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# Skandapurana 3.3.17

Skandapurāṇa 3.3.17

- **Language:** Sanskrit

### [3.3.17.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.1)

.. ṛṣaya ūcuḥ .. ..

> The seers said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.2)

vedavedāṃgatattvajñairgurubhirbrahmavādibhiḥ ..

> When instruction is given to men by gurus who know the truth of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.3)

nṛṇāṃ kṛtopadeśānāṃ sadyaḥ siddhirhi jāyate..1..

> who proclaim the ultimate reality, success is indeed achieved instantly.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.4)

athānyajanasāmānyairgurubhirnītikovidaiḥ..

> Now, when instruction is given to men by gurus who are ordinary people,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.5)

nṛṇāṃ kṛtopadeśānāṃ siddhirbhavati kīdṛśī .. 2 ..

> merely skilled in worldly conduct, what kind of success comes to be?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.6)

.. .. sūta uvāca .. ..

> Sūta said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.7)

śraddhaiva sarvadharmasya cātīva hitakāriṇī ..

> Faith alone is exceedingly beneficial to all religious duty;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.8)

śraddhayaiva nṛṇāṃ siddhirjāyate lokayordvayoḥ .. 3 ..

> by faith alone do men attain success in both worlds.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.9)

śraddhayā bhajataḥ puṃsaḥ śilāpi phaladāyinī ..

> To a person who worships with faith, even a stone yields fruit;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.10)

mūrkho'pi pūjito bhaktyā gururbhavati siddhidaḥ .. 4 ..

> even a fool, when venerated with devotion as a guru, becomes a granter of success.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.11)

śraddhayā paṭhito mantrastvabaddhopi phalapradaḥ ..

> A mantra recited with faith, even if incorrectly composed, yields fruit;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.12)

śraddhayā pūjito devo nīcasyāpi phalapradaḥ .. 6. ..

> a deity worshiped with faith yields fruit even to a low-born man.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.13)

aśraddhayā kṛtā pūjā dānaṃ yajñastapo vratam ..

> Worship, gifting, sacrifice, austerity, and vow performed without faith—  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.14)

sarvaṃ niṣphalatāṃ yāti puṣpaṃ vandhyata roriva .. 6 ..

> all goes to fruitlessness, like a flower on a barren tree.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.15)

sarvatra saṃśayāviṣṭaḥ śraddhāhīno'ticaṃcalaḥ ..

> Filled with doubt on every side, devoid of faith, and excessively fickle,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.16)

paramārthātparibhraṣṭaḥ saṃsṛterna hi mucyate .. 7 ..

> fallen away from the supreme goal, he is never freed from worldly existence.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.17)

mantre tīrthe dvije deve daivajñe bheṣaje gurau ..

> In a mantra, a sacred ford, a twice-born, a deity, an astrologer, medicine, and a guru,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.18)

yādṛśī bhāvanā yatra siddhirbhavati tādṛśī .. 8 ..

> whatever disposition \[one has\] toward it, of such kind is the success that ensues.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.19)

ato bhāvamayaṃ viśvaṃ puṇyaṃ pāpaṃ ca bhāvataḥ ..

> Therefore, the universe consists of disposition; merit and sin proceed from disposition;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.20)

te ubhe bhāvahīnasya na bhavetāṃ kadācana .. 9 ..

> neither of those two can ever exist for one devoid of disposition.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.21)

atredaṃ paramāścaryamākhyānamanuvarṇyate ..

> In this connection, a most wondrous tale is recounted,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.22)

aśraddhā sarvamartyānāṃ yena sadyo nivartate .. 3.3.17.10 ..

> by which the lack of faith of all mortals is instantly dispelled.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.23)

āsītpāṃcālarājasya siṃhaketuriti śrutaḥ ..

> There was a son of the king of Pāñcāla, renowned as Siṃhaketu,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.24)

putraḥ sarvaguṇopetaḥ kṣātradharmarataḥ sadā .. 11 ..

