The Descent of Pushkara and the Origin of the Yakshma-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.190.1)

सूत उवाच । एवं क्रतुः स संजातः पञ्चरात्रं द्विजोत्तमाः। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे सर्वकाम समृद्धिमान्

sūta uvāca evaṁ kratuḥ sa saṁjātaḥ pañcarātraṁ dvijottamāḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre sarvakāma samṛddhimān

Suta said: Thus that sacrifice, lasting five nights, O best of brahmins, came to pass in the sacred field born of Hatakeshvara, abundant with every desired thing.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.190.2)

विप्रांश्च भिक्षुकांश्चैव दीनांधांश्च विशेषतः। समाप्तौ तस्य यज्ञस्य संतर्प्य सकलांस्ततः। ऋत्विजो दक्षिणाभिस्तान्यथोक्तान्द्विजसत्तमान्

viprāṁśca bhikṣukāṁścaiva dīnāṁdhāṁśca viśeṣataḥ samāptau tasya yajñasya saṁtarpya sakalāṁstataḥ ṛtvijo dakṣiṇābhistānyathoktāndvijasattamān

Having satisfied the brahmins, the mendicants, and especially the wretched and the blind, at the conclusion of that sacrifice, the ritwiks then rewarded those foremost of brahmins with the prescribed sacrificial fees.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.190.3)

ततः स चानयामास नागरान्ब्राह्मणोत्तमान्। चातुश्चरणसंपन्नाञ्छ्रुतिस्मृति समन्वितान्

tataḥ sa cānayāmāsa nāgarānbrāhmaṇottamān cātuścaraṇasaṁpannāñchrutismṛti samanvitān

Then he brought together the Nagara brahmins, foremost among brahmins, endowed with the fourfold conduct, versed in shruti and smriti.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.190.4)

कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा ततस्तान्प्राह सादरम्। यद्भूमौ तु मया तीर्थं पुष्करं संनिवेशितम्

kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā tatastānprāha sādaram yadbhūmau tu mayā tīrthaṁ puṣkaraṁ saṁniveśitam

With joined palms, he then spoke to them respectfully: "This tirtha, a second Pushkara, which I have established here on this earth,"

Verse 5 (skanda.6.190.5)

कलिकालस्य भीतेन द्वितीयं ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः। येन नो नाशमभ्येति म्लेच्छैरपि समाश्रितम्

kalikālasya bhītena dvitīyaṁ brāhmaṇottamāḥ yena no nāśamabhyeti mlecchairapi samāśritam

"out of fear of the Kali age, O best of brahmins, by which ruin might not come upon us, taken over even by mlecchas —"

Verse 6 (skanda.6.190.6)

हाटकेश्वरदेवस्य प्रभावेन महात्मनः। कलिकाले च सम्प्राप्ते तीर्थान्यायतनानि च

hāṭakeśvaradevasya prabhāvena mahātmanaḥ kalikāle ca samprāpte tīrthānyāyatanāni ca

"through the power of the great Hatakeshvara deity — [I did this because] when the Kali age arrives, the tirthas and shrines [elsewhere]"

Verse 7 (skanda.6.190.7)

म्लेच्छैः स्पृष्टान्यसंदिग्धं प्रयागादीनि कृत्स्नशः। यज्ञस्तु विहितस्तेन भयायं तत्कृतेन च

mlecchaiḥ spṛṣṭānyasaṁdigdhaṁ prayāgādīni kṛtsnaśaḥ yajñastu vihitastena bhayāyaṁ tatkṛtena ca

"shall all, without doubt, be touched by mlecchas, Prayaga and the rest entirely; but this sacrifice has been ordained by me out of fear of that very peril."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.190.8)

तस्माद्वदथ किं दानं युष्मद्भूमेश्च निष्क्रये। प्रयच्छामि च यज्ञस्य येन मे स्यात्फलं द्विजाः

tasmādvadatha kiṁ dānaṁ yuṣmadbhūmeśca niṣkraye prayacchāmi ca yajñasya yena me syātphalaṁ dvijāḥ

"Therefore tell me what gift I should give in exchange for your land, by which the fruit of the sacrifice may be mine, O brahmins."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.190.9)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । यदि यच्छसि चास्माकं दक्षिणां यज्ञसंभवाम्। तदस्माकं स्ववासेन स्थानं नय पवित्रताम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadi yacchasi cāsmākaṁ dakṣiṇāṁ yajñasaṁbhavām tadasmākaṁ svavāsena sthānaṁ naya pavitratām

The brahmins said: "If you grant us the sacrificial fee arising from this sacrifice, then lead our own dwelling-place to sanctity."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.190.10)

यदेतद्भवता चात्र पुष्करं तीर्थमुत्तमम्। स्थापितं तस्य नो ब्रूहि माहात्म्यं सुरसत्तम। येन स्नानादिकाः सर्वाः क्रियाः कुर्मः पितामह

yadetadbhavatā cātra puṣkaraṁ tīrthamuttamam sthāpitaṁ tasya no brūhi māhātmyaṁ surasattama yena snānādikāḥ sarvāḥ kriyāḥ kurmaḥ pitāmaha

