All Sacred Fords Come to Mount Arbuda in the Kali Age

Verse 1 (skanda.7.394.1)

ययातिरुवाच । केदारं श्रूयते ब्रह्मन्पर्वते च हिमाचले । गंगा तस्माद्विनिष्क्रान्ता प्रविष्टा पूर्वसागरम्

yayātiruvāca | kedāraṁ śrūyate brahmanparvate ca himācale | gaṅgā tasmādviniṣkrāntā praviṣṭā pūrvasāgaram

Yayati said: O Brahman, it is heard that Kedara is on the Himalayan mountain, from which the Ganga emerges and enters the eastern ocean.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.394.2)

तथा सरस्वती देवी चूतवृक्षाद्विनिर्गता । पश्चिमं सागरं प्राप्ता गृहीत्वा वडवानलम्

tathā sarasvatī devī cūtavṛkṣādvinirgatā | paścimaṁ sāgaraṁ prāptā gṛhītvā vaḍavānalam

And the goddess Sarasvati, emerging from a mango tree, reaches the western ocean, carrying with her the submarine fire.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.394.3)

कथमत्र समायातः केदारश्चात्र कौतुकम् । सर्वं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि विचित्रं मम भूसुर

kathamatra samāyātaḥ kedāraścātra kautukam | sarvaṁ vistarato brūhi vicitraṁ mama bhūsura

Then how did Kedara come here (to Arbuda)? I am filled with curiosity about this. O god on earth, tell me this wondrous matter in detail.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.394.4)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । सत्यमेतन्महाराज यन्नोऽत्र परिपृच्छसि । शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा यथा जातं श्रुतं तु वै

pulastya uvāca | satyametanmahārāja yanno'tra paripṛcchasi | śṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā yathā jātaṁ śrutaṁ tu vai

Pulastya said: O great king, what you ask me is indeed true. Listen attentively, as it happened, just as I have heard it.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.394.5)

गंगाद्यानि च तीर्थानि केदाराद्या दिवौकसः । मया सह पुरा देवाः शक्राद्या नृपसत्तमाः

gaṅgādyāni ca tīrthāni kedārādyā divaukasaḥ | mayā saha purā devāḥ śakrādyā nṛpasattamāḥ

O best of kings, the sacred fords beginning with the Ganga, Kedara and others, and the gods beginning with Indra, were with me long ago.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.394.6)

ब्रह्माणं प्रति राजेन्द्र गताः सर्वे महर्षयः । सर्वे तत्र कथाश्चक्रुर्धर्म्या नाना पृथक्पृथक्

brahmāṇaṁ prati rājendra gatāḥ sarve maharṣayaḥ | sarve tatra kathāścakrurdharmyā nānā pṛthakpṛthak

O king of kings, all the great sages went to Brahma. There they all discoursed variously on many different topics of dharma.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.394.7)

समुदाये च देवानां सर्वतीर्थानि पार्थिव । क्षेत्राण्युपस्थितान्येव वनान्युपवनानि च

samudāye ca devānāṁ sarvatīrthāni pārthiva | kṣetrāṇyupasthitānyeva vanānyupavanāni ca

O king, in that assembly of gods, all the sacred fords, sacred fields, forests, and groves were present.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.394.8)

ततः कथाप्रसंगेन इन्द्रः प्राह चतुर्मुखम् । कौतुकेन समायुक्तः पप्रच्छ नृपसत्तम

tataḥ kathāprasaṅgena indraḥ prāha caturmukham | kautukena samāyuktaḥ papraccha nṛpasattama

Then, in the course of conversation, Indra addressed the four-faced Brahma. O best of kings, filled with curiosity, he asked a question.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.394.9)

इन्द्र उवाच । भगवन्पुण्यमाहात्म्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि सांप्रतम् । प्रमाणं चैव सर्वेषां कृतादीनां पृथग्विधम्

indra uvāca | bhagavanpuṇyamāhātmyaṁ śrotumicchāmi sāmpratam | pramāṇaṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ kṛtādīnāṁ pṛthagvidham

