The Shudra and the Liberation of the Pretas

Verse 1 (skanda.6.65.1)

सूत उवाच॥ तथान्यदपि तत्रास्ति तडागं देवनिर्मितम्॥ यत्रानर्तो नृपः सिद्धः सुहयो नाम नामतः

sūta uvāca tathānyadapi tatrāsti taḍāgaṁ devanirmitam yatrānarto nṛpaḥ siddhaḥ suhayo nāma nāmataḥ

Suta said: There too is another tank, made by the gods, where King Anarta, named Suhaya, attained perfection.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.65.2)

तेनैव भूभुजा तत्र लिंगं संस्थापितं शुभम्॥ आनर्तेश्वरसंज्ञं च सर्व सिद्धिप्रदं नृणाम्

tenaiva bhūbhujā tatra liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpitaṁ śubham ānarteśvarasaṁjñaṁ ca sarva siddhipradaṁ nṛṇām

By that same king, an auspicious linga was established there, named Anarteshvara, granting every kind of perfection to mankind.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.65.3)

तत्रांगारकषष्ठ्यां यस्तडागे स्नानमाचरेत्॥ स प्राप्नोति नरः सिद्धिं यथाऽऽनर्ताधिपेन च

tatrāṁgārakaṣaṣṭhyāṁ yastaḍāge snānamācaret sa prāpnoti naraḥ siddhiṁ yathā''nartādhipena ca

Whoever bathes in that tank on the sixth lunar day falling on a Tuesday attains perfection, just as the lord of Anarta himself did.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.65.4)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ कथं सिद्धिस्तु संप्राप्ता आनर्तेन महात्मना॥ सर्वं कथय तत्सूत सर्वं वेत्सि न संशयः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kathaṁ siddhistu saṁprāptā ānartena mahātmanā sarvaṁ kathaya tatsūta sarvaṁ vetsi na saṁśayaḥ

The sages said: How did the great-souled Anarta attain that perfection? Tell us all of it, O Suta; you know everything, without any doubt.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.65.5)

सूत उवाच॥ आनर्तः सुहयो नाम पुरासीत्पृथिवीपतिः॥ सर्वारिभिर्हतो युद्धे पलायनपरायणः॥ उच्छिष्टो म्लेच्छसंस्पृष्ट एकाकी बहुभिर्वृतः

sūta uvāca ānartaḥ suhayo nāma purāsītpṛthivīpatiḥ sarvāribhirhato yuddhe palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ ucchiṣṭo mlecchasaṁspṛṣṭa ekākī bahubhirvṛtaḥ

Suta said: Long ago there lived a lord of the earth named Anarta, called Suhaya; beaten down in battle by all his foes, forced to flee, defiled by the touch of barbarians, alone and surrounded by many enemies.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.65.6)

अथ तस्य कपालं च कापालिक व्रतान्वितः॥ जगृहे निजकर्मार्थं ज्ञात्वा तं वीरसंभवम्

atha tasya kapālaṁ ca kāpālika vratānvitaḥ jagṛhe nijakarmārthaṁ jñātvā taṁ vīrasaṁbhavam

Then a follower of the Kapalika vow, knowing him to be of heroic birth, took his skull for his own ritual purposes.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.65.7)

आनर्तेश्वरसांनिध्ये वसमानो वने स्थितः॥ स रात्रौ तेन तोयेन सर्वदेवमयेन च

ānarteśvarasāṁnidhye vasamāno vane sthitaḥ sa rātrau tena toyena sarvadevamayena ca

Dwelling near Anarteshvara, remaining there in the forest, that ascetic, each night, with that water — regarded as filled with the presence of every god —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.65.8)

तडागोत्थेन संपूर्णं रात्रौ कृत्वा प्रमुंचति॥ आसीत्पूर्वं वणिङ्नाम्ना सिद्धसेन इति स्मृतः॥ धनी भृत्यसमोपेतः सदा पुण्यपरायणः

taḍāgotthena saṁpūrṇaṁ rātrau kṛtvā pramuṁcati āsītpūrvaṁ vaṇiṅnāmnā siddhasena iti smṛtaḥ dhanī bhṛtyasamopetaḥ sadā puṇyaparāyaṇaḥ

