The Greatness of Bhrunagarta and the Deliverance of King Saudasa

Verse 1 (skanda.6.53.1)

सूत उवाच॥ तत्रैवोज्जयनीपीठमस्ति कामप्रदं नृणाम्॥ प्रभूताश्चर्यसंयुक्तं बहुसिद्धनिषेवितम्

sūta uvāca tatraivojjayanīpīṭhamasti kāmapradaṁ nṛṇām prabhūtāścaryasaṁyuktaṁ bahusiddhaniṣevitam

Suta said: "There, too, is the Ujjayani-pitha, which grants desires to men, full of great wonders, and frequented by many siddhas."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.53.2)

यस्य मध्यगतो नित्यं स्वयमेव महेश्वरः॥ महाकालस्वरूपेण स तिष्ठति द्विजोत्तमाः

yasya madhyagato nityaṁ svayameva maheśvaraḥ mahākālasvarūpeṇa sa tiṣṭhati dvijottamāḥ

In the middle of it, O best of the twice-born, Maheshvara himself ever abides, in the form of Mahakala.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.53.3)

वैशाख्यां यो नरस्तत्र कृत्वा श्राद्धं समाहितः॥ ततः पश्यति देवेशं महाकाल इति स्मृतम्॥ पूजयेद्दक्षिणां मूर्तिं समाश्रित्य द्विजोत्तमाः

vaiśākhyāṁ yo narastatra kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ samāhitaḥ tataḥ paśyati deveśaṁ mahākāla iti smṛtam pūjayeddakṣiṇāṁ mūrtiṁ samāśritya dvijottamāḥ

Whoever, in Vaishakha, performs shraddha there with a composed mind and then beholds the Lord of gods known as Mahakala, and worships his southern form, O best of the twice-born --

Verse 4 (skanda.6.53.4)

दश पूर्वान्दशातीतानात्मानं च द्विजोत्तमाः॥ पुरुषान्स समुद्धृत्य शिवलोके महीयते

daśa pūrvāndaśātītānātmānaṁ ca dvijottamāḥ puruṣānsa samuddhṛtya śivaloke mahīyate

he uplifts, O best of the twice-born, ten generations before him, ten after, and himself, and is honoured in the world of Shiva.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.53.5)

यो यं काममभिध्याय तत्र पीठं प्रपूजयेत्॥ संपूज्य योगिनीवृंदं कन्यकावृन्दमेव च

yo yaṁ kāmamabhidhyāya tatra pīṭhaṁ prapūjayet saṁpūjya yoginīvṛṁdaṁ kanyakāvṛndameva ca

Whoever, holding some desire in mind, worships that seat there, and duly worships the assembly of yoginis and the assembly of maidens as well,

Verse 6 (skanda.6.53.6)

स तत्कृत्स्नमवाप्नोति यदपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्॥ तत्र वैशाखमासस्य पौर्णमास्यां समाहितः

sa tatkṛtsnamavāpnoti yadapi syātsudurlabham tatra vaiśākhamāsasya paurṇamāsyāṁ samāhitaḥ

he obtains that wish fully, however hard to attain it may be, if he is composed there on the full moon of Vaishakha.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.53.7)

श्रद्धायुक्तो नरो यो वा उपवासपरः शुचिः॥ करोति जागरं तस्य पुरतः श्रद्धयान्वितः॥ स याति परमं स्थानं जरामरणवर्जितम्

śraddhāyukto naro yo vā upavāsaparaḥ śuciḥ karoti jāgaraṁ tasya purataḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ jarāmaraṇavarjitam

And the man who, filled with faith, pure, devoted to fasting, keeps a night vigil before it with faith, attains the supreme state free of old age and death.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.53.8)

किं व्रतैः किं वृथा दानैः किं जपैर्नियमेन वा॥ महाकालस्य ते सर्वे कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्

kiṁ vrataiḥ kiṁ vṛthā dānaiḥ kiṁ japairniyamena vā mahākālasya te sarve kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

What use are vows, what use futile gifts, what use recitations or restraints? All these together do not equal a sixteenth part of the merit of Mahakala.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.53.9)

सूत उवाच॥ तत्रैवास्ति महाभागा भ्रूणगर्तेति विश्रुता॥ गर्ता सुविपुलाकारा सर्वपातकनाशिनी

sūta uvāca tatraivāsti mahābhāgā bhrūṇagarteti viśrutā gartā suvipulākārā sarvapātakanāśinī

Suta said: "There, too, is a most sacred pit renowned as Bhrunagarta, vast in extent, destroying all sin."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.53.10)

ब्रह्महत्याविनिर्मुक्तः सौदासो यत्र पार्थिवः॥ स्त्रीहत्यया विनिर्मुक्तः सुषेणो वसुधाधिपः

brahmahatyāvinirmuktaḥ saudāso yatra pārthivaḥ strīhatyayā vinirmuktaḥ suṣeṇo vasudhādhipaḥ

There King Saudasa was freed from the sin of killing a brahmin, and King Sushena was freed from the sin of killing a woman.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.53.11)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ ब्रह्महत्या कथं तस्य सौदासस्य महीपतेः॥ ब्रह्मण्यस्यापि संजाता तदस्माकं प्रकीर्तय

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ brahmahatyā kathaṁ tasya saudāsasya mahīpateḥ brahmaṇyasyāpi saṁjātā tadasmākaṁ prakīrtaya

The sages said: "How did the sin of killing a brahmin befall King Saudasa, even though he was devoted to brahmins? Tell us this."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.53.12)

श्रूयते स महीपालो ब्राह्मणानां हिते रतः॥ कर्मणा मनसा वाचा ब्रह्मघ्नः सोऽभवत्कथम्

śrūyate sa mahīpālo brāhmaṇānāṁ hite rataḥ karmaṇā manasā vācā brahmaghnaḥ so'bhavatkatham

"We have heard that that king was devoted to the welfare of brahmins in deed, mind, and speech; how then did he become a killer of brahmins?"

