The Glory of Dashashvamedha Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.335.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महीपाल दशाश्वमेधिकं परम् । तीर्थं सर्वगुणोपेतं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ १ ॥

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gacchenmahīpāla daśāśvamedhikaṁ param | tīrthaṁ sarvaguṇopetaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam || 1 ||

Sri Markandeya said: Thereafter, O king, one should go to the supreme tirtha Dashashvamedhika, endowed with every virtue, destroyer of great sins.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.335.2)

यत्र गत्वा महाराज स्नात्वा सम्पूज्य चेश्वरम् । दशानामश्वमेधानां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥ २ ॥

yatra gatvā mahārāja snātvā sampūjya ceśvaram | daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ || 2 ||

O great king, going there, bathing, and worshipping Ishvara, a man obtains the fruit of ten Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.335.3)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। अश्वमेधो महायज्ञो बहुसम्भारदक्षिणः । अशक्यः प्राकृतैः कर्तुं कथं तेषां फलं लभेत् ॥ ३ ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| aśvamedho mahāyajño bahusambhāradakṣiṇaḥ | aśakyaḥ prākṛtaiḥ kartuṁ kathaṁ teṣāṁ phalaṁ labhet || 3 ||

Yudhishthira said: 'The Ashvamedha is a great sacrifice requiring vast materials and fees, impossible for ordinary people to perform. How then can they obtain its fruit?

Verse 4 (skanda.5.335.4)

अत्याश्चर्यमिदं तत्त्वं त्वयोक्तं वदता सता । यथा मे जायते श्रद्धा दीर्घायुस्त्वं तथा वद ॥ ४ ॥

atyāścaryamidaṁ tattvaṁ tvayoktaṁ vadatā satā | yathā me jāyate śraddhā dīrghāyustvaṁ tathā vada || 4 ||

This truth you have spoken, O truthful speaker, is most wondrous. O long-lived one, explain it in such a way that faith may arise in me.'

Verse 5 (skanda.5.335.5)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। इदमाश्चर्यभूतं हि गौर्या पृष्टस्त्रियम्बकः । तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि पृच्छते निपुणाय वै ॥ ५ ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| idamāścaryabhūtaṁ hi gauryā pṛṣṭastriyambakaḥ | tatte'haṁ sampravakṣyāmi pṛcchate nipuṇāya vai || 5 ||

Markandeya said: This same wondrous matter was once asked of Triyambaka by Gauri; that I shall now tell you, since you, well-versed, are asking.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.335.6)

पुरा वृषस्थो देवेश ह्युमया सह शङ्करः । कदाचित्पर्यटन्पृथिवीं नर्मदातटमाश्रितः ॥ ६ ॥

purā vṛṣastho deveśa hyumayā saha śaṅkaraḥ | kadācitparyaṭanpṛthivīṁ narmadātaṭamāśritaḥ || 6 ||

Once, the lord of gods, Shankara, mounted on his bull, together with Uma, while wandering over the earth, came to rest on the bank of the Narmada.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.335.7)

दशाश्वमेधिकं तीर्थं दृष्ट्वा देवो महेश्वरः । तीर्थं प्रत्यञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा नमश्चक्रे त्रिलोचनः ॥ ७ ॥

daśāśvamedhikaṁ tīrthaṁ dṛṣṭvā devo maheśvaraḥ | tīrthaṁ pratyañjaliṁ baddhvā namaścakre trilocanaḥ || 7 ||

Seeing the tirtha Dashashvamedhika, the god Maheshvara, three-eyed, folded his hands toward the tirtha and bowed.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.335.8)

कृताञ्जलिपुटं देवं दृष्ट्वा देवीदमब्रवीत् ॥ ८ ॥

kṛtāñjalipuṭaṁ devaṁ dṛṣṭvā devīdamabravīt || 8 ||

Seeing the god with hands folded in reverence, the goddess spoke thus:

Verse 9 (skanda.5.335.9)

देव्युवाच। किमेतद्देवदेवेश चराचरनमस्कृत । प्रह्वनम्राञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा भक्त्या परमया युतः ॥ ९ ॥

devyuvāca| kimetaddevadeveśa carācaranamaskṛta | prahvanamrāñjaliṁ baddhvā bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ || 9 ||

The goddess said: 'What is this, O lord of gods, worshipped by all moving and unmoving beings? Why, bowed low with folded hands, filled with supreme devotion —

Verse 10 (skanda.5.335.10)

एतदाश्चर्यमतुलं सर्वं कथय मे प्रभो ॥ १० ॥

etadāścaryamatulaṁ sarvaṁ kathaya me prabho || 10 ||

— why do you bow thus? O lord, tell me all about this matchless wonder.'

