The Glory of the Rameshvara Field

Verse 1 (skanda.7.202.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि रामेश्वरमनुत्तमम्। मंकीशाद्दक्षिणे भागे आग्नेये तु कृतस्मरात्। पूर्वतस्तु सरस्वत्या बलभद्रप्रतिष्ठितम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi rāmeśvaramanuttamam| maṅkīśāddakṣiṇe bhāge āgneye tu kṛtasmarāt| pūrvatastu sarasvatyā balabhadrapratiṣṭhitam

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the peerless Rameshvara, situated to the south of Mankishvara, southeast of Kritasmara, and to the east of the Sarasvati — established there by Balabhadra.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.202.2)

यत्र मुक्तोऽभवद्देवि रामो ब्रह्मवधात्किल। पातकात्प्रतिलोमां तामगाहत सरस्वतीम्

yatra mukto'bhavaddevi rāmo brahmavadhātkila| pātakātpratilomāṁ tāmagāhata sarasvatīm

O Goddess, it was here that Rama became freed from the sin of Brahmin-slaying, when he immersed himself in that Sarasvati flowing in the reverse direction.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.202.3)

देव्युवाच। कथं स पातकान्मुक्तः कथं पापमभूत्पुरा। कथं तत्स्थापितं लिंगं किंप्रभावं वदस्व मे

devyuvāca| kathaṁ sa pātakānmuktaḥ kathaṁ pāpamabhūtpurā| kathaṁ tatsthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ kiṁprabhāvaṁ vadasva me

The Goddess said: How did he become freed from that sin? How did that sin come about in the first place? How was the linga established, and what is its power? Tell me this.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.202.4)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम्। यां श्रुत्वा मानवो देवि मुक्तः संसारसागरात्। सर्वान्कामान्स लभते सततं मनसि प्रियान्

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm| yāṁ śrutvā mānavo devi muktaḥ saṁsārasāgarāt| sarvānkāmānsa labhate satataṁ manasi priyān

Ishvara said: Listen, O Goddess, I shall relate that tale which destroys sin; hearing it, a man is freed from the ocean of worldly existence, and ever obtains all the desires dear to his heart.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.202.5)

रामः पूर्वं परां प्रीतिं कृत्वा कृष्णस्य लांगली। चिन्तयामास बहुधा किं कृतं सुकृतं भवेत्

rāmaḥ pūrvaṁ parāṁ prītiṁ kṛtvā kṛṣṇasya lāṅgalī| cintayāmāsa bahudhā kiṁ kṛtaṁ sukṛtaṁ bhavet

Long ago Rama, the plough-bearer, having a supreme affection for Krishna, pondered in many ways what course of action would be right.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.202.6)

कृष्णेन हि विना नाहं यास्ये दुर्योधनान्तिकम्। पाण्डवान्वा समाश्रित्य कथं दुर्योधनं नृपम्

kṛṣṇena hi vinā nāhaṁ yāsye duryodhanāntikam| pāṇḍavānvā samāśritya kathaṁ duryodhanaṁ nṛpam

Without Krishna, I shall not go to Duryodhana's side; nor, taking refuge with the Pandavas, could I—

Verse 7 (skanda.7.202.7)

जामातरं तथा शिष्यं घातयिष्ये नरेश्वरम्। तस्मान्न पार्थं यास्यामि नापि दुर्योधनं नृपम्

jāmātaraṁ tathā śiṣyaṁ ghātayiṣye nareśvaram| tasmānna pārthaṁ yāsyāmi nāpi duryodhanaṁ nṛpam

—cause the destruction of that king, my own disciple and son-in-law. Therefore I shall go neither to the Parthas nor to King Duryodhana.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.202.8)

तीर्थेष्वाप्लावयिष्यामि तावदात्मानमात्मना। कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च यावदंताय कल्पते

tīrtheṣvāplāvayiṣyāmi tāvadātmānamātmanā| kurūṇāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ ca yāvadaṁtāya kalpate

I shall instead immerse myself in the sacred fords, until such time as the destruction of the Kurus and the Pandavas has run its course.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.202.9)

इत्यादिश्य हृषीकेशं पार्थदुर्योधनावपि। जगाम द्वारकां शौरिः स्वसैन्यैश्च परीवृतः

ityādiśya hṛṣīkeśaṁ pārthaduryodhanāvapi| jagāma dvārakāṁ śauriḥ svasainyaiśca parīvṛtaḥ

Having thus informed Hrishikesha, and both Partha and Duryodhana, Shauri set out for Dvaraka, surrounded by his own troops.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.202.10)

