The Greatness of the Bala-mandana Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.206.1)

विश्वामित्र उवाच इंद्रोऽपि विष्णुवाक्येन हिमवंतं समागतः ऐरावतं समारुह्य नागेद्रं पर्वतोपमम्

viśvāmitra uvāca iṁdro'pi viṣṇuvākyena himavaṁtaṁ samāgataḥ airāvataṁ samāruhya nāgedraṁ parvatopamam

Vishvamitra said: Indra too, at Vishnu's word, mounting Airavata, that lord of elephants, mountain-like in form, arrived at the Himalaya.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.206.2)

तत्रापश्यदृषींस्तान्स चमत्कार समुद्भवान् नियमैः संयमैर्युक्तान्सदाचारपरायणान् वानप्रस्थाश्रमोपेतान्कामक्रोधविवर्जितान्

tatrāpaśyadṛṣīṁstānsa camatkāra samudbhavān niyamaiḥ saṁyamairyuktānsadācāraparāyaṇān vānaprasthāśramopetānkāmakrodhavivarjitān

There he beheld those sages, born of Chamatkarapura, endowed with vows and self-restraint, devoted to right conduct, established in the forest-dwelling stage of life, free from desire and anger.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.206.3)

एके विप्राः स्थितास्तेषामेकांतरितभोजनाः षष्ठकालाशिनश्चान्ये चांद्रायणपरायणाः

eke viprāḥ sthitāsteṣāmekāṁtaritabhojanāḥ ṣaṣṭhakālāśinaścānye cāṁdrāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ

Some of those brahmins ate only on alternate days; others ate only at the sixth mealtime, given over to the Chandrayana fast.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.206.4)

अश्मकुट्टाः स्थिताः केचिद्दंतोलूखलिनः परे शीर्णपर्णाशनाः केचिज्जलाहारास्तथा परे वायुभक्षास्तथैवान्ये तपस्तेपुः सुदारुणम्

aśmakuṭṭāḥ sthitāḥ keciddaṁtolūkhalinaḥ pare śīrṇaparṇāśanāḥ kecijjalāhārāstathā pare vāyubhakṣāstathaivānye tapastepuḥ sudāruṇam

Some lived by pounding stones for grain, others crushed their food only between their teeth as with a mortar; some lived on withered leaves, others on water alone; and others again, living on air alone, performed the most severe austerity.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.206.5)

अथ शक्रं समालोक्य तत्राऽऽयांतं द्विजोत्तमाः पूजितं चारणैः सिद्धैस्तैरदृष्टं कदाचन

atha śakraṁ samālokya tatrā''yāṁtaṁ dvijottamāḥ pūjitaṁ cāraṇaiḥ siddhaistairadṛṣṭaṁ kadācana

Then, O best of brahmins, they beheld Indra arriving there, honoured by charanas and siddhas — one they had never before seen.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.206.6)

ते सर्वे ब्राह्मणाः प्रोक्तास्तदाश्रमसमीपगैः

te sarve brāhmaṇāḥ proktāstadāśramasamīpagaiḥ

All those brahmins were told this by those who dwelt near that hermitage.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.206.7)

अयं शक्रः समायातो भवतामाश्रमे द्विजाः क्रियतामर्हणं चास्मै यच्चोक्तं शास्त्रचिंतकैः

ayaṁ śakraḥ samāyāto bhavatāmāśrame dvijāḥ kriyatāmarhaṇaṁ cāsmai yaccoktaṁ śāstraciṁtakaiḥ

'This is Indra, who has come to your hermitage, O brahmins; render unto him the honour that has been prescribed by the scholars of the scriptures.'

Verse 8 (skanda.6.206.8)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः संमुखाः प्रययुस्तूर्णं कृतांजलिपुटाः स्थिताः

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve vismayotphullalocanāḥ saṁmukhāḥ prayayustūrṇaṁ kṛtāṁjalipuṭāḥ sthitāḥ

Then all those brahmins, their eyes wide with astonishment, went forth swiftly to meet him, and stood there with joined palms.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.206.9)

गृह्योक्तविधिना तस्मै संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहाः प्रोचुश्च विनयात्सर्वे किमागमनकारणम्

gṛhyoktavidhinā tasmai saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhāḥ procuśca vinayātsarve kimāgamanakāraṇam

With the hair of their bodies standing on end in delight, they honoured him according to the rite prescribed in the domestic law-texts, and all of them humbly asked the reason for his coming.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.206.10)

निरीहस्यापि देवेंद्र कौतुकं नो व्यवस्थितम्

nirīhasyāpi deveṁdra kautukaṁ no vyavasthitam

'O lord of the gods, even for one free of desire as yourself, our curiosity stands fixed upon this.'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.206.11)

इन्द्र उवाच कुशलं वो द्विजश्रेष्ठा अनिहोत्रेषु कृत्स्नशः तपश्चर्यासु सर्वासु वेदाभ्यासे तथा श्रुते

indra uvāca kuśalaṁ vo dvijaśreṣṭhā anihotreṣu kṛtsnaśaḥ tapaścaryāsu sarvāsu vedābhyāse tathā śrute

Indra said: 'O best of brahmins, is all well with you, entirely, in your fire-offerings, in all your practices of austerity, in the study of the Veda, and in the scriptures?'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.206.12)

हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं त्यक्त्वा तीर्थमयं शुभम् कस्मादत्र समायाता हिमार्तिजनके गिरौ

hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ tyaktvā tīrthamayaṁ śubham kasmādatra samāyātā himārtijanake girau

'Why have you left that auspicious, tirtha-filled sacred field born at Hatakeshvara, and come here, to this mountain that brings only the hardship of ice?'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.206.13)

तस्मात्सर्वे मया सार्धं समागच्छंतु सद्द्विजाः चमत्कारपुरे पुण्ये बहुविप्रसमाकुले

tasmātsarve mayā sārdhaṁ samāgacchaṁtu saddvijāḥ camatkārapure puṇye bahuviprasamākule

'Therefore, all of you virtuous brahmins should come together with me, back to the sacred Chamatkarapura, filled with so many brahmins.'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.206.14)

वासुदेवसमादेशात्तत्र गत्वाथ सांप्रतम् गयाकूपे करिष्यामि श्राद्धं भक्त्या द्विजोत्तमाः

vāsudevasamādeśāttatra gatvātha sāṁpratam gayākūpe kariṣyāmi śrāddhaṁ bhaktyā dvijottamāḥ

'O best of brahmins, at the command of Vasudeva, I shall now go there and, with devotion, perform the shraddha-rite at the Gaya-well.'

Verse 15 (skanda.6.206.15)

युष्मदग्रे चतुर्दश्यां प्रेतपक्ष उपस्थिते खेचरत्वं समायातं सर्वेषां भवतां स्फुटम्

yuṣmadagre caturdaśyāṁ pretapakṣa upasthite khecaratvaṁ samāyātaṁ sarveṣāṁ bhavatāṁ sphuṭam

'Before you, on the fourteenth day, when the Preta-paksha has come — it is clear that the power of moving through the sky has come to you all.'

Verse 16 (skanda.6.206.16)

सबालवृद्धपत्नीकाः साग्निहोत्रा मया सह तस्माद्गच्छत भद्रं वस्तत्र स्थानं भविष्यति

sabālavṛddhapatnīkāḥ sāgnihotrā mayā saha tasmādgacchata bhadraṁ vastatra sthānaṁ bhaviṣyati

'Together with your children, your elders, your wives, and your sacred fires, come with me — blessings upon you — there a place awaits you.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.206.17)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः न वयं तत्र यास्यामश्चमत्कारपुरं पुनः अन्येऽपि ब्राह्मणास्तत्र वेदवेदांगपारगाः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ na vayaṁ tatra yāsyāmaścamatkārapuraṁ punaḥ anye'pi brāhmaṇāstatra vedavedāṁgapāragāḥ

The brahmins said: 'We shall not go there again, to Chamatkarapura. There are other brahmins there too, mastered in the Veda and its ancillary sciences,'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.206.18)

नागरा याज्ञिकाः संति स्मार्ताः श्रुतिपरायणाः तेषामग्रे कुरु श्राद्धं श्रद्धा चेच्छ्राद्धजा तव

nāgarā yājñikāḥ saṁti smārtāḥ śrutiparāyaṇāḥ teṣāmagre kuru śrāddhaṁ śraddhā cecchrāddhajā tava

'— Nagaras, performers of sacrifice, learned in the law-codes, devoted to the scriptures. Perform the shraddha before them, if you have faith arising from the shraddha-rite.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.206.19)

इन्द्र उवाच तत्र ये ब्राह्मणाः केचिद्भवद्भिः संप्रकीर्तिताः तथाविधाश्च ते सर्वे वेदवेदांगपारगाः

indra uvāca tatra ye brāhmaṇāḥ kecidbhavadbhiḥ saṁprakīrtitāḥ tathāvidhāśca te sarve vedavedāṁgapāragāḥ

Indra said: 'Those brahmins there of whom you have spoken are indeed, all of them, of just that kind — mastered in the Veda and its ancillary sciences,'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.206.20)

श्रुताध्ययनसंपन्ना याज्ञिकाश्च विशेषतः परं द्वेषपराः सर्वे तथा परुषवादिनः

śrutādhyayanasaṁpannā yājñikāśca viśeṣataḥ paraṁ dveṣaparāḥ sarve tathā paruṣavādinaḥ

'accomplished in scriptural study, and especially skilled performers of sacrifice. But they are all, besides, given to malice, and harsh of speech,'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.206.21)

अहंकारेण संयुक्ताः परस्परजिगीषवः तपसा विप्रयुक्ताश्च भोगसक्ता दिवानिशम्

ahaṁkāreṇa saṁyuktāḥ parasparajigīṣavaḥ tapasā viprayuktāśca bhogasaktā divāniśam

'consumed with pride, each seeking to outdo the other, devoid of austerity, and given over to pleasure day and night.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.206.22)

यूयं सर्वगुणोपेता विष्णुना मे प्रकीर्तिताः तस्मादागमनं कार्यं मया सार्धं समस्तकैः

yūyaṁ sarvaguṇopetā viṣṇunā me prakīrtitāḥ tasmādāgamanaṁ kāryaṁ mayā sārdhaṁ samastakaiḥ

