The Greatness of Ratnaditya

Verse 1 (skanda.6.212.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः श्रुतं तीर्थत्रयं पुण्यं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञिते क्षेत्रेऽत्र यत्त्वया प्रोक्तमस्माकं सूतनंदन

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śrutaṁ tīrthatrayaṁ puṇyaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñite kṣetre'tra yattvayā proktamasmākaṁ sūtanaṁdana

The sages said: O son of Suta, we have heard of the three sacred fords, so full of merit, that you have told us of in this region called Hatakeshvara.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.212.2)

विश्वामित्रीयमाहात्म्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम् सांप्रतं तत्समाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि नः

viśvāmitrīyamāhātmyaṁ śrotumicchāmahe vayam sāṁprataṁ tatsamācakṣva paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

Now we wish to hear the greatness connected with Vishvamitra; relate it now, for we are filled with the deepest curiosity about it.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.212.3)

सूत उवाच समुद्रस्यापि पारोऽत्र लक्ष्यते च क्षितेरपि तारकाणां मुनेस्तस्य न गुणानां द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca samudrasyāpi pāro'tra lakṣyate ca kṣiterapi tārakāṇāṁ munestasya na guṇānāṁ dvijottamāḥ

Suta said: O best of brahmins, one may perceive the far shore even of the ocean, or of the earth, or even count the stars — but never the limit of that sage Vishvamitra's virtues.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.212.4)

लक्ष्यते केनचित्पारो गाधेः पुत्रस्य धीमतः क्षत्रियोऽपि द्विजत्वं यः संप्राप्तो द्विजसत्तमाः

lakṣyate kenacitpāro gādheḥ putrasya dhīmataḥ kṣatriyo'pi dvijatvaṁ yaḥ saṁprāpto dvijasattamāḥ

Who indeed can perceive the limit of that wise son of Gadhi, O foremost of brahmins — he who, though born a kshatriya, attained brahminhood?

Verse 5 (skanda.6.212.5)

अंत्यजत्वं गतस्यापि त्रिशंकोः पृथिवीपतेः यज्ञभागभुजो देवाः प्रत्यक्षेण विनिर्मिताः

aṁtyajatvaṁ gatasyāpi triśaṁkoḥ pṛthivīpateḥ yajñabhāgabhujo devāḥ pratyakṣeṇa vinirmitāḥ

He who, even for King Trishanku after his fall to outcaste status, directly created gods to partake of his sacrificial offerings—

Verse 6 (skanda.6.212.6)

ब्रह्मणः स्पर्धया येन पुरा सृष्टिर्द्विजोत्तमाः प्रारब्धा च ततो देवैः प्रणिपत्य निवारितः

brahmaṇaḥ spardhayā yena purā sṛṣṭirdvijottamāḥ prārabdhā ca tato devaiḥ praṇipatya nivāritaḥ

—he who, once, in rivalry with Brahma, began a whole new creation of his own, and was then, when the gods bowed before him in supplication, prevailed upon to stop.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.212.7)

तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं साप्रतं वदतो मम श्रूयतां ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṁ sāprataṁ vadato mama śrūyatāṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

O foremost of brahmins, now, as I speak, hear the greatness of that ford of Vishvamitra, which destroys every sin.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.212.8)

तेन तत्र कृतं कुण्डं स्वहस्तेन महात्मना शस्त्रं विनापि भूपृष्ठं प्रविदार्य समंततः

tena tatra kṛtaṁ kuṇḍaṁ svahastena mahātmanā śastraṁ vināpi bhūpṛṣṭhaṁ pravidārya samaṁtataḥ

That great sage, with his own hand, without any weapon, cleft open the surface of the earth on every side and fashioned a pool there.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.212.9)

तत्र ध्यात्वा समानीता पातालाज्जाह्नवी नदी मर्त्यलोके समायातं यस्यास्तोयं सुनिर्मलम्

tatra dhyātvā samānītā pātālājjāhnavī nadī martyaloke samāyātaṁ yasyāstoyaṁ sunirmalam

There, through meditation, he summoned the river Ganga up from the netherworld, whose utterly pure water then came into the mortal world.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.212.10)

सुस्वादु च तथा स्नानात्सर्वपातकनाशनम् तेनापि स्थापितस्तत्र भास्करो वारितस्करः

susvādu ca tathā snānātsarvapātakanāśanam tenāpi sthāpitastatra bhāskaro vāritaskaraḥ

