The Teaching on the Merit of Gifts

Verse 1 (skanda.8.111.1)

व्यास उवाच । गते दिवं महादेवे व्रतमादेष्टुमुत्तमम् । एकाकिनी महादेवी किञ्चक्रे तदनन्तरम्

vyāsa uvāca | gate divaṁ mahādeve vratamādeṣṭumuttamam | ekākinī mahādevī kiñcakre tadanantaram

Vyasa said: When Mahadeva had gone to heaven to teach that supreme observance, what did the great goddess, left alone, do after that?

Verse 2 (skanda.8.111.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । गते दिवं महादेवे देवीं गिरिवरात्मजाम् । उपतस्थुर्महाभागा देव्यो लोकस्य मातरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | gate divaṁ mahādeve devīṁ girivarātmajām | upatasthurmahābhāgā devyo lokasya mātaraḥ

Sanatkumara said: When Mahadeva had gone to heaven, the most blessed goddesses, known as the mothers of the world, came and presented themselves before the goddess, daughter of the king of mountains -

Verse 3 (skanda.8.111.3)

भरतस्य सुताग्नेस्तु मालिनीत्यभिविश्रुता । शुचावती च देवस्य पर्जन्यस्य सुताव्यया

bharatasya sutāgnestu mālinītyabhiviśrutā | śucāvatī ca devasya parjanyasya sutāvyayā

- Malini, renowned as the daughter of Agni and mother of Bharata, and Shuchavati, the imperishable daughter of the god Parjanya,

Verse 4 (skanda.8.111.4)

सावित्री वेदमाता च गायत्री दुर्गया सह । श्रीः कीर्तिश्चैव लक्ष्मीश्च धृतिः प्रज्ञा तथैव च

sāvitrī vedamātā ca gāyatrī durgayā saha | śrīḥ kīrtiścaiva lakṣmīśca dhṛtiḥ prajñā tathaiva ca

Savitri, and Gayatri the mother of the Vedas, together with Durga, Shri, Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, and Prajna,

Verse 5 (skanda.8.111.5)

ख्यातिर्दितिर्दनुश्चैव अदितिः सिंहिका खशा । राका कुहूः सिनीवाली तथैवानुमतिः शुभा

khyātirditirdanuścaiva aditiḥ siṁhikā khaśā | rākā kuhūḥ sinīvālī tathaivānumatiḥ śubhā

Khyati, Diti, Danu, Aditi, Simhika, Khasha, Raka, Kuhu, Sinivali, and auspicious Anumati -

Verse 6 (skanda.8.111.6)

गङ्गा सरस्वती चैव तथान्याः सरितः शुभाः । ऋषीणां चैव याः पत्न्यो देवानां यक्षरक्षसाम् । उरगाणां खगानाञ्च गन्धर्वाणां तथैव च

gaṅgā sarasvatī caiva tathānyāḥ saritaḥ śubhāḥ | ṛṣīṇāṁ caiva yāḥ patnyo devānāṁ yakṣarakṣasām | uragāṇāṁ khagānāñca gandharvāṇāṁ tathaiva ca

Ganga, Sarasvati, and the other auspicious rivers, and the wives of the sages, of the gods, of the yakshas and rakshasas, of the serpents, the birds, and the gandharvas as well -

Verse 7 (skanda.8.111.7)

एतास्सर्वास्तथागम्य नमस्कृत्य च पार्वतीम् । पप्रच्छुः सर्वधर्मज्ञा धर्मं धर्मार्थसंश्रिताः

etāssarvāstathāgamya namaskṛtya ca pārvatīm | papracchuḥ sarvadharmajñā dharmaṁ dharmārthasaṁśritāḥ

- all of these, having thus come and bowed to Parvati, being versed in every dharma and devoted to dharma and its purpose, asked her about dharma -

Verse 8 (skanda.8.111.8)

केन धर्मेण देवेशे तपसा वा शुभानने । सुमहत् प्राप्य पुण्यं किञ्चाक्षय्यं प्रकीर्तितम्

kena dharmeṇa deveśe tapasā vā śubhānane | sumahat prāpya puṇyaṁ kiñcākṣayyaṁ prakīrtitam

"O queen of the gods, O fair-faced one, by what dharma, or by what austerity, is very great merit obtained, and what merit is declared to be imperishable?"

Verse 9 (skanda.8.111.9)

देव्युवाच । युष्माकन्तु हितार्थाय लोकानाञ्चैव सुव्रताः । कथयिष्याम्यहं धर्मं यथावदनुपूर्वशः

devyuvāca | yuṣmākantu hitārthāya lokānāñcaiva suvratāḥ | kathayiṣyāmyahaṁ dharmaṁ yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ

The Goddess said: "For your welfare, O good ones, and for the welfare of the worlds, I shall relate dharma to you duly, in due order.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.111.10)

अन्नदानात् परं दानं नैव किञ्चिद्धि विद्यते । अन्नाद् भवन्ति भूतानि तस्मात्तदधिकं स्मृतम्

annadānāt paraṁ dānaṁ naiva kiñciddhi vidyate | annād bhavanti bhūtāni tasmāttadadhikaṁ smṛtam

There is no gift whatsoever greater than the gift of food. From food all beings come into being; therefore it is declared to be foremost.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.111.11)

अन्नं यस्तु सुसंस्कृत्य प्रयच्छेत द्विजातये । स सर्वकामानाप्नोति पूज्यते च त्रिविष्टपे

annaṁ yastu susaṁskṛtya prayaccheta dvijātaye | sa sarvakāmānāpnoti pūjyate ca triviṣṭape

Whoever prepares food well and gives it to a twice-born obtains all his desires, and is honoured in heaven.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.111.12)

मयूरहंसयुक्तेन सर्वकामसमृद्धिना । विमानेनार्कभासेन अन्नदो याति वै दिवम्

mayūrahaṁsayuktena sarvakāmasamṛddhinā | vimānenārkabhāsena annado yāti vai divam

The giver of food ascends to heaven upon a heavenly car yoked with peacocks and swans, rich in every desired thing, radiant as the sun.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.111.13)

