The Glory of Gokarna Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.26.1)

सूत उवाच। यत्पूर्वापरसीमान्तं तन्मया संप्रकीर्तितम्। दक्षिणोत्तरसंभूतं तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

sūta uvāca| yatpūrvāparasīmāntaṁ tanmayā saṁprakīrtitam| dakṣiṇottarasaṁbhūtaṁ tadvo vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam

Suta said: What forms the eastern-western boundary, that I have already declared to you; now I shall tell you of the boundary formed north-south.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.26.2)

अस्ति भूभितले ख्याता मधुराख्या महापुरी। नानाविप्रसमाकीर्णा यमुनातटसंश्रया

asti bhūbhitale khyātā madhurākhyā mahāpurī| nānāviprasamākīrṇā yamunātaṭasaṁśrayā

On the surface of the earth there is a famed great city called Mathura, thronging with many brahmins, resting on the bank of the Yamuna.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.26.3)

तस्यामासीद्द्विजश्रेष्ठो गोकर्ण इति विश्रुतः। वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः सर्वशास्त्रविचक्षणः

tasyāmāsīddvijaśreṣṭho gokarṇa iti viśrutaḥ| vedādhyayanasaṁpannaḥ sarvaśāstravicakṣaṇaḥ

There lived an excellent brahmin known as Gokarna, accomplished in Vedic study, skilled in all the shastras.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.26.4)

अथापरोऽस्ति तन्नामा तत्र विप्रो वयोऽन्वितः। सोऽपि च ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठः सर्वविद्यासु पारगः

athāparo'sti tannāmā tatra vipro vayo'nvitaḥ| so'pi ca brāhmaṇaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvavidyāsu pāragaḥ

There was also another brahmin of the same name there, advanced in years -- he too an excellent brahmin, versed in all branches of learning.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.26.5)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य यमः प्राह स्वकिंकरम्। ऊर्ध्वकेशं सुरक्ताक्षं कृष्णदन्तं भयानकम्

kasyacittvatha kālasya yamaḥ prāha svakiṁkaram| ūrdhvakeśaṁ suraktākṣaṁ kṛṣṇadantaṁ bhayānakam

After some time, Yama said to his own servant -- one with upstanding hair, deeply red eyes, black teeth, and a fearsome look --

Verse 6 (skanda.6.26.6)

अद्य गच्छ द्रुतं दूत मथुराख्यां महापुरीम्। आनयस्व द्विजश्रेष्ठं तस्यां गोकर्णसंज्ञकम्

adya gaccha drutaṁ dūta mathurākhyāṁ mahāpurīm| ānayasva dvijaśreṣṭhaṁ tasyāṁ gokarṇasaṁjñakam

'Go today, quickly, O messenger, to the great city named Mathura, and bring me the excellent brahmin there named Gokarna.'

Verse 7 (skanda.6.26.7)

तस्यायुषः क्षयो जातो मध्याह्नेऽद्यतने दिने। त्याज्योऽन्योऽस्ति च तत्रैव चिरायुस्तादृशो द्विजः

tasyāyuṣaḥ kṣayo jāto madhyāhne'dyatane dine| tyājyo'nyo'sti ca tatraiva cirāyustādṛśo dvijaḥ

'His allotted life comes to its end at midday today; there is another brahmin of the same name there who is long-lived -- he is to be spared.'

Verse 8 (skanda.6.26.8)

सूत उवाच। अथ दूतो द्रुतं गत्वा तां पुरीं यमशासनात्। विभ्रमादानयामास गोकर्णं च चिरायुषम्

sūta uvāca| atha dūto drutaṁ gatvā tāṁ purīṁ yamaśāsanāt| vibhramādānayāmāsa gokarṇaṁ ca cirāyuṣam

Suta said: Then the messenger, going swiftly to that city at Yama's command, mistakenly brought the long-lived Gokarna instead.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.26.9)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा यमः प्रोवाच किंकरम्। दीर्घायुरेष आनीतो धिक्पाप किमिदं कृतम्

tataḥ kopaparītātmā yamaḥ provāca kiṁkaram| dīrghāyureṣa ānīto dhikpāpa kimidaṁ kṛtam

Then Yama, overcome with anger, said to his servant: 'This one you have brought is long-lived! Shame on you, sinner -- what have you done?'

Verse 10 (skanda.6.26.10)

तस्मात्प्रापय तत्रैव यावदस्य च बन्धुभिः। नो गात्रं दह्यते शोकात्सुसमिद्धेन वह्निना

tasmātprāpaya tatraiva yāvadasya ca bandhubhiḥ| no gātraṁ dahyate śokātsusamiddhena vahninā

'Therefore take him back there at once, before his grieving kinsfolk burn his body with a well-kindled fire.'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.26.11)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। नाहं तत्र गमिष्यामि दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोस्मि तेंऽतिकम्। वांछमानः सदा मृत्युं दारिद्र्येण कदर्थितः

brāhmaṇa uvāca| nāhaṁ tatra gamiṣyāmi diṣṭyā prāptosmi teṁ'tikam| vāṁchamānaḥ sadā mṛtyuṁ dāridryeṇa kadarthitaḥ

The brahmin said: I shall not go back there -- by good fortune I have reached your presence, I who, tormented by poverty, have always longed for death.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.26.12)

यम उवाच। निमिषेणापि नो मर्त्यमानयामि महीतलात्। आयुःशेषेण विप्रेन्द्र पूर्णेनाथ त्यजामि न

yama uvāca| nimiṣeṇāpi no martyamānayāmi mahītalāt| āyuḥśeṣeṇa viprendra pūrṇenātha tyajāmi na

