The Great Fortune of Kashthakuta

Verse 1 (skanda.8.52.1)

व्यास उवाच। । के पुनस्तं न गच्छन्ति नरकं शुभकर्मिणः । पापेष्वपि रता ब्रह्मन्नेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vyāsa uvāca| | ke punastaṁ na gacchanti narakaṁ śubhakarmiṇaḥ | pāpeṣvapi ratā brahmannetadicchāmi veditum

Vyasa said: Who are they, O brahmin, doers of good deeds — or even those given to sinful acts — who do not go to that hell? This I wish to know.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.52.2)

तथा स्त्रीणां च का युक्ता गतिः परमिका शुभा । केन कर्मविपाकेन एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

tathā strīṇāṁ ca kā yuktā gatiḥ paramikā śubhā | kena karmavipākena etadicchāmi veditum

And likewise, what is the fitting, supreme, auspicious destiny for women, and through what ripening of karma is it attained? This too I wish to know.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.52.3)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । न गच्छन्ति नरा येन नरकं तं सुदुःखिताः

sanatkumāra uvāca| | na gacchanti narā yena narakaṁ taṁ suduḥkhitāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Hear that by which men, even the greatly afflicted, do not go to hell...

Verse 4 (skanda.8.52.4)

पापकर्मण्यपि रतास्तानिमान् शृणु मानद

pāpakarmaṇyapi ratāstānimān śṛṇu mānada

...even those devoted to sinful deeds — hear of them, O giver of honor.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.52.5)

नाग्निचिन्नरकं याति न त्रिसूत्री न गोव्रती

nāgnicinnarakaṁ yāti na trisūtrī na govratī

The performer of the fire-altar rite does not go to hell; nor does the observer of the threefold-cord vow, nor one vowed to the protection of cattle.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.52.6)

नाश्वमेधेन यो यष्टा गो सहस्रप्रदो न च

nāśvamedhena yo yaṣṭā go sahasraprado na ca

nor one who has performed the horse-sacrifice, nor one who has given a thousand cows in charity.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.52.7)

न च स्वाध्यायनित्यो यो रुद्रजापी च यो द्विजः

na ca svādhyāyanityo yo rudrajāpī ca yo dvijaḥ

nor the brahmin ever devoted to Vedic recitation, nor one who chants the Rudra-mantra.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.52.8)

ब्राह्मणान् तारयेद्यश्च आपदो मरणान्तिकात्

brāhmaṇān tārayedyaśca āpado maraṇāntikāt

and he who delivers brahmins from calamity, even one bordering on death...

Verse 9 (skanda.8.52.9)

ब्राह्मणं व्याधितं दीनमनाथं दुःखपीडितम्

brāhmaṇaṁ vyādhitaṁ dīnamanāthaṁ duḥkhapīḍitam

a brahmin who is diseased, wretched, without protector, afflicted with suffering...

Verse 10 (skanda.8.52.10)

शुश्रूषेद्यावदेतेन युक्तो धर्मेण मानवः

śuśrūṣedyāvadetena yukto dharmeṇa mānavaḥ

...whatever man, imbued with this duty, attends upon and serves him...

Verse 11 (skanda.8.52.11)

ब्राह्मणं वासयेद्यस्तु गृहवासपरिच्छदैः । निःस्वं स्वाध्यायसंपन्नं नरकं न स पश्यति

brāhmaṇaṁ vāsayedyastu gṛhavāsaparicchadaiḥ | niḥsvaṁ svādhyāyasaṁpannaṁ narakaṁ na sa paśyati

And he who provides a home, with lodging and provisions, for a brahmin who is poor but rich in Vedic learning, does not behold that hell.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.52.12)

तथा गाञ्चैव संमग्नां पतितां शक्तिवर्जिताम् । संरक्षति च युक्तात्मा स च तं नैव गच्छति

tathā gāñcaiva saṁmagnāṁ patitāṁ śaktivarjitām | saṁrakṣati ca yuktātmā sa ca taṁ naiva gacchati

And likewise, the disciplined soul who rescues a cow that is mired, fallen, and bereft of strength, he too never goes there.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.52.13)

महेशं यश्च भावेन परमेण समाधिना । भक्त्या समर्चयेन्नित्यं स च तं नैव गच्छति

maheśaṁ yaśca bhāvena parameṇa samādhinā | bhaktyā samarcayennityaṁ sa ca taṁ naiva gacchati

And whoever ever worships Mahesha with pure feeling, supreme concentration, and devotion, he too never goes there.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.52.14)

इतरेषां तु संसारो भवत्येव न संशयः । ब्राह्मणास्तं न गच्छन्ति वेदवेदाङ्गपारगाः

itareṣāṁ tu saṁsāro bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ | brāhmaṇāstaṁ na gacchanti vedavedāṅgapāragāḥ

But for others, the round of rebirth surely occurs — there is no doubt of it. Brahmins who are masters of the Veda and its ancillary sciences do not go to it.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.52.15)

षट्कर्मनिरता व्यास आत्मधर्मव्यवस्थिताः

ṣaṭkarmaniratā vyāsa ātmadharmavyavasthitāḥ

those devoted, O Vyasa, to the six prescribed duties, established in their own dharma...

Verse 16 (skanda.8.52.16)

तपःशौचसमायुक्ता दयावन्तो दृढव्रताः

tapaḥśaucasamāyuktā dayāvanto dṛḍhavratāḥ

endowed with austerity and purity, compassionate, firm in their vows...

Verse 17 (skanda.8.52.17)

प्रतिग्रहनिवृत्ताश्च ईशभक्ताश्च ये द्विजाः । क्षत्रिया ये च रक्षार्थं प्रजानां नित्यमुद्यताः

pratigrahanivṛttāśca īśabhaktāśca ye dvijāḥ | kṣatriyā ye ca rakṣārthaṁ prajānāṁ nityamudyatāḥ

and brahmins who abstain from accepting gifts and are devoted to the Lord; and kshatriyas who are ever intent upon protecting their subjects...

Verse 18 (skanda.8.52.18)

त्यजन्ति समरे प्राणान् न ते नरकगामिनः । वैश्या वार्तासमायुक्ता न्यायधर्मव्यवस्थिताः

tyajanti samare prāṇān na te narakagāminaḥ | vaiśyā vārtāsamāyuktā nyāyadharmavyavasthitāḥ

who lay down their lives in battle — such men are not bound for hell. Vaishyas engaged in honest livelihood, established in just conduct...

Verse 19 (skanda.8.52.19)

येषां वृत्तिरविच्छिन्ना देवब्राह्मणपूजकाः

yeṣāṁ vṛttiravicchinnā devabrāhmaṇapūjakāḥ

whose livelihood remains steady and uninterrupted, and who are worshippers of gods and brahmins...

Verse 20 (skanda.8.52.20)

नरकं ते न पश्यन्ति स्वर्गगास्ते प्रकीर्तिताः

narakaṁ te na paśyanti svargagāste prakīrtitāḥ

they do not behold hell; they are proclaimed to be bound for heaven.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.52.21)

भक्ता वर्णत्रयं ये च शूद्रा दर्पविवर्जिताः । ब्राह्मणांश्च विशेषेण नित्यं ये समुपासते

bhaktā varṇatrayaṁ ye ca śūdrā darpavivarjitāḥ | brāhmaṇāṁśca viśeṣeṇa nityaṁ ye samupāsate

And shudras, free of arrogance, devoted to the three higher classes, and who especially ever attend upon brahmins...

Verse 22 (skanda.8.52.22)

ते न पश्यन्ति नरकं सुगतिञ्च मृता ययुः । चतुर्ष्वपि च वर्णेषु मनुजा भावतः शिवम्

te na paśyanti narakaṁ sugatiñca mṛtā yayuḥ | caturṣvapi ca varṇeṣu manujā bhāvataḥ śivam

they do not behold hell, and, upon death, attain a good destiny. And among all four classes, those men who, with sincere devotion...

