The Glory of the Twice-Born

Verse 1 (skanda.8.173.1)

व्यास उवाच । नगेन्द्रो जीविते क्रौञ्चे तोषिते च सुरैर्गुहे । यातो हिमवतः शृङ्गं पार्वत्या सहितो हरः

vyāsa uvāca | nagendro jīvite krauñce toṣite ca surairguhe | yāto himavataḥ śṛṅgaṁ pārvatyā sahito haraḥ

Vyasa said: When Krauncha was restored to life and Guha appeased by the gods, Hara, together with Parvati, went to the peak of the Himalaya.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.173.2)

किमन्यदकरोद्देवः किं चैनं प्राह पार्वती । एतत् कथय विप्रेन्द्र न तृप्तिः शृण्वतो हि मे

kimanyadakaroddevaḥ kiṁ cainaṁ prāha pārvatī | etat kathaya viprendra na tṛptiḥ śṛṇvato hi me

What else did the god do, and what did Parvati say to him? Tell me this, O best of sages; I am not satisfied with hearing.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.173.3)

सूत उवाच एवमुक्तो मुनीन्द्रेण ब्रह्मणस्तनयोव्ययः । ऋषिः परमयोगीशः कथयामास तत्त्वतः

sūta uvāca evamukto munīndreṇa brahmaṇastanayovyayaḥ | ṛṣiḥ paramayogīśaḥ kathayāmāsa tattvataḥ

Suta said: Thus questioned by the lord of sages, the imperishable son of Brahma, that sage, supreme lord of yoga, related it truly.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.173.4)

प्रयाते हिमवच्छृङ्गं देवदेवे सहोमया । बभाषे गिरिजा देवं प्रणम्य परमेश्वरम्

prayāte himavacchṛṅgaṁ devadeve sahomayā | babhāṣe girijā devaṁ praṇamya parameśvaram

When the god of gods had gone to the peak of the Himalaya together with Uma, Girija spoke to the god, having bowed to the Supreme Lord:

Verse 5 (skanda.8.173.5)

उञ्छवृत्तेर्हिरण्यस्य नैमिशारण्यवासिनः । शौचेन तपसा भक्त्या युक्तस्य च शमेन हि

uñchavṛtterhiraṇyasya naimiśāraṇyavāsinaḥ | śaucena tapasā bhaktyā yuktasya ca śamena hi

"Of Hiranya, who lives by gleaning, dwelling in the Naimisha forest, endowed with purity, austerity, devotion, and tranquility -

Verse 6 (skanda.8.173.6)

स्वयमेव प्रयाताहं द्विजं पूजां प्रतीच्छितुम् । माहात्म्यं तस्य तद् दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणस्य तपस्विनः

svayameva prayātāhaṁ dvijaṁ pūjāṁ pratīcchitum | māhātmyaṁ tasya tad dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇasya tapasvinaḥ

I myself went to receive that brahmin's worship. Having seen the greatness of that ascetic brahmin,

Verse 7 (skanda.8.173.7)

गताहं विस्मयं देव द्विजाः श्रेष्ठतमा इति । देवेभ्योपि गरीयांसो ब्रह्मणा इति मे मतिः । त्वत्तोथ श्रोतुमिच्छामि द्विजमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

gatāhaṁ vismayaṁ deva dvijāḥ śreṣṭhatamā iti | devebhyopi garīyāṁso brahmaṇā iti me matiḥ | tvattotha śrotumicchāmi dvijamāhātmyamuttamam

I was filled with wonder, O god, thinking: brahmins are the most excellent; greater even than the gods are the brahmins, this is my conviction. Now I wish to hear from you the supreme glory of the twice-born."

Verse 8 (skanda.8.173.8)

देवदेव उवाच । एवमेतज्जगद्धात्रि सुरासुरनमस्कृते । श्रेष्ठास्तपस्विनो विप्रा देवेभ्योपि गरीयसः

devadeva uvāca | evametajjagaddhātri surāsuranamaskṛte | śreṣṭhāstapasvino viprā devebhyopi garīyasaḥ

The god of gods said: It is indeed so, O sustainer of the world, honored by gods and asuras alike; the brahmins, ascetics, are excellent, greater even than the gods.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.173.9)

मदीया याः प्रजाः सृष्टाः प्रथमाः प्रभवो ह्यहम् । रुद्रा द्विजातयः पूर्वं मया सृष्टा महौजसः

madīyā yāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭāḥ prathamāḥ prabhavo hyaham | rudrā dvijātayaḥ pūrvaṁ mayā sṛṣṭā mahaujasaḥ