Verse 13 (skanda.6.53.13)

विमुक्तश्च कथं भूयो भ्रूणगर्तामुपाश्रितः॥ सापि गर्ता कथं जाता सर्वं नो वद विस्तरात्

vimuktaśca kathaṁ bhūyo bhrūṇagartāmupāśritaḥ sāpi gartā kathaṁ jātā sarvaṁ no vada vistarāt

"And how, having taken refuge in Bhrunagarta, was he then freed? And how did that pit itself come into being? Tell us all this in detail."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.53.14)

सूत उवाच॥ यदा लिंगस्य पातोऽभूद्देवदेवस्य शूलिनः॥ तदा स लज्जयाविष्टो लिंगाभावाद्द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca yadā liṁgasya pāto'bhūddevadevasya śūlinaḥ tadā sa lajjayāviṣṭo liṁgābhāvāddvijottamāḥ

Suta said: "When the linga of the trident-bearing God of gods fell, then, O best of the twice-born, overcome with shame at the loss of the linga,"

Verse 15 (skanda.6.53.15)

कृत्वाऽतिविपुलां गर्तां प्रविवेश ततः परम्॥ न कस्यचित्तदात्मानं दर्शयामास शूलधृक्

kṛtvā'tivipulāṁ gartāṁ praviveśa tataḥ param na kasyacittadātmānaṁ darśayāmāsa śūladhṛk

"he made a very vast pit and then entered it; the trident-bearer did not show himself to anyone thereafter."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.53.16)

एवं सा तत्र संजाता गर्ता ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः॥ यथा तस्यां विपाप्माभूत्सौदासस्तद्वदाम्यहम्

evaṁ sā tatra saṁjātā gartā brāhmaṇasattamāḥ yathā tasyāṁ vipāpmābhūtsaudāsastadvadāmyaham

"Thus that pit came into being there, O best of brahmins; I shall now tell you how Saudasa became free of sin in it."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.53.17)

आसीन्मित्रसहोनाम राजा परमधार्मिकः॥ सौदासस्तत्सुतः साक्षात्सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः

āsīnmitrasahonāma rājā paramadhārmikaḥ saudāsastatsutaḥ sākṣātsūryavaṁśasamudbhavaḥ

"There was a supremely righteous king named Mitrasaha; Saudasa was truly his son, born in the solar dynasty."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.53.18)

तेनेष्टं विपुलैर्यज्ञैः सुवर्णवरदक्षिणैः॥ असंख्यातानि दानानि प्रदत्तानि महात्मना

teneṣṭaṁ vipulairyajñaiḥ suvarṇavaradakṣiṇaiḥ asaṁkhyātāni dānāni pradattāni mahātmanā

"He performed many great sacrifices with lavish gold as sacrificial fees, and that great soul bestowed countless gifts."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.53.19)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य सत्रे द्वादशवार्षिके॥ वर्तमाने यथान्यायं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

kasyacittvatha kālasya satre dvādaśavārṣike vartamāne yathānyāyaṁ vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā

"After some time, while a twelve-year sacrificial session was in progress, conducted duly according to the rites prescribed,"

Verse 20 (skanda.6.53.20)

क्रूराक्षः क्रूरबुद्धिश्च राक्षसौ बलवत्तरौ॥ यज्ञविघ्नाय संप्राप्तौ संप्राप्ते रजनीमुखे

krūrākṣaḥ krūrabuddhiśca rākṣasau balavattarau yajñavighnāya saṁprāptau saṁprāpte rajanīmukhe

"two very powerful rakshasas, Kruraksha and Kruradhi, arrived at nightfall to disrupt the sacrifice."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.53.21)

राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सार्धं तथान्यैर्भूतसंज्ञितैः॥ पिशाचैश्च दुराधर्षैर्यज्ञविध्वंसतत्परैः

rākṣasairbahubhiḥ sārdhaṁ tathānyairbhūtasaṁjñitaiḥ piśācaiśca durādharṣairyajñavidhvaṁsatatparaiḥ

"together with many other rakshasas, and with other beings called bhutas and unassailable pishachas, all bent on destroying the sacrifice."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.53.22)

अथ ते राक्षसाः सर्वे किंचिच्छिद्रमवेक्ष्य च॥ विविशुर्यज्ञवाटं तं प्रसर्पन्तः समंततः

atha te rākṣasāḥ sarve kiṁcicchidramavekṣya ca viviśuryajñavāṭaṁ taṁ prasarpantaḥ samaṁtataḥ

"Then all those rakshasas, having found some opening, crept in from every side and entered the sacrificial enclosure."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.53.23)

निघ्नन्तो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठान्भक्षयन्तो हवींषि च॥ तथा यानि विचित्राणि यज्ञार्थे कल्पितानि च

nighnanto brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhānbhakṣayanto havīṁṣi ca tathā yāni vicitrāṇi yajñārthe kalpitāni ca

"They struck down the finest of the brahmins and devoured the oblations, as well as the various wonderful things arranged for the sacrifice."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.53.24)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र हाहाकारो महानभूत्॥ भक्ष्यमाणेषु विप्रेषु राक्षसैर्बलवत्तरैः

etasminnaṁtare tatra hāhākāro mahānabhūt bhakṣyamāṇeṣu vipreṣu rākṣasairbalavattaraiḥ

"Meanwhile a great cry of woe arose there, as the brahmins were being devoured by those most powerful rakshasas."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.53.25)

ततो मैत्रसहिः क्रुद्धस्त्यक्त्वा दीक्षाव्रतं नृपः॥ आदाय सशरं चापं ध्वंसयामास वीक्ष्य तान्

tato maitrasahiḥ kruddhastyaktvā dīkṣāvrataṁ nṛpaḥ ādāya saśaraṁ cāpaṁ dhvaṁsayāmāsa vīkṣya tān

"Then the son of Mitrasaha, enraged, abandoned his vow of consecration, and taking up bow and arrows, seeing them, set about destroying them."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.53.26)

कृतरक्षो वसिष्ठेन स्वयमेव पुरोधसा॥ क्रूराक्षं सूदयामास राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सह

kṛtarakṣo vasiṣṭhena svayameva purodhasā krūrākṣaṁ sūdayāmāsa rākṣasairbahubhiḥ saha

