The Glory of Purushottama-tirtha and Preta-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.7.223.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि लिंगं त्रैलोक्यपूजितम्। गात्रोत्सर्गमिति ख्यातं तस्य दक्षिणतः स्थितम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi liṅgaṁ trailokyapūjitam| gātrotsargamiti khyātaṁ tasya dakṣiṇataḥ sthitam

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the linga worshipped by the three worlds, known as Gatrotsarga, situated to the south of that place.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.223.2)

यत्र गात्रं परित्यक्तं बलभद्रेण धीमता। अन्यैश्चैव महाभागैर्यादवैस्तत्र संयुगे

yatra gātraṁ parityaktaṁ balabhadreṇa dhīmatā| anyaiścaiva mahābhāgairyādavaistatra saṁyuge

—where the wise Balabhadra, and other illustrious Yadavas, relinquished their bodies there in mutual combat.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.223.3)

यत्र ते यादवाः क्षीणा ब्रह्मशापबलाहिना। एतत्पुरुषोत्तमं क्षेत्रं समन्ताद्धनुषां शतम्

yatra te yādavāḥ kṣīṇā brahmaśāpabalāhinā| etatpuruṣottamaṁ kṣetraṁ samantāddhanuṣāṁ śatam

—where those Yadavas perished, overpowered by the force of a brahmin's curse. This is the field of Purushottama, extending a hundred bow-lengths on every side.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.223.4)

यत्र साक्षात्स्वयं देवि तिष्ठते पुरुषोत्तमः। तदेव वैष्णवं क्षेत्रं कलौ पातकनाशनम्

yatra sākṣātsvayaṁ devi tiṣṭhate puruṣottamaḥ| tadeva vaiṣṇavaṁ kṣetraṁ kalau pātakanāśanam

—where, O goddess, Purushottama himself in person abides. That very Vaishnava field is, in the Kali age, the destroyer of sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.223.5)

रहस्यं परमं देवि तीर्थानां प्रवरं हि तत्। पूर्वं कृतयुगे देवि प्रेततीर्थं च संस्मृतम्

rahasyaṁ paramaṁ devi tīrthānāṁ pravaraṁ hi tat| pūrvaṁ kṛtayuge devi pretatīrthaṁ ca saṁsmṛtam

It is a supreme secret, O goddess, indeed the foremost of tirthas. Formerly, in the Krita age, O goddess, it was remembered by the name Preta-tirtha.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.223.6)

कलौ युगे तु संप्राप्ते गात्रोत्सर्गमिति त्वभूत्। ऋणमोचनपार्श्वे तु मध्ये तु पापमोचनात्

kalau yuge tu saṁprāpte gātrotsargamiti tvabhūt| ṛṇamocanapārśve tu madhye tu pāpamocanāt

But when the Kali age arrived, it became known as Gatrotsarga; it lies beside Rinamochana, in between, toward Papamochana.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.223.7)

एतन्मध्यं समाश्रित्य मृतः पापैर्विमुच्यते। तस्य किं वर्ण्यते देवि यत्रानन्तफलं महत्

etanmadhyaṁ samāśritya mṛtaḥ pāpairvimucyate| tasya kiṁ varṇyate devi yatrānantaphalaṁ mahat

Having taken refuge in this middle spot at death, one is freed from sins. What need be said of it, O goddess, where the fruit obtained is great and endless?

Verse 8 (skanda.7.223.8)

अथमेधसहस्रस्य फलं स्नात्वा ह्यवाप्यते। यत्राश्वत्थं समासाद्य समाधिन्यस्तमानसः

athamedhasahasrasya phalaṁ snātvā hyavāpyate| yatrāśvatthaṁ samāsādya samādhinyastamānasaḥ

There, by bathing, one obtains the fruit of a thousand sacrifices — there where, having reached the ashvattha tree, with mind fixed in samadhi,

Verse 9 (skanda.7.223.9)

मुमोच दुस्त्यजान्प्राणान्ब्रह्मद्वारेण केशवः। तत्र नारायणं साक्षाद्बलभद्रं च रुक्मिणीम्

mumoca dustyajānprāṇānbrahmadvāreṇa keśavaḥ| tatra nārāyaṇaṁ sākṣādbalabhadraṁ ca rukmiṇīm

Keshava released his hard-to-relinquish life-breath through the door of Brahma. There, having worshipped Narayana himself, and Balabhadra, and Rukmini,

Verse 10 (skanda.7.223.10)

पूजयित्वा विधानेन मुच्यते पातकत्रयात्। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या यः संतर्पयते पितॄन्

pūjayitvā vidhānena mucyate pātakatrayāt| tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā yaḥ saṁtarpayate pitṝn

—duly worshipped, one is freed from the three kinds of sin. A man who bathes there and with devotion offers tarpana to the ancestors —

Verse 11 (skanda.7.223.11)

प्रेतत्वात्पितरो मुक्ता भवन्ति श्राद्धदायिनः। गोघ्नः सुरापो दुर्मेधा ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पगः

pretatvātpitaro muktā bhavanti śrāddhadāyinaḥ| goghnaḥ surāpo durmedhā brahmahā gurutalpagaḥ

—for him who gives shraddha, his ancestors become freed from the state of a preta. A slayer of cows, a drinker of liquor, a dullard, a slayer of a brahmin, a violator of his guru's bed —

Verse 12 (skanda.7.223.12)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरः सद्यो विपापः संप्रपद्यते। बाल्ये वयसि यत्पापं वार्द्धके यौवनेऽपि वा

tatra snātvā naraḥ sadyo vipāpaḥ saṁprapadyate| bālye vayasi yatpāpaṁ vārddhake yauvane'pi vā

