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# Skandapurana 5.21

Skandapurāṇa 5.21

- **Language:** Sanskrit

### [5.21.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.1)

.. brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ .. ..  
mārkaṃḍena kadā tatra sthāpitaḥ prapitāmahaḥ ..  
kasminsthāne kṛtastena svāśramo muninā vada .. 1 ..

> The brahmins said: / “When was the Great-Grandfather established there by Mārkaṇḍa? / In what place was his own hermitage made by that sage? Tell \[us\].” (1)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.2)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..  
mṛkaṇḍākhyo dvijaśreṣṭha āsīdvedavidāṃ varaḥ ..  
camatkārapurābhyāśevānaprasyāśrame sthitaḥ .. 2 ..

> Sūta said: / “There was an excellent brahmin named Mṛkaṇḍa, foremost among knowers of the Veda, / who dwelt in a forest-hermit's hermitage near Camatkārapura. (2)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.3)

śāṃtātmā niyamopetaścakāra sumahattapaḥ ..  
tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya vānaprasthasya cāśrame .. 3 ..

> Tranquil in soul and observing restraints, he performed very great austerity. / As he was thus abiding in that forest-hermit's hermitage, (3)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.4)

paścime vayasi prāpte putro jajñe suśobhanaḥ ..  
sarvalakṣaṇasaṃpūrṇaḥ pūrṇacaṃdrasamaprabhaḥ .. 4 ..

> when his final years arrived, a very handsome son was born \[to him\], / endowed with all auspicious marks, radiant as the full moon. (4)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.5)

mārkaṃḍa iti nāmā'tha tasya cakre pitā svayam ..  
so'tīva vavṛdhe bālastasminnāśrama uttame..5..

> The father himself then gave him the name Mārkaṇḍa. / That boy grew exceedingly in that excellent hermitage, (5)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.6)

śuklapakṣaṃ samāsādya tārāpatirivāṃbare..  
vardhamānasya tasyaivamatītāḥ paṃca vatsarāḥ..  
bālakrīḍāprasaktasya piturutsaṅgavartinaḥ..6..

> like the lord of the stars in the sky when the bright fortnight arrives. / While he was thus growing, five years passed / as he remained intent on childish play and sat on his father's lap. (6)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.7)

kasyacittvatha kālasya kaścittatra samāgataḥ..  
sāmudrikasya kṛtsnasya vettā jñānavidhānabhū\_..7..

> Then, after some time, a certain person arrived there / who was a master of the entire science of bodily marks and an abode of knowledge and rules. (7)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.8)

sa taṃ śiśuṃ samālokya nakhāgrānmūrddhajāvadhim..  
vismayotphullanayana īṣaddhāsyamathā'karot .. 8 ..

> Looking at that child from the tips of his nails to the ends of his hair, / his eyes opened wide with astonishment, and he gave a slight smile. (8)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.9)

mṛkaṃḍo'pi samālokya jñāninaṃ sasmitānanam ..  
papraccha vinayopetaḥ kiṃcittuṣṭena cetasā .. .. 9 ..

> Seeing the wise man with a smiling face, Mṛkaṇḍa too, / endowed with modesty and with a somewhat pleased heart, inquired: (9)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.10)

.. mṛkaṇḍa uvāca .. ..  
kasmāttvaṃ vipraśārdūla vīkṣyemaṃ mama dārakam ..  
suciraṃ vismayāviṣṭastato'bhūḥ sasmitānanaḥ .. 6.21.10 ..

> Mṛkaṇḍa said: / “Why, O tiger among brahmins, having gazed at this child of mine, / were you seized with astonishment for a long time, and then wore a smiling face?” (10)  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.11)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..  
asakṛttena saṃpṛṣṭaḥ sakṛdbrāhmaṇasattamaḥ ..  
tataśca kathayāmāsa hāsyakāraṇameva hi .. 11 ..

> Sūta said: / Questioned repeatedly by him, that best of brahmins / then told the very cause of his laughter. // 11  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.12)

.. brāhmaṇa uvāca .. ..  
lakṣaṇāni śiśorasya dṛśyaṃte yāni sanmune ..  
gātrasthāni bhavetsatyaṃ taiḥ pumānajarāmaraḥ .. 12 ..