— filling it from the tank at night, and then pouring it out. Now, there had once been a wealthy merchant named Siddhasena, attended by servants, ever devoted to meritorious deeds.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.65.9)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य पण्यबुद्ध्या द्विजोत्तमाः॥ प्रस्थितश्चोत्तरां काष्ठां स सार्थेन समन्वितः

kasyacittvatha kālasya paṇyabuddhyā dvijottamāḥ prasthitaścottarāṁ kāṣṭhāṁ sa sārthena samanvitaḥ

Then, after some time, O best of the twice-born, driven by the intent of trade, he set out toward the northern region, accompanied by his caravan.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.65.10)

अथ प्राप्तः क्रमात्सर्वैः स गच्छन्मरुमंडल म्॥ वृक्षोदकपरित्यक्तं सर्वसत्त्वविवर्जितम्

atha prāptaḥ kramātsarvaiḥ sa gacchanmarumaṁḍala m vṛkṣodakaparityaktaṁ sarvasattvavivarjitam

Then, journeying with all his companions, he came by stages into a desert region, bare of trees and water, and empty of every living creature.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.65.11)

तत्र रात्रिं समासाद्य श्रांताः पांथाः समन्ततः॥ सुप्ताः स्थानानि संसृत्य गता निद्रावशं तथा

tatra rātriṁ samāsādya śrāṁtāḥ pāṁthāḥ samantataḥ suptāḥ sthānāni saṁsṛtya gatā nidrāvaśaṁ tathā

There, as night fell, the weary travelers scattered to rest in various spots and, overcome with fatigue, fell fast asleep.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.65.12)

ततः प्रत्यूषमासाद्य समुत्थाय च सत्वरम्॥ प्रस्थिता उत्तरां काष्ठां मुक्त्वैकं शूद्रसेवकम्

tataḥ pratyūṣamāsādya samutthāya ca satvaram prasthitā uttarāṁ kāṣṭhāṁ muktvaikaṁ śūdrasevakam

Then, when dawn broke, they all rose quickly and set out again toward the north, leaving behind, without noticing, one shudra servant.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.65.13)

स वै मार्गपरिश्रांतो गत्वा निद्रावशं भृशम्॥ न जजागार जातेऽपि प्रयाणे बहुशब्दिते

sa vai mārgapariśrāṁto gatvā nidrāvaśaṁ bhṛśam na jajāgāra jāte'pi prayāṇe bahuśabdite

That man, utterly worn out from the road, had fallen into so deep a sleep that he did not wake even amid all the noise of the departure.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.65.14)

न च तैः स स्मृतः सार्थैर्यैः समं प्रस्थितो गृहात्॥ न च केनापि संदृष्टः स तु रोधसि संस्थितः

na ca taiḥ sa smṛtaḥ sārthairyaiḥ samaṁ prasthito gṛhāt na ca kenāpi saṁdṛṣṭaḥ sa tu rodhasi saṁsthitaḥ

Nor did those companions with whom he had set out from home remember him, nor did anyone catch sight of him, for he lay apart, resting on a raised bank of ground.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.65.15)

एवं गते ततः सार्थे प्रोद्गते सूर्यमंडले॥ तीव्रतापपरिस्पृष्टो जजागार ततः परम्

evaṁ gate tataḥ sārthe prodgate sūryamaṁḍale tīvratāpaparispṛṣṭo jajāgāra tataḥ param

When the caravan had thus gone on and the sun had risen high, scorched by the fierce heat, he finally awoke.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.65.16)

यावत्पश्यति नो किञ्चित्तस्मिन्स्थाने स सार्थकम्॥ न च तेषां मरौ तस्मिँल्लक्ष्यते पदपद्धतिः

yāvatpaśyati no kiñcittasminsthāne sa sārthakam na ca teṣāṁ marau tasmi~llakṣyate padapaddhatiḥ

