The Guest's Six Gurus and the Grant of the Yajna-purusha's Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.6.185.1)

अतिथिरुवाच । एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यथा मे पिंगला गुरुः। संजाता कुररो जातो यथा तत्प्रवदान्यहम्

atithiruvāca etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yathā me piṁgalā guruḥ saṁjātā kuraro jāto yathā tatpravadānyaham

The guest said: "All this I have told you, how Pingala became my guru; now let me tell in like manner how the kurara-bird became [my guru]."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.185.2)

ममासीद्द्रविणं भूरि पितृपैतामहं महत्

mamāsīddraviṇaṁ bhūri pitṛpaitāmahaṁ mahat

"I possessed abundant wealth, great wealth inherited from my father and grandfather."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.185.3)

येऽथ पुत्राश्च दायादा बांधवा अपि। ते मां सर्वे प्रबाधन्ते द्रव्यसस्यकृते सदा

ye'tha putrāśca dāyādā bāṁdhavā api te māṁ sarve prabādhante dravyasasyakṛte sadā

"My sons, my heirs, and my kinsmen too — all of them constantly troubled me for the sake of goods and grain."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.185.4)

यस्याहं न प्रयच्छामि स मां चैव प्रबाधते। सीदमानस्तु सुभृशं दर्शयन्प्राणसंक्षयम्

yasyāhaṁ na prayacchāmi sa māṁ caiva prabādhate sīdamānastu subhṛśaṁ darśayanprāṇasaṁkṣayam

"Whomever I did not give to would trouble me all the more, sinking into distress, threatening the destruction of his own life."

Verse 5 (skanda.6.185.5)

एक साम्ना प्रयाचंते वित्तं भेदेन चापरे । भयदानेन चान्येऽपि केचिद्दंडेन च द्विजाः

eka sāmnā prayācaṁte vittaṁ bhedena cāpare bhayadānena cānye'pi keciddaṁḍena ca dvijāḥ

"Some begged for wealth with sweet words, others through discord, still others, O brahmins, through threats, and some even through violence."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.185.6)

एवं नाहं क्वचित्सौख्यं तेषां पार्श्वाल्लभामि भोः । चिन्तयानो दिवानक्तं क्लेशस्य परि संक्षयम् । उपायं न च पश्यामि येन शांतिः प्रजायते

evaṁ nāhaṁ kvacitsaukhyaṁ teṣāṁ pārśvāllabhāmi bhoḥ cintayāno divānaktaṁ kleśasya pari saṁkṣayam upāyaṁ na ca paśyāmi yena śāṁtiḥ prajāyate

"Thus I found no happiness anywhere in their company; thinking day and night of how to end this affliction, I could see no means by which peace might arise."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.185.7)

अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे दृष्टः कृतमांसपरिग्रहः । कुररश्चंचुना व्योम्नि गच्छमानस्त्वरान्वितः

anyasmindivase dṛṣṭaḥ kṛtamāṁsaparigrahaḥ kuraraścaṁcunā vyomni gacchamānastvarānvitaḥ

"On another day I saw a kurara-bird, having seized a piece of flesh in its beak, flying swiftly through the sky,"

Verse 8 (skanda.6.185.8)

हन्यमानः समंताच्च मांसार्थे विविधैः खगैः । अथ तेन परिक्षिप्तं तन्मांसं पक्षिजाद्भयात्

hanyamānaḥ samaṁtācca māṁsārthe vividhaiḥ khagaiḥ atha tena parikṣiptaṁ tanmāṁsaṁ pakṣijādbhayāt

"being struck at from every side by various birds wanting that flesh; then, that flesh having been cast away by him, out of fear born of the birds' pursuit —"

Verse 9 (skanda.6.185.9)

यावत्तावत्सुखी जातस्तेऽपिसर्वे समुज्झिताः । मयापि क्लिश्यमानेन तद्वच्च निजबांधवैः

yāvattāvatsukhī jātaste'pisarve samujjhitāḥ mayāpi kliśyamānena tadvacca nijabāṁdhavaiḥ

"the very moment he became happy, all of them left him alone; while I too, being troubled just the same by my own kinsmen —"

Verse 10 (skanda.6.185.10)

सामिषं कुररं दृष्ट्वा वध्यमानं निरामिषैः । आमिषस्य परित्यागात्कुररः सुखमेधते

sāmiṣaṁ kuraraṁ dṛṣṭvā vadhyamānaṁ nirāmiṣaiḥ āmiṣasya parityāgātkuraraḥ sukhamedhate

"seeing that flesh-laden kurara being assailed by the fleshless birds — the kurara attains happiness precisely by abandoning the flesh."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.185.11)

एवं निश्चित्य मनसा सर्वानानीय बांधवान् । पुत्रान्पौत्रांस्ततः सर्वान्पुरस्तेषां निवेदितम्

evaṁ niścitya manasā sarvānānīya bāṁdhavān putrānpautrāṁstataḥ sarvānpurasteṣāṁ niveditam

"Having thus resolved in my mind, I gathered together all my kinsmen, my sons and grandsons, and declared before them all:"

Verse 12 (skanda.6.185.12)

त्रिःसत्यं शपथं कृत्वा नान्यदस्तीति मे गृहे । विभज्यार्थं यथान्यायं यूयं गृह्णीत बान्धवाः

triḥsatyaṁ śapathaṁ kṛtvā nānyadastīti me gṛhe vibhajyārthaṁ yathānyāyaṁ yūyaṁ gṛhṇīta bāndhavāḥ

"having sworn a threefold oath that nothing else remains in my house — divide the wealth as is proper, and take it, kinsmen."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.185.13)

ततःप्रभृति तैर्मुक्तः सुखं तिष्ठाम्यहं द्विजाः । एतस्मात्कारणाज्जातो ममासौ कुररो गुरुः

tataḥprabhṛti tairmuktaḥ sukhaṁ tiṣṭhāmyahaṁ dvijāḥ etasmātkāraṇājjāto mamāsau kuraro guruḥ

"From that time, freed by them, I dwell happily, O brahmins; for this reason that kurara became my guru."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.185.14)

अर्थसंपद्विमोहाय विमोहो नरकाय च । तस्मादर्थमनर्थं तं मोक्षार्थी दूरतस्त्यजेत्

arthasaṁpadvimohāya vimoho narakāya ca tasmādarthamanarthaṁ taṁ mokṣārthī dūratastyajet

"The abundance of wealth leads to delusion, and delusion to hell; therefore let one who seeks liberation cast wealth far away as a source of ruin."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.185.15)

यथामिषं जले मत्स्यैर्भक्ष्यते श्वापदैर्भुवि। आकाशे पक्षिभिश्चैव तथा सर्वत्र वित्तवान्

yathāmiṣaṁ jale matsyairbhakṣyate śvāpadairbhuvi ākāśe pakṣibhiścaiva tathā sarvatra vittavān

"As flesh in water is devoured by fish, on land by beasts, and in the sky by birds, so everywhere the wealthy man is preyed upon."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.185.16)

दोषहीनोऽपि धनवान्भूपाद्यैः परिताप्यते। दरिद्रः कृतदोषोऽपि सर्वत्र निरुपद्रवः

doṣahīno'pi dhanavānbhūpādyaiḥ paritāpyate daridraḥ kṛtadoṣo'pi sarvatra nirupadravaḥ

"Even a faultless man, if wealthy, is tormented by kings and the like; the poor man, even one who has erred, remains everywhere untroubled."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.185.17)