गत्वा द्वारावतीं रामो हृष्टतुष्टजनाकुलाम्। स्वैरन्तःपुरगैः सार्धं पपौ पानं हलायुधः

gatvā dvārāvatīṁ rāmo hṛṣṭatuṣṭajanākulām| svairantaḥpuragaiḥ sārdhaṁ papau pānaṁ halāyudhaḥ

Having arrived at Dvaravati, teeming with joyful and contented people, Rama, the plough-bearer, drank wine together with the women of his own inner apartments.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.202.11)

पीतपानो जगामाथ रैवतोद्यानमृद्धिमत्। हस्ते गृहीत्वा स गदां रेवत्यादिभिरन्वितः

pītapāno jagāmātha raivatodyānamṛddhimat| haste gṛhītvā sa gadāṁ revatyādibhiranvitaḥ

Having drunk his fill, he then went, mace in hand, accompanied by Revati and the others, to the prosperous Raivataka garden.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.202.12)

स्त्रीकदंबकमध्यस्थो ययौ मत्तवदास्खलन्। ददर्श च वनं वीरो रमणीयमनुत्तमम्

strīkadaṁbakamadhyastho yayau mattavadāskhalan| dadarśa ca vanaṁ vīro ramaṇīyamanuttamam

Standing amidst the throng of women, he walked along staggering like one intoxicated; and that hero beheld there a most delightful forest.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.202.13)

सर्वत्र तरुपुष्पाढ्यं शाखामृगगणाकुलम्। पुष्पपद्मवनोपेतं सपल्वलमहावनम्

sarvatra tarupuṣpāḍhyaṁ śākhāmṛgagaṇākulam| puṣpapadmavanopetaṁ sapalvalamahāvanam

That great forest was everywhere adorned with flowering trees, teeming with troops of monkeys, filled with groves of flowers and lotuses, and dotted with pools of water.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.202.14)

स शृण्वन्प्रीतिजनकान्वन्यान्मदकलाञ्छुभान्। श्रोत्ररम्यान्सुमधुराञ्छब्दान्खगसुखेरितान्

sa śṛṇvanprītijanakānvanyānmadakalāñchubhān| śrotraramyānsumadhurāñchabdānkhagasukheritān

He walked along, listening to the delightful, intoxicating, auspicious sounds of the forest — sweet and pleasing to the ear — uttered joyfully by the birds.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.202.15)

सर्वतः फलरत्नाढ्यान्सर्वतः कुसुमोज्ज्वलान्। अपश्यत्पादपांश्चैव विहगैरनुमोदितान्

sarvataḥ phalaratnāḍhyānsarvataḥ kusumojjvalān| apaśyatpādapāṁścaiva vihagairanumoditān

He saw trees on every side laden with choice fruits, ablaze on every side with blossoms, and resounding with the delight of birds.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.202.16)

आम्रानाग्रातकान्भव्यान्नालिकेरान्सतिंदुकान्। आबल्वनांस्था पीतान्दाडिमान्बीजपूरकान्। पनसाँल्लकुचान्मोचांस्तापांश्चापि मनोहरान्। पालेवतान्कुसंकुल्लान्नलिनानथ वेतसान्

āmrānāgrātakānbhavyānnālikerānsatiṁdukān| ābalvanāṁsthā pītāndāḍimānbījapūrakān| panasāllakucānmocāṁstāpāṁścāpi manoharān| pālevatānkusaṁkullānnalinānatha vetasān

Mango trees, hog-plum, fine fruit trees, coconut, ebony, wood-apple trees, trees yellow with fruit, pomegranate, citron, jackfruit, monkey-jack, plantain, and lovely palmyra trees, jujube, lotus-plants, and canes —

Verse 17 (skanda.7.202.17)

भल्लातकानामलकींस्तिन्दुकांश्च महाफलान्। इंगुदान्करमर्दांश्च हरीतकबिभीतकान्

bhallātakānāmalakīṁstindukāṁśca mahāphalān| iṁgudānkaramardāṁśca harītakabibhītakān

Marking-nut trees, myrobalan (amla), large-fruited ebony trees, ingudi, karonda, and trees of haritaki and bibhitaka —

Verse 18 (skanda.7.202.18)

एतानन्यांश्च स तरून्ददर्श यदुनन्दनः। तथैवाशोकपुन्नागकेतकीबकुलांस्तथा

etānanyāṁśca sa tarūnddadarśa yadunandanaḥ| tathaivāśokapunnāgaketakībakulāṁstathā

These and other trees the descendant of Yadu beheld, and likewise Ashoka, Punnaga, Ketaki, and Bakula trees.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.202.19)