'You, however, endowed with every virtue, were the ones declared to me by Vishnu. Therefore all of you, without exception, must come together with me.'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.206.23)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः अस्माभिस्तेन दोषेण त्यक्तं स्थानं निजं हि तत् बहुतीर्थसमोपेतं स्वर्गमार्गप्रदर्शकम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ asmābhistena doṣeṇa tyaktaṁ sthānaṁ nijaṁ hi tat bahutīrthasamopetaṁ svargamārgapradarśakam

The brahmins said: 'For that very fault, we abandoned that place of ours, filled though it was with many tirthas, showing the path to heaven.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.206.24)

यदि यास्यामहे तत्र त्वया सार्धं पुरंदर अस्माकं स्वजनाः सर्वे रागद्वेषपरायणाः

yadi yāsyāmahe tatra tvayā sārdhaṁ puraṁdara asmākaṁ svajanāḥ sarve rāgadveṣaparāyaṇāḥ

'If we go there again, O Purandara, together with you — all our own kinsmen there are given over to attachment and hatred,'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.206.25)

अपराधान्करिष्यंति नित्यमेव पदेपदे ईर्ष्याधर्मसमोपेताः परुषाक्षरजल्पकाः

aparādhānkariṣyaṁti nityameva padepade īrṣyādharmasamopetāḥ paruṣākṣarajalpakāḥ

'and, filled with jealousy and unrighteousness, harsh of tongue, they would commit offences against us continually, at every turn.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.206.26)

ततः संपत्स्यते क्रोधः क्रोधाच्च तपसः क्षयः ततो न प्राप्यते मुक्तिस्तद्गच्छामः कथं विभो

tataḥ saṁpatsyate krodhaḥ krodhācca tapasaḥ kṣayaḥ tato na prāpyate muktistadgacchāmaḥ kathaṁ vibho

'From that would arise anger, and from anger, the ruin of our austerity; and thereby liberation would not be attained. How, then, O lord, could we go there?'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.206.27)

अपरं तत्र भूपोऽस्ति देशे दानपरः सदा आनर्ताधिपतिः ख्यातः सर्वभूमौ सदैव सः

aparaṁ tatra bhūpo'sti deśe dānaparaḥ sadā ānartādhipatiḥ khyātaḥ sarvabhūmau sadaiva saḥ

'Furthermore, there is a king in that land, ever devoted to giving, the renowned lord of Anarta, known so throughout the whole earth.'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.206.28)

ददाति विविधं दानं हस्त्यश्वकनकादिकम् यदि तत्र न गृह्णीमस्तदा कोपं स गच्छति

dadāti vividhaṁ dānaṁ hastyaśvakanakādikam yadi tatra na gṛhṇīmastadā kopaṁ sa gacchati

'He gives many kinds of gifts — elephants, horses, gold, and the rest. If we do not accept them there, he grows angry;'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.206.29)

भूपाले कोपमापन्ने स्वजनेषु विरोधिषु सिद्धिर्नो तपसोऽस्माकं तेन त्यक्तं निजं पुरम्

bhūpāle kopamāpanne svajaneṣu virodhiṣu siddhirno tapaso'smākaṁ tena tyaktaṁ nijaṁ puram

'— and with the king angered, and our own kinsmen hostile toward us, our austerity would bear no fruit. For this very reason we left our own city.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.206.30)

यदि गृह्णीमहे दानं तस्य भूपस्य देवप तपसः संप्रणाशः स्याद्यद्धि प्रोक्तं स्वयंभुवा

yadi gṛhṇīmahe dānaṁ tasya bhūpasya devapa tapasaḥ saṁpraṇāśaḥ syādyaddhi proktaṁ svayaṁbhuvā

'And, O lord of the gods, if we accept the gift of that king, our austerity would be utterly destroyed — for thus has the Self-Existent One declared:'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.206.31)

दशसूनासमश्चक्री दशचक्रिसमो ध्वजी दशध्वजि समा वेश्या दशवेश्यासमो नृपः

daśasūnāsamaścakrī daśacakrisamo dhvajī daśadhvaji samā veśyā daśaveśyāsamo nṛpaḥ

'A potter is equal to ten butchers; a chariot-maker is equal to ten potters; a courtesan is equal to ten chariot-makers; and a king is equal to ten courtesans.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.206.32)

तत्कथं तस्य गृह्णीमो दानं पापरतस्य च यथाऽन्ये नागराः सर्वे लोभेन महतान्विताः

tatkathaṁ tasya gṛhṇīmo dānaṁ pāparatasya ca yathā'nye nāgarāḥ sarve lobhena mahatānvitāḥ

'How, then, could we accept the gift of that man given to sin, just as all the other Nagaras there, overcome with great greed, do?'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.206.33)

इन्द्र उवाच प्रभावोऽयं द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तस्य क्षेत्रस्य संस्थितः हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञस्य सर्वदैव व्यवस्थितः

indra uvāca prabhāvo'yaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāstasya kṣetrasya saṁsthitaḥ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñasya sarvadaiva vyavasthitaḥ

Indra said: 'O best of brahmins, this is a power that resides ever, permanently, in that sacred field named for Hatakeshvara —'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.206.34)

पितॄणां च सुतानां च बंधूनां च विशेषतः श्वश्रूणां च स्नुषाणां च भगिनीभ्रातृभार्ययोः

pitṝṇāṁ ca sutānāṁ ca baṁdhūnāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ śvaśrūṇāṁ ca snuṣāṇāṁ ca bhaginībhrātṛbhāryayoḥ

'— affecting fathers and sons, kinsmen especially, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, and a sister and a brother's wife,'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.206.35)

तस्याधस्तात्स्वयं देवो हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितः पुरस्य विद्यते तस्य प्रतापेनाखिला जनाः

tasyādhastātsvayaṁ devo hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitaḥ purasya vidyate tasya pratāpenākhilā janāḥ

'— for beneath it, the god himself, named Hatakeshvara, resides; and by the fiery power of that city, all the people there —'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.206.36)

सन्तप्यंते ततो द्वेषं प्रकुर्वंति परस्परम् किं न श्रुतं भवद्भिस्तु यथा रामः सलक्ष्मणः सीतया सह संप्राप्तो विरोधं परमं गतः

santapyaṁte tato dveṣaṁ prakurvaṁti parasparam kiṁ na śrutaṁ bhavadbhistu yathā rāmaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ sītayā saha saṁprāpto virodhaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

'— become inflamed, and fall into mutual strife. Have you not even heard how Rama, together with Lakshmana, on reaching there with Sita, fell into the deepest discord?'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.206.37)

सीतया लक्ष्मणेनैव सार्धं कोपेन संयुतः अवाच्यं प्रोक्तवान्विप्रास्तौ च तेन समं तदा

sītayā lakṣmaṇenaiva sārdhaṁ kopena saṁyutaḥ avācyaṁ proktavānviprāstau ca tena samaṁ tadā

'O brahmins, overcome with anger, he spoke unspeakable words to Sita and to Lakshmana, and they too spoke likewise to him at that time.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.206.38)

अपि मासं वसेत्तत्र यदि कोपविवर्जितः तदा मुक्तिमवाप्नोति स्वर्गभाक्पञ्चरात्रतः

api māsaṁ vasettatra yadi kopavivarjitaḥ tadā muktimavāpnoti svargabhākpañcarātrataḥ

'Yet, should one dwell there for even a month free from anger, then one attains liberation; and merely from five nights, one attains heaven.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.206.39)

तस्मात्तत्र प्रगंतव्यं युष्माभिस्तु मया सह ईर्ष्याधर्मं न युष्माभिस्ते करिष्यंति नागराः

tasmāttatra pragaṁtavyaṁ yuṣmābhistu mayā saha īrṣyādharmaṁ na yuṣmābhiste kariṣyaṁti nāgarāḥ

'Therefore you should indeed go there, together with me. Those Nagaras will not provoke you into jealousy and unrighteousness,'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.206.40)

न चैव भवतां कोपस्तत्रस्थानां भविष्यति प्रसादान्मम विप्रेंद्राः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

na caiva bhavatāṁ kopastatrasthānāṁ bhaviṣyati prasādānmama vipreṁdrāḥ satyametanmayoditam

'nor will anger arise in you while you dwell there, by my own grace, O foremost of brahmins — this is the truth I have spoken.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.206.41)

आनर्तः पार्थिवो दाने योजयिष्यति न क्वचित् युष्माकं पुत्रपौत्रेभ्यो ये दास्यंति च कन्यकाः

ānartaḥ pārthivo dāne yojayiṣyati na kvacit yuṣmākaṁ putrapautrebhyo ye dāsyaṁti ca kanyakāḥ

'King Anarta shall never press you to accept any gift. Whoever gives their daughters to your sons and grandsons —'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.206.42)

सहस्रगुणितं तेषां तत्फलं संभविष्यति अमावास्यादिने श्राद्धं कन्यासंस्थे दिवाकरे

sahasraguṇitaṁ teṣāṁ tatphalaṁ saṁbhaviṣyati amāvāsyādine śrāddhaṁ kanyāsaṁsthe divākare

'— for them, that merit shall become a thousandfold. On the day of the new moon, with the sun in Virgo,'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.206.43)

युष्मदग्रे द्विजश्रेष्ठा गया कूप्यां करिष्यति यस्तस्य तत्फलं भावि सहस्रशतसंमितम्

yuṣmadagre dvijaśreṣṭhā gayā kūpyāṁ kariṣyati yastasya tatphalaṁ bhāvi sahasraśatasaṁmitam

'— O best of brahmins, whoever performs the shraddha at the Gaya-well, before you, his merit shall become equal to a hundred thousandfold.'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.206.44)

गयाश्राद्धान्न सन्देहः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् यदि श्राद्धकृते तत्र नायास्यथ द्विजोत्तमाः

gayāśrāddhānna sandehaḥ satyametanmayoditam yadi śrāddhakṛte tatra nāyāsyatha dvijottamāḥ

'It shall surely exceed even the shraddha at Gaya — this is the truth I have spoken. But if, O best of brahmins, you do not come there for the sake of the shraddha —'

Verse 45 (skanda.6.206.45)

ततः शापं प्रदास्यामि तपोविघ्नकरं हि वः एवं ज्ञात्वा मया सार्धं तत्राऽऽगच्छत सत्वरम्

tataḥ śāpaṁ pradāsyāmi tapovighnakaraṁ hi vaḥ evaṁ jñātvā mayā sārdhaṁ tatrā''gacchata satvaram

'— then I shall pronounce a curse upon you, that shall obstruct your very austerity. Knowing this, come with me there at once.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.206.46)