Indra said: O Lord, I now wish to hear the greatness of merit, and also the differing measures of the Krita and other ages.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.394.10)

ब्रह्मोवाच । लक्षं सप्तदश प्रोक्तं युगमानं सुराधिप । अष्टाविंशतिभिः सार्द्धं सहस्रैः कृतमुच्यते

brahmovāca | lakṣaṁ saptadaśa proktaṁ yugamānaṁ surādhipa | aṣṭāviṁśatibhiḥ sārddhaṁ sahasraiḥ kṛtamucyate

Brahma said: O lord of gods, seventeen lakh (years) is said to be the measure of a yuga. Krita Yuga is said to consist of that plus twenty-eight thousand.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.394.11)

लक्षद्वादशभिः प्रोक्तं युगं त्रेताभिसंज्ञितम् । षण्णवत्यधिकैश्चैव सहस्रैः परिमाणितम्

lakṣadvādaśabhiḥ proktaṁ yugaṁ tretābhisaṁjñitam | ṣaṇṇavatyadhikaiścaiva sahasraiḥ parimāṇitam

Treta Yuga is said to consist of twelve lakh years, measured with an additional ninety-six thousand.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.394.12)

लक्षाण्यष्टौ चतुःषष्टिसहस्रैः परिकीर्तितम् । ततो वै द्वापरं नाम युगं देवप्रकीर्तितम्

lakṣāṇyaṣṭau catuḥṣaṣṭisahasraiḥ parikīrtitam | tato vai dvāparaṁ nāma yugaṁ devaprakīrtitam

Eight lakh years together with sixty-four thousand - such is the yuga named Dvapara, as declared by the gods.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.394.13)

लक्षैश्चतुर्भिर्विख्यातो द्वात्रिंशद्भिः कलिस्तथा । सहस्रैश्च सुरश्रेष्ठ युगमानमितीरितम्

lakṣaiścaturbhirvikhyāto dvātriṁśadbhiḥ kalistathā | sahasraiśca suraśreṣṭha yugamānamitīritam

Renowned as four lakh years, together with thirty-two thousand - O best of gods, thus is the measure of Kali Yuga declared.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.394.14)

चतुष्पदः कृते धर्मः शुक्लवर्णो जनार्दनः । न दुर्भिक्षं न च व्याधिस्तस्मिन्भवति वै क्वचित्

catuṣpadaḥ kṛte dharmaḥ śuklavarṇo janārdanaḥ | na durbhikṣaṁ na ca vyādhistasminbhavati vai kvacit

In the Krita age, dharma stands on four feet, and Janardana is white in colour. In that age there is nowhere any famine, nor any disease.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.394.15)

क्रियते च तदा धर्मो नाकाले मरणं नृणाम् । लांगलेन विना सस्यं भूरिक्षीराश्च धेनवः

kriyate ca tadā dharmo nākāle maraṇaṁ nṛṇām | lāṅgalena vinā sasyaṁ bhūrikṣīrāśca dhenavaḥ

In that age, only dharma is practiced; men do not die untimely deaths. Grain grows without the plough, and cows give abundant milk.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.394.16)

कामः क्रोधो भयं लोभो मत्सरश्चाभ्यसूयता । तस्मिन्युगे सहस्राक्ष न भवंति कदाचन

kāmaḥ krodho bhayaṁ lobho matsaraścābhyasūyatā | tasminyuge sahasrākṣa na bhavanti kadācana

O thousand-eyed one, in that age lust, anger, fear, greed, envy and malice never arise.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.394.17)

ततस्त्रेतायुगे जातस्त्रिपादो धर्म एव च । चिरायुषो नरास्तस्मिन्रक्तवर्णो जनार्दनः

tatastretāyuge jātastripādo dharma eva ca | cirāyuṣo narāstasminraktavarṇo janārdanaḥ