यदि मानुष्यमायाति कदाचित् स नरोत्तमः । धनधान्यसमाकीर्णः कुलीनः स्याच्च रूपवान्

yadi mānuṣyamāyāti kadācit sa narottamaḥ | dhanadhānyasamākīrṇaḥ kulīnaḥ syācca rūpavān

If that excellent man should ever return to the human state, he will be rich in wealth and grain, well-born, and handsome.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.111.14)

यथाशक्ति तु यो दद्याद् दिवसे दिवसे नरः । स तेन कर्मणाप्नोति प्रजापतिसलोकताम्

yathāśakti tu yo dadyād divase divase naraḥ | sa tena karmaṇāpnoti prajāpatisalokatām

Whatever man gives day after day according to his means, by that act he attains a place in the world of Prajapati.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.111.15)

कदाचिदपि यो दद्यादन्नं विप्राय संस्कृतम् । तस्यापि तच्छतगुणं सहस्रगुणमेव च

kadācidapi yo dadyādannaṁ viprāya saṁskṛtam | tasyāpi tacchataguṇaṁ sahasraguṇameva ca

Whoever gives well-prepared food to a brahmin even a single time - for him too that gift becomes a hundredfold, even a thousandfold, and -

Verse 16 (skanda.8.111.16)

उपतिष्ठति लोकेषु इहापि च सुखी भवेत् । अवधूतमवज्ञातमसत्कृतमथापि च

upatiṣṭhati lokeṣu ihāpi ca sukhī bhavet | avadhūtamavajñātamasatkṛtamathāpi ca

attends upon him in the worlds hereafter, and he becomes happy here as well. And whoever gives food, even scornfully, even disdainfully, even without proper honour -

Verse 17 (skanda.8.111.17)

अन्नं प्रदद्याद्यो देव्यो यादृशं तादृशं शुभाः । तस्यापि नरके घोरे यात्यमानस्य राक्षसैः

annaṁ pradadyādyo devyo yādṛśaṁ tādṛśaṁ śubhāḥ | tasyāpi narake ghore yātyamānasya rākṣasaiḥ

- O auspicious ones, of whatever quality that food may be - even for such a one, while he is being led away by rakshasas into the terrible hell,

Verse 18 (skanda.8.111.18)

उपतिष्ठेत बहुधा तृप्तिर्येनास्य जायते । यदि मानुष्यमायाति कदाचित् स नरः पुनः

upatiṣṭheta bahudhā tṛptiryenāsya jāyate | yadi mānuṣyamāyāti kadācit sa naraḥ punaḥ

a repeated sense of satisfaction comes to him again and again, from which he finds relief. And if that man should ever return to the human state again -

Verse 19 (skanda.8.111.19)

म्लेच्छेषु भोगी भवति रमते च यथामरः । अन्नेमेवं विशिष्टं हि तस्मान्न परमं भुवि

mleccheṣu bhogī bhavati ramate ca yathāmaraḥ | annemevaṁ viśiṣṭaṁ hi tasmānna paramaṁ bhuvi

- even among mlecchas he becomes a man of enjoyment and takes his pleasure like an immortal. Such is the excellence of food; there is nothing on earth surpassing it.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.111.20)

अन्नं प्रजापतिः प्रोक्तं स च संवत्सरो मतः । संवत्सरश्च यज्ञोसौ यज्ञे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्

annaṁ prajāpatiḥ proktaṁ sa ca saṁvatsaro mataḥ | saṁvatsaraśca yajñosau yajñe sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

Food is declared to be Prajapati, and it is held to be the year itself; the year is the sacrifice, and in the sacrifice everything is established.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.111.21)

तस्माद् भवन्ति भूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च । तस्मादन्नं विशिष्ठन्तु सर्वेभ्य इति वै श्रुतिः

tasmād bhavanti bhūtāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca | tasmādannaṁ viśiṣṭhantu sarvebhya iti vai śrutiḥ

From it come into being all creatures, both moving and unmoving; therefore, so the sacred scripture declares, food excels all else.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.111.22)

अन्नदानात्परं दानं नैव किञ्चिद्धि विद्यते । अन्नाद् भवन्ति भूतानि तस्मात्तद्वै प्रशस्यते

annadānātparaṁ dānaṁ naiva kiñciddhi vidyate | annād bhavanti bhūtāni tasmāttadvai praśasyate

There is no gift whatsoever greater than the gift of food. From food all beings come into being; therefore is it praised above all.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.111.23)

सुगन्धाः शीतलाश्चापो रसैर्दिव्यैः समन्विताः । यः प्रयच्छति विप्रेभ्यस्तस्य दानफलं शृणु

sugandhāḥ śītalāścāpo rasairdivyaiḥ samanvitāḥ | yaḥ prayacchati viprebhyastasya dānaphalaṁ śṛṇu

Hear now the fruit of the gift of him who offers to brahmins water that is fragrant, cool, and endowed with heavenly flavours -

Verse 24 (skanda.8.111.24)

विमानं सूर्यसंकाशमप्सरोगणनादितम् । सोधिरूह्य दिवं याति वरुणस्य सलोकताम्

vimānaṁ sūryasaṁkāśamapsarogaṇanāditam | sodhirūhya divaṁ yāti varuṇasya salokatām

He, mounting a heavenly car radiant as the sun and resounding with the music of apsaras hosts, goes to heaven, to share the world of Varuna.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.111.25)

तत्रासावयुतान्यष्टावुषित्वा देववत् सुखी । कुले महत्यसंकीर्णो जायते धनधान्यवान्

tatrāsāvayutānyaṣṭāvuṣitvā devavat sukhī | kule mahatyasaṁkīrṇo jāyate dhanadhānyavān

There, having dwelt happily like a god for eighty thousand years, he is born into a great and pure lineage, possessed of wealth and grain.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.111.26)

आपान्तु पूर्णं यो भाण्डं ब्राह्मणाय प्रयच्छति । रसास्तस्योपतिष्ठन्ति पूज्यते च दिवं गतः

