The Procedure of Pilgrimage

Verse 1 (skanda.7.28.1)

देव्युवाच। इत्याश्चर्यमिदं देव त्वत्तः सर्वं मया श्रुतम्। महिमानं महेशस्य विस्तरेण समुद्भवम्। सांप्रतं सोमनाथस्य यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

devyuvāca| ityāścaryamidaṁ deva tvattaḥ sarvaṁ mayā śrutam| mahimānaṁ maheśasya vistareṇa samudbhavam| sāṁprataṁ somanāthasya yathāvadvaktumarhasi

The Goddess said: O God, thus I have heard from you all this wondrous account — the greatness of Mahesha and its origin in detail. Now you should properly tell me about Somanatha.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.28.2)

विधिना केन दृश्योसौ यात्रा कार्या कथं नृभिः। कस्मिन्काले महादेव नियमाश्चैव कीदृशाः

vidhinā kena dṛśyosau yātrā kāryā kathaṁ nṛbhiḥ| kasminkāle mahādeva niyamāścaiva kīdṛśāḥ

By what procedure is he to be beheld? How should the pilgrimage be performed by men? At what time, O Mahadeva, and what should the observances be?

Verse 3 (skanda.7.28.3)

ईश्वर उवाच। हेमन्ते शिशिरे वापि वसन्ते वाथ भामिनि। यदा च जायते चित्तं वित्तं वा पर्व वा भवेत्

īśvara uvāca| hemante śiśire vāpi vasante vātha bhāmini| yadā ca jāyate cittaṁ vittaṁ vā parva vā bhavet

Ishvara said: In Hemanta, or Shishira, or Vasanta, O beautiful one — whenever the inclination arises in the mind, or wealth becomes available, or a parva-occasion occurs—

Verse 4 (skanda.7.28.4)

तदैव यात्रा कर्त्तव्या भावस्तत्रैव कारणम्। कृत्वा तु नियमं कंचित्स्वगृहे वरवर्णिनि

tadaiva yātrā karttavyā bhāvastatraiva kāraṇam| kṛtvā tu niyamaṁ kaṁcitsvagṛhe varavarṇini

—then indeed the pilgrimage should be undertaken; devotion alone is its true cause. O fair-complexioned one, having first observed some vow at one's own home—

Verse 5 (skanda.7.28.5)

प्रणम्य मनसा रुद्रं कृत्वा श्राद्धं यथाविधि। स्थानं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वाग्यतः सुसमाहितः

praṇamya manasā rudraṁ kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ yathāvidhi| sthānaṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā vāgyataḥ susamāhitaḥ

—having bowed to Rudra in the mind, having performed shraddha according to rule, having circumambulated the place, restrained in speech and well composed—

Verse 6 (skanda.7.28.6)

नियतो नियताहारो गच्छेच्चैव ततः पथि। कामक्रोधौ परित्यज्य लोभमोहौ तथैव च

niyato niyatāhāro gaccheccaiva tataḥ pathi| kāmakrodhau parityajya lobhamohau tathaiva ca

—self-controlled, with regulated diet, one should then set out on the path, having abandoned desire and anger, and likewise greed and delusion—

Verse 7 (skanda.7.28.7)

ईर्ष्यामत्सरलौल्यं च यात्रा कार्या ततो नृभिः। तीर्थानुगमनं पुण्यं यज्ञेभ्योऽपि विशिष्यते

īrṣyāmatsaralaulyaṁ ca yātrā kāryā tato nṛbhiḥ| tīrthānugamanaṁ puṇyaṁ yajñebhyo'pi viśiṣyate

—and envy, malice, and fickleness. Then men should undertake the pilgrimage. Going to tirthas is meritorious, surpassing even sacrifices.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.28.8)

अग्निष्टोमादियज्ञैश्च इष्ट्वा विपुलदक्षिणैः। तत्तत्फलमवाप्नोति तीर्थानुगमनेन यत्

agniṣṭomādiyajñaiśca iṣṭvā vipuladakṣiṇaiḥ| tattatphalamavāpnoti tīrthānugamanena yat

Whatever fruit is obtained by performing sacrifices like the Agnishtoma with abundant sacrificial fees, that very fruit is obtained through pilgrimage to tirthas.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.28.9)

कलेर्युगं महाघोरं प्राप्य पापसमन्वितम्। नान्येनाऽस्मिन्नुपायेन धर्म्मः स्वर्गश्च लभ्यते। विना यात्रां महादेवि सोमेशस्य न संशयः

kaleryugaṁ mahāghoraṁ prāpya pāpasamanvitam| nānyenā'sminnupāyena dharmmaḥ svargaśca labhyate| vinā yātrāṁ mahādevi someśasya na saṁśayaḥ

Having entered the terrible, sin-laden Kali age, dharma and heaven cannot be obtained in this age by any other means. O Mahadevi, without pilgrimage to Someshvara, there is no doubt of this.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.28.10)

ये कुर्वंति नरा यात्रां शुचिश्रद्धासमन्विताः। कलौ युगे कृतार्थास्ते ये त्वन्ये ते निरर्थकाः

ye kurvaṁti narā yātrāṁ śuciśraddhāsamanvitāḥ| kalau yuge kṛtārthāste ye tvanye te nirarthakāḥ

Those men who perform the pilgrimage, pure and filled with faith, are fulfilled in the Kali age; those who do not are without purpose.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.28.11)

यथामहोदधेस्तुल्यो न चान्योऽस्ति जलाशयः। तथा प्राभासिकात्क्षेत्रात्समं तीर्थं न विद्यते

yathāmahodadhestulyo na cānyo'sti jalāśayaḥ| tathā prābhāsikātkṣetrātsamaṁ tīrthaṁ na vidyate

Just as there is no other body of water equal to the great ocean, so too there exists no tirtha equal to the Prabhasa-kshetra.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.28.12)

अनुपोष्य त्रिरात्राणि तीर्थान्यनभिगम्य च। अदत्त्वा कांचनं गाश्च दरिद्रोनाम जायते

anupoṣya trirātrāṇi tīrthānyanabhigamya ca| adattvā kāṁcanaṁ gāśca daridronāma jāyate

One who does not fast for three nights, does not visit the tirthas, and does not give gold and cows is born, in the next life, as one called 'poor'.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.28.13)

यन्यगम्यानि तीर्थानि दुर्गाणि विषमाणि च। मनसा तानि गम्यानि सर्वतीर्थगतीप्सुना

yanyagamyāni tīrthāni durgāṇi viṣamāṇi ca| manasā tāni gamyāni sarvatīrthagatīpsunā

Those tirthas which are inaccessible, difficult, and hazardous — one who desires to visit all tirthas should at least visit them in the mind.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.28.14)

यस्य हस्तौ च पादौ च मनश्चैव सुसंयतम्। विद्या तपश्च कीर्तिश्च स तीर्थफलमश्नुते

yasya hastau ca pādau ca manaścaiva susaṁyatam| vidyā tapaśca kīrtiśca sa tīrthaphalamaśnute

One whose hands, feet, and mind are well restrained, and who possesses learning, austerity, and fame — he obtains the fruit of the tirtha.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.28.15)

नियतो नियताहारः स्नान। जाप्यपरायणः। व्रतोपवासनिरतः स तीर्थफलमश्नुते

niyato niyatāhāraḥ snāna| jāpyaparāyaṇaḥ| vratopavāsanirataḥ sa tīrthaphalamaśnute

One who is self-controlled, with regulated diet, devoted to bathing and mantra-recitation, and engaged in vows and fasting — he obtains the fruit of the tirtha.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.28.16)

अक्रोधनश्च देवेशि सत्यशीलो दृढव्रतः। आत्मोपमश्च भूतेषु स तीर्थफलमश्नुते

akrodhanaśca deveśi satyaśīlo dṛḍhavrataḥ| ātmopamaśca bhūteṣu sa tīrthaphalamaśnute

O Devesi, one who is free from anger, truthful in character, firm in vows, and who regards all beings as equal to himself — he obtains the fruit of the tirtha.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.28.17)

कुरुक्षेत्रादितीर्थानि रथगम्यानि यानि तु। तान्येव ब्राह्मणो यायादानदोषो न तेषु वै

kurukṣetrāditīrthāni rathagamyāni yāni tu| tānyeva brāhmaṇo yāyādānadoṣo na teṣu vai

Those tirthas like Kurukshetra which can be reached by chariot — a brahmin should travel there by such means; there is no fault in using a vehicle for these.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.28.18)

ये साधवो धनोपेतास्तीर्थानां स्मरणे रताः। तीर्थे दानाच्च योगाच्च तेषामभ्यधिकं फलम्

ye sādhavo dhanopetāstīrthānāṁ smaraṇe ratāḥ| tīrthe dānācca yogācca teṣāmabhyadhikaṁ phalam

Those virtuous men who, though wealthy, delight in remembering the tirthas — through giving and spiritual discipline at the tirtha, their fruit becomes even greater.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.28.19)

ये दरिद्रा धनैर्हीनास्तीर्थानुगमनेरताः। तेषां यज्ञफलावाप्तिर्विनापि धनसंचयैः

ye daridrā dhanairhīnāstīrthānugamaneratāḥ| teṣāṁ yajñaphalāvāptirvināpi dhanasaṁcayaiḥ

Those who are poor and without wealth, yet devoted to pilgrimage, obtain the fruit of sacrifice even without any accumulation of wealth.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.28.20)

सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां सर्वाश्रमनिवासिनाम्। तीर्थं तु फलदं ज्ञेयं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

sarveṣāmeva varṇānāṁ sarvāśramanivāsinām| tīrthaṁ tu phaladaṁ jñeyaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

For all the varnas and for the dwellers of all the ashramas, the tirtha should be known as fruit-bestowing; no doubt should be entertained about this.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.28.21)

कार्यांतरेण यो गत्वा स्नानं तीर्थे समाचरेत्। न च यात्राफलं तस्य स्नानमात्रं फलं भवेत्

kāryāṁtareṇa yo gatvā snānaṁ tīrthe samācaret| na ca yātrāphalaṁ tasya snānamātraṁ phalaṁ bhavet

Whoever goes there for some other purpose and merely bathes at the tirtha does not obtain the fruit of pilgrimage — for him the fruit is only that of bathing.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.28.22)

तीर्थानुगमनं पद्भ्यां तपःपरमिहोच्यते। तदेव कृत्वा यानेन स्नानमात्रफलं लभेत्

tīrthānugamanaṁ padbhyāṁ tapaḥparamihocyate| tadeva kṛtvā yānena snānamātraphalaṁ labhet

Going to the tirtha on foot is declared here to be the supreme austerity. Doing the very same by vehicle, one obtains only the fruit of bathing.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.28.23)

यस्यान्यः कुरुते शक्त्या तीर्थयात्रां तथेश्वरि। स्वकीयद्रव्ययानाभ्यां फलं तस्य चतुर्गुणम्

yasyānyaḥ kurute śaktyā tīrthayātrāṁ tatheśvari| svakīyadravyayānābhyāṁ phalaṁ tasya caturguṇam

O Ishvari, whoever performs the tirtha-pilgrimage by his own strength, with his own wealth and his own conveyance, obtains fourfold fruit.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.28.24)

तीर्थानुगमनं कृत्वा भिक्षाहारा जितेंद्रियाः। प्राप्नुवंति महादेवि तीर्थे दशगुणं फलम्

tīrthānugamanaṁ kṛtvā bhikṣāhārā jiteṁdriyāḥ| prāpnuvaṁti mahādevi tīrthe daśaguṇaṁ phalam

O Mahadevi, those who undertake the pilgrimage subsisting on alms, with senses conquered, obtain tenfold fruit at the tirtha.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.28.25)

छत्रोपानद्विहीनस्तु भिक्षाशी विजितेंद्रियः। महापातकजैर्घोरैर्विप्रः पापैः प्रमुच्यते

chatropānadvihīnastu bhikṣāśī vijiteṁdriyaḥ| mahāpātakajairghorairvipraḥ pāpaiḥ pramucyate

A brahmin who goes without umbrella or sandals, eats only alms-food, and has conquered his senses is freed from the terrible sins born of the greatest transgressions.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.28.26)

न भैक्षं परपाकं तु न च भैक्ष्यं प्रतिग्रहम्। सोमपानसमं भैक्ष्यं तस्माद्भैक्षं समाचरेत्

na bhaikṣaṁ parapākaṁ tu na ca bhaikṣyaṁ pratigraham| somapānasamaṁ bhaikṣyaṁ tasmādbhaikṣaṁ samācaret

Food cooked by another is not alms; nor is alms-food the same as a formal received gift. Alms-food is equal to Soma-drinking; therefore one should practice living on alms.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.28.27)

लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधं तीर्थं स्वच्छ न्दैर्निर्म्मितं तथा। स्वयंभूतं प्रभासाद्यं निर्मितं दैवतैः कृतम्

loke'smindvividhaṁ tīrthaṁ svaccha ndairnirmmitaṁ tathā| svayaṁbhūtaṁ prabhāsādyaṁ nirmitaṁ daivataiḥ kṛtam

In this world, tirtha is of two kinds: one fashioned deliberately, and one self-manifest — such as Prabhasa, which arose of itself, brought about by the gods.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.28.28)

स्वयंभूते महातीर्थे स्वभावे च महत्तरे। तस्मिंस्तीर्थे प्रतिगृह्य कृताः सर्वे प्रतिग्रहाः

svayaṁbhūte mahātīrthe svabhāve ca mahattare| tasmiṁstīrthe pratigṛhya kṛtāḥ sarve pratigrahāḥ

At a self-manifest great tirtha, of a loftier nature by its very being, every acceptance of a gift there carries grave consequence.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.28.29)

प्रतिग्रहनिवृत्तस्य यात्रादशगुणं फलम्। तेन दत्तानि दानानि यज्ञैर्देवाः सुतर्पिताः

pratigrahanivṛttasya yātrādaśaguṇaṁ phalam| tena dattāni dānāni yajñairdevāḥ sutarpitāḥ

For one who refrains from accepting gifts, the fruit of pilgrimage is tenfold. By the gifts he gives instead, the gods become well satisfied, as if by sacrifices.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.28.30)

येन क्षेत्रं समासाद्य निवृत्तिः परमा कृता। वस्तुलौल्याद्धि यः क्षेत्रे प्रतिग्रहरुचिस्तथा

yena kṣetraṁ samāsādya nivṛttiḥ paramā kṛtā| vastulaulyāddhi yaḥ kṣetre pratigraharucistathā

He who, having reached the sacred field, adopts supreme restraint is blessed; but he who, out of greed for material things, delights in accepting gifts at the sacred field—

Verse 31 (skanda.7.28.31)

नैव तस्य परोलोको नायं लोको दुरात्मनः। अथ चेत्प्रतिगृह्णाति ब्राह्मणो वृत्तिदुर्बलः। दशांशमर्जिताद्दद्यादेवं तत्र न हीयते

naiva tasya paroloko nāyaṁ loko durātmanaḥ| atha cetpratigṛhṇāti brāhmaṇo vṛttidurbalaḥ| daśāṁśamarjitāddadyādevaṁ tatra na hīyate

—that evil-souled one attains neither the next world nor this world. But if a brahmin weak in livelihood must accept a gift, he should give away a tenth part of what he has earned; thus he incurs no loss in this matter.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.28.32)

विप्रवेषं समास्थाय शूद्रो भूत्वा प्रतिग्रहम्। तृणकाष्ठसमं वापि प्रतिगृह्य पतत्यधः

vipraveṣaṁ samāsthāya śūdro bhūtvā pratigraham| tṛṇakāṣṭhasamaṁ vāpi pratigṛhya patatyadhaḥ