आलंबिताः परैर्यांति प्रस्खलंति पदेपदे । गद्गदानि च जल्पंते धनिनो मद्यपा इव

ālaṁbitāḥ parairyāṁti praskhalaṁti padepade gadgadāni ca jalpaṁte dhanino madyapā iva

"Propped up by others, they stumble at every step and babble incoherently — the wealthy, like drunkards."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.185.18)

भक्ते द्वेषो बहिः प्रीती रुचितं गुरुलघ्वपि । मुखे च कटुता नित्यं धनिनां ज्वरिणामिव

bhakte dveṣo bahiḥ prītī rucitaṁ gurulaghvapi mukhe ca kaṭutā nityaṁ dhanināṁ jvariṇāmiva

"Hatred for the one who depends on them, affection only outwardly, whatever pleases them whether great or small, yet bitterness ever on their face — the wealthy, like men in fever."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.185.19)

अर्थानामर्जने दुःखमर्जितानां च रक्षणे । नाशे दुःखं व्यये दुःखं धिगर्थो दुःखभाजनम्

arthānāmarjane duḥkhamarjitānāṁ ca rakṣaṇe nāśe duḥkhaṁ vyaye duḥkhaṁ dhigartho duḥkhabhājanam

"In earning wealth there is suffering, in guarding what is earned there is suffering; in its loss there is suffering, in its spending there is suffering — a curse upon wealth, that vessel of suffering!"

Verse 20 (skanda.6.185.20)

अर्थार्थी जीव लोकोऽयं स्मशानमपि सेवते । जनितारमपि त्यक्त्वा निःस्वं यांति सुता अपि

arthārthī jīva loko'yaṁ smaśānamapi sevate janitāramapi tyaktvā niḥsvaṁ yāṁti sutā api

"This world of beings, seeking wealth, resorts even to the cremation ground; even their own father, once left penniless, is abandoned even by his own sons."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.185.21)

सुतस्य वल्लभस्तावत्पिता पुत्रोऽपि वै पितुः । यावन्नार्थस्य संबन्धस्ताभ्यां भावी परस्परम् । संबन्धे वित्तजे जाते वैरं संजायते मिथः

sutasya vallabhastāvatpitā putro'pi vai pituḥ yāvannārthasya saṁbandhastābhyāṁ bhāvī parasparam saṁbandhe vittaje jāte vairaṁ saṁjāyate mithaḥ

"A son is dear to his father, and a father to his son, only so long as no bond of wealth exists between them; once a bond born of money arises, enmity springs up between the two."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.185.22)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्वित्तं मया त्यक्तं तपोधनाः । तेन सौख्येन तिष्ठामि कुररस्योपदेशतः

etasmātkāraṇādvittaṁ mayā tyaktaṁ tapodhanāḥ tena saukhyena tiṣṭhāmi kurarasyopadeśataḥ

"For this reason, O men rich in austerity, I abandoned wealth; through that renunciation, by the kurara's teaching, I dwell in happiness."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.185.23)

शृणुध्वं च महाभागा यथा मेऽहिर्गुरुः स्थितः

śṛṇudhvaṁ ca mahābhāgā yathā me'hirguruḥ sthitaḥ

"Hear now, O fortunate ones, how the serpent came to stand as my guru."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.185.24)

यथा मया गृहं त्यक्तं दृष्ट्वा सर्पविचेष्टितम् । गृहारंभः सुदुःखाय सुखाय न कदाचन

yathā mayā gṛhaṁ tyaktaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarpaviceṣṭitam gṛhāraṁbhaḥ suduḥkhāya sukhāya na kadācana

"How I abandoned my house, having observed the conduct of a serpent — the building of a house leads only to great suffering, never to happiness."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.185.25)

सर्पः परकृतं वेश्म प्रविश्य सुखमेधते । उषित्वा तत्र सौख्येन भूयोऽन्यत्तादृशं व्रजेत्

sarpaḥ parakṛtaṁ veśma praviśya sukhamedhate uṣitvā tatra saukhyena bhūyo'nyattādṛśaṁ vrajet

"A serpent, entering a dwelling built by another, dwells there happily; having stayed there in comfort, it moves on again to another such place."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.185.26)

मम त्वं कुरुते नैव ममेदं गृहमित्यसौ । न गृहं जायते तस्य न स्वयं हि कृतं यतः

mama tvaṁ kurute naiva mamedaṁ gṛhamityasau na gṛhaṁ jāyate tasya na svayaṁ hi kṛtaṁ yataḥ

"It never thinks 'you belong to me' or 'this house is mine'; no house truly becomes its own, since it was never built by itself."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.185.27)

यः पुनः कुरुते हर्म्यं स्वयं क्लेशैः पृथग्विधैः । न तस्य याति तत्पश्चान्मृत्युकालेऽपि संस्थिते

yaḥ punaḥ kurute harmyaṁ svayaṁ kleśaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ na tasya yāti tatpaścānmṛtyukāle'pi saṁsthite

"But he who himself builds a mansion, through manifold hardships — it does not go with him afterward, even when the hour of death arrives."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.185.28)

गृहात्संजायते भार्या ततः पुत्रश्च कन्यका । तेषामर्थे करोति स्म कृत्याकृत्यं ततः परम्

gṛhātsaṁjāyate bhāryā tataḥ putraśca kanyakā teṣāmarthe karoti sma kṛtyākṛtyaṁ tataḥ param

"From a house arises a wife, and then a son and a daughter; for their sake thereafter, one does what should and should not be done."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.185.29)

कोशकारमिवात्मानं वेष्टयन्नावबुध्यते

kośakāramivātmānaṁ veṣṭayannāvabudhyate

"Wrapping himself up like a silkworm in its own cocoon, he does not even realize it."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.185.30)

पुत्रदारगृहक्षेत्रसक्ताः सीदंति जंतवः । लोभपंकार्णवे मग्ना जीर्णा वनगजा इव

putradāragṛhakṣetrasaktāḥ sīdaṁti jaṁtavaḥ lobhapaṁkārṇave magnā jīrṇā vanagajā iva

"Creatures attached to sons, wife, house, and land sink down, drowned in the mire-ocean of greed, like aged forest elephants."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.185.31)

एकः पापानि कुरुते फलं भुंक्ते महाजनः । भोक्तारो विप्रमुच्यंते कर्ता दोषेण लिप्यते एतस्मात्कारणाद्धर्म्यं मया त्यक्तं द्विजोत्तमाः। मोक्षमार्गार्गला भूतं दृष्ट्वा सर्पविचेष्टितम्

ekaḥ pāpāni kurute phalaṁ bhuṁkte mahājanaḥ bhoktāro vipramucyaṁte kartā doṣeṇa lipyate etasmātkāraṇāddharmyaṁ mayā tyaktaṁ dvijottamāḥ mokṣamārgārgalā bhūtaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarpaviceṣṭitam

"One man commits the sins, yet the household enjoys the fruit; those who merely enjoy escape free, while the doer alone is tainted by the fault. For this reason I abandoned the householder's duty, O best of brahmins, seeing it a bolt barring the path of liberation, having observed the serpent's conduct."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.185.32)

एकरात्रं वसेद्ग्रामे त्रिरात्रं पत्तने वसेत् । यो याति स यतिः प्रोक्तो योऽन्यो योगविडंबकः

ekarātraṁ vasedgrāme trirātraṁ pattane vaset yo yāti sa yatiḥ prokto yo'nyo yogaviḍaṁbakaḥ

"One should dwell a single night in a village, three nights in a town; whoever moves on in this way is called a true ascetic — any other is but a mockery of yoga."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.185.33)