> The brahmin said: / "O noble sage, by the bodily marks / seen on this child, a man would truly become free from old age and death. // 12  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.13)

asya bhāvi punaścā'smāddivasānnidhanaṃ śiśoḥ ..  
ṣaḍbhirmāsairna sandehaḥ satyametanmayoditam .. 13 ..

> Yet the death of this child will come six months from this day; / there is no doubt: what I have spoken is true. // 13  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.14)

evaṃ jñātvā dvijaśreṣṭha kuruṣvā'sya hitaṃ ca yat ..  
iha loke pare caiva bālakasya mamā''jñayā .. 14 ..

> Knowing this, O best of the twice-born, by my instruction / do what is beneficial for the boy in this world and the next." // 14  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.15)

evamuktvā sa vipreṃdro jagāmā'bhīpsitāṃ diśam ..  
mṛkaṇḍo'pi tatastasya cakre mauṃjīnibandhanam .. 15 ..

> Having spoken thus, that foremost brahmin went to his desired quarter. / Mṛkaṇḍu also then performed the tying of the muñja girdle for him. // 15  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.16)

akāle'pi kumārasya kiṃciddhyātvā nije hṛdi ..  
kāraṇaṃ kāraṇajñaḥ sa tataḥ provāca taṃ sutam .. 16 ..

> Reflecting somewhat in his heart on the cause, though it was not the proper time for the boy, / he, knowing the reasons, then spoke to that son: // 16  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.17)

yaṃ kaṃ cidvīkṣase putra bhramamāṇaṃ dvijottamam ..  
tasyāvaśyaṃ tvayā kāryaṃ vinayādabhi vādanam .. 17 ..

> "Whichever foremost twice-born you see wandering about, son, / you must certainly offer him a respectful salutation out of humility." // 17  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.19)

evaṃ tasya vratasthasya ṣaṇmāsā divasaistribhiḥ ..  
hīnāḥ syurbrāhmaṇeṃdrāṇāṃ namaskāraparasya ca .. 19 ..

> In this way, as he remained firm in his vow and intent on bowing to the foremost brahmins, / six months minus three days passed. // 18  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.19\_1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.19_1)

etasminnaṃtare prāptā agni tīrthaparāyaṇāḥ ..  
saptarṣayaḥ sthito yatra mārkaṃḍo dhṛtamekhalaḥ .. 19 ..

> In the meantime, the seven seers, devoted to Agnitīrtha, / arrived at the place where Mārkaṇḍa was, wearing his girdle. // 19  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.20)

tāndṛṣṭvā sa munīnsarvānnamaścakre muneḥ sutaḥ ..  
dīrghāyurbhava tairuktaḥ sarvairapi pṛthakpṛthak .. 6.21.20 ..

> Seeing all those sages, the son of the sage bowed down. / 'May you be long-lived!' he was told by all of them individually. // 20  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.21)

atha taṃ bālabhāvena kautukādbrahmacāriṇaḥ ..  
ciraṃ dṛṣṭvā'bravīdvākyaṃ vasiṣṭho munipuṃgavaḥ .. 21 ..

> Then, having looked for a long time at that celibate student because of his childish nature, out of curiosity, / Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of sages, uttered these words: // 21  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.22)

sarvaireṣa śiśuḥ prokto dīrghā yuriti sādaram..  
tṛtīye'hni punaḥ prāṇāṃstyakṣyatyayamasaṃśayaḥ .. 22 ..

> "This child has been respectfully told by all: 'May you be long-lived!' / Yet on the third day he will undoubtedly give up his life. // 22  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.23)

tanna yuktaṃ bhavedīdṛgasmākaṃ vacanaṃ dvijāḥ ..  
tasmāttatkriyatāṃ karma yenāyaṃ syāccirāyudhṛk .. 23 ..

> Therefore such a word of ours would not be fitting, O twice-born; / let that action be taken whereby he may possess a long life." // 23  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.24)

tato mithaḥ samālocya sarve te munipuṃgavāḥ ..  
procurna jīvanopāyo bhavenmuktvā pitāmaham .. 24 ..

> Then, having deliberated among themselves, all those eminent sages / said, "There can be no means of survival except the Grandfather. // 24  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.25)

tasmāttasya puro nītvā bālo'yaṃ kṣīṇajīvitaḥ ..  
kriyatāṃ tasya vākyena yathā syāccirajīvabhāk .. 25 ..