इत्युक्तास्तेन ते सर्वे शक्रेण सह तत्क्षणात् कश्यपश्चैव कौंडिन्य उक्ष्णाशः शार्कवो द्विषः

ityuktāstena te sarve śakreṇa saha tatkṣaṇāt kaśyapaścaiva kauṁḍinya ukṣṇāśaḥ śārkavo dviṣaḥ

Thus addressed by him, all of them set out at once together with Indra — Kashyapa, and Kaundinya, Ukshnasha, Sharkava, and Dvisha,

Verse 47 (skanda.6.206.47)

बैजवापश्चैव षष्ठः कापिष्ठलो द्विकस्तथा एतत्कुलाष्टकं प्राप्तमिंद्रेण सह पार्थिव

baijavāpaścaiva ṣaṣṭhaḥ kāpiṣṭhalo dvikastathā etatkulāṣṭakaṁ prāptamiṁdreṇa saha pārthiva

— and Baijavapa, the sixth, and Kapishthala, likewise the eighth — O king, this eightfold lineage set out together with Indra.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.206.48)

अग्निष्वात्तादिकान्सर्वान्पितॄनाहूय कृत्स्नशः विश्वेदेवांस्तथा चैव प्रस्थितः पाकशासनः

agniṣvāttādikānsarvānpitṝnāhūya kṛtsnaśaḥ viśvedevāṁstathā caiva prasthitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ

Having summoned all the ancestors, Agnishvatta and the rest, entirely, and the Vishvedevas as well, Indra set out,

Verse 49 (skanda.6.206.49)

सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमाविष्टश्चमत्कारपुरं प्रति एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

samyakchraddhāsamāviṣṭaścamatkārapuraṁ prati etasminneva kāle tu brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

filled with true devotion, toward Chamatkarapura. At this very time, Brahma, the grandsire of all worlds,

Verse 50 (skanda.6.206.50)

गयायां प्रस्थितः सोऽपि श्राद्धार्थं तत्र वासरे विश्वेदेवाः प्रतिज्ञाय गयायां प्रस्थिता विधिम्

gayāyāṁ prasthitaḥ so'pi śrāddhārthaṁ tatra vāsare viśvedevāḥ pratijñāya gayāyāṁ prasthitā vidhim

— he too set out for Gaya, for the sake of the shraddha, upon that same day; and the Vishvedevas, having given their word, set out for the rite at Gaya,

Verse 51 (skanda.6.206.51)

शक्र श्राद्धं परित्यज्य गता यत्र पितामहः शक्रोऽपि तत्पुरं प्राप्य गयाकूप्यामुपागतः

śakra śrāddhaṁ parityajya gatā yatra pitāmahaḥ śakro'pi tatpuraṁ prāpya gayākūpyāmupāgataḥ

abandoning Indra's shraddha, going to where the Grandsire was. Indra, meanwhile, reaching that city, arrived at the Gaya-well.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.206.52)

ततः स्नात्वाह्वयामास श्राद्धार्थं श्रद्धयान्वितः विश्वेदेवान्पितॄंश्चैव काले कुतपसंज्ञिते

tataḥ snātvāhvayāmāsa śrāddhārthaṁ śraddhayānvitaḥ viśvedevānpitṝṁścaiva kāle kutapasaṁjñite

Then, having bathed, filled with devotion, he invoked the Vishvedevas and the ancestors, for the sake of the shraddha, at the time called Kutapa.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.206.53)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ताः समाहूताश्च तेन ये पितरो देवरूपा ये प्रेतरूपास्तथैव च

etasminnaṁtare prāptāḥ samāhūtāśca tena ye pitaro devarūpā ye pretarūpāstathaiva ca

Meanwhile, those ancestors who had been summoned by him arrived — those in the form of gods, and likewise those in the form of pretas —

Verse 54 (skanda.6.206.54)

प्रत्यक्षरूपिणः सर्वे द्विजोपांते समाश्रिताः विश्वेदेवा न संप्राप्ता ये गयायां गतास्तदा

pratyakṣarūpiṇaḥ sarve dvijopāṁte samāśritāḥ viśvedevā na saṁprāptā ye gayāyāṁ gatāstadā

— all of them, taking on visible forms, gathered close by the brahmins. But the Vishvedevas, who had gone to Gaya, did not arrive.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.206.55)

ततो विलंबमकरोत्तदर्थं पाकशासनः विश्वेदेवा यतः श्राद्धे पूज्याः प्रथममेव च

tato vilaṁbamakarottadarthaṁ pākaśāsanaḥ viśvedevā yataḥ śrāddhe pūjyāḥ prathamameva ca

Then Indra delayed the rite on their account, since the Vishvedevas are to be worshipped first of all in the shraddha.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.206.56)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो नारदो मुनिसत्तमः शक्रं प्राह समागत्य विश्वेदेवाऽभिकांक्षिणम्

etasminnaṁtare prāpto nārado munisattamaḥ śakraṁ prāha samāgatya viśvedevā'bhikāṁkṣiṇam

Meanwhile, the sage Narada, foremost among sages, arrived, and, approaching Indra, who was waiting eagerly for the Vishvedevas, spoke to him.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.206.57)

नारद उवाच विश्वेदेवा गताः शक्र श्राद्धे पैतामहेऽधुना गयायां ते मया दृष्टा गच्छमानाः प्रहर्षिताः

nārada uvāca viśvedevā gatāḥ śakra śrāddhe paitāmahe'dhunā gayāyāṁ te mayā dṛṣṭā gacchamānāḥ praharṣitāḥ

Narada said: 'O Indra, the Vishvedevas have gone now to the Grandsire's shraddha. I saw them myself, going to Gaya, filled with delight.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.206.58)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तत्र कुपितस्तेषामुपरि तत्क्षणात् अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यं विप्राणां पुरतः स्थितः

tacchrutvā tatra kupitasteṣāmupari tatkṣaṇāt abravītparuṣaṁ vākyaṁ viprāṇāṁ purataḥ sthitaḥ

Hearing this, angered at once against them, Indra, standing there before the brahmins, spoke this harsh word.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.206.59)

विश्वेदेवान्विना श्राद्धं करिष्याम्यहमद्य भोः तथान्ये मानवाः सर्वे करिष्यंति धरातले

viśvedevānvinā śrāddhaṁ kariṣyāmyahamadya bhoḥ tathānye mānavāḥ sarve kariṣyaṁti dharātale

'I shall this very day perform the shraddha without the Vishvedevas! And so shall all other men upon the earth do likewise.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.206.60)

विश्वेदेवान्पुरः स्थाप्य योऽत्र श्राद्धं करिष्यति व्यर्थतां यास्यते तस्य ऊषरे वर्षितं यथा

viśvedevānpuraḥ sthāpya yo'tra śrāddhaṁ kariṣyati vyarthatāṁ yāsyate tasya ūṣare varṣitaṁ yathā

'Whoever, henceforth, sets the Vishvedevas before him and performs the shraddha, that offering shall go to waste, just like rain falling upon barren ground.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.206.61)

एवमुक्त्वा सहस्राक्ष एकोद्दिष्टानि कृत्स्नशः चकार सर्वदेवानां ये हता रणमूर्धनि

evamuktvā sahasrākṣa ekoddiṣṭāni kṛtsnaśaḥ cakāra sarvadevānāṁ ye hatā raṇamūrdhani

Having said this, the thousand-eyed one performed, in their entirety, the Ekoddishta rites for all those gods who had been slain at the forefront of battle.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.206.62)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी येषामुद्दिश्य तच्छ्राद्धं कृतं तेषां नृपोत्तम

etasminneva kāle tu vāguvācāśarīriṇī yeṣāmuddiśya tacchrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ teṣāṁ nṛpottama

At this very time, a bodiless voice spoke, O best of kings, concerning those for whom that shraddha had been performed.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.206.63)

शक्रशक्र महाबाहो येषां श्राद्धं कृतं त्वया प्रेतत्वे संस्थितानां च प्रेतत्वेन विवर्जिताः

śakraśakra mahābāho yeṣāṁ śrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ tvayā pretatve saṁsthitānāṁ ca pretatvena vivarjitāḥ

'Indra, Indra, O mighty-armed one, those for whom you have performed the shraddha, who stood in the state of pretas, have now been freed from that very state of pretahood.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.206.64)

गताः स्वर्गप्रसादात्ते दिव्यरूपवपुर्धराः ये पुनः स्वर्गताः पूर्वं युध्यमाना महाहवे

gatāḥ svargaprasādātte divyarūpavapurdharāḥ ye punaḥ svargatāḥ pūrvaṁ yudhyamānā mahāhave

'By the grace of heaven, they have gone forth bearing divine forms; and those who had already gone to heaven before, having died fighting in the great battle —'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.206.65)

ते च मोक्षं गताः सर्वे प्रसादात्तव वासव तच्छ्रुत्वा वासवो वाक्यं तोषेण महतान्वितः

te ca mokṣaṁ gatāḥ sarve prasādāttava vāsava tacchrutvā vāsavo vākyaṁ toṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ

'— all of them too have attained liberation, by your own grace, O Vasava.' Hearing this word, Vasava was filled with the deepest satisfaction.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.206.66)

अहो तीर्थमहो तीर्थं शंसमानः पुनःपुनः एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्राप्ता विश्वे देवाः समुत्सुकाः

aho tīrthamaho tīrthaṁ śaṁsamānaḥ punaḥpunaḥ etasminnantare prāptā viśve devāḥ samutsukāḥ

He praised the tirtha again and again, exclaiming, 'What a tirtha! What a tirtha!' Meanwhile, the Vishvedevas, now eager, arrived —

Verse 67 (skanda.6.206.67)

निर्वृत्य ब्रह्मणः श्राद्धं गयायां तत्र पार्थिव प्रोचुश्च वृत्रहंतारं कुरु श्राद्धं शतक्रतो

nirvṛtya brahmaṇaḥ śrāddhaṁ gayāyāṁ tatra pārthiva procuśca vṛtrahaṁtāraṁ kuru śrāddhaṁ śatakrato

— O king, having concluded Brahma's shraddha at Gaya, and said to the slayer of Vritra: 'Perform the shraddha now, O hundred-sacrifice lord.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.206.68)

