The Greatness of Rupa-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.7.396.1)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्नृपश्रेष्ठ रूपतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । सर्वपापहरं नॄणां रूपसौभण्यदायकम्

pulastya uvāca | tato gacchennṛpaśreṣṭha rūpatīrthamanuttamam | sarvapāpaharaṁ nṝṇāṁ rūpasaubhaṇyadāyakam

Pulastya said: O best of kings, then one should go to Rupatirtha, most excellent, which destroys all the sins of men and bestows beauty and good fortune.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.396.2)

तत्र पूर्वं वपुर्नाम्ना लोके ख्याता वराप्सराः । सिद्धिं गता महाराज यथा पूर्वं निगद्यते

tatra pūrvaṁ vapurnāmnā loke khyātā varāpsarāḥ | siddhiṁ gatā mahārāja yathā pūrvaṁ nigadyate

There, long ago, an excellent apsara, renowned in the world by the name "Vapu," attained accomplishment, as is told from ancient times.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.396.3)

पुराऽऽसीत्काचिदाभीरी विरूपा विकृतानना । लम्बोदरी च कुग्रीवा स्थूलदंतशिरोरुहा

purā'sītkācidābhīrī virūpā vikṛtānanā | lambodarī ca kugrīvā sthūladaṁtaśiroruhā

Long ago there was a woman of the cowherd tribe, ugly, with a disfigured face, a pendulous belly, a crooked neck, thick teeth and coarse hair.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.396.4)

एकदा फलमादातुं भ्रममाणाऽर्बुदाचले । माघशुक्लतृतीयायां पतिता गिरिनिर्झरे

ekadā phalamādātuṁ bhramamāṇā'rbudācale | māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ patitā girinirjhare

Once, wandering on Mount Arbuda to gather fruit, on the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha, she fell into a mountain cascade.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.396.5)

दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरा दिव्यैरंगैः समन्विता । पद्मनेत्रा सुकेशांता सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

divyamālyāmbaradharā divyairaṅgaiḥ samanvitā | padmanetrā sukeśāntā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

She became clothed in divine garlands and garments, possessed of divine limbs, lotus-eyed, of beautiful hair, marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.396.6)

सा संजाता महाराज तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु शक्रस्तत्र समागतः

sā saṁjātā mahārāja tīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ | etasminneva kāle tu śakrastatra samāgataḥ

O great king, she became so through the power of this sacred ford. At that very moment Indra arrived there.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.396.7)

क्रीडार्थं पर्वतश्रेष्ठे तां ददर्श शुभेक्षणाम् । ततः कामशरैर्विद्धस्तामुवाच सुमध्यमाम्

krīḍārthaṁ parvataśreṣṭhe tāṁ dadarśa śubhekṣaṇām | tataḥ kāmaśarairviddhastāmuvāca sumadhyamām

Come to that best of mountains for sport, Indra saw her of beautiful eyes. Then, pierced by the arrows of desire, he said to that slender-waisted one.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.396.8)

इन्द्र उवाच । का त्वं वद वरारोहे किमर्थं त्वमिहागता । देवी वा नागकन्या वा सिद्धा विद्याधरी तु वा

indra uvāca | kā tvaṁ vada varārohe kimarthaṁ tvamihāgatā | devī vā nāgakanyā vā siddhā vidyādharī tu vā

Indra said: O fair one, tell me who you are, and why you have come here. Are you a goddess, a serpent maiden, a siddha, or a vidyadhari?

Verse 9 (skanda.7.396.9)

मनो मेऽपहृतं सुभ्रूस्त्वया च पद्मनेत्रया । शक्रोऽहं सर्वदेवेशो भज मां चारुहासिनि

mano me'pahṛtaṁ subhrūstvayā ca padmanetrayā | śakro'haṁ sarvadeveśo bhaja māṁ cāruhāsini

O fair-browed one, O lotus-eyed one, you have stolen my heart. I am Indra, lord of all the gods; O sweetly-smiling one, accept me.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.396.10)

नार्युवाच । आभीरी त्रिदशाधीश तथाहं बहुभर्तृका । फलार्थं तु समायाता पतिता गिरिनिर्झरे

nāryuvāca | ābhīrī tridaśādhīśa tathāhaṁ bahubhartṛkā | phalārthaṁ tu samāyātā patitā girinirjhare

The woman said: O lord of the gods, I am of the cowherd tribe, and I have many husbands. I had come to gather fruit and fell into the mountain cascade.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.396.11)

स्नात्वा रूपमिदं प्राप्ता सुरूपं च शुभं मया । दुर्ल्लभस्त्वं हि देवानां किं पुनर्मर्त्यजन्मनाम्

snātvā rūpamidaṁ prāptā surūpaṁ ca śubhaṁ mayā | durllabhastvaṁ hi devānāṁ kiṁ punarmartyajanmanām

By bathing I have obtained this beautiful, auspicious form. You are hard to attain even for gods, let alone for those of mortal birth!