āpāntu pūrṇaṁ yo bhāṇḍaṁ brāhmaṇāya prayacchati | rasāstasyopatiṣṭhanti pūjyate ca divaṁ gataḥ

Whoever gives to a brahmin a vessel full of water, every delicious thing waits upon him, and, gone to heaven, he is honoured there.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.111.27)

भाजनानि च यो दद्यात् सुपूर्णानि शुभाननाः । भाजनं स्यात् स भोगानां तारयेच्च पितॄन् भयात्

bhājanāni ca yo dadyāt supūrṇāni śubhānanāḥ | bhājanaṁ syāt sa bhogānāṁ tārayecca pitṝn bhayāt

O fair-faced ones, whoever gives vessels filled to the brim becomes himself a vessel of every enjoyment, and delivers his ancestors from fear.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.111.28)

तडागं यस्तु कुर्वीत अपां देव्यः समृद्धिमत् । अपः पिबन्ति वै यत्र सर्वे जन्तव एव च

taḍāgaṁ yastu kurvīta apāṁ devyaḥ samṛddhimat | apaḥ pibanti vai yatra sarve jantava eva ca

O goddesses, whoever constructs a pond, rich with water, where all creatures come to drink -

Verse 29 (skanda.8.111.29)

तारयित्वा च स पितॄँस्तथैव च पितामहान् । प्रपितामहाँश्च लोकेषु कमिकेषु विहङ्गमः

tārayitvā ca sa pitṝ~stathaiva ca pitāmahān | prapitāmahā~śca lokeṣu kamikeṣu vihaṅgamaḥ

- he delivers his father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather too, into their respective worlds, and, like a bird ranging freely,

Verse 30 (skanda.8.111.30)

चरते देववद्देव्यो वर्षायुतशतानि षट् । पुनश्च मानुषे लोके सर्वरोगविवर्जितः

carate devavaddevyo varṣāyutaśatāni ṣaṭ | punaśca mānuṣe loke sarvarogavivarjitaḥ

- O goddesses, roams like a god for six hundred thousand years, and then, born again in the world of men, free from every disease -

Verse 31 (skanda.8.111.31)

भोगी भवति भोगानां राजमात्रश्च जायते । दाता यज्या च बलवान् सुप्रभः प्रियदर्शनः

bhogī bhavati bhogānāṁ rājamātraśca jāyate | dātā yajyā ca balavān suprabhaḥ priyadarśanaḥ

- he becomes a man of enjoyment, one nearly a king, given to giving and to sacrifice, mighty, radiant, and pleasing to behold.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.111.32)

अवटं यो नरः कुर्यादपां पूर्णं शुचिस्मिताः । दद्याच्च ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तं भोजयित्वा यथार्थवत्

avaṭaṁ yo naraḥ kuryādapāṁ pūrṇaṁ śucismitāḥ | dadyācca brāhmaṇebhyastaṁ bhojayitvā yathārthavat

O pure-smiling ones, whoever makes a well filled with water and, having duly feasted the brahmins, offers it to them,

Verse 33 (skanda.8.111.33)

अष्टाभिश्च विचित्राभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतम् । ध्वजेन वैजयन्त्या च पुष्पैश्च समलंकृतम्

aṣṭābhiśca vicitrābhiḥ patākābhiralaṁkṛtam | dhvajena vaijayantyā ca puṣpaiśca samalaṁkṛtam

adorning it with eight bright and varied banners, with a flagstaff and a victory-garland, and decking it well with flowers -

Verse 34 (skanda.8.111.34)

स तारयित्वा तु पितॄन् विमानेन नरोत्तमः । यात्यप्सरोपगीतेन वरुणस्य सलोकताम्

sa tārayitvā tu pitṝn vimānena narottamaḥ | yātyapsaropagītena varuṇasya salokatām

- that excellent man, having delivered his ancestors, goes, upon a heavenly car serenaded by apsaras, to share the world of Varuna.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.111.35)

हिरण्यं हेम भूमिं वा तिलान् रत्नानि वापि यः । प्रदद्यात् सर्वभूतेभ्यस्तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

hiraṇyaṁ hema bhūmiṁ vā tilān ratnāni vāpi yaḥ | pradadyāt sarvabhūtebhyastasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu

Hear now the fruit of the merit of whoever gives silver, gold, land, sesame, or jewels for the good of all beings -

Verse 36 (skanda.8.111.36)

स विमानेन महता सर्वलोकसमन्वितः । इन्द्रस्य लोकं संप्राप्य मोदते विबुधो यथा

sa vimānena mahatā sarvalokasamanvitaḥ | indrasya lokaṁ saṁprāpya modate vibudho yathā

He, upon a mighty heavenly car, honoured throughout all the worlds, attains the world of Indra and takes his delight there like a very god.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.111.37)

ततश्च्युतश्च धर्मात्मा सर्वकामसमृद्धिमान् । कुले महति लोकेसौ जायते सुभगश्च ह

tataścyutaśca dharmātmā sarvakāmasamṛddhimān | kule mahati lokesau jāyate subhagaśca ha

When he falls at last from there, that righteous soul, enriched with every desired thing, is born in this world into a great lineage, blessed with good fortune.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.111.38)

यस्तु वृक्षं प्रकुरुते छायापुष्पफलोपगम् । पथि देव्यो नरः सोम्ये स तारयति वै पितॄन्

yastu vṛkṣaṁ prakurute chāyāpuṣpaphalopagam | pathi devyo naraḥ somye sa tārayati vai pitṝn

O goddesses, whatever man plants, upon a pleasant road, a tree that bears shade, flowers, and fruit, he surely delivers his ancestors.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.111.39)

तथैव दत्त्वा विप्रेभ्यो निष्क्रीय च पुनर्नरः । स यत् फलमवाप्नोति तच्छृणुध्वं महाप्रभाः

tathaiva dattvā viprebhyo niṣkrīya ca punarnaraḥ | sa yat phalamavāpnoti tacchṛṇudhvaṁ mahāprabhāḥ

