Skandapurana 6.3.90

6.3.90.p1

adhyāya 90

6.3.90.1

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca -
revāyā uttare kūle vaiṣṇavaṃ tīrthamuttamam .
jalaśāyīti vai nāma vikhyātaṃ vasudhātale .. 90.1 ..

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: / On the northern bank of the Revā is an excellent Vaiṣṇava sacred ford / known on the earth's surface by the name Jalaśāyin.

6.3.90.2

dānavānāṃ vadhaṃ kṛtvā suptastatra janārdanaḥ .
cakraṃ prakṣālitaṃ tatra devadevena cakriṇā .
sudarśanaṃ ca niṣpāpaṃ revājalasamāśrayāt .. 90.2 ..

Having slain the Dānavas, Janārdana slept there. / The discus was washed there by the god of gods, the discus-bearer, / and Sudarśana became sinless through resorting to the water of the Revā.

6.3.90.3

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca -
cakratīrthaṃ samācakṣva munisaṃghaiśca vanditam .
viṣṇoḥ prabhāvamatulaṃ revāyāścaiva yatphalam .. 90.3 ..

Yudhiṣṭhira said: / Tell of Cakra-tīrtha, worshipped by hosts of sages, / the incomparable power of Viṣṇu, and the fruit of the Revā.

6.3.90.4

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca -
sādhu sādhu mahāprājña viraktastvaṃ yudhiṣṭhira .
guhyādguhyataraṃ tīrthaṃ nirmitaṃ cakriṇā svayam .. 90.4 ..

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: / Well done, well done, O wise Yudhiṣṭhira, you who are dispassionate! / The sacred ford, more secret than the secret, was fashioned by the discus-bearer himself.

6.3.90.5

tatte'haṃ sampravakṣyāmi kathāṃ pāpapraṇāśinīm .
āsītpurā mahādaityastālamegha iti śrutaḥ .. 90.5 ..

I shall relate to you that story which destroys sin. / Long ago there was a great Daitya famed as Tālamegha.

6.3.90.6

tena devā jitāḥ sarve hṛtarājyā narādhipa .
yajñabhāgān svayaṃ bhuṅkte ahaṃ viṣṇurna saṃśayaḥ .. 90.6 ..

By him all the gods were conquered and stripped of their kingdom, O ruler of men. / He himself consumed the sacrificial shares, [thinking,] 'I am Viṣṇu, without a doubt.'

6.3.90.7

dhanadasya hṛtaṃ cittaṃ hṛtaḥ śakrasya vāraṇaḥ .
indrāṇīṃ vāñchate pāpo hayaratnaṃ raverapi .. 90.7 ..

The heart of the giver of wealth was plundered; Śakra's elephant was seized. / The wicked one desired Indrāṇī and the jewel among horses belonging to the Sun.

6.3.90.8

tālameghabhayātpārtha ravirudrāḥ savāsavāḥ .
yamaḥ skando jaleśo'gnirvāyurdevo dhaneśvaraḥ .. 90.8 ..

Out of fear of Tālamegha, O son of Pṛthā, the sun, the Rudras along with Indra, / Yama, Skanda, the lord of waters, Agni, the wind-god, the lord of wealth,

6.3.90.9

savākpatimaheśāśca naṣṭacittāḥ pitāmaham .
gatā devā brahmalokaṃ tatra dṛṣṭvā pitāmaham .. 90.9 ..

along with the lord of speech and the Great Lord, distraught in mind, / went to the Brahmaloka to the Grandfather. Having seen the Grandfather there,

6.3.90.10

tuṣṭuvurvividhaiḥ stotrairvāgīśapramukhāḥ surāḥ .
guṇatrayavibhāgāya paścādbhedamupeyuṣe .. 90.10 ..

the gods, led by the lord of speech, praised [him] with various hymns: / '[Praise be to you] who distribute the three guṇas and afterwards undergo distinction!'

6.3.90.11

dṛṣṭvā devānnirutsāhān vivarṇānavanīpate .
prasādābhimukho devaḥ pratyuvāca divaukasaḥ .. 90.11 ..

Seeing the gods dispirited and pale, O ruler of the earth, / the god, disposed to favour, spoke in return to the dwellers of heaven.

6.3.90.12

brahmovāca -
svāgataṃ surasaṅghasya kāntirnaṣṭā purātanī .
himakliṣṭaprabhāveṇa jyotīṃṣīva mukhāni vaḥ .. 90.12 ..

Brahmā said: / Welcome to the host of gods! Your former lustre is lost; / your faces are like celestial bodies afflicted by snow's power.

6.3.90.13

praśamādarciṣāmetadanudgīrṇaṃ surāyudham .
vṛtrasya hantuḥ kuliśaṃ kuṇṭhitaśrīva lakṣyate .. 90.13 ..

Through the subsiding of its flames, this weapon of the gods is unblazing; / the thunderbolt of the slayer of Vṛtra appears to have its brilliance blunted.

6.3.90.14

kiṃ cāyamaridurvāraḥ pāṇau pāśaḥ pracetasaḥ .
mantreṇa hatavīryasya phaṇino dainyamāśritaḥ .. 90.14 ..