Verse 23 (skanda.8.52.23)

शर्वार्पितक्रियावस्था भक्ता नित्यमनुव्रताः । न ते प्रयान्ति नरकं प्राप्नुवन्ति परां गतिम्

śarvārpitakriyāvasthā bhaktā nityamanuvratāḥ | na te prayānti narakaṁ prāpnuvanti parāṁ gatim

...devote their actions to Shiva, are devout, ever faithful to their vows — such men do not go to hell; they attain the supreme destiny.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.52.24)

प्रासादं चैव ये कृत्वा देवदेवमुपासते । अन्यानपि पितॄँस्ते तु नरकादुद्धरन्त्युत

prāsādaṁ caiva ye kṛtvā devadevamupāsate | anyānapi pitṝ~ste tu narakāduddharantyuta

And those who, having built a temple, worship the God of gods there, lift up even their other ancestors out of hell.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.52.25)

खनिताः पुष्करिण्यो यैस्तडागानि ह्रदानि च । रोपिता वृक्षषण्डाश्च तेपि तान् न प्रयान्ति हि

khanitāḥ puṣkariṇyo yaistaḍāgāni hradāni ca | ropitā vṛkṣaṣaṇḍāśca tepi tān na prayānti hi

Those who have dug lotus-ponds, reservoirs, and pools, and planted groves of trees — they too do not go to those hells.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.52.26)

परित्राणं द्विजातीनामन्येषां चैव दुःखिनाम् । नित्यं प्रकुर्वते ये च तेपि तान् न व्रजन्ति हि

paritrāṇaṁ dvijātīnāmanyeṣāṁ caiva duḥkhinām | nityaṁ prakurvate ye ca tepi tān na vrajanti hi

And those who ever offer protection to the twice-born and to other suffering beings as well — they too do not go there.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.52.27)

अक्रोधनाश्च ये नित्यं देवब्राह्मणपूजकाः । नित्यं दानरताश्चैव न ते गच्छन्त्यधोगतिम्

akrodhanāśca ye nityaṁ devabrāhmaṇapūjakāḥ | nityaṁ dānaratāścaiva na te gacchantyadhogatim

Those who are ever free from anger, who worship gods and brahmins, and who are ever devoted to charity, do not go down to that fate.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.52.28)

सत्याभिधानसंयुक्ता दु्ष्टारम्भविवर्जिताः

satyābhidhānasaṁyuktā duṣṭārambhavivarjitāḥ

endowed with truthful speech, free from wicked undertakings...

Verse 29 (skanda.8.52.29)

स्वधर्माचारसंयुक्ताः पश्यन्ति नरकं न ते

svadharmācārasaṁyuktāḥ paśyanti narakaṁ na te

...and joined to the practice of their own proper duty, do not behold hell.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.52.30)

लिङ्गार्चनरतस्तस्मात् सर्वस्मात् परिमुच्यते । ध्यानी त सर्वदा यो वै गणाञ्जपति वा शुचिः

liṅgārcanaratastasmāt sarvasmāt parimucyate | dhyānī ta sarvadā yo vai gaṇāñjapati vā śuciḥ

Therefore, one devoted to the worship of the linga is released from all of this; and he who is ever given to meditation, or, being pure, recites the names of Shiva's ganas...

Verse 31 (skanda.8.52.31)

योगी तु सर्सर्वपापानि कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते । स्त्रीणां तु परमो देवः पतिर्भवति सर्वदा

yogī tu sarsarvapāpāni kurvannapi na lipyate | strīṇāṁ tu paramo devaḥ patirbhavati sarvadā

The yogi, even while performing every kind of sin, is not tainted by it. But for women, the husband is ever the supreme deity.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.52.32)

तस्मान्नान्यं प्रपश्यन्ति याः काश्चिद्धर्मचिन्तिकाः

tasmānnānyaṁ prapaśyanti yāḥ kāściddharmacintikāḥ

Therefore, whatever women are mindful of dharma look upon no other as their deity...

Verse 33 (skanda.8.52.33)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यद् ददाति जुहोति वा

karmaṇā manasā vācā yad dadāti juhoti vā

whatever she gives or offers in sacrifice, by deed, by thought, or by word...

Verse 34 (skanda.8.52.34)

परित्यज्य पतिं नारी न तस्य फलमश्नुते । पतिशुश्रूषणे रक्ता मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः

parityajya patiṁ nārī na tasya phalamaśnute | patiśuśrūṣaṇe raktā manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ

— if she has forsaken her husband, she does not obtain its fruit. But she who is devoted, in thought, word, and deed, to the service of her husband...

Verse 35 (skanda.8.52.35)

पतौ मृतेपि मनसा नान्यमिच्छति या नरम्

patau mṛtepi manasā nānyamicchati yā naram

who, even after her husband's death, does not in her mind wish for another man...

Verse 36 (skanda.8.52.36)

करोति पुण्यं यच्चापि पत्युः सर्वं प्रयच्छति । सा नारी नरकान् सर्वान् मनसापि न गच्छति

karoti puṇyaṁ yaccāpi patyuḥ sarvaṁ prayacchati | sā nārī narakān sarvān manasāpi na gacchati

and whatever merit she performs, she dedicates all of it to her husband — such a woman does not go, even in thought, to any of the hells.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.52.37)

संसारं नैव सा घोरं सर्वं संप्रतिपद्यते

saṁsāraṁ naiva sā ghoraṁ sarvaṁ saṁpratipadyate

she does not undergo that whole terrible round of rebirth.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.52.38)

अन्यासां तु न संदेहो नरकं प्रति सुव्रत

anyāsāṁ tu na saṁdeho narakaṁ prati suvrata

But for other women, O one of good vows, there is no doubt regarding hell — they are indeed bound for it.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.52.39)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । सुकेशं त्वनुगृह्यैवं देवोपि वृषवाहनः । काष्ठकूटाश्रमं गतः । अनुजग्राह तं विप्रं काष्ठकूटं तपोधनम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | sukeśaṁ tvanugṛhyaivaṁ devopi vṛṣavāhanaḥ | kāṣṭhakūṭāśramaṁ gataḥ | anujagrāha taṁ vipraṁ kāṣṭhakūṭaṁ tapodhanam

Sanatkumara said: Having thus shown grace to Sukesha, the god mounted on the bull went also to the hermitage of Kashthakuta — the source text is fragmentary here — he showed grace to that brahmin, Kashthakuta, rich in austerity.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.52.40)

व्यास उवाच। । किं तपस्तस्य भगवन् ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः । कियता चैव कालेन वरं लेभे महेश्वरात्

vyāsa uvāca| | kiṁ tapastasya bhagavan brāhmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ | kiyatā caiva kālena varaṁ lebhe maheśvarāt

Vyasa said: What was the austerity, O lord, of that great-souled brahmin? And in what span of time did he obtain a boon from Maheshvara?

Verse 41 (skanda.8.52.41)

कस्य पुत्रः कस्य नप्ता किन्नामा स च सत्तमः । एतदिच्छामि कथितं भगवन् विस्तराच्छुभम्

kasya putraḥ kasya naptā kinnāmā sa ca sattamaḥ | etadicchāmi kathitaṁ bhagavan vistarācchubham

Whose son was he, whose grandson, and what was that most excellent one's name? This, O lord, I wish to hear told at length.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.52.42)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । गौतमस्यान्वये विप्रो नाम्ना कृष्ण इति प्रभुः

sanatkumāra uvāca| | gautamasyānvaye vipro nāmnā kṛṣṇa iti prabhuḥ

Sanatkumara said: In the lineage of Gautama there was a mighty brahmin named Krishna.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.52.43)

तस्य पुत्रोभवत् ख्यातो भूमन्युरिति नामतः

tasya putrobhavat khyāto bhūmanyuriti nāmataḥ

His son, renowned by the name Bhumanyu, was born to him.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.52.44)

तस्य पत्न्यभवत् सुभ्रू रात्रेयी नामतो यशाः । स कदाचित् कृतोद्वाहो भूमन्युर्न्नाम गौतमः

tasya patnyabhavat subhrū rātreyī nāmato yaśāḥ | sa kadācit kṛtodvāho bhūmanyurnnāma gautamaḥ

His wife was a fair-browed, glorious woman named Ratreyi. Once, though married, that Bhumanyu Gautama...

Verse 45 (skanda.8.52.45)

नाविन्दत सुतं तस्यां जरया चाभिसंवृतः । स भार्यामाह दुःखार्त इदं वचनकोविदः

nāvindata sutaṁ tasyāṁ jarayā cābhisaṁvṛtaḥ | sa bhāryāmāha duḥkhārta idaṁ vacanakovidaḥ

did not obtain a son by her; and, overtaken now by old age, grief-stricken, he, skilled in speech, said this to his wife...

Verse 46 (skanda.8.52.46)

पुत्रेणेच्छन्ति लोकांश्च अनृणाश्च भवन्त्युत । जरां परिगत श्चाहं न च मे दृश्यते सुतः

putreṇecchanti lokāṁśca anṛṇāśca bhavantyuta | jarāṁ parigata ścāhaṁ na ca me dṛśyate sutaḥ

'Through a son, men desire to attain the heavenly worlds and become free of their debts. I have reached old age, and no son is to be seen for me.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.52.47)

सा त्वं कञ्चित् सगोत्रं मे अनुज्ञाता मया शुभे । अभिपद्यस्व पुत्रार्थं याचे त्वां प्राञ्जलिर्न्नतः

sā tvaṁ kañcit sagotraṁ me anujñātā mayā śubhe | abhipadyasva putrārthaṁ yāce tvāṁ prāñjalirnnataḥ

'So, O auspicious one, with my consent, resort to some kinsman of my own lineage for the sake of a son; bowing with joined palms, I beg this of you.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.52.48)

सुयशोवाच न मया श्रुतमेतत्ते तथा नोक्तं त्वयानघ । मादृशी कथमेतद्धि मनसाप्यभिचिन्तयेत्

suyaśovāca na mayā śrutametatte tathā noktaṁ tvayānagha | mādṛśī kathametaddhi manasāpyabhicintayet

Suyasha said: I have never heard this from you, nor have you, O sinless one, ever spoken so before. How could one like me even entertain such a thought in her mind?