"This excellent Pushkara tirtha that you have established here — tell us its greatness, O best of gods, by which we may perform all the rites of bathing and the rest, O Grandsire."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.190.11)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एतत्तीर्थं मया सृष्टमंतरिक्षस्थितं सदा। किं न श्रुतं पुराणेषु भवद्भिर्द्विजसत्तमाः

brahmovāca etattīrthaṁ mayā sṛṣṭamaṁtarikṣasthitaṁ sadā kiṁ na śrutaṁ purāṇeṣu bhavadbhirdvijasattamāḥ

Brahma said: "This tirtha, created by me, ever abides in the sky — have you not heard of this in the Puranas, O best of brahmins?"

Verse 12 (skanda.6.190.12)

पृथिव्यां नैमिषं तीर्थमन्तरिक्षे च पुष्करम्। त्रैलोक्ये तु कुरुक्षेत्रं विशेषेण व्यवस्थितम्

pṛthivyāṁ naimiṣaṁ tīrthamantarikṣe ca puṣkaram trailokye tu kurukṣetraṁ viśeṣeṇa vyavasthitam

"On earth, Naimisha is the tirtha; in the sky, Pushkara; and in the three worlds, Kurukshetra stands especially established."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.190.13)

तद्युष्माकं हितार्थाय पंचरात्रं धरातले। आगमिष्यत्यसंदिग्धं मम वाक्यप्रणोदितम्

tadyuṣmākaṁ hitārthāya paṁcarātraṁ dharātale āgamiṣyatyasaṁdigdhaṁ mama vākyapraṇoditam

"For your benefit it shall descend to this earth for five nights, without doubt, impelled by my word."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.190.14)

कार्तिक्यां शुक्लपक्षे तु ह्येकादश्यां दिने स्थिते। यावत्पंचदशी तावत्तिथिः पापप्रणाशिनी

kārtikyāṁ śuklapakṣe tu hyekādaśyāṁ dine sthite yāvatpaṁcadaśī tāvattithiḥ pāpapraṇāśinī

"From the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartika until the fifteenth — that span of tithis destroys sin."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.190.15)

पंचरात्रस्य मध्ये तु यः स्नानं च करिष्यति । श्राद्धं वा श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्य स्यादक्षयं हि तत्

paṁcarātrasya madhye tu yaḥ snānaṁ ca kariṣyati śrāddhaṁ vā śraddhayā yuktastasya syādakṣayaṁ hi tat

"Whoever, in the midst of these five nights, performs bathing or a shraddha, endowed with faith — that act of his becomes imperishable."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.190.16)

अह तु पंचरात्रं तद्ब्रह्मलोकादुपेत्य च । संश्रयं तु करिष्यामि तीर्थेऽत्रैव द्विजोत्तमाः

aha tu paṁcarātraṁ tadbrahmalokādupetya ca saṁśrayaṁ tu kariṣyāmi tīrthe'traiva dvijottamāḥ

"But for these five nights I myself, having come from Brahmaloka, shall take up residence in this very tirtha, O best of brahmins."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.190.17)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । तव मूर्तिं करिष्यामः स्थानेऽत्र प्रपितामह । तस्यां संक्रमणं नित्यं तस्मात्कार्यं त्वयाविभो

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ tava mūrtiṁ kariṣyāmaḥ sthāne'tra prapitāmaha tasyāṁ saṁkramaṇaṁ nityaṁ tasmātkāryaṁ tvayāvibho

The brahmins said: "We shall make an image of you here in this place, O great-grandsire; therefore a descent into it must always be made by you, O lord."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.190.18)

तीर्थं चैव सदाप्यऽत्र समागच्छतु चांबरात् । लोकानां पापनाशाय तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि

tīrthaṁ caiva sadāpya'tra samāgacchatu cāṁbarāt lokānāṁ pāpanāśāya tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi

"And let the tirtha itself always come down here from the sky as well, for the destruction of the sins of all people — this too you should be pleased to grant."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.190.19)

एषा नो दक्षिणा देव यज्ञस्यैव समुद्भवा

eṣā no dakṣiṇā deva yajñasyaiva samudbhavā

"This is our sacrificial fee, O god, arising from the sacrifice itself."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.190.20)

एवं कृते सुरश्रेष्ठ सफलः स्यात्क्रतुस्तव । प्रतिज्ञा च तथा सत्या तस्माद्दानाय निर्मिता । श्रीब्रह्मोवाच । मन्त्राहूतं ततः श्रेष्ठं नभोमार्गाद्द्विजोत्तमाः । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे पुष्करं चागमिष्यति

evaṁ kṛte suraśreṣṭha saphalaḥ syātkratustava pratijñā ca tathā satyā tasmāddānāya nirmitā śrībrahmovāca mantrāhūtaṁ tataḥ śreṣṭhaṁ nabhomārgāddvijottamāḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre puṣkaraṁ cāgamiṣyati