Yama said: O foremost of brahmins, not even for an instant do I bring a mortal from the earth before his time, nor, while any of his life-span remains, do I let him go free.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.26.13)

तत एव हि मे नाम धर्मराज इति स्मृतम्। समत्वात्सर्वजंतूनां पक्षपातविवर्जनात्

tata eva hi me nāma dharmarāja iti smṛtam| samatvātsarvajaṁtūnāṁ pakṣapātavivarjanāt

For that very reason my name is remembered as Dharmaraja -- because of my impartiality toward all creatures and my freedom from favoritism.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.26.14)

तस्माद्गच्छ गृहं विप्र यावद्गात्रं न दह्यते। बंधुभिस्तव शोकार्तैर्नाधुना तत्र ते स्थितिः

tasmādgaccha gṛhaṁ vipra yāvadgātraṁ na dahyate| baṁdhubhistava śokārtairnādhunā tatra te sthitiḥ

Therefore go home, brahmin, before your body is burned by your grieving kinsfolk -- there is no place for you here now.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.26.15)

प्रार्थयस्व मनोऽभीष्टं वरं ब्राह्मणसत्तम। न वृथा दर्शनं मे स्यात्कथंचिदपि देहिनाम्

prārthayasva mano'bhīṣṭaṁ varaṁ brāhmaṇasattama| na vṛthā darśanaṁ me syātkathaṁcidapi dehinām

Ask, best of brahmins, for whatever boon your heart desires; let not my sight go to waste for any embodied being, in any way.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.26.16)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। अवश्यं यदि गंतव्यं मया देव गृहं पुनः। तन्ममाचक्ष्व पृच्छामि वरश्चैष भवेन्मम

brāhmaṇa uvāca| avaśyaṁ yadi gaṁtavyaṁ mayā deva gṛhaṁ punaḥ| tanmamācakṣva pṛcchāmi varaścaiṣa bhavenmama

The brahmin said: My lord, if I must indeed go back home again, then tell me what I ask -- let this be my boon.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.26.17)

एते ये नरका रौद्राः सेविताः पापकर्मभिः। दृश्यंते वद कः केन कर्मणा सेव्यते जनैः

ete ye narakā raudrāḥ sevitāḥ pāpakarmabhiḥ| dṛśyaṁte vada kaḥ kena karmaṇā sevyate janaiḥ

These terrible hells, frequented by those of sinful deeds, that are seen here -- tell me, who is subjected to which one, and for what deed?

Verse 18 (skanda.6.26.18)

यम उवाच। असंख्या नरका विप्र यथा प्राणिगणाः क्षितौ। कृत्स्नशः कथितुं शक्या नैव वर्षशतैरपि

yama uvāca| asaṁkhyā narakā vipra yathā prāṇigaṇāḥ kṣitau| kṛtsnaśaḥ kathituṁ śakyā naiva varṣaśatairapi

Yama said: O brahmin, the hells are as innumerable as the classes of living beings on earth; they cannot be fully described even in a hundred years.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.26.19)

कीर्तयिष्यामि तेषां ते प्राधान्येन द्विजोत्तम। एकविंशतिसंख्या ये पापिलोककृते कृताः

kīrtayiṣyāmi teṣāṁ te prādhānyena dvijottama| ekaviṁśatisaṁkhyā ye pāpilokakṛte kṛtāḥ

I shall recount to you the principal ones, O best of brahmins -- twenty-one in number, made for the world of sinners.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.26.20)

आद्योऽयं रौरवो नाम नरको द्विजसत्तम। प्रतप्ततैलकुंभेषु पच्यंते यत्र जंतवः

ādyo'yaṁ rauravo nāma narako dvijasattama| prataptatailakuṁbheṣu pacyaṁte yatra jaṁtavaḥ

O best of brahmins, the first of these is a hell named Raurava, where creatures are cooked in cauldrons of boiling oil.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.26.21)

हा मातस्तात पुत्रेति प्रकुर्वंति सुदारुणम्। परपाकरताः क्षुद्राः परद्रव्यापहारकाः

hā mātastāta putreti prakurvaṁti sudāruṇam| parapākaratāḥ kṣudrāḥ paradravyāpahārakāḥ

Those base men who delighted in tormenting others and plundering others' wealth utter there most terrible cries: 'Alas, mother! Father! Son!'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.26.22)

द्वितीय एष विप्रेंद्र महारौरवसंज्ञितः। कृतघ्नैः सेव्यते नित्यं तथा च गुरुतल्पगैः

dvitīya eṣa vipreṁdra mahārauravasaṁjñitaḥ| kṛtaghnaiḥ sevyate nityaṁ tathā ca gurutalpagaiḥ

O lord of brahmins, the second is called Maharaurava; it is frequented always by the ungrateful and by those who violate their guru's bed.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.26.23)

रोरूयमाणैर्दाहार्तैः पच्यमानैर्हविर्भुजा। खंडशः क्रियमाणैश्च तीक्ष्णशस्त्रैरनेकधा

rorūyamāṇairdāhārtaiḥ pacyamānairhavirbhujā| khaṁḍaśaḥ kriyamāṇaiśca tīkṣṇaśastrairanekadhā

There they, screaming, tormented by burning, are cooked by the fire, and cut to pieces repeatedly with sharp weapons in many ways.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.26.24)

तृतीयोंऽधतमोनाम नरकः सुभयावहः। अत्र ये पुरुषा यांति तांश्च वक्ष्यामि सुद्विज

tṛtīyoṁ'dhatamonāma narakaḥ subhayāvahaḥ| atra ye puruṣā yāṁti tāṁśca vakṣyāmi sudvija

The third is a most terrifying hell named Andhatamas (blind darkness); I shall tell you, good brahmin, what men go there.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.26.25)