विधूमे च प्रशांताग्नौ यस्तु माधुकरीं चरेत् । गृहे च विप्रमुख्यानां यतिः स नेतरः स्मृतः

vidhūme ca praśāṁtāgnau yastu mādhukarīṁ caret gṛhe ca vipramukhyānāṁ yatiḥ sa netaraḥ smṛtaḥ

"He who, when the smoke has settled and the household fire is quenched, wanders gathering alms like a bee, going to the homes of the foremost brahmins — he alone is a true ascetic, none other."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.185.34)

दण्डी भिक्षां च वा कुर्यात्तदेव व्यसनं विना । यस्तिष्ठति न वैराग्यं याति नैव यतिर्हि सः

daṇḍī bhikṣāṁ ca vā kuryāttadeva vyasanaṁ vinā yastiṣṭhati na vairāgyaṁ yāti naiva yatirhi saḥ

"A staff-bearing ascetic may indeed beg alms, and that alone, without further entanglement; but one who, remaining so, never attains dispassion is not truly an ascetic at all."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.185.35)

दिवा स्वप्नं वृथान्नं च स्त्रीकथाऽऽलोक्यमेव च । श्वेतवस्त्रं हिरण्यं च यतीनां पतनानि षट्

divā svapnaṁ vṛthānnaṁ ca strīkathā''lokyameva ca śvetavastraṁ hiraṇyaṁ ca yatīnāṁ patanāni ṣaṭ

"Sleeping by day, food wrongly obtained, gazing upon talk of women, white garments, and gold — these are the six downfalls of ascetics."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.185.36)

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च समलोष्टाश्मकांचनः । सुहृत्पुत्र उदासीनः स यतिर्नेतरः स्मृतः

samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca samaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanaḥ suhṛtputra udāsīnaḥ sa yatirnetaraḥ smṛtaḥ

"Equal toward enemy and friend, regarding clod, stone, and gold alike, indifferent even to a dear friend's son — he is a true ascetic, none other."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.185.37)

समौ मानापमानौ च स्वदेशे परिकेपि वा । यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि स यतिर्नेतरः स्मृतः

samau mānāpamānau ca svadeśe parikepi vā yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi sa yatirnetaraḥ smṛtaḥ

"Equal in honor and dishonor, whether in his own land or abroad, who neither rejoices nor hates — he is a true ascetic, none other."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.185.38)

यस्मिन्गृहे विशेषेण लभेद्भिक्षा च वाशनम् । तत्र नो याति यो भूयः स यतिर्नेतरः स्मृतः

yasmingṛhe viśeṣeṇa labhedbhikṣā ca vāśanam tatra no yāti yo bhūyaḥ sa yatirnetaraḥ smṛtaḥ

"To whatever house he might go and there obtain alms or food in special measure, to that house he does not return again — he is a true ascetic, none other."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.185.39)

एवं ज्ञात्वा मया विप्र दृष्ट्वा सर्पविचेष्टितम् । सर्वसंगपरित्यागो मोक्षार्थं परिकल्पितः

evaṁ jñātvā mayā vipra dṛṣṭvā sarpaviceṣṭitam sarvasaṁgaparityāgo mokṣārthaṁ parikalpitaḥ

"Thus understanding, O brahmin, having observed the serpent's conduct, I resolved upon the abandonment of every attachment for the sake of liberation."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.185.40)

एवं ममाहिः संजातो गुरुर्ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः। तत्प्रभावान्महत्तेजः संजातं विग्रहे मम

evaṁ mamāhiḥ saṁjāto gururbrāhmaṇasattamāḥ tatprabhāvānmahattejaḥ saṁjātaṁ vigrahe mama

"Thus the serpent became my guru, O foremost of brahmins; through his influence great radiance arose within my body."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.185.41)

यथा मे भ्रमरो जातो गुरुस्तद्वद्वदामि च । कस्मिन्वृक्षे मया दृष्टो भ्रमरः कोऽपि संगतः

yathā me bhramaro jāto gurustadvadvadāmi ca kasminvṛkṣe mayā dṛṣṭo bhramaraḥ ko'pi saṁgataḥ

"Now hear likewise how the bee became my guru: in what tree, tell me, did I see a certain bee thus engaged?"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.185.42)

शाखाय तु समाश्रित्य कृतपूर्वनिबंधनम् । वसंतसमये प्राप्ते पुष्पवंतश्च ये द्रुमाः

śākhāya tu samāśritya kṛtapūrvanibaṁdhanam vasaṁtasamaye prāpte puṣpavaṁtaśca ye drumāḥ

"Clinging to a branch where he had made his settled attachment, when the season of spring arrived and the trees grew laden with blossom,"

Verse 43 (skanda.6.185.43)

सुगन्धफलपुष्पाश्च सुगन्धदलसंयुताः । तेषामणुं समादाय श्रेष्ठश्रेष्ठतमं रसम् नियोजयति शाखाग्रे तरोरस्य सदैव हि । अनिर्विण्णतया हृष्टस्तदा सम्यङ्निरीक्षितः

sugandhaphalapuṣpāśca sugandhadalasaṁyutāḥ teṣāmaṇuṁ samādāya śreṣṭhaśreṣṭhatamaṁ rasam niyojayati śākhāgre tarorasya sadaiva hi anirviṇṇatayā hṛṣṭastadā samyaṅnirīkṣitaḥ

"fragrant with fruit and flower, rich with fragrant petals — taking from them, in small measure, only the finest of the fine essence,"

Verse 44 (skanda.6.185.44)

मधुजालं ततो जातं कालेन महता महत् । येनान्ये मधुना तृप्तिं प्राप्ताः शतसहस्रशः

madhujālaṁ tato jātaṁ kālena mahatā mahat yenānye madhunā tṛptiṁ prāptāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ

"he deposits it always at the tip of a branch of that very tree; never wearying, ever joyful — thus I watched him closely."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.185.45)

तच्चेष्टितं मया वीक्ष्य शास्त्राण्यन्यानि भूरिशः । ततस्तेषां समादाय सारभूतं पृथक्पृथक् । कृतानि भूरिशास्त्राणि वेदांतानि च कृत्स्नशः

tacceṣṭitaṁ mayā vīkṣya śāstrāṇyanyāni bhūriśaḥ tatasteṣāṁ samādāya sārabhūtaṁ pṛthakpṛthak kṛtāni bhūriśāstrāṇi vedāṁtāni ca kṛtsnaśaḥ

"From this there arose, over a long time, a great web of honey, by which hundreds of thousands of others attained their fill of sweetness."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.185.46)

उपजीवंति यान्यन्ये यथा भृङ्गास्तथा द्विजाः

upajīvaṁti yānyanye yathā bhṛṅgāstathā dvijāḥ

"Having observed his conduct, I too looked into many other treatises; then, taking from each of them, one by one, their essential essence,"

Verse 47 (skanda.6.185.47)

एवं मे मधुपो जातो गुरुत्वे च द्विजोत्तमाः । तेनाहं तेजसा युक्तो नान्यदस्तीह कारणम्

evaṁ me madhupo jāto gurutve ca dvijottamāḥ tenāhaṁ tejasā yukto nānyadastīha kāraṇam

"I composed many treatises and the Vedanta texts entire — texts on which others live, as brahmins do, just as bees live on honey."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.185.48)

वेदांतवादिनो येऽत्र प्रभवंति व्रतान्विताः । निर्लोभा गततृष्णाश्च ते भवंति सुतेजसः

vedāṁtavādino ye'tra prabhavaṁti vratānvitāḥ nirlobhā gatatṛṣṇāśca te bhavaṁti sutejasaḥ