"Thus done, O best of gods, your sacrifice shall become fruitful, and your vow true — this, then, has been established as our gift." Shri Brahma said: "Then, summoned by mantra, O best of brahmins, the excellent Pushkara shall come, by the path of the sky, to this sacred field of Hatakeshvara."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.190.21)

अघमर्षं जपंश्चैव यः करिष्यति तोयगः। मम मूर्तेः पुरः स्थित्वा पैलमन्त्रपुरःसरम्

aghamarṣaṁ japaṁścaiva yaḥ kariṣyati toyagaḥ mama mūrteḥ puraḥ sthitvā pailamantrapuraḥsaram

"Whoever, having entered the water, shall recite the Aghamarshana hymn, standing before my image, preceded by the Paila-mantra,"

Verse 22 (skanda.6.190.22)

जपिष्यति द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सवनानां चतुष्टयम् । ब्रह्मलोकात्समागत्य प्रश्रोष्या मि च तद्द्विजाः

japiṣyati dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ savanānāṁ catuṣṭayam brahmalokātsamāgatya praśroṣyā mi ca taddvijāḥ

"shall recite it, O best of brahmins, at all four of the daily pressings; having come from Brahmaloka, I too shall hear it, O brahmins."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.190.23)

सूत उवाच । अथ ते नागराः सर्वे पुष्पदानप्रपूर्वकम्। अनुज्ञां प्रददुस्तुष्टा यज्ञफलसमाप्तये

sūta uvāca atha te nāgarāḥ sarve puṣpadānaprapūrvakam anujñāṁ pradadustuṣṭā yajñaphalasamāptaye

Suta said: Then all those Nagaras, having first offered flowers, gave their consent, being satisfied, for the completion of the sacrifice's fruit.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.190.24)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तः पुलस्त्योऽध्वर्युसत्तमः । यत्र स्थाने स्थितो ब्रह्मा नागरैः परिवारितः

etasminnaṁtare prāptaḥ pulastyo'dhvaryusattamaḥ yatra sthāne sthito brahmā nāgaraiḥ parivāritaḥ

Meanwhile Pulastya, foremost of the Adhvaryu priests, arrived at the place where Brahma stood, surrounded by the Nagaras,

Verse 25 (skanda.6.190.25)

अब्रवीच्च समाप्तस्ते यतः संपूर्णदक्षिणः । प्रायश्चित्तैर्विरहितो यथा नान्यस्य कस्यचित्

abravīcca samāptaste yataḥ saṁpūrṇadakṣiṇaḥ prāyaścittairvirahito yathā nānyasya kasyacit

and said: "Your rite is complete, since your sacrificial fee is entire, free from need of any expiation, as no other's is."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.190.26)

अतः परं कर्मशेषं किंचिदस्ति पितामह । वारुणेष्टिर्जपश्चैव तत्करिष्यामि सांप्रतम्

ataḥ paraṁ karmaśeṣaṁ kiṁcidasti pitāmaha vāruṇeṣṭirjapaścaiva tatkariṣyāmi sāṁpratam

"Beyond this, is there any remnant of the rite, O Grandsire? The Varuna-offering, and its recitation — that I shall now perform."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.190.27)

तथा चाऽवभृथस्नानं प्रकर्तव्यं त्वया सह । तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ गच्छामो यत्र तोयव्यवस्थितम्

tathā cā'vabhṛthasnānaṁ prakartavyaṁ tvayā saha tasmāduttiṣṭha gacchāmo yatra toyavyavasthitam

"And the avabhritha bath must be performed together with you. Therefore rise — let us go to where the water is prepared,"

Verse 28 (skanda.6.190.28)

येनेष्टिवारुणीं तत्र कुर्मो विप्रैर्यथोचितैः । चतुर्भिर्ब्रह्मपूर्वैश्च मया चाग्नीध्रहोतृभिः

yeneṣṭivāruṇīṁ tatra kurmo viprairyathocitaiḥ caturbhirbrahmapūrvaiśca mayā cāgnīdhrahotṛbhiḥ

"so that we may perform the Varuni rite there with the appropriate brahmins — the four beginning with the Brahma priest, and myself together with the Agnidhra and Hotr priests."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.190.29)

यथावह्नौ तथा तोये मन्त्रवत्तद्भवंशुभम् । हूयते संविधानेनयज्ञपात्रैः सम न्वितम्

yathāvahnau tathā toye mantravattadbhavaṁśubham hūyate saṁvidhānenayajñapātraiḥ sama nvitam

"Just as in fire, so in water, that auspicious offering is made with mantra, poured according to the prescribed procedure, together with the sacrificial vessels."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.190.30)

वरुणस्य प्रतुष्ट्यर्थं स्नानं कार्यं त्वयैव च । ऋत्विग्भिः सहितेनैव सर्वारिष्टप्रशांतये

varuṇasya pratuṣṭyarthaṁ snānaṁ kāryaṁ tvayaiva ca ṛtvigbhiḥ sahitenaiva sarvāriṣṭapraśāṁtaye

