The Glory of Balasakhya Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.21.1)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः। मार्कण्डेन कदा तत्र स्थापितः प्रपितामहः। कस्मिन्स्थाने कृतस्तेन स्वाश्रमो मुनिना वद

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ| mārkaṇḍena kadā tatra sthāpitaḥ prapitāmahaḥ| kasminsthāne kṛtastena svāśramo muninā vada

The Brahmins said: When did Markandeya install the Great-Grandfather Brahma there, and in what place did that sage build his own hermitage? Tell us.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.21.2)

सूत उवाच। मृकण्डाख्यो द्विजश्रेष्ठ आसीद्वेदविदां वरः। चमत्कारपुराभ्याशे वानप्रस्थस्याश्रमे स्थितः

sūta uvāca| mṛkaṇḍākhyo dvijaśreṣṭha āsīdvedavidāṁ varaḥ| camatkārapurābhyāśe vānaprasthasyāśrame sthitaḥ

Suta said: There was an excellent brahmin named Mrikanda, foremost among knowers of the Veda, who dwelt in a hermitage of the vanaprastha order near Chamatkarapura.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.21.3)

शांतात्मा नियमोपेतश्चकार सुमहत्तपः। तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य वानप्रस्थस्य चाश्रमे

śāṁtātmā niyamopetaścakāra sumahattapaḥ| tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya vānaprasthasya cāśrame

Tranquil of soul and devoted to observances, he performed great austerity; while he thus dwelt in the vanaprastha hermitage --

Verse 4 (skanda.6.21.4)

पश्चिमे वयसि प्राप्ते पुत्रो जज्ञे सुशोभनः। सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णः पूर्णचंद्रसमप्रभः

paścime vayasi prāpte putro jajñe suśobhanaḥ| sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇaḥ pūrṇacaṁdrasamaprabhaḥ

in the last stage of his life, a beautiful son was born to him, complete with every auspicious mark, radiant as the full moon.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.21.5)

मार्कंड इति नामाऽथ तस्य चक्रे पिता स्वयम्। सोऽतीव ववृधे बालस्तस्मिन्नाश्रम उत्तमे

mārkaṁḍa iti nāmā'tha tasya cakre pitā svayam| so'tīva vavṛdhe bālastasminnāśrama uttame

The father himself named him Markanda; the boy grew rapidly in that excellent hermitage.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.21.6)

शुक्लपक्षं समासाद्य तारापतिरिवांबरे। वर्धमानस्य तस्यैवमतीताः पंच वत्सराः। बालक्रीडाप्रसक्तस्य पितुरुत्सङ्गवर्तिनः

śuklapakṣaṁ samāsādya tārāpatirivāṁbare| vardhamānasya tasyaivamatītāḥ paṁca vatsarāḥ| bālakrīḍāprasaktasya piturutsaṅgavartinaḥ

He grew like the moon waxing through its bright fortnight in the sky; thus, absorbed in childish play and dwelling in his father's lap, five years passed for that boy.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.21.7)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य कश्चित्तत्र समागतः। सामुद्रिकस्य कृत्स्नस्य वेत्ता ज्ञानविधानवित्

kasyacittvatha kālasya kaścittatra samāgataḥ| sāmudrikasya kṛtsnasya vettā jñānavidhānavit

After some time, a learned man arrived there, a complete master of the science of palmistry (samudrika) and its methods.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.21.8)

स तं शिशुं समालोक्य नखाग्रान्मूर्द्धजावधिम्। विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयन ईषद्धास्यमथाऽकरोत्

sa taṁ śiśuṁ samālokya nakhāgrānmūrddhajāvadhim| vismayotphullanayana īṣaddhāsyamathā'karot

He examined the child from the tips of his toenails to the hair of his head, and, his eyes widened with astonishment, gave a faint smile.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.21.9)

मृकंडोऽपि समालोक्य ज्ञानिनं सस्मिताननम्। पप्रच्छ विनयोपेतः किंचित्तुष्टेन चेतसा

mṛkaṁḍo'pi samālokya jñāninaṁ sasmitānanam| papraccha vinayopetaḥ kiṁcittuṣṭena cetasā

Mrikanda too, seeing the wise man smiling, asked him with humility and a somewhat pleased mind.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.21.10)

मृकण्ड उवाच। कस्मात्त्वं विप्रशार्दूल वीक्ष्येमं मम दारकम्। सुचिरं विस्मयाविष्टस्ततोऽभूः सस्मिताननः

mṛkaṇḍa uvāca| kasmāttvaṁ vipraśārdūla vīkṣyemaṁ mama dārakam| suciraṁ vismayāviṣṭastato'bhūḥ sasmitānanaḥ

Mrikanda said: O tiger among brahmins, why, upon seeing this child of mine, did you remain lost in astonishment for so long and smile?

