The Glory of Jaleshvara (Apastamba and Nabhaga)

Verse 1 (skanda.7.338.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि देविकातटसंस्थितम्। जालेश्वरेति विख्यातं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi devikātaṭasaṁsthitam| jāleśvareti vikhyātaṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to the linga situated on the bank of the Devika, renowned as Jaleshvara, worshipped by gods and demons alike.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.338.2)

मन्वन्तरे चाक्षुषे च सम्प्राप्ते द्वापरे युगे। नाम्ना जालेश्वरं लिंगं देविकातटसंस्थितम्

manvantare cākṣuṣe ca samprāpte dvāpare yuge| nāmnā jāleśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ devikātaṭasaṁsthitam

In the Chakshusha Manvantara, when the Dvapara age arrived, the linga named Jaleshvara, situated on the bank of the Devika, came to be,

Verse 3 (skanda.7.338.3)

पूज्यते नागकन्याभिर्न तत्पश्यंति मानवाः। महा तेजोमणिमयं चंद्रबिंबसमप्रभम्। स्मरणात्तस्य देवस्य ब्रह्महत्या प्रणश्यति

pūjyate nāgakanyābhirna tatpaśyaṁti mānavāḥ| mahā tejomaṇimayaṁ caṁdrabiṁbasamaprabham| smaraṇāttasya devasya brahmahatyā praṇaśyati

worshipped by Naga maidens, unseen by mortals — of great radiance, seemingly made of jewels, shining like the orb of the moon; by mere remembrance of that god, the sin of killing a brahmin is destroyed.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.338.4)

देव्युवाच। कथं जालेश्वरं नाम कस्मिन्काले बभूव तत्

devyuvāca| kathaṁ jāleśvaraṁ nāma kasminkāle babhūva tat

The Goddess said: How did this name Jaleshvara come to be, and at what time did that happen?

Verse 5 (skanda.7.338.5)

साधुभिः सह संवासात्के गुणाः परिकीर्त्तिताः। के लोकाः कानि पुण्यानि तत्सर्वं शंस मे प्रभो

sādhubhiḥ saha saṁvāsātke guṇāḥ parikīrttitāḥ| ke lokāḥ kāni puṇyāni tatsarvaṁ śaṁsa me prabho

What virtues are proclaimed from dwelling together with the good? What worlds, what merits — tell me all that, O Lord.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.338.6)

ईश्वर उवाच। अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। नाभागस्य च संवादमापस्तंबतपोनिधेः

īśvara uvāca| atraivodāharaṁtīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam| nābhāgasya ca saṁvādamāpastaṁbataponidheḥ

Ishvara said: On this very matter they cite this ancient legend as an example — the dialogue of Nabhaga and Apastamba, that treasury of austerity.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.338.7)

महर्षिरात्मवान्पूर्वमापस्तंबो द्विजाग्रणीः। उपावसन्सदा रम्भो बभूव भगवांस्तदा

maharṣirātmavānpūrvamāpastaṁbo dvijāgraṇīḥ| upāvasansadā rambho babhūva bhagavāṁstadā

Formerly there was a great, self-controlled sage, foremost of the twice-born, named Apastamba; he dwelt there always, ever joyous, a truly blessed one.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.338.8)

नित्यं क्रोधं च लोभं च मोहं द्रोहं विसृज्य सः। देविकासरितो मध्ये विवेश सलिलाशये

nityaṁ krodhaṁ ca lobhaṁ ca mohaṁ drohaṁ visṛjya saḥ| devikāsarito madhye viveśa salilāśaye

Having ever cast off anger, greed, delusion and malice, he entered into the water, into the midst of the river Devika,

Verse 9 (skanda.7.338.9)

क्षेत्रे प्राभासिके रम्ये सम्यग्ज्ञात्वा शिवप्रिये। तत्रास्य वसतः कालः समतीतो महांस्तदा

kṣetre prābhāsike ramye samyagjñātvā śivapriye| tatrāsya vasataḥ kālaḥ samatīto mahāṁstadā

having well recognized the beautiful field of Prabhasa, dear to Shiva; there, dwelling, a great length of time passed for him,

Verse 10 (skanda.7.338.10)

परेण ध्यानयोगेन स्थाणुभूतस्य तिष्ठतः। ततः कदाचिदागत्य तं देशं मत्स्यजीविनः

pareṇa dhyānayogena sthāṇubhūtasya tiṣṭhataḥ| tataḥ kadācidāgatya taṁ deśaṁ matsyajīvinaḥ

as he remained fixed like a post through supreme meditative absorption. Then once, fishermen came to that place,

