The Glory of Bathing at the Confluence of the Gomati and the Ocean

Verse 1 (skanda.7.453.1)

॥ ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ साधुसाधु महाभाग प्रह्लादा सुरसत्तम। येन नः कलिमध्ये तु दर्शितो भगवान्हरिः॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| sādhusādhu mahābhāga prahlādā surasattama| yena naḥ kalimadhye tu darśito bhagavānhariḥ||

The sages said: Well done, well done, O illustrious Prahlada, best among beings! It is you who have shown us the Lord Hari even in the midst of this Kali age.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.453.2)

त्वन्मुखक्षीरसिंधूत्था कथेयममृतोपमा। कर्णाभ्यां पिबतां तृप्तिर्मुनीनां न प्रजायते। कथयस्व महाबाहो तीर्थयात्रां सुविस्तराम्॥

tvanmukhakṣīrasindhūtthā katheyamamṛtopamā| karṇābhyāṁ pibatāṁ tṛptirmunīnāṁ na prajāyate| kathayasva mahābāho tīrthayātrāṁ suvistarām||

This story, arising from the ocean of milk that is your mouth, is like nectar; drinking it in through our ears, we sages find no satiety. O mighty-armed one, tell us in full detail of the pilgrimage to these sacred places.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.453.3)

अस्माभिस्तत्र गंतव्यं वहते यत्र गोमती। तिष्ठते यत्र भगवांश्चक्रतीर्थावलोककः॥

asmābhistatra gantavyaṁ vahate yatra gomatī| tiṣṭhate yatra bhagavāṁścakratīrthāvalokakaḥ||

We must go there, where the Gomati flows, where the Lord dwells, gazing upon Chakra-tirtha.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.453.4)

भवाब्धौ पतितांस्तात उद्धरस्व भवार्णवात्। तीर्थयात्राविधानं च कथयस्व महामते॥

bhavābdhau patitāṁstāta uddharasva bhavārṇavāt| tīrthayātrāvidhānaṁ ca kathayasva mahāmate||

O father, deliver us, who have fallen into this ocean of worldly existence, from that ocean; and, O wise one, tell us the proper method of pilgrimage.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.453.5)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ गत्वा तु गोमतीतीरे प्रणमेद्दंडवच्च ताम्। प्रक्षाल्य पाणिपादौ च कृत्वा च करयोः कुशान्॥

prahlāda uvāca| gatvā tu gomatītīre praṇameddaṇḍavacca tām| prakṣālya pāṇipādau ca kṛtvā ca karayoḥ kuśān||

Prahlada said: Going to the bank of the Gomati, one should prostrate before her like a fallen staff; having washed the hands and feet, one should take darbha grass in the hands.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.453.6)

गृहीत्वा तु फलं शुभ्रमक्षतैश्च समन्वितम्। प्राङ्मुखः प्रयतो भूत्वा दद्यादर्घ्यं विधानतः॥

gṛhītvā tu phalaṁ śubhramakṣataiśca samanvitam| prāṅmukhaḥ prayato bhūtvā dadyādarghyaṁ vidhānataḥ||

Taking a bright fruit together with unbroken rice grains, and facing east, purified, one should duly offer the water of welcome.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.453.7)

ब्रह्मलोकात्समायाते वसिष्ठतनये शुभे। सर्वपापविशुद्ध्यर्थं ददाम्यर्घ्यं तु गोमति॥

brahmalokātsamāyāte vasiṣṭhatanaye śubhe| sarvapāpaviśuddhyarthaṁ dadāmyarghyaṁ tu gomati||

'O auspicious one, daughter of Vasishtha, who has come from the world of Brahma — O Gomati, I offer you this water for the purification of all my sins.'

Verse 8 (skanda.7.453.8)

वसिष्ठतनये देवि सुरवंद्ये यशस्विनि। त्रैलोक्यवंदिते देवि पापं मे हर गोमति॥

vasiṣṭhatanaye devi suravaṁdye yaśasvini| trailokyavaṁdite devi pāpaṁ me hara gomati||

'O goddess, daughter of Vasishtha, worshipped by the gods, glorious one, revered by all three worlds — O Gomati, take away my sin.'

