The Greatness of the Yajnavalkya Ashrama

Verse 1 (skanda.6.129.1)

सूत उवाच । तथान्योऽपि च तत्रास्ति याज्ञवल्क्यसमुद्रवः । आश्रमो लोक विख्यातो मूर्खाणामपि सिद्धिदः

sūta uvāca tathānyo'pi ca tatrāsti yājñavalkyasamudravaḥ āśramo loka vikhyāto mūrkhāṇāmapi siddhidaḥ

Suta said: Besides this, there is also another place there — the hermitage connected with Yajnavalkya, renowned throughout the world, which grants perfection even to the foolish.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.129.2)

यत्र तप्त्वा तपस्तीव्रं याज्ञवल्क्येन धीमता । संप्राप्ता निखिला वेदा गुरुणाऽपहृताश्च ये

yatra taptvā tapastīvraṁ yājñavalkyena dhīmatā saṁprāptā nikhilā vedā guruṇā'pahṛtāśca ye

Where the wise Yajnavalkya, performing severe austerity, regained all the Vedas that had been taken away from him by his own guru.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.129.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः । कोऽसौ गुरुरभूत्तस्य याज्ञवल्क्यस्य धीमतः । पाठयित्वा पुनर्येन हृता वेदा महात्मना

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ ko'sau gururabhūttasya yājñavalkyasya dhīmataḥ pāṭhayitvā punaryena hṛtā vedā mahātmanā

The sages said: Who was that guru of the wise Yajnavalkya, who first taught him and then, having done so, took back the Vedas from that great soul?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.129.4)

किमर्थं च समाचक्ष्व सूतपुत्रात्र विस्तरात् । कौतुकं परमं जातं सर्वेषां नो द्विजन्मनाम्

kimarthaṁ ca samācakṣva sūtaputrātra vistarāt kautukaṁ paramaṁ jātaṁ sarveṣāṁ no dvijanmanām

O son of Suta, tell us in detail for what reason this happened; the greatest curiosity has arisen in all of us twice-born.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.129.5)

सूत उवाच । आसीद्ब्राह्मणशार्दूलः शाकल्य इति विश्रुतः । भार्गवान्वयसंभूतो वेद वेदांगपारगः

sūta uvāca āsīdbrāhmaṇaśārdūlaḥ śākalya iti viśrutaḥ bhārgavānvayasaṁbhūto veda vedāṁgapāragaḥ

Suta said: There was a foremost brahmin renowned by the name Shakalya, born in the lineage of Bhrigu, accomplished in the Vedas and the Vedangas.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.129.6)

बृहत्कल्पे पुरा विप्रा वर्धमाने पुरोत्तमे । बहुशिष्यसमायुक्तो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः

bṛhatkalpe purā viprā vardhamāne purottame bahuśiṣyasamāyukto vedādhyayanatatparaḥ

O brahmins, formerly, in the Brihatkalpa, in a most prosperous excellent city, he, surrounded by many disciples, was ever devoted to the study of the Vedas.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.129.7)

स सदा प्रातरुत्थाय विद्यादानं प्रयच्छति । शिष्येभ्यश्चानुरूपेभ्यः प्रसादाद्विजसत्तमाः

sa sadā prātarutthāya vidyādānaṁ prayacchati śiṣyebhyaścānurūpebhyaḥ prasādādvijasattamāḥ

He would always rise at dawn, O excellent brahmins, and, out of his own grace, bestow the gift of learning upon his worthy disciples.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.129.8)

चकार स तदा विप्राः पौरोहित्यं महीपतेः । सूर्यवंशप्रसूतस्य सुप्रियस्य महात्मनः

cakāra sa tadā viprāḥ paurohityaṁ mahīpateḥ sūryavaṁśaprasūtasya supriyasya mahātmanaḥ

At that time he also held the office of chief priest to that most beloved great-souled king, born in the solar dynasty.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.129.9)

स तस्य धर्मकृत्यानि सर्वाण्येव दिनेदिने । कृत्वा स्वगृहमभ्येति पूजितस्तेन भूभुजा

sa tasya dharmakṛtyāni sarvāṇyeva dinedine kṛtvā svagṛhamabhyeti pūjitastena bhūbhujā

Having performed all that king's religious rites day after day, he, honored by that king, would return to his own home.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.129.10)

