The Glory of the Serpent Pool (Nagahrada)

Verse 1 (skanda.6.31.1)

तथान्यदपि तत्रास्ति नागतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । यत्र स्नातस्य सर्पाणां न भयं जायते क्वचित्

tathānyadapi tatrāsti nāgatīrthamanuttamam | yatra snātasya sarpāṇāṁ na bhayaṁ jāyate kvacit

Suta said: There, too, is another most excellent Naga-tirtha, where one who has bathed never has any fear of serpents.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.31.2)

तत्र श्रावणपञ्चम्यां यो नरः स्नानमाचरेत् । कृष्णायां न भयं तस्य कुलेऽपि स्यादहेः क्वचित्

tatra śrāvaṇapañcamyāṁ yo naraḥ snānamācaret | kṛṣṇāyāṁ na bhayaṁ tasya kule'pi syādaheḥ kvacit

The man who bathes there on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana never has fear of serpents, even within his family line.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.31.3)

तत्र पूर्वं तपस्तप्तं मातुः शापप्रपीडितैः । शेष प्रभृतिनागैस्तु मुक्तिहेतोर्हुताशनात्

tatra pūrvaṁ tapastaptaṁ mātuḥ śāpaprapīḍitaiḥ | śeṣa prabhṛtināgaistu muktihetorhutāśanāt

There, in ancient times, Shesha and the other great serpents, afflicted by their mother's curse, performed severe austerities in order to be freed from the fire [that would consume them].

Verse 4 (skanda.6.31.4)

कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ तथा ख्यातौ धरातले । तत्र तप्त्वा तपस्तीव्रं संसिद्धिं परमां गतौ

kambalāśvatarau nāgau tathā khyātau dharātale | tatra taptvā tapastīvraṁ saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatau

The two serpents Kambala and Ashvatara, renowned upon the earth, also performed intense austerity there and attained the highest accomplishment.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.31.5)

अनंतो वासुकिश्चैव तक्षकश्च महावलः । कर्कोटश्चैव नागेन्द्रो मणिकण्ठस्तथापरः

anaṁto vāsukiścaiva takṣakaśca mahāvalaḥ | karkoṭaścaiva nāgendro maṇikaṇṭhastathāparaḥ

Ananta, Vasuki, the mighty Takshaka, the serpent-lord Karkota, and another named Manikantha --

Verse 6 (skanda.6.31.6)

ऐरावतस्तथा शंखः पुण्डरीको महाविषः । शेषपूर्वाः स्मृता नागा एतेऽत्र नव नायकाः

airāvatastathā śaṁkhaḥ puṇḍarīko mahāviṣaḥ | śeṣapūrvāḥ smṛtā nāgā ete'tra nava nāyakāḥ

Airavata, Shankha, and the greatly venomous Pundarika -- these nine, beginning with Shesha, are remembered here as the chief lords of the serpents.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.31.7)

एतेषां पुत्रपौत्राश्च तेषामपि विभूतिभिः । असंख्याभिरिदं व्याप्तं समस्तं धरणीतलम्

eteṣāṁ putrapautrāśca teṣāmapi vibhūtibhiḥ | asaṁkhyābhiridaṁ vyāptaṁ samastaṁ dharaṇītalam

By the sons and grandsons of these, and by their countless further offspring, this entire surface of the earth is pervaded.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.31.8)

अथ ते कुटिला दुष्टा भक्षयंति सदा जनान् । बहुत्वादपि संस्पर्शादपराधं विनापि च

atha te kuṭilā duṣṭā bhakṣayaṁti sadā janān | bahutvādapi saṁsparśādaparādhaṁ vināpi ca

Now, being crooked and wicked, and simply because of their great numbers, those serpents would constantly devour people merely by touch, even without any offense on the victims' part.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.31.9)

ततः प्रजा इमाः सर्वा ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः । पीडिताः स्म सुरश्रेष्ठ सर्पेभ्यो रक्ष सत्वरम्

tataḥ prajā imāḥ sarvā brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ | pīḍitāḥ sma suraśreṣṭha sarpebhyo rakṣa satvaram

Then all these creatures took refuge with Brahma, saying: O best of gods, we are tormented by the serpents -- protect us at once!

Verse 10 (skanda.6.31.10)

यावन्न शून्यतां याति सकलं वसुधातलम् । व्याप्तं सर्वैस्ततः सर्पैर्विषाढ्यैरतिभीषणैः

yāvanna śūnyatāṁ yāti sakalaṁ vasudhātalam | vyāptaṁ sarvaistataḥ sarpairviṣāḍhyairatibhīṣaṇaiḥ

[Protect us] before this whole surface of the earth, overrun by all these venomous and utterly terrifying serpents, becomes entirely empty of people.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.31.11)

अथ तानब्रवीद्ब्रह्मा शेषाद्यान्नवनायकान् । स्वसंततेः प्ररक्षध्वं भक्ष्यमाणा इमाः प्रजाः

atha tānabravīdbrahmā śeṣādyānnavanāyakān | svasaṁtateḥ prarakṣadhvaṁ bhakṣyamāṇā imāḥ prajāḥ

Then Brahma said to Shesha and the other nine chief serpents: Protect these creatures who are being devoured by your own offspring.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.31.12)

ते तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय जग्मुः सर्वे भुजंगमाः

te tatheti pratijñāya jagmuḥ sarve bhujaṁgamāḥ

Saying "So be it," all the serpents departed.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.31.13)

अथ तेषां बहुत्वाच्च नैव रक्षा प्रजायते । वारिता अपि ते यस्मात्प्रकुर्वंति प्रजाक्षयम्

atha teṣāṁ bahutvācca naiva rakṣā prajāyate | vāritā api te yasmātprakurvaṁti prajākṣayam

But because of their great numbers, protection could not actually be achieved, for even when forbidden, they went on destroying the people.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.31.14)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा तानाहूय कुलाधिपान् । तानुवाच स्वयं ब्रह्मा सर्वदेवसमागमे

tataḥ kopaparītātmā tānāhūya kulādhipān | tānuvāca svayaṁ brahmā sarvadevasamāgame

Then Brahma, filled with anger, summoned those chiefs of the serpent clans and himself spoke to them in the assembly of all the gods --

Verse 15 (skanda.6.31.15)

भक्षयंति यतः सर्पा अपराधं विना प्रजाः । वारिता अपि ते तस्मात्तान्निगृह्णामि सांप्रतम्

bhakṣayaṁti yataḥ sarpā aparādhaṁ vinā prajāḥ | vāritā api te tasmāttānnigṛhṇāmi sāṁpratam

Since the serpents devour my creatures without any offense, and go on doing so even when forbidden, I shall now restrain them by force.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.31.16)

भविष्यति महीपालो भूतले जनमेजयः । चित्रभानुर्मखे तस्य सर्पान्संभक्षयिष्यति

bhaviṣyati mahīpālo bhūtale janamejayaḥ | citrabhānurmakhe tasya sarpānsaṁbhakṣayiṣyati

There will be, upon the earth, a king named Janamejaya, in whose sacrifice the fire [Chitrabhanu] will consume the serpents.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.31.17)

