The Glory of Damodara

Verse 1 (skanda.7.366.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि क्षेत्रगर्भं महोदयम्। तद्वस्त्रापथमाहात्म्यं यत्र रैवतको गिरिः

īśvara uvāca| atha te saṁpravakṣyāmi kṣetragarbhaṁ mahodayam| tadvastrāpathamāhātmyaṁ yatra raivatako giriḥ

Ishvara said: Now I shall tell you of the great and sacred womb of this sacred field — the glory of Vastrapatha, where stands Mount Raivataka.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.366.2)

दामोदरं रैवतके भवं वस्त्रापथे तथा। एतद्रैवतकं क्षेत्रं वस्त्रापथमिति स्मृतम्

dāmodaraṁ raivatake bhavaṁ vastrāpathe tathā| etadraivatakaṁ kṣetraṁ vastrāpathamiti smṛtam

Damodara resides upon Raivataka just as he does in Vastrapatha; this very Raivataka field is remembered by the name Vastrapatha.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.366.3)

सुवर्णरेवा यत्रस्था नदी पातकनाशनी। यत्र साक्षात्स्थितः कृष्णो दामोदर इति स्मृतः

suvarṇarevā yatrasthā nadī pātakanāśinī| yatra sākṣātsthitaḥ kṛṣṇo dāmodara iti smṛtaḥ

There stands the river Suvarnareva, destroyer of sin; there Krishna himself abides in visible form, known by the name Damodara.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.366.4)

यत्र स्थितं मृगीकुण्डं महापातकनाशनम्। सकृच्छ्राद्धे कृते यत्र कल्पकोटिसहस्रकम्। पितॄणां जायते तृप्तिरपुनर्भवकांक्षिणी

yatra sthitaṁ mṛgīkuṇḍaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam| sakṛcchrāddhe kṛte yatra kalpakoṭisahasrakam| pitṝṇāṁ jāyate tṛptirapunarbhavakāṁkṣiṇī

There stands the Mrigi-kunda, destroyer of great sin, where even a single shraddha rite performed brings the ancestors — longing never to be reborn — satisfaction lasting a thousand crore kalpas.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.366.5)

देव्युवाच। भगवन्विस्तराद्ब्रूहि दामोदरमहोदयम्। क्षेत्रगर्भस्य माहात्म्यं कर्णिकारूपसंस्थितम्

devyuvāca| bhagavanvistarādbrūhi dāmodaramahodayam| kṣetragarbhasya māhātmyaṁ karṇikārūpasaṁsthitam

The Goddess said: O Lord, tell me at length of the great glory of Damodara, the greatness of this sacred womb, established in the very form of its pericarp.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.366.6)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि दामोदरहरिं प्रति। इतिहासं पुराख्यातमृषिभिः कल्पवासिभिः

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi dāmodarahariṁ prati| itihāsaṁ purākhyātamṛṣibhiḥ kalpavāsibhiḥ

Ishvara said: Listen, O Goddess, and I shall tell the ancient history of Hari Damodara, told long ago by sages who dwell through the kalpas.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.366.7)

गंगातीरे शुभे रम्ये पुण्ये जनपदाकुले। ऋषिभिः सेविते नित्यं स्वर्गमार्गप्रदे ध्रुवम्

gaṁgātīre śubhe ramye puṇye janapadākule| ṛṣibhiḥ sevite nityaṁ svargamārgapade dhruvam

On the auspicious, delightful, sacred bank of the Ganga, thronged with settlements, ever attended by sages, which surely grants the very path to heaven —

Verse 8 (skanda.7.366.8)

तत्र ज्ञानविदो विप्रा यजंति विविधैर्मखैः। ऋषयः सांख्ययोगेन दानेनैवेतरे जनाः

tatra jñānavido viprā yajaṁti vividhairmakhaiḥ| ṛṣayaḥ sāṁkhyayogena dānenaivetare janāḥ

There, brahmins learned in wisdom sacrifice with various rites, sages through Sankhya-yoga, and other folk through charity alone.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.366.9)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा स्वर्गमभीप्सवः। सेवंते तज्जलं दिव्यं देवानामपि दुर्लभम्

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā svargamabhīpsavaḥ| sevaṁte tajjalaṁ divyaṁ devānāmapi durlabham

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras, desiring heaven, resort to that divine water, hard to attain even for the gods.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.366.10)

तत्र राजा गजोनाम बली सर्वजनाधिपः। गंगाजलाभिषेकार्थं त्यक्वा राज्यं जगाम ह

tatra rājā gajonāma balī sarvajanādhipaḥ| gaṁgājalābhiṣekārthaṁ tyakvā rājyaṁ jagāma ha

There was a mighty king named Gaja, lord of all his people, who abandoned his kingdom and set out for the sake of bathing in the waters of the Ganga.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.366.11)

भार्या तस्य सती साध्वी पुत्रिणी रूपसंयुता। साऽप्ययात्सह तेनैव भर्त्रा वै भर्तृवत्सला

bhāryā tasya satī sādhvī putriṇī rūpasaṁyutā| sā'pyayātsaha tenaiva bhartrā vai bhartṛvatsalā

His wife, virtuous and chaste, blessed with children and endowed with beauty, devoted to her husband, went along together with him.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.366.12)

संगता नाम नाम्ना च दक्षा दाक्षायणी यथा। एवं निवसतोस्तत्र वर्षाणामयुतं गतम्

saṁgatā nāma nāmnā ca dakṣā dākṣāyaṇī yathā| evaṁ nivasatostatra varṣāṇāmayutaṁ gatam

Her name was Sangata, and she was as accomplished as Daksha's own daughter. Thus, as the two of them dwelt there, ten thousand years passed.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.366.13)

आजगाम ऋषिस्तत्र भद्रोनाम महायशाः। सहितो बहुभिर्विप्रैर्जपहोमपरायणैः

ājagāma ṛṣistatra bhadronāma mahāyaśāḥ| sahito bahubhirviprairjapahomaparāyaṇaiḥ

There came a sage named Bhadra, of great renown, accompanied by many brahmins devoted to japa and homa.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.366.14)

त्यक्त्वा संसारमार्गं तु स्वर्गमार्गजिगीषवः। गंगानिषेवणं कृत्वा स्फोटयित्वाऽऽत्मजं मलम्

tyaktvā saṁsāramārgaṁ tu svargamārgajigīṣavaḥ| gaṁgāniṣevaṇaṁ kṛtvā sphoṭayitvā''tmajaṁ malam

Having abandoned the path of worldly life, seeking the path to heaven, having resorted to the Ganga and washed away the body's impurity —

Verse 15 (skanda.7.366.15)

जलं दत्त्वा तु भूतेभ्यः पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम्। यावद्यांति नदीतीर ऋषयो भद्रकादयः। तावत्पश्यंति राजानं गजं वरगजोपमम्

jalaṁ dattvā tu bhūtebhyaḥ pūjayitvā janārddanam| yāvadyāṁti nadītīra ṛṣayo bhadrakādayaḥ| tāvatpaśyaṁti rājānaṁ gajaṁ varagajopamam

having offered water to all beings and worshipped Janardana — while the sages headed by Bhadra were walking along the riverbank, they beheld King Gaja, who resembled a splendid elephant.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.366.16)

तेनैव दृष्टा मुनयो राज्ञा निहतकल्मषाः। सप्तर्षयो यथा स्वर्गे सुरराजेन धीमता

tenaiva dṛṣṭā munayo rājñā nihatakalmaṣāḥ| saptarṣayo yathā svarge surarājena dhīmatā

