[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Purāṇas](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) › [Skandapurana](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda) › 2.4.2 # Skandapurana 2.4.2 Skandapurāṇa 2.4.2 - **Language:** Sanskrit ### [2.4.2.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p1) .. .. brahmovāca .. .. > Brahmā said: > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p2) atha kārtikamāsasya dharmānvakṣyāmi nārada .. > Now I shall declare the duties of the month of Kārtika, O Nārada. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p3) saṃprāptaṃ kārtikaṃ dṛṣṭvā parānnaṃ yastu varjayet .. 1 .. > Whoever, seeing that Kārtika has arrived, refrains from another's food, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p4) sa tu mokṣamavāpnoti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā .. > attains liberation; of this there is no doubt. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p5) sarveṣāmeva dharmāṇāṃ gurupūjā parā matā .. > Worship of the guru is considered supreme above all duties. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p6) guruśuśrūṣayā sarvaṃ prāpnoti ṛṣisattama ..2.. > By serving the guru, one attains everything, O best of seers. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p7) gurau tuṣṭe ca tuṣṭāḥ syurdevāḥ sarve savāsavā .. > When the guru is pleased, all the gods along with Indra are pleased; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p8) gurau ruṣṭe ca ruṣṭāḥ syurdevāḥ sarve savāsavāḥ .. 3 .. > and when the guru is angry, all the gods along with Indra are angry. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p9) kārtikaṃ māsi saṃprāpte kṛtvā karmāṇi bhūriśaḥ .. 4 .. > When the month of Kārtika has arrived, though performing abundant rites, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p10) akṛtvā guruśuśrūṣāṃ narakāneva viṃdati .. 4 .. > if one does not perform service to the guru, one finds only hells. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p11) yatkiṃcidvā samādiṣṭo guruṇā tatsamācaret ..5.. > Whatever one is commanded by the guru, one should carry out. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p12) ājñapto guruṇā vipra na tadvākyaṃ tu laṃghayet .. > O brahmin, when ordered by the guru, one should not transgress his word. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p13) yadi duḥkhādikaṃ prāptaṃ guruṃ tu śaraṇaṃ vrajet .. 6 .. > If sorrow and the like befall, one should take refuge in the guru. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p14) mātṛtve ca pitṛtve ca gurumeva smaredbudhaḥ .. > In place of both mother and father, a wise man should remember the guru alone; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p15) gurau na prāpyate yattannānyatrā'pi hi labhyate .. 7 .. > what is not obtained through the guru is indeed not found anywhere else. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p16) guruprasādātsarvaṃ tu prāpnotyeva na saṃśayaḥ .. > Through the guru's grace one attains everything; of this there is no doubt. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p17) medhāvī kapilaścaiva sumatiśca mahātapāḥ .. > Medhāvī, Kapila, and Sumati of great austerity, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p18) gautamasya guroḥ samyaksevayā'maratāṃ gatāḥ .. 8 ..\* tasmātsarvaprayatnena kārtike viṣṇutatparaḥ .. > attained immortality through the proper service of their guru Gautama. / Therefore, with all effort, devoted to Viṣṇu in Kārtika, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p19) gurusevāṃ prakurvīta tato mokṣamavāpnuyāt .. 9 .. > one should perform service to the guru; therefrom one will attain liberation. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p20) narebhyo vaiṣṇavaṃ dharmaṃ yo dadāti dvijottamaḥ .. > The best among twice-born who bestows Vaiṣṇava duty upon men, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p21) sasāgaramahīdāne tatpuṇyaṃ labhate hi saḥ .. 2.4.2.10 .. > attains the merit of giving the earth along with the oceans. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p22) tiladhenuṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca rajataṃ bhūmivāsasī .. > A cow fashioned of sesame, gold, silver, land, and clothing— > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p23) gopradānāni dāsyaṃti sarvabhāvena suvrata .. 11 .. > they shall make gifts of cows with wholehearted devotion, O you of good vows. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p24) sarveṣāmeva dānānāṃ kanyādānaṃ viśiṣyate .. \* sahasrameva dhenūnāṃ śataṃ cānaḍuhāṃ samam .. 12 .. > The gift of a maiden is superior to all gifts. / A thousand cows is equal to a hundred oxen; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p25) daśānaḍutsamaṃ yānaṃ daśayānasamo hayaḥ .. > a carriage is equal to ten oxen; a horse is equal to ten carriages; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p26) hayadāna sahasrebhyo gajadānaṃ viśiṣyate .. 13 .. > the gift of an elephant is superior to thousands of gifts of horses; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p27) gajadānasahasrāṇāṃ svarṇadānaṃ ca tatsamam .. > and the gift of gold is equal to thousands of gifts of elephants; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p28) svarṇadānasahasrāṇāṃ vidyādānaṃ ca tatsamam .. 14 .. > and the gift of knowledge is equal to thousands of gifts of gold. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p29) vidyādānātkoṭiguṇaṃ bhūmidānaṃ viśiṣyate .. > The gift of land is superior to the gift of knowledge by a crore times; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p30) bhūmidānasahasreṇa gopradānaṃ viśiṣyate .. 15 .. > and the gift of a cow is superior to a thousand gifts of land; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p31) gopradānasahasrebhyo hyannadānaṃ viśiṣyate .. > and the gift of food is indeed superior to thousands of gifts of cows. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p32) annādhāramidaṃ proktaṃ tasmāddeyaṃ tu kārtike .. 16 .. > This \[world\] is declared to be founded on food; therefore it must be given in Kārtika. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p33) parānnavarjanādeva labheccāṃdrāyaṇaṃ phalam .. > Merely by avoiding another's food, one obtains the fruit of a Cāndrāyaṇa fast; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p34) dinedine'tikṛcchrasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ .. 17 .. > day by day a man obtains the fruit of an Atikṛcchra penance. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p35) kārtike varjayenmāṃsaṃ sandhānaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ .. > In Kārtika one should avoid meat, and fermented foods in particular; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p36) rākṣasīṃ yonimāpnoti sakṛnmāṃsasya bhakṣaṇāt .. 18 .. > by eating meat even once, one attains the womb of a rākṣasa. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p37) pravṛttānāṃ tu bhakṣyāṇāṃ kārtike niyame kṛte .. > When a restriction is observed in Kārtika regarding foods customarily indulged in, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p38) avaśyaṃ viṣṇurūpatvaṃ prāpyate mokṣadaṃ padam .. 19 .. > one inevitably attains the form of Viṣṇu, the state that bestows liberation. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p39) brāhmaṇebhyo mahīṃ dattvā grahaṇe sūryacaṃdrayoḥ .. > The fruit one obtains by giving land to brahmins during an eclipse of the sun or moon, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p40) yatphalaṃ labhate vatsa tatphalaṃ bhūmiśāyinaḥ .. 