—such a man too, bathing there, at once becomes free of sin. Whatever sin is committed in childhood, in old age, or in youth,

Verse 13 (skanda.7.223.13)

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यः करोति नरः प्रिये। तत्र स्नात्वा प्रमुच्येत तीर्थे गात्रप्रमोचने

ajñānājjñānato vāpi yaḥ karoti naraḥ priye| tatra snātvā pramucyeta tīrthe gātrapramocane

—whether unknowingly or knowingly, O beloved, whatever a man commits, he becomes freed from it by bathing at the tirtha of Gatrapramochana.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.223.14)

तत्र पिण्डप्रदानेन पितॄणां जायते परा। तृप्तिर्वर्षशतं यावदेतदाह पुरा हरिः

tatra piṇḍapradānena pitṝṇāṁ jāyate parā| tṛptirvarṣaśataṁ yāvadetadāha purā hariḥ

By the offering of pinda there, the supreme satisfaction of the ancestors arises, lasting a hundred years — so Hari declared in ancient times.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.223.15)

यः पुनश्चान्नदानं तु तत्र कुर्यात्समाहितः। तस्यान्वयेऽपि देवेशि न प्रेतो जायते नरः

yaḥ punaścānnadānaṁ tu tatra kuryātsamāhitaḥ| tasyānvaye'pi deveśi na preto jāyate naraḥ

And whoever, furthermore, with focused mind, gives food there — in his lineage too, O goddess of the gods, no man shall ever become a preta.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.223.16)

श्रीदेव्युवाच। प्रेततीर्थमिति प्रोक्तं पश्चाद्गात्रविमोचनम्। वद मे देवदेवेश प्रेततीर्थस्य कारणम्

śrīdevyuvāca| pretatīrthamiti proktaṁ paścādgātravimocanam| vada me devadeveśa pretatīrthasya kāraṇam

Shri Devi said: It was called Preta-tirtha, and afterward Gatravimochana. Tell me, O lord of the gods, the reason for the name Preta-tirtha.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.223.17)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रेततीर्थस्य कारणम्। यच्छ्रुत्वा मानवो भक्त्या मुक्तः स्यात्सर्वकिल्बिषैः

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi pretatīrthasya kāraṇam| yacchrutvā mānavo bhaktyā muktaḥ syātsarvakilbiṣaiḥ

Ishvara said: Listen, O goddess, I shall declare the reason for Preta-tirtha, hearing which with devotion a man becomes freed from all sins.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.223.18)

पुराऽऽसीद्गौतमोनाम महर्षिः शंसितव्रतः। भृगुकल्पात्समायातः क्षेत्रे प्राभासिके शुभे

purā''sīdgautamonāma maharṣiḥ śaṁsitavrataḥ| bhṛgukalpātsamāyātaḥ kṣetre prābhāsike śubhe

Formerly there was a great sage named Gautama, of praiseworthy vows, who came from Bhrigukalpa to the auspicious field of Prabhasa.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.223.19)

अयने चोत्तरे पुण्ये श्रीसोमेशदिदृक्षया। दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं देवं स्नात्वा तीर्थेषु कृत्स्नशः

ayane cottare puṇye śrīsomeśadidṛkṣayā| dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ devaṁ snātvā tīrtheṣu kṛtsnaśaḥ

During the meritorious northern solstice, desiring to behold Shri Someshvara, having seen the god Someshvara and bathed in every tirtha entirely,

Verse 20 (skanda.7.223.20)

स गच्छंस्तीर्थयात्रायां गात्रोत्सर्गं ततो गतः। अथासौ ब्राह्मणो देवि यावत्सीमामुपागतः

sa gacchaṁstīrthayātrāyāṁ gātrotsargaṁ tato gataḥ| athāsau brāhmaṇo devi yāvatsīmāmupāgataḥ

—proceeding on his pilgrimage, he then went to Gatrotsarga. Then, O goddess, as soon as that brahmin approached its boundary,

Verse 21 (skanda.7.223.21)

तावद्विष्णुप्रियं तत्र ददृशे वैष्णवं वनम्। पुरुषोत्तमनामाढ्यं क्षेत्रं च धनुषां शतम्

tāvadviṣṇupriyaṁ tatra dadṛśe vaiṣṇavaṁ vanam| puruṣottamanāmāḍhyaṁ kṣetraṁ ca dhanuṣāṁ śatam

—he beheld there the Vaishnava forest dear to Vishnu, and the field, rich with the name Purushottama, a hundred bow-lengths in extent.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.223.22)

तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे स चापश्यत्पंच प्रेतान्सुदारुणान्। महावृक्षसमारूढान्महाकायान्महोत्कटान्

tasminkṣetre sa cāpaśyatpaṁca pretānsudāruṇān| mahāvṛkṣasamārūḍhānmahākāyānmahotkaṭān

In that field he saw five utterly dreadful pretas, mounted upon a great tree, of enormous bodies and exceedingly fierce,

Verse 23 (skanda.7.223.23)

ऊर्ध्वकेशाञ्छंकुकर्णान्स्नायुनद्धकलेवरान्। विमांसरुधिरान्नग्नानथ कृष्णकलेवरान्

ūrdhvakeśāñchaṁkukarṇānsnāyunaddhakalevarān| vimāṁsarudhirānnagnānatha kṛṣṇakalevarān

with hair standing on end, ears like spikes, bodies bound with sinews, without flesh or blood, naked, and dark of body.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.223.24)

