The Glory of the Meeting of Sarasvati with the Ocean at Agnitirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.7.35.1)

॥ देव्युवाच ॥ भगवन्भार्गवे वंशे यस्त्वौर्वः कथितस्त्वया ॥ वैवस्वतेंऽतरे चास्मिंस्तस्योत्पत्तिं वद प्रभो

|| devyuvāca || bhagavanbhārgave vaṁśe yastvaurvaḥ kathitastvayā || vaivasvateṁ'tare cāsmiṁstasyotpattiṁ vada prabho

The Goddess said: "O Lord, tell me, O Master, of the origin, in this Vaivasvata Manvantara, of the sage called Aurva whom you mentioned in the lineage of Bhrigu."

Verse 2 (skanda.7.35.2)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ ब्राह्मणा निहता ये तु क्षत्रियैर्वित्तकारणात् ॥ क्षयं नीतास्तु ते सर्वे सपुत्राश्च सगर्भतः

|| īśvara uvāca || brāhmaṇā nihatā ye tu kṣatriyairvittakāraṇāt || kṣayaṁ nītāstu te sarve saputrāśca sagarbhataḥ

Ishvara said: "The Brahmins who were slain by the Kshatriyas for the sake of wealth — all of them, together with their sons and even those still in the womb, were brought to destruction."

Verse 3 (skanda.7.35.3)

म्रियमाणेषु सर्वेषु एका स्त्री समतिष्ठत ॥ तया तु रक्षितो गर्भ ऊर्वोर्देशे निधाय च

mriyamāṇeṣu sarveṣu ekā strī samatiṣṭhata || tayā tu rakṣito garbha ūrvordeśe nidhāya ca

"While all were perishing, one woman alone survived; by her the embryo was saved, hidden away in the region of her thighs."

Verse 4 (skanda.7.35.4)

अन्यासां चैव नारीणां सर्वासामपि भामिनि ॥ गर्भानि पातितास्तैस्तु द्रव्यार्थं क्षत्रियाधमैः

anyāsāṁ caiva nārīṇāṁ sarvāsāmapi bhāmini || garbhāni pātitāstaistu dravyārthaṁ kṣatriyādhamaiḥ

"O fair lady, of all the other women too, the embryos were destroyed by those base Kshatriyas, out of greed for wealth."

Verse 5 (skanda.7.35.5)

कालांतरे ततो भित्त्वा कुरुदेशं महाप्रभः ॥ निर्गतोत्तंभितशिरा ज्वलदास्योतिभीषणः

kālāṁtare tato bhittvā kurudeśaṁ mahāprabhaḥ || nirgatottaṁbhitaśirā jvaladāsyotibhīṣaṇaḥ

"After some time that being of great splendour, bursting forth through the land of Kuru, emerged with head raised high, his mouth ablaze, utterly terrifying."

Verse 6 (skanda.7.35.6)

तद्वैरं हृदि चाधाय ददाह वसुधातलम् ॥ उत्पाद्य वह्निं तपसा रौद्रमौर्वं जलाशनम्

tadvairaṁ hṛdi cādhāya dadāha vasudhātalam || utpādya vahniṁ tapasā raudramaurvaṁ jalāśanam

"Bearing that enmity in his heart, he burned the surface of the earth, producing by his austerity a terrible fire born of Urva, which fed upon water itself."

Verse 7 (skanda.7.35.7)

तमिन्द्रः प्लावयामास वृष्ट्यौघैर्वरवर्णिनि ॥ न शशाक यदा नेतुं तदा स यतवाक्स्थितः

tamindraḥ plāvayāmāsa vṛṣṭyaughairvaravarṇini || na śaśāka yadā netuṁ tadā sa yatavāksthitaḥ

"O fair one, Indra tried to quench it with torrents of rain; when he could not subdue it, he stood there speechless and helpless."

Verse 8 (skanda.7.35.8)

ततो देवाः सगंधर्वा ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः ॥ अभवन्भयसंत्रस्ताः सर्वे प्रांजलयः स्थिताः

tato devāḥ sagaṁdharvā brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ || abhavanbhayasaṁtrastāḥ sarve prāṁjalayaḥ sthitāḥ

"Then the gods, together with the Gandharvas, went to Brahma for refuge; terrified with fear, they all stood there with joined palms."

Verse 9 (skanda.7.35.9)

॥ देवा ऊचुः ॥ भगवन्भार्गवे वंशे जातः कोऽपि महाद्युतिः ॥ अग्निरूपेण सर्वं स ददाह वसुधातलम् ॥ कृतो यत्नः पुराऽस्माभिस्तद्विनाशाय सत्तम ॥ जलेन वृद्धिमायाति ततो नो भयमागतम्

|| devā ūcuḥ || bhagavanbhārgave vaṁśe jātaḥ ko'pi mahādyutiḥ || agnirūpeṇa sarvaṁ sa dadāha vasudhātalam || kṛto yatnaḥ purā'smābhistadvināśāya sattama || jalena vṛddhimāyāti tato no bhayamāgatam

The gods said: "O Lord, a being of great splendour has been born in the lineage of Bhrigu; in the form of fire he has burned the whole surface of the earth. We made an effort, O most excellent one, to destroy it, but it only grows by water — hence fear has overtaken us."

Verse 10 (skanda.7.35.10)

विनष्टे भूतले देव अग्निष्टोमादिकाः क्रियाः॥ उच्छिद्यते ततोऽस्माकं नाशो नूनं भविष्यति

vinaṣṭe bhūtale deva agniṣṭomādikāḥ kriyāḥ|| ucchidyate tato'smākaṁ nāśo nūnaṁ bhaviṣyati

"O god, if the earth is destroyed, rites such as the Agnishtoma will cease; thus our destruction will surely follow."

Verse 11 (skanda.7.35.11)

तस्माद्यत्नं कुरु विभो त्रैलोक्यहितकाम्यया

tasmādyatnaṁ kuru vibho trailokyahitakāmyayā

"Therefore, O Lord, make an effort, out of desire for the welfare of the three worlds."

Verse 12 (skanda.7.35.12)

ततो ब्रह्मा सुरैः सार्द्धं भार्गवैश्च महर्षिभिः ॥ आगत्य चाब्रवीदौर्वं किमर्थं दहसि क्षितिम्

tato brahmā suraiḥ sārddhaṁ bhārgavaiśca maharṣibhiḥ || āgatya cābravīdaurvaṁ kimarthaṁ dahasi kṣitim

"Then Brahma, together with the gods and the great Bhargava seers, came and said to Aurva: 'For what reason do you burn the earth?'"

Verse 13 (skanda.7.35.13)

विरामः क्रियतां सद्यो ममार्थं च द्विजोत्तम

virāmaḥ kriyatāṁ sadyo mamārthaṁ ca dvijottama

"'Let this cease at once, O best of twice-born, for my sake.'"

Verse 14 (skanda.7.35.14)

॥ और्व उवाच ॥ एष एव निवृत्तोऽहं तव वाक्येन सत्तम ॥ एष वह्निर्मयोत्सृष्टः स विभो तव शासनात्

|| aurva uvāca || eṣa eva nivṛtto'haṁ tava vākyena sattama || eṣa vahnirmayotsṛṣṭaḥ sa vibho tava śāsanāt

Aurva said: "O most excellent one, at your very word I have desisted; this fire released by me, O Lord, shall now act by your command."

Verse 15 (skanda.7.35.15)

यथा गच्छेत्समुद्रांतं तथा नीतिर्विधीय ताम्

yathā gacchetsamudrāṁtaṁ tathā nītirvidhīya tām

"Arrange a means whereby it may go to the depths of the ocean."

