The Glory of Balamandana Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.22.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। यदेतद्भवता प्रोक्तं तीर्थे शक्रसमुद्भवम्। स्वामिद्रोहकृतात्पापान्निर्मुक्तो यत्र लक्ष्मणः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| yadetadbhavatā proktaṁ tīrthe śakrasamudbhavam| svāmidrohakṛtātpāpānnirmukto yatra lakṣmaṇaḥ

The sages said: That tirtha born of Shakra you have spoken of, where Indra was freed from the sin of betraying one under his protection --

Verse 2 (skanda.6.22.2)

कथं तत्र पुरा शक्रः स्वामिद्रोहसमुद्भवात्। पातकादेव निर्मुक्तः कस्मिन्काले च सूतज

kathaṁ tatra purā śakraḥ svāmidrohasamudbhavāt| pātakādeva nirmuktaḥ kasminkāle ca sūtaja

How, O son of Suta, and at what time in the past, was Shakra there freed from the sin born of that betrayal?

Verse 3 (skanda.6.22.3)

कस्माद्दितेर्महेन्द्रेण कृतं कृत्यं तथाविधम्। येन संसूदितो गर्भः सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

kasmādditermahendreṇa kṛtaṁ kṛtyaṁ tathāvidham| yena saṁsūdito garbhaḥ sarvaṁ vistarato vada

Why did Mahendra do such a deed against Diti, by which her fetus was destroyed? Tell us all this in detail.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.22.4)

सूत उवाच। ब्रह्मणो दक्षिणांगुष्ठाज्जज्ञे दक्षः प्रजापतिः। स च संजनयामास पञ्चाशत्कन्यकाः शुभाः

sūta uvāca| brahmaṇo dakṣiṇāṁguṣṭhājjajñe dakṣaḥ prajāpatiḥ| sa ca saṁjanayāmāsa pañcāśatkanyakāḥ śubhāḥ

Suta said: From Brahma's right thumb was born Daksha Prajapati; he begot fifty auspicious daughters.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.22.5)

ददौ च दश धर्माय कश्यपाय त्रयोदश। दिव्येन विधिना दक्षः सप्तविंशतिमिंदवे

dadau ca daśa dharmāya kaśyapāya trayodaśa| divyena vidhinā dakṣaḥ saptaviṁśatimiṁdave

Daksha, by divine ordinance, gave ten to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa, and twenty-seven to the Moon.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.22.6)

अदितिश्च दितिश्चैव द्वे भार्ये मुख्यतां गते। कश्यपस्य द्विजश्रेष्ठाः प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रिये सदा

aditiśca ditiścaiva dve bhārye mukhyatāṁ gate| kaśyapasya dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ prāṇebhyo'pi priye sadā

O best of brahmins, Aditi and Diti became Kashyapa's two chief wives, ever dearer to him than his own life.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.22.7)

ततः स जनयामास देवाञ्छक्रपुरःसरान्। अदित्यां चैव दैत्यांश्च दित्यां स बलवत्तरान्

tataḥ sa janayāmāsa devāñchakrapuraḥsarān| adityāṁ caiva daityāṁśca dityāṁ sa balavattarān

From Aditi he then begot the gods headed by Indra, and from Diti the Daityas, who were even mightier.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.22.8)

तेषां त्रैलोक्यराज्यार्थं मिथो जज्ञे महाहवः। तत्र शक्रेण ते दैत्याः संग्रामे विनिपातिताः

teṣāṁ trailokyarājyārthaṁ mitho jajñe mahāhavaḥ| tatra śakreṇa te daityāḥ saṁgrāme vinipātitāḥ

Between them arose a great mutual war for the sovereignty of the three worlds, in which Shakra struck down those Daityas in battle.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.22.9)

ततः शोकपरा चक्रे दितिर्व्रतमनुत्तमम्। पुत्रार्थं नियमोपेता क्षेत्रेऽत्रैव समाहिता

tataḥ śokaparā cakre ditirvratamanuttamam| putrārthaṁ niyamopetā kṣetre'traiva samāhitā