दुष्टेन चक्षुषा दृष्टाः परदारा नराधमैः। सुलोहास्याः खगास्तेषां हरंत्यत्र विलोचने

duṣṭena cakṣuṣā dṛṣṭāḥ paradārā narādhamaiḥ| sulohāsyāḥ khagāsteṣāṁ haraṁtyatra vilocane

Those base men who have looked with an evil eye upon another's wife -- there iron-beaked birds tear out their eyes.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.26.26)

चतुर्थोऽयं प्रतप्ताख्यो नरकः संप्रकीर्तितः। अत्र ते यातनां भुक्त्वा तथा शुद्धा भवंति च

caturtho'yaṁ prataptākhyo narakaḥ saṁprakīrtitaḥ| atra te yātanāṁ bhuktvā tathā śuddhā bhavaṁti ca

The fourth is proclaimed as a hell named Pratapta (the heated); here, having undergone that torment, they become purified.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.26.27)

यैः कृता सततं निंदा गुरुदेवतपस्विनाम्। तेषामुत्पाट्यते जिह्वा जाताजाताऽत्र भूरिशः

yaiḥ kṛtā satataṁ niṁdā gurudevatapasvinām| teṣāmutpāṭyate jihvā jātājātā'tra bhūriśaḥ

Those who continually slandered guru, gods, and ascetics have their tongues torn out here, again and again, as they regrow.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.26.28)

एषोऽन्यः पंचमो नाम सुप्रसिद्धो विदारकः। मित्रद्रोहरताश्चात्र च्छिद्यंते करपत्रकैः

eṣo'nyaḥ paṁcamo nāma suprasiddho vidārakaḥ| mitradroharatāścātra cchidyaṁte karapatrakaiḥ

This other, the fifth, is well known as Vidaraka (the render); here those who delighted in betraying friends are cut apart with saws.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.26.29)

प्रतप्तवालुकापूर्णो ध्मायते यश्च वह्निना। निकुम्भ इति विख्यातः षष्ठो लोकभयावहः

prataptavālukāpūrṇo dhmāyate yaśca vahninā| nikumbha iti vikhyātaḥ ṣaṣṭho lokabhayāvahaḥ

That which is filled with heated sand and fanned by fire is known as Nikumbha, the sixth, terrifying to the world.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.26.30)

प्राणांतिकं पुरा दत्तं यैर्दुःखं प्राणिनां नरैः। अपराधं विना तेऽत्र पच्यंते वालुकोत्करैः

prāṇāṁtikaṁ purā dattaṁ yairduḥkhaṁ prāṇināṁ naraiḥ| aparādhaṁ vinā te'tra pacyaṁte vālukotkaraiḥ

Those men who formerly inflicted mortal suffering on living beings without provocation are cooked here in heaps of sand.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.26.31)

बीभत्सुरिति विख्यातः सप्तमो नरकाधमः। मूत्रामेध्य समाकीर्णः समंतादतिगर्हितः

bībhatsuriti vikhyātaḥ saptamo narakādhamaḥ| mūtrāmedhya samākīrṇaḥ samaṁtādatigarhitaḥ

Known as Bibhatsu (the loathsome) is the seventh, lowest of hells, filled all about with urine and filth, utterly repugnant.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.26.32)

राजगामि च पैशुन्यं यैः कृतं सुदुरात्मभिः। अमेध्यपूर्णवक्त्रास्ते धार्यंतेऽत्र नराधमाः

rājagāmi ca paiśunyaṁ yaiḥ kṛtaṁ sudurātmabhiḥ| amedhyapūrṇavaktrāste dhāryaṁte'tra narādhamāḥ

Those very wicked ones who committed slander before the king are held here, those base men, their mouths filled with filth.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.26.33)

कुत्सितोनाम विख्यातो द्विजायं चाष्टमोऽधमः। श्लेष्ममूत्राभिसंपूर्णैस्तथा गन्धैश्च कुत्सितैः

kutsitonāma vikhyāto dvijāyaṁ cāṣṭamo'dhamaḥ| śleṣmamūtrābhisaṁpūrṇaistathā gandhaiśca kutsitaiḥ

O brahmin, known as Kutsita (the despised) is this eighth, lowest hell, filled with phlegm, urine, and foul odors.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.26.34)

गुरुदेवातिथिभ्यश्च स्वभृत्येभ्यो विशेषतः। अदत्त्वा भोजनं यैस्तु कृतं तेऽत्र व्यवस्थिताः

gurudevātithibhyaśca svabhṛtyebhyo viśeṣataḥ| adattvā bhojanaṁ yaistu kṛtaṁ te'tra vyavasthitāḥ

Those who withheld food from guru, gods, guests, and especially from their own servants, are placed here.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.26.35)

एष दुर्गमनामा च नवमो द्विजसत्तम। तीक्ष्णकंटकसंकीर्णः सर्पवृश्चिकसंकुलः

eṣa durgamanāmā ca navamo dvijasattama| tīkṣṇakaṁṭakasaṁkīrṇaḥ sarpavṛścikasaṁkulaḥ

O best of brahmins, this is the ninth hell, named Durgama (hard to traverse), filled with sharp thorns, thronged with snakes and scorpions.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.26.36)

एकसार्थप्रयाताय क्षुत्क्षामायावसीदते। अदत्त्वा भोजनं यैश्च कृतं तेऽत्र व्यवस्थिताः

ekasārthaprayātāya kṣutkṣāmāyāvasīdate| adattvā bhojanaṁ yaiśca kṛtaṁ te'tra vyavasthitāḥ

Those who, on a journey, refused food to a fellow traveler famished and failing from hunger, are placed here.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.26.37)