And why does this noose of Pracetas, irresistible to foes, / in his hand take on the wretchedness of a serpent whose vigour is destroyed by a mantra?

6.3.90.15

kuberasya manaḥśalyaṃ śaṃsatīva parābhavam .
apaviddhagato vāyurbhagnaśākha iva drumaḥ .. 90.15 ..

Kubera's dart in the heart seems to proclaim his defeat. / Vāyu has his motion checked, like a tree with broken branches.

6.3.90.16

yamo'pi vilikhanbhūmiṃ daṇḍenāstamitatviṣā .
kurute'sminnamogho'pi nirvāṇālātalāghavam .. 90.16 ..

Even Yama, scratching the earth with his staff whose lustre is set, / though unfailing, displays the weakness of an extinguished firebrand.

6.3.90.17

amī ca kathamādityāḥ pratāpakṣatiśītalāḥ .
citranyastā iva gatāḥ prakāmālokanīyatām .. 90.17 ..

And how is it that these Ādityas, cooled by the loss of their scorching heat, / have become fully visible to the gaze, as if painted in a picture?

6.3.90.18

tadbrūta vatsāḥ kimitaḥ prārthayadhvaṃ samāgatāḥ .
kimāgamanakṛtyaṃ vo brūta niḥsaṃśayaṃ surāḥ .. 90.18 ..

Therefore speak, children: what do you seek, having gathered here? / What is the purpose of your coming? Tell without hesitation, O gods!

6.3.90.19

mayi sṛṣṭirhi lokānāṃ rakṣā yuṣmāsvavasthitā .
tato mandānilodbhūtakamalākaraśobhinā .. 90.19 ..

For the creation of the worlds rests in me, and their protection in you. / Then, with [a glance] resembling a bed of lotuses stirred by a gentle breeze,

6.3.90.20

guruṃ netrasahasreṇa prerayāmāsa vṛtrahā .
sa dvinetraṃ hareścakṣuḥ sahasranayanādhikam .. 90.20 ..

the slayer of Vṛtra urged his teacher with his thousand eyes. / Having two eyes, he [looked at] Hari's eye which was greater than a thousand eyes.

6.3.90.21

vācaspatiruvācedaṃ prāñjalirjalajāsanam .
yuṣmadvaṃśodbhavastāta tālamegho mahābalaḥ .. 90.21 ..

With folded hands, Vācaspati spoke thus to the lotus-seated one: / 'Father, born of your lineage is the mighty Tālamegha.'

6.3.90.22

upatāpayate devāndhūmaketurivocchritaḥ .
tena devagaṇāḥ sarve duḥkhitā dānavena ca .. 90.22 ..

Rising like a comet, he torments the gods; / and because of that Dānava all the hosts of gods are afflicted.

6.3.90.23

tālamegho daityapatiḥ sarvānno bādhate balī .
tasmāttvāṃ śaraṇaṃ prāptāḥ śaraṇaṃ no vidhe bhava .. 90.23 ..

Tālamegha, the mighty lord of the Daityas, harasses us all. / Therefore we have sought refuge with you; O Creator, be our refuge!

6.3.90.24

tataḥ prasanno bhagavān vedhāstānabravīdvacaḥ .. 90.24 ..

Then the blessed Creator, pleased, spoke these words to them:

6.3.90.25

brahmovāca -
tālameghena vo madhye balī tena samaḥ surāḥ .
vinā mādhavadevena sādhyo me naiva dānavaḥ .. 90.25 ..

Brahmā said: / 'O gods, among you he is powerful, and equal [to the greatest]; / without Lord Mādhava, that Dānava cannot be subdued by me.'

6.3.90.26

tataḥ suragaṇāḥ sarve viriñcipramukhā nṛpa .
kṣīrodaṃ prasthitāḥ sarve duḥkhitāstena vairiṇā .. 90.26 ..

Then all the hosts of gods, headed by Brahmā, O king, / departed for the Milk Ocean, all distressed by that enemy.

6.3.90.27

tvaritāḥ prasthitā devāḥ keśavaṃ draṣṭukāmyayā .
kṣīrodaṃ sāgaraṃ gatvāstuvaṃste jalaśāyinam .. 90.27 ..

The gods set out swiftly, desiring to see Keśava. / Having gone to the Milk Ocean, they praised the one who lies upon the waters:

6.3.90.28

devā ūcuḥ .
jagadādiranādistvaṃ jagadanto'pyanantakaḥ .
jaganmūrtiramūrtistvaṃ jaya gīrvāṇapūjita .. 90.28 ..

The gods said: / 'You are the origin of the universe, yet without origin; the end of the universe, yet endless. / You possess the cosmic form, yet are formless. Victory to you, worshipped by the gods!

6.3.90.29

jaya kṣīrodaśayana jaya lakṣmyā sadā vṛta .
jaya dānavanāśāya jaya devakinandana .. 90.29 ..

Victory to you who recline upon the Milk Ocean! Victory to you who are ever attended by Lakṣmī! / Victory to you for the destruction of the Dānavas! Victory, O son of Devakī!

6.3.90.30

jaya śaṅkhagadāpāṇe jaya cakradhara prabho .
iti devastutiṃ śrutvā prabuddho jalaśāyyatha .. 90.30 ..

Victory, O Lord who hold the conch and mace in hand, bearer of the discus!' / Hearing this hymn of the gods, the one who lies upon the waters awakened.

6.3.90.31

uvāca madhurāṃ vāṇīṃ meghagambhīranisvanām .
kimarthaṃ bodhito brahman samarthairvaḥ surāsuraiḥ .. 90.31 ..

He spoke in sweet words resonant like the deep rumbling of clouds: / 'For what purpose have I been awakened, O Brahmā, by you capable gods and asuras?'

6.3.90.32

brahmovāca -
tālameghabhayātkṛṣṇa samprāptāstava mandiram .
na vadhyaḥ kasyacitpāpastālamegho janārdana .. 90.32 ..

Brahmā said: / 'Out of fear of Tālamegha, O Kṛṣṇa, we have come to your abode. / That sinful Tālamegha cannot be slain by anyone else, O Janārdana.

6.3.90.33

tvameva jahi taṃ duṣṭaṃ mṛtyuṃ yāsyati nānyathā .. 90.33 ..

You alone must slay that wicked one; in no other way will he meet death.'

6.3.90.34

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca -
svasthānaṃ gamyatāṃ devāḥ svakīyāṃ labhata prajām .
duṣṭātmānaṃ haniṣyāmi tālameghaṃ mahābalam .. 90.34 ..

The blessed Kṛṣṇa said: / 'Go to your own abodes, O gods; take charge of your own subjects. / I shall slay the wicked-minded, mighty Tālamegha.

6.3.90.35

sthānaṃ bruvantu me devā vasedyatra sa dānavaḥ .. 90.35 ..

Let the gods tell me the place where that Dānava dwells.'

6.3.90.36

devā ūcuḥ .
himācalaguhāyāṃ sa vasate dānaveśvaraḥ .
caturviṃśatisāhasraiḥ kanyābhiḥ parivāritaḥ .. 90.36 ..

The gods said: / 'That lord of the Dānavas dwells in a cave of the Himālaya, / surrounded by twenty-four thousand maidens.

6.3.90.37

turaṅgaiḥ syandanaiḥ kṛṣṇa saṃkhyā tasya na vidyate .
naṭā nānāvidhāstatra asaṃkhyātaguṇā hare .. 90.37 ..

His horses and chariots, O Kṛṣṇa, are beyond count. / Dancers of various kinds are there, countless in number, O Hari.

6.3.90.38

dviradāḥ parvatākārā hayāśca dviradopamāḥ .
mahābalo vasettatra gīrvāṇabhayadāyakaḥ .. 90.38 ..

Elephants like mountains and horses resembling elephants are his. / There dwells that mighty one, who strikes terror into the gods.'

6.3.90.39

śrutvā devo vacasteṣāṃ devānāmāturātmanām .
acintayadgarutmantaṃ śatrusaṅghavināśanam .. 90.39 ..

Hearing the words of those afflicted gods, the Lord / thought of Garuḍa, the destroyer of hosts of foes.

6.3.90.40

cakraṃ kareṇa saṃgṛhya gadācakradharaḥ prabhuḥ .
śārṅgaṃ ca muśalaṃ sīraṃ karairgṛhya janārdanaḥ .. 90.40 ..

Taking the discus in his hand, the Lord, bearer of the mace and discus, / taking up with his hands the Śārṅga bow, the pestle, and the plough, Janārdana

6.3.90.41

ārūḍhaḥ pakṣirājendraṃ vadhārthaṃ dānavasya ca .
dānavasya pure peturutpātā ghorarūpiṇaḥ .. 90.41 ..

mounted the king of birds to slay the Dānava. / And in the city of the Dānava, portents of dreadful form descended:

6.3.90.42

gomāyurgṛdhramadhye tu kapotaiḥ samamāviśat .
vinā vātena tasyaiva dhvajadaṇḍaḥ papāta ha .. 90.42 ..

A jackal entered among vultures together with pigeons; / and without any wind, his flagstaff fell down.

6.3.90.43

sarpasūṣakayoryuddhaṃ tathā kesarināgayoḥ .
unmārgāḥ saritastatrāvahanraktavimiśritāḥ .
akālatarupuṣpāṇi dṛśyante sma samantataḥ .. 90.43 ..

There was fighting between a snake and a mouse, and likewise between a lion and an elephant; / rivers there flowed backward, mingled with blood; / and unseasonal tree flowers were seen everywhere.

6.3.90.44

tataḥ prāpto jagannātho himavantaṃ nageśvaram .
pāñcajanyaśvasahasā pūritaḥ purasannidhau .. 90.44 ..

Then the Lord of the Universe arrived at the Himālaya, the king of mountains; / near the city, he suddenly blew the Pāñcajanya.