> Therefore, bringing this boy whose life is exhausted before him, / let it be done by his word so that he may enjoy a long life." // 25  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.26)

tatastu te samādāya satvaraṃ brahmacāriṇam ..  
brahmalokaṃ samājagmustyaktvā tīrthaparākramam .. 26 ..

> Then, quickly taking along the celibate student, / they left their journey of the tīrtha and went to the world of Brahmā. // 26  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.27)

tataḥ praṇamya taṃ devaṃ vedoktaiḥ stavanairdvijāḥ ..  
stutvā'tha saṃvidhe tasya niṣedustadanantaram .. 27 ..

> Then, bowing to that god and praising him with Vedic hymns, / the twice-born sat down immediately afterward in his presence. // 27  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.28)

teṣāmanaṃtaraṃ so'pi namaścakre pitāmaham ..  
bālaḥ proktaśca dīrghāyurbhaveti ca svayaṃbhuvā .. 28 ..

> After them, the boy too bowed to the Grandfather, / and was told by the self-manifest one: "May you be long-lived!" // 28  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.29)

athovāca munīnsarvānviśrāṃtānpadmayonijaḥ ..  
kuto yūyaṃ samāyātāḥ sāṃprataṃ kena hetunā .. 29 ..

> Then the lotus-born spoke to all the rested sages: / "From where have you now come, and for what reason? // 29  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.30)

procyatāṃ cāpi yatkṛtyaṃ yuṣmākaṃ kriyate'dhunā ..  
madgṛhe saṃprayātānāṃ ko'yaṃ bālo'pi sadvratī .. 6.21.30 ..

> And tell what duty of yours who have arrived at my home / should be done now; also, who is this boy of noble vows?" // 30  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.31)

.. munaya ūcuḥ .. ..  
tīrthayātrāprasaṃgena bhramamāṇā mahītalam ḥ.  
camatkārapurābhyāśe vayaṃ prāptāḥ pitāmaha .. 31 ..

> The sages said: / "While wandering over the surface of the earth in the course of a pilgrimage to tīrthas, / we arrived in the vicinity of Camatkārapura, O Grandfather. // 31  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.32)

tatrānena vayaṃ deva bālakenā'bhivāditāḥ ..  
kramātsarverapi prokto dīrghāyuriti sādaram .. 32 ..

> There we were greeted respectfully by this boy, O god; / in turn, he was respectfully told by all of us: 'May you be long-lived!' // 32  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.33)

etasya tu punaḥ śeṣamāyuṣo divasatra yam ..  
vidyate vibudhaśreṣṭha vrīḍitāstena vai vayam .. 33 ..

> Yet the remainder of his life is only three days, / O best of gods; we are truly ashamed because of that. // 33  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.34)

tataścainaṃ samādāya vayaṃ prāptāstavāṃtikam ..  
bhavatā'pi tathā prokto dīrdhāyu rbālako'stvayam .. 34 ..

> Therefore, taking him along, we have arrived in your presence; / you too have spoken likewise: 'May this boy be long-lived!' // 34  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.35)

tasmādyathā vayaṃ satyā bhavatā saha padmaja ..  
bhavāma kuru tatkṛtyametasmādāgatā vayam .. 35 ..

> Therefore, O lotus-born, perform that act so that we, together with you, / may be truthful. For this reason we have come." // 35  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.36)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..  
teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā munīnāṃ padmasaṃbhavaḥ ..  
provāca prahasanvākyaṃ samādāya ca bālakam .. 36 ..

> Sūta said: / Hearing that speech of the sages, the lotus-born, / smiling, took the boy and spoke these words: // 36  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.37)

matprasādādayaṃ bālojarāmṛtyuvi varjitaḥ ..  
bhaviṣyati na saṃdeho vedavidyāvicakṣaṇaḥ .. 37 ..

> "By my favor, this boy will be free from old age and death; / there is no doubt he will be proficient in Vedic learning. // 37  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.38)

tasmātprāgdharaṇīpṛṣṭhaṃ vrajadhvaṃ munisattamāḥ ..  
bālamenaṃ samādāya tasminnevāsya maṃdiraṃ .. 38 ..