> endowed with every good quality, always devoted to the duty of the warrior class.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.25)

sa ekadā katipayairbhṛtyairyukto mahābalaḥ ..

> Once, accompanied by a few servants, that mighty prince  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.26)

jagāma mṛgayāhetorbahu sattvānvitaṃ vanam .. 12 ..

> went for a hunt into a forest teeming with wild animals.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.27)

tadbhṛtyaḥ śabaraḥ kaścidvicaranmṛgayāṃ vane ..

> A certain hunter, his servant, roving about in the forest on the hunt,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.28)

dadarśa jīrṇaṃ sphuṭitaṃ patitaṃ devatālayam .. 13 ..

> saw an ancient, cracked, and ruined temple of a deity.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.29)

tatrāpaśyadbhinnapīṭhaṃ patitaṃ sthaṃḍilopari ..

> There he saw, fallen upon bare ground with its pedestal broken,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.30)

śivaliṃṅgamṛjuṃ sūkṣmaṃ mūrtaṃ bhāgyamivātmanaḥ .. 14 ..

> a straight, fine Śiva-liṅga, like his own good fortune personified.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.31)

sa samādāya vegena pūrvakarmapracoditaḥ ..

> Swiftly picking it up, impelled by deeds from previous lives,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.32)

tasmai saṃdarśayāmāsa rāja putrāya dhīmate .. 15 ..

> he showed it to that wise prince:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.33)

paśyedaṃ ruciraṃ liṃgaṃ mayā dṛṣṭamiha prabho ..

> “See this delightful liṅga that I have found here, my lord!  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.34)

tadetatpūjayiṣyāmi yathāvibhavamādarāt .. 16 ..

> Therefore, I shall worship it respectfully according to my means.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.35)

asya pūjāvidhiṃ brūhi yathā devo maheśvaraḥ ..

> Tell me the procedure for its worship, so that the god Maheśvara,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.36)

amaṃtrajñaiśca mantrajñaiḥ prīto bhavati pūjitaḥ .. 17 ..

> worshiped both by those ignorant of mantras and those knowing mantras, becomes pleased.”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.37)

iti tena niṣādena pṛṣṭaḥ pārthivanaṃdanaḥ ..

> Thus questioned by that hunter, the prince,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.38)

pratyuvāca prahasyainaṃ parihāsa vicakṣaṇaḥ .. 18 ..

> expert in mockery, laughed and answered him:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.39)

saṃkalpena sadā kuryādabhiṣekaṃ navāṃbhasā ..

> “One should always perform the bath through mental resolve with fresh water.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.40)

upaveśyāsane śuddhe śubhairgaṃdhākṣatairnavaiḥ ..

> Having seated \[it\] upon a pure seat, with auspicious, fresh perfumes and unbroken rice grains,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.41)

vanyaiḥ patraiśca kusumairdhūpairdīpaiśca pūjayeta .. .. 19 ..

> and with wild leaves, blossoms, incenses, and lamps, one should worship \[it\].  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.42](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.42)

citābhasmopahāraṃ ca prathamaṃ parikalpayet ..

> And one should first arrange an offering of funeral-pyre ash;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.43](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.43)

ātmopabhogyenānnena naivadyaṃ kalpayedbudhaḥ .. 3.3.17.20 ..

> the wise man should provide a food offering with food that he himself eats.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.44)

punaśca dhūpadīpādīnupacārānprakalpet ..

> And once again one should arrange services such as incense and lamps;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.45)

nṛtyavāditragītādīnyathāvatparikalpayet .. 21 ..

> one should properly arrange dances, instrumental music, songs, and the like.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.46)

namaskṛtvā tu vidhivatprasādaṃ dhārayedbudhaḥ ..

> Then, having bowed down according to the rules, the wise man should take the prasāda.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.47)

eṣa sādhāraṇaḥ proktaḥ śivapūjāvidhistava .. .. 22 ..