चंपकान्सप्तपर्णांश्च कर्णिकारान्सुमालतीः। पारिजातान्कोविदारान्मन्दारेन्दीवरांस्तथा

caṁpakānsaptaparṇāṁśca karṇikārānsumālatīḥ| pārijātānkovidārānmandārendīvarāṁstathā

Champaka, Saptaparna, Karnikara, lovely Malati creepers, Parijata, Kovidara, Mandara, and blue lotuses —

Verse 20 (skanda.7.202.20)

पाटलान्पुष्पितान्रम्भान्देवदारुद्रुमांस्तथा। शालांस्तालांश्च स्तमालांनिचुलान्वञ्जुलांस्तथा

pāṭalānpuṣpitānraṁbhāndevadārudrumāṁstathā| śālāṁstālāṁśca stamālāṁniculānvañjulāṁstathā

Flowering Patala trees, plantains, deodar trees, Sala, Tala, Tamala, Nicula, and Vanjula trees —

Verse 21 (skanda.7.202.21)

चकोरैः शतपत्रैश्च भृंगराजैः समावृतान्। कोकिलैः कलविंकैश्च हारीतैर्जीवजीवकैः

cakoraiḥ śataparaiśca bhṛṁgarājaiḥ samāvṛtān| kokilaiḥ kalaviṁkaiśca hārītairjīvajīvakaiḥ

These trees were thronged with chakora birds, shatapatra birds, and bhringaraja birds, with cuckoos, sparrows, green pigeons, and jivamjivaka birds,

Verse 22 (skanda.7.202.22)

प्रियपुत्रैश्चातकैश्च शुकैरन्यैर्विहंगमैः। श्रोत्ररम्यं सुमधुरं कूजद्भिश्चाप्यधिष्ठितैः

priyaputraiścātakaiśca śukairanyairvihaṁgamaiḥ| śrotraramyaṁ sumadhuraṁ kūjadbhiścāpyadhiṣṭhitaiḥ

with priyaputra birds, chataka birds, parrots, and other birds, all cooing in tones both pleasing to the ear and sweet.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.202.23)

सरांसि च सपद्मानि मनोज्ञसलिलानि च। कुमुदैः पुण्डरीकैश्च तथा रोचनकोत्पलैः

sarāṁsi ca sapadmāni manojñasalilāni ca| kumudaiḥ puṇḍarīkaiśca tathā rocanakotpalaiḥ

There too were lakes with lovely waters, covered with lotuses, adorned with white water-lilies, white lotuses, and beautiful blue lotuses,

Verse 24 (skanda.7.202.24)

कह्लारैः कमलैश्चापि चर्चितानि समंततः। कदंबैश्चक्रवाकैश्च तथैव जलकुक्कुटैः

kahlāraiḥ kamalaiścāpi carcitāni samaṁtataḥ| kadaṁbaiścakravākaiśca tathaiva jalakukkuṭaiḥ

covered on every side with red water-lilies and lotuses, and graced with kadamba trees, ruddy-goose birds, and water-fowl.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.202.25)

कारण्डवैः प्लवैर्हंसैः कूर्मैर्मंडुभिरेव च। एतैरन्यैश्च कीर्णानि तथान्यैर्जलवासिभिः

kāraṇḍavaiḥ plavairhaṁsaiḥ kūrmairmaṁḍubhireva ca| etairanyaiśca kīrṇāni tathānyairjalavāsibhiḥ

Those lakes teemed with karandava ducks, cormorants, swans, tortoises, and frogs, and with these and other creatures dwelling in the water.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.202.26)

क्रमेण संचरन्रामः प्रेक्षमाणो मनोरमम्। जगामानुगतः स्त्रीभिर्लतागृहमनुत्तमम्

krameṇa saṁcaranrāmaḥ prekṣamāṇo manoramam| jagāmānugataḥ strībhirlatāgṛhamanuttamam

Walking along step by step, gazing at this delightful scene, Rama, followed by the women, came to an incomparable bower of creepers.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.202.27)

स ददर्श द्विजांस्तत्र वेदवेदांगपारगान्। कौशिकान्भार्गवांश्चैव भारद्वाजांश्च गौतमान्

sa dadarśa dvijāṁstatra vedavedāṅgapāragān| kauśikānbhārgavāṁścaiva bhāradvājāṁśca gautamān

There he saw Brahmins learned in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences — of the Kaushika, Bhargava, Bharadvaja, and Gautama lineages.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.202.28)

