Avanti Khanda · Chapter 364
The Greatness of Bharabhuti Tirtha
Verse 1 (skanda.5.364.1)
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। तस्यैवानन्तरं पार्थ पुष्कलीतीर्थमुत्तमम्। तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा ह्यश्वमेधफलं लभेत्।
śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tasyaivānantaraṁ pārtha puṣkalītīrthamuttamam| tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā hyaśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet||
Shri Markandeya said: Immediately after that, O Partha, lies the excellent tirtha of Pushkali. Bathing there, a man obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.
Verse 2 (skanda.5.364.2)
क्षमानाथं ततो गच्छेत्तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्। दानवगन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सेवितम्।
kṣamānāthaṁ tato gacchettīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam| dānavagandharvairapsarobhiśca sevitam||
Thereafter one should go to the tirtha of Kshamanatha, renowned in the three worlds, attended by danavas, gandharvas, and apsarases.
Verse 3 (skanda.5.364.3)
तत्र तिष्ठति देवेशः साक्षाद्रुद्रो महेश्वरः। भारेण महता जातो भारभूतिरिति स्मृतः।
tatra tiṣṭhati deveśaḥ sākṣādrudro maheśvaraḥ| bhāreṇa mahatā jāto bhārabhūtiriti smṛtaḥ||
There dwells the lord of gods, Rudra Maheshvara himself. Having arisen because of a great burden, he is remembered by the name Bharabhuti.
Verse 4 (skanda.5.364.4)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच। भारभूतीति विख्यातं तीर्थं सर्वगुणान्वितम्। श्रोतुमिच्छामि विप्रेन्द्र परं कौतूहलं हि मे।
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| bhārabhūtīti vikhyātaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvaguṇānvitam| śrotumicchāmi viprendra paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me||
Yudhishthira said: O foremost of brahmins, I wish to hear of this tirtha renowned as Bharabhuti, endowed with every virtue, for I have great curiosity about it.
Verse 5 (skanda.5.364.5)
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। भारभूतिसमुत्पत्तिं शृणु पाण्डवसत्तम। विस्तरेण यथा प्रोक्ता पुरा देवेन शम्भुना।
śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| bhārabhūtisamutpattiṁ śṛṇu pāṇḍavasattama| vistareṇa yathā proktā purā devena śambhunā||
Shri Markandeya said: O best of the Pandavas, hear the origin of Bharabhuti, as it was once told in detail by the god Shambhu.
Verse 6 (skanda.5.364.6)
आसीत्कृतयुगे विप्रो वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः। विष्णुशर्मेति विख्यातः सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगः।
āsītkṛtayuge vipro vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ| viṣṇuśarmeti vikhyātaḥ sarvaśāstrārthapāragaḥ||
In the Krita Yuga there lived a brahmin, learned in the Vedas and their ancillary texts, renowned as Vishnusharma, versed in the meaning of every scripture.
Verse 7 (skanda.5.364.7)
क्षमा दमो दया दानं सत्यं शौचं धृतिस्तथा। विद्या विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं सर्वं तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्।
kṣamā damo dayā dānaṁ satyaṁ śaucaṁ dhṛtistathā| vidyā vijñānamāstikyaṁ sarvaṁ tasminpratiṣṭhitam||
Forbearance, self-control, compassion, charity, truthfulness, purity, fortitude, learning, wisdom, and faith - all these were established in him.
Verse 8 (skanda.5.364.8)
ईदृग्गुणा हि ये विप्रा भवन्ति नृपसत्तम। पतितान्नरके घोरे तारयन्ति पितॄंस्तु ते।
īdṛgguṇā hi ye viprā bhavanti nṛpasattama| patitānnarake ghore tārayanti pitṝṁstu te||
O best of kings, those brahmins who possess such virtues rescue even their ancestors fallen into terrible hell.
Verse 9 (skanda.5.364.9)
इन्द्रियं लोलुपा विप्रा ये भवन्ति नृपोत्तम। पतन्ति नरके घोरे रौरवे पापमोहिताः।
indriyaṁ lolupā viprā ye bhavanti nṛpottama| patanti narake ghore raurave pāpamohitāḥ||
O best of kings, those brahmins who are slaves to their senses, deluded by sin, fall into the terrible hell of Raurava.
Verse 10 (skanda.5.364.10)
ये क्षान्तदान्ताः श्रुतिपूर्णकर्णा जितेन्द्रियाः प्राणिवधान्निवृत्ताः। प्रतिग्रहे संकुचिताग्रहस्तास्ते ब्राह्मणास्तारयितुं समर्थाः।
ye kṣāntadāntāḥ śrutipūrṇakarṇā jitendriyāḥ prāṇivadhānnivṛttāḥ| pratigrahe saṅkucitāgrahastāste brāhmaṇāstārayituṁ samarthāḥ||
Those brahmins who are forbearing, self-restrained, whose ears are filled with sacred learning, who have conquered their senses, abstain from harming living beings, and whose hand is withdrawn from accepting gifts - such brahmins alone are able to deliver others.
Verse 11 (skanda.5.364.11)
एवं गुणगणाकीर्णो ब्राह्मणो नर्मदातटे। वसते ब्राह्मणैः सार्धं शिलोञ्छवृत्तिजीवनः।
evaṁ guṇagaṇākīrṇo brāhmaṇo narmadātaṭe| vasate brāhmaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ śiloñchavṛttijīvanaḥ||
Thus endowed with a host of virtues, that brahmin dwelt on the bank of the Narmada together with other brahmins, sustaining himself by gleaning fallen grain.
Verse 12 (skanda.5.364.12)
तादृशं ब्राह्मणं ज्ञात्वा देवदेवो महेश्वरः। द्विजरूपधरो भूत्वा तस्याश्रममगात्स्वयम्।
tādṛśaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ jñātvā devadevo maheśvaraḥ| dvijarūpadharo bhūtvā tasyāśramamagātsvayam||
Knowing of such a brahmin, Maheshvara, the god of gods, himself assumed the form of a brahmin and went to his hermitage.
Verse 13 (skanda.5.364.13)
दृष्ट्वा तं ब्राह्मणैः सार्धमुच्चरन्तं पदक्रमम्। अभिवादयते विप्रं स्वागतेन च पूजितः।
dṛṣṭvā taṁ brāhmaṇaiḥ sārdhamuccarantaṁ padakramam| abhivādayate vipraṁ svāgatena ca pūjitaḥ||
Seeing him reciting the sequence of Vedic recitation together with the brahmins, he greeted the brahmin and honored him with a welcome.
Verse 14 (skanda.5.364.14)
प्रोवाच तं मुहूर्तेन ब्राह्मणो विस्मयान्वितः। किमथ तद्बटो ब्रूहि किं करोमि तवेप्सितम्।
provāca taṁ muhūrtena brāhmaṇo vismayānvitaḥ| kimatha tadbaṭo brūhi kiṁ karomi tavepsitam||
After a moment, the brahmin, filled with astonishment, said to him: O boy, tell me, what is it? What may I do to fulfill your wish?
Verse 15 (skanda.5.364.15)
बटुरुवाच। विद्यार्थिनमनुप्राप्तं विद्धि मां द्विजसत्तम। ददासि यदि मे विद्यां ततः स्थास्यामि ते गृहे।
baṭuruvāca| vidyārthinamanuprāptaṁ viddhi māṁ dvijasattama| dadāsi yadi me vidyāṁ tataḥ sthāsyāmi te gṛhe||
The young brahmacharin said: O best of the twice-born, know me as one who has come seeking learning. If you give me knowledge, I shall stay in your home.
Verse 16 (skanda.5.364.16)
ब्राह्मण उवाच। सर्वेषामेव विप्राणां बटो त्वं गोत्र उत्तमे। दानानां परमं दानं कथं विद्या च दीयते।
brāhmaṇa uvāca| sarveṣāmeva viprāṇāṁ baṭo tvaṁ gotra uttame| dānānāṁ paramaṁ dānaṁ kathaṁ vidyā ca dīyate||
The brahmin said: O boy, you are born in an excellent lineage among all brahmins. Learning is the supreme gift among all gifts, but hear how it is given.
Verse 17 (skanda.5.364.17)
गुरुशुश्रूषया विद्या पुष्कलेन धनेन वा। अथवा विद्यया विद्या भवतीह फलप्रदा।
guruśuśrūṣayā vidyā puṣkalena dhanena vā| athavā vidyayā vidyā bhavatīha phalapradā||
By service to the teacher, or by abundant wealth, or by learning given in exchange for learning - thus knowledge becomes fruitful here.
Verse 18 (skanda.5.364.18)
बटुरुवाच। यथान्ये बालकाः स्नाताः शुश्रूषन्ति ह्यहर्निशम्। तथाहं बटुभिः सार्धं शुश्रूषामि न संशयः।
baṭuruvāca| yathānye bālakāḥ snātāḥ śuśrūṣanti hyaharniśam| tathāhaṁ baṭubhiḥ sārdhaṁ śuśrūṣāmi na saṁśayaḥ||
The young brahmacharin said: Just as other bathed young students serve day and night, so too shall I serve together with the other students, without doubt.
Verse 19 (skanda.5.364.19)
तथेति चोक्त्वा विप्रेन्द्रः पाठयंस्तं दिने दिने। वर्तते सह शिष्यैः स शिलोञ्छानुपहारयन्।
tatheti coktvā viprendraḥ pāṭhayaṁstaṁ dine dine| vartate saha śiṣyaiḥ sa śiloñchānupahārayan||
Saying "So be it," the foremost brahmin began teaching him day after day, and he lived among the other pupils, gathering food by gleaning grain.
Verse 20 (skanda.5.364.20)
ततः कतिपयाहोभिः प्रोक्तो बटुभिरीश्वरः। पचनाद्यं बटो कर्म कुरु क्रमत आगतम्।
tataḥ katipayāhobhiḥ prokto baṭubhirīśvaraḥ| pacanādyaṁ baṭo karma kuru kramata āgatam||
After some days, the other brahmacharins said to the Lord: O boy, now perform the task of cooking and the rest, whose turn has come to you in due order.
Verse 21 (skanda.5.364.21)
तथेति चोक्तो देवेशो भारग्राममुपागतः। ध्यात्वा वनस्पतीः सर्वा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्।
tatheti cokto deveśo bhāragrāmamupāgataḥ| dhyātvā vanaspatīḥ sarvā idaṁ vacanamabravīt||
Thus addressed [and bidden to cook], the lord of gods went to Bharagrama, and meditating upon all the plants and trees, spoke these words.
Verse 22 (skanda.5.364.22)
यावदागच्छते विप्रो बटुभिः सह मन्दिरम्। अदर्शनाभिः कर्तव्यं तावदन्नं सुसंस्कृतम्।
yāvadāgacchate vipro baṭubhiḥ saha mandiram| adarśanābhiḥ kartavyaṁ tāvadannaṁ susaṁskṛtam||
"Until the brahmin arrives at the hermitage together with the students, let well-prepared food be made ready by unseen hands."
Verse 23 (skanda.5.364.23)
एवमुक्त्वा तु ताः सर्वा विश्वरूपो महेश्वरः। क्रीडनार्थं गतस्तत्र बटुवेषधरः पृथक्।
evamuktvā tu tāḥ sarvā viśvarūpo maheśvaraḥ| krīḍanārthaṁ gatastatra baṭuveṣadharaḥ pṛthak||
Having said this to them all, Maheshvara of universal form, wearing the guise of a young student, went off separately to play.
Verse 24 (skanda.5.364.24)
दृष्ट्वा समागतं तत्र बटुवेषधरं पृथक्। धिक्त्वां च परुषं वाक्यमूचुस्ते गिरिसन्निधौ।
dṛṣṭvā samāgataṁ tatra baṭuveṣadharaṁ pṛthak| dhiktvāṁ ca paruṣaṁ vākyamūcuste girisannidhau||
Seeing him come there separately in the guise of a student, they spoke harsh words to him near the mountain, saying, "Shame on you."
Verse 25 (skanda.5.364.25)
क्षुत्क्षामकंठाः सर्वे च गत्वा तु किल मन्दिरम्। त्वया सिद्धेन चान्नेन तृप्तिं यास्यामहे वयम्।
kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭhāḥ sarve ca gatvā tu kila mandiram| tvayā siddhena cānnena tṛptiṁ yāsyāmahe vayam||
"We, our throats parched with hunger, thought that on reaching the hermitage we would find satisfaction in food cooked by you."
Verse 26 (skanda.5.364.26)
तद्वृथा चिन्तितं सर्वं त्वयागत्य कृतं द्विज। मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञेन सता दुरनुष्ठितमद्य ते।
tadvṛthā cintitaṁ sarvaṁ tvayāgatya kṛtaṁ dvija| mithyāpratijñena satā duranuṣṭhitamadya te||
"O brahmin, by your coming here all that we had hoped for has become useless. O maker of a false promise, today you have acted wrongly."
Verse 27 (skanda.5.364.27)
बटुरुवाच। सन्तापमनुतापं वा भोजनार्थं द्विजर्षभाः। मा कुरुध्वं यथान्यायं सिद्धेऽग्रे गृहमेष्यथा।
baṭuruvāca| santāpamanutāpaṁ vā bhojanārthaṁ dvijarṣabhāḥ| mā kurudhvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ siddhe'gre gṛhameṣyathā||
The young brahmacharin said: O foremost of the twice-born, do not grieve or feel remorse for the sake of food. In due course, once the meal is ready, you shall come to the hermitage.
Verse 28 (skanda.5.364.28)
बटुरुवाच। दिनशेषेण चास्माकं पञ्चतां च दिने दिने। निष्पत्तिं याति वा नेति तदसिद्धमशेषतः।
baṭuruvāca| dinaśeṣeṇa cāsmākaṁ pañcatāṁ ca dine dine| niṣpattiṁ yāti vā neti tadasiddhamaśeṣataḥ||
He said again: Whether within the rest of the day, or even at the cost of our daily deaths, it will be accomplished or not - otherwise it remains wholly unaccomplished.
Verse 29 (skanda.5.364.29)
असिद्धं सिद्धमस्माकं यत्त्वया समुदाहृतम्। दृष्ट्वानृतं गतास्तत्र त्वां बद्धाम्भसि निक्षिपे।
asiddhaṁ siddhamasmākaṁ yattvayā samudāhṛtam| dṛṣṭvānṛtaṁ gatāstatra tvāṁ baddhāmbhasi nikṣipe||
"Whatever you have declared - accomplished or unaccomplished for us - if, on going there, we find it false, we shall bind you and cast you into the water."
Verse 30 (skanda.5.364.30)
बटुरुवाच। भोभोः शृणुध्व सर्वेऽत्र सोपाध्याया द्विजोत्तमाः। प्रतिज्ञां मम दुर्धर्षां यां श्रुत्वा विस्मयो भवेत्।
baṭuruvāca| bhobhoḥ śṛṇudhva sarve'tra sopādhyāyā dvijottamāḥ| pratijñāṁ mama durdharṣāṁ yāṁ śrutvā vismayo bhavet||
He said: O all you foremost twice-born together with your teacher, hear my unshakeable vow, hearing which you shall be astonished.
Verse 31 (skanda.5.364.31)
यदि सिद्धमिदं सर्वमन्नं स्यादाश्रमे गुरोः। यूयं बद्ध्वा मया सर्वे क्षेप्तव्या नर्मदाम्भसि।
yadi siddhamidaṁ sarvamannaṁ syādāśrame guroḥ| yūyaṁ baddhvā mayā sarve kṣeptavyā narmadāmbhasi||
"If all this food is ready and accomplished at the teacher's hermitage, then I shall bind all of you and cast you into the waters of the Narmada."
Verse 32 (skanda.5.364.32)
अथवान्नं न सिद्धं स्याद्भवद्भिर्दृढबन्धनैः। गुरोस्तु पश्यतो बद्ध्वा क्षेप्तव्योऽहं नर्मदाह्रदे।
athavānnaṁ na siddhaṁ syādbhavadbhirdṛḍhabandhanaiḥ| gurostu paśyato baddhvā kṣeptavyo'haṁ narmadāhrade||
"Or if the food is not ready, then, in the presence of the teacher himself, bind me fast and cast me into the pool of the Narmada."
Verse 33 (skanda.5.364.33)
तथेति कृत्वा ते सर्वे समयं गुरुसन्निधौ। स्नात्वा जाप्यविधानेन भूतग्रामं ततो ययुः।
tatheti kṛtvā te sarve samayaṁ gurusannidhau| snātvā jāpyavidhānena bhūtagrāmaṁ tato yayuḥ||
Saying "So be it," they all accepted that agreement in the presence of the teacher, and having bathed and performed their prescribed recitations, went thence toward Bhutagrama.
Verse 34 (skanda.5.364.34)
दृष्ट्वा ते विस्मयं जग्मुर्विस्तृते भक्ष्यभोजने। षड्रसेन नृपश्रेष्ठ भुक्त्वा हुत्वा पृथक्पृथक्।
dṛṣṭvā te vismayaṁ jagmurvistṛte bhakṣyabhojane| ṣaḍrasena nṛpaśreṣṭha bhuktvā hutvā pṛthakpṛthak||
Beholding the food, abundantly prepared with delicacies, they were filled with astonishment. O best of kings, having eaten the six-flavored feast and each performed their oblations separately.
Verse 35 (skanda.5.364.35)
ततः प्रोवाच वचनं हृष्टपुष्टो द्विजोत्तमः। वरदोऽस्मि वरं वत्स वृणु यत्तव रोचते।
tataḥ provāca vacanaṁ hṛṣṭapuṣṭo dvijottamaḥ| varadosmi varaṁ vatsa vṛṇu yattava rocate||
Then the foremost brahmin, satisfied and content, spoke: My child, I am ready to grant a boon; ask whatever pleases you.
Verse 36 (skanda.5.364.36)
साङ्गोपाङ्गास्तु ते वेदाः शास्त्राणि विविधानि च। प्रतिभास्यन्ति ते विप्र मदीयोऽस्तु वरस्त्वयम्।
sāṅgopāṅgāstu te vedāḥ śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca| pratibhāsyanti te vipra madīyo'stu varastvayam||
"O brahmin, may the Vedas together with their limbs and sub-limbs, and the various scriptures, spontaneously shine forth in you - let this be my boon to you."
Verse 37 (skanda.5.364.37)
प्रणम्य बटुभिः सार्धं स चिक्रीड यथासुखम्। द्वितीये तु ततः प्राप्ते दिवसे नर्मदाजले।
praṇamya baṭubhiḥ sārdhaṁ sa cikrīḍa yathāsukham| dvitīye tu tataḥ prāpte divase narmadājale||
Having bowed, he then played happily together with the other students. Then, when the second day arrived, they went to the waters of the Narmada.
Verse 38 (skanda.5.364.38)
क्रीडनार्थं गताः सर्वे सोपाध्याया युधिष्ठिर। ततः स्मृत्वा पणं सर्वे भाषयित्वा विधानतः।
krīḍanārthaṁ gatāḥ sarve sopādhyāyā yudhiṣṭhira| tataḥ smṛtvā paṇaṁ sarve bhāṣayitvā vidhānataḥ||
O Yudhishthira, all of them, together with their teacher, went there to play. Then, remembering their wager, they all discussed it according to the agreement.
Verse 39 (skanda.5.364.39)
उपाध्यायमथोवाच नत्वा देवः कृताञ्जलिः। जले प्रक्षेपयाम्यद्य निष्प्रतिज्ञान् बटून् प्रभो।
upādhyāyamathovāca natvā devaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ| jale prakṣepayāmyadya niṣpratijñān baṭūn prabho||
Then the god, bowing with joined hands, said to the teacher: O lord, today I shall cast into the water these students who have failed their vow.
Verse 40 (skanda.5.364.40)
तद्देवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नष्टास्ते बटवो नृप। गुरोस्तु पश्यतो राजन्धावमाना दिशो दश।
taddevasya vacaḥ śrutvā naṣṭāste baṭavo nṛpa| gurostu paśyato rājandhāvamānā diśo daśa||
O king, hearing the god's words, those students fled, and even as the teacher watched, they ran off in all ten directions.
Verse 41 (skanda.5.364.41)
वायुवेगेन देवेन लुञ्जितास्ते समन्ततः। भारं बद्ध्वा तु सर्वेषां बटूनां च नरेश्वर।
vāyuvegena devena luñjitāste samantataḥ| bhāraṁ baddhvā tu sarveṣāṁ baṭūnāṁ ca nareśvara||
O lord of men, the god, with the speed of wind, seized them on every side, and binding all those students together into a single bundle.
Verse 42 (skanda.5.364.42)
शापानुग्रहको देवोऽक्षिपत्तोये यथा गृहे। ततो विषादमगमद्दृष्ट्वा तान्नर्मदाजले।
śāpānugrahako devo'kṣipattoye yathā gṛhe| tato viṣādamagamaddṛṣṭvā tānnarmadājale||
The god, who both curses and blesses, cast them into the water as if into a home. Thereafter, seeing them in the waters of the Narmada, the teacher was overcome with grief.
Verse 43 (skanda.5.364.43)
गुरुणा बटुरुक्तोऽथ किमेतत्साहसं कृतम्। एतेषां मातृपितरो बालकानां गृहेऽङ्गनाः।
guruṇā baṭurukto'tha kimetatsāhasaṁ kṛtam| eteṣāṁ mātṛpitaro bālakānāṁ gṛhe'ṅganāḥ||
Then the teacher said to the young brahmacharin: What rash act have you committed? These boys have mothers and fathers, and women waiting at home.
Verse 44 (skanda.5.364.44)
यदि पृच्छन्ति ते बालान् क्व गतान् कथयाम्यहम्। एवं स्थिते महाभाग यदि कश्चिन्मरिष्यति।
yadi pṛcchanti te bālān kva gatān kathayāmyaham| evaṁ sthite mahābhāga yadi kaścinmariṣyati||
"If they ask me where the boys have gone, what shall I say? O great one, if in this situation even one of them should die,"
Verse 45 (skanda.5.364.45)
तदा स्वकीयजीवेन त्वं योजयितुमर्हसि। मृतेषु तेषु विप्रेषु न जीवे निश्चयो मृतः।
tadā svakīyajīvena tvaṁ yojayitumarhasi| mṛteṣu teṣu vipreṣu na jīve niścayo mṛtaḥ||
"Then you must make good the loss with your own life. If those brahmins should die, there is no certainty that I myself shall live."
Verse 46 (skanda.5.364.46)
ब्रह्महत्याश्च ते बह्व्यो भविष्यन्ति मृते मयि। द्विजबन्धनमात्रेण नरको भवति ध्रुवम्।
brahmahatyāśca te bahvyo bhaviṣyanti mṛte mayi| dvijabandhanamātreṇa narako bhavati dhruvam||
"If I die, you shall incur the sin of many brahmin-killings. Merely by binding a brahmin, hell becomes certain."