Then, in the Treta age, dharma becomes three-footed. In that age men are long-lived, and Janardana is red in colour.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.394.18)

तस्मिन्यज्ञाः प्रवर्त्तंते प्राणिनामिष्टदायिनः । न कामादिप्रवृत्तिश्च तस्मिन्संजायते नृणाम्

tasminyajñāḥ pravarttante prāṇinām iṣṭadāyinaḥ | na kāmādipravṛttiśca tasminsaṁjāyate nṛṇām

In that age sacrifices flourish, granting beings their desired ends. In that age, the impulse of lust and the like does not arise in men.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.394.19)

तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण स्नानैर्दानैः पृथग्विधैः । तथा यज्ञैर्जपैर्होमैस्तत्र वृत्तिर्भवेन्नृणाम्

tapasā brahmacaryeṇa snānairdānaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ | tathā yajñairjapairhomaistatra vṛttirbhavennṛṇām

By austerity, by celibacy, by various forms of bathing and giving, and by sacrifices, recitations and fire-offerings - by these alone men occupy themselves in that age.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.394.20)

ततस्तु द्वापरं नाम तृतीयं युग मुच्यते । द्विपदो धर्मः सञ्जातः पीतवर्णो जनार्द्दनः

tatastu dvāparaṁ nāma tṛtīyaṁ yuga mucyate | dvipado dharmaḥ sañjātaḥ pītavarṇo janārddanaḥ

Then the third age is called Dvapara. In it dharma becomes two-footed, and Janardana is yellow in colour.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.394.21)

फलाकांक्षाप्रवृत्तानि जपयज्ञतपांसि च । सत्यानृतान्वितो लोको द्वापरे सुरसत्तम

phalākāṅkṣāpravṛttāni japayajñatapāṁsi ca | satyānṛtānvito loko dvāpare surasattama

In it, recitation, sacrifice and austerity are performed out of desire for reward. O best of gods, in Dvapara people are a mixture of truth and falsehood.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.394.22)

तत्रान्योन्यं महीपाला युयुधुर्वसुधातले । सुपूताश्च दिवं यांति यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा जनार्दनम्

tatrānyonyaṁ mahīpālā yuyudhurvasudhātale | supūtāśca divaṁ yānti yajñairiṣṭvā janārdanam

In it, kings wage war against one another upon the earth, and, thoroughly purified through sacrificing to Janardana, ascend to heaven.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.394.23)

ततः कलियुगं घोरं चतुर्थं तु प्रवर्त्तते । एकपादो भवेद्धर्मः संत्रस्तो नित्यपूजने

tataḥ kaliyugaṁ ghoraṁ caturthaṁ tu pravarttate | ekapādo bhaveddharmaḥ saṁtrasto nityapūjane

Then the terrible fourth age, Kali Yuga, begins. Dharma becomes one-footed, and remains fearful even in daily worship.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.394.24)

कृष्णवर्णो भवेद्विष्णुः पापाधिक्यं प्रवर्तते । माया च मत्सरश्चैव कामः क्रोधस्तथा भयम्

kṛṣṇavarṇo bhavedviṣṇuḥ pāpādhikyaṁ pravartate | māyā ca matsaraścaiva kāmaḥ krodhastathā bhayam

Vishnu becomes black in colour, and sin increases greatly. Deceit, envy, lust, anger and fear also increase.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.394.25)

अर्थलुब्धास्तथा भूपा लोभमोहशतान्विताः । अल्पायुषो नरास्तत्र अल्पसस्या च मेदिनी

arthalubdhāstathā bhūpā lobhamohaśatānvitāḥ | alpāyuṣo narāstatra alpasasyā ca medinī

Kings become greedy for wealth, filled with a hundred forms of greed and delusion. Men become short-lived, and the earth's crops become meager.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.394.26)

अल्पक्षीरास्तथा गावः सत्यहीना द्विजातयः । तत्र मायाविनो लोका जैह्व्यौपस्थ्यपरायणाः

alpakṣīrāstathā gāvaḥ satyahīnā dvijātayaḥ | tatra māyāvino lokā jaihvyaupasthyaparāyaṇāḥ

Cows give little milk, and the twice-born lose their truthfulness. People become deceitful there, given over to taste and lust.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.394.27)

सत्यहीनास्तथा पापा भविष्यंति कलौ युगे । तत्र षोडशमे वर्षे नराः पलितकुन्तलाः

satyahīnāstathā pāpā bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge | tatra ṣoḍaśame varṣe narāḥ palitakuntalāḥ

In Kali Yuga people shall become devoid of truth and sinful. In it, men's hair shall turn grey by the sixteenth year.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.394.28)

नार्यो द्वादशमे वर्षे भविष्यंति सुगर्भिताः । भविष्यति क्रमाद्वर्णसंकरश्च सुराधिप

nāryo dvādaśame varṣe bhaviṣyanti sugarbhitāḥ | bhaviṣyati kramādvarṇasaṅkaraśca surādhipa

Women shall become pregnant by the twelfth year. O lord of gods, gradually there shall also arise a mixing of castes.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.394.29)

एकाकारा भविष्यंति सर्ववर्णाश्रमाश्च वै । नाशं यास्यंति यज्ञाश्च कुलधर्मः सनातनः

ekākārā bhaviṣyanti sarvavarṇāśramāśca vai | nāśaṁ yāsyanti yajñāśca kuladharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

All castes and stages of life shall become alike. Sacrifices and the eternal lineage-dharma shall perish.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.394.30)

व्यर्थानि तत्र तीर्थानि म्लेच्छस्पृष्टानि सर्वशः । भविष्यंति सुरश्रेष्ठ प्रभावरहितानि च

vyarthāni tatra tīrthāni mlecchaspṛṣṭāni sarvaśaḥ | bhaviṣyanti suraśreṣṭha prabhāvarahitāni ca

In it, all the sacred fords, touched everywhere by barbarians, shall become useless. O best of gods, they shall become devoid of their power.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.394.31)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततो वाक्यं ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । तत्र स्थितानि तीर्थानि ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रुवन्

etacchrutvā tato vākyaṁ brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ | tatra sthitāni tīrthāni brahmāṇamidamabruvan

Hearing this speech of Brahma, the unmanifest-born, the sacred fords present there said this to Brahma.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.394.32)

तीर्थान्यूचुः । कथं वयं भविष्यामः संप्राप्ते दारुणे कलौ । स्थानं नो ब्रूहि देवेश स्थातव्यं च सदैव हि

tīrthānyūcuḥ | kathaṁ vayaṁ bhaviṣyāmaḥ samprāpte dāruṇe kalau | sthānaṁ no brūhi deveśa sthātavyaṁ ca sadaiva hi

The sacred fords said: What shall become of us when the terrible Kali age arrives? O lord of gods, tell us where we should abide forever.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.394.33)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अर्बुदः पर्वतश्रेष्ठः कलिस्तत्र न विद्यते । अतस्तत्र च गंतव्यं तीर्थैरायतनैः सह

brahmovāca | arbudaḥ parvataśreṣṭhaḥ kalistatra na vidyate | atastatra ca gaṁtavyaṁ tīrthairāyatanaiḥ saha

Brahma said: Kali does not exist on Arbuda, best of mountains. Therefore, along with the sacred fords and shrines, one should go there.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.394.34)

अपि कृत्वा महत्पापमर्बुदं प्रेक्षते तु यः । कलिदोषविनिर्मुक्तः स यास्यति परां गतिम्

api kṛtvā mahatpāpamarbudaṁ prekṣate tu yaḥ | kalidoṣavinirmuktaḥ sa yāsyati parāṁ gatim

Even one who, having committed a great sin, beholds Arbuda, becomes freed from the taint of Kali and attains the supreme destination.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.394.35)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा चतुर्वक्त्रो ब्रह्मलोकं गतो नृप । ततः सर्वाणि तीर्थानि गतानि च कलौ युगे

pulastya uvāca | evamuktvā caturvaktro brahmalokaṁ gato nṛpa | tataḥ sarvāṇi tīrthāni gatāni ca kalau yuge

Pulastya said: Having said this, the four-faced Brahma went to his own world. O king, then, in the Kali age, all the sacred fords went there.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.394.36)

भूमावर्बुदशैलेन्द्रे संस्थितानि कलेर्भयात् । गंगा सरस्वती चैव यमुना पुष्कराणि च

bhūmāvarbudaśailendre saṁsthitāni kalerbhayāt | gaṅgā sarasvatī caiva yamunā puṣkarāṇi ca

Fearing Kali, they became established on Arbuda, the lord of mountains - the Ganga, the Sarasvati, the Yamuna, and Pushkara too.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.394.37)

कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रभासं च ब्रह्मावर्तं तथैव च । तिस्रःकोट्योऽर्द्धकोटिश्च यानि तीर्थानि भूतले

kurukṣetraṁ prabhāsaṁ ca brahmāvartaṁ tathaiva ca | tisraḥkoṭyo'rddhakoṭiśca yāni tīrthāni bhūtale

Kurukshetra, Prabhasa, and Brahmavarta likewise, and whatever three and a half crore sacred fords exist on earth.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.394.38)

तेषां वासश्च सञ्जातः पर्वतेऽर्बुदसंज्ञिके । एवं तत्र समापन्ना गंगा चैव सरस्वती

teṣāṁ vāsaśca sañjātaḥ parvate'rbudasaṁjñike | evaṁ tatra samāpannā gaṅgā caiva sarasvatī

The abode of all of them came to be on the mountain called Arbuda. Thus, there, both the Ganga and the Sarasvati came together.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.394.39)

तत्र शांता नराः सम्यक्परं निर्वाणमाप्नुयुः । श्राद्धं कृत्वा महाराज स्वर्गे यांति च पूर्वजाः

tatra śāntā narāḥ samyakparaṁ nirvāṇamāpnuyuḥ | śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā mahārāja svarge yānti ca pūrvajāḥ

There, peaceful men fully attain the supreme liberation. O great king, by performing the ancestral rites there, one's forefathers go to heaven.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.394.40)

शृणु तत्राभवत्पूर्वं यदाश्चर्यं महामते । ऋषिर्मंकणकोनाम सरस्वत्यास्तटे स्थितः

śṛṇu tatrābhavatpūrvaṁ yadāścaryaṁ mahāmate | ṛṣirmaṅkaṇako nāma sarasvatyāstaṭe sthitaḥ

O wise one, hear the wondrous thing that happened there long ago. A sage named Mankanaka dwelt on the bank of the Sarasvati.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.394.41)

तपस्तेपे सुधर्मात्मा कामक्रोधविवर्जितः । तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य क्षुतमासीत्कदाचन

tapastepe sudharmātmā kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ | tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya kṣutamāsītkadācana

That righteous soul, free from lust and anger, practiced austerity. While thus engaged, at some time he sneezed.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.394.42)

पित्तं प्रपतितं तत्र तच्च रक्तमयं बभौ । तद्दृष्ट्वाऽतीव हृष्टः स मंकणर्षिर्बभूव ह

pittaṁ prapatitaṁ tatra tacca raktamayaṁ babhau | taddṛṣṭvā'tīva hṛṣṭaḥ sa maṅkaṇarṣirbabhūva ha

Bile fell there, which appeared like blood. Seeing it, the sage Mankanaka became exceedingly delighted.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.394.43)

सिद्धोऽहमिति विज्ञाय ततो नृत्यं चकार सः । तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्

siddho'hamiti vijñāya tato nṛtyaṁ cakāra saḥ | tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya jagatsthāvarajaṅgamam

Realizing "I have attained perfection," he began to dance. As he did so, the whole universe, moving and unmoving.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.394.44)