Verse 49 (skanda.8.52.49)

अत्रीणान्तु कुले जाता गौतमं कुलमागता । मद्विधा कथमेतद्धि कुर्यात् सद्भिर्विगर्हितम्

atrīṇāntu kule jātā gautamaṁ kulamāgatā | madvidhā kathametaddhi kuryāt sadbhirvigarhitam

Born into the family of the Atris, and come into the family of Gautama — how could one like me do such a thing, condemned as it is by the virtuous?

Verse 50 (skanda.8.52.50)

तपसा धनमन्विच्छेज्जीवितानि सुखानि च । पुत्रान् कुलञ्च लोकांश्च तपः कुरु महामुने

tapasā dhanamanvicchejjīvitāni sukhāni ca | putrān kulañca lokāṁśca tapaḥ kuru mahāmune

Wealth, long life, and happiness should be sought through austerity — and so should sons, family, and the heavenly worlds. Perform austerity, O great sage.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.52.51)

तपसा हि सुतो लब्धः शक्तिना स पराशरः । और्वश्च तपसा स्वेन च्यवनेन महामुनिः

tapasā hi suto labdhaḥ śaktinā sa parāśaraḥ | aurvaśca tapasā svena cyavanena mahāmuniḥ

It was by austerity that Shakti obtained his son Parashara; and Aurva too was obtained by austerity; and by the great sage Chyavana...

Verse 52 (skanda.8.52.52)

वसिष्ठेन कपिञ्जल्यामिन्द्रप्रमतिरेव च । शिलादोजनयच्चैव तपसा नन्दिनं सुतम्

vasiṣṭhena kapiñjalyāmindrapramatireva ca | śilādojanayaccaiva tapasā nandinaṁ sutam

—Indrapramati was begotten by Vasishtha upon Kapinjali; and Shilada too, through austerity, begot his son Nandin.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.52.53)

तथा भवानपि तपः करोतु सुसमाधिना । लप्स्यसे त्वं सुतं श्रेष्ठं महायोगबलान्वितम्

tathā bhavānapi tapaḥ karotu susamādhinā | lapsyase tvaṁ sutaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ mahāyogabalānvitam

So you too should perform austerity with deep concentration; you shall obtain an excellent son endowed with great yogic power.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.52.54)

मां हि दृष्ट्वा पुरा प्राह अत्रिर्ब्रह्मसुतः स्वयम् । सत्पुत्रिणी भवित्रीयं न मिथ्या तद् भविष्यति

māṁ hi dṛṣṭvā purā prāha atrirbrahmasutaḥ svayam | satputriṇī bhavitrīyaṁ na mithyā tad bhaviṣyati

For once, seeing me, Atri, the son of Brahma himself, declared: 'This woman shall become blessed with a good son' — and that shall not prove false.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.52.55)

तपोस्ति मयि यत्किञ्चित् त्वत्प्रसादात् समर्जितम्

taposti mayi yatkiñcit tvatprasādāt samarjitam

'Whatever austerity I possess has been gained only through your favor...'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.52.56)

तेन स्वेन च संयुक्तो रुद्रमाराधय प्रभो

tena svena ca saṁyukto rudramārādhaya prabho

'...united with that merit of your own, worship Rudra, my lord.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.52.57)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । एवमुक्तस्स तेजस्वी ह्रिया परमया युतः । तयैवं समनुज्ञातो रुद्रं शरणमीयिवान्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | evamuktassa tejasvī hriyā paramayā yutaḥ | tayaivaṁ samanujñāto rudraṁ śaraṇamīyivān

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed, that radiant one, overcome with deep modesty, thus permitted by her, went to take refuge in Rudra.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.52.58)

त्वरितं स च समागम्य नर्मदां हर्षसंयुतः । तस्यास्तीरे समुद्विश्य तस्थौ वाय्वाशनः समाः

tvaritaṁ sa ca samāgamya narmadāṁ harṣasaṁyutaḥ | tasyāstīre samudviśya tasthau vāyvāśanaḥ samāḥ

Swiftly, and full of joy, he came to the Narmada river; settling upon its bank, he remained there for years, subsisting on air alone.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.52.59)

स तु नैवाभवद्विप्रः कृतार्थस्तेन कर्मणा । ततस्स दुःखितो भूयः प्राणायामेन तस्थिवान्

sa tu naivābhavadvipraḥ kṛtārthastena karmaṇā | tatassa duḥkhito bhūyaḥ prāṇāyāmena tasthivān

But that brahmin did not achieve his purpose by that practice; then, further grieved, he continued his austerity through breath-control.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.52.60)

वर्षमेकं ततो देवस्तमुवाच तदा विभुः । किमेवं क्लिश्यसे विप्र न तवास्ति सुतः क्वचित्

varṣamekaṁ tato devastamuvāca tadā vibhuḥ | kimevaṁ kliśyase vipra na tavāsti sutaḥ kvacit

After a year, the mighty god then spoke to him: 'Why do you torment yourself thus, brahmin? Nowhere is a son ordained for you.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.52.61)

व्यर्थस्तेयं श्चश्रमस्तावन्नास्ति पुत्रस्तवानघ । स एवमुक्तो निर्विण्णो निराशः पुत्रजन्मनि

vyarthasteyaṁ ścaśramastāvannāsti putrastavānagha | sa evamukto nirviṇṇo nirāśaḥ putrajanmani

'This effort of yours is thus in vain; there is no son for you, O sinless one.' Thus addressed, he became despondent, losing all hope for the birth of a son...

Verse 62 (skanda.8.52.62)

चिन्तयामास मरणं न गन्तुं स्वं गृहं प्रति स काष्ठकूटं संभृत्य गृहीत्वाग्निं सुदुःखितः

cintayāmāsa maraṇaṁ na gantuṁ svaṁ gṛhaṁ prati sa kāṣṭhakūṭaṁ saṁbhṛtya gṛhītvāgniṁ suduḥkhitaḥ

he resolved upon death rather than return to his own home; in deep sorrow, he gathered a pile of wood and took up fire...

Verse 63 (skanda.8.52.63)

विलप्य बहुदुःखार्त्त आत्मानं दग्धुमैच्छत

vilapya bahuduḥkhārtta ātmānaṁ dagdhumaicchata

and, lamenting, stricken with great sorrow, he wished to burn himself to death.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.52.64)

तस्य रुद्र स्तमालक्ष्य व्यवसायं सुदुष्करम्

tasya rudra stamālakṣya vyavasāyaṁ suduṣkaram

Rudra, perceiving his most dire resolve...

Verse 65 (skanda.8.52.65)

पुत्र पुत्रेति गम्भीरमदृश्य इदमब्रवीत्

putra putreti gambhīramadṛśya idamabravīt

spoke this, unseen, in a deep voice: 'My son, my son...'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.52.66)

पुत्रस्ते भविता गच्छ मा चैवं साहसं कृथाः

putraste bhavitā gaccha mā caivaṁ sāhasaṁ kṛthāḥ

'...a son shall be born to you; go, and do not commit such a rash act.'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.52.67)

काष्ठकूटेति नाम्ना च भविष्यति स ते सुतः । अथ हृष्टमना विप्रो गत्वा पत्न्यां महातपाः

kāṣṭhakūṭeti nāmnā ca bhaviṣyati sa te sutaḥ | atha hṛṣṭamanā vipro gatvā patnyāṁ mahātapāḥ

'And your son shall bear the name Kashthakuta.' Then that brahmin of great austerity, his heart gladdened, went to his wife...

Verse 68 (skanda.8.52.68)

उत्पादयामास सुतं काष्ठकूटं महामुनिम् । संस्कृतस्य तु कालेन तस्य बुद्धिरभूत् ततः

utpādayāmāsa sutaṁ kāṣṭhakūṭaṁ mahāmunim | saṁskṛtasya tu kālena tasya buddhirabhūt tataḥ

he begot a son, the great sage Kashthakuta. In time, once his sacraments had been duly performed, this thought arose in him...

