Gift of a City to Brahmanas

Verse 1 (skanda.6.11.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । चमत्कारः कथं राजा मुक्तः कुष्ठेन सूतज । कथं तेन तपस्तप्तं कियत्कालं च भूभुजा

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ camatkāraḥ kathaṁ rājā muktaḥ kuṣṭhena sūtaja kathaṁ tena tapastaptaṁ kiyatkālaṁ ca bhūbhujā

The sages said: O son of Suta, how was King Chamatkara freed from leprosy? What tapas did that king perform, and for how long?

Verse 2 (skanda.6.11.2)

कतमे ब्राह्मणास्ते वै शंखतीर्थं प्रदर्शितम् । यैस्तस्य रोगमुक्त्यर्थं दुःखितस्य महात्मनः

katame brāhmaṇāste vai śaṁkhatīrthaṁ pradarśitam yaistasya rogamuktyarthaṁ duḥkhitasya mahātmanaḥ

Which were those brahmins who, for the sake of freeing that suffering great soul from his disease, showed him Shankha-tirtha?

Verse 3 (skanda.6.11.3)

कतमं शंखतीर्थं तत्कस्मिन्स्थाने व्यवस्थितम् । किंप्रभावं च निःशेषं सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

katamaṁ śaṁkhatīrthaṁ tatkasminsthāne vyavasthitam kiṁprabhāvaṁ ca niḥśeṣaṁ sarvaṁ vistarato vada

What is this Shankha-tirtha, where is it situated, and what is its power? Tell us everything about it in full.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.11.4)

सूत उवाच । अहं वः कीर्तयिष्यामि कथामेतां मनोहराम् । सर्वपापहरां विप्राश्चमत्कारनृपोद्भवाम्

sūta uvāca ahaṁ vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi kathāmetāṁ manoharām sarvapāpaharāṁ viprāścamatkāranṛpodbhavām

Suta said: O brahmins, I shall tell you this enchanting story, which removes all sins, concerning King Chamatkara.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.11.5)

स भ्रांतः सर्वतीर्थानि प्रभासाद्यानि कृत्स्नशः । तपस्वी नियताहारो भिक्षान्नकृतभोजनः

sa bhrāṁtaḥ sarvatīrthāni prabhāsādyāni kṛtsnaśaḥ tapasvī niyatāhāro bhikṣānnakṛtabhojanaḥ

That king, now an ascetic living on a controlled diet of begged food, wandered entirely through all the tirthas beginning with Prabhasa.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.11.6)

पृच्छमानो भिषग्मुख्यानौषधानि मुहुर्मुहुः । मंत्रान्मंत्रविदश्चैव रोगनाशाय नित्यतः

pṛcchamāno bhiṣagmukhyānauṣadhāni muhurmuhuḥ maṁtrānmaṁtravidaścaiva roganāśāya nityataḥ

Again and again he asked the chief physicians for medicines and the knowers of mantras for mantras, constantly seeking the destruction of his disease.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.11.7)

न लेभे किंचिदिष्टं वा स मंत्रं भेषजं च वा । तीर्थं वा नृपशार्दूलो येन स्याद्व्याधिसंक्षयः

na lebhe kiṁcidiṣṭaṁ vā sa maṁtraṁ bheṣajaṁ ca vā tīrthaṁ vā nṛpaśārdūlo yena syādvyādhisaṁkṣayaḥ

But that tiger among kings obtained neither the desired mantra, nor medicine, nor any tirtha by which his disease might be destroyed.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.11.8)

ततश्च पार्थिवश्रेष्ठो वैराग्यं परमं गतः । एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा सर्वसत्त्वविराजिते

tataśca pārthivaśreṣṭho vairāgyaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ ekākī yatacittātmā sarvasattvavirājite

Then that best of kings attained supreme detachment; alone, with mind and self restrained, he dwelt in that place resplendent with all living creatures.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.11.9)

निवासमकरोत्तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे पुण्यतमे चिरम् । शीर्णपर्णफलाहारो भूमौ शेते सदा निशि । अन्य स्याऽन्यस्य वृक्षस्य मदाहंकारवर्जितः

nivāsamakarottasminkṣetre puṇyatame ciram śīrṇaparṇaphalāhāro bhūmau śete sadā niśi anya syā'nyasya vṛkṣasya madāhaṁkāravarjitaḥ