एकं शिष्यं समारोप्य शांत्यर्थं तस्य भूपतेः । कथयित्वा प्रमाणं च विधानं होमसंभवम्

ekaṁ śiṣyaṁ samāropya śāṁtyarthaṁ tasya bhūpateḥ kathayitvā pramāṇaṁ ca vidhānaṁ homasaṁbhavam

Once, for the sake of that king's propitiatory rite, he appointed a disciple, having first explained to him the proper scriptural procedure and the rite of the fire-offering.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.129.11)

शिष्योऽपि सकलं कृत्वा तत्कर्म सुसमाहितः । आशीर्वादं प्रदत्त्वा च भूपतेर्गृहमेति च

śiṣyo'pi sakalaṁ kṛtvā tatkarma susamāhitaḥ āśīrvādaṁ pradattvā ca bhūpatergṛhameti ca

That disciple too, performing that entire rite with the greatest care, would give his blessing and then return from that king's house.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.129.12)

एवं प्रकुर्वतस्तस्य शाकल्यस्य महात्मनः । पौरोहित्यं गतः कालः कियन्मात्रो द्विजोत्तमाः

evaṁ prakurvatastasya śākalyasya mahātmanaḥ paurohityaṁ gataḥ kālaḥ kiyanmātro dvijottamāḥ

Thus, while that great-souled Shakalya continued in his priestly duties, O excellent brahmins, some time passed in this manner.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.129.13)

तदा वैवाहिके काले शप्तो यः शंभुना स्वयम् । सुनिंद्यां विकृतिं दृष्ट्वा तस्य वेद्यां गतस्य च

tadā vaivāhike kāle śapto yaḥ śaṁbhunā svayam suniṁdyāṁ vikṛtiṁ dṛṣṭvā tasya vedyāṁ gatasya ca

Then, at the time of a wedding, someone who had himself been cursed by Shambhu — seeing his own most reprehensible, deformed state as he came to the sacrificial altar,

Verse 14 (skanda.6.129.14)

अथ तं योजयामास शांत्यर्थं नृपमंदिरे । याज्ञवल्क्यं स शाकल्यः प्रतिपद्यागतं तदा

atha taṁ yojayāmāsa śāṁtyarthaṁ nṛpamaṁdire yājñavalkyaṁ sa śākalyaḥ pratipadyāgataṁ tadā

wished to have a disciple appointed for a propitiatory rite in that king's residence; then Shakalya appointed Yajnavalkya, who had come, prepared, to that task.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.129.15)

सोऽपि तारुण्यगर्वेण वेश्याकरजविक्षतः । सर्वांगेषु सुनिर्लज्जः प्रकटांगो जगाम वै

so'pi tāruṇyagarveṇa veśyākarajavikṣataḥ sarvāṁgeṣu sunirlajjaḥ prakaṭāṁgo jagāma vai

But he, intoxicated with youthful pride, marked all over his body by a courtesan's nails, went there with his limbs shamelessly exposed.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.129.16)

ततश्च शांतिकं कृत्वा जपांते भूपतिं च तम् । शांतोदकप्रदानाय हस्यमानो जनैर्ययौ

tataśca śāṁtikaṁ kṛtvā japāṁte bhūpatiṁ ca tam śāṁtodakapradānāya hasyamāno janairyayau

Then, having completed the propitiatory rite and its recitation, he went to offer the sanctified water to that king, mocked by the people all the way.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.129.17)

पार्थिवोऽपि च तं दृष्ट्वा तादृग्रूपं विटं द्विजम् । नाशीर्जग्राह तेनोक्तां वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

pārthivo'pi ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā tādṛgrūpaṁ viṭaṁ dvijam nāśīrjagrāha tenoktāṁ vākyametaduvāca ha

The king too, seeing that libertine-like brahmin in such a state, did not accept the blessing offered by him, and spoke these words.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.129.18)

उच्छिष्टोऽहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ शय्यारूढो व्यवस्थितः । अत्र शालोद्भवे स्तंभे तस्मादेतज्जलं क्षिप

ucchiṣṭo'haṁ dvijaśreṣṭha śayyārūḍho vyavasthitaḥ atra śālodbhave staṁbhe tasmādetajjalaṁ kṣipa

"O excellent brahmin, I am in a state of ritual impurity, still lying upon my bed; therefore sprinkle this water upon that pillar risen in this hall."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.129.19)

