The Origin and Greatness of Naga-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.183.1)

सूत उवाच । द्वितीये दिवसे प्राप्ते यज्ञकर्मसमुद्भवे। द्वादश्यामभवत्तत्र शृणुध्वं तद्द्विजोत्तमाः। वृत्तान्तं सर्वदेवानां महाविस्मयकारकम्

sūta uvāca dvitīye divase prāpte yajñakarmasamudbhave dvādaśyāmabhavattatra śṛṇudhvaṁ taddvijottamāḥ vṛttāntaṁ sarvadevānāṁ mahāvismayakārakam

Suta said: When the second day of the sacrificial rite arrived, on the twelfth tithi, there occurred an event, O best of brahmins — listen — an account amazing to all the gods.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.183.2)

मखकर्मणि प्रारब्ध ऋत्विग्भिर्वेदपारगैः । जलसर्पं समादाय बटुः कश्चित्सुनर्मकृत्

makhakarmaṇi prārabdha ṛtvigbhirvedapāragaiḥ jalasarpaṁ samādāya baṭuḥ kaścitsunarmakṛt

While the sacrificial work was underway, conducted by the ritwiks versed in the Veda, a certain mischievous young brahmacharin took hold of a water-snake,

Verse 3 (skanda.6.183.3)

प्रविश्याथ सदस्तत्र तं सर्पं ब्राह्मणान्तिके । चिक्षेप प्रहसंश्चैव सर्वदुःखभयंकरम्

praviśyātha sadastatra taṁ sarpaṁ brāhmaṇāntike cikṣepa prahasaṁścaiva sarvaduḥkhabhayaṁkaram

and entering the assembly there, hurled that snake near the brahmins, laughing, an act that struck fear and misery into all.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.183.4)

ततस्तु डुण्डुभस्तूर्णं भ्रममाण इतस्ततः । विप्राणां सदसिस्थानां सक्तानां यज्ञकर्मणि

tatastu ḍuṇḍubhastūrṇaṁ bhramamāṇa itastataḥ viprāṇāṁ sadasisthānāṁ saktānāṁ yajñakarmaṇi

Then a dundubha-serpent, wandering swiftly here and there among the brahmins seated in the assembly, engrossed in the sacrificial rite —

Verse 5 (skanda.6.183.5)

अहो होतुः स्थिते प्रैषे दीर्घसत्रसमुद्भवे । स सर्पो वेष्टयामास तस्य गात्रं समंततः

aho hotuḥ sthite praiṣe dīrghasatrasamudbhave sa sarpo veṣṭayāmāsa tasya gātraṁ samaṁtataḥ

ah — while the Hota stood fixed at his post amid the long sacrificial session, that serpent coiled itself completely around his body.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.183.6)

न चचाल निजस्थानात्प्रायश्चित्तविभीषया । नोवाच वचनं सोऽत्र चयनन्यस्तलोचनः

na cacāla nijasthānātprāyaścittavibhīṣayā novāca vacanaṁ so'tra cayananyastalocanaḥ

He did not move from his place, for fear of the penance such a lapse would require, nor did he speak a word, his eyes fixed there upon the sacrificial arrangement.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.183.7)

हाहाकारो महाञ्जज्ञे एतस्मिन्नंतरे द्विजाः । तस्मिन्सदसि विप्राणां विषा ढ्याहिप्रशंकया

hāhākāro mahāñjajñe etasminnaṁtare dvijāḥ tasminsadasi viprāṇāṁ viṣā ḍhyāhipraśaṁkayā

A great cry of dismay arose then among those brahmins, O twice-born ones, in that assembly, out of their apprehension of the venomous serpent.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.183.8)

हाहाकारो महानासीत्तं दृष्ट्वा सर्पवेष्टितम् । तस्य पुत्रो विनीतात्मा मैत्रावरुणकर्मणि

hāhākāro mahānāsīttaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarpaveṣṭitam tasya putro vinītātmā maitrāvaruṇakarmaṇi