Then Diti, overcome with grief, undertook a supreme vow at this very kshetra, disciplined and single-minded, for the sake of a son.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.22.10)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तस्यास्तुष्टो महेश्वरः। उवाच परितुष्टोऽस्मि वरं प्रार्थय वांछितम्

tato varṣasahasrāṁte tasyāstuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ| uvāca parituṣṭo'smi varaṁ prārthaya vāṁchitam

Then, after a thousand years, Maheshvara, pleased with her, said: I am well satisfied; ask the boon you desire.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.22.11)

साऽब्रवीद्यदि मे तुष्टस्त्वं देव शशिशेखर। तत्पुत्रं देहि देवानां सर्वेषां बलवत्तरम्। यज्ञभागप्रभोक्तारं देवानां दर्पनाशनम्

sā'bravīdyadi me tuṣṭastvaṁ deva śaśiśekhara| tatputraṁ dehi devānāṁ sarveṣāṁ balavattaram| yajñabhāgaprabhoktāraṁ devānāṁ darpanāśanam

She said: O moon-crested god, if you are pleased with me, give me a son mightier than all the gods, an enjoyer of the sacrificial portion, a destroyer of the gods' pride,

Verse 12 (skanda.6.22.12)

अवध्यं संगरे पूर्वैः सर्वैदेवैः सवासवैः। स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय जगामादर्शनं हरः

avadhyaṁ saṁgare pūrvaiḥ sarvaidevaiḥ savāsavaiḥ| sa tatheti pratijñāya jagāmādarśanaṁ haraḥ

unslayable in battle even by all the ancient gods together with Vasava (Indra). Saying 'so be it,' Hara then vanished from sight.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.22.13)

दितिश्चैवाऽदधाद्गर्भं कश्यपान्मुनिपुंगवात्। ततः शक्रो भयं चक्रे ज्ञात्वा तं गर्भसंभवम्। वदतो मुनिमुख्यस्य नारदस्य महात्मनः

ditiścaivā'dadhādgarbhaṁ kaśyapānmunipuṁgavāt| tataḥ śakro bhayaṁ cakre jñātvā taṁ garbhasaṁbhavam| vadato munimukhyasya nāradasya mahātmanaḥ

Then Diti conceived from the great sage Kashyapa; and Shakra grew afraid on learning of that conception from the words of the great sage Narada.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.22.14)

ततो दुष्टां मतिं कृत्वा तस्य गर्भस्य नाशने। चक्रे तस्याः स शुश्रूषां दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः

tato duṣṭāṁ matiṁ kṛtvā tasya garbhasya nāśane| cakre tasyāḥ sa śuśrūṣāṁ divārātramataṁdritaḥ

Then, forming an evil intention to destroy that fetus, he served her tirelessly, day and night.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.22.15)

छिद्रमन्वेषमाणस्तु सुसूक्ष्ममपि च द्विजाः। न तस्या लभते क्वाऽपि गता मासा नवैव तु

chidramanveṣamāṇastu susūkṣmamapi ca dvijāḥ| na tasyā labhate kvā'pi gatā māsā navaiva tu

O brahmins, though he searched for even the tiniest opening, he found none anywhere; and thus nine months passed.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.22.16)

ततश्च दशमे मासि संप्राप्ते प्रसवोद्भवे। गर्भालसा निशावक्त्रे सुप्ता सा दक्षिणामुखी

tataśca daśame māsi saṁprāpte prasavodbhave| garbhālasā niśāvaktre suptā sā dakṣiṇāmukhī

Then, in the tenth month, when the time of birth had arrived, she, weary with pregnancy, fell asleep at nightfall, her face turned to the south.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.22.17)