Verse 11 (skanda.6.21.11)

सूत उवाच। असकृत्तेन संपृष्टः सकृद्ब्राह्मणसत्तमः। ततश्च कथयामास हास्यकारणमेव हि

sūta uvāca| asakṛttena saṁpṛṣṭaḥ sakṛdbrāhmaṇasattamaḥ| tataśca kathayāmāsa hāsyakāraṇameva hi

Suta said: Being asked repeatedly, that excellent brahmin, once pressed, then told the reason for his smile.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.21.12)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। लक्षणानि शिशोरस्य दृश्यंते यानि सन्मुने। गात्रस्थानि भवेत्सत्यं तैः पुमानजरामरः

brāhmaṇa uvāca| lakṣaṇāni śiśorasya dṛśyaṁte yāni sanmune| gātrasthāni bhavetsatyaṁ taiḥ pumānajarāmaraḥ

The brahmin said: O worthy sage, the marks visible on this infant's body, if they hold true, would make a man free from old age and death.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.21.13)

अस्य भावि पुनश्चाऽस्माद्दिवसान्निधनं शिशोः। षड्भिर्मासैर्न सन्देहः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

asya bhāvi punaścā'smāddivasānnidhanaṁ śiśoḥ| ṣaḍbhirmāsairna sandehaḥ satyametanmayoditam

Yet from this day the death of this infant will come within six months, without doubt -- what I have said is true.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.21.14)

एवं ज्ञात्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ कुरुष्वाऽस्य हितं च यत्। इह लोके परे चैव बालकस्य ममाऽऽज्ञया

evaṁ jñātvā dvijaśreṣṭha kuruṣvā'sya hitaṁ ca yat| iha loke pare caiva bālakasya mamā''jñayā

Knowing this, O best of brahmins, do at my word whatever is beneficial for this boy, both in this world and the next.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.21.15)

एवमुक्त्वा स विप्रेंद्रो जगामाऽभीप्सितां दिशम्। मृकण्डोऽपि ततस्तस्य चक्रे मौंजीनिबन्धनम्

evamuktvā sa vipreṁdro jagāmā'bhīpsitāṁ diśam| mṛkaṇḍo'pi tatastasya cakre mauṁjīnibandhanam

Having said this, that excellent brahmin went off in his chosen direction. Mrikanda then performed the boy's sacred-thread (maunji) investiture.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.21.16)

अकालेऽपि कुमारस्य किंचिद्ध्यात्वा निजे हृदि। कारणं कारणज्ञः स ततः प्रोवाच तं सुतम्

akāle'pi kumārasya kiṁciddhyātvā nije hṛdi| kāraṇaṁ kāraṇajñaḥ sa tataḥ provāca taṁ sutam

Though this was before the proper age, having pondered the reason in his own heart, that father, knowing the cause, spoke to his son --

Verse 17 (skanda.6.21.17)

यं कं चिद्वीक्षसे पुत्र भ्रममाणं द्विजोत्तमम्। तस्यावश्यं त्वया कार्यं विनयादभिवादनम्

yaṁ kaṁ cidvīkṣase putra bhramamāṇaṁ dvijottamam| tasyāvaśyaṁ tvayā kāryaṁ vinayādabhivādanam

My son, whatever excellent brahmin wandering about you may see, you must always bow to him respectfully.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.21.18)

एवं तस्य व्रतस्थस्य षण्मासा दिवसैस्त्रिभिः। हीनाः स्युर्ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां नमस्कारपरस्य च

evaṁ tasya vratasthasya ṣaṇmāsā divasaistribhiḥ| hīnāḥ syurbrāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ namaskāraparasya ca

Thus, for that boy who kept his vow and was ever intent on bowing to brahmins, six months passed, lacking three days.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.21.19)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ता अग्नितीर्थपरायणाः। सप्तर्षयः स्थितो यत्र मार्कंडो धृतमेखलः

etasminnaṁtare prāptā agnitīrthaparāyaṇāḥ| saptarṣayaḥ sthito yatra mārkaṁḍo dhṛtamekhalaḥ

Meanwhile the Seven Sages, devoted to their pilgrimage of the fire-tirthas, arrived at the very place where Markanda, girded with his ascetic's cord, was staying.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.21.20)

तान्दृष्ट्वा स मुनीन्सर्वान्नमश्चक्रे मुनेः सुतः। दीर्घायुर्भव तैरुक्तः सर्वैरपि पृथक्पृथक्

tāndṛṣṭvā sa munīnsarvānnamaścakre muneḥ sutaḥ| dīrghāyurbhava tairuktaḥ sarvairapi pṛthakpṛthak

Seeing them, the sage's son bowed to all the sages, and each of them, separately, blessed him: 'May you live long.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.21.21)

अथ तं बालभावेन कौतुकाद्ब्रह्मचारिणः। चिरं दृष्ट्वाऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं वसिष्ठो मुनिपुंगवः

atha taṁ bālabhāvena kautukādbrahmacāriṇaḥ| ciraṁ dṛṣṭvā'bravīdvākyaṁ vasiṣṭho munipuṁgavaḥ

Then, having gazed for a long while, with curiosity, at the childlike manner of that young brahmacharin, Vasishtha, foremost of sages, spoke these words.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.21.22)

