The Telling of the Name Vishala

Verse 1 (skanda.5.47.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। शृणु व्यास महाभाग पुरी ह्येषामरावती। विशाला च समाख्याता सर्वलोकेषु गीयते॥

sanatkumāra uvāca| śṛṇu vyāsa mahābhāga purī hyeṣāmarāvatī| viśālā ca samākhyātā sarvalokeṣu gīyate||

Sanatkumara said: Hear, O fortunate Vyasa — this city, Amaravati, is also known by the name Vishala, and is sung of throughout all the worlds.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.47.2)

तथाहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मणा कथितं पुरा। गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं क्षेत्रं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्॥

tathāhaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi brahmaṇā kathitaṁ purā| guhyādguhyataraṁ kṣetraṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam||

I shall relate that which was told long ago by Brahma — this field, more secret than the secret, the destroyer of all sin.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.47.3)

उमया सहितो देव एक एवाचरद्वने। ततो भूतगणाः सर्वे पश्चात्सर्वे सुरासुराः॥

umayā sahito deva eka evācaradvane| tato bhūtagaṇāḥ sarve paścātsarve surāsurāḥ||

The god, together with Uma, once wandered alone in that forest; then all the hosts of spirits came, and after them all the gods and demons.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.47.4)

विष्णुर्दशाकृतिर्यत्र देव्यो वै लोकमातरः। विनायकाश्च वैतालाः कूष्मांडा भैरवादयः॥

viṣṇurdaśākṛtiryatra devyo vai lokamātaraḥ| vināyakāśca vaitālāḥ kūṣmāṁḍā bhairavādayaḥ||

There, ten-formed Vishnu, and the goddesses, the Mothers of the world; the Vinayakas, Vetalas, Kushmandas, and those headed by Bhairava,

Verse 5 (skanda.5.47.5)

कल्पोद्भेदाश्च लिंगाश्च चतुराशीतिसंख्यकाः। क्षेत्राणि क्षेत्रपालाश्च ऋद्धिः सिद्धिस्तथैव च॥

kalpodbhedāśca liṁgāśca caturāśītisaṁkhyakāḥ| kṣetrāṇi kṣetrapālāśca ṛddhiḥ siddhistathaiva ca||

the eighty-four Kalpodbheda-lingas; the sacred fields and their guardians, and likewise Riddhi and Siddhi,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.47.6)

पितरो लोकपालाश्च सिद्धाः सिद्धिप्रदाश्च ये। ऋषयश्च महाभागा ऋषिपत्न्योऽमलाशयाः॥

pitaro lokapālāśca siddhāḥ siddhipradāśca ye| ṛṣayaśca mahābhāgā ṛṣipatnyo'malāśayāḥ||

the ancestors, the world-guardians, the siddhas and those who bestow accomplishment; the great and fortunate sages, and their pure-hearted wives,

Verse 7 (skanda.5.47.7)

किंनरा देवगन्धर्वा ह्यप्सराश्च वरांगनाः। मरुद्गणाश्च ये सर्वे साधकानां गणाश्च ये॥

kiṁnarā devagandharvā hyapsarāśca varāṁganāḥ| marudgaṇāśca ye sarve sādhakānāṁ gaṇāśca ye||

the kinnaras, divine gandharvas, and the excellent apsara-maidens; all the hosts of Maruts, and the hosts of spiritual practitioners,

Verse 8 (skanda.5.47.8)

यक्षा गुह्यकसंघाश्च पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः। स्थावरा जंगमाः सर्वे ध्यानं मानसमाश्रिताः॥

yakṣā guhyakasaṁghāśca piśācoragarākṣasāḥ| sthāvarā jaṁgamāḥ sarve dhyānaṁ mānasamāśritāḥ||

the yakshas, the hosts of guhyakas, the pishachas, serpents and rakshasas, and all things moving and unmoving — all took refuge in inward meditation,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.47.9)

उपासांचक्रिरे तत्र देवदेवमुमापतिम्। तान्दृष्ट्वा सा तदा देवी पार्वती गिरिजा तदा। उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा शंकरं जगदाश्रयम्॥

upāsāṁcakrire tatra devadevamumāpatim| tāndṛṣṭvā sā tadā devī pārvatī girijā tadā| uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā śaṁkaraṁ jagadāśrayam||

and worshipped there the God of gods, Lord of Uma. Beholding them, the goddess Parvati, daughter of the mountain, then spoke with gentle voice to Shankara, the refuge of the world.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.47.10)