दशमोऽयं सुविख्यातो नरको नाम दुःसहः। तप्तलोहमयैः स्तंभैः समंतात्परिवारितः

daśamo'yaṁ suvikhyāto narako nāma duḥsahaḥ| taptalohamayaiḥ staṁbhaiḥ samaṁtātparivāritaḥ

The tenth, well-known, is a hell named Duhsaha (unbearable), surrounded on all sides by pillars of heated iron.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.26.38)

ये पापाः परदारेषु रक्ता मिष्टामिषेषु वा। तप्तलोहमयान्स्तंभांस्तेऽत्रालिंगंति मानवाः

ye pāpāḥ paradāreṣu raktā miṣṭāmiṣeṣu vā| taptalohamayānstaṁbhāṁste'trāliṁgaṁti mānavāḥ

Those sinners attached to another's wife or to savory meat here embrace pillars of heated iron.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.26.39)

एकादशोऽपरश्चायमाकर्षाख्यः प्रकीर्तितः। नरको विप्रशार्दूल तप्तसंदंशसंकुलः

ekādaśo'paraścāyamākarṣākhyaḥ prakīrtitaḥ| narako vipraśārdūla taptasaṁdaṁśasaṁkulaḥ

O tiger among brahmins, this other, the eleventh, is proclaimed as Akarsha (the dragging), a hell full of heated tongs.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.26.40)

स्त्रीविप्रगुरुदेवानां वित्तं चाश्नंति ये नराः। संदंशैरपि कृष्यंते तत्र तप्तैः समंततः

strīvipragurudevānāṁ vittaṁ cāśnaṁti ye narāḥ| saṁdaṁśairapi kṛṣyaṁte tatra taptaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

Those men who consume the wealth of women, brahmins, gurus, and gods are dragged about here on every side with heated tongs.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.26.41)

संदंशो द्वादशश्चायं तथाऽभक्ष्यप्रभक्षकाः। लोहदंतमुखैर्गृधैर्भक्ष्यंतेऽत्र नराधमाः

saṁdaṁśo dvādaśaścāyaṁ tathā'bhakṣyaprabhakṣakāḥ| lohadaṁtamukhairgṛdhairbhakṣyaṁte'tra narādhamāḥ

Sandansha (the pincers) is this twelfth; and those who eat what is forbidden are here devoured, those base men, by vultures with iron-toothed beaks.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.26.42)

एष त्रयोदशोनाम सुविख्यातो नियंत्रकः। समंतात्कृमिभिर्व्याप्तस्तथा च दृढबन्धनैः

eṣa trayodaśonāma suvikhyāto niyaṁtrakaḥ| samaṁtātkṛmibhirvyāptastathā ca dṛḍhabandhanaiḥ

This is the thirteenth, well-known, named Niyantraka (the restrainer), entirely covered with worms and with firm bonds.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.26.43)

न्यासापहारकाः पापास्तत्र बद्धाश्च बंधनैः। कृमिवृश्चिककीटाद्यैर्भक्ष्यते द्विजसत्तम

nyāsāpahārakāḥ pāpāstatra baddhāśca baṁdhanaiḥ| kṛmivṛścikakīṭādyairbhakṣyate dvijasattama

O best of brahmins, those sinners who embezzle deposits entrusted to them are bound here with bonds and devoured by worms, scorpions, and other insects.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.26.44)

तथा चतुर्दशोनाम नरकोऽधोमुखः स्थितः। नरकाणां समस्तानामेष रौद्रतमाकृतिः

tathā caturdaśonāma narako'dhomukhaḥ sthitaḥ| narakāṇāṁ samastānāmeṣa raudratamākṛtiḥ

Likewise the fourteenth hell stands with faces downward; of all the hells this is the most terrifying in form.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.26.45)

अत्र चाधोमुखा बद्धा वृक्षशाखावलंबिताः। पच्यंते वह्निनाऽधस्ताद्ब्रह्मघ्ना ये च मानवाः

atra cādhomukhā baddhā vṛkṣaśākhāvalaṁbitāḥ| pacyaṁte vahninā'dhastādbrahmaghnā ye ca mānavāḥ

Here those men who are slayers of brahmins, bound head-downward, hanging from the branches of trees, are cooked by fire from below.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.26.46)

यूकामत्कुणदंशाद्यैः संकीर्णोऽयं द्विजोत्तम। नरको भीषणो नाम ख्यातः पञ्चदशो महान्

yūkāmatkuṇadaṁśādyaiḥ saṁkīrṇo'yaṁ dvijottama| narako bhīṣaṇo nāma khyātaḥ pañcadaśo mahān

O best of brahmins, thronged with lice and bedbugs is this great fifteenth hell, known as Bhishana (the terrible).

Verse 47 (skanda.6.26.47)

कूटसाक्ष्यरतानां च तथैवानृतवादिनाम्। अत्राश्रयो मया दत्तस्तथान्येषां कुकर्मिणाम्

kūṭasākṣyaratānāṁ ca tathaivānṛtavādinām| atrāśrayo mayā dattastathānyeṣāṁ kukarmiṇām

I have given refuge here to those devoted to false witness, likewise to liars, and to other evildoers as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.26.48)

एष षोडश उद्दिष्टो नरको नाम क्षुद्रदः। युधार्तैर्मानवैर्व्याप्तः समंताद्द्विजसत्तम

eṣa ṣoḍaśa uddiṣṭo narako nāma kṣudradaḥ| yudhārtairmānavairvyāptaḥ samaṁtāddvijasattama

O best of brahmins, this is designated the sixteenth hell, named Kshudrada (giver of hunger), thronged on all sides with men afflicted by hunger.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.26.49)

