The Origin of the Threefold Pushkara and the Preparations for Brahma's Sacrifice

Verse 1 (skanda.6.179.1)

सूत उवाच । तथान्यदपि तत्रास्ति पुष्करत्रितयं शुभम् । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे सर्वपातकनाशनम्

sūta uvāca tathānyadapi tatrāsti puṣkaratritayaṁ śubham hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre sarvapātakanāśanam

Suta said: There is yet another thing there — the auspicious threefold Pushkara, situated in the Hatakeshvara field, which destroys all sins.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.179.2)

यस्मिन्दृष्टेऽथवा स्पृष्टे कीर्तिते वा द्विजोत्तमाः । पातकं नाशमायाति भास्करेण तमो यथा

yasmindṛṣṭe'thavā spṛṣṭe kīrtite vā dvijottamāḥ pātakaṁ nāśamāyāti bhāskareṇa tamo yathā

O best of the twice-born, by merely seeing, touching, or glorifying it, sin is destroyed, just as darkness is destroyed by the sun.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.179.3)

पुनंति सर्वतीर्थानि स्नानाद्दानादसंशयम् । पुष्करालोकनादेव सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

punaṁti sarvatīrthāni snānāddānādasaṁśayam puṣkarālokanādeva sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

All sacred fords purify through bathing and giving gifts, without doubt; but by the mere sight of Pushkara alone one is freed from every sin.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.179.4)

ऋषय ऊचुः । श्रूयते पुष्करंनाम तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् । ब्रह्मणा निर्मितं तत्र यच्च योजनमात्रकम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śrūyate puṣkaraṁnāma tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam brahmaṇā nirmitaṁ tatra yacca yojanamātrakam

The sages said: 'We have heard of a tirtha called Pushkara, renowned throughout the three worlds, created by Brahma, extending a single yojana.'

Verse 5 (skanda.6.179.5)

उत्तरे चन्द्रभागाया नद्या यावत्सरस्वती । दक्षिणे करतोयायाः सीमेयं पुष्करत्रये

uttare candrabhāgāyā nadyā yāvatsarasvatī dakṣiṇe karatoyāyāḥ sīmeyaṁ puṣkaratraye

'In the north from the river Chandrabhaga up to the Sarasvati, in the south up to the Karatoya — this is the boundary of the threefold Pushkara.'

Verse 6 (skanda.6.179.6)

अस्माकं तु पुरा सूत त्वयोक्तं वियति स्थितम् । एतन्नः कौतुकं सूत तत्कथं हाटकेश्वरे । तत्र क्षेत्रे समायातं तस्मात्त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

asmākaṁ tu purā sūta tvayoktaṁ viyati sthitam etannaḥ kautukaṁ sūta tatkathaṁ hāṭakeśvare tatra kṣetre samāyātaṁ tasmāttvaṁ vaktumarhasi

'O Suta, earlier you told us that it is situated in the sky; O Suta, this is our curiosity — how did it come to that Hatakeshvara field? Therefore you should tell us.'

Verse 7 (skanda.6.179.7)

सूत उवाच । सत्यमेतन्महाभागा यद्भवद्भिरुदाहृतम् । तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तच्छृणुध्वं समाहिताः

sūta uvāca satyametanmahābhāgā yadbhavadbhirudāhṛtam tasminkṣetre dvijaśreṣṭhāstacchṛṇudhvaṁ samāhitāḥ

Suta said: O greatly fortunate ones, what you have said is true. O best of the twice-born, listen now with attentive minds concerning that field.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.179.8)

सर्वतो विस्तराद्वच्मि नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवम्

sarvato vistarādvacmi namaskṛtya svayaṁbhuvam

Having bowed to the Self-born Brahma, I shall relate this to you in full detail.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.179.9)

ब्रह्मलोके निवसतो ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । देवर्षिर्नारदः प्राप्तो भ्रांत्वा लोकत्रयं मुनिः

brahmaloke nivasato brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ devarṣirnāradaḥ prāpto bhrāṁtvā lokatrayaṁ muniḥ