> Therefore, O best of sages, go first to the surface of the earth / taking this boy to that very dwelling of his, // 38  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.40)

yāvadasya pitā vṛddhaḥ putradarśanavihvalaḥ ..  
na yāti nidhanaṃ sārdhaṃ dharmapatnyā dvijottamāḥ .. 39. ..  
athā''yātāśca taṃ bālaṃ sarve te muni sattamāḥ ..  
āgatya vasudhāpṛṣṭhaṃ tasyaivāśramasaṃnidhau .. 6.21.40 ..

> before his aged father, distraught at not seeing his son, / meets his death together with his lawful wife, O best of the twice-born!" / Then all those best of sages, taking that boy, / came to the surface of the earth, near his very hermitage; // 39–40ab  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.41)

amuṃcannagnitīrthe taṃ samābhāṣya tataḥ param ..  
tīrthayātrākṛte paścājjagmuranyatra satvaram .. .. 41 ..

> they left him at Agnitīrtha after speaking to him, / and then quickly went elsewhere for the sake of their pilgrimage to tīrthas. // 40cd–41  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.42](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.42)

etasminnaṃtare vipro mṛkaṃḍaḥ sutavatsalaḥ ..  
nāpaśyatsvasutaṃ paścādvilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ .. 42 ..

> In the meantime, the brahmin Mṛkaṇḍu, affectionate toward his son, / did not see his son, and subsequently lamented, deeply distressed: // 42  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.43](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.43)

aho me tanayo'bhīṣṭaḥ kathamadya na dṛśyate..  
kūpāṃtaḥ patitaḥ kiṃ nu kiṃ vyālairvā nipātitaḥ .. 43 ..

> "Alas! Why is my beloved son not seen today? / Has he fallen into a well, or has he been struck down by serpents? // 43  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.44)

kṛtvā māṃ duḥkhasaṃtaptaṃ mātaraṃ cāpi putrakaḥ ..  
prasthito dīrghamadhvānaṃ viruddhaṃ kṛtavānvidhiḥ .. .. 44 ..

> Having plunged me and his mother into burning grief, / my little son has departed on the long road; Fate has acted against me! // 44  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.45)

paśya brāhmaṇi pāpena mayā duṣkṛtakāriṇā ..  
na bālasya mukhaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ prasthitasya yamālaye ..45..

> Look, O brahmin lady: sinful as I am, an evildoer, / I did not see the face of the boy as he set out for the abode of Yama! // 45  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.46)

kathitaṃ jñāninā tena mama pūrvaṃ mahātma nā ..  
ṣaṅbhirmāsaiḥ sutaste'yaṃ dehatyāgaṃ kariṣyati .. 46 ..

> It was told to me previously by that great-souled wise man: / 'In six months your son will abandon his body.' // 46  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.47)

so'haṃ putrasya duḥkhena sādhayiṣye hutāśanam ..  
yāvacchokāgninā kāyo dahyate na varāna ne .. 47 ..

> Because of sorrow for my son, I will enter the fire / before my body is burned up by the fire of grief, O fair-faced lady!" // 47  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.48)

.. brāhmaṇyuvāca .. ..  
mamāpi matametaddhi yattvayā parikīrtitam ..  
tatkiṃ cirayasi brahmañchīghraṃ dārūṇi cānaya .. 48 ..

> The brahmin lady said: / "Indeed, my mind is also set upon what you have declared. / Why then do you delay, O brahmin? Bring firewood quickly, // 48  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.49)

yenā'haṃ bhavatā sārdhaṃ pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam ..  
putraśokena saṃtaptā subhṛśaṃ duḥkhaśāṃtaye .. 49 ..

> so that, along with you, I may enter the fire, / exceedingly consumed with grief for my son, for the appeasement of sorrow." // 49  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.50](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.50)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..  
evaṃ tayoḥ pravadatordaṃpatyordvija sattamāḥ ..  
ājagāmā'tha saṃhṛṣṭaḥ sa bālaḥ sannidhiṃ tayoḥ .. 6.21.50 ..

> Sūta said: / As the couple was speaking thus, O best of the twice-born, / that joyful boy came into their presence. // 50  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.51)

taṃ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇo hṛṣṭo brāhmaṇyā sahitastadā ..  
ānaṃdāśruplutākṣo'tha sammukha stamupādravat .. 51 ..