मातुः शापाद्विशेषेण मंत्राकृष्टा द्विजोत्तमैः । स्वयमेव पतिष्यंति सुसमिद्धे हुताशने

mātuḥ śāpādviśeṣeṇa maṁtrākṛṣṭā dvijottamaiḥ | svayameva patiṣyaṁti susamiddhe hutāśane

Because of their mother's curse especially, drawn by the mantras of the excellent brahmins, they will themselves fall into the blazing fire.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.31.18)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वेपमानास्ते सर्पाणां नवनायकाः । प्रोचुः प्रांजलयः सद्यः प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्

tacchrutvā vepamānāste sarpāṇāṁ navanāyakāḥ | procuḥ prāṁjalayaḥ sadyaḥ praṇipatya pitāmaham

Hearing this, the nine chief serpents trembled, and with joined palms, having bowed at once to the grandsire, said --

Verse 19 (skanda.6.31.19)

भगवन्कुटिला ज्ञातिरस्माकं भवता कृता । तत्कस्मात्कुरुषे कोपं जातिधर्मानुवर्तिनाम्

bhagavankuṭilā jñātirasmākaṁ bhavatā kṛtā | tatkasmātkuruṣe kopaṁ jātidharmānuvartinām

O Lord, it was you yourself who made our nature crooked; why then are you angry at those who merely follow the nature of their own kind?

Verse 20 (skanda.6.31.20)

ब्रह्मा उवाच । यदि नाम मया सृष्टा यूयं दिष्ट्या विषोल्बणाः । अपराधं विना कस्माद्भक्षयध्व इमाः प्रजाः

brahmā uvāca | yadi nāma mayā sṛṣṭā yūyaṁ diṣṭyā viṣolbaṇāḥ | aparādhaṁ vinā kasmādbhakṣayadhva imāḥ prajāḥ

Brahma said: Granted that it was I who by fate created you full of venom -- still, why do you devour these creatures without any offense?

Verse 21 (skanda.6.31.21)

नागाः उवाच । मर्यादां कुरु देवेश अस्माकं मानवैः सह । अथवा संप्रयच्छस्व स्थानं मानुषवर्जितम्

nāgāḥ uvāca | maryādāṁ kuru deveśa asmākaṁ mānavaiḥ saha | athavā saṁprayacchasva sthānaṁ mānuṣavarjitam

The Nagas said: O Lord of gods, either fix for us a code of conduct with humans, or grant us some place devoid of humans.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.31.22)

पारिक्षितमखे तस्मिन्सर्पाणां चित्रभानुना । समंताद्दह्यमानानां रक्षोपायं प्रचिंतय

pārikṣitamakhe tasminsarpāṇāṁ citrabhānunā | samaṁtāddahyamānānāṁ rakṣopāyaṁ praciṁtaya

And devise also some means of protection for the serpents who will be burned on every side by fire in that sacrifice of Parikshit's son.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.31.23)

यथा न संततिच्छेदो जायते प्रपितामह । अस्माकं सर्वलोकेषु तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि

yathā na saṁtaticchedo jāyate prapitāmaha | asmākaṁ sarvalokeṣu tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi

O great grandsire, arrange things so that our line is not cut off entirely, in all the worlds.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.31.24)

ब्रह्मा उवाच । जरत्कारुरिति ख्यातो भविष्यति क्वचिद्द्विजः । स संतानकृते भार्यां भूमावन्वेषयिष्यति

brahmā uvāca | jaratkāruriti khyāto bhaviṣyati kvaciddvijaḥ | sa saṁtānakṛte bhāryāṁ bhūmāvanveṣayiṣyati

Brahma said: There will one day be a brahmin known as Jaratkaru; he will search the earth for a wife, for the sake of begetting a child.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.31.25)

भाविनी च भवद्वंशे जरत्कन्या सुशोभना । सा देया चादरात्तस्मै पुत्रार्थं वरवर्णिनी

bhāvinī ca bhavadvaṁśe jaratkanyā suśobhanā | sā deyā cādarāttasmai putrārthaṁ varavarṇinī

In your own lineage a beautiful maiden named Jaratkaru will be born; that fair one must be given to him respectfully, for the sake of a son.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.31.26)

ताभ्यां यो भविता पुत्रः स शेषान्रक्षयिष्यति । सर्पाञ्छुद्धसमाचारान्मर्यादासु व्यवस्थितान्

tābhyāṁ yo bhavitā putraḥ sa śeṣānrakṣayiṣyati | sarpāñchuddhasamācārānmaryādāsu vyavasthitān

The son born of that union will protect Shesha and the rest -- the serpents of pure conduct who abide within their bounds.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.31.27)

सुतलं नितलं चैव तथैव वितलं च यत् । तस्याधस्ताच्चतुर्थे च वसतिर्वो धरातले

sutalaṁ nitalaṁ caiva tathaiva vitalaṁ ca yat | tasyādhastāccaturthe ca vasatirvo dharātale

Sutala, Nitala, and Vitala -- below these, in the fourth region, on the surface of the earth, shall be your dwelling.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.31.28)

मया दत्तेऽतिरम्ये च सर्वभोगसमन्विते । तस्माद्व्रजत तत्रैव परित्यज्य महीतलम्

mayā datte'tiramye ca sarvabhogasamanvite | tasmādvrajata tatraiva parityajya mahītalam

That place, given by me, is most delightful and endowed with every enjoyment; therefore go there, abandoning this surface of the earth.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.31.29)

तत्र भुंजथ सद्भोगान् गत्वाशु मम शासनात् । पुत्रपौत्रसमोपेतांस्त्रिदशैरपि दुर्लभान्

tatra bhuṁjatha sadbhogān gatvāśu mama śāsanāt | putrapautrasamopetāṁstridaśairapi durlabhān

Go there quickly at my command, and enjoy fine pleasures, together with your sons and grandsons -- pleasures rare even for the gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.31.30)

नागाः उवाच । भोगानपि प्रभुंजाना न वयं तत्र पद्मज । शक्नुमो वस्तुमुर्व्यां नस्तस्मात्स्थानं प्रदर्शय

nāgāḥ uvāca | bhogānapi prabhuṁjānā na vayaṁ tatra padmaja | śaknumo vastumurvyāṁ nastasmātsthānaṁ pradarśaya

The Nagas said: O Lotus-born, even while enjoying those pleasures there, we cannot bear to be apart from the earth; therefore show us some other place.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.31.31)

मर्यादया वर्तयामो यत्रस्था मानवैः समम्

maryādayā vartayāmo yatrasthā mānavaiḥ samam

Give us a place where, dwelling there, we may conduct ourselves with humans within a fixed code of conduct.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.31.32)

ब्रह्मा उवाच । एषा तिथिर्मया दत्ता युष्माकं धरणीतले । पंचमी शेषकालस्तु नेयस्तत्रं रसातले

brahmā uvāca | eṣā tithirmayā dattā yuṣmākaṁ dharaṇītale | paṁcamī śeṣakālastu neyastatraṁ rasātale