Verse 69 (skanda.8.52.69)

अशक्तोयं वृद्धभावान्मामध्यापयितुं पिता । तस्माद् यास्यामि चामत्र्य पितरं वेदकारणात्

aśaktoyaṁ vṛddhabhāvānmāmadhyāpayituṁ pitā | tasmād yāsyāmi cāmatrya pitaraṁ vedakāraṇāt

'This father of mine, owing to old age, is unable to teach me. So, taking leave of my father, I shall go forth for the sake of learning the Veda.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.52.70)

स गत्वा मातरं विप्रः पितरञ्च महायशाः । प्रणम्य शिरसा सम्यगिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

sa gatvā mātaraṁ vipraḥ pitarañca mahāyaśāḥ | praṇamya śirasā samyagidaṁ vacanamabravīt

That glorious young brahmin, going to his mother and father, bowing his head low, spoke this word:

Verse 71 (skanda.8.52.71)

सुतो युवाभ्यां जातोहं धर्महेतोर्न कामतः

suto yuvābhyāṁ jātohaṁ dharmahetorna kāmataḥ

'I was born to you both for the sake of dharma, not from mere desire.'

Verse 72 (skanda.8.52.72)

आवां तारयिता चायं तथैव च पितामहान्

āvāṁ tārayitā cāyaṁ tathaiva ca pitāmahān

'This son of yours shall deliver you both, and our forefathers as well.'

Verse 73 (skanda.8.52.73)

सन्तततिश्चाप्यविच्छिन्ना भविष्यति न संशयः । इष्टाँश्च लोकान् प्राप्स्याव सुपुत्रेणेति सर्वथा

santatatiścāpyavicchinnā bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ | iṣṭā~śca lokān prāpsyāva suputreṇeti sarvathā

'And our line shall remain unbroken, without doubt; and through a worthy son, we shall in every way attain the worlds we desire.'

Verse 74 (skanda.8.52.74)

पितॄणाञ्चानृणो स्याव इत्यभीष्टोस्मि वां सुतः । सोहं धर्मेष्वकुशलः श्रुतिस्मृतिबहिष्कृतः

pitṝṇāñcānṛṇo syāva ityabhīṣṭosmi vāṁ sutaḥ | sohaṁ dharmeṣvakuśalaḥ śrutismṛtibahiṣkṛtaḥ

'May we both become free of our debt to the ancestors — with this desire you wished for me as your son. Yet I am unskilled in matters of dharma, excluded from the knowledge of Shruti and Smriti...'

Verse 75 (skanda.8.52.75)

कर्त्ताज्ञानेन तत्कर्म पितरो येन दुःखिताः । भवांश्च निरये मग्न श्चिरं वत्स्यति दुष्टवत्

karttājñānena tatkarma pitaro yena duḥkhitāḥ | bhavāṁśca niraye magna ściraṁ vatsyati duṣṭavat

'—for a rite performed in ignorance would only grieve my forefathers, and you yourself would remain sunk long in hell, as though an evildoer.'

Verse 76 (skanda.8.52.76)

भवान्नाध्यापने शक्तः स्थविरत्वाद् दिने दिने । पुत्रस्नेहाच्च कार्याच्च न सम्यग् धारयिष्यासि

bhavānnādhyāpane śaktaḥ sthaviratvād dine dine | putrasnehācca kāryācca na samyag dhārayiṣyāsi

'Owing to old age you are not able to teach me day after day; and because of a father's affection, and your other duties, you would not maintain it properly.'

Verse 77 (skanda.8.52.77)

इयं च जननी नित्यमेकपुत्रोयमित्युत

iyaṁ ca jananī nityamekaputroyamityuta

'And this mother of mine, ever thinking, This is my only son...'

Verse 78 (skanda.8.52.78)

त्वया सम्यक् प्रशास्यन्तं नैव मामनुमंस्यते

tvayā samyak praśāsyantaṁ naiva māmanumaṁsyate

'...would never consent to seeing me properly disciplined by you.'

Verse 79 (skanda.8.52.79)

सोहमन्यं तपो नित्यं निरनुक्रोशमेव च । आचार्यं मतिसंपन्नं संश्रयामीति मे मतिः

sohamanyaṁ tapo nityaṁ niranukrośameva ca | ācāryaṁ matisaṁpannaṁ saṁśrayāmīti me matiḥ

'So my resolve is this: I shall take refuge with another teacher — one of wisdom, ever austere, and free of misplaced leniency.'

Verse 80 (skanda.8.52.80)

न चापि तद् व्यवस्यामि युवयोर्नास्ति कश्चन । कुर्याद्यः पादयोर्नित्यं शुश्रूषामिति चिन्तयन्

na cāpi tad vyavasyāmi yuvayornāsti kaścana | kuryādyaḥ pādayornityaṁ śuśrūṣāmiti cintayan

'Nor am I resolving on this because no one at all remains to serve you — but rather, pondering who shall ever wait upon your feet in service...'

Verse 81 (skanda.8.52.81)

न च नाख्येयमेतद् वां मया चिन्ता कृता शुभम्

na ca nākhyeyametad vāṁ mayā cintā kṛtā śubham

'and this is not a thing to be withheld from you — this good resolve I have made...'

Verse 82 (skanda.8.52.82)

अशुभं वापि यत्किंचिद्युवां मम गतिः परा

aśubhaṁ vāpi yatkiṁcidyuvāṁ mama gatiḥ parā

'or whatever else it may be, good or ill — you two are my supreme refuge.'

Verse 83 (skanda.8.52.83)

एवमुक्तौ तु पितरौ पुत्रेण सुमहात्मना । अश्रुपूर्णेक्षणौ स्थित्वा मुहूर्तमिदमूचतुः । आघ्रायालिङ्ग्य संमृज्य स्नेहात् प्रियसुतौ तदा

evamuktau tu pitarau putreṇa sumahātmanā | aśrupūrṇekṣaṇau sthitvā muhūrtamidamūcatuḥ | āghrāyāliṅgya saṁmṛjya snehāt priyasutau tadā

Thus addressed by their great-souled son, the parents, their eyes filling with tears, stood silent a moment, then spoke this; smelling his head, embracing, and caressing their beloved son with affection...

Verse 84 (skanda.8.52.84)

भूमन्युरुवाच शुश्रूषा द्विविधा पुत्र पितॄणां धर्मसंमिता

bhūmanyuruvāca śuśrūṣā dvividhā putra pitṝṇāṁ dharmasaṁmitā

Bhumanyu said: 'The service owed to one's parents, my son, as sanctioned by dharma, is of two kinds.'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.52.85)

या कर्तव्या प्रयत्नेन सुतेन सुमहात्मना

yā kartavyā prayatnena sutena sumahātmanā

'—that which a truly great-souled son should render with diligence.'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.52.86)

ऐहिकी चाङ्गशुश्रूषा या परत्र च धर्मदा । यया तरन्ति पितरः कामाँश्चाप्नुवतेक्षयान् । तत्रैहिकं न नो हीष्टं यथा ह्यामुष्मिकं हितम्

aihikī cāṅgaśuśrūṣā yā paratra ca dharmadā | yayā taranti pitaraḥ kāmā~ścāpnuvatekṣayān | tatraihikaṁ na no hīṣṭaṁ yathā hyāmuṣmikaṁ hitam

'One is bodily service in this world; the other bestows dharma for the next world, by which parents are delivered and obtain undying blessings. Of these, we desire the worldly kind far less than what benefits us in the world beyond.'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.52.87)

तस्मादामुष्मिकं कर्म यद् भवेत्तत् समाचर

tasmādāmuṣmikaṁ karma yad bhavettat samācara

'Therefore, do whatever act serves that world beyond.'

Verse 88 (skanda.8.52.88)

गच्छाधीष्व श्रुतिञ्चैव स्मृतिञ्चैव सुकर्मणाम्

gacchādhīṣva śrutiñcaiva smṛtiñcaiva sukarmaṇām

'Go, and study the Shruti and the Smriti concerning righteous deeds.'

Verse 89 (skanda.8.52.89)

सुयशोवाच यथा तेयं पिता पुत्र ब्रवीति विदितात्मवान्

suyaśovāca yathā teyaṁ pitā putra bravīti viditātmavān

Suyasha said: 'My son, as your father, a man of true understanding, has spoken to you...'

Verse 90 (skanda.8.52.90)

तथा कुरु यथा देवो वरदस्ते भवेद् भवः

tathā kuru yathā devo varadaste bhaved bhavaḥ

'...do so; and may the god Bhava become a giver of boons to you.'

Verse 91 (skanda.8.52.91)

उदरेण मया दुःखं धारितस्त्वं महामते

udareṇa mayā duḥkhaṁ dhāritastvaṁ mahāmate

'With much sorrow I carried you in my womb, O you of great understanding.'