He could see no trace of the caravan anywhere in that place; not even a footprint of theirs could be made out there in the desert sand.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.65.17)

ततो दुःखपरीतात्मा धावमान इतस्ततः॥ पतितो मेदिनीपृष्ठे मध्याह्ने क्षुत्तृषार्दितः

tato duḥkhaparītātmā dhāvamāna itastataḥ patito medinīpṛṣṭhe madhyāhne kṣuttṛṣārditaḥ

Then, overwhelmed with grief, running here and there in desperation, he collapsed to the ground at midday, tormented by hunger and thirst.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.65.18)

एवं तस्य तृषार्तस्य पतितस्य धरातले॥ धृतप्राणस्य कृच्छ्रेण संयातोऽस्ताचलं रविः

evaṁ tasya tṛṣārtasya patitasya dharātale dhṛtaprāṇasya kṛcchreṇa saṁyāto'stācalaṁ raviḥ

Thus, as he lay fallen on the ground, tormented by thirst and clinging to life only with great difficulty, the sun sank toward the western mountain.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.65.19)

ततः किंचित्ससंज्ञोऽभून्मंदीभूते दिवाकरे॥ चिन्तयामास चित्तेन क्वाहं गच्छामि सांप्रतम्

tataḥ kiṁcitsasaṁjño'bhūnmaṁdībhūte divākare cintayāmāsa cittena kvāhaṁ gacchāmi sāṁpratam

Then, as the sun's heat softened, he regained some awareness and thought within his mind: 'Where should I go now?'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.65.20)

न लक्ष्यते क्वचिन्मार्गो दृश्यते न च मानुषम्॥ नात्र तोयं न च च्छाया नूनं मे मृत्यु रागतः

na lakṣyate kvacinmārgo dṛśyate na ca mānuṣam nātra toyaṁ na ca cchāyā nūnaṁ me mṛtyu rāgataḥ

'No path can be seen anywhere, nor any human being. There is no water here, and no shade; surely my death has come at last.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.65.21)

एवं चिन्ताप्रपन्नस्य तस्य शूद्रस्य निर्जने॥ मरौ तस्मिन्समायाता शर्वरी तदनन्तरम्

evaṁ cintāprapannasya tasya śūdrasya nirjane marau tasminsamāyātā śarvarī tadanantaram

As that shudra sank deep into such thoughts, alone in that desolate wasteland, night then descended upon him.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.65.22)

अथ क्षणेन शुश्राव स गीतं मधुरध्वनि॥ पठतां नन्दिवृद्धानां तथा शब्दं मनोहरम्

atha kṣaṇena śuśrāva sa gītaṁ madhuradhvani paṭhatāṁ nandivṛddhānāṁ tathā śabdaṁ manoharam

Then, in an instant, he heard sweet, melodious song, and the delightful sound of venerable elders chanting.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.65.23)

अथापश्यत्क्षणेनैव प्रेतसंघैः सभावृतम्॥ प्रेतमेकं च सर्वेषामाधिपत्ये व्यव स्थितम्

athāpaśyatkṣaṇenaiva pretasaṁghaiḥ sabhāvṛtam pretamekaṁ ca sarveṣāmādhipatye vyava sthitam

Then, in that same instant, he saw an assembly surrounded by throngs of pretas, with one preta established as their sovereign lord.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.65.24)

ततस्ते पार्श्वगाः प्रेता एके नृत्यं प्रचक्रिरे॥ तत्पुरो गीतमन्ये तु स्तुतिं चैव तथा परे

tataste pārśvagāḥ pretā eke nṛtyaṁ pracakrire tatpuro gītamanye tu stutiṁ caiva tathā pare

Then those pretas gathered around him — some began to dance, others sang before him, and still others offered him hymns of praise.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.65.25)

