The Rite of Purashcharana Saptami

Verse 1 (skanda.6.162.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ एवं नाम्नि कृते तस्य भास्करस्यांशुमालिनः ॥ द्विजानां पुरतः पुष्पः कथयामास चेष्टितम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ nāmni kṛte tasya bhāskarasyāṁśumālinaḥ dvijānāṁ purataḥ puṣpaḥ kathayāmāsa ceṣṭitam

Suta said: Thus, when the name of that ray-garlanded Bhaskara had been fixed, Pushpa related his own deed before the brahmins.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.162.2)

आत्मीयं कुत्सितं तेषां मणिभद्रवधो यथा ॥ विहितो विहिता पत्नी तस्य व्याजेन कृत्स्नशः

ātmīyaṁ kutsitaṁ teṣāṁ maṇibhadravadho yathā vihito vihitā patnī tasya vyājena kṛtsnaśaḥ

his own base deed — how Manibhadra's killing had been contrived, and how his wife had been installed entirely through deceit.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.162.3)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः प्रोचुस्तच्छ्रुत्वा कोपसंयुताः ॥ सीत्कारान्प्रचुरान्कृत्वा धिक्त्वां पाप प्रगम्यताम्

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ procustacchrutvā kopasaṁyutāḥ sītkārānpracurānkṛtvā dhiktvāṁ pāpa pragamyatām

Then those brahmins, hearing this, were filled with wrath; making many hissing sounds of disgust, they said: Shame on you, sinner! Begone from here.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.162.4)

आत्मीयं हेम चादाय न ते शुद्धिर्भविष्यति

ātmīyaṁ hema cādāya na te śuddhirbhaviṣyati

Even if you bring your own gold, no purification shall come to you.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.162.5)

ब्रह्मघ्नस्त्वं यतः प्रोक्तास्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः स्मृतिशास्त्रप्रपाठकैः

brahmaghnastvaṁ yataḥ proktāstrayo varṇā dvijottamāḥ brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ smṛtiśāstraprapāṭhakaiḥ

For you are a slayer of a brahmin, since the teachers of the smriti-scriptures declare all three varnas — brahmin, kshatriya, and vaishya — to be 'best among the twice-born'.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.162.6)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ ततस्तु दुःखितः पुष्पो बाष्पसंपूरितेक्षणः ॥ ब्रह्मस्थानाद्विनिर्गत्य प्ररुरोद सुदुःखितः

sūta uvāca tatastu duḥkhitaḥ puṣpo bāṣpasaṁpūritekṣaṇaḥ brahmasthānādvinirgatya praruroda suduḥkhitaḥ

Suta said: Then the grieving Pushpa, his eyes brimming with tears, went out from the Brahmasthana and wept bitterly in his great sorrow.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.162.7)

रोरूयमाणमालोक्य ततस्ते नागरा द्विजाः ॥ दयां च महतीं कृत्वा ततः प्रोचुः परस्परम्

rorūyamāṇamālokya tataste nāgarā dvijāḥ dayāṁ ca mahatīṁ kṛtvā tataḥ procuḥ parasparam

Then, seeing him wailing so, those Nagara brahmins, moved by deep compassion, said to one another:

Verse 8 (skanda.6.162.8)

नानाविधानि शास्त्राणि स्मृतयश्च पृथग्विधाः ॥ पुराणानि समस्तानि वीक्षध्वं सुसमाहिताः

nānāvidhāni śāstrāṇi smṛtayaśca pṛthagvidhāḥ purāṇāni samastāni vīkṣadhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ

Examine with full concentration the various scriptures, the many kinds of smritis, and all the puranas.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.162.9)

कुत्रचित्क्वचिदेवास्य कथंचिच्छुद्धिरस्ति चेत् ॥ न तच्च विद्यते शास्त्रमस्मिन्स्थाने न चास्ति यत्

kutracitkvacidevāsya kathaṁcicchuddhirasti cet na tacca vidyate śāstramasminsthāne na cāsti yat

If there exists anywhere, in any way whatsoever, some means of purification for him, it shall be found here — for there is no scripture that is not present in this place.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.162.10)

न स्मृतिर्न पुराणं च वेदांतं वा द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ न चास्ति ब्राह्मणः सोऽत्र सर्वज्ञप्रतिमो न यः

na smṛtirna purāṇaṁ ca vedāṁtaṁ vā dvijottamāḥ na cāsti brāhmaṇaḥ so'tra sarvajñapratimo na yaḥ

O best of brahmins, there is no smriti, purana, or Vedanta not found here, and there is no brahmin among us who is not the very image of omniscience.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.162.11)

