The Origin of Rupa-tirtha and the Account of the First Day of the Sacrifice

Verse 1 (skanda.6.182.1)

सूत उवाच । एवं पत्नीं समासाद्य गायत्रीं चतुराननः । संप्रहृष्टमना भूत्वा प्रस्थितो यज्ञमण्डपम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ patnīṁ samāsādya gāyatrīṁ caturānanaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭamanā bhūtvā prasthito yajñamaṇḍapam

Suta said: Thus, having obtained Gayatri as his wife, the four-faced one (Brahma), his mind filled with joy, set out for the yajna pavilion.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.182.2)

गायत्र्यपि समादाय मूर्ध्नि तामरणिं मुदा । प्रतस्थे संपरित्यज्य गोपभावं विगर्हितम्

gāyatryapi samādāya mūrdhni tāmaraṇiṁ mudā pratasthe saṁparityajya gopabhāvaṁ vigarhitam

Gayatri too, joyfully taking that arani (fire-stick) upon her head, set out, having wholly renounced her humble cowherd nature.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.182.3)

वाद्यमानेषु वाद्येषु ब्रह्मघोषे दिवंगते । कलं प्रगायमानेषु गन्धर्वेषु समंततः

vādyamāneṣu vādyeṣu brahmaghoṣe divaṁgate kalaṁ pragāyamāneṣu gandharveṣu samaṁtataḥ

While every kind of instrument was played, while the Vedic chant rose to the heavens, and the Gandharvas sang sweetly on every side,

Verse 4 (skanda.6.182.4)

सर्वदेवद्विजोपेतः संप्राप्तो यज्ञमण्डपे । गायत्र्या सहितो ब्रह्मा मानुषं भावमाश्रितः

sarvadevadvijopetaḥ saṁprāpto yajñamaṇḍape gāyatryā sahito brahmā mānuṣaṁ bhāvamāśritaḥ

Brahma, accompanied by all the gods and brahmins, having assumed a human state, arrived together with Gayatri at the yajna pavilion.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.182.5)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे चक्रे केशनिर्वपणं विधेः । विश्वकर्मा नखानां च गायत्र्यास्तदनंतरम्

etasminnaṁtare cakre keśanirvapaṇaṁ vidheḥ viśvakarmā nakhānāṁ ca gāyatryāstadanaṁtaram

Meanwhile Vishvakarma performed, according to rule, the cutting of the Creator's hair, and then likewise of Gayatri's nails.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.182.6)

औदुम्बरं ततो दण्डं पुलस्त्योऽस्मै समाददे । एणशृंगान्वितं चर्म मन्त्रवद्विजसत्तमाः

audumbaraṁ tato daṇḍaṁ pulastyo'smai samādade eṇaśṛṁgānvitaṁ carma mantravadvijasattamāḥ

Then Pulastya gave him a staff of udumbara wood, and a black-antelope skin with its horns still attached, duly consecrated with mantras, O best of brahmins.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.182.7)

पत्नीशालां गृहीत्वा च गायत्रीं मौनधारिणीम् । मेखलां निदधे चान्यां कट्यां मौंजीमयीं शुभाम्

patnīśālāṁ gṛhītvā ca gāyatrīṁ maunadhāriṇīm mekhalāṁ nidadhe cānyāṁ kaṭyāṁ mauṁjīmayīṁ śubhām

Taking Gayatri, who kept silence, into the wives' pavilion, he tied upon her waist another auspicious girdle made of munja grass.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.182.8)

ततश्चक्रे परं कर्म यदुक्तं यज्ञमंडपे । ऋत्विग्भिः सहितो वेधा वेदवाक्यसमादृतः

tataścakre paraṁ karma yaduktaṁ yajñamaṁḍape ṛtvigbhiḥ sahito vedhā vedavākyasamādṛtaḥ

Then the Creator, together with the ritwiks, honoring the Vedic injunctions, performed the further rite prescribed for the yajna pavilion.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.182.9)

प्रवर्ग्ये जायमाने च तत्राश्चर्यमभून्महत् । जाल्मरूपधरः कश्चिद्दिग्वासा विकृताननः

pravargye jāyamāne ca tatrāścaryamabhūnmahat jālmarūpadharaḥ kaściddigvāsā vikṛtānanaḥ

While the Pravargya rite was being performed, a great wonder occurred there: some wretched being appeared, clad only in space, his face hideously distorted,

Verse 10 (skanda.6.182.10)