"Protected by Vasishtha himself, his own priest, he slew Kruraksha, along with many rakshasas."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.53.27)

क्रूरबुद्धिरथो वीक्ष्य हतं श्रेष्ठं सहोदरम्॥ तं च पार्थिवशार्दूलमगम्यं ब्रह्मतेजसा

krūrabuddhiratho vīkṣya hataṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sahodaram taṁ ca pārthivaśārdūlamagamyaṁ brahmatejasā

"Then Kruradhi, seeing his elder brother slain, and that the tiger among kings was unassailable because of the brahmanical power protecting him,"

Verse 28 (skanda.6.53.28)

हतशेषान्समादाय राक्षसान्बलसंयुतः॥ पलायनं भयाच्चक्रे क्षतांगस्तस्य सायकैः

hataśeṣānsamādāya rākṣasānbalasaṁyutaḥ palāyanaṁ bhayāccakre kṣatāṁgastasya sāyakaiḥ

"gathering the surviving rakshasas, though full of strength, his limbs wounded by the king's arrows, he fled in fear."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.53.29)

ततस्तद्वैरमाश्रित्य भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य राक्षसः॥ छिद्रमन्वेषयामास तद्वधाय दिवानिशम्

tatastadvairamāśritya bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya rākṣasaḥ chidramanveṣayāmāsa tadvadhāya divāniśam

"Then, nursing that enmity for his elder brother, the rakshasa searched day and night for an opening to kill the king."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.53.30)

एवं सवीक्षमाणस्य तस्य च्छिद्रं महात्मनः॥ समाप्तिमगमद्विप्राः सत्रं तद्द्वादशाब्दिकम्

evaṁ savīkṣamāṇasya tasya cchidraṁ mahātmanaḥ samāptimagamadviprāḥ satraṁ taddvādaśābdikam

"While he thus kept watching for an opening in that great soul, O brahmins, the twelve-year sacrificial session came to its completion."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.53.31)

न सूक्ष्ममपि संप्राप्तं छिद्रं तेन दुरात्मना॥ वसिष्ठविहिता रक्षा सत्रे तस्य महीपतेः

na sūkṣmamapi saṁprāptaṁ chidraṁ tena durātmanā vasiṣṭhavihitā rakṣā satre tasya mahīpateḥ

"That wicked one did not find even the slightest opening, because the protection ordained by Vasishtha guarded the king throughout the sacrifice."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.53.32)

अथासौ ब्राह्मणान्सर्वान्विसृज्याहितदक्षिणान्॥ कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्

athāsau brāhmaṇānsarvānvisṛjyāhitadakṣiṇān kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā vasiṣṭhamidamabravīt

"Then, having dismissed all the brahmins after giving them due gifts, he folded his hands and said this to Vasishtha:"

Verse 33 (skanda.6.53.33)

स्वहस्तेन गुरोद्याहं त्वां भोजयितुमुत्सहे॥ क्रियतां तत्प्रसादो मे भुक्त्वाद्य मम मन्दिरे

svahastena gurodyāhaṁ tvāṁ bhojayitumutsahe kriyatāṁ tatprasādo me bhuktvādya mama mandire

"'O guru, today I wish to feed you with my own hands; grant me this favour by dining today in my palace.'"

Verse 34 (skanda.6.53.34)

सूत उवाच॥ स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः॥ क्षालितांघ्रिः स्वयं तेन निविष्टो भोजनाय वै

sūta uvāca sa tatheti pratijñāya vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ kṣālitāṁghriḥ svayaṁ tena niviṣṭo bhojanāya vai

Suta said: "Vasishtha, best of sages, agreeing, saying 'so be it,' had his feet washed by the king himself and sat down to eat."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.53.35)

कूरबुद्धिरथो वीक्ष्य तदर्थं चामिषं शुभम्॥ सुसंस्कृतं विधानेन सूपकारैर्द्विजोत्तमाः

kūrabuddhiratho vīkṣya tadarthaṁ cāmiṣaṁ śubham susaṁskṛtaṁ vidhānena sūpakārairdvijottamāḥ

Then Kruradhi, seeing that, for that occasion, good meat had been properly prepared according to rule by the cooks, O best of the twice-born,

Verse 36 (skanda.6.53.36)

उखां कृत्वा ततस्तादृक्तत्प्रमाणामतर्किताम्॥ महामांसाभृतां कृत्वा तां जहारामिषान्विताम्

ukhāṁ kṛtvā tatastādṛktatpramāṇāmatarkitām mahāmāṁsābhṛtāṁ kṛtvā tāṁ jahārāmiṣānvitām

he created an identical, unsuspected cooking-vessel of the same size, filled it with human flesh, and substituted that flesh-filled vessel.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.53.37)

अथासौ मुनिशार्दूलो भुंजानो बुबुधे हि तत्॥ महामांसमिति क्रुद्धस्तत्र प्रोवाच मन्युमान्

athāsau muniśārdūlo bhuṁjāno bubudhe hi tat mahāmāṁsamiti kruddhastatra provāca manyumān

Then that tiger among sages, while eating, recognized it as human flesh, and, enraged, filled with wrath, said there:

Verse 38 (skanda.6.53.38)

महामांसाशनं यस्मात्कारितोऽहं त्वयाधम॥ रक्षोवद्राक्षसस्तस्मात्त्वमद्यैव भविष्यसि

mahāmāṁsāśanaṁ yasmātkārito'haṁ tvayādhama rakṣovadrākṣasastasmāttvamadyaiva bhaviṣyasi

"'Since you, base one, have made me eat human flesh, you shall this very day become a rakshasa, one truly of that nature.'"

Verse 39 (skanda.6.53.39)

ततः संशोधयामास तस्य मांसस्य चागमम्॥ निपुणं सूपकारांस्तान्दृष्ट्वा राजा पृथक्पृथक्

tataḥ saṁśodhayāmāsa tasya māṁsasya cāgamam nipuṇaṁ sūpakārāṁstāndṛṣṭvā rājā pṛthakpṛthak

Then the king carefully investigated the origin of that meat, questioning the cooks one by one.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.53.40)

तेऽब्रुवन्नैतदस्माभिः श्रपितं मांसमीदृशम्॥ श्रद्धीयतां महीपाल नान्येन मनुजेन वा

te'bruvannaitadasmābhiḥ śrapitaṁ māṁsamīdṛśam śraddhīyatāṁ mahīpāla nānyena manujena vā

They said: "'This meat was not cooked by us; believe us, O king, nor was it cooked by any other human being.'"