A shudra who assumes the guise of a brahmin and accepts a gift — even accepting something as trifling as grass or wood — falls downward into a lower state.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.28.33)

कुम्भीपाकादिकेष्वेवं महानरककोटिषु। यावदिंद्रसहस्राणि चतुर्द्दश वरानने

kumbhīpākādikeṣvevaṁ mahānarakakoṭiṣu| yāvadiṁdrasahasrāṇi caturddaśa varānane

O fair-faced one, he falls into the great hells numbering in the millions, such as Kumbhipaka, for as long as fourteen thousand reigns of Indra.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.28.34)

तस्मान्नैव प्रतिग्राह्यं किमन्यैर्ब्राह्मणैरपि। द्विप्रकारस्य तीर्थस्य कृतस्याप्यकृतस्य च

tasmānnaiva pratigrāhyaṁ kimanyairbrāhmaṇairapi| dviprakārasya tīrthasya kṛtasyāpyakṛtasya ca

Therefore a gift should not be accepted at all — what then to say of it being accepted by other, unentitled brahmins? This applies to both kinds of tirtha, whether man-made or not.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.28.35)

स्वकीयभावसंयुक्तः संपूर्णं फलमश्नुते। लभते षोडशांशं स यः परान्नेन गच्छति

svakīyabhāvasaṁyuktaḥ saṁpūrṇaṁ phalamaśnute| labhate ṣoḍaśāṁśaṁ sa yaḥ parānnena gacchati

One endowed with his own sincere devotion obtains the complete fruit. One who travels there living on another's food obtains only a sixteenth part of it.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.28.36)

अशक्तस्य तथांधस्य पंगोर्यायावरस्य च। विहितं कारणायानमच्छिद्रे ब्राह्मणे कुतः

aśaktasya tathāṁdhasya paṁgoryāyāvarasya ca| vihitaṁ kāraṇāyānamacchidre brāhmaṇe kutaḥ

For the incapacitated, the blind, the lame, and the wandering ascetic, the use of a vehicle for valid reason is permitted — but how can this be permitted for an able-bodied brahmin without such infirmity?

Verse 37 (skanda.7.28.37)

स्नानखादनपानैश्च वोढृभ्यस्तीर्थसेवकः। ददत्सकलमाप्नोति फलं तीर्थसमुद्भवम्

snānakhādanapānaiśca voḍhṛbhyastīrthasevakaḥ| dadatsakalamāpnoti phalaṁ tīrthasamudbhavam

The pilgrim who provides bathing, food, and drink to those who carry burdens obtains the entire fruit arising from the tirtha.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.28.38)

न षोडशांशं यत्नेन लब्धार्थं यदि यच्छति। पंचमांशमथो वापि दद्यात्तत्र द्विजातिषु

na ṣoḍaśāṁśaṁ yatnena labdhārthaṁ yadi yacchati| paṁcamāṁśamatho vāpi dadyāttatra dvijātiṣu

If, despite effort, one cannot give a sixteenth part of what has been earned, then one should give at least a fifth part there to the twice-born.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.28.39)

देवतानां गुरूणां च मातापित्रोश्च कामतः। पुण्यदः समवाप्नोति तदेवाष्टगुणं फलम्

devatānāṁ gurūṇāṁ ca mātāpitrośca kāmataḥ| puṇyadaḥ samavāpnoti tadevāṣṭaguṇaṁ phalam

By willingly giving for the sake of the gods, the teacher, and mother and father, the meritorious giver obtains that same fruit multiplied eightfold.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.28.40)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो देवतार्चनम्। पुण्यं देयं तु सर्वत्र नापुण्यं दीयते क्वचित्

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ svādhyāyo devatārcanam| puṇyaṁ deyaṁ tu sarvatra nāpuṇyaṁ dīyate kvacit

Bathing, giving, mantra-recitation, fire-oblation, self-study, and worship of deities — merit should be dedicated through these everywhere; impurity should never be dedicated anywhere.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.28.41)

पितरं मातरं तीर्थे भ्रातरं सुहृदं गुरुम्। यमुद्दिश्य निमज्जेत द्वादशांशं लभेत सः

pitaraṁ mātaraṁ tīrthe bhrātaraṁ suhṛdaṁ gurum| yamuddiśya nimajjeta dvādaśāṁśaṁ labheta saḥ

Whoever, at the tirtha, immerses himself dedicating the act to his father, mother, brother, friend, or teacher obtains a twelfth part of the fruit for them.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.28.42)

कुशैस्तु प्रतिमां कृत्वा तीर्थवारिषु मज्जयेत्। यमुद्दिश्य महादेवि अष्टभागं लभेत सः

kuśaistu pratimāṁ kṛtvā tīrthavāriṣu majjayet| yamuddiśya mahādevi aṣṭabhāgaṁ labheta saḥ

O Mahadevi, whoever makes an effigy of kusha grass and immerses it in the tirtha's waters, dedicating it to someone, obtains an eighth part of the fruit for them.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.28.43)

महादानानि ये विप्रा गृह्णन्ति ज्ञानदुर्बलाः। वृक्षास्ते द्विजरूपेण जायंते ब्रह्मराक्षसाः

mahādānāni ye viprā gṛhṇanti jñānadurbalāḥ| vṛkṣāste dvijarūpeṇa jāyaṁte brahmarākṣasāḥ

Those brahmins who, weak in knowledge, accept the great gifts (mahadanas) are born as trees, and thereafter, in twice-born form, as brahma-rakshasas.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.28.44)

न वेदबलमाश्रित्य प्रतिग्रहरुचिर्भवेत्। अज्ञानाद्वा प्रमादाद्वा दहते कर्म नेतरत्

na vedabalamāśritya pratigraharucirbhavet| ajñānādvā pramādādvā dahate karma netarat

One should not develop a taste for accepting gifts merely by relying on the authority of Vedic learning. Whether from ignorance or carelessness, such acceptance burns up only that particular meritorious deed, not others.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.28.45)

चितिकाष्ठं तु वै स्पृष्ट्वा यज्ञयूपं तथैव च। वेदविक्रयिणं स्पृष्ट्वा स्नानमेव विधीयते

citikāṣṭhaṁ tu vai spṛṣṭvā yajñayūpaṁ tathaiva ca| vedavikrayiṇaṁ spṛṣṭvā snānameva vidhīyate

Having touched the wood of a funeral pyre, or likewise the sacrificial post, or having touched one who sells the Veda, bathing alone is prescribed as purification.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.28.46)

आदेशं पठते यस्तु आदेशं तु ददाति यः। द्वावेतौ पापकर्माणौ पातालतलवासिनौ

ādeśaṁ paṭhate yastu ādeśaṁ tu dadāti yaḥ| dvāvetau pāpakarmāṇau pātālatalavāsinau

Whoever teaches Vedic instruction for payment, and whoever pays that price — these two sinners both dwell in the depths of Patala.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.28.47)

आदेशं पठते यस्तु संजिघृक्षुः प्रतिग्रहम्। तीर्थे चैव विशेषेण ब्रह्मघ्नः सैव नेतरः। स्थितो वै नृपतेर्द्वारि न कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्

ādeśaṁ paṭhate yastu saṁjighṛkṣuḥ pratigraham| tīrthe caiva viśeṣeṇa brahmaghnaḥ saiva netaraḥ| sthito vai nṛpaterdvāri na kuryādvedavikrayam

Whoever teaches, desiring in return to receive a gift — especially at a tirtha — he alone is equivalent to a brahmin-killer, no other. Even standing at a king's door in need, one should never sell the Veda.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.28.48)

हत्वा गावो वरं मांसं भक्षयीत द्विजाधमः। वरं जीवन्समं मत्स्यैर्न कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्। ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापं न भूतं न भविष्यति

hatvā gāvo varaṁ māṁsaṁ bhakṣayīta dvijādhamaḥ| varaṁ jīvansamaṁ matsyairna kuryādvedavikrayam| brahmahatyāsamaṁ pāpaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