Brahma said: This fifth tithi I grant to you upon the earth; for the remaining time, you must dwell in the netherworld.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.31.33)

तत्रागतैर्न हंतव्या मानवा दोषवर्जिताः । मंत्रसंरक्षितांगाश्च तथौषधिकृतादराः

tatrāgatairna haṁtavyā mānavā doṣavarjitāḥ | maṁtrasaṁrakṣitāṁgāśca tathauṣadhikṛtādarāḥ

Coming there on that day, you must not harm innocent people -- especially those whose bodies are protected by mantras and who have shown due regard for medicinal herbs.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.31.34)

चमत्कारपुरे क्षेत्रे मया दत्ता स्थितिः सदा । पृथिव्यां कुलमुख्यानां नागानां नागसत्तमाः

camatkārapure kṣetre mayā dattā sthitiḥ sadā | pṛthivyāṁ kulamukhyānāṁ nāgānāṁ nāgasattamāḥ

O best of serpents, in the sacred field of Chamatkarapura I have granted this abiding place upon the earth, forever, to the chief serpents of the clans.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.31.35)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्ताश्च ते नागा ब्रह्मणा सत्वरं ययुः । पातालं कुलमुख्याश्च तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे व्यवस्थिताः

sūta uvāca | evamuktāśca te nāgā brahmaṇā satvaraṁ yayuḥ | pātālaṁ kulamukhyāśca tasminkṣetre vyavasthitāḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed by Brahma, the serpents quickly departed for the netherworld, while the chief serpents of the clans took their place in that very field.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.31.36)

तत्र श्रावणपंचम्यां यस्तान्पूजयते नरः । स प्राप्नोति नरोऽभीष्टं तेषामेव प्रसादतः

tatra śrāvaṇapaṁcamyāṁ yastānpūjayate naraḥ | sa prāpnoti naro'bhīṣṭaṁ teṣāmeva prasādataḥ

Whoever worships them there on the fifth of Shravana obtains his desired end through their very grace.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.31.37)

तस्य वंशेऽपि सर्पाणां न भयं स्यान्न किल्बिषम् । न रोगो नोपसर्गश्च न च भूतभयं क्वचित्

tasya vaṁśe'pi sarpāṇāṁ na bhayaṁ syānna kilbiṣam | na rogo nopasargaśca na ca bhūtabhayaṁ kvacit

In his family line there is then no fear of serpents, nor sin, nor disease, nor calamity, nor ever any fear of evil spirits.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.31.38)

अपुत्रस्तत्र यः श्राद्धं करोति सुतवांछया । पुत्रं विशिष्टमासाद्य पितॄणामनृणो हि सः

aputrastatra yaḥ śrāddhaṁ karoti sutavāṁchayā | putraṁ viśiṣṭamāsādya pitṝṇāmanṛṇo hi saḥ

A childless man who performs shraddha there out of desire for a son obtains an excellent son and thereby becomes free of his debt to the ancestors.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.31.39)

तथा वंध्या च या नारी पंचम्यां भास्करोदये । श्रावणे कुरुते स्नानं कृष्णपक्षे विशेषतः । सा सद्यो लभते पुत्रं स्ववंशोद्धरणक्षमम्

tathā vaṁdhyā ca yā nārī paṁcamyāṁ bhāskarodaye | śrāvaṇe kurute snānaṁ kṛṣṇapakṣe viśeṣataḥ | sā sadyo labhate putraṁ svavaṁśoddharaṇakṣamam

Likewise, a barren woman who bathes there at sunrise on the fifth day, in Shravana, especially in the dark fortnight, at once obtains a son capable of uplifting her lineage --

Verse 40 (skanda.6.31.40)

सर्वरोगविनिर्मुक्तं सुरूपं विनयान्वितम् । भ्रष्टराज्यो नरो यो वा तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत्

sarvarogavinirmuktaṁ surūpaṁ vinayānvitam | bhraṣṭarājyo naro yo vā tatra snānaṁ samācaret

-- a son free of all disease, handsome, and endowed with humility. And a king who has lost his kingdom, who bathes there --

Verse 41 (skanda.6.31.41)

ततः पूजयते नागाञ्छ्रावणे पंचमीदिने । स हत्वाऽरिगणान्सर्वान्भूयोराज्यमवाप्नुयात्

tataḥ pūjayate nāgāñchrāvaṇe paṁcamīdine | sa hatvā'rigaṇānsarvānbhūyorājyamavāpnuyāt

-- and worships the Nagas on the fifth day of Shravana, that man, having slain all his enemies, regains his kingdom once more.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.31.42)

येषां मृत्युर्मनुष्याणां जायते सर्पभक्षणात् । न तेषां जायते मुक्तिः प्रेतभावात्कथंचन

yeṣāṁ mṛtyurmanuṣyāṇāṁ jāyate sarpabhakṣaṇāt | na teṣāṁ jāyate muktiḥ pretabhāvātkathaṁcana

For those people whose death comes about through the bite of a serpent, there is no release whatsoever from the state of a ghost --

Verse 43 (skanda.6.31.43)

यावन्न क्रियते श्राद्धं तस्मिंस्तीर्थे द्विजोत्तमाः । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन मृतस्याहिप्रदंक्षणात् । श्राद्धं कार्यं प्रयत्नेन तस्मिंस्तीर्थेऽहिसंभवे

yāvanna kriyate śrāddhaṁ tasmiṁstīrthe dvijottamāḥ | tasmātsarvaprayatnena mṛtasyāhipradaṁkṣaṇāt | śrāddhaṁ kāryaṁ prayatnena tasmiṁstīrthe'hisaṁbhave

-- O best of brahmins, until his shraddha is performed at that tirtha. Therefore, with the utmost effort, the shraddha of one who has died from a serpent's bite must diligently be performed at this very tirtha born of the serpents.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.31.44)

अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तां कथां शुभाम् । इन्द्रसेनस्य राजर्षेः सर्वपातकनाशिनीम्

atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi purāvṛttāṁ kathāṁ śubhām | indrasenasya rājarṣeḥ sarvapātakanāśinīm

Now I shall relate to you an ancient and auspicious tale, one that destroys all sins -- the tale of the royal sage Indrasena.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.31.45)

इन्द्रसेनो महीपालः पुरासीद्रिपुदर्पहा । अश्वमेधसहस्रेण इष्टं तेन महात्मना

indraseno mahīpālaḥ purāsīdripudarpahā | aśvamedhasahasreṇa iṣṭaṁ tena mahātmanā

Long ago there was a king named Indrasena, a crusher of his enemies' pride; that great soul performed a thousand horse-sacrifices.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.31.46)

ततः स दैवयोगेन प्रसुप्तः शयने शुभे । दष्टः सर्पेण मुक्तश्च इन्द्रसेनो महीपतिः । वियुक्तश्चैव सहसा जीवितव्येन तत्क्षणात्

tataḥ sa daivayogena prasuptaḥ śayane śubhe | daṣṭaḥ sarpeṇa muktaśca indraseno mahīpatiḥ | viyuktaścaiva sahasā jīvitavyena tatkṣaṇāt

