The Origin of Ishana and the Ganapati Established by Vararuchi

Verse 1 (skanda.6.131.1)

॥ देव उवाच ॥ एषा रात्रिः समादिष्टा दानवानां सुरेश्वरि ॥ पिशाचानां च भूतानां राक्षसानां विशेषतः

deva uvāca eṣā rātriḥ samādiṣṭā dānavānāṁ sureśvari piśācānāṁ ca bhūtānāṁ rākṣasānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

The god (Shiva) said: O queen of the gods, this night has been ordained for the danavas, the pishachas, the bhutas, and especially for the rakshasas.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.131.2)

यत्किंचित्क्रियते कर्म तत्र स्नानादिकं शुभम्॥ तत्सर्वं जायते तेषां पुरा दत्तं स्वयंभुवा

yatkiṁcitkriyate karma tatra snānādikaṁ śubham tatsarvaṁ jāyate teṣāṁ purā dattaṁ svayaṁbhuvā

Whatever auspicious act, such as bathing, is performed at that time belongs to them, for this boon was granted to them long ago by the self-born Brahma.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.131.3)

मर्यादा तैः समं येन देवानां च यदा कृता ॥ अर्हाणां यज्ञभागस्य काश्यपानामथाग्रजाम्॥

maryādā taiḥ samaṁ yena devānāṁ ca yadā kṛtā arhāṇāṁ yajñabhāgasya kāśyapānāmathāgrajām

For an agreement was made regarding these elder sons of Kashyapa, who were entitled equally with the gods to a share in the sacrifice.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.131.4)

तदर्थं दशसाहस्रा दानवा युद्ध दुर्मदाः ॥ कुंतप्रासकरा भानुं रुंधन्त्युद्गतकार्मुकाः

tadarthaṁ daśasāhasrā dānavā yuddha durmadāḥ kuṁtaprāsakarā bhānuṁ ruṁdhantyudgatakārmukāḥ

For the sake of that right, ten thousand danavas, drunk with the fury of battle, spears and lances in hand, bows drawn, try to obstruct the sun.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.131.5)

तमुद्दिश्य सहस्रांशुं यज्जलं परिक्षिप्यते। सावित्रेण च मन्त्रेण तेषां तज्जायते फलम्

tamuddiśya sahasrāṁśuṁ yajjalaṁ parikṣipyate sāvitreṇa ca mantreṇa teṣāṁ tajjāyate phalam

The water that is offered toward the thousand-rayed sun, together with the Savitri mantra, its fruit too accrues to them.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.131.6)

ते हतास्तेन तोयेन वज्रतुल्येन तत्क्षणात् ॥ प्रमुंचंति सहस्रांशुं नित्यमेव सुरेश्वरि

te hatāstena toyena vajratulyena tatkṣaṇāt pramuṁcaṁti sahasrāṁśuṁ nityameva sureśvari

O queen of the gods, struck at once by that water as if by a thunderbolt, they release the thousand-rayed sun, every single day.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.131.7)

एतस्मात्कारणात्तोयमस्त्ररूपं क्षिपाम्यहम् ॥ संध्या कालं समुद्दिश्य भानुं संध्यां न पार्वति

etasmātkāraṇāttoyamastrarūpaṁ kṣipāmyaham saṁdhyā kālaṁ samuddiśya bhānuṁ saṁdhyāṁ na pārvati

For this reason, O Parvati, at the twilight hour I offer that water as a weapon aimed at the sun himself, not at the goddess Sandhya.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.131.8)

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदुत्तरतः स्थितः ॥ उदयार्थं रविं यान्तं निरुन्धन्ति च दारुणाः

yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattaduttarataḥ sthitaḥ udayārthaṁ raviṁ yāntaṁ nirundhanti ca dāruṇāḥ

Whatever a noble one practises, others follow after; even so those dreadful ones obstruct the sun as he rises toward the east.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.131.9)

तेऽपि संध्याजलैर्देवि निहता ब्राह्मणोत्तमैः ॥ मया च तं विमुञ्चंति मूर्च्छिता निपतन्ति च

te'pi saṁdhyājalairdevi nihatā brāhmaṇottamaiḥ mayā ca taṁ vimuñcaṁti mūrcchitā nipatanti ca