कपालपाणिरायातो भोजनं दीयतामिति । निषेध्यमानोऽपि च तैः प्रविष्टो याज्ञिकं सदः । स कृत्वाऽटनमन्याय्यं तर्ज्यमानोऽपि तापसैः

kapālapāṇirāyāto bhojanaṁ dīyatāmiti niṣedhyamāno'pi ca taiḥ praviṣṭo yājñikaṁ sadaḥ sa kṛtvā'ṭanamanyāyyaṁ tarjyamāno'pi tāpasaiḥ

a skull in his hand, crying "let food be given"; though forbidden, he forced his way into the sacrificial assembly, and even as the ascetics rebuked him, he wandered about in an unseemly manner.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.182.11)

सदस्या ऊचुः । कस्मात्पापसमेतस्त्वं प्रविष्टो यज्ञमण्डपे । कपाली नग्नरूपो यो यज्ञकर्मविवर्जितः

sadasyā ūcuḥ kasmātpāpasametastvaṁ praviṣṭo yajñamaṇḍape kapālī nagnarūpo yo yajñakarmavivarjitaḥ

The members of the assembly said: Why have you, so full of sin, entered the yajna pavilion, bearing a skull, naked, devoid of all sacrificial observance?

Verse 12 (skanda.6.182.12)

तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं मूढ यावद्ब्रह्मा न कुप्यति । तथाऽन्ये ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठास्तथा देवाः सवासवाः

tasmādgaccha drutaṁ mūḍha yāvadbrahmā na kupyati tathā'nye brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāstathā devāḥ savāsavāḥ

Therefore go quickly, fool, before Brahma grows angry — and likewise the other foremost brahmins, and the gods together with Vasava (Indra).

Verse 13 (skanda.6.182.13)

जाल्म उवाच । ब्रह्मयज्ञमिमं श्रुत्वा दूरादत्र समागतः । बुभुक्षितो द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तत्किमर्थं विगर्हथ

jālma uvāca brahmayajñamimaṁ śrutvā dūrādatra samāgataḥ bubhukṣito dvijaśreṣṭhāstatkimarthaṁ vigarhatha

The wretch said: Having heard of this Brahma-yajna, I have come from afar, hungry, O best of brahmins — why then do you revile me for this?

Verse 14 (skanda.6.182.14)

दीनांधैः कृपणैः सवैर्स्तर्पितैः क्रतुरुच्यते । अन्यथाऽसौ विनाशाय यदुक्तं ब्राह्मणैर्वचः

dīnāṁdhaiḥ kṛpaṇaiḥ savairstarpitaiḥ kraturucyate anyathā'sau vināśāya yaduktaṁ brāhmaṇairvacaḥ

A sacrifice is said to be truly fulfilled only when the wretched, the blind, and the poor have been satisfied with food; otherwise, that very thing declared by the brahmins becomes the cause of its ruin.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.182.15)

अन्नहीनो दहेद्राष्टं मन्त्रहीनस्तु ऋत्विजः । याज्ञिकं दक्षिणा हीनो नास्ति यज्ञसमो रिपुः

annahīno dahedrāṣṭaṁ mantrahīnastu ṛtvijaḥ yājñikaṁ dakṣiṇā hīno nāsti yajñasamo ripuḥ

A kingdom without food burns away, an officiant without mantras fails, a sacrificer's rite without the priestly fee fails — there is no enemy equal to such a flawed sacrifice.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.182.16)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । यदि त्वं भोक्तुकामस्तु समायातो व्रज द्रुतम् । एतस्यां सत्रशालायां भुञ्जते यत्र तापसाः । दीनान्धाः कृपणाश्चैव ततः क्षुत्क्षामकंठिताः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadi tvaṁ bhoktukāmastu samāyāto vraja drutam etasyāṁ satraśālāyāṁ bhuñjate yatra tāpasāḥ dīnāndhāḥ kṛpaṇāścaiva tataḥ kṣutkṣāmakaṁṭhitāḥ

The brahmins said: If you wish to eat, go quickly to that feeding-hall where the ascetics, the wretched, the blind, and the poor eat, their throats parched with hunger.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.182.17)

अथवा धनकामस्त्वं वस्त्रकामोऽथ तापस । व्रज वित्तपतिर्यत्र दानशालां समाश्रितः

athavā dhanakāmastvaṁ vastrakāmo'tha tāpasa vraja vittapatiryatra dānaśālāṁ samāśritaḥ

Or if you desire wealth or clothing, ascetic, go where the lord of wealth presides over the hall of gifts.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.182.18)

अनिंद्योऽयं महामूर्ख यज्ञः पैतामहो यतः । अर्चितः सर्वतः पुण्यं तत्किं निन्दसि दुर्मते

aniṁdyo'yaṁ mahāmūrkha yajñaḥ paitāmaho yataḥ arcitaḥ sarvataḥ puṇyaṁ tatkiṁ nindasi durmate

This sacrifice of the Grandsire is beyond reproach, O great fool — it is honored on every side as meritorious; why then, O evil-minded one, do you revile it?