Verse 9 (skanda.7.453.9)

इत्युच्चार्य्य द्विजश्रेष्ठा मृदमालभ्य पाणिना। विष्णुं संस्मृत्य मनसा मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत्॥

ityuccārya dvijaśreṣṭhā mṛdamālabhya pāṇinā| viṣṇuṁ saṁsmṛtya manasā mantrametamudīrayet||

Having recited this, O foremost of brahmins, taking clay in hand, and calling Vishnu to mind, one should utter this mantra:

Verse 10 (skanda.7.453.10)

अश्वक्रांते रथक्रांते विष्णुक्रांते वसुंधरे। उद्धृताऽसि वराहेण कृष्णेन शतबाहुना॥

aśvakrānte rathakrānte viṣṇukrānte vasuṁdhare| uddhṛtā'si varāheṇa kṛṣṇena śatabāhunā||

'O earth, trodden by horse, trodden by chariot, trodden by Vishnu — you were once lifted up by the hundred-armed Krishna in the form of the Boar.'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.453.11)

मृत्तिके हर मे पापं यन्मया पूर्वसंचितम्। त्वया हतेन पापेन पूतः संवत्सरं भवेत्॥

mṛttike hara me pāpaṁ yanmayā pūrvasaṁcitam| tvayā hatena pāpena pūtaḥ saṁvatsaraṁ bhavet||

'O clay, take away the sin that I have accumulated in times past; by having my sin destroyed through you, I shall remain pure for a full year.'

Verse 12 (skanda.7.453.12)

इत्येवं मृदमालिप्य स्नानं कुर्य्याद्यथाविधि। आपो अस्मानिति स्नात्वा शृणुध्वं यत्फलं लभेत्॥

ityevaṁ mṛdamālipya snānaṁ kuryādyathāvidhi| āpo asmāniti snātvā śṛṇudhvaṁ yatphalaṁ labhet||

Having thus smeared the body with clay, one should bathe according to the prescribed rite. Hear what fruit is obtained by bathing while reciting the mantra 'Apo asman.'

Verse 13 (skanda.7.453.13)

कुरुक्षेत्रे च यत्पुण्यं राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे। स्नानमात्रेण तत्पुण्यं गोमत्यां कृष्णसन्निधौ॥

kurukṣetre ca yatpuṇyaṁ rāhugraste divākare| snānamātreṇa tatpuṇyaṁ gomatyāṁ kṛṣṇasannidhau||

The merit obtained at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse is obtained merely by bathing in the Gomati in Krishna's presence.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.453.14)

भक्त्या स्नात्वा तु तत्रैवं कुर्यात्कर्म यथोदितम्। देवान्पितॄन्मनुष्यांश्च तर्पयेद्भावसंयुतः॥

bhaktyā snātvā tu tatraivaṁ kuryātkarma yathoditam| devānpitṝnmanuṣyāṁśca tarpayedbhāvasaṁyutaḥ||

Having bathed there with devotion, one should perform the prescribed rites, and, filled with reverent feeling, offer libations to the gods, ancestors, and humankind.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.453.15)

ये च रौरवसंस्था हि ये च कीटत्वमागताः। गोमतीनीरदानेन मुक्तिं यांति न संशयः॥

ye ca rauravasaṁsthā hi ye ca kīṭatvamāgatāḥ| gomatīnīradānena muktiṁ yānti na saṁśayaḥ||

Those dwelling in the hell of Raurava, and those who have fallen into the state of insects, attain liberation through the offering of Gomati's water — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.453.16)

विनाप्यक्षतदर्भैर्वा विना भावनया तथा। वारिमात्रेण गोमत्यां गयाश्राद्धफलं लभेत्॥

vināpyakṣatadarbhairvā vinā bhāvanayā tathā| vārimātreṇa gomatyāṁ gayāśrāddhaphalaṁ labhet||

Even without unbroken rice or darbha grass, even without proper devotion, merely offering water in the Gomati yields the fruit of the shraddha rite at Gaya.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.453.17)

ततश्च विप्रानाहूय वेदज्ञांस्तीरसंश्रयान्। विश्वेदेवादि संपूज्य पितॄणां श्राद्धमाचरेत्॥

tataśca viprānāhūya vedajñāṁstīrasaṁśrayān| viśvedevādi sampūjya pitṝṇāṁ śrāddhamācaret||