मृष्टमांसानि यैः पापैर्भक्षितानि द्विजन्मभिः। क्षुधार्तास्ते निजं कायं भक्षयंत्यत्र संस्थिताः

mṛṣṭamāṁsāni yaiḥ pāpairbhakṣitāni dvijanmabhiḥ| kṣudhārtāste nijaṁ kāyaṁ bhakṣayaṁtyatra saṁsthitāḥ

Those sinful twice-born who ate savory meats here, tormented by hunger, devour their own bodies, stationed in this place.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.26.50)

तथा सप्तदशश्चायं क्षाराख्यो नरकः स्मृतः। सुक्षारेण समाकीर्णः सर्वप्राणिभयावहः

tathā saptadaśaścāyaṁ kṣārākhyo narakaḥ smṛtaḥ| sukṣāreṇa samākīrṇaḥ sarvaprāṇibhayāvahaḥ

And this seventeenth is remembered as the hell named Kshara (the caustic), filled with intense causticity, terrifying to all living beings.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.26.51)

व्रतभंगकरा ये च ये च पाषण्डिनो नराः। तेऽत्रागत्य शितैः शस्त्रैः पिष्यंते पापकृत्तमाः

vratabhaṁgakarā ye ca ye ca pāṣaṇḍino narāḥ| te'trāgatya śitaiḥ śastraiḥ piṣyaṁte pāpakṛttamāḥ

Those men who break their vows, and heretics who feign piety, come here and are ground by sharpened weapons, those worst of sinners.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.26.52)

एष चाष्टादशो नाम कथितश्च निदाघकः। ज्वलितांगारसंकीर्णो दुःसेव्यः सर्वदेहिनाम्

eṣa cāṣṭādaśo nāma kathitaśca nidāghakaḥ| jvalitāṁgārasaṁkīrṇo duḥsevyaḥ sarvadehinām

This eighteenth is called Nidaghaka (the scorching), filled with blazing embers, hard for all embodied beings to endure.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.26.53)

दूषयंति च ये शास्त्रं काव्यं विप्रं च कन्यकाम्। अंगारांतःस्थितास्तेऽत्र ध्रियंते मानवा द्विज

dūṣayaṁti ca ye śāstraṁ kāvyaṁ vipraṁ ca kanyakām| aṁgārāṁtaḥsthitāste'tra dhriyaṁte mānavā dvija

O brahmin, those who corrupt scripture, poetry, a brahmin, or a maiden -- those men are held here, standing amid burning embers.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.26.54)

एकोनविंशतिश्चायं प्रख्यातः कूटशाल्मलिः। सुतीक्ष्णकंटकाकीर्णः समंताद्द्विजसत्तम

ekonaviṁśatiścāyaṁ prakhyātaḥ kūṭaśālmaliḥ| sutīkṣṇakaṁṭakākīrṇaḥ samaṁtāddvijasattama

O best of brahmins, this nineteenth is the famed Kutashalmali (the false silk-cotton tree), covered all about with very sharp thorns.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.26.55)

नास्तिका भिन्नमर्यादा ये च विप्रस्य घातकाः। ते सर्वेऽत्र नरा नित्यमारुहंति पतंति च

nāstikā bhinnamaryādā ye ca viprasya ghātakāḥ| te sarve'tra narā nityamāruhaṁti pataṁti ca

Atheists, transgressors of proper limits, and slayers of brahmins -- all these men constantly climb up and fall down here.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.26.56)

एष विंशतिमो नाम नरको द्विजसत्तम। असिपत्रवनाख्यश्च कष्टसेव्यो दुरात्मभिः

eṣa viṁśatimo nāma narako dvijasattama| asipatravanākhyaśca kaṣṭasevyo durātmabhiḥ

O best of brahmins, this is named the twentieth hell, Asipatravana (the forest of sword-leaves), painfully endured by the wicked.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.26.57)

अत्र यांति नरा विप्र पररंध्रनिरीक्षकाः। कूटकर्मरता ये च शास्त्रविक्रयकारकाः

atra yāṁti narā vipra pararaṁdhranirīkṣakāḥ| kūṭakarmaratā ye ca śāstravikrayakārakāḥ

O brahmin, here go those men who pry into others' faults, who delight in deceitful dealings, and who traffic in scripture.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.26.58)

एकविंशतिमा चैषा नाम्ना वैतरणी नदी। सर्वैरेव नरैर्गम्या धर्मपापानुयायिभिः

ekaviṁśatimā caiṣā nāmnā vaitaraṇī nadī| sarvaireva narairgamyā dharmapāpānuyāyibhiḥ

This twenty-first is the river named Vaitarani, to be crossed by all men alike, whether followers of righteousness or of sin.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.26.59)

मृत्युकाले समुत्पन्ने धेनुं यच्छंति ये नराः। तस्या लांगूलमाश्रित्य तारयंति सुखेन च

mṛtyukāle samutpanne dhenuṁ yacchaṁti ye narāḥ| tasyā lāṁgūlamāśritya tārayaṁti sukhena ca

Those men who, when death arises, give a cow -- by clinging to her tail -- cross that river with ease.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.26.60)

अदत्त्वा गां च ये मर्त्या म्रियंते द्विजसत्तम। तीर्त्वा हस्तादिभिर्दुर्गा त इमां संतरंति च

adattvā gāṁ ca ye martyā mriyaṁte dvijasattama| tīrtvā hastādibhirdurgā ta imāṁ saṁtaraṁti ca

O best of brahmins, those mortals who die without having given a cow cross this difficult river only by struggling with their hands and limbs.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.26.61)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि द्विजोत्तम। विस्तरेण तव प्रीत्या स्वरूपं नरकोद्भवम्

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi dvijottama| vistareṇa tava prītyā svarūpaṁ narakodbhavam