अथासौ प्राह तं शूद्रमतिथे कुरु भोजनम्॥ स्वेच्छया पिब तोयं च श्रेयो येन भवेन्मम

athāsau prāha taṁ śūdramatithe kuru bhojanam svecchayā piba toyaṁ ca śreyo yena bhavenmama

Then he spoke to the shudra: 'O guest, take your meal; drink water at your own pleasure — so that good fortune may come to me as well.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.65.26)

ततः स भोजनं चक्रे क्षुधार्तश्च पपौ जलम्॥ भयं त्यक्त्वा सुविश्रब्धः प्रेतराजस्य शासनात्

tataḥ sa bhojanaṁ cakre kṣudhārtaśca papau jalam bhayaṁ tyaktvā suviśrabdhaḥ pretarājasya śāsanāt

Then, driven by hunger, he ate the food and drank the water, casting aside all fear, reassured completely by the command of the king of pretas.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.65.27)

ततः प्रेताश्च ते सर्वे प्रेतत्वेन समन्विताः॥ यथाज्येष्ठं यथान्यायं प्रचक्रुर्भोजनक्रियाम्

tataḥ pretāśca te sarve pretatvena samanvitāḥ yathājyeṣṭhaṁ yathānyāyaṁ pracakrurbhojanakriyām

Then all those pretas, in keeping with their nature as spirits, carried out their own rite of feeding, each in order of seniority and according to custom.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.65.28)

एवं तेषां समस्तानां विलासैः पार्थिवोचितैः॥ अतिक्रान्ता निशा सर्वा क्रीडतां द्विजसत्तमाः

evaṁ teṣāṁ samastānāṁ vilāsaiḥ pārthivocitaiḥ atikrāntā niśā sarvā krīḍatāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Thus, O best of the twice-born, the entire night passed by, as all of them made merry with royal festivities and play.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.65.29)

ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमंडले॥ यावत्पश्यति शूद्रः स तावत्तत्र न किञ्चन

tataḥ prabhāte vimale prodgate ravimaṁḍale yāvatpaśyati śūdraḥ sa tāvattatra na kiñcana

Then, when clear dawn broke and the sun's orb had risen, the shudra looked about and found nothing there at all.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.65.30)

ततश्च चिन्तयामास किमेतत्स्वप्नदर्शनम्॥ चित्तभ्रमोऽथवाऽस्माकमिन्द्रजालमथापि वा

tataśca cintayāmāsa kimetatsvapnadarśanam cittabhramo'thavā'smākamindrajālamathāpi vā

Then he wondered: 'Was this some dream I saw? Or a delusion of my own mind? Or perhaps some magical illusion?'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.65.31)

अथवा सत्यमेतद्धि यतो मे तृप्तिरुत्तमा॥ संजातेयं क्षुधार्त्तस्य पिपासाकुलितस्य च

athavā satyametaddhi yato me tṛptiruttamā saṁjāteyaṁ kṣudhārttasya pipāsākulitasya ca

'Or else this was indeed real — for this supreme satisfaction has truly come to me, hungry and thirst-tormented though I was.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.65.32)

एवं चिन्तयमानस्य भास्करो गगनांगणम्॥ समारुरोह तापेन तापयन्धरणीतलम्

evaṁ cintayamānasya bhāskaro gaganāṁgaṇam samāruroha tāpena tāpayandharaṇītalam

As he pondered thus, the sun climbed high into the courtyard of the sky, scorching the surface of the earth with its heat.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.65.33)

ततः कंचित्समाश्रित्य स्वल्पच्छायं महीरुहम्॥ प्राप्तवान्दिवसस्यांतं क्षुत्पिपासाप्रपीडितः

tataḥ kaṁcitsamāśritya svalpacchāyaṁ mahīruham prāptavāndivasasyāṁtaṁ kṣutpipāsāprapīḍitaḥ

Then, taking refuge beneath some tree that gave little shade, tormented by hunger and thirst, he passed through to the end of the day.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.65.34)