Verse 11 (skanda.7.338.11)

प्रसार्य सुमहज्जालं सर्वे चाकर्षयन्बलात्। अथ तं च महामत्स्यं निषादा बलदर्पिताः

prasārya sumahajjālaṁ sarve cākarṣayanbalāt| atha taṁ ca mahāmatsyaṁ niṣādā baladarpitāḥ

and, casting a very great net, they all pulled it forcefully together; and then those fishermen, proud of their strength, taking him for a great fish,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.338.12)

तस्मादुत्तारयामासुः सलिलाद्ब्रह्मनंदनम्। तं दृष्ट्वा तपसा दीप्तं कैवर्त्ता भयविह्वलाः। शिरोभिः प्रणिपत्योच्चैरिदं वचनमब्रुवन्

tasmāduttārayāmāsuḥ salilādbrahmanaṁdanam| taṁ dṛṣṭvā tapasā dīptaṁ kaivarttā bhayavihvalāḥ| śirobhiḥ praṇipatyoccairidaṁ vacanamabruvan

drew the son of Brahma out from the water; seeing him ablaze with austerity, the fishermen, overwhelmed with fear, bowed their heads low and spoke aloud these words:

Verse 13 (skanda.7.338.13)

निषादा ऊचुः। अज्ञानात्कृतपापानामस्माकं क्षन्तुमर्हसि। किं वा कार्यं प्रियं तेऽद्य तदाज्ञापय सुव्रत

niṣādā ūcuḥ| ajñānātkṛtapāpānāmasmākaṁ kṣantumarhasi| kiṁ vā kāryaṁ priyaṁ te'dya tadājñāpaya suvrata

The fishermen said: 'Forgive us our sins committed in ignorance. Whatever deed is pleasing to you now, command it, O one of excellent vows.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.338.14)

स मुनिस्तन्महद्दृष्ट्वा मत्स्यानां कदनं कृतम्। कृपया परयाविष्टो दाशान्प्रोवाच दुःखितः

sa munistanmahaddṛṣṭvā matsyānāṁ kadanaṁ kṛtam| kṛpayā parayāviṣṭo dāśānprovāca duḥkhitaḥ

That sage, seeing the great slaughter of the fish that had been done, filled with the deepest compassion, sorrowfully said to the fisher-folk:

Verse 15 (skanda.7.338.15)

केन मे स्यादुपायो हि सर्वे स्वार्थे बत स्थिताः। ज्ञानिनामपि यच्चेतः केवलात्महिते रतम्

kena me syādupāyo hi sarve svārthe bata sthitāḥ| jñānināmapi yaccetaḥ kevalātmahite ratam

'What means might there be for me? Alas, all beings are fixed upon self-interest; even the mind of the wise remains intent solely on its own good.'

Verse 16 (skanda.7.338.16)

ज्ञानिनोपि यदा स्वार्थमाश्रित्य ध्यानमास्थिताः। दुःखार्त्तानीह सत्त्वानि क्व यास्यंति सुखं ततः

jñāninopi yadā svārthamāśritya dhyānamāsthitāḥ| duḥkhārttānīha sattvāni kva yāsyaṁti sukhaṁ tataḥ

'When even the wise, taking refuge in self-interest, remain absorbed in meditation for themselves alone, whence then will these suffering creatures find happiness?'

Verse 17 (skanda.7.338.17)

योऽभिवांछति भोक्तुं वै दुःखान्येकांततो जनः। पापात्पापतरं तं हि प्रवदंति मुमुक्षवः

yo'bhivāṁchati bhoktuṁ vai duḥkhānyekāṁtato janaḥ| pāpātpāpataraṁ taṁ hi pravadaṁti mumukṣavaḥ

'Whoever wishes to enjoy happiness for himself alone, leaving others to suffer — him those who seek liberation call more sinful than the sinful.'

Verse 18 (skanda.7.338.18)

को नु मे स्यादुपायो हि येनाहं दुःखितात्मवान्। अंतः प्रविष्टः सत्त्वानां भवेयं सर्वदुःखभुक्

ko nu me syādupāyo hi yenāhaṁ duḥkhitātmavān| aṁtaḥ praviṣṭaḥ sattvānāṁ bhaveyaṁ sarvaduḥkhabhuk

'What means indeed might there be for me, by which I, with a suffering spirit, might enter into all beings and myself bear all their suffering?'