6.3.90.45

tena śabdena mahatā hyārūḍho dānaveśvaraḥ .
uvāca ca tadā vākyaṃ tālamegho mahābalaḥ .. 90.45 ..

At that tremendous sound, the lord of the Dānavas mounted [his chariot]; / and then the mighty Tālamegha spoke these words:

6.3.90.46

tālamegha uvāca -
ko'yaṃ mṛtyuvaśaṃ prāpto hyajñātvā mama vikramam .
dhundhumārājñayā hyāśu svasainyaparivāritaḥ .. 90.46 ..

Tālamegha said: / 'Who is this that has fallen into the grasp of death, unaware of my prowess? / Dhundhumāra, by my command, swiftly surrounded by your army,

6.3.90.47

balādānaya taṃ baddhvā mamāgre bahuśālinam .. 90.47 ..

bind by force and bring before me that one who boasts of great strength!'

6.3.90.48

dhundhumāra uvāca -
ānayāmi na sandehaḥ suro yakṣo'tha kinnaraḥ .
syandanaughaiḥ samāyukto gajavājibhaṭaiḥ saha .. 90.48 ..

Dhundhumāra said: / 'I shall bring him, no doubt, whether he be a god, a yakṣa, or a kinnara!' / Accompanied by hosts of chariots, along with elephants, horses, and warriors,

6.3.90.49

hṛṣṭastato jagadyoniḥ suparṇastho mahābalaḥ .
gṛhyatāṃ gṛhyatāmeṣa ityuktāstena kiṃkarāḥ .. 90.49 ..

the mighty source of the universe, seated upon Garuḍa, rejoiced. / 'Seize him! Seize him!' thus his servants were ordered by him.

6.3.90.50

caturdikṣu pradhāvanta itaścetaśca sarvataḥ .
suparṇenāgnirūpeṇa dagdhāste śalabhā yathā .. 90.50 ..

They ran in the four directions, hither and thither on all sides. / But by Garuḍa, who had assumed the form of fire, they were burned like moths.

6.3.90.51

dhundhumāro'pi kṛṣṇena śaraghātena tāḍitaḥ .
hato vakṣaḥsthale pāpo mṛtāvastho rathopari .. 90.51 ..

Dhundhumāra too was struck down by Kṛṣṇa with a volley of arrows; / struck in the chest, the sinner lay dying upon his chariot.

6.3.90.52

hāhākāraṃ tataḥ sarve dānavāścakrurāturāḥ .
tālameghastataḥ kruddho rathārūḍho vinirgataḥ .
dadṛśe keśavaṃ pārtha śaṅkhacakragadādharam .. 90.52 ..

Then all the Dānavas raised a lamentation in distress. / Thereupon Tālamegha, enraged, set forth mounted upon his chariot. / He saw Keśava, O Pārtha, bearing the conch, discus, and mace.

6.3.90.53

tālamegha uvāca -
anye te dānavāḥ kṛṣṇa ye hatāḥ samare tvayā .
hiraṇyakaśipuprakhyānapumāṃso hi te'cyuta .. 90.53 ..

Tālamegha said: / 'Other were those Dānavas, O Kṛṣṇa, who were slain by you in battle! / Those men like Hiraṇyakaśipu were unmanly, O Acyuta!'

6.3.90.54

ityuktvā dānavaḥ pārtha varṣayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ .
dānavasya śarānmuktān chedayāmāsa keśavaḥ .. 90.54 ..

Having spoken thus, O Pārtha, the Dānava showered him with arrows; / but Keśava cut down the arrows discharged by the Dānava.

6.3.90.55

garutmānavadhītsainyamavadhyaṃ yatsurāsuraiḥ .
kṛṣṇena dviguṇāstasya preṣitāḥ svaśilīmukhāḥ .. 90.55 ..

Garuḍa slew the army that could not be slain by gods and asuras. / By Kṛṣṇa, twice as many arrows of his own were shot against him.

6.3.90.56

dviguṇaṃ dviguṇīkṛtya preṣayāmāsa dānavaḥ .
tānapyaṣṭaguṇaiḥ kṛṣṇaśchādayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ .. 90.56 ..

Doubling that double number, the Dānava shot back; / and Kṛṣṇa covered even those with eightfold arrows.

6.3.90.57

tataḥ kruddhena daityena hyāgneyaṃ bāṇamuttamam .. 90.57 ..

Then by the enraged Daitya, an excellent fiery missile [was discharged].

6.3.90.58

vāruṇaṃ preṣayāmāsa tvāgneyaṃ śamitaṃ tataḥ .
vāruṇenaiva vāyavyaṃ tālamegho vyasarjayat .. 90.58 ..

He [Kṛṣṇa] sent a watery missile, and then the fiery one was extinguished. / Countering the watery missile, Tālamegha launched a windy missile.

6.3.90.59

sārpaṃ caiva hṛṣīkeśo vāyavyasya praśāntaye .
nārasiṃhaṃ nṛsiṃho'pi preṣayāmāsa pāṇḍava .. 90.59 ..

Hṛṣīkeśa [sent] a serpentine missile to quell the windy one. / The man-lion also sent forth the Nārasiṃha missile, O Pāṇḍava.