It would be better for a degraded twice-born to kill a cow and eat its flesh, even to live like fish — but he should never sell the Veda. There has never been, and never will be, a sin equal to the killing of a brahmin.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.28.49)

वरं कुर्याच्च तद्देवि न कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्। तीर्थे चैव विशेषेण महाक्षेत्रे तथैव च

varaṁ kuryācca taddevi na kuryādvedavikrayam| tīrthe caiva viśeṣeṇa mahākṣetre tathaiva ca

O Goddess, he may commit that lesser sin, but he should never sell the Veda — especially not at a tirtha, and likewise not at a great sacred field.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.28.50)

दीयमानं तु वै दानं यस्त्यजेत्तीर्थसेवकः। तीर्थं करोति तीर्थं च स पुनाति च पूर्वजान्

dīyamānaṁ tu vai dānaṁ yastyajettīrthasevakaḥ| tīrthaṁ karoti tīrthaṁ ca sa punāti ca pūrvajān

The pilgrim who declines a gift being offered to him makes that place a true tirtha, and purifies both the tirtha and his ancestors.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.28.51)

यदन्यत्र कृतं पापं तीर्थे तद्याति लाघवम्। न तीर्थकृतमन्यत्र क्वचिदेव व्यपोहति

yadanyatra kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tīrthe tadyāti lāghavam| na tīrthakṛtamanyatra kvacideva vyapohati

Whatever sin is committed elsewhere becomes lightened at a tirtha; but sin committed at a tirtha is never removed anywhere else.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.28.52)

तैलपात्रमिवात्मानं यो रक्षेत्तीर्थसेवकः। स तीर्थफलमस्कन्नं विप्रः प्राप्नोति संयतः

tailapātramivātmānaṁ yo rakṣettīrthasevakaḥ| sa tīrthaphalamaskannaṁ vipraḥ prāpnoti saṁyataḥ

The pilgrim who guards himself like a vessel brimful of oil, without spilling a drop, that restrained brahmin obtains the unbroken fruit of the tirtha.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.28.53)

यस्ययस्यात्ति पक्वान्नमल्पं वा यदि वा बहु। तीर्थगस्तस्य तस्यार्धं स्नातस्य विनियच्छति

yasyayasyātti pakvānnamalpaṁ vā yadi vā bahu| tīrthagastasya tasyārdhaṁ snātasya viniyacchati

Whoever eats another's cooked food, whether little or much, the pilgrim who has bathed there transfers half its fruit to that very person.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.28.54)

यो न क्लिष्टोपि भिक्षेत ब्राह्मण स्तीर्थसेवकः। सत्यवादी समाधिस्थः स तीर्थस्योपकारकः

yo na kliṣṭopi bhikṣeta brāhmaṇa stīrthasevakaḥ| satyavādī samādhisthaḥ sa tīrthasyopakārakaḥ

The brahmin pilgrim who does not beg even when distressed, who speaks the truth and remains composed in meditation, he is a benefactor of the tirtha.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.28.55)

कृते युगे पुष्कराणि त्रेतायां नैमिषं तथा। द्वापरे तु कुरुक्षेत्रं प्राभासिकं कलौयुगे

kṛte yuge puṣkarāṇi tretāyāṁ naimiṣaṁ tathā| dvāpare tu kurukṣetraṁ prābhāsikaṁ kalauyuge

In the Krita age, Pushkara is supreme; in Treta, Naimisha; in Dvapara, Kurukshetra; and in the Kali age, the Prabhasa field.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.28.56)

तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्रंतुपादेनैकेन यः पुमान्। प्रभासयात्रामेको वा समं भवति वा न वा

tiṣṭhedyugasahasraṁtupādenaikena yaḥ pumān| prabhāsayātrāmeko vā samaṁ bhavati vā na vā

Whether a man who stands on one foot for a thousand yugas is equal to a single pilgrimage to Prabhasa — or not — remains a matter beyond ordinary comparison.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.28.57)

एतत्क्षेत्रं समागत्य मध्यभागे वरानने। यानानि तु परित्यज्य भाव्यं पादचरैर्नरैः

etatkṣetraṁ samāgatya madhyabhāge varānane| yānāni tu parityajya bhāvyaṁ pādacarairnaraiḥ

O fair-faced one, having arrived at the central portion of this sacred field, men should abandon their vehicles and proceed on foot.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.28.58)

लुठित्वा लोठनीं तत्र लुठिता यत्र देवताः। ततो नृत्यन्हसन्गायन्भूत्वा कार्पटिका कृतिः। गच्छेत्सोमेश्वरं देवं दृष्ट्वा चादौ कपर्द्दिनम्

luṭhitvā loṭhanīṁ tatra luṭhitā yatra devatāḥ| tato nṛtyanhasangāyanbhūtvā kārpaṭikā kṛtiḥ| gacchetsomeśvaraṁ devaṁ dṛṣṭvā cādau kaparddinam

Having rolled upon the ground where the deities themselves have rolled, then dancing, laughing, and singing, having become like a humble mendicant in bearing, one should go to the god Someshvara, having first beheld Kapardin.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.28.59)

ईदृशं पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा स्थितं सोमेश्वरोन्मुखम्। नित्यं तुष्यंति पितरो गर्जंति च पिता महाः

īdṛśaṁ puruṣaṁ dṛṣṭvā sthitaṁ someśvaronmukham| nityaṁ tuṣyaṁti pitaro garjaṁti ca pitā mahāḥ

Beholding such a man standing turned toward Someshvara, the ancestors are forever pleased, and the great forefathers roar with joy.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.28.60)

अस्माकं वंशजो देवं प्रस्थितस्तारणाय नः। गत्वा सोमेश्वरं देवि कुर्याद्वपनमादितः

asmākaṁ vaṁśajo devaṁ prasthitastāraṇāya naḥ| gatvā someśvaraṁ devi kuryādvapanamāditaḥ

"A descendant of our lineage has set out toward the Lord for our deliverance." O Goddess, having gone to Someshvara, one should first perform the tonsure-rite.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.28.61)

तीर्थोपवासः कर्त्तव्यो यथावद्वै निबोध मे। नास्ति गंगासमं तीर्थं नास्ति क्रतुसमा गतिः

tīrthopavāsaḥ karttavyo yathāvadvai nibodha me| nāsti gaṁgāsamaṁ tīrthaṁ nāsti kratusamā gatiḥ

Fasting at the tirtha should be properly observed; understand this well. There is no tirtha equal to the Ganga; there is no path equal to a sacrifice—

Verse 62 (skanda.7.28.62)

गायत्रीसदृशं जाप्यं होमो व्याहृतिभिः समः। अंतर्जले तथा नास्ति पापघ्नमघमर्षणात्

gāyatrīsadṛśaṁ jāpyaṁ homo vyāhṛtibhiḥ samaḥ| aṁtarjale tathā nāsti pāpaghnamaghamarṣaṇāt

—there is no recitation equal to the Gayatri, no fire-oblation equal to one performed with the Vyahritis, and nothing so sin-destroying as the Aghamarshana recitation done while submerged in water.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.28.63)

अहिंसासदृशं पुण्यं दानात्संचयनं परम्। तपश्चानशनान्नास्ति तथा तीर्थनिषेवणात्

ahiṁsāsadṛśaṁ puṇyaṁ dānātsaṁcayanaṁ param| tapaścānaśanānnāsti tathā tīrthaniṣevaṇāt

There is no merit equal to non-violence; there is no accumulation greater than that gained through giving; and there is no austerity equal to fasting and to dwelling at a tirtha.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.28.64)

तीर्थोपवासाद्देवेशि अधिकं नास्ति किञ्चन। पापानां चोपशमनं सतामीप्सितकारकम्

tīrthopavāsāddeveśi adhikaṁ nāsti kiñcana| pāpānāṁ copaśamanaṁ satāmīpsitakārakam