O best of brahmins, all that you asked has thus been related to you -- the nature of the hells, in detail, out of my regard for you.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.26.62)

तस्माद्गच्छ गृहं शीघ्रं यावद्गात्रं न दह्यते। बन्धुभिस्तव शोकार्तैर्गृहीत्वा वांछितं धनम्

tasmādgaccha gṛhaṁ śīghraṁ yāvadgātraṁ na dahyate| bandhubhistava śokārtairgṛhītvā vāṁchitaṁ dhanam

Therefore, before your grieving kinsfolk burn your body, take whatever wealth you desire and go home quickly.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.26.63)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। यदि देव मया सम्यग्गंतव्यं निजमंदिरम्। तद्ब्रूहि कर्मणा येन नरकं याति नो नरः

brāhmaṇa uvāca| yadi deva mayā samyaggaṁtavyaṁ nijamaṁdiram| tadbrūhi karmaṇā yena narakaṁ yāti no naraḥ

The brahmin said: My lord, if I must indeed go back properly to my own home, then tell me by what deed a man does not go to hell.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.26.64)

यम उवाच। तीर्थयात्रापरो नित्यं देवतातिथिपूजकः। ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च न याति नरकं नरः

yama uvāca| tīrthayātrāparo nityaṁ devatātithipūjakaḥ| brahmaṇyaśca śaraṇyaśca na yāti narakaṁ naraḥ

Yama said: One ever devoted to tirtha-pilgrimage, a worshipper of gods and guests, generous to brahmins, and a refuge for those who seek shelter -- such a man does not go to hell.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.26.65)

परोपकारसंयुक्तो नित्यं जपपरायणः। स्वाध्यायनिरतश्चैव न याति नरकं द्विज

paropakārasaṁyukto nityaṁ japaparāyaṇaḥ| svādhyāyanirataścaiva na yāti narakaṁ dvija

O brahmin, one engaged in helping others, ever devoted to japa, and intent on Vedic study -- he too does not go to hell.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.26.66)

वापीकूपतडागानि देवतायतनानि च। यः करोति नरो नित्यं नरकं न स पश्यति

vāpīkūpataḍāgāni devatāyatanāni ca| yaḥ karoti naro nityaṁ narakaṁ na sa paśyati

Whatever man continually constructs step-wells, wells, reservoirs, and temples of the gods, does not see hell.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.26.67)

हेमंते वह्निदो यः स्यात्तथा ग्रीष्मे जलप्रदः। वर्षास्वाश्रयदो यश्च नरकं न स पश्यति

hemaṁte vahnido yaḥ syāttathā grīṣme jalapradaḥ| varṣāsvāśrayado yaśca narakaṁ na sa paśyati

Whoever gives fire in winter, water in summer, and shelter in the rains, does not see hell.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.26.68)

व्रतोपवाससंयुक्तः शांतात्मा विजितेंद्रियः। ब्रह्मचारी सदा ध्यानी नरकं याति नो नरः

vratopavāsasaṁyuktaḥ śāṁtātmā vijiteṁdriyaḥ| brahmacārī sadā dhyānī narakaṁ yāti no naraḥ

One devoted to vows and fasting, tranquil of soul, master of his senses, a celibate ever given to meditation -- such a man does not go to hell.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.26.69)

अन्नप्रदो नरो यः स्याद्विशेषेण तिलप्रदः। अहिंसानिरतश्चैव नरकं न स पश्यति

annaprado naro yaḥ syādviśeṣeṇa tilapradaḥ| ahiṁsānirataścaiva narakaṁ na sa paśyati

Whatever man gives food, especially one who gives sesame seeds, and who is devoted to non-violence, does not see hell.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.26.70)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः शास्त्रासक्तः सुमृष्टवाक्। धर्माख्यानपरो नित्यं नरकं न स पश्यति

vedādhyayanasaṁpannaḥ śāstrāsaktaḥ sumṛṣṭavāk| dharmākhyānaparo nityaṁ narakaṁ na sa paśyati

One accomplished in Vedic study, devoted to the shastras, of pleasing speech, ever intent on discoursing on dharma, does not see hell.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.26.71)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। एतन्मूर्खोऽपि जानाति शुभकर्मकरः पुमान्। न याति नरकं स्वर्गे तथा पापक्रियारतः

brāhmaṇa uvāca| etanmūrkho'pi jānāti śubhakarmakaraḥ pumān| na yāti narakaṁ svarge tathā pāpakriyārataḥ

The brahmin said: Even a fool knows this much -- that a man who does good deeds does not go to hell but goes to heaven, while one devoted to sinful acts goes to hell.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.26.72)

तस्मादशुभकर्मापि कर्मणा येन पातकम्। स्वल्पेनापि निहन्त्याशु याति स्वर्गं नरस्ततः

tasmādaśubhakarmāpi karmaṇā yena pātakam| svalpenāpi nihantyāśu yāti svargaṁ narastataḥ

Therefore tell me by what deed a man, even one of unwholesome deeds, may swiftly destroy his sin with but a small effort, and thereby go to heaven.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.26.73)

तन्मे ब्रूहि सुरश्रेष्ठ व्रतं नियममेव वा। तीर्थं वा जपहोमं वा सर्वलोकसुखावहम्

tanme brūhi suraśreṣṭha vrataṁ niyamameva vā| tīrthaṁ vā japahomaṁ vā sarvalokasukhāvaham

Tell me that, O best of gods -- some vow or observance, or some tirtha, or japa and homa, that brings happiness to all the worlds.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.26.74)