ततो निशामुखे प्राप्ते भूयोऽपि प्रेतराजकम्॥ प्रेतैस्तैश्चसमोपेतं तथारूपं व्यलोकयत्

tato niśāmukhe prāpte bhūyo'pi pretarājakam pretaistaiścasamopetaṁ tathārūpaṁ vyalokayat

Then, as night began to fall once again, he once more beheld the king of pretas, surrounded by those same spirits, appearing just as before.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.65.35)

तथैव भोजनं चक्रे तस्यातिथ्यसमुद्भवम्॥ भयेन रहितः शूद्रो हर्षेण महतान्वितः

tathaiva bhojanaṁ cakre tasyātithyasamudbhavam bhayena rahitaḥ śūdro harṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ

Just as before, the shudra, now free of fear and filled with great joy, partook once again of the meal born of his hospitality.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.65.36)

एवं तस्य निशावक्त्रे नित्यमेव स भूपतिः॥ आतिथ्यं प्रकरोत्येव समागत्य तथैव च

evaṁ tasya niśāvaktre nityameva sa bhūpatiḥ ātithyaṁ prakarotyeva samāgatya tathaiva ca

Thus, at the start of every single night, that lord would come and extend his hospitality to him in just the same way, without fail.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.65.37)

ततोऽन्यदिवसे प्राप्ते तेन शूद्रेण भूपतिः॥ पृष्टः किमेतदाश्चर्यं दृश्यते रजनीमुखे

tato'nyadivase prāpte tena śūdreṇa bhūpatiḥ pṛṣṭaḥ kimetadāścaryaṁ dṛśyate rajanīmukhe

Then, on another occasion, that shudra asked the king: 'What is this wonder that appears every night at nightfall?'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.65.38)

विभवस्ते महाभाग प्रणश्यति निशाक्षये॥ एतत्कीर्तय मे गुह्यं न चेत्प्रेतप संस्थितम्॥ अत्र कौतूहलं जातं दृष्ट्वेदं सुविचेष्टितम्

vibhavaste mahābhāga praṇaśyati niśākṣaye etatkīrtaya me guhyaṁ na cetpretapa saṁsthitam atra kautūhalaṁ jātaṁ dṛṣṭvedaṁ suviceṣṭitam

'O most fortunate one, this splendor of yours vanishes as soon as night ends. Tell me this secret, O lord of pretas, unless it must remain hidden — for, seeing this well-ordered display, great curiosity has arisen in me.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.65.39)

प्रेत उवाच॥ अस्ति पुण्यं महाक्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्॥ गंगा च यमुना चैव स्थिते तत्र च संगमे

preta uvāca asti puṇyaṁ mahākṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam gaṁgā ca yamunā caiva sthite tatra ca saṁgame

The preta said: 'There is a sacred and great field called Hatakeshvara, where the Ganga and the Yamuna stand joined together at their confluence.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.65.40)

ताभ्यामतिसमीपस्थं शिवस्यायतनं शुभम्॥ महाव्रतधरस्तत्र तपस्यति सुनैष्ठिकः

tābhyāmatisamīpasthaṁ śivasyāyatanaṁ śubham mahāvratadharastatra tapasyati sunaiṣṭhikaḥ

'Very close to those two rivers stands an auspicious temple of Shiva; there a steadfast ascetic, bound by a great vow, performs his austerities.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.65.41)

स सदा रात्रिशौचार्थं कपालं जलपूरितम्॥ मदीयं शयने चक्रे तत्र कृत्वा निजां क्रियाम्

sa sadā rātriśaucārthaṁ kapālaṁ jalapūritam madīyaṁ śayane cakre tatra kṛtvā nijāṁ kriyām

'He always, for his nightly ablutions, having performed his own rites there, fills my very skull with water and keeps it by his bed.'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.65.42)

तत्प्रभावान्ममेयं हि विभूतिर्जायते निशि॥ दिवा रिक्ते कृते याति भूय एव महामते

tatprabhāvānmameyaṁ hi vibhūtirjāyate niśi divā rikte kṛte yāti bhūya eva mahāmate