Verse 11 (skanda.5.335.11)

ईश्वर उवाच। प्रत्यक्षं पश्य तीर्थस्य फलं मा विस्मिता भव । वियत्स्था मे भुविस्थस्य क्षणं देवि स्थिरा भव ॥ ११ ॥

īśvara uvāca| pratyakṣaṁ paśya tīrthasya phalaṁ mā vismitā bhava | viyatsthā me bhuvisthasya kṣaṇaṁ devi sthirā bhava || 11 ||

Ishvara said: 'Behold with your own eyes the fruit of this tirtha; do not be astonished. O goddess, remain steady in the sky for a moment while I stand on earth.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.335.12)

एवमुक्त्वा तु देवेशो गौरवर्णो द्विजोऽभवत् । क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठो जटिलः शुष्को धमनिसंततः ॥ १२ ॥

evamuktvā tu deveśo gauravarṇo dvijo'bhavat | kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭho jaṭilaḥ śuṣko dhamanisaṁtataḥ || 12 ||

Having said this, the lord of gods became a fair-skinned brahmin — his throat parched with hunger, matted-haired, emaciated, his veins showing through his dried skin.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.335.13)

उपविश्य भुवः पृष्ठे सुस्वरं मन्त्रमुच्चरन् । क्रमप्रियो महादेवो माधुर्येण प्रमोदयन् ॥ १३ ॥

upaviśya bhuvaḥ pṛṣṭhe susvaraṁ mantramuccaran | kramapriyo mahādevo mādhuryeṇa pramodayan || 13 ||

Sitting on the ground, reciting mantras in a sweet voice, Mahadeva, fond of proper order of recitation, delighted all with his sweetness.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.335.14)

श्रुत्वा तां मधुरां वाणीं स्वयं देवेन निर्मिताम् । संभ्रान्ता ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे स्नातुं ये तत्र चागताः ॥ १४ ॥

śrutvā tāṁ madhurāṁ vāṇīṁ svayaṁ devena nirmitām | saṁbhrāntā brāhmaṇāḥ sarve snātuṁ ye tatra cāgatāḥ || 14 ||

Hearing that sweet voice fashioned by the god himself, all the brahmins who had come there to bathe were overwhelmed with wonder.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.335.15)

नित्यक्रिया च सर्वेषां विस्मृता श्रुतिविभ्रमात् । तं दृष्ट्वा पठमानं तु क्षुत्पिपासाभिपीडितम् ॥ १५ ॥

nityakriyā ca sarveṣāṁ vismṛtā śrutivibhramāt | taṁ dṛṣṭvā paṭhamānaṁ tu kṣutpipāsābhipīḍitam || 15 ||

Bewildered by that hearing, everyone forgot their daily rites. Seeing him reciting there, afflicted by hunger and thirst,

Verse 16 (skanda.5.335.16)

द्विजोऽन्यमन्त्रयत्कश्चिद्भक्त्या तं भोजनाय वै । प्रसादः क्रियतां ब्रह्मन्भोजनाय गृहे मम ॥ १६ ॥

dvijo'nyamantrayatkaścidbhaktyā taṁ bhojanāya vai | prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ brahmanbhojanāya gṛhe mama || 16 ||

another brahmin, with devotion, invited him to eat: 'O brahmin, be gracious and take food at my home.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.335.17)

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म ह्यद्य मे सफलाः क्रियाः । सर्वान्कामान्प्रदास्यन्ति प्रीता मेऽद्य पितामहाः ॥ १७ ॥

adya me saphalaṁ janma hyadya me saphalāḥ kriyāḥ | sarvānkāmānpradāsyanti prītā me'dya pitāmahāḥ || 17 ||

Today my birth is fruitful, today my rites are fruitful; today my forefathers, pleased, shall grant me all my desires.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.335.18)

त्वयि भुक्ते द्विजश्रेष्ठ प्रसीद त्वं ध्रुवं मम । एवमुक्तो महादेवो द्विजरूपधरस्तदा ॥ १८ ॥

tvayi bhukte dvijaśreṣṭha prasīda tvaṁ dhruvaṁ mama | evamukto mahādevo dvijarūpadharastadā || 18 ||

O best of brahmins, once you have eaten, you will surely be gracious to me.' Thus addressed, Mahadeva, then in the guise of a brahmin,

Verse 19 (skanda.5.335.19)

प्रहस्य प्रत्युवाचेदं ब्राह्मणं श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । मया वर्षसहस्रं तु निराहारं तपः कृतम् ॥ १९ ॥

prahasya pratyuvācedaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ ślakṣṇayā girā | mayā varṣasahasraṁ tu nirāhāraṁ tapaḥ kṛtam || 19 ||

laughing, replied to that brahmin in gentle words: 'I have performed austerity without food for a thousand years.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.335.20)

इदानीं तु गृहे तस्य करिष्ये द्विजसत्तम । दशभिर्वाजिमेधैश्च येनेष्टं पारणं तथा ॥ २० ॥

idānīṁ tu gṛhe tasya kariṣye dvijasattama | daśabhirvājimedhaiśca yeneṣṭaṁ pāraṇaṁ tathā || 20 ||

But now, O best of brahmins, I shall break my fast in the house of whoever has performed sacrifice equal to ten Ashvamedhas.'