विविधेषु च संभूतान्वंशेषु द्विजसत्तमान्। कथाश्रवणसोत्कण्ठानुपविष्टान्महात्मनः

vividheṣu ca saṁbhūtānvaṁśeṣu dvijasattamān| kathāśravaṇasotkaṇṭhānupaviṣṭānmahātmanaḥ

Those foremost of Brahmins, great souls born in various lineages, sitting there eager to listen to a discourse being told.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.202.29)

कृष्णाजिनोत्तरीयेषु कूर्चेषु च वृसीषु च। सूते च तेषां मध्यस्थं कथयानं कथाः शुभाः

kṛṣṇājinottarīyeṣu kūrceṣu ca vṛsīṣu ca| sūte ca teṣāṁ madhyasthaṁ kathayānaṁ kathāḥ śubhāḥ

Clad in upper garments of black antelope skin, seated upon kusha mats and cushioned seats, with a Suta seated in their midst relating auspicious tales —

Verse 30 (skanda.7.202.30)

पौराणिकाः सुरर्षीणामाद्यानां चरितक्रियाः। दृष्ट्वा रामं द्विजाः सर्वे मधुपानारुणेक्षणम्

paurāṇikāḥ surarṣīṇāmādyānāṁ caritakriyāḥ| dṛṣṭvā rāmaṁ dvijāḥ sarve madhupānāruṇekṣaṇam

—the Puranic deeds of the divine seers and the first beings. All those Brahmins then saw Rama, his eyes red from drinking wine.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.202.31)

मत्तोऽयमिति मन्वानाः समुत्तस्थुस्त्वरान्विताः। पूजयन्तो हलधरं तमृते सूतवंशजम्

matto'yamiti manvānāḥ samuttasthustvarānvitāḥ| pūjayanto haladharaṁ tamṛte sūtavaṁśajam

Thinking, 'This man is drunk,' they rose up hastily and paid homage to the plough-bearer — all except the one born of the Suta lineage.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.202.32)

ततः क्रोधसमाविष्टो हली सूतं महाबलः। निजघान विवृत्ताक्षः क्षोभिताशेषदानवः

tataḥ krodhasamāviṣṭo halī sūtaṁ mahābalaḥ| nijaghāna vivṛttākṣaḥ kṣobhitāśeṣadānavaḥ

Then, seized with fury, his eyes rolling — that mighty plough-bearer, who once threw all the demons into turmoil — struck down the Suta.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.202.33)

अन्वासिते पदं ब्राह्म्यं तस्मिन्सूते निपातिते। निष्क्रान्तास्ते द्विजाः सर्वे वनात्कृष्णाजिनांबराः

anvāsite padaṁ brāhmyaṁ tasminsūte nipātite| niṣkrāntāste dvijāḥ sarve vanātkṛṣṇājināṁbarāḥ

When that Suta, who had been occupying the seat of a Brahmin, was struck down, all those Brahmins, clad in black antelope skins, departed at once from the forest.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.202.34)

अवधूतं तथात्मानं मन्यमानो हलायुधः। चिन्तयामास सुमहन्मया पापमिदं कृतम्

avadhūtaṁ tathātmānaṁ manyamāno halāyudhaḥ| cintayāmāsa sumahanmayā pāpamidaṁ kṛtam

Thinking himself thus scorned and shunned, Halayudha reflected: 'I have committed a very great sin.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.202.35)

ब्रह्मासनगतो ह्येष यः सूतो विनिपातितः। तथा ह्येते द्विजाः सर्वे मामवेक्ष्य विनिर्गताः

brahmāsanagato hyeṣa yaḥ sūto vinipātitaḥ| tathā hyete dvijāḥ sarve māmavekṣya vinirgatāḥ

This Suta, who was seated in the seat of a Brahmin, has been slain by me; and all these Brahmins too, upon seeing me, have gone away.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.202.36)

शरीरस्य च मे गन्धो लोहस्येवासुखावहः। आत्मानं चावगच्छामि ब्रह्मघ्नमिति कुत्सितम्

śarīrasya ca me gandho lohasyevāsukhāvahaḥ| ātmānaṁ cāvagacchāmi brahmaghnamiti kutsitam

Even the very scent of my body has become as ill-omened as that of iron; I know myself now to be a despicable slayer of a Brahmin.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.202.37)

धिङ्ममार्थं तथा मद्यं महिमानमकीर्तिदम्। येनाविष्टेन सुमहन्मया पापमिदं कृतम्

dhiṅmamārthaṁ tathā madyaṁ mahimānamakīrtidam| yenāviṣṭena sumahanmayā pāpamidaṁ kṛtam

