Ayodhyā-māhātmya · Chapter 4
Source।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। तस्माच्चंद्रहरिस्थानादाग्नेय्यां दिशि संस्थितः ।। देवो धर्महरिर्न्नाम कलिकल्मषनाशकः ।। १ ।। वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञः स्वकर्मपरिनिष्ठितः ।। पुरा समागतो धर्मस्तीर्थयात्राचिकीर्षया ।। २ ।। आगत्य च चकारोच्चैर्यात्रां तत्रादरेण सः ।। दृष्ट्वा माहात्म्यमतुलमयोध्यायाः सविस्मयः ।। ३ ।। विधाय स्वभुजावूर्ध्वौ विप्रोऽवोचन्मुदान्वितः ।। अहो रम्यमिदं तीर्थमहो माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ।। ४ ।। अयोध्यासदृशी कापि दृश्यते नापरा पुरी ।। या न स्पृशति वसुधां विष्णुचक्रस्थिताऽनिशम् ।।।। ५ ।। यस्यां स्थितो हरिः साक्षात्सेयं केनोपमीयते ।। अहो तीर्थानि सर्वाणि विष्णुलोकप्रदानि वै ।। ६ ।। अहो विष्णुरहो तीर्थमयोध्याऽहो महापुरी ।। अहो माहात्म्यमतुलं किं न श्लाघ्यमिहास्थितम् ।। ७ ।। इत्युक्त्वा तत्र बहुशो ननर्त प्रमदाकुलः ।। धर्मो माहात्म्यमालोक्य अयोध्याया विशेषतः ।। ८ ।। तं तथा नर्तमानं वै धर्मं दृष्ट्वा कृपान्वितः ।। आविर्बभूव भगवान्पीतवासा हरिः स्वयम् ।। तं प्रणम्य च धर्मोऽथ तुष्टाव हरिमादरात् ।। ९ ।। ।। धर्म उवाच ।। ।। नमः क्षीराब्धिवासाय नमः पर्यंकशायिने ।। नमः शंकरसंस्पृष्टदिव्यपादाय विष्णवे ।। 2.8.4.१० ।। भक्त्यार्च्चितसुपादाय नमोऽजादिप्रियाय ते ।। शुभांगाय सुनेत्राय माधवाय नमो नमः ।। ११ ।। नमोऽरविन्दपादाय पद्मनाभाय वै नमः ।। नमः क्षीराब्धिकल्लोलस्पृष्टगात्राय शार्ङ्गिणे ।। १२ ।। ॐ नमो योगनिद्राय योगर्क्षैर्भावितात्मने ।। तार्क्ष्यासनाय देवाय गोविन्दाय नमोनमः ।। १३ ।। सुकेशाय सुनासाय सुललाटाय चक्रिणे ।। सुवस्त्राय सुवर्णाय श्रीधराय नमोनमः ।। १४ ।। सुबाहवे नमस्तुभ्यं चारुजंघाय ते नमः ।। सुवासाय सुदिव्याय सुविद्याय गदाभृते ।। १५ ।। केशवाय च शांताय वामनाय नमोनमः ।। धर्मप्रियाय देवाय नमस्ते पीतवाससे ।। १६ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। इति स्तुतो जगन्नाथो धर्मेण श्रीपतिर्मुदा ।। उवाच स हृषीकेशः प्रीतो धर्ममुदारधीः ।। १७ ।। ।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। तुष्टोऽहं भवतो धर्म स्तोत्रेणानेन सुव्रत ।। वरं वरय धर्मज्ञ यस्ते स्यान्मनसः प्रियः ।। १८ ।। स्तोत्रेणानेन यः स्तौति मानवो मामतन्द्रितः ।। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति पूजितः श्रीयुतःसदा।। १९ ।। ।। धर्म उवाच ।। ।। यदि तुष्टोसि भगवन्देवदेव जगत्पते ।। त्वामहं स्थापयाम्यत्र निजनाम्ना जगद्गुरो ।। 2.8.4.२० ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। एवमस्त्विति संप्रोच्याभवद्धर्महरिर्विभुः ।। स्मरणादेव मुच्येत नरो धर्महरेर्विभोः ।। २१ ।। सरयूसलिले स्नात्वा सुचिंताकुलमानसः ।। देवं धर्महरिं पश्येत्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। २२ ।। अत्र दानं तथा होमं जपो ब्राह्मणभोजनम् ।। सर्वमक्षयतां याति विष्णुलोके निवासकृत् ।। २३ ।। अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं भवेत् ।। प्रायश्चित्तं विधातव्यं तन्नाशाय प्रयत्नतः ।। २४ ।। प्रायश्चित्तेन विधिना पापं तस्य प्रणश्यति।। तस्मादत्र प्रकर्त्तव्यं प्रायश्चित्तं विधानतः ।। २५ ।। अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि राजादेर्निग्रहात्तथा ।। नित्यकर्मनिवृत्तिः स्याद्यस्य पुंसोऽवशात्मनः ।। तेनाप्यत्र विधातव्यं प्रायश्चित्तं प्रयत्नतः ।। २६ ।। अत्र साक्षात्स्वयं देवो विष्णुर्वसति सादरः ।। तस्माद्वर्णयितुं शक्यो महिमा न हि मानवैः ।। २७ ।। आषाढे शुक्ल पक्षस्य एकादश्यां द्विजोत्तम ।। तस्य सांवत्सरी यात्रा कर्तव्या तु विधानतः ।। २८ ।। स्वर्गद्वारे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा धर्महरिं विभुम् ।। सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा विष्णुलोके वसेत्सदा ।। २९ ।। तस्माद्दक्षिणदिग्भागे स्वर्णस्य खनिरुत्तमा ।। यत्र चक्रे स्वर्णवृष्टिं कुबेरो रघुजाद्भयात् ।। 