Once, while Brahma, born of the unmanifest, dwelt in Brahmaloka, the divine sage Narada arrived there, having wandered through the three worlds.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.179.10)

स नत्वा शिरसा पादावुपविष्टस्तदग्रतः

sa natvā śirasā pādāvupaviṣṭastadagrataḥ

Bowing his head to Brahma's feet, he then sat down before him.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.179.11)

ब्रह्मोवाच । कस्माद्वत्स चिराद्दृष्टः कुतः प्राप्तोऽधुना भवान् । क्व भ्रांतस्त्वं समाचक्ष्व ब्रूहि वत्सात्र कारणम्

brahmovāca kasmādvatsa cirāddṛṣṭaḥ kutaḥ prāpto'dhunā bhavān kva bhrāṁtastvaṁ samācakṣva brūhi vatsātra kāraṇam

Brahma said: 'O child, I see you after so long — where have you come from just now, and where have you been wandering? Tell me, child, the reason for this.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.179.12)

नारद उवाच । मर्त्यलोकाद्विभो प्राप्तः सांप्रतं च त्वरान्वितः । तव पादप्रपूजार्थं सत्येनात्मानमालभे

nārada uvāca martyalokādvibho prāptaḥ sāṁprataṁ ca tvarānvitaḥ tava pādaprapūjārthaṁ satyenātmānamālabhe

Narada said: 'O mighty one, I have just now arrived from the mortal world, in great haste; I offer myself in truth for the worship of your feet.'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.179.13)

ब्रह्मोवाच । किंवदन्तीं ममाचक्ष्व मर्त्यलोकसमुद्भवाम् । कीदृशाः पार्थिवास्तत्र कीदृशा द्विजसत्तमाः । कीदृशा व्यवहाराश्च वर्तन्ते तत्र सांप्रतम्

brahmovāca kiṁvadantīṁ mamācakṣva martyalokasamudbhavām kīdṛśāḥ pārthivāstatra kīdṛśā dvijasattamāḥ kīdṛśā vyavahārāśca vartante tatra sāṁpratam

Brahma said: 'Tell me the news arising from the mortal world — what are the kings like there, what are the best of the twice-born like, and what manner of conduct now prevails there?'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.179.14)

नारद उवाच । मर्त्यलोके कलिर्जातः सांप्रतं सुरसत्तम

nārada uvāca martyaloke kalirjātaḥ sāṁprataṁ surasattama

Narada said: 'O best of gods, in the mortal world the Kali age has now arisen.'

Verse 15 (skanda.6.179.15)

राजानः सत्पथं त्यक्त्वा तथा लोभपरायणाः । पीडयंति च लोकांश्च अर्थहेतोः सुनिर्घृणाः

rājānaḥ satpathaṁ tyaktvā tathā lobhaparāyaṇāḥ pīḍayaṁti ca lokāṁśca arthahetoḥ sunirghṛṇāḥ

'Kings have abandoned the righteous path and are given over to greed; utterly merciless, they oppress the people for the sake of wealth.'

Verse 16 (skanda.6.179.16)

शौर्यभावपरित्यक्ताः परदारविमर्दकाः । पूजयन्ति न ते विप्रान्न देवान्न गुरूनपि

śauryabhāvaparityaktāḥ paradāravimardakāḥ pūjayanti na te viprānna devānna gurūnapi

'Devoid of true valor, they violate the wives of others; they honor neither brahmins, nor gods, nor their own teachers.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.179.17)

वेदविक्रयकर्तारो ब्राह्मणाः शौचवर्जिताः । पापप्रतिग्रहासक्ताः सन्ध्याहीनाः सुनिर्घृणाः

vedavikrayakartāro brāhmaṇāḥ śaucavarjitāḥ pāpapratigrahāsaktāḥ sandhyāhīnāḥ sunirghṛṇāḥ

'Brahmins have become sellers of the Vedas, devoid of purity, attached to accepting sinful gifts, neglectful of their twilight prayers, and merciless.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.179.18)