2.4.2.20 .. > that fruit belongs to one who sleeps on the ground, my child. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p41) bhojanaṃ dvijadaṃpatyoḥ pūjanaṃ ca vilepanaiḥ .. > Feeding a brahmin couple and honoring them with unguents, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p42](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p42) kaṃbalāni ca ratnāni vāsāṃsi vividhāni ca .. 21 .. > blankets, jewels, and garments of various kinds, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p43](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p43) tūlikāśca pradātavyāḥ pracchādanapaṭaiḥ saha .. > mattresses along with covering sheets should be given; > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p44) upānahāvātapatraṃ kārtike dehi suvrata .. 22 .. > give shoes and an umbrella in Kārtika, O you of good vows. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p45) kārtike kṣitiśāyī ca hanyātpāpaṃ yugārjitam .. > One who sleeps on the ground in Kārtika destroys sin accumulated over an age. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p46) jāgaraṃ kārtike māsi yaḥ karotyaruṇodaye .. 23 .. > Whoever keeps a night vigil in the month of Kārtika at dawn, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p47) dāmodarāgre devarṣe gosahasraphalaṃ labhet .. > before Dāmodara, O divine seer, obtains the fruit of a thousand cows. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p48) nadīsnānaṃ kathā viṣṇorvaiṣṇavānāṃ ca darśanam .. 24 .. > A bath in a river, a discourse about Viṣṇu, and darśana of Vaiṣṇavas— > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p49) na bhavetkārtike yasya haretpuṇyaṃ daśābdikam .. > for one to whom these do not happen in Kārtika, it takes away ten years of merit. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p50](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p50) puṣkaraṃ yaḥ smaretprājñaḥ karmaṇā manasā girā .. 25 .. > The wise person who remembers Puṣkara in deed, mind, and speech > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p51) kārtike muniśārdūla lakṣakoṭiguṇaṃ bhavet .. > in Kārtika, O tiger among sages, finds it multiplied a hundred thousand and a crore times. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p52](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p52) prayāgo māghamāse tu puṣkaraṃ kārtike tathā .. 26 .. > Prayāga in the month of Māgha, Puṣkara likewise in Kārtika, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p53](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p53) avantī mādhave māsi hanyātpāpaṃ yugārjitam .. > and Avantī in the month of Mādhava destroy sin accumulated over an age. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p54](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p54) dhanyāste mānavā loke kalikāle viśeṣataḥ .. 27 .. > Blessed are those men in the world, especially in the Kali age, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p55) ye kurvaṃti narā nityaṃ prītyarthaṃ haripūjanam .. > who constantly perform worship of Hari to please him. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p56) tāritāstaiśca pitaro narakācca na saṃśayaḥ .. 28 .. > By them their ancestors are delivered from hell; of this there is no doubt. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p57](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p57) kṣīrādisnapanaṃ viṣṇoḥ kriyate pitṛkāraṇāt .. > A ceremonial bath of Viṣṇu with milk and other substances performed for the sake of the ancestors: > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p58) kalpakoṭiṃ divaṃ prāpya vasanti tridivaiḥ saha .. 29 .. > having reached heaven for a crore of kalpas, they dwell along with the gods. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p59) kārtike nārcito yaistu kṛṣṇastu kamalekṣaṇaḥ .. > Those by whom lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa is not worshipped in Kārtika, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p60) janmakoṭiṣu viprendra na teṣāṃ kamalā gṛhe .. 2.4.2.30 .. > in crores of births, O chief of brahmins, Kamalā does not dwell in their home. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p61](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p61) aho muṣṭā vinaṣṭāste patitāḥ kalikandare .. > Ah, robbed and ruined are those who have fallen into the cavern of the Kali \[age\], > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p62](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p62) yairnārcito harirbhaktyā kamalairasitaiḥ sitaiḥ .. 31 .. > by whom Hari was not worshipped with devotion using blue and white lotuses. (31) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p63) padmenaikena deveśaṃ yo'rcayetkamalāpatim .. > Whoever worships the Lord of gods, the husband of Kamalā, with a single lotus, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p64) varṣāyutasahasrasya pāpasya kurute kṣayam .. > destroys the sin of tens of millions of years. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p65](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p65) puṣkarārcanayogena śveto muktimavāpa ha .. 32 .. \* aparādhasahasrāṇi tathā saptaśatāni ca .. > By virtue of worship with a lotus, Śveta indeed attained liberation. (32) > Seven hundred and a thousand offenses > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p66) padmenaikena deveśaḥ kṣamate praṇato'rcitaḥ ..33.. > the Lord of gods forgives when bowed down to and worshipped with a single lotus. (33) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p67](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p67) tulasīpatralakṣeṇa kārtike yo'rcayeddharim .. > Whoever worships Hari in the month of Kārtika with a hundred thousand tulasī leaves, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p68) patrepatre muniśreṣṭha mauktikaṃ labhate phalam .. 34 .. > obtains, O best of sages, the fruit of a pearl for every leaf. (34) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p69](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p69) mukhe śirasi dehe tu kṛṣṇottīrṇāṃ tu yo vahet .. > Whoever wears on the mouth, head, or body \[leaves\] taken down from Kṛṣṇa, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p70](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p70) tulasī kṛṣṇanirmālyairyo gātraṃ parimārjayet .. > or cleanses their limbs with the tulasī remnants \[offered to\] Kṛṣṇa, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p71) sarvarogaistathā pāpairmukto bhavati mānavaḥ .. 35 .. > that person becomes freed from all diseases and sins. (35) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p72](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p72) śaṃkhodakaṃ harerbhaktirnirmālyaṃ pādayorjalam .. > Conch water, devotion to Hari, the remnants of offerings, the water from \[his\] feet, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p73](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p73) candanaṃ dhūpaśeṣaṃ ca brahmahatyāpahārakam .. 36 .. > sandalwood paste, and the remainder of incense destroy \[even\] the murder of a brahmin. (36) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p74](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p74) kārtike māsi viprendra prātaḥsnānaparāyaṇaḥ .. > Devoted to morning ritual ablution in the month of Kārtika, O best of brahmins, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p75](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p75) viprebhyaścānnadānaṃ tu kuryācchaktyanusārataḥ .. 