रुद्रलोके ह्यसंशयम् ॥ ५५ ॥

anāśake jale'gnau tu ye mṛtā vyādhipīḍitāḥ | anivartikā gatisteṣāṁ rudraloke hyasaṁśayam || 55 ||

Those who die there through fasting unto death, in water, in fire, or afflicted by illness — for them, without doubt, there is an unreturning path to the realm of Rudra.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.327.56)

नित्यं नमति यो राज शिवनारायणावुभौ । गोदानफलमाप्नोति तस्य तीर्थप्रभावतः ॥ ५६ ॥

nityaṁ namati yo rāja śivanārāyaṇāvubhau | godānaphalamāpnoti tasya tīrthaprabhāvataḥ || 56 ||

O king, whoever daily bows to both Shiva and Narayana here obtains the fruit of a gift of cows, by the power of this tirtha.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.327.57)

देवालये तु राजेन्द्र यश्च कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणाम् । प्रदक्षिणीकृता तेन ससागरधरा धरा ॥ ५७ ॥

devālaye tu rājendra yaśca kuryātpradakṣiṇām | pradakṣiṇīkṛtā tena sasāgaradharā dharā || 57 ||

O lord of kings, whoever circumambulates the temple here — by him the whole earth, together with its oceans and mountains, is reckoned as circumambulated.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.327.58)

सार्द्धं शतं च तीर्थानि मल्लिकाभवनाद्बहिः । तस्य तीर्थप्रमाणं तु विस्तरं राजसत्तम ॥ ५८ ॥

sārddhaṁ śataṁ ca tīrthāni mallikābhavanādbahiḥ | tasya tīrthapramāṇaṁ tu vistaraṁ rājasattama || 58 ||

A hundred and fifty tirthas lie outside the shrine of Mallika. O best of kings, the full extent of this tirtha's measure —

Verse 59 (skanda.5.327.59)

सूत्रेण वेष्टयेत्क्षेत्रमथवा शिवमन्दिरम् । अथवा शिवलिङ्गं च तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु ॥ ५९ ॥

sūtreṇa veṣṭayetkṣetramathavā śivamandiram | athavā śivaliṅgaṁ ca tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu || 59 ||

— or whoever encircles this sacred field with thread, or the Shiva temple, or the Shiva-linga — hear the meritorious fruit of that act.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.327.60)

जम्बूद्वीपश्च कृतस्नश्च शाल्मली कुशक्रौञ्चकौ । शाकपुष्करगोमेदैः सप्तद्वीपा वसुंधरा ॥ ६० ॥

jambūdvīpaśca kṛtasnaśca śālmalī kuśakrauñcakau | śākapuṣkaragomedaiḥ saptadvīpā vasuṁdharā || 60 ||

Jambudvipa, and Kritasna, Shalmali, and the pair Kusha-Kraunchaka, together with Shaka, Pushkara, and Gomeda — the earth of seven continents [as named by this text] —

Verse 61 (skanda.5.327.61)

भूषिता तेन राजेन्द्र सशैलवनकानना । रेवायां दक्षिणे भागे शिवक्षेत्रात्समीपतः ॥ ६१ ॥

bhūṣitā tena rājendra saśailavanakānanā | revāyāṁ dakṣiṇe bhāge śivakṣetrātsamīpataḥ || 61 ||

— O lord of kings, that whole earth, with its mountains, woods and forests, is thereby adorned [by such merit]. On the southern side of the Reva, near this Shiva-kshetra —

Verse 62 (skanda.5.327.62)

देवखातं महापुण्यं निर्मितं त्रिदशैरपि । तस्मिन् यः कुरुते स्नानं मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः ॥ ६२ ॥

devakhātaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ nirmitaṁ tridaśairapi | tasmin yaḥ kurute snānaṁ mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ || 62 ||

— there is the great and holy Devakhata, made even by the thirty gods themselves. Whoever bathes in it is freed from all sins.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.327.63)

पूर्णिमायाममावस्यां व्यतीपातेऽर्कसंक्रमे । श्राद्धं च संग्रहे कुर्यात्स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम् ॥ ६३ ॥

pūrṇimāyāmamāvasyāṁ vyatīpāte'rkasaṅkrame | śrāddhaṁ ca saṅgrahe kuryātsa gacchetparamāṁ gatim || 63 ||

On the full moon, the new moon, at the Vyatipata, or at a solar transit, whoever performs shraddha there attentively attains the supreme state.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.327.64)

देवखाते त्रयो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः । तिष्ठन्ति ऋषिभिः सार्द्धं पितृदेवगणैः सह ॥ ६४ ॥

devakhāte trayo devā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ | tiṣṭhanti ṛṣibhiḥ sārddhaṁ pitṛdevagaṇaiḥ saha || 64 ||