सोऽपि सावज्ञमाज्ञाय तं भूपं कुपिताननः । तं च स्तंभं समुद्दिश्य ध्यात्वा तद्ब्रह्म शाश्वतम्

so'pi sāvajñamājñāya taṁ bhūpaṁ kupitānanaḥ taṁ ca staṁbhaṁ samuddiśya dhyātvā tadbrahma śāśvatam

Seeing himself thus contemptuously commanded by the king, he too, his face filled with anger, fixing his attention on that pillar, meditating on that eternal Brahman,

Verse 20 (skanda.6.129.20)

द्यां त्वमालिख्य इत्येव प्रोक्त्वा मंत्रं च याजुषम् । प्राक्षिपच्छांतिकं तोयं तस्य मूर्धनि सत्वरम्

dyāṁ tvamālikhya ityeva proktvā maṁtraṁ ca yājuṣam prākṣipacchāṁtikaṁ toyaṁ tasya mūrdhani satvaram

saying "Inscribe the sky," and reciting the Yajus mantra, he then instantly poured that propitiatory water upon the king's own head.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.129.21)

ततः स पतिते तोये स्तंभः पल्लवशोभितः । तत्क्षणादेव संजज्ञे फल पुष्पैर्विराजितः

tataḥ sa patite toye staṁbhaḥ pallavaśobhitaḥ tatkṣaṇādeva saṁjajñe phala puṣpairvirājitaḥ

Then, the moment that water fell, that pillar became adorned with fresh shoots, and instantly appeared resplendent with fruits and flowers.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.129.22)

तं दृष्ट्वा पार्थिवः सोऽथ विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । पश्चात्तापं विधायाथ वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

taṁ dṛṣṭvā pārthivaḥ so'tha vismayotphullalocanaḥ paścāttāpaṁ vidhāyātha vākyametaduvāca ha

Seeing this, that king, his eyes wide with astonishment, then, filled with remorse, spoke these words.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.129.23)

अभिषेकं द्विजश्रेष्ठ ममापि त्वं प्रयच्छ भोः । अनेनैव तु मन्त्रेण शुचित्वं मे व्यवस्थितम्

abhiṣekaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha mamāpi tvaṁ prayaccha bhoḥ anenaiva tu mantreṇa śucitvaṁ me vyavasthitam

"O excellent brahmin, grant me too your consecration; by the power of this very mantra, my own purity too shall be assured."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.129.24)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । ममाभिषेकदानस्य त्वमनर्होऽसि पार्थिव । तस्माद्यास्याम्यहं सद्यो यत्रस्थः स गुरुर्मम

yājñavalkya uvāca mamābhiṣekadānasya tvamanarho'si pārthiva tasmādyāsyāmyahaṁ sadyo yatrasthaḥ sa gururmama

Yajnavalkya said: "O king, you are unworthy of my grant of consecration; therefore I shall go at once to where my guru resides."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.129.25)

राजोवाच । तव दास्यामि वस्त्राणि वाहनानि वसूनि च । तस्माद्यच्छाभिषेकं मे मन्त्रेणाऽनेन सांप्रतम्

rājovāca tava dāsyāmi vastrāṇi vāhanāni vasūni ca tasmādyacchābhiṣekaṁ me mantreṇā'nena sāṁpratam

The king said: "I shall give you garments, mounts, and wealth; therefore, with this very mantra, grant me consecration right now."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.129.26)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । न होमांतं विना मन्त्रः स्फुरते पार्थिवोत्तम । अभिषेकविधौ प्रोक्तो यः पूर्वं पद्मयोनिना । तस्मान्नाहं करिष्यामि तव यद्वै हृदि स्थितम्

yājñavalkya uvāca na homāṁtaṁ vinā mantraḥ sphurate pārthivottama abhiṣekavidhau prokto yaḥ pūrvaṁ padmayoninā tasmānnāhaṁ kariṣyāmi tava yadvai hṛdi sthitam

Yajnavalkya said: "O best of kings, no mantra takes effect without a fire-offering; in the rite of consecration only that mantra prescribed formerly by the lotus-born Brahma may be used; therefore I shall not do what is in your heart."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.129.27)

इत्युक्त्वा वचनं भूपं याज्ञवल्क्यः स वै द्विजः । जगाम स्वगृहं तूर्णं निस्पृहत्वं समाश्रितः

ityuktvā vacanaṁ bhūpaṁ yājñavalkyaḥ sa vai dvijaḥ jagāma svagṛhaṁ tūrṇaṁ nispṛhatvaṁ samāśritaḥ