Verse 21 (skanda.5.335.21)

इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन ब्राह्मणो विस्मयान्वितः । उत्तमाङ्गं विधुन्वन्वै जगाम स्वगृहं प्रति ॥ २१ ॥

ityukto devadevena brāhmaṇo vismayānvitaḥ | uttamāṅgaṁ vidhunvanvai jagāma svagṛhaṁ prati || 21 ||

Thus addressed by the god of gods, the brahmin, filled with astonishment, shaking his head, went off toward his own home.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.335.22)

एवं ते बहवो विप्राः प्रत्याख्याते निमन्त्रणे । पुराणार्थमजानन्तो नास्तिका बहवो गताः ॥ २२ ॥

evaṁ te bahavo viprāḥ pratyākhyāte nimantraṇe | purāṇārthamajānanto nāstikā bahavo gatāḥ || 22 ||

Thus, many brahmins, their invitations refused, many of them being skeptics not understanding the meaning of the Purana, departed.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.335.23)

अथ कश्चिद्द्विजो विद्वान्पुराणार्थस्य तत्त्ववित् । देवं निमन्त्रयामास द्विजरूपधरं शिवम् ॥ २३ ॥

atha kaścidddvijo vidvānpurāṇārthasya tattvavit | devaṁ nimantrayāmāsa dvijarūpadharaṁ śivam || 23 ||

Then a certain learned brahmin, one who knew the true meaning of the Purana, invited the god Shiva, who was in the guise of a brahmin.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.335.24)

तथैव सोऽपि देवेन प्रोक्तः स प्राह तं पुनः । मनसा चिन्तयित्वा तु पुराणोक्तं द्विजोत्तमः ॥ २४ ॥

tathaiva so'pi devena proktaḥ sa prāha taṁ punaḥ | manasā cintayitvā tu purāṇoktaṁ dvijottamaḥ || 24 ||

He too was told the same thing by the god; and that best of brahmins, reflecting in his mind upon what the Puranas declared, spoke to him again.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.335.25)

स्मृतिवेदपुराणेषु यदुक्तं तत्तथा भवेत् । इति निश्चित्य तं विप्रमुवाच प्रहसन्निव ॥ २५ ॥

smṛtivedapurāṇeṣu yaduktaṁ tattathā bhavet | iti niścitya taṁ vipramuvāca prahasanniva || 25 ||

[thinking:] 'Whatever is declared in the Smritis, Vedas, and Puranas must be true' — having thus resolved, he spoke to that brahmin, almost smiling:

Verse 26 (skanda.5.335.26)

भोभो विप्र प्रतीक्षस्व यावदागमनं पुनः । इत्युक्त्वा तु द्विजो गत्वा दशाश्वमेधिकं परम् ॥ २६ ॥

bhobho vipra pratīkṣasva yāvadāgamanaṁ punaḥ | ityuktvā tu dvijo gatvā daśāśvamedhikaṁ param || 26 ||

'O brahmin, please wait until I return.' Having said this, the brahmin went to the supreme tirtha Dashashvamedhika.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.335.27)

स्नानं महालम्भनादि कृतं तेन द्विजन्मना । जपं श्राद्धं तथा दानं कृत्वा धर्मानुसारतः ॥ २७ ॥

snānaṁ mahālambhanādi kṛtaṁ tena dvijanmanā | japaṁ śrāddhaṁ tathā dānaṁ kṛtvā dharmānusārataḥ || 27 ||

That twice-born performed his bath and the great clay-touching rite and the rest; then, japa, shraddha, and gifts, all according to dharma.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.335.28)

संकल्प्य कपिलां तत्र पुराणोक्तविधानतः । समायात्त्वरितं तत्र यत्रासौ तिष्ठते द्विजः ॥ २८ ॥

saṅkalpya kapilāṁ tatra purāṇoktavidhānataḥ | samāyāttvaritaṁ tatra yatrāsau tiṣṭhate dvijaḥ || 28 ||

There, having resolved to give a tawny cow according to the rite declared in the Puranas, he quickly returned to where that brahmin was waiting.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.335.29)

अथागत्य द्विजं प्राह वाजिमेधः कृतो मया । उत्तिष्ठ मे गृहं रम्यं भोजनार्थं हि गम्यताम् ॥ २९ ॥

athāgatya dvijaṁ prāha vājimedhaḥ kṛto mayā | uttiṣṭha me gṛhaṁ ramyaṁ bhojanārthaṁ hi gamyatām || 29 ||

Coming there, he said to the brahmin: 'I have performed the Ashvamedha. Arise, and come to my pleasant home for a meal.'

Verse 30 (skanda.5.335.30)

इत्युक्तः शङ्करस्तेन ब्राह्मणेनातिविस्मितः । उवाच ब्राह्मणं देव इदानीं त्वमितो गतः ॥ ३० ॥

ityuktaḥ śaṅkarastena brāhmaṇenātivismitaḥ | uvāca brāhmaṇaṁ deva idānīṁ tvamito gataḥ || 30 ||

Thus addressed by that brahmin, Shankara, greatly astonished, said to the brahmin: 'You just now went from here —

Verse 31 (skanda.5.335.31)

द्विजवर्य कथं चेष्टा दश यज्ञा महाधनाः ॥ ३१ ॥

dvijavarya kathaṁ ceṣṭā daśa yajñā mahādhanāḥ || 31 ||

— O best of brahmins, how then have ten sacrifices, requiring great wealth, been accomplished so quickly?'