Shame on my own pride, and on that ignominious wine, possessed by which I have committed this grave sin.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.202.38)

स्मृत्युक्तं ते करिष्यामि प्रायश्चित्तं यथाविधि। उक्तमस्त्येव मनुना प्रायश्चित्तादिकं क्रमात्

smṛtyuktaṁ te kariṣyāmi prāyaścittaṁ yathāvidhi| uktamastyeva manunā prāyaścittādikaṁ kramāt

I shall duly perform the expiation prescribed in the sacred law-codes; Manu, too, has set forth in order the rules of expiation and the like.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.202.39)

जपः प्रच्छन्नपापानां मनस्ताप एव च। भूतात्मनस्तपोविद्ये बुद्धेर्ज्ञानं विशोधनम्

japaḥ pracchannapāpānāṁ manastāpa eva ca| bhūtātmanastapovidye buddherjñānaṁ viśodhanam

For hidden sins, recitation of mantras and inner remorse of mind are the remedy; the embodied self is purified by austerity and sacred knowledge, and the intellect by wisdom.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.202.40)

क्षेत्रेश्वरस्य विज्ञानाद्विशुद्धिः परमा मता। शरीरस्य विशुद्धिस्तु प्रायश्चित्तैः पृथग्विधैः

kṣetreśvarasya vijñānādviśuddhiḥ paramā matā| śarīrasya viśuddhistu prāyaścittaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Supreme purification is held to come from knowledge of the indwelling Self; but purification of the body is achieved through various kinds of expiation.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.202.41)

ततोऽद्यतः करिष्यामि व्रतं द्वादशवार्षिकम्। स्वकर्मख्यापनं कुर्वन्प्रायश्चित्तमनुत्तमम्

tato'dyataḥ kariṣyāmi vrataṁ dvādaśavārṣikam| svakarmakhyāpanaṁ kurvanprāyaścittamanuttamam

Therefore, from today, I shall undertake a twelve-year vow, proclaiming my own deed and performing this supreme expiation.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.202.42)

इयं विशुद्धिरज्ञानाद्धत्वा चाकामतो द्विजम्। कामतो ब्राह्मणवधे निष्कृतिर्न विधीयते

iyaṁ viśuddhirajñānāddhatvā cākāmato dvijam| kāmato brāhmaṇavadhe niṣkṛtirna vidhīyate

This purification applies when a twice-born is slain out of ignorance and without intent; but for the killing of a Brahmin done with deliberate intent, no expiation is prescribed.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.202.43)

यः कामतो महापापं नरः कुर्यान्न कथंचन। न तस्य निष्कृतिर्दृष्टा भृग्वग्निपतनादृते

yaḥ kāmato mahāpāpaṁ naraḥ kuryānna kathaṁcana| na tasya niṣkṛtirdṛṣṭā bhṛgvagnipatanādṛte

For a man who deliberately commits a great sin, no expiation is seen — except by casting himself from a precipice, or entering fire.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.202.44)

अकामतः कृते पापे प्रायश्चित्तं विदुर्बुधाः। कामकारकृतेऽप्याहुरेके श्रुतिनिदर्शनात्

akāmataḥ kṛte pāpe prāyaścittaṁ vidurbudhāḥ| kāmakārakṛte'pyāhureke śrutinidarśanāt

For sin committed unintentionally, the wise have prescribed expiation; and some, on the authority of scriptural precedent, declare that expiation exists even for sin done with deliberate intent.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.202.45)

विधिः प्राथमिकस्तस्माद्द्वितीये द्विगुणं चरेत्। तृतीये त्रिगुणं प्रोक्तं चतुर्थे नास्ति निष्कृतिः

vidhiḥ prāthamikastasmāddvitīye dviguṇaṁ caret| tṛtīye triguṇaṁ proktaṁ caturthe nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

The basic rule applies the first time; the second time one should perform twice the penance; the third time it is prescribed threefold; and for a fourth offense there is no expiation at all.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.202.46)

औषधं स्नेहमाहारं ददद्गोब्राह्मणादिषु। दीयमाने विपत्तिः स्यान्न स पापेन लिप्यते

auṣadhaṁ snehamāhāraṁ dadadgobrāhmaṇādiṣu| dīyamāne vipattiḥ syānna sa pāpena lipyate

One who gives medicine, ghee, or food to cows, Brahmins, and the like — if some mishap should occur in the course of that giving, he is not tainted by sin.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.202.47)

अकारणं तु यः कश्चिद्द्विजः प्राणान्परित्यजेत्। तस्यैव तत्र दोषः स्यान्न तु योऽस्मै ददाति तत्

akāraṇaṁ tu yaḥ kaścidddvijaḥ prāṇānparityajet| tasyaiva tatra doṣaḥ syānna tu yo'smai dadāti tat