भूयोऽपि न विनाऽस्माभिर्लभ्यते श्राद्धजं फलम् वयं दूरात्समायातास्तव श्राद्धस्य कारणात् निर्वर्त्य ब्रह्मणः श्राद्धं येन पूर्वं निमंत्रिताः

bhūyo'pi na vinā'smābhirlabhyate śrāddhajaṁ phalam vayaṁ dūrātsamāyātāstava śrāddhasya kāraṇāt nirvartya brahmaṇaḥ śrāddhaṁ yena pūrvaṁ nimaṁtritāḥ

'Never, indeed, is the fruit born of a shraddha obtained without us. We have come from afar for the sake of your shraddha, having concluded Brahma's rite, to which we had earlier been invited.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.206.69)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां कुपितः पाकशासनः अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यं मेघगम्भीरया गिरा

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ teṣāṁ kupitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ abravītparuṣaṁ vākyaṁ meghagambhīrayā girā

Hearing their words, Indra, angered, spoke this harsh word, in a voice deep as thunder.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.206.70)

अद्यप्रभृति यः श्राद्धं मर्त्यलोके करिष्यति अन्योऽपि यो भवत्पूर्वं वृथा तस्य भविष्यति

adyaprabhṛti yaḥ śrāddhaṁ martyaloke kariṣyati anyo'pi yo bhavatpūrvaṁ vṛthā tasya bhaviṣyati

'From this day forward, whoever performs the shraddha in the mortal world — and whoever has performed one before you arrived — it shall be in vain for him.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.206.71)

एकोद्दिष्टानि श्राद्धानि करिष्यंत्यखिला जनाः सांप्रतं मर्त्यलोकेऽत्र मर्यादेयं कृता मया

ekoddiṣṭāni śrāddhāni kariṣyaṁtyakhilā janāḥ sāṁprataṁ martyaloke'tra maryādeyaṁ kṛtā mayā

'All people shall henceforth perform only the Ekoddishta rites. This ordinance I have now established here in the mortal world.'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.206.72)

भूताः प्रेताः पिशाचाश्च ये चान्ये श्राद्धहारकाः विश्वेदेवैः प्ररक्ष्यंते रक्षयिष्यामि तानहम्

bhūtāḥ pretāḥ piśācāśca ye cānye śrāddhahārakāḥ viśvedevaiḥ prarakṣyaṁte rakṣayiṣyāmi tānaham

'The bhutas, pretas, and pishachas, and whatever other beings that would seize the shraddha-offering, are protected by the Vishvedevas — but I myself shall now protect against them.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.206.73)

यजमानस्य काये च श्राद्धं संयोज्य यत्नतः मया हताः प्रयास्यंति सर्वे ते दूरतो द्रुतम्

yajamānasya kāye ca śrāddhaṁ saṁyojya yatnataḥ mayā hatāḥ prayāsyaṁti sarve te dūrato drutam

'Having diligently joined the shraddha to the very body of the sacrificer, all those beings, struck down by me, shall flee swiftly, far away.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.206.74)

एवमुक्त्वा सहस्राक्षो विश्वेदेवांस्ततः परम् प्रोवाच ब्राह्मणान्सर्वान्विश्वेदेवैर्विना कृतम् श्राद्धकर्म भवद्भिस्तु कार्यमन्यैश्च मानवैः

evamuktvā sahasrākṣo viśvedevāṁstataḥ param provāca brāhmaṇānsarvānviśvedevairvinā kṛtam śrāddhakarma bhavadbhistu kāryamanyaiśca mānavaiḥ

Having said this to the Vishvedevas, the thousand-eyed one then said to all the brahmins: 'The rite of shraddha, performed without the Vishvedevas, is what you, and other men too, must henceforth perform.'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.206.75)

तथेत्युक्ते द्विजेंद्रैश्च विश्वेदेवाः सुदुःखिताः रुरुदुर्बाष्पपूरेण प्लावयन्तो वसुन्धराम्

tathetyukte dvijeṁdraiśca viśvedevāḥ suduḥkhitāḥ rurudurbāṣpapūreṇa plāvayanto vasundharām

When the foremost brahmins had assented, saying 'So be it,' the Vishvedevas, deeply grieved, wept, flooding the earth with a torrent of tears.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.206.76)

तेषामुष्णाश्रुणा तेन यत्पृथ्वी प्लाविता नृप भूतान्यंडान्यनेकानि संख्यया रहितानि च

teṣāmuṣṇāśruṇā tena yatpṛthvī plāvitā nṛpa bhūtānyaṁḍānyanekāni saṁkhyayā rahitāni ca

O king, by that hot flood of their tears the earth was flooded, and countless eggs, beyond number, came into being.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.206.77)

ततोंऽडेभ्यो विनिष्क्रांताः प्राणिनो रौद्ररूपिणः कृष्णदंताः शंकुकर्णा ऊर्ध्वकेशा भयावहाः रक्ताक्षाश्च ततः प्रोचुर्विश्वेदेवांश्च ते नृप

tatoṁ'ḍebhyo viniṣkrāṁtāḥ prāṇino raudrarūpiṇaḥ kṛṣṇadaṁtāḥ śaṁkukarṇā ūrdhvakeśā bhayāvahāḥ raktākṣāśca tataḥ procurviśvedevāṁśca te nṛpa

Then, from those eggs, there emerged fearsome creatures, terrible of form — black-toothed, spike-eared, hair standing on end, dreadful, and red-eyed. O king, they then said to the Vishvedevas —

Verse 78 (skanda.6.206.78)

वयं बुभुक्षिताः सर्वे भोजनं दीयतां ध्रुवम् भवद्भिर्विहिता यस्माद्याचयामो न चापरम्

vayaṁ bubhukṣitāḥ sarve bhojanaṁ dīyatāṁ dhruvam bhavadbhirvihitā yasmādyācayāmo na cāparam

'We are all famished — surely give us food! For, since we were fashioned by you, we ask this of you and no other.'

Verse 79 (skanda.6.206.79)

विश्वेदेवा ऊचुः अस्माभी रहितं श्राद्धं किञ्चित्संजायते क्षितौ श्रद्धया परया यच्च युष्माकं भावि भोजनम्

viśvedevā ūcuḥ asmābhī rahitaṁ śrāddhaṁ kiñcitsaṁjāyate kṣitau śraddhayā parayā yacca yuṣmākaṁ bhāvi bhojanam

The Vishvedevas said: 'Whatever shraddha upon this earth is performed without us, offered with the deepest faith — that shall become your food.'

Verse 80 (skanda.6.206.80)

एवमुक्त्वा तु ते श्राद्धं विश्वेदेवा नृपोत्तम ब्रह्मलोकं गताः सर्वे दुःखेन महताऽन्विताः प्रोचुश्च दीनया वाचा प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्

evamuktvā tu te śrāddhaṁ viśvedevā nṛpottama brahmalokaṁ gatāḥ sarve duḥkhena mahatā'nvitāḥ procuśca dīnayā vācā praṇipatya pitāmaham

Having thus spoken, O best of kings, the Vishvedevas, all of them overcome with great sorrow, went to the world of Brahma, and, bowing before the Grandsire, spoke in a wretched voice.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.206.81)

वयं बाह्याः कृता देव श्राद्धानां बलविद्विषा तव श्राद्धे गता यस्माद्गयायां प्राङ्निमंत्रिताः

vayaṁ bāhyāḥ kṛtā deva śrāddhānāṁ balavidviṣā tava śrāddhe gatā yasmādgayāyāṁ prāṅnimaṁtritāḥ

'O god, we have been made outcasts from the shraddha-rites by the mighty Indra, because we went, at your invitation, to your shraddha at Gaya.'

Verse 82 (skanda.6.206.82)

तेन रुष्टः सहस्राक्षस्तव चांते समागताः तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं नः श्राद्धार्हाः स्याम वै यथा

tena ruṣṭaḥ sahasrākṣastava cāṁte samāgatāḥ tasmātkuru prasādaṁ naḥ śrāddhārhāḥ syāma vai yathā

'For this, the thousand-eyed one grew furious; and we have now come to your presence. Therefore show us your grace, so that we might again become fit for the shraddha.'

Verse 83 (skanda.6.206.83)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सत्वरं ब्रह्मा कृपया परयान्वितः विश्वेदेवान्समादाय कूप्माण्डैस्तैः समन्वितान्

tacchrutvā satvaraṁ brahmā kṛpayā parayānvitaḥ viśvedevānsamādāya kūpmāṇḍaistaiḥ samanvitān

Hearing this, Brahma, at once, filled with the deepest compassion, taking the Vishvedevas together with those Kushmandas,

Verse 84 (skanda.6.206.84)

शक्रोऽपि श्राद्धकर्माणि कृत्वा तेषां दिवौकसाम् तीर्थयात्रापरो भूत्वा तथैव च व्यवस्थितः

śakro'pi śrāddhakarmāṇi kṛtvā teṣāṁ divaukasām tīrthayātrāparo bhūtvā tathaiva ca vyavasthitaḥ

— while Indra, meanwhile, having completed the rites of shraddha for those denizens of heaven, remained there, given over to a pilgrimage of tirthas.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.206.85)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु ब्रह्मा तत्र समागतः विश्वेदेवसमायुक्तो हंसयानसमाश्रितः

etasminneva kāle tu brahmā tatra samāgataḥ viśvedevasamāyukto haṁsayānasamāśritaḥ

At this very time, Brahma arrived there, joined together with the Vishvedevas, borne upon his swan-chariot.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.206.86)

शक्रोऽपि सहसा दृष्ट्वा संप्राप्तं कमलासनम् अर्घ्यमादाय पाद्यं च सत्वरं सम्मुखो ययौ

śakro'pi sahasā dṛṣṭvā saṁprāptaṁ kamalāsanam arghyamādāya pādyaṁ ca satvaraṁ sammukho yayau

Indra too, suddenly beholding the lotus-throned one arrived there, took up the guest-water and foot-water, and went swiftly to meet him.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.206.87)

ततः प्रणम्य शिरसा साष्टांगं विनयान्वितः प्रोवाच प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा स्वागतं ते पितामह

tataḥ praṇamya śirasā sāṣṭāṁgaṁ vinayānvitaḥ provāca prāṁjalirbhūtvā svāgataṁ te pitāmaha

Then, bowing his head, prostrating with all eight limbs, humbly, and joining his palms, he said: 'Welcome, O Grandsire!'