O goddess, struck by the twilight-water offered by the best of brahmins and by me, they fall senseless and let go of the sun.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.131.10)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्देवि सन्ध्ययोरुभयोरपि ॥ अहं चान्ये च विप्रा ये ते नमंति दिवाकरम्॥

etasmātkāraṇāddevi sandhyayorubhayorapi ahaṁ cānye ca viprā ye te namaṁti divākaram

For this very reason, O goddess, at both twilights I myself, and every other brahmin, bow down to the sun-god.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.131.11)

तस्मात्त्वं गृहमागच्छ त्यक्त्वेर्ष्यां पर्वतात्मजे ॥ प्रशस्यां त्वां परित्यक्त्वा नान्यास्ति हृदये मम

tasmāttvaṁ gṛhamāgaccha tyaktverṣyāṁ parvatātmaje praśasyāṁ tvāṁ parityaktvā nānyāsti hṛdaye mama

Therefore, O daughter of the mountain, give up your jealousy and come home; save you, so worthy of praise, there is no other in my heart.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.131.12)

॥ देव्युवाच ॥ निष्कामो वा सकामो वा संध्यां स्त्रीसंज्ञितामिमाम् ॥ यत्त्वं नमसि देवेश तन्मे दुःखं प्रजायते

devyuvāca niṣkāmo vā sakāmo vā saṁdhyāṁ strīsaṁjñitāmimām yattvaṁ namasi deveśa tanme duḥkhaṁ prajāyate

The goddess said: O lord of gods, whether without desire or with desire, that you bow to this Sandhya who bears a woman's name — that alone gives me pain.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.131.13)

तस्माद्गङ्गापरित्यागं सन्ध्यायाश्च विशेषतः ॥ यावन्न कुरुषे देव तावत्तुष्टिर्न मे भवेत्

tasmādgaṅgāparityāgaṁ sandhyāyāśca viśeṣataḥ yāvanna kuruṣe deva tāvattuṣṭirna me bhavet

Therefore, O lord, until you renounce Ganga and, above all, Sandhya, I shall have no peace.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.131.14)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ सा देवी विशेषव्रतमास्थिता॥ अवमन्य महादेवं प्रार्थयानमपि स्वयम्॥

evamuktvā'tha sā devī viśeṣavratamāsthitā avamanya mahādevaṁ prārthayānamapi svayam

Having said this, the goddess took up a particular vow, and, disregarding Mahadeva even as he pleaded with her, went her own way.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.131.15)

ततः स चिन्तयामास किमेतत्कारणं स्थितम्॥ विरक्ताऽपि ममोत्कण्ठां येनैषा प्रकरोति न

tataḥ sa cintayāmāsa kimetatkāraṇaṁ sthitam viraktā'pi mamotkaṇṭhāṁ yenaiṣā prakaroti na

Then he began to reflect: what could be the reason that she, though estranged, does not put an end to my longing?

Verse 16 (skanda.6.131.16)

न च साम्ना व्रजेत्तुष्टिं कथंचिदपि पार्वती ॥ मृषेर्ष्यांधारिणी देवी नैतत्स्वल्पं हि कारणम्

na ca sāmnā vrajettuṣṭiṁ kathaṁcidapi pārvatī mṛṣerṣyāṁdhāriṇī devī naitatsvalpaṁ hi kāraṇam

Parvati would not be pacified by conciliation in any way; the goddess bears a needless jealousy, and this is no small matter.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.131.17)

ततो मन्त्रप्रभावं तं विज्ञाय परमेश्वरः ॥ ध्यानं धृत्वा सुसूक्ष्मेण ज्ञानेनाथ स्वयं ततः

tato mantraprabhāvaṁ taṁ vijñāya parameśvaraḥ dhyānaṁ dhṛtvā susūkṣmeṇa jñānenātha svayaṁ tataḥ

Then, knowing the power of that mantra, the supreme lord himself entered into meditation through subtle knowledge.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.131.18)

तमेव मन्त्रं मन्त्रेण न्यासेन च विशेषतः ॥ सम्यगाराधयामास संपूज्यात्मानमात्मना

tameva mantraṁ mantreṇa nyāsena ca viśeṣataḥ samyagārādhayāmāsa saṁpūjyātmānamātmanā