If some Brahmin, without cause, gives up his own life, the fault lies with him alone, not with the one who was giving him something.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.202.48)

परिष्कृतो यदा विप्रो हत्वाऽऽत्मानं मृतो यदि। निर्गुणः सहसा क्रोधाद्गृहक्षेत्रादिकारणात्

pariṣkṛto yadā vipro hatvātmānaṁ mṛto yadi| nirguṇaḥ sahasā krodhādgṛhakṣetrādikāraṇāt

When a Brahmin, fully composed, without adequate cause, in sudden anger over some matter of house or land or the like, kills himself and dies —

Verse 49 (skanda.7.202.49)

त्रिवार्षिकं व्रतं कुर्यात्प्रतिलोमां सरस्वतीम्। गच्छेद्वापि विशुद्ध्यर्थं तत्पापस्येति निश्चितम्

trivārṣikaṁ vrataṁ kuryātpratilomāṁ sarasvatīm| gacchedvāpi viśuddhyarthaṁ tatpāpasyeti niścitam

—then, for the purification of that sin, one should observe a three-year vow, or go to that reverse-flowing Sarasvati; this is the settled rule.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.202.50)

उद्दिश्य कुपितो हत्वा तोषितं वासयेत्पुनः। तस्मिन्मृते न दोषोऽस्ति द्वयोरुच्छ्रावणे कृते

uddiśya kupito hatvā toṣitaṁ vāsayetpunaḥ| tasminmṛte na doṣo'sti dvayorucchrāvaṇe kṛte

If, having struck him in anger, one then pacifies and reconciles him once more, yet he still dies — when both sides have been made to hear reason, there is no fault.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.202.51)

षण्ढं तु ब्राह्मणं हत्वा शूद्रहत्याव्रतं चरेत्। बहूनामेककार्याणां सर्वेषां शस्त्रधारिणाम्

ṣaṇḍhaṁ tu brāhmaṇaṁ hatvā śūdrahatyāvrataṁ caret| bahūnāmekakāryāṇāṁ sarveṣāṁ śastradhāriṇām

But for killing an impotent Brahmin, one should observe the vow prescribed for killing a Shudra. When many, all engaged in a single act, bear weapons together —

Verse 52 (skanda.7.202.52)

यद्येको घातयेत्तत्र सर्वे ते घातकाः स्मृताः। प्रायश्चित्ते व्यवसिते यदि कर्ता विपद्यते

yadyeko ghātayettatra sarve te ghātakāḥ smṛtāḥ| prāyaścitte vyavasite yadi kartā vipadyate

—and if only one of them actually strikes the fatal blow, all of them are nonetheless reckoned as the slayers. If, once expiation has been resolved upon, the doer himself should perish —

Verse 53 (skanda.7.202.53)

एनस्तत्प्राप्नुयादेनमिह लोके परत्र च। तदहं किं करोम्येष क्व गच्छामि दुरात्मवान्

enastatprāpnuyādenamiha loke paratra ca| tadahaṁ kiṁ karomyeṣa kva gacchāmi durātmavān

—then that sin overtakes that very person, both in this world and the next. So what, then, shall I, this wretched soul, do? Where shall I go?

Verse 54 (skanda.7.202.54)

धिङ्मां च पापचरितं महादुष्कृतकर्मिणम्

dhiṅmāṁ ca pāpacaritaṁ mahāduṣkṛtakarmiṇam

Shame on me, sinful in conduct, a doer of a great evil deed!

Verse 55 (skanda.7.202.55)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्येवं विलपन्यावच्छोकाकुलितमानसः। तावदाकाशसंभूता वागुवाचाशरीरिणी

īśvara uvāca| ityevaṁ vilapanyāvacchokākulitamānasaḥ| tāvadākāśasaṁbhūtā vāguvācāśarīriṇī

Ishvara said: As he lamented thus, his mind overwhelmed with grief, at that very moment a bodiless voice arose from the sky and spoke:

Verse 56 (skanda.7.202.56)

भोभो राम न संतापस्त्वया कार्यः कथंचन। गच्छ प्राभासिकं क्षेत्रं यत्र देवी सरस्वती

bhobho rāma na saṁtāpastvayā kāryaḥ kathaṁcana| gaccha prābhāsikaṁ kṣetraṁ yatra devī sarasvatī

O Rama, you should not grieve in any way at all. Go to the field of Prabhasa, where the goddess Sarasvati dwells.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.202.57)