He made his dwelling in that most sacred field for a long time, living on withered leaves and fallen fruit, always sleeping upon the bare ground at night, free of pride and vanity, resting beneath one tree today and another tomorrow.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.11.10)

ततः कतिपयाहस्य भ्रममाणो महीपतिः । सोऽपश्यद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठांस्तीर्थयात्राश्रयान्बहून्

tataḥ katipayāhasya bhramamāṇo mahīpatiḥ so'paśyadbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāṁstīrthayātrāśrayānbahūn

After some days, as the king wandered on, he saw many excellent brahmins who had taken to pilgrimage.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.11.11)

ततः प्रणम्य तान्विप्रानुपविष्टान्धरातले । विश्वामित्राश्रमस्यांते प्रोवाच विनयान्वितः

tataḥ praṇamya tānviprānupaviṣṭāndharātale viśvāmitrāśramasyāṁte provāca vinayānvitaḥ

Bowing to those brahmins seated upon the ground at the edge of Vishvamitra's hermitage, he spoke to them with humility.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.11.12)

राजोवाच । अहं नाम्ना चमत्कारः पार्थिवः सूर्यवंशजः । आनर्त्ताधिपतिर्व्याप्तः कुष्ठेन द्विजसत्तमाः

rājovāca ahaṁ nāmnā camatkāraḥ pārthivaḥ sūryavaṁśajaḥ ānarttādhipatirvyāptaḥ kuṣṭhena dvijasattamāḥ

The king said: O best of the twice-born, my name is Chamatkara. I am a king of the solar dynasty, lord of the Anarta country, and I am afflicted with leprosy.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.11.13)

अस्ति कश्चिदुपायोऽत्र दैवो वा मानुषोऽपि वा । भेषजं वाऽथ मंत्रो वा येन कुष्ठं प्रशाम्यति

asti kaścidupāyo'tra daivo vā mānuṣo'pi vā bheṣajaṁ vā'tha maṁtro vā yena kuṣṭhaṁ praśāmyati

Is there any remedy here, divine or human — any medicine or mantra — by which this leprosy might be pacified?

Verse 14 (skanda.6.11.14)

ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा वदध्वं द्विजसत्तमाः । कुष्ठग्रस्तशरीरं च परं कृच्छ्रमुपागतम्

mamopari dayāṁ kṛtvā vadadhvaṁ dvijasattamāḥ kuṣṭhagrastaśarīraṁ ca paraṁ kṛcchramupāgatam

Have mercy upon me, O best of the twice-born, and tell me — for my body, seized by leprosy, has come to extreme suffering.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.11.15)

अथवा वित्थ नो यूयं त्यक्ष्यामीह कलेवरम् । प्रविश्याग्निं जलं वाऽपि भक्षयित्वाऽथ वा विषम्

athavā vittha no yūyaṁ tyakṣyāmīha kalevaram praviśyāgniṁ jalaṁ vā'pi bhakṣayitvā'tha vā viṣam

Or, if you know no remedy, I shall abandon this body here — by entering fire or water, or by consuming poison.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.11.16)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे ते द्विजसत्तमाः । प्रोचुः कृपासमाविष्टास्ततस्तं पृथिवीश्वरम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sarve te dvijasattamāḥ procuḥ kṛpāsamāviṣṭāstatastaṁ pṛthivīśvaram

Hearing his words, all those excellent brahmins were filled with compassion and spoke to that lord of the earth.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.11.17)

अस्ति पार्थिवशार्दूल स्थानादस्माददूरतः । शंखतीर्थमिति ख्यातं सर्वरोगक्षयावहम्

asti pārthivaśārdūla sthānādasmādadūrataḥ śaṁkhatīrthamiti khyātaṁ sarvarogakṣayāvaham

O tiger among kings, not far from this place there is a tirtha known as Shankha-tirtha, which brings about the destruction of every disease.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.11.18)