तस्माच्चिन्तयत क्षिप्रमस्य शुद्धिप्रदं हि यत् ॥ तच्च प्रमाणतां नीत्वा शुद्धिरस्य प्रदीयते

tasmāccintayata kṣipramasya śuddhipradaṁ hi yat tacca pramāṇatāṁ nītvā śuddhirasya pradīyate

Therefore consider quickly what will grant him purification, and having established it with proper authority, let that purification be bestowed upon him.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.162.12)

अथैको ब्राह्मणः प्राह चंडशर्मेति विश्रुतः ॥ मया स्कांदपुराणेऽस्मिन्पुरश्चरणसंश्रिता

athaiko brāhmaṇaḥ prāha caṁḍaśarmeti viśrutaḥ mayā skāṁdapurāṇe'sminpuraścaraṇasaṁśritā

Then a brahmin known by the name Chandasharma spoke: In this very Skanda Purana I have read of a rite bound up with Purashcharana —

Verse 13 (skanda.6.162.13)

पठिता सप्तमी या च पुरश्चरणसंज्ञिता ॥ पुरश्चरणतः पापं विहितं तु यथा व्रजेत्

paṭhitā saptamī yā ca puraścaraṇasaṁjñitā puraścaraṇataḥ pāpaṁ vihitaṁ tu yathā vrajet

the Saptami known by the name Purashcharana, whereby whatever sin has been done is driven away through that Purashcharana.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.162.14)

सम्यक्तथापि विप्रेंद्रास्ततो याति न संशयः ॥ तस्मात्करोतु तामेष पुरश्चरणसप्तमीम्

samyaktathāpi vipreṁdrāstato yāti na saṁśayaḥ tasmātkarotu tāmeṣa puraścaraṇasaptamīm

O lords of the twice-born, through it that sin is fully removed — of this there is no doubt. Therefore let him perform this Purashcharana Saptami.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.162.15)

अपरं भूभुजादेशान्मणिभद्रो निपातितः ॥ वधकैस्तस्य तत्पापं यदि पापं प्रजायते

aparaṁ bhūbhujādeśānmaṇibhadro nipātitaḥ vadhakaistasya tatpāpaṁ yadi pāpaṁ prajāyate

Moreover, Manibhadra was struck down at the king's command; if any sin at all arises from that slaying, it belongs to those who did the killing.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.162.16)

राजा भूत्वा न यः सम्यग्विचारयति वादिनम् ॥ तस्य तत्पातकं घोरं राज्ञश्चैव प्रजायते

rājā bhūtvā na yaḥ samyagvicārayati vādinam tasya tatpātakaṁ ghoraṁ rājñaścaiva prajāyate

And that terrible sin falls upon the king himself, who, being king, fails to properly judge the case brought before him.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.162.17)

तथास्य पत्न्यास्तत्पापं जानंत्या यत्तयोदितम् ॥ मत्पित्रा ब्राह्मणैर्दत्तोऽयं पुरा वह्निसंनिधौ

tathāsya patnyāstatpāpaṁ jānaṁtyā yattayoditam matpitrā brāhmaṇairdatto'yaṁ purā vahnisaṁnidhau

Likewise, that sin belongs also to his wife, who, though she knew the truth, declared: This one was given by my father to the brahmins long ago, before the witness of fire.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.162.18)

विडंबितेन चानेन कृतप्रतिकृतं कृतम् ॥ तस्मान्न चास्य दोषः स्याद्यतः प्रोक्तं मुनीश्वरैः

viḍaṁbitena cānena kṛtapratikṛtaṁ kṛtam tasmānna cāsya doṣaḥ syādyataḥ proktaṁ munīśvaraiḥ

And this man, having himself been deceived, merely did in return what had been done to him; therefore no fault attaches to him, for the great sages have declared —

Verse 19 (skanda.6.162.19)

कृते प्रतिकृतं कुर्याद्धिंसने प्रतिहिंसनम् ॥ न तत्र जायते दोषो यो दुष्टे दुष्टमाचरेत्

kṛte pratikṛtaṁ kuryāddhiṁsane pratihiṁsanam na tatra jāyate doṣo yo duṣṭe duṣṭamācaret

One should return deed for deed, and violence with counter-violence; no fault attaches to one who deals wickedness to the wicked.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.162.20)

॥ ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः ॥ ॥ यद्येवं वद विप्रास्य पुरश्चरणसंज्ञिताम् ॥ सप्तमीमद्य विप्रेंद्र वराकस्य विशुद्धये

