Skandapurana 6.3.153

6.3.153.p1

adhyāya 153

6.3.153.1

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca -
tasyaivānantaraṃ cānyadravitīrthamanuttamam .
yasya saṃdarśanādeva mucyante pātakairnarāḥ .. 153.1 ..

Mārkaṇḍeya said: / Immediately after that is another, the unsurpassed Ravitīrtha, / simply by the sight of which human beings are freed from sins.

6.3.153.2

ravitīrthe tu yaḥ snātvā naraḥ paśyati bhāskaram .
tasya yatphalamuddiṣṭaṃ svayaṃ devena tacchṛṇu .. 153.2 ..

The man who, having bathed at Ravitīrtha, beholds the Sun— / hear that fruit which was indicated by the god himself:

6.3.153.3

nāndho na mūko badhiraḥ kule bhavati kaścana .
kurūpaḥ kunakhī vāpi tasya janmāni ṣoḍaśa .. 153.3 ..

No one in his lineage is blind, mute, deaf, / deformed, or having diseased nails for sixteen births.

6.3.153.4

dadrucitrakakuṣṭhāni maṇḍalāni vicarcikā .
naśyanti devabhaktasya ṣaṇmāsānnātra saṃśayaḥ .. 153.4 ..

Ringworm, variegated leprosy, blotches, and scabies / perish for the devotee of the god after six months; there is no doubt about this.

6.3.153.5

caritaṃ tasya devasya purāṇe yacchrutaṃ mayā .
na tatkathayituṃ śakyaṃ saṃkṣepeṇa nṛpottama .. 153.5 ..

The deed of that god which I heard in the Purāṇa / cannot be told in brief, O best of kings.

6.3.153.6

tatra tīrthe tu yaddānaṃ ravimuddiśya dīyate .
vidhinā pātraviprāya tasyānto nāsti karhicit .. 153.6 ..

Whatever gift is given at that sacred ford intended for the Sun, / according to rule, to a worthy brahmin, there is never any end to it.

6.3.153.7

ayane viṣuve caiva candrasūryagrahe tathā .
ravitīrthe pradattānāṃ dānānāṃ phalamuttamam .. 153.7 ..

At a solstice, at an equinox, and during an eclipse of the moon or the sun, / the fruit of gifts given at Ravitīrtha is supreme.

6.3.153.8

saṃkrāntau yāni dānāni havyakavyāni bhārata .
apāmiva samudrasya teṣāmanto na labhyate .. 153.8 ..

Whatever gifts, oblations to the gods, and offerings to the ancestors [are made] at a transit, O Bhārata, / their end cannot be found, just like that of the waters of the ocean.

6.3.153.9

yena yena yadā dattaṃ yena yena yadā hutam .
tasya tasya tadā kāle savitā pratidāyakaḥ .. 153.9 ..

By whomsoever whatever is given, by whomsoever whatever is offered in sacrifice, / to each person at that time Savitṛ gives in return.

6.3.153.10

sapta janmāni tānyeva dadātyarkaḥ punaḥ punaḥ .
śatamindukṣaye dānaṃ sahasraṃ tu dinakṣaye .. 153.10 ..

For seven births the Sun repeatedly gives those very things. / A gift on the new-moon day [yields] a hundredfold, but a thousandfold on a solar day's end;

6.3.153.11

saṃkrāntau śatasāhasraṃ vyatīpāte tvanantakam .. 153.11 ..

a hundred thousandfold on a transit, but infinite on a vyatīpāta.

6.3.153.12

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca -
ravitīrthaṃ kathaṃ tāta puṇyātpuṇyataraṃ smṛtam .
vistareṇa mamākhyāhi śravaṇau mama lampaṭau .. 153.12 ..

Yudhiṣṭhira said: / How is Ravitīrtha remembered as holier than the holy, O dear father? / Tell me in full; my ears are eager [to hear].

6.3.153.13

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca -
śṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā hyādityeśvaramuttamam .
uttare narmadākūle sarvavyādhivināśanam .. 153.13 ..

The venerable Mārkaṇḍeya said: / Listen attentively about the supreme Ādityeśvara / on the northern bank of the Narmadā, which destroys all diseases.

6.3.153.14

purā kṛtayugasyādau jābālirbrāhmaṇo'bhavat .
vasiṣṭhānvayasambhūto vedaśāstrārthapāragaḥ .. 153.14 ..

Long ago, at the beginning of the Kṛta age, there was a brahmin named Jābāli, / born in the lineage of Vasiṣṭha, who had mastered the meaning of the Vedas and treatises.

6.3.153.15

pativratā sādhuśīlā tasya bhāryā manasvinī .
ṛtukāle tu sā gatvā bhartāramidamabravīt .. 153.15 ..

