The Glory of Nriga-tirtha (the Chameleon's Pool)

Verse 1 (skanda.7.457.1)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तीर्थं पापप्रणाशनम्। कृकलासमिति ख्यातं नृगतीर्थमनुत्तमम्॥

prahlāda uvāca| tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhāstīrthaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam| kṛkalāsamiti khyātaṁ nṛgatīrthamanuttamam||

Prahlada said: Thereafter, O foremost of brahmins, one should go to that sin-destroying sacred place known as Krikalasa (the Chameleon) — that is the unparalleled Nriga-tirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.457.2)

नृगो यत्र महीपालः कृकलासवपुर्धरः। कृष्णेन सह संगत्य संप्राप परमां गतिम्॥

nṛgo yatra mahīpālaḥ kṛkalāsavapurdharaḥ| kṛṣṇena saha saṅgatya samprāpa paramāṁ gatim||

There King Nriga, bearing the body of a chameleon, met with Krishna and attained the supreme destiny.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.457.3)

॥ ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ नृगो नाम नृपः कोऽयं कथं कृष्णेन संगतः। कर्मणा कृकलासत्वं केन तद्वद विस्तरात्॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| nṛgo nāma nṛpaḥ ko'yaṁ kathaṁ kṛṣṇena saṅgataḥ| karmaṇā kṛkalāsatvaṁ kena tadvada vistarāt||

The sages said: Who was this king called Nriga? How did he come to meet Krishna? By what deed did he come to the state of a chameleon? Tell us this in full.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.457.4)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ नृगो नाम नृपो विप्राः सार्वभौमो बलान्वितः। बुद्धिमान्धृतिमान्दक्षः श्रीमान्सर्वगुणान्वितः॥

prahlāda uvāca| nṛgo nāma nṛpo viprāḥ sārvabhaumo balānvitaḥ| buddhimāndhṛtimāndakṣaḥ śrīmānsarvaguṇānvitaḥ||

Prahlada said: O brahmins, there was a king named Nriga, a universal sovereign, mighty, wise, steadfast, capable, prosperous, and endowed with every virtue.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.457.5)

अनेकशतसाहस्रा भूमिपा अपि तद्वशाः। हस्त्यश्वरथसंघैश्च पत्तिभिर्बहुभिर्वृतः॥

anekaśatasāhasrā bhūmipā api tadvaśāḥ| hastyaśvarathasaṅghaiśca pattibhirbahubhirvṛtaḥ||

Even hundreds of thousands of kings were subject to him. He was surrounded by hosts of elephants, horses, chariots, and many foot soldiers.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.457.6)

सैन्यं च तस्य नृपतेः कोशं चैवाक्षयं तथा। स नित्यं गुरुभक्तश्च देवताराधने रतः॥

sainyaṁ ca tasya nṛpateḥ kośaṁ caivākṣayaṁ tathā| sa nityaṁ gurubhaktaśca devatārādhane rataḥ||

That king's army and treasury were both inexhaustible. He was ever devoted to his teachers and absorbed in the worship of the gods.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.457.7)

महादानानि विप्रेन्द्रा ददात्यनुदिनं नृपः। शश्वत्स गोसहस्रं तु ददाति नृपसत्तमः॥

mahādānāni viprendrā dadātyanudinaṁ nṛpaḥ| śaśvatsa gosahasraṁ tu dadāti nṛpasattamaḥ||

O foremost of brahmins, that king gave great gifts every single day; that excellent king constantly gave a thousand cows in charity.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.457.8)

प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ भक्त्या ह्युपविश्यासने शुभे। परिधाप्य शुभे क्षौमे सुगन्धेनोपलिप्य च॥

prakṣālya caraṇau bhaktyā hyupaviśyāsane śubhe| paridhāpya śubhe kṣaume sugandhenopalipya ca||

Devotedly washing a brahmin's feet, seating him upon an auspicious seat, clothing him in fine silken garments, and anointing him with fragrance,

Verse 9 (skanda.7.457.9)