Verse 32 (skanda.5.335.32)

द्विज उवाच। न विचारस्त्वया कार्यः कृता यज्ञा न संशयः । यदि वेदाः प्रमाणं तं भुवि देवा द्विजास्तथा ॥ ३२ ॥

dvija uvāca| na vicārastvayā kāryaḥ kṛtā yajñā na saṁśayaḥ | yadi vedāḥ pramāṇaṁ taṁ bhuvi devā dvijāstathā || 32 ||

The brahmin said: 'You need not doubt — the sacrifices have indeed been performed, without question. If the Vedas are authority, as are the gods and brahmins on this earth,

Verse 33 (skanda.5.335.33)

दशाश्वमेधिकं तीर्थं तथा सत्यं द्विजोत्तम । यदि वेदपुराणोक्तं वाक्यं निःसंशयं भवेत् ॥ ३३ ॥

daśāśvamedhikaṁ tīrthaṁ tathā satyaṁ dvijottama | yadi vedapurāṇoktaṁ vākyaṁ niḥsaṁśayaṁ bhavet || 33 ||

— then the tirtha Dashashvamedhika is equally true, O best of brahmins. If what is declared in Veda and Purana is beyond doubt,

Verse 34 (skanda.5.335.34)

तदा प्राप्तं मया सर्वं नात्र कार्या विचारणा । एवमुक्तस्तु देवेश आस्तिक्यं तस्य चेतसः ॥ ३४ ॥

tadā prāptaṁ mayā sarvaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā | evamuktastu deveśa āstikyaṁ tasya cetasaḥ || 34 ||

— then I have obtained everything; there should be no doubt in this.' Thus addressed, the lord of gods, noting the faith of that man's heart —

Verse 35 (skanda.5.335.35)

विमृश्य बहुभिः किंचिदुत्तरं न प्रपद्यत । जगाम तद्गृहं रम्यं पठन्ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥ ३५ ॥

vimṛśya bahubhiḥ kiṁcidauttaraṁ na prapadyata | jagāma tadgṛhaṁ ramyaṁ paṭhanbrahma sanātanam || 35 ||

— pondering deeply, found no counter-reply at all, and went to that man's pleasant house, reciting the eternal Brahman.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.335.36)

सम्प्राप्तं तं द्विजं भक्त्या पाद्यार्घ्येण तमर्चयत् । षड्रसं भोजनं तेन दत्तं पश्चाद्यथाविधि ॥ ३६ ॥

samprāptaṁ taṁ dvijaṁ bhaktyā pādyārghyeṇa tamarcayat | ṣaḍrasaṁ bhojanaṁ tena dattaṁ paścādyathāvidhi || 36 ||

Having arrived, that brahmin honoured him with devotion, with water for the feet and arghya; then he served him food of six flavours, duly according to the rites.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.335.37)

ततो भुक्ते महादेवे सर्वदेवमये शिवे । पुष्पवृष्टिः पपाताशु गगनात्तस्य मूर्धनि । तस्यास्तिक्यं तु संलक्ष्य तुष्टः प्रोवाच शङ्करः ॥ ३७ ॥

tato bhukte mahādeve sarvadevamaye śive | puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papātāśu gaganāttasya mūrdhani | tasyāstikyaṁ tu saṁlakṣya tuṣṭaḥ provāca śaṅkaraḥ || 37 ||

Then, when Mahadeva, who is Shiva comprising all the gods, had eaten, a shower of flowers instantly fell from the sky upon his host's head; and, observing his faith, Shankara, pleased, spoke:

Verse 38 (skanda.5.335.38)

ईश्वर उवाच। किं तेऽद्य क्रियतां ब्रूहि वरदोऽहं द्विजोत्तम । अदेयमपि दास्यामि एकचित्तस्य ते ध्रुवम् ॥ ३८ ॥

īśvara uvāca| kiṁ te'dya kriyatāṁ brūhi varado'haṁ dvijottama | adeyamapi dāsyāmi ekacittasya te dhruvam || 38 ||

Ishvara said: 'O best of brahmins, tell me — what shall I do for you today? I am a boon-giver; even what is otherwise ungivable, I shall surely give to you, since your mind is single-pointed.'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.335.39)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। यदि प्रीतोऽसि मे देव यदि देयो वरो मम । अस्मिंस्तीर्थे महादेव स्थातव्यं सर्वदैव हि ॥ ३९ ॥

brāhmaṇa uvāca| yadi prīto'si me deva yadi deyo varo mama | asmiṁstīrthe mahādeva sthātavyaṁ sarvadaiva hi || 39 ||

The brahmin said: 'If you are pleased with me, O god, and if a boon is to be given to me — then, O Mahadeva, you must dwell forever at this tirtha.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.335.40)

उपकाराय देवेश एष मे वर उत्तमः । एवमुक्तस्तु देवेन आरुरोह द्विजोत्तमः ॥ ४० ॥

upakārāya deveśa eṣa me vara uttamaḥ | evamuktastu devena āruroha dvijottamaḥ || 40 ||