By that same king, the sages, cleansed of sin, were beheld — just as the wise lord of the gods beholds the Seven Sages in heaven.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.366.17)

तमृषिं स च संप्रेक्ष्य पदानि दश पंच च। आगच्छन्त्वत्र पूजार्हा भवतो मम मन्दिरम्

tamṛṣiṁ sa ca saṁprekṣya padāni daśa paṁca ca| āgacchantvatra pūjārhā bhavato mama mandiram

Beholding that sage, and advancing fifteen steps toward him, he said: come, O ones worthy of worship, come to this dwelling of mine.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.366.18)

पश्यंतु संगतां सर्वे मम भार्यां यशस्विनीम्। तस्याः पूजां समादाय यो मार्गो मनसि स्थितः

paśyaṁtu saṁgatāṁ sarve mama bhāryāṁ yaśasvinīm| tasyāḥ pūjāṁ samādāya yo mārgo manasi sthitaḥ

Let all of you behold my glorious wife Sangata; having received worship from her, proceed then upon the path that is fixed in your minds.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.366.19)

तं गच्छध्वं महाभागाः पुण्याः पुण्यमभीप्सवः। एवमुक्तास्तु ते राज्ञा ऋषयः कौतुकान्विताः। आजग्मुर्मंदिरं शुभ्रं पुरंदरपुरोपमम्

taṁ gacchadhvaṁ mahābhāgāḥ puṇyāḥ puṇyamabhīpsavaḥ| evamuktāstu te rājñā ṛṣayaḥ kautukānvitāḥ| ājagmurmaṁdiraṁ śubhraṁ puraṁdarapuropamam

Go upon that path, O most fortunate, holy ones, seekers of merit. Thus addressed by the king, the sages, filled with curiosity, came to his radiant dwelling, resembling the very city of Indra.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.366.20)

आसनानि विचित्राणि दत्त्वा तेषां मनस्विनी। संगता राजराजेन सार्द्धमग्रे व्यवस्थिता

āsanāni vicitrāṇi dattvā teṣāṁ manasvinī| saṁgatā rājarājena sārddhamagre vyavasthitā

The wise Sangata, having offered them wondrous seats, stood before them together with the king of kings.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.366.21)

कृत्वा करपुटं राजा ऋषीणां पुण्यकर्मणाम्। बभाषे वचनं राजा भद्रो भद्रं सुसंगतम्

kṛtvā karapuṭaṁ rājā ṛṣīṇāṁ puṇyakarmaṇām| babhāṣe vacanaṁ rājā bhadro bhadraṁ susaṁgatam

Having folded his hands before the sages of holy deeds, the king spoke gracious and fitting words to Bhadra.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.366.22)

वसुधा वसुसंपूर्णा मंडिता नगरी पुरी। पर्वतैश्च समुद्रैश्च सरिद्भिश्च सरोवरैः

vasudhā vasusaṁpūrṇā maṁḍitā nagarī purī| parvataiśca samudraiśca saridbhiśca sarovaraiḥ

This earth, full of wealth, is adorned with cities and towns, with mountains and oceans, with rivers and lakes,

Verse 23 (skanda.7.366.23)

ग्रामैश्चतुष्पथैर्घोरैर्गोकुलैराकुलीकृता। नररत्नैरश्वरत्नैर्गजरत्नैस्तु संकुला

grāmaiścatuṣpathairghoraiḥ gokulairākulīkṛtā| nararatnairaśvaratnairgajaratnaistu saṁkulā

crowded with villages and forbidding crossroads, thronged with herds of cattle, and filled with jewel-like men, horses, and elephants.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.366.24)

दुस्त्यजा भोगभोक्तृणां परं ज्ञानमजानताम्। संसारेऽत्र महाघोरे पुनरावृत्तिकारिणि

dustyajā bhogabhoktṛṇāṁ paraṁ jñānamajānatām| saṁsāre'tra mahāghore punarāvṛttikāriṇi

Yet for those who revel in its pleasures and do not know the highest wisdom, this dreadful cycle of rebirth, bringing repeated return, is hard indeed to renounce.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.366.25)

पतंति पुरुषा भद्र पत्राणीव पुनःपुनः। कृतेन येन विप्रेंद्र स्वर्गं प्राप्नोति निर्मलम्। दानेन तपसा चैव तत्त्वमा चक्ष्व सुव्रत

pataṁti puruṣā bhadra patrāṇīva punaḥpunaḥ| kṛtena yena viprendra svargaṁ prāpnoti nirmalam| dānena tapasā caiva tattvamā cakṣva suvrata

Men fall again and again, O Bhadra, like leaves from a tree. Tell me the truth, O best of brahmins, O one of good vows: by what deed — by charity or by austerity — does a man attain the pure heaven?

Verse 26 (skanda.7.366.26)

भद्र उवाच। तीर्थानि तोयपूर्णानि देवाः पाषाणमृन्मयाः। आत्मस्थं ये न पश्यंति ते न पश्यंति तत्परम्

bhadra uvāca| tīrthāni toyapūrṇāni devāḥ pāṣāṇamṛnmayāḥ| ātmasthaṁ ye na paśyaṁti te na paśyaṁti tatparam

Bhadra said: The tirthas are but filled with water, the deities but of stone and clay — those who do not see the Self dwelling within do not truly see that Supreme.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.366.27)

संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च। पुण्यतोया पवित्रश्च सरितः सागरास्तथा। बहुपुण्यप्रदा पृथ्वी स्थानेस्थाने पदेपदे

saṁti tīrthānyanekāni puṇyānyāyatanāni ca| puṇyatoyā pavitraśca saritaḥ sāgarāstathā| bahupuṇyapradā pṛthvī sthānesthāne padepade

There are many holy tirthas and sacred shrines; rivers and oceans too are pure with holy waters; and the earth grants great merit at every place, at every step.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.366.28)

यद्यस्ति तव राजेंद्र ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतां वर। विष्णुं जिष्णुं हृषीकेशं शंखिनं गदिनं तथा

yadyasti tava rājeṁdra jñānaṁ jñānavatāṁ vara| viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇuṁ hṛṣīkeśaṁ śaṁkhinaṁ gadinaṁ tathā

If you possess wisdom, O Indra among kings, O best of the wise, then know Vishnu, the triumphant, Hrishikesha, the bearer of the conch and the mace,

Verse 29 (skanda.7.366.29)

चतुर्भुजं महाबाहुं प्रभासे दैत्यसूदनम्। वाराहं वामनं चैव नारसिंहं बलार्जुनम्

caturbhujaṁ mahābāhuṁ prabhāse daityasūdanam| vārāhaṁ vāmanaṁ caiva nārasiṁhaṁ balārjunam

the four-armed, mighty-armed slayer of demons at Prabhasa; the Boar, the Dwarf, the Man-Lion, and the strength that upheld Arjuna,

Verse 30 (skanda.7.366.30)

रामं रामं च रामं च पुरुषोत्तममेव च। पुंडरीकेक्षणं चैव गदापाणिं तथैव च

rāmaṁ rāmaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca puruṣottamameva ca| puṁḍarīkekṣaṇaṁ caiva gadāpāṇiṁ tathaiva ca

the three Ramas — Parashurama, Ramachandra, and Balarama — and Purushottama himself, the lotus-eyed one, and the mace-bearer,