Verse 47 (skanda.5.364.47)
मरणाद्यां गतिं यासि न तां वेद्मि द्विजाधम। एवमुक्तः स्मितं कृत्वा देवदेवो महेश्वरः।
maraṇādyāṁ gatiṁ yāsi na tāṁ vedmi dvijādhama| evamuktaḥ smitaṁ kṛtvā devadevo maheśvaraḥ||
"What fate you shall meet after death, O basest of the twice-born, I do not know." Thus addressed, Maheshvara, the god of gods, smiled.
Verse 48 (skanda.5.364.48)
भारभूतेश्वरे तीर्थ उज्जहार जलाद्द्विजान्। मुक्त्वा भारं तु देवेन छादयित्वा तु तान्द्विजान्।
bhārabhūteśvare tīrtha ujjahāra jalāddvijān| muktvā bhāraṁ tu devena chādayitvā tu tāndvijān||
At the tirtha of Bharabhuteshvara, he drew the brahmins out of the water. The god, having released the bundle, then concealed those brahmins,
Verse 49 (skanda.5.364.49)
लिङ्गं प्रतिष्ठितं तत्र भारभूतेति विश्रुतम्। मृतांस्तान् वै द्विजान् दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्महत्या निराकृता।
liṅgaṁ pratiṣṭhitaṁ tatra bhārabhūteti viśrutam| mṛtāṁstān vai dvijān dṛṣṭvā brahmahatyā nirākṛtā||
and established there a linga renowned by the name Bharabhuti. Seeing those brahmins as if dead, the sin of brahmin-killing was thereby dispelled.
Verse 50 (skanda.5.364.50)
गतानि पञ्च वै दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्महत्याशतानि वै। ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो दृष्ट्वा तान्बालकान् गुरुः।
gatāni pañca vai dṛṣṭvā brahmahatyāśatāni vai| tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭo dṛṣṭvā tānbālakān guruḥ||
Having beheld the effect equal to five hundred brahmin-killings, the teacher then, seeing those boys alive again, was overcome with astonishment.
Verse 51 (skanda.5.364.51)
नान्यस्य कस्यचिच्छक्तिरेवं स्यादीश्वरं विना। ज्ञात्वा तं देवदेवेशं प्रणाममकरोद्द्विजः।
nānyasya kasyacicchaktirevaṁ syādīśvaraṁ vinā| jñātvā taṁ devadeveśaṁ praṇāmamakarodvijaḥ||
"No one else could have such power except the Lord himself" - knowing this, the brahmin bowed in homage to that supreme god of gods.
Verse 52 (skanda.5.364.52)
अज्ञानेन मया सर्वं यदुक्तं परमेश्वर। अप्रियं यत्कृतं सर्वं क्षन्तव्यं तन्मम प्रभो।
ajñānena mayā sarvaṁ yaduktaṁ parameśvara| apriyaṁ yatkṛtaṁ sarvaṁ kṣantavyaṁ tanmama prabho||
"O supreme lord, whatever I said in ignorance, and whatever unpleasant thing I did - O lord, may all of that be forgiven in me."
Verse 53 (skanda.5.364.53)
देव उवाच। भगवन्गुरुर्भवान्देवो भवान्मम पितामहः। वेदगर्भ नमस्तेऽस्तु नास्ति कश्चिद्व्यतिक्रमः।
deva uvāca| bhagavangururbhavāndevo bhavānmama pitāmahaḥ| vedagarbha namaste'stu nāsti kaścidvyatikramaḥ||
The god said: O venerable one, you are my teacher, you are a god, you are indeed my grandsire. O womb of the Vedas, salutations to you; there has been no transgression on your part.
Verse 54 (skanda.5.364.54)
जनिता चोपनेता च यस्तु विद्यां प्रयच्छति। अन्नदाता भयत्राता पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः।
janitā copanetā ca yastu vidyāṁ prayacchati| annadātā bhayatrātā pañcaite pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ||
He who begets, he who invests with the sacred thread, he who imparts learning, he who gives food, and he who protects from fear - these five are remembered as fathers.
Verse 55 (skanda.5.364.55)
एवमुक्त्वा जगन्नाथो विष्णुशर्माणमानतः। तत्र तीर्थे जगामाशु कैलासं धरणीधरम्।
evamuktvā jagannātho viṣṇuśarmāṇamānataḥ| tatra tīrthe jagāmāśu kailāsaṁ dharaṇīdharam||
Having said this, the Lord of the universe bowed to Vishnusharma, and at that tirtha he swiftly departed for Mount Kailasa, the bearer of the earth.
Verse 56 (skanda.5.364.56)
तदाप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं भारभूतीति विश्रुतम्। विख्यातं सर्वलोकेषु महापातकनाशनम्।
tadāprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ bhārabhūtīti viśrutam| vikhyātaṁ sarvalokeṣu mahāpātakanāśanam||
From that time onward, that tirtha became known as Bharabhuti, renowned in all worlds as the destroyer of great sins.
Verse 57 (skanda.5.364.57)
तत्र तीर्थे पुनर्वृत्तमितिहासं ब्रवीमि ते। सर्वपापहरं दिव्यमेकाग्रस्त्वं शृणुष्व तत्।
tatra tīrthe punarvṛttamitihāsaṁ bravīmi te| sarvapāpaharaṁ divyamekāgrastvaṁ śṛṇuṣva tat||
I shall tell you another tale that once occurred at that tirtha, a divine story that removes all sin - listen to it with a focused mind.
Verse 58 (skanda.5.364.58)
पुरा कृतयुगस्यादौ वैश्यः कश्चिन्महामनाः। सुकेश इति विख्यातस्तस्य पुत्रोऽतिधार्मिकः।
purā kṛtayugasyādau vaiśyaḥ kaścinmahāmanāḥ| sukeśa iti vikhyātastasya putro'tidhārmikaḥ||
In ancient times, at the beginning of the Krita Yuga, there was a certain noble-minded vaishya renowned as Sukesha. His son was exceedingly righteous.
Verse 59 (skanda.5.364.59)
सोमशर्मेति विख्यातो मृतः पृथुललोचनः। स सखायं वणिक्पुत्रं कंचिच्चक्रे दरिद्रिणम्।
somaśarmeti vikhyāto mṛtaḥ pṛthulalocanaḥ| sa sakhāyaṁ vaṇikputraṁ kaṁciccakre daridriṇam||
He was renowned as Somasharma, gentle of nature and wide-eyed. He made a certain impoverished merchant's son his friend.
Verse 60 (skanda.5.364.60)
सुदेवमिति ख्यातं सर्वकर्मसु कोविदम्। एकदा तु समं तेन व्यवहारमचिन्तयत्।
sudevamiti khyātaṁ sarvakarmasu kovidam| ekadā tu samaṁ tena vyavahāramacintayat||
He was known as Sudeva, skilled in every undertaking. Once, Somasharma resolved to undertake a business venture together with him.
Verse 61 (skanda.5.364.61)
सखे समुद्रयानेन गच्छावोत्तरणैः शुभैः। भाण्डं बहु समादाय मदीये द्रव्यसाधने।
sakhe samudrayānena gacchāvottaraṇaiḥ śubhaiḥ| bhāṇḍaṁ bahu samādāya madīye dravyasādhane||
"O friend, let us go by sea voyage on auspicious vessels. Taking much merchandise, using my wealth as capital,"
Verse 62 (skanda.5.364.62)
परं तीरं गमिष्याव उत्कर्षस्त्वावयोः समः। इति तौ मन्त्रयित्वा तु मन्त्रवत्समभीप्सितम्।
paraṁ tīraṁ gamiṣyāva utkarṣastvāvayoḥ samaḥ| iti tau mantrayitvā tu mantravatsamabhīpsitam||
"We shall both go to the far shore, and the profit shall be equal between us." Having thus counselled together, the two of them set about the undertaking they desired, as if by careful plan.
Verse 63 (skanda.5.364.63)
सर्वं प्रयाणकं गृह्य ह्यारूढौ लवणोदधिम्। तौ गत्वा तु परं भाण्डं विक्रीय पुरतस्तदा।
sarvaṁ prayāṇakaṁ gṛhya hyārūḍhau lavaṇodadhim| tau gatvā tu paraṁ bhāṇḍaṁ vikrīya puratastadā||
Taking all their travel goods, the two of them embarked upon the salt sea. Having gone there, and having sold their goods on the far shore,
Verse 64 (skanda.5.364.64)
प्राप्तौ बहु सुवर्णं च रत्नानि विविधानि च। नावं तां संगतां कृत्वा पश्चात्तावारुरोहतुः।
prāptau bahu suvarṇaṁ ca ratnāni vividhāni ca| nāvaṁ tāṁ saṅgatāṁ kṛtvā paścāttāvāruruhatuḥ||
they obtained much gold and various kinds of gems. Having readied the boat again, the two of them then boarded it.
Verse 65 (skanda.5.364.65)
नावमन्तर्जले दृष्ट्वा निशीथे स्वर्णसंभृताम्। दृष्ट्वा तु सोमशर्माणमुत्सङ्गे कृतमस्तकम्।
nāvamantarjale dṛṣṭvā niśīthe svarṇasaṁbhṛtām| dṛṣṭvā tu somaśarmāṇamutsaṅge kṛtamastakam||
Seeing, in the middle of the night upon the water, the boat laden with gold, and seeing Somasharma with his head resting upon his own lap,
Verse 66 (skanda.5.364.66)
शयानमतिविश्वस्तं सहदेवो व्यचिन्तयत्। एष निद्रावशं यातो मयि प्राणान्निधाय वै।
śayānamativiśvastaṁ sahadevo vyacintayat| eṣa nidrāvaśaṁ yāto mayi prāṇānnidhāya vai||
beholding him asleep in utter trust, Sahadeva (Sudeva) thought to himself: "This man has fallen under the sway of sleep, having entrusted his very life into my hands."
Verse 67 (skanda.5.364.67)
अस्याधीनमिदं सर्वं द्रव्यरत्नमशेषतः। उत्कर्षार्द्धं तु मे दद्यात्तत्र गत्वेति वा न वा।
asyādhīnamidaṁ sarvaṁ dravyaratnamaśeṣataḥ| utkarṣārddhaṁ tu me dadyāttatra gatveti vā na vā||
"All this wealth and treasure is entirely under his control. Whether, once we reach there, he will give me half the profit or not, is uncertain."
Verse 68 (skanda.5.364.68)
इति निश्चित्य मनसा पापस्तं लवणोदधौ। चिक्षेप सोमशर्माणं पापध्यातेन चेतसा।
iti niścitya manasā pāpastaṁ lavaṇodadhau| ciksepa somaśarmāṇaṁ pāpadhyātena cetasā||
Having thus resolved in his mind, that sinful man, with a heart bent on sin, cast Somasharma into the salt sea.
Verse 69 (skanda.5.364.69)
उत्तीर्य तरणात्तस्माद्गत्वा संगृह्य तद्धनम्। ततः कतिपयाहोभिः संयुक्तः कालधर्मणा।
uttīrya taraṇāttasmādgatvā saṁgṛhya taddhanam| tataḥ katipayāhobhiḥ saṁyuktaḥ kāladharmaṇā||
Having crossed over from that voyage, he went and gathered up that wealth. Then, after a few days, he too came under the law of time and died.