For the benefit of all, O lord of gods — this is my supreme boon.' Thus granted by the god, that best of brahmins ascended —

Verse 41 (skanda.5.335.41)

गन्धर्वाप्सरःसम्बाधं विमानं सार्वकामिकम् । पूज्यमानो गतस्तत्र यत्र लोका निरामयाः ॥ ४१ ॥

gandharvāpsaraḥsambādhaṁ vimānaṁ sārvakāmikam | pūjyamāno gatastatra yatra lokā nirāmayāḥ || 41 ||

— into a chariot crowded with gandharvas and apsarases, granting every wish; honoured, he went to those realms free of all affliction.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.335.42)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। एतदाश्चर्यमतुलं दृष्ट्वा देवी सुविस्मिता । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयना पुनः पप्रच्छ शङ्करम् ॥ ४२ ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| etadāścaryamatulaṁ dṛṣṭvā devī suvismitā | vismayotphullanayanā punaḥ papraccha śaṅkaram || 42 ||

Markandeya said: Having seen this matchless wonder, the goddess was greatly astonished; her eyes wide with amazement, she again questioned Shankara:

Verse 43 (skanda.5.335.43)

पार्वत्युवाच। कथमेतद्भवेत्सत्यं यत्रेदमसमञ्जसम् । स्नानं कुर्वन्ति बहवो लोका ह्यत्र महेश्वर ॥ ४३ ॥

pārvatyuvāca| kathametadbhavetsatyaṁ yatredamasamañjasam | snānaṁ kurvanti bahavo lokā hyatra maheśvara || 43 ||

Parvati said: 'How can this be true, when it seems so inconsistent? O Maheshvara, many people here perform this bathing rite —

Verse 44 (skanda.5.335.44)

तेषां तु स्वर्गगमनं यथैष स्वर्गतिं गतः । कथमेतत्समाचक्ष्व विस्मयः परमो मम ॥ ४४ ॥

teṣāṁ tu svargagamanaṁ yathaiṣa svargatiṁ gataḥ | kathametatsamācakṣva vismayaḥ paramo mama || 44 ||

— why do not all of them go to heaven, as this one has attained the heavenly path? Please explain this to me — my astonishment is very great.'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.335.45)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु देवेशः प्रहसन्प्रत्युवाच ताम् । वेदवाक्ये पुराणार्थे स्मृत्यर्थे द्विजभाषिते ॥ ४५ ॥

etacchrutvā tu deveśaḥ prahasanpratyuvāca tām | vedavākye purāṇārthe smṛtyarthe dvijabhāṣite || 45 ||

Hearing this, the lord of gods, smiling, replied to her: 'In the words of the Veda, in the meaning of the Purana, in the meaning of the Smriti, as declared by the brahmins —

Verse 46 (skanda.5.335.46)

विस्मयो हि न कर्तव्यो ह्यनुमानं हि तत्तथा । असंभाव्यं हि लोकानां पुराणे यत्प्रगीयते ॥ ४६ ॥

vismayo hi na kartavyo hyanumānaṁ hi tattathā | asaṁbhāvyaṁ hi lokānāṁ purāṇe yatpragīyate || 46 ||

— one should not feel astonishment, for that is a matter for inference. What is sung in the Puranas may seem impossible to ordinary people —

Verse 47 (skanda.5.335.47)

यदि पक्षं पुरस्कृत्य लोकाः कुर्वन्ति पार्वति । तस्मान्न सिद्धिरेतेषां भवत्येको न विस्मयः ॥ ४७ ॥

yadi pakṣaṁ puraskṛtya lokāḥ kurvanti pārvati | tasmānna siddhireteṣāṁ bhavatyeko na vismayaḥ || 47 ||

— O Parvati, if people act while holding a skeptical position, then success does not come to them — this alone is the answer, not a matter of wonder.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.335.48)

नास्तिका भिन्नमर्यादा ये निश्चयबहिष्कृताः । तेषां सिद्धिर्न विद्येत आस्तिक्याद्भवते ध्रुवम् ॥ ४८ ॥

nāstikā bhinnamaryādā ye niścayabahiṣkṛtāḥ | teṣāṁ siddhirna vidyeta āstikyādbhavate dhruvam || 48 ||

Skeptics, who have broken the sacred bounds, who are devoid of firm conviction — success does not come to them. It comes surely only from faith.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.335.49)

श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदं देवी ववन्दे तीर्थमुत्तमम् । सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं नर्मदायां व्यवस्थितम् ॥ ४९ ॥

śrutvākhyānamidaṁ devī vavande tīrthamuttamam | sarvapāpaharaṁ puṇyaṁ narmadāyāṁ vyavasthitam || 49 ||

Hearing this account, the goddess venerated that excellent tirtha, remover of all sin, meritorious, situated on the Narmada.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.335.50)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। दशाश्वमेधं राजेन्द्र सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् । तीर्थं सर्वगुणोपेतं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ ५० ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| daśāśvamedhaṁ rājendra sarvatīrthottamottamam | tīrthaṁ sarvaguṇopetaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam || 50 ||