"Thus the bee became my guru, O best of brahmins; through him I am endowed with radiance — there is no other cause for it here."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.185.49)

एकेनापि विहीना ये प्रभवंति कुबुद्धयः । लोभमोहान्विताः पापा जायंते ते विचेतसः

ekenāpi vihīnā ye prabhavaṁti kubuddhayaḥ lobhamohānvitāḥ pāpā jāyaṁte te vicetasaḥ

"Those Vedanta-teachers who flourish, holding to their vows, free of greed and free of craving, become full of radiance."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.185.50)

वेदांतानि सुभूरीणि मया दृष्ट्वा विचार्य च । समरूपाः कृता ग्रन्था मर्त्यलोकहितार्थिना

vedāṁtāni subhūrīṇi mayā dṛṣṭvā vicārya ca samarūpāḥ kṛtā granthā martyalokahitārthinā

"But those lacking even a single such quality, of poor understanding, possessed by greed and delusion, sinful — they become bereft of sense."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.185.51)

एवं मे गुरुतां प्राप्तो मधुपो द्विजसत्तमाः । इषुकारो यथा जातस्तथा चैव ब्रवीमि वः

evaṁ me gurutāṁ prāpto madhupo dvijasattamāḥ iṣukāro yathā jātastathā caiva bravīmi vaḥ

"Having seen and reflected upon the abundant Vedanta texts, I composed unified treatises, seeking the welfare of the mortal world."

Verse 52 (skanda.6.185.52)

आत्मावलोकनार्थाय मया दृष्टाः सहस्रशः। योगिनो ज्ञानसंपन्नास्तैः प्रोक्तं च स्वशक्तितः

ātmāvalokanārthāya mayā dṛṣṭāḥ sahasraśaḥ yogino jñānasaṁpannāstaiḥ proktaṁ ca svaśaktitaḥ

"Thus the bee attained the status of my guru, O foremost of brahmins; now I shall likewise tell you how the arrow-maker came to be my guru."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.185.53)

आत्मावलोकनं भावि सुशिष्याय यथा तथा। स समाधिजद्वारेण चतुराशीतिकेन च

ātmāvalokanaṁ bhāvi suśiṣyāya yathā tathā sa samādhijadvāreṇa caturāśītikena ca

"Seeking to behold the Self, I saw thousands of yogis endowed with knowledge, and each declared, according to his own power,"

Verse 54 (skanda.6.185.54)

आसनैस्तत्प्रमाणैश्च पद्मासनप्रपूर्वकैः। असंख्यैः कारणैश्चैव ह्यध्यात्मपठनैस्तथा। ततोपि लक्षितो नैव मयाऽत्मा च कथंचन

āsanaistatpramāṇaiśca padmāsanaprapūrvakaiḥ asaṁkhyaiḥ kāraṇaiścaiva hyadhyātmapaṭhanaistathā tatopi lakṣito naiva mayā'tmā ca kathaṁcana

"that self-realization comes about for a worthy disciple in this way and that — through the gateway of samadhi, and through the eighty-four postures,"

Verse 55 (skanda.6.185.55)

ततो वैराग्यमापन्नः प्रभ्रमामि धरातले। गुर्वर्थे न च लेभेऽहं गुरुमात्मावलोकने

tato vairāgyamāpannaḥ prabhramāmi dharātale gurvarthe na ca lebhe'haṁ gurumātmāvalokane

"through seats of that same measure, beginning with the lotus-posture, and through countless other means and spiritual studies as well — yet even so, the Self was never perceived by me at all."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.185.56)

अन्यस्मिन्नहनि प्राप्ते राजमार्गेण गच्छता । मया दृष्टो महीपालः सैन्येन महता वृतः

anyasminnahani prāpte rājamārgeṇa gacchatā mayā dṛṣṭo mahīpālaḥ sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ

"Then, overcome with dispassion, I wandered the earth; in search of a guru for Self-realization, I found none."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.185.57)

ततोऽहं मार्गमुत्सृज्य संमुखस्य महीपतेः । उटजद्वारमाश्रित्य किंचिदूर्ध्वोपि संस्थितः

tato'haṁ mārgamutsṛjya saṁmukhasya mahīpateḥ uṭajadvāramāśritya kiṁcidūrdhvopi saṁsthitaḥ

"On another day, going along the royal road, I saw a king surrounded by a great army;"

Verse 58 (skanda.6.185.58)

तत्रापि च स्थितः कश्चित्पुरुषः कांडकारकः । ऋजुकर्मणि संयुक्तः शराणां नतपर्वणाम्

tatrāpi ca sthitaḥ kaścitpuruṣaḥ kāṁḍakārakaḥ ṛjukarmaṇi saṁyuktaḥ śarāṇāṁ nataparvaṇām

"then, leaving the road, standing somewhat above it, opposite the king, I took shelter at the doorway of a hut."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.185.59)

तस्मिन्दूरगते भूपे तथान्यः सेवकोऽभ्यगात्

tasmindūragate bhūpe tathānyaḥ sevako'bhyagāt

"There too sat a certain man, an arrow-maker, engaged in the straightening of arrows with their bent joints."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.185.60)

तं पप्रच्छ त्वरायुक्तः शृण्वतोऽपि मम द्विजाः । कांडकर्मणि संसक्तमृजुत्वेन स्थितं तदा

taṁ papraccha tvarāyuktaḥ śṛṇvato'pi mama dvijāḥ kāṁḍakarmaṇi saṁsaktamṛjutvena sthitaṁ tadā

"When the king had gone far off, another attendant then arrived."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.185.61)

कियती वर्तते वेला गतस्य पृथिवीपतेः । मार्गेणानेन मे ब्रूहि येन गच्छामि पृष्ठतः

kiyatī vartate velā gatasya pṛthivīpateḥ mārgeṇānena me brūhi yena gacchāmi pṛṣṭhataḥ

"He, in haste, questioned him — even as I listened, O brahmins — the man who remained absorbed, with steady focus, in his arrow-craft:"

Verse 62 (skanda.6.185.62)

सोऽब्रवीत्तं तदा विप्रा अधोवक्त्रः स्थितो नरः । अनेन राजमार्गेण गच्छमानो महीपतिः

so'bravīttaṁ tadā viprā adhovaktraḥ sthito naraḥ anena rājamārgeṇa gacchamāno mahīpatiḥ

"'How much time has passed since the king went by? Tell me by which road, that I may follow behind him.'"