Those creatures that are mine, that were created first, of whom I am the source - the Rudras, the twice-born, of great might, were created by me first.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.173.10)

मदीयां मृष्टिमालोक्य ब्रह्मणापि सिसृक्षुणा । ब्राह्मणा मूर्धतः सृष्टाः पूर्वमेव महाप्रभाः

madīyāṁ mṛṣṭimālokya brahmaṇāpi sisṛkṣuṇā | brāhmaṇā mūrdhataḥ sṛṣṭāḥ pūrvameva mahāprabhāḥ

Beholding my creation, Brahma too, wishing to create, created brahmins from his head first of all, of great splendor.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.173.11)

अग्रभूतो ह्यहं तेषां द्विजश्रेष्ठस्तदाभवम् । ततस्ते मत्सखाः सर्वे बभूवुर्विप्रसत्तमाः

agrabhūto hyahaṁ teṣāṁ dvijaśreṣṭhastadābhavam | tataste matsakhāḥ sarve babhūvurviprasattamāḥ

I became foremost among them, the best of the twice-born then; and thereafter they all became my friends, those excellent brahmins.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.173.12)

उत्तमैषापरा सृष्टिर्ब्राह्मणाः परमेष्ठिनः । धर्मादिकं चतुर्वर्णं सर्वं तेषु प्रतिष्ठितम्

uttamaiṣāparā sṛṣṭirbrāhmaṇāḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ | dharmādikaṁ caturvarṇaṁ sarvaṁ teṣu pratiṣṭhitam

This is the highest, further creation - the brahmins, the supreme lords; dharma and the other three orders, all of it, is established upon them.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.173.13)

यज्जुह्वति हविर्विप्रास्तेन तृप्यन्ति देवताः । जगत् प्रतिष्ठितं सर्वं ब्राह्मणानां हि तेजसा

yajjuhvati havirviprāstena tṛpyanti devatāḥ | jagat pratiṣṭhitaṁ sarvaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ hi tejasā

Whatever oblation the brahmins offer in fire, by that the gods are satisfied; the whole world stands established by the splendor of the brahmins alone.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.173.14)

मृत्युजन्मापहं यत्तन्मम पाशुपतं व्रतन् । न वर्णाः साधयन्त्यन्ये मुक्त्वा ब्राह्मणसत्तमान्

mṛtyujanmāpahaṁ yattanmama pāśupataṁ vratan | na varṇāḥ sādhayantyanye muktvā brāhmaṇasattamān

That which removes death and birth, my Pashupata vow - no other caste can accomplish it, save the best of brahmins.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.173.15)

लक्षणं संप्रवक्ष्यामि द्विजातीनामिदं शृणु । शौचार्जवविधानं च प्रभावं कर्म चैव ह

lakṣaṇaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi dvijātīnāmidaṁ śṛṇu | śaucārjavavidhānaṁ ca prabhāvaṁ karma caiva ha

I shall declare to you the marks of the twice-born; hear this - the rule of purity and uprightness, their power, and their proper action.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.173.16)

ब्राह्मणस्तु भवेज्जात्या संस्काराद् द्विज उच्यते । विद्यया विप्रतां याति ब्राह्मण्यं त्रिविधं स्मृतम्

brāhmaṇastu bhavejjātyā saṁskārād dvija ucyate | vidyayā vipratāṁ yāti brāhmaṇyaṁ trividhaṁ smṛtam

One becomes a brahmin by birth; by the sacrament one is called twice-born; by learning one attains the state of a vipra - brahminhood is remembered as threefold.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.173.17)

यश्च जात्या भवेद् विप्रो यश्च स्याद् वेदपारगः । तयोस्त्राणे वधे चापि पुण्यपापे समे स्मृते

yaśca jātyā bhaved vipro yaśca syād vedapāragaḥ | tayostrāṇe vadhe cāpi puṇyapāpe same smṛte

He who is a brahmin by birth, and he who has mastered the Vedas - in protecting or slaying either of them, the merit and sin are held equal.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.173.18)

जात्या च यो भवेद्विप्रः सर्वागमविशारदः । तपशौचसमायुक्तस्त्र्यवदातः स उच्यते

jātyā ca yo bhavedvipraḥ sarvāgamaviśāradaḥ | tapaśaucasamāyuktastryavadātaḥ sa ucyate