Verse 31 (skanda.7.366.31)

राघवं शक्रदमनं गोविंदं बहुपुण्यदम्। जयं च भूधरं चैव देवदेवं जनार्द्दनम्

rāghavaṁ śakradamanaṁ goviṁdaṁ bahupuṇyadam| jayaṁ ca bhūdharaṁ caiva devadevaṁ janārddanam

Raghava, the subduer of Indra's pride, Govinda who grants abundant merit, Jaya, and the bearer of the earth, the god of gods, Janardana,

Verse 32 (skanda.7.366.32)

सुरोत्तमं श्रीधरं च हरिं योगीश्वरं तथा। कपिलेशं भूतनाथं श्वेतद्वीपपतिं हरिम्

surottamaṁ śrīdharaṁ ca hariṁ yogīśvaraṁ tathā| kapileśaṁ bhūtanāthaṁ śvetadvīpapatiṁ harim

the best of the gods, Shridhara, Hari the lord of yogis, Kapilesha, the lord of beings, and Hari the lord of Shvetadvipa,

Verse 33 (skanda.7.366.33)

बदर्याश्रमवासौ च नरनारायणौ तथा। पद्मनाभं सुनाभं च हयग्रीवं विशां पते

badaryāśramavāsau ca naranārāyaṇau tathā| padmanābhaṁ sunābhaṁ ca hayagrīvaṁ viśāṁ pate

the two dwellers of Badari-ashrama, Nara and Narayana; Padmanabha, Sunabha, and Hayagriva, O lord of the people,

Verse 34 (skanda.7.366.34)

द्विजनाथं धरानाथं खड्गपाणिं तथैव च। दामोदरं जलावासं सर्वपापहरं हरिम्

dvijanāthaṁ dharānāthaṁ khaḍgapāṇiṁ tathaiva ca| dāmodaraṁ jalāvāsaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ harim

the lord of the twice-born, the lord of the earth, the sword-bearer, and Damodara who dwells in the waters, Hari who removes all sin.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.366.35)

एतान्येव हि स्थानानि देवदेवस्य चक्रिणः। गच्छते यत्र तत्रैव मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

etānyeva hi sthānāni devadevasya cakriṇaḥ| gacchate yatra tatraiva mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

These indeed are the abodes of the disc-bearing god of gods; wherever one goes among them, there one is freed from all sin.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.366.36)

गंगा च यमुना चैव तथा देवी सरस्वती। दृषद्वती गोमती च तापी कावेरिणी तथा

gaṁgā ca yamunā caiva tathā devī sarasvatī| dṛṣadvatī gomatī ca tāpī kāveriṇī tathā

Ganga, Yamuna, and the goddess Sarasvati, Drishadvati, Gomati, Tapi, and Kaveri,

Verse 37 (skanda.7.366.37)

नर्मदा शर्मदा चैव नदी गोदावरी तथा। शतद्रुश्च तथा विंध्या पयोष्णी वरदा तथा

narmadā śarmadā caiva nadī godāvarī tathā| śatadruśca tathā viṁdhyā payoṣṇī varadā tathā

Narmada who bestows bliss, the river Godavari, Shatadru, Vindhya, Payoshni, and Varada,

Verse 38 (skanda.7.366.38)

चर्मण्वती च सरयूर्गंडकी चंडपापहा। चंद्रभागा विपाशा च शोणश्चैव पुनःपुनः

carmaṇvatī ca sarayurgaṁḍakī caṁḍapāpahā| caṁdrabhāgā vipāśā ca śoṇaścaiva punaḥpunaḥ

Charmanvati, Sarayu, and Gandaki who destroys fierce sin, Chandrabhaga, Vipasha, and the Shona, worthy of remembrance again and again —

Verse 39 (skanda.7.366.39)

एताश्चान्याश्च बहवो हिमवत्प्रभवाः शुभाः। तासु स्नातो नरः स्वर्गं याति पातकवर्जितः

etāścānyāśca bahavo himavatprabhavāḥ śubhāḥ| tāsu snāto naraḥ svargaṁ yāti pātakavarjitaḥ

these and many other auspicious rivers arising from the Himalaya — bathing in them, a man goes to heaven, freed of all sin.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.366.40)

वनानि नंदनादीनि पर्वता मंदरादयः। नामोच्चारेण येषां हि पापं याति रसातले

vanāni naṁdanādīni parvatā maṁdarādayaḥ| nāmoccāreṇa yeṣāṁ hi pāpaṁ yāti rasātale

The forests headed by Nandana, the mountains headed by Mandara — merely by the utterance of whose names sin sinks down to the netherworld.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.366.41)

गज उवाच। भद्रं हि भाषितं भद्र आख्यानममृतोपमम्। पृच्छामि सर्वधर्मज्ञ त्वामहं किंचिदेव हि

gaja uvāca| bhadraṁ hi bhāṣitaṁ bhadra ākhyānamamṛtopamam| pṛcchāmi sarvadharmajña tvāmahaṁ kiṁcideva hi

Gaja said: Auspicious indeed is this tale you have spoken, O Bhadra, one like nectar. I ask you now, O knower of all dharma, of something more.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.366.42)

यस्मिन्मासे दिने यस्मिंस्तीर्थे यस्मिन्क्रमान्नरैः। अक्षयं सेव्यते स्वर्गस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सुव्रत

yasminmāse dine yasmiṁstīrthe yasminkramānnaraiḥ| akṣayaṁ sevyate svargastanmamācakṣva suvrata

In which month, on which day, at which tirtha, and by what procedure — when resorted to by men — is imperishable heaven attained? Tell me this, O one of good vows.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.366.43)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो देवतार्चनम्। अक्षयो येन वै स्वर्गस्तन्मे गदितुमर्हसि

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ svādhyāyo devatārcanam| akṣayo yena vai svargastanme gaditumarhasi

Bathing, charity, japa, homa, self-study, or worship of the deity — by which of these is imperishable heaven attained? You should tell me this.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.366.44)

भद्र उवाच। श्रूयतां राजशार्दूल कथां कथयतो मम। यां श्रुत्वा मुच्यते पापान्नरो नरवरोत्तम

bhadra uvāca| śrūyatāṁ rājaśārdūla kathāṁ kathayato mama| yāṁ śrutvā mucyate pāpānnaro naravarottama

Bhadra said: Listen, O tiger among kings, O best of men, to the tale I now tell — hearing which a man is freed from sin.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.366.45)

ऋषीणां कथितं पूर्वं नारदेन महात्मना

ṛṣīṇāṁ kathitaṁ pūrvaṁ nāradena mahātmanā

This tale was told long ago to the sages by the great-souled Narada.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.366.46)

एवं पृष्टश्च तैः सर्वैर्नारदो मुनिसत्तमः। कथयामास संहृष्टो मेघदुदुभिनिस्वनैः

evaṁ pṛṣṭaśca taiḥ sarvairnārado munisattamaḥ| kathayāmāsa saṁhṛṣṭo meghadudubhinisvanaiḥ

Thus questioned by all of them, Narada, best of sages, joyfully told it, his voice resounding like clouds and drums.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.366.47)

रम्ये हिमवतः पृष्ठे समवाये मया श्रुतम्। तदहं तव वक्ष्यामि श्रोतुकामं नरर्षभ

ramye himavataḥ pṛṣṭhe samavāye mayā śrutam| tadahaṁ tava vakṣyāmi śrotukāmaṁ nararṣabha