'By the power of that, this glory of mine arises each night; and, O greatly wise one, when the skull is emptied by day, it vanishes once more.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.65.43)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे तत्र गत्वा कपालकम्॥ चूर्णं कृत्वा मदीयं तत्तस्मिंस्तोये विनिक्षिप

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ me tatra gatvā kapālakam cūrṇaṁ kṛtvā madīyaṁ tattasmiṁstoye vinikṣipa

'Therefore, do me this kindness: go there, take that skull of mine, grind it to powder, and cast it into that very water.'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.65.44)

येन मे जायते मोक्षः प्रेतभावात्सुदारुणात्

yena me jāyate mokṣaḥ pretabhāvātsudāruṇāt

'So that I may be freed from this most terrible condition of being a preta.'

Verse 45 (skanda.6.65.45)

तथा तत्रास्ति पूर्वस्यां दिशि तत्तीर्थमुत्तमम्॥ गयाशिर इति ख्यातं प्रेतत्वान्मुक्तिदा यकम्

tathā tatrāsti pūrvasyāṁ diśi tattīrthamuttamam gayāśira iti khyātaṁ pretatvānmuktidā yakam

'And there, to the east, lies that most excellent tirtha known as Gayashira, which grants liberation from the state of being a preta.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.65.46)

तत्र गत्वा कुरु श्राद्धं सर्वेषां त्वं महामते॥ दृश्यते तव पार्श्वस्था भद्र संपुटिका शुभाम्

tatra gatvā kuru śrāddhaṁ sarveṣāṁ tvaṁ mahāmate dṛśyate tava pārśvasthā bhadra saṁpuṭikā śubhām

'Go there, O greatly wise one, and perform the shraddha rites for all of us. Beside you, you will find a small, auspicious casket.'

Verse 47 (skanda.6.65.47)

अस्यां नामानि सर्वेषां यथाज्येष्ठं समालिख॥ ततः श्राद्धं कुरुष्वाशु दयां कृत्वा गरीयसीम्

asyāṁ nāmāni sarveṣāṁ yathājyeṣṭhaṁ samālikha tataḥ śrāddhaṁ kuruṣvāśu dayāṁ kṛtvā garīyasīm

'In it, write down the names of all of us, in order of seniority. Then, showing us this great compassion, perform the shraddha rites without delay.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.65.48)

वयं त्वां तत्र नेष्यामः सुखोपायेन भद्रक॥ निधिं च दर्शयिष्यामः श्राद्धार्थं सुमहत्तरम्

vayaṁ tvāṁ tatra neṣyāmaḥ sukhopāyena bhadraka nidhiṁ ca darśayiṣyāmaḥ śrāddhārthaṁ sumahattaram

'We shall carry you there by an easy means, O good man, and we shall show you a great hidden treasure for the purpose of the shraddha rites.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.65.49)

तथेति समनुज्ञाते तेन शूद्रेण सत्वरम्॥ निन्युस्तं स्कन्धमारोप्य शूद्रं क्षेत्रे यथोदितम्

tatheti samanujñāte tena śūdreṇa satvaram ninyustaṁ skandhamāropya śūdraṁ kṣetre yathoditam

When that shudra readily agreed, saying 'so be it,' they swiftly lifted him onto their shoulders and carried him to that field, just as described.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.65.50)

दर्शयामासुरेवास्य निधानं भूरिवित्तजम्॥ तदादाय गतस्तत्र यत्रासौ नैष्ठिकः स्थितः

darśayāmāsurevāsya nidhānaṁ bhūrivittajam tadādāya gatastatra yatrāsau naiṣṭhikaḥ sthitaḥ

They then showed him a treasure that yielded abundant wealth; taking it, he went to the place where that devout ascetic dwelt.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.65.51)

ततः प्रणम्य तं भक्त्या कथ यामास विस्तरात्॥ तस्य भूतपतेः सर्वं वृत्तांतं विनयान्वितः

tataḥ praṇamya taṁ bhaktyā katha yāmāsa vistarāt tasya bhūtapateḥ sarvaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ vinayānvitaḥ