He who is a brahmin by birth and is skilled in all the scriptures, endowed with austerity and purity, is called thrice-purified.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.173.19)

तादृशं भोजयेच्छ्राद्धे दैवे कर्मणि वापि यः । अक्षयं तद् भवेत् तस्य व्यवदातस्य तर्पणात्

tādṛśaṁ bhojayecchrāddhe daive karmaṇi vāpi yaḥ | akṣayaṁ tad bhavet tasya vyavadātasya tarpaṇāt

Whoever feeds such a one at a shraddha or a divine rite, for him that offering, by the satisfaction of that purified one, becomes inexhaustible.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.173.20)

वेदविद्यो भवेद्विप्रो नित्यं होमपरायणः । सोपि श्रेष्ठः स्मृतो देवि पूजितस्तारयेत् कुलम्

vedavidyo bhavedvipro nityaṁ homaparāyaṇaḥ | sopi śreṣṭhaḥ smṛto devi pūjitastārayet kulam

A brahmin may be learned in the Veda, ever devoted to fire-oblation; he too is remembered as excellent, O Goddess; honored, he redeems his lineage.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.173.21)

सर्वथा जातिमात्रेण योपि स्याद् ब्राह्मणः क्वचित् । सोपि लोकगुरुर्देवि पूजितः स्वर्गदो भवेत

sarvathā jātimātreṇa yopi syād brāhmaṇaḥ kvacit | sopi lokagururdevi pūjitaḥ svargado bhaveta

In every way, even one who is a brahmin by birth alone, wherever such may be - he too, O Goddess, is a teacher of the world; honored, he becomes a giver of heaven.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.173.22)

अग्निहोत्रं तपो यज्ञः शौचमार्जवमेव च । सत्यं वेदप्रसङ्गश्च द्विजकर्म परं स्मृतम्

agnihotraṁ tapo yajñaḥ śaucamārjavameva ca | satyaṁ vedaprasaṅgaśca dvijakarma paraṁ smṛtam

The fire-oblation, austerity, sacrifice, purity, and uprightness, truthfulness, and devotion to the Vedas - this is remembered as the supreme duty of the twice-born.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.173.23)

नानृतं ब्राह्मणो ब्रूते न हन्ति प्राणिनं द्विजः । न सेवां कुरुते विप्रो न द्विजः पापकृद्भवेत्

nānṛtaṁ brāhmaṇo brūte na hanti prāṇinaṁ dvijaḥ | na sevāṁ kurute vipro na dvijaḥ pāpakṛdbhavet

A brahmin speaks no falsehood; a twice-born slays no living creature; a brahmin performs no menial service; a twice-born does not become a doer of sin.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.173.24)

ब्राह्मणश्च तपस्वी च न जन्म पुनराप्नुते । विद्वद्ब्राह्मणतां लब्ध्वा किन्न लब्धं हि देहिना

brāhmaṇaśca tapasvī ca na janma punarāpnute | vidvadbrāhmaṇatāṁ labdhvā kinna labdhaṁ hi dehinā

A brahmin who is also an ascetic does not undergo birth again; having attained learned brahminhood, what indeed has not been attained by an embodied being?

Verse 25 (skanda.8.173.25)

मूर्त्तयो याः स्मृता ह्यष्टावर्कसोमादयो मम । सर्वास्ता निवसन्ति स्म ब्राह्मणे तपसैधिते

mūrttayo yāḥ smṛtā hyaṣṭāvarkasomādayo mama | sarvāstā nivasanti sma brāhmaṇe tapasaidhite

The eight forms remembered as mine - the sun, the moon, and the rest - all of them dwell within the brahmin who is enriched by austerity.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.173.26)

द्विजतेजो ह्यवष्टभ्य अमृतं गाव एव च । प्रभवन्ति सदा देवि विप्राः श्रेष्ठतमास्ततः

dvijatejo hyavaṣṭabhya amṛtaṁ gāva eva ca | prabhavanti sadā devi viprāḥ śreṣṭhatamāstataḥ

Relying upon the splendor of the twice-born, and upon the nectar and the cows as well, brahmins ever thrive, O Goddess, and are thereby most excellent.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.173.27)

नासाध्यं विद्यते तेषां द्विजानां परमौजसाम् । रुषितास्ते प्रसन्ना वा प्रयच्छन्ति शुभाशुभम्

nāsādhyaṁ vidyate teṣāṁ dvijānāṁ paramaujasām | ruṣitāste prasannā vā prayacchanti śubhāśubham