> Seeing him, the brahmin, delighted along with the brahmin lady, / ran forward toward him, his eyes flooded with tears of joy. // 51  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.52](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.52)

bhūyobhūyaḥ pariṣvajya sabhāryaḥ pṛṣṭavāṃstadā ..  
kva gataḥ svāśramādvatsa cirātkasmādihā''gataḥ.. 52 ..

> Embracing him again and again along with his wife, he then asked: / "Where did you go from your own hermitage, child? Why have you come here after so long?" // 52  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.53](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.53)

śokārṇave parikṣipya māṃ sabhāryaṃ vayo'dhikam ..  
tanmā putraka bhūyastvamīdṛkkarma kariṣyasi .. 53 ..

> having cast me together with my wife, advanced in years, into an ocean of grief. / Therefore, dear son, do not ever do such a thing again."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.54](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.54)

.. mārkaṃḍeya uvāca .. ..  
atrā'dya munayaḥ prāptā mayā te cābhivāditāḥ ..  
krameṇa vinayāttāta smaramāṇena te vacaḥ .. 54

> Mārkaṇḍeya said: / "Sages arrived here today, and they were greeted by me / in proper order with humility, father, remembering your instruction.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.55)

dīrghāyurbhava tairuktaḥ sarvaireva dvijottamaiḥ ..  
dṛṣṭvā māṃ vismayāviṣṭairbālakaṃ vratinaṃ vibho .. 55 ..

> I was told by all those best of twice-born: 'May you be long-lived!' / having seen me, a boy observing vows, O lord, filled with astonishment.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.56)

atha tāta samālokya teṣāṃ madhyagato muniḥ ..  
vasiṣṭhastānmunīnsarvānprovāca prahasanniva .. 56 ..

> Then, having looked \[at me\], father, the sage situated among them, / Vasiṣṭha, spoke to all those sages as if smiling:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.57](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.57)

.. vasiṣṭha uvāca .. ..  
dīrghāyurbhava yaḥ prokto yuṣmābhirmunipuṃgavāḥ ..  
tṛtīye divase so'yaṃ bālaḥ paṃcatvameṣyati .. 57 ..

> Vasiṣṭha said: / 'He to whom it was said by you, O bulls among sages, "May you be long-lived!"— / this very boy will meet his death on the third day.'  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.58)

tataste munayo bhītā asatyāttāta tatkṣaṇāt ..  
samādāya yayustatra yatra brahmā vyavasthitaḥ .. 58 ..

> Then those sages, afraid of falsehood, father, immediately / took \[me\] and went there where Brahmā was residing.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.59)

namaskṛtena tenā'pi prokto'haṃ padmayoninā ..  
dīrghāyurbhava pṛṣṭaśca kutastvamiha cāgataḥ 59 ..

> Having been paid homage, I was also told by that lotus-born \[Brahmā\]: / 'May you be long-lived!' and I was asked: 'From where have you come here?'  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.60)

atha tairmunibhiḥ sarvairvṛttāṃtaṃ tasya kīrtitam..  
āśīrvādodbhavaṃ proktaṃ tato vayamihāgatāḥ.. 6.21.60 ..

> Then the entire account was related to him by all those sages: / 'This arose from our blessing, and therefore we have come here.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.61](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.61)

yathā'yaṃ bālako deva tvatprasādātpitāmaha ..  
dīrghāyurjāyate loke tathā tvaṃ kartumarhasi .. 61 ..

> In such a way that this boy, O god, through your grace, O grandfather, / may become long-lived in the world, so you ought to act.'  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.62](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.62)

tato'haṃ brahmaṇā tāta jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ ..  
vihitaḥ preṣitastūrṇaṃ svagṛhaṃ prati taiḥ samam .. 62 ..

> Then, father, I was made free from old age and death by Brahmā, / and was sent swiftly back towards my own home together with them.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.63)

te tu māṃ munayotraiva pramucyāśramasannidhau ..  
snānārthaṃ viviśuḥ sarve hrade'traiva suśobhane .. 63 ..

> Those sages, however, having released me right here near the hermitage, / all entered this very beautiful pool for ritual ablution."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.64)

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya mṛkaṃḍo harṣasaṃyutaḥ ..  
prayayau satvaraṃ tatra yatra te munayaḥ sthitāḥ .. 64 ..