Verse 88 (skanda.6.206.88)

तव संदर्शनादेव ज्ञातं जन्मत्रयं मया द्रुतं पूर्वं शुभं कर्म करोमि च यथाऽधुना

tava saṁdarśanādeva jñātaṁ janmatrayaṁ mayā drutaṁ pūrvaṁ śubhaṁ karma karomi ca yathā'dhunā

'By the very sight of you, I know at once the fruit of three births. I shall now swiftly perform whatever auspicious deed lies before me —'

Verse 89 (skanda.6.206.89)

करिष्यामि परे लोके व्यक्तमेतदसंशयम्

kariṣyāmi pare loke vyaktametadasaṁśayam

'— and I shall also plainly perform this deed for the world beyond, without any doubt.'

Verse 90 (skanda.6.206.90)

निःस्पृहस्यापि ते देव यदागमनकारणम् तन्मे द्रुततरं ब्रूहि येन सर्वं करोम्यहम्

niḥspṛhasyāpi te deva yadāgamanakāraṇam tanme drutataraṁ brūhi yena sarvaṁ karomyaham

'O god, though you are free of all desire, tell me quickly the reason for your coming, so that I may accomplish it entirely.'

Verse 91 (skanda.6.206.91)

ब्रह्मोवाच यैर्विना न भवेच्छ्राद्धं ममापि सुरसत्तम विश्वेदेवास्त्वया तेऽद्य श्राद्धबाह्या विनिर्मिताः

brahmovāca yairvinā na bhavecchrāddhaṁ mamāpi surasattama viśvedevāstvayā te'dya śrāddhabāhyā vinirmitāḥ

Brahma said: 'O best of gods, those without whom no shraddha, not even my own, can take place — the Vishvedevas — have this day been placed by you outside the shraddha-rite.'

Verse 92 (skanda.6.206.92)

तत्त्वया न कृतं भद्रं तेन कर्म वितन्वता अप्रमाणं कृता वेदा यतश्च स्मृतयस्तथा

tattvayā na kṛtaṁ bhadraṁ tena karma vitanvatā apramāṇaṁ kṛtā vedā yataśca smṛtayastathā

'In performing this deed, you have not done well; for by it you have made the Vedas without authority, and the law-books likewise.'

Verse 93 (skanda.6.206.93)

एते पूर्वं मया शक्र श्राद्धार्थं विनिमंत्रिताः पश्चात्त्वया न दोषोऽस्ति तस्माच्चैषां महात्मनाम्

ete pūrvaṁ mayā śakra śrāddhārthaṁ vinimaṁtritāḥ paścāttvayā na doṣo'sti tasmāccaiṣāṁ mahātmanām

'O Indra, these great souls were invited by me first, for the sake of the shraddha; there is therefore no fault at all in them for having come to you afterward.'

Verse 94 (skanda.6.206.94)

तस्माच्छापप्रमोक्षार्थं त्वं यतस्व सुरेश्वर येन स्युः श्राद्धयोग्याश्च सर्वेऽमी दुःखिता भृशम्

tasmācchāpapramokṣārthaṁ tvaṁ yatasva sureśvara yena syuḥ śrāddhayogyāśca sarve'mī duḥkhitā bhṛśam

'Therefore, O lord of the gods, strive for the release of your curse, so that all these, now greatly grieved, may again become fit for the shraddha.'

Verse 95 (skanda.6.206.95)

पुरा ह्येतन्मया प्रोक्तं सर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम् एतत्पूर्वं च यच्छ्राद्धं सफलं तद्भविष्यति

purā hyetanmayā proktaṁ sarveṣāṁ ca dvijanmanām etatpūrvaṁ ca yacchrāddhaṁ saphalaṁ tadbhaviṣyati

'For this was declared by me of old, to all brahmins: that the shraddha performed with these Vishvedevas would forever bear fruit.'

Verse 96 (skanda.6.206.96)

तत्कथं मम वाक्यं त्वमसत्यं प्रकरोषि च

tatkathaṁ mama vākyaṁ tvamasatyaṁ prakaroṣi ca

'How, then, do you now make my own word false?'

Verse 97 (skanda.6.206.97)

इंद्र उवाच मयाऽपि कोपयुक्तेन शप्ता एते पितामह तद्यथा सत्यवाक्योऽहं प्रभवामि तथा कुरु

iṁdra uvāca mayā'pi kopayuktena śaptā ete pitāmaha tadyathā satyavākyo'haṁ prabhavāmi tathā kuru

Indra said: 'O Grandsire, overcome with anger, I too have cursed them. Do, therefore, whatever will let my word also remain true.'

Verse 98 (skanda.6.206.98)

ब्रह्मोवाच तव वाक्यं यथा सत्यं प्रभविष्यति वासव तथाऽहं संविधास्यामि विश्वेदेवार्थमेव ह

brahmovāca tava vākyaṁ yathā satyaṁ prabhaviṣyati vāsava tathā'haṁ saṁvidhāsyāmi viśvedevārthameva ha

Brahma said: 'O Vasava, I shall arrange things in such a way that your word too shall prove true — and this indeed for the sake of the Vishvedevas.'

Verse 99 (skanda.6.206.99)

विश्वेदेवैर्विना श्राद्धं यत्त्वया समुदाहृतम् एकोद्दिष्टं नराः सर्वे करिष्यंति धरातले

viśvedevairvinā śrāddhaṁ yattvayā samudāhṛtam ekoddiṣṭaṁ narāḥ sarve kariṣyaṁti dharātale

'The shraddha without the Vishvedevas, the Ekoddishta rite, which you have declared — all men upon the earth shall indeed perform it.'

Verse 100 (skanda.6.206.100)

तस्मिन्नहनि देवेंद्र त्वया यत्र विनिर्मितम् प्रेतपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां शस्त्रेण निहतस्य च

tasminnahani deveṁdra tvayā yatra vinirmitam pretapakṣe caturdaśyāṁ śastreṇa nihatasya ca

'But, O lord of the gods, upon that day which you yourself established — the fourteenth of the Preta-paksha, for one slain by weapons —'

Verse 101 (skanda.6.206.101)

क्षयाहे चाऽपि संजाते विश्वेदेवैर्विना कृतम् नागरस्य शुभं श्राद्धं वचनान्मे भविष्यति

kṣayāhe cā'pi saṁjāte viśvedevairvinā kṛtam nāgarasya śubhaṁ śrāddhaṁ vacanānme bhaviṣyati

'— and likewise on the day of the death-anniversary, the auspicious shraddha of a Nagara, performed without the Vishvedevas, shall, by my own word, still be valid.'

Verse 102 (skanda.6.206.102)

शेषकाले तु यः श्राद्धं प्रकरिष्यति तैर्विना व्यर्थं संपत्स्यते तस्य मम वाक्यादसंशयम्

śeṣakāle tu yaḥ śrāddhaṁ prakariṣyati tairvinā vyarthaṁ saṁpatsyate tasya mama vākyādasaṁśayam

'But whoever performs the shraddha at any other time, without them, that offering shall become fruitless for him, by my own word — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 103 (skanda.6.206.103)

मुक्त्वा शस्त्रहतं चैकं तस्मिन्नहनि यो नरः करिष्यति तथा श्राद्धं भूतभोज्यं भविष्यति

muktvā śastrahataṁ caikaṁ tasminnahani yo naraḥ kariṣyati tathā śrāddhaṁ bhūtabhojyaṁ bhaviṣyati

'Excepting one slain by weapons, whatever man performs the shraddha upon that same day for any other reason shall have it become the very food of those spirits.'

Verse 104 (skanda.6.206.104)

विश्वामित्र उवाच तथेत्युक्ते तु शक्रेण ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः विश्वेदेवैस्ततः प्रोक्तो विनयावनतैः स्थितैः

viśvāmitra uvāca tathetyukte tu śakreṇa brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ viśvedevaistataḥ prokto vinayāvanataiḥ sthitaiḥ

Vishvamitra said: When Indra had thus assented, Brahma, the grandsire of all worlds, was then addressed by the Vishvedevas, standing humbly bowed before him.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.206.105)

एते पुत्राः समुत्पन्ना अस्मदश्रुभ्य एव च तेषां तु भोजनं दत्तं क्षुधार्तानां मया विभो

ete putrāḥ samutpannā asmadaśrubhya eva ca teṣāṁ tu bhojanaṁ dattaṁ kṣudhārtānāṁ mayā vibho

'O lord, these creatures were born from our very tears; and, seeing them tormented by hunger, I have given them food —'

Verse 106 (skanda.6.206.106)

अस्मद्विवर्जितं श्राद्धं कुपितैर्वासवोपरि तद्यथा जायते सत्यं वाक्यमस्मदुदीरितम्

asmadvivarjitaṁ śrāddhaṁ kupitairvāsavopari tadyathā jāyate satyaṁ vākyamasmadudīritam

'— namely, the shraddha performed without us, when done out of anger toward Indra — so that the word we ourselves have spoken might come true.'

Verse 107 (skanda.6.206.107)

अस्माकं वासवस्यापि तथा कुरु पितामह निरूपय शुभाहारं येन स्यात्तृप्तिरुत्तमा

asmākaṁ vāsavasyāpi tathā kuru pitāmaha nirūpaya śubhāhāraṁ yena syāttṛptiruttamā

'O Grandsire, do the same for us as for Indra: ordain for them some auspicious food, by which their fullest satisfaction may come about —'

Verse 108 (skanda.6.206.108)

एतेषामेव सर्वेषां प्रसादात्तव पद्मज

eteṣāmeva sarveṣāṁ prasādāttava padmaja

'— by your grace alone, O lotus-born one, upon all of these.'

Verse 109 (skanda.6.206.109)

पद्मज उवाच श्राद्धकाले तु विप्राणां भोज्यपात्रेषु कृत्स्नशः भस्मरेखां प्रदास्यंति ह्येतैस्तत्त्याज्यमेव हि

padmaja uvāca śrāddhakāle tu viprāṇāṁ bhojyapātreṣu kṛtsnaśaḥ bhasmarekhāṁ pradāsyaṁti hyetaistattyājyameva hi

The lotus-born one said: 'At the time of the shraddha, upon the food-vessels of the brahmins, entirely, a line of ash shall be drawn; whatever falls outside it shall indeed be their portion, to be discarded for these spirits.'