With that very mantra and its proper installation-rite, he worshipped himself by himself, honouring his own form perfectly.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.131.19)

यथा देव्यात्मभूतानि पृथक्कृत्वा च पंच च ॥ पूजितानि तथा देवः सर्वेषामंतरे गतः

yathā devyātmabhūtāni pṛthakkṛtvā ca paṁca ca pūjitāni tathā devaḥ sarveṣāmaṁtare gataḥ

Just as the goddess had once separated her own being into five forms and worshipped them, so too the god entered into the midst of them all.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.131.20)

तान्येव पूजयामास पृथक्कृत्वा समाधितः ॥ नियोज्य च पुनर्बाह्ये ततः पूजां समाचरत्॥

tānyeva pūjayāmāsa pṛthakkṛtvā samādhitaḥ niyojya ca punarbāhye tataḥ pūjāṁ samācarat

By deep contemplation he separated those same forms and worshipped them, then, having established them outwardly again, performed the worship anew.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.131.21)

तस्मान्नास्ति परः कश्चित्पूज्यपूज्यः स एव च ॥ ऐश्वर्यात्सर्वदेवानामीशानस्तेन निर्मितः

tasmānnāsti paraḥ kaścitpūjyapūjyaḥ sa eva ca aiśvaryātsarvadevānāmīśānastena nirmitaḥ

Hence there is none higher to be worshipped than he himself; by this very act, through the sovereignty of all the gods, the form named Ishana was fashioned by him.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.131.22)

एवं यावत्स ईशानः समाराधयति प्रभुः ॥ तावद्देवी समायाता मन्त्राकृष्टा च यत्र सः

evaṁ yāvatsa īśānaḥ samārādhayati prabhuḥ tāvaddevī samāyātā mantrākṛṣṭā ca yatra saḥ

While the lord, as Ishana, was thus engaged in worship, the goddess, drawn by the power of that very mantra, arrived at the place where he was.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.131.23)

ततः प्रोवाच तं देवं प्रणिपत्यकृतांजलिः ॥ ज्ञातं मया विभो सर्वं न मां त्यज तव प्रियाम्

tataḥ provāca taṁ devaṁ praṇipatyakṛtāṁjaliḥ jñātaṁ mayā vibho sarvaṁ na māṁ tyaja tava priyām

Then, bowing and folding her hands, she said to the god: O lord, I have understood everything; do not abandon me, your beloved.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.131.24)

तस्मादागच्छ गच्छावो यत्र त्वं वाञ्छसि प्रभो ॥ क्षम्यतां देव मे सर्वं न कृतं यद्वचस्तव

tasmādāgaccha gacchāvo yatra tvaṁ vāñchasi prabho kṣamyatāṁ deva me sarvaṁ na kṛtaṁ yadvacastava

So come, let us go wherever you wish, O lord; forgive me, O god, for all in which I failed to heed your word.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.131.25)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवस्तामालिङ्ग्य शुचिस्मिताम् ॥ इदमूचे विहस्योच्चैर्मेघगम्भीरया गिरा

tatastuṣṭo mahādevastāmāliṅgya śucismitām idamūce vihasyoccairmeghagambhīrayā girā

Then Mahadeva, well pleased, embraced her of the gentle smile, and laughing aloud, spoke these words in a voice as deep as thunder.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.131.26)

यैषा त्वयाऽऽत्मभूतोत्था निर्मिता परमा तनुः ॥ एतां या कामिनी काचित्पूजयिष्यति भक्तितः ॥ अनेनैव विधानेन तस्या भर्ता भविष्यति

yaiṣā tvayā''tmabhūtotthā nirmitā paramā tanuḥ etāṁ yā kāminī kācitpūjayiṣyati bhaktitaḥ anenaiva vidhānena tasyā bhartā bhaviṣyati

This supreme form which you have fashioned out of your own being — whatever woman worships it with devotion, following this very rite, shall obtain a husband.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.131.27)

तृतीयायां विशेषेण यावत्संवत्सरं शुभे ॥ सा लभिष्यति सत्कान्तं पुत्रदं सर्वकामदम्

tṛtīyāyāṁ viśeṣeṇa yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ śubhe sā labhiṣyati satkāntaṁ putradaṁ sarvakāmadam