सर्वैरेष शिशुः प्रोक्तो दीर्घायुरिति सादरम्। तृतीयेऽह्नि पुनः प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यत्ययमसंशयः

sarvaireṣa śiśuḥ prokto dīrghāyuriti sādaram| tṛtīye'hni punaḥ prāṇāṁstyakṣyatyayamasaṁśayaḥ

All of us have respectfully told this child, 'Long life to you' -- yet without doubt this boy will give up his life on the very third day.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.21.23)

तन्न युक्तं भवेदीदृगस्माकं वचनं द्विजाः। तस्मात्तत्क्रियतां कर्म येनायं स्याच्चिरायुधृक्

tanna yuktaṁ bhavedīdṛgasmākaṁ vacanaṁ dvijāḥ| tasmāttatkriyatāṁ karma yenāyaṁ syāccirāyudhṛk

O brahmins, it would not be fitting for our word to prove so false; therefore let that be done by which this boy may become long-lived.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.21.24)

ततो मिथः समालोच्य सर्वे ते मुनिपुंगवाः। प्रोचुर्न जीवनोपायो भवेन्मुक्त्वा पितामहम्

tato mithaḥ samālocya sarve te munipuṁgavāḥ| procurna jīvanopāyo bhavenmuktvā pitāmaham

Then, having deliberated among themselves, all those foremost sages declared that, apart from the Grandfather Brahma, there was no means for his survival.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.21.25)

तस्मात्तस्य पुरो नीत्वा बालोऽयं क्षीणजीवितः। क्रियतां तस्य वाक्येन यथा स्याच्चिरजीवभाक्

tasmāttasya puro nītvā bālo'yaṁ kṣīṇajīvitaḥ| kriyatāṁ tasya vākyena yathā syāccirajīvabhāk

Therefore, taking this boy of dwindling life before him, let it be done by his own word, so that he may become one who lives long.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.21.26)

ततस्तु ते समादाय सत्वरं ब्रह्मचारिणम्। ब्रह्मलोकं समाजग्मुस्त्यक्त्वा तीर्थपराक्रमम्

tatastu te samādāya satvaraṁ brahmacāriṇam| brahmalokaṁ samājagmustyaktvā tīrthaparākramam

Then they quickly took the young brahmacharin with them and, abandoning their tirtha-pilgrimage, went to Brahmaloka.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.21.27)

ततः प्रणम्य तं देवं वेदोक्तैः स्तवनैर्द्विजाः। स्तुत्वाऽथ संविधे तस्य निषेदुस्तदनन्तरम्

tataḥ praṇamya taṁ devaṁ vedoktaiḥ stavanairdvijāḥ| stutvā'tha saṁvidhe tasya niṣedustadanantaram

There the brahmins bowed to that god, praised him with Vedic hymns, and thereafter took their seats in his assembly.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.21.28)

तेषामनंतरं सोऽपि नमश्चक्रे पितामहम्। बालः प्रोक्तश्च दीर्घायुर्भवेति च स्वयंभुवा

teṣāmanaṁtaraṁ so'pi namaścakre pitāmaham| bālaḥ proktaśca dīrghāyurbhaveti ca svayaṁbhuvā

After them, the boy too bowed to the Grandfather, and the Self-born Brahma likewise said to him, 'May you have long life.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.21.29)

अथोवाच मुनीन्सर्वान्विश्रांतान्पद्मयोनिजः। कुतो यूयं समायाताः सांप्रतं केन हेतुना

athovāca munīnsarvānviśrāṁtānpadmayonijaḥ| kuto yūyaṁ samāyātāḥ sāṁprataṁ kena hetunā

Then the Lotus-born asked all the sages, now resting: From where have you now come, and for what reason?

Verse 30 (skanda.6.21.30)

प्रोच्यतां चापि यत्कृत्यं युष्माकं क्रियतेऽधुना। मद्गृहे संप्रयातानां कोऽयं बालोऽपि सद्व्रती

procyatāṁ cāpi yatkṛtyaṁ yuṣmākaṁ kriyate'dhunā| madgṛhe saṁprayātānāṁ ko'yaṁ bālo'pi sadvratī

And tell me too what task of yours is now to be accomplished; and who, among you who have come to my dwelling, is this virtuous, vow-observing boy?

Verse 31 (skanda.6.21.31)

मुनय ऊचुः। तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन भ्रममाणा महीतलम्। चमत्कारपुराभ्याशे वयं प्राप्ताः पितामह

munaya ūcuḥ| tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena bhramamāṇā mahītalam| camatkārapurābhyāśe vayaṁ prāptāḥ pitāmaha

The sages said: O Grandfather, wandering the earth in the course of our tirtha-pilgrimage, we arrived near Chamatkarapura.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.21.32)

तत्रानेन वयं देव बालकेनाऽभिवादिताः। क्रमात्सर्वेरपि प्रोक्तो दीर्घायुरिति सादरम्

tatrānena vayaṁ deva bālakenā'bhivāditāḥ| kramātsarverapi prokto dīrghāyuriti sādaram