Verse 92 (skanda.8.52.92)

तथा च बहुभिः क्लेशैर्ल्लब्धः सर्वार्थसिद्धये

tathā ca bahubhiḥ kleśairllabdhaḥ sarvārthasiddhaye

'and, through many hardships, you were obtained, for the fulfillment of every purpose.'

Verse 93 (skanda.8.52.93)

पित्रा च तपसोग्रेण प्राणाँस्त्यक्त्वातिदुस्त्यजान् । महादेवाद् भवाँल्लव्धस्तस्य युक्तं समाचर

pitrā ca tapasogreṇa prāṇā~styaktvātidustyajān | mahādevād bhavā~llavdhastasya yuktaṁ samācara

'and your father, through fierce austerity, giving up even his life — so hard a thing to give up — obtained you from Mahadeva. So act in a manner worthy of him.'

Verse 94 (skanda.8.52.94)

यथा तुष्टो त्वया पुत्र जीवौ जीवेन संगतौ

yathā tuṣṭo tvayā putra jīvau jīvena saṁgatau

'so that, satisfied by you, my son, we two may go on living, joined together with your own life...'

Verse 95 (skanda.8.52.95)

आवामुभावपि स्याव तथा सम्यक् समाचर

āvāmubhāvapi syāva tathā samyak samācara

'—may we both remain so; conduct yourself well, in accordance with this.'

Verse 96 (skanda.8.52.96)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततस्ताभ्यामनुज्ञात आघ्रातश्चैव मूर्धनि । प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य जगाम स कृतात्मवान्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tatastābhyāmanujñāta āghrātaścaiva mūrdhani | pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya jagāma sa kṛtātmavān

Sanatkumara said: Then, given leave by them both, and kissed upon the head, that disciplined youth, having circled them in reverence, set off.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.52.97)

स जगाम तदा ताभ्यां विसृष्टश्च्यवनं प्रति । ऋग्यजुर्भ्यामिवोत्सृष्टा स्वाहुतिर्वरुणं प्रति

sa jagāma tadā tābhyāṁ visṛṣṭaścyavanaṁ prati | ṛgyajurbhyāmivotsṛṣṭā svāhutirvaruṇaṁ prati

Sent forth by them, he then went toward the sage Chyavana — like an oblation, duly offered with Rig and Yajur mantras, sent forth toward Varuna.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.52.98)

स तमासाद्य तुष्टेन तेनासौ सफलः कृतः । भागधेयमिव प्राप्य देवैर्मन्त्रः पुरस्सरः

sa tamāsādya tuṣṭena tenāsau saphalaḥ kṛtaḥ | bhāgadheyamiva prāpya devairmantraḥ purassaraḥ

Having reached him, he was made accomplished by that now-satisfied sage — just as a duly recited mantra becomes fruitful on obtaining its due share from the gods.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.52.99)

अथ पुत्रे गते तस्मिन् पिता दिष्टान्त मीयिवान्

atha putre gate tasmin pitā diṣṭānta mīyivān

Then, once that son had gone, his father met his appointed end and died.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.52.100)

काष्ठकूटस्ततोभ्येत्य कृतविद्यः सुधार्मिकः

kāṣṭhakūṭastatobhyetya kṛtavidyaḥ sudhārmikaḥ

Then Kashthakuta, his education complete, righteous, returned...

Verse 101 (skanda.8.52.101)

अपश्यन्मातरं दीनां वितोयामिव पद्मिनीम्

apaśyanmātaraṁ dīnāṁ vitoyāmiva padminīm

...and beheld his mother wretched, like a lotus-pond bereft of water...

Verse 102 (skanda.8.52.102)

सोमहीनामिव निशामाज्ञाहीनामिव श्रियम्

somahīnāmiva niśāmājñāhīnāmiva śriyam

like a night bereft of the moon, like royal fortune bereft of authority...

Verse 103 (skanda.8.52.103)

रुदतीमश्रुपूर्णाक्षीं विलपन्तीं सुदुःखिताम्

rudatīmaśrupūrṇākṣīṁ vilapantīṁ suduḥkhitām

weeping, her eyes brimming with tears, lamenting, in deep sorrow.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.52.104)

काष्ठकूटस्तु तां दृष्टवा दुःखेन समभिप्लुताम्

kāṣṭhakūṭastu tāṁ dṛṣṭavā duḥkhena samabhiplutām

And Kashthakuta, seeing her overwhelmed with sorrow...

Verse 105 (skanda.8.52.105)

जयंत इव पौलोमीं शक्रे नष्टेब्रवीदिदम्

jayaṁta iva paulomīṁ śakre naṣṭebravīdidam

—like Jayanta speaking to Shachi when Indra was lost — he spoke this:

Verse 106 (skanda.8.52.106)

काष्ठकूट उवाच। । श्रुतं मयेदं प्रागेव कृतं चैवोर्ध्वदेहिकम्

kāṣṭhakūṭa uvāca| | śrutaṁ mayedaṁ prāgeva kṛtaṁ caivordhvadehikam

Kashthakuta said: 'I have already heard of this, and the funeral rites for the departed have already been performed.'

Verse 107 (skanda.8.52.107)

मा शोके मन आधत्स्व एष धर्मः सनातनः

mā śoke mana ādhatsva eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

'Do not set your mind upon grief; this is the eternal law.'

Verse 108 (skanda.8.52.108)

देवानाञ्च ऋषीणां च योगिनाञ्च महात्मनाम् । मर्त्यानां किं पुनर्मातर्मा शुच स्तं तपोधनम्

devānāñca ṛṣīṇāṁ ca yogināñca mahātmanām | martyānāṁ kiṁ punarmātarmā śuca staṁ tapodhanam

'Death comes even to gods, to sages, to great-souled yogis — how much more, then, to mortals! Do not grieve, mother, for that man rich in austerity.'

Verse 109 (skanda.8.52.109)

अहं तेनात्मनात्मा वै सृष्टः स्वेनैव तेजसा । पश्य मां कृतकृत्यं त्वं गायत्रीवात्मनः सुतम्

ahaṁ tenātmanātmā vai sṛṣṭaḥ svenaiva tejasā | paśya māṁ kṛtakṛtyaṁ tvaṁ gāyatrīvātmanaḥ sutam

'By his own power alone, he created me, as it were his very self. Behold me now, my purpose fulfilled, even as Gayatri beheld her own son.'

Verse 110 (skanda.8.52.110)

वेदाः सर्वे मयाधीताः साङ्गोपाङ्गास्सविस्तराः । तथोपवेदास्सर्वे च अध्यात्मञ्चैव कृत्स्नशः

vedāḥ sarve mayādhītāḥ sāṅgopāṅgāssavistarāḥ | tathopavedāssarve ca adhyātmañcaiva kṛtsnaśaḥ

'I have studied all the Vedas, with their auxiliary limbs and branches, in full detail; likewise all the Upavedas, and the entire science of the Self.'

Verse 111 (skanda.8.52.111)

यत्किंचित् पुरुषैर्ज्ञेयं तत्सर्वं ज्ञानमेव च । श्रोतव्यं च श्रुतं सर्वमुपास्ताश्चापि योगिनः

yatkiṁcit puruṣairjñeyaṁ tatsarvaṁ jñānameva ca | śrotavyaṁ ca śrutaṁ sarvamupāstāścāpi yoginaḥ

'Whatever is to be known by men — all that knowledge I have gained; whatever is to be heard — all that I have heard; and the yogis too have been duly honored.'

Verse 112 (skanda.8.52.112)

अनेनापि प्रकर्षेण हृष्यमाणा मुदान्विता । मां पालय महासत्वे गायत्रीव सदा क्रतुम्

anenāpi prakarṣeṇa hṛṣyamāṇā mudānvitā | māṁ pālaya mahāsatve gāyatrīva sadā kratum

'Rejoicing and filled with gladness at this excellence, cherish me, O noble one, as Gayatri ever cherishes the sacrifice.'

Verse 113 (skanda.8.52.113)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । श्रुत्वा तस्य वच स्तस्तद्वै माता तथ्यं महात्मनः । भूयस्तरेण दुःखेन रुदती तमुवाच ह

sanatkumāra uvāca| | śrutvā tasya vaca stastadvai mātā tathyaṁ mahātmanaḥ | bhūyastareṇa duḥkhena rudatī tamuvāca ha

Sanatkumara said: Having heard those true words of her great-souled son, his mother, weeping with even deeper sorrow, spoke to him:

Verse 114 (skanda.8.52.114)

सुयशोवाच पुत्र नैतद्धि दुःखं मे मृतः स इति संमतः । सर्वेषां प्राणिनामेतद्विहितं मर्त्यधर्मिणाम्

suyaśovāca putra naitaddhi duḥkhaṁ me mṛtaḥ sa iti saṁmataḥ | sarveṣāṁ prāṇināmetadvihitaṁ martyadharmiṇām

Suyasha said: 'My son, it is not this — that he has died — which grieves me; that is accepted as certain. This is ordained for all mortal beings bound by death's nature.'