2.8.4.३० ।। ।। ।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। भगवन्ब्रूहि तत्त्वज्ञ स्वर्णवृष्टिरभूत्कथम् ।। कुबेरस्य कथं भीतिरुत्पन्ना रघुभूपतेः ।। ३१ ।। एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तरान्मम सुव्रत ।। श्रुत्वा कथारहस्यानि न तृप्यति मनो मम ।। ३२ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। शृणु विप्र प्रवक्ष्यामि स्वर्णस्योत्पत्तिमुत्तमाम् ।। यस्य श्रवणतो नृणां जायते विस्मयो महान् ।। ३३ ।। आसीत्पुरा रघुपतिरिक्ष्वाकुकुलवर्द्धनः ।। रघुर्निजभुजोदारवीर्यशासितभूतलः ।। ३४ ।। प्रतापतापितारातिवर्गव्याख्यातसद्यशाः ।। प्रजाः पालयता सम्यक्तेननीतिमता सता ।।३५।। यशःपूरेण समलिप्ता दिशो दश सितत्विषा ।। स चक्रे प्रौढविभवसाधनां विजयक्रमात् ।। ३६ ।। नानादेशान्समाक्रम्य चतुरंगबलान्वितः ।। भूतानि वशमानीय वसु जग्राह दण्डतः।।३७।। उत्कृष्टान्नृपतीन्वीरो दंडयित्वा बलाधिकान् ।। रत्नानि विविधान्याशु जग्राहातिबलस्तदा ।।३८।। स विजित्य दिशः सर्वा गृहीत्वा रत्नसंचयम्।। अयोध्यामागतो राजा राजधानीं च तां शुभाम्।। ३९ ।। तत्रागत्य च काकुत्स्थो यज्ञायोत्सुकमानसः ।। चकार निर्मलां बुद्धिं निजवंशोचितक्रियाम।।2.8.4.४०।। वसिष्ठं मुनिमाज्ञाय वामदेवं च कश्यपम् ।। ४१ ।। अन्यानपि मुनिश्रेष्ठान्नानातीर्थसमाश्रितान् ।। समानयद्विनीतेन द्विजवर्येण भूपतिः ।। ४२ ।। दृष्ट्वा स्थितान्स तान्सर्वान्प्रदीप्तानिव पावकान् ।। तानागतान्विदित्वाथ रघुः परपुरंजयः ।। निश्चक्राम यथान्यायं स्वयमेव महायशाः ।। ४३ ।। ततो विनीतवत्सर्वान्काकुत्स्थो द्विजसत्तमान् ।। उवाच धर्मयुक्तं च वचनं यज्ञसिद्धये ।। ४४ ।। ।। रविरुवाच ।। मुनयः सर्व एवैते यूयं शृणुत मद्वचः ।। यज्ञं विधातुमिच्छामि तत्राज्ञां दातुमर्हथ ।। ४५ ।। सांप्रतं मामको यज्ञो युक्तः स्यान्मुनिसत्तमाः ।। एतद्विचार्य्य तत्त्वेन ब्रूत यूयं मुनीश्वराः ।। ।। ४६ ।। ।। मुनय ऊचुः ।। ।। राजन्विश्वजिदाख्यातो यज्ञानां यज्ञ उत्तमः ।। सांप्रतं कुरु तं यत्नान्मा विलंबं वृथा कृथाः ।। ४७ ।। ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। नृपश्चक्रे ततो यज्ञं विश्वदिग्जयसंज्ञितम् ।। नानासंभारमधुरं कृतसर्वस्वदक्षिणम् ।। ४८ ।। नानाविधेन दानेन मुनिसंतोषहर्षकृत् ।। सर्वस्वमेव प्रददौ द्विजेभ्यो बहुमानतः ।।४९।। तेषु विश्वेषु यातेषु पूजितेषु गृहान्स्वकान् ।। बन्धुष्वपि च तुष्टेषु मुनिषु प्रणतेषु च ।। 2.8.4.५० ।। तेन यज्ञेन विधिवद्विहितेन नरेश्वरः ।। शुशुभे शोभनाचारः स्वर्गे देवेंद्रवत्क्षणात् ।। ५१ ।। तत्रांतरे समभ्यायान्मुनिर्यमवतां वरः ।। विश्वामित्रमुनेरंतेवासी कौत्स इति स्मृतः ।। ५२ ।। दक्षिणार्थं गुरोर्द्धीमान्पावितुं तं नरेश्वरम् ।। चतुर्दशसुवर्णानां कोटीराहर सत्वरम् ।। ।। ५३ ।। मद्दक्षिणेति गुरुणा निर्बन्धाद्याचितो रुषा ।। आगतः स मुनिः कौत्सस्ततो याचितुमादरात् ।। रघुं भूपालतिलकं दत्तसर्वस्वदक्षिणम् ।। ।। ५४ ।। तमागतमभिप्रेत्य रघुरादरतस्तदा ।। उत्थाय पूजयामास विधिवत्स परंतपः ।। सपर्य्यासीत्तस्य सर्वा मृत्पात्रविहितक्रिया ।। ५५ ।। पूजासंभारमालोक्य तादृशं तं मुनीश्वरः ।। विस्मितोऽभून्निरानन्दो दक्षिणाऽऽशां परित्यजन् ।। उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञानविशारदः ।। ।। ५६ ।। ।। कौत्स उवाच ।। ।। राजन्नभ्युदयस्तेऽस्तु गच्छाम्यन्यत्र सांप्रतम् ।। ५७ ।। गुर्वर्थाहरणायैव दत्तसर्वस्वदक्षिणम् ।। त्वां न याचे धनाभावादतोऽन्यत्र व्रजाम्यहम् ।। ५८ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। इत्युक्तस्तेन मुनिना रघुः परपुरंजयः ।। क्षणं ध्यात्वाऽब्रवीदेनं विनयाद्विहितांजलिः ।। ५९ ।। ।। रघुरुवाच ।। ।। भगवंस्तिष्ठ मे हर्म्ये दिनमेकं मुनिव्रत ।। यावद्यतिष्ये भगवन्भवदर्थार्थमुच्चकैः ।। 2.8.4.६० ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। इत्युक्त्वा परमोदारवचो मुनिमुदारधीः ।। प्रतस्थे च रघुस्तत्र कुबेरविजिगीषया ।। ६१ ।। तमायांतं कुबेरोऽथ विज्ञाप्य वचनोदितैः ।। प्रसन्नमनसं चक्रे वृष्टिं स्वर्णस्य चाक्षयाम् ।। ६२ ।। स्वर्णवृष्टिरभूद्यत्र सा स्वर्णखनिरुत्तमा ।। स मुनिं दर्शयामास खनिं तेन निवेदिताम्।। ६३ ।। तस्मै समर्पयामास तां रघुः खनिमुत्तमाम् ।। मुनीन्द्रोऽपि गृहीत्वाशु ततो गुर्वर्थमादरात् ।। ६४ ।। राज्ञे निवेदयामास सर्वमन्यद्गुणाधिकः ।। वरानथ ददौ तुष्टः कौत्सो मतिमतां वरः ।। ६५ ।। ।। कौत्स उवाच ।। ।। राजँल्लभस्व सत्पुत्रं निजवंशगुणान्वितम् ।। इयं स्वर्णखनिस्तूर्णं मनोभीष्टफलप्रदा ।। ६६ ।। भूयादत्र परं तीर्थं सर्वपापहरं सदा ।। अत्र स्नानेन दानेन नृणां लक्ष्मीः प्रजायते ।। ६७ ।। वैशाखे शुक्लद्वादश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता ।। नानाभीष्टफलप्राप्तिर्भूयान्मद्वचसा नृणाम् ।। ६८ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। इति दत्त्वा वरान्राज्ञे कौत्सः संतुष्टमानसः ।। प्रतस्थे निजकार्यार्थे गुरोराश्रममुत्सुकः ।। ६९ ।। राजा स कृतकृत्योऽथ शेषं संगृह्य तद्धनम्।। द्विजेभ्यो विधिवद्दत्त्वा पालयामास वै प्रजाः ।। 2.8.4.७० ।। एवं स्वर्णखनेर्जातं माहात्म्यं च मुनीश्वरात् ।। ७१ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डेऽयोध्यामाहात्म्ये धर्महरिस्वर्णखनिमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।। ४ ।।
|| agastya uvāca || || tasmāccaṃdraharisthānādāgneyyāṃ diśi saṃsthitaḥ || devo dharmaharirnnāma kalikalmaṣanāśakaḥ || 1 || vedavedāṅgatattvajñaḥ svakarmapariniṣṭhitaḥ || purā samāgato dharmastīrthayātrācikīrṣayā || 2 || āgatya ca cakāroccairyātrāṃ tatrādareṇa saḥ || dṛṣṭvā māhātmyamatulamayodhyāyāḥ savismayaḥ || 3 || vidhāya svabhujāvūrdhvau vipro'vocanmudānvitaḥ || aho ramyamidaṃ tīrthamaho māhātmyamuttamam || 4 || ayodhyāsadṛśī kāpi dṛśyate nāparā purī || yā na spṛśati vasudhāṃ viṣṇucakrasthitā'niśam |||| 5 || yasyāṃ sthito hariḥ sākṣātseyaṃ kenopamīyate || aho tīrthāni sarvāṇi viṣṇulokapradāni vai || 6 || aho viṣṇuraho tīrthamayodhyā'ho mahāpurī || aho māhātmyamatulaṃ kiṃ na ślāghyamihāsthitam || 7 || ityuktvā tatra bahuśo nanarta pramadākulaḥ || dharmo māhātmyamālokya ayodhyāyā viśeṣataḥ || 8 || taṃ tathā nartamānaṃ vai dharmaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛpānvitaḥ || āvirbabhūva bhagavānpītavāsā hariḥ svayam || taṃ praṇamya ca dharmo'tha tuṣṭāva harimādarāt || 9 || || dharma uvāca || || namaḥ kṣīrābdhivāsāya namaḥ paryaṃkaśāyine || namaḥ śaṃkarasaṃspṛṣṭadivyapādāya viṣṇave || 2.8.4.10 || bhaktyārccitasupādāya namo'jādipriyāya te || śubhāṃgāya sunetrāya mādhavāya namo namaḥ || 11 || namo'ravindapādāya padmanābhāya vai namaḥ || namaḥ kṣīrābdhikallolaspṛṣṭagātrāya śārṅgiṇe || 12 || oṃ namo yoganidrāya yogarkṣairbhāvitātmane || tārkṣyāsanāya devāya govindāya namonamaḥ || 13 || sukeśāya sunāsāya sulalāṭāya cakriṇe || suvastrāya suvarṇāya śrīdharāya namonamaḥ || 14 || subāhave namastubhyaṃ cārujaṃghāya te namaḥ || suvāsāya sudivyāya suvidyāya gadābhṛte || 15 || keśavāya ca śāṃtāya vāmanāya namonamaḥ || dharmapriyāya devāya namaste pītavāsase || 16 || || agastya uvāca || || iti stuto jagannātho dharmeṇa śrīpatirmudā || uvāca sa hṛṣīkeśaḥ prīto dharmamudāradhīḥ || 17 || || śrībhagavānuvāca || || tuṣṭo'haṃ bhavato dharma stotreṇānena suvrata || varaṃ varaya dharmajña yaste syānmanasaḥ priyaḥ || 18 || stotreṇānena yaḥ stauti mānavo māmatandritaḥ || sarvānkāmānavāpnoti pūjitaḥ śrīyutaḥsadā|| 19 || || dharma uvāca || || yadi tuṣṭosi bhagavandevadeva jagatpate || tvāmahaṃ sthāpayāmyatra nijanāmnā jagadguro || 2.8.4.20 || || agastya uvāca || || evamastviti saṃprocyābhavaddharmaharirvibhuḥ || smaraṇādeva mucyeta naro dharmaharervibhoḥ || 21 || sarayūsalile snātvā suciṃtākulamānasaḥ || devaṃ dharmahariṃ paśyetsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 22 || atra dānaṃ tathā homaṃ japo brāhmaṇabhojanam || sarvamakṣayatāṃ yāti viṣṇuloke nivāsakṛt || 23 || ajñānājjñānato vāpi yatkiṃcidduṣkṛtaṃ bhavet || prāyaścittaṃ vidhātavyaṃ tannāśāya prayatnataḥ || 24 || prāyaścittena vidhinā pāpaṃ tasya praṇaśyati|| tasmādatra prakarttavyaṃ prāyaścittaṃ vidhānataḥ || 25 || ajñānājjñānato vāpi rājādernigrahāttathā || nityakarmanivṛttiḥ syādyasya puṃso'vaśātmanaḥ || tenāpyatra vidhātavyaṃ prāyaścittaṃ prayatnataḥ || 26 || atra sākṣātsvayaṃ devo viṣṇurvasati sādaraḥ || tasmādvarṇayituṃ śakyo mahimā na hi mānavaiḥ || 27 || āṣāḍhe śukla pakṣasya ekādaśyāṃ dvijottama || tasya sāṃvatsarī yātrā kartavyā tu vidhānataḥ || 28 || svargadvāre naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā dharmahariṃ vibhum || sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā viṣṇuloke vasetsadā || 29 || tasmāddakṣiṇadigbhāge svarṇasya khaniruttamā || yatra cakre svarṇavṛṣṭiṃ kubero raghujādbhayāt || 2.8.4.30 || || || vyāsa uvāca || || bhagavanbrūhi tattvajña svarṇavṛṣṭirabhūtkatham || kuberasya kathaṃ bhītirutpannā raghubhūpateḥ || 31 || etatsarvaṃ samācakṣva vistarānmama suvrata || śrutvā kathārahasyāni na tṛpyati mano mama || 32 || || agastya uvāca || || śṛṇu vipra pravakṣyāmi svarṇasyotpattimuttamām || yasya śravaṇato nṛṇāṃ jāyate vismayo mahān || 33 || āsītpurā raghupatirikṣvākukulavarddhanaḥ || raghurnijabhujodāravīryaśāsitabhūtalaḥ || 34 || pratāpatāpitārātivargavyākhyātasadyaśāḥ || prajāḥ pālayatā samyaktenanītimatā satā ||35|| yaśaḥpūreṇa samaliptā diśo daśa sitatviṣā || sa cakre prauḍhavibhavasādhanāṃ vijayakramāt || 36 || nānādeśānsamākramya caturaṃgabalānvitaḥ || bhūtāni vaśamānīya vasu jagrāha daṇḍataḥ||37|| utkṛṣṭānnṛpatīnvīro daṃḍayitvā balādhikān || ratnāni vividhānyāśu jagrāhātibalastadā ||38|| sa vijitya diśaḥ sarvā gṛhītvā ratnasaṃcayam|| ayodhyāmāgato rājā rājadhānīṃ ca tāṃ śubhām|| 39 || tatrāgatya ca kākutstho yajñāyotsukamānasaḥ || cakāra nirmalāṃ buddhiṃ nijavaṃśocitakriyāma||2.8.4.40|| vasiṣṭhaṃ munimājñāya vāmadevaṃ ca kaśyapam || 41 || anyānapi muniśreṣṭhānnānātīrthasamāśritān || samānayadvinītena dvijavaryeṇa bhūpatiḥ || 42 || dṛṣṭvā sthitānsa tānsarvānpradīptāniva pāvakān || tānāgatānviditvātha raghuḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ || niścakrāma yathānyāyaṃ svayameva mahāyaśāḥ || 43 || tato vinītavatsarvānkākutstho dvijasattamān || uvāca dharmayuktaṃ ca vacanaṃ yajñasiddhaye || 44 || || raviruvāca || munayaḥ sarva evaite yūyaṃ śṛṇuta madvacaḥ || yajñaṃ vidhātumicchāmi tatrājñāṃ dātumarhatha || 45 || sāṃprataṃ māmako yajño yuktaḥ syānmunisattamāḥ || etadvicāryya tattvena brūta yūyaṃ munīśvarāḥ || || 46 || || munaya ūcuḥ || || rājanviśvajidākhyāto yajñānāṃ yajña uttamaḥ || sāṃprataṃ kuru taṃ yatnānmā vilaṃbaṃ vṛthā kṛthāḥ || 47 || || || agastya uvāca || nṛpaścakre tato yajñaṃ viśvadigjayasaṃjñitam || nānāsaṃbhāramadhuraṃ kṛtasarvasvadakṣiṇam || 48 || nānāvidhena dānena munisaṃtoṣaharṣakṛt || sarvasvameva pradadau dvijebhyo bahumānataḥ ||49|| teṣu viśveṣu yāteṣu pūjiteṣu gṛhānsvakān || bandhuṣvapi ca tuṣṭeṣu muniṣu praṇateṣu ca || 2.8.4.50 || tena yajñena vidhivadvihitena nareśvaraḥ || śuśubhe śobhanācāraḥ svarge deveṃdravatkṣaṇāt || 51 || tatrāṃtare samabhyāyānmuniryamavatāṃ varaḥ || viśvāmitramuneraṃtevāsī kautsa iti smṛtaḥ || 52 || dakṣiṇārthaṃ gurorddhīmānpāvituṃ taṃ nareśvaram || caturdaśasuvarṇānāṃ koṭīrāhara satvaram || || 53 || maddakṣiṇeti guruṇā nirbandhādyācito ruṣā || āgataḥ sa muniḥ kautsastato yācitumādarāt || raghuṃ bhūpālatilakaṃ dattasarvasvadakṣiṇam || || 54 || tamāgatamabhipretya raghurādaratastadā || utthāya pūjayāmāsa vidhivatsa paraṃtapaḥ || saparyyāsīttasya sarvā mṛtpātravihitakriyā || 55 || pūjāsaṃbhāramālokya tādṛśaṃ taṃ munīśvaraḥ || vismito'bhūnnirānando dakṣiṇā''śāṃ parityajan || uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ vākyajñānaviśāradaḥ || || 56 || || kautsa uvāca || || rājannabhyudayaste'stu gacchāmyanyatra sāṃpratam || 57 || gurvarthāharaṇāyaiva dattasarvasvadakṣiṇam || tvāṃ na yāce dhanābhāvādato'nyatra vrajāmyaham || 58 || || agastya uvāca || || ityuktastena muninā raghuḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ || kṣaṇaṃ dhyātvā'bravīdenaṃ vinayādvihitāṃjaliḥ || 59 || || raghuruvāca || || bhagavaṃstiṣṭha me harmye dinamekaṃ munivrata || yāvadyatiṣye bhagavanbhavadarthārthamuccakaiḥ || 2.8.4.60 || || agastya uvāca || || ityuktvā paramodāravaco munimudāradhīḥ || pratasthe ca raghustatra kuberavijigīṣayā || 61 || tamāyāṃtaṃ kubero'tha vijñāpya vacanoditaiḥ || prasannamanasaṃ cakre vṛṣṭiṃ svarṇasya cākṣayām || 62 || svarṇavṛṣṭirabhūdyatra sā