निद्रावशं तु संप्राप्ता विसंज्ञा समपद्यत। शक्रहस्तावमर्दोत्थपादसौख्येन निश्चला

nidrāvaśaṁ tu saṁprāptā visaṁjñā samapadyata| śakrahastāvamardotthapādasaukhyena niścalā

Overcome by sleep, she became unconscious, lying motionless, lulled by the comfort of Shakra's massaging of her feet.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.22.18)

तां विसंज्ञामथो वीक्ष्य त्यक्त्वा पादौ शतक्रतुः। प्रविवेशोदरं तस्यास्तीक्ष्णं शस्त्रं करे दधत्। तेनाऽसौ सप्तधा चके गर्भं शस्त्रेण देवपः

tāṁ visaṁjñāmatho vīkṣya tyaktvā pādau śatakratuḥ| praviveśodaraṁ tasyāstīkṣṇaṁ śastraṁ kare dadhat| tenā'sau saptadhā cake garbhaṁ śastreṇa devapaḥ

Seeing her unconscious, Shatakratu left her feet and, holding a sharp weapon in his hand, entered her womb; with that weapon the lord of the gods cut the fetus into seven pieces.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.22.19)

अथाऽपश्यत्क्षणात्सप्त बालकान्पूर्णविग्रहान्। ततस्तानपि सप्तैव सप्तधा कृतवान्हरिः

athā'paśyatkṣaṇātsapta bālakānpūrṇavigrahān| tatastānapi saptaiva saptadhā kṛtavānhariḥ

Then at once he saw seven fully-formed boys; and Hari (Indra) then cut those seven also, each into seven pieces.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.22.20)

जाता एकोनपञ्चाशदथ तत्रैव बालकाः। तान्दृष्ट्वा वृद्धिमापन्नांस्ततो भीतः शतक्रतुः। निश्चक्रामोदरातूर्णं दित्या यावन्न लक्षितः

jātā ekonapañcāśadatha tatraiva bālakāḥ| tāndṛṣṭvā vṛddhimāpannāṁstato bhītaḥ śatakratuḥ| niścakrāmodarātūrṇaṁ dityā yāvanna lakṣitaḥ

Forty-nine boys were thus born there; seeing them growing, Shatakratu, now afraid, quickly slipped out of the womb before Diti noticed.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.22.21)

ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमंडले। दितिः संजनयामास सप्तधा सप्त बालकान्

tataḥ prabhāte vimale prodgate ravimaṁḍale| ditiḥ saṁjanayāmāsa saptadhā sapta bālakān

Then, when clear dawn came and the solar disc had risen, Diti gave birth to the boys, seven times seven.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.22.22)

ततोऽभ्येत्य सहस्राक्षो दुर्गंधेन समावृतः। निस्तेजा म्लानवक्त्रश्च लज्जयाऽधोमुखः स्थितः

tato'bhyetya sahasrākṣo durgaṁdhena samāvṛtaḥ| nistejā mlānavaktraśca lajjayā'dhomukhaḥ sthitaḥ

Then thousand-eyed Indra approached, wrapped in a foul odor, lusterless, his face withered, standing there with head bowed in shame.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.22.23)

तं दृष्ट्वा तादृशं शक्रं दितिः प्रोवाच सादरम्। प्रणतं संस्थितं पार्श्वे भयव्याकुलचेतसम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tādṛśaṁ śakraṁ ditiḥ provāca sādaram| praṇataṁ saṁsthitaṁ pārśve bhayavyākulacetasam

Seeing Shakra in that state, standing bowed beside her, his mind troubled with fear, Diti addressed him respectfully --

Verse 24 (skanda.6.22.24)

किं त्वं शक्र निरुत्साहस्तेजोद्युतिविवर्जितः। शरीरात्तव दुर्गन्धः कस्मादीदृक्प्रजायते

kiṁ tvaṁ śakra nirutsāhastejodyutivivarjitaḥ| śarīrāttava durgandhaḥ kasmādīdṛkprajāyate

Why, Shakra, are you so lacking in spirit, bereft of your radiance and splendor? Why does such a foul smell arise from your body?