O auspicious one, worshipping thus especially on the third lunar day for a full year, she will obtain a fine husband who grants a son and fulfils every desire.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.131.28)

तथैतां मामकीं मूर्तिमीशानाख्यां च ये नराः ॥ तेषां दुष्टापि या कान्ता सौम्या चैव भविष्यति

tathaitāṁ māmakīṁ mūrtimīśānākhyāṁ ca ye narāḥ teṣāṁ duṣṭāpi yā kāntā saumyā caiva bhaviṣyati

Whatever men worship this my image named Ishana, even a wicked-natured wife of theirs shall become gentle.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.131.29)

ये पुनः कन्यकाहेतोः पूजयिष्यंति भक्तितः ॥ यां कन्यां मनसि स्थाप्य तां लभिष्यन्त्यसंशयम्॥

ye punaḥ kanyakāhetoḥ pūjayiṣyaṁti bhaktitaḥ yāṁ kanyāṁ manasi sthāpya tāṁ labhiṣyantyasaṁśayam

And those who worship with devotion, keeping in mind a particular maiden they desire, shall without doubt obtain that very maiden.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.131.30)

निष्कामाश्चापि ये मर्त्या पूजयिष्यंति सर्वदा ॥ ते यास्यंति परां सिद्धिं जरामरणवर्जिताम्

niṣkāmāścāpi ye martyā pūjayiṣyaṁti sarvadā te yāsyaṁti parāṁ siddhiṁ jarāmaraṇavarjitām

And those mortals who, without any desire, worship it constantly, shall attain the supreme perfection that is free from old age and death.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.131.31)

एवमुक्त्वा महादेवो वृषमारोप्य तां प्रियाम् ॥ स्वयमारुह्य पश्चाच्च कैलासं पर्वतं गतः

evamuktvā mahādevo vṛṣamāropya tāṁ priyām svayamāruhya paścācca kailāsaṁ parvataṁ gataḥ

Having said this, Mahadeva set his beloved upon the bull, mounted it himself as well, and departed for Mount Kailasa.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.131.32)

॥ नारद उवाच ॥ तस्मात्तव सुतेयं या तामाराधयतु द्रुतम् ॥ पञ्चपिण्डमया गौरीं यावत्संवत्सरं शुभाम्

nārada uvāca tasmāttava suteyaṁ yā tāmārādhayatu drutam pañcapiṇḍamayā gaurīṁ yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ śubhām

Narada said: Therefore let this daughter of yours quickly worship, for a full year, that auspicious Gauri made of five clay-lumps.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.131.33)

तृतीयायां विशेषेण ततः प्राप्स्यति सत्पतिम् ॥ मुखप्रेक्षमतिप्रीतं रूपादिभिर्गुणैर्युतम्

tṛtīyāyāṁ viśeṣeṇa tataḥ prāpsyati satpatim mukhaprekṣamatiprītaṁ rūpādibhirguṇairyutam

Worshipping especially on the tritiya day, she will thereby obtain a good husband, most pleasing to behold and endowed with beauty and every fine quality.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.131.34)

॥ शांडिल्युवाच ॥ एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठो नारदः प्रययौ ततः ॥ तीर्थयात्रां प्रति प्रीत्या मम मात्रा विसर्जितः

śāṁḍilyuvāca evamuktvā muniśreṣṭho nāradaḥ prayayau tataḥ tīrthayātrāṁ prati prītyā mama mātrā visarjitaḥ

Shandilya's daughter said: Having said this, Narada, best of sages, then departed on his pilgrimage, lovingly sent off by my mother.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.131.35)

मयापि च तदादेशात्कौमार्येपि च संस्थया ॥ पूजया वत्सरं यावत्पूजिता पतिकाम्यया

mayāpi ca tadādeśātkaumāryepi ca saṁsthayā pūjayā vatsaraṁ yāvatpūjitā patikāmyayā

And I too, by his instruction, while still a maiden, worshipped that goddess for a full year with due rites, desiring a husband.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.131.36)

तृतीयायां विशेषेण मार्गमासादितः शुभे ॥ नैवेद्यैर्विविधैर्दानैर्गंधमाल्यानुलेपनैः

tṛtīyāyāṁ viśeṣeṇa mārgamāsāditaḥ śubhe naivedyairvividhairdānairgaṁdhamālyānulepanaiḥ