Verse 110 (skanda.6.206.110)

भस्मरक्षां विना यत्र किंचिच्छ्राद्धं भविप्यति एकोद्दिष्टं पार्वणं च वृद्धिश्राद्धमथापि वा

bhasmarakṣāṁ vinā yatra kiṁcicchrāddhaṁ bhavipyati ekoddiṣṭaṁ pārvaṇaṁ ca vṛddhiśrāddhamathāpi vā

'Wherever a shraddha is performed without this protective line of ash — whether an Ekoddishta, a Parvana, or a Vriddhi-shraddha —'

Verse 111 (skanda.6.206.111)

एतेभ्यश्चैव तद्दत्तं मया तुष्टेन सांप्रतम् एवमुक्त्वा ततो नाम तेषां चक्रे पितामहः

etebhyaścaiva taddattaṁ mayā tuṣṭena sāṁpratam evamuktvā tato nāma teṣāṁ cakre pitāmahaḥ

'— that portion is now given by me, well pleased, to these very spirits.' Having said this, the Grandsire then gave them a name.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.206.112)

कुशब्देन स्मृता भूमिः संसिक्ता चाश्रुणा यतः ततोंऽडानि च जातानि तेभ्यो जाता अमी घनाः कूष्मांडा इति विख्याता भविष्यंति जगत्त्रये

kuśabdena smṛtā bhūmiḥ saṁsiktā cāśruṇā yataḥ tatoṁ'ḍāni ca jātāni tebhyo jātā amī ghanāḥ kūṣmāṁḍā iti vikhyātā bhaviṣyaṁti jagattraye

'Since the earth, remembered by the word ku, was drenched with tears, from which eggs came forth, and from those eggs these creatures were born, they shall be known throughout the three worlds as Kushmandas.'

Verse 113 (skanda.6.206.113)

ततस्तांश्च त्रिधा कृत्वा क्रमेणैवार्पयत्तदा अग्नेर्वायोस्तथार्कस्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

tatastāṁśca tridhā kṛtvā krameṇaivārpayattadā agnervāyostathārkasya vākyametaduvāca ha

Then, dividing them into three groups, he assigned them in turn to Agni, to Vayu, and to Surya; and he spoke these words.

Verse 114 (skanda.6.206.114)

यजुर्वेदे प्रविख्यातं यद्देवति ऋचां त्रयम् तेन भागः प्रदातव्य एतेषां भक्तिहोमतः

yajurvede pravikhyātaṁ yaddevati ṛcāṁ trayam tena bhāgaḥ pradātavya eteṣāṁ bhaktihomataḥ

'Whatever set of three verses is renowned in the Yajur Veda as dedicated to these deities — by that, through devoted oblation, a portion should be given to them.'

Verse 115 (skanda.6.206.115)

कोटिहोमोद्भवे चैव निजभागस्य मध्यतः तेन तृप्तिं प्रयास्यंति मम वाक्यादसंशयम्

koṭihomodbhave caiva nijabhāgasya madhyataḥ tena tṛptiṁ prayāsyaṁti mama vākyādasaṁśayam

'And also from the midst of their own portion arising from the rite of a crore oblations — by that they shall attain satisfaction, by my own word, without doubt.'

Verse 116 (skanda.6.206.116)

एवमुक्त्वा चतुर्वक्त्रस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः विश्वेदेवास्तथा हृष्टाः कूष्माण्डाश्च विशेषतः

evamuktvā caturvaktrastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ viśvedevāstathā hṛṣṭāḥ kūṣmāṇḍāśca viśeṣataḥ

Having said this, the four-faced one then vanished from sight; and the Vishvedevas, and especially the Kushmandas, were greatly delighted.

Verse 117 (skanda.6.206.117)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्रक्षा क्रियते भस्मसम्भवा विप्राणां भोज्यपात्रेषु श्राद्धे कूष्मांडजाद्भयात् नागराणां न वांछंति श्राद्धे छिद्रं यतः शृणु

etasmātkāraṇādrakṣā kriyate bhasmasambhavā viprāṇāṁ bhojyapātreṣu śrāddhe kūṣmāṁḍajādbhayāt nāgarāṇāṁ na vāṁchaṁti śrāddhe chidraṁ yataḥ śṛṇu

For this reason, that protective line born of ash is drawn upon the food-vessels of brahmins during the shraddha, out of fear of the harm born of the Kushmandas. Listen to why the Nagaras never desire any flaw in their shraddha —

Verse 118 (skanda.6.206.118)

तेषां स्थाने यतो जाता दाक्षिण्येन समन्विताः निषिद्धा भस्मजा रक्षा भर्तृयज्ञेन तेजसा

teṣāṁ sthāne yato jātā dākṣiṇyena samanvitāḥ niṣiddhā bhasmajā rakṣā bhartṛyajñena tejasā

— because, since they were born in that very place, endowed with graciousness, the ash-born protective line was, by the power of Bhartriyajna, forbidden for them, as unnecessary.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.206.119)

तदर्थं नागराः सर्वे न कुर्वन्ति हि कर्हिचित् इन्द्रोऽपि च गते तस्मिंश्चतुर्वक्त्रे निजालयम्

tadarthaṁ nāgarāḥ sarve na kurvanti hi karhicit indro'pi ca gate tasmiṁścaturvaktre nijālayam

For this reason, all the Nagaras never perform it, under any circumstance. And when that four-faced one had departed to his own abode, Indra —

Verse 120 (skanda.6.206.120)

अब्रवीद्ब्राह्मणान्सर्वांश्चमत्कारपुरोद्भवान् कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा विनयावनतः स्थितः

abravīdbrāhmaṇānsarvāṁścamatkārapurodbhavān kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

— with joined palms, standing humbly bowed, spoke to all the brahmins born of Chamatkarapura.

Verse 121 (skanda.6.206.121)

श्रूयतां मद्वचो विप्राः करिष्यथ ततः परम् स्थापयिष्याम्यहं लिंगं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

śrūyatāṁ madvaco viprāḥ kariṣyatha tataḥ param sthāpayiṣyāmyahaṁ liṁgaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ

'Hear my word, O brahmins, and then act upon it — I myself shall establish a linga of the trident-bearing god of gods.'

Verse 122 (skanda.6.206.122)

ततस्तैर्ब्राह्मणैस्तस्य दर्शितं स्थानमुत्तमम् सोऽपि लिंगं च संस्थाप्य प्रहृष्टस्त्रिदिवं ययौ

tatastairbrāhmaṇaistasya darśitaṁ sthānamuttamam so'pi liṁgaṁ ca saṁsthāpya prahṛṣṭastridivaṁ yayau

Then those brahmins showed him the finest site; and he too, having established the linga, went, greatly delighted, to the world of heaven.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.206.123)

विश्वामित्र उवाच एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि नराधिप गयाकूप्याश्च माहात्म्यं सर्वकामप्रदायकम्

viśvāmitra uvāca etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi narādhipa gayākūpyāśca māhātmyaṁ sarvakāmapradāyakam

Vishvamitra said: O lord of men, all this has now been told to you, as you asked — the greatness of the Gaya-well, granting every desire.

Verse 124 (skanda.6.206.124)

आनर्त उवाच गयाकूप्याश्च माहात्म्यं भवता मे प्रकीर्तितम् बालमंडनजं वापि सांप्रतं वक्तुमर्हसि

ānarta uvāca gayākūpyāśca māhātmyaṁ bhavatā me prakīrtitam bālamaṁḍanajaṁ vāpi sāṁprataṁ vaktumarhasi

Anarta said: The greatness of the Gaya-well has been declared to me by you. Now you should also tell me of that which was born at Bala-mandana.

Verse 125 (skanda.6.206.125)

कस्मिन्स्थाने च शक्रेण तच्च लिंगं प्रतिष्ठितम वदास्माकं महाभाग तस्मिन्दृष्टे तु किं फलम्

kasminsthāne ca śakreṇa tacca liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhitama vadāsmākaṁ mahābhāga tasmindṛṣṭe tu kiṁ phalam

At what place was that linga established by Indra? Tell us, O most fortunate one, and what fruit comes from beholding it?

Verse 126 (skanda.6.206.126)

विश्वामित्र उवाच सहस्राक्षेण ते विप्रा लिंगार्थं याचिता यदा स्थानं शुभं पवित्रं च सर्वक्षेत्रस्य मध्यगम्

viśvāmitra uvāca sahasrākṣeṇa te viprā liṁgārthaṁ yācitā yadā sthānaṁ śubhaṁ pavitraṁ ca sarvakṣetrasya madhyagam

Vishvamitra said: When those brahmins were asked by the thousand-eyed one for a site for the linga — an auspicious, sacred place, at the very centre of the whole sacred field —

Verse 127 (skanda.6.206.127)

ततस्तैर्दर्शितं लिंगं सुपुण्यं बालमंडनम् यत्र बालाः पुरा जाता मरुदाख्या दितेः सुताः

tatastairdarśitaṁ liṁgaṁ supuṇyaṁ bālamaṁḍanam yatra bālāḥ purā jātā marudākhyā diteḥ sutāḥ

— they then showed him the most sacred Bala-mandana, where, of old, the children born to Diti, named the Maruts, had come into being,

Verse 128 (skanda.6.206.128)

तेनैव च पुरा ध्वस्ता न च मृत्युमुपागताः तच्च मेध्यतमं ज्ञात्वा स्थानं दृष्टं पुरा च यत्

tenaiva ca purā dhvastā na ca mṛtyumupāgatāḥ tacca medhyatamaṁ jñātvā sthānaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ purā ca yat

and had of old been shattered by that very god, yet had not met with death; and knowing that place to be most sacred, and one that had been seen before,

Verse 129 (skanda.6.206.129)

यत्र दित्या तपस्तप्तं सुसुतं कांक्षमाणया तद्दृष्ट्वा परमं स्थानं जीवं प्रोवाच देवपः

yatra dityā tapastaptaṁ susutaṁ kāṁkṣamāṇayā taddṛṣṭvā paramaṁ sthānaṁ jīvaṁ provāca devapaḥ

— the very place where Diti had performed austerity, longing for a noble son — beholding that supreme place, the lord of the gods spoke to Jiva.

Verse 130 (skanda.6.206.130)

गुरो ब्रूहि ममाशु त्वं सुमुहूर्तं च सांप्रतम् दिवसं यत्र सल्लिंगं स्थापयामि हरोद्भवम् प्रलयेऽपि समुत्पन्ने न नाशो यत्र जायते

guro brūhi mamāśu tvaṁ sumuhūrtaṁ ca sāṁpratam divasaṁ yatra salliṁgaṁ sthāpayāmi harodbhavam pralaye'pi samutpanne na nāśo yatra jāyate

'O teacher, tell me at once a truly auspicious moment, and a day, now, upon which I may establish the linga arisen from Hara — one that shall never perish, even when the dissolution of the world comes about.'

