The Tale of Chandrasharma: His Journey to Dvaraka, Krishna's Boon, and the City's Supreme Glory

Verse 1 (skanda.7.471.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। पितॄणां प्रेतरूपाणां कृत्वा वाक्यं महीपते। चंद्रशर्मा द्विजश्रेष्ठो द्वारकां समुपागतः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| pitṝṇāṁ pretarūpāṇāṁ kṛtvā vākyaṁ mahīpate| caṁdraśarmā dvijaśreṣṭho dvārakāṁ samupāgataḥ

Shri Markandeya said: O king, heeding the words of his ghost-formed ancestors, that best of brahmins, Chandrasharma, arrived at Dvaraka.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.471.2)

रुक्मिणीसहितः कृष्णो यत्र तिष्ठति चान्वहम्। यत्र तिष्ठंति तीर्थानि तत्र यातो द्विजोत्तमः

rukmiṇīsahitaḥ kṛṣṇo yatra tiṣṭhati cānvaham| yatra tiṣṭhaṁti tīrthāni tatra yāto dvijottamaḥ

That best of brahmins went to that place where Krishna, together with Rukmini, dwells continually, and where the tirthas abide.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.471.3)

यत्र तिष्ठंति यज्ञाश्च यत्र तिष्ठंति देवताः। यत्र तिष्ठंति ऋषयो मुनयो योगवित्तमाः

yatra tiṣṭhaṁti yajñāśca yatra tiṣṭhaṁti devatāḥ| yatra tiṣṭhaṁti ṛṣayo munayo yogavittamāḥ

where sacrifices abide, where the gods abide, where sages and ascetics supreme in the knowledge of yoga abide,

Verse 4 (skanda.7.471.4)

या पुरी सिद्धगंधर्वैः सेव्यते किंनरैर्नरेः। अप्सरोगणयक्षैश्च द्वारका सर्वकामदा

yā purī siddhagaṁdharvaiḥ sevyate kiṁnarairnaraiḥ| apsarogaṇayakṣaiśca dvārakā sarvakāmadā

that city served by siddhas, gandharvas, kinnaras, men, hosts of apsaras, and yakshas — that Dvaraka, granter of every desire.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.471.5)

स्वर्गारोहणनिश्रेणी वहते यत्र गोमती। सा पुरी मोक्षदा नृणां दृष्टा विप्रवरेण हि

svargārohaṇaniśreṇī vahate yatra gomatī| sā purī mokṣadā nṛṇāṁ dṛṣṭā vipravareṇa hi

where the Gomati flows, a very stairway to heaven — that city, bestower of liberation for men, that excellent brahmin beheld.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.471.6)

यस्याः सीमां प्रविष्टस्य ब्रह्महत्यादिपातकम्। नश्यते दर्शनादेव तां पुरीं को न सेवते

yasyāḥ sīmāṁ praviṣṭasya brahmahatyādipātakam| naśyate darśanādeva tāṁ purīṁ ko na sevate

Entering whose boundary, sins like the killing of a brahmin vanish by the mere sight of it — who would not serve that city?

Verse 7 (skanda.7.471.7)

गत्वा कृष्णपुरीं दृष्ट्वा गोमतीं चैव सागरम्। मन्ये कृतार्थमात्मानं जीवितं यौवनं धनम्

gatvā kṛṣṇapurīṁ dṛṣṭvā gomatīṁ caiva sāgaram| manye kṛtārthamātmānaṁ jīvitaṁ yauvanaṁ dhanam

Having gone to Krishna's city, and beheld the Gomati and the ocean, I consider myself, my life, my youth, and my wealth all fulfilled.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.471.8)

दृष्ट्वा कृष्णपुरीं रम्यां कृष्णस्य मुखपंकजम्। धन्योऽहं कृत्यकृत्योहं सभाग्योऽहं धरातले

dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇapurīṁ ramyāṁ kṛṣṇasya mukhapaṁkajam| dhanyo'haṁ kṛtyakṛtyohaṁ sabhāgyo'haṁ dharātale

Having beheld the beautiful city of Krishna and Krishna's lotus face, I am blessed, my purpose fulfilled, fortunate upon this earth.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.471.9)

दृष्ट्वा कृष्णमुखं रम्यं रुक्मिणीं द्वारकां पुरीम्। तीर्थकोटिसहस्रैस्तु सेवितैः किं प्रयोजनम्

dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇamukhaṁ ramyaṁ rukmiṇīṁ dvārakāṁ purīm| tīrthakoṭisahasraistu sevitaiḥ kiṁ prayojanam

Having beheld the beautiful face of Krishna, Rukmini, and the city of Dvaraka — what further purpose is served by serving thousands of crores of other tirthas?

Verse 10 (skanda.7.471.10)

पुण्यैर्लक्षसहस्रैस्तु प्राप्ता द्वारवती शुभा। शुक्ला वैशाखमासे तु संप्राप्ता मधुसूदनी

puṇyairlakṣasahasraistu prāptā dvāravatī śubhā| śuklā vaiśākhamāse tu saṁprāptā madhusūdanī

By hundreds of thousands of merits, this auspicious Dvaravati has been attained. In the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha, I have attained the Madhusudani festival.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.471.11)

द्वादशी त्रिस्पृशानाम पापकोटिशतापहा। धन्याः सर्वे मनुष्यास्ते वैशाखे मधुसूदनी

dvādaśī trispṛśānāma pāpakoṭiśatāpahā| dhanyāḥ sarve manuṣyāste vaiśākhe madhusūdanī

The Dvadashi called Trisparsha removes hundreds of crores of sins. Blessed are all those men who observe the Madhusudani in the month of Vaishakha.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.471.12)