A great outcry arose on seeing him encircled by the serpent; his son, of humble nature, engaged in the office of the Maitravaruna priest,

Verse 9 (skanda.6.183.9)

संस्थितस्तेन संदृष्टः पिता सर्पाभिवेष्टितः । ज्ञात्वा तु चेष्टितं तस्य भये सर्पसमुद्भवे । शशाप क्रोधसंयुक्तस्ततस्तं स बटुं मुनिः

saṁsthitastena saṁdṛṣṭaḥ pitā sarpābhiveṣṭitaḥ jñātvā tu ceṣṭitaṁ tasya bhaye sarpasamudbhave śaśāpa krodhasaṁyuktastatastaṁ sa baṭuṁ muniḥ

standing there, saw his father encircled by the snake; and learning of what had happened, in the fear that had arisen from the serpent, that sage, overcome with anger, cursed the boy:

Verse 10 (skanda.6.183.10)

यस्मात्पाप त्वया सर्पः क्षिप्तः सदसि दुर्मते । तस्माद्भव द्रुतं सर्पो मम वाक्यादसंशयम्

yasmātpāpa tvayā sarpaḥ kṣiptaḥ sadasi durmate tasmādbhava drutaṁ sarpo mama vākyādasaṁśayam

"Since you, sinner, threw a serpent into the assembly, evil-minded one, therefore by my word become a serpent yourself at once, without doubt."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.183.11)

बटुरुवाच । हास्येन जलसर्पोऽयं मया मुक्तोऽत्र लीलया । न ते तातं समुद्दिश्य तत्किं मां शपसि द्विज

baṭuruvāca hāsyena jalasarpo'yaṁ mayā mukto'tra līlayā na te tātaṁ samuddiśya tatkiṁ māṁ śapasi dvija

The boy said: "This water-snake was released by me here only in jest, in play; it was not aimed at your father — why then, O brahmin, do you curse me?"

Verse 12 (skanda.6.183.12)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे मुक्त्वा तस्य गात्रं स पन्नगः । जगामान्यत्र तस्यापि सर्पत्वं समपद्यत

etasminnaṁtare muktvā tasya gātraṁ sa pannagaḥ jagāmānyatra tasyāpi sarpatvaṁ samapadyata

Meanwhile, releasing its hold on the priest's body, that serpent went elsewhere; and the boy himself then came to be in the state of a serpent.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.183.13)

सोऽपि सर्पत्वमापन्नः सनातनसुतो बटुः । दुःखशोकसमापन्नो ब्राह्मणैः परिवेष्टितः

so'pi sarpatvamāpannaḥ sanātanasuto baṭuḥ duḥkhaśokasamāpanno brāhmaṇaiḥ pariveṣṭitaḥ

He too, the son of Sanatana, having become a serpent, overcome with grief and sorrow, surrounded by brahmins —

Verse 14 (skanda.6.183.14)

अथ गत्वा भृगुं सोऽपि बाष्पव्याकुललोचनः । प्रोवाच गद्गदं वाक्यं प्रणिपत्य पुरःसरः

atha gatvā bhṛguṁ so'pi bāṣpavyākulalocanaḥ provāca gadgadaṁ vākyaṁ praṇipatya puraḥsaraḥ

then went to Bhrigu, his eyes clouded with tears, and, bowing before him, spoke in a voice choked with weeping.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.183.15)

सनातनसुतश्चास्मि पौत्रस्तु परमेष्ठिनः । शप्तस्तव सुतेनास्मि च्यवनेन महात्मना

sanātanasutaścāsmi pautrastu parameṣṭhinaḥ śaptastava sutenāsmi cyavanena mahātmanā

"I am the son of Sanatana, grandson of Parameshthin (Brahma); I have been cursed by your son, the great-souled Chyavana."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.183.16)