Having spoken these words to the king, that brahmin Yajnavalkya, adopting an attitude of complete detachment, quickly went to his own home.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.129.28)

अपरेऽह्नि समायातं शाकल्यमथ भूपतिः । प्रोवाच प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा विनयावनतः स्थितः

apare'hni samāyātaṁ śākalyamatha bhūpatiḥ provāca prāṁjalirbhūtvā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

The next day, to Shakalya who came there, that king, with folded hands, bowing in humility, spoke thus.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.129.29)

यस्त्वया प्रेषितः कल्य शिष्यो ब्राह्मणसत्तमः । शांत्यर्थं प्रेषणीयश्च भूयोऽप्येवं गृहे मम

yastvayā preṣitaḥ kalya śiṣyo brāhmaṇasattamaḥ śāṁtyarthaṁ preṣaṇīyaśca bhūyo'pyevaṁ gṛhe mama

"Let the excellent brahmin disciple whom you sent yesterday be sent once more to my house for a propitiatory rite."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.129.30)

बाढमित्येव स प्रोक्त्वा ततो गत्वा निजालयम् । याज्ञवल्क्यं समाहूय ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

bāḍhamityeva sa proktvā tato gatvā nijālayam yājñavalkyaṁ samāhūya tataḥ provāca sādaram

Saying, "Very well," he went to his own hermitage and, summoning Yajnavalkya, then spoke to him respectfully.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.129.31)

अद्यापि त्वं नरेंद्रस्य शांत्यर्थं भवने व्रज । विशेषात्पार्थिवेंद्रेण समाहूतोऽसि पुत्रक

adyāpi tvaṁ nareṁdrasya śāṁtyarthaṁ bhavane vraja viśeṣātpārthiveṁdreṇa samāhūto'si putraka

"Today also, O son, go to the king's palace for the propitiatory rite; that excellent king has specially called for you himself."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.129.32)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । नाहं तात गमिष्यामि शांत्यर्थं तस्य मंदिरे । अवलेपेन युक्तस्य शुद्ध्या विरहितस्य च

yājñavalkya uvāca nāhaṁ tāta gamiṣyāmi śāṁtyarthaṁ tasya maṁdire avalepena yuktasya śuddhyā virahitasya ca

Yajnavalkya said: "O father, I shall not go to his residence for a propitiatory rite, for he is filled with arrogance and devoid of purity."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.129.33)

मया तस्याभिषेकार्थं सलिलं चोद्यतं च यत् । सलिलं तेन तत्काष्ठे समादिष्टं कुबुद्धिना

mayā tasyābhiṣekārthaṁ salilaṁ codyataṁ ca yat salilaṁ tena tatkāṣṭhe samādiṣṭaṁ kubuddhinā

"That water which I had prepared for his consecration — that ill-minded man ordered me to sprinkle it upon that pillar instead."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.129.34)

ततो मयापि तत्रैव तत्क्षणात्सलिलं च यत् । तस्मिन्काष्ठे परिक्षिप्तं नीतं वृद्धिं च तत्क्षणात्

tato mayāpi tatraiva tatkṣaṇātsalilaṁ ca yat tasminkāṣṭhe parikṣiptaṁ nītaṁ vṛddhiṁ ca tatkṣaṇāt

"Then I too, at that very moment, in that very place, sprinkled whatever water there was upon that wood, and it instantly began to flourish."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.129.35)

शाकल्य उवाच । अत एव विशेषेण समाहूतोऽसि पुत्रक । तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं गच्छ नावज्ञेया महीभुजः

śākalya uvāca ata eva viśeṣeṇa samāhūto'si putraka tasmāttatra drutaṁ gaccha nāvajñeyā mahībhujaḥ

Shakalya said: "This very reason, O son, is why he now calls you specially again. Therefore go there quickly — kings must never be disregarded."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.129.36)

अपमानाद्भवेन्मानं पार्थिवानामसंशयम् । यः करोति पुनस्तत्र मानं न स भवेत्प्रियः

apamānādbhavenmānaṁ pārthivānāmasaṁśayam yaḥ karoti punastatra mānaṁ na sa bhavetpriyaḥ

"From disrespect, without doubt, the pride of kings only grows; but he who then goes on to grant them still more honor does not become dear to them."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.129.37)