ये नरा व्याधिना ग्रस्ताः काणाश्चांधास्तथा जडाः । हीनांगाश्चाऽधिकांगाश्च कुरूपा विकृताननाः

ye narā vyādhinā grastāḥ kāṇāścāṁdhāstathā jaḍāḥ hīnāṁgāścā'dhikāṁgāśca kurūpā vikṛtānanāḥ

Men who are afflicted by disease — the one-eyed, the blind, the dumb, those lacking limbs or bearing extra ones, the misshapen, those with disfigured faces —

Verse 19 (skanda.6.11.19)

तेऽपि चैत्रस्य कृष्णादौ स्नातास्तत्राकृताशनाः । भवंति नीरुजः सद्यश्चित्रासंस्थे निशाकरे

te'pi caitrasya kṛṣṇādau snātāstatrākṛtāśanāḥ bhavaṁti nīrujaḥ sadyaścitrāsaṁsthe niśākare

Even they, bathing there at the start of the dark fortnight of Chaitra without having eaten, become instantly free of disease when the moon stands in the Chitra constellation.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.11.20)

अस्माभिः शतशो दृष्टा द्वादशार्कसमप्रभाः । कामदेवसमाकारास्तेजोवीर्यसमायुताः

asmābhiḥ śataśo dṛṣṭā dvādaśārkasamaprabhāḥ kāmadevasamākārāstejovīryasamāyutāḥ

We ourselves have seen hundreds of such people, radiant as twelve suns, beautiful as the god of love, endowed with vigor and strength.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.11.21)

राजोवाच । शंखतीर्थं कथं ज्ञेयं मया ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः । कथं चैव समुत्पन्नं वदध्वं मम विस्तरात्

rājovāca śaṁkhatīrthaṁ kathaṁ jñeyaṁ mayā brāhmaṇasattamāḥ kathaṁ caiva samutpannaṁ vadadhvaṁ mama vistarāt

The king said: O best of brahmins, how am I to recognize Shankha-tirtha, and how did it come into being? Tell me this in detail.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.11.22)

ब्राह्मणा ऊत्रुः । आसीत्पूर्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठो लिखिताख्यो महीतले । शांडिल्यस्य मुनेः पुत्रस्तपोवीर्यसमन्वितः

brāhmaṇā ūtruḥ āsītpūrvaṁ muniśreṣṭho likhitākhyo mahītale śāṁḍilyasya muneḥ putrastapovīryasamanvitaḥ

The brahmins said: Long ago there lived on this earth a great sage named Likhita, son of the sage Shandilya, endowed with the power of austerity.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.11.23)

अथ तस्यानुजो जज्ञे शंखाख्यो धर्मशास्त्रवित् । कन्दमूलफलाहारः सदैव तपसि स्थितः

atha tasyānujo jajñe śaṁkhākhyo dharmaśāstravit kandamūlaphalāhāraḥ sadaiva tapasi sthitaḥ

Then his younger brother was born, named Shankha, learned in the scriptures of dharma, who lived always in austerity, subsisting on roots, bulbs, and fruit.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.11.24)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य लिखितस्याऽऽश्रमं ययौ । शंखः स्वादुफलार्थाय पीडितोतिबुभुक्षया

kasyacittvatha kālasya likhitasyā''śramaṁ yayau śaṁkhaḥ svāduphalārthāya pīḍitotibubhukṣayā

Once, tormented by great hunger, Shankha went to Likhita's hermitage in search of sweet fruit.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.11.25)

स शून्यमाश्रमं प्राप्य लिखितस्य महात्मनः । आत्मीयानीति मन्वानः फलानि जगृहे ततः

sa śūnyamāśramaṁ prāpya likhitasya mahātmanaḥ ātmīyānīti manvānaḥ phalāni jagṛhe tataḥ

Finding the great soul Likhita's hermitage empty, and thinking the fruit to be his own, he took it.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.11.26)

भक्षयामास भूरीणि पक्वानि मधुराणि च । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्राप्तो लिखितः शिष्यसंयुतः

bhakṣayāmāsa bhūrīṇi pakvāni madhurāṇi ca etasminnantare prāpto likhitaḥ śiṣyasaṁyutaḥ