Verse 16 (skanda.7.35.16)

समाहूय ततो देवीं स्वां सुतां पद्मसंभवः ॥ उवाच पुत्रि गच्छ त्वं गृहीत्वाग्निं महोदधिम् ॥ मद्वाक्यं नान्यथा कार्यं गच्छ शीघ्रं महाप्रभे

samāhūya tato devīṁ svāṁ sutāṁ padmasaṁbhavaḥ || uvāca putri gaccha tvaṁ gṛhītvāgniṁ mahodadhim || madvākyaṁ nānyathā kāryaṁ gaccha śīghraṁ mahāprabhe

"Then the Lotus-born (Brahma), calling his own daughter, the goddess, said: 'Daughter, take this fire and go to the great ocean; my word must not be disregarded — go quickly, O radiant one.'"

Verse 17 (skanda.7.35.17)

॥ सरस्वत्युवाच ॥ एषास्मि प्रस्थिता देव तव वाक्यादसंशयम् ॥ इत्युक्ते साधु साध्वीति ब्रह्मणा समुदाहृता ॥

|| sarasvatyuvāca || eṣāsmi prasthitā deva tava vākyādasaṁśayam || ityukte sādhu sādhvīti brahmaṇā samudāhṛtā ||

Sarasvati said: "O god, here I am, setting out without doubt at your word." When she had said this, Brahma praised her, saying, "Well done, well done, virtuous one."

Verse 18 (skanda.7.35.18)

ततोभिमंत्रितं वह्निं क्षिप्त्वा कुंभे हिरण्मये ॥ प्रायच्छत सरस्वत्यै स्वयं ब्रह्मा पितामहः ॥ आशिषो विविधा दत्त्वा प्रोवाचेदं पुनः पुनः

tatobhimaṁtritaṁ vahniṁ kṣiptvā kuṁbhe hiraṇmaye || prāyacchata sarasvatyai svayaṁ brahmā pitāmahaḥ || āśiṣo vividhā dattvā provācedaṁ punaḥ punaḥ

"Then, placing the consecrated fire into a golden vessel, Grandsire Brahma himself gave it to Sarasvati; bestowing many blessings, he said this again and again:"

Verse 19 (skanda.7.35.19)

गच्छ पुत्रि न संतापस्त्वया कार्यः कथंचन ॥ अरिष्टं व्रज पंथानं मा संतु परिपन्थिनः

gaccha putri na saṁtāpastvayā kāryaḥ kathaṁcana || ariṣṭaṁ vraja paṁthānaṁ mā saṁtu paripanthinaḥ

"'Go, daughter; you must feel no distress whatever. Travel by an unharmed path — may there be no obstacles in your way.'"

Verse 20 (skanda.7.35.20)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ एवमुक्ता तदा तेन ब्रह्मणा च सरस्वती ॥ हिमवंतं गिरिं प्राप्य पिप्पलादाश्रमात्तदा

|| īśvara uvāca || evamuktā tadā tena brahmaṇā ca sarasvatī || himavaṁtaṁ giriṁ prāpya pippalādāśramāttadā

Ishvara said: "Thus addressed by Brahma, Sarasvati then, reaching the Himalaya mountain, from the hermitage of Pippalada—"

Verse 21 (skanda.7.35.21)

उद्भूता सा तदा देवी अधस्ताद्वृक्षमूलतः ॥ तत्कोटर कुटीकोटिप्रविष्टानां द्विजन्मनाम्

udbhūtā sā tadā devī adhastādvṛkṣamūlataḥ || tatkoṭara kuṭīkoṭipraviṣṭānāṁ dvijanmanām

"—and there the goddess arose from beneath the root of a tree, near the countless twice-born who had settled in huts and hollows of that place."

Verse 22 (skanda.7.35.22)

श्रूयन्ते वेदनिर्घोषा सरसारक्तचेतसाम् ॥ विष्णुरास्ते तत्र देवो देवानां प्रवरो गुरुः

śrūyante vedanirghoṣā sarasāraktacetasām || viṣṇurāste tatra devo devānāṁ pravaro guruḥ

"There the resounding chant of the Vedas is heard from those whose hearts are steeped in devotion; there Vishnu, foremost guru of the gods, abides."

Verse 23 (skanda.7.35.23)

तस्मात्स्थानात्ततो देवी प्रतीच्यभिमुखं ययौ ॥ अन्तर्द्धानेन सा प्राप्ता केदारं हिममध्यगम्

tasmātsthānāttato devī pratīcyabhimukhaṁ yayau || antarddhānena sā prāptā kedāraṁ himamadhyagam

"From that place the goddess then proceeded facing westward; disappearing underground, she reached Kedara, situated amid the snows."

Verse 24 (skanda.7.35.24)

तत्संप्लाव्य गिरेः शृंगं केदारस्य पुरः स्थिता ॥ तेनाग्निना करस्थेन दह्यमाना सरस्वती

tatsaṁplāvya gireḥ śṛṁgaṁ kedārasya puraḥ sthitā || tenāgninā karasthena dahyamānā sarasvatī

"Flooding over that mountain peak, she stood before Kedara — Sarasvati, being scorched by that fire held in her hand."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.35.25)

भूमिं विदार्य तस्याधः प्रविष्टा गजगामिनी ॥ तदंतर्द्धानमार्गेण प्रवृत्ता पश्चिमामुखी

bhūmiṁ vidārya tasyādhaḥ praviṣṭā gajagāminī || tadaṁtarddhānamārgeṇa pravṛttā paścimāmukhī

"The elephant-gaited goddess split the earth and entered beneath it; by that path of disappearance she moved on, facing westward."

Verse 26 (skanda.7.35.26)

पापभूमिमतिक्रम्य भूमिं भित्त्वा विनिगता ॥ तत्र कूपः समभवन्नाम्ना गन्धर्वसंज्ञितः

pāpabhūmimatikramya bhūmiṁ bhittvā vinigatā || tatra kūpaḥ samabhavannāmnā gandharvasaṁjñitaḥ

"Passing beyond an impious land, and splitting the earth, she emerged; there a well came into being, known by the name Gandharva."

Verse 27 (skanda.7.35.27)

तस्मात्कूपात्पुनर्दृश्या सा बभूव महानदी ॥ मतिः स्मृतिस्तथा प्रज्ञा मेधा बुद्धिर्गिराधरा

tasmātkūpātpunardṛśyā sā babhūva mahānadī || matiḥ smṛtistathā prajñā medhā buddhirgirādharā

"From that well she became visible again as a great river, accompanied by six forms: Mati, Smriti, Prajna, Medha, Buddhi, and Giradhara (Speech-bearer)."

Verse 28 (skanda.7.35.28)

उपासिकाः सरस्वत्याः षडेताः प्रस्थितास्तदा ॥ पुनः प्रवृत्ता सा तस्मादुद्भेदात्पश्चिमामुखी

upāsikāḥ sarasvatyāḥ ṣaḍetāḥ prasthitāstadā || punaḥ pravṛttā sā tasmādudbhedātpaścimāmukhī

"These six attendants of Sarasvati then set forth; and from that spring she once more proceeded, facing westward."

Verse 29 (skanda.7.35.29)

भूतीश्वरं समायाता सिद्धो यत्र महामुनिः ॥ भूतीश्वरे समीपस्थं तत्र प्राप्ता मनोरमम्

bhūtīśvaraṁ samāyātā siddho yatra mahāmuniḥ || bhūtīśvare samīpasthaṁ tatra prāptā manoramam

"She arrived at Bhutishvara, where a great sage attained perfection; there, close to Bhutishvara, she reached a lovely spot."

Verse 30 (skanda.7.35.30)

तस्य दक्षिणदिक्संस्थं रुद्रकोट्युपलक्षितम् ॥ श्रीकंठ देशं विख्यातं गता सर्वौषधीयुतम्

tasya dakṣiṇadiksaṁsthaṁ rudrakoṭyupalakṣitam || śrīkaṁṭha deśaṁ vikhyātaṁ gatā sarvauṣadhīyutam

"Situated to its south, marked by ten million manifestations of Rudra, she went to the region famed as Shrikantha, abounding in every herb."