There is nothing unattainable for those brahmins of supreme vigor; whether angered or pleased, they bestow good or ill fortune.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.173.28)

द्विजास्तपस्विनो ये तु वेदविद्याविशारदाः । मुक्तिदास्तु भवेयुस्ते देवानामपि देवताः

dvijāstapasvino ye tu vedavidyāviśāradāḥ | muktidāstu bhaveyuste devānāmapi devatāḥ

Those twice-born who are ascetics, skilled in the knowledge of the Vedas, become granters of liberation, deities even to the gods.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.173.29)

अहं पितामहश्चैव तेषां योनिद्वयं स्मृतम् । मत्तः पूर्वं प्रसूतास्ते ततो देवि पितामहात्

ahaṁ pitāmahaścaiva teṣāṁ yonidvayaṁ smṛtam | mattaḥ pūrvaṁ prasūtāste tato devi pitāmahāt

I, and the Grandfather too - these are remembered as their two wombs; they were born from me first, and thereafter, O Goddess, from the Grandfather.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.173.30)

आवां हेतू द्विजातीनां प्रकृतित्वात् त्वमेव च । प्रकृतिस्त्वं समाख्याता पुरुषः परमो ह्यहम्

āvāṁ hetū dvijātīnāṁ prakṛtitvāt tvameva ca | prakṛtistvaṁ samākhyātā puruṣaḥ paramo hyaham

We two are the cause of the twice-born, since you yourself are their material nature; you are proclaimed as Prakriti, and I am the supreme Purusha.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.173.31)

ब्रह्मविष्णू स्मृतौ यौ तौ रजःसत्वगुणात्मकौ । आवाभ्यां तौ प्रजायेते सृष्टिकाले प्रजापती

brahmaviṣṇū smṛtau yau tau rajaḥsatvaguṇātmakau | āvābhyāṁ tau prajāyete sṛṣṭikāle prajāpatī

Brahma and Vishnu, remembered as those two, are of the nature of the qualities rajas and sattva; from us two, at the time of creation, those two lords of creatures are born.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.173.32)

अहं ह्यग्निस्तमो विष्णुः सत्वं ब्रह्मणि संस्थितम् । रजस्त्वं व्यापितं विद्धि गुणभूतेषु कर्मसु

ahaṁ hyagnistamo viṣṇuḥ satvaṁ brahmaṇi saṁsthitam | rajastvaṁ vyāpitaṁ viddhi guṇabhūteṣu karmasu

I am indeed Agni, tamas; Vishnu is sattva, established in Brahma; know that rajas is you, pervading throughout the deeds that are of the nature of the qualities.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.173.33)

मोहात्मको स्मृतावेतौ तमो रागस्तथैव च । सत्वं नाशयते तौ हि स चाग्नेः संप्रजायते

mohātmako smṛtāvetau tamo rāgastathaiva ca | satvaṁ nāśayate tau hi sa cāgneḥ saṁprajāyate

Those two [tamas and rajas] are remembered as of the nature of delusion - tamas, and likewise raga (passion); sattva destroys them both, and that sattva arises from fire.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.173.34)

वह्नितेजाः स्मृता ह्येते महात्मानो द्विजातयः । सर्वतः प्रभवन्त्येते नास्ति तेषां निवारणम्

vahnitejāḥ smṛtā hyete mahātmāno dvijātayaḥ | sarvataḥ prabhavantyete nāsti teṣāṁ nivāraṇam

These great-souled twice-born ones are remembered as of the very splendor of fire; they thrive from every quarter, and there is no restraining them.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.173.35)

आर्जवं समतां चैव विद्धि तेजो द्विजातिषु । तपोविद्यासमायुक्तादार्जवस्तु विशिष्यते

ārjavaṁ samatāṁ caiva viddhi tejo dvijātiṣu | tapovidyāsamāyuktādārjavastu viśiṣyate

Know uprightness and equanimity to be the splendor among the twice-born; but uprightness, joined with austerity and learning, is the more excellent.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.173.36)

अशाठ्यं हन्ति पापानि समता मोहबन्धनम् । उभेप्येते निहन्ति स्म आर्जवं सेवितं द्विजैः

aśāṭhyaṁ hanti pāpāni samatā mohabandhanam | ubhepyete nihanti sma ārjavaṁ sevitaṁ dvijaiḥ

Guilelessness destroys sins, equanimity destroys the bondage of delusion; both of these destroy them indeed, uprightness practiced by the twice-born.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.173.37)