यम उवाच। अत्र ते सुमहद्गुह्यं कीर्तयिष्ये द्विजोत्तम। गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन वचनान्मम सर्वदा

yama uvāca| atra te sumahadguhyaṁ kīrtayiṣye dvijottama| gopanīyaṁ prayatnena vacanānmama sarvadā

Yama said: Here I shall declare to you a very great secret, O best of brahmins; it is to be guarded carefully, always, at my word.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.26.75)

महापातकयुक्तोऽपि पुरुषो येन कर्मणा। अनुष्ठितेन नो याति नरकं क्लेशकारकम्

mahāpātakayukto'pi puruṣo yena karmaṇā| anuṣṭhitena no yāti narakaṁ kleśakārakam

By what single deed, when performed, does a man -- even one laden with the great sins -- not go to that hell which causes such affliction --

Verse 76 (skanda.6.26.76)

आनर्तविषये रम्यं सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम्। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं महापातकनाशनम्

ānartaviṣaye ramyaṁ sarvatīrthamayaṁ śubham| hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ mahāpātakanāśanam

In the region of Anarta there is a delightful place, embodying all tirthas, auspicious -- the Hatakeshvara kshetra, destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.26.77)

तत्रैकमपि मासार्धं यो भक्त्या पूजयेद्धरम्। स सर्वपापयुक्तोऽपि शिवलोके महीयते

tatraikamapi māsārdhaṁ yo bhaktyā pūjayeddharam| sa sarvapāpayukto'pi śivaloke mahīyate

Whoever, even for half a month there, worships Hara with devotion, though laden with every sin, is honored in Shiva's world.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.26.78)

तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं गत्वा त्वमाराधय शंकरम्। येन गच्छसि निर्वाणं दशभिः पुरुषैः सह

tasmāttatra drutaṁ gatvā tvamārādhaya śaṁkaram| yena gacchasi nirvāṇaṁ daśabhiḥ puruṣaiḥ saha

Therefore go there quickly and worship Shankara, by which you shall attain liberation together with ten generations of your line.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.26.79)

सूत उवाच। उपदेशं समाकर्ण्य स यदा प्रस्थितो गृहम्। धर्मराजस्य संहृष्टो मधुरां नगरीं प्रति

sūta uvāca| upadeśaṁ samākarṇya sa yadā prasthito gṛham| dharmarājasya saṁhṛṣṭo madhurāṁ nagarīṁ prati

Suta said: Having heard this teaching, delighted by Dharmaraja's word, when he set out for home toward the city of Mathura --

Verse 80 (skanda.6.26.80)

तावद्द्वितीयं गोकर्णं दूत आदाय संगतः। दर्शयामास धृत्वाग्रे धर्मराजस्य सत्वरम्

tāvaddvitīyaṁ gokarṇaṁ dūta ādāya saṁgataḥ| darśayāmāsa dhṛtvāgre dharmarājasya satvaram

just then the messenger, having gone and fetched the second Gokarna, arrived and swiftly presented him before Dharmaraja.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.26.81)

ततः प्रोवाच तं दूतं धर्मराजः प्रहर्षितः। गोकर्णं पुरतो दृष्ट्वा द्वितीयं प्रस्थितं गृहम्

tataḥ provāca taṁ dūtaṁ dharmarājaḥ praharṣitaḥ| gokarṇaṁ purato dṛṣṭvā dvitīyaṁ prasthitaṁ gṛham

Then, seeing this second Gokarna brought before him -- while the first had already set out for home -- Dharmaraja, greatly pleased, said to that messenger --

Verse 82 (skanda.6.26.82)

यस्मात्कालात्ययं कृत्वाऽऽनीतोऽयं ब्राह्मणस्त्वया। तस्मादेनमपि क्षिप्रं द्वितीयेन समं त्यज

yasmātkālātyayaṁ kṛtvā''nīto'yaṁ brāhmaṇastvayā| tasmādenamapi kṣipraṁ dvitīyena samaṁ tyaja

'Since you have brought this brahmin here too, having overstepped his allotted time, therefore release this one also, quickly, together with the second.'

Verse 83 (skanda.6.26.83)

ततस्तौ तत्क्षणान्मुक्तौ गोकर्णौ ब्राह्मणौ समम्। स्वंस्वं कलेवरं प्राप्य सहसाथ समन्वितौ

tatastau tatkṣaṇānmuktau gokarṇau brāhmaṇau samam| svaṁsvaṁ kalevaraṁ prāpya sahasātha samanvitau

Then both those brahmins named Gokarna were at once released together, and, suddenly regaining their own bodies, came to themselves together.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.26.84)

ततः स कथयामास गोकर्णः प्रथमो द्विजः। यमोपदेशसंजुष्टो द्वितीयाय सविस्तरम्

tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa gokarṇaḥ prathamo dvijaḥ| yamopadeśasaṁjuṣṭo dvitīyāya savistaram

Then that first brahmin, Gokarna, having been favored with Yama's teaching, related it in full detail to the second.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.26.85)

ततो गृहं परित्यज्य गोकर्णौ द्वावपि स्थितौ। देवतायतनैर्व्याप्तं क्षेत्रं दृष्ट्वाऽखिलं ततः

tato gṛhaṁ parityajya gokarṇau dvāvapi sthitau| devatāyatanairvyāptaṁ kṣetraṁ dṛṣṭvā'khilaṁ tataḥ

Then, having abandoned their homes, both Gokarnas settled there, having seen that whole region thronged with temples of the gods.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.26.86)

लिंगे संस्थापिते ताभ्यां सीमांते दक्षिणोत्तरे। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं संप्राप्य तपसि द्रुतम्

liṁge saṁsthāpite tābhyāṁ sīmāṁte dakṣiṇottare| hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ saṁprāpya tapasi drutam