6.3.90.60

nārasiṃhaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā tālamegho mahābalaḥ .
uttīrya syandanācchīghraṃ gṛhītvā khaḍgacarmaṇī .. 90.60 ..

Then seeing the Nārasiṃha missile, the mighty Tālamegha, / descending swiftly from his chariot and grasping sword and shield, [shouted:]

6.3.90.61

kṛṣṇa tvāṃ preṣayiṣyāmi yamamārgaṃ sudāruṇam .
ityuktvā dānavaḥ pārtha āgataḥ keśavaṃ prati .. 90.61 ..

'Kṛṣṇa, I will send you onto the dreadful path of Yama!' / Having spoken thus, O Pārtha, the Dānava charged toward Keśava.

6.3.90.62

khaḍgenātāḍayaddaityo gadāpāṇiṃ janārdanam .
maṇḍalāgraṃ tato gṛhya keśavo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ .. 90.62 ..

The Daitya struck with his sword Janārdana, who held the mace in his hand. / Then seizing a curved sword, Keśava, delighted in mind,

6.3.90.63

jaghanoraḥsthale pārtha tālameghaṃ mahāhave .
janārdanastadā daityaṃ daityo harimahanmṛdhe .. 90.63 ..

struck Tālamegha in the chest in that great battle, O Pārtha. / Then Janārdana struck the Daitya, and the Daitya struck Hari in the fray.

6.3.90.64

janārdanastataḥ kruddhastālameghāya bhārata .
amoghaṃ cakramādāya muktaṃ tasya ca mūrdhani .. 90.64 ..

Then Janārdana, enraged, took up the infallible discus against Tālamegha, O Bhārata, / and hurled it at his head.

6.3.90.65

nipapāta śirastasya parvatāśca cakampire .
samudrāḥ kṣubhitāḥ pārtha nadya unmārgagāminīḥ .. 90.65 ..

His head fell down, and the mountains trembled; / the oceans were agitated, O Pārtha, and rivers ran off their courses.

6.3.90.66

puṣpavṛṣṭiṃ tato devā mumucuḥ keśavopari .
avadhyaḥ surasaṅghānāṃ sūditaḥ keśava tvayā .. 90.66 ..

Then the gods showered blossoms upon Keśava: / "He who was unslayable by the hosts of gods has been slain, O Keśava, by you!"

6.3.90.67

svasthāścaiva tato devāstālameghe nipātite .
janārdano'pi kaunteya narmadātaṭamāśritaḥ .. 90.67 ..

The gods were relieved once Tālamegha was brought down; / and Janārdana, too, O son of Kuntī, took resort on the bank of the Narmadā.

6.3.90.68

kṣīrodāṃ narmadāṃ matvā anantabhujagopari .
lakṣmyā samanvitaḥ kṛṣṇo nilīnaścottare taṭe .. 90.68 ..

Considering the Narmadā as the Milk Ocean, Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Lakṣmī, / reclined upon the serpent Ananta on the northern bank.

6.3.90.69

cakraṃ vibhīṣaṇaṃ martye jvālāmālāsamanvitam .
patitaṃ narmadātoye jalaśāyisamīpataḥ .. 90.69 ..

His terrifying discus, blazing with wreaths of flames, / fell into the waters of the Narmadā near the Lord sleeping on the water.

6.3.90.70

nirdhūtakalmaṣaṃ jātaṃ narmadātoyayogataḥ .
tālameghavadhotpannaṃ yatpāpaṃ nṛpanandana .. 90.70 ..

Through contact with the waters of the Narmadā, it became cleansed of stain; / whatever sin had arisen from the slaying of Tālamegha, O son of the king,

6.3.90.71

tatsravaṃ kṣālitaṃ sadyo narmadāṃbhasi bhārata .
tadāprabhṛti loke'smiñjalaśāyī mahīpate .. 90.71 ..

that effusion was instantly washed away in the water of the Narmadā, O descendant of Bharata. / Since that time, O king, in this world [He has been known as] Jalaśāyin.

6.3.90.72

cakratīrthaṃ vadantyanye kecitkālāghanāśanam .
vikhyātaṃ bhārate varṣe narmadāyāṃ mahīpate .. 90.72 ..

Others call it Cakratīrtha, and some [call it] Kālāghanāśana, / famous in the realm of Bhārata on the Narmadā, O king.

6.3.90.73

tattīrthasya prabhāvo'yaṃ śrūyatāmavanīpate .
yathā'nanto hi nāgānāṃ devānāṃ ca janārdanaḥ .. 90.73 ..

