Skandapurana 2.8

English (machine translation) 2.8

Language: English

The Devanāgarī Unicode digital conversion of the Śrī-Ayodhyāmāhātmya in the Vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍa of the Skandapurāṇa was made on 27 August 2015 CE (the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa, Vikrama Saṃvat 2072) using advanced dictionary-integrated IndusEngine OCR software.

2.8.1.1

Here begins the Ayodhyāmāhātmya.

2.8.1.2

Victorious is Vyāsa, son of Parāśara, delighter of the heart of Satyavatī,

2.8.1.3

From whose lotus mouth drips the nectar of speech which the whole world drinks. // 1

2.8.1.4

Bowing to Nārāyaṇa and to Nara, the best of men,

2.8.1.5

And also to goddess Sarasvatī, one should then proclaim victory. // 2

2.8.1.6

Vyāsa said:

2.8.1.7

All the sages residing in the Himavat, who had mastered the Vedas,

2.8.1.8

Great-souled ones who knew past, present, and future, the dwellers in the Naimiṣa forest, // 3

2.8.1.9

Those devoted to the Arbuda forest, the dwellers in the Daṇḍaka forest,

2.8.1.10

Those delighting in Mount Mahendra, and those who reside in the Vindhyas, // 4

2.8.1.11

Those delighting in the Jambū forest, and those who dwell by the Godāvarī,

2.8.1.12

Those who have taken refuge in Vārāṇasī, and likewise the residents of Mathurā, // 5

2.8.1.13

Those delighting in Ujjayinī, those living in the foremost āśrama,

2.8.1.14

Those who have taken shelter in Dvārāvatī, and likewise those resorting to Badarī, // 6

2.8.1.15

Those who have taken refuge in Māyāpurī, and those dwelling in Kāntī—

2.8.1.16

These and many other spotless sages, accompanied by their disciples, // 7

2.8.1.17

When a twelve-year sacrificial session in the great sacred field of Kurukṣetra

2.8.1.18

Was taking place under Rāma, the great-souled lord of the earth,

2.8.1.19

All those spotless sages arrived, having been summoned. // 8

2.8.1.20

All of them, pure in mind and master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas,

2.8.1.21

Having bathed there according to rule and having performed rites, recitation, and other observances, // 9

2.8.1.22

Placed Bhāradvāja at their head, who had mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.

2.8.1.23

Then upon wonderful seats, grass mats, and so forth in order, // 10

2.8.1.24

They sat down and recounted stories concerning various sacred fords.

2.8.1.25

Sitting comfortably with one another during the intervals of the rites of the sacrificial session, // 11

2.8.1.26

At the conclusion of the discourses of those sages whose minds were purified,

2.8.1.27

The brilliant and noble-minded Sūta arrived there. // 12

2.8.1.28

He was the disciple of Vyāsa, knower of the Purāṇas, known by the name of [Romaharṣaṇa].

2.8.1.29

Bowing to those sages in the proper manner, he sat down;

2.8.1.30

He sat down according to rule at the word of the sages. // 13

2.8.1.31

To that excellent sage Romaharṣaṇa, the disciple of Vyāsa and a Sūta,

2.8.1.32

The spotless foremost sages, Bhāradvāja and others, put questions. // 14

2.8.1.33

The seers said:

2.8.1.34

From you, O fortunate one, we have heard stories connected with various sacred fords,

2.8.1.35

and all the Purāṇas along with their esoteric secrets, O noble-minded one.

2.8.1.36

Now we desire to hear the eternal, secret [lore],

2.8.1.37

the greatness of the great city of Ayodhyā, radiant with virtues.

2.8.1.38

What is that ever-pure city of Ayodhyā like, beloved of Viṣṇu?

2.8.1.39

She is praised in the Veda as the foremost of cities, the bestower of liberation.

2.8.1.40

What is its configuration, and who were the kings there?

2.8.1.41

Which are the holy sacred fords, and what is their māhātmya?

2.8.1.42

What fruit accrues to men from serving Ayodhyā, O Sūta?

2.8.1.43

What is its history, O Sūta? Which are its rivers, and which are the confluences?

2.8.1.44

What merit is gained there by ritual ablution, and what by charitable giving, O noble-minded one?