कृषिकर्मरता नित्यं वैश्यवत्पशुपालकाः । वैश्याः सर्वे समुच्छेदं प्रयाता धरणीतले

kṛṣikarmaratā nityaṁ vaiśyavatpaśupālakāḥ vaiśyāḥ sarve samucchedaṁ prayātā dharaṇītale

'They remain always engaged in farming, like vaishyas herding cattle; the vaishyas of the earth have all moved toward ruin.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.179.19)

शूद्रा नित्यं धर्मकामाः शूद्राश्चैव तपस्विनः । लोकयात्राक्रियाः सर्वे प्रहसंति व्यपत्रपाः

śūdrā nityaṁ dharmakāmāḥ śūdrāścaiva tapasvinaḥ lokayātrākriyāḥ sarve prahasaṁti vyapatrapāḥ

'Shudras are always desirous of dharma and even act as ascetics; while all those who observe worldly propriety are mocked, shamelessly, by others.'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.179.20)

यस्य चास्ति गृहे वित्तं तरुण्यश्च तथा स्त्रियः । तेनतेन समं सख्यं प्रकुर्वन्ति नरा भुवि

yasya cāsti gṛhe vittaṁ taruṇyaśca tathā striyaḥ tenatena samaṁ sakhyaṁ prakurvanti narā bhuvi

'Whoever has wealth in his house, and young women besides — with him alone do men on earth cultivate friendship.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.179.21)

विधवानां व्रतस्थानां सर्वेषां लिंगिनां तथा । हृदि स्थितो महान्कामो व्रतचर्याबहिःस्थिताः

vidhavānāṁ vratasthānāṁ sarveṣāṁ liṁgināṁ tathā hṛdi sthito mahānkāmo vratacaryābahiḥsthitāḥ

'Among widows, among vow-observers, and even among all those wearing the marks of holy orders, great desire lodges in the heart, while outwardly they display observance of their vows.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.179.22)

तीर्थानि विप्लवं यांति पापलोकश्रितानि च । कलेर्भीतानि सर्वाणि प्रद्रवन्ति दिशो दश

tīrthāni viplavaṁ yāṁti pāpalokaśritāni ca kalerbhītāni sarvāṇi pradravanti diśo daśa

'Even the sacred fords are falling into ruin, becoming the refuge of sinful people; frightened by Kali, all of them flee in the ten directions.'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.179.23)

अहं तत्र स्थितो यस्मात्कलिकाले पितामह

ahaṁ tatra sthito yasmātkalikāle pitāmaha

'O Grandsire, since I too dwelt there in this Kali age —

Verse 24 (skanda.6.179.24)

कलिकाले विशेषेण स्वैरिण्यो ललितस्पृहाः । भर्त्रा विवदमानाश्च स्त्रियः कार्मणतत्पराः । वृथा व्रतानि कुर्वंति त्यक्त्वा ताः स्वपतेः कथाम्

kalikāle viśeṣeṇa svairiṇyo lalitaspṛhāḥ bhartrā vivadamānāśca striyaḥ kārmaṇatatparāḥ vṛthā vratāni kurvaṁti tyaktvā tāḥ svapateḥ kathām

— in this Kali age, women especially have become willful, craving self-indulgence, quarreling with their husbands, given over to sorcery; abandoning even the words of their own husbands, they perform vows to no purpose.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.179.25)

कलिर्बलिष्ठः सुतरां वरदानेन ते कृतः । यदा मर्त्ये भवेद्युद्धं कंडूतिर्जायते हृदि

kalirbaliṣṭhaḥ sutarāṁ varadānena te kṛtaḥ yadā martye bhavedyuddhaṁ kaṇḍūtirjāyate hṛdi

'Kali has become exceedingly mighty by virtue of your own boon. Whenever war breaks out among mortals, an itch of delight arises in his heart.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.179.26)

स्वर्गे वा मस्तके चैव पाताले चाथ पादयोः । सांप्रतं मर्त्यलोके च मया दृष्टमनेकशः

svarge vā mastake caiva pātāle cātha pādayoḥ sāṁprataṁ martyaloke ca mayā dṛṣṭamanekaśaḥ

'His head reaches heaven, and his feet reach the netherworld; now, in the mortal realm, I have witnessed this many times over.'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.179.27)

श्वश्रूणां च वधूनां च तथा जनकपुत्रयोः । बांधवानां विशेषेण तथा च स्वामिभृत्ययोः

śvaśrūṇāṁ ca vadhūnāṁ ca tathā janakaputrayoḥ bāṁdhavānāṁ viśeṣeṇa tathā ca svāmibhṛtyayoḥ

'Between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, between fathers and sons, especially among kinsmen, and between masters and servants —

Verse 28 (skanda.6.179.28)

चौराणां पार्थिवानां च दम्पत्योश्च विशेषतः । स्वल्पोदकास्तथा मेघाः स्वल्पसस्या च मेदिनी

caurāṇāṁ pārthivānāṁ ca dampatyoścca viśeṣataḥ svalpodakāstathā meghāḥ svalpasasyā ca medinī

— among thieves and kings, and especially between husband and wife, discord now prevails; the clouds hold little water, and the earth yields scant harvest.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.179.29)

स्वल्पक्षीरास्तथा गावः क्षीरे सर्पिर्न विद्यते । एवं युद्धानि तेषां च वीक्षमाणो दिवानिशम्

svalpakṣīrāstathā gāvaḥ kṣīre sarpirna vidyate evaṁ yuddhāni teṣāṁ ca vīkṣamāṇo divāniśam

'Cows give scant milk, and no clarified butter can be made from it. Thus, witnessing these conflicts day and night —

Verse 30 (skanda.6.179.30)

अहं मर्त्ये परिभ्रांतश्चिरात्तेन समागतः । भूयो यास्यामि तत्रैव कण्डूतिर्महतीस्थिता

ahaṁ martye paribhrāṁtaściraṁtena samāgataḥ bhūyo yāsyāmi tatraiva kaṇḍūtirmahatīsthitā

— I have long wandered through the mortal world, and for that reason have now come here. I shall go there again, for a great restlessness of delight still lingers there.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.179.31)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य नारदस्य पितामहः । पुष्करस्य कृते जातश्चिन्ताव्याकुलतेंद्रियः

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya nāradasya pitāmahaḥ puṣkarasya kṛte jātaściṁtāvyākulateṁdriyaḥ

Hearing these words of Narada, the Grandsire Brahma became troubled in mind, anxious for the sake of Pushkara.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.179.32)

मर्त्ये च मामकं तीर्थं पुष्करंनाम विश्रुतम् । नाशं यास्यति तन्नूनं कलिकालपरिप्लुतम्

martye ca māmakaṁ tīrthaṁ puṣkaraṁnāma viśrutam nāśaṁ yāsyati tannūnaṁ kalikālapariplutam

'My own tirtha, renowned as Pushkara, in the mortal world — that, overwhelmed by the Kali age, shall surely meet destruction.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.179.33)

तस्मादन्यत्र नेष्यामि कलिर्यत्र न विद्यते । येन तत्र विमुंचामि निजं तीर्थं च पुष्करम्

tasmādanyatra neṣyāmi kaliryatra na vidyate yena tatra vimuṁcāmi nijaṁ tīrthaṁ ca puṣkaram

'Therefore I shall carry it elsewhere, to a place where Kali does not exist, so that I may set my own tirtha, Pushkara, down there.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.179.34)

कलिकाले च संप्राप्ते सर्वप्राणिभयंकरे । तत्र प्रयांतु तीर्थानि सर्वाण्येव विशेषतः

kalikāle ca saṁprāpte sarvaprāṇibhayaṁkare tatra prayāṁtu tīrthāni sarvāṇyeva viśeṣataḥ

'When that Kali age arrives, terrifying to every being, all the sacred fords too shall assemble there, in that same place.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.179.35)

गते कलौ प्रयास्यंति निजस्थानमसंशयम्

gate kalau prayāsyaṁti nijasthānamasaṁśayam

'And when Kali passes, they shall, without doubt, return to their own places.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.179.36)