पुरा भागीरथीतीरे द्विजः परमधर्मवित् । नाम्ना दानरुचिर्नाम उञ्छवृत्तिर्बभूव ह

purā bhāgīrathītīre dvijaḥ paramadharmavit | nāmnā dānarucirnāma uñchavṛttirbabhūva ha

Of old, on the bank of the Bhagirathi, a twice-born, knower of the supreme dharma, named Danaruchi, lived by gleaning grain.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.173.38)

सर्वविद्याविनीतात्मा सर्वभूताभयप्रदः । सह पत्न्या च मद्भक्तो वह्निहोमपरायणः

sarvavidyāvinītātmā sarvabhūtābhayapradaḥ | saha patnyā ca madbhakto vahnihomaparāyaṇaḥ

His mind disciplined in every branch of learning, a giver of fearlessness to all beings, together with his wife, my devotee, devoted to fire-oblation,

Verse 39 (skanda.8.173.39)

अतिथिं भोजयित्वा च पूर्वं देवि यथागतम् । षष्ठे काले ततोश्नाति तस्येदं व्रतमुत्तमम्

atithiṁ bhojayitvā ca pūrvaṁ devi yathāgatam | ṣaṣṭhe kāle tatośnāti tasyedaṁ vratamuttamam

having first fed a guest, whoever might arrive, O Goddess, he would then eat at the sixth watch - this was his excellent vow.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.173.40)

अथैवं वर्तमानस्य भूयान् कालो जगाम ह । अतिथावागते तस्य न विकल्पः प्रजायते

athaivaṁ vartamānasya bhūyān kālo jagāma ha | atithāvāgate tasya na vikalpaḥ prajāyate

Thus, as he continued so, a great deal of time passed; when a guest arrived, no exception was ever made by him.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.173.41)

तपशौचसमायुक्त आर्जवैकरतो द्विजः । बभूवात्यर्थमर्चिष्मानर्काग्नी इव तेजसा

tapaśaucasamāyukta ārjavaikarato dvijaḥ | babhūvātyarthamarciṣmānarkāgnī iva tejasā

That twice-born, endowed with austerity and purity, devoted solely to uprightness, became exceedingly radiant, splendid as the sun and fire.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.173.42)

तस्यैवं तपसो वह्निः प्रीतस्तुष्टिमगात् पराम् । शुभदित्सुरभूच्चास्य समीहितफलप्रदः

tasyaivaṁ tapaso vahniḥ prītastuṣṭimagāt parām | śubhaditsurabhūccāsya samīhitaphalapradaḥ

By his austerity thus, Agni, pleased, attained supreme satisfaction, and, wishing him well, became one who grants his desired fruits.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.173.43)

कदाचिदथ कालेन षष्ठे काले समागते । हिममेघोल्बणे शीते दुर्दिने पर्यटन् द्विजः

kadācidatha kālena ṣaṣṭhe kāle samāgate | himamegholbaṇe śīte durdine paryaṭan dvijaḥ

Once, in the course of time, when the sixth watch had come, in cold, wretched weather thick with snow-clouds, that twice-born, wandering about,

Verse 44 (skanda.8.173.44)

नापश्यदतिथिं कञ्चिद् बुभुक्षाक्लमखेदितः । यदा नासदितस्तेन दिनान्तेप्यतिथिः क्वचित्

nāpaśyadatithiṁ kañcid bubhukṣāklamakheditaḥ | yadā nāsaditastena dināntepyatithiḥ kvacit

saw no guest at all, weary with hunger and fatigue; when, even by day's end, no guest at all had come to him,

Verse 45 (skanda.8.173.45)

अप्राश्यैव तदा किञ्चिदुपवासपरायणः । बभूव द्विजमुख्योसौ नात्मखेदमचिन्तयत्

aprāśyaiva tadā kiñcidupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ | babhūva dvijamukhyosau nātmakhedamacintayat

then, without eating anything, devoted to fasting, that foremost of the twice-born remained so, and gave no thought to his own distress.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.173.46)

पत्न्यप्यस्य महाभागा पतिभक्तिव्रते रता । यथैवास्याः पतिश्चक्रे तथा साप्यकरोत्तदा

patnyapyasya mahābhāgā patibhaktivrate ratā | yathaivāsyāḥ patiścakre tathā sāpyakarottadā

His wife too, of great fortune, devoted to the vow of wifely devotion, did just as her husband did, then, at that time.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.173.47)