Verse 19 (skanda.7.338.19)

यन्ममास्ति शुभं किचित्तदेनानुपगच्छतु। यत्कृतं दुष्कृतं तैश्च तदशेषमुपेतु माम्

yanmamāsti śubhaṁ kicittadenānupagacchatu| yatkṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ taiśca tadaśeṣamupetu mām

'Whatever good I possess, let it go to them; and whatever evil deed has been done by them, let all of it come upon me instead.'

Verse 20 (skanda.7.338.20)

दृष्ट्वांधान्कृपणान्व्यंगाननाथान्रोगिणस्तथा। दया न जायते यस्य स रक्ष इति मे मतिः

dṛṣṭvāṁdhānkṛpaṇānvyaṁgānanāthānrogiṇastathā| dayā na jāyate yasya sa rakṣa iti me matiḥ

'Seeing the blind, the wretched, the maimed, the helpless, and the sick, he in whom no compassion arises — he, I hold, is a demon.'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.338.21)

प्राणसंशयमापन्नान्प्राणिनो भयविह्वलान्। यो न रक्षति शक्तोपि स तत्पापं समश्नुते

prāṇasaṁśayamāpannānprāṇino bhayavihvalān| yo na rakṣati śaktopi sa tatpāpaṁ samaśnute

'Whoever, though able, does not protect beings who have fallen into mortal danger and are overcome with fear, incurs that very sin himself.'

Verse 22 (skanda.7.338.22)

आहुर्जनानामार्त्तानां सुखं यदुपजायते। तस्य स्वर्गोऽपवर्गो वा कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्

āhurjanānāmārttānāṁ sukhaṁ yadupajāyate| tasya svargo'pavargo vā kalāṁ nārhati ṣoḍaśīm

'It is said that not even heaven or final liberation is worth a sixteenth part of the joy that arises from protecting suffering people.'

Verse 23 (skanda.7.338.23)

तस्मान्नैतानहं दीनांस्त्यक्त्वा मीनान्सुदुःखितान्। पदमात्रं तु यास्यामि किं पुनस्त्रिदशालयम्

tasmānnaitānahaṁ dīnāṁstyaktvā mīnānsuduḥkhitān| padamātraṁ tu yāsyāmi kiṁ punastridaśālayam

'Therefore, abandoning these wretched, greatly suffering fish, I shall not go even a single step further — how much less to the abode of the gods!'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.338.24)

ईश्वर उवाच। निशम्यैतदृषेर्वाक्यं दाशास्ते जातसंभ्रमाः। यथावृत्तं तु तत्सर्वं नाभागाय न्यवेदयन्

īśvara uvāca| niśamyaitadṛṣervākyaṁ dāśāste jātasaṁbhramāḥ| yathāvṛttaṁ tu tatsarvaṁ nābhāgāya nyavedayan

Ishvara said: Hearing this speech of the sage, the fisher-folk, filled with alarm, went and reported the whole matter, exactly as it had happened, to Nabhaga.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.338.25)

नाभागोऽपि ततः श्रुत्वा तं द्रष्टुं ब्रह्मनन्दनम्। त्वरितः प्रययौ तत्र सामात्यः सपुरोहितः

nābhāgo'pi tataḥ śrutvā taṁ draṣṭuṁ brahmanandanam| tvaritaḥ prayayau tatra sāmātyaḥ sapurohitaḥ

Nabhaga too, on hearing it, hastened there to see that son of Brahma, together with his ministers and family priest.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.338.26)

स सम्यक्पूजयित्वा तं देवकल्पमुनिं नृपः। प्रोवाच भगवन्ब्रूहि किं करोमि तवाज्ञया

sa samyakpūjayitvā taṁ devakalpamuniṁ nṛpaḥ| provāca bhagavanbrūhi kiṁ karomi tavājñayā

Having duly worshipped that sage, equal to a god, the king said: 'O Lord, tell me — what shall I do at your command?'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.338.27)

आपस्तंब उवाच। श्रमेण महताविष्टाः कैवर्त्ता दुःखजीविनः। मम मूल्यं प्रयच्छेति यद्योग्यं मन्यसे नृप

āpastaṁba uvāca| śrameṇa mahatāviṣṭāḥ kaivarttā duḥkhajīvinaḥ| mama mūlyaṁ prayaccheti yadyogyaṁ manyase nṛpa

Apastamba said: 'The fishermen, oppressed by great toil and living in hardship — give my ransom for them, whatever you deem fitting, O king.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.338.28)