Then, having summoned brahmins learned in the Vedas who dwell on that riverbank, and having worshipped the Vishvedevas and other deities, one should perform the shraddha rite for one's ancestors.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.453.18)

श्रद्धया परया युक्तः श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः। दक्षिणां च ततो दद्यात्सुवर्णं रजतं तथा॥

śraddhayā parayā yuktaḥ śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ| dakṣiṇāṁ ca tato dadyātsuvarṇaṁ rajataṁ tathā||

With the deepest faith, having performed the shraddha according to the rites, one should then give gold and silver as sacrificial fees.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.453.19)

सुवर्णशृंगसहितां राजतखुरभूषिताम्। रत्नपुच्छां वस्त्रयुतां ताम्रपृष्ठां सवत्सकाम्॥

suvarṇaśṛṅgasahitāṁ rājatakhurabhūṣitām| ratnapucchāṁ vastrayutāṁ tāmrapṛṣṭhāṁ savatsakām||

A cow with horns of gold, hooves adorned with silver, a jewel-studded tail, draped in cloth, with a coppery back, accompanied by her calf —

Verse 20 (skanda.7.453.20)

दद्याद्विप्रं समभ्यर्च्य वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः। सप्तधान्ययुतां दद्याद्विष्णुर्मे प्रीयतामिति॥

dadyādvipraṁ samabhyarcya vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ| saptadhānyayutāṁ dadyādviṣṇurme prīyatāmiti||

This cow should be given to a brahmin who has been honoured with garments and ornaments, together with the seven kinds of grain, saying: 'May Vishnu be pleased with me.'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.453.21)

आसीमांतं विसृज्यैतान्ब्राह्मणान्नियतेंद्रियः। दीनांधकृपणेभ्यश्च दानं दद्यात्स्वशक्तितः॥

āsīmāntaṁ visṛjyaitānbrāhmaṇānniyatendriyaḥ| dīnāndhakṛpaṇebhyaśca dānaṁ dadyātsvaśaktitaḥ||

Having escorted these brahmins to the boundary and taken leave of them, with senses restrained, one should give charity to the poor, the blind, and the destitute according to one's means.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.453.22)

गोमती गोमयस्नानं गोदानं गोपिचन्दनम्। दर्शनं गोपिनाथस्य गकाराः पंच दुर्लभाः॥

gomatī gomayasnānaṁ godānaṁ gopicandanam| darśanaṁ gopināthasya gakārāḥ pañca durlabhāḥ||

The Gomati, bathing with cow-dung, the gift of a cow, gopi-chandana clay, and the sight of Gopinatha — these five things, all beginning with the syllable 'ga,' are rare and precious.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.453.23)

तस्माच्चैव प्रकर्तव्यं गोदानं गोमतीतटे। एवं कृत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठाः कृतकृत्यो भवेन्नरः॥

tasmāccaiva prakartavyaṁ godānaṁ gomatītaṭe| evaṁ kṛtvā dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ kṛtakṛtyo bhavennaraḥ||

Therefore one should certainly give the gift of a cow on the bank of the Gomati. O foremost of brahmins, having done this, a man becomes fulfilled in all his purposes.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.453.24)

ये गता नरकं घोरं ये च प्रेतत्वमागताः। पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन स्थावरत्वं गताश्च ये॥

ye gatā narakaṁ ghoraṁ ye ca pretatvamāgatāḥ| pūrvakarmavipākena sthāvaratvaṁ gatāśca ye||

Those who have gone to terrible hells, those who have become ghosts, and those who, through the ripening of their former deeds, have attained the state of immobile beings (plants, stones) —

Verse 25 (skanda.7.453.25)

पितृपक्षे च ये केचिन्मातृपक्षे कुलोद्भवाः। सर्वे ते मुक्तिमायांति गोमत्या दर्शनात्कलौ॥

pitṛpakṣe ca ye kecinmātṛpakṣe kulodbhavāḥ| sarve te muktimāyānti gomatyā darśanātkalau||

and all those born into one's paternal or maternal lineage — all of them attain liberation in the Kali age merely by the sight of the Gomati.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.453.26)

कृतं श्राद्धं नरैर्यैस्तु गोमत्यां भूसुरोत्तमाः। हयमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलमायांत्यसंशयम्॥

kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ narairyaistu gomatyāṁ bhūsurottamāḥ| hayamedhasya yajñasya phalamāyāntyasaṁśayam||

O best of earthly gods, those men who have performed the shraddha rite in the Gomati undoubtedly obtain the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.453.27)

गंगास्नानेन यत्पुण्यं प्रयागे परिकीर्त्तितम्। तत्पुण्यं समवाप्नोति गोमत्यां श्राद्धकृन्नरः॥

gaṅgāsnānena yatpuṇyaṁ prayāge parikīrtitam| tatpuṇyaṁ samavāpnoti gomatyāṁ śrāddhakṛnnaraḥ||

The merit declared for bathing in the Ganga at Prayaga is fully obtained by a man who performs the shraddha rite in the Gomati.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.453.28)

विष्णुलोकं हि गच्छंति पितरस्तत्कुलोद्भवाः। अनेकजन्मसाहस्रं पापं याति न संशयः॥

viṣṇulokaṁ hi gacchanti pitarastatkulodbhavāḥ| anekajanmasāhasraṁ pāpaṁ yāti na saṁśayaḥ||

His ancestors and those born in his lineage go to Vishnu's realm, and the sin accumulated across many thousands of births is undoubtedly destroyed.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.453.29)

वाचा च यत्कृतं पापं कर्मणा मनसा तथा। तत्सर्वं विलयं याति गोमतीदर्शनेन हि॥

vācā ca yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ karmaṇā manasā tathā| tatsarvaṁ vilayaṁ yāti gomatīdarśanena hi||

Whatever sin has been committed through speech, action, or mind, all of it is utterly destroyed by the mere sight of the Gomati.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.453.30)

यो नरः कार्त्तिके स्नानं गोमत्यां कुरुते द्विजाः। प्रसन्नो भगवांस्तस्य लक्ष्म्या सह न संशयः॥

yo naraḥ kārttike snānaṁ gomatyāṁ kurute dvijāḥ| prasanno bhagavāṁstasya lakṣmyā saha na saṁśayaḥ||

O brahmins, whatever man bathes in the Gomati during the month of Kartika, upon him the Lord, together with Lakshmi, is surely pleased.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.453.31)

प्रत्यहं हुतं भोक्तारं तर्पयेत्सुसमाहितः। प्रत्यहं षड्रसं देयं भोजनं च द्विजातये॥

pratyahaṁ hutaṁ bhoktāraṁ tarpayetsusamāhitaḥ| pratyahaṁ ṣaḍrasaṁ deyaṁ bhojanaṁ ca dvijātaye||

Every day, having performed the fire offering, one should, with a focused mind, satisfy those who partake of it; every day a meal of the six flavours should be given to the twice-born.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.453.32)

पूजयेत्कृष्णदेवं च प्रत्यहं भक्तितत्परः। येन केनापि विप्रेन्द्राः स्थातव्यं नियमेन तु॥

pūjayetkṛṣṇadevaṁ ca pratyahaṁ bhaktitatparaḥ| yena kenāpi viprendrāḥ sthātavyaṁ niyamena tu||

One should daily worship Lord Krishna with devotion; O foremost of brahmins, by whatever means, one should dwell there in accordance with the prescribed observances.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.453.33)

ब्राह्मणानुज्ञया तत्र गृह्णीयान्नियमान्नरः। संपूर्णे कार्त्तिके मासि संप्राप्ते बोधवासरे॥

brāhmaṇānujñayā tatra gṛhṇīyānniyamānnaraḥ| sampūrṇe kārttike māsi samprāpte bodhavāsare||

There, with the permission of the brahmins, a man should take up these observances; when the month of Kartika is complete, on the day of Devotthana (the awakening of the Lord),

Verse 34 (skanda.7.453.34)

पंचामृतेन देवेशं स्नापयेत्तीर्थवारिणा। श्रीखण्डं कुंकुमोन्मिश्रं मृगनाभिसमन्वितम्। विलेपयेच्च देवेशं भक्त्या दामोदरं हरिम्॥

pañcāmṛtena deveśaṁ snāpayettīrthavāriṇā| śrīkhaṇḍaṁ kuṅkumonmiśraṁ mṛganābhisamanvitam| vilepayecca deveśaṁ bhaktyā dāmodaraṁ harim||

one should bathe the lord of gods with the five nectars and with the sacred water; and with devotion should anoint that lord of gods, Damodara Hari, with sandal paste mixed with saffron and musk.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.453.35)