There, O God, this boy paid homage to us, and each of us in turn respectfully said to him, 'Long life to you.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.21.33)

एतस्य तु पुनः शेषमायुषो दिवसत्रयम्। विद्यते विबुधश्रेष्ठ व्रीडितास्तेन वै वयम्

etasya tu punaḥ śeṣamāyuṣo divasatrayam| vidyate vibudhaśreṣṭha vrīḍitāstena vai vayam

But O foremost of the wise, only three days of life now remain to him, and by that we are ashamed.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.21.34)

ततश्चैनं समादाय वयं प्राप्तास्तवांतिकम्। भवताऽपि तथा प्रोक्तो दीर्घायुर्बालकोऽस्त्वयम्

tataścainaṁ samādāya vayaṁ prāptāstavāṁtikam| bhavatā'pi tathā prokto dīrghāyurbālako'stvayam

Therefore we have brought him and come into your presence; you too have said the same, that this boy should be long-lived.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.21.35)

तस्माद्यथा वयं सत्या भवता सह पद्मज। भवाम कुरु तत्कृत्यमेतस्मादागता वयम्

tasmādyathā vayaṁ satyā bhavatā saha padmaja| bhavāma kuru tatkṛtyametasmādāgatā vayam

Therefore, O Lotus-born, so that we together with you may prove truthful, do that deed -- it is for this purpose that we have come here.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.21.36)

सूत उवाच। तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनीनां पद्मसंभवः। प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं समादाय च बालकम्

sūta uvāca| teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā munīnāṁ padmasaṁbhavaḥ| provāca prahasanvākyaṁ samādāya ca bālakam

Suta said: Hearing the sages' words, the Lotus-born, taking the boy up, spoke, smiling, the following words.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.21.37)

मत्प्रसादादयं बालो जरामृत्युविवर्जितः। भविष्यति न संदेहो वेदविद्याविचक्षणः

matprasādādayaṁ bālo jarāmṛtyuvivarjitaḥ| bhaviṣyati na saṁdeho vedavidyāvicakṣaṇaḥ

By my grace this boy shall become free from old age and death, and skilled in Vedic knowledge -- there is no doubt of this.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.21.38)

तस्मात्प्राग्धरणीपृष्ठं व्रजध्वं मुनिसत्तमाः। बालमेनं समादाय तस्मिन्नेवास्य मंदिरं

tasmātprāgdharaṇīpṛṣṭhaṁ vrajadhvaṁ munisattamāḥ| bālamenaṁ samādāya tasminnevāsya maṁdiraṁ

Therefore, best of sages, taking this boy, go first to the surface of the earth, to his very own dwelling,

Verse 39 (skanda.6.21.39)

यावदस्य पिता वृद्धः पुत्रदर्शनविह्वलः। न याति निधनं सार्धं धर्मपत्न्या द्विजोत्तमाः

yāvadasya pitā vṛddhaḥ putradarśanavihvalaḥ| na yāti nidhanaṁ sārdhaṁ dharmapatnyā dvijottamāḥ

before his aged father, distraught with longing to see his son, dies together with his righteous wife, O best of brahmins.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.21.40)

अथाऽऽयाताश्च तं बालं सर्वे ते मुनिसत्तमाः। आगत्य वसुधापृष्ठं तस्यैवाश्रमसंनिधौ

athā''yātāśca taṁ bālaṁ sarve te munisattamāḥ| āgatya vasudhāpṛṣṭhaṁ tasyaivāśramasaṁnidhau

Then all those excellent sages, bringing that boy, came to the surface of the earth, close to his very own hermitage,

Verse 41 (skanda.6.21.41)

अमुंचन्नग्नितीर्थे तं समाभाष्य ततः परम्। तीर्थयात्राकृते पश्चाज्जग्मुरन्यत्र सत्वराः

amuṁcannagnitīrthe taṁ samābhāṣya tataḥ param| tīrthayātrākṛte paścājjagmuranyatra satvarāḥ

and released him at the Agni-tirtha; having spoken with him, they then quickly went elsewhere to continue their pilgrimage.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.21.42)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो मृकंडः सुतवत्सलः। नापश्यत्स्वसुतं पश्चाद्विललाप सुदुःखितः

etasminnaṁtare vipro mṛkaṁḍaḥ sutavatsalaḥ| nāpaśyatsvasutaṁ paścādvilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ

Meanwhile the brahmin Mrikanda, loving his son dearly, not seeing his son, wailed afterward in deep sorrow.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.21.43)

अहो मे तनयोऽभीष्टः कथमद्य न दृश्यते। कूपांतः पतितः किं नु किं व्यालैर्वा निपातितः

aho me tanayo'bhīṣṭaḥ kathamadya na dṛśyate| kūpāṁtaḥ patitaḥ kiṁ nu kiṁ vyālairvā nipātitaḥ

Alas, why is my beloved son not to be seen today? Has he fallen into a well, or has he been struck down by wild beasts?