svarṇakhaniruttamā || sa muniṃ darśayāmāsa khaniṃ tena niveditām|| 63 || tasmai samarpayāmāsa tāṃ raghuḥ khanimuttamām || munīndro'pi gṛhītvāśu tato gurvarthamādarāt || 64 || rājñe nivedayāmāsa sarvamanyadguṇādhikaḥ || varānatha dadau tuṣṭaḥ kautso matimatāṃ varaḥ || 65 || || kautsa uvāca || || rāja~llabhasva satputraṃ nijavaṃśaguṇānvitam || iyaṃ svarṇakhanistūrṇaṃ manobhīṣṭaphalapradā || 66 || bhūyādatra paraṃ tīrthaṃ sarvapāpaharaṃ sadā || atra snānena dānena nṛṇāṃ lakṣmīḥ prajāyate || 67 || vaiśākhe śukladvādaśyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī smṛtā || nānābhīṣṭaphalaprāptirbhūyānmadvacasā nṛṇām || 68 || || agastya uvāca || || iti dattvā varānrājñe kautsaḥ saṃtuṣṭamānasaḥ || pratasthe nijakāryārthe gurorāśramamutsukaḥ || 69 || rājā sa kṛtakṛtyo'tha śeṣaṃ saṃgṛhya taddhanam|| dvijebhyo vidhivaddattvā pālayāmāsa vai prajāḥ || 2.8.4.70 || evaṃ svarṇakhanerjātaṃ māhātmyaṃ ca munīśvarāt || 71 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe'yodhyāmāhātmye dharmaharisvarṇakhanimāhātmyavarṇanaṃnāma caturtho'dhyāyaḥ || 4 ||
English translation
Note: This deity [viz., Dharmahari] is to the south-east of Candra - Hari . It got its name from its founder (installer) Brāhmaṇa Dharma who propitiated Viṣṇu and was allowed to prefix his name to Viṣṇu’s idol. Its annual festival is celebrated on the eleventh day of the bright half of Āṣāḍha .
Agastya said :
1. From the holy spot of Candrahari in the south-eastern direction, there is the deity by name Dharmahari who is the destroyer of the sins of Kali Age.
2. Formerly a Brāhmaṇa named Dharma who was conversant with the principles of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas and who scrupulously adhered to his duties, came here on a pilgrimage.
3. After arriving he conducted an extensive pilgrimage with great respect here. He was surprised on noticing the matchless glory of Ayodhyā .
4. Lifting up his arms, the Brāhmaṇa proclaimed joyously: “Oh! How very beautiful is this Tīrtha ! Oh! How excellent is its glory!
5. No other city like Ayodhyā is seen. Being always stationed on the Discus of Viṣṇu, it never touches the earth.
6. As Hari Himself is stationed in it, with which (city) can it be compared? Oh! All the Tīrthas (here) are the bestowers of the world of Viṣṇu.
7. Oh, Viṣṇu! Oh, Tīrtha! Oh, great city of Ayodhyā! Oh, matchless glory! Which one stationed here is not worthy of praise? Everything hereof is extremely praiseworthy.”
8-9. After saying this, Dharma was overwhelmed with rapturous delight and danced there in various ways after observing particularly the glory of Ayodhyā.
On seeing Dharma dancing thus the yellow-robed Lord Hari who became kind and compassionate, manifested himself before him. Dharma bowed down to Hari and eulogized him with great respect.
Dharma said :
10. Obeisance to the Lord residing in the Ocean of Milk. Bow to the Lord lying on a couch (of Śeṣa ). Obeisance to Viṣṇu whose divine feet are touched by Śaṅkara .