कुसुमैर्वारिसंभूतैस्तुलस्या करवीरकैः। तद्देशसंभवैः पुष्पैः पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्॥

kusumairvārisaṁbhūtaistulasyā karavīrakaiḥ| taddeśasaṁbhavaiḥ puṣpaiḥ pūjayedgaruḍadhvajam||

One should worship the bearer of the Garuda banner with water-born flowers, with tulsi, with oleander blossoms, and with flowers native to that region.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.453.36)

नैवेद्यं रुचिरं दद्याद्विष्णुर्मे प्रीयतामिति। गीतवाद्यादिनृत्येन तथा पुस्तकवाचनैः॥

naivedyaṁ ruciraṁ dadyādviṣṇurme prīyatāmiti| gītavādyādinṛtyena tathā pustakavācanaiḥ||

One should offer delicious food, saying 'May Vishnu be pleased with me,' and worship also with song, music, dance, and the reading aloud of sacred books.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.453.37)

रात्रौ जागरणं कार्य्यं स्तोत्रैर्नानाविधैरपि। आहूय ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या भोजयेच्च स्वशक्तितः॥

rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ stotrairnānāvidhairapi| āhūya brāhmaṇānbhaktyā bhojayecca svaśaktitaḥ||

Through the night, one should keep vigil with manifold hymns of praise, and, having invited brahmins, should feed them with devotion according to one's means.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.453.38)

ततो रथस्थितं देवं पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्। कार्त्तिकांते च विप्रेंद्रा गोमत्युदधिसंगमे॥

tato rathasthitaṁ devaṁ pūjayedgaruḍadhvajam| kārttikānte ca viprendrā gomatyudadhisaṅgame||

Then one should worship the god borne on the chariot, bearer of the Garuda banner. O foremost of brahmins, at the end of Kartika, at the confluence of the Gomati and the sea,

Verse 39 (skanda.7.453.39)

स्नात्वा पितॄंश्च संतर्प्य पूजयेच्च जनार्द्दनम्। सुवस्त्रैर्भूषणैश्चापि समभ्यर्च्य रमापतिम्। अनुज्ञया तु विप्राणां व्रतं संपूर्णतां नयेत्॥

snātvā pitṝṁśca saṁtarpya pūjayecca janārdanam| suvastrairbhūṣaṇaiścāpi samabhyarcya ramāpatim| anujñayā tu viprāṇāṁ vrataṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ nayet||

one should bathe, satisfy the ancestors with libations, and worship Janardana. Having honoured the husband of Rama (Lakshmi) with fine garments and ornaments, one should, with the brahmins' permission, bring the vow to its completion.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.453.40)

एवं यः स्नाति विप्रेन्द्राः कार्त्तिके कृष्णसन्निधौ। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति॥

evaṁ yaḥ snāti viprendrāḥ kārttike kṛṣṇasannidhau| sarvapāpavinirmukto viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati||

O foremost of brahmins, whoever bathes thus in Kartika in Krishna's presence, being freed from all sin, goes to Vishnu's realm.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.453.41)

माघस्नानं नरो भक्त्या गोमत्यां कुरुते तु यः। वैनतेयोदये नित्यं संतुष्टः सह भार्यया॥

māghasnānaṁ naro bhaktyā gomatyāṁ kurute tu yaḥ| vainateyodaye nityaṁ saṁtuṣṭaḥ saha bhāryayā||

Whatever man devotedly bathes in the Gomati during the month of Magha, at the rising of Vainateya (Garuda), remains ever content, together with his wife.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.453.42)

तिला हिरण्यसहिता देया ब्राह्मणसत्तमे। मोदका गुडसंमिश्राः प्रत्यहं दक्षिणान्विताः॥

tilā hiraṇyasahitā deyā brāhmaṇasattame| modakā guḍasaṁmiśrāḥ pratyahaṁ dakṣiṇānvitāḥ||