संपूज्य पुष्पमालाभि धूपेन च सुगन्धिना। ददौ दक्षिणया सार्द्धं प्रतिविप्राय गां तदा। तांबूलसहितां भक्त्या विष्णुर्मे प्रीयतामिति॥

sampūjya puṣpamālābhi dhūpena ca sugandhinā| dadau dakṣiṇayā sārddhaṁ prativiprāya gāṁ tadā| tāṁbūlasahitāṁ bhaktyā viṣṇurme prīyatāmiti||

worshipping him with garlands of flowers and fragrant incense, he would then give to each brahmin a cow, together with the sacrificial fee and betel leaf, devotedly saying, 'May Vishnu be pleased with me.'

Verse 10 (skanda.7.457.10)

एवं प्रददतस्तस्य यजतश्च तथा मखैः। ययौ कालो द्विजश्रेष्ठा भोगांश्चैवानुभुञ्जतः॥

evaṁ pradadatastasya yajataśca tathā makhaiḥ| yayau kālo dvijaśreṣṭhā bhogāṁścaivānubhuñjataḥ||

Thus giving gifts, performing sacrifices, and also, O foremost of brahmins, enjoying worldly pleasures, his time passed by.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.457.11)

एकदा तु द्विजश्रेष्ठं जैमिनिं संशितव्रतम्। श्रद्धया तं च नृपतिः प्रतिग्रहपराङ्मुखम्। उवाच वाक्यं नृपतिः कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः॥

ekadā tu dvijaśreṣṭhaṁ jaiminiṁ saṁśitavratam| śraddhayā taṁ ca nṛpatiḥ pratigrahaparāṅmukham| uvāca vākyaṁ nṛpatiḥ kṛtāñjaliputaḥ sthitaḥ||

Once, with great faith, the king, standing with joined palms before that foremost brahmin Jaimini — a man of rigorous vows, disinclined to accept gifts — spoke these words:

Verse 12 (skanda.7.457.12)

मामुद्धर महाभाग कृपां कुरु तपोनिधे। गृहाण गां मया दत्तां दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि॥

māmuddhara mahābhāga kṛpāṁ kuru taponidhe| gṛhāṇa gāṁ mayā dattāṁ dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari||

'O illustrious one, deliver me, show me your grace; O treasury of austerity, out of compassion for me, accept the cow I offer.'

Verse 13 (skanda.7.457.13)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य अनिच्छन्नपि गौरवात्। नृपस्य चाब्रवीद्विप्र एवमस्त्विति लज्जितः॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya anicchannapi gauravāt| nṛpasya cābravīdvipra evamastviti lajjitaḥ||

Hearing his words, though unwilling, out of regard for the king's dignity, the brahmin, somewhat abashed, said, 'So be it.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.457.14)

अवनिज्य ततः पादौ शिरसा धारयज्जलम्। सुवर्णशृंगसहितां रौप्यखुरविभूषिताम्॥

avanijya tataḥ pādau śirasā dhārayajjalam| suvarṇaśṛṅgasahitāṁ raupyakhuravibhūṣitām||

Then, washing his feet, the king bore that water upon his own head; and a cow, with horns of gold, hooves adorned with silver —

Verse 15 (skanda.7.457.15)

रत्नपुच्छां कांस्यदोहां सितवस्त्रावगुंठिताम्। समभ्यर्च्य च विप्रेन्द्रं ददौ दक्षिणयान्विताम्॥

ratnapucchāṁ kāṁsyadohāṁ sitavastrāvaguṁṭhitām| samabhyarcya ca viprendraṁ dadau dakṣiṇayānvitām||

with a jewelled tail, milked into a bronze vessel, draped with white cloth — having worshipped it, he gave it, with the sacrificial fee, to that foremost brahmin.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.457.16)

आसीमान्तमनुव्रज्य हृष्टो राजा बभूव ह। तरुणीं हंसवर्णां च हंसीनामेति विश्रुताम्॥

āsīmāntamanuvrajya hṛṣṭo rājā babhūva ha| taruṇīṁ haṁsavarṇāṁ ca haṁsīnāmeti viśrutām||

Having escorted him to the boundary, the king became joyful. That cow was young, white as a swan, and renowned by the name 'Hamsi.'