O most radiant ones, and likewise, having given that tree to brahmins and then bought it back from them again, hear what fruit that man obtains -

Verse 40 (skanda.8.111.40)

यावद् वृक्षस्य पुष्पाणि उपयुञ्जन्ति देहिनः । फलानि चैव भक्ष्यन्ते जन्तुभिः फलितस्य तु

yāvad vṛkṣasya puṣpāṇi upayuñjanti dehinaḥ | phalāni caiva bhakṣyante jantubhiḥ phalitasya tu

for as long as embodied beings make use of that tree's flowers, and creatures continue to eat the fruit of that fruit-bearing tree -

Verse 41 (skanda.8.111.41)

तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि तारयित्वा पितॄनपि । सोमलोकं समासाद्य सोमृतं फलमाप्नुयात्

tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi tārayitvā pitṝnapi | somalokaṁ samāsādya somṛtaṁ phalamāpnuyāt

- for that many thousand years, delivering his ancestors too, he attains the world of the moon and obtains a fruit as sweet as nectar.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.111.42)

फलानि यः प्रयच्छेत ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्समाहितः । फलानां स तु भागी स्याद्बहूनां सुभगश्च ह

phalāni yaḥ prayaccheta brāhmaṇebhyassamāhitaḥ | phalānāṁ sa tu bhāgī syādbahūnāṁ subhagaśca ha

Whoever, with a composed mind, gives fruit to brahmins becomes himself a sharer in many fruits, and a man of good fortune.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.111.43)

काष्ठानि यः प्रयच्छेत हेमन्ते नरसत्तमः । ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तदा देव्यः सोग्निलोकं समश्नुते

kāṣṭhāni yaḥ prayaccheta hemante narasattamaḥ | brāhmaṇebhyastadā devyaḥ sognilokaṁ samaśnute

O goddesses, whatever excellent man gives firewood to brahmins in the winter season, he attains the world of Agni.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.111.44)

भाजनं यः प्रयच्छेत हैमं रत्नविभूषितम् । सोप्सरःशतसंकीर्णे विमाने दिवि मोदते

bhājanaṁ yaḥ prayaccheta haimaṁ ratnavibhūṣitam | sopsaraḥśatasaṁkīrṇe vimāne divi modate

Whoever gives a golden vessel adorned with jewels takes his delight in heaven, in a heavenly car thronged with a hundred apsaras.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.111.45)

राजतं यः प्रयच्छेत विप्रेभ्यो भाजनं शुभाः । स गान्धर्वपदं प्राप्य उर्वश्या सह मोदते

rājataṁ yaḥ prayaccheta viprebhyo bhājanaṁ śubhāḥ | sa gāndharvapadaṁ prāpya urvaśyā saha modate

O auspicious ones, whoever gives brahmins a vessel of silver attains the rank of a gandharva and takes his delight together with Urvashi.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.111.46)

ताम्रं यो भाजनं दद्याद् ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः । स भवेद् यक्षराजस्य यक्षो बलसमन्वितः

tāmraṁ yo bhājanaṁ dadyād brāhmaṇebhyo viśeṣataḥ | sa bhaved yakṣarājasya yakṣo balasamanvitaḥ

Whoever specifically gives brahmins a vessel of copper becomes a mighty yaksha in the retinue of the king of yakshas.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.111.47)

गृहं यस्तु प्रयच्छेत सर्वकामसमृद्धिमत् । स लोकं ब्रह्मणः प्राप्य सर्वकामैर्निषेव्यते

gṛhaṁ yastu prayaccheta sarvakāmasamṛddhimat | sa lokaṁ brahmaṇaḥ prāpya sarvakāmairniṣevyate

Whoever gives a dwelling rich in every desired comfort attains the world of Brahma and is there attended by every object of desire.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.111.48)

सर्वकोटीः स तत्रोष्य चतस्रस्तेन कर्मणा । गृहमेधी यदा दाता भोगवाँश्चैव जायते

sarvakoṭīḥ sa tatroṣya catasrastena karmaṇā | gṛhamedhī yadā dātā bhogavā~ścaiva jāyate

Dwelling there for four full ages by virtue of that act, when he returns as a householder given to giving, he is born a man of great enjoyment.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.111.49)

ओषधीर्यः प्रयच्छेत धान्यानि विविधानि च । स सर्वकामसंमृष्टं सोमलोकं समश्नुते

oṣadhīryaḥ prayaccheta dhānyāni vividhāni ca | sa sarvakāmasaṁmṛṣṭaṁ somalokaṁ samaśnute

Whoever gives medicinal herbs and grains of various kinds attains the world of the moon, replete with every desired thing.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.111.50)

तत्र वर्षसहस्राणि सप्त स्थित्वा पुनर्नरः । इह सर्व धनोपेतो भोगावानभिजायते

tatra varṣasahasrāṇi sapta sthitvā punarnaraḥ | iha sarva dhanopeto bhogāvānabhijāyate

Having dwelt there for seven thousand years, that man is born again in this world possessed of every wealth and rich in enjoyment.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.111.51)

यस्तु क्षेत्रं प्रयच्छेत निष्पन्नं फलवत्पुनः । स तु क्षेत्रपतिर्भूत्वा प्राजापत्यं समश्नुते

yastu kṣetraṁ prayaccheta niṣpannaṁ phalavatpunaḥ | sa tu kṣetrapatirbhūtvā prājāpatyaṁ samaśnute

Whoever gives a cultivated field, bearing its harvest, becomes the lord of fields and attains the world of Prajapati.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.111.52)

यस्तु भूमिं प्रयच्छेत ब्रह्मणाय महात्मने । स सर्वलोकेषु सुखी विमानेन सुवर्चसा

yastu bhūmiṁ prayaccheta brahmaṇāya mahātmane | sa sarvalokeṣu sukhī vimānena suvarcasā

Whoever gives land to a great-souled brahmin becomes happy in every world, borne upon a most radiant heavenly car,

Verse 53 (skanda.8.111.53)