एवं निश्चित्य मनसा हस्तस्थं कमलं ततः । प्रोवाच सादरं तच्च स्वयं ध्यात्वा पितामहः

evaṁ niścitya manasā hastasthaṁ kamalaṁ tataḥ provāca sādaraṁ tacca svayaṁ dhyātvā pitāmahaḥ

Having thus resolved in his mind, the Grandsire, meditating within himself, addressed with reverence the lotus he held in his hand.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.179.37)

पत त्वं पद्म भूपृष्ठे कलिर्यत्र न विद्यते । येनानयामि तत्रैव पुष्करं तीर्थमात्मनः

pata tvaṁ padma bhūpṛṣṭhe kaliryatra na vidyate yenānayāmi tatraiva puṣkaraṁ tīrthamātmanaḥ

'O lotus, fall upon the earth's surface at a place where Kali does not exist, so that I may bring my own Pushkara tirtha there.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.179.38)

ततस्तत्प्रेषितं तेन पद्मं भ्रांत्वा महीतले । समस्ते पतितं क्षेत्रे हाटकेश्वरसंभवे

tatastatpreṣitaṁ tena padmaṁ bhrāṁtvā mahītale samaste patitaṁ kṣetre hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhave

Then that lotus, sent forth by him, wandered over the surface of the earth and fell entirely within the field known as Hatakeshvara.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.179.39)

दृष्ट्वा वेदविदो विप्रान्स्वाध्यायनिरताञ्छुचीन् । तेषां यज्ञक्रियाभिश्च यज्ञोपांतैः समंततः

dṛṣṭvā vedavido viprānsvādhyāyaniratāñchucīn teṣāṁ yajñakriyābhiśca yajñopāṁtaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

There it beheld brahmins learned in the Vedas, devoted to sacred study, pure of conduct; on every side that place was filled with their sacrificial rites and sacrificial implements.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.179.40)

यूपाद्यैः सर्वतो व्याप्ते सदिशे गगनांगणे । ऋग्यजुःसामघोषेण तथा चाथर्वजेन च

yūpādyaiḥ sarvato vyāpte sadiśe gaganāṁgaṇe ṛgyajuḥsāmaghoṣeṇa tathā cātharvajena ca

That place, encircled on all sides with sacrificial posts and such, had its expanse of sky resounding with the chanting of the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and also the Atharva Veda.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.179.41)

दिग्मण्डले तथा व्याप्ते नान्यः संश्रूयते ध्वनिः । तथा च तार्किकाणां च विवादेषु महत्सु च

digmaṇḍale tathā vyāpte nānyaḥ saṁśrūyate dhvaniḥ tathā ca tārkikāṇāṁ ca vivādeṣu mahatsu ca

The whole compass of directions was so filled with it that no other sound could be heard; and there too were the great disputations of logicians.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.179.42)

वेदांतानां समस्तानां व्याख्याने बहुधा कृते । दृश्यन्ते मुनयो यत्र संस्थिता नियमेषु च

vedāṁtānāṁ samastānāṁ vyākhyāne bahudhā kṛte dṛśyante munayo yatra saṁsthitā niyameṣu ca

Where every Vedantic doctrine was expounded in manifold ways, and where sages could be seen established in various observances.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.179.43)

एकाहारा निराहारा एकांतरकृताशनाः । त्रिरात्रोपोषिताश्चान्ये कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणे रताः

ekāhārā nirāhārā ekāntarakṛtāśanāḥ trirātropoṣitāścānye kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇe ratāḥ

Some ate but once a day, some fasted entirely, some ate only on alternate days; others observed a three-night fast, and still others were devoted to the rigorous Krichchhra-Chandrayana vow.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.179.44)

महापाराकिणश्चान्ये तथा मासोपवासिनः । अश्मकुट्टाशिनश्चान्ये दन्तोलूखलिकास्तथा

mahāpārākiṇaścānye tathā māsopavāsinaḥ aśmakuṭṭāśinaścānye dantolūkhalikāstathā

Others practiced the great Paraka fast, still others fasted for an entire month; others ate only grain crushed with stones, and still others used their own teeth as a pestle.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.179.45)