Verse 63 (skanda.6.185.63)

न मया वीक्षितः कश्चिदिदानीं राजसेवक । तदन्यं पृच्छ चेत्कार्यं तवानेन ब्रवीतु सः

na mayā vīkṣitaḥ kaścididānīṁ rājasevaka tadanyaṁ pṛccha cetkāryaṁ tavānena bravītu saḥ

"He, absorbed in the arrow-work, his head bowed low, then said to him, O brahmins: 'The king was going along this royal road —'"

Verse 64 (skanda.6.185.64)

शरकर्मणि संसक्तस्त्वहमत्र व्यवस्थितः । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य स्वचित्ते चिन्तितं मया

śarakarmaṇi saṁsaktastvahamatra vyavasthitaḥ tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya svacitte cintitaṁ mayā

"'I have noticed no one just now, O king's attendant; ask someone else if this concerns you — let him tell you.'"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.185.65)

एकचित्ततया योगो ब्रह्मज्ञानसमुद्भवः । नान्यथा भविता मे स ततश्चित्तनिरोधनम् । करोमि ब्रह्मसंसिद्ध्यै ततो मेऽसौ भविष्यति

ekacittatayā yogo brahmajñānasamudbhavaḥ nānyathā bhavitā me sa tataścittanirodhanam karomi brahmasaṁsiddhyai tato me'sau bhaviṣyati

"'I am absorbed here in the work of the arrow.' Hearing his words, I reflected within my own mind:"

Verse 66 (skanda.6.185.66)

ततःप्रभृति चित्ते स्वे धारयामि सदैव तु । विश्वरूपं तथा सूर्यं हृत्पंकजनिवासिनम्

tataḥprabhṛti citte sve dhārayāmi sadaiva tu viśvarūpaṁ tathā sūryaṁ hṛtpaṁkajanivāsinam

"'One-pointedness of mind — this is yoga, the source of the knowledge of Brahman; it cannot arise otherwise. Therefore I shall practice the restraint of mind for the attainment of perfection in Brahman — through this it shall come to me.'"

Verse 67 (skanda.6.185.67)

ततो दिक्षु दिगन्तेषु गगने धरणीतले । तमेकं चैव पश्यामि नान्यत्किंचिद्द्विजोत्तमाः

tato dikṣu diganteṣu gagane dharaṇītale tamekaṁ caiva paśyāmi nānyatkiṁciddvijottamāḥ

"From that time forth I have always held in my mind the Universal Form, and likewise the Sun dwelling in the lotus of the heart."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.185.68)

अहं च तेजसा युक्तस्तत्प्रभावेण संस्थितः

ahaṁ ca tejasā yuktastatprabhāveṇa saṁsthitaḥ

"Then, in every direction and its farthest reaches, in the sky, upon the earth, I see only Him, nothing else whatsoever, O best of brahmins."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.185.69)

एवं मे स गुरुर्जातः शरकारो द्विजोत्तमाः । शृणुध्वं कन्यका जाता गुरुत्वे मे यथा पुरा

evaṁ me sa gururjātaḥ śarakāro dvijottamāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ kanyakā jātā gurutve me yathā purā

"I too became endowed with radiance, established through his influence."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.185.70)

सर्वसंगपरित्यागी यदाहं निर्गतो गृहात् । ममानुपृष्ठतश्चैव ततो भार्या विनिर्गता

sarvasaṁgaparityāgī yadāhaṁ nirgato gṛhāt mamānupṛṣṭhataścaiva tato bhāryā vinirgatā

"Thus the arrow-maker became my guru, O best of brahmins; now hear how, in former time, a maiden became my guru."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.185.71)

शिशुं पुत्रं समादाय कन्यामेकां च शोभनाम्। ततोऽहं भार्यया प्रोक्तो वानप्रस्थाश्रमे स्थितः

śiśuṁ putraṁ samādāya kanyāmekāṁ ca śobhanām tato'haṁ bhāryayā prokto vānaprasthāśrame sthitaḥ

"When I, having renounced every attachment, went forth from my house, my wife followed close behind me,"

Verse 72 (skanda.6.185.72)

कुरु मे वचनं मुक्तिरत्रैव हि भविष्यति। ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा वानप्रस्थोऽथवा यतिः। यदि स्यात्संयतात्मा स नूनं मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

kuru me vacanaṁ muktiratraiva hi bhaviṣyati brahmacārī gṛhastho vā vānaprastho'thavā yatiḥ yadi syātsaṁyatātmā sa nūnaṁ muktimavāpnuyāt

"taking with her our infant son and one lovely daughter; then, while I stood in the forest-dweller's stage, my wife spoke to me:"

Verse 73 (skanda.6.185.73)

अथवा मां परित्यज्य यदि यास्यसि चान्यतः। तदहं च मरिष्यामि सत्यमेतदसंशयम्

athavā māṁ parityajya yadi yāsyasi cānyataḥ tadahaṁ ca mariṣyāmi satyametadasaṁśayam

"'Do as I say — liberation shall be attained right here. Whether brahmacharin, householder, forest-dweller, or ascetic, if one is self-controlled, he surely attains liberation.'"

Verse 74 (skanda.6.185.74)

मृतायां मयि ते बालावेतावनुमरिष्यतः। कुमारी च कुमारश्च तस्मान्नाथ दयां कुरु

mṛtāyāṁ mayi te bālāvetāvanumariṣyataḥ kumārī ca kumāraśca tasmānnātha dayāṁ kuru

"'But if, abandoning me, you should go elsewhere, then I shall surely die — this is true, without doubt.'"

Verse 75 (skanda.6.185.75)

मा व्रजस्व परं तीर्थं परिजानन्नपि स्वयम्। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रमेतत्पुण्यतरं स्मृतम्

mā vrajasva paraṁ tīrthaṁ parijānannapi svayam hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetrametatpuṇyataraṁ smṛtam

"'When I have died, these two children, this girl and this boy, shall die following after me; therefore, my lord, show compassion.'"

Verse 76 (skanda.6.185.76)

सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानां श्रुतमेतन्मया विभो। वदतां ब्राह्मणेन्द्राणां तथान्येषां तपस्विनाम्

sarveṣāmeva tīrthānāṁ śrutametanmayā vibho vadatāṁ brāhmaṇendrāṇāṁ tathānyeṣāṁ tapasvinām

"'Do not go to another tirtha, though you yourself well know better — this sacred field of Hatakeshvara is remembered as more meritorious than any other.'"

Verse 77 (skanda.6.185.77)

श्लोकोऽयं बहुधा नाथ कीर्त्यमानो मया विभो। विश्वामित्रस्य वक्त्रेण सन्मुनेः सत्यवादिनः

śloko'yaṁ bahudhā nātha kīrtyamāno mayā vibho viśvāmitrasya vaktreṇa sanmuneḥ satyavādinaḥ

"'I have heard this, my lord, spoken of all the tirthas, from the mouths of the foremost brahmins, and of other ascetics too.'"

Verse 78 (skanda.6.185.78)

पुनंति सर्वतीर्थानि स्नानदानादसंशयम्। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं स्मरणादपि पावयेत्। ततः कृच्छ्रात्प्रतिज्ञातं मयाश्रमनिषेवणम्। वानप्रस्थोद्भवं वा स्यात्ततोऽहं तत्र संस्थितः

punaṁti sarvatīrthāni snānadānādasaṁśayam hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ smaraṇādapi pāvayet tataḥ kṛcchrātpratijñātaṁ mayāśramaniṣevaṇam vānaprasthodbhavaṁ vā syāttato'haṁ tatra saṁsthitaḥ

"'This verse, my lord, I have often recited, spoken from the mouth of Vishvamitra, the true and truthful sage: "All tirthas purify without doubt through bathing and giving; but the sacred field of Hatakeshvara purifies even by mere remembrance."' Then, with difficulty, I made the vow to keep to that hermitage; whether it belonged properly to the vanaprastha stage or not, I remained established there."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.185.79)

तत्रस्थस्य हि मे कन्या क्रीडते परतः स्थिता। वलयापूरिताभ्यां च प्रकोष्ठाभ्यां ततस्ततः

tatrasthasya hi me kanyā krīḍate parataḥ sthitā valayāpūritābhyāṁ ca prakoṣṭhābhyāṁ tatastataḥ

"While I dwelt there, my daughter would play some distance off, striking together her wrists filled with bangles."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.185.80)