बहून्यब्दसहस्राणि चरते कामरूपवान् । यद्धि मानुष्यमायाति स नरः कालपर्ययात्

bahūnyabdasahasrāṇi carate kāmarūpavān | yaddhi mānuṣyamāyāti sa naraḥ kālaparyayāt

and roams for many thousand years, assuming whatever form he wishes. When, with the passage of time, that man returns to the human state,

Verse 54 (skanda.8.111.54)

तत्र कामदुहा तस्य मही भवति सर्वशः । यस्तु वस्त्रं प्रयच्छेत ब्राह्मणाय महायशाः

tatra kāmaduhā tasya mahī bhavati sarvaśaḥ | yastu vastraṁ prayaccheta brāhmaṇāya mahāyaśāḥ

then for him the very earth becomes, in every respect, a wish-fulfilling cow. And whatever man of great renown gives cloth to a brahmin -

Verse 55 (skanda.8.111.55)

स लोकं प्राप्य वैराजं वर्षकोटिं सुखं वसेत् । आसनं यः प्रयच्छेत संवीतं ब्राह्मणाय वै

sa lokaṁ prāpya vairājaṁ varṣakoṭiṁ sukhaṁ vaset | āsanaṁ yaḥ prayaccheta saṁvītaṁ brāhmaṇāya vai

- he attains the world of Viraja and dwells there happily for a myriad years. And whoever gives a brahmin a seat covered with cloth -

Verse 56 (skanda.8.111.56)

स राज्यस्थानमाप्नोति स्वर्गं चाप्नोति विज्वरः । यस्तु शय्यां प्रयच्छेत स्वास्तीर्णां नरसत्तमः

sa rājyasthānamāpnoti svargaṁ cāpnoti vijvaraḥ | yastu śayyāṁ prayaccheta svāstīrṇāṁ narasattamaḥ

- he attains a position of sovereignty, and, freed from all torment, attains heaven too. And whatever excellent man gives a well-spread bed -

Verse 57 (skanda.8.111.57)

स तु भार्याः प्रिया देव्यो बह्वीर्भक्ताः समश्नुते । यस्तु कन्यां प्रयच्छेत ब्राह्मणाय स्वलंकृताम्

sa tu bhāryāḥ priyā devyo bahvīrbhaktāḥ samaśnute | yastu kanyāṁ prayaccheta brāhmaṇāya svalaṁkṛtām

O goddesses, obtains many beloved and devoted wives. And whoever gives a well-adorned maiden in marriage to a brahmin -

Verse 58 (skanda.8.111.58)

स गत्वा पितृलोकं वै वर्षायुतशतं वसेत् । इह चापि पुनर्जातः सर्वकामसमन्वितः

sa gatvā pitṛlokaṁ vai varṣāyutaśataṁ vaset | iha cāpi punarjātaḥ sarvakāmasamanvitaḥ

- he goes to the world of the fathers and dwells there for a hundred thousand years, and, born again here too, is endowed with every desire.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.111.59)

भार्याः प्राप्नोति भक्ताश्च प्रजावाँश्चोपजायते । अश्वं यस्तु प्रयच्छेत हेमचित्रं सुलक्षणम्

bhāryāḥ prāpnoti bhaktāśca prajāvā~ścopajāyate | aśvaṁ yastu prayaccheta hemacitraṁ sulakṣaṇam

He obtains devoted wives and is born rich in offspring. And whoever gives a horse adorned with gold, marked with auspicious signs -

Verse 60 (skanda.8.111.60)

स तेन कर्मणा देव्यो गान्धर्वं लोकमश्नुते । रथमश्वं गजं दासीं कन्यां गृहमथापि च

sa tena karmaṇā devyo gāndharvaṁ lokamaśnute | rathamaśvaṁ gajaṁ dāsīṁ kanyāṁ gṛhamathāpi ca

- O goddesses, by that act he attains the world of the gandharvas. And whoever gives a chariot, a horse, an elephant, a maidservant, a girl, and a house as well -

Verse 61 (skanda.8.111.61)

भूमिञ्च यः प्रयच्छेत स राजा भुवि जायते ।

bhūmiñca yaḥ prayaccheta sa rājā bhuvi jāyate |

- and land too - he is born a king on earth. (The remaining line of this verse is lost in the source manuscript.)

Verse 62 (skanda.8.111.62)

विधिना मन्त्रयुक्तेन तस्य धर्मफलं महत् । सर्वकामदुघा सास्य धेनुर्भूत्वोपतिष्ठति

vidhinā mantrayuktena tasya dharmaphalaṁ mahat | sarvakāmadughā sāsya dhenurbhūtvopatiṣṭhati

By this rite duly accompanied with mantras, great becomes the fruit of his merit; she, having become a cow yielding every desire, ever remains at his side.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.111.63)

जलधेनुं च यो दद्यात् तस्य दानफलं महत् । प्रापां शुभां तडागं वा कूपं वापि सुपुष्कलम्

jaladhenuṁ ca yo dadyāt tasya dānaphalaṁ mahat | prāpāṁ śubhāṁ taḍāgaṁ vā kūpaṁ vāpi supuṣkalam

Whoever gives the water-cow offering, great is the fruit of his gift - or whoever builds an auspicious watering-place, a pond, or an ample well -

Verse 64 (skanda.8.111.64)

कृत्वा कुम्भान् सुसंपूर्णान् गन्धमाल्यैरलंकृतान् । पुष्पैश्च विवधाकारैरभ्यर्च्य द्विजसत्तमान्

kṛtvā kumbhān susaṁpūrṇān gandhamālyairalaṁkṛtān | puṣpaiśca vivadhākārairabhyarcya dvijasattamān

having made pots filled to the brim, adorned with fragrant scents and garlands, and honoured the best of brahmins with flowers of every kind,

Verse 65 (skanda.8.111.65)

भक्ष्यभोज्यैः सुप्तृप्ताँस्तान् तिलपात्राणि दापयेत् । दक्षिणां पुष्कलां दाद्यत् तेभ्यस्तां स्पर्शयेत्ततः

bhakṣyabhojyaiḥ suptṛptā~stān tilapātrāṇi dāpayet | dakṣiṇāṁ puṣkalāṁ dādyat tebhyastāṁ sparśayettataḥ

having well satisfied them with foods to eat and enjoy, one should give them vessels of sesame, offer them ample sacrificial fees, and then have them touch it,

Verse 66 (skanda.8.111.66)

आपः शिवाश्च सौम्याश्च तर्पयन्तु पितॄन्मम । कामगाः कामदातारो भवन्तु पितरः सदा

āpaḥ śivāśca saumyāśca tarpayantu pitṝnmama | kāmagāḥ kāmadātāro bhavantu pitaraḥ sadā

[the ritual formula]: "May these waters, auspicious and gentle, satisfy my ancestors; may my forefathers ever move as they wish and grant every desire."