> Having heard his speech, Mṛkaṇḍa, filled with joy, / went swiftly there where those sages were staying.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.65](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.65)

praṇamya tānmunīnsarvānkṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ ..  
provāca vaḥ prasādena kulaṃ me vṛddhimāgatam .. 65 ..

> Bowing to all those sages, standing with folded hands, / he said: "By your grace my family has reached prosperity.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.66)

sādhu proktamidaṃ kaiścidācāryairmunisattamāḥ ..  
sādhulokaṃ samāśritya vikhyātaṃ ca jagattraye .. 66 ..

> This was well said by certain teachers, O best of sages, / relying on good people, and is renowned in the three worlds:  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.67](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.67)

sādhūnāṃ darśanaṃ puṇyaṃ tīrthabhūtā hi sādhavaḥ ..  
tīrthaṃ phalati kālena sadyaḥ sādhusamāgamaḥ .. 67 ..

> 'The sight of good people is holy, for good people are indeed sacred fords; / a sacred ford bears fruit in time, \[but\] association with good people \[bears fruit\] immediately.'  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.68)

tasmādatithayaḥ prāptā yūyaṃ sarve'dya me gṛham ..  
prakaromi kimātithyaṃ procyatāṃ dvijasattamāḥ .. 68 ..

> Therefore, having arrived today at my home as guests, / what hospitality may I offer you? Let it be spoken, O best of twice-born!"  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.69](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.69)

.. ṛṣaya ūcuḥ .. ..  
etadeva mune'smākamātithyaṃ koṭisaṃmitam ..  
alpāyurapi te bālo yajjāto mṛtyuvarjitaḥ .. 69 ..

> The seers said: / "This alone is hospitality worth ten million to us, O sage: / that your boy, though short-lived, has become free from death."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.70](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.70)

.. mṛkaṇḍa uvāca .. ..  
mṛtyunā''liṃgitaṃ bālamasmadīyaṃ munīśvarāḥ ..  
bhavadbhiradya saṃrakṣya kulaṃ kṛtsnaṃ samuddhṛtam .. 6.21.70 ..

> Mṛkaṇḍa said: / "Our boy was embraced by death, O lords of sages; / having protected \[him\] today, the entire lineage has been redeemed by you.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.71)

brahmaghne ca surāpe ca caure bhagnavrate tathā ..  
niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nā'sti niṣkṛtiḥ .. 71 ...

> For a killer of a brahmin, a drinker of liquor, a thief, and likewise one who has broken his vow, / expiation has been prescribed by the good; for an ungrateful person, there is no expiation.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.72](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.72)

tasmātkṛtaghnatādoṣo na syānmama munīśvarāḥ ..  
yathā kāryaṃ bhavadbhiśca tathā sarvairna saṃśayaḥ .. 72 ..

> Therefore, O lords of sages, so that the fault of ingratitude might not fall on me, / something must without doubt be done by you all."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.73](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.73)

.. ṛṣaya ūcuḥ .. ..  
yadi pratyupakārāya manyase tvaṃ dvijottama ..  
gṛhaṃ kuruṣva no vākyāddevasya parameṣṭhinaḥ .. 73 ..

> The seers said: / "If you consider \[making\] a return favor, O best of twice-born, / make a temple for the god, the Supreme Lord \[Brahmā\], according to our word,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.74](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.74)

yenā'yaṃ bālakaste'dya kṛto mṛtyuvivarjitaḥ ..  
tasmātsthāpaya tīrthena devaṃ taṃ prapitāmaham..74..

> by whom this boy of yours was made free from death today. / Therefore establish that god, the great-grandfather, by the sacred ford.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.75](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.75)

putreṇa sahitaḥ paścādārādhaya divāniśam..  
vayameva tvayā sārdhaṃ taṃ ca devaṃ pitāmaham..75..

> Together with your son, worship \[him\] afterwards day and night. / We ourselves, along with you, \[shall worship\] that god, the grandfather;  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.76](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.76)

nityaṃ prapūjayiṣyāmastathānye'pi dvijottamāḥ..  
bālenā'nena sārdhaṃ te sakhyamatra sthitaṃ yataḥ..  
bālasakhyamiti khyātaṃ nāmnā tena bhaviṣyati..76..