At the Devakhata, the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara reside, together with the sages and the hosts of ancestor-deities.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.327.65)

तत्र तीर्थेऽश्विने मासि चतुर्दश्यां विशेषतः । वायुमार्गे स्थितः शक्रस्तिष्ठते दैवतैः सह ॥ ६५ ॥

tatra tīrthe'śvine māsi caturdaśyāṁ viśeṣataḥ | vāyumārge sthitaḥ śakrastiṣṭhate daivataiḥ saha || 65 ||

At that tirtha, especially on the fourteenth day of the month of Ashvina, Indra remains stationed in the aerial path, together with the other gods.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.327.66)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि सरितः सागरास्तथा । विंशति तानि सर्वाणि देवखाते दिनद्वयम् ॥ ६६ ॥

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni saritaḥ sāgarāstathā | viṁśati tāni sarvāṇi devakhāte dinadvayam || 66 ||

All the tirthas, rivers, and oceans that exist on this earth gather, all of them, at the Devakhata for two days.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.327.67)

गयाशिरे च यत्पुण्यं प्रयागे मकरकण्टके । प्रयागे सोमतीर्थे च तत्पुण्यं माण्डवेश्वरे ॥ ६७ ॥

gayāśire ca yatpuṇyaṁ prayāge makarakaṇṭake | prayāge somatīrthe ca tatpuṇyaṁ māṇḍaveśvare || 67 ||

Whatever merit exists at Gayashira, at Prayaga's Makarakantaka, and at Prayaga's Somatirtha — that same merit exists at Mandaveshvara.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.327.68)

पट्टबन्धेन यत्पुण्यं मात्रायां लकुलेश्वरे । आश्विन्यामश्विनीयोगे तत्पुण्यं माण्डवेश्वरे ॥ ६८ ॥

paṭṭabandhena yatpuṇyaṁ mātrāyāṁ lakuleśvare | āśvinyāmaśvinīyoge tatpuṇyaṁ māṇḍaveśvare || 68 ||

Whatever merit is gained by the pattabandha rite at Lakuleshvara in Mathura — that same merit is obtained at Mandaveshvara, in the month of Ashvina, at the conjunction of the Ashvini nakshatra.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.327.69)

उज्जयिन्यां महाकाले वाराणस्यां त्रिपुष्करे । संनिहत्यां रविग्रस्ते माण्डव्याख्ये सनातनम् ॥ ६९ ॥

ujjayinyāṁ mahākāle vārāṇasyāṁ tripuṣkare | sannihatyāṁ ravigraste māṇḍavyākhye sanātanam || 69 ||

Whatever merit is gained at Mahakala in Ujjayini, at Varanasi, at Tripushkara, and at Sannihatya during a solar eclipse — that same eternal merit is gained at the tirtha named Mandavya.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.327.70)

इति ज्ञात्वा महाराज सर्वतीर्थेषु चोत्तमम् । पित्ॄन्देवान् समभ्यर्च्य स्नानदानादिपूजनैः ॥ ७० ॥

iti jñātvā mahārāja sarvatīrtheṣu cottamam | pitṝndevān samabhyarcya snānadānādipūjanaiḥ || 70 ||

Knowing thus, O great king, that this is supreme among all tirthas, one should worship the ancestors and gods with bathing, gifts and other rites of worship,

Verse 71 (skanda.5.327.71)

चतुर्दश्यां निराहारः स्थितो भूत्वा शुचिव्रतः । पूजयेत्परया भक्त्या रात्रौ जागरणे शिवम् ॥ ७१ ॥

caturdaśyāṁ nirāhāraḥ sthito bhūtvā śucivrataḥ | pūjayetparayā bhaktyā rātrau jāgaraṇe śivam || 71 ||

— remaining without food on the fourteenth day, observing a vow of purity, one should worship Shiva with the highest devotion, keeping vigil through the night,

Verse 72 (skanda.5.327.72)

स्नानैश्च विविधैर्देवं पुष्पागरुविलेपनैः । प्रभाते पौर्णमास्यां तु स्नानादिविधितर्पणैः ॥ ७२ ॥

snānaiśca vividhairdevaṁ puṣpāgaruvilepanaiḥ | prabhāte paurṇamāsyāṁ tu snānādividhitarpaṇaiḥ || 72 ||

— with various ablutions, with flowers and aguru unguents, and at dawn on the full-moon day with the proper rites of bathing and tarpana,

Verse 73 (skanda.5.327.73)