Verse 67 (skanda.8.111.67)

एवं दत्त्वा तु तां धेनुं पुनः क्रीत्वा च वै तदा । वाहयेत्तत् प्रपां देव्यो ब्रह्मलोकसमर्पणीम्

evaṁ dattvā tu tāṁ dhenuṁ punaḥ krītvā ca vai tadā | vāhayettat prapāṁ devyo brahmalokasamarpaṇīm

O goddesses, having thus given that cow-offering and then bought it back again, he should have that watering-place, offered up to the world of Brahma, put into operation,

Verse 68 (skanda.8.111.68)

तिलपात्राणि दत्त्वा च तथा वस्त्रयुगं नवम् । सुवर्णस्य च सान्निध्यं फलानि विविधानि च

tilapātrāṇi dattvā ca tathā vastrayugaṁ navam | suvarṇasya ca sānnidhyaṁ phalāni vividhāni ca

and, having given vessels of sesame, a new pair of garments, a small amount of gold, and fruits of various kinds -

Verse 69 (skanda.8.111.69)

ततो दद्याच्छुचिः स्नातो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यथाविधि ।

tato dadyācchuciḥ snāto brāhmaṇebhyo yathāvidhi |

- then, purified and bathed, one should give according to rule to the brahmins. (The remainder of this verse is lost in the source manuscript.)

Verse 70 (skanda.8.111.70)

घृतं गावः प्रसूयन्ते घृतं भूम्यां प्रतिष्ठितम् । घृतमग्निश्च देवाश्च घृतं मे संप्रदीयताम्

ghṛtaṁ gāvaḥ prasūyante ghṛtaṁ bhūmyāṁ pratiṣṭhitam | ghṛtamagniśca devāśca ghṛtaṁ me saṁpradīyatām

[the ritual formula]: "Ghee do the cows bring forth; ghee is established in the earth; Agni and the gods too are of the nature of ghee - may ghee be granted to me."

Verse 71 (skanda.8.111.71)

एवं विधानतो दत्त्वा ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात् । यो नरो गां प्रयच्छेत सवत्सां कांस्यदोहनीम्

evaṁ vidhānato dattvā brahmalokamavāpnuyāt | yo naro gāṁ prayaccheta savatsāṁ kāṁsyadohanīm

Having given thus, according to rule, he attains the world of Brahma. Now, whatever man gives a cow together with her calf and a bronze milking-vessel,

Verse 72 (skanda.8.111.72)

हेमशृङ्गीं रूप्यखुरां दुकूलक्षौमवासिताम् । शय्यास्तरणसंपन्नां बहुपुष्पफलैर्युताम्

hemaśṛṅgīṁ rūpyakhurāṁ dukūlakṣaumavāsitām | śayyāstaraṇasaṁpannāṁ bahupuṣpaphalairyutām

her horns gilded with gold, her hooves plated with silver, draped in silk and fine linen, provided with a bed-covering, adorned with flowers and fruit -

Verse 73 (skanda.8.111.73)

ब्राह्मणांस्तर्पयित्वा तु गन्धमाल्यैरलंकृताम् । दानकाले ततस्तस्याः सुरा गात्राणि संश्रिताः

brāhmaṇāṁstarpayitvā tu gandhamālyairalaṁkṛtām | dānakāle tatastasyāḥ surā gātrāṇi saṁśritāḥ

and, having satisfied the brahmins, gives her, adorned with scent and garlands - at the moment of that gift, the gods themselves come to dwell in her limbs -

Verse 74 (skanda.8.111.74)

ब्रह्मा तस्याः स्थितो मूर्ध्नि शक्रोपानं समाश्रितः । चन्द्रादित्यौ च नेत्रस्थौ घ्राणे वायुः प्रतिष्ठितः

brahmā tasyāḥ sthito mūrdhni śakropānaṁ samāśritaḥ | candrādityau ca netrasthau ghrāṇe vāyuḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ

Brahma abides upon her head; Indra takes his place in her withers; the moon and sun dwell in her eyes; the wind is established in her nostrils;

Verse 75 (skanda.8.111.75)

मुखं तस्याः श्रितो वह्निर्जिह्वा सोमः स्वयं प्रभुः । कर्णयोस्तु दिशः सर्वाः शिरा रुद्राः समाश्रिताः

mukhaṁ tasyāḥ śrito vahnirjihvā somaḥ svayaṁ prabhuḥ | karṇayostu diśaḥ sarvāḥ śirā rudrāḥ samāśritāḥ

fire dwells in her mouth; the lord Soma himself is her tongue; all the quarters of the sky are in her two ears; the Rudras abide in her sinews;

Verse 76 (skanda.8.111.76)

पादयोर्लोकपालाश्च सर्वेस्थीनि च पर्वताः । समुद्रास्सप्त जठरे ग्रीवायां तपनाः श्रिताः

pādayorlokapālāśca sarvesthīni ca parvatāḥ | samudrāssapta jaṭhare grīvāyāṁ tapanāḥ śritāḥ

the guardians of the quarters are in her feet; the mountains are all her bones; the seven oceans are in her belly; the suns abide in her neck,

Verse 77 (skanda.8.111.77)