नाभाग उवाच। सहस्राणां शतं मूल्यं निषादेभ्यो ददाम्यहम्। निग्रहाख्यस्य भगवन्यथाह ब्रह्मनंदनः

nābhāga uvāca| sahasrāṇāṁ śataṁ mūlyaṁ niṣādebhyo dadāmyaham| nigrahākhyasya bhagavanyathāha brahmanaṁdanaḥ

Nabhaga said: 'I give a hundred thousand gold pieces as ransom to the fishermen, for the release, O Lord, of the son of Brahma, as he himself has bidden.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.338.29)

आपस्तंब उवाच। नाहं शतसहस्रैश्च नियम्यः पार्थिव त्वया। सदृशं दीयतां मूल्यममात्यैः सह चिंतय

āpastaṁba uvāca| nāhaṁ śatasahasraiśca niyamyaḥ pārthiva tvayā| sadṛśaṁ dīyatāṁ mūlyamamātyaiḥ saha ciṁtaya

Apastamba said: 'I am not to be redeemed by you, O king, for a hundred thousand. Let a fitting price be given — consider it with your ministers.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.338.30)

नाभाग उवाच। कोटिः प्रदीयतां मूल्यं निषादेभ्यो द्विजोत्तम। यद्येतदपि ते मूल्यं ततो भूयः प्रदीयते

nābhāga uvāca| koṭiḥ pradīyatāṁ mūlyaṁ niṣādebhyo dvijottama| yadyetadapi te mūlyaṁ tato bhūyaḥ pradīyate

Nabhaga said: 'Let a crore be given as ransom to the fishermen, O best of the twice-born. If even this is not your price, then more shall be given.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.338.31)

आपस्तंब उवाच। नार्हं मूल्यं च मे कोटिरधिकं वापि पार्थिव। सदृशं दीयतां मूल्यं ब्राह्मणैः सह चिंतय

āpastaṁba uvāca| nārhaṁ mūlyaṁ ca me koṭiradhikaṁ vāpi pārthiva| sadṛśaṁ dīyatāṁ mūlyaṁ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha ciṁtaya

Apastamba said: 'Neither a crore nor more than that is a fitting price for me, O king. Let a fitting price be given — consider it with the brahmins.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.338.32)

महर्षेस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा नाभागः स विषादवान्। चिन्तयामास दुःखार्तः सामात्यः सपुरोहितः

maharṣestadvacaḥ śrutvā nābhāgaḥ sa viṣādavān| cintayāmāsa duḥkhārtaḥ sāmātyaḥ sapurohitaḥ

Hearing the great sage's words, Nabhaga, distressed, together with his ministers and priest, pondered anxiously, afflicted with grief.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.338.33)

ततः कश्चिदृषिस्तत्र लोमशस्तु महातपाः। नाभागमब्रवीन्मा भैस्तोषयिष्यामि तं मुनिम्

tataḥ kaścidṛṣistatra lomaśastu mahātapāḥ| nābhāgamabravīnmā bhaistoṣayiṣyāmi taṁ munim

Then a certain sage there, Lomasha, of great austerity, said to Nabhaga: 'Fear not, I shall satisfy that sage.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.338.34)

नाभाग उवाच। ब्रूहि मूल्यं महाभाग मुनेरस्य महात्मनः। परित्रायस्व मामस्मात्सज्ञातिकुलबांधवम्

nābhāga uvāca| brūhi mūlyaṁ mahābhāga munerasya mahātmanaḥ| paritrāyasva māmasmātsajñātikulabāṁdhavam

Nabhaga said: 'Tell me the price for this great-souled sage, O greatly fortunate one; save me and my kinsmen and family from this.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.338.35)

निर्दहेद्भगवान्रुद्रस्त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। किं पुनर्मानुषं हीनमत्यंतविषयात्मकम्

nirdahedbhagavānrudrastrailokyaṁ sacarācaram| kiṁ punarmānuṣaṁ hīnamatyaṁtaviṣayātmakam

'The Lord Rudra could burn up the three worlds, moving and unmoving, in an instant — how much more, then, a lowly, thoroughly sense-bound human being!'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.338.36)

लोमश उवाच। त्वमीड्यो हि महाराज जगत्पूज्यो द्विजोत्तमः। गावश्च दिव्यास्तस्माद्गौर्मूल्यमम्यै प्रदीयताम्

lomaśa uvāca| tvamīḍyo hi mahārāja jagatpūjyo dvijottamaḥ| gāvaśca divyāstasmādgaurmūlyamamyai pradīyatām