Verse 12 (skanda.7.396.12)

वशगास्ते सुराः सर्वे मयि किं क्रियते स्पृहा । भज मां त्रिदशाधीश यथाकामं सुराधिप

vaśagāste surāḥ sarve mayi kiṁ kriyate spṛhā | bhaja māṁ tridaśādhīśa yathākāmaṁ surādhipa

All the gods are subject to you - why then feel desire for me? O lord of the gods, accept me as you wish.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.396.13)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तया शक्रः कामयामास तां तदा । निवृत्तमदनो भूत्वा तामुवाच सुमध्यमाम्

pulastya uvāca | evamuktastayā śakraḥ kāmayāmāsa tāṁ tadā | nivṛttamadano bhūtvā tāmuvāca sumadhyamām

Pulastya said: Thus addressed by her, Indra desired her at that time. Then, his passion having subsided, he spoke to that slender-waisted one.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.396.14)

इन्द्र उवाच । वरं वरय कल्याणि यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते । विनयात्तव तुष्टोऽहं दास्यामि वरमुत्तमम्

indra uvāca | varaṁ varaya kalyāṇi yatte manasi varttate | vinayāttava tuṣṭo'haṁ dāsyāmi varamuttamam

Indra said: O gracious one, ask for whatever boon is in your mind. Pleased with your courtesy, I shall grant you an excellent boon.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.396.15)

नार्युवाच । माघशुक्लतृतीयायां नरो वा वनिता तथा । स्नानं यः कुरुते भक्त्या प्रीताः स्युः सर्वदेवताः

nāryuvāca | māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ naro vā vanitā tathā | snānaṁ yaḥ kurute bhaktyā prītāḥ syuḥ sarvadevatāḥ

The woman said: On the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha, whatever man or woman bathes with devotion, may all the gods be pleased with them.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.396.16)

सुरूपं जायतां तेषां दुर्ल्लभं त्रिदशैरपि । मां नय त्वं सहस्राक्ष सुरावासं सुराधिप

surūpaṁ jāyatāṁ teṣāṁ durllabhaṁ tridaśairapi | māṁ naya tvaṁ sahasrākṣa surāvāsaṁ surādhipa

May they obtain beauty hard to attain even for the gods. O thousand-eyed one, O lord of the gods, take me to the abode of the gods.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.396.17)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । एवमस्त्विति तामुक्त्वा गृहीत्वा तां सुराधिपः । विमाने च तया सार्द्धं जगाम त्रिदिवं प्रति

pulastya uvāca | evamastviti tāmuktvā gṛhītvā tāṁ surādhipaḥ | vimāne ca tayā sārddhaṁ jagāma tridivaṁ prati

Pulastya said: Saying "so be it," the lord of the gods took her, and in his celestial chariot went with her toward heaven.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.396.18)

वपुः प्राप्तं तया यस्मात्तस्मात्पार्थिवसत्तम । नाम्ना वपुरिति ख्याता सा बभूव वराप्सराः

vapuḥ prāptaṁ tayā yasmāttasmātpārthivasattama | nāmnā vapuriti khyātā sā babhūva varāpsarāḥ

Since she had obtained her (bodily) form, therefore, O best of kings, she became known by the name "Vapu" and turned into an excellent apsara.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.396.19)

माघशुक्लतृतीयायां देवास्तस्मिञ्जलाशये । स्नानं सर्वे प्रकुर्वंति प्रभाते भक्तिसंयुताः

māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ devāstasmiñjalāśaye | snānaṁ sarve prakurvanti prabhāte bhaktisaṁyutāḥ

On the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha, all the gods bathe in that pool at dawn, with devotion.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.396.20)

तत्रान्या देवकन्याश्च सिद्धयक्षांगनास्तथा । यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानं तस्मिन्काले नराधिप

tatrānyā devakanyāśca siddhayakṣāṅganāstathā | yastatra kurute snānaṁ tasminkāle narādhipa