श्राद्धेन हव्यकव्येन शिवपूजार्चनेन च । अग्निष्टोमादियज्ञैश्च विधिवच्चाप्तदक्षिणैः ॥ ७३ ॥

śrāddhena havyakavyena śivapūjārcanena ca | agniṣṭomādiyajñaiśca vidhivaccāptadakṣiṇaiḥ || 73 ||

— with shraddha, with havya and kavya offerings, with the worship of Shiva, and with sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma performed dutifully with proper fees to the officiants —

Verse 74 (skanda.5.327.74)

धौतपापो विशुद्धात्मा फलते फलमुत्तमम् । गोसहस्रप्रदानेन दत्तं भवति भारत ॥ ७४ ॥

dhautapāpo viśuddhātmā phalate phalamuttamam | gosahasrapradānena dattaṁ bhavati bhārata || 74 ||

— one's sins are washed away, one's soul purified, and one reaps the highest fruit. O Bharata, the merit becomes equal to the gift of a thousand cows.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.327.75)

स्नानाद्यैर्विधिवत्तत्र तद्दिने शिवसन्निधौ । हिरण्यं वृषभं धेनुं भूमिं गोमिथुनं हयम् ॥ ७५ ॥

snānādyairvidhivattatra taddine śivasannidhau | hiraṇyaṁ vṛṣabhaṁ dhenuṁ bhūmiṁ gomithunaṁ hayam || 75 ||

With bathing and the other rites duly performed there on that day, in the presence of Shiva, one should give gold, a bull, a milk-cow, land, a pair of cattle, a horse,

Verse 76 (skanda.5.327.76)

शिवमुद्दिश्य वै वस्त्रयुग्मे दद्यात्सुरूपिणे । पादुकोपानहौ छत्रं भाजनं रक्तवाससी ॥ ७६ ॥

śivamuddiśya vai vastrayugme dadyātsurūpiṇe | pādukopānahau chatraṁ bhājanaṁ raktavāsasī || 76 ||

— dedicated to Shiva, and a pair of garments to one of fine form, sandals and shoes, an umbrella, a vessel, and a pair of red garments.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.327.77)

होमं जाप्यं तथा दानमक्षयं सर्वमेव तत् । ऋचमेकां तु ऋग्वेदे यजुर्वेदे यजुस्तथा ॥ ७७ ॥

homaṁ jāpyaṁ tathā dānamakṣayaṁ sarvameva tat | ṛcamekāṁ tu ṛgvede yajurvede yajustathā || 77 ||

The homa, the japa, and the gift given there all become imperishable. If one recites even a single Rik verse from the Rigveda, or a single Yajus from the Yajurveda,

Verse 78 (skanda.5.327.78)

सामैकं सामवेदे तु जपेद्देवाग्रसंस्थितः । सम्यग्वेदफलं तस्य भवेद्वै नात्र संशयः ॥ ७८ ॥

sāmaikaṁ sāmavede tu japeddevāgrasaṁsthitaḥ | samyagvedaphalaṁ tasya bhavedvai nātra saṁśayaḥ || 78 ||

— or a single Saman verse from the Samaveda, standing before the deity, the full fruit of reciting the entire Veda accrues to him; there is no doubt of this.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.327.79)

गायत्रीजाप्यमात्रस्तु वेदत्रयफलं लभेत् । कुलकोटिशतं साग्रं लभते तु शिवार्चनात् ॥ ७९ ॥

gāyatrījāpyamātrastu vedatrayaphalaṁ labhet | kulakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ labhate tu śivārcanāt || 79 ||

Merely by japa of the Gayatri, one obtains the fruit of reciting the three Vedas. By the worship of Shiva there, one uplifts a full hundred crore generations of one's family.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.327.80)

स्नाने दाने तथा श्राद्धे जागरे गीतवादिते । अनिवर्तिका गतिस्तस्य शिवलोकात्कदाचन ॥ ८० ॥

snāne dāne tathā śrāddhe jāgare gītavādite | anivartikā gatistasya śivalokātkadācana || 80 ||

Through bathing, gifts, shraddha, night-vigil, song and music performed there — that person's path from the world of Shiva never turns back.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.327.81)

कालेन महताविष्टो मर्त्यलोके समाविशेत् । राजा भवति मेधावी सर्वव्याधिविवर्जितः ॥ ८१ ॥

kālena mahatāviṣṭo martyaloke samāviśet | rājā bhavati medhāvī sarvavyādhivivarjitaḥ || 81 ||

After the passage of a very long time, should he enter the mortal world again, he is born a king, wise and intelligent, free from all disease.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.327.82)

जीवेद्वर्षशतं साग्रं पुत्रपौत्रधनान्वितः । तच्च तीर्थं पुनः स्मृत्वा लीयमानो महेश्वरे ॥ ८२ ॥

jīvedvarṣaśataṁ sāgraṁ putrapautradhanānvitaḥ | tacca tīrthaṁ punaḥ smṛtvā līyamāno maheśvare || 82 ||

He lives a full hundred years and more, blessed with sons, grandsons, and wealth; and remembering that tirtha once more, he finally merges into Maheshvara.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.327.83)

उपास्ते यस्तु वै सन्ध्यां तस्मिंस्तीर्थे च पर्वणि । साङ्गोपाङ्गैश्चतुर्वेदैर्लभते फलमुत्तमम् ॥ ८३ ॥

upāste yastu vai sandhyāṁ tasmiṁstīrthe ca parvaṇi | sāṅgopāṅgaiścaturvedairlabhate phalamuttamam || 83 ||

Whoever performs the sandhya rite at that tirtha on a parva day obtains the supreme fruit — equal to that of studying the four Vedas with all their ancillary branches.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.327.84)

तत्र सर्वं शिवक्षेत्राच्छरपातं समन्ततः । न संचरेद्भयोद्विग्ना ब्रह्महत्या नराधिप ॥ ८४ ॥

tatra sarvaṁ śivakṣetrācchara pātaṁ samantataḥ | na saṁcaredbhayodvignā brahmahatyā narādhipa || 84 ||

O lord of men, all around that Shiva-kshetra, for the space of an arrow's flight, even the sin of brahmin-slaying, terrified, does not dare enter.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.327.85)

यत्र तत्र स्थितो वृक्षान् पश्यते तीर्थतत्परः । विविधैः पातकैर्मुक्तो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ॥ ८५ ॥

yatra tatra sthito vṛkṣān paśyate tīrthatatparaḥ | vividhaiḥ pātakairmukto mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ || 85 ||

One devoted to this tirtha, wherever he stands, need only look upon its trees to be freed from various sins — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.327.86)

श्वभ्री तत्र महाराज जलमध्ये प्रदृश्यते । कथानिका पुराणोक्ता वानरी तीर्थसेवनात् ॥ ८६ ॥

śvabhrī tatra mahārāja jalamadhye pradṛśyate | kathānikā purāṇoktā vānarī tīrthasevanāt || 86 ||

O great king, there something extraordinary is seen amid the water there — a tale told in the Purana speaks of a female monkey who, through the service of this tirtha, was freed [from her state].

Verse 87 (skanda.5.327.87)

तत्र कूपो महाराज तिष्ठते देवनिर्मितः । शिवस्य पश्चिमे भागे शिवक्षेत्रमनुत्तमम् ॥ ८७ ॥

tatra kūpo mahārāja tiṣṭhate devanirmitaḥ | śivasya paścime bhāge śivakṣetramanuttamam || 87 ||

O great king, there stands a well made by the gods, on the western side of the Shiva shrine — this unsurpassed Shiva-kshetra.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.327.88)

वृषोत्सर्गं तु यः कुर्यात्तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नराधिप । क्रीडन्ति पितरस्तस्य स्वर्गलोके यदृच्छया ॥ ८८ ॥

vṛṣotsargaṁ tu yaḥ kuryāttasmiṁstīrthe narādhipa | krīḍanti pitarastasya svargaloke yadṛcchayā || 88 ||

O lord of men, whoever performs the vrishotsarga rite at that tirtha — his ancestors sport freely in the world of heaven.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.327.89)

अगम्यागमने पापमयाज्ययाजने कृते । स्तेयाच्च ब्रह्मगोहत्यागुरुघाताच्च पातकम् । तत्सर्वं नश्यते पापं वृषोत्सर्गे कृते तु वै ॥ ८९ ॥

agamyāgamane pāpamayājyayājane kṛte | steyācca brahmagohatyāgurughātācca pātakam | tatsarvaṁ naśyate pāpaṁ vṛṣotsarge kṛte tu vai || 89 ||

The sin incurred by going in to a forbidden woman, or by performing sacrifice for the unworthy, the sin of theft, of killing a brahmin or a cow, or of slaying one's guru — all such sin is destroyed once the vrishotsarga rite is performed there.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.327.90)

माण्डव्यतीर्थमाहात्म्यं यः शृणोति समाधिना । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ ९० ॥

māṇḍavyatīrthamāhātmyaṁ yaḥ śṛṇoti samādhinā | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 90 ||

Whoever listens with focused attention to this glorification of the Mandavya tirtha is freed from all sins — of this there should be no doubt.