निर्दोषो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ तस्माच्छापात्प्ररक्ष माम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा च्यवनं प्राह कृपाविष्टो भृगुः स्वयम्

nirdoṣo brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha tasmācchāpātprarakṣa mām tacchrutvā cyavanaṁ prāha kṛpāviṣṭo bhṛguḥ svayam

"I am without fault, O best of brahmins; protect me from that curse." Hearing this, Bhrigu himself, filled with compassion, said to Chyavana:

Verse 17 (skanda.6.183.17)

अयुक्तं विहितं तात यच्छप्तोऽयं बटुस्त्वया। न मां धर्षयितुं शक्तो विषाढ्योऽपि भुजंगमः

ayuktaṁ vihitaṁ tāta yacchapto'yaṁ baṭustvayā na māṁ dharṣayituṁ śakto viṣāḍhyo'pi bhujaṁgamaḥ

"It was improper, my son, what you have done in cursing this boy; not even a venom-laden serpent has the power to do me harm —"

Verse 18 (skanda.6.183.18)

किं पुनर्जलसर्पोऽयं निर्विषो रज्जुसंनिभः । न मामुद्दिश्य निर्मुक्तः सर्पोऽनेन द्विजन्मना । शापमोक्षं कुरुष्वास्य तस्माच्छीघ्रं द्विजन्मनः

kiṁ punarjalasarpo'yaṁ nirviṣo rajjusaṁnibhaḥ na māmuddiśya nirmuktaḥ sarpo'nena dvijanmanā śāpamokṣaṁ kuruṣvāsya tasmācchīghraṁ dvijanmanaḥ

"how much less this water-snake, without venom, no more than a rope? And this twice-born boy did not release the serpent with you in mind. Therefore quickly free this twice-born one from the curse."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.183.19)

च्यवन उवाच । यदि त्यजति मर्यादामब्धिः शैत्यं व्रजेद्रविः । उष्णत्वं च क्षपानाथस्तन्मे स्यादनृतं वचः

cyavana uvāca yadi tyajati maryādāmabdhiḥ śaityaṁ vrajedraviḥ uṣṇatvaṁ ca kṣapānāthastanme syādanṛtaṁ vacaḥ

Chyavana said: "Should the ocean abandon its bounds, should the sun turn cold, and the lord of night grow hot — only then could my word prove false."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.183.20)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य स्वयमेव पितामहः । तत्रायातः स्थितो यत्र स पौत्रः सर्परूपधृक्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya svayameva pitāmahaḥ tatrāyātaḥ sthito yatra sa pautraḥ sarparūpadhṛk

Hearing his words, the Grandsire himself came to that place where the grandson stood, having taken on serpent form.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.183.21)

प्रोवाच न विषादस्ते पुत्र कार्यः कथंचन । यत्सर्पत्वमनुप्राप्तः शृणुष्वात्र वचो मम

provāca na viṣādaste putra kāryaḥ kathaṁcana yatsarpatvamanuprāptaḥ śṛṇuṣvātra vaco mama

He said: "You need not grieve at all, my son, for having come to this state of a serpent; listen here to my word."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.183.22)

पुरा संस्रष्टुकामोऽहं नागानां नवमं कुलम् । तद्भविष्यति त्वत्पार्श्वात्समर्यादं धरातले

purā saṁsraṣṭukāmo'haṁ nāgānāṁ navamaṁ kulam tadbhaviṣyati tvatpārśvātsamaryādaṁ dharātale

"Long ago I desired to bring forth the ninth clan of Nagas; that lineage shall now arise from you upon the earth, held within its proper bounds."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.183.23)

मन्त्रौषधियुजां पुंसां न पीडामाचरिष्यति । संप्राप्स्यति परां पूजां समस्ते जगतीतले

mantrauṣadhiyujāṁ puṁsāṁ na pīḍāmācariṣyati saṁprāpsyati parāṁ pūjāṁ samaste jagatītale