Verse 25 (skanda.6.22.25)

किं त्वया निहतो विप्रो गुरुर्वा बालकोऽथवा। नारी वा येन ते नष्टं तेजो गात्रसमुद्भवम्

kiṁ tvayā nihato vipro gururvā bālako'thavā| nārī vā yena te naṣṭaṁ tejo gātrasamudbhavam

Have you slain a brahmin, a guru, a child, or a woman, by which the radiance of your body has been destroyed?

Verse 26 (skanda.6.22.26)

हतो नखांभसा वा त्वं घृष्टः शूर्पानिलेन च। अजामार्जनिकोत्थैश्च रजोभिर्वा समाश्रितः

hato nakhāṁbhasā vā tvaṁ ghṛṣṭaḥ śūrpānilena ca| ajāmārjanikotthaiśca rajobhirvā samāśritaḥ

Or have you been struck by water thrown from nails, rubbed by the wind of a winnowing-fan, or touched by dust raised by a goat or a broom?

Verse 27 (skanda.6.22.27)

शक्र उवाच। सत्यमेतन्महाभागे यत्त्वयोक्तोऽस्मि सांप्रतम्। रात्रौ प्रविष्टः सुप्ताया जठरे तव पापकृत्

śakra uvāca| satyametanmahābhāge yattvayokto'smi sāṁpratam| rātrau praviṣṭaḥ suptāyā jaṭhare tava pāpakṛt

Shakra said: O blessed one, what you have now said of me is true. At night, while you slept, I, a sinner, entered your womb.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.22.28)

कृन्तश्चैकोनपञ्चाशत्कृत्वो गर्भो मया शुभे। तावन्मात्रास्ततो जाता बालकाः सर्व एव ते

kṛntaścaikonapañcāśatkṛtvo garbho mayā śubhe| tāvanmātrāstato jātā bālakāḥ sarva eva te

O auspicious one, I cut that fetus forty-nine times, and that many boys, all told, were born from it.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.22.29)

ततो भीत्या विनिष्क्रान्तस्त्वया देवि न लक्षितः। एतस्मात्कारणाज्जाता तेजोहानिरनिन्दिते

tato bhītyā viniṣkrāntastvayā devi na lakṣitaḥ| etasmātkāraṇājjātā tejohāniranindite

Then, out of fear, I slipped out without your noticing, O goddess; and from this very cause, O blameless one, has come this loss of my radiance.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.22.30)

दितिरुवाच। यस्मात्सत्यं त्वया प्रोक्तं पुरतो मम देवप। तस्मात्प्रार्थय मत्तस्त्वं वरं यन्मनसेप्सितम्

ditiruvāca| yasmātsatyaṁ tvayā proktaṁ purato mama devapa| tasmātprārthaya mattastvaṁ varaṁ yanmanasepsitam

Diti said: Since you have spoken the truth before me, O lord of gods, ask from me whatever boon your mind desires.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.22.31)

शक्र उवाच। एते तव सुता देवि च्छिद्यमाना मयासिना। रुदन्तो वारिता मन्दं मा रुदन्तु मुहुर्मुहुः

śakra uvāca| ete tava sutā devi cchidyamānā mayāsinā| rudanto vāritā mandaṁ mā rudantu muhurmuhuḥ

Shakra said: O goddess, these sons of yours, cut by my sword and weeping, were gently soothed -- let them not weep again and again.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.22.32)

मरुतो नामविख्यातास्तस्मात्संतु जगत्त्रये। दैत्यभावविनिर्मुक्ता मद्विधेया मम प्रियाः

maruto nāmavikhyātāstasmātsaṁtu jagattraye| daityabhāvavinirmuktā madvidheyā mama priyāḥ

Let them become known by the name Maruts throughout the three worlds, freed from their Daitya nature, obedient to me and dear to me.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.22.33)