Verse 44 (skanda.6.21.44)

कृत्वा मां दुःखसंतप्तं मातरं चापि पुत्रकः। प्रस्थितो दीर्घमध्वानं विरुद्धं कृतवान्विधिः

kṛtvā māṁ duḥkhasaṁtaptaṁ mātaraṁ cāpi putrakaḥ| prasthito dīrghamadhvānaṁ viruddhaṁ kṛtavānvidhiḥ

Having plunged both me and his mother into torment, my son has set out on some long road -- fate has done this against us.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.21.45)

पश्य ब्राह्मणि पापेन मया दुष्कृतकारिणा। न बालस्य मुखं दृष्टं प्रस्थितस्य यमालये

paśya brāhmaṇi pāpena mayā duṣkṛtakāriṇā| na bālasya mukhaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ prasthitasya yamālaye

See, O brahmin-wife, through my own sinful, evil deed, I did not even see the boy's face as he set out for Yama's abode.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.21.46)

कथितं ज्ञानिना तेन मम पूर्वं महात्मना। षड्भिर्मासैः सुतस्तेऽयं देहत्यागं करिष्यति

kathitaṁ jñāninā tena mama pūrvaṁ mahātmanā| ṣaḍbhirmāsaiḥ sutaste'yaṁ dehatyāgaṁ kariṣyati

That wise, great-souled man had told me before that within six months this son of yours would give up his body.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.21.47)

सोऽहं पुत्रस्य दुःखेन साधयिष्ये हुताशनम्। यावच्छोकाग्निना कायो दह्यते न वरानने

so'haṁ putrasya duḥkhena sādhayiṣye hutāśanam| yāvacchokāgninā kāyo dahyate na varānane

So, tormented by grief for my son, I shall resort to fire, O fair-faced one, before this body is consumed by the fire of sorrow itself.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.21.48)

ब्राह्मण्युवाच। ममापि मतमेतद्धि यत्त्वया परिकीर्तितम्। तत्किं चिरयसि ब्रह्मञ्छीघ्रं दारूणि चानय

brāhmaṇyuvāca| mamāpi matametaddhi yattvayā parikīrtitam| tatkiṁ cirayasi brahmañchīghraṁ dārūṇi cānaya

The brahmin-wife said: What you have declared is my resolve too, O brahmin -- why then do you delay? Quickly bring the wood.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.21.49)

येनाऽहं भवता सार्धं प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्। पुत्रशोकेन संतप्ता सुभृशं दुःखशांतये

yenā'haṁ bhavatā sārdhaṁ pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam| putraśokena saṁtaptā subhṛśaṁ duḥkhaśāṁtaye

so that I, deeply tormented by grief for my son, may enter the fire together with you, to quell this sorrow.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.21.50)

सूत उवाच। एवं तयोः प्रवदतोर्दंपत्योर्द्विजसत्तमाः। आजगामाऽथ संहृष्टः स बालः सन्निधिं तयोः

sūta uvāca| evaṁ tayoḥ pravadatordaṁpatyordvijasattamāḥ| ājagāmā'tha saṁhṛṣṭaḥ sa bālaḥ sannidhiṁ tayoḥ

Suta said: While that couple were thus speaking, O best of brahmins, the boy, overjoyed, arrived and came into their presence.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.21.51)

तं दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणो हृष्टो ब्राह्मण्या सहितस्तदा। आनंदाश्रुप्लुताक्षोऽथ सम्मुखस्तमुपाद्रवत्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇo hṛṣṭo brāhmaṇyā sahitastadā| ānaṁdāśruplutākṣo'tha sammukhastamupādravat

Seeing him, the brahmin, along with his wife, was overjoyed, and with eyes flooded with tears of joy ran forward to meet him.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.21.52)

भूयोभूयः परिष्वज्य सभार्यः पृष्टवांस्तदा। क्व गतः स्वाश्रमाद्वत्स चिरात्कस्मादिहाऽऽगतः

bhūyobhūyaḥ pariṣvajya sabhāryaḥ pṛṣṭavāṁstadā| kva gataḥ svāśramādvatsa cirātkasmādihā''gataḥ

Embracing him again and again, together with his wife, he then asked: Where did you go from our hermitage, my child, and why have you come back here after so long?

Verse 53 (skanda.6.21.53)

शोकार्णवे परिक्षिप्य मां सभार्यं वयोऽधिकम्। तन्मा पुत्रक भूयस्त्वमीदृक्कर्म करिष्यसि

śokārṇave parikṣipya māṁ sabhāryaṁ vayo'dhikam| tanmā putraka bhūyastvamīdṛkkarma kariṣyasi

Having plunged me and your mother, both advanced in years, into an ocean of grief -- my son, never do such a deed again.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.21.54)

मार्कंडेय उवाच। अत्राऽद्य मुनयः प्राप्ता मया ते चाभिवादिताः। क्रमेण विनयात्तात स्मरमाणेन ते वचः

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca| atrā'dya munayaḥ prāptā mayā te cābhivāditāḥ| krameṇa vinayāttāta smaramāṇena te vacaḥ