शीतक्षुदुपतप्ताङ्गो नैकद्वन्द्वसमावृतः । क्लेशेन महतातीव खिन्नोभूद्देवि स द्विजः

śītakṣudupataptāṅgo naikadvandvasamāvṛtaḥ | kleśena mahatātīva khinnobhūddevi sa dvijaḥ

Their bodies afflicted by cold and hunger, beset by many pairs of opposites, that twice-born became exceedingly wearied by great hardship, O Goddess.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.173.48)

द्वितीयेथ समायाते षष्ठे काले स ह द्विजः । शीतदुर्द्दिनजाद्दोषान्नैवातिथिमवैक्षत

dvitīyetha samāyāte ṣaṣṭhe kāle sa ha dvijaḥ | śītadurddinajāddoṣānnaivātithimavaikṣata

Then, when a second sixth watch had come, that twice-born, because of the faults born of the wretched, cold weather, saw no guest at all.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.173.49)

अथाग्निस्तस्य तज्ज्ञात्वा निश्चयं परमं महत् । श्वपाकसदृशं रूपं विकृतं कुत्सितं च हि

athāgnistasya tajjñātvā niścayaṁ paramaṁ mahat | śvapākasadṛśaṁ rūpaṁ vikṛtaṁ kutsitaṁ ca hi

Then Agni, knowing his supreme and great resolve, having taken on a form like a dog-cooker's, distorted and repulsive,

Verse 50 (skanda.8.173.50)

कृत्वा पादपमूलस्थः प्रददौ तस्य दर्शनम् । क्षुधार्तोथ स विप्रेन्द्रः पर्यटन्नतिथीप्सया

kṛtvā pādapamūlasthaḥ pradadau tasya darśanam | kṣudhārtotha sa viprendraḥ paryaṭannatithīpsayā

stationed at the foot of a tree, showed himself to him. That best of brahmins, hunger-stricken, wandering in search of a guest,

Verse 51 (skanda.8.173.51)

अपश्यद् वृक्षमूलस्थं घोरं विकृतरूपिणम् । श्वपाकं शीतसंखिन्नं नैकव्रणशताङ्कितम्

apaśyad vṛkṣamūlasthaṁ ghoraṁ vikṛtarūpiṇam | śvapākaṁ śītasaṁkhinnaṁ naikavraṇaśatāṅkitam

saw, at the foot of a tree, a dreadful, distorted figure - a dog-cooker, wretched with cold, marked all over with a hundred sores,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.173.52)

दुर्दृशं वृद्धमार्त्तञ्च प्रस्रवत्कृमिशोणितम् । विक्रोशन्तं च तातेति सोपश्यद् द्विजसत्तमः

durdṛśaṁ vṛddhamārttañca prasravatkṛmiśoṇitam | vikrośantaṁ ca tāteti sopaśyad dvijasattamaḥ

hideous to behold, aged, afflicted, oozing worms and blood, crying out "Father!" - him that best of the twice-born saw.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.173.53)

कृपणं तमथो दृष्ट्वा श्वपाकं द्विजसत्तमः । समाश्वसिहि भद्रेति प्रोवाच मधुरं वचः

kṛpaṇaṁ tamatho dṛṣṭvā śvapākaṁ dvijasattamaḥ | samāśvasihi bhadreti provāca madhuraṁ vacaḥ

Seeing that pitiable dog-cooker, that best of the twice-born said in a sweet voice: "Take heart, good friend."

Verse 54 (skanda.8.173.54)

शीतापनयनार्थञ्च वह्निमस्यानयद् द्विजः । अथ तं वह्निसंसर्गात् समाश्वस्तमुवाच सः

śītāpanayanārthañca vahnimasyānayad dvijaḥ | atha taṁ vahnisaṁsargāt samāśvastamuvāca saḥ

And to dispel the cold, the twice-born brought fire to him; then, when he had been comforted by the touch of the fire, he said to him,

Verse 55 (skanda.8.173.55)

एहि भुंक्ष्वातिथिर्मे त्वं भव भद्रेति सादरम् । तमुवाच ततो दीनं श्वपाकस्तपसां निधिम्

ehi bhuṁkṣvātithirme tvaṁ bhava bhadreti sādaram | tamuvāca tato dīnaṁ śvapākastapasāṁ nidhim

"Come, eat; be my guest, good friend," he said with respect. Then the wretched dog-cooker, that repository of austerities, said to him:

Verse 56 (skanda.8.173.56)