That water was most sweet, and by bathing in it all sins are destroyed. It was he, too, who established there the sun-god, the guardian against water-thieves.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.212.11)

यः सप्तम्यां सूर्यवारे स्नात्वा तस्य हृदे शुभे माघमासे सिते पक्षे नमस्यति दिवाकरम् स कुष्ठैर्मुच्यते सर्वैस्तथा पापैर्द्विजोत्तमाः

yaḥ saptamyāṁ sūryavāre snātvā tasya hṛde śubhe māghamāse site pakṣe namasyati divākaram sa kuṣṭhairmucyate sarvaistathā pāpairdvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, whoever bathes in that holy pool on the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Magha, falling on a Sunday, and bows to the sun-god, is freed from every form of leprosy and from every sin.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.212.12)

पश्चिमोत्तरदिग्भागे तस्यास्ति जलसंभवा धन्वंतरिकृता वापी सर्वरोगविनाशिनी

paścimottaradigbhāge tasyāsti jalasaṁbhavā dhanvaṁtarikṛtā vāpī sarvarogavināśinī

To its northwest lies a well of water made by Dhanvantari, the destroyer of every disease.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.212.13)

तत्र पूर्वं तपस्तेपे धन्वंतरिरुदारधीः ववन्दे तपसा युक्तो ध्यायमानः समाहितः

tatra pūrvaṁ tapastepe dhanvaṁtarirudāradhīḥ vavande tapasā yukto dhyāyamānaḥ samāhitaḥ

There, in former times, the noble-minded Dhanvantari performed austerity; absorbed in his penance and deep in concentration, he worshipped the sun-god in meditation.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.212.14)

ततः कालेन महता संतुष्टस्तस्य भास्करः उवाच वरदोऽस्मीति प्रार्थयस्व महामते

tataḥ kālena mahatā saṁtuṣṭastasya bhāskaraḥ uvāca varado'smīti prārthayasva mahāmate

Then, after a long time, the sun-god, well pleased, said to him: O wise one, I am ready to grant you a boon; ask.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.212.15)

धन्वंतरिरुवाच अत्र कुण्डे नरो भक्त्या यः स्नानं कुरुते विभो तस्य स्यात्सर्वरोगाणां संक्षयः सुरसत्तम

dhanvaṁtariruvāca atra kuṇḍe naro bhaktyā yaḥ snānaṁ kurute vibho tasya syātsarvarogāṇāṁ saṁkṣayaḥ surasattama

Dhanvantari said: O mighty one, O foremost of gods, let whoever bathes in this pool with devotion have all his ailments destroyed.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.212.16)

श्रीभगवानुवाच अद्य शस्ते दिने योऽत्र सप्तम्यां रविवासरे सूर्योदये नरः स्नानं करिष्यति समाहितः व्याधिग्रस्तः स नीरोगस्तत्क्षणात्संभविष्यति

śrībhagavānuvāca adya śaste dine yo'tra saptamyāṁ ravivāsare sūryodaye naraḥ snānaṁ kariṣyati samāhitaḥ vyādhigrastaḥ sa nīrogastatkṣaṇātsaṁbhaviṣyati

The Lord said: Whoever, on an auspicious day like today — the seventh, falling on a Sunday, at sunrise — bathes here with a composed mind, though afflicted by illness, shall become free of disease that very instant.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.212.17)

नीरोगश्चेप्सितान्कामान्निष्कामो मोक्षमेष्यति

nīrogaścepsitānkāmānniṣkāmo mokṣameṣyati

Being freed of disease, he shall obtain his desired wishes, and, if free of desire altogether, he shall attain liberation.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.212.18)

एवमुक्त्वा सुरश्रेष्ठोंऽतर्धानं स गतो रविः धन्वन्तरिः प्रहृष्टात्मा स्वस्थानं च गतस्ततः

evamuktvā suraśreṣṭhoṁ'tardhānaṁ sa gato raviḥ dhanvantariḥ prahṛṣṭātmā svasthānaṁ ca gatastataḥ