Verse 70 (skanda.5.364.70)
गतो यमपुरं घोरं गृहीतो यमकिंकरैः। स नीतस्तेन मार्गेण यत्र संतपते रविः।
gato yamapuraṁ ghoraṁ gṛhīto yamakiṅkaraiḥ| sa nītastena mārgeṇa yatra saṁtapate raviḥ||
He went to the terrible city of Yama, seized by Yama's servants, and was led by that road where the sun scorches fiercely.
Verse 71 (skanda.5.364.71)
कृत्वा द्वादशधात्मानं सम्प्राप्ते प्रलये यथा। सुतीक्ष्णाः कण्टका यत्र यत्र श्वानः सुदारुणाः।
kṛtvā dvādaśadhātmānaṁ samprāpte pralaye yathā| sutīkṣṇāḥ kaṇṭakā yatra yatra śvānaḥ sudāruṇāḥ||
There the sun, as if the time of dissolution had come, multiplies itself twelvefold. There are the sharpest thorns, and there the most terrifying dogs.
Verse 72 (skanda.5.364.72)
तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रा महाव्याला व्याघ्रा यत्र महावृकाः। सुतप्ता वालुका यत्र क्षुधा तृष्णा तमो महत्।
tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭrā mahāvyālā vyāghrā yatra mahāvṛkāḥ| sutaptā vālukā yatra kṣudhā tṛṣṇā tamo mahat||
There are great sharp-fanged serpents, tigers, and terrible wolves. There is scorching hot sand, hunger, thirst, and deep darkness.
Verse 73 (skanda.5.364.73)
पानीयस्य कथा नास्ति न छाया नाश्रमः क्वचित्। अन्नं पानीयसहितं यावत्तद्दीयते विषम्।
pānīyasya kathā nāsti na chāyā nāśramaḥ kvacit| annaṁ pānīyasahitaṁ yāvattaddīyate viṣam||
There, water is not even to be spoken of, nor is there any shade or resting place anywhere. Whatever food and water is given there is as poison.
Verse 74 (skanda.5.364.74)
छायां संप्रार्थमानानां भृशं ज्वलति पावकः। तैर्दह्यमाना बहुशो विलपन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः।
chāyāṁ saṁprārthamānānāṁ bhṛśaṁ jvalati pāvakaḥ| tairdahyamānā bahuśo vilapanti muhurmuhuḥ||
For those who long for shade, the fire blazes up all the more fiercely. Burned again and again by it, they wail continuously.
Verse 75 (skanda.5.364.75)
हा भ्रातर्मातः पुत्रेति पतन्ति पथि मूर्छिताः। इत्थंभूतेन मार्गेण स नीतो यमकिंकरैः।
hā bhrātarmātaḥ putreti patanti pathi mūrchitāḥ| itthaṁbhūtena mārgeṇa sa nīto yamakiṅkaraiḥ||
"O brother! O mother! O son!" - crying thus, they fall fainting upon the path. By just such a road was he led by the servants of Yama.
Verse 76 (skanda.5.364.76)
यत्र तिष्ठति देवेशः प्रजासंयमनो यमः। ते द्वारदेशे तं मुक्त्वाचक्षुर्यमकिंकराः।
yatra tiṣṭhati deveśaḥ prajāsaṁyamano yamaḥ| te dvāradeśe taṁ muktvācakṣuryamakiṅkarāḥ||
Where the lord of gods, Yama the restrainer of creatures, resides, there at the gateway, leaving him, the servants of Yama spoke.
Verse 77 (skanda.5.364.77)
बद्ध्वा तं गलपाशेन ह्यासीनं मित्रघातिनम्। अवधारय देवेश बुध्यस्व यदनन्तरम्।
baddhvā taṁ galapāśena hyāsīnaṁ mitraghātinam| avadhāraya deveśa budhyasva yadanantaram||
Having bound that killer of his friend with a noose around the neck and seated him there, they said, "O lord of gods, take heed and determine what is to follow."
Verse 78 (skanda.5.364.78)
यम उवाच। न तु पूर्वं मुखं दृष्टं मया विश्वासघातिनाम्। ये मित्रद्रोहिणः पापास्तेषां किं शासनं भवेत्।
yama uvāca| na tu pūrvaṁ mukhaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ mayā viśvāsaghātinām| ye mitradrohiṇaḥ pāpāsteṣāṁ kiṁ śāsanaṁ bhavet||
Yama said: Never before have I seen the face of one who has betrayed trust. What punishment should there be for those sinners who are traitors to their friends?
Verse 79 (skanda.5.364.79)
ऋषयोऽत्र विचारार्थं नियुक्ता निपुणाः स्थिताः। ते यत्र ब्रुवते तत्र क्षिपध्वं मा विचार्यताम्।
ṛṣayo'tra vicārārthaṁ niyuktā nipuṇāḥ sthitāḥ| te yatra bruvate tatra kṣipadhvaṁ mā vicāryatām||
Here skilled sages are appointed and stationed for deliberation. Wherever they direct, cast him there - let no further consideration be given.
Verse 80 (skanda.5.364.80)
इत्युक्तास्ते तमादाय किंकराः शीघ्रगामिनः। मुनीशांस्तत्र तानूचुस्तं निवेद्य यमाज्ञया।
ityuktāste tamādāya kiṅkarāḥ śīghragāminaḥ| munīśāṁstatra tānūcustaṁ nivedya yamājñayā||
Thus commanded, those swift-moving servants took him and went there, and by Yama's order, presenting him, spoke to those lords of sages.
Verse 81 (skanda.5.364.81)
द्विजा अनेन मित्रं स्वं प्रसुप्तं निशि घातितम्। विश्वस्तं धनलोभेन को दण्डोऽस्य भविष्यति।
dvijā anena mitraṁ svaṁ prasuptaṁ niśi ghātitam| viśvastaṁ dhanalobhena ko daṇḍo'sya bhaviṣyati||
"O brahmins, this man has killed his own trusting friend while he slept at night, out of greed for wealth. What punishment should be his?"
Verse 82 (skanda.5.364.82)
मुनय ऊचुः। अदृष्टपूर्वमस्माभिर्वदनं मित्रघातिनाम्। कृत्वा पटान्तरे ह्येनं शृण्वन्तु गतिमस्य ताम्।
munaya ūcuḥ| adṛṣṭapūrvamasmābhirvadanaṁ mitraghātinām| kṛtvā paṭāntare hyenaṁ śṛṇvantu gatimasya tām||
The sages said: We have never before seen the face of those who kill their friends. Let him be placed behind a screen, and let his fate be pronounced for him to hear.
Verse 83 (skanda.5.364.83)
ते शास्त्राणि विचार्याथ ऋषयश्च परस्परम्। आहूय यमदूतांस्तानूचुर्ब्राह्मणपुंगवाः।
te śāstrāṇi vicāryātha ṛṣayaśca parasparam| āhūya yamadūtāṁstānūcurbrāhmaṇapuṅgavāḥ||
Then those sages, having deliberated over the scriptures and among themselves, summoned the servants of Yama, and those foremost brahmins said.
Verse 84 (skanda.5.364.84)
आलोकितानि शास्त्राणि वेदाः साङ्गाः स्मृतीरपि। पुराणानि च मीमांसा दृष्टमस्माभिरत्र च।
ālokitāni śāstrāṇi vedāḥ sāṅgāḥ smṛtīrapi| purāṇāni ca mīmāṁsā dṛṣṭamasmābhiratra ca||
We have examined the scriptures, the Vedas together with their ancillaries, the Smritis, the Puranas, and also the Mimamsa, and in this matter we have found.
Verse 85 (skanda.5.364.85)
ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च स्तेये गुर्वङ्गनागमे। निष्कृतिर्विहिता शास्त्रे कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः।
brahmaghne ca surāpe ca steye gurvaṅganāgame| niṣkṛtirvihitā śāstre kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ||
For the slayer of a brahmin, for the drinker of liquor, for the thief, and for one who violates his teacher's wife, expiation is prescribed in the scriptures - but for the ingrate, there is no expiation.
Verse 86 (skanda.5.364.86)
ये स्त्रीघ्नाश्च गुरुघ्नाश्च ये बालब्रह्मघातिनः। विहिता निष्कृतिः शास्त्रे कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः।
ye strīghnāśca gurughnāśca ye bālabrahmaghātinaḥ| vihitā niṣkṛtiḥ śāstre kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ||
For those who kill women, for those who kill their teacher, and for those who kill a child or a brahmin, expiation too is prescribed in the scriptures - but for the ingrate, there is no expiation.
Verse 87 (skanda.5.364.87)
वापीकूपतडागानां भेत्तारो ये च पापिनः। उद्यानवाटिकानां च छेत्तारो ये च दुर्जनाः।
vāpīkūpataḍāgānāṁ bhettāro ye ca pāpinaḥ| udyānavāṭikānāṁ ca chettāro ye ca durjanāḥ||
Those sinners who destroy step-wells, wells, and reservoirs, and those wicked ones who cut down gardens and groves,
Verse 88 (skanda.5.364.88)
दावाग्निदाहका ये च सततं येऽसुहिंसकाः। न्यासापहारिणो ये च गरदाः स्वामिवञ्चकाः।
dāvāgnidāhakā ye ca satataṁ ye'suhiṁsakāḥ| nyāsāpahāriṇo ye ca garadāḥ svāmivañcakāḥ||
those who set forest fires, those who constantly harm living beings, those who steal deposits entrusted to them, those who administer poison, and those who deceive their masters,
Verse 89 (skanda.5.364.89)
मातापितृगुरूणां च त्यागिनो दोषदायिनः। स्वभर्तृवञ्चनपरा या स्त्री गर्भप्रघातिनी।
mātāpitṛgurūṇāṁ ca tyāgino doṣadāyinaḥ| svabhartṛvañcanaparā yā strī garbhapraghātinī||
those who forsake and find fault with their mother, father, and teacher, and the woman who is intent on deceiving her own husband and who destroys her unborn child,
Verse 90 (skanda.5.364.90)
विवेकरहिता या स्त्री यास्नाता भोजने रता। द्विकालभोजनरतास्तथा वैष्णववासरे।
vivekarahitā yā strī yāsnātā bhojane ratā| dvikālabhojanaratāstathā vaiṣṇavavāsare||
the woman devoid of discernment, who indulges in eating without having bathed, and who is intent on eating twice in a day even on the Vaishnava fast day (Ekadashi),
Verse 91 (skanda.5.364.91)
तासां स्त्रीणां गतिर्दृष्टा न तु विश्वासघातिनाम्। विश्वासघातिनां पुंसां मित्रद्रोहकृतां तथा।
tāsāṁ strīṇāṁ gatirdṛṣṭā na tu viśvāsaghātinām| viśvāsaghātināṁ puṁsāṁ mitradrohakṛtāṁ tathā||
for these women, a fate has been found in the scriptures - but not for those who betray trust. For treacherous men, and likewise for those who commit treachery against a friend,
Verse 92 (skanda.5.364.92)
तेषां गतिर्न वेदेषु पुराणेषु च का कथा। इति स्थितेषु पापेषु गतिरेषां न विद्यते।
teṣāṁ gatirna vedeṣu purāṇeṣu ca kā kathā| iti sthiteṣu pāpeṣu gatireṣāṁ na vidyate||
no fate for them exists in the Vedas, let alone in the Puranas. Thus, though standing among other sins, no fate at all is found for these.