संप्राप्ता त्रिस्पृशा यैस्तु बुधवारेण संयुता। न यज्ञैस्तु न वेदैस्तु न तीर्थैः कोटिसेवितैः। प्राप्यते तत्फलं नैव द्वारकायां यथा नृणाम्

saṁprāptā trispṛśā yaistu budhavāreṇa saṁyutā| na yajñaistu na vedaistu na tīrthaiḥ koṭisevitaiḥ| prāpyate tatphalaṁ naiva dvārakāyāṁ yathā nṛṇām

Those who have attained the Trisparsha tithi falling on a Wednesday — that fruit is never obtained by men through sacrifices, through the Vedas, or through the service of crores of tirthas, as it is obtained in Dvaraka.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.471.13)

एवमुक्त्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठो गोमतीतीरमाश्रितः। उपस्पृश्य यथान्यायं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा

evamuktvā dvijaśreṣṭho gomatītīramāśritaḥ| upaspṛśya yathānyāyaṁ śāstradṛṣṭena karmaṇā

Having said this, that best of brahmins came to rest upon the bank of the Gomati, and, duly touching the water according to the rite prescribed by scripture,

Verse 14 (skanda.7.471.14)

कृत्वा स्नानं यथोक्तं तु संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः। चक्रतीर्थात्समादाय शिलांश्चक्रांकिताञ्छुभान्। पूजिताः पुरुषसूक्तेन यथोक्तविधिना नृप

kṛtvā snānaṁ yathoktaṁ tu saṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ| cakratīrthātsamādāya śilāṁścakrāṁkitāñchubhān| pūjitāḥ puruṣasūktena yathoktavidhinā nṛpa

having duly bathed and offered libations to ancestors and gods, taking auspicious discus-marked stones from Chakra Tirtha, O king, he worshipped them properly with the Purusha Sukta,

Verse 15 (skanda.7.471.15)

शिवपूजा कृता पश्चात्संस्मृत्य पितृभाषितम्। दत्त्वा पिंडोदकं सम्यक्पितॄणां विधिपूर्वकम्

śivapūjā kṛtā paścātsaṁsmṛtya pitṛbhāṣitam| dattvā piṁḍodakaṁ samyakpitṝṇāṁ vidhipūrvakam

Then, recalling what his ancestors had said, he performed worship of Shiva, and duly offered rice-balls and water to the ancestors.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.471.16)

विलेपनं च वस्त्राणि पुष्पाणि धूपदीपको। नैवेद्यानि मनोज्ञानि कंदमूलफलानि च

vilepanaṁ ca vastrāṇi puṣpāṇi dhūpadīpako| naivedyāni manojñāni kaṁdamūlaphalāni ca

Anointing paste, garments, flowers, incense, and lamps, delightful food-offerings, and roots, tubers, and fruits,

Verse 17 (skanda.7.471.17)

तांबूलं च सकर्पूरं कृत्वा नीराजनादिकम्। प्रदक्षिणां नमस्कारं स्तुतिपूर्वं पुनःपुनः

tāṁbūlaṁ ca sakarpūraṁ kṛtvā nīrājanādikam| pradakṣiṇāṁ namaskāraṁ stutipūrvaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

betel with camphor, and having performed the lamp-offering and the rest, circumambulating, prostrating, and reciting hymns of praise again and again —

Verse 18 (skanda.7.471.18)

क्षमापयित्वा देवेशं चक्रे जागरणं ततः। यामत्रये व्यतीते तु चंद्रशर्मा ह्युवाच ह

kṣamāpayitvā deveśaṁ cakre jāgaraṇaṁ tataḥ| yāmatraye vyatīte tu caṁdraśarmā hyuvāca ha

and having begged forgiveness of the Lord of gods, he then kept the night vigil. When three watches of the night had passed, Chandrasharma spoke:

Verse 19 (skanda.7.471.19)

आतुरस्य च दीनस्य शृणु कृष्ण वचो मम। संसारभयसंत्रस्तं मां त्वमुद्धर केशव

āturasya ca dīnasya śṛṇu kṛṣṇa vaco mama| saṁsārabhayasaṁtrastaṁ māṁ tvamuddhara keśava

O Krishna, hear the words of me, afflicted and wretched. O Keshava, deliver me, terrified as I am by the fear of worldly existence.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.471.20)

त्वत्पादांबुज भक्तानां न दुःखं पापिनामपि। किं पुनः पापहीनानां द्वादशीसेविनां नृणाम्

tvatpādāṁbuja bhaktānāṁ na duḥkhaṁ pāpināmapi| kiṁ punaḥ pāpahīnānāṁ dvādaśīsevināṁ nṛṇām

Devotees of your lotus feet, even if sinful, know no sorrow — how much less, then, those free of sin, who observe the Dvadashi vow!

Verse 21 (skanda.7.471.21)

दशमीवेधजं पापं कथितं मम पूर्वजैः। दुष्कृतं नाशमायातु त्वत्प्रसादाज्जनार्द्दन

daśamīvedhajaṁ pāpaṁ kathitaṁ mama pūrvajaiḥ| duṣkṛtaṁ nāśamāyātu tvatprasādājjanārddana

The sin arising from the overlap of the tenth-day tithi has been told to me by my forefathers. O Janardana, may that misdeed be destroyed by your grace.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.471.22)

सविद्धं त्वद्दिनं कृष्ण यत्कृतं जागरं हरे। तत्पापं विलयं यातु यथालवणमंभसि

saviddhaṁ tvaddinaṁ kṛṣṇa yatkṛtaṁ jāgaraṁ hare| tatpāpaṁ vilayaṁ yātu yathālavaṇamaṁbhasi

O Krishna, whatever day of yours was observed marred by flaw, whatever night vigil was so observed, O Hari, may that sin dissolve, just as salt dissolves in water.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.471.23)

सविद्धं वासरं यस्मा त्कृतं मम पितामहैः। प्रेतत्वं तेन संप्राप्तं महादुःखप्रसाधकम्

saviddhaṁ vāsaraṁ yasmāt kṛtaṁ mama pitāmahaiḥ| pretatvaṁ tena saṁprāptaṁ mahāduḥkhaprasādhakam