यज्ञभागभुजः सर्वे भविष्यंति मया सह। यस्मादेतन्मया तीर्थं बालकैस्तव मंडितम्

yajñabhāgabhujaḥ sarve bhaviṣyaṁti mayā saha| yasmādetanmayā tīrthaṁ bālakaistava maṁḍitam

They shall all become sharers of the sacrificial portion together with me; and since this tirtha has thus been adorned by me with your sons --

Verse 34 (skanda.6.22.34)

बहुभिर्यास्यति ख्यातिं बालमंडनमित्यतः। या च स्त्री गर्भसंयुक्ता स्नानं भक्त्या करिष्यति। न भविष्यंति छिद्राणि तस्या गर्भे कथंचन

bahubhiryāsyati khyātiṁ bālamaṁḍanamityataḥ| yā ca strī garbhasaṁyuktā snānaṁ bhaktyā kariṣyati| na bhaviṣyaṁti chidrāṇi tasyā garbhe kathaṁcana

it shall thus become widely famed as Balamandana; and whatever pregnant woman bathes here with devotion, no flaw shall ever arise in her womb.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.22.35)

प्राप्ते प्रसवकाले तु या जलं प्राशयिष्यति। तीर्थस्यास्य सुखेनैव प्रसविष्यति सा सुतम्

prāpte prasavakāle tu yā jalaṁ prāśayiṣyati| tīrthasyāsya sukhenaiva prasaviṣyati sā sutam

And whatever woman, when the time of birth arrives, drinks the water of this tirtha, shall give birth to her child with ease.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.22.36)

दितिरुवाच। तवोच्छेदाय देवेश याचितः प्राङ्मया हरः। एकं देव सुतं देहि सर्वदेवनिबर्हणम्

ditiruvāca| tavocchedāya deveśa yācitaḥ prāṅmayā haraḥ| ekaṁ deva sutaṁ dehi sarvadevanibarhaṇam

Diti said: O lord of gods, I had earlier implored Hara for your destruction -- O god, give me one son who shall be the destroyer of all the gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.22.37)

त्वया चैकोनपंचाशत्प्रकारः स विनिर्मितः। यस्मादृतं त्वया प्रोक्तं तस्मादेतद्भविष्यति

tvayā caikonapaṁcāśatprakāraḥ sa vinirmitaḥ| yasmādṛtaṁ tvayā proktaṁ tasmādetadbhaviṣyati

You yourself have shaped him into forty-nine forms; yet since what you have spoken is true, this too shall come to pass.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.22.38)

सूत उवाच। ततः प्रभृति ते जाता मरुतो विबुधैः समम्। यज्ञभागस्य भोक्तारो दितेः शक्रस्य शासनात्

sūta uvāca| tataḥ prabhṛti te jātā maruto vibudhaiḥ samam| yajñabhāgasya bhoktāro diteḥ śakrasya śāsanāt

Suta said: From then on, those born there became the Maruts, sharers of the sacrificial portion together with the gods, by the ordinance of Diti and Shakra.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.22.39)

अथ प्राह सहस्राक्षो देवाचार्यं बृहस्पतिम्। मातुर्द्रोहकृतं पापं कथं यास्यति संक्षयम्

atha prāha sahasrākṣo devācāryaṁ bṛhaspatim| māturdrohakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ kathaṁ yāsyati saṁkṣayam

Then thousand-eyed Indra asked Brihaspati, preceptor of the gods: How shall this sin of betraying my mother come to destruction?