He ate many ripe, sweet fruits. Meanwhile, Likhita arrived there together with his disciples.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.11.27)

स गृहीतफलं दृष्ट्वा शंखं प्रोवाच कोपतः

sa gṛhītaphalaṁ dṛṣṭvā śaṁkhaṁ provāca kopataḥ

Seeing Shankha with the fruit he had taken, Likhita spoke to him in anger.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.11.28)

अदत्तानि मया पाप फलानि हृतवानसि । कस्मात्त्वं चौर्यरूपेण नानुबन्धमवेक्षसे

adattāni mayā pāpa phalāni hṛtavānasi kasmāttvaṁ cauryarūpeṇa nānubandhamavekṣase

"O sinner, you have stolen fruit that I never gave you! Why do you not consider the consequence of this act of theft?"

Verse 29 (skanda.6.11.29)

शंख उवाच । सत्यमेतद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ यत्त्वया परिकीर्तितम् । फलानि प्रगृहीतानि विजनेऽत्र तवाश्रमे

śaṁkha uvāca satyametaddvijaśreṣṭha yattvayā parikīrtitam phalāni pragṛhītāni vijane'tra tavāśrame

Shankha said: O best of the twice-born, what you have declared is true — I did take the fruit here in your empty hermitage.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.11.30)

तस्मात्कुरु यथार्हं मे निग्रहं चौर्यसंभवम् । इह लोकः परश्चैव येन मे स्यात्सुखावहः

tasmātkuru yathārhaṁ me nigrahaṁ cauryasaṁbhavam iha lokaḥ paraścaiva yena me syātsukhāvahaḥ

Therefore give me the fitting punishment for this theft, so that both this world and the next may bring me happiness.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.11.31)

ततः स हस्तमादाय हस्ते शंखस्य तत्क्षणात् । चकर्त कोपमाविष्टो वार्यमाणोऽपि तापसैः

tataḥ sa hastamādāya haste śaṁkhasya tatkṣaṇāt cakarta kopamāviṣṭo vāryamāṇo'pi tāpasaiḥ

Then, filled with anger, Likhita seized Shankha's hand and instantly cut it off, even though the other ascetics tried to restrain him.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.11.32)

छिन्नहस्तोऽपि शंखस्तु तपश्चक्रे सुदारुणम् । विशेषेण समासाद्य स्वाश्रमे भूय एव तु

chinnahasto'pi śaṁkhastu tapaścakre sudāruṇam viśeṣeṇa samāsādya svāśrame bhūya eva tu

Even with his hand severed, Shankha returned to his own hermitage and performed especially severe austerity there.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.11.33)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवस्तस्य कालेन केन चित् । प्रोवाच दर्शनं गत्वा तं च शंखमुनीश्वरम्

tatastuṣṭo mahādevastasya kālena kena cit provāca darśanaṁ gatvā taṁ ca śaṁkhamunīśvaram

After some time, Mahadeva, pleased with him, appeared before that great sage Shankha and spoke to him.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.11.34)

महेश्वर उवाच । भोभो मुने महासत्त्व दुष्करं कृतवानसि । वरं गृहाण मत्तस्त्वं मनसा समभीप्सितम्

maheśvara uvāca bhobho mune mahāsattva duṣkaraṁ kṛtavānasi varaṁ gṛhāṇa mattastvaṁ manasā samabhīpsitam

Maheshvara said: O sage, O great soul, you have performed what is exceedingly difficult. Ask of me any boon your heart desires.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.11.35)

शंख उवाच । यदि तुष्टोसि मे देव वरं चेद्यच्छसि प्रभो । स्यातां मे तादृशौ हस्तौ भूयोऽपि सुरसत्तम

śaṁkha uvāca yadi tuṣṭosi me deva varaṁ cedyacchasi prabho syātāṁ me tādṛśau hastau bhūyo'pi surasattama

Shankha said: O god, if you are pleased with me, and if you would grant a boon, O lord, O best of gods, may my hands become as they were before.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.11.36)