शीर्णपर्णाशिनश्चैके फलाहारा महर्षयः । तद्दृष्ट्वा तादृशं क्षेत्रं संयुक्तं विविधैर्गुणैः

śīrṇaparṇāśinaścaike phalāhārā maharṣayaḥ taddṛṣṭvā tādṛśaṁ kṣetraṁ saṁyuktaṁ vividhairguṇaiḥ

Some great sages subsisted on withered leaves, others lived on fruit alone. Seeing that field endowed with such manifold excellences —

Verse 46 (skanda.6.179.46)

ततस्तत्पतितं तत्र पुण्यं ज्ञात्वा महीतले । यत्र स्थानेऽपतत्पूर्वं तस्मादुच्चलितं पुनः

tatastatpatitaṁ tatra puṇyaṁ jñātvā mahītale yatra sthāne'patatpūrvaṁ tasmāducchalitaṁ punaḥ

— that lotus, having fallen upon that sacred ground, then rose up again from the spot where it had first fallen.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.179.47)

अन्यस्मिंश्च ततः स्थाने द्वितीये द्विजसत्तमाः । तस्मादपि तृतीये तु तृतीयं पंकजं हितम्

anyasmiṁśca tataḥ sthāne dvitīye dvijasattamāḥ tasmādapi tṛtīye tu tṛtīyaṁ paṁkajaṁ hitam

O best of the twice-born, then it fell at a second place, and from there again, a third time, that lotus came to rest at a third spot.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.179.48)

ततो गर्तात्रयं जातं तेषु स्थानेषु च त्रिषु । गर्तासु च जलं जातं स्वच्छं स्फटिकसंनिभम्

tato gartātrayaṁ jātaṁ teṣu sthāneṣu ca triṣu gartāsu ca jalaṁ jātaṁ svacchaṁ sphaṭikasaṁnibham

At those three places, three pits were formed, and in those pits arose water, clear as crystal.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.179.49)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तः स्वयमेव पितामहः । तत्र स्थाने द्विजश्रेष्ठा यज्ञकर्मप्रसिद्धये

etasminnaṁtare prāptaḥ svayameva pitāmahaḥ tatra sthāne dvijaśreṣṭhā yajñakarmaprasiddhaye

Meanwhile, O best of the twice-born, the Grandsire himself came to that place for the accomplishment of a sacrificial rite.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.179.50)

दृष्ट्वा समंततः क्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम् । नानाविप्रैः समाकीर्णं वेदवेदांगपारगैः । तपस्विभिस्तथानेकैर्व्रतचर्यापरायणैः

dṛṣṭvā samaṁtataḥ kṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam nānāviprairsamākīrṇaṁ vedavedāṁgapāragaiḥ tapasvibhistathānekairvratacaryāparāyaṇaiḥ

Beholding on every side that field called Hatakeshvara, thronged with many brahmins accomplished in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences, and with many ascetics devoted to the observance of vows —

Verse 51 (skanda.6.179.51)

अहो क्षेत्रमहो क्षेत्रं पुण्यं रम्यं द्विजप्रियम् । तस्मायज्ञं करिष्यामि क्षेत्रेऽस्मिंश्च द्विजाश्रये

aho kṣetramaho kṣetraṁ puṇyaṁ ramyaṁ dvijapriyam tasmāyajñaṁ kariṣyāmi kṣetre'smiṁśca dvijāśraye

— he exclaimed: 'Ah, what a field, what a sacred, delightful field, beloved of the twice-born! Therefore, in this very field, home to brahmins, I shall perform a sacrifice.'

Verse 52 (skanda.6.179.52)

आनयिष्यामि तच्चापि पुष्करत्रितयं शुभम् । गर्तास्वेतासु पुण्यासु ज्येष्ठं मध्यं कनीयकम्

ānayiṣyāmi taccāpi puṣkaratritayaṁ śubham gartāsvetāsu puṇyāsu jyeṣṭhaṁ madhyaṁ kanīyakam

'And I shall bring that auspicious threefold Pushkara here too — into these very sacred pits I shall establish the eldest, the middle, and the youngest Pushkara.'

Verse 53 (skanda.6.179.53)

कलिकाले च संप्राप्ते येन लोपं न गच्छति । स्वयं निश्चित्य मनसा चोपविश्य धरातले

kalikāle ca saṁprāpte yena lopaṁ na gacchati svayaṁ niścitya manasā copaviśya dharātale

'So that, even when the Kali age comes, it shall never disappear.' Having resolved this within his own mind, he sat down upon the earth.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.179.54)

ध्यात्वा च सुचिरं कालमानयामास तत्र च । पुष्करत्रितयं श्रेष्ठं ज्येष्ठमध्यकनीयकम्

dhyātvā ca suciraṁ kālamānayāmāsa tatra ca puṣkaratritayaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ jyeṣṭhamadhyakanīyakam

And having meditated for a long while, he then brought there the excellent threefold Pushkara — the eldest, the middle, and the youngest.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.179.55)

ततोऽब्रवीत्स हृष्टात्मा ह्येतद्धि पुष्करत्रयम् । मया सम्यक्समानीतं कलिकालभयेन च

tato'bravītsa hṛṣṭātmā hyetaddhi puṣkaratrayam mayā samyaksamānītaṁ kalikālabhayena ca

Then, delighted, he said: 'This threefold Pushkara I have brought here properly, out of fear of the Kali age.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.179.56)

येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति श्रद्धया परया युताः । ते यास्यंति परां सिद्धिमक्षयां मत्प्रसादतः

ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti śraddhayā parayā yutāḥ te yāsyaṁti parāṁ siddhimakṣayāṁ matprasādataḥ

'Whoever bathes here with the utmost devotion shall, by my grace, attain the highest, imperishable perfection.'

Verse 57 (skanda.6.179.57)

ये च श्राद्धं करिष्यंति कार्तिक्यां सुसमाहिताः । करिष्यंति गयाशीर्षे तेषां पुण्यं महत्तमम्

ye ca śrāddhaṁ kariṣyaṁti kārtikyāṁ susamāhitāḥ kariṣyaṁti gayāśīrṣe teṣāṁ puṇyaṁ mahattamam

'Whoever performs ancestral offerings here on the full moon of Kartika, with focused mind, shall gain merit greater even than that from performing them at Gayashirsha.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.179.58)

तत्राद्यात्पुष्करात्पुण्यं लभिष्यंति शताधिकम् । मया यज्ञः कृतस्तत्र कार्तिक्यां पूर्वपुष्करे

tatrādyātpuṣkarātpuṇyaṁ labhiṣyaṁti śatādhikam mayā yajñaḥ kṛtastatra kārtikyāṁ pūrvapuṣkare

'There, from that first Pushkara, they shall obtain a hundredfold merit; I myself performed a sacrifice there, on the full moon of Kartika, at the first Pushkara.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.179.59)

वैशाख्यां च करिष्यामि अत्राहं च द्वितीयके

vaiśākhyāṁ ca kariṣyāmi atrāhaṁ ca dvitīyake

'And on the full moon of Vaishakha, I shall likewise perform a sacrifice here, at the second Pushkara.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.179.60)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो ब्रह्मा ह्यादिदेश सदागतिम् । ममादेशाद्द्रुतं वायो समानय पुरंदरम्

evamuktvā tato brahmā hyādideśa sadāgatim mamādeśāddrutaṁ vāyo samānaya puraṁdaram

Having said this, Brahma then commanded Sadagati, the Wind: 'O Wind, by my command, quickly bring Purandara, Indra, here.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.179.61)

आदित्यैर्वसुभिः सार्धं रुद्रैश्चैव मरुद्गणैः । गंधर्वैर्लोकपालैश्च सिद्धैर्विद्याधरैस्तथा