O Devesi, there is nothing greater than fasting at a tirtha; it pacifies sins and fulfills the desires of the virtuous.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.28.65)

उपवासो विनिर्द्दिष्टो विशेषाद्देवताश्रये। ब्राह्मणस्य त्वनशनं तपः परमिहोच्यते

upavāso vinirddiṣṭo viśeṣāddevatāśraye| brāhmaṇasya tvanaśanaṁ tapaḥ paramihocyate

Fasting is especially prescribed in the presence of a deity. For a brahmin, complete abstention from food is declared here to be the supreme austerity.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.28.66)

षष्ठकालाशनं शूद्रे तपः प्रोक्तं परं बुधैः। वर्णसंकरजातानां दिनमेकं प्रकीर्तितम्

ṣaṣṭhakālāśanaṁ śūdre tapaḥ proktaṁ paraṁ budhaiḥ| varṇasaṁkarajātānāṁ dinamekaṁ prakīrtitam

For a shudra, eating at the sixth mealtime is declared by the wise as the highest austerity. For those of mixed castes, a single day of fasting is prescribed.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.28.67)

षष्ठकालात्परं शूद्रस्तपः कुर्याद्यथा क्वचित्। राष्ट्रहानिस्तदा ज्ञेया राज्ञश्चोपद्रवो महान्

ṣaṣṭhakālātparaṁ śūdrastapaḥ kuryādyathā kvacit| rāṣṭrahānistadā jñeyā rājñaścopadravo mahān

If a shudra performs austerity beyond the sixth-mealtime standard, it should be understood that ruin comes to the kingdom and great calamity to the king.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.28.68)

शूद्रस्तु षष्ठकालाशी यथाशक्त्या तपश्चरेत्। न दर्भानुद्धरेच्छूद्रो न पिबेत्कापिलं पयः

śūdrastu ṣaṣṭhakālāśī yathāśaktyā tapaścaret| na darbhānuddharecchūdro na pibetkāpilaṁ payaḥ

A shudra, eating at the sixth mealtime, should practice austerity according to his ability. A shudra should not pull up kusha grass, nor drink the milk of a tawny cow.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.28.69)

मध्यपत्रे न भुञ्जीत ब्रह्मवृक्षस्य भामिनि। नोच्चरेत्प्रणवं मंत्रं पुरोडाशं न भक्षयेत्

madhyapatre na bhuñjīta brahmavṛkṣasya bhāmini| noccaretpraṇavaṁ maṁtraṁ puroḍāśaṁ na bhakṣayet

O beautiful one, he should not eat from the middle leaf of the sacred tree, should not utter the Om-syllable mantra, and should not eat the sacrificial cake.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.28.70)

न शिखां नोपवीतं च नोच्च रेत्संस्कृतां गिरम्। न पठेद्वेदवचनं त्रैरात्रं न हि सेवयेत्

na śikhāṁ nopavītaṁ ca nocca retsaṁskṛtāṁ giram| na paṭhedvedavacanaṁ trairātraṁ na hi sevayet

He should not wear the sacred tuft or thread, nor speak the Sanskrit language, nor recite the words of the Veda, nor observe the three-night fast.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.28.71)

नमस्कारेण शूद्रस्य क्रियासिद्धिर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्। निषिद्धाचरणं कुर्वन्पितृभिः सह मज्जति

namaskāreṇa śūdrasya kriyāsiddhirbhaveddhruvam| niṣiddhācaraṇaṁ kurvanpitṛbhiḥ saha majjati

For a shudra, the fulfillment of ritual action is certainly achieved through simple salutation. One who performs forbidden practices sinks down together with his ancestors.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.28.72)

येनैकादशसंख्यानि यंत्रितानींद्रियाणि वै। स तीर्थफलमाप्नोति नरोऽन्यः क्लेशभाग्भवेत्

yenaikādaśasaṁkhyāni yaṁtritānīṁdriyāṇi vai| sa tīrthaphalamāpnoti naro'nyaḥ kleśabhāgbhavet

He by whom the eleven senses have been restrained obtains the fruit of the tirtha; any other man merely becomes a sharer of trouble.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.28.73)

यच्च तीर्थे पितृश्राद्धं स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत्। हितकारी च भूतेभ्यः सोऽश्नीयात्तीर्थजं फलम्

yacca tīrthe pitṛśrāddhaṁ snānaṁ tatra samācaret| hitakārī ca bhūtebhyaḥ so'śnīyāttīrthajaṁ phalam

One who performs shraddha for the ancestors at the tirtha, bathes there, and acts beneficially toward all beings enjoys the fruit born of the tirtha.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.28.74)

धर्मध्वजी सदा लुब्धः परदाररतो हि यः। करोति तीर्थगमनं स नरः पातकी भवेत्

dharmadhvajī sadā lubdhaḥ paradārarato hi yaḥ| karoti tīrthagamanaṁ sa naraḥ pātakī bhavet

One who is a hypocrite, ever greedy, and devoted to another's wife — if such a man goes on pilgrimage, he only remains a sinner.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.28.75)

एवं ज्ञात्वा महादेवि यात्रां कुर्याद्यथाविधि। तीर्थोपवासं कृत्वादौ श्रद्धायुक्तो दृढव्रतः

evaṁ jñātvā mahādevi yātrāṁ kuryādyathāvidhi| tīrthopavāsaṁ kṛtvādau śraddhāyukto dṛḍhavrataḥ

O Mahadevi, knowing this, one should undertake the pilgrimage according to rule — having first observed the tirtha-fast, filled with faith and firm in vow—

Verse 76 (skanda.7.28.76)

भोजनं नैव कुर्वीत यदी च्छेद्धितमात्मनः। परान्नं नैव भुञ्जीत तद्दिने ब्राह्मणः क्वचित्

bhojanaṁ naiva kurvīta yadī ccheddhitamātmanaḥ| parānnaṁ naiva bhuñjīta taddine brāhmaṇaḥ kvacit

—if he desires his own good, he should not eat at all. A brahmin should never eat another's food on that day, under any circumstance.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.28.77)

हस्त्यश्वरथयानानि भूमिगोकांचनादिकम्। सर्वं तत्परिगृह्णीयाद्भोजनं न समाचरेत्

hastyaśvarathayānāni bhūmigokāṁcanādikam| sarvaṁ tatparigṛhṇīyādbhojanaṁ na samācaret

One may accept elephants, horses, chariots, vehicles, land, cows, gold, and the like — all of that may be accepted — but a meal should not be accepted.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.28.78)

आमाच्छतगुणं पुण्यं भुञ्जतो ददतोऽपि वा। तीर्थोपवासं कुर्वीत तस्मात्तत्र वरानने

āmācchataguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ bhuñjato dadato'pi vā| tīrthopavāsaṁ kurvīta tasmāttatra varānane

O fair-faced one, the merit of raw (uncooked) food is a hundredfold greater than that of one who eats or even gives cooked food there. Therefore one should observe the tirtha-fast.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.28.79)

व्रती च तीर्थयात्री च विधवा च विशेषतः। परान्नभोजने देवि यस्यान्नं तस्य तत्फलम्

vratī ca tīrthayātrī ca vidhavā ca viśeṣataḥ| parānnabhojane devi yasyānnaṁ tasya tatphalam

For one under a vow, for a pilgrim, and especially for a widow — O Goddess, in the matter of eating another's food, the fruit belongs to the one whose food it was.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.28.80)

विधवा चैव या नारी तस्या यात्राविधिं ब्रुवे। कुंकुमं चन्दनं चैव तांबूलं च स्रजस्तथा

vidhavā caiva yā nārī tasyā yātrāvidhiṁ bruve| kuṁkumaṁ candanaṁ caiva tāṁbūlaṁ ca srajastathā

Now I shall tell the rule of pilgrimage for a widowed woman: saffron, sandal-paste, betel-leaf, and garlands as well—