37 .. > one should give food to brahmins according to one’s capacity. (37) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p76](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p76) sarveṣāmeva dānānāmannadānaṃ viśiṣyate .. > Of all gifts, the gift of food is pre-eminent: > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p77](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p77) annena jāyate loko hyannenaivā'bhivarddhate .. 38 .. > the world is born through food, and through food alone does it grow. (38) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p78](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p78) annaṃ hi sarvabhūtānāṃ prāṇabhūtaṃ paraṃ viduḥ .. > For the wise know that food is the supreme breath of life for all living beings. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p79](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p79) annadaḥ sarvado loke sarvayajñādikṛdbhavet .. 39 .. > One who gives food gives everything in the world and becomes a performer of all sacrifices. (39) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p80](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p80) tīrthasnānena kiṃ tasya devayātrādinā'pi kim .. > What need has he of bathing at a sacred ford? What need even of pilgrimages to gods and the like? > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p81) sarvaṃ saṃpādyate brahmannannadānānna saṃśayaḥ .. 2.4.2.40 .. > Everything is accomplished by the gift of food, O brahmin; there is no doubt. (40) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p82](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p82) satyaketurdvijaḥ pūrvaṃ cānnadānena kevalam .. > In ancient times, the twice-born Satyaketu, merely by giving food, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p83) sarvapuṇyaphalaṃ prāpya mokṣaṃ prāpa sudurlabham .. 41 ..\* kārtikavrataniṣṭhastu kuryādgodānamuttamam.. > obtained the fruit of all merits and attained hard-to-reach liberation. (41) > Devoted to the Kārtika observance, one should give an excellent cow. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p84) vrataṃ saṃpūrṇatāṃ yāti godānena na saṃśayaḥ .. 42 .. > The observance reaches completeness through the gift of a cow; there is no doubt. (42) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p85) godānātparamaṃ dānaṃ saṃsārārṇavatārakam .. > Higher than the gift of a cow, ferry across the ocean of transmigration, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p86](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p86) nāsti nārada loke'sminsuśarmā brāhmaṇo yathā .. 43 .. \* kārtike māsi vipreṃdra dattvā dānānyanekaśaḥ .. > there is no \[gift\] in this world, O Nārada, as with the brahmin Suśarman. (43) > Even after bestowing numerous gifts in the month of Kārtika, O best of brahmins, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p87](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p87) harismṛtivihīnaścenna punaṃti kadācana .. 44 .. > if one is devoid of the remembrance of Hari, they never purify. (44) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p88](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p88) nāmasmaraṇamāhātmyaṃ mayā vaktuṃ na śakyate .. > I am unable to describe the greatness of chanting the name, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p89](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p89) puṣkareṇa yathā pūrvaṃ nārakīyāśca mocitāḥ .. 45 .. \* goviṃda goviṃda hare murāre goviṃda goviṃd mukuṃda kṛṣṇa .. > just as the denizens of hell were formerly freed by Puṣkara. (45) > “Govinda, Govinda, Hari, Murāri, Govinda, Govinda, Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p90](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p90) goviṃda goviṃda rathāṃgapāṇe goviṃda dāmodara mādhaveti .. 46 .. > Govinda, Govinda, who hold the chariot-wheel in hand, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” (46) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p91) ślokārddhaṃ ślokapādaṃ vā nityaṃ bhāgavatodbhavam .. > Half a verse or a quarter of a verse from the Bhāgavata daily, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p92](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p92) kārtike yaḥ paṭhanmartyaḥ śraddhābhaktisamanvitaḥ .. 47 .. > whoever recites in Kārtika, endowed with faith and devotion, \[attains the highest state\]. (47) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p93](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p93) yairna śrutaṃ bhāgavataṃ purāṇaṃ nārādhito vai puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ .. > By those who have not heard the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, nor worshipped the ancient Puruṣa, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p94](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p94) hutaṃ mukhe naiva dharāmarāṇāṃ teṣāṃ vṛthā janma gataṃ narāṇām .. 48 .. > nor offered into the mouths of the earthly gods, the lives of those men have passed in vain. (48) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p95](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p95) kārtike māsi vipreṃdra yastu gītāṃ paṭhennaraḥ .. > Whoever recites the Gītā in the month of Kārtika, O best of brahmins, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p96](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p96) tasya puṇyaphalaṃ vaktuṃ mama śaktirna vidyate .. 49 .. > I have no power to describe the fruit of his merit. (49) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p97](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p97) gītāyāstu samaṃ śāstraṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati .. > A scripture equal to the Gītā has never existed, nor will there ever be. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p98](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p98) sarvapāpaharā nityaṃ gītaikā mokṣadāyinī .. 2.4.2.50 .. > Taking away all sins eternally, the Gītā alone bestows liberation. (50) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p99](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p99) ekenā'dhyāyapāṭhena sarvapāpakṛto'pi ca .. > By reciting even a single chapter, even those who have committed every sin > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p100](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p100) mucyaṃte narakādghorājjaḍo vai brāhmaṇo yathā .. 51 .. \* śāligrāmaśilādānaṃ yaḥ kuryātkārtike mune .. > are freed from dreadful hell, just like the inert brahmin. (51) > Whoever gives a śālagrāma stone in Kārtika, O sage, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p101](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p101) tasya puṇyasya viśrāṃtirviṣṇunā na nirūpitā .. 52 .. \* śāligrāmaṃ samabhyarcya śrotriyāya mahāmune .. > the limit of his merit has not been defined by Viṣṇu. (52) > Having worshipped a śālagrāma, O great sage, to a learned brahmin > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p102](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p102) dānaṃ yaḥ kurute vipra tasya puṇyaphalaṃ śṛṇu .. 53 .. > whoever gives it, O brahmin, hear the fruit of his merit! (53) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p103](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p103) saptasāgaraparyaṃtaṃ bhūdānādyatphalaṃ bhavet .. > Whatever fruit comes from the gift of land extending to the seven oceans, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p104](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p104) śāligrāmaśilādānāttatphalaṃ samavāpnuyāt .. 