"It shall never trouble men equipped with mantra and herb-remedies, and it shall receive the highest worship throughout the whole world."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.183.24)

अत्राऽस्ति सुशुभं तोयं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञिते । क्षेत्रे तत्र समावासः पुत्र कार्यस्त्वया सदा

atrā'sti suśubhaṁ toyaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñite kṣetre tatra samāvāsaḥ putra kāryastvayā sadā

"Here, in the sacred field called Hatakeshvara, there is most auspicious water; there, my son, you must always make your dwelling."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.183.25)

तत्रस्थस्य तपस्थस्य नागः कर्कोटको निजम् । तव दास्यति सत्कन्यां ततः सृष्टिर्भविष्यति

tatrasthasya tapasthasya nāgaḥ karkoṭako nijam tava dāsyati satkanyāṁ tataḥ sṛṣṭirbhaviṣyati

"There, dwelling in austerity, the serpent Karkotaka shall give you his own virtuous daughter; from that union your progeny shall come forth."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.183.26)

नवमस्य कुलस्यात्र समर्यादस्य भूतले । श्रावणे कृष्णपक्षे तु संप्राप्ते पंचमीदिने

navamasya kulasyātra samaryādasya bhūtale śrāvaṇe kṛṣṇapakṣe tu saṁprāpte paṁcamīdine

"Of this ninth clan, held within its bounds upon the earth — when the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana arrives,"

Verse 27 (skanda.6.183.27)

संप्राप्स्यति परां पूजां पृथिव्यां नवमं कुलम् । अद्यप्रभृति तत्तोयं नागतीर्थमिति स्मृतम्

saṁprāpsyati parāṁ pūjāṁ pṛthivyāṁ navamaṁ kulam adyaprabhṛti tattoyaṁ nāgatīrthamiti smṛtam

"this ninth clan shall obtain the highest worship on earth; and from this day forward that water shall be known as Naga-tirtha."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.183.28)

ख्यातिं यास्यति भूपृष्ठे सर्वपातकनाशनम्। येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति संप्राप्ते पंचमीदिने

khyātiṁ yāsyati bhūpṛṣṭhe sarvapātakanāśanam ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti saṁprāpte paṁcamīdine

"It shall become renowned upon the earth as destroyer of every sin; those who bathe here when the fifth day comes,"

Verse 29 (skanda.6.183.29)

न तेषां वत्सरंयावद्भविष्यत्यहिजं भयम् । विषार्द्दितस्तु यो मर्त्यस्तत्र स्नानं करिष्यति

na teṣāṁ vatsaraṁyāvadbhaviṣyatyahijaṁ bhayam viṣārdditastu yo martyastatra snānaṁ kariṣyati

"for them, for a full year, no fear born of serpents shall arise; and whatever mortal, afflicted by poison, bathes there,"

Verse 30 (skanda.6.183.30)

तत्क्षणान्निर्विषो भूत्वा संप्राप्स्यति परं सुखम् । पुत्रकामा तु या नारी पंचम्यां भास्करोदये । करिष्यति तथा स्नानं फलहस्ता प्रभक्तितः । भविष्यति च सा शीघ्रं वंध्याऽपि च सुपुत्रिणी

tatkṣaṇānnirviṣo bhūtvā saṁprāpsyati paraṁ sukham putrakāmā tu yā nārī paṁcamyāṁ bhāskarodaye kariṣyati tathā snānaṁ phalahastā prabhaktitaḥ bhaviṣyati ca sā śīghraṁ vaṁdhyā'pi ca suputriṇī

"shall become free of poison that very instant and attain supreme happiness. And whatever woman, desiring a son, bathes there at sunrise on the fifth day, offering fruit with utmost devotion, shall swiftly become blessed with a fine son, even though she were barren."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.183.31)