दृष्ट्वाऽसौ भयसंत्रस्तो विनष्टोऽस्मीत्यचिन्तयत्। ध्यात्वाऽऽह सुचिरं कालं धैर्यमास्थाय यत्नतः

dṛṣṭvā'sau bhayasaṁtrasto vinaṣṭo'smītyacintayat| dhyātvā''ha suciraṁ kālaṁ dhairyamāsthāya yatnataḥ

Having seen them, terrified with fear, he thought, 'I am ruined.' Having pondered for a long while, and, with effort, steadying himself with courage, he said:

Verse 25 (skanda.7.223.25)

के यूयं विकृताकारा दृष्टाः पूर्वं मया पुरा। न कदाचिद्यथा यूयं किमर्थं क्षेत्रमध्यतः

ke yūyaṁ vikṛtākārā dṛṣṭāḥ pūrvaṁ mayā purā| na kadācidyathā yūyaṁ kimarthaṁ kṣetramadhyataḥ

'Who are you, of such deformed appearance, the like of whom I have never before seen? Why do you, in the midst of this field,'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.223.26)

धावमानाः सुदुःखार्ता एतन्मे कौतुकं महत्

dhāvamānāḥ suduḥkhārtā etanme kautukaṁ mahat

'—run about, so greatly afflicted with sorrow? This is a great wonder to me.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.223.27)

प्रेता ऊचुः। वयं प्रेता महाभाग दूरादिह समागताः। श्रुत्वा तीर्थवरं पुण्यं प्रवेशं न लभामहे

pretā ūcuḥ| vayaṁ pretā mahābhāga dūrādiha samāgatāḥ| śrutvā tīrthavaraṁ puṇyaṁ praveśaṁ na labhāmahe

The pretas said: 'We are pretas, O illustrious one, who have come here from afar, having heard of this excellent, meritorious tirtha — yet we cannot gain entry into it.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.223.28)

गणैरंतर्धानगतैः प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृताः। लेखको रोहकश्चैव सूचकः शीघ्रगस्तथा

gaṇairaṁtardhānagataiḥ prahārairjarjarīkṛtāḥ| lekhako rohakaścaiva sūcakaḥ śīghragastathā

'—battered by blows from the invisible ganas, we are: Lekhaka, and Rohaka, and Suchaka, and likewise Shighraga,'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.223.29)

अहं पर्युषितोनाम पञ्चमः पापकृत्तमः

ahaṁ paryuṣitonāma pañcamaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ

'—and I am the fifth, named Paryushita, the most sinful of deed.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.223.30)

गौतम उवाच। प्रेतयोनौ प्रवृत्तानां केन नामानि कृत्स्नशः। युष्माकं निर्मितान्येवमेतन्मे कौतुकं महत्

gautama uvāca| pretayonau pravṛttānāṁ kena nāmāni kṛtsnaśaḥ| yuṣmākaṁ nirmitānyevametanme kautukaṁ mahat

Gautama said: 'By whom were these names given to you, who have entered the preta-condition, fashioned thus? This is a great wonder to me.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.223.31)

प्रेता ऊचुः। याचमानस्य विप्रस्य लिखत्येष धरातले। नोत्तरं पठते किञ्चित्तेनासौ लेखकः स्मृतः

pretā ūcuḥ| yācamānasya viprasya likhatyeṣa dharātale| nottaraṁ paṭhate kiñcittenāsau lekhakaḥ smṛtaḥ

The pretas said: 'When a brahmin came begging, this one would merely write on the ground and speak not a word of reply — therefore he is remembered as Lekhaka, the Writer.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.223.32)

द्वितीयो ब्राह्मणभयात्प्रासादमधिरोहति। ततोऽसौ रोहकाख्योऽभूच्छृणु विप्र तृतीयकम्

dvitīyo brāhmaṇabhayātprāsādamadhirohati| tato'sau rohakākhyo'bhūcchṛṇu vipra tṛtīyakam

'The second, out of fear of brahmins, would climb up onto a rooftop; therefore he became known as Rohaka, the Climber. Now hear, O brahmin, of the third.'

Verse 33 (skanda.7.223.33)

सूचिता बहवोऽनेन ब्राह्मणा वित्तसंयुताः। राज्ञे पापेन तेनासौ सूचको भुवि विश्रुतः

sūcitā bahavo'nena brāhmaṇā vittasaṁyutāḥ| rājñe pāpena tenāsau sūcako bhuvi viśrutaḥ

'This sinful one informed against many wealthy brahmins before the king; therefore he became renowned on earth as Suchaka, the Informer.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.223.34)

ब्राह्मणैः प्रार्थ्यमानस्तु शीघ्रं धावति नित्यशः। न कदाचिद्ददाति स्म तेनासौ शीघ्रगः स्मृतः

brāhmaṇaiḥ prārthyamānastu śīghraṁ dhāvati nityaśaḥ| na kadāciddadāti sma tenāsau śīghragaḥ smṛtaḥ

'When entreated by brahmins, he would always run off swiftly and never give anything; therefore he is remembered as Shighraga, the Swift-Goer.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.223.35)

मया कदन्नं दत्तं च पर्युषितं ब्राह्मणोत्तमे। ब्राह्मणेभ्यः सदा दानं मिष्टान्नेन तु पोषणम्

mayā kadannaṁ dattaṁ ca paryuṣitaṁ brāhmaṇottame| brāhmaṇebhyaḥ sadā dānaṁ miṣṭānnena tu poṣaṇam

'By me, bad and stale food alone was given even to the finest brahmins, while it was claimed that brahmins were always nourished with gifts of sweet food —'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.223.36)