54 .. > that fruit one attains through the gift of a śālagrāma stone. (54) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p105](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p105) śāligrāmaśilādānātkārtike brāhmaṇī yathā .. > By the gift of a śālagrāma stone in Kārtika, just as a brahmin woman, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p106](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p106) vidhavā sadhavā jātā vivāhe paṃcame'hani .. 55 .. \* tasmāttu kārtike māsi snānadānapuraḥsaram .. > though a widow, became one whose husband is alive on the fifth day of marriage. (55) > Therefore, in the month of Kārtika, preceded by ablutions and gifts, > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p107](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p107) śāligrāmaśilādānaṃ kartavyaṃ nā'tra saṃśayaḥ .. 56 .. \* iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśīti sāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe kārtikamāsamāhātmye kārtikavratadharmanirūpaṇaṃnāma dvitīyo'dhyāyaḥ .. 2 .. > the gift of a śālagrāma stone should be performed; there is no doubt in this. (56) > Thus in the glorious Skanda Purāṇa, in the compendium of eighty-one thousand \[verses\], in the second Vaiṣṇava section, in the Greatness of the Month of Kārtika, the second chapter named “Description of the Rules of the Kārtika Observance.” (2) > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p108](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p108) 2.4.2.8 gurusevāprasādātsarvaṃ prāpnotītyatra dṛṣṭāṃtamāha-medhāvī kapilaḥ sumatiḥ iti trayaḥ śiṣyāḥ gautamasya . guroḥ uttamasevayā devatvaṃ prāptāḥ.. atra prasiddhā kathā sāroddhāroktakārtikamāhātmye-purā bhāgīrathītīre siddhāśrame gautamaṛṣestrayaḥ śiṣyāḥ medhāvī kapilaḥ sumatiriti, te bālyādeva gurusevātatparā āsan, ekadā gautamastānāhūya uvāca-he śiṣyāḥ vane śīghraṃ gatvā samitpuṣpaphalakuśā ānīyaṃtām, te ca phalādikaṃ svalpaṃ gṛhītvā madhyāhne gurunikaṭaṃ prāptāḥ, tadā gautamo'tikruddhaḥ sannuvāca he śiṣyāḥ yūyaṃ prātareva gatāḥ adhunā tu madhyāhno jātaḥ . phalādikamapi svalpamānītaṃ tarhi etāvatā kālena kiṃ kṛtam, he durvṛttāḥ yadi jīvitumicchatha tadā punaḥ vanaṃ gatvā phalādīni bahūnyādāya satvarāḥ samāgacchata, tacchrutvā bhītāḥ kṣutkṣāmakaṃṭhāḥ punareva vanaṃ yayuḥ, tatra vanādvanaṃ gacchaṃtaḥ paścimābhimukhāḥ tṛṣayā paripīḍitāḥ ekasminsarovare snānaṃ saṃdhyāṃ ca kṛtvā jalaṃ pītvā phalādīni vicinvaṃto'tibhayaṃkaraṃ vanaṃ viviśuḥ, tadānīṃ rātriśca jātā. siṃhavyāghrādīnāṃ nādāśca babhūvuḥ, tadā bhītā mithaḥ procuḥ, aho kaṣṭaṃ mahāṃdhakārayukte'sminvane phalādīni na paśyāmaḥ, diśo na jānīmaḥ, kiṃ gṛhītvā guru sannidhiṃ gacchāmaḥ naḥ kathaṃ bhavediti bhayāturā itastato bhramaṃtastṛṇagulmasamāvṛte kūpe patitāḥ, tatra sarpairdaṣṭā mṛtyuṃ prāpuḥ . atha gautamastānanāgatāñjñātvā svātmānaṃ bahu viniṃdya prātarbhāryayā sākaṃ vane tānmṛgayannekasminkūpe mṛtāndṛṣṭvā vilalāpa, tadā sarvāḥ svapāpenaivaite mṛtāḥ kimarthaṃ śokaḥ kārya iti gautamaṃ sāṃtvayāṃcakruḥ . atha gautama uvāca - karmaṇā manasā vācā pāpamebhiḥ kadācana .. na kṛtaṃ śiṣyavaryaistairbhavadbhirlokaniṣṭhuraiḥ .. vṛthā saṃghātitāste tu kālamṛtyurna cāgataḥ .. tasmānna doṣo yuṣmākaṃ na caiṣāmapi pannagāḥ .. karteṣāṃ yama evā'tra yamaṃ tasmācchapāmyaham.. ityuktvā jalamādāya yamaṃ śaptuṃ samudyataḥ ..” iti . tadā yamaḥ sahasaiva tatrāgatyovāca-he ṛṣe . eṣāmakālamaraṇaṃ na kiṃtu sarpadaṃśanimittena mahāmṛtyukāla evopasthitastasmādvicārya śāpaṃ dehi nātra mamāparādhaḥ . tadā gautama uvāca-evaṃ sati etaiḥ sacchiṣyairvinā mama jīvitena kiṃ prayojanam, ataḥ mayā yatpuṇyamupārjitaṃ yacca tapastaptaṃ tena puṇyena tava kṛpayā ca ete jīvanaṃ prāpnuvaṃtu, evamukte te sahasotthāya saṃhṛṣṭā agrataḥ guruṃ yamaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā vavaṃdire, gautamaḥ prītyā tānāliṃgyātituṣṭaḥ yuṣmākaṃ varaṃ dāsyāmītyuvāca-'sarvānvedāṃśca śāstrāṇi samastāṃgāni suvratāḥ .. itihāsapurāṇāni matprasādādavāpsyatha .. guruṇaivaṃ vare datte seṃdro gururagāttataḥ .. gautamaṃ pretarājaṃ ca tāṃśca viprānuvāca ha .. indrohamasmi bhadraṃ vaḥ śṛṇudhvaṃ vacanaṃ mama .. etairdvijairatīveha jitā lokāśca sarvaśaḥ .. mama lokamitastasmādgaṃtumarhatha suvratāḥ .. gautamasya prasādena sadehā eva gacchata .. sāmarthyameṣāṃ loke ca tava kīrtistathā mama .. kīrtiśca loke khyātā syādgurupūjāphalaṃ tathā.." ityuktvā tānvimāne cā''ropya divaṃ yayau, yamaḥ svapuraṃ gautamaśca svāśramaṃ yayāviti .. > 2.4.2.8 > To show that one obtains everything through the grace born of service to the guru, he states an illustrative story: Gautama had three disciples—Medhāvin, Kapila, and Sumati. Through excellent service to their guru, they attained divinity. Here is the famous story recounted in the Kārtikamāhātmya of the Sāroddhāra: Formerly, on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī at Siddhāśrama, the seer Gautama had three disciples: Medhāvin, Kapila, and Sumati. From their very childhood, they were dedicated to serving the guru. Once, Gautama called them and said: “O disciples, go quickly to the forest and bring kindling, flowers, fruits, and kuśa grass.” Having gathered only a few fruits and other items, they returned to their guru at midday. Gautama then became exceedingly angry and said: “O disciples, you went in the early morning, and now it is midday! You have brought very little fruit and the like; what, then, have you been doing for so long? O ill-behaved ones, if you wish to live, go back to the forest, gather many fruits and the like, and return quickly!” Hearing this, terrified, with throats withered by hunger, they went to the forest once again. There, wandering from forest to forest facing the west, afflicted with thirst, they bathed in a lake, performed the twilight devotion, drank water, and, while gathering fruits and the like, entered a terrifying forest. Night fell upon them. The roar of lions, tigers, and other beasts arose. Then, terrified, they said to one another: “Alas, how dreadful! In this deep dark forest we cannot see fruits or anything; we do not know the directions. Taking what shall we return to the guru's presence? What will become of us?” Distressed by fear and wandering here and there, they fell into a well overgrown with grass and bushes. There, bitten by serpents, they met their death. Gautama, realizing they had not returned and severely reproaching himself, went searching for them in the forest in the morning with his wife; seeing them dead in a well, he lamented. Then all \[the serpents\] consoled Gautama, saying: “They died solely through their own sin; why should you grieve?” Gautama said: / “Never did these best of disciples commit any sin / by action, mind, or speech. Cruel beings of this world that you are, / you struck them down in vain, for their allotted time of death had not arrived. / Therefore, the fault is not yours, nor is it that of these serpents; / the one who did this is Yama alone; hence, I shall curse Yama!” Saying this, taking water, he was about to curse Yama. Then Yama immediately arrived there and said: “O seer, this was not an untimely death for them; rather, the appointed time of great death arrived by reason of the serpent bites. Therefore, deliberate before issuing a curse; herein there is no fault of mine.” Gautama then said: “If this is so, what purpose have I in living without these good disciples? Therefore, by whatever merit I have earned and whatever austerity I have performed, through that merit and by your grace, let them attain life!” When this was said, they suddenly arose rejoicing, saw their guru and Yama before them, and bowed to them. Gautama embraced them with love and, exceedingly pleased, said, “I shall grant you a boon: / 'O men of good vows, through my grace you shall obtain / all the Vedas, the scriptures, all the auxiliary limbs, the epics, and the Purāṇas!' / When the guru had thus granted the boon, Indra arrived there with his preceptor. / He said to Gautama, the King of the Departed, and those brahmins: / 'I am Indra; may good betide you; hear my words! / By these twice-born men, indeed, all worlds have been completely conquered. / Therefore, O men of good vows, you ought to go from here to my world! / By the grace of Gautama, go in your very bodies! / Thus let their power be renowned in the world, as well as your renown and mine, / and also the fruit of honoring the guru!'” Having said this, he placed them on an aerial chariot and went to heaven; Yama went to his own city, and Gautama went to his own hermitage. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p109](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p109) 2.4.2.12 kanyādānaphalamuktam-"aṣṭavarṣā bhavedgaurī navavarṣā ca rohiṇī .. daśavarṣā bhavetkanyā ata ūrdhvaṃ rajasvalā ..gaurīṃ dadadbrahmalokaṃ rohiṇīṃ sūryalokaṃ kanyāṃ svargalokaṃ rajasvalāṃ yamalokaṃ gacchati .. yāvaṃti caiva romāṇi kanyāyāstu tanau suta .. tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi rudraloke mahīyate..” iti . 2.4.2.32 śvetaḥ śvetanṛpaḥ puṣkarārcanayogena kamalapūjanena muktiṃ prāpa .. atra prasiddhā kathā brāhme - purā kāśmīradeśe śvetonāma nṛpaḥ iṣṭāpūrtakarmaniṣṭhaḥ mahāvaiṣṇavaḥ rājye putramabhiṣicya puṣkarakṣetraṃ gatvā atitīvreṇa tapasā svaśarīraṃ śoṣayannastot stutyaṃte svadehānnirgataṃ mahābhayaṃkaraṃ puruṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā tvaṃ ko'si kuta āgato'sītyapṛcchat, tadā vyādha uvāca - he rājan tvaṃ pūrvajanmani janasthānīyo nṛpaḥ mṛgayāyāṃ mṛgarūpadharaṃ muniṃ hatavān tena brahmahā jātaḥ, ekadā rātrau brahmahatyābhayānmukto bhavāmīti viciṃtya paramabhaktyā kārtike kamalaiviṣṇuṃ pūjayāmāsitha, tadaiva udaravyādhitaḥ kaṃṭhagatena prāṇena nārāyaṇīnāmnīṃ svapatnīṃ saṃsmaranmṛtaḥ, tena puṇyena tvaṃ svargaṃ gataḥ, ahamapi svena tejamā kalpaparyaṃtaṃ tatra tava nikaṭe sthitaḥ, tataḥ kalpāṃte idānīṃ sa tvaṃ kāśmīradeśe sumanasaḥ rājñaḥ gṛhe śvetanāmnā jātaḥ, atrāpi viṣṇorārādhanastotrapāṭhena tvaṃ śuddhaḥ . ataḥ vyādharūpeṇa tava dehādahaṃ nirgataḥ, śuddhaśca jātaḥ, tacchrutvā vismito rājā vyādhamuvāca, he vyādha yatastvayā mama janmāṃtaraṃ smāritaṃ tasmānmatprasādena tvaṃ dharmavyādho bhaviṣyasi, ityuktvā vimānamāruhya paraṃ sthānamavāpa, tasmāt-"sahasrakamalaiḥ pūjā kārtike madhusūdane . na teṣāṃ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi” iti .. > 2.4.2.12 > The fruit of giving away a maiden in marriage is stated: > “An eight-year-old girl is Gaurī, and a nine-year-old is Rohiṇī; / a ten-year-old is a kanyā, and beyond that she has attained menses. / One who gives a Gaurī goes to the world of Brahmā; a Rohiṇī, to the world of the Sun; / a kanyā, to the heavenly world; a menstruating girl, to the world of Yama. / And for as many hairs as there are on the maiden's body, O son, / for that many thousands of years one is honored in the world of Rudra.” > > 2.4.2.32 > Śveta, King Śveta, attained liberation through the practice of worshiping at Puṣkara, through the worship with lotuses. Here is the famous story in the Brahma Purāṇa: Formerly in the land of Kaśmīra, there was a king named Śveta, dedicated to sacrifices and charitable deeds, a great devotee of Viṣṇu. Having consecrated his son to the kingdom, he went to the sacred field of Puṣkara, and, drying up his body through exceedingly fierce austerity, he praised \[the Lord\]. At the end of his hymn of praise, seeing a terrifying man issue from his body, he asked: “Who are you, and whence have you come?” Then the hunter said: “O king, in a previous birth you were a king of Janasthāna. While hunting, you killed a sage who had assumed the form of a deer; thereby you became the slayer of a brahmin. Once at night, thinking 'May I be liberated from the fear of slaying a brahmin,' with supreme devotion you worshiped Viṣṇu with lotuses in the month of Kārtika. At that very time, suffering from an abdominal disease, with your life-breath rising to the throat, remembering your wife named Nārāyaṇī, you died. Through that merit you went to heaven; and I too, by my own radiance, remained near you there until the end of the cosmic age. Then, at the end of the cosmic age, you were born just now in the land of Kaśmīra in the house of King Sumanas, under the name of Śveta. Here also, through the recitation of the hymn of worship of Viṣṇu, you have been purified. Therefore, in the form of a hunter, I have issued from your body and have become pure.” Hearing that, the king, filled with astonishment, said to the hunter: “O hunter, since my previous birth has been recalled by you, through my grace you shall become Dharmavyādha.” Saying this, ascending an aerial chariot, he reached the supreme abode. Therefore: > “For those who perform worship of the slayer of Madhu with a thousand lotuses in Kārtika, / there is no return, even after hundreds of crores of cosmic ages.” > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.p110](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.p110) 2.4.2.41 satyaketuviṣaye kathāmāha sāroddhāre-purā satyajinnāmā brāhmaṇaḥ dharmaśīlaḥ sarvakāmebhyo yo niḥspṛhaḥ sadā tīrthayātrāparaḥ - "nānyeṣu ramate cittaṃ gaṃgāṃ nityaṃ smaratyasau .. bhāgīrathīṃ suniṣṇāto viśeṣeṇa mahāmuniḥ ..” sa tīrthayātrāṃ kurvannekadā viśālānagarīṃ gatvā janairdarśitaṃ satyaketugṛhaṃ praviveśa, tadā satyaketuḥ tṛṭparītaṃ kṣudhāviṣṭaṃ bhojanamicchaṃtaṃ satyajitaṃ dṛṣṭvā utthāya arghapādyapūjāṃ kṛtvovāca-he dvijottama tavāgamanenā'dya mama janmanaḥ sāphalyaṃ jātam . pitarastṛptāḥ, devāśca suprītā jātāḥ, he dvijendra icchitaṃ bhojanaṃ kuru, tvayi bhukte me kiṃcitkartavyaṃ nāvaśiṣyate, tava darśanādaprāpyaṃ na hi vidyate, tadā satyajiduvāca - he satyaketo tava śuśrūṣayā vākyena ca tṛpto'smi . kiṃ ca, annadātāraḥ loke bahavaḥ saṃti tatra tvayā sadṛśaḥ kopi na dṛṣṭaḥ tvaṃ gṛhasthāśramiṇāṃ madhye śreṣṭho'si . tvayā gaṃgāyātrā kṛtā na vā, tadā satyaketuruvāca - he dvija, madgṛhe atithīnāmannadātā anyaḥ ko'pi nāsti tenā'dyāpi bhāgīrathīsnānaṃ na jātaṃ tacchrutvā satyajitaṃ viniṃdastvayā bhāgīrathīsnānaṃ na kṛtam ataḥ tvadgṛhe'dya na bhokṣyāmītyuktvā gṛhānnirgatya snānārthaṃ bhāgīrathīṃ gataḥ, tadaiva gaṃgā aṃtarhitā'bhavata, sa yadā jalaṃ nāpaśyattadā kṛtāṃjalirgaṃgāṃ tuṣṭāva, he devi mayā aṇumātro'pyaparādho na kṛtaḥ, me darśanaṃ dehi, anyāyaṃ kṣaṃtumarhasi, iti stutā gaṃgā pratyakṣamūrtyā dvijamāha--he satyajit tvaṃ satyaketugṛhaṃ gatvā taṃ prasādya annaṃ bhuktvā punarāgaccha tadannabhojanena bahavo mokṣaṃ gatāḥ, iti gaṃgāvacaḥ śrutvā satyaketugṛhe bhojanaṃ kṛtvā, tadanujñātaḥ gaṃgāmāgataḥ gaṃgāṃ dṛṣṭvā snānaṃ cakāra evaṃ satyaketuḥ kevalamannadānapuṇyena sadgatiṃ prāpa iti . 