2.8.1.45

We wish to hear all that from you, O Sūta, rich in virtue.

2.8.1.46

All this you indeed know in proper order and truly at present.

2.8.1.47

You ought to tell the māhātmya of the great city of Ayodhyā.

2.8.1.48

Sūta said:

2.8.1.49

By the grace of Vyāsa, O ascetics whose wealth is austerity, I know the Purāṇas,

2.8.1.50

all the Itihāsas, along with their secret teachings in truth.

2.8.1.51

Bowing to him, I shall declare the māhātmya before you,

2.8.1.52

of the great city of Ayodhyā, properly along with its secrets.

2.8.1.53

Endowed with knowledge, granter of vast intellect, knowable through the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, the supreme, peaceful one who has subdued the senses, vast with pure brilliance,

2.8.1.54

Veda-vyāsa, ever humble, the sole origin through which the universe is known, the son of Parāśara, the supreme person—I bow to him at all times.

2.8.1.55

Om, homage to that blessed Vyāsa of immeasurable splendor,

2.8.1.56

by whose grace I know the greatness of Ayodhyā.

2.8.1.57

Let all the sages listen attentively along with their disciples;

2.8.1.58

I shall narrate the glorious māhātmya of Ayodhyā.

2.8.1.59

It was proclaimed to Agastya by Skanda, having been heard from Nārada;

2.8.1.60

formerly that was related by Agastya to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana.

2.8.1.61

And from Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, O ascetics, this was received by me.

2.8.1.62

I tell that respectfully to you who are desirous of hearing.

2.8.1.63

I bow to the Supreme Self, Rāma with lotus eyes,

2.8.1.64

dark as the flax blossom, the slayer of Rāvaṇa, the imperishable.

2.8.1.65

Ayodhyā is that supreme, pure city, difficult to attain by evildoers.

2.8.1.66

By whom is Ayodhyā not to be revered, where Hari himself is directly present?

2.8.1.67

Situated on the bank of the Sarayū, divine and exceedingly lovely,

2.8.1.68

almost like Amarāvatī, resorted to by many rich in austerity,

2.8.1.69

abounding in elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, established with lofty prosperity,

2.8.1.70

with streets flanked by ramparts and gateways shining like gold,

2.8.1.71

well-divided into four quarters everywhere with marshy lands around,

2.8.1.72

having multi-storied palaces and richly carved walls,

2.8.1.73

adorned with stepped wells whose auspicious waters blossom with lotuses,

2.8.1.74

graced with divine temples and reverberating with the chanting of the Vedas,

2.8.1.75

raised to excellence by the sounds of lutes, flutes, and mṛdaṅgas; / with śāla, palmyra, coconut, jackfruit, and āmalaka trees,

2.8.1.76

likewise adorned with mango, kapittha, and other trees, and aśokas,

2.8.1.77

furnished with diverse pleasure gardens containing trees bearing fruit in all seasons,

2.8.1.78

with mālatī, jasmine, bakula, pāṭalī, nāgakeśara, and campaka,

2.8.1.79

decorated with oleanders, karṇikāras, and ketakīs,

2.8.1.80

with nīm, lime, plantain, and citron trees bearing large fruits,

2.8.1.81

adorned with citzens rich in the fragrance of gleaming sandalwood,

2.8.1.82

and populated by princes possessing splendor equal to the gods,

2.8.1.83

filled with beautiful noble women like celestial nymphs,

2.8.1.84

blessed with foremost, true poets and with twice-born [brahmins] equal to Bṛhaspati,

2.8.1.85

with merchants and citizens who were like wish-fulfilling trees,

2.8.1.86

with horses resembling Uccaiḥśravas and tuskers like the world-elephants—

2.8.1.87

thus, endowed with diverse aspects, it was equal to the city of Indra.

2.8.1.88

In it were born the rulers of the earth sprung from the Solar dynasty,

2.8.1.89

all headed by Ikṣvāku, dedicated to the protection of their subjects.

2.8.1.90

On whose bank flows the river named Sarayū, / of sacred waters, with humming bees and birds,

2.8.1.91

surging forth from the origin at the Mānasa lake,

2.8.1.92

filled with the fluid of dharma, having its excellent confluence with the Ghargharā.