तत्र संक्षोभमापन्नं सागरा अपि चुक्षुभुः । गृहकृत्यानि संत्यज्य सर्वे विस्मयमागताः

tatra saṁkṣobhamāpannaṁ sāgarā api cukṣubhuḥ | gṛhakṛtyāni saṁtyajya sarve vismayamāgatāḥ

fell into agitation, and even the oceans grew turbulent. Everyone abandoned their household duties and was struck with astonishment.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.394.45)

तस्यैवं नृत्यमानस्य सर्वे लोका नृपोत्तम । ननृतुः पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ प्रभावात्तस्य सन्मुनेः

tasyaivaṁ nṛtyamānasya sarve lokā nṛpottama | nanṛtuḥ pārthivaśreṣṭha prabhāvāttasya sanmuneḥ

O best of kings, as he thus danced, all the worlds too began to dance, through the power of that virtuous sage.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.394.46)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे गत्वा कामनिषूदनम् । यथाऽयं नृत्यते नैव तथा कुरु महेश्वर

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve gatvā kāmaniṣūdanam | yathā'yaṁ nṛtyate naiva tathā kuru maheśvara

Then all the hosts of gods went to the slayer of Kama and said: "Do something, O Maheshwara, so that he no longer dances thus."

Verse 47 (skanda.7.394.47)

अथ ब्राह्मणरूपेण शंभुनोक्तो द्विजोत्तमः । त्वया ब्रह्मंस्तपस्तप्तमधुना नृत्यते कथम्

atha brāhmaṇarūpeṇa śambhunokto dvijottamaḥ | tvayā brahmaṁstapastaptamadhunā nṛtyate katham

Then Shambhu, assuming the form of a brahmin, said to that best of brahmins: "O Brahman, you have performed austerity - why are you now dancing?"

Verse 48 (skanda.7.394.48)

मंकण उवाच । किं न पश्यसि हे ब्रह्मन्रक्तं पित्तं च मे स्थितम् । संजातं सिद्धिमापन्नो रक्तं पित्तं यतो मम

maṅkaṇa uvāca | kiṁ na paśyasi he brahmanraktaṁ pittaṁ ca me sthitam | saṁjātaṁ siddhimāpanno raktaṁ pittaṁ yato mama

Mankanaka said: O Brahman, do you not see the blood-like bile within me? Since my bile has become like blood, I take it that I have attained perfection.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.394.49)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्धर्षाद्द्विज नृत्यं करोम्यहम् । एवमुक्तस्ततस्तेन देवदेवो महेश्वरः

etasmātkāraṇāddharṣāddvija nṛtyaṁ karomyaham | evamuktastatastena devadevo maheśvaraḥ

For this very reason, O brahmin, out of joy I am dancing. Thus addressed by him, the god of gods, Maheshwara.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.394.50)

तर्जन्या ताडयामास स्वांगुष्ठं नृपसत्तम । ततोंगुष्ठाद्विनिष्क्रांतं भस्म वै बिसपांडुरम्

tarjanyā tāḍayāmāsa svāṅguṣṭhaṁ nṛpasattama | tatoṅguṣṭhādviniṣkrāṁtaṁ bhasma vai bisapāṇḍuram

O best of kings, struck his own thumb with his forefinger. Then from his thumb emerged ash, white as a lotus fiber.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.394.51)

ततो मंकणकं प्राह पश्य विप्र करान्मम । शुभ्रं भस्म विनिष्क्रांतं पश्य मे द्विज कौतुकम्

tato maṅkaṇakaṁ prāha paśya vipra karānmama | śubhraṁ bhasma viniṣkrāṁtaṁ paśya me dvija kautukam

Then he said to Mankanaka: "Look, O brahmin, at my hands. See the bright ash that has come forth; behold this wonder of mine, O brahmin."