कोपप्रसाद वस्तूनि विचिन्वंतीह ये सदा । आरोहंति शनैर्भृत्या धुन्वंतमपि पार्थिवम्

kopaprasāda vastūni vicinvaṁtīha ye sadā ārohaṁti śanairbhṛtyā dhunvaṁtamapi pārthivam

"Those who here always watch for occasions of a king's anger or favor — such servants gradually gain influence even over a king, however irritable he may be."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.129.38)

समौ मानापमानौ च चित्तज्ञः कालवित्तथा । सर्वंसहः क्षमी विज्ञः स भवेद्राजवल्लभः

samau mānāpamānau ca cittajñaḥ kālavittathā sarvaṁsahaḥ kṣamī vijñaḥ sa bhavedrājavallabhaḥ

"He who regards honor and dishonor alike, who understands both the [king's] mind and the [right] moment, who is all-forbearing, forgiving, and wise — he alone becomes dear to a king."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.129.39)

अपमानमनादृत्य तस्माद्गच्छ नृपालयम् । ममाज्ञापि न लंघ्या त एष धर्मः सनातनः

apamānamanādṛtya tasmādgaccha nṛpālayam mamājñāpi na laṁghyā ta eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

"Therefore, disregarding any disrespect, go to the royal palace; my command too must not be transgressed — this is the eternal law."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.129.40)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । आज्ञाभंगो ध्रुवं भावी परिपाटीव्यतिक्रमात् । करोषि यदि शिष्याणां ये त्वया तत्र योजिताः

yājñavalkya uvāca ājñābhaṁgo dhruvaṁ bhāvī paripāṭīvyatikramāt karoṣi yadi śiṣyāṇāṁ ye tvayā tatra yojitāḥ

Yajnavalkya said: "If, transgressing the established practice for disciples, you forcibly appoint me toward him,"

Verse 41 (skanda.6.129.41)

तस्माद्यदि बलान्मां त्वं योजयिष्यसि तं प्रति । त्वां त्यक्त्वाऽन्यत्र यास्यामि यतः प्रोक्तं महर्षिभिः

tasmādyadi balānmāṁ tvaṁ yojayiṣyasi taṁ prati tvāṁ tyaktvā'nyatra yāsyāmi yataḥ proktaṁ maharṣibhiḥ

"then this will surely amount to a breach of your own command; therefore, if you forcibly appoint me to him, I shall abandon you and go elsewhere — for the great sages have declared,"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.129.42)

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः । उत्पथे वर्तमानस्य परित्यागो विधीयते

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ utpathe vartamānasya parityāgo vidhīyate

"'even a guru, if he is arrogant, does not know what should and should not be done, and follows a wrong path — abandonment of even such a guru is enjoined by the sacred law.'"

Verse 43 (skanda.6.129.43)

सूत उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शाकल्यः क्रोधमूर्छितः । ततः प्रोवाच तं भूयो भर्त्समानो मुहुर्मुहुः

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā śākalyaḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ tataḥ provāca taṁ bhūyo bhartsamāno muhurmuhuḥ

Suta said: Hearing his words, Shakalya became overcome with rage, and thereafter, rebuking him again and again, spoke to him once more.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.129.44)

एकमप्यक्षरं यत्र गुरुः शिष्ये निवेदयेत् । पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्त्वा ह्यनृणी भवेत्

ekamapyakṣaraṁ yatra guruḥ śiṣye nivedayet pṛthivyāṁ nāsti taddravyaṁ yaddattvā hyanṛṇī bhavet

"For even a single syllable of knowledge that a guru bestows upon a disciple, there is no object on earth by giving which one could become free of that debt."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.129.45)

तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं दत्त्वा मदध्ययनमालयम् । त्यक्त्वा विद्यां मया दत्तां नो चेच्छप्स्याम्यहं तव

tasmādgaccha drutaṁ dattvā madadhyayanamālayam tyaktvā vidyāṁ mayā dattāṁ no cecchapsyāmyahaṁ tava

"Therefore go quickly from here, leaving my school of study; abandon the learning I have given you, or else I shall curse you."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.129.46)

एवमुक्त्वाभिमंत्र्याथ नादबिंदुसमुद्भवैः । मंत्रैराथर्वणैस्तोयं पानार्थं चार्पयत्ततः

evamuktvābhimaṁtryātha nādabiṁdusamudbhavaiḥ maṁtrairātharvaṇaistoyaṁ pānārthaṁ cārpayattataḥ