Verse 40 (skanda.6.22.40)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच। अत्रैव कुरु देवेन्द्र तपः पापविशुद्धये। तीर्थे यत्र कृतं पापं सर्वपातकनाशने

bṛhaspatiruvāca| atraiva kuru devendra tapaḥ pāpaviśuddhaye| tīrthe yatra kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ sarvapātakanāśane

Brihaspati said: O Indra of gods, perform austerity right here, at this very tirtha where the sin was committed, for the purification of sin -- it is the destroyer of all sins.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.22.41)

न यज्ञैर्न च दानेन नान्यैस्तीर्थसमाश्रयैः। मातुर्द्रोहकृतं पापं नाशं याति पुरंदर। एवमेतत्परित्यज्य तीर्थं मातुस्तवाऽऽश्रयम्

na yajñairna ca dānena nānyaistīrthasamāśrayaiḥ| māturdrohakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ nāśaṁ yāti puraṁdara| evametatparityajya tīrthaṁ mātustavā''śrayam

Neither by sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by resort to other tirthas, O Purandara, does the sin of betraying a mother come to destruction -- apart from this, your mother's own tirtha is its only refuge.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.22.42)

सूत उवाच। ततस्तूर्णं सहस्राक्षः सहस्राक्षेशसंज्ञितम्। लिंगं संस्थापयामास स्वयमेव द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca| tatastūrṇaṁ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrākṣeśasaṁjñitam| liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpayāmāsa svayameva dvijottamāḥ

Suta said: O best of brahmins, then thousand-eyed Indra himself swiftly installed the linga known as Sahasrakshesha.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.22.43)

त्रिकालं पूजयामास पुष्पधूपानुलेपनैः। तथान्यैर्बलिसत्कारैर्गीतैर्नृत्यैःपृथग्विधैः

trikālaṁ pūjayāmāsa puṣpadhūpānulepanaiḥ| tathānyairbalisatkārairgītairnṛtyaiḥpṛthagvidhaiḥ

He worshipped it three times daily with flowers, incense, and unguents, and with various other offerings, songs, and dances.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.22.44)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तुष्टस्तस्य महेश्वरः। प्रोवाच वरदोऽस्मीति शक्र प्रार्थय वांछितम्

tato varṣasahasrāṁte tuṣṭastasya maheśvaraḥ| provāca varado'smīti śakra prārthaya vāṁchitam

Then, after a thousand years, Maheshvara, pleased with him, said: I am the boon-giver; ask, Shakra, what you desire.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.22.45)

शक्र उवाच। मातुर्द्रोहकृतं पापं यातु मे त्रिपुरांतक। तथाऽन्येषां मनुष्याणां येऽत्र त्वां श्रद्धयान्विताः। पूजयिष्यंति सद्भक्त्या स्नानं कृत्वा समाहिताः

śakra uvāca| māturdrohakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ yātu me tripurāṁtaka| tathā'nyeṣāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ ye'tra tvāṁ śraddhayānvitāḥ| pūjayiṣyaṁti sadbhaktyā snānaṁ kṛtvā samāhitāḥ

Shakra said: O destroyer of Tripura, let this sin of betraying my mother depart from me, and likewise from other men who, filled with faith here, having bathed with concentrated mind, shall worship you with true devotion.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.22.46)

सूत उवाच। स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय जगामादर्शनं हरः। शक्रोऽपि रहितः पापैर्जगाम त्रिदशालयम्

sūta uvāca| sa tatheti pratijñāya jagāmādarśanaṁ haraḥ| śakro'pi rahitaḥ pāpairjagāma tridaśālayam

Suta said: Saying 'so be it,' Hara vanished from sight; and Shakra too, freed from his sins, went to the abode of the gods.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.22.47)

एवं तत्र समुत्पन्नं तीर्थं तद्बालमंडनम्। स्वामिद्रोहकृतात्पापान्मुच्यंते यत्र मानवाः

evaṁ tatra samutpannaṁ tīrthaṁ tadbālamaṁḍanam| svāmidrohakṛtātpāpānmucyaṁte yatra mānavāḥ

Thus arose there that tirtha called Balamandana, where men are freed from the sin of betraying one under their protection.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.22.48)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं बालमंडनसंभवम्। माहात्म्यं तु द्विजश्रेष्ठाः शृणुध्वमथ सादरम्