Verse 19 (skanda.6.182.19)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्तः कपालं स परिक्षिप्य धरातले । जगामादर्शनं सद्यो दीपवद्द्विजसत्तमाः

sūta uvāca evamuktaḥ kapālaṁ sa parikṣipya dharātale jagāmādarśanaṁ sadyo dīpavaddvijasattamāḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed, he flung the skull down upon the ground and vanished instantly from sight, like a lamp going out, O best of brahmins.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.182.20)

ऋत्विज ऊचुः । कथं यज्ञक्रिया कार्या कपाले सदसि स्थिते । परिक्षिपथ तस्मात्तु एवमूचुर्द्विजोत्तमाः

ṛtvija ūcuḥ kathaṁ yajñakriyā kāryā kapāle sadasi sthite parikṣipatha tasmāttu evamūcurdvijottamāḥ

The ritwiks said: How can the sacrificial rite proceed while a skull lies in the midst of the assembly? Throw it away at once — so spoke the foremost brahmins.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.182.21)

अथैको बहुधा प्रोक्तः सदस्यैश्च द्विजोत्तमैः । दण्डकाष्ठं समुद्यम्य प्रचिक्षेप बहिस्तथा

athaiko bahudhā proktaḥ sadasyaiśca dvijottamaiḥ daṇḍakāṣṭhaṁ samudyamya pracikṣepa bahistathā

Then one of them, urged repeatedly by the members of the assembly, lifted a wooden stick and flung it far outside.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.182.22)

अथान्यत्तत्र संजातं कपालं तादृशं पुनः । तस्मिन्नपि तथा क्षिप्ते भूयोऽन्यत्समपद्यत

athānyattatra saṁjātaṁ kapālaṁ tādṛśaṁ punaḥ tasminnapi tathā kṣipte bhūyo'nyatsamapadyata

But then another skull, exactly like it, appeared there again; and when that too was thrown away in the same manner, yet another appeared.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.182.23)

एवं शतसहस्राणि ह्ययुतान्यर्बुदानि च । तत्र जातानि तैर्व्याप्तो यज्ञवाटः समंततः

evaṁ śatasahasrāṇi hyayutānyarbudāni ca tatra jātāni tairvyāpto yajñavāṭaḥ samaṁtataḥ

In this way hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of millions of skulls arose there, until the entire sacrificial enclosure was filled with them on every side.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.182.24)

हाहाकारस्ततौ जज्ञे समस्ते यज्ञमण्डपे । दृष्ट्वा कपालसंघांस्तान्यज्ञ कर्मप्रदूषकान्

hāhākārastatau jajñe samaste yajñamaṇḍape dṛṣṭvā kapālasaṁghāṁstānyajña karmapradūṣakān

A great cry of dismay arose then throughout the whole yajna pavilion, as they beheld those masses of skulls defiling the sacrificial rite.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.182.25)

अथ संचिंतयामास ध्यानं कृत्वा पितामहः । हरारिष्टं समाज्ञाय तत्सर्वं हृष्टरूपधृक्

atha saṁciṁtayāmāsa dhyānaṁ kṛtvā pitāmahaḥ harāriṣṭaṁ samājñāya tatsarvaṁ hṛṣṭarūpadhṛk

Then the Grandsire, entering into meditation, understood by his contemplation that all this was Hara's doing, an ill portent, yet outwardly kept a cheerful countenance.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.182.26)

कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्। महेश्वरं समासाद्य यज्ञवाटसमाश्रितम्

kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā tataḥ provāca sādaram maheśvaraṁ samāsādya yajñavāṭasamāśritam

With joined palms he then spoke respectfully, having approached Maheshvara, who was present within the sacrificial enclosure.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.182.27)

किमिदं युज्यते देव यज्ञेऽस्मिन्कर्मणः क्षतिः । तस्मात्संहर सर्वाणि कपालानि सुरेश्वर

kimidaṁ yujyate deva yajñe'sminkarmaṇaḥ kṣatiḥ tasmātsaṁhara sarvāṇi kapālāni sureśvara