Verse 41 (skanda.6.53.41)

राक्षसं वा पिशाचं वा दानवं वा विना विभो॥ एतज्ज्ञात्वा ततो नाथ यद्युक्तं तत्समाचर

rākṣasaṁ vā piśācaṁ vā dānavaṁ vā vinā vibho etajjñātvā tato nātha yadyuktaṁ tatsamācara

"'Except by some rakshasa, pishacha, or danava, O lord; knowing this, O master, do what is fitting.'"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.53.42)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्य नारदो मुनिसत्तमः॥ समागत्याब्रवीत्सर्वं तद्राक्षसविचेष्टितम्

etasminnaṁtare tasya nārado munisattamaḥ samāgatyābravītsarvaṁ tadrākṣasaviceṣṭitam

Meanwhile the best of sages, Narada, came there and told him the entire deed of that rakshasa.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.53.43)

तच्छ्रुत्वा कोपमापन्नः स राजा शप्तुमुद्यतः॥ वसिष्ठं स्वकरे कृत्वा जलं सौदासभूपतिः॥ शापोद्यतं च तं दृष्ट्वा नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā kopamāpannaḥ sa rājā śaptumudyataḥ vasiṣṭhaṁ svakare kṛtvā jalaṁ saudāsabhūpatiḥ śāpodyataṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā nārado vākyamabravīt

Hearing this, King Saudasa became enraged and, taking water in his hand, was ready to curse Vasishtha; and seeing him poised to curse, Narada spoke these words:

Verse 44 (skanda.6.53.44)

निघ्नन्तो वा शपन्तो वा द्विषन्तो वा द्विजातयः॥ नमस्कार्या महीपाल तथापि स्वहितेच्छुना॥ गुरुरेष पुनर्मान्यस्तव पार्थिवसत्तम

nighnanto vā śapanto vā dviṣanto vā dvijātayaḥ namaskāryā mahīpāla tathāpi svahitecchunā gurureṣa punarmānyastava pārthivasattama

"'Brahmins, whether they strike, curse, or hate us, are still to be revered, O king, by one who wishes his own welfare; moreover, this is your own guru, worthy of honour, O best of kings.'"

Verse 45 (skanda.6.53.45)

तस्मान्नार्हसि शप्तुं त्वं प्रतिशापेन सन्मुनिम्॥ निषिद्धः स तथा भूपस्ततस्तत्सलिलं करात्॥ पादयोः कृत्स्नमुपरि प्रमुमोच ततः परम्

tasmānnārhasi śaptuṁ tvaṁ pratiśāpena sanmunim niṣiddhaḥ sa tathā bhūpastatastatsalilaṁ karāt pādayoḥ kṛtsnamupari pramumoca tataḥ param

"'Therefore you ought not curse this holy sage with a counter-curse.'" Thus forbidden, the king then let that water in his hand fall entirely over his own feet.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.53.46)

अथ तौ चरणौ तस्य तप्तशापोदकप्लुतौ॥ दग्धौ कृष्णत्वमापन्नौ तत्क्षणाद्द्विजसत्तमाः

atha tau caraṇau tasya taptaśāpodakaplutau dagdhau kṛṣṇatvamāpannau tatkṣaṇāddvijasattamāḥ

Then, O best of brahmins, his two feet, drenched by that curse-charged, burning water, were scorched and turned black that very instant.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.53.47)

कल्माषपाद इत्युक्तस्ततःप्रभृति स क्षितौ॥ भूपालो द्विजशार्दूला नाम्ना तेन विशेषतः

kalmāṣapāda ityuktastataḥprabhṛti sa kṣitau bhūpālo dvijaśārdūlā nāmnā tena viśeṣataḥ

O tigers among the twice-born, from then on that king was known on earth specifically by the name Kalmashapada.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.53.48)

सूत उवाच॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो वसिष्ठो लज्जयान्वितः॥ ज्ञात्वा दत्तं वृथा शापं तस्य भूमिपतेस्तदा

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare vipro vasiṣṭho lajjayānvitaḥ jñātvā dattaṁ vṛthā śāpaṁ tasya bhūmipatestadā

Suta said: "Meanwhile the brahmin Vasishtha, filled with shame, realizing that a curse had been given in vain to that king,"

Verse 49 (skanda.6.53.49)

उवाच व्यर्थः शापोऽयं तव दत्तो मया नृप॥ न च मे जायते वाक्यमसत्यं हि कथंचन

uvāca vyarthaḥ śāpo'yaṁ tava datto mayā nṛpa na ca me jāyate vākyamasatyaṁ hi kathaṁcana

said: "'This curse of mine given to you, O king, was without cause; yet my word can never in any way become untrue.'"

Verse 50 (skanda.6.53.50)

तस्मात्त्वं राक्षसो भूत्वा कञ्चित्कालं नृपोत्तम॥ स्वरूपं लप्स्यसे भूयो यस्मिन्काले शृणुष्व तम्

tasmāttvaṁ rākṣaso bhūtvā kañcitkālaṁ nṛpottama svarūpaṁ lapsyase bhūyo yasminkāle śṛṇuṣva tam

"'Therefore, O best of kings, you shall become a rakshasa for some time; hear now the moment at which you shall regain your own form.'"

Verse 51 (skanda.6.53.51)

यदा त्वं क्रूरबुद्धिं तं राक्षसं निहनिष्यसि॥ तदा त्वं लप्स्यसे मोक्षं राक्षसत्वात्सुदारुणात्

yadā tvaṁ krūrabuddhiṁ taṁ rākṣasaṁ nihaniṣyasi tadā tvaṁ lapsyase mokṣaṁ rākṣasatvātsudāruṇāt

"'When you slay that rakshasa Kruradhi, then you shall be freed from that terrible state of being a rakshasa.'"