Hear now the power of that sacred ford, O lord of the earth: / Just as Ananta is supreme among the serpents, and Janārdana among the gods,

6.3.90.74

māsānāṃ mārgaśīrṣo'sti nadīnāṃ narmadā yathā .
māsi mārgaśire pārtha hyekādaśyāṃ site'hani .. 90.74 ..

just as Mārgaśīrṣa is among the months, and the Narmadā among the rivers, / [so it is with this tīrtha]. In the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, O son of Pṛthā, on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight,

6.3.90.75

gatvā yo manujo bhaktyā kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ .
vaiṣṇavīṃ bhāvanāṃ kṛtvā jaleśaṃ tu vrajeta vai .. 90.75 ..

whichever human goes there with devotion, free from desire and anger, / adopting a Vaiṣṇava disposition, and approaches the Lord of the Waters,

6.3.90.76

ekabhuktaṃ ca naktaṃ ca tathaivāyācitaṃ nṛpa .
upavāsaṃ tathā dānaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ ca bhojanam .. 90.76 ..

and observes eating only once a day, or eating only at night, or living on unbegged food, O king, / or fasting, and makes gifts and feeds brahmins,

6.3.90.77

karoti ca kuruśreṣṭha na sa yāti yamālayam .
yamalokabhayādbhītā ye lokāḥ pāṇḍunandana .. 90.77 ..

he does so, O best of the Kurus, and does not go to the abode of Yama. / Those people who are terrified of the realm of Yama, O joy of the Pāṇḍus,

6.3.90.78

te paśyantu śriyaḥ kāntaṃ nāgaparyaṅkaśāyinam .
gopījanasamāvṛttaṃ yoganidrāṃ samāśritam .
viśvarūpaṃ jagannāthaṃ saṃsārabhayanāśanam .. 90.78 ..

let them behold the beloved of Śrī lying on the serpent-couch, / surrounded by the cowherd women, resting in yogic sleep, / the Lord of the Universe, universal in form, the destroyer of the fear of worldly existence.

6.3.90.79

snāpayetparayā bhaktyā kṣaudrakṣīreṇa sarpiṣā .
khaṇḍena toyamiśreṇa jagadyoniṃ janārdanam .. 90.79 ..

With supreme devotion one should bathe Janārdana, the source of the universe, / with honey, milk, and clarified butter, and with candy mixed with water.

6.3.90.80

snāpyamānaṃ ca paśyanti ye lokā gatamatsarāḥ .
te yānti paramaṃ lokaṃ surāsuranamaskṛtam .. 90.80 ..

And those people, free from malice, who behold him being bathed, / go to the supreme realm, venerated by gods and asuras.

6.3.90.81

ghṛtena bodhayeddīpamathavā tailapūritam .
rātrau jāgaraṇaṃ kṛtvā daivasyāgre vimatsarāḥ .. 90.81 ..

One should kindle a lamp with clarified butter, or filled with oil, / and having kept a night vigil before the deity, free from envy,

6.3.90.82

ye kathāṃ vaiṣṇavīṃ bhaktyā śṛṇvanti ca nṛpottama .
brahmahatyādipāpāni naśyante nātra saṃśayaḥ .. 90.82 ..

those who listen with devotion to the Vaiṣṇava narrative, O best of kings, / their sins such as the murder of a brahmin are destroyed; of this there is no doubt.

6.3.90.83

pradakṣiṇanti ye martyā jalaśāyijagadgurum .
pradakṣiṇīkṛtā taistu saptadvīpā vasuṃdharā .. 90.83 ..

Those mortals who circumambulate Jalaśāyin, the teacher of the universe, / have indeed circumambulated the earth with its seven continents.

6.3.90.84

tataḥ prabhāte vimale pitḥn saṃtarpayejjalaiḥ .
śrāddhaṃ ca brāhmaṇaistatra yogyaiḥ pāṇḍava mānavāḥ .. 90.84 ..

Then, at clear dawn, one should offer libations of water to the ancestors; / and there, O descendant of Pāṇḍu, men [should perform] a śrāddha through worthy brahmins:

6.3.90.85

svadāranirataiḥ śāntaiḥ paradāravivarjakaiḥ .
vedābhyasanaśīlaiśca svakarmanirataiḥ śubhaiḥ .. 90.85 ..

those devoted to their own wives, tranquil, avoiding other men's wives, / habituated to the recitation of the Veda, devoted to their own duties, auspicious,

6.3.90.86

nityaṃ yajanaśīlaiśca trisandhyāparipālakaiḥ .
śraddhayā kārayecchrāddhaṃ yadīcchecchreya ātmanaḥ .. 90.86 ..

always prone to sacrifice, observing the three twilight prayers— / with faith one should have a śrāddha performed [by them] if one desires one's own welfare.

6.3.90.87

te dhanyā mānuṣe loke vandyā hi bhuvi mānavāḥ .
ye vasanti sadākālaṃ pādapadmāśrayā hareḥ .. 90.87 ..

Blessed are those in the world of men, praiseworthy indeed are mortals on earth, / who dwell at all times taking refuge at the lotus feet of Hari,

6.3.90.88

jalaśāyaṃ prapaśyanti pratyakṣaṃ suranāyakam .
pakṣopavāsaṃ pārākaṃ vrataṃ cāndrāyaṇaṃ śubham .. 90.88 ..

and behold Jalaśāya, the leader of the gods, visibly manifest. / A fast for a fortnight, the Parāka penance, the auspicious Cāndrāyaṇa vow,

6.3.90.89

māsopavāsamugraṃ ca ṣaṣṭhānnaṃ pañcamaṃ vratam .
tatra tīrthe tu yaḥ kuryātso'kṣayāṃ gatimāpnuyāt .. 90.89 ..

a severe fast for a month, or the vow of eating only at the sixth mealtime— / whoever performs these at that sacred ford attains an imperishable destiny.