Markandeya said: Father, sages arrived here today, and remembering your instruction I bowed to them one by one, respectfully.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.21.55)

दीर्घायुर्भव तैरुक्तः सर्वैरेव द्विजोत्तमैः। दृष्ट्वा मां विस्मयाविष्टैर्बालकं व्रतिनं विभो

dīrghāyurbhava tairuktaḥ sarvaireva dvijottamaiḥ| dṛṣṭvā māṁ vismayāviṣṭairbālakaṁ vratinaṁ vibho

O lord, all those excellent brahmins, astonished to see me, a vow-observing boy, said to me: 'Long life to you.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.21.56)

अथ तात समालोक्य तेषां मध्यगतो मुनिः। वसिष्ठस्तान्मुनीन्सर्वान्प्रोवाच प्रहसन्निव

atha tāta samālokya teṣāṁ madhyagato muniḥ| vasiṣṭhastānmunīnsarvānprovāca prahasanniva

Then, father, the sage Vasishtha, who was among them, having looked at me, spoke to all those sages, as if smiling.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.21.57)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। दीर्घायुर्भव यः प्रोक्तो युष्माभिर्मुनिपुंगवाः। तृतीये दिवसे सोऽयं बालः पंचत्वमेष्यति

vasiṣṭha uvāca| dīrghāyurbhava yaḥ prokto yuṣmābhirmunipuṁgavāḥ| tṛtīye divase so'yaṁ bālaḥ paṁcatvameṣyati

Vasishtha said: O foremost sages, this boy to whom you have said 'long life' will attain his end on the third day.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.21.58)

ततस्ते मुनयो भीता असत्यात्तात तत्क्षणात्। समादाय ययुस्तत्र यत्र ब्रह्मा व्यवस्थितः

tataste munayo bhītā asatyāttāta tatkṣaṇāt| samādāya yayustatra yatra brahmā vyavasthitaḥ

Then, father, those sages, frightened at that instant that their word might prove false, took me and went to the place where Brahma resided.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.21.59)

नमस्कृतेन तेनाऽपि प्रोक्तोऽहं पद्मयोनिना। दीर्घायुर्भव पृष्टश्च कुतस्त्वमिह चागतः

namaskṛtena tenā'pi prokto'haṁ padmayoninā| dīrghāyurbhava pṛṣṭaśca kutastvamiha cāgataḥ

When they had bowed, the Lotus-born, too, said to me, 'Long life to you,' and asked from where I had come here.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.21.60)

अथ तैर्मुनिभिः सर्वैर्वृत्तांतं तस्य कीर्तितम्। आशीर्वादोद्भवं प्रोक्तं ततो वयमिहागताः

atha tairmunibhiḥ sarvairvṛttāṁtaṁ tasya kīrtitam| āśīrvādodbhavaṁ proktaṁ tato vayamihāgatāḥ

Then all those sages recounted his whole story to him, telling how it had arisen from a blessing, and that this was why they had come there.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.21.61)

यथाऽयं बालको देव त्वत्प्रसादात्पितामह। दीर्घायुर्जायते लोके तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि

yathā'yaṁ bālako deva tvatprasādātpitāmaha| dīrghāyurjāyate loke tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi

O God, O Grandfather, as this boy, by your grace, may become long-lived in the world, so you should act.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.21.62)

ततोऽहं ब्रह्मणा तात जरामरणवर्जितः। विहितः प्रेषितस्तूर्णं स्वगृहं प्रति तैः समम्

tato'haṁ brahmaṇā tāta jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ| vihitaḥ preṣitastūrṇaṁ svagṛhaṁ prati taiḥ samam

Then, father, Brahma made me free from old age and death, and swiftly sent me, along with them, back toward home.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.21.63)

ते तु मां मुनयोऽत्रैव प्रमुच्याश्रमसन्निधौ। स्नानार्थं विविशुः सर्वे ह्रदेऽत्रैव सुशोभने

te tu māṁ munayo'traiva pramucyāśramasannidhau| snānārthaṁ viviśuḥ sarve hrade'traiva suśobhane

Those sages, having left me right here near the hermitage, all went to bathe in this very beautiful pool.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.21.64)

सूत उवाच। तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य मृकंडो हर्षसंयुतः। प्रययौ सत्वरं तत्र यत्र ते मुनयः स्थिताः

sūta uvāca| tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya mṛkaṁḍo harṣasaṁyutaḥ| prayayau satvaraṁ tatra yatra te munayaḥ sthitāḥ

Suta said: Hearing his words, Mrikanda, filled with joy, went swiftly to the place where those sages were staying.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.21.65)

प्रणम्य तान्मुनीन्सर्वान्कृताञ्जलिपुटः स्थितः। प्रोवाच वः प्रसादेन कुलं मे वृद्धिमागतम्

praṇamya tānmunīnsarvānkṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ| provāca vaḥ prasādena kulaṁ me vṛddhimāgatam

Bowing to all those sages, standing with joined palms, he said: By your grace my lineage has attained increase.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.21.66)