Lomasha said: 'You, O great king, are worthy of praise, honoured by the world, best of the twice-born; and cows are divine — therefore let a cow be given as his ransom.'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.338.37)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राजा सामात्यः सपुरोहितः। हर्षेण महताविष्टः प्रोवाचेदं वचोमुनिम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ rājā sāmātyaḥ sapurohitaḥ| harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭaḥ provācedaṁ vacomunim

Hearing that word, the king, together with his ministers and priest, filled with great joy, spoke this speech to the sage:

Verse 38 (skanda.7.338.38)

उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भगवन्क्रीत एव न संशयः। एतद्योग्यतमं मूल्यं भवतो मुनिसत्तम

uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhagavankrīta eva na saṁśayaḥ| etadyogyatamaṁ mūlyaṁ bhavato munisattama

'Rise, rise, O Lord! You are indeed redeemed, there is no doubt; this is the most fitting price for you, O best of sages.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.338.39)

आपस्तंब उवाच। उत्तिष्ठाम्येष सुप्रीतः सम्यक्क्रीतोऽस्मि पार्थिव। गोभ्यो मूल्यं न पश्यामि पवित्रं परमं भुवि

āpastaṁba uvāca| uttiṣṭhāmyeṣa suprītaḥ samyakkrīto'smi pārthiva| gobhyo mūlyaṁ na paśyāmi pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhuvi

Apastamba said: 'I rise, well pleased; I am duly ransomed, O king. I see no purer price on earth than cows.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.338.40)

गावः प्रदक्षिणीकार्याः पूजनीयाश्च नित्यशः। मंगलायतनं देव्यः सृष्टा ह्येताः स्वयंभुवा

gāvaḥ pradakṣiṇīkāryāḥ pūjanīyāśca nityaśaḥ| maṁgalāyatanaṁ devyaḥ sṛṣṭā hyetāḥ svayaṁbhuvā

'Cows should always be circumambulated and honoured; they are the abode of auspiciousness, goddesses created by the Self-born one.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.338.41)

अग्न्यगाराणि विप्राणां देवतायतनानि च। यद्गोमयेन शुद्ध्यंति किंभूतमधिकं ततः

agnyagārāṇi viprāṇāṁ devatāyatanāni ca| yadgomayena śuddhyaṁti kiṁbhūtamadhikaṁ tataḥ

'The fire-chambers of brahmins and the abodes of the gods are purified by cow-dung — what is purer than that?'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.338.42)

गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिस्तथैव च। गवां पंच पवित्राणि पुनंति सकलं जगत्

gomūtraṁ gomayaṁ kṣīraṁ dadhi sarpistathaiva ca| gavāṁ paṁca pavitrāṇi punaṁti sakalaṁ jagat

'Cow's urine, cow-dung, milk, curds, and ghee likewise — these five pure products of the cow purify the whole world.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.338.43)

गावो ममाग्रतो नित्यं गावः पृष्ठत एव च। गावो मे ह्रदये चैव गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम

gāvo mamāgrato nityaṁ gāvaḥ pṛṣṭhata eva ca| gāvo me hradaye caiva gavāṁ madhye vasāmyahama

'Cows are ever before me, cows are behind me as well; cows are in my heart, and I dwell in the midst of cows.'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.338.44)

एवं जपन्नरो मंत्रं त्रिसंध्यं नियतः शुचिः। मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति

evaṁ japannaro maṁtraṁ trisaṁdhyaṁ niyataḥ śuciḥ| mucyate sarvapāpebhyaḥ svargalokaṁ ca gacchati

'A man who thus recites this formula thrice daily, self-controlled and pure, is freed from all sins and goes to the world of heaven.'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.338.45)

तृणाहारपरा गावः कर्त्तव्या भक्तितोऽन्वहम्। अकृत्वा स्वयमाहारं कुर्वन्प्राप्नोति दुर्गतिम्

tṛṇāhāraparā gāvaḥ karttavyā bhaktito'nvaham| akṛtvā svayamāhāraṁ kurvanprāpnoti durgatim

'Cows should be devotedly given fodder to eat every day; one who eats himself without first feeding them attains a bad end.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.338.46)

तेनाग्नयो हुताः सम्यक्पितरश्चापि तर्पिताः। देवाश्च पूजितास्तेन यो ददाति गवाह्निकम्

tenāgnayo hutāḥ samyakpitaraścāpi tarpitāḥ| devāśca pūjitāstena yo dadāti gavāhnikam

'By him who performs the daily service of the cows, fires are duly offered into, ancestors are satisfied, and gods are worshipped.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.338.47)