तस्मात्पर्युषितोनाम संजातोऽहं धरातले

tasmātparyuṣitonāma saṁjāto'haṁ dharātale

'—therefore I became known on earth by the name Paryushita, the Stale One.'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.223.37)

गौतम उवाच। न विना भोजनेनैव वर्तन्ते प्राणिनो भुवि। किमाहारा भवन्तो वै वदध्वं मम कौतुकात्

gautama uvāca| na vinā bhojanenaiva vartante prāṇino bhuvi| kimāhārā bhavanto vai vadadhvaṁ mama kautukāt

Gautama said: 'Living beings on earth do not subsist without food at all. On what, then, do you live? Tell me, out of my curiosity.'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.223.38)

प्रेता ऊचुः। प्राप्ते भोजनकाले तु यत्र युद्धं प्रवर्तते। तस्यान्नस्य रसं सर्वं भुंजामो द्विजसत्तम

pretā ūcuḥ| prāpte bhojanakāle tu yatra yuddhaṁ pravartate| tasyānnasya rasaṁ sarvaṁ bhuṁjāmo dvijasattama

The pretas said: 'When, at mealtime, a quarrel breaks out, we feed on the entire essence of that food, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.223.39)

नानुलिप्ते धरापृष्ठे यत्र भुंजन्ति मानवाः। भ्रष्टशौचा द्विजश्रेष्ठ तदस्माकं तु भोजनम्

nānulipte dharāpṛṣṭhe yatra bhuṁjanti mānavāḥ| bhraṣṭaśaucā dvijaśreṣṭha tadasmākaṁ tu bhojanam

'Where men eat on an unswept ground, void of purity, O best of brahmins — that is our food.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.223.40)

अप्रक्षालितपादस्तु यो भुंक्ते दक्षिणामुखः। यो वेष्टितशिरा भुंक्ते प्रेता भुंजन्ति नित्यशः

aprakṣālitapādastu yo bhuṁkte dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ| yo veṣṭitaśirā bhuṁkte pretā bhuṁjanti nityaśaḥ

'Whoever eats with unwashed feet, facing south, or eats with his head wrapped — pretas continually feed on that food.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.223.41)

श्राद्धं संपश्यते श्वा चेन्नारी चैव रजस्वला। अन्त्यजः शूकरश्चान्नं तदस्माकं तु भोजनम्

śrāddhaṁ saṁpaśyate śvā cennārī caiva rajasvalā| antyajaḥ śūkaraścānnaṁ tadasmākaṁ tu bhojanam

'If a dog looks upon a shraddha offering, or a menstruating woman, or an outcaste, or a pig — that food becomes our food.'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.223.42)

त्यक्त्वा क्रमागतं विप्रं पूजितं प्रपितामहैः। यो दानं ददतेऽन्यस्मै तस्मै चाऽतुष्टचेतसा

tyaktvā kramāgataṁ vipraṁ pūjitaṁ prapitāmahaiḥ| yo dānaṁ dadate'nyasmai tasmai cā'tuṣṭacetasā

'Whoever, forsaking the family brahmin come down by tradition and honored by his forefathers, gives a gift to another instead, with a mind displeased toward the former —'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.223.43)

तस्य दानस्य यत्पुण्यं तदस्माकं प्रजायते। यस्मिन्गृहे सदोच्छिष्टं सदा च कलहो भवेत्

tasya dānasya yatpuṇyaṁ tadasmākaṁ prajāyate| yasmingṛhe sadocchiṣṭaṁ sadā ca kalaho bhavet

'—whatever merit belongs to that gift becomes ours. In whatever house leftover food always lies about and quarreling is constant —'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.223.44)

वैश्वदेवविहीने तु तत्र भुंजामहे वयम्

vaiśvadevavihīne tu tatra bhuṁjāmahe vayam

'—and which is devoid of the Vaishvadeva rite, there we feed.'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.223.45)

गौतम उवाच। युष्माकं कीदृशे गेहे प्रवेशो न च विद्यते। सत्यं वदत माऽसत्यं सत्यं साधुषु संगतम्

gautama uvāca| yuṣmākaṁ kīdṛśe gehe praveśo na ca vidyate| satyaṁ vadata mā'satyaṁ satyaṁ sādhuṣu saṁgatam

Gautama said: 'Into what sort of house is there no entry for you? Speak the truth, not falsehood; truth alone becomes the virtuous.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.223.46)

प्रेता ऊचुः। वैश्वदेवोद्भवा यत्र धूमवर्तिः प्रदृश्यते। तस्मिन्गेहे न चास्माकं प्रवेशो विद्यते द्विज

pretā ūcuḥ| vaiśvadevodbhavā yatra dhūmavartiḥ pradṛśyate| tasmingehe na cāsmākaṁ praveśo vidyate dvija

The pretas said: 'Where the trail of smoke arising from the Vaishvadeva rite is seen, O brahmin, into that house we have no entry.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.223.47)

यस्मिन्गृहे प्रभाते तु क्रियते चोपलेपनम्। विद्यते वेद निर्घोषस्तत्रास्माकं न किंचन

yasmingṛhe prabhāte tu kriyate copalepanam| vidyate veda nirghoṣastatrāsmākaṁ na kiṁcana

'In whatever house, at dawn, the ground is smeared and purified, and where the sound of Vedic recitation is heard — there we have no place at all.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.223.48)

गौतम उवाच। केन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतत्वं व्रजते नरः। एतन्मे विस्तरेणैव यथावद्वक्तु मर्हथ

gautama uvāca| kena karmavipākena pretatvaṁ vrajate naraḥ| etanme vistareṇaiva yathāvadvaktu marhatha