पार्वत्युवाच। देवदेव जगन्नाथ जगदाधारतत्पर। पश्य एतान्महाभागान्ध्यायमानांस्तवाश्रितान्॥

pārvatyuvāca| devadeva jagannātha jagadādhāratatpara| paśya etānmahābhāgāndhyāyamānāṁstavāśritān||

Parvati said: O God of gods, Lord of the world, intent upon sustaining the universe — behold these fortunate ones, meditating, taking refuge in you.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.47.11)

नानुपेक्ष्याश्च तान्सर्वान्वातवर्षातपार्दितान्। कल्पय त्वं महाभाग एतेषामात्मनो हितम्॥

nānupekṣyāśca tānsarvānvātavarṣātapārditān| kalpaya tvaṁ mahābhāga eteṣāmātmano hitam||

'They should not be disregarded, all of them afflicted by wind, rain and heat; devise, O great one, what is beneficial for them yourself.'

Verse 12 (skanda.5.47.12)

यथायोग्यं वासनार्थं स्थानं परमशोभनम्। पुरीं कल्पय मे नाथ वासार्थं सर्वकामदाम्॥

yathāyogyaṁ vāsanārthaṁ sthānaṁ paramaśobhanam| purīṁ kalpaya me nātha vāsārthaṁ sarvakāmadām||

'Devise a most beautiful place, fitting for their dwelling. O Lord, fashion for me too a city for their residence, one that grants every desire.'

Verse 13 (skanda.5.47.13)

एषा मे वासना स्वामिन्भवतां यदि रोचते। इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्याः पार्वत्याः परमेश्वरः॥

eṣā me vāsanā svāminbhavatāṁ yadi rocate| iti śrutvā vacastasyāḥ pārvatyāḥ parameśvaraḥ||

'This is my desire, O Lord, if it is pleasing to you.' Having heard these words of Parvati, the Supreme Lord—

Verse 14 (skanda.5.47.14)

कल्पयामास पुरीं रम्यां सर्वभूतमनोरमाम्। आत्मनोपि हितां पुण्यां शंभुः सर्वात्मना तदा। बहुयोजनविस्तीर्णां दिव्यां दिव्यजनप्रियाम्॥

kalpayāmāsa purīṁ ramyāṁ sarvabhūtamanoramām| ātmanopi hitāṁ puṇyāṁ śaṁbhuḥ sarvātmanā tadā| bahuyojanavistīrṇāṁ divyāṁ divyajanapriyām||

then, with his whole being, fashioned a lovely city, delightful to all beings, beneficial and sacred even to himself — extending over many yojanas, divine, beloved of divine beings.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.47.15)

दिव्याभिप्रायसंयुक्तां दिव्यस्थानमनोरमाम्। दिव्यसर्वगुणोपेता विशालां विरजां शुभाम्॥

divyābhiprāyasaṁyuktāṁ divyasthānamanoramām| divyasarvaguṇopetā viśālāṁ virajāṁ śubhām||

Endowed with divine purpose, a delightful divine abode, possessed of every divine quality — vast, spotless and auspicious.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.47.16)

क्रयविक्रयसंपन्नहट्टाट्टालकचत्वराम्। बहुहर्म्यगृहाकीर्णां सौधपंक्तिविराजिताम्॥

krayavikrayasaṁpannahaṭṭāṭṭālakacatvarām| bahuharmyagṛhākīrṇāṁ saudhapaṁktivirājitām||

Rich with marketplaces, towers and squares busy with buying and selling; thronged with many mansions and homes, resplendent with rows of stately buildings.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.47.17)

स्फाटिकाभित्तिरचितां वैडूर्यमणिभूमिकाम्। प्रवालस्तंभप्रवरां हेमाभरणसंभराम्॥

sphāṭikābhittiracitāṁ vaiḍūryamaṇibhūmikām| pravālastaṁbhapravarāṁ hemābharaṇasaṁbharām||

Its walls built of crystal, its floor of cat's-eye gem; its finest pillars of coral, laden with golden ornaments.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.47.18)

आरक्तमणिदेहल्यां द्वारशाखाभिमंडिताम्। जांबूनदकपाटाढ्यां वज्रार्गलसुसंस्कृताम्॥

āraktamaṇidehalyāṁ dvāraśākhābhimaṁḍitām| jāṁbūnadakapāṭāḍhyāṁ vajrārgalasusaṁskṛtām||

Its thresholds of ruby-red gems, its doorframes finely adorned; rich with doors of refined gold, well-fashioned with diamond bolts.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.47.19)