2.4.2.43 kaścitsuśarmānāma brāhmaṇaḥ vedavedāṃgapāragaḥ śāṃto jiteṃdriyaḥ sarvayajñakartā dhanī nityadānaparaḥ sarveṣāṃ hite rataḥ purāṇavaktā baṃdhūnāṃ hitakṛt bahuputravān āsīt, sa ca uttare vayasi gṛhabhāraṃ putreṣu samarpya vanaṃ gatvā śrīviṣṇumārādhayan svīyatapasā svargaṃ prāpa, tatraikadā yamadūtaiḥ parājitāndevadūtānprati iṃdraḥ provāca-he dūtāḥ dharmiṣṭhāḥ, mamā''jñayā divaṃ yāṃtu pāpiṣṭhāḥ narakaṃ yāṃtu tatrāpi ye gopradātāraḥ te pāpino'pi divaṃ yāṃtu, godānena pāparāśirnaśyati, etadiṃdravacaḥ śrutvā suśarmā brāhmaṇaḥ svaputrānupadeṣṭumaṃtarikṣamārgeṇa putrānsaṃbodhya provāca - he putrāḥ yūyaṃ yadi svargamīpsatha tadā madvākyādgodānaṃ kartavyaṃ, godānātparamanyaddānaṃ triloke nāstīti uktvā gataḥ, te putrāśca aśarīravācaṃ śrutvā vismitāḥ saṃtaḥ sarve'pi vidhinā gopradānaṃ cakruḥ, tena sadgatiṃ prāptāḥ . > 2.4.2.41 > Regarding Satyaketu, the story is related in the Sāroddhāra: Formerly there was a brahmin named Satyajit, virtuous, free from all desires, and always devoted to pilgrimage: "His mind delights in nothing else; he continually remembers the Gaṅgā. / Highly proficient regarding the Bhāgīrathī, especially so was that great sage." Making pilgrimages, he once went to the city of Viśālā and entered the house of Satyaketu, pointed out by the people. Then Satyaketu, seeing Satyajit afflicted with thirst, seized by hunger, and desiring food, stood up, performed the worship with offering of argha and pādhya, and said: "O best of the twice-born, by your arrival today the purpose of my life has been achieved. The ancestors are satisfied, and the gods have become well pleased. O king among the twice-born, eat the food you desire. When you have eaten, there remains nothing left for me to do; from your darśana there is indeed nothing unattainable." Then Satyajit said: "O Satyaketu, by your service and your words I am satisfied. Moreover, there are many givers of food in the world, yet none has been seen equal to you; you are the best among householders. Have you made a pilgrimage to the Gaṅgā or not?" Then Satyaketu said: "O twice-born, in my house there is no other giver of food to guests; therefore even to this day a ritual ablution in the Bhāgīrathī has not taken place." Hearing that, \[Satyajit\] censured him: "You have not performed a ritual ablution in the Bhāgīrathī; therefore I will not eat in your house today." Having spoken thus, he left the house and went to the Bhāgīrathī for a ritual ablution. At that very moment the Gaṅgā vanished. When he did not see the water, he folded his hands and praised the Gaṅgā: "O goddess, I have not committed even an atom of offense; grant me your darśana, you ought to forgive any wrongdoing." Praised thus, the Gaṅgā spoke to the twice-born in visible form: "O Satyajit, go to the house of Satyaketu, propitiate him, eat his food, and come back. By eating his food many have attained liberation." Hearing this speech of the Gaṅgā, he ate in the house of Satyaketu, and, permitted by him, came to the Gaṅgā, saw the Gaṅgā, and took his ritual ablution. Thus Satyaketu attained the good state solely through the religious merit of giving food. > 2.4.2.43 > There was a certain brahmin named Suśarman, a master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, calm, with senses subdued, a performer of all sacrifices, wealthy, constantly devoted to charity, engaged in the welfare of all, an expounder of the Purāṇas, a benefactor to his kin, and having many sons. In his later years, having entrusted the household burden to his sons, he went to the forest, worshipped Lord Viṣṇu, and by his own austerity reached heaven. There once Indra said to the messengers of the gods who had been defeated by the messengers of Yama: "O messengers, let the righteous go to heaven by my command; let the most sinful go to hell. Even among them, let those who are givers of cows go to heaven though they be sinners; by the gift of a cow a heap of sin is destroyed." Hearing these words of Indra, the brahmin Suśarman, in order to instruct his own sons, addressed his sons through the celestial path and said: "O sons, if you desire heaven, then by my word the gift of a cow must be made; in the three worlds there is no gift higher than the gift of a cow." Having said this, he departed. And his sons, hearing the bodiless voice, were astonished, and all gave cows according to rule; thereby they attained the good state. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.45) 2.4.2.45 puṣkaraviṣaye prasiddhā kathā sāroddhāre - purā naṃdigrāme puṣkaranāmānau dvau brāhmaṇau nivasataḥ tatraikaḥ puṇyātmā, aparaḥ pāpī, athaikadā yamaḥ pāpipuṣkarānayane dūtānājñāpayata, te ca taṃ vihāya puṇyavaṃtaṃ puṣkaramānītavaṃtaḥ, tadā yamaḥ dūtānnirbhartsya bahusaṃmānapūrvakaṃ puṣkaramuvāca-he puṣkara tavā''nayane mamājñā na tvaṃ punargaccha tadā puṣkara uvāca-he yama ahaṃ narakāndraṣṭumicchāmi, yatra pāpibhiryātanā anubhūyaṃte, tato yamadarśitaṃ hāhākāraravākulamatiduḥkhitaṃ nārakīyagaṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā'tisaṃtrasto dayāparaḥ puṣkarastānuvāca--he nārakāḥ pūrvaṃ kimapi na vicāritam adhunā hāhākāreṇa kiṃ prayojanaṃ sarvapāpakṣayakaraṃ bhagavannāmāpi na gṛhītam. nārakā ūcuḥ-he puṣkara tvayoktaṃ satyaṃ kṣaṇaṃ tiṣṭha tavāṃgasparśavāyunā'smākaṃ sukhaṃ bhaviṣyati, tadā etaiḥ kiṃ prayojanaṃ tvaṃ gaccheti yamenoktaḥ puṣkara uvāca-he yama etānamocayitvā'haṃ gaṃtu notsahe ato mayā sarvabhūtātmā bhagavāngoviṃda ārādhitaścettena puṇyena ete nārakā muktā bhavaṃtu evamuktvā goviṃdagoviṃdeti viṣṇornāmasmaraṇamakarot . tadaiva sarve nārakāḥ muktāḥ divyarūpadharāḥ tava kīrtiratulā bhaviṣyatīti puṣkaramuktavaṃto vaikuṃṭhaṃ yayuḥ, puṣkaro'pi yamamāmaṃtrya nāmamahimnaiva paraṃ padaṃ gatavāniti ..45.. > 2.4.2.45 > Regarding Puṣkara, the renowned story is told in the Sāroddhāra: Formerly in the village of Nandigrāma there lived two brahmins named Puṣkara. Among them one was a virtuous soul and the other a sinner. Then once Yama ordered his messengers to bring the sinful Puṣkara. But they, leaving him aside, brought the virtuous Puṣkara. Then Yama, having reprimanded the messengers, with great respect said to Puṣkara: "O Puṣkara, my command was not for your bringing; go back again." Then Puṣkara said: "O Yama, I wish to see the hells where torments are experienced by sinners." Then, having seen the host of hell-dwellers shown by Yama, agitated by cries of distress and exceedingly miserable, Puṣkara, filled with great terror and moved by compassion, said to them: "O hell-dwellers, previously you considered nothing; now what is the use of wailing? You did not even utter the name of the Lord, which destroys all sin." The hell-dwellers said: "O Puṣkara, what you have spoken is true. Stay for a moment; by the wind touching your body we shall have comfort." Then, spoken to by Yama: "What is the use of these \[sinners\]? Go!", Puṣkara said: "O Yama, without having freed them, I do not dare to leave; therefore, if the Lord Govinda, the Self of all beings, has been worshipped by me, then by that merit let these hell-dwellers be liberated!" Having spoken thus, he remembered the name of Viṣṇu, saying, "Govinda, Govinda!" At that very moment all the hell-dwellers were liberated, assumed divine forms, and saying to Puṣkara, "Your fame will be incomparable!", went to Vaikuṇṭha. Puṣkara too, bidding farewell to Yama, went to the highest abode solely through the greatness of the \[divine\] Name. ..45.. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.51) 2.4.2.51 yathā jaḍonāma brāhmaṇaḥ gītādhyāyaśravaṇena mukto'bhūt . atra prasiddhā kathā sāroddhāre-vidarbhanagare kauśikānvayaḥ jaḍonāma brāhmaṇaḥ svadharmaṃ vihāya parastrīgāmī, madyapaścauryakarmarataḥ āsīt .. sa ekadā uttaradiktaḥ cauryeṇā'tīva dhanaṃ gṛhītvā āgacchanmārge tarormūle caurairghātitaḥ, tatastatputraḥ pitaraṃ nityamanveṣayanvārtāmapi nopalabdhavān tataḥ pituḥ pāralaukikaṃ karma kartuṃ saṃbhārāngṛhītvā vārāṇasīṃ gaṃtumupacakra me, mārge saptāṣṭau nivāsānnītvā ekasmiṃstarormūle yatra pūrvaṃ pitā nihataḥ tatra saṃdhyāṃ kṛtvā gītāyāstṛtīyā'dhyāyaṃ jajāpa, tadaiva ghoraśabdaṃ śrutvā ākāśādutpataṃtaṃ vimānavarasaṃsthitaṃ divyarūpavaraṃ pitaraṃ dṛṣṭvā praṇamya vṛttāṃtamapṛcchat . sa ca pitā āha-he putra yadarthaṃ vārāṇasīṃ gaṃtavyaṃ, tatsarvamadya kṛtaṃ; tvaṃ kṛtakāryo'si nivartasya .. gītādhyāyapaṭhanena tvayā'haṃ mocitaḥ, kiṃca-he putra mama bhrātā anye madanvayāśca narakaṃ pratipedire, te sarve tvayā gītāpaṭhanapuṇyadānena mocitavyāḥ, ityutktvā āśiṣaṃ dattvā viṣṇupadaṃ yayau .. putro'pi kālena yamalokaṃ gatvā gītāpāṭhajaṃ puṇyaṃ dattvā nārakīyānmocayitvā svayamapi paraṃ padaṃ yayāviti .. 