तथेदं मम नामांकं तीर्थं स्यात्सुरसत्तम । विख्यातं सर्वलोकेषु सर्वपापहरं नृणाम्

tathedaṁ mama nāmāṁkaṁ tīrthaṁ syātsurasattama vikhyātaṁ sarvalokeṣu sarvapāpaharaṁ nṛṇām

And, O best of gods, may this tirtha, marked with my name, become renowned in all the worlds, taking away every sin of mankind.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.11.37)

हीनांगो वाधिकांगो वा व्याधिना ग्रस्त एव च । अत्र स्नानं करोत्याशु स भूयः स्यात्पुनर्नवः

hīnāṁgo vādhikāṁgo vā vyādhinā grasta eva ca atra snānaṁ karotyāśu sa bhūyaḥ syātpunarnavaḥ

Whoever is lacking a limb, or has an extra one, or is seized by disease — should he bathe here, may he swiftly become whole again.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.11.38)

भगवानुवाच । एतत्तीर्थं तु विख्यातं तव नाम्ना भविष्यति । अद्यप्रभृति विप्रेन्द्र देहिनां पापनाशनम्

bhagavānuvāca etattīrthaṁ tu vikhyātaṁ tava nāmnā bhaviṣyati adyaprabhṛti viprendra dehināṁ pāpanāśanam

The Lord said: O foremost of brahmins, from this day this tirtha shall become renowned by your very name, and shall destroy the sins of all embodied beings.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.11.39)

हीनांगो वाधिकांगो वा योऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यति । चैत्रे शुक्ले निराहारश्चित्रासंस्थे निशाकरे । सुवर्णांगः स तेजस्वी भविष्यति न संशयः

hīnāṁgo vādhikāṁgo vā yo'tra snānaṁ kariṣyati caitre śukle nirāhāraścitrāsaṁsthe niśākare suvarṇāṁgaḥ sa tejasvī bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever, lacking a limb or possessing an extra one, bathes here in the bright fortnight of Chaitra, fasting, while the moon stands in Chitra, shall without doubt become golden-limbed and radiant.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.11.40)

सकामो यदि विप्रेंद्र ध्यायमानः सुरूपताम् । निष्कामो वा परं स्थानं गमि ष्यति शिवात्मकम्

sakāmo yadi vipreṁdra dhyāyamānaḥ surūpatām niṣkāmo vā paraṁ sthānaṁ gami ṣyati śivātmakam

O foremost of brahmins, if he meditates with desire, longing for beauty of form, he shall attain it; and if he is free of desire, he shall reach the supreme abode that is of the nature of Shiva.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.11.41)

अत्र श्राद्धे कृते ब्रह्मंश्चतुर्दश्यां निशाकरे । चित्रास्थिते प्रयास्यंति पितरस्तृप्तिमुत्तमाम्

atra śrāddhe kṛte brahmaṁścaturdaśyāṁ niśākare citrāsthite prayāsyaṁti pitarastṛptimuttamām

O brahmin, if the ancestral rite is performed here on the fourteenth lunar day, while the moon stands in Chitra, the ancestors attain supreme satisfaction.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.11.42)

अद्यैव विप्रशार्दूल चैत्रशुक्लांत उत्तमः । अपराह्णे निशानाथश्चित्रायोगं प्रयास्यति

adyaiva vipraśārdūla caitraśuklāṁta uttamaḥ aparāhṇe niśānāthaścitrāyogaṁ prayāsyati

O tiger among brahmins, today itself is this excellent last day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, and in the afternoon the moon will come into conjunction with Chitra.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.11.43)

तत्रोपवासयुक्तस्य सम्यक्स्नातस्य तत्क्षणात् । स्यातां हस्तौ सुरूपाढ्यौ यथा पूर्वं तथा हि तौ

tatropavāsayuktasya samyaksnātasya tatkṣaṇāt syātāṁ hastau surūpāḍhyau yathā pūrvaṁ tathā hi tau

There, for one who fasts and bathes properly, both hands shall at that very instant become as beautiful and whole as they were before.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.11.44)

एवमुक्त्वा स भगवांस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः । शंखोऽपि कुतपे काले तत्र स्नानमथाकरोत्

evamuktvā sa bhagavāṁstataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ śaṁkho'pi kutape kāle tatra snānamathākarot

Having said this, the Lord vanished from sight. And Shankha bathed there at the appointed auspicious hour (kutapa).