Verse 93 (skanda.5.364.93)
नान्या गतिर्मित्रहनने विश्वस्तघ्ने च नः श्रुतम्। इतो नीत्वा यमदूता एनं विश्वस्तघातिनम्।
nānyā gatirmitrahanane viśvastaghne ca naḥ śrutam| ito nītvā yamadūtā enaṁ viśvastaghātinam||
We have heard of no other fate for the killing of a friend and the killing of one who trusted him. Therefore, let the servants of Yama take this killer of one who trusted him from here,
Verse 94 (skanda.5.364.94)
कल्पकोटिशतं साग्रं पर्यायेण पृथक्पृथक्। नरकेषु च सर्वेषु त्रिंशत्कोटिषु संख्यया।
kalpakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ paryāyeṇa pṛthakpṛthak| narakeṣu ca sarveṣu triṁśatkoṭiṣu saṅkhyayā||
and for a hundred million kalpas and more, in turn, one after another, cast him into all the thirty million hells that exist.
Verse 95 (skanda.5.364.95)
क्षिप्यतामेष मित्रघ्नो विचारो मा विधीयताम्। इति ते वचनं श्रुत्वा किंकरास्तं निगृह्य च।
kṣipyatāmeṣa mitraghno vicāro mā vidhīyatām| iti te vacanaṁ śrutvā kiṅkarāstaṁ nigṛhya ca||
Let this killer of a friend be cast in without further deliberation. Hearing their words, the servants of Yama seized him,
Verse 96 (skanda.5.364.96)
यत्र ते नरका घोरास्तत्र क्षेप्तुं गतास्ततः। ते तमादाय हि नरके घोरे रौरवसंज्ञिते।
yatra te narakā ghorāstatra kṣeptuṁ gatāstataḥ| te tamādāya hi narake ghore raurava saṁjñite||
and went to cast him where those terrible hells were. Taking him, into the terrible hell named Raurava,
Verse 97 (skanda.5.364.97)
चिक्षिपुस्तत्र पापिष्ठं क्षिप्ते रावोऽभवन्महान्। नरकस्थितभूतेषु मोक्तव्यो नैष पापकृत्।
cikṣipustatra pāpiṣṭhaṁ kṣipte rāvo'bhavanmahān| narakasthitabhūteṣu moktavyo naiṣa pāpakṛt||
they cast that most sinful man, and as he was thrown in, a great uproar arose. The beings already dwelling in that hell said, "This doer of sin should not be released."
Verse 98 (skanda.5.364.98)
अस्य संस्पर्शनादेव पीडा शतगुणा भवेत्। यथा व्यथासिकाष्ठैश्च समिद्धैर्दहनात्मकैः।
asya saṁsparśanādeva pīḍā śataguṇā bhavet| yathā vyathāsikāṣṭhaiśca samiddhairdahanātmakaiḥ||
By the mere touch of this man, our suffering shall become a hundredfold, just as one is tormented by blazing, burning logs of wood.
Verse 99 (skanda.5.364.99)
भवति स्पर्शनात्तस्य किमेतेन कृतामलम्। यथा दुर्जनसंसर्गात्सुजनो याति लाघवम्।
bhavati sparśanāttasya kimetena kṛtāmalam| yathā durjanasaṁsargātsujano yāti lāghavam||
By his touch this happens - what purity is achieved by this? Just as by association with the wicked, even a virtuous person is diminished,
Verse 100 (skanda.5.364.100)
सन्निधानात्तथास्याशु क्षते क्षारावसेचनम्। प्रसादः क्रियतामाशु नीयतां नरकेऽन्यतः।
sannidhānāttathāsyāśu kṣate kṣārāvasecanam| prasādaḥ kriyatāmāśu nīyatāṁ narake'nyataḥ||
so too his presence is, for us, like pouring salt into a wound. Therefore, quickly show us mercy and let him be taken to some other hell instead.
Verse 101 (skanda.5.364.101)
एवमुक्तास्ततस्तैस्तु गतास्ते त्वशुचिं प्रति। तत्र ते नारकाः सन्ति पूर्ववत्तेऽपि चुक्रुशुः।
evamuktāstatastaistu gatāste tvaśuciṁ prati| tatra te nārakāḥ santi pūrvavatte'pi cukruśuḥ||
Thus addressed, the servants of Yama then went, taking that impure man to another hell. There too, the denizens of that hell cried out just as before.
Verse 102 (skanda.5.364.102)
एवं ते किंकराः सर्वे पर्यटन्नरकमण्डले। नरकेऽपि स्थितिस्तस्य नास्ति पापस्य दुर्मतेः।
evaṁ te kiṅkarāḥ sarve paryaṭannarakamaṇḍale| narake'pi sthitistasya nāsti pāpasya durmateḥ||
Thus all those servants of Yama wandered throughout the entire circle of hells. But that evil-minded sinner found no place to remain in any hell.
Verse 103 (skanda.5.364.103)
यदा तदा तु ते सर्वे तं गृह्य यमसन्निधौ। गत्वा निवेद्य तत्सर्वं यदुक्तं नारकैर्नरैः। नरके न स्थितिर्यस्य तस्य किं क्रियतां वद।
yadā tadā tu te sarve taṁ gṛhya yamasannidhau| gatvā nivedya tatsarvaṁ yaduktaṁ nārakairnaraiḥ| narake na sthitiryasya tasya kiṁ kriyatāṁ vada||
At last, all of them took him and went into Yama's presence, and reported everything the denizens of hell had said: "For one who finds no place in any hell, tell us what should be done."
Verse 104 (skanda.5.364.104)
यम उवाच। पापिष्ठ एष वै यातु योनिं तिर्यङ्निषेविताम्। कालं मुनिभिरुद्दिष्टः तिर्यग्योनिं प्रवेश्यताम्।
yama uvāca| pāpiṣṭha eṣa vai yātu yoniṁ tiryaṅniṣevitām| kālaṁ munibhiruddiṣṭaḥ tiryagyoniṁ praveśyatām||
Yama said: Let this most sinful man go into the animal wombs inhabited by beasts. For the period declared by the sages, let him be made to enter the animal womb.
Verse 105 (skanda.5.364.105)
एवमुक्ते तु वचने प्रजासंयमनेन च। स गतः कृमितां पापो विष्ठासु च पृथक्पृथक्।
evamukte tu vacane prajāsaṁyamanena ca| sa gataḥ kṛmitāṁ pāpo viṣṭhāsu ca pṛthakpṛthak||
When these words were spoken by Yama, the restrainer of creatures, that sinner went and became, one after another, a worm born in various kinds of dung.
Verse 106 (skanda.5.364.106)
ततोऽसौ दंशमशकान् पिपीलिकसमुद्भवान्। यूकामत्कुणकाढ्यांश्च गत्वा पक्षित्वमागतः।
tato'sau daṁśamaśakān pipīlikasamudbhavān| yūkāmatkuṇakāḍhyāṁśca gatvā pakṣitvamāgataḥ||
Thereafter he passed through the wombs of gnats and mosquitoes, of creatures born from ants, of lice and bedbugs in abundance, and then attained the state of a bird.
Verse 107 (skanda.5.364.107)
स्थावरत्वं गतः पश्चात्पाषाणत्वं ततः परम्। सरीसृपानजगरवराहमृगहस्तिनः।
sthāvaratvaṁ gataḥ paścātpāṣāṇatvaṁ tataḥ param| sarīsṛpānajagaravarāhamṛgahastinaḥ||
Afterward he attained the state of an immovable being, and then, following that, the state of a stone. Then he passed through the wombs of reptiles, pythons, boars, deer, and elephants.
Verse 108 (skanda.5.364.108)
वृकश्वानखरोष्ट्रांश्च सूकरीं ग्रामजातिकाम्। योनिमाश्वतरीं प्राप्य तथा महिषसम्भवाम्।
vṛkaśvānakharoṣṭrāṁśca sūkarīṁ grāmajātikām| yonimāśvatarīṁ prāpya tathā mahiṣasambhavām||
He obtained the wombs of the wolf, the dog, the donkey, and the camel, and that of the village sow, and attained the womb of the she-mule, and likewise that born as a buffalo.
Verse 109 (skanda.5.364.109)
एताश्चान्याश्च बह्वीर्वै प्राप योनीः क्रमेण वै। स ता योनीरनुप्राप्य धुर्योऽभूद्भारवाहकः।
etāścānyāśca bahvīrvai prāpa yonīḥ krameṇa vai| sa tā yonīranuprāpya dhuryo'bhūdbhāravāhakaḥ||
These and many other wombs he obtained in due succession. Having passed through those wombs, he at last became a beast of burden, a bearer of loads.
Verse 110 (skanda.5.364.110)
स गृहे पार्थिवेशस्य धार्मिकस्य यशस्विनः। स दृष्ट्वा कार्त्तिकीं प्राप्तामेकदा नृपसत्तमः।
sa gṛhe pārthiveśasya dhārmikasya yaśasvinaḥ| sa dṛṣṭvā kārttikīṁ prāptāmekadā nṛpasattamaḥ||
He became a bull in the household of a righteous and renowned king. Once, that excellent king, seeing that the Kartika full-moon day had arrived.
Verse 111 (skanda.5.364.111)
पुरोहितं समाहूय ब्राह्मणांश्च तथा बहून्। न गृहे कार्त्तिकीं कुर्यादेतन्मे बहुशः श्रुतम्।
purohitaṁ samāhūya brāhmaṇāṁśca tathā bahūn| na gṛhe kārttikīṁ kuryādetanme bahuśaḥ śrutam||
summoned the family priest and many brahmins and said: "One should not observe the Kartika festival at home - this I have heard many times."
Verse 112 (skanda.5.364.112)
समेताः कुत्र यास्याम इति ब्रूत द्विजोत्तमाः। यो गृहे कार्त्तिकीं कुर्यात्स्नानदानादिवर्जितः।
sametāḥ kutra yāsyāma iti brūta dvijottamāḥ| yo gṛhe kārttikīṁ kuryātsnānadānādivarjitaḥ||
"O foremost of the twice-born, tell me, where should we all go together? He who observes the Kartika festival at home, devoid of bathing, giving, and the like,"
Verse 113 (skanda.5.364.113)
संवत्सरकृतात्पुण्यात्स बहिर्भवति श्रुतिः। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तीर्थं सर्वगुणान्वितम्।
saṁvatsarakṛtātpuṇyātsa bahirbhavati śrutiḥ| tasmātsarvaprayatnena tīrthaṁ sarvaguṇānvitam||
"falls outside the merit accumulated through the whole year - so declares the sacred tradition. Therefore, with every effort, let us go to a tirtha endowed with every virtue,"
Verse 114 (skanda.5.364.114)
सहितास्तत्र गच्छामः स्नातुं दातुं च शक्तितः। एवमुक्ते तु वचने पार्थिवेन द्विजोत्तमाः।
sahitāstatra gacchāmaḥ snātuṁ dātuṁ ca śaktitaḥ| evamukte tu vacane pārthivena dvijottamāḥ||
"let us all go together, to bathe and to give according to our capacity." When the king had spoken thus, the foremost brahmins,
Verse 115 (skanda.5.364.115)
ऊचुः श्रेष्ठं नृपश्रेष्ठ रेवाया उत्तरे तटे। भारेश्वरेति विख्यातं मुक्तितीर्थं नृपोत्तम।
ūcuḥ śreṣṭhaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha revāyā uttare taṭe| bhāreśvareti vikhyātaṁ muktitīrthaṁ nṛpottama||
said, O best of kings: "On the northern bank of the Reva, O foremost of kings, there is a tirtha of liberation renowned as Bhareshvara - that is the most excellent place."