Having said this, the sun-god, foremost of gods, vanished from sight, and Dhanvantari, his heart filled with joy, returned to his own abode.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.212.19)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य रत्नाक्षोऽथ महीपतिः अयोध्याधिपतिः ख्यातः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः

kasyacittvatha kālasya ratnākṣo'tha mahīpatiḥ ayodhyādhipatiḥ khyātaḥ sūryavaṁśasamudbhavaḥ

After some time there lived a king named Ratnaksha, renowned as the lord of Ayodhya, born of the solar dynasty.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.212.20)

कृतज्ञश्च वदान्यश्च स्वदारनिरतः सदा शूरः परमतेजस्वी सर्वशत्रुनिषूदनः

kṛtajñaśca vadānyaśca svadāranirataḥ sadā śūraḥ paramatejasvī sarvaśatruniṣūdanaḥ

He was grateful, generous, ever devoted solely to his own wife, valiant, of the greatest splendor, and a destroyer of all his foes.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.212.21)

पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन तस्य भूमिपतेर्द्विजाः कुष्ठव्याधिरभूद्रौद्रो दुश्चिकित्स्यो जगत्त्रये

pūrvakarmavipākena tasya bhūmipaterdvijāḥ kuṣṭhavyādhirabhūdraudro duścikitsyo jagattraye

O brahmins, through the ripening of the fruit of a former deed, that king was struck by a terrible form of leprosy, incurable throughout the three worlds.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.212.22)

तदस्ति नौषधं लोके यत्तेन न कृतं द्विजाः कुष्ठग्रस्तेन वा दानं यत्र दत्तं महात्मना

tadasti nauṣadhaṁ loke yattena na kṛtaṁ dvijāḥ kuṣṭhagrastena vā dānaṁ yatra dattaṁ mahātmanā

O brahmins, there was no remedy in the world that that leprosy-stricken, great-souled king did not try, nor any charitable gift he did not give.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.212.23)

यथायथौषधान्येव स करोति ददाति च तथातथा तस्य कायो व्याधिना क्षामितो भृशम्

yathāyathauṣadhānyeva sa karoti dadāti ca tathātathā tasya kāyo vyādhinā kṣāmito bhṛśam

Yet the more remedies he tried and the more he gave in charity, the more his body was wasted away by the disease.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.212.24)

ततो वैराग्यमापन्नः स नृपो द्विजसत्तमाः पुत्रं राज्येऽथ संस्थाप्य वांछयामास पावकम् निषिद्धोऽपि हि तैः सर्वैः कलत्रैराप्तसेवकैः

tato vairāgyamāpannaḥ sa nṛpo dvijasattamāḥ putraṁ rājye'tha saṁsthāpya vāṁchayāmāsa pāvakam niṣiddho'pi hi taiḥ sarvaiḥ kalatrairāptasevakaiḥ

O foremost of brahmins, the king then grew weary of the world; installing his son upon the throne, he resolved to enter fire, though all his queens and trusted servants sought to dissuade him.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.212.25)

दत्त्वा दानानि विप्रेभ्यः पूजयित्वा सुरोत्तमान् संभाष्य च सुहृद्वर्गं शासयित्वा निजं सुतम्

dattvā dānāni viprebhyaḥ pūjayitvā surottamān saṁbhāṣya ca suhṛdvargaṁ śāsayitvā nijaṁ sutam

Having given gifts to brahmins, worshipped the foremost gods, spoken with his circle of friends, and given final instructions to his own son—

Verse 26 (skanda.6.212.26)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भ्रममाणे यदृच्छया कश्चित्कार्पटिकः प्राप्तो दिव्यरूपवपुर्धरः

etasminneva kāle tu bhramamāṇe yadṛcchayā kaścitkārpaṭikaḥ prāpto divyarūpavapurdharaḥ

—at that very time, a certain wandering ascetic, of divinely radiant form, happened to arrive there, roaming at will.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.212.27)

अथासौ व्याकुलं दृष्ट्वा तत्सर्वं नृपतेः पुरम् अपृच्छद्विस्मयाविष्टो दृष्ट्वा कञ्चिन्नरं द्विजाः

athāsau vyākulaṁ dṛṣṭvā tatsarvaṁ nṛpateḥ puram apṛcchadvismayāviṣṭo dṛṣṭvā kañcinnaraṁ dvijāḥ

O brahmins, seeing the whole city of the king in such turmoil, he was filled with astonishment, and on meeting a certain man, questioned him.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.212.28)

कार्पटिक उवाच किमेषा व्याकुला भद्रे सर्वा जाता महापुरी निरानन्दाऽश्रुपूर्णाक्षैर्बालवृद्धैर्निषेविता

kārpaṭika uvāca kimeṣā vyākulā bhadre sarvā jātā mahāpurī nirānandā'śrupūrṇākṣairbālavṛddhairniṣevitā

The wandering ascetic said: O good sir, why has this entire great city fallen into such turmoil, joyless, thronged with young and old alike, their eyes brimming with tears?