Verse 45 (skanda.6.11.45)

ततश्च तत्क्षणाज्जातौ हस्तौ तस्य यथा पुरा । रक्तोत्पलनिभौ कांतौ मत्स्यचिह्नेन चिह्नितौ

tataśca tatkṣaṇājjātau hastau tasya yathā purā raktotpalanibhau kāṁtau matsyacihnena cihnitau

At that very moment his hands were restored as before — lovely as red lotuses, and marked with the sign of a fish.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.11.46)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । एवं तद्धरणीपृष्ठे तीर्थं जातं नृपोत्तम । प्रभावाद्देवदेवस्य चंद्रांकस्य शुभावहम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ evaṁ taddharaṇīpṛṣṭhe tīrthaṁ jātaṁ nṛpottama prabhāvāddevadevasya caṁdrāṁkasya śubhāvaham

The brahmins said: O best of kings, thus, by the power of the God of gods who bears the crescent moon, this auspicious tirtha came into being on the earth.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.11.47)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेंद्र तत्र स्नानं समाचर । चैत्रे शुक्लचतुर्दश्यां चित्रासंस्थे निशाकरे

tasmāttvamapi rājeṁdra tatra snānaṁ samācara caitre śuklacaturdaśyāṁ citrāsaṁsthe niśākare

Therefore, O king of kings, you too should bathe there on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, while the moon stands in Chitra.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.11.48)

भविष्यसि न संदेहः सर्वरोगविवर्जितः । वयं ते दर्शयिष्यामः प्राप्ते काले यथोदिते

bhaviṣyasi na saṁdehaḥ sarvarogavivarjitaḥ vayaṁ te darśayiṣyāmaḥ prāpte kāle yathodite

Without doubt you shall be freed of every disease. When the proper time comes, we shall show it to you.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.11.49)

सूत उवाच । ततः कतिपयाहेन चैत्रकृष्णादिरागतः । चित्रासंस्थे निशानाथे संप्राप्ता च चतुर्दशी

sūta uvāca tataḥ katipayāhena caitrakṛṣṇādirāgataḥ citrāsaṁsthe niśānāthe saṁprāptā ca caturdaśī

Suta said: Then, after a few days, the dark fortnight of Chaitra arrived, and the fourteenth lunar day came, with the moon standing in Chitra.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.11.50)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणा भूपं समादाय च तत्क्षणात् । शंखतीर्थं समुद्दिश्य गतास्तस्य हितैषिणः

tataste brāhmaṇā bhūpaṁ samādāya ca tatkṣaṇāt śaṁkhatīrthaṁ samuddiśya gatāstasya hitaiṣiṇaḥ

Then those brahmins, well-wishers of the king, at once took him with them and set out toward Shankha-tirtha.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.11.51)

ततः स मनसि ध्यात्वा कुष्ठव्याधिपरिक्षयम् । स्नानं चक्रे यथान्यायं श्रद्धया परया युतः

tataḥ sa manasi dhyātvā kuṣṭhavyādhiparikṣayam snānaṁ cakre yathānyāyaṁ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ

Then, meditating in his mind upon the complete destruction of his leprous disease, he bathed there properly, filled with the deepest faith.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.11.52)

ततः कुष्ठविनिर्मुक्तो द्वादशार्कसमप्रभः । निष्क्रांतः सलिलात्तस्माद्धर्षेण महतान्वितः

tataḥ kuṣṭhavinirmukto dvādaśārkasamaprabhaḥ niṣkrāṁtaḥ salilāttasmāddharṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ

Then, freed from leprosy and radiant as twelve suns, he emerged from that water filled with great joy.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.11.53)

ततः प्रणम्य तान्सर्वान्ब्राह्मणान्वेदपारगान् । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

tataḥ praṇamya tānsarvānbrāhmaṇānvedapāragān kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha

Then, bowing to all those brahmins learned in the Vedas, and joining his palms, he spoke these words.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.11.54)