> This has been declared to you as the general rule for worshiping Śiva.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.48)

citābhasmopahāreṇa sadyastuṣyati śaṃkaraḥ .. 23 ..

> Śaṃkara is instantly pleased by an offering of funeral-pyre ash.”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.49)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..

> Sūta said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.50](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.50)

parihāsarasenetthaṃ śāsitaḥ svāminā'munā ..

> Having been instructed in this manner in a spirit of jest by his master,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.51)

sa caṃḍakākhyaḥ śabaro mūrdhnā jagrāha tadvacaḥ .. 24 ..

> And that Śabara named Caṇḍaka accepted his instruction upon his head.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.52](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.52)

tataḥ svabhavanaṃ prāpya liṃgamūrti maheśvaram ..

> Then, having returned to his dwelling, he worshipped Maheśvara in the form of a liṅga,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.53](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.53)

pratyahaṃ pūjayāmāsa citābhasmopahārakṛt .. 25 ..

> every day offering the ashes of funeral pyres as a present.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.54](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.54)

yaccātmanaḥ priyaṃ vastu gandhapuṣpākṣatādikam ..

> And whatever thing was pleasing to himself—sandalwood paste, flowers, unhusked barley grains, and so forth—  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.55)

nivedya śaṃbhave nityamupāyuṃkta tataḥ svayam .. 26 ..

> he daily offered to Śambhu, and only then enjoyed it himself.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.56)

evaṃ maheśvaraṃ bhaktyā saha patnyābhyapūjayat ..

> Thus, with devotion, together with his wife, he worshipped Maheśvara;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.57](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.57)

śabaraḥ sukhamāsādya nināya katicitsamāḥ .. 27 ..

> having attained happiness, the Śabara spent several years \[in this way\].  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.58)

ekadā śivapūjāyai pravṛttaḥ śabarottamaḥ ..

> Once, when that excellent Śabara set about to perform the worship of Śiva,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.59)

na dadarśa citābhasma pātre pūritamaṇvapi .. 28 ..

> he did not see even a particle of pyre-ashes filling the vessel.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.60)

athāsau tvarito dūramanviṣyanparito bhraman ..

> Then, in haste, searching far away and wandering all around,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.61](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.61)

na labdhavāṃścitābhasma śrāṃto gṛhamagātpunaḥ .. 29 ..

> he found no pyre-ashes; weary, he returned home once more.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.62](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.62)

tata āhūya patnīṃ svāṃ śabaro vākyamabravīt ..

> Then, having called his wife, the Śabara spoke these words:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.63)

na labdhaṃ me citābhasma kiṃ karomi vada priye ..3.3.17.30..

> “I have found no pyre-ashes. Tell me, beloved, what shall I do?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.64)

śivapūjāṃtarāyo me jātodya bata pāpmanaḥ ..

> Alas, an obstacle to the worship of Śiva has arisen today for me, a sinner!  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.65](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.65)

pūjāṃ vinā kṣaṇamapi nāhaṃ jīvitumutsahe ..31..

> Without that worship, I cannot bear to live even for a moment.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.66)

upāyaṃ nātra paśyāmi pūjopakaraṇe hate ..

> I see no means here, when the implement for worship is ruined;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.67](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.67)

na gurośca vihanyeta śāsanaṃ sakalārthadam .. 32 ..

> nor should the command of the guru, which grants all aims, be violated.”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.68)

iti vyākulitaṃ dṛṣṭvā bharttāraṃ śabarāṃganā ..

> Seeing her husband thus distressed, the Śabara woman  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.69](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.69)

pratyabhāṣata mā bhaistvamupāyaṃ pravadāmi te .. 33 ..

> replied: “Do not fear; I will tell you a means.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.70](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.70)

idameva gṛhaṃ dagdhvā bahukālopabṛṃhitam ..