Verse 115 (skanda.8.52.115)

स चापि कृतकृत्यश्च महात्मा तपसान्वितः । न तस्य शोच्यमस्माभिरिह किञ्चिद्धि विद्यते

sa cāpi kṛtakṛtyaśca mahātmā tapasānvitaḥ | na tasya śocyamasmābhiriha kiñciddhi vidyate

'And he too, his purpose fulfilled, great of soul, endowed with austerity — there is nothing at all in his case for us to mourn.'

Verse 116 (skanda.8.52.116)

आत्मानं पुत्र शोचामि याहं तेन विना कृता । तमेवानु मृता नास्मि तवागमनकांक्षिणी

ātmānaṁ putra śocāmi yāhaṁ tena vinā kṛtā | tamevānu mṛtā nāsmi tavāgamanakāṁkṣiṇī

'It is myself, my son, that I grieve for — that I am left without him. I have not died following after him only because I longed for your return.'

Verse 117 (skanda.8.52.117)

नार्था न भोगस्वजना न पुत्रा नैव बान्धवाः । योषितां तत्र तिष्ठन्ति पतिर्यत्रावतिष्ठते

nārthā na bhogasvajanā na putrā naiva bāndhavāḥ | yoṣitāṁ tatra tiṣṭhanti patiryatrāvatiṣṭhate

'Neither wealth, nor pleasures, nor kinsmen, nor sons, nor relatives — for women, all these abide only where the husband abides.'

Verse 118 (skanda.8.52.118)

पतिर्यदि ततः सर्वं नास्ति किञ्चित् पतिं विना

patiryadi tataḥ sarvaṁ nāsti kiñcit patiṁ vinā

'If the husband is there, then all is there; without the husband, there is nothing whatsoever.'

Verse 119 (skanda.8.52.119)

सर्वं हि दुःखदं तासां यासां नास्ति पतिः सुत

sarvaṁ hi duḥkhadaṁ tāsāṁ yāsāṁ nāsti patiḥ suta

'Everything indeed becomes a source of sorrow, my son, for women who have no husband.'

Verse 120 (skanda.8.52.120)

इदं च मे पुनर्दुःखं यत्त्वां तेन सहाद्य वै । नाभिनन्दामि संहृष्टा सुतं श्रीरवि विष्णुना

idaṁ ca me punarduḥkhaṁ yattvāṁ tena sahādya vai | nābhinandāmi saṁhṛṣṭā sutaṁ śrīravi viṣṇunā

'And this too is my sorrow: that today I cannot, with a joyful heart, welcome you together with him — as Shri would welcome her son together with Vishnu.'

Verse 121 (skanda.8.52.121)

बहुशः स हि मामाह काष्ठकूट इहैष्यति

bahuśaḥ sa hi māmāha kāṣṭhakūṭa ihaiṣyati

'For he often used to say to me: Kashthakuta will come here...'

Verse 122 (skanda.8.52.122)

कृतविद्यस्ततस्तस्य वरयिष्ये स्नुषां शुभाम्

kṛtavidyastatastasya varayiṣye snuṣāṁ śubhām

'...and, once his learning is complete, I shall choose for him a lovely daughter-in-law.'

Verse 123 (skanda.8.52.123)

काश्यपस्योदलस्येयं सुता गुणवती भृशम्

kāśyapasyodalasyeyaṁ sutā guṇavatī bhṛśam

'This exceedingly virtuous daughter of Kashyapa Udala...'

Verse 124 (skanda.8.52.124)

तामहं वरयिष्यामि काष्ठकूटस्य सुव्रताम्

tāmahaṁ varayiṣyāmi kāṣṭhakūṭasya suvratām

'...her, of virtuous vows, I shall choose as Kashthakuta's bride.'

Verse 125 (skanda.8.52.125)

तदा द्रक्ष्यामि तं पुत्रं सपत्नीकं दृढव्रतम् । अग्नीँश्चैवाहरिष्यामि पत्नीवन्तं समीक्ष्य वै

tadā drakṣyāmi taṁ putraṁ sapatnīkaṁ dṛḍhavratam | agnī~ścaivāhariṣyāmi patnīvantaṁ samīkṣya vai

'Then I shall behold that son of firm vows together with his wife; and, seeing him now married, I shall take up the sacred fires again.'

Verse 126 (skanda.8.52.126)

पत्न्याः कदाहं पुत्रस्य पाणिग्रहणतोषितः । शुभानि मनसा वाचा विधास्यामि बहून्यपि

patnyāḥ kadāhaṁ putrasya pāṇigrahaṇatoṣitaḥ | śubhāni manasā vācā vidhāsyāmi bahūnyapi

"When, gladdened by my son's marriage, shall I perform many auspicious rites, in mind and in word?"

Verse 127 (skanda.8.52.127)

एवं मनोरथवतस्तस्य पुत्रवतस्तथा

evaṁ manorathavatastasya putravatastathā

'—thus he was, filled with such longings, so proud to have a son...'

Verse 128 (skanda.8.52.128)

प्रियपुत्रस्य नैवाभूदेतद् दहति मां सुत

priyaputrasya naivābhūdetad dahati māṁ suta

'—yet, though he had a beloved son, none of this came to pass for him; this, my son, is what burns me.'

Verse 129 (skanda.8.52.129)

मया त्वमुक्तपूर्वश्च गच्छन्वै तस्य सन्निधौ । जीवौ यथा त्वां पश्यावस्तच्च नैवाभवत्तथा

mayā tvamuktapūrvaśca gacchanvai tasya sannidhau | jīvau yathā tvāṁ paśyāvastacca naivābhavattathā

'And I had told you before, when you were leaving, to hasten back to his side, so that we, still living, might see you together — but that too did not come to pass.'

Verse 130 (skanda.8.52.130)

वज्रसारमयं मेद्य हृदयं न हि दीर्यते या त्वां पश्यामि पुत्रेह विना तेनासती पुनः

vajrasāramayaṁ medya hṛdayaṁ na hi dīryate yā tvāṁ paśyāmi putreha vinā tenāsatī punaḥ

'This heart of mine, my son, though hard as the essence of the thunderbolt, does not break today, even as I see you here without him, I who am, as it were, widowed once again.'

Verse 131 (skanda.8.52.131)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततः सा कुररी यद्वद्विना पत्या महायशा । विलप्य बहुदुःखार्त्ता पपात धरणीतले

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataḥ sā kurarī yadvadvinā patyā mahāyaśā | vilapya bahuduḥkhārttā papāta dharaṇītale

Sanatkumara said: Then that glorious woman, like an osprey bereft of her mate, lamenting in deep sorrow, fell to the ground.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.52.132)

तां काष्ठकूटो दुःखार्तां पतितां गतजीविताम् । विसंज्ञामग्निना दग्ध्वा विललाप सुदुःखितः

tāṁ kāṣṭhakūṭo duḥkhārtāṁ patitāṁ gatajīvitām | visaṁjñāmagninā dagdhvā vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ

Kashthakuta, seeing her stricken with grief, fallen, her life gone, senseless — having cremated her with fire, lamented in deep sorrow.

Verse 133 (skanda.8.52.133)

हा तात मम दुर्बुद्धेरधर्मज्ञस्य चैव हि

hā tāta mama durbuddheradharmajñasya caiva hi

'Alas, father — because of my evil understanding, because I did not truly know dharma...'

Verse 134 (skanda.8.52.134)

क्व गतोसि न मेद्य त्वं सभार्यः संप्रभाषसे । ननु त्वयाहं निर्दिष्टो गच्छाधीष्वेति हृष्टवत्

kva gatosi na medya tvaṁ sabhāryaḥ saṁprabhāṣase | nanu tvayāhaṁ nirdiṣṭo gacchādhīṣveti hṛṣṭavat

'—where have you gone? Today you do not speak to me, together with your wife. Was it not you who joyfully bade me: Go, and study?'

Verse 135 (skanda.8.52.135)

सोहमद्यागतोधीत्य कस्मान्मां नाभिभाषसे । ननु ते तपसा लब्धः परेण च समाधिना

sohamadyāgatodhītya kasmānmāṁ nābhibhāṣase | nanu te tapasā labdhaḥ pareṇa ca samādhinā

'I have now returned, my studies complete — why do you not speak to me? Was I not obtained by your austerity and by your supreme concentration?'