मणिरत्नसमाभूमिद्वाराजिरगृहांतराम्। घोषजालातिरम्यां च मुक्तादामविलंबिनीम्॥

maṇiratnasamābhūmidvārājiragṛhāṁtarām| ghoṣajālātiramyāṁ ca muktādāmavilaṁbinīm||

Its ground level with gems and jewels at every gateway, courtyard and inner chamber; most lovely with a network of resonant bells, hung with strings of pearls.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.47.20)

हेमस्तंभध्वजोपेताः पताकाश्च गृहेगृहे। कलशाश्च विराजंते मणिहेमाचिता गृहे॥

hemastaṁbhadhvajopetāḥ patākāśca gṛhegṛhe| kalaśāśca virājaṁte maṇihemācitā gṛhe||

Golden-pillared banners and flags flew in every house; gem-and-gold-encrusted pinnacles shone upon each dwelling.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.47.21)

वापीकूपतडागानि सरांसि विमलानि च। पद्मकिंजल्कगंधीनि जलयंत्रोपशोभिताम्॥

vāpīkūpataḍāgāni sarāṁsi vimalāni ca| padmakiṁjalkagaṁdhīni jalayaṁtropaśobhitām||

Step-wells, wells and tanks, and pure lakes fragrant with lotus-pollen, adorned with water-wheels.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.47.22)

हंसकारंडवाकीर्णां शिखंडिगणशोभिताम्। जलयंत्रकृताधारां गृहवापीवनाकराम्॥

haṁsakāraṁḍavākīrṇāṁ śikhaṁḍigaṇaśobhitām| jalayaṁtrakṛtādhārāṁ gṛhavāpīvanākarām||

Thronged with swans and karandava-ducks, adorned with flocks of peacocks; supported by irrigation wheels, a wealth of household pools and groves.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.47.23)

क्वचिन्नृत्यंति मयूराः क्वचित्कूजंति कोकिलाः। भ्रमरावलीढपुष्पाढ्यस्तबका वनराजयः॥

kvacinnṛtyaṁti mayūrāḥ kvacitkūjaṁti kokilāḥ| bhramarāvalīḍhapuṣpāḍhyastabakā vanarājayaḥ||

Here peacocks danced, there cuckoos cooed; the rows of forest trees, rich with clusters of flowers, were savored by lines of bees.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.47.24)

नरनारीगणाकीर्णां वर्णाश्रमनिषेविताम्। हर्म्यांतरागता नार्यो विलोकनपरा बभुः॥

naranārīgaṇākīrṇāṁ varṇāśramaniṣevitām| harmyāṁtarāgatā nāryo vilokanaparā babhuḥ||

Thronged with hosts of men and women, honored by those of every varna and ashrama; women who had come to the windows of the mansions appeared intent on watching the scene below.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.47.25)

चंद्रमालाकृतश्रेणीतोरणानीव च शोभते। एवं व्यास पुरी रम्या आत्मयोगेन वासिता॥

caṁdramālākṛtaśreṇītoraṇānīva ca śobhate| evaṁ vyāsa purī ramyā ātmayogena vāsitā||

It shone as though the rows of its festive arches were garlanded with moons. Thus, O Vyasa, this lovely city was made to be inhabited through the Lord's own mystic power.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.47.26)

यत्रालकापुरी रम्या कुबेरभवनांकिता। धवला पुण्यजनैः कीर्णा पक्षिभिश्चोपशोभिता॥

yatrālakāpurī ramyā kuberabhavanāṁkitā| dhavalā puṇyajanaiḥ kīrṇā pakṣibhiścopaśobhitā||

In which the lovely city of Alaka, marked by Kubera's own dwelling, gleaming white, thronged with the Punyajanas, and adorned with birds—

Verse 27 (skanda.5.47.27)

तत्र भोगवती दिव्या वरुणालय उत्तमः। नागकन्याभिरुग्राभिर्नागपत्नीभिः संकुला॥

tatra bhogavatī divyā varuṇālaya uttamaḥ| nāgakanyābhirugrābhirnāgapatnībhiḥ saṁkulā||

and there, the divine Bhogavati, the excellent abode of Varuna, thronged with fierce serpent-maidens and the wives of the nagas,

Verse 28 (skanda.5.47.28)