पञ्चस्रोताः स्थिता तत्र पञ्चपातकनाशनी। नदीनां प्रवरा सा तु ब्रह्मभूता सरस्वती

pañcasrotāḥ sthitā tatra pañcapātakanāśanī| nadīnāṁ pravarā sā tu brahmabhūtā sarasvatī

There she abides in five streams, the destroyer of the five great sins; that Sarasvati is the foremost among rivers, and is Brahman itself in form.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.202.58)

एकतः सर्वतीर्थानि ब्रह्माण्डे सचराचरे। गंगादीनि नरश्रेष्ठ तेषां पुण्या सरस्वती

ekataḥ sarvatīrthāni brahmāṇḍe sacarācare| gaṅgādīni naraśreṣṭha teṣāṁ puṇyā sarasvatī

O best of men, on the one side stand all the sacred fords of this moving and unmoving universe, the Ganga and the rest; but holier than all of them is the Sarasvati.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.202.59)

तावद्गर्जंति पापानि ब्रह्महत्यादिकानि च। यावन्न दृश्यते देवी प्रभासस्था सरस्वती

tāvadgarjaṁti pāpāni brahmahatyādikāni ca| yāvanna dṛśyate devī prabhāsasthā sarasvatī

Sins such as Brahmin-slaying roar in triumph only so long as one has not beheld the goddess Sarasvati, established in Prabhasa.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.202.60)

तस्मात्तत्रैव गच्छ त्वं यत्र देवी सरस्वती। नान्यैस्तीर्थैः सहस्रैस्त्वं कर्तुं शक्यो विकल्मषः

tasmāttatraiva gaccha tvaṁ yatra devī sarasvatī| nānyaistīrthaiḥ sahasraistvaṁ kartuṁ śakyo vikalmaṣaḥ

Therefore go there, to that very place where the goddess Sarasvati dwells. By a thousand other sacred fords you cannot be freed from your taint.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.202.61)

तन्मा कार्षीर्विलंबं त्वं गच्छ तीरं महोदधेः। प्राभासिके महादेवीं प्रतिलोमां विगाहय

tanmā kārṣīrvilaṁbaṁ tvaṁ gaccha tīraṁ mahodadheḥ| prābhāsike mahādevīṁ pratilomāṁ vigāhaya

Do not delay, then; go to the shore of the great ocean; at Prabhasa, immerse yourself in that great, reverse-flowing goddess.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.202.62)

तत्रैवाराधय विभुं लिंगरूपिणमीश्वरम्। प्रतिष्ठाप्य महापापाच्छारीरात्त्वं विमोक्ष्यसि

tatraivārādhaya vibhuṁ liṅgarūpiṇamīśvaram| pratiṣṭhāpya mahāpāpācchārīrāttvaṁ vimokṣyasi

There worship the all-pervading Lord in his linga-form; by establishing him there, you shall be released from the great sin borne by your body.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.202.63)

इति श्रुत्वा वचो रामः परमानंदपूरितः। प्रभासक्षेत्रगमने मतिं चक्रे महामनाः

iti śrutvā vaco rāmaḥ paramānaṁdapūritaḥ| prabhāsakṣetragamane matiṁ cakre mahāmanāḥ

Hearing this word, Rama was filled with supreme joy, and that great-minded one resolved to journey to the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.202.64)

ततः स्वसैन्यसंयुक्तो द्रव्योपस्करसंयुतः। आजगाम महाक्षेत्रं प्रभासमिति विश्रुतम्

tataḥ svasainyasaṁyukto dravyopaskarasaṁyutaḥ| ājagāma mahākṣetraṁ prabhāsamiti viśrutam

Then, together with his own army and equipped with the necessary provisions, he arrived at that great sacred field renowned as Prabhasa.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.202.65)

दृष्ट्वा मनोरमं तीर्थं सरस्वत्यब्धिसंगमे। चकार हृदि संकल्पं प्रतिलोमावगाहने

dṛṣṭvā manoramaṁ tīrthaṁ sarasvatyabdhisaṁgame| cakāra hṛdi saṁkalpaṁ pratilomāvagāhane

Beholding that lovely sacred ford at the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean, he resolved in his heart to bathe in that reverse-flowing stream.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.202.66)

आहूय ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र प्रभासक्षेत्रवासिनः। सम्यग्यात्राविधानेन यात्रां तत्राकरोद्विभुः

āhūya brāhmaṇāṁstatra prabhāsakṣetravāsinaḥ| samyagyātrāvidhānena yātrāṁ tatrākarodvibhuḥ