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadyevaṁ vada viprāsya puraścaraṇasaṁjñitām saptamīmadya vipreṁdra varākasya viśuddhaye

The brahmins said: If that is so, then, O brahmin, tell us today, O lord among the twice-born, of that Saptami called Purashcharana, for the purification of this poor man.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.162.21)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ अथास्य कथयामास सप्तमीं तां द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ चंडशर्माभिधानस्तु कृत्वा तस्योपरि कृपाम्

sūta uvāca athāsya kathayāmāsa saptamīṁ tāṁ dvijottamāḥ caṁḍaśarmābhidhānastu kṛtvā tasyopari kṛpām

Suta said: Then, O best of brahmins, Chandasharma, taking pity on him, related to him that Saptami rite.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.162.22)

तेनापि विहिता सम्यग्यथा तस्य मुखाच्छ्रुता ॥ ततः संवत्सरस्यांते विपाप्मा समपद्यत

tenāpi vihitā samyagyathā tasya mukhācchrutā tataḥ saṁvatsarasyāṁte vipāpmā samapadyata

He too duly performed it exactly as heard from his mouth; and at the end of a year, he became free of all sin.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.162.23)

॥ ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ ॥ पुरश्चरणसंज्ञां तु सप्तमीं वद सूतज ॥ विधिना केन कर्तव्या कस्मिन्काल उपस्थिते

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ puraścaraṇasaṁjñāṁ tu saptamīṁ vada sūtaja vidhinā kena kartavyā kasminkāla upasthite

The sages said: Tell us, O son of Suta, of that Saptami called Purashcharana — by what procedure and at what time it should be performed.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.162.24)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ अहं वः कीर्तयिष्यामि रोहिताश्वस्य भूपतेः ॥ मार्कंडेन पुरा प्रोक्ता पृच्छ्यमानेन भक्तितः

sūta uvāca ahaṁ vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi rohitāśvasya bhūpateḥ mārkaṁḍena purā proktā pṛcchyamānena bhaktitaḥ

Suta said: I shall relate to you what was told long ago to King Rohitashva by Markanda, when he was questioned with devotion.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.162.25)

सप्तकल्पस्मरो विप्रा मार्कंडाख्यो महामुनिः ॥ रोहिताश्वेन पृष्टः स हरिश्चंद्रात्मजेन च

saptakalpasmaro viprā mārkaṁḍākhyo mahāmuniḥ rohitāśvena pṛṣṭaḥ sa hariścaṁdrātmajena ca

O brahmins, the great sage named Markanda, who remembers seven kalpas, was questioned by Rohitashva, the son of Harishchandra.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.162.26)

॥ रोहिताश्व उवाच ॥ ॥ अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यत्पापं कुरुते नरः ॥ उपायं तस्य नाशाय किंचिन्मे वद सन्मुने

rohitāśva uvāca ajñānājjñānato vāpi yatpāpaṁ kurute naraḥ upāyaṁ tasya nāśāya kiṁcinme vada sanmune

Rohitashva said: O virtuous sage, tell me some means for destroying whatever sin a man commits, be it knowingly or unknowingly.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.162.27)

॥ मार्कंडेय उवाच ॥ ॥ मानसं वाचिकं चैव कायिकं च तृतीयकम् ॥ त्रिविधं पातकं लोके नराणामिह जायते

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca mānasaṁ vācikaṁ caiva kāyikaṁ ca tṛtīyakam trividhaṁ pātakaṁ loke narāṇāmiha jāyate

Markandeya said: Mental, verbal, and bodily as the third — threefold is the sin that arises for men in this world.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.162.28)

तत्रोपाया विनाशाय तस्य संपरिकीर्तिताः ॥ तानहं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्व नृपसत्तम

tatropāyā vināśāya tasya saṁparikīrtitāḥ tānahaṁ te pravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣva nṛpasattama

For the destruction of these, the remedies have been fully set forth; I shall tell them to you — listen, O best of kings.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.162.29)

मानसं चैव यत्पापं नराणामिह जायते ॥ पश्चात्तापे कृते तस्य तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

mānasaṁ caiva yatpāpaṁ narāṇāmiha jāyate paścāttāpe kṛte tasya tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

Whatever mental sin arises for men, it is destroyed that very instant once repentance is made for it.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.162.30)

वाचिकं चैव यत्पापं नाभुक्त्वा तत्प्रणश्यति ॥ पुरश्चरणबाह्यं तु सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

vācikaṁ caiva yatpāpaṁ nābhuktvā tatpraṇaśyati puraścaraṇabāhyaṁ tu satyametanmayoditam