Verse 81 (skanda.7.28.81)

रक्तवस्त्राणि सर्वाणि शय्या प्रास्तरणानि च। अशिष्टैः सह संभाषो द्विवारं भोजनं तथा

raktavastrāṇi sarvāṇi śayyā prāstaraṇāni ca| aśiṣṭaiḥ saha saṁbhāṣo dvivāraṁ bhojanaṁ tathā

—all red-colored garments, a bed and its coverings, conversation with ill-mannered persons, and eating twice a day—

Verse 82 (skanda.7.28.82)

पुंसां प्रदर्शनं चैव हास्यं तमसि वर्जयेत्। सशब्दोपानहौ चैव नृत्यं गतिं च वर्जयेत्

puṁsāṁ pradarśanaṁ caiva hāsyaṁ tamasi varjayet| saśabdopānahau caiva nṛtyaṁ gatiṁ ca varjayet

—showing herself to men, and laughing in the dark — she should avoid all these. She should likewise avoid noisy footwear, dancing, and frivolous movement.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.28.83)

धारणं चैव केशानामंजनं च विलेपनम्। असतीजनसंसर्गं पांडित्यं च परित्यजेत्

dhāraṇaṁ caiva keśānāmaṁjanaṁ ca vilepanam| asatījanasaṁsargaṁ pāṁḍityaṁ ca parityajet

She should give up wearing ornamented hair, eye-collyrium and cosmetic unguents, association with unchaste persons, and displays of learning.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.28.84)

नित्यं स्नानं च कुर्वीत श्वेतवस्त्राणि धारयेत्। यतिश्च ब्रह्मचारी च विधवा च विशेषतः

nityaṁ snānaṁ ca kurvīta śvetavastrāṇi dhārayet| yatiśca brahmacārī ca vidhavā ca viśeṣataḥ

She should bathe daily and wear white garments — this applies especially to an ascetic, a celibate student, and a widow.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.28.85)

तांबूलं मधु मांसं च सुरापानसमं विदुः। एतेषां वर्ज्जनाद्देवि सम्यग्यात्राफलं लभेत्

tāṁbūlaṁ madhu māṁsaṁ ca surāpānasamaṁ viduḥ| eteṣāṁ varjjanāddevi samyagyātrāphalaṁ labhet

Betel-leaf, honey, and meat are held to be equal to the drinking of liquor. O Goddess, by avoiding these, one obtains the complete fruit of the pilgrimage.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.28.86)

देव्युवाच। तपांसि कानि कथ्यन्ते क्षेत्रे प्राभा सिके नरैः। कानि दानानि दीयन्ते केषु तीर्थेषु वा कथम्

devyuvāca| tapāṁsi kāni kathyante kṣetre prābhā sike naraiḥ| kāni dānāni dīyante keṣu tīrtheṣu vā katham

The Goddess said: What austerities are spoken of for men in the Prabhasa-kshetra? What gifts are given, at which tirthas, and how?

Verse 87 (skanda.7.28.87)

ईश्वर उवाच। तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानमिष्यते। द्वापरे यजनं धन्यं दानमेकं कलौ युगे

īśvara uvāca| tapaḥ paraṁ kṛtayuge tretāyāṁ jñānamiṣyate| dvāpare yajanaṁ dhanyaṁ dānamekaṁ kalau yuge

Ishvara said: In the Krita age, austerity is supreme; in Treta, knowledge is favored; in Dvapara, sacrifice is blessed; in the Kali age, giving alone is prescribed.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.28.88)

तपस्तप्यन्ति मुनयः कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादिकम्। गत्वा प्राभासिकं क्षेत्रं लोकाश्चान्ये कृते युगे

tapastapyanti munayaḥ kṛcchracāndrāyaṇādikam| gatvā prābhāsikaṁ kṣetraṁ lokāścānye kṛte yuge

In the Krita age, sages and other people, having gone to the Prabhasa-kshetra, perform austerities such as the Krichchhra and Chandrayana penances.

Verse 89 (skanda.7.28.89)

कलौ दानानि दीयन्ते ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यथाविधि। प्रभासं क्षेत्रमासाद्य तपसां प्राप्यते फलम्

kalau dānāni dīyante brāhmaṇebhyo yathāvidhi| prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāsādya tapasāṁ prāpyate phalam

In the Kali age, gifts are given to brahmins according to rule. Having reached the Prabhasa-kshetra, the fruit of all austerities is obtained through giving alone.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.28.90)

तुलापुरुषब्रह्माण्डपृथिवीकल्पपादपाः। हिरण्य कामधेनुश्च गजवाजिरथास्तथा

tulāpuruṣabrahmāṇḍapṛthivīkalpapādapāḥ| hiraṇya kāmadhenuśca gajavājirathāstathā

Tulapurusha, Brahmanda, Prithivi, the wish-fulfilling tree, gold, the wish-cow, and likewise the gift of elephant, horse, and chariot—

Verse 91 (skanda.7.28.91)

रत्नधेनुहिरण्याश्वसप्तसागर एव च। महाभूतघटो विश्वचक्रकल्पलताभिधः

ratnadhenuhiraṇyāśvasaptasāgara eva ca| mahābhūtaghaṭo viśvacakrakalpalatābhidhaḥ

—the jeweled cow, the golden horse, the seven oceans, the great-elements vessel, and those called Vishvachakra and Kalpalata—

Verse 92 (skanda.7.28.92)

प्रभासे नृपतिर्दद्या न्महादानानि षोडश। धान्यरत्नगुडस्वर्णतिलकार्पासशर्कराः

prabhāse nṛpatirdadyā nmahādānāni ṣoḍaśa| dhānyaratnaguḍasvarṇatilakārpāsaśarkarāḥ

—at Prabhasa a king should give these sixteen great gifts. Grain, jewels, molasses, gold, sesame, cotton, and sugar—

Verse 93 (skanda.7.28.93)

सर्पिर्लवणरूप्याख्या दशैते पर्वताः स्मृताः। गुडाज्यदधिमध्वंबुसलिल क्षीरशर्कराः। रत्नाख्याश्च स्वरूपेण दशैता धेनवो मताः

sarpirlavaṇarūpyākhyā daśaite parvatāḥ smṛtāḥ| guḍājyadadhimadhvaṁbusalila kṣīraśarkarāḥ| ratnākhyāśca svarūpeṇa daśaitā dhenavo matāḥ

—ghee, salt, and silver — these ten are called 'mountains'. And molasses, ghee, curds, honey, water, water again, milk, sugar, and jewels — in their own form, these ten are held to be the 'cows'.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.28.94)

तेषामेकतमं दानं तीर्थेतीर्थे पृथक्पृथक्। प्रदेयान्येकवारं वा सरस्वत्यब्धि संगमे

teṣāmekatamaṁ dānaṁ tīrthetīrthe pṛthakpṛthak| pradeyānyekavāraṁ vā sarasvatyabdhi saṁgame

Any one of these should be given separately at each tirtha, or all of them given at once at the confluence of Sarasvati and the ocean.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.28.95)

सर्वस्वं चातिविदुषे गृहं वा सपरिच्छदम्। बह्वल्पमपि विप्रेभ्यो दातव्यं प्रियमेलके

sarvasvaṁ cātividuṣe gṛhaṁ vā saparicchadam| bahvalpamapi viprebhyo dātavyaṁ priyamelake

To a person of exceptional learning, one's entire wealth, or a house with its furnishings, should be given; to other brahmins, at an affectionate gathering, whether much or little, a gift should be given.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.28.96)

यत्र तीर्थे लभेल्लिंगं तीर्थं च विमलोदकम्। तत्राग्निकार्यं कृत्वादौ विशिष्टं दानमिष्यते

yatra tīrthe labhelliṁgaṁ tīrthaṁ ca vimalodakam| tatrāgnikāryaṁ kṛtvādau viśiṣṭaṁ dānamiṣyate