Gautama said: 'By the ripening of what deed does a man go to the state of a preta? You should duly tell me this in full detail.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.223.49)

प्रेता ऊचुः। मृषाऽपहारिणो ये च ये चोच्छिष्टा व्रजन्ति च। गोब्राह्मणहताश्चैव प्रेतत्वं ते व्रजन्ति हि

pretā ūcuḥ| mṛṣā'pahāriṇo ye ca ye cocchiṣṭā vrajanti ca| gobrāhmaṇahatāścaiva pretatvaṁ te vrajanti hi

The pretas said: 'Those who steal by deceit, and those who go about remaining in leftover impurity, and the slayers of cows and brahmins — these go to the state of a preta.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.223.50)

पैशुन्यनिरता ये च कूटसाक्ष्यरता नराः। न्यायपक्षे न वर्तंते मृताः प्रेता भवंति ते

paiśunyaniratā ye ca kūṭasākṣyaratā narāḥ| nyāyapakṣe na vartaṁte mṛtāḥ pretā bhavaṁti te

'Those men devoted to slander, and those devoted to false witness, who do not stand on the side of justice — when dead, they become pretas.'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.223.51)

श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषाणि ये क्षिपन्ति सरोवरे। प्रेतत्वं ते समासाद्य विचरंति च मानवाः

śleṣmamūtrapurīṣāṇi ye kṣipanti sarovare| pretatvaṁ te samāsādya vicaraṁti ca mānavāḥ

'Those men who throw phlegm, urine, and excrement into a lake, having attained the state of pretas, wander about.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.223.52)

दीयमानं तु विप्राणां गोषु विप्रातुरेषु च। मा देहीति प्रजल्पन्तस्ते च प्रेता भवंति च

dīyamānaṁ tu viprāṇāṁ goṣu viprātureṣu ca| mā dehīti prajalpantaste ca pretā bhavaṁti ca

'And those who, when a gift is being given to brahmins, to cows, or to afflicted brahmins, clamor "do not give!" — they too become pretas.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.223.53)

शूद्रान्नेनोदरस्थेन यदि विप्रो म्रियेत वै। प्रेतत्वं यात्यसौ नूनं यद्यपि स्यात्षडंगवित्

śūdrānnenodarasthena yadi vipro mriyeta vai| pretatvaṁ yātyasau nūnaṁ yadyapi syātṣaḍaṁgavit

'If a brahmin should die with shudra-food still lodged in his stomach, he certainly goes to the state of a preta, even though he be learned in the six Vedangas.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.223.54)

यस्त्रीन्हले बलीवर्दान्वाहयेन्मदसंयुतः। अमावास्यां विशेषेण स प्रेतो जायते नरः

yastrīnhale balīvardānvāhayenmadasaṁyutaḥ| amāvāsyāṁ viśeṣeṇa sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'He who, filled with arrogance, yokes three bulls to a plough — especially on the new-moon day — that man becomes a preta.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.223.55)

नास्तिको निंदकः क्षुद्रो नित्यनैमित्त्यवर्जितः। ब्राह्मणान्द्वेष्टि यो नूनं स प्रेतो जायते नरः

nāstiko niṁdakaḥ kṣudro nityanaimittyavarjitaḥ| brāhmaṇāndveṣṭi yo nūnaṁ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'A denier of the sacred order, a slanderer, a base person, one devoid of daily and occasional rites, and he who indeed hates brahmins — that man becomes a preta.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.223.56)

विश्वासघातको यस्तु ब्रह्महा स्त्रीवधे रतः। गोघ्नो गुरुघ्रः पितृहा स प्रेतो जायते नरः

viśvāsaghātako yastu brahmahā strīvadhe rataḥ| goghno gurughraḥ pitṛhā sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'Whoever is a betrayer of trust, a slayer of a brahmin, devoted to the killing of women, a slayer of cows, of his guru, or of his father — that man becomes a preta.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.223.57)

यस्य नैव प्रदत्तानि एकोद्दिष्टानि षोडश। मृतस्य न वृषोत्सर्गः स प्रेतो जायते नरः

yasya naiva pradattāni ekoddiṣṭāni ṣoḍaśa| mṛtasya na vṛṣotsargaḥ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'He for whom the sixteen ekoddishta shraddhas are not performed, and for whom, after death, no vrishotsarga is made — that man becomes a preta.'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.223.58)

एतद्धि सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टाः स्म द्विजोत्तम। भूयो ब्रूहि द्विजश्रेष्ठ यश्चास्ति तव संशयः

etaddhi sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭāḥ sma dvijottama| bhūyo brūhi dvijaśreṣṭha yaścāsti tava saṁśayaḥ

'All this, O best of brahmins, has been declared, whatever we were asked. Speak further, O best of brahmins, whatever doubt remains in you.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.223.59)

गौतम उवाच। येन कर्मविपाकेनन प्रेतो जायते नरः। तन्मे वदत निःशेषं कौतुकं मेऽत्र विद्यते

gautama uvāca| yena karmavipākenana preto jāyate naraḥ| tanme vadata niḥśeṣaṁ kautukaṁ me'tra vidyate

Gautama said: 'By the ripening of what deed does a man not become a preta? Tell me this in full; I have curiosity about it.'