6.3.90.90

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca -
ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi tiladhenośca yatphalam .
yathā yasminyadā deyā dāne tasyāḥ śubhaṃ phalam .. 90.90 ..

The venerable Mārkaṇḍeya said: / Hereafter I shall declare the fruit of the sesamum-cow: / how, to whom, and when it should be given, and the auspicious fruit of gifting it.

6.3.90.91

etatkathāntaraṃ puṇyamṛṣerdvaipāyanātpurā .
śrutaṃ hi naimiṣe puṇye nāradādyairanekadhā .. 90.91 ..

This holy narrative was formerly heard in various ways / from the seer Dvaipāyana by Nārada and others in the holy Naimiṣa [forest].

6.3.90.92

idaṃ paramamāyuṣyaṃ maṅgalyaṃ kīrtivardhanam .
viprāṇāṃ śrāvayanvidvānphalānantyaṃsamaśnute .. 90.92 ..

This [narrative] yields supreme longevity, is auspicious, and enhances fame; / a wise man who recites it to brahmins obtains endless fruit.

6.3.90.93

bahubhyo na pradeyāni gaurgṛhaṃ śayanaṃ striyaḥ .
vibhaktadakṣiṇā hyetā dātāraṃ nāpnuvanti ca .. 90.93 ..

A cow, a house, a bed, and women must not be given to many [recipients]; / for when divided, these sacrificial gifts do not benefit the giver.

6.3.90.94

ekametatpradātavyaṃ na bahūnāṃ yudhiṣṭhira .
sā ca vikrayamāpannā dahatyāsaptamaṃ kulam .. 90.94 ..

This [gift] should be given to one, not to many, O Yudhiṣṭhira; / if she is sold, she burns the family up to the seventh generation.

6.3.90.95

yathālābhā tu sarveṣāṃ caturdroṇā tu gauḥ smṛtā .
droṇasya vatsakaḥ kāryo bahūnāṃ vāpi kāmataḥ .. 90.95 ..

According to one's means, a cow is traditionally made of four droṇas [of sesamum]; / the calf should be made of one droṇa, or [of more] according to desire.

6.3.90.96

yasmindeśe tu yanmānaṃ viṣaye vā vicāritam .
tena mānena tāṃ kurvannakṣayaṃ phalamaśnute .. 90.96 ..

Whatever measure is considered authoritative in a particular land or region, / by fashioning her according to that measure, one enjoys an imperishable fruit.

6.3.90.97

sukhapūrvaṃ śucau bhūmau puṣpadhūpākṣataistathā .
karṇābhyāṃ ratne dātavye dīpau netradvaye tathā .. 90.97 ..

Comfortably on clean ground, with flowers, incense, and unhusked rice grains, / two jewels are to be placed for the ears, and two lamps for the pair of eyes;

6.3.90.98

śrīkhaṇḍamurasi sthāpyaṃ tābhyāṃ caiva tu kāñcanam .
ūrdhve madhu ghṛtaṃ deyaṃ kuryātsarṣaparomakam .. 90.98 ..

sandalwood paste is to be placed on the chest, and gold for the two [horns]; / honey and clarified butter should be placed above; one should make the body hairs out of mustard seeds.

6.3.90.99

kambale kambalaṃ dadyācchroṇyāṃ madhu ghṛtaṃ tathā .
yavasaṃ pāyasaṃ dadyādghṛtaṃ kṣaudrasamanvitam .. 90.99 ..

One should place a woollen blanket upon the blanket; similarly, honey and clarified butter on the hips; / one should offer fodder, milk-rice, and clarified butter combined with honey.

6.3.90.100

svarṇaśṛṅgī rūpyaśiphārukmalāṅgūlasaṃyutā .
ratnapṛṣṭhī tu dātavyā kāṃsyapātrāvadohinī .. 90.100 ..

With gold horns, silver hooves, furnished with a gold tail, / having a jewelled back, and a bronze vessel for milking, she should be given.

6.3.90.101

yatsyādbālyakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ yadvā kṛtamajānatā .
vācā kṛtaṃ karmakṛtaṃ manasā yadvicintitam .. 90.101 ..

Whatever sin was committed in childhood, or committed through ignorance, / committed by speech, committed by deed, or conceived in the mind;

6.3.90.102

jale niṣṭhīvitaṃ caiva muśalaṃ vāpi laṅghitam .
vṛṣalīgamanaṃ caiva gurudāraniṣevaṇam .. 90.102 ..

spitting into water, or stepping across a pestle, / having relations with an outcaste woman, intercourse with the teacher's wife,

6.3.90.103

kanyāyā gamanaṃ caiva suvarṇasteyameva ca .
surāpānaṃ tathā cānyattiladhenuḥ punāti hi .. 90.103 ..

intercourse with an unmarried maiden, the theft of gold, / and the drinking of liquor, as well as other [sins]—the sesamum-cow purifies indeed.