But whatever verbal sin there is does not perish without being expiated — apart from Purashcharana; this truth I have spoken.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.162.31)

निवेद्य ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां तदुक्तं च समाचरेत् ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं यथोक्तं तु ततः शुद्धिमवाप्नुयात्

nivedya brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ taduktaṁ ca samācaret prāyaścittaṁ yathoktaṁ tu tataḥ śuddhimavāpnuyāt

Having confessed it to the foremost brahmins, one should act as they direct; then, performing the prescribed expiation, one attains purification.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.162.32)

अथवा पार्थिवो ज्ञात्वा कुरुते तस्य निग्रहम् ॥ तेन शुद्धिमवाप्नोति यद्यपि स्यात्स किल्विषी

athavā pārthivo jñātvā kurute tasya nigraham tena śuddhimavāpnoti yadyapi syātsa kilviṣī

Or if the king, becoming aware of it, inflicts punishment upon him, he attains purification thereby, even though he be a sinner.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.162.33)

लज्जया ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां यो न ब्रूते कथंचन ॥ न च राजा विजानाति शरीरस्थेन यो म्रियेत् ॥ तस्य निग्रहकर्ता च स्वयं वैवस्वतो यमः

lajjayā brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ yo na brūte kathaṁcana na ca rājā vijānāti śarīrasthena yo mriyet tasya nigrahakartā ca svayaṁ vaivasvato yamaḥ

But he who, out of shame, confesses it to none of the foremost brahmins, of whom the king remains unaware, and who dies still carrying it within his body — his punisher is Yama Vaivasvata himself.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.162.34)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कृत्वा पापं विजानता ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं तु कर्तव्यं यथोक्तं ब्राह्मणोदितम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kṛtvā pāpaṁ vijānatā prāyaścittaṁ tu kartavyaṁ yathoktaṁ brāhmaṇoditam

Therefore one who has knowingly committed sin should, with every effort, perform the expiation exactly as declared by the brahmins.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.162.35)

॥ रोहिताश्व उवाच ॥ ॥ सर्वेषामेव पापानां विहितानां मुनीश्वर ॥ किंचिद्व्रतं समाचक्ष्व दानं वा होममेव वा ॥ विपाप्मा जायते येन पुरश्चरणवर्जितम्

rohitāśva uvāca sarveṣāmeva pāpānāṁ vihitānāṁ munīśvara kiṁcidvrataṁ samācakṣva dānaṁ vā homameva vā vipāpmā jāyate yena puraścaraṇavarjitam

Rohitashva said: O lord of sages, tell me of some vow, or gift, or fire-offering for all manner of sins committed, by which one may become sinless apart from Purashcharana.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.162.36)

नित्यं पापानि कुरुते नरः सूक्ष्माणि सर्वतः ॥ प्रायश्चित्तानि सर्वेषां कर्तुं शक्तिः कथं भवेत्

nityaṁ pāpāni kurute naraḥ sūkṣmāṇi sarvataḥ prāyaścittāni sarveṣāṁ kartuṁ śaktiḥ kathaṁ bhavet

A man commits subtle sins every day in every way; how then could one have the capacity to perform expiation for all of them?

Verse 37 (skanda.6.162.37)

॥ मार्कंडेय उवाच ॥ ॥ अस्ति राजन्व्रतं पुण्यं पुरश्चरणसंज्ञितम् ॥ पुरश्चरणसंज्ञा तु सप्तमी सूर्यवल्लभा

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca asti rājanvrataṁ puṇyaṁ puraścaraṇasaṁjñitam puraścaraṇasaṁjñā tu saptamī sūryavallabhā

Markandeya said: O king, there is a holy vow called Purashcharana; this designation Purashcharana belongs to the Saptami dear to the Sun.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.162.38)

यया संचीर्णया राजन्कायस्थो यमसंभवः ॥ विचित्रो मार्जयेत्पापं कृतं जन्मनि संचितम्

yayā saṁcīrṇayā rājankāyastho yamasaṁbhavaḥ vicitro mārjayetpāpaṁ kṛtaṁ janmani saṁcitam

O king, by performing which, that wondrous scribe born of Yama, who dwells within the body, wipes away the sin accumulated through one's whole life.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.162.39)

तस्मात्कुरु महाराज तथाशु वचनं मम ॥ येन वा मुच्यते पापात्सर्वस्मात्कायसंभवात्

tasmātkuru mahārāja tathāśu vacanaṁ mama yena vā mucyate pāpātsarvasmātkāyasaṁbhavāt