Then, by the working of fate, king Indrasena, sleeping on his fine bed, was bitten by a serpent, and that instant, suddenly, was parted from his life.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.31.47)

ततस्तस्य सुतोऽभीष्टस्तस्योद्देशेन कृत्स्नशः । चकार प्रेतकार्याणि स्मृत्युक्तानि च भक्तितः

tatastasya suto'bhīṣṭastasyoddeśena kṛtsnaśaḥ | cakāra pretakāryāṇi smṛtyuktāni ca bhaktitaḥ

Then his beloved son, on his behalf, performed with devotion all the funeral rites prescribed in the smritis, in full.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.31.48)

गंगायामस्थिपातं च कृत्वा श्राद्धानि षोडश । गयां गत्वा ततश्चक्रे श्राद्धं श्रद्धासमन्वितः

gaṁgāyāmasthipātaṁ ca kṛtvā śrāddhāni ṣoḍaśa | gayāṁ gatvā tataścakre śrāddhaṁ śraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Having consigned the bones to the Ganga and performed the sixteen shraddhas, he then went to Gaya and performed the shraddha there with full devotion.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.31.49)

अथ स्वप्नांतरे प्राप्तः पिता तस्य स भूपतिः । प्रोवाच दुःखितः पुत्रं बाष्पव्याकुललोचनम्

atha svapnāṁtare prāptaḥ pitā tasya sa bhūpatiḥ | provāca duḥkhitaḥ putraṁ bāṣpavyākulalocanam

Then, in a dream, his father, that king, appeared before him, and, sorrowful, his eyes clouded with tears, spoke to his son --

Verse 50 (skanda.6.31.50)

सर्पमृत्योः सकाशान्मे प्रेतत्वं पुत्र संस्थितम् । तेन मे भवता दत्तं न किञ्चिदुपतिष्ठते

sarpamṛtyoḥ sakāśānme pretatvaṁ putra saṁsthitam | tena me bhavatā dattaṁ na kiñcidupatiṣṭhate

O son, because of my death by a serpent, I am fixed in the state of a ghost; nothing at all that you have offered reaches me.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.31.51)

चमत्कारपुरं क्षेत्रं तस्मात्त्वं गच्छ सत्वरम् । तत्र तीर्थे कुरु श्राद्धं सर्पाणां मत्कृते सुत

camatkārapuraṁ kṣetraṁ tasmāttvaṁ gaccha satvaram | tatra tīrthe kuru śrāddhaṁ sarpāṇāṁ matkṛte suta

Therefore go quickly to the field of Chamatkarapura; there, at that tirtha, perform, O son, the shraddha of the serpents on my behalf,

Verse 52 (skanda.6.31.52)

येन संजायते मोक्षः प्रेतत्वा द्दारुणान्मम । स ततः प्रातरुत्थाय तत्स्मृत्वा नृपतेर्वचः

yena saṁjāyate mokṣaḥ pretatvā ddāruṇānmama | sa tataḥ prātarutthāya tatsmṛtvā nṛpatervacaḥ

-- so that I may be freed from this terrible state of ghosthood. Then he, rising in the morning and recalling the king's words,

Verse 53 (skanda.6.31.53)

प्रेतरूपस्य दुःखार्तस्तत्तीर्थं सत्वरं गतः । चकार च ततः श्राद्धं श्रावणे पंच मीदिने

pretarūpasya duḥkhārtastattīrthaṁ satvaraṁ gataḥ | cakāra ca tataḥ śrāddhaṁ śrāvaṇe paṁca mīdine

went quickly, grieved on account of his father's suffering ghostly form, to that tirtha, and there performed the shraddha on the fifth of Shravana.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.31.54)

स्नात्वा श्रद्धासमोपेतः संनिवेश्य पुरोधसम् । ततः स दर्शनं प्राप्तो भूयोऽपि च यथा पुरा

snātvā śraddhāsamopetaḥ saṁniveśya purodhasam | tataḥ sa darśanaṁ prāpto bhūyo'pi ca yathā purā

Having bathed, filled with faith, and having seated the family priest, he again obtained the vision [of his father], just as before.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.31.55)

प्रेतरूपेण दुःखार्तो वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । न मयाऽऽसादितं किञ्चिद्यत्त्वया मत्कृते कृतम्

pretarūpeṇa duḥkhārto vākyametaduvāca ha | na mayā''sāditaṁ kiñcidyattvayā matkṛte kṛtam

In his ghostly form, grieving, he spoke these words: Of all that you have done on my behalf, nothing at all has reached me.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.31.56)

फलं श्राद्धस्य चात्र त्वं कारणं शृणु पुत्रक । श्राद्धार्हा ब्राह्मणाश्चात्र चमत्कारपुरोद्भवाः

phalaṁ śrāddhasya cātra tvaṁ kāraṇaṁ śṛṇu putraka | śrāddhārhā brāhmaṇāścātra camatkārapurodbhavāḥ

Hear the reason, my son, why the shraddha here bears no fruit: only brahmins born in Chamatkarapura itself are fit to receive this shraddha.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.31.57)

क्षेत्रेऽपि गर्हिताः श्राद्धे येऽन्यत्र व्यंगकादयः । अत्र यत्क्रियते किञ्चिद्दानं वा व्रतमेव च

kṣetre'pi garhitāḥ śrāddhe ye'nyatra vyaṁgakādayaḥ | atra yatkriyate kiñciddānaṁ vā vratameva ca

Even here in this field, brahmins who are outsiders and blemished [in some way] are unfit for shraddha. Whatever gift or vow is performed here,

Verse 58 (skanda.6.31.58)

तथान्यदपि विप्रार्हं कर्म यज्ञसमुद्भवम् । तत्तेषां वचनात्सर्वं पूर्णं स्यादपि खंडितम् । परोक्षे वापि संपूर्णं वृथा संजायते स्फुटम्

tathānyadapi viprārhaṁ karma yajñasamudbhavam | tatteṣāṁ vacanātsarvaṁ pūrṇaṁ syādapi khaṁḍitam | parokṣe vāpi saṁpūrṇaṁ vṛthā saṁjāyate sphuṭam

and likewise any other rite fit for brahmins, born of sacrifice -- all of it, even if incomplete, becomes complete through the word of these brahmins; but performed apart from them, even if complete, it plainly turns out to be in vain.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.31.59)

तस्मादस्मात्पुराद्विप्रान्समानीय ततः परम् । मम नाम्ना कुरु श्राद्धं येन मुक्तिः प्रजायते

tasmādasmātpurādviprānsamānīya tataḥ param | mama nāmnā kuru śrāddhaṁ yena muktiḥ prajāyate

Therefore, having brought brahmins from this very city, perform the shraddha in my name, so that release may come about.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.31.60)

अथासौ प्रातरुत्थाय स्मरमाणः पितुर्वचः । दुःखेन महताविष्टः प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमे

athāsau prātarutthāya smaramāṇaḥ piturvacaḥ | duḥkhena mahatāviṣṭaḥ praviveśa purottame