सौरभेयी जगत्पूज्या देवी विष्णुपदे स्थिता। सर्वमेव मया दत्तं प्रतीच्छतु सुतोषिता

saurabheyī jagatpūjyā devī viṣṇupade sthitā| sarvameva mayā dattaṁ pratīcchatu sutoṣitā

(The mantra:) 'May the Saurabheyi, the world-worshipped goddess established at the feet of Vishnu, well pleased, accept all that I have offered.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.338.48)

रक्षणाद्बालपुत्राणां गवां कण्डूयनात्तथा। क्षीणार्तरक्षणाच्चैव नरः स्वर्गे महीयते

rakṣaṇādbālaputrāṇāṁ gavāṁ kaṇḍūyanāttathā| kṣīṇārtarakṣaṇāccaiva naraḥ svarge mahīyate

'By protecting young children, and by grooming cows, and likewise by protecting the weak and afflicted, a man is exalted in heaven.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.338.49)

आदिर्गावो हि मर्त्यस्य मध्ये चांते प्रकीर्तिताः। रक्षंति तास्तु देवानां क्षीराज्यममृतं सदा

ādirgāvo hi martyasya madhye cāṁte prakīrtitāḥ| rakṣaṁti tāstu devānāṁ kṣīrājyamamṛtaṁ sadā

'The cow is declared to be present for mortals at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end; they ever guard the milk, ghee and nectar of the gods.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.338.50)

तस्माद्गावः प्रदातव्याः पूजनीयाश्च नित्यशः। स्वर्गस्य संगमा ह्येताः सोपानमिव निर्मिताः

tasmādgāvaḥ pradātavyāḥ pūjanīyāśca nityaśaḥ| svargasya saṁgamā hyetāḥ sopānamiva nirmitāḥ

'Therefore cows should always be given as gifts and honoured; they are indeed a meeting-point with heaven, fashioned as it were like a staircase to it.'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.338.51)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा निषादास्ते गवां माहात्म्यमुत्त मम्। प्रणिपत्य महात्मानमापस्तंबमथाब्रुवन्

etacchrutvā niṣādāste gavāṁ māhātmyamutta mam| praṇipatya mahātmānamāpastaṁbamathābruvan

Hearing this supreme greatness of the cow, the fishermen bowed down to the great-souled Apastamba and said:

Verse 52 (skanda.7.338.52)

निषादा ऊचुः। संभाषो दर्शनं स्पर्शः कीर्तनं स्मरणं तथा। पावनानि किलैतानि साधूनामिति च श्रुतम्

niṣādā ūcuḥ| saṁbhāṣo darśanaṁ sparśaḥ kīrtanaṁ smaraṇaṁ tathā| pāvanāni kilaitāni sādhūnāmiti ca śrutam

The fishermen said: 'Conversation, sight, touch, praise, and likewise remembrance — these, it is heard, are the purifying acts in regard to the good.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.338.53)

संभाषो दर्शनं चैव सहास्माभिः कृतं त्वया। कुरुष्वानुग्रहं तस्माद्गौरेषा प्रतिगृह्यताम्

saṁbhāṣo darśanaṁ caiva sahāsmābhiḥ kṛtaṁ tvayā| kuruṣvānugrahaṁ tasmādgaureṣā pratigṛhyatām

'Conversation and sight of you have been granted to us by you; therefore show us further favour — let this cow be accepted.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.338.54)

आपस्तंब उवाच। एता वः प्रतिगृह्णामि गां यूयं मुक्तकिल्विषाः। निषादा गच्छत स्वर्गं सह मत्स्यैर्जलोद्धृतैः

āpastaṁba uvāca| etā vaḥ pratigṛhṇāmi gāṁ yūyaṁ muktakilviṣāḥ| niṣādā gacchata svargaṁ saha matsyairjaloddhṛtaiḥ

Apastamba said: 'I accept this cow from you; you are freed from sin. Go, O fishermen, to heaven, together with the fish drawn from the water.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.338.55)

प्राणिनां प्रीतिमुत्पाद्य निन्दिते नापि कर्मणा। नरकं यदि पश्यामि वत्स्यामि स्वर्ग एव तत्

prāṇināṁ prītimutpādya nindite nāpi karmaṇā| narakaṁ yadi paśyāmi vatsyāmi svarga eva tat

'Having brought joy to living beings, even through an act that might seem blameworthy — should I see hell as its result, I would dwell there as though it were heaven itself.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.338.56)