O auspicious one, especially on the tritiya day I followed the prescribed course with various offerings, gifts, fragrance, garlands, and unguents.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.131.37)

तत्प्रभावादयं प्राप्तो जैमिनिर्नाम सद्द्विजः ॥ कात्यायनि यथा दृष्टस्त्वया किं कीर्तितैः परैः

tatprabhāvādayaṁ prāpto jaiminirnāma saddvijaḥ kātyāyani yathā dṛṣṭastvayā kiṁ kīrtitaiḥ paraiḥ

O Katyayani, by its power I obtained this good brahmin named Jaimini, as you yourself have witnessed; what need is there of further telling?

Verse 38 (skanda.6.131.38)

तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याणि पूजयैनां समाहिता ॥ संप्राप्स्यसि सुसौभाग्यं मैत्रेय्या सदृशं शुभे

tasmāttvamapi kalyāṇi pūjayaināṁ samāhitā saṁprāpsyasi susaubhāgyaṁ maitreyyā sadṛśaṁ śubhe

Therefore, O gracious one, you too should worship her with a focused mind; O auspicious one, you shall attain good fortune equal to that of Maitreyi.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.131.39)

त्वया न पूजिता चेयं कौमार्ये वर्तमानया ॥ यावत्संवत्सरं गौरी तृतीयायां न चाधिकम्

tvayā na pūjitā ceyaṁ kaumārye vartamānayā yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ gaurī tṛtīyāyāṁ na cādhikam

If you, while yet a maiden, do not worship this Gauri for a full year on the tritiya day and no more than that,

Verse 40 (skanda.6.131.40)

सापत्न्यं तेन संजातं सौभाग्येपि निरर्गले ॥ यथोक्तविधिना देवी सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्॥

sāpatnyaṁ tena saṁjātaṁ saubhāgyepi nirargale yathoktavidhinā devī satyametanmayoditam

then even amid unbroken good fortune the pain of a co-wife will arise; what I have told you, of the goddess's prescribed rite, is the plain truth.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.131.41)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ श्रुत्वा कात्यायनी सर्वं शांडिल्या यत्प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ततः प्रणम्य तां पृष्ट्वा स्वमेव भवनं ययौ

sūta uvāca śrutvā kātyāyanī sarvaṁ śāṁḍilyā yatprakīrtitam tataḥ praṇamya tāṁ pṛṣṭvā svameva bhavanaṁ yayau

Suta said: Having heard all that Shandilya's daughter had told her, Katyayani bowed to her, took her leave, and went to her own home.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.131.42)

मार्गशीर्षेऽथ संप्राप्ते तृतीयादिवसे सिते ॥ तां देवीं पूजयामास वर्षं यावकृतक्षणा

mārgaśīrṣe'tha saṁprāpte tṛtīyādivase site tāṁ devīṁ pūjayāmāsa varṣaṁ yāvakṛtakṣaṇā

Then, when the month of Margashirsha came, on the third day of the bright fortnight, she worshipped that goddess without pause for a full year.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.131.43)

गौरिणीर्भोजयामास मृष्टान्नैर्भोजनै रसैः ॥ तैलक्षारपरित्यक्तैर्गन्धैः कुंकुमपूर्वकैः

gauriṇīrbhojayāmāsa mṛṣṭānnairbhojanai rasaiḥ tailakṣāraparityaktairgandhaiḥ kuṁkumapūrvakaiḥ

She fed the married women (embodiments of Gauri) with delicious food and rich dishes free of oil and alkali, prepared with fragrant substances beginning with vermilion.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.131.44)

ततस्तु वत्सरे पूर्णे याज्ञवल्क्यस्तदन्तिकम् ॥ गत्वा प्रोवाच किं कष्टं त्वं करोषि शुचिस्मिते

tatastu vatsare pūrṇe yājñavalkyastadantikam gatvā provāca kiṁ kaṣṭaṁ tvaṁ karoṣi śucismite

Then, when the year was complete, Yajnavalkya came to her and said: O one of the pure smile, why do you undergo this hardship?