Markandeya said: O lord of kings, Dashashvamedha is the best of the best among all tirthas, a tirtha endowed with every virtue, destroyer of great sins.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.335.51)

तत्रागता महाभागा स्नातुकामा सरस्वती । पुण्यानां परमा पुण्या नदीनामुत्तमा नदी ॥ ५१ ॥

tatrāgatā mahābhāgā snātukāmā sarasvatī | puṇyānāṁ paramā puṇyā nadīnāmuttamā nadī || 51 ||

The illustrious Sarasvati, wishing to bathe there, comes to that place — the most meritorious of meritorious things, the best of rivers.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.335.52)

नाममात्रेण यस्यास्तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । स्नातास्तत्र दिवं यान्ति ये मृतास्तेऽपुनर्भवाः ॥ ५२ ॥

nāmamātreṇa yasyāstu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | snātāstatra divaṁ yānti ye mṛtāste'punarbhavāḥ || 52 ||

By her name alone, one is freed from all sins. Those who bathe there go to heaven; those who die there do not return to rebirth.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.335.53)

दशाश्वमेधे सा राजन्नियता ब्रह्मचारिणी । आराधयित्वा देवेशं परं निर्वाणमागतीः ॥ ५३ ॥

daśāśvamedhe sā rājanniyatā brahmacāriṇī | ārādhayitvā deveśaṁ paraṁ nirvāṇamāgatīḥ || 53 ||

O king, at Dashashvamedha, she, self-controlled and celibate, having worshipped the lord of gods, comes to attain supreme liberation.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.335.54)

कालुष्यं ब्रह्मसम्भूता संवत्सरसमुद्भवम् । प्रक्षालयितुमायाति दशम्यामाश्विनस्य च ॥ ५४ ॥

kāluṣyaṁ brahmasambhūtā saṁvatsarasamudbhavam | prakṣālayitumāyāti daśamyāmāśvinasya ca || 54 ||

She, who arose from Brahma, comes on the tenth day of Ashvina to wash away the impurity accumulated over the year.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.335.55)

उपोष्य रजनीं तां तु सम्पूज्य त्रिपुरान्तकम् । राजन्निष्कल्मषा यान्ति श्वोभूते शाश्वतं पदम् ॥ ५५ ॥

upoṣya rajanīṁ tāṁ tu sampūjya tripurāntakam | rājanniṣkalmaṣā yānti śvobhūte śāśvataṁ padam || 55 ||

O king, having fasted that night and worshipped the destroyer of Tripura, freed of stain, devotees attain the eternal state the next day.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.335.56)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। सरस्वती महापुण्या नदीनामुत्तमा नदी । श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। राजन्नाश्वयुजे मासि दशम्यां तद्विशिष्यते । पार्थिवेषु च तीर्थे तु सर्वेष्वेव न संशयः ॥ ५६ ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| sarasvatī mahāpuṇyā nadīnāmuttamā nadī | śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| rājannāśvayuje māsi daśamyāṁ tadviśiṣyate | pārthiveṣu ca tīrthe tu sarveṣveva na saṁśayaḥ || 56 ||

Yudhishthira said: 'Sarasvati is a river of great merit, the best of rivers —' Sri Markandeya said: 'O king, in the month of Ashvina, on the tenth day, this becomes especially true — in Parthiva worship, and indeed at all tirthas alike, without doubt.'

Verse 57 (skanda.5.335.57)

दशाश्वमेधिके राजन्नित्यं हि दशमी शुभा । विशेषादाश्विने शुक्ला महापातकनाशिनी ॥ ५७ ॥

daśāśvamedhike rājannityaṁ hi daśamī śubhā | viśeṣādāśvine śuklā mahāpātakanāśinī || 57 ||

O king, at Dashashvamedhika the tenth day is ever auspicious; especially the bright tenth of Ashvina, destroyer of great sins.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.335.58)

तस्या स्नात्वार्चयेद्देवानुपवासपरायणः । श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानेन पश्चात्सम्पूजयेच्छिवम् ॥ ५८ ॥

tasyā snātvārcayeddevānupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ | śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānena paścātsampūjayecchivam || 58 ||

On that day, having bathed and, devoted to fasting, worshipped the gods; having performed shraddha according to the rites, one should thereafter worship Shiva.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.335.59)

तत्रस्थां पूजयेद्देवीं स्नातुकामां सरस्वतीम् । नमो नमस्ते देवेशि ब्रह्मदेहसमुद्भवे ॥ ५९ ॥

tatrasthāṁ pūjayeddevīṁ snātukāmāṁ sarasvatīm | namo namaste deveśi brahmadehasamudbhave || 59 ||

One should worship the goddess Sarasvati present there, wishing to bathe: 'Salutations, salutations to you, O goddess of gods, born from the body of Brahma.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.335.60)

कुरु पापक्षयं देवि संसारान्मां समुद्धर । गन्धधूपैश्च सम्पूज्य ह्यर्चयित्वा पुनःपुनः ॥ ६० ॥

kuru pāpakṣayaṁ devi saṁsārānmāṁ samuddhara | gandhadhūpaiśca sampūjya hyarcayitvā punaḥpunaḥ || 60 ||