Verse 31 (skanda.7.35.31)

तस्मात्पुण्यतमाद्देशाच्छ्रीकण्ठात्सा मनस्विनी ॥ संप्राप्ता वह्निना सार्द्धं कुरुक्षेत्रं सरस्वती

tasmātpuṇyatamāddeśācchrīkaṇṭhātsā manasvinī || saṁprāptā vahninā sārddhaṁ kurukṣetraṁ sarasvatī

"From that most sacred land of Shrikantha, that resolute Sarasvati, together with the fire, arrived at Kurukshetra."

Verse 32 (skanda.7.35.32)

पुनस्तस्मात्कुरुक्षेत्राद्विराटनगरस्य सा ॥ समुद्भूता समीपस्था अन्तर्द्धानान्मनोरमा ॥ गोपायनो गिरिर्यत्र तत्र सा पुनरुद्गता

punastasmātkurukṣetrādvirāṭanagarasya sā || samudbhūtā samīpasthā antarddhānānmanoramā || gopāyano giriryatra tatra sā punarudgatā

"Again from that Kurukshetra, that lovely one arose from her state of disappearance, close by Viratanagara, and rose up once more where the hill of Gopayana is."

Verse 33 (skanda.7.35.33)

गोपायिता केशवेन यत्र ते पाण्डुनन्दनाः ॥ कुर्वंतः स्वानि कर्माणि न कैश्चिदुपलक्षिता

gopāyitā keśavena yatra te pāṇḍunandanāḥ || kurvaṁtaḥ svāni karmāṇi na kaiścidupalakṣitā

"This is the place where those sons of Pandu, protected by Keshava, performed their own tasks, unrecognized by anyone."

Verse 34 (skanda.7.35.34)

तत्र कुंडे स्थिता देवी महापातकनाशिनी ॥ पुन र्गोपायनाद्देवी क्षेत्रं प्राप्तातिशोभनम्

tatra kuṁḍe sthitā devī mahāpātakanāśinī || puna rgopāyanāddevī kṣetraṁ prāptātiśobhanam

"There, in a pool, resides the goddess who destroys great sins; again, from Gopayana, the goddess reached a most beautiful region."

Verse 35 (skanda.7.35.35)

खर्जुरीवनमापन्ना नन्दानाम्नीति तत्र सा ॥ सरस्वती पुनस्तस्माद्वनात्खर्जूरसंज्ञितात्

kharjurīvanamāpannā nandānāmnīti tatra sā || sarasvatī punastasmādvanātkharjūrasaṁjñitāt

"She entered the Kharjuri (date-palm) forest, and there she is called by the name Nanda; Sarasvati then, again from that forest called Kharjura—"

Verse 36 (skanda.7.35.36)

मेरुपादं समासाद्य मार्कंडाश्रममागता ॥ यत्र मार्कंडकं तीर्थं मेरुपादे समाश्रितम्

merupādaṁ samāsādya mārkaṁḍāśramamāgatā || yatra mārkaṁḍakaṁ tīrthaṁ merupāde samāśritam

"—reaching the foot of Mount Meru, she came to the hermitage of Markanda, where the Markanda tirtha rests at Meru's foot."

Verse 37 (skanda.7.35.37)

सरस्वती पुनस्तस्मादर्बुदारण्यमाश्रिता ॥ गता वटवनं रम्यं मार्कंडेयाश्रमाच्छुभात्

sarasvatī punastasmādarbudāraṇyamāśritā || gatā vaṭavanaṁ ramyaṁ mārkaṁḍeyāśramācchubhāt

"Sarasvati then went on from there to the Arbuda forest, and from the auspicious hermitage of Markandeya she went to the lovely Banyan Forest—"

Verse 38 (skanda.7.35.38)

तपस्तप्तं पुरा यत्र वसिष्ठेन समाश्रितात् ॥ तस्माद्वटवनात्पुण्यादुदुम्बरवनं गता ॥ मेरुपादे च तत्रैव तण्डिर्यत्रा तपत्तपः

tapastaptaṁ purā yatra vasiṣṭhena samāśritāt || tasmādvaṭavanātpuṇyādudumbaravanaṁ gatā || merupāde ca tatraiva taṇḍiryatrā tapattapaḥ

"—the forest where Vasishtha once dwelt and performed austerity. From that sacred Banyan Forest she went to the Udumbara Forest, and there too, at the foot of Meru, where Tandi practiced austerity."

Verse 39 (skanda.7.35.39)

ऊदुंबरवनात्तस्मात्पुनर्देवी सरस्वती ॥ अन्तर्द्धानेन शिखरमन्यत्प्राप्ता महानदी

ūduṁbaravanāttasmātpunardevī sarasvatī || antarddhānena śikharamanyatprāptā mahānadī

"From that Udumbara Forest, the great river-goddess Sarasvati again, disappearing underground, reached another peak."

Verse 40 (skanda.7.35.40)

मेरुपादं तु सुमहत्सुरसिद्धनिषेवितम् ॥ भिन्नांजनचयाकारं गोलांगूलमिति स्मृतम्

merupādaṁ tu sumahatsurasiddhaniṣevitam || bhinnāṁjanacayākāraṁ golāṁgūlamiti smṛtam

"It was the vast foot of Meru, frequented by gods and siddhas, shaped like a broken heap of collyrium, known as Golangula."

Verse 41 (skanda.7.35.41)

स्थानं मनोरमं तस्मादुद्गता सा सुमध्यमा ॥ वंशस्तंबात्सुविपुला प्रवृत्ता दक्षिणामुखी

sthānaṁ manoramaṁ tasmādudgatā sā sumadhyamā || vaṁśastaṁbātsuvipulā pravṛttā dakṣiṇāmukhī

"From that lovely spot the slender-waisted one arose, and, become vast, proceeded southward from a clump of bamboo."

Verse 42 (skanda.7.35.42)

तत्रोद्गमवटस्तस्यास्तत्समाख्यो व्यवस्थितः ॥ ततः प्रभृति सा देवी सुप्रभं प्रकटा स्थिता

tatrodgamavaṭastasyāstatsamākhyo vyavasthitaḥ || tataḥ prabhṛti sā devī suprabhaṁ prakaṭā sthitā

"There her banyan tree of emergence stands, bearing that same name; from then on the goddess remained manifest, radiant."

Verse 43 (skanda.7.35.43)

अंतर्द्धानं परित्यज्य प्राणिनामनुकम्पया ॥ तस्यास्तटेषु रम्येषु संति तीर्थानि कोटिशः

aṁtarddhānaṁ parityajya prāṇināmanukampayā || tasyāstaṭeṣu ramyeṣu saṁti tīrthāni koṭiśaḥ

"Abandoning disappearance out of compassion for living beings, she flowed on visibly; upon her lovely banks are tirthas by the millions."

Verse 44 (skanda.7.35.44)

तेषु तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु धर्महेतुः सरस्वती ॥ रुद्रावतारमार्गेऽस्मिन्प्रवरं प्रथमं स्मृतम्

teṣu tīrtheṣu sarveṣu dharmahetuḥ sarasvatī || rudrāvatāramārge'sminpravaraṁ prathamaṁ smṛtam

"Among all those tirthas, Sarasvati is the cause of dharma; on this path of Rudra's descent, the foremost is remembered as the first."

Verse 45 (skanda.7.35.45)

तरत्तरंगनामाढ्यं काकतीर्थं महाप्रभम् ॥ तत्र तीर्थं पुनस्त्वन्यत्तीर्थं धारेश्वरं स्मृतम्

tarattaraṁganāmāḍhyaṁ kākatīrthaṁ mahāprabham || tatra tīrthaṁ punastvanyattīrthaṁ dhāreśvaraṁ smṛtam

"It is the greatly radiant Kaka-tirtha, rich with leaping waves; and there again another tirtha, called Dhareshvara, is remembered."