Sesame seeds together with gold should be given to a most excellent brahmin, and sweetmeats mixed with jaggery should be given daily along with sacrificial fees.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.453.43)

तिलैराज्याप्लुतैर्होमः कर्त्तव्यः प्रत्यहं नरैः। होमार्थं सेवयेद्वह्निं न शीतार्थं कदाचन॥

tilairājyāplutairhomaḥ kartavyaḥ pratyahaṁ naraiḥ| homārthaṁ sevayedvahniṁ na śītārthaṁ kadācana||

Men should daily perform the fire offering with sesame seeds soaked in ghee; one should tend the fire for the sake of the offering, never merely for warmth.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.453.44)

गोमत्यां स्नाति यो भक्त्या माघं माधववल्लभम्। समाप्तौ रक्तवस्त्राणि कञ्चुकोष्णीषमेव च॥

gomatyāṁ snāti yo bhaktyā māghaṁ mādhavavallabham| samāptau raktavastrāṇi kañcukoṣṇīṣameva ca||

Whoever bathes devotedly in the Gomati through the month of Magha, dear to Madhava, should at its completion give red garments, a tunic, and a turban —

Verse 45 (skanda.7.453.45)

दद्यादुपानहौ भक्त्या कुंकुमं च विशेषतः। कम्बलं तैलपक्वं च विष्णुर्मे प्रीयतामिति॥

dadyādupānahau bhaktyā kuṅkumaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ| kambalaṁ tailapakvaṁ ca viṣṇurme prīyatāmiti||

and, with devotion, sandals, saffron especially, and a blanket soaked in oil, saying: 'May Vishnu be pleased with me.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.453.46)

स्वामिकार्य्यमृतानां च संग्रामे शस्त्रसंकुले। गवार्थे ब्राह्मणार्थे च मृतानां या गतिः स्मृता॥

svāmikāryamṛtānāṁ ca saṁgrāme śastrasaṅkule| gavārthe brāhmaṇārthe ca mṛtānāṁ yā gatiḥ smṛtā||

That destiny which is remembered for those who die in their master's service, in battle amid clashing weapons, or in defence of a cow or a brahmin —

Verse 47 (skanda.7.453.47)

माघस्नाने च सा प्रोक्ता गोमत्यां नात्र संशयः। सर्वदानफलं तस्य सर्वतीर्थफलं तथा॥

māghasnāne ca sā proktā gomatyāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ| sarvadānaphalaṁ tasya sarvatīrthaphalaṁ tathā||

that same destiny is declared for one who bathes in the Gomati during Magha — of this there is no doubt; he obtains the fruit of every gift and every pilgrimage as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.453.48)

माघस्नानान्नरो याति विष्णुलोकं सनातनम्। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति समभ्यर्च्य जनार्द्दनम्॥

māghasnānānnaro yāti viṣṇulokaṁ sanātanam| sarvānkāmānavāpnoti samabhyarcya janārdanam||

Through the Magha bathing, a man attains the eternal realm of Vishnu, and, having worshipped Janardana, obtains all his desires.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.453.49)

माघं यः क्षपते सर्वं गोमत्युदधिसंगमे। ब्राह्मणानुज्ञया विप्राः सर्वं संपूर्णतां व्रजेत्॥

māghaṁ yaḥ kṣapate sarvaṁ gomatyudadhisaṅgame| brāhmaṇānujñayā viprāḥ sarvaṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ vrajet||

Whoever spends the entire month of Magha at the confluence of the Gomati and the ocean — O brahmins, with the brahmins' permission, his observance attains full completion.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.453.50)

पापिनोऽपि द्विजश्रेष्ठा ये स्नाता गोमतीजले। यज्विनां च गतिं यांति प्रसादाच्चक्रपाणिनः॥

pāpino'pi dvijaśreṣṭhā ye snātā gomatījale| yajvināṁ ca gatiṁ yānti prasādāccakrapāṇinaḥ||

O foremost of brahmins, even sinners who bathe in the waters of the Gomati attain, by the grace of the discus-bearer, the same destiny as those who perform sacrifices.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.453.51)