"What is this, O god, that is happening — this harm to the rite? Therefore withdraw all these skulls, O lord of gods."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.182.28)

यज्ञकर्मविलोपोऽयं मा भूत्त्वयि समागते

yajñakarmavilopo'yaṁ mā bhūttvayi samāgate

"Let not this ruin of the sacrificial rite occur now that you yourself are present."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.182.29)

ततः प्रोवाच संक्रुद्धो भगवाञ्छशिशेखरः । तन्ममेष्टतमं पात्रं भोजनाय सदा स्थितम्

tataḥ provāca saṁkruddho bhagavāñchaśiśekharaḥ tanmameṣṭatamaṁ pātraṁ bhojanāya sadā sthitam

Then the blessed Moon-crested one spoke in anger: "This is my most cherished vessel, ever kept for my food."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.182.30)

एते द्विजाधमाः कस्माद्विद्विषंतिपितामह । तथा न मां समुद्दिश्य जुहुवुर्जातवेदसि

ete dvijādhamāḥ kasmādvidviṣaṁtipitāmaha tathā na māṁ samuddiśya juhuvurjātavedasi

"Why do these lowest of brahmins hate me so, that they have not offered oblation to Jatavedas, naming me specifically,

Verse 31 (skanda.6.182.31)

यथान्यादेवता स्तद्वन्मन्त्रपूतं हविर्विधे । तस्माद्यदि विधे कार्या समाप्तिर्यज्ञकर्मणि

yathānyādevatā stadvanmantrapūtaṁ havirvidhe tasmādyadi vidhe kāryā samāptiryajñakarmaṇi

just as they do for other deities, offering the mantra-purified oblation? Therefore, O Creator, if the completion of this sacrificial rite is to be accomplished,"

Verse 32 (skanda.6.182.32)

तत्कपालाश्रितं हव्यं कर्तव्यं सकलं त्विदम् । तथा च मां समु द्दिश्य विशषाज्जातवेदसि

tatkapālāśritaṁ havyaṁ kartavyaṁ sakalaṁ tvidam tathā ca māṁ samu ddiśya viśaṣājjātavedasi

"then this entire oblation must be offered lodged in skulls; and likewise, naming me specifically in Jatavedas,"

Verse 33 (skanda.6.182.33)

होतव्यं हविरेवात्र समाप्तिं यास्यति क्रतुः । नान्यथा सत्यमेवोक्तं तवाग्रे चतुरानन

hotavyaṁ havirevātra samāptiṁ yāsyati kratuḥ nānyathā satyamevoktaṁ tavāgre caturānana

"the oblation must be offered here — only thus will this sacrifice reach its completion, not otherwise. This is the truth I declare before you, O four-faced one."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.182.34)

पितामह उवाच । रूपाणि तव देवेश पृथग्भूतान्यनेकशः । संख्यया परिहीनानि ध्येयानि सकलानि च

pitāmaha uvāca rūpāṇi tava deveśa pṛthagbhūtānyanekaśaḥ saṁkhyayā parihīnāni dhyeyāni sakalāni ca

The Grandsire said: "O Lord of gods, your forms are manifold, existing separately in countless ways, all of them beyond number, worthy of meditation."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.182.35)

एतन्महाव्रतं रूपमाख्यातं ते त्रिलोचन । नैवं च मखकर्म स्यात्तत्रैव च न युज्यते

etanmahāvrataṁ rūpamākhyātaṁ te trilocana naivaṁ ca makhakarma syāttatraiva ca na yujyate

"This form that you have now declared to me, O three-eyed one, is the Mahavrata form; the sacrificial rite cannot be conducted in this manner, nor is it fitting here."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.182.36)

अद्यैतत्कर्म कर्तुं च श्रुतिबाह्यं कथंचन । तव वाक्यमपि त्र्यक्ष नान्यथा कर्तुमुत्सहे

adyaitatkarma kartuṁ ca śrutibāhyaṁ kathaṁcana tava vākyamapi tryakṣa nānyathā kartumutsahe

"To perform this rite today in this way would in every respect fall outside the Vedic injunction; yet, O three-eyed one, I dare not act otherwise than your word."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.182.37)

