Skandapurana 2.4.29
English (machine translation) 2.4.29
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The glorious Kṛṣṇa said:
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Hearing his speech, Pṛthu, his mind filled with wonder,
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duly worshipped Nārada and then sent him off, O beloved. (1)
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In ancient times, in the city of Avantī, there was a certain brahmin named Dhaneśvara,
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fallen from brahminical duties, of sinful deeds, and very wicked-minded. (2)
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Going from country to country for the sake of buying and selling,
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once that Dhaneśvara came to the city of Māhiṣmatī. (3)
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It was founded formerly by Mahiṣa, and therefore it is called Māhiṣmatī,
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where the sin-destroying Narmadā shines, touching its ramparts. (4)
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Seeing people there who observed the Kārtika vows, arrived from various countries,
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he lived there for one month, engaged in trade. (5)
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Constantly wandering on the bank of the Narmadā for the sake of commerce,
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he saw brahmins engaged in ritual ablution, recitation of mantras, and worship of deities; (6)
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some reciting the Purāṇa, some engrossed in listening,
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intent on dancing, singing, instrumental music, and hearing of Viṣṇu; (7)
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some engaged in the concluding rite, some intent on keeping night vigils,
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devoted to worshipping brahmins and cows, and devoted to giving lamps. (8)
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Filled with curiosity, Dhaneśvara watched here and there;
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wandering there constantly, through seeing, touching, and speaking with (9)
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Vaiṣṇavas, he received the hearing of Viṣṇu's name and the like.
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Thus the brahmin stayed for a month on the bank of that Narmadā. (10)
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Meanwhile, bitten by a black serpent, he fell down in agony.
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Then, binding him who was abandoned by his body, Yama's servants (11)
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cast that Dhaneśvara into Kumbhīpāka hell by Yama's order.
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As soon as he was thrown into it, it became cool, (12)
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just as the fire became [cool] in ancient times when Prahlāda was cast in.
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Yama, seeing the wonder, had him brought forward and questioned him. (13)
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Just then Nārada arrived there and spoke quickly. (14)
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Nārada said:
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This man is not worthy to experience the hells, O son of the Sun! (14)
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For at his end there occurred a deed which dispels hell.
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Whoever sees, touches, or converses with people of meritorious deeds (15)
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certainly obtains one-sixth of their merit.
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Indeed, Dhaneśvara made friendship and association (16)
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with those observing the Kārtika vows for a month; he is a sharer in a portion of their merit. (17)
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Therefore, having unintended merit, residing in the womb of a yakṣa,
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having viewed all the hells that display the experiencing of sin— (18)
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The glorious Kṛṣṇa said:
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When Nārada had spoken thus and departed, the son of Sūrya, made aware of his good deed upon hearing his words,
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sent that brahmin again with his servant, intending to show him all those hosts of hells. (19)
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Then, having led Dhaneśvara to the hells, the lord of spirits spoke,
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showing all of them to him, acting upon the order of Yama. // 2.4.29.20
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The lord of spirits said:
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"Behold these dreadful, terrifying hells, O Dhaneśvara;
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in them, evil-doers are constantly tormented by the servants of Yama. // 21
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Sin committed without intent is called dry, and that committed with intent is declared moist;
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[these hells] are established in two categories according to moist, dry, and other sins, // 22
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and are divided into eighty-four distinct kinds.
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What is miscellaneous, what degrades one from eating together, and defilement; // 23
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likewise that which causes loss of caste, that termed a secondary sin,
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excessive sin, and great sin—sin is traditionally known to be sevenfold. // 24
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Because of these, [sinners] are tormented in the seven hells in due order.
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Since you had contact with those observing the Kārtika vows, // 25
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by the accumulation of that merit, these hells have indeed been removed [for you]."
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Śrī Kṛṣṇa said:
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Having shown him the hells in this way, the lord of spirits then took him, // 26
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Dhaneśvara, to the realm of the yakṣas, and indeed he became a yakṣa there.
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He became an attendant of Kubera, renowned as Dhanayakṣa. // 27
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Sūta said:
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Having spoken thus to Satyabhāmā, his dearly beloved,
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Vāsudeva went to his mother's house to perform the evening twilight ritual. // 28
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Brahmā said:
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Such indeed is the power of this month of Kārtika, since it grants liberation and bestows enjoyment;
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sins amassed across many [births] depart for one who even reveals liberation through this vow. // 29
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Thus ends the twenty-ninth chapter, entitled 'Description of Dhaneśvara Attaining Birth as a Yakṣa,' in the Kārtikamāsamāhātmya of the second [section], the Vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍa, in the Skandapurāṇa, the great collection of eighty-one thousand [verses]. // 29
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Comparable: Padmapurāṇa 6.113.
Linked texts (1)
- Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit