The Pilgrimage of Bhishma and the Temples of Chamatkarapura

Verse 1 (skanda.6.57.1)

सूत उवाच॥ तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे तथादित्यः स्थापितो द्विजसत्तमाः॥ भीष्मेण ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां संमतेन तथात्मना

sūta uvāca tasminkṣetre tathādityaḥ sthāpito dvijasattamāḥ bhīṣmeṇa brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ saṁmatena tathātmanā

Suta said: "In that sacred field, O best of the twice-born, the Sun too was established by Bhishma, with the approval of the foremost brahmins and of his own accord."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.57.2)

शंतनोर्दयितः पुत्रो गांगेय इति विश्रुतः॥ आसीत्पुरा वरो नृणामूर्ध्वरेताः सुविश्रुतः

śaṁtanordayitaḥ putro gāṁgeya iti viśrutaḥ āsītpurā varo nṛṇāmūrdhvaretāḥ suviśrutaḥ

The beloved son of Shantanu, renowned as Gangeya, was long ago the finest of men, celebrated for his lifelong celibacy.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.57.3)

तस्यासीत्तुमुलं युद्धं भार्गवेण समं महत्॥ त्रयोविंशद्दिनान्येव देवासुररणोपमम्॥ अंबाकृते शितैः शस्त्रैरस्त्रैश्च तदनंतरम्

tasyāsīttumulaṁ yuddhaṁ bhārgaveṇa samaṁ mahat trayoviṁśaddinānyeva devāsuraraṇopamam aṁbākṛte śitaiḥ śastrairastraiśca tadanaṁtaram

He fought a tumultuous and mighty battle with Bhargava, for twenty-three days, resembling the war between gods and demons, on account of Amba, with sharp weapons and missiles.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.57.4)

ततो ब्रह्मादयो देवाः स्वयमेव व्यवस्थिताः॥ ताभ्यां निवारणार्थाय शांत्यर्थं सर्वदेहिनान्॥ गताश्च ते समुत्थाप्य पुनरेव त्रिविष्टपम्

tato brahmādayo devāḥ svayameva vyavasthitāḥ tābhyāṁ nivāraṇārthāya śāṁtyarthaṁ sarvadehinān gatāśca te samutthāpya punareva triviṣṭapam

Then Brahma and the other gods themselves came there to stop the two of them, for the sake of peace for all beings, and, having made them cease, returned again to heaven.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.57.5)

अंबापि प्राप्य परमं गांगेयोत्थं पराभवम्॥ प्रविष्टा कोपरक्ताक्षी सुसमिद्धे हुताशने

aṁbāpi prāpya paramaṁ gāṁgeyotthaṁ parābhavam praviṣṭā koparaktākṣī susamiddhe hutāśane

And Amba, having suffered the utter defeat brought about by Gangeya, her eyes red with rage, entered a blazing fire.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.57.6)

भर्त्सयित्वा नदीपुत्रं बाष्पव्याकुललोचना॥ ततःप्रोवाच मध्यस्था वह्नेः कुरुपितामहम्

bhartsayitvā nadīputraṁ bāṣpavyākulalocanā tataḥprovāca madhyasthā vahneḥ kurupitāmaham

Rebuking the son of the river, her eyes clouded with tears, standing there in the midst of the fire, she then said to the grandsire of the Kurus:

Verse 7 (skanda.6.57.7)

यस्माद्भीष्म त्वया त्यक्ता कामार्ताहं सुदुर्मते॥ तस्मात्तव वधायाशु भविष्यामि पुनः क्षितौ

yasmādbhīṣma tvayā tyaktā kāmārtāhaṁ sudurmate tasmāttava vadhāyāśu bhaviṣyāmi punaḥ kṣitau

"'Since, O Bhishma, evil-minded one, you have abandoned me though tormented by desire, therefore I shall be born again on this earth swiftly for your destruction.'"

Verse 8 (skanda.6.57.8)

स्त्रीहत्यया समायुक्तस्त्वं च नूनं भविष्यसि॥ प्रमाणं यदि धर्मोऽत्र स्मृतिशास्त्रसमुद्भवः

strīhatyayā samāyuktastvaṁ ca nūnaṁ bhaviṣyasi pramāṇaṁ yadi dharmo'tra smṛtiśāstrasamudbhavaḥ

"'And you shall surely become tainted with the sin of killing a woman, if dharma born of the Smriti scriptures is any authority in this matter.'"

Verse 9 (skanda.6.57.9)

ततः स घृणयाऽऽविष्टो भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः॥ मार्कंडेयं मुनिश्रेष्ठं पप्रच्छ विनयान्वितः

tataḥ sa ghṛṇayā''viṣṭo bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ mārkaṁḍeyaṁ muniśreṣṭhaṁ papraccha vinayānvitaḥ

Then Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, overcome with distress, humbly questioned the best of sages, Markandeya:

Verse 10 (skanda.6.57.10)

भगवन्काशिराजस्य सुतया मे प्रजल्पितम्॥ मम मृत्युकरं पापं सकलं ते भविष्यति

bhagavankāśirājasya sutayā me prajalpitam mama mṛtyukaraṁ pāpaṁ sakalaṁ te bhaviṣyati

"'O blessed one, the daughter of the king of Kashi has spoken thus to me: "The entire sin that will cause your death shall be yours."'"

Verse 11 (skanda.6.57.11)

तत्किं स्याद्वाक्यमात्रेण नो वा ब्राह्मणसत्तम॥ अत्र मे संशयस्तत्त्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

tatkiṁ syādvākyamātreṇa no vā brāhmaṇasattama atra me saṁśayastattvaṁ yathāvadvaktumarhasi

"'Will this come true merely through her words, or not, O best of brahmins? I have doubt about this; you should tell me the truth as it is.'"

Verse 12 (skanda.6.57.12)

श्रीमार्कंडेय उवाच॥ आक्षिप्तस्ताडितो वापि यमुद्दिश्य त्यजेदसून्॥ स्त्रीजनो वा द्विजो वापि तस्य पापं तु तद्भवेत्

śrīmārkaṁḍeya uvāca ākṣiptastāḍito vāpi yamuddiśya tyajedasūn strījano vā dvijo vāpi tasya pāpaṁ tu tadbhavet

Markandeya said: "If a woman or a brahmin, having been reviled or struck, gives up their life on account of someone, then that sin indeed falls upon that person."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.57.13)

स्त्रियं वा ब्राह्मणं वापि तस्मान्नैव प्रकोपयेत्॥ निघ्नंतं वा शपंतं वा यदीच्छेच्छुभमात्मनः

striyaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vāpi tasmānnaiva prakopayet nighnaṁtaṁ vā śapaṁtaṁ vā yadīcchecchubhamātmanaḥ

Therefore one should never provoke a woman or a brahmin, even one who strikes or curses, if one desires one's own welfare.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.57.14)

त्वया पुनर्वराकी सा कामार्ता समुपेक्षिता॥ जित्वा स्वयंवरे पूर्वं तत्कथं स्यान्न पापभाक्

tvayā punarvarākī sā kāmārtā samupekṣitā jitvā svayaṁvare pūrvaṁ tatkathaṁ syānna pāpabhāk

But you, having won her in the svayamvara earlier, then neglected that poor girl, tormented by desire; how then would you not become an offender?

Verse 15 (skanda.6.57.15)

भीष्म उवाच॥ तदर्थं वद मे ब्रह्मन्प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये॥ तपो वा यदि वा दानं व्रतं नियममेव वा

bhīṣma uvāca tadarthaṁ vada me brahmanprāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye tapo vā yadi vā dānaṁ vrataṁ niyamameva vā

Bhishma said: "For that, O brahmin, tell me the atonement for purification -- whether austerity, or gift, or vow, or observance."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.57.16)

मार्कंडेय उवाच॥ दशानां ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां यद्वधे पातकं स्मृतम्॥ तत्पापं स्त्रीवधे कृत्स्नं जायते भरतर्षभ

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca daśānāṁ brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ yadvadhe pātakaṁ smṛtam tatpāpaṁ strīvadhe kṛtsnaṁ jāyate bharatarṣabha

Markandeya said: "O bull of the Bharatas, the sin that is remembered as arising from killing ten foremost brahmins is entirely equalled by the sin of killing one woman."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.57.17)

तदत्र विषये दानं न तपो न व्रतादिकम्॥ तीर्थसेवां परित्यज्य तस्मात्त्वं तां समाचर

tadatra viṣaye dānaṁ na tapo na vratādikam tīrthasevāṁ parityajya tasmāttvaṁ tāṁ samācara

In this matter, therefore, neither gift, nor austerity, nor vow avails; leaving all else aside, you should undertake the service of a sacred ford.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.57.18)

सूत उवाच॥ स तस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः॥ तीर्थयात्रापरो भूत्वा बभ्राम क्षितिमंडले

sūta uvāca sa tasya vacanaṁ śrutvā bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ tīrthayātrāparo bhūtvā babhrāma kṣitimaṁḍale

Suta said: "Hearing his words, Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, devoted himself to pilgrimage and wandered over the circle of the earth."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.57.19)

ततः क्रमात्समायातो भ्रममाणो महीतले॥ चमत्कारपुरे क्षेत्रे नानातीर्थसमाकुले

tataḥ kramātsamāyāto bhramamāṇo mahītale camatkārapure kṣetre nānātīrthasamākule

Then, wandering over the earth, he in due course arrived at the sacred field of Chamatkarapura, crowded with numerous sacred fords.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.57.20)

अथापश्यन्महात्मा स सुपुण्यं तद्गयाशिरः॥ स्नात्वा श्राद्धं च विधिवद्यावच्छ्रद्धासमन्वितः

athāpaśyanmahātmā sa supuṇyaṁ tadgayāśiraḥ snātvā śrāddhaṁ ca vidhivadyāvacchraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Then that great soul saw the most sacred Gayashiras there, and, having bathed, was about to perform shraddha there duly, filled with faith,

Verse 21 (skanda.6.57.21)

चक्रे तावन्नभोवाणी वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह॥ भीष्मभीष्म महाबाहो नार्हस्त्वं श्राद्धजं विधिम्

cakre tāvannabhovāṇī vākyametaduvāca ha bhīṣmabhīṣma mahābāho nārhastvaṁ śrāddhajaṁ vidhim

when just then a voice from the sky spoke these words: "'Bhishma, Bhishma, mighty-armed one, you are not entitled to the rite of shraddha here.'"

Verse 22 (skanda.6.57.22)

कर्तुं स्त्रीहत्ययायुक्तस्तस्माच्छृणु वचो मम॥ शर्मिष्ठातीर्थमित्येव ख्यातं पातकनाशनम्

kartuṁ strīhatyayāyuktastasmācchṛṇu vaco mama śarmiṣṭhātīrthamityeva khyātaṁ pātakanāśanam

"'-- for you are tainted with the sin of killing a woman; therefore hear my word: there is a ford renowned as Sharmishtha-tirtha, which destroys sin.'"

Verse 23 (skanda.6.57.23)

अस्मात्स्थानात्समीपस्थं वारुण्यां दिशि पुण्यकृत्॥ कृष्णांगारकषष्ठ्यां यो नरः स्नानं समाचरेत्

asmātsthānātsamīpasthaṁ vāruṇyāṁ diśi puṇyakṛt kṛṣṇāṁgārakaṣaṣṭhyāṁ yo naraḥ snānaṁ samācaret

"'It lies close to this place, in the western direction, a sacred spot; whoever bathes there on the dark sixth falling on a Tuesday --'"

Verse 24 (skanda.6.57.24)

स स्त्रीहत्याकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः॥ तस्मादद्य दिने पुत्र भौमवारसमन्विता

sa strīhatyākṛtātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ tasmādadya dine putra bhaumavārasamanvitā

"'-- he is freed from the sin arising from killing a woman, of this there is no doubt. Today, my son, is a day that carries a Tuesday --'"

Verse 25 (skanda.6.57.25)

सैव षष्ठी तिथिः पुण्या तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं व्रज॥ अहं तव पिता पुत्र शंतनुः पृथिवीपतिः

saiva ṣaṣṭhī tithiḥ puṇyā tasmāttatra drutaṁ vraja ahaṁ tava pitā putra śaṁtanuḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

"'-- and it is the very sacred sixth tithi; therefore go there swiftly. I am your father, my son, King Shantanu,'"

Verse 26 (skanda.6.57.26)

स्त्रीहत्ययान्वितं ज्ञात्वा ततस्तूर्णमिहागतः॥ ततो भीष्मो द्रुतं गत्वा तत्र स्थाने समाहितः

strīhatyayānvitaṁ jñātvā tatastūrṇamihāgataḥ tato bhīṣmo drutaṁ gatvā tatra sthāne samāhitaḥ

"'-- and, knowing you to be tainted with the sin of killing a woman, I have come here at once.'" Then Bhishma went swiftly to that place, with a composed mind,

Verse 27 (skanda.6.57.27)

स्नानं कृत्वा ततः श्राद्धं चक्रे श्रद्धासमन्वितः॥ ततो भूयः समागत्य स तं प्रोवाच शतनुः

snānaṁ kṛtvā tataḥ śrāddhaṁ cakre śraddhāsamanvitaḥ tato bhūyaḥ samāgatya sa taṁ provāca śatanuḥ

bathed and then, filled with faith, performed shraddha there; then Shantanu, coming to him once more, said to him:

Verse 28 (skanda.6.57.28)

विपाप्मा त्वं कुरुश्रेष्ठ संजातोऽसि न संशयः॥ तस्मान्निजं गृहं गच्छ राज्यचिंतां समाचर

vipāpmā tvaṁ kuruśreṣṭha saṁjāto'si na saṁśayaḥ tasmānnijaṁ gṛhaṁ gaccha rājyaciṁtāṁ samācara

"'O best of the Kurus, you have surely become free of sin. Therefore go to your own home and take up the affairs of the kingdom.'"

Verse 29 (skanda.6.57.29)

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो ज्ञात्वा तीर्थमनुत्तमम्॥ वासुदेवात्मिकामर्चां तथान्यां कुरुसत्तमः

tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭo jñātvā tīrthamanuttamam vāsudevātmikāmarcāṁ tathānyāṁ kurusattamaḥ

Then, filled with wonder, having recognized that most excellent tirtha, that best of the Kurus set up an image consisting of Vasudeva, and another besides,

Verse 30 (skanda.6.57.30)

पारिजातमयीं मूर्तिं रवेर्लक्षणलक्षिताम्॥ सुप्रमाणां सुरूपां च श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा

pārijātamayīṁ mūrtiṁ raverlakṣaṇalakṣitām supramāṇāṁ surūpāṁ ca śraddhāpūtena cetasā

a well-proportioned and beautiful image of the Sun, marked with all his signs, made of parijata wood -- with a mind purified by devotion.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.57.31)

तथान्यत्स्थापयामास लिंगं देवस्य शूलिनः॥ दुर्गां च भक्तिसंयुक्तो विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

tathānyatsthāpayāmāsa liṁgaṁ devasya śūlinaḥ durgāṁ ca bhaktisaṁyukto vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā

And, filled with devotion, he established also a linga of the trident-bearing god and an image of Durga, by rites prescribed in scripture.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.57.32)

ततः सर्वान्समाहूय स विप्रान्पुरसंभवान्॥ प्रोवाच कौरवो भीष्मो विनयावनतः स्थितः

tataḥ sarvānsamāhūya sa viprānpurasaṁbhavān provāca kauravo bhīṣmo vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Then, summoning all the brahmins born in that city, the Kaurava Bhishma, standing humbly with lowered head, said to them:

Verse 33 (skanda.6.57.33)

मया विनिर्मितं विप्रा देवागारचतुष्टयम्॥ एतत्क्षेत्रे च युष्माकं दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि

mayā vinirmitaṁ viprā devāgāracatuṣṭayam etatkṣetre ca yuṣmākaṁ dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari

"'O brahmins, I have built here in this sacred field a set of four temples of the gods; showing kindness toward me,'"

Verse 34 (skanda.6.57.34)

पालयध्वं प्रयास्यामि स्वगृहं प्रति सत्वरम्॥ प्रेरितः पितृभिर्दिव्यैः स्वर्गमार्गसमाश्रितैः

pālayadhvaṁ prayāsyāmi svagṛhaṁ prati satvaram preritaḥ pitṛbhirdivyaiḥ svargamārgasamāśritaiḥ

"'please look after them; I shall now go swiftly to my own home, urged on by my divine forefathers who abide on the path to heaven.'"

Verse 35 (skanda.6.57.35)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥ गच्छगच्छ कुरुश्रेष्ठ सुविश्रब्धः स्वमायया॥ वयं सर्वे करिष्यामो युष्मच्छ्रेयोऽभिवर्धनम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ gacchagaccha kuruśreṣṭha suviśrabdhaḥ svamāyayā vayaṁ sarve kariṣyāmo yuṣmacchreyo'bhivardhanam

The brahmins said: "Go, go, O best of the Kurus, in full confidence, by your own power; we shall all bring about the increase of your welfare."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.57.36)

देवश्रेणिरियं राजन्या त्वयात्र विनिर्मिता॥ अस्याः पूजादिकं सर्वं करिष्यामः सदा वयम्

devaśreṇiriyaṁ rājanyā tvayātra vinirmitā asyāḥ pūjādikaṁ sarvaṁ kariṣyāmaḥ sadā vayam

"'O king, this row of gods that has been built here by you -- we shall always perform all its worship and other rites.'"

Verse 37 (skanda.6.57.37)

तवापि विनयं दृष्ट्वा परितुष्टा वयं नृप॥ सर्वान्प्रार्थय तस्मात्त्वं वरं स्वं मनसि स्थितम्

tavāpi vinayaṁ dṛṣṭvā parituṣṭā vayaṁ nṛpa sarvānprārthaya tasmāttvaṁ varaṁ svaṁ manasi sthitam

"'And, O king, seeing your humility, we too are well pleased; therefore ask us for the boon that is fixed in your mind.'"

Verse 38 (skanda.6.57.38)

भीष्म उवाच॥ एष एव वरोऽस्माकं यत्संतुष्टा द्विजोत्तमाः॥ तथाप्याशु वचः कार्यं युष्मदीयं मयाधुना

bhīṣma uvāca eṣa eva varo'smākaṁ yatsaṁtuṣṭā dvijottamāḥ tathāpyāśu vacaḥ kāryaṁ yuṣmadīyaṁ mayādhunā

Bhishma said: "This alone is boon enough for me, that you, best of the twice-born, are pleased; yet still I must now quickly say a word to you."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.57.39)

एतानि देवसद्मानि मदीयानि नरो भुवि॥ यो यं काममभिध्याय पूजयेच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः॥ प्रसादादेव युष्माकं तस्य तत्स्यादसंशयम्

etāni devasadmāni madīyāni naro bhuvi yo yaṁ kāmamabhidhyāya pūjayecchraddhayā'nvitaḥ prasādādeva yuṣmākaṁ tasya tatsyādasaṁśayam

"'Whatever man on this earth, holding some desire in mind, worships these temples of mine, built here by me, with faith -- by your grace alone, without doubt, that shall come to be his.'"

Verse 40 (skanda.6.57.40)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥ आदित्यस्य करिष्यामो यात्रां भाद्रपदे वयम्॥ सप्तम्यां सूर्यवारेण सर्वदैव समाहिताः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ ādityasya kariṣyāmo yātrāṁ bhādrapade vayam saptamyāṁ sūryavāreṇa sarvadaiva samāhitāḥ

The brahmins said: "We shall always, with composed mind, hold the festival of the Sun in the month of Bhadrapada, on the seventh falling on a Sunday."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.57.41)

तथा शिवस्य चाष्टम्यां चैत्रशुक्ले विशेषतः॥ चतुर्दश्यां महाभाग तव स्नेहान्न संशयः

tathā śivasya cāṣṭamyāṁ caitraśukle viśeṣataḥ caturdaśyāṁ mahābhāga tava snehānna saṁśayaḥ

"'And likewise Shiva's festival on the eighth, and especially on the fourteenth, of the bright half of Chaitra, O most fortunate one, out of love for you, without doubt.'"

Verse 42 (skanda.6.57.42)

शयने बोधने विष्णोः संप्राप्ते द्वादशीदिने॥ विष्णोरपि च दुर्गायाः संप्राप्ते नवमीदिने

śayane bodhane viṣṇoḥ saṁprāpte dvādaśīdine viṣṇorapi ca durgāyāḥ saṁprāpte navamīdine

"'-- at Vishnu's going to sleep and his awakening, when the twelfth tithi arrives, and at Durga's festival, when the ninth tithi arrives --'"

Verse 43 (skanda.6.57.43)

आश्विने शुक्लपक्षे च गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः॥ महोत्सवं तथा चित्रैर्हास्यलास्यैः पृथग्विधैः

āśvine śuklapakṣe ca gītavāditranisvanaiḥ mahotsavaṁ tathā citrairhāsyalāsyaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

"'-- in the bright fortnight of Ashvina, with the sounds of song and music, we shall hold a great festival, with various wondrous plays, laughter, and dance.'"

Verse 44 (skanda.6.57.44)

यस्तत्र मानवो नित्यं श्रद्धया परया युतः॥ करिष्यति च गीतादि स यास्यति परां गतिम्

yastatra mānavo nityaṁ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ kariṣyati ca gītādi sa yāsyati parāṁ gatim

"'Whatever man, always filled with supreme faith, performs song and the like there, he shall attain the highest state.'"

Verse 45 (skanda.6.57.45)

वयं तस्य भविष्यामः सदैव प्रीतमानसाः॥ प्रदास्यामस्तथा कामान्मनसा वांछितान्नृप

vayaṁ tasya bhaviṣyāmaḥ sadaiva prītamānasāḥ pradāsyāmastathā kāmānmanasā vāṁchitānnṛpa

"'We shall always be pleased in mind toward him, O king, and we shall grant him the desires wished for in his heart.'"

Verse 46 (skanda.6.57.46)

एवमुक्त्वाथ ते विप्राः स्वानि स्थानानि भेजिरे॥ भीष्मोऽपि हर्षसंयुक्तः स्वगृहं प्रस्थितस्ततः

evamuktvātha te viprāḥ svāni sthānāni bhejire bhīṣmo'pi harṣasaṁyuktaḥ svagṛhaṁ prasthitastataḥ

Having said this, those brahmins returned to their own places; and Bhishma too, filled with joy, then set out for his own home.