Verse 45 (skanda.6.131.45)

मया कांतेन रक्तेन कामदेन सदैव तु ॥ तस्मादागच्छ गच्छाव स्वमेव भवनं शुभे

mayā kāṁtena raktena kāmadena sadaiva tu tasmādāgaccha gacchāva svameva bhavanaṁ śubhe

I myself am your devoted husband, ever the fulfiller of your desires; so come, O auspicious one, let us go to our own home.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.131.46)

एवमुक्त्वा तु तां हृष्टां गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे करे ॥ जगाम भवनं पश्चात्पुलकांकितगात्रजाम्॥

evamuktvā tu tāṁ hṛṣṭāṁ gṛhītvā dakṣiṇe kare jagāma bhavanaṁ paścātpulakāṁkitagātrajām

Having said this, he took by her right hand that joyful woman, her body thrilling with delight, and led her home.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.131.47)

ततः परं तया सार्धं वर्तते हर्षिताननः ॥ मैत्रेय्या सहितो यद्वदविशेषेण सर्वदा

tataḥ paraṁ tayā sārdhaṁ vartate harṣitānanaḥ maitreyyā sahito yadvadaviśeṣeṇa sarvadā

From then on, with joyful face, he lived with her constantly and without distinction, just as he lived with Maitreyi.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.131.48)

ततः संजनयामास तस्यां पुत्रं गुणान्वितम् ॥ कात्यायनाभिधानं च यज्ञ विद्याविचक्षणम्॥

tataḥ saṁjanayāmāsa tasyāṁ putraṁ guṇānvitam kātyāyanābhidhānaṁ ca yajña vidyāvicakṣaṇam

Then he begot upon her a virtuous son named Katyayana, skilled in the science of sacrifice.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.131.49)

पुत्रो वररुचिर्यस्य बभूव गुणसागरः॥ सर्वज्ञः सर्वकृत्येषु वेदवेदांगपारगः

putro vararuciryasya babhūva guṇasāgaraḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvakṛtyeṣu vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ

His son was Vararuchi, an ocean of virtues, all-knowing, accomplished in every task, and a master of the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.131.50)

स्थापितोऽत्र शुभे क्षेत्रे येन विद्यार्थिनां कृते ॥ समाराध्य विशेषेण चतुर्थ्यां शुक्लवासरे

sthāpito'tra śubhe kṣetre yena vidyārthināṁ kṛte samārādhya viśeṣeṇa caturthyāṁ śuklavāsare

For the sake of students, having worshipped in due form especially on the fourth day of the bright fortnight, the one he established in this auspicious kshetra,

Verse 51 (skanda.6.131.51)

महागणपतिर्भक्त्या सर्वविद्याप्रदायकः ॥ यस्तस्य पुरतो विप्राः शांतिपाठविधानतः

mahāgaṇapatirbhaktyā sarvavidyāpradāyakaḥ yastasya purato viprāḥ śāṁtipāṭhavidhānataḥ

is the great Ganapati, who through devotion grants all learning; O brahmins, whoever before him, in accordance with the rite of the shanti-recitation,

Verse 52 (skanda.6.131.52)

गृह्णाति पुष्पमालां यः पठेच्छक्त्या द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ वेदांतकृत्स विप्रः स्यात्सदा जन्मनिजन्मनि

gṛhṇāti puṣpamālāṁ yaḥ paṭhecchaktyā dvijottamāḥ vedāṁtakṛtsa vipraḥ syātsadā janmanijanmani

receives the garland of flowers and recites to the best of his ability, O best of brahmins, that brahmin becomes, birth after birth, a master of the Vedanta.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.131.53)

अशक्त्या चाथ पाठस्य यो गृह्णाति धनेन च ॥ स विशेषाद्भवेद्विप्रो वेदवेदांगपारगः

aśaktyā cātha pāṭhasya yo gṛhṇāti dhanena ca sa viśeṣādbhavedvipro vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ

And whoever, being unable to recite, obtains that merit through wealth instead, he too becomes especially a brahmin versed in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.131.54)

विदुषां स गृहे जन्म याज्ञिकानां सदा लभेत्॥ न कदाचित्तु मूर्खार्णां निन्दितानां कथञ्चन

viduṣāṁ sa gṛhe janma yājñikānāṁ sadā labhet na kadācittu mūrkhārṇāṁ ninditānāṁ kathañcana

He always obtains birth in the household of the learned and of sacrificers, and never at all in that of fools or of the reprehensible.