Verse 46 (skanda.7.35.46)

धारेश्वरात्पुनश्चान्यद्गंगोद्भेदमिति स्मृतम् ॥ सारस्वतं तथा गांगं यत्रैकं संस्थितं जलम् ॥ तस्मादन्यत्परं तीर्थं पुंडरीकं ततः परम् ॥

dhāreśvarātpunaścānyadgaṁgodbhedamiti smṛtam || sārasvataṁ tathā gāṁgaṁ yatraikaṁ saṁsthitaṁ jalam || tasmādanyatparaṁ tīrthaṁ puṁḍarīkaṁ tataḥ param ||

"From Dhareshvara, again another is remembered, called Gangodbheda, where the Sarasvata and Gangetic waters stand as one; beyond that, another supreme tirtha, Pundarika, further on."

Verse 47 (skanda.7.35.47)

मातृतीर्थं महापुण्यं सर्वातंकहरं परम् ॥ मातृतीर्थात्पुनस्तस्मान्नातिदूरे व्यवस्थितम्

mātṛtīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvātaṁkaharaṁ param || mātṛtīrthātpunastasmānnātidūre vyavasthitam

"There is the greatly meritorious Matri-tirtha, supreme remover of all afflictions; and not far again from that Matri-tirtha is situated—"

Verse 48 (skanda.7.35.48)

तीर्थं त्वनरकंनाम नरकार्ति भयापहम् ॥ ततस्तस्मादनरकात्तीर्थमन्यत्पुनः स्थितम्

tīrthaṁ tvanarakaṁnāma narakārti bhayāpaham || tatastasmādanarakāttīrthamanyatpunaḥ sthitam

"—the tirtha called Anaraka, which removes the fear and torment of hell; and further from that Anaraka, another tirtha again is situated—"

Verse 49 (skanda.7.35.49)

संगमेश्वरनामाढ्यं प्रसिद्धं तन्महीतले ॥ ततस्तस्मात्पुनश्चान्यत्तीर्थं कोटीश्वराह्वयम्

saṁgameśvaranāmāḍhyaṁ prasiddhaṁ tanmahītale || tatastasmātpunaścānyattīrthaṁ koṭīśvarāhvayam

"—named Sangameshvara, famed upon this earth; and further from that, again another tirtha called Kotishvara—"

Verse 50 (skanda.7.35.50)

ततस्तस्मान्महादेवि शंभुकुण्डेश्वरं स्मृतम् ॥ तीर्थे सरस्वतीतीरे तस्मिन्सिद्धेश्वरं स्मृतम्

tatastasmānmahādevi śaṁbhukuṇḍeśvaraṁ smṛtam || tīrthe sarasvatītīre tasminsiddheśvaraṁ smṛtam

"—and further from that, O great goddess, is remembered Shambhukundeshvara; and on that tirtha on the bank of Sarasvati, Siddheshvara is remembered."

Verse 51 (skanda.7.35.51)

सिद्धेश्वरात्पुनस्तस्मात्प्रवृत्ता पश्चिमामुखी ॥ पश्चिमं सागरं गंतुं सखीं स्मृत्वा रुरोद सा

siddheśvarātpunastasmātpravṛttā paścimāmukhī || paścimaṁ sāgaraṁ gaṁtuṁ sakhīṁ smṛtvā ruroda sā

"From Siddheshvara she again proceeded facing westward; intending to go to the western ocean, remembering her friend, she wept."

Verse 52 (skanda.7.35.52)

स्थित्वा पूर्वमुखा देवी हा गंगेति विना त्वया॥ एकाकिनी मंदभाग्या क्व गमिष्याम्यबांधवा

sthitvā pūrvamukhā devī hā gaṁgeti vinā tvayā|| ekākinī maṁdabhāgyā kva gamiṣyāmyabāṁdhavā

"Stopping, and turning her face eastward, the goddess cried: 'Alas, Ganga! Without you, alone, ill-fated, friendless, where shall I go?'"

Verse 53 (skanda.7.35.53)

तां विज्ञाय ततो गंगा रुदतीं शोककर्शिताम् ॥ शीघ्रं स्वर्गात्समायाता तीर्थानां कोटिभिः सह

tāṁ vijñāya tato gaṁgā rudatīṁ śokakarśitām || śīghraṁ svargātsamāyātā tīrthānāṁ koṭibhiḥ saha

"Learning of her weeping, wasted with grief, Ganga then swiftly descended from heaven, together with millions of tirthas."

Verse 54 (skanda.7.35.54)

ततो दुःखं परित्यज्य तत्र प्राची सरस्वती ॥ सर्वदेवगुणैयुक्ता एवं तत्र स्थिताऽभवत्

tato duḥkhaṁ parityajya tatra prācī sarasvatī || sarvadevaguṇaiyuktā evaṁ tatra sthitā'bhavat

"Then, abandoning her sorrow, Sarasvati became the Prachi (the eastward-flowing one) there, endowed with all divine qualities, and remained established there."

Verse 55 (skanda.7.35.55)

तत्र सिद्धवटंनाम तीर्थं पैतामहं स्मृतम् ॥ वटेश्वरस्य पुरतः सर्वपापक्षयंकरम्

tatra siddhavaṭaṁnāma tīrthaṁ paitāmahaṁ smṛtam || vaṭeśvarasya purataḥ sarvapāpakṣayaṁkaram

"There, a tirtha called Siddhavata is remembered as belonging to the Grandsire (Brahma); before Vateshvara, it destroys all sin."

Verse 56 (skanda.7.35.56)

त्रिकालं यत्र रुद्रस्तु समागत्य व्यवस्थितः ॥ तन्महालयमित्युक्तं स्थानं तस्य महात्मनः ॥

trikālaṁ yatra rudrastu samāgatya vyavasthitaḥ || tanmahālayamityuktaṁ sthānaṁ tasya mahātmanaḥ ||

"It is the place where Rudra himself comes and stays three times a day; that abode of the great soul is called Mahalaya."

Verse 57 (skanda.7.35.57)

पिंडतारकमित्येतत्प्राचीनं तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ कुम्भकुक्षिगिरिस्थं तत्पित्र्ये कर्मणि सिद्धिदम्

piṁḍatārakamityetatprācīnaṁ tīrthamuttamam || kumbhakukṣigiristhaṁ tatpitrye karmaṇi siddhidam

"This ancient, excellent tirtha is called Pindataraka, situated on Kumbhakukshi hill; it grants success in ancestral rites."

Verse 58 (skanda.7.35.58)

प्राचीनेश्वरदेवस्य पुरोभूतं प्रति ष्ठितम्॥ प्राची सरस्वती यत्र तत्र किं मृग्यते परम्

prācīneśvaradevasya purobhūtaṁ prati ṣṭhitam|| prācī sarasvatī yatra tatra kiṁ mṛgyate param

"It stands before the god Prachineshvara; where the Prachi Sarasvati is, what more need be sought?"

Verse 59 (skanda.7.35.59)

निवृत्ते भारते युद्धे तत्र तीर्थे किरीटिना ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं पुरा चीर्णं विष्णुना प्रेरितात्मना

nivṛtte bhārate yuddhe tatra tīrthe kirīṭinā || prāyaścittaṁ purā cīrṇaṁ viṣṇunā preritātmanā

"When the Bharata war had ended, at that tirtha, expiation was formerly performed by Kiriti (Arjuna), his heart moved by Vishnu."

Verse 60 (skanda.7.35.60)

तेन तस्माद्विनिर्मुक्तः पातकात्पूर्वसंचितात् ॥ नरतीर्थं ततः ख्यातं तत्र पापभयापहम्

tena tasmādvinirmuktaḥ pātakātpūrvasaṁcitāt || naratīrthaṁ tataḥ khyātaṁ tatra pāpabhayāpaham

"By that, he was freed from the sin accumulated before; hence it became known as Naratirtha, which there removes the fear of sin."