Verse 29 (skanda.6.212.29)

सोऽब्रवीन्नृपतिश्चायं कुष्ठव्याधिसमन्वितः साधयिष्यति सन्दीप्तं सुनिर्विण्णो हुताशनम्

so'bravīnnṛpatiścāyaṁ kuṣṭhavyādhisamanvitaḥ sādhayiṣyati sandīptaṁ sunirviṇṇo hutāśanam

That man said: This king, afflicted with leprosy, utterly weary of the world, is about to give himself over to a blazing fire.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.212.30)

तेनेयं नगरी कृत्स्ना परं दुःखमुपागता गुणैरस्य समाविष्टा नूनं मृत्युं प्रयास्यति

teneyaṁ nagarī kṛtsnā paraṁ duḥkhamupāgatā guṇairasya samāviṣṭā nūnaṁ mṛtyuṁ prayāsyati

Because of this the whole city has fallen into deep grief; devoted as they are to his virtues, the people will surely go to their own ruin along with him.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.212.31)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सत्वरं गत्वा नृपं कार्पटिकोऽब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā satvaraṁ gatvā nṛpaṁ kārpaṭiko'bravīt

Hearing this, the wandering ascetic went at once to the king and spoke to him.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.212.32)

सर्वं जनं नरेन्द्रस्य मृतं जीवापयन्निव मा नृपानेन दुःखेन व्याधिजेन हुताशनम् प्रविश त्वं स्थिते तीर्थे सर्वव्याधिक्षयावहे

sarvaṁ janaṁ narendrasya mṛtaṁ jīvāpayanniva mā nṛpānena duḥkhena vyādhijena hutāśanam praviśa tvaṁ sthite tīrthe sarvavyādhikṣayāvahe

As though breathing life back into the king's entire dying populace, he said: O king, do not enter the fire out of this grief born of disease, when a ford that destroys every ailment lies right at hand.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.212.33)

मदीयो भूपते देह ईदृगासीद्यथा तव तत्र स्नातस्य सद्योऽथ जात ईदृक्पुनः प्रभो

madīyo bhūpate deha īdṛgāsīdyathā tava tatra snātasya sadyo'tha jāta īdṛkpunaḥ prabho

O king, my own body too was once like yours; but by bathing there, it at once became just as it is now, O lord.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.212.34)

सप्तम्यां सूर्यवारेण भास्करस्योदयं प्रति यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानं व्याधिग्रस्तो नरो भुवि

saptamyāṁ sūryavāreṇa bhāskarasyodayaṁ prati yastatra kurute snānaṁ vyādhigrasto naro bhuvi

On the seventh day, on a Sunday, at the hour of sunrise, whatever disease-stricken man bathes there—

Verse 35 (skanda.6.212.35)

स व्याधिना विनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणात्कल्पतां व्रजेत् तथा पापविनिर्मुक्तो यथाहं नृपसत्तम

sa vyādhinā vinirmuktastatkṣaṇātkalpatāṁ vrajet tathā pāpavinirmukto yathāhaṁ nṛpasattama

—O best of kings, becomes freed of that disease that very instant, and is purged of sin exactly as I myself have been.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.212.36)

राजोवाच कस्मिन्देशे महातीर्थं तादृशं वद मे द्रुतम्

rājovāca kasmindeśe mahātīrthaṁ tādṛśaṁ vada me drutam

The king said: In what land is that great ford of which you speak? Tell me quickly.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.212.37)

कार्पटिक उवाच अस्ति भूमितले ख्यातं नागरं क्षेत्रमुत्तमम् कुष्ठव्याधिसमाक्रांतो गतोऽहं तत्र भूपते

kārpaṭika uvāca asti bhūmitale khyātaṁ nāgaraṁ kṣetramuttamam kuṣṭhavyādhisamākrāṁto gato'haṁ tatra bhūpate