सास्नां गङ्गा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा पार्श्वयोर्वसवः शुभाः । प्रजापतिरुपस्थश्च मूत्रं तीर्थानि सर्वशः

sāsnāṁ gaṅgā saricchreṣṭhā pārśvayorvasavaḥ śubhāḥ | prajāpatirupasthaśca mūtraṁ tīrthāni sarvaśaḥ

Ganga, foremost of rivers, is her dewlap; the auspicious Vasus are in her two flanks; Prajapati is her organ of generation; every sacred ford is her urine,

Verse 78 (skanda.8.111.78)

पुरीषं श्रीरभूत्तस्या नागाश्चास्त्राणि सर्वशः । साध्या विश्वेथ लोकाश्च पुच्छमाश्रित्य संस्थिताः

purīṣaṁ śrīrabhūttasyā nāgāścāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ | sādhyā viśvetha lokāśca pucchamāśritya saṁsthitāḥ

Shri is her dung; the nagas are all her sinews; the Sadhyas, the Vishvedevas, and all the worlds are established, taking their place in her tail,

Verse 79 (skanda.8.111.79)

मन्त्रा यज्ञाश्च दानानि यमाश्च ऋषिभिस्सह । नक्षत्राणि ग्रहाश्चैव तारारूपाणि यानि च

mantrā yajñāśca dānāni yamāśca ṛṣibhissaha | nakṣatrāṇi grahāścaiva tārārūpāṇi yāni ca

the mantras, the sacrifices, the gifts, the restraints together with the sages, the lunar mansions, the planets, and whatever forms of the stars there are -

Verse 80 (skanda.8.111.80)

गायत्री चैव त्रिष्टुप् च जगती पंक्तिरेव च । अनुष्टुबृग्यजुश्चैव सामान्याथर्वणं तथा

gāyatrī caiva triṣṭup ca jagatī paṁktireva ca | anuṣṭubṛgyajuścaiva sāmānyātharvaṇaṁ tathā

the Gayatri and Trishtubh, the Jagati and Pankti, the Anushtubh, the Rig and the Yajus, the Sama and likewise the Atharva -

Verse 81 (skanda.8.111.81)

लोकस्य मातरश्चैव मेघा वर्षमथापि च । धर्मो नारायणश्चैव भूतानि सरितस्तथा

lokasya mātaraścaiva meghā varṣamathāpi ca | dharmo nārāyaṇaścaiva bhūtāni saritastathā

the mothers of the world, the clouds and the rain, Dharma, Narayana himself, all beings, and the rivers -

Verse 82 (skanda.8.111.82)

रोमकूपानि संश्रित्य तस्या देवा व्यवस्थिताः । यक्षाश्च राक्षसाश्चैव पिशाचाः पक्षिभिः सह

romakūpāni saṁśritya tasyā devā vyavasthitāḥ | yakṣāśca rākṣasāścaiva piśācāḥ pakṣibhiḥ saha

- all these deities take their place, established in the pores of her hair. So too the yakshas, the rakshasas, the pishachas together with the birds,

Verse 83 (skanda.8.111.83)

यज्ञाश्च दक्षिणाश्चैव तथा चाप्सरसः शुभाः । गन्धर्वाश्च महात्मानो ये चान्येप्येवमादयः

yajñāśca dakṣiṇāścaiva tathā cāpsarasaḥ śubhāḥ | gandharvāśca mahātmāno ye cānyepyevamādayaḥ

the sacrifices and the sacrificial fees, the lovely apsaras, the great-souled gandharvas, and whatever others there are of this kind -

Verse 84 (skanda.8.111.84)

तस्या विषाणयोर्व्यास सर्व एव समाश्रिताः । फलानि यज्ञदानानां गतयश्च पृथग्विधाः

tasyā viṣāṇayorvyāsa sarva eva samāśritāḥ | phalāni yajñadānānāṁ gatayaśca pṛthagvidhāḥ

O Vyasa, all of these take their abode in her two horns - together with the fruits of sacrifices and gifts, and the various destinies of departed souls,

Verse 85 (skanda.8.111.85)

वत्सं समाश्रिताः सर्वे सर्वं देवमयं शुभम् । देवैरध्यासितां तां तु सर्वलोकनमस्कृताम्

vatsaṁ samāśritāḥ sarve sarvaṁ devamayaṁ śubham | devairadhyāsitāṁ tāṁ tu sarvalokanamaskṛtām

take their abode in her calf as well - thus is she, that auspicious being, wholly made of the gods. That cow, inhabited by the gods and revered by every world -

Verse 86 (skanda.8.111.86)

विप्रेभ्यो मन्त्रवद्धस्ते प्रदद्यात् सुसमाहितः । कुशान् सुवर्णं बीजानि तिलान् सिद्धार्थकाँस्तथा

viprebhyo mantravaddhaste pradadyāt susamāhitaḥ | kuśān suvarṇaṁ bījāni tilān siddhārthakā~stathā

- with mind composed, one should give over to brahmins, hand joined with hand, reciting the mantras, and holding kusha grass, gold, seed-grains, sesame, and white mustard,

Verse 87 (skanda.8.111.87)

प्रदद्याद् गां ततोद्भिस्तु मन्त्रेणानेन सुव्रत । सर्वदेवमयीं दोग्ध्रीं सर्वलोकमयीं तथा

pradadyād gāṁ tatodbhistu mantreṇānena suvrata | sarvadevamayīṁ dogdhrīṁ sarvalokamayīṁ tathā

and, O good sage, then, together with water, one should give the cow, reciting this mantra - she who, a milch-cow, is made wholly of the gods and wholly of all the worlds -

Verse 88 (skanda.8.111.88)

सर्वलोकनिमित्ताय सर्वलोकहिताय च । प्रयच्छामि महासत्वामक्षयाय शुभामिति

sarvalokanimittāya sarvalokahitāya ca | prayacchāmi mahāsatvāmakṣayāya śubhāmiti

[the mantra]: "For the sake of all the worlds, and for the welfare of all the worlds, I give this great and blessed being, for my imperishable merit."