यथायथा सा कुरुते कन्दमूलफलाशनम् । तनुत्वं याति कायेन तथा चैव दिनेदिने

yathāyathā sā kurute kandamūlaphalāśanam tanutvaṁ yāti kāyena tathā caiva dinedine

"As, day by day, she came to live only on roots, bulbs, and fruit, her body grew thinner and thinner."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.185.81)

ततो मे जायते दुःखं तेषां पतन संभवम् । कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य संजातं वलयत्रयम् । तस्या हस्ते ततस्ताभ्यां शब्दः संजायते मिथः

tato me jāyate duḥkhaṁ teṣāṁ patana saṁbhavam kasyacittvatha kālasya saṁjātaṁ valayatrayam tasyā haste tatastābhyāṁ śabdaḥ saṁjāyate mithaḥ

"Then grief arose in me at the thought of the bangles breaking. At length, in time, only three bangles remained upon her wrist, and from these a sound would arise between them, one against another."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.185.82)

ततः कालेन महता ताभ्यामेकं व्यवस्थितम् । न संघर्षो न शब्दश्च तत्रस्थस्य च जायते

tataḥ kālena mahatā tābhyāmekaṁ vyavasthitam na saṁgharṣo na śabdaśca tatrasthasya ca jāyate

"Then, after a long while, when only one remained on that wrist, there was neither clashing nor any sound produced by it any longer."

Verse 83 (skanda.6.185.83)

तद्विचिन्त्य मया सोऽपि ह्याश्रमः परिवर्जितः । चिन्तितं च मया चित्ते कृत्वा चैवं सुनिश्चयम्

tadvicintya mayā so'pi hyāśramaḥ parivarjitaḥ cintitaṁ ca mayā citte kṛtvā caivaṁ suniścayam

"Reflecting on this, I too then abandoned that hermitage; I resolved thus within my mind, having thought it well through:"

Verse 84 (skanda.6.185.84)

बहुभिः कलहो नित्यं द्वाभ्यां संघर्षणं तथा । एकाकी विचरिष्यामि कुमारीवलयं यथा

bahubhiḥ kalaho nityaṁ dvābhyāṁ saṁgharṣaṇaṁ tathā ekākī vicariṣyāmi kumārīvalayaṁ yathā

"'With many, there is constant quarrel; with two also, there is friction. I shall wander alone, like the maiden's solitary bangle.'"

Verse 85 (skanda.6.185.85)

ततः सुप्तां परित्यज्य तां भार्यां शिशुसंयुताम् । गतोऽहं दूरमध्वानं यत्र नो वेत्ति सा च माम्

tataḥ suptāṁ parityajya tāṁ bhāryāṁ śiśusaṁyutām gato'haṁ dūramadhvānaṁ yatra no vetti sā ca mām

"Then, leaving behind my sleeping wife together with our infant, I went far along the road, to a place where neither she would know of me, nor I of her."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.185.86)

यत्राऽस्तमितशायी च यलब्धकृतभोजनः । भ्रमामि मेदिनीपृष्ठे त्यक्त्वा संसारबन्धनम्

yatrā'stamitaśāyī ca yalabdhakṛtabhojanaḥ bhramāmi medinīpṛṣṭhe tyaktvā saṁsārabandhanam

"Wherever the sun set, there I would sleep; eating whatever food I chanced to obtain, I wander over the face of the earth, having cast off the bonds of worldly life."

Verse 87 (skanda.6.185.87)

ततो मे ज्ञानमापन्नमेवं विप्राः शनैःशनैः । अतीतानागतं चैव वर्तमानं विशेषतः

tato me jñānamāpannamevaṁ viprāḥ śanaiḥśanaiḥ atītānāgataṁ caiva vartamānaṁ viśeṣataḥ

"From this, O brahmins, knowledge gradually came upon me — of the past, the future, and, above all, the present."

Verse 88 (skanda.6.185.88)

एवं मे कन्यका जाता गुरुत्वे द्विजसत्तमाः

evaṁ me kanyakā jātā gurutve dvijasattamāḥ

"Thus a maiden became my guru, O foremost of brahmins."

Verse 89 (skanda.6.185.89)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि गुरोः कृते । न युष्माकं पुरो मिथ्या कीर्तयामि कथंचन

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi guroḥ kṛte na yuṣmākaṁ puro mithyā kīrtayāmi kathaṁcana

"All this I have related to you, as I was asked, concerning my gurus; I speak nothing false before you in any way."

Verse 90 (skanda.6.185.90)

एवं मे ज्ञानमुत्पन्नं प्रकारैः षड्भिरेव च । एभिर्लोकोत्तरं ज्ञानं युष्मत्प्रत्ययकारकम्

evaṁ me jñānamutpannaṁ prakāraiḥ ṣaḍbhireva ca ebhirlokottaraṁ jñānaṁ yuṣmatpratyayakārakam

"Thus my knowledge arose through these six means; through these, this transcendent knowledge has come, to give you conviction."

Verse 91 (skanda.6.185.91)

सूत उवाच । ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे पप्रच्छुस्तं द्विजोत्तमाः । वानप्रस्थाश्रमं त्यक्त्वा भार्यां शिशुसमन्विताम् । क्व गतस्त्वं तदाचक्ष्व कियत्कालं च संस्थितः

sūta uvāca tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve papracchustaṁ dvijottamāḥ vānaprasthāśramaṁ tyaktvā bhāryāṁ śiśusamanvitām kva gatastvaṁ tadācakṣva kiyatkālaṁ ca saṁsthitaḥ

Suta said: Then all those brahmins questioned him further, O best of brahmins: "Having left the forest-hermitage, together with your wife and child, where then did you go? Tell us, and for how long a time did you remain wandering?"

Verse 92 (skanda.6.185.92)

अतिथिरुवाच । अहं भीतः सहस्राणि ग्रामाणां च शतानि च । यत्रास्तमितशायी सन्ननेकानि द्विजोत्तमाः । संख्यया रहितान्येव वर्षाणां च शतानि च

atithiruvāca ahaṁ bhītaḥ sahasrāṇi grāmāṇāṁ ca śatāni ca yatrāstamitaśāyī sannanekāni dvijottamāḥ saṁkhyayā rahitānyeva varṣāṇāṁ ca śatāni ca

The guest said: "Fearful, I passed through thousands of villages and hundreds of towns, sleeping wherever the sun set, O best of brahmins, countless places, for hundreds of years beyond number."

Verse 93 (skanda.6.185.93)

दृष्टानि मुख्यतीर्थानि तथैवायतनानि च । दृष्टाश्च पर्वताः श्रेष्ठा नद्यश्च विमलोदकाः

dṛṣṭāni mukhyatīrthāni tathaivāyatanāni ca dṛṣṭāśca parvatāḥ śreṣṭhā nadyaśca vimalodakāḥ

"I have beheld the principal tirthas, and likewise the sacred shrines; I have beheld the finest mountains, and rivers of pure, clear water."

Verse 94 (skanda.6.185.94)

स्वयमेव मया ज्ञातो वाराणस्यां स्थितेन च । यज्ञः पैतामहो भावी स्थानेऽस्मिन्मामके यतः

svayameva mayā jñāto vārāṇasyāṁ sthitena ca yajñaḥ paitāmaho bhāvī sthāne'sminmāmake yataḥ

"I myself came to know, while dwelling in Varanasi, that the Grandsire's sacrifice was to take place at this very site, my own sacred ground."