There too other divine maidens, and the womenfolk of siddhas and yakshas, come. O king, whoever bathes there at that time.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.396.21)

रूपं च लभते तादृग्यादृग्लब्धं तया पुरा । सर्वे तत्र भविष्यंति सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः

rūpaṁ ca labhate tādṛgyādṛglabdhaṁ tayā purā | sarve tatra bhaviṣyanti siddhavidyādharoragāḥ

He obtains a form just such as she once obtained. There, siddhas, vidyadharas and nagas shall all be present.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.396.22)

तस्यैव पूर्वदिग्भागे बिलमस्ति सुशोभनम् । यत्रागत्य प्रकुर्वंति स्नानं पातालकन्यकाः

tasyaiva pūrvadigbhāge bilamasti suśobhanam | yatrāgatya prakurvanti snānaṁ pātālakanyakāḥ

In its eastern part there is a most beautiful cavern, where the maidens of the netherworld come and bathe.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.396.23)

तत्र स्नात्वा गृहीत्वापो बिले तस्मिन्व्रजंति ताः । तत्र वैनायके पीठे महत्पाषाणजं जलम्

tatra snātvā gṛhītvāpo bile tasminvrajanti tāḥ | tatra vaināyake pīṭhe mahatpāṣāṇajaṁ jalam

Bathing there and taking water, they go into that cavern. There, at the seat of Vinayaka (Ganesha), is water arising from a great rock.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.396.24)

तेनोदकेन संयुक्तः सिद्धो भवति मानवः । गृहीत्वा तज्जलं यस्तु यत्र यत्राभिगच्छति

tenodakena saṁyuktaḥ siddho bhavati mānavaḥ | gṛhītvā tajjalaṁ yastu yatra yatrābhigacchati

Touched by that water, a man becomes accomplished. Whoever, taking that water, goes wherever he pleases.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.396.25)

स्वर्गे वा भूतले वापि न केनापि प्रधृष्यते । तत्रास्ति विवरद्वारे तिलकोनाम पादपः

svarge vā bhūtale vāpi na kenāpi pradhṛṣyate | tatrāsti vivaradvāre tilako nāma pādapaḥ

Whether in heaven or on earth, he is overcome by none. There, at the entrance of the cavern, is a tree named Tilaka.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.396.26)

तस्य पुष्पैः फलैश्चैव सर्वं कार्यं प्रसिद्ध्यति । भक्षणाद्धारणाद्वापि सिद्धो भवति मानवः

tasya puṣpaiḥ phalaiścaiva sarvaṁ kāryaṁ prasiddhyati | bhakṣaṇāddhāraṇādvāpi siddho bhavati mānavaḥ

By its flowers and fruits, every undertaking succeeds. By eating them or by wearing them, a man becomes accomplished.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.396.27)

तस्मिन्बिले तु पाषाणाः समन्ताच्छंखसन्निभाः । तेनोदकेन संस्पृष्टा भवंति च हिरण्मयाः

tasminbile tu pāṣāṇāḥ samantācchaṅkhasannibhāḥ | tenodakena saṁspṛṣṭā bhavanti ca hiraṇmayāḥ

In that cavern there are stones all around resembling conch shells. When touched by that water, they become made of gold.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.396.28)

वन्ध्या नारी जलं तत्र या पिबेत्तिलकान्वितम् । अपि वर्षशताब्दा च सद्यो गर्भवती भवेत्

vaṁdhyā nārī jalaṁ tatra yā pibettilakānvitam | api varṣaśatābdā ca sadyo garbhavatī bhavet

The barren woman who drinks the water there mingled with Tilaka, even if a hundred years old, immediately becomes pregnant.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.396.29)

व्याधिग्रस्तोऽपि यो मर्त्त्यः स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । नीरोगो जायते सद्यो ग्रहग्रस्तो विमुच्यते

vyādhigrasto'pi yo marttyaḥ snānaṁ tatra samācaret | nīrogo jāyate sadyo grahagrasto vimucyate

Even a man afflicted with disease who bathes there instantly becomes free of disease, and one possessed by a malevolent planet is released.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.396.30)

भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां दोषः सद्यः प्रणश्यति । तेनोदकेन संस्पृष्टे सर्वं नश्यति दुष्कृतम्

bhūtapretapiśācānāṁ doṣaḥ sadyaḥ praṇaśyati | tenodakena saṁspṛṣṭe sarvaṁ naśyati duṣkṛtam