Having said this, he then consecrated water with Atharvan mantras born of the mystic sound-drop, and thereupon offered it to him to drink.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.129.47)

सोऽपिबत्तत्क्षणात्तोयं तत्पीत्वा व्याकुलेंद्रियः । उद्गिरद्वांतिधर्मेण तत्त्वविद्याविमिश्रितम्

so'pibattatkṣaṇāttoyaṁ tatpītvā vyākuleṁdriyaḥ udgiradvāṁtidharmeṇa tattvavidyāvimiśritam

He too instantly drank that water; but no sooner had he drunk it than, his faculties thrown into turmoil, he vomited forth, in the manner of vomiting, all the sacred knowledge that had been within him.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.129.48)

ततः प्रोवाच तं भूयः शाकल्यं कुपिताननः । एकमप्यक्षरं नास्ति तावकीयं ममोदरे

tataḥ provāca taṁ bhūyaḥ śākalyaṁ kupitānanaḥ ekamapyakṣaraṁ nāsti tāvakīyaṁ mamodare

Thereafter Yajnavalkya, his face filled with anger, said to Shakalya once more: "Not a single syllable given by you now remains within me."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.129.49)

तस्माच्छिष्योऽस्मि ते नाहं न च मे त्वं गुरुः स्थितः । सांप्रतं स्वेच्छयाऽन्यत्र प्रयास्यामि करोषि किम्

tasmācchiṣyo'smi te nāhaṁ na ca me tvaṁ guruḥ sthitaḥ sāṁprataṁ svecchayā'nyatra prayāsyāmi karoṣi kim

"Therefore I am no longer your disciple, nor are you any longer my guru; now I shall go elsewhere according to my own will — what can you do about it?"

Verse 50 (skanda.6.129.50)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ निर्गत्य तस्मात्स्थानाच्चिरंतनात् । पप्रच्छ मानवान्भूयः सिद्धिक्षेत्राणि चासकृत्

evamuktvā'tha nirgatya tasmātsthānācciraṁtanāt papraccha mānavānbhūyaḥ siddhikṣetrāṇi cāsakṛt

Having said this, departing from that long-familiar place, he began repeatedly to ask people about places that grant spiritual perfection.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.129.51)

ततस्तस्य समादिष्टं क्षेत्रमेतन्मनीषिभिः । सिद्धिदं सर्वजंतूनां न वृथा स्यात्कथंचन

tatastasya samādiṣṭaṁ kṣetrametanmanīṣibhiḥ siddhidaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ na vṛthā syātkathaṁcana

Thereafter the wise men told him of this field, which grants perfection to all living beings and never fails, in any way whatsoever.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.129.52)

आस्तां तावत्तपस्तप्त्वा व्रतं नियममेव वा । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे सिद्धिः संवसतोऽपि च

āstāṁ tāvattapastaptvā vrataṁ niyamameva vā hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre siddhiḥ saṁvasato'pi ca

"What need to speak of performing austerity, vow, or observance — in the field of Hatakeshvara, siddhi comes even by merely dwelling there."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.129.53)

येनयेन च भावेन तत्र क्षेत्रे वसेज्जनः । तस्यानुरूपिणी सिद्धिः शुभा स्याद्यदि वाऽशुभा

yenayena ca bhāvena tatra kṣetre vasejjanaḥ tasyānurūpiṇī siddhiḥ śubhā syādyadi vā'śubhā

"With whatever disposition a person dwells in that field, he obtains a corresponding attainment, whether favorable or unfavorable."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.129.54)

तच्छ्रुत्वा च द्रुतं प्राप्य क्षेत्रमेतद्द्विजोत्तमाः । भानुमाराधयामास स्थापयित्वा ततः परम्

tacchrutvā ca drutaṁ prāpya kṣetrametaddvijottamāḥ bhānumārādhayāmāsa sthāpayitvā tataḥ param

Hearing this, O excellent brahmins, he quickly reached that field and, establishing the Lord Surya there, thereupon began to worship him.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.129.55)

नियतो नियताहारो ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः । गायत्रं न्यासमासाद्य निर्विकल्पेन चेतसा

niyato niyatāhāro brahmacaryaparāyaṇaḥ gāyatraṁ nyāsamāsādya nirvikalpena cetasā

Living under restraint, taking regulated food, devoted to celibacy, adopting the Gayatri nyasa, with a mind free of all disturbance,

Verse 56 (skanda.6.129.56)