The wandering ascetic said: O king, there is a renowned and supreme region on earth called Nagara; afflicted by leprosy, I went there.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.212.38)

तस्य सन्दर्शनार्थाय तीर्थयात्रापरायणः तत्र मां दीनमालोक्य व्याधिग्रस्तं सुदुःखितम् कश्चित्तत्राश्रयः प्राह तपस्वी कृपयान्वितः

tasya sandarśanārthāya tīrthayātrāparāyaṇaḥ tatra māṁ dīnamālokya vyādhigrastaṁ suduḥkhitam kaścittatrāśrayaḥ prāha tapasvī kṛpayānvitaḥ

Devoted to pilgrimage for the sake of visiting it, I went there; and seeing me so wretched, disease-stricken, and full of sorrow, a certain resident ascetic spoke to me with compassion.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.212.39)

पश्चिमोत्तरदिग्भागे देवस्य जलशायिनः तीर्थमस्ति महापुण्यं विश्वामित्रजलावहम्

paścimottaradigbhāge devasya jalaśāyinaḥ tīrthamasti mahāpuṇyaṁ viśvāmitrajalāvaham

He said: To the northwest of the god who reclines on the waters lies a most sacred ford, bearing the waters brought by Vishvamitra.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.212.40)

तत्र गत्वा कुरु स्नानं सप्तम्यां रविवासरे माघमासे तु संप्राप्ते शुक्लपक्षे विशेषतः

tatra gatvā kuru snānaṁ saptamyāṁ ravivāsare māghamāse tu saṁprāpte śuklapakṣe viśeṣataḥ

Go there and bathe on the seventh day, on a Sunday, especially when the bright fortnight of Magha has arrived.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.212.41)

येन निर्याति ते कुष्ठो भास्करस्योदयं प्रति तच्छ्रुत्वाऽहं च तत्प्राप्तः सप्तम्यां सूर्यसंयुजि ततश्च कृतवान्स्नानं निर्झरे तत्र शांभवे

yena niryāti te kuṣṭho bhāskarasyodayaṁ prati tacchrutvā'haṁ ca tatprāptaḥ saptamyāṁ sūryasaṁyuji tataśca kṛtavānsnānaṁ nirjhare tatra śāṁbhave

By this, your leprosy will depart at the hour of sunrise. Hearing this, I too arrived there when that conjunction of the seventh day and a Sunday came round, and bathed in that stream sacred to Shiva.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.212.42)

ततस्तस्माद्विनिष्क्रांतो यावत्पश्याम्यहं तनुम् तावन्नृपेदृशी जाता सत्यमेतत्तवोदितम्

tatastasmādviniṣkrāṁto yāvatpaśyāmyahaṁ tanum tāvannṛpedṛśī jātā satyametattavoditam

When I emerged from it and looked upon my own body, O king, it had become just as you see it now — this I have told you truthfully.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.212.43)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेंद्र तत्र स्नानं समाचर सप्तम्यां सूर्यवारेण भास्करस्योदयं प्रति

tasmāttvamapi rājeṁdra tatra snānaṁ samācara saptamyāṁ sūryavāreṇa bhāskarasyodayaṁ prati

Therefore, O foremost of kings, you too should go and bathe there, on the seventh day, on a Sunday, at the hour of sunrise.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.212.44)

येन ते नश्यति व्याधिर्विशेषमपि पातकम् तच्छ्रुत्वा स नृपस्तूर्णं तेनैव सहितो ययौ

yena te naśyati vyādhirviśeṣamapi pātakam tacchrutvā sa nṛpastūrṇaṁ tenaiva sahito yayau

By this, your disease shall vanish, and your sin especially shall be destroyed. Hearing this, the king set out at once, accompanied by him.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.212.45)

चकार स तथा स्नानं सप्तम्यां सूर्यवासरे माघमासे तु संप्राप्ते विश्वामित्रजले शुभे

cakāra sa tathā snānaṁ saptamyāṁ sūryavāsare māghamāse tu saṁprāpte viśvāmitrajale śubhe

When the month of Magha had come, on the seventh day, on a Sunday, he bathed in that auspicious water of Vishvamitra.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.212.46)