"For the propitiation of Varuna, the bath must be performed by you yourself, together with the ritwiks, for the pacification of every calamity."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.190.31)

यस्तत्र समये स्नानं करिष्यति त्वया सह । अन्योऽपि मानवः कश्चिद्विपाप्मा स भविष्यति

yastatra samaye snānaṁ kariṣyati tvayā saha anyo'pi mānavaḥ kaścidvipāpmā sa bhaviṣyati

"Whoever bathes there at that time together with you — any other man too shall become free of sin."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.190.32)

यानीह संति तीर्थानि त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । वारुणीमिष्टिमासाद्य तानि यांति च संनिधौ

yānīha saṁti tīrthāni trailokye sacarācare vāruṇīmiṣṭimāsādya tāni yāṁti ca saṁnidhau

"Whatever tirthas exist here in the three worlds, moving and unmoving, having reached this Varuni offering, come into its presence."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.190.33)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन दीक्षितेन समन्वितम् । तत्र स्नानं प्रकर्तव्यं जलमध्ये तु सार्थिभिः । ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यैः सर्वैरव भृथोत्सवे

tasmātsarvaprayatnena dīkṣitena samanvitam tatra snānaṁ prakartavyaṁ jalamadhye tu sārthibhiḥ brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyairvaiśyaiḥ sarvairava bhṛthotsave

"Therefore, with utmost effort, together with the consecrated one, the bath must be performed there, in the midst of the water, together with one's companions — by brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas, all at the avabhritha festival."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.190.34)

तस्माद्विसर्जयाद्यैतान्ब्राह्मणांस्तावदेव च । एतेऽपि च करिष्यंति स्नानं तत्र त्वया सह

tasmādvisarjayādyaitānbrāhmaṇāṁstāvadeva ca ete'pi ca kariṣyaṁti snānaṁ tatra tvayā saha

"Therefore dismiss now these brahmins, gathered so far; they too shall perform the bath there together with you."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.190.35)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रस्थितो ब्रह्मा ज्येष्ठकुण्डतटं शुभम् । गायत्र्या सहितो हृष्टः कृतकृत्यत्वमागतः

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā prasthito brahmā jyeṣṭhakuṇḍataṭaṁ śubham gāyatryā sahito hṛṣṭaḥ kṛtakṛtyatvamāgataḥ

Suta said: Hearing this, Brahma set out for the auspicious bank of the Jyeshtha-kunda, together with Gayatri, delighted, having attained the sense that his purpose was fulfilled.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.190.36)

अथ तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सुराः सर्वे तथा द्विजाः । पुलस्त्यश्च शुभार्थाय स्नानार्थं प्रस्थितास्तदा। ब्रह्मणा सहिता हृष्टाः पुत्रदारसमन्विताः

atha tadvacanaṁ śrutvā surāḥ sarve tathā dvijāḥ pulastyaśca śubhārthāya snānārthaṁ prasthitāstadā brahmaṇā sahitā hṛṣṭāḥ putradārasamanvitāḥ

Then, hearing his word, all the gods, and the brahmins likewise, and Pulastya, set out for the bath, for that auspicious purpose, delighted, accompanied by Brahma, together with their wives and children.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.190.37)

अथ संकीर्णता जाता समंताज्ज्येष्ठपुष्करे । स्नानार्थमागतैर्लोकैरूर्ध्वबाहुभिरेव च

atha saṁkīrṇatā jātā samaṁtājjyeṣṭhapuṣkare snānārthamāgatairlokairūrdhvabāhubhireva ca

Then a great crowding occurred all around the Jyeshtha-Pushkara, from the people who had come there for bathing, their arms raised in the crush.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.190.38)

न तत्र लक्ष्यते ब्रह्मा न तत्कर्म च वारुणम् । क्रियमाणैर्द्विजैस्तत्र व्याप्ते भूमि तलेऽखिले

na tatra lakṣyate brahmā na tatkarma ca vāruṇam kriyamāṇairdvijaistatra vyāpte bhūmi tale'khile

There, Brahma could not be discerned, nor the Varuna rite being performed, so filled with brahmins performing it was the entire ground.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.190.39)

अथांते कर्मणस्तस्य ब्रह्मा प्राह शतक्रतुम् । हितार्थं सर्वलोकस्य विनयावनतं स्थितम्

athāṁte karmaṇastasya brahmā prāha śatakratum hitārthaṁ sarvalokasya vinayāvanataṁ sthitam

Then, at the end of that rite, Brahma spoke to Shatakratu, who stood there, bowed in humility, for the welfare of all the world:

Verse 40 (skanda.6.190.40)

न मां ज्ञास्यति दूरस्था जनाः स्नानार्थमागताः । मज्जमानं जले पुण्ये सम्मर्देऽस्मिञ्जलोद्भवे

na māṁ jñāsyati dūrasthā janāḥ snānārthamāgatāḥ majjamānaṁ jale puṇye sammarde'smiñjalodbhave