संयमनीपुरी श्रेष्ठा धर्मराजेन पालिता। सदाचारजनैः पूर्णा कृता कृतविचक्षणैः॥

saṁyamanīpurī śreṣṭhā dharmarājena pālitā| sadācārajanaiḥ pūrṇā kṛtā kṛtavicakṣaṇaiḥ||

and the excellent city of Samyamani, protected by Dharmaraja, filled with people of good conduct, skilled in righteous deeds—

Verse 29 (skanda.5.47.29)

देवतानां पुरी रम्या वासवेनाभिरक्षिता। पुण्यस्त्रीणां गणाकीर्णा किन्नरोद्गीतमंडिता॥

devatānāṁ purī ramyā vāsavenābhirakṣitā| puṇyastrīṇāṁ gaṇākīrṇā kinnarodgītamaṁḍitā||

and the lovely city of the gods, guarded by Vasava, thronged with hosts of virtuous women, adorned with the songs of kinnaras—

Verse 30 (skanda.5.47.30)

एवंविधानि रम्याणि पुरा बहुतराणि च। बहुविस्तीर्णमानानि शुभ्राण्यतितराणि च॥

evaṁvidhāni ramyāṇi purā bahutarāṇi ca| bahuvistīrṇamānāni śubhrāṇyatitarāṇi ca||

—all such lovely cities, many in number, of great extent, exceedingly bright, were surpassed by this one.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.47.31)

क्वचिद्रंभाकृतद्वारा यवांकुरघटाः शुभाः। क्वचिद्गायन्ति गन्धर्वाः क्वचिन्नृत्यंति नर्तकाः॥

kvacidraṁbhākṛtadvārā yavāṁkuraghaṭāḥ śubhāḥ| kvacidgāyanti gandharvāḥ kvacinnṛtyaṁti nartakāḥ||

In some places doorways were formed of plantain-trunks, with auspicious vessels sprouting barley; in some places gandharvas sang, in others dancers danced.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.47.32)

क्वचिद्बालाः पठंति स्म वेदाध्ययनका द्विजाः। क्वचिद्यज्ञान्यजंति स्म यजमानाः सऋत्विजः॥

kvacidbālāḥ paṭhaṁti sma vedādhyayanakā dvijāḥ| kvacidyajñānyajaṁti sma yajamānāḥ saṛtvijaḥ||

In some places young brahmin boys recited their Vedic lessons; in others, sacrificers, together with their priests, performed sacrifices.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.47.33)

क्वचिच्चावभृथस्नाताः क्वचिद्दानान्यकुर्वत। क्वचित्क्वचित्तूपनयनं विवाहाग्निपरिग्रहम्॥

kvaciccāvabhṛthasnātāḥ kvaciddānānyakurvata| kvacitkvacittūpanayanaṁ vivāhāgniparigraham||

In some places people performed the final ceremonial bath; in others they gave gifts; and here and there were sacred-thread ceremonies, weddings, and the taking up of the sacred fire.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.47.34)

क्वचिदारामपूर्तं वै क्वचिद्यात्रावधारणम्। वापीकूपतडागानां तथैव विधिपूर्वकम्॥

kvacidārāmapūrtaṁ vai kvacidyātrāvadhāraṇam| vāpīkūpataḍāgānāṁ tathaiva vidhipūrvakam||

In some places the meritorious work of gardens was undertaken; in others, journeys were being planned; and likewise, according to rule, step-wells, wells and tanks were being dug.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.47.35)

क्वचित्कथाप्रसंगांश्च परिशंसंति वाचकाः। क्वचिद्गाथाः प्रकुर्वंति कवयः पुर उत्तमे॥

kvacitkathāprasaṁgāṁśca pariśaṁsaṁti vācakāḥ| kvacidgāthāḥ prakurvaṁti kavayaḥ pura uttame||

In some places narrators told episodes of story; in others poets composed ballads, in that excellent city.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.47.36)

क्वचिन्मल्ला नियुध्यंते नटा नाट्यपराः क्वचित्। तडागानि विराजंते मणिसोपानपंक्तिभिः॥

kvacinmallā niyudhyaṁte naṭā nāṭyaparāḥ kvacit| taḍāgāni virājaṁte maṇisopānapaṁktibhiḥ||

In some places wrestlers grappled; in others actors were engaged in drama; the ponds shone with rows of jeweled steps.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.47.37)

चंचलाश्चपला बालाः श्यामाः षोडशवार्षिकाः। वारिहारपरास्तत्र मणिहेमघटोत्कटाः॥

caṁcalāścapalā bālāḥ śyāmāḥ ṣoḍaśavārṣikāḥ| vārihāraparāstatra maṇihemaghaṭotkaṭāḥ||