Verse 52 (skanda.6.53.52)

सूत उवाच॥ एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजा यातुधानो बभूव सः॥ ऊर्ध्वकेशो महाकायः कृष्णदन्तो भयानकः

sūta uvāca etasminnantare rājā yātudhāno babhūva saḥ ūrdhvakeśo mahākāyaḥ kṛṣṇadanto bhayānakaḥ

Suta said: "At that moment the king became a rakshasa -- his hair standing on end, his body huge, his teeth black, terrifying to behold."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.53.53)

ततो जघान विप्रेन्द्रान्राक्षसं भावमाश्रितः॥ यज्ञान्विध्वंसयामास मुनीनामाश्रमानपि

tato jaghāna viprendrānrākṣasaṁ bhāvamāśritaḥ yajñānvidhvaṁsayāmāsa munīnāmāśramānapi

Then, having taken on the nature of a rakshasa, he began killing the finest brahmins, and destroyed sacrifices and even the hermitages of sages.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.53.54)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य क्रूरबुद्धिः स राक्षसः॥ ज्ञात्वा तं राक्षसीभूतमेकदाऽऽयुधवर्जितम्

kasyacittvatha kālasya krūrabuddhiḥ sa rākṣasaḥ jñātvā taṁ rākṣasībhūtamekadā''yudhavarjitam

After some time, the rakshasa Kruradhi, learning that the king had become a rakshasa and was on one occasion without weapons,

Verse 55 (skanda.6.53.55)

भ्रातुर्वधकृतं वैरं स्मरमाणस्ततः परम्॥ तद्वधार्थं समायातो राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृतः

bhrāturvadhakṛtaṁ vairaṁ smaramāṇastataḥ param tadvadhārthaṁ samāyāto rākṣasairbahubhirvṛtaḥ

and recalling still further the enmity born from his brother's killing, came there, surrounded by many rakshasas, to kill him.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.53.56)

ततस्तं वेष्टयित्वापि समंताद्राक्षसो नृपम्॥ प्रोवाच वचनं क्रुद्धो नादेनापूरयन्दिशः

tatastaṁ veṣṭayitvāpi samaṁtādrākṣaso nṛpam provāca vacanaṁ kruddho nādenāpūrayandiśaḥ

Then that rakshasa, surrounding the king-turned-rakshasa on every side, spoke angrily, filling all directions with his roar:

Verse 57 (skanda.6.53.57)

त्वया यो निहतोऽस्माकं ज्येष्ठो भ्राता सुदुर्मते॥ वसिष्ठस्य बलाद्यज्ञे तस्याद्य फलमाप्नुहि

tvayā yo nihato'smākaṁ jyeṣṭho bhrātā sudurmate vasiṣṭhasya balādyajñe tasyādya phalamāpnuhi

"'O evil-minded one, you killed our elder brother at the sacrifice, by the power of Vasishtha; today receive its fruit.'"

Verse 58 (skanda.6.53.58)

राजोवाच॥ यद्ब्रवीषि दुराचार कर्मणा तत्समाचर॥ शारदस्येव मेघस्य गर्जितं तव निष्फलम्

rājovāca yadbravīṣi durācāra karmaṇā tatsamācara śāradasyeva meghasya garjitaṁ tava niṣphalam

The king said: "O evil one, do by action what you say in words; your roaring is fruitless, like the thunder of an autumn cloud."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.53.59)

एवमुक्त्वा समादाय ततो वृक्षं स पार्थिवः॥ प्राद्रवत्संमुखं तस्य गर्जमानो यथा घनः

evamuktvā samādāya tato vṛkṣaṁ sa pārthivaḥ prādravatsaṁmukhaṁ tasya garjamāno yathā ghanaḥ

Having said this, that king took up a tree and rushed toward him, roaring like a storm-cloud.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.53.60)

सोऽपि वृक्षं समुत्पाट्य क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः॥ त्रिशंखां भृकुटीं कृत्वा तस्याप्यभिमुखं ययौ

so'pi vṛkṣaṁ samutpāṭya krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ triśaṁkhāṁ bhṛkuṭīṁ kṛtvā tasyāpyabhimukhaṁ yayau

He too, uprooting a tree, his eyes red with rage, his brow furrowed into three lines, advanced to face him.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.53.61)

एवं द्वावपि तौ शूरौ वृक्षयुद्धं महाबलौ॥ कृतवन्तौ वने तत्र बहुवृक्षक्षयावहम्

evaṁ dvāvapi tau śūrau vṛkṣayuddhaṁ mahābalau kṛtavantau vane tatra bahuvṛkṣakṣayāvaham

Thus both those mighty heroes fought a battle of trees there in the forest, one that destroyed many trees.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.53.62)

अथ तं श्रांतमालोक्य कूरबुद्धिं महीपतिः॥ प्रगृह्य पादयोर्वेगाद्भ्रामयामास पुष्करे

atha taṁ śrāṁtamālokya kūrabuddhiṁ mahīpatiḥ pragṛhya pādayorvegādbhrāmayāmāsa puṣkare

Then, seeing Kruradhi grow weary, the king seized him swiftly by the feet and whirled him in the air.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.53.63)

ततश्चास्फोटयामास भूमौ कोपसमन्वितः॥ चक्रे चामिषखण्डं स पिष्ट्वापिष्ट्वा मुहुर्मुहुः

tataścāsphoṭayāmāsa bhūmau kopasamanvitaḥ cakre cāmiṣakhaṇḍaṁ sa piṣṭvāpiṣṭvā muhurmuhuḥ

Then, filled with rage, he dashed him upon the ground, and, pounding him again and again, reduced him to shreds of flesh.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.53.64)

तस्मिंस्तु निहते शूरे राक्षसे स महीपतिः॥ राक्षसत्वाद्विनिर्मुक्तो लेभे कायं नृपोद्भवम्

tasmiṁstu nihate śūre rākṣase sa mahīpatiḥ rākṣasatvādvinirmukto lebhe kāyaṁ nṛpodbhavam

When that heroic rakshasa was thus slain, the king was freed from his condition as a rakshasa and regained a body befitting a king.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.53.65)

ततस्ते राक्षसाः शेषाः समंतात्तं महीपतिम्॥ परिवार्य महावृक्षैर्जघ्नुः पाषाणवृष्टिभिः

tataste rākṣasāḥ śeṣāḥ samaṁtāttaṁ mahīpatim parivārya mahāvṛkṣairjaghnuḥ pāṣāṇavṛṣṭibhiḥ

Then the remaining rakshasas surrounded that king from every side and attacked him with great trees and showers of stones.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.53.66)

ततस्तानपि भूपालो जघान प्रहसन्निव॥ वृक्षहस्तस्तु विश्रब्धो लीलया द्विजसत्तमाः

tatastānapi bhūpālo jaghāna prahasanniva vṛkṣahastastu viśrabdho līlayā dvijasattamāḥ

Then the king, tree in hand, calm and unafraid, slew them too, almost laughing, as if in play, O best of brahmins.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.53.67)

ततश्च स्वपुरं प्राप्तः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः॥ राक्षसानां वधं कृत्वा लब्ध्वा देहं पुरातनम्

tataśca svapuraṁ prāptaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ rākṣasānāṁ vadhaṁ kṛtvā labdhvā dehaṁ purātanam

Then, having slain the rakshasas and regained his former body, he reached his own city, the hair on his body bristling with joy.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.53.68)

ततस्तं तेजसा हीनं दुर्गंधेन समावृतम्॥ ब्रह्महत्योद्भवैश्चिह्नैरन्यैरपि पृथग्विधैः

tatastaṁ tejasā hīnaṁ durgaṁdhena samāvṛtam brahmahatyodbhavaiścihnairanyairapi pṛthagvidhaiḥ

But then, seeing him devoid of his radiance, enveloped in a foul odour, and marked by various other signs arising from the sin of killing a brahmin,

Verse 69 (skanda.6.53.69)

दृष्ट्वा ते मंत्रिणस्तस्य पुत्र पौत्रास्तथा परे॥ नोपसर्पंति भूपालं पापस्पर्शभयान्विताः

dṛṣṭvā te maṁtriṇastasya putra pautrāstathā pare nopasarpaṁti bhūpālaṁ pāpasparśabhayānvitāḥ

his ministers, his sons and grandsons, and others, seeing this, did not approach the king, fearing contact with his sin.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.53.70)

ऊचुश्च पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ न त्वमर्हसि संगमम्॥ कर्तुं सार्धमिहास्माभिर्ब्रह्महत्यान्वितो यतः

ūcuśca pārthivaśreṣṭha na tvamarhasi saṁgamam kartuṁ sārdhamihāsmābhirbrahmahatyānvito yataḥ

And they said: "O best of kings, since you are tainted by the sin of killing a brahmin, you are not fit to associate here with us."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.53.71)

तस्माद्वसिष्ठमाहूय प्रायश्चित्तं समाचर॥ अशुद्धं शुद्धिमायाति येन गात्रमिदं तव

tasmādvasiṣṭhamāhūya prāyaścittaṁ samācara aśuddhaṁ śuddhimāyāti yena gātramidaṁ tava

"Therefore summon Vasishtha and perform the atonement by which this impure body of yours may attain purity."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.53.72)

ततः स पार्थिवस्तूर्णं वसिष्ठं मुनिपुंगवम्॥ समाहूयाब्रवीद्वाक्यं दूरस्थो विनयान्वितः

tataḥ sa pārthivastūrṇaṁ vasiṣṭhaṁ munipuṁgavam samāhūyābravīdvākyaṁ dūrastho vinayānvitaḥ

Then that king promptly summoned Vasishtha, foremost of sages, and, standing at a distance out of humility, spoke these words:

Verse 73 (skanda.6.53.73)

तव प्रसादतो विप्र स हतो राक्षसो मया॥ मुक्तशापोऽस्मि संजातः परं शृणु वचो मुने

tava prasādato vipra sa hato rākṣaso mayā muktaśāpo'smi saṁjātaḥ paraṁ śṛṇu vaco mune

"'O brahmin, by your grace that rakshasa has been slain by me, and I have become freed from the curse; but hear this further word, O sage:'"

Verse 74 (skanda.6.53.74)

मम गात्रात्सुदुर्गंधः समुद्गच्छति सर्वतः॥ भाराक्रांतानि गात्राणि सर्वाण्येवाचलानि च

mama gātrātsudurgaṁdhaḥ samudgacchati sarvataḥ bhārākrāṁtāni gātrāṇi sarvāṇyevācalāni ca

"'A foul odour rises from my whole body on every side, and all my limbs are heavy, as if weighed down, and immobile.'"

Verse 75 (skanda.6.53.75)

तत्किमेतद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ तेजो हानिरतीव मे॥ मंत्रिणोऽपि तथा पुत्रा न स्पृशंति यतोऽद्य माम्

tatkimetaddvijaśreṣṭha tejo hāniratīva me maṁtriṇo'pi tathā putrā na spṛśaṁti yato'dya mām

"'What then is this, O best of the twice-born? My radiance has severely faded, so much so that even my ministers and sons will not touch me today.'"

Verse 76 (skanda.6.53.76)

वसिष्ठ उवाच॥ राक्षसत्वं प्रपन्नेन त्वया पार्थिवसत्तम॥ ब्राह्मणा बहवो ध्वस्तास्तथा विध्वंसिता मखाः॥ तेषां त्वं पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ संस्पृष्टो ब्रह्महत्यया

vasiṣṭha uvāca rākṣasatvaṁ prapannena tvayā pārthivasattama brāhmaṇā bahavo dhvastāstathā vidhvaṁsitā makhāḥ teṣāṁ tvaṁ pārthivaśreṣṭha saṁspṛṣṭo brahmahatyayā

Vasishtha said: "O best of kings, while you had become a rakshasa, you destroyed many brahmins and likewise destroyed sacrifices; because of them, O best of kings, you are tainted with the sin of killing brahmins."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.53.77)