Verse 61 (skanda.7.35.61)

नरतीर्थादन्यतीर्थं पुंडरीकमिति स्मृतम् ॥ अर्जुनेन सहागत्य यत्र स्नातो हरिः प्रिये

naratīrthādanyatīrthaṁ puṁḍarīkamiti smṛtam || arjunena sahāgatya yatra snāto hariḥ priye

"From Naratirtha, another tirtha is remembered as Pundarika, O beloved, where Hari, coming together with Arjuna, bathed."

Verse 62 (skanda.7.35.62)

प्राचीनेशात्परं तीर्थं वालखिल्येश्वरं महत् ॥ तत्र तस्मान्महातीर्थात्तीर्थमन्यन्महोदयम्

prācīneśātparaṁ tīrthaṁ vālakhilyeśvaraṁ mahat || tatra tasmānmahātīrthāttīrthamanyanmahodayam

"Beyond Prachinesha is the great tirtha Valakhilyeshvara; and from that great tirtha, another tirtha of great glory—"

Verse 63 (skanda.7.35.63)

गंगासमागमंनाम तीर्थमन्यन्महोदयम् ॥ तत्रालोक्य पुनर्देवीं दीनास्यां दीनमानसाम्

gaṁgāsamāgamaṁnāma tīrthamanyanmahodayam || tatrālokya punardevīṁ dīnāsyāṁ dīnamānasām

"—called Gangasamagama, a tirtha of great glory; there, beholding the goddess again, downcast of face and despondent of mind—"

Verse 64 (skanda.7.35.64)

ब्रह्मासृजत्सखीं तस्याः कपिलां विपुलेक्षणाम् ॥ हरिणीं हरिरप्याशु वज्रिणीमपि देवराट् ॥ न्यंकुं विनोदनार्थं च सरस्वत्या ददौ हरः

brahmāsṛjatsakhīṁ tasyāḥ kapilāṁ vipulekṣaṇām || hariṇīṁ harirapyāśu vajriṇīmapi devarāṭ || nyaṁkuṁ vinodanārthaṁ ca sarasvatyā dadau haraḥ

"—Brahma created for her a friend, Kapila, of wide eyes; Hari (Vishnu) swiftly created Harini, and the king of the gods (Indra) created Vajrini; and Hara (Shiva) gave Sarasvati Nyanku, for her diversion."

Verse 65 (skanda.7.35.65)

ततः प्रहृष्टा सा देवी देवादेशात्सरस्वती ॥ तस्माद्गन्तुं समारब्धा प्राचीना पापनाशिनी

tataḥ prahṛṣṭā sā devī devādeśātsarasvatī || tasmādgantuṁ samārabdhā prācīnā pāpanāśinī

"Then that goddess Sarasvati, delighted, by the command of the gods, began from there to set forth — the sin-destroying Prachi."

Verse 66 (skanda.7.35.66)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय पुनः पश्चान्मुखी तदा ॥ सरस्वती महादेवी वडवानलधारिणी ॥ तदुत्तरे तटे तीर्थमेकद्वारमिति स्मृतम्

|| īśvara uvāca || dakṣiṇāṁ diśamāsthāya punaḥ paścānmukhī tadā || sarasvatī mahādevī vaḍavānaladhāriṇī || taduttare taṭe tīrthamekadvāramiti smṛtam

Ishvara said: "Taking the southern direction, and then again turning westward, the great goddess Sarasvati, bearer of the submarine fire — on its northern bank there is a tirtha remembered as Ekadvara."

Verse 67 (skanda.7.35.67)

एकद्वारेण यत्सेना स्वर्गं प्राप्ता ततो वरात् ॥ तस्मात्तीर्थात्पुनश्चान्यत्तीर्थं यत्र गुहेश्वरः

ekadvāreṇa yatsenā svargaṁ prāptā tato varāt || tasmāttīrthātpunaścānyattīrthaṁ yatra guheśvaraḥ

"By Ekadvara an army once reached heaven, through that boon; and from that tirtha, again another, where Guheshvara dwells—"

Verse 68 (skanda.7.35.68)

गुहेन स्थापितः पूर्वं यत्र देवो महेश्वरः ॥ गुहेश्वरान्नातिदूरे वटेश्वरमिति स्मृतम्

guhena sthāpitaḥ pūrvaṁ yatra devo maheśvaraḥ || guheśvarānnātidūre vaṭeśvaramiti smṛtam

"—where the god Maheshvara was formerly installed by Guha (Kartikeya); and not far from Guheshvara is remembered Vateshvara—"

Verse 69 (skanda.7.35.69)

दिव्यं सरस्वतीतीरे व्यासेनाराधितं पुरा ॥ आमर्द्दकी नदी यत्र सरस्वत्या सहैकताम्

divyaṁ sarasvatītīre vyāsenārādhitaṁ purā || āmarddakī nadī yatra sarasvatyā sahaikatām

"—divine, on the bank of Sarasvati, worshipped formerly by Vyasa; and it is there where the river Amardaki attains union with Sarasvati—"

Verse 70 (skanda.7.35.70)

संप्राप्ता तन्महातीर्थं फलदं सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ आमर्दकी संगमं तं नापुण्यो वेद कश्चन ॥ संगमेश्वरनामेति तत्र लिंगं प्रतिष्ठितम्

saṁprāptā tanmahātīrthaṁ phaladaṁ sarvadehinām || āmardakī saṁgamaṁ taṁ nāpuṇyo veda kaścana || saṁgameśvaranāmeti tatra liṁgaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

"—there is that great tirtha, granting fruits to all embodied beings; no impious person may know that confluence with Amardaki; there a linga named Sangameshvara is established."

Verse 71 (skanda.7.35.71)

मुण्डीश्वरेति च तथा प्रसिद्धिमगमत्क्षितौ ॥ मुंडीश्वरसमीपस्थं सरस्वत्यां महोदयम्

muṇḍīśvareti ca tathā prasiddhimagamatkṣitau || muṁḍīśvarasamīpasthaṁ sarasvatyāṁ mahodayam

"It also attained fame on earth as Mundishvara; close to Mundishvara, on the Sarasvati, is one of great glory—"

Verse 72 (skanda.7.35.72)

नाम्ना यत्प्राङ्मुखं तीर्थं सरस्वत्यास्तटे स्थितम् ॥ मांडव्येश्वरनाम्ना वै यत्रेशः संप्रतिष्ठितः

nāmnā yatprāṅmukhaṁ tīrthaṁ sarasvatyāstaṭe sthitam || māṁḍavyeśvaranāmnā vai yatreśaḥ saṁpratiṣṭhitaḥ

"—the tirtha called Prangmukha, situated on the bank of Sarasvati, where the Lord is well established under the name Mandavyeshvara."

Verse 73 (skanda.7.35.73)

पीलुकर्णिकसंज्ञं तु तीर्थमन्यत्पुनस्ततः ॥ सरस्वतीतीरगतमृषिणा सेवितं महत्

pīlukarṇikasaṁjñaṁ tu tīrthamanyatpunastataḥ || sarasvatītīragatamṛṣiṇā sevitaṁ mahat

"Then again from there, another tirtha called Pilukarnika, great, situated on the bank of Sarasvati, frequented by a sage."

Verse 74 (skanda.7.35.74)

तस्मादन्यत्सरस्वत्यां तीर्थं द्वारवती स्मृतम् ॥ तीर्थानां प्रवरं देवि यत्र संनिहितो हरिः

tasmādanyatsarasvatyāṁ tīrthaṁ dvāravatī smṛtam || tīrthānāṁ pravaraṁ devi yatra saṁnihito hariḥ

"From that, another tirtha on the Sarasvati is remembered as Dvaravati, O goddess, the foremost of tirthas, where Hari abides close by."