The affliction of spirits, ghosts and demons instantly vanishes. Touched by that water, all evil deeds are destroyed.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.396.31)

अपि कीटपतंगा ये पिशाचाः पक्षिणो मृगाः । तेनोदकेन ये स्पृष्टाः सद्यो यास्यंति सद्गतिम्

api kīṭapataṁgā ye piśācāḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ | tenodakena ye spṛṣṭāḥ sadyo yāsyanti sadgatim

Even whatever insects, moths, demons, birds or beasts are touched by that water shall instantly attain a good state hereafter.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.396.32)

ययातिरुवाच । अप्यद्भुतमिदं ब्रह्मन्माहात्म्यं भवता मम । कथितं रूपतीर्थस्य न भूतं न भविष्यति

yayātiruvāca | apyadbhutamidaṁ brahmanmāhātmyaṁ bhavatā mama | kathitaṁ rūpatīrthasya na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Yayati said: O Brahman, you have told me this wondrous greatness of Rupatirtha, unprecedented, and none shall equal it hereafter.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.396.33)

किमत्र कारणं ब्रह्मन्सर्वेभ्योऽप्यधिकं स्मृतम् । सर्वं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि परं कौतूहलं हि मे

kimatra kāraṇaṁ brahmansarvebhyo'pyadhikaṁ smṛtam | sarvaṁ vistarato brūhi paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

O Brahman, what is the reason that this is held to be greater than all others? Tell me everything in detail, for my curiosity is great.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.396.34)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । तत्र पूर्वं तपस्तप्तमदित्या नृपसत्तम । इन्द्रे राज्यपरिभ्रष्टे बलौ त्रैलोक्यनायके । अवतीर्णश्चतुर्बाहुरदित्यां नृपसत्तम

pulastya uvāca | tatra pūrvaṁ tapastaptamadityā nṛpasattama | indre rājyaparibhraṣṭe balau trailokyanāyake | avatīrṇaścaturbāhuradityāṁ nṛpasattama

Pulastya said: O best of kings, long ago, when Indra had lost his kingdom and Bali became lord of the three worlds, Aditi performed austerity there. O best of kings, then the four-armed one descended into Aditi's womb.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.396.35)

तस्मिञ्जाते महाविष्णावदित्या चासुरान्तके । गुप्तया विवरद्वारे भयाद्दानवसंभवात्

tasmiñjāte mahāviṣṇāvadityā cāsurāntake | guptayā vivaradvāre bhayāddānavasaṁbhavāt

When that great Vishnu, the destroyer of demons, was born from Aditi, she, fearing the danavas, kept him hidden at the entrance of the cavern.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.396.36)

जातमात्रो हरिस्तस्मिन्स्थापितो निर्झरे तया । तस्मात्पवित्रतां प्राप्तं तीर्थं नॄणामभीष्टदम्

jātamātro haristasminsthāpito nirjhare tayā | tasmātpavitratāṁ prāptaṁ tīrthaṁ nṝṇāmabhīṣṭadam

She placed the newborn Hari there in the cascade. Thereby this sacred ford attained its sanctity, granting men their heart's desires.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.396.37)

न चान्यत्कारणं राजन्सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् । माघशुक्लतृतीयायां तत्र जातस्त्रिविक्रमः

na cānyatkāraṇaṁ rājansatyametanmayoditam | māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ tatra jātastrivikramaḥ

O king, there is no other reason; this truth I have told you. On the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha, there Trivikrama (the three-strider) was born.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.396.38)

तिलकः सर्ववृक्षाग्र्यः पुत्रवत्परिपालितः । अदित्या सेवितो नित्यं स्वहस्तेन जलैः शुभैः

tilakaḥ sarvavṛkṣāgryaḥ putravatparipālitaḥ | adityā sevito nityaṁ svahastena jalaiḥ śubhaiḥ

The tilaka tree, foremost among all trees, was nurtured like a son, tended daily by Aditi's own hands with auspicious water.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.396.39)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । सर्वकामप्रदं नॄणामिह लोके परत्र च

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam | tasmātsarvaprayatnena snānaṁ tatra samācaret | sarvakāmapradaṁ nṝṇāmiha loke paratra ca

I have told you the entire, excellent greatness of this sacred ford. Therefore one should, with every effort, bathe there, which grants all desires of men, in this world and the next.