Because my forefathers observed the sacred day in flawed form, they thereby attained the state of ghosthood, bringing great suffering.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.471.24)

यथा प्रेतत्वनिर्मुक्ता मम पूर्वपितामहाः। मुक्तिं प्रयांति देवेश तथा कुरु जगत्पते

yathā pretatvanirmuktā mama pūrvapitāmahāḥ| muktiṁ prayāṁti deveśa tathā kuru jagatpate

O god of gods, O lord of the universe, grant that my ancestral forefathers, freed from the state of ghosthood, attain liberation.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.471.25)

पुनरेव यदुश्रेष्ठ प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि। अविद्यामोहितेनापि न कृतं तव पूजनम्

punareva yaduśreṣṭha prasādaṁ kartumarhasi| avidyāmohitenāpi na kṛtaṁ tava pūjanam

O best of the Yadus, be gracious once more. Even deluded by ignorance, I did not perform your worship,

Verse 26 (skanda.7.471.26)

मया पापेन देवेश शिवभक्तिः समाश्रिता। तव भक्तिः कृता नैव न कृतं तव वासरम्

mayā pāpena deveśa śivabhaktiḥ samāśritā| tava bhaktiḥ kṛtā naiva na kṛtaṁ tava vāsaram

O god of gods, I, sinner that I am, took refuge only in devotion to Shiva; devotion to you I never performed, your sacred day I never observed.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.471.27)

न दृष्टा द्वारका कृष्ण न स्नातो गोमतीजले। न दृष्टं पादपद्मं च त्वदीयं मोक्षदा यकम्

na dṛṣṭā dvārakā kṛṣṇa na snāto gomatījale| na dṛṣṭaṁ pādapadmaṁ ca tvadīyaṁ mokṣadāyakam

O Krishna, I never beheld Dvaraka, never bathed in the waters of the Gomati, never beheld your liberating lotus feet.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.471.28)

न कृता द्वारकायात्रा दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं प्रभुम्। विफलं सुकृतं जातं यन्मया समुपार्जितम्

na kṛtā dvārakāyātrā dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ prabhum| viphalaṁ sukṛtaṁ jātaṁ yanmayā samupārjitam

Though I beheld the Lord Someshvara, I did not make the pilgrimage to Dvaraka; whatever merit I earned has become fruitless.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.471.29)

मत्पूर्वजैस्तु कथितं सर्वमेव सुरेश्वर। तत्पुण्यं मा वृथा यातु प्रसादात्तव केशव

matpūrvajaistu kathitaṁ sarvameva sureśvara| tatpuṇyaṁ mā vṛthā yātu prasādāttava keśava

O lord of gods, all this was told to me by my forefathers. O Keshava, by your grace, let that merit not go to waste.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.471.30)

दृष्टं तु तव वक्त्रं च दुर्ल्लभं भुवनत्रये। तन्नास्ति देवकीपुत्र पुराणेषु श्रुतं मया

dṛṣṭaṁ tu tava vaktraṁ ca durlabhaṁ bhuvanatraye| tannāsti devakīputra purāṇeṣu śrutaṁ mayā

Your face, so rare even in the three worlds, I have beheld. O son of Devaki, there is nothing else, as I have heard in the Puranas, quite so hard to attain.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.471.31)

सापराधास्तु ये केचिच्छिशुपालादयः स्मृताः। त्वत्करेण हताः कोपान्मुक्तिं प्राप्ता महीवराः

sāparādhāstu ye kecicchiśupālādayaḥ smṛtāḥ| tvatkareṇa hatāḥ kopānmuktiṁ prāptā mahīvarāḥ

Those offenders such as Shishupala and the rest, though slain in wrath by your own hand, attained liberation, O lord of the earth.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.471.32)

अद्यप्रभृति कर्त्तव्यं पूजनं प्रत्यहं च तत्। पलार्धेनापि विद्धं स्याद्भोक्तव्यं वासरे तव

adyaprabhṛti karttavyaṁ pūjanaṁ pratyahaṁ ca tat| palārdhenāpi viddhaṁ syādbhoktavyaṁ vāsare tava

From today onward I shall perform your worship every day. Even if your sacred day be flawed by even half a moment's overlap, I shall still observe it faithfully.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.471.33)

त्वत्प्रिया च मया कार्य्या द्वादशी व्रतसंयुता। भक्तिर्भागवतानां च कार्य्या प्राणैर्द्धनैरपि

tvatpriyā ca mayā kāryā dvādaśī vratasaṁyutā| bhaktirbhāgavatānāṁ ca kāryā prāṇairddhanairapi

I shall observe your beloved Dvadashi accompanied by its full vow; devotion to the Bhagavatas too I shall render, even with my life and wealth.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.471.34)

नित्यं नामसहस्रं तु पठनीयं तव प्रियम्। पूजा तु तुलसीपत्रैर्मया कार्या सदैव हि

nityaṁ nāmasahasraṁ tu paṭhanīyaṁ tava priyam| pūjā tu tulasīpatrairmayā kāryā sadaiva hi

Daily I shall recite your beloved thousand names. I shall ever worship you with tulasi leaves.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.471.35)

तुलसीकाष्ठसंभूता माला धार्य्या सदा मया। नृत्यं गीतं च कर्त्तव्यं संप्राप्ते जागरे तव

tulasīkāṣṭhasaṁbhūtā mālā dhāryā sadā mayā| nṛtyaṁ gītaṁ ca karttavyaṁ saṁprāpte jāgare tava

A garland made of tulasi wood I shall ever wear. Dance and song I shall perform when your night vigil arrives.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.471.36)

द्वारकायां प्रकर्त्तव्यं प्रत्यहं गमनं मया। त्वत्कथाश्रवणार्थं च नित्यं पुस्तकवाचनम्

dvārakāyāṁ prakarttavyaṁ pratyahaṁ gamanaṁ mayā| tvatkathāśravaṇārthaṁ ca nityaṁ pustakavācanam

Daily I shall make my way to Dvaraka; and for the sake of hearing your story, I shall daily have sacred texts read aloud.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.471.37)

नित्यं पादोदकं मूर्ध्ना मया धार्यं सुभक्तितः। नैवेद्यभक्षणं चैव करिष्यामि सुभक्तितः

nityaṁ pādodakaṁ mūrdhnā mayā dhāryaṁ subhaktitaḥ| naivedyabhakṣaṇaṁ caiva kariṣyāmi subhaktitaḥ

Your foot-water I shall daily bear upon my head with true devotion; and your food-offering I shall partake of with true devotion.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.471.38)

निर्माल्यं शिरसा धार्य्यं त्वदीयं सादरं मया। तव दत्त्वा यदिष्टं तु भक्षणीयं सदा मया

nirmālyaṁ śirasā dhāryaṁ tvadīyaṁ sādaraṁ mayā| tava dattvā yadiṣṭaṁ tu bhakṣaṇīyaṁ sadā mayā

Your leftover offerings I shall reverently bear upon my head. Whatever, once offered to you, is desired, I shall ever partake of it.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.471.39)

तथा तथा प्रकर्त्तव्यं येन तुष्टिर्भवेत्तव। तथ्यमेतन्मया कृष्ण तवाग्रे परिकीर्तितम्

tathā tathā prakarttavyaṁ yena tuṣṭirbhavettava| tathyametanmayā kṛṣṇa tavāgre parikīrtitam

Whatever, in whatever manner, brings you satisfaction — that I shall do. O Krishna, this truthful pledge I have proclaimed before you.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.471.40)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। साधुसाधु महाभाग चन्द्रशर्मन्द्विजोत्तम। आगमिष्यंति मल्लोके त्वया सह पितामहाः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| sādhusādhu mahābhāga caṁdraśarmandvijottama| āgamiṣyaṁti malloke tvayā saha pitāmahāḥ

Shri Krishna said: Well done, well done, O illustrious best of brahmins, Chandrasharma! Your forefathers too shall come, together with you, to my realm.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.471.41)

पश्य प्रेतत्वनिर्मुक्ता मत्प्रसादाद्द्विजोत्तम। आकाशे गरुडारूढास्तव पूर्वपितामहाः

paśya pretatvanirmuktā matprasādāddvijottama| ākāśe garuḍārūḍhāstava pūrvapitāmahāḥ

O best of brahmins, behold — freed from ghosthood by my grace, your ancestral forefathers now come, mounted upon Garuda in the sky.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.471.42)

पितामहा ऊचुः। त्वत्प्रसादाद्वयं पुत्र मुक्तिं प्राप्ता न संशयः। प्रेतयोनेर्विनिर्मुक्ताः कृष्णवक्त्रावलोकनात्

pitāmahā ūcuḥ| tvatprasādādvayaṁ putra muktiṁ prāptā na saṁśayaḥ| pretayonervinirmuktāḥ kṛṣṇavaktrāvalokanāt

The forefathers said: O son, by your grace we have attained liberation, without doubt; by beholding Krishna's face we are freed from the state of ghosthood.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.471.43)

धन्यास्ते मानुषे लोके पुत्रपौत्रप्रपौत्रकाः। दृष्ट्वा श्रीसोमनाथं तु कृष्णं पश्यंति द्वारकाम्

dhanyāste mānuṣe loke putrapautraprapautrakāḥ| dṛṣṭvā śrīsomanāthaṁ tu kṛṣṇaṁ paśyaṁti dvārakām

Blessed in this human world are those sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons who, having beheld Shri Somanatha, go on to behold Krishna at Dvaraka.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.471.44)

धन्या च विधवा नारी कृष्णयात्रां करोति या। उद्धरिष्यति लोकेऽस्मिन्कुलानां निरयाच्छतम्

dhanyā ca vidhavā nārī kṛṣṇayātrāṁ karoti yā| uddhariṣyati loke'sminkulānāṁ nirayācchatam

Blessed too is the widowed woman who makes the pilgrimage to Krishna; she rescues a hundred families of her lineage from hell in this world.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.471.45)

श्वपचोऽपि करोत्येवं यात्रां च हरिशांकरीम्। स याति परमां मुक्तिं पितृभिः परिवारितः

śvapaco'pi karotyevaṁ yātrāṁ ca hariśāṁkarīm| sa yāti paramāṁ muktiṁ pitṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ

Even an outcaste, if he makes this pilgrimage joining Hari and Shankara, attains the supreme liberation, surrounded by his ancestors.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.471.46)

यः पुनस्तीर्थसंन्यासं कृत्वा तिष्ठति तत्र वै। विष्णुलोकान्निवृत्तिर्न कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

yaḥ punastīrthasaṁnyāsaṁ kṛtvā tiṣṭhati tatra vai| viṣṇulokānnivṛttirna kalpakoṭiśatairapi

He who, having taken renunciation at the tirtha, remains there, does not return from the world of Vishnu, even after hundreds of crores of kalpas.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.471.47)

वंचितास्ते न सन्देहो दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं प्रभुम्। दृष्टं कृष्णमुखं नैव न स्नाता गोमतीजले

vaṁcitāste na sandeho dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ prabhum| dṛṣṭaṁ kṛṣṇamukhaṁ naiva na snātā gomatījale

Those who, having beheld the Lord Someshvara, did not go on to behold Krishna's face, did not bathe in the Gomati's waters — they have, without doubt, been cheated.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.471.48)

किं जलैर्बहुभिः पुण्यैस्तीर्थकोटिसमुद्भवैः। दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं यस्तु द्वारकां नैव गच्छति। धिक्कुर्वंति च तं पापं पितरो दिवि संस्थिताः

kiṁ jalairbahubhiḥ puṇyaistīrthakoṭisamudbhavaiḥ| dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ yastu dvārakāṁ naiva gacchati| dhikkurvaṁti ca taṁ pāpaṁ pitaro divi saṁsthitāḥ