On the lovely ridge of the Himalaya, in that assembly, I heard it; and now I shall tell it to you, eager as you are to hear, O bull among men.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.366.48)

तीर्थान्येव हि सर्वाणि पुनरावर्त्तकानि तु। अक्षयाँल्लभते लोकांस्तत्तीर्थं कथयामि ते

tīrthānyeva hi sarvāṇi punarāvarttakāni tu| akṣayāṁllabhate lokāṁstattīrthaṁ kathayāmi te

All other tirthas, indeed, bring one back again to rebirth; but I shall tell you of that tirtha whereby one obtains imperishable worlds.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.366.49)

मार्गशीर्षे कान्यकुब्ज उषित्वा राजसत्तम। न शोचति नरो नारी स्वर्गं याति परावरम्

mārgaśīrṣe kānyakubja uṣitvā rājasattama| na śocati naro nārī svargaṁ yāti parāvaram

O best of kings, having dwelt in Kanyakubja during the month of Margashirsha, a man or woman does not grieve, and attains the highest heaven.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.366.50)

पौषस्य पौर्णमासी या यदि सा क्रियतेऽर्बुदे। वर्षाणामर्बुदं स्वर्गे मोदते पितृभिः सह

pauṣasya paurṇamāsī yā yadi sā kriyate'rbude| varṣāṇāmarbudaṁ svarge modate pitṛbhiḥ saha

If the full-moon day of Pausha is observed at Arbuda, one rejoices in heaven together with the ancestors for a hundred million years.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.366.51)

माघ्यां यदि गयाश्राद्धं पितॄणां यच्छते नरः। त्रयाणामपि देवानां चतुर्थः स प्रजायते

māghyāṁ yadi gayāśrāddhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ yacchate naraḥ| trayāṇāmapi devānāṁ caturthaḥ sa prajāyate

If in the month of Magha a man performs the shraddha rite for the ancestors at Gaya, he comes to be born as a fourth among the three chief gods.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.366.52)

फाल्गुन्यां हिमवत्पृष्ठे वसन्नेकां निशां नरः। स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र देवो जनार्द्दनः

phālgunyāṁ himavatpṛṣṭhe vasannekāṁ niśāṁ naraḥ| sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ yatra devo janārddanaḥ

In Phalguna, dwelling for a single night upon the ridge of the Himalaya, a man goes to the supreme abode where the god Janardana dwells.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.366.53)

चैत्र्यां श्राद्धं प्रभासे तु ये कुर्वंति मनीषिणः। न ते मर्त्त्या भवन्तीह कुलजैः सह सत्तमाः

caitryāṁ śrāddhaṁ prabhāse tu ye kurvaṁti manīṣiṇaḥ| na te marttyā bhavantīha kulajaiḥ saha sattamāḥ

Those wise ones who perform the shraddha rite at Prabhasa in Chaitra do not remain mortal here, they and the finest of their lineage together.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.366.54)

चतुर्भुजे तु वैशाख्यां ये कुर्वंति जलप्रिये। तथावंत्यां नरः कश्चित्स याति परमां गतिम्

caturbhuje tu vaiśākhyāṁ ye kurvaṁti jalapriye| tathāvaṁtyāṁ naraḥ kaścitsa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever performs rites in Vaishakha at the water-loving Chaturbhuja tirtha, or likewise at Avanti, that man attains the supreme goal.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.366.55)

ज्यैष्ठ्यां ज्येष्ठर्क्षयुक्तायां श्राद्धं च त्रितकूपके। कुर्युर्युगानि ते त्रीणि वसंति नाकसद्मनि

jyaiṣṭhyāṁ jyeṣṭharkṣayuktāyāṁ śrāddhaṁ ca tritakūpake| kuryuryugāni te trīṇi vasaṁti nākasadmani

Those who perform shraddha at Tritakupa in the month of Jyeshtha, when joined with the Jyeshtha asterism, dwell in the abode of heaven for three yugas.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.366.56)

यो व्रजेशवने नद्यां दिनानि नव पंच च। तिष्ठते च नरः स्वर्गं वैकुण्ठमभिगच्छति

yo vrajeśavane nadyāṁ dināni nava paṁca ca| tiṣṭhate ca naraḥ svargaṁ vaikuṇṭhamabhigacchati

A man who dwells for fourteen days by the river in Vrajesha-vana attains heaven, going to Vaikuntha itself.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.366.57)

श्रावणस्य तु मासस्य पूर्णायां पूर्वसागरे। स्नानं दानं जपं श्राद्धं नरः कुर्वन्न शोचति

śrāvaṇasya tu māsasya pūrṇāyāṁ pūrvasāgare| snānaṁ dānaṁ japaṁ śrāddhaṁ naraḥ kurvanna śocati

On the full-moon day of the month of Shravana, at the eastern ocean, a man who performs bathing, charity, japa, and shraddha does not grieve.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.366.58)

तथा भाद्रपदे क्षेत्रे प्रभासे शशिभूषणम्। पूजयित्वा नरो लिंगं देवलिंगी भवेत्ततः

tathā bhādrapade kṣetre prabhāse śaśibhūṣaṇam| pūjayitvā naro liṁgaṁ devaliṁgī bhavettataḥ

Likewise, in Bhadrapada, a man who worships the linga of the moon-crested lord in the field of Prabhasa thereby comes to bear the very form of that god.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.366.59)

आश्विने चंद्रभागायां श्राद्धं स्नानं करोति यः। स्थानं युगसहस्राणां कृतं तेन त्रिविष्टपे

āśvine caṁdrabhāgāyāṁ śrāddhaṁ snānaṁ karoti yaḥ| sthānaṁ yugasahasrāṇāṁ kṛtaṁ tena triviṣṭape

One who performs shraddha and bathing at the Chandrabhaga river in Ashvina thereby secures a place in heaven for a thousand yugas.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.366.60)

अष्टाक्षरैश्चतुर्बाहुं ध्यायंति मुनिसत्तमाः। बहुनाऽत्र किमुक्तेन गजाहं प्रवदामि ते

aṣṭākṣaraiścaturbāhuṁ dhyāyaṁti munisattamāḥ| bahunā'tra kimuktena gajāhaṁ pravadāmi te

The best of sages meditate on the four-armed one through the eight-syllabled mantra. But what need is there, O Gaja, of saying much more? I shall tell you the essence.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.366.61)

दामोदरसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति। मासानां कार्त्तिकः श्रेष्ठः कार्त्तिके भीष्मपंचकम्

dāmodarasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati| māsānāṁ kārttikaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ kārttike bhīṣmapaṁcakam

There has never been, nor will there ever be, a tirtha equal to Damodara. Among months, Kartika is supreme; and within Kartika, the Bhishma-panchaka is supreme.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.366.62)

तत्रापि द्वादशी श्रेष्ठा राजन्दामोदरे जले। किमन्यैर्बहुभिस्तीर्थेः कि क्षेत्रैः कि महावनैः। दामोदरे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

tatrāpi dvādaśī śreṣṭhā rājandāmodare jale| kimanyairbahubhistīrtheḥ ki kṣetraiḥ ki mahāvanaiḥ| dāmodare naraḥ snātvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Among those days, O king, the Dvadashi in the waters of Damodara is best. What need of many other tirthas, of other kshetras, of great forests? Bathing in Damodara, a man is freed from all sin.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.366.63)

गज उवाच। भद्र भद्रं त्वया प्रोक्तं रसायनमिवापरम्। भूयोऽहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तीर्थस्यास्य महाफलम्

gaja uvāca| bhadra bhadraṁ tvayā proktaṁ rasāyanamivāparam| bhūyo'haṁ śrotumicchāmi tīrthasyāsya mahāphalam

Gaja said: O Bhadra, what you have spoken is auspicious, like a rare elixir. I wish to hear yet more of the great fruit of this tirtha.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.366.64)

के देशाः किं प्रमाणं तु का नदी केः च पर्वताः। जना वसंति के तत्र ऋषयः के तपस्विनः

ke deśāḥ kiṁ pramāṇaṁ tu kā nadī keḥ ca parvatāḥ| janā vasaṁti ke tatra ṛṣayaḥ ke tapasvinaḥ

What are its regions, what its extent, what is the river there, and what are the mountains? What people dwell there, and what sages and ascetics?