साधु प्रोक्तमिदं कैश्चिदाचार्यैर्मुनिसत्तमाः। साधुलोकं समाश्रित्य विख्यातं च जगत्त्रये

sādhu proktamidaṁ kaiścidācāryairmunisattamāḥ| sādhulokaṁ samāśritya vikhyātaṁ ca jagattraye

O best of sages, some teachers have rightly declared: taking refuge in the company of the good, one becomes renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.21.67)

साधूनां दर्शनं पुण्यं तीर्थभूता हि साधवः। तीर्थं फलति कालेन सद्यः साधुसमागमः

sādhūnāṁ darśanaṁ puṇyaṁ tīrthabhūtā hi sādhavaḥ| tīrthaṁ phalati kālena sadyaḥ sādhusamāgamaḥ

The sight of the good is meritorious, for the good are themselves living tirthas; a tirtha bears fruit only in due time, but the company of the good bears fruit at once.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.21.68)

तस्मादतिथयः प्राप्ता यूयं सर्वेऽद्य मे गृहम्। प्रकरोमि किमातिथ्यं प्रोच्यतां द्विजसत्तमाः

tasmādatithayaḥ prāptā yūyaṁ sarve'dya me gṛham| prakaromi kimātithyaṁ procyatāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Therefore, since you have all come as guests to my house today, tell me, best of brahmins, what hospitality I should render you.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.21.69)

ऋषय ऊचुः। एतदेव मुनेऽस्माकमातिथ्यं कोटिसंमितम्। अल्पायुरपि ते बालो यज्जातो मृत्युवर्जितः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| etadeva mune'smākamātithyaṁ koṭisaṁmitam| alpāyurapi te bālo yajjāto mṛtyuvarjitaḥ

The sages said: O sage, this alone is, for us, equal to a crore acts of hospitality -- that this boy of yours, though short-lived, has been born free from death.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.21.70)

मृकण्ड उवाच। मृत्युनाऽऽलिंगितं बालमस्मदीयं मुनीश्वराः। भवद्भिरद्य संरक्ष्य कुलं कृत्स्नं समुद्धृतम्

mṛkaṇḍa uvāca| mṛtyunā''liṁgitaṁ bālamasmadīyaṁ munīśvarāḥ| bhavadbhiradya saṁrakṣya kulaṁ kṛtsnaṁ samuddhṛtam

Mrikanda said: O lords of sages, this boy of mine, embraced by death, has today been protected by you, and thereby my whole lineage has been rescued.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.21.71)

ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चौरे भग्नव्रते तथा। निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नाऽस्ति निष्कृतिः

brahmaghne ca surāpe ca caure bhagnavrate tathā| niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nā'sti niṣkṛtiḥ

For a slayer of a brahmin, for a drinker of liquor, for a thief, and for one who breaks his vow, the good have ordained expiation; but for the ungrateful there is no expiation.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.21.72)

तस्मात्कृतघ्नतादोषो न स्यान्मम मुनीश्वराः। यथा कार्यं भवद्भिश्च तथा सर्वैर्न संशयः

tasmātkṛtaghnatādoṣo na syānmama munīśvarāḥ| yathā kāryaṁ bhavadbhiśca tathā sarvairna saṁśayaḥ

Therefore, O lords of sages, let not the fault of ingratitude be mine; let all of you have me do whatever is proper -- of this there is no doubt.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.21.73)

ऋषय ऊचुः। यदि प्रत्युपकाराय मन्यसे त्वं द्विजोत्तम। गृहं कुरुष्व नो वाक्याद्देवस्य परमेष्ठिनः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| yadi pratyupakārāya manyase tvaṁ dvijottama| gṛhaṁ kuruṣva no vākyāddevasya parameṣṭhinaḥ

The sages said: O best of brahmins, if you deem it right to repay this favor, then at our word build a dwelling-place for the Supreme Lord.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.21.74)

येनाऽयं बालकस्तेऽद्य कृतो मृत्युविवर्जितः। तस्मात्स्थापय तीर्थेन देवं तं प्रपितामहम्

yenā'yaṁ bālakaste'dya kṛto mṛtyuvivarjitaḥ| tasmātsthāpaya tīrthena devaṁ taṁ prapitāmaham

By whom this boy of yours has today been freed from death -- that God, the Great-Grandfather, install here at this tirtha.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.21.75)

पुत्रेण सहितः पश्चादाराधय दिवानिशम्। वयमेव त्वया सार्धं तं च देवं पितामहम्

putreṇa sahitaḥ paścādārādhaya divāniśam| vayameva tvayā sārdhaṁ taṁ ca devaṁ pitāmaham

Then, together with your son, worship him day and night; we too, along with you, shall worship that God, the Grandfather.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.21.76)

नित्यं प्रपूजयिष्यामस्तथान्येऽपि द्विजोत्तमाः। बालेनाऽनेन सार्धं ते सख्यमत्र स्थितं यतः। बालसख्यमिति ख्यातं नाम्ना तेन भविष्यति

nityaṁ prapūjayiṣyāmastathānye'pi dvijottamāḥ| bālenā'nena sārdhaṁ te sakhyamatra sthitaṁ yataḥ| bālasakhyamiti khyātaṁ nāmnā tena bhaviṣyati