Then, rising in the morning and remembering his father's words, he entered that excellent city, overcome with great grief.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.31.61)

ततश्चान्वेषयामास श्राद्धार्हान्ब्राह्मणान्नृपः । यत्नतोऽपि न लेभे स धनाढ्या ब्राह्मणा यतः

tataścānveṣayāmāsa śrāddhārhānbrāhmaṇānnṛpaḥ | yatnato'pi na lebhe sa dhanāḍhyā brāhmaṇā yataḥ

Then the king searched for brahmins fit for the shraddha, but for all his effort could not find any wealthy brahmins there, because --

Verse 62 (skanda.6.31.62)

न तत्र दुःखितः कश्चिद्दरिद्रोऽपि न दुःखितः । नाकर्मनिरतो वापि पाखण्डनिरतोऽथवा

na tatra duḥkhitaḥ kaściddaridro'pi na duḥkhitaḥ | nākarmanirato vāpi pākhaṇḍanirato'thavā

-- there no one was in distress, no poor man was in distress, no one was idle in his duties, and no one was given to hypocrisy.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.31.63)

स्थानेस्थाने महानादा उत्सवाश्च गृहेगृहे । वेदविद्याविनोदाश्च स्मृति वादास्तथैव च

sthānesthāne mahānādā utsavāśca gṛhegṛhe | vedavidyāvinodāśca smṛti vādāstathaiva ca

In every place there was a great festive din, in every house celebrations, and everywhere delighted discussions of Vedic learning and debates on the smritis.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.31.64)

श्रूयंते याज्ञिकानां च यज्ञकर्मसमुद्भवाः । न दुर्भिक्षं न च व्याधिर्नाकालमरणं नृणाम् । न मृत्युः कस्यचित्तत्र पुरे ब्राह्मण सेविते

śrūyaṁte yājñikānāṁ ca yajñakarmasamudbhavāḥ | na durbhikṣaṁ na ca vyādhirnākālamaraṇaṁ nṛṇām | na mṛtyuḥ kasyacittatra pure brāhmaṇa sevite

The sounds arising from the sacrificial rites of those performing sacrifices were heard everywhere. In that city, frequented by brahmins, there was neither famine nor disease, nor any untimely death for its people, nor did anyone there die at all.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.31.65)

यथर्तुवर्षी पर्जन्यः सस्यानि गुणवन्ति च । भूरिक्षीरस्रवा गावः क्षीराण्याजाविकानि च

yathartuvarṣī parjanyaḥ sasyāni guṇavanti ca | bhūrikṣīrasravā gāvaḥ kṣīrāṇyājāvikāni ca

The rain-cloud rained exactly in season, the crops were of fine quality, the cows yielded abundant milk, and so too the goats and sheep.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.31.66)

यंयं प्रार्थयते विप्रं स श्राद्धार्थं महीपतिः । स स तं भर्त्सयामास दुरुक्तैः कोपसंयुतः

yaṁyaṁ prārthayate vipraṁ sa śrāddhārthaṁ mahīpatiḥ | sa sa taṁ bhartsayāmāsa duruktaiḥ kopasaṁyutaḥ

Whichever brahmin the king approached and entreated for the shraddha, that very man, filled with anger, would rebuke him with harsh words.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.31.67)

धिग्धिक्पापसमाचार क्षत्रियापसदात्मक । किं कश्चिद्ब्राह्मणोऽश्नाति प्रेतश्राद्धे विशेषतः

dhigdhikpāpasamācāra kṣatriyāpasadātmaka | kiṁ kaścidbrāhmaṇo'śnāti pretaśrāddhe viśeṣataḥ

"Shame, shame on you, sinful one, basest of kshatriyas! Does any brahmin actually eat the offering of a ghost's shraddha?"

Verse 68 (skanda.6.31.68)

तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं यावन्न कश्चिच्छपते द्विजः । निहन्ति वा प्रकोपेन स्वर्गमार्गनिरोधकम्

tasmādgaccha drutaṁ yāvanna kaścicchapate dvijaḥ | nihanti vā prakopena svargamārganirodhakam

"So go quickly from here, before some brahmin, in his anger, curses or destroys you, obstructer of the path to heaven that you are."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.31.69)

सूत उवाच । ततः स दुःखितो राजा निश्चक्राम भयार्दितः । चमत्कारपुरात्तस्माद्वैलक्ष्यं परमं गतः

sūta uvāca | tataḥ sa duḥkhito rājā niścakrāma bhayārditaḥ | camatkārapurāttasmādvailakṣyaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

Suta said: Then that grieving king, stricken with fear and overcome with the deepest shame, departed from that Chamatkarapura.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.31.70)

चिन्तयामास राजेंद्र स्मृत्वावस्थां पितुश्च ताम् । किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं मे स्यात्पितुर्गतिः

cintayāmāsa rājeṁdra smṛtvāvasthāṁ pituśca tām | kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ me syātpiturgatiḥ

O king, remembering his father's plight, he fell to thinking: What shall I do, where shall I go, how shall my father attain release?

Verse 71 (skanda.6.31.71)

ततः स सचिवान्सर्वान्प्रेषयित्वा गृहं प्रति । एकाकी भिक्षुरूपेण स्थितस्तत्रैव सत्पुरे

tataḥ sa sacivānsarvānpreṣayitvā gṛhaṁ prati | ekākī bhikṣurūpeṇa sthitastatraiva satpure

Then, sending all his ministers back home, he himself, alone, in the guise of a mendicant, remained right there in that fine city.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.31.72)

स ज्ञात्वा नगरे तत्र ब्राह्मणं शंसितव्रतम् । सर्वेषां ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां मध्ये दाक्षिण्यभाजनम्

sa jñātvā nagare tatra brāhmaṇaṁ śaṁsitavratam | sarveṣāṁ brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ madhye dākṣiṇyabhājanam

In that city he learned of a brahmin of firm vows, who among all the foremost brahmins was regarded as a model of graciousness --

Verse 73 (skanda.6.31.73)

देवशर्माभिधानं तु शरणागतवत्सलम् । आहिताग्निं चतुर्वेदं स्मृतिमार्गानुयायिनम्

devaśarmābhidhānaṁ tu śaraṇāgatavatsalam | āhitāgniṁ caturvedaṁ smṛtimārgānuyāyinam

-- named Devasharman, tender toward those who sought refuge with him, a keeper of the sacred fire, versed in all four Vedas, and a follower of the path of the smritis.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.31.74)

ततस्तु प्रातरुत्थाय कृत्वांत्यजमयं वपुः । शोधयामास कृच्छ्रेण मलोत्सर्गनिकेतनम्

tatastu prātarutthāya kṛtvāṁtyajamayaṁ vapuḥ | śodhayāmāsa kṛcchreṇa malotsarganiketanam

Then, rising in the morning and disguising his body as that of an outcaste, he began, with great difficulty, to clean the place where filth was disposed of.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.31.75)

अथ यः कुरुते कर्म तत्र विष्ठाप्रशोधनम् । सोऽभ्येत्य तमुवाचेदं कोपसंरक्तलोचनः

atha yaḥ kurute karma tatra viṣṭhāpraśodhanam | so'bhyetya tamuvācedaṁ kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ

Then the man who was employed there to clean away the filth came up to him, his eyes red with anger, and said --

Verse 76 (skanda.6.31.76)

कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तो मद्वृत्तेरुपघातकृत् । तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं नो चेन्नयिष्ये यमसादनम्

kutastvamiha saṁprāpto madvṛtterupaghātakṛt | tasmādgaccha drutaṁ no cennayiṣye yamasādanam

"Where have you come from, to spoil my livelihood here? So be off with you at once, or I shall send you to Yama's abode."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.31.77)

तस्यैवं वदतोऽप्याशु बलात्स पृथिवीपतिः । शोधयामास तत्स्थानं देवशर्मसमुद्भवम्

tasyaivaṁ vadato'pyāśu balātsa pṛthivīpatiḥ | śodhayāmāsa tatsthānaṁ devaśarmasamudbhavam

Even as he spoke thus, that king went on forcibly cleaning that place belonging to Devasharman's household.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.31.78)

ततः संवत्सरस्यांते चंडालेन द्विजोत्तमाः । स प्रोक्त उचिते काले प्रणिपत्य च दूरतः

tataḥ saṁvatsarasyāṁte caṁḍālena dvijottamāḥ | sa prokta ucite kāle praṇipatya ca dūrataḥ

O best of brahmins, then, at the end of a year, at a fitting time, that outcaste, bowing from a distance, spoke to Devasharman --

Verse 79 (skanda.6.31.79)

स्वामिंस्तव कुलेप्येवं गूथाशोधनकर्मकृत् । तदस्माकं न चान्यस्य तत्किमन्यः प्रवेशितः

svāmiṁstava kulepyevaṁ gūthāśodhanakarmakṛt | tadasmākaṁ na cānyasya tatkimanyaḥ praveśitaḥ

"Master, this work of cleaning filth in your household has always been ours alone, and no one else's -- so why has another been set to it?"

Verse 80 (skanda.6.31.80)

अथ श्रुत्वा च तद्वाक्यं स प्राह द्विजसत्तमः । न मया कश्चिदन्योऽत्र निर्दिष्टो गोप्यकर्मणि । अधिकारस्त्वयात्मीयस्तथा कार्यो यथा पुरा

atha śrutvā ca tadvākyaṁ sa prāha dvijasattamaḥ | na mayā kaścidanyo'tra nirdiṣṭo gopyakarmaṇi | adhikārastvayātmīyastathā kāryo yathā purā

Hearing this, that excellent brahmin said: I have appointed no one else here to this hidden task; you should carry out your own charge just as you did before.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.31.81)

तदान्यदिवसे प्राप्ते सोंऽत्यजः कोपसंयुतः । शस्त्रमादाय संप्राप्तो वधार्थं तस्य भूपतेः

tadānyadivase prāpte soṁ'tyajaḥ kopasaṁyutaḥ | śastramādāya saṁprāpto vadhārthaṁ tasya bhūpateḥ

Then, on the following day, that outcaste, filled with rage, came armed with a weapon to kill that king.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.31.82)

शस्त्रोद्यतकरं दृष्ट्वा प्रहारेकृतनिश्चयम् । ततस्तं लीलया भूयो मुष्टिना मूर्ध्न्यताडयत्

śastrodyatakaraṁ dṛṣṭvā prahārekṛtaniścayam | tatastaṁ līlayā bhūyo muṣṭinā mūrdhnyatāḍayat

Seeing him with his weapon raised, resolved on striking, the king simply, without effort, struck him on the head with his fist.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.31.83)

ततस्तस्य विनिष्क्रांते लोचने तत्क्षणाद्द्विजाः । सुस्राव रुधिरं पश्चात्पपात गतजीवितः

tatastasya viniṣkrāṁte locane tatkṣaṇāddvijāḥ | susrāva rudhiraṁ paścātpapāta gatajīvitaḥ

O brahmins, at that very instant his eyes started from their sockets, blood then flowed from him, and he fell down lifeless.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.31.84)

तं श्रुत्वा निहतं तेन चंडालं निजकिंकरम् । देवशर्मातिकोपेन तद्वधार्थमुपागतः

taṁ śrutvā nihataṁ tena caṁḍālaṁ nijakiṁkaram | devaśarmātikopena tadvadhārthamupāgataḥ

Hearing that his own servant, that outcaste, had been slain, Devasharman, in great fury, came to kill him in turn.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.31.85)

ततः पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च सहितोऽन्यैश्च बन्धुभिः । लोष्टैस्तं ताडयामास भर्त्समानो मुहुर्मुहुः

tataḥ putraiśca pautraiśca sahito'nyaiśca bandhubhiḥ | loṣṭaistaṁ tāḍayāmāsa bhartsamāno muhurmuhuḥ

Then, together with his sons, grandsons, and other kinsmen, rebuking him again and again, he pelted him with clods of earth.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.31.86)

सोऽपि संताड्यमानस्तु प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृतः । वेदोच्चारं ततश्चक्रे दर्शयित्वोपवीतकम्

so'pi saṁtāḍyamānastu prahārairjarjarīkṛtaḥ | vedoccāraṁ tataścakre darśayitvopavītakam

Even as he, thus struck, was battered by the blows, he then began to recite the Veda, showing his sacred thread.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.31.87)

अथ ते विस्मिताः सर्वे देवशर्मपुरःसराः । ब्राह्मणास्तं समुद्वीक्ष्य वेदोच्चारपरायणम्

atha te vismitāḥ sarve devaśarmapuraḥsarāḥ | brāhmaṇāstaṁ samudvīkṣya vedoccāraparāyaṇam

Then all those brahmins, with Devasharman at their head, seeing him wholly absorbed in reciting the Veda, were struck with wonder.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.31.88)

पृष्टश्च किमिदं कर्म तवांत्यजजनोचितम् । एषा वेदात्मिका वाणी स्पष्टाक्षरकलस्वना । तत्किं शापपरिभ्रष्टस्त्वं कश्चिद्ब्राह्मणोत्तमः

pṛṣṭaśca kimidaṁ karma tavāṁtyajajanocitam | eṣā vedātmikā vāṇī spaṣṭākṣarakalasvanā | tatkiṁ śāpaparibhraṣṭastvaṁ kaścidbrāhmaṇottamaḥ

They asked: Why do you do this work fit only for an outcaste, when this voice of yours has the very ring of the Veda, clear in its syllables and sweet? Are you, then, some excellent brahmin fallen through a curse?