Verse 65 (skanda.7.366.65)

भद्र उवाच। पृथिवी वसुसंपूर्णा सागरेण तु वेष्टिता। मंडिता नगरैर्ग्रामैः सुरैः परपुरंजय

bhadra uvāca| pṛthivī vasusaṁpūrṇā sāgareṇa tu veṣṭitā| maṁḍitā nagarairgrāmaiḥ suraiḥ parapuraṁjaya

Bhadra said: The earth, full of wealth and encircled by the ocean, is adorned with cities, villages, and gods, O conqueror of enemy citadels.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.366.66)

वाराणसी प्रभासं च संगमं सितकृष्णयोः। एवं साराणि तीर्थानि यस्मान्मृत्युहराणि च

vārāṇasī prabhāsaṁ ca saṁgamaṁ sitakṛṣṇayoḥ| evaṁ sārāṇi tīrthāni yasmānmṛtyuharāṇi ca

Varanasi, Prabhasa, and the confluence of the pale and dark rivers — such are the essential tirthas, for they take away even death itself.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.366.67)

दामोदरेति ये नूनं स्मरंतो यत्र तत्र हि। ते वसंति हरेर्गेहं न सरंति कदाचन

dāmodareti ye nūnaṁ smaraṁto yatra tatra hi| te vasaṁti harergehaṁ na saraṁti kadācana

Those who, wherever they may be, truly remember the name Damodara, dwell in the house of Hari and never wander from it again.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.366.68)

सोमनाथस्य सान्निध्य उदयन्तो गिरिर्महान्। तस्य पश्चिमभागे तु रैवतक इति स्मृतः

somanāthasya sānnidhya udayanto girirmahān| tasya paścimabhāge tu raivataka iti smṛtaḥ

In the vicinity of Somanatha stands the great mountain Udayanta; on its western side lies what is remembered as Raivataka.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.366.69)

वाहिनी वहते तत्र नदी कांचनशेखरात्। धातवस्तत्र ते रक्ताः श्वेता नीलास्तथाऽसिताः

vāhinī vahate tatra nadī kāṁcanaśekharāt| dhātavastatra te raktāḥ śvetā nīlāstathā'sitāḥ

There a river flows down from the golden peak; there the minerals are red, white, blue, and black.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.366.70)

पाषाणाः कुञ्जराकाराश्चान्ये सैरिभसन्निभाः। चणकाकृतयश्चान्ये अन्ये गोक्षुरकप्रभाः

pāṣāṇāḥ kuñjarākārāścānye sairibhasannibhāḥ| caṇakākṛtayaścānye anye gokṣurakaprabhāḥ

Some stones there are shaped like elephants, others resemble buffaloes; some are shaped like chickpeas, and others gleam like the hoof of a cow.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.366.71)

वृक्षा वल्ल्यश्च गुल्माश्च संतानाः संत्यनेकशः। सर्वं तत्कांचनमयं मूलं पुष्पं फलं दलम्

vṛkṣā vallyaśca gulmāśca saṁtānāḥ saṁtyanekaśaḥ| sarvaṁ tatkāṁcanamayaṁ mūlaṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ dalam

There are trees, creepers, shrubs, and their offshoots of many kinds; there root, flower, fruit, and leaf — all are made of gold.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.366.72)

न हि पश्यति पापात्मा मुक्तः पापेन पश्यति। सेव्यते स गिरिर्नित्यं धातुवादपरैर्नरैः

na hi paśyati pāpātmā muktaḥ pāpena paśyati| sevyate sa girirnityaṁ dhātuvādaparairnaraiḥ

A sinful soul cannot see it; only one freed from sin can see it. That mountain is ever resorted to by men devoted to the science of transmuting metals.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.366.73)

ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यैः शूद्रैः शूद्रानुगैर्बहिः। पक्षिणस्तत्र बहवः शिवाशिवगिरस्तदा

brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyairvaiśyaiḥ śūdraiḥ śūdrānugairbahiḥ| pakṣiṇastatra bahavaḥ śivāśivagirastadā

by brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, and their followers coming from outside. There, too, are many birds whose cries carry omens both good and ill.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.366.74)

हंससारसचक्राह्वाः शुककोकिलबर्हिणः। मृगाश्च वानरेन्द्राश्च हंसा व्याघ्रास्तथैव च

haṁsasārasacakrāhvāḥ śukakokilabarhiṇaḥ| mṛgāśca vānareṁdrāśca haṁsā vyāghrāstathaiva ca

Swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds, parrots, cuckoos, and peacocks; deer, lordly monkeys, geese, and tigers as well.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.366.75)

तत्तीर्थस्य प्रभावेन न दुष्टान्याचरंति ते। कालेन मृत्युमायांति पशुपक्षिसरीसृपाः

tattīrthasya prabhāvena na duṣṭānyācaraṁti te| kālena mṛtyumāyāṁti paśupakṣisarīsṛpāḥ

By the power of that tirtha, they do not act with hostility; the beasts, birds, and reptiles there meet death only when their time comes, and in peace.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.366.76)

सर्वे विमानमारूढा गच्छन्ति हरिमन्दिरम्। वायुना पातितं यत्र पत्रपुष्पफलादिकम्

sarve vimānamārūḍhā gacchaṁti harimaṁdiram| vāyunā pātitaṁ yatra patrapuṣpaphalādikam

All of them, mounted on celestial chariots, go to the temple of Hari — even the leaves, flowers, and fruits fallen there by the wind attain that same fate.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.366.77)

तस्या नद्या जलं स्पृष्ट्वा सर्वं वै मुक्तिमाप्नुते। सा नदी पृथिवीं भित्त्वा पातालादागता नृप

tasyā nadyā jalaṁ spṛṣṭvā sarvaṁ vai muktimāpnute| sā nadī pṛthivīṁ bhittvā pātālādāgatā nṛpa

Having touched the water of that river, everything attains liberation. That river, O king, having pierced through the earth, has come up from the netherworld.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.366.78)

पूर्वं पन्नगराजस्तु तेन मार्गेण चागतः। स्नातुं दामोदरे तीर्थे यममृत्युप्रघातिनि

pūrvaṁ pannagarājastu tena mārgeṇa cāgataḥ| snātuṁ dāmodare tīrthe yamamṛtyupraghātini

Long ago, the king of serpents came by that very path to bathe in the Damodara tirtha, which repels even Yama and death himself.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.366.79)