Then, bowing to him with devotion, he related, with humility, the entire account of that lord of spirits, in full detail.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.65.52)

ततो लब्ध्वा कपालं तच्चूर्णयित्वा समाहितः॥ गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये प्रचिक्षेप मुदान्वितः

tato labdhvā kapālaṁ taccūrṇayitvā samāhitaḥ gaṁgāyamunayormadhye pracikṣepa mudānvitaḥ

Then, obtaining that skull and grinding it to powder with a focused mind, he cast it, filled with joy, into the waters between the Ganga and the Yamuna.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.65.53)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्रेतो दिव्यरूपवपुर्धरः॥ विमानस्थोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं शूद्रं तं हर्षसंयुतः

etasminnaṁtare preto divyarūpavapurdharaḥ vimānastho'bravīdvākyaṁ śūdraṁ taṁ harṣasaṁyutaḥ

At that very moment, the preta, now clothed in a divine and radiant form, seated upon a celestial chariot, spoke these joyful words to the shudra.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.65.54)

प्रसादात्तव मुक्तोऽहं प्रेतत्वाद्दारुणादितः॥ स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सांप्रतं त्रिदिवालयम्

prasādāttava mukto'haṁ pretatvāddāruṇāditaḥ svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi sāṁprataṁ tridivālayam

'By your grace, I have been freed from this dreadful state of being a preta; may all be well with you — I now go to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.65.55)

एतेषामेव सर्वेषामिदानीं श्राद्धमाचर॥ गत्वा गयाशिरः पुण्यं येन मुक्तिः प्रजायते

eteṣāmeva sarveṣāmidānīṁ śrāddhamācara gatvā gayāśiraḥ puṇyaṁ yena muktiḥ prajāyate

'Now go and perform the shraddha for all these others as well, at the sacred Gayashira, so that liberation may come to them too.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.65.56)

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टस्तेषामेव पृथक्पृथक्॥ श्राद्धं चक्रे च भूतानां नित्यमेव समाहितः

tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭasteṣāmeva pṛthakpṛthak śrāddhaṁ cakre ca bhūtānāṁ nityameva samāhitaḥ

Then, filled with wonder, and with a steady, focused mind, he performed the shraddha rites separately for each of those spirits.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.65.57)

तेऽपि सर्वे गताः स्वर्गं प्रेतास्तस्य प्रभावतः॥ ददुश्च दर्शनं तस्य स्वप्रे हर्षसमन्विताः

te'pi sarve gatāḥ svargaṁ pretāstasya prabhāvataḥ daduśca darśanaṁ tasya svapre harṣasamanvitāḥ

By that power, all those pretas went to heaven, and, filled with joy, appeared to him in a dream.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.65.58)

ततः शूद्रः स विज्ञाय तत्क्षेत्रं पुण्यवर्ध नम्॥ न जगाम गृहं भूयस्तत्रैव तपसि स्थितः

tataḥ śūdraḥ sa vijñāya tatkṣetraṁ puṇyavardha nam na jagāma gṛhaṁ bhūyastatraiva tapasi sthitaḥ

Then that shudra, recognizing that field as one that increases merit, did not return home again, but remained right there, given over to austerity.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.65.59)

गंगायमुनयोः पार्श्वे शूद्रकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्॥ लिगं संस्थापितं तेन सर्वपातकनाशनम्

gaṁgāyamunayoḥ pārśve śūdrakeśvarasaṁjñitam ligaṁ saṁsthāpitaṁ tena sarvapātakanāśanam

Beside the Ganga and the Yamuna, he established a linga named Shudrakeshvara, the destroyer of every sin.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.65.60)

यस्तयोर्विधिवत्स्नानं कृत्वा पूजयते नरः॥ शूद्रकेश्वरसंज्ञं च लिंगं श्रद्धासमन्वितः

yastayorvidhivatsnānaṁ kṛtvā pūjayate naraḥ śūdrakeśvarasaṁjñaṁ ca liṁgaṁ śraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Whatever man, having bathed there in those two rivers according to due rite, worships that linga called Shudrakeshvara with faith —