"People who have come from afar for the bath will not recognize me, submerged in this sacred water, in this crush born of the crowd."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.190.41)

तस्मान्नागं समारुह्य निजं वृत्रनिषूदन । एणस्य कृष्णसारस्य वंशांते चर्म न्यस्य च

tasmānnāgaṁ samāruhya nijaṁ vṛtraniṣūdana eṇasya kṛṣṇasārasya vaṁśāṁte carma nyasya ca

"Therefore, O slayer of Vritra, mount your own serpent-vehicle, and, having placed the hide of the black antelope on the tip of a bamboo pole,"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.190.42)

ततस्तत्स्नानवेलायां क्षेप्तव्यं सलिले त्वया । येन लोकः समस्तोऽयं वेत्ति कालं तु स्नानजम्

tatastatsnānavelāyāṁ kṣeptavyaṁ salile tvayā yena lokaḥ samasto'yaṁ vetti kālaṁ tu snānajam

"then, at the time of that bathing, you must cast it into the water, by which all these people may know the proper time for bathing."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.190.43)

स्नानं च कुरुते श्रेयः संप्राप्नोति यथोदितम् । दूरस्थोऽपि सुवृद्धोऽपि बालोऽपि च समागतः । स्नानजं लभते श्रेयः संदृष्टेऽपि यथोदितम् । सूत उवाच । बाढमित्येव संप्रोच्य सत्वरं प्रययौ हरिः

snānaṁ ca kurute śreyaḥ saṁprāpnoti yathoditam dūrastho'pi suvṛddho'pi bālo'pi ca samāgataḥ snānajaṁ labhate śreyaḥ saṁdṛṣṭe'pi yathoditam sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva saṁprocya satvaraṁ prayayau hariḥ

"One who performs the bath thus attains the merit as declared — whether he lives far off, whether aged or a child who has come — he attains the merit of the bath, even merely by seeing it, as declared." Suta said: Having said "So be it," Hari (Indra) swiftly departed.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.190.44)

ततो नागं समारुह्य धृत्वा वंशं करे निजे । मृगचर्माग्रसंयुक्तं तोयमध्ये व्यवस्थितः

tato nāgaṁ samāruhya dhṛtvā vaṁśaṁ kare nije mṛgacarmāgrasaṁyuktaṁ toyamadhye vyavasthitaḥ

Then, having mounted the serpent, holding in his own hand the pole with the deerskin joined at its tip, he took his stand in the midst of the water.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.190.45)

एतत्कर्मावसाने स स्नातुकामे पितामहे । तच्चर्म प्राक्षिपत्तोये स्वयमेव शतक्रतुः

etatkarmāvasāne sa snātukāme pitāmahe taccarma prākṣipattoye svayameva śatakratuḥ

At the conclusion of this rite, when the Grandsire desired to bathe, Shatakratu himself then cast that hide into the water.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.190.46)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवाः सर्वे गन्धर्वगुह्यकाः । मानुषाश्च विशेषेण स्नातास्तत्र समाहिताः

etasminnantare devāḥ sarve gandharvaguhyakāḥ mānuṣāśca viśeṣeṇa snātāstatra samāhitāḥ

At this time all the gods, the Gandharvas, the Guhyakas, and especially the humans, bathed there, well composed.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.190.47)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मा शक्रं प्रोवाच सादरम् । कृतस्नानं सुरैः सार्धं विनयावनतं स्थितम्

etasminnantare brahmā śakraṁ provāca sādaram kṛtasnānaṁ suraiḥ sārdhaṁ vinayāvanataṁ sthitam

At this time Brahma spoke respectfully to Shakra, who stood there, having bathed together with the gods, bowed in humility:

Verse 48 (skanda.6.190.48)

सहस्राक्षं त्वया कष्टं मन्मखे विपुलं कृतम् । आनीता च तथा पत्नी गायत्री च सुमध्यमा

sahasrākṣaṁ tvayā kaṣṭaṁ manmakhe vipulaṁ kṛtam ānītā ca tathā patnī gāyatrī ca sumadhyamā

"By you, O thousand-eyed one, great hardship has been undergone for my sacrifice; and my wife too, the slender-waisted Gayatri, was brought by your effort."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.190.49)

तस्माद्वरय भद्रं ते यं वरं मनसि स्थितम् । सर्वं तेऽहं प्रदास्यामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

tasmādvaraya bhadraṁ te yaṁ varaṁ manasi sthitam sarvaṁ te'haṁ pradāsyāmi yadyapi syātsudurlabham

"Therefore choose, blessed one, whatever boon rests in your mind; I shall grant you everything, even were it most difficult to obtain."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.190.50)

इन्द्र उवाच । यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव यदि देयो वरो मम । यदि त्वां प्रार्थयाम्यद्य भूयात्तु तादृशं विभो

indra uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva yadi deyo varo mama yadi tvāṁ prārthayāmyadya bhūyāttu tādṛśaṁ vibho