> Burning this very house, accumulated over a long time,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.71)

ahamagniṃ pravekṣyāmi citābhasma bhavettataḥ .. 34 ..

> I will enter the fire; from that, pyre-ashes will come to be.”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.72](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.72)

.. śabara uvāca .. ..

> The Śabara said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.73](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.73)

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ dehaḥ paramasādhanam ..

> “The body is the supreme instrument for virtue, wealth, pleasure, and liberation.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.74](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.74)

kathaṃ tyajasi taṃ dehaṃ sukhārthaṃ navayauvanam .. 35 ..

> How can you abandon that body, possessing fresh youth, meant for happiness?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.75](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.75)

adhunā tvanapatyā tvamabhuktaviṣayāsavā ..

> Now you are childless, not having enjoyed the nectar of sense-objects;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.76](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.76)

bhogayogyamimaṃ dehaṃ kathaṃ dagdhumihecchasi .. 36 ..

> how can you desire here to burn this body, fit for enjoyment?”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.77](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.77)

.. śabaryuvāca .. ..

> The Śabarī said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.78](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.78)

etāvadeva sāphalyaṃ jīvitasya ca janmanaḥ ..

> “Only this is the fruition of life and birth:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.79](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.79)

parārthe yastyajetprāṇāñchivārthe kimuta svayam .. 37 ..

> that one should abandon one's life-breaths for the sake of another—how much more for the sake of Śiva himself?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.80](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.80)

kiṃ nu taptaṃ tapo ghoraṃ kiṃ vā dattaṃ mayā purā ..

> What terrible austerity did I perform, or what did I give in the past,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.81)

kiṃ vārcanaṃ kṛtaṃ śaṃbhoḥ pūrvajanmaśatāṃtare .. 38 ..

> or what worship of Śambhu was performed over a hundred past births,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.82](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.82)

kiṃ vā puṇyaṃ mama pituḥ kā vā mātuḥ kṛtārthatā ..

> or what merit was my father's, and what fulfillment was my mother's,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.83)

yacchivārthe samiddhe'gnau tyajāmyetatkalevaram .. 39 ..

> that for the sake of Śiva I may abandon this body in the kindled fire?”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.84)

itthaṃ sthirāṃ matiṃ dṛṣṭvā tasyā bhaktiṃ ca śaṃkare ..

> Seeing her mind thus resolute and her devotion to Śaṃkara,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.85)

tatheti dṛḍhasaṃkalpaḥ śabaraḥ pratyapūjayat .. 3.3.17.40 ..

> the Śabara, firm in resolve, honored \[her proposal\], saying: “So be it.”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.86](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.86)

sā bharttāramanuprāpya snātvā śuciralaṃkṛtā ..

> Having approached her husband, bathed, pure and adorned,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.87](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.87)

gṛhamādīpya taṃ vahniṃ bhaktyā cakre pradakṣiṇam .. 41 ..

> having set fire to the house, she circumambulated that blaze with devotion.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.88](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.88)

namaskṛtvātmagurave dhyātvā hṛdi sadāśivam ..

> Bowing to her own guru and meditating upon Sadāśiva in her heart,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.89](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.89)

agnipraveśābhimukhī kṛtāṃjaliridaṃ jagau .. 42 ..

> facing to enter the fire, she sang this with folded hands:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.90](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.90)

.. śabaryuvāca .. ..

> The Śabarī said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.91)

puṣpāṇi saṃtu tava deva mameṃdriyāṇi dhūpo'gururvapuridaṃ hṛdayaṃ pradīpaḥ ..

> “O Lord, let my senses be your flowers, this body fragrant aloe-incense, and my heart the lamp;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.92](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.92)

prāṇā havīṃṣi karaṇāni tavākṣatāśca pūjāphalaṃ vrajatu sāṃpratameṣa jīvaḥ .. 43 ..