Verse 60 (skanda.7.223.60)

प्रेता ऊचुः। तीर्थयात्रा रतो यस्तु देवार्चनपरायणः। ब्राह्मणेषु सदा भक्तो न प्रेतो जायते नरः

pretā ūcuḥ| tīrthayātrā rato yastu devārcanaparāyaṇaḥ| brāhmaṇeṣu sadā bhakto na preto jāyate naraḥ

The pretas said: 'Whoever is devoted to pilgrimage, intent upon the worship of the gods, and always devoted to brahmins — that man does not become a preta.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.223.61)

नित्यं शृणोति शास्त्राणि नित्यं सेवति पंडितान्। वृद्धांस्तु पृच्छते नित्यं न स प्रेतो विजायते

nityaṁ śṛṇoti śāstrāṇi nityaṁ sevati paṁḍitān| vṛddhāṁstu pṛcchate nityaṁ na sa preto vijāyate

'He who constantly listens to the scriptures, constantly serves learned men, and constantly seeks counsel from elders — he does not become a preta.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.223.62)

एतस्मात्कारणात्प्राप्ता वयं सर्वे सुदूरतः। शक्नुमो प्रवेष्टुं च पुण्येऽस्मिन्क्षेत्र उत्तमे

etasmātkāraṇātprāptā vayaṁ sarve sudūrataḥ| śaknumo praveṣṭuṁ ca puṇye'sminkṣetra uttame

'For this very reason we have all come from far away, and yet we are not able to enter this meritorious, excellent field.'

Verse 63 (skanda.7.223.63)

निर्विण्णाः प्रेतरूपेण तस्मात्त्वं द्विजसत्तम। गतिर्भव महाभाग सर्वेषां नः प्रयत्नतः

nirviṇṇāḥ pretarūpeṇa tasmāttvaṁ dvijasattama| gatirbhava mahābhāga sarveṣāṁ naḥ prayatnataḥ

'Wearied by this state as pretas, we have come — therefore, O best of brahmins, O illustrious one, become, with all your effort, a refuge for us all.'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.223.64)

गौतम उवाच। कथं वो जायते मोक्षो वदध्वं कृत्स्नशो मम। कृपयाविष्टचित्तोऽहं यतिष्ये नात्र संशयः

gautama uvāca| kathaṁ vo jāyate mokṣo vadadhvaṁ kṛtsnaśo mama| kṛpayāviṣṭacitto'haṁ yatiṣye nātra saṁśayaḥ

Gautama said: 'How does liberation arise for you? Tell me this in full. My mind is filled with compassion; I shall surely strive — there is no doubt of this.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.223.65)

प्रेता ऊचुः। प्रभूतकालमस्माकं प्रेतत्वे तिष्ठतां विभो। न त्वभ्येति पुमान्कश्चिदस्माकं यो गतिर्भवेत्

pretā ūcuḥ| prabhūtakālamasmākaṁ pretatve tiṣṭhatāṁ vibho| na tvabhyeti pumānkaścidasmākaṁ yo gatirbhavet

The pretas said: 'O mighty one, we have remained in the state of pretas for a very long time; no man ever comes near us who might become our deliverance.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.223.66)

तस्मात्त्वं देहि नः श्राद्धं गत्वा क्षेत्रं तु वैष्णवम्। नामगोत्राणि चादाय मोक्षं यास्यामहे ततः

tasmāttvaṁ dehi naḥ śrāddhaṁ gatvā kṣetraṁ tu vaiṣṇavam| nāmagotrāṇi cādāya mokṣaṁ yāsyāmahe tataḥ

'Therefore, having gone to the Vaishnava field, perform shraddha for us; taking up our names and gotras, do this, and we shall thereby attain liberation.'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.223.67)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततोऽसौ ब्राह्मणो गत्वा दयाविष्टो हरेर्गृहम्। श्राद्धं च प्रददौ तेषामेकैकस्य पृथक्पृथक्

īśvara uvāca| tato'sau brāhmaṇo gatvā dayāviṣṭo harergṛham| śrāddhaṁ ca pradadau teṣāmekaikasya pṛthakpṛthak

Ishvara said: Then that brahmin, filled with compassion, went to the abode of Hari and performed shraddha for each of them, separately, one by one.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.223.68)

यस्ययस्य यदा श्राद्धं करोति द्विजसत्तमः। स रात्रौ स्वप्न एत्यैनं दर्शने वाक्यमब्रवीत्

yasyayasya yadā śrāddhaṁ karoti dvijasattamaḥ| sa rātrau svapna etyainaṁ darśane vākyamabravīt

Whenever that best of brahmins performed shraddha for each one, that preta would come to him in a dream at night and, appearing before him, speak these words:

Verse 69 (skanda.7.223.69)

प्रसादात्तव विप्रेन्द्र मुक्तोऽहं प्रेतयोनितः। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि विमानं मे ह्युपस्थितम्

prasādāttava viprendra mukto'haṁ pretayonitaḥ| svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi vimānaṁ me hyupasthitam

'By your grace, O foremost of brahmins, I am freed from the preta-condition. May well-being be yours; I now depart — my celestial chariot awaits me.'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.223.70)

एवं संतारितास्तेन चत्वारस्ते द्विजोत्तमाः। अथासौ ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठः संप्राप्ते पञ्चमे दिने

evaṁ saṁtāritāstena catvāraste dvijottamāḥ| athāsau brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhaḥ saṁprāpte pañcame dine

Thus, by him, those four were delivered across. Then, when the fifth day arrived, that foremost of brahmins,

Verse 71 (skanda.7.223.71)

प्रददौ विधिपूर्वं तु श्राद्धं पर्युषितस्य च। अथापश्यत स्वप्नान्ते प्राप्तं पर्युषितं नरम्

pradadau vidhipūrvaṁ tu śrāddhaṁ paryuṣitasya ca| athāpaśyata svapnānte prāptaṁ paryuṣitaṁ naram