51 .. > 2.4.2.51 > As a brahmin named Jaḍa was liberated by hearing a chapter of the Gītā. On this matter, there is a well-known story in the Sāroddhāra: In the city of Vidarbha, there was a brahmin of the Kauśika lineage named Jaḍa who, having abandoned his own duty, had relations with other men's wives, drank wine, and was addicted to theft. Once, after acquiring great wealth through theft from the northern region, while returning, he was killed by thieves at the foot of a tree on the path. Then his son, constantly searching for his father, received no news at all. Thereupon, taking supplies to perform the rites for his father's afterlife, he set out to go to Vārāṇasī. Spending seven or eight nights on the path, at the foot of the very tree where his father had previously been killed, having performed the twilight prayers, he recited the third chapter of the Gītā. At that very moment, hearing a terrible sound, he saw his father descending from the sky seated in an excellent aerial chariot, endowed with a divine form. Bowing, he asked him what had happened. And his father said: 'O son, that for the sake of which you had to go to Vārāṇasī has all been accomplished today; your purpose is fulfilled, return! You have liberated me by reciting the chapter of the Gītā. Moreover, O son, my brother and others of my family have fallen into hell; all of them must be liberated by you by giving the merit of reciting the Gītā.' Having said this and given his blessing, he went to the realm of Viṣṇu. The son too, in the course of time, went to the realm of Yama, granted the merit born of reciting the Gītā, liberated the denizens of hell, and himself went to the supreme abode. 51. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.55) 2.4.2.52 atha kārtike śāligrāma śilādānapraśaṃsāmāha-śāligrāmeti .. yathā brāhmaṇī vivāhātpaṃcamadivase bhartṛmaraṇayogena vidhavā jātā, paraṃtu śāligrāmaśilādānena bhartā jīvanaṃ prāpa tena sadhavā jātā, atra prasiddhā kathā sāroddhāre-godātīre kaścidvaiśyaḥ mahāpāparataḥ durācāraḥ āsīta, sa kadācidṛṇagrāhiṇaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ khaḍgenāghātayat, tataḥ maraṇāṃte rauravanarake patitaḥ atha dharmacāronāma tatputraḥ pitrārjitaṃ dhanaṃ yajñadānavratajapatapaiṣṭāpūrtaparopakārādisanmārgeṇa vyayīcakāra, ekadā dharmacāravaiśyagṛhe lomaśamunirāgatya tvaṃ śāligrāmaśilādānapuṇyena pitaraṃ rauravānmocayetyupadideśa, tadā saḥ śilādānaṃ vyarthamiti matvā ṛṣivacanamanādṛtya tūṣṇī sthitaḥ kālena mamāra ca lomaśo'pi tūṣṇīṃ yayau, sa dharmacāravaiśyaḥ śilāyā anādarādvipravākyasya laṃghanānmanvaṃtaraṃ narakayātanāṃ bhuktvā karmaśeṣeṇā'nekapaśuyoniṃ bhuktvā strījanmāni ca bhuktvā ekādaśe janmani yājakabrāhmaṇasya kanyā abhavat, tadā pitā prāptayauvanāṃ kanyāṃ dṛṣṭvā samānakulagotrāya dattvā vivāhamakarot atha tadbhartā paṃcame'hani vamanarogataḥ mṛtaḥ, tadā yājakaḥ jāmātaraṃ mṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmātā kena jīvediti kṣaṇamātraṃ vicārya kārtike śāligrāmasya dānaṃ jīvane kāraṇamiti matvā sulakṣaṇaṃ manoharaṃ śāligrāmaṃ putryā hastena viprāya dāpayāmāsa, tadā tatkṣaṇādeva patiḥ jīvanaṃ prāpaṃ, tataḥ tau daṃpatī cirakālaṃ cikrīḍatuḥ, kālāṃtare sā yājakasutā śālagrāmadānapuṇyena strījanmato vinirmuktā satī viṣṇuyaśonāmakabrāhmaṇajanma labdhvā prativarṣaṃ kārtike śāligrāmadānapuṇyena mokṣaṃ prāpeti .. 55 .. śilādānaprasaṃgena śilālakṣaṇamāha pādme-"cakrāṃkitaṃ hiraṇyāṃgaṃ raśmijālaṃ vinirdiśet .. suvarṇarekhābahulaṃ sphaṭika dyutiśobhitam .. atisnigdhā siddhikarī kṛṣṇā kīrtiṃ dadāti ca .. pāṃḍurā pāpadahanī pītā putraphalapradā .. nīlā prayacchate lakṣmīṃ raktā rogapradāyinī .. rūkṣā udvegajananī vakrā dāridryabhāginī .. ekaṃ sudarśanaṃ jñeyaṃ lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṃ dvayam .. tṛtīyaṃ cā'cyutaṃ vidyāccaturthaṃ tu janārdanam .. paṃcamaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca ṣaṣṭhaṃ pradyumnameva ca .. saṃkarṣaṇaṃ saptamaṃ ca aṣṭamaṃ puruṣottamam .. navamaṃ ca navavyūhaṃ daśamaṃ tu daśātmakam .. ekādaśaṃ cā'niruddhaṃ dvādaśaṃ dvādaśātmakam .. ata ūrdhvaṃ tu cakrāṇi dṛśyaṃte'naṃtasaṃjñake .. khaṃḍite truṭite bhagne śāligrāme na doṣabhāk ..” iti . > 2.4.2.52 > Now he states the praise of the gift of a Śāligrāma stone in the month of Kārtika: 'śāligrāma...' As a brahmin woman became a widow due to the death of her husband on the fifth day after marriage, but through the gift of a Śāligrāma stone her husband regained life, whereby she became a woman whose husband was living. On this matter, there is a well-known story in the Sāroddhāra: On the bank of the Godā\[varī\], there was a certain vaiśya addicted to great sin and of vile conduct. Once he struck with a sword a brahmin who had taken a debt; therefore, at the end of his life, he fell into the Raurava hell. Now his son named Dharmacāra expended the wealth acquired by his father through the virtuous path of sacrifices, gifts, vows, recitations, austerities, public works, beneficence to others, and the like. Once the sage Lomaśa came to the house of the vaiśya Dharmacāra and instructed: 'Liberate your father from Raurava through the merit of gifting a Śāligrāma stone.' Then, thinking that the gift of a stone was useless and disregarding the seer's words, he remained silent; and in time, he died, while Lomaśa also departed in silence. That vaiśya Dharmacāra, from disrespecting the stone and disregarding the brahmin's words, suffered the torments of hell for a manvantara, experienced various animal wombs due to the residue of karma, and experienced births as a woman, and in the eleventh birth became the daughter of a priest-brahmin. Then the father, seeing his daughter arrived at youth, gave her in marriage to one of equal family and lineage. Then her husband died on the fifth day from a vomiting illness. Then the priest, seeing his son-in-law dead, reflecting for a moment, 'By what might the son-in-law live?', and thinking that a gift of a Śāligrāma in Kārtika was the cause for life, caused a handsome Śāligrāma with auspicious marks to be given to a brahmin through the hand of his daughter. Then at that very moment the husband regained life. Then the couple sported for a long time. In the course of time, that daughter of the priest, having become entirely freed from birth as a woman through the merit of gifting a Śāligrāma, and having attained birth as a brahmin named Viṣṇuyaśas, attained liberation every year in Kārtika through the merit of gifting a Śāligrāma. 