सूत उवाच । एवं प्रवदतस्तस्य ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः। अन्ये नागाः समायातास्तत्र यज्ञे निमंत्रिताः

sūta uvāca evaṁ pravadatastasya brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ anye nāgāḥ samāyātāstatra yajñe nimaṁtritāḥ

Suta said: While Brahma, the Unmanifest-born, was speaking thus, other Nagas arrived there, invited to the sacrifice —

Verse 32 (skanda.6.183.32)

वासुकिस्तक्षकश्चैव पुण्डरीकः कृशोदरः । कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ शेषः कालिय एव च

vāsukistakṣakaścaiva puṇḍarīkaḥ kṛśodaraḥ kambalāśvatarau nāgau śeṣaḥ kāliya eva ca

Vasuki, Takshaka, Pundarika, Krishodara, the two Nagas Kambala and Ashvatara, Shesha, and Kaliya.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.183.33)

ते प्रणम्य वचः प्रोचुः प्रोच्चैर्देवं पितामहम् । तवादेशाद्वयं प्राप्ता यज्ञेऽत्र प्रपितामह

te praṇamya vacaḥ procuḥ proccairdevaṁ pitāmaham tavādeśādvayaṁ prāptā yajñe'tra prapitāmaha

Bowing, they spoke aloud to the god, the Grandsire: "By your command we have come here to this sacrifice, O great-grandsire."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.183.34)

साहाय्यार्थं तदादेशो दीयतां प्रपितामह। येन कुर्मो वयं शीघ्रं नागराज्ये ह्यधिष्ठिताः

sāhāyyārthaṁ tadādeśo dīyatāṁ prapitāmaha yena kurmo vayaṁ śīghraṁ nāgarājye hyadhiṣṭhitāḥ

"Grant us your command for rendering assistance, O great-grandsire, that we, established in the realm of serpents, may act at once."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.183.35)

ब्रह्मोवाच । साहाय्यमेतदस्माकं भवदीयं महोरगाः । गत्वानेन समं शीघ्रं नागराजेन तिष्ठत

brahmovāca sāhāyyametadasmākaṁ bhavadīyaṁ mahoragāḥ gatvānena samaṁ śīghraṁ nāgarājena tiṣṭhata

Brahma said: "This assistance of yours is indeed needed by us, O great serpents. Go quickly and remain together with this king of serpents."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.183.36)

नागतीर्थे ततः स्थेयं सर्वैस्तत्र समास्थितैः

nāgatīrthe tataḥ stheyaṁ sarvaistatra samāsthitaiḥ

"You shall all then abide together, established there, at the Naga-tirtha."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.183.37)

यः कश्चिन्मम यज्ञेऽत्र दुष्टभावं समाश्रितः । समागच्छति विघ्नाय रक्षणीयः स सत्वरम्

yaḥ kaścinmama yajñe'tra duṣṭabhāvaṁ samāśritaḥ samāgacchati vighnāya rakṣaṇīyaḥ sa satvaram

"Whoever comes to this sacrifice of mine harboring an evil intent, seeking to cause obstruction, must be swiftly restrained —"

Verse 38 (skanda.6.183.38)

राक्षसो वा पिशाचो वा भूतो वा मानुषोऽपि वा । एतत्कृत्यतमं नागा मम यज्ञस्य रक्षणम्

rākṣaso vā piśāco vā bhūto vā mānuṣo'pi vā etatkṛtyatamaṁ nāgā mama yajñasya rakṣaṇam

"whether rakshasa, pishacha, bhuta, or even human — this, O Nagas, is your foremost task: the guarding of my sacrifice."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.183.39)

तथा यूयमपि प्राप्ते मासि भाद्रपदे तथा । पंचम्यां कृष्णपक्षस्य तत्र पूजामवाप्स्यथ

tathā yūyamapi prāpte māsi bhādrapade tathā paṁcamyāṁ kṛṣṇapakṣasya tatra pūjāmavāpsyatha