श्वपाकोहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ मह्यमन्नमिहैव हि । कुत्सिताय प्रयच्छस्व यथैव मृगपक्षिणाम्

śvapākohaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha mahyamannamihaiva hi | kutsitāya prayacchasva yathaiva mṛgapakṣiṇām

"I am a dog-cooker, best of the twice-born; give me food here, as would be given to the base, as to beasts and birds.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.173.57)

नाहं संस्कृतमाहर्तुं योग्योन्नमिति चाब्रवीत् । तमेवं वादिनं ध्यानाज्ज्ञात्वा वह्निमुपस्थितम्

nāhaṁ saṁskṛtamāhartuṁ yogyonnamiti cābravīt | tamevaṁ vādinaṁ dhyānājjñātvā vahnimupasthitam

I am not fit to partake of consecrated food," so he said. Knowing that speaker, through meditation, to be Agni present before him,

Verse 58 (skanda.8.173.58)

प्रोवाच द्विजशार्दूल इदं वचनकोविदः । नाहं जातिं गर्हयामि पूजयामि न चानघ

provāca dvijaśārdūla idaṁ vacanakovidaḥ | nāhaṁ jātiṁ garhayāmi pūjayāmi na cānagha

the tiger among the twice-born, skilled in speech, said this: "I do not despise caste, nor do I worship it, O sinless one.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.173.59)

आत्मा सर्वगतो ह्येष सर्वप्राणिषु संस्थितः । आत्मानं तमहं भक्त्या पूजयामि परं शिवम्

ātmā sarvagato hyeṣa sarvaprāṇiṣu saṁsthitaḥ | ātmānaṁ tamahaṁ bhaktyā pūjayāmi paraṁ śivam

This Self, all-pervading, dwells in all creatures; that Self I worship with devotion, the Supreme Shiva.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.173.60)

सर्वत्र संस्थितं मत्वा पुरुषं परमेश्वरम् । तिर्यक्षु नहि मे कुत्सा त्वद्विधेषु विशेषतः

sarvatra saṁsthitaṁ matvā puruṣaṁ parameśvaram | tiryakṣu nahi me kutsā tvadvidheṣu viśeṣataḥ

Knowing the Supreme Lord, the Purusha, to be established everywhere, I have no contempt even for beasts, and least of all for one such as you.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.173.61)

सर्वमेव स एवेति तपःशौचपरायणः । पूजयाम्यहमव्यग्रस्तत्र निस्संशयो भव

sarvameva sa eveti tapaḥśaucaparāyaṇaḥ | pūjayāmyahamavyagrastatra nissaṁśayo bhava

'All this is He alone' - thus, devoted to austerity and purity, undisturbed, I worship; be free of all doubt on this.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.173.62)

कृमिकीटाखुसर्पेषु श्वपाग्देवद्विजातिषु । यदा सर्वगतो ह्यात्मा तदा कुत्सा कथञ्च नः

kṛmikīṭākhusarpeṣu śvapāgdevadvijātiṣu | yadā sarvagato hyātmā tadā kutsā kathañca naḥ

In worms, insects, mice, and serpents, in dog-cookers, gods, and the twice-born, since the Self is all-pervading, how then could there be contempt for us?

Verse 63 (skanda.8.173.63)

न हि मे कुत्सितो भद्र एहि मे त्वमकुत्सितः । भुंक्ष्व संस्कृतमन्नन्तु प्रापयास्माननुग्रहम्

na hi me kutsito bhadra ehi me tvamakutsitaḥ | bhuṁkṣva saṁskṛtamannantu prāpayāsmānanugraham

You are not contemptible to me, good friend; come, you who are not contemptible; eat consecrated food, and grant us your grace.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.173.64)

एवमुक्तो द्विजेन्द्रेण श्वपाकः प्रीतिमाँस्तदा । गृहं जगाम विप्रस्य तस्यानुग्रहलिप्सया

evamukto dvijendreṇa śvapākaḥ prītimā~stadā | gṛhaṁ jagāma viprasya tasyānugrahalipsayā

Thus addressed by the lord of the twice-born, the dog-cooker, filled with delight, went then to the house of that brahmin, desiring his grace.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.173.65)

अथ दानरुचिस्तस्य अतिथेरिव पूजितम् । आतिथ्यं विधिवच्चक्रे भावशुद्धेन चेतसा

atha dānarucistasya atitheriva pūjitam | ātithyaṁ vidhivaccakre bhāvaśuddhena cetasā