11. Obeisance to the Lord whose excellent feet are devoutly worshipped. Hail to you, the favourite one of Aja ( Brahmā ) and others! Repeated obeisance to Mādhava of splendid limbs and excellent eyes.
12. Obeisance to the Lord with lotus-like feet; to the lotus-navelled one; obeisance to the Śārṅga -bearing one whose body is touched by the waves of the Ocean of Milk.
13. Oṃ, salute to the Lord having Yogic Slumber; to the Lord whose Ātman is meditated upon by leading Yogins . Repeated obeisance to the Lord seated on Garuḍa , and to Govinda .
14. Obeisance, obeisance to Śrīdhara who has excellent tresses, nose and forehead; to the discus-bearing Lord who has good robes and good complexion.
15. Obeisance to you with good mighty arms. Bow to you having fascinating shanks. (Hail) to the Lord having good residence and learning; (obeisance) to the exceedingly divine macebearing Lord.
16. Obeisance, obeisance to Keśava , the quiescent one, to Vāmana . Obeisance to you fond of Dharma; to the Lord having yellow robes.
Agastya said :
17. On being eulogized thus by Dharma, the liberal-minded Hṛṣīkeśa , the delighted Lord of Śrī, the Lord of the universe joyously spoke to Dharma, these words:
Śrī Bhagavān said :
18-19. O Dharma of good holy rites, I am delighted by this prayer of yours. O (Brāhmaṇa) conversant with Dharma, choose a boon, whatever appeals to your mind. The man who with alertness eulogizes me by means of this prayer attains all cherished desires. He is worshipped and is always endowed with glory and prosperity.
Dharma said :
20. O Lord, if you are pleased, O Lord of Devas , O Lord of the universe, I shall install you (here) with my name (prefixed), O Sire of the universe.
Agastya said :
21. After saying “Let it be so”, the Lord became Dharmahari. Merely by remembering Lord Dharmahari a man becomes liberated.
22. The devotee should take his bath in the waters of Sarayū with his mind full of pious thoughts and witness Lord Dharmahari. He shall then be liberated from all sins.
23. The rites of charitable gifts, Homa , Japa and the feeding of Brāhmaṇas performed here shall become infinite in benefit and are conducive to the attainment of residence in the world of Viṣṇu.
24. In case any evil has been committed knowingly or unknowingly, expiatory rites should be performed scrupulously for dispelling it.
25. By the due performance of the expiatory rite his sin perishes. Hence expiatory rites must be performed here in accordance with the injunctions.
26. If there is any break or omission of the daily routine of religious rites knowingly or unknowingly, or on account of being restrained by the king or others, in case a man is under duress, the expiatory rites should be performed by him with great care.
27. Here Lord Viṣṇu himself resides with great love. Hence the greatness (of this) cannot be described by human beings.
28. On the eleventh day in the bright half of Āṣāḍha, his annual festival is to be celebrated in accordance with the injunctions, O excellent Brāhmaṇa.
29. By taking the holy bath in Svargadvāra and by visiting Lord Dharmahari, the devotee shall be rid of all his sins and shall always dwell in the world of Viṣṇu.
30. To the south of this is an excellent mine of gold. [1] It was here that Kubera caused a great downpour of gold because he became afraid of Raghu .
Vyāsa said :
31. O illustrious one, O knower of truth, tell me how the shower of gold took place? Why was Kubera frightened of King Raghu?
32. Narrate all this in detail, O (sage) of good holy rites. By listening to the (holy) tales and (divine) secrets my mind is not satiated.
Agastya said :
33. Listen, O Brāhmaṇa, I shall tell you about the excellent origin of the gold. Hearing about it (i.e. the showering) causes great surprise to people.
34. Formerly there was a king (named) Raghu who caused the race of Ikṣvāku to flourish. He administered the entire world with excellent vigour and prowess of his own arms.
35-40. By means of his exalted prowess he had harassed his enemies who then (sang songs of) praise of his good reputation. As he protected his subjects very well and justly, his spotlessly pure glory spread in all the ten quarters.
By means of his conquest he accumulated a great lot of riches. He invaded different countries with fully equipped four divisions of his army. He won over all living beings and levied taxes and tributes through the threat of punishment.
The heroic king subjugated great kings with power and influence. Then he seized from them different kinds of precious stones. Powerful that he was, he conquered all the quarters and gathered together heaps of gems. Then the king returned to his splendid capital Ayodhyā.
After his return to his capital city, the descendant of Kakutstha became eager to perform a Yajña . He had the pure and pious idea of performing a good holy rite befitting his family.
41-42. Realizing (his duty), the king, through his well disciplined and excellent Brāhmaṇa (adviser) brought Vasiṣṭha , Vāmadeva , Kaśyapa and other excellent sages who had been living in different holy places.