Indra said: "If you are pleased with me, O god, if a boon is to be granted to me, if I may ask of you today — let it be thus, O lord:"

Verse 51 (skanda.6.190.51)

वर्षेवर्षे तु यः कुर्यात्संप्राप्तेऽस्मिन्दिने शुभे । मृगचर्म समादाय वंशाग्रे यो महीपतिः

varṣevarṣe tu yaḥ kuryātsaṁprāpte'smindine śubhe mṛgacarma samādāya vaṁśāgre yo mahīpatiḥ

"whoever, year after year, when this auspicious day arrives, taking up the deerskin upon the tip of a pole — whatever king of this land —"

Verse 52 (skanda.6.190.52)

नागप्रवरमारुह्य स्वयमेव पितामह । यथाऽहं प्रक्षिपेत्तोये स स्यात्पापविवर्जितः

nāgapravaramāruhya svayameva pitāmaha yathā'haṁ prakṣipettoye sa syātpāpavivarjitaḥ

"mounting the foremost serpent, himself, O Grandsire, just as I have cast it into the water, shall become free of sin,"

Verse 53 (skanda.6.190.53)

अजेयः सर्वशत्रूणां सर्वव्यसनवर्जितः । ये करिष्यंति च स्नानमनेन मृगचर्मणा

ajeyaḥ sarvaśatrūṇāṁ sarvavyasanavarjitaḥ ye kariṣyaṁti ca snānamanena mṛgacarmaṇā

"unconquerable by all enemies, free of every calamity. And those who shall perform the bath by means of this deerskin,"

Verse 54 (skanda.6.190.54)

सार्धमन्येऽपि ये लोका अपि पापसमन्विताः । तेषां वर्षकृतं पापं त्वत्प्रसादात्प्रणश्यतु

sārdhamanye'pi ye lokā api pāpasamanvitāḥ teṣāṁ varṣakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tvatprasādātpraṇaśyatu

"together with other people too, even those laden with sin — may the sin accumulated over the year, for them, be destroyed by your grace."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.190.55)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एतत्सर्वं सहस्राक्ष तव वाक्यमसंशयम् । भविष्यति न संदेहः सर्वमेतन्मयोदितम्

brahmovāca etatsarvaṁ sahasrākṣa tava vākyamasaṁśayam bhaviṣyati na saṁdehaḥ sarvametanmayoditam

Brahma said: "All this, O thousand-eyed one, is your word, and it is beyond doubt; it shall come to pass, without any doubt — all this I have declared."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.190.56)

यो राजा श्रद्धया युक्तो देशस्यास्य समुद्भवः । आनर्तस्य गजारूढो मृगचर्म क्षिपिष्यति

yo rājā śraddhayā yukto deśasyāsya samudbhavaḥ ānartasya gajārūḍho mṛgacarma kṣipiṣyati

"Whatever king, endowed with faith, born of this land, mounted upon an elephant, lord of Anarta, shall cast the deerskin —"

Verse 57 (skanda.6.190.57)

अत्र कुण्डे मदीये तु मां संपूज्य तटस्थितम् । सर्वलोकहितार्थाय संप्राप्ते प्रतिपद्दिने

atra kuṇḍe madīye tu māṁ saṁpūjya taṭasthitam sarvalokahitārthāya saṁprāpte pratipaddine

"here, in my own kunda, having worshipped me as I stand upon its bank, for the welfare of all people, when the first tithi arrives,"

Verse 58 (skanda.6.190.58)

समाप्ते कुतपे काले विजयी स भविष्यति । कार्तिक्यां च व्यतीतायां द्वितीयेऽह्नि व्यवस्थिते

samāpte kutape kāle vijayī sa bhaviṣyati kārtikyāṁ ca vyatītāyāṁ dvitīye'hni vyavasthite

"at the completion of the kutapa hour, he shall become victorious — when Kartika has passed, on the second day thereafter established,"

Verse 59 (skanda.6.190.59)

तथा तत्कालमासाद्य ये करिष्यंति मानवाः । स्नानं तच्च दिनेऽत्रैव वर्षपापविवर्जिताः । आधिव्याधिविमुक्ताश्च ते भविष्यंत्यसंशयम्

tathā tatkālamāsādya ye kariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ snānaṁ tacca dine'traiva varṣapāpavivarjitāḥ ādhivyādhivimuktāśca te bhaviṣyaṁtyasaṁśayam

"and likewise, whatever men, having reached that same time, shall perform the bath on that very day, shall be freed from the year's sin, and freed from mental and bodily affliction — this shall come to pass without doubt."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.190.60)

सूत उवाच । एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो यक्ष्माख्यो दारुणो गदः । अचिकित्स्योऽपि देवानां तथा धन्वंतरेरपि

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare prāpto yakṣmākhyo dāruṇo gadaḥ acikitsyo'pi devānāṁ tathā dhanvaṁtarerapi

Suta said: At this time there arrived a terrible disease named Yakshma (consumption), incurable even by the gods, and even by Dhanvantari,