Verse 89 (skanda.6.31.89)

येनैवं कुरुषे कर्म गर्हितं चांत्यजैरपि । ततः स प्रहसन्नाह क्षत्रियोऽहं महीपतिः । विष्णुसेन इति ख्यातो हैहयान्वयसंभवः

yenaivaṁ kuruṣe karma garhitaṁ cāṁtyajairapi | tataḥ sa prahasannāha kṣatriyo'haṁ mahīpatiḥ | viṣṇusena iti khyāto haihayānvayasaṁbhavaḥ

"...that you should perform an act condemned even by outcastes?" Then he, laughing, said: I am a kshatriya, a king, known by the name Vishnusena, born in the Haihaya lineage.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.31.90)

सोहमाराधनार्थाय त्वस्मिन्स्थान उपागतः । अद्य संवत्सरो जातः कर्मण्यस्मिन्रतस्य च

sohamārādhanārthāya tvasminsthāna upāgataḥ | adya saṁvatsaro jātaḥ karmaṇyasminratasya ca

I have come to this place for the sake of this very worship; today marks a full year since I began this task.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.31.91)

सूत उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स विप्रः कृपयान्वितः । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा तमुवाच महीपतिम्

sūta uvāca | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sa vipraḥ kṛpayānvitaḥ | kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā tamuvāca mahīpatim

Suta said: Hearing his words, that brahmin was filled with compassion, and, with joined palms, said to the king --

Verse 92 (skanda.6.31.92)

किं तत्कृत्यं समुद्दिश्य त्वयैतत्कर्म गर्हितम् । कृतं कीर्तय येनाशु तवाभीष्टं करोम्यहम्

kiṁ tatkṛtyaṁ samuddiśya tvayaitatkarma garhitam | kṛtaṁ kīrtaya yenāśu tavābhīṣṭaṁ karomyaham

"Tell me for what purpose you undertook this degrading task, so that I may swiftly grant your wish."

Verse 93 (skanda.6.31.93)

नास्ति मे किञ्चिदप्राप्तं तथाऽसाध्यं महीपते । तस्मात्तव करिष्यामि कृत्यं यद्यपि दुर्लभम्

nāsti me kiñcidaprāptaṁ tathā'sādhyaṁ mahīpate | tasmāttava kariṣyāmi kṛtyaṁ yadyapi durlabham

"O king, there is nothing beyond my reach or beyond my power; therefore I shall accomplish your task, however difficult it may be."

Verse 94 (skanda.6.31.94)

राजा उवाच । पिता ममाहिना दष्टः प्रेतत्वं समुपागतः । सोऽत्र नागह्रदे श्राद्धे कृते मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

rājā uvāca | pitā mamāhinā daṣṭaḥ pretatvaṁ samupāgataḥ | so'tra nāgahrade śrāddhe kṛte muktimavāpnuyāt

The king said: My father was bitten by a serpent and has thus fallen into the state of a ghost; he can attain release only if the shraddha is performed here at this Naga-hrada.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.31.95)

तस्मात्तत्तारणार्थाय विप्रकृत्यं समाचर । एतदर्थं मयैतत्ते कृतं कर्म विगर्हितम्

tasmāttattāraṇārthāya viprakṛtyaṁ samācara | etadarthaṁ mayaitatte kṛtaṁ karma vigarhitam

"Therefore, for his deliverance, perform the brahmin's part [accepting the offering]; it was for this very purpose that I performed this degrading service for you."

Verse 96 (skanda.6.31.96)

देवशर्मा उवाच । एवं कुरु नृपश्रेष्ठ श्राद्धेऽहं ते पितुः स्वयम् । ब्राह्मणः संभविष्यामि तस्माच्छ्राद्धं समाचर

devaśarmā uvāca | evaṁ kuru nṛpaśreṣṭha śrāddhe'haṁ te pituḥ svayam | brāhmaṇaḥ saṁbhaviṣyāmi tasmācchrāddhaṁ samācara

Devasharman said: So be it, O best of kings; I myself will be the brahmin at your father's shraddha, so go ahead and perform it.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.31.97)

सूत उवाच । अथ ते सुहृदस्तस्य पुत्राः पौत्राश्च बांधवाः । प्रोचुर्नैतत्प्रयुक्तं ते श्राद्धं भोक्तुं विगर्हितम्

sūta uvāca | atha te suhṛdastasya putrāḥ pautrāśca bāṁdhavāḥ | procurnaitatprayuktaṁ te śrāddhaṁ bhoktuṁ vigarhitam

Suta said: Then his friends, sons, grandsons, and kinsmen said: "It is not fitting for you to partake of this degrading shraddha."

Verse 98 (skanda.6.31.98)

तस्माद्यदि भवानस्य श्राद्धे भोक्ता ततः स्वयम् । सर्वे भवन्तं त्यक्षामस्तथान्येऽपि द्विजोत्तमाः

tasmādyadi bhavānasya śrāddhe bhoktā tataḥ svayam | sarve bhavantaṁ tyakṣāmastathānye'pi dvijottamāḥ

"Therefore, if you yourself become the eater at this shraddha, all of us -- and the other excellent brahmins too -- will abandon you."

Verse 99 (skanda.6.31.99)

देवशर्मा उवाच । कामं त्यजत मां सर्वे यूयमन्येऽपि ये द्विजाः । मयैवास्य प्रतिज्ञातं भोक्तुं श्राद्धे महीपतेः

devaśarmā uvāca | kāmaṁ tyajata māṁ sarve yūyamanye'pi ye dvijāḥ | mayaivāsya pratijñātaṁ bhoktuṁ śrāddhe mahīpateḥ

Devasharman said: You and all the other brahmins may abandon me if you wish -- I myself have vowed to partake of this king's shraddha.

Verse 100 (skanda.6.31.100)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा स विप्रेंद्रस्तेनैव सहितस्तदा । नागह्रदं समासाद्य श्राद्धे वै भुक्तवानथ

sūta uvāca | evamuktvā sa vipreṁdrastenaiva sahitastadā | nāgahradaṁ samāsādya śrāddhe vai bhuktavānatha

Suta said: Having said this, that foremost of brahmins, together with the king, went to the Naga-hrada, and there partook of the shraddha offering.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.31.101)

भुक्तमात्रे ततस्तस्मिन्वागुवाचाशरीरिणी । नादयंती जगत्सर्वं हर्षयंती महीपतिम्

bhuktamātre tatastasminvāguvācāśarīriṇī | nādayaṁtī jagatsarvaṁ harṣayaṁtī mahīpatim

As soon as the meal was taken, a disembodied voice was heard, resounding through the entire world and filling the king with joy --

Verse 102 (skanda.6.31.102)

प्रेतभावाद्विनिर्मुक्तः पुत्राहं त्वत्प्रभावतः । स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सांप्रतं त्रिदिवालयम्

pretabhāvādvinirmuktaḥ putrāhaṁ tvatprabhāvataḥ | svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi sāṁprataṁ tridivālayam

"O son, by your very power I am now freed from the state of a ghost; may all be well with you -- now I go to the abode of the gods."

Verse 103 (skanda.6.31.103)

तत्कृत्वा नृपतिर्हृष्टस्तं प्रणम्य द्विजोत्तमम् । प्रोवाच कुरु मे वाक्यं यद्ब्रवीमि द्विजोत्तम

tatkṛtvā nṛpatirhṛṣṭastaṁ praṇamya dvijottamam | provāca kuru me vākyaṁ yadbravīmi dvijottama

When this had come to pass, the king, overjoyed, bowed to that excellent brahmin and said: O best of brahmins, do as I now ask of you.