6.3.90.104

ahorātropavāsena vidhivattāṃ visarjayet .
yā sā yamapure ghore nadī vaitaraṇī smṛtā .. 90.104 ..

Fasting for a day and night, one should ritualistically dedicate her. / That which is known as the dreadful river Vaitaraṇī in the city of Yama,

6.3.90.105

vālukāyo'śmasthalā ca pacyate yatra duṣkṛtī .
avīcirnarako yatra yatra yāmalaparvatau .. 90.105 ..

where the evil-doer is boiled on fiery sands and rocks, / where is the hell Avīci, and where are the Twin Mountains,

6.3.90.106

yatra lohamukhāḥ kākā yatra śvāno bhayaṃkarāḥ .
asipattravanaṃ caiva yatra sā kūṭaśālmalī .. 90.106 ..

where there are iron-beaked crows, where there are terrifying dogs, / and the forest of sword-like leaves, and where the Kūṭaśālmalī tree stands—

6.3.90.107

tānsukhena vyatikramya dharmarājālayaṃ vrajet .
dharmarājastu taṃ dṛṣṭvā sūnṛtaṃ vakti bhārata .. 90.107 ..

having crossed beyond those with ease, he goes to the abode of the King of Dharma; / and the King of Dharma, seeing him, speaks gentle and truthful words, O descendant of Bharata:

6.3.90.108

vimānamuttamaṃ yogyaṃ maṇiratnavibhūṣitam .
atrāruhya naraśreṣṭha prayāhi paramāṃ gatim .. 90.108 ..

"An excellent, worthy aerial chariot adorned with gems and jewels [awaits]; / mount this, O best of men, and go to the supreme state!"

6.3.90.109

mā ca cāṭu bhaṭe dehi maiva dehi purohite .
mā ca kāṇe virūpe ca nyūnāṅge na ca devale .. 90.109 ..

Do not give it to a flatterer or a soldier, nor give it to a domestic priest; / nor to a one-eyed man, an ugly man, one with deficient limbs, or a temple priest.

6.3.90.110

avedaviduṣe naiva brāhmaṇe sarvavikraye .
mitraghne ca kṛtaghne ca mantrahīne tathaiva ca .. 90.110 ..

Never to a brahmin ignorant of the Veda, nor to one who sells everything, / nor to a betrayer of friends, an ungrateful person, or one devoid of mantras.

6.3.90.111

vedāntagāya dātavyā śrotriyāya kuṭumbine .
vedāntagasute deyā śrotriye gṛhapālake .. 90.111 ..

It should be given to one versed in Vedānta, a learned Vedic scholar with a family; / it should be given to the son of one versed in Vedānta, a learned Vedic scholar who maintains a household;

6.3.90.112

sarvāṅgarucire vipre sadvṛtte ca priyaṃvade .
pūrṇimāyāṃ tu māghasya kārttikyāmatha bhārata .. 90.112 ..

to a brahmin handsome in all limbs, of good conduct, and speaking pleasant words, / on the full moon of Māgha or on Kārttikī, O Bhārata,

6.3.90.113

vaiśākhyāṃ mārgaśīrṣyāṃ vāṣāḍhyāṃ caitryāmathāpi vā .
ayane viṣuve caiva vyatīpāte ca sarvadā .. 90.113 ..

or on Vaiśākhī, Mārgaśīrṣī, Āṣāḍhī, or Caitrī, / or on a solstice, an equinox, and always at a vyatīpāta;

6.3.90.114

ṣaḍaśītimukhe puṇye chāyāyāṃ kuṃjarasya vā .
eṣa te kathitaḥ kalpastiladhenormayānagha .. 90.114 ..

at the auspicious saḍaśītimukha, or during the shadow of an elephant. / This ritual procedure for the sesamum-cow has been told to you by me, O sinless one.

6.3.90.115

vrajanti vaiṣṇavaṃ lokaṃ dattvā pādaṃ yamopari .
prāṇatyāgātparaṃ lokaṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ .
bhittvāśu bhāskaraṃ yānti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā .. 90.115 ..

Setting their foot upon Yama, they go to the world of Viṣṇu; / after casting off their life-breaths they attain the supreme world of Viṣṇu, without doubt; / piercing through the sun, they go straightaway; no doubt should be entertained here.

6.3.90.116

etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ cakratīrthaphalaṃ nṛpa .
yacchrutvā mānavo bhaktyā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate .. 90.116 ..

This whole fruit of Cakratīrtha has been related to you, O king, / hearing which with devotion, a mortal is freed from all sins.

6.3.90.116_2

.. iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ pañcama āvantyakhaṇḍe jalaśāyitīrthamāhātmyavarṇanaṃ nāma navatitamo'dhyāyaḥ ..

Thus ends the ninetieth chapter, entitled 'Description of the Māhātmya of Jalaśāyitīrtha', in the Revākhaṇḍa of the fifth section, the Āvantyakhaṇḍa, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, a compendium of eighty-one thousand verses.