स्वर्गादागत्य चन्द्रोऽपि यष्टुं यज्ञं सुपुष्कलम्। यक्ष्मरोगाद्विनिर्मुक्तो गतः स्वर्गं निरामयः

svargādāgatya candro'pi yaṣṭuṁ yajñaṁ supuṣkalam| yakṣmarogādvinirmukto gataḥ svargaṁ nirāmayaḥ

The Moon, too, came down from heaven to perform a most abundant sacrifice; freed from the wasting disease, he returned to heaven whole and well.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.366.80)

बलिना चैव दानानि दत्तान्यागत्य कार्तिके। हरिश्चन्द्रेण विधिना नलेन नहुषेण च

balinā caiva dānāni dattānyāgatya kārtike| hariścandreṇa vidhinā nalena nahuṣeṇa ca

Coming here in Kartika, Bali gave gifts, as did Harishchandra by due rite, and Nala, and Nahusha,

Verse 81 (skanda.7.366.81)

नाभागेनांबरीषाद्यैः कृतं कर्म सुदुष्करम्। दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकानि गजा गावो हया रथाः

nābhāgenāṁbarīṣādyaiḥ kṛtaṁ karma suduṣkaram| dattvā dānānyanekāni gajā gāvo hayā rathāḥ

and Nabhaga, Ambarisha, and others, who performed most arduous rites, giving many gifts — elephants, cows, horses, chariots,

Verse 82 (skanda.7.366.82)

अनडुत्कांचना भूमिं रत्नानि विविधानि च। छत्राणि विप्रमुख्येभ्यो यानानि चैव वाससी

anaḍutkāṁcanā bhūmiṁ ratnāni vividhāni ca| chatrāṇi vipramukhyebhyo yānāni caiva vāsasī

bulls, gold, land, various kinds of jewels, umbrellas to the foremost brahmins, vehicles, and garments,

Verse 83 (skanda.7.366.83)

अन्नानि रसमिश्राणि दत्त्वा दामोदराग्रतः। गतास्ते विष्णु भुवनं नागच्छंति महीतले

annāni rasamiśrāṇi dattvā dāmodarāgrataḥ| gatāste viṣṇu bhuvanaṁ nāgacchaṁti mahītale

and having offered food mixed with savory juices before Damodara, they went to the world of Vishnu, and do not return again to this earth.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.366.84)

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं तस्मिंस्तीर्थे ददाति यः। द्विजानां भक्तिसंयुक्तः स याति जलशायिनम्

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ tasmiṁstīrthe dadāti yaḥ| dvijānāṁ bhaktisaṁyuktaḥ sa yāti jalaśāyinam

Whoever, with devotion, gives a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water to the brahmins at that tirtha goes to the one who reclines upon the waters.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.366.85)

प्रकृतिं चापि यो दद्यान्मुष्टिं वाथ क्षुधार्थिने। विमानवरमारूढः स सोमं प्रति गच्छति

prakṛtiṁ cāpi yo dadyānmuṣṭiṁ vātha kṣudhārthine| vimānavaramārūḍhaḥ sa somaṁ prati gacchati

And whoever gives even a single handful of grain to one afflicted by hunger, mounted upon an excellent celestial chariot, goes toward the Moon.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.366.86)

दामोदराग्रतः कृत्वा पर्वतानन्नसंभवान्। पूजितान्फलपुष्पैश्च दीपं दद्यात्सवर्त्तिकम्

dāmodarāgrataḥ kṛtvā parvatānannasaṁbhavān| pūjitānphalapuṣpaiśca dīpaṁ dadyātsavarttikam

One should build mounds shaped like mountains out of grain before Damodara, worship them with fruit and flowers, and also offer a lamp with its wick.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.366.87)

अवाप्य दुष्करं स्थानं कुलानां तारयेच्छतम्। चतुरंगुलमात्रेपि दत्ते दामोदराग्रतः

avāpya duṣkaraṁ sthānaṁ kulānāṁ tārayecchatam| caturaṁgulamātrepi datte dāmodarāgrataḥ

Having attained this hard-won station, one saves a hundred generations of one's family; and even by giving something of a mere four fingers' measure before Damodara —

Verse 88 (skanda.7.366.88)

दाने युगसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते। मा गच्छ हिमवत्पृष्ठं मलयं मा च मन्दरम्

dāne yugasahasrāṇi svargaloke mahīyate| mā gaccha himavatpṛṣṭhaṁ malayaṁ mā ca mandaram

By that gift, one is exalted in the world of heaven for a thousand yugas. Do not go to the ridge of the Himalaya, nor to Malaya, nor to Mandara —

Verse 89 (skanda.7.366.89)

गच्छ रैवतकं शैलं यत्र दामोदरः स्थितः। कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु द्विजो दामोदराग्रतः

gaccha raivatakaṁ śailaṁ yatra dāmodaraḥ sthitaḥ| kṛtvā māsopavāsaṁ tu dvijo dāmodarāgrataḥ

go instead to the mountain Raivataka, where Damodara abides. A brahmin who keeps a month's fast before Damodara —

Verse 90 (skanda.7.366.90)

न निवर्तति कालेन दामोदरपुरं व्रजेत्। करोत्यनशनं यश्च नरो नार्यथवा पुनः। सर्व लोकानतिक्रम्य स हरेर्गेहमाप्नुयात्

na nivartati kālena dāmodarapuraṁ vrajet| karotyanaśanaṁ yaśca naro nāryathavā punaḥ| sarva lokānatikramya sa haregehamāpnuyāt

does not return with time, but goes instead to the very city of Damodara. And whoever, man or woman, undertakes complete fasting, transcending all the worlds, attains the abode of Hari itself.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.366.91)

विघ्नानि तत्र तिष्ठन्ति नित्यं पञ्चशतानि च। धर्मविध्वंसकर्तॄणि नरस्तत्र न गच्छति

vighnāni tatra tiṣṭhaṁti nityaṁ paṁcaśatāni ca| dharmavidhvaṁsakartṝṇi narastatra na gacchati

Five hundred obstacles ever dwell there, destroyers of righteousness — yet a man devoted to dharma does not fall under their power there.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.366.92)

प्रद्युम्नबलशैनेयगदाचक्रादिभिः सदा। शतलक्षप्रमाणैस्तु सेव्यते स गिरिर्महान्

pradyumnabalaśaineyagadācakrādibhiḥ sadā| śatalakṣapramāṇaistu sevyate sa girirmahān

That great mountain is ever attended, in the hundreds of thousands, by Pradyumna, Balarama, Satyaki, Gada, Chakra, and others.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.366.93)

क्रीडंति नार्यस्तेषां हि नित्यं दामोदराग्रतः। सुचन्द्रवदना गौर्यः श्यामाश्चैव सुमध्यमाः

krīḍaṁti nāryasteṣāṁ hi nityaṁ dāmodarāgrataḥ| sucandravadanā gauryaḥ śyāmāścaiva sumadhyamāḥ

Their women ever sport before Damodara — moon-faced, fair, some dark-hued, all slender of waist,

Verse 94 (skanda.7.366.94)

नितंबिन्यः सुकेशाश्च शुभ्राः स्वायतलोचनाः। सुगंडा ललिताश्चैव सुकक्षाः सुपयोधराः

nitaṁbinyaḥ sukeśāśca śubhrāḥ svāyatalocanāḥ| sugaṁḍā lalitāścaiva sukakṣāḥ supayodharāḥ

full-hipped, lovely-haired, radiant, wide-eyed, fair-cheeked, graceful, slender-flanked, and full-bosomed.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.366.95)