Verse 131 (skanda.6.206.131)

ततः सोऽपि चिरं ध्यात्वा तं प्रोवाच शचीपतिम् माघमासे सिते पक्षे पुष्यर्क्षे रविवासरे

tataḥ so'pi ciraṁ dhyātvā taṁ provāca śacīpatim māghamāse site pakṣe puṣyarkṣe ravivāsare

Then he too, after long reflection, said to the lord of Shachi: 'In the month of Magha, in the bright fortnight, under the Pushya asterism, on a Sunday —'

Verse 132 (skanda.6.206.132)

त्रयोदश्यामभीष्टे तु संजातेऽ भ्युदये शुभे संस्थापय विभो लिंगं मम वाक्येन सांप्रतम्

trayodaśyāmabhīṣṭe tu saṁjāte' bhyudaye śubhe saṁsthāpaya vibho liṁgaṁ mama vākyena sāṁpratam

'— on the desired thirteenth day, when an auspicious rising has come about, establish the linga now, O lord, at my word.'

Verse 133 (skanda.6.206.133)

आकल्पांतसमं दिव्यं स्थिरं ते तद्भविष्यति तच्छ्रुत्वा देवराजस्तु हर्षेण महताऽन्वितः

ākalpāṁtasamaṁ divyaṁ sthiraṁ te tadbhaviṣyati tacchrutvā devarājastu harṣeṇa mahatā'nvitaḥ

'It shall then remain divine and unshaken, until the very end of the kalpa.' Hearing this, the king of the gods, filled with great joy,

Verse 134 (skanda.6.206.134)

बालमंडनसांनिध्ये स्थापयामास तत्तदा विप्रपुण्याहघोषेण गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः

bālamaṁḍanasāṁnidhye sthāpayāmāsa tattadā viprapuṇyāhaghoṣeṇa gītavāditranisvanaiḥ

— then established it there, in the presence of Bala-mandana, amid the auspicious cry of the brahmins and the sound of song and instrument.

Verse 135 (skanda.6.206.135)

ततो होमावसाने तु तर्पयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान् दक्षिणायां ददौ तेषामाघाटं स्थानमुत्तमम्

tato homāvasāne tu tarpayitvā dvijottamān dakṣiṇāyāṁ dadau teṣāmāghāṭaṁ sthānamuttamam

Then, at the conclusion of the fire-offering, having satisfied the best of brahmins, he gave to them, as a fee, an excellent plot of land called Aghata,

Verse 136 (skanda.6.206.136)

मांकूले संस्थितं यच्च दिव्यप्राकारभूषितम् सर्वेषामेव विप्राणां सामान्येन नृपोत्तम

māṁkūle saṁsthitaṁ yacca divyaprākārabhūṣitam sarveṣāmeva viprāṇāṁ sāmānyena nṛpottama

O best of kings, situated at Mankula, adorned with a divine enclosure-wall, held in common by all the brahmins alike.

Verse 137 (skanda.6.206.137)

ततोऽष्टकुलिकान्विप्रान्समाहूयाब्रवीदिदम् युष्माभिस्तु सदा कार्या चिंता लिंगसमुद्भवा

tato'ṣṭakulikānviprānsamāhūyābravīdidam yuṣmābhistu sadā kāryā ciṁtā liṁgasamudbhavā

Then, having summoned the brahmins of the eight lineages, he said this to them: 'You must always take up the responsibility for the worship arising from this linga.'

Verse 138 (skanda.6.206.138)

अस्य यस्मान्मया दत्ता वृत्तिश्चन्द्रार्ककालिका सा च ग्राह्या तदर्थे च द्वादशग्रामसंभवा

asya yasmānmayā dattā vṛttiścandrārkakālikā sā ca grāhyā tadarthe ca dvādaśagrāmasaṁbhavā

'The endowment, lasting for as long as the sun and moon, that I have granted for it, arising from twelve villages, is to be received by you for this very purpose.'

Verse 139 (skanda.6.206.139)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः न वयं विबुधश्रेष्ठ करिष्यामो वचस्तव लिंगचिंतासमुद्भूतं श्रूयतामत्र कारणम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ na vayaṁ vibudhaśreṣṭha kariṣyāmo vacastava liṁgaciṁtāsamudbhūtaṁ śrūyatāmatra kāraṇam

The brahmins said: 'O best of gods, we shall not do as you say. Hear the reason for this, arising from our refusal of responsibility for the linga:'

Verse 140 (skanda.6.206.140)

ब्रह्मस्वं विबुधस्वं च तडागोत्थं विशेषतः भक्षितं स्वल्पमप्यत्र नाश येत्सर्वपूर्वजान्

brahmasvaṁ vibudhasvaṁ ca taḍāgotthaṁ viśeṣataḥ bhakṣitaṁ svalpamapyatra nāśa yetsarvapūrvajān

'The property of a brahmin, or of a god, and especially that arising from a temple-tank — even a small amount consumed of it destroys all one's forefathers.'

Verse 141 (skanda.6.206.141)

यदि कश्चित्कुलेऽस्माकं जातस्तद्भक्षयिष्यति पातयिष्यति नः सर्वांस्तदस्माकं महद्भयम्

yadi kaścitkule'smākaṁ jātastadbhakṣayiṣyati pātayiṣyati naḥ sarvāṁstadasmākaṁ mahadbhayam

'If anyone born in our family should ever consume it, he would drag down all of us — this is our great fear.'

Verse 142 (skanda.6.206.142)

अथ तं मध्यगः प्राह कृतांजलिर्द्विजोत्तमः दृष्ट्वाऽन्यमनसं शक्रं कृतपूर्वोपकारिणम्

atha taṁ madhyagaḥ prāha kṛtāṁjalirdvijottamaḥ dṛṣṭvā'nyamanasaṁ śakraṁ kṛtapūrvopakāriṇam

Then, seeing Indra, who had rendered them such great service before, downcast in mind, one excellent brahmin, the presiding elder, spoke to him with joined palms.

Verse 143 (skanda.6.206.143)

देवशर्माभिधानस्तु विख्यातः प्रवरैस्त्रिभिः अहं चिंतां करिष्यामि तव लिंगसमुद्भवाम्

devaśarmābhidhānastu vikhyātaḥ pravaraistribhiḥ ahaṁ ciṁtāṁ kariṣyāmi tava liṁgasamudbhavām

He was renowned by the name Devasharma, marked by three pravaras: 'I myself shall take up the responsibility arising from your linga,'

Verse 144 (skanda.6.206.144)

अपुत्रस्य तु मे पुत्रं यदि यच्छसि वासव यस्मात्संजायते वंशो यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

aputrasya tu me putraṁ yadi yacchasi vāsava yasmātsaṁjāyate vaṁśo yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

'— if, O Vasava, you grant a son to me, who am sonless, by whom a lineage might be born, lasting until the very dissolution of all beings —'

Verse 145 (skanda.6.206.145)

धर्मज्ञस्तु कृतज्ञस्तु देवस्वपरिवर्जकः तच्छ्रुत्वा वासवो हृष्टस्तमुवाच द्विजोत्तमम्

dharmajñastu kṛtajñastu devasvaparivarjakaḥ tacchrutvā vāsavo hṛṣṭastamuvāca dvijottamam

'— one who knows dharma, who is grateful, and who avoids the property of the gods.' Hearing this, Vasava, delighted, said to that excellent brahmin —

Verse 146 (skanda.6.206.146)

इन्द्र उवाच भविष्यति शुभस्तुभ्यं पुत्रो वंशधरः परः धर्मात्मा सत्यवादी च देवस्वपरिवर्जकः

indra uvāca bhaviṣyati śubhastubhyaṁ putro vaṁśadharaḥ paraḥ dharmātmā satyavādī ca devasvaparivarjakaḥ

Indra said: 'There shall be born to you an excellent, auspicious son, a bearer of your lineage, righteous of soul, truthful, and one who avoids the property of the gods.'

Verse 147 (skanda.6.206.147)

तस्यान्वये तु ये पुत्रा भविष्यंति महात्मनः ते सर्वेऽत्र भविष्यंति तद्रूपा वेदपारगाः

tasyānvaye tu ye putrā bhaviṣyaṁti mahātmanaḥ te sarve'tra bhaviṣyaṁti tadrūpā vedapāragāḥ

'And whatever great-souled sons shall be born into his lineage, all of them shall likewise be of that same character, mastered in the Veda.'

Verse 148 (skanda.6.206.148)

अपरं शृणु मे वाक्यं यत्ते वक्ष्यामि सद्द्विज तथा शृण्वंतु विप्रेंद्राः सर्वे येऽत्र समागताः

aparaṁ śṛṇu me vākyaṁ yatte vakṣyāmi saddvija tathā śṛṇvaṁtu vipreṁdrāḥ sarve ye'tra samāgatāḥ

'Hear now another word of mine, O virtuous brahmin, which I shall speak to you; and let all the foremost brahmins gathered here hear it as well.'

Verse 149 (skanda.6.206.149)

बालमण्डनके तीर्थे मयैतल्लिंगमुत्तमम् चतुर्वक्त्र समादेशाच्चतुर्वक्त्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

bālamaṇḍanake tīrthe mayaitalliṁgamuttamam caturvaktra samādeśāccaturvaktraṁ pratiṣṭhitam

'This excellent linga at the tirtha of Bala-mandana has been established by me, at the command of the Four-Faced One, and is named Chaturvaktra.'

Verse 150 (skanda.6.206.150)

योऽत्र स्नानविधिं कृत्वा तीर्थेऽत्र पितृतर्पणम् आजन्म पितरस्तेन प्रभविष्यंति तर्पिताः

yo'tra snānavidhiṁ kṛtvā tīrthe'tra pitṛtarpaṇam ājanma pitarastena prabhaviṣyaṁti tarpitāḥ

'Whoever, having performed the rite of bathing here, offers the tarpana to his ancestors at this tirtha, by him his ancestors shall be satisfied for as long as he lives.'

Verse 151 (skanda.6.206.151)

ग्रामा द्वादश ये दत्ता मया देवस्य चास्य भोः वसिष्यंति च ये विप्रा वृद्धिश्राद्ध उपस्थिते

grāmā dvādaśa ye dattā mayā devasya cāsya bhoḥ vasiṣyaṁti ca ye viprā vṛddhiśrāddha upasthite

'O sirs, the twelve villages that I have granted to this god — the brahmins who shall dwell there, when the occasion of a Vriddhi-shraddha arises —'

Verse 152 (skanda.6.206.152)

ते श्राद्धं प्रथमं चास्य कृत्वा श्राद्धं ततः परम्

te śrāddhaṁ prathamaṁ cāsya kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ tataḥ param

'— shall first perform the shraddha for this god, and only thereafter their own shraddha.'