Therefore, O great king, act promptly upon my word, by which one is released from all sin born of the body.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.162.40)

॥ रोहिताश्व उवाच ॥ ॥ पुरश्चरणसंज्ञा तु सप्तमी मुनिसत्तम ॥ विधिना केन कर्तव्या कस्मिन्काले वद स्व मे

rohitāśva uvāca puraścaraṇasaṁjñā tu saptamī munisattama vidhinā kena kartavyā kasminkāle vada sva me

Rohitashva said: O best of sages, tell me by what procedure and at what time that Saptami called Purashcharana is to be performed.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.162.41)

॥ मार्कंडेय उवाच ॥ ॥ माघमासे सिते पक्षे मकरस्थे दिवाकरे ॥ सूर्यवारेण सप्तम्यां व्रतमेतत्समाचरेत्

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca māghamāse site pakṣe makarasthe divākare sūryavāreṇa saptamyāṁ vratametatsamācaret

Markandeya said: In the month of Magha, in the bright fortnight, when the sun stands in Makara, on a Sunday falling on the seventh — this vow should be performed.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.162.42)

पाखंडैः पतितैः सार्धं तस्मिन्नहनि नालपेत् ॥ भक्षयित्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रभाते दन्तधावनम् ॥ मंत्रेणानेन पश्चाच्च कर्तव्यो नियमो नृप

pākhaṁḍaiḥ patitaiḥ sārdhaṁ tasminnahani nālapet bhakṣayitvā nṛpaśreṣṭha prabhāte dantadhāvanam maṁtreṇānena paścācca kartavyo niyamo nṛpa

On that day one should not converse with heretics or the fallen; O best of kings, having in the morning cleansed the teeth, the observance should then be taken up with this mantra, O king.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.162.43)

पुरश्चरणकृत्यायां सप्तम्यां दिवसाधिप ॥ उपवासं करिष्यामि अद्य त्वं शरणं मम

puraścaraṇakṛtyāyāṁ saptamyāṁ divasādhipa upavāsaṁ kariṣyāmi adya tvaṁ śaraṇaṁ mama

'O lord of the day, on this Saptami set for the Purashcharana rite I shall keep a fast; today you alone are my refuge.'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.162.44)

ततोऽपराह्णसमये स्नात्वा धौतांबरः शुचिः ॥ प्रतिमां पूजयेद्भक्त्या दिनाधिपसमुद्भवाम्

tato'parāhṇasamaye snātvā dhautāṁbaraḥ śuciḥ pratimāṁ pūjayedbhaktyā dinādhipasamudbhavām

Then, in the afternoon, having bathed and clad in washed garments, purified, one should worship with devotion the image of the lord of the day.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.162.45)

रक्तैः पुष्पैर्महावीर पादाद्यं पूजयेत्ततः ॥ पतंगाय नमः पादौ मार्तंडायेति जानुनी

raktaiḥ puṣpairmahāvīra pādādyaṁ pūjayettataḥ pataṁgāya namaḥ pādau mārtaṁḍāyeti jānunī

O great hero, one should then worship, beginning with the feet, using red flowers: 'Namah to Pataṅga' for the feet, 'Namah to Martanda' for the knees;

Verse 46 (skanda.6.162.46)

गुह्यं दिवसनाथाय नाभिं द्वादशमूर्तये ॥ बाहू च पद्महस्ताय हृदयं तीक्ष्णदीधिते

guhyaṁ divasanāthāya nābhiṁ dvādaśamūrtaye bāhū ca padmahastāya hṛdayaṁ tīkṣṇadīdhite

'to the lord of the day' for the secret parts, 'to the twelve-formed one' for the navel, 'to the lotus-handed one' for the arms, 'to the sharp-rayed one' for the heart;

Verse 47 (skanda.6.162.47)

कंठं पद्मदलाभाय शिरस्तेजोमयाय च ॥ एवं संपूज्य विधिवद्धूपं कर्पूरमाददेत्

kaṁṭhaṁ padmadalābhāya śirastejomayāya ca evaṁ saṁpūjya vidhivaddhūpaṁ karpūramādadet

'to the one with the hue of a lotus-petal' for the throat, and 'to the one full of light' for the head — having thus duly worshipped, one should offer camphor incense.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.162.48)

गुडौदनं च नैवेद्यं रक्तवस्त्राभिवेष्टितम् ॥ रक्तसूत्रेण दीपं च तथैवारार्तिकं नृप

guḍaudanaṁ ca naivedyaṁ raktavastrābhiveṣṭitam raktasūtreṇa dīpaṁ ca tathaivārārtikaṁ nṛpa