Verse 61 (skanda.6.190.61)

नीलांबरधरः क्षामो दीनो दण्डसमाश्रितः । क्षुत्कुर्वञ्छ्लेष्मणा तावत्कृच्छ्रात्संधारयन्पदम्

nīlāṁbaradharaḥ kṣāmo dīno daṇḍasamāśritaḥ kṣutkurvañchleṣmaṇā tāvatkṛcchrātsaṁdhārayanpadam

clad in dark-blue garments, emaciated, wretched, leaning on a staff, hungry, sustaining his steps with difficulty, choked with phlegm.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.190.62)

ततश्च प्रणतो भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच सः । यक्ष्मोवाच । तव यज्ञमहं श्रुत्वा दूरादेव पितामह । क्षुत्क्षामकंठश्चायातः समाप्तावद्य कृच्छ्रतः

tataśca praṇato bhūtvā vākyametaduvāca saḥ yakṣmovāca tava yajñamahaṁ śrutvā dūrādeva pitāmaha kṣutkṣāmakaṁṭhaścāyātaḥ samāptāvadya kṛcchrataḥ

Then, bowing low, he spoke this word. Yakshma said: "Having heard of your sacrifice from afar, O Grandsire, I have come, my throat parched with hunger, with great difficulty, just at its completion."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.190.63)

दक्षेणाहं पुरा सृष्टश्चंद्रार्थं कुपितेन च । रोहिणीं सेवमानस्य संत्यक्तान्यासुतस्य च

dakṣeṇāhaṁ purā sṛṣṭaścaṁdrārthaṁ kupitena ca rohiṇīṁ sevamānasya saṁtyaktānyāsutasya ca

"I was created long ago by Daksha, angered on account of the Moon, when he had forsaken all his other wives while cherishing Rohini alone."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.190.64)

ततो माहेश्वरादेशात्तेन तुष्टेन तस्य च । पक्षमेकं कृतं मह्यं तस्यास्वादनकर्मणि

tato māheśvarādeśāttena tuṣṭena tasya ca pakṣamekaṁ kṛtaṁ mahyaṁ tasyāsvādanakarmaṇi

"Then, at Maheshvara's command, he, being appeased, granted me one fortnight, for the sake of tasting her."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.190.65)

अन्यपक्षे न किंचिच्च येन तृप्तिः प्रजायते । यज्ञस्यैव तु सर्वस्य तर्पयित्वा द्विजोत्तमम्

anyapakṣe na kiṁcicca yena tṛptiḥ prajāyate yajñasyaiva tu sarvasya tarpayitvā dvijottamam

"In the other fortnight there is nothing by which satisfaction arises for me — save by satisfying a brahmin at the very end of an entire sacrifice."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.190.66)

ततस्तद्वचनं ग्राह्यं तर्पितोऽहमसंशयम् । पौर्णमास्यां ततो देव यस्य यज्ञस्य कृत्स्नशः

tatastadvacanaṁ grāhyaṁ tarpito'hamasaṁśayam paurṇamāsyāṁ tato deva yasya yajñasya kṛtsnaśaḥ

"Then that word should be accepted: I am indeed satisfied, without doubt. On the full-moon day, O god, whosesoever sacrifice, in its entirety —"

Verse 67 (skanda.6.190.67)

यस्य नो ब्राह्मणो ब्रूते यज्ञस्यांते प्रतर्पितः । तर्पितोऽस्मीति तत्तस्य वृथा स्याद्यज्ञजं फलम् । यदि कोटिगुणं दत्तमपि श्रद्धासमन्वितम्

yasya no brāhmaṇo brūte yajñasyāṁte pratarpitaḥ tarpito'smīti tattasya vṛthā syādyajñajaṁ phalam yadi koṭiguṇaṁ dattamapi śraddhāsamanvitam

"if the brahmin declares to us at the end of the sacrifice that he has been satisfied, saying 'I am satisfied,' then that renders the sacrificial fruit vain, even were a gift a hundred-million-fold, accompanied by faith, to be given."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.190.68)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा त्वया देव पठ्यमानं श्रुताविह । तस्मात्सम्यक्स्थिते यज्ञे ब्राह्मणं तर्पयेत वै

etacchrutvā tvayā deva paṭhyamānaṁ śrutāviha tasmātsamyaksthite yajñe brāhmaṇaṁ tarpayeta vai

"Having heard this, O god, as it is recited and heard here — therefore, when the sacrifice has been properly established, the brahmin should indeed be satisfied."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.190.69)

प्रत्यक्षं मे यथा तृप्तिरन्नेनैव प्रजायते । त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरश्रेष्ठ तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

pratyakṣaṁ me yathā tṛptirannenaiva prajāyate tvatprasādātsuraśreṣṭha tathā nītirvidhīyatām

"Just as my satisfaction plainly arises from food alone, so, by your grace, O best of gods, let that principle now be established."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.190.70)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजस्तस्य पथ्यंपथ्यं वचोऽखिलम् । श्रुतिं प्रमाणतां नीत्वा ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā padmajastasya pathyaṁpathyaṁ vaco'khilam śrutiṁ pramāṇatāṁ nītvā tato vacanamabravīt