Having installed a linga each at the southern and northern boundary, they swiftly reached the Hatakeshvara kshetra and took up austerity.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.26.87)

ततः शिवं समाराध्य तपः कृत्वा यथोचितम्। सशरीरौ दिवं प्राप्तौ तत्प्रभावाद्विजोत्तमाः

tataḥ śivaṁ samārādhya tapaḥ kṛtvā yathocitam| saśarīrau divaṁ prāptau tatprabhāvādvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then, having worshipped Shiva and performed austerity as prescribed, they attained heaven in their own bodies, by that power.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.26.88)

ताभ्यां मार्गचतुर्दश्यां कृष्णायां जागरः कृतः। यः करोति नरो भक्त्या स गच्छति शिवालयम्

tābhyāṁ mārgacaturdaśyāṁ kṛṣṇāyāṁ jāgaraḥ kṛtaḥ| yaḥ karoti naro bhaktyā sa gacchati śivālayam

They performed a night-vigil on the dark fourteenth of the month of Margashirsha; whatever man does this with devotion goes to Shiva's abode.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.26.89)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्धनार्थी धनमाप्नुयात्। निष्कामस्तु पुनर्मोक्षं नरो याति न संशयः

aputro labhate putrāndhanārthī dhanamāpnuyāt| niṣkāmastu punarmokṣaṁ naro yāti na saṁśayaḥ

The childless obtain sons, the wealth-seeker obtains wealth; but the desireless man attains liberation, without doubt.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.26.90)

सूत उवाच। एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं सीमांतं द्विजसत्तमाः। क्षेत्रस्यास्य प्रमाणं च विस्तरेण चतुर्दिशम्

sūta uvāca| etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ sīmāṁtaṁ dvijasattamāḥ| kṣetrasyāsya pramāṇaṁ ca vistareṇa caturdiśam

Suta said: O best of brahmins, all this has been related to you -- the boundary of this region, and its extent in detail in all four directions.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.26.91)

अत्रांतरे नरा ये च निवसंति द्विजोत्तमाः। कृषिकर्मोद्यताश्चापि यांति ते परमां गतिम्। किं पुनर्नियतात्मानः शांता दांता जितेंद्रियाः

atrāṁtare narā ye ca nivasaṁti dvijottamāḥ| kṛṣikarmodyatāścāpi yāṁti te paramāṁ gatim| kiṁ punarniyatātmānaḥ śāṁtā dāṁtā jiteṁdriyāḥ

O best of brahmins, those men who dwell within this region, even those engaged merely in farming, attain the supreme goal -- how much more so the disciplined, tranquil, self-controlled, masters of their senses!

Verse 92 (skanda.6.26.92)

अपि कीटपतंगा ये पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः। तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे मृता यांति स्वर्गलोकं न संशयः

api kīṭapataṁgā ye paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ| tasminkṣetre mṛtā yāṁti svargalokaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Even insects, moths, beasts, birds, and deer, dying in that region, go without doubt to the heavenly world.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.26.93)

किं पुनर्ये नरास्तत्र कृत्वा प्रायोपवेशनम्। संन्यस्ताः श्रद्धयोपेता हृदयस्थे जनार्दने

kiṁ punarye narāstatra kṛtvā prāyopaveśanam| saṁnyastāḥ śraddhayopetā hṛdayasthe janārdane

How much more, then, those men who, undertaking there the fast unto death, renounced and filled with faith, die with Janardana fixed in their hearts?

Verse 94 (skanda.6.26.94)

तस्मात्सर्व प्रयत्नेन तत्क्षेत्रं सेव्यमेव हि। विशेषेण कलौ प्राप्ते युगे पापसमावृते

tasmātsarva prayatnena tatkṣetraṁ sevyameva hi| viśeṣeṇa kalau prāpte yuge pāpasamāvṛte

Therefore that region should be resorted to with all effort, especially when the sin-laden Kali age has arrived.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.26.95)

पुनंति स्नानदानाभ्यां सर्वतीर्थान्यसंशयम्। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं पुनर्वासात्पुनाति च

punaṁti snānadānābhyāṁ sarvatīrthānyasaṁśayam| hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ punarvāsātpunāti ca

All tirthas purify, without doubt, through bathing and giving; but the Hatakeshvara kshetra purifies by mere residence alone.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.26.96)

वापीकूपतडागेषु यत्रयत्र जलं द्विजाः। तत्रतत्र नरः स्नातः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

vāpīkūpataḍāgeṣu yatrayatra jalaṁ dvijāḥ| tatratatra naraḥ snātaḥ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

O brahmins, wherever there is water there, in step-wells, wells, or reservoirs, a man who bathes there is freed from all sins.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.26.97)

किं यज्ञैः किं वृथा दानैः किं व्रतैः किं जपैरपि। वरं तत्र कृतो वासः क्षेत्रे स्वर्गमभीप्सुभिः

kiṁ yajñaiḥ kiṁ vṛthā dānaiḥ kiṁ vrataiḥ kiṁ japairapi| varaṁ tatra kṛto vāsaḥ kṣetre svargamabhīpsubhiḥ

What use are sacrifices, what use vain gifts, what use vows, what use even japa? Better, for those who desire heaven, is residence made in that region.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.26.98)

एतत्पवित्रमायुष्यं मांगल्यं पापनाशनम्। हाटकेश्वरजक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यं शृण्वतां सदा

etatpavitramāyuṣyaṁ māṁgalyaṁ pāpanāśanam| hāṭakeśvarajakṣetramāhātmyaṁ śṛṇvatāṁ sadā

This is pure, life-giving, auspicious, and destructive of sin -- the greatness of the Hatakeshvara kshetra, ever fruitful for those who hear it.