Verse 104 (skanda.6.31.104)

अस्ति माहिष्मतीनाम नगरी नर्मदातटे । सा चास्माकं राजधानी पितृपर्यागता विभो

asti māhiṣmatīnāma nagarī narmadātaṭe | sā cāsmākaṁ rājadhānī pitṛparyāgatā vibho

"There is a city named Mahishmati on the bank of the Narmada; O lord, that is our capital, come down to us from our forefathers."

Verse 105 (skanda.6.31.105)

अहं यच्छामि ते ब्रह्मन्समस्तविषयान्विताम् । मया भृत्येन तत्रस्थः कुरु राज्यमकंटकम्

ahaṁ yacchāmi te brahmansamastaviṣayānvitām | mayā bhṛtyena tatrasthaḥ kuru rājyamakaṁṭakam

"O brahmin, I give it to you together with all its territories; with me as your servant, dwell there and rule the kingdom unopposed."

Verse 106 (skanda.6.31.106)

देवशर्मा उवाच । न चैतद्युज्यते वक्तुं न विप्रो राज्यमर्हति । तस्माद्गच्छ निजं राज्यं परिपालय पार्थिव

devaśarmā uvāca | na caitadyujyate vaktuṁ na vipro rājyamarhati | tasmādgaccha nijaṁ rājyaṁ paripālaya pārthiva

Devasharman said: It is not even fitting to say this -- a brahmin has no claim to a kingdom; so go, O king, and rule your own realm.

Verse 107 (skanda.6.31.107)

सूत उवाच । एवं विसर्जितस्तेन जगाम स महापतिः । स्वं देशं हर्षसंयुक्तः कृतकृत्यो द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca | evaṁ visarjitastena jagāma sa mahāpatiḥ | svaṁ deśaṁ harṣasaṁyuktaḥ kṛtakṛtyo dvijottamāḥ

Suta said: O best of brahmins, thus dismissed by him, that great king, his purpose fulfilled, departed joyfully for his own land.

Verse 108 (skanda.6.31.108)

सोऽपि सर्वैः परित्यक्तो ब्राह्मणैः पुरवासिभिः । देवशर्मा समुद्दिश्य दोषं श्राद्धसमुद्भवम्

so'pi sarvaiḥ parityakto brāhmaṇaiḥ puravāsibhiḥ | devaśarmā samuddiśya doṣaṁ śrāddhasamudbhavam

Devasharman, in turn, was abandoned by all the brahmins of the city, who cited the taint arising from that shraddha.

Verse 109 (skanda.6.31.109)

ततो नागह्रदे तस्मिन्स कृत्वा निजमन्दिरम् । निवासमकरोत्तत्र स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः

tato nāgahrade tasminsa kṛtvā nijamandiram | nivāsamakarottatra svādhyāyanirataḥ śuciḥ

Then, having built his own dwelling right there at that Naga-hrada, he took up residence there, pure and devoted to the study of scripture.

Verse 110 (skanda.6.31.110)

तत्रस्थस्य निरस्तस्य ये पुत्राः स्युर्द्विजोत्तमाः । तेषां संततयो ऽद्यापि ते प्रोक्ता बाह्यवासिनः

tatrasthasya nirastasya ye putrāḥ syurdvijottamāḥ | teṣāṁ saṁtatayo 'dyāpi te proktā bāhyavāsinaḥ

O best of brahmins, the sons born to him there, the outcast one, and their descendants, are even today spoken of as "the outer-dwellers."

Verse 111 (skanda.6.31.111)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं नागतीर्थसमुद्भवम् । माहात्म्यं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ nāgatīrthasamudbhavam | māhātmyaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

O foremost of brahmins, this entire glory, born of the Naga-tirtha, destroying all sin, has now been told to you in full.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.31.112)

यश्चैतत्पठते भक्त्या संप्राप्ते पंचमीदिने । शृणुयाद्वा न वंशेऽपि तस्य स्यात्सार्पजं भयम्

yaścaitatpaṭhate bhaktyā saṁprāpte paṁcamīdine | śṛṇuyādvā na vaṁśe'pi tasya syātsārpajaṁ bhayam

Whoever, when the fifth day arrives, reads this with devotion, or hears it, in his family line there will never be fear born of serpents.

Verse 113 (skanda.6.31.113)

तथा विमुच्यते पापाद्भक्षजातान्न संशयः । कृतादज्ञानतो विप्राः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

tathā vimucyate pāpādbhakṣajātānna saṁśayaḥ | kṛtādajñānato viprāḥ satyametanmayoditam

O brahmins, he is freed, without doubt, even from sins arising from unwitting transgression -- this I declare to be true.

Verse 114 (skanda.6.31.114)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन नागतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । माहात्म्यं पठनीयं वा श्रोतव्यं वा समाहितैः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena nāgatīrthamanuttamam | māhātmyaṁ paṭhanīyaṁ vā śrotavyaṁ vā samāhitaiḥ

Therefore, with utmost effort and a composed mind, one should read or listen to the glory of this most excellent Naga-tirtha.

Verse 115 (skanda.6.31.115)

श्राद्धकाले तु संप्राप्ते यश्चैतत्पठते द्विजः । स प्राप्नोति फलं कृत्स्नं गयाश्राद्धसमुद्भवम्

śrāddhakāle tu saṁprāpte yaścaitatpaṭhate dvijaḥ | sa prāpnoti phalaṁ kṛtsnaṁ gayāśrāddhasamudbhavam

The brahmin who reads this when the time for shraddha has come obtains the entire fruit that comes from performing the shraddha at Gaya.

Verse 116 (skanda.6.31.116)

तथा ये कीर्तिता दोषाः श्राद्धे द्रव्यसमुद्भवाः । व्रतवैक्लव्यजाश्चापि तथा ब्राह्मणसंभवाः

tathā ye kīrtitā doṣāḥ śrāddhe dravyasamudbhavāḥ | vratavaiklavyajāścāpi tathā brāhmaṇasaṁbhavāḥ

And whatever faults are spoken of as arising in a shraddha -- from the materials offered, from lapses in observance, or from the brahmins themselves --

Verse 117 (skanda.6.31.117)

ते सर्वे नाशमायांति कीर्त्यमाने समाहितैः । नागह्रदस्य माहात्म्ये श्राद्धकाल उपस्थिते

te sarve nāśamāyāṁti kīrtyamāne samāhitaiḥ | nāgahradasya māhātmye śrāddhakāla upasthite

-- all of these are destroyed, when, at the time of shraddha, this glory of the Naga-hrada is recited by those with composed minds.

Verse 118 (skanda.6.31.118)

तथा विनिहता गोभिर्ब्राह्मणैः श्वापदैरपि । एतस्मिन्पठिते श्राद्धे गच्छंति परमां गतिम्

tathā vinihatā gobhirbrāhmaṇaiḥ śvāpadairapi | etasminpaṭhite śrāddhe gacchaṁti paramāṁ gatim

Likewise, even those killed by cows, by brahmins, or by wild beasts attain the highest state, when this account is recited at their shraddha.