Then Danaruchi, treating him as a guest, performed the rites of hospitality duly, with a heart pure in intention.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.173.66)

मूर्त्तिमान् सोभवत् प्रीतो भोजितो हव्यवाहनः । प्रददावीप्सितं चास्मै योगैश्वर्यमनुत्तमम्

mūrttimān sobhavat prīto bhojito havyavāhanaḥ | pradadāvīpsitaṁ cāsmai yogaiśvaryamanuttamam

Pleased, the fire-bearer, having been fed, took on his true, embodied form, and granted him his desired, unsurpassed yogic majesty.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.173.67)

स योगं परमं प्राप्य उञ्छवृत्तिर्द्विजोत्तमः । विमुक्तः सह पत्न्या तु प्राप्तवानमृतं पदम्

sa yogaṁ paramaṁ prāpya uñchavṛttirdvijottamaḥ | vimuktaḥ saha patnyā tu prāptavānamṛtaṁ padam

He, having attained supreme yoga, that excellent twice-born who lived by gleaning, liberated, together with his wife, attained the immortal state.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.173.68)

यथैव कपिलः सिद्धस्तत्त्ववित् परमो मुनिः । एवमार्जवसंपन्नो ब्राह्मणः कृतलक्षणः । न किञ्चिन्नाप्नुयाद्देवि शुभाच्छुभतरं पदम्

yathaiva kapilaḥ siddhastattvavit paramo muniḥ | evamārjavasaṁpanno brāhmaṇaḥ kṛtalakṣaṇaḥ | na kiñcinnāpnuyāddevi śubhācchubhataraṁ padam

Just as Kapila, the accomplished one, supreme sage, knower of truth - so too a brahmin endowed with uprightness, marked by these signs, attains, O Goddess, no state more auspicious than this most auspicious one.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.173.69)

एतत्ते कथितं नगेन्द्रतनये माहात्म्यमग्र्यं परं विप्राणाममरत्विषां सुबहुशः पुण्यायुषः प्रापकम् । शृण्वन्नित्यमिदं पठँश्च विधिवद्विद्वाञ्छुचिर्मानवः पुण्यं सौख्यमथायुरीप्सितफलं तेजो बलं चाप्नुयात्

etatte kathitaṁ nagendratanaye māhātmyamagryaṁ paraṁ viprāṇāmamaratviṣāṁ subahuśaḥ puṇyāyuṣaḥ prāpakam | śṛṇvannityamidaṁ paṭha~śca vidhivadvidvāñchucirmānavaḥ puṇyaṁ saukhyamathāyurīpsitaphalaṁ tejo balaṁ cāpnuyāt

This foremost, supreme glory of the brahmins have I told you, O daughter of the mountain-lord - it bestows, most abundantly, a holy life-span upon those brahmins who shine like immortals. A wise, pure man who ever hears this, and duly recites it, obtains merit, happiness, and long life, the desired fruit, splendor, and strength.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.173.70)

माहात्म्यमेतत् कथितं यथावत् महामहीध्रेन्द्रसुते द्विजानाम् । सृष्टेः प्रभवान्मम ते द्विजेन्द्रा माहात्म्यमित्थं परमं ह्यवापुः

māhātmyametat kathitaṁ yathāvat mahāmahīdhrendrasute dvijānām | sṛṣṭeḥ prabhavānmama te dvijendrā māhātmyamitthaṁ paramaṁ hyavāpuḥ

This glory of the brahmins has been told duly, O daughter of the great mountain-lord; the twice-born, born of my own creation, thus attained this supreme glory.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.173.71)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । द्विजमाहात्म्यमुल्लिख्य पार्वतीपरमेशयोः । बभूवेत्थं सुसंवादः पुण्यः पापविनाशनः

sanatkumāra uvāca | dvijamāhātmyamullikhya pārvatīparameśayoḥ | babhūvetthaṁ susaṁvādaḥ puṇyaḥ pāpavināśanaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having thus recounted the glory of the twice-born, this holy, sin-destroying dialogue took place between Parvati and the Supreme Lord.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.173.72)

पाराशर्य तपोधन । श्रोतव्यं मन्यसे मत्तस्तत् पृच्छस्व समाहितः

pārāśarya tapodhana | śrotavyaṁ manyase mattastat pṛcchasva samāhitaḥ

[a portion of the text is lost here] ...O son of Parashara, rich in austerity, whatever else you deem worth hearing from me, ask it with a composed mind.