O goddess, destroy my sins, and deliver me from this cycle of rebirth.' Having worshipped her with sandal-paste and incense, offering worship again and again,

Verse 61 (skanda.5.335.61)

दश प्रदक्षिणा दत्त्वा सूत्रेण परिवेष्टयेत् । कपिलां तु ततो विप्रे दद्याद्विगतमत्सरः ॥ ६१ ॥

daśa pradakṣiṇā dattvā sūtreṇa pariveṣṭayet | kapilāṁ tu tato vipre dadyādvigatamatsaraḥ || 61 ||

one should offer ten circumambulations and encircle the shrine with a sacred thread; then, free from envy, one should give a tawny cow to a brahmin.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.335.62)

सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नां सर्वोपस्करसंयुताम् । दत्त्वा विप्राय कपिलां न शोचति कृताकृते ॥ ६२ ॥

sarvalakṣaṇasampannāṁ sarvopaskarasaṁyutām | dattvā viprāya kapilāṁ na śocati kṛtākṛte || 62 ||

Having given to a brahmin a tawny cow endowed with every auspicious mark and furnished with all accoutrements, one grieves no more over what has been done or left undone.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.335.63)

पश्चाज्जागरणं कुर्याद्घृतेनाज्वाल्य दीपकम् । पुराणपठनेनैव नृत्यगीतविवादनैः ॥ ६३ ॥

paścājjāgaraṇaṁ kuryādghṛtenājvālya dīpakam | purāṇapaṭhanenaiva nṛtyagītavivādanaiḥ || 63 ||

Thereafter one should keep vigil, having lit a lamp with ghee, through the recitation of the Puranas, through dance, song and music,

Verse 64 (skanda.5.335.64)

वेदोक्तैश्चैव पूजयेच्छशिशेखरम् । प्रभाते विमले पश्चात्स्नात्वा वै नर्मदाजले ॥ ६४ ॥

vedoktaiścaiva pūjayecchaśiśekharam | prabhāte vimale paścātsnātvā vai narmadājale || 64 ||

— and with Vedic mantras one should worship Shashishekhara. Then, at bright dawn, having bathed in the waters of the Narmada,

Verse 65 (skanda.5.335.65)

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेद्भक्त्या शिवभक्तांश्च योगिनः । एवं कृते ततो राजन् सम्यक्तीर्थफलं लभेत् ॥ ६५ ॥

brāhmaṇān bhojayedbhaktyā śivabhaktāṁśca yoginaḥ | evaṁ kṛte tato rājan samyaktīrthaphalaṁ labhet || 65 ||

— one should feed brahmins with devotion, and Shiva-devotees and yogis. O king, thus done, one obtains the full fruit of this tirtha.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.335.66)

तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा पूजयेच्छङ्करं नरः । दशाश्वमेधावभृथं लभते पुण्यमुत्तमम् ॥ ६६ ॥

tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā pūjayecchaṅkaraṁ naraḥ | daśāśvamedhāvabhṛthaṁ labhate puṇyamuttamam || 66 ||

Whoever bathes at that tirtha and worships Shankara obtains the highest merit — that of the closing-bath of ten Ashvamedhas.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.335.67)

पूतात्मा तेन पुण्येन रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति । आरूढः परमं यानं कामगं च सुशोभनम् ॥ ६७ ॥

pūtātmā tena puṇyena rudralokaṁ sa gacchati | ārūḍhaḥ paramaṁ yānaṁ kāmagaṁ ca suśobhanam || 67 ||

With soul purified by that merit, he goes to the realm of Rudra, mounted upon a supreme, beautiful chariot that travels at will.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.335.68)

तत्र दिव्याप्सरोभिस्तु वीज्यमानोऽथ चामरैः । क्रीडते सुचिरं कालं जयशब्दादिमङ्गलैः ॥ ६८ ॥

tatra divyāpsarobhistu vījyamāno'tha cāmaraiḥ | krīḍate suciraṁ kālaṁ jayaśabdādimaṅgalaiḥ || 68 ||

There, fanned by divine apsarases with chowries, he sports for a very long time amid cries of victory and other auspicious sounds.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.335.69)

ततोऽवतीर्णः कालेन इह राजा भवेद्ध्रुवम् । हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्नो महाभोगी परंतपः ॥ ६९ ॥

tato'vatīrṇaḥ kālena iha rājā bhavedhruvam | hastyaśvarathasampanno mahābhogī paraṁtapaḥ || 69 ||

Then, after a time, descending to earth again, he surely becomes a king here, endowed with elephants, horses, and chariots, a great enjoyer, a tormentor of enemies.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.335.70)

दशाश्वमेधे यद्दानं दीयते शिवयोगिनाम् । दशाश्वमेधसदृशं भवेत्तन्नात्र संशयः ॥ ७० ॥

daśāśvamedhe yaddānaṁ dīyate śivayoginām | daśāśvamedhasadṛśaṁ bhavettannātra saṁśayaḥ || 70 ||

Whatever gift is given at Dashashvamedha to Shiva's yogis becomes equal in merit to ten Ashvamedhas; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.335.71)