Verse 75 (skanda.7.35.75)

ततस्तस्य समीपस्थं तीर्थं गोवत्ससंज्ञितम् ॥ यत्रावतीर्य गोवत्सस्वरूपेणांबिकापतिः

tatastasya samīpasthaṁ tīrthaṁ govatsasaṁjñitam || yatrāvatīrya govatsasvarūpeṇāṁbikāpatiḥ

"Then, close to that, is the tirtha called Govatsa, where, descending in the form of a calf, the Lord of Ambika—"

Verse 76 (skanda.7.35.76)

स्वयं भूलिंगरूपेण संस्थितस्तेजसां निधिः ॥ गोवत्सान्नैर्ऋते भागे दृश्यते लोहयष्टिका

svayaṁ bhūliṁgarūpeṇa saṁsthitastejasāṁ nidhiḥ || govatsānnairṛte bhāge dṛśyate lohayaṣṭikā

"—himself, the treasury of all splendours, abides in the form of a self-manifest linga; in the south-western part from Govatsa, an iron rod may be seen."

Verse 77 (skanda.7.35.77)

स्वयंभूलिंगरूपेण रुद्रस्तत्र स्वयं स्थितः ॥ एकविंशति वारस्य भक्त्या पिंडस्य यत्फलम्

svayaṁbhūliṁgarūpeṇa rudrastatra svayaṁ sthitaḥ || ekaviṁśati vārasya bhaktyā piṁḍasya yatphalam

"There Rudra himself abides in the form of a self-manifest linga; the fruit obtained from twenty-one devout offerings of pinda—"

Verse 78 (skanda.7.35.78)

गंगायां प्राप्यते पुंसां श्राद्धेनैकेन तत्र तत् ॥ ततस्तस्मान्महातीर्थाद्बालक्रीडनकी यथा

gaṁgāyāṁ prāpyate puṁsāṁ śrāddhenaikena tatra tat || tatastasmānmahātīrthādbālakrīḍanakī yathā

"—is obtained by men at the Ganga through a single shraddha performed there. Then, from that great tirtha, there is a place like a children's playground—"

Verse 79 (skanda.7.35.79)

सखीभिः सहिता तत्र क्रीडताऽसौ यथेच्छया ॥ आनुलोम्यविलोम्येन दक्षिणेनोत्तरेण च

sakhībhiḥ sahitā tatra krīḍatā'sau yathecchayā || ānulomyavilomyena dakṣiṇenottareṇa ca

"—where she, together with her companions, plays there as she pleases, moving forward and backward, southward and northward."

Verse 80 (skanda.7.35.80)

रुल्लं प्राप्य पुनर्देवी समुद्भूता मनोरमा ॥ रुल्लं नाम पुरं यत्र सृष्टं देवेन शंभुना

rullaṁ prāpya punardevī samudbhūtā manoramā || rullaṁ nāma puraṁ yatra sṛṣṭaṁ devena śaṁbhunā

"Reaching Rulla, the lovely goddess arose again; Rulla is the name of the town created there by the god Shambhu."

Verse 81 (skanda.7.35.81)

सह देवैस्तु पार्वत्या धारायंत्रप्रयोगकैः ॥ एकं वर्षसहस्रं तु शंभुना तत्र रुल्लितम्

saha devaistu pārvatyā dhārāyaṁtraprayogakaiḥ || ekaṁ varṣasahasraṁ tu śaṁbhunā tatra rullitam

"There, together with the gods and Parvati, using water-fountain devices, Shambhu made it 'roll' (rulla) for a full thousand years."

Verse 82 (skanda.7.35.82)

रुल्लं तत्र ह्रदं नाम सरस्वत्यां महोदयम् ॥ साक्षात्तत्र महादेव आनंदेश्वरसंज्ञितः

rullaṁ tatra hradaṁ nāma sarasvatyāṁ mahodayam || sākṣāttatra mahādeva ānaṁdeśvarasaṁjñitaḥ

"There is a pool there called Rulla, of great glory, on the Sarasvati; there Mahadeva himself is present, known as Anandeshvara."

Verse 83 (skanda.7.35.83)

पश्चिमेन स्थितं तत्र शम्भोरायतनस्य तु ॥ स मेरोर्दक्षिणे पादे नखस्तु परिकीर्तितः

paścimena sthitaṁ tatra śambhorāyatanasya tu || sa merordakṣiṇe pāde nakhastu parikīrtitaḥ

"It is situated to the west of the abode of Shambhu; it is declared to be at the southern foot of Meru, called Nakha."

Verse 84 (skanda.7.35.84)

पश्यंति ये नराः सम्यक्तेऽपि पापविवर्जिताः ॥ अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य प्राप्नुवंति फलं ध्रुवम्

paśyaṁti ye narāḥ samyakte'pi pāpavivarjitāḥ || aśvamedhasahasrasya prāpnuvaṁti phalaṁ dhruvam

"Those men who behold it properly become free from sin; they surely obtain the fruit of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices."

Verse 85 (skanda.7.35.85)

परतस्तस्य कूष्मांडमुनेस्तत्राश्रमं महत् ॥ कूष्मांडेश्वरसंज्ञं तु तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्

paratastasya kūṣmāṁḍamunestatrāśramaṁ mahat || kūṣmāṁḍeśvarasaṁjñaṁ tu tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam

"Beyond that is the great hermitage of the sage Kushmanda; the tirtha called Kushmandeshvara is renowned throughout the three worlds."

Verse 86 (skanda.7.35.86)

कोल्लादेवी स्थिता तत्र सर्वपापभयापहा ॥ अन्तर्द्धानेन तां कोल्लां संप्राप्ता सा महानदी

kollādevī sthitā tatra sarvapāpabhayāpahā || antarddhānena tāṁ kollāṁ saṁprāptā sā mahānadī

"The goddess Kolla resides there, remover of all fear of sin; by disappearing, that great river reached the place called Kolla."

Verse 87 (skanda.7.35.87)

ततोऽप्यंतर्हिता भूत्वा संप्राप्ता तु मनोरमम् ॥ सानुं मदनसंज्ञं तु क्षेत्रं सिद्धनिषेवितम्

tato'pyaṁtarhitā bhūtvā saṁprāptā tu manoramam || sānuṁ madanasaṁjñaṁ tu kṣetraṁ siddhaniṣevitam

"From there too, having become hidden, she reached a lovely ridge called Madana, a region frequented by siddhas."

Verse 88 (skanda.7.35.88)

ततोऽप्यंतर्हिता भूत्वा पुनः प्राप्ता हिमाचलम् ॥ खादिरामोदनामानं सर्वर्तुकुसुमोज्ज्वलम्

tato'pyaṁtarhitā bhūtvā punaḥ prāptā himācalam || khādirāmodanāmānaṁ sarvartukusumojjvalam

"From there too, having become hidden, she again reached the Himalaya, at the place named Khadiramoda, radiant with flowers of every season."

Verse 89 (skanda.7.35.89)

तत्रारुह्य विलोक्याथ ददर्श सुमनोरमम ॥ क्षारोदं पश्चिमाशास्थं घनवृंदमिवोन्नतम्

tatrāruhya vilokyātha dadarśa sumanoramama || kṣārodaṁ paścimāśāsthaṁ ghanavṛṁdamivonnatam

"Climbing up there and looking around, she then beheld the very lovely salt-ocean lying in the western quarter, towering like a mass of clouds."

Verse 90 (skanda.7.35.90)

एवंविधं च तं तत्र सा विलोक्य महाप्रभा ॥ हर्षात्पंचानना भूत्वा देवकार्यार्थमुद्यता

evaṁvidhaṁ ca taṁ tatra sā vilokya mahāprabhā || harṣātpaṁcānanā bhūtvā devakāryārthamudyatā

"Seeing it thus there, that greatly radiant one, out of joy, became fivefold, and applied herself to the task of the gods."