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ bālamaṁḍanasaṁbhavam| māhātmyaṁ tu dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ śṛṇudhvamatha sādaram

All this has been told to you, the origin of Balamandana; now, O best of brahmins, hear its greatness with due respect.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.22.49)

आश्विनस्य सिते पक्षे दशम्यादि यथाक्रमम्। यस्तत्र कुरुते श्राद्धं यावत्पंचदशी तिथिः

āśvinasya site pakṣe daśamyādi yathākramam| yastatra kurute śrāddhaṁ yāvatpaṁcadaśī tithiḥ

Whoever performs shraddha there, in due order, from the tenth day through the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight of Ashvina --

Verse 50 (skanda.6.22.50)

तीर्थानां स हि सर्वेषां स्नानजं लभते फलम्। श्राद्धस्य करणाद्वापि वाजिमेधफलं द्विजाः

tīrthānāṁ sa hi sarveṣāṁ snānajaṁ labhate phalam| śrāddhasya karaṇādvāpi vājimedhaphalaṁ dvijāḥ

obtains the fruit of bathing at all tirthas; and, O brahmins, by performing the shraddha, the fruit of the horse-sacrifice as well.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.22.51)

तस्मिन्काले सहस्राक्षः समागच्छति भूतले। भागानां मर्त्यजातानां सेवनाय सदैव हि

tasminkāle sahasrākṣaḥ samāgacchati bhūtale| bhāgānāṁ martyajātānāṁ sevanāya sadaiva hi

At that time thousand-eyed Indra always comes down to the earth to receive the offerings made by mortals.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.22.52)

यावद्भूमितले शक्रस्तिष्ठत्येवं द्विजोत्तमाः। तीर्थे तीर्थानि सर्वाणि तावत्तिष्ठन्ति तत्र वै

yāvadbhūmitale śakrastiṣṭhatyevaṁ dvijottamāḥ| tīrthe tīrthāni sarvāṇi tāvattiṣṭhanti tatra vai

O best of brahmins, for as long as Shakra thus remains on the surface of the earth, so long do all tirthas remain present in that one tirtha.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.22.53)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तस्मिन्काले विशेषतः। स्नात्वा तत्र शुभे तीर्थे शक्रेश्वरमथाऽर्चयेत्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tasminkāle viśeṣataḥ| snātvā tatra śubhe tīrthe śakreśvaramathā'rcayet

Therefore, with all effort, especially at that time, having bathed at that auspicious tirtha, one should worship Shakreshvara.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.22.54)

अत्र श्लोकौ पुरा गीतौ नारदेन सुरर्षिणा। शृण्वंतु मुनयः सर्वे कीर्त्यमानौ मया हि तौ

atra ślokau purā gītau nāradena surarṣiṇā| śṛṇvaṁtu munayaḥ sarve kīrtyamānau mayā hi tau

Here are two verses formerly sung by the divine sage Narada; let all the sages hear them as I now recite them.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.22.55)

बालमंडनके स्नात्वा शक्रेश्वरमथेक्षयेत्। यः पुमानाश्विने मासि प्राप्ते श्रवणपञ्चके। स पापैर्मुच्यते सर्वैराजन्ममरणाद्भुवि

bālamaṁḍanake snātvā śakreśvaramathekṣayet| yaḥ pumānāśvine māsi prāpte śravaṇapañcake| sa pāpairmucyate sarvairājanmamaraṇādbhuvi

Whatever man, in the month of Ashvina, at the arrival of the five days of the Shravana asterism, bathes at Balamandana and beholds Shakreshvara, is freed from all sins, from birth to death, upon this earth.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.22.56)

प्रभावात्तस्य तीर्थस्य सत्यमेतद्द्विजोत्तमाः

prabhāvāttasya tīrthasya satyametaddvijottamāḥ

By the power of that tirtha, this is true, O best of brahmins.