मृन्मयेषु कपालेषु हविः श्राप्यं सुरेश्वर । अद्यप्रभृति यज्ञेषु पुरोडाशात्मिकं द्विजैः । तवोद्देशेन देवेश होतव्यं शतरुद्रियम्

mṛnmayeṣu kapāleṣu haviḥ śrāpyaṁ sureśvara adyaprabhṛti yajñeṣu puroḍāśātmikaṁ dvijaiḥ tavoddeśena deveśa hotavyaṁ śatarudriyam

"O lord of gods, though the oblation offered in earthen skulls is indeed proper for you, henceforth in all sacrifices, in the form of the purodasha cake offered by the brahmins,"

Verse 38 (skanda.6.182.38)

विशेषात्सर्वयज्ञेषु जप्यं चैव विशेषतः । कपालानां तु द्वारेण त्वया रूपं निजं कृतम्

viśeṣātsarvayajñeṣu japyaṁ caiva viśeṣataḥ kapālānāṁ tu dvāreṇa tvayā rūpaṁ nijaṁ kṛtam

"the Shatarudriya hymn shall be offered in your name, O lord of gods, especially so, and its recitation shall likewise be observed with particular care in all sacrifices."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.182.39)

प्रकटं च सुरश्रेष्ठ कपालेश्वरसंज्ञितः । तस्मात्त्वं भविता रुद्र क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्द्वादशोऽपरः

prakaṭaṁ ca suraśreṣṭha kapāleśvarasaṁjñitaḥ tasmāttvaṁ bhavitā rudra kṣetre'smindvādaśo'paraḥ

"Through the medium of the skulls you have made your own form manifest, O foremost of gods, known by the name Kapaleshvara;"

Verse 40 (skanda.6.182.40)

अत्र यज्ञं समारभ्य यस्त्वां प्राक्पूजयिष्यति । अविघ्नेन मखस्तस्य समाप्तिं प्रव्रजिष्यति

atra yajñaṁ samārabhya yastvāṁ prākpūjayiṣyati avighnena makhastasya samāptiṁ pravrajiṣyati

"therefore you shall become, in this sacred field, a further, twelfth Rudra. Whoever begins a sacrifice here and first worships you,"

Verse 41 (skanda.6.182.41)

एवमुक्ते ततस्तेन कपालानि द्विजोत्तमाः । तानि सर्वाणि नष्टानि संख्यया रहितानि च

evamukte tatastena kapālāni dvijottamāḥ tāni sarvāṇi naṣṭāni saṁkhyayā rahitāni ca

"his rite shall proceed to completion without obstacle." Thus spoken, all those skulls, O best of brahmins, vanished entirely, countless as they were.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.182.42)

ततो हृष्टश्चतुर्वक्त्रः स्थापयामास तत्क्षणात् । लिगं माहेश्वरं तत्र कपालेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

tato hṛṣṭaścaturvaktraḥ sthāpayāmāsa tatkṣaṇāt ligaṁ māheśvaraṁ tatra kapāleśvarasaṁjñitam

Then the four-faced one, rejoicing, at once established there a linga of Maheshvara, known by the name Kapaleshvara.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.182.43)

अब्रवीच्च ततो वाक्यं यश्चैतत्पूजयिष्यति । मम कुण्डत्रये स्नात्वा स यास्यति परां गतिम्

abravīcca tato vākyaṁ yaścaitatpūjayiṣyati mama kuṇḍatraye snātvā sa yāsyati parāṁ gatim

And he then declared: "Whoever worships this, having bathed in my three kundas, shall attain the supreme goal."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.182.44)

शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां कार्तिके जागरं तु यः । करिष्यति पुनश्चास्य लिंगस्य सुसमाहितः । आजन्मप्रभवात्पापात्स विमुक्तिमवाप्स्यति

śuklapakṣe caturdaśyāṁ kārtike jāgaraṁ tu yaḥ kariṣyati punaścāsya liṁgasya susamāhitaḥ ājanmaprabhavātpāpātsa vimuktimavāpsyati

"And whoever, with full concentration, keeps the vigil once more for this linga on the fourteenth of the bright fortnight of Kartika, shall be freed entirely from the sin accumulated since birth."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.182.45)

एवमुक्तेऽथ विधिना प्रहृष्टस्त्रिपुरांतकः । यज्ञमण्डपमासाद्य प्रस्थितो वेदिसंनिधौ

evamukte'tha vidhinā prahṛṣṭastripurāṁtakaḥ yajñamaṇḍapamāsādya prasthito vedisaṁnidhau

Thus addressed by the Creator, the Destroyer of the Three Cities, greatly pleased, went to the yajna pavilion and proceeded to stand near the sacrificial altar.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.182.46)