What use are the many holy waters arising from crores of tirthas? Whoever, having beheld Someshvara, does not go on to Dvaraka — that sinner is scorned by his heaven-dwelling ancestors.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.471.49)

दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं देवं कृष्णं दृष्ट्वा पुनः शिवम्। सौपर्णे कथितं पुण्यं यात्राशतसमुद्भवम्

dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ devaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā punaḥ śivam| sauparṇe kathitaṁ puṇyaṁ yātrāśatasamudbhavam

Having beheld the god Someshvara, and then beheld Krishna and Shiva together — the merit declared in the Garuda Purana for this equals that of a hundred pilgrimages.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.471.50)

दृष्ट्वा सोमेश्वरं देवं कृष्णं नैव प्रपश्यति। मोहाद्व्यर्थगतं तस्य सर्वं संसारकर्म वै

dṛṣṭvā someśvaraṁ devaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ naiva prapaśyati| mohādvyarthagataṁ tasya sarvaṁ saṁsārakarma vai

He who, having beheld the god Someshvara, does not go on to behold Krishna — all his worldly deeds, through delusion, become entirely fruitless.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.471.51)

आगत्य यः प्रभासे च कृष्णं पश्यति वै नरः। प्रभासायुतसंख्यं तु फलमाप्नोति यत्नतः

āgatya yaḥ prabhāse ca kṛṣṇaṁ paśyati vai naraḥ| prabhāsāyutasaṁkhyaṁ tu phalamāpnoti yatnataḥ

The man who, coming to Prabhasa, beholds Krishna there, diligently obtains the fruit of ten thousand pilgrimages to Prabhasa.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.471.52)

यस्मात्सर्वाणि तीर्थानि सर्वे देवास्तथा मखाः। द्वारकायां समायांति त्रिकालं कृष्णसंनिधौ

yasmātsarvāṇi tīrthāni sarve devāstathā makhāḥ| dvārakāyāṁ samāyāṁti trikālaṁ kṛṣṇasannidhau

Because all tirthas, all gods, and all sacrifices gather in Dvaraka, in Krishna's presence, at all three times of day,

Verse 53 (skanda.7.471.53)

तीर्थैर्नानाविधैः पुत्र तत्स्थानैः किं प्रयोजनम्। फलं समस्ततीर्थानां दृष्ट्वा द्वारवतीं लभेत्

tīrthairnānāvidhaiḥ putra tatsthānaiḥ kiṁ prayojanam| phalaṁ samastatīrthānāṁ dṛṣṭvā dvāravatīṁ labhet

O son, what need of various tirthas and their locations? By beholding Dvaravati, a man obtains the fruit of all tirthas.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.471.54)

हते कंसे जरासन्धे नरके च निपातिते। उत्तारिते भुवो भारे कृष्णो देवकिनंदनः। चक्रे द्वारवतीं रम्यां सन्निधौ सागरस्य च

hate kaṁse jarāsandhe narake ca nipātite| uttārite bhuvo bhāre kṛṣṇo devakinaṁdanaḥ| cakre dvāravatīṁ ramyāṁ sannidhau sāgarasya ca

When Kamsa had been slain, Jarasandha and Naraka struck down, and the burden of the earth lifted, Krishna, son of Devaki, built the beautiful city of Dvaravati beside the ocean.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.471.55)

स्थितः प्रीतमनाः कृष्णो लप्स्यते कामिनीसुखम्

sthitaḥ prītamanāḥ kṛṣṇo lapsyate kāminīsukham

Established there, with a joyful heart, Krishna would come to enjoy the happiness of his beloveds.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.471.56)

ब्रह्माग्निवायुसूर्याश्च वासवाद्या दिवौकसः। मर्त्त्या विप्राश्च राजानः पातालात्पन्नगेश्वराः

brahmāgnivāyusūryāśca vāsavādyā divaukasaḥ| marttyā viprāśca rājānaḥ pātālātpannageśvarāḥ

Brahma, Agni, Vayu, Surya, and Indra and the other dwellers of heaven, mortals, brahmins, kings, and the lords of serpents from the netherworld —

Verse 57 (skanda.7.471.57)

नद्यो नदाश्च शैलाश्च वनान्युपवनानि च। पुरग्रामा ह्यरण्यानि सागराश्च सरांसि च

nadyo nadāśca śailāśca vanānyupavanāni ca| puragrāmā hyaraṇyāni sāgarāśca sarāṁsi ca

rivers and streams, mountains, forests and groves, cities and villages, wildernesses, oceans, and lakes —

Verse 58 (skanda.7.471.58)

यक्षाश्चासुरगंधर्वाः सिद्धा विद्याधरास्तथा। रम्भाद्यप्सरसश्चैव प्रह्लादाद्या दितेः सुताः। रक्षा विभीषणाद्याश्च धनदो रक्ष नायकः

yakṣāścāsuragaṁdharvāḥ siddhā vidyādharāstathā| raṁbhādyapsarasaścaiva prahlādādyā diteḥ sutāḥ| rakṣā vibhīṣaṇādyāśca dhanado rakṣa nāyakaḥ

Yakshas, asuras, gandharvas, siddhas, and vidyadharas, apsaras headed by Rambha, the sons of Diti headed by Prahlada, rakshasas headed by Vibhishana, and Kubera, lord of the rakshasas —

Verse 59 (skanda.7.471.59)

ऋषयो मुनयः सिद्धाः सनकाद्याश्च योगिनः। ग्रहा ऋक्षाणि योगाश्च ध्रुवः परमवैष्णवः

ṛṣayo munayaḥ siddhāḥ sanakādyāśca yoginaḥ| grahā ṛkṣāṇi yogāśca dhruvaḥ paramavaiṣṇavaḥ