At whatever tirtha one finds a linga and a tirtha of pure water, there, having first performed the fire-rite, a special gift is prescribed.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.28.97)

तर्पणं पितृदेवानां श्राद्धं दानं सदक्षिणम्। तीर्थेतीर्थे च गोदानं नियतः प्रकृतो विधिः

tarpaṇaṁ pitṛdevānāṁ śrāddhaṁ dānaṁ sadakṣiṇam| tīrthetīrthe ca godānaṁ niyataḥ prakṛto vidhiḥ

Tarpana for the ancestor-deities, shraddha, gift-giving with sacrificial fees, and the gift of a cow at each tirtha — this is the regularly established rule.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.28.98)

विशिष्टख्यातलिंगेषु वृषदानं विधीयते। स्नानं विलेपनं पूजां देवतानां समाचरेत्

viśiṣṭakhyātaliṁgeṣu vṛṣadānaṁ vidhīyate| snānaṁ vilepanaṁ pūjāṁ devatānāṁ samācaret

At especially renowned lingas, the gift of a bull is prescribed. One should perform bathing, anointing, and worship of the deities.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.28.99)

जगतीं चार्चयेद्भक्त्या तथा चैवोपलेपयेत्। प्रासादं धवलं सौधं कारयेज्जीर्णमुद्धरेत्

jagatīṁ cārcayedbhaktyā tathā caivopalepayet| prāsādaṁ dhavalaṁ saudhaṁ kārayejjīrṇamuddharet

One should worship the platform with devotion and likewise plaster it. One should have a white mansion-temple built, and restore whatever has fallen into disrepair.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.28.100)

पुष्पवाटीं स्नानकूपं निर्मलं कारयेद्व्रती। ब्राह्मणानां भूरिदानं देवपूजाकराय च

puṣpavāṭīṁ snānakūpaṁ nirmalaṁ kārayedvratī| brāhmaṇānāṁ bhūridānaṁ devapūjākarāya ca

One under a vow should have a flower-garden and a clean bathing-well constructed, and give abundant gifts to brahmins for the performance of divine worship.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.28.101)

सर्वत्र देवयात्रायां विधिरेष प्रवर्त्तते। तीर्थमभ्युद्धरेज्जीर्णं मार्जयेत्कथयेत्फलम्

sarvatra devayātrāyāṁ vidhireṣa pravarttate| tīrthamabhyuddharejjīrṇaṁ mārjayetkathayetphalam

This rule applies everywhere in pilgrimage to the deity. One should restore a ruined tirtha, cleanse it, and proclaim its merit to others.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.28.102)

प्रसिद्धे च महादानं मध्यमे चैव मध्यमम्। गोदानं सर्वतीर्थेषु सुवर्णमथ निष्क्रयः। हिरण्यदानं सर्वेषां दानानामेव निष्कृतिः

prasiddhe ca mahādānaṁ madhyame caiva madhyamam| godānaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu suvarṇamatha niṣkrayaḥ| hiraṇyadānaṁ sarveṣāṁ dānānāmeva niṣkṛtiḥ

At a renowned tirtha, a great gift should be given; at a middling one, a middling gift. The gift of a cow is proper at all tirthas, and gold serves as its substitute; the gift of gold is the completion of all gifts.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.28.103)

एवं कृत्वा नरो भक्त्या लभते जन्मनः फलम्। तीर्थेषु दानं वक्ष्यामि येषु यद्दीयते तिथौ

evaṁ kṛtvā naro bhaktyā labhate janmanaḥ phalam| tīrtheṣu dānaṁ vakṣyāmi yeṣu yaddīyate tithau

Having done thus with devotion, a man obtains the fruit of his birth. Now I shall describe the gifts at the tirthas — what is to be given on which lunar day.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.28.104)

प्रभासे प्रतिपद्दानं दातव्यं कांचनं शुभम्। द्वितीयायां तथा वस्त्रं तृतीयायां च मेदिनीम्

prabhāse pratipaddānaṁ dātavyaṁ kāṁcanaṁ śubham| dvitīyāyāṁ tathā vastraṁ tṛtīyāyāṁ ca medinīm

At Prabhasa, on the first lunar day, auspicious gold should be given; on the second, cloth; and on the third, land.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.28.105)

चतुर्थ्यां दापयेद्धान्यं पंचम्यां कपिलां तथा। षष्ठ्यामश्वं च सप्तम्यां महिषीं तत्र दापयेत्

caturthyāṁ dāpayeddhānyaṁ paṁcamyāṁ kapilāṁ tathā| ṣaṣṭhyāmaśvaṁ ca saptamyāṁ mahiṣīṁ tatra dāpayet

On the fourth day, grain should be given; on the fifth, a tawny cow; on the sixth, a horse; and on the seventh, a she-buffalo should be given.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.28.106)

अष्टम्यां वृषभं दत्त्वा नीलं लक्षणसंयुतम्। नवम्यां तु गृहं दद्याच्चक्रं शंखं गदां तथा

aṣṭamyāṁ vṛṣabhaṁ dattvā nīlaṁ lakṣaṇasaṁyutam| navamyāṁ tu gṛhaṁ dadyāccakraṁ śaṁkhaṁ gadāṁ tathā

On the eighth day, a blue-black bull marked with auspicious characteristics should be given; on the ninth, a house, along with the discus, conch, and mace.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.28.107)

दशम्यां सर्वगंधांश्च एकादश्यां च मौक्तिकम्। द्वादश्यां सुव्रतेन्नाद्यं प्रवालं विधिवत्तथा

daśamyāṁ sarvagaṁdhāṁśca ekādaśyāṁ ca mauktikam| dvādaśyāṁ suvratennādyaṁ pravālaṁ vidhivattathā

On the tenth day, all kinds of fragrances; on the eleventh, pearls; on the twelfth, food to one devoted to good vows, and likewise coral, according to rule.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.28.108)

स्त्रियो देयास्त्रयोदश्यां भूतायां ज्ञानदो भवेत्। अमावास्यामनुप्राप्य सर्वदानानि दापयेत्

striyo deyāstrayodaśyāṁ bhūtāyāṁ jñānado bhavet| amāvāsyāmanuprāpya sarvadānāni dāpayet

On the thirteenth day, gifts fit for women should be given; on the fourteenth, one becomes a giver of knowledge. Having reached the new-moon day, all remaining gifts should be given.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.28.109)

एवं दानं प्रदत्त्वा तु दश कृत्वः फलं लभेत्

evaṁ dānaṁ pradattvā tu daśa kṛtvaḥ phalaṁ labhet

Having thus given these gifts, one obtains a tenfold fruit.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.28.110)

देव्युवाच। भक्तिदानविहीना ये प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागताः। स्नानमन्त्रविहीनाश्च वद तेषां तु किं फलम्

devyuvāca| bhaktidānavihīnā ye prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgatāḥ| snānamantravihīnāśca vada teṣāṁ tu kiṁ phalam

The Goddess said: Those who come to the Prabhasa-kshetra devoid of devotion and giving, and devoid of the bathing-mantras — tell me, what is their fruit?