> let my life-breaths be the oblations, and your organs of action the unhusked grains; let this soul now attain the fruit of worship!  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.93](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.93)

vāṃchāmi nāhamapi sarvadhanādhipatyaṃ na svargabhūmimacalāṃ na padaṃ vidhātuḥ ..

> I do not desire dominion over all wealth, nor the immovable realm of heaven, nor the state of the Creator;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.94](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.94)

bhūyo bhavāmi yadi janmanijanmani syāṃ tvatpādapaṃkajalasanmakaraṃdabhṛṃgī .. 44 ..

> if I am born again and again, birth after birth, may I be a female bee for the nectar glistening upon your lotus feet!  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.95](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.95)

janmāni saṃtu mama deva śatādhikāni māyā na me vi śatu cittamabodhahetuḥ ..

> Let there be more than a hundred births for me, O Lord, \[so long as\] delusion, the cause of ignorance, does not enter my mind;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.96](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.96)

kiṃcitkṣaṇārdhamapi te caraṇāravindānnāpaitu me hṛdayamīśa namonamaste ..45..

> may my heart not depart even for half a moment from your lotus feet, O Lord! Homage, homage to you!”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.97](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.97)

iti prasādya deveśaṃ śabarī dṛḍhaniścayā ..

> Having thus propitiated the Lord of gods, the Śabarī, firm in resolve,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.98](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.98)

viveśa jvalitaṃ vahniṃ bhasmasādabhavatkṣaṇāt .. 46 ..

> entered the blazing fire and in an instant was reduced to ashes.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.99](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.99)

śabaropi ca tadbhasma yatnena parigṛhya saḥ ..

> The Śabara also, having carefully taken those ashes,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.100](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.100)

cakre dagdhagṛhopānte śivapūjāṃ samāhitaḥ .. 46 ..

> collected in mind, performed the worship of Śiva beside the burned house.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.101](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.101)

atha sasmāra pūjāṃte prasādagrahaṇocitām ..

> Then, at the end of the worship, he remembered his beloved, who was accustomed to receiving the prasāda,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.102](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.102)

dayitāṃ nityamāyāṃtīṃ prāṃjaliṃ vinayānvitām .. 48 ..

> who always used to come with folded hands, endowed with humility.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.103](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.103)

smṛtamātrāṃ tadāpaśyadāgatāṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ sthitām ..

> As soon as she was remembered, he then saw her, arrived and standing behind him,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.104](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.104)

pūrveṇāvayavenaiva bhaktinamrāṃ śucismitām .. 49 ..

> with her former limbs, bowed in devotion, smiling purely.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.105](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.105)

tāṃ vīkṣya śabaraḥ patnīṃ pūrvavatprāṃjaliṃ sthitām ..

> Beholding that wife, the Śabara saw her standing with folded hands as before,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.106](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.106)

bhasmāvaśeṣitagṛhaṃ yathāpūrvamavasthitam ... .. 3.3.17.50 ..

> and the house that had been reduced to ashes standing just as before.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.107](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.107)

agnirdahati tejobhiḥ sūryo dahati raśmibhiḥ ..

> “Fire burns with radiance; the sun burns with rays;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.108](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.108)

rājā dahati daṃḍena brāhmaṇo manasā dahet .. 51 ..

> a king burns with punishment; a brahmin may burn with the mind.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.109](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.109)

kimayaṃ svapna āhosvitkiṃ vā māyā bhramātmikā ..

> Is this a dream, or is it an illusion of a deceptive nature?”  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.110](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.110)

iti vismayasaṃbhrātastāṃ bhūyaḥ paryapṛcchata .. 52 ..

> Thus bewildered with astonishment, he questioned her again.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.111](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.111)

api tvaṃ ca kathaṃ prāptā bhasmabhūtāsi pāvake ..