Verse 89 (skanda.8.111.89)

एवं स दत्त्वा तां गां तु यत्र यत्र प्रजायते । तत्र तत्र गता सा तं जन्तुं तारयते भयात्

evaṁ sa dattvā tāṁ gāṁ tu yatra yatra prajāyate | tatra tatra gatā sā taṁ jantuṁ tārayate bhayāt

Having thus given that cow, wherever that man is afterward born, she, going there, delivers him from every fear.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.111.90)

सर्व कामदुहा चैव सर्वलोकप्रदा तथा । सर्वज्ञानप्रदा चैव सर्वयज्ञफला तथा

sarva kāmaduhā caiva sarvalokapradā tathā | sarvajñānapradā caiva sarvayajñaphalā tathā

She is the yielder of every desire, the bestower of every world, the bestower of all knowledge, and bears the fruit of every sacrifice.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.111.91)

सर्वांल्लोकान् तया गत्वा रमते च यथामरः । इह जातश्च तामेव कामगां संप्रपद्यते

sarvāṁllokān tayā gatvā ramate ca yathāmaraḥ | iha jātaśca tāmeva kāmagāṁ saṁprapadyate

Through her he attains all the worlds and takes his pleasure like an immortal; and, born here again, he obtains that very wish-granting cow once more.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.111.92)

स तया मानुषो जातो गोसहस्री महाबलः । रूपवान् धनवांश्चैव बहुपुत्रश्च जायते

sa tayā mānuṣo jāto gosahasrī mahābalaḥ | rūpavān dhanavāṁścaiva bahuputraśca jāyate

Through her, born as a man, he becomes the possessor of a thousand cows, exceedingly mighty, handsome, wealthy, and blessed with many sons.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.111.93)

प्रसूयमानां यो गां तु दद्यादुभयतोमुखीम् । यथोक्तेन विधानेन स जातिस्मरतां लभेत्

prasūyamānāṁ yo gāṁ tu dadyādubhayatomukhīm | yathoktena vidhānena sa jātismaratāṁ labhet

Whoever gives a cow that is calving - one facing both ways - according to the rule as declared, he obtains the remembrance of his former births.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.111.94)

यस्तु गां संप्रयच्छेत ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यथातथम् । तमप्यसौ भयार्थेभ्यस्त्रायते नरकादपि

yastu gāṁ saṁprayaccheta brāhmaṇebhyo yathātatham | tamapyasau bhayārthebhyastrāyate narakādapi

Whoever gives a cow duly to brahmins, that cow delivers him from every source of fear, even from hell itself.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.111.95)

कृष्णाजिनं च यो दद्याद् व्रतिने ब्रह्मचारिणे । पृथिवीफलमाप्नोति योगश्चास्य प्रवर्तते

kṛṣṇājinaṁ ca yo dadyād vratine brahmacāriṇe | pṛthivīphalamāpnoti yogaścāsya pravartate

Whoever gives a black antelope-skin to a votary observing celibacy obtains the merit of giving the whole earth, and yogic power arises within him.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.111.96)

योगिभ्यो ब्रह्मचारिभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यतात्मवान् । यः प्रयच्छेदावसथं सोश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

yogibhyo brahmacāribhyo brāhmaṇebhyo yatātmavān | yaḥ prayacchedāvasathaṁ sośvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

Whoever, with self restrained, gives a dwelling to yogis, to celibate students, and to brahmins, obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.111.97)

आप्तोर्यामं पौण्डरीकं गोसहस्रञ्च विन्दति । स्मृञ्च परमा लब्ध्वा योगमाप्नोति सुव्रताः

āptoryāmaṁ pauṇḍarīkaṁ gosahasrañca vindati | smṛñca paramā labdhvā yogamāpnoti suvratāḥ

O good sages, he gains the merit of the Aptoryama and Paundarika sacrifices and of the gift of a thousand cows, and, attaining the highest recollection, he obtains yoga as well.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.111.98)

कमण्डलुं तु यो दद्याद् ब्राह्मणाय नरोत्तमः । स तेन कर्मणा देव्यो धर्मनित्यत्वमाप्नुते

kamaṇḍaluṁ tu yo dadyād brāhmaṇāya narottamaḥ | sa tena karmaṇā devyo dharmanityatvamāpnute

O goddesses, whatever excellent man gives a water-pot to a brahmin, by that act he obtains constancy in dharma.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.111.99)

व्याधितं यस्तु विप्रर्षे दीनं मूढमचेतसम् । उद्धरेत यथाशक्त्या स मुच्येद् ब्रह्महत्यया

vyādhitaṁ yastu viprarṣe dīnaṁ mūḍhamacetasam | uddhareta yathāśaktyā sa mucyed brahmahatyayā

O sage among brahmins, whoever, according to his power, rescues one who is sick, wretched, deluded, or bereft of his senses, is freed even from the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.111.100)

यः सुवर्ण प्रयच्छेत दरिद्राय द्विजातये । दशानामश्वमेधानां फलं प्राप्नोति देवताः

yaḥ suvarṇa prayaccheta daridrāya dvijātaye | daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti devatāḥ

O goddesses, whoever gives gold to a poor twice-born obtains the fruit of ten horse-sacrifices.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.111.101)

यश्चैवेमानि सर्वाणि दानान्युक्तानि कृत्स्नशः । ददाति युगपद्देव्यः स पृथ्व्यामेकराड् भवेत्

yaścaivemāni sarvāṇi dānānyuktāni kṛtsnaśaḥ | dadāti yugapaddevyaḥ sa pṛthvyāmekarāḍ bhavet

O goddesses, and whoever gives all these gifts that have been described, entirely and all at once, becomes sole sovereign upon the earth.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.111.102)

इदं यः शृणुयान्नित्यं दद्याच्चैव स्वशक्तितः । पठेत च महाभागाः सोपि गच्छेत् त्रिविष्टपम्

idaṁ yaḥ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ dadyāccaiva svaśaktitaḥ | paṭheta ca mahābhāgāḥ sopi gacchet triviṣṭapam

O most blessed ones, and whoever constantly hears this, gives according to his ability, and recites it too, he also goes to heaven.