Verse 153 (skanda.6.206.153)

तत्कृत्यानि करिष्यन्ति ते विघ्नेन विवर्जिताः वृद्धिः संपत्स्यते तेषां नो चेद्विघ्नं भविष्यति

tatkṛtyāni kariṣyanti te vighnena vivarjitāḥ vṛddhiḥ saṁpatsyate teṣāṁ no cedvighnaṁ bhaviṣyati

'They shall then perform their own rites free from obstacles, and prosperity shall come to them; otherwise, an obstacle shall arise.'

Verse 154 (skanda.6.206.154)

माघमासे सिते पक्षे त्रयो दश्यां दिने स्थिते तद्ग्रामसंस्थिता लोका येऽत्रागत्य समाहिताः

māghamāse site pakṣe trayo daśyāṁ dine sthite tadgrāmasaṁsthitā lokā ye'trāgatya samāhitāḥ

'On the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha, the people dwelling in those villages, coming here with focused minds,'

Verse 155 (skanda.6.206.155)

बालमण्डनके स्नात्वा लिंगमेतत्समाहिताः पूजयिष्यंति सद्भक्त्या ते यास्यंति परां गतिम्

bālamaṇḍanake snātvā liṁgametatsamāhitāḥ pūjayiṣyaṁti sadbhaktyā te yāsyaṁti parāṁ gatim

'— having bathed at Bala-mandana, and worshipping this linga with true devotion and focused minds, shall attain the supreme state.'

Verse 156 (skanda.6.206.156)

ग्रामाणां मम लिंगस्य ये करिष्यंति पीडनम् कालांतरेऽपि संप्राप्तास्ते यास्यंति च संक्षयम्

grāmāṇāṁ mama liṁgasya ye kariṣyaṁti pīḍanam kālāṁtare'pi saṁprāptāste yāsyaṁti ca saṁkṣayam

'Whoever oppresses these villages of mine, or this linga, even after the passage of time, shall come to utter ruin.'

Verse 157 (skanda.6.206.157)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि ह्यासमुद्रसरांसि च बालमण्डनके तीर्थ आगमिष्यंति तद्दिने

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni hyāsamudrasarāṁsi ca bālamaṇḍanake tīrtha āgamiṣyaṁti taddine

'Whatever tirthas exist upon the earth, and all the lakes as far as the ocean, shall come to the tirtha of Bala-mandana on that very day.'

Verse 158 (skanda.6.206.158)

विश्वामित्र उवाच एतदुक्त्वा सहस्राक्षस्ततश्चाष्टकुलान्द्विजान् अग्रतः कोपसंयुक्तस्ततोवचनमब्रवीत्

viśvāmitra uvāca etaduktvā sahasrākṣastataścāṣṭakulāndvijān agrataḥ kopasaṁyuktastatovacanamabravīt

Vishvamitra said: Having said this, the thousand-eyed one, then, before the brahmins of the eight lineages, overcome with anger, spoke this word.

Verse 159 (skanda.6.206.159)

एतैः सप्तकुलैर्विप्रैर्यत्कृतं वचनं न मे कृतघ्नैस्ता ञ्छपिष्यामि कृतघ्नत्वान्न संशयः

etaiḥ saptakulairviprairyatkṛtaṁ vacanaṁ na me kṛtaghnaistā ñchapiṣyāmi kṛtaghnatvānna saṁśayaḥ

'Since these seven lineages of brahmins have not done as I said, I shall curse them as ingrates — for their ingratitude there is no doubt.'

Verse 160 (skanda.6.206.160)

यस्मादिदंपुरा प्रोक्तं मनुना सत्यवादिना स्वायंभुवेन प्रोद्दिश्य कृतघ्नं सकलं जनम्

yasmādidaṁpurā proktaṁ manunā satyavādinā svāyaṁbhuvena proddiśya kṛtaghnaṁ sakalaṁ janam

'For thus it was declared of old by the truthful Svayambhuva Manu, concerning every ungrateful person without exception —'

Verse 161 (skanda.6.206.161)

ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चौरे भग्नवते शठे निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः

brahmaghne ca surāpe ca caure bhagnavate śaṭhe niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

'— for a brahmin-killer, a wine-drinker, a thief, one who breaks his vow, and a deceiver, atonement has been prescribed by the wise; but for the ungrateful, there is no atonement.'

Verse 162 (skanda.6.206.162)

अवध्या ब्राह्मणा गावः स्त्रियो बालास्तपस्विनः तेनाऽहं न वधाम्येताञ्छिद्रेऽपि महति स्थिते

avadhyā brāhmaṇā gāvaḥ striyo bālāstapasvinaḥ tenā'haṁ na vadhāmyetāñchidre'pi mahati sthite

'Brahmins, cows, women, children, and ascetics are never to be slain. Therefore, though the fault here is grave, I shall not slay them —'

Verse 163 (skanda.6.206.163)

ततस्तोयं समादाय सदर्भं निजपाणिना शशाप तान्द्विजश्रेष्ठान्कृतघ्नान्पाकशासनः

tatastoyaṁ samādāya sadarbhaṁ nijapāṇinā śaśāpa tāndvijaśreṣṭhānkṛtaghnānpākaśāsanaḥ

— then, taking up water together with darbha grass in his own hand, Indra pronounced this curse upon those ungrateful, otherwise excellent brahmins.

Verse 164 (skanda.6.206.164)

मम वाक्यादपि प्राप्य एते लक्ष्मीं द्विजोत्तमाः निर्धनाः संभविष्यंति नीत्वा यद्द्वारतो ऽखिलम्

mama vākyādapi prāpya ete lakṣmīṁ dvijottamāḥ nirdhanāḥ saṁbhaviṣyaṁti nītvā yaddvārato 'khilam

'By my very word, these excellent brahmins, even after obtaining wealth, shall become poor, their entire fortune carried away, gate by gate.'

Verse 165 (skanda.6.206.165)

भक्तानां च पीरत्यागमेतेषां वंशजा द्विजाः करिष्यंति न सन्देहो यथा मम सुनिष्ठुराः दाक्षिण्यरहिताः सर्वे तथा बह्वाशिनः सदा

bhaktānāṁ ca pīratyāgameteṣāṁ vaṁśajā dvijāḥ kariṣyaṁti na sandeho yathā mama suniṣṭhurāḥ dākṣiṇyarahitāḥ sarve tathā bahvāśinaḥ sadā

'And the brahmins born of their lineage shall abandon their own devotees, without doubt, being as merciless as I now am; all of them shall ever be devoid of graciousness, and ever gluttonous.'

Verse 166 (skanda.6.206.166)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ तान्विप्रान्सप्तवंशसमुद्भवान् पुनः प्रोवाच तान्विप्राञ्छेषान्नगरसंभवान्

evamuktvā'tha tānviprānsaptavaṁśasamudbhavān punaḥ provāca tānviprāñcheṣānnagarasaṁbhavān

Having thus spoken to those brahmins born of the seven lineages, he then spoke again to the remaining brahmins of the city.

Verse 167 (skanda.6.206.167)

ममात्र दीयतां स्थानं स्थानेऽत्रैव द्विजोत्तमाः येन संवत्सरस्यांते पंचरात्रं वसाम्यहम्

mamātra dīyatāṁ sthānaṁ sthāne'traiva dvijottamāḥ yena saṁvatsarasyāṁte paṁcarātraṁ vasāmyaham

'O best of brahmins, let a place be given to me right here, in this very place, so that at the end of every year I might dwell here for five nights,'

Verse 168 (skanda.6.206.168)

देवस्यास्य प्रपूजार्थं मर्त्यलोकसु खाय च ब्राह्मणानां प्रपूजार्थं सर्वेषां भवतामिह

devasyāsya prapūjārthaṁ martyalokasu khāya ca brāhmaṇānāṁ prapūjārthaṁ sarveṣāṁ bhavatāmiha

'— for the sake of the worship of this god, and for the well-being of the world of mortals, and for the sake of honouring all of you brahmins here.'

Verse 169 (skanda.6.206.169)

विश्वामित्र उवाच ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे तदर्थं स्थानमुत्तमम् दर्शयामासुः संहृष्टाः प्रोचुश्च तदनंतरम्

viśvāmitra uvāca tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve tadarthaṁ sthānamuttamam darśayāmāsuḥ saṁhṛṣṭāḥ procuśca tadanaṁtaram

Vishvamitra said: Then all those brahmins, greatly delighted, showed him the finest place for this purpose, and thereupon said —

Verse 170 (skanda.6.206.170)

ब्रह्मस्थाने त्वया शक्र पंचरात्रमुपेत्य च स्थातव्यं मर्त्यलोकस्य सुखमासेव्यतां प्रभो

brahmasthāne tvayā śakra paṁcarātramupetya ca sthātavyaṁ martyalokasya sukhamāsevyatāṁ prabho

'O Indra, you should come and dwell for five nights at the Assembly-hall of Brahman; may you, O lord, thus enjoy the comfort of the mortal world.'

Verse 171 (skanda.6.206.171)

अत्र स्थाने तवाऽग्रे तु करिष्यामो महोत्सवम् गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्गंधमाल्यानुलेपनैः द्विजानां तर्पणैश्चैव सर्वकामसमृद्धिदम्

atra sthāne tavā'gre tu kariṣyāmo mahotsavam gītavāditranirghoṣairgaṁdhamālyānulepanaiḥ dvijānāṁ tarpaṇaiścaiva sarvakāmasamṛddhidam

'In this place, before you, we shall hold a great festival, with the sounds of song and instrument, with perfumes, garlands, and unguents, and with the satisfying of the brahmins — one that grants the fulfilment of every desire.'

Verse 172 (skanda.6.206.172)

विश्वामित्र उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां प्रहृष्टः पाकशासनः पूजयित्वा द्विजान्सर्वान्गतोऽथ त्रिदिवालयम्

viśvāmitra uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ teṣāṁ prahṛṣṭaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ pūjayitvā dvijānsarvāngato'tha tridivālayam

Vishvamitra said: Hearing their words, Indra, greatly delighted, honoured all the brahmins, and then went to the abode of heaven.