> "And how did you arrive here, having been reduced to ashes in the fire?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.112](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.112)

dagdhaṃ ca bhavanaṃ bhūyaḥ kathaṃ pūrva vadāsthitam .. 53 ..

> And how is the house, which was burned, standing again as before?"  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.113](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.113)

.. śabaryuvāca .. ..

> The Śabarī said:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.114](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.114)

yadā gṛhaṃ samuddīpya praviṣṭāhaṃ hutāśane ..

> "When, having set the house ablaze, I entered the fire,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.115](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.115)

tadātmānaṃ na jānāmi na paśyāmi hutāśanam .. 54 ..

> then I did not feel myself, nor did I see the fire.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.116](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.116)

na tāpaleśopyāsīnme praviṣṭāyā ivodakam ..

> There was not even a speck of heat for me, as if I had entered water.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.117](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.117)

suṣupteva kṣaṇārdhena prabuddhāsmi punaḥ kṣaṇāt .. 55 ..

> As if asleep for half a moment, I woke up again in a moment.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.118](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.118)

tāvadbhavanamadrākṣamadagdhamiva susthitam ..

> Then I saw the house standing firmly, as if unburned.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.119](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.119)

adhunā devapūjāṃte prasādaṃ labdhumāgatā .. 56 ..

> Now I have come to receive the prasāda at the conclusion of your worship of the god."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.120](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.120)

evaṃ parasparaṃ premṇā daṃpatyorbhāṣamāṇayoḥ ..

> While the husband and wife were thus speaking to each other with love,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.121](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.121)

prādurāsīttayoragre vimānaṃ divyamadbhutam .. 57 ..

> a wonderful celestial vimāna appeared before them.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.122](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.122)

tasminvimāne śatacandrabhāsvare catvāra īśānucarāḥ puraḥsarāḥ ..

> On that vimāna, radiant as a hundred moons, four leaders, attendants of Īśa,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.123](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.123)

haste gṛhītvātha niṣādadaṃpatī āropayāmāsuramuktavigrahau .. 58 ..

> took the Niṣāda husband and wife by the hand and placed them on board without relinquishing their bodies.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.124](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.124)

tayorniṣādadaṃpatyostatkṣaṇādeva tadvapuḥ ..

> At that very instant, the body of that Niṣāda husband and wife,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.125](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.125)

śivadūtakarasparśāttatsārūpyamavāpa ha .. 59 ..

> from the touch of the Śivadūtas' hands, attained conformity of form with him.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.126](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.126)

tasmācchraddhaiva sarveṣu vidheyā puṇyakarmasu ..

> Therefore, faith alone should be cultivated in all meritorious deeds.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.127](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.127)

nīcopi śabaraḥ prāpa śraddhayā yogināṃ gatim .. 3.3.17.60 ..

> Even a low-born Śabara attained the state of yogins through faith.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.128](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.128)

kiṃ janmanā sakalavarṇajanottamena kiṃ vidyayā sakalaśāstravicāravatyā ..

> What is the use of birth that is highest among all castes? What is the use of learning that analyzes all scriptures?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.129](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.129)

yasyāsti cetasi sadā parameśabhaktiḥ ko'nyastatastribhuvane puruṣosti dhanyaḥ .. 61 ..

> He in whose heart there is always devotion to the Supreme Lord—what other man in the three worlds is blessed compared to him?  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [3.3.17.130](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17.130)

iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ tṛtīye brahmottarakhaṇḍe bhasmamāhātmyavarṇanaṃ nāma saptadaśo'dhyāyaḥ .. 17 ..

> Thus ends the seventeenth chapter, named 'The Description of the Greatness of Holy Ashes', in the Brahmottarakhaṇḍa in the third part of the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, consisting of eighty-one thousand verses.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

## Translations (1)

- [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.3.3.17.1) — English, machine translation

## Linked texts (1)

- [Southern recension](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.simhasana*southern.2.3) — Sanskrit

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Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.3.3.17) · Pramāṇa