Verse 116 (skanda.5.364.116)
तत्र यामो वयं सर्वे सर्वपापक्षयावहम्। एवमुक्तः स नृपतिर्गृहीत्वा प्रचुरं वसु।
tatra yāmo vayaṁ sarve sarvapāpakṣayāvaham| evamuktaḥ sa nṛpatirgṛhītvā pracuraṁ vasu||
"Let us all go there, to that place which brings about the destruction of every sin." Thus addressed, that king, taking abundant wealth,
Verse 117 (skanda.5.364.117)
शकटं संभृतं कृत्वा तत्र युक्तः स धूर्वहः। यः कृत्वा मित्रहननं गोयोनिं समुपागतः।
śakaṭaṁ saṁbhṛtaṁ kṛtvā tatra yuktaḥ sa dhūrvahaḥ| yaḥ kṛtvā mitrahananaṁ goyoniṁ samupāgataḥ||
had a laden cart made ready, to which that beast of burden - the very one who, having killed his friend, had come to be born in a cow's womb - was yoked.
Verse 118 (skanda.5.364.118)
इत्थं स नर्मदातीरे सम्प्राप्तस्तीर्थमुत्तमम्। गत्वा चतुर्दशीदिने ह्युपवासकृतक्षणः।
itthaṁ sa narmadātīre samprāptastīrthamuttamam| gatvā caturdaśīdine hyupavāsakṛtakṣaṇaḥ||
Thus that king arrived at the excellent tirtha on the bank of the Narmada. Having gone there on the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, he observed a fast.
Verse 119 (skanda.5.364.119)
गत्वा स नर्मदातीरे नाम रुद्रेत्यनुस्मरन्। शुचिप्रदेशाच्च मृदं मन्त्रेणानेन गृह्यताम्।
gatvā sa narmadātīre nāma rudretyanusmaran| śucipradeśācca mṛdaṁ mantreṇānena gṛhyatām||
Having gone to the bank of the Narmada, remembering the name of Rudra, he took clay from a pure spot with this mantra.
Verse 120 (skanda.5.364.120)
उद्धृतासि वराहेण रुद्रेण शतबाहुना। अहमप्युद्धरिष्यामि प्रजया बन्धनेन च।
uddhṛtāsi varāheṇa rudreṇa śatabāhunā| ahamapyuddhariṣyāmi prajayā bandhanena ca||
"You were lifted up by Rudra in the form of the Boar, with a hundred arms. I too shall lift myself up, through progeny and release from bondage."
Verse 121 (skanda.5.364.121)
स एवं तां मृदं नीत्वा मुक्त्वा तीरे तथोत्तरे। ददर्श भास्करं पश्चान्मन्त्रेणानेन चालभेत्।
sa evaṁ tāṁ mṛdaṁ nītvā muktvā tīre tathottare| dadarśa bhāskaraṁ paścānmantreṇānena cālabhet||
Thus taking that clay and placing it on the northern bank, he then beheld the sun and touched the clay with this mantra.
Verse 122 (skanda.5.364.122)
अश्वक्रान्ते रथक्रान्ते विष्णुक्रान्ते वसुंधरे। मृत्तिके हर मे पापं जन्मकोटिशतार्जितम्।
aśvakrānte rathakrānte viṣṇukrānte vasuṁdhare| mṛttike hara me pāpaṁ janmakoṭiśatārjitam||
"O earth, trodden by horse, by chariot, and by Vishnu! O clay, take away my sin accumulated across a hundred million births!"
Verse 123 (skanda.5.364.123)
तत एवं विगाह्यापो मन्त्रमेतमुदीरयेत्। त्वं नर्मदे पुण्यजले तवाम्भः शङ्करोद्भवम्।
tata evaṁ vigāhyāpo mantrametamudīrayet| tvaṁ narmade puṇyajale tavāmbhaḥ śaṅkarodbhavam||
Then, having thus entered the water, he uttered this mantra: "O Narmada, of sacred water, your waters have arisen from Shankara."
Verse 124 (skanda.5.364.124)
स्नानं प्रकुर्वतो मेऽद्य पापं हरतु चार्जितम्। स स्नात्वानेन विधिना संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः।
snānaṁ prakurvato me'dya pāpaṁ haratu cārjitam| sa snātvānena vidhinā saṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ||
"As I bathe today, take away the sin I have accumulated." Having bathed according to this rite, he offered libations to the ancestral deities.
Verse 125 (skanda.5.364.125)
ययौ देवालयं पश्चादुपहारैः समन्वितः। भक्त्या संचिन्त्य सान्निध्ये शङ्करं लोकशङ्करम्।
yayau devālayaṁ paścādupahāraiḥ samanvitaḥ| bhaktyā saṁcintya sānnidhye śaṅkaraṁ lokaśaṅkaram||
Then, bearing offerings, he went to the temple, and with devotion, meditating upon Shankara, the benefactor of the world, present near at hand,
Verse 126 (skanda.5.364.126)
पुराणोक्तविधानेन पूजां समुपचक्रमे। पूजाचतुष्टयं देवि शिवरात्र्यां निगद्यते।
purāṇoktavidhānena pūjāṁ samupacakrame| pūjācatuṣṭayaṁ devi śivarātryāṁ nigadyate||
he began worship according to the rite declared in the Puranas. O Devi, on Shivaratri, a fourfold worship is prescribed.
Verse 127 (skanda.5.364.127)
संस्नाप्य प्रथमे यामे पञ्चगव्येन शङ्करम्। घृतेन पूरणं पश्चात्कृतं नृपवरेण तु।
saṁsnāpya prathame yāme pañcagavyena śaṅkaram| ghṛtena pūraṇaṁ paścātkṛtaṁ nṛpavareṇa tu||
In the first watch, having bathed Shankara with the five products of the cow, that excellent king then filled the vessel over the linga with clarified butter.
Verse 128 (skanda.5.364.128)
धूपदीपनैवेद्याद्यं संकल्प्य च यथाविधि। अर्घेणानेन देवेशं मन्त्रेणानेन शङ्करम्।
dhūpadīpanaivedyādyaṁ saṅkalpya ca yathāvidhi| argheṇānena deveśaṁ mantreṇānena śaṅkaram||
Having duly resolved to offer incense, lamp, food-offering, and the rest, he offered this argha to the lord of gods, Shankara, with this mantra.
Verse 129 (skanda.5.364.129)
नमस्ते देवदेवेश शम्भो परमकारण। गृहाणार्घमिमं देव संसाराघमपाकुरु।
namaste devadeveśa śambho paramakāraṇa| gṛhāṇārghamimaṁ deva saṁsārāghamapākuru||
"Salutations to you, O lord of gods, Shambhu, O supreme cause! Accept this offering, O god, and dispel the sin of worldly existence."
Verse 130 (skanda.5.364.130)
वित्तानुरूपतो दत्तं सुवर्णं मन्त्रकल्पितम्। अग्निर्हि देवाः सर्वे सुवर्णं च हुताशनात्।
vittānurūpato dattaṁ suvarṇaṁ mantrakalpitam| agnirhi devāḥ sarve suvarṇaṁ ca hutāśanāt||
Gold was offered according to his means, consecrated with the mantra. Fire indeed is all the gods, and gold too is born from that very fire.
Verse 131 (skanda.5.364.131)
अतः सुवर्णदानेन प्रीताः स्युः सर्वदेवताः। तदर्घं सर्वदा दातुः प्रीतो भवतु शङ्करः।
ataḥ suvarṇadānena prītāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ| tadarghaṁ sarvadā dātuḥ prīto bhavatu śaṅkaraḥ||
Therefore, by the gift of gold, all the gods become pleased. May Shankara ever be pleased with the giver of this offering.
Verse 132 (skanda.5.364.132)
अनेन विधिना तेन पूजितः प्रथमे शिवः। यामे द्वितीये तु पुनः पूर्वोक्तविधिना चरेत्।
anena vidhinā tena pūjitaḥ prathame śivaḥ| yāme dvitīye tu punaḥ pūrvoktavidhinā caret||
By this rite he worshipped Shiva in the first watch. In the second watch, one should again proceed according to the previously stated rite.
Verse 133 (skanda.5.364.133)
स्नापयामास दुग्धेन गव्येन त्रिपुरान्तकम्। तंदुलैः पूरणं पश्चात्कृतं लिङ्गस्य शूलिनः।
snāpayāmāsa dugdhena gavyena tripurāntakam| taṇḍulaiḥ pūraṇaṁ paścātkṛtaṁ liṅgasya śūlinaḥ||
He bathed Tripurantaka with cow's milk. Then the vessel of the trident-bearer's linga was filled with rice.
Verse 134 (skanda.5.364.134)
कृत्वा विधानं पूर्वोक्तं दत्तं वस्त्रयुगं सितम्। श्वेतवस्त्रयुगं यस्माच्छङ्करस्यातिवल्लभम्।
kṛtvā vidhānaṁ pūrvoktaṁ dattaṁ vastrayugaṁ sitam| śvetavastrayugaṁ yasmācchaṅkarasyātivallabham||
Having performed the previously stated rite, a pair of white garments was offered, for a pair of white garments is exceedingly dear to Shankara.
Verse 135 (skanda.5.364.135)
प्रीतो भवति वै शम्भुर्दत्तेन श्वेतवाससा। यामं तृतीयं सम्प्राप्तं दृष्ट्वा नृपतिसत्तमः।
prīto bhavati vai śambhurdattena śvetavāsasā| yāmaṁ tṛtīyaṁ samprāptaṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatisattamaḥ||
By the offering of white garments, Shambhu is indeed pleased. Seeing that the third watch had arrived, that excellent king then,
Verse 136 (skanda.5.364.136)
देवं संस्नाप्य मधुना पूरणं चक्रिवांस्तिलैः। तिलद्रोणप्रदानं च कुर्यान्मन्त्रमुदीरयन्।
devaṁ saṁsnāpya madhunā pūraṇaṁ cakrivāṁstilaiḥ| tiladroṇapradānaṁ ca kuryānmantramudīrayan||
bathed the god with honey and filled the vessel with sesame seeds. Uttering the mantra, one should give a droṇa-measure of sesame in gift.
Verse 137 (skanda.5.364.137)
तिलाः श्वेतास्तिलाः कृष्णाः सर्वपापहरास्तिलाः। तिलद्रोणप्रदानेन संसारश्छिद्यतां मम।
tilāḥ śvetāstilāḥ kṛṣṇāḥ sarvapāpaharāstilāḥ| tiladroṇapradānena saṁsāraśchidyatāṁ mama||
"White sesame, black sesame - these sesame seeds remove all sins. By the gift of a droṇa of sesame, may my bondage to worldly existence be severed."
Verse 138 (skanda.5.364.138)
अनेन विधिना राजा यामिनीयामपूजनम्। अतिवाह्य विनोदेन ब्रह्मघोषेण जागरम्।
anena vidhinā rājā yāminīyāmapūjanam| ativāhya vinodena brahmaghoṣeṇa jāgaram||
By this rite the king passed the worship of the night's watches, keeping vigil amid pleasant diversion and the resounding recitation of the Vedas.