Verse 136 (skanda.8.52.136)

पुत्रोहं देवदेवाद्वै रुद्रात् किं नाभिभाषसे । किं मयापकृतं तात सहभार्यस्य तेनघ

putrohaṁ devadevādvai rudrāt kiṁ nābhibhāṣase | kiṁ mayāpakṛtaṁ tāta sahabhāryasya tenagha

'I am indeed your son, obtained from the God of gods, Rudra — why do you not speak to me? What wrong have I done, father, O sinless one, that, together with your wife...'

Verse 137 (skanda.8.52.137)

यन्मां सहाम्बयागत्य दृढं नैवाभिनन्दसि

yanmāṁ sahāmbayāgatya dṛḍhaṁ naivābhinandasi

'...you do not, together with mother, come and firmly welcome me on my return?'

Verse 138 (skanda.8.52.138)

हा हतोसि मयैकेन दुष्पुत्रेण दुरात्मना

hā hatosi mayaikena duṣputreṇa durātmanā

'Alas, you have both been destroyed by me alone, a wicked son, evil of soul!'

Verse 139 (skanda.8.52.139)

अराजकमिदं मन्ये पितृघ्नं मां न हन्ति यत् । एवं स विलपन् व्यास ऋषिभिर्बहुभिस्तथा

arājakamidaṁ manye pitṛghnaṁ māṁ na hanti yat | evaṁ sa vilapan vyāsa ṛṣibhirbahubhistathā

'I think this realm must be without a ruler, since it does not put to death me, the slayer of my own parents.' Thus he lamented, O Vyasa, and by many sages there...

Verse 140 (skanda.8.52.140)

संस्थापितः समाश्वस्ते नाकरोदुदकक्रियाम् । इमां प्रतिज्ञां चक्रे च ऋषिमध्ये महातपाः

saṁsthāpitaḥ samāśvaste nākarodudakakriyām | imāṁ pratijñāṁ cakre ca ṛṣimadhye mahātapāḥ

...he was steadied and comforted; yet he did not perform the water-offering. And that great ascetic made this vow in the midst of the sages:

Verse 141 (skanda.8.52.141)

दुष्करां सर्वभूतानामुपस्पृश्य कृताञ्जलिः

duṣkarāṁ sarvabhūtānāmupaspṛśya kṛtāñjaliḥ

—a vow difficult for any being to keep — touching water, with joined palms...

Verse 142 (skanda.8.52.142)

अद्यप्रभृति नोच्छ्वासं करिष्यामि कथञ्चन

adyaprabhṛti nocchvāsaṁ kariṣyāmi kathañcana

'From this day forward, I shall not breathe at all, in any way.'

Verse 143 (skanda.8.52.143)

वायवो मे शरीरस्था न चरिष्यन्ति कर्हिचित् । निमेषोन्मेषरहित एकपादोर्ध्वबाहुमान्

vāyavo me śarīrasthā na cariṣyanti karhicit | nimeṣonmeṣarahita ekapādordhvabāhumān

'The vital breaths within my body shall never stir again. Without so much as blinking, standing on one foot, arms upraised...'

Verse 144 (skanda.8.52.144)

काष्ठलोष्ठोपलीभूतो भविष्यामि न संशयः

kāṣṭhaloṣṭhopalībhūto bhaviṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

'—I shall become, without doubt, motionless as wood, as a clod of earth, or as stone.'

Verse 145 (skanda.8.52.145)

रुद्रं द्रक्ष्यामि यावच्च यावच्च पितरं तथा । सभार्यं सं प्रपश्यामि तावद् व्रतमिदं मम

rudraṁ drakṣyāmi yāvacca yāvacca pitaraṁ tathā | sabhāryaṁ saṁ prapaśyāmi tāvad vratamidaṁ mama

'Until I behold Rudra, and until I see my father together with his wife, so long shall this vow of mine continue.'

Verse 146 (skanda.8.52.146)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततः स ऋषिभिस्तैस्तु दृश्यमानो महातपाः । महेश्वरं सदा ध्यायन् तत्रैव समतिष्ठत

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataḥ sa ṛṣibhistaistu dṛśyamāno mahātapāḥ | maheśvaraṁ sadā dhyāyan tatraiva samatiṣṭhata

Sanatkumara said: Then that great ascetic, watched by those sages, ever meditating upon Maheshvara, remained standing there in that same place.

Verse 147 (skanda.8.52.147)

तस्य देवः स्थितस्यैवं पितृभक्त्या तथापि च । तुष्टो दिनेष्टमे व्यास स्वयमेवाह शङ्करः

tasya devaḥ sthitasyaivaṁ pitṛbhaktyā tathāpi ca | tuṣṭo dineṣṭame vyāsa svayamevāha śaṅkaraḥ

To him, standing thus, and moved by his devotion to his father, the god was pleased; and, O Vyasa, on the eighth day, Shankara himself spoke:

Verse 148 (skanda.8.52.148)

देवदेव उवाच। । काष्ठकूट प्रयच्छामि दिव्यं चक्षुस्तवानघ । पश्य मां त्वं सुविश्रब्धमदृश्यं योगिनामपि

devadeva uvāca| | kāṣṭhakūṭa prayacchāmi divyaṁ cakṣustavānagha | paśya māṁ tvaṁ suviśrabdhamadṛśyaṁ yogināmapi

The God of gods said: 'Kashthakuta, O sinless one, I grant you a divine eye. Behold me now, in full trust — me, who remain unseen even by yogis.'

Verse 149 (skanda.8.52.149)

ब्रूहि पुत्र वरं चापि यस्ते हृदि समाहितः । प्रदास्यामि न सन्देहः सुनिश्चित्याभिधत्स्व माम्

brūhi putra varaṁ cāpi yaste hṛdi samāhitaḥ | pradāsyāmi na sandehaḥ suniścityābhidhatsva mām

'Tell me, my son, whatever boon rests in your heart; I shall grant it, without doubt — resolve it well, and speak to me.'

Verse 150 (skanda.8.52.150)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततः स दृष्टवा देवेशमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् । पपात पादयोर्हृष्ट इदञ्चोवाच सुस्वरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataḥ sa dṛṣṭavā deveśamudyantamiva bhāskaram | papāta pādayorhṛṣṭa idañcovāca susvaram

Sanatkumara said: Then, beholding the lord of gods, like the rising sun, he fell at his feet in joy and spoke this in a sweet voice:

Verse 151 (skanda.8.52.151)

काष्ठकूट उवाच। । भगवन् मृत्युना माता पिता च मम योजितौ । जीवेतां तावुभौ देव एतदिच्छाम्यहं वरम्

kāṣṭhakūṭa uvāca| | bhagavan mṛtyunā mātā pitā ca mama yojitau | jīvetāṁ tāvubhau deva etadicchāmyahaṁ varam

Kashthakuta said: 'O lord, both my mother and my father have been overtaken by death; let them both live again, O god — this is the boon I desire.'

Verse 152 (skanda.8.52.152)

देवदेव उवाच। । तावुभौ नरकं घोरं प्रपन्नौ मृत्युनार्दितौ । न तौ शक्यौ पुनर्जीवौ कर्तुमन्यद्वृणीष्व मे

devadeva uvāca| | tāvubhau narakaṁ ghoraṁ prapannau mṛtyunārditau | na tau śakyau punarjīvau kartumanyadvṛṇīṣva me

The God of gods said: 'Overtaken by death, both of them have gone to a terrible hell. It is not possible to restore them to life; choose some other boon from me.'

Verse 153 (skanda.8.52.153)

काष्ठकूट उवाच। । नाहमन्यं वरं देव कथञ्चिदपि कामये । पित्रर्थोयं समारम्भस्तद्विधत्स्व नमस्तव

kāṣṭhakūṭa uvāca| | nāhamanyaṁ varaṁ deva kathañcidapi kāmaye | pitrarthoyaṁ samārambhastadvidhatsva namastava

Kashthakuta said: 'I desire no other boon at all, O god. This whole undertaking of mine was for my father's sake; grant that alone — my homage to you.'

Verse 154 (skanda.8.52.154)

देवदेव उवाच। । शरीरं चेन्मृतस्यास्ति तच्छक्यं जीवितेन हि । सयोजयितुमद्यैव दग्धस्यैतन्न विद्यते

devadeva uvāca| | śarīraṁ cenmṛtasyāsti tacchakyaṁ jīvitena hi | sayojayitumadyaiva dagdhasyaitanna vidyate

The God of gods said: 'If the body of a dead man still exists, it can indeed be reunited with life this very day; but this is not possible in the case of one who has been cremated.'