Verse 95 (skanda.6.185.95)

ततोऽहं सत्वरं प्राप्तः कौतुकेन द्विजोत्तमाः । कीदृशः स मखो भावी यत्र यज्वा पितामहः

tato'haṁ satvaraṁ prāptaḥ kautukena dvijottamāḥ kīdṛśaḥ sa makho bhāvī yatra yajvā pitāmahaḥ

"Then I came here swiftly, filled with curiosity, O best of brahmins — wondering what kind of sacrifice this would be, in which the Grandsire himself is the sacrificer."

Verse 96 (skanda.6.185.96)

सूत उवाच । एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ताः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः । वासुदेवं पुरस्कृत्य तथा चैव महेश्वरम्

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare prāptāḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ vāsudevaṁ puraskṛtya tathā caiva maheśvaram

Suta said: Meanwhile all the gods, together with Vasava, arrived there, with Vasudeva at their head, and likewise Maheshvara,

Verse 97 (skanda.6.185.97)

कमान्तरं समासाद्य पुलस्त्याद्यास्तथर्त्विजः । ब्रह्मापि स्वयमायातो मृगचर्मधरस्तथा

kamāntaraṁ samāsādya pulastyādyāstathartvijaḥ brahmāpi svayamāyāto mṛgacarmadharastathā

having crossed the intervening space in an instant, together with Pulastya and the other ritwiks; Brahma too came in person, clad in the deerskin.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.185.98)

ततस्ते तुष्टिमापन्नास्तस्य ज्ञानेन तेन च । प्रोचुश्च वरदास्तुभ्यं सर्व एव दिवौकसः

tataste tuṣṭimāpannāstasya jñānena tena ca procuśca varadāstubhyaṁ sarva eva divaukasaḥ

Then, well pleased by his knowledge, they said: "We grant you a boon — all of us gods."

Verse 99 (skanda.6.185.99)

तस्माद्वरय भद्रं ते प्रार्थयस्व यथेप्सितम् । अवश्यं तव दास्यामो यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम् । अतिथिरुवाच । यदि तुष्टाः सुरा मह्यं प्रयच्छंति वरं मम । अनेनैव शरीरेण देवत्वं प्रार्थयाम्यहम्

tasmādvaraya bhadraṁ te prārthayasva yathepsitam avaśyaṁ tava dāsyāmo yadyapi syātsudurlabham atithiruvāca yadi tuṣṭāḥ surā mahyaṁ prayacchaṁti varaṁ mama anenaiva śarīreṇa devatvaṁ prārthayāmyaham

"Therefore choose, blessed one; ask for whatever is dear to your heart — we shall surely grant it, even were it most difficult to attain." The guest said: "If the gods, being pleased, would grant me a boon, then I ask for godhood, with this very body —"

Verse 100 (skanda.6.185.100)

यज्ञभागसमोपेतं तथान्येषां दिवौकसाम्। विशेषेण सुरश्रेष्ठाः स्थानं चोपरि संस्थितम्

yajñabhāgasamopetaṁ tathānyeṣāṁ divaukasām viśeṣeṇa suraśreṣṭhāḥ sthānaṁ copari saṁsthitam

"endowed with a share in the sacrifice, as the other gods have, and, O best of gods, especially a station established above, in the heavens."

Verse 101 (skanda.6.185.101)

देवा ऊचुः । नूनं त्वं विबुधो भूत्वा देवलोके निवत्स्यसि । अनेनेव शरीरेण यज्ञभागविवर्जितः

devā ūcuḥ nūnaṁ tvaṁ vibudho bhūtvā devaloke nivatsyasi aneneva śarīreṇa yajñabhāgavivarjitaḥ

The gods said: "Surely you shall become a god and dwell in the world of the gods with this very body — but without a share in the sacrifice."

Verse 102 (skanda.6.185.102)

यच्छामो यदि ते विप्र यज्ञांशं मानुषस्य भोः । अप्रामाण्यं श्रुतेर्भावि तव दत्तेन तेन च

yacchāmo yadi te vipra yajñāṁśaṁ mānuṣasya bhoḥ aprāmāṇyaṁ śruterbhāvi tava dattena tena ca

"For were we to grant you, O brahmin, a portion of the sacrifice meant for humankind, an invalidation of scripture would follow from that very gift."

Verse 103 (skanda.6.185.103)

अतिथिरुवाच । देवत्वेन न मे कार्यं यज्ञांशरहितेन च । तदहं साधयिष्यामि यथा मुक्तिर्भविष्यति

atithiruvāca devatvena na me kāryaṁ yajñāṁśarahitena ca tadahaṁ sādhayiṣyāmi yathā muktirbhaviṣyati

The guest said: "I have no need of godhood if it comes without a share of the sacrifice; I shall achieve, instead, that by which liberation is attained."

Verse 104 (skanda.6.185.104)

तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजः प्राह सर्वान्देवान्कृतांजलिः । शृण्वंतु देवताः सर्वा यद्ब्रवीमि हितं वचः

tacchrutvā padmajaḥ prāha sarvāndevānkṛtāṁjaliḥ śṛṇvaṁtu devatāḥ sarvā yadbravīmi hitaṁ vacaḥ

Hearing this, Padmaja (Brahma), with joined palms, spoke to all the gods: "Let all you gods hear this beneficial word I speak."

Verse 105 (skanda.6.185.105)

ममायं ब्राह्मणो यज्ञे दूरादेव समागतः । नागरस्तु विशेषेण पात्रं ज्ञानसमुद्भवम्

mamāyaṁ brāhmaṇo yajñe dūrādeva samāgataḥ nāgarastu viśeṣeṇa pātraṁ jñānasamudbhavam

"This brahmin of mine has come to the sacrifice from a distant place; being especially a Nagara, he is a vessel born of true knowledge."

Verse 106 (skanda.6.185.106)

प्रतिज्ञातस्तथा सर्वैर्वरोऽस्य विबुधैर्यतः । तस्मात्प्रदीयतामस्मै यदभीष्टं सुरोत्तमाः । महेश्वर उवाच । यथाऽस्य जायते तृप्तिर्यज्ञभागाधिका सदा । तथाहं कथयिष्यामि शृण्वंतु विबुधोत्तमाः

pratijñātastathā sarvairvaro'sya vibudhairyataḥ tasmātpradīyatāmasmai yadabhīṣṭaṁ surottamāḥ maheśvara uvāca yathā'sya jāyate tṛptiryajñabhāgādhikā sadā tathāhaṁ kathayiṣyāmi śṛṇvaṁtu vibudhottamāḥ

"Since a boon for him has already been promised by you gods, let whatever he desires now be granted to him, O best of gods." Maheshvara said: "I shall declare a way by which his satisfaction may always be greater even than a share of the sacrifice — let the best of gods hear it."

Verse 107 (skanda.6.185.107)

य एष क्रियते यज्ञस्तस्य नाथो हरिः स्मृतः। एतस्मात्कारणात्प्रोक्तः स देवो यज्ञपूरुषः

ya eṣa kriyate yajñastasya nātho hariḥ smṛtaḥ etasmātkāraṇātproktaḥ sa devo yajñapūruṣaḥ

"Of whatever sacrifice is performed, its lord is remembered as Hari; for this very reason he is proclaimed the god, the Yajna-purusha, the Person of the Sacrifice."