ततः कुष्ठविनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणात्समपद्यत दिव्यरूपवपुर्द्धारी कामदेव इवापरः

tataḥ kuṣṭhavinirmuktastatkṣaṇātsamapadyata divyarūpavapurddhārī kāmadeva ivāparaḥ

Thereupon he was that instant freed of his leprosy, and, taking on a divinely beautiful form, became like a second Kamadeva.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.212.47)

अथ तुष्टो नरेंद्रस्तु तस्मै कार्पटिकाय च ददौ कोटित्रयं हेम्नः प्रोवाच स ततो वचः

atha tuṣṭo nareṁdrastu tasmai kārpaṭikāya ca dadau koṭitrayaṁ hemnaḥ provāca sa tato vacaḥ

The king, overjoyed, then gave that wandering ascetic thirty million gold coins, and spoke these words to him.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.212.48)

त्वत्प्रसादाद्विमुक्तोऽस्मि रोगादस्मात्सुदारुणात् तस्मात्त्वं गच्छ गेहं स्वं स्थास्येऽहं चात्र निर्भरम्

tvatprasādādvimukto'smi rogādasmātsudāruṇāt tasmāttvaṁ gaccha gehaṁ svaṁ sthāsye'haṁ cātra nirbharam

He said: By your grace I have been freed from this terrible disease; so you go on to your own home, while I shall remain here, at ease and without care.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.212.49)

करिष्यामि तपो नित्यं स्वकलत्रसमन्वितः राज्ये संस्थापितः पुत्रः समर्थो राज्यकर्मणि

kariṣyāmi tapo nityaṁ svakalatrasamanvitaḥ rājye saṁsthāpitaḥ putraḥ samartho rājyakarmaṇi

I shall remain here always, performing austerity together with my wife; my son, capable in matters of state, has already been installed on the throne.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.212.50)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रेरयामास तं तथान्यान्समागतान् सेवकास्वगृहायैव स्वयं तत्रैव संस्थितः

ityuktvā prerayāmāsa taṁ tathānyānsamāgatān sevakāsvagṛhāyaiva svayaṁ tatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Having said this, he sent that ascetic, along with the other attendants who had come with him, back to their own homes, and remained there himself.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.212.51)

कृत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं रम्यं स्वकलत्रसमन्वितः संप्राप्तश्च परां सिद्धिं कालेन द्विजसत्तमाः

kṛtvā''śramapadaṁ ramyaṁ svakalatrasamanvitaḥ saṁprāptaśca parāṁ siddhiṁ kālena dvijasattamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, building a delightful hermitage there and dwelling with his wife, he attained, in time, the supreme accomplishment.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.212.52)

तस्य नाम्ना ततः ख्यातं तीर्थमेतत्त्रिविष्टपे सर्वव्याधिहरं रम्यं सर्वपातकनाशनम्

tasya nāmnā tataḥ khyātaṁ tīrthametattriviṣṭape sarvavyādhiharaṁ ramyaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam

From that time on, this ford became renowned by his very name, even in the heavens — a delightful ford that removes every ailment and destroys every sin.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.212.53)

तेन संस्थापितस्तत्र देवदेवो दिवाकरः रत्नादित्य इति ख्यातो निजनाम्ना महात्मना

tena saṁsthāpitastatra devadevo divākaraḥ ratnāditya iti khyāto nijanāmnā mahātmanā

That great soul established the sun-god, chief of gods, there under his own name, and he became known as Ratnaditya.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.212.54)

सप्तम्यां सूर्यवारेण तत्र स्नात्वा प्रपश्यति यस्तु पापविनिर्मुक्तः सूर्यलोकं स गच्छति

saptamyāṁ sūryavāreṇa tatra snātvā prapaśyati yastu pāpavinirmuktaḥ sūryalokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever bathes there on the seventh day, on a Sunday, and beholds him, becomes freed of sin and attains the world of the sun.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.212.55)

यदन्यत्तत्र संवृत्तं क्षेत्रजातं द्विजोत्तमाः तदहं कीर्तयिष्यामि शृणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः

yadanyattatra saṁvṛttaṁ kṣetrajātaṁ dvijottamāḥ tadahaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ

O best of brahmins, I shall now relate another event that took place in that region — listen closely, all of you.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.212.56)

आसीत्तत्र पुमान्कश्चिद्देशे ग्राम्यो जरात्मकः कुष्ठी तथापि नित्यं स करोति पशुरक्षणम्