राजोवाच॥ तदर्थं देहि मे विप्र प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये॥ येन निर्मुक्तपापोऽहं राज्यं प्राप्नोमि चात्मनः

rājovāca tadarthaṁ dehi me vipra prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye yena nirmuktapāpo'haṁ rājyaṁ prāpnomi cātmanaḥ

The king said: "For that, O brahmin, give me an atonement for purification, by which, freed from sin, I may reclaim my own kingdom."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.53.78)

वसिष्ठ उवाच॥ अत्रार्थे तीर्थयात्रां त्वं कुरु पार्थिवसत्तम॥ निर्ममो निरहंकारस्ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि

vasiṣṭha uvāca atrārthe tīrthayātrāṁ tvaṁ kuru pārthivasattama nirmamo nirahaṁkārastataḥ siddhimavāpsyasi

Vasishtha said: "For this purpose, O best of kings, undertake a pilgrimage to sacred fords, free of attachment and free of ego; then you will attain success."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.53.79)

ततः स पार्थिवश्रेष्ठः संयतात्मा जितेंद्रियः॥ प्रयागादिषु तीर्थेषु स्नानं चक्रे समाहितः

tataḥ sa pārthivaśreṣṭhaḥ saṁyatātmā jiteṁdriyaḥ prayāgādiṣu tīrtheṣu snānaṁ cakre samāhitaḥ

Then that best of kings, with restrained mind and conquered senses, bathed with full concentration in the sacred fords beginning with Prayaga.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.53.80)

न नश्यति स दुर्गंधो न च तेजः प्रवर्धते॥ न कायो लघुतां याति नालस्येन विमुच्यते

na naśyati sa durgaṁdho na ca tejaḥ pravardhate na kāyo laghutāṁ yāti nālasyena vimucyate

Yet that foul smell did not vanish, his radiance did not grow, his body did not become light, and he was not released from his lethargy.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.53.81)

ततः संभ्रममाणश्च कदाचिद्द्विजसत्तमाः॥ चमत्कारपुरे क्षेत्रे स्नानार्थं समुपागतः

tataḥ saṁbhramamāṇaśca kadāciddvijasattamāḥ camatkārapure kṣetre snānārthaṁ samupāgataḥ

Then, O best of brahmins, wandering about restlessly, he once came to the sacred field of Chamatkarapura for the sake of bathing.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.53.82)

सुश्रांतः क्षुत्पिपासार्तो निशीथे तमसावृते॥ गर्तायां पतितोऽकस्मात्पूर्णायां पयसा नृपः

suśrāṁtaḥ kṣutpipāsārto niśīthe tamasāvṛte gartāyāṁ patito'kasmātpūrṇāyāṁ payasā nṛpaḥ

Utterly exhausted, tormented by hunger and thirst, in the depth of a dark night, the king suddenly fell into that pit, which was full of water.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.53.83)

कृच्छ्रात्ततो विनिष्क्रांतस्तीर्थात्तस्मान्महीपतिः॥ यावत्पश्यति चात्मानं द्वादशार्कसमप्रभम्

kṛcchrāttato viniṣkrāṁtastīrthāttasmānmahīpatiḥ yāvatpaśyati cātmānaṁ dvādaśārkasamaprabham

With great difficulty the king climbed out of that sacred pool, and then, as he looked at himself, he found himself as radiant as twelve suns.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.53.84)

दुर्गंधेन परित्यक्तं सोद्यमं लघुतां गतम्॥ दृष्ट्वा च चिंतयामास नूनं मुक्तोऽस्मि पातकात्

durgaṁdhena parityaktaṁ sodyamaṁ laghutāṁ gatam dṛṣṭvā ca ciṁtayāmāsa nūnaṁ mukto'smi pātakāt

Seeing himself free of the foul smell, energetic, and light of body, he thought: "Surely I am now freed from my sin."

Verse 85 (skanda.6.53.85)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी॥ हर्षयन्ती महीपालं विमुक्तं ब्रह्महत्यया

etasminneva kāle tu vāguvācāśarīriṇī harṣayantī mahīpālaṁ vimuktaṁ brahmahatyayā

At that very moment a disembodied voice spoke, gladdening the king, who had been freed from the sin of killing a brahmin:

Verse 86 (skanda.6.53.86)

विमुक्तोऽसि महाराज सांप्रतं पूर्वपातकैः॥ तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावेन तस्माद्गच्छ निजं गृहम्

vimukto'si mahārāja sāṁprataṁ pūrvapātakaiḥ tīrthasyāsya prabhāvena tasmādgaccha nijaṁ gṛham

"'O great king, you are now freed from your former sins by the power of this sacred ford; therefore go to your own home.'"

Verse 87 (skanda.6.53.87)

अत्र संनिहितो नित्यं भ्रूणरूपेण शंकरः॥ कृष्णपक्षे विशेषेण चतुर्दश्यां महीपते

atra saṁnihito nityaṁ bhrūṇarūpeṇa śaṁkaraḥ kṛṣṇapakṣe viśeṣeṇa caturdaśyāṁ mahīpate

"'Here Shankara ever abides in the form of Bhruna, O king, especially on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight.'"

Verse 88 (skanda.6.53.88)

यदा प्रपतितं लिंगं देवदेवस्य शूलिनः॥ द्विजशापेन गर्तैषा तदानेन विनिर्मिता

yadā prapatitaṁ liṁgaṁ devadevasya śūlinaḥ dvijaśāpena gartaiṣā tadānena vinirmitā

"'When the linga of the trident-bearing God of gods fell, because of a brahmin's curse, this pit was made by him at that time.'"

Verse 89 (skanda.6.53.89)

लज्जितेन स्ववासार्थं महद्दुःखयुतेन च॥ सतीवियोगयुक्तेन भ्रूणत्वं प्रगतेन च

lajjitena svavāsārthaṁ mahadduḥkhayutena ca satīviyogayuktena bhrūṇatvaṁ pragatena ca

"'Overcome with shame, seeking a dwelling for himself, filled with great sorrow, grieving the separation from Sati, he took the form of Bhruna.'"