Summoning the Brahmins who dwelt there in the field of Prabhasa, that mighty lord performed the pilgrimage there according to the proper rites of pilgrimage.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.202.67)

यानि प्राभासिके क्षेत्रे तीर्थानि विविधानि तु। रवियोजनसंस्थानि तेषु यात्रां चकार सः

yāni prābhāsike kṣetre tīrthāni vividhāni tu| raviyojanasaṁsthāni teṣu yātrāṁ cakāra saḥ

Whatever various sacred fords exist in the field of Prabhasa, extending over a league bright as the sun — among all of these he performed his pilgrimage.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.202.68)

प्रत्येकं च ददौ तेषु दानानि विविधानि तु। तथाऽधः स्थापयामास सरस्वत्यब्धिसंगमे

pratyekaṁ ca dadau teṣu dānāni vividhāni tu| tathā'dhaḥ sthāpayāmāsa sarasvatyabdhisaṁgame

At each of those fords he gave gifts of various kinds; and then, below, at the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean —

Verse 69 (skanda.7.202.69)

पूर्वभागे महालिंगं कृत्वा यज्ञविधिक्रियाम्। एवं कृते महादेवि विमुक्तः पातकैरभूत्

pūrvabhāge mahāliṅgaṁ kṛtvā yajñavidhikriyām| evaṁ kṛte mahādevi vimuktaḥ pātakairabhūt

—on the eastern side he established a great linga and performed the rites of sacrifice. O great Goddess, having done so, he became freed from his sins.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.202.70)

निर्मलांगस्ततो देवि दिनानि दश संस्थितः। ततस्तां चैव स स्नात्वा प्रतिलोमां क्रमाद्ययौ। प्लक्षावतरणं यावत्समुद्राच्च हिमाह्वयम्

nirmalāṅgastato devi dināni daśa saṁsthitaḥ| tatastāṁ caiva sa snātvā pratilomāṁ kramādyayau| plakṣāvataraṇaṁ yāvatsamudrācca himāhvayam

O Goddess, thus purified in body, he remained there for ten days; then, having bathed in that reverse-flowing stream, he journeyed by stages, from the ocean up to Plakshavatarana, as far as the Himalaya.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.202.71)

एवं मुक्तः स पापौघै रामोऽभूत्प्रथितः प्रिये। तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्यात्सरस्वत्याः प्रसादतः

evaṁ muktaḥ sa pāpaughai rāmo'bhūtprathitaḥ priye| tasya liṅgasya māhātmyāttasarasvatyāḥ prasādataḥ

Thus freed from the mass of his sins, Rama became renowned, O beloved — through the glory of that linga and through the grace of Sarasvati.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.202.72)

यस्तत्पूजयते देवि लिंगं पापभयापहम्। रामेश्वरेति कथितं सोऽपि मुच्येत पातकात्

yastatpūjayate devi liṅgaṁ pāpabhayāpaham| rāmeśvareti kathitaṁ so'pi mucyeta pātakāt

O Goddess, whoever worships that linga, which removes both sin and fear, and is called Rameshvara, he too is freed from sin.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.202.73)

अष्टम्यां च विशेषेण ब्रह्मकूर्चविधानतः। यस्तत्र कुरुते देवि सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

aṣṭamyāṁ ca viśeṣeṇa brahmakūrcavidhānataḥ| yastatra kurute devi so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

Especially on the eighth lunar day, whoever performs there the Brahmakurcha rite, O Goddess, obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.202.74)

स्नात्वा तत्र वरारोहे सरस्वत्यब्धिसंगमे। रामेश्वरेतिनामानं ततः संपूज्य शंकरम्। गोदानं तत्र देयं तु सम्यग्यात्राफलेप्सुभिः

snātvā tatra varārohe sarasvatyabdhisaṁgame| rāmeśvaretināmānaṁ tataḥ saṁpūjya śaṅkaram| godānaṁ tatra deyaṁ tu samyagyātrāphalepsubhiḥ

O fair-hipped one, having bathed there at the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean, and then duly worshipped Shankara under the name Rameshvara, those desiring the full fruit of pilgrimage should give the gift of a cow there.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.202.75)

इत्येवं कथितं देवि रामेश्वरमहोदयम्। यच्छ्रुत्वा मानवः सम्यक्छ्रद्धावान्प्राप्नुयाद्दिवम्

ityevaṁ kathitaṁ devi rāmeśvaramahodayam| yacchrutvā mānavaḥ samyakśraddhāvānprāpnuyāddivam

Thus, O Goddess, has the great glory of Rameshvara been related; hearing it, a man of faith duly attains heaven.