Verse 111 (skanda.7.28.111)

ईश्वर उवाच। सधना निर्द्धना वापि समंत्रा मंत्रवर्जिताः। प्रभासे निधनं प्राप्ताः सर्वे यांति शिवालयम्

īśvara uvāca| sadhanā nirddhanā vāpi samaṁtrā maṁtravarjitāḥ| prabhāse nidhanaṁ prāptāḥ sarve yāṁti śivālayam

Ishvara said: Whether wealthy or poor, whether knowing the mantras or devoid of them — all who attain death at Prabhasa go to the abode of Shiva.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.28.112)

ये मंत्रहीनाः पुरुषा धर्महीनाश्च ये मृताः। तेषामेकं विमानं तु ददामि सुमहत्प्रिये

ye maṁtrahīnāḥ puruṣā dharmahīnāśca ye mṛtāḥ| teṣāmekaṁ vimānaṁ tu dadāmi sumahatpriye

O beloved, even to those men who die devoid of mantras and devoid of dharma, I grant one very great celestial chariot.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.28.113)

स्नानदानानुरूप्येण प्राप्नुवंति परं पदम्। केचित्स्नानप्रभावेन केचिद्दानेन मानवाः

snānadānānurūpyeṇa prāpnuvaṁti paraṁ padam| kecitsnānaprabhāvena keciddānena mānavāḥ

According to their bathing and giving, men attain the supreme state — some by the power of bathing, some by giving—

Verse 114 (skanda.7.28.114)

केचिल्लिंगप्रणामेन केचिल्लिंगार्च्चनेन च। केचिद्ध्यानप्रभावेन केचिद्योगप्रभावतः

kecilliṁgapraṇāmena kecilliṁgārccanena ca| keciddhyānaprabhāvena kecidyogaprabhāvataḥ

—some by bowing to the linga, some by worshipping the linga, some by the power of meditation, some by the power of yoga—

Verse 115 (skanda.7.28.115)

केचिन्मं त्रस्य जाप्येन केचिच्च तपसा शुभे। तीर्थे संन्यसनैः केचित्केचिद्भक्त्यनुसारतः

kecinmaṁ trasya jāpyena kecicca tapasā śubhe| tīrthe saṁnyasanaiḥ kecitkecidbhaktyanusārataḥ

—some by the recitation of mantra, O auspicious one, some by austerity, some by renunciation at the tirtha, and some simply through the measure of their devotion.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.28.116)

एते चान्ये च बहव उत्तमाधममध्यमाः। सर्वे शिवपुरं यांति विमानैः सूर्यसंनिभैः

ete cānye ca bahava uttamādhamamadhyamāḥ| sarve śivapuraṁ yāṁti vimānaiḥ sūryasaṁnibhaiḥ

These and many others, whether of high, low, or middling status, all go to Shiva's city in celestial chariots resembling the sun.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.28.117)

त्रिशूलांकितहस्ताश्च सर्वे च वृषवाहनाः। दिव्याप्सरोगणाकीर्णाः क्रीडंते मत्प्रभावतः

triśūlāṁkitahastāśca sarve ca vṛṣavāhanāḥ| divyāpsarogaṇākīrṇāḥ krīḍaṁte matprabhāvataḥ

With tridents marked in their hands, all mounted on bulls, surrounded by hosts of divine Apsaras, they sport there by my power.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.28.118)

एवं भक्त्यनुसारेण ददामि फलमव्ययम्। अलेपकं प्रभासं तु धर्माधर्मैर्न लिप्यते

evaṁ bhaktyanusāreṇa dadāmi phalamavyayam| alepakaṁ prabhāsaṁ tu dharmādharmairna lipyate

Thus, according to the measure of devotion, I grant the imperishable fruit. Prabhasa, however, remains ever untainted — it is not stained by dharma or adharma.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.28.119)

धर्मं चरंत्यधर्मं वा शिवं यांति न संशयः

dharmaṁ caraṁtyadharmaṁ vā śivaṁ yāṁti na saṁśayaḥ

Whether people practice dharma or adharma there, they go to Shiva — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.28.120)

जन्मप्रभृति यो देवि नरो नेत्रविवर्जितः। मम क्षेत्रे मृतः सोऽपि रुद्रलोके महीयते

janmaprabhṛti yo devi naro netravivarjitaḥ| mama kṣetre mṛtaḥ so'pi rudraloke mahīyate

O Goddess, a man who has been blind from birth, if he dies in my sacred field, he too is exalted in Rudraloka.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.28.121)

जन्मप्रभृति यो देवि श्रवणाभ्यां विवर्जितः। प्रभासे निधनं प्राप्तः स भवेन्मत्परिग्रहः

janmaprabhṛti yo devi śravaṇābhyāṁ vivarjitaḥ| prabhāse nidhanaṁ prāptaḥ sa bhavenmatparigrahaḥ

O Goddess, one who has been deprived of hearing from birth, if he attains death at Prabhasa, becomes accepted into my own fold.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.28.122)

अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थानां स्पर्शने विधिम्। मन्त्रेण मंत्रितं तीर्थं भवेत्संनिहितं तथा

athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi tīrthānāṁ sparśane vidhim| mantreṇa maṁtritaṁ tīrthaṁ bhavetsaṁnihitaṁ tathā

Now, therefore, I shall declare the rule for touching the tirthas. A tirtha, when consecrated with mantra, thereby attains the deity's presence.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.28.123)

प्रथमं चालभेत्तीर्थं प्रणवेन जलं शुचि। अवगाह्य ततः स्नायादध्यात्ममन्त्रयोगतः

prathamaṁ cālabhettīrthaṁ praṇavena jalaṁ śuci| avagāhya tataḥ snāyādadhyātmamantrayogataḥ

First, one should touch the tirtha's pure water while invoking the Pranava (Om); then, having plunged in, one should bathe through the union with the inner spiritual mantra.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.28.124)

ओंनमो देवदेवाय शितिकण्ठाय दंडिने। रुद्राय वामहस्ताय चक्रिणे वेधसे नमः

oṁnamo devadevāya śitikaṇṭhāya daṁḍine| rudrāya vāmahastāya cakriṇe vedhase namaḥ

"Om, salutation to the God of gods, the blue-throated one, the staff-bearer; salutation to Rudra, to the one whose left hand bears the weapon, to the discus-bearer, to the Creator."

Verse 125 (skanda.7.28.125)

सरस्वती च सावित्री वेदमाता विभावरी। संनिधानं कुरुष्वात्र तीर्थे पाप प्रणाशिनि। सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानां मंत्र एष उदाहृतः

sarasvatī ca sāvitrī vedamātā vibhāvarī| saṁnidhānaṁ kuruṣvātra tīrthe pāpa praṇāśini| sarveṣāmeva tīrthānāṁ maṁtra eṣa udāhṛtaḥ

"O Sarasvati, Savitri, Mother of the Vedas, Vibhavari, O destroyer of sin, be present here at this tirtha." This is declared to be the mantra for all tirthas.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.28.126)

इत्युच्चार्य नमस्कृत्वा स्नानं कुर्याद्यथाविधि। उपवासं ततः कुर्यात्तस्मिन्नहनि सुव्रते

ityuccārya namaskṛtvā snānaṁ kuryādyathāvidhi| upavāsaṁ tataḥ kuryāttasminnahani suvrate

Having thus recited this and bowed, one should bathe according to rule. Then, one devoted to good vows should observe a fast on that day.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.28.127)

सा तिथिर्वर्षमेकं तु उपोष्या भक्तितत्परैः

sā tithirvarṣamekaṁ tu upoṣyā bhaktitatparaiḥ

That lunar day should be observed as a fast for one full year by those devoted to bhakti.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.28.128)

देव्युवाच। कस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरैः पूर्वं प्रभासक्षेत्रमागतैः। स्नानं कार्यं महादेवि तन्मे विस्तरतो वद

devyuvāca| kasmiṁstīrthe naraiḥ pūrvaṁ prabhāsakṣetramāgataiḥ| snānaṁ kāryaṁ mahādevi tanme vistarato vada

The Goddess said: At which tirtha should men who have newly arrived at the Prabhasa-kshetra bathe first? O Mahadeva, tell me this in detail.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.28.129)

ईश्वर उवाच। हंत ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि आद्यं तीर्थं महाप्रभम्। पूर्वं यत्र नरैः स्नानं क्रियते तच्छृषुष्व मे

īśvara uvāca| haṁta te saṁpravakṣyāmi ādyaṁ tīrthaṁ mahāprabham| pūrvaṁ yatra naraiḥ snānaṁ kriyate tacchṛṣuṣva me

Ishvara said: Well then, I shall declare to you the first, most radiant tirtha, where men perform their bathing first; hear that from me.