ततश्च भगवांस्तुष्टो वर्षांते तमुवाच सः । दर्शने तस्य संस्थित्वा तेजः संयम्य दारुणम्

tataśca bhagavāṁstuṣṭo varṣāṁte tamuvāca saḥ darśane tasya saṁsthitvā tejaḥ saṁyamya dāruṇam

then the Lord Surya, pleased at the end of a year, restraining his terrible radiance, appeared before him and spoke to him.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.129.57)

याज्ञवल्क्य वरं ब्रूहि यत्ते मनसि रोचते । सर्वमेव प्रदास्यामि नादेयं विद्यते त्वयि

yājñavalkya varaṁ brūhi yatte manasi rocate sarvameva pradāsyāmi nādeyaṁ vidyate tvayi

"O Yajnavalkya, ask for whatever boon pleases your mind; I shall grant you everything, for there is nothing that cannot be given to you."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.129.58)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । यदि तुष्टः सुरश्रेष्ठ वेदाध्ययनसंभवे । गुरुर्भव ममाद्यैव ममैतद्वांछितं हृदि

yājñavalkya uvāca yadi tuṣṭaḥ suraśreṣṭha vedādhyayanasaṁbhave gururbhava mamādyaiva mamaitadvāṁchitaṁ hṛdi

Yajnavalkya said: "O best of gods, if you are pleased with me in the matter of Vedic study, then become my guru this very day — this alone is the desire in my heart."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.129.59)

भास्कर उवाच । अहं तव कृपाविष्टस्तेजः संहृत्य तत्परम् । ततश्चात्र समायातस्तेन नो दह्यसे द्विज

bhāskara uvāca ahaṁ tava kṛpāviṣṭastejaḥ saṁhṛtya tatparam tataścātra samāyātastena no dahyase dvija

The Sun-god said: "I am filled with compassion for you; it is only by withdrawing my own supreme radiance that I have come here, so that you may not be burned by it, O brahmin."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.129.60)

तस्मादत्रैव कुंडे च मंत्रान्सारस्वताञ्छुभान् । वेदोक्तान्क्षेपयिष्यामि स्वयमेव द्विजोत्तम

tasmādatraiva kuṁḍe ca maṁtrānsārasvatāñchubhān vedoktānkṣepayiṣyāmi svayameva dvijottama

"Therefore, O excellent brahmin, I myself shall now deposit the auspicious Sarasvata mantras, prescribed in the Veda, right here in this pool."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.129.61)

तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा यत्किंचिद्वेदसंभवम् । पठिष्यसि सकृत्तत्ते कंठस्थं संभविष्यति

tatra snātvā śucirbhūtvā yatkiṁcidvedasaṁbhavam paṭhiṣyasi sakṛttatte kaṁṭhasthaṁ saṁbhaviṣyati

"Bathing there, becoming pure, whatever portion of the Veda you shall recite even once shall become fixed in your throat."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.129.62)

तत्त्वार्थं प्रकटं कृत्स्नं विदितं ते भविष्यति । मत्प्रसादान्न संदेहः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

tattvārthaṁ prakaṭaṁ kṛtsnaṁ viditaṁ te bhaviṣyati matprasādānna saṁdehaḥ satyametanmayoditam

"The entire meaning of truth shall become manifest and known to you; by my grace there is no doubt of this — this I have spoken truly."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.129.63)

अद्यादि मानवः प्रातः स्नात्वा त्वत्र ह्रदे च यः । सावित्रेण च सूक्तेन मां दृष्ट्वा प्रपठिष्यति । तस्मै तत्स्यादसंदिग्धं यत्तवोक्तं मया द्विज

adyādi mānavaḥ prātaḥ snātvā tvatra hrade ca yaḥ sāvitreṇa ca sūktena māṁ dṛṣṭvā prapaṭhiṣyati tasmai tatsyādasaṁdigdhaṁ yattavoktaṁ mayā dvija

"From this day on, whatever mortal, bathing here at dawn in this pool, shall recite the Savitri hymn, beholding me, for him too, O brahmin, without doubt, all that I have declared to you shall come to pass."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.129.64)

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । एवं भवतु देवेश यत्त्वयोक्तं वचोऽखिलम् । परं मम वचोऽन्यच्च तच्छृणुष्व ब्रवीमि ते

yājñavalkya uvāca evaṁ bhavatu deveśa yattvayoktaṁ vaco'khilam paraṁ mama vaco'nyacca tacchṛṇuṣva bravīmi te