His wife was devoted to her husband, virtuous in conduct, and high-minded. / Approaching her husband at the fertile time, she spoke this:

6.3.153.16

vartate ṛtukālo me bhartāraṃ tvāmupasthitā .
bhaja māṃ prītisaṃyuktaḥ putrakāmāṃ tu kāminīm .. 153.16 ..

"My fertile time has arrived, and I have approached you, my husband; / unite with me with love, for I am a passionate woman desiring a son."

6.3.153.17

evamukto dvijaḥ prāha priye'dyāhaṃ vratānvitaḥ .
gacchedānīṃ varārohe dāsya ṛtvantare punaḥ .. 153.17 ..

Addressed thus, the twice-born said: "My dear, today I am engaged in a religious observance. / Go now, O fair-hipped woman; I will give [it] at another fertile period."

6.3.153.18

punardvitīye samprāpte ṛtukāle'pyupasthitā .
punaḥ sā chanditā tena vratastho'dyeti bhārata .. 153.18 ..

When a second fertile time arrived, she approached him again. / Again she was deferred by him, [saying,] "I am observing a vow today," O Bhārata.

6.3.153.19

itthaṃ vā bahuśastena chanditā ca punaḥ punaḥ .
nirāśā cābhavattatra bhartāraṃ prati bhāminī .. 153.19 ..

When thus repeatedly deferred many times by him, / the proud woman became completely hopeless regarding her husband.

6.3.153.20

duḥkhena mahatāviṣṭā vidhāyānaśanaṃ mṛtā .
tena bhrūṇahatenaiva pāpena sahasā dvijaḥ .. 153.20 ..

Overwhelmed by great sorrow, she undertook fasting and died. / By that very sin of foeticide, suddenly the twice-born...

6.3.153.21

śīrṇaghrāṇāṅghrirabhavattapaḥ sarvaṃ nanāśa ca .
dṛṣṭvātmānaṃ sa kuṣṭhena vyāptaṃ brāhmaṇasattamaḥ .. 153.21 ..

His nose and feet decayed, and all his austerity was destroyed. / Seeing himself afflicted with leprosy, that best of brahmins,

6.3.153.22

viṣādaṃ paramaṃ gatvā narmadātaṭamāśritaḥ .
apṛcchadbhāskaraṃ tīrthaṃ dvijebhyo dvijasattamaḥ .. 153.22 ..

fell into extreme despair and took refuge on the bank of the Narmadā. / That best of brahmins asked other brahmins about the Bhāskara sacred ford:

6.3.153.23

ārogyaṃ bhāskarādicchediti saṃcintya cetasi .
kutastadbhāskaraṃ tīrthaṃ bho dvijāḥ kathyatāṃ mama .. 153.23 ..

Reflecting in his mind, "One should seek health from the Sun," / [he asked,] "Where is that Bhāskara sacred ford, O brahmins? Tell me!

6.3.153.24

tapastapyāmyahaṃ gatvā tasmiṃstīrthe subhāvitaḥ .. 153.24 ..

I will go and perform austerity at that sacred ford, well-concentrated."

6.3.153.25

dvijā ūcuḥ .
revāyā uttare kūle ādityeśvaranāmataḥ .
vidyate bhāskaraṃ tīrthaṃ sarvavyādhivināśanam .. 153.25 ..

The brahmins said: / "On the northern bank of the Revā, known by the name Ādityeśvara, / there is the Bhāskara sacred ford, which destroys all diseases.

6.3.153.26

tatra yāhyavicāreṇa gantuṃ cecchakyate tvayā .
evamukto dvijairvipro gantuṃ tatra pracakrame .. 153.26 ..

Go there without hesitation, if you are able to go." / Thus addressed by the brahmins, the brahmin set out to go there.

6.3.153.27

vyādhinā paribhūtastu ghoreṇa prāṇahāriṇā .
yadā gantuṃ na śaknoti tadā tena vicintitam .. 153.27 ..

However, overcome by the terrible disease that threatened his life, / when he was unable to walk, he then reflected:

6.3.153.28

sāmarthyaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ hi vidyate bhuvanatraye .
liṅgapātaḥ kṛto viprairdevadevasya śūlinaḥ .. 153.28 ..

"Indeed, the power of brahmins exists throughout the three worlds! / The fall of the liṅga of the god of gods, the wielder of the trident, was brought about by brahmins;

6.3.153.29

samudraḥ śoṣito viprairvindhyaścāpi nivāritaḥ .
ahamapyatra saṃsthastu hyānayiṣyāmi bhāskaram .. 153.29 ..

the ocean was dried up by brahmins, and Vindhya was halted. / Remaining right here, I too will bring the Sun,

6.3.153.30

tapobalena mahatā hyādityeśvarasaṃjñitam .
iti niścitya manasā hyugre tapasi saṃsthitaḥ .. 153.30 ..

named Ādityeśvara, by the great power of my austerity." / Having thus resolved in his mind, he engaged in severe austerity.