Verse 108 (skanda.6.185.108)

अद्यप्रभृति यत्किंचिच्छ्राद्धं मर्त्ये भविष्यति । दैवं वा पैतृकं वाऽपि तस्य चांते व्यवस्थितः

adyaprabhṛti yatkiṁcicchrāddhaṁ martye bhaviṣyati daivaṁ vā paitṛkaṁ vā'pi tasya cāṁte vyavasthitaḥ

"From this day forward, whatever shraddha shall take place among mortals, whether owed to gods or to ancestors, he shall be established at its close —"

Verse 109 (skanda.6.185.109)

एतस्य नाम संकीर्त्य पश्चाच्च यज्ञपूरुषम् । संकीर्त्य भोजनं देयं ब्राह्मणस्य द्विजोत्तमाः

etasya nāma saṁkīrtya paścācca yajñapūruṣam saṁkīrtya bhojanaṁ deyaṁ brāhmaṇasya dvijottamāḥ

"having pronounced his name, and thereafter having pronounced the name of the Yajna-purusha, food should then be given to the brahmin, O foremost of brahmins."

Verse 110 (skanda.6.185.110)

तेनास्य भविता तृप्तिर्यज्ञांताऽभ्यधिका सदा । अदत्त्वास्य कृतं श्राद्धं यत्किंचित्प्रभविष्यति

tenāsya bhavitā tṛptiryajñāṁtā'bhyadhikā sadā adattvāsya kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ yatkiṁcitprabhaviṣyati

"By this, his satisfaction shall always be greater than that gained even at the sacrifice's end; and any shraddha performed without giving to him —"

Verse 111 (skanda.6.185.111)

तद्यास्यत्यखिलं व्यर्थं तथा भस्महुतं यथा । वैश्वदेवांतमासाद्य यश्चैनं पूजयिष्यति

tadyāsyatyakhilaṁ vyarthaṁ tathā bhasmahutaṁ yathā vaiśvadevāṁtamāsādya yaścainaṁ pūjayiṣyati

"shall become wholly in vain, like an oblation poured upon ashes. But whoever, having reached the close of the Vaishvadeva rite, shall then honor him —"

Verse 112 (skanda.6.185.112)

विष्णुनामसमोपेतं भविष्यति तदक्षयम् । दत्तं स्वल्पमपि प्रायः श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा

viṣṇunāmasamopetaṁ bhaviṣyati tadakṣayam dattaṁ svalpamapi prāyaḥ śraddhāpūtena cetasā

"that offering, joined with the name of Vishnu, shall become imperishable; even the smallest gift, given with a heart made pure by faith —"

Verse 113 (skanda.6.185.113)

श्राद्धे वा वैश्वदेवे वा यश्चैनं नार्चयिष्यति । संप्राप्तं व्यर्थतां तस्य तच्च सर्वं भविष्यति

śrāddhe vā vaiśvadeve vā yaścainaṁ nārcayiṣyati saṁprāptaṁ vyarthatāṁ tasya tacca sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati

"in a shraddha or in the Vaishvadeva rite, if one fails to honor him, the entirety of that rite shall likewise come to nothing."

Verse 114 (skanda.6.185.114)

अस्मिंस्तुष्टिं गते सर्वे सुरा यास्यंति संमुदम् । पितरश्च तमायांति विमुखे संमुखे तथा

asmiṁstuṣṭiṁ gate sarve surā yāsyaṁti saṁmudam pitaraśca tamāyāṁti vimukhe saṁmukhe tathā

"When he is satisfied, all the gods depart rejoicing, and the ancestors come to him, whether facing him or turned away."

Verse 115 (skanda.6.185.115)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधाः सर्वे महेश्वरवचस्तदा । तथेति मुदिताः प्रोचुर्ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरस्सराः

tacchrutvā vibudhāḥ sarve maheśvaravacastadā tatheti muditāḥ procurbrahmaviṣṇupurassarāḥ

Hearing this word of Maheshvara, all the gods then, rejoicing, said "So be it," led by Brahma and Vishnu.

Verse 116 (skanda.6.185.116)

ततःप्रभृति संजाता पूजा चातिथिसंभवा । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूजा कार्याऽतिथेः सदा । यज्ञे पूरुषयज्ञस्य न चैकस्य कथंचन । अतिथिरुवाच । अत्रास्ति मामकं तीर्थं मया यत्र तपः कृतम् । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे पुरुकाले द्विजोत्तमाः

tataḥprabhṛti saṁjātā pūjā cātithisaṁbhavā tasmātsarvaprayatnena pūjā kāryā'titheḥ sadā yajñe pūruṣayajñasya na caikasya kathaṁcana atithiruvāca atrāsti māmakaṁ tīrthaṁ mayā yatra tapaḥ kṛtam hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre purukāle dvijottamāḥ

From that time forward this worship arising from the guest came into being; therefore worship of the guest must always be performed with the utmost effort — in the sacrifice, it belongs to the Person of Sacrifice, and is never to be omitted. The guest said: "Here there is a tirtha of mine, where I once performed austerities, in the sacred field of Hatakeshvara, in ancient times, O best of brahmins."

Verse 117 (skanda.6.185.117)

अंगारकेण संयुक्ता चतुर्थी स्याद्यदा तिथिः । सांनिध्यं तत्र कार्यं च सर्वैर्देवैश्च तद्दिने

aṁgārakeṇa saṁyuktā caturthī syādyadā tithiḥ sāṁnidhyaṁ tatra kāryaṁ ca sarvairdevaiśca taddine

"When the fourth tithi falls joined with Tuesday, presence there should be kept by all the gods on that day."

Verse 118 (skanda.6.185.118)

कुर्यात्तत्रैव यः स्नानं तस्मिन्नहनि संस्थिते । सर्वतीर्थफलं तस्य जायतां वः प्रसादतः

kuryāttatraiva yaḥ snānaṁ tasminnahani saṁsthite sarvatīrthaphalaṁ tasya jāyatāṁ vaḥ prasādataḥ

"Whoever bathes there on the very day that this falls shall obtain, by your grace, the fruit of all the tirthas."

Verse 119 (skanda.6.185.119)

तथास्त्विति ततः सर्वेऽतिथिं प्रोचुः सुरोत्तमाः । एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राह पुलस्त्यर्षिः पितामहम् । पुलस्त्य उवाच । ऋत्विजः सकला देवाः संस्थिताः कौतुकान्विताः । उत्तिष्ठंतु च ते शीघ्रं यज्ञकर्मप्रसिद्धये

tathāstviti tataḥ sarve'tithiṁ procuḥ surottamāḥ etasminnaṁtare prāha pulastyarṣiḥ pitāmaham pulastya uvāca ṛtvijaḥ sakalā devāḥ saṁsthitāḥ kautukānvitāḥ uttiṣṭhaṁtu ca te śīghraṁ yajñakarmaprasiddhaye

"So be it," all the best of gods then said to the guest. Meanwhile the sage Pulastya spoke to the Grandsire. Pulastya said: "All the ritwik-gods remain there, filled with curiosity; let them rise quickly, for the accomplishment of the sacrificial rite."

Verse 120 (skanda.6.185.120)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे सर्वे तस्य वाक्यप्रणोदिताः । उत्थिता ऋत्विजो ये च स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे । ततः प्रववृते यज्ञः सपुनर्द्विजसत्तमाः । कुर्वता यज्ञकर्माणि होमपूर्वाणि यानि च

etasminnaṁtare sarve tasya vākyapraṇoditāḥ utthitā ṛtvijo ye ca svāni sthānāni bhejire tataḥ pravavṛte yajñaḥ sapunardvijasattamāḥ kurvatā yajñakarmāṇi homapūrvāṇi yāni ca

Meanwhile all of them, urged on by his word, the ritwiks who had risen took up their respective places; and the sacrifice proceeded once more, O foremost of brahmins, as they performed the sacrificial rites, beginning with the homas.