Verse 52 (skanda.7.394.52)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । तद्दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो विप्रो ज्ञात्वा तं वृषभध्वजम् । जानुभ्यामवनिं गत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

pulastya uvāca | taddṛṣṭvā vismito vipro jñātvā taṁ vṛṣabhadhvajam | jānubhyāmavaniṁ gatvā vākyametaduvāca ha

Pulastya said: Seeing it, that brahmin was astonished, and, recognizing him as the bull-bannered one, fell to the ground on his knees and spoke these words.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.394.53)

मंकण उवाच । नूनं भवान्महादेवः साक्षाद्दृष्टः प्रसीद मे । निश्चितं त्वं मया ज्ञात एतन्मे हृदि वर्तते

maṅkaṇa uvāca | nūnaṁ bhavānmahādevaḥ sākṣāddṛṣṭaḥ prasīda me | niścitaṁ tvaṁ mayā jñāta etanme hṛdi vartate

Mankanaka said: Surely you are Mahadeva, seen face to face; be gracious to me. I have surely recognized you; this is what abides in my heart.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.394.54)

नान्यस्यायं प्रभावश्च त्वया यो मे प्रदर्शितः । मां समुद्धर देवेश कृपां कृत्वा महेश्वर

nānyasyāyaṁ prabhāvaśca tvayā yo me pradarśitaḥ | māṁ samuddhara deveśa kṛpāṁ kṛtvā maheśvara

This power that you have shown me can belong to no other. O lord of gods, Maheshwara, show mercy and deliver me.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.394.55)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच । सम्यग्ज्ञातोऽस्मि विप्रेन्द्र त्वयाऽहं नात्र संशयः । वरं वरय भद्रं ते नृत्याधिक्यं यतः कृतम्

śrīmahādeva uvāca | samyagjñāto'smi viprendra tvayā'haṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ | varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te nṛtyādhikyaṁ yataḥ kṛtam

Mahadeva said: O foremost of brahmins, you have fully recognized me, without doubt. May all be well with you; ask for a boon, since you have danced so exceedingly.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.394.56)

मंकण उवाच । येऽत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वंति सरस्वत्यां समाहिताः । त्वत्प्रसादात्फलं तेषां राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः

maṅkaṇa uvāca | ye'tra snānaṁ prakurvanti sarasvatyāṁ samāhitāḥ | tvatprasādātphalaṁ teṣāṁ rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ

Mankanaka said: May those who bathe here in the Sarasvati with focused mind, by your grace, obtain the fruit of the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.394.57)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच । येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति सरस्वत्यां समाहिताः । ते यास्यंति परं स्थानं जरामरणवर्जितम्

śrīmahādeva uvāca | ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyanti sarasvatyāṁ samāhitāḥ | te yāsyanti paraṁ sthānaṁ jarāmaraṇavarjitam

Mahadeva said: Those who bathe here in the Sarasvati with focused mind shall attain the supreme abode, free from old age and death.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.394.58)

अत्र गंगासरस्वत्योः संगमे लोकविश्रुते । श्राद्धं कुर्युर्द्विजश्रेष्ठ ते यास्यंति परां गतिम्

atra gaṅgāsarasvatyoḥ saṅgame lokaviśrute | śrāddhaṁ kuryurdvijaśreṣṭha te yāsyanti parāṁ gatim

Here, at this world-renowned confluence of the Ganga and Sarasvati, O best of brahmins, those who perform the ancestral rites shall attain the supreme destination.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.394.59)

सुवर्णं येऽत्र दास्यंति यथाशक्त्या द्विजोत्तमे । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तास्ते यास्यन्ति परां गतिम्

suvarṇaṁ ye'tra dāsyanti yathāśaktyā dvijottame | sarvapāpavinirmuktāste yāsyanti parāṁ gatim

Those who, according to their means, give gold here to the best of brahmins shall be freed from all sins and attain the supreme destination.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.394.60)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे राजन्देवदेवो महेश्वरः

ityuktvāntardadhe rājandevadevo maheśvaraḥ

O king, having said this, the god of gods, Maheshwara, vanished from sight.