We, and other excellent brahmins as well, shall worship him always; and since this bond of friendship has been formed here with this boy, it shall become known by that very name, Balasakhya.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.21.77)

तीर्थमन्यैरिति ख्यातं बालकानां हितावहम्। रोगार्तानां भयार्तानामस्माकं वचनात्सदा

tīrthamanyairiti khyātaṁ bālakānāṁ hitāvaham| rogārtānāṁ bhayārtānāmasmākaṁ vacanātsadā

By our word this tirtha shall forever be known among others too as beneficial for children, and for those afflicted by disease or fear.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.21.78)

अस्मिंस्तीर्थे शिशुं लोकाः स्नापयिष्यंति ये द्विज। रोगार्तं वा भयार्तं वा पीडितं वा ग्रहादिभिः

asmiṁstīrthe śiśuṁ lokāḥ snāpayiṣyaṁti ye dvija| rogārtaṁ vā bhayārtaṁ vā pīḍitaṁ vā grahādibhiḥ

O brahmin, those people who at this tirtha bathe a child, whether afflicted by disease, by fear, or troubled by planetary influences --

Verse 79 (skanda.6.21.79)

भविष्यति न संदेहः सर्वदोषविवर्जितः। पितामहप्रसादेन तथाऽस्मद्वचनाद्द्विज

bhaviṣyati na saṁdehaḥ sarvadoṣavivarjitaḥ| pitāmahaprasādena tathā'smadvacanāddvija

that child will, without doubt, become free from every fault, O brahmin, by the Grandfather's grace and by this word of ours.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.21.80)

ये पुनर्मानुषा विप्र निष्कामाः श्रद्धयान्विताः। स्नानमात्रं करिष्यंति ते यांति परमां गतिम्

ye punarmānuṣā vipra niṣkāmāḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ| snānamātraṁ kariṣyaṁti te yāṁti paramāṁ gatim

And, O brahmin, those humans who, free of desire and full of faith, merely bathe here, attain the supreme goal.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.21.81)

सूत उवाच। एवमुक्त्वाथ ते सर्वे मुनयः शंसितव्रताः। तमामंत्र्य मुनिं जग्मुस्तीर्थान्यन्यानि सत्वराः

sūta uvāca| evamuktvātha te sarve munayaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ| tamāmaṁtrya muniṁ jagmustīrthānyanyāni satvarāḥ

Suta said: Having said this, all those sages of accomplished vows, taking leave of that sage, swiftly went on to other tirthas.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.21.82)

मृकण्डोऽपि सपुत्रश्च तस्मिन्स्थाने पितामहम्। स्थापयामास संहृष्टो ज्येष्ठे ज्येष्ठास्थिते विधौ

mṛkaṇḍo'pi saputraśca tasminsthāne pitāmaham| sthāpayāmāsa saṁhṛṣṭo jyeṣṭhe jyeṣṭhāsthite vidhau

Mrikanda too, together with his son, joyfully installed the Grandfather at that place, in the month of Jyeshtha when the moon stood in the Jyeshtha constellation.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.21.83)

ततश्चाऽऽराधयामास दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः। सपुत्रः श्रद्धया युक्तः संप्राप्तश्च परां गतिम्

tataścā''rādhayāmāsa divārātramataṁdritaḥ| saputraḥ śraddhayā yuktaḥ saṁprāptaśca parāṁ gatim

Then, together with his son, filled with faith, he worshipped him tirelessly day and night, and in the end attained the supreme goal.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.21.84)

सूत उवाच। ततःप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं बालसख्यमिति स्मृतम्। पावनं सर्वजंतूनां बालानां रोगनाशनम्

sūta uvāca| tataḥprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ bālasakhyamiti smṛtam| pāvanaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ bālānāṁ roganāśanam

Suta said: From that time onward, that tirtha has been known as Balasakhya, purifying for all creatures and destructive of children's diseases.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.21.85)

ज्येष्ठे ज्येष्ठासु यो बालस्तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत्। न स पीडामवाप्नोति यावत्संवत्सरं द्विजाः

jyeṣṭhe jyeṣṭhāsu yo bālastatra snānaṁ samācaret| na sa pīḍāmavāpnoti yāvatsaṁvatsaraṁ dvijāḥ

O brahmins, whatever child bathes there in the month of Jyeshtha, under the Jyeshtha constellation, suffers no affliction for a full year.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.21.86)

ग्रहभूतपिशाचानां शाकिनीनां विशेषतः। अगम्यः सर्वदुष्टानां तथाऽन्येषां प्रजायते

grahabhūtapiśācānāṁ śākinīnāṁ viśeṣataḥ| agamyaḥ sarvaduṣṭānāṁ tathā'nyeṣāṁ prajāyate

He becomes especially unassailable by malign planetary spirits, ghosts, demons, and witches, and likewise inaccessible to all other evil beings.