Rice with jaggery as the food-offering, wrapped in red cloth, a lamp with a red-thread wick, and likewise the waving of the lamps, O king.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.162.49)

शंखे तोयं समादाय रक्तचन्दनमिश्रितम् ॥ सफलं च ततः कृत्वा अर्घ्यं दद्यात्ततः परम्

śaṁkhe toyaṁ samādāya raktacandanamiśritam saphalaṁ ca tataḥ kṛtvā arghyaṁ dadyāttataḥ param

Taking water in a conch-shell mixed with red sandalwood, and adding fruit to it, one should then offer arghya.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.162.50)

कुकृतं यत्कृतं किंचिदज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतोऽपि वा ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं कृतं देव ममार्घ्यश्च प्रगृह्यताम्

kukṛtaṁ yatkṛtaṁ kiṁcidajñānājjñānato'pi vā prāyaścittaṁ kṛtaṁ deva mamārghyaśca pragṛhyatām

'Whatever wrong I have done, be it in ignorance or knowingly, let this stand as my expiation, O deity; and let my arghya be received.'

Verse 51 (skanda.6.162.51)

ततः संपूजयद्विप्रं गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः ॥ दत्त्वा तु भोजनं तस्मै दक्षिणां च स्वशक्तितः ॥ प्राशनं कायशुद्ध्यर्थं पञ्चगव्यस्य चाचरेत्

tataḥ saṁpūjayadvipraṁ gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ dattvā tu bhojanaṁ tasmai dakṣiṇāṁ ca svaśaktitaḥ prāśanaṁ kāyaśuddhyarthaṁ pañcagavyasya cācaret

Then one should honour a brahmin with scent, flowers, and unguents, give him a meal and dakshina according to one's means, and partake of the five products of the cow for the purification of the body.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.162.52)

कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा समुद्वीक्ष्य दिवाकरम् ॥ दिवाकरं गतश्चैव मन्त्रमेतं समुच्चरेत्

kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā samudvīkṣya divākaram divākaraṁ gataścaiva mantrametaṁ samuccaret

With joined palms, gazing upon the sun, and as the sun goes down, one should recite this mantra:

Verse 53 (skanda.6.162.53)

इदं व्रतं मया देव गृहीतं पुरतस्तव ॥ अविघ्नं सिद्धिमायातु प्रसादात्तव भास्कर

idaṁ vrataṁ mayā deva gṛhītaṁ puratastava avighnaṁ siddhimāyātu prasādāttava bhāskara

'This vow, O deity, I have undertaken before you; may it, by your grace, O Bhaskara, reach fulfilment without hindrance.'

Verse 54 (skanda.6.162.54)

ततश्च फाल्गुने मासि संप्राप्ते मुनिसत्तम ॥ कुन्देन पूजयेद्देवं तेनैव विधिना ततः

tataśca phālgune māsi saṁprāpte munisattama kundena pūjayeddevaṁ tenaiva vidhinā tataḥ

And then, O best of sages, when the month of Phalguna arrives, one should worship the deity with jasmine flowers, following that same procedure.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.162.55)

धूपं च गुग्गुलुं दद्यान्नैवेद्यं भक्तमेव च ॥ प्राशनं गोमयं प्रोक्तं सर्वपापविशुद्धये

dhūpaṁ ca gugguluṁ dadyānnaivedyaṁ bhaktameva ca prāśanaṁ gomayaṁ proktaṁ sarvapāpaviśuddhaye

One should offer guggulu as incense and cooked rice as the food-offering; for the cleansing of all sin, the sipping of cow-dung water is prescribed.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.162.56)

चैत्रे मासि तु संप्राप्ते सुरभ्या पूज्येद्धरिम् ॥ नैवेद्यं गुणिकाः प्रोक्ता धूपं सर्जरसोद्भवम्

caitre māsi tu saṁprāpte surabhyā pūjyeddharim naivedyaṁ guṇikāḥ proktā dhūpaṁ sarjarasodbhavam

But when the month of Chaitra arrives, Hari should be worshipped with fragrant flowers; sweet cakes are prescribed as the food-offering, and incense made from sal-resin.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.162.57)

कुशोदकं च संप्राश्य कायशुद्धिमवाप्नुयात् ॥ वैशाखे किंशुकैः पूजां यथावच्च घृताशनैः

kuśodakaṁ ca saṁprāśya kāyaśuddhimavāpnuyāt vaiśākhe kiṁśukaiḥ pūjāṁ yathāvacca ghṛtāśanaiḥ