2.8.1.93

With banks inhabited by great sages, it is watchful and exalted in the world.

2.8.1.94

The Jāhnavī issued forth from the big toe of the right foot of Hari,

2.8.1.95

while from the left big toe, O best of sages, the auspicious Sarayū flowed out.

2.8.1.96

Therefore these two are the most sacred rivers, revered by the gods;

2.8.1.97

by mere ritual ablution in both of them, one removes [the sin of] murdering a brahmin.

2.8.1.98

Then the pot-born sage Agastya reached that Ayodhyā,

2.8.1.99

having learned the māhātmya of the sacred ford through the grace of Skanda, for the sake of pilgrimage.

2.8.1.100

And coming here, he also performed the pilgrimage in due order,

2.8.1.101

bathing according to the prescribed rule and offering libations to the ancestors,

2.8.1.102

worshipping all the deities properly,

2.8.1.103

and bowing down to all the sacred fords according to the injunction.

2.8.1.104

Having achieved his purpose, elevated with joy from beholding the māhātmya of the sacred ford,

2.8.1.105

Agastya became one whose body was covered with horripilation in appearance.

2.8.1.106

Having stayed there for three nights and performed the pilgrimage according to rule,

2.8.1.107

the best of sages departed, praising the māhātmya of Ayodhyā.

2.8.1.108

Seeing him approaching, radiant with abundant joy,

2.8.1.109

Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana Vyāsa immediately asked him the cause of his joy:

2.8.1.110

Vyāsa said:

2.8.1.111

"From where have you now come, O best of sages, O brahmin?

2.8.1.112

An abundance of supreme joy has now arisen within you.

2.8.1.113

From what has this increase of joy arisen for you, O brahmin? Tell me!

2.8.1.114

From your joy, delight also arises in my heart."

2.8.1.115

Agastya said:

2.8.1.116

"Ah, great indeed is this wonder, a marvel, O best of sages!

2.8.1.117

Today, having seen the power of Ayodhyā, [this joy] arose for me, O one whose wealth is austerity.

2.8.1.118

Therefore this abundance of joy has now arisen within me."

2.8.1.119

Hearing that speech of Agastya, Vyāsa said to that sage:

2.8.1.120

Vyāsa said:

2.8.1.121

"O venerable one, tell [me] in truth and in detail, along with its secret,

2.8.1.122

the greatness of the great city Ayodhyā, supreme in virtues!

2.8.1.123

What is the sequence of the pilgrimage to the sacred ford? Which are the sacred fords, and what is the rule?

2.8.1.124

What is the fruit of ritual ablution there, and of gift-giving, O great sage?

2.8.1.125

Explain all this in detail, O best of speakers!"

2.8.1.126

Agastya said:

2.8.1.127

"Ah, blessed indeed is the intellect born in you, O one whose wealth is austerity,

2.8.1.128

in that your inquiry is seen to concern the greatness of Ayodhyā!

2.8.1.129

The syllable 'a' is said to be Brahmā, the syllable 'ya' is spoken of as Viṣṇu,

2.8.1.130

and the syllable 'dha' has the form of Rudra; thus the name Ayodhyā shines forth.

2.8.1.131

Since, even by those laden with all minor sins

2.8.1.132

and major sins such as murdering a brahmin, it cannot be fought against (a-yodhya), they therefore know it as Ayodhyā.

2.8.1.133

This primeval city of Viṣṇu does not touch the earth, O twice-born;

2.8.1.134

it rests upon Viṣṇu's Sudarśana discus, producing merit on earth.

2.8.1.135

By whom can its greatness be described, O one whose wealth is austerity,

2.8.1.136

where the god Viṣṇu himself dwells in person with reverence?

2.8.1.137

Beginning from Sahasradhārā, one yojana in the eastern direction,

2.8.1.138

and likewise in the western direction the boundary extends uniformly for one yojana;

2.8.1.139

in the southern and northern parts, the boundary extends between the Sarayū and the Tamasā.

2.8.1.140

This is the layout of the sacred field, established as the inner chamber of Hari.

2.8.1.141

This city of Viṣṇu, O brahmin, is described as having the shape of a fish.