Verse 139 (skanda.5.364.139)
चकार पूजनं शम्भोर्बहुपुण्यप्रसाधकम्। ये जागरे त्रिनेत्रस्य शिवरात्र्यां शिवस्थिताः।
cakāra pūjanaṁ śambhorbahupuṇyaprasādhakam| ye jāgare trinetrasya śivarātryāṁ śivasthitāḥ||
He performed that worship of Shambhu, which bestows great merit. Those who, on Shivaratri, remain devoted to Shiva through the night-vigil of the three-eyed god,
Verse 140 (skanda.5.364.140)
ते यां गतिं गताः पार्थ न तां गच्छन्ति यज्विनः। पापानि यानि कानि स्युः कोटिजन्मार्जितान्यपि।
te yāṁ gatiṁ gatāḥ pārtha na tāṁ gacchanti yajvinaḥ| pāpāni yāni kāni syuḥ koṭijanmārjitānyapi||
O Partha, the state that they attain is not reached even by those who perform sacrifices. Whatever sins may have been accumulated across a hundred million births,
Verse 141 (skanda.5.364.141)
हरकेशवयोः स्नान्ति जागरे यान्ति संक्षयम्। यावन्तो निमिषा नृणां भवन्ति निशि जाग्रताम्।
harakeśavayoḥ snānti jāgare yānti saṁkṣayam| yāvanto nimiṣā nṛṇāṁ bhavanti niśi jāgratām||
Those who bathe Hara and Keshava attain, in the vigil, the dissolution of sin. For as many blinks of the eye as occur to men keeping wakeful vigil through the night,
Verse 142 (skanda.5.364.142)
निमिषे निमिषे राजन्नश्वमेधफलं ध्रुवम्। उपवासपराणां च देवायतनवासिनाम्।
nimiṣe nimiṣe rājannaśvamedhaphalaṁ dhruvam| upavāsaparāṇāṁ ca devāyatanavāsinām||
O king, at every single blink an assured fruit equal to the horse-sacrifice is obtained. For those devoted to fasting and dwelling in the temple,
Verse 143 (skanda.5.364.143)
शृण्वतां धर्ममाख्यानं ध्यायतां हरकेशवौ। न तां बहुसुवर्णेन क्रतुना गतिमाप्नुयुः।
śṛṇvatāṁ dharmamākhyānaṁ dhyāyatāṁ harakeśavau| na tāṁ bahusuvarṇena kratunā gatimāpnuyuḥ||
and for those who listen to discourses on Dharma and meditate on Hara and Keshava - that state which they attain cannot be reached even by a sacrifice performed with abundant gold.
Verse 144 (skanda.5.364.144)
शिवरात्रिस्तिथिः पुण्या कार्त्तिकी च विशेषतः। रेवाया उत्तरं कूलं तीरं भारेश्वरेति च।
śivarātristithiḥ puṇyā kārttikī ca viśeṣataḥ| revāyā uttaraṁ kūlaṁ tīraṁ bhāreśvareti ca||
Shivaratri is a sacred lunar day, especially that of the month of Kartika. The northern bank of the Reva, the tirtha known as Bhareshvara,
Verse 145 (skanda.5.364.145)
जागृतश्चातिदुःखेन कथं पापं न हास्यति। इत्थंस जागरं कृत्वा शिवरात्र्यां नरेश्वरः।
jāgṛtaścātiduḥkhena kathaṁ pāpaṁ na hāsyati| itthaṁ sa jāgaraṁ kṛtvā śivarātryāṁ nareśvaraḥ||
- whoever keeps vigil with such great hardship, how shall he not shed his sin? Thus, having kept the vigil on Shivaratri, that king,
Verse 146 (skanda.5.364.146)
प्रभाते विमले गत्वा नर्मदातीरमुत्तमम्। स्नापितास्तेन ते सर्वे वाहनानि गजादयः।
prabhāte vimale gatvā narmadātīramuttamam| snāpitāstena te sarve vāhanāni gajādayaḥ||
at the clear dawn, having gone to the excellent bank of the Narmada, had all his mounts - elephants and the rest - bathed there.
Verse 147 (skanda.5.364.147)
यैस्तु वाहैर्गतस्तीर्थं स्नातोऽहं स्नापयामि तान्। तत्र मध्यस्थितः स्नातस्तिर्यक्त्वान्निर्गतो वणिक्।
yaistu vāhairgatastīrthaṁ snāto'haṁ snāpayāmi tān| tatra madhyasthitaḥ snātastiryaktvānnirgato vaṇik||
"The mounts by which I came to this tirtha and by which I myself have bathed - these too I shall bathe," he said. There, standing in their midst as they bathed, the merchant emerged freed from his animal birth.
Verse 148 (skanda.5.364.148)
दानं ददौ तानुद्दिश्य किंचिच्छक्त्यनुरूपतः। तेन वाहकृताद्दोषान्मुक्तो भवति मानवः।
dānaṁ dadau tānuddiśya kiṁciccchaktyanurūpataḥ| tena vāhakṛtāddoṣānmukto bhavati mānavaḥ||
Directing his intent toward them, he gave some gift according to his means. By this, a man becomes freed from the faults incurred through his beasts of burden.
Verse 149 (skanda.5.364.149)
अन्यथासौ कृतो लाभः कृतो व्रजति तान् प्रति। संस्नाप्य तं ततो राजा स्वयं स्नात्वा विधानतः।
anyathāsau kṛto lābhaḥ kṛto vrajati tān prati| saṁsnāpya taṁ tato rājā svayaṁ snātvā vidhānataḥ||
Otherwise, whatever gain is made passes back toward them (their owner shares their fault). Having bathed that bull, the king then bathed himself according to the prescribed rite,
Verse 150 (skanda.5.364.150)
संतर्प्य पितृदेवांश्च कृत्वा श्राद्धं यथाविधि। कृत्वा पिण्डान्पितृभ्यश्च वृषमुत्सृज्य लक्षणम्।
saṁtarpya pitṛdevāṁśca kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ yathāvidhi| kṛtvā piṇḍānpitṛbhyaśca vṛṣamutsṛjya lakṣaṇam||
and having offered libations to the ancestral deities, performed the shraddha rite according to rule, offered funeral cakes to the ancestors, and released a bull marked with the proper signs,
Verse 151 (skanda.5.364.151)
गत्वा देवालयं पश्चाद्देवं तीर्थोदकेन च। संस्नाप्य पञ्चगव्येन ततः पञ्चामृतेन च।
gatvā devālayaṁ paścāddevaṁ tīrthodakena ca| saṁsnāpya pañcagavyena tataḥ pañcāmṛtena ca||
then, going to the temple, he bathed the deity with the water of the tirtha, then with the five products of the cow, and then with the five nectars,
Verse 152 (skanda.5.364.152)
सर्वौषधिजलेनैव ततः शुद्धोदकेन च। चन्दनेन सुगन्धेन समालभ्य च शङ्करम्।
sarvauṣadhijalenaiva tataḥ śuddhodakena ca| candanena sugandhena samālabhya ca śaṅkaram||
then with water infused with all healing herbs, and then with pure water; and then, anointing Shankara with fragrant sandal paste,
Verse 153 (skanda.5.364.153)
कुङ्कुमैश्च सकर्पूरैर्गन्धैश्च विविधैस्तथा। पुष्पौघैश्च सुगन्धाढ्यैश्चतुर्थं लिङ्गपूरणम्।
kuṅkumaiśca sakarpūrairgandhaiśca vividhaistathā| puṣpaughaiśca sugandhāḍhyaiścaturthaṁ liṅgapūraṇam||
and with saffron and camphor and various fragrances, and with heaps of sweet-scented flowers, he performed the fourth filling of the linga.
Verse 154 (skanda.5.364.154)
कृतं नृपवरेणात्र कुर्वता पूर्वकं विधिम्। गोदानं च कृतं पश्चाद्विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा।
kṛtaṁ nṛpavareṇātra kurvatā pūrvakaṁ vidhim| godānaṁ ca kṛtaṁ paścādvidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā||
Thus that excellent king performed all this, following the earlier rite. Afterward, he also performed the gift of a cow, in accordance with the rite prescribed in scripture.
Verse 155 (skanda.5.364.155)
धेनुके रुद्ररूपासि रुद्रेण परिनिर्मिता। अस्मिन्नगाधे संसारे पतन्तं मां समुद्धर।
dhenuke rudrarūpāsi rudreṇa parinirmitā| asminnagādhe saṁsāre patantaṁ māṁ samuddhara||
"O cow, you are of the form of Rudra, fashioned by Rudra himself. Lift me up as I fall into this fathomless ocean of worldly existence."
Verse 156 (skanda.5.364.156)
धेनुं स्वलंकृतां दद्यादनेन विधिना ततः। क्षमाप्य देवदेवेशं ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेद्बहून्।
dhenuṁ svalaṅkṛtāṁ dadyādanena vidhinā tataḥ| kṣamāpya devadeveśaṁ brāhmaṇān bhojayedbahūn||
With this rite, one should give a well-adorned cow in gift. Thereafter, having sought forgiveness from the god of gods, one should feed many brahmins.
Verse 157 (skanda.5.364.157)
षड्विधैर्भोजनैर्भक्ष्यैर्वासोभिस्तान् समर्चयेत्। दक्षिणाभिर्विचित्राभिः पूजयित्वा क्षमापयेत्।
ṣaḍvidhairbhojanairbhakṣyairvāsobhistān samarcayet| dakṣiṇābhirvicitrābhiḥ pūjayitvā kṣamāpayet||
One should honor them with the six kinds of food, with delicacies, and with garments. Having worshipped them with varied gifts of dakshina, one should ask their forgiveness.
Verse 158 (skanda.5.364.158)
स स्वयं बुभुजे पश्चात्परिवारसमन्वितः। तामेव रजनीं तत्र न्यवसज्जगतीपतिः।
sa svayaṁ bubhuje paścātparivārasamanvitaḥ| tāmeva rajanīṁ tatra nyavasajjagatīpatiḥ||
Afterward he himself, together with his family, partook of the meal. That lord of the earth spent that very night there.
Verse 159 (skanda.5.364.159)
तस्य तत्रोषितस्यैवं निशीथेऽथ नरेश्वर। आकाशे सोऽति शुश्राव दिव्यवाणीसमीरितम्।
tasya tatroṣitasyaivaṁ niśīthe'tha nareśvara| ākāśe so'ti śuśrāva divyavāṇīsamīritam||
O lord of men, as that king thus remained there through the night, he heard, resounding in the sky, a divine voice uttered forth, and listened intently.
Verse 160 (skanda.5.364.160)
वागुवाच। राजन्समं ततो लोके फलं भवति साम्प्रतम्। संसारसागरे ह्यत्र पतितानां दुरात्मनाम्।
vāguvāca| rājansamaṁ tato loke phalaṁ bhavati sāmpratam| saṁsārasāgare hyatra patitānāṁ durātmanām||
The voice said: O king, now in this world an equal fruit becomes available even for those wicked souls who have fallen into this ocean of worldly existence.
Verse 161 (skanda.5.364.161)
यदि संनिधिमात्रेण फलं तत्रोच्यते कथम्। यदि शंतनुवंशस्य तत्रोन्मादकरं भवेत्।
yadi saṁnidhimātreṇa phalaṁ tatrocyate katham| yadi śaṁtanuvaṁśasya tatronmādakaraṁ bhavet||
If merely by proximity such a fruit is declared, then this indeed becomes a cause of wonder even for the descendants of Shantanu.
Verse 162 (skanda.5.364.162)
य एष त्वद्गृहे वोढा ह्यतिभारधुरंधरः। अनेन मित्रहननं पापं विश्वासघातनम्।
ya eṣa tvadgṛhe voḍhā hyatibhāradhuraṁdharaḥ| anena mitrahananaṁ pāpaṁ viśvāsaghātanam||
This one who has been a bearer of great burdens in your household - he had once committed the sin of killing his friend, a betrayal of trust.