प्रसादेन हि युष्माकं मुक्तोऽहं ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः । कुष्ठव्याधेर्महाकालं गर्हितोस्म्येव देहिनाम्

prasādena hi yuṣmākaṁ mukto'haṁ brāhmaṇottamāḥ kuṣṭhavyādhermahākālaṁ garhitosmyeva dehinām

O best of brahmins, it is by your grace alone that I am freed from this terrible leprous disease, on account of which I was, for so long a time, an object of loathing to living beings.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.11.55)

तस्मान्नाहं करिष्यामि राज्यं ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः । तीर्थेऽत्रैवाधुना नित्यं चरिष्यामि महत्तपः

tasmānnāhaṁ kariṣyāmi rājyaṁ brāhmaṇasattamāḥ tīrthe'traivādhunā nityaṁ cariṣyāmi mahattapaḥ

Therefore, O best of brahmins, I shall no longer rule the kingdom; here, at this very tirtha, I shall now always dwell and perform great austerity.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.11.56)

एतद्राज्यं च देशं च हस्त्यश्वादि तथापरम् । यत्किंचिद्विद्यते मह्यं तद्गृह्णंतु द्विजोत्तमाः

etadrājyaṁ ca deśaṁ ca hastyaśvādi tathāparam yatkiṁcidvidyate mahyaṁ tadgṛhṇaṁtu dvijottamāḥ

This kingdom, this country, the elephants and horses, and whatever else belongs to me — let the best of the twice-born accept all of it.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.11.57)

ममैवानुग्रहार्थाय दयां कृत्वा बृहत्तराम् । दीनस्य भक्तियुक्तस्य विरक्तस्य विशेषतः

mamaivānugrahārthāya dayāṁ kṛtvā bṛhattarām dīnasya bhaktiyuktasya viraktasya viśeṣataḥ

Accept it for the sake of my own well-being, showing still greater compassion upon one who is humble, devoted, and, above all, has renounced the world.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.11.58)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । न वयं रक्षितुं शक्ता राज्यं पार्थिवसत्तम । तत्किं तेन गृहीतेन येन स्याद्राज्यविप्लवः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ na vayaṁ rakṣituṁ śaktā rājyaṁ pārthivasattama tatkiṁ tena gṛhītena yena syādrājyaviplavaḥ

The brahmins said: O best of kings, we are not capable of protecting a kingdom. What use is there in accepting something whose taking would bring about the ruin of that kingdom?

Verse 59 (skanda.6.11.59)

जामदग्न्येन रामेण पुरा दत्ता वसुन्धरा । त्रिःसप्त क्षत्रियैर्हीनां कृत्वास्माकं नृपोत्तम

jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa purā dattā vasundharā triḥsapta kṣatriyairhīnāṁ kṛtvāsmākaṁ nṛpottama

O best of kings, long ago Parashurama, son of Jamadagni, having stripped the earth of kshatriyas twenty-one times over, gave this earth to us.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.11.60)

सा भूयोपि हृताऽस्माकं क्षत्रियैर्बलवत्तरैः । तिरस्कृत्य द्विजान्सर्वाँल्लीलयापि मुहुर्मुहुः

sā bhūyopi hṛtā'smākaṁ kṣatriyairbalavattaraiḥ tiraskṛtya dvijānsarvā~llīlayāpi muhurmuhuḥ

Yet again, that earth was seized from us, time after time, by kshatriyas of greater strength, who scorned all the brahmins as though in mere sport.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.11.61)

राजोवाच । अहं वः प्रकरिष्यामि रक्षां ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः । तपस्थितोऽपि कार्येऽत्र न भीः कार्या कथंचन

rājovāca ahaṁ vaḥ prakariṣyāmi rakṣāṁ brāhmaṇasattamāḥ tapasthito'pi kārye'tra na bhīḥ kāryā kathaṁcana

The king said: O best of brahmins, I myself shall provide your protection. Even while established in austerity, you need have no fear whatsoever in this matter.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.11.62)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । अवश्यं यदि ते श्रद्धा विद्यते दानसंभवा । क्षेत्रेऽत्रापि महापुण्ये कृत्वा देहि पुरोत्तमम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ avaśyaṁ yadi te śraddhā vidyate dānasaṁbhavā kṣetre'trāpi mahāpuṇye kṛtvā dehi purottamam