Verse 90 (skanda.6.53.90)

सर्वपापहरा तेन गर्तेयं पृथिवीपते॥ भ्रूणगर्तेति विख्याता तस्य नामा जगत्त्रये

sarvapāpaharā tena garteyaṁ pṛthivīpate bhrūṇagarteti vikhyātā tasya nāmā jagattraye

"'By him, O lord of the earth, this pit became one that removes all sin, and it became known throughout the three worlds by the name Bhrunagarta.'"

Verse 91 (skanda.6.53.91)

सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वाथ सा वाणी विररामांऽतरिक्षगा॥ सोऽपि पार्थिवशार्दूलः प्रहृष्टः स्वपुरं ययौ

sūta uvāca evamuktvātha sā vāṇī virarāmāṁ'tarikṣagā so'pi pārthivaśārdūlaḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ svapuraṁ yayau

Suta said: "Having said this, that voice in the sky fell silent; and that tiger among kings, filled with joy, went to his own city."

Verse 92 (skanda.6.53.92)

ततस्तं पापनिर्मुक्तं तेजसा भास्करोपमम्॥ दृष्ट्वा पुत्रास्तथा मर्त्याः प्रणेमुस्तुष्टिसंयुताः

tatastaṁ pāpanirmuktaṁ tejasā bhāskaropamam dṛṣṭvā putrāstathā martyāḥ praṇemustuṣṭisaṁyutāḥ

Then, seeing him freed from sin and radiant as the sun, his sons and all his subjects bowed to him, filled with joy.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.53.93)

सोऽपि ब्राह्मणशार्दूलो वसिष्ठस्तं महीपतिम्॥ समभ्येत्य ततः प्राह हर्षगद्गदया गिरा

so'pi brāhmaṇaśārdūlo vasiṣṭhastaṁ mahīpatim samabhyetya tataḥ prāha harṣagadgadayā girā

And that tiger among brahmins, Vasishtha, approaching the king, then said to him in a voice choked with joy:

Verse 94 (skanda.6.53.94)

दिष्ट्या मुक्तोसि राजेंद्र पापाद्ब्रह्मवधोद्भवात्॥ दिष्ट्या त्वं तेजसा युक्तः पुनः प्राप्तो निजं पुरम्

diṣṭyā muktosi rājeṁdra pāpādbrahmavadhodbhavāt diṣṭyā tvaṁ tejasā yuktaḥ punaḥ prāpto nijaṁ puram

"'Fortunate it is, O king of kings, that you are freed from the sin arising from the killing of a brahmin; fortunate it is that, endowed with radiance, you have returned to your own city.'"

Verse 95 (skanda.6.53.95)

तस्मात्कीर्तय भूपाल कस्मिंस्तीर्थे समागतः॥ त्वं मुक्तः पातकाद्घोराद्ब्रह्महत्यासमुद्भवात्

tasmātkīrtaya bhūpāla kasmiṁstīrthe samāgataḥ tvaṁ muktaḥ pātakādghorādbrahmahatyāsamudbhavāt

"'Therefore tell me, O king, at which sacred ford you came to be freed from that terrible sin born of killing a brahmin.'"

Verse 96 (skanda.6.53.96)

ततः स कथयामास भ्रूणगर्तासमुद्भवम्॥ वृत्तांतं तस्य विप्रर्षेरनुभूतं यथा तथा

tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa bhrūṇagartāsamudbhavam vṛttāṁtaṁ tasya viprarṣeranubhūtaṁ yathā tathā

Then he related to that sage-brahmin the whole account of the origin of Bhrunagarta, exactly as he had experienced it.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.53.97)

ततस्ते मंत्रिणो वृद्धाः स च राजा मुनीश्वरः॥ पुत्रं प्रतर्दनंनाम राज्ये संस्थाप्य तत्क्षणात्

tataste maṁtriṇo vṛddhāḥ sa ca rājā munīśvaraḥ putraṁ pratardanaṁnāma rājye saṁsthāpya tatkṣaṇāt

Then those aged ministers, and that king, and that lord of sages -- having installed the king's son named Pratardana on the throne at once --

Verse 98 (skanda.6.53.98)

भ्रूणगर्तां समासाद्य तामेव द्विजसत्तमाः॥ तपश्चेरुर्महादेवं ध्यायमाना दिवा निशम्

bhrūṇagartāṁ samāsādya tāmeva dvijasattamāḥ tapaścerurmahādevaṁ dhyāyamānā divā niśam

went to Bhrunagarta itself, O best of brahmins, and performed austerities there, meditating on Mahadeva day and night.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.53.99)

गताश्च परमां सिद्धिं कालेनाल्पेन दुर्लभाम्॥ भ्रूणरूपधरं देवं पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम्

gatāśca paramāṁ siddhiṁ kālenālpena durlabhām bhrūṇarūpadharaṁ devaṁ pūjayitvā maheśvaram

And, having worshipped the god Maheshvara in his form as Bhruna, they attained, in a short time, the supreme accomplishment, so hard to attain.

Verse 100 (skanda.6.53.100)

ततःप्रभृति सा गर्ता प्रख्याता धरणीतले॥ भ्रूणगर्तेति विप्रेंद्राः सर्वपातकनाशिनी

tataḥprabhṛti sā gartā prakhyātā dharaṇītale bhrūṇagarteti vipreṁdrāḥ sarvapātakanāśinī

From then on, O lords of brahmins, that pit became renowned on earth by the name Bhrunagarta, as one that destroys all sin.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.53.101)

तत्र कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः श्राद्धं कुरुते नरः॥ स पितॄंस्तारयेन्नूनं दश पूर्वान्दशापरान्

tatra kṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṁ yaḥ śrāddhaṁ kurute naraḥ sa pitṝṁstārayennūnaṁ daśa pūrvāndaśāparān

Whoever performs shraddha there on the dark fourteenth surely delivers his ten forefathers and ten descendants.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.53.102)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्र श्राद्धं समाचरेत्॥ स्नानं च ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा दानं वापि स्वशक्तितः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tatra śrāddhaṁ samācaret snānaṁ ca brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhā dānaṁ vāpi svaśaktitaḥ

Therefore, O best of brahmins, one should perform shraddha there with every effort, along with bathing and giving in charity according to one's ability.