> we and other best of twice-born shall worship him constantly. / Since your friendship with this boy was established here, / therefore it will be celebrated by the name Bālasakhya.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.77](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.77)

tīrthamanyairiti khyātaṃ bālakānāṃ hitāvaham..  
rogārtānāṃ bhayārtānāmasmākaṃ vacanātsadā..77..

> The sacred ford is known by others as bringing welfare to children, / to those afflicted with disease and those afflicted with fear, always through our word.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.78](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.78)

asmiṃstīrthe śiśuṃ lokāḥ snāpayiṣyaṃti ye dvija..  
rogārtaṃ vā bhayārtaṃ vā pīḍitaṃ vā grahādibhiḥ..78..

> Whatever people bathe a child in this sacred ford, O twice-born, / whether afflicted with disease, afflicted with fear, or tormented by planetary spirits and the like,  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.79](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.79)

bhaviṣyati na saṃdehaḥ sarvadoṣavivarjitaḥ ..  
pitāmahaprasādena tathā'smadvacanāddvija .. 79 ..

> he will become freed from all defects, there is no doubt, / through the grace of the grandfather and through our word, O twice-born.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.80](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.80)

ye punarmānuṣā vipra niṣkāmāḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ ..  
snānamātraṃ kariṣyaṃti te yāṃti paramāṃ gatim.. 6.21.80 ..

> Moreover, those human beings, O vipra, who, free from desires and endowed with faith, / perform merely a ritual ablution, go to the supreme state."  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.81)

evamuktvātha te sarve munayaḥ śaṃsitavratāḥ ..  
tamāmaṃtrya muniṃ jagmustīrthānyanyāni satvarāḥ .. 81 ..

> Having spoken thus, all those sages of praiseworthy vows, / taking leave of that sage, went swiftly to other sacred fords.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.82](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.82)

mṛkaṇḍo'pi saputraśca tasminsthāne pitāmaham ..  
sthāpayāmāsa saṃhṛṣṭo jyeṣṭhe jyeṣṭhāsthite vidhau .. 82 ..

> Mṛkaṇḍa too, along with his son, established the grandfather in that place, / delighted, in the month of Jyeṣṭha when the moon was in Jyeṣṭhā.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.83)

tataścā''rādhayāmāsa divārātramataṃdritaḥ ..  
saputraḥ śraddhayā yuktaḥ saṃprāptaśca parāṃ gatim .. 83 ..

> Then, unwearied, endowed with faith, together with his son, / he worshipped day and night, and reached the supreme state.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.84)

.. sūta uvāca .. ..  
tataḥprabhṛti tattīrthaṃ bālasakhyamiti smṛtam..  
pāvanaṃ sarvajaṃtūnāṃ bālānāṃ roganāśanam.. 84 ..

> Sūta said: / From that time on, that sacred ford has been known as Bālasakhya, / purifying all creatures and destroying diseases of children.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.85)

jyeṣṭhe jyeṣṭhāsu yo bālastatra snānaṃ samācaret ..  
na sa pīḍāmavāpnoti yāvatsaṃvatsaraṃ dvijāḥ .. 85 ..

> Whatever child performs ritual ablution there in Jyeṣṭha during Jyeṣṭhā, / he does not suffer affliction for a whole year, O twice-born.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.86](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.86)

grahabhūtapiśācānāṃ śākinīnāṃ viśeṣataḥ ..  
agamyaḥ sarvaduṣṭānāṃ tathā'nyeṣāṃ prajāyate ..86..

> He becomes unassailable by planetary spirits, bhūtas, piśācas, / and especially by śākinīs and all other wicked beings.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

### [5.21.86\_2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21.86_2)

iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ ṣaṣṭhe nāgarakhaṇḍe hāṭakeśvarakṣetramāhātmye bālasakhyatīrthamāhātmyavarṇanaṃnāmaikaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ.. .. 21 .. .. dha ..

> Thus ends the twenty-first chapter, named 'Description of the Māhātmya of the Bālasakhya Tīrtha', in the section on the Māhātmya of Hāṭakeśvara Kṣetra, in the Nāgarakhaṇḍa, the sixth \[book\] in the eighty-one-thousand-verse collection of the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. 21.  
> — English (machine translation) (machine translation)

## Translations (1)

- [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.5.21.1) — English, machine translation

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Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.5.21) · Pramāṇa