सर्वेषामेव यज्ञानामश्वमेधो विशिष्यते । दुर्लभः स्वल्पवित्तानां भूरिशः पापकर्मणाम् ॥ ७१ ॥

sarveṣāmeva yajñānāmaśvamedho viśiṣyate | durlabhaḥ svalpavittānāṁ bhūriśaḥ pāpakarmaṇām || 71 ||

Among all sacrifices, the Ashvamedha is supreme; but it is out of reach for those of little wealth, and even more so for those of much sinful conduct.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.335.72)

तत्र तीर्थे तु राजेन्द्र दुर्लभोऽपि सुरासुरैः । प्राप्यते स्नानदानेन इत्येवं शङ्करोऽब्रवीत् ॥ ७२ ॥

tatra tīrthe tu rājendra durlabho'pi surāsuraiḥ | prāpyate snānadānena ityevaṁ śaṅkaro'bravīt || 72 ||

O lord of kings, at that tirtha, even what is difficult for gods and demons to attain is obtained through bathing and giving — thus Shankara has declared.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.335.73)

अकामो वा सकामो वा मृतस्तत्र नरेश्वर । देवत्वं प्राप्नुयात्सोऽपि नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ ७३ ॥

akāmo vā sakāmo vā mṛtastatra nareśvara | devatvaṁ prāpnuyātso'pi nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 73 ||

O lord of men, whether desiring it or not, whoever dies there attains godhood; of this there should be no doubt.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.335.74)

अग्निप्रवेशं यः कुर्यात्तत्र तीर्थे नरोत्तम । अग्निलोके वसेत्तावद्यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम् ॥ ७४ ॥

agnipraveśaṁ yaḥ kuryāttatra tīrthe narottama | agniloke vasettāvadyāvadābhūtasamplavam || 74 ||

O best of men, whoever enters fire at that tirtha dwells in the world of Agni until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.335.75)

जलप्रवेशं यः कुर्यात्तत्र तीर्थे नराधिप । ध्यायमानो महादेवं वारुणं लोकमाप्नुयात् ॥ ७५ ॥

jalapraveśaṁ yaḥ kuryāttatra tīrthe narādhipa | dhyāyamāno mahādevaṁ vāruṇaṁ lokamāpnuyāt || 75 ||

O lord of men, whoever enters water at that tirtha, meditating upon Mahadeva, attains the world of Varuna.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.335.76)

दशाश्वमेधे यः कश्चिच्छूरवृत्त्या तनुं त्यजेत् । अक्षया नु गतिस्तस्य इत्येवं श्रुतिनोदना ॥ ७६ ॥

daśāśvamedhe yaḥ kaścicchūravṛttyā tanuṁ tyajet | akṣayā nu gatistasya ityevaṁ śrutinodanā || 76 ||

Whoever at Dashashvamedha gives up his body in the manner of a hero — his path is truly imperishable; so declare the injunctions of the Shruti.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.335.77)

न तां गतिं यान्ति भृगुप्रपातिनो न दण्डिनो नैव च सांख्ययोगिनः । ध्वजाकुले दुन्दुभिशङ्खनादिते क्षणेन यां यान्ति महाहवे मृताः ॥ ७७ ॥

na tāṁ gatiṁ yānti bhṛguprapātino na daṇḍino naiva ca sāṅkhyayoginaḥ | dhvajākule dundubhiśaṅkhanādite kṣaṇena yāṁ yānti mahāhave mṛtāḥ || 77 ||

Not those who leap from cliffs, not the staff-bearing ascetics, nor even the practitioners of Sankhya-yoga attain that path which, in an instant, those slain in a great battle — amid the tumult of banners and the sound of drums and conches — attain.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.335.78)

यत्र तत्र हतः शूरः शत्रुभिः परिवेष्टितः । अक्षयांल्लभते लोकान्यदि क्लीबं न भाषते ॥ ७८ ॥

yatra tatra hataḥ śūraḥ śatrubhiḥ pariveṣṭitaḥ | akṣayāllabhate lokānyadi klībaṁ na bhāṣate || 78 ||

A hero slain anywhere, surrounded by enemies, obtains imperishable worlds — provided he does not speak like a coward.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.335.79)

दशाश्वमेधे संन्यासं यः करोति विधानतः । अनिवर्तिका गतिस्तस्य रुद्रलोकात्कदाचन ॥ ७९ ॥

daśāśvamedhe saṁnyāsaṁ yaḥ karoti vidhānataḥ | anivartikā gatistasya rudralokātkadācana || 79 ||

Whoever takes formal renunciation at Dashashvamedha according to the rites — his path from the realm of Rudra is one from which there is never any return.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.335.80)

दशाश्वमेधे यत्पुण्यं संक्षेपेण युधिष्ठिर । कथितं परया भक्त्या सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ॥ ८० ॥

daśāśvamedhe yatpuṇyaṁ saṅkṣepeṇa yudhiṣṭhira | kathitaṁ parayā bhaktyā sarvapāpapraṇāśanam || 80 ||

O Yudhishthira, this merit of Dashashvamedha has been told to you in brief, with the highest devotion — it is the destroyer of all sins.