Yajnavalkya said: "O lord of gods, let all that you have said be so; but I have one more word — please hear it, I say to you."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.129.65)

नाहं मनुष्यधर्माणमुपाध्यायं कथंचन । करिष्यामि जगन्नाथ कृपां कुरु ममोपरि

nāhaṁ manuṣyadharmāṇamupādhyāyaṁ kathaṁcana kariṣyāmi jagannātha kṛpāṁ kuru mamopari

"I shall never, in any way, take as my teacher one who follows merely human ways; O Lord of the universe, have mercy upon me."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.129.66)

ततस्तस्या ददौ सूर्यो लघिमा नाम शोभनाम् । विद्यां हि तत्प्रभावाय सुतुष्टेनांतरात्मना

tatastasyā dadau sūryo laghimā nāma śobhanām vidyāṁ hi tatprabhāvāya sutuṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

Thereafter the Sun-god, with a deeply satisfied inner mind, granted him a beautiful teaching named 'Laghima', for the exercise of that power.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.129.67)

ततस्तं प्राह कर्णांते ममाश्वानां प्रविश्य वै । अभ्यासं कुरु विद्यानां वेदाध्ययनमाचर

tatastaṁ prāha karṇāṁte mamāśvānāṁ praviśya vai abhyāsaṁ kuru vidyānāṁ vedādhyayanamācara

Then he said to him, "Entering into the ear of my horse, practice the sacred learnings and pursue the study of the Veda."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.129.68)

मन्मुखाद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ यद्येतत्तव वांछितम् । न ते स्याद्येन दोषोऽयं मम रश्मिसमुद्भवः

manmukhādbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭha yadyetattava vāṁchitam na te syādyena doṣo'yaṁ mama raśmisamudbhavaḥ

"O excellent brahmin, if it is your wish that this be done from my very mouth — do it in such a way that this fault, arising from my own rays, may never afflict you."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.129.69)

एवमुक्तः स तेनाथ वाजिकर्णं समाश्रितः । लघुर्भूत्वाऽपठद्वेदान्भास्करस्य मुखात्ततः

evamuktaḥ sa tenātha vājikarṇaṁ samāśritaḥ laghurbhūtvā'paṭhadvedānbhāskarasya mukhāttataḥ

Thus addressed by him, he, taking refuge in the ear of his horse, assuming a minute form, then began to study the Vedas from the very mouth of the Sun.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.129.70)

एवं सिद्धिं समापन्नो याज्ञवल्क्यो द्विजोत्तमाः । कृत्वोपनिषदं चारु वेदार्थैः सकलैर्युतम्

evaṁ siddhiṁ samāpanno yājñavalkyo dvijottamāḥ kṛtvopaniṣadaṁ cāru vedārthaiḥ sakalairyutam

Thus, having attained perfection, Yajnavalkya, O excellent brahmins, composed a beautiful Upanishad, endowed with the entire meaning of the Vedas,

Verse 71 (skanda.6.129.71)

जनकाय नरेंद्राय व्याख्याय च ततः परम् । कात्यायनं सुतं प्राप्य वेदसूत्रस्य कारकम्

janakāya nareṁdrāya vyākhyāya ca tataḥ param kātyāyanaṁ sutaṁ prāpya vedasūtrasya kārakam

and, having taught it to King Janaka, and thereafter obtaining a son named Katyayana, the composer of the Veda-sutra,

Verse 72 (skanda.6.129.72)

त्यक्त्वा कलेवरं तत्र ब्रह्मद्वारि विनिर्मिते । तत्तेजो ब्रह्मणो गात्रे योजयामास शक्तितः

tyaktvā kalevaraṁ tatra brahmadvāri vinirmite tattejo brahmaṇo gātre yojayāmāsa śaktitaḥ

he relinquished his body right there at that place made at the gate of Brahman, and merged his own radiance, according to its power, into the body of Brahma.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.129.73)

तस्य तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा तं च दिवाकरम् । नादबिंदुं पठित्वा च तदग्रे मुक्तिमाप्नुयात्

tasya tīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā taṁ ca divākaram nādabiṁduṁ paṭhitvā ca tadagre muktimāpnuyāt

Whatever man bathes at his tirtha, beholds that Lord Surya, and recites the Nada-bindu, attains liberation right there in his very presence.