—duly performed the shraddha rite for Paryushita too. Then, at the end of sleep, he saw Paryushita appear before him in human form,

Verse 72 (skanda.7.223.72)

दीनवाक्यं परिक्लिष्टं निःश्वसन्तं मुहुर्मुहुः

dīnavākyaṁ parikliṣṭaṁ niḥśvasantaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

—speaking piteous words, in great distress, sighing again and again.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.223.73)

पर्युषित उवाच। न मे जाता गतिर्विप्र मंदभाग्यस्य पापिनः। मया हृतं तडागार्थं यद्वित्तं प्रगुणीकृतम्

paryuṣita uvāca| na me jātā gatirvipra maṁdabhāgyasya pāpinaḥ| mayā hṛtaṁ taḍāgārthaṁ yadvittaṁ praguṇīkṛtam

Paryushita said: 'No deliverance has come to me, O brahmin, ill-fated and sinful as I am. The wealth that had been collected for building a reservoir was stolen by me,'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.223.74)

गौतम उवाच। कथं ते जायते मोक्षो वद शीघ्रमशेषतः। करिष्ये नात्र संदेहो यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

gautama uvāca| kathaṁ te jāyate mokṣo vada śīghramaśeṣataḥ| kariṣye nātra saṁdeho yadyapi syātsudurlabham

Gautama said: 'How does your liberation come about? Tell me quickly and fully. I shall surely accomplish it — no doubt of this, even should it be exceedingly hard to attain.'

Verse 75 (skanda.7.223.75)

पर्युषित उवाच। अयने चोत्तरे प्राप्ते गत्वा तीर्थं हरिप्रियम्। श्राद्धं त्वं देहि मे नूनं ततो गतिर्भविष्यति

paryuṣita uvāca| ayane cottare prāpte gatvā tīrthaṁ haripriyam| śrāddhaṁ tvaṁ dehi me nūnaṁ tato gatirbhaviṣyati

Paryushita said: 'When the northern solstice comes, go to the tirtha dear to Hari and surely perform shraddha for me; then my deliverance shall come about.'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.223.76)

ईश्वर उवाच। एवमुक्तः स विप्रेन्द्रस्तेन प्रेतेन वै मुनिः। अयने चोत्तरे प्राप्ते गत्वा तीर्थं हरिप्रियम्

īśvara uvāca| evamuktaḥ sa viprendrastena pretena vai muniḥ| ayane cottare prāpte gatvā tīrthaṁ haripriyam

Ishvara said: Thus addressed by that preta, that foremost of brahmin sages, when the northern solstice arrived, went to the tirtha dear to Hari,

Verse 77 (skanda.7.223.77)

प्रददौ विधिवच्छ्राद्धं ततः पर्युषिताय च। ततः पर्युषितो रात्रौ स्वप्नान्ते वाक्यमब्रवीत्

pradadau vidhivacchrāddhaṁ tataḥ paryuṣitāya ca| tataḥ paryuṣito rātrau svapnānte vākyamabravīt

—and duly performed the shraddha rite for Paryushita. Then Paryushita, at night, at the end of sleep, spoke these words,

Verse 78 (skanda.7.223.78)

प्रसन्नवदनो भूत्वा दिव्यमाल्यवपुर्धरः

prasannavadano bhūtvā divyamālyavapurdharaḥ

having become of joyful countenance, and wearing a divine garland upon his body.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.223.79)

पर्युषित उवाच। मुक्तोऽहं त्वत्प्रसादेन प्रेतभावाद्द्विजोत्तम। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि विमानं मे ह्युपस्थितम्

paryuṣita uvāca| mukto'haṁ tvatprasādena pretabhāvāddvijottama| svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi vimānaṁ me hyupasthitam

Paryushita said: 'I am freed from the preta-condition by your grace, O best of brahmins. May well-being be yours; I now depart — my celestial chariot awaits me.'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.223.80)

देवत्वं च मया प्राप्तं समर्थोऽहं द्विजोत्तम। वरं ददामि ते विप्र गृहाण त्वं वरं शुभम्

devatvaṁ ca mayā prāptaṁ samartho'haṁ dvijottama| varaṁ dadāmi te vipra gṛhāṇa tvaṁ varaṁ śubham

'And I have attained godhood; I am now capable, O best of brahmins. I grant you a boon, O brahmin — accept an auspicious boon.'

Verse 81 (skanda.7.223.81)

ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चौरे भग्नव्रते तथा। निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः

brahmaghne ca surāpe ca caure bhagnavrate tathā| niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

'For the slayer of a brahmin, for the drinker of liquor, for the thief, and likewise for the vow-breaker, the good have ordained expiation; but for the ungrateful there is no expiation.'

Verse 82 (skanda.7.223.82)

गौतम उवाच। यदि देयो वरोऽस्माकं समर्थोऽसि वरप्रद। यत्र स्थाने मया दृष्टाः प्रेता यूयं सुदुःखिताः

gautama uvāca| yadi deyo varo'smākaṁ samartho'si varaprada| yatra sthāne mayā dṛṣṭāḥ pretā yūyaṁ suduḥkhitāḥ

Gautama said: 'If a boon is to be given, and if you, O bestower of boons, are capable — then, regarding the place where I saw you, so greatly suffering, as pretas —'

Verse 83 (skanda.7.223.83)

तत्राहं चाश्रमं कृत्वा करिष्ये चोत्तमं तपः। निर्गतास्मि गृहं भूयो स्नात्वा तीर्थमिदं महत्

tatrāhaṁ cāśramaṁ kṛtvā kariṣye cottamaṁ tapaḥ| nirgatāsmi gṛhaṁ bhūyo snātvā tīrthamidaṁ mahat

'—there I shall build a hermitage and perform excellent austerity; I have left home, having bathed once more in this great tirtha.'