6.3.153.31

vāyubhakṣo nirāhāro grīṣme pañcāgnimadhyagaḥ .
śiśire toyamadhyastho varṣāsvaprāvṛtākṛtiḥ .. 153.31 ..

Subsisting on wind, taking no food, standing amidst five fires in summer, / standing in water during the cold season, and unprotected against rain during the monsoon,

6.3.153.32

sāgre varṣaśate pūrṇe ravistuṣṭo'bravīdidam .. 153.32 ..

when a full century of years had elapsed, the Sun, being pleased, said this:

6.3.153.33

sūrya uvāca -
varaṃ varaya bhadraṃ te kiṃ te manasi vāñchitam .
adeyamapi dāsyāmi brūhi māṃ tvaṃ ciraṃ kṛthāḥ .. 153.33 ..

Sūrya said: / "Choose a boon, blessings to you! What is desired in your mind? / I will grant even what should not be given; speak to me, do not delay.

6.3.153.34

kimasādhyaṃ hi te vipra idānīṃ tapasi sthitaḥ .. 153.34 ..

Indeed, what is impossible for you, O brahmin, now established in austerity?"

6.3.153.35

jābāliruvāca -
yadi tuṣṭo'si deveśa yadi deyo varo mama .
mama pratijñā deveśa hyādityeśvaradarśane .. 153.35 ..

Jābāli said: / "If you are pleased, O Lord of gods, if a boon is to be granted to me: / my vow was made, O Lord of gods, to obtain the darśana of Ādityeśvara,

6.3.153.36

kṛtā tāṃ pārituṃ deva na śakto vyādhinā vṛtaḥ .
śuklatīrthe'tra tiṣṭha tvamādityeśvaramūrtidhṛk .. 153.36 ..

yet, afflicted by disease, O God, I was unable to fulfill it. / Remain here at Śuklatīrtha, assuming the form of Ādityeśvara."

6.3.153.37

evamukte tu deveśo bahurūpo divākaraḥ .
uttare narmadākūle kṣaṇādeva vyadṛśyata .. 153.37 ..

When this was said, the Lord of gods, the multiform Sun, / appeared in an instant upon the northern bank of the Narmadā.

6.3.153.38

tadāprabhṛti bhūpāla taddhi tīrthaṃ pracakṣate .
sarvapāpaharaṃ proktaṃ sarvaduḥkhavināśanam .. 153.38 ..

From that time forward, O king, they proclaim that very sacred ford; / it is declared to remove all sins and destroy all sorrows.

6.3.153.39

yastu saṃvatsaraṃ pūrṇaṃ nityamādityavāsare .
snātvā pradakṣiṇāḥ sapta dattvā paśyati bhāskaram .. 153.39 ..

Whoever, for one full year, constantly on Sundays, / having bathed and performed seven circumambulations, beholds the Sun—

6.3.153.40

yatphalaṃ labhate tena tacchṛṇuṣva mayoditam .
prasuptaṃ maṇḍalānīha dadrukuṣṭhavicarcikāḥ .. 153.40 ..

listen to that fruit obtained by him, as declared by me: / dormant skin eruptions, ringworm, leprosy, and eczema

6.3.153.41

naśyanti satvaraṃ rājaṃstūlarāśirivānale .
dhanaputrakalatrāṇāṃ pūrayedvatsaratrayāt .. 153.41 ..

quickly perish, O king, like a heap of cotton in fire. / Within three years, he will fulfill his desires for wealth, sons, and wives.

6.3.153.42

yastu śrāddhapradastatra pitḥnuddiśya saṃkrame .
tṛpyanti pitarastasya pitṛdevo hi bhāskaraḥ .. 153.42 ..

And whoever offers a śrāddha there dedicated to the ancestors during a transit of the sun, / his ancestors are satisfied, for the Sun is indeed the deity of the ancestors.

6.3.153.43

iti te kathitaṃ sarvamādityeśvaramuttamam .
sarvapāpaharaṃ divyaṃ sarvarogavināśanam .. 153.43 ..

Thus all of this supreme [māhātmya] of Ādityeśvara has been told to you, / which removes all sins, is divine, and destroys all diseases.

6.3.153.43_2

.. iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ pañcama āvantyakhaṇḍe revākhaṇḍe ādityeśvaratīrthamāhātmyavarṇanaṃ nāma tripañcāśadadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ ..

Thus ends the one hundred fifty-third chapter, entitled "Description of the Māhātmya of the Ādityeśvara Sacred Ford," in the Revākhaṇḍa of the fifth section, the Āvantyakhaṇḍa, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, a compilation of eighty-one thousand verses.