By sipping kusha-water one attains purification of the body; in Vaishakha, worship should be duly offered with kimshuka flowers and with foods fried in ghee.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.162.58)

नैवेद्यं च सुरामांसं धूपं च विनिवेदयेत् ॥ दधिप्राशनमेवात्र कर्तव्यं कायशुद्धये

naivedyaṁ ca surāmāṁsaṁ dhūpaṁ ca vinivedayet dadhiprāśanamevātra kartavyaṁ kāyaśuddhaye

One should offer wine and meat as the food-offering, along with incense; and here the sipping of curd should be performed for bodily purification.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.162.59)

पुष्पपाटलया पूजा विधातव्या रवेर्नृप ॥ नैवेद्ये सक्तवः प्रोक्ताः प्राशनं च घृतं स्मृतम्

puṣpapāṭalayā pūjā vidhātavyā ravernṛpa naivedye saktavaḥ proktāḥ prāśanaṁ ca ghṛtaṁ smṛtam

O king, worship of the Sun should be performed with patala flowers; parched-barley-meal is prescribed as the food-offering, and ghee is enjoined for sipping.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.162.60)

कपिलाया महावीर सर्वपापविशुद्धये ॥ आषाढे मुनिपुष्पैश्च पूजयेद्भास्करं नृप

kapilāyā mahāvīra sarvapāpaviśuddhaye āṣāḍhe munipuṣpaiśca pūjayedbhāskaraṁ nṛpa

O great hero, the sipping of the milk of a tawny cow is prescribed for the cleansing of all sin; in Ashadha, O king, Bhaskara should be worshipped with muni-flowers.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.162.61)

नैवेद्ये घारिका प्रोक्ता प्राशनं मधुसर्पिषोः ॥ धूपं चैवागरुं दद्यात्परया श्रद्धया युतः

naivedye ghārikā proktā prāśanaṁ madhusarpiṣoḥ dhūpaṁ caivāgaruṁ dadyātparayā śraddhayā yutaḥ

Gharika sweets are prescribed as the food-offering, honey and ghee for sipping, and one should offer agaru incense, filled with the deepest devotion.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.162.62)

श्रावणे तु कदंबेन पूजनं तीक्ष्णदीधितेः ॥ नैवेद्ये मोदकाश्चैव तगरं धूपमाददेत्

śrāvaṇe tu kadaṁbena pūjanaṁ tīkṣṇadīdhiteḥ naivedye modakāścaiva tagaraṁ dhūpamādadet

In Shravana, the sharp-rayed one should be worshipped with kadamba flowers; modakas are the food-offering, and tagara should be taken as incense.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.162.63)

गोशृंगोदकमादाय सद्यः पापात्प्रमुच्यते ॥ जात्या भाद्रपदे पूजा क्षीरनैवेद्यमाददेत्

gośṛṁgodakamādāya sadyaḥ pāpātpramucyate jātyā bhādrapade pūjā kṣīranaivedyamādadet

By taking water from a cow's horn, one is instantly freed of sin; in Bhadrapada, worship is done with jasmine flowers, and milk should be taken as the food-offering.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.162.64)

धूपं नखसमुद्भूतं प्राशनं क्षीरमेव च ॥ आश्विने कमलैः पूजा नैवेद्ये घृतपूरिका

dhūpaṁ nakhasamudbhūtaṁ prāśanaṁ kṣīrameva ca āśvine kamalaiḥ pūjā naivedye ghṛtapūrikā

Nakha resin as incense, and milk itself for sipping; in Ashvina, worship is with lotuses, and ghee-fried cakes as the food-offering.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.162.65)

धूपं कुंकुमजं प्रोक्तं कर्पूरप्राशनं स्मृतम्

dhūpaṁ kuṁkumajaṁ proktaṁ karpūraprāśanaṁ smṛtam

Incense made of saffron is prescribed, and the sipping of camphor is enjoined.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.162.66)

तुलस्या कार्तिके पूजा भास्करस्य प्रकीर्तिता ॥ नैवेद्ये चैव खंडाख्यं धूपं कौसुंभिकं नृप

tulasyā kārtike pūjā bhāskarasya prakīrtitā naivedye caiva khaṁḍākhyaṁ dhūpaṁ kausuṁbhikaṁ nṛpa

In Kartika, worship of Bhaskara with tulasi is declared; sugar-candy as the food-offering, and kusumbha-scented incense, O king.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.162.67)

प्राशनं च लवंगाख्यं सर्वपापविशोधनम् ॥ भृंगराजेन पूजा च सौम्ये मासि समाचरेत्

prāśanaṁ ca lavaṁgākhyaṁ sarvapāpaviśodhanam bhṛṁgarājena pūjā ca saumye māsi samācaret