Lively, playful young women, dark and lovely, sixteen years of age, were there engaged in carrying water, bearing heavy jeweled and golden pots.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.47.38)

एवं व्यास पुरी रम्या निर्मिता योगमायया। शंभुना सर्वपापघ्नी प्रियाप्रियचिकीर्षया॥

evaṁ vyāsa purī ramyā nirmitā yogamāyayā| śaṁbhunā sarvapāpaghnī priyāpriyacikīrṣayā||

Thus, O Vyasa, this lovely city, destroyer of all sin, was fashioned by Shambhu through his yogic power, out of a wish to please his beloved.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.47.39)

विशाला बहुविस्तीर्णा पुण्या पुण्यजनाश्रया। तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु सर्वलोकेषु गीयते॥

viśālā bahuvistīrṇā puṇyā puṇyajanāśrayā| tasmātsarveṣu kāleṣu sarvalokeṣu gīyate||

Vast, of great extent, sacred, a refuge for meritorious people — this Vishala is therefore sung of, at all times, in all the worlds.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.47.40)

विशालेति समाख्याता पुरी रम्या सनातनी। यत्रतत्र स्थितो वापि सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा॥

viśāleti samākhyātā purī ramyā sanātanī| yatratatra sthito vāpi sarvāvasthāṁ gato'pi vā||

This lovely, eternal city is known by the name Vishala. Whether standing anywhere at all, or having come into any condition whatsoever,

Verse 41 (skanda.5.47.41)

विशालेति वदेन्नित्यं शिवलोके महीयते। ईदृशी न पुरीव्यास भुवि ब्रह्मांडगोलके॥

viśāleti vadennityaṁ śivaloke mahīyate| īdṛśī na purīvyāsa bhuvi brahmāṁḍagolake||

if he ever utters the name 'Vishala,' he is honored in Shiva's world. O Vyasa, there is no city like this anywhere on earth, in this whole cosmic sphere,

Verse 42 (skanda.5.47.42)

विशाला सदृशी चान्या भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा नृणाम्। पितॄनुद्दिश्य कुर्वंति श्राद्धं काले नरा यदि॥

viśālā sadṛśī cānyā bhuktimuktipradā nṛṇām| pitṝnuddiśya kurvaṁti śrāddhaṁ kāle narā yadi||

no other equal to Vishala in granting men both enjoyment and liberation. If men perform shraddha here for their ancestors at the proper time,

Verse 43 (skanda.5.47.43)

तदक्षयं भवेत्तेषां पितृकल्पे च गीयते। स्नानदानादिकं यैस्तु विशालायां प्रसंगतः॥

tadakṣayaṁ bhavetteṣāṁ pitṛkalpe ca gīyate| snānadānādikaṁ yaistu viśālāyāṁ prasaṁgataḥ||

that becomes imperishable for them, as it is sung in the Pitri-kalpa. And those who, on any occasion at all, perform bathing, giving and the like in Vishala,

Verse 44 (skanda.5.47.44)

यत्र कुत्र गतास्ते वै मृता यांति शिवालयम्। धन्याः पुण्यतमा लोके प्रीतिर्येषां सदाचला॥

yatra kutra gatāste vai mṛtā yāṁti śivālayam| dhanyāḥ puṇyatamā loke prītiryeṣāṁ sadācalā||

wherever they may afterward go, upon death they attain Shiva's abode. Blessed and most meritorious in this world are those whose devotion remains ever unshaken.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.47.45)

विशालायां फलं शश्वच्छेषः शक्तो न वर्णितुम्। कथाश्रवणमात्रेण वाच्यमानेन तत्क्षणात्। महापापोद्भवात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः॥

viśālāyāṁ phalaṁ śaśvaccheṣaḥ śakto na varṇitum| kathāśravaṇamātreṇa vācyamānena tatkṣaṇāt| mahāpāpodbhavātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ||

Even Shesha is unable to describe the eternal fruit of Vishala. By the mere hearing of this tale, as it is being recited, one is instantly freed even from sins arising from the gravest transgressions — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.47.46)

एवं व्यास पुरी जाता विशाला च कुशस्थली। प्रतिकल्पा यथा जाता तथा मे शृणु भाषतः॥

evaṁ vyāsa purī jātā viśālā ca kuśasthalī| pratikalpā yathā jātā tathā me śṛṇu bhāṣataḥ||

Thus, O Vyasa, the city of Kushasthali became Vishala. Now hear from me, as I tell it, how it arises anew in every kalpa.