शोभमानाः सुजंघाश्च सुपादाः सुन्दरांगुलीः। राजपुत्र्यो गिरौ तस्मिन्हसंति च रमंति च

śobhamānāḥ sujaṁghāśca supādāḥ sundarāṁgulīḥ| rājaputryo girau tasminhasaṁti ca ramaṁti ca

Radiant, fine-limbed, with beautiful feet and fingers, these princesses laugh and delight upon that mountain.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.366.96)

कौसुंभं पादयुगले कुंकुमं पीतकंचुकम्। ब्राह्मणीभ्यो ददन्तीह स्पर्द्धमानाः पृथक्पृथक्

kausuṁbhaṁ pādayugale kuṁkumaṁ pītakaṁcukam| brāhmaṇībhyo dadantīha spardhamānāḥ pṛthakpṛthak

Vying with one another, they give — each in her own way — safflower dye for the feet, saffron, and a yellow bodice, to the brahmin women.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.366.97)

भक्ष्यं भोज्यं च पेयं च लेह्यं चोष्यं च पिच्छिलम्। तांबूलं पुष्पसंयुक्तं कार्तिके हरिवासरे

bhakṣyaṁ bhojyaṁ ca peyaṁ ca lehyaṁ coṣyaṁ ca picchilam| tāṁbūlaṁ puṣpasaṁyuktaṁ kārtike harivāsare

Food to be chewed, eaten, drunk, licked, sucked, and soft foods, along with betel joined with flowers, are offered on Hari's day in Kartika.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.366.98)

दृष्ट्वा तु रेवतीकुंडं प्रदद्यात्फलमुत्तमम्। पुत्रिणी ऋद्धिसंपन्ना सुभगा जायते सती

dṛṣṭvā tu revatīkuṁḍaṁ pradadyātphalamuttamam| putriṇī ṛddhisaṁpannā subhagā jāyate satī

Having seen the Revati-kunda, one should offer excellent fruit there; a virtuous woman who does so becomes blessed with children, prosperous, and fortunate.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.366.99)

एवं कृत्वा तु सा रात्रि नीयते निद्रया विना। वेदघोषैः सुपुण्यैस्तु भारताख्यानवाचनैः

evaṁ kṛtvā tu sā rātri nīyate nidrayā vinā| vedaghoṣaiḥ supuṇyaistu bhāratākhyānavācanaiḥ

Having done this, that night is passed without sleep, filled with the most holy sound of Vedic chanting and the recitation of the tale of the Bharata,

Verse 100 (skanda.7.366.100)

हुंकृतैस्तलशब्दैश्च तालशब्दैः पुनःपुनः। देशभाषाविभाषिण्यो रामामण्डलमध्यतः। हास्यनृत्यसमायुक्ता राजन्दामोदराग्रतः

huṁkṛtaistalaśabdaiśca tālaśabdaiḥ punaḥpunaḥ| deśabhāṣāvibhāṣiṇyo rāmāmaṁḍalamadhyataḥ| hāsyanṛtyasamāyuktā rājandāmodarāgrataḥ

with exclamations and repeated hand-claps and cymbal-beats; women speaking in regional tongues, amid a circle of beauties, joined with laughter and dance, O king, before Damodara.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.366.101)

पञ्चपाषाणकं हर्म्यं यः करोति शिवालयम्। पंचवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्ग लोके महीयते

paṁcapāṣāṇakaṁ harmyaṁ yaḥ karoti śivālayam| paṁcavarṣasahasrāṇi svarga loke mahīyate

Whoever builds a shrine of five stones as an abode for Shiva is exalted in the world of heaven for five thousand years.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.366.102)

दशपाषाणसंयुक्तं कृत्वा दामोदराग्रतः। दशवर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गे हल्लति मल्लति

daśapāṣāṇasaṁyuktaṁ kṛtvā dāmodarāgrataḥ| daśavarṣasahasrāṇi svarge hallati mallati

Having built one joined with ten stones before Damodara, one revels and rejoices in heaven for ten thousand years.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.366.103)

शतपाषाणकं हर्म्यं यः करोति महन्नृप। मन्दिरं सुन्दरं शुभ्रं स याति हरिमन्दिरम्

śatapāṣāṇakaṁ harmyaṁ yaḥ karoti mahannṛpa| mandiraṁ sundaraṁ śubhraṁ sa yāti harimandiram

O great king, whoever builds a beautiful and radiant temple of a hundred stones goes to the very temple of Hari.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.366.104)

कृत्वा साहस्रिकं चैत्यं बहुरूपसमन्वितम्। सर्वाँल्लोकानतिक्रम्य परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

kṛtvā sāhasrikaṁ caityaṁ bahurūpasamanvitam| sarvāṁllokānatikramya paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

Having built one of a thousand stones, adorned with many forms, one transcends all the worlds and attains the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.366.105)

पंचवर्णध्वजं दद्याद्दामोदरगृहोपरि। तं तु प्रमाणवर्षाणि दिव्यानि स दिवं व्रजेत्

paṁcavarṇadhvajaṁ dadyāddāmodaragṛhopari| taṁ tu pramāṇavarṣāṇi divyāni sa divaṁ vrajet

One should offer a five-colored banner atop Damodara's shrine; by that, one goes to heaven for a corresponding span of divine years.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.366.106)

तस्य गव्यूतिमात्रेण क्षेत्रं वस्त्रापथं शुभम्। यद्दृष्ट्वा सर्वपापानि विलीयन्ते बहूनि च

tasya gavyūtimātreṇa kṣetraṁ vastrāpathaṁ śubham| yaddṛṣṭvā sarvapāpāni vilīyante bahūni ca

Within two miles of it lies the auspicious field of Vastrapatha, seeing which one's many sins dissolve away.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.366.107)

राजंस्तत्पदमायाति यद्गत्वा न निवर्त्तते। पूजयित्वा भवं देवं भवसंभवनाशनम्

rājaṁstatpadamāyāti yadgatvā na nivarttate| pūjayitvā bhavaṁ devaṁ bhavasaṁbhavanāśanam

O king, by worshipping the god Bhava, who destroys worldly existence at its very root, one attains that state from which, having gone, one does not return.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.366.108)

नरो नारी नृपश्रेष्ठ शिवलोके महीयते। तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य भद्रस्य च सुभाषितम्

naro nārī nṛpaśreṣṭha śivaloke mahīyate| tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya bhadrasya ca subhāṣitam

Man or woman, O best of kings, is exalted in Shiva's world. Having heard that well-spoken word of Bhadra,

Verse 109 (skanda.7.366.109)

आगतः कार्तिकीं कर्त्तुं देवे दामोदरे ततः। ऋग्यजुःसामसंयुक्तैर्ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवित्तमैः

āgataḥ kārtikīṁ karttuṁ deve dāmodare tataḥ| ṛgyajuḥsāmasaṁyuktairbrāhmaṇairbrahmavittamaiḥ

King Gaja then came to observe the Kartiki rite before the god Damodara, together with brahmins versed in the Rig, Yajus, and Sama Vedas, the foremost knowers of Brahman,

Verse 110 (skanda.7.366.110)

क्षत्रियैः क्षत्रधर्मज्ञैर्वैश्यैर्दानपरायणैः। सह शूद्रैः समायातस्तस्मिंस्तीर्थे गजो नृपः

kṣatriyaiḥ kṣatradharmajñairvaiśyairdānaparāyaṇaiḥ| saha śūdraiḥ samāyātastasmiṁstīrthe gajo nṛpaḥ

with kshatriyas learned in the duties of their class, vaishyas devoted to charity, and together with shudras — thus King Gaja arrived at that tirtha.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.366.111)

दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकानि हुत्वा हविर्हुताशने। अग्निष्टोमादिकान्यज्ञान्हयमेधादिकान्बहून्। चकार विधिवद्राजा गजस्तत्र समाहितः

dattvā dānānyanekāni hutvā havirhutāśane| agniṣṭomādikānyajñānhayamedhādikānbahūn| cakāra vidhivadrājā gajastatra samāhitaḥ

Having given many gifts, having offered oblations into the sacred fire, King Gaja, with focused mind, duly performed there many sacrifices beginning with the Agnishtoma and the Ashvamedha.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.366.112)

ततश्च न्यवसत्तत्र तपः कर्तुं सहर्षिभिः। ऊर्द्ध्वपादाः स्थिता विप्राः पीत्वा धूममधोमुखाः। शुष्कपत्राशनाश्चान्ये अन्ये वै फलभोजनाः

tataśca nyavasattatra tapaḥ kartuṁ saharṣibhiḥ| ūrddhvapādāḥ sthitā viprāḥ pītvā dhūmamadhomukhāḥ| śuṣkapatrāśanāścānye anye vai phalabhojanāḥ

Then he dwelt there together with the sages to perform austerity. Some brahmins stood with feet upraised, others inhaled smoke with heads bowed down; some subsisted on dry leaves, others lived on fruit alone.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.366.113)

मूलानि चान्ये भक्षंति अन्ये वार्यंशना द्विजाः। आलोकंति स्वमन्ये च तथान्ये जलशायिनः

mūlāni cānye bhakṣaṁti anye vāryaṁśanā dvijāḥ| ālokaṁti svamanye ca tathānye jalaśāyinaḥ

Some ate only roots, other brahmins lived on mere water alone; some gazed fixedly upward, while others lay in the water.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.366.114)

पञ्चाग्निसाधकाश्चान्ये शिलाचूर्णस्य भक्षकाः। जपंति चान्ये संशुद्धा गायत्रीं वेदमातरम्। सावित्रीं मनसा चान्ये देवीमन्ये सरस्वतीम्

paṁcāgnisādhakāścānye śilācūrṇasya bhakṣakāḥ| japaṁti cānye saṁśuddhā gāyatrīṁ vedamātaram| sāvitrīṁ manasā cānye devīmanye sarasvatīm

Some practiced the austerity of the five fires, others subsisted on powdered stone; some, purified, recited the Gayatri, mother of the Vedas, others meditated in mind upon Savitri, and others upon the goddess Sarasvati.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.366.115)

सूक्तानि हि पवित्राणि ब्रह्मणा निर्मितानि च। अन्येऽवसंस्तदा तत्र द्वादशाक्षरचिन्तकाः

sūktāni hi pavitrāṇi brahmaṇā nirmitāni ca| anye'vasaṁstadā tatra dvādaśākṣaracintakāḥ

Some recited the sacred hymns composed by Brahma, while others dwelt there contemplating the twelve-syllabled mantra.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.366.116)

आलोक्य सर्वशास्त्राणि विचार्य च पुनःपुनः। इदमेव सुनिष्पन्नं ध्येयो नारायणः सदा

ālokya sarvaśāstrāṇi vicārya ca punaḥpunaḥ| idameva suniṣpannaṁ dhyeyo nārāyaṇaḥ sadā

Having examined all the shastras, and reflected upon them again and again, they concluded: this alone is truly established — Narayana alone is ever to be meditated upon.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.366.117)

आराधितः सुदुष्पारे भवे भगवतो विना। तथा नान्यो महादेवात्पतन्तं योऽभिरक्षति

ārādhitaḥ suduṣpāre bhave bhagavato vinā| tathā nānyo mahādevātpataṁtaṁ yo'bhirakṣati

In this most difficult ocean of worldly existence, there is none but that Lord to be worshipped, and none other than the great god who protects the one who is falling.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.366.118)

गतागतानि वर्तंते चंद्रसूर्यादयो ग्रहाः। अद्यापि न निवर्तंते द्वादशाक्षरचिंतकाः

gatāgatāni vartaṁte caṁdrasūryādayo grahāḥ| adyāpi na nivartaṁte dvādaśākṣaraciṁtakāḥ

The Moon, the Sun, and the other planets remain bound to their comings and goings; but those who contemplate the twelve-syllabled mantra do not return, even to this day.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.366.119)

येऽक्षरा ऋषयश्चान्ये देवलोकजिगीषवः। प्राप्नुवंति ततः स्थानं दग्धबीजं च तत्तथा

ye'kṣarā ṛṣayaścānye devalokajigīṣavaḥ| prāpnuvaṁti tataḥ sthānaṁ dagdhabījaṁ ca tattathā

Those imperishable sages, and others too who desire the world of the gods, attain that station thereby — their very seed of rebirth burnt away.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.366.120)

सकृदुच्चरितं येन हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम्। बद्धः परिकरस्तेन मोक्षाय गमनं प्रति

sakṛduccaritaṁ yena haririty akṣaradvayam| baddhaḥ parikarastena mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati

By whomever the two syllables 'Hari' have been uttered even once, by him the resolve toward the journey to liberation has already been made fast.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.366.121)

एकभक्तं तथा नक्तमयाच्यमुषितं तथा। एवमादीनि चान्यानि कृत्वा दामोदराग्रतः। कृतकृत्या भवंतीह यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

ekabhaktaṁ tathā naktamayācyamuṣitaṁ tathā| evamādīni cānyāni kṛtvā dāmodarāgrataḥ| kṛtakṛtyā bhavaṁtīha yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

Taking only a single meal, or eating unbegged food at night, or observing fasts — having performed these and other such observances before Damodara, they become fulfilled here until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.366.122)

स राजा ऋषिभिः सार्द्धं यावत्तिष्ठति तत्र वै। विमानानि सहस्राणि तावत्तत्रागतानि च

sa rājā ṛṣibhiḥ sārddhaṁ yāvattiṣṭhati tatra vai| vimānāni sahasrāṇi tāvattatrāgatāni ca

As long as that king remained there together with the sages, so long did thousands of celestial chariots come there.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.366.123)

गंधर्वाप्सरस्तत्र सिद्धचारणकिन्नराः। सर्वे विमानमारूढाः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

gaṁdharvāpsarastatra siddhacāraṇakinnarāḥ| sarve vimānamārūḍhāḥ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Gandharvas and apsarases were there, as were siddhas, charanas, and kinnaras — all mounted upon celestial chariots, by the hundreds and by the thousands.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.366.124)

सर्वैर्जनपदैः सार्द्ध स राजा भार्यया सह। गतो विमानमारूढो यत्तत्पदमनामयम्

sarvairjanapadaiḥ sārddha sa rājā bhāryayā saha| gato vimānamārūḍho yattatpadamanāmayam

Together with all his subjects, and with his wife, that king, mounted upon a celestial chariot, went to that untroubled and imperishable state.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.366.125)

य इदं पठते नित्यं शृणुयाद्वाऽपि मानवः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

ya idaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ śṛṇuyādvā'pi mānavaḥ| sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

Whatever man reads this constantly, or even merely hears it, freed from all sin, attains the Supreme Brahman.