Verse 155 (skanda.8.52.155)

तयोर्नचास्ति वै देहो न चान्यत् करणं तथा । यादृक् च स पिता तुभ्यं भवाँस्तादृक् छरीरतः

tayornacāsti vai deho na cānyat karaṇaṁ tathā | yādṛk ca sa pitā tubhyaṁ bhavā~stādṛk charīrataḥ

'Neither of them has a body any longer, nor is there any other means. And just as your father was to you, so, in body, are you like him.'

Verse 156 (skanda.8.52.156)

शरीरमेतत्त्वं यच्छ ततो जीवौ भविष्यतः

śarīrametattvaṁ yaccha tato jīvau bhaviṣyataḥ

'Give up this body of yours; then the two of them shall live again.'

Verse 157 (skanda.8.52.157)

काष्ठकूट उवाच। । ताभ्यां वै नास्त्यकर्तव्यं कर्तव्यं चेन्मतं भवेत् । शरीरं च विना दृष्टमुत्थानं वै ध्रुवस्य तु

kāṣṭhakūṭa uvāca| | tābhyāṁ vai nāstyakartavyaṁ kartavyaṁ cenmataṁ bhavet | śarīraṁ ca vinā dṛṣṭamutthānaṁ vai dhruvasya tu

Kashthakuta said: 'There is nothing I would not do for their sake, if it is deemed right. Yet the raising of one truly dead is seen to happen only with a body.'

Verse 158 (skanda.8.52.158)

न चापि मे शरीरेण विना ताभ्यां रतिः प्रभो । तस्माद् गृहाण देवश शरीरं यदि मन्यसे

na cāpi me śarīreṇa vinā tābhyāṁ ratiḥ prabho | tasmād gṛhāṇa devaśa śarīraṁ yadi manyase

'Nor, without a body, would I have any joy in being with them, O lord. So, O god, take this body of mine, if you think it fit.'

Verse 159 (skanda.8.52.159)

तस्यैवेदं तहादेव अङ्गादङ्गः समुत्थितम् । तस्माद्यच्छस्व देवेश न मे कार्यमनेन हि

tasyaivedaṁ tahādeva aṅgādaṅgaḥ samutthitam | tasmādyacchasva deveśa na me kāryamanena hi

'This body of mine arose, limb from limb, from his very own body. So give it back, O lord of gods; I have no need of it.'

Verse 160 (skanda.8.52.160)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततः स भगवान्देवः प्रहस्य ऋषिसत्तम

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataḥ sa bhagavāndevaḥ prahasya ṛṣisattama

Sanatkumara said: Then that blessed god, O foremost of sages, smiling...

Verse 161 (skanda.8.52.161)

प्रीतात्मा प्रत्युवाचेदं युयुक्षुस्तं शुभेन हि

prītātmā pratyuvācedaṁ yuyukṣustaṁ śubhena hi

...his heart delighted, wishing to join him with good fortune, replied thus:

Verse 162 (skanda.8.52.162)

देवदेव उवाच। । परीक्षेयं कृता पुत्र तव धर्मवृतां वर

devadeva uvāca| | parīkṣeyaṁ kṛtā putra tava dharmavṛtāṁ vara

The God of gods said: 'This was a test that was made of you, my son, O best among the devoted to dharma.'

Verse 163 (skanda.8.52.163)

पितृभक्त्यानया सम्यक् तुष्टोस्मि शृणु मे वचः

pitṛbhaktyānayā samyak tuṣṭosmi śṛṇu me vacaḥ

'By this devotion of yours to your father, I am truly well pleased; hear my word.'

Verse 164 (skanda.8.52.164)

अक्षयश्चाव्ययश्चापि जरामृत्युविवर्जितः

akṣayaścāvyayaścāpi jarāmṛtyuvivarjitaḥ

'You shall be imperishable, undecaying, and free from old age and death...'

Verse 165 (skanda.8.52.165)

ऐश्वर्येण च संयुक्तः प्रियो मे गणपो भवान्

aiśvaryeṇa ca saṁyuktaḥ priyo me gaṇapo bhavān

'...and endowed with lordship, you shall become dear to me as a leader of my ganas.'

Verse 166 (skanda.8.52.166)

काष्ठकूट इति ख्यातः सर्वयोगबलान्वितः । कामगेन विमानेन मत्कृतेन चरिष्यसि

kāṣṭhakūṭa iti khyātaḥ sarvayogabalānvitaḥ | kāmagena vimānena matkṛtena cariṣyasi

'Renowned by the name Kashthakuta, endowed with the power of all yoga, you shall roam in a wish-swift celestial car of my own making.'

Verse 167 (skanda.8.52.167)

इमे च ऋषयः सर्व आश्रमेस्मिन् तपस्विनः । तवैवानुचरा भूत्वा भविष्यन्ति गणेश्वराः

ime ca ṛṣayaḥ sarva āśramesmin tapasvinaḥ | tavaivānucarā bhūtvā bhaviṣyanti gaṇeśvarāḥ

'And all these ascetic sages of this hermitage, becoming your own attendants, shall themselves become lords of the ganas.'

Verse 168 (skanda.8.52.168)

अक्षयाश्चाव्ययाश्चैव महायोगबलान्विताः

akṣayāścāvyayāścaiva mahāyogabalānvitāḥ

'They shall be undecaying, imperishable, and endowed with the power of great yoga.'

Verse 169 (skanda.8.52.169)

ऐश्वर्येण च तुल्यास्ते भविष्यन्ति न संशयः

aiśvaryeṇa ca tulyāste bhaviṣyanti na saṁśayaḥ

'and, in lordship, they shall become your equals — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 170 (skanda.8.52.170)

अयञ्च ते पिता पुत्र भूमन्युः सह भार्यया । तवैवानुचरो भूत्वा त्वत्समः समुपस्थितः

ayañca te pitā putra bhūmanyuḥ saha bhāryayā | tavaivānucaro bhūtvā tvatsamaḥ samupasthitaḥ

'And this father of yours, my son, Bhumanyu, together with his wife, now stands here, having become your own attendant and your equal.'

Verse 171 (skanda.8.52.171)

श्वेतञ्च पर्वतं दिव्यं विमानैरुपशोभितम् । कामगं सं प्रयच्छामि निवासं स्वर्गसन्निभम्

śvetañca parvataṁ divyaṁ vimānairupaśobhitam | kāmagaṁ saṁ prayacchāmi nivāsaṁ svargasannibham

'And I grant you the divine White Mountain, adorned with celestial cars, moving at will, a dwelling place like heaven itself.'

Verse 172 (skanda.8.52.172)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततः स भगवान्देव अनुगृह्य तमूर्ज्जितम् । जगाम मन्दरं भूयः सोपीष्टं देशमाव्रजत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataḥ sa bhagavāndeva anugṛhya tamūrjjitam | jagāma mandaraṁ bhūyaḥ sopīṣṭaṁ deśamāvrajat

Sanatkumara said: Then that blessed god, having thus shown grace to that mighty one, returned once more to Mandara; and he too went on to his desired abode.

Verse 173 (skanda.8.52.173)

यावद् देवी तपोयुक्ता पितुः शिखरमास्थिता

yāvad devī tapoyuktā pituḥ śikharamāsthitā

While the Goddess, absorbed in austerity, remained upon her father's mountain peak...

Verse 174 (skanda.8.52.174)

तावद् देव इदं सर्वं चकार कथितं हि यत्

tāvad deva idaṁ sarvaṁ cakāra kathitaṁ hi yat

...during that same time, the god accomplished all this that has just been told.

Verse 175 (skanda.8.52.175)

य इदं देवदेवस्य चेष्टितं शृणुयान्नरः । श्रावयीत द्विजान् वापि न स दुर्गतिमाप्नुयात्

ya idaṁ devadevasya ceṣṭitaṁ śṛṇuyānnaraḥ | śrāvayīta dvijān vāpi na sa durgatimāpnuyāt

Whoever hears this deed of the God of gods, or causes brahmins to hear it, does not fall into an evil state.

Verse 176 (skanda.8.52.176)

नित्यमेतदधीयानः शुचिः प्रयतमानसः । देहभेदं समासाद्य रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

nityametadadhīyānaḥ śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ | dehabhedaṁ samāsādya rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

One who ever recites this, pure and disciplined in mind, upon the passing of the body, attains to the realm of Rudra.

Verse 177 (skanda.8.52.177)

थ इमं बहुपापनाशनं परमं रुद्रसमीपयोजनम् । पठते च गुणप्रसाधनं स मृतो याति न दीनसंभवम्

tha imaṁ bahupāpanāśanaṁ paramaṁ rudrasamīpayojanam | paṭhate ca guṇaprasādhanaṁ sa mṛto yāti na dīnasaṁbhavam

And whoever recites this — which destroys many sins, grants nearness to Rudra, and perfects virtue — does not, upon death, come to a wretched birth.