2.8.1.142

In the west is its head, resting at Gopratāra, O twice-born;

2.8.1.143

to the east is the back portion, and the middle extends south to north.

2.8.1.144

In that city, O fortunate one, Hari himself, known as Viṣṇuhari,

2.8.1.145

whose power was seen of old, dwells prominently."

2.8.1.146

Vyāsa said:

2.8.1.147

"O venerable one, what is that power of this Viṣṇuhari

2.8.1.148

who was praised by you, O tiger among sages? How did he attain renown?

2.8.1.149

Explain all of this in detail before me!"

2.8.1.150

Agastya said:

2.8.1.151

"Formerly there was an excellent brahmin known as Viṣṇuśarman,

2.8.1.152

who knew the truth of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, devoted to righteous duties."

2.8.1.153

He was always devoted to yoga and meditation, entirely dedicated to devotion to Viṣṇu.

2.8.1.154

Once, while on a pilgrimage to sacred fords, that best of Vaiṣṇavas

2.8.1.155

came to Ayodhyā, thinking, “Viṣṇu resides [here] in visible form.”

2.8.1.156

Reflecting thus in his mind, the resolute man resolved to perform austerity.

2.8.1.157

Indeed, he performed austerity there, subsisting on greens, roots, and fruits.

2.8.1.158

In the hot season, standing amidst the five fires, that man of great austerity scorched himself;

2.8.1.159

in the rainy season, [he remained] without shelter; and in the winter, in a lake.

2.8.1.160

Having bathed according to the prescribed rules, and having worshipped Viṣṇu,

2.8.1.161

subduing the aggregate of his senses, with a completely purified inner self,

2.8.1.162

fixing his mind on Viṣṇu, having restrained his breath,

2.8.1.163

and opening the lotus in his heart through the utterance of the syllable Oṃ,

2.8.1.164

the wise man duly [imagined] the discs of the sun, moon, and fire within it;

2.8.1.165

having visualised in that place Hari with bodily form, the eternal,

2.8.1.166

Viṣṇu wearing yellow garments, bearing the conch, discus, and mace;

2.8.1.167

having worshipped him with flowers, and having concentrated his mind upon him,

2.8.1.168

meditating on Hari whose form is Brahman, muttering the twelve-syllable mantra,

2.8.1.169

living on air alone, the brahmin remained dwelling there for three years.

2.8.1.170

Then, having meditated, the best of the twice-born made this hymn of praise to Hari;

2.8.1.171

bowing down to the Lord of the Universe, Hari, the guru of all moving and unmoving beings,

2.8.1.172

Viṣṇuśarman, unwearied, praised Nārāyaṇa:

2.8.1.173

Viṣṇuśarman said:

2.8.1.174

“Be gracious, Lord Viṣṇu! Be gracious, Supreme Person!

2.8.1.175

Be gracious, Lord of the gods of gods! Be gracious, lotus-eyed one!

2.8.1.176

Victory to Kṛṣṇa, victory to the Inconceivable, victory to Viṣṇu, victory to the Imperishable!

2.8.1.177

Victory to the Lord of Sacrifice, O protector, victory to Viṣṇu, O Lord, all-pervading one!

2.8.1.178

Victory to the remover of sin, the Infinite, victory to the dispeller of the fever of birth!

2.8.1.179

Homage to the lotus-naveled one! Homage to the one who wears a garland of lotuses!

2.8.1.180

Homage to the Lord of all, Lord of beings! Homage to the slayer of Kaiṭabha!

2.8.1.181

Homage to the Lord of the three worlds, source of the world, Lord of the world!

2.8.1.182

Homage to the supreme God of gods! Homage indeed to Nārāyaṇa!

2.8.1.183

Homage to Kṛṣṇa, to Rāma, and homage to the one armed with the discus!

2.8.1.184

You are the mother of all the worlds; you alone are the father of the universe.

2.8.1.185

You are the friend and ally of those afflicted with fear; you are the father, you are the grandfather.

2.8.1.186

You are the oblation, you are the vaṣaṭ-call, you are the master, you are the consumer of the offering.

2.8.1.187

You alone are the instrument, the cause, the agent, the Supreme Lord.

First 200 of 2,187 passages. Read on

Linked texts (1)

Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit

Skandapurana 2.8

Contents