Verse 84 (skanda.7.223.84)

तत्र यो भानवो भक्त्या पितॄनुद्दिश्य भक्तितः। विधिवद्दास्यति श्राद्धं स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताः

tatra yo bhānavo bhaktyā pitṝnuddiśya bhaktitaḥ| vidhivaddāsyati śrāddhaṁ snātvā saṁtarpya devatāḥ

'Whatever man there, out of devotion, dedicating it to the ancestors, having bathed and offered tarpana to the gods, duly performs shraddha —'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.223.85)

युष्मत्प्रसादतस्तस्य ह्यन्वयेऽपि कदाचन। मा भूयात्प्रेतभावो हि अपि पापान्वितस्य भोः

yuṣmatprasādatastasya hyanvaye'pi kadācana| mā bhūyātpretabhāvo hi api pāpānvitasya bhoḥ

'—by your grace, O lord, may the state of a preta never arise in his lineage, even for one joined with sin.'

Verse 86 (skanda.7.223.86)

पर्युषित उवाच। गच्छ त्वं चाश्रमं तत्र कुरु ब्राह्मणसत्तम। गमिष्यसि परां सिद्धिं लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यसि

paryuṣita uvāca| gaccha tvaṁ cāśramaṁ tatra kuru brāhmaṇasattama| gamiṣyasi parāṁ siddhiṁ loke khyātiṁ gamiṣyasi

Paryushita said: 'Go, O best of brahmins, and build your hermitage there; you shall attain supreme perfection, and you shall attain renown in the world.'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.223.87)

तत्र ये मानवा भक्त्या श्राद्धं दास्यंति सत्तमाः। पितॄणां ते विमानस्था यास्यंति त्रिदिवालयम्

tatra ye mānavā bhaktyā śrāddhaṁ dāsyaṁti sattamāḥ| pitṝṇāṁ te vimānasthā yāsyaṁti tridivālayam

'Those good men who there give shraddha with devotion — their ancestors, seated in celestial chariots, shall go to the abode of heaven.'

Verse 88 (skanda.7.223.88)

न तेषां वंशजः कश्चित्प्रेतत्वं च गमिष्यति। प्राहुः सप्तपदीं मैत्रीं पंडिताः स्थिरबुद्धयः

na teṣāṁ vaṁśajaḥ kaścitpretatvaṁ ca gamiṣyati| prāhuḥ saptapadīṁ maitrīṁ paṁḍitāḥ sthirabuddhayaḥ

'No one born into their lineage shall ever go to the state of a preta. The wise, of steady understanding, declare that friendship is sealed by seven steps taken together.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.223.89)

मित्रतां तु पुरस्कृत्य किं तद्वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु। तवाश्रमपदं पुण्यं भविष्यति महीतले

mitratāṁ tu puraskṛtya kiṁ tadvakṣyāmi tacchṛṇu| tavāśramapadaṁ puṇyaṁ bhaviṣyati mahītale

'So, honoring that friendship, hear what I shall say: this hermitage-site of yours shall become meritorious upon the earth,'

Verse 90 (skanda.7.223.90)

सर्वपापप्रशमनं सर्वदुःखवि नाशनम्। मन्नाम्ना ख्यातिमायातु प्रेततीर्थमिति प्रभो

sarvapāpapraśamanaṁ sarvaduḥkhavi nāśanam| mannāmnā khyātimāyātu pretatīrthamiti prabho

'—the pacifier of all sin, the destroyer of all sorrow; O lord, may it attain renown under my name, as Preta-tirtha.'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.223.91)

ईश्वर उवाच। तं तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय गतस्तत्र द्विजोत्तमः। यथा वेदोक्तमार्गेंण सर्वं कृत्यं चकार सः

īśvara uvāca| taṁ tatheti pratijñāya gatastatra dvijottamaḥ| yathā vedoktamārgeṁṇa sarvaṁ kṛtyaṁ cakāra saḥ

Ishvara said: Having promised, 'so be it,' that foremost of brahmins went there and performed all the prescribed duties according to the path enjoined by the Veda.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.223.92)

सोऽपि स्वर्गमनुप्राप्तो हृष्टः पर्युषितः प्रिये। एतत्सर्वं पुरावृत्तं स्थानेऽस्मिन्गात्रमोचने

so'pi svargamanuprāpto hṛṣṭaḥ paryuṣitaḥ priye| etatsarvaṁ purāvṛttaṁ sthāne'smingātramocane

He too, Paryushita, joyfully attained heaven, O beloved. All this took place formerly at this very place, Gatramochana.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.223.93)

यः शृणोति नरः सम्यक्सर्वपापैः स मुच्यते। शयनोत्थापने योगे यः पश्येत्पुरुषोत्तमम्

yaḥ śṛṇoti naraḥ samyaksarvapāpaiḥ sa mucyate| śayanotthāpane yoge yaḥ paśyetpuruṣottamam

Whatever man duly hears this is freed from all sins. He who beholds Purushottama at the conjunction of Vishnu's lying-down and rising,

Verse 94 (skanda.7.223.94)

गात्रोत्सर्गे तु गत्वाऽसौ यज्ञायुतफलं लभेत्

gātrotsarge tu gatvā'sau yajñāyutaphalaṁ labhet

—and, going to Gatrotsarga, obtains the fruit of ten thousand sacrifices.