Suta said: Hearing this, Padmaja, having taken in his entire word, both fitting and unfitting, having brought it into accord with scriptural authority, then spoke this word:

Verse 71 (skanda.6.190.71)

अद्यप्रभृति वै विप्राः साग्नयः स्युर्धरातले । तैः सर्वैर्वैश्वदेवांते बलिर्देयस्तथाखिलः

adyaprabhṛti vai viprāḥ sāgnayaḥ syurdharātale taiḥ sarvairvaiśvadevāṁte balirdeyastathākhilaḥ

"From this day forward, brahmins upon this earth shall keep their sacred fires; by all of them, at the end of the Vaishvadeva rite, an entire bali-offering must be given as well."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.190.72)

दत्त्वाऽन्येभ्योथ देवेभ्यस्तव तृप्तिर्भविष्यति । तव पक्षे द्वितीये तु सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

dattvā'nyebhyotha devebhyastava tṛptirbhaviṣyati tava pakṣe dvitīye tu satyametanmayoditam

"Having given it, your satisfaction shall then come about alongside that of the other gods; in your second fortnight — this I declare to be true."

Verse 73 (skanda.6.190.73)

ये विप्रास्तु बलिं दद्युर्वैश्वदेवांत आगते । न तेषामन्वये चापि त्वया सेव्योऽत्र कश्चन

ye viprāstu baliṁ dadyurvaiśvadevāṁta āgate na teṣāmanvaye cāpi tvayā sevyo'tra kaścana

"Those brahmins who give the bali-offering upon reaching the end of the Vaishvadeva rite — in their lineage none shall ever need be visited by you."

Verse 74 (skanda.6.190.74)

यक्ष्मोवाच । तीर्थेऽस्मिंस्तावके देव सदाहं तपसि स्थितः । तिष्ठामि यदि वादेशस्तावको जायते मम

yakṣmovāca tīrthe'smiṁstāvake deva sadāhaṁ tapasi sthitaḥ tiṣṭhāmi yadi vādeśastāvako jāyate mama

Yakshma said: "In this tirtha of yours, O god, I shall ever remain in austerity — I shall dwell here, if it be your command, and it shall become my own."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.190.75)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यद्येवं कुरु चान्यत्र त्वमाश्रमपदं निजम् । संप्राप्य भूमिदेशे च कञ्चिद्यदभिरोचते । अर्थयित्वा द्विजानेतान्यथा यज्ञकृते मया

brahmovāca yadyevaṁ kuru cānyatra tvamāśramapadaṁ nijam saṁprāpya bhūmideśe ca kañcidyadabhirocate arthayitvā dvijānetānyathā yajñakṛte mayā

Brahma said: "If it be so, then go and establish elsewhere your own hermitage, having obtained, in this region of land, whatever pleases you, having requested it of these brahmins, just as I did for the sake of the sacrifice."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.190.76)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रार्थयामास चमत्कारपुरोद्भवान् । तेभ्यः प्राप्य ततो भूमिं चकाराथाश्रमं निजम्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā prārthayāmāsa camatkārapurodbhavān tebhyaḥ prāpya tato bhūmiṁ cakārāthāśramaṁ nijam

Suta said: Hearing this, he made his request to those born of Chamatkarapura; having obtained land from them, he then made his own hermitage there.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.190.77)

तत्र यः कुरुते स्नानं प्रतिपद्दिवसे स्थिते । सूर्यवारेण मुच्येत यक्ष्मणा सेवितोऽपि वा

tatra yaḥ kurute snānaṁ pratipaddivase sthite sūryavāreṇa mucyeta yakṣmaṇā sevito'pi vā

Whoever performs a bath there, on the first tithi, on a Sunday, shall be freed from consumption, even if already afflicted by it.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.190.78)

अद्यापि दृश्यते चात्र प्रत्ययस्तस्य संभवे । सर्वेषामाहिताग्नीनां नागराणां विशेषतः । कलि कालेऽपि संप्राप्ते न यक्ष्मा संप्रजायते

adyāpi dṛśyate cātra pratyayastasya saṁbhave sarveṣāmāhitāgnīnāṁ nāgarāṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ kali kāle'pi saṁprāpte na yakṣmā saṁprajāyate

Even today the proof of this is seen there, especially among all the Nagaras who keep the sacred fire; even when the Kali age has come, consumption does not arise among them,

Verse 79 (skanda.6.190.79)

तथा चतुष्पदानां च तेषां गृहनिवासिनाम् । न तस्य भेषजानि स्युर्न मंत्रा न चिकित्सकाः

tathā catuṣpadānāṁ ca teṣāṁ gṛhanivāsinām na tasya bheṣajāni syurna maṁtrā na cikitsakāḥ

and likewise for their four-footed animals dwelling in their homes — for this disease, no medicines are needed there, no mantras, and no physicians.