"And you too, when the month of Bhadrapada arrives, on the fifth day of its dark fortnight, shall receive worship there."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.183.40)

सूत उवाच । बाढमित्येव ते प्रोच्य प्रणिपत्य पितामहम् । सनातनसुतोपेता नागतीर्थं समाश्रिताः ततःप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं नागतीर्थ मिति स्मृतम् । कामप्रदं च भक्तानां नराणां स्नानकारिणाम्

sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva te procya praṇipatya pitāmaham sanātanasutopetā nāgatīrthaṁ samāśritāḥ tataḥprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ nāgatīrtha miti smṛtam kāmapradaṁ ca bhaktānāṁ narāṇāṁ snānakāriṇām

Suta said: Having said "So be it," and bowed before the Grandsire, they, together with the son of Sanatana, took up their abode at the Naga-tirtha. From that time forth that tirtha has been known as Naga-tirtha, granting every desire to devoted men who bathe there.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.183.41)

यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानं सकृद्भक्त्या समन्वितः । नान्वयेऽपि भयं तस्य जाय ते सर्पसंभवम्

yastatra kurute snānaṁ sakṛdbhaktyā samanvitaḥ nānvaye'pi bhayaṁ tasya jāya te sarpasaṁbhavam

Whoever bathes there even once, endowed with devotion — in his lineage no fear born of serpents shall ever arise.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.183.42)

तत्र यच्छति मिष्टान्नं द्विजानां सज्जनैः सह । पूजयित्वा तु नागेंद्रान्सनातनपुरःसरान्

tatra yacchati miṣṭānnaṁ dvijānāṁ sajjanaiḥ saha pūjayitvā tu nāgeṁdrānsanātanapuraḥsarān

Whoever offers sweet food there to brahmins together with the virtuous, having worshipped the lords of serpents headed by the son of Sanatana —

Verse 43 (skanda.6.183.43)

सप्तजन्मांतरं यावन्न स दौःस्थ्यमवाप्नुयात् । भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां शाकिनीनां विशेषतः । न च्छिद्रं न च रोगाश्च नाधयो न रिपोर्भयम्

saptajanmāṁtaraṁ yāvanna sa dauḥsthyamavāpnuyāt bhūtapretapiśācānāṁ śākinīnāṁ viśeṣataḥ na cchidraṁ na ca rogāśca nādhayo na riporbhayam

for seven births he shall never fall into distress, especially from bhutas, pretas, pishachas, and shakinis; there shall be no misfortune, no diseases, no mental anguish, no fear of enemies.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.183.44)

यश्चैतच्छृणुयाद्भक्त्या वाच्यमानं द्विजोत्तमाः । सोऽपि संवत्सरं यावत्पन्नगैर्न च पीड्यते

yaścaitacchṛṇuyādbhaktyā vācyamānaṁ dvijottamāḥ so'pi saṁvatsaraṁ yāvatpannagairna ca pīḍyate

And whoever hears this account recited with devotion, O best of brahmins, he too shall not be troubled by serpents for a full year.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.183.45)

सर्पदष्टस्य यस्यैतत्पुरतः पठ्यते भृशम् । नागतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं काल दष्टोऽपि जीवति

sarpadaṣṭasya yasyaitatpurataḥ paṭhyate bhṛśam nāgatīrthasya māhātmyaṁ kāla daṣṭo'pi jīvati

For one bitten by a serpent, before whom this greatness of Naga-tirtha is repeatedly recited, even one struck by death's poison shall live.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.183.46)

पुस्तके लिखितं चैतन्नागतीर्थसमुद्भवम् । माहात्म्यं तिष्ठते यत्र न सर्पस्तत्र तिष्ठति

pustake likhitaṁ caitannāgatīrthasamudbhavam māhātmyaṁ tiṣṭhate yatra na sarpastatra tiṣṭhati

And wherever this account of the origin of Naga-tirtha is kept written in a book, no serpent shall ever dwell there.