55. In connection with the gift of the stone, he states the characteristics of the stone from the Padma Purāṇa: 'One should indicate \[a stone\] marked with discs, having gold in its body, with a network of rays, full of streaks of gold, adorned with the luster of crystal. / An extremely smooth one brings accomplishment, and a black one grants fame; / a pale one burns sins, a yellow one grants the fruit of sons; / a blue one bestows fortune, a red one produces disease; / a rough one generates agitation, a crooked one partakes of poverty. / One \[disc\] is to be known as Sudarśana; two as Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa; / one should know three as Acyuta, and four indeed as Janārdana; / the fifth as Vāsudeva, and the sixth as Pradyumna; / the seventh as Saṃkarṣaṇa, and the eighth as Puruṣottama; / the ninth as Navavyūha, and the tenth having the nature of ten; / the eleventh as Aniruddha, and the twelfth having the nature of twelve; / above that, discs seen \[on a stone\] are called Ananta. / When a Śāligrāma is fractured, cracked, or broken, it incurs no defect.'" > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.55\_111](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.55_111) 2.4.2.55 yathā brāhmaṇī vivāhātpaṃcamadivase bhartṛmaraṇayogena vidhavā jātā, paraṃtu śāligrāmaśilādānena bhartā jīvanaṃ prāpa tena sadhavā jātā, atra prasiddhā kathā sāroddhāre - godātīre kaścidvaiśyaḥ mahāpāparataḥ durācāraḥ āsīt, sa kadācidṛṇagrāhiṇaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ khaḍgenāghātayat, tataḥ maraṇāṃte rauravanarake patitaḥ atha dharmacāronāma tatputraḥ pitrārjitaṃ dhanaṃ yajñadānavratajapatapaiṣṭāpūrtaparopakārādisanmārgeṇa vyayīcakāra, ekadā dharmacāravaiśyagṛhe lomaśamunirāgatya tvaṃ śāligrāmaśilādānapuṇyena pitaraṃ rauravānmocayetyupadideśa, tadā saḥ śilādānaṃ vyarthamiti matvā ṛṣivacanamanādṛtya tūṣṇīṃ sthitaḥ kālena mamāra ca lomaśo'pi tūṣṇīṃ yayau, sa dharmacāravaiśyaḥ śilāyā anādarādvipravākyasya laṃghanānmanvaṃtaraṃ narakayātanāṃ bhuktvā karmaśeṣeṇā'nekapaśuyoniṃ bhuktvā strījanmāni ca bhuktvā ekādaśe janmani yājakabrāhmaṇasya kanyā abhavat, tadā pitā prāptayauvanāṃ kanyāṃ dṛṣṭvā samānakulagotrāya dattvā vivāhamakarot atha tadbhartā paṃcame'hani vamanarogataḥ mṛtaḥ, tadā yājakaḥ jāmātaraṃ mṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmātā kena jīvaditi kṣaṇamātraṃ vicārya kārtike śāligrāmasya dānaṃ jīvane kāraṇamiti matvā sulakṣaṇaṃ manoharaṃ śāligrāmaṃ putryā hastena viprāya dāpayāmāsa, tadā tatkṣaṇādeva patiḥ jīvanaṃ prāpaṃ, tataḥ tau daṃpatī cirakālaṃ cikrīḍatuḥ, kālāṃtare sā yājakasutā śālagrāmadānapuṇyena strījanmato vinirmuktā satī viṣṇuyaśonāmakabrāhmaṇajanma labdhvā prativarṣaṃ kārtike śāligrāmadānapuṇyena mokṣaṃ prāpeti .. 55 .. > 2.4.2.55 > Just as a brahmin woman became a widow on the fifth day after her wedding through the death of her husband, yet through the gift of a śāligrāma stone her husband regained life and thereby she became one whose husband is alive. Here the well-known story in the Sāroddhāra is told: On the bank of the Godāvarī there was a certain vaiśya addicted to great sin and of vile conduct. Once he struck with a sword a brahmin who had taken a debt; therefore, at the end of his life, he fell into the Raurava hell. Then his son, named Dharmacāra, spent the wealth earned by his father on good paths such as sacrifices, gifts, vows, recitation, austerities, public works, and benevolence. Once the sage Lomaśa came to the house of the vaiśya Dharmacāra and instructed him: 'Through the religious merit of giving a śāligrāma stone, release your father from Raurava.' Then, thinking the gift of a stone to be useless and disregarding the ṛṣi's words, he remained silent, and in time he died; Lomaśa too departed silently. That vaiśya Dharmacāra, because of his disrespect for the stone and transgression of the sage's word, endured the torments of hell for a manvantara; by the residue of his karma, having passed through many animal wombs and female births, in his eleventh birth he became the daughter of a priest brahmin. Then the father, seeing his daughter having reached youth, gave her in marriage to one of equal lineage and family. Then her husband died on the fifth day of a vomiting illness. Then the priest, seeing his son-in-law dead, thought for a mere moment: 'By what means might the son-in-law live?' Considering that the gift of a śāligrāma in the month of Kārtika would be the cause of life, he caused a śāligrāma of auspicious marks and charming appearance to be given to a brahmin through the hand of his daughter. Then at that very moment the husband regained life; thereupon the couple sported for a long time. In the course of time, that priest's daughter, freed from female birth by the religious merit of gifting a śāligrāma and having obtained birth as a brahmin named Viṣṇuyaśas, attained liberation through the merit of gifting a śāligrāma every year in Kārtika. 55. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ### [2.4.2.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2.56) 2.4.2.56 śilādānaprasaṃgena śilālakṣaṇamāhapādme-"cakrāṃkitaṃ hiraṇyāṃgaṃ raśmijālaṃ vinirdiśet .. suvarṇarekhābahulaṃ sphāṭikadyutiśobhitam .. atisnigdhā siddhikarī kṛṣṇā kīrtiṃ dadāti ca .. pāṃḍurā pāpadahanī pītā putraphalapradā .. nīlā prayacchate lakṣmīṃ raktā rogapradāyinī .. rūkṣā udvegajananī vakrā dāridryabhāginī .. ekaṃ sudarśanaṃ jñeyaṃ lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṃ dvayam .. tṛtīyaṃ cā'cyutaṃ vidyāccaturthaṃ tu janārdanam .. paṃcamaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca ṣaṣṭhaṃ pradyumnameva ca .. saṃkarṣaṇaṃ saptamaṃ ca aṣṭamaṃ puruṣottamam .. navamaṃ ca navavyūhaṃ daśamaṃ tu daśātmakam .. ekādaśaṃ cā'niruddhaṃ dvādaśaṃ dvādaśātmakam .. ata ūrdhvaṃ tu cakrāṇi dṛśyate'naṃtasaṃjñake .. khaṃḍite truṭite bhagne śāligrāme na doṣabhāk ..” iti . evaṃ dāmodarādimūrtīnāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ vartate graṃthavistarabhayānnocyate iti .. 56 .. > 2.4.2.56 > In connection with the gift of the stone, the characteristics of the stone are stated in the Padma Purāṇa: 'One should indicate it as marked with a disc, having golden parts, and possessor of a net of rays; abundant in golden streaks, and beautified with the lustre of crystal. An extremely glossy one brings perfection, and a black one bestows renown; / a pale white one burns sins, a yellow one grants the fruit of sons; / a blue one bestows fortune, a red one gives disease; / a dry, rough one causes agitation, a crooked one brings poverty. One disc should be known as Sudarśana, two as Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa; / a third one should know as Acyuta, and a fourth as Janārdana; / the fifth as Vāsudeva, and the sixth as Pradyumna; / the seventh as Saṃkarṣaṇa, and the eighth as Puruṣottama; / the ninth as Navavyūha, and the tenth as Daśātman; / the eleventh as Aniruddha, and the twelfth as Dvādaśātman; / above that, when discs are seen, it is called Ananta. Even if chipped, broken, or cracked, a śāligrāma brings no fault.' Thus are the characteristics of the forms of Dāmodara and others, which are not stated here for fear of lengthening the text. 56. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.2.4.2.p1) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (7) - [Mantrakośa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.sampradaya.general.mantrakosa.mantrakosa.1.158) — Āśādityatripāṭhin, Sanskrit - [Rāmārcanacandrikā (Ānandavanayati)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.pratistha.vaisnava.ramarcanacandrika-anandavanayati.133) — Ānandavanayati, Sanskrit - [Nityācārapradīpa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.acara.ahnika.nityacarapradipa.10.p194) — Narasiṃha Vājapeyin, Sanskrit - [Nirṇayasindhu](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.nibandha.nirnaya.nirnayasindhu.24.3-3) — Kamalākarabhaṭṭa 1612, Sanskrit - [Smṛtikaustubha](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.nibandha.mahanibandha.smrtikaustubha.12.p1.3) — Anantadeva 1638, Sanskrit - [Saṃvatsaradīdhiti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.kala.varsakrtya.samvatsaradidhiti.9.p1.3) — Anantadeva 1650, Sanskrit - [Abdadīdhiti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.nibandha.krtya.abdadidhiti.4.p27) — Anantadeva 1645, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.2.4.2) · Pramāṇa