Sages, ascetics, siddhas, yogis headed by Sanaka, the planets, the lunar mansions, the yogas, and Dhruva, that supreme devotee of Vishnu —

Verse 60 (skanda.7.471.60)

यत्किंचित्त्रिषु लोकेषु तिष्ठते स्थाणुजंगमम्। श्रीकृष्णसन्निधौ नित्यं प्रत्यहं तिष्ठते सदा

yatkiṁcittriṣu lokeṣu tiṣṭhate sthāṇujaṁgamam| śrīkṛṣṇasannidhau nityaṁ pratyahaṁ tiṣṭhate sadā

Whatever exists in the three worlds, moving or unmoving, all of it ever, daily, always abides in Shri Krishna's presence.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.471.61)

न त्यजंति पुरीं पुण्यां द्वारकां कृष्णसेविताम्। सा त्वया सेविता पुत्र सांप्रतं कृष्णदर्शनात्। पिशाचयोनिनिर्मुक्ता यास्यामः परमां गतिम्

na tyajaṁti purīṁ puṇyāṁ dvārakāṁ kṛṣṇasevitām| sā tvayā sevitā putra sāṁprataṁ kṛṣṇadarśanāt| piśācayoninirmuktā yāsyāmaḥ paramāṁ gatim

They never abandon that sacred city of Dvaraka, served by Krishna. That very city, O son, you have now served through your beholding of Krishna; freed from the state of demon-ghosts, we shall attain the supreme destination.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.471.62)

द्वादशीवेधजंपापं द्वारकायाः प्रभावतः। नष्टं पुत्र न सन्देहः संप्राप्ताः परमं पदम्

dvādaśīvedhajaṁpāpaṁ dvārakāyāḥ prabhāvataḥ| naṣṭaṁ putra na sandehaḥ saṁprāptāḥ paramaṁ padam

The sin arising from the flawed Dvadashi has been destroyed by the power of Dvaraka, O son — without doubt, we have attained the supreme state.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.471.63)

द्वादशीवेधसम्भूतं यत्त्वया पापमर्जितम्। कृष्णस्य दर्शनात्क्षीणं न जह्यं द्वादशीव्रतम्

dvādaśīvedhasambhūtaṁ yattvayā pāpamarjitam| kṛṣṇasya darśanātkṣīṇaṁ na jahyaṁ dvādaśīvratam

Whatever sin you accrued through the flawed Dvadashi has been dissolved by beholding Krishna; yet you must never abandon the Dvadashi vow.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.471.64)

रक्षणीयं प्रयत्नेन वेधो दशमिसम्भवः। नो चेत्पुत्र न संदेहः प्रेतयोनिमवाप्स्यसि

rakṣaṇīyaṁ prayatnena vedho daśamisambhavaḥ| no cetputra na saṁdehaḥ pretayonimavāpsyasi

Guard diligently against overlap with the tenth-day tithi. Otherwise, O son, without doubt, you too shall attain the state of a ghost.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.471.65)

त्रैलोक्य संभवं पापं तेषां भवति भूतले। सशल्यं ये प्रकुर्वंति वासरं कृष्णसंज्ञकम्

trailokya saṁbhavaṁ pāpaṁ teṣāṁ bhavati bhūtale| saśalyaṁ ye prakurvaṁti vāsaraṁ kṛṣṇasaṁjñakam

Those who observe the day called Krishna's in a flawed manner incur, upon this earth, sin equal to that arising throughout the three worlds.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.471.66)

प्रायश्चित्तं न तस्यास्ति सशल्यं वासरं हरेः। ये कुर्वंति न ते यांति मन्वतरशतैर्दिवम्

prāyaścittaṁ na tasyāsti saśalyaṁ vāsaraṁ hareḥ| ye kurvaṁti na te yāṁti manvatataraśatairdivam

For that there is no expiation. Those who observe Hari's day in a flawed manner do not attain heaven, even after hundreds of manvantaras.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.471.67)

प्रेतत्वं दुःसहं पुत्र दुःसहा यमयातना। तस्मात्पुत्र न कर्त्तव्यं सशल्यं द्वादशीव्रतम्

pretatvaṁ duḥsahaṁ putra duḥsahā yamayātanā| tasmātputra na karttavyaṁ saśalyaṁ dvādaśīvratam

O son, ghosthood is unbearable, and the torment of Yama unbearable. Therefore, O son, the Dvadashi vow should never be observed in flawed form.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.471.68)

कारयंति हि ये त्वज्ञाः कूटयुक्ताश्च हेतुकाः। प्रेतयोनिं प्रयास्यंति पितृभिः सह सर्वतः

kārayaṁti hi ye tvajñāḥ kūṭayuktāśca hetukāḥ| pretayoniṁ prayāsyaṁti pitṛbhiḥ saha sarvataḥ

Those fools, deceitful and sophistical, who bring this about, together with their ancestors, fall entirely into the state of ghosts.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.471.69)

द्वादशी दशमीविद्धा संतानप्रविनाशिनी। ध्वंसिनी पूर्वपुण्यानां कृष्णभक्तिविनाशिनी

dvādaśī daśamīviddhā saṁtānapravināśinī| dhvaṁsinī pūrvapuṇyānāṁ kṛṣṇabhaktivināśinī

A Dvadashi overlapping with the tenth day destroys one's progeny, ruins one's prior merit, and destroys one's devotion to Krishna.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.471.70)

स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामः प्रसादाद्रुक्मिणीपतेः। प्राप्तं विष्णुपदं पुत्र अपुनर्भवसंज्ञकम्

svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmaḥ prasādādrukmiṇīpateḥ| prāptaṁ viṣṇupadaṁ putra apunarbhavasaṁjñakam

May all be well with you; we now depart by the grace of the lord of Rukmini. O son, we have attained the abode of Vishnu, called the state of no-return.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.471.71)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। चंद्रशर्मन्प्रसन्नोऽहं तव भक्त्या द्विजोत्तम। शैवभावप्रपन्नोऽपि यस्त्वं जातोऽसि वैष्णवः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| caṁdraśarmanprasanno'haṁ tava bhaktyā dvijottama| śaivabhāvaprapanno'pi yastvaṁ jāto'si vaiṣṇavaḥ

Shri Krishna said: O best of brahmins, Chandrasharma, I am pleased with your devotion; though devoted to the Shaiva disposition, you have become a Vaishnava.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.471.72)

नवसप्ततिवर्षाणि न कृतं वासरे मम। संपूर्णं मत्प्रसादेन तव जातं न संशयः

navasaptativarṣāṇi na kṛtaṁ vāsare mama| saṁpūrṇaṁ matprasādena tava jātaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

For seventy-nine years you did not observe my sacred day, yet by my grace all has been made complete for you — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.471.73)

एकेनैवोपवासेन त्रिस्पृशासंभवेन हि। द्वारकायाः प्रसादेन मद्दृष्ट्यालोकनेन हि

ekenaivopavāsena trispṛśāsaṁbhavena hi| dvārakāyāḥ prasādena maddṛṣṭyālokanena hi

By a single fast observed on the Trisparsha tithi, by the grace of Dvaraka, and by the sight of me with your own eyes —

Verse 74 (skanda.7.471.74)

अविद्यामोहितेनैव शिवभक्त्या ममार्चनम्। न कृतं मत्प्रसादेन कृतं चैव भविष्यति

avidyāmohitenaiva śivabhaktyā mamārcanam| na kṛtaṁ matprasādena kṛtaṁ caiva bhaviṣyati

Deluded by ignorance, absorbed in devotion to Shiva, you did not worship me; but now, by my grace, take it that this worship has indeed been performed.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.471.75)

वैशाखे यैरहं दृष्टो द्वारकायां द्विजोत्तम। त्रिस्पृशावासरे चैव वंजुलीवासरे तथा

vaiśākhe yairahaṁ dṛṣṭo dvārakāyāṁ dvijottama| trispṛśāvāsare caiva vaṁjulīvāsare tathā

O best of brahmins, those who have beheld me in Dvaraka in the month of Vaishakha, on the Trisparsha day, and on the Vanjuli day,

Verse 76 (skanda.7.471.76)

उन्मीलिनीदिने प्राप्ते प्राप्ते वा पक्षवर्द्धिनी। नैतेषां चापराधोऽस्ति यद्यपि ब्रह्मघातकाः

unmīlinīdine prāpte prāpte vā pakṣavarddhinī| naiteṣāṁ cāparādho'sti yadyapi brahmaghātakāḥ

or on the day of Unmilini, or on Pakshavardhini — for them no offence remains, even were they slayers of a brahmin.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.471.77)

जन्मप्रभृति पुण्यस्य प्रकृतस्यापि भूसुर। मत्पुरीदर्शनेनापि फलभागी भवेन्नरः

janmaprabhṛti puṇyasya prakṛtasyāpi bhūsura| matpurīdarśanenāpi phalabhāgī bhavennaraḥ

O brahmin, even the fruit of merit accumulated from birth, a man becomes entitled to merely by beholding my city.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.471.78)

दृष्ट्वा समस्ततीर्थानि प्रभासादीनि भूतले। मत्पुरीदर्शनेनैव पृष्ट्वाऽपीह भवेत्फलम्

dṛṣṭvā samastatīrthāni prabhāsādīni bhūtale| matpurīdarśanenaiva pṛṣṭvā'pīha bhavetphalam

Whatever fruit comes from beholding all the tirthas of this earth, Prabhasa and the rest — that fruit is obtained here simply by beholding my city.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.471.79)

माहात्म्यं द्वारकायास्तु मद्दिने यत्र तत्र वा। पठेन्मम पुरीं पुण्यां लभते मत्प्रसादतः

māhātmyaṁ dvārakāyāstu maddine yatra tatra vā| paṭhenmama purīṁ puṇyāṁ labhate matprasādataḥ

Whoever recites the glory of Dvaraka anywhere, especially on my sacred day, obtains, by my grace, my own sacred city.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.471.80)

मत्पुरीं वसतां पुण्यं त्रिकालं मम दर्शनात्। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति यस्त्विदं पठते कलौ

matpurīṁ vasatāṁ puṇyaṁ trikālaṁ mama darśanāt| tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti yastvidaṁ paṭhate kalau

The merit that dwellers in my city obtain through beholding me thrice daily — that same fruit is obtained by whoever, in the Kali age, recites this account.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.471.81)

कलौ काशी च मथुरा ह्यवंती च द्विजोत्तम। अयोध्या च तथा माया कांची चैव च मत्पुरी

kalau kāśī ca mathurā hyavaṁtī ca dvijottama| ayodhyā ca tathā māyā kāṁcī caiva ca matpurī

O best of brahmins, in the Kali age, Kashi, Mathura, Avanti, Ayodhya, likewise Maya (Haridwar), Kanchi, and my own city —

Verse 82 (skanda.7.471.82)

शालिग्रामभवं चैव बदरी च तथोत्तमा। कुरुक्षेत्रं भृगुक्षेत्रं पुष्करं शुभसंज्ञकम्

śāligrāmabhavaṁ caiva badarī ca tathottamā| kurukṣetraṁ bhṛgukṣetraṁ puṣkaraṁ śubhasaṁjñakam

the field of Shaligrama, and excellent Badari, Kurukshetra, Bhrigukshetra, and Pushkara of auspicious name —

Verse 83 (skanda.7.471.83)

प्रयागं च प्रभासं च क्षेत्रं वै हाटकेश्वरम्। गंगाद्वारं शौकरं च गंगासागरसंगमम्

prayāgaṁ ca prabhāsaṁ ca kṣetraṁ vai hāṭakeśvaram| gaṁgādvāraṁ śaukaraṁ ca gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgamam

Prayaga and Prabhasa, the field of Hatakeshvara, Gangadvara, Shaukara, and the confluence of the Ganga with the ocean —