Verse 61 (skanda.6.65.61)

स सर्वैः पातकैर्मुक्तः प्रयाति शिव मंदिरम्॥ स्तूयमानश्च गंधर्वैर्विमानवरमाश्रितः

sa sarvaiḥ pātakairmuktaḥ prayāti śiva maṁdiram stūyamānaśca gaṁdharvairvimānavaramāśritaḥ

— he, freed from every sin, goes to the abode of Shiva, praised by gandharvas, borne upon a splendid celestial chariot.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.65.62)

यस्तत्र त्यजति प्राणान्कृत्वा प्रायोपवेशनम्॥ न च भूयोऽत्र संसारे स जन्माप्नोति । मानवः

yastatra tyajati prāṇānkṛtvā prāyopaveśanam na ca bhūyo'tra saṁsāre sa janmāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whoever gives up his life there, having undertaken the fast unto death, that man is never again born into this cycle of existence.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.65.63)

गंडूषमपि तोयस्य यस्तस्य निवसन्पिबेत्॥ सोऽपि संमुच्यते पापादाजन्ममरणांतिकात्

gaṁḍūṣamapi toyasya yastasya nivasanpibet so'pi saṁmucyate pāpādājanmamaraṇāṁtikāt

Whoever, dwelling there, drinks even a single mouthful of that water, he too is freed from every sin accumulated from birth to the very end of life.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.65.64)

यस्तत्र ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां संप्रयच्छति भोजनम्॥ पितरस्तस्य तृप्यंति यावत्कल्पशतत्रयम्

yastatra brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ saṁprayacchati bhojanam pitarastasya tṛpyaṁti yāvatkalpaśatatrayam

Whoever offers a meal there to the foremost brahmins — his ancestors remain satisfied for as long as three hundred kalpas.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.65.65)

त्रुटिमात्रं च यो दद्यात्तत्र स्वर्णं समाहितः॥ स प्राप्नोति फलं कृत्स्नं राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः

truṭimātraṁ ca yo dadyāttatra svarṇaṁ samāhitaḥ sa prāpnoti phalaṁ kṛtsnaṁ rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ

And whoever, with a focused mind, gives there even the smallest fraction of gold obtains the entire fruit of both the Rajasuya and the Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.65.66)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्तीर्थवरमाश्रयेत्॥ य इच्छेच्छाश्वतं स्वर्गं सदैव मनुजो द्विजाः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tattīrthavaramāśrayet ya icchecchāśvataṁ svargaṁ sadaiva manujo dvijāḥ

Therefore, O brahmins, whatever man desires eternal heaven should always take refuge, with the greatest effort, in that most excellent tirtha.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.65.67)

अत्र गाथा पुरा गीता गौतमेन महर्षिणा॥ गंगायमुनयोस्तं च प्रभावं वीक्ष्य विस्मयात्

atra gāthā purā gītā gautamena maharṣiṇā gaṁgāyamunayostaṁ ca prabhāvaṁ vīkṣya vismayāt

Here, long ago, the great sage Gautama, astonished at witnessing that power of the Ganga and Yamuna, sang a verse.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.65.68)

गंगायमुनयोः संगे नरः स्नात्वा समाहितः॥ शूद्रेश्वरं समालोक्य सद्यः स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात्

gaṁgāyamunayoḥ saṁge naraḥ snātvā samāhitaḥ śūdreśvaraṁ samālokya sadyaḥ svargamavāpnuyāt

'A man who bathes with a composed mind at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, and beholds Shudreshvara there, attains heaven at once.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.65.69)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं गंगायमुनयोर्मया॥ माहात्म्यं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ gaṁgāyamunayormayā māhātmyaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

O best of brahmins, this entire greatness of the Ganga and Yamuna, which destroys every sin, has now been fully related to you by me.