Verse 91 (skanda.7.35.91)

हरिणी वज्रिणी न्यंकुः कपिला च सरस्वती ॥ पंचस्रोताः स्थिता तत्र मुनिनोक्ता सरस्वती

hariṇī vajriṇī nyaṁkuḥ kapilā ca sarasvatī || paṁcasrotāḥ sthitā tatra muninoktā sarasvatī

"Harini, Vajrini, Nyanku, and Kapila, and Sarasvati herself — thus, as declared by the sage, Sarasvati stood there as the five-streamed one."

Verse 92 (skanda.7.35.92)

श्रमापनोदं कुर्वाणा मुनीनां यत्र संस्थिता ॥ तत्तत्पादकमित्युक्तं तीर्थं तीर्थार्थिनां नृणाम् ॥ सर्वेषां पातकानां च शोधनं तद्वरानने

śramāpanodaṁ kurvāṇā munīnāṁ yatra saṁsthitā || tattatpādakamityuktaṁ tīrthaṁ tīrthārthināṁ nṛṇām || sarveṣāṁ pātakānāṁ ca śodhanaṁ tadvarānane

"Where she remained, relieving the weariness of the sages, that tirtha, O fair-faced one, is called Tatpadaka for men who seek the tirthas; it purifies all sins."

Verse 93 (skanda.7.35.93)

खादिरामोदमासाद्य तत्रस्था वीक्ष्य सागरम् ॥ गन्तुं प्रवृत्ता तं वह्निमादाय सुरसुन्दरि

khādirāmodamāsādya tatrasthā vīkṣya sāgaram || gantuṁ pravṛttā taṁ vahnimādāya surasundari

"Reaching Khadiramoda, standing there and beholding the ocean, O beauty among the gods, carrying that fire she set out to go there."

Verse 94 (skanda.7.35.94)

दग्ध्वा कृतस्मरं देवी पुनरादाय वाडवम् ॥ समुद्रस्य समीपस्था स्थिता हृष्टतनूरुहा

dagdhvā kṛtasmaraṁ devī punarādāya vāḍavam || samudrasya samīpasthā sthitā hṛṣṭatanūruhā

"The goddess, resolving with fixed intent, took up the submarine fire once more, and stood near the ocean, her body-hairs thrilled with joy."

Verse 95 (skanda.7.35.95)

ततः प्रविष्टा सा देवी अगाधे लवणांभसि ॥ वाडवं वह्निमादाय जलमध्ये व्यसर्जयत्

tataḥ praviṣṭā sā devī agādhe lavaṇāṁbhasi || vāḍavaṁ vahnimādāya jalamadhye vyasarjayat

"Then that goddess entered the fathomless salt water, and, carrying the submarine fire, released it in the midst of the waters."

Verse 96 (skanda.7.35.96)

ततस्तस्याः पुनः प्रीतः स्वयमेव हुताशनः ॥ तद्दृष्ट्वा दुष्करं कर्म वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

tatastasyāḥ punaḥ prītaḥ svayameva hutāśanaḥ || taddṛṣṭvā duṣkaraṁ karma vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

"Then Fire itself, becoming pleased with her, beholding that difficult deed, spoke this word:"

Verse 97 (skanda.7.35.97)

परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते भद्रे वरं वरय सुव्रते ॥ तत्ते दास्याम्यहं प्रीतो यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

parituṣṭo'smi te bhadre varaṁ varaya suvrate || tatte dāsyāmyahaṁ prīto yadyapi syātsudurlabham

"'I am well pleased with you, gracious one of noble vows; choose a boon — pleased, I shall grant it to you, even if it be most hard to obtain.'"

Verse 98 (skanda.7.35.98)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ प्रगृह्य वलयं हस्तादिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ इदं मे वलयं वह्ने वक्त्रे धार्यं सदा त्वया

|| īśvara uvāca || pragṛhya valayaṁ hastādidaṁ vacanamabravīt || idaṁ me valayaṁ vahne vaktre dhāryaṁ sadā tvayā

Ishvara said: "Taking a bracelet from her hand, she spoke this word: 'O Fire, this bracelet of mine must always be worn by you upon your mouth.'"

Verse 99 (skanda.7.35.99)

अनेन शक्यते यावत्तावत्तोयं समाहर ॥ न त्वया शोषणीयोऽयं समुदः सरितांपतिः

anena śakyate yāvattāvattoyaṁ samāhara || na tvayā śoṣaṇīyo'yaṁ samudaḥ saritāṁpatiḥ

"'With this, draw up only as much water as you are able; this ocean, lord of rivers, must not be dried up by you.'"

Verse 100 (skanda.7.35.100)

बाढमित्येव चोक्त्वा स प्रविष्टो निधिमंभसाम्॥ एवमेषा महादेवि प्रभासे तु सरस्वती ॥ गृहीत्वा वाडवं प्राप्ता तुष्ट्यर्थं च मनीषिणाम्

bāḍhamityeva coktvā sa praviṣṭo nidhimaṁbhasām|| evameṣā mahādevi prabhāse tu sarasvatī || gṛhītvā vāḍavaṁ prāptā tuṣṭyarthaṁ ca manīṣiṇām

"Saying only 'So be it,' he entered the treasury of waters. Thus, O great goddess, this Sarasvati, at Prabhasa, having taken up the submarine fire, arrived there for the satisfaction of the wise."

Verse 101 (skanda.7.35.101)

सा विश्रांता कुरुक्षेत्रे भद्रावर्ते च भामिनि ॥ पुष्करे श्रीकला देवी प्रभासे च महानदी

sā viśrāṁtā kurukṣetre bhadrāvarte ca bhāmini || puṣkare śrīkalā devī prabhāse ca mahānadī

"O fair one, she rested at Kurukshetra and at Bhadravarta; at Pushkara she is the goddess Shrikala, and at Prabhasa the great river."

Verse 102 (skanda.7.35.102)

देवमातेति सा तत्र संस्थिता लवणोदधौ ॥ अस्मिन्मन्वंतरे देवि आदौ त्रेतायुगे पुरा

devamāteti sā tatra saṁsthitā lavaṇodadhau || asminmanvaṁtare devi ādau tretāyuge purā

"There, in the salt ocean, she is established as Devamata; in this Manvantara, O goddess, at the very beginning, in the Treta Yuga of old—"

Verse 103 (skanda.7.35.103)

इति वृत्तं सरस्वत्या वाडवाग्नेस्तथाभवत् ॥ मन्वन्तरे व्यतीतेऽस्मिन्भविताऽन्यस्तु वाडवः

iti vṛttaṁ sarasvatyā vāḍavāgnestathābhavat || manvantare vyatīte'sminbhavitā'nyastu vāḍavaḥ

"—this is how the account of Sarasvati and the submarine fire came about. When this Manvantara has passed, another submarine fire will come into being."

Verse 104 (skanda.7.35.104)

ज्वालामुखेति नाम्ना वै रुद्रक्रोधाद्भविष्यति ॥ सरस्वत्यास्तथा नाम ख्यातिं ब्राह्मीति यास्यति

jvālāmukheti nāmnā vai rudrakrodhādbhaviṣyati || sarasvatyāstathā nāma khyātiṁ brāhmīti yāsyati

"It will arise from Rudra's wrath and be called by the name Jvalamukhi; and Sarasvati's name too will then attain the fame of 'Brahmi.'"

Verse 105 (skanda.7.35.105)

सरस्वतीति वै लोके वर्तते नाम सांप्रतम् ॥ अतीतं नाम यत्तस्याः कमंडलुभवेति च ॥ रत्नाकरेति सामुद्रं सत्यं नामांतरं पुरा

sarasvatīti vai loke vartate nāma sāṁpratam || atītaṁ nāma yattasyāḥ kamaṁḍalubhaveti ca || ratnākareti sāmudraṁ satyaṁ nāmāṁtaraṁ purā

"'Sarasvati' is indeed her name current now in the world; her past name was 'Kamandalubhava,' and truly, her earlier alternate name relating to the ocean was 'Ratnakara.'"