ब्राह्मणैश्च ततः कर्म प्रारब्धं यज्ञसम्भवम् । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनैर्नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम्

brāhmaṇaiśca tataḥ karma prārabdhaṁ yajñasambhavam vismayotphullanayanairnamaskṛtya maheśvaram

Then the brahmins resumed the sacrificial work that had been begun, bowing to Maheshvara, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.182.47)

सूत उवाच । एवं च यज तस्तस्य चतुर्वक्त्रस्य तत्र च । ऋषीणां कोटिरायाता दक्षिणापथवासिनाम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ ca yaja tastasya caturvaktrasya tatra ca ṛṣīṇāṁ koṭirāyātā dakṣiṇāpathavāsinām

Suta said: Thus, while this sacrifice of the four-faced one proceeded, a crore of sages dwelling in the Dakshinapatha arrived,

Verse 48 (skanda.6.182.48)

श्रुत्वा पैतामहं यज्ञं कौतुकेन समन्विताः । कीदृशो भविता यज्ञो दीक्षितो यत्र पद्मजः

śrutvā paitāmahaṁ yajñaṁ kautukena samanvitāḥ kīdṛśo bhavitā yajño dīkṣito yatra padmajaḥ

having heard of the Grandsire's sacrifice, filled with curiosity: "What kind of sacrifice will this be, in which the Lotus-born one himself is the consecrated sacrificer?"

Verse 49 (skanda.6.182.49)

कीदृक्क्षेत्रं च तत्पुण्यं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम् । कीदृशास्ते च विप्रेन्द्रा ऋत्विजस्तत्र ये स्थिताः

kīdṛkkṣetraṁ ca tatpuṇyaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam kīdṛśāste ca viprendrā ṛtvijastatra ye sthitāḥ

"What kind of sacred field is this meritorious one called Hatakeshvara? What manner of foremost brahmins are those officiants stationed there?"

Verse 50 (skanda.6.182.50)

अथ ते सुपरिश्रांता मध्यंदिनगते रवौ । रविवारेण संप्राप्ते नक्षत्रे चाश्विसंस्थिते

atha te supariśrāṁtā madhyaṁdinagate ravau ravivāreṇa saṁprāpte nakṣatre cāśvisaṁsthite

Then, greatly wearied, when the sun had reached midday, on a Sunday, with the moon stationed in the Ashvini nakshatra,

Verse 51 (skanda.6.182.51)

वैवस्वत्यां तिथौ चैव प्राप्ता घर्मपीडिताः । कंचिज्जलाशयं प्राप्य प्रविष्टाः सलिलं शुभम्

vaivasvatyāṁ tithau caiva prāptā gharmapīḍitāḥ kaṁcijjalāśayaṁ prāpya praviṣṭāḥ salilaṁ śubham

on that tithi of the Sun's own day, oppressed by heat, they came upon a certain reservoir of water and entered its auspicious waters.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.182.52)

शंकुकर्णा महाकर्णा वकनासास्तथापरे । महोदरा बृहद्दन्ता दीर्घोष्ठाः स्थूलमस्तकाः

śaṁkukarṇā mahākarṇā vakanāsāstathāpare mahodarā bṛhaddantā dīrghoṣṭhāḥ sthūlamastakāḥ

Some had ears like a plough-share, others huge ears, crooked noses, and yet others

Verse 53 (skanda.6.182.53)

चिपिटाक्षास्तथा चान्ये दीर्घग्रीवास्तथा परे। कृष्णांगाः स्फुटितैः पादैर्नखैर्दीर्घैः समुत्थितैः

cipiṭākṣāstathā cānye dīrghagrīvāstathā pare kṛṣṇāṁgāḥ sphuṭitaiḥ pādairnakhairdīrghaiḥ samutthitaiḥ

big bellies, huge teeth, long lips, thick heads; some had flattened eyes, others long necks, dark bodies, cracked feet, with long, jutting nails.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.182.54)

ततो यावद्विनिष्क्रांताः प्रपश्यन्ति परस्परम्। तावद्वैरूपस्यनिर्मुक्ताः संजाताः कामसन्निभाः

tato yāvadviniṣkrāṁtāḥ prapaśyanti parasparam tāvadvairūpasyanirmuktāḥ saṁjātāḥ kāmasannibhāḥ

Then, as they emerged from the water and looked upon one another, they found themselves freed from that ugliness, transformed into forms as radiant as the god of love.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.182.55)