And the sipping called lavanga cleanses all sin; worship with bhringaraja flowers should be performed in the month of Saumya.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.162.68)

नैवेद्ये फेणिका देया धूपं गुडसमुद्भवम् ॥ कंकोलप्राशनं चैव भास्करस्य प्रतुष्टये

naivedye pheṇikā deyā dhūpaṁ guḍasamudbhavam kaṁkolaprāśanaṁ caiva bhāskarasya pratuṣṭaye

Phenika-sweets should be offered as the food-offering, incense made of jaggery, and the sipping of kankola, for the complete satisfaction of Bhaskara.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.162.69)

शतपत्रिकया पूजा पौषे मासि रवेः स्मृता ॥ सहजं धूपमादिष्टं नैवेद्ये शुष्कली तथा

śatapatrikayā pūjā pauṣe māsi raveḥ smṛtā sahajaṁ dhūpamādiṣṭaṁ naivedye śuṣkalī tathā

In the month of Pausha, worship of the Sun with the hundred-petalled lotus is enjoined; sahaja-resin is prescribed as incense, and likewise dry cakes as the food-offering.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.162.70)

प्राशने पूर्वमुक्तानि सर्वाण्येव समाचरेत् ॥ समाप्तौ च ततो दद्यात्षड्भागं गृहसंभवम्

prāśane pūrvamuktāni sarvāṇyeva samācaret samāptau ca tato dadyātṣaḍbhāgaṁ gṛhasaṁbhavam

For the sipping, all that has been previously mentioned should be observed; and at the conclusion, one should then give away a sixth portion of one's household wealth.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.162.71)

ब्राह्मणाय नृपश्रेष्ठ सर्वपापविशुद्धये ॥ इष्टभोज्यं ततः कार्यं स्वशक्त्या पार्थिवोत्तम

brāhmaṇāya nṛpaśreṣṭha sarvapāpaviśuddhaye iṣṭabhojyaṁ tataḥ kāryaṁ svaśaktyā pārthivottama

to a brahmin, O best of kings, for the purification of all sin; and then, O best of kings, a desired feast should be given according to one's means.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.162.72)

एवं तु कुरुते योऽत्र सप्तमीं भास्करोद्भवाम् ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो निर्मलत्वं स गच्छति

evaṁ tu kurute yo'tra saptamīṁ bhāskarodbhavām sarvapāpavinirmukto nirmalatvaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever thus performs this Saptami sacred to Bhaskara becomes freed from all sin and attains purity.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.162.73)

॥ ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः ॥ ॥ एवं पुरा वै कथिता रोहिताश्वाय धीमते ॥ मार्कंडेन महाभाग तस्मात्त्वमपि तां कुरु

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ evaṁ purā vai kathitā rohitāśvāya dhīmate mārkaṁḍena mahābhāga tasmāttvamapi tāṁ kuru

The brahmins said: Thus was this told long ago to the wise Rohitashva by Markanda, O most fortunate one; therefore you too should perform it.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.162.74)

येन संजायते सम्यक्पुरश्चरणमेव ते

yena saṁjāyate samyakpuraścaraṇameva te

by which this Purashcharana shall be properly accomplished for you.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.162.75)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुष्पोऽपि द्विजसत्तमाः ॥ तां चक्रे सप्तमीं हृष्टो यथा तेन निवेदिता

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā puṣpo'pi dvijasattamāḥ tāṁ cakre saptamīṁ hṛṣṭo yathā tena niveditā

Suta said: O best of brahmins, hearing his words, Pushpa too joyfully performed that Saptami exactly as it had been declared to him.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.162.76)

षड्भागं प्रददौ तस्मै ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने ॥ स्ववित्तस्य गृहस्थस्य कुप्याकुप्यस्य कृत्स्नशः

ṣaḍbhāgaṁ pradadau tasmai brāhmaṇāya mahātmane svavittasya gṛhasthasya kupyākupyasya kṛtsnaśaḥ

He gave to that great-souled brahmin a sixth part of the whole of his household wealth, both perishable goods and imperishable.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.162.77)

सोऽपि जग्राह तद्वित्तं प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना ॥ सुवर्णमणि रत्नानि संख्यया परिवर्जितम्

so'pi jagrāha tadvittaṁ prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā suvarṇamaṇi ratnāni saṁkhyayā parivarjitam

He too, with a heart full of joy, received that wealth — gold, gems, and jewels beyond all counting.