āsīttatra pumānkaściddeśe grāmyo jarātmakaḥ kuṣṭhī tathāpi nityaṁ sa karoti paśurakṣaṇam

In that land there lived a certain elderly villager who, though a leper, still tended his cattle daily.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.212.57)

एकदा रक्षतस्तस्य पशूंस्तत्र गिरेरधः एकः पशुर्विनिष्क्रांतः सत्पथात्तृणलोभतः

ekadā rakṣatastasya paśūṁstatra gireradhaḥ ekaḥ paśurviniṣkrāṁtaḥ satpathāttṛṇalobhataḥ

One day, as he was tending the cattle at the foot of the mountain, one animal, tempted by grass, strayed from the proper path.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.212.58)

सप्तम्यां रविवारेण पतितस्तस्य निर्झरे न च संलक्षितस्तेन गच्छमानः कथंचन

saptamyāṁ ravivāreṇa patitastasya nirjhare na ca saṁlakṣitastena gacchamānaḥ kathaṁcana

On that seventh day, that Sunday, the animal fell into that very stream, and, as it wandered off, he did not notice it at all.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.212.59)

अथ यावद्गृहे सोऽथ भोजनाथं समुद्यतः तावत्तस्य पशोः स्वामी भर्त्सयन्समुपागतः

atha yāvadgṛhe so'tha bhojanāthaṁ samudyataḥ tāvattasya paśoḥ svāmī bhartsayansamupāgataḥ

As he was about to sit down at home for his meal, the owner of that animal came there, rebuking him.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.212.60)

नायातः स पशुः कस्मान्मदीयो मामके गृहे तस्मादानय तं शीघ्रं नो चेत्प्राणान्हरामि ते

nāyātaḥ sa paśuḥ kasmānmadīyo māmake gṛhe tasmādānaya taṁ śīghraṁ no cetprāṇānharāmi te

He said: Why has that animal of mine not come to my house? Bring it back at once, or I shall take your life.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.212.61)

सूत उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा भयसंत्रस्तः स कुष्ठी सत्वरं ययौ तेन मार्गेण येनैव दिवा भ्रांतो महीतले

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā bhayasaṁtrastaḥ sa kuṣṭhī satvaraṁ yayau tena mārgeṇa yenaiva divā bhrāṁto mahītale

Suta said: Hearing this, the terrified leper set out at once along the very path by which he had wandered over the ground that day.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.212.62)

अथ दूरात्स शुश्राव तस्य रावं पशोस्तदा पतितस्य महागर्ते निशांते तमसि स्थिते

atha dūrātsa śuśrāva tasya rāvaṁ paśostadā patitasya mahāgarte niśāṁte tamasi sthite

At the end of that night, in the darkness, he heard from a distance the cries of that animal, which had fallen into a great pit.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.212.63)

ततो गत्वाऽथ तं गर्तं प्रविश्य जलमध्यतः चकर्ष तं पशुं कृच्छ्रात्पंकमध्यात्सुदारुणात् समादायाथ तं हर्म्यं प्रजगाम शनैःशनैः

tato gatvā'tha taṁ gartaṁ praviśya jalamadhyataḥ cakarṣa taṁ paśuṁ kṛcchrātpaṁkamadhyātsudāruṇāt samādāyātha taṁ harmyaṁ prajagāma śanaiḥśanaiḥ

Then, going there and entering that pit amid the water, he dragged that animal out with great difficulty from the terrible mire, and, taking it with him, made his way slowly homeward.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.212.64)

अर्पयित्वाथ तं तस्य स्वकीयं त्वाश्रमं गतः

arpayitvātha taṁ tasya svakīyaṁ tvāśramaṁ gataḥ

Having handed the animal over to its owner, he returned to his own dwelling.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.212.65)

ततः सुप्तो महाभागाः स प्रबुद्धः पुनर्यदा प्रभाते वीक्षते गात्रं यावत्कुष्ठविवर्जितम्

tataḥ supto mahābhāgāḥ sa prabuddhaḥ punaryadā prabhāte vīkṣate gātraṁ yāvatkuṣṭhavivarjitam

O illustrious ones, he then fell asleep, and when he awoke at dawn, he found his body entirely free of leprosy.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.212.66)