यन्मया सुकृतं किञ्चिन्मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः। कृतं स्यात्तेन दुःखार्ताः सर्वे यांतु शुभां गतिम्

yanmayā sukṛtaṁ kiñcinmanovākkāyakarmabhiḥ| kṛtaṁ syāttena duḥkhārtāḥ sarve yāṁtu śubhāṁ gatim

'Whatever merit I have gained, however small, through deed, word or thought — by that, may all these suffering ones go to a blessed state.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.338.57)

ततस्तस्य प्रसादेन महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः। निषादास्तेन वाक्येन सह मत्स्यैर्दिवं गताः

tatastasya prasādena maharṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ| niṣādāstena vākyena saha matsyairdivaṁ gatāḥ

Then, by the grace of that great sage of purified soul, through that utterance the fishermen, together with the fish, went to heaven.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.338.58)

तान्दृष्ट्वा व्रजतः स्वर्गं समत्स्यान्मत्स्यजीविनः। सामात्यभृत्यो नृपतिर्विस्मयादिदमब्रवीत्

tāndṛṣṭvā vrajataḥ svargaṁ samatsyānmatsyajīvinaḥ| sāmātyabhṛtyo nṛpatirvismayādidamabravīt

Seeing them, with the fish, going to heaven, the king, with his ministers and servants, said this in amazement:

Verse 59 (skanda.7.338.59)

सेव्याः श्रेयोऽर्थिभिः सन्तः पुण्यतीर्थे जलोपमाः। क्षणोपासनमप्यत्र न येषां निष्फलं भवेत्

sevyāḥ śreyo'rthibhiḥ santaḥ puṇyatīrthe jalopamāḥ| kṣaṇopāsanamapyatra na yeṣāṁ niṣphalaṁ bhavet

'The good are to be served by those who seek their welfare, like water at a sacred tirtha; even a moment's attendance upon them can never be fruitless.'

Verse 60 (skanda.7.338.60)

सद्भिः सह सदासीत सद्भिः कुर्वीत सत्कथाम्। सतां व्रतेन वर्तेत नासद्भिः किञ्चिदाचरेत्

sadbhiḥ saha sadāsīta sadbhiḥ kurvīta satkathām| satāṁ vratena varteta nāsadbhiḥ kiñcidācaret

'One should always dwell with the good, hold virtuous discourse with the good, live by the conduct of the good, and never engage in anything with the wicked.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.338.61)

सतां समागमादेते समत्स्या मत्स्यजीविनः। त्रिविष्टपमनुप्राप्ता नराः पुण्यकृतो यथा

satāṁ samāgamādete samatsyā matsyajīvinaḥ| triviṣṭapamanuprāptā narāḥ puṇyakṛto yathā

'By association with the good, these fishermen, together with their fish, have reached heaven, just as men of righteous deeds do.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.338.62)

आपस्तंबो मुनिस्तत्र लोमशश्च महामनाः। वरैस्तं विविधैरिष्टैश्छंदयामासतुर्नृपम्

āpastaṁbo munistatra lomaśaśca mahāmanāḥ| varaistaṁ vividhairiṣṭaiśchaṁdayāmāsaturnṛpam

There the sage Apastamba and the great-minded Lomasha offered the king various desired boons, seeking to please him.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.338.63)

ततः स वरयामास धर्मबुद्धिं सुदुर्लभाम्। तथेति चोक्त्वा तौ प्रीत्या तं नृपं वै शशंसतुः

tataḥ sa varayāmāsa dharmabuddhiṁ sudurlabhām| tatheti coktvā tau prītyā taṁ nṛpaṁ vai śaśaṁsatuḥ

Then he chose a righteous understanding, most difficult to obtain; saying 'so be it,' the two of them, with affection, praised the king:

Verse 64 (skanda.7.338.64)

अहो धन्योऽसि राजेन्द्र यत्ते धर्मपरा मतिः। धर्मः सुदुर्लभः पुंसां विशेषेण महीक्षिताम्

aho dhanyo'si rājendra yatte dharmaparā matiḥ| dharmaḥ sudurlabhaḥ puṁsāṁ viśeṣeṇa mahīkṣitām

'Ah, you are blessed, O lord of kings, in that your mind is devoted to dharma; dharma is most difficult to attain for men, especially for rulers of the earth.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.338.65)

यदि राजा मदाविष्टः स्वधर्मं न परि त्यजेत्। ततो जगति कस्तस्मात्पुमानभ्यधिको भवेत्

yadi rājā madāviṣṭaḥ svadharmaṁ na pari tyajet| tato jagati kastasmātpumānabhyadhiko bhavet