Verse 17 (skanda.7.457.17)

गां गृह्य स्वगृहं प्राप्तो दाम्ना बद्धां सवत्सकाम्। स तस्यै यवसं चार्द्रं ददौ ब्राह्मणसत्तमः॥

gāṁ gṛhya svagṛhaṁ prāpto dāmnā baddhāṁ savatsakām| sa tasyai yavasaṁ cārdraṁ dadau brāhmaṇasattamaḥ||

Taking the cow, tethered by a rope, together with her calf, that most excellent brahmin arrived at his own home, and gave her fresh, moist fodder.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.457.18)

सुतृप्ता यवसेनैव मध्याह्ने तृषितां तदा। गृहीत्वा निर्ययौ विप्रो दामबद्धां जलाशयम्॥

sutṛptā yavasenaiva madhyāhne tṛṣitāṁ tadā| gṛhītvā niryayau vipro dāmabaddhāṁ jalāśayam||

Well satisfied with the fodder, when at midday she grew thirsty, the brahmin, leading her by the rope, set out for a pond.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.457.19)

मार्गे गजाश्वसंबाधे त्रस्ता सा उष्ट्रदर्शनात्। हस्तादाच्छिद्य सा धेनुर्ब्राह्मणस्य ययौ तदा॥

mārge gajāśvasaṁbādhe trastā sā uṣṭradarśanāt| hastādācchidya sā dhenurbrāhmaṇasya yayau tadā||

On the road, amid a crowd of elephants and horses, frightened by the sight of a camel, that cow broke loose from the brahmin's hand and fled.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.457.20)

विचिन्वन्सकलामुर्वीं नापश्यत्तां द्विजर्षभः। सा ययौ विद्रुता धेनुस्तन्महद्राजगोधनम्॥

vicinvansakalāmurvīṁ nāpaśyattāṁ dvijarṣabhaḥ| sā yayau vidrutā dhenustanmahadrājagodhanam||

Searching the whole earth over, that excellent brahmin could not find her. That fleeing cow went and joined the king's vast herd of cattle.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.457.21)

द्वितीयेऽह्नि पुनर्विप्रमाहूय नृपसत्तमः। संपूज्य विधिवद्भक्त्या वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः॥

dvitīye'hni punarvipramāhūya nṛpasattamaḥ| sampūjya vidhivadbhaktyā vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ||

On the second day, that excellent king again summoned a brahmin, and, with devotion, duly honoured him with garments and ornaments,

Verse 22 (skanda.7.457.22)

विधिवद्गां ददौ तां च स नृपः सोमशर्मणे। गृहीत्वा राजभवनान्निर्ययौ गां द्विजर्षभः॥

vidhivadgāṁ dadau tāṁ ca sa nṛpaḥ somaśarmaṇe| gṛhītvā rājabhavanānniryayau gāṁ dvijarṣabhaḥ||

and duly gave that very cow to a brahmin named Somasharma. Taking the cow, that excellent brahmin set out from the royal palace.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.457.23)

आशंसमानो राजानं धर्मज्ञमिति कोविदम्। स च विप्रो विचिन्वानः सर्वतो गां सुदुःखितः॥

āśaṁsamāno rājānaṁ dharmajñamiti kovidam| sa ca vipro vicinvānaḥ sarvato gāṁ suduḥkhitaḥ||

praising the king as one learned and versed in righteousness. Meanwhile that first brahmin, deeply distressed, was searching everywhere for the cow.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.457.24)

ददर्श पथि गच्छन्तीं पृष्ठतः सोमशर्मणः। दृष्ट्वा तां गां च स मुनिर्जैमिनिस्तमभाषत॥

dadarśa pathi gacchantīṁ pṛṣṭhataḥ somaśarmaṇaḥ| dṛṣṭvā tāṁ gāṁ ca sa munirjaiministamabhāṣata||

He saw that very cow walking along the road behind Somasharma. Seeing the cow, the sage Jaimini said to him:

Verse 25 (skanda.7.457.25)

मम गां चापि हृत्वा त्वं नयसे दस्युवत्कथम्। स तस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विस्मयं दस्युकीर्त्तनात्॥

mama gāṁ cāpi hṛtvā tvaṁ nayase dasyuvatkatham| sa tasya vacanaṁ śrutvā vismayaṁ dasyukīrtanāt||

'How is it that you steal my cow and lead her away like a thief?' Hearing this, Somasharma was astonished at being called a thief.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.457.26)

राजतो हि मया लब्धां गां नयामि स्वमन्दिरम्। गोहर्त्तेति च मां कस्माद्ब्रवीषि द्विजसत्तम॥

rājato hi mayā labdhāṁ gāṁ nayāmi svamandiram| gohartteti ca māṁ kasmādbravīṣi dvijasattama||

'I am taking home this cow, which I received from the king. O best of brahmins, why do you call me a cattle thief?'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.457.27)

॥ ब्राह्मण उवाच ॥ मयापि राजतो लब्धा ममेयं गौर्न संशयः। कथं नयसि विप्र त्वं मयि जीवति मन्दिरम्॥

brāhmaṇa uvāca| mayāpi rājato labdhā mameyaṁ gaurna saṁśayaḥ| kathaṁ nayasi vipra tvaṁ mayi jīvati mandiram||

The brahmin said: 'I too received this cow from the king; she is undoubtedly mine. O brahmin, how can you take her to your home while I still live?'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.457.28)

सोऽब्रवीदद्य मे लब्धा कथं मां वदसे मृषा। सोऽब्रवीद्ध्यो मया लब्धा बलान्नेतुं त्वमिच्छसि॥

so'bravīdadya me labdhā kathaṁ māṁ vadase mṛṣā| so'bravīddhyo mayā labdhā balānnetuṁ tvamicchasi||

He said, 'I received her only today; why do you speak falsely to me?' The other said, 'I received her only yesterday; you wish to take her away by force!'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.457.29)

ममेयमिति संक्रुद्धः सोमशर्माऽब्रवीद्वचः। प्रज्वलत्क्रोधरक्ताक्षो ममेयमिति सोऽपरः॥

mameyamiti saṁkruddhaḥ somaśarmā'bravīdvacaḥ| prajvalatkrodharaktākṣo mameyamiti so'paraḥ||

'She is mine!' cried Somasharma in fury. And the other, his eyes red with blazing anger, likewise declared, 'She is mine!'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.457.30)

विवदतौ तथा विप्रौ राजद्वारमुपागतौ। कुर्वाणौ कलहं घोरं त्यक्तुकामौ स्वजीवितम्॥

vivadatau tathā viprau rājadvāramupāgatau| kurvāṇau kalahaṁ ghoraṁ tyaktukāmau svajīvitam||

Thus quarrelling, both brahmins arrived at the king's gate, engaged in a terrible dispute, ready even to give up their own lives.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.457.31)

संक्रुद्धौ ब्राह्मणौ दृष्ट्वा शपन्तौ तौ परस्परम्। राज्ञे निवेदयामास द्वास्थं प्रणयपूर्वकम्॥

saṁkruddhau brāhmaṇau dṛṣṭvā śapantau tau parasparam| rājñe nivedayāmāsa dvāsthaṁ praṇayapūrvakam||

Seeing the two enraged brahmins cursing one another, the gatekeeper respectfully informed the king.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.457.32)

अवज्ञाय तदा विप्रौ विवदन्तौ रुषान्वितौ। कामव्याकुलचेतस्को न बहिर्निःसृतो नृपः॥

avajñāya tadā viprau vivadantau ruṣānvitau| kāmavyākulacetasko na bahirniḥsṛto nṛpaḥ||

But at that time, his mind distracted by desire, the king ignored the two brahmins, quarrelling in their fury, and did not come out.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.457.33)

एवं विवदमानौ तौ त्रिरात्रं समुपस्थितौ। अवज्ञातौ नृपेणाथ राजानं प्रति च क्रुधा॥

evaṁ vivadamānau tau trirātraṁ samupasthitau| avajñātau nṛpeṇātha rājānaṁ prati ca krudhā||

Thus disputing, the two remained there for three nights. Ignored by the king, they grew furious with him.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.457.34)

ऊचतुः कुपितो वाक्यं सामर्षौ नृपतिं प्रति। अवमन्यसे नौ यस्मात्त्वं न निर्गच्छसि मन्दिरात्॥

ūcatuḥ kupito vākyaṁ sāmarṣau nṛpatiṁ prati| avamanyase nau yasmāttvaṁ na nirgacchasi mandirāt||

Angry and indignant, both said to the king: 'Because you do not come out of your palace, you insult us both.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.457.35)

शास्ता भवान्प्रजानां हि न न्यायेन नियोक्ष्यति। भविष्यति भवांस्तस्मात्कृकलासो न संशयः॥

śāstā bhavānprajānāṁ hi na nyāyena niyokṣyati| bhaviṣyati bhavāṁstasmātkṛkalāso na saṁśayaḥ||

Though you are the ruler of your subjects, you fail to govern justly; therefore you shall undoubtedly become a chameleon.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.457.36)

एवं शप्त्वा तदा विप्रावन्यस्मै गां प्रदाय तौ। क्षुधितौ खेदसंयुक्तौ स्वगृहं गन्तुमुद्यतौ॥

evaṁ śaptvā tadā viprāvanyasmai gāṁ pradāya tau| kṣudhitau khedasaṁyuktau svagṛhaṁ gantumudyatau||

Having thus cursed him, and handing over the cow to someone else, the two brahmins, hungry and weary, prepared to return to their own homes.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.457.37)

प्रस्थितौ तौ नृगो द्वार आगत्य समुपस्थितः। दंडवत्प्रणिपत्याऽऽशु कृतांजलिरभाषत॥

prasthitau tau nṛgo dvāra āgatya samupasthitaḥ| daṇḍavatpraṇipatyāśu kṛtāñjalirabhāṣata||

Just as they were setting out, Nriga came and appeared at the gate; prostrating at once and joining his palms, he spoke:

Verse 38 (skanda.7.457.38)

अमोघवचना यूयं तत्तथा न तदन्यथा। ममोपरि कृपां कृत्वा शापांत उपदिश्यताम्॥

amoghavacanā yūyaṁ tattathā na tadanyathā| mamopari kṛpāṁ kṛtvā śāpānta upadiśyatām||

'Your words are unfailing, and it shall be exactly so, not otherwise. Have mercy on me, and tell me the end of this curse.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.457.39)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ऊचतुर्वचनं नृपम्। द्वापरस्य युगस्यान्तं भगवान्देवकीसुतः॥

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ūcaturvacanaṁ nṛpam| dvāparasya yugasyāntaṁ bhagavāndevakīsutaḥ||

Hearing his words, the two said to the king: 'At the end of the Dvapara age, the Lord, son of Devaki,'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.457.40)

वसुदेवगृहे राजन्हरिराविर्भविष्यति। तस्य संस्पर्शनादेव शापमुक्तिर्भविष्यति॥

vasudevagṛhe rājanhariravirbhaviṣyati| tasya saṁsparśanādeva śāpamuktirbhaviṣyati||

'O king, will appear in Vasudeva's house as Hari; by his touch alone shall you be released from this curse.'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.457.41)

इत्युक्त्वा तौ तदा विप्रौ प्रयातौ स्वनिवेशनम्। राजा बहुविधान्भोगान्भुक्त्वा दत्त्वा च भूरिशः॥

ityuktvā tau tadā viprau prayātau svaniveśanam| rājā bahuvidhānbhogānbhuktvā dattvā ca bhūriśaḥ||

Having said this, the two brahmins departed for their own homes. The king, enjoying manifold pleasures and giving abundant gifts in charity,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.457.42)

इष्ट्वा च विविधैर्यज्ञैः कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्। ततः स गतवान्विप्रा धर्मराजनिवेशनम्॥

iṣṭvā ca vividhairyajñaiḥ kāladharmamupeyivān| tataḥ sa gatavānviprā dharmarājaniveśanam||

and performing various sacrifices, in time met his mortal end. Then, O brahmins, he went to the abode of Dharmaraja (Yama).

Verse 43 (skanda.7.457.43)

सत्कृत्योक्तो यमेनाथ स्वागतेन नृपोत्तमः। प्रथमं सुकृतं राजन्नथवा दुष्कृतं त्वया। भोक्तव्यमिति मे ब्रूहि तत्ते संपाद्यते मया॥

satkṛtyokto yamenātha svāgatena nṛpottamaḥ| prathamaṁ sukṛtaṁ rājannathavā duṣkṛtaṁ tvayā| bhoktavyamiti me brūhi tatte sampādyate mayā||

Yama, honouring that excellent king with welcome, said: 'O king, tell me — do you wish first to experience the fruit of your good deeds or your bad ones? I shall arrange it accordingly for you.'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.457.44)

॥ नृग उवाच ॥ यद्यस्ति दुष्कृतं किंचित्प्रथमं प्रतिपादय। अनुज्ञातो यमेनैवं कृकलासो भवेति वै। ततो वर्षसहस्राणि कृकलासत्वमाप्तवान्॥

nṛga uvāca| yadyasti duṣkṛtaṁ kiñcitprathamaṁ pratipādaya| anujñāto yamenaivaṁ kṛkalāso bhaveti vai| tato varṣasahasrāṇi kṛkalāsatvamāptavān||

Nriga said: 'If I have any bad deed, grant me that first.' With Yama's sanction he thus became a chameleon, and thereafter remained in that state for a thousand years.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.457.45)

एकस्मिन्दिवसे विप्राः सर्वे यदुकुमारकाः। वनं जग्मुर्मृगान्हन्तुं सर्वे कृष्णसमन्विताः॥

ekasmindivase viprāḥ sarve yadukumārakāḥ| vanaṁ jagmurmṛgānhantuṁ sarve kṛṣṇasamanvitāḥ||

O brahmins, one day all the young Yadava princes, together with Krishna, went to the forest to hunt deer.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.457.46)

तृषार्द्दिताश्च मध्याह्ने विचिन्वंतो जलं ह्रदे। सत्वं च सुमहत्तत्र कृकलासं च संस्थितम्॥

tṛṣārdditāśca madhyāhne vicinvanto jalaṁ hrade| satvaṁ ca sumahattatra kṛkalāsaṁ ca saṁsthitam||

Afflicted with thirst at midday, as they searched for water at a pool, they saw there a most enormous creature, a chameleon, lying still.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.457.47)

चक्रुश्चोद्धरणे तस्य यत्नं यदुकुमारकाः। आकृष्यमाणः स तदा गुरुत्वान्न चचाल ह॥

cakruścoddharaṇe tasya yatnaṁ yadukumārakāḥ| ākṛṣyamāṇaḥ sa tadā gurutvānna cacāla ha||

The young Yadava princes made an effort to pull it out, but even when dragged, it would not budge, on account of its great weight.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.457.48)

यदा न शेकुस्ते सर्व आचख्युः कृष्णरामयोः। ददर्श तं तदा कृष्णो नृगं मत्वा हसन्निव॥

yadā na śekuste sarva ācakhyuḥ kṛṣṇarāmayoḥ| dadarśa taṁ tadā kṛṣṇo nṛgaṁ matvā hasanniva||

When all of them proved unable, they informed Krishna and Rama. Then Krishna saw it, and, as though recognizing Nriga, smiling,

Verse 49 (skanda.7.457.49)

चिक्षेप वामहस्तेन लीलयैव जगत्पतिः। स संस्पृष्टो भगवता विमुक्तः शापबंधनात्॥

cikṣepa vāmahastena līlayaiva jagatpatiḥ| sa saṁspṛṣṭo bhagavatā vimuktaḥ śāpabandhanāt||

the Lord of the universe flung it aside with his left hand, effortlessly, as mere sport. Touched by the Lord, it was released from the bondage of the curse.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.457.50)

त्यक्त्वा कलेवरं राजा दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपनः। कृतांजलिरुवाचेदं भक्त्या परमया युतः॥

tyaktvā kalevaraṁ rājā divyamālyānulepanaḥ| kṛtāñjaliruvācedaṁ bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ||

Casting off that body, and now adorned with divine garlands and unguents, the king, hands joined, filled with the deepest devotion, spoke thus:

Verse 51 (skanda.7.457.51)

नमस्ते जगदाधार सर्गस्थित्यंतकारिणे। सहस्रशिरसे तुभ्यं ब्रह्मणेऽनंतशक्तये॥

namaste jagadādhāra sargasthityantakāriṇe| sahasraśirase tubhyaṁ brahmaṇe'nantaśaktaye||

'Salutations to you, foundation of the universe, who perform creation, preservation, and dissolution! To you, the thousand-headed one, Brahman, of infinite power, salutations!'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.457.52)

एवं संस्तुवतः प्राह भगवान्देवकीसुतः। ददामि ते वरं तुष्टो यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते॥

evaṁ saṁstuvataḥ prāha bhagavāndevakīsutaḥ| dadāmi te varaṁ tuṣṭo yatte manasi varttate||

As he praised him thus, the Lord, son of Devaki, said: 'Pleased with you, I grant you the boon that is in your heart.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.457.53)

याहि पुण्यकृताँल्लोकान्दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाच्च मे। एवमुक्तः स देवेन संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः॥

yāhi puṇyakṛtāllokāndarśanātsparśanācca me| evamuktaḥ sa devena saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ||

'By the sight and touch of me, go now to the realms reserved for those of righteous deeds.' Thus addressed by the Lord, his body thrilling with joy,

Verse 54 (skanda.7.457.54)

उवाच यदि तुष्टोऽसि यदि देयो वरो मम। गर्त्तेयं मम नाम्ना तु ख्यातिं गच्छतु केशव॥

uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si yadi deyo varo mama| gartteyaṁ mama nāmnā tu khyātiṁ gacchatu keśava||

he said: 'O Keshava, if you are pleased with me, and if you would grant me a boon, then let this pit (pool) become renowned by my very name.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.457.55)

यः स्नात्वा परया भक्त्या पितॄन्संतर्पयिष्यति। त्वत्प्रसादेन गोविंद विष्णुलोकं स गच्छतु॥

yaḥ snātvā parayā bhaktyā pitṝnsaṁtarpayiṣyati| tvatprasādena govinda viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchatu||

'O Govinda, whoever bathes here with the deepest devotion and offers libations to the ancestors, by your grace, let him attain the realm of Vishnu.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.457.56)

एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्पुनर्द्वारावतीमगात्॥

evamuktvā sa bhagavānpunardvārāvatīmagāt||

Having said this, the Lord returned once more to Dvaravati.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.457.57)

स च राजा विमानेन दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपनः। जगाम भवनं विष्णोर्विबुधैरनुसंस्तुतः॥

sa ca rājā vimānena divyamālyānulepanaḥ| jagāma bhavanaṁ viṣṇorvibudhairanusaṁstutaḥ||

And that king, adorned with divine garlands and unguents, mounted upon a celestial chariot, praised by the gods, went to the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.457.58)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ तदाप्रभृति विप्रेंद्राः स कूपो नृगसंज्ञया। वरदानाच्च कृष्णस्य पावनः सर्वदेहिनाम्॥

prahlāda uvāca| tadāprabhṛti viprendrāḥ sa kūpo nṛgasaṁjñayā| varadānācca kṛṣṇasya pāvanaḥ sarvadehinām||

Prahlada said: From that time on, O foremost of brahmins, that well became known by the name 'Nriga,' and, through Krishna's boon, became purifying for all embodied beings.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.457.59)

तत्र गत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठा ह्यर्घ्यं दद्याद्यथाविधि। फलपुष्पाक्षतैर्युक्तं चंदनेन च भूसुराः॥

tatra gatvā dvijaśreṣṭhā hyarghyaṁ dadyādyathāvidhi| phalapuṣpākṣatairyuktaṁ candanena ca bhūsurāḥ||

O gods on earth, going there, O foremost of brahmins, one should duly offer the water of welcome, together with fruit, flowers, unbroken rice, and sandal paste.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.457.60)

नमस्ते विश्वरूपाय विष्णवे परमात्मने। अर्घ्यं गृहाण देवेश कूपेऽस्मिन्नृगसंज्ञके॥

namaste viśvarūpāya viṣṇave paramātmane| arghyaṁ gṛhāṇa deveśa kūpe'sminnṛgasaṁjñake||

'Salutations to you, O universal form, supreme self, Vishnu! O lord of gods, accept this offering in this well named Nriga.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.457.61)

ततः स्नायाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठा मृदमालिप्य पाणिना। संतर्पयेत्पितॄन्देवान्मनुष्यांश्च यथाक्रमात्॥

tataḥ snāyāddvijaśreṣṭhā mṛdamālipya pāṇinā| saṁtarpayetpitṝndevānmanuṣyāṁśca yathākramāt||

Then, O foremost of brahmins, one should bathe, applying clay with the hand, and offer libations, in due order, to the ancestors, the gods, and humankind.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.457.62)

ततः श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत पितॄणां श्रद्धयान्वितः। विप्रेभ्यो भोजनं दद्याद्दक्षिणां च स्वशक्तितः॥

tataḥ śrāddhaṁ prakurvīta pitṝṇāṁ śraddhayānvitaḥ| viprebhyo bhojanaṁ dadyāddakṣiṇāṁ ca svaśaktitaḥ||

Then, with faith, one should perform the shraddha rite for the ancestors, and give food and a sacrificial fee to the brahmins according to one's means.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.457.63)

विशेषतः प्रदातव्या सवत्सा गौः स्वलंकृता। शय्या सोपस्करां दद्याद्विष्णुर्मे प्रीयतामिति॥

viśeṣataḥ pradātavyā savatsā gauḥ svalaṁkṛtā| śayyā sopaskarāṁ dadyādviṣṇurme prīyatāmiti||

One should especially give a well-adorned cow with her calf, and a bed together with its furnishings, saying: 'May Vishnu be pleased with me.'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.457.64)

दीनांधकृपणानां च सदा तत्तीरवासिनाम्। दद्याद्दानं स्वशक्त्या च वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः॥

dīnāndhakṛpaṇānāṁ ca sadā tattīravāsinām| dadyāddānaṁ svaśaktyā ca vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ||

To the poor, the blind, and the destitute who always dwell on that bank, one should give charity according to one's means, free from any miserliness about wealth.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.457.65)

स्नानमात्रेण विप्रेन्द्रा लभेद्गोदानजं फलम्। पितृणां श्राद्धदानेन वियोनिं न च गच्छति॥

snānamātreṇa viprendrā labhedgodānajaṁ phalam| pitṛṇāṁ śrāddhadānena vayoniṁ na ca gacchati||

O foremost of brahmins, merely by bathing here, one obtains the fruit of giving a cow; and by performing shraddha and charity for the ancestors, one does not fall into a lower birth.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.457.66)

कृकलासे कृतं श्राद्धं येनैव तर्पणं तथा। स गच्छेद्विष्णुलोकं तु पितृभिः सहितो नरः॥

kṛkalāse kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ yenaiva tarpaṇaṁ tathā| sa gaccedviṣṇulokaṁ tu pitṛbhiḥ sahito naraḥ||

That man who has performed shraddha and libations at Krikalasa goes to the realm of Vishnu, together with his ancestors.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.457.67)

तथा मनोरथावाप्तिर्यात्रा च सफला भवेत्। सर्वतीर्थफलावाप्तिं लभते नात्र संशयः॥

tathā manorathāvāptiryātrā ca saphalā bhavet| sarvatīrthaphalāvāptiṁ labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ||

Along with this, one's cherished wishes are fulfilled and the pilgrimage becomes successful; he obtains the fruit of all sacred places — of this there is no doubt.