शोभया परया युक्तं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः चिंतयामास किं ह्येतदकस्माद्रोगसंक्षयः

śobhayā parayā yuktaṁ vismayotphullalocanaḥ ciṁtayāmāsa kiṁ hyetadakasmādrogasaṁkṣayaḥ

Seeing it endowed with the greatest radiance, his eyes wide with astonishment, he began to wonder how this sudden cure had come about.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.212.67)

नूनं तस्य प्रभावोऽयं तीर्थस्याद्य निशागमे मयावगाहितं यच्च पशोरर्थं सुकर्द्दमम्

nūnaṁ tasya prabhāvo'yaṁ tīrthasyādya niśāgame mayāvagāhitaṁ yacca paśorarthaṁ sukarddamam

He thought: surely this is the power of that same ford — the mire into which I waded last night for the sake of the animal.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.212.68)

ततश्च वीक्षयामास तेन गत्वा सुकौतुकात् यावत्कंडूविनिर्मुक्तस्तेजसा परिवारितः

tataśca vīkṣayāmāsa tena gatvā sukautukāt yāvatkaṁḍūvinirmuktastejasā parivāritaḥ

Then, full of curiosity, he went there and examined his body, and found it free of itching and surrounded by a radiant glow.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.212.69)

तत्र स्थाने स्वयं गत्वा ज्ञात्वा च तीर्थमुत्तमम् तपस्तेपे स तत्रैव ध्यायमानो दिवाकरम्

tatra sthāne svayaṁ gatvā jñātvā ca tīrthamuttamam tapastepe sa tatraiva dhyāyamāno divākaram

Going to that spot himself and recognizing it as a supreme ford, he undertook austerity right there, meditating on the sun-god.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.212.70)

अरण्यवासिनं सम्यग्दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः गतश्च परमां सिद्धिं दुर्लभां त्रिदशैरपि

araṇyavāsinaṁ samyagdivārātramataṁdritaḥ gataśca paramāṁ siddhiṁ durlabhāṁ tridaśairapi

Dwelling in the forest, unwearied day and night, he in the end attained that supreme accomplishment, difficult of attainment even for the gods.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.212.71)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tatra snānaṁ samācaret

Therefore one should make every effort to bathe there.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.212.72)

पूजयेच्चापि तं देवं भास्करं वारितस्करम् अद्यापि कलिकालेऽपि तत्र स्नातो नरः शुचिः

pūjayeccāpi taṁ devaṁ bhāskaraṁ vāritaskaram adyāpi kalikāle'pi tatra snāto naraḥ śuciḥ

One should also worship that sun-god, guardian against water-thieves; even today, even in this Kali age, a man who bathes there becomes pure.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.212.73)

तत्र पुण्यजले कुण्डे सप्तम्यां सूर्यवासरे यस्तं पूजयते भक्त्या सोऽपि पापैः प्रमुच्यते

tatra puṇyajale kuṇḍe saptamyāṁ sūryavāsare yastaṁ pūjayate bhaktyā so'pi pāpaiḥ pramucyate

Whoever, on the seventh day, on a Sunday, worships that god with devotion at that holy-watered pool is likewise freed from sin.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.212.74)

गायत्र्यष्टसहस्रं यो जपेत्तत्पुरतः स्थितः सोऽपि रोगविनिर्मुक्तो मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

gāyatryaṣṭasahasraṁ yo japettatpurataḥ sthitaḥ so'pi rogavinirmukto mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Whoever, standing before him, recites the Gayatri mantra eight thousand times is likewise freed of disease and released from every sin.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.212.75)

तस्योद्देशेन यो दद्याद्धेनुं श्रद्धासमन्वितः न तस्यान्वयजातोऽपि व्याधिना परिगृह्यते

tasyoddeśena yo dadyāddhenuṁ śraddhāsamanvitaḥ na tasyānvayajāto'pi vyādhinā parigṛhyate

Whoever, with faith, gives a cow in his name shall never have any descendant of his lineage seized by disease.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.212.76)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं मयादित्यस्य संभवम् माहात्म्यं श्रवणाद्यस्य नरः पापाद्विमुच्यते

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ mayādityasya saṁbhavam māhātmyaṁ śravaṇādyasya naraḥ pāpādvimucyate

I have now told you this entire account of the sun-god's origin, by the mere hearing of which a man becomes freed from sin.