'If a king, though possessed by pride, does not abandon his own dharma, then who in the world could be greater than such a man?'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.338.66)

ध्रुवं जन्म सदा राज्ञां मोहश्चापि सदा ध्रुवः। मोहाद्ध्रुवश्च नरको राज्यं निन्दन्त्यतो बुधाः

dhruvaṁ janma sadā rājñāṁ mohaścāpi sadā dhruvaḥ| mohāddhruvaśca narako rājyaṁ nindantyato budhāḥ

'Certain is birth for kings, and certain too is delusion; from delusion comes certain hell — therefore the wise censure kingship.'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.338.67)

राज्यं हि बहु मन्यंते नरा विषयलोलुपाः। मनीषिणस्तु पश्यन्ति तदेव नरकोपमम्

rājyaṁ hi bahu manyaṁte narā viṣayalolupāḥ| manīṣiṇastu paśyanti tadeva narakopamam

'Men addicted to sense-pleasures hold kingship in high regard; but the wise perceive that very thing to be like hell.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.338.68)

तस्माल्लोकद्वयध्वंसी न कर्त्तव्यो मदस्त्वया। यदीच्छसि महाराज शाश्वतीं गतिमात्मनः

tasmāllokadvayadhvaṁsī na karttavyo madastvayā| yadīcchasi mahārāja śāśvatīṁ gatimātmanaḥ

'Therefore you should never indulge in the pride that destroys both worlds, if you desire, O great king, an eternal state for yourself.'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.338.69)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्युक्त्वा तौ महात्मानौ जग्मतुः स्वं स्वमाश्रमम्। नाभागोऽपि वरं लब्ध्वा प्रहृष्टः प्राविशत्पुरम्

īśvara uvāca| ityuktvā tau mahātmānau jagmatuḥ svaṁ svamāśramam| nābhāgo'pi varaṁ labdhvā prahṛṣṭaḥ prāviśatpuram

Ishvara said: Having said this, those two great souls went each to his own hermitage; and Nabhaga too, having obtained the boon, entered his city rejoicing.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.338.70)

एतत्ते कथितं देवि प्रभावं देविकोद्भवम्। ऋषिणा स्थापितश्चापि भवो जालेश्वरस्तदा

etatte kathitaṁ devi prabhāvaṁ devikodbhavam| ṛṣiṇā sthāpitaścāpi bhavo jāleśvarastadā

O Devi, this power arising from the Devika has been told to you; and at that time the linga of Bhava (Shiva) was established by the sage under the name Jaleshvara.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.338.71)

जाले निपतितो यस्माद्दाशानामृषिसत्तमः। जालेश्वरेति नामासौ विख्यातः पृथिवीतले

jāle nipatito yasmāddāśānāmṛṣisattamaḥ| jāleśvareti nāmāsau vikhyātaḥ pṛthivītale

Because that foremost of sages had fallen into the net of the fishermen, he became known by the name Jaleshvara on the earth.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.338.72)

तत्र स्नात्वा महादेवि जालेश्वरसमर्चनात्। आपस्तंबश्च नाभागो निषादा मत्स्यजीविनः

tatra snātvā mahādevi jāleśvarasamarcanāt| āpastaṁbaśca nābhāgo niṣādā matsyajīvinaḥ

O great Goddess, by bathing there and worshipping Jaleshvara, Apastamba, Nabhaga and the fisher-folk,

Verse 73 (skanda.7.338.73)

मत्स्यैः सह गताः स्वर्गं देविकायाः प्रभावतः। चैत्रस्यैव तु मासस्य शुक्लपक्षे त्रयोदशीम्

matsyaiḥ saha gatāḥ svargaṁ devikāyāḥ prabhāvataḥ| caitrasyaiva tu māsasya śuklapakṣe trayodaśīm

together with the fish, went to heaven through the power of the Devika, on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.338.74)

दद्यात्पिण्डं पितृभ्यो यस्तस्यांतो नैव विद्यते। गोदानं तत्र देयं तु ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे। श्रोतव्यं चैव माहात्म्यं द्रष्टव्यो जालकेश्वरः

dadyātpiṇḍaṁ pitṛbhyo yastasyāṁto naiva vidyate| godānaṁ tatra deyaṁ tu brāhmaṇe vedapārage| śrotavyaṁ caiva māhātmyaṁ draṣṭavyo jālakeśvaraḥ

For whoever offers the pinda-oblation to the ancestors there, the merit has no end; a cow should be given there to a brahmin learned in the Vedas; this greatness should be heard, and Jalakeshvara should be beheld.