Verse 106 (skanda.7.35.106)

अस्मिन्मन्वंतरे देवि सागरेति प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ क्षारोदेति भविष्यं तु नाम देवि प्रकीर्तितम्

asminmanvaṁtare devi sāgareti prakīrtitam || kṣārodeti bhaviṣyaṁ tu nāma devi prakīrtitam

"In this Manvantara, O goddess, she is celebrated as 'Sagara'; and 'Ksharoda' is declared, O goddess, to be her future name."

Verse 107 (skanda.7.35.107)

एवं जानाति यः कश्चित्स तीर्थफलमश्नुते ॥ स्वर्गनिःश्रेणिसंभूता प्रभासे तु सरस्वती

evaṁ jānāti yaḥ kaścitsa tīrthaphalamaśnute || svarganiḥśreṇisaṁbhūtā prabhāse tu sarasvatī

"Whoever knows this thus obtains the fruit of the tirtha; at Prabhasa, Sarasvati has become a ladder to heaven."

Verse 108 (skanda.7.35.108)

नापुण्यवद्भिः संप्राप्तुं पुंभिः शक्या महानदी ॥ प्राची सरस्वती देवि सर्वत्र च सुदुर्लभा ॥ विशेषेण कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे पुष्करे तथा

nāpuṇyavadbhiḥ saṁprāptuṁ puṁbhiḥ śakyā mahānadī || prācī sarasvatī devi sarvatra ca sudurlabhā || viśeṣeṇa kurukṣetre prabhāse puṣkare tathā

"This great river cannot be reached by impious men; the eastward-flowing Sarasvati, O goddess, is everywhere most hard to attain, especially at Kurukshetra, Prabhasa, and Pushkara."

Verse 109 (skanda.7.35.109)

एवंप्रभावा सा देवी वडवानल धारिणी॥ अग्नितीर्थसमीपस्था स्थिता देवी सरस्वती

evaṁprabhāvā sā devī vaḍavānala dhāriṇī|| agnitīrthasamīpasthā sthitā devī sarasvatī

"Such is the power of that goddess, bearer of the submarine fire; the goddess Sarasvati remains close by Agnitirtha."

Verse 110 (skanda.7.35.110)

तामादौ पूजयेद्यस्तु स तीर्थफलमश्नुते ॥ सागरं यच्च तत्तीर्थं पापघ्नं पुण्यवर्द्धनम्

tāmādau pūjayedyastu sa tīrthaphalamaśnute || sāgaraṁ yacca tattīrthaṁ pāpaghnaṁ puṇyavarddhanam

"Whoever worships her first obtains the fruit of the tirtha; and that tirtha at the ocean destroys sin and increases merit."

Verse 111 (skanda.7.35.111)

दर्शनादेव तस्यैव महाक्रतुफलं लभेत् ॥ अग्निचित्कपिला सत्री राजा भिक्षुर्महोदधिः

darśanādeva tasyaiva mahākratuphalaṁ labhet || agnicitkapilā satrī rājā bhikṣurmahodadhiḥ

"By its very sight one obtains the fruit of a great sacrifice. A fire-priest, a tawny cow, a chaste woman, a king, a mendicant, and the great ocean—"

Verse 112 (skanda.7.35.112)

दृष्टमात्राः पुनंत्येते तस्मात्पश्येद्धि भावितः ॥ अग्नितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पावके प्रक्षिपेत्ततः ॥ गुग्गुलं भारसहितं सोग्निलोके महीयते

dṛṣṭamātrāḥ punaṁtyete tasmātpaśyeddhi bhāvitaḥ || agnitīrthe naraḥ snātvā pāvake prakṣipettataḥ || guggulaṁ bhārasahitaṁ sogniloke mahīyate

"—these, merely seen, purify; therefore one of devout mind should behold them. A man, having bathed at Agnitirtha, should then cast into the fire an offering of guggulu with its full weight; he is then glorified in the world of Agni."

Verse 113 (skanda.7.35.113)

एवं संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तो ह्यग्नि तीर्थमहोदयः ॥ सरस्वत्याश्च माहात्म्यं सर्वपातकनाशनम्

evaṁ saṁkṣepataḥ prokto hyagni tīrthamahodayaḥ || sarasvatyāśca māhātmyaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam

"Thus has the greatness of Agnitirtha been told in brief, and the glory of Sarasvati, which destroys all sin."

Verse 114 (skanda.7.35.114)

स्नात्वाग्नितीर्थे विधिवत्कंकणं प्रक्षिपेततः ॥ सुवर्णस्य महादेवि यथावित्तानुसारतः

snātvāgnitīrthe vidhivatkaṁkaṇaṁ prakṣipetataḥ || suvarṇasya mahādevi yathāvittānusārataḥ

"Having bathed at Agnitirtha according to rule, one should then cast in a golden bracelet, O great goddess, according to one's means."

Verse 115 (skanda.7.35.115)

ततः सरस्वतीं पूज्य कपर्दिनमथार्चयेत्

tataḥ sarasvatīṁ pūjya kapardinamathārcayet

"Then, having worshipped Sarasvati, one should next worship Kapardin (Shiva)."

Verse 116 (skanda.7.35.116)

ततः केदारनामानं भीमेश्वरमतःपरम् ॥ भैरवेश्वरनामानं चण्डीश्वरमतः परम्

tataḥ kedāranāmānaṁ bhīmeśvaramataḥparam || bhairaveśvaranāmānaṁ caṇḍīśvaramataḥ param

"Then worship the one named Kedara, then Bhimeshvara after that; then the one named Bhairaveshvara, then Chandishvara after that."

Verse 117 (skanda.7.35.117)

ततः सोमेश्वरं देवं पूजयेद्विधिवन्नरः ॥ नवग्रहेश्वरानिष्ट्वा रुद्रैकादशकं तथा

tataḥ someśvaraṁ devaṁ pūjayedvidhivannaraḥ || navagraheśvarāniṣṭvā rudraikādaśakaṁ tathā

"Then a man should worship the god Someshvara according to rule, having honored the nine Grahéshvaras, and likewise the eleven Rudras."

Verse 118 (skanda.7.35.118)

ततः संपूजयेद्देवं ब्रह्माणं बालरूपिणम् ॥ एवं रौद्री समाख्याता यात्रा पातकनाशिनी

tataḥ saṁpūjayeddevaṁ brahmāṇaṁ bālarūpiṇam || evaṁ raudrī samākhyātā yātrā pātakanāśinī

"Then he should worship the god Brahma in his child-form; thus has been declared the Raudri pilgrimage, which destroys sin."

Verse 119 (skanda.7.35.119)

माहात्म्यमखिलं तस्या यो जानाति नरोत्तमः॥ निवसन्क्षेत्रमध्ये तु स तीर्थफलमश्नुते

māhātmyamakhilaṁ tasyā yo jānāti narottamaḥ|| nivasankṣetramadhye tu sa tīrthaphalamaśnute

"That best of men who knows this entire greatness, dwelling within the sacred field, obtains the fruit of the tirtha."

Verse 120 (skanda.7.35.120)

एवं कृत्वा ततो गच्छेन्महादेवीं सरस्वतीम्

evaṁ kṛtvā tato gacchenmahādevīṁ sarasvatīm

"Having done this, one should then go on to worship the great goddess Sarasvati."

Verse 121 (skanda.7.35.121)

सरस्वतीवाससमा कुतो गुणाः सरस्वतीवाससमा कुतो रतिः॥ सरस्वतीं प्राप्य दिवं गता नराः पुनः स्मरिष्यंति नदीं सरस्वतीम्

sarasvatīvāsasamā kuto guṇāḥ sarasvatīvāsasamā kuto ratiḥ|| sarasvatīṁ prāpya divaṁ gatā narāḥ punaḥ smariṣyaṁti nadīṁ sarasvatīm

"Where are virtues equal to dwelling by the Sarasvati? Where is delight equal to dwelling by the Sarasvati? Men who, having attained the Sarasvati, have gone to heaven, will yet again remember the river Sarasvati."