The brahmins said: If you truly have the faith to give a gift, then build for us here, in this most sacred field, an excellent city and bestow it upon us.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.11.63)

सर्वेषां ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां प्राकारपरिखान्वितम् । सुखेन येन तिष्ठामः स्नात्वा तीर्थैः पृथग्विधैः । गृहस्थधर्मिणः सर्वे स्वाध्यायनिरता सदा

sarveṣāṁ brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ prākāraparikhānvitam sukhena yena tiṣṭhāmaḥ snātvā tīrthaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ gṛhasthadharmiṇaḥ sarve svādhyāyaniratā sadā

Give us a city fortified with a rampart and moat, where all we brahmins, living as householders and ever devoted to the study of scripture, may dwell in happiness, bathing in the various tirthas.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.11.64)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा स महीपालस्तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रहर्षितः । नगरं कल्पयामास स्थाने तत्र महत्तमम्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā sa mahīpālastathetyuktvā praharṣitaḥ nagaraṁ kalpayāmāsa sthāne tatra mahattamam

Suta said: Hearing this, the king, greatly delighted, said "So be it," and set about creating a magnificent city in that place.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.11.65)

प्राकारेण सुतुंगेन परिखाद्येन सर्वतः । आयामव्यासतश्चैव क्रोशमात्रं मनोहरम्

prākāreṇa sutuṁgena parikhādyena sarvataḥ āyāmavyāsataścaiva krośamātraṁ manoharam

That lovely city, surrounded on all sides by a lofty rampart and a moat, measured a full krosha both in length and breadth.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.11.66)

त्रिकचत्वरसंशुद्धं शोभितं सर्वतो ध्वजैः । प्रासादैः प्रोन्नतैः कान्तैः समंतात्सुधया वृतैः

trikacatvarasaṁśuddhaṁ śobhitaṁ sarvato dhvajaiḥ prāsādaiḥ pronnataiḥ kāntaiḥ samaṁtātsudhayā vṛtaiḥ

It was adorned with clean crossroads and squares, decorated all about with banners, and encircled with tall, beautiful mansions plastered white with lime.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.11.67)

मत्तवारणकोपेतैर्बहुभिर्भूभिरेव च । संपूर्णं सत्यकामाद्यैः साधुलोकप्रशंसितैः

mattavāraṇakopetairbahubhirbhūbhireva ca saṁpūrṇaṁ satyakāmādyaiḥ sādhulokapraśaṁsitaiḥ

It was filled with rutting elephants and with many good people, virtuous men beginning with Satyakama, praised by all the righteous.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.11.68)

ततो गृहाणि सर्वाणि पूरयित्वा स भूमिपः । सुवर्णमणिमुक्तादिपदार्थैरपरैरपि

tato gṛhāṇi sarvāṇi pūrayitvā sa bhūmipaḥ suvarṇamaṇimuktādipadārthairaparairapi

Then that lord of the earth filled every house with gold, jewels, pearls, and other precious things besides.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.11.69)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः कुलीनेभ्यो वेदविद्भ्यो विशेषतः । श्रोत्रियेभ्यश्च दांतेभ्यः स तु श्रद्धासमन्वितः

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ kulīnebhyo vedavidbhyo viśeṣataḥ śrotriyebhyaśca dāṁtebhyaḥ sa tu śraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Then, filled with faith, he gave that city especially to brahmins of good lineage, learned in the Vedas, versed in the shruti texts, and self-controlled.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.11.70)

यथाज्येष्ठं यथाश्रेष्ठं प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ ततः । शास्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन प्रददौ द्विजसत्तमाः

yathājyeṣṭhaṁ yathāśreṣṭhaṁ prakṣālya caraṇau tataḥ śāstroktena vidhānena pradadau dvijasattamāḥ

Then, washing their feet in due order of seniority and excellence, he bestowed it upon those excellent brahmins according to the rite prescribed in the scriptures.