Verse 163 (skanda.5.364.163)
कृतं जन्मसहस्राणामतीते परिजन्मनि। गतेन पाप्मनात्मानं नरकेषु च संस्थितिः।
kṛtaṁ janmasahasrāṇāmatīte parijanmani| gatena pāpmanātmānaṁ narakeṣu ca saṁsthitiḥ||
This he did in a former birth, thousands of births ago. Burdened by that sin, he came to dwell in the hells.
Verse 164 (skanda.5.364.164)
ततो योनिसहस्रेषु गतिस्तिर्यक्षु चैव हि। गोयोनिं समनुप्राप्तस्त्वद्गृहे स सुदुर्मतिः।
tato yonisahasreṣu gatistiryakṣu caiva hi| goyoniṁ samanuprāptastvadgṛhe sa sudurmatiḥ||
Thereafter he passed through thousands of animal wombs. Then that most evil-minded one attained a bovine birth in your household.
Verse 165 (skanda.5.364.165)
स्नापितश्च त्वया तीर्थे ह्यस्मिन् पर्वसमागमे। दृष्ट्वा पूजां त्वया कॢप्तां कृता जागरणक्रिया।
snāpitaśca tvayā tīrthe hyasmin parvasamāgame| dṛṣṭvā pūjāṁ tvayā kḷptāṁ kṛtā jāgaraṇakriyā||
You bathed him at this tirtha, at this sacred confluence of time. Beholding the worship you performed and the vigil you kept,
Verse 166 (skanda.5.364.166)
तेन निष्कल्मषो जातो मुक्त्वा देहं तवाग्रतः। स्वर्गं प्रति विमानस्थः सोऽद्य राजन्गमिष्यति।
tena niṣkalmaṣo jāto muktvā dehaṁ tavāgrataḥ| svargaṁ prati vimānasthaḥ so'dya rājangamiṣyati||
By that merit he became free from all taint. Casting off his body right before you, O king, he shall today, mounted upon a celestial chariot, go to heaven.
Verse 167 (skanda.5.364.167)
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। एवमुक्ते निपतितो धुर्यः प्राणैर्व्ययुज्यत। विमानवरमारूढस्तत्क्षणात्समदृश्यत।
śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| evamukte nipatito dhuryaḥ prāṇairvyayujyata| vimānavaramārūḍhastatkṣaṇātsamadṛśyata||
Shri Markandeya said: When this was said, the beast of burden fell down and was parted from its life-breath. At that very instant he was seen mounted upon an excellent celestial chariot.
Verse 168 (skanda.5.364.168)
स तं प्रणम्य राजेन्द्रमुवाच प्रहसन्निव।
sa taṁ praṇamya rājendramuvāca prahasanniva||
Bowing to that best of kings, he spoke as though smiling.
Verse 169 (skanda.5.364.169)
वृष उवाच। भोभो नृपवरश्रेष्ठ तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्। यत्र चास्मद्विधस्तीर्थे मुच्यते पातकैर्नरः। मया ज्ञातमशेषेण मत्समो नास्ति पातकी।
vṛṣa uvāca| bhobho nṛpavaraśreṣṭha tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam| yatra cāsmadvidhastīrthe mucyate pātakairnaraḥ| mayā jñātamaśeṣeṇa matsamo nāsti pātakī||
The bull said: O most excellent of kings, supreme is the greatness of this tirtha, where even a man such as I am freed from sins. I have come to know fully that there is no sinner equal to me.
Verse 170 (skanda.5.364.170)
अतः परं किं तु कुर्यां परं तीर्थानुकीर्तनम्। भवान्माता भवन्भ्राता भवांश्चैव पितामहः।
ataḥ paraṁ kiṁ tu kuryāṁ paraṁ tīrthānukīrtanam| bhavānmātā bhavanbhrātā bhavāṁścaiva pitāmahaḥ||
What more can I do than to sing further the praises of this tirtha? You are my mother, you are my brother, and you are indeed my grandsire.
Verse 171 (skanda.5.364.171)
क्षन्तव्यं प्रणतोऽस्म्यद्य यस्मिंस्तीर्थे हि मादृशाः। गतिमीदृग्विधां यान्ति न जाने तव का गतिः।
kṣantavyaṁ praṇato'smyadya yasmiṁstīrthe hi mādṛśāḥ| gatimīdṛgvidhāṁ yānti na jāne tava kā gatiḥ||
Forgive me, I bow before you today. If at this tirtha even beings like myself attain such a fate, I do not know what fate shall be yours.
Verse 172 (skanda.5.364.172)
समाराध्य महेशानं सम्पूज्य च यथाविधि। का गतिस्तव संभाष्या देह्यनुज्ञां मम प्रभो।
samārādhya maheśānaṁ sampūjya ca yathāvidhi| kā gatistava saṁbhāṣyā dehyanujñāṁ mama prabho||
Having worshipped and duly honored the great Lord, what your fate shall be cannot even be spoken. O lord, grant me leave to depart.
Verse 173 (skanda.5.364.173)
त्वरयन्ति च मां ह्येते दिविस्थाः प्रणयाद्गणाः। स्वस्त्यस्तु ते गमिष्यामीत्युक्त्वा सोऽन्तर्दधे क्षणात्।
tvarayanti ca māṁ hyete divisthāḥ praṇayādgaṇāḥ| svastyastu te gamiṣyāmītyuktvā so'ntardadhe kṣaṇāt||
"These celestial hosts stationed in the sky are urging me on with affection. May well-being be yours; I now depart" - saying this, he vanished in an instant.
Verse 174 (skanda.5.364.174)
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। गते चादर्शनं तत्र स राजा विस्मयान्वितः। तीर्थमाहात्म्यमतुलं वर्णयन्स्वपुरं गतः।
śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| gate cādarśanaṁ tatra sa rājā vismayānvitaḥ| tīrthamāhātmyamatulaṁ varṇayansvapuraṁ gataḥ||
Shri Markandeya said: When he had vanished from sight, that king, filled with astonishment, returned to his own city, proclaiming the incomparable greatness of the tirtha.
Verse 175 (skanda.5.364.175)
इत्थंभूतं हि तत्तीर्थं नर्मदायां व्यवस्थितम्। सर्वपापक्षयकरं सर्वदुःखघ्नमुत्तमम्।
itthaṁbhūtaṁ hi tattīrthaṁ narmadāyāṁ vyavasthitam| sarvapāpakṣayakaraṁ sarvaduḥkhaghnamuttamam||
Such indeed is that tirtha, situated upon the Narmada - excellent, the destroyer of every sin, and the dispeller of every sorrow.
Verse 176 (skanda.5.364.176)
उपपापानि नश्यन्ति स्नानमात्रेण भारत। कार्त्तिकस्य चतुर्दश्यामुपवासपरायणः।
upapāpāni naśyanti snānamātreṇa bhārata| kārttikasya caturdaśyāmupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ||
O descendant of Bharata, minor sins are destroyed by mere bathing there. On the fourteenth day of the month of Kartika, devoted to fasting,
Verse 177 (skanda.5.364.177)
चतुर्धा पूरयेल्लिङ्गं तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु। ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं स्तेयं गुर्वङ्गनागमः।
caturdhā pūrayelliṅgaṁ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu| brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ steyaṁ gurvaṅganāgamaḥ||
whoever fills the linga's vessel four times, hear of the merit that is his. Killing a brahmin, drinking liquor, theft, and violating the teacher's wife -
Verse 178 (skanda.5.364.178)
महापापानि चत्वारि चतुर्भिर्यान्ति संक्षयम्। सोऽश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य लभते फलमुत्तमम्।
mahāpāpāni catvāri caturbhiryānti saṁkṣayam| so'śvamedhasya yajñasya labhate phalamuttamam||
these four great sins are destroyed by those four fillings. He obtains the excellent fruit of the horse-sacrifice.
Verse 179 (skanda.5.364.179)
कार्त्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य चतुर्दश्यामुपोषितः। स्वर्णदानाच्च तत्तीर्थे यज्ञस्य लभते फलम्।
kārttike śuklapakṣasya caturdaśyāmupoṣitaḥ| svarṇadānācca tattīrthe yajñasya labhate phalam||
Fasting on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, and giving gold at that tirtha, one obtains the fruit of a sacrifice.
Verse 180 (skanda.5.364.180)
अष्टम्यां वा चतुर्दश्यां वैशाखे मासि पूर्ववत्। दीपं पिष्टमयं कृत्वा पितॄन् सर्वान् विमोक्षयेत्।
aṣṭamyāṁ vā caturdaśyāṁ vaiśākhe māsi pūrvavat| dīpaṁ piṣṭamayaṁ kṛtvā pitṝn sarvān vimokṣayet||
On the eighth or fourteenth day of the month of Vaishakha, as before, making a lamp of flour-paste, one liberates all one's ancestors.
Verse 181 (skanda.5.364.181)
तत्र यद्दीयते दानमपि वालाग्रमात्रकम्। तदक्षयफलं सर्वमेवमाह महेश्वरः।
tatra yaddīyate dānamapi vālāgramātrakam| tadakṣayaphalaṁ sarvamevamāha maheśvaraḥ||
Whatever gift is given there, even one as small as the tip of a hair, yields imperishable fruit entirely - so has Maheshvara declared.
Verse 182 (skanda.5.364.182)
भारभूत्यां मृतानां तु नराणां भावितात्मनाम्। अनिवर्तिका गती राजञ्छिवलोकान्निरन्तरम्।
bhārabhūtyāṁ mṛtānāṁ tu narāṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām| anivartikā gatī rājañchivalokānnirantaram||
For men of purified soul who die at Bharabhuti, O king, their state is one of non-return - they remain continuously in Shiva's world, never coming back.
Verse 183 (skanda.5.364.183)
अथवा लोकवृत्त्यर्थं मर्त्यलोकं जिगीषति। साङ्गवेदज्ञविप्राणां जायते विमले कुले।
athavā lokavṛttyarthaṁ martyalokaṁ jigīṣati| sāṅgavedajñaviprāṇāṁ jāyate vimale kule||
Or, if he should desire to return to the mortal world for the sake of worldly life, he is born in a spotless family of brahmins learned in the Veda together with its ancillary sciences.
Verse 184 (skanda.5.364.184)
धनधान्यसमायुक्तो वेदविद्यासमन्वितः। सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तो जीवेच्च शरदां शतम्।
dhanadhānyasamāyukto vedavidyāsamanvitaḥ| sarvavyādhivinirmukto jīvecca śaradāṁ śatam||
Possessed of wealth and grain, endowed with knowledge of the Vedas, free from all disease, he lives for a hundred autumns.
Verse 185 (skanda.5.364.185)
पुनस्तत्तीर्थमासाद्य ह्यक्षयं पदमाप्नुयात्।
punastattīrthamāsādya hyakṣayaṁ padamāpnuyāt||
Then, having again attained that tirtha, he obtains the imperishable abode.
Verse 186 (skanda.5.364.186)
एतत्पुण्यं पापहरं कथितं ते नृपोत्तम। भारतेदं महाख्यानं शृणु चैव ततः परम्।
etatpuṇyaṁ pāpaharaṁ kathitaṁ te nṛpottama| bhāratedaṁ mahākhyānaṁ śṛṇu caiva tataḥ param||
O best of kings, this sacred, sin-removing account has been told to you. O descendant of Bharata, now hear also this great narrative that follows.