Verse 84 (skanda.7.471.84)

नैमिषं दण्डकारण्यं तथा वृन्दावनं द्विज। सैंधवं चार्बुदाख्यं च सर्वाण्यायतनानि च

naimiṣaṁ daṇḍakāraṇyaṁ tathā vṛndāvanaṁ dvija| saiṁdhavaṁ cārbudākhyaṁ ca sarvāṇyāyatanāni ca

O brahmin, Naimisha, Dandakaranya, and likewise Vrindavana, Saindhava, the place called Arbuda, and all other sacred sanctuaries —

Verse 85 (skanda.7.471.85)

वनानि मागधादीनि पुष्कराणि द्विजोत्तम। शैलराजादयः शैला हिमाद्रिप्रमुखा हि ये

vanāni māgadhādīni puṣkarāṇi dvijottama| śailarājādayaḥ śailā himādripramukhā hi ye

O best of brahmins, the forests of Magadha and the like, the Pushkara tirthas, and the great mountains led by King of Mountains, the Himalaya —

Verse 86 (skanda.7.471.86)

गंगादयश्च सरितो भूतले संति यानि वै। तीर्थानि त्रिषु कालेषु समानि द्वारकापुरः

gaṁgādayaśca sarito bhūtale saṁti yāni vai| tīrthāni triṣu kāleṣu samāni dvārakāpuraḥ

the Ganga and whatever other rivers exist upon this earth — all these tirthas, at all three times, are equal to the city of Dvaraka.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.471.87)

कलिना कलितं सर्वं वर्जयित्वा तु मत्पुरीम्। विप्र वर्षशते प्राप्ते मत्पुर्यां मम दर्शने

kalinā kalitaṁ sarvaṁ varjayitvā tu matpurīm| vipra varṣaśate prāpte matpuryāṁ mama darśane

Everything, save my own city, has been overtaken by the Kali age. O brahmin, when a hundred years have passed, upon beholding me in my city,

Verse 88 (skanda.7.471.88)

तव मृत्युर्महीदेव मत्प्रसादाद्भविष्यति। त्रिस्पृशावासरे प्राप्ते वैशाखे शुक्लपक्षतः

tava mṛtyurmahīdeva matprasādādbhaviṣyati| trispṛśāvāsare prāpte vaiśākhe śuklapakṣataḥ

O earthly god, by my grace your death shall occur when the Trisparsha day arrives, in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha.

Verse 89 (skanda.7.471.89)

संगमे बुधवारस्य दिवा भूमौ ममाग्रतः। दशमं द्वारमासाद्य तव प्राणस्य निर्गमम्। भविष्यति न संदेहो मत्प्रसादेन भूसुर

saṁgame budhavārasya divā bhūmau mamāgrataḥ| daśamaṁ dvāramāsādya tava prāṇasya nirgamam| bhaviṣyati na saṁdeho matprasādena bhūsura

At the confluence with Wednesday, by day, upon this earth, right before me, through the tenth door, your life-breath shall depart — O brahmin, by my grace there is no doubt of this.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.471.90)

स्वस्थानं गच्छ विप्रेंद्र सर्वान्कामानवाप्स्यसि। मद्भक्तानां युगांतेऽपि विनाशो नोपपद्यते

svasthānaṁ gaccha viprendra sarvānkāmānavāpsyasi| madbhaktānāṁ yugāṁte'pi vināśo nopapadyate

O chief of brahmins, go to your own place; you shall obtain all your desires. My devotees do not perish, even at the end of an age.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.471.91)

मद्भक्तिं वहतां पुंसामिह लोके परेऽपि वा। नाशुभं विद्यते किंचित्कुलकोटिं नयेद्दिवम्

madbhaktiṁ vahatāṁ puṁsāmiha loke pare'pi vā| nāśubhaṁ vidyate kiṁcitkulakoṭiṁ nayeddivam

For men who bear devotion to me, nothing inauspicious exists, in this world or the next; they lead crores of their kinsfolk up to heaven.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.471.92)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो वर्षशते प्राप्ते गत्वा द्वारवतीं पुरीम्। प्राणान्कृष्णोपदेशेन त्यक्त्वा मोक्षं जगाम ह

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato varṣaśate prāpte gatvā dvāravatīṁ purīm| prāṇānkṛṣṇopadeśena tyaktvā mokṣaṁ jagāma ha

Markandeya said: Thereafter, when a hundred years had passed, having gone to the city of Dvaravati, and relinquished his life according to Krishna's instruction, he attained liberation.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.471.93)

इन्द्रद्युम्न तदाख्यातं माहात्म्यं द्वारकाभवम्। पुनरेव प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते

indradyumna tadākhyātaṁ māhātmyaṁ dvārakābhavam| punareva pravakṣyāmi yatte manasi varttate

O Indradyumna, thus has the glory of Dvaraka been recounted. Now again I shall tell what is in your mind.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.471.94)

शृण्वतां पठतां चैव माहात्म्यं द्वारकाभवम्। सर्वं फलमवाप्नोति कृष्णेन कथितं च यत्

śṛṇvatāṁ paṭhatāṁ caiva māhātmyaṁ dvārakābhavam| sarvaṁ phalamavāpnoti kṛṣṇena kathitaṁ ca yat

Those who hear and recite this glory of Dvaraka obtain the entire fruit that was declared by Krishna.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.471.95)

विस्तारयंति लोकेऽस्मिँल्लिखितं यस्य वेश्मनि। प्रत्यक्षं द्वारकापुण्यं प्राप्यते कृष्णसंभवम्

vistārayaṁti loke'sminllikhitaṁ yasya veśmani| pratyakṣaṁ dvārakāpuṇyaṁ prāpyate kṛṣṇasaṁbhavam

Those in whose home this account, written down, comes to spread in this world obtain directly the merit of Dvaraka, arisen from Krishna himself.