ब्रह्मरुद्रपदादूर्ध्वं यत्पदं चक्रपाणिनः। स्नानमात्रेण गोमत्यां तत्प्रोक्तं कृष्णसंनिधौ॥

brahmarudrapadādūrdhvaṁ yatpadaṁ cakrapāṇinaḥ| snānamātreṇa gomatyāṁ tatproktaṁ kṛṣṇasannidhau||

That state of the discus-bearer, which is higher even than the position of Brahma or Rudra, is declared to be attained merely by bathing in the Gomati, in Krishna's presence.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.453.52)

मित्रद्रोहे च यत्पापं यत्पापं गुरुघातिनि। तत्पापं समवाप्नोति यात्राभंगं करोति यः॥

mitradrohe ca yatpāpaṁ yatpāpaṁ gurughātini| tatpāpaṁ samavāpnoti yātrābhaṅgaṁ karoti yaḥ||

The sin incurred by betraying a friend, the sin incurred by killing one's teacher — that same sin is incurred by whoever disrupts this pilgrimage.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.453.53)

ब्रह्मस्वहारिणः पापास्तथा देवस्वहारिणः। स्नानमात्रेण शुध्यंति गोमत्यां नात्र संशयः॥

brahmasvahāriṇaḥ pāpāstathā devasvahāriṇaḥ| snānamātreṇa śudhyanti gomatyāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ||

Sinners who have stolen the property of brahmins, and those who have stolen the property of the gods, are purified merely by bathing in the Gomati — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.453.54)

भीताऽभयप्रदानेन यत्पुण्यं लभते नरः। तत्पुण्यं समवाप्नोति गोमत्यां स्नानमात्रतः॥

bhītā'bhayapradānena yatpuṇyaṁ labhate naraḥ| tatpuṇyaṁ samavāpnoti gomatyāṁ snānamātrataḥ||

The merit a man obtains by giving fearlessness to one who is afraid is fully obtained merely by bathing in the Gomati.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.453.55)

भीताभयप्रदानेन पुत्रानिष्टान्न संशयः। धनकामस्तु विपुलं लभते धनमूर्जितम्॥

bhītābhayapradānena putrāniṣṭānna saṁśayaḥ| dhanakāmastu vipulaṁ labhate dhanamūrjitam||

By giving fearlessness to the frightened, one undoubtedly obtains the desired sons; whoever desires wealth obtains abundant, thriving wealth.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.453.56)

प्राप्नुयादीप्सितान्कामान्गोमतीनीरसंगमे। कृतकृत्यो भवेद्विप्रा ऋणान्मुच्येत पैतृकात्॥

prāpnuyādīpsitānkāmāngomatīnīrasaṅgame| kṛtakṛtyo bhavedviprā ṛṇānmucyeta paitṛkāt||

By bathing at the confluence of the Gomati's waters, one attains one's cherished desires; O brahmins, he becomes fulfilled and is freed from the debt owed to his ancestors.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.453.57)

मनसा वचसा चैव कर्मणा यदुपार्जितम्। तत्सर्वं नश्यते पापं गोमतीनीरसंगमात्॥

manasā vacasā caiva karmaṇā yadupārjitam| tatsarvaṁ naśyate pāpaṁ gomatīnīrasaṅgamāt||

Whatever sin has been accumulated through mind, speech, or action is entirely destroyed by contact with the confluence of the Gomati's waters.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.453.58)

पीतांबरधरो भूत्वा तथा गरुडवाहनः। वनमाली चतुर्बाहुर्दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनः। याति विष्ण्वालयं विप्रा अपुनर्भवलक्षणम्॥

pītāṁbaradharo bhūtvā tathā garuḍavāhanaḥ| vanamālī caturbāhurdivyagandhānulepanaḥ| yāti viṣṇvālayaṁ viprā apunarbhavalakṣaṇam||

Clad in yellow garments, mounted on Garuda, wearing a garland of forest flowers, four-armed, anointed with divine fragrance — O brahmins, such a man goes to that abode of Vishnu marked by freedom from rebirth.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.453.59)

गोमतीस्नानमात्रेण मानवो नात्र संशयः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णुं सनातनम्॥

gomatīsnānamātreṇa mānavo nātra saṁśayaḥ| sarvapāpavinirmukto yāti viṣṇuṁ sanātanam||

Merely by bathing in the Gomati, a man, without doubt, becomes freed of all sin and attains the eternal Vishnu.