ādityairvasubhiḥ sārdhaṁ rudraiścaiva marudgaṇaiḥ gaṁdharvairlokapālaiśca siddhairvidyādharaistathā

'Together with the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the host of Maruts, and along with the Gandharvas, the guardians of the directions, the Siddhas, and the Vidyadharas.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.179.62)

येन मे स्यात्सहायत्वं समस्ते यज्ञकर्मणि । तच्छ्रुत्वा सकलं वायुर्गत्वा शक्रनिवेशनम् । कथयामास तत्सर्वं यदुक्तं परमेष्ठिना

yena me syātsahāyatvaṁ samaste yajñakarmaṇi tacchrutvā sakalaṁ vāyurgatvā śakraniveśanam kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṁ yaduktaṁ parameṣṭhinā

'So that I may have assistance in this entire sacrificial rite.' Hearing all this, the Wind went to Indra's abode and related everything that the Supreme Lord had said.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.179.63)

सत्वरं प्रययौ तत्र सर्वैर्देवगणैः सह । प्रणिपत्य ततस्तं स ब्रह्माणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

satvaraṁ prayayau tatra sarvairdevagaṇaiḥ saha praṇipatya tatastaṁ sa brahmāṇaṁ vākyamabravīt

Then Indra swiftly went there, together with all the hosts of gods, and, prostrating before Brahma, spoke these words to him.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.179.64)

आदेशो दीयतां देव ह्यहमाकारितस्त्वया । यदर्थं तत्करिष्यामि तस्माच्छीघ्रं निवेदय

ādeśo dīyatāṁ deva hyahamākāritastvayā yadarthaṁ tatkariṣyāmi tasmācchīghraṁ nivedaya

'Command me, O god, for you have summoned me; tell me quickly the purpose for which I have been called, and I shall accomplish it.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.179.65)

ब्रह्मोवाच । मया शक्रात्र चानीतं सुपुण्यं पुष्करत्रयम् । कलिकालभयाच्चैव करिष्ये तदहं स्थिरम्

brahmovāca mayā śakrātra cānītaṁ supuṇyaṁ puṣkaratrayam kalikālabhayāccaiva kariṣye tadahaṁ sthiram

Brahma said: 'O Shakra, I have brought here this most sacred threefold Pushkara, out of fear of the Kali age, and I shall now render it permanent.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.179.66)

अग्निष्टोमत्रयं कृत्वा वैशाख्यां च यथार्चितम् । संभारमाहरस्वाशु तदर्थं सर्वमेव हि

agniṣṭomatrayaṁ kṛtvā vaiśākhyāṁ ca yathārcitam saṁbhāramāharasvāśu tadarthaṁ sarvameva hi

'Therefore, for the performance of three Agnishtoma sacrifices, properly conducted for the month of Vaishakha, swiftly gather all the required materials.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.179.67)

ब्राह्मणांश्च तदर्हांश्च वेदवेदांगपारगान् । तच्छ्रुत्वा विनयाच्छक्रस्तथेत्युक्त्वा त्वरान्वितः

brāhmaṇāṁśca tadarhāṁśca vedavedāṁgapāragān tacchrutvā vinayācchakrastathetyuktvā tvarānvitaḥ

'And also the brahmins fit for it, learned in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences.' Hearing this, Shakra humbly said, 'So be it,' and, with haste —

Verse 68 (skanda.6.179.68)

संभारानानयामास तदर्हांश्च द्विजोत्तमान्

saṁbhārānānayāmāsa tadarhāṁśca dvijottamān

— brought all the necessary materials and the worthy, excellent brahmins.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.179.69)

ततश्चकार विधिवद्यज्ञं स प्रपितामहः । यथोक्तविधिना सर्वं तथा संपूर्णदक्षिणम्

tataścakāra vidhivadyajñaṁ sa prapitāmahaḥ yathoktavidhinā sarvaṁ tathā saṁpūrṇadakṣiṇam

Then the great Grandsire duly performed that sacrifice according to prescribed rite, complete in every respect, with full sacrificial fees.