43. Having learnt that they had arrived and on seeing them all staying like (so many) blazing fires, Raghu, the highly glorious conqueror of the capital towns of enemies, came out (of his palace) duly, as required by the rules of propriety.
44. The humble descendant of Kakutstha uttered the following pious words about his eagerness to perform a Yajña to those excellent Brāhmaṇas.
Raghu said :
45-46. O all ye sages, listen to my words. I wish to perform a Yajña. It behoves you all to accord me permission for the same. O excellent sages, which Yajña will be befitting me now? Ye leading sages, ponder over this and tell me exactly.
The sages said :
47. O king, the Yajña known as Viśvajit is the most excellent of all Yajñas . Perform that Yajña with great effort. Do not delay it unnecessarily.
Agastya said :
48-51. Thereupon, the king performed the Yajña called Viśvadigjaya . It was very fascinating because of the various requisites that had been gathered together. His entire possessions were offered by him as monetary gifts.
The sages were rendered highly delighted and contented with different kinds of charitable gifts. With great reverence and respect, he gave everything he possessed to the brāhmaṇas.
When all of them had returned to their abodes after being duly adored, when the kinsmen had been rendered contented and when the sages were duly bowed to, that king of auspicious conduct instantaneously became resplendent like Devendra in heaven on account of the due performance of that sacrifice.
52. In the meantime, there came a sage known as Kautsa . He was a disciple of Sage Viśvāmitra and was the most excellent one among those who had self-control.
53-54. He came there to sanctify that king (by making him donate money) for the sake of the fee to be given to the preceptor.
The intelligent sage Kautsa came there to respectfully beg (the king) for the (payment of) fee to the preceptor who had angrily told him (Kautsa) thus when he (the preceptor) was repeatedly requested (to specify the fee to be given to him). (Viśvāmitra had said:) “Bring me immediately fourteen crores of gold pieces. That is my fee.” Kautsa came there to request Raghu, the ornament of kings, who had (unfortunately) already given his entire wealth as monetary gifts.
55-58. On seeing that he had come, Raghu, the scorcher of enemies, got up promptly and duly worshipped him. During his reception service, he used only earthen pots for the sake of the holy rites.
On seeing the collection of the requisites of such a nature for the worship, the eminent sage was dismayed. Without any joy he abandoned the hopes of getting the amount of fee and yet he spoke sweetly because he was an expert in making appropriate statements.
Kautsa said :
O king, may you be prosperous. I am now going elsewhere for fetching the fee to be given to the preceptor. I do not intend to request you as you have donated everything of yours as religious gift (and yourself) lack in funds. I am, therefore, going elsewhere.
Agastya said :
59. On being told thus by the sage, Raghu, the conqueror of enemies’ cities, meditated for a short while. With his palms joined together in reverence and humility, he spoke to him thus:
Raghu said :
60. O holy lord, kindly do stay in my palace for a day. I shall seriously endeavour for the sake of getting some money for you. Agastya said :
61. After saying these words of great liberal-mindedness, Raghu of exalted intellect, started with a desire for conquering Kubera.
62. As he was approaching, Kubera made him delighted in mind by conveying his oral message (regarding shower of gold) and offered him an endless downpour of gold.
63-65. The place where the shower of gold occurred is the excellent Svarṇakhani. He pointed out to the sage the mine thus offered by him (Kubera). Raghu dedicated that excellent mine to him. The eminent sage of superior good qualities accepted it, but took only what should be given to the preceptor. Everything else he respectfully returned to the king. The delighted Kautsa, the most excellent one among intelligent persons, granted him boons too.
Kautsa said :
66-68. O king, may you get a very good son possessing all the good qualities of your own family. This Svarṇakhani shall immediately bestow the desired benefits on you.
There will be a great Tīrtha here. It shall always dispel all sins. By taking holy bath here and making charitable gifts men shall obtain fortune and glory.
It is to be remembered that the annual festival should be celebrated on the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Vaiśākha . At my instance, men will obtain all the different things desired by them.
Agastya said :
69-71. After granting boons thus to the king, Kautsa who was delighted in his mind, set off for his own task towards the hermitage of his preceptor eagerly.
The contented king took the remaining amount. He gave gifts unto Brāhmaṇas duly and protected the subjects.
Thus the Svarṇakhani became celebrated on account of the eminent sage (Kautsa).
[1]: [1] : The place where Kubera showered gold for Raghu is called ‘Svarṇa-khani’. That is to the south of Dharma-Hari. The story of sage Kautsa and his donor King Raghu is given in vv. 31-71. This generosity of King Raghu is beautifully described by Kālidāsa in Raghuvaṃśa .
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 23149, revision 294834 (2020-12-03T02:00:57Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371732.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.