ततो विस्मयमापन्ना मिथः प्रोचुः प्रहर्षिताः। रूपव्यत्ययमालोक्य ज्ञात्वा तीर्थं तदुत्तमम्। अत्र स्नानादिदं रूपमस्माभिः प्राप्तमुत्तमम्

tato vismayamāpannā mithaḥ procuḥ praharṣitāḥ rūpavyatyayamālokya jñātvā tīrthaṁ taduttamam atra snānādidaṁ rūpamasmābhiḥ prāptamuttamam

Filled with wonder, they exclaimed to one another in delight, and, perceiving this transformation of their forms, they recognized the excellence of this tirtha: "Here, by bathing, we have obtained this excellent form."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.182.56)

यस्मात्तस्मादिदं तीर्थं रूपतीर्थं भविष्यति। त्रैलोक्ये सकले ख्यातं सर्वपातकनाशनम्

yasmāttasmādidaṁ tīrthaṁ rūpatīrthaṁ bhaviṣyati trailokye sakale khyātaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam

"Therefore this tirtha shall be known as Rupa-tirtha, the Tirtha of Form; it shall become famed throughout the three worlds as destroyer of every sin."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.182.57)

येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यन्ति श्रद्धया परया युताः। सुरूपास्ते भविष्यंति सदा जन्मनि जन्मनि

ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyanti śraddhayā parayā yutāḥ surūpāste bhaviṣyaṁti sadā janmani janmani

"Those who bathe here endowed with the highest faith shall be blessed with beautiful form, birth after birth forever."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.182.58)

पितॄंश्च तर्पयिष्यन्ति य त्र श्रद्धासमन्विताः। जलेनापि गयाश्राद्धात्ते लप्स्यन्ते धिकं फलम्

pitṝṁśca tarpayiṣyanti ya tra śraddhāsamanvitāḥ jalenāpi gayāśrāddhātte lapsyante dhikaṁ phalam

"Those endowed with faith who offer tarpana here to their ancestors shall obtain a fruit far exceeding even the Gaya-shraddha performed with water."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.182.59)

येऽत्र रत्नप्रदानं च प्रकरिष्यन्ति मानवाः। भविष्यंति न संदेहो राजानस्ते भवेभवे

ye'tra ratnapradānaṁ ca prakariṣyanti mānavāḥ bhaviṣyaṁti na saṁdeho rājānaste bhavebhave

"Those men who make gifts of jewels here shall doubtless become kings, birth after birth."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.182.60)

स्थास्यामो वयमत्रैव सांप्रतं कृतनिश्चयाः। न यास्यामो वयं तीर्थं यद्यपि स्यात्सुशोभनम्

sthāsyāmo vayamatraiva sāṁprataṁ kṛtaniścayāḥ na yāsyāmo vayaṁ tīrthaṁ yadyapi syātsuśobhanam

"We shall abide right here henceforth, our resolve now made; we shall not go on to any other tirtha, however splendid it may be."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.182.61)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ व्यभजंस्तत्सर्वं मुनयश्च ते। यज्ञोपवीतमात्राणि स्वानि तीर्थानि चक्रिरे

evamuktvā'tha vyabhajaṁstatsarvaṁ munayaśca te yajñopavītamātrāṇi svāni tīrthāni cakrire

Having spoken thus, those sages then divided up that whole place among themselves, and each made his own tirtha there, no wider than the breadth of a sacred thread.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.182.62)

सूत उवाच । अद्यापि च द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तत्र तीर्थे जगद्गुरुः। प्रथमं स्पृशते तोयं नित्यं स्याद्दयितं शुभम्

sūta uvāca adyāpi ca dvijaśreṣṭhāstatra tīrthe jagadguruḥ prathamaṁ spṛśate toyaṁ nityaṁ syāddayitaṁ śubham

Suta said: Even today, O best of brahmins, the Guide of the world first touches that water at that tirtha; it remains ever cherished and auspicious.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.182.63)

निष्कामस्तु पुनर्मर्त्यो यः स्नानं तत्र श्रद्धया। कुरुते स परं श्रेयः प्राप्नुयात्सिद्धिलक्षणम्

niṣkāmastu punarmartyo yaḥ snānaṁ tatra śraddhayā kurute sa paraṁ śreyaḥ prāpnuyātsiddhilakṣaṇam

And whatever mortal, free of worldly desire, bathes there with faith attains supreme good, and acquires the very mark of spiritual perfection.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.182.64)

एवं ते मुनयः सर्वे विभज्य तन्महत्सरः। सायंतनं च तत्रैव कृत्वा कर्म सुविस्तरम्

evaṁ te munayaḥ sarve vibhajya tanmahatsaraḥ sāyaṁtanaṁ ca tatraiva kṛtvā karma suvistaram

Thus, having divided among themselves that great lake, and having performed there in full their evening rites,

Verse 65 (skanda.6.182.65)

ततो निशामुखे प्राप्ता यत्र देवः पितामहः। दीक्षितस्त्वथ मौनी च यज्ञमण्डपसंश्रितः

tato niśāmukhe prāptā yatra devaḥ pitāmahaḥ dīkṣitastvatha maunī ca yajñamaṇḍapasaṁśritaḥ

they then arrived, as night began, at the place where the God, the Grandsire, remained, still consecrated and silent, established within the yajna pavilion.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.182.66)

तं प्रणम्य ततः सर्वे गता यत्रर्त्विजः स्थिताः। उपविष्टाः परिश्रान्ता दिवा यज्ञियकर्मणा

taṁ praṇamya tataḥ sarve gatā yatrartvijaḥ sthitāḥ upaviṣṭāḥ pariśrāntā divā yajñiyakarmaṇā

Bowing to him, all of them then went to where the ritwiks sat, wearied from the day's sacrificial labors,

Verse 67 (skanda.6.182.67)

इन्द्रादिकैः सुरैर्भक्त्या मृद्यमानाङ्घ्रयः स्थिताः। अभिवाद्याथ तान्सर्वानुपविष्टास्ततो ग्रतः

indrādikaiḥ surairbhaktyā mṛdyamānāṅghrayaḥ sthitāḥ abhivādyātha tānsarvānupaviṣṭāstato grataḥ

their feet being devotedly massaged by Indra and the other gods who stood there; having saluted them all, they sat down before them.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.182.68)

चक्रुश्चाथ कथाश्चित्रा यज्ञकर्मसमुद्भवाः। सोमपानस्य संबन्धो व्यत्ययं च समुद्भवम्

cakruścātha kathāścitrā yajñakarmasamudbhavāḥ somapānasya saṁbandho vyatyayaṁ ca samudbhavam

Then they engaged in various wondrous discussions arising from the sacrificial rites — on the linking of the soma-drinking and its variation and origin,

Verse 69 (skanda.6.182.69)

उद्गातुः प्रभवं चैव तथाध्वर्योः परस्परम्। प्रोचुस्ते तत्त्वमाश्रित्य तथान्ये दूषयन्ति तत्

udgātuḥ prabhavaṁ caiva tathādhvaryoḥ parasparam procuste tattvamāśritya tathānye dūṣayanti tat

on the origin of the office of Udgatr, and on the mutual relations of the Adhvaryu priests; some spoke, adhering to a particular doctrine, while others refuted it.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.182.70)

अन्ये मीमांसकास्तत्र कोपसंरक्तलोचनाः। हन्युस्तेषां मतं वादमाश्रिता वाग्विचक्षणाः

anye mīmāṁsakāstatra kopasaṁraktalocanāḥ hanyusteṣāṁ mataṁ vādamāśritā vāgvicakṣaṇāḥ

Others there were Mimamsakas, their eyes reddened with anger, skilled disputants devoted to argument, seeking to demolish one another's positions.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.182.71)

परिशिष्टविदश्चान्ये मध्यस्था द्विजसत्तमाः। प्रोचुर्वादं परित्यज्य साभिप्रायं यथोदितम्

pariśiṣṭavidaścānye madhyasthā dvijasattamāḥ procurvādaṁ parityajya sābhiprāyaṁ yathoditam

Yet others, versed in the supplementary texts, remaining impartial among the foremost brahmins, spoke, setting debate aside, expressing their own considered views as taught in the texts.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.182.72)

महावीरपुरोडाशचयनप्रमुखांस्तथा। विवादांश्चक्रिरे चान्ये स्वंस्वं पक्षं समाश्रिताः

mahāvīrapuroḍāśacayanapramukhāṁstathā vivādāṁścakrire cānye svaṁsvaṁ pakṣaṁ samāśritāḥ

Others engaged in disputes chiefly concerning the gathering of the Mahavira vessel and the Purodasha offerings, and other such matters, each clinging to his own position.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.182.73)

एवं सा रजनी तेषामतिक्रान्ता द्विजन्मनाम्

evaṁ sā rajanī teṣāmatikrāntā dvijanmanām

Thus that night passed for those twice-born ones.